Dorothy sat patiently in a large armchair in the parlor just off the foyer. Quatre had been detained by an "urgent business call" from Iria, giving Dorothy just enough time to wander through the mansion's impressive library, choose a book, and begin reading. It was really only half of an hour's worth of delay, but Dorothy was never one to waste time.

Her quick eyes, which were so well trained for battle, voraciously took in the contents of the library. She noted, with much pleasure, an entire shelf labeled "Quatre's Books," and she noted, with much more pleasure, the items on the shelf. At eye-level, she saw worn copies of The Prince, The Catcher in the Rye, and most ironically War and Peace. Smiling, she perused the upper shelves, noting The Bell Jar, The Canterbury Tales, and most surprisingly the Karma Sutra. Laughing, she crouched down to the lower shelves, where she made the best find in an entire set of the seven Harry Potter books. She deftly removed the third book, The Prisoner of Azkaban, and hurried to start reading in the parlor while waiting for Quatre to finish getting ready for lunch.

She hadn't gotten very far, when Rashid interrupted her. "Master Quatre is ready to leave now, Miss Dorothy," he told her. He held the library door open while she stood up and straightened her white dress. Of course, this was a different dress, a slightly more formal dress with delicate beading on the mesh that lined the top and hem. She still looked like an ethereal being, as she glided through the door and into the foyer.

The foyer was a lovely room with a high-vaulted ceiling and crystal chandelier. Beautiful works of art graced the walls with gilded frames. The floor was impeccable, white marble, as was the grand staircase that led to the mezzanine. However, Dorothy noticed none of this, for it was outshined by something far more beautiful…actually, some one far more beautiful: Quatre. He was wearing a classic two-piece suit in dark blue. The jacket was open, revealing an immaculate white dress shirt, which he wore without a tie and with the top two buttons undone.

It was then that Dorothy took a moment to appreciate the changes that the years had made in Quatre. He had gone from a sweet-looking cherub to a devastating Adonis in the five years since the war. He was now well over six feet tall with broad shoulders and a strong(er) jaw line. No mistakes about it; he was now a man. None of this was new to Dorothy, for they had seen each other at Heero and Relena's wedding; she just liked looking him.

It was actually a few months before at the wedding when Dorothy had decided that something had to be done. She had caught the bouquet, and he the guarder. As he shyly slid the guarder up her leg, she felt electricity at the touch of his fingers. She could think of nothing else for days. For the first time in her life, she had no clue what she should do because she had no clue what she wanted. She couldn't devise a conniving scheme. She couldn't manipulate. All of the skills, which she had perfected for navigating the treacherous waters of Society, completely failed her. She didn't understand. Then it hit her like thunder; she didn't understand because she was in the uncharted territory from which no one returned unscathed. She had entered the realm in which her heart followed its own volition, not her commands. After much internal struggle, she decided to go with the flow, be spontaneous, and (as much as she loathed the expression) follow her heart. And so, the damned thing led her here, to Quatre's mansion, to his foyer, to the spot where she now stood admiring this entity that fascinated her so and reminded her of her father.

She felt oddly light as she approached Quatre. She smiled. He offered his arm to her, and she eagerly took it. Smiling at each other, the two fairly skipped down the front steps and to the car. Quatre opened the passenger side door for Dorothy, and she felt inexplicably giddy at this, but she hid it well. Her host jogged around the front of the silver BMW and sat himself behind the wheel. They began to drive towards town, with Dorothy giving directions and a description of the bistro's menu. They arrived at the restaurant in the same euphoric state in which they had left the estate. Somehow, Dorothy felt as if something very important was about to happen.

Author's Notes: I am sooo sorry that it took me so long to write this. School was just kicking my butt. Expect the next chapter this weekend. I've been thinking about this next part of the story forever. Again, thanks for the praise, and keep it coming (I have low self-esteem). To be honest, I don't know where this is gonna end up, so if you have a suggestion or request e-mail me. All I know is that there will be a happy ending! I like ready some angst, but writing it depresses me too much. Well… review already!