"Conversations"

Written By: Artemis

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties. I make no money with this fic.

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: yaoi lemon

Pairings: 6x2, implied 3x4

Summary: A televid call connects Treize and Relena in the Sank Kingdom, to the GAIA pilots aboard the Peacemillion in orbit, for some personal conversations.

"Conversations "

1)
Relena Peacecraft tapped her foot, waiting with less than perfect patience to speak to her mentor, who was inspecting the parts of a gold-chased pistol which he was cleaning. She'd borne his instructions for a week now, and had yet to find the "grace" which he'd told her she must achieve before she could speak as a leader of a nation. Blurting out now, of course, would be a setback. Somehow she knew she had to bear his way of doing things... in order to be taken seriously.

"My dear princess," Treize Khushrenada said at last, still studying one of the smaller parts. "You've finished reading the history texts I gave you?"

"Yes, Mister Treize," Relena replied as smoothly as she could, giving the older man a mostly proper curtsey. Then she sent a sharp look his way. [I hate the way he plays with *things* when you try to talk to him!]

"Something you wanted, Princess?" Treize asked after a moment. He put down the piece and picked up another.

As primly as she could, Relena folded her hands before her and bowed a little. "Sir, I would like to speak with my brother, please."

[She still has to learn to wait,] Treize thought. Of course he knew of her impatience and what she had waited to say to him. "I suppose it's time. Of course, it depends on whether Milliardo wishes to speak to you. The Prince is a busy man," he reminded her, laying down the second piece.

"Perhaps if you could please convey my wishes to him, Mister Treize. I would be ever so very grateful," Relena explained with a little smile, adding a touch of sweetness.

[Very good,] Treize noted. [Use your assets, your youth...] "Well, I have a personal matter with which I must speak to Milliardo anyway, one I've been putting off," he responded, sighing. "I will ask him then. If he agrees, I will call for you."

"Thank you so much," Relena murmured, bowing again. "I await your call." Adding a second curtsey, she swept out of the room.

When the girl was gone, Treize folded his arms over his chest, chuckling. "Well," he said to the empty room, "it seems the girl is absorbing her lessons after all. This does look promising!" He moved the pistol pieces to a drawer of his desk in his office in the Sank palace, and pulled the computer keyboard forward to make his call.

The respondent, a communications officer of GAIA aboard the spaceship Peacemillion, blanched upon seeing whom the caller was. Sally Po, former Alliance major, former rebel, and now chief spokesperson for GAIA and co-commander of Peacemillion, quickly replaced the officer before the console. "Well, Treize, this is a nice surprise," Sally responded, grinning at the commander of the GAIA Northern base in the Sank Kingdom. "And how is your feisty little charge doing?"

Treize chuckled and nodded. "Relena is doing just fine. Actually coming along well, to be honest. And how are things there? Any skirmishes with OZ yet?"

Sally shook her head. "Not a one, but then we've only been here a day or so. Howard's got us in an orbit quite a distance yet from the LaGrange points where the colonies are. It's not likely OZ will be wandering this way."

"Ah, that's good," Treize murmured. "You'll be ready for them, I have no doubt."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Sally grinned. "Now, you called us, so is this a personal or a business call?"

Treize steepled his fingers before him. "Personal, for the most part. Is Zechs available?"

Sally winked at him, almost letting loose a laugh. "Fortunately, yes. Meaning, I talked to him about five minutes ago, so he's not likely to have had time to get, er, involved in, ah, any other way."

The former commander-in-chief of OZ widened his eyes at her. "Involved, Dr. Po?"

"It's 'Sally'. Well, now, Treize, Zechs is off-duty at the moment. So he's likely with his lover, and..."

"I catch your drift, Dr. Sally," Treize interrupted, flushing. "Please, transfer my call to him?"

Sally chuckled. "Will do! Take care, Treize."

"And you as well, Doctor," Treize murmured.

Zechs was indulging in a rare moment to himself and a good book when the computer in the quarters he shared with Duo beeped. Sighing, he slipped a bookmark in his place and went to respond.

To his surprise, the caller was his old friend. "Treize... hello!" Zechs gave him a smile and leaned back comfortably in his chair. "How are things in my homeland?"

