I have to admit that I don't really know what has come over me, but I seem to be writing Shounen Ai (Boys Love) stories now. After re-watching Gundam Wing, I have become a huge fan of 3x4. It's so hard to ignore all the hints for it.

Anyway this is my take on what happened in Episode 7 Scenario for Bloodshed after Quatre and Trowa meet on the ferry and before they show up, seemingly together, at New Edwards.

This is the first part of a four-part series. The order of the stories is:

San Francisco Night

Angel's Spirit

Together Forever

When You're Gone

Disclaimer: These characters belong to somebody who isn't me.

San Francisco Night

By Megan Hardman

AC 195

Quatre Raberba Winner entered the phone booth, while Sandrock was being loaded onto the ferry that would take him to San Francisco. He'd managed to leave behind the Maganacs because he was determined to do this mission alone. Ever since he'd arrived on Earth, he'd been depending too much on other people's strength and not enough on his own. He needed to prove that he was the right person to pilot Sandrock. He gave a little sigh as he picked up the phone and typed in the number for the hotel. He knew all that, but he couldn't help feeling a little lonely. Someone picked up on the other end, but he missed what they'd said.

"Is this the San Francisco Starly (not sure on the name, but I'm sure that's what he said) Hotel?" he asked, just to be on the safe side. The voice confirmed and he continued, "I'd like to reserve a room, please. I'm on my own. That's not a problem, right?"

"That's not a problem," the girl on the phone chirped. "Give me just a minute, sir."

Quatre was put on hold and he waited patiently. Just then, something compelled him to look towards the ferry and he was surprised to see another truck, much like his own, loading onto the ferry. But he was even more surprised when he saw who was behind the wheel.

"Huh," he said. "Looks like Trowa." For some reason, he felt extremely happy at the prospect of seeing Trowa Barton. He finished booking the room with the hotel and hurried back to the ferry. He found Trowa's parked truck easily and watched the boy jump out.

"Hi!" Quatre called out to him just as he shut the door. "So we meet again." Trowa turned in his direction. He looked a little surprised and then his expression turned to anger.

"Funny we ended up at the same destination." Quatre said, walking up to him.

Trowa put his hands on his hips and turned slightly away from Quatre. "I'm doing this alone," he said, almost angrily.

Quatre, suddenly wanting to impress Trowa, mimicked him by putting his hands on his hips and raising his chin a little. "So am I," he announced. "But what if we helped each other?"

"Don't think so." Trowa said firmly, turning away completely and walking off.

"Two's always better than one." Quatre called hopefully, taking several steps after Trowa, but Trowa ignored him and kept walking.

Quatre sighed and dropped down beside the truck. "That went well," he muttered, putting his chin on his hand and feeling sorry for himself. The feeling passed quickly though and he decided to try talking to Trowa once more. It took him several minutes to locate the quiet boy who was leaning against the ship's railing and not looking happy to see him.

"Why are you bothering me again?" Trowa asked bluntly.

"Because I think it's better if we work together," Quatre answered. "We have the same mission, right? At New Edwards?"

"Maybe." Trowa replied evasively. The ferry rocked a little as the engine was started and soon it was pulling away from the dock. Quatre leaned against the railing too, staring at the retreating dock.

"Well I think we have the same mission," Quatre said finally. "So wouldn't it be better to have some help? I'd greatly appreciate your help, Trowa."

"I fight alone, Quatre. I have no need for anyone's assistance."

"Why not?" Quatre demanded. "If I hadn't helped you at Corsica, you'd be dead now."

"What's your point?"

"Are you saying it wouldn't have mattered if you'd died?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"Is your life that meaningless?" Quatre inquired, taken aback. "Don't you have anyone who cares about what happens to you?"

Catherine Bloom's face popped up in Trowa's mind and he pushed it away. "I don't have any family or friends, so nobody cares," he said.

"How horrible," Quatre looked sad and then determined. "Well if nobody else cares, I will."

"Say what?" Trowa asked, shocked.

