Hey-o, and welcome to my Lil' World of Weirdness!!
I state for the record that I don't own Gundam Wing, or the wonderful characters that will be gracing this story. . . I do however lay claim to Ensign Saratone *again*, and I use him here purely as a replacement for your average Nameless OZ Minion. Other Characters I lay claim to are Faye Bloom, the wizened old man, Chang Xiao Fao Lan, and the Angels.
Let's just say . . . when my writer's block breaks, it's like a dam breaking . . . [shakes head slowly and winces]
Parings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3 . . .. Eh, heh, not that anyone reads up here, but I realised I'm giving away certain parts of my story with these!!
Okay, that's the legal stuff out the way!!
Please ENJOY AND PLEASE R&R!!! THANK YOU!!
Also, thanks to my beloved Bluegoo for her ever wonderful betareading, I thank her for the many hours that she has put in with me on this one, be it correcting my terrible grammar and spelling, or listening to me mumbling large chunks of it down the phone to her . . . You're great, Blue!! Even if you are Commander and Chief of the Apostrophe Gestapo . . . [ducks and runs off, screaming over shoulder] GO READ AND REVIEW HER STORIES!!
Thank you to Two-Mix for the lyrics, I don't own Just Communication!!
//Thinking//
"Speaking"
*Stress/Emphasis*
Writing/Dream sequence
Telepathic thoughts
:: Lyrics ::
~*~
For The Grace Of Knights And Angels
By Doctor Megalomania
Part Thirteen: Angelic Contact
Quatre watched his mother as she brushed her hair slowly, "Are you sure this room will be enough . . .?"
She smiled; her eyes still a little red from before. "I'm sure . . ." She stared at his reflection, "Shouldn't you be getting ready to go to bed?"
"I guess . . ." He smiled and held up a folder, "But I've got a little work to do and I just want to make sure you're comfortable."
She nodded, "You're very quiet . . . and polite . . . and you grew up with your father?" She shook her head, "I wouldn't believe it!"
Quatre sighed, "I was raised more by nurses and my sisters . . ." He smiled a little helplessly, "I never really did things with father beyond regular meetings . . ."
"If I die again . . ." Quatrine swivelled in her seat, and shook her brush at the air, "If I die again, Raberba is going to get hell. The man swore he would treat you better . . . he swore that you would grow up differently."
"I don't mind."
"Well, I do!" Quatrine frowned and put down her brush, she got up and walked over to her son. "It matters to me because I wanted to be there. I didn't want to die, I wanted to live long enough to show you everything . . . everything it was to be a proper heir, but in a way that meant you wouldn't have to grow up and be cold and stiff." She sighed and sank down to sit beside him, "But I guess you didn't, so I guess he held up part of his deal."
"Mother . . ." Quatre chuckled lightly, he smiled and sighed wrapping his arms around her small frame. They held each other quietly, just enjoying each other's company. Quatrine shifted slightly and guided Quatre to rest his head in her lap. He did so willing, and toed off his shoes, pulling his feet up onto the bed. She twisted her fingers in his hair, "So . . ." she murmured, "Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Uh . . ." Quatre swallowed, blushing, "I don't . . . I mean, not that . . . uh . . ."
Quatrine smiled knowingly, "Who is he?"
"What do you mean?" Quatre froze. He twisted to look up at her. She was calm as she smiled down at him.
"Quatre . . . I know some of your sisters . . ." She paused and bit her lip, "I know some of them swing the other way . . . not something I generally approve of, but I sense that you are similarly inclined."
He winced. "Am I that . . .?"
"The choice of attire and . . ." she smiled, "And some of the Maganacs mentioned that the women at the base don't seem turn your head . . ." She sighed again, smiling gently. "It's not something I can change about you . . . and your father would have a fit if he were alive . . . so—" She pressed his nose, "--we'll keep it between me, you and . . ." She tugged at the collar of his shirt, ". . . Pinky here. Who is he?"
