Freetalk: Uwahh…look at this…I'm so fast at updating…I'm on a roll! I hope this lasts long enough. The face-off between Trowa and Heero...
This chapter is for Hoto-chan, a great friend of mine.
Chapter III: Lost and Found
They stood in front of each other, not moving, silently assessing each other. Gundam Heavyarms pilot Trowa Barton, clad in a black turtleneck sweater and slacks, took a step forward. Gundam Wing Zero pilot Heero Yuy, wearing a denim jacket and pants, did not move from where he stood. Beside them, Foreign Minister Relena Peacecraft-Barton remained asleep, unaware of the growing tension in the room.
Wordlessly, Trowa jerked his chin towards the door. The two then quietly left the room, heading for the library. When they reached the place, Trowa spoke first. "What are you doing in my wife's room?"
Heero's face remained impassive, not showing the pain he felt when Trowa called Relena 'wife'. "I came here to warn you. There are indications that someone may yet move again against Relena and the peace between the colonies and Earth."
Trowa raised an eyebrow at Heero's obvious evasion of his question. Then his face became very grave. "I'm afraid your warning came too late," he said calmly. "They've already moved. They've abducted our daughter, Freya, off the street just a few hours ago."
"I see," Heero replied quietly, his face an impassive mask. Relena's sleeping image rose to his mind. No wonder Relena had looked so tense. Her daughter had been spirited away. Heero had heard that she and Trowa had fraternal twins–a boy and a girl. He had never seen either of them, although he had heard the girl was Relena's splitting image. "What are you planning to do? Have they contacted you?" he asked.
Trowa shook his head. "They haven't contacted us. As for our plans, Milliardo and the rest are in the study discussing what action we would take." At the mention of Milliardo, Trowa saw Heero flinch slightly. "Do you plan to make your presence known?" Trowa wanted to know, looking at Heero straight in the eye. Will you show yourself to Relena? Trowa's look said.
"No," Heero replied in a hollow voice, meeting Trowa's emerald gaze head on. "I do not think that is necessary. Your…wife need not be aware of my presence." Then he straightened up. "I must go now. I cannot stay any longer. However, I will help you in any way I can."
"Leaving so soon? You haven't even said hello to us," a familiar cheerful voice said from the doorway.
"Duo." Heero's gaze flicked over the Gundam Deathscythe pilot. Though older now, Duo Maxwell still had his long, braided hair and the mischievous look in his blue eyes. Instead of the modified priest's clothes that he wore when they were teenagers, Duo now preferred to wear more casual clothes. Heero knew he had married Hilde–he even attended the wedding and served as Duo's best man–and that they had a son the same age as Relena's children.
"Long time, no see, Mr. Perfect Soldier. I see you're doing well," Duo said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. A smirk touched Duo's smile. He walked towards them. Then, without so much as a warning, Duo gave Heero a powerful right hook on the face. Heero staggered, surprised by the attack.
Duo hit him again, sending him sprawling on the floor. "You fuckin' bastard!" Duo said from clenched teeth. Trowa made a move to restrain him, but Duo waved him away. He loomed over Heero. "You fuckin' bastard! Where have you been all these years? You think you could come and disappear as you please without complications, don't you? Well, you fuckin' can't!"
Heero glared at him, his Prussian blue eyes bright with fury. He quickly got to his feet and gave Duo a right hook that immediately sent Duo to the floor. With a snarl, Duo got back up, and drew back his arm for another blow.
The fight would have continued if Noin hadn't suddenly appeared. "Trowa!" she cried out as she entered the room. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Heero. Her eyes then darted to Trowa, who now stood between Heero and Duo, noting the calm look on his face. "What is it?" Trowa asked calmly.
"Alex is here. Wufei just brought him in." Noin's glance fell on Heero once more. Her purple eyes suddenly hardened. "Mr. Yuy," she said in a cold voice. "What's he doing here?" she asked Trowa.
