Lost Love, Lost Prince and Marriage?
Chapter 11
Visions of a Growing Love
By Güera
Well. Long time no see. Sorry about that. Writer's block. But enough about the sad part. Here's the good news. This morning it snowed and they canceled school!! That is awesome! We got a Snow Day! And I spent the entire day writing up this chapter. So please if you will thank me for all my hard work with a review. ;) I hope all of you who are in tests like me will hold on. But I guess the Snow Day messed up all my teachers' plans. Yay! Well good luck on tests if you have any and enjoy this new chapter. Leave a review if you care. ;)
Darkness. No light. No comfort. Just cold darkness. But yet I don't feel cold at all. In fact I feel warm. Like if I was being held by someone and their warmth was being transferred to me. Who could it be? I slowly opened my eyes. The light blinded me for a bit but they adjusted to the brightness. As my other four senses awakened, I heard chirping. From a bird? It's sweet song filled the air. Then I began to smell trees, flowers. I was outdoors. But how did I get here? After my eye vision cleared, I saw the singing bird and the tree it was perched on. I felt like I was in heaven. No cold, no worries. None whatsoever. The person who held me tightened their hold. It was strong yet gentle. I know exactly who held me. It is my beloved, Trowa. I looked up at my captor and sure enough I saw his light brown hair. I smiled. He had fallen asleep while I had woken up. How dear he is. His closed eyes hid their precious green color. I stared at him for what seemed like hours. I snuggled even closer. I didn't want this moment to end. An idea sprang into my head. Should I risk it? I think so. I began to think about the day we met. How quiet he had been back then. Without any more thought, I neared my head to his. I closed my eyes as my lips touched his own I entered a cherished memory we both shared.
**Flashback**
Saturday, February 2, AC 197
Three people sat at a table in a café. They talked softly about unimportant matters. A blonde haired boy laughed and closed his eyes, when they reopened he showed their bright blue color. A woman sitting across from him smiled at his amusement at her story. Her curled red hair matched her emerald green eyes. Her adoptive brother amazingly had the same eyes as she did, but he did not smile. His light brown hair was combed to one side, it hid his left eye, leaving the eye visible but yet they held no joy. He was happy to meet his old friend once again, although he didn't show it at all. His sister and friend knew his feelings, he did not tell them but they knew him well enough to know. He picked up his cup of tea and slowly drank from it. He looked straight ahead at the boy, then at his sister. His eyes darted to his left side, not looking at his dear sister but rather another thing entirely more interesting.
"What is it, Trowa?" The red-haired girl said turning to look at the spot her brother so interestingly stared at. "What are you looking at?" The blonde boy was also interested.
"We're being watched." Trowa said simply. She looked back at him, puzzled.
"By who?" She asked.
"Not sure." He calmly said as his eyes moved slowly across the room. "She's here." He said as he looked behind the blonde boy.
"Hello, little brother." A sweet voice spoke from behind him. The figure stepped nearer the table and revealed herself. She had shoulder length blonde hair, much like her little brother's. Her eyes shined bright hazel green and her smile could be felt. She ruffled her brother's hair before taking the seat next to him. "So, Quatre, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" She smiled.
Quatre straightened his messy hair as best as he could before opening his mouth to speak. "Good morning, Teri." He said a little surprised. "I would appreciate it if you didn't keep doing that." Quatre said as he still attempted to straighten his hair, but to no avail, it remained messy. Teri smiled sweetly at him.
"But it's so much fun to do that, and even more entertaining to watch you fix it." She sweetly said with a smile. A small chuckle erupted from the brown haired boy and a giggle escaped from the red hair girl. "Well, little brother, go on with the introductions."
Quatre slightly glared at her, then began the introductions. "Teri, my dear sister, this is Catherine Bloom." He said signaling to the red-haired girl. "Catherine, this is one of my many sisters, Teri Winner."
"Pleasure to meet you." Catherine said politely extending her hand.
"The pleasure is mine." Teri said shaking Catherine's hand.
"This is my brother, Trowa Barton." Catherine said. Trowa only nodded his head indicating he was Trowa. Catherine didn't smile at this. "Trowa is the silent type." She said afterwards explaining his behavior.
"Well, a pleasure to meet you Trowa." Teri said softly. "And what is it I have to do to get you to say something?"
"You have to do nothing. I just wish to remain silent." He said looking into her eyes, bright green and sparkling. Lighter than his.
**Another Flashback**
Wednesday, February 6, AC 197
A small blonde woman held a weapon in her hand. Her target neared her. She slowly raised her weapon, aimed and fired.
"Ahhh! Teri!" The small now wet child cried and raised her own water gun to the blonde. A stream of water shot out and made contact with Teri's face.
"Everyone get Teri!" Another child yelled. Many children of many ages came out of hiding and began to fire at the outnumbered blonde. But even so she managed to completely wet all of the children as well. She dried her hair as best she could and dropped the water gun.
"Okay, I think the water battle is over." She said and smiled at all her wet children around her. "Come on, let's get all of you back to the orphanage before you catch a cold and I get into trouble."
"But Teri, you promised you'd spend the entire day with us." A small girl said.
"Yeah, ifs only, uhh . . . " A small boy began to say and stopped to think. "We sfill haf a zillion hours to spend wifh you." The small boy said.
"Atari, Zani, Carri I know. I just don't want you to go to the circus all wet." She said and picked up the small Reil and hugged him, wet and all.
"We're going to the circus?!" Atari said or rather yelled. Teri nodded her head.
"So all of you have to go change. Quickly now, before the show starts." Teri yelled after the running children and lightly dropped the small Reil. He scampered to reach the older children. Soon they were all out of her sight. But she wasn't worried, they knew their way back. She slowly walked, smiling back to the orphanage. When she arrived there, she read the name of the orphanage.
Colony XL-3 Orphanage for War Orphans
No the most welcoming and pleasant name but it does suit it. The orphanage was built after the war and started accepting any children that had lost their families in the war. The Winner Corporation added a new building and helped fund this and many other organizations who are trying to rebuild society and replenish what everyone lost during the war.
Teri went inside the orphanage and greeted the well-known employees. She picked up her backpack from the front office and left to change. Her hair was soaked and so were her clothes.
When she came out, she was crisp and clean, with dry clothes. Although her hair was still humid. She carried her backpack containing her wet clothes and dropped it off at the front office once again. She thanked the employees, while they told her their gratitude. Teri left them to go to the children's rooms. There she found a mess of clothes and children. She picked up a few things and set them on the nearest bed.
"Okay, children!" She shouted over the noise. The children looked at her and ran to her side. They hugged her.
"Look, Teri. We're all ready to go to the circus." Atari, a little red haired girl said. She wore a polka dotted skirt and a blue shirt. Her hair was unsuccessfully tied in two pony tails. Teri smiled at them. Some of the younger children were more or less the same way.
"That's very nice, Atari." Teri sweetly said and laughed. The small Reil came up to her, but tripped on his overly large clothes. She picked him up and set him on her lap. She slowly removed the several layers of clothing he somehow put on. "Okay, we have a few more minutes before the circus. Atari, Jannie, Zack and R.B. go help a few of the smaller ones get dressed. Please." They all nodded. After ten minutes of dressing, combing and drying hair, Teri and the children walked out of the orphanage and headed for the circus.
They arrived at the circus in less than five minutes, with the children pulling and pushing Teri to go faster. She went and bought their tickets. She then directed them to a few rows, she stood over them counting.
