I showed the little girl I watch an episode of Gundam Wing. We saw the part where Quatre lost his mind in the Zero system. She looked horrified when he did that 'laugh'. XD

If I might...allow me to brag about my garden. What can I say, I'm feeling good because of an AWESOME reviewer! XD I wish they had an account so I could thank them properly!

Did you know that sunflowers can have more than one head? o_O Until last year, I didn't either.

I have two sun flowers, both of which are nearly seven feet high and have over eighteen blooms on them. Only five are open on each right now, but there's more on the way.

The two flowers are from 'one' sunflower I grew last year. I harvested the seeds and planted another one for this year. I guess I didn't notice it, but a seed fell in between the cracks of the patio I have out back. It's growing better than the one I intentionally planted! XD

I think that's because it's not in competition with anything, whereas the other one is competing with insects, my spinach, carrots and strawberries.

It's funny how nature finds a way...I just don't know how I'm going to pull up the 'accidental sunflower' at the end of the season. The root system grows like a ball...a big enough ball that I'm not going to be able to pull it out from the two cement slabs it's growing between! DX

I'll have to tunnel under and get it that way. I'm just lucky it decided to grow near the edge...this has nothing to do with the story, I just felt like boasting! ;)

...sorta...hehe.

Chapter 36: Lies and Alibies: Uprooted

Shauna paced the kitchen nervously in front of Duo, who had plunked himself on a counter. She ate a handful of the marshmallows he had been digging into. "What's the big plan?" Chew. Chew.

Duo's cheeks puffed out from all the gelatinous confections he was attempting to eat. In a big gulp he consumed the lot and spoke, "What if you got one of your older sisters to convince him it's worthwhile to let Missy see the missing pieces? He usually listens to Iria, doesn't he?"

She nodded, "Yeah, but if I tell her what's going on, that may upset him more."

"...this is a tough one...there's got to be-" he started to say, but stopped when Shauna looked off to the side. Her profile was strikingly to close to her brother's, apart from the coloration. "I know. You two are twins, right?"

"Yes, fraternal."

"Who was born first?"

She didn't see how this helped. "He was. There were some complications during his growth that forced them to remove him from gestation early. There's exactly one week and one day between us."

"That's perfect!" Duo exclaimed.

"That makes him older than me though."

"Not here. Did you know that it's backwards in Japan? The older twin is the one that's born last."

"Why? That doesn't make any sense."

"Sure it does. The philosophy is that the older twin is sort'a 'looking out' for the younger twin. They make sure the younger twin is born safely before worrying about themselves."

She let it process. "...and you're sure?"

He nodded.

"Let's try it," she said and led them back to the bath.

After all was said and done, "Come again?" was Quatre's response. He even checked with Heero, who backed up their claim.

"Exactly," Shauna said, "So, listen to your older sister and let Missy finish your file." As this was being said, she was blocking her face from being slapped with two raised hands. She didn't think he would actually hit her, she just knew such a demand deserved a slap. It was a reflex.

This confused him slightly. "Why...wha-...how do you even know about her?"

"Because I invited her tonight," she said and shut her eyes tight.

"WHAT!?" he bellowed.

Heero let out a sigh of relief. Now he wouldn't have to admit to inviting her. Quatre probably wouldn't be too thrilled if he found out the woman was invited twice anyway. Shauna must have invited her when he gave her number to Missy.

"Why would you do that?" Though he would never slap one of his sisters, the thought was becoming tempting.

"I dyed her hair a while back and wanted to see it again...that's all. I didn't know she was with the school at the time; if I did, I wouldn't have extended the invite."

"..." Quatre pondered on what to do next. The night was designed for them to relax. How was he going to relax when he had to carefully watch all his own moves? He didn't need to flat out give her anything to go off of, like he did the other time she visited. He decided to try what Duo did earlier that day: Look for a distraction. "I'm younger..."

"That's right..."

"That means...you're my big sister?"

"Correct," she said, slightly calmer now.

"That makes me your little brother?" he said with a devious smile.

Now she knew where this was heading. She didn't like it. "I didn't mean it like that-"

"No-no-no, you can't have it both ways. I'm either your older brother who's mature and capable of making his own decisions. Or I'm the bratty little brother who never listens and does what he wants."

