Truth Be Told

Book One: Music of My Heart

Chapter four

The gunshot went wild as Quatre pinned the man to the ground. With one swift punch he knocked the man out. Wiping his forehead he turned to look at Gwen. She was lying on the ground. Quatre rushed over to her. "Gwen are you all right?" he asked picking her up. Gwen looked over at him.

"I'm fine Quatre, the gunshot just grazed my leg a little bit." Quatre nodded and looked down at her leg, it looked as if the shot had done a little more then just graze it. Quatre picked her up.

"Hold on Gwen. We're going to get you to a doctor." Gwen nodded and rested her head against his shoulder. As they began walking towards the hotel. Police officers began to swarm around the area asking all kinds of questions.

"Listen up!" Quatre said after that same question had been asked seven times, "I will be more then happy to answer any of your questions officers, but my lady friend is hurt from the struggle I would like to see that she gets the necessary medical attention before I do anything else." The officers cleared out and let him get her to the ambulance that was just arriving. He set her down on the stretcher. Holding her hand his kissed it. "Your going to be okay." Gwen nodded, but tightened her grip.

"Please don't leave me." she whispered, Quatre saw the tears well up in her eyes from the medication that they put on her wound.

"I'm just going to answer their questions then I'll come to the hospital." Gwen nodded and let go of his hand. Quatre leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Your going to be fine." Grabbing her hand again he held it until they put her in the ambulance and began driving away. Quatre watched it go and as soon as it turned the corner officers began asking questions.

* * * * *

Quatre didn't arrive at the hospital until about 3 hours later. When they had went back to the clearing to retrieve the attacker we had found him already gone. Quatre sighed, that meant that that guy was still out there. Walking up to the main desk he asked what room Gwen Yuy was in. After being directed to that room he headed off. Upon entry to the room he ran into one of the doctors that he assumed was attending her. "Um Excuse me sir?" Quatre asked grabbing his arm. "Can you tell me how Miss Yuy's doing?" the man nodded and pulled out a chart.

"She's very strong, and the gunshot went clear through the side of her leg. Nothing to damaging. Unfortunately it had a larger effect then it should have. She's traumatized. We're not sure if its from a prior experience or if it just startled her. I suggest that you get her home and fast. She's going to need her family." Quatre nodded and watched the man leave. As soon as he was out of sight Quatre went into the room and pulled up a chair next to the bed. Taking her hand, Quatre let out a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Gwen. I should have been quicker. If I had been this wouldn't have happened. I'm sorry."

"Quatre?" Quatre stood up and looked down at her.

"Gwen your awake."

"Quatre its not your fault...I shouldn't have been out there...when I get out of here can we go home?"

"Anything you want, sweetheart. Anything you want." Quatre said kissing her hand. Gwen smiled and then drifted back off to sleep. Quatre entwined their fingers and laid his head down on the bed a couple of minutes later he fell into a deep sleep.

* * * * *

Quatre woke up the next morning with a start. He looked up and saw Rashid looking down at him. "Master Quatre the earliest we could get a flight home if tomorrow morning. The Doctor said that Miss Yuy could leave this afternoon." Quatre nodded as he sat up and stretched.

"What did the people from the conference say when they found out I was leaving early?" Quatre asked as his back cracked. Rashid smirked,

"Actually a lot of companies left saying that if the Winner Corporation wasn't going to buy their products what's the point of being there. I believe ten companies left this morning." Rashid said. Quatre nodded and got up, taking quick strides he went down to the cafeteria to grab some food. When he returned he found Gwen sitting up in bed.

"Hey there." Quatre called into the room leaning against the doorframe. Gwen looked up from her magazine.

"Hey." she called back, closing her magazine and putting it aside.

"How are you feeling?" Quatre asked as he came and sat down in the chair next to the bed.

"A little better, I still have a headache from all the meds they gave me. When do we go home?"

"Tomorrow morning." Quatre said, he looked at his watch, it was half past noon. "And it looks like your going to be released within the next couple of hours." He said patting her hand.

Gwen smiled, "Good."