"19, 20, 21 . . . " She mumbled. "Where's Reil?" Teri asked worriedly. "Reil, Reil. Reil!"
"Right here!" The small boy shouted as he entered the ring.
"Reil, don't. Come back!" She yelled at him, but her cries didn't reach his ears. She turned to the older girl. "Zani, watch them." Zani, an older black-haired girl nodded. Teri ran down the stairs and jumped over the circle.
"Ma'am, you can't do that." The ring leader with a top hat said to her. Teri paid him no heed. She continued running in the direction Reil ran to. He ran faster into the tent, until Teri couldn't see his small body. Worry grew in her.
"Reil! Reil, where are you?! Stop hiding!" Teri shouted at the darkness. She advanced quickly trying to find some sign of him. She heard whimpering, as she followed it, it became louder. But that wasn't the only sound in the room. The whimpering stopped, and she couldn't hear a single sound. Just soft breathing. She proceeded with caution, someone else was in the room. She hit something, hard. A wall. She followed the wall until she heard the whimpering again. This time it was closer than before. A door opened and light shined into the room. The darkness became shadows and she spotted Reil, on the floor, curled up in a ball. She ran to him and hugged him. He scarcely recognized her, when he did, he held her tight almost choking.
"What's wrong?" Teri asked. Reil lifted his head and pointed to the shadows. Teri strained to see what Reil was pointing at. Teri held her breath. She saw a pair of bright orange eyes and a golden haired face to match it. Reil clutched Teri's arm and threatened to cut off her circulation. Teri still stared into that face. He bared his teeth as if showing he had the power to kill her in an instant. He crouched down, hiding his body once more in the shadows. Still, no breath came from Teri's lungs. She desperately looked for the lion, but it was nowhere to be seen. Where had it gone to? But then something emerge from the shadows into the light. She saw the golden and let out a loud shriek as she prepared for the lion's attack. She covered Reil and closed her eyes tightly. But the attack never came, she waited thinking the lion was biding its time, But still it didn't come. Something lightly touched her shoulder, she swiftly turned to attack but her attack was blocked by a strong arm. The arm of a circus clown, not a funny clown, but a serious clown with half of his face showing. He had light brown hair and one visible green eye. Teri lowered her arm and turned her attention to Reil. He was shaking, the small four year old was picked up and hugged.
Teri turned back to the clown only to find herself facing a girl in what seemed to be a ballerina outfit. She smiled. She had bright red hair, shining emerald green eyes and a smiling face.
"Are you okay?" she asked in a low voice. Teri just stared. She grabbed her arm, Teri turned completely around and the girl could see the terrified Reil. "Oh, poor thing. Both of you. Come with me." Teri looked at her arm and tried to shake it off but she held it steady. "I won't hurt you, Preventer Thorn." The woman said. Teri's eyes grew wide. They had exited the dark room and now stood off the side of the ring she had so recently been told to keep out of. Teri fiercely shook the woman's hand off her shoulder. Reil as still hugging her but now in the light he was calm. Teri set him down and told him to run to Zani and enjoy the circus from there. He happily scampered off. Teri intensely stared at the woman, she cautiously stepped back.
"Who are you? How do you know my Preventer name?" Teri asked never taking her eyes off of her.
"Calm down, Preventer Thorn. Or should I call you Quatre's sister?" Teri calmed. She began to recognize the person before her. Green emerald eyes, red hair, this was, one of Quatre's friends . . .
"Catherine Bloom . . . " Teri said Catherine smiled.
"I thought it was about time." Catherine said. Teri still seemed confused.
"But how do you know my Preventer name? I barely met you last week." Teri asked still puzzled.
"I know your Preventer name because I am also a Preventer. I am Preventer Knife and will soon be part of the Roses." Catherine calmly said.
"So then, you're my new teammate!" Teri said. "I had no idea you were a Preventer. My brother never told me." She excitedly said.
"Quatre barely found out and my brother doesn't know." Catherine quietly said. "So, please don't tell him." She said lastly in a whisper before a tall light brown haired man with green eyes walked over to them.
"Are you okay, Ms. Winner?" He asked. Teri turned to look at him.
"We're sorry the lion got out and you had that terrible scare." A man said. He was tall and wore a top hat. The ringmaster. "Is the child okay?" He asked. Teri swirled. Suddenly he had appeared, from where? Catherine shoved the ring master away. Her red hair blurred. The room began to spin. Blurs of red, brown and black. Then darkness. Teri had lost consciousness with the sudden shock. Her body was conquered by gravity and the floor was making itself to her body. A pair of strong arms caught her before she got hurt. Her long blonde hair hid her closed eyes. Catherine gasped. Trowa lifted her up into his arms, Teri's limp body draping over Trowa's arms.
"The shock affected her system." He said quietly.
"Take her to my trailer. We'll take care of her there." Cathy said.
"You two will be up next." The ringmaster said. Catherine and Trowa nodded.
Several Minutes Later
Teri lay on a strange bed. She sat up and looked around. She was in a strange room. The room was small and not well furnished. She slid off the bed and attempted to stand. She felt dizzy and sat down again. A woman came into the room.
"Teri! You're up. Great." She said smiling. "Hey, children! She woke up!" Catherine shouted into the other room. Then a flood of children came pouring into the room. Teri smiled. She got many hugs and everyone one of the children spoke at once. "I'm not sure how you control them. They wouldn't say a word to us except, 'Where's Teri?'" Catherine said. She laughed. "They must love you greatly. Relative?" She asked. Teri shook her head.
"Orphans." Teri said.
Reil climbed on her lap. "Teri, ife misxed you, why dif you falt ashweep?" He said to her.
"I was tired, Reil." Teri said smiled and hugged the small boy.
"Orphans?"
"Yes, orphans. And I need to take them home. Come on."
A roar of 'awwws' came from them.
"Can we walk you home?" Catherine said.
"There's no need . . . "
"Oh, we'd love to." Catherine said. "I'll force Trowa to come along also."
"Yay!" Shouted several children. Teri smiled.
"They seem to like the idea." Teri looked at her watch. It read: 9:36 p.m. "Oh, no. It's terribly late. We've got to go now. These children need to get back."
"I'll get Trowa." Catherine said and left the room. Teri looked at all the children.
"Okay, are all 22 of you here?" She said. All of the children nodded. "Let's go." She said standing without difficulty. She hurried them along. They exited the trailer. Catherine and Trowa stood outside, waiting. Then the ringmaster walked over to them and whispered to Catherine.
"I'm sorry, Teri. I can't accompany you. But Trowa would be glad to. Right, Trowa?" She said. She walked with the ringmaster. They exchange whispers. Trowa stood in the same place and nodded.
"Where are you going to take these children?" Trowa asked.
"Back to the orphanage." Teri said. The children began walking towards the south.
"But Teri, we don't want to go back to the orphanage." The red-haired Atari said.
"Yeah, how's come we have to go back?" Zani said.
"I'm sorry. If I could, I'd adopt each and everyone of you. But you know I can't. And I love all of you so very much." Teri said rubbing all of their hair. Reil had fallen asleep in her arms.
Trowa hadn't said a single word as he walked with them.
"So, how was the circus?" Teri asked.
"Great!"
"Super!"
"Sorry!"
They all spoke at once. So excited. So happy. They arrived at the orphanage short of breath because they decided to play a little game of tag in which even the ex-gundam pilot participated in.
