My Hubby is a complete and utter fool for Sunhawk's character 'Aleyah Winner', Quatre's sister, in the Ion Series. There's just something about her that he simply adores, and since Sunhawk is in the midst of getting the next part outlined and written, I wrote Hubby something to 'tide him over'. This fic is 'Hubby Tested' and 'Sunhawk Approved'... Enjoy!

Title: A Day Without Sunshine (1/1)
Author: tkmaxwell777 - tkmaxwell777@hotmail.com
Fandom: Gundam Wing AC
Category: Shonen Ai/Yaoi
Pairings: 1x2 implied, OC+OC
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Light Angst, Teasing, and OC POV
Archived: Yep! Thanks Tyr Fanfiction Section at GWA at www.gwaddiction.com AND
Bittersweet_Haven ML at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tkmaxwell777bhml/
Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing AC or its characters. It is the property of Shin Kidousenki, Bandai, Sotsu, Sunrise, and any other affiliated parties. This story is a parody of its defined universe and is in no way an official continuation of the original anime series. All underage characters engaging in any sexual activity in my stories are considered Emancipated Minors. This story is for entertainment purposes only and should not be read as a realistic representation of actual romantic or sexual relationships. It is not meant to be a commentary on the political, social, or spiritual ramifications of homosexuality. Content neither condones nor condemns any of the lifestyles or views portrayed. I write these stories because of the interesting dynamics between the characters and complex personality types that inspire the exploration of relationships beyond friendship without regard to gender or preference. I make no money doing this, so please do not sue me for writing it. Constructive feedback is always greatly appreciated!

Notes: This story is inspired by my Hubby and dedicated to Sunhawk. Aleyah Winner is Sunhawk's character, but Jamie Kellerman is mine ^___~

***

It was Thursday, and she always came in on Thursday. Her cultured voice would ask, "Please get me an iced coffee, dear", or "Be a pet and make me a nice warm Chai", or sometimes even "Darling, I must have a double mocha latte immediately, or I won't be responsible for my actions". The latter always indicated a particularly frustrating day, chocolate the only obvious cure. She would take her indulgence and then sit down at a table, sipping her drink and seeming to forget the rest of the world – until someone noticed her. This almost always happened, since she drew attention to herself as easily as she breathed. Once approached, she would smile and flirt outrageously, using her unusual charm to enchant and embarrass her admirers by turns. Of course, when she wasn't taking center stage and entertaining the other patrons, she would flip through her huge day planner, muttering about 'day jobs' and 'uptight artistes'. Every Thursday was the same ritual... except today.

Jamie Kellerman, Cafe Espresso counterman, looked at the clock with a worried frown. She was late. She usually came in between noon and two. It was now going on four-thirty, and he was beginning to get concerned. It wasn't unusual for the woman to meet people, but she never had those kinds of appointments this late. The blonde was a stylish creature of habit, and her schedule was never interrupted, or she would display her displeasure quite openly. In contrast, she was kind to those below her in station, even if she did enjoy good jokes at their expense sometimes. That was something she indulged in often when it came to younger men, and that oddly endearing trait had earned Jamie's admiration and chagrin equally since he was a willing target during her visits there. It was the admiration that kept him dividing his attention between counter, clock, and door, wondering how he could find out whether or not the woman was all right if she didn't show up.

He sighed in relief as Ms. Aleyah Winner breezed through the door, her skirt flowing with her steps. The little dog that was ever-present with its mistress trotted in beside her, coming to heel when she stopped at the counter. Jamie didn't know how the woman had talked the cafe manager into allowing the animal, but the man had, and now the bit of fluff pranced around the place like it held a partner's interest. Sometimes Jamie thought the thing smirked at him.

The counterman's green eyes focused back on the woman as she cried out, "Oh, darling! That new shampoo is working marvelously. Wasn't Aleyah right? Of course, I was!"

"What can I get for you, Ms. Winner," Jamie asked, his face flushing as brightly as his red hair. She had suggested a new brand of hair care product a couple weeks ago, and since he was trying to get someone's attention...

The woman smiled at his discomfiture at first, but then patted his hand on the counter soothingly. "He will notice sooner or later, dear. Just give him time to figure it out. You're simply adorable, and he'd be a fool not to see it." Her words surprised the young man, and he ducked his head to cover his embarrassment, but Aleyah just laughed. How had she known it was a 'he' that Jamie was interested in? Before he could think about it too hard, the woman seemed to come back to herself and her reason for being there. "I do believe I'll have a warm Chai," she said, and then added in a rather thoughtful voice, "What kind of soda do you carry, pet?"

He was surprised once again and stuttered out, "Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew..."

"That's it!" She exclaimed, seemingly pleased. "Mountain Dew. One of those, dear."

"Yes ma'am," Jamie replied and began filling her order. He didn't ask whether whole milk or reduced. The woman had told him a long time ago that when she treated herself, she wanted something decadent. Smiling to himself, he mixed the Chai, but then his thoughts returned to the soda. Was it for her or someone else? She didn't usually order something for the people she met there, so it was odd indeed. The Chai was ready before he could get up the nerve to ask her, so he grabbed the bottle of soda from the fridge and gave both drinks to her, running her credit card and watching that elegant signature appear on the receipt.

"Thank you, darling," the blonde woman said as she beamed at him. Then, instead of going to her usual table in the middle of the room, she headed to one by the door.

