Chapter Three

Unexpected

Life for Duo Maxwell had certainly taken a turn in the past five years, the years after the war. He'd had no idea what to do. Quatre had his business, Trowa had his circus. Wufei had the Preventers... and Heero disappeared for a while, as usual. Before a week ago, the last he'd heard of Heero was that he was a volatile Preventer. For a moment or two, Duo'd been at a lose as to what to do. Then, he'd went back to Hilde's salvage yard. But... the dark eyed girl had wanted more- much more- from Duo than he was willing to give. So then... back to nothing to do. He'd fiddled around with one thing or another for some time- including a few alcohol binges, before fate threw a bomb at him.

A bomb in the shape of little girl.

Trinity Maxwell... for that was what he named her, since she had no name she could remember except for 'Baby'... saved him. She saved him from a downward spiral of boredom and the catastrophe that waited at the bottom of that spiral. She gave his life meaning again, she gave him something- someone- to fight for.

When his former comrades had found out that Duo Maxwell had wanted to formally adopt a four year old orphan, the reactions had been mixed.

Sally Po had been all for it, saying it was a noble cause and that it was perfect 'therapy'.

Lady Une had been against it, saying that a former terrorist was too volatile to care for a child and that this arrangement would end in grief. She'd eventually admitted that it was not her decision, though she'd never revoked her claims.

Heero couldn't be found for comment (Duo had doubted he had actually ever heard of Trinity; this theory had been proven when Heero met Trinity for the first time about a week ago), and Wufei had been the worst, with his demeaning words and lack of faith and respect; of everyone, Duo's wanted his respect for this decision the most for some unexplained reason. And of everyone, Quatre Winner had been Duo's best support, citing that it was Duo's choice, and that whatever Duo set his mind to... could be accomplished. Quatre had even went as far as offering his assistance for whatever Duo needed to care for young Trinity, though Duo was more than financially set to care for a child. Mostly, Quatre was emotional support for both of them.

All that had been a little under two years ago. In that span of time, Trinity had become like a part of him. He didn't know how he'd be able to survive if something happened to her. She was his life- his everything. And she felt pretty much the same way about him, as far as he could tell.

She'd needed a lifeline just like he did. They were both alone. He'd needed a reason to live. She'd needed someone to live just for her. They'd both needed the love that the other could provide. And despite all that had been said, they were a good team.

And all in all, he thought he'd done pretty good by her. She was a good kid. She was respectful, (mostly) obedient, kind-natured, sweet, mischievous, intelligent, physically healthy- everything anyone could ask for in a daughter. She never lacked anything she wanted or needed, though she was easy to please. She learned with an ease and grace that at once astounded and amazed him. All in all, she was a good kid and Duo'd never had much trouble with her. The key word in that statement was *much*, since she was a bit of a troublemaker- but only in small pranks and such; she would never hurt anyone physically or mentally. Because of her basic nature, and because of her ability. Her empathy made her a bit more sympathetic to his moods and she knew immediately if she'd done wrong.

However, her empathy also proved to be troublesome. At first, she'd been constantly in pain. When he realized what the problem was, he'd immediately enlisted Quatre's help and within days she'd shown dramatic improvement (that was about the time he realized he wanted to keep her- for good). After about the first year, Duo'd mastered the art of hiding his emotions, or projecting false ones. Sometimes it just didn't do to have a five year old knowing how you felt.

But, smart girl that she was, Trinity could mostly tell when he did that. She didn't like it. And her odd ability often set her apart from other children. Plus, children were naturally loud and boisterous. Trinity did not like that atmosphere at all. Her control was still not perfect- she was only six, after all- and Duo tried to shelter her from any and all possible pain. He steered her away from schools- opting for home-schooling (which she excelled at), steered her away from large crowds- pretty easy to do on L2 where everyone was still pretty paranoid, steered her away from politicians- she really did not need those emotions, and he steered her away from hospitals- who needed them, when you had Sally Po, who was just as good?

