The Unnatural --Chapter 1

[Anidee]

The Unnatural by Anidee
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing
Genre: AU, Supernatural and suspense (with graphic violence in some chapters)
AN: Thanks Rose for giving me the terms. And thank you very much, Luvspook for giving me further detailed information. ^__^ And last but certainly not least, to Beck who did the beta reading and sent it back quickly! ^____^


Chapter 1


"Ugh, I hate morning traffic!" Came the bitter voice of Dorothy Catalonia as she honked at the car in front of her. Though she was usually cranky in the mornings, this morning proved to elevate her crankiness to new heights. She let out a loud groan and cursed the heavens for deciding to withhold the necessary temperament she needed to deal with frustrations in a healthy manner.

Although traffic was usually to blame for her irritable mood, today's frustrations mainly rooted from last night's events. Reluctantly, her mind wandered back to yesterday evening; an evening that was suppose to be romantic, but ending in what was nothing short of disaster. It was an evening Dorothy had been looking forward to; a long overdue date with her boyfriend Trowa Barton. She expected a sensual, candlelight dinner at a cozy restaurant with a tantalizing dessert later in the evening at Trowa's house. Her dream date soon fell apart before it could stand on its own feet.


The Previous Night.....
** They arrived at the starry-eyed restaurant Trowa had made reservations for a week ago. The place was dim lit, with scented candles on each table. Plush red carpet covered the floor, and rich velvet in deep red hung elegantly on the windows. Her heart swelling with joy, she looked about the room, drinking in the intimate vibes the palatial restaurant exuded, and smiling as she glanced at obscured couples chatting away. There was serenity in the air as enchanting music bewitched the heart, whetting its appetite for romance and savory foods. As they were seated, Dorothy took another glance at their surroundings and finally rested her sights on Trowa.

"Trowa, this place is wonderful."

"Dorothy, we need to talk.." Came the somber tone of her beau.
She looked at him in mild surprise. Trowa always called her by her nickname "Cat". To the point where he referred to her by her first name meant that something serious was going on. Dorothy gave him a puzzled look.

"What is it?"

Trowa took a deep breath and exhaled with a loud sigh. He glanced nervously at his girlfriend, dreading the reaction he was about to kindle. Nevertheless, it was something that had to be done, and simulating the unhappy boyfriend seemed the only plausible way to keep the distance between them for the time being. And though Dorothy would be heartbroken, she would not be the only one who would suffer from this announcement. Trowa was deeply troubled by this prospect, and after a week of intense contemplation was he finally forced to bring up the matter. And that was shocking news to his superiors. Trowa was a man of instant action. Never hesitating, always calculating with quick speed. He was the type who focused on his objective, never adverting to anything other than the mission that was ahead of him. With this in mind, it was boggling to his authorities and colleagues alike, that Trowa Barton was capable of possessing profound emotions for another person. Lest, even fall in love.
Perhaps he was meditating too long, for Dorothy lightly touched his hand. The effeminate touch startled his senses, and he looked at the delicate hand that caressed his callous one. God he hated to hurt her.

"Trowa..." Came her voice thick with concern.

Deciding that further delay would only harm the already difficult circumstance, he cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Dorothy...I think....I think we need a break from each other..."

"What? Trowa, did I hear you correctly?"

"Please, Dorothy. Don't make this harder than it has to be..."
Dorothy yanked her hand from his grasp. She looked at him incredulously, refusing to accept what she just heard. " Trowa, I think I misunderstood what you said..."

This was going to be harder than he previously thought. Nevertheless, his resolve congealed and he was adamant in accomplishing what he had to do, regardless that it was painful. In the end, it would be beneficial for both of them.

"Dorothy, I've been feeling this way for quite some time now. It's not the way it used to be. I feel suffocated by you...Please understand..."
Dorothy could hardly believe her ears. Was this all just some horrible nightmare that seemed way too realistic? She pinched her arm, hoping she'll wake up any minute now and sigh a relief that it was just a bad dream. Unfortunately, she never woke up. Instead, she looked directly into Trowa's eyes. Those emerald orbs, as beautiful and soothing as they appeared, held nothing to assuage the anger and frustration swelling in her heart. A lump formed in her throat as she suddenly found herself unable to speak. The urge to head for the ladies room was all she could comply to.

