Notes and disclaimers: Okay so I don't own Gundam Wing but I own the Satostyee family (Keiko, Nataski, Nanaskae and Akirra), and Coldblade. I also own Starlight. All the other characters I could care less about. Oh, personally I haven't seen the Ring, but I heard from a couple of people that it was kinda scary. So sorry if I was wrong, but that's how I'm gonna use it. Even the best of the assassin must have some kind of weakness, don'tcha think?

Chapter 6

Twenty minutes into the movie, Keiko curled in her seat, goosebumps all over her exposed skin and trying not to lean toward her date. She had her pride and she'd rather suffer and be cold than tell Trowa she was freezing. It wasn't until Trowa glanced over at his date and found her huddling in her seat that he realized she was cold.

"Would you like to use my jacket?" he leaned over and whispered.

She nodded numbly and was handed his jean jacket, in which she promptly slid her arms into. She ceased shivering and uncurled most of her position but she was still a bit cold. Trowa finally pushed up the armrest in between them and pulled Keiko closer to lean into his body. An arm went around her shoulders, Keiko tried not to snuggle against his side, but he was so warm!

Finally warm enough to fully pay attention to the movie, Keiko realized it was a horror film. She hated horror films! They always caused her to have nightmares. A couple of times Keiko hid her face against Trowa and during those times his arm tightened comfortingly around her shoulders. He was privately surprised that the movie frightened her. He assumed that since she was an assassin-trained bodyguard she wouldn't have any fears. But throughout the rest of the movie, Trowa kept a comforting arm around the girl.

The movie ended with Keiko fully snuggled in the jean jacket and Trowa's side.

"Let's go, you'll warm up more when we get outside." He said in a quiet voice.

"I'm actually quite warm right now." She said with a shy smile. They walked arm in arm into the lobby where they were surprisingly joined by Duo.

"Hey Syria, Trowa!" the braided man said.

Keiko turned, caught off guard from being relaxed. She hated being caught by surprise! People were usually dead when they were caught unawares.

"Oh hey!" Keiko replied, while Trowa said, "What movie were you here for?"

"Signs. You?" Duo replied with a grin. He too, like Starlight, tried to take matchmaking into his own hands.

"The Ring." Trowa replied immediately.

"Well, I just walked outside and it has begun to rain!" Duo added.

"Thanks, we'll see you later." Trowa said. He started to walked, but Keiko said,

"Wait, uh…Duo?" Keiko stuttered.

"What?" Duo asked curiously.

Well, you know those specialists I trained with?" At Duo's nod Keiko continued, "They were assassins. I trained with assassins."

Duo's mouth visibly dropped as Keiko and Trowa walked away. As they went through the doors and stood under the canopy, Keiko critically eyed the downpour. Feeling suddenly chilled Keiko pulled Trowa's jacket tighter around her. She brushed up against him while darting her gaze at the rain and then down at herself.

"So, wanna make a run for it?" he asked.

"Sure, but let me carry my sandals." She replied. She slipped out of the said objects and clutched them with one hand while her other clutched the jacket and her purse. They quickly ran the length to Trowa's truck and were glad that they had not locked the doors. Before Trowa even started the engine, he took the time for them to catch their breath. Keiko dropped her shoes and her purse to the floor and relaxed against the seat.

"I'm…cold and wet." She announced with a shiver.

Trowa looked over at her, "And you're wearing a white shirt." He smirked.

Keiko flushed a tiny bit but giggled. "Please drive me to my apartment before the weather gets worse." Keiko said. Without bothering to wear a seat belt, she snuggled inside the jacket seeking the warmth she had.

At one turn, Keiko's body slid over the seat closer to Trowa. "Whoa," Keiko exclaimed.

Trowa slipped an arm around her and said, "I didn't know you were wet enough to start sliding…But maybe it was a good thing."

"Trowa!" Keiko half-squeaked with indignation. She was moved even closer to him, actually right up to him with his arm around her. His arm slid down to her waist and anchored her to the seat.

The weather gradually became stronger and heavier. There was lightning and thunder booming every couple of minutes by the time he drove up to the apartment building. Trowa parked and turned the engine off.

"We'll have to make another run for it." Keiko said as she leaned over the seat to reach for her sandals and purse. Trowa's hand was still on her waist when she sat back up, her belongings in her hands.

"Ready?" he asked, his keys in one hand and took his other hand from Keiko's waist. Keiko nodded, "Then let's go." He said, opening the door.

It took five minutes for them to be completely soaked and to run to Keiko's apartment. She let them in and while they caught their breath, they listened as the storm became worse.

