Chapter 44
A little ways down the hall, Duo, Hilde, Quatre, and Dorothy lingered, waiting. Quatre had his eyes closed, and the others were patiently waiting for him. Finally, he opened his eyes and smiled.
"They're done. It'll be okay," he confirmed. Duo gave a sigh of relief.
"Good! So I guess I DID do something right then!" he joked. Hilde poked him. "Duo!" she admonished.
Quatre and Dorothy smiled. "So I guess I can rest easy now," Quatre said lightly. "So much for worrying about my daughter choosing some shady character for a husband."
Hilde raised an eyebrow. "Husband?" she asked. "Not that there's anything wrong with it," she said quickly, "but they ARE still young. Will this...connection really be that strong?"
"It is," Dorothy said firmly. "Once it is established, it can't be broken. However, it takes a lot for this connection to even occur. The very fact that it has been established says a lot about how they feel for each other."
The four adults exchanged glances. "Well, I guess that's that then," Duo announced. "Looks like my son's as good as engaged. Funny, two out of three of my kids are already set, and the only one left is Eva. Unless, of course, there's something you guys know that I don't," he laughed.
Hilde chuckled. "Hopefully, she'll take awhile. I don't want to lose my kids THAT quickly!"
Quatre nodded, then looked at his watch. "Well, if that's settled, we better get going. We're going to be late for our meeting."
Dorothy gave a little sigh. "So many meetings...First one with Lady Une, and now Heero wants us to meet. I wonder what he has in mind?" she finished, and she and Quatre started walking.
At the mention of Heero's name, Duo scowled, then turned to head down the hall. Hilde noticed the look on his face and frowned. Running to catch up to him, she whispered, "Duo! Now what's with that look? Are you still mad at Heero?"
"Mad? Who's mad? Of course I'm not mad," he snarled, his jaw set. Hilde rolled her eyes.
"Duo Maxwell! This is too much! Heero's your best friend, and you know he values you very much. This issue with Eva and the new system, I agree that it's dangerous. And he's already agreed not to ask for her help. He's even tried apologizing to you! Really! It's been this long already, and you still won't even TALK to him?"
"Let him put Riko in it, and THEN we'll talk!" Duo growled. "How dare he ask to put out little girl in it? Do you see him asking Riko-"
"Duo, you and I both know that Eva's the only one who can pull it off. And what about Riko? She's out there! She's piloting mobile suits! Heero is putting her in danger every time she goes out, and he knows it. But they both still do it. Duo, you're being childish," she finished firmly.
Duo sighed. "I know, I know," he said wearily. "I overreacted completely. I threatened to kill two of my closest friends over it. And now I'm just not man enough to go up to them and apologize."
Hilde smiled. Turning to face her husband, she stood on her toes and gave him a quick kiss. "It's okay Duo, they'll understand," she said reassuringly. Duo put his arms around her. "Babe, have I ever thanked you for being so patient with me?" he murmured, burying his face in her hair.
Hilde chuckled. "Many times, I believe," she said wryly, then stepped away.
Smiling up at him, she grabbed his hand. "Now we're REALLY going to be late. Come on you," she said, tugging him down the hall.
…………………
"Aw come on, Giselle! Can't I at least come and WATCH?"
"Hey, this training is for Gundam PILOTS. Now, who's the Gundam pilot here, you or me?"
Will glared at his grinning sibling, then turned to Aelis, who was standing next to them looking amused. "Come on Aelis, you'll help me out won't you?" he pleaded.
Aelis chuckled. "Sorry Will, you're on your own for this one. I really don't want to have to explain to whoever's in charge today why you're standing there making faces at all of us."
"Making faces? Who, me? What makes you think I'D-Hey! Hey!" he shouted, as the two girls walked away from him. "Later 'Brother'!" Giselle called mockingly over her shoulder. Aelis threw him an apologetic look. "Maybe next time," she said as she walked off.
Will groaned. "Ouch, that was harsh," he muttered. "Won't even let me go WATCH!"
"I'm sure they're just teasing you," an amused voice said. Will jumped in alarm. "Riko! Don't scare me like that!" he exclaimed when he saw who it is.
Riko smiled. "Sorry Will," she said. "I'm not a Gundam pilot either, but I don't see anything wrong with watching. Want to come with?" she offered.
Will grinned. "So then, are you asking me on a date?" he teased.
