It's Your Call
Part 2
I do not own Gundam Wing in any way, shape or form.
Catherine sat in her window sill and looked outside. Was Quatre serious? He had to be joking. She couldn't just move in with Quatre. But the more she thought about it, the more she thought it was the best thing to do. She didn't want to spend one more day alone in this small drab apartment. There was an opportunity sitting right underneath her nose. She could leave her apartment and move into the biggest condo in the colony. Catherine didn't have to be alone anymore. She was more than welcome to stay at Quatre's place for as long as she wanted. But something was bothering Catherine: Why exactly did Quatre invite her? Did he think he could take Trowa's place?
Catherine giggled, "Quatre must be crazy to think he could replace my brother." She stood up and stretched. It has been two full days since Trowa moved out. For two full days, two very, very, very long days, Catherine was alone. And it made her very sad. What was she supposed to do now that her baby brother was somewhere else? Even if he was just staying down the block, someone has taken her place. Midii Une is taking care of Trowa now. Catherine shook her head, "Midii is crazy if she thinks she could replace me."
Catherine sniffed and ran her finger beneath her nose. She thought that some ice cream would make her feel better. She walked to her freezer, opened the door, reached for the ice cream and noticed that the ice cube tray was empty and immediately broke into tears. It seemed like Trowa was still here. He'd use the ice cube tray and forget to refill it. Catherine pulled the ice cream carton out and slammed the door. She opened the lid to see that there was just a bit left. She laughed at herself and ate the rest. She ate most of it last night. It was chocolate ripple, Trowa's favorite. Actually, they both liked it. Sometimes they would both grab a spoon and eat straight from the carton at once so they wouldn't have to use bowls.
Thinking that she had just enough of this place, she threw the carton in the trash and started for her room. She took her clothes from her dresser and put them in a suitcase. "I can't stand to be in this place one more minute! Everything here reminds me of Trowa!" After packing, she decided to take one last look at his room. Everything was bare. The only thing left in it was his bed. She looked in his closet and found his flute case.
"Why would he leave this here?" she asked herself, bending down to pick it up. "He must have forgotten it." Then she turned out of the room, through the living room and out of the apartment for good. She walked down to the apartments where he and Midii were staying. She paused before knocking on the door. "He's going to think I've gone nuts…but then again, Trowa would want his flute back." She pulled her hand up and started to knock when the door opened and Trowa stood before her. He smiled.
"Catherine!" he gasped.
"Hi, Trowa," she muttered, "you left this." She held up his flute.
"I was just on my way to get it," he said, "I can't believe I forgot it!"
"Glad I saved you a trip," she said.
Trowa noticed the suitcase, "are you moving out too?"
She nodded.
"Oh, hi, Catherine!" Midii walked up behind Trowa. "Come in."
"No thanks, I just came to drop Trowa's flute off."
Midii placed her hands on her shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her. "You sure?" Midii asked.
"I'm sure."
"Where are you going, sis?" Trowa asked.
Catherine shrugged, "I'm not sure yet…" She bit her lip. "I um, must get going." Catherine gave Trowa another big-sister-kiss on Trowa's cheek and walked away.
Trowa and Midii exchanged glances and shrugged. The phone rang. "I"ll get it, sweetie," Midii said. "I bet you can't wait to play your flute again." Midii picked the phone up. "Hello? Oh, Hi Quatre, yes, he's here." She handed the phone to him. "It's Quatre…he sounds a bit upset."
Trowa sighed, he's probably still hung up on Dorothy. Doesn't he know that she's never coming back? "Quatre?" he muttered as he put the phone to his ear. "What's wrong?"
"I just called to see if you've seen Catherine lately," Quatre said. "I haven't heard from her since you moved out."
"She was just here."
"Really? I've been calling her but she doesn't return my calls. I just called the apartment earlier but the line was disconnected."
"She's moved out," Trowa informed. Why is Quatre concerned about my sister?
"You know where she's going to go?" Quatre asked.
"No...Quatre, what's with all these questions about Catherine? Has she said something to you?"
"Nothing to worry about, Trowa," Quatre said, somewhat relieved. She's going to move in, I know it. "Call you later."
