����� I've always wanted to write this sort of Gundam Wing fanfic, where
Duo and Quatre (in this tale, "Quatreine") start out as girls and the
relationships resolve from there into the traditional boy-girl things.
So all those who don't like yaoi and shonen ai out there can read and
enjoy this one, I guess.� This is a one-shot thing, so don't expect
anything else after this.� I don't think I can live for long imagining
Duo and Quatre as girls, despite the fact that they are almost like girls
in the first place.
����� I'm writing this in a whole new style, did you notice?� I'm trying
this script-type one on for size; maybe you guys out there can tell me if
it works or not.
����� A note about the time-lines on this one: it's set after the events
of Endless Waltz, so they're all more or less civilians.� Part One begins
one year after the end of Mariemeia's war, and Part Two is set one year
after that, so by then they're all more or less seventeen or eighteen.
Everything else proceeds from there: the changes and the relationships
yada yada yada.
����� Hope you guys enjoy reading this one.
SECOND CHANCES
Nikholas "Katana" F. Toledo (UP 2003)
Part One: Turning Over a New Leaf
1. Duo Maxwell
A very bundled-up Duo is seated on the floor in the corner of a vast
empty space that is revealed to be the hangar where she used to keep
Gundam Deathscythe Hell, until she activated its self-destruct at the end
of the war.� She finishes braiding back her trademark fall of chestnut-
brown hair, then slowly gets to her feet and picks up a rucksack that is
leaning against the sheet-metal wall.
She pulls a small key from the breast pocket of her black preacher's
outfit and walks to the door, letting the winter winds whistle eerily
around the interior.� She pauses in the doorway, oblivious to the cold
and snow - the slightest hint of light from the bare light bulb outside
catches her golden crucifix pendant.
Duo:������� A chance at a new life, that's all I'm asking for.� No
����������� more bloodshed, no more death, no more suffering...
����������� peace at last, and a new life.� We deserve that much
����������� at least.
She closes the door behind her, then reaches up to switch the light off,
plunging the area into deeper darkness.� As soon as that is done, she
vanishes into the snowy night, her braid and the fringed ends of her
scarf tossed about by the winds.
2. Quatreine Winner
Silhouetted in a sunset's blazing orange, a pensive Quatreine pulls off
the brown helmet that she has always worn in battle and drops it onto the
ground.� Her hands come up to undo the bun in which she wears her silver-
blonde hair and the wind promptly blows it over and around the shoulders
of her flight suit.
Rashid comes to stand beside her and picks up her headgear.
Quatreine:� I'm returning that to you, Rashid, and your freedom,
����������� besides.� You and the others... the Manganacs are
����������� free... I release you from your debt.� Our lives as
����������� warriors are over now, and we must all start
����������� afresh....� I can not and will not let you continue in
����������� your bondage, self-imposed though it may be.
Rashid:���� But, Miss Quatreine....
Quatreine:� You know, Rashid, I'm going to miss all of you.
By the last word of the sentence, she is already beginning to walk in the
direction of the desert that shimmers in the middle distance.� She pauses
to wave goodbye to her former right-hand man and to the others who have
gathered behind him, then turns away resolutely, wiping tears from her
eyes.
3. Heero Yuy
On the third floor of the Cinq Kingdom's boarding school, the clock
chimes midnight; the clouds break in time to let the moon illuminate the
slightly built figure that slips out into the night.� Heero has all of
his few belongings packed in the small bag slung casually over his
shoulder, and it is no burden to him as he sneaks down the stairs to
where the girls' rooms are located.� He stops at one door briefly, just
enough to stoop down, then makes his way to the ground floor.� He closes
the door silently behind him and then suddenly starts running away.
Heero:����� Goodbye, Relena.
He comes to a clearing in the forest that surrounds the vast grounds and
whips the camo netting from a battered motorcycle, sweeping away the
leaves and dirt that have gathered in and around the machine.� He ties
his bag down on the rack, then gets on and zooms off into the darkness.
4. Trowa Barton
The lights come on in the circus troupe's big top and even the most
citified in the audience roar their approval of the final act, a no-
holds-barred sword fight performed atop the high wire, without a net.
