Part Five

I think Wufei knows that Trowa is coming to visit, mostly because he told me yesterday that I was glowing. See, he does have a sense of humor. And to think we almost never realized it.

Regardless. I realized the other day that I haven’t been writing any of the recent events, since Noventa’s death, in this. To make a long story short, Trowa and I came to an . . . understanding. Now, we’ve only known each other for about three weeks at this point. Nothing too monumental has happened. We simply expressed mutual interest. Oh, all right, and he kissed me. It would’ve been much more romantic if Duo hadn’t walked in and announced it to the world.

I’m not bitter, honestly. I was too happy it happened it all to bother being irritated with Duo. Besides, I like Duo. He seems to have . . . an interest in Heero. I wish him luck, though with Heero, I’m not sure it will help.

I feel kind of bad for Wufei. He seems to be the odd man out.

Anyway, after the incident with Noventa, we split up. Heero and Wufei both hid their Gundams. Mine is with me and the Maganacs, as is Wufei. Duo left his Gundam with Howard. He and Heero have enrolled themselves in a private school. Other than when they were forced to move because they ran into someone with whom Heero was acquainted, things seem to be going well for them. Trowa has left with his Gundam to find some ‘friends,’ as he said. He has joined the circus.

I tried so hard not to laugh when he told me. I’m just having so much trouble picturing him as a clown! He’s so quiet and . . . reserved.

However, his circus is coming to town. So apparently I’ll get a chance to see him as a clown. This amuses me. Afterwards he said we could meet to . . . strategize. And have dinner. I’m curious; does this qualify as my first date?

He suggests that one of us infiltrates OZ, preferably himself or Heero. Duo wouldn’t fit in, and Wufei wouldn’t agree. He said I wasn’t allowed to put myself in a position of such danger. I didn’t know whether I should laugh, be embarrassed, or be happy to have someone who wants to protect me. As it was I simply sent a letter back saying I would consider it.

He should be here soon. I’m not sure I can last that long.

****

Catherine was amazed that a quiet person such as myself keeps a journal. She asked jokingly if she could read it. Quite naturally, I told her no. Then I told her it was simply to improve my observation skills. An assignment for a class I once took. I didn’t want her thinking I was sentimental.

It’s a little late for that. After I talked with the RingMaster and convinced him to go to Quatre’s country, everyone in the circus seems to know that I’m meeting someone there. This amuses me, as I never even told anyone I was meeting someone there. What amuses me more is that Catherine seems to think I’m meeting a girl there. I’m interested to know what she’s going to think if she meets Quatre.

I had never really thought of myself as being attracted to men. I still don’t, really. It’s more of an attraction to Quatre. I’m not sure what it is about him. I haven’t known him very long, but I already miss him. I know part of it is probably because we Gundam pilots will never find any real relationship outside of the five of us. No one but another Gundam pilot will ever understand us.

Which, if what Quatre tells me about Heero and Duo is true, makes me feel rather sorry for Wufei.

I’m having enough trouble picturing Heero and Duo together. Or Heero with anyone, for that matter. Then again, Duo is a decidedly determined soul.

****

I never thought it possible that someone could glow. Really. However, the look on Quatre’s face as he danced about the house proclaiming that Trowa was in town was quite remarkable. He then snagged a few bodyguard and bolted from the house. Naturally I followed. I wasn’t about to miss the fun.

It amuses me that Quatre has to bring bodyguards wherever he goes. He is more than capable of taking care of himself. It’s not so much that he wants them, as that they insist. And Rashid is a very impressive man.

I was extremely puzzled when Quatre headed straight for the circus that had arrived at the edge of town. I had trouble picturing Trowa in the circus. Even now that I’ve seen it, I’m still having trouble picturing it. He does some very impressive acts with lions, however. And the knife-throwing act was quite entertaining.

I’m wandering off topic, however. I followed Quatre to the circus, where he sat in the audience for the evening show. Naturally, I felt compelled to go sit with him. He gave me a look that bordered on being dirty. I asked why we were here. He replied that he was here to see Trowa, and I was there because I had followed him. Then he blushed and apologized for being nasty, saying that he’d only wanted some time alone with Trowa. I replied that, now that I knew why he was here, I would leave directly after the show so he could have his time with Trowa.

I certainly had no wish to intrude.

