Title: The Devil Has Blue Eyes

By: Aina Song

Fandom(s): Gundam Wing

Genre: Yaoi (with some Het thrown in)

Rating: PG-15

Warning(s): Contraband; Fusion; Language; Death; Murder.

Pairing(s): Heero/Quatre (constant mentionings of Het pairings)

Reviews: Yes, please.

Author's Note: (I'm afraid my usual Disclaimer will not be enough this time, so bear with me.) I, Aina Song, hereby acknowledge the illegality of the following fusion fiction, which is based very thickly upon Clara Wimberly's The Jeweled Heart of Rosemont Castle. I do not claim any rights or privileges her book may have earned her, nor do I claim credit for the book itself. This fanfiction follows her plot almost to the letter, with few changes tossed in here and there, but I must again press that it does so without the explicit permission of Ms. Wimberly, her editor(s), or her publisher(s). This fiction was not written for money; I do not profit from this in any way, shape, or form. Please excuse the illegality of it all, and I do hope my own readers will try to look past my unlawfulness and enjoy the fiction nonetheless. Thank you.

Teaser: He did not care that he was the lost heir to a winery fortune - especially since he couldn't remember that earliest piece of his childhood. He only wanted to reclaim the family that had been kept from him. But there was another who was determined to unmask him as an imposter. And, at the same time, a strange cold presence stirred again at his return, anxious to finish what it had started so long ago…

Chapter Fourteen

When Cathy later brought his dinner tray, she was subdued, and Quatre could see she was making an effort to clear the air… although she did not specifically mention their earlier conversation.

It had begun to rain again, and the sound of its whispering against the rooftops and windows was pleasant and soothing. It was too early to retire for the night, and he knew it wouldn't have been proper to slip into the bed with the little girl anyway, so he picked up a book that lay on a bedside table and made himself comfortable in one of the large chairs nearby.

He was practically asleep in the chair when he heard a light tap at the door. Quatre glanced toward the sleeping child and with a yawn went to the door.

He came immediately awake when he saw Heero standing there in the dim lights of the hallway. The other's face was pensive and serious, but he found a slight smile in response to Quatre's obvious surprise. "May I come in?"

"O-of course." The blond stepped back and opened the door a little wider.

Heero looked at the little girl as he entered the room. "How is she?"

"She seems to be perfectly fine," Quatre said. "But she's been sleeping almost without break since this afternoon."

"It's probably just what she needs."

He stood awkwardly, waiting for Heero to tell him why he had come. With a slight quirk of his lips, the darker man nodded toward the chair where Quatre had been reading. "Can we sit down? I'd like to talk to you."

Quatre moved silently to the big comfortable chair while Heero pulled another one closer. The blond didn't realize he was sitting on the edge of his seat until the other man smiled across at him.

"Relax," Heero murmured. "I'm not here to argue."

Quatre sank back into his chair with a sigh. "Then why are you here?"

"How did you know about the hidden door in the library?"

It was a question the blond had already asked himself. His earliest childhood memories still escaped him, after all. But the vision he'd received and its resulting assistance toward Mariemeia's successful rescue comforted Quatre and made him feel more secure about having come to Rosemont. He was well aware, however, that Heero would not share that feeling.

"I-I believe I must've remembered seeing it before."

"And when exactly did you remember it?"

"When I saw you looking at the architect's plans, it… it just came to me."

Heero watched him carefully for a moment. Quatre could see it was something else the darker man wished to use against him. He got up quickly from the chair and walked away from those challenging blue eyes.

"You don't believe me," he muttered, gazing out a window into the darkness of the quiet storm.

"I said it before… You're very believable."

"Apparently, not believable enough. You seem to have made up your mind about me." Quatre spun around, angry that the man could always do this to him. "Why did you come?"

Heero stared at him for a long while, his eyes thoughtful and probing. "I don't know why. Perhaps there is a small part of me that wants to believe you… for Treize."

Quatre glanced away from his intense gaze. "How is he?"

"He's better. Mother has been with him all day."

"I wonder how she stands it," he sighed, more to himself than to Heero.

"She loves him," the darker man answered, his voice hard and defensive.

"I know she does. But haven't you ever wondered how she must feel, having to care for a man lost in sorrow because of another woman? Do you realize that your mother has shared his life for many more years than Leia did?"

"Yes. And of course I've wondered how she feels," Heero said curtly. "She is my mother, and I hate seeing her unhappy." He frowned at Quatre; "But, somehow, that was not something I thought you would see… or understand."

