Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ Quiet Conversations ( Chapter 48 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Mistaken Words

AN: Sorry about the delay, I again have two chapters for you I hope you'll enjoy them!

To my editors, morgansgirl and Pious Knight! Thank you both so much!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Quiet Conversations

Ash rose from his chair on the far side of Dante's office, and with a true politician's smile guided the diplomat out of the office. It seemed like from the moment they had returned to Freedom's Point there had been inundated by delegates from near every colony, under Quatre's care. Dante had wanted him present—in the background—for all of them, though it was a mystery to Ash why that was. Perhaps it was Dante's attempt to keep his mind off of Heero. Ash wanted nothing more than to be back on earth watching over his friend, but he easily understood why that wasn't possible right now. Ash turned away from the door after closing it, and walked over to Dante's desk dropping down into the plush chair the delegate had just left.

He noted his friend's eyes were studying him intently, “You're good a reading people,” Dante said out of the blue, “That's why I want you at all these meetings,” he explained then.

Ash's eyebrows raised, “You're not so bad yourself,” he said with a laugh, having not realised his thoughts had been playing out on his face.

“I just know you too well,” Dante chuckled himself, but it was true, Ash had always been good at reading people. Though Heero tended to be a particular challenge, after him however most other people were easy like an open book. They had been met with mostly pleasantries so far, a few had been wary of them, and one or two had entered the room with hostilities. Though Dante was a smooth speaker and could win over most everyone, these men, whether won over or not wouldn't dare speak out against them. Not when Freedom's Point had gained the acceptance and understanding of their President.

“Have you spoken to Heero recently?” Dante asked suddenly.

Ash shook his head, “He's been busy with the therapy, though I'm supposed to be speaking with him tonight.” He was looking forward to that, he liked to know how things were going with Heero, though he knew not to expect open information about what had been happening. It was a difficult process for Ash, he had to question, prod and hold his breath waiting for Heero to snap a little and pass on some information, then with that he could dig a little deeper. In the end however Heero only let him go so far, but it was enough. Ash had to guess at a few things but at least he managed to get the gist of what was happening.

Dante leaned back in his chair, relaxing his posture, “That's good to hear, how's he coming along?”

“Better now that Trowa's working with him, but he's still frustrated by it all, more so on days when Leon has to come in,” Ash wished he could be there to help his friend, but he didn't know the first thing about physical therapy, and would only be in the way.

“Hmmm…” Dante nodded his head, “Do you know what happens two weeks from now?” he asked with an inquisitive light in his eyes.

“August 19th?” Ash asked back, thinking about it but nothing was coming to mind for him.

“It's the Sank Kingdom's birthday,” Dante informed a smile widening on his face, “I thought it would be appropriate to attend the festivities, considering President Winner is planning on being there.”

Ash smiled at that, though his face sobered for a moment as a sigh escaped him, “It's hard being a diplomat,” he joked suddenly very excited, he would be able to see Heero sooner than possible. He wondered briefly if he would tell Heero tonight about his coming, or leave it for a surprise. But Ash quickly decided to see what Heero's mood was like tonight, if it was dark enough, perhaps news of Ash's coming could help in lifting it.

“I thought it was about time we returned to Earth,” Dante commented turning his chair slightly, his eyes turning up towards the ceiling.

“All that was missing before was the excuse?” Ash already knew the answer to that question, they didn't want to raise any eyebrows. “Does Une know yet?” he asked then, a sly smile on his face.

Dante's eyes returned to him, “Not yet, but I doubt I'd be able to keep it from her if I wanted too, what with the news media hounding whatever I do.”

“Speaking of which, won't they be expecting you out there soon?” Dante rarely allowed the media within his office, especially when he was trying to have a quiet conversation with one of these diplomats. They had made a base camp outside Dante's office waiting for anyone coming out who might have something to say. Dante had always allowed his guest to speak first before he'd enter the spotlight and offer his thoughts on relations between Freedom's Point and the other colonies.

“Probably…” Dante commented with little interest, but suddenly sat forward resting his arms on the desk. “You know they'd really like to meet you Ash,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Ash chuckled at that shaking his head, “I find that hard to believe…” it was all just a game, this bantering back and forth. Ash knew exactly why the press would want to meet him, it was because they couldn't that they wanted it all the more.

“There are so many rumours floating around, no one's really quite sure about you,” Dante mused propping his head on his fist, his eyes continuing to study Ash.

Ash leaned back in his chair kicking one leg out over the arm in a very relaxed manner, a crooked smile touching his lips, “I'm not quite sure about me either.”

