Eternal Flame

Disclaimer: I don\'t own the G Boys, I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier ne? :) I do however own Shane, Paul, Colin, Mickey, Benny, Toby, Fayah and any other unfamiliar characters that crop up. I also own the plot if you can call it that.

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Sap, angst, OC, Lemon, Lime, abuse, violence, language.

Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, OC x OC and maybe some more... check each part to be sure ;)

Archive: http://gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com
http://sweetlysour.net
http://www.adult-fanfiction.org
http://www.theforsakenwk.com/

Status: Work in progress.

Beta: DBZVelena... *huggles*

Author: ShenLong

Authors notes: *sigh* Well here I am again caving into pres. I . I know it has taken a while to get to this and for that I apologize but I could not come up with a plot I deemed worthy enough.... until now. This is yet another sequel... this time to United Hearts. I did promise I would write the wedding for you all and I intend to do that. For those that haven\'t read United or Lost Souls I recommend that you do, otherwise this sequel will not make much sense. All of your favorite characters are back and up to as much mischief as possible.
This is set fourteen months after the end of United and all the children are older now. The Gundam Pilots are all 20yrs, Shane and Fayah are 16, Paul is 15, Colin is 14, Mickey is 12, Benny is 10 1/2 and not forgetting that little rascal Toby who is 10.
Thank you to all those who supported me through the writing of United, I hope you enjoy this just as much.

\"Eternal Flame\"

April 2003 ShenLong

Chapter 12

Paul and Leith took a walk to the local park, Paul doing what he could to try to keep the mood light and cheery. They sat on a bench and watched the ducks on the lake, each deep in thought. Paul reached for Leith\'s hand and entwined his fingers with those of the other youth. Leith sighed softly and putting his other elbow on his knee he rested his chin in his hand and continued to stare out at the lake.

\"I wish there was more I could do ta help Leith.” Paul turned his sad blue eyes to those of his boyfriends, concern graced his face as he studied the worried profile before him.

Leith squeezed Paul\'s hand affectionately. \"Just having you here with me is more of a comfort than you know.\" Leith gazed back into those soft blue depths and let a sad smile curve his mouth. He unlaced his fingers and lifted his chin from his hand, moving slightly closer to Paul he wrapped his arm around Paul\'s shoulders and drew him closer.

Paul responded by slipping his own arm around Leith\'s waist and resting his cheek against the warm chest, tucking his head safely under Leith\'s chin. His fingers gently stroked Leith\'s side as they sat in silence once more.

After what seemed to be mere minutes to Paul but was in fact an hour Leith moved slightly. \"I had best be getting you back home before people begin to worry about you.\"

Paul raised his head and tilted it slightly to study Leith\'s face. He lifted a hand and gently lay the palm against a cheek. \"It will all be okay Leith.\"

Leith leaned into the touch and closed his eyes momentarily before turning to place a tender kiss against the palm. \"I\'m sorry, I\'ve ruined your afternoon. I guess I\'m just not good company at the moment Paul.\" Leith turned his tired, worried eyes to Paul.

Paul caressed the cheek with his palm. \"That\'s okay, I understand.\" Paul gazed off into the distance for a moment. \"I wish I knew what ta do ta help yer Leith but I think what Shane and Fayah said is probably the best thing ta do at the moment.\" Paul leaned a little closer, his breath brushing lightly over Leith\'s cheek.

\"Yeah, I agree. I\'ll try to call him at work tomorrow if he isn\'t home tonight, then if I don\'t get him I\'ll ring his boss and see if he knows where he is.\" Leith\'s eyes flickered over Paul\'s face as he slowly gravitated towards that sweet mouth. Their lips met in a brief touch before Leiulleulled away.

Paul slipped his hand to the back of Leith\'s head and coaxed him forwards again, crushing their mouths together for the second time. He poured all the love and support he had into that kiss, trying to tell Leith that he was there for him with the movement of his lips. Leith responded to the kiss, hungrily devouring Paul’s gift and returning it with an understanding of his own. They broke apart and stared at each other for a moment before Leith cleared his throat.

\"We really should be getting back Paul.\" Leith\'s tone was husky.

\"I guess we should.\" Paul reluctantly stood up, Leith following. He slipped his hand once more into Leith\'s and the pair headed back to Duo and Heero\'s.

~ * ~

\"Be good at school now won\'t you, I don\'t need Mrs. Watson calling me again at work.\" Trowa gave a stern look to Toby who smiled back innocently.

