Ladywriter - 09 Apr 2002 08:30 am
Post subject: a continuation???
I know i still have to finnish BfF, and I will, sooooon! i promise. but this story started rattelin around in my head so i started it. ya might have read part of it on twilight ac... but since thats gone now... im postin it where it belongs. here, in fandom durrin our GUNDAMANIA! month
7 years after the end of the Battle for Freedom....
Relina stood at the window of her office looking out over the front lawn and the driveway. She was anxious to receive her guests. She had called everyone. A gathering of old friends had been too long in the coming. Quatre had been thrilled with the idea. He had left the colonies sometime yesterday. Wufei and Sally should arrive this afternoon. Her brother and Noin hadn't fully committed themselves to coming, but they said they would try. They were still quite busy on Mars, and taking a leave of absence might not be possible. Catherine had sounded giddy and excited, assuring Relina that 'wild horses' couldn't keep her and Trowa away. Duo and chelle lee said they would drive out immediately. Relina still got a laugh when chelle hung up the phone with a 'Roger that, over and out.'
As for Heero... well, he was already here. And the reason for calling everyone together again. Relina smiled and looked down at the diamond ring on her left-hand sparkle in the sunlight. After years of being her 'bodyguard' Heero had finally popped the question. She had wanted to tell everyone right away, but Heero had nixed the idea. He wanted to tell their friends first, before the press started hounding them. Heero had become used to the pavaratzi, but he still distrusted and disliked them.
Finally a car turned into the horseshoe drive. A sleek silver Mercedes. Relina giggled n then said loud enough for Heero to hear her in the other room, 'Quatre's here!'
------
Wufei and Sally had taken a Preventer's transport to the closest compound outside of the Sanq Kingdom. From the base they had acquired a jeep and drove the rest of the way. Sally sped down the highway as Wufei sat restlessly in the shotgun seat. They had entered the Sanq Kingdom and were almost to Relina's home.
'So why did she call us anyway? What's with all the secrecy?' Wufei grumbled as he fidgeted with knob on the glove compartment. 'Is there some new threat for the Preventers to deal with? Why not just say so?'
Sally grinned. Wufei had never been big on patience. 'We'll know soon enough. We're almost there.'
Wufei frowned. 'How much longer?'
Sally chuckled. 'Relax would ya? We'll be there in ten.'
Wufei looked at her, one eyebrow raised. He knew she was laughing at him. 'What's so funny?'
Now Sally out and out laughed. 'You are! You're always so damn suspicious of everything! Did it ever occur to you that maybe this was just a reunion? Jeez Wu-man, lighten up.'
Wufei's face relaxed a little. Now she was teasing him. He didn't like being picked on, but when Sally did it, it was different. And though if anyone else called him 'Wu-man' they might get karate chopped, he had to admit he loved it when Sally said it. The corners of his mouth turned up a little. 'Awful lot of secrecy for a bar-b-q though.'
Sally burst out laughing again. 'Well, that's Heero for ya. He could be thinking there's a bomb in the hot dogs.'
Now Wufei was laughing. 'I just might yell 'grenade!' n see if he dives onto the potato salad!'
The remainder if the drive was pleasant, Wufei resting his hand on Sally's thigh as they laughed at Heero's expense. Finally they reached the house and parked behind the Mercedes.
----
The traveling circus troop had been on Earth when Relina's call had caught up with them. In fact, they weren't that far from the Sanq Kingdom at all. It took Catherine some fast-talking, and a little threatening, to get the manager to let them take some time off, but finally he caved in and agreed to let his three star performers take a few personal days.
Catherine was thrilled, excited beyond words. She knew that Trowa hadn't told anyone about Jill yet, it was still 'too soon'. Catherine thought that was a crock, and she had told Trowa so. Trowa and Jill had been an item for the past 8 months, and a hot item at that she had added with a wink. After days of incessant nagging, Trowa had agreed to invite Emma along. Catherine got her way.
They left the troop shortly after 7am in Catherine's Chevy S10. It was a cramped fit, all three bodies smushed together on the bench seat. Trowa sat rigidly in the middle, straddling the gearshift, nervously guarding his 'jewels' whenever Catherine shifted gears. Jill dozed, her head resting on Trowa's shoulder.
Catherine reached for the radio, the truck swerving slightly. She put on a rock station at a low volume. Trowa didn't move, he sat still, staring at the road ahead. Catherine sighed a little. 'Are you nervous, Trowa?' she asked.
Trowa grunted. 'Not really. Should I be?'
'I was just asking because you haven't mentioned Jill to any of your friends. I thought you would have at least told Quatre by now.'
'My friends are a little busy reconstructing Earth and space to give a shit about my social life Cathy.'
Catherine shook her head. 'I don't think so. They'll always have time for you Trowa. It wouldn't hurt for you to pick up the phone once in a while ya know. How long has it been since you talked to any of them?'
Trowa shrugged. 'I talked to Quatre just four months ago.'
Catherine rolled her eyes. 'Not exactly the chatty type are ya little bro.'
'Like I said, they're busy.'
