The Unseen Pathway- Ch.14 (TB x HS)

[Silent Moon Sphinx]

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters.

Second Semester


Chapter Fourteen
A very obvious eye twitch...


He had been like this for two days now, either lying deathly still or tossing roughly in his sleep, in and out of painful dreams. Hilde was beginning to wonder whether it was alright that Trowa had not yet risen, but constant check-ins with Sally informed the girl that after all the Preventers? hero had been through, he well deserved a rest.

Sally had been kind enough to arrange some supplies and clothes for Trowa to be sent to Hilde?s dorm room. The messenger was actually due any moment now, but Hilde still remained dutifully at Trowa?s side, not leaving him unless it was absolutely necessary.

A knock soon came, and she reluctantly left her post to answer the door. Weary from days and nights of worrying and watching, Hilde opened the door in a state of only half-awareness, although the sight of the delivery boy did wonders to sober her up.

?Damn, Hil, you look like hell,? Duo announced, only half-joking to the poor, shocked girl in front of him.

?And no retaliation either,? he quipped. ?You must be tired. Have you slept at all these past few days??

Hilde barely managed a groan and head shake as the violet-eyed boy walked past her with a large luggage bag, poking his head around the apartment until he located Trowa.

?Still sleepin? like a baby, huh?? Duo whispered, not able to cover the relief in his tone at the sight of his comrade. Sitting down in the chair Hilde had faithfully occupied next to the sleeping man, Duo began to rummage around the bag as Hilde pulled up a seat beside him.

She was utterly amazed, not only because it had been Duo who came to make the delivery, but by the way he was acting. He seemed like his old self again, if not calmer, and had lightness to his step even Hilde in her weary state couldn?t mistake.

?How?how are you, Duo?? Hilde asked quietly after a while of awkward silence.

?To tell you the truth, I haven?t slept much either,? the braided boy admitted, finally emerging from his digging with some fresh medical supplies, a simple gray t-shirt, and sweatpants.

?Now, Nurse Nightingale, I?m gonna take over a bit from here. Why don?t you take a good long nap on that comfy looking couch out there and I?ll wake you when I?m through.?

Hilde was reluctant to leave Trowa, but didn?t need to be told twice. She moved to the suite area, dozing off as soon as her head hit the couch pillow. It was more than three hours later when she finally awoke.

Duo was sitting on a chair beside her with a more serious look gracing his expression as Hilde sleepily rubbed her eyes.

?Hey there, Sleeping Beauty,? the light in Duo?s eyes appeared again at the sight of her.

?Why didn?t you wake me up? You must have been finished tending to Trowa long ago.?

?Aw, you looked so cute and peaceful there. I just couldn?t do it,? Duo said, giving her his classic wink. He then jumped up and rummaged around the kitchen, coming back to her with a steaming mug.

?Coffee? I made some while everyone was in dreamland. I didn?t want to end up joining in on the Z?s, although it was tempting. I?m on a mission, you know.?

?I?d love some,? Hilde graciously took the mug, the intense aroma instantly waking her. She was surprised at how grown up Duo appeared now, taking care of both her and Trowa. ?I was wondering why they sent you,? she admitted. ?Not that you?re not capable, but--?

?I know what you mean,? Duo interjected. ?Why would they send the person who acted like a jerk to both you and Trowa, right??

He wasn?t being sarcastic, either, Hilde noted as he looked at her apologetically. ?Duo,? she said softly, trying to comfort him.

?No, please, I came here to apologize and make things right again,? he said seriously. ?I?ve been doing a lot of thinking. Trowa made us all think after he went on the mission. God, we were so worried. So, so worried?? he faded off.

Hilde waited patiently, knowing it was hard for him to say all of this. She vaguely thought back to the time he first told her he was leaving. How she was drinking coffee just like this. But this time, he was explaining why he came back. Life certainly has a sense of humor when it comes to traveling full circle.

After a time, Duo continued. ?Trowa?s amazing,? he sighed. ?So selfless?one of the best people I?ve ever known. I?m proud to call him my friend. He?s the only one who deserves you, Hilde. The only one to whom I could ever let you go.?

Hilde?s eyes grew wide?so he knew?about Trowa?s feelings, and about hers. Was it that obvious?