Saturday - February 9, AC 197
Preventer Headquarters
9:01 a.m.
"All members of the G-5, I would like to present to you the Roses." A long quite blonde haired man said.
Five young men stood in the room. The five infamous ex-gundam pilots. Heero Yuy. Duo Maxwell. Trowa Barton. Quatre Winner. Chang Wufei. All of them had fought bravely during the war and now they'll fight to keep the peace they've acquired. A new team was created to help them with their missions. The Roses team is equal to them in strength, ability, intelligence there's no doubt that they might even be better than the G-5.
"Their commander, Lady Une." The man said.
"My team will consist of . . . " Lady Une said. A blue short haired girl stepped in, "Hilde Schbeiker, Preventer Shadow." She said. Hilde sat down in a nearby chair. A blonde girl with green eyes stepped in next. "Teri Winner, Preventer Thorn." Surprisingly a red-haired girl with emerald green eyes entered. "Catherine Bloom, Preventer Knife." Both girls took a seat next to Hilde. "Their leader, Lucrezia Noin, Preventer Fire." Lady Une said lastly. "Are there any question?"
The room was silent.
"Cathy, what are you doing here?" Trowa asked calmly, which can be worse than him yelling.
"I've joined the Preventers, Trowa." She said. Innocently she asked. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
"You shouldn't be here." He said.
"Neither should you, Teri." Quatre said.
"We are here because we want to help you keep the peace." Teri said answering his brother and joining the fight.
"You'll get hurt, please be reasonable." Quatre tried to say sweetly but didn't sound so sweet.
"Reasonable? What's so unreasonable about wanting to help?"
"You'll get hurt." Trowa said.
"I'm very capable of protecting myself."
"Onnas should not be here."
"Shut it, Chang. We have every right to be here." Sally said as she entered the room.
"This is Preventer Water." Lady Une said introducing her.
"I will be your medical aid for both the G-5 and the Roses." The G-5 and the Roses sat together in silence.
"The G-5 will be working with the Roses to help find the new threat." Lady Une turned to the screen. "This organization is outstanding in hiding from the public and from us . . . "
Saturday - April 20, AC 197
Winner Mansion
Celebration Party
A celebration is being held for the completion of an important mission. Both the Roses team and the G-5 apprehended the organization Kuracion. The Kura had planned to kidnap several representatives and hold them hostage but thanks to the work of the Preventers, they failed. Now, most of them have gathered to celebrate.
"So Heero didn't show up?" Hilde asked as she looked around.
"Not surprising." Duo said as he hugged her from behind.
"Hello, sweety." Hilde said giving him a kiss. "What's new?"
"Just all the beauties here today." He said.
"Oh, Duo." Hilde said lightly smacking him.
"Hey Quatre, buddy. Where's the food?" Duo asked him excitedly.
"Over there, Duo." Quatre said pointing to a food filled picnic table.
"Oh, boy." Duo said practically jumping at it.
"Hold on." Hilde said holding him back. "Let everyone else have a chance to eat too." Duo nodded sadly.
"Has anyone seen Teri?" Quatre said looking around.
"Nope, sorry."
"Come to think of it. Trowa's missing too." Catherine said.
"They're old enough to take care of themselves. Their not children after all."
"I guess."
Trowa POV
'Why must I follow her? Why do I have this warm feeling inside me that begins when she is near and leaves me cold while she's gone?' She is kind, strong, intelligent, beautiful . . . and yet at times acts like an innocent child. Could it be? Is it possible that this is what they call love? Could I have fallen for Quatre's sister? That's not an option. But yet here I am, following Preventer Thorn as she left her mansion. What is she doing out here? All by herself?' Trowa thought as she left the celebration party to follow Teri.
Diff. POV
Teri walked to a nearby park, she sat down on one of the benches. She just sat there, watching the people pass by. She sat there not really doing anything. She closed her eyes and began to think. She thought about the past, she thought about the present but she mostly thought about her future. 'What will it be like? Who will be in it? Will I have anybody at all?' This question troubled her and she stood from the park bench and began to walk. She had no destination in mind. 'I won't have anybody in my future because of my, my . . . ' She couldn't finish her train of thought. The very thought of her future scared her. She didn't want to imagine it much less experience it. She let a solitary tear run down her cheek. Trowa witnessed this and was curious as to what had saddened her. He decided to take a chance. He walked behind her, slowly at first but then he reached her.
"Good evening." He said to her in a low voice. Teri looked up in surprise.
"What are you doing here, Trowa?" She asked not stopping.
"I could ask you the same thing." He said and stopped. He held her arm so she would stop too.
"What do you want?" She said harshly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so rude to you. I apologize." She said sweetly.
"Now why would a tear stain such a beautiful face?" He said reaching up with his hand to touch her face. She turned her face away and grabbed his arm.
"Please, don't touch me." She said firmly.
"Why not?" He asked her.
"I have a skin condition." When she saw his confused face, she added, "It's contagious."
"I'm willing to risk it."
"I'm not."
Operation Cold Fire
Preventer Teams G-5 and Roses
"Infiltrate the base camp, destroy the control room and capture leader. I want casualties to be kept to a minimum. Shoot only when necessary. Search and capture . . . "
Hours Later
"Give up, Kusha. You're surrounded." A blonde woman with short hair said to the leader of Kura. A black haired, black-eyed woman.
"I'll never surrender." She said viciously, she stood frozen in the same place with a gun aimed at her.
"Thorn, this is Zero. Where are you?" Said a voice in her communicator. Thorn answered without taking her eyes off of Kusha.
"Zero, this is Thorn. I'm in the 3rd floor, 2nd room to the left. I have Kusha at gunpoint."
"Thorn, get out of -ere." The voice said back with a little interference.
"Why?" She said.
"-low up the ba--"
"What? You're breaking up." She said yelling into the communicator. "Zero!" The door swung open. Thorn turned her gun to the intruder, it was Trowa. Thorn looked at him in surprise.
"Never get distracted." Kusha said to Thorn as her back was turned to Kusha. Thorn tried to turn quickly but it was too late. Kusha had taken out a hidden weapon and the barrel as pointed directly at her. She fired and Thorn attempted to dodge but she got hit. Trowa saw her fall to the floor.
Mission Complete
Leader Captured
3 Enemy casualties 34 Enemy injured
No Preventer casualties 2 Injured
"I'm sorry, Quatre." Trowa said to him. "I allowed Teri to get hurt."
"Don't apologize, Trowa. I'm her brother. I should have been there to protect her."
"Don't blame yourself, Quatre." Trowa said. 'I'm the only one to blame, I was careless and let her get hurt.' He thought.
Sally walked over to where they were sitting to deliver some relieving news. Both men stood when she arrived.
"How is she?" Quatre asked nervously.
"She's lucky. The bullet only grazed her stomach. She'll recover." Sally said. "You can see her now if you want." Quatre nodded and followed Sally. Trowa slowly followed the two, but did not go in the room. He stood outside, next to the door drowning in his guilt. Several minutes later Quatre came out. He saw Trowa.
"Don't worry, Trowa. She's fine." Quatre said to him. Trowa nodded not looking up at him. He entered the room and closed the door behind him. For a while he just stared at the figure on the bed. Pale as a sheet and breathing slowly. Teri slowly opened her eyes and blinked several times to find herself in a hospital room. She looked to the side and saw Trowa, she kept staring at him.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her not looking up.
