"This Beautiful Life"

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters

Rating: R

Warnings: Romance & Friendship

Pairings: 2x5, others will be present but subtle.

Summary: 3 years after cutting ties with everyone from the war, WuFei Chang gets into a car accident in his way home from a company Christmas party and wakes up to another life.

"This Beautiful Life"

Chapter 24:

Once the party began, WuFei didn't know what to do with himself. It felt surreal to be in that room again, surrounded by such familiar faces from his past. He was used to putting a distance between himself and them, it had been his way of coping with his own social insecurities, but he couldn't get away with that this time. His friends sought him out, eager to greet him, wish him happy holidays, see how his healing was going. He attempted to latch onto Duo to use the more socially outgoing boy as a shield but it wasn't long before the crowd, and people vying for their attentions, separated the two of them.

Duo ended up across the room, engaged in a conversation with a few older sweepers that worked with Hilde before being pulled away by a dignitary from one of the outer fringe colonies interested in Duo's input on handling the poorer communities under his jurisdiction. WuFei found himself surrounded by politicians that seemed familiar with him and his political stances, eager for debate, but he could only recall their names from newspapers and television.

"Last time we spoke, Mr. Chang, you thought you had some great ideas about the Interstellar Trade Commissions new policies. I want you to know I looked over those numbers again, and I've got some rebuttals to points you made," a woman with graying hair and a red dress said, coming up beside WuFei and taking a drink from her wine glass. He knew her name as Sonya Marikesh, a governor from one of the smaller colony clusters. He couldn't fathom what his previous comments had been about, but he was familiar enough with her stance on different issues to know that it had been a heated debate. He was relieved from having to reply when Relena appeared.

"Mrs. Marikesh, please, spare us your creative mathematical interpretation of 'the numbers'. We all know those numbers have nothing to do with the proposed L2 embargo. Those policies are about politically wrangling in a colony that's been growing economically at a rate the ITC wasn't prepared to handle," she said.

"No one is trying to bottle-neck the L2 colony cluster. They boast the most sweeper and salvage operations in the entire galaxy, it only made sense that business would start booming for them after the wars. We're only interested in stabilizing the galactic economy," Sonya argued.

"If you'll excuse me."

WuFei slipped past Relena in search of a safe corner, only to find himself smothered in a hug. He caught a glimpse of red hair swept up into a wrap around hair style. The girl stepped back and his heart skipped as recognition set in.

"Mariemaia," he said. She beamed at him. Despite being almost thirteen now, she looked much younger than the seven year old he'd met at the Barton Foundation. She wore a crushed green velvet dress, and white stockings, a broad smile on her face.

"First, announcements," she declared, "I passed all of my mid-year exams, including high marks in chemistry and literature. I was awarded the Distinguished Athlete Award and won first in regionals and second in the global Annual Fencing Competitions and I'll be competing in the interstellar competitions next month on the L1 colonies."

"Admirable," WuFei said, still recovering from the initial shock of seeing the young girl and how her time spent as Une's daughter had transformed her.

"But more importantly, I earned the role of Laura Wingfield in my academy's upcoming production of The Glass Menagerie. I never thought they would give me the role, I'm so glad you and my mother forced me to audition," she grabbed his hand, "You and Duo will come, right?"

"Of course," WuFei stammered, clearing his throat, "You'll have to let Duo know the date of the play, and your mother is in charge of our work schedule."

"Excellent. It would only be more perfect if Miss Relena will be able to join and then I'll have my two favorite mentors present," Mariemaia faltered, a more serious expression filling her features, "Forgive me, I should've asked first…in my excitement to see you and wanting to share my good news I've been so rude. Mother told me of your accident. Are you recovering well?"

WuFei smiled, giving her hand, still grasping his, a small squeeze.

"I am well, thank you. Don't apologize. I'd much rather hear of your good news," he told her. He felt a light touch on his shoulder as Relena stepped beside him, giving him a brief hug in greeting that he relaxed into, surprising himself with how familiar their embraces were becoming to him.

