Title: Chimera
Author: Amber
Pairings: Not Sure Yet but there will definitely be Yaoi.
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental. Any new OC belongs to said author and her imagination.
The Paradox
Present Day Christmas Eve.
He inhaled the cold crisp air rolling his neck to relieve the edginess he couldn't believe it. Even after so many years of peace he wouldn't ignore instincts drummed into him since childhood their what had enabled him to be a superior soldier and tactician during the war. Still this inability to logically reason this out made him frustrated Quatre was the intuitive one not him so what was making those internal sensors of his scream. He scanned the horizon with piercing blue eyes that still burned with an intensity undimmed. He raked his fingers through his hair there was no sense in denial something wasn't right all he could do was remain vigilant.
"Heero come on we're going to be late." He turned slightly and nodded before glancing over his shoulder looking across the hills and valley. He still... Yes damn it. Felt he should be doing something anything to prepare. But for what?
"Heero !" Relena waddled up the hill exasperated. "Come on or Duo will make us walk and while I think the snow is gorgeous I have no desire to trek down the mountain on foot in it."
Heero sighed turning. "Coming," he called absently. His mind still trying to search for the source of his unease when he suddenly got a thorough look at her a humorous smile split his serious profile. Relena stood before him covered head to toe only her eyes and slightly red nose could be detected among the extra winter wear piled on.
"Don't laugh," she warned. He shook his head at her latest bout of impulsiveness.
"You didn't have to come up here." He pointed out reasonably. Moving deftly across the snow with a gracefulness that irritated her as much as she envied she shook her head at the light jacket he wore in spite of the coldness of the weather.
"I was worried I know this will be a shock but even you are not impervious to pneumonia." He reached her in time to catch her as she slipped yet again.
"Arrhh oopmp," she laughed breathlessly as he caught her anchoring her securely to his side. "If I didn't love you I could hate you Heero. It took longer to get here than I thought Duo is going to be angry with us you know he's been itching to get this Christmas party going since he woke."
Heero shrugged, "I don't know why that just means the sooner we have to put up with your brother." She clasped his arm and laughed. "O he's not that bad he just can't figure out how I can be living with two men and nothing be going on."
"As long as it's what we want it's not his problem or his business." They grew silent as they reached the bottom and she drew him to a stop.
"You and Duo mean a great deal to me your happiness is important. I should start thinking about finding another place to live."
He frowned then smoothed his expression out assuming indifference. He shrugged, "suit yourself."
Relena sighed, "Heero don't be that way. Don't you and Duo want some privacy? With me being around it gives the press an excuse to pick apart all our lives and I know it bothers you to be scrutinized that much."
He studied her intently his gaze stormy. "Has someone said or done something we should know about?"
She laughed, "and suffer the wrath of you and Shinigami no but I don't want you two hurt because of me. It's time Heero." She gave him a sidelong glance before she lifted their clasped hands and fingered his wedding band. "Have you given anymore thought to going to the clinic with Duo?"
He pulled away from her; "people like me don't know anything about children."
"You would make a great father Heero any child of yours would be loved and that's the most important thing. Your life wont be any easier but you and Duo will be the happier for it. A child born of the natural expression of your love." She smiled impishly urging him into walking again. "Besides I want to be an aunt who else am I going to spoil? Milliardo certainly seems in no hurry to wake up and do something about Lucrezia."
"You could have a child of your own."
A flash of sadness flickered in her eyes before she hid it behind a teasing smile. "I have exacting standards it seems and an old fashioned desire to have a man in my life to do that with. So far none measure up. If I could find a man with your heart, Duo's joy of living, Quatre's gentleness, Trowa's understanding of who he is, Wufei's sense of ethics and my brother's commitment. I would chain them to my bed in a heart beat."
He studied her seriously for a moment letting her think she distracted him. "Maybe not your brothers commitment."
She laughed a real sparkle finally entering her eyes. "Hmm maybe your right then lets pick my brother's body Lucrezia says he's a babe magnet with or without the mask." Her lips quirked in amusement as Heero thoughtfully seem to consider her comment.
"I'll take her word for that." He touched her arm halting her again. When she saw his eyes she knew he hadn't let go of their original topic and sighed mentally it was bad enough fighting herself when she didn't want to leave but now it looked like she would have to fight him as well. "That's why your moving out you think living with us would endanger a child by drawing attention to it." The beeping of the car saved her answering as she moved off. "This isn't over Relena." She glanced back over her shoulder and smiled.