?I just wanted you to know that,? Duo said. But just as quickly as he turned serious, his eyes grew mischievous again. ?Besides, everyone back at Headquarters figured you could use some cheering up, and no one can make you laugh like the champ.? He gave suggestive eyebrow raises and a cocky head nod for added effect and did cause Hilde to giggle.

?Duo?? she said after her chuckles subsided. Hilde was still in awe of what had happened, and wanted to know more. Especially when she had the inkling that Trowa himself was not the only reason Duo seemed like himself again. ?What happened before? When you went away??

?I just?needed some time,? he said with a faraway look. ?I was sent on some minor missions for the Preventers, something to take my mind off of everything. But the truth is, what I really needed to do was think. And after we all didn?t hear back from Trowa?that really hit everyone hard. I can?t tell you how relieved we all are. I didn?t know what I was going to tell Cathy--?

The boy stopped short as Hilde took the silent opportunity to register the comment.

?Cathy?? she said, eyeing him, and smiled mischievously when she noted his rising blush. ?Who is this? Do tell!?

?Oh, come on,? Duo groaned. ?Need you know all of my personal dealings?? he jested.

?As your best friend, I should think so!? Hilde said giddily.

Duo looked at her very intently. ?Best friend, eh?? he said, eyeing her.

?Always were, always will be,? Hilde smiled with satisfaction, knowing that all the troubles they had been through in the past year had finally been resolved.

?Weellllll, Cathy is a very special lady I met during a mission on L3. I?d seen her before, but never quite realized how much of a turn on a fiery, dagger throwing redhead is,? Duo said lightly.

?You couldn?t be talking about Trowa?s sister, could you?? Hilde asked in disbelief.

Duo just beamed.

?Trowa is going to have a fit!? Hilde giggled. ?I?ve heard he?s so overprotective! Oh, Duo. Figures you have to go for the challenge.?

?I happen to enjoy hard to get women; they?re more worth the earning. And I have a few cards up my sleeve, you know, Hilde-girl. I wouldn?t part with you to just anyone. You have an equally over-protective brother watchin? out for you, as well.?

Hilde shook her head, and had luckily put down her coffee, for Duo then shouted ?BEAR HUG!!!? and practically jumped the unsuspecting girl. And the two old friends passed the afternoon in smiles and laughter, despite their tired constitutions, while the healing environment seemed to do good for more than just themselves...

~*~*~

It was late in the evening when Duo finally left. Hilde had regained her strength and spirit with his visit, and was now well equipped to care for Trowa on her own with the supplies Sally had sent.

Hilde was now reading next to Trowa?s bedside when a small sigh seemed to escape from the sleeping form beside her. She immediately put down her book and knelt over him, looking to see if he had opened his eyes, but they remained closed. Hilde put a hand to his forehead. It was only slightly warmer than usual, but the boy seemed to have a pained expression on his usually placid features. He moved slightly at her touch and his face softened a bit, but his body seemed tense. He must be dreaming again, the girl concluded, gazing at the clock. It was almost three in the morning; she might as well retire for the night after she made sure the boy had calmed.

She decided to check on Trowa?s shoulder one last time as well. It was by far his worse wound, and the bandages needed changing more often than his others. Besides the scratch on his cheek, one would hardly be able to tell Trowa had been on a mission by the start of school, as the rest of his wounds could be easily covered with clothing.

Hilde removed his shirt as gently as she could and, having fished up the proper supplies from Sally?s bag ?o wonders, began to change the dressings. Trowa stirred more than usual as she worked, and Hilde didn?t know if that was a good or bad thing. Could he finally be ready to wake, or had his conditioned worsened and become more painful? The girl just wasn?t sure, and was growing more concern as Trowa groaned.

?Shhh?? she whispered as she stroked his hair back and touched his face. Perhaps if she tried to talk to him, to calm him, it would help, Hilde considered.

?It?s alright,? Hilde spoke softly. ?I?m here. Rest?get well. Take as long as you need to,? she told the boy, who was indeed beginning to grow quiet and relaxed.
She took his hand in hers and laid her head down next to his while still kneeling by the bed.

