บท 65: Sand Rock
Heero's Vehicle . . .
"I sent the proof of your innocence to Zechs," Heero told Relena from the front seat. "The proof will go to your authorities, and it'll free your name again, but I don't trust you away from me."
"I couldn't even take a shower without them trying to nab me," Hilde said to Relena. "It's a better idea to just stay together until RTL is taken care of for good."
"Right. I'm not leaving your side," Relena agreed. "There's no telling what's waiting for me. The device won't even say."
"Yeah, that's disturbing," Duo said from the back. "We got the details on everyone, but I'm betting that's going to change. I'm willing to risk that safety location. I'm guessing Heero is going to be your all personal body guard now? At least Zechs won't ask why he's staying so close."
"Duo," Heero warned him. Too close. He hated that Duo knew that. He ignored him and talked to Relena again. "Don't go to any conferences. You can clear your name, but not on air, and we aren't staying at your home. I don't trust it."
"I wouldn't even tell anyone that your around either," Duo said to Heero. "I'm sure you've heard, but you're actions are all on social media."
"I know."
"Let's not discuss that," Relena cutted Duo off.
Yeah. It was a real sore spot. Everywhere he turned, he saw it. It was the past, but the press loved it. Hidden conspiracies. Hidden missions.
"So you heard about them wanting-"
"Movie rights to my life, yes," Heero seethed. His life was so entertaining to the masses, a lot of people wanted movies and shows about him. Once this was cleared up? Yeah, the press would be wanting to talk rights with him. "I'd rather die."
"I wonder if anyone would want my story for a real big fancy fee? Buy a big house, lots of security and keep RTL out of it?" Duo asked. "Gundam Pilot of Deathscythe."
"Please don't even joke," Relena warned him.
Hilde shouldered him. "Do you really want them knowing about all of your past like that, Duo? They know everything about Heero. His secret missions. Who raised him. Why he got the spot of pilot."
"Yeah, I know. I'm just pointing out, even with millions of dollars, I don't really think we can just live normal lives with RTL still existing. We have to stay under until this whole mess is sorted. I do gotta ask, is it true you dressed as a woman one time to catch someone off guard?"
"It worked," Heero said. "For the moment, and no, it wasn't fun, and no, I didn't speak in a falsetto voice."
"Yeah, because they used that for a perfume add, didn't they?" Duo asked.
"It was deodorant, and not officially, it was a parody," Hilde told him. "Never said his name either."
Heero tightened his hands on the wheel. "Can we drop this conversation?" He turned on a music channel and hoped it drowned out Duo. The more anxious Duo was in a situation, the worse he tended to get in teasing. Since he didn't know where he was even going with Hilde, he was definitely in his teasing mood.
As soon as Heero turned it on though, he turned it back off.
"Can't even turn on some tunes without hearing something about yourself," Duo just had to add. "It was easier when they just said gundam pilot back then. At most, 01 or whatever."
Much easier. He didn't know how Relena could stand that publicity. If he stayed with her, she promised no one would know except their child, her mother, Pagan, and Zechs. He debated with her on Zechs, although as much as he watched everything, he probably wouldn't be able to fool him for long.
A back area, just for him. He didn't have to interact with anyone, unless he wanted to. He could have keys to the front and back doors. He could see their child whenever he wanted, without feeling obligated. Considering the world eliminated many of his hiding spots, and were actively searching for him like a celebrity, it might be a good idea.
No marriage needed. No responsibility. She didn't even care if he left for months or years on end and came back. She just wanted one thing, a sign when he was present. A sign just for her because it made her 'feel better' to know when he was around. It seemed doable, and Relena wanted her child to know it's father, even if it was someone like him.
"Hey, Heero, you got any good boy names?" Duo asked him. "Quatre texted and said Dorothy said he had to have three great boy names in an hour. Looks like she's keeping him on his toes."
"No. If I did, I would save it for mine." Of course, he didn't realize that he just triggered Relena until she smiled. Great.
"I think that's a great idea," she said. "Explore some names, Heero."
Great. Oh, great, now he had to name it if it was a boy.
"Hey, cool, you get to name it," Duo said to Heero. "Pretty snazzy. What about Snazzy? That's a real shiny name."
"Duo, are you okay?" Hilde asked him. "You get on people's nerves sometimes, but you are really going hard today."
Even Hilde knew Duo was anxious. They would be heading for a spot that was supposed to be safe, but might not be safe. Yeah, he was real anxious. "I'll check out the area with you, Duo." Maybe that would make Duo feel better. He might even pick around the area for Relena and him. Even when she was cleared, RTL would easily be able to get to her. Zechs clearing her name would work better, and they already had proof he had willingly abducted her. His name wasn't cleared, but his name wasn't ever cleared. He didn't care if his name was cleared, he didn't plan on ever being in the public eye again.
"Did we come up with anything yet?" Duo asked. "We are letting Quatre down."
