Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ And peace on earth ❯ Snowstorm ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: Who ever owns Gundam Wing should feel very lucky. I don't own it. Thus I feel very miserable and sorrowful. Therefore I wrote this little fluffy story too feel better. But sadly enough I don't get paid for my writing, thus I hope I get some reviews at least.

Pairings: Well, Treize and Zechs, I haven't decided about the others yet.

On with the story.

And Peace on Earth

An isolated figure stood at one of the huge windows of the castle and observed the heavy snowfall outside. It lifted one hand to put it on the glass as to wipe away some snowflakes or a bad dream. Slowly it turned around and went back to the huge fireplace. With a sigh, General Treize sat down on the sofa and gazed thoughtfully at the fire. But he didn't stay long, restless he left and went back to his vigil at the window.

"They should be here by now." He muttered low under his breath.

"I hope they don't get stuck in this snowstorm."

His gaze became lost, as if seeing something far away.

"It is almost like it was at that time ….."

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One year before

A bulky jeep forced its way through some huge snow waves, while its driver desperately tried to keep it on the street. It was late afternoon and with a sky covered with heavy grey clouds, it was hard to see anything. The snowflakes were falling that thick, that one had the impression of a massive white wall, while driving through this snowstorm.

"Damned, if I ever get to that base, I'm going to torture that Gundam Pilot slowly to death. What did he think by blowing up half of the hangar in this weather? I'm just glad they captured him, before he could get away."

General Treize was not happy. Having been called out of his warm castle and being forced do drive through this mother of all snowstorms one week before Christmas because of the infamous stunt of a Gundam Pilot was nothing even he would wish his worst enemy. Well, maybe only just to the Gundam Pilots.

"And hopefully he is still there."

Zechs interrupted his Generals thoughts and brought him back to the task at hand: surviving this trip to the base. Using every swearword he remembered, General Treize had to use all his skill to keep the jeep on the street but with the light vanishing it got harder by the minute. The headlights didn't help that much. On the contrary, they enhanced the image of a solid white wall made of snowflakes.

"I doubt we'll make it today, Zechs. There is a nice little cabin not far away. We might have to stop there and sit this storm out."

To his astonishment his companion didn't answer but stared with squinted eyes outside the side window and then suddenly motioned him to stop the car. Treize just lifted an eyebrow, but brought the car to a sliding halt. Immediately Zechs left the car and ran some meters away to suddenly hover above something lying on the ground. Treize left the car as well and watch carefully but couldn't make out what had drawn the other mans attention. Then Zechs waved an arm at him and shouted something he didn't understand. Slowly he approached the blond.

"Get a blanket. Hurry."

Puzzled he went back to get the demanded thing and then returned to his friend, curious about what the one had found. Pulling up the collar of his jacket he fought his way through the storm to reach him.

Zechs immediately grabbed the blanked and put it over a small body which was lying motionless on the ground, bundled the figure in it and scooped it up in his arms.

"It's a boy. Must have been surprised by the storm. I fear he's nearly frozen to death. I saw him the moment he fell to the ground but he is unconscious now."

"We'll get him to the cabin then. Damned, the boy's parents should be punished for letting their child run around in a storm like this."

Together both men carried the limp bundle back to the car and placed it carefully on the backseat. Treize tried to have a look at the boys face but Zechs had him wrapped into the blanket from head to toe to keep the chilly wind away from him. Zechs took a seat in the back as well and Treize went to the drivers seat.

"How far is it to the cabin?"

Treize thought for a while.

"30 Minutes in good weather but now I'll think we will be there at least in one and a half hours. Maybe a little earlier if the storm breaks down for a while."

And to both men's astonishment the storm did just that. From one minute to the other the wind stopped as did the constant fall of snowflakes. Not wasting a thought at this wonder Treize hit the gas pedal with force and drove as fast as possible. Their luck held until they reached the little path that led to the cabin. First just a few flakes, then more and more snow started to fall again and the moment they stopped in front of the little hut the wind was back in full force.

Treize left the car in a hurry to open the door for Zechs who carried the still unconscious boy inside. He brought him straight away to the cold fireplace and glanced up, worried, at the General.

"How long will it take until we get this room warm?"