"Give me a little credit, won't you? Perhaps it's because I never knew my mother or father. I'm able to see Treize as he really is and not through the eyes of a son."

"Perhaps," he said, lowering his eyes.

"There is something I'd like to ask you too, Heero."

"Of course," he quietly agreed. "Anything."

"Do you believe this curse of the Demon? That a curse has been placed on Rosemont Castle?"

Heero sighed. "I suppose I couldn't expect you not to hear the story. I just didn't think you'd hear it so soon."

"Well, do you?"

"No, of course I don't believe such nonsense." His blue eyes flickered upward to Quatre's face with startling intensity. "And neither should you."

"I don't," Quatre quickly denied. "At least… I don't think I do. But I did see the wolf, and then this accident with Mariemeia happened. Trowa and Cathy both warned me, but…"

"There are many here who believe the story and are frightened by it. But don't let them make you feel guilty. You had nothing to do with Mariemeia's accident."

Heero's understanding surprised him.

"I-I went riding this afternoon. I saw the wolf again. And this time, I think I saw the Demon, too."

"The Demon, warabe, is just a man who lives alone in the mountains. He's different, that's all. Mountain people tend to be frightened of anyone different from them."

"You called me Quatre this afternoon," the blond reminded him quietly.

"Don't change the subject," he said gruffly.

Quatre smiled at him, realizing it annoyed Hero that the blond had caught him off-guard. Was it possible the darker man was not so unyielding as he wanted Quatre to think? The mere thought of the prospect seemed almost possible.

"You seem to know this 'Demon' very well. Perhaps you could introduce me to him."

"Why?"

"No reason. Perhaps he's lonely and needs a friend."

"You do seem to have a penchant for taking in strays, don't you." With a wry smile he glanced pointedly at Mariemeia.

Quatre bristled immediately, "I suppose there's something wrong with that?"

Heero laughed and held up a hand in mock defense. "No, not at all. Believe it or not, I understand how you feel."

Quatre remembered what he'd been told about Heero's childhood. The blond wanted so badly to ask him about it. But their conversation held the smallest hint of something promising that night, and wanted so badly not to ruin it. He sensed Heero was a man who tried to keep his emotions in check, not that he always succeeded.

Heero stood suddenly, moving very close. Quatre stepped back instinctively, and the darker man smiled again. "It's late," he said softly. "I'll leave you to your rest now."

"Goodnight then," the blond whispered, not trusting himself to look up into that handsome face again.

"By the way - Missus Darlian mentioned that she has invited you to tea. If you'd like, you can go with me to the orphanage, to take Mariemeia back… then we'll stop by Darlian House."

Quatre looked with a frown toward Mariemeia. He knew he would hate himself forever if he was to send her away, back to the rigid punishment suggested earlier by the matron. "We don't have to, do we?"

Heero's eyes followed his, and it was as if he had read Quatre's mind. "If you're worried about Missus Saunders, there's no need. She won't be with the orphanage after tomorrow."

Quatre's eyes flew upward to his face and he found Heero watching the blond with an odd glint in his eyes.

"I didn't like her attitude, either," he explained with a dangerous smirk.

"Oh."

"Well, would you like to go with me?"

"Y-yes," Quatre answered, in a weak, breathless voice that made him want to kick himself.

Heero laughed and turned to go into the hallway. "Good night, then, little gypsy. Sleep well."

"Heero…?"

He turned back and stood quietly, waiting. "Yes?"

"About the hidden panel in the library… You don't believe my remembering proves I'm Treize's son?"

His sensuous lips quirked, and Heero looked at Quatre from beneath his dark brows. "No, I don't think it proves anything. Except that perhaps Rasid tutored you in even greater detail than I thought. Good night… warabe."

As he turned on his heel and walked away, Quatre stared after him, open-mouthed. Quatre should have known, should not have tried so hard to make things happen the way he wanted. Whatever progress they'd made earlier was now all for nothing.

He hardly slept that night, despite that the chair he had banished himself to was quite comfortable. Quatre told himself it was because of Mariemeia's presence. And it was true that he was conscious of every sound she made, every small movement. But more than that, he knew it was Heero Yuy who troubled his thoughts.

He saw Heero's face a thousand times during the long hours of the night. He remembered the man's disquieting blue eyes and tried to imagine them smiling at Quatre instead of frowning. But he could not force something that was impossible. He could see Heero so clearly, the strong angles of his darkly handsome face, the way Heero raked his hands through his unruly hair when he was worried or upset. But Quatre couldn't make him smile, couldn't convince Heero that he was telling the truth.

