Dedicated to Marilyn for her Birthday~8th April 2002
That's Zechs Merquise... If not for that fall of silvery blond hair and the entourage, I wouldn't have recognized him at this distance. Who is this pale shadow of the warrior who tried to destroy the Earth? I adjust the focus on my binoculars for a clearer, close-up view of him. He looks so frail. That death grip on the plushy can't be a good sign. His knuckles are white!
Is Marie correct in her speculations regarding his health?
If Noin knows anything about this...
No wonder Une called us back to Earth on the pretext of giving Poh and Noin time off for the holidays. She probably let Marie spend Christmas with them in Cinq for the same reason. The Lady had better not be expecting her to spy on them. I'll have that talk to Treize's daughter about honor; she might need reminding. I don't think Une understands the concept.
What's this? Is that the braid hitching a ride on a luggage cart? Yuy has things under control on the tarmac. I'll intercept our long lost comrade. I knew he wouldn't be able to resist visiting Winner's new baby. Finally...
"Maxwell!" I shout across the terminal floor.
"Eh?" My old friend spins around to face me, his braid swinging out in a wide arc to land on his chest with a thump. "Hey, Fei!" he calls back. "What're you doing here?"
I approach him, saying, "Poh and Noin had a security assignment but they really wanted the day off, so Yuy and I are covering." Not quite, but it's almost the truth.
"Figures," Maxwell snorts in disgust. "It's New Year's Eve and you're working. Anyone ever mention that you might be a workaholic?"
"Believe me, if there was anyone else who could be doing this, we wouldn't be here." Holding out my hand, I smile. "Winner had a fit when he found out."
"What do you expect?" Bypassing my hand, Maxwell launches himself at me. Yes, this is the menace with a braid that I remember so well. "You don't turn up at his wedding." He crushes me with a hug. The years have added some muscle to his slight frame; there's a strength to his back thumping that I don't recall from our younger years. "Relena's still got a thing for Heero and she's just had his baby." Stepping back, he holds me at arm's length. I feel like a well-loved rag doll. No one else I know gets away with such irreverence towards my person, except Marie but she's... "Of course he's going to have a fit," he says with a chuckle.
What he's saying finally sinks in. "She has?" My jaw drops in surprise.
"A boy!" he replies, grinning. He's doing it deliberately to annoy me. "It's in all the papers." His elbow nudges me in the ribs as he continues, "How would I know? But Q thinks she does, and that's what matters." He's been in touch with Winner.
Lowering my voice to a whisper, I direct us to a customs office. "Is that why he's been avoiding us since we got back to earth?"
"When did you get back?" Maxwell asks, stepping inside.
"Last month and you haven't answered my question," I insist, locking the door.
"What can I say?" Shrugging, he bounces onto the table in the middle of the room. "I think Q-ball might be falling for his wife and you have no idea what she's been like since she got pregnant. Pacifist, my foot. She's been grumping non-stop for the past nine months." Winner must be crying on his shoulder again. He used to do that every time he had a spat with Barton.
"He has nothing to worry about," I tell him as succinctly as I can, joining him on the table. "Heero's been looking for you since we got back from the colonies. Earth's probably the only place he hasn't searched, personally, in the last two years. He went through L2 at least twice." Let's see what he does with that little tidbit.
Violet eyes narrow as the tip of a braid finds its way into fidgeting hands. "You guys are covering for Noin and Poh, right?" I can almost see the wheels turning in his mind.
"Yes," I say, watching his hands. He only does that when he's nervous.
"Did they know?" Maxwell's voice is almost a whisper. This is important to him? Why...
"Of course they knew." I focus on the still hands clutching the braid tightly. He's more than nervous. "They've been helping him."
His grip loosens. "I see." Flipping the braid over his shoulder, a slow smile forms on his face.
"He misses you," I say, noting the almost ecstatic expression in his violet eyes. Ah, something he wanted to hear, then.
The smile widens. "He's got you for company." There's an obvious delight in the way he says that. Wait a minute... He can't be implying...
