Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Healing ❯ Double the Fun? ( Chapter 1 )

I'm not fortunate enough to own any of Gundam Wing…

Alexis gazed into the mirror in front of her, dryly inventorying her features. Her platinum hair was pulled into a simple braid that stretched down her back. Her crystalline blue eyes glinted dully. She was tired of the anxiety and fear that had plagued her for the last four years. Dark circles under her eyes spoke of the hours she had lain awake at night replaying painful memories like a horror movie, dreading the nightmares that lay in wait for her. She had become a shadow of her former self, reserved, quiet, and cold. The light in her life had been extinguished, and it had left in her in a dark and lonely world.

She had taken great pains to hide herself in from the world, so she was surprised when the letter came. The address bore no mention of her surname, just Miss Alexis. She raised an eyebrow at the contents. A letter from the great, if not misunderstood, Lady Une.

Miss Alexis,

War is a time where desperate souls make desperate choices. Most, if not all of these choices are dreadful mistakes. Of late, it has been brought to my attention that there is a grievous situation that requires rectification. Of course, I will do whatever I can.

In the interest of putting to right the errors of the past, I ask you to join me in the Sanc Kingdom a week from now. I promise you that I will be less enigmatic at that time, but for now please take comfort in that fact that I would never lead you astray.

With Respect and Devotion,

Lady Une

It had been years since Alexis had heard from anyone. It had seemed that since the departure of… she couldn't think of it. It seemed that she had been forgotten. She had once been a socialite with a name as recognizable as Miss Dorothy Catalonia, or even Miss Relena Peacecraft herself. Now she was a ghost of a woman who rarely spoke, living alone.

Alexis surveyed the grand hall she now found herself in with a wary eye. Peacecraft Manor. Had she ever imagined a future in which she'd stood here? How could she have?

Voices drifting from down the hall took her from her thoughts. Two figures stood in the dark, ghosts haunting the hall with her. They gleamed white, giving off an ethereal light. Too distant to make out any features, she watched the people in mild interest. They seemed to be heading her way, and as they came closer, she heard laughter. It was sweet and low, an easy laugh the likes of which Alexis hadn't heard in a long time. It brought back happier times, times when her life was not torn apart by war. Closing her eyes, she smiled as the memories washed over her.

~ A golden ball room shimmered with the light of candles. The soft sound of stringed instruments floated through the air. Women in delicate dresses drifted past like angels. Men with gentle voices and old fashioned manners spoke with her. She had no fear of them, in fact, she was in her element. The light, the music, everything that she was accustomed to surrounded her.

She smiled sweetly to a boy, an angelic looking creature next to her. Pink blush tinged his cheeks slightly, rising all the way to his tow hair. His blue green eyes darted to the dance floor. She laughed gently and took his hand. Normally, boys were a game for her where she was awarded with gentle blushes and stammered compliments, but something about this one made her pause.

He'd always been a little cold towards her, towards everyone really. When she'd watched him from across the room, she could see something akin to shame in his eyes. He had touched her, this shameful angel, and she had extended her hand to him. He had been her silent companion through three balls now, finding her and standing near her as if she were an anchor. Never had they spoken or danced, but now, she'd change that.

She watched with gentle amusement as the bred in manners took him over. Gracefully, he led her around the floor with the music. His face was serene; he was smiling! Her heart quickened when his eyes settled upon her, she blushed. He'd laughed gently and easily. ~

She retrieved herself from her memories. How like the angel's laugh. Smiling she thought about that dance. Although she'd danced with him many times after that, the first time had been emblazoned upon her mind. The tingle in her skin where his hand rested on her back, his scent as the slowly pulled closer than was necessarily proper, all she kept in her heart. She'd even rested her head upon his shoulder! She sighed. Her angel had wings of his own now; he'd been dead for five years. The tears threatened to fall as she thought of the day his family had been destroyed. Quatre Rebaba Winner had been taken from her.