~o~

The next morning Mariemeia seemed rested and well. She was very happy to find herself still in the castle and especially with Quatre and Cathy. They ate breakfast in his room; Cathy stayed with them, laughing and teasing the little girl and sometimes bringing a shy smile to Mariemeia's pale, serious face.

Quatre tried to explain to her, as carefully as he could, that they would be taking her back to the orphanage. And although she tried hard not to show her disappointment, the blond could see it in the way the light left her eyes.

"But I promise to see you often, Mariemeia. And you can come visit the castle again soon."

Her weak smile twisted Quatre's heart.

"Do you believe me?" He asked. "I want you to believe that I won't just leave you there and forget you. I could never forget you, beautiful."

She gave another faint smile and shrugged her frail shoulders. Quatre wondered how many times she'd been promised such things, and how many times she'd been disappointed. He knew the only way for her to believe him would be to never break his promises to her, to keep returning to her and to never leave her lonely.

"Cathy," he murmured. "Will you help Mariemeia get ready? I want to speak to Treize before we go."

"Sure," Cathy grinned. Quatre suspected she enjoyed the little girl's company as much as he did.

He was grateful that no one was with Treize. The older man sat up in bed, and Quatre took note of the decanters on his bedside table. There were also glasses and a pitcher of water. But Quatre suppressed a sigh as he pulled a chair near the bed and sat down. This was not going to be easy.

"Quatre Raberba," Treize smiled. "What a pleasant surprise."

"I hope you still feel that way when I tell you why I've come."

He looked at Quatre oddly. "Dear boy, I doubt you could do anything to displease me." He seemed to remember nothing of their previous encounter or how angry he had been at Quatre's interference.

When Treize reached for the decanter, Quatre reached too, clutching his wrist and pulling his hand away. The older man frowned at him as though the blond had lost his mind.

"This…" Quatre said, nodding toward the liquor, "is why I'm here."

"What do you mean?"

"Father," he sighed, releasing the man's wrist and sitting back. "I know how you must've suffered when we left Rosemont. I've heard some of the story. But that was many years ago. And I suppose it must be selfish of me to barge back into your life so unexpectedly and ask you to put it all behind you. But I want to know you, to spend time with you. I want to know about my mother, and what our life was like then."

Treize's smile was not as strong as it should have been, and Quatre could see the displeasure beginning in his eyes. "Of course. And there's no reason why we can't…"

"Yes, there is," Quatre said firmly. "I'm sorry, Father, but this… You, locked away in this room for days and weeks… This is not life. You don't even know what's happening on your own estate or right here inside this castle - Did you know a little girl lost herself within the very walls, and it was pure luck we were able to find her? You've lost so much time already-"

"No!" Treize shouted, his eyes flashing with anger. "There was nothing for me after Leia left, after you…" He reached again for the bottle, glaring at the blond resentfully.

This time Quatre did not stop him, but rose to leave the room. He fisted his hands at his sides and turned his gaze away.

"I'm sorry, Father. But I lost my family then, too. Now I want it back; I want you back. And this man… the one who stays drunk for weeks and months… I don't believe he's my father, and I don't believe he's the man my mother loved so desperately."

"Get out," he said hoarsely, his voice trembling with emotion. "You have no right to speak to me this way! I will do as I please."

"And so will I," Quatre immediately fired back, lifting his eyes to meet Treize's gaze directly.

"I'm my father's son, and I'm giving you fair warning. If you choose to continue living your life in this manner, then I will fight you every step of the way. I will hound you and annoy you until you either give in… or finally turn me out from your home." The blond was practically panting now, choking on his own anxiety. He'd never made such brazen demands on anyone before.

"I think you should get up out of that bed and fall to your knees in gratitude for what you have. And you should beg Hiromi's forgiveness for all your years of neglect. She loves you, Father… and so does Heero. I think it's time you repaid them with a little appreciation and understanding, instead of lying here in a self-indulgent stupor!"

Quatre left then, before the older man had a chance to scream at him for his daring. As he closed the door he heard a loud thud from inside and the sound of breaking glass. He hesitated, wondering guiltily if he should go back. What if his father had hurt himself? But then Quatre realized that was how Treize had become this way to begin with. He'd used guilt and the possibility that he might be hurt if anyone dared oppose him.

With clenched fists, the blond turned and walked back down the hall to his room.