"There is a gas-heater in the bathroom. I'll light it. We'll have warm water then in no time. As for this room, I think I'll have to start a fire first. Do you need anything else?"

He stepped closer to catch a glance at the boy, but the small body was still wrapped up entirely. Zechs nodded slowly.

"I saw blood and I fear there are broken bones as well. Some warm water, washcloths, towels and a first aid kit would be perfect."

Treize nodded his agreement and left the room to get the items. He stopped shortly at the bathroom to light the heater and waited for the water to warm while wondering about how that boy might have received those injuries by just walking around in a snowstorm. Had he been involved in an accident? Maybe he had been on his way home with someone when they crashed and he was on his way to get help. Treize sighed. What ever is was, that had to be dealt with later. At least until the boy was conscious and could tell them what had happened.

With a bowl of lukewarm water and the other equipment he went back to the living room. The first thing he noticed was a pile of torn black clothes on the ground. He stepped aside and noticed Zechs kneeing on the ground on a blanket with the boys naked body in front of him. He had placed the boy on his stomach and tried to clean the pale skin with the torn remnants of a white undershirt that already showed bloodstains. A second look on the boys pale skin revealed a number of dark bruises, gashes and burns which covered the entire body. That didn't look like an accident, more like… as if the boy had been tortured?

Treize sighed heavily, a concerned and wary look in his eyes. He set the bowl next to Zechs and handed him the washcloths and the towels. Astonished he noticed Zechs hands tremble when he fetched the washcloths and dipped it into the water. His gaze travelled over the small beaten body and suddenly froze at the sight of a certain brown and hairy snake. He crawled closer to the boys head to have a better look at the face and then frowned angry.

"Maxwell. Damned, I thought he was captured at the base? How comes that he is wandering around in a snowstorm 30 miles away from it?"

"30 miles away from the base with a twisted ankle, broken ribs, sprained shoulder, most likely a concussion, multiple bruises, cuts and burns thus obviously beaten into a bloody pulp by OZ-soldiers. Yes, Treize, I really wonder how the boy managed to get that far."

Zechs sarcastic tone drew the Generals attention and the angry expression soon left his face to be replaced by an more impressed one.

"I'll get the first aid kit."

With theses words Treize left the room in a search for the needed medical equipment. When he returned he noticed Zechs carefully inspecting the boy's lower back by just so gently cleaning his small butt. Feeling being observed Zechs lifted the head and glanced at the older man. The blond blushed but the thin line of his lips was evidence enough for Treize to grasp that it wasn't of embarrassment but of anger. After having finished cleaning the backside, Zechs cautiously started to turn the maltreated body over. The still unconscious boy gave no sing of discomfort, not even a mourn escaped those pale lips. Hanging limp and unmoving in the blonde's arms only the minimal rising and falling of his chest gave evidence that it wasn't a corpse Zechs was holding.

"What do you need first?"

Treize kept his voice untouched while opening the first aid kit. He tried to ignore the abhorrent image of why Zechs had checked the boys butt so worried. Rummaging through the small box he brought out some antiseptic, bandages and band-aid.

"More water. Clean wash-clothes. But could you start the fire first?"

The General nodded his consent and crouched in front of the fireplace. Piling log after log in it he lit some crumpled paper to get the wood burning. Lost in his own thoughts he starred pensively into to small fire until Zechs cleared his throat softly. Excusatory Treize turned around, his face masking his tumbling emotions. But one look into his friends blue eyes left no doubt that the blond knew what he was thinking.

"He wasn't raped, Treize. Just beaten badly."

A relieved sigh was all he managed before he rose to get another bowl of warm water and the required wash-clothes.

"Shall I start a bath? It would be easier to clean him in a tub."

Zechs shook his head slowly.

"He is still suffering from hypothermia. We have to warm him up slowly, otherwise he might collapse. Just get me some warm water and help me cleaning him up."

"Thinking just an hour ago I swore to torture that boy to death…."

Treize voice trailed of without finishing the sentence. Instead he left the room in a hurry to fetch what Zechs had asked for. After returning he tried to assist his friend, but soon stopped and just passed the things needed. It took some time but finally the boy was clean and patched up. Zechs realised a deep satisfied breath after putting the small body on the more comfortable couch and covering it with a warm blanket.