?But remember?there are people who miss you, who want you to come back,? she whispered as she held his warm hand tightly. She missed him so dearly. She missed his comforting voice, his deep eyes, and calming presence?.all of him.

Hilde sat there thinking of all the things she loved about Trowa, and the love she felt but never told him. She didn?t know how long she had been resting there, holding his hand, growing increasingly weary. She finally surrendered to sleep as the words escaped from her lips, and her grip on his hand lessened, but did not slip away.

?Please come back?please, Trowa?I?ve stopped running.?

And in the dark, there was a smile.

~*~*~

Hilde woke the next morning to a surprising sense of peace. The light filtering in from the window had caused her to rise earlier than usual, especially considering how late she had finally gotten to sleep, but the girl didn?t mind.

Just looking at the sight before her was enough to want to wake up in morning. Upon opening her eyes, she found herself face to face with the placid, beautiful features of Trowa Barton. He looked unreal, his bangs splaying about the pillow, mouth slightly parted, so innocent and unearthly, besides the slice below his eye. But that only proved to remind the girl that the man before her was indeed mortal, a human who was made of flesh and blood and whose hand rested under hers even still.

Sitting up lazily, Hilde gazed at Trowa?s sleeping form. His skin was no longer slick and his whole body looked so calm that Hilde breathed a sigh of relief as she realized he was no longer in danger of a fever.

The girl sat up over her patient, reexamining the conditions of his wounds. While doing so, Hilde ran her fingertips gently over a scar on his side absentmindedly, which crossed around to end on the flat of his stomach, the motion causing toned abs to flex lightly under her soothing touch.

Hilde stared at her hand softly resting on Trowa?s firm abdominal muscles, and felt the skin there grow warm at the contact. She brushed a dizzying feeling out of her head while she reached over him to adjust the bandage on his shoulder, which she had been tending before she had drifted off to sleep in the wee hours of that morning. In fact, that was the reason Trowa was so deliciously shirtless right now.

As she lifted her hand away from Trowa?s body, Hilde was shocked to find a warm hand gripping her wrist protectively.

The hand then slid to entwine their fingers and brought her arm back down to rest on Trowa?s stomach.

?Did you think I?d let you get away that easily?? Trowa said with a growing smirk, taking his time to slowly open his eyes and raise himself up a bit to look at Hilde, who resembled a child who had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

?Trowa Barton!? her temper fumed openly, due to the shock of Trowa finally having regained conscious, yet acting like he had been in no danger at all. ?Do you realize how worried I was about you!?! You were out for three days! Three days! Don?t ever scare me like that again! Don?t you ever--?

She stopped short and hugged him as tightly as his tender wounds would allow. Although Hilde had thoroughly surprised Trowa--as the boy?s eyes went wide with her sudden launch towards him--the raven haired girl decided he needed to be brought out of dreamland and back into reality. Besides, his eyes were so beautiful and sparkling, that even in the midst of scolding him, Hilde could not stay angry with the very gorgeous, and very close man whom she was embracing for long.

It seemed there was not enough time for tender moments after Trowa had risen. Hilde jumped to contact the Preventers soon afterwards, and the boy himself needed freshen up after all of the days he had been caught in a place beyond sleep.

Trivial things took the boy a long time, yet with Hilde?s assistance, he was able to finally get out of bed and walk around the dorm. After a nice, long shower (by himself, that is ^_~) and comforting meal Hilde prepared, the boy now sat resting on the suite couch in a sea of blankets Dr. Hilde had insisted were necessary. She did not want him catching cold again, as he seemed to have suffered from a nasty fever while he was unconscious.

Hilde had just finished tidying up the kitchen and suite area, and plopped down on one of the easy chairs next to where Trowa was reclined. After all of the excitement earlier in the day, she had finally managed to get her green-eyed patient all cleaned up and comfortable. The relief that he seemed to be alright was more than words could express, and Hilde let out a long, long sigh as she looked towards the Preventers? agent.

Trowa met her gaze after a few moments, and let a soft smile escape him. His eyes were deep and they seemed to speak to her before he did in a very quiet voice, as it had been ever since he woke up.

?You have been very good not to ask me any questions, Hilde,? he said, referring to how he ended up in the condition in which she found him at her doorstep. Hilde was very impressed with herself, too, but thought it better to wait until Trowa was ready to say something, worrying the events may be very painful to remember.

