Life... Really Part 15
"Now this is one of the most influential men you will ever meet when you are ready to join our family's firm, Heero," Danielle smiled, leading her son down the long hall. "You'll do me proud by making a good first impression on him."
With a firm nod, Heero adjusted his grey suit tie and replied, "Yes, mother." The last four months of the boy's senior year of college had been a blur. Between his classes, reports, tests and projects that his mother had assigned him, he had little time to himself.
Now that he was in the middle of his winter break from school, Heero's mother insisted that he meet her on the Colony where she was currently preparing for yet another upcoming trial. Just when he was looking forward to finally having some time alone with his lover, he was pulled away from him yet again.
Recalling the forced smile on Duo's face when he had to leave, Heero's heart ached at having to be away from him for so long. The last week of this trip had been excruciatingly slow for him, his thoughts constantly drifting back to his braided partner. The occasional calls back home that he was able to make were the only things that kept Heero from losing his sanity on this long trip.
In this particular case, Danielle was collaborating with one of the most respected and well-known attorneys, Trent Clark. In knowing that they were to work together, the red-haired woman immediately contacted her son to join her to meet the esteemed young man.
After only being in the practice of law for five years, Clark was quickly becoming one of the most sought-after attorneys to sign with an agency. Danielle Yuy made it her goal to see that if he joined any firm, it would be her own. Certain that Heero would make an excellent impression on him, she was certain that their meeting would go well.
Opening the door at the third door on the right, Danielle stepped in and smiled warmly to the young man sitting at the table in the center of the room. Looking up from the files before him, the brunette attorney smiled back and rose from his seat. "Good to see you again, Mrs. Yuy," he greeted kindly.
Closing the door behind them, the red-haired woman gestured to her son beside her and introduced with a proud smile, "Trent, this is my son, Heero."
The tall young man extended his hand to the boy and grinned, "Heero, your mother, here, has told me a great deal about you over the last couple of weeks. It is very nice to meet you."
As he took the kind man's hand to shake it, Heero replied with a warm smile of his own, "Very nice to meet you, as well. I am glad that I have had the chance to come out here to add my assistance to your research."
"Well, let's get down to business, shall we?" Danielle suggested with a cheerful voice. With that, the three of them moved to the table and Heero was quickly filled in on how the preparation for the trial was coming.
Over three hours later, Heero had done more than his part in filing and gathering as many possible contacts and leads to help their case. Glancing over the files that the boy had printed out, Trent let out a low whistle. "Are you sure you're only in high school?" he asked in a tone that reflected his amusement and awe.
"He will be graduating this June," Danielle answered for her son with a proud smirk. "From, there he will be attending Wayne University to earn his degree."
At the mention of the elite school, the other attorney was visibly impressed. "Very ambitious," he commented, looking back over Heero's report. "But this is quite good, for someone who never partook in any formal lessons for law education." Heero remained silent, but gave a grateful nod to the compliment before returning to his work.
Seeing an opportunity open, Danielle removed her glasses and propped her chin on her hand. "You know, Trent," she began, "if you are as impressed with my son, you should meet the team of lawyers that I have currently working at my firm. I believe that you would be quite happy in working with any one of them."
Trent laughed and shook his head, "Still trying to reel me in, I see." His smile and laughter faded when he focused back on the work provided by the Japanese youth. "Though I must say," he said at last, "now that I have had a chance to see the professionalism that both you and your son project, the prospect is becoming more and more intriguing."
Heero caught his mother's contained smile from the corner of his eye. Replacing her thin-framed glasses atop her nose, Danielle replied, "Well, there will always be a door opened to you, should you ever decide to join with us."
"Good to know," Trent smirked. Heero remained trained on his own progress in sorting through the files given to him. "I was very upset at hearing of your father's passing," the young man stated. At the surprised cobalt eyes that snapped up to meet his gaze, Clark frowned sadly, "I had the honor of working with him on a few assignments. He was a remarkable man, and brilliant in everything that he did."
Clearing his throat, Heero replied sincerely, "Thank you." not sure that he could trust his voice at that moment, the he lowered his head back to his task. It never ceased to amaze him at how many people knew his own father better than he did. While it was upsetting to him, it was in an odd way a relief to hear from others that his father was a good person. He just wished that he had more time with him.
After looking to her watch, Danielle smiled, "Well, I believe that it is about time for a break. If memory serves me, believe that I saw a lovely restaurant along the way here. Trent, would you join us for lunch?"
Clark grinned back with a nod, "Why thank you. I would be happy to take you up on that offer, so long as you are willing to allow me to treat the both of you."
Slowly, a smile tugged at Danielle's lips when she replied, "If you insist. I will just have to return the favor another time." As far as she was concerned, things could not have been running more smoothly.
