AN: A shout out to my beta Midii Une, Bryony, and everyone else who reviewed my
fics. You’re my cheerleading section! ^_^

Gundam Wing: Legend of the Dream Stalker
Part 2: Father’s Day
By Sailor Celaeno

Mariemaia had insisted on coming to the cemetery alone. Une wished for someone
to accompany the young girl. Eventually the two had compromised so Mariemaia
could visit her father in privacy. Peygan agreed to bring her. “Thank you
Peygan,” Mariemaia said as the car stopped near the grave.
“Of course Miss Mariemaia,” Peygan said with a friendly smile. He watched hid
young charge walk up a small incline towards the grave. He was reminded of a
young Miss Relena as she walked away from the car.
It was quiet and nearly empty in the cemetery. She slowly made her way towards
her father’s resting place. Father… who was he? Her eyes scanned the ground as
she looked about searchingly, trying to remember where the site was. To her
surprise, she saw a figure standing above a grave. Mariemaia almost shrieked at
the sight. “This is the last time I let Duo tell me ghost stories,” she mumbled
to herself.
She walked closer as she could see that the figure was as solid looking as she
was. Mariemaia walked calmly. The figure was clearly a man. He was tall, and he
hid his face under a large hat. He wore a long trench coat that emphasized his
height. Mariemaia was intimidated by the imposing figure. She cautiously
approached.
The figure spoke. “You don’t need to be frightened. I’m just here paying my
respects.” A gloved hand gestured towards the headstone bearing Treize’s name.
Mariemaia looked up to the mysterious man. “You know him?”
The man didn’t look at her. “I knew him very well.”
Mariemaia looked at the figure. “Then… could you tell me about him?”
“Treize Khushrenada had a strong love for humanity. He believed in the human
spirit and the beauties of human will. That was what he loved. That was his
heart’s desire.” The man spoke simply, yet with a conviction that only a great
orator could possess. There was a short silence. “I assume you know him as well
since you are here. May I ask how?”
Mariemaia said, “I never met him. I don’t believe he ever knew I existed.”
“Then… why would you be at the grave of someone who never knew you?”
“Well… you see… he knew my mother… Leia Barton.”
“Leia?” the man turned around to watch the girl.
Mariemaia’s eyes widened. She stumbled backwards as she saw his face. “A
ghost…” she squeaked. She dropped the roses she had been holding.
The man quickly grabbed her arms to steady her. “I’m no ghost. I’m as living
as you.”
Mariemaia looked into his face. “I see that… Father.”

*****

Quatre walked into the hospital room. Miss Laramie was in her bed sleeping so
soundly. It was hard to believe that anything was wrong. But there was the
unmistakeable fact that the girl been asleep for nearly 18 hours for no
apparent reason. Quatre sat at her side. He took her small hand in his. Almost
in an instant, there was an image flashing in his mind. “Ah!” he quickly let go
of her hand as though he had burned his hand.
“We’re in trouble,” he murmured.