"Come on Heero its Christmas Eve let's go spend it with those we love we can talk about this later."
Somewhere in One possible Future
"Hey Yuy! Their ready for you."
The ground shook and as bits of concrete and debris rained down from above. "Shit! Why wont they give it a rest?"
The figure crouched on the ground slowly stood. Cody watched him with equal combinations of envy and awe poster boy for the perfection of man. Well over six feet and sleekly muscled he was epitome of an elite soldier coupled with the rumored enhanced strength it was enough to make every male that came in contact with him jealous. Add eyes of Prussian blue, long black hair that fell past his waist a charming manner that he turned on and off at will and Yuy was at turns loved, envied, hated and feared. Cody smiled ruefully picturing the fluttering once the females and males vying for his attention got wind of his return so far much to their dismay he hadn't shown any inclination toward anyone.
He stretched to his full height, muscles toned through years of war and hard living rippled then relaxed it reminded Cody of a jungle cat the appearance was one of waiting power while some how still managing to keep every muscle and nerve in a heightened state of readiness. Cody sighed philosophically he had accepted long ago his own limitations so it was only occasionally he felt curious about the man before him. Shaking off his thoughts he tuned back into what he was saying.
He shrugged, "why should they? They know we're here somewhere be glad their relieving their frustrations this way at least we know what Davron is doing. Forget it. It's just posturing." He turned eyes of the deepest blue on Cody. "So what is it going to be this time?"
Cody shrugged, "hey man I'm just a lowly tech you would have more pull than me."
"I would hmm?" he smiled mirthlessly. "I'll have to remember that." Striding through the winding corridors he stopped outside the door. A computer voice tonelessly echoed through the hallway.
'Greetings prepare for retinal identification.'
'Retinal integrity intact.'
'Voice activation password commencing.'
"Chimera."
'Audio confirmation established.'
'Admittance accepted.'
Thank You Commander Gabriel Maxwell Yuy.
Gabriel strode through the door and slowly scanned the room then moved toward the figure dominated by the massive desk against the far wall.
"Yuy,' she nodded briskly. "We're finally ready if things go according to plan your going to arrive at the Peacecraft mansion before the blast occurs. Once there you're to proceed in wiping out the last of the faction. We've provided you with a dossier on this disk." She tossed it at him. Catching it deftly he looked at it thoughtfully before returning her gaze.
"We thought we got them all we were wrong that error cost us immensely. We now know there were twelve of them. Your going to have to be wary of the Preventers once the attack is made their going to be protective of the minister. Heero and Duo especially... Zechs." She whispered. "He will make it his personal business to see those bastards eliminated so watch yourself you don't want to get caught in between. We will scan for your tracker once a week for a month at the designated pick up site if after that time your not retrieved and or there are no changes here we will consider you lost and select another subject.You understand the implications of this mission for yourself personally should you?"She trailed off delicately.
He nodded. "It was explained when I volunteered."
"And you still wish to go through with this?" He nodded again. "Very well then any questions?"
"Just one," she slowly stood and nodded. "Who is the woman that contributed to my conception?"
She frowned. "We have been all through this Gabriel for all intent purposes your parents were Heero and Duo you know this."
"Yes I'm aware of the facts but it's also a fact that female contributions to this process were made." He watched something flicker across her face before disappearing again.
"How does this pertain to your mission? Lets keep your eye on the objective."
He straightened his lips twisted wryly. "I do but in case I don't make it back it would have been nice to hear the truth from your lips just once." Gabriel saluted then swung around as the door swished open he paused glancing sideways not quite meeting her gaze. "Mother."
She made to call him back but faltered. He knows how can I let him go now? I don't want to loose my son. How can I not we're loosing we're on the verge of extinction this last desperate bid to change history has to work. O god Zechs how I've failed you. Lucrezia lifted a shaky and swiped her eyes. "Good luck my son."
An erie green glow illuminated the room and the silence made it seem sacrilege to intrude but he did anyway. A part of him had always been fascinated he had been sneaking away to come here for as long as he could remember. Something about her drew him it was impossible to tell much about the figure within hair floated out well below taunt smooth buttocks shielding portions of the figure playing peek-a-boo with most of the face and body. Over the years he had grown possessive of the woman within thinking of her as his and more and more it seemed as if the symbiotic fluids took from her instead of sustaining.