"Been better." Her answers were short.
"I'm sorry." He said letting his gaze drop even more.
"For what?" She asked.
"For letting you get shot." He said still not looking up at her, silence filled the room, neither of them spoke. Trowa could not bear his guilt and look up at her.
"It was my own stupidity that got me shot. Besides it's not too bad. It only grazed my stomach. I'm perfectly all right."
"No, you're not." He said. A pair of arms wrapped around him in a hug. Trowa looked up in surprise and returned the hug.
"It's not your fault. If anyone is to blame it's me for being so careless." She said into his shoulder. Teri lifted her head and looked into his eyes. Green met green. Emotions filled them both. Trowa neared his head to hers. Their heads were about to meet. But Teri turned her head away. He only kissed her hair. Teri turned back to face him. His face filled with confusement and hers with sorrow.
"I'm sorry." She choked out. A single tear rolled down her cheek. A hand reached up to wipe it away but she slapped it away with a sheet-covered hand. "Please don't touch me."
"Why, because of your skin condition?" He said. Teri stepped away.
"I lied. It's not a skin condition. It's a curse." She said looking down to the floor. Trowa still didn't understand. "Anytime I touch anything living or that was living," She looked at him and took a step foward, "like humans or animals," she reached up with the sheet still covering her hand, "I get a sort of," the blanket touched his face softly, "vision or many visions." Trowa grabbed her arm. "So I can't be touched by anyone." She said looking into his eyes. She turned around to go back to her bed but Trowa still had a grasp on her arm. He turned her back around. "You can leave now." She said coldly to him.
"I don't want to leave." He said to her as he held her closer.
"But don't you want to?" She asked in surprise.
"I want to stay here with you regardless of what you condition is."
"Oh, Trowa." She said hugging him.
**End of Memories**
Teri opened her eyes to find a pair of green eyes staring at her.
"Hi." She said to him. Trowa stared back at him. "What?" She asked.
"You kissed me." He said. "I thought you were afraid of touching anyone."
"You were worth the risk." She said sweetly and touched his face with her gloved hand. Trowa grabbed her wrist and twist her hand until he held it firmly.
"I want to ask you something." He said. Teri nodded her head to one side.
"What is it?" She asked sweetly. Trowa let her slip off his lap and onto the park bench. They stood side to side. Trowa still held her hand in his. He slowly kissed it.
"Will you marry me?" He said slowly. "I don't have a ring but . . . "
"Yes!" Teri shouted loudly. "Yes." She said and hugged him fiercely. "Of course."
Later at the hotel
"Your brother overreacted?" Quatre said.
"Very much so." Relena said sighing.
"How?"
"He yelled and ranted about how Heero wasn't good enough for me. I think it's more like I'm not good enough for him."
"That's not true Relena and you know it. Heero just isn't the talking type."
"But you would never do that, would you Quatre?"
"Of course not. I respect my sisters and don't know half their boyfriends but they can take care of themselves."
Ring! Ring!
"I'll get it." Quatre said. Relena nodded. Then she heard yelling.
"Where is she?!" A voice yelled.
"Please calm down. She's had a bad experience." Quatre said surprisingly calm. "Please, Zechs. You're overreacting."
"I am not overreacting." Milliardo said yelling even louder.
"Relena is perfectly fine."
"I am fine, Milliardo." Relena said entering the small living room. "I wasn't hurt."
"I'm certain it's the work of Yuy." Zechs suspiciously said. "He-"
"Milliardo, please stop accusing Heero. He isn't responsible." Relena said tiredly.
"He is responsible!" Milliardo shouted. Relena ignored his comment and waved it off.
"I'm tired. Goodbye Milliardo." She said before entering the bedroom. "I don't feel like arguing right now." The door closed.
"Quatre, what is she talking about?"
"From what I heard you disprove of their love."
"Whose love?"
"Relena's and Heero's."
"They have no love."
"You're in denile and you're overreacting." Quatre said slightly raising his voice slightly.
"I am not overreacting!!" He shouted.
"You said Heero wasn't good enough for her. That he is a gundam pilot and killer. May I remind you that so were you and me. There is no need to deny Relena her heart when her hand is already promised to another." He said finally shouting at his superior.
"No! I won't allow-" Milliardo began to say but Quatre finished for him.
"I won't allow that killer to have any relation with my sister. She is pure and he will surely taint her. He doesn't deserve her. I forbid you from loving him. He is a killer. You don't know how many innocent people he's killed during the war. I won't allow him to even look at you. He is a disgrace!" Quatre's face was red with anger. He drew in a deep breath. He was outraged but then he slumped his shoulders and his face returned to normal. "Is that what you want to tell Relena? W3 all committed terribly mistakes and crimes all of which we regret. But to be judged by them and preventing us from living out lives? Shouldn't we forgive and maybe not forget but understand?" Quatre said back in his normal voice. "Live our lives as best we can?" He said in a last whisper.
"Quatre, I lost my family, my home and my kingdom. And now that I've found Relena I want to protect her at all costs. I don't want her to get hurt."
"She won't be hurt. I know Heero truly loves her. Even if he won't admit it outloud, we all know the truth. He would give his life to keep her safe. It seems the two of you have something in common." Quatre said finally returning to his kind self.
"Quatre, leave the speech for later. I have to go." Milliardo said.
"He still doesn't understand." Quatre said after the monitor went black. 'But what happened to me back there? Why was I yelling at him? Has my power grown that much that I don't even have to be close to the person to feel their emotions? I'm on Mars for goodness sakes. I have to learn to control this before it gets me into trouble.' He thought and sat down on the sofa.
Teri and Trowa
The both of them arrived at the hotel. They knocked on the door but nobody opened it for them. Teri tried the doorknob and to her surprise it was unlocked. She opened the door. She saw her brother standing in front of her.
"Quatre, I-" She began to say but he spoke first.
"I forbid you from loving him. he is a killer. You don't know how many innocent people he's killed during the war!" She's heard this all before. "I won't allow him to even-" She heard no more yelling because she had closed the door again to muffle the horrible sound of his terrible words. She knew what he said and she knew how he'd end it.
"It came true." She whispered. "It had to come true." She began to cry.
"Teri? What's wrong?" Trowa asked worriedly.
"Trowa." Teri said running into his arms. Trowa took her into a hug. Trying to comfort her and rid whatever disturbed her. "I love you." She said into his shirt. "And no one will take you away from me."
"I love you, Teri." Trowa said after a minute's silence. "I would protect you with my very life." He held her even tighter. "Let's go. You must be hungry." He began to move with her but she stood in the same place. Not budging.
"Promise me you'll never abandon me." She said in such a low whisper Trowa wasn't sure she had said anything at all.
"Teri?"
"Promise me you'll never abandon me." She said still in a low whisper. "So I'll never be alone again."
"I promise." Trowa said and hugged her. They both stayed there in the hallway of the hotel. Content with being in each other's arms. Not caring about the world or the people in it. Their thoughts, opinions and words didn't matter to them. The only important thing was having each other in their arms and they only existed. But yet as close as they were they were still divided by a thin layer of clothing.
