Title: Five Pilots and a Baby the Sequel pt. 1/?

Authors: Deathangelgw and Sarit

Disclaimer: we don’t own the boys, but boy are we gonna have fun with them!!!

Warnings: AU, shounen-ai, angst, sap, fluff.

Rating: PG

Pairings: Still the same as the first. 2+/x5, and hints of 1+3, 3+4

Note: Here’s the sequel!(lame-oh title..oi) And here you thought it’d end like that…bwahaha! Enjoy and please review!!

‘thoughts’

Wufei sighed softly as he floated along with Sally and listened to the inane babble from the underling that had come to meet them. They were currently on L4, on their way for an important, yet informal, meeting with Quatre Winner. No one but he and Sally knew the reason, but the secrecy was well worth it in Wufei's opinion.

Finally, they came to the main offices that Quatre was currently meeting. They stood at the end of the massive stairs and watched as the blond came out from the office building. Speaking briefly with his secretary, Quatre looked up and smiled warmly.  He nodded to his secretary, who rushed off with some documents to be processed.  Once he was gone, Quatre went over to greet Wufei and Sally with a warm smile.  "Sally!  Wufei!  It's wonderful to see you both!"

"It's wonderful to see you as well, Quatre." Wufei said warmly as he clasped hands with Quatre.

Sally nodded and smiled softly, shaking hands as well. "It's good to see that you are doing well, Quatre."

"As it is you as well." Quatre smiled, returning the gesture with Wufei before placing a kiss on Sally's cheek.  "Though things could be a bit more calmer for me, but that is to be expected.  What can I do for you?  I sense this isn't just a social call."

"Well...not social in that there is a party...yet it could lead to that." Sally said with a secretive smile.

Wufei huffed and rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "We were wondering if you had any idea where the other three are. We need your...help."

"My help?  Of course you have that.  Though I'm not sure where Heero and Trowa are.  I can help you with Duo." Quatre replied, his brow furrowed in worry.  What could have them both so concerned that they would need to find the others?

Wufei blushed slightly and Sally snickered as she poked him. Clearing his throat in embarrassment, Wufei said gruffly, "We already know where Duo is actually...we were hoping you could use those...contacts of yours to try and contact Heero at least as well as Trowa."

"Une was also wondering if you guys were still open to becoming Preventers." Sally said as she grinned at Wufei's discomfort. It was so much fun to tease him about Duo!

Quatre couldn't help but snicker as well, winking at Wufei.  "Yes, I'm sure you do know where Duo is Wufei.  I can certainly try to locate the others, of course.  Your proposition is...interesting, Sally.  We'll have to discuss it.  Would you care to come with me to my home?  We can have tea and speak about it.  I was just about to head there anyway."

"That sounds wonderful!" Sally said with a smile as Wufei huffed slightly and rolled his eyes. "Perhaps then we can tell him our concerns?" She said, looking pointedly at Wufei. Wufei's mouth firmed and he grew grim as he nodded reluctantly.

"Concerns?  What concerns?" Quatre was truly alarmed now.  He frowned, shaking his head.  "Let's go, we can speak on the way."

"Ah." Sally said in agreement as Wufei just grunted slightly and followed the blond. "It's nothing...too serious I guess." Sally tried then stopped as Wufei glared at her angrily.

"Don't even start, Sally...it may not involve the whole world, but it is important to us." He snapped out.

"Let's not discuss it here then." Quatre said firmly, leading the two out of the office building.  There was a line of limousines waiting in the front of the building, but Quatre passed them by, heading for a nearby parking garage.

"You've gotten stronger...you used to love the limos." Wufei said with a smirk as he walked next to his friend. Sally snickered as she rolled her eyes.

"Eh.  They get tiring after awhile." Quatre made a face, sticking his tongue out at Wufei as they came to a parked luxury sedan.  He held one of the doors open for Sally with a slight bow. Snorting with a laugh, Wufei waited as Sally got in, grinning. He then got in on the passenger's side of the car, waiting patiently for their host to get in. Grinning at Wufei, Quatre got into the driver's side, starting the car.  He pulled it out of the parking space once everyone was inside, then drove out of the parking garage.  As soon as they were on the open highway, the car sped up to almost illegal speed limits.