She wiped her eyes softly and looked back down the hall. The figures were gone, leaving her alone once more in the hall. The door loomed to her left, the door that separated her from whatever it was that the Lady Une wished to discuss with her. She stiffened in fear. Years had passed her in isolation, and the thought of people made her heart pound. She was a coward, and she knew it. Her hand rested upon the heavy mahogany doors as she pushed them, cautiously entering what appeared to be an office. A girl her age perched behind a desk her golden hair falling to her shoulders, her bright cornflower eyes gleaming at her in what seemed to be joy. Recognition flitted across Alexis's mind as the name to this girl surfaced. Relena Dorlain. Relena Peacecraft.

To her left was a tall woman. Her brown hair, which Alexis was accustomed to seeing braided, was down, ovular glasses perched upon the woman's delicate nose. The Lady Une. A brief welcoming smile graced her lips and Alexis bowed her head in quick reception.

A tall man was crossing the room in wide strides to her, and panic welled in her heart. This man had eyes of ice blue and hair the same platinum color of her own. His hands caught hers gently and his eyes held hers fixed. "Calm yourself, Alexis," he spoke quietly, "No one here but friends know your past, and it would be best that it's kept that way." Something flashed in his eyes, and she placed the rakish smile that had spread across his lips.

"Zechs?" She whispered furtively, "Is that really you?"

The man nodded solemnly, stepping back from her with a bow. "At your service."

She smiled weakly as relief flowed through her veins. Her hand caught his again and she took comfort from its solidity. He was real. She was not alone.

"Miss Alexis, if you please, I would like to present you to the Vice Foreign Minister, Relena Dorlain." Zech's voice rang out in official tones that brought memories lapping back to the surface of her mind. Ignoring them, she focused on the woman's face, this Relena. Of course she had heard much about this woman. How could you avoid it? She was once the Queen of the World, she was the Princess of Sanc kingdom, not to mention her strange connection to the mysterious Gundam pilots.

"Relena is my sister, Alexis, given to the Dorlain family at a young age to protect her from the brewing war. My given name is Milliardo Peacecraft, but I prefer Zechs. It is the person I have become.

"As peace has finally come to us, we feel it is safe to take the final step to reuniting our family. We wanted to find our sister, Melina Peacecraft."

"I was not aware that there was a third Peacecraft child." Alexis replied evenly, suddenly feeling as though she were on thin ice.

"Melina and Relena are actually twins. Mina was given into a family at birth to protect her, as was Relena. I was sent away to school." He grimaced slightly, as if not wanting to go on, but having to.

"Relena discovered her true past earlier than was anticipated when her adopted father was murdered. For Melina's safety, she was kept in the dark of her true heritage."

"Please," she begged softly, "please tell me that you aren't planning on saying what I think you are going to say."

Zechs only squeezed her hand gently, sorrow flowing from his eyes. "You are that sister, Alexis. You are Melina Peacecraft."

The world dropped from beneath her.

****

He watched on camera as the girl fell to the floor. Something quickened in him, an instinct to run and catch her, but he quelled it. He'd heard what was said, he knew she was a Peacecraft… another Relena. Not another Relena. Since the war had ended, he had spent much time in her company, but strictly as her bodyguard. He would never, ever let that relationship go any farther, no matter how much Relena seemed to want it to. And now there's another one.

But what did it matter? The war was long over, and his time of usefulness was past. The world wasn't built to hold Heero Yuy in peace time. So now, he found himself a babysitter to a politician who seemed to refuse to act any older than 15. Well, around me that is. When Relena was in the same room with a camera, or if there was any possibility that anyone would see her, she was a different person entirely. That person, Heero Yuy wouldn't mind knowing. Beautiful, charming, dedicated, and strong, the public Relena was a force to be reckoned with. But the real Relena, the Relena he'd met in the war, was shallow, dense, and obnoxious. It didn't matter how beautiful she was, she was a monster to him. And now there's two of them. Perfect.

He'd been watching this Melina Peacecraft since she'd entered the compound. While she moved with a regal grace, his analytical eyes caught tension beneath her movements. As if she was afraid. This puzzled him, for what did one have to fear in the home of the world's most famous pacifist? Certainly Relena could be a hose beast, but no one outside of their small circle knew that. To everyone else, she was the world and the colony's angel. He ran his fingers through his hair, once more wishing that Relena weren't a two headed Hydra, but genuinely the person she presented to the world.

