This has take me forever! I've been so busy with school and papers that it is not even funny! Ryu, however, has been busy with his own things. I have posted a few things over the last few months, but I wrote that out of having a bit of time. When I edit, I need to get it done in one sitting and this is what I sat down to do today!
I would also like to share the news that I am applying to study in Australia for a semester and I have been nominated to study for a semester in Japan! I can't wait till next year! I get to see a part of the world that I have never seen, and it will be fantastical! I can not wait! This semester will be focused on my second major, International Studies.
Disclaimer: We do not own Gundam Wing, unless it's a character you do not recognize from the show. If we did, trust me, if we did, I'd be on a yacht somewhere and not attending college. Ryu... Ryu would probably be the lead singer of a band... where the keyboardist is hotness...
Chapter Five: Now That We're Done
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Peacecraft Manor: Front Steps/Foyer
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"It looks as though we have returned at a poor time." Heero sighed as he opened the door and held it for Relena. She looked at him a moment as she walked passed and then caught wind of the argument that was taking place in her foyer.
Relena looked on as Noin argued with her mother.
Pagan, having parked the car, came up behind them carrying Relena's bag with him.
"Thank you Pagan, I'll take it from here. You should get some sleep. This is going to be a long week, alright?" She turned away from the spectacle before them and smiled at the man as he nodded.
"Yes, it is best that I do so. Mr. Maxwell seems to find it fun for me to drive through town with him hanging out of the roof of the limo and lamenting about the color of the limo itself." He chuckled, making his way up the front steps.
Heero sighed and shook his head.
"I wonder what has happened." Relena murmured as she returned her gaze so as to watch the scene before them.
"I can only assume that Noin's mother caught wind of the situation between Zechs and her daughter. In the real world, mothers tend to over-react in such situations, clearly this is not the exception." Heero frowned, and took a quick glance at Duo.
"Hmm..." Relena gave a small nod.
"I'm going to go rescue Duo before he does something stupid. He seems ready to launch himself at the woman at any moment. Noin is unstable enough without Duo raging war on her mother." He muttered, and took off into a jog towards the braided man.
Relena gave a small giggle, and walked around the quarreling group, heading up the stairs.
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Khushrenada Estate
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"I don't understand why you couldn't have just told me the truth." Une yelled as she paced the length of the bedroom, her robe fluttering with the movement. Treize sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. She stopped directly in front of him. "Do I mean that little to you?"
"Lady..." He stood up and took a step towards her.
Une raised a hand to silence him.
"I am not done." She was getting even more agitated. "I need to know the truth. I need to know what I am to you. Am I still just a soldier? A love affair? What am I Treize?"
"You are neither of those things." He said calmly. "You are the mother of my children." He tried to pull her into his arms, but she pulled out of his reach. He was not gaining any points.
"Is that it?" She glared. "Is that all that I'll ever be? Some woman that just happened to…"
He gave a heavy sigh and looked away a moment to rethink his strategy.
"What do you want from me?" He looked at her. He could see the hurt in her eyes and knew that now was the time to surrender. "I need to know what the right answer is, so that I'll stop making you feel so hostile."
"What is it that you think I want to hear Treize!" She nearly screamed, nearly sobbing at this point. "How blatantly clear do I need to make this? I…" She glared up at him for a brief moment before drew in a ragged breath, her throat clenching. "I need to know if I hold the same place in your heart that you hold in mine. I cannot pretend that this… whatever this is… is going to work, if it is not." She waved her hands around them.
"Lady." He took her hands and pulled her to him, tilting her chin so that he was gazing deep into her eyes. "There is nothing more than I can give to have you forgive me." He murmured, leaning down, and brushing his lips gently against hers. He rested his head against her forehead a moment and shut his eyes. "All I can do... is promise you that I will never leave, never again. I love you."
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Peacecraft Manor
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"Why does she have to do that!" Noin huffed, throwing her hands into the air as she and Quatre returned to his- now their room.
She threw herself onto the edge of the bed and placed her head in her hands. He sighed in response and simply listened to the woman vent.
"She has no idea what I have been through during the last few years. How could she? She was too busy taking care of Dad..." she groaned as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Quatre gave a weak smile.
"Ms. Noin, your mother is simply trying to look out for you..." Quatre murmured, sitting down beside her. "She loves you, like any other mother loves their child."
Noin let out a soft whine.
"I know." She sighed. "But still, where does she get off telling me to move back home? That is not her decision to make. I'm a grown woman for Christ's sake!"