\"Don\'t forget your lunch.\" Quatre added as he handed out two paper bags to the pair.

Benny and Toby shoved their lunches inside their school bags and zipped them up. \"I promises ta be good.\" Toby replied to Trowa.

\"Just make sure that you are or you will be finding out that there are far worse punishments than no television for a week.\" Trowa was playing the part of stern parent to the best of his ability; underneath he was snickering away. He had received a rather interesting \'phone call from a very upset Mrs. Watson last Friday. Toby had somehow replaced the dead frog specimen in the classroom with a live one. The children were studying tadpoles and frogs so when Mrs. Watson had brought the jar to the fore of the table she had nearly suffered a heart attack when the supposed dead frog suddenly began to jump around in the jar and croak.

Trowa wondered if his hearing was ever going to recover from that little tirade. His thoughts were soon interrupted though and his attention returned to Benny who was chatting away.

\"Can we goes to Mickey and Colin\'s place afta school today? We needs ta work on this assignment thingy and wiv yer both not gonna be home till later we can all get on ta it together.\" Benny\'s gray-blue eyes looked pleadingly from Quatre to Trowa and back.

Quatre began to melt under the cherubic stare, the boys both knew how to manipulate him and exploited their advantage whenever possible. Trowa was a slightly harder case but usually if they could get Quatre ode tde then they knew the chances of Trowa complying had increased by 90%. Trowa often wondered how the hell Quatre managed to swing the deals he did and perform so successfully in the cut-throat world of business if two little boys could manipulate him so easily.

\"I\'m sure that will be okay.\" Quatre turned to Trowa for confirmation. Trowa nodded. \"But mind your manners.\"

\"We will,\" chorused Toby and Benny.

A knock at the dining room door and Kent entered the room. \"Master Colin is at the door sir.\"

\"Thank you Kent.\" Quatre bent to give both his son\'s a kiss good-bye.

Trowa also kissed them good-bye and gave Toby\'s brown hair a quick ruffle. \"No more frogs.\"

\"I promise, no more frogs.\" Toby followed Benny from the room. \"He didn\'t say nuthin about newts though,\" he whispered to Benny.

Benny just giggled.

Trowa wrapped his arms around Quatre\'s waist and placed a kiss to the back of his neck. \"Ready to leave?\"

\"I\'ll just go get my briefcase.\" Quatre turned to place a kiss upon his lover\'s lips before leaving the comfort of those sinewy arms to retrieve his briefcase from the study, Trowa went out to fetch car.car. Moments later they were speeding off to WEI.

Trowa parked the car in the underground car park and they strolled casually to the elevator, riding it to the tenth floor. They exited together and Trowa escorted Quatre to his office, passing Lucy on the way who handed Quatre a memo listing the day\'s agenda. Quatre smiled and thanked her, closed the doors to his office and placed the briefcase upon the desk, then he turned to Trowa and wrapped his arms around his lover’s neck, drawing him in for a sweet kiss.

\"I\'ll be back up to see you a little later my love.\" Trowa said softly as he kissed the tip of Quatre\'s nose.

\"I\'ll look forward to it.\" Quatre smiled, and don\'t forget the coffee he teased.

Trowa rolled his eyes. \"I swear that\'s all you want me for.\"

\"Is it my fault you converted me from tea with the way you make a coffee?\"

Trowa shook his head, enjoying the light banter. \"I\'ll bring you a cup later on.\" Placing another kiss, this time to the blonde\'s forehead, he turned and left.

Quatre watched the door close and then sat down in his large comfortable chair and opened his briefcase, removing some papers he glanced at the memo and reached for a pen. Time to get to work.

~ * ~ eitheith checked the apartment as soon as he got home and while not expecting to find his fathers presence he still couldn\'t help the feeling of disappointment as his fears were confirmed; still no sign of his father. He checked the answering machine just to be safe but there was nothing there. With a cold chill settling into his heart he made himself some dinner and tried to watch television. Two hours later he was still staring at the screen not even comprehending what he was watching. Finally he stood, rubbed his eyes wearily and went to take a shower.

