Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is not mine. For those of you who are wondering what is up with Trowa, I'm trying to stick to the whole stoic in public, intense in private thing here. Hope that's clearer in this chapter... (And now ya'll know why I usually stick to 1x2!)

Judith did have some major changes in mind. She had decided that my schedule was too full and too stressful for just me.

"It took four of us to cover it, Quatre, and it stressed us out. There is no way you would be allowed to continue it." She gave me a significant look. "Especially now. Sereh feels that stress will merely accelerate your condition." I nodded in acknowledgement. "I know Father left WEI set up so that all the decisions had to go through the head of it, but it's insane." She handed me a file folder. "I think we need to split the job up into parts- divide the responsibility." She gave me an anxious look as if she expected me to disagree.

"It would be great, if you and the others are willing..."

"More than willing, little brother." Judith smiled widely; thankful I was going to acquiesce. "Rhys, Naka, Mairi and I enjoyed the challenge- stressful as it was. Between the 5 of us we should be able to keep the company running easily."

"So, you've divided up the responsibilities?" Judith pulled out a sheet of paper.

"This is my plan. We are also going to adjust your workday, Quatre. No more 7am to 10 pm."

"Really?" How could they manage that?

"You need the rest," she said stubbornly, taking my confusion for disagreement. "Sereh said rest would help and so rest, you'll get. Your workday is now 8 to 12. If we have an emergency, we'll call you." Only four hours?

"But that's not fair..."

"Quatre, you've been working night and day for 4 years. It's more than fair." She glared at me. "And we are not taking no for an answer."

"Very well," I sighed. Remember what I said about overprotective siblings?

The rest of my morning meetings went smoothly. I had a lunchtime meeting out at a restaurant, and Trowa and Rashid took over for Auda and Abdul. Rashid sat in front with the driver while Trowa joined me in the back of the car. I made sure the privacy screen was up.

"Trowa, what about the circus?" I asked him once we were alone.

"I left," he said quietly. "You're more important to me." He wrapped his fingers around mine and squeezed them tightly.

"What about Cathy and Fei?"

"Cathy understands- she's going to use Fei as her target now." Trowa smiled.

"Great, bet he's pleased."

"He volunteered when I told them I wanted to be with you." Trowa looked down at the planner in his lap. "Sereh wants to see you after lunch today. I told her about your attack last night."

"Trowa," I started before he shushed me.

"Don't even try. She needs to know." He looked up and met my eyes. "If your condition is worsening, we need to take steps." His fingers tightened a bit more.

"True," I agreed, unable to argue with him on that point.

My lunchtime meeting went smoothly, and we got to Sereh's office on time. To my surprise, an older Chinese gentleman was waiting with her.

"Mr. Winner? I am Dr. Wong. Chang Wufei asked me to take a look at your case."

"Thank you," I told him. "I am grateful you could take the time for me." Dr. Wong made a dismissive gesture.

"I owe the boy, and besides, your case is intriguing. The way that your doctor integrated his device with your heart is ingenious. You realize that it is an organic-based machine?"

"Yes, that's what he told me."

"Dr. Winner has been sharing your last test results with me. I understand you had a bad attack last night?" I looked over to where Trowa stood by the door and he nodded at me.

"Yes."

"Can you describe the sensation?"

"It was hard to breathe- like being squeezed- or twisted. My heart felt like it was having trouble beating. It hurt."

"How long did it last?" I thought about it, but I had no sense of time- it had seemed to go on for a long time.

"I... don't know..."

"About 3 minutes," Trowa said, and I heard the tension in his voice. Three minutes? That was all? Gods, it had felt longer!

"You were there Mr.-?"

"Barton." Trowa pushed himself away from the wall and joined us. "I'm Mr. Winner's personal guard."

"Ah. Good. Tell me- did he change color? Get pale or turn red?"

"Pale."

"Breathing?"

"He was panting- having trouble getting air in."

"Sweating?"

"Yes." Trowa was answering him calmly, but I knew that underneath that calm exterior he was anything but. Fear for me radiated off of him.

"Hmm," Dr. Wong turned back to Sereh. "Dr. Winner, could you run these tests on Mr. Winner for me again?" Dr. Wong asked. "I want to see if the attack changed any of these results."

"Of course." Sereh agreed and I sighed. Trowa caught my eye and frowned at me, obviously recognizing my expression.

So I let Sereh run her tests again with no complaint. When she was finished she and Dr. Wong bent their heads over the results while I tugged my shirt back on. Trowa came to stand by me while we waited for the doctors.

"You okay?" I asked him quietly.

"Can't wait to be back home with you," he told me softly with a glance towards the doctors and I understood.

"Me too."

I heard Dr. Wong say something in a sharp shocked voice and Sereh exclaimed softly in reply. I looked towards them and saw that Sereh had tears streaking down her face.

"Oh no," Trowa tensed beside me. Sereh looked up at us and I saw her take a deep breath to compose herself.

"Quatre," she started shakily and had to take another deep breath. "I don't know how to tell you this...."