Catherine Bloom and her younger brother Trowa come forward to take their
bows, and then rejoin the rest of their companions in one of the rings.
At center stage, the ringmaster holds up his hands for silence.
Ringmaster: We thank you for coming to see the show.� Tonight also
����������� marks the last appearance of two of our best
����������� performers....
Brother and sister step once again to the ringmaster's side.� With a
flourish, Trowa pulls off his tearful clown's half-mask; Catherine
acknowledges the applause with a radiant smile.� Both of them take one
flower apiece from the giant bouquet of roses handed them by their
companions, then scatter the rest into the stands.� They bow out amidst
deafening applause.
Catherine:� Thank you for all your support!� We're going to miss
����������� you!
Trowa:����� Good night, everyone, and goodbye.
They pause backstage only to change into street clothes, then pick up
their bags --- a battered backpack for him, a small suitcase for her ---
link their hands, and vanish into the city night.
5. Wufei Chang
The first streaks of another perfect dawn stain the distant horizon pink
and purple.� Wufei kneels before a man-sized memorial stone on which are
inscribed the archaic characters for "Meiran Nataku Chang"; he lays a
small wreath of orange flowers and white roses at the base.
Wufei:����� Too much wrong remains still in this world.� I swear
����������� it to you once again, Nataku... for as long as I shall
����������� live, I will fight to see that justice prevails.� No
����������� matter what, or how long, it takes, I will carry this
����������� on to the very end.
Unseen by any mortal eyes, a vision slowly comes into being behind him,
made up of tiny white petals blown on the morning breeze.� The ghost of
Meiran places one slender hand on the hunched-over shoulder; a
bittersweet smile touches the apparition's lips.
Meiran:���� Live, my dearest Wufei... do not burden yourself with
����������� the pain and the hurt of your past.� Live again... and
����������� wait for me, my love.
The silent voice somehow strikes a chord in the young man's heart; as he
walks away from the grave, the slightest of smiles lightens the gloomy
expression on his face.
Part Two: Lives Less Ordinary
1. Duo
Music, laughter and a hundred half-shouted conversations all run together
to make up the cheerful racket that rings out the windows of a modest
manse, set back on its own wooded lot.� A sign at the gate identifies the
place simply as the "Maxwell Halfway House".
In stark contrast, a hush falls over the group of children on the front
lawn as a tall young woman with her hair in a braid steps up confidently
to the pitcher's mound.� Neither the long-sleeved white blouse nor the
black pleated skirt seems to hamper Duo's easy movements as she bends
over with her hands on her knees; a killer grin enhances the just-turned-
seventeen freshness of her features.
Duo:������� Ready or not, here comes the Maxwell fastball!
Without further ado, she winds up her arm and lets fly; the boy at the
plate squints, swings... misses!� Duo straightens up from her follow-
through stance and flashes a V-for-victory sign at him, then opens her
arms wide to the kids who run happily to her.� A bell rings, interrupting
the celebration; Hilde's blue-haired head pokes out to look down at them.
Hilde:����� Sorry to interrupt, Duo, but it's time for the mid-
����������� morning classes to start!
Duo:������� Yes, I haven't forgotten that!� Come on, kids, lesson
����������� time!
The motley group of girls and boys protest, but only jokingly, and
shortly both teacher and students go rioting back into the building.
2. Quatreine
The dismissal bell --- the final bell for this semester of school ---
rings throughout an imposing red brick edifice, and doors bang open up
and down the corridors in reply.� Soon, the students come out in groups
of two and three, the girls in their lace-trimmed black dresses and the
boys in their high-collared double-breasted uniforms.� The third floor is
silent and empty in a matter of minutes, except for the sweet strains of
a violin coming from the classroom at the far end.
At the end of the mournful melody, Quatreine --- her hair now in a simple
chin-length style --- lovingly replaces her instrument in its velvet-
lined case.� She looks out at the gathering dusk, nostalgia written all
over her delicate porcelain features, then extracts a handful of pictures
from the bag on her desk.
