Chapter Three: Time to Rock and Roll

So there she was, sitting on a plane to New York. "I should be teaching my first class. This is crazy. What if I'm hallucinating him or something?" she sighed.

At least so far, she had the privilege of a window seat and the seat next to her was empty. She was so lost in thought she didn't notice the man sitting down next to her until he tapped her on the shoulder.

"Pardon me, Miss, but you're phone is ringing." He said in a soft baritone voice.

She started out of her daydream and looked at her purse, which was ringing as he said.

"Oh, thank you. I didn't notice it." She said and fished around for the object in her bag.

She cut off the cheerful "Clowns" ring. "Max-Estes." She answered barely catching herself in time.

"Gabi?" came the static filled voice.

"Jenn? Hi! You're not back are you?" she asked.

"No, not yet. I'm at a hotel with D- the other convention guests. It was pretty crazy last night." She answered, almost making her own mistake.

"I bet it was. Sorry I couldn't be there." The older girl responded.

"You have no idea." Jenn muttered.

"What was that? You're breaking up."

"Nothing. Where are you? I couldn't get you at home."

Gabi could imagine a billion little sweatdrops gathering. "I, uh- am on my way to work."

"You sound fuzzy." Her roommate replied.

"Bad signal area." Gabi said. It wasn't a total lie.

"Yeah, I bet. Listen, I'll see you later okay? I might make it back tonight." Jenn said.

"Okay." Gabi replied with forced cheerfulness.

"You all right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You always sound funny when you're hiding something." Jenny said flatly.

Gabi made a face. "So do Yuy. You, I mean."

They both paused, unsure of what and whatnot to say. If they said too much, or too little, they'd both know something was up. There were disadvantages to being so close to each other. Reading each other's thoughts was one of them.

"Ne, An- Gabi?"

"Hmm?"

"I'll talk to you later, ne? Ja."



Jenny hung the phone up with a long sigh. She felt a tap on her shoulder and spun around, ready to sidekick whoever was standing there.

Duo put his hands up in defense. "Just me, Destined Soldier," he said as he handed her her tea.

"Sorry. Old habits coming back into play."

"I noticed."

Jenny took the tea and sat down on the bed, pulling the covers around her. "This is a lot to take in, Duo-kun."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I still need your help."

"Yeah, I know, Maxwell. That's why I'm helping. Let's get going."

"Where?"

"Chicago."



The plane landed without hindrance at JFK airport in New York City, New York. She'd never been to New York before, although she'd always wanted to come. She bought a to-go mug of tea from an airport vendor and headed for a taxi station. It was nine o' clock (she lost an hour) now, and her return flight didn't leave until four-thirty so she'd be home by six.

She fought her way through the crowd to the outside. Carefully, she hailed a taxi. One finally stopped for her and she hopped in.

"Where can I take you, miss?" the cabby asked cheerfully.

"Luck Inc. Headquarters downtown, please." She replied.

"No prob-lem. Say, this your first time in New York?" he asked amiably.

"Yes, it is. I'm only here for one day, though."

"Really? That's a shame. It's a beautiful city if you know your way around. My name's Bing." He smiled.

"As in Bing Crosby?" she asked.

He ducked his head with a goofy grin. "Yeah, my mom was a fan. You going to a job interview at Luck?"

"No, not really. An old friend of mine works there and I'd like to see him again." She said with a beam.

"How high up is 'e in the company?" Bing asked.

"Well, if you can keep a secret, he's Mr. Vincent himself." She replied.

He whistled. "Hoo-boy. You've got yourself a friend indeed. Hope you have an appointment though. I've ushered three unscheduled job applies there and back home just 'cause they didn't schedule an appointment."

"I wouldn't worry about that. He and I were close. He was a close friend with my husband as well." She responded.

"Well, that's good to hear. Not enough people have friends in this world anymore. Here we are! Now, if you ever need Bing, just give me a ring!" he grinned and pulled up to the curb.

She laughed and got out, handing him the pay and a nice tip. "I'll remember. It was nice meeting you, Bing."

