Jaid: This is it! The last chapter! Gosh, I can't believe I made it this far! Well, I know you are all dying to know what happens to Quatre, so here goes.
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Epilogue
The sound of hoof beats drew near. Dorothy and several of the others ran out, as Rashid dismounted and brought the unconscious Quatre up the stairs. Dorothy went up to them, then drew back, her hand over her mouth. A dagger was buried in Quatre's side, up to the hilt. Relena came behind the girl and squeezed her hand. Calling for the doctor, Rashid continued inside.
* * *
Several months later…Lucrezia opened her eyes. She was in a room on a bed facing a window. Outside, a tree rustled in a slight breeze. The same breeze lightly moved the white, lacy curtains. Lucrezia tried to sit up, but fell back down when a stab of pain shot up her side.
The door opened and Hilde came in, this time in a dress and apron. She smiled. "Good morning!" she exclaimed, taking one of Lucrezia's hands and squeezing it. "Or should I say, Good afternoon?" Without waiting for a response, she hurried to the door. "Be right back."
A few minutes later, Zechs came in. He stopped looking at her for a moment, then approached the bed and knelt beside it. "Hi." he said. Lucrezia smiled.
"Feeing okay?" he asked. She nodded. Standing, he brought a chair over and sat next to her.
"Cat finally out of the bag?" she asked. Zechs nodded.
"I'm supposed to leave within a month to become king of Sank." he said. Lucrezia nodded again, looking down.
"But," Zechs said. "I don't plan on going alone." Lucrezia looked up again, confusion written on her face. Zechs took her hands. "I want you there with me. Not as a friend or a partner, but as my wife. Lu, would you- would you marry me?"
Lucrezia smiled and then began to cry. Zechs looked a little shocked. Seeing his face, Lucrezia threw her head back and laughed.
"Well, I didn't think it was that funny." Zechs told her, sounding miffed.
"No, you big idiot! I'm laughing because I'm happy." Lucrezia sniffed, a huge smile on her face. "Took you long enough to ask. But I don't know what kind of Queen I'll make."
Zechs smiled. "The perfect one." he said, then kissed her.
* * *
"Duo! Don't bump me!"
"Shh, they'll hear!"
"Excuse me you two." Sally stood, hands on hips. Duo and Hilde stood, both becoming a deep red. Sally raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you two have better things to do than stand here spying on Lucrezia and the Sheriff?" Sally asked. Hilde looked slightly abashed, but Duo grinned.
"Nope." he answered. Hilde's elbow dug hard into his ribs. Sally chuckled.
"Hilde," she said. "I just saw Mrs. Wells drive up. It looks like the wedding dress is ready."
Hilde's face lit up and she dragged Duo downstairs to see it. Sally smiled and followed them.
* * *
The young man and woman stood by the grave stone, tears in their eyes. Limping over, the young man placed a fresh bouquet of flowers on the freshly dug grave and then kissed the tombstone. Then, taking hands with the girl, the two of them climbed into a wagon and headed farther West; never looking back.
"Trowa?" Midii asked.
"Hm?"
"We're going to be okay, right?" she asked, somewhat timidly.
A hint of a smile appeared on Trowa's face. He took his new wife's hand. "Sure we will, Midii, sure we will."
But he turned to take one last look at the tombstone. It was inscribed:
Here lies Catherine BloomDevoted and caring sister
Twenty-Three years of age, she
was taken too soon.
We will miss you, Cathy.
"Wake up O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Till that day comes
* * *
Trieze smiled to himself as he watched Une and Mariemeia playing at some hide and seek game in the garden. Mary walked by and noticed the gentle look on his face. Shaking her head, she murmured, "That one's going to slip through his fingers if he don't act soon."
Though she did not know it, Treize heard her and stood a little straighter in slight shock. Une looked over at him and then walked up to him.
"What's wrong?" she asked, pushing her new glasses up on her nose. They had only come in yesterday; Treize had gotten them as a surprise. Treize looked at her and smiled.
"Nothing." he answered. "You and Marie seem to be getting along well."
Une smiled and nodded. Mariemeia watched them hopefully, then felt a pang of disappointment as Une turned away and began to walk back to her. Then hope returned as Treize moved forward and took Une's hand. He spoke to her in an earnest manner and Mariemeia snuck away, smiling to herself.
* * *
"This is insane you know." Relena told him, sounding rather breathless. Heero smirked.
"If we do it now, your brother can't interfere." he pointed out.
