Honor and Justice

Chapter 8

By Aryn

"NO!" Nari screamed, lunging at Javin. He threw the detonator to the ground and laughed, easily blocking her blows.

"How does it feel to be a widow so young, Mrs. Winner?" Javin teased.

Nari could feel the hot, angry tears mixed with sorrow burn her eyes. Her face was flushed with rage. She attacked viciously, offering no opening whatsoever. Her muscles screamed for her to stop, but her mind refused to listen to them. She was not giving up. Javin was not going to walk out of this room. She was going to drag him out. Javin let Nari think she was going to actually win this battle before attacking back. He blocked one of her blows with such force, Aluma vibrated in her hands, sending the unpleasant feeling up her arms. She was momentarily left wide open and Javin went to strike before she could recover. Nari heard the familiar sound of a gunshot and metal striking metal. Javin stopped in mid-stroke and look at the intruder. A look of surprise registered on his face as he paused. Nari took her chance and ran the sword up through his stomach and punctured his lungs. He let out a startled gasp and feel to his knees. He looked up at Nari, holding his sides.

"There's more....of us....than you think." he gasped before collapsing at her feet. Nari turned around to see Quatre standing at the door, gun in hand.

"You're alive." she exclaimed, dropping her sword and throwing her arms around Quatre, kissing him on the cheek. Not exactly sure as to why she would think he was dead, Quatre gladly wrapped his arms around and kissed her back.

"Of course I am." he replied. "But we have to get Javin to the ship and back to Sally. We have to get Trowa changed back."

Nari immediately let go of him and went over to Javin. Sheathing her sword and slinging it over her shoulder, she grabbed one arm of Javin and Quatre grabbed another.

"Where's Duo?" she asked him, as they made their way to the shuttle.

"With Trowa. He's already at the shuttle." Quatre told her.

Nari looked over the Javin and felt him get heavier.

"He's dying Quatre. We have to hurry."

_______________________________________

Mei sat down in one of the hotel lobby chairs and relaxed for a few minutes. She had changed into a knee-length linen dress with a matching sweater. Sometimes it just felt great to dress like a woman. Jeans and a T-shirt just didn't cut it all the time. She was ten minutes early on purpose. She just wanted to rest for a little bit and get some peace and quiet. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the chair. Someone walked up to her and quietly cleared their throat. Mei cracked an eye open to see who it was. Both eyes snapped open with surprise when she saw Wufei standing in front of her. He was dressed in light khakis and a red shirt that was tucked in. He was definitely looking sharp.

"Well, Mr. Chang, I must say I am very impressed." she told him, standing to her feet. "You look very nice."

"So do you Miss Ling." he replied, bowing slightly.

"Why thank you." she said, bowing back.

"Aren't you here a little early?" he asked, sitting down in the chair next to hers.

"Yes, I like to people watch." she explained.

"It didn't look like you were people watching." he noted.

Mei just smiled. "Are you going to be civil tonight?" she teased.

"When haven't I been civil?" he asked indignantly.

"Good evening." Arys said, breaking into the conversation before it turned into an argument.

"Hi." Mei said, standing up to greet the smiling couple. Well, almost smiling. Heero still stood back with an expressionless face. "Is it too early for dinner or would like to see some sights first?"

Arys looked Heero and glanced at Wufei and then back at Heero.

"It's your night." Heero said to her. Arys smiled at him and turned back to Mei. "Let's see some sights first." she said.

Mei nodded her head and started for the street. She walked the streets of her familiar home and pointed out all the landmarks, both official and personal. She took them to the Chinese open air market and showed Arys different shops that either specialized in clothing or jewelry. As they passed by the jewelry shop, Mei grabbed Arys' arm and pointed to the window.

"I have to show you something. The boys will think we're crazy, but I'll think you'll find it interesting." Mei told her. Arys followed her up to the window. On display there were about ten bracelets. Most were gold with various stones in them. But the one that Mei pointed out was silver with a small piece of jade in the center with a dragon carved on the jade.

"That's beautiful." Arys remarked.

"I know. That bracelet has been here since I moved here. Deshi and I used to walk this street and we would always stop and look in the shops. I saw this bracelet and he promised to get it for me for my birthday. But then of course, OZ interrupted our lives and the bracelet was forgotten. Due to all our visits to the little shop, the owner, Ping, got to know us and promised never to see the bracelet till I was able to pay for it. He has kept his word for four years now."

