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"Straight to My Head"Written By: Miss Murdered Disclaimer: I don't own the GW characters - am just borrowing to torment for my amusement Rating: NC 17 Warnings: light angst, awkward romance, some smut Pairings: 1x2 Summary: Heero's yearly Preventer
evaluation is usually an annoying formality. But this year, it is
much more complicated due to a certain Duo Maxwell... "Straight to My Head " Chapter 5: Turbulence in the Distance Emilia and her father was staying in an unassuming apartment in an pre-colonial building since the threat had first been received with a security detail 24/7 ensuring that they were protected. Heero was sure that Relena would’ve wanted to return back to Sanc as soon as the threat had been received and deemed dangerous enough to be taken seriously yet he also knew that Relena was once again trying to maintain uneasy peace and stop idiot politicians trying to incite needless violence. Emilia was safe with her father and there was no point Relena returning when so much was needed to be done on L1. That was why Heero was taking her now as Relena would be stuck in the colonies for some time and while her father was a more than capable parent, Emilia was already missing her mother. Frederick Blake wasn't a bad man and he wasn't a bad father. He had just simply been the wrong man for Relena Peacecraft and he had been ill-prepared to live with two very headstrong women as despite Emilia’s diminutive size, she was most definitely a headstrong woman. When they arrived at the apartment block, they were greeted by the usual security protocols and checks. Heero would have been disappointed if he had not been patted down but Duo was indignant and complained about the handsy guy touching his ass throughout. But that was Duo. He always had to find something to say. After going through all the security checks they were finally able to enter the apartment and they saw Frederick straight away. Heero had never disliked Frederick - he just seemed an old match for Relena with her politics and idealism compared to his business acumen and Playboy lifestyle. They had always seemed thoroughly unsuited and perhaps that's why the marriage has not lasted. Heero would never ask but he had seen enough gossip magazines in airport lounges to ascertain that this was the common theory - the “British Billionaire” and the “Poster Girl of Peace.” “Heero,” Frederick said, approaching and offering a hand in welcome, “apologies for the place. It's temporary until they catch these bastards.” They shook hands, an awkward gesture on Heero’s part and he was glad when Frederick let go and turned his attention towards Duo. “You remember Duo?” Heero said, as a way of an introduction, gesturing towards his temporary partner. Frederick shook his hand and Duo was smiling but Heero noted it was clearly a fake smile. Duo had never liked the old money elites that Frederick exemplified and Heero understood that. It was hard for Duo to be around such privilege, such wealth when he had come from the poorest of all colonies and he had always been uncomfortable around extravagant displays of wealth. It was something that Quatre would always feel an inordinate amount of guilt about even though Duo never felt any resentment towards Quatre’s money - especially when he used so much of it for good causes and charity. The last and only time that Duo and Frederick had met was the wedding of the century and Duo had ended up drinking too much, becoming morose and Heero had taken him back to his hotel room and put him to bed, watching over him in case he threw up and missing out on saying goodbye and congratulations to Relena like he had intended to. “Yes I do,” said Frederick, “thank you for joining Heero on this little mission. I imagine it's boring compared to the day job.” Duo smiled widely. Too widely. “It's nothing. It's fun to get the band back together.” “Emilia’s ready. She's just finishing some school work. I'll go and check on her. Would you like anything to drink? Tea, coffee, water?” Heero shook his head. “No, thank you,” Duo said with a smile and Frederick left the room but not before levelling a lingering glance in Duo’s direction. “He thinks I'm going to steal something,” Duo said once Frederick was out of ear shot. “He doesn't,” Heero replied, “he's just cautious at the moment. His daughter has been threatened.” “Yeah, yeah - didn’t look at you the same way.” Heero shrugged his shoulders. It was true that Frederick didn’t look at him in the same way but then Heero had been a presence in the Peacecraft household even in the early stages of Frederick’s relationship with Relena. Indeed, Frederick had always thought that the relationship between Heero and Relena was strange. He had even asked once, flatly, why they were not together, a drink in his hand at some public event that Heero was working alongside Relena’s regular security detail. Heero didn't respond, stunned, and Relena had diplomatically shushed Frederick with merely a wave and a look in his direction. Heero supposed