Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.

Not much to say. Hope you enjoy this! Email morganeth@canoemail.com with anything you feel like mentioning ^_^

Chapter 4

It was almost a week sense Midii had first appeared, and still they had seen no sign of the man Kain or any of his men. Though Trowa wanted to see this to its end, he still agreed with Midii’s reasoning and was willing to wait a few more days. What he was not willing to wait for was Erik to fall asleep, about three days after Midii’s arrival, he had decided that he would sleep nowhere but in Trowa’s arms. Three days after that, and even Trowa could not get the fussy baby to sleep. Trowa himself had not found enough hours of sleep for quite some time, though he tried not to let it show.

Erik squirmed and cried in his arms, Trowa had tried everything he could think of to put the baby to sleep but nothing worked. He was sitting on the floor of his dimly lighted trailer, mind numb. Finally he simply placed Erik on the floor beside him, Trowa let his eyes slide closed for a moment, he knew nothing of babies and yet it was to him that Erik turned, he could not help but wonder why? His eyes snapped open when Erik began to cry and he could barely contain a sigh from escaping his lips.

The young baby had managed to get himself up on his hands and knees and was trying to make it over to where Trowa’s flute lay, but his small legs would only take him backwards, much to his anger. Trowa took pity on Erik and brought him up into his lap, he then reached for the flute and brought it to his lips. Erik was instantly enthralled by the sweet melody, his small hands reaching for the shinny instrument, but instead of taking hold of the gleaming metal, his fingers touched the music that for so many was the window into the soul.

Trowa did not know how long he played, losing himself within the music that, he was creating as he went he found the music a release one that he presently needed. He wrapped the melody about him, allowing his heart to soar. When finally he did stop Erik had fallen fast asleep, his small head resting against Trowa’s chest. Careful not to wake him Trowa moved the small child into the bassinet that Midii had picked out, and once more sat back letting his eyes close.

He was aware of the door opening and he became instantly cautious, all weariness forgotten, his emerald eyes focused in on Midii’s slight form as she came to kneel beside him, her blonde hair glistened in the soft light and her eyes were filled with concern. She looked at him for a moment before brushing her fingers through his bangs; she let her hand rest against his forehead for a moment before trailing it down his cheek to rest on his neck. His pulse raced at her touch and he was sure she could feel it, beating against the soft flesh of her palm. “Your exhausted, don’t worry I’ll stay and watch him in case he should wake.” She kissed him softly, and then stood drawing him to his feet.

Trowa moved into the darkness of his room, sleep seeming at this moment to be very appealing, he lay beneath the warm blankets his head resting against the pillow. Sleep was almost instantaneous.

***

Midii sat upon the couch reading a fantasy book she had found lying about, Erik still slept peacefully sucking on his small thumb. Though try as she might Midii could not focus on the words, in her mind she only saw Trowa, sitting upon the floor holding a silver flute in his hands. It had been in those few moments that she had seen a side of him that she had not truly been sure was there. She had seen young man, not the soldier that had fought during the war, or the clown that could not smile. She had simply witnessed Trowa with no barriers in place; the man she could feel was there when they kissed.

She looked up form the page of her book eyes questioning, a new sound had filled the otherwise silent room, and it sounded as though Trowa was thrashing in his sleep. Midii dropped the book she had been holding and moved into the other room. Trowa lay upon his bed face contorted in some form of fear, as his muscles knotted against whatever it was that he fought. She moved to his bedside and sat down; “Trowa” she whispered his name softly, but he seemed too deep within his nightmare to hear.

Midii lay her hand once more upon his forehead, and his muscles seemed to loosen somewhat, but seconds later his head thrashed out from under her hand, as he continued to fight his unseen battle. She wished she knew what it was that tormented the young man before her, she realised then just how young he was, Trowa had always seemed years older than her but she saw now that the difference was not that great.

Trowa’s lips parted, but nothing was heard, he threw his head back and his voice seemed to return, “no…no…” Midii could barley make out his words, but they sounded so desperate that she acted without thought. Leaning down she kissed Trowa softly, feeling nothing at first, but then his body relaxed and he grew silent. But Midii did not leave his side then; she sat there watching him until morning, in her mind protecting him from any other nightmares.

***

Trowa was aware, the moment he awoke that Midii was there, sitting beside him, watching. He did not immediately open his eyes; his mind still clouded with the nightmares of the past. Trowa had felt Midii’s presence during the night, as she cast away his dreams with one soft kiss, but now part of him wished she had not, he did not like the idea of Midii seeing him so vulnerable. And now he almost regretted not finding out what those memories were that haunted him, he no longer wanted them hanging over his head.

Opening his eyes Trowa was met with a sight that took his breath away, Midii leaned over him, her soft blonde hair flowing loosely about her small shoulders. The early morning sun fell upon her face with a glowing radiance, giving her the look of an angel. Trowa propped himself up on one elbow, meeting her mysterious gaze with his own. He watched the corners of her mouth twitch into a small smile,. Midii quickly leaned in and stole a kiss before rising from the bed and leaving the room. She paused for a moment at the door laughing at the puzzled look that passed across his face.

