Two Princes

By Devon Masterson

Quatre sighed as he sat on the couch after coming back from yet another horrible blind date. "I hate these things," he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes. These little set-ups were the only way he could get his sisters off his back about not being married and siring an heir. He was only twenty-four years old. He did not see the big hurry. There was so much he still wanted to do like date people that he picked out for himself, but then again if it were left to him he would probably just hang out with the guys. They seemed so free now that the war was over.

It was not that he did not mind being head of the family, that was okay. It was his sisters so many of them seemed like they did not care about what he thought just what he symbolized. It was his sisters considerably older than him that gave him the most problems, but then there was great age difference between him and most of them. His oldest sister was nearly forty years old and he was the youngest of the Winner children. It sucked, but it was life. At least he had the pleasure of sort of growing up with a few of his sisters, though he met the rest of them after the war. He only had one sister the same age as him, they were actually a day apart, Sadirah. The two of them were often called the twins because they acted similar and their closeness in age. The were inseparatable until, it was time for them to go off to boarding school. After that he hardly saw her, but they continued to write then during the war he lost track of her amongst his other sisters and their letters grew scarce. "It's weird, how I now just thought about her. It's been almost six years since I last heard from her. I'll call her in the morning."

He stood to his feet and stretched. His bed was calling him. The others were probably sleeping peacefully in preparation for whatever their schedules held in store for them and he would join them.

"Another bomb?" Trowa asked suddenly from a dark corner of the room.

Used to his sudden entrances, Quatre did not start, but nodded. "Worst date of my life," Quatre replied. "I'm going to bed. I have some meetings first thing in the morning."

"I made you some tea just in case you need to relax," Trowa commented as he stood. He stretched and put the book he had been reading on the table. "It's in the kitchen."

"Thank you, Trowa," Quatre said gratefully. "I'll warm it up and take it upstairs. Good night."

"Night," he replied as he watched Quatre walk off in the opposite direction. He sighed then walked up the stairs. He did not like for Quatre to have so much pressure put on him. It was not right and he wished Quatre's sisters would leave him alone. Quatre would find someone when he was ready.

===========

Quatre rubbed his temples and sighed as he left the room after excusing himself. He had been in meetings all day and barely accomplished what he set out to do. His best negotiation and business prowess was used today. He had even stopped for lunch and the quick toast he grabbed on his way out was long since gone. Nausea and fatigue were starting to lay claims to him. He could not even enjoy the feeling of accomplishment he normally would have when he succeeded in getting what he wanted. All he wanted to do his stand under a hot shower and let the water pour down him, at least he knew he would not be bothered, correction he would least likely be bothered. It was true what they said, the bathroom was the only place a person can be alone.

"I have to make it there first though," he thought as he made his way to his office. He had to take better care of himself or he was going to break down. His doctor already warned him of that and he promised to try and slow down. Try was the key word and he did try for a day then everything went like usual. There was so much he had to get done and he had to make sure everyone was okay, then he would worry about himself.

"Mr. Winner," his secretary called as soon as he sat in his chair.

"Yes, Ms. Daily," he answered sounding ten times more cheerful than he felt.

"Your sister, Xaria, is on line one," she replied before leaving for the day

"Thank you," he replied as he punched a button on the vid phone.

Xaria's face appeared on the screen looking disappointed. "Quatre, you have try again. Megan is a nice girl and she likes you."

"Yes, she is a nice girl," Quatre replied propping his head with his hand, "but she's too eager to please. She kept changing her tastes to whatever mine were just so we could have something in common. I want to be with a woman who speaks her mind or at least is not afraid to if she wants."

"Quatre," Xaria sighed, "you're getting on in age. Father had seven children when he was twenty four."

Quatre started to rub his brow in annoyance. He was a forgiving soul, but he did get angry just like everyone else and today was not the day for him to be criticized. "Xaria, I am not a horse. I will meet someone and get married when I meet the right person. I do, however, appreciate your help in trying to find someone in my life."

Xaria smiled. Her words were apparently getting through to him. "Well, I guess that is big decision to make all at once. Father had twelve wives. I will keep an ear out."

"Thank you," he replied.

"You're welcome," she said. "I must go, I will talk to you later."

"Bye, Xaria," he replied then let his head drop to the desk as soon as the screen went blank. It was amazing what a little kissing up could do.

"Quatre, are you okay?" Trowa asked as he and Duo walked inside.

The blond lifted his head and smiled, people who will not bother him with demands. "Just a little tired," he said as he stood and walked over to them. He grabbed his desk as he felt a wave of dizziness then fell forward.

"Quatre!" Trowa called out as he rushed to catch him. He held Quatre in his arms and shook him but got no response. Trowa looked towards Duo and they both nodded as they quickly and discretely left the office.

=======

"What's wrong with him Sally?" Trowa asked as she opened the door to Quatre's room.

"He's just exhausted and his blood sugar is extremely low that was the reason he passed out," she explained. "I talked with Dr. Siid and Quatre had been under orders to slow down so that he would not risk his health."

Trowa's eyes narrowed slightly. It made him angry that Quatre was not taking care of himself, but it angered him more that he did not notice that one of the most important people to him's health was failing. "Is he going to be okay?"

Sally put her hand on Trowa's shoulder and nodded. "I am ordering that he spend the next two days in bed and that he take the next two weeks off. He needs a break. Also he's hypoglycemic so he needs to make sure that he eats regularly or at least snacks. I gave him some orange juice to get his blood sugar up, but I would like for to eat something. From what you told me, I'm surprised he was coherent. I measured his sugar to be 25."

"I'll make sure that he follows orders this time," he replied.

"Good," Sally smiled. "He's lucky that's he's sleeping right now or I would yelled at him for being reckless."

"You might have to take a number," he said lowly.

Observant blue eyes washed over one of her fellow Preventers curiously. They widened as they reached the conclusion of why the stoic man seemed to be actually displaying annoyance. During the war it was common for one of the five to be hurt and never once did the stoic former pilot break from his stoicism, but this time she saw anger, relief, and concern. It was not completely obvious, but to someone close to him the nuances were detectable. "Trowa…"

"I do not wish to discuss it Sally," he interjected. "I'm going to sit with Quatre until he wakes up. Please inform the others of his condition."

She sighed. Normally she would have extended an invitation to talk about it later when he did feel up to discussing it, but she knew it would be a cold day in Hell before he would talk about his feelings with her. There was only one person he would tell and that person he was probably the most scared of telling. "Call me if he relapses."

Trowa nodded then entered the room and shut the door. As he walked over to the sleeping blond, sunlight filtered inside and onto the bed giving it a golden aura to everything it touched, especially the angel sleeping under the covers. He stood beside the bed and watched him breath peacefully for a few moments then ran his hands through the golden locks. They felt just like they looked, pure heaven. It was the first time he had ever really touched him and now that he allowed himself the luxury he wanted to continue, but he was not going to let his lower instincts take advantage of him. He could not take a chance that Quatre would not understand or even worse reject him.

"You need to take better care of yourself," he said lowly caressing Quatre's cheek affectionately. "I did not survive the war only to lose you." He placed his face amongst the golden locks and allowed him to get a whiff of his scent then pulled away, but not before kissing him lightly on the forehead. "I would never forgive you or myself if you slipped away so rest well," he whispered before taking up post on the chair beside the bed.

© 2002 Devon Masterson

Gundam Wing is owned by several people, but trust me I am not one of them. I just have some background people and this is just for fun so don't sue.