Keiko slipped out of the very wet jean jacket and carried it, her purse and her sandals over to the table in her kitchen. But to her dismay, Starlight had left files scattered out. Hurriedly and also dropping what she had in her hands, to pile the files together.

"Hey Syria, do you mind if I turn the news on?" Trowa asked from a few feet away.

"What…On, no not at all. Go ahead." She replied. She also found a couple of magazines on the table and arranged for them to hide her files. When she was satisfied, she joined him in front of the TV. They watched the news about the weather in silence and when it concluded, Keiko said, "You're not leaving. The storm is too bad for you to drive in. You could crash." She added.

Trowa stared at her, surprised at the deep concern in her voice.

"Fine…But," he started while Keiko raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest, "But only if we get out of these wet clothes." He smirked at her as she looked down at her clothing and blushed a deep red. She had forgotten she was wearing a white tank top and was still dripping wet.

"Okay, I'll go get you a towel." She said, recovering from the embarrassing moment. She walked to the bathroom, and grabbed a couple of towels. She tossed one at Trowa, who swiftly caught it.

"The bathroom is just right behind me on the right. There's an extra bedroom right across from it." Keiko pointed, "I can put your clothes in the dryer if you want." She suggested.

Trowa nodded as he walked past her to the bathroom. Keiko went to her bedroom, closed the door and dried off as well as changed. She took her jewelry off, placed it on the dresser top and slipped into a nightgown of blue satin. Over it she pulled on her fluffy white robe and tied it loosely. When she emerged from her room, she found Trowa holding his clothes while the towel she had given him was tightly clenched around his waist.

He caught her staring when he looked up which caused her to flush ever so slightly. She compensated by saying,

"I have my own dryer and washer. Come, I'll show you where they are." She turned towards the kitchen. He followed her and soon had his clothes tumbling in the dryer.

Keiko was in the process of making green tea when the power flickered and went out.

"Oh great." She muttered darkly.

"Need any help?" Trowa asked from the darkness. He seemed to be moving very slowly and carefully to the edge of the kitchen.

"No. My stove is gas and I don't want any accidents if I can help it." She replied quickly. "Could you go sit on the couch so I know I won't bump into you if I start moving around?"

Silently he did as asked, which Keiko heard him move. She constantly knew where he was or whether or not he was moving because of her extreme assassin skills. Soon she had two cups of green tea and slowly carried them into the living room. She set her cup down on the coffee table and then said, "I made some green tea and I have a cup for you if you what it."

"Thank you." He replied as he carefully took it.

Keiko found her armchair and retrieved her tea. They sipped at their tea slowly while listening to the raging storm outside. Keiko was glad Trowa was not out in the weather. She finished the tea in a matter of a few silence-filled minutes and felt sleepy.

"I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to bed." She said, punctuating with a yawn.

"By all means, I wouldn't want to keep you awake." He said politely.

"Goodnight Trowa," she said slowly walking to her room.

"Goodnight." He replied.

Keiko promptly fell asleep, but it was fitful. The storm brought forth buried memories that turned her dreams into nightmares. She saw her family lose their lives and then she saw herself as a little girl sobbing hysterically and screaming,

"MOMMY! DADDY!" Keiko screamed.

Trowa, who had been sleeping peacefully, came instantly awake, hearing screams through the apartment. He jumped from the bed in the guestroom and hurried to the girl's room. Going to the bedside he gently touched her arm.

"Wake up, it's just a dream." He whispered in a soothing tone.

Keiko violently jerked awake and began sobbing, swiftly becoming aware of her surroundings. Her body slackened toward him, and he sank onto the bed pulling her close to comfort her. She wrapped an arm halfway around his torso while the other was against his chest, and partway on her face. He stroked her back and soothed her as she continued to cry. He didn't know how much time passed when she finally ceased her tears, but when she lifted her head to look him square in the eyes, she became instantly apologetic. He stopped her by placing a hand over her mouth.

"I don't want an apology. I was glad that I was here to sooth you from your nightmare," he said. He removed his hand and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"But-" she didn't get much further for her lips were covered by his own. He kissed her gently, in which two seconds after he started, she responded and opened to him. When he pulled away, she said breathlessly, "…If you…ever do that again, I don't think…I'll ever be able to stop it from becoming more."

He blinked, staring at her, softly wiping away the rest of the tears from her cheeks. She turned into his hand and it was in that instant that he claimed her lips again.

The storm raged on but Keiko and Trowa had no intentions of returning to sleep for a long while.

TBC