Baby, Mine: Chapter 10 (rated G)

[Ice_Vixen]

DISCLAIMER!!!!!!!!!!!: I DO NOT NOW NOR HAVE I OR WILL I EVER OWN GUNDAM WING...*sigh* i only wish i did.

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Heero Yuy was beside himself for the first time in a long time. He had no idea what to do about his current predicament. As a soldier he had been trained to take decisive action whenever needed and worry about the outcome later, but this time was different. He stood there staring at the reason for his current state of confusion as she pushed her food around on her plate.

For the past few days she had gotten worse. She'd eaten what he'd given her before. kind of. almost. ok, not really. He couldn't understand her stubborness. Her mother wasn't a picky eater and he had the idea that Relena was the type of mother that encouraged her daughter to eat whatever was put on her plate. As a child, he'd always eaten what he'd been given without question or complaint, devouring the vitamine enriched mush that his superiors had laid out for him. The contents of her plate were very similar to that which he'd eaten for the majority of his life.

He sighed and ran a hand through his tassled hair. She had to eat. He couldn't allow her to become malnurished on his watch. Relena would never forgive him and Duo would never let him hear the end of it. Walking to his cupboards again he looked over the limitted selection of dietary options. Multiple grenish-brown plastic bags of military issued provisions filled the shelves with a random can of vegetables here and there for good measure. This being his safehome he had it stocked for emergency use should he ever need it. At the time he hadn't expected company, let alone a child.

Taking another glance at the hungry child, he shook his head and sighed. He didn't know the first thing about a child's eating habits or food preferences. Deciding there was no other alternative, he picked up one of his untraceable disposable phones and dialed a number he knew would provide the answers he needed...

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He could hear the phone ringing even as he unlocked the front door with his key. It was early yet and Hilde would be just making breakfast for the kids. A deep breath in revealed her to be making his favorite dish of blueberry pancakes. He smiled and entered the house, taking off his shoes and closing the door behind him. he'd worked another all nighter trying to find more answers as to Relena's disappeance with no luck. He sighed and shook his head, the phone still ringing even as his stomach growled in protest.

"Not just yet ol' buddy. Telephone comes first." He said as he atpped his stomach. He walked over and picked up the reciever, a tired smile on his normally jovial face. "Maxwell residence, home of Hilde's hot breakfast." He laughed to himself. She hated it when he anwered the phone that way.

"Duo." He knew that voice.

"Heero! What are you doin' calling man? Where's the kid? Is she safe?" he felt his breath catch in his throat, waiting for the answer.

"She's fine. But there's a problem." Duo felt his heart clench. A problem for Heero Yuy was a problem most normal people couldn't even fathom.

"I'm almost afraid to ask. What is it?" The man on the other line was silent for a moment.

"What do kids eat."

"What?" Duo felt his knees turn to jell-o as releif flooded him.

"I don't know what kids eat. I need your help."

His voice sounded almost pleading and Duo felt himself sigh. some kids were picky but he hadppened to know a few things the little princess was fond of.

"Let me guess, hard tac and gruel not her cup of tea?" A soft grunt from the other line confrimed Duo's thoughts. "geeze Heero! i won't even eat that stuff and you expect her to?"

"She hasn't eaten hardly anything in three days Duo. I need to know." Duo winced at the slight tinge of worry that had edged into the perfect soldier's voice.

"Alright, lsiten and take notes from the master. Kids love mac and cheese, got it? hot dogs are good too. spaghetti and meat balls is also a winner, especially with Ammy ok, but Pizza really gets kids every time. You can also get her some chicken and noodles and mashed potatos. Follow that advice and it should be smooth sailing. As far as drinks are concerned, chocolate milk or juice does the trick, but ask her about the flavor of the juice cause kids don't always like the same thing every day."

Duo could just picture Heero standing there holding the phone in the crook of his neck while jotting down his suggestions He stifled the urge to laugh, knowing Heero would not appreciate it.

"If you stick to that simple menu she should eat well enough for you, ok?"

"Rodger that."

"Take care of her buddy."

"Yea." Duo began to hang up the phone. "Duo?"

"Yea bud?"

"Thanks." that one simple word comming from Heero of all people made him grin like an idiot.

"Anytime pal. Takle care." With that the call was ended. Duo put down the phone and chuckled to himself. "Welcome to parenthood buddy." He said as he scooped up his own child into his arms and walked into the kitchen to join his family for breakfast....

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Heero hung up the phone and walked back into the dining area. He stopped and cleared his throat causing her to look up at him.

"What's wrong Mr. Heero?" the question was so innocent, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"We're going to do some shopping. Come on." She slipped down from her chair and followed him to the door. "Stay close to me at all times ok?"

"Ok." She took his hand in hers and he couldn't help but smile at the feeling. It was almost as if, deep down, somewhere, he had always yearned for this feeling. The feeling being needed like this. The feeling of being a father figure. Gripping her hand a little tighter, he smiled down at her.

"let's go."

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[A.N.] Sorry it's so short and that it took so long. I have been super busy and very distracteed with a lot lately. The next one or two should be following soon. i promise. After all, The undercover agent has yet to be revealed, and need i say that Heero has yet to connect the dots? I hope you enjoyed reading this. TTFN!!

[stormwind16]

oeee, that was so sweet me want more