"Quatre can come up with his own names," Heero stated. "It's his kid."
"Real super friend," Duo said back.
"Then you help. Did you ever have plans for any names beforehand?" Heero asked.
"Not even," Hilde answered for him.
"Maybe some names of those close to him," Relena suggested.
"Hm. Sandrock. Maguanacs. Hey, hey, that could even be Maggie for short if it's a girl," Duo reasoned. "Alright, two names texted out. I did my friend duty today."
Heero rescued Duo and Hilde from RTL. He did his for the day too.
"Thank you for trying to get some food," Relena said as she finally started eating. It was cold by then, but she wasn't the type to complain. Polite and simple.
"No problem." Obviously. Still, he always liked it when she complimented him. It wasn't needed. It was never needed. He still liked it.
Quatre and Wufei's Hiding Spot
"It's been an hour." Dorothy came out of her room, her stomach feeling better again. She had ins and out days, she was pregnant, and it was natural. Just because something was wrong with her didn't mean that was the cause for that day. "I hope you have come up with some stellar names. I want the stars themselves to be jealous."
She came out, hiding not a bit of her confident feeling, and was rewarded with a relieved, bright smile on Quatre. "I-I did. I came up with several, and the others helped out too. Though, there might not be as-"
She swiped the paper from him and looked. Now she knew his gundam was infamous, a legend in it's own right in the war, and it would indeed make the stars jealous but? Hmm. Then again, it was just that. Infamous. Whether it was boy or girl, Sand. Sand. Rock. "Sands Rock Catalonia. That isn't too bad," she reckoned.
"Um? Does it have to be Catalonia?" Quatre asked.
"Are you really naming your child after your gundam?" Mae-Lin asked as she looked toward Wufei. "Thanks for the small things."
"I would not have named my child Nataku," he said.
"Wasn't it named Shenlong?" she asked.
"Woman, this discussion is pointless," he said. "Shenlong would be a good name."
"Sand Rock Catalonia Winner then," she compromised. "I suppose it could share in the illustrious Winner name, but one cannot forget Catalonia either." He was trying to share more of the paper, but she already made up her mind. Sandrock was more than just a weapon, it became the very object to getting where they ended up in their system. It was even one of the last mighty mobile suits to ever be lost.
She noticed all of the subtle looks Quatre was giving, he was really trying to get her to relook at the paper, he even managed a 'um' and some pointing. "Sand Rock Catalonia Winner or Sands Rock Catalonia Winner?" People would call him by his first name more, but then again, Quatre had always introduced himself as Quatre Raberba Winner. Introductions were important to the expression of a name. "Sand Rock Catalonia Winner." He was going to definitely interject, probably with 'if it's a boy', which made sense, but "Sandra Rock Catalonia Winner would be a more feminine choice if need be, but it could go either way."
"That was Duo's suggested," he finally managed, like it would add any bearings. "I just wrote it down to be kind. Are you . . ." Yes, of course she was sure, and he could tell she was sure before he even asked in the first place. A wasteful bit of time.
Quatre liked the name as well, but humility was keeping him from saying that. After all, who names their child after a mobile suit? Legends did. She did not care about such trifles as humility or modesty, it was a fitting name for a child that belonged to a legend that had changed the course of history.
It mattered not how or why Sand Rock Catalonia Winner would be born, he was the child of a legend, and before she left this world, she would leave that honorable mark on him. Quatre seemed to understand as he gently gave a nod.
"Sand Rock Catalonia Winner," he even repeated.
Mae-Lin looked toward Wufei. "If anything ever happens? No."
"Nothing will happen," Wufei answered back.
"If it ever does? No, and it's Zhang."
"It would be Long," Wufei corrected her. "It would be a strong child, not a weak one."
"If it's mother was weak and unmarried, it would be weak, so it should have the weaker name." Mae-Lin was using the weak point and making herself look less good, to get her own way. It was something no other woman ever did, except her. Sometimes it worked.
"If it happened, it would be mine, and I would marry you so as not to be dishonored, and it would be a strong Long. I am avenging the Zhang colony, it would be Long."
"Zhang Long would probably solve that problem," Quatre came back with.
"Shut up," they both told him.
Dorothy just smiled, although she felt her body waver a moment. No, she mustn't waver, Quatre would- Quatre already saw it. If she rebelled, he would push harder. She would go lay down a few more minutes. She already knew he was going to get another washrag, but gave him a look. She wanted to be drowned in the washrag last time, but not this time. She headed toward her room, waiting for him to bring an ice pack politely.
As she got comfortable on her bed, she received the ice pack. Yes, she knew the eyes. Yes, she was taking it easy but serious. Would someone meet with the other pilots soon for the flowers? Yes, his look definitely indicated they were coming. An easy smile, he was feeling better. A good goal accomplished.
He left and she closed her eyes. Sand Rock Catalonia Winner. It would be a legendary name for a legendary person.
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