Disclaimer: I don’t own GW or any of the characters.
This is my first attempt at a GW fanfic. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Trap Backlash
By West Wind
Relena emerged from her meeting and was helped into a limo. She was thankful that Quatre had offered for her to stay at his place while she was on the colony for this meeting. She disliked staying in a hotel for extended periods of time, and this summit was to last for two weeks. Luckily she did not have to be there every day, just most of them. Relena let out a sigh, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. Quatre slipped into the seat beside her and the car headed for Quatre’s house.
"You look exhausted," stated Quatre.
"I feel it. I am ready to take a hot bath and relax."
Quatre laughed at the look of pure delight Relena had with just thinking about her getaway. She looked at him and smirked.
"You don’t look much better."
"Probably," was all the reply he gave before his mind started rolling the days event over for examination. Relena noted the distant look and stared out her window. She soon became lost in her own thoughts and did not know how much time had passed before Quatre pulled her from her pondering.
"Trowa called me today," he started.
She could hear the excitement in his voice. She knew the two were good friends and had keep in touch since the war. In fact, all the pilots keep in touch with each other.
"He and Catherine have some time off from the circus and are coming for a visit. They should arrive tomorrow afternoon."
She could not help but smile at Quatre’s excitement. His whole face light up with anticipation of his friend’s visit.
They pulled up to the house and got out. Relena went to her room to take her bath before dinner.
****************
The next evening, Relena entered Quatre’s house and could hear the new arrivals talking with Quatre in the living room. Not wanting to interrupt the friendly discussion, she tried to slip by without being noticed, without success.
"I should have known better than to think I could slip by a Gundum pilot, especially two of them," she thought to herself when Quatre called out her name and invited her to join them.
Relena entered the room. Quatre was curled up in a overstuffed chair.
"He looks so cute. Like a little child without a care in the world," Relena observed.
Trowa and Catherine were sitting beside each other on the couch. Catherine had her ankle wrapped and extended in front of her.
"Hello, I hope you had a nice trip," greeted Relena.
Catherine returned her greeting while Trowa gave her a node.
"It was fine," came Catherine’s reply.
"Have a seat, Relena. Would you like some thing to drink?" Quatre inquired.
Relena sat in the unoccupied sofa across from Trowa and Catherine.
"No, nothing at this moment," she answered.
"Go on with your story, Catherine," encouraged Quatre. "Trowa was on his way to find you. Then what happened?"
Trowa gave Quatre and Catherine the Heero Yue patented death glare, but they ignored him.
"Unbeknownst to Trowa, a couple of the animal handlers had set up a surprise for one of their comrades along his chosen path. As Trowa passed between two stacks of straw, the animal handlers mistook Trowa for their target due to the darkness. They emptied two buckets of mud and garbage over him. I was lucky enough to come around the corner with a flashlight as he was hit. The look on his face was priceless, as was his appearance. He was covered with mud from head to toe, straw and vegetable rinds. The best part was the banana peal draped on top of his head."
Quatre clasped his hands together and started laughing at the thought of Trowa covered in garbage.
"Poor Trowa," Relena thought as she tried to hide her mirth behind her hand.
"Once the assailants discovered they had the wrong target, they apologized profusely to Trowa. For the next month they stayed out of Trowa’s way. In fact, they would run the other way if they saw him coming. It was great entertainment for the rest of us," Cathy concluded and wiped a tear of mirth from her eye.
"Master Quatre, dinner is ready," announced one of the servants.
The four enjoyed a wonderful meal with plenty of conversation from at least three of them. Relena was not sure but she thought Catherine keep stealing looks at Quatre when she thought no one was looking.
*************
The next day both Relena and Quatre had to be at the summit, but they had planned to have lunch with Trowa and Catherine. Quatre’s limo pulled up and he and Relena joined Trowa and Catherine in the car.
"Where are we going, Quatre?" asked Relena.
"It is a surprise," the blond replied.
The limo pulled into a small park where they all got out, still unsure what Quatre had planned. Quatre retrieved a large basket and a small cooler from the trunk.
"We’re going on a picnic! What a marvelous idea, Quatre," bubbled Catherine.
