Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Changing Seasons (Part Six of the Family Sagas) ❯ Part Nine ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: I don't own them except for the kids!

Changing Seasons, Part 9

It was dawn. The blue gray pallor of the sky brightened imperceptibly as the sun rose. Mist rose from the surrounding forests, giving the landscape an ethereal beauty.

Randy wrinkled her nose at the dew-like smell from the grass, inches from her face. Her eyes fluttered open, before she shut them again. "Man, who the hell turned on the light so bright," she groaned into her arm. She opened her eyes again to mere slits. "And where the hell am I?" Birds chirped in response. Her head pounded as she struggled to sit up. "Oh man if feel like I was hit in the head with a baseball bat," she muttered as she looked around. Her eyes fell on the person next to her and she realized what she was wearing, or the lack of thereof. No sound came out of her mouth as it dropped open. She wriggled out of his arms, off the blanket and onto the grass. She shook her head back and forth. The shirt was hanging open, revealing the inner curves of her breasts and her red satin panties. "This can't be happening. This really can't be happening," she choked out as she squeezed her eyes shut once again. "I didn't do anything did I? I'm wearing underwear…I don't remember," she said as she rubbed her aching temples with her fingers.

Donavon heard the sounds of birds and the rustle of trees. He blinked his eyes open. "Damn light," he muttered as he closed them again. "Wait a minute, where the hell am I?" he asked himself as he sat up fast, only to have his head throb. "Man, what did I do last night?" He looked around him and his eyes fell on her. Her back was to him as she shrugged out of his shirt, revealing her smooth back and panties, as she pulled on her skirt and then her bra. His eyes widened. "What exactly did I do last night?" he said as he held his head between his hands.

She heard movement behind her. She turned around and saw that he was sitting up, holding his hands. His eyes abruptly came back to hers. And for the first time in her life, she blushed with true embarrassment. She didn't say anything as she hurried over to the grass again and retrieved her sweater, pulling it quickly over her head. She avoided his eyes and they fell on an empty bottle. She felt sick of a sudden. "Oh God," she moaned as she picked up the bottle. She looked back at him.

He swallowed hard. This wasn't happening to him. He looked at the bottle she was holding. The Sake. He felt sick all of a sudden. He found his cargo pants and pulled them on before standing up slowly, and finding his shirt. He pulled it on. His head pounded. "What happened last night, Randy?"

"I wish I knew," Randy replied softly. "Take me home, please," she said plaintively.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Donavon agreed as he walked over to the car. They both got in, putting on their sunglasses, even though the sun wasn't even up yet. He didn't meet her eyes as he started the car and drove towards her house. "If I did anything…God forbid…"

The ride was silent. She wanted to die. She had never had a hangover before. She scrunched down in her seat. "God what did I do to deserve this hellish morning." She bowed her head a little.

He felt awful. He had never had a hangover before either. "What did we do? I vaguely remember kissing her, but nothing after that. I wish I knew I hope I didn't do anything. God, she's my best friend, the girl that I love more then anything. How will I make this up to her if I did do something?" He drove slowly up her driveway and around the back of the garage. "Randy?"

"Don't. I don't want to talk about it. I just want to be alone," Randy said dejectedly. She pushed the door open and climbed out. She shoved her boots under her arm and her purse on her shoulder. She walked away, going through the gate. She looked up at the tree that was outside her window. She reached up and grabbed onto a branch with one hand.

Donavon watched her from his seat. He was amazed at how she made it up so far with only one hand to work with. He saw her stop and sit on a branch, pulling on the boots, before resuming her climb.

She grasped the next branch and pulled herself up. Her head hurt as she breathed hard. She put her hands above her head and carefully walked towards the branch that extended to her window. Her fingers lightly held onto the branch above her until she reached her window. She leaned forwards and placed her hands on the sill. "All right, almost there, just push it open and you're in," she said to herself.

He continued to watch her. He wanted to make sure that she got in ok. He let out a breath a relief as she slowly opened her window and started to go in. He switched his car into gear. He looked back at Randy. "I'm sorry, baby," he said softly as he finally drove away.

