Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing cause my money hasn't come in yet…curses the Fair's name as she plots their demise Anyway, I have some original characters in this chapter such as the commander and two nurses, plus other characters to come that were mentioned. Darn, I spoiled future plot twists… Forget what I said, you didn't hear anything! .

Chapter 42

"Quatre, are you awake?" Trowa spoke softly to his flight companion, not wanting to wake him in case he wasn't. Quatre stirred in his seat but didn't open his eyes as he cringed and moaned uncomfortably, turning in his seat to face Trowa. Pondering his physical condition, Trowa watched Quatre for a moment before looking back out into the endless sky.

I hope he makes it. . .he's such a good pilot and we need him to end this pointless war. Trowa thought logically, slightly slouching in his seat as he steadied the plane and checked the radar. He let his eyes drift closed for a second before popping them open again and sitting up straight, tilting his head from side to side to stretch his neck.

"You look tired. . .Trowa. . ." Blinking, Trowa looked over to find Quatre awake and staring sleepily at him.

"Quatre, you should rest, it will be a while until we get to the nearest city." Trowa said in a concerned voice.

"And leave you all alone? Besides, I have rested, I'll be. . .fine." Quatre tried to sit up but his head began to pound.

"You can't convince me of anything when you look uncomfortable, just go back to sleep and relax."

"No, I'm fine, really."

"Quatre. . ." Trowa looked at him sternly.

"But. . .I want to talk to you." Blinking, Trowa looked surprised as he said, "About what?"

"I don't know. . .I just want to talk."

"Oh. . ." Trowa looked back out at the passing clouds as he searched for something to start a conversation about.

"What's your favorite kind of music?" Quatre asked with a slight smile, trying to sound happy.

"Favorite? I. . .I don't really have a favorite. . ." Trowa said softly.

"You don't? Do you have a favorite anything?"

"Not really. I never thought about having a liking to any certain thing. . ."

"Really? Well. . .we should get you a favorite thing!" Quatre said cheerfully before coughing. Trowa frowned sadly at him and said, "Quatre, now isn't the time to be all excited over something so trifling, you should be resting."

"Are you really just concerned for my health or avoiding any form of communication that involves personal information?"

"Pick one." Trowa said with a cocked eyebrow, turning his attention to his piloting again. Quatre frowned and said, "You don't have to be so secretive around me, Trowa, I'm your friend and ally! Don't you trust me?"

"It's not that, I do trust you. . ."

"Then. . .what's the problem?"

"I just don't like talking about myself."

"Why not?" Quatre blinked innocently. Trowa frowned in discomfort and said, "Why don't you tell me about yourself."

"Because I already know about myself, I want to get to know you."

"What's your favorite music?" Trowa changed the subject. Sighing in defeat, Quatre said, "Well, I suppose I prefer classical music, something I can play along with with my violin. Hey, you like to play the flute, you can say it's your favorite instrument!"

"I. . .suppose. . ." Trowa looked over warily.

"Well, that's a start. What else can we say is your favorite. . .oh, your gundam is your favorite, is it not?"

"Only because it is the only one available, if a better model was free I would give up Heavyarms." Quatre frowned and said, "Really? I thought you liked your gundam. . .I wouldn't trade Sandrock in for anything! She's good and reliable and we make a good team. I'd rather pilot something I'm familiar with than take chances with foreign controls. When it comes down to it, old things are better than new. Stick with what you know, right?"

"You refer to your suit as 'she'. . ." Trowa cocked an eyebrow. Quatre smiled shyly and said, "Well. . ."

"I see. . .you would rather have your hands on a female's parts than a male's?" Quatre's eyes widened and he responded, flustered, "TROWA! Don't say things like that, it sounds wrong!"

"Only if you think that way. . ." Trowa looked away, almost a grin on his face as he raised his eyebrows. Quatre frowned in embarrassment and said, "Is that why you refer to Heavyarms as 'it'? You're not sure which you'd prefer touching?"

"Now who's saying double meaning sentences?" Trowa glowered. Quatre grinned and said, "What's wrong, don't like the taste of your own medicine? Then don't dish it if you can't take it."

"You sure have a mean streak in you, Quatre Winner. I never would have guessed you for the snide responses."

"Well, we all have our secret sides, right. . .Trowa?" Quatre peered at him. Trowa looked uncomfortable under his stare and said, "You're not acting like you're sick, I suppose you're feeling better then. . ."

"Not really, I'm just trying to forget that my stomach's still churning uneasily and my body feels like one big goosebump." With a frown of concern, Trowa said, "Then you should-"

"Keep talking? I don't want to sleep, the discomfort gives me bad dreams."

"Like what?"

"Like. . .seeing people I care about die and I can't stop it. . ."

"People like who?" Trowa looked over curiously.

Incoming transport ship, identify yourself! A demanding voice called out over the comlink. Trowa looked down at the flashing button on the control panel and pressed it, saying, "My name is David Schroder, requesting permission to land for medical care."

