Chapter 4:
The next morning, Lark woke early at the sound of the doorbell. Getting up, she padded to the front door in a pair of plaid shorts and a long sleeve blue button up shirt. Peering through the peephole, she saw Trowa standing on her front porch. As she opened the door, Dinah and Keely squeezed by her to see him.
"Good morning," she said, "Come in."
Trowa was wearing a pair of nice dark blue jeans, and a faded, cream colored, cotton work shirt. Never before had she seen a guy look so attractive in old work clothes.
"Did I wake you?" he asked as he sat down and stroked Dinah's striped back.
"Oh no," she lied, smoothing out the hair that had escaped from her braid during the night, "Do you want anything?"
"I'll take some tea if you have any," he said as she hurried to the kitchen.
When she disappeared into the other room, for the first time, Trowa got a good look at the apartment. Glancing down at the coffee table, he noticed a picture of two young children. Leaning forward, he picked it up and looked at it carefully. The children in the picture he guessed were about seven years old. He recognized the girl to be Lark, and the boy, well he looked a bit familiar, but he could not place his finger on who he was.
"Have you been up long?" she asked when she returned with the tea.
Trowa jumped at the sound of her voice. Setting the picture back down he answered her question, "I've been up since four."
"Four?" She asked in disbelief as she looked over at the clock. It had just turned six, Heero wasn't joking, bright and early all right, "What have you been doing?"
"Feeding the animals at the circus and going over routines," he replied.
"You work at a circus?" she asked, interested.
"Yeah, but I'd rather work with just animals though, all those routines and performances..." he stopped. "Doesn't make a difference because I've taken my leave of the circus for a while so I can train with the others." Taking a sip of the hot tea, he looked at her then at the picture, "Childhood friend?"
Lark leaned forward and picked up the picture, "Yeah, haven't seen him since then either."
"Do you know where he is now?" Trowa asked her.
She looked at him, "I know, but........" she trailed off.
"But what?"
Lark's eyes met his, she felt she could trust him, "He has amnesia and doesn't remember me."
Trowa frowned, "Yeah? Happened to me once when I blew myself up, couldn't remember anything or anyone for that matter. Catherine took care of me until I got my memories back, it was a hard time for us all."
"Hm," Lark said thoughtfully, "That must have been terrible for the people who loved you."
Trowa laughed, "Quatre is probably the only person who worried about me. Catherine just tried to keep everyone away from me." He took a sip of his tea, "So you haven't gone to see him, see if he remembers anything?"
"He doesn't remember," she replied as she put the picture back down on the table. "Well," she said as she stood, "What time does Heero want to start?"
"He and the others are over at Howard's right now, working on the Zero system."
"Well, I'll go get ready and we can leave," she said as she stood and went to her bedroom. She searched through her closet for a pair of old blue jeans, finding an old plaid shirt and a pair of worn out work boots to go with it. Putting her outfit together on the bed, she entered the bathroom and re-braided her hair. After her hair was neatly braided, she hurriedly got dressed, then went back out to the living room.
"Let's get going," Trowa said as he picked up his teacup and started toward the kitchen.
"Leave it, I'll get it later," Lark said as he set it down on the coffee table and followed her out the door. _____
When they got to the beach, there were hardly any people out. The peacefulness of the place made Lark want to roll the window down but it was too cold, instead she leaned her head back and looked up at the ceiling of the truck and closed her eyes. Turning her thoughts to Dinah, Keely and Tula, she reassured herself that they were safely enclosed in the back of the truck with thick blankets to lay on.
She could not wait to get back to the ship to report in to her brother Armand. She wondered why homesickness had not hit her yet, then her thoughts wandered on to Trowa. Drifting off to sleep, she dreamed that she was wearing a long, beautiful white gown, and Trowa was wearing a black tuxedo. All her friends sat in chairs placed out on the lawn, and looking up, she could see the Noventa mansion. There were decorations everywhere, and Trowa was saying something to her. She turned to him, but before she could hear what he was saying, she was wakened out of her dream.