Wufei relaxed as he talked with Quatre about other things in life, Sally adding in here and there just to embarrass her partner. Both didn't seem to care about the speed since both had been in risky situations during the wars. Some time later, they arrived at Quatre's mansion.  His family home was large, seemingly much too large for just one person.  Parking the car, Quatre smiled at the others and bade them go inside. Heading inside slowly, the two Preventers looked around appreciatively. One could never say Quatre didn't have bad taste...

"Winner...you always did have it good..." Wufei said softly, almost sadly as he gazed at some of the crystal sculptures.

Quatre shook his head as he closed the door to the garage and joined them.  "Most of this was my father's.  I would have gladly traded all of this if it would allow me to see my father again." He sighed, staring at a sculpture.  "It's odd...I grew up around such things, yet they hold nothing of importance to me anymore."

"What did hold importance, Quatre?" Sally asked quietly as Wufei looked around, his own eyes sad.

"The one thing I'll never have again; my father.  I suppose that was part of why I left and willingly became a Gundam Pilot.  So I could prove to my father I wasn't just a 'necessity' to him." Quatre said softly, looking out a window sadly.

"Family...is very important." Wufei said softly as he turned and faced Quatre, face grim. "Which brings us to why we are here, Quatre." Sally frowned slightly, but chose to stay silent, watching them. It was up to Wufei to tell of the bad news.

"What are you talking about, Wufei?  What has happened?" Quatre asked worriedly, frowning as he gazed at his friend.  They were both so solemn all of a sudden.

Taking a deep breath, Wufei closed his eyes briefly. "We...I...need your help, Quatre. It's...it's Shaina." He whispered finally, opening his eyes and focusing on his friend firmly.

"Shaina?!" Quatre whispered, his eyes wide with concern.  They'd left the little girl in her new family's care, not seeing her again, as they hadn't wanted to upset her new family life.  "What is it?!"

Wufei looked away, eyes filling with shameful tears as Sally stepped forward. "Let's sit down and we'll talk about it." She said gently.

"What?  Of course." Quatre shook himself, putting aside his instant fear for the little one at his friend's distress.  "Come.  We can have tea." He patted Wufei's hand, leading the two into the living room.  A tea setting was on the table, as if waiting for the three.

"Sounds good, Quatre." Sally said with a smile as she tried to diffuse the guilt-laden air around them. She sighed softly as she sat down and took up a cup. Wufei sat down as well in a chair and took up his own cup silently.

Taking his own cup, Quatre placed a comforting hand on Wufei's, his eyes filled with concern.  "Now then.  Tell me why you have such a guilty look on your face, my friend.  What can I do to help?"

"Find Heero and Trowa." Wufei said softly, eyes shimmering with tears.

Sally sighed softly as she put her cup down. "You see, Quatre...the family that Shaina was with...was killed in the last war against Mariemaia's Army. She's...been put into an orphanage." She said uncomfortably, eyes filled with compassion as Wufei dropped his head in shame.

"Oh..." Quatre swallowed, closing his eyes.  He bit his lip, squeezing Wufei's free hand tightly.  "Don't blame yourself, Wufei.  It wasn't your fault.  And of course I'll do whatever I can to help her.  I may know where Trowa is."

"That would help us a lot, Quatre." Sally said in soft relief as she smiled. Wufei closed his eyes tightly, not saying anything, as he remained grim. "We need to find them, but especially Heero...from what Wufei and Duo have hinted at, Heero got through the best to her." She said, fidgeting slightly.

"That he did.  But perhaps Trowa will know how to locate Heero." Quatre said confidently, giving Wufei a soft smile.  "Don't worry, Wufei.  It will be all right." Wufei didn't say anything as he kept his face away. He got up and went to the window, gazing out sadly.