"All we can do now is wait for him to wake up. We should take turns at the watch. But to tell the truth, I'd like to eat something first."

A small smile pulled Treize lips up at Zechs shyly statement but he had to admit that he was hungry, too. Both headed for the kitchen to accomplish a quick meal and then returned to the living-room immediately. Curious Treize noticed the cautious expression on Zechs face while his friend checked on the senseless boy.

"How comes that you care that much for an enemy?"

Zechs didn't answer right away but took a seat next to the couch. An amused smile wrinkled his lips when he looked up at Treize.

"And you don't? That look on your face when you assumed that the boy had been raped gave you away, Treize. You have stopped thinking about that boy as an enemy the very moment you saw his injuries."

Treize sighed and smiled sadly at his young friend.

"You haven't answered my question."

Now it was Zechs turn to sigh. He turned his head to look at the sleeping boy, a pensive expression in his eyes.

"It was that boy that self-destructed. I don't know his name but I can't forget his face. You remember? Lady Une threatened to blow up one of the colonies if the Gundam Pilots wouldn't surrender. It was either go on fighting or give up. No one expected a third possibility: Suicide.

Zechs trembled slightly. Unconsciously he had started to clench and unclench his hands. He just noticed when Treize reached out to take one in his hands and hold it. They looked at each other for a moment and then an encouraging smile appeared on Treize's face. Taking a deep breath some of the tension that had been building up in Zechs slowly left him.

"When he came out of his Gundam and just stood there with the self-destruct-button in his hand my first thought was that this couldn't be true. This boy never could be the pilot of that Gundam. It was a kid, a child, a boy who should be at school, going to parties, having fun and not fighting in this God damned war against grown up soldiers. I couldn't believe my eyes. And then he just pushed the button and his Gundam exploded and threw him to the ground. He didn't hesitate, not for a moment, not for a second. Can you believe this, Treize? That boy might not have been older than 15 or 16 and he just did it without thinking twice to save the colonies."

"I always wondered why you let him and the other Gundam get away."

Zechs chuckled dryly before he lapsed into a sullen silence. As if to buy himself some time he began to check the unconscious boy's injuries and status once more. Satisfied that some colour had returned to the once deathly pale cheeks he stood up to stretch his cramped muscles. Then he glanced at Treize.

"He landed in a crate. I saw him lying down there in a puddle of his own blood that got bigger by the second. His eyes were open. He was staring at the sky without seeing anything. There was blood on his face. Damned, Treize, I've seen dead soldiers before but that picture got bored into my soul like a smouldering needle. I should have called for a doctor, I should have left my Gundam to help him, I should have done anything but I just sat there staring at him. When his friend came to pick him up I finally snapped and told them to run."

Again an unpleasant silence spread through the small room. Treize used the break to put some more logs into the fireplace. The room became slightly warmer by now but was still far from being comfortable.

"I didn't know who he was when I saw him in that snowstorm. I just saw a small body stumbling and then falling to the ground. I just wanted to help. But then I recognized him as the Gundam pilot we thought would be at the base. And then I saw the blood. It reminded me so much at that other pilot that I could just think about to make up for what I didn't do then. I had to rescue him, help him and if necessary even protect him against all odds."

"That was why you kept his face hidden? You bundled him up in that blanket to prevent me from seeing him properly."

The words came out calm but the expression on Treize face showed that he felt hurt. Silence spread again. Both men looked at each other obviously lost for words of what to say the right way. But before any of them could take up the halted talk a sudden painful moan attract their attention. The small body on the couch was shivering desperately and the uncontrolled movements obviously caused the boy to whimper in pain. Zechs carefully placed a hand on the boys forehead.

"He is burning up. Damned, on top of his injuries to develop a fever. That isn't good."

Zechs swore under his breath and hurried to the kitchen. Treize's look fell on the boys flushed face. The drawn brows, the mouth a thin line and rapid breathing indicated that the boy was in pain. Another whimper escaped through close pressed lips.

"It is crazy. First we try to warm him up, now we have to cool him down."

The tender gesture with which Treize gently brushed the long bangs on the boys forehead, belied his angry tone. Almost involuntarily his hand cupped the injured boys cheek, carefully avoiding a livid bruise on a cheekbone. To his surprise the chestnut-haired boy lolled his head aside to snuggle into the contact. Confused Treize froze, leaving his hand where it was.