***

Midii moved out into the main room still chuckling softly, she loved surprising Trowa like that, when she did she could see the innocence in his eyes that the war had not yet taken away. He may have known how to handle a gun or mobile suit, but women were completely different. She briefly knelt by Erik’s crib where he thankfully still slept undisturbed. Midii moved towards Trowa’s small kitchen and began searching the cupboards for something to make for breakfast. She no longer found it surprising that Trowa was so thin. There was almost nothing to eat in the entire trailer.

She managed to find a few things, and began to create a quick meal; she heard the shower water begin to run, just as Erik awoke. Midii moved over to the small child and gave him some toys to play with, he squealed in delight plump little hands reaching for the stuffed animal she offered him. As she turned back to the counter there came a soft knock at the trailer door, “come in,” Midii called softly. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Catherine walked in, her eyes seemed drawn and worried.

“Have you been out yet this morning?” she glanced out the window briefly before moving further into the trailer.

“No, Trowa just woke, why?”

“There are a bunch of men searching for you and Erik, they have your pictures.” Catherine moved over to Erik and lifted him into her arms, hugging him close, “What’s going on?”

Midii turned from her work at the counter and locked eyes with Trowa’s sister, she kept everything from her face her expression closely guarded, but her eyes could not completely hide the emotions that ran through her. Trowa walked from the bathroom, his eyes locking on Midii’s he seemed to know instantly what was going on. He moved over to the door taking up a watch through the window.

Trowa gazed out the pane of glass, into the early morning. He instantly caught sight of the men Cathy had been speaking of, they moved about the camp in plain clothing, trying to blend in. This however made them more conspicuous than if they had been wearing blinking lights. Turning back around he folded his arms across his chest and looked at the two women that stood facing each other. “You’d best tell her everything.”

Midii nodded and moved towards the couch taking a seat, her eyes growing distant for a moment as if deciding where to begin. “Over a week ago, a man named Kain ordered the death’s of a very influential family, Erik’s family to be exact.”

“What?”

“Were fairly sure he had them killed to gain control of the colonies that the Bèovel owned, but with Erik still alive, he cannot take control. I’m sure that Erik’s father had some sort of back up plan should anything like this happen. Anyway, a man named Devon Draken sent me to find Erik and bring him safely back to the colonies, however I did not think moving would be wise until I could see what Kain’s next move would be.” She paused and glanced at Trowa, “but I may have waited too long.”

“I don’t understand who’s Kain.”

“A general from the war, a man from my past.” Midii rose and came to stand beside Trowa, “how many?”

He shifted his head slightly peering out the window, “about twenty. They’re systematically working through each tent and trailer, taking only a few minutes each time.” His emerald eyes took Midii in, “they don’t know where you are or they would have been here by now.” Trowa paused for a moment seeming to count in his head, “take Erik into my room there’s a crawl space under the bed, wait there.” She nodded and, within seconds Trowa and Catherine were left alone.

“Trowa?” she sounded confused, “there’s no crawl space in the trailer.”

He gave her the briefest smile, “perhaps at one time.”

Trowa moved to sit beside his worried sister, his mind preoccupied with the different options that remained open to him, it was too dangerous for Midii to stay here any longer. But at the same time all the airports would most likely be under heavy guard, it did not take him long to make his decision. “What does all this mean?”

“Nothing yet.” He rose from his seat and moved towards the door even before the men outside had knocked, Trowa filled the doorway with his tall form and stared down at the uniformed men.

A man, whose face was one that could be easily lost within a crowd, raised as sheet of paper that held pictures of both Midii and Erik. In a low and nondescript voice he asked, “Have you seen either of them?”

Trowa took a moment to study the pictures, his face showing nothing, after a few seconds time he shook his head, “I don’t think so.”

The man searched Trowa’s face but could find no lie within his emerald eyes; “Do you mind if we search?” Trowa silently stepped aside, as had every other person in the circus; the man’s uniform seemed to resemble someone in a position of authority, and he had decided from the start that he would do nothing to jeopardise Midii’s safety. The men moved into the small trailer separating to search every conceivable hiding spot, on one man confronted Catherine with the photos, but she shook her head, her eyes taking on a confused look. In less than a minute the men were finished and on their way, though they looked less than pleased.

Trowa moved to his room and called softly to Midii, his mind was racing she would no longer be safe here within the circus, if even one person made the connection and told the men that she was with him. He knew right way that he could not keep the ground clear of blood. Midii stepped from her hiding place eyes determined as she walked in front of him, “What are we going to do?”

“We’re leaving tonight.” They had to get Erik back into Draken’s custody, and then eliminate Kain, to protect the fragile peace that Relena had worked so hard to restore.

