One Night Part 10
It was late when Cathy finally finished with her business. Trowa had listened as she sent orders out that seemed to mostly deal with her deal with Quatre- either pulling out of things in his area, or providing reinforcements. She also ordered a few agents to stop harassing the Org- which made sense as it looked like there would soon be an alliance.
The longer he sat there the easier it was to adapt to this version of Cathy. She hadn't really changed. She had always been clever; always been assertive- these traits had just sharpened... She still had a soft heart- she treated her agents as friends, called them by first name, asked them to take on jobs... and they would do anything for her- Trowa saw that too. Cathy had their loyalty and trust- she was a good leader and he was strangely proud of her... even as he wondered how she had become the head of such a business...
Cathy turned to smile at him when the last agent left. "Sorry that took so long- I'm sure you have some questions for me."
"Too many to know where to start," he confessed.
She joined him on the sofa; curling up with her legs tucked underneath her- the same pose she used to use back when she told him stories at night...
"This is our parents' business." She said, her lips curving faintly when he blinked at her in surprise. "It wasn't as big then- and not nearly as diverse. They- and the rest of the crew- used the circus as a cover for their real activities."
"They never... I didn't know..."
"I didn't either." Cathy frowned. "Not until that night when the circus was attacked by some business rivals. You remember the Ringmaster? He helped me escape- and then told me what had been really going on." Her features hardened. "I thought you had been killed along with Mom and Dad... so I went looking for revenge."
Trowa took a deep breath. "Did you get it?"
She nodded. "And afterward... well, what else was there for me to do?"
Trowa slipped an arm around her shoulders. He could understand that line of reasoning. "Do you want to leave it?"
She shook her head. "No- to be honest- I enjoy it. Does that... are you...?"
He kissed her forehead. "I love you sis."
She relaxed and curled up against his shoulder. "Love you too little brother." She laughed. "Remember how you used to scrunch your face up when I called you that?"
"And you got mad when I called you big sis."
"That's because we called the elephant Big Sis!"
"Remember when you tried to ride her that first time?"
"And she doused me with water? As if I'd forget!"
They traded remembrances for a while until a sharp tap on Cathy's office door interrupted them.
"Miss Cathy?" A brunette woman stood in the doorway, her face hidden behind glinting lenses.
"Une," Cathy sat up. "You're back. What news?"
"It looks like the real thing. Chang and Treize left the compound this evening- and their men went with them. They moved into another complex- the local Org headquarters. There was a transfer of funds into Zechs accounts tonight as well- for the sum Chang owed him. I think the Red King has truly lost his bishops."
"Then they are our allies- if the White King was successful," Cathy smiled, "and the game ends tomorrow."
Une stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "We will have to be careful. The Red King is cornered- the Queens are sure to also regard this as a huge threat. I think one of them- if not all- will make an attempt to sweep the White King off the board."
Trowa felt a shiver go down his spine. "Are you sure he'd be a target? I can understand Zechs- but the Queens?" Though one of them had been the one to send Trowa after Quatre in the first place...
Une nodded. "Of course. He is the only reason your sister would consent to an alliance with the Org. Otherwise..." She looked at Cathy as if asking permission.
"Otherwise, I would join with the Queens. That was my plan originally- they promised to get you free and I promised them my allegiance if they did so. They failed- and now they know I've aligned with Winner."
"So they will also be gunning for him." Trowa felt his stomach sink.
Une lifted her shoulders. "I would think so."
Trowa got to his feet. "Sis- I'm sorry, but... I can't just sit by and let them kill him..."
Cathy studied him for a moment. "You... are fond of him? I saw your face earlier when he told you to leave with me..."
Trowa nodded. "I can't really explain... it not that I didn't want to be with you... but I didn't think that I'd be leaving him..."
"You've only known him a few days..."
"I know. Like I said... it makes no sense. I was supposed to kill him- then he was going to kill me... and then he saved me from the Org..." He shook his head. "He was kind to me- kinder than any other employer has ever been... watched over me when I was stabbed..."
"When were you stabbed?" Cathy asked, and Trowa lifted his shirt, explained the wound. She turned faintly pale at the story. "I have to help him sis..." Trowa ended and waited.
Cathy got to her feet and slipped her arms around his shoulders. "We won't let him be killed little brother. My people are already watching him. He has his guards. Tomorrow we meet for the final round- I have a feeling that if anything is going to happen it will be there."
"Or nothing may happen this year," Une said. "They may simply back away and lick their wounds and plot for next year- I doubt it, but it is possible."
Cathy looked at the clock. "Tonight though I think we should double our guards on him- and perhaps you should join them little brother."
"I would like that."
"I will get it arranged." Une headed for the door. "Meet me out front Mr. Barton?"
"Thank you," Trowa turned to his sister, kissed her cheek.
"Just be careful Trowa," she returned the kiss, patted his cheek in the old way. "I just found you, I don't want to lose you again."
TBC...
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