Sally sighed softly and smiled slightly at Quatre. "That...isn't why he's so upset, Quatre. Shaina...has changed. And her caregivers are afraid for her." She said elusively.

"Changed?  How?" Quatre couldn't imagine how the sweet little girl could have changed so drastically. 

"She's withdrawn, Quatre. She doesn't play with the kids, has nightmares all of the time...they are afraid she's wasting away." Wufei finally spoke, his voice flat, yet filled with pain.

"It isn't your fault, Wufei! You weren't there at that battle!" Sally insisted, her eyes filled with distress.

"Yes, but if I had she might not have gone through losing another family!" Wufei snapped out, eyes blazing.

"Wufei, stop this!  You can't blame yourself for everything that happens." Quatre admonished his friend, his eyes filled with deep sadness at the news about Shaina.  "She hasn't lost all her family, she still has us.  And I won't rest until we find Heero and save her."

"We abandoned her once, Quatre...what makes you think she'll want to see the ones who gave her away?" Wufei asked quietly, his voice filled with pain and memories.

"Because she still dreams about you." Sally said flatly, glaring at him as he looked over in surprise. "She told me when I met with her. She dreams about someone singing to her and smiling loving faces. She wants those back."

"And we didn't abandon her, Wufei.  We gave her to a family that would care for her and try and protect her." Quatre countered softly, a soft sigh escaping him.  "You see?  She remembers us...and we can and will give her back those happy memories, I promise you that."

Wufei gazed waveringly at his friend before looking away silently. Sally smiled softly and nodded. "Now then...shall we talk about where they might be?" She asked as she served herself some more tea. Hopefully, they wouldn't be too late...

~**~~**~

Sitting back in her chair as she worked on fixing some costumes, Catherine watched her brother feed his precious lions.  She smiled, shaking her head at the way he was so gentle and loving to the beasts.  She'd received a call from Trowa's old friends, stating they'd be arriving shortly. She was still rather protective of Trowa, but had long since learned that he had to go his own way and lead his own life.  Thus, she hadn't objected when Quatre had called and informed her that he, Wufei, and Sally would be arriving shortly. Trowa finished his feeding, then came over to the trailer he shared with Catherine. He smiled slightly at his sister as he went inside. "I'm going to clean up, k, Cat?" He said as he went in.

"Sure, Trowa." Catherine smiled at her brother, waving him inside.  She grinned, checking her watch.  The others should arrive not long after Trowa was done cleaning up.

A few minutes later, Trowa came back out in time to see a blond, ebony, and sandy brown haired trio approach. He smiled slightly, relaxing. "Quatre! Wufei! Sally!"

"Trowa! It's so good to see you!" Sally called out as Wufei smiled slightly in greeting.

"Trowa!" Quatre smiled warmly at his friend, embracing him along with Sally.  It was so good to see Trowa again!

Trowa hugged the two blondes tightly and clasped arms with Wufei, smiling softly. "Come inside...I'm sure Cathy has something cooking already." He said warmly as he led the way in. "And then you can tell me why this unexpected visit." He said with a wink.

"You've loosened up, Trowa." Wufei noted with a smirk.

"Very much so." Quatre could only marvel at the way his old friend was so free with them.  He smiled, bowing his head in acceptance of the generous offer. Catherine shook her head, grinning at her brother.  He certainly had changed quite a bit.

Trowa winked at Catherine, then set up the sandwiches and drinks around the table as their guests sat around it. They talked for a while and then finally, Trowa gazed at them smiling. "So, tell me...why did you need to find me?"

Quatre bit his lip, looking at the others before finally turning to Trowa.  Taking a deep breath, he plunged into their story.  "We need to find Heero and were hoping you might know where he is."

Cocking an eyebrow sharply, Trowa looked at his friend, then at the other two as well. He frowned as he saw Wufei studiously looking at the pitted tabletop. "Well, he was here for a while before going on to another colony. Last I heard, he was going to visit with Zechs for a while." Trowa finally said as he looked at them, falling solemn. "Why do you need him? Has something happened?"

