Time for an update on this story! I'm so glad to finally get another chapter out! It's a bit of a struggle to rewrite it sometimes, LOL.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, its characters, or you.
For the heart I once had
Chapter 5
Trowa stopped dead in his tracks when he entered Commander Une's office. He had expected Duo and Heero to be there as well, as Une had called him in for something related to the Razouli case, but she was alone, facing the windows that overlooked the city. He caught a flash of her expression in the reflection of the glass. She looked troubled, worried.
"You wanted to see me, Ma'am?" Trowa said, catching her attention.
She swiftly turned around, her posture pin straight, a remainder of her years as a soldier. "Yes. Close the door, please."
Trowa did so and crossed the office towards her desk, seating himself in one of the comfortable leather chairs. He gave her an expectant look. Une sat down behind her desk and rested her elbows on the gleaming mahogany surface, interlocking her fingers.
"Mehmet Razouli made a phone call last night with a smuggled cellphone," she said, and the worry coated her tone.
"Shit."
Une didn't even look fazed. "Indeed. I set Yuy and Maxwell on it to trace the call and find out what it was about. In the mean time, you have to be on your guard."
"I see."
"Aalia Winner is one of the main witnesses in his case. Without her testimony, it's almost useless to bring him to court." Une leaned back in her seat. "She needs to remain safe."
"I can take her into hiding."
"We can provide a safe house."
"No need." Trowa shook his head. "We'll be well hidden."
He already had an idea where he would take her.
"You have to keep her hidden until the case goes to court."
"Understood." Trowa got up. "I'll see to everything immediately."
Une nodded, looking solemn. "Keep in touch with Yuy and Maxwell through secured lines. I'll provide you with special clearance for travel, so you can skip the security checks."
"Thank you." Trowa got up and left her office, striding down the hallway towards the elevator.
He was back on his floor in minutes and barged into the office that Heero and Duo shared. "You got something?"
"Not yet." Duo's face was grim. "I take it the Commander informed you?"
"Yes." Trowa closed the door so that the conversation couldn't be overheard. "I'll be taking her to L4. I'll hide her in one of the Winner estates."
"In plain sight." Duo clucked his tongue. "Not a bad idea. It's not a move they'll be expecting."
"No. And the place is well secured." Trowa seated himself on the edge of Duo's desk.
Heero was typing away furiously behind his computer, concentration etched onto his face. "The only trace I've found so far is that the call was made to an estate hidden in the Brazilian jungle."
"That sounds fishy," Duo muttered.
"Yeah," Heero said.
"I'll go home and get ready to leave. Call me if you find anything."
"Sure thing." Heero didn't even look up from his screen.
"The situation has some pro's," Duo said, his tone turning mischievous.
Trowa rolled his eyes as he knew where this was heading. "Screw you, Duo."
"Screw the girl instead, Barton."
He flipped Duo his finger and left the office. He had more important matters on his mind than progressing his bond with Aalia. Like keeping her safe, for instance. He was going to make sure that Razouli wouldn't get his hands on her.
-x-x-x-
Aalia looked up from her study books in surprise when Trowa came walking into the living room. He was home earlier than expected. He clutching his phone between his ear and shoulder, while noting down some information in a small notebook.
"Sure thing," he said. "We'll start packing and head straight to the space port."
She frowned in confusion and felt her heart leap into her throat at the implication. Was something going on? She anxiously waited for him to hang up. When he did, she spoke up. "Are we leaving?"
"As a precaution." Trowa didn't look very worried, and that eased her mind somewhat. "Razouli had a smuggled in cellphone in his cell. He used it to make a phone call."
"Oh…" Her heartbeat sped up again and she bit down on her bottom lip. "He is after me."
"We'll leave for L4 in two hours. Quatre will provide us with a safe house until the court date."
"I see." Aalia closed her text book and got up. "I'll start packing."
"Pack one duffel bag," Trowa said. "We'll travel light."
"Noted." She was on the move, heading towards her room to gather up clothes and toiletries.
Her heart was beating frantically in her chest, but she held onto the fact that Trowa was calm. As long as he was like this, she had no reason to worry. He would make sure she was safe, that she stayed out of Razouli's reach.
She zipped the duffle bag shut and went to find Trowa. He was almost done packing himself.
"Preventer has provided us with special clearances for travel," he explained as he slung his own duffel bag over his shoulder and held out his hand to take hers. "We can avoid the security checks that way. None will know where we went."
"Do you think he send someone after me?"
"The possibility is big," Trowa said, while propelling her out of his bedroom by her shoulder. "Duo and Heero as looking into it."
"Okay… Is there anything I can do?"
He gave her an amused look. "You can go over your statements again. See if anything needs to be added to it."
She wanted to slap his arm, because the simple idea made her feel useless. "That's not enough."
"No," he agreed simply. "I'll train you in self defense once we've settled in the safe house. We'll have all the time in the world and I think you're strong enough now."
She nodded and grabbed her jacket. "Good idea. I'm sorry about this."
He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. It's not your fault."
"So many people are going to great lengths for me. I can't help but feel guilty." She bit her lip as she followed Trowa out of the apartment.
She notice how he moved in on her, and practically became her shadow as he ushered her towards the metro stop.
"We're not taking your car?"
"They'll trace it."