Quatre closed his eyes, "I'm not in love . . . with anyone."
"Someone must turn your head though . . . Rashid wouldn't glare so, when he was talking about your cohorts if it wasn't one of them." She chuckled, "Is it the one with the long hair?" He smiled, not giving anything away. Quatrine – a stubborn woman by nature – wasn't disheartened by her son's calmness. She smiled, "I'll find out . . ."
"I'm sure you will."
"I will."
"I know."
There was a moment of silence.
"Quatre!"
"Mother!" He smiled and opened his eyes. She giggled and pinched his nose. "Ow!"
She chuckled again, and shook her head, "He's handsome, and by your smile I'll say he's very close to you . . . but he . . ." Her smile faded slightly, "He may not—"
"I know." Quatre sat up at this, and hugged his knees. He stared at his clasped hands, just letting his mind wander. He frowned slightly as the sensation of sand ran through his toes, and he found himself feeling sun-warmed. He tilted his head back, and stared at the soft overhead chandelier, it wasn't so bright but . . .
//Trowa.//
. . . shaking, who was shaking him so violently?!
"QUATRE?!" His mother . . . why was she sounding so scared? "QUATRE, ANSWER ME!!"
"Master Quatre!" Rashid, where did he come from? "Master Quatre! Wake up! Master Quatre! Auda, fetch water. Quickly!"
Quatre opened his eyes slowly, and found himself staring at his feet again. He was still hunched over in the same position, but a glance at the clock showed that two hours had past. He frowned, and wondered groggily when he had lost the time.
"Quatre?!" His mother was kneeling beside him, "Thank Allah! Rashid, he's awake again! Quatre!"
Rashid strode over quickly and pulled Quatre's chin up, "Are you all right?"
He frowned and blinked, "Yes . . . I think so . . ." Auda returned, and handed him a glass of water. He drank, almost greedily; his throat was dry. He looked at Rashid, and his mother, worry beginning to seep out of their expressions. Rashid frowned, "Did you see anything? Like Captain Yuy?"
He began to shake his head. "No . . ." He murmured, "But I . . . I want to go back to town for a little while . . ."
Quatrine and Rashid exchanged a look, "Why?" His mother asked gently, as he got to his feet. Rashid steadied him, as Quatre looked around his expression still slack. "Why do you want to go to town . . . at this time of night, Quatre?"
He paused, his mouth working, but not sound issuing. He looked around, his eyes beginning to clear of the fog in his mind, "I want to see . . . I want to see Trowa . . . now."
Dorothy and Relena sat in silence as they searched through files, read through the reports. They had been at it for hours, determined to figure out a way to save the people in case this Angels myth turned out to be fantasy. The Gundam Doctors had already offered their services, and had begun to draw up new ships, massive escape ships should the worse come to pass. Ships that would support human life, and hold enough containment to build a new colony . . . or colonies, in case the ones surrounding the Earth were hit as well.
Relena frowned, as she read the passage again.
If the Gundams failed . . . They were going to abandon the Earth.
Dorothy looked up, as Relena pushed away from the desk, and walked out onto her balcony. She sighed as she stared after Relena, it was hard . . . after everything that had happened, after all the fights they had gone through to save this planet . . . Dorothy shook her head, and continued to read.
Relena held tightly to the stone railing and looked out; almost wishing Heero was here and able to tell her to be strong. In the years since the wars, she had gotten over her little infatuation and the two had become closer. She had to be stronger, she reminded herself, they hadn't lost so much, hadn't strived to get this far just to be pushed aside in some petty way. Her hands clenched, she wouldn't fail this.
"You're so strong, Relena."
Her blue eyes popped open at the voice. The man moved closer and smiled, touching her hand.
"Who knew you would grow so much in such a short time?"
She turned, tears welling up in her eyes, "Father . . ." Minister Darlian smiled gently and opened his arms as his adopted daughter ran into them.
"Ah, Relena . . ." He closed his eyes and held her tightly, "It's so nice to see you again . . ."
