Rating: PG
Warnings: Death, angst, blood.
Characters: Dorothy, Treize, Zechs, Noin.
Note: Chapter four. A little bit early since I was a little bit late before. I just wanted to thank those of you who reviewed, they make me smile.
Chapter: Four: Wish Upon a Star
Chapter Summary: In which there is much alcohol, Dorothy is a baby-sitter, Zechs is annoyed, Treize is manipulative, and Noin is not pleased.


It's hot, too hot almost.

The African heat is oppressive and most of the Cadets have shed off their jackets and boots when not in class. Noin is stretched out in a thin patch of shade cast by the Training Building and her bare feet wiggle. Zechs watches her idly, feeling the sun beat onto the back of his head, burning his elbows and nose. She stirs and turns on her side to stare at him through squinted eyes.

"I honestly don't know how you keep your hair so long," she says derisively. He doesn't think it's too long, just past his shoulders now. He wonders what she would have thought if she'd seen it when it was a good three or four inches longer, closer to Dorothy's length. He shrugs and she sighs, returning to her previous position. "I can't believe its end of term already."

"Why?" he asks carefully. It's the last days before the shuttles leave, taking them back to their homes – their families and lives. He wishes he opted to stay and train at the academy during the long break. She sits up and fans herself with the paper listing her exam scores. He's already berated her on them; she's already threatened him with a black eye if he didn't stop it.

"It just seems to have gone by fast," she replies softly. "And to be honest, I can't imagine seeing my family again after all this time." He looks up at that since she rarely speaks of her family, and usually just off hand remarks, never any depth. She focuses on a bird flying by and he mentally charts the speed, wind, and trajectory needed to shoot it. He finds that unsettling.

"I suppose so."

"Will you be going home or with Mister Treize?" she questioned. She turned to look at him, violet eyes smiling. A moment passes in which he realizes he's supposed to answer and she shrugs when she doesn't receive one. "I'd like to write you, or visit but I won't impose. We will still be friends once the new term starts, right?"

"Of course Noin." She smiles, satisfied, and leans back against the hot wall.

"Good."

--

In celebration of his eleventh birthday Treize had arranged for two bottles of wine.

The house was new, Aria having moved into it just a month previous. It was on the Mediterranean, with a private dock leading to a yacht. They were lying on their backs on the roof of the house, listening to the waves lap far below and the servants move about the house, readying for bed. The stars were bright above their heads and the air warm and balmy.

"My uncle tells me you've done excellent," Treize comments when a large portion of the first bottle is gone. He sits up and stares out at the endless expanse of ocean. "I'm pleased to hear that Zechs, we'll need soldiers like you in the coming years."

"You know my reasons Treize," Zechs mumbles back. His head feels fuzzy, probably since he's the one who's drunk most of the wine. Treize looks at him and nods. "They will pay."

"Of course they will." He hesitates and Zechs tilts his head, looking at him. There's something else, something he isn't saying… "Dorothy will be joining us in a month once Dermail lets her come after the Annual Summer Ball he's hosting. I fear she's changed, at least that's what Mother's letters make it sound like."

"Ball?"

"Ah, yes. All of the Alliance members are welcomed of course; we're expected to be there. Well, that is to say, I am expected to attend. My uncle would like you there as well, since you are a guest and one of the best students at the Academy." Zechs smirks and Treize shakes his head. "I'm sorry, since you are the best student at the Academy."

"I don't think I'd be able to restrain myself."

Treize nodded and sipped from the bottle. A night fisherman's boat was leaving the town, the lights bobbing brightly in the darkness. "Relena will be there."

"What?" He sat up, the traces of alcohol leaving his bloodstream almost immediately. Treize nodded slowly. "Why?"

"The Vice Foreign Minister is bringing her. So is that girl from the Academy, Lucrezia is it?"

"Noin."

"Mm, right. I'm thinking of recruiting her into the Specials, what do you think?"

Zechs frowned, clenching and unclenching his fists. "She's a good soldier," he says finally. Treize nods. "Will Relena be safe?"

"I'm sure with you there no one will be able to harm her. And I can have Dorothy shadow her and befriend her if you wish it." Zechs nodded and Treize turned his gaze to the sky again. "What good fortune Zechs, a shooting star on your birthday."

--

"She's younger than me!" Dorothy whined. Treize narrowed his eyes at her. She shifted irritably, fingers playing with the gold locket around her neck. "I don't want to babysit."

"She's seven and you're eight," Treize responded, "that is not a big difference." Dorothy shook her head fiercely in response. "Besides, you might enjoy her company."

"I won't," she insisted. He sighed quietly and patted her shoulder lightly. "Why do I have to do it? What's in it for me?"

"Dorothy…" His tone was warning and she sniffed angrily.

"Zechs can do it if he wants to protect her so much!" She crossed her arms and glared at him. He shook his head and wondered why he had promised Zechs that Dorothy would agree to this.

"You know he can't. Look, she's arrived; do you want me to introduce you two?"

