OUT OF TUNE
Chapter Seven: Brewing Trouble and Guitar Lessons
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story nor do I own Gundam Wing. But I am getting there, so step aside people.
I was worried that I wasn't updating fast enough, but apparently, I was doing ok. However, this one took me awhile because I've been busy with school activities and what not. But hey! I've got EIGHT reviews! Yeah!!! Now, on to the story!
Trowa Barton could not for the life of him remember a time in his whole life that he looked forward as much as he did then in the gloom of awakening to actually opening his eyes. Although his whole body protested, particularly his legs, Trowa sat up in his bed. His stark white sheets were wrapped around his legs but they were cool against his skin. He faintly remembered changing out his pants and turtleneck into a pair of pajama pants in the middle of the night. He smiled at the memory, ignoring his stinging lip. Dorothy wouldn't let him get out of bed, even though she was fast asleep. He had to wiggle out of her grasp before she unconsciously conceded rolled away only to be pulled back into his chest once he'd gotten back in bed.
He looked down at Dorothy, who'd know draped a slender white arm around his middle and had laid her head on his lower stomach. He lifted his hand and stroked her neck and back. He raised an eyebrow as goose bumps began to leave their footsteps along her skin as she shivered in her sleep. His touch lightened to a feather's breath and the shivers increased and intensified. He didn't realize that his ministrations had woken her up until she gave a small moan and looked up at him with a smile.
Her long blonde hair had fallen into her eyes but it didn't hide the smile on her face or the one shining in the gray orbs that stared back up at him. He returned her smile graciously before looking away at his alarm clock. His happiness was dampened when he realized that his vacation from work was now officially over and he had to go back to work today. And even if he didn't have to go back, Une would have wanted him to come in and write an official report on the incident from last night. It was going to be a hard one, explaining why he just decided to chase that android down. It wasn't like he knew for sure that the guy had done anything wrong, it was just intuition from years of seeing wrong doers run. That android simulated a criminal's run perfectly.
"Dorothy, I have to go to work. You gonna be all right here by yourself?" he questioned softly, looking down at her. She rolled her eyes and pinched the side of his stomach.
"I'm a big girl Trowa, I can take care of myself," she replied with a mischievous grin. Trowa nodded, his smile still in place. 'But do I want you to take care of yourself?' he asked himself, his protective instincts raging. However, he shrugged them off and tightened his hold before letting go and stepping out of bed. He leaned down and pinched Dorothy's cheek in return for her pinch before heading off to the bathroom for a shower. He knew without even looking that by the time he'd left the bedroom, she was fast asleep again.
As he passed the mirror on his way to the shower he snatched a glimpse of himself. 'Jesus,' he groaned silently. His lip was swollen and a nasty blue and black bruise had popped up during the night on the lower left side of his face. He pulled the bandage from his face, and inspected the cut along his cheek. He'd probably have to have Sally Po check it out once he'd gotten to the office. It looked deep enough to cause a scar at least. He sighed loudly as he began to undress for his shower. (Calm down ladies, calm down.)
His whole body gave a collective sigh of relief as the hot water began to run down his body. He pushed his long bangs out of his face as he reached for a bottle of shampoo. Without looking at the bottle, he poured some of the goop onto his hair and starting rubbing it in. He moved on to washing his body, not paying any attention to his soapy bangs falling slowly from where he'd brushed them until one large clump fell up against his nose and he caught a whiff of his hair. A sickeningly sweet smell filled his nostrils, a sickeningly sweet…girly smell.
His eyes now impaired by the foamy mess, he groped along the side of the shower for the bottle of shampoo while he shook his head beneath the direct water spray. Once he'd grabbed the silly bottle he held it up to his eyes still stinging from shampoo.
"Freesia Fantasy," he read from the label slowly. "Of course, Freesia Fantasy, how silly of me," he muttered low in his throat.
Finishing up, he stepped out of the shower with a refreshed feeling running wildly through his veins. He moved to the sink to make a grab for his uniform when he realized that it wasn't there. That was when he remembered that he'd left it in his room.
***
Dorothy sighed happily as she soaked in the smell of Trowa. Now that she was free to enjoy it without coming up with silly schemes to get close to him, she took full advantage of her newfound obsession. She opened her eyes a crack and scanned the room. She'd fallen asleep again but had awoken with a start when her subconscious reminded her that Trowa would soon be leaving for the day. And she didn't want him to leave without her seeing him.
She sat up slowly, grinding the sleep out of her eyes. She gave them another rub when she thought she saw a peach flash run by the doorway of the room. Her heart gave a leap at the thought of another intruder inside the apartment with Trowa still in his shower until it occurred to her that she could no longer hear the water running. She couldn't help but smile mischievously as she snuck back under the covers, waiting to surprise Trowa royally.
However, it was she who was in for a surprise as Trowa entered the bathroom cautiously with only a small pink towel around his waist. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers at the sight before her. Although she'd woken up lying against that chest, she hadn't gotten a good look at it, since she'd been half asleep yet. But now, she was sure as hell wide-awake!
He wasn't buff, but he was perfect; wide shoulders tapered off to a flat waist with some mighty fine chiseling in between to give Dorothy plenty to think about for the rest of the day. However, her fantasies were cut short as he pulled a white t-shirt over his head followed by his tan button up work shirt. 'Damn clothes,' she hissed inside of her head. Her eyes were trained on him now as an evil idea came to her.
"Morning Trowa," she chimed loudly, throwing the sheets off of where she was hiding. Trowa jumped a good foot in the air and turned to face her, his little towel nearly falling off. She grinned brilliantly back at him as his emerald eyes glared down at her.