“How can we?” Midii inquired moving once more out into the main part of the trailer, “they’re most likely watching all the airports.”

Trowa smirked slightly, “Not the one I’m taking you to.” Catherine was seated upon the couch hands clasped together, eyes locked upon them.

“You’re leaving aren’t you?” her voice was low and filled with emotion. Trowa winced internally not wanting to confront his sister in this way.

“We don’t have any other choice.” He ventured carefully as he stood in front of her small form.

“No more,” she whispered softly, “Dammit Trowa You promised No more!” she jumped to her feet tears flying from her eyes as she faced off with her brother.

Trowa sighed in pain, “So long as someone threatens the peace, I will have to fight.” His voice was calmly resigned to his future no matter how he wished it otherwise.

But Catherine was far from that accepting, “Send someone else! You’ve given enough, they can’t take anymore from you!” her hands moved to her face as she could no longer control her tears, “they can’t…” Trowa moved forward wrapping his arms about her shaking form. “…I thought it was over this time…” she wept into his shirt.

He stroked her auburn hair softly but he knew his words would offer her no comfort, “Nothing has started yet, but we have to stop it before it does.”

Cathy shook her head as her small shoulder’s hunched together trying to steady her sobs, “I don’t care…I don’t want to lose you again.” Trowa hugged his older sister close resting his head against hers, hoping and praying that she could understand how necessary this mission was. Silent minutes dragged by as both Trowa and Midii held their breath waiting, finally Catherine stepped back from his warm embrace, her eyes red but dry, her face filled with both sadness and great worry.

“When will you be leaving?” she asked in a barely perceivable voice.

“Tonight.” He replied gently.

“Don’t leave without saying goodbye.” With that she ran from the trailer. Trowa ran one hand through his hair suddenly feeling very tired. Midii came up beside him and slipped her arm through his in a silent gesture of support. The rest of Trowa’s day was spent making small trips to his car, bring the supplies that they would need for their trip. He and Midii needed very little it was Erik that required the majority of the items he was forced to pack.

It was late in the evening that Trowa finally led Midii into his bedroom, moving towards the window he carefully slipped out landing without a sound. He then turned and took Erik from Midii’s arms and stepped back allowing her to slip down beside him. It was Trowa sixth sense that alerted him to the approaching men, as he had expected they had not been satisfied when they could find neither Midii nor Erik, and had remained around the camp figuring that the two they sought would have to make an appearance sometime.

Trowa acted without thought, he turned and pinned both Erik and Midii to the Trailer wall he caught one brief questioning look from Midii before his lips fell over hers. Thankfully Erik remained silent within his arms, Midii however did not miss the opportunity. She twined her arms about his lowered neck and deepened the kiss. Trowa’s pulse raced and he found it harder and harder to watch the men that passed, his attention continually being drawn back to the small woman in his arms, who now had his heart firmly within her hands.

The men who walked by gave them only briefest glance before moving on; they’re fools Trowa thought darkly, though his feelings could not stay dark for long with Midii’s fingers trailing through his hair. Finally he pulled back finding his breath gone, Midii pouted slightly but seemed more than pleased. He gave Erik over to her, the small child smiled brightly up at both of them, still blessedly silent. “Go to the car, I’ll be there in about five minutes.” She nodded and faded into the shadows.

Trowa did not look back as he too blended into the darkness that had for so many years been his ail, though he was not nearly as comfortable within the shadows as Heero, they had served him well and could never betray him. Within seconds he was standing in front of Cathy’ trailer, none knowing he was there, his movements had passed completely unnoticed. He stood within her trailer after only the briefest knock, if she had seemed to accept his decision that morning he knew now that it had been a lie. Her eyes were red from crying and her face looked pale and drawn.

She rose from her seat wiping her eyes quickly, trying to compose herself in front of him. Trowa pulled her into the circle of his arms, unsure what he could possibly say that would make any difference to her; no words came to him. They stood there for a moment Trowa stroking both her back and hair trying to reassure her, Cathy crying into his chest. “I’m just so afraid…” her voice was slightly muffled, and Trowa had a hard time catching what she was saying.

“…I don’t want to lose you again, Tri…” she gripped his shirt in her hands pressing her head against his chest as she drew in a shuddered breath. She stepped back then her hands once more wiping her eyes, as she looked at him Trowa had the feeling she was not seeing him but someone else. She did not give him the chance to question her, for she reached down and handed him a duffel bag that held Midii’s stuff she then offered him and weak smile, “Go she’s waiting for you.”

Trowa lay one hand on his sister’s cheek before turning to leave, once outside he took a brief moment to gaze up at the starry sky, and he saw within its diamond depths the peace Relena had so lovingly forged for them. He also saw the threat to their peace and could not control the anger that surged through him though he kept his face blank. He and the other pilots had given more than any other to see this time of peace come about, and any who thought to destroy their hard work better truly want it, because they would find it very hard to change their minds in Hell.

***to be continued***