"He's here to help," Trowa said blandly. He glanced at Heero, then at Duo, who looked like he wanted to kill Heero. "The two of you will stay here. No fighting. I don't want my wife upset." With that, he turned his back to them and left the library, Noin following him.
Silence reigned in the room. Then, Duo grabbed Heero's arm. "Come on, I want to show you something."
Heero yanked his arm away from Duo, but followed him. Duo led him outside, and found themselves leaning against the railing, gazing at the hall below.
Even at this distance, Heero could clearly see what was happening below. Trowa and Noin, along with Milliardo Peacecraft were coming down the stairs. Wufei stood not far from the door, wearing the Preventer uniform, his long black hair flowing down his shoulders. However, it was the young man walking behind Wufei that caught Heero's attention.
"That's Alexander. He's Relena's son, Freya's twin brother," Duo told him, pointing at the young man.
Alexander Peacecraft-Barton stood not far from Wufei. Still wearing his Lake Victoria Academy uniform, Relena's oldest child had short, slightly unruly dark brown hair and slimly muscular built that was eerily familiar to Heero. Alexander was tall for his age, and there was a quiet, but serious air about him. He turned slightly, allowing Heero and Duo a full view of his face.
For a moment, Heero could not breathe. He turned swiftly to Duo, who only stared back at him quietly. He then turned back to the young man, his eyes wide, his heart pounding in his chest. Alexander's eyes were a clear sky-blue, the same shade as Relena's, but its size and shape did not belong to Relena or Trowa. No…it can't be…
Trowa approached the young man. "Dad," Alexander said in a firm, quiet deep voice. Alexander pulled Trowa into a fierce hug, ending it with a loud thump at the back. "How's Mom?" he asked in a concerned voice. "What about Freya? Is there any news of her?"
Heero froze at the sound of Alexander's voice. It was like hearing his young fifteen-year-old self after all these years. My God…
Duo's quiet gaze was suddenly penetrating. "I think we should go back inside now. Since you have no intention of showing yourself to anyone, it wouldn't do for them to see you."
"That's right," a chilling, familiar feminine voice said from behind them. Heero stiffened at the sound of the voice, but he felt his whole body leap into life. He turned.
Wearing a pale blue robe, her long blonde hair streaming behind her back, Relena Peacecraft-Barton stood in front of him, her sky-blue eyes hard as sapphires. "Heero," she said coldly. "What the hell are you doing here?"
~*~*~*~
She lay across his lap, sleeping peacefully. He smiled at the picture she made. She looked like her namesake goddess, with her long blonde hair spread out like a huge golden fan, her sweet face soften in sleep. He absently stroked her hair with one gloved hand, running his fingers through the silky strands. With his free hand, he pulled out a gleaming knife. He gazed at it for a moment, running his thumb against the sharp edge, testing it. He glanced back at the girl, and his smile widened.
Then, in one swift stroke, he cut a lock of her hair.
Wrapping the golden strands carefully on a piece of cloth, he handed it to one waiting attendant. "Give this to Marcus. He'll know what to do," the man said in a soft, cultured voice. The attendant gravely took it and with a fluid bow, left the room.
The man turned his attention back to the girl sleeping on his lap. She was really a very beautiful girl. He smiled again. Running a thumb against the girl's smooth cheek, he said, "Well, Miss Freya, I do hope your parents will heed my message. Otherwise–" he paused when he saw the girl's lashes flutter open and her Prussian blue eyes focus on him. Grabbing a fistful of her hair, he yanked her head up, forcing her to face him. "They'll never get their little goddess again."
~T.B.C.~
Free talk, part 2: So, can anyone tell me who the twins' biological father is? ^__~ Things are getting a bit volatile between the others and Heero. They are obviously not pleased to meet him. I wonder why?
About Relena's and Freya's hair: I know most people describe Relena's hair as light brown, but I see it more as honey-blonde than brown. Freya's hair is a little lighter in color compared to her mother.
Next chapter: Relena is forced to relieve past memories. Meanwhile, the kids get into a little fight. As for Freya, she is not about to remain a damsel in distress for long. Moreover, who was that guy?
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