Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: I don't own the G Boys, I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I do own the plot line and any other characters that appear here that are not in the Gundam Wing Universe; please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

 

Warnings: Angst, sap, fluff, violence, Mpreg.

 

Rating: NC 17

 

Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, HxOC

 

Summary: Sequel to Chimaera. Life in the Maxwell -Yuy household has undergone some big changes when Duo brings Keitaro home from the hospital. Hilde's wedding is approaching and the guys find there's more to this baby business than they thought. Struggling to raise a child, work at Preventer and keep the home happy is certainly a trial for both guys. Add an assassin's threats to prominent government officials' lives and both men find their lives are suddenly changed. Just how far will one go to protect the ones he loves?

 

Dedication: to all my lovely readers out there who enjoyed Chimaera and have since begged, threatened, pleaded, bribed and blackmailed me for a sequel. ^_^

 

 

 

 

"Family Ties"

 

January. 2007 ShenLong

 

 

Chapter 15

 

True to his word, when Quatre arrived back home the first thing he did when returning to work was have his secretary gather all the relevant files and information on Sandrock Construction and the supplies it was carrying to L2. He went through the inventories, matched them with the order slips and delivery slips, checked the departure and docking times of all the shuttles; he even went as far as to check the weight of each shuttle empty, loaded to leave and weight upon arrival.

 

Everything checked out. Quatre couldn't find anything at all amiss. Trowa had noticed his husband's distraction and questioned him. When Quatre had repeated Duo's concerns, Trowa had offered whatever assistance he could. He'd been the one to double check the facts and figures Quatre had dug up and verified that everything matched.

 

Quatre contacted Duo with the information, apologizing that he couldn't be of more assistance. Duo had accepted the information, knowing that Quatre would have been thorough in his investigation. He still couldn't shake that feeling that all wasn't right though.

 

They had been back on Earth for a week before Heero decided he'd waited long enough for Duo to tell him what was bothering him and would confront his partner. He found his husband in the nursery, Keitaro in his arms as he rocked the baby to sleep. Leaning against the door jamb, Heero silently observed the scene before him, his heart warming at the sight.

 

Duo was oblivious to Heero's presence, his attention completely absorbed in the baby he held in his arms. He was sitting in one of the rocking chairs, gently rocking back and forth, humming softly to the child. Keitaro blinked a couple of times, his little fist curled in the top of the blanket as he listened to his mother's quiet humming. His eyes became heavy with the rocking movement soothing him and he yawned. Closing his eyes, Keitaro snuggled his face into the blanket and gave a soft sigh. Moments later he was sound asleep. Duo continued to rock and hum for a little longer, making sure his son was sleeping deeply before getting up to place the infant in the cot.

 

He spotted Heero as he rose from the rocking chair. “Hey,” he said softly.

 

Heero pushed off the door jamb and walked silently across the carpet. He smiled at Duo then went to the cot and pulled the covers back. When Duo had placed Keitaro in the cot and checked the child was okay, Heero pulled the covers up, pressed a kiss to his son's forehead and finished tucking the child in. With one arm wrapped around his husband's waist, Heero watched their sleeping child for a moment then turned and placed a kiss to Duo's cheek.

 

They left the nursery together, hand in hand and went down to the lounge room. Duo checked that the baby monitor was switched on before sinking into the couch cushions and Heero's welcome embrace.

 

“Tired?” Heero asked as he wrapped his arms around Duo.

 

“A little.”

 

Heero pressed a kiss to the top of Duo's head. He rubbed his hand along Duo's arm as he tried to sort his thoughts out in his head, finding the best way to bring up the subject of what was troubling his husband. "Are you okay? You seem distracted by something." The words were out of Heero's mouth before he could think. Maybe that wasn't the best way to start this conversation off, but he'd opened his mouth now and there wasn't any going back.

 

"I'm fine, Heero," Duo replied with a frown.

 

"Duo? Please don't be mad at me, but something is bothering you. I can tell. You haven't been yourself since we went to Hilde's wedding and I'm worried. Is it something to do with Hilde? Do you have concerns for her safety? Is there something I should know about Mark?"