I thought this was so sad. Really, really sad. This was all about Trowa and Teri mostly, but next chapter, which is half done, Yay! has more about Relena and her coping with her work and homelife. One thing: Milliardo and her aren't speaking to each other. Next chapter will hopefully be out before Christmas or just a nice present Santa will give you. See ya! ;) Güera
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Chapter 11
Visions of a Growing Love
By Güera
Well. Long time no see. Sorry about that. Writer's block. But enough about the sad part. Here's the good news. This morning it snowed and they canceled school!! That is awesome! We got a Snow Day! And I spent the entire day writing up this chapter. So please if you will thank me for all my hard work with a review. ;) I hope all of you who are in tests like me will hold on. But I guess the Snow Day messed up all my teachers' plans. Yay! Well good luck on tests if you have any and enjoy this new chapter. Leave a review if you care. ;)
Darkness. No light. No comfort. Just cold darkness. But yet I don't feel cold at all. In fact I feel warm. Like if I was being held by someone and their warmth was being transferred to me. Who could it be? I slowly opened my eyes. The light blinded me for a bit but they adjusted to the brightness. As my other four senses awakened, I heard chirping. From a bird? It's sweet song filled the air. Then I began to smell trees, flowers. I was outdoors. But how did I get here? After my eye vision cleared, I saw the singing bird and the tree it was perched on. I felt like I was in heaven. No cold, no worries. None whatsoever. The person who held me tightened their hold. It was strong yet gentle. I know exactly who held me. It is my beloved, Trowa. I looked up at my captor and sure enough I saw his light brown hair. I smiled. He had fallen asleep while I had woken up. How dear he is. His closed eyes hid their precious green color. I stared at him for what seemed like hours. I snuggled even closer. I didn't want this moment to end. An idea sprang into my head. Should I risk it? I think so. I began to think about the day we met. How quiet he had been back then. Without any more thought, I neared my head to his. I closed my eyes as my lips touched his own I entered a cherished memory we both shared.
**Flashback**
Saturday, February 2, AC 197
Three people sat at a table in a café. They talked softly about unimportant matters. A blonde haired boy laughed and closed his eyes, when they reopened he showed their bright blue color. A woman sitting across from him smiled at his amusement at her story. Her curled red hair matched her emerald green eyes. Her adoptive brother amazingly had the same eyes as she did, but he did not smile. His light brown hair was combed to one side, it hid his left eye, leaving the eye visible but yet they held no joy. He was happy to meet his old friend once again, although he didn't show it at all. His sister and friend knew his feelings, he did not tell them but they knew him well enough to know. He picked up his cup of tea and slowly drank from it. He looked straight ahead at the boy, then at his sister. His eyes darted to his left side, not looking at his dear sister but rather another thing entirely more interesting.
"What is it, Trowa?" The red-haired girl said turning to look at the spot her brother so interestingly stared at. "What are you looking at?" The blonde boy was also interested.
"We're being watched." Trowa said simply. She looked back at him, puzzled.
"By who?" She asked.
"Not sure." He calmly said as his eyes moved slowly across the room. "She's here." He said as he looked behind the blonde boy.
"Hello, little brother." A sweet voice spoke from behind him. The figure stepped nearer the table and revealed herself. She had shoulder length blonde hair, much like her little brother's. Her eyes shined bright hazel green and her smile could be felt. She ruffled her brother's hair before taking the seat next to him. "So, Quatre, aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" She smiled.
Quatre straightened his messy hair as best as he could before opening his mouth to speak. "Good morning, Teri." He said a little surprised. "I would appreciate it if you didn't keep doing that." Quatre said as he still attempted to straighten his hair, but to no avail, it remained messy. Teri smiled sweetly at him.
"But it's so much fun to do that, and even more entertaining to watch you fix it." She sweetly said with a smile. A small chuckle erupted from the brown haired boy and a giggle escaped from the red hair girl. "Well, little brother, go on with the introductions."
Quatre slightly glared at her, then began the introductions. "Teri, my dear sister, this is Catherine Bloom." He said signaling to the red-haired girl. "Catherine, this is one of my many sisters, Teri Winner."
"Pleasure to meet you." Catherine said politely extending her hand.
"The pleasure is mine." Teri said shaking Catherine's hand.
"This is my brother, Trowa Barton." Catherine said. Trowa only nodded his head indicating he was Trowa. Catherine didn't smile at this. "Trowa is the silent type." She said afterwards explaining his behavior.
"Well, a pleasure to meet you Trowa." Teri said softly. "And what is it I have to do to get you to say something?"
"You have to do nothing. I just wish to remain silent." He said looking into her eyes, bright green and sparkling. Lighter than his.
**Another Flashback**
Wednesday, February 6, AC 197
A small blonde woman held a weapon in her hand. Her target neared her. She slowly raised her weapon, aimed and fired.
"Ahhh! Teri!" The small now wet child cried and raised her own water gun to the blonde. A stream of water shot out and made contact with Teri's face.
"Everyone get Teri!" Another child yelled. Many children of many ages came out of hiding and began to fire at the outnumbered blonde. But even so she managed to completely wet all of the children as well. She dried her hair as best she could and dropped the water gun.
"Okay, I think the water battle is over." She said and smiled at all her wet children around her. "Come on, let's get all of you back to the orphanage before you catch a cold and I get into trouble."
"But Teri, you promised you'd spend the entire day with us." A small girl said.
"Yeah, ifs only, uhh . . . " A small boy began to say and stopped to think. "We sfill haf a zillion hours to spend wifh you." The small boy said.
"Atari, Zani, Carri I know. I just don't want you to go to the circus all wet." She said and picked up the small Reil and hugged him, wet and all.
"We're going to the circus?!" Atari said or rather yelled. Teri nodded her head.
"So all of you have to go change. Quickly now, before the show starts." Teri yelled after the running children and lightly dropped the small Reil. He scampered to reach the older children. Soon they were all out of her sight. But she wasn't worried, they knew their way back. She slowly walked, smiling back to the orphanage. When she arrived there, she read the name of the orphanage.
Colony XL-3 Orphanage for War Orphans
No the most welcoming and pleasant name but it does suit it. The orphanage was built after the war and started accepting any children that had lost their families in the war. The Winner Corporation added a new building and helped fund this and many other organizations who are trying to rebuild society and replenish what everyone lost during the war.
Teri went inside the orphanage and greeted the well-known employees. She picked up her backpack from the front office and left to change. Her hair was soaked and so were her clothes.
When she came out, she was crisp and clean, with dry clothes. Although her hair was still humid. She carried her backpack containing her wet clothes and dropped it off at the front office once again. She thanked the employees, while they told her their gratitude. Teri left them to go to the children's rooms. There she found a mess of clothes and children. She picked up a few things and set them on the nearest bed.
"Okay, children!" She shouted over the noise. The children looked at her and ran to her side. They hugged her.
"Look, Teri. We're all ready to go to the circus." Atari, a little red haired girl said. She wore a polka dotted skirt and a blue shirt. Her hair was unsuccessfully tied in two pony tails. Teri smiled at them. Some of the younger children were more or less the same way.
"That's very nice, Atari." Teri sweetly said and laughed. The small Reil came up to her, but tripped on his overly large clothes. She picked him up and set him on her lap. She slowly removed the several layers of clothing he somehow put on. "Okay, we have a few more minutes before the circus. Atari, Jannie, Zack and R.B. go help a few of the smaller ones get dressed. Please." They all nodded. After ten minutes of dressing, combing and drying hair, Teri and the children walked out of the orphanage and headed for the circus.
They arrived at the circus in less than five minutes, with the children pulling and pushing Teri to go faster. She went and bought their tickets. She then directed them to a few rows, she stood over them counting.