"You little-" he began but was cut short as he felt his towel slip a little. Reaching down, he hauled the towel up again so that it would provide some protection from the little slip of a demon sitting on his bed. Dorothy went into a fit of giggles as she watched his facial expressions turn from mild anger to slight fear to major embarrassment.
With a quiet growl, Trowa grabbed his wintertime Preventer pants and stalked out of the room. That left a still laughing but thoroughly satisfied Dorothy Catalonia.
Once Trowa had changed into his uniform and had recovered from his shock, he exited the bathroom and went to the kitchenette to get some breakfast. The place was still a mess. Chairs were knocked askew, a long tear had been ripped into the backside of their couch, and pieces of their coffee table could be found scattered along the floor of the apartment. However, these were all impersonal acts of vandalism done by the android. Yet something caught his eyes as he opened the refrigerator. Beyond it's white door he could see the vid-phone stand had been knocked over. This was strange since a vid-phone could be considered a personal item. He noted to himself to ask Dorothy about it later.
And thinking of the she-devil herself, she'd stepped out of her room wearing a loose pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He vaguely remembered her telling him that she was on her own vacation from being a new chairperson on the board of directors at the Romefellar Foundation while they moved things into the apartment 3 days ago.
"Sorry about that, *ahem* incident," she said with a little giggle as she reached past him for the jug of orange juice. He grinned evilly as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up against him, the jug falling to the floor completely forgotten.
"I don't know, maybe I shouldn't forgive you," he whispered, gently shoving her against the now closed refrigerator. Dorothy gave him a mock glare. He slipped his hand behind her head, his wet hair brushing against her cheek. She glared up at him with a smile shining in her eyes as she wrapped her own hands behind his neck.
"Go ahead, don't forgive me," she replied seductively, her smile just daring him not to. He gave in and leaned in for a kiss. However, Dorothy's hand stopped him.
"You have to go to work now," she said with a raised eyebrow. Trowa stole a glance at the clock hanging above them. She was right, it was almost 7 and he was going to be late if he didn't get out the door. But he looked back at her with a shrug.
"Une and the rest can wait," he whispered as he pushed his lips against hers, trying for another earth rocking kiss like the one from the night before. And even though it was hurried, and Dorothy had to push him out the door to finally unlock their lips, it was just as wonderful.
Dorothy smiled as she leaned against the doorway of their apartment, watching Trowa descend the stairs. She turned back inside and was about to close the door when a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her against a strong chest and a set of warm lips.
Trowa couldn't help but come back for more as his lips moved in a synchronized dance. Dorothy laughed against his cheek as he dotted kisses on her chin and up her cheek to her forehead, giving her one last peck before she pushed him away again with a shy giggle.
"I'd better go," he said with a smile as Dorothy rolled her eyes at their foolish behavior.
"Yes, you'd better, or you'll have Une riding you all day," she replied. Trowa laughed and turned one final time with a wave as he slid down the banister of the stairs. "You idiot!" Dorothy screamed in the hallway, causing Trowa only to laugh louder as he jumped the last few steps onto the landing, blew her a kiss, and disappeared from view.
***
Trowa soon found himself wishing that the rest of his day would go back to being as good as it had been that morning. He groaned audibly as he tried to type his report for Dominatrix Une as he'd dubbed her for the day. The words of his screen only ended up shaping themselves into erotic stories reflecting his thoughts on Dorothy. He grinned at the thought of her shocked look before he descended on her lips right before their last kiss. His eyes went out of focus as his mind wandered to other random moments with Dorothy.
"I know the feeling," said a deep voice behind him. Trowa turned to see Heero Yuy standing in the doorway of his office.
"What?" he asked dumbly, his gaze going back into focus.
"I know how you feel, Trowa," Heero explained. "Just don't let the girl get to you too much." Trowa thought he saw a trace of a smile on Heero's lips before the man turned away. "Une wants that report in 5 minutes by the way," Yuy threw over his shoulder as he walked away. Trowa's eyes widened and he began typing furiously on his computer. He hadn't realized he'd been zoning out for so long.
" 'Once the perpetrator had been apprehended, Capt. Maxwell and I left the operation in the hands of Lt. Lansing. For further information on the incident…' What next, what to put next?!" he groaned exasperatedly, placing his head in his hands.
"Barton!" Une's voice barked over his office intercom. "I want that report now!"
Trowa hurriedly finished, writing down the first thing that came to mind, printed it, and then bolted to his boss's office. Slowing down once he reached it, he straightened his collar and took a deep breath before knocking loudly.
"Enter," came Une's voice. Trowa pushed open the heavy wooden door to come face to face with Heero, Duo, Quatre, and Wufei standing around Une's desk. Sensing a briefing hanging in the air, he set the report in her inbox and turned to leave. But Wufei caught his wrist before he could get out the door. 'Caught,' he groaned in his mind.
"Barton, sit, all of you sit. We need to discuss further operations concerning this New Faction, particularly after last night," Une ordered, her voice slightly more gentle than what she'd used to get Trowa out of his daze. She gestured to the five red plush armchairs set in a semicircle in front of her desk. Wufei let go of Trowa's wrist and all five of the pilots sat down solemnly, even Duo.
"Now, all of you who were not involved in last night's take down of the New Faction's second in command," she paused when Trowa's eyes widened. "Yes, that's right Barton. The man that almost killed you last night after you disobeyed Preventer rules was second in command of the New Faction," she said grudgingly. Duo slapped him on the back with a smile and a wink.