"Right." She made sure to stick close to him, making it easier for him to come to her defense if needed.
He easily slid his arm around her shoulders and led her on. It made her heart skip a beat, and she tried to keep herself from leaning in to him, even though the heat of his body was enticing her to do so.
But once they were steadily on their way to the Space Port, realization sank in. She was going to be alone with him for an undetermined time. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of possibilities would present themselves.
-x-x-x-
Aalia couldn't relax after the shuttle had taken off. She clutched the armrests of her seat in a white knuckled grasp as she stared out of the small window, lost in thought, lost in memories. It had been a long time since she had been to outer space. She was a space brat, had grown up there, but it hadn't been her home for a long time. Her mother had died here. Both of her mothers had, she reminded herself.
She and Quatre were no closer to unveiling the mystery as to how she had come to live with Dunya. But maybe L4 would hold some answers.
She turned her attention towards Trowa, who sat in the aisle seat, his long legs folded in a way that told her the cramped seat had to be uncomfortable for him. He had been in a hurry arranging for their flight, and to avoid suspicion and attention, had settled for economy class seats.
"Poor you," she said with a small smile.
"I'll be fine," he answered dryly.
She couldn't stop the bubble of laughter that build in her throat and leaned in, resting her head against his shoulder. "I'll be fine if you want to get up and stretch your legs a bit."
"I won't leave your side, so nope." He shifted in his seat and stretched out his legs into the aisle. "It's just a couple more hours."
"If you say so." Her smile was cheeky, but her heart warm, as he didn't seem to mind her closeness to him. She relaxed against him and sighed happily. "I'm glad you're with me."
"Hmm…" He gave her a small smile.
She had to swallow thickly at the warmth in his eyes. More than ever, she wanted him to wrap her up in his arms and hold her. She wanted to be closer to him than she was now.
"I am starting to feel more normal by the day and it's all thanks to you," she murmured. "So thank you."
"You're welcome." He raised his arm and easily slipped it around her shoulders.
Her smile widened and she leaned in to brush a kiss over his cheek.
Trowa felt heat flare in the pit of his stomach at the soft touch of her warm lips against his skin. This was getting out of hand. He felt all his resolve to keep her at a distance slipping through his fingers.
Who was he kidding?
He wanted her; he had to stop denying it. But was it right to pursue her?
He was supposed to protect her, not snatch her up and kiss her, as much as he wanted to do so in that very moment. His head was at war with his body, rationality against desire. It would only be a matter of time before he found out which part of him was the strongest.
But at this point, his head was stronger. He was not going to kiss her on a shuttle. She didn't deserve that.
He sighed quietly to himself and only then noticed that she had snuggled into his shoulder and was fast asleep. He allowed himself to rest his cheek against her hair. That floral scent came to tease his senses again with every breath he took. He shifted slightly in his seat, mentally cursing the cramped space he could barely move around in. He was careful not to move his shoulder too much and relaxed in his seat when he finally was comfortable.
He had to remain on guard, so he wouldn't permit himself to sleep. But for the next few hours he would be content.
-x-x-x-
Aalia stood gaping at the house in astonishment. This couldn't be real! Right?
"Don't look so surprised. I told you it was your brother's house," Trowa stated dryly as he stepped up beside her.
"This is huge." Aalia shook her head, amazed at the size of the sprawling property and the enormous garden spreading around it. It looked well kept and inviting, despite its size.
"When it comes to houses, your brother has no modesty. He calls houses like these small."
She stifled a giggle behind her hand. "Oh my…"
"Let's go inside." Trowa punched in the security code to open the gate and led her towards the front door, where he had to work his way through various other security measures installed.
Intruding into this place had to be impossible. Or at least it should be. Trowa knew better than to underestimate an enemy.
Aalia stepped into the spacious foyer, her eyes widening at the blatant display of luxury. For someone who had spend a big chunk of her life locked up in poor conditions, this had to be the ultimate paradise. Trowa didn't even bat an eye. He had long since grown used to the Winner family's status. She walked into the house, crossing the hallway towards what Trowa guessed to be the living room.
He took a moment to set the alarm in place again and followed her, finding her sprawled onto one of the huge couches that stood facing the window.
"I could get used to this…" she said with a cheeky grin.
"So you're a Winner after all."
She laughed and the joyous sound made him grin.
"I knew it had to be hiding somewhere in you." He dumped the duffle bags on the ground and collapsed back on the other end of the couch.
"Are you tired?" she asked.
"I didn't sleep on the flight." Trowa rubbed a hand over his brow and nearly groaned as his stiff body sank into the couch cushions. "Now I think I can sleep for a week or so."
She chuckled and sat up. "Why don't you take a nap? I'll go and explore the house."
"I'm liking you very much right now."
She chuckled again and hopped off the couch. "Who knows… I might find some info on Dunya here."
"There should be a library somewhere in here as well," Trowa said, while swinging his legs onto the couch and stretching out languidly. "If you get lost, scream and I'll find you."
She playfully swatted his arm. "You won't be able to hear me if it's at the other end of the house."
"My hearing is excellent."
"Uhuh… Go to sleep."
She walked out of the room and Trowa grinned up at the ceiling. She was getting some of that old spunk back and he liked seeing it. It gave him some hope that she was doing better.
- End chapter 5 -