3:36 AM
Trowa found himself struggling awake again to the sound of a door slamming. The sound bounced around in his eardrums at what seemed like a million times the intensity, and he winced. There was a hand on his shoulder, and a soft voice at his side. " Hey. Sorry about that, I forgot to tell them not to slam the door on their way out. "
Trowa turned to see the redheaded girl from earlier sitting next to him. He was too tired to think of what her name was. " Was I asleep? " he asked.
The redhead nodded. " There were sedatives in your stew this afternoon. Sorry. "
That explained the pounding in his head. " You need to stop drugging me, " said Trowa. He sat upright against the headboard, waiting for his migraine to stop.
" Oh, and how am I supposed to know you're not going to knock me out and run off to your little OZ buddies at the base, or just kill me outright? " the girl asked, suddenly angry. " After all, you weren't completely above lying to me. "
Trowa looked at the girl directly. " Have you been tampering with my suit? " he asked, with more emotion than he was likely to show in a week's time. This kid just didn't understand. Touching Heavyarms was basically as good as signing, sealing, and delivering her will.
" Not me personally, " the girl replied, noticing that Trowa's face had gone from emotionless to slightly angry. Getting an OZ officer pissed off was not originally what she'd planned. " But I do know that that suit is not an OZ suit and definitely not yours. And you, buster, are not Trowa Barton. "
" How do you figure that? " Trowa asked.
" My father knew the Barton family when they were working together for some colonial government business. Trowa Barton died at least five years ago, and he was at least ten years older than you. Your story's got more gaps in it than – "
" Swiss cheese, " Trowa cut in dryly. " Your friend the doctor has quite the sense of humor. You two seem particularly cozy. "
The girl seemed taken aback. " How did you hear that? I thought I had you knocked out! "
Trowa managed a wry grin. " I was starting to wake up then. "
" You're a downright scoundrel! " she cried. " You are a down-low, lying, dirty scoundrel, you know that? "
Trowa shrugged indifferently, which sent the redheaded girl into a fit. " You're going to drive me crazy. I should have just left you outside! "
" Why didn't you? " Trowa asked coolly.
She glared at him, flustered. " Because… because! I didn't. Why do I have to explain? You never seem to explain anything. Like what your real name is, or what you're doing here, or why you're in possession of stolen property, huh? Explain that! "
" I don't have to. "
" Then I don't have to either!! " She whirled around with a sniff and crossed her arms.
" You have nothing to explain, " Trowa noted.
" Stop contradicting me!! " the girl cried. " You are going to drive me up the wall! "
" You could just leave. "
" That's right! I could! " The redhead walked out, then marched back in moments later. " Nice try, scumbag! This is my house! Why don't – why don't you leave? "
Trowa sighed. " You're very unreasonable when you're angry. "
" Are you calling me unreasonable? " the girl yelled.
" Yes. "
" How could you say that? "
" Very easily. "
" How on earth can people put up with you? "
" They don't have to. "
" What – what do you mean? "
" I shoot them, " Trowa answered, a touch of boredom in his voice.
The girl paled. " Oh, " she said, her voice faltering. " You must be joking, " she said a moment later.
" I'm not. "
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room as Trowa and the redhead stared at each other. " I do hope you're not thinking of shooting me, " she said at last.
" Not now. "
" So you were, at some point in time. "
" Yes. "
" So you'd shoot an innocent, unarmed girl just to get her to shut up. "
" You're not innocent. "
" That's not the point. "
" Then what is? "
" You'd destroy anyone who got in your way? "
" Yes, " Trowa answered without the least bit of hesitation.
" Why? " the girl asked. " It's so cruel. "
" It's the only way I can complete my mission. "
" But that's horrible. I didn't kill you when I found you, and you and the organization you belong to go against everything I believe in. "
" You should have. "
" Maybe I pitied you. "
" Pity is weak. "
" Pity's weak, eh? Well, maybe I'm saving you so I can kill you later. "
" You couldn't kill. "
" I could, if you got me mad enough, " the girl insisted. " And what about you, Mr. OZ Tough Guy? You haven't killed me yet. And I'm obviously standing in your way somehow. Why's that? "
Trowa looked straight at the girl sitting in front of him. " Maybe I pity you, " he said softly.
The girl stared back, unnerved and unsure of what to say.
With that, Trowa flopped back under the covers. " I'm going back to sleep. "
" What?! But you just woke up! "
Trowa looked at the girl and allowed the corners of his mouth to turn upwards in the slightest fraction of a grin. " Even down-low, lying, dirty scoundrels need a full eight hours of sleep, " he answered. " Good night. "