"As I said, those of you not involved have been briefed on the matter. I want your views on what course of action should be taken next." Trowa looked down at the floor. No one immediately answered. "Well?" she probed with an edge to her voice.
"Has anyone interrogated the man?" Wufei asked, his eyes closed as if in meditation.
"Yes, he only let slip his position and that the faction doesn't have a name. But we're still working on him," answered Heero. Duo nodded.
"Yeah, the android didn't give up much either. They obviously didn't let it in on any of their planning so his memory cards are pretty much useless but we're still looking them over just in case," Duo said grimly. There were dark circles under his eyes and Trowa realized he probably had been at the Headquarters all night. He made a silent vow to make Duo go home at night even if he argued. He still had his pregnant fiancé waiting for him.
"Well, anything else?" Une asked, scanning Trowa and Quatre, the two being the only ones who hadn't spoken yet. Quatre shifted in his seat, evidence that he had something to say.
"Vice Foreign Minister Dorlian has asked me to join her on Earth, perhaps to find a peaceful solution to this," he paused searching for the right word. He looked up at Une, his aquamarine eyes intense. "For this problem," he finished. Une nodded, slight surprise showing on her face at Quatre's bravery to bring up Vice Foreign Minister Dorlian. Although Relena was still considered a good friend, the Preventers tried to avoid contact with her in work situations due to her connections to the Romefellar Foundation, an organization that did not originally approve of the Preventer's creation and the way they ran certain things. Quatre took the group's silence as a sign to continue.
"We've also brainstormed via vid-phone and have suggested to the Board of Directors at the Inter-Colonial and Earth Transit Organization that all transportation, public or private, be cut off between Earth and the colonies. We already know that the New Faction is centered on Earth, yet half of their attacks have been here amongst the colonies. And catching the man second in command here on the colonies PROVES that they aren't just on Earth. They're traveling and by isolating both Earth and the colonies, we can track them down easier," Quatre explained. Three out of the remaining four gundam pilots nodded in agreement but Heero growled, shaking his head.
"So, you two want to severe the cord that keeps the colonies alive is what you're saying. The colonies only have so much food for each person for this sort of thing," Heero argued. Quatre shook his head back.
"It will only be for so long Heero. And the colonies on Mars have already said that they can provide food from their new farms," Quatre reasoned.
"No! If you allow transportation between the colonies AND Mars then you'll be contrasting your own plan and creating a new venue for the Faction!" Heero cried. Wufei held up a slender hand.
"We'll have more Preventers on Mars then we do now. Noin has already asked us for more anyway," he said calmly. Heero shook his head, calming down slightly.
"No, we don't have enough Preventers to set up sufficient forces on Earth, here in the colonies, and Mars!" Trowa took a long look at Heero's face. Behind the Prussian blue eyes, there was more than just simple disagreement with the plan. Relena would be on Earth while Heero knew that he'd probably be stuck being the leader of the Preventer search here in the colonies.
"And I suppose you never thought that the people on Earth could still communicate with their companions here in the colonies," Heero added. Quatre looked down at the floor.
"That's why we've also suggested to the Galactic Broadcast Company to cut off communication as well between Earth and the colonies. Heero threw his hands up in the air and looked away.
"Heero," Trowa ventured quietly, "If we leave the 30 Preventer officers on Earth and add to them a force of 20 of ours, there'll still be 25 for the colonies here and 33 for on Mars which will be added to their original 15, including Noin," he added, nodding to Wufei. Heero thought about it and then smirked, realizing what Trowa was really planning. A silent understanding ran through all of the occupants of the room for except Duo, who was still doing the math in his head.
"Well then, I know you've all had a trying night, so I give you my leave to go home and rest. I don't expect much work from you on a day this anyway, what with so much to worry over. Quatre, I also give you my permission to go to Earth, as a delegate of the Preventers," she said, not looking at any of them but at her desk. "It's about time we repair relations with the Romefellar Foundation anyhow," she muttered. The five nodded in a unified anti-synchronization and walked out, going their own ways. Duo however, followed Trowa into his office.
"Trowa, I know I'm not the best mathematician, but if we have 78 leaving the headquarters here, doesn't that leave 5 extra?" Duo asked with his arms crossed. Trowa nodded silently, picking up some of the folders that had been left in his inbox. "May I ask WHY 5 people will be left behind here at headquarters?" Duo continued. 'Now wonder he's the mechanical interrogator, he never stops with the questions,' Trowa reminded himself. He turned to face the braided man.
"Technically, there'll only be 3 left behind, you, Wufei, and I. Quatre will be going to Earth and I'm going to talk Une into letting Heero go as well. As a bodyguard for Ms. Dorlian of course," he said with a small smile. Duo nodded, catching on.
"But why did you decide to have us three stay?" he probed further.
"We need to stay behind to protect Lady Une," Trowa said bluntly. "She may be a strong woman, but there's more strength in numbers."
"But why us three?"
"We're the most competent."
"Trowa, just cuz we're gundam pilots doesn't mean-" Duo started but Trowa cut him off.
"Duo, when is Hilde due?" Duo stopped and shut his mouth, surprised.
"In February, why?" he answered automatically.
"Do you think we'll be done searching for these idiots by then?" Trowa asked with a raised eyebrow. Duo was about to say something but decided against it, and only grinned in return. It always seemed that Trowa had an answer to everything.
***
Before leaving the office, Trowa stopped in by Sally and had her check out his cut as he'd planned to do in the morning. She told him he wouldn't need stitches and that he should consider himself lucky that it wasn't any deeper. Otherwise it would have left a huge scar on his beautiful face, she'd joked.