Randy struggled to get in her window. "Ugh!" she mumbled as she wriggled a little over the sill. Her hands hit the wood of the window seat as she pulled herself in. She slid in, down to the carpeted floor with a soft *THUNK*. She lay there for a moment. "Oh man, my aching head," she moaned as she finally stood. Her skirt fell to the floor followed by her sweater, then her boots, and finally her bra and panties hit the floor as soon as she entered her bathroom. She turned on the hot water and stood under the spray, her hands bracing themselves on the cool blue tile. The water stung a little and she glanced down at her breasts. Whisker burns and pale bruises marred her milky skin. She closed her eyes and swayed a little on her feet. She wrapped her hair and her body in towels as she left the bathroom. She dropped them on the floor and opened a drawer with clean underwear and a plain white T-shirt and striped blue and gold boxers. She stumbled over to her bed and flopped down on it, not bothering to pull back the covers. "I want to die," she said into her pillow. And within moments she was asleep.

Donavon drove home, slowly, the morning light, glaringly bright to him. He pulled into his driveway and walked across the lawn to the back door. He opened it silently and tiptoed up to his room. He closed the door silently behind him and stripped his clothes as he went. He fell across his bed, clad only in his boxers. "Randy," he murmured into his pillow and was then asleep.

**************************************************************** **************

Duo sat at the breakfast table, reading the paper as David and Jonathon both shoveled in their breakfast of waffles. He looked over at Hilde, who was making more for them and for Randy. "Hey, babe, what time is it?"

"It's ten after ten, why?" Hilde replied as she placed the last waffle on the serving plate. Her bare feet squeaked a little on the flooring as she made her way back over to the table.

"Because Randy isn't up yet and she usually is up before ten on Saturdays," he answered as he speared a waffle with his fork.

"She's probably still sleeping. She probably came home late," she said as she set down the waffles. "I'll go get her," she said. She looked over her shoulder at him. "And don't eat all the waffles Duo," she warned as she made her way up the back steps to her daughter's room. She knocked on Randy's door. "Randy? Are you up?" There was no reply. She pushed the door open and they fell on bed, where she was sprawled on her stomach, still asleep. "Come on, sweetheart, time to get up," she chirped as she pushed open the curtains, letting the sun in. "Come on before your dad and your brothers eat all the waffles." She left the room.

Randy groaned at the sound of her mother's voice. She clenched her eyes shut at the bright light. "Who gave the sun permission to be that bright?" she groaned as she rolled over and out of bed. Spots blurred her vision briefly as the blood rushed to her head. Her hair was still damp and decidedly rumpled from sleep. She put her hands up on the wall as she slowly made her way out of her room and down the steps.

Hilde sat down and placed a waffle on her plate. "Randy should be down soon," she said as she sprinkled syrup on it.

"Well she better hurry, or else I'll take her waffles," Jonathon said as he swallowed a mouthful of milk. "Speak of the devil, here she is."

"The devil can shove it," Randy snapped as she leaned against the railing.

"What the hell is wrong with you, brat?" Jonathon asked as he shoved away from the table and went over to her. He noticed the paleness under her light tan. He leaned down and looked into her face. "You got a hangover," he said, surprised.

"A hangover?" asked David as he got up and went over to her. He scrutinized her. "Yup, she's got a hangover."

"Both of you go straight to hell. And don't talk so loud. It feels like the time I slammed headfirst into the ground when I played rugby that time and broke my nose," Randy hissed.

Duo pushed away from his place and went over to her. "And when did you get home young lady?"

"If I remembered I would tell you, really I would. But could I sit down first before I fall down," she said closing her eyes again.

"Here," Hilde said as Duo helped Randy over to the table. "I'll make some more coffee." She went back over to the coffee machine.

Randy leaned her head on the table. "I feel like I'm going to die my head hurts so bad."

"Well this should be a lesson to you," Duo chided gently as he rubbed the back of her neck.

"Got that right," she mumbled. She could smell the food, which made her stomach clench. She winced at the light.

Hilde plunked down a cup of coffee down in front of her daughter. "Drink. It will make you feel a little better."

