Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and Roadside are the property of their respective owners. I do not own anything.
Get in the mood: "Roadside" by Rise Against
The Tower
Chapter 3
"And I don't think you see the places inside me that I find you."
"Well Agent Light, looks like I finally have some work for you. This morning I was invited to an impromptu 'investment' meeting. I can't say the content was stimulating but the company was certainly interesting. I'm sending a list of names now with my notes."
"I'll see what my research turns up and let you know. I'll forward this report to Agent Rose. Huh."
"'Huh?' What does that mean? Do you recognize any of the names?"
"No."
"No? Then what-"
"None of these names are familiar. With how influential and rich these people are supposed to be, they should have some sort of social reputation. Watch your back and I'll alert you with the results."
"Okay. I'll report again at the usual time."
"Hn."
The night felt warm but a soft breeze danced unseen in the darkness. High above, stars delicately sparkled in the heavens as to not compete with the bright glow of the moon. It was another gala, another balcony but the couple remained the same. She smirked at her companion as he took his now usual place next to her. His presence soothed her in a way she'd never admit to anyone. He was simultaneously entertaining and charming and she could tell by the look in his eyes he would provide a worthy battle of wits for her on this night.
"Mr. Winner we should stop meeting like this," Dorothy breathed coyly.
"Miss Dorothy, there is nothing more I would rather do than exactly that," Quatre said borrowing her confidence.
He glanced at her with his own sly smile. Dorothy prepared her defenses before assuming her detached facade.
"If I'm not mistaken, you are the one who came to join me."
"If I'm not mistaken, I would like for you to come join me."
She eyed Quatre warily but remained silent.
"I'd like to invite you to have dinner with me tomorrow night."
He met her gaze as she searched his blue pools. After some time, Dorothy broke the uneasy silence between them.
"We can't-"
"We can," Quatre challenged her.
Dorothy attempted to reason with him, "Mr. Winner. I am trying to spare you a future of awkward encounters after we inevitably reach a point where we both despise each other and-"
"I'll come to pick you up at 7:30." He beamed brightly and gently tucked his hand under her chin to close her gaping mouth. Leaving no further room for discussion, he bowed to her and took his leave.
Now alone on the balcony, Dorothy returned her stare to the heavens and contemplated this turn of events. A small smile graced her face as she mentally planned the following night's events. Her heart beat faster with anticipation of the seeing Mr. Quatre Winner again.
Dorothy wondered who could be knocking on the door of her hotel room at such a late hour. Several of the company meetings required her to travel and few people knew her whereabouts when she was away from home. She had even requested a sabbatical from working with Relena offering the excuse of settling the final remnants of the Romefeller Foundation her grandfather and uncle had left behind after the war. Looking through the peephole elicited a sharp gasp and a few choice curse words from her mouth. Her mind raced as she desperately formulated a plan of action to deal with her unwanted guest. Another knock came to the door and Dorothy inhaled again to calm her nerves. Exhaling ever so slowly, she plastered her icy mask over her features in preparation of the role she would act. She opened the door before the next knock landed.
"Mr. Winner. What brings you all the way to Earth and much less, to my very door at this time of the night?"
"Dorothy. I've been thinking about us-"
"I'm sorry Mr. Winner but I thought I made it explicitly clear there was no longer an 'us'".
Dorothy's voice was dripping with venom. Quatre was taken aback.
"How can you say that? Are you trying to tell me that what happened between us meant nothing to you? I-"
"Yes Mr. Winner that is exactly what I'm saying. Yes, we had a connection but that's all it was! A fling, nothing of substance to build a relationship on. I just tired of pretending to be interested in you."
She quickly seized command of the conversation and left Quatre little room to speak.
"Dorothy, please we-" Quatre tried.
His mind was in shambles. As he thought through his memories, the years of friendship and the months of dating, he couldn't believe they could be all lies. Blue eyes met violet eyes in a battle to discover the truth. Quatre couldn't read Dorothy's emotions and her frigid glare gave no quarter.
"Mr. Winner, you showing up to my door like this is extremely bothersome. Do I even want to know how you found this hotel?"
She repressed her emotions and focused on playing her part.
"Dorothy, please don't shut me out," he all but whispered. "I know you. You wouldn't do this without-"
"Honestly Mr. Winner. You of all people should have known what kind of person I really am. Instead, you've let fantasy taint your reality. It's a pity really. I don't know how I can convey this point to you in a more comprehensible way than I have already. You bore me. Whatever we had is over. Despite what I said before about remaining friends, the very thought of such an idea disgusts me. You are weak and I firmly believe we should never see each other again. Good night Mr. Winner!"
With her last insult she proceeded to slam the door in the stunned blonde's face. She silently prayed he wouldn't dare to knock again. As a precaution she kept her emotions tightly suppressed lest his spaceheart discovered the truth. At long last, through the door she could hear the pilot retreat and she forced the images of his defeated form from her mind.
Dorothy leaned her back against the door for what seemed like an eternity. When she was sure that he had left the building, a shaky breath escaped her lips.
"This is right. What I'm doing is the right thing," she whispered reassuringly.
The words sounded distant and hollow to her ears. Her whole body slowly sank to the floor as the weight of her actions settled like lead on her shoulders. Dorothy trembled as her mind replayed all the cruel words she spat at the man she loved. She felt the cold ground rise up to meet her as she sat broken on the floor and wept.
