Baby Mine: Chapter 6 (rated G)

[Ice_Vixen]

[A.N.] Here is the next chapter of my story. I hope you enjoy it!

DISCLAIMER!!!!: I do not own Gundam Wing! If I did, it would have had a more satisfactory ending AND been more clear on a few other confusing subjects. That being said, don't sue me, 'cause I got nothin' worth taking!
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"Are we there yet?"

Those four simple words immortalized in jokes and songs alike often annoyed or amused anyone who had the misfortune to experience a traveling companion obnoxious enough to use it, especially on long trips. Unfortunately for the current driver of just such a road trip, the child in the back seat of the car had been on many a long drive with some who was just obnoxious enough to teach her that annoying habit.

Heero Yuy gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, sighing to himself. The child had asked that same question nearly a hundred times in the last two hours; he had kept count. It didn't seem as though the child were trying to be a pain, unlike the man who probably convinced her that trying to drive him insane would be the most fun course of action and a good way to take the child's mind off of the events of the previous day.

After having saved the child from god only knows what kind of fate, Heero had allowed himself to be briefed by preventer's on every detail concerning any events which possibly pertained to Relena's abduction. The child had been safely tucked into bed and was now under constant surveillance by a number of guards hand-picked by Zechs and approved of by Heero. As an extra precautionary measure, Zechs had rummaged through the totes in which Relena kept all the important implements used in Amethyst?s first few years of life: the result being two baby monitors set up in strategic positions to pick up any unseen activity.

Une had been phone promptly before the meeting began, her strong voice asking all the necessary questions. One of the most obvious questions, however, ended up with a rather unexpected-and in Heero's opinion- a slightly unwise solution. The question of what to do with Amethyst was brought up, causing a bit of commotion and confusion. Being the daughter of the Vice Foreign Minister did make her a target to some anti-ESUN groups. Since the answer to the question of the motives of the assailants was still pending on the consciousness and cooperation of the captives, it seemed quite necessary to decide where the child would be staying and with whom.

The idea was first raised that the child would stay with the Maxwell family until new arrangements could be made. Yet another suggestion was placing her in the custody of her uncle. Zechs, though he loved his niece dearly, declined the offer on the grounds that he and Noin were in no condition to support a child as they both worked full-time for the ESUN government. Duo, too, had to refuse. The idea of drawing that much attention to his family made him feel extremely uncomfortable, even if it was for a good cause. A few other names and solutions were voiced, but none of them seemed very logical or plausible. The situation would require tact and skill unknown to most people. It would have to be dealt with professionally. The child would have to be protected by the best. The reasons kept compiling and, one by one, names were scratched off the already miniscule list until it narrowed down to one last candidate.

Heero had visibly stiffened when they said his name. His first thought was that they were merely joking, that they couldn?t possibly want to put the care of a five-year-old child in his hands. He glanced back and forth between the room?s occupants as they discussed the situation as if he weren?t standing right next to them. Finally all eyes turned to him. Lady Une seemed to have a small smirk on her normally expressionless face, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Upon further inspection, it seemed that everyone in the room-Zechs being the exception- seemed to see something humorous about him being charged with taking care of and protecting a child.

?Do you accept your mission, Yuy?? The question itself was mute, for it was painfully obvious that he would not be allowed to say no. Sighing inwardly, he reluctantly agreed, making a decision that he was sure would have consequences, although for good or for ill, he could not yet say.

?Mr. Heero, where are we going??

He winced as the child?s question reminded him of his current situation. It was incredible how fast this child was getting to him. Multiple battles, countless near-death experiences, suicide missions and torture by enemy hands had never fazed him the way that this one car trip with this child was at this very moment. It seemed as though he?d finally found the Achilles heel to his normally unshakable composure. He found it odd that such a trivial thing as a child?s incessant babble could unnerve him to the point of almost losing his cool. Yet it wasn?t incessant. The girl would be quiet for miles on end, saying nothing, making virtually no noise, only to randomly ask the same questions she had before. He made the mental note to kill the braided idiot that taught her that annoying people was fun.

?I asked you a question. Actually, I asked you a lot of stuff and you never answer. How come?? Heero gritted his teeth. The child was consistent; he had to give her that. Consistent and persistent. It almost seemed as if he had a miniature version of Relena in his backseat. He stopped that train of thought immediately. Thoughts of the child?s mother often brought out a storm of thoughts and emotions he did not wish to deal with, least of all at this moment in time.

Looking in his rearview mirror, he noticed just how much the child resembled her mother. The same honey-colored hair framed her small heart-shaped face, the same face of the woman who had haunted his dreams and his waking thoughts for the last five years. She had so much of her mother in her, except her eyes. He wondered for a moment where the child?s father was. Heero made yet another mental note to track down the neglectful moron and make him pay for leaving them.

?You have asked me the same questions countless times since we left preventer headquarters. I have already answered each once and I do not like to repeat myself. For the last time, no, we are not almost there. We left because you needed to be protected and we?re somewhere safe.? He had decided to answer the child in hopes of quieting her. His tone had been harsher than he?d wanted it to be, only adding to the frustration he felt from letting the child grate on his nerves. He saw her lips purse in what could have been anything from a temper tantrum to a pout from being snapped at.

He waited for another question. And waited. And waited. It seemed as though the child was finally done. It seemed as though he might finally have some peace and quiet. He relaxed his shoulders, finally letting himself try to concentrate on the road ahead of him.

?Mr. Heero?? Her voice was softer this time, as if she was unsure if asking him yet another question would be wise at this point. Heero stiffened again, rolling his eyes.

?Now what?? he waited, hoping this would be the last interruption for at least the next few miles.

?I have to go potty.? Heero groaned, finding himself counting the miles left until arrival at their destination.

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[A.N.] Yet another chapter finished! two in two weeks! that has to be a record for me. I took a road trip with my neices and nephews the other day and it gave me the idea of a good way to start Heero's journey into baby-sitting/fatherhood. Please let me know if you have any idea concerning what should happen next in this fic. I aim to please and i want to know what you want! thanks for reading!

[stormwind16]

very nice chapter, but.....how did Heero know it was Relena's child since it had been kept secret so well. How did he respond when he found out?

[Ice_Vixen]

Well Storm, I'd like to say heero knows everything about relena, but i'd be lying. in actually, now tht you've said something, in the origional draft i had his reaction. i don't know why it isn't in this one. Maybe the cut and paste option deleted it. I promise i will find a way to incorperate it somehow. I promise this story will get better. i've been very busy. My grandma might be dying and my school-load is a full one. thankyou so much for being patient with me! The next chapeter will be all for you!

[stormwind16]

o gosh, I'm sorry to hear about your granny. In the last month I've lost my grandfather very suddenly, and my collegue who was my mentor and good friend also really suddenly. So I know how you feel.
Take it easy, you come first

[Ice_Vixen]

thanks storm. My gandma did, unfortunately die. it's tough, but we're all hanging in there. i will have the next chapter up as soon as i can. thanks for your understanding

[stormwind16]

no proble ice. This has been the worst month in my life. Firs my grandfather, my collegue & friend, and now our beloved pet Iggy has died of old age. Let's hope next month will be better for me

I'm sorry to hear that she died. But now she's in a much better place. I wish you and your family the best