"No." She glared at him one last time before hurrying away, popping up in front of the entering family with a bright smile. "Hello, I'm Dorothy Catalonia." Relena's eyes brightened immediately and she smiled back. "So happy you could come." She dropped into a practiced curtsey, her head bowed so the curls fell over her shoulder.

"A pleasure to meet you, Dorothy," Vice Foreign Minister Darlian greeted. "This is my wife, and my daughter, Relena." He eyed her speculatively. "You're Duke Dermail's granddaughter, correct?"

"Of course," she answered. She gave another pleasant smile before looking back to the other girl. Relena was staring at her avidly, squirming under her father's hand. She saw Treize behind them and sighed inwardly. "Can Relena stay with me?"

"Yes!" Relena agreed immediately. She turned to her parents who were watching in bemusement. "Please, can I Mommy, Daddy?"

"Alright Relena, you two have fun," her mother replied. She brushed back some of the honey colored hair. "Be good." Relena was already dragging Dorothy away though, humming happily and looking too-comfortable in her poufy dress. Dorothy sighed, this time aloud, and glanced at the large clock on the other side of the room. It was going to be a long night.

--

She was beautiful.

He hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her once she and her family had entered the ballroom. Long honey colored hair, just like their mother's. Blue eyes, a sparkling laugh. She looked like a princess in a pale pink ball gown. Treize had been true to his word, having Dorothy approach her almost immediately and befriend her. No one, even if they suspected her true identity, would approach her when she was around the older girl.

"She's a bit young for you, don't you think?" He dragged his eyes away from Relena and instead to Noin. She looked uncomfortable, tugging at the elastic in her sleeves. "Then again, you could be looking at the other one, but she's still a few years younger than us."

"What are you talking about?" He feels confused, like maybe she said something important and he missed it, distracted by watching Relena calling the Vice Foreign Minister Daddy and his wife Mommy.

"You've been watching Darlian's daughter all night," Noin pointed out. She brushed her hair out of her face. "Or maybe it was the Catalonia girl, I can't be sure since they're always together. I figure you either want to recruit her or date her. She's too young."

He almost choked on the water he was drinking. "I do not want to date Relena Darlian."

She eyes him for a moment, then nods. "Good." He wonders why she doesn't pursue the possible recruitment but lets it drop. Her arms cross over her chest and her fingers fiddle with the diamond necklace she claims her mother forced on her. "I doubt you'd get along anyway." He bristles at that but she either doesn't notice or ignores it.

He opens his mouth to demand clarification but Dorothy is suddenly there, with a polite smile and a toss of pale curled hair. Relena stands behind her, eyes slightly wide as she stares at the two older children, and behind her is Treize, charismatic, charming Treize. His closest friend, his most trusted ally – he wants to punch him.

"Hello Mister Merquise," Dorothy says pleasantly.

"Miss Catalonia, how nice to see you again." He ignores Relena's presence; he doesn't bother looking at her. "This is Lucrezia Noin." The other girl nods while Dorothy's smile flickers.

"Pleased. Of course you know of Treize? And this is Relena Darlian, the Vice Foreign Minister's daughter," Dorothy replies. "Lovely party, isn't it?" He finally manages to look at her properly and he's shocked by the change. Her face is a little thinner, her dress more expensive, but it's the change in her eyes that throws him. It almost seems like they're made of ice, or stone.

"Dorothy?" he starts to question but Relena interrupts him. She takes a step closer and tilts her head so that too long bangs fall into her eyes.

"Are you blind? Is that why you wear the sunglasses indoors at night?" she questions. Dorothy hushes her quickly.

"Sorry, she's still young." Neither Zechs nor Treize point out that she's only a year older than Relena. They both know she's aware. "Would you like to dance Zechs?"

He offers a smile. "Of course." His chest tightens as he brushes past Relena, but its better this way. He has no reason to interact with her anymore; he gave that up years ago. "This way." He takes her hand and they slip away, his head turned away from Noin's pointed look.

--

"Why did you introduce us?" he demanded once they were on the dance floor. She smiled at him, hand tightening on his shoulder. "Dorothy, why did you introduce us?"

"I thought it might be amusing." The smile flickers and her eyes light briefly. "I wasn't terribly disappointed, but it was less dramatic than I had anticipated." He twirls her and sees Dermail's smile from across the room, his eyes fastened on the two of them. "Your friend doesn't seem to like us dancing. Or maybe she just doesn't like my cousin, that's entirely possible."

"What?" He follows her line of sight, sees Treize and Noin off to the side, near the French doors, talking. Strands of dark hair have fallen into her eyes, obscuring his view of the violet color. He knows they're watching him though. They make another turn and he notices Relena's dancing with the Vice Foreign Minister, her father, now.

"Miss Noin of course," Dorothy replies sweetly. He looks at her again and she raises an eyebrow. "I think…"

"Be quiet Dorothy," he nearly growls. He twirls her quickly and walks off the dance floor, out onto the lit patio. She follows him mutely. "I don't know why you're acting like this, I don't know if you know. It has to stop Dorothy, this game of deceit you're playing."

