Ok, I know Trowa is extremely out of character here…but then again, Heero is a bit Ooc too. But, who knows? People can change. And about Heero praying for a girl…it might be a little bit of an exaggeration…yes, he may hope for a girl, but he wouldn't beat his head against the wall if it wasn't.

Just clearing that up...

Chapter 11: Eyes on Me

Ashi froze, her hand clutching the door knob. "Trowa…"

"Hello, Ashi. You look lovely tonight."

"I…I…uh…thank you."

Trowa smiled. She's already flustered…perfect.

Ashi turned her head in all directions, as if looking for someone. "Ah…where's Middi?"

"Oh, Middi?" he shrugged. "She's not coming…"

"Not coming?"

"Yeah…the engagement is called off."

Ashi cocked her head. Called off?! Just a few days ago they were making wedding arrangements…why the sudden turn of events?

She felt Trowa's eyes on her and immediately felt uncomfortable.

"Trowa!" Catherine called out, running to her brother and giving him a big hug.

"Merry Christmas, Cathy." Trowa said, returning the hug and nodding to Quatre who was by Catherine's side.

"Good Evening, Trowa. Glad you could come." Quatre said, extending his hand to his brother-in-law.

Trowa clasped Quatre's hand in a hand shake. "Glad I could come." He replied.

This gave Ashi a perfect time to escape Trowa's penetrating stare. She walked back over to Duo's side, the long, flowly material of her black dress swaying in every direction.

Duo had a concerned look on his face. "Are you alright?"

Ashi nodded, and looped her arm through his. "I'm fine."

That was half the truth. Just two days ago, Trowa was engaged and now he wasn't.

Why is he staring at me like that?

Quatre's voice broke into her thoughts. "Well, now that everyone is here…anyone opposed to starting dinner?"

Duo and Ashi smiled at each other.

Duo grinned. "Shall we?"

Ashi nodded, grateful for the distraction.

But Ashi wouldn't be distracted, for Ashi was seated between Duo and Trowa.

Throughout the meal, Trowa would stare at her and touch her in subtle ways…such as his hand brushing hers as he passed her plate of food, or Trowa's hand or knee brushing against her leg every time she crossed her legs.

It made Ashi uncomfortable, despite her desperate attempts to focus her attention on Duo and trying to enjoy her meal. She wondered if anyone could notice Trowa's behavior.

Duo noticed Ashi's discomfort. He leaned over and whispered, "Are you ok?"

Duo looked into Ashi's eyes and knew right away that it was a lie, but didn't say anything.

She'll get mad if I say so otherwise…I'll talk about it with her later tonight.

"That was a wonderful dinner, Catherine and Quatre." Relena complimented.

Heero laughed and rubbed Relena's stomach. "It must've been good…you had how many helpings of each dish."

Relena laughed. "Well…I am eating for two."

"Hn."

That caused everyone to laugh, except for Trowa.

"Yeah, who knew you cooked, Quat-man." Duo added.

Quatre laughed and put his arm around Catherine. "Cathy deserves most of the credit. She's the queen of the kitchen." He said, kissing her on the cheek.

"You're putting the Maganacs outta business." Sally said with a chuckle.

Catherine smiled. "Well…to tell you the truth, I don't cook all the time….but lately I have done most of the cooking. I guess its an old habit, you know. Being so used to not having people do everything in my beck and call."

"Well then…what's a wonderful dinner without some entertainment, hmmm?" Quatre suggested.

Relena's eyes lit up. "Oh yes…Quatre, why don't you play your violin?"

"Oh, I don't know…perhaps I should give someone else a change, you are my guests…hey…" Quatre looked at Ashi. "Why don't you play on the piano here?"

"Yeah!" Duo said, adding in the enthusiasm. "It's been ages since I've last heard you play…come on, Ashi-sama!"

"You play the piano, Ashi?" Sally asked. "Wufei…why didn't you tell me that she plays the piano?"

Wufei shrugged. "You never asked…"

"Yes, Ashi. I love piano music." Relena said.

"Hn. I almost forgot you played the piano…" Heero added.

"I would like to hear you play as well, Ashi." Trowa said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, giving her another one of his piercing glances.

Duo laughed. "You're outnumbered…cant weasel outta this one."

Ashi glared, but ended up smiling and laughed. "You guys are so mean…"

"Come on, now." Quatre said, pointing to the grand piano.

"The stool to the piano opens up…it has some sheet music if you need any." Catherine offered.

Ashi shook her head and smiled. "I wont need any sheet music for this one."

She walked over to the piano stool and sat on it. "Let's see now…it's been so long. I may be a bit rusty…" She said, closing her eyes, concentrating.

Then her fingers played over the keys.

"Oh…this was Sister Helen's favorite song." Duo said more to himself.

"Ave Maria…" Ashi sang as she played the tune, her arms stiffening a bit with emotion.

Ave maria
Maiden mild!

Oh, listen to a maiden's prayer
For thou canst hear amid the wild

'tis thou, 'tis thou canst save amid dispair
We slumber safely till the morrow
Though we've by man outcast reviled

Oh, maiden, see a maiden's sorrow
Oh, mother, hear a suppliant child!

Ave maria
Ave maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum

The murky cavern's air so heavy
Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled

Oh, maiden, hear a maiden pleadin'
Oh, mother, hear a suppliant child

Ave maria
Ave maria

When the song finally ended Ashi opened her eyes, two tears trickled down her cheeks.

"Are you alright, Ashi?" Quatre asked.

Ashi wiped away at the tears. "Yeah, I'm fine…it just brought back some…memories…"

Duo was blinking back tears as well. Ashi…Sister Helen must be smiling down from Heaven, because you played her song. Duo thought, a wistful smile on his face and eyes slightly misting over.

"That was beautiful, Ashi…just beautiful…wasn't it beautiful, everyone?" Quatre said. (Hey, he said "beautiful" a lot in this one scene at the beginning episodes. He said "it's beautiful" like 4 friggin' times!)

Everyone nodded and uttered comments in reply. (Blarg…I don't feel like making every single comment from every single person in the room)

Ashi got off of the piano stool. "Next."

"I would like to play next." Trowa said. "Just let me get my flute from the car…"

He left the house and a few minutes later returned with his flute. "I wont need any sheet music for this, as well."

He put the flute to his lips and started to play:

You never sang my song
From this day, on my own
You never said my words…
Wishing they could be heard.

A small gasp escaped from Ashi's lips. Th-that's…!

I saw you smiling at me…
Was it real or just my fantasy?
You'd always be there in the corner
From this time, a little bar.

My last night here with you…
Same old songs just once more
My last night here with you…
Maybe yes, maybe no.

I kind of liked it your way,
How you shyly placed your eyes on me.
Did you ever know…
That I had mine on you?

Ashi stepped back. …Our song…

Darling so there you are…
With that look on your face.
As if you never hurt…
As if you never doubt.
Shall I be the one for you?
Who pinches you softly, yet sure.
If frown is shown then…
I know that you are no dreamer.

Ashi's heart was thudding against her chest. She wanted to scream.

"E-excuse me." She said.

She didn't even wait for anyone to respond as she walked out of the large family room to run upstairs to the balcony.

I just want to be alone for a few minutes…Trowa Barton…just who do you think you are?! What do you think you're doing?!