"Lark," Trowa said, "We're here."
Lark opened her eyes to see a large hangar built above the water, connected to the mainland by a wooden dock. Along with other small ships, a large carrier floated on the water to the side of the hangar. She looked up at the front of the building and saw Howard's written in large white letters above the door. Trowa drove on into the building, coming to a stop in the front part of the building, which contained offices and a mechanics shop.
Heero came out of the far office, followed by a short man with a long beard.
"Pull on over by that boat Trowa," the man said as he pointed to where he meant.
Trowa pulled over and parked the truck. Then he and Lark got out and
walked around to the back. Unlocking them, Trowa pulled the doors open and stood to the side.
Lark walked forward to the back of the truck, calling softly to her pets. Suddenly, Keely appeared with Tula on his shoulder, and jumped down. Dinah followed him.
"Well, well, well," the strange man said as Lark followed Trowa over, "What beautiful animals they are."
"Lark," Heero said, "Meet Howard."
"So this is Lark," Howard said, then winked at Trowa, "She's even more beautiful than I imagined."
Lark smiled, she liked this guy.
"Well," Heero said, clearing his throat, "Let's go see how the others are doing with the Zero system."
Heero led the way as they all followed him into the large two-story hangar located at the back of Howard's repair shop. Lark looked up in amazement at the five Gundams. They looked to her as though they were old models. Her Nishada looked and was five times more powerful than these things. She sighed, her work was cut out for her.
Walking up the stairs to the top level, Heero told her the names of the Gundams as they passed by them. Moving to the center of the top level, Heero entered a room. This room contained a weirdly shaped object that resembled a Gundam head. This object, which Lark figured was some type of simulator, was humming loudly. Over by the wall, there was a large control panel where Quatre and Chang were seated. They turned around as everyone entered the room.
Heero walked over and pushed a couple buttons, "How's he doing?" he asked as the screen came on. As Lark watched, red and blue lines zipped across the screen.
"He's getting better at it," Quatre replied.
"How long?" Heero asked as he sat down in a chair and moved his fingers over the console.
"Fifteen minutes," Quatre replied as Heero's commands shut the machine off.
Heero stood and walked over to the machine. Opening the door, he went in and pulled Duo out. Duo staggered a bit, holding tightly to Heero's arm, "Must destroy my enemies," he muttered as Heero set him in a chair by the door.
All during this time, Lark stared in amazement at Duo, who was muttering about enemies and killing them.
Lark turned to Trowa, "What is that thing?"
"That's our Zero system simulation, except that the system is real, but you can't kill anybody," Trowa replied as he turned to listen to Heero.
"Is it ready?" Heero asked Quatre.
Quatre nodded as Heero turned to Trowa, "Are you ready to go in?"
"Now?" Trowa asked.
"Yes," Heero replied.
"Can I try?" Lark asked suddenly.
They all turned to her in shock, "You? Are you sure?" Heero asked.
"Yes I'm sure, I want to try it out," Lark replied.
Heero looked over at Trowa who shrugged his shoulders, "Let her try it, what do we have to lose?"
"I'll master your little system," Lark replied as she removed her jacket and handed it to Trowa. "What's the record time?"
"Heero beat it in ten minutes," Chang replied.
"Hm," Lark mused, "How interesting."
"Should I set it to fifteen for her first time?" Quatre asked Heero.
Heero nodded as he walked over to the simulator and opened the door for her, "After you."
Lark entered the cockpit and looked about her. Sitting down in the pilot seat, she located all her main controls.
Heero pulled the belts over her head and connected them to the sides of the chair, then reached above the control panel to a compartment that held a helmet, "This is your simulation helmet, turn it on here," Heero instructed her.
Lark pushed the button, then put the helmet on. Heero helped her strap the helmet on, then he turned to leave, "Keep your senses alert, I'm going out now, and the simulation will start shortly."