“C'mon Ash, all you'd have to do is go out there and say `Hi my name is--”

“I'm not going to give my real name,” Ash cut in immediately, his tone slightly incredulous, though he was still having fun.

“Why not?” Dante asked raising his other arm off the table, “It's a perfectly fine name.”

Ash barked a laugh at that, “If it's so fine a name why did you start calling me Ash in the first place?”

Dante opened his mouth as if to respond right off but thought better of it considering for a brief moment, “I suppose you're right nothing but Ash really suits you now.”

Damn straight! Ash thought, “So what would I do then? I'm not about to give them my code name either, and I doubt they'll be happy with just pictures.”

“You know sign language, pretend to be mute,” Dante offered appearing to be completely serious.

“I've announced you to the world at least once, I doubt they'll believe I'm mute.”

“Oh I think it'd work,” Dante smiled widely, “You have a very forgettable face.”

“Gee thanks…” Ash replied sarcastically, knowing it was true, and had served him more than once.

Dante came to his feet then in one fluid movement, “Ready to go?”

“I never agreed I was going,” Ash countered quickly, “Besides I'm really not dressed for it,” Ash had long refused to get really dressed up unless there was absolutely no other choice. He felt too caged up in those suits and ties, he preferred a nice shirt and sports coat. Simple and nice not over done.

“You look fine to me,” Dante continued coming around the desk and reaching a hand down to his friend presumably to draw him to his feet by the arm.

“And wouldn't you know it…” Ash began slipping away from his friend and standing on his own, “I'm suddenly feeling very camera shy.”

His friend laughed outright at that, “This isn't like you Ash, showing weakness?”

“Ha, more like self-preservation,” he quipped back edging a little closer to the door.

“You know that's something Heero and I both agree you've been lacking for some time,” Dante continued to smile as he followed his friend.

“Speaking of which, I have somewhere I need to be,” he pulled open the door all but ready to bolt out if Dante made a grab for him.

“Well go,” Dante said his stance relaxing subtly as if he had been considering bringing his friend by force, “I won't stop you.”

“Wasn't that what you were trying to do?” Ash asked with a questioning eyebrow raised. Dante just smiled however and waved silently to his friend, Ash returned the gesture and walked from the office. His hazel eyes flickered over the main doors briefly, there was no way he was going to be leave through those doors. Instead Ash turned towards a little used back exit an exit he had been using as of late. He remembered a time when he could walk through the main doors without problems, that had been before they had come to the center of this media spotlight.

Ash walked out of the large elaborate building and strode the short distance over to where his car had been parked, the alley way was empty as always. The lights of the colony were just beginning to dim into evening, when Ash pulled out of the alley and out onto the road. There was a significant time difference between the colony and earth, mostly because they had to coordinate with something. Since their lighting and therefore time of the day was all computerised and not connected to the sun at all, it was up to each colony to decide. Most chose to go with standard Greenwich time, which meant Heero was a few hours ahead, down on earth.

Traffic wasn't bad around the colony, many people preferring to use the public transportation and their own to feet over cars. So it only took Ash about ten minutes to make it to his apartment complex. Turning into the driveway Ash slipped the vehicle into his parking spot, and got out. “Hey Ash!” a voice called to him almost immediately.

Looking up Ash saw Milo striding towards him, he smiled at his friend, “What brings you here?”

“Oh I was just passing through, was hoping we could get a drink or something, you've been awfully busy these past few weeks,” Milo pulled a hand through his dark messy curls, eyes glancing down the road to a pub he and Ash often frequented.

“Ahh, I'm going to have to take a rain check on that,” Ash apologised, “I already have plans for tonight.”

Milo sighed a little at that though his head nodded in understanding, “Is she pretty?” he asked suddenly a knowing smile on his face.

Ash gave a start at that, but laughed shaking his head, “It's nothing like that,” he continued to chuckle seeing that Milo hardly believed him. “I'll catch you later,” Ash said as he walked past his friend.

“Yeah, I'll be at the pub if she leaves early,” Milo called to his back.

Ash just shook his head choosing not to respond to that, it wouldn't matter if Milo wasn't going to believe him. Walking into his apartment building Ash strode purposefully across the lobby to the elevator quickly riding it up to his floor. His apartment was darn near directly across from the elevator, and with his keys already out, it only took Ash a matter of seconds to get in. Ash dropped his keys on a small table near the door and shrugged out of his coat as he walked deeper into his apartment. He paused only long enough to get himself a cold drink before walking over to where his computer was set up in an otherwise empty corner of his living room.

