Chapter 8
For Family or Virtues?
})(
"Okay guys, so what are we up to today? Of course, we've got Sir Gimp-a- lot here, so we can't do too awful much." Duo's "friendly cockiness" earned him a warning glance and a rather coy little snicker from Nikki's side of the room. The others only shook their heads softly and turned away to have no part in this. Who'd blame them? Duo liked to dig his own graves, what else was expected of the God of Death? "Well, if Trowa doesn't shoot you first," began the young woman.
Here, slipping the words in casually, Trowa added, "that of which I wouldn't mind..." With a quick glance and daring look from Nikki which seemed to settle the boys with surprisingly less commotion, she continued. "I wasn't sure quite what we were going to do. I've got to catch up on some homework, but really now. Who feels like doing that?" The attempt to hide a smile and giggles came from the mumbled yet louder words of, "well, it isn't really that hard, you're just a huge procrastinator," from Quatre was a failure. Nikki knew it was the truth. If truth be told though, she was one of the greatest procrastinators in time. Make it look easy, and have a lucky ace up your sleeve. Either that, or she knew her fate as well as the rest of the pathetic amateurs. Crash and burn. "Thus my point, who really feels like doing that?" Heero sat, propped up with his elbows on his legs, not so much as listening to the debates going on about him, but something much more that was set to plague his mind. This place wasn't bad, not at all. Of course, it'd be odd to just stay here and "settle in", but he didn't mind it. Usually, it was the other way around. Prussian eyes stared before him more at the spot on a tree, just outside the kitchen window from across the living room floor. 'We have to tonight, there is no excuse for Trowa any more. He's drawing out his own healing process longer than it needs to be. If we were to..." "Don't keel over on us there buddy," came from Duo, a little louder as the others had grown concerned. He seemed so easily concentrated on something more, that he didn't even retort to the more witty comments made by the group about him. That itself snapped Heero from his daydream, though, and sent the confused stare straight into his eyes again. "'You feelin' okay?" Wufei knew what was running through Heero's mind, but why was there such a big problem with it? There never seemed to be before. The others hadn't gotten theirs, but Wufei and Heero were sent the new mission. A group mission. The destruction of the Galileo Base where Trowa had recently been held in captivity. It was an easy infiltration, destruction of the data and combative hangers, and then a full fledged demolition by gundam. Why was this one bothering the Perfect Soldier more than any of the others had? It was then that he spoke, as if in affirmation of his own beliefs of the troubled boy's mind. "Heero, are you feeling ill again?" There was no confusion there, as Wufei had questioned Heero before about his constantly worried nature of this mission. Hesitation didn't get a chance to slip in and settle before the Japanese youth gave a small nod and turned his gaze elsewhere. "What's wrong?" Curious, per usual, Nikki spoke after the boy's unspoken answer. "I'm sure we've got something for it either way." "It's nothing to worry about, really." Well, he hadn't expected the girl to offer up her concern on his part, but Heero answered as casually as possible. Wrong thing to ask, Chang. Nikki on the other hand, sat up and persisted. "If you're worried about it being a problem, it's nothing. What's wrong?" Taking to her feet, the teen watched Heero's face, a little surprised by his own slight confusion on the entire subject. "I bet you there's nothing that I don't have anything to get rid of." 'Are women always this persistent?! Think of something, quickly, very quickly.' The first thing that came to his mind left his lips before he could stop the sounds. "I've just been a little dizzy and tired lately. I told you, it's nothing much." 'Please just leave it at that.' Heero really didn't feel like downing any medication right now, let alone something he didn't need, and on an empty stomach. He never usually bothered too much with it. Instant diagnosis, and what she couldn't see in her willingness to help him, was that he and the others all knew he was trying to evade something more. Nikki thought she was just paranoid. Thinking for only a moment before turning to head back towards the closet, she spoke. "I believe we have that... or something that can work for it. Looks like stress." Meanwhile, from Quatre's small corner on the couch as he kept his voice soft and low, came his small amusement. "You've really got to be kidding me." Only in slight confusion, Trowa spoke up on his own, just as quietly. "A new mission, is it?" Heero only nodded, mumbling rude commentaries under his breath. This was going to be odd and a half, especially if the medicine worked other "wonders" on you when you didn't need it. As the mental images came of what he could possibly do or ruin if the medication was strong, Nikki crossed into the room with the dread. "It's fine, it's not that bad, really." "Stop being a baby, it won't kill you." "Why is that the first thing you think of? Something you're not telling us?" Duo attempted to change the subject casually in hopes the girl would forget. Instead, Nikki handed the pills and the two small cups to Heero, the boy reluctant in receiving them. "To make people like you ask questions that make you look like an idiot." Coy and smooth retort, right off the tongue, and well timed. Just like you like 'em. Within one of the small, disposable cups of paper, was simple faucet water to down the other contents he had with. The second cup filled with more weight than the first, held a substance that looked more like thick blood. Slowly, like molasses, it moved at any uneven plane. Bold and deep red was the coloration, while the scent of it was more like that of soggy tree bark. Rolling in the palm of the unmoving hand were two smaller pills, appearing as aspirin, but they held more of a sedative-like mixture within them. A strong gulp, and Heero nearly pushed them away. He didn't like the path this choice was traveling already. Yet another voice stopped him, and he knew it all to be true. They all might look suspicious if otherwise was known, and if Nikki realized she was being lied to. "You answered and dug yourself the grave. Just close the coffin and we'll let it go from there." Trowa spoke up this time, answered by a "smooth one" from Duo and a suggestion of "just get it over with" from Wufei. Still, the young man had to admit, this was a bit amusing. "Will you all stop acting like it's poison?" Nikki stared with more of an indignant gaze at the young men seated in her living room. What was the deal? "Here.." Heero held it off as long as he could, watching the Hispanic youth go to rummage in the kitchen cupboards. After a few minutes and his attempts to "accidentally" get rid of or drop the contents in his hands, she returned with another small bottle. What was he, a lab experiment?! He didn't have any clue as to what this would do to him, let alone what it was for. "Don't tell me I..." Nikki interrupted at this. "No, it's mint flavoring. Do you have a problem with this?" At his hesitation and final shake of the head, she tipped a few of the droplets into the soupy-filled cup, before staring him down. One could swear, it was mother vs. the child. A quick glance, hardly noticeable, was given to the youth's four comrades. If he backed out now, she could find out he was hiding something, easily. Why had he been so stupid as to worry about it now, in front of her? When Nikki's brown eyes narrowed, that was it, bottoms up. The pills were tossed with ease into the back of his throat, swallowed before he had time to think, or time to taste them dissolving. A flush of water followed it instant, and then came the interesting part. The second cup was tipped at his lips, the mint flavor and smell strong and gagging. Quatre couldn't help but watch with a cringe and worried smile in place the entire time. Heero took the medication well enough, though he became more concerned when the youth had to stop and swallow hard a few times just to clear his throat. The rest of the water he had followed almost instantly. Interesting little ordeal, now isn't it? Yet still, in the end, he couldn't help but to be a little amused himself. Shivers ran down his spine as if on instinct, and Heero looked the other way, dropping the cup to the table. It was like swallowing smoke and fire, it didn't disappear. The taste was like grass and mint and dirt, but almost instantly settled any paranoid feelings he had. Still, the concern over what would happen plagued him, at least for the moment. Duo meanwhile, crossed his glance back towards Heero's form who didn't find the medication too appealing. "You still breathing over there buddy?" A glare was sent his way in response, as well as a quick and sharp slap in the upper shoulder by the young woman. "Guess so." Trowa only but shook his head with a faint smile playing over his lips; this would be quite the interesting night. "So, what exactly were you planning there, Nikki?" If they didn't change the subject, Heero might find the coordination to injure Duo for his comment. That, and for Quatre's soft snickering in the corner. It was as if the idea of actually