"Thanks, mom," Randy said gratefully and took a few sips. She made a face. "Coffee, one of my least favorite drinks."

"So, brat, what did you drink to give yourself a hangover?" Jonathon asked, grinning slightly.

"Sake. Never ever drink a whole bottle," she replied after taking another sip of coffee.

"You drank a whole bottle!" David exclaimed incredulously.

"I didn't do it all myself, Donavon helped," Randy replied with irritation.

"So he's got a hangover too. Never thought I would hear of the day that Donavon Barton would have a hangover. He makes David look like the devil incarnate," Jonathon chuckled. "That boy has as many vices as Damien Winner. They're both good as gold."

"So, not everyone is perfect," she snapped.

"I would have paid to see you two drunk. The quintessential Hell's own angel, with the archangel," Jonathon snickered.

"Screw you," Randy hissed as she glared up at her brother across the table. Her cobalt eyes darkened to almost black.

"All right, all right, that's enough," Duo said firmly. He rubbed her shoulder a little. "After you finish your coffee. Go back to bed. You'll feel better when you wake up."

"Good because I still feel like my head's been hit with a baseball bat," she said as she drained her coffee. She leaned back in her chair. "I don't even think I can walk up the stairs again."

"Come on," Duo said as he pulled her up slowly and picked her up in his arms. He carried her up the steps to her room. He set her down on the edge of the bed. "Are you going to be all right now?"

"I think so. I know you never planned to see me with a hangover," Randy said wryly.

"Hey, it happens. No one's perfect. You'll just know better next time," he said as he pressed a kiss on her forehead. "Now sleep. I guarantee you'll feel better."

"Ok dad," she said as she climbed under the covers. Her eyes closed as soon as her head hit the pillow.

**************************************************************** **************

Duo smiled and left the room, closing the door behind him with a faint click. He sighed and went back down the steps to the kitchen. Hilde was still there, standing at the sink, frowning slightly. "What's wrong babe?" he asked.

"Nothing," Hilde replied as she rinsed out Randy's cup and set it on the rack next to the sink.

"Come on, I know something's bothering you," he said knowingly as he grasped her hand, dragging her over to the table with him and then onto his lap as he sat down again. He loosely linked his arms about her waist. He looked up at her.

She sighed and tilted her head until it rested against his jaw. "I didn't think I would see the day our daughter would come home drunk and wake up with a hangover."

"I know, I didn't either. But she's still young, she'll know better not to do it next time," Duo said softly, pressing a kiss on her forehead.

"I don't expect her to be an angel. You would think after nursing you and three boys through at least one hangover each, it wouldn't faze me, but with Randy its…"

"Harder to believe that our little girl would be the same," he finished for her. "It's a little shocking, but Randy is Randy. She has too much of me in her for her own good."

Hilde sighed again. "And what's more, is that it was with Donavon. I trust him more then I trust Miles. Jonathon was right, Donavon has a sterling reputation. He's a good boy like Damien. But his only downfall is that he's in love with Randy and so is his brother."

"Things happen. I honestly would have preferred that she was with Donavon, but it didn't turn out that way. Never did understand why he never asked her out if he liked her so much," Duo mused thoughtfully.

"Well she ended up with Miles, which you fought every step of the way. You didn't like her dating when she was sixteen, and you don't like her dating now at nineteen. I told you that you would never get over that," she said pressing her nose against his.

"Would I be me if I didn't?" he replied as he rubbed his nose against hers. "Relax, babe. Don't worry your head about things that neither of us have no control over. And as much as some people are meant to be, some are not."

"Duo, I want Randy to be happy, but it isn't right that Donavon should love her. She's with his brother."

"That's something we can't help. You love whom you love. Sometimes its love at first sight and sometimes it isn't."

"Being the voice of reason?" Hilde asked, staring into his eyes.

"I guess, but you overreact every once in a while too you know. I'm not the only one who can flip out," Duo replied, grinning. "I love you, Hilde."

"I love you too, braided baka," she said softly as she pressed her lips against his in a sweet kiss.

