Disclaimers: As usual, I do not own Gundam Wing, but if I did; oh the fun I would have!
AN: Okay so I haven't worked on this story for awhile. There were a couple of other stories just begging to be written and this one was saying, "Go work on those other stories for a while." So on and so forth but that's okay. *Dodges the numerous heavy objects being thrown at her* Okay I'm sorry! Also, do not take my word on any of this! I have no idea how to walk on a tight rope! (I know I'm pathetic.)
Also this chapter is dedicated to my other best friend and other number one fan, M-Chan.
~~~~~~~~
It was old, rickety, and unstable; it did not look safe. It
scared the crap out of Dorothy…It was two feet off the ground. Really this kind
of thing was not something overly terrifying. It was the fact that she had to
walk on it that scared her, the two old wooden poles looked weak and the thick
piece of wire stretched between the two did not comfort her any more. Trowa
walked up behind her. "It's safer than it looks," he said assuring, "but that's
not what you start out on. Because you help with the trapeze act, you have to
build up your arm strength. You have to be able to hold both you and me to
ensure that you don't drop me or fall when we're up there."
"Got it."
Trowa nodded, "Let's start with fifty push-ups," he ordered.
Feeling slightly embarrassed Dorothy crouched down to the ground and got into push-up position and then began. She felt very uncomfortable doing pushups at the feet of a man. Shrugging off her apprehension, Dorothy started counting out loud.
Trowa watched mildly surprised at how strong she seemed. When Dorothy finished the first fifty, he felt that it was time to test her. "Fifty more," he commanded.
When Dorothy reached two-hundred he noticed her panting a little, and by two-seventy-five, she began to stagger slightly, but she made it to three-hundred and stood up. He clapped once, while she took a deep breath. Too busy concentrating on her breathing Dorothy was unaware of Trowa's gaze that had strayed to her. In fact, although Dorothy had known he had been watching the entire time, she was ignorant of the fact that the look he cast on her was one of admiration.
"Well," Dorothy started when she caught her breath. "What next?"
Trowa shrugged, "We can stop if too tired, but if not, we'll go on to the wire act."
She winced and looked at the makeshift tight rope apprehensively. She did not know what it was that scared her about it. It was only a few feet off the ground, and heights had never bothered her before. Still, maybe it was the fact that she'd seen Trowa do this as if he were walking on normal ground. Although fencing gave her upper arm strength from years of practice, and grace from moving around in a perfect dance, yet walking in a straight line on a piece of cord less than six inches in diameter. Perhaps it wasn't her fear of the rope, but maybe the fact that this was something she had never done before.
After one last wavering look at the tight rope, Dorothy cast her gaze at Trowa, "Teach away," she said more confidently than she actually felt.
He gave her a slight smile before motioning for her to follow him. In a few short strides they had reached one of the ends and Trowa stared down its length with Dorothy by his side. "All you have to do is practice. After you can do this perfectly, than we'll get you onto the lower of the two we use for show and we'll start practicing together. Then we do the big one."
"Okay, and about the trapeze act?" Dorothy asked expectantly.
Looking over his shoulder, "I'll teach you to use our gym equipment. We practice for that after you've perfected the wire act."
"Should I start now?"
"Sure."
Neither of them seemed very much interested in what the other was really saying. Their entire conversation had lacked any real emotion. Even Trowa sounded particularly monotonous.
Stepping next to the pole, Dorothy managed to get onto the wire, take two steps, wobble and almost fall off except Trowa had already caught her around the waist. "Nice for a first try. Center your weight so that it is always balanced. You have to adjust your body weight each time you move."
He stood her upright but instead of letting go, he held on. "I'll guide you," he said as if that made all the sense in the world. Strangely enough, to Dorothy, it did.
~~**~~
For the rest of the day they kept on like that for some time, and Dorothy was a quick learner. Under Trowa's careful guidance she had been able to move onto the low wire by the time they had left for the next colony. Which was great for Dorothy and Trowa because the next colony stop would be Quatre's. Dorothy really wanted to be able to show him that all his efforts to help her were paying off. She wanted to show him that she had made something pf herself.