Dorothy looked up again, and smiled gently. She glanced at the plans for the evacuation ships, and new colonies and nodded.
"No . . ." She murmured, "The human spirit will not just roll over and die . . . the human spirit . . ." She grinned, "The human spirit will fight back with everything we have!"
"Shouldn't you be asleep?"
Trowa looked up from his lions, and smiled slightly, "I can't sleep . . . too much has happened . . . my mind . . ." He stroked the old lion gently, "My mind won't take the chance to rest . . ."
"Ah . . ." She smiled slightly, and sat beside him. "I'm glad I found you and Catherine." She reached out and let the lion sniff her hand, and hummed absently. They were content to sit there for the time being, with the lions and their backs against the bars. Faye smiled and leant against Trowa, "You've grown into a fine man, Trowa."
He smiled slightly.
She chuckled and lifted a hand, "But . . ." Faye tugged at the wayward fringe, "What the hell is this all about?"
He chuckled quietly, "I don't know . . . it's always been like this, every since I was a child. He lifted one shoulder, no one ever bothered to cut it."
"They must have cut the back of your hair . . ." She smoothed her hand down the short hair, "So why not the front . . .?"
He shrugged again, "I've never bothered to ask . . ."
Faye snickered quietly, and closed her eyes. Trowa was breathing deeply, steadily, and she wished she hadn't missed so much of his life. She didn't know how the mercenaries had treated him, if the name he had taken was one he made up from what he remembered, or if it was taken . . . she frowned, although Sister Maxwell had mentioned that Barton was a famous name. Faye wondered what happened to the real 'Trowa Barton' . . . her frown deepened as she thought about how much blood her son must have on his hands, and how he dealt with it. She wondered if he and his friends were always as honourable as they acted, or if the war had shown them something worth growing up for. It didn't seem like any of them had had real childhood like she had planned for her children. An easy life, which taught the skills and pride in themselves, and respect for everyone no matter their origin . . . she wondered about his personal life, it was clear that Catherine and Trowa, despite never knowing their true relationship, were devoted to one another. She smirked at the thought, and opened a deep green eye to peer at Trowa, "You've never slept with Catherine, have you?"
Trowa blinked slowly, "It never occurred to me . . . she was always . . ." He frowned, "Always too sisterly to me for it." He sighed, "Besides I'm . . ." He swallowed and turned his head away, "I'm not that way . . . inclined."
Faye blinked, "You're not?"
He looked back at her and chewed on the bottom of his lip. She smirked and batted at his hair, "That's why you wear it like that." She chuckled, "All your nervous tendencies manifest themselves on the side that is hidden."
He smiled slightly again, "I guess that must be it."
She nodded decisively, "of course it is . . ." she broke into a gentler smile, "does Catherine know?"
He shook his head, "I don't know how she'd take it. She's been dropping fairly broad hints that I should be dating now . . ."
"Sweet." Faye stretched, and wiggled her feet, "Have anyone in mind?"
She glanced over at Trowa and saw him stare fixedly at some far off point, before shaking his head, "No."
Faye nodded, "I see . . ." she got to her feet, and offered him a hand, as he got up and they walked over to the trailer, she leant close to him, "Is he not the same way . . . inclined?"
Trowa stopped. "I . . ."
But before he could continue, Catherine popped her head out. "Come on!" She called out, "Soup's ready!"
Faye turned to her son, and curled her hand against his cheek; "Think about it . . . if you're like this to him, then he might not know. How are you sure that he's not interested?" She shook her head, "Try. There's nothing worse in this life, than a life taken without chance."
Trowa stood there as she turned and ran off to the trailer. "It's not as simple as you think, mama." He blinked again and turned looking up. The stars seem brighter than normal . . . he frowned as he noticed they were getting brighter.
He felt a strange sensation.
"I . . ." He found himself murmuring, "I want to . . ."