Relena rolled her eyes and smoothed her pale yellow skirt. It was a new dress, simply made. It slightly hugged her upper body then flared a little more at the waist. It was off the shoulders a little, with a small ruffle of pale yellow lace edging it. The sleeves were short and slightly puffed. Relena reached up and touched the cameo on her black choker. Heero smiled and gently stroked her hair, which was down in the childish style she had had it in when they had first met.
"I can't believe this is happening." she whispered.
Heero nodded, then they both stood as the Changs, Dorothy, and Rev. Michael entered.
"Are you ready?" Rev. Michael asked. Relena and Heero exchanged looks, then nodded.
"Very well. Shall we begin the ceremony then?"
The group followed the pastor into the small church.
* * *
"You WHAT!?"
Relena winced slightly. Heero was looking resolutely at the floor, Dorothy was pretending to find the wall quite interesting, and Rashid was looking uncomfortable at the outburst.
"We're married." Relena said again. "I'm Mrs. Yuy now and that's all I ever wanted to be."
Zechs closed his eyes and shook his head. "And you didn't even tell me." he whispered.
Relena bit her tongue. "We didn't think you would give your blessings."
Zechs nodded. "I understand, still…" his voice trailed off and Relena winced at the undercurrent of hurt in his voice.
"Well, I suppose I should announce it now." Zechs commented.
"Announce what?" Relena asked.
"Better get Quatre before you announce anything." Dorothy told them. "Or he's going to be hopping mad."
Rashid nodded and climbed the stairs. Quatre had just recovered from his experiences, which had included a dangerous bout with scarlet fever that had left him dangerously weakened. Rashid had offered to stay about and carry the young man up and down the stairs. Quatre wasn't too happy about it, but he was too weak to walk and he didn't like being stuck in his room all day.
When Quatre had been brought down and everyone was settled, Zechs stood.
"Um, well, you see, Lu and I, we're uh, going to get married." he said. There was a few seconds of silence and then Relena jumped up.
"Yes!" she cried. "Finally!" There were plenty of congratulations around, but then eventually everyone left. Rashid to his daughter, Savannah, who had managed to escape destruction; Heero and Relena for a walk; and Zechs to go talk to Sally about some minor thing. Dorothy and Quatre sat in the parlor, Quatre half-asleep. Dorothy watched him worriedly. He was much thinner and paler than she had ever seen him. He probably weighed less than she did now, Dorothy reflected wryly. Quatre opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing, just…"
"Worried?" Quatre finished. Dorothy shrugged and looked at the fire. It was November now, and getting colder. Quatre shivered slightly and Dorothy glanced at him.
"Are you all right?" she asked standing. Quatre smiled and waved her away.
"I'm fine. Just a little cold." he said. "You don't always have to be nursing me. From what Relena says, you've done that enough in the past few weeks."
Dorothy felt her cheeks slightly warm. "She couldn't do it all by herself and Zechs was too distraught over Lucrezia to be of any help."
"Well, regardless of the reason, I appreciate it. Thank you." Quatre said in a quiet, sincere tone.
There was a pause.
"Dorothy?"
"Hm?"
"You know, when we were both captured by Traycsant, we both admitted that we loved each other."
"Yes?" Dorothy raised an eyebrow.
"I just wanted to know that my feelings haven't changed." Quatre said.
"Oh." Dorothy looked back at the fire. Another pause.
"Dorothy?"
"Yes?"
"I have something I want to ask you."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"Do you have to make these things difficult?" Quatre asked, slightly annoyed.
"Come on, Winner, have I ever gone easy on you?" Dorothy smirked.
"No." Quatre said, almost in a growl. Dorothy chuckled.
"Well, I just wanted to know, if you would –"
"Marry you?" Dorothy asked. Quatre nodded.
"I'll have to think about it." Dorothy said. Quatre looked a little shocked, but smiled anyway.
"I've thought about it." Dorothy smiled, stood and knelt by the chair he was in. "I've decided, that yes, I will marry you."
Quatre sighed in relief.
"But," Dorothy said. "Only if you beat me in a fencing match."
"Wha…?" Quatre looked slightly alarmed. Dorothy laughed.
"Just kidding." she told him. Quatre frowned, his eyes slightly narrowed.
"Sure, just give me a heart attack." he said sarcastically. Dorothy raised an eyebrow.
"I think I'm rubbing off on you." she commented.
"Maybe." Quatre smiled, his gaze becoming very gentle. "I should have bought a ring first, but well…" he looked down at his hands. "It wasn't much of a marriage proposal."
"It was perfect." Dorothy assured him. Their faces were very close now. "Perfect, because it came from the only man I've ever loved." They leaned in and well…I'm sure you get the picture.