The big party they had had when they left was held at a pizza pub and Dorothy managed to escape Trowa most of the night. By the time they had gotten to the next colony, Catherine was no longer trying to get them together. At least that was what they thought.
Unbeknownst to them, (but known to us) Catherine was simply, plotting. There was a movie theater that was showing the classic movie; The Music Man, and she was sure that she could somehow arrange it so that Dorothy and Trowa went together and such.
~~**~~
"Hey Trowa," Catherine said with a huge smile. "I've got the best idea, why don't we go see The Music Man. It's an original and the theatre is sent up like one from the nineteen-twenties. I mean, it'll be so much fun." She said exaggerating the word 'so.'
He shook his head, "Why do I have to go? Besides, Dorothy and I have a lot of work to do. We're starting the trapeze act in a few days. Anyway I'm tired."
The elder of the two shook her head. The Catherine that sat on her right shoulder in the angel costume was frowning. "They're doing fine on their own," she whispered.
While the little devil, looked at her opposite and let out an exasperated sigh. "You can't trust them! Your brother might botch it! Besides, why's he all bitchy all of a sudden? Come on, he'll enjoy a nice movie with his loved one."
Catherine mentally told the angel to get lost. Then turned to her brother, "Oh please Trowa? Come on, you can take Dorothy with you. Think of it as a reward for working so hard. Please?"
Trowa looked away and put a hand to his forehead. His nightmares had become worse recently and he couldn't quite place it. When Dorothy had stayed with him they hadn't been nearly so bad, but now… It was like she had had a calming affect on him.
"Well, please?" she begged, folding her hands as if in prayer. (Her angel glared but remained silent.)
"You ask Dorothy. If she wants to go, you two go."
Catherine's mouth hung open a minute. "You can't just not go! You have to come too!"
He looked at her skeptically and asked, "Why?"
"Because it'd be good for you. Please?"
"I guess."
Catherine and her little devil shook hands and grinned evilly. Now to go find Dorothy….
"Hey," Dorothy called jogging toward them, "What'd I'd miss?"
Cathy looked at her, "Speak of the devil, anyhow, how would you like to go see, The Music Man with Trowa and myself?" she asked with the devil in her eyes.
Trowa looked about ready to protest, and Dorothy looked like she wanted to decline, but Catherine oh so subtly, reached for the set of knives she just happened to keep with her and both kept quite. Finally, with a defeated sigh, Dorothy nodded, "Sure why not," she said, then quietly so only Trowa could hear, "Not like I had much of choice."
He smirked and Dorothy felt warm inside. "When and where."
She squealed and hugged her brother and Dorothy, "Great! Tonight, 8:30, at the
Galaxy Theatre on 12th Street.
I'll meet you two at 8:15. Love you
both lots, got to go!" she replied happily as she bounded off to only who knows
where.
The other two looked at each other and Trowa gave her an apologetic gesture, "I really shouldn't let her do this anymore. I realize that it might put you into an uncomfortable situation. You don't have to come if you don't want to," he said quietly.
She shook her head, "Thanks but no. I like The Music Man. Why, don't you want me to come?" Dorothy asked, sounding offended.
Trowa blinked and stepped back, "No, I mean…"
"Of course he wants you to come!" Catherine yelled from somewhere out of sight.
He glared at the source of his sister's voice.
"Well, I don't know," Dorothy said, enjoying the idea of toying with his mind. "I'd like to know you can voice your own opinions."
Trowa felt flustered and was about ready to scream. He really didn't want to be forced into a situation with a woman and he didn't want Dorothy to be forced either. Yet, he rather liked the idea of going to see a movie with Dorothy. And his sister. That one little clause just sort of ruined the entire idea. Taking a calming breath Trowa stretched, scratching the back of his head. "Sure I want you to come. It's just," he lowered his voice, "It's just that I don't want you to feel pressured by my sister."
Dorothy smiled and leaned in close to him and whispered, "I don't feel pressured at all. I want to go to the movie with you…" she felt kind of dazed as she gazed into his deep eyes. They just seemed to have that effect on her. It was like a moth being drawn to light; she was irresistibly drawn to them.
