Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Verses From Your Song ❯ Just a Smile ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Just a Smile

Gundam Wing is not mine.

Poetry is mine

** "All is Full of love" By Bjork

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She watched them dance with a teary eye. Even if it was her day, her giant birthday bash, she couldn't help but let them steal the moments that were hers. No one was paying attention to the two women on the dance floor though. Everyone else was too busy enjoying the free night at the normally twenty-one and over club. A smile graced her face at the thought; it was defiantly an eighteenth birthday to remember.

Mariemea Kushrenada tried not to be spoiled by having such miraculous contacts at her fingertips. A private party at Orpheus's Den was something only the most privileged could afford, but this night had cost nothing, and she was happy she could share such an event with nearly half her school, and all of her friends. Her eyes lit up as the couple she was watching exchanged a brief kiss. She didn't have to worry anymore. She didn't have to watch them; everything was going to be fine.

Nearly a month before that same dancing couple had exploded in a most horrifying and deathly silent fight, and the vivacious redhead watched in horror as something perfect crumbled under the mention of the past. It wouldn't have been so terrifying if that past hadn't been her father. It seemed his ghost liked to linger, and it didn't mean to cause trouble...but it did. With a small stretch she turned from her view and began to saunter over to the elevators. She wanted to try her hand at the arcade since a certain impish host mentioned he had a virtual archery game that was beyond compare. She entered the elevator with a smile as a semi-familiar face joined her on the way up.

"Enjoying your party", the woman asked.

Her hair was just a shade or two darker than Mariemea's, perhaps more ruddy auburn than red. But her eyes were very much the same kind of violet-blue and the teenager wondered for half a second if she was distantly related to her. She did that often though, not having a steady remembrance of her real mother or close relatives. She was quite sure Dorothy was a very distant cousin, even though the goddess always waved the suggestion off with a deliciously flippant air.

"I'm having a great time thank you...uh..." She paused for a moment trying to remember the woman's name.

"Catherine," the woman said with gentle ease, "Catherine Bloom, but please call me Cathy...I made the cake."

"Wow! That was you?"

"That was indeed me. You haven't seen Mr. Maxwell around have you?'

The elevator doors slid open and the teenager shook her head as she exited. Catherine followed her with a disappointed sigh.

"Last I saw of him though he was headed for the Casino. He was talking about some new game with robots," Mariemea mentioned.

A delighted smile washed over the woman. "Boys and their toys...I guess it wouldn't hurt to look."

"Never does."

And if you can
Play a while
Take the time
Just to smile

His baby blues watched with glee, as Catherine was distracted from her task of searching by a game. He wasn't sure why it was, but he took great pride in being searched for, and took even greater pride in searching himself. Catherine Bloom, the name just made him giddy. What it was about the skilled performer he could not say. She was always elusive. Always spurned his advances with a light chuckle but it wasn't the same kind of turn down others had given him. It wasn't really a 'no', more of a 'not now', so he kept trying, laid out the charm and the best of his qualities. Of course much to his luck it was when he was at his worst she finally asked him to go out. He figured that was what she had been waiting for all along, but really...he knew he would never know. Happily content he made his way over to her side. Her smile was enough to knock him over as she greeted him.

"I heard you were looking for me," Duo mentioned.

"Well...I was but now," she blew on the dice in her hands and gave them a toss, a small chorus of juvenile applause erupted and she continued, "I'm winning so...never mind."

"Oh that isn't fair. C'mon... what did you need?"

"Nothing." She tossed the dice again and laughed at her continued luck. She enjoyed being stubborn around him even though she could never seem to keep it up. With a shrug she politely handed the dice to someone new and said, "Okay enough of that. Mr. Maxwell, please come with me."

He followed obediently, a devilish smirk on his face. They reached a semi-quiet room and she looked over at him slyly.

"Now...I was looking for you because you promised to dance with me."

"Well let's hit th-"

"And I stopped looking for you because I knew you were watching me search for you. I don't like playing hide and seek."

He looked like a child with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Now...Mr. Maxwell I only want to know one thing."

"Anything."

She fought her giggle, "When are you gonna stop playing and just sweep me off my feet like a good knight in shining armor?"

A shriek left her lips when without warning she was swept up into his arms, impish smile on his face and then she burst into uncontrolled laughter.

"Is... Uh… Is this what you had in mind?"

"Yes! Yes!" She shouted in between trying to breathe and laugh. Finally calming herself she whispered, "Now put me down before we cause a scene."

"I'm not sure I can do that," Duo quipped, "you might try to run away."

And with that he carried her off as a throng of on lookers (which it should be mentioned included more than a few adult chaperones) all offered up noisy approval.

You don't need to try
You don't need to play
You had me trapped
You had me on my knees
The minute I met you
The minute I saw you

The night continued on at a steady pace and everything was just as wonderful as she wanted it to be. People were beginning to crash though. A few of her guests had already left to find comfort in their hotel rooms, others were just barely staying awake as they played and danced. She was tiring as well, but she wasn't quite ready to give up. Her eyes moved over the thinning crowd of dancers and noticed with some concern her auntie's absence. Before she could dive into the dance floor for a better look a jovial arm swung around her.

"Hey kid! Having fun," Duo beamed.

She giggled, "Yes very much so. Did Cathy find you? She was looking earlier."

He just grinned. "I was found a little bit ago."

"Oh really," a forked eyebrow popped up knowingly.