Another few months later…"WuFei, you keep pacing like that and you'll wear a path on the floor." Duo commented.
"Shut-up, Maxwell." WuFei said curtly. "It's not your wife who's in labor. A million different things could go wrong."
"Nice to see what faith you have in my abilities." Sally commented wryly, coming out. "You want to come in?"
WuFei stood in the door. Mieran was on the bed, her face pale and sweaty, but immensely happy, on either side of her, Une and Relena stood with their backs to him.
"WuFei…" Sally began.
"You have a daughter." Une told him, turning and depositing the baby in his arms.
"And a son." Relena added, putting the other child in his arms.
WuFei blinked, looking from one twin to another in confusion.
"Uh, I think some one had better take them before he drops them." Duo commented. Une and Relena laughed and took back the babies. WuFei went over to Mieran and took her hand. They began to speak quietly in Chinese.
Relena smiled and gave the baby boy to Sally, then walked over to where Heero was smirking.
"What's with the smirk?" she asked.
"Chang." Heero nodded. "He's gone as weak as a noodle."
"Oh really?" Relena raised an eyebrow. "Well, you'd better get ready too." she turned to walk back to the women, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Dad." she added.
Heero just looked at her in shock.
* * *
A few weeks later, at the train station, a large group was gathered. Lucrezia and Zechs, soon to be known as Millardo, where leaving for Sank. There were many embraces and final good-byes.
Lucrezia looked at them all with tears in her eyes. Relena and Heero arm in arm, Duo with his arm around the new Mrs. Maxwell, Hilde; Mieran and WuFei with Chang Xong and Chang Mei; Treize and Anne Une Khushrenada, Mariemeia at their side; Sally; and finally, Dorothy and Quatre Winner. They had married a few days before Zechs had to leave.
"Well, I guess this is really good-bye." Lucrezia commented, trying to drive off her tears.
"God bless you both." Treize said warmly. The conductor called and Zechs and Lucrezia boarded the train. They lowered the window at their seat and waved good-bye.
Soon, the group dispersed, once again leaving Dorothy and Quatre alone.
"Dorothy?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think we'll ever get back to our own dimension?" Quatre asked.
"I don't know." Dorothy answered. "But, I don't care, as long as you stay with me."
Quatre smiled and looked at the mountains, so far away. "I'm not leaving, Dorothy." he said, then put his arm around her shoulder. "You're stuck with me for life."
Dorothy smiled and they shared a kiss, as the sun began to set.
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Jaid: Yeah, lotsa sap. But who cares! I'm a hopeless romantic, so sue me. Actually don't…Well, that was the last chapter. I'm both relieved and slightly regretful that it's finally over. I'd like to thank all my faithful reviewers and some people who had an indirect inspiration for this story. If you don't want to read this section, please skip to the bottom, because I need your votes on something!
First, I'd like to thank my 8th grade English teacher, who was the first person who told me I could write stories.
Second, my bro Zach, for the insights he's shared and for always talking to me when I was stuck.
I'd also like to thank my best friend Shayna and her little brothers Nolan and David, who got me interested in Gundam Wing in the first place.
And now, thanks to all my reviewers:
rokjai – the first person to ever review my story. Thank you so much rokjai!
J.B. Santiago – Has been reviewing since chapter two and is a talented writer herself. Thanks a whole bunch J.B.!
Winnie – Never failed to review, thanx.
Also to Amber and Elisa, who although they had no idea what Gundam Wing was, agreed to read my fics. Thanks a bunch guys!
f U n N i E b O n E s 2k – Geez, you're name is hard to spell! Anywayz, thanks for all the long reviews you gave me!
Midii Une – I have only one thing to say: Go check out her websites!!!!
And lastly, thanks to Ley, stesha, Silver Wing, Attorney Chick, J.B.'s sister, Unrealistic, Water Fire Girl, Amy Winner Barton, and Kid Death for reviewing and my apologies to anybody whom I missed!
Okay, I have about five different stories I want to work on…but the problem is I can only do one at a time otherwise I get confused. So, I am going to put a short section and explanation for each one and when you review, please tell me which one you want. The one with the most votes is written first! *Note, none of these have been written out, save for the small scenes that I have written here.
Among the starsAn AU story, where the cast of Gundam Wing is in the Star Wars galaxy during the Rebellion against the Empire.
Quatre's eyes were wide and his hands shook. He stepped away from Rashid, his head shaking.
