Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Sandrock was no more ❯ chapter 1 ( Chapter 2 )

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Chapter one

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Quatre sat in the cockpit of his Gundam, Sandrock. He was making last minute adjustments before his mission departure. It had been a while since his last mission, and he had a feeling that his koi had something to do with that. The blonde's bright aquamarine eyes softened at the thought of his koi. A small smile graced his lips.

Trowa could be very overprotective, and Quatre could understand why. The blonde found that between his company, Winner Enterprises, to his position as a colony representative, he tended to be worn down, and his health tended to suffer for it.

The blonde took in a sharp breath. Trowa was coming and he was pissed. Not that Quatre blamed him… he was technically going behind his back. He sighed again. Sometimes being an empath was both a curse as well as a blessing.

"Quatre! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" The brunette yelled up from Sandrock's feet.

Quatre grimaced as the depth of Trowa's anger bombarded him, causing a headache to arise and a slight pain in his chest. It always seemed to hurt more and faster when Trowa's was the negative emotions he was sensing. Hesitantly, he climbed out of the cockpit and stood on the hatch door looking down at Trowa.

"Um…" He started as Trowa road the cable up to meet him, "Hi, Trowa."

"Don't `Hi, Trowa' me!" The taller boy snapped stepping onto the hatch next to Quatre. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I have a mission." Quatre said softly avoiding the other's accusing gaze. Trowa was usually a calm person who didn't let his emotions show, so he was extremely P.O.ed to let go of his stoic façade. The blonde felt guilty for being the cause of that anger.

"Since when!?!" He demanded, "I thought you had been taken off active field duty."

"I never actually signed off on that, Trowa." The smaller boy admitted.

"What?" Trowa was stunned, "But I… I thought…"

"You had asked me about it, asked me to think about it, but I never signed the form."

"So what? You've been going on missions behind my back?"

"No!" Quatre almost shouted, "No, this is my first mission in months… Trowa…" The aquamarine eyes locked with the other's stern green, "Please, Trowa," He pleaded, "Please don't be angry."

"What about your responsibilities as the colony representative? You're supposed to meet Relena in three days."

"It's a routine mission. I should be back later tonight or tomorrow morning."

"If it's so routine then let someone else go." Trowa demanded, "Hiiro or

Wu Fei?"

The blonde shook his head, "They both have assignments already and Duo's on vacation."

"Then me! I'll go!"

"Trowa, what's the difference if it's you or me? Either way, one of us will worry about the other." Quatre asked gently, his hand resting on Trowa's arm.

"At least it wouldn't be you out there." Trowa whispered, his voice choked with emotion he wasn't used to showing. His hand cupped the other's face in a gentle touch.

"Trowa." The boy sighed, his eyes sad, "being a Gundam pilot is as much of who I am as being the Winner heir or the colony representative is. I'm just as trained as you or Hiiro are and I can handle myself."

"But…"

"I'm stronger than you give me credit for, Trowa." Quatre interrupted a bit harsher than he meant to, "I'm going."

"At least let me back you up!!!?"

"No." Quatre declined firmly, "I'm sorry, I have to go alone." And he turned to climb into the cockpit. He paused when Trowa grabbed his wrist and spun him into facing the taller boy. "Trowa…"Quatre began, his voice and eyes begging him to let go.

"Quatre," the boy pulled him close so that the blonde's head rested on his chest. He held him in a strong yet gentle embrace that pinned Quatre's arms to his side.

"Trowa?" His voice was shaking.

"Quatre, I'm sorry." Trowa whispered into the blonde's ear.

"Trowa…"

"I know that you're as well trained and perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, as much as anyone of us. I know you're strong. I think you're stronger than anyone else. I'm sorry, Quatre." Trowa held him tighter, as if he was afraid to let go.

"Trowa." Quatre wrestled his arms free enough to wrap around his koi's waist and return the embrace.

"It's just… between everything you do… and the multiple attempts on your life… to purposely set yourself in danger seems foolish…" The taller boy's body shook as he forced the words out. "I don't want to lose you, Quatre. I want to love you and protect you forever. If you go out there… I have no control over what might happen to you. I'd never forgive myself if… if…" His grasp around the smaller boy tightened, choking him. Even still, a small smile crossed Quatre's face.

