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"A Little Less Normal"Written By: Clara Barton Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. The following is an intellectual exercise with no intention of profit. That said, these characterizations, words, and situations are mine. Please ask before reprinting.
Warnings: AU, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Angst, Romance Pairings: 3x2, 1x5, past 3x4 Summary: Trowa Barton starts a new job and intends to start a new life, free of complications like falling in love with your boss. But life doesn't go as planned, and Trowa struggles to find balance between work, love, and handsome strangers. A/N: This fic will feature several different pairings - and probably not the ones that you expect after a first glance. This is told in third person POV, but it will switch to different characters with each chapter. While not a crossover, I definitely want to acknowledge that the TV series, "Dirty Sexy Money" and the movie Two Weeks Notice both influenced me to write this. I would appreciate any feedback, whether it be negative or positive, criticism or lavish praise. Lavish praise preferred.
"A Little Less Normal " Chapter XVI In retrospect, Treize knew he should have taken this path originally. He had trusted Zechs too much, had had too much faith in his connection with Trowa Barton. But, it seemed, Treize truly had underestimated Barton. He had also underestimated Wufei Chang. Far from negotiating for the restoration of his father's company, Wufei had seemingly abandoned any idea of claiming his legacy. Treize's lawyer had been fending off lawsuits left and right from Wufei, and while Treize found them to be mildly annoying, they were no major impediments to his plans. Instead, Treize would have to go for an approach that was both more subtle and far more blunt. It took practically no time to procure the necessary documents, and then he made the phone call. "Good afternoon," a pleasant, bland voice answered. "Good afternoon," he responded. "I would like to speak with Mrs. Yuy." "May I say who is calling?" "Yes, of course, Treize Khushrenada." It was a few moments before the line was picked up again. Treize wondered just what sort of internal debate Celia had gone through before finally giving in. "Hello." Her voice was coldly polite. "Celia, I realized that I hadn't properly expressed my sympathy over the loss of your husband." "How very thoughtful of you." "Hm. Yes. I thought perhaps we could have lunch tomorrow." "I'm afraid that I'm awfully busy." "Of course, of course." Treize sighed. "There were simply a few things I wanted to discuss with you, before others learned about them. However, if you would prefer that I simply go –" Celia was nothing if not quick. "Where would you like to meet?" "Oh, that wonderful bistro on the island that you favor so much. I will see you there at noon." She hung up before he could add any parting shot, and he chuckled. Celia had always despised him – on sight, actually. The moment he had introduced himself to Odin years ago, she had distrusted him. All of his efforts to court Heero had been countered at every turn by Celia, and he had to give the woman credit for endurance. However, when he walked into the restaurant ten minutes late the next day, she looked pale and drawn. Still immaculate, still the bastion of social grace she always had been, but tired. He knew she had likely spent the night wondering just what he planned to do. "Celia, it's lovely to see you again." "Hm." She had obviously decided to waste no time on him. Treize smirked. Sometimes even HE preferred to get straight to the point. He handed her an envelope. "What is that?" She asked, looking at it as though it was contaminated. "Oh, just a few things I've found over the years that caught my interest. Photographs, documents, certificates." She went completely pale at that and opened the envelope with clumsy fingers. He watched as she rifled through its contents, growing progressively stiff. "Fascinating," she said in a dry voice. "I certainly thought so. I touch over dramatic, and terribly predictable, but, nonetheless, fascinating." He smirked. "What do you intend to do with this?" She gestured to the envelope and its contents. "We both know what would happen if this were to become public knowledge. Your entire lifestyle, your family, everything you have ever had – all of it will vanish. Not to mention what your son will think. Both of them. So, if you want to preserve your life, then you will sell your shares of Yuy Inc. to me." "I don't own a majority share," Celia pointed out with a disdainful sniff. "No, of course you don't. Odin would never trust you with such power, not after he couldn't even trust you to be loyal to him. You have enough, however, for me to begin with." "Begin with?" "Oh, don't trouble yourself with that." Treize smiled. "Have we got a deal?" Celia held his eyes with her own, cold, blue eyes. Treize thought it was amazing that no one had actually made the connection between her and her youngest son, but, if the world wanted to lie to itself, then he wasn't in the mood to challenge it. Especially if he wasn't going to gain anything from it. After several long moments of silence, she inclined her head in silent agreement. "Now, I