All's Fair By: Maeleana

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. I do Own Lillia Flores and her family, as well as any minor characters whose names you do not recognize from the Gundam Wing series.

Author's Note: This is a continuation from my songfics, but a prequel to my angst, you should at the least read chapters 1-6 of the Madonna Series to help understand this. And just because I'm a freak I've mixed the format so it's half like an episode and half like a short story...Don't ask.

The Winner Corporation, pride of the L4 Colonies, was prospering. In
turn the L4 cluster was prospering. This was affecting the rest of the
Earth Sphere Unified Nation making almost everyone happy, at least
about finances. In short the Earth Sphere Unified Nation was
experiencing a happy and prosperous time.

The year was After Colony 198, October. Peace reined the ESUN, but as
prosperous and wonderful as things were going some individuals were
unhappy. One such individual was the CEO and heir of the Winner
Corporation, Mr. Quatre Raberba Winner.

((insert Gundam Wing opening sequence))

Quatre sat in his main office, oblivious to the colony attempts to recreate a beautiful fall day, frowning slightly at his eldest sister Iria. He loved her as dearly as he did all of his sisters now that he had gotten to know them, but the news she had brought made him most unhappy.
"I still don't quite understand why this has to happen Iria, after all it was a joke the two had made, and they both admitted that much." He said, trying not to take his frustration out on her.
Iria sighed and rubbed her forehead, "It was Mr. Flores' last wish that the 'joke' he made with Father become reality, as much as possible."
Quatre continued frowning, "When is she supposed to be coming?"
Iria looked over the top paper of the folder in her hand, "She's due in tomorrow. all her arrangements have been made. She'll be staying at a hotel near the estate, and will be joining us for dinner tomorrow night. I'll help you as best I can, but this really is your business."
Quatre leaned back in his chair, "What's her name?"
He watched Iria's expression closely as she shuffled through her papers, "Her name is Lillia Rosarita Guadalupe Marita Constance Corrina DeAugust-Garcia-Flores, she's Mr. Flores' only child, but with that name you'd think there were at least three of her." Quatre knew Iria was trying to lighten the mood. "According to records she disappeared after the wars until shortly before her father's death. And before you ask no we don't have any pictures or physical descriptions, at least none recent. The latest picture we have is from when she was six years old." She handed him the aforementioned picture, what he saw made him smile and lightly chuckle.

Miss Flores was an adorable child, the picture showed a smiling girl with dark brown eyes, and maple colored hair that was in spring-curls topped with an oversized blue bow, but that gave no indication of what she was like now. "Well I guess I'll have to talk to her, she may be married already or worst case scenario she'll be completely repulsive, personality- wise. I suppose all I can do at this point is meet with her and talk, although the timing has me concerned." This time Iria was the one frowning, "What do you mean?" Quatre stood and poured some tea for Iria and himself, "One of my friends is coming to visit and will also be arriving tomorrow. I'll have to ask him to be on his best behavior." Iria smirked knowingly "Am I correct in assuming your 'friend' is one of your former co-pilots? The real question is which one. my guess would be Mr. Barton." Quatre chuckled at his sister, "I'm afraid not Iria, Trowa is currently traveling with the circus, besides his wife is due soon." Iria smiled noticing that Quatre joined her game, "Then I would have to say that it will be Mr. Maxwell joining us in which case I can understand your having to warn him about his behavior, and I'll warn the staff to be on guard for pranks."

Quatre just smiled in the way that only he could, "I'm afraid Duo is otherwise occupied explaining to his roommate why he returned home at five in the morning roaring drunk."
Iria raised her eye, her doctor's sense coming out, "Should he be doing that? I mean if he's your age he's already wasting his life. If he's older then it may not be in his best physical interests."
Quatre raised his hand to stop her lecture and frowned, "Duo is about my age and he only does things like this once a month at absolute most." He continued frowning until he was reassured that she would let it go...at least until she saw Duo again.
Iria folded her arms, "Well I'll have to talk to him next time we see him, now back to your guest, I doubt it's Miss Catalonia, she would have called me first to try to surprise you. It's not the Vice Foreign Minister that would have been all over the news. So I give up who is it?"
Quatre sighed lightly, "Heero's going to be my guest."
Iria's eyes widened slightly, "The one who considers guns and explosives 'toys'? That friend?"
Quatre was torn between reprimanding Iria for her reaction or laughing at her perfect description of Heero, "Now Iria he is my friend, and a Preventer. I can trust you to be polite to him right? Especially now."