"Yes, really and you've definitely been hanging out with Dorothy too much. Don't get your hopes up kid...I'm a decent guy and nothing would get me in more trouble with your Aunt then abandoning my post as supreme chaperone to have little personal fun." He released the girl's shoulder and gave her a little nudge with his elbow. "So Miss Official Adult...What are you up to now? Tell me you've been to the arcade."

"I've been to the arcade. I like the games," her violet-blue eyes washed over the small crowd again. "I was actually just looking for-"

"You worry about them don't you," he asked with a smile. Almost by reflex he started to dance a little to the music coming up from the dance floor below.

She huffed, "Well can you blame me? I mean..." She sighed sadly and shook her head.

"Hey," he whispered, "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. Dorothy and Une probably just took a break from dancing. I mean they really haven't left the dance floor since after you opened presents. I know those two can dance but everyone needs a break."

He winked and was satisfied with the birthday girl's chuckle.

"Alright then, now I do believe you owe me a dance."

"Cathy won't be jealous?"

"Nah! No worries...Besides you need to have more fun. Keep that smile on your face kiddo...'cos it's definitely a knock out."

Mariemea was sure she was turning a million different shades of red. The terribly girlish side of her couldn't help fall to his charms, with definite signs of a crush, but the logical side of her stepped in reminding her that it was just a dance and nothing more. She held out her hand and let him take her onto the dance floor surprised when after only a few moments people started cutting in just to dance with her.

Duo stepped back from the dance floor with a broad smile secure in the knowledge that the vivacious redhead was safe in a sea of admires. He found it interesting how grounded the kid was, but she had a charm about her. And because he was the master of charm he felt a great need to encourage it. His concern though was tilting toward finding the goddess and Une. He may have found a way to shrink Mariemea's worries, but his own were another battle altogether.

But you gotta relax
Just sit back
Keep that smile
Let it linger a while

The blue lit room was filled with light and steady notes from a piano. For the party the room was off limits, too many teenagers too look after and keep track of to even dare let them take over the whole of the den, so the jazzy space of Hades was locked off. Of course the room wasn't totally off limits for those in need of a quiet moment, and having the power of co- ownership Dorothy politely ushered her love to the place for some much needed time alone.

"Ah the mark of a distinguished Lady," Une said softly as she ran her fingers down the keys, playing nothing particular.

Dorothy leaned up against the empty bar with a slight smile. Things were trying to ease back into something that felt safe again. She had really blown it a month ago, really made a great play at ruining her happiness, and most of the incident was forgiven by now but there was still a distance she felt in the lady's eyes.

"Thank you for arranging this Dorothy," Une whispered. By her tone it was obvious she was holding something back. Her fingers slowed on the keys and she closed her eyes.

"It was no trouble at all. Duo leapt at the chance."

The barest of smirks on the lady's graceful face filled the worried goddess with some hope. She inched a little closer and was ready to speak, whisper another apology, but the lady seemed to know it was coming and sighed.

"Stop that," she commanded softly, "Stop being sorry for what you said...Don't you trust me when I say you're forgiven?"

She kept herself from sounding too hurt by the question, her stormy blue eyes seeking comfort in the floor. "I'd trust you better if you weren't so distant from me Hippolyta."

Silence took over the room, wrapped around like a hazy mist, and it chilled them both. Hazelnut colored eyes shut at the sound of her own name. Let it echo in her memory as she considered the whole of it. She was the Lady Hippolyta Une. She was never fond of her moniker, but the goddess who was inching toward her side spoke it with such reverence. Even Trieze never spoke her name with such grace. He never spoke her name...she was merely his lovely lady. Her heart always felt a twinge of pain whenever she thought of it. And she grew just a bit angry knowing that she would not be thinking of it at all were it not for that fight, that insignificant tiff that should have been forgotten and left to dust. She was ready to make it vanish.

It's a tickle here and there
Light and soft
Nothing special and then I feel it again
Whenever you are near
The batting of delicate wings
Butterflies
You fill me with
Butterflies
And their light touch lights my soul
Don't want them to go
A whisper of them is always near
And then you appear so...so...
Softly
Light
A whisper
Just to give me
Just to leave me
With scattered colored wings
Fragile and great things
Give me butterflies
Butterflies
Give them to me

The lady stood up and looked Dorothy dead in the eyes nearly trembling as she spoke, "If I asked you to stay by my side forever would you?"

"Are you asking?"

"Maybe."

"Then yes."

**You'll be given love
You'll be taken care of
You'll be given love
You have to trust it**

He surveyed the damage left behind, baby blues unable to find a way to not be satisfied with the mess. He was happy that everyone left with such grand smiles. He grinned as he turned to go to his office but he was stopped.

"Mr. Maxwell."

He spun around, long braid whipping around over his shoulder. "Ms. Bloom?"

She smirked. "You still owe me a dance."

"Do I?"

Catherine nodded and stepped closer. "So you gonna be true to your word?"

"I'm always true to my word," he replied as he held out his hand.

She took it and they spun into a little waltz, dancing without any music at all. She looked up into his eyes and found herself losing.

"I gotta be very careful with you," she whispered.

"Why?"

"Oh, I can just see losing all sense to your charms Mr. Maxwell. Not sure I could survive such a fall."

He smiled and replied, "I promise to catch you before you hit bottom Cathy. I won't let you slip from the high wire."

"I was afraid you'd say that," she half chuckled resting her head on his shoulder. "So...What do we do next?"

"We just dance for a while and see how it goes."

Yes let's just stay while
I wanna enjoy your smile
Forget all your charm
You had me from the start



Continued...