simply must know: who is Duo's father?" "That is none of your business." "Hm, but it is his, isn't it? It boggles the mind, how you managed to become so unlucky that your husband adopted your illegitimate son. Did he ever know?" Her gaze was like ice and Treize chuckled. "You know, it will come out. Oh, I'm not saying that I will go to the press – just that these things…they have a habit of exposing themselves. I suppose it's good that Odin went to the grave before it happened. Before he saw what you did to his family and his company." Celia stood and left the table without another word. Zechs allowed himself a smirk of victory before signaling a waiter. He had been told that the mango vinaigrette was to die for. His next move involved a visit to Thomas Darlian. Another associate who had used up his usefulness in Treize's plans. It seemed that fate was on his side, because he interrupted a family dinner between Darlian and his daughter, Relena, at Nobu. He joined them after Thomas issued a rather forced invitation. "Thomas, Relena –I was just thinking to myself that I wanted to catch up with my old friend and see how his daughter was. Relena, how are you these days? You are looking absolutely lovely." Relena smiled politely, but there was a shrewd calculation in her eyes, and Treize found himself suddenly doubting his original plan. "There is no need for flattery between us," She said demurely. "I was only speaking the truth." Her smile faded to a small upturn of her lips at the corners. "Treize, what exactly brings you to us this evening?" Darlian asked. "I was thinking about a conversation we had some months back. You mentioned that wonderful condo of yours in New Zealand, and how much you wanted to spend time sailing there and just couldn't get away from work." Darlian frowned, but Relena leaned forward. "My father should give himself a vacation," she agreed. "He works much, much too hard." "Relena –" "No, father, we've discussed this. We've been discussing this since before Odin died." "Discussing what, precisely?" Treize asked, his interest piqued. "Father has become too invested in his work, and it's damaging his health, as well as his relationship with my mother. We think that it was time he took things easy and allowed me to step in. If only so that he can take a vacation." "Relena." Darlian's voice was harsh and urgent, but Relena's eyes were focused on Treize. "I was under the impression that your main goal in life was to become Mrs. Heero Yuy," he pointed out. Relena sniffed and her jaw tightened noticeably. "Treize, we both know that Heero has no interest in a relationship with me, or any woman. However, I want his respect. He has always looked down on me as a mere nuisance, and I am more than that." Revenge was a powerful motivation, and a woman scorned even better. All the same – Treize couldn't help but mistrust her. His original intention had been to convince Darlian to do precisely this: turn over his shares and his board position to Relena, but now that the girl had come up with the same plan, he was concerned that he was getting more than he had bargained for. "The conditions of Odin's will –" Darlian interrupted. Relena waved a hand, an impatient look on her face. Clearly, they had had this argument before. "Those conditions wouldn't really hold up with a good lawyer, and furthermore, it states that the advising structure is to remain unchanged unless a member becomes incapacitated. Father, if you keep working yourself like this, you are just as likely to end up in the same state as Odin, or even Henry Chang." This last was said with a narrow, warning look in Treize's direction. That settled it – Relena was definitely more than he had bargained for. But, she was incredibly clever, to have seen through him so quickly. He wanted to see what she would do, if given the opportunities she so clearly desired. "Well?" Treize prompted Darlian. The older man sighed. "I've given my life to this company, and as much as I KNOW that Heero and Duo are steering it in the wrong direction, it is… it is not without some regret that I concede to your wishes. Perhaps I do need a vacation. Perhaps, clearer, younger heads can reason with them. I want… I want your promise that you will do what is right, for Yuy Inc. It's Odin's legacy, and I don't want it run into the ground." Darlian held his gaze, blue eyes fierce. Forcing his own face into a neutral expression, Treize inclined his head in agreement. It wasn't strictly speaking, as if he intended to break the promise. He too wanted Yuy Inc. preserved. It would be worth so much more when it was absorbed into his own holdings. However, he was prepared to expect certain setbacks and losses in order to achieve his goals. Darlian nodded. "Very well. I shall have my lawyer sign over my stocks to Relena, and I will appoint her to act in my stead as a Vice President while I am on an extended vacation. It will be finalized at a later date." "Wonderful." Treize signaled a waiter who had been lurking in the background. "I suddenly feel ravenous," he told the other two with a smirk. He ordered the lamb, with instructions to make it as rare as possible. He wanted to see the look on Darlian's face as he cut into it and it bled out. He wanted the old man to realize just what he had done.