Sick? The last thing we need is more dying people around here! Take your illness elsewhere, we're full! The female voice said snidely. Trowa frowned and said, "More dying people? Is there an epidemic I'm not aware of?"

Where have you been, hiding under a rock! Of course there's an epidemic, of casualties! This war has gotten out of control and we're suffering for it! We don't have any room to spare for outsiders so go bother someone else.

"I don't need a sickbed, just medicine for influenza. My flight companion has fallen ill and our city is out of supplies, could you spare some for him?"

Well. . .as long as he stays on the plane, we don't need him spreading what he's got and making things worse! Land and I'll take you to get supplies. The transmission ended abruptly and Quatre said, "Rude, isn't she?" Trowa grunted and flew into an open docking bay door to land. After leaving Quatre with instructions in case anything happened while he was gone, Trowa exited the plane and walked up to a short black girl, looking about 15. He blinked as she bossed around some poor boy shaking nervously and nodding with fear in his eyes.

"And what will happen if this happens again! TELL ME!" The girl screamed.

"I'll never have children. . ." The boy moaned.

"And?" She crossed her arms.

"You'll kick me so hard my ancestors will feel it and kick me too for causing them pain."

"Good! Now that you understand the rules, get back to work and don't mess up anymore! The last thing we need is lazy people slacking off when there's NO time to be wasting! Get out of my sight! I don't want to see you for the rest of the day!" The boy ran away like his pants were on fire and disappeared in mere seconds as the girl shook her head and grumbled, "Such incompetence. . .why me. . ."

"Excuse me. . ." Trowa said quietly as he inched cautiously closer to her. She whirled around and stared him down.

Man, what a look! She could stare Heero down with that face. . .Trowa thought as he cleared his throat.

"What! I'm busy, if you're looking for a job go ask the dock manager!" She turned to leave and Trowa said, "No, I'm here for the medicine! Are you the girl who-"

"Oh, it's you." She said almost distastefully, "Yeah, that was me. Come on, I'll show you to the hospital. . .and keep up with me, I don't-"

"You don't have time to waste. . .I heard you." Trowa finished. She stepped up to him and poked him in the chest, saying in a low voice, "And I don't like people interrupting me, so watch yourself or you'll wake up in a hospital bed. . .or maybe a ditch."

"Yes, ma'am. . ." Trowa said, trying not to sound mocking. She grunted and turned sharply, storming off toward a door quickly. Trowa dashed after her to catch up and followed her to the hospital as he glared at the back of her head. A few minutes later they entered the front doors of the medical ward, walking over to the front desk. The girl banged her fist on the desk and scared the nurse who was searching through a file cabinet with her back to them. She quickly turned around and said in a disturbed voice, "Ms. Amanda! M-may I help you?"

"Yes, this man needs medicine, assist him in finding what he needs, I don't have time to wait around. You can find your way back, can't you? GOOD, I must go now. . ." She didn't even wait for him to respond as she turned sharply and ran into a nurse carrying an armful of medical supplies, which went flying everywhere as the nurse fell down.

"Oh!" The nurse gasped as she hit the ground, wincing.

"Clumsy! Get off that floor and watch where you're going next time!" Amanda barked at the nurse.

"Y. . .yes, Ms. Amanda. . ." She muttered, keeping her eyes on the floor. With a snort, Amanda stormed out of the hospital to return to her work. The nurse moaned and slowly began reaching for a wrap of gauze laying a few feet from her. Trowa bent down and picked it up, handing it to her and saying, "Here." She looked up at him and smiled, saying in a mousy voice, "Thank you. . ."

"No problem. She sure is mean to people, not even saying sorry to you. . ." Trowa commented as he helped her pick up the scattered items.

"She's our military commander, it comes with the territory." The nurse said.

"Commander? But she's nothing more than a child."

"She's our old commander's daughter, he died in battle and she felt responsible so she took his place. It's not her fault, this war has changed everyone. . ." The nurse behind the desk said as she leaned over the edge to looked down at them. Trowa looked up at her then back down at the young nurse, saying quietly, "What's your name?" She blushed and said, "Alyssa. . ." With a smile, Trowa said, "My name's David. . .it's nice to meet a friendly face." She looked down as she smiled shyly and picked up the last item and put it on the pan she had been carrying it all on. Standing, she picked up the pan and held it firmly, saying as she brushed aside some loose strands of red hair, "It was nice to meet you too, and. . .thank you for helping. I must go or Amanda might yell at me for stopping."

"Of course. . ." Trowa stepped aside and let her pass as she scurried off to her duties. The nurse behind the desk smiled and said, "She's such a hard worker. . .she has to feed two siblings and her parents too, ya know. . ." Trowa stared at her and said, "Are you serious?"

"Her dad's been maimed so he'll never be able to walk again and her mom's sick so she can't work. Her older brother, Michael, isn't around to help because he joined OZ. It crushed his little sister when he left. . .she didn't understand why he left them. . .hey, what did you come here for?"

"Medicine for influenza."