doing something was an entirely new concept to the girl, and for a moment, she was quiet in thought. She had enough money to go out with the guys for the night, which in and of itself, was more rare these days than anything. Her brother wasn't home to care much about it, again at work as he always was. Derrick couldn't really stop her with that. An idea dawned on her then and her hazel-chocolate eyes lit up with a mischievous little flame. "There's nothing to eat here, even if the fridge is half full. I'm getting tired of the 'broke foods" here. Why don't we go out? I know a pretty good place just in town, and the movies are right by it. It'll easy enough, we can easily go to the arcades." Food, movies, and games. Well, what a surprise! Duo instantly piped up at this with the exclamation of, "It's pure brilliance!" "He does know how to use big words..." came the muffled retort from Wufei. HE liked being a smart-ass, it was interesting to see everyone's reaction. Besides that, he'd always been one at heart, just not much to joke about. "Hey now! I can be smart when I want to be, but usually I just tend to be a smart-ass before anything els-" A slap in the arm once more stopped him. "Watch it in this house, I already told you." Nikki liked to hold more of an intellectual speed in the house. "Wait a minute, you were going on and about it last time with Fohn and half of the words that came out of your mouth were worse than THAT!" Here, Duo attempted to defend himself, even if he knew that it wouldn't really be of any help later on. Things like that just didn't work in his favor, women were always right, even if they were wrong. "That's because it came out of mine, not yours. I'm allowed." A coy smirk twisted her lips and the youth caught the smiles and laughter from the others. Duo didn't seem to find it as fnny, too bad. Hi sonly problem was that he couldn't stop his own little grin from tracing his lips. "Jee, thanks a lot mom." Turning, he dodged the next slap with a little jeering laughter. "Problems?" Nikki pursed her lips to keep from giggling and managed through more than just gritted teeth, "No, just worried for your mental instability and how much trouble it'll cost you." "All right, before we've got another World War here," intruded Quatre who had managed to stand and break apart the two challengers. THe young American mumbled something along the lines of "thanks for saving her the humiliation" while Nikki just snickered and stepped back. "it does sound like a good idea and like fun. To go out for the night. But if we don't go now, we'll never get going and then we'll never make through the night with you two." Trowa stood, using the support from the arm of the chair and only swayed a moment. It was as if OZ had beaten the entire of his balance out of him in interrogation. Yet after a moment's pause he stood perfectly fine, readjusting his arm within the sling. It was evident that Trowa didn't like the contraption or the constant restriction of using the limb. Things like that just weren't natural to him. Still, he never told the girl or the others that the arm was feeling much better with little to no pain or trouble to himself. Unconsciously, he knew that his time to relax and be normal was drawing closer to an end. He'd nearly spent a month at the Hernandez's already. It was getting to the point where he'd have to go back to the battlefield. The major question was, could he force himself to go back to that life? "Well then, we should probably get going. Your brother won't mind, will he?" Trowa had become familiar with the "do's" and "don'ts" around Derrick himself. Usually, he'd question his little sister. Cocking her head his way, Nikki watched Trowa a moment more. He seemed to be dwelling on something that he didn't care for in the slightest. Like a nightmare he o confront to figure out what exactly it was. Drawing out the first word, she only gave up on her own questions of what these guys were so depressed about. "I'm the one that offered and I'm sure he won't have a problem; he's never home anyway. That, and he'll be away for a while--in training." "Training?" This came from Heero, finally. He didn't like the sound of the word itself, but maybe he was just overreacting. "We can't afford much anymore. He... He's signed into the federation as a soldier in training--for the OZ federation." The words felt dirty in her mouth and on her lips; nasty and putrid. She continued, unseeing of the large cringe that swept over the five before her, gazing stead at the ground. "He already signed up and the starting pay they've offered to him is rather high. We just," Nikki began to trail off in her speech. She was admitting to her loss of pride now. "We can't get by anymore. I don't want to drop out, but I've offered so I can get a job. That, and if mi hermano keeps this job, it'll be the only one he needs. He won't have to work so hard anymore." The lump in Trowa's throat was swallowed hard and he nearly choked on the air that came back in its place. 'Why of all things?!' "Where is he stationed?" As he spoke, the tone was made as casual as possible in only a "curiousness". Flopping half-heartedly into the lazy boy and attempting to recall the information her brother had quickly rattled off before his departure, she spoke in a more depressed manner now. Much like the five teens before her seemed to have felt. "The Napoleonic Base. Only about an hour's drive from here. From there, he's being sent to Fort Briarton." Wufei settled and released the tension in his body at her answer, yet not in full. "I've heard of it." That's all he said in turn while the others still kept silent. He was just glad that it wasn't the Galileo Base. It'd be just what they needed to complicate everything over. Quatre, however, didn't really seem too interested in relaxing just yet. This wasn't good. He didn't want to hurt Nikki or her brother; they were the last of their family line. They were all each other had left. Yet, the way the war turns, he didn't want to be the one that ended up putting her through the same pain he suffered when his father left them. "I don't think... can't he find any other jobs? I mean, you've already expressed your feelings about this war. And it'd be dangerous, being put out on the field. I think the specialists are the only ones that get the "office jobs" and..." With a growl, the young woman snapped back without meaning for her words to be that malicious. "We can't do anything about that now that we're on our own. Besides, what else could we do?" The slightest cringe of the boy silenced her words and replaced it with a deep sigh, only giving a moment's hesitation before continuing. She hated to admit that they didn't have the money; that they had to scrap for groceries each week to every other week. Besides that, she was also admitting that she couldn't hate the war without being a part of it now. That she couldn't stay like she'd tried to stay out of the condemned fighting in any and every way. Before Nikki could get out another word, it appeared possibly of apology, a voice spoke that surprised everyone just a little more. "Sorry if I'm really interrupting your entire soap opera here, but the rest of us as bystanders are getting rather bored. What are we going to do?" Heero shot it off easily and with a casual air, having managed to get up and get himself, as well as Duo, a glass of water without being caught. "We've already gone through three conversations here and you're still not done?" Picking up the glass, he only sipped at the contents absentmindedly, his tone rather calmed and almost innocent in a sarcastic way. Duo couldn't help a few snickers of his own while watching the others. This was entertaining, and the others hadn't seemed to notice it a bit. While the three were busy conversing over the matters of Nikki's brother, Wufei, Duo, and Heero had easily taken to a conversation of their own. The original was how many mood-swings the young Hispanic woman would have within the next ten minutes. They counted at least five. That, and the medication Nikki had given Heero that he really didn't need, most likely aided in his willingness to add his own input on the random and unimportant conversation. "Yeah guys, we've already decided the movie, the meaning of life, and how to skip out of the next five months of classes that are left and get away with it. Aren't you all done yet?" They'd have time to take in the new information later on how to deal with the war without hurting Derrick. They couldn't give themselves away in public, or to the young woman for that matter. Nikki stopped her attempt to defend herself, pondering the intrusion of the conversation. It was then that she only shook her head and gave a little smile to the watching eyes. Quatre seemed to move right along with the conversation and the mood. "Interesting, though I think that we're a little late for the first showing. We could just grab something more to eat." Quatre was a little surprised still to watch at how much everyone s relaxing and opening up at the time. It was odd when he'd known the others almost completely differently for nearly a year now. That, and he noticed that Trowa's movements had managed to bring him a bit closer towards Nikki's side when the "argument" had taken place. This was going to be hard on him when the time came to return to battle. He just didn't know exactly how much this would hurt the poor guy. "Sounds good. Well, should we then?"