?But it?s okay, if you want to know what happened. I don?t mind telling you.?

Hilde had been beyond curious about hearing the details from Trowa, and could not hide her look of anticipation at his words.

?I?m sure they must have said something anyway,? he noted of the Preventers.

?Well, Sally did fill me in,? Hilde admitted. ?It?s not every day you get a wounded Preventer at your door. What happened to you? I mean, I know all about your mission. But how did you escape that exploding colony? And why did you come here??

Hilde stopped short with the questions when she noticed Trowa?s gaze fall to the floor in heavy contemplation. She knew her mouth could run away with her sometimes. Not wanting to exhaust Trowa any further, the girl patiently waited, and at length, he began. It would be the largest amount of words strung together from Trowa that the girl would ever hear. ?As you remember, I was supposed to rig bombs to destroy an entire colony housing an illegal mobile suit construction operation??

?It?s easy for me to work alone,? Trowa said in his cool voice. ?When the mission came up, I decided it would be better that way. Unfortunately, when it was discovered my enemies were expecting me, it was a little too late to just abandon the mission. I determined that I could still destroy the colony if I sacrificed my escape plans. Bringing an end to the biggest illegal mobile suit factory and ensuring the peace of the Earthsphere seemed a bit more important than my safety.

?However, Lady Luck has always been extremely good to me. The one successful part of my mission to destroy the colony was that I had in fact infiltrated the factory and planted the bombs before they could find me. From an insider tip off, the crime lords were expecting a Preventer in their factories, but they luckily didn?t find my trail of explosives until a little too late. Even so, I was being hunted all the while I was in that place, and unfortunately had some wounds to show from some close calls with the numerous guards patrolling the factory in search of me. I suppose that?s how they eventually found me. Normally, I wouldn?t have been so sloppy, but a bleeding wound doesn?t help when you?re trying to be stealthy. In any case, it finally came to a point where I had to make a decision to set off the explosives, even if I was in danger of being destroyed along with the base. So I pushed the detonation button, and didn?t look back.?

The boy paused a moment to reflect on that intense moment.

?Too late,? was all the spy said with a dangerous glint in his eye. His face remained fixed and fearless, but some may have said his lips lifted into a smirk as he dared anyone-even Death- to challenge him. The Angels themselves held their breath as all eyes focused towards the man?s outstretched arm and his thumb pressing into one tiny, lethal red button...

?I?m not really sure of all that happened afterwards,? Trowa said softly after a while. The guards who had cornered me were easy to take out in the confusion of the explosions. Knowing where the bombs were planted, I was able to avoid the most devastating blasts. I just remember the sounds, the fiery metal corridors, and running??

It sounded like hell itself, Hilde thought, as her hand was now covering her mouth in shock. Trowa, however, seemed so calm explaining all of this.

?There?s always a certain window to flee before the effects of the many individual bombs culminate into the undoing of the entire colony,? he reasoned. ?I knew the layout of the colony in my head and found myself running towards a hangar. I managed to get in the nearest mobile suit and blast out of the colony just as it exploded. The suit was pretty damaged, as well as myself. I managed to make it fairly far away from the colony, but not yet close enough to any others when the engine finally gave out. So I floated there in space, just like I had during the time I was thought missing in the war. I didn?t mind it so much, but I was wounded and I was tired. The sense of peace I had was deathly, but I didn?t want to give up just then.?

Trowa gave Hilde a look that caused her to shiver before continuing.

?There are many scrap ships that pass through the area, and sure enough the suit was picked up. So, before anyone could come and sort out the pieces of their trash collection, I was able to sneak out of the suit and hideaway on the ship. It stopped many different places, but finally it landed on earth late in the evening. I guess I might have been able to get to Headquarters, but the ship landed at the shuttle port not too far from here, actually. I figured it was probably best if no one saw me in my condition, and since the dorms were so close, I vaguely remember stumbling towards EU.

?I had heard you say you would be staying at the dorms alone during spring break,? Trowa explained. ?And I couldn?t go back to my own dorm?the Vampire was here for break, too. You?you were my only option, Hilde. You know what I am, you know that there are some things that must be kept secret. Our pasts are very similar, so I knew you would understand.?

