Standard Disclaimer: Escaflowne and it's characters don't belong to me.  I'm merely borrowing them.  Any other characters are from my own imagination.  I only write this stuff for fun, I don't make any money off of it, so please don't sue me.

Awakenings

Part Three

Allen turned to see the tears running down his sister's face and immediately went to her side.  "What's wrong?"

Celena only shook her head and continued to cry.  She threw her arms around him and started sobbing into his shoulder.  Allen patted her awkwardly on the back while onlookers gathered to watch the spectacle.  He was confused and worried by her display of emotion.  Suddenly, he wanted nothing more to get her the hell out of there.

Millerna made her way through the crowd towards them, a concerned expression on her face.  "Is everything all right?" 

Allen shook his head.  "I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse us.  My sister is not well."  He guided her gently towards the door, trying to ignore the Queen's baffled expression and the murmur of the crowd.  Neither of them spoke until they were in the carriage on their way home.  By then Celena's tears had slowed though her eyes remained unusually bright and her skin was flushed.  He moved to sit next to her so that he could feel her forehead; as he had feared, her skin was hot to the touch.

"I'm sorry, Allen.  I feel silly for carrying on like that.  What will people think of me now?"

He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face.  "Don't worry about it, Celena.  You're not feeling well, are you?"

"I'm all right, just a little dizzy perhaps."

"I'm sorry I forced you to go tonight, I knew you didn't want to, but still I—"

"Don't be sorry.  If I wouldn't have gone I wouldn't have realized…."  She rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.  "We were close as children, but now we are strangers.  I thought for many months that you only took care of me because it was your duty.  Even though Gaddes kept telling me I was wrong, until tonight I never thought that you really cared about me.  After all, how could anyone love me after…everything I've been through?  Who would want to?"

Listening to her, Allen felt a pang of guilt.  He had forgotten what it had been like to be a big brother.  Maybe he was going about things all wrong; it wouldn't be the first time.  He sighed and looked down at Celena; she was fast asleep.  She looked so small and innocent in her sleep making it easy for him to think of her as his long lost sister instead of someone that used to be that other person, his enemy.

Gaddes heard a carriage approaching and glanced out the window to see who was arriving; they hadn't been expecting any visitors.  He was more than a little surprised to see Allen's coach pulling up in front of the house.  They were home earlier than he had been expecting them.  He hoped everything had gone all right.  Gaddes knew how worried Celena had been about tonight.  He went outside to greet them just as Allen was about to get out of the vehicle.

"Oh, Gaddes, I'm glad you're here.  Celena fell asleep on the way home, I'll hand her down to you."  The boss seemed a bit distracted to Gaddes, and again he wondered what had happened to bring them home early. 

Allen gently lifted Celena down to Gaddes.  Although she was heavy, she wasn't a burden and Gaddes thought that she still felt lighter than she should.  He also found that he didn't mind holding her so much; it almost felt natural to have her in his arms.  Quickly, he banished those thoughts before he did something reckless, like give in to his urge to kiss her.  He looked down and examined her face; her expression was peaceful but pale slivers of moonlight reflected off of her skin revealing tearstains.  He frowned.

"What happened, boss?"

Allen sighed.  "Let's get her up to her room.  I think she might be coming down with something, she felt a bit feverish to me."

Gaddes nodded and followed Allen up to Celena's bedroom, all the while cradling her sleeping form close to his body.

He set her on the bed carefully, after Allen had pulled the covers back.  He watched as Allen laid his hand on her brow, checking her temperature.  She sighed and her eyes opened halfway. 

"I'm sorry I ruined everything."

"I told you not to worry about it.  Just get some rest."

Gaddes slipped out of the room unnoticed.  He was worried about Celena of course, but Allen was with her and he would see that she was all right.  He hovered outside in the hallway for a moment, unsure if he should just go to bed or stick around in case Allen needed him for anything.  The door to Celena's room opened and Allen appeared wearing a frown.

"Is everything all right, boss?"

"I don't think it's anything serious, but have Luce send for the doctor anyway."

Gaddes nodded and started to leave but Allen stopped him.  "I haven't been much of a brother to her, I suppose.  I apologize.  You shouldn't have had to fill in for my own inadequacies, but I'm grateful that someone is looking out for her the way she needs."

He didn't have a chance to respond before Allen went back into Celena's room, closing the door behind himself.

A few days later the doctor declared that Celena was nearly fully recovered from her illness, although Allen decided she needed to remain abed a little while longer just as a precaution. 

Gaddes had been away from the house for nearly all the time she had been ill; Allen had sent him to oversee things with the crew since he wanted to remain by his sister's side in case she needed him.  In a way, he was glad for the break in routine, for it gave him a chance to a distance himself from Celena.  But, it was an odd feeling to not have her around everyday.  He told himself that he didn't really miss her, it was only that he had gotten used to her presence; answering her questions or just watching over her as she sat quietly reading a book.  He didn't have any feelings towards her other than that of a friend.  Brotherly feelings, he had told himself firmly.  So, of course, the first thing he did upon returning to the villa was to go and see her.

