Times of Felicitation and War
Times of Felicitation and War
by Lady Deona
Chapter 1: An Outing Gone Wrong
It was early morning in the Sonata cafe in the L4 colony when the door opened to admit a young woman with light brown hair with two small braids in it.
The waitress at one of the tables looked up and smiled, saying, "Vice-Foreign Minister Dorilan! Nice to see you back here! It's been a while."
Relena smiled and said, "Oh come on now, it hasn't been that long since I was last in here. Besides, we're all friends. Please, call me Relena."
"Okay, Relena," the waitress, who was average size with short black hair, smiled and said, "Two or three of the regulars should be in here soon."
"Two or three?"
"Well, it depends on if the circus Trowa's involved with is in the area or not. So, Relena, what brings you to L4 today?"
"Well, I would say I was in the area, but the truth is I came to visit a friend. It's a special day for her today."
"Hmm...Hey cook! What day is it today?" the waitress yelled.
"August 4th. How come, you forget a date, Angie?" he yelled back.
"Oh, that's right! I better get your friend a present later today...did you remember to get her something?" Angie asked, "Oh, I almost forgot. Go ahead, sit down while I get the menu."
Another waitress that recognized the young Peacecraft daughter asked, "Hey Relena! Where's your boyfriend?"
"He's taking care of business at the L1 colony cluster, then he'll be here tomorrow," she replied, knowing that it was useless to deny that they were a couple...especially to Angie and the others here.
"I was wondering why he wasn't with you. Ever since the ball, the two of you have been inseparable! Jamie here's been collecting snapshots and video clips of two certain couples in the public!" Angie added with a wry smile.
I can just guess who the other couple is, she thought and ordered some breakfast as she heard a bell rang and saw the door open to admit Trowa.
"Hi, Trowa!" Jamie, who had pony-tailed dark brown hair, greeted him, "I see the circus was in the area after all."
"Actually," he replied with a little nod, "When I was here before, the circus had been in the area and I was told to take a vacation. All the members have the day off today. Miss Relena, what brings you here?"
"I thought I would drop in on a certain pair," she replied, "Since it is someone's birthday today."
He nodded and sat at Relena's table, saying to Jamie, "I'll have the usual."
"Okay! I'll bring out your food shortly," she said and took off with the orders, "The other two should be here any minute. We've got a surprise for everyone, especially that couple."
A minute later, everyone could hear quiet laughter and saw Quatre and Tira holding hands as they came up to the door and opened it.
"Well, well," Angie said as they came in, "What did I tell you, Jamie? Ante up!"
Tira looked at the waitresses and asked, "Just what were you betting on this time?"
"Whether or not you would show up this morning or a little late," Jamie answered with a grumble as she handed the first waitress some money.
"And we have a surprise for all of you," the cook called out to them from the kitchen, "All of you, remember that new door you were asking us about for the past few months and we said not to open it?"
Tira nodded and said, "Yeah, and you decided to torture us about it."
"Well, go ahead and open it now," Angie said with a grin, pointing at a wooden door on the left wall with a strange vine engraving on it.
The foursome opened the door...and found something rather unusual.
On the other end of the door was a half circle area made out of marble and stone. In this area were tables with four chairs each to sit in.
In the middle of each table was an umbrella, and each was a different color.
"Wow," Tira said quietly, "An outdoor section?"
Angie, who had followed the group, smiled and said, "Yep! In actuality, we've been planning on making an outdoor section for quite some time. Now...have a look at the pillar near this door."
Relena looked in the direction that the waitress had pointed and read the inscription:
In this cafe, plans for the most historic and romantic event of our times were born.
The couples of Heero Yuy, Relena Dorilan, Quatre Raberba Winner and Tira Felice.
The original plan-makers of Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton and Wufei Chang.
April 4, A.C. 197.
"It wasn't that historic," she said after reading the inscription.
"Oh, but it was! None of the colonies had a ball like the one 4 months ago," was the reply.