"I can't say I know what you mean." She leans against the rail, black dress crinkling slightly. "I was being completely honest when I said Miss Noin wasn't happy." She leans in with a smile. "I think she has a little crush on you, Milliardo." He tensed, turning to glare at her but she simply smiled back. "Mother used to tell me all about crushes. I wonder if Aunt Aria will now." Her eyes are shining brightly but he doesn't think it's from happiness.

"Enough, Dorothy," he growled.

"Mother used to tell me a lot," she added quietly. "She loved to talk." She trailed off, looking lost for a moment before her shoulders straightened. "Anyway, I promised my grandfather a dance; I'll see you later Zechs. Miss Noin." He turned around quickly, seeing her standing there, breeze tugging lightly at the dark purple gown.

"Noin," he says once Dorothy has glided away.

"Zechs." She raises an eyebrow, tilting her head to stare at him while she crosses her arms. It's such a Noin look he can't help but smile. "I guess you were looking at the Catalonia girl, Dorothy right?"

"Dorothy is a…" She raises her eyebrows higher as he lets the sentence trail off. He isn't really sure what he'd meant to say anyway. "Dorothy is her own person."

"I imagine she must be, with a family like that." He glanced at her curiously and she shrugged. "Treize and I had a lovely talk once Relena was carted off and you were dancing the night away with his cousin. Speaking of which, you dance?"

"I thought that was obvious."

"You never mentioned it before," she prompts. He shrugged and she smirked. "Too girly for your reputation?"

"Unneeded information."

"Of course." She pulled herself up so that she was sitting on the railing. "Relena did pose an interesting question. Why do you wear those sunglasses all the time? I didn't really think about it since you know, we live in Africa for schooling, but here, at night? I can see her point."

He turned purposefully and stared off toward the horizon where he knows there are mountains. It's just a matter of finding them. In the dark. She huffs a sigh and kicks her shoes off, rubbing her feet idly. An elderly couple wanders past, smiling at the two of them politely.

"You aren't going to answer me, are you? That's fine." Her fingers are playing with the necklace again. "Treize spoke to me about the Specials," she murmurs after a moment. "He says I'm a good candidate."

"You are."

She ignores his tone. "I think I'll accept, you have already, right?" He nods and she smiles. "I wish we were back at Lake Victoria already. I wish it was start of term again," she sighs. "I hate politics, remind me to never join them Zechs, no matter how persuasive they are."

"Of course, if you do the same for me Noin." She smiles at him and he smiles back. "Since you expressed such an interest earlier, would you like to dance?"

She looked up, startled, and then smiled, taking the offered hand.

--

"Smile, Thea."

"I'm beginning to suspect you have a perverse pleasure when it comes to pestering me," she drawled out. She took a flute of champagne from a passing server. He glanced at her but didn't say anything, continuing with his rounds. "I don't want to smile Treize."

"Obviously." He took the champagne from her, sipping it. "You're too young for alcohol Dorothy."

"Grandfather lets me have it." He snorts and she glares. "Don't be resentful."

"Don't be pompous, it doesn't suit you." His eyes follow the two cadets as they waltz around the dance floor. "Walk with me?" She matches him step for step, smiling pleasantly at each aristocrat they pass. Relena starts to approach but stops suddenly when Treize gives a shake of his head. They exit the ballroom, heading down the long corridors and toward the kitchen.

"Late night snack?"

"Only if you want; I was thinking to escape the aristocrats and our dear, compassionate grandfather."

"I knew you were jealous of him favoring me!" she exclaims as they enter the kitchen. If the staff was surprised to see them they didn't show it. "Admit it."

"I don't care who or what he favors Thea. Ah, Mrs. Harrison, do you think you could get a mug of hot chocolate for my cousin?" The old cook grinned at the two of them and ushered them onto stools while she began to make the drink. "I spoke to your father earlier in the evening Dorothy."

"Oh, and what about or is that privileged?" she snapped irritably.

"Mind your manners Miss," Mrs. Harrison reprimanded as she set the mug on the counter top. "Drink up Dear, you look pale."

"Thanks." She sipped the hot liquid carefully before looking at the older boy. "So, are you going to tell me Treize or do I have to guess?"

"I asked him if you would go to Lake Victoria." Her head lifts, mouth opening to pose the question, but she hesitates. He shakes his head slowly. "He said he'd be happy for you to go to the school, but Grandfather stepped in. He said he couldn't bear the thought of you fighting and the possibility of your death. Your father agreed. I am sorry Dorothy."

Her head bows, and her pale face is hidden behind a curtain of blonde hair. "Right, well, I knew that of course. And anyway, politics are much more fascinating, really. Fencing and parties and functions, so much to do…"

"Thea…"

"Don't. Please Treize, don't." She sat up straight and stared at the mug of hot chocolate. "Please, leave. I'll be back at the party in a little while." He stood and departed silently, ignoring her when she wiped at her tears.