Kindred part 4

AN: Sorry, Sorry, Sorry. I know this has been a long time in coming. Just got really busy with finals and then hit some horrible writers block. Anyway at long last part 4.

Last time Trowa went to Duo for help with finding Midii. After seeing her picture something clicked in Duo's mind and he knew where to look.

Duo slouched against the wall of Erik's office, his arms folded and his hat pushed low hiding his eyes. He listened grimly as Trowa pumped the guy for anything he knew which didn't seem like much. Erik was belligerent when they first came in but after Trowa flashed his Preventer credentials the guy had started to sweat profusely and babble almost non-stop. Trowa halted Erik's rambling, "I'm going to need your computer." Erik vaulted to his feet, "Oh, of course, please, feel free." Trowa sat down and looked up at Erik coldly, "Do you mind?" Again Erik jumped, "Oh right! I'll just be around…outside…if you need anything…well not outside but not in here-". Trowa held up a hand to stop him, "That's enough." Erik hurried to the door and Duo held out an arm to stop him a moment, "Hey why don't you give me a call sometime? We can catch up on old times." Duo laughed out loud as he watched Erik practically run away. Trowa raised a questioning eyebrow but Duo was laughing too hard to explain. Trowa shrugged and set to work.

By the time Duo got a hold of himself and made his way to the desk to view Trowa's work, Trowa had what he was looking for. Duo peered at the string of numbers dancing across the screen, "What is it?" Trowa stuck a disk into the computer and copied the files, "It's her banking information. No doubt this is just a dummy account but I should be able to use it to trace her real account. If I can get that I'll know where she went." Duo smiled, "Yep, gone are the days when space ports would accept cash. Only criminals and black markets accept currency these days." Trowa didn't look up from the computer as he continued to scan for any information that might be helpful, "People can still disappear though." Duo poked around Erik's office, snooping here and there, "Why is she so hard to find anyway? Is she a fugitive or something?" "Not exactly, but she probably thinks she is. She was an Alliance spy and after they went down she did some freelance work. I explained the situation to Lady Une and she was willing to let her go so long as I kept an eye on her." Duo nodded his understanding, "Let me guess things got complicated and she took off." Trowa finished his work and started to log off, "Yes. She helped us with Aya though." Duo grinned mischievously, "Oh right, she's the reason you took off before the fight. Trowa my man, you are a mystery. I never had you pegged for such a romantic guy, chasing this girl all over space…you must have it bad."

Trowa ignored Duo's remark, "I'm finished. Let's get out of here." Duo nodded and followed him out of the office whistling a happy tune.

****

It was harder to find her real account than he had first thought. It was 3:00 AM and once again Trowa sat in his hotel room unable to sleep but this time it was because he knew he was close, he just had to push a little further. Trowa paused in his typing to rub his sleep-depraved eyes. All his leads had led to a dead end, she was good. He went back to his work, entering a few more keystrokes and then enter. He was rewarded this time with a greeting that said, 'Good Evening Midii'. It didn't take him long to find her credit number and with that he hacked into the spaceport's database. He was expecting to find that number match up to at least two tickets out with at least one being a lure. Tonight was his lucky night. Miss Une had bought one ticket for an L3 colony. He erased all signs of his tampering in Midii's account and flopped onto his bed still fully clothed. He hadn't slept well in weeks but tonight would be different. Just before sleep could finally claim him he mumbled into his pillow, "Tomorrow Midii…I'll find you tomorrow."

****

Trowa looked at his watch quickly before turning his attention back to the security records. Before he set off on his search for Midii he had to make sure she was on this colony. He paused the playback and felt his heart jump a little as he confirmed that it was her on the screen in front of him. He stood up and stretched a little. It was late, not very much would be open right now. No doubt Midii was someplace sleeping, he should find a hotel and do the same. He picked up his jacket and closed the door to the small security office behind him.