"I thought we might all enjoy getting out for a bit and away from crowds of people, and this just seamed to be the perfect solution," he replied
They chose a place to set up and began eating and talking.
"How is Heero?" inquired Trowa.
"He is doing well," replied Relena. "He is actually beginning to enjoy life, trying new things and he is great to have around at parties." Relena saw the look of disbelief in her friends’ faces. "At least for me. That glare of his does wonders at keeping the unwanted admirers at bay," she smiled. "Ours is an interesting relationship," she thought to herself….
~~flashback~~
It was close to a year after the Marimeia incident, and Relena had settled in a secluded house where she could retreat from her busy day. The only servants she had around were Pagan and a cook/housekeeper. One evening Relena was curled up in a chair with a book when her doorbell rang. She untangled herself from her blanket and opened the door. Before her stood a young man carrying a briefcase and a jacket. Prussian blue eyes peeking out from under brown bangs meet hers.
"Hello, Heero."
"Relena."
"Come in," she said moving aside to let the ex-pilot enter.
The two sat in the room Relena has just vacated. She took her earlier position with Heero across from her.
"Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" Relena asked.
"I’m fine."
She was not going to ask how he found her. Heero has his ways of getting information if he wanted it. She was not even going to ask him why he was there. He would tell her if and when he desired. So she just sat there looking at him and he at her. Both lost in thought.
"I am going to bed," she announced as she stood. "You are welcome to stay as long as you want. Up the stairs, first door on the left is a spare bedroom. Make yourself at home."
With that she left and went to her room.
The next morning she found Heero setting at the table with his laptop.
"Morning," she greeted.
She received a mutter for a response.
"Would you like some breakfast?"
Heero looked up from his typing and asked, "What are you having?"
"I was planning on oatmeal, but there is cereal, or I could make you eggs, pancakes, or frenchtoast. But, there is no way I am making waffles. Every time I try, they turn out burnt or falling apart."
"Oatmeal is fine with me," he said and looked back at the computer.
Relena busied herself with making breakfast and soon had everything on the table. Heero put away his computer when Relena put the bowl of oatmeal beside him.
"Do you always cook breakfast, I thought you had a cook?" Heero inquired.
"Kristal only works through the week, and I cook for myself on weekends. I rather enjoy it."
They finished eating, and Relena gathered up the dishes and washing them.
"You haven’t asked me why I am here," noted Heero.
"You’re right. I have not."
"Why?"
"I am sure you have your reasons for being here, and if I need to know you will tell me when you are ready. What ever your reason, I am glad you are here."
"Thanks," he muttered.
Since then, Heero came in and out of her life. He would take off for months at a time before returning. She did not know where he went and did not ask. She knew it was Preventer business. She offered him a place to stay whenever and for as long as he wished. Her house became a safe haven for Heero. He could go there and know he would be accepted as he was. No questions asked. As time passed Heero began to open up to Relena. She and the other Gundum pilots became the family Heero never knew, and he became her confidant, a sounding board, and her surrogate brother, a very protective brother. That is why he would often accompany her to various social gathering. He would chase off the unwanted vermin that would attach themselves to Relena just by glaring at them. He could see Relena took some sort of joy in seeing them squirm under his glare. He did too.
~~end flashback~~
"But he has an admirer of his own," she continued.
"Really," commented Quatre. "Who?"
"Trowa’s adopted niece." [explained in later part of the story]
"Marimeia!?" said Catherine. "She is in her early teens now, isn’t she?"
"Yes to both questions," laughed Relena. "She has taken to following Heero around whenever she can. When she comes to visit she spends most of her time in his company if he is home. If she is at Preventer HQ, she hangs out in his office regardless if he is there or not. I find it quite entertaining."
"How is Heero dealing with it?" inquired Quatre.
"He is taking it in stride. He has not threatened to kill her again. He just continues working while she chatters away."
"He threatens to kill a girl and she starts following him around. Heero sure attracts nutcases," commented Trowa with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"TROWA!" exclaimed a shocked Catherine.
"I prefer to think of us as Heero groupies," teased Relena.
"I will be sure to give him a hard time about my niece’s infatuation the next time I talk to him," said Trowa.
