A/N: Sorry this took so long! Between the holidays and life and my muse throwing a tantrum, it took longer than I thought it would and it's shorter than I would have liked. Oh well. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 34

Duo adjusted his outfit as he waited for Whitaker's goons to let him in once again. This time, he was prepared to leave behind several bugs. He fixed a smile on his face as he walked through the gate and up to the house.

"Hi!" he cheerfully greeted the guards at the door. They let him in with no problems. Duo winked and swayed his hips ever so slightly as he went by them. He was led by Jason to the same sitting room and then left alone again. Knowing he wouldn't have much time, Duo moved quickly around the room placing a few bugs. He stopped in front of the mirror and pretended to preen as Whitaker and Jason came back.

"Good to see you again, Miss," Whitaker greeted Duo coolly as Duo turned with a smile.

"And you as well Mr. Whitaker. I have the cookies you ordered."

"Good…good," Whitaker said, eying Duo.

Duo repressed a shudder.

"You know, if you ever want to make some extra money I might have something you can do."

Duo swallowed, doing his best not to give away his unease. "Oh…well…that's so nice of you. But right now I've got so much going on I really don't have time for a job."

Whitaker nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me." He picked up a box of cookies and looked at Jason. "Pay her and then meet me in my quarters."

Jason nodded and led Duo to the door. Handing Duo the ninety credits for the 45 boxes of cookies, he said, "You should know the Master does not offer jobs lightly. He really thinks you have potential."

Duo tried to look appropriately flattered. "You…you really think so?"

Jason nodded. "Oh yes." He handed Duo a business card. "Do give us a call if you change your mind."

"Thank you. I will," Duo promised before taking his leave. He was able to leave another bug in the yard on his way out by stopping to "tie" his shoe just before walking out the gate. As soon as he was certain the cameras couldn't see him anymore he broke into a sprint. He wanted to shower. It made him shudder to think that the girl had been exposed to that creep and his cronies for five years.

He got into his car and called Heero. "The bugs are in place."

"Good."

"I'm headed back there."

"I've got the video feeds for us to go over when you get here."

"That's fine, but do you mind if I shower first?"

"Why? Did you run into trouble?"

"No, Heero, nothing like that. Being around Whitaker makes me feel dirty. He's just the kind of guy that screams 'sick-o'."

"Understood. I'm sure a shower can be arranged."

Duo rolled his eyes. He wondered if Relena was in the room. Heero wasn't usually this stiff when they talked. "Right, well, ETA is 20 minutes."

"Roger that. Over and out."

"Love you, too," Duo grumbled as he hung up. He hated Mission Mode Heero (complete with Sarcasm-Resistant Force Field). He couldn't wait for Relena's press conference to be over with so he could have his boyfriend back to normal.

Trowa closed his laptop and stretched. He needed a break. He also needed to get some sleep, but he wanted to check up on Cathy and see how the girl was adjusting. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Cathy's number.

"Hello?"

"It's me."

"Trowa! How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are the two of you adjusting?"

"I'm doing fine but…" Cathy trailed off.

Trowa frowned. "But what?"

"She's sick. She's been sick since the day you left. I took her shopping and to a movie and by the end of it, she was throwing up. I've talked to Sally and she said it was probably because her immune system hasn't been exposed to a lot of germs over the years."

"That's unfortunate," Trowa said. "Are you planning to take her to a doctor?"

"Not yet. Her fever's down to 101 and as long as it keeps going down, I think we'll be okay without a doctor."

"Okay. If you feel like she needs a doctor, take her in. Don't take any chances with her. There's so much we don't know about what she went through that…while I hate to suggest it…it is possible that she's experiencing withdrawal."

"Withdrawal?"

"Yes. If she was being drugged in any way her illness could be her dependency making itself known."

Cathy was silent on the other end of the line.

Trowa continued. "I'll ask Sally if the girl's blood work revealed anything in her system."

"You can ask but wouldn't Sally have suggested it when I talked to her earlier if that was the case?"

Trowa didn't answer right away. "Yes, she would have. However, there are some drugs that aren't easily found. She might not have been looking for them. I'm going to suggest it to her anyway just to make sure. She may still have a sample of the girl's blood she can check for anything that may have been missed before."

"Wouldn't symptoms of withdrawal have shown up before now?" Cathy pressed.

Trowa sighed. "Yes. But I'm still going to have Sally double check the tests that were done. If we missed something, it could be disastrous for the girl. I'm a little disgusted with myself that I never considered this possibility before."

"Don't feel that way, Trowa. We both know you're doing everything you can to help this girl. I'm pretty confident it's just a bug but if it makes you feel better to rule out the possibility of drugs go ahead. It won't hurt anything and it will give you peace of mind."

"I'll let you know what Sally tells me," Trowa promised.

"Okay. Trowa? Promise me you'll get some rest?"

Trowa scowled. How did she know he'd been pushing himself again?

"Trowa?"

"I promise," Trowa said grudgingly. It irked him that she was mothering him, even if he knew he was bordering on pushing himself too much.