 

Duo gave a light chuckle. "No, Heero. Nothing's wrong with Hilde, or Mark either for that matter. They're a good couple and Mark would never do anything to hurt Hilde; Hilde hurting Mark... well, that's a completely different kettle of fish."

 

"Baka." Heero gave his lover a light swat to the arm.

 

Duo snickered.

 

"Something's bothering you though. Tell me?"

 

With a sigh, Duo shifted to a more comfortable position. "I'm not sure what it is, Heero. It may be nothing, but then again, it could be something."

 

"Duo? You're not making any sense here."

 

"Sorry."

 

"Try starting at the beginning."

 

"Okay." Duo thought for a moment and then began. "As you already know, after the war finished the ESUN was formed along with the Preventer organization to maintain the ongoing peace.”

 

“Hai, and that's what they're doing.”

 

“Yes, they are. But the ESUN also promised aid to the colonies, aid in the form of materials for rebuilding, medicines to combat illness, money and trade to assist the colonies in getting their economies going again.”

 

Heero frowned. He was well aware of the assistance that had been promised to the recovering colonies and as far as he knew, that assistance was being given. He'd seen the difference with his own eyes whilst traveling around, had even helped out here and there when he'd been drifting, looking for his purpose in life after the war. Eventually, he'd gone to find Duo, knowing his life lay with the former Deathscythe pilot; to see if Duo would forgive him for his sudden departure. Duo had and the past few years had been the happiest of his short life so far.

 

“I don't know about you, Heero, but there didn't seem to be an awful lot of change on L2 given that they're supposed to be getting all this aid.”

 

“I'm not sure I quite follow you, Duo. From what I saw whilst we were on the colony, there was a fair bit of rebuilding going on. There didn't seem to be so many sick people either. Compared to what the colony was like when we were there with Hilde and working for her and what it's like now, there is a difference.”

 

Duo sighed. “I'm not disputing the fact that there is some rebuilding going on, what I'm saying is, given the length of time this assistance has been going on for, there should be a lot more of a difference than there is. There should be more buildings repaired or built. Take a look at L4 for example. Most of that colony is almost completely rebuilt. L3 is about three quarters repaired and they've even started construction on replacing the L5 cluster. Then take a look back to L2. It would be lucky to be even a third of the way along.”

 

Heero remained silent, chewing on his lip as he thought about Duo's words.

 

“If the rebuilding on L2 is supposed to be in alignment with the other colonies, then why are there still so many street kids? Homeless people? Why hasn't the economy picked up to fall in line with the other colonies? I know L2 is one of the poorer colonies, but the economy doesn't seem to have picked up at all.” Duo shifted so he could see his husband's face and possibly read what was going through his partner's head.

 

“I don't know, Duo. Maybe there's a lack of skilled workers?” It was a weak excuse, but the only one that Heero could come up with right now.

 

“When I went to the shuttle port with Hilde to pick up the flowers, I noticed a shuttle there being unloaded. Its logo looked familiar to me and I mentioned it to Quatre. Its one of his: Sandrock Constructions. It was bringing in building materials. I asked Quatre to check on it for me and he did.”

 

“What was the result?”

 

“Everything checked out. All the materials on the invoice were loaded onto the shuttle and all were accounted for upon arrival on L2. He's checked all the other shuttles that are carrying supplies to the colony too, and they all check out as well.”

 

“Then surely everything is okay?” Heero questioned. If it all checked out then Heero couldn't see what the problem was.

 

“Yeah. It would appear so.”

 

“But?” Heero pushed.

 

Duo sighed again. “It still doesn't add up to me. I can't help it, Heero. I've got this niggling feeling that something isn't quite right and despite the facts and figures, I can't shake it.”

 

“Well, I've never known your instincts to be wrong before.”

 

“Me either. Heero? There's something here, something I can't put my finger on and it's driving me nuts.”

 

Heero chuckled softly and pressed a kiss to his lover's lips. “Like a dog with a bone,” he teased.

 

Duo huffed.

 

“Look, we go back to work next week, how about we see if we can't do a little investigating on the side using the Preventer network and resources?”

 

“You think Une would allow that?” Duo's eyes were wide.

 

“Probably not, but then again, we were pretty good hackers during the war.” Heero raised an eyebrow. “I'm pretty sure we would be able to utilize the resources without anyone knowing what we're up to.”