The girl was overwhelmed by Trowa?s story. His escape was amazing, and the way he looked at death so calmly gave her the chills. But the thing was, though the boy was not afraid of death, what Sally had said before was right. This time, he did not want to die. And from the way he was looking at her now, Hilde was beyond breathless that she might be the reason why he stayed alive.

?I do have one question,? the girl said after a while. ?When you were out in space by the colonies, your home on L3 was probably closer. Didn?t the scrapper ship you were on ever stop near there??

Trowa pondered this for a moment. ?I?m sure it must have, it was hard to keep myself aware and awake during the journey. But even though I probably could have returned to the circus on L3 and received care from them, I couldn?t face my sister Catherine. She would have worried too much, and she doesn?t know I still secretly work for the Preventers. She would probably kill me before any of my missions would if she found out.?

?Oh dear,? Hilde giggled, but then thought about the pilot?s actions. Trowa certainly did care about his sister a lot, enough to risk his own safety to shield her from his dangerous missions. But then remembering Duo?s words, Hilde found herself letting another ?Oh dear!? escape her for a very different reason.

?What?? Trowa inquired at Hilde?s concerned expression.

?Trowa?you might not want to hear this right now,? Hilde tried to warn him.

?It?s about Catherine, isn?t it?? he asked, growing very serious. ?What?s happened? No one told her, did they? I?d never hear the end of it.?

?Well, it is about Catherine,? Hilde admitted. ?But it?s not what you think. I?m not sure it?s even my place to tell you, but you may want to know??

?Hilde, I?d like to hear whatever you have to say,? Trowa said very patiently, although anything having to do with his sister was very important to him and he could not be put in suspense after Hilde?s oddly worried expression.

?Duo was here just a day ago,? Hilde began as gently as she could. ?He had some rather interesting news??

Trowa?s reaction to the new relationship between his sister and the violet-eyed pilot was not as bad as Hilde expected?she thought. He had said nothing, his mouth pressed into a straight line. Perhaps the muscles of his face were a little bit more tense than usual, but Hilde couldn?t be sure. The only thing the girl was certain of was a very obvious eye twitch; a slight reaction that could be considered rather scary considering the boy?s silent, though eerily intense, stone faced impression. Yes, Trowa was indeed the epitome of an overprotective elder brother.

Poor Duo had absolutely no idea what he was in for.

~*~*~*~

Ha..*Sphinx looks around nervously*...ok, I know this was incredibly overdue...but the fact is...well, I won't get into details. Even as we speak I am working furiously on the last chapter. Yes, the last. I thought this was going to be part of the last one, but my writing ran away with me again, and the chapter got so long, that I actually decided to break it into two. I know I've had a lot of requests for longer chapters, so hopefully two chapters instead of my intended one will make up for that. I wasn't going to post this until I had the final one done, but you've all been so patient. Enjoy, and be looking out for the final chapter in a day or so! Thanks so much. You all are wonderful for sticking with this. *runs away to keep writing*

Much love, Sphinx

P.S. And as always luv to the beta and my wonderful friend Kay-chan studying in Japan! Hope everything is going well!

[silversong]

(does happy dance in joy that this chapter is out, and that the next will be soon forthcoming)
But I am also very sad that it will be the last!
It's still a wonderful story, and it's almost over but it isn't yet!!

~Silver

[Beck]

*throws confetti* YAY! Another chappy and as sad as I will be once this ends but at least its been a good read. You have developed their characters to the point where things weren't rushed and I'm glad to see that Duo had come to an understanding about Hilde and Trowa. You couldn't help but love Duo's part in this one. But damn is Hilde one lucky gal, to watch over Trowa like that, and to even get to see him shirtless many a times (as well as sneaking in a touch here and there ). Trowa's predictiment with his mission was well written and thought out, I know I would've had a hard time trying to come up with a scenario like that. But WOWIE!! Who would've thought he went through that much to the point of even on the brink of death

I definitely look foward to see how this is going to end.

[mayu]

YAY! Another chapter!!! Yeepie! And this one was great!

Trowa's predictiment with his mission was well written and thought out, I know I would've had a hard time trying to come up with a scenario like that.