"I don't want you to die, Trowa," Quatre said. "You are my friend and I don't wish to lose you."

"You are a very strange person, Quatre," Trowa decided. "But, thank you."

"I'd do anything for a friend," Quatre smiled up at him. "So will you help me?"

Trowa shook his head slightly and wondered when exactly this blond-haired boy had managed to get under his skin. "All right, Quatre, I'll help you." Trowa conceded.

"Wonderful!" Quatre cried. "I really think it's the best strategy to cooperate. It's certainly better than fighting each other."

"It is at that," Trowa agreed. "So, what's your plan?"

"This is my idea," Quatre quickly laid out a very logical plan.

"You're smarter than I thought, Quatre." Trowa observed when he was done.

"Thanks, I guess," Quatre said. "By the way, there are other Gundam pilots besides us."

"Really? How many?"

"I'm not sure exactly, but at least three."

"Do you suppose they'll be at New Edwards?"

"I wouldn't be surprised. After all, we received the same mission. It's likely they did as well."

"They'd better stay out of my way, if they know what's good for them."

"I think we should work together with them too."

"No." Trowa stated.

"Why? It would make our missions easier."

"I don't like having to rely on other people." Trowa explained.

"Why?" Quatre asked again.

"Because they always let you down," Trowa said matter-of-factly.

"I won't let you down, Trowa," Quatre assured him. "I promise."

Trowa looked Quatre over carefully and questioned his sanity. "You know, Quatre, for some reason I believe you," he said and sighed. "If you think it's wise to join forces with the other Gundam pilots, I'll go along with you."

"Thank you, Trowa," Quatre said softly. The two stayed quiet until the San Francisco dock came into view.

"What are you going to do after you get off the ferry?" Quatre asked as they headed for the ship's hold.

"I'm not sure, but I'll probably rent a room somewhere. Why?"

"I've already got a room reserved, so why don't you share it with me?"

"You sure?"

"Of course."

"Thanks, Quatre," Trowa said. "But what are we going to do with our Gundams?"

"I'm planning on hiding mine near the dock and walking to the hotel. It's not far."

"Then I'll follow you."

After the ferry docked, Trowa and Quatre unloaded their Gundams and found a place to hide them nearby in an unused parking garage. Then they headed for the hotel, where Quatre checked in. Once he got the keycard, they went up to the room.

"This is a nice room," Trowa observed as they entered. The room was fairly large with a king-sized bed, a couch, a glass table and a kitchenette.

"I'll take the couch." Quatre offered.

"No, you're paying for the room, so you get the bed, but I get the first shower." Trowa disappeared into the bathroom and a few minutes later Quatre heard the water running. By the time Trowa got out, Quatre had called housekeeping and had a pillow and extra blankets brought in for Trowa.

"Your turn, Quatre," Trowa said, emerging from the bathroom dressed for bed in a pair of old, black shorts and a black sleeveless shirt. While Quatre showered, Trowa made a bed on the couch with the blankets and pillow and flopped onto it with a sigh. Shortly after that, Quatre rejoined him wearing red silk pajamas. He pulled back the covers and crawled into bed.

"Man, I'm tired," he yawned as he snuggled into the blankets.

"Hey, Quatre?"

"Hmm?"

"Where are the Maganacs? Aren't they always with you?"

"Yeah," Quatre sighed. "They are always with me, but just once I wanted to prove that I could handle a mission on my own. I've been wondering lately if maybe I was the wrong choice for Sandrock and I wanted to show, not just to everyone else, but also to myself, that I'm the right choice."

"Why do you think you're the wrong choice?"

"My family are pacifists, so I'm not used to fighting. I rely too much on the Maganacs in battle and never use Sandrock to its full potential. I also feel horrible regret when I kill people in battle and that's not how a Gundam pilot should act."

"It's not a bad thing, Quatre," Trowa said. "It just shows that you're a gentle person with a kind heart, but it is true that feelings like those are unnecessary in a war. Once the war is over though, Quatre, people like you will be able to move on and put this all behind them. However people like me will never be able to do that."

