Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing. But this story was brought to you by Onitna Incorprated, makers of fine products everyday products every household needs. For example, they carry everything from DuctTape© to meat tenderizers, to new shower curtains and rods.

 

She leaned to the left away from the thin cobalt slits that bored holes in her skin, smiling charmingly at the angry male that leaned over her. His eyes narrowed, not believing the innocence that radiated from her petite form. She covered a yawn with the back of her palm before speaking.

"Next time, knock." The raven-haired female commanded before turning back into her pillow the cornflower blue eyes hidden behind her soft eyelids. His warm breath caressed her smooth cheek as he spoke.

"There won’t be a next time, Hil. Will there?" Shimigami’s voice dropped, reminding her exactly whom she was dealing with as he spoke the implied threat.

"I am not a pile of dirt, Duo Maxwell." She hissed glaring up at him as he pointedly sat on the edge of her bed still leaning over her sprawled out form.

"No. You’re a lying manipulative Hilde that doesn’t when to stop. Something, I can fix for you." She scowled up at him as she felt a soothing stroking on the inside of her left arm. "That I will fix for you." The God of Death promised as the warm stroking occurred on her other arm. She shrunk in on herself trying to get away from his tender fingers, which were lazily drawing figure eights on her unblemished skin under the blanket. They suddenly traveled upwards the touch turning from soothing and comforting to unrelentingly and torturing.

She raised her hands trying to push his away as the forced giggle escaped her parted lips. The American’s fingers wrapped around her wrist, a swift reminder of who was stronger and had longer fingers, as he pinned them above her head with one hand, the other continuing to torture it’s victim, which was gasping for air between laughter. The limber German brought her legs up forcing him away from her, thankful she continued to daily stretch keeping the little flexibility she had.

His left hand drifted from it’s torture, the opportunity offered to good to resist as it applied it’s ticklish feather-like touch to the back of the knees. She exploded in laughter, withering and squirming underneath, encouraging him as she tried to get away from his determined hand. To this day, Duo still hasn’t figured out how exactly she slid under his body and darted toward the bathroom. He sat there for a minute trying to figure it out before realizing she was getting away, just in time to reach the bathroom door.

Stopping its progress…

With his face.

 

(What did you think of my disclaimer? *grins proudly* I made it up myself! I don’t own a lot but the duct tapes mine!!! *clutches duct tape protectively*)

 

Relena smiled. Again. Heero was growing increasingly irritated. No, he was past irritated. Heero was mad. He was outraged. Heero Yuy Odin was jealous. Jealous over a scrawny redhead because he was standing right next to the Former Queen and enjoying himself. Jealous because Relena was smiling up at him, not Heero. Jealous because the tall male wasn’t half a room away watching, he was right there with Relena.

Kisama! She only talked to me once during the whole evening. And then it was just to quickly check up on my health and introduce me to her new ‘friend’. A ‘friend’ that hadn’t left her side the whole evening. Even single waltz she danced that annoying baka redhead had claimed. It couldn’t have been someone old enough to be her father or grandfather, but no he had to be only a year older than her.

The one ‘friend’ she’s talked to the whole evening was not only close to her age but a male! Where were all her female friends that usually fluttered around laughing and teasing everyone else present in a five mile radius? The one time I couldn’t hover over her shoulder sending ‘death glares’, with enough venom to kill a bear with one glance, her ‘friend’ Phillip had to show up. That’s it. From now on I’m checking that guest rooster.

I’d like to see you just try to come close to her again once I’m head of security. Even that braided baka, could make sure Phillip didn’t show up again. Millardo did say I could select my own replacement… Just then as he watched Phillip murmured something to the youngest Peacecraft before leading her out onto the dance floor as the first notes of a waltz started.

And all her waltzes will belong to me. Including this one. He thought as determination showed in the set of his chin as he walked toward the soon-not-be-couple on the dance floor, at least if he had his way.

 

Zechs glanced at the form that rapidly wove through the shifting crowd, heading toward the very two people he had been watching for the last couple of hours. The even strides and seemingly casual movement did nothing to hide what Millardo had glimpsed on his face. Heero had a mission and nothing was going to stop him, not even a damaged foot.

I just hope this doesn’t end in bloodshed. Its bad enough I pilot mobile suits but a murder in my house with politicians present… I’d never hear the end of it. He continued to watch surprised when all that resulted was a forceful removal of the redhead. He was saying something to his sister, but he wasn’t sure if the shocked expression was from the words or that he cut in on her dance.