***

Midii tried to wrap her coat more tightly around her with one hand. The other held the medium sized suitcase with everything she owned that was worth bringing with her. Coming to this colony had been a mistake. Going to any colony had been a mistake. The more she drifted the more she was heading out for sea. She needed to regroup and figure out just what she wanted in life and there was only one place she could do that. Home. Even if it no longer existed the way she remembered it, it was where she needed to go. She would gain strength from the acceptance of the familiar surroundings and put her life back on track. She stopped in front of the SpacePort for a moment before entering through the sliding doors to find passage back to Earth. "There has to be a shuttle leaving soon. There always is."

***

Trowa excited the SpacePort from a side security exit and made his way to his car. He pushed his hands into his pockets, fumbling for the keys. He had rented an older model, no voice activation. Sighing he realized he must have dropped them and headed back inside to look for them. Going back to the security entrance he found it locked from the outside. He would have to enter from the regular entrance.

***

Midii stopped in front of the desk and put down her suitcase. "I'd like a ticket on your soonest flight to Earth." The lady at the desk smiled at her, "Well we have one leaving in 15 minutes, I just made the final boarding call. There's room if you would like to buy a ticket." Midii smiled her relief, now that she had made her decision she wanted to be on her way. She took out her wallet, "Yes, please." The lady completed her transaction and handed her a ticket, "Just go up through there miss." Midii smiled at her again, "Thank you." She picked up her suitcase and headed to board the shuttle.

***

Trowa couldn't find his keys. He had retraced his steps and there was still nothing. Now he stood in front of the small security office where he had reviewed the security disks and jiggled the doorknob. Locked, he would have to find someone to open this thing up or he would never get out of here. He thought he had seen one near the baggage check. Trowa headed off in that direction.

***

"Oh Miss!" Midii stopped in her tracks and turned back to the lady at the desk. "That bag is too big. You're going to have to check it." Midii frowned, if this were a man she could have easily charmed her way out of this hassle, but it wasn't so, "Will I have time?" The lady nodded, "Yes but you'll have to hurry." The lady pointed in the opposite direction she had been heading, "It's back that way." Midii huffed a little at the inconvenience and then headed towards the baggage check.

***

The security guard seemed young to Trowa, though they were probably both the same age. The young man seemed pleased at the chance to help him and prattled on endlessly. Finally they reached the small office and the guard unattached a large key ring from his belt, "Yep, I don't know why we're so behind the times here. They're starting to switch everything over to voice activation but they sure are taking their sweet time about it. Our main office has it but little ones like this get overlooked." He paused to swing the door open, "And there you are." Trowa spotted his keys on the floor right next to his chair, he turned to the guard, "Thanks for your help." The guard nodded and wandered off to return to his post. Trowa picked up his keys and headed out once again.

***

Midii decided to run she didn't trust that the shuttle wouldn't leave without her. She passed a young guard who yelled at her to slow down. She flashed him a dazzling smile and continued on her way. She had to make that shuttle, she just had to.

***

Trowa heard the guard shout and headed towards him to find out what the problem was. He found the guard with a goofy grin on his face staring towards the boarding routes. Trowa looked to where the guard was staring just in time to see platinum blond hair disappear around the corner. It was just a glimpse, and all he had seen was some hair but immediately he took off running. It was her, it had to be.

***

Midii rounded the corner and headed up towards the shuttle, she was going to make it. When suddenly again she was stopped. A voice yelled out to her to stop. She froze. That wasn't any official polite voice, but a familiar one, a dearly loved one that nevertheless also hurt her. In slow motion she turned around to face Trowa Barton. The young lady who had helped her earlier was yelling at her to hurry up and board the shuttle but she knew there was no question of that now. Trowa held out his hand for her to take and she was powerless to resist. Like in a dream or under a spell she reached out for his hand and let him lead her away. They didn't speak as they left the SpacePort and she found herself in an old fashioned car. Trowa got in beside her but didn't start the car. Suddenly he also seemed to be at a loss.