Jamie blinked – yet another change to the routine. He was beginning to get worried again. He watched her open her planner and felt the world right itself on its axis, but he was still left with a sense of unease and began restocking the counter area to take his mind off of the strange happenings. His green eyes surreptitiously observe the blonde as she made notes, humming to herself while keeping an eye on the door with an almost expectant look on her face. Jamie had just bent down to put cups into their holders when the doorbell tinkled the announcement of another customer.

Trying to focus on his job again, he straightened up to offer a greeting, but Aleyah's voice called out first. "Oh, there you are, pet! I was just wondering if you'd gotten lost. No? Well, you mustn't keep Aleyah waiting..."

Jamie took in the young man standing there, whose face was turning a nice shade of red. The counterman couldn't help but sympathize with him, especially since the other man looked about Jamie's age, though that was where the similarities ended. Aleyah's 'date' sat down at the table with the blonde woman, his voice low as he spoke. Aleyah was smiling at him in an oddly affectionate way as she pulled the bottle of Mt. Dew from the window ledge behind her. Her companion blinked then flushed again. Jamie didn't know what to think about it. The young man – who had a braid all the way down his back – was talking in muted tones still, so Jamie couldn't hear their conversation. The redhead decided to clean the tables. It wasn't his fault that the ones needing it were close by the only two customers in the place.

"Oh, darling, you must let Aleyah take care of it!" The blonde said rather loudly. "I already have the next event planned, and it will be spectacular! You've sold more pieces than I dared hoped. You should be excited, dear!"

The younger man seemed to have a permanent blush on his face now. "I just... I don't know... you have to realize how... important this is to me. I know you're doing it for... for your own reasons, but...I'm... doing it because... it's not for me, okay? Do you understand that?" Even Jamie could see the seriousness in the braided man's beautiful eyes. "It's not about me. Ever."

Aleyah's voice softened as he reached out and took the young man's hand, ignoring the way he flinched. "You mustn't worry, Duo. I'll do all I can to help you get what you need."

Duo looked down at where elegant nails rested against his palm. Jamie could see the scars there, and wondered what had happened to put them there, as the braided man said softly, "I don't mean to sound... ungrateful. I just don't want you to... don't take more than what I give you, all right? Not ever again. That drawing of Heero... it never should have been hung. If something like that happens again, I'll..." His lovely eyes shone with a fierce determination that even Jamie could see. "I'll quit without a second thought."

"I know," she said simply then sighed. "It was just so powerful that I wanted to share it with the world. You do realize how incredible it was, don't you? Your talent is amazing, pet!"

Duo shook his head. "Heero is the reason why it's so incredible, not me." His expression turned guarded, almost protective. "I won't share that part of him with anyone, not for any amount of money, Aleyah. Don't ask me to."

Aleyah looked taken aback for a moment, but then her expression cleared. "All right, dear. I understand. I wouldn't want to hurt your Heero, anymore than I would Quatre's charming lover." She smiled softly at that. "He is safe."

Duo nodded, some of the tension leaving him. "Okay. Just as long as you keep it that way."

Jamie found himself smiling in response to the obvious reconciliation. It was interesting to find out a little bit about one of Ms. Winner's 'artistes'. Usually, these meetings were dull, but this one had piqued the redhead's interest right from the beginning. Refilling the napkin holders, he continued to listen to them.

"So, how is your Heero, darling?" Aleyah asked as she took another sip from her cup.

The braided man had all but guzzled the bottle of Mt. Dew already. He gave her a wary look. "He's fine."

"Finished his little case and is back home for a while?" She inquired innocently, but Jamie recognized her demure smile. It normally meant that she knew something the other person she was conversing with did not think she did.

"How did you...?" Duo began, but then looked down at the table. "The newscasts?"

Aleyah laughed. "Oh, pet, please don't look so sad! It's not that bad."

The young man flinched. "It may be funny to you, but there are people who will see this who won't understand."

They sat in silence for a few moments – Duo peeling his bottle label, Aleyah toying with her cup, and Jamie wiping down the same table he'd been at for five minutes – until Aleyah spoke again, her voice filled with strong emotion. "Duo, I would give all of my social status, all of my wealth, even all of my most precious possessions, just to have the kind of love that you and your Heero offer each other so freely. Don't be embarrassed by it, dear. Embrace it, and tell anyone who doesn't understand what to do with themselves."

Jamie let out a surprised snort, but thankfully, Duo's bark of laughter drowned it out. "Damn, Aleyah. Is there anyone that you can't wrap around your little finger?"

The blonde woman's smile faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly, her breeding taking over again. "Not anyone worth mentioning, pet. Now, why don't we discuss the auction? I have some fabulous ideas!"

The counterman took that as his cue to leave them to business. He put the other tables in order in a much more timely manner before retreating behind his counter again. About a half-hour later, he watched the braided man, Duo, bid Ms. Winner goodbye and leave. Aleyah sat at the table for a while after the young man's departure, an almost melancholy look on her face. Jamie sensed that the woman needed something, and so he did what only Jamie Kellerman, Cafe Espresso counterman extraordinaire could do.

Walking up to the blonde, he placed a large latte mug in front of her, smiling at her shock. "On the house."

Aleyah Winner looked at the double mocha latte and gave him the smile he'd been aiming for. "Thank you, pet."

Feeling like the world was right once again, Jamie went back to work. When the blonde left with a bright farewell, he found the audacity within himself to tell her to be on time next Thursday, earning a surprised but pleased laugh that made his day complete. The memory of it would manage to keep the dreary world somewhat at bay until next week. After all, a day without Aleyah was like a day without sunshine, and Jamie liked to bask in her light.

*** End

 

 

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