His hand lightly touched upon the closed laptop, sitting off to one side of the computer table. It was Heero's laptop, he had taken it from Heero's apartment shortly after his friend had gone missing. Ash hadn't been able to do anything with the computer, it was too highly encrypted, yet it had just been something he wanted to keep to remind himself of his friend. Now it was something he could bring back to Heero, if the Japanese man wanted it. Quatre had been kind enough to give him a new one, but there was nothing like working with something you've known and become comfortable with for some time.

WMWMWMW

Heero pushed himself up partly before he grabbed onto the bar hanging above his bed to haul himself up the rest of the way. The table had been pulled across his bed earlier and his laptop rested on top of it opened and waiting for him. He was tired and frustrated from the day he had had but at the same time he wanted to speak with Ash, as they had arranged a few days before. Heero's right hand reached for the keys of his laptop while his left hand sought out the button that would raise his bed up behind him. He drew his legs up too him crossing them so it was easier to remain in this sitting position.

It had been a hard day for him, Leon had returned to evaluate his condition and make adjustments to his work schedule. Heero knew in the end it would be for the best as he was already better off and more independent than he had been a month before. But knowledge of the future never made the present easier to deal with. He didn't like the woman, it was just that simple. He wasn't fond of letting anyone that close to him, least of all if he didn't even know them. To her credit Leon respected his space as much as she could, but her work required her to be hands on every time she showed up along with numerous questions he had no interest in answering.

Heero sighed inaudibly clearing his head of those thoughts, there was no point dwelling on it at the moment. Especially not when he had potentially more tricky matters to attend to, turning his attention to the laptop screen in front of him Heero set his hands over the keys and began typing. He logged into the secured messenger he and Ash used to communicate, his screen name was simply `yuy'.

rosie: took you long enough to get here (smiles)

The former pilot gave a slight start at Ash's online name, it struck him every time he saw it. Apparently Ash had picked up the name from an old song children used to sing, a song that also had his name in it. Heero supposed it worked, but it just seemed too odd.

yuy: you were early

rosie: bah! It doesn't matter, how was your day?

yuy: same as always

That wasn't exactly true and he knew Ash would know that, his work with Trowa had been interrupted for Leon, but tomorrow everything would be back on course. Heero was really looking forward to working in the pool again, it gave him a sense of freedom, and it was clear that it was doing the best work in the shortest time.

rosie: How'd things go with Leon today?

yuy: I don't want to talk about that.

The last thing Heero wanted to be doing was thinking about that woman.

rosie: then what do you want to talk about?

rosie: Nothing's really a `safe' topic with you is it?

Heero's fingers hovered over the keys debating what his next response should be.

yuy: problem is you don't see any topics as off limits.

rosie: honestly I know I'm not going to be able to shoot the breeze with you about just anything it doesn't work that way

rosie: frankly I'd be rather scared if it did…but hey if you want to give it a try I'm all for it…

yuy: No that's fine.

rosie: don't you find it easier to type what you're thinking than to say it?

Heero considered that for a moment, he wasn't sure if that was the case at all but he knew Ash wanted to know what he was really thinking. To externalise a lot of what he kept to himself, but Heero really wasn't sure that was something he could do. It was easier to make observations about others than it was to openly admit things about himself.

rosie: I'll take that as a no…

rosie: You don't want to talk?

rosie: That's fine, you know I can do enough talking for the both of us.

Heero leaned back against his bed watching the screen, and the messages that continued to pop up.

rosie: You watch, you won't have to type a thing.

rosie: I bet I can guess everything that's bothering you.

rosie: Leon came in today, that right there's enough to set you off.

rosie: Though I don't really think this attitude is all that different from your normal one.

rosie: So why is it that you hate people who are just trying to help you?

rosie: But I guess John and I would be exception to that, eh?

rosie: I'm getting sidetracked (smiles)

rosie: So you're pissed off but don't want to talk about it.

rosie: but that won't do, you internalise to much, it causes tension for your friends.

rosie: You need to let go sometimes, it's good for your health.

rosie: So what do you think of Leon?

Heero shifted on the bed, being drawn back to the computer, Ash just didn't know when to stop.

yuy; Didn't I tell you I didn't want to talk about it?

rosie: you're not talking, I am, for the both of us.

rosie: I'm trying to help you.

yuy: you call this helping?

rosie: Yes I do!

rosie: I can push you till you snap without fear of death.

