AN: Another chapter with little in the way of 3x4, but as always (even though it may not seem to at the moment) it serves to furthur the story and/or tie in with the resolution. This story isn't just about Trowa and Quatre getting together. That's just one small part of a wide, wide web. By the time we end this story... we will have touched on over half a dozen couples- not to mention that huge shadow mystery bad-guy deal.
And I will apologize if my updates seem a bit scattered and further apart than usual. I have a few fics I am working on for the Moments of Rapture contest, so I am trying to finish those. Don't worry... I won't forget my other fics, though!
Anyway... here is chapter sixteen. ^_^ Hope you enjoy!
Waking Up In Vegas
Chapter Sixteen
Cathy silently cursed her job as she rolled out of bed at such an un-Godly hour. Her career demanded that from August to May she woke up long before dawn in order to reach the shcool she taught at in time to set up for class. She groaned, shoving her feet into her slippers and groping the chair beside her bed for her silken house-coat.
Might as well go ahead and get breakfast ready, she thought, shuffling out of her room. She paused on her way down the stairs, though; a soft, faint moan reached her ears. Curious, she turned to stare at Trowa's door. Again, the faintest of noises, like a gasp.... Cathy's still sleepy mind took a moment to catch on.
Quatre was sleeping in her brother's room... in the same bed. Moans and gasps....finally it all added up, and Cathy's eyes widened, her hand slapping across her open mouth, a blush spreading across her cheeks. Oh... my....
Cathy turned again and rushed down the stairs. Of course they'd be doing that, she reasoned. They were *married* after all.
Married.... Cathy stilled at the bottom of the stairs, stomach going queasy as her world finally crashed down around her.
She'd thought she was going to marry Alex. He was so smart and kind and funny and.... *unfaithful*, she interrupted her train of thoughts before the tears could well up. She'd kept the tears and feelings at bay yesterday, caught up in the mystery of her brother's surprise spouse. Now, they threatened to tear down all the walls she hastily erected.
She could feel them coming, and she didn't know if she could stop them. She cast a watery glance at the top of the stairs; she didnt' want Trowa to see her like this. Not when he was so happy... she didn't want to place her problems on him. No. She wouldn't.
She snatched the keys to her little Ford Escort from beside the door and fled the house, knowing that even so early.... there was one person bound to be up and willing to listen to her.
"You're crazy!"
Relena glared at her friend. It was too late at night- or rather too early in the morning- for this to make sense. "I just turned down the invitation! Twice! Why would I want to accept? They're against everything I believe in."
Heero took a breath, sitting calmly on the edge of the bed while Relena paced back and forth. Neither had been to sleep yet; Relena had paperwork to go over, and Heero had been thinking... and researching.
"Relena... something is going on here, and you know it. And I think Tsubarov or Dekim may be at the bottom of this. I did some.... research. General Dekim Barton had a son named Trowa, who died years ago. His son... Dekim's grandson... is married to your best friend!"
Relena stumbled to a stop in her pacing. "What?"
"Quatre's so called husband happens to be the grandson of the man who wanted to try me for manslaughter," Heero said, more softly. "And Dekim's daughter, Leia.... she used to be married to *the* Treize Kushrenada. And Dekim, Tsubarov and Quinze are all supporting Quatre's father? These aren't all coincidences, Relena. I know it. I... I think maybe Dekim has some sort of motivation to get rid of Sandrock. And I think we should tell Quatre that his so called husband may be some sort of diversion."
Relena glared at Heero. "You have many valid points, Heero Yuy... but I draw the line at telling my best friend he married 007's arch-rival! Quatre really seemed to like that guy, and I'm not going to tell Quatre anything until we know for certain!"
Heero nodded. "Fine. But we still need to know more. You have to get yourself into that dinner party."
"And what will I say Heero? Oh, sorry I dissed you in front of your peers, but I'd like to eat your food anyway?" She made a face, putting a sickly sweet tint to her words.
"No. I've thought of this. Relena, if we're going to discover the truth behind all of this... we're going to have to do a little role-playing."
"In otherwords... you want us to play spy and go undercover?"
Heero nodded. "In essence. You need to get yourself... and me... invited to that party. Explain to Tsubarov and the others that you've began to re-think your stance on certain policies, but would like a chance to meet and go over them before you make it public."
Relena sighed, then nodded. "You're right. I don't know how you con me into schemes like this. This might get dangerous."
Heero nodded gravely. "I'll protect you."
She smiled wearily at him, looking for a moment years older than her quarter century.
"I know you will... you always have."
Diana wuffled at her mistress as the slender woman set the water bucket inside the stall. The horse nibbled almost daintily at her feed, barely keeping a watch on the woman.
Delana chuckled, gifting the horse a swift pat on the head before moving on to water Persephone, Pegasus, and Phoenix. The Maxwells only stabled six horses full time, with another three mares and two new-borns paddocked. They were a rather small business, but they were well known for turning out superb stock- even a few international medal winners.
The woman sighed in releif as she finally finished watering the last of the stable horses. Now to just load the truck and head to the pasture. She'd just tossed the last of the feed into the bed of the truck when she saw the green escort pull up by the barn.
If she was surprised to see Cathy step out of it dressed in slippers, a mint green top, and bubblegum pink shorts and slippers, hair still tousled from sleep, she didn't let on. It always surprised her to see just how beautiful her best friend was; the wild red hair, the glittering eyes and slightly freckled skin. Sometimes the way she felt scared her; after Trowa had saved her from her would-be rapist, she'd always shied away from romantic relationships. Was it right to be feeling that gut-churning, butterfly-dancing feeling after that? Was it right to feel like that about your best friend? Hell, growing up she'd considered Cathy as a sister. When had her feelings changes?
She jerked a hand at the truck, and waited for Cathy to slip in before she cranked it and pulled off towards the paddock where the horses were.
"Wanna talk?" Delana asked quietly when they were parking.
"I dumped Alex," Said the other woman suddenly. Delana nodded.
"You are back kind of early," she noted.
"I found him in bed with the hotel housekeeper in Paris. And I think he did it in Barcelona, too."
Delana winced. "I always told you he was a jack-ass," she said softly.
Cathy nodded. Two years before, when Delana had told her Alex had hit on her, Cathy'd dismissed it as meaningless.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you back then," Cathy replied as Delana handed her a pair of work boots from behind the seat, followed by a pair of gloves. "I... I just can't help but wonder if I'll *ever* find a man that's right for me," she continued, pulling on the boots.
"Maybe you will find someone," Delana replied cryptically, already in the process of unloading and feeding. The horses were already walking towards them. Cathy climbed into the back of the truck and helped.
"No. I... I just want to give up, 'Lana. I don't think I can handle another go'round like that. First Mark, then Alex. I dedicate *years* to them... and they turn around and do things like that. I'm not going through that again. I won't."
"Cathy," the woman said softly. She knew that feeling all too well- that feeling of thinking you'll never be able to trust, to love, again.
Cathy sat down abruptly on the tailgate. "I just... I just don't know what to do anymore."
"Cathy," Delana repeated, dropping down beside her. "It's all gonna be okay."
"Oh... I just don't think there's anyone in this world who's going to love me for me and be faithful... but that's all I really want. Oh, Lana... why can't... ummmm...."
Her friend just looked so depressed, tears close to falling; Delana couldn't take it- couldn't take that helpless feeling or the feeling of holding herself inside anymore. Gentle as she'd be with a skittish horse, the brunette took Cathy's chin, tilting that fair face to the side.
And she silenced the question with a soft kiss.
To Be Continued........