Drying himself off he wrapped the towel around slender hips before opening up the bathroom cabinet and rummaging around the shelf, locating the small bottle he sought at the very back. He brought it forth and opened the lid to shake one of the small green pills into his palm. He screwed the lid back on tight and replaced the bottle. Filling the small cup with water he downed the pill, cleaned his teeth and went to his room. The towel was soon discarded and replaced with a pair of red briefs, alarm clock checked and set and Leith crawled between cool cotton sheets. His head welcomed the coldness of the pw, sw, soothing the ache that had begun as he tried to relax, waiting for the sleeping pill to kick in. Twenty minutes later he was asleep.

The sound of the alarm drew him from his slumber and fighting an arm free of the covers he managed to locate the off switch, silencing the evil thing. He rolled onto his back and studied the ceiling for a moment before dragging his weary body from the bed and proceeding to get ready for work. He stuck his head inside his father\'s room as he passed by. Still empty. He forced himself to eat a couple of slices of toast and down a coffee, grabbing his lunch from the \'fridge he picked up his keys and headed off to work.

\"Morning Leith.” Fred greeted the lanky youth as Leith stepped into the workshop. \"Have a good weekend?\"

Leith smiled at the older man. \"Sort of. You feeling better now?\"

\"Yep, much better. Thanks for asking. Oh and thanks for filling in for me on the job on Saturday.\"

\"No problem Fred. John in yet?\"

\"Yeah, he\'s in the office going through the bookings. Nothing wrong is there Leith?\" Fred cocked his head at the pale, pinched look on the usually happy face.

Leith gave him a small smile. \"Yes and no. I mean there might be but I nee spe speak with John and check a couple of things out.\"

\"Okay.\" Fred frowned and then looked up again. \"If there\'s anything I can do for you just let me know.\"

\"Thanks Fred. I appreciate that.\" Leith turned and went through the small door that separated the workshop from the main office.

John Harley was sitting at his desk going through the large book and scribbling on a note pad. He looked up when he heard the tentative knock on the door. \"Come in Leith.\"

Leith entered and twisted his hands nervously as he sought the words he needed.

\"What can I do for you Leith?\" John Harley stared at his young employee. He liked Leith, the boy was a good worker despite the streak obel bel im aim and had proven his worth as a damn fine mechanic and also a good driver when the need arose.

\"I might have a problem Mr. Harley.\"

\"A problem?\"

Leith sighed. \"I dunno, I might be overreacting but then again I might not....\"

\"Leith...\" John was getting a little impatient, he had a lot of paperwork to do and this hesitancy wasn\'t helping to get it done. \"Tell me what the problem is.\"

\"It\'s my dad.\"

\"Your father?\" This was a new one to John, he\'d met Bob Martins a couple of times and the man seemed fine to him.

\"I haven\'t seen him since Friday morning. He wasn\'t home when I got in from work; he still wasn\'t there when I got back that night. Saturday, when I got back from driving, he wasn\'t there and neither had his bed been slept in. He still hasn\'t been home by the time I left this morning. I\'m getting a bit worried as I haven\'t had so much as a phone call from him.\"

John Harley gazed at the worried looking teen before him. He could see that Leith was genuinely concerned and he felt a wave of protectiveness come over him. He stood up and walked around his desk to face his employee. \"Give your dad\'s office a call Leith. Maybe they can shed some light on where he is. He\'s probably been working on some new system or something and been there all weekend without even knowing it.\" Bob Martins\' little idiosyncrasies were often a topic of discussion between Leith and Fred, John couldn\'t help overhearing some of the comments from time to time.

\"Would you mind if I did?\"

John waved him to the vid phone. \"No problem Leith.\"

\"Thanks.” Leith moved to the desk, punched in the number for his father’s office and waited patiently for the call to connect. The screen flickered and the receptionist came into focus.

\"Past and Present Technologies, how may I direct your call?\"

\"I\'d like to speak to my father Bob Martins please.\"

\"One moment while I put you through to that department sir.\"

Leith waited patiently while his call was transferred.

\"Programming. How can I help you?\"

\"It\'s Leith Martins here, I was wondering if I could have a word with my father Bob please?\"

\"I\'ll see if he\'s available sir.\"

Leith waited patiently as the screen scrolled with all sorts of pictures depicting the company his father worked for. He hated being put on hold but at least this lot didn\'t play that crappy music while leaving the screen blank. Still they could have selected better pictures he thought ruefully. The screen cleared again.

