Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or any of the characters. Sue me if you like, but you won't get anything because I have no money.
A.N. - Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm sorry this chapter took so long, my train of thought derailed and it took a long time to get it back on track. I will now respond to reviewers at the end of the chapter instead of the beginning.
Last Chapter:
"I don't know about you, but I'm getting hungry," Heero said to Zechs. "Why don't we move the group discussion to a restaurant?"
"Sounds good to me," agreed Zechs. They managed to get everyone's attention for the announcement, and soon the group was on their way to a good restaurant in the area.
Chapter 6:
Trowa entered the grounds of the circus slowly, although he knew Catherine would be overjoyed to see him safe and home. At least until he told her his reason for being there. She would not be happy at all to learn that he was joining the Preventers, and even more upset when she heard what he was now. They may never have had tests to confirm it, but she considered herself to be his sister, and was very overprotective of him. Heero was right to send him on his own to tell her. If anyone else had been there, particularly Heero, she likely would attack them for putting Trowa in that situation. He laughed inwardly at the mental picture of Catherine attacking the 'Perfect Soldier' since Heero wouldn't really make an attempt to defend himself because he could easily hurt her accidentally. Trowa knew from personal experience just how strong Heero really was, as he'd tried to wake him from a nightmare once and earned a broken arm for his trouble. That's not to mention watching the Wing pilot bend thick steel bars with his bare hands.
As he wandered around back the circus tent where the animals were kept, he saw Catherine heading for her trailer. That turned into a headlong run in his direction when she spotted him.
"Trowa, you're safe! And you've come home. You never have to leave again," she said happily.
"Actually, Cathy, I'm back because there's something I need to tell you. Can we go somewhere more private?"
She looked confused, but agreed. "We can go to my trailer. Noone will hear us in there."
"Good, let's go."
Once they were inside the trailer, Catherine spun to look at Trowa, and inquisitive look on her face. "So what did you have to tell me that's so secret?"
"Well, first of all, I won't be staying at the circus. The other Gundam pilots and I are going to work at the Preventers, where our skills will do some good." Cathy made an aborted sound of protest at that. "Before I tell you the other part, you have to swear never to tell anyone else, alright? It's important."
"All right, I promise not to tell anyone."
"Good. None of us Gundam pilots are human anymore. We're angels now, chosen by the Powers that Be to become immortal and protect humanity. Even from itself."
"W-w-what? You're- angels now? Why? Why did it have to be you? I bet this is all that guy Heero's fault! The next time I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly what I think of all this," Catherine stated indignantly.
"Cathy, no. Don't. It's not Heero's fault, although he has known about this longer than the rest of us. He didn't want to become an angel either, he just wanted to be normal. And it wasn't easy for him to tell the rest of us about this. He never wanted to tell us, to give us the chance to be normal, but then his wings appeared. He honestly expected all of us to hate him for just telling us, he knows the price of immortality.
"As for why we were chosen, the Powers that Be knew that we would become Gundam pilots when they chose us, I guess they thought we would be best suited for the job. I can tell you don't fully believe yet. I'll show you my wings." With that, Trowa peeled off his shirt and made his wings appear. When she saw them, all that she'd just been told registered with Catherine at once and she fell into his arms, sobbing. Trowa gently eased her over to the couch, wrapping his arms and wings around her.
"So it's really true," she said in between sobs.
"It's really true," he agreed quietly. They sat like that for a long while, Trowa gently rubbing Catherine's back before her tears started to ease. She raised her head and really looked at his wings then.
"They're so beautiful," she said, almost to herself. "May I - touch them?" Trowa just nodded. Her hand reached shakily out to gently caress the soft feathers. "Thank you - for telling me about this. I know you could've just disappeared without a word. I appreciate that you bothered to come here and let me know. Noone will ever find out the secret of you pilots from me."
"Thank you, Cathy. I'll still visit from time to time, but there will come a point when all of us have to disappear. I'll watch over you forever though. I have to go now."
"Goodbye, Trowa. I'll hold you to your promise of visits." She gave him one final hug before he rose, shrugging his shirt back on after making his wings go away, and left. He never looked back.
A.N. - I know, I left things unfinished with Heero, Duo, and Wufei. Next chapter will be Quatre, and then I'll get back to them. I promise.
Windy River- Thanks for reviewing. Any other comments?
Hikaru - Thanks for the info. I have noticed that most Gundam Wing fics are yaoi, but I've never bothered to look at the rating before. There will be more 1×2 later on. I promise.
Lord Aries Greymon - I thank thee for thy praise. Truly, I have endeavoured to the utmost to produce a story of quality. I wast not being humble earlier, it has been truly said that one is one's own worst critic. Thou hast made one error however. I am not a mister, but a miss. Thank you, I look forward to another interesting review.