-- Duo placed the virtual controls down on the "Spy-ware 2" game and finally let the next kid in line on the platform. He'd shown off just a little too much for the crowd to watch. Really, who knew that infiltration "missions" came so naturally to the boy? "At least this time the detonator works," came the muffled comment of the American youth. The young man's voice trailed off as the search started once again for another game. The arcade itself was an entire game-plex with nearly every possible choice and no repetition of any games. Well, except for the seven car line-up for the old Nascar raceway. It was here, among the sites, sounds, lights, and laughter that the group dwelled. "Dark-hearts and Demons" had already started by the group's timely arrival, so dinner was moved to first on the agenda. Cobalt eyes peeked in a friendly manner across the game rooms to find that he was not the only one in search. It appeared that Quatre had just tested the virtual roller coaster simulator. Duo had already been on it at least four times since they arrived. "Where'd the others disappear to?" A few steps and Quatre easily caught up to Duo, resting side by side. Hands that still held a shakiness in them brushed back at the stubborn bangs in his view. "Not for sure myself. Heero was messing with the "Safari Mayhem" when I last saw, and Wufei was looking towards the simulator." At the mention of the machine, a smile played quietly over his lips. Laughter came and mischievous eyes found their goal as Duo nodded and led the aristocrat away. What his eyes caught was the game of DDR; music blasting in a techno mix from mounted speakers while the dance pattern lit up in demonstration. "Yeah, I hit up all of those already, but lemme guess; the lovebirds ain't here?" Sofly, Quatre nodded while inserting the playing card and prepared himself. "he's not going to like leaving..."
"I know, man." Duo matched the dance steps as they progressed and got faster, Quatre doing the same. "Neither do I, but we've gotta be reasonable here. We both know he can use that arm just fine." Oops, small slip up. the game took away a few possible points. "Then someone has to let him know that." Heero had caught the two and stood at the rail's edge, watching Duo spook and nearly fall; or rather, jump from the platform. "And you came from where, Mary Poppins?" Again, the cocky youth dropped back into his groove but not before really biffing the last few moves. "Who?" the name didn't sound familiar to the Japanese boy and he was a tad irritated at being called a woman's name. "It's... nothing, Heero. A ... joke." Quatre's voice became a little breathless as he kept it up; barely. Things were starting to get really fast paced. "Fine, but you're right. He knows it as well as we do and he's playing this off for far too long." Quatre finally pulled out of the game, slaughtering the last move. Duo kept up, but slipped up badly, too, before he could beat his challenger's score. "So, who's going to do it?" An uneasy look was exchanged between Duo and Quatre, but finally it was the young American that spoke. "You guys probably are on better terms with each other, Quatre. Still, it's not like we can be nice about this either." "Ill try," spoke the Arabian youth reluctantly. "Although, I'm not sure this is going to be easy even if I do or don't tell him what we've come to a conclusion on."