Quatre wasn't sure how to answer. He had never known his mother, and had resented his father most of his life. He barely knew the truth about his own coming about, and he barely knew his father at that. Granted, he was raised by the man, but in comparison to now, he had been a complete spoiled, rotten, brat as a child, and ran away from his own parental problems.
"Because she loves you. It's enough of an excuse." Quatre said quietly.
"I'm not moving home." Noin snapped, looking up and meeting his gaze. "There is no room at home. They know this."
"My offer still stands." Quatre grinned sheepishly, slipping an arm around her. "As long you want to stay."
"Thank you, Quatre." She smiled, and leaned into him.
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Mexico City: Airport
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"Let's go Woman!" Wufei demanded as he and Sally made their way through the swamped airport. He was about ten paces or so ahead of her, having cleared security just before her and had only waited a few moments afterwards to be sure she was behind him.
"My, are we being impatient?" Sally laughed as she caught up with the younger man.
He snorted.
"Well, if you had not packed every damn thing that you owned, we would have already been there by now. Typical woman." He sneered.
Sally snorted and shook her head, sending an amused look his way as he stopped to wait for her to catch up completely.
"I'm sorry, but I was under the impression that we were not going to return." She huffed, walking past him and gave her ticket to the check in woman. "Did I tell you what happened with Noin and Zechs?" She asked, Wufei following behind her now.
"No, and I'd rather not hear the gossip." He said taking his boarding pass from the woman and following Sally on to the plane.
"Too bad." She chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Apparently, Noin walked in on Zechs and Dorothy." She laughed.
"Isn't that a shame." He muttered.
They walked down the isle of the cabin, making their way to their seats. They sat down, and quickly buckled up before Sally gave a heavy sigh.
"Could you be a little more interested in what I have to say?" Sally asked, shooting a glare at him.
"I'm here, aren't I?" Wufei looked annoyed, and just crossed his arms behind his head, leaning back into his seat.
Sally only squeezed the bridge of her nose in frustration, and continued.
"Well, anyway, Noin has decided to stay with Quatre, until she finds a suitable place of her own."
Wufei snorted again, and rolled his eyes.
"I'm sure that was Winner's idea, and I'm almost positive he has his own ulterior motives behind it." He smirked, closing his eyes.
"I can't believe you would say something like that about sweet sensitive Quatre!" She gasped, smacking the man on the shoulder.
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Peacecraft Manor: Sitting Room
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Heero had approached Duo carefully, from behind so as to avoid detection by the quarreling family. He had chosen to grab Duo by the braid, flipping him around and covering up his mouth to muffle his protests as he dragged him throughout the manor. After making it back into the sitting room, he shoved him down roughly on the couch, where Duo landed with a grunt, and Heero released his mouth.
"Man, what the heck is your problem!" he shouted accusingly.
Heero shrugged it off, and sat on the couch across from Duo.
"Best to keep out of their family business. I'm not sure what brought you in on it, but it wasn't your place to be..."
"But- but she started it!" Duo gasped. "That damn woman came bursting through the door like some nutcase, and had the nerve to insult me! I did nothing to her!" He sputtered.
"Still, this is Noin's problem. Stay out of it."
Duo's eyes narrowed.
"So... you want me to move onto other topics eh? Well then Buddy... I happened to notice, despite all the commotion that you and Relena came home. Together mind you, at the same time, from the same car. Soooo, what were you two doing out, alone, together hmm?" He wagged his eyebrows.
Heero glared.
"Nothing."
Duo raised an eyebrow, and a grin slowly snuck onto his face.
"You said that awful quickly Heero. Hell, what am I saying? You actually answered. Know what that means? Hmm? That you are TOTALLY lying. How do I know? Because you don't normally lie...hell, I don't think you ever have. So, you're bad at it!" He laughed happily. "Well, I won't press you any further, I don't have a death wish, just... congrats!" he snickered, leaping off of the couch and out of the room before Heero could think of a way to respond.
In the end, Heero just sat there, staring in the direction the man had gone.
And then he blinked.
What just happened?
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Peacecraft Manor: Quatre's Quarters
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Quatre sat on his bed, typing away on his laptop and trying to keep up with company events that had been occurring whilst he was on leave. Everything seemed in order, and he was glad that he had such reliable people working for him. He was also thankful that he could put anyone of his sisters in charge and trust them to run the company as steadily as he could.