 

“If we're caught it could cost us our jobs.”

 

“Better not get caught then,” Heero replied.

 

It was Duo's turn to chuckle. “You'd do all this, help me out, risk your job, on a hunch I have?”

 

“Why not?”

 

“But if I'm wrong and we get caught?”

 

“What if you're right and we find something?” Heero countered.

 

“Well, yes, there is that.”

 

“Stop worrying about it. There's nothing more you can do until we go back to work next week.” Heero began to feather kisses over Duo's jaw.

 

“I suppose so.” Duo offered more of his skin for Heero to worship.

 

“Want to come to bed and let me help you forget about this for a while?” Heero purred.

 

“Now that's the best offer I've had all day.”

 

“It had better be the only offer,” Heero growled. “Mine.”

 

“All yours, Heero. All yours.”

 

* * *

 

The week seemed to fly by for Duo and Heero. They spent every spare moment they had with Keitaro, playing with the infant, watching him grow, delighting in the wide eyed awe the baby displayed when encountering new things. He was a constant source of joy to both parents. Heero often spent his time simply watching, enjoying the child and still coming to terms with the miracle of his son. Duo was similarly enthralled and still found it hard to believe that this little human had actually come from him. Well, Heero as well.

 

Over the passage of time, Duo's body had returned to its former, pre-pregnant state. It hadn't been easy and Duo had gotten frustrated on more than one occasion with himself when his body didn't seem to be recovering fast enough. Sally and Nurse Brown had been quick to assure him he was progressing normally, actually he was returning to shape a hell of a lot quicker than most women did!

 

Doing the exercises Sally had given him saw the excess skin of his stomach disappear and once again he had his six pack. Duo took great delight in trimming his toenails, something that amused Heero to no end, but Duo had retorted that he hadn't seen his feet in so long he'd forgotten what they looked like and intended to get reacquainted with them and Heero could simply fuck off.

 

The ultrasounds gave Sally the information she needed on Duo's insides, combined with a series of tests on his major organs, Sally was both pleased and relieved to find they were all okay and adjusting back to their former positions and places within Duo's abdomen. There was no damage to any of them that she could determine and that in itself was a blessing.

 

Keeping tabs on Duo's cycle though was proving to be difficult. He'd bled for two weeks after the birth, not much, but enough to be irritating to Duo. He felt embarrassed and a touch ashamed that he'd needed to use female products to keep himself protected. Heero didn't seem bothered by it and knowing it was a sensitive issue with his husband, he'd kept quiet. He'd offered his support and constantly reassured Duo that he was still desirable, still adorable and very much loved.

 

Sally had explained and shown Duo the different products he could use to keep himself clean and protected whilst bleeding. Duo had drawn the line at using tampons. He flat out refused. It was bad enough he had to suffer the humiliation of enduring a period, without having a fluffy white butt plug as well as he'd called it.

 

It had taken every ounce of Heero's self control not to lose it there and then. He had no illusions as to what his fate would be if he were to make even the tiniest of snickers.

 

Sally had given Duo a full medical and pronounced him fit to return to work. Heero was due back anyway, his leave having run out already and he'd cashed in a couple of weeks holiday owing to be able to remain at home with Duo and Keitaro until Duo was fit to return to work.

 

Duo was itching to get back, but reluctant at the same time. He wasn't looking forward to leaving his son at home without him. Nurse Brown reassured him that this was quite natural for all new parents. He was bound to feel apprehensive, uncertain, but he really had nothing to worry about. Keitaro would be taken care of.

 

The morning finally arrived when the pair had no choice but to don their Preventer uniforms and face the fact that today was the day. Breakfast was rather quiet, Nurse Brown feeding Keitaro who sat in his high chair looking around him, taking in all the sights and sounds. His chubby fingers waved in the air as his mouth opened to take in the small spoon with his cereal on it.

 

"Time to go, Duo," Heero said as he rose from his chair and went to the 'fridge to remove their lunches.

 

"Be right with you, Heero," Duo replied as he took his dishes to the sink to rinse through.

 

Nurse Brown picked up the box of wet wipes she had close by on the table and began to clean the baby up a little.