"I'm sorry for stepping into your conversation back there, WuFei, I know you could've handled Sonya on your own," she started, but WuFei cut her off.

"Your interference was appreciated. I honestly am not sure, in my current state, if I could've handled that woman."

"Mariemaia, you look gorgeous in that dress," Relena gushed, gathering the other girl up into her arms.

"It's been so long since last time I saw you, Miss Relena. I know you've been busy with your political duties, but it's such a shame, I miss you so," Mariemaia replied.

"Well, we simply must catch up," Relena exclaimed.

"I'll leave you two to it. Have either of you seen Duo?" WuFei said, hoping to squeeze out of the crowd.

"I think I saw him talking to a few Magunac soldiers by the Christmas tree, but that was ages ago and I imagine he's moved on since then," Relena said, "Oh, will you do me a favor when you have the chance, WuFei? Find Heero, please. He went somewhere to hide, and I think he may need a companion to make it appear as though he's occupied, otherwise, General Klaus Miller will corner him again and I don't want another incident like last year."

WuFei wasn't certain who General Klaus Miller was or what happened last year, but he could see from the faces both Relena and Mariemaia wore that it wasn't pleasant and did not bear repeating.

"I'll do what I can to protect Heero from the general," WuFei assured her.

WuFei maneuvered through the crowd again. Several people, many of whom he didn't recognize, grabbing him in passing to exchange pleasantries. He felt like he might never make it through the crowd and considered throwing punches, when an arm slipped over his shoulders and steered him towards safety.

His savior was Trowa leading him onto the outer balcony where Heero was waiting with a bottle of whiskey, a plateful of assorted appetizers and desserts. He sat hunched over a small table, cards already sprawled out before him in what appeared to be a game of poker. The balcony itself had a contained heating system set up for enjoying the outdoors in the cold weather. It had started snowing, but the snow melted before hitting the balcony.

WuFei drew in a deep breath and sighed relief.

"Your girlfriend is worried about you," he informed Heero.

"Your husband makes great truffles," Heero returned, popping one of said truffles into his mouth. WuFei made a face and even Trowa raised a brow as Heero smirked, shrugged and said, "I thought we were stating the obvious. "

Heero offered up the bottle of whiskey to WuFei and Trowa took a seat across from Heero to resume their game. There was a third chair that Trowa motioned for WuFei to sit in and he realized as he sat that they'd brought it out there specifically for him.

"My apologies for not retrieving you sooner. I should have realized with your current memory struggles that you might not have recalled where our retreat point was," Trowa said, and, while Heero raised a brow at the memory comment, he remained silent, "Duo will know where to find you when he grows bored with the party."

"I see. We typically spend this party on the balcony," WuFei surmised, taking a sip from the bottle and handing it back to Heero.

"Not all of us like the crowd. Quatre keeps the door open for us," Heero explained.

"I'll deal you in next hand," Trowa said.

They spent the rest of the party outside playing poker and taking turns sipping from the bottle of whiskey. Card games weren't often a challenge for WuFei, games in general weren't especially ones based on statistics, but Heero and Trowa had equally impressive poker faces and could calculate the odds just as well as WuFei. It made for a decidedly enjoyable game. They exchanged quiet conversation over that time and cleaned the plate of food.

"What happened last year with General Klaus Miller?" WuFei asked, perking a brow at Heero. Heero scowled and Trowa smirked.

"Heero didn't appreciate the general's overbearing need to share his perspectives on Relena's political ideologies and Heero's willingness to allow her to have them. Heero went to debatably unnecessary lengths to make his displeasure with the general known," Trowa said.

"No one was hurt in the explosion," Heero grumbled.

WuFei covered a chuckle, "Sounds like reasonable reaction to me."

"Relena did not agree," Heero said.

They fell into a comfortable silence, playing thoughtfully through each hand, as time passed around them. WuFei relished in the feeling of being at a complete ease with his two former comrades in arms. He never would've imagined himself in such a situation before, and he never would've thought he'd enjoy himself if he were. But the three, with their quiet, contemplative natures, complemented one another. He could understand in that small reprieve from the larger party how they had come to call one another friends.