Despite himself a tiny smirk touched on Heero's face at that.

yuy: I can just sign out.

rosie: yeah but then you'd be bored.

yuy: I'm sure I could find something to entertain myself…

rosie: I hope it wouldn't involve undermining my computer…

yuy: you may smell a little smoke.

rosie: Hey now let's not do that (laughs)

rosie: finally! This is what I was waiting for!

yuy?

rosie: I just wanted you to lighten up a little.

rosie: It makes things easier on the others.

yuy: I can't be like Duo…

rosie: HA! I wouldn't want you to be!

rosie: but I know this isn't you either…

rosie: It might be the only you I've seen, but those pictures on your wall tell a different story.

rosie: subtly different…

rosie: I don't know if it'll improve your mood, but Dante and I are coming in August.

rosie: Dante just told me today, that August 19 is the Sank Kingdom's birthday, so we'll be down a little before then, for all the festivities.

Heero felt surprised by his reaction to that news, he felt as though he could relax a little, and he hadn't truly realised just how tense he was until now. He felt that he should make some sort of response to that, but wasn't really sure what to say.

yuy: That's good to hear.

rosie: glad to see your so excited (laughs)

yuy: I don't know what you expected to hear.

rosie: (laughs) no, no, that was fine (smiles) I know you can't wait to see me again!

A knock on his door drew Heero's attention away from the computer and he watched as John walked into the room. The old doctor was carrying a clear cup which looked like it contained milk, Heero knew better though, it was more than likely a supplement.

“Are you talking to Ash?” John asked as he stepped a little closer, Heero silently nodded his eyes flickering back to the screen to see what Ash had just messaged him.

rosie: It must be getting late there should I let you get some sleep?

“You should get some sleep,” the old doctor said, a smile touching his lips as he looked back from the screen to Heero, “I'm heading home for the night, I just wanted to bring you this first.”

Heero took the offered cup, quickly drinking down a few mouthfuls of it. He didn't mind these drinks for the most part, he and the other pilots had used them often during the war. “Have a good night,” he said as he placed the cup beside his computer.

“You too Heero,” John smiled, “I know Trowa wants to bring you to the pool tomorrow, so try and get some sleep soon.”

The former pilot nodded his head, already looking forward to doing something productive tomorrow, he didn't watch John leave the room but returned his attention to the screen.

rosie: you still there?

yuy: Sorry, John just came in.

rosie: everything alright?

yuy: Yeah, he was just leaving for the night.

rosie: I should let you get some sleep then.

rosie: I know you're not going to tell me to leave, so I'm just going to say goodnight, and I'll be seeing you soon!

yuy: night.

Thanks for Reading!

One Step Closer to Independence:

Duo lay on his stomach in the center of his living room with his young son Erik, who was busy playing with his toy cars, but couldn't seem to do it happily without daddy there watching him. His little lips sputtered as he voiced the sounds he knew cars made as he drove the toys over the carpet, using the flow and pattern of the rug as his roads. Duo leaned his hand onto one fist a smile on his face as he watched what had been a quiet ride end in a three, four, five car pileup. Duo chuckled a little at that, knowing the only reason there weren't more cars piled up there was because they were out of reach.

“Oh!” Erik called laughing happily as he got to his hands and knees to get more cars, but these weren't added to the pile, instead Duo found them all lined up in a nice neat row in front of him. “You drive too daddy!” Erik giggled as he began lining up his once crashed cars in a similar way. “These ones first,” he said taking one of his own cars and pointing at a similar one in Duo's line.

The former pilot took hold of the car his son had indicated and began pushing it across the floor, mimicking the sounds Erik had been making earlier. It had been a surreal experience the first time he had lay on the floor to play with his son, he had felt awkward and unsure of himself. But Erik had just known what to do, and without thinking eased Duo right into these games. Driving his car up his son's arm over his shoulder and down his side Duo caused a fit of laughter that could be heard throughout the house. Above those happy sounds Duo's ears caught the sound of a baby's cry.

The new voice was that of his daughter Anaya, only a few days old she was beautiful, tiny, and exactly what Duo had been hoping for. The sound of Anaya's cries became louder as Hilde brought their daughter into the living room. Duo was already coming to his feet after ruffling Erik's hair who continued to play with his cars. They had been warned that Erik might experience some jealousy towards his baby sister, but so far Duo hadn't noticed anything. Both he and Hilde showered as much attention on him as they did before, he seemed indifferent, he liked his little sister, but playing was a little higher on his `things to do list'.

“Duo,” Hilde called as she walked into the living room carrying their red faced little girl who was crying her little heart out.

“Come here babe,” Duo said softly as he took Anaya from his wife, laying her on his arm snuggled close to his chest. Hilde passed a soother over to him, which he gently slipped into Anaya's open mouth. That didn't stop her tears immediately but slowly as the moments passed and Duo settled her blanket snugly around her Anaya began to calm, her little eyes closing.

Morganeth Taren'drel