Trowa grinned happily as his mind once again drifted to Dorothy, waiting for him at home. He'd stopped thinking about her once he'd been confronted with the New Faction issue but now that he was on his way home, his mind felt free to wander. As he cut through the ill fated park that could have been the site of his death, he only thought of Dorothy and did not dwell on the wild goose chase that he'd fallen for here.
As his apartment came into view, he broke into a light run, wanting to get home as fast as he could. His fuel was Dorothy.
He entered his apartment door and took the stairs two, sometimes three at a time, jumping over railings at each landing. He laughed to himself as he was reminded that almost every time he traversed these steps he was running.
Once he'd finally reached his floor, he slowed his pace so as not to alarm Dorothy. But he couldn't help jogging to the door and unlocking it. He opened the door, half expecting Dorothy to be waiting for him with only a black leather and lace outfit on. However, his day long fantasies were thoroughly disappointed to find that Dorothy wasn't in the kitchenette or living room
She'd obviously been busy cleaning and decorating some more, the house was spotless and there were new knick-knacks that hadn't been there before. However, he quickly forgot these things when he heard the familiar strumming of his guitar coming from Dorothy's room. Smiling mischievously, he decided to get a little payback for earlier that day. Using his former training to his advantage, he snuck softly from the doorway to the entrance of her room, listening to her fumble with the strings of his guitar. He stifled a laugh as she played a horrible sounding C major.
"BOO!" he cried loudly, jumping into the room. Dorothy's head snapped up and she jumped off her bed a good two feet in the air, a scream gracing her lips. Trowa grasped his stomach as he laughed loudly at her reaction as she threw one of his guitar books at his head. Preoccupied with burning the image of her fright into his mind, he wasn't able to dodge the book. It hit him square in the jaw and he instantly stopped laughing and glared at her, his laughter now only held in his eyes.
Dorothy laughed at his expression, a mixture of fake anger and genuine happiness. However, her own laughter ceased as he pounced on her, the guitar falling away. They rolled back onto the bed, Trowa tickling her mercilessly as Dorothy tried in vain to escape.
"Geroff me you fool!" she cried through her laughter, causing her lover only to laugh louder as he explored new places to tickle. She pushed him back and sat up but that left her back vulnerable to his finger tips. He ran them up her spine, causing her to gasp in surprise. A surge of heat, followed closely be a numbingly cool pleasure flowed downwards through her body. Trowa stopped, watching her face.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked, concern lacing his words. Dorothy's lips were still in an O but she turned to him and managed to shake her head no. Trowa smiled lightly at her odd response to a tickle.
"Are you ok?" he questioned further. Dorothy nodded, her face slowly returning to normal. Trowa shook his head and decided that it might be better not to tickle her anymore. He turned away in a slightly awkward silence before picking up his guitar from where it had fallen from her hands.
"Trying to play?" he asked with a smile. Dorothy nodded, returning the smile but not meeting his eyes.
"I couldn't get the hang of it, I've been trying nearly all day. But it doesn't sound right to me," she said, picking at some invisible lint on her bed. Trowa looked down at the guitar and strummed it gently.
"Well, there's the problem, you see this bigger string here," he said pointing to the biggest string on the guitar. Dorothy nodded, keeping her eyes only on the guitar. "That one's too tight," he said, loosening the string. Dorothy nodded again.
"I tightened it cuz it didn't sound right to me. But I can never really tell," she said, her voice oddly soft. Trowa tilted his head but ignored it again, focusing on what she said.
"Well, it doesn't really matter how the guitar sounds compared to other guitars. As long as the strings are in tune with each other, then the guitar will sound just as beautiful as any other," Trowa told her. Dorothy looked confused so he searched his mind for some sort of demonstration.
"Lie down," he whispered. Dorothy's eyes widened suddenly as she looked up at him in surprise. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as she tried to comprehend what he'd just said.
"What?" she finally managed.
"Lie down, I'm going to show you how to tell," he said. Dorothy, wary but trusting, lied back down and allowed Trowa to hover over her while placing the guitar in her hands. "Now just hold it in place and feel," he whispered, his voice now hoarse as he realized just how intimate their position was. He pushed the guitar down her torso, making sure that it was directly above her stomach.
He picked up the smallest string on the guitar and plucked it, sending a high tone throughout the room. However, it as it echoed in the body of the guitar it sent sharp prickles through Dorothy's lower tummy. She gazed up at Trowa, intent upon his work, while the ache deep inside her increased.
Trowa moved down the scale, causing the ache inside of her to grow as he went lower. When he reached the final string, his eyes locked with Dorothy. As he plucked the final string, it came to him just what the deep rumblings of the guitar were stirring within her. As final evidence, Dorothy moaned softly as the deepest pitch made her stomach do summersaults within her. Trowa smiled lightly as he reached up the finger board to the tuning keys and slowly loosened the biggest string. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he plucked the string, sending an even stronger pitch through her body. The large sweater she wore to block out the apartments drafts did nothing to protect her from Trowa's playing.
Her gray eyes looked up into Trowa's green ones. She knew that she wasn't going to be able to take much more before he pushed her over her limit. Trowa looked down at her and knew without any words being said what Dorothy was thinking. He nodded slightly as he pulled the guitar from her hands and lied down beside her, his arms simply draped across her stomach.
"Never knew a guitar could be so sexy," she whispered as she snuggled down deep into his arms, leaving Trowa with a smile.
Well, I have a meeting to go to so I have to end it here, which is pretty much where I planned to end it anyway. Lol.
Sorry it took so long. Hope you like it!