"Quatre, wait, don't hang up! Quatre!"
Quatre hung up.
Trowa sighed and hung up.
"What's going on?" Midii asked.
"I'm not sure," Trowa moaned.
"He's just a very kind person, Trowa," Midii said, placing her head on his chest. "Like you. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Everything will work out just fine, you'll see."
"I guess you're right," Trowa wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. I've got nothing to worry about. After all, Quatre's my best friend. He wouldn't do anything injure me or Catherine.
*********************************
The doorbell at the Winner's residence rang. "I'll get it!" Quatre announced, running to the door. "You guys…just do whatever it is you're doing."
Everyone exchanged glances, "Quatre never seemed so excited to answer the door." Abdul whispered to Ahmad.
"Yeah, especially when its someone that works for us!" Ahmad whispered back.
Quatre opened the door to see Catherine standing with a suitcase in her hand. She wore a white water-proof jacket and blue jeans. The jacket was more of a fall jacket. She shivered as she held her hand around the collar. It was snowing lightly and the snowflakes stayed in Catherine's bouncy brown hair. She smiled up at him warmly and the smile melted Quatre's heart.
Quatre smiled back and blushed. He blinked. What am I thinking…she's my best friend's sister. "Come in, Catherine." He said after clearing his throat. He held the door for her and she stepped in.
"Is there a place where we can talk?" she asked.
"Um, sure," Quatre said, "just follow me." He led her into a quiet room. It was the same room where he and Trowa talked. "I'm glad you decided to stay. I've just started on---"
"I'm not moving in yet," Catherine interrupted.
"Huh, but you moved out, right?" Quatre asked, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't that a suitcase in your hand?"
"I wasn't sure where to go. For some reason, I came here." Catherine said, looking at the suitcase.
"Oh," Quatre sighed, moving his eyes to the floor. He felt so embarrassed.
"Quatre?" Catherine said, taking a step forward.
"Yes?" He raised his eyes.
Catherine opened her mouth to say something. Only a few guttural sounds escaped. "I--I" she closed her eyes, "Quatre, never in a million years, never will you replace my brother."
"Catherine, I---"
"You can't replace my brother!" She cried. "You will not replace Trowa. You will never replace him, never. Never! Not ever!"
"I know that, Catherine," Quatre said with a smile. "And I'm not meaning to."
"Oh," she said, "well, good. I'm glad you agree. I uh, guess I well…"
"Yes?" he walked forward.
"If the offer still stands, then, well I--"
"Yes?" Quatre walked even closer. He took her hand. Catherine could feel her knees weakening.
Catherine looked down and then up in Quatre's teal eyes. She let out an exasperated laugh, smiled and said, "so, where's my room?"
Quatre laughed and nodded, "come with me." He led her to a beautiful large bedroom with a queen sized bed. There was a vanaity mirror and desk next to the bed and a large oak dresser painted white. There were three small shiny metallic colored pillows: Blue, green and silver. Two larger pillows, both blue. The bedspread a shiny red and the carpet was a deep blue. Quatre even had some clothes hanging in the closet and some in the dresser. There was another door that led to her own private bathroom. It was just too much to take in at once. She just moved out of a crummy little apartment to a castle. She felt so guilty about all this. Why was Quatre begin so kind to her?
"How did you get everything ready so fast?" Catherine asked, looking the room over.
Quatre shrugged, "it's a secret."
Catherine plopped her suitcase on the bed and started to unpack. She bit her lip and went to Quatre, "I really appreciate this Quatre. But, I think you're being too kind. I'm not sure if I deserve all this."
"Sure you do," Quatre said, "you're my best friend's sister. Trowa stayed with me a little while too."
"But, I've been rude to you."
"You're welcome to stay here as long as you want," Quatre told her. "You're probably hungry. Dinner will be ready in about a half hour."
"Thank you, Quatre." She whispered.
"You're welcome, Catherine." He left the room to give her some time to get used to the room.
Catherine fell on the bed. It moved. "It's a waterbed?!"
*********************************
Quatre was drinking his tea down in the dining room.
"How long is your lady friend going to stay, Master Quatre?" Rashid asked.