Lark listened as Heero shut her in and latched the door, then she felt the simulation starting. She looked up and saw a fight going on in space. Flying toward the battle scene, she recognized the five Gundams. They were fighting against an army of black colored suits. They have no pilots! She thought suddenly. Then a shot was fired at her and the Zero system kicked in.
Lark felt the power of the system rush through her existence, and she was the only person in the world. A sudden urge to destroy her enemies washed over her, and she saw all the mobile suits as her enemies. So this is the Zero system. She thought as she concentrated deeply.
Flying her suit into the center of the battle, she destroyed all the enemy suits. A woman with purple hair appeared on the screen, warning her of impending danger.
"There is a ship in front of you, they want to destroy you, hurry, you must get to them first!"
Lark nodded and changed the screen back. Surging forward, she dodged cannon blasts and came down on the ship. Pushing down on the cannon button, she destroyed the ship. As the debris floated about her, the simulation ended and Heero entered the simulator.
Lark took her helmet off and unbuckled herself. Handing Heero the helmet, she walked out.
Trowa looked at her in amazement, "You beat Heero's time by five minutes!"
Lark looked at him, "It was nothing, all it is, is concentrating on the task at hand, surely you've all figured that out."
Heero came out and shut the door, "How did you master that so fast? It took me months to figure it out."
"Too easy my man," Lark replied, laughing in spite of Heero's anger, "And who was that woman?"
"Lucretzia Noin," Quatre replied, "Maybe you will get to meet her one day."
"That is such a pretty name," Lark said dreamily, "She seems really intense for a female warrior, I would love to meet her." _____
It took less time to load the Gundams on the carrier than Lark had thought. As she stood at the helm, Lark checked off each item and person off in her head. She had convinced Heero to let her pilot the ship, and it had not taken very much convincing. All five Gundams were tied down and covered up, the animals were in a room above her, the pilots, well, they were all around somewhere. As Lark went through the procedures, she thought about the Zero system, never before had she felt such a power as that one, it mystified her.
Soon, through Lark's careful guidance, they were "out to sea", and headed toward the small island where she had stashed her ship, The Yahara Moon, named after her family.
Lark stared silently out across the heaving waters, listening to the waves as they broke across the bow. Leaning forward, she peered through the downpour of rain in order to locate Trowa, who had taken the position of lookout at the front of the ship. She sighed, he did not even have a jacket on and in this weather!
"What can you do about it?!" she asked herself out loud in an angry voice. "It's his choice to be out there, it's his fault!"
She suddenly got this weary feeling and called Duo in to take her place. Handing over the wheel, she hurried over to a chair and sat down, holding her head in her hands.
Duo looked over at her and frowned, "What's wrong with you?" he asked.
"I feel dizzy, I have a headache, and I'm fatigued," she told him.
"From what?"
"From stress, thinking, and from this war I'm fighting," she replied, closing her eyes. Leaning her head back, she added, "It could be the weather too."
"I wouldn't be surprised, the weather is horrific today."
"I need a break! I'm tired out!" she whined.
"Well, that's not a good thing, if you're in need of a little R&R then why are you going to start on the Gundams now?"
"Because Duo, I can't rest until this war is over and my family is safe. And, since it's extremely hard to lie to you, I've got these stupid emotions making me crazy!"
"What kind of emotions?" Duo asked, confused.
Why does he have to ask that? she thought to herself. Well, maybe if I tell someone, I can get over it.
"There's this feeling inside me which I've never felt before," Lark paused.
"Yes, a feeling, go on," Duo urged her.
"When I'm around a certain person, I get a weird feeling inside me, I can't think straight, I have an urge to get closer to him, oh and I had this dream of him and me. I'm wearing a beautiful white gown and, and...." she finished lamely.
Duo turned to her and smiled, "I would never have thought it."
"What?"
"You love me don't you?" he asked jokingly.
"Love you?" Lark asked, suddenly forgetting her headache. She smiled back, "You think I'm in love with you?"
"What?" Duo asked mockingly, "I would never assume that."
"You just did!" Lark exclaimed, "Come on, admit it!"