Please R/R!! MadameHotaru.of.87
Chapter Seven: Brewing Trouble and Guitar Lessons
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story nor do I own Gundam Wing. But I am getting there, so step aside people.
I was worried that I wasn't updating fast enough, but apparently, I was doing ok. However, this one took me awhile because I've been busy with school activities and what not. But hey! I've got EIGHT reviews! Yeah!!! Now, on to the story!
Trowa Barton could not for the life of him remember a time in his whole life that he looked forward as much as he did then in the gloom of awakening to actually opening his eyes. Although his whole body protested, particularly his legs, Trowa sat up in his bed. His stark white sheets were wrapped around his legs but they were cool against his skin. He faintly remembered changing out his pants and turtleneck into a pair of pajama pants in the middle of the night. He smiled at the memory, ignoring his stinging lip. Dorothy wouldn't let him get out of bed, even though she was fast asleep. He had to wiggle out of her grasp before she unconsciously conceded rolled away only to be pulled back into his chest once he'd gotten back in bed.
He looked down at Dorothy, who'd know draped a slender white arm around his middle and had laid her head on his lower stomach. He lifted his hand and stroked her neck and back. He raised an eyebrow as goose bumps began to leave their footsteps along her skin as she shivered in her sleep. His touch lightened to a feather's breath and the shivers increased and intensified. He didn't realize that his ministrations had woken her up until she gave a small moan and looked up at him with a smile.
Her long blonde hair had fallen into her eyes but it didn't hide the smile on her face or the one shining in the gray orbs that stared back up at him. He returned her smile graciously before looking away at his alarm clock. His happiness was dampened when he realized that his vacation from work was now officially over and he had to go back to work today. And even if he didn't have to go back, Une would have wanted him to come in and write an official report on the incident from last night. It was going to be a hard one, explaining why he just decided to chase that android down. It wasn't like he knew for sure that the guy had done anything wrong, it was just intuition from years of seeing wrong doers run. That android simulated a criminal's run perfectly.
"Dorothy, I have to go to work. You gonna be all right here by yourself?" he questioned softly, looking down at her. She rolled her eyes and pinched the side of his stomach.
"I'm a big girl Trowa, I can take care of myself," she replied with a mischievous grin. Trowa nodded, his smile still in place. 'But do I want you to take care of yourself?' he asked himself, his protective instincts raging. However, he shrugged them off and tightened his hold before letting go and stepping out of bed. He leaned down and pinched Dorothy's cheek in return for her pinch before heading off to the bathroom for a shower. He knew without even looking that by the time he'd left the bedroom, she was fast asleep again.
As he passed the mirror on his way to the shower he snatched a glimpse of himself. 'Jesus,' he groaned silently. His lip was swollen and a nasty blue and black bruise had popped up during the night on the lower left side of his face. He pulled the bandage from his face, and inspected the cut along his cheek. He'd probably have to have Sally Po check it out once he'd gotten to the office. It looked deep enough to cause a scar at least. He sighed loudly as he began to undress for his shower. (Calm down ladies, calm down.)
His whole body gave a collective sigh of relief as the hot water began to run down his body. He pushed his long bangs out of his face as he reached for a bottle of shampoo. Without looking at the bottle, he poured some of the goop onto his hair and starting rubbing it in. He moved on to washing his body, not paying any attention to his soapy bangs falling slowly from where he'd brushed them until one large clump fell up against his nose and he caught a whiff of his hair. A sickeningly sweet smell filled his nostrils, a sickeningly sweet…girly smell.
His eyes now impaired by the foamy mess, he groped along the side of the shower for the bottle of shampoo while he shook his head beneath the direct water spray. Once he'd grabbed the silly bottle he held it up to his eyes still stinging from shampoo.
"Freesia Fantasy," he read from the label slowly. "Of course, Freesia Fantasy, how silly of me," he muttered low in his throat.
Finishing up, he stepped out of the shower with a refreshed feeling running wildly through his veins. He moved to the sink to make a grab for his uniform when he realized that it wasn't there. That was when he remembered that he'd left it in his room.
***
Dorothy sighed happily as she soaked in the smell of Trowa. Now that she was free to enjoy it without coming up with silly schemes to get close to him, she took full advantage of her newfound obsession. She opened her eyes a crack and scanned the room. She'd fallen asleep again but had awoken with a start when her subconscious reminded her that Trowa would soon be leaving for the day. And she didn't want him to leave without her seeing him.
She sat up slowly, grinding the sleep out of her eyes. She gave them another rub when she thought she saw a peach flash run by the doorway of the room. Her heart gave a leap at the thought of another intruder inside the apartment with Trowa still in his shower until it occurred to her that she could no longer hear the water running. She couldn't help but smile mischievously as she snuck back under the covers, waiting to surprise Trowa royally.
However, it was she who was in for a surprise as Trowa entered the bathroom cautiously with only a small pink towel around his waist. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers at the sight before her. Although she'd woken up lying against that chest, she hadn't gotten a good look at it, since she'd been half asleep yet. But now, she was sure as hell wide-awake!
He wasn't buff, but he was perfect; wide shoulders tapered off to a flat waist with some mighty fine chiseling in between to give Dorothy plenty to think about for the rest of the day. However, her fantasies were cut short as he pulled a white t-shirt over his head followed by his tan button up work shirt. 'Damn clothes,' she hissed inside of her head. Her eyes were trained on him now as an evil idea came to her.
"Morning Trowa," she chimed loudly, throwing the sheets off of where she was hiding. Trowa jumped a good foot in the air and turned to face her, his little towel nearly falling off. She grinned brilliantly back at him as his emerald eyes glared down at her.
