A/N: Here's a new chapter! It was a bit difficult but I thought it came out rather well. I kind of hope to put out another chapter soon but as I also want to get other stories going I'm not too sure. Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 3
"This…can't be right."
Shaking his head slightly Trowa blinked and turned his attention back to the file in front of him. He still couldn't comprehend what he was reading. A light tug on his shirt had Trowa looking away from the file and down into the soft, confused emerald eyes of the child still standing on his lap.
Smiling Trowa gently slid his arm under the child's knees and positioned him so that he was seated with his back to Trowa's much larger and stronger chest. Making sure that he had a good grip on the still weak and sick child Trowa looked over at where Sally still stood near the doorway.
"You are positive this is correct?"
Sally nodded and cautiously made her way over to a chair, keeping a wary eye on the lions dozing on the bed.
"Positive. When I first saw what it was I was looking at I had it checked twice more before there was no other choice but to accept it. He is your son."
Freak blinked as he listened to the nice woman talk. He understood what was being said…but that couldn't be right. Freaks daddy was dead, Uncle Vernon said so.
Sally smiled slightly as she watched a dazed expression take over the former mercenaries' face.
"You have to admit; he does bear quite the resemblance to you."
Trowa blinked and looked down into emerald eyes so like his own. She was right; the little boy did bare quite the resemblance to him. The little boy had his eyes as well as what appeared to be his errant hair-there was a reason he kept his hair short in the back and long in front…it was the only way it laid in any semblance of order. Anything other than that was rather difficult to tell as the malnutrition in the child's past had most likely permanently stunted his growth.
For his part Freak simply looked over the nice man as the thought through what he had heard. The blonde lady said that the nice man was his daddy. But Uncle Vernon said that his daddy was dead and never coming back. But the nice man had the same eyes as Freak.
A large, gentle hand began running soothingly through his long, tangled hair and Freak sighed leaning into the caress. Whatever was going on he wasn't sure he really cared all too much. The nice man was touching Freak and being so nice as well, no one had ever done that before in his memory.
Trowa smiled slightly as the little boy leaned into his touch and carefully turned back to the file while continuing his ministrations. The file itself was rather small, which could be contributed to a number of things. Since he suspected abuse from the state the child had been brought to him in, that was one reason. But the other reason could be the child's age.
That thought caused Trowa to pause. Who was the child's mother and how old was the child really? Deciding to just get the information verbally rather than try to flip through the entire folder without disturbing the content child Trowa turned his single visible eye to where Sally sat smiling at him.
"I'll look through the folder later but I'm sure that you already know the contents of this folder."
Sally nodded with a smile and settled more fully into her chair as she began, noticing the child's own emerald eyes also focused on her as she began.
"As I've already said you are this boy's father Trowa. The child's biological mother's name was Maria Sandrez. Does that name mean anything to you?"
Trowa made to shake his head when he paused and looked back down at the child. The child's face was heart shaped even with the obvious malnutrition and the slight-very slight- tilt to the child's big bright eyes did happen to remind him of someone. The black hair though…yes he remembered.
"She was a mechanic for Heavyarms a number of years back. She left around A.C. 192 I think, maybe a bit earlier than that. We had a relationship of sorts. As far as I can remember Maria was mostly Italian with some Japanese mixed in as well."
Sally nodded.
"Her disappearance would most likely coincide with this little ones conception. From what I was able to find in records Maria left L-3 and came to earth; England to be exact and ended up staying with an old friend of hers and her friend's husband; both of whom eventually adopted your son after Maria died in childbirth. Their names were Lily and James Potter and they named your son Hadrian James Potter, Harry for short."
Trowa's arms tightened around his son.
"Are they the ones who hurt him?"
Sally shook her head.
"No, apparently they died around a year later and the child was then shipped of the Lily's sister Petunia Dursley and her family. It is more than likely them that did it."
"U'cle Vernon…Auntie 'Tunia?"
Both adults looked to the till then silent child in slight shock as the child looked between them with big, scared emerald eyes. Trowa smiled gently and lifted the child off his lap to cradle him close to his chest.
"I won't let anything hurt you little emerald. Nothing will get you now."
Freak stiffened in the nice mans arms as he tried to understand what was going on around him. He knew that the blonde lady said that the nice man was Freaks daddy. He also knew that the nice man would protect him. But was he sure he could trust the nice man. He and the pretty kitty had taken him out of the snow but what if he was only nice because the blonde lady was here? What if he was mean like Uncle Vernon was?
Trowa felt the child stiffen even more and frowned lightly over the child's head at a sad Sally as he began to gently rub the child's back in soothing circles. He wasn't sure what to do really. He remembered his 'relationship' with Maria vaguely; they had been co-workers with benefits really, there had been nothing else between them. He was also a terrorist who had no idea how to raise a child. Hell he hadn't really had any contact with children to begin with.