"I think it's a very nice surprise," Tira said to them.
"And...this new section overlooks the area closest to the park," Angie continued, "Hope you guys like it."
"Oh, at least I do," Quatre said with a little smile.
When the others agreed, the waitress grinned and said, "We were hoping you'd like it...and that it'd be in time for today. Consider it a birthday present from the cafe."
"And speaking of which," Relena said, pulling a wrapped gift from a bag she had been carrying, "Happy birthday, Nati."
Tira's face lit up as the group sat at one of the new tables, "Relena, you remembered! How did you know that the whole time I was Natalie I used my real birthday?"
"A good guess," she replied and handed Tira the present, saying, "Go ahead and open it."
The young woman nodded and her eyes widened after she opened the package.
Inside was a music box that showed children skating on ice. When Tira wound up the box, it played a lively, enchanting tune that seemed to be of winter time.
"It's lovely! Thanks, Relena," she said with a smile, then she noticed that Trowa and Quatre also had bags in their hands.
"You're welcome. So what did you get your girlfriend?" the slightly older friend asked the blonde Arab.
"Oh, really, guys," Tira said, "The sweetest present I got 4 months ago."
"Two things, actually," Quatre replied, turning a little red and smiling a little, bringing out a round item that strangely enough had almost unnoticeable holes in the top.
"Hmm, what is this?" Tira asked as she took off the wrapping.
Right before she opened the box, she heard a small meow.
When she opened it, her eyes widened and a grin appeared on her face as she saw a small orange and black kitten.
He looked shyly at her and said, "You told me long ago you wanted a cat."
"This is so sweet! Thanks, Sandy!" she replied and kissed him softly.
He mentally took a deep breath as he said, "You're quite welcome, Nati."
Right away, he sensed her puzzlement and then an emotion that told him that she not only did not mind him calling her "Nati", she was happy about it.
"Nati?" Trowa asked, curious.
"When I was in hiding, I took on the alias of Natalie Merca. Relena nicknamed me 'Nati' from that. Just do me a favor, Trowa...and don't call me that. Only two people can," was her reply.
The tall pilot nodded and asked, "What else did you get her?"
"Oh...that's right. I remembered that we accidentally broke your fiddle last week while we were...busy," he replied, getting out the second package.
Relena and Trowa noticed the couple's reaction of blushing and smiling and simply shook their heads in amusement.
"What?" Tira asked, "I bet you accidentally broke a thing or two when busy when you and Heero were busy with something, Relena."
"Uh...well..."
The blonde Arab handed her the medium-sized package and watched as she opened it carefully.
Inside was an old-style fiddle, 18th century by the old calendar, she had seen in a shop window 2 weeks before.
"Quatre...it's wonderful! But I know someone even more wonderful than the violin," she said with a strange smile.
He muttered something that sounded like "Flatterer," and smiled at her softly.
"Now for my present," Trowa said, "Today is my treat. Whatever and wherever the two of you would like to go...just let me know."
"Isn't there a carnival in Trowa's circus troupe?" Relena asked, "I was planning on going by there later today."
The pair's eyes lit up at this as Quatre said, "That's right! It's been years since we've been to one of those."
"And I've been wanting to make up for that day we were supposed to go to the amusement park," she added, her eyes growing a little dim as she remembered the day her and her family had to flee to Earth.
For a split moment, Quatre's eyes dimmed with sorrow before he smiled reassuringly at her.
"After we all eat," Relena said, seeing Angie and a blonde haired waitress named Vanessa come in, bringing in everyone's breakfast.
The cook came out and said, "Hey guys! A message came in just now for all of you from Duo. He says he would have brought something for Tira but he's in the hospital getting the leg cast taken off. He also says happy birthday."
Trowa slightly grimaced and smiled at the same time, remembering that the American pilot in question had broken his leg from falling out of a tree at the ambassadorial ball four months before.
"Thanks," Tira replied and started eating.