Cathy hung up the phone and shook her head. She knew Trowa. He would push himself until he collapsed from exhaustion and there was nothing she could do about it. She went in to check on the girl again.

The girl had managed to kick her blankets off and she was starting to shiver. Cathy pulled the blankets over the girl and tucked them in so they would stay there for a bit. She frowned as she heard a soft knock on her front door.

Cathy left the girl and answered the door. It was the Manager.

"Cathy did you remember we have a performance tonight?"

"Yes, I remember," Cathy said, biting her lip.

"Then you would do well to get over to the tent."

"What can I do with the girl?"

"Bring her. She can watch from backstage."

"But sir…she's sick."

The Manager frowned. "That is a problem. You must perform."

"I know, but she's got a high temperature and I don't think it's a good idea to leave her alone."

"Hmm…" The Manager thought for a moment. "The best we can do is find someone who can watch her during your act. I'll put you last so that you can wait until the last minute to come over and then you can leave immediately following the curtain call."

"Thank you. If you can send whoever you find to get me right before my act I promise I'll be ready."

The Manager nodded. "If you can be ready, that is what we will do. I do not want you to be distracted and risk hurting yourself by being ill prepared, do you understand?"

Cathy nodded.

"Good. I will try to send one of the women from the side show. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, Manager. Thank you!"

The Manager took his leave and Cathy went back inside to check on the girl. The girl had kicked off the blankets again and was shivering. Cathy sighed and decided it might be better to get some pajamas on the girl if only to keep her from freezing when she kicked the blankets off. Cathy got the girl dressed quickly. It was easier this time around, which she was grateful for because she still had to get into her costume and makeup and get warmed up.

She was ready to go when someone knocked on the door. Opening the door, Cathy was surprised to see Torvald.

"Ah, Catherine! You have about twenty minutes before you are to go on. Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes. Are you watching the girl for me?"

Torvald nodded. "Yes. I volunteered!" he said with a smile.

"Well, thank you. She's asleep but you'll want to keep an eye on her. She keeps kicking the blankets off and getting cold."

Torvald nodded. "Do not worry. Everything will be fine. Go and do your act. We will be fine here."

Cathy smiled and left for the tent. She trusted Torvald. He looked a little scary at first but inside he was a big sweetheart.

As soon as Cathy left, Torvald checked on the girl. She had kicked the blankets off as Cathy predicted. Torvald put the blankets over her and ran a hand gently over her forehead. She was very warm. Torvald frowned and went into the kitchen. It didn't take him long to find ingredients for the soup his mother used to make him when he was sick as a child. He hummed softly to himself as he cooked. He liked this recipe because it was easy. Once the soup was ready, he poured some broth into a small bowl and set it aside to cool while he cleaned up.

Once the kitchen was in order, Torvald went into the girl's room. She had kicked off the blankets again. He checked her temperature with a slight frown before putting the blankets over her again. His original plan had been to wake her and get her to eat something but now he wasn't sure if that was a good idea. He went back into the kitchen and sat at the table. He wondered if there was anything he could do to help Cathy with the girl other than watch her during Cathy's act.

Cathy came home and Torvald stood up to greet her. "Ah, Catherine! How did the show go?"

"It went well, Torvald. The crowd was really pleased."

"Good…good."

"How were things here?"

"Just as you left them. She is still asleep. I made some soup but did not wish to wake her in order for her to eat it."

"That's very kind of you, Torvald. To be honest…I think I should see if I can wake her up. It wouldn't hurt to see if she can eat a little and keep it down."

Torvald checked the bowl of broth he set aside. "It is still warm, but not hot. Would you like me to help you?"

"You can if you like but I don't want to keep you."

"It is no trouble." Torvald picked up the bowl and followed Cathy into the girl's room.

Cathy gently shook the girl's shoulder. "Can you wake up for me? I'm sure you're hungry. I have some soup here for you to eat," she said, attempting to coax the girl awake.

The girl whimpered and her eyes opened a sliver, but that was all.

Cathy bit her lip.

"Let me try, please, Catherine," Torvald said gently as he handed the bowl of soup over.

Cathy took the bowl and stepped out of the way. Torvald sat on the edge of the bed and carefully lifted the girl to a sitting position. He supported her head with his arm and gestured for Cathy to bring the soup over.

"Perhaps she is too ill to come fully awake," Torvald said as he got a small spoonful of broth and tipped it into the girl's mouth. The girl swallowed, much to Torvald's delight. "My mother used to make this for me when I was not feeling well. If we can get a little more into her perhaps it will help her to feel better."

Torvald continued to feed the girl. She swallowed several spoonfuls before turning her face away from him.

"I guess that means she's done," Cathy said.

"I think you are right," Torvald said as he placed the spoon back into the bowl. He was careful as he laid her back onto the bed and covered her with the blanket. She seemed to be fully asleep now. "It is better if she doesn't have much right now anyway if she was unable to keep food down before."

The two circus performers left her, quietly shutting the door behind them.

"Thank you so much for all of your help, Torvald," Cathy said as they went back into the kitchen.

Torvald beamed at her. "It is no trouble. I like to help. Maybe I can help again?"

Cathy smiled at him. "I would appreciate that."