Treize was already studying his friend, cataloging the changes over the past month and a half or so. Zechs was more relaxed than he'd ever seen him. The man wore a soft-looking red v-neck sweater with the sleeves pushed up, no shirt underneath. He smiled easily. Almost too easily. [All right, well, if he's getting some on a regular basis now... really!]

"Milliardo," Treize greeted him, nodding with a controlled little smile. "Things are just fine. There's been a great deal of progress in the rebuilding here, and as things around the Earth are calming down, everyone is relaxing, too. The problems of outer space seem very far away. However, I assure you that I am remaining alert here to keep an eye out for any troubles."

Zechs couldn't help but smirk. [Treize is still way too stiff and formal. I think he's always going to have that affliction...] "Treize, I wasn't looking for a report!" he replied. "But I'm glad to hear things are well there. I assume that includes my sister."

"Indeed, Relena is coming along well. But you're right, I didn't call to give a report," Treize responded. "I thought we might... chat."

The blond GAIA pilot straightened. [Oh, let me guess...] "That's fine. Any particular subject you want to chat about?"

Treize was looking to see if a certain Gundam pilot was lurking in the background. Zechs didn't seem to be aware of any company he may have in the room though. "Are you alone?"

[I knew it...] Zechs chuckled. "You mean, is Duo with me?"

"How did you..."

"That meeting over the televideo," Zechs explained a bit smugly. "I'm well aware that Duo gave himself away. Your guess is correct; Duo Maxwell is indeed my lover."

[I was right!] Treize, having his guess confirmed, was stunned all over again. "Milliardo, I have to confess to you that I'm... surprised. I do know there is something highly... attractive... about those young pilots, but..." He paused, not sure how to word it.

Sighing, Zechs decided to help him out. [I suppose I knew we would have this conversation...] "But they're too young? From the colonies? Too uncultured? We're in the middle of a war? Pick one; I daresay you could make a good case from any one of those," Zechs broke in drolly.

Treize looked flustered for a moment, then cleared his throat. "Perhaps we could take those one at a time. Um... could I ask how you met first? If you don't mind sharing it with me..."

Zechs sighed. "Treize... we've been friends for a long time. You have known of most of my past... affairs. I wouldn't keep this one from you, especially because I strongly believe this is the *right* one."

"But Milliardo..." Treize had been stunned to learn of the identity of Zechs's lover, but now that they were actually discussing this, he was appalled. "He's so young!"

His outburst was countered with a snort. "Young? Duo Maxwell?" Zechs chuckled. "Oh, he hasn't been young for many years, I'm afraid. He's been on his own since he was eight, and the L2 rebels picked him up for their organization when he was twelve. And of course you do remember what I was doing at his current age?"

Treize sighed in defeat. "You have... a very good point, Milliardo, and I remember that you were a, um, early bloomer in the matters of sex yourself. Very well. Did you capture him? Is that how you met?"

"Not at all," Zechs replied smoothly. "We met in a situation entirely separate from the war... and our relationship remained apart from the war as well for a blessed three days."

The other's eyes widened. "He didn't know who you were! Of course, how would he? And you..."

Zechs shook his head. "I didn't know either. We met in a GlobalNet chat room, of all places... then we met in person in Cairo. We had only each other's first names... and neither of us mentioned precisely what we did for a living." He shook his head again, exasperated by the memory. "If I'd thought about that, it should have tipped me off when he never asked me what I did. He didn't want to tell *me*!"

"So," Treize prompted him, intrigued by the tale, "what happened? At some point the truth came out."

"Oh, indeed it did." Zechs glanced down at his hands, remembering the painful memory. "Quatre found out who I was, intercepted Duo when he was away from me, then they confronted me. That's when... Duo nearly killed me. I was drugged and taken to a house of Quatre's outside the city. Fortunately, his personal army, the Maguanacs, found evidence that I was clearly separating from OZ already by the time Duo met me."

"Wing Gundam," Treize murmured.

