Chapter 5: Stille Nacht
"Odin!" Jade greeted the man back at her apartment, in Germany, a stupid smile plastered to her face. Heero, Duo, Trowa, Quatre, Wufei, and Relena all stood behind her.
The old man just stood there, staring at everyone. "You took long enough," he mumbled, finally turning around and walking into the living room, so that everyone could fit in. "I wouldn't have thought it would take you a month to find him."
As everyone sat down, Jade jumped up and down a few times, before attacking Odin with a hug, from behind. Odin did not seem happy with this. In fact, if looks could kill, he would definitely have given Wufei a run for his money.
"You know," he grumbled, "for being the ultimate fighter, you sure do go through a lot of mood changes. Your brother definitely has you beat at a poker face. Besides, I thought you said you wanted to kill me before you left."
"Eh," Jade shrugged, letting go of the old man, "like you said before, mood swings."
"So where is your brother?" Odin asked. Heero wished at that moment that he could disappear into the wall. He hadn't realized 'til this moment exactly how awkward it would be to see Odin again.
Jade just rolled her eyes and pointed him out. "He's right behind you. I swear you're going blind old man." Odin shot her another death glare, before turning towards Heero, looking eager.
"So kid, how ya doin'?" he asked. Heero just glanced at him, before turning his head away. Why couldn't he answer him? Maybe because this man left him for dead? Maybe because this man had deceived him into thinking that he died? Heero felt a sudden sympathy for how J would feel.
"Well you don't have to be like that." Odin paused and looked at him. "I heard you picked up a name finally."
"I think I'm going to find some food," Jade commented, heading towards the back of the apartment. "Anyone want to come with?"
"I'm always up for food," Duo smiled, following Jade into what Heero assumed was the kitchen, with Trowa and Quatre not far behind. Wufei, amazingly, was sleeping already in an armchair, and Relena stayed, looking like if she dared move, she would get dirty and die.
"So what if I did?" Heero challenged gathering all his strength to talk to the old man. He was the trained soldier after all, this shouldn't be that hard.
"Kid, you take things to seriously." Odin pressed. "Honestly, what harm could it do?" There was a pause.
"I thought you died."
"That makes two of us." Heero just stared at him. The old man sighed and continued, "Apparently, I only passed out. I didn't actually die. You, being you, blew up the building. I woke up a week later in the hospital, a John Doe civilian. By the time I got out, you were long gone. I always figured you had settled down at a normal school, in a normal life. It didn't even occur to me otherwise until the war started, and the Gundam's pictures were everywhere."
"Hmpf," Heero exhaled. It was hard, even for him, to be mad at a guy who never directly lied to him.
"Hey Heero, your sis-ta wants to know if you want an omelet," Duo called from the kitchen door, "Oh, and 'that priss of a girlfriend' too." Duo imitated Jade's mannerisms.
"Sure, whatever," Heero said, never breaking eye contact with Odin.
Heero made sure that Odin was receiving the full blast of his icy gaze. Odin had been the one that taught Heero never to trust anyone but himself. Odin would be disappointed if Heero were to believe him that easy, and Heero knew it. "So, Heero, what's your name?"
Heero continued to stare, but Odin stared back this time. Heero became more annoyed, finally growled and spit out his answer. "Heero Yuy."
Surprised, Odin laughed. "A little ironic."
"I guess," Heero shrugged. They both sat there looking at each other, with Relena looking confused in the background, until Jade came in juggling four plates. Duo followed with two, and Quatre and Trowa with one each.
Duo kicked Wufei awake. Wufei was about to kill, until he saw food. "You got lucky, Maxwell," he mumbled.
Jade, smiling, handed Relena a plate. "Duo said you don't like mushrooms, so I left them out," Jade said. Relena just glared at her. It might have come from temporarily being taken hostage, but Relena did not like Jade.
Jade handed Heero a plate as well. "You got everything, with extra hot sauce." Heero looked at her surprised. "Of course I remember you have a stomach of steel. Even I couldn't handle all that."
Heero laughed a little, without cracking a smile. "Thanks," he nodded.
Finally, Jade handed the last plate to Odin. "And you get everything like it or not."
Odin made a face as she sat down. "You put onions in it didn't you?"
Uncaring, Jade said, "You're not allergic, pick them out." Odin pouted as everyone ate. That man brought disgust to Heero's stomach.
After everyone had eaten, Jade and Duo took the dishes back to the kitchen. Wufei, Odin, Trowa, and Quatre all dispersed to other, various rooms. This left Heero and Relena alone together.
Heero could feel Relena's eyes on him, but just couldn't bring himself to look at her. So, he ignored her.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"Tell you what?"
"About your sister!"
"Why should I have told you about her? There's nothing to tell." Heero could feel an argument brewing.
"How can you say that there's nothing to tell, when you have a sister!"
"It's not a big deal. You have a brother. There's no difference."
"But you knew about him. And you know what, all that aside, I still can't believe you didn't tell ME!"
"I case you hadn't noticed, I didn't tell anyone. Don't take it so personally." Relena was catching an edge with Heero. She needed to stop now, or she might just drive him to far.
Relena wouldn't take this as an answer. "All that aside, what about Odin? Duo seemed to know enough about him. Yet you never told me. Apparently, I don't have 'authorization' to know about your classified life!"
The normally calm Heero felt anger boil up on him. What right did she have? "In case you didn't notice 'princess' I don't owe you anything! We are just 'friends' nothing more! And unlike everyone else around you, I don't take orders. I don't care what you think!" With that, Heero stormed across the room, and out to the balcony.
Outside, the night air was cold. The cold felt good. I would help him clear his head. Heero slightly shivered, and looked up at the stars. He thought about what he would be doing right now, if Jade hadn't come back. More than likely sleeping. Relena wouldn't be mad at him, and he would still be sleeping. He wondered, If the war is over, than why are things still so complicated?
The night was silent, and refused to answer his question.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, both Jade and Duo were laughing hysterically. They had just finished having a soapy water fight, as they both argued over who would actually do the dishes. Jade was wet, but Duo was soaked to the bone. It was easy to see who had won the water part of the fight.
Laughing Duo finally gave in, "Mercy, uncle, and all that stuff!"
Still laughing, Jade set down the spray nozzle. "I am still the champ!"
"Only 'cause you cheated," Duo huffed. "If I had-had a water gun, I would have stood a fighting chance."
"Fat chance," Jade mumbled. She now had a strait face, but the tease definitely showed through in her voice.
A smirk came over Duo. "You really need to smile more," he said, before tickling her in a surprise attack.
"Stop!" she giggled falling over on the floor. The chip must have been off for as hard as she was laughing.
"Not 'til you admit that I am really the champ!"
"Not a chance," Jade coughed. Reaching up, and still laughing she grabbed the first thing she could reach. Duo's braid. She yanked and Duo fell down, laughing, next to Jade.
"Hey," he whined, "braid's off limits."
"Rule #1," Jade said, "everything goes."
"Oh really?" he asked reaching to tickle her again. They were both rolling in hysterics on the floor when a harsh voice came out of no where.
"What the hell is going on here Maxwell?"
Author's note: First off, thanks for the reviews. I have some free time at the moment, so I might put out a few chapters. It's nice only having to revise these ones. For anyone that had read this story before, you may have noticed that I've added a few scenes. I think they enhance the story. But let me know what you think. This will also serve as my final warning… I am putting out a lot of chapters at the moment since I'm just revising, including multiple ones each day. However, once I reach the mid point (I'll let you know when) where I haven't got anything written yet, then the chapter will slow down. Not stop, but slow down yes. Well thanks again and R&R.