"You little-" he began but was cut short as he felt his towel slip a little. Reaching down, he hauled the towel up again so that it would provide some protection from the little slip of a demon sitting on his bed. Dorothy went into a fit of giggles as she watched his facial expressions turn from mild anger to slight fear to major embarrassment.
With a quiet growl, Trowa grabbed his wintertime Preventer pants and stalked out of the room. That left a still laughing but thoroughly satisfied Dorothy Catalonia.
Once Trowa had changed into his uniform and had recovered from his shock, he exited the bathroom and went to the kitchenette to get some breakfast. The place was still a mess. Chairs were knocked askew, a long tear had been ripped into the backside of their couch, and pieces of their coffee table could be found scattered along the floor of the apartment. However, these were all impersonal acts of vandalism done by the android. Yet something caught his eyes as he opened the refrigerator. Beyond it's white door he could see the vid-phone stand had been knocked over. This was strange since a vid-phone could be considered a personal item. He noted to himself to ask Dorothy about it later.
And thinking of the she-devil herself, she'd stepped out of her room wearing a loose pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He vaguely remembered her telling him that she was on her own vacation from being a new chairperson on the board of directors at the Romefellar Foundation while they moved things into the apartment 3 days ago.
"Sorry about that, *ahem* incident," she said with a little giggle as she reached past him for the jug of orange juice. He grinned evilly as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up against him, the jug falling to the floor completely forgotten.
"I don't know, maybe I shouldn't forgive you," he whispered, gently shoving her against the now closed refrigerator. Dorothy gave him a mock glare. He slipped his hand behind her head, his wet hair brushing against her cheek. She glared up at him with a smile shining in her eyes as she wrapped her own hands behind his neck.
"Go ahead, don't forgive me," she replied seductively, her smile just daring him not to. He gave in and leaned in for a kiss. However, Dorothy's hand stopped him.
"You have to go to work now," she said with a raised eyebrow. Trowa stole a glance at the clock hanging above them. She was right, it was almost 7 and he was going to be late if he didn't get out the door. But he looked back at her with a shrug.
"Une and the rest can wait," he whispered as he pushed his lips against hers, trying for another earth rocking kiss like the one from the night before. And even though it was hurried, and Dorothy had to push him out the door to finally unlock their lips, it was just as wonderful.
Dorothy smiled as she leaned against the doorway of their apartment, watching Trowa descend the stairs. She turned back inside and was about to close the door when a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her against a strong chest and a set of warm lips.
Trowa couldn't help but come back for more as his lips moved in a synchronized dance. Dorothy laughed against his cheek as he dotted kisses on her chin and up her cheek to her forehead, giving her one last peck before she pushed him away again with a shy giggle.
"I'd better go," he said with a smile as Dorothy rolled her eyes at their foolish behavior.
"Yes, you'd better, or you'll have Une riding you all day," she replied. Trowa laughed and turned one final time with a wave as he slid down the banister of the stairs. "You idiot!" Dorothy screamed in the hallway, causing Trowa only to laugh louder as he jumped the last few steps onto the landing, blew her a kiss, and disappeared from view.
***
Trowa soon found himself wishing that the rest of his day would go back to being as good as it had been that morning. He groaned audibly as he tried to type his report for Dominatrix Une as he'd dubbed her for the day. The words of his screen only ended up shaping themselves into erotic stories reflecting his thoughts on Dorothy. He grinned at the thought of her shocked look before he descended on her lips right before their last kiss. His eyes went out of focus as his mind wandered to other random moments with Dorothy.
"I know the feeling," said a deep voice behind him. Trowa turned to see Heero Yuy standing in the doorway of his office.
"What?" he asked dumbly, his gaze going back into focus.
"I know how you feel, Trowa," Heero explained. "Just don't let the girl get to you too much." Trowa thought he saw a trace of a smile on Heero's lips before the man turned away. "Une wants that report in 5 minutes by the way," Yuy threw over his shoulder as he walked away. Trowa's eyes widened and he began typing furiously on his computer. He hadn't realized he'd been zoning out for so long.
" 'Once the perpetrator had been apprehended, Capt. Maxwell and I left the operation in the hands of Lt. Lansing. For further information on the incident…' What next, what to put next?!" he groaned exasperatedly, placing his head in his hands.
"Barton!" Une's voice barked over his office intercom. "I want that report now!"
Trowa hurriedly finished, writing down the first thing that came to mind, printed it, and then bolted to his boss's office. Slowing down once he reached it, he straightened his collar and took a deep breath before knocking loudly.
"Enter," came Une's voice. Trowa pushed open the heavy wooden door to come face to face with Heero, Duo, Quatre, and Wufei standing around Une's desk. Sensing a briefing hanging in the air, he set the report in her inbox and turned to leave. But Wufei caught his wrist before he could get out the door. 'Caught,' he groaned in his mind.
"Barton, sit, all of you sit. We need to discuss further operations concerning this New Faction, particularly after last night," Une ordered, her voice slightly more gentle than what she'd used to get Trowa out of his daze. She gestured to the five red plush armchairs set in a semicircle in front of her desk. Wufei let go of Trowa's wrist and all five of the pilots sat down solemnly, even Duo.
"Now, all of you who were not involved in last night's take down of the New Faction's second in command," she paused when Trowa's eyes widened. "Yes, that's right Barton. The man that almost killed you last night after you disobeyed Preventer rules was second in command of the New Faction," she said grudgingly. Duo slapped him on the back with a smile and a wink.
