Relena calmed down enough from her emotional outburst that afternoon to have a banquet prepared for them as a welcome home present for the pilots.
Pleasant conversation filled the room, though there wasn’t much of it, except for maybe a lot of loud wisecracks from the funlovin’ Duo Maxwell.

Livy: Wait, so the conversation filled the room... but there wasn't a lot of it? *holds her head in confusion*

"Dammit, Maxwell, will you just shut up?" Wufei growled from his place at the end of the table.
Duo looked at the Chinese pilot, declaring his innocence with a smile, "Me? What did I do?"
Wufei just grunted before turning back to his mashed potatoes.
"Are they always like that?" Ania asked Trowa who sat beside her.

Professor G: [as Trowa]: "What, completely OOC? No, not usually. Only in bad fics like this."
Kain: *snort*

"More than you know." Trowa replied, without turning or looking at her. "Though usually it’s Heero he’s tormenting and Heero takes it better than Wufei does. Wufei, I believe, is just being polite or Duo would probably be lying unconscious on the floor."
Another growl came from the other end of the table, as this time Heero took the brunt of Duo’s joke. "Duo, enough! This isn’t the time or the place for your wisecracks."

Livy: [as Heero]: "You should wait until we're in the middle of a heated battle, not sitting here relaxing!"

"See what I mean?"

Katy: [as Ania] *stares wide-eyed* Nooo....
Rowen: I want to hear these "jokes".
Kain: The author wasn't clever enough to make them up, she could only allude to them.

Ania giggled at Trowa, "Yes, yes, I do."

She stared at this emerald-eyed beauty sitting beside her. Trowa had not spoken at all that evening

Katy: Except he just did.

or looked at anything but his food, not even when she asked him that question.

Rowen: But he just ANSWERED the question!!
Katy: [as Trowa] See, THIS is why I don't bother talking to you.

Why did her heart flutter every time she looked at him?

Kain: [as Ania] Oh, wait, that's just gas.
Professor G: Maybe she has a heart murmur...
Livy: We could only hope.

It certainly would be a challenge getting to know this one.
Quatre steered the conversation in another direction, saving Heero and Wufei from any further torment, "Where is your brother and his wife now, Relena?"

"Mill and Lucie are on a much needed holiday." Relena said, "And thankfully, only I have the pleasure of knowing where they are. We were terrified the press would find out and their holiday would be less than pleasant for them."
"So where did they go?" Duo asked, a sly note in his voice.

Katy: I smell a THREESOME!

He got, as his answer, a punch in the arm from Hilde.
"Sorry, Duo, even I’m smarter than that." Relena told him. A small ripple of laughter flooded the dining room.

Livy: Ummm... those two water analogies don't exactly work. How can a small ripple flood something?

Relena threw her napkin on her plate,

Rowen: angry that the rat poison she put in Ania's food didn't seem to be working.

 "Well, that was lovely, but there’s tea and cake in the library if anybody is interested."
Ania looked over to see Trowa’s chair empty. "Quatre, where did Trowa disappear to?"

All: GASP!! WHO KNOWS!!

Katy: Egads! What are these bright magenta thoughts?!
Kain: *shielding eyes* Blinding!

"He said he was tired and he wanted to get some rest and that he’d probably be around later or in the morning."

Professor G: Because Trowa's always moody and reclusive in this kind of fanfic. I don't know why people don't write fics about me... I'm fun-loving and social!
Katy: Who WOULDN'T be moody and reclusive in this fanfic?

Quatre replied, helping his sister out of her chair like a true gentleman. "Care for some tea and cake, little sister?"

Rowen: [as Quatre] *grins evilly* It's SPECIAL cake!

"Of course, my sweet brother."

Livy: ...........
Kain: These names are getting tiresome.  No one really talks like that.

Ania took Quatre’s outstretched arm and allowed him to lead her into the library. Her thoughts, however, hovered on the green eyes and stoic expression of the ex-Heavyarms pilot.
Sitting close to Quatre on the couch, Ania listened to the angry banter between Duo, Heero, and Wufei, but not paying much attention to that or the cake she held in her hands.

Katy: [as Relena] Dammit, why doesn't she eat the cake?  Does she KNOW?
Professor G: Tense... switching...

~ I wonder how am I still here ~

"Are you alright, you look a little pale." Quatre whispered to her, "And you haven’t touched your dessert."

Kain: [as Quatre] Dammit! Does she KNOW?!

"Fine, dear, just a little tired." Ania said, letting Quatre take the plate from her hands. "I caught the first transport here this morning and then you guys arrived just after I did and it’s all been so hectic. I never realized there was so much tension between those three. You and Trowa are like little puppies compared to your comrades."

Rowen: Depending on the fic you read...
All: ROWEN!!

Quatre laughed, happiness and joy sparkling in his sapphire eyes. "I suppose that’s true though I never really thought of that way."

Katy: [as Quatre] Since that's mentally deranged.

