Ch 4 The Weed Standard disclaimer: I don't own any of the Gundam Wing characters that are used in this story.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Marimeia's Engagement
By West Wind
Chapter 4 ~ The Weed

Author's Comments: I thought the story line was getting bland to non-existent so I decided to spice it up a bit with a new obstacle for our couple to deal with. I hope you like it.

Heero headed to Lady Une's office after her summons. He crisply rapped on the door and received the command to enter. He opened the door and entered. He noted the dark haired woman in a Preventer uniform standing at the front corner of Lady Une's desk. He said nothing and stood at attention before his supervisor.

"Heero," she said, "this is Lynn Scott. She has been transferred here from one of our base in North America. Lynn Scott, Heero Yuy."

Heero nodded his acknowledgment at meeting the young woman and she smiled innocently as she looked him over.

"Heero, you are to help Lynn become familiar with our facility and get settled in her first week here, as well as, perform her beginning assessment," said Une as she handed him an envelope much like the one Lynn held. "In that you will find the details you need."

Heero opened the envelope and scanned its contents. Lynn had an excellent service record and good solid training behind her.

"You can start by showing her to her desk, G-12," Une continued after Heero had a chance to glean the information from the sheets before him.

Heero nodded his understanding and acceptance of the task and muttered, "Mission accepted," so only Lady Une could hear clearly.

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth at his response.

"You are dismissed," she told the two and they exited her office.

Once Heero and Lynn were in the hallway making their way through the maze of offices and cubicles to Lynn's desk, she tried to strike up a conversation.

"So… Heero," she said stretching the first two words of her sentence in a seductive voice, "how long have you been a Preventer?"

"It seems like most of my life," he replied not giving her any hard facts.

Heero was never one to give too much info away if he did not have to.

"What is your job here?"

"To follow orders."

The obvious side-stepping of her questions did not seem to phase Lynn one bit and she continued with her questioning until he refused to answer, which took only three more questions.

"This is your desk," Heero said flatly as he directed her into a cubical. "If you will follow me, I will show you where you can get the office supplies you need."

Heero spent the rest of the morning getting Lynn settled into her desk and showing her where to find things. Lunch time came and Heero lead Lynn to the cafeteria. They went through the line and selected their food. Heero paid for his meal and looked out across the cafeteria. He spotted Duo waving enthusiastically at him to join Duo and the others. Heero knew Lynn would sit wherever he did. If he sat with the others maybe she would stop hounding him with questions. He made his way over to the other ex-Gungam pilots and Sally with Lynn right behind him. Heero introduced her to the guys and sat down at the end of the table between Trowa and Wufei. Lynn took the seat across from Duo. As they ate, she soon discovered that Duo was the talkative one of the group, and she settled into a conversation with him. She tended to ask more question's about Heero than anything else, even if they were often couched in innocent looking questions that did not mention Heero specifically. The others picked up on her attempts at information gathering and prompted by Heero's glare, found ways around all of them without appearing rude. Sally was a great asset by getting Lynn to talk about herself.

The end of the day finally rolled around and Heero was free from Lynn. He had just finished up the paper work he had to look at today when there was a knock at his door and Duo popped his head in.

"Still here, huh," Duo said as he strolled into Heero's office and plopped down in the chair in front of the desk.

"Just about to leave," Heero assured him.

"You survived you first day with Lynn, I see. I believe she is after you, bud."

"What gave you that idea," Heero retorted sarcastically, which was rare for Heero.

"Maybe the way she keep looking at you at lunch and all the questions she asked had something to do with you most of the time," responded Duo with a large grin plastered across his face.

Heero shook his head at the man before him.

"I only have to be with her for a week, then she will have her own duties to attend to and will forget about me."

"Heero, Heero, Heero," said Duo, "when will you ever learn? I don't think Lynn is the type to give up that easily. Were you able to shake Marimeia when she was after you?"

Heero was about to tell Duo that was different but halted before it escaped his lips. Duo was right. When some women have their mind set on something it takes a lot to discourage them. Lynn was a go getter and he had his work cut out for him. He was sure that it was nothing he could not handle.

~~*~~

It was Friday afternoon, almost time to go home, and Heero was putting the finishing touches on his report. In the previous days he had ran Lynn through every obstacle and training course the Preventers offered. Lynn was as good as her record said she was, and Heero felt he could give an accurate appraisal of Lynn's abilities and short comings to Lady Une. With a few key strokes the report was e-mailed off to his superior.