* * * * *

With the last of the paperwork signed they were ready to. Quatre pushed Gwen through the hospital and to the parking lot. Where they got into the car and went back to the hotel they were staying out. By now it was already heading late into the afternoon and the sun would be setting within the next thirty minutes. Upon reaching the hotel Quatre walked around to the passenger door and picked her up into his arms. Gwen giggled,

"Quatre I think I can walk." she whispered in his ear. Quatre only tightened his grip around her.

"But I don't want you to." he whispered back. They smiled at each other as he walked to the elevator. When they reached the hotel room Quatre carried her out to the balcony so she could watch the sunset. A couple of minutes later Quatre came back out with two sodas and some sandwiches, he was startled to find Gwen leaning against the railing arms spread as if the wind could just pick her up and make her fly. Quatre set the food down and observed her. She looks like an angel, he thought. Slowly he crept up behind her and raped his arms around her. Startled Gwen jumped. Quatre tightened his hold. "Just watch the setting sun." he whispered in her ear. She nodded and leaned against him. Closing her eyes as the last bit of the suns rays ran over their bodies. "We need to figure out sleeping arrangements." he whispered in her ear. "The most likely have the roomed bugged."

"Worry about it later." she whispered back as he picked her up and carried her over to were their food was sitting waiting to be eaten. They ate in silence for a while. When they were done, Quatre picked her back up and locked the balcony doors behind them. He placed her gently on the bed and looked down at her, their faces centimeters apart.

"I'll be on the floor." Gwen nodded and snuggled down into the large bed alone. With a good night to each other each went to sleep, letting pleasant dreams come over them. About half way through the night Quatre awoke to hear Gwen tossing and turning in the bed. Quatre got up and walked over to her sitting on the edge of the bed, he began to shake her. "Gwen wake up your having a nightmare."

"Quatre...?"

"I'm right here."

"No please don't hurt him." she said tossing to one side. "Quatre please don't leave me." she whispered before flipping over to the other side. The moon was bright enough for Quatre to see the tears coming from her eyes. Sighing, he knew he would regret this later. Quatre climbed into bed next to Gwen and pulled her up against his body.

"Its alright Gwen I'm not going to leave you." he said kissing the top of her head. Within seconds Gwen had stopped moaning and had cuddled into Quatre's hard chest. Finally peaceful. Quatre felt his hormone drive stir into arousal and her knee rubbed against his crouch. Quatre pulled her closer and tried to get those dirty thoughts out of his mind. When he did fall asleep it was a restless one.

* * * * *

Gwen woke up the next morning to feel a warm heartbeat underneath her ear. She sighed a snuggled deeper into the persons embrace. Her eyes flew open, a heart beat. Sitting up she saw a shirtless Quatre lying beneath her, with a goofy smile on his face. She looked down at herself and thanked god that she still had her clothes on. Turning she looked down at him, she brushed the bangs away from his face. She smiled tenderly looking down at him. "Quatre your so sweet you deserve someone much better than me." she sighed and leaned down and kissed his cheek. Quatre woke just as he felt her soft warm lips touch his cheek.

"This is how I want to wake up every morning." he whispered in her ear. She sat up quickly and looked down at him.

"How long have you been awake?" she asked putting her hands on her hips. He smirked reaching up and tucking some hair behind her ear.

"Just woke up." he turned to his side and looked at the clock. "Our flight leaves in about four hours. You ready to go?" Gwen nodded and climbed out of the bed.

"I was thinking..." Gwen turned around and watched Quatre sit up in bed, "If we can get out of here in a hour we'll have some time to kill...Christmas is coming soon. Are you up for a little Christmas shopping." Gwen flew across the room and jumped on top of Quatre.

"That would be so great, Quatre." Quatre smiled.

"All right then but we have to be out of here in a hour." Gwen saluted and then ran into the bathroom to shower and change. Quatre smiled and fell back against the pillows. "Yep this is defiantly how I want to wake up every morning." he whispered, the goofy grin once again returning to his face.

* * * * *

A month and a half later: Christmas Eve

Quatre looked over his newspaper as Gwen came in. Over the last month Gwen had gotten better from the shock of what had happen to her, but something was still not right. 'She's probably homesick.' Quatre thought. He smiled at her as she came down and sat next to him. From what the staff had been telling him she had been mopping around the house a lot lately. Over the last month the press had also given up on stalking the two of them trying to find problems with their "Perfect" romance. "Something wrong Gwen?"

