"Curiouser and Curiouser"
000
Around 7:30 after prying himself from a overlong calendar meeting-Quatre approached the lone figure sitting at a merry fire behind the main circus tent. From the powerful build and the way in which the shadowed figure sat he knew this to be the former pilot of Heavyarms.
"It's been too long old friend" Quatre said as Trowa turned with a ghost of a smile playing on his lips as the two warmly shook hands. Several skewers of meat where cooking on the edges of the fire, releasing the delicious smell into the night air. Deftly Trowa removed what looked like a dented pot of thick soup as well from the edge of the blaze
"Indeed it's been nearly 2 years I would think" Trowa replied as Quatre sat heavily on the roughly hewn seat across from the fire. Trowa then filled a pair of chipped china cups with red wine from a jug. Ladling piping hot soup into a second set of large mugs which he left to cool a bit. Before handing a set to his friend.
"A little bird told me you can tolerate small amounts of alcohol now" he began as Quatre gingerly took both cups and set the larger one with the soup to the side. Eyeing the red liquid in the floral rimmed china cup suspiciously.
Quatre took a cautious sip and found it delicious "Did that little bird have a long braid?"
Trowa grinned "Yes he did"
Quatre chuckled "Duo's mouth is like a motor car he can't keep things to himself. He makes up for Heero's thoughtful silences tenfold"
Trowa removed the grilled meat from the fire and handed Quatre a skewer which he neatly tucked into. Studying the former pilot of Sandrock carefully
"So what is troubling you Quatre?" Trowa asked after swallowing a piece of tender lamb.
Quatre boldly swallowed a large gulp of wine from the cup.
"Dorothy has walked back into my life- again" he said in a small voice.
Trowa calmly took a sip of his own cup "is she embroiling herself in this whole fiasco with your impending marriage?"
Quatre nodded "The Head of PR loves her. She going over the eligible lady list now. I-" he trailed off suddenly deeply embarrassed
Trowa wiping his hands stood up and came to sit beside his friend. Putting an arm around Quatre's thin shoulders.
"Tell me what happened" he said soothingly. Trowa hadn't seen his friend so agitated in many years.
Quatre looked into Trowa's visible olive green eye "I kissed her. Dorothy wept seeing my parents photo, I-I had never seen her so vulnerable so"
"Human?" Trowa added
Quatre gave a short nod and said nothing more, his cheeks burning.
A muted form of surprise filled Trowa- before he suppressed a knowing grin. This little tête-à-tête has been years in the making. Trowa had wondered at Dorothy's feelings for Quatre even then- why then would she have gone such lengths to prove her point with him that day on Libra? The pun was entirely intended- yet being of a natural stoic and secretive disposition he kept his thoughts to himself.
"Did she return that kiss?" He prodded just as delicately when the silence grew too strained
Quatre fairly squirmed "she was the one to kiss my lips"
Trowa squeezed his friends shoulder reassuringly
"It seems Miss. Catalonia has always harbored these feelings for you- even all those years ago. Her dislike was far too palpable- overly intense. Perhaps she has denied the source of such violent emotion since then -until today in your office."
Quatre's shoulders slumped "you must be right. I didn't see it, i didn't understand. I still don't" the agony on his friends face was plain to see.
"It is alright Quatre, the most important question however is do you have those same feelings for her?"
"I don't know what to feel Trowa. My emotions are so confused…." Quatre put his head down.
"My marriage will be at the end of the year" he added lamely
Trowa would not ask if Quatre could see himself marrying Dorothy- it was too soon.
At the moment Quatre Winner was far to pure for such carnal thoughts. Amusement tickled at him again and Trowa rose
"Catherine has made the most excellent chocolate cake. After dessert we can catch up"
Quatre was exceedingly grateful for the change of subject so much so that be beamed one of his famous smiles.
"Oh yes- I've never had a better chocolate cake as the one Catherine- san makes."
0000
Some hours later Quatre lay in the small cot in the darkness of Trowa's tent-wearing a castoff oversized shirt and pants -the world spinning as he dozed. His suit was spoiled when half of Catherine's cake had upended onto his lap in his haste to cut another slice. That had brought a real bark of rare laughter from Trowa. Who wondered after putting his friend to safely lie down- just how much that silk suit had cost. Also if Quatre would be very angry with him if he threw it into the fire instead of trying to save it.
In hindsight Quatre had only 3 cups of wine before he had dissolved into inebriation. Trowa had watched this with a mixture of caution & great amusement- knowing that his friend desperately needed to be a little wicked with all that had happened today.
Thus when he was sure Quatre was sound asleep Trowa silently dialed Dorothy's number on his friends cell phone. After several rings a tired voice answered
"Hello?"
"Miss Catalonia it has been a long time"
There was a brief pause "Trowa? Trowa Barton what are you doing calling from Quatre's private cellphone?"
"He's with me at the circus just outside the city. His suit is spoiled and unfortunately he is very drunk. I'm afraid he's in no position to drive home alone"
Dorothy swore under her breath "The head of the PR department will have a fit if he finds out" she replied sourly.
