Her mother's daughter chapter 7 & 8

[Ame-san]

Chapter 7



" Can I talk to you alone, Daddy?"

Her unusual soft and sweet voice was only meant for Heero to hear, but the nature of the question grabbed everyone's attention all at once. Suddenly the rather noisy living room became dead silent. What was with silence and these people anyway? Oh, yeah, Heero was present and that means silence itself had found its way into the house.

Another phenomenon would be the way their eyes widened with shock looking like huge saucers. How did they do that? Apparently no one knew the answer to this particular question. For the fourth time in three days, another surprise had just dropped by to say hello to these poor people. One can't stop and wonder if there will be more in the future. Lena was startled by her daughter's sudden change in behavior. If she knew her daughter well, then the girl standing near Heero was not Liz Dorlain but merely a mock imitation. Her daughter was not a sweet little angel, but a tough warrior. She would never ever in her right mind act this lovable unless she wants something in return. Usually that something had to be pretty drastic or else she wouldn't put herself through this personal hell to get it. In an instant, the mother knew that the daughter was up to the impossible something, but she decided to play the game and see what exactly had made her daughter go this far. After all it was not every day you get to see Heero being a victim of a sixteen-year old girl, and not just any girl, his very own daughter. So Lena purposely put a confused expression on her fair face and watched her daughter continue this charade.

Of course Liz figured her mother would catch her pretense, but she also knew that her mother wouldn't expose her without obtaining any explanation first. However, this time the explanation would be saved for much later, because her target was not the stable type, although he seemed to be made out of solid rock. There weren't a lot time left for her to complete Operation Guilt Trip, dinner would be ready in exactly two hours and 17 minutes. She had to move fast, or she wouldn't finish all five operations in the next five days. Her precise calculations can't not be altered in anyway if for the plan to work successfully.

He was caught completely off guard by his suppose to be daughter. Heero Yuy felt like he had been hit severely on the head, and his brain had ceased to function properly. He was confused by the sweetness shown by his daughter, whom he had neglected for the past 16 years. Why did she call him Daddy? That seemed like the only sane thought flying in Heero Buy's head. She just called you Daddy! His mind scream at him. The realization made him shudder slightly, which was uncommon for him.

" So, how about it, Daddy?" She deliberately emphasized on the last word.

Everyone in the room were waiting anxiously at Heero's answer.

" Ok." He agreed reluctantly although his mind yelled no instead. Fatherhood was one thing Heero Yuy wasn't prepared for. Not to mention that his daughter was already 16 years old, a very dangerous age he supposed.

" Well then, let's go to the study." She said before grabbing Heero's arm and almost dragged him to the room next door down the hall. She motioned him to find a seat while she closed the door. She smiled at him and went to sit opposite of him in a wooden chair similar to the one he sat upon. She crossed her arms and began the ' cross-examination' she was so fond of.

" So, Dad. You've known about me for quite a long time, haven't you? And that day in the park, you didn't just bump into me, did you?" She smiled inwardly.

" Yeah." A very simple answer as she expected.

" Then tell me this, Dad. Why haven't you ever try to come see me in all these years?" She asked with hurt in her voice.

There was a brief silence.

" I... I can't, I don't know." He said while feeling something stir inside of him and was making him feel uncomfortable.

" It's ok. It's not your fault anyway." She said honestly. " I don't know what happened between you and mom, but I just want to get to know you. I am your daughter after all. I have your blood in me, heck, I even have your looks. But I don't know anything about you. Can't you at least tell me you real name. Not a code name like Heero Yuy."

" I can't, I don't know my real name, at least I don't remember it." He said quietly.

" You know, I don't blame you at all for not being there for me in my whole entire life. I'm fine without a father. But you are here now, and that makes everything different."

" I never had a father too, or a mother." He said from his heart.

She was surprised at his sudden display of emotion.