There was a knock at his door and he called come in. Lynn strolled in like she belonged there. Heero looked at her questioningly.

"What do you need?" he asked coldly as he eyed her cautiously.

"Since it is my first weekend in a new town where I don't know anybody, I though you might have dinner with me and show me where the best hangouts are," she cooed innocently.

Her big eyed, innocent act did not fool Heero, and he was glad he informed Lady Une of Lynn's manipulative nature because it had the potential to cause trouble among the ranks if Lynn so desired.

"No," said Heero monotony.

"It would really be nice to associate with another person after work. It is so lonely in my apartment," she said with a slight hint of pleading and helplessness to her voice as she tried to play on Heero's emotions.

Heero's expression did not change. He glared at her and said very intently, "If you ask around, I am sure someone would be happy to go with you or tell you of a good 'hangout,' but I am not interested."

Heero picked up his things and ushered Lynn out of his office before he locked the door.

"Maybe some other evening?" she inquired.

"No, I am engaged," Heero stated.

"Oh, I see," said Lynn faking shock.

Heero was aware of the fact that she already knew he was engaged because Duo had told her a few days ago, but he did not show the knowledge.

"Good night," he said crisply and walked away.

Lynn watched him walk away and she became more determined to conquer the challenge that was Heero.

~~*~~

Few weeks later….

Marimeia was home for summer break and had resumed her summer job at Preventer HQ. It was not a very exciting job, in fact it was usually very boring. It involved a lot of menial tasks that needed done like filing, boxing up old items, running errands, making deliveries, answering the phone, and other odd jobs. It helped pay for what she needed at school and she was close to Heero.

Her first week back she was taking a stack of files to her mother when she came up on a shocking sight. From her vantage point of the hallway, she saw Heero standing in middle of one of the waiting/reception areas with a woman she had never seen before talking to him. The dark brown haired woman was obviously very interested in Heero and was definitely trying to flirt with him. Marimeia became a bit irked at that but opted to stay in her hiding spot as the conversation drifted to her.

"Heero, have lunch with me. I found this great little restaurant down the road," she more demanded than asked.

"I have other plans," he replied and turned to leave.

She garbed his arm to keep him from retreating.

"Some other time," she said.

Heero's only response was to yank his arm from her grasp and walk away. The brown haired woman watched him walk away eyeing him like a predator does its prey. Marimeia walked up behind the woman.

"He is engaged, you know," she informed the interloper in a informative tone.

The woman moved her eyes from where Heero had exited to the red headed girl beside her. She looked Marimeia over carefully before answering.

"He told me that."

"And you still chase after him?" inquired Marimeia.

The woman flashed a big smile at Marimeia.

"I appreciate a challenge, and he is a challenge. In the end, I always get what I want, and I will get him into my bed," she replied before walking away.

Marimeia had to force her grasp on the files to loosen as her emotions reacted to the statement the temptress just told her prey's fiancée. She did not fear Heero leaving her for the trollop or the trollop getting him to sleep with her. She knew him well and that was not in his character. Heero has accepted the "mission" of being with her and he always competes his mission. As for sleeping with the brunet, Heero was a traditionalist and was set on not having sex until after marriage, which had irritated Marimeia on a couple of occasions. What got to her was that someone was challenging her claim to Heero.

Marimeia entered her mother's office. Lady Une was on the phone so she placed the files on the desk and made her way out as quietly as she came in. She looked at her watch and noted it was time for lunch. She and Heero had planned to go out for lunch today. As she made her way to Heero's office, she spotted the temptress going to lunch with a group of other Preventers.

Heero looked up as Marimeia entered his office, closing the door behind her. A smile caress his lips as she approached him.

"I am glad you opted for lunch with me instead of the brunet," teased Marimeia as she approached.

He looked at her questioningly.

"The walls have ears," she replied, "and voices carry down hallways."

Heero pulled her into his lap and place a light kiss on her cheek.

"I would never pass up lunch with you, not even for my fiancée," he teased back.

Marimeia's stomach took the opportunity to announce its desire for food and the two headed out to one of the local restaurants. While they ate, Heero informed her about Lynn because one should always know you enemy.

~~*~~

The next day, Marimeia had lunch with the gang. She took a seat beside Trowa and was soon flanked on her other side by Heero. Only moments after Heero sat down, Lynn appeared out of no where and joined them, setting across from Heero.

"You have a new addition," she observed after she settled into her place.