-meanwhile- The two had decided, more so under Trowa's own reasons, that the game rooms were too hot and noisy. It was because of this that the duo sat out in the crisp air of a late winter evening on the balcony. "It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't so cold out," came a soft musing from the young woman. Nikki was huddled in her own coat and watched the misty breath float with each of her words. Another attempt was made at a conversation, each of the previous ones ending uncomfortably with just as uncomfortable of a silence. Trowa himself sat perched on the railing, looking out over the grounds and further past them to the snowy fields. He'd become so accustomed to being relaxed, that he was letting himself enjoy it to the fullest. "That's always a problem. If it weren't so cold or so warm, it'd always be perfect." A small chuckle came at that, "but then, it'd loose all its beauty." At one time, he would have been rather irritated at the idea of his personal boundaries being crossed so often and so carelessly. Yet now, he listened to Nikki come closer, her shivering form huddled against his shoulder and back, her chin resting against his shoulder like a leaning post. The grin spread into a small smile. "Do you want to go back inside?" "Maybe later." Still, as she spoke, she forced the stutter from her voice and huddled a little closer to his warm frame. "You're a human heater... the one and only. Doesn't the cold bother you? I mean, even after everything.." A small shake of the head followed as he turned back from his watchful and careful eyes. "You get so used to it, it's natural and becomes numb to you. Space is like that often. It's just as beautiful as the earth, but it's always so cold..." He didn't realize he slipped up right away. His earlier story was that he was another war orphan with the others, and he wasn't lying about that. Yet he told her they'd been given a grant and financial aid to help them live on their own as well as Quatre's own fortune helping them. "You never told me you've been to space. What's it like?" The young woman was too cold to think, and so let it go for the time. So he told her all he could, telling her they'd gone to visit the Winner Estate when they were younger. Or, at least told her what "his" past was. What else could he tell her? Yet at his descriptions of the stars and space he'd seen and known, he felt a little more proud as her eyes lit up or when she'd seem lost as if she were there with him. It was then that his mind began to wander back to his meeting with Midi Une and her words. Then, he'd had to be cold and heartless, the world did not show him mercy nor did it seem to want him at all. He wasn't shown any compassion in his eyes, and that's the way he returned it all. Now he found it a little different. It was more than just sisterly affection that Cathy showed him, or more of the friendly, brotherly affection from the other pilots. He realized that he was falling in love, and he wanted it more than anything. "I want to see space someday. We've never had the money to travel, or anywhere to stay. I'm not even sure what I'd do there." Another sigh released another mist of warm breath onto the air. Out of nowhere, a previous occasion popped into her mind, and so she brought it up for conversation. Once again, the one of before had collapsed into a dead end. "You have to admit, since no one else is out here. You liked it." Choking on a breath of winter air, he turned to the close, but smug look of the devious young woman. What was she talking about now? "Excuse me?" "Ticking off Marcy. I've always hated that little wench, but for some reason, she didn't see my death threats as anything more than a "friendly note" until that day." The vision was still clear in Nikki's mind of the second girl's face. Fiery red hair premed on over-kill and her cheeks flushed brighter than her hair in loathing jealousy. She knew he'd deny the kissing part. No one ever kiss and told. Even if she admitted one day without thought that she wouldn't mind doing it again with the boy. Just as she'd admitted in casual conversation without a hesitation, Trowa had a small confession of his own. The worst part was, he couldn't stop his mouth before he could think about what she asked, only because he had the flustering event on his mind. "To tell you the truth, I will admit, I did like the kiss.." It was the her turn now to choke on her breaths. What? "Ahem. Mind telling me in further extent? What brought that out of you?" Giggles were hidden behind a coy smirk. It was rather comical now to watch him attempt to take the words back, flustered and blushing a deep shade of crimson. It wasn't even just red anymore. "No, I thought... but you can't.. that wasn't..," came the struggle to deny it once again but all was in vain. Trowa lost it, an relaxing this much, he was letting everything slip. The excited amusement hung in the air and the giggling laughter finally bubbled out of the girl. Still, she couldn't help but push it a little further in teasing. "You know, you look really adorable when you're this confused. I'm sure you've practiced those puppy-dog eyes..." The childish pout and even more confusion in his features had the girl clinging to the railing, reeling in a fit of laughter. What was she talking about? He was confused and flustered and still attempted to figure out what he had just said that he didn't realize how pathetic he was acting. Why had he just blurted that out? Trowa hadn't even consciously realized he cared for the kiss. Not really, anyway. "No, I don't. Look... Knock it off already." The hardest part was trying to keep a straight face. He didn't know why he couldn't help trying to grin. "All right, be that way." With a smoothing of her shirt and a slight shiver, the youth sat in one of the plastic chairs and watched him for a moment more. Trowa almost didn't know whether he wanted to be mad or laugh it off, or so she found while watching him. With it, she took up shaking again to pass the time and hugging herself to warm up. "Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret." That's what worried the boy. After her "reassuring statement", she'd added a small wink to it. "Right, I'll never live this down. Thanks." Sarcasm, the favorite tool of the cocky. Her continual shivering set him slightly at the edge of guilt. She didn't have to wait out there with him, he just preferred the quiet. She wasn't even using her half hour game card and left it to the other four to decide who could use it. Stepping up behind the youth, he stripped the jacket easily from his own shoulders, laying it across hers. Nikki instantly sank beneath the warmth of the second jacket, grinning a little more. Yet still, her eyes glanced at the small watch on her wrist, before the young woman stood. "Well, looks like you won't have to "freeze for valor" too much, wonder boy. We should be getting across the street." Another smirk came to the now composed features of the young pilot, not minding the cold quite yet. "Or rather, pull them from their games. I think they've found themselves quite at home..." Turning back at the challenge of another conversation, Nikki let their close space stay as was for the time. "In other words, we should ditch them?" "Probably." Small laughter came at the thought. The others might not even notice they ever left. In truth, the young man was actually starting to get a little irritated that the other four hung around so often. It was as if they were the younger siblings hanging around big brother while he was trying to be independent. Still, it took a moment for him to realize just how completely close they were. Nikki lay against his chest as a few yawns overcame her, not really too uncomfortable with the distance lost between the two. He was like a heater and she was frozen from the winds. It wasn't like he was pulling away anytime soon. Instead, she tensed at feeling a strong arm wrap around her back and she only closed her eyes in security. "So, wanna? Or wanna just sit here? I'm comfy." "Thanks a lot, I'm now a public pillow." Yet still, the boy did not move, watching the glass doors as one of his comrades would pass it from time to time, it appeared in search for them. They must not think the two would be outside this late at night. Funny, usually one would expect them to need dragging out of the game rooms. Nikki leaned up, watching him with a grin. "Sure. That, and you said you didn't mind it. We already know I didn't. What the hell, why not go again?" Without giving the boy time to process what he was thinking, though she wasn't quite sure what made her so confident, Nikki leaned up and softly captured his lips once again. Trowa froze in place, dumbfounded once more at how sudden the action was and how outgoing Nikki was. Heck, this was the second time he'd been kissed and all without his consent. Still, the warmth, the odd feeling of it, the closeness of the young woman, it was all so welcome to him. Giving a faint sigh against her lips, he leaned down on his own without control or care of his actions any longer, and let what he'd wanted for so long flood through. A chance to be normal. A chance to give and gain affection. A chance to feel safe and secure and love it all. To feel and be loved. Heero leaned against the counter wall, watching the two and motioning towards his other three companions. He'd been watching for a small while and saw how they acted. The worst part he felt was the nagging of guilt when he knew that the boy would have to be pulled away from where he felt so comfortable. It wasn't able to be helped though, he just knew that this was going to hurt. But would Trowa be able to see the logic that they weren't meant to live these lives, that they were meant to fight and suffer so no one else had to. Or would he break apart and attempt to live what none of them were destined to? 'I'm sorry friend, but you've grown too attached. It's time to leave.' Silver Seraph's Note: Okay okay, I know, it's been an eternity since I last updated this. I ran out of full muse, almost lost the entire plot line, and have been so crammed trying to get all my musicianship honors and participating concerts along with advanced classes of school and now being a 2005 SENIOR! (go me!) I've had a hard time trying to get to this. That, and writing my books I'm hoping to send into a publisher for possible admittance into the literary world of authorship. So.... wish me luck! And I've been working on my writing style as well, having help from my college writing and communications course. All right, I'll work on the next one for this, I'm trying to finish them all! That, and I need to pump out a new chapter for "A Diamond So Dark", finish "Dreams Come True", and I think there's another one.... ugh... goes and attempts to do so, having spent 6 hours on the computer and it is now just a little after midnight on the next day
For Family or Virtues?