This isn't right. "He doesn't love me." Are we talking about the same thing? What's going on?
Maxwell looks me in the eye for the first time since entering the room. "And you think he loved me?" Even the sarcastic edge of his tone is dulled by his bright grin. "Not more than his mission, he didn't." He's still upset with Yuy but he's happy about something.
Something I said, perhaps? "Will you at least talk to him?" I persist. I can be stubborn, but why do I feel like he's laughing at me?
"I'll be around for a week catching up with Q." He slides off the table. "After that, I'm going home." There is a spring to his step and his hips sway seductively as he makes his way to the door.
When he moves like that, I can definitely understand Yuy's infatuation. "To L2?"
"Nah." Reaching for the base of his braid, Maxwell turns and smiles. "I've got a new place," he says, returning his attention to the door. "You don't need to know where." The locking mechanism releases with a soft click. He hasn't lost his touch. "He's got a week, if he really wants to catch up with me." He rolls his eyes upward as he steps over the threshold.
If I have any say in the matter, he'll be there within the hour. What am I missing, though? There was something else on his mind while we were talking. I'm hoping it's Yuy, but I would almost bet that it's not.
"Yuy," I say, tossing him the car keys. Good catch - show off. Settling into the chair beside him in the ward's waiting area, I give him the news. "Ran into Maxwell at the airport."
"Hn." Excited, are we? Hn, indeed.
"Go see him." Nothing's going to happen while he's here. Winner's security detail around his new baby is tight.
"We're on duty." Oh, for goodness sake!
"Go!" I can't resist snapping at him. "I can manage." You know you want to go.
"Thanks." That's better.
"Don't mention it." Removing my jacket, I pass it to him. Now, back to work. "Do you think he noticed?"
"Wing could have driven his limousine and he wouldn't have noticed." That doesn't sound good. "Something is very wrong with him, Chang." It's even worse, if Yuy thinks that worth a mention.
I might as well spell it out. "Probably why we're here instead of Poh and Noin."
"Hn." That's an agreeing grunt, I hope. "Call me when he leaves," he says, standing up.
"Give me the cap and jacket." My turn to play the chauffeur. As I watch Yuy walk down the corridor donning my uniform jacket, it occurs to me that we are the same size. Strange, but I never thought it odd before that we share the one set of work clothes. Our tastes differ quite a bit where personal attire is concerned, but our uniforms... we never bother to distinguish ownership.
It must be a byproduct of constantly being on the move in each other's company. And whose fault is that? I was surprised when Une sent Yuy after me during that first ghost hunt. We had never worked together before. I was usually partnered with Poh back then. A solo assignment seemed appropriate since I was only chasing a rumor. There was no real need for backup and Poh was considering reassignment to Mars. Three weeks later Yuy catches up to me on Moonbase. The bitch doesn't trust me. Why didn't I see this before? Perhaps she's right not to but, Yuy? She has no idea how warped his sense of honor is. That might be a good thing, if...
I won't go there.
Breathe... in... out... in... out... in... out...
Damn meditation exercises never work when it involves distancing myself from him.
Treize, the bane of my existence... of my peace of mind, anyway. The sheer injustice of it all. How dare he cheat and fall on my lance. Our duel had barely begun. If he had wanted to die, why couldn't he have fallen on his own sword? Instead he leaves me behind to deal with the consequences of his exit statement by falling on mine. By doing what he did, he never allowed me to truly prove my strength against him. I'm left forever the weaker. Is that why I chase his ghost? For the chance... another chance at proving myself, my strength, my honor, my...
Should I have kept a closer eye on his lover? I had thought them separated, could I have been mistaken? Has Marie been right all along? I never considered approaching him. Never contemplated the possibility that he might... he seemed surrounded by people who cared deeply for him. Surely they...
They sent him away to Mars. She sent him away with Noin. According to Marie, Noin sent him back a year later, ill. Should have paid more attention to her ramblings about him. The last time I set eyes on him was as Preventer Wind and he seemed fine then.