The party wound down behind them. They had quit their poker game and fallen into a philosophical debate on the true meaning of Christmas, and what it's connotation was in the brief, tentative peace that earth and mankind now enjoyed. Could it be maintained? Was this the promise made by a virgin miracle and three wise men? The balcony door opened, and Duo and Quatre stepped outside.

"Told you these assholes abandoned us, Quatre," Duo said, taking his place beside WuFei. Without a thought, WuFei reached up to take Duo's hand, missing the smile it brought to Duo's face. Duo reached for the whiskey bottle and Heero passed it over.

"Is the party over, then?" Heero asked.

"For the most part," Quatre said, "It was a good evening. Hilde is saying some final good-byes to our guests. I should really go back in there to help."

He looked reluctant to do so, though, and remained firmly planted where he stood.

"The number of people who tried to get our princess under that mistletoe was surprising considering it's well known she has an overprotective bodyguard, but, you know, she handled herself well," Duo said, wagging a suggestive brow at Heero.

"I'm going to need a list of names," Heero said.

"I'm under direct orders not to give that to you," Duo laughed, all but Heero following suit.

"Lady Une wants to see you before she goes, babe," Duo told WuFei, he winced and added, "Also, Mariemaia apparently wants us to go watch her in some play next year."

"She told me," WuFei replied, "Is that bad?"

"Bad…eh. You hate the theater, I hate the theater…"

"Have you ever been to the theater?" Quatre wondered, looking at Duo with suspicion.

"No, I haven't, thank you very much, Mr. Rich Prick," Duo said, toasting the whiskey bottle at Quatre before taking a swig, "I just sense that I would hate it. Because it's hoity-toity and shit. You have to dress up in a nice suit and tie, and, although I love seeing WuFei in that kind of a get up about as much as I hate wearing it myself, I'll pass, thanks."

Again the door opened, this time Relena stood in its frame, Hilde beside her, and a camera in her hands.

"Oh good, you're all out here," she said, holding the camera up, "I'd like a picture of the five of you together before everyone leaves."

There was some grumbling, as Relena directed the five boys into position along the balcony rail, snow falling at their backside. Duo wrapped an arm around WuFei from behind, resting his chin on WuFei's shoulder, as they all smiled, sort of, for the camera and WuFei took a moment to appreciate the scene. The five of them had survived so much together. There was a point in time during the wars when it felt as though the only ones on their side was one another. How could he have cut ties with these people? They were the only four people in the entire universe that could ever truly understand him.

They went inside to say their good-byes. WuFei greeted Lady Une with a hug. It didn't cross his mind to wonder if that was their relationship, and she didn't question it, instead examining him and making comments about his poor driving choices.

"You're one of our top agents, I can't lose my heir apparent," she said.

"Hey now, don't go promoting him without talking about it with me first," Duo joked, brushing a kiss to WuFei's cheek.

"I'll take better care in the future," he assured her.

"Did you get the presents we brought for you and Mariemaia?" Duo asked.

"Mariemaia is loading them into the car now," Lady Une said, "There are presents from us to both of you under the tree still. Mariemaia was insistent she pick out separate gifts for everyone this year with money she earned tutoring through the school."

"She's getting so much older," WuFei marveled.

"She'll be bringing boys home soon," Duo laughed. Une paled and WuFei scowled.

"Don't even joke about that," Une said.

"We'll be sure to run full background checks on all of these boys," WuFei assured her, and she laughed, waving as she headed out the door.

There were more good-byes, to Sally Po, Katherine and Trowa as they headed back for the circus, Heero and Relena, and Hilde and Quatre. By the time Duo and WuFei returned home it was well past midnight. They crashed into bed and Duo pressed a kiss to WuFei's lips.

"Did you have a good night?" Duo asked.

"I did. You?"

"Perfect night," Duo replied, snuggling into WuFei's shoulder.

"Duo?"

"Yes, my love."

"Tomorrow, I want to know what we fought about before my accident."

~ * ~

Chapter 25

Back to Single Authors Index

Back to GW Authors Index.