"It's...about Shaina, Trowa." Sally said gently, smiling slightly as Trowa stiffened visibly.

Nodding, Quatre sighed softly as he gazed at the floor.  He briefly told Trowa what Wufei and Sally had told him before in a subdued voice.  "You see...Heero is probably Shaina's only true "family" besides us.  We have to find him, especially with the way he had always taken to her.  He's probably the only one among us that can get through to her now."

Trowa's mouth firmed as he nodded. "Agreed. You can try Zechs and Noin...I'm sure that they'll have an inkling where he might have gone. I'll keep an eye out as well." He said as he nodded at them.

"Thanks, Trowa." Sally said in soft relief as Wufei nodded sharply, his eyes permanently glued to the table.

Quatre sighed, nodding as well.  He sighed again, giving Trowa a slight smile.  "When we find him, you will come with us to see Shaina, yes?"

"If you kept me out, I would hunt you down." Trowa said flippantly and Wufei snorted with laughter. Sally grinned widely and shook her head as the banged one winked at them.

Quatre snickered, shaking his head.  "Well, I'm glad to hear your sense of humor hasn't changed any."

Cocking an eyebrow, Trowa smirked. "Should it? I may have a dull personality, but, as Duo put it, I have a crack wit."

"And he still claims it." Wufei said with a snort of laughter.

"Ack!  Whoever said you have a dull personality is a moron." Quatre sniffed indignantly, looking as if he'd been offended.  "My friends are not dull.  They may be extremely boring at times, but they're not dull."

"They're dull." Wufei and Trowa said at the same time in the same tone of voice and Sally started laughing.

"Oh shut up, both of you." Quatre growled, his aquamarine eyes flashing.

Sally snickered as Wufei grinned. Trowa leaned back in his chair, shaking his head, then sat up as Wufei sighed. "I know that I would love to stay, but we should contact Zechs and Noin and see if they have any leads." The Chinese man said with a sad smile.

Trowa nodded and waved his hand. "It's not a problem. Contact me when you find out anything. And tell Une I'm debating on her offer." He said with a grin as he saw Sally open her mouth. She grinned sheepishly back as he chuckled.

Quatre grinned, smirking at Sally.  "You see?  I'm not the only one.  Thank you, Trowa.  We'll be in touch, I promise."

Nodding, Trowa stood up with them and walked them out to their car. He hugged them all good-bye, smiling. "Remember...get back to me on anything. And tell that braided baka to come and visit." He said with a wink at Wufei, who blushed brightly.

Snickering, Quatre gave Wufei a wink.  "That's right.  You should tell Duo to quit being a stranger and come visit us.  Or...ah, perhaps that is why.  I think I know why he hasn't already, Trowa...perhaps he wants Duo all to himself." He teased, winking at his friend good-naturedly. Wufei blushed a bright red as he stammered while Sally and Trowa laughed in amusement. Huffing, Wufei looked away and crossed his arms over his chest. Snickering, Sally got into the car after waving bye to Trowa followed by a smirking Wufei.

Trowa smiled softly at Quatre as he took the blond's hands into his own and squeezed them. "It is good to see you, Quatre. I have missed all of you." He said softly, gently.

"I've missed you...er...all of you as well." Quatre stammered, feeling nervous all of a sudden.  He didn't know why, but tried to push it away.  "Don't be a stranger, okay?  I would love to see you and Catherine more often."

Smiling slightly, albeit now a little sadly, Trowa nodded and let Quatre's hands go. "Yes...we'll try on that. Stay in contact about Shaina, k?" He said quietly as he stepped back and folded his hands in front of him.

"I will, I promise." Quatre said softly, suddenly feeling very alone.  He sighed, giving his friend a smile before turning and following after his other two friends.

Trowa watched them go, feeling loneliness well up inside of him again. He'd felt the same when Heero had left him after staying for only a few months. Those months...had been precious to him. But he knew in his heart that the two he wanted...didn't want him. 'Good luck you guys...find Heero so he can at least save Shaina.' he thought sadly before going back to his trailer.

TBC