The Master Work Ch 2

[MarvelGirl09]

Chapter 2! Yay!!

Pairings: 1xR, 2xH, 3xM, 4xD, 5xS
Rating: PG


The following day, Heero was called to headquarters once more. It was a miraculous occurrence, and as Relena waited for Otis to arrive, she decided to contact the other former pilots about the curator. First on the list was Trowa. He was out on a run, so Relena left the message with Cathy. Next to call was Duo.
?Are you nuts? You want me to meet with some nerdy museum lady to talk about the war? We?re supposed to forget about it- you know, forget like never talk about it?? Duo was breathless.
?Duo- you know the saying. To forget history is to repeat it,? Relena?s face over the video phone was serene.
?Never heard of it, princess,? he leaned back as Hilde walked into the room. She had a large mug of chocolate milk in one hand, the other hand over the pregnant belly that was starting to show.
?Is that Relena?? she came over to Duo. ?Babe, let me say hi!? Hilde waved into the video phone. ?Hey, Relena! What?s going on??
?Oi!? Duo cried. ?Hilde-babe, you?re gonna get milk all over the system!?
Relena chuckled. ?Hello, Hilde. I?m just trying to convince your husband to come meet with a museum curator. How is the baby??
?Baby?s great- now what?s this about a curator?? Mrs. Maxwell?s eyes were eager. ?For what museum??
?It?s a colonial museum here on L1,? Relena grinned, happy to have found an ally. Just as Heero bent to her will, Duo bent to Hilde?s.
?Wow- our men are pretty important,? the dark haired woman grinned.
?If only Duo would agree,? Mrs. Yuy sighed dramatically.
?All right, ladies, all right!? Duo cut in. The conspiracy against him was too much to handle. ?Relena, can I at least talk to Heero about this??
?Oh- he?s at headquarters,? she answered with a serene smile. ?But he?s on board, 100%.?
?How convenient,? Duo muttered, somehow convinced that Heero?s absence during this call was no accident.
?Anyway- I arranged to meet with the curator in about two weeks. Hilde should come too- it would be nice to have you visit.?
?We?ll be there!? Hilde answered happily, before Duo could reply. ?Count on it!? She waved the mug quickly.
?Babe, the system!?
FZZZZZZZ.