Has it really been five years? He's been missing, away from public scrutiny at least, since Winner's wedding. Marie will have private footage of that event, one of her many aunts would have indulged her. What was he like then? Perhaps I should have taken my own advice to Yuy and made an effort to be present. We were following a particularly promising lead at the time, but what if she's right?
Should I have been watching Treize's Milliard all along? I've been so convinced of the validity of my mission. All those trails of rumors started and ended in space. They couldn't all have been Une's attempt to keep us away from Earth. Quite a few were merely attempts to use his name as a rallying tool. Am I really just chasing a ghost?
Has that ghost been here from the start, haunting his first love? His heart must be breaking to see him like this. Milliardo Peacecraft was a public figure. Just as I had avoided newscasts of him, he would have studied them. If he could be, wouldn't he be here now? The man who memorized the names of his dead wouldn't be able to resist such obvious distress in his living friend, lover.
This Prince is a pale shadow of his former self. Watching him leaning against the wall waiting for his sister to finish with her checkup, I can't resist comparing the present to my memories of him.
There is none of the arrogance of Zechs Merquise in his stance, nor his famous speed. His movements are slow and unfocussed, distracted. Yuy has a point. He wouldn't notice Wing standing here. The confidence of the self-proclaimed Earth Ambassador Milliardo Peacecraft is missing too. This man looks like he hasn't slept for a week and is only neatly groomed because someone else did it for him. That neat bow holding his hair in place is a sure giveaway. I am getting the distinct impression of someone who won't do anything without explicit permission. How can that be? On the plus side, the insanity that had him wanting to crash the Libra into Earth seems gone as well. Unless, in most likelihood, it has turned inward which could explain his present condition. Shouldn't speculate about things I know nothing about. Has he spent the last year or so in an institution or specialized clinic? Did she send him away again, to more professional help this time?
Does Une know where he was? Could he have been inaccessible? Is that why we are watching him NOW when she had previously ignored him? I have too many questions and not enough answers. I doubt if he will willingly talk to me. Perhaps Yuy, they seemed to like dueling each other... perhaps not. Is it part of his mission objective to watch me? Don't they trust me to do the honorable thing where Treize is concerned? Maybe that's what they ARE afraid of. She may be surprised to find that Yuy has a sense of honor that may be stronger than mine, although his code probably differs from the traditional. I need to be sure of what it is if I am to maneuver around him.
The doctor's finished. Yes, he's going back inside. Is he climbing onto her bed? Damn doors. Might get a better view over there by the coffee machine. Ah... they're bringing the baby in. He is on her bed! Didn't realize they were so close. She is his sister, but she keeps sending him away... or does she.
Will Maxwell know? He will most certainly have an opinion, on both counts. Gives me an excuse to visit the palace alone... Speak... think of the devil. He didn't notice me. Did he come with... my com. "Chang, here."
"Duo came with me," Yuy is saying.
He did. "Just passed me." Odd...
"I'll tail, you drive. He mentioned leaving with Zechs. I don't think he'll give you away."
Yuy is babbling; not a good sign. "It didn't go well?"
"No." Is that a sigh? Oh dear.
"If Maxwell's going to keep him company, it's not likely our target will be able to make contact tonight. He virtually skipped past me." He'll be up all night. "Go catch the fireworks with Poh and Noin." Just how upset are you?
"Mission accepted," he says with what sounds like a stifled... laugh? Yuy made a joke! He's also walking out on the official mission... VERY upset.
"I'll call you tomorrow..." I need time...
"Une will be probably be sending us off planet again as soon as he leaves Cinq. I'd rather spend the time playing with the baby. Only call me if you need the back up. Yuy out."
Be careful what you wish for... but he does have a point. Even if she doesn't send us off planet, she'll send us after him. This is my ghost hunt; it always was but does this mean that he no longer cares what I find? Or that he doesn't care what I do with what I find? I hate second guessing myself, but some of my basic assumptions may have been inaccurate.