The first one is a shot of Heero as he leans on the balcony of the Cinq
Kingdom boarding school's dormitory; Duo is the focus of the second,
seated atop her beloved Deathscythe Hell's shoulder with her unbound hair
flying in the wind.� In the third, Trowa is playing his flute; the fourth
shows Wufei in a combat stance, sword at the ready.� She herself is in
the fifth, standing alone atop a hill with a large bouquet of flowers in
her hands.� The last picture shows all five of them together: the three
boys are standing behind the bench on which the two girls are seated.
Quatreine:� Well, those were the days, weren't they?� Duo and her
����������� jokes, Heero and the leadership he lent us, Wufei and
����������� his strength, Trowa and his strategy.� How I wish we
����������� could all get together again... I miss them all so
����������� much.
After a few more moments of melancholy reflection, she finally walks out
of the school gate, closing it silently behind her.
3. Heero
In the silence of the cramped, cluttered cubbyhole, the only sound that
can be heard is the continuous clack of computer keys.� Green light
flickering from the monitor makes a parody of Heero's handsome features
as pictures and words flash quickly past his eyes.� He stops typing to
take a closer look at a certain area of the screen, then lets out a
disgusted sound and goes back to the keyboard.
Heero:����� I have to find them... they're out there somewhere, I
����������� know that they are.� I just have to keep on
����������� looking....
The former pilot's quarters can only be described as a disaster area.
Crumpled documents and discarded food wrappers litter the floor; there is
nothing at all to relieve the drab gray of the stone walls.� His desk is
crammed into a corner, the computer, its peripherals and a radio
transceiver perched precariously atop stacks of books.� The entire
workstation is crammed into the corner of the room, at the foot of the
small metal-framed cot that serves as his bed.
Despite his currently desk-bound state, Heero is still the perfect
soldier of the war --- there seems to be no change in him, except that
his hair is slightly longer, and he has grown some more, both up and out.
The same fire burns still in his cobalt blue eyes, which suddenly light
up as he finally finds the information he has been searching for.� A tiny
smile pulls at the corner of his mouth, and he reaches for a diskette
from the box on the floor.
4. Trowa
The corridor is silent and empty, except for the tall figure that leans
against the wall outside a door marked "Office of Admissions".� Trowa
glances at his watch, then checks over his papers once again, carefully
putting them back into the folder tucked under his arm.� His eyes flick
restlessly over his surroundings, not really looking at anything in
particular.
After a few moments, a handsome woman walks out of another door and
beckons to him.� She leads Trowa to a private office, then sits down
behind the large desk; an engraved plaque identifies her as Une
Khushrenada.� The former Oz officer leans back in her chair, then smiles
warmly at her guest.
Une:������� So we meet again, Trowa Barton.� How have things been
����������� in your life now?� And how is your sister doing?
Trowa:����� Everything is fine, thank you for asking.� Catherine's
����������� got a job now, working as a secretary to some
����������� government big shot.
Une:������� I'm glad to hear that.� So, you wish to pursue your
����������� schooling here?� I see that you have scored very high
����������� on our admission tests, and the rest of your
����������� credentials are impeccable.� But I must remind you, we
����������� have just recently implemented a rather stringent
����������� curriculum....
Trowa:����� It will be no problem at all, Miss Une.
Une:������� All right then, Trowa.� We're on our semestral break
����������� now, but in four weeks' time I expect to see your name
����������� on the dormitory register.� This is a boarding school,
����������� as I'm sure you're aware already.
Trowa:����� Thank you, Miss Une.
She glances over him once again as he leaves, and suddenly remembers
something.
Une:������� Did you know that... Quatreine Winner is here as well?
����������� She's been one of our best students since she came in
����������� last semester.
Trowa makes no reply; it is only when he's well out of the school grounds
that he allows himself to smile.� A vision of Quatreine flashes past his
mind's eye, and his smile widens fractionally.
Trowa:����� That's why I came here.
5. Wufei
Dusk falls, almost audibly, thanks to the nocturnal forest creatures that
have begun to move about.� The gathering darkness weaves its mantle over
the sprawling shrine complex, except at one window, where a candlestick
blazes to life with the flames of five candles.
Wufei is seated at a large desk, muttering under his breath as he pores
over old manuscripts through a pair of reading spectacles.� The ancient
characters are almost impossible to read, but he plows on purposefully,
the pen in his hand twitching rapidly over fresh paper.
