Bonus Chapter I. Trowa's Date


1. Inductive

Catherine's eyes narrowed. The girl, who had introduced herself as Sylvia Noventa, fidgeted uncomfortably in front of her, holding her purse in both hands and staring sheepishly at her feet.

'Uh…' she started awkwardly. Catherine's eyebrow twitched. 'Maybe I shouldn't have come.'

Trowa met his sister's eye over Sylvia's shoulder, and the auburn haired woman sighed. 'Nonsense!' she said extending an inviting arm towards the other woman. 'Did Trowa tell you I am a knife thrower?'

'I must truly be bothering you!' Sylvia waved her hands apologetically, but Catherine refused to let her go.

'Not at all! Not… at… all…'


2. Millenium

Sylvia sat quietly sipping her tea while Trowa explained to her what they did at the circus. Catherine watched carefully. The other woman sat cross-legged, her cup held gingerly in both hands and her back ramrod straight. Her tone was low and soft and her words polished until they shone...

Not in a million years would she allow her brother to date someone like that! And what if they got married? People would start comparing her to Sylvia and she would be forced to change her ways in order to be less of a tomboy and more of a lady.


3. Valediction

Trowa glanced sideways at Sylvia as they walked around the circus. He had sort of ruined their date by following Catherine's advice, but he had lost his Dating Guide and Tips book… And he had had no clue where to take her…

He prepared to be ditched.

'I'm so glad you work at the circus and have an overprotective sister.' She said suddenly smiling sheepishly.

Trowa was so shocked he froze where he stood, forcing her to turn around. 'When Relena introduced you as Heero's best friend I thought you'd be… Well…'

'Creepy?' he offered.

'Less normal.' She said instead.


4. Sawhorse

Sylvia pulled herself onto the pommel horse, blushing when Trowa helped her. Despite being home-schooled and working at a circus, he was quite a gentleman.

'So this is where you practice?' she glanced around curiously. This was a separate, smaller tent than the one where the actual performances took place, but to her it looked immense.

'I rather practice at the main tent.' He commented. 'It's usually quieter there during the day and there are no trapezes here.'

'You're a trapeze artist?' Sylvia's eyes sparkled.

'I'm the fill-in. My main numbers are with the lions. The actual lion… and Catherine.'


5. Diluent

'So you'd like to see our number.' Catherine smiled slyly as she approached, throwing one of her knives up before catching it again.

Sylvia fought the urge to close her eyes. The auburn haired woman could lose a finger! 'Please, no!' she begged when she realised Trowa was going to be the target.

'Oh, relax!' Catherine soothed her genuinely amused. 'He'll be fine.'

'But what if you hit him?'

'I haven't hit him in years.' She waved her hand dismissively.

'But what if you did?' Sylvia insisted.

'Then he'd get a little maimed is all. Don't worry. I'm the best!'


6. Mickle

'Is she awake yet?'

In the darkness, Sylvia heard voices.

'God, Catherine… You said this was a good idea.' A distressed male voice said. 'You said she would like it.'

'I said she would like it. I never said she would survive it.' The man said nothing to that and there was a moment of silence. 'Is this enough water?'

'Water? What are you going to do with water?'

'Why… Wake her up, of course!' she paused. 'Is this enough?'

'This is too much! Are you trying to drown her?'

Sylvia hurriedly forced her eyes open.

'It worked!' Catherine beamed.


7. Beatitude

Catherine waited a moment to approach her brother. He sighed wearily as he watched Sylvia drive away. 'So…' she started hesitantly. 'What did she say?'

'She said… She said she was sorry, that it was a lovely evening, but she had had enough.'

'Really?! I wonder why that is…'

Trowa met her thoughtful look with a sceptical emotionless one, but immediately let it go. 'She wasn't the one anyways.'

'Huh?' Catherine didn't understand his sudden light heartedness.

'Are you happy?' he asked her, genuinely interested.

'For ruining your date?'

He shook his head amused. 'Let's go back to the tent.'


A.N.: Trowa's date as requested by dootadoot and Fer82.