'None of them are too busy to take some time to talk to you. I think Relina called us all together to reinforce that idea.'
'For all you know, she called this meeting to tell us were being invaded by aliens.'
Catherine sighed heavily. 'Such an optimist. Well, we'll see wont we?'
Trowa nodded slightly and shifted some in his seat. 'Yep, we'll see.'
----------
Duo was speeding down the highway. The top was down on the 'vette. The wind pulled at the loose strands of hair around his face. In the passengers seat chelle lee slouched, her feet up on the dash, ponytail swirling in the wind behind her. Dark purple-tinted sunglasses covered her eyes. She was glad for that. As of late she had been complaining about the dark circles under her eyes. The wind felt good, refreshing. It subsided her urge to vomit, thankfully.
Duo looked from her to the road. 'How ya holdin' up there toots?' he asked with a grin.
She frowned a bit. 'I'll live. At least I'm not feelin' sick anymore.'
Duo's face held that same silly grin. He stretched a little. 'Perfectly natural.'
chelle sat up in her seat. She scowled at him. 'Yeah? Well why don't you try the nausea and the feeding frenzies on for size there braid boy.'
Duo laughed. 'I still eat twice as much as you do on any given day!'
' 'cuz your a bottomless pit.'
Duo nodded in consent. 'It helps that you're an outstanding cook.'
chelle smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. 'Your such a suck up,' she said with a smile.
Duo's smile broadened. 'I can't wait to tell everyone the good news! They're gonna freak out.'
chelle raised an eyebrow. 'Yeah...well lets just wait and see what Relina springs on us before you go shootin' off that big pie hole of yours.'
'Alright, alright! Jeez you're moody!'
She glared at him. 'Twit,' she grumbled. Her hand shot out quickly n she pinched his shoulder.
'Oww!' he over-dramatized, then a laughing fit took over.
Unable to help herself, chelle started laughing too. Duo hit the gas and the sleek red Corvette flew down the highway.
---------
It seemed like only moments ago Noin had kissed Zechs good-by and boarded the shuttle to Earth. Now the blue orb of the planet was in clear view through her window. She smiled a sad smile and touched the glass. Earth. Home. It had been so long.
She looked at the seat next to her. A large titanium briefcase resting on the seat. All of the things that Relina, and the others for that matter, needed to see. Another, more plain briefcase at her feet. All the precious data that she and Zechs had collected in their years on the Martian surface. She rubbed her eyes. God, she had been on Mars for so long... maybe too long.
Noin had asked Zechs several times over the years for them to just leave, if only for a little while. She had longed for the blue skys and the green grass, the sweet smell of the wind of Earth. Always the same response from him. 'Too much to do.' 'I'm in the middle of something important.' 'Maybe next month.' The time had never come, and she had never left his side. Now, without him on the shuttle speeding toward the Earth, she felt the first pangs of loneliness.
'It will be alright,' she said aloud to herself. 'Zechs is fine, and soon I'll see everyone again. It's going to be just fine.'
In truth, she wasn't sure if things would be 'just fine'. They have found something on Mars. Noin wanted to inform the Preventers and Relina right away, but Zechs had said no. He swore her to secrecy. This was something that he wanted to investigate himself. He didn't want 'underlings meddling' in his 'research'. Only after continuos begging and pleading did he agree to let her take along the data in her briefcases now. And the 'item'. It had been hell getting it away from him. He was like a man obsessed. Finally, he let her take it, under the agreement that she would return with it to Mars immediately after meeting with Relina. Sacrifice time on her home world to show them what they found. Sad, unfair, but a deal none the less.
Noin shifted in her seat as the pilot spoke monotoneously into the intercom about entering the atmosphere. She clipped her seatbelt on and watched the air around the shuttle turn red from the heat of re-entry.
'Earth...'she breathed.' 'Home.'
---------
Reline met Quattro at the door. She had swung the door open wide to greet him as he mounted the stairs to come in. The sight of him made her heart swell. How he had changed from the time when they had been students together in the belly of the Sanq Kingdom. He was tall, almost 6 foot. His work in construction had broadened his shoulders, firmed his body. His hair looked a bit ruffled. He had been letting it grow out. It was now past his shoulders, held back in a loose ponytail. His eyes had never changed though. The softness and kindness to them remained unchangeable. 'Quatre!' she beamed.
He smiled and raced up the stairs. He hugged her tight for a moment. 'Relina,' he said warmly, 'So good to see you.'
'Please, come in,' she said as their embrace ended. 'I know Heero is just dieing to see you!'
The two walked into the main living room together. There was Heero, leaning cockily against the door jam to the dining room. He smiled his little smile when he saw Quatre. 'Good to see you Quatre,' he said with heart.
'Heero!' Quatre hurried to Heero and embraced him as he has done with Relina. Heero returned the affectionate embrace, smile spreading across his face.
'It's been a while,' Heero said pulling back and looking at Quatre. 'You look different.'
Quatre seemed happy. 'Hard work will do that to a man, but of course, you already know that.' Heero had changed as well. Taller, more muscular. The beginnings of worry lines at the corner of his eyes and his brow.