"Likewise, Miss. Ciao!" He drove off in search of other riders.

She stood on the curb and looked up and Luck Inc. Headquarters. It stood high among the other skyscrapers. She suddenly felt very lost. Even so, she smiled to herself. She had at least one friend in New York. And would he ever be surprised.

She entered the building and glanced around at all the people scurrying hither, thither, and yon. There was one large, circular desk in the center of the downstairs floor. Classical music played from speakers mounted on the pillars, fountains adorned the four corners, and padded seats and potted plants were scattered among the tile. Four secretaries were seated at the desk, and she made her way towards them.

She straightened her black blouse, smoothed her khaki jeans, and shook her curls held by two butterfly pins. "Ahem."

One of the secretaries slid her roll-around chair to where she was standing. The secretary pushed up her glasses and stared down at her. "Can I help you?"

"I hope so. I need to see Mr. Vincent." She said.

"Mr. Vincent? Do you have an appointment?" the secretary asked.

"No I don't, this trip was last minute." The taller girl replied.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. There's no possible way Mr. Vincent can see you right now." She replied.

"Could you just see if he's available? Please? This is very important." Anna insisted.

The secretary looked over her shoulder. "All right. Go over to Beatrice in the blue sweater and she'll take care of you."

"Thank you." She said. She moved around the counter.

Beatrice smiled at her and placed a hand over her earpiece. "Yes, Ms. Catalonia? There's a girl here that wants to see Mr. Vincent. No, she doesn't have an appointment."

Her ears pricked up at the name. "Dorothy? Dorothy Catalonia?" she exclaimed.

Beatrice looked a little stunned. "Yes, Ms. Catalonia she said your name. Give her the headphone? All right, just a second." She took off her piece and handed it to Anna.

She took it and placed in on her head. "Dorothy? Is that you?"

There was a pause at the other end. "Miss Anna?"

"Hiya, Dorothy. Long time no see." She returned.

"How? How in the world are you here?" Dorothy asked, stunned.

"I need to see Mr. Vincent. Is that possible?" Anna said.

"Of course. Let me speak to Beatrice." Dorothy said.

Anna handed the headphone back.

Beatrice nodded, then looked at Anna. "Ms. Catalonia wishes you to join her on the gallery level by private elevator. Enjoy your stay at Luck Inc. Headquarters."

An elevator appeared behind one of the fountains. Anna nodded her thanks to Beatrice and headed towards the mysterious lift. Once inside the doors slid shut and she began her assent to the sixteenth floor.

The doors opened with a whoosh and Anna stepped out into a brightly lit art gallery. Paintings hung on the walls, and replicas of famous statues centered the floor. A few feet away from her stood Dorothy Catalonia.

She came forward and greeted Anna with a hug. "Miss Anna, it's so good to see you again."

Anna returned the hug and pulled back. "Likewise, Dorothy, it has been quite a while."

Dorothy smiled and took her by the arm. "Come on, I'll give you a quick tour before he gets in."

Anna let herself be led into the small museum. "It's just like Quatre to have something like this in a place of business."

"Yes. It's a wonderful collection. We have a larger one at the office building at home, back on L4." Dorothy replied.

Her brown haired companion noted the word we and looked for a wedding band. She saw none and chanced a question. "So how long have you two been here?"

The blonde woman smiled again. "Quatre's been here almost a year, and he asked me to come five months ago. Miss Anna, how did you find out he was here?"

"A perfect little bird told me." Anna said.

Dorothy nodded. "I see. Mr. Yuy said something about bringing two old friends into the plot, but I had no idea it would be you. It's quite a surprise. I think it will do Quatre a world of good to see you. He hasn't been himself lately."

Anna frowned. "What's wrong with him?"

"Well, with what happened to Mr. Chang and Mr. Barton, and the stress of running two companies and fighting off the beginning of a war in two worlds instead of one…it's left him quite tired." Dorothy said, a touch of sadness in her tone.

Anna stopped walking. "What happened to Mr. Chang and Mr. Barton?"