Gabriel had seen vidfilms of the era what had always struck him was the life that radiated from the woman even sitting in quiet repose. She drew people to her whether it was her love of life or her love of people he truly couldn't say maybe it was both. He moved closer to the glass feeling an irrational urge to smash the thing keeping her from opening her eyes and seeing him. He smiled mirthlessly that would guarantee she never opened her eyes. He couldn't quite explain his fascination for her. His parents died when he was younger but he remembered enough to know he was the quintessential blending of both. The superior strength of his father Heero coupled with his methodical and unrelenting commitment to finishing whatever he started. But there was also a fair amount of his dad as well. He and Duo shared their emotions readily with others along with a fine tuned flair for extracting retribution from their enemies. He lifted a hand toward the glass tracing the outline of the face partially hidden by hair. Apparently there was one more thing he had in common with his parents his tender feelings toward the sleeping princess within.
"I thought I would find you here." He started normally coming up on him without his knowledge was impossible another thing he shared in common with his father. Without taking his eyes off the woman within he acknowledged Noin's comment.
"Yes I suppose like father, like son I share their adoration. It will probably fade with first hand surveillance no one can be that perfect in real life." She moved forward in the room staring at the chamber. "It wasn't only your parents."
"The world's perfect princess," he mused out loud. She laughed.
Startled he turned looking at her intently. "What??" She shook her head. "Sorry. What or should I say who gave you the impression she was perfect?"
He shrugged, "the freedom channel reruns, old entertainment vids, this project. My parents gave their lives bringing those responsible for all those deaths to justice. I've heard more than once they were never the same after her accident."
She lifted her hand placing it against the glass where the hand hung within. "Relena was proper in some aspects but reckless in others she had no sense of self importance and heaven help us where those she loved were concerned. I remember once after Romafeller was destroyed and she was relieved of the title of Queen this reporter ..." She grew silent lost in her thoughts.
"This reporter," he prompted..
"This reporter addressed her as Queen." She smiled wistfully, "she told them she was no one important, that no one person held peace together if she died tomorrow peace would not. Another would take her place then another. Now we know just how wrong she was her smile faded."
Noin shook her head, "she would go anywhere, do anything for someone she loved." She smiled at him softly. "You've heard the story of how she met your parents?"
He nodded, "I was never sure how much I should believe though its like something out of a film."
"Believe it. Have I ever told you how I met her?" He shook his head intrigued at the soft smile around her mouth and leaned against the chamber. "Zechs really was the one behind it all. You know about the wars when the Peacecraft monarchy fell?" At his nod she continued on. "He and Relena were separated older than she but not enough he felt incapable of taking care of her that's how she wound up with the Darlians."
"How did you and the brother meet?"
"The academy at first it was the mystery he was something of a loner, long blonde hair."
"And in spite of the mask he was something of a looker hmm?"
She blushed. His eyes widened as the years of anger and worry fell away leaving her looking young and girlish again. For a moment he got a glimpse of what must have drawn the lightening count to her in the first place.
She sighed, "he could have asked me to do just about anything and I would have. Instead he trusted me with his sisters life. Une had killed her adopted father and she was there when it happened. Relena tracked Une down and by the time I got there she had shot at the woman and then hightailed it out of there. I saved her from the soldiers they sent after her. That was the first of many saves. She kept us busy. At first I stayed because of Zechs. Then somewhere along the way I no longer did it for him but because of her and myself. My life was richer having known her.. loved her."
"No she wasn't perfect far from it and she would be the first to tell you so. She was head strong and reckless she had a temper and was stubborn to a fault". she smiled ruefully. "I'll never forget the explosion between her and Zechs when she volunteered to contribute to the conception of your father's child." Zech ranted for hours and she just smiled at him through it all. "Duo told her if she did, it meant she had to be involved in the child's life allot more than honorary aunt. That's when she backed off. I always wondered about that considering how much she adored your father. She and Duo worked on him for quite some time about it."
"Father didn't want kids?"
"I can't pretend to know what Heero's private thoughts were about it. There were only two people who could interpret Heero Yuy one is dead and the other isn't talking. Personally I think he did but he was frightened of messing up. I always meant to ask her about what changed her mind."
He turned to stare at the woman within. "She didn't want to be bothered with a kid?"
"No," she murmured. "Relena wanted desperately to have a family." He swallowed feeling irrationally betrayed. "Sounds like she was jealous rumor has it she was obsessed with father.When he fell in love with Dad she must have been bitter."
