Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Bond of Friendship ❯ Chapter 4

'...' denotes thoughts

~~...~~ flashbacks

The Bond of Friendship
By Mika-chan

Part Four

It was on the news the very next morning and continued on throughout the day.

Joe Hardford was arrested at the scene and after receiving medical attention was charged with kidnapping and attempted murder. It was discovered that only a year ago he work for one of the many Winner's Computer Industries, but was fired last September when he was found embezzling the company's profits. Not long after, his wife divorced him when she discovered this information and she and her son left the country. He hadn't seen them since.

Lou Flemmings was also arrested at the scene and was charged with kidnapping and assist in attempted murder though the latter charge is still being investigated for its validity. Previous crimes included two assists in robbery and a break-in.

Both are to be tried this coming April.

On the night of Wednesday March 12, Quatre Winner was rushed to Saint Peter's hospital. He was diagnosed as having a rare poison that when administered spreads quickly through the body, affecting both respiratory and circulatory systems. People who consume this poison and whom do not receive proper treatment within the vicinity of about twelve hours will suffer very painfully until they expire. However, Dr. Sally Po identified the poison immediately and was able to administer the antidote within the specified time and to the Winner's relief as well as many close friends, nine-year-old Quatre Winner is expected to make a full recovery without incident.

The Winner family would like to thank Dr. Po as well as the police force of Colony L4 for their help in saving their only son. However, much of the thanks go to four little boys who stopped at nothing to save their friend. Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, and Chang Wufei, all age ten, had with their own hands, apprehended the alleged criminals and were probably the main reason why young Quatre's life was saved. When interviewed all four boys modestly stated that they were only doing what Quatre would have done for them if the situation were changed.

All four are currently grounded, however, and much to young Heero Yuy's dismay, the police have confiscated his supply of weaponry and other explosives. Like every other parent in the galaxy, the parents of these four courageous boys didn't take pride in the fact that their children endangered their lives, even if it was to save their friend. They are, in reality, only ten years in age and galloping around with highly dangerous explosives was definitely not their cup of tea. After much scolding, the boy's parents made them promise to come to them first for help before they went off and blew up something. The discussion on whether the police will be returning young Yuy's arms and explosives is still in debate.

In other news . . . *click*

Lieutenant Noin shut off her television and leaned into her sofa, smiling softly to herself.

'Kids these days . . .'

* * * * *

"Duo . . . where are you taking me?" Quatre laughed, trying to peer through his friend's fingers.

"It's a surprise!" Duo whispered excitedly in his friend's ear.

Quatre laughed even more. "I think I'm a bit of afraid of your surprises, Duo."

"How can you SAY that, Quatre?! What do you think I would DO to you o-buddy-o-pal of mine??"

The mock innocence in the voice only worried the young Winner even more, but he allowed himself to be led to . . . well, to wherever he was going.

"Okay~ . . . stop!"

Quatre obediently obeyed and waited patiently until Duo removed his hands.

"SURPRISE!!!!"

Quatre's blue eyes widened to its fullest, gasping in surprise. Before his eyes lay the circus, which was decorated with more balloons than he'd ever seen in his entire life. Streamers ran through the air in many colors and a large cake with ten lit candles was positioned right beneath a banner that read "Happy Birthday Quatre!"

His entire family was there, including his father, as well as Trowa, Wufei, and Heero and their families. All were smiling, even Trowa and Heero.

He watched as Duo bounced in front of him and settled himself beside Heero, slinging one arm around the stoic boy's neck. "So, whatcha think, Quatre?"

Quatre didn't even know where to begin. "It's, it's . . . wonderful," he said finally. "Thank you . . . It's just all so wonderful!" He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so happy.

"Quatre, come now. You don't want your cake to melt," Mr. Winner said, walking to his son. He knelt down in front of the one person that reminded him so much of the one he longed to see, but was even happier to know that this person standing in front of him filled him with the love he thought had gone away when she did. "Quatre, I'm sorry I haven't spent that much time with you," Mr. Winner began, placing both of his hands on his son's shoulders. "I promise from now on that I won't take you for granted. I love you. Don't you ever forget that."

Quatre nodded and hugged him closely. "I love you too, Papa."

"Yo Quatre! Your cake's melting!"

Quatre pulled away as Mr. Winner stood up and then nudged his son forward. "Go on."

Quatre nodded and happily ran over to his friends and stood right in front of them. He looked at each and every one of them. "Trowa, Wufei, Duo, Heero, thank you for saving me. You're the bestest friends I could ever have."

"Aww," Duo said, grabbing Quatre's head and giving him a noogie. "You know you'd do the same for us, right guys?"

Three heads nodded in response.

Quatre smiled. He indeed had the best of friends.

"Quatre," Trowa said, motioning to the cake.

Quatre snapped out of his thoughts and took a few steps until he was in front of the cake.

"Don't forget to make a wish!" he heard Duo say. He nodded and faced the cake, taking one last glance at all his friends before he blew.

Wufei stood proudly, arms over his chest, eyes soft and smiling and was trying to ignore what was going on beside him. Duo was currently trying to get Heero to put on one of those pointy cardboard birthday hats, which Heero made a point of throwing on the ground and stepping all over until it was flattened. Quatre almost laughed as he inhaled, preparing to blow. Just before he did, he took a quick glance into green eyes.

I wish . . .

* * * * *