Upper Class 11/?

[Gundam Girl]

Like a jerk, I haven't posted this here yet. Sorry, guys. I'm so dense sometimes. ^_^; Love me?

Disclaimer: I don?t own Gundam Wing, Full Metal Panic!, or the 1800s.

Upper Class ? Chapter 11

By Gundam Girl

A strong wind was carrying the Ivory Maiden quickly on a course that was deliberately separate from Gaulron?s Navy ship. Trowa, Duo, Wufei, and Hilde manned their progress from the deck. Below, Sally was busy tending to Heero and Catherine.

Cathy?s bullet would had bled savagely, but Sally assured them that bleeding was all it was. Stitches were completely unnecessary, and a bandage around her arm did the trick.

Heero?s case differed somewhat. Although he had bled hardly at all, the skin of his jaw was badly split and strained apart whenever he spoke. Sally applied salve and a bandage and could only hope it wouldn?t infect. She also found some satisfaction knowing that Gaulron must have certainly hurt his own hand in causing that much damage.

?I don?t understand, Heero,? Catherine was saying. ?Why would city sputtering possibly interest you??

?I don?t want the whispers,? Heero told her solemnly. ?I need the truth behind them.? He could only hope there was truth to be found. ?What was the account of Dorothy Catalonia??

?There wasn?t one,? she said, certain. ?Pirates aren?t the favorite topic of the rich. They prefer to think that no danger could ever befall them.?

That didn?t help. Heero pressed on. ?The Russian mentioned someone when we told him of Dorothy. Something Catalonia. Antonio? Arumo??

Catherine?s eyes instantly grew as wide as her cooking pans. ?Arturo!? she exclaimed. ?Arturo Catalonia. Oh, of course? Who didn?t know about that?!?

?Know about what?? growled the captain. He had not enough patience for the slowness of dawning realization.

?It was all anyone spoke of for months. I amazed I?ve forgotten.? As Sally left to go help on deck, she met Heero?s eyes, her own very serious. ?Arturo Catalonia is a count in Italy, and he was very influential to the royal family there. He lives in Venice, a widower. His wife died in the childbirth of his only heir ? a daughter.?

Heero?s eyes narrowed. ?Dorothy.?

The British woman nodded. ?I never knew him, but Michael saw him in court once. He described Arturo as cold. Cold and unkind. Apparently, this is true enough, because he engaged his daughter to a Russian figurehead prince.

?As the story goes, the daughter rebelled and took up piracy rather than being shipped to St. Petersburg. Arturo lives in his shame, still in Venice. Dorothy, as we know, captains the Belladonna.?

She sat back in the kitchen chair and smiled. ?We have a regular Italian legend on our hands. Italy and Russian were in hysterics about it when it first happened.?

?Which explains why that Russian was so amused.? Heero stood. ?At least that provides some insight. We don?t yet know why Dorothy would??

?Wait!? cried Catherine, suddenly energetic. ?I just recalled ? the Catalonias. They are direct kin to the Noin family.?

?Who are the Noins? And why the hell do they matter??

?Because,? she answered impatiently, ?the Noin family married from Italy to England. They sent the youngest daughter, Luchrezia. And she?s now a baroness. The wife,? she told him, ?of Baron Milliardo Peacecraft.?

o0o

?I?m sorry.? Quatre?s voice was stiff and unfamiliar even to himself. ?Please forgive me, Relena. But seeing you?? He shook his head. ?It wasn?t my place to??

?Nonsense,? Quatre!? exclaimed Milliardo in delight. ?Whose place is it to be affectionate toward my sister if not her husband-to-be??

Milliardo?s hand was resting lightly on Relena?s shoulder, an ever-present reminder of authority. She hadn?t felt proper British treatment in so many days that she had nearly forgotten what it was to be a respectable woman of England; always silent, always obedient.

Sally, Hilde, and Catherine hadn?t been that way. They had stood alongside their men, be him husband or brother, and had helped without discrimination of gender. She had begun to feel as though she, too, could possibly be like that. And that both surprised and dejected her.

From close-by, there was a cold laugh. ?What?s this?? Dorothy chuckled. ?A proper welcoming to her ladyship ? kisses she doesn?t want and a man she doesn?t need. She?s quite well-spoken for herself.?

?And unfortunately,? Milliardo replied coolly, ?so are you.?

Unlike the baron, Quatre had actually heard Dorothy?s words and cast a look at Relena. She was watching her brother, her hair fluttering along with the skirt of whatever island native she was dressed like. It appeared, at least, that Yuy?s cruelty hadn?t been great enough to keep her in the same clothes for so long. The governor had to be grateful for that.

What the devil are you thinking, Winner? he demanded of himself. Yuy kidnapped her! Stole her! From you!

But, despite all of his earlier conceptions, she appeared to be safe and healthy, which was more than anyone expected from pirates.

His thoughts darkened as his eyes settled on Dorothy. Maybe she hadn?t been safe after all. ?What was the price??

Dorothy swung her head to see him and realized he was talking to her. She smirked. ?For what, governor?? she asked, her voice falsely sweet.