Dorothy also stopped, surprised. "Heero didn't tell you? I thought surely he would." Just then, a pager at her side went off. "Oh, Quatre's here. He's on his way up. I didn't tell him it was you, so it'll add a little suspense. I'm afraid I have work to do, but I'll see you soon. It was good talking to you, Miss Anna."

"It was good seeing you again, Dorothy." Anna replied.

Dorothy left by a different elevator. Anna was alone in the giant gallery. A cloudy overhang drifted by casting haunted shadows on the pictures. She stopped in front of one. It was a bright painting of a house and an open window. A shadow was painted over the house and window to look like a tree. The swoosh of doors alerted her to someone else's presence. She half turned her head and caught a glimpse of the golden-haired boy in the corner of her eye.

Only he wasn't a boy anymore, as she was not a girl. He'd done a great deal of growing up since she'd seen him last. He was taller, more masculine. He still had the soft locks of sunshine and the deep aqua eyes that shone when he smiled. He wore a white dress shirt and khaki slacks.

"I'm terribly sorry to keep you waiting, Miss…" still the soft voice and gentle politeness.

Anna returned her focus to the painting. "I always loved this photo. You always hated it. Why do you hang it here?"

His brow furrowed slightly as he tried to figure out the question. "Opinions change as one gets older. When I was young I thought it symbolized the shadow on a person's life. As I got older I think it means the shade that one hides in during their life. I keep it there as a reminder not to hide." He answered. He came to stand next to her. "You look very familiar to me. Like a page from the past." He said softly.

Anna smiled and looked at him. "Pages of the past can be hardest to read." She turned and threw her arms around him.

"It's so good to see you again, Quatre."

He sucked in his breath and stiffened in her grasp. "It can't be." Slowly he brought his arms up. "Anna?"

"Hai. Never thought you'd see me again, ne?" she smiled.

He pulled away slightly, tears glistening in both of their eyes. He hugged her again. "I don't believe it!"

"Me neither! You never call, you never write." She laughed slightly.

He laughed too and pulled back. "Come. We have much to discuss and even more to catch up on."



Chase stepped into the townhouse and called out. "I don't think she's home from work yet. She stays kind of late some days, so it shouldn't be a problem for you to be here."

Duo nodded as he looked around. "I like this. It's nice."

"Not as nice as the old cabin or Quatre's mansion."

"True. I haven't been there in so long. Either place. Quatre sold the cabin right after y'all left. They couldn't handle the memories, I guess."

Chase nodded. She glanced around the room, making sure no stray articles of clothing were strewn out for wandering eyes to see. "Make yourself comfy."

"I want to look around."

"Be my guest."

Duo nodded and walked around the house. He stopped when he got to the master bedroom. "Who drew this?"

Chase blushed slightly. "That would be my work. It's from a series I do called Emerald Dawn. It's become a big Shojo hit over in Japan."

Duo grinned. "Our little Chase has left us to become a manga artist!" he said dramatically, faking a tear.

"Oh shut up!" The petite woman grinned. "Just don't go through Anna- chan's manuscript. She's worked really hard to get that in shape to send to the publisher. She's an awesome writer."

"You two have made lives for yourselves here," Duo said sadly.

Chase refused to meet his sad eyes, in fear that he would see her tears.

He walked over and placed a hand on the rim of her glasses. "Why do you wear these?"

"'Cause I can't see without them. I'm different here, boyo. I'm not smart and strong. I'm not pretty. Stars, I'm surprised you recognized me."

Duo looked shocked for a moment. "Chase? Is that really you?" he asked, shaking her by the shoulders slightly. "The Chase I know NEVER spoke that way about herself out loud to people. NEVER. Has that much changed?"

Chase sank to the floor, suddenly feeling small and helpless. "Yes. So much has. So very, very much."

Duo smiled and hugged her. "Aw, c'mon, Chase! Cheer up! You just need to jog back some of those old skills. You'll do great. You'll be the same 'ol Chase we know and love!"

The young artist smiled. "Arigato, Duo-kun."