But one thing he did know and understand was that this child was his son. His son who had most likely known nothing but abuse and disappointment in his young life. And whether he was ready or not he had to be a father to this child…wanted to be a father to this child.
"Everything's going to be alright little one. I'll never hurt you."
For some reason he felt he had to make that clear. He knew that especially things early in life left deep impressions. The mercenaries who had raised him certainly had.
Freak heard and understood the words and despite his past, despite everything he had been through, he felt himself relax into the hold the other man had him in. This was comforting. He had seen Dudley held like this but when he had asked for it he had been beaten. Relaxing fully and relishing the touch he had long since been denied Freak reached up with trembling arms to wrap his thin arms around the neck of the man the blonde lady called his daddy.
Sally saw the movement of the child as the thin arms surrounded the tall pilot's neck and couldn't help but smile. She had thought it would be immensely difficult to get the poor abused child to trust and accept Trowa, but it seemed that despite everything the child had most likely been through he was still young enough to trust again.
What happened next though, as the child's arms tightened their grip had Sally's eyes widening in surprise. Trowa Barton had always been something of a mystery to her. He was a very quiet young man who generally spoke no more than he had to and who said the most through small gestures and expressions. But the smile that spread across the young mans face was something she had never seen before.
When Trowa had smiled before he had seemed content, calm even. But it wasn't till then that she realized that she had never seen a true smile from the acrobat. His true smile was the one he was showing now as his son hugged him for the first time. Just like every other expression Trowa gave, he managed to express so much. She could see joy and wonder and peace in that smile.
Sally smiled.
"Looks like at least one of the pilots managed to find something to live for in this time of peace. Maybe the others will too."
Feeling the small arms wrap around his neck Trowa froze minutely for a moment before he registered what was happening. He was a killer; did he really deserve this child's trust? He wasn't sure. But he knew he wanted it, no matter how selfish that may seem. For the first time as far as Trowa could recall her felt a real smile curve his lips as he brought his strong arms up to support and cradle the child who had just put his trust in him.
"I won't disappoint you little emerald; I promise."
Freak relaxed at the promise. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia never made promises to him but he had seen them make promises to Dudley and they never broke those. Maybe…maybe this man could be his daddy after all. He made Freak feel safe and wanted and he was really gentle with Freak.
"'Kay….daddy."
Both adults felt their eyes widen before Sally broke into a grin. She had hoped for this. She could already see that Trowa was enamored with the child and she knew that the protective streak she had seen come out around the others during the war wouldn't allow for him to do anything other than help the child. All she had needed was the acceptance of the child. If the child couldn't accept love and safety when it was given to him then the child might have been more damaged then she had thought but she could already see that these two were what each other needed.
"This is what you want isn't it Trowa?"
The shock shown clearly on the teens face was amusing to say the least but she really did need to make sure this was what he wanted as well.
Hearing the nice lady's words to his daddy Freak leaned back to see his daddy's face; afraid he was mad. The feeling of his son pulling back was enough to snap Trowa out of his shock. Looking across at the Sally he nodded.
"Yes, I will raise Harry the best I can."
Freak frowned. He didn't like that name at all. His daddy hadn't given him that name.
"Not 'arry!"
Both adults blinked before Trowa looked down into petulant emerald eyes in a pouting face.
"…What?"
Sally raised her hand to smother her laughter as she saw the confusion plain in the teen's eyes. She understood what the child wanted and could understand.
"I think he means that he doesn't want that name. I think he wants you to name him yourself Trowa."
Trowa blinked and looked from this son to Sally and back again in confusion. Sally smirked at the silent question and leaned forward to answer.
"It might make him feel more like he belongs with you if you give him a name all his own. He is still a young child, only turned four July Thirty-First actually."
Trowa blinked and looked back to the child. He had estimated the child to be three at the most; but to be four and the size of a small two year old. Taking a deep breath to calm the sudden anger Trowa looked down and studied the child more closely as he thought. He understood where Sally was coming from but he had something of a problem. He had taken his name from a dead man and had lived nameless for the better part of his life. What did he know about naming anyone?
Seeing his father's eyes on his Freak tilted his head to the side, making his tangled and still slightly dirty hair fall to the side, catching his father's attention. Eyes riveted to his sons length of hair Trowa couldn't help but remember another person who had not only been nameless at one point in time but also had long hair.
He had always admired Duo; been fascinated by him really. He had heard of the L-2 streets and knew just how dangerous they could be. He had grown up on the battlefield but at least he had had adults to help and teach him and food most of the time. Duo had never had that and had lost so much to the streets.