" Can you tell me about yourself, Dad?" She asked, feeling sorry for him, but was determined to see the mission through, even if she had just succeeded in putting a guilt trip on herself.

He looked into her eyes that were a replica of his own except they weren't cold and distant, but filled with warmth and emotions.

He thought for a moment and decided that he had owed her too much not to agree to the request. He was ready to open a part of his heart just for her, his daughter.

" My childhood was filled with trainings to become a soldier or an assassin. All I ever learned was revenge. The people who hired me as their assassin wanted revenge on my targets, the colonies wanted revenge on the earth for their oppression. Everywhere I go, there was revenge. I hated revenge, the training and the killing. But I had no other choice but to endure the suffering. I come to accept things that way as time passed by, and I became numb at my hatred. I was no longer capable of feelings afterward. Then, there was the war, again caused by revenge, and I had to fight for the colonies to take that revenge on the earthlings. I fought to win every battle not to keep myself alive but simply waiting for the next battle. Battles were the only thing I knew, and I was not going to let them go easily, because that was my life. Ironically, I hated battles which means that I hated my life. I hated the way that I had to live my life." He paused and muttered something to himself. " Hate is such a vague word."

" That's my saying." She thought aloud.

"Huh?" He had heard her quiet remark.

" Oh, no. It's nothing." She wondered what else she had in common with him.

She hadn't expect him to actually open his heart to her, and now she was having a hard time living up to her conscience. The plan totally backfired at her.

' There is no way I'm backing out on this, I will finish Operation Guilt Trip even if I have to die from my own guilt.' She vowed to herself. Another trait she was oblivious to that she shared with her father.

After renewing her confidence Liz was ready to proceed with plan B that she just thought up in her head - making Heero admit feeling guilty, even if he didn't. He will though, by dinnertime.

" You never mentioned mom." She said hopping that would make him react differently.

" What?" He was confused.

" You didn't say anything about mom. Did she ever mean anything to you?" She questioned him in a firm voice.

Yes. She meant everything to me." No. I don't know. I was never good at describing my feelings." He avoided answering the question directly.

" Fine, I won't ask you anything, but can you tell me how you two met?" Part of her was acting, but the other part wanted to know.

" I.... just ask Relena." He was never good with words.

" I asked you, if I wanted to ask mother I would have done so a long time ago. You are responsible to tell me these things if I ask you." She sounded upsetting. I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to sound harsh.

" Relena can explain things better."

" No, you can tell me, you are my father." She snapped although intentionally.

That certainly did the trick. Heero suddenly felt sick in his stomach and a familiar feeling came up inside of him that he had no words to describe it. He had had the same feeling when he killed in battle and when he decided to leave Relena. He seemed to feel like that every time he had hurt someone, and this time he had hurt his daughter. Well that latter part was only his opinion though.

Liz could see the pain in his eyes. She celebrated over her victory and suffered from her conscience simultaneously. I really shouldn't acted this way. The only part left for her to play was the ever forgiving daughter.

" Sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to sound like that. I'm sure you have good reasons not to tell me. It's not anyone's fault that our family ended up like this. Just remember I forgive you for not being there for me." She nearly gagged at her own cheesy, sappy acting.

'No, it's my fault, it's all my fault. I destroyed this family; I let Relena go; I neglected my daughter; I screwed up everything!' His dormant emotions started to wake up from its slumber.

Liz watched the painful expression on Heero's face and knew her plan had worked to its full extent. She was so 'happy' that she couldn't be any sadder looking at her father suffer from the guilt she placed upon him. It was not over yet much to her dismay. He still needed to say the words.

" What's wrong Dad? Are you ok?" She asked knowing the answer would be no even if he tried to deny it.

" I don't know, but I feel this pain in my chest that I can't describe." He said hopping she could help him.

" Are you having a heart attack, Dad?" She tried to act innocent. And extremely stupid!

" No, it's a feeling, a strong emotion that I feel. I feel it every time when I have hurt someone." He explained.