 

She smacked at his hand. "What is there to talk about? I left and you interrupted my vacation." Trowa turned his attention from her cheek to the knife-thrower’s hand, stroking the back of her palm as he spoke.

"There’s a lot more. You left, after breaking a promise. If you want to get technical about it, since I was coming with you. You interrupted my vacation." Cathy backed up bringing the rod to the ex-Gundam pilot’s neck.

"Surrender?" She said suddenly.

"I’ll surrender." Heavyarms’ pilot replied remembering her aim with the knives and wondering if that applied to the sharp rods as well.

"You’ll let me go." It wasn’t a question but he nodded anyway. "Without following?"

"Yes."

"Good. I accept your surrender." The circus employee slumped against the table all of the energy and adrenaline that had been rushing through her system disappearing. Catherine’s shoulders sagged and that one movement wiped any doubts he was harboring against his actions from his mind. He moved forward and with three quick movements the titan haired female was unarmed with her hands behind her back before she could blink, much less respond with her weary body.

"Why don’t we go somewhere else?" Trowa suggested already pushing her to the door. Her protests were weak and void of energy. He hadn’t realized how fragile she really was or how poorly she had been treating herself. From his view above her head, he could see the dark rings under her eyes and her cheekbones, which were more prominent now than he remembered. First, a meal and second some rest. But we will talk, Cathy. We will.

"You surrendered." Catherine said trying a different tactic than physical force.

"I never said to who or when I surrendered."

"You know what I meant."

"And so did you. When I told you to wait for me. No, Catherine. You’re coming with me this time." He stated in a matter-of-factly tone. Cathy tilted her head back resting it against his chest with a long sigh. Feelings of possessiveness rushed through him as he tightened his arms around his curly redhead.

"I’ll fight you about this later, Trowa. You can count on that." Catherine said, closing her eyes and trusting him completely to steer her the rest way as a bone tired weary settled over her. The small woman wrapped up in his arms was truly tired of not only of fighting him, but also of running. Someday, it had to stop. But it looked like it would be tomorrow.

 

Wufei groaned out loud as the two women entered yet another store. They had spent the whole morning shopping and sightseeing and now they were at it again. He hated sneaking around behind Sally’s back and it went against his principles to spy but he didn’t want a confrontation till Zechs arrived. Which could be anyone from tomorrow to next year. When does that blonde hairball check his messages? At least he had audio and could eavesdrop when he got extremely bored. Like right now. He reached over flipping a few switches on the board that looked like something from RadioShack©.

"It’s been three days. Not one of them has shown up." Sally complained to her ex-partner.

"Just give it sometime."

"Wufei must have noticed we were gone by now. He hasn’t even called me!" She clutched the hanger tighter turning her knuckles white. I’ll have to change that… "What about Millardo? He hasn’t called you either. And you’ve been separated for days."

Noin held up a hand suddenly looking very exhustated and weary. "I know he hasn’t called, Sally. I don’t know why. The only guess I have is something happened between Heero and Relena and now he’s in big brother mode." She flopped into one of the chairs pushed up against the wall. "That’s all he would talk about before he left. Relena this, Relena that." She ran her fingers through her bangs giving them a vicious yank. "I like Relena and I’m glad he found his younger sister, but I don’t want to talk about her all the time. Before I could discuss anything with him. With Zechs. Now, no matter what I talk about Relena comes up! I don’t want to talk to Relena. I want to talk to Zechs!" She leaned back in the seat, looking far older than her years. Sally reached forward squeezing her hand.

"Sometimes you have to put up with certain things. I’ve had to listen to speeches about the ‘justice of things’ and how the world’s gone corrupt due to the ‘onnas’. But I still love Wufei and I’ll stay by him. But everyone needs a break. Maybe this week will help you more than you thought. Even if you can’t clear up the problem, you can still take a break from it. And get some rest." Sally raised an eyebrow pointedly staring down at her. "Then you can go back and wait out his phase."

"Sally."

"Yes?"

"Why did you leave? Honestly, I know there’s more than just a break needed here."