***************
Right after they ate and paid for their meals, Trowa, Relena, Tira and Quatre made a stop by the Felice residence to drop off the violin and kitten.
Pagan was at the door when the foursome arrived.
"Miss Relena," he said, bowing, "Nice to see you again."
"It's been a while, Pagan," she said with a smile, "How are you liking living here?"
"It's quite satisfying...don't get me wrong, Miss Relena. I served under the Peacecraft family for many years and I was surprised that you wanted me to go with Lady Tira when she came back here. But--"
"It's okay I knew you would be able to do much more here," was the reply.
"Lady Tira, are you off somewhere again?"
"Yes," she said, "We're going to the public park and then to the amusement grounds."
"Ah. Should I get the limo ready--"
"That won't be necessary," Trowa quickly said, "The day is on me, so I'll be taking them."
The old butler nodded, knowing not to argue and said, "Very well, but please take care Miss Relena, Lady Tira, Master Quatre and Master Trowa."
Tira then said, "Oh I almost forgot. Could you please take these inside? I don't want to lose them or mess them up while we're out."
"Of course," was the reply as he took inside first the fiddle, and then the small kitten.
"Now let's get going," Relena said with a mischievous grin.
***************
The first thing the small group of four did after arriving at the carnival was to go to the ticket taker's booth.
The man at the booth saw Trowa and shook his head, saying, "No need to pay, Trowa. Same goes with Miss Tira and her friends. Go on in."
Surprised, they agreed and went inside.
***************
The ringmaster was shocked to see Trowa standing near the circus tent and quickly walked up to him.
"I thought I gave everyone the day off! What are you doing here?" he asked bluntly.
"Being with some friends," he replied, "It's Tira's birthday today. She, Quatre and another friend wanted to come here."
"Hm? Tira? The Tira from 4 months ago in that matchmaking scheme of yours?"
Trowa didn't say a word but nodded.
"Hmm. I've been wanting to meet her for some time. But I never thought the heiress of the Felice family would be in a place like this."
Trowa didn't say a word but had to smile as he saw Tira and Quatre in a seat on the Ferris wheel and Relena on a carousel.
The pair had, upon entering, gone on the Tunnel of Love ride, which Relena had predicted they would do.
"She and Quatre are the kind that won't let the media and their positions stop them from being themselves," was the reply.
After a few minutes, he saw the pair getting off the Ferris wheel and walking towards them.
Catherine, at that moment, also was walking towards the ringmaster and Trowa.
Her eyes widened as she saw Quatre and Tira.
"I don't believe it...Tira?" she called out.
Tira looked up and said, "Cathy? Cathy Bloom?"
The circus star grinned and hugged Tira, grinning.
The three men looked at them, rather puzzled.
"What's going on?" the ringmaster asked.
"Sir, don't you remember? The little girl that could read minds and see into their pasts?" she asked.
"Hm" he asked, then smiled as he began to remember, "Oh, yes! You're that Tira! I remember your mother was showing your talents to the public. If it wasn't for your father and your age at that time, you would have worked right alongside us as a fortune-teller."
Before he could stop himself, Quatre said, "With all due respect, I can't imagine her being in a circus as a side show. No offense, Trowa."
"None taken," was the quiet reply.
Suddenly, Tira turned rather pale and she shuddered.
Quatre, Catherine and Trowa looked at her, instantly worried.
"Nati? What's wrong?" the blond Arab asked.
"Murder," she answered in a near whisper, "Black anger. Someone has murder on the mind."
A moment later, Quatre's expression matched hers as he said, "I feel it too. The target... Oh no!"
Tira ran as fast as she could towards the carousel, calling out, "Relena!"
Half a second later, everyone heard the sound of a gun being fired twice.
The small group ran in the direction Tira had gone, the ringmaster shouting, "Stop the carousel! Now!"
Almost immediately, the ride slowed enough for the others to get on.
"Trowa, Quatre, come here quickly!" they heard Tira command in a voice that was so deadly calm it frightened the Arab, "Cathy, call an ambulance."