Arys looked back at the bracelet with new appreciation, touched by the story.

"Is it hard for you to walk these streets with so many memories?" she asked her.

"No not all. I loved Deshi very much, but I've learned to continue on without him. I will never forget him, and I will always cherish his memory, but I can not stop my life because he is no longer here."

"You're a strong woman, Mei Ling." Arys told her.

"So are you Arys Yuy." Mei replied. "You just haven't had to prove it in the same way I have."

Mei heard one of the boys cough lowly behind them. She didn't have to guess who it was.

"Am I keeping you from something Mr. Chang?" Mei asked as she turned around. Arys tried to hide a smile as she walked over to Heero and slipped an arm around his waist.

"Yes, dinner." Wufei answered.

"I'm terribly sorry." Mei replied, with mock sincerity. "There's a nice restaurant just a few doors down. Can you make it that far?"

"Hmph." was all she got in a response as he walked past her. Mei gave Arys an amused look and just shrugged her shoulders before following Wufei. Heero leaned down and whispered something in Arys' ear. A wide smile broke out on her face and she nodded her head.

Mei caught up with Wufei with a few quick strides.

"I thought you were going to civil tonight?" she asked him.

"I have been." he replied shortly.

"I'm keeping you from dinner? Yeah, that was real civil."

"You're trying my patience, woman."

"Do you ever think that perhaps you try mine as well?"

Wufei stopped and turned to face her. But the look in her eyes stopped any kind of retort that he was about to say. She was annoyed with him, that much was certain, but she was also hurt by his abrupt manner.

"I'm sorry if I bore you with my stories." she said softly before walking past him towards the restaurant. Wufei just stood there, desperately searching for a way to calm Mei down. Arys came up beside him while he was lost in thought.

"What happened?" she sighed.

Wufei looked at her and noticed Heero wasn't with her. "Where's Heero?"

"He went into the jewelry shop to get me something." Arys answered.

Suddenly an idea occurred to Wufei. "Keep Mei occupied." he told her, before going back to met up with Heero.

Arys just shook her head and caught up with Mei. She could tell from the tenseness of the girl's shoulders that something had upset her.

<Leave it to Wufei.> Arys thought to herself.

Once Mei saw that it was Arys walking next to her, she seemed to relax somewhat.

"Here's the restaurant." Mei said. "Where're the boys?"

"Heero dropped his wallet somewhere. Wufei went back to help him look." Arys fibbed. If her hypothesis was correct, then the cover would work.

"Should we go help?" Mei asked concerned.

"No, he said to get a table and they would join us."

"Okay." Mei said looking down the street.

The restaurant was a lot smaller than Arys would have expected. It had about eight tables in it and was dimly light. But the smells were absolutely wonderful.

"Ling Mei!" a man called from behind the counter. He came running over to Mei and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her on the forehead. He was in his sixties by the look of him, with coke-bottle glasses and squinty eyes. Mei hugged him back enthusiastically with a huge smile on her face.

"Mr. Wu, how are you?" she asked him when finally let her go.

"I'm fine, fine. How are you? It's been a while since you've come here." he said, still holding her hands in his.

"Yes, I know. I've moved again, Mr. Wu." she explained.

"Oh, is everything all right now then?" he asked with concern.

"Yes, everything is fine."

"And Hana?"

"Wonderful as ever. Growing bigger every day."

"Good, good." he said, shaking her hands emphatically. "And who is your lovely companion?"

"This is Arys Yuy." Mei introduced. "She a friend of mine."

"Pleasure to meet you." Mr. Wu greeted. "And are these friends of yours as well?"

Mei turned to see that Heero and Wufei had joined them.

"Yes Mr. Wu. This is Heero Yuy, Arys' husband, and this is Chang Wufei."

"A pleasure as well." Mr. Wu said as he bowed to the two men. Both men bowed back and accepted his greeting.

"Is this all that will be coming?" Mr. Wu asked.

"Yes, this is it." Mei answered.

"Wonderful!" he said. "And tonight's dinner is on the house!"

"No, Mr. Wu!" Mei exclaimed running after him.

"Yes, on the house, completely and totally!"

