"The Meaning of Life"

Written By: SkyLark

Pairings: 1x2x1

Warnings: AU, Neko, male pregnancy, sap, angst

Betaed by ShenLong Deb *hugs*

Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm and http://www.mizunoamy.bravepages.com/skylark/skylarkfics.html

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters. I just love playing with them.

Third fic in the Neko series

"The Meaning of Life"

Noin and Zechs did their best to not let their worries show when they were informed that Duo would be visiting with Howard to discuss his stomach virus. Of course it only made sense that there was not more behind the ailment, but they knew their son’s trepidation over being examined. Truth be told, they were no more comfortable with the thought.

Kissing the braided neko’s head as he wrapped his arms around her before heading out, the retired maid requested softly, “You’ll be sure to call as soon as your visit is over?”

Much as she wished to actually go to the appointment, Noin knew that her boy was an adult now and needed to be able to handle things like this on his own. So when Duo made the plea to his parents that he go it alone with Heero, they understood.

“Of course,” the cat-eared boy smiled as they pulled back. Moving to share a tight, one-armed embrace with Zechs, he headed off to where Heero was waiting for him in the doorway.

An arm wrapping around his lover's waist, the artist informed, “Ready to go?”

Sighing, Duo felt his nerves kicking in anew and shrugged, “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” Ginning sadly, Heero tilted his head to place a soft kiss on his temple before turning to lead the way out.

Just as they were nearly out of sight, Solo’s voice called, “Wait! Hold on there, guys!” Freezing in mid-step, the couple looked back while the white-furred neko and the whole remainder of the clan ran up. Confused, Heero and Duo remained in their place.

As the first to reach them, Cassie declared, “You’re not going without us.” Brushing back her blown, brown hair behind her calico-spotted cat ears, she folded her arms across her chest while her tail swung behind her.

Right behind his girlfriend, Solo smirked, “That’s right. We’re going to show our emotional support and solidarity.”

His braided head tilting, Duo frowned, “Solidarity?”

Jena’s brown and black-striped ears twitched as she replied, “Well, you know; one for all and all for one'.” Looping her arm through Andrew’s, the blonde girl stated, “ If you’re going to be poked and prodded, then so are we.”

The braided neko’s mouth fell open in shock. His violet eyes scanning over the group before him, he sputtered, “B-but not one of you have been sick. And I know you don’t like these tests any more than I do.”

While his black tail twined with his girlfriend’s, the tall brunette smirked, “Which is why we’ve all agreed you’re not going through this alone. You helped free us from Doctor J’s lab. This is the least that we can do to help you right now.”

Carson’s gray ears perked up as he piped in, “No one understands what you’re going to have to go through better than we do. So, there’s no use trying to talk us out of it. We’re already set on going.”

Moved beyond words, Duo stared at his friends with shimmering eyes. The feeling of someone tugging on his jeans made him look down into his little brother’s wide blue eyes. “I’m going, too,” Danny told him. Wincing, the little one looked to his parents with a quiet, “Can I, Mom and Dad?”

Zechs chuckled, “I think we’ll both feel better knowing that you’re there to look after your big brother, Danny.” Smiling widely, Noin nodded her own approval.

Scooping the smallest neko up, Duo bit his lip as his violet eyes filled all the more. With a quiet purr as his brother wrapped his arms around his neck, he whispered brokenly, “Thank you, everyone.” Beside him, Heero grinned in pride as his rubbed his lover’s back.

That said, Solo clapped his hands together and announced, “All right. Let’s get going, then.”

* * * *

Sally and Treize already had all of their equipment set up at Howard’s by the time their friends arrived. When the entire lot of the nekos entered the old scientist’s home, it had been a pleasant surprise to all.

Besides being happy that Duo had such a support team, it had been a relief to the medical team that Solo and the others had shown as well. By testing them, they could compare notes from one find to the next. Early detection if there was a problem in the DNA makeup was always a plus when it came to caring for the unique creatures.

Removing the small needle from Danny’s arm, Treize smiled kindly, “All finished.” The boy grinned widely in relief and opened his arms so that he could be lowered from the table he had been propped up on.

Carefully labeling the short vile of blood with Danny’s name, Doctor Khushrenada lowered it into the small container carrying the samples from the other nekos. Finished with his end of the checkups, he joined the lot waiting in the large living room.

Looking up to meet Treize’s gaze from his place on one of the couches, Heero smirked, “So how is Lady Une and the baby?”

“Oh quite well,” the doctor chuckled. As his left hand ran through his hair, his gold wedding band sparkled in the sunlight pouring through the opened windows. “She is looking forward to returning to teaching this next semester after missing the last couple of months for her maternity leave.”

During the debut unveiling of Heero’s work at the Stellar Gallery, Treize had met his bride. From the moment she walked into the museum that day, he was captivated by Lady Une. And the feeling was mutual. Within months of seeing one another, they were engaged and wed shortly after. Now, they had a son named James Tyler.