"Ah, come this way, I'll get it for you." The nurse motioned to him to follow and they walked back into a supply room. He stopped at the doorway and watched her as she searched the shelves for something. Finally, she grabbed a bottle full of pills and walked over to a cabinet on the wall by the door. She took out an empty bottle and started pouring pills into the empty container, saying to Trowa as she watched the pills drop in, "Take 2 a day for a week with food and get plenty of sleep."

"It's not for me, it's for a friend."

"I figured. . .where's this friend?"

"He's in our transport. . .he wouldn't tell me about it till it was too late to do anything to prevent it." Trowa said in a quiet voice. The nurse smiled and closed the bottle, handing it to Trowa and saying, "Well you just make sure he takes these pills and he should be all better." Trowa nodded and walked back out to the hallway. The nurse entered her small front desk, sitting down and typing on her keyboard. Trowa blinked and leaned against the desk, saying, "Should I pay for this?"

"Oh, go ahead and take it, it's alright. The only thing we're short on is blood, illness medicine isn't really a necessity."

"Blood? Hmm. . .I. . .could donate some to you as a sort of payment. . ."

"I wouldn't want to take your time. . ." The nurse began to stand.

"A fair trade. . ." Trowa said. She smiled and walked out to him and said, "This is awfully generous of you. . .thank you. This way. . ." She led him down the hallway to a room where she could take his blood. He sat down in a chair as she got some supplies needed and said, "Are you sensitive to needles or anything?"

"I don't mind pain, it doesn't bother me." Trowa said dully. She walked over to him and wrapped a cord around his upper arm, tapping the veins that bulged from his lower arm as he made a fist for her.

"My. . .you sure are strong. . .we could use some muscle like you around here to fight off those darn OZ people. . ."

"I can't, I have my own people to protect. We had to leave in the middle of battle. . ." Trowa said in his monotone voice. She began to draw his blood and stuck the small needle into his arm carefully and gently. He didn't even seem to notice it as he looked off into the distance, waiting for her to finish. She found a decent vein and hooked him up to a bag, letting the red liquid flow into it.

"Now, are you sure this is alright? I can stop if you feel dizzy. . ."

"I won't." Trowa said simply. She looked down and around, slightly nervous. Trowa glanced at her, noticing her actions and blinking. Looking at him, she said, "What?"

"You look uncomfortable. . ." Trowa said.

"Not really. . .it's just odd to see a stranger who has the build of a soldier and a rather laid back attitude. . .and quiet."

"I'm not the talkative type. . ."

"I understand." She said with a smile. She looked down to check the bag as she said, "So. . .David, is it? I have a cousin with that name."

"It's a fairly common name. . ." Trowa said calmly, sensing a slight bit of tension in the air.

"Yes, it is. . ."

"What's your name?" Trowa asked, trying to keep her occupied until he could leave.

"Oh, sorry, my name's Catherine! I don't think that's as common as David. . ." She said with a light chuckle.

"Catherine. . .I have a friend with that name. . ." He said, looking a little spacey as he made that comment. Catherine stared at his face for a minute as she said, "Is she back at that battle you mentioned?"

"No, she's a long ways from here. . .hopefully safe."

"Do you miss her?" Trowa looked down at her, a little surprised.

I don't know her. . .it wouldn't be a danger to be honest. . .Trowa thought as she waited for a response.

"Yes. . .I do. . ." He said, looking away. Catherine looked down and checked the bag again, saying softly, "Is she a close friend or maybe. . .girlfriend?" Trowa glanced at her, looking slightly unnerved by the comment. She blushed and looked away, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm being too nosy! Everyone always tells me I'm a snoop and I should learn to keep my comments to myself. . ."

"She's really like a sister to me. . .I've known her for a while now. . ."

"I see. . .so. . .do you even have a girlfriend? Such a good looking guy like you must have someone waiting for you back home or wherever!" Trowa blinked in surprise and said, "No, I don't have anyone that close to me. . ."

"Oh. . ." She smiled and looked down at the bag again. She began to disconnect it as Trowa said, "Do you need any more?"

"Huh? I can't take anymore, you wouldn't be able to leave! This is enough, it's that much more than we have already!" She said with a smile. Taking out the needle, she put a ball of cotton over the hole and bandaged it down, saying, "Just be careful when you leave, you may feel a little light headed." He nodded and stood slowly, being cautious as he stepped out into the hallway. He followed her back down to the front desk and said, "Thank you for the medicine, I hope it's not much of an inconvenience."

"Oh no, it's no problem! Thank you. . .it was nice of you to donate this." Catherine said, motioning to the blood bag. He nodded and stepped forward to go but she touched his shoulder, saying as she ran around the desk, "Wait a second!" He looked a little nervous but blinked as she tossed him a juice box. He looked at it curiously and she said, "You need some energy to build back up what blood you lost, take care!" He briefly saluted to her with the juice box and popped the straw in the foil hole, taking a sip as he walked out. Catherine giggled and waved to him, sighing and leaning her elbows against the desk as she rested her chin on her hands, watching him leave.

He sure was a cutie. . .too bad he can't stay around for a while. . .Catherine thought, smiling at his disappearing figure as he walked outside and back to the docking bay.