"I like you and everything," Duo said as he faked a sniffle, "But, I think that we should just be friends."
"Well," Lark replied as she stood and walked over to him, "It's better this way I think."
"Yes my dear," Duo said as he hugged her with one arm, "I will always remember you."
"What's going on with you two?"
Lark and Duo turned to see Quatre standing at the door.
Lark looked up at Duo and laughed, "We're just being stupid, making a friendly joke."
"Ah," Quatre replied as he scratched his head, "I'm glad you're such good friends. Oh, would you happen to know if there are any tarps in here?"
"Uh," Lark said as she turned around and looked up, "I think there's one in that compartment up there," she pointed.
With Duo's help Quatre lowered the tarp and set it on the floor, "Thank you for your help."
With that Quatre picked up the tarp and left the room.
Duo looked at Lark and laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"It's just that," he laughed, "He thinks that I like you."
"So, what's wrong with that?"
Duo raised an eyebrow at her, "Now look here Babe, you know where I stand in that perspective, and I'm not gonna change my mind."
"Anyway," Lark said seriously, "What do you make of that dream?"
"I think," Duo said becoming serious, "Your dream must be of your wedding."
"Wedding?" Lark was confused now. "But I'm already engaged to someone else on my home planet, and he was not the guy in my dream."
"Babe, do you mind if I call you Babe?"
"I don't mind at all," Lark replied.
"Well Babe," Duo said, turning to the window, "Do you truly love this guy?"
"I guess so, I want to be with him all the time," she replied.
"Not him," Duo said, "I mean the one you are engaged to."
"Honestly," Lark replied, "I never knew what love was till I came here. I-I-I don't want to marry Octavian!"
"Well, all I can tell you, is to call the engagement off, and go for your true love," Duo said as she once more took over the helm, "Follow your heart."
"Duo, wait!" she yelled after him.
He turned and stopped, "What?"
"What if he doesn't feel the same way about me?"
Duo smiled, "Oh don't worry, he does."
The next morning, Lark woke early at the sound of the doorbell. Getting up, she padded to the front door in a pair of plaid shorts and a long sleeve blue button up shirt. Peering through the peephole, she saw Trowa standing on her front porch. As she opened the door, Dinah and Keely squeezed by her to see him.
"Good morning," she said, "Come in."
Trowa was wearing a pair of nice dark blue jeans, and a faded, cream colored, cotton work shirt. Never before had she seen a guy look so attractive in old work clothes.
"Did I wake you?" he asked as he sat down and stroked Dinah's striped back.
"Oh no," she lied, smoothing out the hair that had escaped from her braid during the night, "Do you want anything?"
"I'll take some tea if you have any," he said as she hurried to the kitchen.
When she disappeared into the other room, for the first time, Trowa got a good look at the apartment. Glancing down at the coffee table, he noticed a picture of two young children. Leaning forward, he picked it up and looked at it carefully. The children in the picture he guessed were about seven years old. He recognized the girl to be Lark, and the boy, well he looked a bit familiar, but he could not place his finger on who he was.
"Have you been up long?" she asked when she returned with the tea.
Trowa jumped at the sound of her voice. Setting the picture back down he answered her question, "I've been up since four."
"Four?" She asked in disbelief as she looked over at the clock. It had just turned six, Heero wasn't joking, bright and early all right, "What have you been doing?"
"Feeding the animals at the circus and going over routines," he replied.
"You work at a circus?" she asked, interested.
"Yeah, but I'd rather work with just animals though, all those routines and performances..." he stopped. "Doesn't make a difference because I've taken my leave of the circus for a while so I can train with the others." Taking a sip of the hot tea, he looked at her then at the picture, "Childhood friend?"
Lark leaned forward and picked up the picture, "Yeah, haven't seen him since then either."
"Do you know where he is now?" Trowa asked her.
She looked at him, "I know, but........" she trailed off.
"But what?"
Lark's eyes met his, she felt she could trust him, "He has amnesia and doesn't remember me."