'How are things in the colonies?'
'We've made great progress,' Quatre spoke hurriedly. 'Much is restored, better than ever! And the people seem so happy.'
'That's wonderful Quatre,' Relina said from behind them. 'I always knew you were a great leader.'
'Not nearly the leader you are Miss Relina. You have done so much for the Earth and the colonies... I can't begin to thank you enough.'
Relina raised a hand. 'Think nothing of it. I did what anyone in my position would do. I think of myself as merely an observer, not a mediator. It was the individual governments that really did all the work.' She moved to the couch and sat at one end. 'Come sit down you guys... we have so much to talk about.'
The men came to the couch to sit, Heero on the other end, Quatre in the middle. Quatre looked from Heero to Relina, and that's when he noticed. He took Relina's left hand and stared at the engagement ring on her finger. She smiled at him. He smiled back. 'You guys are getting married?!'
Heero chuckled and Quatre faced him. 'It's about time, don't ya think,' Heero replied, a blush to his cheeks.
Quatre was delighted. 'Yes! Yes it is! Congratulations you two!' Quatre hugged them each in turn. 'Is this why you called?'
'Yes,' Relina admitted sheepishly. 'We wanted you guys to know before anyone else.'
'Happy reunion,' Heero said with a grin.
--------
Quatre was helping Relina prepare a tray of glasses and cold lemonaide when Heero heard a vehicle in the drive. He went to the door and looked out the side window. Wufei and Sally were climbing out of a Preventers jeep they parked behind Quatre's car. Heero waited and watched by the door. Wufei slipped an arm around Sally's waist and leaned in, kissing her neck. Sally smiled and blushed. Heero grinned. So, Wufei and Sally were a couple after all.
Wufei and Sally had been living in China for the past three years. Sally held the title of Chief Commander of the Preventer's Asian sector. The years had been kind to Sally. Her features, softer. Her hair lighter and fuller. Wufei now matched her in height. He looked handsome in his snug fitting Preventers uniforum. His slender black ponytail now a braid that hung half way down his back.
Wufei kept his arm around Sally's slender waist as they climbed the stairs. Just as Sally raised her hand to knock, Heero opened the door. 'Heero,' she greeted, smiling.
'Hey you two. Long time no see.' Heero stepped aside to let them enter. 'Come on in.'
Wufei, Sally, and Heero went into the living room where Relina and Quatre were already pouring out the drinks. Relina brightened at the sight of her old friends. 'Sally! Wufei!' she went to them and hugged them both.
'You look great Relina,' Sally beamed. 'How have you been?'
Unable to hold back her excitement, Relina held out her hand with her engagement ring on it. 'What do you think!'
Sally squealed with delight. 'Oh my god! You guys finally got engaged!' She hugged Relina tightly.
Wufei cast a smug look in Heero's direction. 'Way to go man. About time.'
Heero returned the grin. 'Yeah, that seems to be the consensus.'
Quatre came over to them, hugging Sally first, then Wufei. 'I'm so glad to see you both,' he said.
Wufei looked Quatre up and down. 'Damn man, you sure have changed!'
Quatre blushed. 'I've been working really hard, right along side of my men.'
'You look great Quatre,' Sally assured.
Quatre flashed her a smile. 'And you're more lovely then I remember.'
Wufei raised an eyebrow. 'Alright, enough shmoozin. I'm guessin you called us here to tell us about the engagement before the press got a hold of the news.'
'Damn right,' Heero grunted. 'I can't stand them damn journalists anyway.'
Relina and Sally giggled. 'Come have something to drink,' Relina said, steering Sally toward the coffee table.
The three men stood loosely huddled together, looking at the others. Heero was first to break the silence. 'So what about you and Sally?' he directed at Wufei.
Wufei shrugged a little. 'We're pretty happy with what we have going on now. Our work sometimes takes us in opposite directions for months at a time. Marriage just doesn't seem practical at this time.'
Heero nodded. 'And what about you, Quatre?'
Quatre flushed. 'Well,' he stammered, 'I have met the most intriuging woman. Shes a nurse on the L4 colony. A very nice lady.'
'Is she your woman?' Wufei pried.
'Not exactly. We've been out a few times when I was in town, but the work I'm doing has kept me pretty busy.'
Wufei snorted a short laugh. 'Looks like you lucked out pretty good Heero. You get to be with your woman full time.'
Heero nodded. 'Yeah, well, I'm not the only one. Duo and chelle lee have been shacked up for years.'
'Do you think they'll be getting married too?' Quatre asked.
Wufei snorted again. 'Yeah, as if he could put up with that for the rest of his life!'
Heero chuckled. 'Sounds to me like you're still pissed that she kicked your ass Wufei.'
Wufei's eyes widened. 'She did NO such thing Heero!'
'Oh, that's right,' he teased, 'It was a draw right?'
Quatre hid a smile behind his hand. 'I guess not that much has changed,' he thought aloud.
Sledgstone - 09 Apr 2002 11:45 am
Post subject:
this is excellent.
lucky me, i have the full sneak peak
End of Topic.