Next on the list was Quatre. Relena was sure her good friend would have little objection- Winner Enterprises had recently given a large grant to the L4 Museum of Natural History. Quatre was the one former pilot Relena saw most, next to Wufei- as head of the Winner corporate empire, he was often at political functions, his elegant wife on his arm.
Speak of the devil, Relena thought as Mrs. Winner answered the phone, her blue eyes lighting up in recognition. Dorothy Winner had evolved from the sardonic, warlike girl of their youth into a capable, commanding woman. She had lost none of her fire, or her aristocratic air- but now her energies were devoted to helping her husband run the company and taking care of her daughter.
?Relena, what a coincidence. I was just going to call you the other day to ask about that mint julep recipe.?
?I knew you?d want it eventually. I can forward the recipe to you tonight, if you like. Is Quatre around??
?He?s up in his office right now. I think he?s reviewing company orders. Is everything all right?
?Oh- yes.?
Ever knowing, Dorothy eyed her old friend. ?You have something. Spill it.?
?You?ll know about it from Quatre soon enough, I promise. I?d tell you but I have to hurry and talk to him before Heero gets home.?
?Before Heero gets home? Now I know it?s good. Hang on and I?ll transfer you.?
?Thanks,? she smiled at her friend before Dorothy cut the connection. After a brief moment, Quatre?s gentle face appeared on the screen. He looked happy to see her, if a little tired.
?How are you, Relena?? he asked her.
?I?m well, but you don?t look so good,? she remarked.
?I?ve been busy, but I can?t really complain,? he smiled at her. A tiny voice sounded in the background, calling Quatre?s attention away from the screen. He reached down and hoisted up a little person onto his lap.
?Elena,? Relena greeted the little girl. ?You?ve gotten so big!?
?Thank you, Auntie,? Elena replied. Her father?s image in plaited pigtails, Elena Winner was a placid, intelligent child. Precise in her play and speech, she was the darling of the Winner family.
?Quatre, I received a call from Dr. Marianelli- of the L1 Museum- to open an exhibit honoring the Gundams and their pilots. I told her I?d speak to you five, and we set a meeting date for about two weeks from now. What do you think??
He bit his lower lip, pensive. ?I don?t know- what did Heero say??
?I confess- I sort of tricked him into saying yes. But only a little. I?m still waiting for word from Trowa, but Duo already agreed.? Actually, she thought. Hilde agreed.
?There?s no harm in meeting her,? Quatre conceded. ?I?ll come to L1 for the meeting.?
?Great,? Relena sighed, relieved. ?Bring Elena and Dorothy with you. Hilde is coming with Duo, and I?ve asked Cathy to be there.?
?Of course,? Quatre looked down at his daughter. ?How would you like to visit with your aunties and uncles??
The little fairy child looked up at her father adoringly. ?I would like that very much, Papa.?

~~~*~~~

Relena was in her office, reviewing her next speech, when her husband came home. He entered with a sour look on his face, eyebrows knit in suspicion.
?Heero, you?re early,? she looked up from her papers, surprised. She offered her face for a kiss, which he accepted before resuming his scowling.
?I saw Wufei today.? Not good. ?He said he knew nothing about an exhibit or a Fatima Marianelli.?
?Oh, well?? Relena blushed, caught in her lie.
?Relena-?
?Can you blame me, Heero? All I want is for you to meet with her. Then you five can decide on whether you want this or not. I think it?s a fantastic idea.?
?You were not a pilot,? As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Heero regretted them. The look on his wife?s face went from one of contrition and supplication to dark anger.
?Excuse me. I may not have been in a suit, but I was just as much a part of what happened as you, Heero Yuy.?
?I?m sorry,? he reached for her, but she pulled away.
?If you?re so high and mighty, then you can very well sleep on the couch tonight. Hardened soldiers don?t need beds.? She turned up her nose and tried to push past him, but he grabbed her arm.
?Relena,? he murmured, pulling her resisting body close. ?I didn?t mean it that way. You know that. I?ll meet with her, I promise- but I can?t promise to say yes.?
?That?s all I want,? she said, finally settling in his arms. ?Just give her a chance. You deserve to be recognized, Heero.?
He leaned down and rubbed his nose against hers. It was a rare gesture, his ultimate sign of affection and apology. ?Do you still think this soldier should sleep on the couch?? he asked wryly.
Relena smiled. ?I think this soldier earned himself a bed- for tonight.?

~~~*~~~

Heero spoke to Wufei about the exhibit the following day, and Trowa quickly returned Relena?s call. They were reluctant at first, but after Heero personally assured them that he was in they agreed to the meeting. The date was settled, the curator contacted. And so everyone waited.

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~

?Great news, Dr. Faye. I just finished speaking to Minister Yuy, and the pilots have all agreed to meet with me.?
?Fantastic, Dr. Marianelli. If this pulls through, you?d cement your curatorship.?
?I hope so, sir. This is my dream.?
?Yes, yes, I know. Well good luck, Fatima. Report back to me when you get the chance.?
?Right, sir.?
Dr. Richard Faye cut the video connection, a smirk on his handsome face. ?Those pilots won?t know what hit them,? he said with a chuckle. ?Poor little Fatima. She makes such a good pawn.?

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Please let me know if this is hard to read. It didn't show up like I hoped it would, but I don't know how to fix it. Thanks!!!

[Ice_Vixen]

OMG! the plot thickens! I can't wait to see where this is going! Keep it up!

[Fate Lowe]

Good job...i can't wait to see the next part.

[MarvelGirl09]

Thanks to the ppl who are reviewing, and to everyone who is reading this! I salute you!