Trowa stared into her storm blue eyes and felt his mouth go dry. Why did he always feel so…so…different when he looked into her eyes? He felt warm and happy and scared and confused and so many things he couldn't name when this happened. Almost, he almost leaned in that one precious inch that would allow their lips to meet…Almost except, a slight breeze came and Dorothy looked away.
"And your sister. You and your sister." There was that phrase again, Trowa thought. He was beginning to wish he was an only child. Then again he began to dislike the idea of being in love. The last time that happened…
"I better get going Trowa; I've got to make my rounds at the gym if we're going to see the movie. Bye Trowa, I'll meet you at your trailer at quarter to eight. We can walk to the theater. Later," she said walking away.
Trowa watched her walk away and then walked to the lions' cages to go feed them and run them through their routine. He sighed as he opened the cage door and stepped in, petting each of the two lions in there. "It's happening again," he said exhaustedly. "I'm falling in love."
Oh yes, love, again. He could barely believe it himself. After Midii, he'd thought that would never happen again, never wanted it to happen again. When he fell in love with Midii, the only thing that came of it was trouble. He'd been empty before her and after. Well after it was as if he had found something then had it stripped away. It was far, far worse. He'd become colder, and that, that was when he started getting those nightmares.
He gave Jasmine, the female another pat on the head. Was it just him or was she getting fat? Oh well, he sat down and she followed. Chaos, the male, trotted over and lay down next to Jasmine. He smiled and began to stroke Jasmine's head. "What do you think of Dorothy?" he asked quietly. "Do you like her as much as I do?"
Jasmine purred as if she understood, and Trowa smiled. He knew all about how Dorothy would come into the cages, like he himself did, and spend time with the lions. He'd caught her in the act once. It was almost beautiful to see Dorothy talking to them like he did. It was nice to know he wasn't…He paused a moment before he continued that thought. It was funny, how he thought he was alone in many aspects, until she came along and he found that he wasn't quite all by himself any more…They made a pair…
~~**~~
Dorothy sat on her bed. Why was she letting this happen? She knew what he wanted, what all guys wanted. So why was she acting like he was different? She fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. And when had she started missing Trowa's couch and Trowa's ceiling and Trowa's trailer? And why was she missing Trowa so much when he wasn't far away at all?
Maybe she missed the closeness…No! She would not fall! Not again, she refused! Every single time Dorothy thought she was in love it fell through. She closed her eyes and remembered Rick. Rick.
She had been fourteen and she had thought she had been in love. Dorothy had really liked Rick, and she thought he had liked her too except…He had only dated her because he thought she was easy…and somehow he had talked her into a bed and that was how…
Dorothy closed her eyes to ward of the tears. She would not think of him. And she would not fall in love with Trowa. She stood up to go get showered and felt better, all she had to do to be happy was not fall in love with Trowa. That was easy enough; all she had to do was imagine he was like any other guy. That he was like every other perverted, mean, insensitive, guy out there.
A little voice in her head started screaming. "Yeah right! You know Trowa is the most wonderful, hot, perfect guy you could ask for! You know he would NEVER hurt you! Take a chance! You know Cathy isn't going to show up so you'll have Trowa all to yourself! Come on! You love each other!"
Dorothy's eyes widened and she was tempted to slap herself. What the hell was wrong with her? She couldn't, she wouldn't...would she?
~~**~~
At exactly 7:45 Dorothy stood outside Trowa's door. Her hand was poised to knock; instead she quickly, smoothed her skirt, ran a hand through her hair, and made sure her bra straps weren't showing. She felt a little uncomfortable looking down at the long khaki skit and red tank she wore. Dorothy hoped she wasn't overdressed, but, since she didn't want to be late, she quickly rapped on the door.
Trowa answered the door almost as soon as she had knocked, and both gave each other nervous looks. He was wearing a pair of khaki pants and a black polo shirt, and Dorothy thought he looked very nice. She smiled, since her skirt was somewhat casual she though that she was about as dressed up as himself.