"19, 20, 21 . . . " She mumbled. "Where's Reil?" Teri asked worriedly. "Reil, Reil. Reil!"
"Right here!" The small boy shouted as he entered the ring.
"Reil, don't. Come back!" She yelled at him, but her cries didn't reach his ears. She turned to the older girl. "Zani, watch them." Zani, an older black-haired girl nodded. Teri ran down the stairs and jumped over the circle.
"Ma'am, you can't do that." The ring leader with a top hat said to her. Teri paid him no heed. She continued running in the direction Reil ran to. He ran faster into the tent, until Teri couldn't see his small body. Worry grew in her.
"Reil! Reil, where are you?! Stop hiding!" Teri shouted at the darkness. She advanced quickly trying to find some sign of him. She heard whimpering, as she followed it, it became louder. But that wasn't the only sound in the room. The whimpering stopped, and she couldn't hear a single sound. Just soft breathing. She proceeded with caution, someone else was in the room. She hit something, hard. A wall. She followed the wall until she heard the whimpering again. This time it was closer than before. A door opened and light shined into the room. The darkness became shadows and she spotted Reil, on the floor, curled up in a ball. She ran to him and hugged him. He scarcely recognized her, when he did, he held her tight almost choking.
"What's wrong?" Teri asked. Reil lifted his head and pointed to the shadows. Teri strained to see what Reil was pointing at. Teri held her breath. She saw a pair of bright orange eyes and a golden haired face to match it. Reil clutched Teri's arm and threatened to cut off her circulation. Teri still stared into that face. He bared his teeth as if showing he had the power to kill her in an instant. He crouched down, hiding his body once more in the shadows. Still, no breath came from Teri's lungs. She desperately looked for the lion, but it was nowhere to be seen. Where had it gone to? But then something emerge from the shadows into the light. She saw the golden and let out a loud shriek as she prepared for the lion's attack. She covered Reil and closed her eyes tightly. But the attack never came, she waited thinking the lion was biding its time, But still it didn't come. Something lightly touched her shoulder, she swiftly turned to attack but her attack was blocked by a strong arm. The arm of a circus clown, not a funny clown, but a serious clown with half of his face showing. He had light brown hair and one visible green eye. Teri lowered her arm and turned her attention to Reil. He was shaking, the small four year old was picked up and hugged.
Teri turned back to the clown only to find herself facing a girl in what seemed to be a ballerina outfit. She smiled. She had bright red hair, shining emerald green eyes and a smiling face.
"Are you okay?" she asked in a low voice. Teri just stared. She grabbed her arm, Teri turned completely around and the girl could see the terrified Reil. "Oh, poor thing. Both of you. Come with me." Teri looked at her arm and tried to shake it off but she held it steady. "I won't hurt you, Preventer Thorn." The woman said. Teri's eyes grew wide. They had exited the dark room and now stood off the side of the ring she had so recently been told to keep out of. Teri fiercely shook the woman's hand off her shoulder. Reil as still hugging her but now in the light he was calm. Teri set him down and told him to run to Zani and enjoy the circus from there. He happily scampered off. Teri intensely stared at the woman, she cautiously stepped back.
"Who are you? How do you know my Preventer name?" Teri asked never taking her eyes off of her.
"Calm down, Preventer Thorn. Or should I call you Quatre's sister?" Teri calmed. She began to recognize the person before her. Green emerald eyes, red hair, this was, one of Quatre's friends . . .
"Catherine Bloom . . . " Teri said Catherine smiled.
"I thought it was about time." Catherine said. Teri still seemed confused.
"But how do you know my Preventer name? I barely met you last week." Teri asked still puzzled.
"I know your Preventer name because I am also a Preventer. I am Preventer Knife and will soon be part of the Roses." Catherine calmly said.
"So then, you're my new teammate!" Teri said. "I had no idea you were a Preventer. My brother never told me." She excitedly said.
"Quatre barely found out and my brother doesn't know." Catherine quietly said. "So, please don't tell him." She said lastly in a whisper before a tall light brown haired man with green eyes walked over to them.
"Are you okay, Ms. Winner?" He asked. Teri turned to look at him.
"We're sorry the lion got out and you had that terrible scare." A man said. He was tall and wore a top hat. The ringmaster. "Is the child okay?" He asked. Teri swirled. Suddenly he had appeared, from where? Catherine shoved the ring master away. Her red hair blurred. The room began to spin. Blurs of red, brown and black. Then darkness. Teri had lost consciousness with the sudden shock. Her body was conquered by gravity and the floor was making itself to her body. A pair of strong arms caught her before she got hurt. Her long blonde hair hid her closed eyes. Catherine gasped. Trowa lifted her up into his arms, Teri's limp body draping over Trowa's arms.
"The shock affected her system." He said quietly.
"Take her to my trailer. We'll take care of her there." Cathy said.
"You two will be up next." The ringmaster said. Catherine and Trowa nodded.
Several Minutes Later
Teri lay on a strange bed. She sat up and looked around. She was in a strange room. The room was small and not well furnished. She slid off the bed and attempted to stand. She felt dizzy and sat down again. A woman came into the room.
"Teri! You're up. Great." She said smiling. "Hey, children! She woke up!" Catherine shouted into the other room. Then a flood of children came pouring into the room. Teri smiled. She got many hugs and everyone one of the children spoke at once. "I'm not sure how you control them. They wouldn't say a word to us except, 'Where's Teri?'" Catherine said. She laughed. "They must love you greatly. Relative?" She asked. Teri shook her head.
"Orphans." Teri said.
Reil climbed on her lap. "Teri, ife misxed you, why dif you falt ashweep?" He said to her.
"I was tired, Reil." Teri said smiled and hugged the small boy.
"Orphans?"
"Yes, orphans. And I need to take them home. Come on."
A roar of 'awwws' came from them.
"Can we walk you home?" Catherine said.
"There's no need . . . "
"Oh, we'd love to." Catherine said. "I'll force Trowa to come along also."
"Yay!" Shouted several children. Teri smiled.
"They seem to like the idea." Teri looked at her watch. It read: 9:36 p.m. "Oh, no. It's terribly late. We've got to go now. These children need to get back."
"I'll get Trowa." Catherine said and left the room. Teri looked at all the children.
"Okay, are all 22 of you here?" She said. All of the children nodded. "Let's go." She said standing without difficulty. She hurried them along. They exited the trailer. Catherine and Trowa stood outside, waiting. Then the ringmaster walked over to them and whispered to Catherine.
"I'm sorry, Teri. I can't accompany you. But Trowa would be glad to. Right, Trowa?" She said. She walked with the ringmaster. They exchange whispers. Trowa stood in the same place and nodded.
"Where are you going to take these children?" Trowa asked.
"Back to the orphanage." Teri said. The children began walking towards the south.
"But Teri, we don't want to go back to the orphanage." The red-haired Atari said.
"Yeah, how's come we have to go back?" Zani said.
"I'm sorry. If I could, I'd adopt each and everyone of you. But you know I can't. And I love all of you so very much." Teri said rubbing all of their hair. Reil had fallen asleep in her arms.
Trowa hadn't said a single word as he walked with them.
"So, how was the circus?" Teri asked.
"Great!"
"Super!"
"Sorry!"
They all spoke at once. So excited. So happy. They arrived at the orphanage short of breath because they decided to play a little game of tag in which even the ex-gundam pilot participated in.
