Coming Back By Captain Anonymous There was a sharp sound. The loud buzzing cut through the silent room, as the red light on the monitor lit up. Lady touched the switch, she looked at the screen as the image formed and focused. The familiar blonde hair girl’s features appeared. Lady sat down at the desk chair, and brushed her long brown hair back with her fingers. “Hi Lady.” “Good evening Midii.” Midii looked at her cousin on the other end, the familiar dignified look that she had. “Its the first time that I’ve actually been able to get through to you. I’ve been trying to call you every night this past week.” There was a slight smile on Lady’s face. “I’m sorry to put you through the trouble. I’ve been working late the past few nights, there were some things that I had to take care of........” Midii nodded slightly, “I understand.” Midii looked down at the keyboard in front of her. “There was something that I wanted to talk with you about.” “What is it Midii?” Midii took a deep breathe. “There’s something........well, I really don’t know how to say what I.........I need to say.” Lady looked at her cousin, listening, as she chose the words. “Its about my brother.” “You mean Johnnie.” Lady could feel her heart almost stop inside of her. Did Midii know? Had Johnnie told her about what happened? What did she know. Midii tried to find the words, she stumbled trying to find the right way to talk about all this. Maybe it was a mistake calling Lady now. “Yes, its about him.” The memories of her meeting with Johnnie were still burning in Lady. She remained silent. She didn’t want to tell Midii about what happened. Not now. Not like this. “He left well over a week ago. I haven’t seen him since.” “Oh?” “I’m not sure where he is. But he was upset, about...............” Lady closed her eyes, she understood what her cousin was getting at. She nodded slightly. She still couldn’t tell Midii that she had seen him. Something stopped her. She wanted to say something about it. But she just couldn’t. How could she tell her that she had seen Johnnie and not told her. It didn’t feel right inside of her. Midii said softly, “I really don’t know just he’ll do.” Lady looked back at Midii through the monitor screen. “I understand your feelings about him. I’m sorry...............” Midii looked at Lady, as she once again looked away from the screen. “I’m sorry for all this.” --------------------------------- Johnnie slid his shirt on over his shoulders, and slowly began to work the buttons with his fingers. Marlene sat on the edge of the bed, watching him. “How long do you think you’ll be gone for?” Johnnie straightened his shirt as he got the last buttons into place. “I’m really not to sure, but I don’t think that it’ll be very long. I’ll be coming back to you.” Johnnie rolled up the sleeves on his shirt, as he adjusted the cuffs. “I really didn’t want this to keep going on. I’ve got to go back and talk to Midii. I’ve got to tell her. Its been building up inside of me. Regardless of what happens, I’ve got to make sure that she’s all right.” Johnnie looked at Marlene, into her blue eyes. Marlene stood up from the bed, and stood beside him. She knew the pain he was going through, she knew all too well it was like. “I’ve got to protect her, I can’t bear to see her get hurt again. I lost once before, then she lost everything. She’s done so much, if it wasn’t for her all those years ago, I wouldn’t be here. I won’t let her take away everything she has now. I won’t let it happen. Even if it kills me inside, I won’t let that happen.” Marlene touched his hand. “I know how selfish this must sound to you, but please come back to me after this.” He touched her cheek, moving his hand back to her short blonde hair. “No matter what happens, I’ll come back.” Johnnie walked to the door, and touched the cold brass knob with his fingers. He could feel the tension building up inside of him. He didn’t really want to leave her, he didn’t know if he was going to be coming back. This was how it was going to be. This was going to be it. He touched his pocket as he walked outside the room, feeling the outline of the switchblade. -------------------------------- Midii walked back into the living room, as she stretched her stiff neck muscles. Trowa sat on the couch, reading an old mobile suit tech manual. He put down the book, and looked at Midii. “How did it go?” Midii sat down on the couch beside him. “I talked to her. I feel a little better now that I have.” Midii rested her head back against the couch. She felt drained. Midii touched Trowa’s hand, “We can talk about it more tomorrow.” Trowa nodded, “Alright.” She lay in Trowa’s arms. She let her mind wander, thinking about it all. The thoughts and pain that were inside of her, the darkest fears, they seemed to come out. Her memories, for so long she had thought of Lady Une as an OZ officer, and even now, years after the war, those feelings were still inside of her. For a long time, she had always assumed that the OZ elite was made up of soldiers who were cold and emotionless. Soldiers who only cared about victory over all else. People filled with hate, anger, ambition. People who couldn’t love. Soldiers who only sought war for the glory, even if that war was fought on the shoulders of innocent people. The horrible battles she had seen brought tears to her eyes. Part of the Trieze faction. It seemed ironic now. In the last months the war, she had been helped by some OZ officers. They wore the green uniform coats and the OZ insignias on the their uniforms upside down, to distinguish them from the Romafeller Troops. Coster, Ordway, Miller. It was less the five years before, but it seemed like a lifetime. She could still remember them all, while some the memories of them had faded in her mind, there were some that she would never forget. They were all taken away from her. The only one to survive the war was Ordway, and he was gone now. She could feel a chill come over her. There was a memory still inside of her, one that she had kept. That no one else knew about. Walker. Lt. Walker. It was right before the start of the war. The way he looked, the way his voice sounded. The way he held her during that one dance. His hands lightly touching her skin. The way they moved their bodies, so very slowly, with the music. She remembered touching the stiff cloth of his coat as they danced that night. She could remember her feelings for him. It had been one night. Then he was gone. Midii could feel a tear roll down her cheek just thinking about it. She could feel Trowa’s hand lightly touch her cheek, against her tears. “Midii..............” His voice was soft and tender. Midii moved in his arms, feeling his warm embrace. Trowa was still, he didn’t move, he just held her close to him. The look in her blue eyes, the soft expression on her face. She didn’t have to say a word to him. He could feel her pain that she had inside. “It’s all right, I understand.” Midii made a soft noise, “I love you Trowa.” To Be Continued.