"Ah well, I’m going to bed." Ania said, getting up. She now had the chance to check on Trowa’s whereabouts. She felt, for a brief moment, like a stalker.

Livy: For only a moment?
Kain: Indeed!

"Sleep well, then, I’ll see you at breakfast." Quatre replied. Ania stepped over Duo who sprawled on the floor, resting his head in Hilde’s lap. "Good night, guys."
"Good night, Ania." Said Relena who sat on the other couch, running her fingers through Heero’s

Livy: Ahhhhh!!

chocolate brown hair.

Livy: Whew... another heart attack.
Katy: Perv.

"Sweet dreams." Wufei stood up and deliberately stepped on Duo, "Oh, I’m sorry, Maxwell, didn’t see you there."
Hilde burst out laughing as Duo writhed in feigned pain, holding onto his foot. "I’m going to get you for this Wu-man!"
"And I’m going to take the Lady’s lead and retire myself." Wufei bowed. "Good night. Lead the way, Miss Ania."

Professor G: Is she like Lady Une where she gets to capitalize Lady?
Rowen: Alas, I think it's just bad grammar.

Ania smiled, cheeks burning red as she was not expecting the company, but led the way to the stairs where she waited patiently for Wufei to catch up. His eyes and

Katy: his perpetual hard-on

stern demeanor

Katy: Damn!

kept Ania from truly feeling comfortable with this man.
"I’m surprised you take as much as you do from him." Ania said, in an effort to make small talk as they climbed the stairs together.
"He doesn’t get away with as much as he likes to think." Wufei replied, "He’ll get a taste of his own medicine eventually."
"Plans in the works already?"

Livy: [as Wufei] *pulls out a long, wicked looking blade and runs finger along it* Oh yes...

He smirked, "Wouldn’t you like to know? Good night, Ania."
She grinned as he disappeared into his room. Upon reaching her own, Ania quickly changed into her pajamas and combed out her yellow-white hair. Ania felt the sweat build up on her forehead and realized

Professor G: that the pilots were going to burn her alive!

the high temperature of the room. She yawned as she went over to the French doors and opened them, letting in a cool night breeze, and in the process startled the figure already sitting out there.
"Trowa?"
Deep green eyes turned to stair at her,

Livy: Ahhh! His eyes turned into stairs!
Katy: *walks up Trowa's eyes*
Professor G: *hitting his head against the wall* Proofread, proofread, proofread!

"I hadn’t realized you were up here as well."
"I just came up to go to bed and it’s rather hot in my room, so I wanted to let some air in." Ania quickly turned to re-enter her bedroom. "I’m sorry to have bothered you."

Kain: [as Trowa] Yes, you will be sorry.

"No! Wait!"
Ania stopped.
"I saw you staring at me at dinner." Trowa said,

Rowen: [as Trowa] And honestly, it really creeped me out.

"I remember you, Ania. It’s been years since I last saw you but I remember who you are."
"I wasn’t sure, Trowa." She said, sitting down on another chair. "I was so much younger then, and so much has happened to you. I wanted to believe that you’d remember me when I arrived this morning, but you’ve been so quiet all day. I didn’t hold out much hope."
"How could I forget Quatre’s pretty little sister." Trowa said, "But not so little anymore."

Livy: As he glanced down at her chest.
All: AHAHAHAH!

"I didn’t come here today just to see Quatre."
Trowa stared out across the grounds, "Why else would you have come here?"
"To see you, Trowa."

Katy: But she didn't know he was going to be here!
Kain: And she didn't even know what his name was!

"Hmph!" Trowa got up and disappeared back into his room, "Don’t deceive yourself."

All: YAAAAY!! *hold up Trowa flags*

Ania stared at his empty chair,

Katy: I thought Trowa was standing?

stunned by his words.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Are my efforts to help you feel as though you do have a family wasted on you, Trowa, along with my efforts to show you that I still care after all this time apart?"
No answer came from the adjoining room, but she did not expect one.

"I have beautiful memories of you when you stayed with us. And when you were missing and Quatre wanted so much to find you, I helped him through it,

Professor G: That sounds decidingly dirty. I never expected that of Quatre...

hoping that you’d be found. Why does my heart flutter when I see you? Why, Trowa?"

Kain: [as Trowa] *calls from other room* Gas, I'll get you some pepto bismal!

Ania stayed out there on that balcony, thinking, until dawn broke through the clouds and she finally sought the comforts of her bed and sleep.
*BangBangBang*

Rowen: GASP!! They shot her!!
All: YAAAY!!

Nothing like somebody pounding on your door to wake you from beautiful dreams, thought Ania as she rolled out of bed and threw on her bathrobe.
She opened the door to find Duo standing there dressed in beach shorts and nothing else.
"Damn, Ania,

Katy: [as Duo] You must have a great constitution if that rat poison hasn't kicked in yet!

it’s after 1 pm already. Were you planning to sleep all day?"
"Oh sorry, Duo, I was up late last night." Ania said, blushing.