Wufei:����� The colonies were first established as temporary
����������� havens for the exploding populace of earth, to be used
����������� merely as "stepping stones" into the greater reaches
����������� of space....
A knock at the door interrupts his study; he stretches out and rubs
vigorously at his tired and aching eyes.
Wufei:����� Come in!
Instead of an answer, an envelope slides under the door; he lets out an
annoyed sound, but goes to pick it up anyway.� At his desk, he tears the
flap open to reveal the same six pictures as in Quatreine's possession.
Wufei smiles quietly as he turns over the envelope; there is no return
address, but he does have a good idea of who sent them.
Part Three: Ties That Bind
1. Trowa / Quatreine
The Winner heiress stands in the middle of her dorm room.� It is the same
place where she lived before, except for one major change: the addition
of a second bed, nearer to the door than hers.� A poleaxed look sits
unaccustomed on her delicately sculpted features, and one hand comes up
to brush short platinum hair from her forehead.
Quatreine:� This is so strange.� I wonder what Miss Une meant when
����������� she said I'd better take precautions now that I've got
����������� a roommate?� I don't get it.
There is a knock on the door, then the sounds of a key being inserted and
twisted.� In the next instant, Trowa steps in, a large bag slung over one
shoulder.� He tosses the bag onto his bed and then goes over to stand in
front of the startled girl, a smile on his lips.
Quatreine:� Trowa?� Is it really you?
In response, he pulls her close for a hug, and she remains motionless for
just one more heartbeat before throwing her arms around him with a cry of
joy.
Quatreine:� By the heavens, it is you!� Trowa Barton... I can't
����������� believe you're here... I've been waiting for so
����������� long....
Trowa:����� And I, as well, Quatreine Winner.
He releases her after a while, but only so that he can look into her
eyes.� A wild thrill of emotion runs like electricity along his nerves as
he regards her seriously, apple-green eyes marking and approving the
changes that two years have wrought on her.
Trowa:����� We've both been fools, haven't we, Quatreine?� You've
����������� been waiting for so long and I've been suffering all
����������� this time for nothing....
Quatreine:� Then dare I say that it all changes from now on...
����������� Trowa?
Trowa smiles again, and kisses her.
2. Heero / Wufei
Heero is still parked at his computer console, looking as if he hasn't
moved at all.� As always, his monitor continues to throw flickering light
and radiation over his features.� Suddenly, a message bar appears at the
bottom of the screen, and words begin scrolling past.
Wufei:����� No matter how we try to cut the ties we have made,
����������� still, time weaves the threads of our lives into a
����������� single skein.� Closer and closer we are drawn
����������� together, though we know it not until our hands touch
����������� again.
A tiny smile pulls the corner of his mouth upward as his fingers move
quickly over the keyboard, tapping out a response.
Heero:����� You and your riddles!� Wufei, you bastard, after all
����������� this time, you're still a show-off.
Wufei:����� And you're as elusive as ever.� I was about to start
����������� asking your fellow hackers about you.
Laughter echoes in the empty space of the closet-sized room.
Heero:����� In your dreams.� Have you found anything about the
����������� others?
Wufei:����� Quatreine and Trowa got together at this music school,
����������� and have been engaged for some time now.� I've heard
����������� that they'll be married soon after they graduate.
As Heero re-reads Wufei's message, a frown settles like a storm cloud
over his features.
Heero:����� You're missing one person.
Wufei:����� Yes, a certain Miss Duo Maxwell appears on the
����������� invitation, as a member of the entourage.
����������� Specifically, she's going to be their maid of honor,
����������� or so I've heard.� I suppose I'll just see you there,
����������� if ever.
The scholar leaves after a few more generalities, and Heero switches the
machine off, rubbing a finger over his chin thoughtfully.
Heero:����� I think it's time to pay them a visit.
3. Heero / Duo
Duo takes her leave of the rest of the wedding entourage, stopping to
stroll in the expansive public gardens near Quatreine's estate.� The
shade of a large, spreading tree beckons to her and she leans back
against the trunk, absently tugging the rubber band from her braided
hair.� Memory's shadow falls over her expressive eyes.