"I gotta go to the bathroom." Without another word, she rose from her seat and took long strides toward the bathroom. As soon as she entered the safe sanctuary, she let the tears spill forth. Going over to the mirror, she saw her distressed reflection. An hour ago, she felt radiant and beautiful. However, recent revelations altered her look. All beauty was drained away, leaving anger and betrayal room to roam about. Tears kept rolling down her cheeks, streaking watery paths on her ashen face. If there was anything left in Dorothy Catalonia, it was her pride, and no way was she intent on giving Trowa the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
As she made herself presentable again, her cell phone rang. It was her stepfather.

"Dorothy dear, I'm sorry to disturb your evening with Trowa."

"It's ok dad. The evening is already ruined. What is it? Something wrong?"

" I fell as I was trying to reach a book from the shelf. I tried to get myself up, but my leg is all cramped up and I can't seem to get back on my chair."

" What? I'll be there soon, ok?" With that, she hung up and quickly headed out of the restaurant.

Trowa was angry with himself. Though he was an accomplished man in many ways, his lack of sensitivity and soft articulation under emotional circumstances, made it impossible for any woman to bear with him. And now, as he finally obtained more than vague happiness with a woman, who, miraculously knew how to handle him, he was throwing it away. And what a way it was. He cursed under his breath, mentally smacking himself for bad timing. If he had just waited until later to reveal the news, they could've at least enjoyed a nice dinner together. He began to question his own intelligence when he realized how long Dorothy had been gone. Trowa looked up and surveyed the room, hoping to see her approaching the table. What he saw spread a frown on his chiseled features.

Dorothy was quickly heading for the door of the restaurant. Trowa jumped to his feet and went after her. Despite the soon departure of winter, the night was wrapped with chilly winds that stung the faces of those walking by on the street. Trowa dashed out of the restaurant to see Dorothy getting into a cab. Before she could shut the door, he grabbed the handle, yanking it wide open. Dorothy gave him a scathing look.

"Dorothy, please."

"Trowa. Whatever. You want to break up, that's just fine with me. I really couldn't care less now. I have to go. Why don't you call...." Her voice trailed off. " No, better yet, don't call me. I'd hate to hear one of your lame excuses again."

"Dorothy, don't do this. I'm in pain as much as you are."

" And that's why you're breaking up with me, ok, sure."

" I'm not breaking up with you!" Obviously, he had come on too strong, for Dorothy was startled by his angry tone. Her statement soon changed to a smirk.

" Hmph...you're pathetic, Trowa Barton, you know that? I can't believe I invested so much into this bull shit you call a relationship," She paused, waiting for the words to sink in. "Well, I'd love to chat with ya some more, but my dad needs me. Good-bye Trowa. I hope I never see you again."

And with that she shut the door and the cab pulled away into the darkness.
Trowa watched as the cab drove away until its silhouette grew faint. A tear slowly made its way down his cold cheek, inconspicuously landing on the concrete sidewalk. He touched the cheek with the watery streak, as if the saline fluid seared his skin. For the first time in his life, he felt complete, unconditional pain dwelling in the most sensitive place in his body. His heart.


The cab pulled in front of a cozy two-story home. Dorothy paid the driver and quickly headed toward the house. Opening the door, she hurried to the living room. She stopped as she entered the threshold. Lying on the floor, desperately attempting to get back on his wheelchair, was her stepfather, Treize Khushrenada.

"Dad...." Dorothy slowly made towards him, sadness overwhelming her as she laid her eyes on the struggling man. Carefully, she helped him to his chair. He winced at the pain of labor as he adjusted himself on the wheelchair. Finally settled in, Treize eyed his stepdaughter.

"I'm sorry, I ruined your evening..."

" It's ok, Dad. The night was already ruined."

" Do you wanna tell me what happened?"

And before Dorothy knew it, she was spilling the events that occurred just a few minutes ago. She knelt on the ground next to him, her head in his lap as she indulged in her sobs. Treize gently placed a hand on her silky hair, caressing it in an attempt to heal his daughter's sorrows.

" It's all right. Trowa will call tomorrow and you guys will be able to work everything out."