He had received a video message from Rasid, letting him know that they were alright, despite minor disturbances, one of which clearly involved Abdul, who had obviously over indulged himself in the Araq, and a gaggle of belly dancer girls, as they had sped past the screen behind Rasid as he talked.
The man had pretended not to notice, but Quatre could easily see that it had disturbed him.
Apparently, leading forty men clearly had its times of distress.
"I cannot believe that you are actually still here!" Zechs' voice rang out, interrupting Quatre's train of thought.
The blond looked up from his laptop, staring at the door with wide eyes.
Zechs had been so loud; it had seemed as if he were standing right outside the bedroom door, and in the small sitting area.
"It's not like I have anywhere else to go, Zechs!" Noin spat back. "I mean, in I am Duo and Hilde's wedding. Don't worry, as soon as the wedding is over, I'll leave. The last thing I want is to be trapped within the same house as you. You're treating me unfairly! It's not like I caused this problem!"
Quatre now ran to his door, slamming the laptop shut, and he pressed his ear to the door, leaning against the wooden door frame.
"No, definitely not you, noooo, you didn't cause any issues!" Zechs' voice dripped with sarcasm.
Quatre could hear the hurt squeak that slipped past the woman's lips.
They were indeed right outside in the corridor, if only a few doors down. Quatre could only assume that Noin had been on her way back from the kitchen when Zechs had seen her.
"I'm not the one who was cheating! So I don't understand why you are mad at me! I'm the one who has been hurt by this!" Noin threw at him.
It was at this point that Quatre came out of his room. It was quite obvious that he wasn't the only one in the audience for this argument.
Relena stood in her bedroom doorway, clad in her pajamas and robe. Duo and Hilde had poked their heads out of their door, Duo grinning from ear to ear, and Trowa stood in the hallway beside Relena, leaning against the wall.
"What happened?" Quatre asked, slipping around the argument and approaching Relena.
"I think she was coming up from the kitchen and he just started in on her." Relena whispered. "I can't believe that he is blaming HER!" She hissed.
"He needs to stop." Quatre growled, turning around.
Trowa quickly placed a hand on his shoulder, and Quatre turned to look at him. He just shook his head.
"Let them be, you can comfort her afterwards." Trowa said in a low voice.
Quatre sighed, but stayed put. He couldn't believe that Zechs was trying to pin his infidelity on Noin. She had done nothing but worship the ground that he walked on, for years, so he had heard.
"Oh no, you weren't cheating. Just sucking face with a younger man whilst still in a relationship with me. I'll have you know, 'Ms. I Wasn't Cheating', it wasn't you I was cheating on, Noin." Zechs shot back. "You were the other woman this time."
"This time?" Noin screamed in disbelief. "You've done this before? What were their names?"
"It was the same person, Noin! Every single time!" Zechs yelled.
"HOW COULD YOU!" Noin screamed through a sob. "Why? What is so wrong with me that you needed someone else? That you needed Dorothy Catalonia of all people!" She hissed, tears now running down her face.
"It was never you that I was in love with, Noin." Zechs muttered, then he turned and stormed down the hall way.
Noin picked up a vase on the nearest pedestal, and threw it at him. It slammed into the man's shoulder as he spun off, and bounced off him crashing into the wall.
"I HATE YOU!" Noin screamed, crumpling to the floor.
Quatre was there to catch her.
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Khushrenada Estate
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Une awoke the next morning wrapped in the arms of the man she had once thought was dead. She turned around to face his sleeping nude form, breathing the scent that was unique, and his alone.
She gasped when she found him awake, and blushed a deep crimson.
"Good Morning, Mi Lady." Treize chuckled, leaning in for a kiss.
"Good morning..." She answered. She'd smiled when he kissed her.
"We have a duty to our children to be awake and at breakfast. As well as my having to be to the Preventers headquarters." She sighed, sitting up.
She slowly stood, and took the blanket with her.
"If you want, you could come with me. Then you wouldn't have to putter around the house with nothing to do."
"What will the children do?" Treize asked, a small grin on his face as he watched her slowly pace the room, the sheet trailing across the floor like a long gown..
"Well, Mari is home schooled by tutors, and this lasts as long as she wants, but if she ends it, she'll be sent to a private academy. And... Trent comes with me." Une slipped into the bathroom and started the shower. "Then, at the end of the day, I come home, feed the children and then relax. I honestly miss the days of having a schedule to follow from the time I wake up till I go to bed. Then again, this is a bit more relaxing, and some variation is good for me. And if I were you, I'd put some clothes on. You'll scar Mari's minds, first twenty-four hours ever of seeing her father, the last thing she need is to see you naked." She giggled.