Trowa cleared his throat and Dorothy blushed. When had she started blushing again? "Should we go?" he asked.
Dorothy shrugged; "Sure," she answered half heartedly.
Trowa looked at Dorothy and all of a sudden wished his sister wouldn't show up. No! He reminded himself, this is not a date; Catherine is coming. This is not a date! But what he would have given if it was…
~~**~~
The theatre was a nice place; it was fashioned like an old opera house. It was about 8:10 and they were still waiting for Catherine. So trying to make conversation Dorothy asked airily, "So why was it that your sister had to meet us here?"
Trowa shrugged. To hell if he knew. He figured she was setting them up and he knew that Dorothy had probably already figured it out. Besides, they both most likely had figured it out when Catherine had asked them. It wasn't as she hadn't been trying to get them together since the day Dorothy first got there…Say how along ago was that? It had been almost three whole months.
"I think we should just give up. I don't think she's going to show up," Dorothy said with a huff. "Does she do this every time some girl comes along?"
Trowa blinked, some girl? Dorothy wasn't just some girl, and come to think of it… no, this was a first for Cathy. "Not really. But I agree, let's go get some popcorn and go get our seats."
She nodded and they made their way to the concession stands. Luckily, the place was quite empty, and they didn't need to wait long. They still had a good ten minutes before the movie started but they went to go get their seats anyway.
As the opening credits began to roll Dorothy shivered. It had been a while since she had been to a movie theatre and had forgotten how cold they got. Trowa was not unawares to her shiver and decided he now had a reason to try something Duo had tried to teach all the pilots about dating. The old stretch and arm around the shoulder. He'd never thought to try, (not that he had had a reason to) but now he was glad for the braided baka's incessant talk.
Trowa stretched his left arm and let rest over her shoulder. He noticed that Dorothy did not shrug his arm off or get angry. Dorothy seemed to debate what to do and after a minute relaxed. He rather liked the feel of her in his arms. Trowa could only wish he could feel that way more often.
Dorothy on the other hand, was almost scared. As a kid when a guy did that they usually wanted something. Dorothy was almost afraid that Trowa was the same way but like always a little voice in the back of her mind reminded her that this was Trowa, she could trust him. It took her a moment, but finally she allowed herself to unwind at least enough to enjoy the warmth he provided.
~~**~~
The silent pilot watched the movie with a lot of concentration. For some reason he couldn't help but connect Marian the librarian's cool exterior and broken spirit to that of Dorothy's. They seemed so alike it was almost frightening.
As the movie wound down to the final reprise of "Seventy-Six Trombones," Trowa removed his arm. After what seemed like an eternity the two got and left the theatre. Walking home was awkward to say the least because neither one of them had said a word to the other since the movie began. About half way home Dorothy got so fed up with the lack of any communication she began to make, 'small talk.'
"I love that movie. How bout you?"
He shrugged, "It's alright."
"Do you like any musicals at all?" she tried.
Trowa shook his head.
"What do you like?"
Trowa was almost tempted to answer, 'you,' but firmly decided to instead just shrug.
"Fine," Dorothy replied to his mute answer. It was not long before they reached the grounds where they were staying. After curtly thanking Trowa for the movie and saying good-night just as coldly she stomped off to her trailer.
~~**~~
Trowa watched her with mixed feelings. Women like her were not to be trifled with in any way. Dorothy was an untouchable goddess that was to be worshipped from afar not loved closely. Those were the rules Trowa thought to be true at least. But then again, Trowa Barton didn't always follow the rules…
~~**~~
Okay everybody, sorry for the extreme delays. IT IS ALL CHIBI-M-CHAN'S FAULT!!! If he hadn't been giving me all these ideas for other stories and not inspiring me for this one, this chapter would have been done a lot sooner. Anyway, the more reviews I get for this story, and all my other stories, (I know cheap advertising but they're pretty good so, please, please read them.) the faster I'll have chapter 8 up. (or seven or whichever chapter I'm on.)
Love you all lots,
Lit Tenshi.