" Not a heart attack and you feel it when you have hurt someone." She paused looking thoughtfully at him for a second and said. "I see, I think you are experiencing guilt."

" Guilt?... Guilt! That's it! I'm feeling guilty for all the things I've done." He finally found the name to that feeling.

'Yes, Daddy dear. So now I know that you are capable and have experienced guilt. That's good progress. And I'm really sorry for putting you through this, I really am. I just want to help, hope you'll understand.'

"Dad," She said to him looking at the watch on the wall. " I think dinner would be ready soon."

He nodded and was actually glad to have talked with his daughter. His Daughter. He almost smiled at the thought. Well, almost.



Once she got to the kitchen, Liz was confronted by Duo, who was anxious to find out about the mission.

" Well, let's just say that if Heero were me, he would probably say ' Mission Complete ' ." He gave her a high five, which left the other guests nearby feeling confused by the gesture.



Chapter 8

" Bye everyone!" Liz grinned from ear to ear. " I'll see you all tomorrow afternoon. And Uncle Duo, remember you have to take me shopping, since mom has this case to work on." She closed the door after she saw Duo nodding at her. She wasn't really asking him to go shopping with her, she resented such an activity. That was the code for him to move on with his part of the Operation. Operation 2: fear/anxiety-Jealousy.

From their undetected extensive discussion and debate after dinner, Duo and Liz had came up with one solution to their next obstacle. How could anyone make Heero express fear or anxiety? He probably didn't know what those words meant if a college professor gave him a constructive lecture on them for ten hours. Of course that was an exaggeration on their part, but to an extent their conclusion was near precision. However, due to Duo's famous or in his case infamous IQ, the solution was found. Well, not quite though because both of them weren't certain if the plan would actually work to their liking.

The plan was simple, no killing, no torturing, no threatening, since everyone knew that those were useless on Heero, although Duo was quite fond of these methods. But there was one thing, or rather one person who could make him feel anything if desired so - Lena Dorlain. They thought it was low on their moral for them to consider such a method, but desperation called for great motivation to use the last resort. Then it was decided that when Duo confronts Heero, Liz would be convincing her mother to follow the plan.

" Elizabeth." Her mother only used that name on her when she was in deep trouble. " Could you explain your odd behavior tonight?" She said while motioning her daughter to sit beside her on the couch.

" What odd behavior?" She tried to act innocent. " What are you talking about?"

" The one you pulled with Heero. " Nothing escaped a mother's eyes, she saw right through her daughter. " I don't know what you said to him, but he sure looked terrible at the dinner table. It's as if he were guilty of something."

" Oh, I didn't do anything in particular." Liz tried to stifle her chuckles." I just put a guilt trip on him that's all." She said sheepishly.

" A guilt trip?" That had the mother wondering.

" Yep, you know, the sweet daughter act." She tried to explain.

" Say no more, Liz. I know." The mother's face grew serious. " But why?"

" Since you asked, I'll give you a complete summary of our plan." Liz cleared her throat. " You see, mom, everyone says that Heero, pardon me for not saying father, is incapable of expressing any emotions because he was the Perfect soldier. Where did you guys get odd aliases like those? Perfect Soldier, God of death, Desert prince."

"Liz." Her mother sent her an annoyed look to continue.

" Sorry about that. Anyway, I don't think it's true. I think he is quite capable of expressing all emotions, he just needs the right guidance, that's all. So I come up with a plan to give him the proper guidance. I believe that internally we are all the same except some of us have too much emotions bottled up that they don't know which one to express." She paused looking at her mother. " Don't worry, I'm not doing anything drastic. I'm only using common sense, he'll be fine. Well, you've already seen him feeling guilty tonight, but we still have fear or anxiety, grief, anger, and love left. And we need your help."

" We?" Lena shifted up one eyebrow in question.

" Yeah, Me and uncle Duo." She said with a sheepish smile.