"As I said, those of you not involved have been briefed on the matter. I want your views on what course of action should be taken next." Trowa looked down at the floor. No one immediately answered. "Well?" she probed with an edge to her voice.
"Has anyone interrogated the man?" Wufei asked, his eyes closed as if in meditation.
"Yes, he only let slip his position and that the faction doesn't have a name. But we're still working on him," answered Heero. Duo nodded.
"Yeah, the android didn't give up much either. They obviously didn't let it in on any of their planning so his memory cards are pretty much useless but we're still looking them over just in case," Duo said grimly. There were dark circles under his eyes and Trowa realized he probably had been at the Headquarters all night. He made a silent vow to make Duo go home at night even if he argued. He still had his pregnant fiancé waiting for him.
"Well, anything else?" Une asked, scanning Trowa and Quatre, the two being the only ones who hadn't spoken yet. Quatre shifted in his seat, evidence that he had something to say.
"Vice Foreign Minister Dorlian has asked me to join her on Earth, perhaps to find a peaceful solution to this," he paused searching for the right word. He looked up at Une, his aquamarine eyes intense. "For this problem," he finished. Une nodded, slight surprise showing on her face at Quatre's bravery to bring up Vice Foreign Minister Dorlian. Although Relena was still considered a good friend, the Preventers tried to avoid contact with her in work situations due to her connections to the Romefellar Foundation, an organization that did not originally approve of the Preventer's creation and the way they ran certain things. Quatre took the group's silence as a sign to continue.
"We've also brainstormed via vid-phone and have suggested to the Board of Directors at the Inter-Colonial and Earth Transit Organization that all transportation, public or private, be cut off between Earth and the colonies. We already know that the New Faction is centered on Earth, yet half of their attacks have been here amongst the colonies. And catching the man second in command here on the colonies PROVES that they aren't just on Earth. They're traveling and by isolating both Earth and the colonies, we can track them down easier," Quatre explained. Three out of the remaining four gundam pilots nodded in agreement but Heero growled, shaking his head.
"So, you two want to severe the cord that keeps the colonies alive is what you're saying. The colonies only have so much food for each person for this sort of thing," Heero argued. Quatre shook his head back.
"It will only be for so long Heero. And the colonies on Mars have already said that they can provide food from their new farms," Quatre reasoned.
"No! If you allow transportation between the colonies AND Mars then you'll be contrasting your own plan and creating a new venue for the Faction!" Heero cried. Wufei held up a slender hand.
"We'll have more Preventers on Mars then we do now. Noin has already asked us for more anyway," he said calmly. Heero shook his head, calming down slightly.
"No, we don't have enough Preventers to set up sufficient forces on Earth, here in the colonies, and Mars!" Trowa took a long look at Heero's face. Behind the Prussian blue eyes, there was more than just simple disagreement with the plan. Relena would be on Earth while Heero knew that he'd probably be stuck being the leader of the Preventer search here in the colonies.
"And I suppose you never thought that the people on Earth could still communicate with their companions here in the colonies," Heero added. Quatre looked down at the floor.
"That's why we've also suggested to the Galactic Broadcast Company to cut off communication as well between Earth and the colonies. Heero threw his hands up in the air and looked away.
"Heero," Trowa ventured quietly, "If we leave the 30 Preventer officers on Earth and add to them a force of 20 of ours, there'll still be 25 for the colonies here and 33 for on Mars which will be added to their original 15, including Noin," he added, nodding to Wufei. Heero thought about it and then smirked, realizing what Trowa was really planning. A silent understanding ran through all of the occupants of the room for except Duo, who was still doing the math in his head.
"Well then, I know you've all had a trying night, so I give you my leave to go home and rest. I don't expect much work from you on a day this anyway, what with so much to worry over. Quatre, I also give you my permission to go to Earth, as a delegate of the Preventers," she said, not looking at any of them but at her desk. "It's about time we repair relations with the Romefellar Foundation anyhow," she muttered. The five nodded in a unified anti-synchronization and walked out, going their own ways. Duo however, followed Trowa into his office.
"Trowa, I know I'm not the best mathematician, but if we have 78 leaving the headquarters here, doesn't that leave 5 extra?" Duo asked with his arms crossed. Trowa nodded silently, picking up some of the folders that had been left in his inbox. "May I ask WHY 5 people will be left behind here at headquarters?" Duo continued. 'Now wonder he's the mechanical interrogator, he never stops with the questions,' Trowa reminded himself. He turned to face the braided man.
"Technically, there'll only be 3 left behind, you, Wufei, and I. Quatre will be going to Earth and I'm going to talk Une into letting Heero go as well. As a bodyguard for Ms. Dorlian of course," he said with a small smile. Duo nodded, catching on.
"But why did you decide to have us three stay?" he probed further.
"We need to stay behind to protect Lady Une," Trowa said bluntly. "She may be a strong woman, but there's more strength in numbers."
"But why us three?"
"We're the most competent."
"Trowa, just cuz we're gundam pilots doesn't mean-" Duo started but Trowa cut him off.
"Duo, when is Hilde due?" Duo stopped and shut his mouth, surprised.
"In February, why?" he answered automatically.
"Do you think we'll be done searching for these idiots by then?" Trowa asked with a raised eyebrow. Duo was about to say something but decided against it, and only grinned in return. It always seemed that Trowa had an answer to everything.
***
Before leaving the office, Trowa stopped in by Sally and had her check out his cut as he'd planned to do in the morning. She told him he wouldn't need stitches and that he should consider himself lucky that it wasn't any deeper. Otherwise it would have left a huge scar on his beautiful face, she'd joked.