"Yes, indeed. They'd discovered that I'd been repairing Heero's Gundam against orders... Anyway, I was released from captivity and... well, to make a long story short, it was quite some time before Duo trusted me again... and I him. We've been through so much together..." Zechs took a deep breath. "You have no idea everything he's done for me."

"Then it doesn't matter to you that he's a colonist..."

"Why should that matter?" Zechs countered immediately.

"Or that he's uncultured..."

"Culture is overrated. This one has no use for the trappings of culture with which we grew up, Treize." Zechs sighed. "The heart is what matters... and Duo has a generous, loving heart that has brought this old soldier much joy."

[Clearly a great deal has been going on,] Treize mused, feeling a twinge of empathy for his oldest friend. "Milliardo... I can see how you've changed. If Duo is responsible for this..."

"That, and what we've been through," Zechs finished for him. "He is seared onto my soul now. And recently a misunderstanding between us taught me how very much I mean to him as well. He's... he's my catalyst, Treize. He energizes me, gives me focus, purpose, and the clear sight to see the end of this war. I know why I will fight - to forge a peace that we can live in together."

Treize averted his eyes, impressed and awed by his friend's fervor, the love in his voice. [It is true. Astonishing. Milliardo has found his purpose, his light in life. And what do I have?]

He thought for a moment about his feelings toward Lady Une. [I may have lost her already,] he thought wryly. [Or maybe I have been deluding myself, believing she was sincerely devoted to me. Was I a stepping stone to greater glory as the leader of OZ in outer space? Or did she believe me to be some sort of demigod to be worshipped, never loved?]

"Treize," Zechs broke into his thoughts gently. "I'm sorry to be blathering on about my own love life. I know... you must be missing her a great deal." [As well as Wufei... if indeed you've acknowledged to yourself that he may more than intrigue you...]

"Oh." Treize straightened, nodding. "Have there been any other reports from Trowa? It would be good to hear... how Lady Une is."

Zechs sighed. "Just the one I told you about a couple days ago. He reports she is well... though I believe his word was 'divided'."

"This has been too much for her," Treize replied worriedly. "Milliardo, I don't know what to think."

"I'm sorry, Treize. It's extremely difficult for him to get any messages out. But that young man is extremely capable. I'm sure he's looking out for her well-being."

"Yes. Milliardo, ah... where is your little lover now?" Again Treize looked past the image of his friend in the monitor.

"Duo is exploring the ship with Heero and Quatre," Zechs answered, smiling. "I would be with them, but I just felt the need for a bit of quiet for a change. They do have a lot of energy! But I'm glad you called. Did you want to speak to him?"

"Um, another time, I think." Treize studied his friend's face; the relaxed statement was back. "Milliardo..."

[I don't even mind that name now,] Zechs mused, satisfied. "Yes, Treize?"

"Relena..." Treize paused, knowing how sensitive Milliardo was about his sister.

"What about her?" Zechs asked, narrowing his eyes.

"She wishes... to speak with you. She's outside this room waiting in case you assent."

Zechs stared at Treize, then gave him a quick, professional nod. "I suppose it's time. I really don't know her at all, you know. She's a stranger to me, and I to her." He narrowed his eyes even more. "Does she know about Duo? He's known to her, I believe."

Treize shook his head. "No, I've only told her that you're in a relationship... and that your lover is male."

"Oh." White eyebrows lifted at that. "How did she take *that*?"

"Reasonably well, I think," Treize answered with a small smile. "She was considerably more disturbed by the fact that her brother was a soldier."

A black look stole swiftly through Zechs's countenance, then was controlled and disappeared. "Indeed. Well. I have come to realize that despite the path I've chosen, especially in light of the path I am now walking, I am still the Peacecraft heir."

"Milliardo," Treize breathed in surprise. "That is good news."

"Not that it means anything right now, of course," Zechs added hastily. "I cannot come to Sank to reclaim the throne. Possibly... never. I cannot even afford to think about such possibilities now."

"I understand," Treize murmured. "Well? Will you speak with her?"

"Yes," Zechs replied quietly. Resigned. Though he's been very warm earlier, he felt a chill in the room now, so he pulled the sleeves of his sweater back down and put back on his trademark long, gray coat.