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Khushrenada Estate: Breakfast Hall
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"I'm not eating this." Mariemaia pushed the plate away from her. She looked at her adoptive mother waiting for a response. She was going to see exactly how far she could get with this little tirade, if she were to get anywhere at all.
"Mari, eat what is given to you." Une sighed and shot her a stern look.
"I don't want it." She retorted. "I don't even like eggs."
"Yes, you do. You've eaten them tons of times in my presence. Don't do this to me this morning. I've had enough stress." Une placed her fork down, it was taking all her patience not to slap the girl. "Now Mariemaia, eat your breakfast."
"Just because I've eaten them, does not mean that I like them! I don't have to listen to you." The red head said in a low voice, crossing her arms and glaring up at the woman. She knew she had just hit the right buttons and it was only a matter of time till the former Oz Colonel blew a gasket. It was a game of wills that she was willing to play.
Treize just watched in horror as the scene unfolded. He knew Lady Une enough that he could tell when she had reached her limit of civility, and she had barely any patience to insubordination. If the woman didn't slap the girl, he would be very much surprised, but could feel that it was coming, he just knew it.
"I am your mother, and you will listen to me." Une placed her napkin beside her plate, stood up and rounded to face the girl completely. "And how dare you take that tone with me. You are not the head of this household, you will not talk to me like I am some servant you can boss around. Now, you will sit there and eat your breakfast. Just imagine, for one measly second, how many people in this galaxy have very little to eat! How many people that would just die for those eggs you are refusing? Some people don't even have a single egg to eat in a week Mari. Had you succeeded in your quest to conquer the world, it would be your responsibility as it's leader to solve those hunger issues. Doesn't that make you rethink this whole egg situation?" She raised an eyebrow at the girl.
"You are not my mother." Mari said through gritted teeth. She had lost, just the mere mention of what had happened just a few months ago was enough to break her will. She watched as Une's eyes widened and she clenched her fists at her sides. She had never seen the woman so angry so hurt, she instantly regretted the words.
"Mariemaia Khushrenada, go to your room. NOW!" She then turned to one of the servants. The girl rolled away from the table and rolled out of the room. Une faced the servant who had rushed in to clean the spot that Mariemaia had just vacated. "You are not to give her anything for her morning meal, or she will never learn. Such disrespect."
"Ma'am." He quickly finished cleaning the area and left the room.
Une returned to her seat, sat down, and continued to eat.
"Such restraint." Treize murmured. He then eyed her cautiously. The old Une would have snapped and slapped the girl. She had changed so much after being shot, and it seemed as though she'd changed so much more after his disappearance. He wondered if the baby had had anything to do with that change as well. Not that it was a bad thing, if anything, he loved the new Lady Une even more. She seemed more graceful.
'I love when she's graceful about things.'
"Is she normally like this?" Treize asked. He noticed that she had a tear that had started to fall. He had never truly seen Lady Une cry. Mariemaia had truly hurt Lady Une, he wondered idly if he had ever done the same to her.
Une grumbled slightly but answered.
"Every once in a while, when she thinks she can get away with things... She's still adjusting to a life of being a child, not being in charge." Une shook her head. "She likes to test my patience."
Treize chuckled.
"Most children do." He smiled.
"So do a few generals I know." Une muttered mostly to herself.
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In the Air...
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"What would you like to drink, Sir?" A young woman, perhaps in her mid-twenties, stood over Wufei, a grin plastered on her face. She leaned forward and rested a hand on the back of his seat.
He turned his head to the left to observe her carefully. He then leaned deeper into the back of his seat and crossed his arms, snorting slightly.
"E-Excuse me...sir?" She questioned again, standing up straight and pulled her hand away from his seat as if it were on fire. Something told her that he was not an ordinary passenger, then again, he was seated in first class.
Sally turned towards Wufei and shot him a peculiar look.
"Honestly? Could you have not acquired a better job? One less degrading? Typical woman. Choosing a job where you walk up and down isles as you flit through the clouds, flicking your hair back and forth, serving people food and drinks like any other waitress, while your short skirt rides up your ass."
Sally choked on her peanuts.
The stewardess flushed a deep crimson, and subconsciously, reached behind her to adjust her skirt.