It's right, me too I wouldn't be able to write this moment too (even in french )...
But I'm a bit sad it's the end of the story... But it's a great story so we forgive you! And I love how the characters are acting, especially Duo (for once, he's an adult! even if it's Duo!!!)
But, there is something than disturbed me :

After a nice, long shower (by himself, that is ^_~)

Whhhhyyyyy alone???

[Kanya Barton]

YAY! Another chapter! This is such a great story and I can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter!
I can't say that I don't envy Hilde...and I would have taken FULL ADVANTAGE of his unconciousness(I think I spelled that right) if I had been in her place...but I guess that would be a very baaaaaaaad thing to do...Well, I gotta go!
Peace out!

[mystic_jade]

Wonderful as always. I was so jazzed to see this updated; always has a way of brightening my day. Gotta say that I was really paying attention to your characterization of Duo, and I was loving it. Can't wait to see what happens with the whole Duo/Cathy/Trowa bit.

Always,
Jade

[Waking Dreamer]

Such a great story! My love for GW started with this! =D

[Silent Moon Sphinx]

This is kinda late, I just wanted to reply to you all to thank you now that I have the chance.

Silversong: Yay for happy dances! I happy dance all of the time! Wheee!

Beck: I'm so happy you liked the part Duo played. I was wondering whether to make more of a conflict, but I figured poor Hilde and Trowa had gone through so much already, the drama needed to finally die down. I was actually going to leave poor Duo in the dust...but then seeing people's reactions to him previously, I just couldn't do it. I thought Duo and Hilde needed to make amends. And I must note here someone suggested pairing Duo with Catherine, and I found that to be very intriguing. I had seen it a couple times before, although it is very rare, and I do so like to try to write rare pairings. Especially when I think they'd make a really cute couple. So there ya go. And I just couldn't resist throwing in another Duo bear hug!!! Oh, and then the Trowa battle scene...man, did that take me a long time to think up, so I really appreciate the kudos. It's very difficult to imagine Trowa ever getting injured that badly, you know?? Cause he's just sooo THE MAN! *starts to get giddy* Ok...stopping myself now before I go on a Trowa rant. Thankies as always!

mayu:

Whhhhyyyyy alone???

LOL!!!! I really don't know what I was thinking!!! haha....no...showers come later I needed to keep everyone in suspense for a bit longer. *evil smile*

Kanya:

I would have taken FULL ADVANTAGE of his unconciousness

Oh my!! No...I really would have, too. haha! Thanks for your comments, they always make me smile!

Jade:

Gotta say that I was really paying attention to your characterization of Duo, and I was loving it. Can't wait to see what happens with the whole Duo/Cathy/Trowa bit.

Aw, Duo acting all cute and big brother like is my favorite way to write him, so I'm very happy you enjoyed him.
I'm so glad this story brightens your day, cause I know your comments certainly brighten mine.

Dreamer: Ohhh Dreamer...I'm always happy to convert another to the wonderful world of anime and GW, but when you start to wonder why guys in real life can't be like Trowa, or Vash or Kenshin...and when you get way too giddy and excited over seeing Aoshi's butt and spend half an hour taking pictures of it freeze framed on screen...and when you stay up all night reading fanfiction when you should be studying for exams...and people begin to wonder if you really are at all sane...then you can decide if you want to thank me, or hurt me. But at least we can be completely obsessed fangirls together! Aw...you know I'm teasing you. I mean, who would actually take a picture of Ao's butt on screen. I mean, that's pretty crazy!
(*whispers* Thank God you figured out how to turn off the flash!)

ANYWAY...whhheee it's getting late and I start to get pretty cRaAaZy when I'm tired. So thank you all for your replies. They make me SOooo happy!!!

Love, Sphinx

[Renigade]

mystic_jade, Not bad kid. I'll give you that. The predicament that trowa has and Hilde in love with him is quite orignial. Great work. My hat is off to ya lady.
Raiden

[Cinthya_Dee]

I'm glad things are looking up for all parties involved. With Duo after Catherine he wont have a broken heart because of Hilde...though I cant say he wont have a broken "something else" by Trowa. N-e-way I'm kinda sad that the next chapter will be the end of this wonderful story.

Cinthya_Dee