****************************************************************** ************

Middi walked up the steps to Donavon's room. He hadn't come down for breakfast yet. She knocked on the door. "Donavon," she called as she opened the door. She saw him sprawled across the bed. "Come on, dear, time to get up," she said as she picked up his clothes lying on the floor. She opened the window, letting in the fresh morning air.

Donavon could hear his mother's voice. It made his ears ring a little. "Mom, not so loud please," he moaned into the comforter.

She turned around and looked at him. She frowned when he glanced up at her. She could see the pallor under his tanned skin. "Donavon, what's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"I feel like someone hit me in the head with a two by four. That's what's wrong," he replied drolly as he found a pillow and pulled it over his head, blocking out the light. "And could you close the curtains too. The light is way too bright."

Her frown deepened. She had never seen him like this before. Out of all her four children, he was the one who had been sick the least. She went over to the bed and pulled the pillow away. She sat down on the edge of the bed and placed her hand on his forehead. "You feel all right," she said as she then leaned down. Her nose twitched. "You've been drinking!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, I was drinking. Which I will never do again by the way," Donavon said as he squinted up at her.

Middi sniffed his shirt. She picked up the scent of alcohol and peaches. "Peaches?" "Donavon, why does your shirt smell like peaches?"

He froze at her question. His eyes widened a little as he looked up at her. "Randy was wearing my shirt and she always smells like peaches." "I don't know, Randy and I were celebrating and it's probably because she was sitting next to me at the beach," he replied slowly.

"And did she drink as much as you?" Middi asked, curious and slightly apprehensive. She knew as many people did, things happened while people were drunk.

"Probably, so she more then likely has a hangover like I do this morning," Donavon mumbled.

His reply caused her to frown again. Middi sighed and got up off the bed. "I'll bring up some coffee for you and take something for your head. I'll be right back," she sighed as she left the room, closing the door behind her. She walked back downstairs into the kitchen.

"Where's Donavon?" Trowa asked as he finished his breakfast.

"He's still in bed…with a hangover," she replied ruefully as she went into the laundry room, dropping Donavon's clothes on top of the washer.

"A hangover?" Trowa repeated as she came out of the laundry room.

"Who has a hangover?" asked Miles as he came into the kitchen from the deck.

"Your brother," Trowa said as he looked back at Middi. "How did he end up with a hangover?"

"He said that Randy and him went out to celebrate his good grades and apparently they drank a lot," Middi said as she washed her hands.

"Donavon and Randy? They went drinking together?" Miles asked incredulously.

"Yes, they went drinking together," Middi, replied as she poured a cup of coffee for Donavon.

"Who went drinking together?" Megan asked as she came in from the deck with Carin.

"Randy and Donavon. He has a hangover," Middi replied with some exasperation as she left the kitchen.

"My brother has a hangover. Saint Donavon has a hangover? That's rich, I never thought I would see the day," Carin snickered.

"Why did they go drinking?" Megan asked Miles.

"Apparently they went out celebrating something and he drank too much," Miles replied, frowning slightly.

"Well I wonder if she has one?" Megan asked. "Too bad I went out with your sister last night and came back so late that I stayed over here."

"Well I'm going to go over and see if she's any better," Miles said as he left the kitchen.

Megan followed him out of the house. They passed Donavon's Saab with the hood still down.

He stopped when he noticed something. He leaned over the side of the car door and picked up a silky thigh high stocking. He pulled out a red sweater. Miles felt blood rush to his head. He turned on his heel and went back inside the house.

She followed him. She had seen the look of jealousy flash in his eyes.

Miles stamped up the stairs towards his brother's room. He slapped the door open with one hand. "What the hell did you do with my girlfriend last night?" he hissed.

Donavon's eyes popped open at the question. He sat up; he had pulled a shirt on before his mother had come back with his coffee. His eyes went to the stocking and the sweater dangling in his brother's hand. "Oh shit!" "Not so loud, I can hear you perfectly fine," he replied mildly.

"Stop with the bullshit, Donavon, I found these things in your car," Miles growled. "What did you do?"

"Nothing. She had worn that sweater over her other one and if I remember correctly, she took off her stockings once we arrived at the beach," Donavon replied as he closed his eyes again.