"Sir, I don't- I don't understand?" She stumbled over her words. "I just... wanted to know what you would have liked to drink." Her voice cracked multiple times as she sputtered, and Sally was still recovering from the shock of what had just happened.
Wufei seemed unfazed.
"Why would I trust anything you serve me? I don't know you. Just because the other fools on this flight are trusting enough to take food from strangers in a non-secure area, eight miles above the rest of civilization, with no medical equipment on hand, doesn't mean I'll be as stupid." He huffed, closing his eyes once more.
Sally's mouth had dropped.
The stewardess seemed on the verge of tears.
"You- you think I'd try and poison you!" She gasped, total disbelief on her face.
This seemed to knock Sally out of her slight daze.
"Wufei!" She gasped. "What is your problem! Apologize immediately! How can you be so rude? If you don't want anything, just say so, and leave it at that! Honestly!"
He cracked an eye open to look at her.
"Because, Woman, I was trying to make a point. It's ridiculous how these women degrade themselves. Not just here on this flight but most women in existence are stupid fools. Almost all women are weak. It just so happens, that the one before us... is both." He stated bluntly.
This was all the poor woman could take, and she shot off towards the bathroom.
She did not return.
"Wufei." Sally growled, leaning towards the man.
"Relax Woman... you, are fortunately neither." He yawned, and shut both eyes once more.
Sally stopped, and looked at him oddly once more.
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Peacecraft Manor: Dining Room
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Everyone in the Manor sat in the dining room, slowly starting on their breakfast, including the Noin family.
Much to Relena's displeasure, she could feel the electricity shooting across the room between Noin and her brother, and oddly enough, between her brother and Quatre. If that were not enough, Mrs. Noin kept glaring at not only Duo but also Zechs.
'Could everyone just get along? At least for breakfast? Is that so much to ask?'
She sighed.
'Great, I'm beginning to think like Quatre'
Heero watched her carefully, ready to intervene if anything went haywire. He allowed Zechs to live and try his hand at co-existing in the real world only by her grace. If he had had the choice, he would have made sure the man was six feet underground encased in cement and steel. This would be to ensure that he wouldn't rise from the dead, ever again.
Noin reached for her cup of coffee, and just as her hand touched the handle, Zechs decided to speak his mind.
"I want you out of my house." Zechs stated calmly, eyes closed. It was a long, silent moment before he opened them, his ice blue eyes seemingly turned to stone.
Everyone froze, and Noin stopped mid motion, her plum orbs staring into ice.
Mrs. Noin rose from her seat, seemingly ready to launch herself at the man, but was pulled back down by her husband.
"Milliardo, do not start this at the breakfast table." Relena said icily, shooting him a warning glare. "And it is my house, and I will decide who will and who will not stay here. You forfeited your right to this house when you gave up your name, Brother." She hissed, turning towards the shocked woman. "Ms. Noin, you are free to stay as long as you wish."
"Thank you, Ms. Relena." Noin smiled.
"It's rightfully my house just as much as it is yours. Had I not decided to spare the Peacecraft name of my bloody deeds, everything would be rightfully mine as the son of the family, Relena. It may not be mine as far as most are concerned, but I am still your older brother." Zechs huffed at his sister. "I will also have a say in who-"
"Milliardo, I can easily have you escorted off of my property." She glared at him. "By force if needed.
Heero's right hand twitched at his side, resisting the urge to pull his pistol out and enforce that escort.
Quatre shifted uneasily in his seat and watched the two siblings argue with worry.
Duo was now eating handfuls of almonds like popcorn as he watched. For him, this was likely to be the most exciting part of the day. Noin's brother, Luccedio, seemed to do the same.
"We really shouldn't be fighting during the first meal of the day." He murmured. "It sets a bad tone for the rest."
Zechs snorted, and turned his attention towards the other blonde.
"Maybe if you hadn't decided to sleep with my girlfriend, there wouldn't be a fight brewing this morning."
Quatre, so shocked with the accusation, dropped his fork, scattering its contents across the table cloth before him.
Mrs. Noin let out a gasp of outrage at this, and turned towards her daughter.
Noin paled and shook her head frantically at her, mouthing 'I swear!'
"I can't believe you would accuse me of being so crude and insensitive to Ms. Noin's feelings! I would never take advantage of her like that right after you... you..." He drew in a deep breath to calm himself. "Regardless, I believe you gave the rights to that relationship up the moment you decided to bed Dorothy." Quatre stood up, throwing his napkin on to the table, further scattering his meal. "Not to mention, I spent my night asleep, on one of the sofas, in my sitting room. Unlike you, I am a proper gentleman!"