*****

Duo could hardly relax. Fiona was in serious danger…
Fiona Laramie was a really great girl. She was like Duo’s little sister. The
Preventers were called to protect the delegates at a convention of ESUN’s
Parliament. There were the usual members of the Parliament mingling and talking
about their usual concerns. It was large cocktail party in between the
discussion proceedings. Duo and Hilde decided to mingle among the crowd and get
a better look at the people they were watching. It was, to say the least, very
dull. Duo sighed more than a few times in boredom. “Come on Duo, it’s only
another three hours,” Hilde tried being as positive as possible, even though
she was also bored.
“Sure it is Hilde,” Duo rolled his eyes in response.
“Well, there’s not much we can do… oof!” Hilde said as someone bumped into her.
“Ah!” the girl fell backwards.
Duo quickly pulled her up onto her feet. He held her for a moment until she
was steady on her feet. “You okay, kid?”
“Hmph! I’m not a kid,” she began. “In fact… I’m 13 now. I’m no little kid,”
she replied with a slightly haughty attitude.
Duo and Hilde smiled a little as they recalled they had a similar attitude
when they had each turned 13. “I apologize Miss. Didn’t expect to see many
young girls like you in this place,” he smiled.
The girl calmed down. “I guess. I’m only here because Dad told me to come. I’d
much prefer to be somewhere else. I’m so bored here.”
“Funny, we had the same thought,” smirked Duo.
“I’m sorry for bumping into you Miss… Miss…” said Hilde.
“My name is Fiona Laramie.”
“Laramie? Isn’t your father the senator of US region?” asked Hilde.
“Yes, he is. I suppose you’re here to protect the senators,” Fiona replied.
“Yep. It’s our job. Although… this job isn’t half bad since we can have hors
d’oeuvres,” Duo said with a wink.
Fiona giggled and they had a very pleasant conversation. It went on and off
since Duo and Hilde would take turns scanning the room to make sure there was
no trouble in their section of the ballroom.
Fiona was thoroughly charmed with the two Preventers and impressed by their
experiences during the war. She especially seemed attached to Duo. She would
follow Duo everywhere he went and always talked to him. He started thinking
maybe she was having a huge crush on him. “Now Fiona… I have to tell you that
I’m already with…”
“That you’re already with Hilde?” Fiona laughed. “Silly… I knew you and Hilde
are together. I just like hanging out with you.” She gave him a warm hug. “I
just wished you were my big brother. I always wanted one,” she said gently as
she continued holding onto him. Duo couldn’t help feeling a little touched at
her words.
He returned her hug with one of his own. “How about I become your unofficial
big brother?”
“Really?” she practically squealed.
“Sure kid, why not? I never had a sister,” he gave her an inviting smile.
So Fiona unofficially became a Maxwell. She even showed her appreciation for
Duo’s kindness by giving Hilde her favorite bracelet as a wedding present.
And now… Fiona, Duo’s little sister was in danger. Duo was troubled by the
whole situation. Sadly, there wasn’t he could do to help her.

*****

“Father?” Treize stared long and hard at the child he held in his strong, but
gentle grip. Could it be true that he had a child? “Your mother Leia…”
“She has been dead since I was two.” Mariemaia could hardly look at him in the
face. “It’s been a long time since then. And I’ve managed okay,” she said
quietly.
Treize still held her. He gently lifted her chin to take a good look at her.
“You do look like Leia.”
“People say I look like you,” she replied.
“Pardon me. What is your name?”
Mariemaia looked up at her father. “I am Mariemaia.”
“Marie… maia…” he said with a calming tone. He ran a hand through her red
locks. “It’s a lovely name.”
“Yes… Father.”
“I wish I had known about you sooner.” He stood up and made an elegant bow to
his daughter. “I humbly apologize to Mademoiselle Khushrenada for the
unforgivable oversight. The mademoiselle’s humble servant only begs for
clemency.”
Mariemaia couldn’t quite be sure what to say. “Madamoiselle cannot possibly
refuse such a gallant apology.”
“I am honored m’lady.”
“I have question for you.”
“Speak my lady,” he returned with his usual gentlemanly manner.
Mariemaia turned to her father. “How is it possible that you could be alive
after all this time?”
“It’s… a rather long story,” he answered with a bemused smile.
“I have all day.”
Treize smiled. “It’s very unusual to say the least.”

*****

Christmas, AC 195

Treize sat within Tallgeese II. Wufei was truly a great fighter, and here was
the moment to acknowledge that. A man who truly understood the true spirit of
the soldier was a worthy opponent. “Farewell…”
The entire suit was breaking apart. Treize could feel the heat of the suit as
the electricity surged. “I will die… in the spirit that I have always loved…”
He stared out at the stars. To die among the stars was a magnificent death
indeed. As he awaited his end, he noticed something rather odd. The suits in
the battle around him slowed significantly. The humming within his damaged suit
was quieting to nothingness. The sparks of electricity was frozen. “Is this
what death does?” he murmured at the odd happenings around him.
A strange, blinding light appeared before his eyes. It was an explosion of a
heavenly glory displayed before him like a shining revelation of endless
illumination. It was wondrous, and he wondered if anyone else could see the
beautiful display. “Maybe… this is that light people always say you see…”
“Treize…” the light murmured. “Treize…”
Treize covered his eyes to watch where this voice was coming from. It was so
warm and gentle, the sound of his name felt like a warm embrace. It was so
soothing, his eyes fluttered as though he was falling asleep.
“Treize…” it called again. “You’re not done yet.”
The warm voice called. Treize murmured, “Not done yet? Are you… an angel?” His
eyes closed. The last moments of conscious thought was the sensation of
floating and the warmth of something exploding around him.
Before long, he once again had a sensation. There was a soft, warm hand
touching his face. “Treize…” the warm voice spoke. The voice beckoned him to
wake.
His eyes opened and he saw someone. A lovely lady who sat beside him. She wore
an elegant suit and watched him take in his surroundings. “Where…?”
She smiled. “You’re at a private facility. You’re receiving treatments for
your injuries. You’ve been put in a coma until you were in better condition.”
Treize nodded. He glanced over at her again. She had dark black hair. Her eyes
were an unusual shade, almost silvery in color. “May I learn the name of my
saving angel?”
The woman smiled again. She was amused by his chivalry. “I am Miss Nova
Rokureno.”