"You better not be lying to me," Miles threatened as he stood over his brother.

"Why would I lie to you? I didn't touch her. She's your girlfriend remember," Donavon snapped. He was in no mood to be the accused. He felt like shit as it was. He didn't know what Randy and him did last night, so guilt was eating him up like acid. He was hoping, praying that he didn't do a damn thing to her that he would regret.

Megan looked up at Miles. "Miles, come on. He's telling the truth."

Miles seethed from the inside. He glared down at his younger brother, who had opened his eyes to glare right back. "If I find out otherwise, I will personally kick your ass all the way back to New York." He spun on his heel with Megan following. He slammed the door hard, angrier then he ever thought he would be at his younger brother.

Donavon sighed in relief as he flopped back against the pillows. "That went well. If he found out the real truth, my ass would be kicked all the way back to New York and then some." He closed his eyes again. "I just wish I remembered what we did. I remember drinking the bottle with her, I vaguely remember kissing her, but I don't remember much else. Oh man, what happened? I wish I remembered."

Megan looked up at Miles. "Calm down. He wouldn't do anything to Randy. They both just got a little drunk. It's not a crime to drink with your best friend." "Well only if your best friend happens to be the woman you have a crush on." But she didn't voice her thoughts. She knew it would only make Miles madder.

Miles raked his hands through his hair. "I'm going out." He walked down the steps and slammed the front door.

She ran after him. "Miles," she called out. She climbed into his car. "Miles, please calm down."

He looked over at her, but said nothing. He jerked the car into gear and pealed out of the driveway.

************************************************************** ****************

Middi and Trowa had heard Miles shouting all the way in the kitchen. She frowned. "Miles thinks that Donavon did something with Randy."

"So he does. But do you think Donavon would take advantage of her? I think not, not with the way that he feels about her," Trowa said mildly as he rubbed her shoulder.

"But knowing the feelings that Donavon has for Randy, it probably wasn't the best thing to do either. People do and say things when they drink too much," she said as she frowned. She looked up at him. "Trowa, don't you think that we should…"

"That we should tell Miles that Donavon has a crush on Randy? No. It not our place to say anything at all. It has been a wonder that Miles never realized that Donavon had a crush on Randy in the first place," Trowa said as he kissed her hair.

"I only hope you're right," Middi said, still not reassured by her husband's answer.

**************************************************************** **************

Miles drove fast and hard down to the beach. He needed to think. He glanced over at Megan, who was looking out, her hair whipping about her head. He felt like punching a hole through something.

Megan glanced over at him as he sped down the road. She sighed. She had never seen him this upset before. His jealousy was apparent.

He screeched to a halt in the parking lot near the beach and jumped out. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked out on the already hot sand. He stared out into the bay, out towards the Mediterranean Sea.

She followed, kicking off her sandals as she went, and carrying them in her hand. She walked up behind him. "Miles," she called softly.

He turned and looked at her briefly. "I need to be alone, Megan," he said shortly before turning around again.

"What you need is someone to talk to," Megan said as she came up beside him. "You know, your brother was being honest."

"My brother went out with my girlfriend," he gritted out. "How could my own brother do this to me? My own, saint like brother."

"Yes, but they're only best friends, aren't they? How come you never minded them together before, but you do now?" she asked as she laid a hand on his arm.

"Because her clothes were in his car. A stocking for one," Miles muttered in response.

"A stocking, which he said she took off herself," Megan reminded him gently. "You're jumping the gun here. He said they did nothing, so why can't you believe that?"

"Because if I knew if it was me, I might have taken advantage," he admitted dryly. "I don't believe that my brother would have that much willpower, even when drunk. I know I wouldn't."

"But isn't that what separates you from Donavon?"

"It always has. I was always the one chasing the girls, having the girls chase after me, dating the girls, and sleeping with the girls. He was never like that, he never chased after girls, he's hardly dated with the exception of Veronica Yuy, and I'm more then certain that he's a virgin." Miles paused for a moment before he continued, "He always had that something that I didn't have. I don't know what it is, but he has never shown any interest in any girls except the ones that we were raised with because they were safe, familiar to him. And he's always been particularly close to Randy since they were kids."