"Yes you are Dear!" Mrs. Noin nodded in approval.
Luccedio whooped in his seat, until elbowed by his father.
By this time, Duo was grinning like a madman and Hilde wacked him on the shoulder.
"Yes… I'm so sure that's where you slept, Winner." Zechs retorted.
By this point, everyone had stopped eating, and was staring at the two blondes.
"She deserves more than you! She'll always deserve more than you." Quatre shook his head and retreated from the table.
"It is not as if I wanted her back to begin with." Zechs spat. "I planned on staying with Dorothy. she is the one who threw herself at me."
Quatre stopped and spun back around.
The look in his eye prompted Trowa to stand immediately and watch him carefully, prepared to grab him if necessary.
Mr. Noin, on the other hand tensed, and placed his fork back onto his plate. He furrowed his brow, and forced himself to stay in his seat, all the while holding his own son in place.
"How how dare you." Quatre seethed, his aquamarine eyes narrowing. "If you didn't want her, you should have told her! I highly doubt she would have forced you to stay with her! She loved you! If letting you go meant your happiness, she would have given you up! But instead of doing the right thing, you decided to string her along!"
"Oh please, this is coming from you, the one who has clearly been waiting for her to be free since you met her, like I haven't been watching you. And yet, when I died, you didn't even take the opportunity to make her yours. Would have saved me a hell of a lot of grief!" Zechs sneered.
Quatre looked to Noin sadly, and turned back to Zechs with a fierce glare.
"I happen to believe that she deserved her time to grieve your loss. I am not a sycophant like you!" Quatre took a step forward, his fists clenched. He was ready to punch him, if allowed anywhere near the man, if not stopped by Trowa who watched him closely.
Duo's eyes bulged, and he nudged Hilde gently.
She turned to him red faced.
"What is he thinking? Man, Zechs has like... a foot and a half on him, and at least a hundred pounds!" He whispered to her.
Her eyes narrowed at him, and she rubbed her temples.
"It's not worth it Quatre." Noin said quietly placing a hand on his arm.
Quatre stopped, turned, and stormed off in annoyance.
Duo looked disappointed.
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Preventer HQ
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"All we need to do now is check in with Une, and then we can continue on our way to Relena's." Sally said with a sigh as they made their way through the doors of headquarters.
Wufei kept quiet, and this unnerved Sally.
He'd gone to sleep soon after the incident with the stewardess, and had slept until the plane landed. Or at least, she was pretty sure he been asleep. He could have been faking it or meditating, either way it had appeared that he had been asleep.
She'd had to slip past him at one point to retrieve the poor woman from the bathroom, who had been a crying mess upon her arrival. She'd successfully cleaned her up, and gotten her back out on the floor before anyone took much notice.
"How can you live with such a horrid man?" The woman had asked her.
"I have a lot of restraint." she'd laughed.
It would have appeared that they were a couple, she supposed...
After a silent walk through the building, and a long, awkward elevator ride, they had arrived at Une's office at last.
Sally gave a quick knock, and then stepped in, Wufei close behind her.
"Hello, you would not believe the fight here- oh my god..." Sally gasped stopping in her tracks.
Wufei gave a groan from behind her.
"Honestly Woman, will you stop over reacting to things?" He grumbled, stepping out from behind her.
He took one look in front of him in Une's direction, and froze.
"Well...damn…" He murmured in shocked awe.
"I'm glad to see you're well, Wufei." Treize smiled.
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Peace Manor
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"I want a peaceful household for the next twenty four to forty eight hours or so help me Zechs!" Relena said standing up from the breakfast table.
"Where are you going?" Mrs. Noin demanded.
"I've lost my appetite." Relena growled, pushing her chair in and turning to leave.
"Sit down." Mrs. Noin demanded.
Relena froze, and turned toward the woman.
"E-excuse me?" Relena asked out of shock. No one spoke to her that way, she was the Queen, the ruler of the Galaxy, she had never been spoken to in this manner, not since she left her adoptive mother.
"You are far too skinny. Now eat." Mrs. Noin motioned for the girl to eat. "Someone go retrieve that Quatre, he needs a bit of stuffing himself."
Relena instantly sat back in her chair, Noin shooting her an apologetic glance.
Trowa rose from his seat, and Mrs. Noin eyed him.