Catherine and the ringmaster turned pale when they saw one of the horses and the former quickly ran, nodding.
Relena was slumped over the horse she had been riding, part of her covered in blood.
***************
Heero Yuy looked around him as he got off of the space transport. The last time he had been here was on the day of the ambassadorial ball, four months before.
He wanted to surprise Relena, who had arrived here to spend some time with Tira, as today was her birthday (plus he also had a present for her), so he came a day earlier than he had said.
As he expected, the spaceport was busy for this time of day with people and officials going back and forth.
On the same transport he was on was Ambassador Noin.
"Excuse me," a flight secretary asked, "Are you Heero Yuy and Lucrezia Noin?"
"We are," the indigo-haired woman replied.
"I have an urgent message for the two of you from miss Tira Felice," was the reply as she handed Heero a piece of paper.
Although outwardly, there was no change in demeanor or expression, Noin could tell from a tightening of the jaw and hands as he read the paper that there was bad news.
"What happened?" she asked, then turned very pale at the words she read from over his shoulder.
Heero Yuy and Ambassador Noin,
As soon as you arrive, come to the general hospital right away. Relena's been shot by a sniper. Will fill you in on the rest when you arrive.
Tira Felice.
"A sniper?" she asked, alarmed as he quickly walked out of the spaceport, most likely to call for the public transport.
***************
Tira, Quatre, Trowa and Pagan were quite impatient as they stayed in the hospital's waiting room. Three of them were seated and the young heiress was pacing the floor.
After a few minutes of silence, Quatre got up and walked over to Tira.
"She's going to be okay," he quietly said to her, "We both know her pretty well...she'll pull through."
"You saw what happened," was the only thing she said, and yet the look in her eyes, worry and fright behind a steely front sent shivers down the blonde Arab's spine.
He nodded, not saying a word and held her tightly.
They were still in an embrace a few minutes later when Heero and Noin ran in.
"How did you--" Trowa started to ask when the Japanese pilot handed him a piece of paper.
"Heero decided to surprise Relena by coming a day early. We got Tira's message at the spaceport," was the ambassador's reply.
Quatre looked up as though faintly realizing that other people had come in and said, "Heero...? I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow."
"We just got here," was the reply, "Now...what happened to Relena?"
The blonde Arab let go of his beloved and they all sat down, explaining as best they could everything that occurred at the amusement park.
"I got a pretty good look at the sniper," Tira added, "Either I was imagining things or he was wearing something that looked like an Oz uniform...with a white cloth wrapped around one of the arms."
"Did you get a look at the guy's face?" Heero asked.
"Hmm...I know I saw his face but for the life of me I can't remember..."
Heero nodded and asked, "Have you contacted Wufei and Duo?"
The tall Latin pilot replied, "Duo was in the hospital getting his cast removed and will be here tomorrow. Wufei said he would be on the next transport here."
The others looked at each other in silent horror at the implications when one of the doctors came out of a room and towards them.
"Is Miss Relena all right?" Quatre asked as he and the others got up.
The doctor looked at them all gravely and said, "I'll be honest with you. One bullet went through the right shoulder and one went through her side, nicking the right lung. She lost a lot of blood."
Tira's eyes widened and she strained to resist the temptation to read his mind.
"I don't know how," the doctor continued, "But she pulled through. She's resting right now."
"Are there visitors allowed?" Trowa quickly asked.
"One or two at a time only," was the reply.
"Heero...you go first," Tira managed to say in a loud enough voice, "She's your girlfriend."
Then she collapsed to the floor.
"Tira!" Quatre called out in an alarmed voice.
The doctor immediately called for assistance and grabbed a stretcher.
Almost instantly, two or three nurses arrived and Tira was placed on the stretcher and began to hook the equipment from a nearby crash cart on her.
"You'll all have to stay out here...except for those going to see Relena," the doctor said as she was being wheeled into the emergency room.