She snapped out of her daze and turned to him angrily, "What do you want?" She had already decided what he wanted, but still she had to ask. Trowa was surprised by her anger but he answered her just the same, "I needed to find you." Midii's eyes snapped fire at him, "Why? I've paid my debt to you. Don't ask me to do anything more." Trowa was puzzled, "I don't want you to do anything for me. Is that what you think? That I need you for a job?" Midii didn't answer, she just turned away from him and folded her arms in front of her. Trowa shook his head and reached out a hand to touch her shoulder, to try and get her to face him again. She refused but he spoke anyway, "I didn't want to send you before but…my friends were in danger. I couldn't go. You were the best person for the job. Probably better than me. If I had realized how you felt I would never have asked. But that's not why I'm here now." Now she did turn to face him and he was glad to see that some of the anger was being replaced with confusion and curiosity, "Why are you here? Just a happy coincidence?" Trowa reached out a hand to brush some of her hair from her face. When he looked into her eyes again now he saw pain. Her eyes were growing glassy, "I don't know what I did to hurt you so much but I have to ask you to forgive me. I need you."

Midii gasped in surprise. She couldn't believe what he had just said. So simple and direct and completely unexpected but she couldn't deny the truth she heard in his words. She believed him even though she had convinced herself that he could never feel about her the way she felt for him. Midii let the tears fall and turned to look out the window. "Trowa…you don't understand me. On the beach…you said something and it made me see that you think it's your fault that I am who I am. That all the horrible things I've done are your fault. They were my choices. Poor ones, horrible ones that I have to live with for the rest of my life, but you can't take them on you. You just can't do that."

Trowa couldn't help himself from reaching out to tangle his hand in her hair, "Maybe you're right, but I never should have left you that day. I was too young to understand. I told you we were the same and we are. I have done many things that I have to live with too. There aren't many who understand what our lives have been like. We should stick together."

His hand in her hair was bringing to the surface feelings too hard to fight. She turned to face him again and decided to make him see what it was she needed. "Trowa, I lo-". He didn't let her finish but leaned towards her and covered her mouth with his. At last he pulled away slightly to look at her, "I love you. I know how you feel. I understand." Midii nodded, too amazed to speak. Trowa started the car, "Where should we go?" Midii gave him directions to the small apartment she had thought she would never see again.

****

The afternoon sun bounced across her hair that was spread across the pillow making it shine. She arched her back and stretched like a contented cat. Her movements made him stir and she smiled at him as he raised his face to look at her. His hair was truly hilarious. Had she known what she would have been missing she never would have left him on the beach after their first night together. She couldn't help but giggle a little. He pretended to be angry, "I hope your not laughing at my hair." The giggles turned into full-blown laughter as he grabbed her and began to tickle. Tickling turned into kissing and soon they were again engaged in the activities that had kept them up so late the night before.

When they both fell back contented again he pulled her over to lie on his chest and began playing with her hair. Midii purred like a cat, "Trowa what do we do now?" "Do you want to come back to Earth with me?" He felt her smile against his skin, "My bag is on Earth right now. That's where I was headed until you stopped me. But what I mean is after that. Are you going to stay with the Preventers?" She felt him stiffen slightly at the question but he answered her, "Sometimes my work…sometimes I'm forced to do things that I thought I had left behind, but those instances are becoming fewer, and if I didn't then everything I've sacrificed will have been for nothing. I have to stay with them until I feel everything is right." Midii lifted herself up a little to look at him, "I understand. I'll come with you." Trowa smiled and then sat up a little, "Speaking of them I should probably check in. It's been a while." He got up and sat down in front of the laptop as she went into the kitchen to try and make them something to eat.

Trowa contacted the Preventers and was immediately referred to Lady Une. She was angry, "Where have you been? We've got a situation here. We need you." Trowa nodded, "When?" Lady Une growled at him, "Now." She signed off to emphasize the point and Trowa's shoulders hunched slightly. Would she understand?

Midii stood just outside clutching tightly to a glass of Orange juice. She had heard everything and now she could see the effect of that woman's words on him. He hated it, she could tell. Like all of her decisions she made this one quickly and with absolute determination. She turned on her heel and headed towards the bathroom. She wasn't going to let this happen.

AN: Ok that's it for now. Next up will be part 5 as well as two companion stories so again you may have to wait a little bit cause I have to release all 3 stories at once and only one is half written so far, but don't fear. I'm back in the saddle again. Feedback is encouraged and helps me write faster. You can send it to jaimelynn1978@yahoo.com