" Figures." She sighed." So what do you need me for?"

" You mean that you are not mad? Mom?" The daughter asked disbelievingly.

" Well, as long as you won't hurt him in anyway, I guess it's fine. I mean it's about time for him to lighten up a bit and act human." She nodded in approval. " Remember, don't hurt him."

"I know, because you are still in love with him, right?" Liz grinned.

" Who told you that!?" She said indignantly.

" Ok, I'm not going to say anything on that, mom. Man, you sure can act hysterical." She averted the subject. " Mom, here is the plan. Tonight, uncle Duo is going to try to get Heero, again excuse me for not saying father, into a bar so they can catch up on old times. During the catching up, he is going to mention that you've finally met a guy and is quite fond of him. Of course, we know that is a big huge lie, but for Heero, that's a different story. Then the rest is fate. By the way the guy's name is Jack. You see what I mean, mom?"

Lena nodded reluctantly. " And what it is exactly that you are trying to accomplish here?"

" Ever heard of jealousy?" She explained.

" Ha, good one, Liz. Jealousy?" She shook her head in amusement. " Liz, honey, you don't know what you're talking about. Heero, jealous because of me? Yeah right, that would be the day Duo cuts his hair."

" Mom, trust me. I know for sure that he still loves you just as you do to him. I see it clearly in his eyes." She said with confidence.

" But jealousy has nothing to do with fear or anxiety. Liz, I think you are mistaken here." She opposed

" Jealousy has a lot to do with fear and anxiety." she explained." Jealousy is the fear of losing something you already have to someone else." Liz saw the disagreeing expression on her mother's face before she continued. " I know, mom. You were never his, but you had been alone too. Remember that. And all you have to do is pretend that you are interested in someone else if he ever asks. That is if he does."

" Liz, I really don't think this silly plan of yours would work..."



It didn't take long for him to get permission from his wife to go out with Heero to the local bar. Duo was thankful that Hilde had been so understanding when he asked her in the car. Of course to Hilde, Duo was only catching up with his best friend. She was oblivious to his side mission with Liz. Duo, on the other hand acted as innocent as he could and dragged his best friend to the bar to get a drink. What a choice of a best friend! Duo sworn to never buy him a drink, he didn't even utter a word of thanks. Then again, he never did and would not start soon. In Duo's opinion, catching up with Heero on the old days meant having a self-conversation. It had always been him to talk the whole time while Heero just sat there motionless listening to his ramblings. No one really knew if he ever did listen, for he would be as phlegmatic as a solid rock. Heero could be singing in his head for all he knew, but that would be impossible. If that were proved to be true, Duo would gladly cut his hair. Yeah, right, Heero singing in his head. That would be the day when he propose to Lena. Wait, I better not bet on that, who knows what he'll do. I like my hair the way it is.

He filled another cup of wine in his cup and went back to his silent meditation. Duo had gotten tired after talking nonstop for forty-five minutes. He was so loquacious, Heero thought. He wondered if Duo would ever stop talking. Maybe that would be the day when he finally admits his feelings to Relena. Lena, that was what she preferred them to call her now, but he still liked Relena. Relena, the name itself made his heart stop beating. Then, there was Liz, his daughter. She was so much like Relena, so confident, so kind, so open hearted despite her looks that was of his. How he wished that he could be with them as the happy family they were supposed to be. What happened?

" Hey, Heero buddy. What are you thinking?" Duo began the second round of questions. " You know, you looked like you were sick at the dinner table. What happened?"

" Nothing." He wasn't about to let Duo in on his emotions.

" Nothing? You almost looked like as if you were guilty of something." He said nonchalantly.

" I was. Satisfied?"

As a matter of fact, Duo was please to hear him admitting that. He continued with his plan. " You know, Liz is quite a girl."

" Yeah." Heero agreed. " Just like Relena." He hadn't meant for the last part to escape.