\"I\'m sorry but it appears that Mr. Martins isn\'t in his office at the moment, can I take a message?\"

\"Umm... Could you ask him to ring his son Leith at work as soon as he can please.\"

The receptionist took his details and assured him that she would make sure that Bob called him as soon as he was able to. Leith closed the call, his stomach still twisted in knots. All he could do now was wait. With a polite thank you to his boss and a comforting squeeze to his shoulder along with the promise that John would fetch him the moment his father called back, Leith returned to the workshop and the jobs that awaited him.

~ * ~

Farley parked his car in the section allocated to the security guards and got out. Locking the vehicle he strode towards the stair well doors when something caught his attention. He stopped and turned his head to see what his eyes insisted was not normal. He frowned and began to walk. Ahead of him, parked in its usual place, was Bob Martins\' car. But that wasn\'t what caught his attention. Sticking out from behind the rear left side tyre was something shiny and bulky. As Farley closed the distance he recognized the object. It was a briefcase. He stooped to drag the item out from underneath the car, the initials B.M. glared back at him. Confused he looked around the car. It was locked up. He placed a hand upon the bonnet.

Cold.

Scratching his head as he pondered the disturbing scene he began to search around, widening the distance a little. He found nothing. It seemed strange to Farley that Bob Martins would leave his briefcase out here in the parking lot. He checked the locks on the briefcase.

Intact.

Maybe Bob had dropped it or put it down and then forgotten to pick it up again. Although this seemed a ly exy explanation, Farley didn\'t swallow it. He had an uneasy feeling in his gut. The coldness of the car did nothing to confirm anything other than what his gut instinct was telling him and that was that something was terribly wrong. He took the briefcase and entered the building, aiming for Bob Martins\' office.

~ * ~

Trowa pushed the small button to the intercom. \"Yes?\"

\"I have Doctor Richards on the line Mr. Barton.\"

\"Thank you Wendy, put him through please.\"

\"Mr. Barton.\"

\"Yes Doctor Richards, what can I do for you?\"

\"I was wondering if you could spare a few minutes to stop by the lab today. I need to talk to you in regards to those chips that went missing.\"

\"I can come down now.\"

\"Thank you. I\'d appreciate it.\"

Trowa disconnected the call and frowned. He thought they had cleared this up last time. The inventories and stock sheets he had checked and re-checked after the first discrepancy had shown where the chips had been disposed of. Now it seemed that maybe all wasn\'t well. Trowa stepped out of his office and paused at the secretary\'s desk. \"I will be in the Labs for a short while Wendy.\"

The woman nodded and Trowa walked off. Doctor Richards met him at the lab doors. \"I\'m sorry to call you down here Mr. Barton but I have a couple of minor concerns which I think you should be made aware of.\"

\"That\'s quite alright Doctor Richards. Now what seems to be the problem?\"

Richards led Trowa through to his office and removed a sheaf of papers from the filing cabinet. He passed them over to Trowa. \"I re-checked the records on those chips and I can account for all but five of them. Most went through the disposal as we were told but the five that supposedly were sent to the biological department haven\'t shown up. They are on the inventory here as being sent but the records from the Bio section don\'t show them anywhere.\"

Trowa frowned. \"They could still be sitting in stock in the Lab there.\"

\"I checked that. Jones, the man in charge of dispatch and receipt can\'t remember checking them in at all.\"

\"I\'m sure they are around here somewhere.\" Trowa was just trying to be thorough before he launched an extensive operation into locating the chips. \"They could still be sitting in the dispatch sec of of this department.\"

\"I thought that too so I\'ve checked but I can\'t find them here.\"

\"Okay.\" Trowa looked at the Doctor. Richards had worked for the company for a while and was a valued and trusted employee. If he said he couldn\'t find those chips in his department then Trowa was pretty sure they we't t't there. \"I\'ll let Mr. Winner know and get someone onto chasing this up as soon as possible.\" Trowa stood to leave, Richards followed him to the door.

\"I\'m really sorry to drag you away from your more important work for this but I have a funny feeling about it.\"

\"That\'s quite okay Richards. I appreciate your concern.\" Trowa opened the door and stepped out.

\"There\'s one other thing Mr. Barton.\"

\"Yes?\"

\"One of my employees, Shand, he hasn\'t been in to work since last Tuesday.\" Seeing the questioning look on Trowa\'s face he continued. \"I\'ve rung his home but there\'s no answer and none of the other employees have seen him either.\"

\"Hmmm... I see. Leave it with me.\" Trowa went back to the elevator deciding to stop off at his office first and do a little digging before he went to Quatre with his problem.