})(
"Okay guys, so what are we up to today? Of course, we've got Sir Gimp-a- lot here, so we can't do too awful much." Duo's "friendly cockiness" earned him a warning glance and a rather coy little snicker from Nikki's side of the room. The others only shook their heads softly and turned away to have no part in this. Who'd blame them? Duo liked to dig his own graves, what else was expected of the God of Death? "Well, if Trowa doesn't shoot you first," began the young woman.
Here, slipping the words in casually, Trowa added, "that of which I wouldn't mind..." With a quick glance and daring look from Nikki which seemed to settle the boys with surprisingly less commotion, she continued. "I wasn't sure quite what we were going to do. I've got to catch up on some homework, but really now. Who feels like doing that?" The attempt to hide a smile and giggles came from the mumbled yet louder words of, "well, it isn't really that hard, you're just a huge procrastinator," from Quatre was a failure. Nikki knew it was the truth. If truth be told though, she was one of the greatest procrastinators in time. Make it look easy, and have a lucky ace up your sleeve. Either that, or she knew her fate as well as the rest of the pathetic amateurs. Crash and burn. "Thus my point, who really feels like doing that?" Heero sat, propped up with his elbows on his legs, not so much as listening to the debates going on about him, but something much more that was set to plague his mind. This place wasn't bad, not at all. Of course, it'd be odd to just stay here and "settle in", but he didn't mind it. Usually, it was the other way around. Prussian eyes stared before him more at the spot on a tree, just outside the kitchen window from across the living room floor. 'We have to tonight, there is no excuse for Trowa any more. He's drawing out his own healing process longer than it needs to be. If we were to..." "Don't keel over on us there buddy," came from Duo, a little louder as the others had grown concerned. He seemed so easily concentrated on something more, that he didn't even retort to the more witty comments made by the group about him. That itself snapped Heero from his daydream, though, and sent the confused stare straight into his eyes again. "'You feelin' okay?" Wufei knew what was running through Heero's mind, but why was there such a big problem with it? There never seemed to be before. The others hadn't gotten theirs, but Wufei and Heero were sent the new mission. A group mission. The destruction of the Galileo Base where Trowa had recently been held in captivity. It was an easy infiltration, destruction of the data and combative hangers, and then a full fledged demolition by gundam. Why was this one bothering the Perfect Soldier more than any of the others had? It was then that he spoke, as if in affirmation of his own beliefs of the troubled boy's mind. "Heero, are you feeling ill again?" There was no confusion there, as Wufei had questioned Heero before about his constantly worried nature of this mission. Hesitation didn't get a chance to slip in and settle before the Japanese youth gave a small nod and turned his gaze elsewhere. "What's wrong?" Curious, per usual, Nikki spoke after the boy's unspoken answer. "I'm sure we've got something for it either way." "It's nothing to worry about, really." Well, he hadn't expected the girl to offer up her concern on his part, but Heero answered as casually as possible. Wrong thing to ask, Chang. Nikki on the other hand, sat up and persisted. "If you're worried about it being a problem, it's nothing. What's wrong?" Taking to her feet, the teen watched Heero's face, a little surprised by his own slight confusion on the entire subject. "I bet you there's nothing that I don't have anything to get rid of." 'Are women always this persistent?! Think of something, quickly, very quickly.' The first thing that came to his mind left his lips before he could stop the sounds. "I've just been a little dizzy and tired lately. I told you, it's nothing much." 'Please just leave it at that.' Heero really didn't feel like downing any medication right now, let alone something he didn't need, and on an empty stomach. He never usually bothered too much with it. Instant diagnosis, and what she couldn't see in her willingness to help him, was that he and the others all knew he was trying to evade something more. Nikki thought she was just paranoid. Thinking for only a moment before turning to head back towards the closet, she spoke. "I believe we have that... or something that can work for it. Looks like stress." Meanwhile, from Quatre's small corner on the couch as he kept his voice soft and low, came his small amusement. "You've really got to be kidding me." Only in slight confusion, Trowa spoke up on his own, just as quietly. "A new mission, is it?" Heero only nodded, mumbling rude commentaries under his breath. This was going to be odd and a half, especially if the medicine worked other "wonders" on you when you didn't need it. As the mental images came of what he could possibly do or ruin if the medication was strong, Nikki crossed into the room with the dread. "It's fine, it's not that bad, really." "Stop being a baby, it won't kill you." "Why is that the first thing you think of? Something you're not telling us?" Duo attempted to change the subject casually in hopes the girl would forget. Instead, Nikki handed the pills and the two small cups to Heero, the boy reluctant in receiving them. "To make people like you ask questions that make you look like an idiot." Coy and smooth retort, right off the tongue, and well timed. Just like you like 'em. Within one of the small, disposable cups of paper, was simple faucet water to down the other contents he had with. The second cup filled with more weight than the first, held a substance that looked more like thick blood. Slowly, like molasses, it moved at any uneven plane. Bold and deep red was the coloration, while the scent of it was more like that of soggy tree bark. Rolling in the palm of the unmoving hand were two smaller pills, appearing as aspirin, but they held more of a sedative-like mixture within them. A strong gulp, and Heero nearly pushed them away. He didn't like the path this choice was traveling already. Yet another voice stopped him, and he knew it all to be true. They all might look suspicious if otherwise was known, and if Nikki realized she was being lied to. "You answered and dug yourself the grave. Just close the coffin and we'll let it go from there." Trowa spoke up this time, answered by a "smooth one" from Duo and a suggestion of "just get it over with" from Wufei. Still, the young man had to admit, this was a bit amusing. "Will you all stop acting like it's poison?" Nikki stared with more of an indignant gaze at the young men seated in her living room. What was the deal? "Here.." Heero held it off as long as he could, watching the Hispanic youth go to rummage in the kitchen cupboards. After a few minutes and his attempts to "accidentally" get rid of or drop the contents in his hands, she returned with another small bottle. What was he, a lab experiment?! He didn't have any clue as to what this would do to him, let alone what it was for. "Don't tell me I..." Nikki interrupted at this. "No, it's mint flavoring. Do you have a problem with this?" At his hesitation and final shake of the head, she tipped a few of the droplets into the soupy-filled cup, before staring him down. One could swear, it was mother vs. the child. A quick glance, hardly noticeable, was given to the youth's four comrades. If he backed out now, she could find out he was hiding something, easily. Why had he been so stupid as to worry about it now, in front of her? When Nikki's brown eyes narrowed, that was it, bottoms up. The pills were tossed with ease into the back of his throat, swallowed before he had time to think, or time to taste them dissolving. A flush of water followed it instant, and then came the interesting part. The second cup was tipped at his lips, the mint flavor and smell strong and gagging. Quatre couldn't help but watch with a cringe and worried smile in place the entire time. Heero took the medication well enough, though he became more concerned when the youth had to stop and swallow hard a few times just to clear his throat. The rest of the water he had followed almost instantly. Interesting little ordeal, now isn't it? Yet still, in the end, he couldn't help but to be a little amused himself. Shivers ran down his spine as if on instinct, and Heero looked the other way, dropping the cup to the table. It was like swallowing smoke and fire, it didn't disappear. The taste was like grass and mint and dirt, but almost instantly settled any paranoid feelings he had. Still, the concern over what would happen plagued him, at least for the moment. Duo meanwhile, crossed his glance back towards Heero's form who didn't find the medication too appealing. "You still breathing over there buddy?" A glare was sent his way in response, as well as a quick and sharp slap in the upper shoulder by the young woman. "Guess so." Trowa only but shook his head with a faint smile playing over his lips; this would be quite the interesting night. "So, what exactly were you planning there, Nikki?" If they didn't change the subject, Heero might find the coordination to injure Duo for his comment. That, and for Quatre's soft snickering in the corner. It was as if the idea of actually doing something