Chapter 14 - Getting Married

Heero tried to sneak into the mansion unnoticed with a sleeping Rei in his arms but was ambushed by none other than Duo and Minako.

"Heero, you're okay! I thought you would be in hospital for at least six months! And you're walking! I don't believe it," Duo's mouth was running a mile a minute as his face lit up with joy.

Overwhelmed by the reappearance of his friend Duo moved into hug him, squashing Rei between them. Quatre and Ami wandered into the foyer, hand in hand, and both were delighted to see Heero standing in the doorway, despite the fact that Duo was hanging off him. Mako and Wufei came running up the stairs from the basement, from a spar work out and stopped dead at the sight of Heero being hugged by Duo, and both broke into wide smiles knowing Heero hated that sort of emotional show.

"You really had us worried," Ami said as Minako pulled Duo off Heero, whose face was emotionless. Minako then looked at the bundle wrapped up in Heero's arms and a frown marred her pretty features.

"What's wrong with Rei?" Minako asked worriedly, reaching over to touch Rei's flushed cheek.

-I'm fine- Rei told them, raising her head from Heero's shoulder to smile weakly at them and Heero put her down on the nearest couch which was in the library so she could sit and keep in with the conversation.

"You guys are just in time for some amazing news, Quatre and Ami are getting married!" Minako revealed the news before she could help herself and Duo clamped a hand over her mouth rolling his eyes at her gossiping.

Rei had to smile inwardly. She had known Quatre and Ami were engaged these three months passed, even though the others didn't. Ami and Quatre had done a marvellous job at keeping everyone else in the dark. Rei didn't intentionally use her telepathy to search her friends minds, but one-day Ami's happiness had flowed into Rei and Rei had seen in Ami's mind Quatre, and the ring and the promise of love they had shared. Rei knew it would only be a matter of time before they announced their wedding date to the others. Rei's face didn't reveal what she was thinking as she took a good look at her three friends, seeing something in their eyes that hadn't been there when they lived in Crystal Tokyo. Rei recognised the look, she had seen it in her own eyes so long ago. It was love. Her friends were in love, but Rei had seen this coming. She should have known she couldn't deny them their fates. Rei, are you okay with this? Ami asked coming forward, laying her hand on Rei arm and Rei's face broke into a smile, a genuine smile.

-Oh Ami, I'm so happy for you- Rei told her hugging the girl who breathed a sigh of relief. She had been so worried about what Rei would say. She knew that if Rei had commanded it, Ami would have broken off the engagement to Quatre, because she had sworn to help Rei as best she could.

-Really?-

-Yes Ami, we deserve this, we deserve this chance to be loved- Rei said adamantly and Ami giggled to herself so delirious with joy.

"You will all be my bridesmaids!" she announced happily and Mako came forward placing an arm around Ami's shoulders.

"Could you expect anything less!" Mako asked and the girls dissolved into loud chattering. Duo looked at the women and shook his head.

"I think the girls need some time together," he said then he looked at Quatre and made a jerking movement with his head and Quatre nodded.

"We will retire to my office, goodnight ladies," Quatre said kissing Ami's head and leaving the room with the other men in tow.

"Night!" came the distracted chorus of goodbyes as the men left the women to it.

"Report," Heero demanded as soon as the door to Quatre's office was closed and Quatre sat on the edge of his desk stroking his chin while Wufei and Duo took their seats.

"It was no accident as I am sure you have guessed, someone was trying to kill you," Quatre started shuffling through some papers, avoiding Heero's eyes but Heero could decipher what Quatre was trying to say.

"Or trying to kill Rei," Heero spoke what everyone else had been thinking. It was true the girls weren't that popular with the rest of society. The pilots had known it would only be a matter of time before the girls were targets, it was one of the reasons Quatre himself had offered so soon for Ami. No one would dare harm the wife of a Gundam Pilot. The retribution for such an act would mean a very painful death.

"Why?" Heero persisted his questioning and Quatre shrugged unsure of whether to reveal his thoughts.

"Don't know, we think it may be…" Quatre hesitated but Heero already knew, deducting it from the foul look on Duo's face that it was none other than…

"Milliadros"

"By suspicion only, we have no proof," Quatre pointed out to Heero, noticing the way Heero had flushed deep red with fury.

"Why would he?" Heero asked and Duo interrupted with a few secrets of his own that he had managed to find out.

"Rumour has it, he is looking to get into Crystal Tokyo, he's looking for something inside Crystal Tokyo, no one knows what, but he thinks it can help him win the kingdom," Duo said and Heero fell silent to ponder the words, wondering what on Earth Milliadros could be hoping to find.

"He's still so bitter about the Relena being the heir and daughter of royalty thing," Wufei commented rolling his eyes and the childishness of Milliadros' calling.

"Sources tell us he is trying to get his hands on one of the girls in hopes they will be able to provide him with whatever he is looking for," Quatre commented and Heero felt his rage beginning to grow as he considered all that this meant.

"So he…" Heero was so consumed by anger he couldn't finish his sentence.

"Knew you would protect Rei if she was in danger so tried to kill you by dropping a tree on you, yes that's what we think happened," Quatre finished for him, slowly, a little unsure of what Heero's reaction would be to this information.

Heero was silent for a few moments and then he spoke quietly, with menace and a firm promise.

"I'll kill him"

Quatre had been expecting this sort of reply and so sought quickly to diffuse Heero's anger for as long as he could.

"Let it be for a few months, we are compiling information regarding his whereabouts, in a few months when we know what he is doing we will make a mission of it and end this, until then just watch over Rei as you have been doing, you don't want her in danger do you?" Quatre asked Heero knowing that would keep him in line and for a few moments it looked like Heero was about to contest Quatre's decision, but Heero controlled himself and nodded. Duo thought it time to change the subject.

"So Quatre, when's the wedding?" Duo asked smiling widely and Quatre smiled back thankful for the change in conversation.

"We want to get married quickly so that the media can't get involved," Quatre said sensibly and Duo was intrigued.

"So when?"

"Next Sunday," Quatre replied blushing at the thought and Wufei let out a low whistle at how close it was.

"Sunday! There's so much to do, arrangements and everything…" Duo started pacing as he started thinking of everything he would have to do to get the mansion ready for a wedding and Quatre laughed waving aside his worries.

"Rashid is taking care of it all, we have a fitting for our suits in two days, other than that, its all arranged," Quatre said simply and Duo became curious as a thought crossed his mind.

"Who's the best man?" Duo enquired and Quatre looked troubled.

"Well I was going to ask Trowa but he is so rarely around since he took on Heero's job as Relena's personal bodyguard," Quatre seemed sad and down hearted that he couldn't have his best friend as his best man and Duo and Wufei exchanged glances.

"Ask him," Heero finally spoke again and Quatre's eyes widened with surprise at his suggestion.

"You think?"

"He is your best friend Quatre, ask him," Heero said this softly, from where he stood, by the window as always.

"Since when did you get so friendly Heero?" Duo asked his friend curiously and Heero's only response was a customary grunt.

"Hn."