Riko flushed. "It's not like that!" she sputtered. "I'm just trying to be nice, but if you're going to be difficult about it..." and she tossed her head, causing the scarf in her hair to fall out. "Oh, oops," she muttered, stooping to pick it up.
However, Will got there first. "Hey hey, I gave this to you to keep your hair out of your face. Can't do that if you can't even TIE it right," he joked.
Riko glared at him. "Of COURSE I know how to tie it! Now give it back!" she said, making a grab for it. Will just laughed and pulled it away from her. "Easy now," he said soothingly. Gesturing for her to turn around, he said, "Look, I'll just put it back on for you okay? Then if it falls out again, you can yell at me instead, alright?"
Riko made another disgruntled noise, but obligingly turned around and let Will pull her hair back. "Say, Will," she spoke up as he fiddled with her hair. "Where did you get this scarf? I have to say, you have good taste," she joked.
Will chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you like it," he said quietly, finishing up. As Riko turned around, he looked at her seriously. "Actually, this scarf is pretty old. It was my mother's. I've kept it with me since she died."
Riko started. "Oh...I'm sorry," she said, flustered, and then said, "But wait! It must be very important to you; I should give it back then," and she started to reach back to untie it, but Will caught her hand and shook his head.
"Actually...if you don't mind, I'd like you to keep it," he said hesitantly, his eyes downcast. "In fact, I'd really appreciate it if you kept it," he finished uncertainly.
"Will..." Riko said softly, realization dawning. The two looked at each other for a long time, and then Riko finally nodded. "Okay," she said softly, pulling her hand back from her hair but not letting go of Will's hand. "I'll keep it," she said, as they turned together to walk after their friends.
…………………
"Well?" Giselle demanded anxiously.
"Shh!" Aelis hissed, still peering around the corner. "Wait...wait, yes! Yes!" she cheered quietly.
"Yes what?!"
Aelis gleefully turned back towards Giselle and grabbed her hand. "Hurry, they're coming!" she said, dragging her along.
"Aelis! I'm not taking a single step until you tell me what you saw!"
"He's done it! He's made his move! And now they're holding hands and coming this way!"
"WHAT?!" Giselle shouted, coming to a halt. Aelis rolled her eyes and grabbed Giselle's hand again. "Exactly! Now hurry up before they catch up, and PLEASE try to keep your voice down? Do you WANT them to know that we were spying?"
"Will...I don't believe this. WILL," Giselle muttered, shaking her head but allowing herself to be led. "Heero-jiisan is going to kill something when he finds out. I mean, Riko's his only daughter. He's going to-Ouch!" she finished abruptly, slamming into Aelis. Rubbing her head, she said, "Hey, what's the big ide-Oh..." she said meekly when she saw why Aelis had stopped.
Yuri stood silently before Aelis, who stoically refused to look at him. "Aelis...we need to talk," he said.
"Yuri, there is nothing we need to talk about," Aelis said coldly. "You hate my family, and that's that."
"Aelis, I don't hate your family! I'm part of it, in a rather convoluted sense, aren't I?"
"Oh yes, you're part of it all right. And you used that to help further your petty little revenge. Joined a revolution, killed who knows how many people, even seduced ME in the-"
"I did not seduce you! Aelis, I LOVE-"
"Oh I'm sure you do! You love the fact that you were able to use me to carry out your grand master plan, which was what? An audience with my aunt! That's it! This whole thing, everything, all so you could speak to Aunt Relena and flay her alive with your words! What has she ever done to you?"
"Aelis, I'm SORRY. Okay? Maybe I was rather delusional, but well, it meant a lot to me. And now that I've done it and seen the results, I'll admit that I was stupid. I admit that my own relatives weren't exactly perfect people. It was the only reason I had to live, but now I can see quite clearly that it was a rather stupid, idiotic, dumb, reason to live. I admit all that Aelis! Please, just forgive me!" Yuri finished desperately. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I don't want to lose you."
"Yuri...I have practice right now," Aelis whispered. Fighting back tears, she quickly moved away and started walking again. Giselle looked after her desperately, then looked back at Yuri. "Um...give her some time, Yuri," she pleaded. "I'm sure she knows that deep down inside, she's just overreacting."
Yuri stared after Aelis' retreating figure. "...Yeah," he murmured, then started following her. Giselle groaned. "So much for this being a Gundam pilots only thing," she muttered. "Hope whoever's in charge doesn't mind entertaining a peanut gallery."