Noin swung around to stare fiercely at him before a soft look entered her eyes. "I can forgive you thinking that you didn't know her. No there was no bitterness or envy she even lived with them."
He straightened abruptly. "What that isn't in any of the files."
Her eyebrow lifted. "She was a politician do you think the public wanted their princess soiled with nasty rumors of her living with two men? Two that also happened to be involved with one another had that come out they would have had her in an orgy by nightfall." She said sarcastically.
"No," she shook her head. "Relena knew how much Heero detested the scrutiny they were all under and as you pointed out she would have done anything for Heero even deny herself the pleasure of being a part of their child's lives."
"I don't get it."
She frowned impatiently. "Gabriel it's obvious had it become public knowledge the child's life would have been not only in danger but fodder for the press add in the name Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell and the kids every movement would be scrutinized. She knew how much she hated it she wouldn't have wished that on anyone. You need to understand something these were kids. We all were really. During the wars and once they were over we wanted to concentrate on living not being reminded of our notoriety. Unfortunately fate decreed otherwise but we wanted control over what was known by the press and the public. Many times she did things to head off scrutiny of her brother because she knew how much he loathed the attention as well. I don't think he ever knew allot of what she did was to take the attention off him and place it on her. Maybe she was afraid he would leave again and once she drew her little family around her she fought fiercely to keep us close."
Noin lifted her hand to trace the glass but clenched it into a fist instead letting it fall to her side. Shrugging off her mood she turned to face him once more determined to see it through now that she had started opening old wounds.
"After the explosion for a while we tried to go on like normal we buried our dead, mourned but hope seemed gone. We made the decision to encapsulate her until the technology made enough progress to heal her. Time unfortunately is now against us we're almost on the brink of extinction hence the attempt to alter our fate all together. Sally took more of a back seat after Wufei's death all her passion her zest seemed to die not only did she loose him she lost their child that night."
"Chang the real shy retiring doctor on level 3?"
"Yes you should have seen her before." She shook her head sadly, "she was ecstatic because she suspected she was pregnant and was just waiting for confirmation before telling him. It took him forever to work up to a proposal once she married him she swore she wasn't going to waste anymore time. Stuffy little Wufei how I miss him."
"Trowa and Catherine," she sighed. "Catherine Bloom was Trowa's sister, they were standing near Relena when the bomb went off we lost Trowa and Catherine straight way when they dug them out it looked like Trowa had been trying to protect Catherine and Relena. Quatre never recovered from Trowa's death and with the situation as it was with Relena he went back to space to run the Winner corp."
"They were lovers then?"
She smiled tremulously, "yes no one who was around them for any length of time could doubt it. How they felt for one another was quite beautiful. Dear Quatre he came through again for us though and we didn't loose him until the very end by then I think he welcomed it just to be with Trowa."
"Zechs." She clenched her hands, "was injured that night as well as myself." She gestured to the scar running across her neck. "He ignored urgings to get medical care and went back in to find those alive he was dragging me out when a secondary main exploded and was caught in the blast. When they found us he was on top of me his body." She faltered. Gabriel lifted his hand and clasped her shoulder.
She looked at him, "you know your fathers would be very proud of you. I'm proud of you. There was so few of us left my reasons for donating were complex and I truthfully can't tell you even if there was one more important than the other. I can tell you I always admired and cared for your fathers I wanted them to find some kind of peace after we lost so many friends and loved ones. I could tell you when Zechs died I knew I would never love another so would die alone without family. Maybe I wanted to leave something of myself behind for a chance at a better life. That too would be true. I could tell you it was guilt at having failed to keep her safe. I failed them both Zechs and Relena so this was my way of at least making one of Relena's dearest wishes come true. You see circumstances in Duo's life left him with a hunger for family and she knew that. Even identified with it. All those are true, are relevant and played a part. What was the deciding factor? I don't know I can't tell you. What I can tell you with certainty is this. I never once regretted it."
She straightened drawing a deep breath. "I won't see you off tomorrow here and now will be our farewell." She hesitated then pulled him into a hug pushing up on her toes she whispered in his ear. "Be safe... my son." Kissing his cheek she suddenly pulled back and quickly strode from the room.
He shifted looking longingly at the unconscious girl he couldn't quite control a frission of excitement coursing through his body. "Who are you that so many would die for you? Tomorrow we have a date princess and I'll find out for myself don't you dare disappoint me."