was an entirely new concept to the girl, and for a moment, she was quiet in thought. She had enough money to go out with the guys for the night, which in and of itself, was more rare these days than anything. Her brother wasn't home to care much about it, again at work as he always was. Derrick couldn't really stop her with that. An idea dawned on her then and her hazel-chocolate eyes lit up with a mischievous little flame. "There's nothing to eat here, even if the fridge is half full. I'm getting tired of the 'broke foods" here. Why don't we go out? I know a pretty good place just in town, and the movies are right by it. It'll easy enough, we can easily go to the arcades." Food, movies, and games. Well, what a surprise! Duo instantly piped up at this with the exclamation of, "It's pure brilliance!" "He does know how to use big words..." came the muffled retort from Wufei. HE liked being a smart-ass, it was interesting to see everyone's reaction. Besides that, he'd always been one at heart, just not much to joke about. "Hey now! I can be smart when I want to be, but usually I just tend to be a smart-ass before anything els-" A slap in the arm once more stopped him. "Watch it in this house, I already told you." Nikki liked to hold more of an intellectual speed in the house. "Wait a minute, you were going on and about it last time with Fohn and half of the words that came out of your mouth were worse than THAT!" Here, Duo attempted to defend himself, even if he knew that it wouldn't really be of any help later on. Things like that just didn't work in his favor, women were always right, even if they were wrong. "That's because it came out of mine, not yours. I'm allowed." A coy smirk twisted her lips and the youth caught the smiles and laughter from the others. Duo didn't seem to find it as fnny, too bad. Hi sonly problem was that he couldn't stop his own little grin from tracing his lips. "Jee, thanks a lot mom." Turning, he dodged the next slap with a little jeering laughter. "Problems?" Nikki pursed her lips to keep from giggling and managed through more than just gritted teeth, "No, just worried for your mental instability and how much trouble it'll cost you." "All right, before we've got another World War here," intruded Quatre who had managed to stand and break apart the two challengers. THe young American mumbled something along the lines of "thanks for saving her the humiliation" while Nikki just snickered and stepped back. "it does sound like a good idea and like fun. To go out for the night. But if we don't go now, we'll never get going and then we'll never make through the night with you two." Trowa stood, using the support from the arm of the chair and only swayed a moment. It was as if OZ had beaten the entire of his balance out of him in interrogation. Yet after a moment's pause he stood perfectly fine, readjusting his arm within the sling. It was evident that Trowa didn't like the contraption or the constant restriction of using the limb. Things like that just weren't natural to him. Still, he never told the girl or the others that the arm was feeling much better with little to no pain or trouble to himself. Unconsciously, he knew that his time to relax and be normal was drawing closer to an end. He'd nearly spent a month at the Hernandez's already. It was getting to the point where he'd have to go back to the battlefield. The major question was, could he force himself to go back to that life? "Well then, we should probably get going. Your brother won't mind, will he?" Trowa had become familiar with the "do's" and "don'ts" around Derrick himself. Usually, he'd question his little sister. Cocking her head his way, Nikki watched Trowa a moment more. He seemed to be dwelling on something that he didn't care for in the slightest. Like a nightmare he o confront to figure out what exactly it was. Drawing out the first word, she only gave up on her own questions of what these guys were so depressed about. "I'm the one that offered and I'm sure he won't have a problem; he's never home anyway. That, and he'll be away for a while--in training." "Training?" This came from Heero, finally. He didn't like the sound of the word itself, but maybe he was just overreacting. "We can't afford much anymore. He... He's signed into the federation as a soldier in training--for the OZ federation." The words felt dirty in her mouth and on her lips; nasty and putrid. She continued, unseeing of the large cringe that swept over the five before her, gazing stead at the ground. "He already signed up and the starting pay they've offered to him is rather high. We just," Nikki began to trail off in her speech. She was admitting to her loss of pride now. "We can't get by anymore. I don't want to drop out, but I've offered so I can get a job. That, and if mi hermano keeps this job, it'll be the only one he needs. He won't have to work so hard anymore." The lump in Trowa's throat was swallowed hard and he nearly choked on the air that came back in its place. 'Why of all things?!' "Where is he stationed?" As he spoke, the tone was made as casual as possible in only a "curiousness". Flopping half-heartedly into the lazy boy and attempting to recall the information her brother had quickly rattled off before his departure, she spoke in a more depressed manner now. Much like the five teens before her seemed to have felt. "The Napoleonic Base. Only about an hour's drive from here. From there, he's being sent to Fort Briarton." Wufei settled and released the tension in his body at her answer, yet not in full. "I've heard of it." That's all he said in turn while the others still kept silent. He was just glad that it wasn't the Galileo Base. It'd be just what they needed to complicate everything over. Quatre, however, didn't really seem too interested in relaxing just yet. This wasn't good. He didn't want to hurt Nikki or her brother; they were the last of their family line. They were all each other had left. Yet, the way the war turns, he didn't want to be the one that ended up putting her through the same pain he suffered when his father left them. "I don't think... can't he find any other jobs? I mean, you've already expressed your feelings about this war. And it'd be dangerous, being put out on the field. I think the specialists are the only ones that get the "office jobs" and..." With a growl, the young woman snapped back without meaning for her words to be that malicious. "We can't do anything about that now that we're on our own. Besides, what else could we do?" The slightest cringe of the boy silenced her words and replaced it with a deep sigh, only giving a moment's hesitation before continuing. She hated to admit that they didn't have the money; that they had to scrap for groceries each week to every other week. Besides that, she was also admitting that she couldn't hate the war without being a part of it now. That she couldn't stay like she'd tried to stay out of the condemned fighting in any and every way. Before Nikki could get out another word, it appeared possibly of apology, a voice spoke that surprised everyone just a little more. "Sorry if I'm really interrupting your entire soap opera here, but the rest of us as bystanders are getting rather bored. What are we going to do?" Heero shot it off easily and with a casual air, having managed to get up and get himself, as well as Duo, a glass of water without being caught. "We've already gone through three conversations here and you're still not done?" Picking up the glass, he only sipped at the contents absentmindedly, his tone rather calmed and almost innocent in a sarcastic way. Duo couldn't help a few snickers of his own while watching the others. This was entertaining, and the others hadn't seemed to notice it a bit. While the three were busy conversing over the matters of Nikki's brother, Wufei, Duo, and Heero had easily taken to a conversation of their own. The original was how many mood-swings the young Hispanic woman would have within the next ten minutes. They counted at least five. That, and the medication Nikki had given Heero that he really didn't need, most likely aided in his willingness to add his own input on the random and unimportant conversation. "Yeah guys, we've already decided the movie, the meaning of life, and how to skip out of the next five months of classes that are left and get away with it. Aren't you all done yet?" They'd have time to take in the new information later on how to deal with the war without hurting Derrick. They couldn't give themselves away in public, or to the young woman for that matter. Nikki stopped her attempt to defend herself, pondering the intrusion of the conversation. It was then that she only shook her head and gave a little smile to the watching eyes. Quatre seemed to move right along with the conversation and the mood. "Interesting, though I think that we're a little late for the first showing. We could just grab something more to eat." Quatre was a little surprised still to watch at how much everyone s relaxing and opening up at the time. It was odd when he'd known the others almost completely differently for nearly a year now. That, and he noticed that Trowa's movements had managed to bring him a bit closer towards Nikki's side when the "argument" had taken place. This was going to be hard on him when the time came to return to battle. He just didn't know exactly how much this would hurt the poor guy. "Sounds good. Well, should we then?"