Livy: She'd just realized that Duo's tight beach shorts didn't leave much to the imagination.

"Late, huh." He glanced over at the room that contained Trowa. "Yeah, okay."

All: NOOOO!!
Kain: It's only been one night!!
Rowen: Oh God, it's pervy already!!

"Are you suggesting something, Mr. Maxwell?" Ania gave him an icy glare.
"Oh no! Not me!" Duo stammered, "Get dressed, it’s a beautiful day and we’re going to the beach."
Duo spun around and headed back down the hallway as Ania shut the door to her room. In her chest,

Professor G: were large implants, but she hoped nobody would notice.

her heart beat like it wanted to jump right out and do a dance on the soft gray carpet.

Katy: I wish I would, because then she'd die.

She did not like Duo Maxwell’s implications about her and Trowa. It would only succeed in complicating things. What’s worse, he made this implication when only one day and one night passed. How could he know already?

Rowen: Damn those plot cliches...

Was she that transparent?

Livy: Yes.

She knew, at that moment, the next two weeks were going to be the hardest that she had ever experienced in her sixteen years.
She combed out and tied her long hair in a braid at the back of her head. No sense in taking a shower now when she would only be getting dirtier

All: Eeeeewwww.
Professor G: So this is going to be a lemon... *gets barf bag*

as the day progressed. Throwing open her suitcase, she chose a simple purple suit and put it on. Over the top, she wore a purple sundress suitable for the beach. Grabbing her hat and beach towel she exited the room in search of her brother and the others.

The day was unbelievably warm and sunny, perfect for setting up camp on the beach for the afternoon. Hilde, Duo, Relena, and Heero set up a volleyball net and the others chose to just sit and enjoy

Kain: Plotting the new girl's demise.

the sunshine.
"Is everything okay, Ania?" Quatre lay on the towel next to Ania’s, sunglasses covering his eyes, "You’ve been so quiet since you got up this afternoon."
"Since when are you asking me about being quiet?" She said from her place on the towel next to his. "I’ve always been like that."

Katy: [as Quatre] I have 30 sisters, GIVE ME A BREAK!

"I was."
"Why?"
"I got a little warm last night, and I went out to the balcony to cool off. Trowa was there and we talked for a few minutes, but I ended up just sitting there until dawn. I couldn’t sleep." Ania replied, "What’s the problem?"
"There is no problem, I’m only curious." Quatre sat up and searched through the cooler for a drink.
"Besides, it’s none of Duo’s business?" Ania retorted.

Livy: Because she wasn't really sure if it was Duo's business or not.
Katy: After all, he IS in this fic and it DOES concern his well-being.

"I never said it was." Ania sat up, now furious with her brother and all his questions, "Is there something else that you’re not saying, Quatre, because if there is just spit it out. I’m a big girl and I can handle it."
"Well, Duo happened to mention that there might be something going on with you and Trowa?" Quatre said, opening his can of soda.
"My god, Quatre, we’ve been here one day."

Rowen: My thoughts exactly!

She shouted, "There is no reason to get suspicious. I will say it again. You don’t need to protect me, I’m all grown up now, brother, and I can do what I want."

"Can you two keep it down a little bit?" Wufei asked from his towel across from theirs.
Ania just growled

Katy: Like the DOG she is!

and picked up her towel, "Yeah, sure, Wufei, Sorry. Won’t bother you again. I’m going home."
She didn’t get very far before Quatre caught up to her. "I’m sorry, Ania, for treating you this way. I’ve asked because I notice

Livy: -d you and Trowa getting it on through my private peephole last night.
All: EEEWWW!!

the way you look at him. I know that we’ve only been here one day, but it doesn’t stop me from worrying about you."
"I don’t see what the problem is, Quatre." She said, "I only want him to feel as though he has a

Professor G: sex slave.
Katy: Stop with the foreshadowing!!
Rowen: FORESHADOWING?!

famly."
"Listen to me, Ania. I remember that day you came to me and I told you what happened between me and Trowa and Heero

Kain: [as Quatre] That orgy was amazing!
Livy: [as Quatre]: "We were all drunk and it was late and things just... got out of control. But that doesn't make it okay for you to do the same!"
Professor G: I knew it!

when I took the Zero Gundam. I wasn’t so far gone that day that I didn’t notice the look in your eyes when I asked you if you remembered Trowa."

Katy:... but she didn't know his name was Trowa before this fic.

Quatre paused and took a deep breath. "I saw that same look when I introduced the two of you yesterday afternoon, and last night at dinner when he disappeared. I know why you came here. It wasn’t just for me. You’ve never forgotten the way you felt when you first met him. Duo has noticed and so has Relena how you stare at him so intently. They are wondering, too. I can’t imagine that Trowa himself hasn’t noticed yet. Yes, even after only one day."