Title: Relaxation and Flash Points

Author: Karina

Rating: PG

Pairing: Pagan + Heero

Notes: Challenge 220. Baby Series 4 #118. Takes place following A Bout of Hysterics.

Spoilers: None

Warnings:

Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.

Title: Relaxation and Flash Points

"I see."

The old man watched the video feed with a straight face. He was careful not to betray his emotions to the men present in the security room, but he was pleased. Very pleased in ensuring Chang remained at the palace this night. He had known that encouraging Maxwell and Chang to pursue the King would have certain difficulties attached, given Milliardo and Chang's social standing that was unavoidable. He had, however, determined that any 'difficulties' would be more than outweighed by the advantages to be gained. To his mind this was simply one of many advantages they would note in the future.

The King's medical readouts were well within the green band across the board. There was no betraying flicker that might be a warning of potential instability. Mental instability was always accompanied by tell tale physical indications. There was nothing suggestive to cause him concern either on the screen or in those data streams.

Chang knelt behind the King, his small but strong and infinitely capable hands kneading the broad shoulders with practised movements. Maxwell sat with his back to the King, his cascade of hair filling the blonde's fingers as Milliardo worked with dexterous ease to plait the mass of fire-lit chestnut.

It was a domestic scene. There was no use of modern technology, he noted. The lights were out and an old fashioned oil lamp had been placed near Chang. That and the fire gave the only illumination in the room. It might have been a scene from a long bygone age, but the atmosphere was exactly what it was designed to facilitate. Soothing relaxation.

He had been right to encourage their interest in his King. He could not recall a time in the recent past where he had noted such content displayed by the man and the courtship was, as yet, only in the infant stages.

There was a brief buzz, cut off quickly as Heero moved from his side. The murmur of low voices and he distinctly heard the word 'riot', but he maintained his attention on the screen. He would have the camera's deactivated soon enough to permit them some privacy, but he was enjoying watching the King relax and, from what he could see, Chang was very good at what he was doing.

"There is a food riot in Chile. The drought there has not lifted and humanitarian supplies have been revealed to be low. Certain agitators are whipping up hysteria and calling for rebellion against the current regime."

He sighed softly and reached out to shut off the camera. Let them have their privacy. He could trust Maxwell and Chang to ensure the King did not indulge in his own personal bout of hysteria.

"Maintain monitoring of the flash point for the next 24 hours at level 2. Check the security status and you can retire for the night, Heero."

End

Karina Robertson 2013