…Of course…Duo's looks and exuberant personality was also a factor of the brunet that he admired. He had no idea how someone who had lived as Duo had could be so happy.
"There was a name he mentioned once. When we were talking about how similar our pasts were while on Peacemillion. No one bothered to give me a name until I went and took it myself. But Duo…who was it that gave him a name? Who was it that gave such a strong and yet fragile person a name?"
"…Solomon…Solomon Triton Barton. Solo for short."
Trowa hesitated, suddenly unsure and looked down into his sons eyes.
"Do you like that…Solo?"
Freak blinked for a moment before smiling brightly. His daddy had given him a name!
"Yeah!"
Trowa blinked for a moment before smiling down at the fragile little boy in his lap. He had no name of his own; only one he had stolen off of a dead man; but that didn't mean his son didn't deserve a name all his own. And he was sure Duo wouldn't mind him using his friend's old name for his son.
Sally smiled at the happy pair but couldn't help but wonder at the name. Trowa looked up at her and nodded, seeming to understand immediately what she was thinking about.
"Triton was Cathy's younger brother's name. She once told me that I looked like he did; or at least, how he thought he would had he lived long enough to see my age."
Sally nodded and gestured for the teen to continue, noting that the newly named Solo was listening intently to his father as well.
"And Solo…well Solo was the one Duo once told me named him when he was a child. He told me how important that Solo was and Solomon came to mind."
Sally smiled. Seemed like Trowa had something of a fascination with Duo. Not that she could truly blame him. The American was quite beautiful and was the life of the group of pilots during the war. She only wondered where he was now. And how he was doing.
"well I think that those boys would be happy that you felt you could use their names for your son. It would honor them and everything they were and did."
Trowa nodded and looked back down at his son; Solo. (A/N: Freak will be called Solo from now on.)
Solo for his part had loved his name and loved it even more now that his daddy told him and the blonde lady who his daddy called Sally where it came from. And he really wanted to meet this Duo person; daddy seemed to like him a lot.
Smiling at the pair Sally cleared her throat, catching both Trowa's and the child's attention.
"I will still be around for a few days but I will most likely be going into town tomorrow so I want to let you know of this now. I will be heading into the Preventers office near here to file all of the information you have given me and place you DNA in for the Family Reconstruction Act that was just recently passed. What I need you to do is make sure Solo gets plenty of rest and fluids. I would also suggest he have another warm bath tomorrow to prevent any other illnesses caused by the cold from setting in. I will also be speaking with a friend of mine to get a diet set up to help your son gain weight back. For now though just give him small meals; soup would probably be best."
Trowa nodded, his soldier mind taking everything in and memorizing it. He would make sure to do nothing wrong, he would not hurt his son any more than he already was.
"When can I take him out shopping? He has no clothes or anything else."
Sally paused for a moment.
"I will pick up a pair of pajamas and a pair of warm winter clothes while I'm out and as long as he doesn't run around too much while he is out you should be able to take him out within the next couple of days."
Trowa nodded and looked down as a yawn was heard. Trowa chuckled quietly at the sleepy emerald eyes looking up at him and stood, making sure his son was safely and comfortingly secured in his arms.
"Thank you for this Sally."
Sally smiled and stood from her seat.
"It was no problem at all Trowa. I was more than happy to help. I'll see you when I get back tomorrow. You have my cell-phone number so call if you need anything."
Trowa nodded and silently walked the woman to the door. He had talked quiet a bit today and was rather tired of it at the moment. Closing the door gently behind the woman Trowa silently moved over to the bed where the lions were sleeping calmly and gently nudged the male lion with his free hand.
The lion stirred and looked up at him for a moment before moving further towards the wall to give Trowa space. Moving to set the child down Trowa blinked at the tight hold small hands had on his sweater.
"Don't go."
Looking down into sleepy but scared emerald eyes Trowa nodded and moved to settle into the bed himself, placing the child gently beside him after having lain down. Solo smiled and shifted around until he laid under his daddy's long, strong arm before falling into sleep.
For once in his life he felt safe and content. And he could sleep with out worry of a beating.
Trowa for his part laid awake for quiet a while, simply feeling the slight weight of his son against his side and the warmth the child gave off. Was he ready for this? He wasn't sure. But he knew that he had to. He wouldn't allow for his son to be hurt again, as he obviously had been by his previous guardians.
It was with determination and a feeling of contentment that Trowa finally fell into the first peaceful sleep that he could remember in his life. His son providing a barrier against the hate and destruction he had witnessed all his life.
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A/N: Hope everyone liked this chapter. It was a bit difficult for me to do but it was so worth it in the end. Please Review!