****

She awoke on a couch, fear immediately jumping to her throat. Where am I? Memories played across her mind, and she wished for all the world that they were a nightmare. Melina… huh, fat chance. As far as she was concerned, she was still Alexis… She sighed, the truth weighing heavily on her soul. She soon found, however, that she was not alone in the room, and her sigh had gotten someone's attention.

The room was dark, dust having already relinquished its reign to the night. It was eerie in the room, the unfamiliar shadows seemed to dance and sway. Wait, not all shadows, but one. Oh god, I don't think I'm alone. She clenched her eyes shut, willing the other person to go away, but it didn't work. The shadow lingered.

She heard footsteps in the corner of the room and sent a silent prayer to heaven that the other person was Zechs. While she had expected to see the Lady Une here, Zechs had been a surprise to her; however, the silhouette was much shorter than Zechs. A stranger - oh God! Don't let it be Relena. She wasn't feeling very sisterly right now, and she was pretty sure that Relena would be the last person she ever felt such feelings for.

A soft hand rested upon her brow, then lightly, the back of that hand pushed her cheek. She heard a guttural click, one that she imagined was quiet, but seemed to reverberate in the room. "Onna, I know you are awake. It's weak to cower in the dark. I'm not here to harm you."

Anger flushed to her cheeks as she sat up swiftly in the darkness, How dare he? "My brother once said that those who point out the weakness of others are merely trying to deflect attention from their own weakness."

A leer was laced into the voice that had addressed her, "Your brother must have been a weak fool as well. Come, Miss Relena wishes to speak with you."

Inwardly, Alexis groaned. She did not want to spend any time with that girl. She'd planned to depart as quickly as was possible after Lady Une shared whatever news she bore. However, it seemed that with news such as that, she wasn't getting away anytime soon.

It seemed that the man leading her reached their destination far too soon. However, as they walked along the lit hallway she took her chance to study the man who'd been so rude to her. He was her height and slight, but his tank top rippled as he walked, belying hidden strength. His onyx hair was drawn back in a severe ponytail that looked painful. His skin was the color of almonds, glowing gold in the light. Following him prevented her from seeing his face, but she assumed that it was probably for the best. She didn't want to see the arrogance she'd heard in his voice reflected in his eyes. My brother was twice the man you'll ever be, how dare you call him a weak fool!

He held the door for her in a semblance of respect, maybe even chivalry, but Alexis knew it to be false. As soon as she entered the room, she stepped far away from her guide. She moved as far away as she could. Before she'd lifted her eyes to scan the room, a cheerful voice rang out to her, "Melina, how wonderful to see you on your feet again! Are you feeling better?"

She nodded slowly, trying to restrain the bitterness in her voice as she answered, "Yes, Miss Relena, I've recovered."

"Please, Melina, if we are to be sisters, Relena will suffice. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible." The girl positively glowed from her smile, but Alexis simply wanted to be sick.

Nodding once more, this time to convey her thanks, Alexis decided to be as curt as possible. Maybe Relena will tire of me and send me away. Far away from this place and this nightmare.

"Please Melina, I'd like to introduce you to my friends." She gestured broadly to her left, her fingers delicately pointed to a scruffy looking man. His chocolate brown hair fell into his eyes of cobalt blue. Something within her stirred, a reaction to the serious glare that she was receiving from this man. It was fear, certainly, but mixed with something else, something lighter. "This is Heero Yuy, my body guard. Next to him is Duo Maxwell," This man seemed the opposite of Heero. Instead of standing stoically like Heero had, the man wiggled slightly on his feet, his violet eye lit up with a mischievous light. His hair was a lighter shade than the other man's, a deep chestnut brown that stretched down his back in a long braid. Relena's voice droned on as Alexis took notice of the other people in the room, "Next to Duo is Trowa Barton" My eyes flicked quickly to this man, his name burning in my ears. I heard the man had died. But the figure who stood before her was not the arrogant colonist, but a younger man with auburn hair cascading over his left eye, his right eye a glowing emerald. He was very tall, as tall or taller than Zechs, and he had to body of a swimmer, or perhaps an acrobat. Something about his posture spoke of silence, as if he weren't really there "And next to him is Quatre Winner." At that, her heart stopped. Afraid to turn her eyes and find but another imposter, she had to force herself to survey the young man, and looked directly into the eyes of her angel.