Duo:������� No matter how much they try to hide it, I know Trowa
����������� and Quatreine want all of us here together....� Blast
����������� Wufei for going into scholarly seclusion and blast
����������� Heero even more for not showing his face to me ever
����������� again!� I wish he was here... I miss him so much!
Heero:����� So you did care for me... why didn't you tell me
����������� before, Duo?
Heero watches as she whirls around, gold-shot chestnut waves flying with
the movement, and reaches out to help as she impatiently brushes the
stray strands away from her face.� They end up standing and staring at
each other, until Duo decides to answer the question.
Duo:������� You didn't give me a chance, Heero - you were always
����������� so focused on your missions.
Heero:����� I'm sorry, Duo, so sorry for all that I've put you
����������� through... I should have told you this before, I hated
����������� leaving you alone every single time....
Duo:������� Heero, I understand you perfectly.� We couldn't do
����������� anything about that back then, remember.� It was
����������� always either life or death - so many people were
����������� depending on us.
Heero:����� And now...?
Duo:������� Look at it this way, Heero.� I've chosen to become a
����������� mother to my kids, the orphans I take care of.
����������� Quatreine and Trowa have chosen to get married, and
����������� Wufei has chosen to return to his life of scholarship.
����������� It's a time of peace... and we have all gotten new
����������� chances at life.
Duo begins to sit down on the grass, but suddenly Heero catches at her
hand; she raises her eyes to him and for the first time sees herself
mirrored in them.
Heero:����� Then... I choose you, Duo.� That is, if you would
����������� choose me as well, if you would wish to be associated
����������� with one like me....
Duo:������� I could never have the heart to say no to you, Heero.
The sun sets to frame the two of them in its fiery eye, arms wound around
each other and hearts beating strongly together.
Part Four: Making Things Formal
1. Heero / Duo / Trowa / Quatreine / Wufei
The replica stone church's organ plays a sonorous march; two men take
their places at the altar.� Trowa is formally resplendent in his white
tux while Heero is almost casual in his shirt-and-slacks ensemble.� The
rest of the white-clad entourage begins to march up the aisle, but all
eyes are on the two brides who stand together at the door.
Quatreine's face is hidden beneath an old-fashioned tulle veil, anchored
by an antique tiara; her ballgown-type skirts are accompanied by a train
that billows out behind her.� In stark contrast, Duo wears a simple,
long-sleeved tunic over flowing pants in a matching shade of cream.� Both
are nothing short of radiant, the sheer happiness of the day doing more
for them than any other make-up could.
Trowa and Quatreine exchange rings first.
Trowa:����� Quatreine, I wish you to wear this ring on your finger
����������� and keep it as a reminder that today I give to you my
����������� all --- my body, my heart, my mind, my soul.
Quatreine:� Now I belong to you and you to me, together bound for
����������� all eternity; yours I am for all time to come, and
����������� never I pray shall this tie be undone.
Heero and Duo say the same things, exchange their own rings, and with
that both marriages are solemnized.
As the great bells peal out their joyous song, the two couples emerge
from the doors, surrounded by their cheering entourage.� With one accord,
the two brides throw their bouquets of white lilies and roses to the
crowd, then are reclaimed by their husbands, and the two couples leave
for their well-deserved honeymoons.
Wufei holds one of the nosegays in his hands, and joins the crowd in
waving to them.
Wufei:����� Goodbye, my friends... and may your lives together be
����������� fulfilling and happy.� Gods go with you!
The young Chinese scholar turns to walk away, still clutching the flowers
to his breast, when suddenly an achingly familiar voice stops him cold in
his tracks.
Meiran:���� It's not every day that a man catches the bridal
����������� bouquet.� I have the other one, Wufei.
Wufei:����� You... you can't be my wife... she's been dead a long
����������� time!
Meiran:���� I've been given a second chance too, Wufei.� The gods
����������� have decreed it shall be so.
A still-incredulous Wufei slowly takes his wife into his arms, and there
is just one more thing on his mind before she kisses him.
Wufei:����� I'll marry her again when the others come back.
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