The Master Work Ch 4 PG-13

[MarvelGirl09]

OK, here's the deal with this chapter- originally I had it include lunch with the curator, and I had a little side scene with the girls while the men were in the meeting. IF I get requests to post the lunch and the additional scene I will, it's not CRUCIAL to the plot but it's well done I think. Enjoy and please drop me a line! I'm afraid people think it's terrible or something!

The Master Work Chapter 4


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?Thank you all for agreeing to this meeting,? Dr. Marianelli laid her briefcase on the table, trying to keep the tremble out of her voice. She was in a room with the five most legendary war heroes of the age, whom had up until today remained faceless objects of study. Fatima swallowed, trying to keep her inner star-struck fan at bay. ?As I mentioned at lunch, I?ve been the curator for the L1 Museum of Colonial History for a year. I?ve been wanting to do this exhibit since I took the position,? She regarded the men before her. ?You five are great subjects of study and debate among us war scholars. At the museum, we have various exhibits on the early models of mobile suits, up until the Tallgeese, but I was hoping we could have the Gundam exhibit up and running for the 10-year anniversary of the ESUN.?

The former pilots looked at each other, silently communicating the way only true comrades can.

Quatre spoke first. ?Dr., we?re all flattered that you want to do this, really.?

?Thank you,? she blushed.

?But we?re not just historical cases. We?ve spent almost a decade trying to build our lives in this new world,? Quatre paused, unsure of how to continue.

?I think what Quat?s trying to say is,? Duo took a breath. ?We worked our asses off, when we were pilots, and now you?re trying to bring back something we fought to destroy.?

The others stared at Duo, astonished at his sudden show of wisdom.

?I see. You all have concerns, naturally. But do consider- you five are the greatest war heroes of our era.?

Heero held up his hand. ?We?re not heroes. We were just following orders.?

But Fatima shook her head. ?That?s not true. The Gundams were great heroes, legends. I want the people to know your stories, if you would share them with me.?

?Stories, eh?? Duo leaned back in his chair. ?Like the time Heero popped his leg back into his hip and tied it up with a wrench? Man, I had nightmares about that for weeks.?

?Well- yes. Stories like that. From your war experiences. In fact,? she hurriedly opened her briefcase and took out a tape recorder. ?I was hoping for interviews with all of you and your families.?

?Don?t get too eager, woman,? Wufei snorted. ?You still don?t have our permission.?

?Mr. Chang, I?m sorry. But the prospect is so- exciting!? she couldn?t help but grin. ?If nothing else, think of your families. Wouldn?t it be great for your children to know of your contributions to history??

No one had the heart to tell the eager woman that such stories could easily be passed down within a family.

?I?ll give you as much anonymity as you like,? she added.

The pilots glanced at each other. ?We?ll allow the museum this exhibit,?
Heero stood. ?Provided we review the material.?

?Done!? Fatima cried eagerly. ?I?ll have my lawyers draw up a contract, if you like.?

?That won?t be necessary,? Quatre said. ?I?ll get my attorneys on the job immediately.?

?Oh, of course,? she nodded. ?I?ll sign it as soon as it?s ready. In the meantime, since you are all already here, do you think- I could take some interviews??

Heero looked at Quatre, who looked at Trowa, who looked at Duo, who looked at Wufei.

?Hilde would kill me if we turned her down now,? Duo sighed. ?I say let her do it.?

?Might as well,? Trowa nodded.

?All right, Dr.,? Heero faced her. ?You?re welcome to stay and collect what you need.?

Fatima had to stop herself from jumping up and down and squealing like a little girl. ?Thank you,? she replied calmly. ?We can start right away.?

~~^*^~~

Dr. Fatima Marianelli?s day with the former pilots and their families proved awe-inspiring. As a student who had studied the Gundams as her final graduate project, she was keenly aware of their sacrifice, the lives they had taken, suspicious of the guilt and grief they must have experienced. But she was completely unprepared for the camaraderie between the men, their unshakable bond. She never thought of the bond between the Gundam women, united in their love for the pilots and their war experiences. Least of all did Fatima suspect that their stories would be more epic and heart wrenching than the most exaggerated novels. Granted, she heard only the girls' versions, but that made them no less true. Hilde Maxwell following her then boyfriend Duo onto the battlefield and almost dying in the process, only to have him rescue her- too romantic! Trowa Barton reuniting with his long lost sister Catherine, the only family he had left- she had to hold in her tears. Quatre Winner dueling against his future wife- ironically dramatic. Wufei Chang proposing to Sally Po while they were under fire- Fatima sighed at the story.

She recorded everything she heard, loving Relena and Heero?s interview best of all. During the war, Fatima had heard rumors of the famous Queen Relena carrying on a romantic affair with a deadly Gundam pilot. She had dismissed it as college gossip, but was delighted to find it partly true.

Fatima smiled to herself as she filed the tapes for transcription later. Heero and Relena. They were a striking couple, both beautiful people apart, but stunning together. And their story was truly epic. She sighed. This exhibit would be amazing. She turned to her video phone and dialed for Dr. Faye.

?Dr. Marianelli! What a surprise. I trust all went well at the meeting?? The older man?s face flickered on the screen.

?Very well!? Fatima gushed. ?They agreed to the exhibit! I?m going to transcribe the interviews tomorrow.?

?Congratulations!? Dr. Faye smiled at his young charge. ?I?d you to keep me updated, of course, on the progress and nature of your research.?