"You promised me the last time that that would be it!" Mei pressed.

"No, no. It's a special occasion." he continued.

"No, I will pay you for the meal!"

"Roast duck, fried rice,..." Mr. Wu started writing down the food he was going to prepare for his honored guests.

"No." Mei continued to contest.

"Egg rolls, wanton and something special for you." Mr. Wu said, tapping Mei on the nose with his pencil.

"Mr. Wu, please. You promised me the next time you would let me pay you for the food." she pleaded.

"No!" he stamped his foot. "You can not afford to pay for the food. You have a child and work too much. You have nice, polite guests. Everything is on the house, no more words from you."

Mei shut her mouth for the moment and started to think of ways to get his payment to him.

"And don't even start thinking or I will throw you out of my restaurant." Mr. Wu said emphatically.

_________________________________

Quatre and Nari stood together by Trowa's bedside, waiting for him to wake up. They had reached the Preventer's Headquarters with just minutes to spare. But Sally had completed the download and now it was just a waiting game.

Quatre watched as Nari slumped tiredly into a chair nearby and rested her head on her hand. Quatre pulled up a chair beside her and gently took her other hand in his.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Nari looked up at him with tear filled eyes. "Nothing now." she smiled.

Quatre breathed a sigh of relief to see his wife back to her normal self. Pulling his chair closer to hers, he put a hand on her cheek, turning her face towards his.

"Nari, it's good to have you back."

Nari placed her other hand over the one Quatre had on her cheek. She smiled tremendously. Quatre could not resist giving Nari a kiss on the lips. Nari grinned at him, took his hands and stood to her feet, pulling him with her. She placed her arms around his neck; Quatre looked down at her, slightly confused.

"I have to make up to you for the last few days. Why not start now?" Nari told him mischievously.

Quatre glanced at Trowa, still unconscious on the bed. "Well, don't you think..."

He was interrupted as his wife kissed him tenderly. Quatre forgot all about Trowa, about Javin, about everything except for the woman in his arms.

A groan came from the direction of Trowa's bed. "Don't you two ever stop?"

Quatre and Nari broke apart and turned to look at Trowa who was eyeing them with mock distaste.

"Trowa!"

"You're awake!" Nari flushed at being caught.

"Yeah.." Trowa groaned again. "Tell me about it."

Quatre helped Trowa sit up. "How do you feel?"

"Can you stand?" Nari asked worriedly.

Trowa weakly waved a hand at them, holding his head with his other. "Too...many.....questions." He looked at his two friends. "Just go back to whatever you were doing. I'll be fine."

Quatre and Nari glanced at each other. Then, simultaneously, both went to Trowa and gave him a hug.

"We're glad your back Trowa."

"We missed you."

Trowa had to grin. "Yeah, sure."

_______________________________

Two hours and four courses later, the four young people were still eating and talking. Well, two of them were anyway. Heero and Wufei just ate in silence for the most part, listening to the girls carry on about past events. Arys told Mei how she had met Heero and fallen in love with and the following Gundam battles. Mei listened fascinated by the stories and acted like she thoroughly enjoyed hearing about them. But she started telling some stories of her own personal missions against OZ, Wufei and Heero perked up a bit.

Wufei sat back in his chair and listened half-heartedly to the conversation. He still couldn't tell if Mei was angry with him. She had been so caught up with Mr. Wu and telling stories that she hadn't even looked at him. He watched her as she told of something that had happened with Hana and he noticed how alive she looked. She was smiling brightly and was using emphatic hand gestures to get her point across. He had to admit to himself, she was just plain beautiful.

Mr. Wu had come out from the kitchen and had dimmed the lights till they were almost out. Heero and Wufei saw him coming with a cake topped with sparklers. Mei and Arys turned around with surprise at the dessert. Mr. Wu set the cake down on the table and Mei looked like was about ready to run.

"I bet she didn't tell you what day it is today." Mr. Wu said, with a broad smile. All three guests, except for Mei shook their heads.

"Not only is it a joyous day for me to see my dear friend again, but it is also a joyous day because it is her birthday." he announced. All three heads turned to face her. Mei hung her head in her hands to hide the blush that had crept across her face.

Around midnight that night, the only four guests that still occupied the restaurant, left with heartfelt thanks and full stomachs.