"As long as she wants," Quatre answered. He heard some gasps around the room. He looked up and gasped himself. Awkwardly, he stood up. "Catherine."
A servant gestured toward Catherine, "Miss Catherine, everyone."
Catherine walked into the room wearing a shiny green long glamorous gown made out of satin. Her hair had a shiny hair piece in it. "Hi," she said, "I hope I'm not overdressed for dinner."
"Of course not, my dear," Rashid said. He elbowed Quatre. "Why are you just standing there? Bring her in!"
"Oh, right," Quatre blinked and walked to Catherine, took her hand and led her to a chair. He sat her down and sat across from her. Quatre couldn't stop from blushing. The servants came in carrying dinner plates. They sat them down in front of Catherine and Quatre. It was a delicious roast beef dinner with potatoes, gravy and green beans. After the dinner, desert was served with apple pie.
Music flared up and Quatre tapped the table. Rashid leaned over Quatre, "ask her to dance."
"But I--" Quatre gasped.
"Master Quatre," Rashid muttered in Quatre's ear, "you're not making your guest feel welcome."
Quatre sighed and stood up, "care to dance, Catherine?"
Catherine smiled, "love to." She took his hand.
The dance started out with tight little awkward circles. Quatre's had was on the small of her back, the hand that held hers was stretched out a bit too far. Quatre's eyes darted around the room. The Magunacs watched him with that "they grow so fast" look on their faces. There was a distance between them big enough that another person could be dancing in the space. Catherine smiled and followed Quatre well. Her hand was comfortably resting on his shoulder. Eventually Quatre loosed up and started to dance around the room. He brought his hand in closer and almost held it close to his chest. Quatre tightened his hold on Catherine's waist and stepped in closer to her. He moved his eyes to hers and once their eyes locked, they couldn't move away. Quatre rubbed her back gently. Quatre was never able to dance like this, in fact, he never danced before. Although there were many parties in the Magunac Core and people danced, Quatre just sat on the outside and watched. He never would have danced with Catherine unless Rashid told him. Quatre could smell Catherine's hair and the smell of her neck. The perfume was nothing like Quatre had ever smelt before. They moved in closer, closer, closer, to when the front of their body touched, their lips almost touched. Quatre wanted to touch her lips and then…the song was over. Quatre closed his eyes, still standing in the dance pose. He stepped back and smiled at Catherine.
"Thank you," he said.
"It's getting late," Catherine murmured."
"Yes, it is," Quatre agreed.
"Goodnight, Quatre," Catherine whispered.
"Goodnight, Catherine," Quatre whispered back.
Catherine turned and left the room. Quatre turned to his seat and saw all the expressions on the Magunac's faces. "Hey, cut it out!"
**********************************
In the middle of the night, Quatre found sleep difficult. He got out of his bed while rubbing sleep out of his eyes. He started for the kitchen to get himself a glass of milk. Something told him to walk by Catherine's room. He saw a glow coming from the room. Why is she awake? Quatre knocked on the door. "Catherine?" He opened the door a little and saw Catherine sitting on the edge of the bed looking out the window.
"Couldn't sleep?" Quatre asked, walking in. "Is there something wrong the waterbed?"
"No," she replied.
"Are you alright?" Quatre walked around to see her tearstained cheeks.
"I'm fine," she mumbled, wiping away a few tears.
"No you're not," Quatre said, "what's wrong?"
"I guess," she said, "I guess it's just going to take a little getting used to. Don't worry about it."
"Catherine, you look like you haven't slept in days."
"I haven't."
Quatre knelt down in front of her, "whatever it was that bothered you won't bother you here. You're not alone anymore, Catherine."
Catherine sighed.
"What did Trowa do to help you sleep?"
"I didn't tell him I had trouble sleeping."
"He knew though," Quatre murmured.
"How?"
"I don't know," Quatre shrugged, "he must have noticed how sleepy you looked." Quatre stood up, "wait here. I know something that will help."
Catherine turned to watch him walk out of her bedroom. He returned a few minutes later with a glass of warm milk and his violin. "What's this?" she demanded.
"Get underneath the covers," he said.
She sighed and did it.
Quatre handed her the glass, "here, warm milk always helps me sleep."