Author: Amber
Pairings: Not Sure Yet but there will definitely be Yaoi.
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental. Any new OC belongs to said author and her imagination.
The Paradox
Present Day Christmas Eve.
He inhaled the cold crisp air rolling his neck to relieve the edginess he couldn't believe it. Even after so many years of peace he wouldn't ignore instincts drummed into him since childhood their what had enabled him to be a superior soldier and tactician during the war. Still this inability to logically reason this out made him frustrated Quatre was the intuitive one not him so what was making those internal sensors of his scream. He scanned the horizon with piercing blue eyes that still burned with an intensity undimmed. He raked his fingers through his hair there was no sense in denial something wasn't right all he could do was remain vigilant.
"Heero come on we're going to be late." He turned slightly and nodded before glancing over his shoulder looking across the hills and valley. He still... Yes damn it. Felt he should be doing something anything to prepare. But for what?
"Heero !" Relena waddled up the hill exasperated. "Come on or Duo will make us walk and while I think the snow is gorgeous I have no desire to trek down the mountain on foot in it."
Heero sighed turning. "Coming," he called absently. His mind still trying to search for the source of his unease when he suddenly got a thorough look at her a humorous smile split his serious profile. Relena stood before him covered head to toe only her eyes and slightly red nose could be detected among the extra winter wear piled on.
"Don't laugh," she warned. He shook his head at her latest bout of impulsiveness.
"You didn't have to come up here." He pointed out reasonably. Moving deftly across the snow with a gracefulness that irritated her as much as she envied she shook her head at the light jacket he wore in spite of the coldness of the weather.
"I was worried I know this will be a shock but even you are not impervious to pneumonia." He reached her in time to catch her as she slipped yet again.
"Arrhh oopmp," she laughed breathlessly as he caught her anchoring her securely to his side. "If I didn't love you I could hate you Heero. It took longer to get here than I thought Duo is going to be angry with us you know he's been itching to get this Christmas party going since he woke."
Heero shrugged, "I don't know why that just means the sooner we have to put up with your brother." She clasped his arm and laughed. "O he's not that bad he just can't figure out how I can be living with two men and nothing be going on."
"As long as it's what we want it's not his problem or his business." They grew silent as they reached the bottom and she drew him to a stop.
"You and Duo mean a great deal to me your happiness is important. I should start thinking about finding another place to live."
He frowned then smoothed his expression out assuming indifference. He shrugged, "suit yourself."
Relena sighed, "Heero don't be that way. Don't you and Duo want some privacy? With me being around it gives the press an excuse to pick apart all our lives and I know it bothers you to be scrutinized that much."
He studied her intently his gaze stormy. "Has someone said or done something we should know about?"
She laughed, "and suffer the wrath of you and Shinigami no but I don't want you two hurt because of me. It's time Heero." She gave him a sidelong glance before she lifted their clasped hands and fingered his wedding band. "Have you given anymore thought to going to the clinic with Duo?"
He pulled away from her; "people like me don't know anything about children."
"You would make a great father Heero any child of yours would be loved and that's the most important thing. Your life wont be any easier but you and Duo will be the happier for it. A child born of the natural expression of your love." She smiled impishly urging him into walking again. "Besides I want to be an aunt who else am I going to spoil? Milliardo certainly seems in no hurry to wake up and do something about Lucrezia."
"You could have a child of your own."
A flash of sadness flickered in her eyes before she hid it behind a teasing smile. "I have exacting standards it seems and an old fashioned desire to have a man in my life to do that with. So far none measure up. If I could find a man with your heart, Duo's joy of living, Quatre's gentleness, Trowa's understanding of who he is, Wufei's sense of ethics and my brother's commitment. I would chain them to my bed in a heart beat."
He studied her seriously for a moment letting her think she distracted him. "Maybe not your brothers commitment."
She laughed a real sparkle finally entering her eyes. "Hmm maybe your right then lets pick my brother's body Lucrezia says he's a babe magnet with or without the mask." Her lips quirked in amusement as Heero thoughtfully seem to consider her comment.
"I'll take her word for that." He touched her arm halting her again. When she saw his eyes she knew he hadn't let go of their original topic and sighed mentally it was bad enough fighting herself when she didn't want to leave but now it looked like she would have to fight him as well. "That's why your moving out you think living with us would endanger a child by drawing attention to it." The beeping of the car saved her answering as she moved off. "This isn't over Relena." She glanced back over her shoulder and smiled.