Zechs chuckled. "Doesn't feel like he really is an enemy at the moment, does it?"

Treize looked uncertain. "Enemy? What would our descendants think of us calling a boy an enemy? How much pride would they put in this kind of `victory'?"

"What do you mean with `this kind of victory'? We haven't won yet."

Trieze look at him intently. "Should we win?"

A change in their `guests' breathing pattern drew the men's attention to more urgent matters at hand. The, until now, more or less regular breathing had become rapid and shallow. The shivering increased, causing the pinched look on the boys face too change into a deep frown of pain. Cursing Zechs left the room and Treize heard him rummaging through the bathroom.

Hesitantly Treize kneeled down besides the couch, his hand still cupping a feverish cheek. Unsure of what to do in a situation like this he could feel anger boiling up inside of him.

"I don't like this. I really don't like this one bit. Fighting against children isn't honourable. Making children fight isn't honourable. How desperate must our enemies be to send kids into this war? Too inflict a pilots training on someone as young as you. I know what it takes to go through that training myself and after having seen you and your friends fighting I just know that your training must have been even more strenuous than anything I ever had to endure. How could anyone with even a slight sense of ethics justify doing this? An instructor would have to be sick to do that."

He looked up to see Zechs standing next to him, holding a bowl and some small towels. A sad smile and the sorrowful look showed that his long time friend had listened to his rant and a short nod confirmed that the Tallgeese pilot agreed with him. Without further words both men grabbed a towel, dipping it into the cold water of the bowl, intent on nursing their `supposed' enemy back to health.

For the next hours they tried to cool down a flushed and sweat covered body. Each rising of the temperature came with heavy shivers that caused the boy to groan with pain. Every once in a while a violent tremor forced the fragile body into a coughing fit that left the boy gasping for air. Powerless, because both men lacked the necessary medical training, they could only do so much.

When the fragile boy started to trash around, obviously fighting against invisible opponents, Zechs started to utter a constant stream of swearwords. Trying to restrain the boy or holding him down and thus prevent him from moving only aggravated him, forcing him to fight even harder to get free which caused him a great amount of pain. And that resulted in more coughing thus causing more hurting. When a very heavy attack left the youth crying out with pain Zechs threw the wet towel across the room and rose in a rush. Breathing heavily he ran his hands through his long hair to calm down but it was in vain. He was at a loss of what to do.

"I can't take it anymore. We are just hurting him more. Damned, Treize, what shall we do?"

Zechs started to path up and down in front of the fireplace, throwing his hands up in a helpless gesture.

"It is not like you to give up so fast. What is it that is bothering you anyway?"

Treize lifted a forked eyebrow and looked at his friend scrutinizing. Embarrassed Zechs turned around to stare into the fire. After a while he sat down, hugging his knees to his chest and sighed forlornly.

"Would you say that I'm a good pilot, Treize? A soldier you would trust to be able to accomplish every mission?"

Bewilderment was clearly visible on the generals face.

"Apart from me and maybe Noin, I would say that you are an excellent if not the most brilliant pilot and soldier."

A harsh laugh escaped the blonds throat at that answer.

"Right. An excellent soldier. Thank you so much for that praise."

Confusion slowly made place for irritation and a slight anger showed through Treize voice when he spoke.

"What is your problem, Zechs. You know that you are a brilliant pilot and strategist. I always had confidence in your abilities and you proved me right whatever the mission was. You hardly fear a thing, hell, you even managed to get Tallgeese under control. You have almost no competition when is comes to fighting in a mobile suit and your skill in face to face combat is formidable. I don't understand what you're getting at?"

"We are fighting and killing and I'm part of that war machine. And there is no sweet talking about it. I'm nothing but a highly qualified killer, aren't I? Yes, I fight with a sense of honour. I wouldn't kill an enemy lying on the ground. I wouldn't kill someone who has surrendered to me. And I always try to keep civilians out of the fights. Order me to fight against a superior force and I will do it and with Tallgeese I'm absolutely certain that I will be the only survivor and thus victor of that fight."

"I have no doubt about the outcome of such a fight, Zechs. But why should that be something bad?"