A longing look crossed both Cassie and Jena’s faces at the mention of a baby. Looking to their boyfriends seated beside them, they gave and received sad smiles. Until they were truly ready to start their own families, there was no way of knowing for certain if they would be able to conceive. All that they could do was hope.

Sitting himself beside Heero, Treize kept up a quiet conversation with him to keep the youth from worrying over his lover. Considering the fact that Duo was the one who needed to be examined, he was going to take considerably longer with Sally and Howard.
 
The braided neko returned to the living room a short time later with his examiners in tow. Quickly rising from the couch, Heero approached his lover and wrapped his arms around him tightly.

Sinking into the embrace, Duo muttered in relief, "I'm perfectly fine." His cobalt eyes widening at the news and closing with a deep sigh of the breath he had been holding, the artist's tense shoulders sagged.
 
Howard and Sally stood back with warm smiles on their faces while the remainder of their friends all smiled to one another in their own sighs of relief. As the couple pulled away, the old scientist stated, "We could not find anything wrong in the DNA make up to have any cause of concern there. The tests we ran are all conclusive that this is simply a normal bug most likely coupled with stress."
 
Unable to trust his voice at that moment, Heero grinned to his partner while rubbing the top of his head between his large ears. Purring, Duo's smile and slight shimmer to his eyes spoke of his own trouble with words right then. It was the first time that they had ever experienced a false alarm before.
 
"I've already called your local pharmacy with a prescription to help with the nausea," Sally informed the pair when they turned to face her. "It'll be ready for pick up by the time you get back to town. Considering how infrequent the episodes have been, you should only need to take the medication for a few days until your immunities kick in." Focusing on her patient, the braided doctor grinned, "Other than that, you are perfectly normal."
 
Chuckling, Solo rose from his seat and slapped his 'brother' on the back. "But you never thought that you would ever be called 'normal'," he smirked. "You have your own limits like everyone else, so maybe this will teach you to not push yourself so hard."
 
Duo lowered his head in resignation and nodded, "Yea. I guess that I did overdo it a little. Really, I thought that I was holding up fine until I came down with this."
 
Gently patting his friend's shoulder, Howard reassured, "It's all right, my boy. If anything, this has proved just how human you really are." He snickered, "And it can suck at times."
 
Frowning at a sudden thought, Heero requested, "Well, there is one thing that I was hoping to discuss with you both privately, if we could." With a wince, he turned back to the others present, "No offense to all of you, but it's.... personal." The other nekos nodded in understanding.
 
Quietly leading the way into the small room where she and Howard had been examining Duo, Sally waited until the old man closed the door behind them. Smiling, she turned towards the concerned artist and began, "I believe that I know what this is in reference to. And no, you did not cause any damage to Duo. That spotting incident was just a fluke of some sort."
 
Pleasantly surprised at not having to open up the uncomfortable discussion, Heero's wide eyes blinked. Chuckling, Duo shook his head in amusement to Howard, "Told you he was still worried about that."
 
His cheeks flushing, the Japanese student huffed and mock-glared at his lover. "Well you would be worried, too, if you were in my place," he muttered. Despite his slight embarrassment over the unsaid, but known fact that the spotting in question came from an intense night of love making, Heero could not deny his sheer relief in knowing that Duo was all right.
 
"Well, I can tell you beyond any doubt that there was no harm done," Howard smirked. Looking to his patient, he added, "Without going over the details of our examination." At the deep flush that colored the neko's cheeks, he snickered, "Hey, fair is fair."
 
It was Duo's turn to flash a half-hearted glare, this time directed at the scientist. Heero and Sally just smiled to themselves while containing their laughter.
 
Rubbing her hands together, the braided doctor said, "This is a first for us, and something that we are both happy to announce. There is nothing for either of you to be worried about, so just head back home and relax."
 
Both grinning widely, the young couple offered their sincere thanks and embraces with their friends before rejoining the others in the living room.
 
Once his visitors stepped out after a warm parting of ways, Howard focused his attention on his medical accomplices. "We best look through all of those blood samples to compare notes," he suggested. "I have no immediate concern that there is anything wrong, but as we all know one can never be too sure."
 
Sally and Treize nodded their heads firmly before moving to the small container carrying the labeled vials. Taking two samples each, the trio moved to their respective stations where a microscope and laptop sat in wait and set themselves to work.
 
Hours later, it was conclusive to them all that the DNA structure for all of the nekos was perfectly sound. All was right in the world and they could breathe easily once again.
 
* * * *
 
The following week...
 
"Here you are," Isis smiled warmly as she handed over the small velvet, black box in her hand. "I certainly hope that it is to your liking."
 