"Trowa." He started, "I'm sorry too. I should have told you about my mission. I… I was afraid you wouldn't let me go." He pulled out of the embrace so that he could see his Koi's face. He was a little surprised to see tear streaks run down Trowa's usually apathetic face. Quatre reached up to dry those tears, "but I know exactly how you feel, Trowa, In more ways than one. Every time you leave to visit Catherine or on your own missions, I fear that something will happen that you won't come back to me. I don't like that sick feeling in my heart.

"But..."

"But I know that those missions are more important than just you and me. I also know that as long as you are able, you'll always find your way back to me, Trowa." Quatre's own tears spilt, "Please, believe me, Trowa? Believe that as long as I have breath I'll always return to you?"

"Quatre…"

"I love you, Trowa. I never meant to hurt you or make you angry." Quatre sobbed into Trowa's chest, "but I have to go! Just like when you do, it's our responsibilities as Gundam pilots and believers in peace. We were pilots before we were ever together. It's a duty we must uphold."

"I know, Quatre." Trowa whispered lifting the boy's face so that he could peer into those heartfelt aquamarine orbs. He leaned into meet Quatre's lips in a passionate kiss.

The blonde found himself all but melting in Trowa's loving embrace, and searching kiss. He willingly opened his mouth deepening the kiss at Trowa's subtle request and lavished the taste and texture as they explored the familiar sensations of each other's mouth. Trowa ran his fingers along the back of the blonde's neck and through his fine silky strands of hair. Quatre found himself moaning as he reluctantly broke the contact. "I need to go, Trowa." He said regretfully.

"I know." Trowa held him at arms length, "Hurry back and be safe." He ordered. "I love you, Quatre."

"I promise, Trowa." The blonde smiled as he climbed into the cockpit, "I love you too, Trowa." He said before his koi climbed down from the hatch and the door closed.

"Count down for take off." A controller announced from the computer console, "10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1 …Sandrock take off."

Trowa's long bangs blew in the gust of the gundam's verniay engines, with a force that threatened to blow him back off his feet.

As he watched…

The night was filled with an explosive burst of orange, red and black that blinded the onlookers. The sound that accompanied it was a deafening clap of thunder. When he had recovered, Trowa turned to face a horrifying sight. The teenager felt his heart skip a beat as he stared up at the debris that rained down to earth.

The Gundam Sandrock was no more.

"QUATRE!"

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The alarm clock blared deafeningly, stirring the boy from his tormented sleep. He smacked the clock with his fist silencing it, but he didn't move to get up.

The remnants of his dream plagued him.

`No.' He thought glumly, staring at the dull ceiling, `It wasn't a dream. It really happened. Sandrock did explode. Quatre really was gone.'

Trowa's fingers brushed his lips with a feather's touch, tears misting his eyes, `Quatre.' That kiss had taken place almost a year ago, but the memory, the passion behind it, the love… the feel of Quatre in his arms… it still burned him. "Quatre…" He closed his eyes.

"Trowa! Trowa get up!" a loud voice shouted through the door, "Don't make me get the supper soaker! Trowa!"

Trowa sighed. It was the same routine every morning. He knew that his friends meant well, but still… without /`him'/ there was no reason to get up. No reason to live.

"Barton, don't make me get Yui." It was not an empty threat.

Grudgingly, Trowa pulled himself to his feet, pulled on some clean clothes and opened the door just as Hiiro Yui was about to open it. They stared at each other, one stoic , the other apathetic, Tensely for several minutes, as was the routine. Yui was studying him for signs of suicidal or self-mutilation tendencies in Trowa's demeanor.

"'Bout time!" Duo complained loudly, "Common, we gotta get going!"

Behind him, Wu Fei checked his watch. "We're going to be late!" He muttered.

"Let's go." Hiiro ordered turning and marching down the hall, convinced that the apathetic boy behind him was sane for the moment.

Trowa sighed. He knew better than to argue with them. He didn't care whether or not he knew what their destination was.

To be continued…