Trowa frowned, "Yeah? Happened to me once when I blew myself up, couldn't remember anything or anyone for that matter. Catherine took care of me until I got my memories back, it was a hard time for us all."
"Hm," Lark said thoughtfully, "That must have been terrible for the people who loved you."
Trowa laughed, "Quatre is probably the only person who worried about me. Catherine just tried to keep everyone away from me." He took a sip of his tea, "So you haven't gone to see him, see if he remembers anything?"
"He doesn't remember," she replied as she put the picture back down on the table. "Well," she said as she stood, "What time does Heero want to start?"
"He and the others are over at Howard's right now, working on the Zero system."
"Well, I'll go get ready and we can leave," she said as she stood and went to her bedroom. She searched through her closet for a pair of old blue jeans, finding an old plaid shirt and a pair of worn out work boots to go with it. Putting her outfit together on the bed, she entered the bathroom and re-braided her hair. After her hair was neatly braided, she hurriedly got dressed, then went back out to the living room.
"Let's get going," Trowa said as he picked up his teacup and started toward the kitchen.
"Leave it, I'll get it later," Lark said as he set it down on the coffee table and followed her out the door. _____
When they got to the beach, there were hardly any people out. The peacefulness of the place made Lark want to roll the window down but it was too cold, instead she leaned her head back and looked up at the ceiling of the truck and closed her eyes. Turning her thoughts to Dinah, Keely and Tula, she reassured herself that they were safely enclosed in the back of the truck with thick blankets to lay on.
She could not wait to get back to the ship to report in to her brother Armand. She wondered why homesickness had not hit her yet, then her thoughts wandered on to Trowa. Drifting off to sleep, she dreamed that she was wearing a long, beautiful white gown, and Trowa was wearing a black tuxedo. All her friends sat in chairs placed out on the lawn, and looking up, she could see the Noventa mansion. There were decorations everywhere, and Trowa was saying something to her. She turned to him, but before she could hear what he was saying, she was wakened out of her dream.
"Lark," Trowa said, "We're here."
Lark opened her eyes to see a large hangar built above the water, connected to the mainland by a wooden dock. Along with other small ships, a large carrier floated on the water to the side of the hangar. She looked up at the front of the building and saw Howard's written in large white letters above the door. Trowa drove on into the building, coming to a stop in the front part of the building, which contained offices and a mechanics shop.
Heero came out of the far office, followed by a short man with a long beard.
"Pull on over by that boat Trowa," the man said as he pointed to where he meant.
Trowa pulled over and parked the truck. Then he and Lark got out and
walked around to the back. Unlocking them, Trowa pulled the doors open and stood to the side.
Lark walked forward to the back of the truck, calling softly to her pets. Suddenly, Keely appeared with Tula on his shoulder, and jumped down. Dinah followed him.
"Well, well, well," the strange man said as Lark followed Trowa over, "What beautiful animals they are."
"Lark," Heero said, "Meet Howard."
"So this is Lark," Howard said, then winked at Trowa, "She's even more beautiful than I imagined."
Lark smiled, she liked this guy.
"Well," Heero said, clearing his throat, "Let's go see how the others are doing with the Zero system."
Heero led the way as they all followed him into the large two-story hangar located at the back of Howard's repair shop. Lark looked up in amazement at the five Gundams. They looked to her as though they were old models. Her Nishada looked and was five times more powerful than these things. She sighed, her work was cut out for her.
Walking up the stairs to the top level, Heero told her the names of the Gundams as they passed by them. Moving to the center of the top level, Heero entered a room. This room contained a weirdly shaped object that resembled a Gundam head. This object, which Lark figured was some type of simulator, was humming loudly. Over by the wall, there was a large control panel where Quatre and Chang were seated. They turned around as everyone entered the room.
Heero walked over and pushed a couple buttons, "How's he doing?" he asked as the screen came on. As Lark watched, red and blue lines zipped across the screen.
"He's getting better at it," Quatre replied.