The circus was remarkable, and after that I left. Quatre ducked his bodyguards and managed to lose them. I know because they came home complaining loudly, about a half hour after I did. Quatre himself arrived home around midnight, glowing even brighter, with Trowa in tow. Apparently he saw no reason to stay with the circus with one of the Winner’s holdings so nearby. I don’t really blame him. This house is very nice.

All three of us stayed up talking for a while, planning strategy. Trowa suggests that we infiltrate, and I think it’s a good idea. It would be between him and Heero. I mentioned that I’m not sure I would want Duo wandering off on his own. They seemed to find this amusing. Quatre told me I was underestimating him.

I happen to know that Duo is a competent individual. I’ve been told many times that no one can tell when I’m joking. This was apparently one of those times.

Trowa went to bed first - he was probably tired from all those acrobatics. Quatre wandered off - to a different room from Trowa’s, I might state for the record - not long after that. I wasn’t quite tired so I decided to take the time to record my thoughts in my journal. I imagine it makes for very dry reading. Fortunately, no one has to read it but me. Improve my observation skills? Sure.

****

“So you’re going?” Quatre asked.

Trowa nodded. “The circus leaves in an hour.”

“Okay.” Quatre gave Wufei a significant glare.

Wufei cleared his throat. “It was good seeing you again, Trowa.” With that, he tactfully removed himself from the room.

Quatre blushed and gave Trowa a brief hug. “Have you talked to Heero?”

“Some, yes,” Trowa said. “We’re still debating which one of us should go.”

“Well.” Quatre scuffed the floor with one foot. “Take care.”

“You too.”

Another brief hug, then Trowa turned and walked out the door.

Quatre flopped onto the couch.

“You still breathing?” Wufei asked, coming in.

“Of course. My being doesn’t depend on his presence, you know.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Wufei half-smiled. “Have he and Heero decided who’s going yet?”

“Not yet, no.”

“Okay.” Wufei looked around pensively. “Dinner?”

“Sure.”

****

To: 03@colony.com, 04@colony.com, 05@colony.com

From: 01@colony.com

Re: Problem

We have a problem. My Gundam is not where I left it. I went to check after Trowa and I agreed that I would infiltrate and it has simply disappeared. OZ’s official records hold no knowledge of it, but with a little careful hacking I have become positive that OZ has it.

I would go in myself to get it, but I don’t know where it’s being held. Please advise.

Heero

****

To: 01@colony.com, 03@colony.com

From: 04@colony.com

Re: Re: Problem

Attachment: Zero

I’m not sure how to go about getting your Gundam back. In the meantime, I’m sending you the plans to another Gundam I lifted from S’s office. They’re encrypted, but I’m sure you can decipher them. Perhaps Howard can help you build a new Gundam. I suggest that Trowa takes your place as infiltrator to try to find where the Gundams are being held. And yes, I use the plural. Wufei’s has vanished as well.

Quatre

****

To: 03@colony.com, 04@colony.com, 05@colony.com

From: 02@colony.com

Re: Zero

Hey, Howard can only work one miracle at a time. One Gundam he can build, but not two. What are we going to do about Wu’s being missing? I don’t like the idea of one of us pilots being a sitting duck without a weapon. Heero says he’s managed to find a location for Wu’s, though still not for his, but we can’t trust the info. Do we dare?

Duo

****

To: 02@colony.com, 03@colony.com, 01@colony.com

From: 04@colony.com

Re: Zero

"Do we dare?"

Do we dare *not*?

Besides, Wufei is spitting flames. Send us the location, Heero. We’ll both go, but we’ve decided it should be a stealth operation rather than going in Sandrock. We have a better chance of getting in that way. Once there, we should be able to sneak into Shenlong (Wufei’s). If luck is with us, Wing will be there too, and I’ll be able to pilot it out. However, go ahead with building Zero. More Gundams is always a good thing. Plus I think it has an advanced guidance system or something.

Wufei was going to insist on going alone. Fortunately, I managed to talk him out of that, though I didn’t talk him out of going entirely. He said something about his Gundam being in OZ’s clutches as a ‘dishonor.’

Quatre

****

To: 04@colony.com

From: 01@colony.com

Re: Location

Attachment: Ayre

Shenlong is located in a base in Ayre. There’s a map and building schematics attached. Good luck.

Heero

****

To: 04@colony.com

From: 03@colony.com

Re: Re: Zero

Be careful, Quatre.

Trowa

****

Part Six
GW Fics