-- Duo placed the virtual controls down on the "Spy-ware 2" game and finally let the next kid in line on the platform. He'd shown off just a little too much for the crowd to watch. Really, who knew that infiltration "missions" came so naturally to the boy? "At least this time the detonator works," came the muffled comment of the American youth. The young man's voice trailed off as the search started once again for another game. The arcade itself was an entire game-plex with nearly every possible choice and no repetition of any games. Well, except for the seven car line-up for the old Nascar raceway. It was here, among the sites, sounds, lights, and laughter that the group dwelled. "Dark-hearts and Demons" had already started by the group's timely arrival, so dinner was moved to first on the agenda. Cobalt eyes peeked in a friendly manner across the game rooms to find that he was not the only one in search. It appeared that Quatre had just tested the virtual roller coaster simulator. Duo had already been on it at least four times since they arrived. "Where'd the others disappear to?" A few steps and Quatre easily caught up to Duo, resting side by side. Hands that still held a shakiness in them brushed back at the stubborn bangs in his view. "Not for sure myself. Heero was messing with the "Safari Mayhem" when I last saw, and Wufei was looking towards the simulator." At the mention of the machine, a smile played quietly over his lips. Laughter came and mischievous eyes found their goal as Duo nodded and led the aristocrat away. What his eyes caught was the game of DDR; music blasting in a techno mix from mounted speakers while the dance pattern lit up in demonstration. "Yeah, I hit up all of those already, but lemme guess; the lovebirds ain't here?" Sofly, Quatre nodded while inserting the playing card and prepared himself. "he's not going to like leaving..."
"I know, man." Duo matched the dance steps as they progressed and got faster, Quatre doing the same. "Neither do I, but we've gotta be reasonable here. We both know he can use that arm just fine." Oops, small slip up. the game took away a few possible points. "Then someone has to let him know that." Heero had caught the two and stood at the rail's edge, watching Duo spook and nearly fall; or rather, jump from the platform. "And you came from where, Mary Poppins?" Again, the cocky youth dropped back into his groove but not before really biffing the last few moves. "Who?" the name didn't sound familiar to the Japanese boy and he was a tad irritated at being called a woman's name. "It's... nothing, Heero. A ... joke." Quatre's voice became a little breathless as he kept it up; barely. Things were starting to get really fast paced. "Fine, but you're right. He knows it as well as we do and he's playing this off for far too long." Quatre finally pulled out of the game, slaughtering the last move. Duo kept up, but slipped up badly, too, before he could beat his challenger's score. "So, who's going to do it?" An uneasy look was exchanged between Duo and Quatre, but finally it was the young American that spoke. "You guys probably are on better terms with each other, Quatre. Still, it's not like we can be nice about this either." "Ill try," spoke the Arabian youth reluctantly. "Although, I'm not sure this is going to be easy even if I do or don't tell him what we've come to a conclusion on."