Treize nodded, reading a great deal into the simple response. [He hasn't wanted to have to deal with this, not now... but the simple fact is that he has a blood relative who deserves to know her brother. Milliardo... how I wish you two could meet in person. Hell, I wish I could see you in person, my oldest friend...] "I'll bring her in."

Relena gasped, her hands flying to her mouth when her mentor informed her. "He's really going to talk to me!" she exclaimed, then straightened, knowing Treize expected her to maintain some royal dignity, even before her own sibling. She was, however, nervous. "Anything I should know before speaking with him, Mr. Treize?"

"Hmmm? Oh, you'll be fine, I'm sure," Treize murmured, a hand already to her elbow, ushering her toward the room.

But the girl balked, deftly stepping away from his touch. "Treize, please, tell me a few things first..."

Patiently, he nodded. "As you wish, Princess."

Relena wrung her hands together, un-princesslike. "My brother... you said he is a soldier..."

Treize thought he understood her worry. "Yes, but for GAIA now. That organization is nothing like OZ."

"And... he pilots a mobile suit... like Heero, doesn't he?"

[Oh, we're back to that...] Treize knew all too well, by now, of the girl's obsession with the Gundam pilot who had tried to self-detonate along with his mobile suit at Siberia. "Zechs is the finest pilot I've ever seen," he replied solemnly. "He's the best OZ ever had. But his heart was never truly with OZ, not really. He was doing me a favor... and he was bent on exacting revenge on the Alliance general who ordered the massacre of your family."

Relena paled, the back of one hand coming up to her mouth as she absorbed the startling information. "He... did he succeed?"

"Yes," Treize replied gravely. "Yes, he did."

The girl froze for a second, then a scowl stole over her pretty features. "I'm glad... I'd have done the same!"

"Princess?" [There's hope for this one yet...]

Relena gasped, surprised at her own vehemence. "Oh! I mean... sometimes a different justice must be had if the usual channels cannot serve... but, oh, Treize, I know now that is not what my real father would have wanted, is it? I do believe in King Peacecraft's ideals of total pacifism, but..." She shook her head, confused. "I suppose I'm not worthy of being a Peacecraft Daughter."

"Nonsense," Treize answered mildly, bowing. "The ideals must live in your heart, but you must do as your conscience dictates. Besides, my dear young lady, an ideal is something to aspire to. The actuality that one gets to live that idea is sometimes impossible. Now... your brother is waiting."

She allowed him to steer her into the room and sit her before the computer monitor. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and looked up at the screen.

The man on the screen was turned partially away so that his face wasn't visible. She looked over the long sweep of pale hair, wondering for an odd moment why a soldier such as the infamous Colonel Zechs would wear his hair so long and so unruly, allowing random lengths of tendrils to drape across his face. "B...brother?" she ventured, almost holding her breath.

The sound caused the man to come back to himself, and he straightened and turned toward her. Relena couldn't hold back a gasp in looking upon her long-lost brother at last, noting the strong, noble, handsome features and the astonishing pale ice-blue eyes. "Milliardo..." she breathed.

Zechs took a deep breath and nodded slightly. "Hello, Relena. It has been a while since I've seen you. You've grown into a fine young lady, I see." [So this is the girl who's been so obsessed with Heero Yuy that she nearly flew to Antarctica to see him...]

"A while?" Relena was startled out of her awe for a moment. "It's been thirteen years!"

"Four years," Zechs corrected her impassively. "But then you didn't know it was me. As I remember, you were nearly a cause for me to take even greater revenge on the Alliance than what I did."

"Four...!" Her breath caught in her throat, then she coughed slightly. "I don't remember..." But Relena Peacecraft realized she did. An image came to mind of a young OZ soldier dressed in a bold, red jacket, wearing aviator sunglasses, and possessing hair of platinum white. The soldier had saved her life that day, stopping an Alliance soldier from killing the supposed daughter of Vice Foreign Minister Dorlian. She remembered he'd spared the man's life, not wishing to kill him in cold blood in front of her. "Oh... That was you!" she exclaimed.

tbc

Chapter 2

Back to Artemis' fics

Back to GW Authors Index.