…………………
Wuten and Wuli were busy playing basketball on the roof, with Geoffry refereeing. "Foul!" he shouted, standing up. Wuli groaned. "Oh come on Geoffry, give me a break! That was not a foul!"
Wuten grinned. "Suck it up, Little Brother," he laughed, easily making two more points. Geoffry laughed as well. "Deal with it, you're not ref this time around. What I say goes."
Wuli muttered something under his breath but resumed playing. Geoffry smiled and sat back down, wincing a little. "Sucks to be injured," he grumbled to himself. "Not that I'd actually let that stop me or anything, but it still stinks. Hmm?" he murmured, catching something moving in the corner of his eye. Turning to see better, he smiled when he saw Eva standing hesitantly by the stairs. "Eva!" he called, waving her over.
Eva flushed slightly but managed a smile, walking over to where Geoffry was
sitting. "Hey Eva, what's up?" he asked, patting her on the head.
Eva blushed again, but Geoffry didn't notice. "Oh, nothing too much," she managed. "I'm just bored, that's all."
Geoffry chuckled. "Lucky you, you get to be bored. I feel sorry for you though."
"Feel sorry for me?" Eva asked quizzically, tilting her head.
"Yeah...You're taking this all so well though. I mean, if you think about it, you're one of the few people stuck here that doesn't have anything to do with this whole fighting thing. Well, I guess Reena and Clare don't have much of a role either, but you're definitely the innocent bystander that got yanked into this whole mess," he said sympathetically.
"Oh, well, it's not too bad I guess. I mean, I miss my friends at school and everything, but I'm sure this will all blow over quickly, right? And besides, I'm not too much of an innocent bystan-oops!" she said meekly, accidentally slipping.
Geoffry raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? What do you mean? Don't tell me...you must be our secret weapon!" he crowed, punching her lightly on the arm.
"Well, I really was! Kind of, anyway..." Eva said defensively, glaring at her feet. Seeing her discomfort, Geoffry immediately subsided. "Hey hey...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you," he said anxiously. "Come on now...don't give me that face," he said when Eva continued to sulk. Geoffry sighed. "You know, that look of yours is killer. It'll make any guy melt, I can guarantee it," he said, looking at her fondly.
Eva blushed even redder. Still staring at her feet, she muttered, "Well, it doesn't matter anyway. Like, Heero-jiisan's new system...only I could work it, but Daddy said it was too dangerous. So it makes no difference anyway," she said sullenly.
Geoffry blinked. "Heero-jiisan made a new system?" he asked, then smacked himself on the head. "Oh, right! I remember someone mentioning it to me, but that was a long time ago. What happened?"
"Um, I happened I guess. Or at least, Daddy happened. No one can use it, so I guess Heero-jiisan's been working on developing a safer version. If that's possible, anyway."
"I see...how did you find out about this anyway?"
"Well...I hacked into the system?" Eva said meekly.
Geoffry groaned. "I should've known," he sighed, patting her on the head again.
"You know, Eva, you really are something. Killer adorable puppy dog looks combined with some serious brainpower. Not to mention the fact that you're an absolute knockout," he teased, winking at her.
Eva turned about as red as a tomato.
…………………
"Foul!" Wuli shouted, gasping for breath and stopping. Wuten also stopped, trying to catch his breath. "That was not a foul," he argued.
"Ask Geoffry," Wuli challenged, turning. "Hey Geoffr-er, never mind," he sighed, catching sight of the two. Wuten glanced over as well. "Oh, it's Eva," he said mildly. "Didn't see her come up. What is she doing here?"
"Oh, probably giving him food," Wuli said, catching sight of a bundle by the doorway. "I know she loves to cook."
"Hrmph, why doesn't she bring us food?" Wuten huffed jokingly.
"Probably because she doesn't have a crush on you," a voice said.
The twins turned around. "Hey Thomas," Wuli said. "Clare, how are you feeling?"
Clare smiled. "I'm fine, thanks," she said. "Playing basketball?"
Wuli grinned. "Yeah, or at least we were until your sister charmed away our referee," he said to Thomas. "And what's this about her having a crush on him?"
Thomas shrugged. "I'm not sure either. But Geoffry and I are best friends, and every time he'd come visit, Eva would always get all flustered and then cook up a storm. She doesn't even feed ME that well, and I'm her brother!" he grumbled.
The others laughed. "Well, they ARE cute together," Clare said teasingly, then laughed when she saw the look on Thomas' face. "Oh stop that! What's wrong with Eva and Geoffry?"