" What was that?" Duo asked on purpose, he had heard him loud and clear. " Speaking of Lena, you know she had been alone all this time, raising Liz all by herself and stuff." He couldn't be any more vague. " But not any more." He sighed in contentment.

That sure caught a certain stoic soldier's attention. Heero stared at Duo. " What?"

" Oh, aren't you just happy for her? She met this guy at the law associate she worked for. He is this really successful lawyer. I heard he is really nice and good-looking too. I'm so glad that Lena decided to go out with him. It's about time too." Duo avoided Heero's stare.

" What's his name?" He didn't expect Relena to actually find someone else. Yeah, like she's going to wait for me forever. What am I talking about? Relena, waiting for me?

" I didn't think you would care." Duo said with a mischievous grin.

Glare of death and annoyance.

" I don't remember his name. It's Jack or something. I didn't really pay attention when Hilde told me about him. I just remembered that he is this really cool guy. He is perfect in everything, sort of like you, only nicer and more lovable." Duo stole a glance at Heero. Apparently, those words were getting to him. " hey, buddy. I'm sorry. I know how you felt for her. I shouldn't have told you all that." He made a fake apology.

A brief silence.

" Have I lost her?" It was a whisper from Heero.

Duo was surprised by the question and was certain now that his plan had worked. " I don't know buddy, but I don't think she'll wait for you forever though. This Jack guy is a tough competitor. I heard that Relena really liked him."

" So I have lost her, haven't I? You saw that cold look she gave me today." His head was low. " Duo, what if I really lost her? What if she hates me now? I know I screwed up years ago. You think she'll give me a second chance?" He was taking this seriously.

" Heero, I don't know. This is something you have to ask Lena yourself. I'm really sorry." He patted him on the shoulder. " If you want a second chance, you better work fast, because like I said, this Jack guy is tough to beat. He even cooks well, Lena loved his cooking." Duo was quite proud of his acting. Now, Maxwell, don't go too far on the imaginary Jack, or you'll lose your cover.

Heero didn't care if that Jack could cook or not, he only cared about what Relena felt for him. Well, Jack whatever, let me tell you something, Heero Yuy is not that easy to be beaten. Why am I talking like this? What's wrong with me? Relena...

If I had told her how I felt for her, she wouldn't ever moved to California. What if I really lost her this time? What if she marry that Jack? Who does he think he is, competing with me, he even doesn't have a last name! Heero Yuy was jealous for the first time in his life. He was afraid that he would lost Relena forever.



She was in deep slumber when the vidphone rang. Liz cursed softly and glanced at the clock before answering the call. It was two in the morning.

" Who the heck would call me this late?" She muttered as she pushed the receiving button.

" Hay, Liz, sorry to bother you this late." It was a cheerful Duo.

" Apology unaccepted. Now, speak." She was annoyed from the lack of sleep.

" Mission complete. Mission status: successful. Serious case of jealousy and fear of losing Lena. Complete hatred toward imaginary Jack. " He winked at her before terminating the call.

" Who was that, Liz?" she heard her mother called aloud from her bedroom down the hall.

" Oh, it was only uncle Duo. He just said that Heero was having a bad case of jealousy." Liz fell back into her slumber. Two down, three more to go.

[goddesswing]

OOO!!! I love how its turning out!!! I like this plan of Liz's. I don't know why, but I seem to like stories where Heero gets mad at some guy and wants to kill him because he's with Relena or something. ^^;; I'm crazy. Haha, an understatement. Another chapter now please!! Before the suspense kills us all!

+::goddesswing::+

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: goddesswing on 2002-04-26 21:51 ]</font>

[Ami Yuy]

It's going good! I love Liz, lol, I suppose it's cause she's the mix between my two fave characters...

Anyway! Can't wait for the next part!

~Ami~

[pandura]

this is funny me like lotz

[kawaiiemogirl]

This is funny...lol I almost choked on my own laughter.

Who does he think he is, competing with me, he even doesn't have a last name!