"Come on Heero its Christmas Eve let's go spend it with those we love we can talk about this later."
Somewhere in One possible Future
"Hey Yuy! Their ready for you."
The ground shook and as bits of concrete and debris rained down from above. "Shit! Why wont they give it a rest?"
The figure crouched on the ground slowly stood. Cody watched him with equal combinations of envy and awe poster boy for the perfection of man. Well over six feet and sleekly muscled he was epitome of an elite soldier coupled with the rumored enhanced strength it was enough to make every male that came in contact with him jealous. Add eyes of Prussian blue, long black hair that fell past his waist a charming manner that he turned on and off at will and Yuy was at turns loved, envied, hated and feared. Cody smiled ruefully picturing the fluttering once the females and males vying for his attention got wind of his return so far much to their dismay he hadn't shown any inclination toward anyone.
He stretched to his full height, muscles toned through years of war and hard living rippled then relaxed it reminded Cody of a jungle cat the appearance was one of waiting power while some how still managing to keep every muscle and nerve in a heightened state of readiness. Cody sighed philosophically he had accepted long ago his own limitations so it was only occasionally he felt curious about the man before him. Shaking off his thoughts he tuned back into what he was saying.
He shrugged, "why should they? They know we're here somewhere be glad their relieving their frustrations this way at least we know what Davron is doing. Forget it. It's just posturing." He turned eyes of the deepest blue on Cody. "So what is it going to be this time?"
Cody shrugged, "hey man I'm just a lowly tech you would have more pull than me."
"I would hmm?" he smiled mirthlessly. "I'll have to remember that." Striding through the winding corridors he stopped outside the door. A computer voice tonelessly echoed through the hallway.
'Greetings prepare for retinal identification.'
'Retinal integrity intact.'
'Voice activation password commencing.'
"Chimera."
'Audio confirmation established.'
'Admittance accepted.'
Thank You Commander Gabriel Maxwell Yuy.
Gabriel strode through the door and slowly scanned the room then moved toward the figure dominated by the massive desk against the far wall.
"Yuy,' she nodded briskly. "We're finally ready if things go according to plan your going to arrive at the Peacecraft mansion before the blast occurs. Once there you're to proceed in wiping out the last of the faction. We've provided you with a dossier on this disk." She tossed it at him. Catching it deftly he looked at it thoughtfully before returning her gaze.
"We thought we got them all we were wrong that error cost us immensely. We now know there were twelve of them. Your going to have to be wary of the Preventers once the attack is made their going to be protective of the minister. Heero and Duo especially... Zechs." She whispered. "He will make it his personal business to see those bastards eliminated so watch yourself you don't want to get caught in between. We will scan for your tracker once a week for a month at the designated pick up site if after that time your not retrieved and or there are no changes here we will consider you lost and select another subject.You understand the implications of this mission for yourself personally should you?"She trailed off delicately.
He nodded. "It was explained when I volunteered."
"And you still wish to go through with this?" He nodded again. "Very well then any questions?"
"Just one," she slowly stood and nodded. "Who is the woman that contributed to my conception?"
She frowned. "We have been all through this Gabriel for all intent purposes your parents were Heero and Duo you know this."
"Yes I'm aware of the facts but it's also a fact that female contributions to this process were made." He watched something flicker across her face before disappearing again.
"How does this pertain to your mission? Lets keep your eye on the objective."
He straightened his lips twisted wryly. "I do but in case I don't make it back it would have been nice to hear the truth from your lips just once." Gabriel saluted then swung around as the door swished open he paused glancing sideways not quite meeting her gaze. "Mother."
She made to call him back but faltered. He knows how can I let him go now? I don't want to loose my son. How can I not we're loosing we're on the verge of extinction this last desperate bid to change history has to work. O god Zechs how I've failed you. Lucrezia lifted a shaky and swiped her eyes. "Good luck my son."
An erie green glow illuminated the room and the silence made it seem sacrilege to intrude but he did anyway. A part of him had always been fascinated he had been sneaking away to come here for as long as he could remember. Something about her drew him it was impossible to tell much about the figure within hair floated out well below taunt smooth buttocks shielding portions of the figure playing peek-a-boo with most of the face and body. Over the years he had grown possessive of the woman within thinking of her as his and more and more it seemed as if the symbiotic fluids took from her instead of sustaining.