?For Relena Peacecraft?s life. How much did they sell her to you for??

He heard Relena gasp, but was more focused on Dorothy?s sudden frown. ?So,? she muttered, ?you think I bought her. For what purpose, do you imagine??

?Heaven knows,? countered Quatre,? or maybe Hell.?

Something deeper than normal anger flickered across her eyes. Winner felt it; even from a pirate, he could sense her pain. But it was nothing. He couldn?t have wounded her much.

?For your honor?s pleasure,? she sneered, clenching her roped hands, ?I rescued Princess Peacecraft from the Ivory Damsel.? She turned to Milliardo. ?At the request of Baroness Peacecraft.? As the listeners reacted, she added, ?And I daresay you?ll want to speak with her before you toss me in prison.?

Milliardo nearly sputtered. ?I daresay I do!?

Relena?s eyes were wide. ?But why did you not just tell me that?!? she cried, shocking her brother and fianc?e with her outburst.

With the slowness of a clever cat stretching, Dorothy?s smile returned. ?Would you have come??

Relena frowned. ?Excuse me,? she said primly, walking swiftly past the aristocrats to go below-deck. ?I wish to spend the rest of the voyage alone.?

?Relena!? she heard her brother protest before she slammed the door behind her. Finding an empty sleeping chamber, she sat down on the low cot, her eyes wet with involuntary tears.

Days ago, she had wanted nothing more than to return to London. Now, no other thought made her more miserable.

o0o

Gaulron was annoyed a day later when he saw the Belladonna en route to Italy, void of a captain and a baron?s sister. Septum was half-way in hysterics ? not only had they failed in their assignment to retrieve Relena, Gaulron refused to let them attempt an arrest of Dorothy?s crew. Septum had balked, insisting that the British Royal Navy was disgraced.

Gaulron didn?t honestly give a damn. He would still get his money ? his doing or not, Relena would be back in England. And soon enough, he would be back in Russia. Away from petty sea pirates and fulfilling his own prided dream, whatever it was.

One thing was still a mystery; why Treize Khushrenada was so concerned for Miss Peacecraft?s safety in the first place. He, a married man, was not a potential suitor. She was engaged to Quatre Raberba Winner. And the money the duke was paying was far too much for simple acts of friendship.

Gaulron knew evil when he sensed it. It took one to know one, yes? Too much money, too much ambition? Treize was one to stay away from.

He would have to make a note to restrain from terrorizing England.

Perhaps he would target Japan?

o0o

?Now, Catherine, you?ve confused me.? Heero?s jaw throbbed from straining his wound so much, but he ignored it well enough. ?How strong could Italian ties be??

?I don?t think ties matter so much as money,? replied Cathy. ?Give her a good price, and I?d say Dorothy would go save a sister.?

?And this Baroness, Relena?s sister-in-law, hired Dorothy, her kinswoman of some sort, to find Relena and take her from us??

?I?m only guessing. But yes, I don?t believe the story differs much.?

?So they?re on the way to England.? Heero paced. ?So be we, then.?

Catherine paused. ?Heero?? She wasn?t sure how to word her question, but settled on, ?Why are you following this through? She?s a noblewoman, a plain woman, even ? someone you weren?t even planning to ransom. Why are you so intent??

?Cathy.? Heero turned his head to look at her, and startled the cook. There was something in his eyes, something Catherine had never expected to see there. ?I?m starting to think of things?things I?ll do with the rest of my life. And every single one of them has her there. Without her?I?ve nothing.?

Catherine swallowed, and her eyes heated as she thought of Michael. ?Aye, Heero.? She smiled at him. ?To England, then.?

He nodded. ?And when we get there?who knows??

o0o

Luchrezia was once again entertaining Treize and Anne at Baron Peacecraft?s estate. It had become a nearly daily ritual ? the duke was vowing not to return to Dover without Quatre and Relena. And although she felt uneasy about it, Luchrezia played the gracious hostess with flair, keeping a sharp eye on Treize and his doings in London.

It wasn?t that she didn?t trust him. Indeed, he had been a very good friend of her husband?s since before she had even known Milliardo, and the smiles Luchrezia gave him were sincere.

What she was concerned about was the sincerity of Treize?s smiles ? or lack of sincerity. When they spoke of Quatre, Treize was warm and willing to joke, often mentioning how much better he would be once he was finally settled down. Yet when they spoke of Relena, of how she would soon be Quatre?s wife, the duke seemed to shadow, his demeanor more serious ? not by much, but serious just the same.

So when Milliardo and Quatre walked into the parlor with Relena between them, Luchrezia had no idea what to think of his jubilant reaction.

?Relena!? she cried, flying from her chair to gather her younger sister-in-law into her arms. ?Oh, my darling, thank God you?re safe! I fretted so!?

?There was no need,? said Relena quietly, returning the embrace. ?I?m perfectly fine. I have been the entire time.?

?But how were you ever found by your brother?? Her tearful eyes rose to meet her husband?s sterner ones. Her gaze was caught by the smaller figure just behind him. ?Oh, goodness. Dorothy!?