"You're being the second one either way. The only thing that's changed is the method of delivery," she tried to reason with him.

He wasn't budging. "I really don't care. What's it going to be?"

"..." Her heart sank and she looked over to Duo, who was shrugging. "What have I done?"

"I believe-" Duo chuckled warmly, "-you may have taken a step towards hell." He was hoping things would have turned out a bit differently.

She turned back to her brother. "...listen to your big sister," she said, trying to stick with it.

He leaned closer to her and said, "Make me," with a cadence he'd heard her use in past situations.

"..." Shauna knew she had stepped over lines in the past, but now that she knew the truth, she wanted things to find a level of equilibrium everyone was content with. She paused and pointed a finger directly at him. "You're won't act out," she said. "How do I know this? Naibun's gonna be here."

He froze.

"Heheh, that's what I thought. Don't want to look like a tool in front of your crush," she said with a tone of relief. "Fine. If that's how we're going to play, I won't press you. At least be neutral to Missy tonight, she is still a guest."

"..."

"Please," she clasped her hands together.

"...If she tries to talk about anything, I'm clamming right up. I'm not in the mood for that sort of thing tonight."

"That's fair," she said.

Something didn't line up. "When did you dye her hair?"

"I-I, uh...can you guys give us a second?" she said to Heero and Duo, then pulled her brother out into the hallway, next to the Karaoke machine.

"What's this all about? I'm getting the feeling you're not telling me something," he said with certainty.

She came totally clean. "I've been here for a few months. I started working at the circus, I met Trowa, I met Alex, they started taking me out to the gay bars. Trowa was trying to convince me to come out to you, and since I didn't know how to explain everything to you, I hid until last month when I finally got up the courage. The reason I know Missy is because one night, when we needed someone to fill in for a couple who got in an accident, she was the one who took the position. That's all." She inhaled deeply. It was a long winded explanation.

He could see she was being honest. It was a relief. "At the circus?" Quatre wondered if Trowa had known her then too. "Did she meet Trowa?"

Shauna choked on her words and shook her head and shrugged, "Not sure. Doubt it. I don't think he was on that night."

'That last part was all a lie,' he thought. His sister babbled abruptly when telling lies, it was such an easy tell to catch her on. "I think I'll ask him. I mean, he was really adamant about not being at Wufei's with her..." As he said this, he noticed his sister squirm. 'Wonder why...' He decided to make some observations throughout the night. Something wasn't right in his mind.

Shauna knew why Trowa was avoiding her: Embarrassment. "Why don't you want the file complete?" She hoped Quatre would forget about it and focus more on Missy's presence.

"For the same reason you didn't want to tell me you were transsexual."

"Transgender," she corrected him.

"Oh. There's a difference?"

"Transsexual people believe they have been assigned the wrong gender. I don't think that, I enjoy being treated as though I'm not a girl; that makes me 'transgender'. Actually, I'm an androgyny, but that's getting a wee bit technical. Stick with 'transgender'." She was slowly becoming okay with talking about it with him. Though the situation was grim, she couldn't help but feel a weight was lifted.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, it's all new to you."

"Exactly. If I finish the file, everyone's going to find out about my old condition and then I'll have to explain it. I'm not looking forward to that because no one understands what it is. They just think I'm...you know..."

"...condition? You mean aspergers? That's nothing. I'll tell them I've got it and see how it pans out."

"No. It's hereditary, they'll assume I've got it too."

"They might not know that, and, you do have it."

"I don't anymore. I've grown out of it," he said with doubt. His behavior that day was slightly reminiscent of how he was back then.

"It's not something you grow out of. It's the way your brain works," she said.

"It's a social disorder, and since I manage fine in social situations, I'm over it." He was determined to shed the diagnosis by the time he reached the age of majority. That ideal was becoming harder than originally anticipated.

"Quatre-" she began.

"Yo," Duo said, popping his head out of the door for a moment, "Hate to bug, but where'd Trowa go?"

They said, "I have no idea," in unison. Immediately they gave each other a shocked expression. Apparently that hadn't happened in a long time.

Duo's eyes widened, "Creepy. Should we look for him? It's almost time for people to show up."