* * * * * *
Duo sighed deeply, lowering his head onto the living room table. Heero had been away for about a week now and Duo was missing him terribly. With yet another week to have to endure without his lover, the next few days were going to be just as agonizing for him. His cat ears drooped and his tail curled in his lap, the braided boy continued to draw imaginary lined with his fingertip on the table's surface.
Noin entered the room with a bright smile and a stack of papers in her hand. Perking up at the excitement on his 'mother's' face, Duo sat up with a questioning look. "Your midterm test results are in," the young woman announced.
His boredom and heartache subdued the slightest bit, the braided teenager sat up, his tail coming back to life in swaying behind him. Kneeling beside her 'son', Noin smiled in pride and revealed the papers in her hands. "You got all A's," she announced.
Duo's tail swished excitedly and he let out an excited cheer before throwing his arms around the young maid. Laughing, Noin returned the tight embrace in kind. "I'm so proud of you, Duo," she whispered, rubbing his back.
"Only a few more semesters like this and I'll actually have a high school diploma," the cat-eared boy grinned. "I hope that Heero's mom will be happy with that."
Noin managed to keep her smile from fading, as difficult as it was. While she knew that the boy truly wanted to have a diploma and to learn, she was also aware that Danielle's demand on him was a constant pressure. It was no different from the pressure that she put on Heero. "Are you happy with this?" she finally asked.
Understanding the stress on the word 'you,' Duo smiled in reassurance and nodded, "I want this more than Heero's mother wants this from me. I'm very happy with this."
Relief filled the young maid's eyes and she smiled back, "Well, you should be." At the sound of the front door opening and the voice greeting Zechs, they looked up just as the tall man entered the room.
Quickly rising to her feet, Noin relayed the good news to her lover. Smiling to his 'son', Zechs reached down and rubbed the top of his braided head. Duo closed his eyes, purring deeply at the gentle patting. "Good job, son," the tall man complimented. Turning to face his lover, he suggested, "After dinner, we should go to the ice cream parlor to celebrate."
With a bright smile, Noin nodded, "That sounds good to me. He certainly earned it with his hard work over the last few months. I was already beginning to make his favorite meal as well."
Duo's cat ears and tail perked up all the more and he beamed in excitement, "Thanks, mom and dad." After everything that Noin and Zechs had done for him, referring to the couple as his parents just seemed more and more natural now.
"In speaking of dinner," the young maid began, "Zechs, would you mind running to the market to pick up some things that I need? It's only a few ingredients that are running out."
Just as the tall man was about to accept, Duo quickly rose to his feet and offered, "I can go for you." His 'parents' looked to the braided youth. "I'm going crazy looking for something to do," the braided teenager explained.
Unable to deny the youth anything, especially knowing how lonely he had been with Heero being away, both Noin and Zechs smiled to him. "Okay, Duo," Noin replied. "I'll write down the things that I need." With that, she stepped from the room and headed to the kitchen.
Zechs raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you sure that you don't want me to drive you there and back? It is my job, you know."
With a grateful grin, Duo shook his head, "Thanks, dad, but it's just a few blocks. The more time I get to help with this, the less time I'm here, being bored." Noin reentered the room with the short list of things needed.
"Very well," the blonde man smirked. "Just be careful out there." The young woman nodded her seconding of the notion. The words of caution were well warranted, considering the incident that had happened the last time Duo had ventured out on his own.
Accepting the list of items and hiding his tail under his long sweater, Duo threw his red coat on. The black ski cap pulled down over his head finished his disguise before stepping outside. It just began to snow lightly and the air was not terribly cold. Taking in a deep breath of fresh air, Duo smiled and made his way down the street.
* * * * * *
Trent hummed to himself in content after taking his first bite from his delicious lunch. "You know, Heero," he smirked, focusing on the boy sitting across from him. "I should just turn the tables on your mother and try to convince you to work for me, instead. I am doing quite well on my own, however, working with someone like yourself would begin making of a firm that I could call my own."
Lowering her glass of water, Danielle chuckled deeply, "Nice try, Trent. However, my son is looking to follow in his father's footsteps in working for our family' firm." Once again speaking on Heero's behalf, she continued, "When Heero graduates from Wayne University, I can assure you that he will be in as high demand as you and I are currently in."
"I must say that I do not doubt that for a second," Clark remarked. He turned to the silent youth again and commented, "You already have a keen sense of what this business will demand from you. That will go a long way when you are ready to take up this lifestyle."
Heero took that moment to speak. After wiping the side of his moth with his napkin, he replied, "I have my mother to thank for that. She has done everything in her power to see that I am ready for any thing and everything involving law."
Placing a hand on her chest, Danielle put up an air of modesty when she stated, "Why thank you, Heero, but I am only looking out for my son's best interest, as any other mother would. What I am doing is nothing significant."