Saturday - February 9, AC 197
Preventer Headquarters
9:01 a.m.
"All members of the G-5, I would like to present to you the Roses." A long quite blonde haired man said.
Five young men stood in the room. The five infamous ex-gundam pilots. Heero Yuy. Duo Maxwell. Trowa Barton. Quatre Winner. Chang Wufei. All of them had fought bravely during the war and now they'll fight to keep the peace they've acquired. A new team was created to help them with their missions. The Roses team is equal to them in strength, ability, intelligence there's no doubt that they might even be better than the G-5.
"Their commander, Lady Une." The man said.
"My team will consist of . . . " Lady Une said. A blue short haired girl stepped in, "Hilde Schbeiker, Preventer Shadow." She said. Hilde sat down in a nearby chair. A blonde girl with green eyes stepped in next. "Teri Winner, Preventer Thorn." Surprisingly a red-haired girl with emerald green eyes entered. "Catherine Bloom, Preventer Knife." Both girls took a seat next to Hilde. "Their leader, Lucrezia Noin, Preventer Fire." Lady Une said lastly. "Are there any question?"
The room was silent.
"Cathy, what are you doing here?" Trowa asked calmly, which can be worse than him yelling.
"I've joined the Preventers, Trowa." She said. Innocently she asked. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
"You shouldn't be here." He said.
"Neither should you, Teri." Quatre said.
"We are here because we want to help you keep the peace." Teri said answering his brother and joining the fight.
"You'll get hurt, please be reasonable." Quatre tried to say sweetly but didn't sound so sweet.
"Reasonable? What's so unreasonable about wanting to help?"
"You'll get hurt." Trowa said.
"I'm very capable of protecting myself."
"Onnas should not be here."
"Shut it, Chang. We have every right to be here." Sally said as she entered the room.
"This is Preventer Water." Lady Une said introducing her.
"I will be your medical aid for both the G-5 and the Roses." The G-5 and the Roses sat together in silence.
"The G-5 will be working with the Roses to help find the new threat." Lady Une turned to the screen. "This organization is outstanding in hiding from the public and from us . . . "
Saturday - April 20, AC 197
Winner Mansion
Celebration Party
A celebration is being held for the completion of an important mission. Both the Roses team and the G-5 apprehended the organization Kuracion. The Kura had planned to kidnap several representatives and hold them hostage but thanks to the work of the Preventers, they failed. Now, most of them have gathered to celebrate.
"So Heero didn't show up?" Hilde asked as she looked around.
"Not surprising." Duo said as he hugged her from behind.
"Hello, sweety." Hilde said giving him a kiss. "What's new?"
"Just all the beauties here today." He said.
"Oh, Duo." Hilde said lightly smacking him.
"Hey Quatre, buddy. Where's the food?" Duo asked him excitedly.
"Over there, Duo." Quatre said pointing to a food filled picnic table.
"Oh, boy." Duo said practically jumping at it.
"Hold on." Hilde said holding him back. "Let everyone else have a chance to eat too." Duo nodded sadly.
"Has anyone seen Teri?" Quatre said looking around.
"Nope, sorry."
"Come to think of it. Trowa's missing too." Catherine said.
"They're old enough to take care of themselves. Their not children after all."
"I guess."
Trowa POV
'Why must I follow her? Why do I have this warm feeling inside me that begins when she is near and leaves me cold while she's gone?' She is kind, strong, intelligent, beautiful . . . and yet at times acts like an innocent child. Could it be? Is it possible that this is what they call love? Could I have fallen for Quatre's sister? That's not an option. But yet here I am, following Preventer Thorn as she left her mansion. What is she doing out here? All by herself?' Trowa thought as she left the celebration party to follow Teri.
Diff. POV
Teri walked to a nearby park, she sat down on one of the benches. She just sat there, watching the people pass by. She sat there not really doing anything. She closed her eyes and began to think. She thought about the past, she thought about the present but she mostly thought about her future. 'What will it be like? Who will be in it? Will I have anybody at all?' This question troubled her and she stood from the park bench and began to walk. She had no destination in mind. 'I won't have anybody in my future because of my, my . . . ' She couldn't finish her train of thought. The very thought of her future scared her. She didn't want to imagine it much less experience it. She let a solitary tear run down her cheek. Trowa witnessed this and was curious as to what had saddened her. He decided to take a chance. He walked behind her, slowly at first but then he reached her.
"Good evening." He said to her in a low voice. Teri looked up in surprise.
"What are you doing here, Trowa?" She asked not stopping.
"I could ask you the same thing." He said and stopped. He held her arm so she would stop too.
"What do you want?" She said harshly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so rude to you. I apologize." She said sweetly.
"Now why would a tear stain such a beautiful face?" He said reaching up with his hand to touch her face. She turned her face away and grabbed his arm.
"Please, don't touch me." She said firmly.
"Why not?" He asked her.
"I have a skin condition." When she saw his confused face, she added, "It's contagious."
"I'm willing to risk it."
"I'm not."
Operation Cold Fire
Preventer Teams G-5 and Roses
"Infiltrate the base camp, destroy the control room and capture leader. I want casualties to be kept to a minimum. Shoot only when necessary. Search and capture . . . "
Hours Later
"Give up, Kusha. You're surrounded." A blonde woman with short hair said to the leader of Kura. A black haired, black-eyed woman.
"I'll never surrender." She said viciously, she stood frozen in the same place with a gun aimed at her.
"Thorn, this is Zero. Where are you?" Said a voice in her communicator. Thorn answered without taking her eyes off of Kusha.
"Zero, this is Thorn. I'm in the 3rd floor, 2nd room to the left. I have Kusha at gunpoint."
"Thorn, get out of -ere." The voice said back with a little interference.
"Why?" She said.
"-low up the ba--"
"What? You're breaking up." She said yelling into the communicator. "Zero!" The door swung open. Thorn turned her gun to the intruder, it was Trowa. Thorn looked at him in surprise.
"Never get distracted." Kusha said to Thorn as her back was turned to Kusha. Thorn tried to turn quickly but it was too late. Kusha had taken out a hidden weapon and the barrel as pointed directly at her. She fired and Thorn attempted to dodge but she got hit. Trowa saw her fall to the floor.
Mission Complete
Leader Captured
3 Enemy casualties 34 Enemy injured
No Preventer casualties 2 Injured
"I'm sorry, Quatre." Trowa said to him. "I allowed Teri to get hurt."
"Don't apologize, Trowa. I'm her brother. I should have been there to protect her."
"Don't blame yourself, Quatre." Trowa said. 'I'm the only one to blame, I was careless and let her get hurt.' He thought.
Sally walked over to where they were sitting to deliver some relieving news. Both men stood when she arrived.
"How is she?" Quatre asked nervously.
"She's lucky. The bullet only grazed her stomach. She'll recover." Sally said. "You can see her now if you want." Quatre nodded and followed Sally. Trowa slowly followed the two, but did not go in the room. He stood outside, next to the door drowning in his guilt. Several minutes later Quatre came out. He saw Trowa.
"Don't worry, Trowa. She's fine." Quatre said to him. Trowa nodded not looking up at him. He entered the room and closed the door behind him. For a while he just stared at the figure on the bed. Pale as a sheet and breathing slowly. Teri slowly opened her eyes and blinked several times to find herself in a hospital room. She looked to the side and saw Trowa, she kept staring at him.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her not looking up.
