Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Masquerade ❯ Chapter Ten ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter Ten

Quatre remembered that night for the rest of his life. She came in quietly, hair down and flowing, her eyes to the ground. He sat up and looked at her quietly, then she stopped and looked up at him.

He felt his breath catch. She was beautiful. As the moonlight played across her face he stood and walked to her, taking her hands in his. She looked at him with those emerald eyes of hers.

"Kataru…" She leaned her head on his chest, sighing softly. With one hand on her back, he pressed her close, then brought her head up. She was quiet, even then. He kissed her softly, and when they broke apart Sage reluctantly pulled away.

"I'm sorry… There is no excuse for my behavior as of late…" She didn't let go of his hand.

"Don't worry about it. It was nothing." He pulled her close again, and she didn't resist this time. She kissed him this time, and it was a soft, longing kiss, one that showed him all of her feelings and emotions. She looked up at him.

"I-I have to make it up to you somehow…" Then smiled softly.

Sage awoke beside Quatre. She smiled and stroked his cheek with a finger, waking him gently. He took her hand and kissed it, looking into her eyes. Sage felt herself blush.

She stood and threw on her nightgown, then kissed him goodbye and slid out the door. She ran smack into Duo. He looked quizzically at her for a moment, then something clicked as he looked at Quatre's slightly open door. The eyes widened on both of them.

"It's not what you think, Duo."

Duo's face looked shadowed. "It is though-isn't it?" Sage looked away from his accusing stare. "Don't lie Sage! I know… It hurts a little, but don't worry. I wont tell your little secret to anyone." He snapped every word out at her, muscles tensed and fists clenched.

Sage reached out a hand to him. "Duo…" He recoiled from her and brushed past her, snorting viciously. Sage turned and watched him go. He veered to the left into the kitchen and Sage heard the door slam, then a plate crash to the floor. She sighed. You can't make anyone happy here…

She went back to her room and properly dressed. There was no way she was going to the kitchen or the living room. Completely lost and confused, she plopped down in her desk chair with a hand to her forehead. She would have had to tell him sooner or later. It was less painful if he figured it out on his own, wasn't it? The last thing she wanted to do was cause him pain. He loved her, she could tell, but there was nothing for him inside her. The one kiss they had shared-it had been pure reflex. She cared for him as a friend, nothing more. Yeah-that's what I'll tell him… She stood and with a decisive nod walked out the door.

Ten seconds later she returned. I can't do it. She pulled her knees up to her chest and sat that way for a little while, eyes glazed over in deep thought. Quatre popped his head into her room.

"Morning…" Sage smiled at him.

"Good morning…" He replied, then stepped in. "Why the long face? You look like someone just died." He sat down on the edge of her bed and Sage whirled her chair around to face him.

"When I left your room, I ran into Duo." She said simply, Quatre would understand.

Quatre closed his eyes painfully. "What did he say?"

"He told me off. He promised not to tell-but I don't know."

"Duo always keeps his word. I trust him. But it must have been painful, ne?"

Sage shuddered. "I guess so…" She was uncomfortable now, and he could see it. Her laptop began to beep incessantly, flicking open two small screens. Sage whirled about and clicked on the voicemail box.

"Hello Sage. This is Dr J." Sage grinned.

"Hey boss!" Quatre pulled her ponytail. "What's up?"

Sage heard the Dr. Cringe.

"I have another mission for you."

"Great! Bring it on."

"Some OZ troops are stationed on Colony T57, I need you to somehow transport your Gundam there, secure it, and find their headquarters. Once you do, I will need you to destroy it. They have backup-Oz always does. Be prepared for a battle when you enter space. Protect the colony at all costs!"

Sage's face darkened.

"Um-T57 sir?"

"Yes, you heard me right. Now go to it!"

Sage closed her laptop and shakily stood. Quatre offered a shoulder.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

"T57…Is..My home colony." Sage looked at him.

"Oh-Sage…" He hugged her tight. "You better go then. Heero or Trowa would know some ways to disguise a mobile suit… We have underground hangars stationed everywhere." She nodded and smiled.

"Wish me luck…" Quatre kissed her gently then looked her in the eyes.

"Good luck…" She smiled and tweaked his nose playfully before walking out of her room, and to the mobile suit hangar. She would need a spaceship.