"There is nothing bad about that only that when I for once, have no intention to kill an enemy, but wish to help him I seem to fail. It is as if my talent to kill has destroyed an instinctive part of myself every parent seem to possess. As if by starting to be a soldier I lost the intuitive knowledge of how to care for another being."

"Zechs…"

Treize put a fresh wet towel on the feverish boys forehead, then turned to his long time friend and pulled him into a comforting hug. Used to only sparse shows of affection, Zechs leaned into the embrace, appreciating the warm feeling that started to spread through him. It wasn't that he and Treize had never before exchanged endearments but those had always been secluded to the confines of a bedroom. On the other hand, a delirious and unconscious boy couldn't be called an audience, right? Intending to savour this rare moment Zechs closed his eyes and let his head drop onto a strong and broad shoulder. Silently enjoying their closeness both men stared into the fire, keeping an ear at the now slightly calmed breathing of their ward.

The calm held until the rustling of sheets called for their attention when the boy became agitated again. A suppressed whimper forced its way through clenched teeth alternating with unintelligible mumbling.

Both men sprang into action. The, again, sweat soaked blanket was removed, flushed skin was cleaned and wet towels were wrapped as calf packing around the boys legs.

"We need fresh water and I could use some coffee."

Treize stood up and stretched to relax tiered muscles. A firm nod and a small smile confirmed that Zechs wouldn't be averse to the idea of some coffee as well. At least, they hadn't been sleeping for nearly 24 hours by now and had been under a constant stress level. Fighting against a gundam pilot wasn't fun, but having to watch over an ill gundam pilot was even worse.

That thought nearly caused Zechs to laugh out. Instead he snorted amused, then followed Treize example and stretched his body luxuriously. A satisfied moan escaped his throat when he let his body sink against the side of the couch, feeling relaxed a little.

However, the young pilot seemed to experience just the contrary. His breath became erratic and the mumbling adopted a more distressed tone. Heavy eye-movement lead Zechs to the conclusion that the boy must be captured in a nightmare. Despite his injuries the young pilot started to toss his body around and struggled to get his arms free out under the blanket.

Zechs only watched, apprehensive to do more damage than good. But then the boy started to sob teary and he curled up into a foetal ball. This brought tears of despair into Zechs eyes and he twisted his mind in an attempt to find a way out. He recalled what had just taken place between him and Treize, how secure and safe he had felt just some minutes ago. The warm and tender embrace had held the promise of security without feeling restraining. He could have fought his way out of Treize arms anytime, if he had wanted to do so.

Cautiously he glided up to the boys head, whispering reassuring words in a soothing voice. His hands stroked over thin arms with caution, just enough to let the boy know that he was there. Carefully he slipped a hand under the young pilots shoulders, gently lifting the chestnut-haired head until it rested against his shoulder. It was quite an effort to place the small, unresponsive body against him but finally Zechs had the boy resting against his chest. Closing his arms around the fragile body, he was careful not to apply to much pressure.

Still whispering calmingly he continued stroking along the bare skin of the boys arms. And to his delight the young pilot started to slowly relax and the fragile body lost its tension. The sobs had ceased together with the distressed mumbling. The breathing pattern was back to nearly normal, well, as normal as it could be taking in account that the boy was very very ill. Tiredly Zechs let his head drop on the backrest. A yawn took him by surprise and left him blinking owlishly. He felt quite comfortable despite the awkward situation thus he decided to rest a little and closed his eyes. It would only be for a moment he promised himself, only for a minute until Treize would return. But it wasn't long and his breathing deepened, his arms went slack and a slight snore indicated that Zechs Marquise just had fallen asleep.

And that was the picture presented to Treize when he entered the living room. Smiling to himself he pulled an armchair near the fire and set another in front of it. It wouldn't be as comfortable as sleeping in a bed, but it would be warmer than in the still chilled bedroom. He slipped out of his boots and stretch onto his makeshift bed. Snuggling into a spare blanket he sighed deeply.

"You better appreciate the company, Mr. Maxwell. You got the better part of this sleeping arrangement."

It didn't take long and three regular breathing patterns indicated that sleep had claimed the occupants of the little hut. Even the storm calmed down, as if too not disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

Authors notes: I hope you liked it so far.