?Of course, sir,? Fatima nodded. ?As long as I adhere to the pilots? anonymity agreement.?

?Yes. It?s important we respect their wishes. Well my dear, I?ll leave you to your work. I need to be getting back to my desk too. Thank you for the update.?

?You?re welcome, Dr. Faye.?

The young curator signed off, missing the predatory gleam in the eyes of her superior.

~~^*^~~

November 1, AC 204

?Vice Minister Yuy, the Bentley is ready,? Otis called from the foyer. A hulking Englishman, Otis was a highly respected Preventer and Relena?s usual backup bodyguard, assigned to watch over her whenever Heero was summoned to Headquarters.

?Thank you,? she joined her bodyguard by the door, slipping on a pair of sensible ballet flats. Relena was on her way to Preventer Headquarters, but not to see her husband. She had a top-secret meeting with Sally. After five months of trying, Relena found herself joyfully late. As soon as she realized her tardiness, she had quickly (and miraculously without Heero?s notice) taken two pregnancy tests. The first one, negative. The other, positive.

As the stately Bentley drove down to Headquarters, Relena let her thoughts drift to the other event that coincided with her pregnancy issue. The museum exhibit had been approved only two weeks after the first meeting with Fatima. The contract was signed, guaranteeing the anonymity of the exhibit, and giving the boys final say into what would be included in the display. So far, Dr. Marianelli was still compiling data and designing the layout of the exhibit. It was all very exciting to everyone but the boys themselves, who were still waiting to review Fatima?s material.

All thoughts of the museum, however, flew from Relena?s mind as she entered the medical unit. Preventer Po greeted her warmly.

?So- one of each?? she commented after hearing Relena?s story. ?That?s normal. We?ll run the test quickly before Heero realizes you?re here.?

?Thanks Sally,? Relena replied appreciatively.

Sally made quick work of the necessary tests, and soon left Relena alone to get the results analyzed. A nervous Mrs. Yuy anxiously awaited her return, hoping the results would be positive.

?Well?? She leaned forward eagerly as the young doctor re-entered.

?Congratulations, you?re about three weeks along,? Sally grinned as Relena laughed aloud.

?Oh, Sally, really?! I?m pregnant!? she cried gleefully, accepting a hug from the older woman.

?It?ll be a beautiful baby. How are you going to tell Heero??

?With him, the direct approach is best. He figures things out so quickly!?

?Which reminds me- he?s on his way up to hand me the debriefing packet for this afternoon. I?d hightail it out of here if I were you. Unless you want to tell him now.?

Relena shook her head and made to leave. ?No. I have to get back to work. Thanks again, Sally.?

?Sure thing. I?ll call you later tonight so we can get an ultrasound scheduled.?

~~^*^~~

?Preventer Yuy has arrived, ma?am,? Otis observed from his position at Relena?s office window.

?Thank you, Otis. You can head down and speak with him. I?m sure Heero will want a full review of the day.?

?Yes, ma?am,? the tall man made his way out, but stopped at the door. ?Erm, Vice Minister-??

?No, kindly conceal my appointment with Preventer Po,? Relena smiled. ?I promise you won?t get in trouble for it.? She dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

?Understood.?

Sighing contentedly, Relena began to file away the numerous bills, proposals, and budgets she had spent the majority of her day reviewing. After noting with some dissatisfaction that the unsigned pile was much larger than the completed pile, she rose and went to greet her husband.

She found him in the drawing room, gazing out the window, his profile to her in a Darcy-esque pose. Relena smiled dreamily. Her husband was devastatingly handsome, and she knew it.

?How was the meeting?? she asked. He turned to her, face placid but eyes alive with love.

"The usual,? was Heero?s reply. He reached out a hand to her and she came willingly, brushing her lips against his in greeting. ?Did you get any work done today??

?Hm,? she nodded. ?I got enough done,? she laid her head against his chest, trying in vain to hide her grin.

?What?? He pulled back to look at her.

Relena could hold it in no longer. ?I?m pregnant, Heero.?

There was a moment of silence as he stared at her, his face jumping from suspicion to shock instantly. And before Relena had time to be amused at the change, Heero had gathered her to him, crushing her against his tie. They stayed that way for quite some time, and it wasn?t until Heero cleared his throat and spoke to her hoarsely that Relena realized he had been fighting tears.

?A baby,? he intoned thickly.

?Yes,? she sighed. ?Our very own baby.?

?It-happened quickly,? he cleared his throat again, trying to keep his composure. Relena chuckled.

?Well, my husband is a very virile man,? she teased, pulling away to see him blush.

?We should contact Sally. You need to be examined.?

?I already did.?

?Contact her??

?Get examined. I?m due for an ultrasound next week.?

At this, Heero narrowed his eyes. ?Excuse me??

?I saw Sally today. She confirmed it all.?

A scowl crossed over Heero?s handsome features. ?Otis failed to inform me of this.?

Relena scowled back. ?It?s not Otis? fault. I told him not to say anything. I wanted to surprise you.?

Heero tried to maintain his glare, but it was useless. His expression softened as he kissed her forehead. ?A baby,? he murmured again. ?We?re going to have a baby.? He laid a hand gently over the budding life in her womb. Relena put her hand over his, her platinum bridal set glittering in the lamplight.


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I couldn't help it. I had to throw in the sap (dodges tomatoes) Next Chapter...Dr. Marianelli makes an unexpected request...and the pilots get ready for the holiday season!