Trent shook his head, "Actually, I would have to disagree with you, Danielle. You certainly did go out of your way to see that Heero has everything he needs to be ready for his wish to become an attorney."
The young man never noticed the slight cough from the Japanese teenager as he nearly choked on the water that he was drinking. Heero frowned to himself in realization that his mother was parading some story that he actually wanted this lifestyle for himself. His mother was the only reason he 'wished' to become a lawyer because she made that wish for him. Still, he remained quiet.
When their lunch was finished, Trent sat back in his seat and considered Danielle and Heero for a moment. Finally, he smirked, "Well, I have been considering your offer, Danielle, and I am inclined to agree to join your firm when this case is finished."
Her cobalt eyes widening, Danielle smiled from ear-to-ear and reassured him, "Trent, you will not regret this decision." She reached over to share a firm handshake with her newest lawyer a firm handshake to seal the agreement.
* * * * * *
Duo was humming a light tune as he stepped from the large supermarket. With a plastic bag in hand, he began to make his way back home. Trying to forget the fact that Heero would not be at the house when he returned, the braided teenager took some enjoyment in being out in the drifting snow that was beginning to accumulate on the ground.
When he made his way past one of the alleys, a hand suddenly shot out and grabbed the Duo's arm. His startled cry was cut off when a large hand covered his mouth. Dropping the bag in his other hand, he was pulled into the desolate alley. His back was slammed against the brick wall, stunning him when his head came in contact.
It took a moment to get back the immediate blackness that overtook him before Duo gained focus on the fiery eyes glaring down on him. "M-Muller," he whispered in terror, his violet eyes widening.
A menacing smirk tugged at the other teenager's lips and he hissed, "Maxwell. It was a pleasant surprise seeing you step out without Yuy, for a change. I've been waiting a long time to pay you back for what happened to me."
Instantly, panic ran through the cat-eared boy's mind. How long was Muller watching the house for this opportunity? He did not have another moment to think before he was slammed against the wall again, crying out in pain. No longer able to feel his feet, the only thing keeping him upright was the fact that he was being held up.
Pulling one of his hands back in a tight fist, the brute was just about to slam a forceful blow down when a voice from the alley's opening shouted, "Muller!" His fist stopped a mere inch from the braided boy's face.
With a started gasp, the boy looked up to see Trowa Barton standing alongside Wufei Chang. The two boys glared heatedly at the youth holding their friend. Swearing under his breath, Muller dashed off down the opposite end of the alley, Wufei right on his heels. As Duo's eyes rolled in the back of his head, he fell forward.
Trowa just managed to catch his friend in time and carefully lowered him onto his back. Finding some blood that has seeped through the back of Duo's ski cap on his hand, his green eyes widened. "Wufei!" he called after the Chinese teenager running after Muller.
"Damn it," Wufei hissed in having to stop his pursuit. Muller never looked back and ran out of sight when he made a turn at the end of the alley. Quickly returning to his friends, his dark eyes widened in concern at the distressed look on Trowa's face.
Knowing that it took a great deal to worry the other teenager, Wufei's attention drawn to the blood on the taller boy's hand, he paled. "My house is closest," he finally heard himself say. With a nod, Trowa lifted Duo over his shoulder. Taking up the bag that they had found at the end of the alley, Wufei led them through the back ways towards his house to avoid being seen.
* * * * * *
Sally looked to the caller id on her cell phone and smiled to herself. Answering the call, she greeted, "Hello, Wufei. I was just going to c-"
Her words were cut off when the teenager on the other line cut in frantically, "Sally, I need you to come to my house as soon as possible. We need your medical kit."
Taken aback at the urgency in his words, the braided young woman forced herself to keep calm and asked, "What happened?"
"It's my friend, Duo," the voice replied, the worry even more clear now. "Muller managed to get a hold of him again."
Her eyes widening, Sally answered, "I'll be right there. In the meantime, you call the authorities and get them after Muller." Hanging up her cell phone, she ran to the second level of her house to gather her medical supplies.
* * * * * *
"Oh Heero," Danielle beamed in pride as she hugged her son tightly. With their lunch ended, they were finally back at the hotel room where they were staying. "I knew that bringing you here was a good idea."
His cobalt eyes wide, Heero only had a stunned moment to return the rare embrace before his mother pulled back again. Cupping her son's face in her hands, the red-haired woman grinned, "You were brilliant today. And more I have another well-known name to add to the list of lawyers that I have working for me."
A small smile lit Heero's face and he replied sincerely, "I'm just happy that you're happy, mother." The young woman never did catch the meaning behind his words, never realized that the only reason he did anything was so that she would be happy. Reaching up, the Japanese teenager was all too happy to undo his tie and unbutton the first two buttons of his white blouse.
Still smiling brightly, Danielle waved her finger at her son and stated, "You continue to impress esteemed people like Trent the way that you did today and you will go further in this practice than I could have ever dreamed of going."