On Thursday morning, Treize took extreme care when he chose his wardrobe. He normally did, but today, of all days, he wanted to look spectacular. He wore his favorite black suit, paired with a shockingly crimson tie that, instead of looking overdone, he managed to make into a tasteful, powerful statement. He added a matching pocket square, the old fashioned touch would no doubt set him even more apart from the rest of the sheep who now comprised the board of Yuy Inc. As he walked down the halls of Yuy Inc. headquarters to the boardroom, he was reminded of more pleasant days, three years before, when he had been an honored and trusted member of this board; when Heero Yuy had been prepared to defy his own father, just to please Treize. While those days were long past, Treize was looking forward to the future. His current game of calculation and manipulation promised to be much more exciting than the last. He opened the heavy doors and stepped into the room that he had been bodily removed from three years ago and smirked. The board meeting had already begun. He had timed it so that he arrived a few minutes late, just as the agenda was being presented. The look on Heero's face when he walked into the room was one that Treize planned to treasure for many years to come. Shock, anger, and then an incredibly cold blankness flitted across his face. Duo, of course, was out of his seat and halfway around the table before he had even realized he was moving. He seemed to catch himself and froze, a scowl on his face and hatred in his eyes. Trowa Barton, seated behind Heero, merely looked up, a neutral expression on his face. "Treize." Heero's voice managed to convey an entire book's worth of sentiment in just one word. "Heero. Duo. Ladies and gentlemen. I do apologize for being late." Duo arched an eyebrow. "You haven't been invited to a board meeting in more than three years and I'm kind of confused about why you're here now." Treize smirked at him. "Surely the CEO of Yuy Inc. should know who the majority stakeholders in his company are." "What are you implying?" Heero demanded. "Only that, like Ms. Darlian," Treize nodded to Relena, who remained impassive at the table, "I have recently acquired a significant portion of Yuy Inc. stock, and with that the right to sit in on these meetings." Heero's scowl was briefly transferred to Relena. Treize made a mental note to inquire about HER introduction to the board. He wondered just how poorly Heero had taken it – and if the man would ever realize that his very inability to respect the woman was what fueled her so. "Everyone with a significant stake in the company is already here," Duo pointed out, gesturing around the table, "only –" his jaw snapped shut. "Yes, only Celia Yuy is absent. It took very little persuasion for her to sell her shares to me. It's interesting, that your own mother felt the need to ensure that her husband's legacy was entrusted to more mature hands than her sons." "I've received no notice about this," Heero growled. Treize nodded towards Trowa, and the Macbook open in front of him. "My office emailed over the necessary paperwork. Your assistant – so sorry, lawyer– should have them by now, surely." Trowa's gaze chilled to subzero before he looked down at his screen. There were a few moments of tense silence before he looked up and nodded to Heero. "It seems that Treize now holds twenty percent of the stock shares in Yuy Inc.," Trowa clarified. "It isn't a majority," Duo pointed out. "Of course not. But then, Odin was never dictatorial in the way he ran this board. A three-quarter majority is required to pass ANY measure which deviates from current objectives. And any member with more than five percent of stock shares is considered a voting member of the board." Treize smirked. "Surely, as CEO –" "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I've got it." Duo's glare rivaled even Trowa's for intensity. "Well, if we've fulfilled Duo's desire for drama, should you continue presenting the agenda?" Treize asked and took the seat at the opposite end from Heero. He knew that the seat was traditionally left empty. At first, because it had been Celia's seat for many years before she retired from active involvement on the board, and more recently in deference to Odin's memory. Duo finally sat back down, but not after nearly berating Treize for taking the seat. Heero held his gaze for a long moment before continuing on with his agenda discussion. Treize remained silent for most of the meeting, allowing Duo and Heero to regain a measure of equilibrium. At last, however, discussion turned towards the negotiations for the acquisition of a Paris based engineering firm. There had been a great deal of trouble, after initially promising discussions. Treize, of course, had been secretly attempting to buy the firm as well, and was pleased that his ploy seemed to be creating so much hassle for Heero. "It sounds as though someone skilled in negotiations should take over," Treize murmured after listening to many of the board members propose solutions to the various setbacks. "You do not represent the company in that capacity," Heero said, instantly defensive. "I wouldn't dream of it," Treize said. "Heero, perhaps this would be an appropriate situation for the President of Yuy Inc. to deal with negotiations," Relena put in. "No," Duo instantly spoke up. "Heero needs to stay here." Unsaid was Duo's worry that Treize would attempt to destroy the company without Heero's presence on the ground. "Well, as CEO –" "For the love of God! I KNOW what my job title is!" Duo groaned. Treize could see that most of the board members were not amused by Duo's outburst. Treize smirked. Sometimes, it was so easy to manipulate people. "I could go," Duo said, sounding unsure. He looked at Heero. Heero, however, was holding Treize's gaze, searching for his motivation for even introducing the idea. "You don't speak French," Heero pointed out. "Neither do you," Duo muttered, "which is probably why we've got such great translators on staff here." "You also don't have a legal background –" "I –" "Trowa will go with you," Heero added. "I – okay." Duo had been ready to argue more, but the lawyer's name had forestalled him. Duo shot a slightly uneasy look in Trowa's direction. Treize guessed that Heero was unaware of their relationship. He had been amused when Zechs confided his double failure in regards to both Trowa and Duo, and he had wondered just how to use the information to his advantage. He was confident that sending Duo and Trowa off to Paris for a week, and then dropping hints to Heero over that time would do much to unravel the bond that Duo and Heero had seemed to reaffirm. That, coupled with the anger and resentment that Duo would feel as soon as he knew who he really was… Treize was confident he would be running this company before the end of the month. The rest of the meeting wrapped up quickly, and Treize left before anyone else could stop him. He would let the other board members come to him to form alliances.