She had a way of speaking that simply set her apart from everyone. A world-weary tone that seemed like it belonged to a ninety year old woman, not a six year old girl. And despite that, she was optimistically bright and able to charm just about anything with half a brain. Even Heero Yuy. As Duo tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead 'goodnight', he thought back over the last conversation he'd had with Heero, less than a week ago. It had been the first and only time in over three years he'd talked to his former partner and teammate.

*Flashback*

"Pardon?" Was Duo's eloquent response.

A hint of a smile a smile Duo thought a smile on Heero Yuy's face... the world's coming to an end! ghosted over Heero's lips. Prussian blue eyes tracked the movement of the tiny girl and the blond man below them in the garden.

"She's sweet," was the repeat of the two words. "And she's highly intelligent for a six year old. You've done well, Duo."

Duo blinked, still not sure he'd heard right. Heero 'Mr. Bullets-For-Brains-Perfect-Soldier' Yuy was complimenting him... on his fathering ability, no less?

Obviously, Heero realized how the situation seemed.

"I mean it, Duo," he said. "Few people could raise a normal child as well as you've raised her."

"Alright," Duo said jokingly, "Who are you and what have you done with Yuy?" It also hadn't escaped his attention that Heero was calling him 'Duo' which was rare as well- Heero had never called him anything but 'Maxwell'. And from the little he'd heard, Heero was supposed to be as stoic and uptight as ever. Surely... surely Trinity hadn't caused this abrupt about-face?

"I'm still me," was the response. "But that child of yours has given me some things to think about."

"What did she tell you?" Duo asked, immediately knowing how odd it could be when Trinity talked and you weren't used to it.

"I told her I was lost, and she told me that I wasn't. She told me I had a place to belong and I just didn't know it yet. I don't understand it, but Une told me I needed to do some 'soul-searching'," he frowned at the word. "Trinity's observations seem like a adequate place to start."

Duo nodded.

"It is a unique talent she has, and a unique personality. You should be proud, Duo. I may not have told you this before, but I always have respected you. As a soldier and as a person. You're so many things I'm not. Maybe... maybe this whole vacation will help me find out how to become some of those things. Maybe I can become more like you."

*End Flashback*

As Duo stood back up to leave the little room, he wondered if Heero would ever get that chance to change... or if maybe it was too late in more ways than one.

"He'll be fine," Trinity murmured.

"Hmm, sweetie?"

"Heero... and Uncle Quatre. They'll both be fine. You'll see."

Duo kissed her again. "Goodnight, my angel. Go to sleep."

"'Night, Daddy," she said.

Trinity rolled over, the dream claiming her mind as soon as she closed her eyes. It was vivid and so real and she woke up from it later in the night, gasping. Emotions battered at her shields and she couldn't keep the emotions out. She felt sick, like her stomach was churning. But there would be no Uncle Quatreto help her this time. And Daddy, though he tried, was never that much good with her 'gift'. It had been Quatre, since the beginning, that had helped her.

She curled up in a small ball in the middle of her bed, barely letting out a whimper. She focused as hard as she could on her breathing, and tried to single out her father's emotions from everyone elses. His always calmed her.

"One two three four five," she counted. "One. One two three four five. Two. One two three four five. Three." She kept counting like that until she reached fifty, and by then, she was able to fall back into a fitful, but dreamless sleep.

And that was good. She didn't want to have to see that dream of Mister Heero getting shot at close range by one of those guns, like Daddy kept locked in his office desk. Especially not when Heero had jumped in front of Quatre to take that shot. Something wasn't right. But Trinity didn't know what.

The only thing she knew was that Quatre was still alive. Somehow, somewhere.

Quatre was alive.

tbc...

~~~~{*}~~~~

AN: There, third chapter. These first few are kinda slow. But it won't be long before we start to get into all the action and adventure. I mean... if Quatre's alive then, well, someone has to go rescue him. *hint, hint*

And THANKS so much for all the reviews. I'm so glad you all loved Trinity. Hope this chapter satisfies you, and Huggles/Cuddles to everyone!