The door was opened about halfway and he popped his head in discreetly.  The curtains were pulled back and the room was flooded with late afternoon sunlight.  Celena was sitting in her big bed propped up against the headboard by a mound of soft white pillows.  Her head was bent and her brow furrowed as she concentrated on stitching a small piece of cloth in her hands.

He knocked on the door and she glanced up, her eyes widening in surprise.  "You're back," she said in greeting.  She smiled warmly and patted the bed as an invitation to have a seat.

 "How ya feelin'?"  She still looked flushed to him.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you," she replied politely.

He sat on the edge of the bed.  "What's that you're working on?"  He gestured to the scrap of cloth in her hand.

She held up the cloth for his inspection.  It was a handkerchief with his initials embroidered onto it. 

"It's for you.  I made one for Allen and he had seemed so pleased with it, I thought that I'd make one for you, also.  You've always been so kind to me, and it's the least I could do in return after all you've done for me in the past few months.  Only, I wasn't really sure that you'd like it; you don't really have the same sense of style as my brother…"  She realized she was rambling, but she couldn't seem to stop herself so she was more than grateful when he smiled at her and she lost her train of thought completely.

"You don't need to thank me, but I'll gladly accept your gift, Celena."

Tears pooled in her eyes and spilled over, gracefully trailing down her face before dropping onto the sheets.

Gaddes sighed.  He hadn't meant to make her cry, dammit.  "What're the waterworks for?"

She surprised him by smiling up at him through her tears.  "You called me Celena."

"I did what?"

"You called me by my name, instead of 'kid'."

"Er…I'm sorry, was I bein' too familiar?"

"No, it made me happy to hear you say it.  Will you say it again?"

He laughed, relieved that she hadn't been upset after all.  "Now you're just bein' silly."

"Come on, say it.  Please?"  She smiled, her eyes sparkling mischievously. 

Gaddes rolled his eyes, "Celena, Celena, Celena.  You happy now?"

She let out a delighted laugh.  "Very happy."

Her reaction made him suddenly feel shy.  "Geez.  It was nothin' to cry over, anyway."

"Are you blushing?"

Her question caused his face to turn a deeper shade of red.  "Of course not.  Men don't blush."

She laughed.  "You are blushing!"

He stood and went to the door.  "Well, I've got things to do.  I'll see ya later, kid."

The sound of her laughter followed him out into the hallway and stayed with him for the rest of the day.

Almost a week later, Allen reluctantly agreed that Celena was more than recovered and gave his permission for her to visit with Gaddes' sisters.  The plans were made quickly and they found themselves traveling out the next day.  He felt a bit awkward riding in the princess's carriage, but Eries would have it no other way.  She said that Celena deserved the best now and then, and since she had been so thoughtful as to invite her along, the least she could do was provide a comfortable and stylish means of transportation. 

Shortly after they stepped out of the carriage the door to the house was thrown open and Gaddes' sisters ran out to greet them.  Gaddes introduced his sisters to Celena and the princess, who looked like she was trying to hide a smile behind her hand.  Lyssie's eyes widened when she was introduced to Princess Eries; she made an awkward curtsy in her direction while silently cursing her brother's sense of humor for not warning them who Celena's chaperone would be.  She turned to Celena and her eyes lit up with joy.  The other girl looked to be even shyer than her sister Genna.  She felt it her own personal duty to try and bring her out of her shell.  She grabbed Celena's hands with her own and proclaimed that she hoped they would become the best of friends.

"I should very much like that," Celena said in response feeling a bit overwhelmed as Alyssann pulled her along towards the house.  Genna shook her head in exasperation and went after the two.

"Sorry, Alyssann can be a bit wild at times," Gaddes said to Eries.

The princess only laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement.  "I know how that can be."

Celena allowed herself to be pulled along behind Alyssann.  The girl was unlike anyone she had ever met before; she was so full of energy.  Alyssann took her through the little house and finally stopped inside a small drawing room.  It had a cozy feeling to it that their larger rooms back home lacked.  She could imagine herself curling up on the well-worn little couch quite comfortably.  There was a bookcase along one wall filled with tomes.  Celena went over to inspect them, running her delicate fingers along their spines.

"Most of those are Genna's," Alyssann commented, coming to stand next to Celena.  "Gaddes bought them for her."

Genna came to stand beside her sister.  "Do you like to read?"

She smiled at the other girl.  "I do enjoy it, but I confess there isn't much else to do around the villa when you are alone most of the time."  She shrugged.  "A book can make a good enough companion, I suppose."

Alyssann's eyes widened.  "There isn't anythin' else you enjoy?  My favorite thing is bakin'.  I could make pies all day long."