 

"I've left my cell number and Heero's cell number on the pad by the 'phone. I've also written down the number to our office. If there's any problem at all, just call us. Sally's number is there, Wufei's and I've put down the emergency number too,” Duo began as he looked at the nurse.

 

"Duo, you didn't have to do that," the nurse replied with a smile of amusement.

 

"I feel safer knowing you have all the contacts you might need."

 

"Thank you." The nurse couldn't help it, she shook her head.

 

"Just call if you have any concerns at all."

 

"I'll be sure to do that, Duo."

 

"Duo? If we don't get moving we will be late," Heero called from the door way. He couldn't help his own amusement at the scene before him.

 

"Just coming, Heero." Duo bent to kiss his son's forehead. "You be a good boy now, Keitaro. Daddy and I will be home before you know it.”

 

Keitaro gurgled and grabbed Duo's braid in a chubby fist.

 

"I know, I don't want to go either," Duo mused as he tried to disentangle his hair from Keitaro's fingers. Finally he managed to free himself. "See you soon, sunshine."

 

Duo went to join his partner. "You will remember to call..."

 

"Of course."

 

"He has his nap right after his bath at..."

 

"Duo!" Heero grunted. "Nurse Brown is more than capable of looking after Keitaro whilst we're at work."

 

Duo held his hands up in mock defense. "Okay, okay. I give. Sorry but I can't help my worry."

 

"I know," Heero soothed. "I'm worried too. I don't like leaving Keitaro behind to go to work any more than you do, but we have to, Duo. Keitaro will be perfectly okay, Nurse Brown knows exactly what she's doing and has been around infants a lot more than either you or I have."

 

"Duo, you don't have to worry, even though I know you will. I'll take good care of him, now, you two get going to work, do your jobs and leave me to do mine." The nurse gave Duo a warm smile and patted him on the arm.

 

Giving the nurse a sheepish grin, Duo followed his husband out to the pick up and off to work.

 

* * *

 

When both men returned to the Preventer headquarters they were greeted warmly by those people they knew and passed on their way to their floor and office. No one other than their immediate circle of friends and a couple of other trusted souls knew of the real reason for Duo's absence.

 

Une had covered up well, having had bogus files inserted into the system to cover anything that may arise. All that anyone knew was that Duo had gone on an assignment, one that had required him to go deep undercover for quite some time - hence his disappearance. No one questioned the fact, agents were often going undercover and the rumor mill had it that Duo's assignment had been a very dangerous one, one where he had been forced to cut all ties with everyone he knew and simply 'disappear'. Once the assignment had been completed and Duo resurfaced, the rumor mill began again, stating he'd been pretty badly injured and had been recovering for some time. Heero had been given time off to nurse his partner back to health and now Duo had been given the all clear to return to work.

 

Une didn't bother to squash the rumors, she let them continue. It was safer that way. Wufei had even let a couple of 'hints' drop that served to continue the rumors and keep them away from the real reason for Duo's absence.

 

Now Duo was back and despite having to leave his son at home, he was happy to return to work. Knowing it would be virtually impossible to keep Keitaro a secret regardless of how hard one tried, Une had come up with another cover story to explain the child's presence. Keitaro was simply part of the result of Duo's undercover operation. Once the assignment had been completed and the dust settled, the child had been adopted by Duo. There was no reason to go into things any further, every agent knew assignments were classified and didn't dare question another agent. Une had let it be known that the child had been caught up in the assignment, an innocent, and as a result had been adopted by Duo and Heero.

 

All the female agents thought this was an extremely noble and selfless act on behalf of the pair and offered warm wishes to the guys. A lot of the male agents also looked in admiration to the two. It made Duo feel a little guilty, although he knew there was no way he could reveal the truth behind Keitaro's true parentage without risking both their lives and when he seriously thought about the fabrication, it wasn't a complete lie, just a bending of the truth - a lot.

 

Duo was surprised to find his desk pretty much the same as he'd left it all those months ago. The files he'd been working on had obviously been removed, but everything else was the same. He gave his lover a small smile, knowing Heero must have been the one to keep things as they were. Hanging his jacket up and booting up his computer, Duo sat down behind his desk and prepared for the day ahead.

 

He felt like he'd never been away.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...