Iria got up and walked to his side, noticing his wistful expression,
"Quatre what's wrong?" she asked placing a hand on his shoulder.
He looked up and smiled at her, "I'm fine it's just that Heero has an
admirer who keeps contacting him through emails, and I think he's
getting anxious about not knowing who it is. I guess I'm just a little
jealous."
Iria leaned to hug her brother tightly, "Is my poor baby brother
feeling lonesome? You'd think twenty-nine sisters and forty Maguanacs
would be company enough. Maybe something good will come out of this
for you." She gave him another hug, leaning her head on his shoulder.

The next morning, after getting dressed Quatre received a shock in his living room.
"You should have better security."
Quatre whirled, startled to see Heero sitting on his couch, then he smiled, "I've had no problems so far, besides the famous Heero Yuy can get through any security system, including the one he created."
"True." Heero stood and shook hands with Quatre.
Quatre chuckled and shook his head, "Would you care to join me for breakfast, I believe it's French toast today." At Heero's nod they headed to the dining room, where they were served. After a few minutes Quatre cleared his throat, "Heero there's something I need to talk to you about." he waited for Heero to give a sign of acknowledgement.
Heero spoke without looking up, "You have another guest coming this afternoon, she is a potential fiancée. Her name is Lillia Flores, the only child of Fernando Flores the recently deceased business magnate whose company is second only to the Winner Corporation. She disappeared shortly after the Eve Wars only to reappear just before her father's death. Have I neglected any information?"

Quatre chuckled and shook his head, "I should have known that you
would know. Heero I need you to please be as polite as possible, I
would dislike for her to think badly of my friends, especially if
something does come from this meeting."
Heero nodded and stared at his plate.
"Is something wrong Heero?" Quatre frowned in worry.
Before Heero could answer Rashid walked in with a phone, "Master
Quatre it's Miss Flores' secretary, Miss Flores' flight got moved up."

Quatre sighed, "Please excuse me a moment Heero this shouldn't take
long."
Heero sat and stared at Rashid, who stared back, while Quatre spoke on
the phone.
After several minutes, "I'm sorry about that Heero. Rashid who is on
driving detail today?"
Rashid thought for a moment, "I believe that today is Kahlil's day.
Will you be needing him?"
Quatre nodded, "If you would please ask him to go to the shuttle port
to pick up Miss Flores, she will be arriving within the next half
hour, on flight 720A."
Rashid bowed, "Yes Master Quatre, and Mister Yuy's belongings have
been taken to his rooms."
Quatre smiled, "Thank you Rashid."

With that Rashid left, and Quatre turned back to Heero, "Now what's
wrong Heero?"
Heero looked up, and blinked.
"Well?" Quatre said with his 'I'm-the-most-innocent-being-in-
existence' smile.
Heero almost growled, "There's nothing wrong."
Quatre continued smiling, "Does it have anything to do with your
admirer?" he knew he was right when he saw Heero frown slightly.
Quatre just smiled so Heero knew he wouldn't be left alone until he
spoke, "My admirer emailed me before I left."
Quatre looked sympathetically at him, "Was it bad news?"
Heero shook his head, "All she said was that she would be unable to
email me for awhile."
Quatre frowned, "Did she give a reason?"
Heero only shook his head in reply.

After a slight pause, "I can't find any information on her, anywhere. I've tried through the account that the emails are coming from. I've tried to locate the computer she's been using, I even tried asking Duo. again." Quatre nodded knowing that Duo had mentioned something about giving Heero's address to an 'angel' while drunk one night.
Quatre half shrugged, "I'm afraid I can't help any. You are one of the best computer hackers known, so if you can't find out."
Heero nodded.
"All I can do is suggest that you try to take it easy while you're here, for example you have an indoor pool at your disposal, and I'm sure you can ask Rashid for the keys to one of the cars if you want to go out." Quatre stood, "I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me for now though, since Miss Flores is coming in early I'll have to rearrange my schedule."
Heero nodded and got up as well, "I suppose I'll be on my own for dinner?"
Quatre smiled, "I don't mean for you to feel put out."
Shaking his head Heero replied, "I understand, this is after all your potential wife." With a smirk he left the dining room and Quatre.