If I knew where Barton... Trowa might be... I'd be tempted to ask for personal time.
"I told you so!" What's Her Majesty crowing about?
Maxwell chuckles as they stroll past me. Falling into step behind them, my wandering thoughts come to a screeching halt. They're holding hands, fingers intertwined, relaxed and... familiar.
Lifts. One arrives with a ding. Going down.
"Where's Heero?" the braid asks as the doors slide closed behind us. "I thought you guys were partners." So much for not giving me away.
Ice blue eyes narrow, glaring suspiciously at me.
"Gone to watch the fireworks." That look. He doesn't believe me. "What did you say to him?"
I know that grin... and that wink. He's not going to tell me.
"Be nice, he's my friend," Maxwell mutters bundling His Royal Highness into the back of the car.
A violet gaze awaits me in the rearview mirror. His fingers are buried in the blond mess of hair on his shoulder. "Why are you guys watching my baby?" So that's the way things stand. Maxwell has staked his claim.
I nod, turning on the ignition. "Rumors of Khushrenada have Une jumpy. She's had us investigating every mention of him for the past three years, since they started up in the colonies. Guess why I'm watching your baby."
"If that's the case," he says, resting his cheek against the pale forehead on his shoulder, "what's Mr Mission doing watching the fireworks?"
Platinum lashes lift off the shadows under those gorgeous baby blues; seems the drowsy one wants to know, too. Is he going to say anything?
Guess not. "Something you said must have changed his mind about working tonight." Did you tell him about your baby? "Give me your word that you'll tell me if anything unusual happens, especially if anyone contacts your... sweetie-pie about the late General and we'll write up our reports and have that unofficial vacation Yuy's decided he wants. We'll show up at the airport when you leave just to make it look good in front of the reporters."
"Sounds good to me." The famous grin is back. "How 'bout you, sweetie?"
"Fine," the reply is so softly spoken that I almost miss it. "Will you tell me if you find him?" Reading the lips of a mirror image is not easy, especially when I'm trying to drive.
"Do you want me to?" I can't help asking.
"I..." He's actually making himself comfortable on Maxwell's lap! "I..." The rest is an incoherent mumble into the base of the chestnut braid. I'll wait for more.
The silence for the rest of the trip to the palace is deafening.
"I want to know," Maxwell states as I pull to a stop. His hands absently rub the broad back of the man on his lap.
"Do you have a contact number where I can reach you?" I ask, turning to face them.
"Just tell 'lil sis or hubby, Q, that you want us to get in touch and I'll call you." Well said. Only us ex-gundam pilots can consider a good dose of paranoia healthy. He does have something special to protect.
"Here's my official Preventer card. Use it when you want to get in touch with me."
His eyebrows lift slightly when he looks at the back of the card. Then he is laughing so hard he wakes the sleepyhead on his lap. It's not THAT funny. Mary Poppins is an old classic movie of the twentieth century. He needs to be distracted from my hidden email address. "Do you know where Barton is hiding?"
"No." Damn, but at least he's stopped laughing. "Why?"
"Just wondering. I'd take some personal time to look for him if I wasn't sure Une'd assign someone else to this mission."
"What's the problem with that?" he asks, pushing his baby towards the door.
"Because..." Wait... Need to be careful how I phrase this. "This is our mission. Yuy and I report directly to Une. No one else has access to what we find and tell her. As long people still remember him, there will be shadows for us to chase. I wouldn't trust the possibility of actually finding him, if he is there to be found, to anyone else."
"Stay in touch, even if it's just to gossip," Maxwell says, linking his gaze with mine before flicking it towards the blond. The platinum nod is almost imperceptible as he steps out of the car. "I'll email you when we get home. G'night!"
Long aristocratic fingers wave carelessly, then reach for the smaller hand of the man behind him. I get a final grin and wink as they step inside. There might still be time to catch up with the others in the park before midnight. Marie will be pleased.
This shadow watch stops here.
The End