"Yes," answered Duo, "Trowa's niece, Marimeia. She works here during summer breaks."

"How nice for you," Lynn patronized before turning to Heero.

Marimeia noted the absence of any reference to her mother or being Heero's fiancée, but was not going to correct it. Lynn had already dismissed her as insignificant as she had at their previous meeting, and Marimeia preferred Lynn to underestimate her significance. The more the better, but there was always a chance that someone would spill the beans about her and Heero even it there were not many who knew.

"How are you, Heero?" Lynn asked.

Heero answered with a grunt and continued to eat his food without looking at her.

"I heard you are fairly new here. Are you getting settled in?" asked Marimeia.

Lynn looked at Marimeia and answered, "Slowly. It takes time to build up a new network of friends especially when some people aren't very helpful," she directed at Heero.

He ignored her obvious jab and attempt at causing guilt.

Marimeia just nodded her head in understanding as she worked on her food.

"Your engaged," Lynn said as she noticed the ring on Marimeia's left hand.

Marimeia smiled sweetly at Lynn.

"Yes, it happened several months ago at school," said Marimeia allowing Lynn to assume her betrothed attended school with her.

"You must be excited," said Lynn already loosing interest in the college student.

"I am but it is slowly subsiding as I tackle the task of planning the wedding."

"How are the plans going?" asked Sally.

The two were soon comparing wedding ideas and their pros and cons until the end of lunch.

~~*~~

Marimeia was pulling weeds out of the flower beds in the backyard. There was this one type of weed that really aggravated Marimeia. It has round scalloped leaves and a pretty dainty purple flower. The plant was low to the ground and made a great ground cover. What made it annoying was the fact that it spread to any bare ground vie the runners it sent out and tried to take over. It was easy to pull out since the roots were not deep but the problem was getting all of the off shoots. Marimeia grabbed one plant and pulled. She followed the runner to the next rooted offspring and removed it as well with the initial pull. She tossed the unwanted plant aside and ripped out more. She shook her head as she noticed the plant growing between the stepping stones. There was plastic under the stones and no dirt. It only confirmed her theory that the weed would grow anywhere. She muttered at the weed as she picked runners out from between the daylily's leaves.

"You know," she said to Anna who had just stepped out on the deck, "some people are like this weed. They try to put down roots and take over in places they don't belong. You just have to keep coming through and pull out the runners they try to surround and strangle you with."

"You are talking about Lynn, aren't you?"

"You know?"

"I know."

"You haven't done anything about it!" Marimeia blurt out.

"She has not done anything that breaks policy."

"But she is constantly hitting on Heero," Marimeia pointed out. "Just the other day she was provocatively leaning over Heero's desk. When I entered to make a delivery she walked out passed me and I noted that the top three buttons of her shirt were undone."

"He has not filed a complaint," Anna said. "I could investigate and at least talk to her about her actions with enough complaints."

"He will never do that," said Marimeia.

"There in is the problem," pointed out Anna. "I am sorry, dear, but you will have to find you own mix of weed killer for this one."

Marimeia had known she would have to come up with her own solution. Her mother had responsibilities and procedures to follow. She could not play favorites. Lady Une could not reprimand someone just because her daughter did not like the person or the person was hitting on her future son-in-law. It would cause fear, uncertainty, and mistrust among the agents if they could not trust their commander to act fairly and impartially in all situations.

Marimeia pondered how to free Heero from the relentlessly encroaching weed as she continued tending her flowers. She was so deep in thought that she did not notice Heero come up behind her until he snaked his arms around her waist and kissed her on the back of the neck before pulling her off the ground to a standing position. She jumped at his unexpected touch. Once she identified her assailant she calmed down but was sure to let Heero know the unneeded fright he put her through and he should never do that again. Heero appeared amused at her tirade before he silenced her with a kiss. Marimeia felt her knees buckle as their lips touched and leaned against him for support which he gladly gave.

She looked up at him lovingly and ran her fingers through his contrary bangs. As she brushed them away from his eyes something white glistened in the sun. Marimeia verified what she thought she saw.

"You have a gray hair in your bangs," she announced.

"I know," he replied. "There are a couple others scattered in my hair. Don't look so shocked, it is only natural as one gets close to thirty."

Their age difference never bothered her but seeing Heero with gray hair, even if it was only a few of them, seemed to bring the issue to mind. She smiled up at him and let out a stifled giggle. Heero arched an eyebrow in quandary of her amusement.