Time felt like it was slowing down, going backward almost. The warm breeze seemed to increase, making his hair dance, and tickle his ears playfully. He stared at his feet in some confusion. Why was he on the ground . . . he preferred to be away from it. Space . . . he longed for it, the Earth was just pulling him down . . .
A loud cawing pulled his attention away from his Earth bound feet, and to the sky. A hawk was flying above him, a pure white hawk. His arm shot out of its own violation, and the bird landed. //It should have hurt . . .// he thought as he pulled the bird closer, it's bright green eyes, luminous in the night. It stared at him, as its eyes began to brighten further with a crackle of energy. He looked up, and found himself not in the night covered circus grounds anymore . . .
. . . but in the desert. Five figures ambled towards him. He looked around as a movement caught his eye; Quatre was beside him, someone heavily cloaked who he assumed to be Wufei on his other side. Beside Quatre stood Duo and finally Heero. Duo was talking to Heero, and Quatre had raised his arm, his fingers stretched out in a 'stop' motion. Duo turned and asked something of Trowa, and he found himself nodding even though he didn't understand the question. Duo turned to relay the information.
Quatre closed his bright blue eyes, and his hand began to . . .
"TROWA?!"
He struggled to open his eyes, how could he? It felt like it had been centuries since he last opened them. He stared up into the bright blue worried eyes of Quatre as the blonde boy turned his head, and yelled for someone to call and ambulance. "Trowa . . ." Quatre leant over him, and he smiled faintly as he caught the scent of fresh tea from the boy. Quatre leant closer and stared at him, peering into what he didn't doubt to be clouded eyes, "Trowa . . . Are you okay? Please say something!"
"I want to . . ." Trowa felt his eyes drop close again, Quatre's face fading from focus, ". . . I want to . . . fly."
Trowa opened his eyes.
It was dark here. Good. He doubted his blue eyes would have been able to take the strain of sunlight just yet. He frowned, and shivered, "Pity about the cold . . ." he mumbled, pulling his hands back to his arms, and rubbing hard. The sound of breathing was all around him, but he felt no fear. He knew there were others like him, others like him who shouldn't have died, others . . . like him, who desired revenge and blood.
He grinned darkly; Doktor S would be first . . . he didn't doubt for a second that the reluctant scientist had felt any regret when Trowa Barton had died.
Trowa opened his eyes.
When he came round, it was because his mother and sister were squeezing both of his hands tightly and it hurt.
He frowned and looked around, Doktor S was peering at a clipboard full of reports, and Quatre was sitting on the end of his bed.
"What did you see?"
He blinked and looked past his mother to Heero. "I saw a desert . . ." He spoke slowly, sleep having not quite leaving his system, "You, Duo and Quatre to right of me . . . and a cloaked person, possibly Wufei to the left of me . . . A bird, the white hawk landed on my arm . . . Five black cloaked figures walking toward us . . ."
"Duo asked you a question, Quatre with his arm raised so." Heero raised an arm to demonstrate his point, the same 'stop' motion. As Trowa nodded, Heero frowned, "The same as me . . . What did Duo ask?"
"I don't know." Trowa answered, "I remember that Quatre closed his eyes, and that his hand began to do something but . . ." He frowned, "I don't remember what happened next."
"Do you remember anything else?" Quatre questioned, "From before you went into the trance?"
"A bird, a white hawk landed on my arm, and I wanted to fly . . . or at least be in space . . . I didn't want to be in contact with the Earth . . . I felt . . . silly."
Quatre smiled at this, and nodded, "That would explain the marks on your arm . . ." He smiled slightly, and glanced over his shoulder to the door. Trowa blinked and looked at the arm that the bird had landed on, there indeed were claw marks. "Where did the bird go?"
"What bird?" Duo asked, "You were holding an envelope with a seal on the back. The seal had a bird on it . . ."
"A hawk?"
Duo blinked, "I've never seen a hawk before in my life . . ." he raised an eyebrow, "It could have been an owl for all I know. Not that I know what an owl looks like either."
Trowa sighed, "What was in the envelope?"