?Hello, cousin,? greeted Dorothy in her sleek, calm voice. ?I?m afraid there was a bit of confusion on the return trip.?

Milliardo began, ?Miss Catalonia tells me??

?Captain,? Dorothy corrected him.

The baron breathed in deeply through his nostrils, then exhaled slowly. ?Captain Catalonia,? he restarted, ?tells me that you asked her to find Relena for us.? His jaw was tight as he spoke. ?Could you explain, Luchrezia??

The baroness pulled away from Relena and crossed her arms, prepared. Milliardo rarely used her full first name, and she took it as a signal of his tension. ?She speaks truthfully, Milliardo.?

His eyebrows lowered. ?Of course.? He sounded partially exaggerated, partially insulted. ?And you consulted her?because you doubted my reliability??

?I thought it would be better ? and faster ? to have someone who knew the waters track Relena for us. Surely,? she added patiently, ?you have no intention of having your sister?s rescuer thrown in the stocks??

Treize appeared highly interested in the whole situation. ?A woman, hanged for piracy crimes?? A slight smirk turned up the corners of his mouth. ?It would be an event.?

?Please, Treize,? Milliardo beckoned him. ?I suppose this will have to be discussed later, as we have company. Besides.? He held out a hand to Relena, ?I?ve just had my sister returned to me.? He was looking at Relena too fondly to notice that Treize was looking at her in a different way altogether.

Quatre had an authoritative hand on Dorothy?s wrist. ?And what shall we do with Miss ? Captain Catalonia?? he inquired tersely.

?Give her a guest room,? answered Luchrezia kindly. ?There is still an empty one on the second floor. If you wouldn?t mind, Quatre, could you show her there??

Impeccable manners instilled in him since birth prevented him from scowling. ?Of course, Lu. I shall return shortly.? His paused only briefly to cast a look at Relena, who was speaking without energy to Luchrezia and her brother. Then he led Dorothy from the parlor and started up the stairs.

?Hurts, does it?? the female pirate asked with humor-filled eyes. ?That she?s barely looked at you since your little reunion??

?I don?t need the emotional analysis of a pirate,? he told her sharply.

?Nay, I think you need someone to tell you the truth.? She stopped on the first landing and, with a sigh, Quatre did as well. ?If she ever gave you happy eyes, it was infatuation. She?s found another she wishes to look at. I may have my fair share of manliness, but I?m still a woman. And I can tell when another woman?s feeling something more than girlish admiration.?

Quatre?s hand balled into a fist in the depths of his suit pocket. ?What are you driving at, Catalonia??

She had meant to cut the governor with vicious comments in return for the cruel insinuation he had made the evening before. She would be damned if he knew anything about true pain, he who had been both pampered and loved his entire life at least by someone. That he had dared to say she had bought a woman?s life was?

But, as she truly stared at him now, his face angled downward to look at her from a couple steps above her, his blond hair falling into his face to partially obscure his aquamarine eyes, she saw he was hurting more than she had thought.

She shook her head, more to herself than to him. With a soft chuckle, she brushed ahead of him. ?Don?t worry, governor. You won?t need me to tell you. If my guess if right, you?ll soon be able to learn just what my meaning is. You mightn?t like it,? she admitted, ?but it?ll be better than living with a woman whose own life is a lie.?

When he simply stood on the stairs, Dorothy wandered off without him. Quatre made no move to follow her. He made no move to do anything for nearly a full minute, until he sunk down on the polished wood stairs and buried his face in his hands.

Women?s riddles, Relena?s sudden disinterest, and the return to a London eager for the news about the lost sister of Baron Peacecraft?it was a bit too much for him to handle at one time. He longed to return to Dover with Relena, marry her quickly, get the whole ordeal over and done with.

But was he even worthy of her, now that he?d carelessly allowed her to be kidnapped? Milliardo might have said yes, but Quatre was unable to do the same easily.

Had Relena merely been infatuated? Had he been truly in love with her? Or was he, too, simply caught up in some boyish fondness for a lovely girl? God, his father would roll in his grave if he could hear his son?s thoughts. How many times had he been told to be decisive, be sure, be a bloody man?

Many, many times. And, Quatre thought as he stood up and walked in heavy steps down the stairs to go back to the parlor, he was going to do his best to do as he had been told.

Whether she wanted it or not, the marriage had been arranged. The promise had been made. The wedding would go on as planned?

Even if Quatre himself didn?t want it.

o0o

Review please!

[Morrighan]

Poor Relena! And definitely poor Quatre and Heero. What a mess!!

Can't wait to see more!!

[Gundam Girl]

It IS a mess. And just wait until chapter 12, Morri...

[lilac310]

This is awesome!!!....I'm really glad you continued on posting...can't wait for chapter 12!!!.. Cheerios!....hopefully, Heero and Relena would be back together by then and have their "first kiss", or is it? ..I can't remember....but oh well, fab job ...please continue...

[Gundam Girl]

Right, they haven't kissed. (Yet.) Glad you're enjoying!