"Just so Miss Catalonia- I was wondering if you could drive him back? His Rolls is here waiting"
"Fine let me call a cab" and she hung up the phone
00
Within 20 minutes a taxi pulled up to the main circus tent. Where with all the imperious dignity of a queen did Dorothy Catalonia step from the taxi -pay the driver and approach the awaiting Trowa.
"Are you the Ringmaster now Mr. Barton?" She said taking in his garb
"I am- the ringmaster passed away a year previous and the staff appointed me in his place"
"Where is Quatre?" She asked dispensing with the pleasantries. Being deeply tired and emotionally shook by what happened this afternoon. She was feeling vulnerable and to tell the truth miserable. To know that she would have to willingly hand Quatre to some stupid brainless woman ground her gears to no end.
"In my tent, come" he replied smoothly and silently Dorothy followed him her heart pounding wildly. What would she find there? Had Quatre traded his halo for a pair of demon horns?
So lost in thought she nearly ran into Trowa's powerful back when he came to a stop.
"I shall leave you two alone Miss. Catalonia. Call me when you are ready" With a hmph Dorothy passed him and ducked into the cool darkness of the tent. A lone candle burned within there stretched out like some indolent pasha in a small cot was Quatre Winner. His face relaxed in repose, those alluring lips lightly parted- flushed pink like his cheeks. Shoulder length hair fanned out around his head like a halo.
A smirk was unconsciously forming at her lips -Saint Quatre- with a face as angelic as this she now realized why he hadn't married. What woman could compete? He was as holy and remote as the ancient statues of the venerated saints.
Dorothy crossed the tent and sat gently on cot- with her slight weight Quatre did not stir. Eyes drifting down to his waist where the baggy shirt he wore had ridden up. Displaying the merest hint of the white flesh of his hip. This was the side which she had stabbed- she could still remember the deep satisfaction when the rapier had found the vulnerable flesh at his side through that spacesuit that awful day.
As if sensing her torrid thoughts with a groan Quatre rolled onto his side enabling her to see the bare flesh of his well defined torso and the faded scar where the rapier had hit home. Guilt nearly suffocated her- gently she reached out and laid her trembling fingers lightly there. Tears pricking at her eyes.
Like lightning a hand clamped painfully over her wrist pulling her forward as Quatre twisted, a small curved dagger with a jeweled hilt pressed into Dorothy's shapely neck. The eyes that she now beheld were not the sweet and melting ones that asked to much. No these were the eyes of a Gundam pilot hardened and glimmering like two shards of ice in the amber candlelight.
It took only seconds but recognition dawned "Dorothy!" He cried immediately withdrawing the dagger and gentling his grip. Helping her back into a sitting position
"I apologize- I should have remembered that training to be a Gundam pilot does not fade" She said stiffly. Setting her aching wrist gingerly in her lap.
Quatre raked a hand through his hair and looked around the amber lit tent with bewilderment. His blonde hair now a tousled mess around his head.
Despite her adrenaline still running high Dorothy could not help the beginnings of a sardonic smile curl her lips
"Where am I?" He asked wincing "ugh- why do I have such a headache?"
Dorothy let out a snort "you have a hangover Quatre. Come let's get you up and into your car- I will drive you back home."
Blearily he nodded and slinging an arm around Dorothy's shoulder she helped him off the bed.
" Trowa!" She called, Trowa had opened the tent flap in less than the breath
Silently Trowa took hold of his other friends arm and together they half walked half dragged Quatre to the awaiting Rolls Royce.
000
The car ride back was silent save for Quatre's deep breathing in sleep and the luxurious deep purr of the Rolls engine. Dorothy was impressed the car drove very well for something that was virtually an antique. She wondered the kind of money Quatre had spent to bring this vintage car so far from Earth.
"Did I hurt you Dorothy?" Quatre asked in a husky voice, Dorothy jumped yanking the sleeve over the bruise that was appearing on her arm
"It was stupid of me to touch you without warning while you slept" she retorted cooly
There was a short pause "You were touching the scar weren't you?"
The tips of Dorothy's ears began to turn red "I"
"Its alright Dorothy- you shouldn't feel guilty. We both stood up for what we believed right- I'm just so glad you survived" he replied sleepily.
As they reached a stoplight Dorothy turned to him, to see that he was gazing at her through his long lashed heavy lidded eyes. A odd little grin played on the edge of his mouth
"I've finished weeding out the ladies on the list" she began changing the subject. Head spinning
"Did you put your name on there? It should be there" Quatre answered boldly.
Dorothy pressed her lips together "I don't think that is a wise idea Quatre"
He made a little noise in the back of his throat "Liar"
For once Dorothy Catalonia was speechless as they pulled up to the apartment where Quatre lived. Apparently the route was already programmed into the Rolls Royce. A tall lean doorman appeared from the polished front doors to help Quatre out of the car.
"Will you be alright?" she asked the doorman.
"Quite- Mr. Winner doesn't weigh more than a Christmas goose" he replied with a kindly smile. Quatre stopped suddenly
"Don't forget Miss. Catalonia. I want to see your name there tomorrow morning" he turned to her then- those turquoise eyes filled with something she had not seen before. Dorothy gave a short nod before he turned with the help of the doorman disappeared into the building
"Guess this is mine for tonight" she murmured before gingerly setting back out to her own apartment.
00000