"What's WRONG? Plenty! Everything! Oh, you wouldn't understand," he muttered as the other three burst out laughing. Folding his arms sullenly, he said, "And besides, she's still young. She's only twelve! Please! Maybe when she's twenty-Ouch!" he said when Clare smacked him on the arm. Rubbing his arm, he muttered, "Fine, no one take my side..."
Wuten grinned. "Lighten up," he said, then glanced at his watch and groaned.
"And great, now we're all late for our training...but I don't really want to disturb them," he said uncertainly, glancing over at Eva and Geoffry. "If what you say is true, Eva seems to be having a good time..."
Thomas shrugged. "Well, if you guys want, you can go ahead. Clare and I wanted to come up here for some fresh air. We have a lot to catch up on," he said, looking at Clare fondly. Clare smiled up at him and enfolded herself in his arms.
The twins sighed. "Well, if both you and Geoffry are going to be late, I don't see why we can't be a little late...right Wuten?" Wuli said hopefully. Wuten sighed. "Oh fine...why not. We're late anyway. And we still need to finish our game!" he grinned, throwing the ball at his brother.
Wuli grinned as he caught the ball. "Hey Wuten, I think you're actually starting to relax a bit."
"Shut up," Wuten growled, as they headed back to the court.
Thomas and Clare chuckled at their retreating figures. "Wish every day could be as nice as this day," Thomas murmured, holding Clare.
"Yeah..." she sighed, looking up at him. Thomas smiled at her, then bent down for a kiss. Their kisses were gradually becoming more passionate when they heard someone clearing their throat.
"Excuse me," Jerry said stiffly as Reena tried not to laugh. The two startled teens glanced at him and then hurridly stepped away from each other. "Um, hey Jerry. Hi Reena. Didn't, ah, notice you two."
"THAT'S not a surprise," Jerry said dryly as Reena burst out laughing. "Hey, you're not helping my case here," he complained.
Reena tried to suppress her laughter. "Sorry honey, but you know that you really can't talk," she snickered, then started laughing again when she saw the frustrated look on Jerry's face.
Jerry groaned, then turned back to his brother. "Anyway, I came to check up on you. Wanted to make sure that you didn't forget about training today."
"Yeah yeah, I know, I know. I'm going to be late though," Thomas replied, pulling Clare close. "We need to talk," he said firmly.
Jerry nodded. "Yeah, I understand. Just wanted to make sure that you'd show up SOME time."
"Don't worry, I will...And speaking of which, why aren't YOU there?"
Jerry turned red. "Okay...so maybe I forgot too. You have a problem with it?" he demanded when Thomas started snickering. "At least I came to find you to make sure both Maxwells would be present and accounted for!"
Thomas laughed evilly. "So...you 'forgot' huh?" he smirked. "Were YOU too busy doing something...else?"
"Shut up, you brat!" Jerry snarled, lunging and putting Thomas in a headlock, much to the amusement of the others.
They were still laughing when the first explosions hit.
…………………
"Where ARE they?" Rayan muttered, glancing around. Giselle shrugged. "It really is a sad day when half the people that came on time aren't even the ones who are supposed to be here," she murmured. Will and Riko were sitting unobtrusively off to the side, staring dreamily into each others' eyes; Yuri and Aelis were stubbornly ignoring each other, or at least, Aelis was stubbornly refusing to speak to Yuri, and Yuri was just as stubbornly refusing to back down. But other than that, Jerry, Thomas, Wuten, Wuli, and Geoffry were nowhere to be seen.
Rayan frowned, and Giselle looked up, concerned. "What is it?" she asked. Rayan hesitated. "I don't know. I just feel...uneasy. And besides, if all the others are late, where's the one in charge? We weren't even told who was going to be leading the training today."
Giselle blinked. "But...it's always been Lady Une, or Heero-jiisan, or any of our parents really...why do you think it'd be different now?"
"Giselle, all our parents are in a meeting right now. My parents told me that a little earlier today."
"Then maybe it's another Preventer?"
"But that makes no sense. To be blunt, besides our parents, we're probably the best pilots that are-"
Rayan was abruptly interrupted by a scream from Riko. Whirling around, they stared in shock and disbelief. Riko's eyes were wide with terror, and both hands were covering her mouth. Will had jumped in front of her, staring furiously at the source of her fear. "Im...impossible!" he whispered.
Trembling, Riko raised a hand and pointed. "Enemy mobile suits!" she cried.