"Are you jealous of your brother?" Megan asked, as she stood in front of him.

He looked down at her. "I don't know. I respect my brother for who he is. But when it comes to girls…Then no, I'm not jealous. He could have any girl if he wanted, but he chooses not to. He has even said that I was blessed with all the luck with girls."

"But you're jealous of his relationship with Randy?"

"Yes, because he's always had the access that I had to work so hard for. He's never had to prove himself to Duo like I had to. In Duo's eyes, he's the one that could be trusted, I couldn't. I still have to have her home by a damn curfew and he's allowed to spend the entire evening with her without one. I don't get it! And as much as I love Randy, I just wish that she would make her dad see that I can be trusted! And that she's no longer a little girl who has to do what he says! No longer that little girl who has to be protected from me!"

"You sound resentful of your brother and the fact that Duo favored him over you. And you sound like you're also a little upset that Randy never stands up to her dad."

"She's an adult! She can make her own decisions and yet she still does what he says! And as for Duo, he should take a good look at his daughter and see that she's a woman! That she can do whatever the hell she wants, including having sex when she wants to!"

"Miles, you're shouting," Megan said mildly as she pressed her fingers to his lips. "I thought you said not to long ago it didn't matter if Randy didn't have sex with you? Did something change?"

Miles raked his hand through his hair. "No, nothing has changed. I'm just angry and frustrated." He removed her fingers from his lips.

She looked up at him; her hand still grasped in his. "Miles, you're venting what bothers you the most. And it does bother you that Randy hasn't had sex with you, even though you say it doesn't. But you chose to respect that about her." She wetted her lips. "But with me, I would gladly sleep with you, if you asked," she said as she leaned up on her toes and pressed a kiss on his lips.

For a moment, he was stunned. He never thought that Megan would kiss him. "I can't. I shouldn't." But his suppressed hormones kicked in. His hands slipped around her waist, drawing her closer as he deepened the kiss.

****************************************************************** ************

Leigh and Merin ran along the beach like they did every morning. "So are you going to see Jonathon today?" Merin asked as they kicked up some sand.

"Maybe," Leigh replied, her ponytail bouncing with each step.

"Honestly, Leigh, I wish you would make up your mind. If you don't I'll be all too happy to take him off your hands," Merin said teasingly.

She stopped, pushed up her sunglasses, and looked at her sister with frosty eyes. "You even think about it, I'll kick the living daylights out of you."

"Well you either want him or you don't. Don't you love him?"

"I love him and I hate him, does that answer your question?"

"Yes, that answers it," Merin said smugly as she started running again, but stopped. "Leigh, isn't that Miles?"

Leigh walked a few steps forwards, squinting a little. Her eyes widened. "It's him all right, but that isn't Randy he's kissing."

"I didn't think so. Isn't it that Megan that Jonathon and Miles brought home from school?" she asked, looking over at her sister.

Leigh nodded her head. "It's Megan all right. I knew there was something off about her. Now I know why? She wasn't gunning for Jonathon, she was gunning for Miles."

"There's going to be hell to pay if Randy finds out," Merin said, frowning.

"You know there's going to be hell to pay if Randy finds out," Leigh said as she turned around and started running back to her car.

"Are you going to tell Jonathon?" Merin asked when she caught up with her sister.

"No, I'm not going to tell him. It's not my place to tell as much as it pains me not to. You know that temper all the Maxwells have. He'll fly off the handle like they all do. And Randy should handle this herself without the help of her brothers. And I believe that she could do just a good a job of kicking Miles' ass from here to L5 and back again," Leigh said as she climbed into her sedan.

"I hope you're doing the right thing," Merin said as she climbed in next to her sister.

"I am doing the right thing. I'm giving Miles the brief chance to come clean and have a little longer life span if he came up against Jonathon, his brothers, and his dad," Leigh said as she started the car and drove home. "I hope this is the right thing."

Miles never realized that he had been seen as he continued to kiss Megan is the morning sunlight.