"Not... dead?" Her voice sounded weak even to her own ears.

"… Alexis?" Shock rippled through those eyes she had known so well. She was numb, too many shocks in one day had stripped sensation from her. As the man's arms wrapped around her waist, she felt a hollow feeling slither through her, "Alexis! I'd heard that you were dead. I'm so glad it wasn't true."

The words registered slowly in her mind, and Alexis realized the danger she was in. "Quatre, there is so much we need to catch up on… could we talk later in another room?"

"Certainly, Alexis," Quatre replied evenly, sensing the coolness in her demeanor. "Anything you wish."

She searched his eyes carefully, looking for the boy she once knew in the man that stood before her. Gone were the traces of shame in his eyes, gone was the cold front. In their place stood a vibrancy that seemed to make the room thrum. He seemed more alive than she had ever seen him. She wondered at the change in her friend, but smiled gently at him, a gentle wave of sentimentality sweeping her away. She ignored the surprised looks that they were receiving, delighting instead in not being alone. She could never be alone when Quatre was with her.

"Melina?" Relena's voice was wracked with insecurity, probably due to the lack of attention, music to Alexis's ears. She liked the thought of Miss Queen of the World being slightly off balance.

Turning her eyes to meet Relena's full on, Alexis allowed herself the pleasure of one small, but very bitter smile, "Yes, Miss Relena?"

Her `sister" seemed taken aback by the new light in Alexis's eyes, and stuttered out the words, "I just wanted you to know that your guide's name is Chang Wufei. All five of them were Gundam Pilots during the war, heroes that did great things in the name of peace."

The words seethed in her brain. Gundam Pilots. "Ah, yes, Miss Relena… many people gave up much in the quest for such a noble ideal." She let her eyes glaze over as she digested the information, Quatre, a Gundam Pilot? But, his father was such a pacifist. As for the others, well this Chang fellow was everything that she'd imagined a Gundam Pilot to be. Brash, arrogant, and so god damned sure of himself, the rest of them didn't matter. Peacecraft or no, she wasn't going to stay here. Not surrounded by people like these.

"Please, Melina, tell us about your life. I'm so very excited to have a sister. Until Zechs mentioned you two weeks ago, I had no idea, and suddenly, I have a twin! I want to know all about you."

Warning bells went off in Alexis's head, and she knew that this was not the place to tell of herself, not with the Gundam pilots standing right there. "Forgive me my secrecy, Miss Relena, but I have buried the past, and I wish to leave it in the ground."

Confusion settled on her brow ungracefully, her mouth forming what seemed an out of character pout. "But Melina, how are we ever to get to know one another if we keep secrets? We are supposed to be sisters!"

"Vice Foreign Minister," I said, retreating into harsh formality to express how displeased I was with her line of questions, "please." A wicked thought scattered through her mind, and out of sheer vindictiveness she acted upon it. Positioning her eyebrows in a questioning manner, she tilted her head to the side and asked in a saccharin voice, "By the way, Miss Relena, what precisely are you Vice Foreign Minister of? I thought it was you yourself who dissolved all the countries of the world into one large nation. When we have but one nation, of what use is a Vice Foreign Minister?"

A derisive snort from the wild looking one, Heero Yuy, brought her attention as if it had been a gun shot, but she soon realized that it was not at her expense, but her sister's. She curtsied gracefully to the room, "My story is mine to tell, and I find that now is not the proper time. I have enjoyed my visit to the Sanc Kingdom, but I'm afraid that I must now say adieu. It has been very pleasant meeting you all." She couldn't suppress the quirky grin that jerked to her lips.

Her smirk faded quickly when Wufei's arm blocked her exit. Like a gloating victor, Relena's voice dripped with false honey, "Forgive me if I disagree, Melina, but I must. You are a Peacecraft, and that is a name that bears a degree of danger and responsibility. I must insist that you remain here. Duo has graciously accepted the position to be your bodyguard, and will be showing you to your room now."

It was agony to hear those words, to know that Alexis couldn't just walk out. She couldn't leave if Relena used Gundam Pilots to keep her here. She nodded once more, accepting defeat. It seemed that she was to remain here until Relena was satisfied.