"How come?"

"All I've ever known is the battlefield. Outside of fighting, I have nothing to live for."

"That's right, earlier you said you didn't have any family. What happened to them?"

"They were killed when I was little in an air raid. Some soldiers found me and took me in. I've been fighting ever since," Trowa looked sad for a minute before pushing away the depressing memories. "What about your family, Quatre? I bet they don't approve of you piloting Sandrock."

"No, I bet they don't either," Quatre agreed. "I'm sure my father is very mad at me, but it's not like we got along anyway. I know my father loves me, but sometimes I feel I'm replaceable to him. Like maybe someday he'll get tired of me, get rid of me and grow a better son."

"'Grow a better son'?" Trowa repeated, confused. Then understanding lit his eyes. "I remember hearing somewhere that all the Winner children were test tube babies. Guess it must be true."

"Yes, it is true," Quatre confirmed.

"I also heard you have 29 sisters. Is that true too?" Trowa asked and Quatre nodded. "What's it like living with 29 women?"

"Technically I don't live with all my sisters. We have different mothers and most of my sisters live with their mothers. I don't even know most of them really." Quatre answered. Noticing Quatre's sad expression, Trowa steered the conversation away from family and onto happier things. The two talked for quite awhile before Quatre dropped off to sleep.

Trowa watched Quatre sleep and listened to his quiet, even breathing. After several minutes passed, he decided he wanted to get closer. Feeling like an idiot, he slipped off the couch and crept across the room to the bed. He knelt down beside it and reached out a trembling hand to touch Quatre's soft cheek.

"What's wrong with me?" Trowa wondered aloud as Quatre slept on. "What is it about you that bothers me so much? Why do you insist upon barging into my life and turning my world upside down?"

Truthfully, Trowa knew the answer to his questions, but he refused to acknowledge the fact that he was in love with a guy. He'd never been gay before, but, thinking about it now, he'd never really been anything before. He'd never liked, either familial liked or like-liked, anyone in his whole life, except possibly the parents and sister he could barely remember. Why in the universe did he like this pretty-boy rich kid? Shaking his head to clear it of confusing thoughts, Trowa looked down at Quatre and bit his bottom lip. Then, before he could change his mind, he leaned down and brushed his lips against Quatre's. He jumped back guiltily, feeling his face flush, but Quatre didn't even move.

"You're way too trusting, Quatre," Trowa muttered, wondering what he'd do if Quatre woke up. "You need to stay away from me." He kissed Quatre, softly, one more time and returned to the couch. It took several minutes before his heart quit racing and he stopped jumping at every little noise, but it was a long time before he fell asleep.

*****************************************

Quatre blinked open his eyes and wondered what had woken him up. He heard it again. Someone was crying out. It took him several seconds to realize that 'someone' was Trowa. Quatre sat up and looked over at the couch. Trowa was thrashing about and calling quietly for his mother. Quatre got out of bed and hurried to Trowa's side. Tears streaked Trowa's cheeks and he looked so young and vulnerable that Quatre's heart ached for him.

"Trowa?" he called softly. He touched Trowa's face with his hand. Trowa stopped thrashing and his eyes opened. His green eyes looked up at Quatre, but they weren't focused and Quatre knew he wasn't completely awake.

"Mom?" Trowa murmured, his eyes shutting again as he fell back asleep. Quatre moved his hand to Trowa's hair and stroked it gently.

"Poor Trowa," he sighed. "I wish I could take away all your loneliness and pain."

When Quatre was sure Trowa was sleeping soundly, he rose and went back to his bed. As he was climbing in it, he wondered why he wanted to take away Trowa's loneliness and pain. Somehow it didn't quite seem like something a friend would think. Also why had he been so happy to see Trowa and why couldn't he leave him alone? Unlike Trowa, Quatre still had a ways to go before figuring out what exactly it was he felt for the mysterious boy, but for now, he was just happy being close to him.

THE END