-meanwhile- The two had decided, more so under Trowa's own reasons, that the game rooms were too hot and noisy. It was because of this that the duo sat out in the crisp air of a late winter evening on the balcony. "It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't so cold out," came a soft musing from the young woman. Nikki was huddled in her own coat and watched the misty breath float with each of her words. Another attempt was made at a conversation, each of the previous ones ending uncomfortably with just as uncomfortable of a silence. Trowa himself sat perched on the railing, looking out over the grounds and further past them to the snowy fields. He'd become so accustomed to being relaxed, that he was letting himself enjoy it to the fullest. "That's always a problem. If it weren't so cold or so warm, it'd always be perfect." A small chuckle came at that, "but then, it'd loose all its beauty." At one time, he would have been rather irritated at the idea of his personal boundaries being crossed so often and so carelessly. Yet now, he listened to Nikki come closer, her shivering form huddled against his shoulder and back, her chin resting against his shoulder like a leaning post. The grin spread into a small smile. "Do you want to go back inside?" "Maybe later." Still, as she spoke, she forced the stutter from her voice and huddled a little closer to his warm frame. "You're a human heater... the one and only. Doesn't the cold bother you? I mean, even after everything.." A small shake of the head followed as he turned back from his watchful and careful eyes. "You get so used to it, it's natural and becomes numb to you. Space is like that often. It's just as beautiful as the earth, but it's always so cold..." He didn't realize he slipped up right away. His earlier story was that he was another war orphan with the others, and he wasn't lying about that. Yet he told her they'd been given a grant and financial aid to help them live on their own as well as Quatre's own fortune helping them. "You never told me you've been to space. What's it like?" The young woman was too cold to think, and so let it go for the time. So he told her all he could, telling her they'd gone to visit the Winner Estate when they were younger. Or, at least told her what "his" past was. What else could he tell her? Yet at his descriptions of the stars and space he'd seen and known, he felt a little more proud as her eyes lit up or when she'd seem lost as if she were there with him. It was then that his mind began to wander back to his meeting with Midi Une and her words. Then, he'd had to be cold and heartless, the world did not show him mercy nor did it seem to want him at all. He wasn't shown any compassion in his eyes, and that's the way he returned it all. Now he found it a little different. It was more than just sisterly affection that Cathy showed him, or more of the friendly, brotherly affection from the other pilots. He realized that he was falling in love, and he wanted it more than anything. "I want to see space someday. We've never had the money to travel, or anywhere to stay. I'm not even sure what I'd do there." Another sigh released another mist of warm breath onto the air. Out of nowhere, a previous occasion popped into her mind, and so she brought it up for conversation. Once again, the one of before had collapsed into a dead end. "You have to admit, since no one else is out here. You liked it." Choking on a breath of winter air, he turned to the close, but smug look of the devious young woman. What was she talking about now? "Excuse me?" "Ticking off Marcy. I've always hated that little wench, but for some reason, she didn't see my death threats as anything more than a "friendly note" until that day." The vision was still clear in Nikki's mind of the second girl's face. Fiery red hair premed on over-kill and her cheeks flushed brighter than her hair in loathing jealousy. She knew he'd deny the kissing part. No one ever kiss and told. Even if she admitted one day without thought that she wouldn't mind doing it again with the boy. Just as she'd admitted in casual conversation without a hesitation, Trowa had a small confession of his own. The worst part was, he couldn't stop his mouth before he could think about what she asked, only because he had the flustering event on his mind. "To tell you the truth, I will admit, I did like the kiss.." It was the her turn now to choke on her breaths. What? "Ahem. Mind telling me in further extent? What brought that out of you?" Giggles were hidden behind a coy smirk. It was rather comical now to watch him attempt to take the words back, flustered and blushing a deep shade of crimson. It wasn't even just red anymore. "No, I thought... but you can't.. that wasn't..," came the struggle to deny it once again but all was in vain. Trowa lost it, an relaxing this much, he was letting everything slip. The excited amusement hung in the air and the giggling laughter finally bubbled out of the girl. Still, she couldn't help but push it a little further in teasing. "You know, you look really adorable when you're this confused. I'm sure you've practiced those puppy-dog eyes..." The childish pout and even more confusion in his features had the girl clinging to the railing, reeling in a fit of laughter. What was she talking about? He was confused and flustered and still attempted to figure out what he had just said that he didn't realize how pathetic he was acting. Why had he just blurted that out? Trowa hadn't even consciously realized he cared for the kiss. Not really, anyway. "No, I don't. Look... Knock it off already." The hardest part was trying to keep a straight face. He didn't know why he couldn't help trying to grin. "All right, be that way." With a smoothing of her shirt and a slight shiver, the youth sat in one of the plastic chairs and watched him for a moment more. Trowa almost didn't know whether he wanted to be mad or laugh it off, or so she found while watching him. With it, she took up shaking again to pass the time and hugging herself to warm up. "Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret." That's what worried the boy. After her "reassuring statement", she'd added a small wink to it. "Right, I'll never live this down. Thanks." Sarcasm, the favorite tool of the cocky. Her continual shivering set him slightly at the edge of guilt. She didn't have to wait out there with him, he just preferred the quiet. She wasn't even using her half hour game card and left it to the other four to decide who could use it. Stepping up behind the youth, he stripped the jacket easily from his own shoulders, laying it across hers. Nikki instantly sank beneath the warmth of the second jacket, grinning a little more. Yet still, her eyes glanced at the small watch on her wrist, before the young woman stood. "Well, looks like you won't have to "freeze for valor" too much, wonder boy. We should be getting across the street." Another smirk came to the now composed features of the young pilot, not minding the cold quite yet. "Or rather, pull them from their games. I think they've found themselves quite at home..." Turning back at the challenge of another conversation, Nikki let their close space stay as was for the time. "In other words, we should ditch them?" "Probably." Small laughter came at the thought. The others might not even notice they ever left. In truth, the young man was actually starting to get a little irritated that the other four hung around so often. It was as if they were the younger siblings hanging around big brother while he was trying to be independent. Still, it took a moment for him to realize just how completely close they were. Nikki lay against his chest as a few yawns overcame her, not really too uncomfortable with the distance lost between the two. He was like a heater and she was frozen from the winds. It wasn't like he was pulling away anytime soon. Instead, she tensed at feeling a strong arm wrap around her back and she only closed her eyes in security. "So, wanna? Or wanna just sit here? I'm comfy." "Thanks a lot, I'm now a public pillow." Yet still, the boy did not move, watching the glass doors as one of his comrades would pass it from time to time, it appeared in search for them. They must not think the two would be outside this late at night. Funny, usually one would expect them to need dragging out of the game rooms. Nikki leaned up, watching him with a grin. "Sure. That, and you said you didn't mind it. We already know I didn't. What the hell, why not go again?" Without giving the boy time to process what he was thinking, though she wasn't quite sure what made her so confident, Nikki leaned up and softly captured his lips once again. Trowa froze in place, dumbfounded once more at how sudden the action was and how outgoing Nikki was. Heck, this was the second time he'd been kissed and all without his consent. Still, the warmth, the odd feeling of it, the closeness of the young woman, it was all so welcome to him. Giving a faint sigh against her lips, he leaned down on his own without control or care of his actions any longer, and let what he'd wanted for so long flood through. A chance to be normal. A chance to give and gain affection. A chance to feel safe and secure and love it all. To feel and be loved. Heero leaned against the counter wall, watching the two and motioning towards his other three companions. He'd been watching for a small while and saw how they acted. The worst part he felt was the nagging of guilt when he knew that the boy would have to be pulled away from where he felt so comfortable. It wasn't able to be helped though, he just knew that this was going to hurt. But would Trowa be able to see the logic that they weren't meant to live these lives, that they were meant to fight and suffer so no one else had to. Or would he break apart and attempt to live what none of them were destined to? 'I'm sorry friend, but you've grown too attached. It's time to leave.' Silver Seraph's Note: Okay okay, I know, it's been an eternity since I last updated this. I ran out of full muse, almost lost the entire plot line, and have been so crammed trying to get all my musicianship honors and participating concerts along with advanced classes of school and now being a 2005 SENIOR! (go me!) I've had a hard time trying to get to this. That, and writing my books I'm hoping to send into a publisher for possible admittance into the literary world of authorship. So.... wish me luck! And I've been working on my writing style as well, having help from my college writing and communications course. All right, I'll work on the next one for this, I'm trying to finish them all! That, and I need to pump out a new chapter for "A Diamond So Dark", finish "Dreams Come True", and I think there's another one.... ugh... goes and attempts to do so, having spent 6 hours on the computer and it is now just a little after midnight on the next day