Celena blushed slightly.  "I don't think I'm allowed to cook.  We have servants that take care of that, and I'm sure my brother would be horrified if I were to express an interest in it."

"Well, your brother isn't here right now.  Would you like to learn?  I could teach you," Alyssann said enthusiastically.

Gaddes intercepted them just as Alyssann was pulling Celena into the kitchen, Genna trailing behind.  "Slow down, midget.  Celena's not used to runnin' around like you are, and she was sick not long ago."

Celena turned wide blue eyes to him.  "Oh, I'm alright.  Please don't be upset with your sister."

"I'm not upset.  I am responsible for you, though.  I promised the boss I wouldn't let anythin' happen to you."

She frowned slightly.  "You're starting to sound just like him," she mumbled.  Alyssann giggled.  Gaddes shot his sister a glare. 

Princess Eries interrupted before Gaddes had a chance to speak.  "That wasn't very nice, Celena."

The younger girl looked crushed.  She put laid her hand on Gaddes' arm.  "I'm sorry.  I only want to be like a normal girl, but no one seems to let me.  That's why I wanted to come here so much, because I thought that you wanted that for me, too.  Please, Gaddes.  I promise that if I get even a little tired I'll let you know straightaway."

Genna watched the display of emotions cross her brother's face.  She had never seen him unsure of himself.  She noticed the princess was also giving her brother a speculative look.

"Well, all right.  Maybe I was bein' a bit over protective."

Genna smiled gently.  "Don't worry, Brother.  I'll go with them and make sure Lyssie doesn't exhaust our new friend."

In the end, they all went to the kitchen together.  Genna and Princess Eries sat at the table watching Gaddes and Alyssann try to teach Celena the art of baking the perfect pie.  Gaddes didn't prove to be much help and only succeeded in spilling the flour everywhere.  Alyssann had chided him and made him sit at the table with the others after that, much to Celena's amusement.  The pies turned out well, though, and they celebrated by having them for desert.

The princess had already retired for the night and Gaddes walked Celena to the room her and Eries were sharing.  They stood in the hallway outside the door to say goodnight.  Gaddes leaned his shoulder against the wall in a relaxed pose.  Celena wanted to laugh at the flour in his hair, but she restrained herself. 

"Your sisters are wonderful."

He grinned.  "You liked them, then?"

"Oh yes.  I had so much fun with them.  I hope…"

"You hope what?"

"I hope they didn't think I was too strange."

He let out a sigh.  "Listen to me.  You aren't strange; maybe a bit silly, but that's normal for someone your age."

A small wrinkle formed in her brow.  "Sometimes it's hard to stop thinking about it, you know.  Every time I meet someone I wonder if they know about me.  It's always there, in the back of my mind."

He moved away from the wall and came to stand in front of her.  "Look, you couldn't help what happened to you.  Some bastard stole you away from your family, Celena.  They took an innocent little girl and made her into a monster.  That wasn't you.  You're still that innocent little girl.  You should stop torturin' yourself over somethin' that wasn't your fault."

She reached up and touched his face lightly with her fingertips.  He hadn't shaved that morning and the feel of his whiskers was rough against the softness of her skin.  "You really believe that, don't you?  You don't think of him at all when you see me?"

He shook his head.

She reached up on her tip toes and brushed her mouth against his own before he knew what had happened. 

He blinked.  "What was that?"

"A good-night kiss," she said matter-of-factly.

He paused for a minute and looked down at her.  She was so innocent.  And much too young and the boss' sister to boot, he reminded himself for the umpteenth time.

"Celena, I don't think it's a very good idea that we become…involved.  Let's just…be friends, ok?"

Her brow wrinkled in confusion.  "Why wouldn't it be a good idea, Gaddes?"

He gave her the very reasons he had so often told himself over the past few weeks.  "A relationship like that wouldn't be possible between us."

"But, none of that matters to me.  Besides, I think I'm falling in love with you." 

Things were just going from bad to worse.  He stepped back in an effort to put some distance between them.  "Just go to bed.  I don't have time to play these kinds of games, kid."

Her gaze dropped to the floor, but not before he saw the tears gathered in her eyes.  "I see.  Well…good-night then."  She stepped into the bedroom and closed the door softly behind herself.

It was the right thing to do, he told himself.  Why then, had it hurt so much?

AN:  This fic just keeps growing and growing…like Pinocchio's nose after a fib.  *sigh*  Ok, it's definitely going to be more than four parts, but hopefully I'll be able to wrap it up in five.  Geez.  I was pretty tired when I was going over this for what seemed like the billionth time, so if anything seems out of place at all, I apologize.

Thank you to my kind reviewers.  I really appreciate the feedback.  *sparkles*

Oh, one last note.  I started a fic blog.  Any updates on progress of my fics can be found there.  http://theunicornblues.blogspot.com

Serena B