*****

Mariemaia stared at him. “Miss Nova? She knew…” She hardly knew what to say.
“I can’t believe she knew all this time.”
Treize stared at the beautiful sky above. “I don’t know why she kept me alive,
nor why she kept you a secret from me.” He turned to look at his newly
discovered daughter. “But for whatever reason, I’m grateful for the gift. I had
hoped that something good would come out of the war. If you would be gracious
enough, I only hope that you may find a place in your heart for me.” He kneeled
down to her eye level. “I have not been a true father for you. But…” he picked
up the bouquet on the ground. “If these flowers mean anything… then I hope they
are the sign of your forgiveness.”
Mariemaia walked closer and wrapped her arms around him. “Hello… Father.”
Treize was more than satisfied with her answer.

*****

Sailor Celaeno stood before the Council. She was called to make her regular
report. “Celaeno… we very concerned with your progress. Your mission was to
ensure stability in the universe. The horizon grows dimmer with each passing
moment. The Revolution of All Ends approaches ever closer. Are the pilots
ready?” asked the Council leader.
“They have made sufficient progress Madam. I give you my solemn assurance of
that.”
“While you are the defender of Destiny, it is merely a mission for you to
specifically train these Gundam pilots. It can easily be given to another.”
“I am aware of this. It is my belief that since their destiny is so tightly
bound to their destiny, I felt this was the wisest decision.”
“Very well. We, the grand Council of High Heavens, reconfirm to this mission.
However, we maintain our power to reassign another to this mission.”
“Of course,” Celaeno said as she bowed to the Council of senshi.

*****

“There was so much pain and agony in her dreams. She was very frightened of
something. Whatever it is, it’s causing the problem. Quite possibly it’s
causing all these people to end up like her,” Quatre said.
Duo ran a hand through his hair. “You’re telling me some bogeyman is making
Fiona sick?”
Quatre frowned. “Not a bogeyman. A Newtype…”
Everyone sat straight up. “A… newtype?” gasped Hilde.
“A Newtype?” Trowa walked towards his friend. “Are you sure?”
“Not 100%, but I’m quite convinced that it most likely is,” frowned Quatre.
“I thought the only Newtypes powerful enough for this is you, Cassandra
Taylor, and Hikari Nahira,” replied Sally. Nova was not a Newtype because she
had no Newtype Factors.
“But that’s only a roster of the Newtypes we know of. There were dozens that
Linner created that we never located. And there could be natural-born Newtypes.
Like me…” Quatre sighed and looked at everyone straight in the eye. “Whoever it
is, they are extremely powerful and dangerous. Only someone like that is
capable of harming people in their dreams. It’s the only real explanation.”
Sally nodded. “I think he’s right. There’s no pathological reason for their
conditions. “I’ve also seen what happened to Quatre after he worked too hard. I
don’t know how people would react if it gets out that a Newtype was
responsible. There could be a backlash against Newtypes.”
“Exactly,” added Heero. “This is why we cannot inform the President or the
Parliament of this hypothesis of ours. We don’t need paranoia and hysteria to
complicate and compromise our investigation.”
Duo had to add a comment. “You know everytime we have a staff meeting like
this I start to feel more and more like I’m in some secret conspiracy.”
In spite of the dire situation, the wry comment eased tension in the room.
“Well, here’s another conspiracy for you,” Wufei had a slight smile.
“Well Une will have to be informed. I suppose having Relena on our side could
be very beneficial,” Heero said.
Quatre nodded. “I’ll see if I can find out who Dream Stalker is.”
“Dream Stalker, eh?” asked Duo. “And I thought we aren’t after a bogeyman.”

Next Time: Quatre is on the trail of the Dream Stalker, but is it really on his
trail? Things get more mysterious when Nova’s place in the scheme of things
gets deeper and deeper.