Trowa grinned happily as his mind once again drifted to Dorothy, waiting for him at home. He'd stopped thinking about her once he'd been confronted with the New Faction issue but now that he was on his way home, his mind felt free to wander. As he cut through the ill fated park that could have been the site of his death, he only thought of Dorothy and did not dwell on the wild goose chase that he'd fallen for here.
As his apartment came into view, he broke into a light run, wanting to get home as fast as he could. His fuel was Dorothy.
He entered his apartment door and took the stairs two, sometimes three at a time, jumping over railings at each landing. He laughed to himself as he was reminded that almost every time he traversed these steps he was running.
Once he'd finally reached his floor, he slowed his pace so as not to alarm Dorothy. But he couldn't help jogging to the door and unlocking it. He opened the door, half expecting Dorothy to be waiting for him with only a black leather and lace outfit on. However, his day long fantasies were thoroughly disappointed to find that Dorothy wasn't in the kitchenette or living room
She'd obviously been busy cleaning and decorating some more, the house was spotless and there were new knick-knacks that hadn't been there before. However, he quickly forgot these things when he heard the familiar strumming of his guitar coming from Dorothy's room. Smiling mischievously, he decided to get a little payback for earlier that day. Using his former training to his advantage, he snuck softly from the doorway to the entrance of her room, listening to her fumble with the strings of his guitar. He stifled a laugh as she played a horrible sounding C major.
"BOO!" he cried loudly, jumping into the room. Dorothy's head snapped up and she jumped off her bed a good two feet in the air, a scream gracing her lips. Trowa grasped his stomach as he laughed loudly at her reaction as she threw one of his guitar books at his head. Preoccupied with burning the image of her fright into his mind, he wasn't able to dodge the book. It hit him square in the jaw and he instantly stopped laughing and glared at her, his laughter now only held in his eyes.
Dorothy laughed at his expression, a mixture of fake anger and genuine happiness. However, her own laughter ceased as he pounced on her, the guitar falling away. They rolled back onto the bed, Trowa tickling her mercilessly as Dorothy tried in vain to escape.
"Geroff me you fool!" she cried through her laughter, causing her lover only to laugh louder as he explored new places to tickle. She pushed him back and sat up but that left her back vulnerable to his finger tips. He ran them up her spine, causing her to gasp in surprise. A surge of heat, followed closely be a numbingly cool pleasure flowed downwards through her body. Trowa stopped, watching her face.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked, concern lacing his words. Dorothy's lips were still in an O but she turned to him and managed to shake her head no. Trowa smiled lightly at her odd response to a tickle.
"Are you ok?" he questioned further. Dorothy nodded, her face slowly returning to normal. Trowa shook his head and decided that it might be better not to tickle her anymore. He turned away in a slightly awkward silence before picking up his guitar from where it had fallen from her hands.
"Trying to play?" he asked with a smile. Dorothy nodded, returning the smile but not meeting his eyes.
"I couldn't get the hang of it, I've been trying nearly all day. But it doesn't sound right to me," she said, picking at some invisible lint on her bed. Trowa looked down at the guitar and strummed it gently.
"Well, there's the problem, you see this bigger string here," he said pointing to the biggest string on the guitar. Dorothy nodded, keeping her eyes only on the guitar. "That one's too tight," he said, loosening the string. Dorothy nodded again.
"I tightened it cuz it didn't sound right to me. But I can never really tell," she said, her voice oddly soft. Trowa tilted his head but ignored it again, focusing on what she said.
"Well, it doesn't really matter how the guitar sounds compared to other guitars. As long as the strings are in tune with each other, then the guitar will sound just as beautiful as any other," Trowa told her. Dorothy looked confused so he searched his mind for some sort of demonstration.
"Lie down," he whispered. Dorothy's eyes widened suddenly as she looked up at him in surprise. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as she tried to comprehend what he'd just said.
"What?" she finally managed.
"Lie down, I'm going to show you how to tell," he said. Dorothy, wary but trusting, lied back down and allowed Trowa to hover over her while placing the guitar in her hands. "Now just hold it in place and feel," he whispered, his voice now hoarse as he realized just how intimate their position was. He pushed the guitar down her torso, making sure that it was directly above her stomach.
He picked up the smallest string on the guitar and plucked it, sending a high tone throughout the room. However, it as it echoed in the body of the guitar it sent sharp prickles through Dorothy's lower tummy. She gazed up at Trowa, intent upon his work, while the ache deep inside her increased.
Trowa moved down the scale, causing the ache inside of her to grow as he went lower. When he reached the final string, his eyes locked with Dorothy. As he plucked the final string, it came to him just what the deep rumblings of the guitar were stirring within her. As final evidence, Dorothy moaned softly as the deepest pitch made her stomach do summersaults within her. Trowa smiled lightly as he reached up the finger board to the tuning keys and slowly loosened the biggest string. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he plucked the string, sending an even stronger pitch through her body. The large sweater she wore to block out the apartments drafts did nothing to protect her from Trowa's playing.
Her gray eyes looked up into Trowa's green ones. She knew that she wasn't going to be able to take much more before he pushed her over her limit. Trowa looked down at her and knew without any words being said what Dorothy was thinking. He nodded slightly as he pulled the guitar from her hands and lied down beside her, his arms simply draped across her stomach.
"Never knew a guitar could be so sexy," she whispered as she snuggled down deep into his arms, leaving Trowa with a smile.
Well, I have a meeting to go to so I have to end it here, which is pretty much where I planned to end it anyway. Lol.
Sorry it took so long. Hope you like it!
Please R/R!! MadameHotaru.of.87