"Hmm?" she asked looking up, startled. "I'm sorry did you say something? I've been a little preoccupied."

"I've noticed. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Its nothing Quatre really." she said looking out the window.

"You miss your family don't you?" Gwen looked at him astonished.

"How did you...?" Quatre pointed to his heart. She sighed.

"Sorry I forgot."

"Do you still want to talk about it?" he asked taking her hand in his.

"Lets put it this way, some people in my family...this will be the first Christmas that we aren't together." he nodded. "I miss them more then you can ever imagine." Quatre kissed her hand.

"Why don't you go to bed early...you could probably use the rest." Gwen smiled.

"You always know what's best." she leaned down and pressed a kiss on his cheek, "Good night Quatre." with that she turned and headed towards her room. Quatre watched her go. Once she was gone he reached into his pocket and pulled out a carefully rapped package and placed it under their little tree in the family room. He smiled and then he too headed towards his bedroom. After all, he thought smirking, Santa Clause does come tonight.

* * * * *

Gwen woke up the next morning the shrill scream of "SANTA CLAUSE CAME!!!" Followed by her door bursting open and Alex and Andy running in jumping on her bed, then running out. A couple of seconds later she heard a "WAKE UP MOMMY ITS CHRISTMAS!!!" Seconds later Quatre was in her doorway.

"Come on Gwen its Christmas!!!" Gwen laughed as he imitated the children. Throwing the covers over her she turned over. That is until she felt warm arms reach under the covers and pick her up. "I don't think so little missy, house tradition we ALL open presents together." Gwen laughed again as he carried her downstairs. Upon entering the family room Anna gave them both a cup of coffee and a merry Christmas. They watched for a while as Alex and Andy tore through presents. Gwen sat in a chair next to Lauren. When Quatre's arms came around her.

"Merry Christmas." he said holding a little box in front of her. Laura got up to go help Anna with breakfast and Quatre took her seat keeping one arm around her. Gwen slowly unwrapped the package and gasped when she opened it. It was a silver bracelet with the stone Alexandrite.

"O my god... Quatre its beautiful. I don't know what to say." she whispered. Quatre took it out of the box and put it around her wrist. "Quatre you shouldn't have." she said as she stared at the bracelet.

"I wanted to." he whispered. She turned to her and looked deep into his eyes.

"Thank you." she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"COME FOR BREAKFAST!" with that everyone ran to the kitchen for breakfast.

* * * * *

Gwen fixed the straps of her dress and made sure her hair was to perfection. She had to look good tonight. Almost all of Quatre's family had flown in for the their big Christmas party. There would me presents, food, music and dancing. And since Gwen was going as Quatre's date she had to look her best. A soft knock on her door let her know that Quatre was there. "Its open." she called the door opened and Quatre came in the sounds of people talking and music drifted through the door for a second, before Quatre closed it. "Will you help with this?" she asked holding up a necklace, Quatre nodded and walked over.

"Are you almost ready?" he asked as he sat down at the foot of her bed and watched her finish getting ready.

"I'm ready to go right now." she said turning to face him. "How do I look?" she asked turning around.

"You look absolutely ravishing." he said pulling her into a tight hug. She smiled up at him,

"Thank you."

"Lets go." she nodded and took his arm and together the two headed down to join Quatre's family. About half way through the party, the door bell rang. Gwen got up to get it but Anna beat her to it. Suddenly they heard glass shatter and a scream. Jumping up Gwen and Quatre dashed into the foyer. There stood Anna staring at a man. Quatre and Gwen stared at him;

"Who is that?" Quatre whispered. Sudden shock over came Gwen as she stared at him,

"Richard..." she whispered one hand covering her mouth. She turned and fled back into the ball room. Quatre was about to go after her when he heard Anna speak his name.

"Rich..." she turned and also left the room. Rich came into the room and closed the door.

"Your gone for two and a half years and this is my welcome home. My goodness. Quatre how have you been?"

"I'm fine Rich why don't you come on in and relax I'll go try to find Anna." Rich nodded and followed. A couple of minutes later Quatre found Gwen on the other side of the ballroom talking to one of his many cousins. "Gwen can I have a word with you?" He asked pulling her over to the side room. "What was that all about?"