"I do need a break, but more than that I’m curious. Curious as if he would miss me. Do I really matter to him? If he’s not commenting on my faults then he talks about those of others. I’m exaggerating some but it honestly feels like that. I can count on one hand the times he’s complimented me. Each time about a mission, never about me personally. Basically, it all boils down to me wanting to know where I stand with him and I don’t have the guts to ask." She hung her head breaking the eye contact with Noin. "I don’t have the strength to take it if he says we’re just friends or not even friends. It’s better not to know than to know I’m that insignificant to him. I just couldn’t take it if I were. I just feel so unworthy…"

Dorothy glanced around the quiet house, again. This is for the better. You won’t become dependent on him. You’re stronger than that! You promised yourself. This is just keeping it. And it’s not really like you lied to him. All those red-capped men are getting on your nerves. Not a moment of peace.

I miss him.

No, you don’t miss him. You just need something to do. You’re bored right now. Find something. Don’t succumb to the weakness!

It’s too late. I already need him.

Dorothy Catalina needs no one. Especially, not a certain blonde pacifist.

He’s not a complete pacifist. He was a Gundam pilot…

"We shouldn’t be fighting at all!" You don’t call that pacifism?

He still fought. He fought against me.

And look what you did to him. Sliced him clean open. Do you want to see him hurt again?

No.

Then stay away. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts as she drifted to the monitor checking her mail. "Diana? Why is she mailing me?" She wondered out loud selecting the message.

"Hey, Dorothy. I’ve got great news! We’ve already got a renter lined up. I know you’ll love him. Such a sweet guy, too. Anyway, he’ll be over around eight with his stuff, just in case you weren’t home I already gave him his key.

"I ran a background check on him too. He was exactly who he said he was. He also said he was here searching for answers and someone. You might be able to give him a hand, your co-worker, Daphne knows just about everything there is to know about this town. Give me a ring if you need anything more! Bye."

A renter this soon? I hope he’s not a freak or a homicidal maniac. Not that Diana would give me one of those, but before I even put up an ad… Weird.

 

The braided male rubbed his nose that felt permanently flattened by the hard surface, before flinging the door open. Walking right into a jet of icy cold water that flooded his skin as the rubber end of the plunger soared toward his face. He almost fainted from the smell that saturated the black surface underneath his nose barely managing to yank it off of his face. Grabbing the large empty trashcan he reflected the water with it as he lunged toward the tub.

Dumping the can over her head as shut off the water, he couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Hilde trying to get the trashcan off of her head with her elbows pinned to her side. She turned toward the sound viciously head butting him. He hit the side of the tub with a loud ‘thawk’.

When his head cleared she was standing next to the tub on the dark red shag rug she had found at a garage sale. He remembered her squeal of excitement as she waved it over her head seeking his approval for her ‘wonderful’ find. He reached over the side yanking the rug out from underneath her feet.

She wobbled off balance for a minute her arms failing through the air wildly before latching onto the shower curtain. A loud rip echoed in her brain before she fell over, the huge forest green curtain wrapping around her small figure. Duo glanced up at the shower curtain rod, with a new respect.

 

A.N. (1) I have no clue whether or not that email address actually exists. It’s just something I picked out of the scrambled remains of my brain. If it does exist and all of my readers send emails to your address, I apologize now. Please inform of the injustice that has occurred to you and I will change the email address. The only reason hotmail was chosen is because I have hotmail and it’s one of the few email address ending I know. If you have a personal vendetta against hotmail I would love to hear about it. But I am no way connected to it except to get free email. If you are willing to produce an alternative that is faster or works better I will take you up on your offer. I happen to personally like Hotmail, not that I’m promoting it but I do not want to be involved in any wars against it.

I need those reviews! I’m sorry about the long time without posting but I was extremely busy. I’ve almost got the next two chaps down so they should be out shortly. While you’re waiting feel free to review. How bad was this chapter? Was it way out of character? Horrible all together?

And to those anonymous reviewers out there, I’m thrilled you’re reading my story but if you do have an account can you review a signed one? I like to respond to my reviews through email. It helps me ask questions that I need help with. Like the voting! I have only one vote! And it’s for Catherine! If I vote against Catherine, mine counts as five. So, right now the odds are uneven. So, Vote, review, tell me what you think, and most importantly read.

If you haven’t read the story, why would you review? I’ve already deleted several reviews that were so far-fetched. I want everyone to look at my story. Does it have aliens or mummies walking around? Then why would you flame me about having Dorothy being a Martian or Trowa a mummy? They’re not! So, no more trick reviewing?!!! I don’t know who the anonymous few are that are doing that but DON’T or else I’ll make sure there isn’t anymore for you to review!!!! I’ve deleted you! If you wanted fame on my review page you didn’t get it!!! So stop!!! It’s irritating!