Relena could have said he was gay but Heero had never really stood by such definitions and the relationship between them was love just not romantic love. It was hard to explain and Heero wondered if Relena had discussed it with Frederick privately as no comment was ever made again about it. Before Duo could say anything else, Frederick returned with Emilia who was holding two things that she intended to travel with - a leather satchel and a teddy bear. The teddy bear that Heero had bought her when she was a baby. “Are you sure there are no more toys you’d like to take?” She shook her head in answer to her father and waved in Heero’s direction, a small smile on her face. “Hello, Uncle Heero.” Her tone was formal, serious and yet her expression was shy and unsure. Heero responded by walking forward and offering his hand as he would do to any other grown up. “Hello, Emi.” The use of the nickname - the one her mother used, not her father - made her smile and instead of a handshake, she wrapped her arms around Heero’s waist awkwardly due to the contents of her arms. He would’ve got down to her level for a proper hug but she didn’t allow that opportunity so instead he patted at her head, moving aside stray strands of blonde hair. “It’s been too long,” she said as she released Heero, stepping back and adjusting the skirt of her dress with the hand that held the teddy bear. She sounded exactly like Relena then - disapproving and he was sure it was phrase Relena herself had used on Heero. He could hear a small snort from where Duo stood as he too heard the familiarity in her tone and words. “Do you remember Duo?” Heero asked and Duo stepped forward instinctively. “He’s working with me while we take you to the colonies and to your mother.” “Hey,” Duo said and he knelt down, getting to her level, “I met you once but you were a lot littler then... I’m a friend of your Uncle Heero’s. Is it okay that I join you on this little trip, too?” “Are you a Preventer agent, too?” Duo nodded. “Of course. They wouldn’t let me wear this awesome uniform if I wasn’t… So can we make a deal, I’ll join you and help make sure your Uncle Heero stays outta trouble, huh?” He offered her his hand as Heero had done and Emilia glanced up at Heero as though seeking his reassurance - checking whether Duo was telling the truth. Heero gave a brief incline of head and a small smile in response. “Trouble? Does Uncle Heero get into trouble?” she asked, turning her attention back to Duo. “I have a million stories about your Uncle Heero,” Duo said with a chuckle, “I can fill you in on the journey to L1.” Reassured by a brief nod of head by Heero and with the promise of stories, Emilia took Duo’s hand and shook it. “You can join us,” she said, finally, her words careful and measured. “Phew, I’m glad, I really didn’t want to miss out on such an important mission.” Duo got back to his feet again, rubbing his hands on his uniform trousers, a sign of his awkwardness in the whole situation. It was a rare role reversal where Heero knew what to say and how to act and Duo was the one who was not sure how to present himself. “I’ll check that Miss Campbell is ready,” Frederick said, departing briefly and returning with a young woman who was pulling along two suitcases. They had been briefed that Emilia would travel with her tutor, her parents having decided to take her out of school at this time and Duo immediately went to her, grabbing the two suitcases and fussing at taking them out of the apartment, escorting Miss Campbell to the door with all the purpose of a knight upon a white horse. Chivalry wasn’t dead, apparently. Meanwhile, Emilia was saying goodbye to her father and Heero didn’t dare watch too carefully. He was aware he should probably dislike Frederick due to his loyalty towards Relena but the man was not evil - just selfish and ill-prepared for the sort of life Relena led. He had perhaps expected her to give up politics but Relena could not - never could. And Heero admired that and always would. “Be good for Miss Campbell and Uncle Heero and Duo. Do everything they tell you - if they say you have to something, you do it straight away, Emilia, promise me?” “I promise, daddy.” Heero felt a pang of something deep in his gut as they hugged, as Frederick held her close and stroked at her hair, and maybe worried that this was the last time he would see his daughter. Heero wondered if Frederick and Relena had fought - whether he had thought it best for Emilia to stay with him on earth, safe, but Relena would argue the point that Emilia was safe no-where if someone really wanted her dead and there was no safer way of delivery her to the colonies than with Heero Yuy. It did not matter - the decision had been made and Heero would ensure she was safe with every fibre of his being. The hug ended and Heero met Frederick’s eyes - glassy with unshed tears. “Look after her.” “I will,” Heero said and he almost started as he felt a little hand wrap around his own tight. He looked down to see Emilia, tears on her cheek, and he squeezed her hand gently. “Let’s go.” |