"I'll go check the, uh...other place..." Shauna said and headed down the hall without clarifying anything. She was off to the wine cellar.

"Uh-" Duo could see the tension. "Everything alright?"

"Yes. We'll wait here for them," Quatre said and led them both back into the bath.

Shauna came back alone. "I can't find him. I even checked the kitchen again."

Trowa was out on the second story balcony, drinkless and texting. Not only was there no reception on the lower level, he needed some privacy to get a few things taken care of. Both his sister and Alex needed to be informed of the new development. He was making sure they kept their stories straight. That's when it hit him. His gaze was blankly staring forward. "She's going to slip up," he said to himself. Shauna had a big mouth, one that would likely cost him big time in the end.

Trowa reminisced on the actions he should have taken to avoid knowing Missy as he did.

"You're all welcome in! No cover!" said the owner of the bar. "First round is on the house!"

After the show, one of the patrons was so impressed with everything, he invited the crew out to his establishment. His only request was that they stay in costume. The prospect of meeting with the circus troupe was sure to draw the business. And did it ever! The bar was packed by midnight.

Missy had begun eying Trowa when they were preforming, and now that she had a closer look, she wanted a bite. "Do you think he's single?" she asked Shauna. They stood behind him in line and ever since, Missy couldn't stop checking him out.

"Not sure. I still haven't met everybody yet," she said and watched as Trowa bought himself another drink. "You could always ask."

"I think I will," she said and got up. It wasn't long before they were chatting and sharing drinks together.

Trowa only lifted the mask he wore high enough to get a straw to his lips. "Did you want to get out of here?" It was becoming late. The bar was only open for another half hour.

"Sure," she said with a pleased tone. Apparently her advances were well received; so well that they ended up in the back of a friend's van, alone.

"You're definitely skilled," Trowa commented on her flexibility as she managed to hold herself in an impressive position atop him.

"I used to teach a pole dancing class in my college years. You could really tell who was there to get in shape and who was there just to be sexy," she said and continued enjoying the ride.

"And you manage both so well," he said.

"Quite the smooth talker, aren't you?"

"Smooth enough to get you in here in under an hour."

"Indeed. Are you going to tell me your name after all this."

Trowa chuckled, "I told you, tonight, I have no name."

"I guess that does make it all the more tantalizing." After two rounds of that, Missy drew herself closer. "I know I said no kissing, but I'm really feeling it right now." She felt that kissing on the lips was something lovers did, not one night stands. She was sure to make that clear right from the start.

He chuckled and lifted the mask to his nose. "Is this alright?"

"Perfect," she said and pressed her lips to his. Their kiss only lasted a few seconds. "Hold the phone," she said and paused. Her hand came up and caressed his jaw line. "You've got such a baby face..." It dawned on her. "H-how old are you?" She assumed he was at least twenty one, what with him flashing his id to get in and not getting turned away.

"Seventeen," he said.

'Unless it was a fake id,' she thought. "..." Missy pulled the mask down again and pulled him out. "Well this was fun."

"Something wrong?" He sat up to watch her quickly locate her things.

"Yeah. A bit." She found the shirt she had come in with, a jingly belly top, and shoved it over her head. "There are nine years between us, hun. You're a little too 'hot' for me," she said and presented his torso to him, "Normally a seventeen year old doesn't have all this. That's why I didn't think to ask." His physique was very misleading, as was the calm, somber tone of his voice.

"I see. Sorry," he said, curious as if she wanted to hear it or not.

"Oh no worries," she said, on edge, "We'll just...we'll just...think of it, not as a night of 'what the hell were we thinking', rather it's an experience to move forward with...and learn from."

And until the banquette, that was the last he'd heard of her. Knowing that Quatre was her main concern was a bit of a bonus. It meant she wasn't trying to hunt him down for any reason. Though he wore protection, there was no way of telling if it worked or not; he wasn't looking to father any children any time soon.

After reaching both his sister and Alex, he made his way back to the bath.

Naibun, Kinsei and Missy were all there. "Ah...damn." And that was the last of Trowa's words for the whole evening.

If I haven't crossed a line yet, I'd like to think this has. ^x^

It looks like I don't have the money to pay the internet bill again this month, so I may be taking a break for a bit.

Honestly, I work better when the internet isn't there to distract me.