"No, no." he kept repeating over and over like a broken record; finally breaking down and sobbing. Midii came over and wrapped her arms around him. He clutched her, sobs shaking his slender frame. Rashid watched him, compassion on his face.
"I'm sorry Quatre." he said soflty. "But the entire planet was obliterated…along with your parents. It happened somehow."
Quatre wrenched away from Midii and ran. Midii started to go after her friend, but Rashid grabbed her arm and shook his head.
Understanding: The Three-Edged Sword
Decades after the Eve Wars, one of the G-boys' grandchildren wants to know why her grandfather was put on trial and exiled for "war crimes." And she will stop at nothing until she learns the truth.
"This isn't right." Sonya argued. "Something's wrong, how could my grandparents just disappear like that?"
The young man sitting opposite her raised an eyebrow.
"Don't look at me like that, Lee Chang. Your grandfather knows something about these Gundams too." Sonya accused. Lee sighed.
"Well, if he does, he doesn't tell me. He didn't even tell my father." He told her. "Why is this so important anyway? Wasn't your grandfather acquitted?"
"Yes, but…" Sonya shook her head. "The pictures they paint of him in the history books. From the way my father talks, my grandfather was no murder. And I want to know who or what Grandfather was protecting. I want," she said, picking up her mug of coffee. "I want to clear the Winner name; once and for all. I want the truth."
"And you are so sure that the truth will clear your grandfather's name?" Lee asked. Sonya stood, aquamarine eyes flashing.
"Fine, if you're not going to help, just say so." Sonya grabbed her coat and purse and began to leave, but stopped as Lee grabbed her arm.
"I'm sorry." he said. "But I just want to make sure you know what you are doing. I don't want you to be hurt."
Sonya looked at him and smiled. "I can handle it. I want to know what really happened."
School Days
Basically a story about the Gundam boys and Girls parents (well, most of them) and how they met.
Quatrine Hart giggled as Ruby pretended to faint in shock. Samuel raised an eyebrown then turned and walked away.
"I guess he didn't like my performance." Ruby said, feigning hurt. Looking around the school grounds, she grinned. "Well, well, looks like Joel Catalonia is getting buttonholed by Mary again. And Ariel looks hopping mad."
Quatrine shook her head. "One of these days, Ariel's just going to run Mary through if she isn't careful."
"And here comes the mysterious and handsome (not to mention wealthy) Mr. Winner. I wonder what he could want?" Ruby commented in a fake tone. Quatrine rolled her eyes and nudged the girl.
"Behave yourself." she murmured as she stood to greet Daniel Winner.
Duo ½
A parody of Ranma ½. However, it will be a bit different. Not as comedic.
Duo looked at Heero, who was lying on the ground, dizzy circles in his eyes, and then at Hilde, who had her arms around the hapless boy. Then, swallowing the jealousy he felt, he turned to go. Dekim raised an eyebrow.
"Not going to collect your girl friend, groom?" he asked mockingly.
"Nah," Duo answered carelessly. "I was just worried, that's all."
"You were?" Hilde asked, looking slightly surprised.
"Hilde…" Duo said.
"Duo…" Hilde answered softly. Duo bent down and patted the unconscious Heero's head.
"Don't poison him with your cooking, okay? He and I have a fight coming up." Duo commented. Hilde's face flushed and her hands clenched into fists.
"DUO!! YOU JERK!" she screamed kicking at him. Duo evaded her, than ran away.
Circle of the Moon
Another AU story, this one set in a fantasy realm.
Quatre inspected the shafts, then stood. "They passed through here all right." he said, softly, looking at the remains of his kinsman. Duo looked at all the dead Wood Elves around him.
"You okay, Quatre?" he asked. Quatre shook himself and attempted to smile.
"I'll be fine." He turned. "Dorco! We're leaving!"
"About time." the dwarf mumbled. "What are we doing with them?"
Quatre's jaw tightened. "I don't want to leave them, but we have to move, otherwise the Wargs that were hunting us will catch up. And that's a risk we can not take. We have to get the Crystal to the Sank realm."
"Or die trying." Duo smiled in a grim way. "What are waiting for, guys?"
WuFei stood in the golden and red halls of his home. Dead. They were all dead. He had failed. Giving a great cry of pain and anger, he slammed his sword down. So powerful was the thrust that it splintered the white and golden yellow rock. WuFei sank to his knees, blinking his eyes to keep the tears from falling. At that moment, WuFei, second of the Order, holder of the dark powers, renowned warrior and powerful wizard, swore, on his family's grave, that those who had done this would come to know death, and that nothing would stop him, till he saw this justice done.
Please vote! I really would like to know! Thanx.