Dorothy looked up at him with a smile, thankful that he was here to comfort her. Unlike most relationships between a stepfather and a stepdaughter, Treize and Dorothy got along extremely well. To her, he was like a genuine father, despite the fact that he was only fifteen years older than her. Not only was he a wonderful father, but a terrific husband as well. Treize Khushrenada and Elise Catalonia had met ten years ago in London. She was six years his senior and already had a full-grown daughter who was sixteen, but Treize was never discouraged and kept pursuing her. After two years of dating, they finally tied the knot and had six blissful years of marriage. But that had all come to a sorrowful end. At age forty-four, Elise Catalonia suffered a stroke and died shortly afterwards. Treize grieved for his beloved wife and soon fell into a depression. Dorothy tried to help him, but her stepfather refused to seek any. Then a year ago, Treize got into a disastrous car accident that brought upon horrible repercussions. He suffered from permanent paralysis to his legs and dissociative amnesia*. Although Treize remembered his marriage life and most current events, he struggled to remember anything else and events that occurred just before the accident. Memories of his childhood, his secondary and college years, his friends and family, were all vague and blurry in his mind.

Upon learning her stepfather's condition, Dorothy was grief stricken beyond relief. Hope had completely dissolved in their lives. And when it all seemed to go down for the worse, somehow, through that life-threatening ordeal, Treize gained the will to live again. He recovered progressively and while he was still unable to revive certain memories, his overall health drastically improved.

Dorothy breathed in and let out a heavy sigh. " I dunno, Dad. I just dunno..." **

Dorothy let out a sigh, regretting the words that dripped from her lips. She didn't mean any of it. Yet anger always got the better of her, and her impulsiveness proved to be an irritating flaw. A sad smile invaded her features as she thought of a lonely future ahead of her. Perhaps she was never to have that happiness again. She would live her life as a spinster; a grumpy, old woman who was ostracized by society. The mental picture almost rivaled the somber weather that was accompanied by the rhythmic fall of raindrops. A gloomy weather fit to go along with a gloomy heart.
Dorothy hardly paid attention as she parked her car and headed toward the building that was Public School 41*. Listlessly, she trudged to the main office to check in, gathered her things and left without a friendly greeting she always bestowed on each of her colleagues and superiors alike.


With a heavy sigh, she opened the door to her classroom and turned on the lights. Flooding the room with its resplendence, the place looked cheerful with vivid colors painting its walls. Any other day, Dorothy would be bursting with energy, eagerly waiting for her students to come in. But as she sat behind her desk, the sudden longing to go home and lie between the soft comfort of her bedroom sheets was all she could think of. If she had been left alone for another minute, she probably would have done so. But right then, the bell rang and the sounds of students coming in broke the dispiriting silence that hung in the air. The chattering voices resonated through the walls, shattering the remnants of the dreary mood and soon enough, the classroom was filled with lively kids, bustling to put their coats away and settling themselves in. A few of the girls were standing, deep in conversation about important matters, such as clothes, boys, and make up. Another crowd of boys were also engaged in equally important discussions about sports, video games, and pokemon cards. As the final bell rang, the kids reluctantly pulled away from each other and were immediately seated. Although the kids all loved their teacher, Miss Catalonia, they were prudent to know that she was intolerant when it came to misbehaving and conversing after the final bell. The room fell into silence as the kids stared at their dejected looking teacher. With another sigh, Dorothy rose from her seat.

" Good morning, class. Now today, we're goin-''

There was a knock on the door. Dorothy hesitated for a moment and made her way towards it. Upon opening, stood a friendly middle-aged woman.

" Yes, Gretchen?"

" Hey, Dorothy. Sorry for not telling you sooner, but his mother came with the files and documents, and Sandra processed them faster than I thought. And you didn't answer your phone."

Dorothy looked at her puzzled. " What are you talking about?"

" Oh." Gretchen let out a giggle. " You probably didn't understand a word I just said. The point is, you got a new student. Hey, come here now. Don't be shy."

Coming into Dorothy's view was a boy who was neatly dressed, save for his messy, brown hair. His eyes glittered as he looked up at her. " Hello..."

"Hello, there. What's your name?"

"Heero Yuy."


AN: Ok, just to clear up two terms here.
*Dissociative Amnesia-- is a type of amnesia where there is a lapse in "autobiographical" memories--who one is, what one did, where one went etc. Certain memories or events can't be recalled voluntarily, for those with this type of amnesia. Thank you again, Luvspook, for the wonderful, detailed information. ^__^
*Public School 41 or P.S. 41 is an example of how most public elementary schools in NYC are named. Another example would be P.S. 119 or P.S. 101 etc.