"That was the best food I have had in a while." Arys stated.

"Good, I'm glad you liked it." Mei said, smiling broadly. "I asked some questions this afternoon and my apartment is unoccupied and the landlady said I could stay there for the night. So that's where I'm heading."

"Okay. We'll see you tomorrow afternoon then when our shuttle leaves." Heero said, putting an arm around Arys.

"Yes, you will." Mei answered.

"Have a good night Mei. Thanks for showing us around." Arys said.

"It was my pleasure. Good night." she said, before walking away. She didn't get too far before walking right into Wufei who was standing on the curb.

"Aren't you leaving too?" she asked, stepping away from slightly, and watching the retreating Heero and Arys.

"No, I wanted to walk you home." he answered.

Mei regarded him for minute. "All right."

They started walking silence, Mei wondering why he thought it necessary to walk her home and Wufei wondering what in the world to say to her. He finally decided that the direct approach usually worked.

"I'm sorry about earlier." he said, looking down at the ground.

"Earlier?"

"Outside the jewelry shop."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did." she told him.

"No, you reacted the way anyone would have." he said. "You only handled it with more grace than I would have if it had been my wife."

"Who was your wife?" she asked gently.

"Ling Merian." he told her. Mei stopped in her tracks.

"Merian?" she repeated. Wufei nodded his head.

"You knew her then?"

A hand flew to her mouth as she laughed delightedly. "I was the one who told her she should marry you."

"Oh I have you to thank." he teased.

Both looked at each other for a moment and laughed together before continuing their walk. Mei felt content to feel him walk beside her, a kind of contentment that she hadn't felt in a long time. She almost didn't want to go home, but it was starting to get cold. She shivered slightly and pulled her sweater closer to her. Wufei noticed her shiver and gathering up more courage than he thought was necessary, he gingerly put a arm around her. Mei tried not to laugh at his obvious unease at the situation, and just gratefully moved closer to him.

He walked her all the way to the apartment building and insisted on standing outside till she turned the light on in her apartment.

"Thank you, for a very nice evening Mr. Chang." she said.

"Likewise Miss Ling." he replied.

She reluctantly turned and walked slowly into the building and up the stairs to her old apartment. Once inside, she quickly turned on the light and watched him walk back towards the hotel. She stood at the window some time after he had left and thought about all the different emotions he put her through. But the conclusion that she came to was they were all worth it. She slipped her hands into the pockets of her sweater and felt something in the right one. She pulled it out and stared at it, tears coming to her eyes. It was the jade dragon bracelet. Wufei had deftly slipped it into her pocket without her knowing.

_______________________________

"Well?"

Heero continued staring straight ahead as they walked. "Well what?"

Arys nudged him with her hip. "You know."

Heero pulled her closer, but continued staring straight ahead. "No, I don't."

Arys sighed and realized that Heero was not going to tell her unless she asked him point blank. She tightened her grip around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder.

"What did you get me?" Arys grimaced as she asked the question. It sounded so childish.

Heero stopped in his tracks. Arys pulled away slightly as Heero reached into his pocket. He smiled and handed her a velvet-covered box. "Here."

Arys slowly opened it and Heero watched her silently, waiting for her reaction. A wide grin spread across her face as she stared down at the necklace lying in the box.

"Heero, it's beautiful." she breathed. "It's perfect."

She held up a delicate silver necklace with a dragon pendant made of lapis lazuli. She held it up between their faces and smiled at Heero. The pendant matched his eyes as the silver chain matched hers.

"Put it on for me Heero."

Heero's eyes softened and he took the necklace as she turned her back toward him. She felt his hands fumble a bit with the clasp, but soon, he had it closed safely. Arys turned back to face him.

"How does it look?"

"Beautiful." But Heero's eyes were on her face, not the necklace.

Arys held the necklace in her hand and looked down at it for a few moments. Then she looked up to see Heero's eyes on her face. She put a hand up on his cheek, gazing into his eyes lovingly.

"Thank you." she whispered.

Heero took her hand from his cheek, kissed it tenderly and then moved closer and put his arms around her. His blue eyes were dark, and Arys found herself lost in them.

"You’re welcome."

Then, Heero kissed her, right there on the street. Cars passing by honked appreciatively but the couple hardly heard them. They were too lost in each other.