Quatre

He tried to look up at the top of the building. It was so tall that when you look up at the top you were forced to see the other side of the colony. Trowa took a breath and continued through the doors. As he started walking for the elevators, the receptionist tried to call out to him. He gave her a glance and kept walking. He went to the elevators and started watching her in the shiny silvers reflection. When she turned around and picked up the phone, Trowa walked to the stairs. After getting to the second floor, he went back to the elevators and pushed the down button. When the elevator came he took a drink at the fountain and caught a glimpse inside, making sure it was empty. Then he went inside and pushed the button for the top floor.

He leaned against the wall and said aloud, "This is too easy." The door opened and Rasid was carrying a box and looked toward him.

He smiled, put down the box, and said "Didn't expect you. If you would have called you wouldn't have had to avoid security. I'll cancel the look for you."

Trowa nodded, "Much appreciated. Where is Quatre?" Rasid pointed to a pair of bid decorated doors and picked up the phone. Trowa walked through and vaguely heard Rasid talking.

Not looking up, the platinum haired youth calls out, "Rasid, I'd appreciate it if you stopped bringing me more paperwork."

Trowa took a seat in front of Trowa, "How would you like a break from the work?"

Quatre looked up and smiled, "Trowa! I didn't know you were coming." He rushed around his desk to take a seat on it closer to Trowa. He looked at Trowa and said, "It's been so long. Are you still in the circus? Is that the break you were talking about?"

Trowa gave him a warm smile, "You're still Quatre. Yes it's about the circus. We will be in town for a while, and I can get you tickets for a show you want. You just need to name a day, and the tickets are yours."

Quatre forced a smile, "It's a nice offer Trowa, but I'm afraid I don't get much time off. I have to go to meetings, inspect satellites, and then there is still paperwork to do. My father didn't leave me an easy business to take care of."

Trowa nodded, "I understand. Well, we will be here for three weeks, so you can contact me anytime if you decide to change your mind. And if that's not possible, you want to go get something to drink or eat?"

Quatre thought about it for a minute looked behind him on his desk and said, "Sure. All work and no play, right?" He gave a chuckle.

They left the room and Quatre said to Rashid, "I'm going out for a bit. Don't worry Trowa is with me." Rashid looked like he was bout to object but didn't. He nodded and waved.

In the elevator, Trowa asked, "Shouldn't Rasid be on Earth?"

Quatre laughed, "Yeah but the Maganac Corp. likes to send someone up to help me out and make sure I'm ok. It just happens to be his turn."

Trowa smirked, "Yeah that seems like something they would do. Though your security is a little lacking. It was too easy to get to you."

Quatre smirked, "I'm sure Rasid heard the description and told them not to worry. He is on the security frequency so probably knew you were coming. If he said otherwise, it was probably just a way for him to get his mind of the work. It gets kinda dull." His blue eyes started looking on the floor for something. They stood there until the elevator reached the ground floor. After walking out, Quatre went to the desk and said, "Mrs. Preston, this is my good friend Trowa Barton," Quatre smiled, she looked at Trowa and blushed, and the shorter boy continued, "and is not to be considered a threat anymore." He laughed, and she tried to chuckle.

Trowa bowed his head and said, "It's understandable."

Quatre said, "I'm taking my lunch break, so I'll be back in a while."

As they left the building, Trowa asks, "Is there any place around here that is good?" He looks around the street at the many people walking around.

They stood there, and Quatre said, "Sure, there are tons of places, but what kind of place do you want to go to?"

Trowa looked around for a bit, "Nothing too fancy. I'm used to cooked beans and soup on a regular basis."

Quatre sounded worry, "That doesn't sound to healthy."

Trowa replied, "Well you got to eat what you can. We don't really have much of a choice since we don't have much of a way to cook a lot of things. We don't mind though. I eat what I can, and the others like to just sit around the fire and talk."

Quatre looked down at his feet, "Wow. It sounds like an interesting life. You're always with someone close to you."

Trowa looked at him and changed the subject, "How about that one over there?" He pointed to a building down the street.