"How long?" Heero asked as he sat down in a chair and moved his fingers over the console.
"Fifteen minutes," Quatre replied as Heero's commands shut the machine off.
Heero stood and walked over to the machine. Opening the door, he went in and pulled Duo out. Duo staggered a bit, holding tightly to Heero's arm, "Must destroy my enemies," he muttered as Heero set him in a chair by the door.
All during this time, Lark stared in amazement at Duo, who was muttering about enemies and killing them.
Lark turned to Trowa, "What is that thing?"
"That's our Zero system simulation, except that the system is real, but you can't kill anybody," Trowa replied as he turned to listen to Heero.
"Is it ready?" Heero asked Quatre.
Quatre nodded as Heero turned to Trowa, "Are you ready to go in?"
"Now?" Trowa asked.
"Yes," Heero replied.
"Can I try?" Lark asked suddenly.
They all turned to her in shock, "You? Are you sure?" Heero asked.
"Yes I'm sure, I want to try it out," Lark replied.
Heero looked over at Trowa who shrugged his shoulders, "Let her try it, what do we have to lose?"
"I'll master your little system," Lark replied as she removed her jacket and handed it to Trowa. "What's the record time?"
"Heero beat it in ten minutes," Chang replied.
"Hm," Lark mused, "How interesting."
"Should I set it to fifteen for her first time?" Quatre asked Heero.
Heero nodded as he walked over to the simulator and opened the door for her, "After you."
Lark entered the cockpit and looked about her. Sitting down in the pilot seat, she located all her main controls.
Heero pulled the belts over her head and connected them to the sides of the chair, then reached above the control panel to a compartment that held a helmet, "This is your simulation helmet, turn it on here," Heero instructed her.
Lark pushed the button, then put the helmet on. Heero helped her strap the helmet on, then he turned to leave, "Keep your senses alert, I'm going out now, and the simulation will start shortly."
Lark listened as Heero shut her in and latched the door, then she felt the simulation starting. She looked up and saw a fight going on in space. Flying toward the battle scene, she recognized the five Gundams. They were fighting against an army of black colored suits. They have no pilots! She thought suddenly. Then a shot was fired at her and the Zero system kicked in.
Lark felt the power of the system rush through her existence, and she was the only person in the world. A sudden urge to destroy her enemies washed over her, and she saw all the mobile suits as her enemies. So this is the Zero system. She thought as she concentrated deeply.
Flying her suit into the center of the battle, she destroyed all the enemy suits. A woman with purple hair appeared on the screen, warning her of impending danger.
"There is a ship in front of you, they want to destroy you, hurry, you must get to them first!"
Lark nodded and changed the screen back. Surging forward, she dodged cannon blasts and came down on the ship. Pushing down on the cannon button, she destroyed the ship. As the debris floated about her, the simulation ended and Heero entered the simulator.
Lark took her helmet off and unbuckled herself. Handing Heero the helmet, she walked out.
Trowa looked at her in amazement, "You beat Heero's time by five minutes!"
Lark looked at him, "It was nothing, all it is, is concentrating on the task at hand, surely you've all figured that out."
Heero came out and shut the door, "How did you master that so fast? It took me months to figure it out."
"Too easy my man," Lark replied, laughing in spite of Heero's anger, "And who was that woman?"
"Lucretzia Noin," Quatre replied, "Maybe you will get to meet her one day."
"That is such a pretty name," Lark said dreamily, "She seems really intense for a female warrior, I would love to meet her." _____
It took less time to load the Gundams on the carrier than Lark had thought. As she stood at the helm, Lark checked off each item and person off in her head. She had convinced Heero to let her pilot the ship, and it had not taken very much convincing. All five Gundams were tied down and covered up, the animals were in a room above her, the pilots, well, they were all around somewhere. As Lark went through the procedures, she thought about the Zero system, never before had she felt such a power as that one, it mystified her.
Soon, through Lark's careful guidance, they were "out to sea", and headed toward the small island where she had stashed her ship, The Yahara Moon, named after her family.