"Don't worry ma'am, I'll return, I'm just off to retrieve Quatre."
Mrs. Noin was content with this answer, and waved him off.
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Peace Manor: Quatre's Quarters
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"No, she's going to be living with us. I've already invited her." Quatre said while staring at his sister on the vid phone.
His sister sighed and smiled at him.
"Quatre, don't bite off more than you can chew, alright?." Iria replied. "I can't stand to see you get hurt, little brother."
"I'm not exactly sure the other twenty-eight agree with you on that." Quatre laughed. "I'll be home a few days after Duo and Hilde's wedding, and she will be with me."
"I'll see you then." She smiled, and the screen went blank.
Quatre sighed.
His sister was overly concerned about his current issues, but it did help being able to talk to at least one rational person.
"How is she?" Trowa asked, standing in the doorway.
Quatre nearly fell out of his chair.
"Trowa!" he whined. "You keep doing that, make some noise when you walk, seriously." he groaned, steadying himself.
Trowa cracked a small smile.
"Force of habit. Mrs. Noin requests your return to breakfast. She fears you'll waste away if you don't gain twenty pounds instantly in her presence."
"Seriously?" Quatre raised an eyebrow.
He had a small and petite body, not malnourished.
"Seriously, come on, let's go. Relena's enduring all the weight talk as we speak. Best not leave her as the only victim. Heero's been antsy all morning, for whatever reason. I think he's getting stir crazy." he trailed off.
Quatre gave a weak smile.
"Yeah, I think so too."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Preventers HQ
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"I should have seen this coming!" Wufei continued to complain, pacing back and forth across the office.
Sally stood frozen in the doorway, and Une and Treize still sat calmly at her desk.
"Where the hell were you when your daughter tried to damn us all to hell!"
"Wufei, stop." Sally said, raising a hand to his chest to stop him.
"Woman, I expect answers! After all the hell we went through, I think we deserve them!"
"Wufei... I'm sure he's got a perfectly good explanation-"
"Sally! He used me to kill himself! I was there! The whole damn suit went up in smoke! Don't you think-" He paused momentarily. "I would have known! If he had survived, I would have known!" He stood, catching his breath.
Sally gave him a small, sympathetic smile.
"I was on a colony that I never want to go back to." Treize answered. "I had no idea about Mariemaia until I came back yesterday. I was just as shocked as all of you likely were about the whole thing. From what I hear, you were in the center of it all. I'm sorry."
"How did you get back?" Wufei demanded.
"I think we should be leaving." Sally murmured, pulling on Wufei's arm.
"I want to know the answers." Wufei said standing his ground and yanking his arm away roughly.
"Let's go, Wufei, you can get the full story another time, when you can stay calm about it." Sally gently pulled him out of the office, and Wufei stared at the man until the door shut.
"I believe he's angry with me." Treize sighed.
"I was angry with him for some time, over the same reasons. It passed, as will this." Une smiled at him.
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Peace Manor: Relena's Quarters
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"I'm not sure I like that woman." Relena sighed, slipping back into her room.
Heero leaned against the door frame, watching her rummage through her closet, in search of her rehearsal dress for later in the evening.
"She has good intentions. You don't even look a hundred pounds. You're thin, even for your height, as is Quatre. She's right to worry."
She turned to him and frowned.
"Do you always have to be so blunt?" She sighed. "And for your information, I'm ninety seven." She grumbled.
Heero glared, and she turned back to the closet.
"Eighty seven."
She froze.
"What?"
"You're eighty seven, not ninety seven."
Her eye twitched.
"Heero, how? You can't possibly tell by looking at me, and I haven't had a checkup since the Mariemaia incident!" She whined, and threw a dress bag onto her bed.
He stared at her for a long moment, then sighed.
"You were eighty two at the time of that last checkup. You'd been under severe stress from being kidnaped and held captive for an extended period of time, and were eating far less than normal. It's understandable." Relena moved to interrupt him, but he raised a hand to silence her. "Since then, you've regained your original weight. However, you've also managed to gain and inch or so to your hips, and your breast size has increased, accounting for the additional weight. Regardless, you should eat more, and worry about things less."
She blushed, and stood frozen, staring at the man.
"I'll," She paused a moment and then looked at him. "Keep that in mind.".
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Peace Manor: Quatre's Quarters
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Quatre had calmed down since this morning's argument with Zechs, and he was now looking forward to spending some of the day with Noin. This evening was the dress rehearsal for the wedding and he knew that since she was banned from her former living space, that she would need something to wear that night.