A short while later, with the relevant files in his hands, Trowa stopped briefly to make two cups of coffee and head to Quatre\'s office. He smiled at Lucy as he passed by and knocked softly on Quatre\'s door. The light tenor voice bade him enter and he did so, closing the door behind him.

Quatre smiled as his lover entered the office. He moved the paperwork he was currently doing to one side and rubbed his temples. \"Hey.\"

Trowa placed the cups on two of the coasters that were scattered on the deep mahogany desk and dropped the folder to the chair. He sat in the other one and faced his partner over the expanse of the desk. \"Busy morning?\"

\"You could say that. We have a new contract for construction work on L5. One of the new colonies that has been built is now ready for complete outfitting. There\'s many contracts being signed for the various construction jobs and we have the major bulk of the building work. It should provide employment for a lot of the people on neighboring L5 colonies and hopefully increase the economy.\"

\"That\'s good news. Wufei will be pleased to hear it.\"

Quatre smiled. \"There\'s so much to s be be done. Some days I can\'t believe the amount of destruction that went on during the wars.\" The normally sunny face was clouded for a moment as the shadows of the past flitted across.

Trowa reached over and placed a comforting hand over his lover\'s. \"I know Quatre but we did what we had to do, none of us wanted the destruction or the war but we had to fight, had to protect the colonies and unfortunately destruction is a part of war.\"

Quatre shook off his somber mood and caressed the hand that comforted his. \"I know and at least this way I can feel like I am making some sort of amends.\" They both paused for a moment to reflect upon the past before Quatre spoke again. \"Let\'s put that behind us. Tell me, what was it you wanted to see me about?\"

Trowa lifted up the file from the chair and opened it to the pages he had tagged. \"Here. Remember those chips I was telling you about a couple of weeks ago? I have managed to find all but five of them. I spoke with Richards this morning, he can\'t locate the missing five either so with your permission I\'d lik get get a couple of the guys onto tracking them down.\"

Quatre quirked an eyebrow. \"It\'s not uncommon for a company to lose some of its *assets* through staff *borrowing*. In fact it\'s quite common.\"

\"I realize that Quatre but we\'re not talking ball point pens here. These are computer chips.\"

\"And?\"

\"These chips are a very highly sophisticated chip. WEI purchased them with the intent on using them in the new technology program we are developing for the climatic controls in the colonies. They are far more advanced than anything currently available. They are uniquely versatile in the way they can be programmed but you need the right person for the job.\"

\"I see.\" Quatre pondered for a moment. \"Do what you deem fit Trowa, allocate whomever you trust to find where they have gone and then let me know what you find.\"

\"Thank you. Also there is another minor problem, although it may not be a problem in a sense.\"

\"What might that be?\"

\"One of the Lab employees, Shand, hasn\'t reported for work since last Tuesday.\"

\"He could be ill.\"

\"Richards has called his home number but there isn\'t any reply.\"

Quatre looked weary. \"I\'m sure there is a reasonable explanation for this also. People get sick and can\'t always call in to let the boss know. Maybe he\'s had an accident and is in hospital, maybe he\'s decided he doesn\'t want to work here any more and rather than give his notice in he\'s just left. It does happen Trowa.\"

\"I know. I just thought you should be aware of it because Shand was the one who was working mainly with these chips in the Lab.\"

The conversation was interrupted by the beeping of the \'phone. Quatre excused himself to take the call. \"Yes Lucy?\"

\"Sorry to disturb you Mr. Winner but I have Sergeant Collins on the line. He wishes to speak with you if you can spare him a few minutes.\"

\"Put the call through Lucy, thanks.” Quatre gave Trowa a puzzled look. Trowa returned it with a shrug of his shoulders. The \'phone clicked and a deep voice came on the line. Quatre switched the \'phone to speaker so Trowa could be privy to the conversation.

\"Mr. Winner, Thank you for speaking with me.\"

\"That\'s quite alright officer Collins. How can I be of assistance to you?\"

The Sergeant shifted and took a deep breath. This was never easy at the best of times. \"Mr. Winner, we came across something today which we believe you may be able to help us with. We have found the body of a man, unfortunately the body was badly burned and so we have been relying on DNA and dental records for identification. The body has been identified as a person called Shand. I believe he was an employee of yours....\"

~ oOo ~