As Heero left Quatre shook his head amazed at how much his friends had all changed. oh well there was time enough to reminisce later but first he had to go over his schedule to prepare for Miss Flores. Almost as if in telepathic link with Quatre, Rashid entered with Quatre's day planner.
Quatre was surprised to see the only change he had to make was to move back his meeting with some colony officials. He promptly called them to see if that would be fine with their schedules, or if they would need to reschedule completely.
Moments after he had finished his call with the officials Rashid came in with his cell phone, "Master Quatre, Kahlil has called, it seems he's run into a minor problem."
Quatre sighed, "If he's managed to become like Auda and get arrested for speeding."
Rashid half smiled and shook his head, "No Master Quatre he says it's about Miss Flores' hotel."

Quatre blinked in mild surprise and held out his hand, "Very well. Kahlil? Now, what's wrong?"
Quatre listened for a moment, "I understand, don't worry, just head back, Okay?...I'll see you when you get here, goodbye Kahlil."
Quatre sighed again as he hung up, "Rashid would you please have the housekeeping staff prepare the Teal suite? Miss Flores will be staying with us."
Rashid raised his eye slightly, "May I ask what happened Master Quatre?"
Quatre looked up at Rashid, who even after a growth spurt to 5' 8", still towered over him. "It seems the hotel Miss Flores was going to stay at over booked and gave away her room and all the other hotels are full as well with the impending conference."
Rashid nodded, "I understand, I'll have the staff get to work right away." He bowed then left. Quatre sighed, it was going to be a long day.

It was almost eleven o'clock in the morning when Quatre and Rashid were waiting outside, Kahlil had called when he was five minutes away. Just as Quatre was starting to worry, Kahlil pulled up.
As he parked the limousine, Rashid went to open the door to let Miss Flores out. Quatre was taken aback by her, she wasn't the most physically stunning woman he had ever seen but there was something about her that was different than what he expected, something he could feel...
She held an air of elegance and distinction, touched with modesty and thoughtfulness, and from what he could see of her eyes she was resolute, whether that was good or not he had yet to determine. There was something else as well, he felt as if he should know her.

She thanked Rashid for opening her door and helping her out, something he knew she didn't have to do, and smiled to him as she walked up, "Buenos dias Senor Winner, I'm very grateful to you for allowing me to stay in your home, I hope I haven't caused any problems thus far."
Quatre couldn't help but smile, "Not at all Miss Flores, your belongings will be taken to your rooms. Then I'm afraid I'll have to excuse myself for about two hours, as I have a meeting I could not reschedule."
Her smile reminded him of the photo Iria had shown him, "I don't mind in the least, after all I can't expect you to drop your life on my behalf, besides it will give me a chance to contact my secretary and freshen up."
Quatre smiled and nodded, "I'm sure Auda will direct you around the house if you need." He indicated Auda who had just come out.
Auda bowed politely to Miss Flores, "As soon as you're ready Ma'am I can show you to your room."
Miss Flores nodded then returned her attention to Quatre, "May I ask a favor of you and your staff Mr. Winner?"
Quatre smiled and nodded, she seemed pleasant. She continued, "Would you all please call me by my given name? Miss Flores makes me feel quite old."
The three Maguanacs present exchanged a look then turned to stare at Quatre waiting for his answer.

Quatre chuckled, "We'll call you by your given name if you will call me Quatre instead of 'Mr. Winner'. Agreed?"
She held out her hand, "Very well, hello Quatre I'm Lillia."
Auda and Kahlil exchanged a look and shrugged as Quatre shook her hand, "Well Miss Lillia, I'm afraid I must be going for now, but I will see you in two hours, provided the meeting isn't dragged out."
It was her turn to chuckle, "Well you can call my cell phone if you are going to be later than that, Kahlil and Mr. Kurama have the number. For the time being I think I'm ready to head up to my room."
Quatre nodded to Auda, then half-bowed to Lillia, "I will call you if I'm going to be later than two hours, then we'll have dinner together tonight, if you feel up to it Miss Lillia."
After she nodded he and Rashid got into the same limousine she had just vacated, and Kahlil drove them off.