Lark stared silently out across the heaving waters, listening to the waves as they broke across the bow. Leaning forward, she peered through the downpour of rain in order to locate Trowa, who had taken the position of lookout at the front of the ship. She sighed, he did not even have a jacket on and in this weather!
"What can you do about it?!" she asked herself out loud in an angry voice. "It's his choice to be out there, it's his fault!"
She suddenly got this weary feeling and called Duo in to take her place. Handing over the wheel, she hurried over to a chair and sat down, holding her head in her hands.
Duo looked over at her and frowned, "What's wrong with you?" he asked.
"I feel dizzy, I have a headache, and I'm fatigued," she told him.
"From what?"
"From stress, thinking, and from this war I'm fighting," she replied, closing her eyes. Leaning her head back, she added, "It could be the weather too."
"I wouldn't be surprised, the weather is horrific today."
"I need a break! I'm tired out!" she whined.
"Well, that's not a good thing, if you're in need of a little R&R then why are you going to start on the Gundams now?"
"Because Duo, I can't rest until this war is over and my family is safe. And, since it's extremely hard to lie to you, I've got these stupid emotions making me crazy!"
"What kind of emotions?" Duo asked, confused.
Why does he have to ask that? she thought to herself. Well, maybe if I tell someone, I can get over it.
"There's this feeling inside me which I've never felt before," Lark paused.
"Yes, a feeling, go on," Duo urged her.
"When I'm around a certain person, I get a weird feeling inside me, I can't think straight, I have an urge to get closer to him, oh and I had this dream of him and me. I'm wearing a beautiful white gown and, and...." she finished lamely.
Duo turned to her and smiled, "I would never have thought it."
"What?"
"You love me don't you?" he asked jokingly.
"Love you?" Lark asked, suddenly forgetting her headache. She smiled back, "You think I'm in love with you?"
"What?" Duo asked mockingly, "I would never assume that."
"You just did!" Lark exclaimed, "Come on, admit it!"
"I like you and everything," Duo said as he faked a sniffle, "But, I think that we should just be friends."
"Well," Lark replied as she stood and walked over to him, "It's better this way I think."
"Yes my dear," Duo said as he hugged her with one arm, "I will always remember you."
"What's going on with you two?"
Lark and Duo turned to see Quatre standing at the door.
Lark looked up at Duo and laughed, "We're just being stupid, making a friendly joke."
"Ah," Quatre replied as he scratched his head, "I'm glad you're such good friends. Oh, would you happen to know if there are any tarps in here?"
"Uh," Lark said as she turned around and looked up, "I think there's one in that compartment up there," she pointed.
With Duo's help Quatre lowered the tarp and set it on the floor, "Thank you for your help."
With that Quatre picked up the tarp and left the room.
Duo looked at Lark and laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"It's just that," he laughed, "He thinks that I like you."
"So, what's wrong with that?"
Duo raised an eyebrow at her, "Now look here Babe, you know where I stand in that perspective, and I'm not gonna change my mind."
"Anyway," Lark said seriously, "What do you make of that dream?"
"I think," Duo said becoming serious, "Your dream must be of your wedding."
"Wedding?" Lark was confused now. "But I'm already engaged to someone else on my home planet, and he was not the guy in my dream."
"Babe, do you mind if I call you Babe?"
"I don't mind at all," Lark replied.
"Well Babe," Duo said, turning to the window, "Do you truly love this guy?"
"I guess so, I want to be with him all the time," she replied.
"Not him," Duo said, "I mean the one you are engaged to."
"Honestly," Lark replied, "I never knew what love was till I came here. I-I-I don't want to marry Octavian!"
"Well, all I can tell you, is to call the engagement off, and go for your true love," Duo said as she once more took over the helm, "Follow your heart."
"Duo, wait!" she yelled after him.
He turned and stopped, "What?"
"What if he doesn't feel the same way about me?"
Duo smiled, "Oh don't worry, he does."