Heero gave Trowa a look that said to stay with Quatre before he left.
As the tall pilot nodded, the blonde Arab doubled over in pain.
"What happened?" Trowa asked as he lead the small pilot back to a seat.
"M-my heart...it felt like it stopped...for a moment. I couldn't...breathe," he managed to answer.
"Do you need a doctor?" the silent one asked, then felt stupid for asking that in a hospital.
"No...I'm okay now..."
***************
However, within the next half an hour, Quatre had two repeats of doubling over, with Trowa watching closely.
After the third time, Trowa quickly picked him up from his seat and lead him towards the emergency room.
"Trowa...I don't need a doctor," he faintly heard.
"That's not why we're going this way. Other than being in pain and lack of air, you're not showing any other signs of your heart causing trouble. Yours isn't the one that's stopped three times."
Before they reached the area, the doctor from before came out and asked, "What are you two doing here?"
The Latin pilot shook his head and asked, "What happened to Tira?"
He simply looked at them, then nodded, saying, "I was on my way to see you two, but here is as good a place. That young woman collapsed from severe exhaustion, mostly, but there are two other complications, such as multiple bruising over different parts of the body...and muscular strain as well."
"I don't think that came from anything we were doing," Quatre managed to say, able to stand upright without trouble.
"Also," the doctor continued, "Tira's heart stopped three times. For a while we thought we would lose her."
At this bit of news, he turned very pale and asked with a tremor in his voice, "Is she all right?!"
"We managed to stabilize her. She's been placed in a hospital room and can have only two visitors at a time. She'll have to stay here for anywhere ranging from 3 or 4 days to a week."
Trowa nodded and asked for directions.
***************
Heero was walking from seeing Relena, who was under sedation when he saw Trowa standing outside one of the other rooms.
The tall pilot motioned to keep quiet and nodded his head towards the room.
The Japanese pilot looked and saw Tira sitting up in a bed, hooked up to a heart monitor.
Quatre was sitting beside her on the bed...and suddenly he held her rather tightly, sobbing.
Trowa told Heero in a rather quiet whisper just what injuries she had sustained and added, "Her very attitude when she found that Relena was shot was rather...unlike an heiress that merely had been on the run for years. More like...one of us."
Although there was no visible reaction from the Perfect Soldier, he asked in a tone that those that knew him best would say was disbelief, "You think she may be--"
"If she is, we should learn which of the instructors it is before Quatre does," the tall pilot replied, "because if he finds out first, whichever teacher it is will be a dead man."
"Whoever shot Relena will also die," the Japanese pilot said and then remembered that he had a package in his left hand.
"For Relena or Tira?"
Heero said nothing but quietly went in and placed the package on a table and walked back out.
***************
In the lobby an average-height man with dark hair was on a telephone while two slightly taller men stood in the same area.
"Yes...it's said she is also a patient here. Both are in stable condition for now," the man said, then nodded after a moment.
"If he had done his job right we wouldn't need to be here," one of the men standing around muttered, "Now we have two to take care of."
The other man, this one with short black hair and beady eyes, replied, "We would have been told to take care of the other one anyway. Back during the Eve Wars, she was considered a target according to some of the ex-officers."
The two waiting faintly heard an angry voice shout, "I don't care how you do it, but you get rid of her!"
The man on the phone hung up and said in a low voice, "We leave the Vice-Foreign Minister alone for now."
"What? We let the primary target live? The higher-ups must have gone crazy," the second man, who wore a jalopy-style cap, groaned.
"Relena Dorilan may be a primary target, but the other woman saw Taggart's face. They say we can't take any chances, considering what she is."
"You mean since she's the heiress to a powerful family and linked to another?" the black haired man asked.
"That, too...but it seems she's the empath Oz was after before."
"Our orders?" the two men asked.
"Our immediate orders," the first man replied, "Are to kill Tira Felice."
Onto Chapter 2
Back to the Section of Gundam Wing
Back to the Esteemed Hall
Back to the Main Hall