"I guess it could be worse. You could be loosing hair rather than it turning gray," Marimeia said and started laughing at the image of Heero completely bald.

Heero did not seem to appreciate Marimeia's amusement at the notion.

"Don't worry. I would still love you even it you were bald," she said as she tapped his nose with her finger before dancing away and into the house.

Heero followed her in. She offered him a glass of lemonade when he entered the kitchen which he accepted. The two sat at the bar quietly sipping their drinks.

"What are we going to do about Lynn?" inquired Marimeia.

"Uh…" was all she got out of him.

"You have become a challenge to her and she is not going to give up until she wraps her vines around you and takes over."

"Don't worry. It will be taken care off," he reassured.

That did not keep Marimeia from thinking about it or trying to find solutions. Try as she might, no great solution came to her.

~~*~~

Marimeia stepped out of the dressing room and made her way to the platform. The sales lady adjusting the long, flowing, heavily beaded, glistening fabric to lay smoothly behind her. Marimeia could feel the weight of the train pulling at her as she moved forward. She stepped onto the platform and walked toward her support group made up of her mother, Sally, Relena, and Trowa. Trowa sat in his chair arms folded across his chest and his head tipped forward as if he napped. As soon as Marimeia stepped out, all eyes turned to her, even the supposable sleeping Trowa. Marimeia turned so they could see the back and she watched herself in the mirrors they had set up for the purpose. This dress had short puffy sleeves, a square neck line, an empire waist line, and it was covered in beading. It was a little over done for Marimeia's taste.

The watching women made comments both pro and con for this dress as they had done for each of the previous dresses Marimeia had tried on, and the sales attendant offered her different veils to try with it. None of them helped with this dress in Marimeia's opinion. She was sure her dislike for this one could be clearly read on her face.

"The right veil will make this dress look perfect," chattered the chipper sales woman.

Marimeia had to agree that getting the right veil with the dress made a world of difference but no veil was going to help this dress.

"That dress is a bit much on her," said Trowa breaking the silence he had keep since they had arrived. "In that dress she is the body that show cases it instead of the dress complementing and accentuating her."

Marimeia voiced her agreement with Trowa and was grateful that Relena had left the kids with Heero and drug Trowa along. He had hit the nail on the head as to why she did not like it. The dress did shout look at me. The observers attention was drawn to the dress itself and not the bride. Marimeia cast the dress into the definitely not pile.

That was the last dress Marimeia had picked out to try on. She looked at the piles of sorted dresses. The largest was the "no" pile, then a few in the "maybe" pile, and two in the "definite" pile. The attendant asked if Marimeia wanted to go back out and pick out other dresses. Marimeia declined. She had been through enough dresses now that she knew what she wanted and that was in the two smaller piles before her. She finally decided against the dresses in the "maybe" pile and tried on the two "definite" dresses one last time before choosing a winner.

They were both similar styles except one was off the shoulder while the other had wide straps. They were both fitted and had princess waist lines. The one with straps had a light beading down the front in the patter on flowers while the other had an insert of a different material in the bodice front that was gathered to form soft folds in the fabric. Marimeia chose the off the shoulder dress and a veil to match. The items were packaged up and paid for.

By the time they left the dress shop it was lunch time. The small group stopped at a restaurant and were escorted to a table by a college age waiter. They were brought water while they looked over the menus. They each chose an item that appealed to them from the menu and ordered. The food was brought out to them while they cheerfully conversed.

Marimeia decided to share her "weed problem" with them. She needed someone else's input.

"She sees Heero as a challenge. The more he refuses her the more determined she becomes to get her way," Marimeia summarized after laying her tale out before her friends.

"Have you talked to Heero about it?" asked Sally.

"Yes, he told me not to worry about it," answered Marimeia.

"Then don't. I'm sure Heero has something up his sleeve to take care of the situation," said Relena and Trowa nodded his agreement.

Marimeia knew Relena was right, and she would just have to trust Heero to take care of the situation in his own way, what ever that was. She only wished she knew what his plan was….

Author's Note: … and so do I. I have written myself into a corner and am unsure how to get out. As I have said Lynn is a determined soldier with her sites set on her goal ~ Heero. Heero's refusals only seem to make her try harder. Just telling her off or fighting with her would not make such a person back off for good. If Heero gave her what she wants then she wins and would rub it in Marimeia's face. Suggestions would be appreciated.


TBC