Quatre looked at where Trowa was pointing, "That place? I was hoping for something a bit more intimate. I know this Thai restaurant a few blocks away. The food is good and the people are nice."

Trowa shrugged, "That's fine. I haven't gotten to try Thai food yet." Quatre started to lead the way. The street was busy, and they had bumped into plenty of people. Trowa had the oddest feeling as he walked through the river of people and no one said sorry or pardon. He began to feel this void as he looked into the eyes of someone passing by. They were completely separated from where they were. Then the feeling left as the person finally passed him. He looked at other people and noticed that they were all like that. Then he looked at Quatre. He seemed to be dodging and moving. With all the heavy footsteps, Trowa couldn't tell if Quatre was saying anything or not. Trowa tried to imagine Quatre with that hypnotic look in his eyes. Trowa shivered as his friend eyes lost their life.

Then Quatre turned into a building, and as Trowa entered Quatre said, "Not too crowded." Trowa looked at Quatre to notice a little smile on his face.

An old man, old to Trowa and Quatre, came up to them, "Ah Mr. Winner, it is a pleasure to have your company. One as usual or is this gentleman your friend?" He smiled at Trowa with crooked yellow teeth and a gentleness in his eye.

As Trowa gave him a half smile, Quatre answered kindly, "He is my friend Mr. Patalung." He led them to a table in the corner and gave them some water.

Trowa opened the menu, stared at it for a bit, and said, "I'll just get what you get." Quatre smiled and nodded. The man came back and took their order, green chicken curry. Trowa looked around a bit more and asked, "How often do you come here?"

Quatre looked at the wall, apparently at a painting, "Not to often. I come here alone, and I usually don't eat alone."

Trowa noticed the boy's eyes were doleful, "Why is that so bad? It's better than being alone right?"

Quatre sighed, "I'd rather be alone then some of those other businessmen. Except for the members of the Maganac Corp. that visits, I feel alone no matter how many people I talk to. Here I usually get to have a friendly conversation with Mr. Patalung or his son." Trowa mulled this over in his head. Afraid to break his mask for even Quatre, he still felt for his friend, the first person he actually considered a friend.

He took a deep breathe and said, "This life isn't for you. Have you thought of leaving this to your sister or something?"

Quatre looked at him, "I've thought about it, but this is what my father wanted. He died for me and his belief. I would feel bad turning my back on his memory." Quatre took a sip of water and stared at it a bit.

Trowa began to speak with more vigor, "What if you left for the Preventers? His ideal was pacifism, and they are dedicated to upholding this pacifistic peace. Wouldn't that be upholding his ideal?"

Quatre sighed, "But I can't leave one of my sisters to run the company. It's considered taboo still. Plus it's a lot of pressure. I don't want them to deal with it."

Trowa interjected, "But you're still a kid. Do you think that isn't as bad for the image? You need to live while you can. You can come back to the business later."

Quatre smiled, "I don't know how much more living I can do. I was a gundam pilot. Not much compares to that."

Trowa nodded, "Heh, you're right. Not much compares to the thrill of piloting a gundam." The food arrived, and they spent a majority of the time eating.

Mid-way through his curry, Quatre asked, "You know, I think I'll take a pair of tickets for a show. I bet Rasid will come with me." Trowa nodded, "When will the next showing be?"

Trowa took a gulp of water, "There is one in two days at 7 pm," He paused a bit, " Man I'm glad the colonies all have the same time, or this would get extremely confusing going from colony to colony."

Quatre chuckled "Yeah, I do a lot of traveling between the colonies too." They finished the food and Quatre asked, "Don't woory about the bill I'll get it." Before Trowa could protest Quatre continued, "Think of it as my thanks for coming to see me." Trowa nodded.

Trowa said as they left the restaurant, "I better head back to the tent. Still got some things to prepare."

Quatre nodded, "I understand. Be safe and I'll see you perform"

Trowa smiled, "See you then."

They waved and went their separate ways. As Quatre came to his building, he looked up and said to himself, "Hm, the preventers?"