Lillia sighed and turned to Auda. "This way Miss Lillia." She followed him as he gave her a brief tour of the estate. After the tour Lillia retired to her rooms with the understanding that if she got lost she could ask any of the staff for directions.
Once she was properly settled in Lillia set up her laptop and went through her correspondence. The first twelve messages were from: her secretary; some of her cousins, which matched in number the Winner siblings; and some of the company board members. the next five or so messages were junk mail and advertisements...no one was immune from junk mail...no one except maybe him...
She had three messages from him...but they would have to wait, Lillia just didn't feel right answer his emails while staying with the man her father had wanted her to marry.
Even though Lillia knew it was wrong to speak ill of the dead, she couldn't help but curse the old man for his interference in her life when he wouldn't get involved in anything else.
But then that was neither here nor now, her main worry right now was to make Mr. Winner dislike her. She couldn't marry him...not when she was in love with some one else.

((insert commercial break))

Heero had already done a complete security check of the entire estate, twice. Perhaps he should take Quatre's advice and relax...or try to anyway. Internally sighing he headed back to his room to change, then proceeded to the indoor Olympic-sized pool. He smirked at some of the strange looks he was receiving from the staff, they knew him well enough to know he never partook of leisurely activities. Well this would be a good chance to keep them on their toes.
When he exited to the pool wing he stopped noticing someone had beaten him to use of the pool. "Ms. Flores I presume." He suppressed his amusement that he had caught her off guard when she bobbed under from her float.
She just stared at him a moment before shaking her head as if to clear it, "Si, and you must be Mr. Yuy."
"How did you know that." He didn't recall meeting her and it wasn't likely in his rush that Quatre would have remembered to mention him.
Ducking her head a bit she responded, "I heard some of the staff talking about 'Mr. Yuy' who was also visiting..." Lillia prayed he would believe that.

"Hn." He stood at the entry looking at her as if assessing her worthiness of his friend.
"If it's inconvenient for me to be here I can leave and you can have the pool to yourself?" So far Heero approved of her. She was considerate and willing to sacrifice for others. She would be good for Quatre.
"Iie. It's a large pool. I think we can safely share it." Despite her head being bowed Heero noticed that she blushed lightly. She was modest?

For the next forty-five minutes they swam and exchanged small talk, Heero determined to find out more about her for Quatre's sake and Lillia afraid of letting something slip. As they were starting to become more open Auda entered, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Yuy you have a call, and Miss Lillia Master Quatre called to inform us that his meeting ended early."
"Thank you Auda." The hint of disappointment was almost audible in her voice as Auda, having delivered his messages left.
"I suppose we should get out. I should probably find out who would be calling me here." Heero said as he swam toward the stairs, motioning Ms. Flores to precede him out.
Lillia became inexplicably nervous when exiting the pool. To her mortification, once they were out and going for their towels Lillia felt herself slip on the flooring. She closed her eyes in embarrassment at the imminent impact she would have with the ground. Instead of feeling the cold, wet ground she felt the complete opposite, warm arms catching her.

"Daijoubu?" Heero asked after preventing her fall. He felt a sudden surge of envy toward Quatre. Save Trowa, none of them had found someone to be in a serious relationship with, now Quatre stood at the brink of having such a mundane pleasure.
"H...Si, I'm fine...gracias..." Lillia was hard pressed to maintain calm in her voice.
After helping her steady herself Heero walked over to the chaise and then returned handing her, her towel. Then retrieving his own proceeded to dry off and head back up to his room.
Once she was certain he was gone Lillia started to berate herself, "Estupido. That was smooth Lia, you almost gave yourself away on the first day. If this is going to work you have to stay away from Yuy. Which will be harder than it seems, won't it?" She sighed and wrapping the towel around herself, headed to her own suite.

((insert Gundam Wing Ending sequence))