In order to put his plan into full motion, he needed to make one more visit. He found Wufei at a private gym, in a boxing ring, angrily and thoroughly beating his opponent. Treize watched in amusement and appreciation. He admired the way Wufei moved like a dangerous animal, all muscle, coiled to strike out at his opponent whenever an advantage presented itself. Sweat lent his golden skin a sheen that only added to his exoticism. Once the match finally ended – Wufei's opponent refused to rise after being knocked down for the fifth time in less than two minutes – Treize waited patiently while Wufei removed his gloves and mouth guard. He was pleasantly surprised to see the younger man also pull off his sweat socked shirt and use it to mop his face. Wufei's back was to Treize, and he was able to see a small but very distinct dragon tattoo at the small of Wufei's back. Treize couldn't decide if it was horribly clichéd or wonderfully ironic. Finally, Wufei left the ring and noticed Treize leaning against one of the many support columns that broke up the exercise floor. "Go away," Wufei said, not breaking stride as he walked past Treize. "Strangely, that was the most polite greeting I've received today." "With your charming personality?" Wufei asked sarcastically, his face twisted by a sneer. Treize followed Wufei into the locker room. "I'd like you to have dinner with me this weekend," Treize said. He leaned against a row of lockers opposite from where Wufei stopped. "I'd like you to go to hell – apparently we don't always get what we want." "You've grown feistier," Treize commented. He was pleased by the development, but wondered what had inspired it. "I've grown frustrated – with my life, and with your constant interference in it. You ruined my father's life, but I refuse to let you do the same to me. I don't care what sort of manipulations you have planned, I'm not going to get tangled in your web." Treize sighed. "Wufei, I'm a businessman, and I'm ruthless in my acquisition of assets. It doesn't make me the spawn of Satan." Wufei gave him a look that clearly said he disagreed. "I would like to… make amends for the damage I have done to you." "You can't," Wufei bit out. "No, not regarding your father. But, well, I'm sure you are aware that I stand to gain control of Yuy Inc. if Heero and Duo fail to keep the company running smoothly this coming year." Wufei scowled and remained silent. "Obviously, I would like that to happen. However, I don't want it to just fall into my hands. I ENJOY the chase, the hunt." He said the last with a lingering look at Wufei's exposed torso. "Get to your point," Wufei snapped. "I have recently acquired information that, if delivered into the right hands, could make life for the Yuy family very, very difficult. The media would have a field day with it – and I daresay that it would rupture the family. I've managed to keep the information private for the time being, but you know how reporters are – they rarely keep their word." "Today," Wufei growled. Treize pulled out a manila envelope and passed it to Wufei. "If this came from me, Duo and Heero would suspect that I had engineered the information. But from you, they will likely trust it." Wufei scowled but took the envelope. He opened it and pulled out the photos and documents it contained. He was silent for several minutes. "Why should I trust it?" He demanded at last. "Don't – do your own research into the matter. It wasn't that difficult to uncover." "Why are you doing this?" Wufei demanded. "I don't want my victory to be too easy," Treize answered with a smirk. Wufei still looked unconvinced. "Ask Celia. Surely she would be able to confirm the veracity of the birth certificate and the adoption papers." "It isn't her name," Wufei pointed out. "The birth mother is listed as Helen Maxwell." "Yes, but the signature – that is Celia's handwriting." Wufei frowned again. "You want me to give them this information. You want this to come between them." "Of course I do. But just think of what the alternative will do – what will happen if the media gets hold of it first?" Wufei winced. "Exactly. This is entirely your choice Wufei." "You bastard. I'll never be forgiven for this!" Treize smirked. "After you've lost the respect and trust of the Yuy family, perhaps you will find some room in your schedule to meet me for dinner?" Treize suggested. He left before Wufei could respond.
That evening he called his lawyer. "Mr. Treize?" She answered on the first ring, as she always did. He smiled at the familiar address. "Une, I think it's time that Mrs. Fontaine visited her daughter, don't you?" There was silence on the line for a long moment. "There is nothing in the provisional adoption agreement that prohibits her from doing so." "Excellent. Early next week, I should think." "Very well." Treize hung up the phone and finally allowed himself
to relax and enjoy the game. The pieces were finally being organized
to his liking, and he was determined to guarantee victory.
~ * ~ tbc... |