Gabriel had seen vidfilms of the era what had always struck him was the life that radiated from the woman even sitting in quiet repose. She drew people to her whether it was her love of life or her love of people he truly couldn't say maybe it was both. He moved closer to the glass feeling an irrational urge to smash the thing keeping her from opening her eyes and seeing him. He smiled mirthlessly that would guarantee she never opened her eyes. He couldn't quite explain his fascination for her. His parents died when he was younger but he remembered enough to know he was the quintessential blending of both. The superior strength of his father Heero coupled with his methodical and unrelenting commitment to finishing whatever he started. But there was also a fair amount of his dad as well. He and Duo shared their emotions readily with others along with a fine tuned flair for extracting retribution from their enemies. He lifted a hand toward the glass tracing the outline of the face partially hidden by hair. Apparently there was one more thing he had in common with his parents his tender feelings toward the sleeping princess within.
"I thought I would find you here." He started normally coming up on him without his knowledge was impossible another thing he shared in common with his father. Without taking his eyes off the woman within he acknowledged Noin's comment.
"Yes I suppose like father, like son I share their adoration. It will probably fade with first hand surveillance no one can be that perfect in real life." She moved forward in the room staring at the chamber. "It wasn't only your parents."
"The world's perfect princess," he mused out loud. She laughed.
Startled he turned looking at her intently. "What??" She shook her head. "Sorry. What or should I say who gave you the impression she was perfect?"
He shrugged, "the freedom channel reruns, old entertainment vids, this project. My parents gave their lives bringing those responsible for all those deaths to justice. I've heard more than once they were never the same after her accident."
She lifted her hand placing it against the glass where the hand hung within. "Relena was proper in some aspects but reckless in others she had no sense of self importance and heaven help us where those she loved were concerned. I remember once after Romafeller was destroyed and she was relieved of the title of Queen this reporter ..." She grew silent lost in her thoughts.
"This reporter," he prompted..
"This reporter addressed her as Queen." She smiled wistfully, "she told them she was no one important, that no one person held peace together if she died tomorrow peace would not. Another would take her place then another. Now we know just how wrong she was her smile faded."
Noin shook her head, "she would go anywhere, do anything for someone she loved." She smiled at him softly. "You've heard the story of how she met your parents?"
He nodded, "I was never sure how much I should believe though its like something out of a film."
"Believe it. Have I ever told you how I met her?" He shook his head intrigued at the soft smile around her mouth and leaned against the chamber. "Zechs really was the one behind it all. You know about the wars when the Peacecraft monarchy fell?" At his nod she continued on. "He and Relena were separated older than she but not enough he felt incapable of taking care of her that's how she wound up with the Darlians."
"How did you and the brother meet?"
"The academy at first it was the mystery he was something of a loner, long blonde hair."
"And in spite of the mask he was something of a looker hmm?"
She blushed. His eyes widened as the years of anger and worry fell away leaving her looking young and girlish again. For a moment he got a glimpse of what must have drawn the lightening count to her in the first place.
She sighed, "he could have asked me to do just about anything and I would have. Instead he trusted me with his sisters life. Une had killed her adopted father and she was there when it happened. Relena tracked Une down and by the time I got there she had shot at the woman and then hightailed it out of there. I saved her from the soldiers they sent after her. That was the first of many saves. She kept us busy. At first I stayed because of Zechs. Then somewhere along the way I no longer did it for him but because of her and myself. My life was richer having known her.. loved her."
"No she wasn't perfect far from it and she would be the first to tell you so. She was head strong and reckless she had a temper and was stubborn to a fault". she smiled ruefully. "I'll never forget the explosion between her and Zechs when she volunteered to contribute to the conception of your father's child." Zech ranted for hours and she just smiled at him through it all. "Duo told her if she did, it meant she had to be involved in the child's life allot more than honorary aunt. That's when she backed off. I always wondered about that considering how much she adored your father. She and Duo worked on him for quite some time about it."
"Father didn't want kids?"
"I can't pretend to know what Heero's private thoughts were about it. There were only two people who could interpret Heero Yuy one is dead and the other isn't talking. Personally I think he did but he was frightened of messing up. I always meant to ask her about what changed her mind."
He turned to stare at the woman within. "She didn't want to be bothered with a kid?"
"No," she murmured. "Relena wanted desperately to have a family." He swallowed feeling irrationally betrayed. "Sounds like she was jealous rumor has it she was obsessed with father.When he fell in love with Dad she must have been bitter."