"Your not the only one giving him grief on that subject," said Relena. "Wufie and Duo are having a ball razzing Heero about her attachment to him. Heero has threatened to kill them so many times I have lost count."
*************
After spending the afternoon shopping, Relena and Catherine sat in the coffee shop sipping on sodas waiting for Trowa and Quatre to join them. They were approached by a tall blond.
"Good evening, ladies," he cooed. "My name is Jo. May I join you?" he asked with an air of confidence.
He oozed creep from every pore and just his greeting made one felt slimy.
"No," stated Catherine.
"Your only joking," he laughed and sat down.
"No, we are not. We are waiting for someone," stated Relena.
"Well, I am someone, and surely there is no one better than I am."
The girls rolled their eyes at the guy’s arrogance.
"We do not want to go out with you, we do not even want to be in the same room with you, so please leave," explained Catherine.
Jo looked from one girl to the other then concluded, "I got it. You’re lesbians!"
"You guessed our secret," lied Relena as she placed her hand on Catherine’s arm.
"I knew it had to be because no strait woman could resist me."
With that he left muttering about this place being filled with lesbians. The girls let out a sigh of relief and then started giggling.
"If all men were like him, I would consider becoming a lesbian," stated Relena.
"It sure would be tempting. I know all men aren’t like that but there sure seem to be a lot of jerks out there," sighed Cathy and she became distant.
"What’s wrong?" asked a worried Relena. Catherine was usually so strong and outgoing not withdrawn and worried.
"Nothing."
"Don’t give me that. I see it in you eyes. Something happened dealing with a creep, didn’t it? Tell me. It will help to tell some one about it," encouraged Relena.
Catherine relented.
"Three weeks ago after a show I was headed back to my traitor when a group of boys approached me.
~~flashback~~
"Hey, pretty lady, why don’t you come and play circus with us?"
"I’m not interested," stated Catherine coldly and started to walk away.
"You haven’t seen what we have to offer, yet," the boy replied as he pinned her to the wall of the traitor.
"I don’t think I will," growled Catherine as she slashed out with a throwing knife.
"Ouch! She cut me! Let’s teach this ***** a lesson, boys."
Three more boys materialized out from the darkness and surrounded Catherine. She took up a defensive position with a knife in each hand and weighed her options. If she ran they would have her. She had to fight and hope someone would come to her aid before they got the better of her. The second boy made a grab for her which resulted in a bleeding arm. Catherine watched as the boys slowly closed in waiting for an opportunity to attack without betting touched by the razor sharp blades. The leader taunting her the entire time with what he had planned for her when he got his hand on her. One of the others lunged toward her but pulled back as she slashed out with her knife, and another charged in from the other side. She blocked his advance and got ready for another surge of attacks.
"Leave her alone!" commanded a figure from the shadows.
"We weren’t going to hurt her. She just started going psycho and attacking us," replied the leader as he backed away from Catherine.
Catherine breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of Trowa’s voice but did not take her eyes off of her attackers.
"I don’t believe you," stated Trowa coldly as he emerged from the shadows and stood in front of his sister.
The leader looked Trowa over and said, "Get them both!"
The boys rushed Trowa who disabled each attacker quickly. Soon there were four unconscious bodies at his feet, and he was staring at the leader as he slipped into the darkness with threats of revenge.
The attackers were taken away by the police. They all had run-ins with the law before and their gang had been causing trouble around town for a while now.
That evening, Catherine tried to sleep but it would not come easily. The evening just keep replaying in her mind. She knew she was safe for the night because Trowa was sleeping in the other room. He suspected the one who got away might return, and he wanted to be there if he did. She was glad the circus would be leaving town tomorrow.
A little over two weeks had passed. The circus was just set up in a new town and Catherine had put the attack behind her. Exhausted, she drifted off to sleep early. She awoke with the weight of another holding her down. She started to scream but it was muffled by a mouth closed over hers. She bit down hard on her attackers lip which brought about a slap to her face. That gave her the opportunity to free herself with a swift knee to the groin. She heard him gasp in pain as she ran out of her bedroom. She was almost to the door when she was tackled. As she went down, pain shot through her ankle and she hit her head on the furniture. "Oh, shit," was her last though as she blacked out.