Swallowing roughly, Heero had to work to keep his hands from shaking as he accepted the offering. Danielle bit her lip as she peered over her son's shoulder while he slowly opened the box. Their eyes widening, they gasped softly at the shimmering ring inside.
 
From her place behind the counter, Isis's smile grew. It was moments like this that she loved the most about her profession- that reaction to the engagement ring when it is looked on for the first time.
 
Carefully removing the ring, Heero turned it in his fingers for a complete inspection. Entwined together were a single brilliant band of gold and a sparkling link of silver woven together like a braid to make one wider ring.
 
Inspired by his lover's own braid, the artist had known that he wanted the band fashioned in the same manner. Throughout the strands, tiny round diamonds glittered blue and violet in the light.
 
Small tears filling her eyes, Danielle placed a hand over her heart and breathed, "Oh, it's just beautiful." Feeling a knot in his throat, Heero could only nod before gingerly placing the ring back into its safe haven and closing the lid on it once more.
 
His cobalt eyes falling on the store owner, he opened and closed his mouth but the words would not form. Giggling quietly, Isis rounded the counter and embraced him tightly with a quiet, "That reaction is all the thanks I need." She shrugged as she pulled back, "Well, that and hopefully an invitation to the service and reception for myself and my husband."
 
Laughing, Heero nodded and wiped a stray tear from his eye. "Of course," he nodded. He peered back to the box and commented, "This is beyond perfect. Thank you so much."
 
"Ah," the young woman smirked as she waved her hand. "I live for moments like this. Thank you for making me a part of it."
 
Kindly exchanging their farewells, they parted ways. Stepping back out into the busy mall, Danielle smirked, "Well, to keep up with this remodeling story, we best find some wallpaper in here to take back home with us so that Duo does not suspect the real reason we came here."
 
Peering from the corner of his eye, Heero snickered, "It's not a completely fabricated 'story.' You have been planning to remodel the living room for some time now. And that designer that stopped by the first time I spoke with Isis gave you some great ideas."

Suddenly pausing in his footsteps, he turned to fully face his mother. When she stopped and met his gaze, the youth told her sincerely, “Thank you for being so supportive of us, Mom. I know that most mothers wouldn’t be a understanding of accepting of a relationship like the one Duo and I have. It’s a pretty… unique scenario.”

Danielle smiled on her son and cupped his cheek. “Any mother that wanted the best for their child would be accept what you and Duo have,” she replied quietly. “Your happiness is all that matters to me and I know he offers you that. I could not ask for a better person for you.”

Moved by her words, Heero grinned and embraced her tightly.

Several feet away, deep in the crowd, a lone figure stood within a store door frame watching the exchange. Looking from the mother and son back up to the jewelry store they had stepped from, a smile curled the observer’s lips.

Unnoticed, they slipped back into the crowd and disappeared once more.

* * * *

“Susan Weathers.”

“Yes, Miss Weathers. I was transferred to your cell phone from your station with some interesting information that you may want to look into for your tabloid.”

Removing her sunglasses, the young woman rose from the lounge chair that she had been sunbathing in. Carefully lowering her martini glass in her free hand and stepped to the edge of her balcony high over the city. “Not that it makes a difference,” she smirked into her cell phone. “But would this be a story based on fact or fiction? The truth can always be warped if so needed.”

The deep voice on the other line chuckled, “Oh I believe that there is quite a bit of truth behind what I have for you.”

With her free arm, Susan draped a light wrap around her two-piece yellow swim suit that accented her flowing blonde hair. Susan smirked, “And what story would you have that they would feel the need to transfer you to one of my private lines during my afternoon off?”

“It involves that original neko,” the man informed. “Duo Maxwell.”

At that, Susan’s head fell back from her laugh. “Those nekos are old news, my friend,” she shook her head. “It would have to be something pretty big for me to be interested in writing anything involving-“

Cutting her off, the caller said, “I have reason to believe that Heero Yuy may be looking to wed. He was seen stepping out of the Winner Jewels store at the local mall and they seemed quite excited over something.”

Her green eyes widening, the journalist gripped the railing of her balcony. “A civil union between a human and a neko?” she whispered. “This could open a floodgate of interest and possibly uproar since this would be the first.”

There would have to be proof beyond any doubt that this was true before she would agree to write such a piece. Gossip column or not, if she were to open that can of worms that would come with the backlash against the subjects in question, she and her entire column would be facing the wrath of Danielle Yuy and a lawsuit that they would not be able to defend themselves against.

But if there was that proof… this would be the story of the century.

Chewing on her lip, Susan stated, “I want to know every single detail that you know. Until I have every certainty that what you say is true, I will have to reserve this story. However, you do have my interest.”

“Well then, I will tell you all that I know,” Septum smirked on the other end of the line.

Revenge had taken a long time to come his way. But it had been well worth the wait.

TBC

 

chapter 5

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