Noin swung around to stare fiercely at him before a soft look entered her eyes. "I can forgive you thinking that you didn't know her. No there was no bitterness or envy she even lived with them."
He straightened abruptly. "What that isn't in any of the files."
Her eyebrow lifted. "She was a politician do you think the public wanted their princess soiled with nasty rumors of her living with two men? Two that also happened to be involved with one another had that come out they would have had her in an orgy by nightfall." She said sarcastically.
"No," she shook her head. "Relena knew how much Heero detested the scrutiny they were all under and as you pointed out she would have done anything for Heero even deny herself the pleasure of being a part of their child's lives."
"I don't get it."
She frowned impatiently. "Gabriel it's obvious had it become public knowledge the child's life would have been not only in danger but fodder for the press add in the name Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell and the kids every movement would be scrutinized. She knew how much she hated it she wouldn't have wished that on anyone. You need to understand something these were kids. We all were really. During the wars and once they were over we wanted to concentrate on living not being reminded of our notoriety. Unfortunately fate decreed otherwise but we wanted control over what was known by the press and the public. Many times she did things to head off scrutiny of her brother because she knew how much he loathed the attention as well. I don't think he ever knew allot of what she did was to take the attention off him and place it on her. Maybe she was afraid he would leave again and once she drew her little family around her she fought fiercely to keep us close."
Noin lifted her hand to trace the glass but clenched it into a fist instead letting it fall to her side. Shrugging off her mood she turned to face him once more determined to see it through now that she had started opening old wounds.
"After the explosion for a while we tried to go on like normal we buried our dead, mourned but hope seemed gone. We made the decision to encapsulate her until the technology made enough progress to heal her. Time unfortunately is now against us we're almost on the brink of extinction hence the attempt to alter our fate all together. Sally took more of a back seat after Wufei's death all her passion her zest seemed to die not only did she loose him she lost their child that night."
"Chang the real shy retiring doctor on level 3?"
"Yes you should have seen her before." She shook her head sadly, "she was ecstatic because she suspected she was pregnant and was just waiting for confirmation before telling him. It took him forever to work up to a proposal once she married him she swore she wasn't going to waste anymore time. Stuffy little Wufei how I miss him."
"Trowa and Catherine," she sighed. "Catherine Bloom was Trowa's sister, they were standing near Relena when the bomb went off we lost Trowa and Catherine straight way when they dug them out it looked like Trowa had been trying to protect Catherine and Relena. Quatre never recovered from Trowa's death and with the situation as it was with Relena he went back to space to run the Winner corp."
"They were lovers then?"
She smiled tremulously, "yes no one who was around them for any length of time could doubt it. How they felt for one another was quite beautiful. Dear Quatre he came through again for us though and we didn't loose him until the very end by then I think he welcomed it just to be with Trowa."
"Zechs." She clenched her hands, "was injured that night as well as myself." She gestured to the scar running across her neck. "He ignored urgings to get medical care and went back in to find those alive he was dragging me out when a secondary main exploded and was caught in the blast. When they found us he was on top of me his body." She faltered. Gabriel lifted his hand and clasped her shoulder.
She looked at him, "you know your fathers would be very proud of you. I'm proud of you. There was so few of us left my reasons for donating were complex and I truthfully can't tell you even if there was one more important than the other. I can tell you I always admired and cared for your fathers I wanted them to find some kind of peace after we lost so many friends and loved ones. I could tell you when Zechs died I knew I would never love another so would die alone without family. Maybe I wanted to leave something of myself behind for a chance at a better life. That too would be true. I could tell you it was guilt at having failed to keep her safe. I failed them both Zechs and Relena so this was my way of at least making one of Relena's dearest wishes come true. You see circumstances in Duo's life left him with a hunger for family and she knew that. Even identified with it. All those are true, are relevant and played a part. What was the deciding factor? I don't know I can't tell you. What I can tell you with certainty is this. I never once regretted it."
She straightened drawing a deep breath. "I won't see you off tomorrow here and now will be our farewell." She hesitated then pulled him into a hug pushing up on her toes she whispered in his ear. "Be safe... my son." Kissing his cheek she suddenly pulled back and quickly strode from the room.
He shifted looking longingly at the unconscious girl he couldn't quite control a frission of excitement coursing through his body. "Who are you that so many would die for you? Tomorrow we have a date princess and I'll find out for myself don't you dare disappoint me."