"I've already tried that," Catherine groaned, "it doesn't work."
Quatre tilted his head, "please, just drink it."
She took the glass and drank the milk in large swallows. After she finished, she placed the glass on the night stand. "What's with the violin?"
"Just lay down and relax," Quatre told her, pushing her down into the bed and pulling the covers over her. "I'm going to play a song to help you sleep."
"A song?"
"It helps, now close your eyes." He took his violin and bow out of the case and placed the end of his violin in the crook of his neck. He tilted his head into it and brought the bow to the strings. The song was very soft and flowing. It could put any insomniac to sleep. Quatre kept playing the song. He closed his eyes, losing himself in his own song he created. His fingers moved elegantly on the strings switching from chord to chord. The bow came across the strings effortlessly. He walked around the room while playing the song.
Catherine closed her eyes and turned over while hugging her pillow. The song was putting her to sleep like a mother's lullaby.
Quatre played a bit longer, to be sure that Catherine was asleep. He almost made himself fall asleep. He pulled the violin down and looked at Catherine for the longest time. He stepped to her bed and laid the violin down on the floor. Silently, he sat on the edge and reached his fingers to her hair and brushed it away from her face. Catherine stirred and turned to him.
"I thought you were asleep," Quatre murmured, a bit guilty he woke her up.
"The song was so beautiful," Catherine said, "I didn't want to fall asleep until it was over. Thank you for playing it for me."
"I'm glad you liked it," he put his violin back in the case and started for the door.
"Quatre?" Catherie called after him, sitting up and holding the covers close to her chest.
"Yes?" he turned around.
"That song you played," she began, "it's just so lovely. Can you play for it for me every night before I got to sleep?"
Quatre smiled and came to her bedside, "of course I will. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," she closed her eyes, waiting for a kiss, but he left. Catherine laid back down, a bit disappointed.
What's going on with me? Quatre wondered, Could I be falling in love with Catherine? And if I am, could I be falling out of love with Dorothy? Quatre wandered off to his room.
"Master Quatre," Rashid said, walking to him.
"Rashid, why are you up?" Quatre asked. "Can't anyone sleep in this place?" He laughed a little bit.
"Forgive me, Master Quatre, but this letter is for you." He handed him a white envelope with Quatre's full name on it. "I found it in the entry way to the front door. I thought I should get it to you before anyone else finds it."
Who could this be from? Quatre looked it over, there was no return address. "Thank you, Rashid. Now goodnight."
"Goodnight, Master Quatre. Sleep well."
Quatre walked in and sat at on his bed. He tore the envelope open and pulled the letter out. As soon as he saw the handwriting, a cold chill came over him.
Dear Quatre,
I know it has been quite some time. A little more than a year. I'm sorry for any pain I've caused you. I just needed some time to think, to be on my own. Don't you worry about me, I'll be fine. I only wanted to let you know that I'm alive and well. Please, please don't be looking for me, Quatre, because you won't find me. It will only cause you more pain. Since what happened in our duel on the Battleship Libra, I don't think I can be near anyone. Especially you. It's best for the both of us to be alone. I hope you will understand. You do understand, do you? Of course you do, Quatre, you're kind. Now please, live your life the way you want to. Don't look for me, you will only come to a dead end. We just can't be together. I can't be with anyone right now after the foolish things I've done. I don't deserve you, but I know that there's someone out there that does. Take care of yourself and please, just don't look for me. It's better that you don't' know where I am. It's better that no one knows. You're the only one I am willing to write to right now. I can't write to Miss Relena or Miss Noin, they'll track me down right away, but you won't. You're happier where you are now, without me.
Take care,
Dorothy Catalonia.
Quatre dropped the letter as soon as he read the name. He knew it was from her the moment he read the fist line. But seeing her name, her signature at the bottom made it clear. This letter was from her. She's alive. Quatre smiled. She's alive, she's alive! I have to find her! Then he realized what Dorothy said in the letter. She doesn't want to be found. She must have some things to work out. Quatre was able to accept it. He wasn't so upset about it anymore, he was just happy knowing that she was alive. But the problem was, if she was out of his life for good, was Catherine going to be there to stay?
To Be Continued…