31-May-2000
Okay. Surely I'm not the only person who noticed on GW that Noin and Quatre had some interesting chemistry towards the end of the series (I know, don't call you Shirley). This story is sort of a scene where some of that bonding may have taken place.
Warnings: Mild language
Spoilers: Not exactly, but it does hint a bit leading up to Episode 47
Pairings: Not really but I guess 6+9 and 4+3. No lemon. No lime.
**-denotes thoughts-**
Lucrezia Noin stood in the hallway of the Peacemillion looking out of one of the port windows. The view of space was breathtaking, but she didn't see it. She was lost in her thoughts. **Dammit, Zechs! Why are you doing this?**
Quatre Winner was walking with Duo when he spotted Noin, staring forlornly out of the window. "Duo, I'll see you later, okay?"
"Sure thing, Q. It's not like you're not going to run into me at sometime! Later, man."
Quatre floated over to Noin. She never noticed his approach.
"Miss Noin?" Quatre ventured timidly.
Noin slowly turned to Quatre as if waking from a daydream, "Hmm? I'm sorry Quatre is there a problem?" **God, let there be a problem, it will give me something to do instead of thinking about this!**
"No, Miss Noin. I was just wondering if you would like to talk," smiled the young pilot.
"Sure we can talk. Do you think Howard will be able to outfit Trowa's mobile suit for space before-"
"No. That's not what I meant. I meant talk about what's bothering you," the young man tried again.
"Bothering me?" Noin attempted to laugh unsuccessfully. "Nothing's bothering me, I assure you."
"So the fact that Zechs has blown a small hole in the Earth doesn't bother you at all?"
Lucrezia tried to hold back tears at the mention of the name Zechs. "I guess I should talk to someone, but I don't know that it should be you."
"Come on, you need to talk. I'm offering my services. Let's go get some coffee and talk."
"I'd rather talk about this someplace private. Would my quarters be okay?" asked Noin.
"Sure. Lead the way," smiled Quatre.
They floated down to the other part of the ship where Lucrezia shared a room with Sally Po. She offered Quatre the chair by the desk in the small room, as she pulled up a small coffee press and prepared some coffee.
"I hope you don't mind? I prefer my coffee this way. It's one of the few items I made sure I brought with me from earth," Noin smiled.
"Not at all. But for now, let's sit and talk."
"God, if you don't mind being bored by my obsession with Zechs," she laughed unenthusiastically. "Sally can't stand the sound of his name from my lips. I'm afraid she's sick of hearing about it."
"Well, think of this as a fresh perspective," offered Quatre.
"I just feel silly discussing this with you. I'm older. I should know better, ne?"
"Just tell me what's in your heart Miss Noin," smiled Quatre.
"Well, if I have to unburden my heart to you, at least call me Lucrezia. Or Noin."
"You're stalling, Lucrezia."
"Quatre, how much are you willing to give up for love?"
Quatre looked taken aback by the question. "Nani?"
"I'm serious. I've been thinking about this lately. Are you willing to give up your soul? Your planet? Your common sense?" Lucrezia said with tears falling unbidden from her eyes.
"I don't know, Lucrezia."
"I keep hoping that Zechs has some master plan that I just haven't deciphered yet. I don't want to think he's lost all sanity in his quest to destroy earth," Lucrezia sighed.
"Lucrezia, you may have to accept the fact ..." Quatre began gently.
"I know. I know. But dammit! I know he loves the Earth and space. I just don't understand what he's trying to do! What happened to the man I've loved since the Academy? I don't want to think that person is lost to me. Do you know what I mean, Quatre?" she turned to look at Quatre. The look on his face puzzled her some. "What's wrong?"
"I do understand what you mean," Quatre said with a slightly quivering voice. "I know that Trowa joined us of his own volition. But what happens when he regains his memory. What happens when he realize the person he felt he had to follow here was the one who tried to destroy him?" Quatre said with tears welling.
Lucrezia walked over to Quatre and took his hand. "Quatre, he'll understand that it wasn't you. It was the Zero system ..."
"Lucrezia, I don't know that it WAS the Zero system. At the time I was driven by the death of my father. I knew the colonies had to pay for their foolish siding with OZ and their willful destruction of my father. I hated everyone and that was before I set foot in Wing Zero. So I can't say with any honesty that it was Zero system's fault at all!" Now the tears fell freely from Quatre's eyes. Lucrezia pulled the boy up to her and held him.
They stood that way for several minutes until Quatre's tears subsided. "Look at me, Quatre," she turned his face up to meet her eyes. "Trowa will forgive you. He cares deeply for you and this will not change even when the memories return."
"As you will forgive Zechs?" he asked hesitantly.
Lucrezia face changed. "I don't know if I can forgive him if he ultimately destroys the world," she said finally before letting go of Quatre. "To forgive Zechs everything is to be his doormat, don't you think? I've been that for quite awhile. I don't like to admit it to myself though."
"Surely, that's not true, Lucrezia," Quatre said gently.
"Did you know in school I would make sure I didn't score higher than him? He never asked me to do it. I just felt he should be the best and the brightest," said Noin. "I don't even know that he has any real feelings for me. It may all be one sided on my part."
She went back to her coffee press and poured two cups of strong coffee. She handed Quatre a cup and waved her hand over the sugar and cream for him to add himself. "I'm a big sucker when it comes to Zechs. Always have been. I'd get my fair share of ridiculing from anyone who noticed that if he flipped his hair I'd be there. I'm such an idiot."
"Following your heart never makes you an idiot," said Quatre.
"Quatre, you know it never ceases to amaze me how much wisdom comes from someone so young. It amazes and depresses me all at once."
"Depresses you?" puzzled Quatre.
"You are what? Fifteen? You should be thinking about happier teenage things. Now war, death and ex-Oz instructors with broken hearts," sighed Lucrezia.
"Lucrezia, I don't think your heart is broken. It may be bruised a little, but you will survive."
"I wish I could believe that. Do you know what I want more than anything-"
"What?"
"I want to lock Zechs in a room and get him to tell me what's really going on. Then-" she stopped and blushed.
"What?"
"It was a rather ecchi thought. Sorry," she smiled and looked at Quatre. **You know if he grew his hair long. Maybe some ice blue contact lenses ... Noin! Get a grip, girl!**
"Oh don't go getting shy on me now," smiled Quatre.
"Let's just say after getting information out of him, I'd get other things and leave it at that."
Both laughed. Then Lucrezia began to frown.
"What's wrong?"
"Quatre, what if-" she hesitated. "What if following my heart leads to me being against you and the others?"
"I would hope it never comes to that Lucrezia."
"I'm so damn mixed up right now, who's to say I don't turn on you?" she asked earnestly.
Quatre said, "If it has to be, then it will be."
"I will stay here for as long as I can," Lucrezia sighed. "I really could throttle Zechs sometimes. Quatre thank you for listening. You are really very sweet." She embraced the boy again. "This goes both ways. If you need to talk about anything. I'm here for you, okay?"
"I appreciate that Lucrezia. And don't worry. This remains between us, yes?"
"Of course."
"I should get back to the others," Quatre began to leave. He turned around and said, "Oh when I step out of this door, you're Miss Noin again, okay?"
"If you must, Quatre," smiled Noin. "Goodnight."
Quatre was now in the hallway. "Goodnight, Miss Noin."
Owari
Comments? Criticism?
(:./babaca/coffee)