Trowa had just finished tending the animals and on his way to check on Catherine. He knew there was something not right as he drew closer. He stealthily approached her traitor and spotted someone lurking outside Catherine’s door, obviously on lookout duty. Trowa efficiently immobilized the lookout and was about to open the door when the sound of movement and a cry from Catherine meet his ears. He flung open the door.
"Ty, I have things under control. Stand watch!"
Trowa entered and pulled the attacker off his sister. The boy looked up ready to reprimand his lookout when Trowa’s fist meet his stomach. The boy’s face changed from anger, to shock, to pain in less than a second. He tried to fight back but it was of no use. Soon the boy was passed out at Trowa’s feet.
Trowa checked how badly Catherine was injured before calling the police and the ambulance. She was taken to the emergency room to be checked out. She had a concussion and a twisted ankle. The circus manager, Charley, who was concerned for their welfare, thought it would be best if Catherine and Trowa took a "vacation" and caught up with the circus in the colonies in a month. So Trowa called Quatre and arranged their vacation.
~~end flashback~~
"And that is how I ended up with a sprained ankle and Trowa and I on vacation," concluded Catherine.
"That is awful!"
"It is not as bad as it could have been. I would hate to know what would have happened if Trowa was not around," Cathy stated with a visual chill going down her spine. "But I don’t envy those boys one bit. Trowa gave them a thrashing they will never forget."
"Like you said before not all men are like that. Just look at Trowa and Quatre," said Relena. "Quatre is kind and courteous."
"Yah, and gentle, and caring, and a good listener and has the most beautiful, expressive, blue eyes, and …" said Cathy dreamily.
"You like Quatre, don’t you?" accused Relena.
"Of course I like him. He is my friend," replied Cathy defensively.
"No, I mean in a romantic way. I promise I will not tell him."
She admitted reluctantly, "Yes, I do."
"Why don’t you tell him?" questioned Relena.
"He is my brother’s best friend, what would Trowa think of me hitting on his friend. Any way I don’t think he is interested."
"That just a flimsy excuse, and you know it. You don’t know if he does or does not like you until you ask him."
Just then Trowa and Quatre came in the door and approached the girls.
"We were just talking about you two," commented Catherine.
"Nothing bad I hope," replied Quatre.
"Oh, Quatre, we could never say anything bad about you and Trowa," teased Relena. "Except maybe…"
"I don’t want to know," said Quatre. "Let’s go to dinner."
*************
Relena was sure Quatre liked Catherine. When ever Cathy walked into the room, he lit up. He stared at her when he thought no one was looking. Like the glances he gave her at the picnic. All they needed was a shove in the right direction. Some time alone in each others company, but she could not get them together by herself. She would have to enlist Trowa’s help and the sooner the better.
She scanned the hallway for people. To her relief it was clear. There would be questions asked if anyone saw her enter Trowa’s room. She tapped on his door hoping he was still up. She heard a muffled "come in" and entered, closing the door behind her.
"Relena!!" said Trowa in surprise as he emerged from shirt he was taking off. "What do you need?"
Relena pulled her eyes from Trowa’s well defined torso to his face and got down to presenting her case.
"Your sister likes Quatre, and I think he might like her too. I want to try to get them together."
"And you want me to be you accomplice?"
"Basically, yah, but Cathy’s you sister and if you don’t want me to try, I won’t."
They stood there starring at each other for what Relena thought was an eternity. She could read nothing from his indifferent expression.
"Maybe this was a bad idea," she thought. "Maybe he does not think Cathy and Quatre should be a couple. Maybe he thinks I am a fruitcake for even suggesting such a thing. I am beginning to think so. Man, I could get lost in those eyes. Where’d that come from?," Relena questions as she mentally slapped herself.
"What did you have in mind?" Trowa inquired and gestured for her to take a seat.
The two conspirators came up with a battle plan.
Relena lay in her bed running the ideas they had come up with through her mind, but soon she found her mind drifting to Trowa standing before her without a shirt.
"What are you thinking, Relena? Stop you drooling. So what if he is built and looks really hot with out his shirt. You are not interested in him, or am I, NO I am NOT! He is just a friend," she tells herself before going to sleep.