The bedroom door opened, and Noin slipped in before shutting the door once more.
"Ms. Noin, would you like to go out today? Get out of this madness?" Quatre asked.
"I have nothing to wear." Noin answered quickly.
She walked into the bathroom, and started the water for the shower.
"Wear what you had on yesterday. You can get some more clothes while we are out." Quatre insisted.
"Quatre, I don't want to spend your money." Noin poked her head out the bathroom door, giving him a stern look.
"I insist." Quatre stated. "You can't wear the same thing every single day. Ms. Relena is much shorter than you, she can't possibly have anything for you to wear, and sadly enough, so am I." He eyed his pajama pants, turned pajama capris on Noin.
"Alright. You win, but I don't have to like it" She chuckled, shutting the door to the bathroom.
"I never said you had to." he smiled after her.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Peace Manor: Interior Office
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"Relena, I want her out of here." Zechs demanded of his sister as he followed her into her office.
Relena sat down at her desk, and began to read through the day's set of paperwork.
"Ms. Noin will stay here as long as she wants. I don't see how she faulted you in any way. If you have issues with my decision, you may remove your things and live elsewhere. I'm sure you will not have too much trouble finding a place to stay. I know one human being that seems to desire your presence."
"You cannot remove me from my own home." Zechs seethed.
"On the contrary, I can." Relena stopped and glanced up at him. "Please, Milliardo, keep civil and you can stay. Simple as that."
Zechs snarled, and walked out of the office, slamming the door as he went.
He was not at all pleased with his sisters alliance with Noin.
"What is it with these women and sticking together!" Zechs asked aloud.
"I side with Noin on this one." Came a monotone voice from the shadows.
"Yuy, this is not the time." Zechs grumbled, walking down the corridor.
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Quatre's Limo
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"Thank you so much for everything." Noin said. "You really didn't need to do this."
"Seriously Ms. Noin, there is no need to thank me." Quatre laughed. He was just happy to see that she was smiling. He knew that this would help her. He had experience with this sort of thing.
"Oh, before I forget. I bought this for you." He pulled out a blue box.
"Whatever it is Quatre, it's too much. I can't accept any more gifts from you." She said putting her hands up and motioning that enough was enough.
"Please?" He asked, opening the box.
He revealed a Tiffany's set, a simple diamond and pearl necklace, and matching earrings. There was a pearl with a diamond topper.
"I thought that you could wear it tonight, it would go very nicely with that dress you bought."
"Quatre, seriously this is too much." Noin murmured, gently taking the box from him.
"Ms. Noin, please." Quatre smiled at her and she slipped the box into one of the bags.
"Thank you." She kissed his cheek.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Soon after, they had arrived back at the manor, and started up the stairs to their now shared room.
It was nearly time for the first rehearsal of the day.
"There you are!" Noin was greeted by Sally, Wufei close behind her.
Wufei ignored Noin completely, and instead looked past her at Quatre, and raised an eyebrow. Quatre noticed his gaze and blushed, and instead turned to face Sally.
"Where have you been? Oh!" She smiled, seeing Quatre come up beside Noin.
"It's not what you think." Noin smiled. "We're just friends."
"For now." Sally said with a mischievous grin. She then turned and headed towards the chapel, Wufei at her side.
"What was that about?" Quatre asked Noin.
"I'm not entirely sure." She answered honestly.
"Shall I take these up to Master Quatre's quarters?" A servant asked Noin.
"Please." Noin answered.
They were already running a bit behind. There would be plenty of time after the rehearsal to prepare for that night's Dinner Rehearsal.
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"Alright, since both Dorothy and Zechs have removed themselves from the bridal party, and just want to attend, we'll have to pair Quatre and Noin up." Hilde said in an exasperated tone.
"I didn't even know Dorothy was in the bridal party." Duo commented.
"That is due to you never listening." Hilde said. "So, it will be Mariemaia first, followed by Wufei and Sally, Lady Une and Trowa, Quatre and Noin, and then Heero and Relena. Duo, you will stand up here by Father O'Malley."
"What about Trent?" Une asked.
"Right, do we have anyone who can carry the boy?"
"Why not Luccedio?" Noin suggested.
"Sure." Hilde said with a smile.
The chapel rehearsal went on without a hitch, and everything went smoothly, and then some.
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Authors Note: What did everyone think? Please leave a review, they really do help and lift our spirits!