With a sigh of content, his mother stretched and announced, "I am going to go back to my own suite, now, to enjoy a well-earned massage." Placing a hand on her son's cheek, she told him, "You've worked very hard for me this last week, and I am very grateful for it all. If you would like, you may return home tomorrow."
At the thought of being reunited with Duo sooner than either of them expected, Heero's cobalt eyes widened. "Are you sure?" he asked, trying not to show his eagerness to return home, and for his own sake not wanting to get his hopes too high that he heard his mother correctly.
With a nod, his mother answered, "I will be able to take over from here. You only have another week of your winter break, so you best return to prepare for your last two quarters of high school. I will send you assignments as they come in.
"I will have you set on a flight first thing tomorrow morning. You best enjoy your stay in this elaborate suite before you have to go," Danielle suggested.
Heero smiled, "Thank you, mother." Tentatively, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. It was rare that he felt such shows of affection were welcome, but at that moment, he was too happy to think his actions through.
Blinking in surprise, Danielle grinned and shrugged, never returning the gesture. "I will see you for dinner, then," she said before turning and leaving the room.
When his mother stepped from the room, Heero's smile grew and he gave a small cheer to himself. He decided against calling Duo with the wonderful news to surprise him by just walking through the front door unannounced, instead. Removing his blouse, he stepped into his private suite's bedroom to change.
At the sound of his cell phone ringing, Heero gathered it from its resting place on his dresser. Finding Trowa's cell number on his caller id, he frowned deeply to himself. Opening the flip on the phone, he answered, "Trowa?"
The distress in the voice on the end of the line replied, "Heero, it's Duo."
With his heart stopping at that announcement, Heero unsteadily sat on the edge of his bed, unwilling to trust his shaky legs. "What happened?" he quietly asked when he finally found his voice.
"He was running an errand for Noin. Muller got to him," his friend's grim voice answered. "By the time Wufei and I showed up, we stopped Muller but Duo was unconscious."
Cursing under his breath, Heero ran his free hand through his unruly hair and asked frantically, "Where is Duo now? Is he awake? How bad is he?"
Trowa did his best to calm his friend by keeping his own concern from his voice. "We're at Wufei's house now," he stated. "Duo's still unconscious from his head wound and he needs medical care." He took a deep breath before saying, "We called Sally for help."
Having only met the braided young woman on a few occasions, Heero's mind worked frantically, thinking of all of the possibilities of what could happen were Duo's identity revealed. He knew that the real reason for Trowa's call was to have his permission to allow Sally to examine him, to find out their secret.
With his mind made up, Heero released a shaky breath. Closing his eyes, he told his friend, "Trowa... whatever Sally needs to do, let her. Duo's health comes first. Whatever happens, we'll deal with that later."
The relief was clear in the other teenager's voice when he replied, "All right. I'll call you as soon as we know anything."
Biting his lip, Heero's voice cracked in whispering, "Thank you." Disconnecting the call, his hand fell limply to his side. Washing his face with his trembling hands, he worked to keep his conflicting emotions at bay.
Finally, Heero rose onto his wobbly legs and pulled a grey t-shirt over his head. Quickly, he made his way out of the suite, into the hallway and to the door of his mother's suite. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he forced himself to straighten when he knocked on the door. His mother opened the door to him, a look of confusion on her face in not expecting to see her son so soon. "Heero?" she asked. "What is it?"
"Sorry to bother you, mother," Heero frowned. "I was wondering if I would be able to get on a shuttle flight back home this evening."
* * * * * *
Both Trowa and Wufei eyed each other in concern as Sally opened her medical bag. Duo was lying on the bed in one of the Chang household's spare bedrooms, his cap still on and his tail underneath his blue sweater.
"You both did a good job in stopping the bleeding," she commented. She was quite impressed that despite their concern for their friend, the two teenagers were quick to bandage the wound on the back of the injured youth's head. Sitting on the edge of the bed, the braided woman reached to remove the ski cap.
"Sally," Wufei suddenly spoke up just as she began to lift the edge of the cap. The young woman stopped and looked to the teenager who had been pursuing her for months now. Biting his lip, the Chinese youth stumbled over his words, "It's just- well- You should know-"
Trowa stepped forward, nodded, "What he means is, it's kind of a shock-"
With a deep sigh, Sally shook her head and reassured them, "Believe me, I have seen just about everything there is to so, so I highly doubt that whatever is underneath would be considered a shock to me." Unable to say anything more, the two boys just laughed nervously.
Ignoring the strange behavior of the boys, Sally tuned back to her patient. Slowly, she removed the ski cap. At the sight of the two, large and furry ears, her eyes widened with a startled gasp. Suddenly, she wanted to take back her last remark.
TBC...
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