"What was what about?" she asked.

"With Rich out in the foyer?"

"I'd rather not talk about it right now Quatre." he nodded and let her head out. Before they entered the ballroom Quatre grabbed her arm.

"Are you going to be okay?" she smiled at him.

"I'm fine."

"Hey you two look were your standing." they both looked up...they were standing under mistletoe. "You know the tradition you two have to kiss." Quatre and Gwen looked at each other, slowly they leaned forward until their lips met. They held there their kiss long and passionate. They finally broke apart for air, both a little flustered.

"Gwen My DEAR!" Gwen's body stiffened in Quatre's arms and Quatre looked down at her.

"What wrong?" he mouthed.

"Gwen I know its you." Gwen swallowed and turned around.

"Richard its good to see you." she said giving him a half smile.

"Look at you, you look absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you." she said nodding her head. Quatre felt the stiffness and she stood staring at Rich. It was clear that she didn't want to talk to this man. Quatre looked up at Rich and did a double take, was that lust he saw in the man's eyes?

"Its been a long time now hasn't it. What two years?"

"Just about." Gwen said taking a deep breath.

"How did you two meet?" Quatre asked.

"He was my partner at Preventers...we were stationed in South Africa together to go through basic training."

"Could we talk in private. You won't mind will ya Quatre if I steal your little Beauty from you for a few minutes."

"Its up to Gwen." Quatre said. Gwen nodded and the two disappeared in to the little room. Quatre knew something wasn't right so he stayed close by. Gwen turned around as soon as they were alone.

"What are you doing here Richard I thought you were still in jail?" she snapped.

"I told you I would get you back for that you ungrateful bitch."

"Don't speak to me, I'm not a little girl anymore you can't hurt me."

"Maybe not but I still have power over you."

"No you don't I have a restraining order."

"Sorry to burst your bubble sweetie but we're not in South Africa anymore."

"You should just be glad my brother took pity on you and spared your life. Other wise he would have killed you on the spot."

"Todd is nothing more than a coward. If it had been your brother Heero then I would have worried but it wasn't so get over yourself." Gwen glared at him.

"What do you want?" Rich took a couple of steps towards her backing her up into the wall.

"You tell my wife what happened between us and I'll make sure that your life becomes the hell that it used to be." he stared down at her.

"You can't threaten me like this anymore I fought you once I can do it again." she hissed. Reaching down Rich fingered her dress straps.
"You do look beautiful tonight, Gwen. I can't deny, you are by far the most beautiful women I have ever met."

"Don't touch me." Gwen seethed she shook his hand off her body and took a step back.

"I see you haven't lost the fiery spirit that you always had...looks like you need to be taught a lesson...again." Gwen's eyes got really big.

"Get away from me." she said pushing away from him.

"I don't think so," he pulled her tightly against him, "Remember rule number one Gwen?" he asked, he back handed her across the face letting her fall to the floor, "I always get my way." he said as he lay down on top of her.

"Get away from me you asshole." Gwen hissed as she kneed him in the balls. Tears blurring her vision she stood up and ran for the door, she ran into Quatre. Who had been at the moment heading in side, knowing that something wasn't right. Looking at her condition he seethed,

"Is there a problem?" he asked looked at Rich on the floor.

"That bitch hit me." he said not getting up from the floor. Quatre looked down at Gwen, he tilted her head to look up at him, noticing immediately the read hand print on her cheek that would leave a bruise for weeks to come.

"You hit her." Quatre murmured, looking up at Rich. "Get out of my house."

"Women are just objects Quatre." he said standing up, "They don't have feelings."

"Get out of my house." Quatre grabbed him by the shirt dragged him to the main room and threw him out. "And if I ever catch you near my family or on my property again. I will have you arrested."

"Your making a big mistake Quatre. Just you wait." Rich yelled as Quatre's security carried him to the gates. Sighing, Quatre returned to the house and found Gwen sobbing on the floor. Sitting down next to her, he pulled her into his arms.

"Gwen are you all right?" he asked holding onto her tightly. His only response was the constant racking of her shoulders as she sobbed.

* * * * *

I don't own Gundam Wing.