Chapter 1

Problems arrise

(( I do not own Gundam wing and am not trying to steal it this is something I did in my free time and I hope you enjoy it. This is an AU where Catherine and Trowa are not related in fact this story deals with their relationship so keep that in mind. Enjoy flames are welcome I guess))

Catherine looked at the lights and winced as her vision blurred. 'Not tonight... of all nights it had to be this one.' She did a flip and landed kneeling. 'Better get this done before I totally lose it.' She stood up slowly, feeling a little dizzy from the flip. Tossing a few daggers at the target she heard the crowd cheer as they flew from her hand like arrows and embedded themselves into the target.

Trowa watched her and could tell something was wrong. She had been acting odd ever since the end of the war. Though she would not tell him what was wrong he could tell. 'Maybe she has finally cracked, she has been at this a lot longer then I have.' He watched the daggers come flying at his head knowing that the thrower would never actually aim at him. 'She is very clever, she misses on purpose, just to please the crowd.' He could feel that impact the daggers had on the target he was tied to.

Catherine bowed as the crowd cheered again and looked over to Trowa, who was watching her. Smiling she turned back to the center of the ring and could hear people leaving the tent. 'I think I am getting too old for this.' Looking around she saw the other members of the circus and sighed. It was always so quiet after the performances so peaceful. Catherine looked over at Trowa and shook her head. 'It was always silent here before he came. After every performance he always has a group of females trying to grab his attention. You think he would tell them to stop.' She caught herself from saying it out loud and shook her head, 'why am I thinking that?' Grabbing the handle of her door she opened it and went inside to change out of her costume. 'Why is it all acting up now of all times? Why?' She sat down and sipped on the tea she always made before her performances. It helped to calm her nerves and the thrill of knife throwing.

Trowa looked at the group of girls that had gathered around him, ignoring his every move to get away from them. 'They are like lions, waiting for the time to pounce on their prey. Just wish the prey were some other guy and not I.' He pushed them aside and watched them finally leave. Looking at the target he noticed where one of the daggers had hit. Placing his hand on it he pulled it out and looked at it. 'Cathy must be having a bad night, she never gets this close to hitting me. Even if she can help it.' He tossed it aside and went to feed the lions. Trowa went into the cage and scratched the neck of one of them and listened to it "purr" with pleasure. He set down their meals and watched them eat. "Maybe you can tell me what is bugging Cathy." He knew he would not get an answer from them, they just calmed his nerves to be around them. Leaving the cage behind he went to Catherine's trailer and knocked on the door.

"The door is open." She said and put her T-shirt on and sat down. The door creaked and she looked up seeing Trowa come in. Blushing she grabbed her blanket and bundled up from the cold. "What brings you here stranger?" She asked smiling at him somewhat.

Trowa sat down across from her looking at her for a moment and trying hard to read her emotions. "Catherine.... What is wrong with you?" He asked his tone rather emotionless despite his concern. Being the soldier he always was he hated people knowing his weaknesses, they would give the enemy too much in sight into his life. "Your aim was off tonight at the performance. I can tell when you are not well. Everyone can." He said leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest.

Catherine looked at him and the image blurred, blinking she looked away and tried to smile at him. "Don't be ridiculous, I'm fine... just some flashing from a camera blinded me for a moment is all." She rubbed her arm with the palm of her hand and smiled again. "Relax I am perfectly fine." Standing up she patted him on the shoulder. "Besides I have been around the man with the hidden mask far too long, maybe some of him rubbed off onto me." She winked

Trowa looked up at her as she stood before him and smirked to himself. "You don't fool anyone." He stated smiled at her. "Not even yourself, I'll leave you to your thoughts." Trowa left and closed the door behind him. 'I wonder what she is hiding from me...' leaving the circus he went to his own trailer and thought about it.

Catherine collapsed onto her bed and heaved a big sigh. Looking at her hands she closed her eyes and fell back onto her pillows. "How could I tell him? I want to so bad but I can't. He would never accept me if he knew." She put a pillow over her face and cried into it. 'I have to leave. I have to leave before I get too attached to anyone.'

The next morning...

Catherine swallowed up her pride and went to the main office. "Manager... I need to talk to you. It's about my contract." She waited for his reply and sighed. 'When did it come down to this? When did I start giving things up just because I am different?' The minute she thought that she knew the answer. 'Since it became dangerous for me to be around the ones I love. I have to get away before something terrible happens to them.' She smiled at the manager as he entered the room and sat down.

"So what did you want to talk about Cathy?" He sat down and motioned for her to sit down as well.

Catherine shook her head. "It is about my contract. I want to put it on hold, until I get everything settled down. My throwing is a bit off and I don't want to damage anyone when I try and do my stunt." She looked at him with sorrow, knowing fully well that this would break his heart.

He smiled at her knowing what she meant. "It is ok Cathy everyone has their off days. In fact I think the whole circus could use some off time." Standing up he patted her softly on the shoulder. "Make sure to get plenty of rest, I plan to stop this vacation in two weeks time." The manager smiled at her and laughed. "You are like the daughter I never had." With that he left her in his office so he could tell everyone about the vacation he had just planned.

Catherine sighed. 'Well maybe I can sort things out by then.' She left the circus to find a temporary apartment to get away from it all. Smiling she paid her pill and went up to her apartment. 'No more trying to throw knives, no more high-wire acts.' She frowned with a little sadness. "I will miss not being cheered at." Her vision blurred again and she closed her eyes willing it to return to normal. Then opening her eyes she looked at the door to her room and gasped. "What are you doing here? Did you follow me?" She asked and stood up stomping towards the entrance. "You know if you plan on stalking someone you should tell them first, I could have called the police." She sat down in a chair and put her purse on the table sorting through the stuff. "Manager gave us two weeks off, what are you doing wasting it on hanging out with me?" With that said she pulled out her compact and applied her make up to her face to hide her nerves.

Trowa smiled at her. "I am relaxing what do you expect. I rented out the apartment next to you." He pointed across the hall to the room that was opened. "Thought I would keep an eye on the star of the show, since she is acting so odd lately." He saw the vacant look in her eyes and it kind of scared him. "Hello Catherine, you ok?" He asked his face mere inches away from hers.

Catherine closed her eyes as her vision disappeared again. "I am fine you are over reacting, as always. Just give me my space." She opened them again and saw his face so close to hers, it made her jump backwards. "Don't do that ever again." She breathed deeply and tried to catch her breath. 'His face was so close to mine... only a breaths length away.' She blushed at her own thoughts and tried not to think of how close their lips were.

Trowa blinked confused for a moment but then backed away. "See you later then and try to rest up." He closed the door behind him still trying to figure out why she was acting so odd. 'Maybe she just needs some alone time.' He left the building and went out to do some shopping for his food and clothing. 'I just hope she is ok.'

Catherine sighed as he left and put her hands to her face trying to cover her weeping. 'The fact is Trowa I am going blind, and I don't know how to stop it.'