"Been better." Her answers were short.
"I'm sorry." He said letting his gaze drop even more.
"For what?" She asked.
"For letting you get shot." He said still not looking up at her, silence filled the room, neither of them spoke. Trowa could not bear his guilt and look up at her.
"It was my own stupidity that got me shot. Besides it's not too bad. It only grazed my stomach. I'm perfectly all right."
"No, you're not." He said. A pair of arms wrapped around him in a hug. Trowa looked up in surprise and returned the hug.
"It's not your fault. If anyone is to blame it's me for being so careless." She said into his shoulder. Teri lifted her head and looked into his eyes. Green met green. Emotions filled them both. Trowa neared his head to hers. Their heads were about to meet. But Teri turned her head away. He only kissed her hair. Teri turned back to face him. His face filled with confusement and hers with sorrow.
"I'm sorry." She choked out. A single tear rolled down her cheek. A hand reached up to wipe it away but she slapped it away with a sheet-covered hand. "Please don't touch me."
"Why, because of your skin condition?" He said. Teri stepped away.
"I lied. It's not a skin condition. It's a curse." She said looking down to the floor. Trowa still didn't understand. "Anytime I touch anything living or that was living," She looked at him and took a step foward, "like humans or animals," she reached up with the sheet still covering her hand, "I get a sort of," the blanket touched his face softly, "vision or many visions." Trowa grabbed her arm. "So I can't be touched by anyone." She said looking into his eyes. She turned around to go back to her bed but Trowa still had a grasp on her arm. He turned her back around. "You can leave now." She said coldly to him.
"I don't want to leave." He said to her as he held her closer.
"But don't you want to?" She asked in surprise.
"I want to stay here with you regardless of what you condition is."
"Oh, Trowa." She said hugging him.
**End of Memories**
Teri opened her eyes to find a pair of green eyes staring at her.
"Hi." She said to him. Trowa stared back at him. "What?" She asked.
"You kissed me." He said. "I thought you were afraid of touching anyone."
"You were worth the risk." She said sweetly and touched his face with her gloved hand. Trowa grabbed her wrist and twist her hand until he held it firmly.
"I want to ask you something." He said. Teri nodded her head to one side.
"What is it?" She asked sweetly. Trowa let her slip off his lap and onto the park bench. They stood side to side. Trowa still held her hand in his. He slowly kissed it.
"Will you marry me?" He said slowly. "I don't have a ring but . . . "
"Yes!" Teri shouted loudly. "Yes." She said and hugged him fiercely. "Of course."
Later at the hotel
"Your brother overreacted?" Quatre said.
"Very much so." Relena said sighing.
"How?"
"He yelled and ranted about how Heero wasn't good enough for me. I think it's more like I'm not good enough for him."
"That's not true Relena and you know it. Heero just isn't the talking type."
"But you would never do that, would you Quatre?"
"Of course not. I respect my sisters and don't know half their boyfriends but they can take care of themselves."
Ring! Ring!
"I'll get it." Quatre said. Relena nodded. Then she heard yelling.
"Where is she?!" A voice yelled.
"Please calm down. She's had a bad experience." Quatre said surprisingly calm. "Please, Zechs. You're overreacting."
"I am not overreacting." Milliardo said yelling even louder.
"Relena is perfectly fine."
"I am fine, Milliardo." Relena said entering the small living room. "I wasn't hurt."
"I'm certain it's the work of Yuy." Zechs suspiciously said. "He-"
"Milliardo, please stop accusing Heero. He isn't responsible." Relena said tiredly.
"He is responsible!" Milliardo shouted. Relena ignored his comment and waved it off.
"I'm tired. Goodbye Milliardo." She said before entering the bedroom. "I don't feel like arguing right now." The door closed.
"Quatre, what is she talking about?"
"From what I heard you disprove of their love."
"Whose love?"
"Relena's and Heero's."
"They have no love."
"You're in denile and you're overreacting." Quatre said slightly raising his voice slightly.
"I am not overreacting!!" He shouted.
"You said Heero wasn't good enough for her. That he is a gundam pilot and killer. May I remind you that so were you and me. There is no need to deny Relena her heart when her hand is already promised to another." He said finally shouting at his superior.
"No! I won't allow-" Milliardo began to say but Quatre finished for him.
"I won't allow that killer to have any relation with my sister. She is pure and he will surely taint her. He doesn't deserve her. I forbid you from loving him. He is a killer. You don't know how many innocent people he's killed during the war. I won't allow him to even look at you. He is a disgrace!" Quatre's face was red with anger. He drew in a deep breath. He was outraged but then he slumped his shoulders and his face returned to normal. "Is that what you want to tell Relena? W3 all committed terribly mistakes and crimes all of which we regret. But to be judged by them and preventing us from living out lives? Shouldn't we forgive and maybe not forget but understand?" Quatre said back in his normal voice. "Live our lives as best we can?" He said in a last whisper.
"Quatre, I lost my family, my home and my kingdom. And now that I've found Relena I want to protect her at all costs. I don't want her to get hurt."
"She won't be hurt. I know Heero truly loves her. Even if he won't admit it outloud, we all know the truth. He would give his life to keep her safe. It seems the two of you have something in common." Quatre said finally returning to his kind self.
"Quatre, leave the speech for later. I have to go." Milliardo said.
"He still doesn't understand." Quatre said after the monitor went black. 'But what happened to me back there? Why was I yelling at him? Has my power grown that much that I don't even have to be close to the person to feel their emotions? I'm on Mars for goodness sakes. I have to learn to control this before it gets me into trouble.' He thought and sat down on the sofa.
Teri and Trowa
The both of them arrived at the hotel. They knocked on the door but nobody opened it for them. Teri tried the doorknob and to her surprise it was unlocked. She opened the door. She saw her brother standing in front of her.
"Quatre, I-" She began to say but he spoke first.
"I forbid you from loving him. he is a killer. You don't know how many innocent people he's killed during the war!" She's heard this all before. "I won't allow him to even-" She heard no more yelling because she had closed the door again to muffle the horrible sound of his terrible words. She knew what he said and she knew how he'd end it.
"It came true." She whispered. "It had to come true." She began to cry.
"Teri? What's wrong?" Trowa asked worriedly.
"Trowa." Teri said running into his arms. Trowa took her into a hug. Trying to comfort her and rid whatever disturbed her. "I love you." She said into his shirt. "And no one will take you away from me."
"I love you, Teri." Trowa said after a minute's silence. "I would protect you with my very life." He held her even tighter. "Let's go. You must be hungry." He began to move with her but she stood in the same place. Not budging.
"Promise me you'll never abandon me." She said in such a low whisper Trowa wasn't sure she had said anything at all.
"Teri?"
"Promise me you'll never abandon me." She said still in a low whisper. "So I'll never be alone again."
"I promise." Trowa said and hugged her. They both stayed there in the hallway of the hotel. Content with being in each other's arms. Not caring about the world or the people in it. Their thoughts, opinions and words didn't matter to them. The only important thing was having each other in their arms and they only existed. But yet as close as they were they were still divided by a thin layer of clothing.
I thought this was so sad. Really, really sad. This was all about Trowa and Teri mostly, but next chapter, which is half done, Yay! has more about Relena and her coping with her work and homelife. One thing: Milliardo and her aren't speaking to each other. Next chapter will hopefully be out before Christmas or just a nice present Santa will give you. See ya! ;) Güera
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year