"Directions." Wufei muttered; he sat up from his seat, his arms folded, "To an ancient volcano on the coastline of China, very near Japan. It's an invitation . . . from the Angels, and signed by the Angel of The Beasts, and is addressed to Oikakusu Mahotsukai."
"Meaning?"
"It's Japanese, and roughly translates to the Wizard or Warlock that covers, masks his face." Wufei frowned deeper, "Where did you get the envelope?"
"I don't know, there was a white hawk . . . its eyes were glowing with green, and then I found myself in the dream."
"Master Fao is convinced this is the sign from the Angels . . ." Wufei scowled, "And Lady Une agrees. She is sending us five; with Noin, Zechs, my Master and my wife to China . . ." He glanced at his friends, "And anyone we want to bring along . . . although she did ask that we keep it to a minimum."
Faye squeezed her son's hand, she'd follow him, she said with her motion, to the ends of the Earth if needs be, she wasn't going to loose him again.
Quatre smiled, "Rashid refuses to leave without me, so my mother, Rashid and ---" He broke off and frowned, glancing at the door again. "Where . . .?"
"What is it, Quatre?"
"The nurse is . . ." He blinked, and looked over at Heero, "Nothing . . . it's just . . . the nurse is going to—"
The door opened, and a nurse stepped in. She smiled and placed a small basket of flowers with a toy dove resting in the middle at the foot of the bed, resting lightly on Trowa's legs. She looked up and beamed at Trowa, her dark brown eyes rapidly changing to an electrified green. "It's nice to know that you recover so quickly . . ." Her voice sounded like one that had lived for many years, "We look forward to meeting you all . . ." She paced to the window, and looked out, folding her arms behind her back.
Everyone stared in shock as the toy dove flapped its wings, and in a burst of feathers, became real.
It landed gently on her shoulder as she started to talk. "Hmm . . . the Dark Chi is on the borders of your planetary system, in one orbit of your little rock, it will be here . . ." She chuckled warmly, reaching up to pet the bird, "It seems like a blink of an eye . . ." turning, the possessed nurse lifted the dove from her shoulder and walked over to Trowa's bedside. "When you are ready to join us in China, send the dove back . . ." Trowa lifted his hand almost automatically, and the bird hopped the sit on his finger. He stared into her eyes, "We will prepare for you . . . and your families as you so wish . . . Hmph, and be prepared, this will not be a holiday, and you will live there for a year . . . until you are ready to face the Dark Chi."
Trowa nodded.
The nurse smiled again, her eyes changing colour once more, "Okay?" She glanced at the toy in his hand once more, "I just can't get over how lifelike they make them now . . ." Trowa glanced down at the bird in his hand, it was once again a stuffed toy. The nurse grinned, "You should be out of here by this afternoon, mister Barton . . ."
And with that, the nurse walked out of the room.
----------------------------
And Now It's Time to LEAVE IT TO DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!!
DrM: Woooo. . . the angels' have contacted the boys. . . and Quatre and Trowa
have crushes on—
Trowa: [walks up and kicks DrM] . . .
DrM: [winces] oh, yeah tension. . .
Trowa: [rolls eyes] . . .
DrM: [folds arms] geeze Trowa, shut up!
Trowa: [raises eyebrow] . . .
DrM: [waves hand] I know, I know. . .
Trowa: [shakes head] . . .
DrM: [bites lip] you think so?
Trowa: [folds arms and nods] . . .
DrM: [gasps] But—
Trowa: [skunk-eye level ten] . . .
DrM: [steps back] I don't believe you!! He wouldn't!!
Trowa: [smirks] . . .
DrM: [giggles evilly] That little Minx. . . and you have it on tape you say?
Trowa: [presses finger against lips, and motions readers] . . .
DrM: [blinks and blushes] oh yeah, hey guys, do me a favour and R&R!!! Please!!! Thank you!! [Turns back to Trowa] Handcuffs?
Trowa: [smirks] . . .