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Being Human	By : greengal48 Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Het - Male/Female Views: 1025 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing. Nor am I making money from publishing this! It’s purely for fun. I do, however, own Lea Zikamo and all the other original characters. Enough said.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Chapter 4 “You think what?”

Morning came all to fast for Heero. The sun’s rays shone brightly through the bright, thin, pastel curtains. He glared at them making a mental note to have them changed. Then his gaze fell upon the door. Lea’s soft sensual voice whispered though his mind. His pulse sped up. Another part of him began to wake up. ‘What’s wrong with me? I’ve only known the woman for barely three days! I’m getting a rise just from one of her smiles and agreeing to fight her battles!?!’ Heero headed for the shower running his hands through his already messy hair. ‘Is normal life always this complicated or is it just me?’

After yet another cold shower, Heero headed for the kitchen. There was no sign of Lea but a plate of food, coffee and juice was waiting for him. The kitchen was clean but empty. She wasn’t in the living room at the loom either. He was about to head back to the plate of food when he heard laugh. It was deep, male and nothing like he had heard before.

‘Lea.’

Heero’s body moved long before his mind decided it was ok to do so. The front door was open letting the cool morning air in through the screen door. On the other side stood Lea on the porch holding a shotgun. Three men stood just beyond the porch steps. One was tall, hansom and well dressed. He was the one laughing. To his left stood the man that was on the hill. Heero would have been able to pick him out anywhere. Now up close, the man looked even more dangerous with a scar that went from the left side of his face to the right. Standing rather casually to the right of the laughing man looked to be a smaller, less well dressed version of the laughing man. All had guns strapped to their sides and quite able to overpower Lea at any given moment. Heero didn’t see any reason why someone would be laughing.

“You’re about the sweetest sunflower I’ve ever seen!” the laughing man said. “Besides, Lea, we’re not trespassing.” He sobered up but the sickening smile never left. There was an all to familiar gleam to his eyes. Heero could tell the man was ready for trouble. “We’re just checking up on you. Alistair here,” he motioned to the man with the scar on his face, “saw your fence was fixed yesterday. I hope the damage wasn’t too bad.”

Alistair was scanning the area when laughing boy put the spotlight on him. Having his attention back on Lea, he saw Heero lurking in the shadows of the screen door. A mocking, challenging smirk slowly spread on Alistair’s lips. ‘Dangerous!’ Heero’s mind screamed but that only excited him. He always liked a good challenge. Even though logic was reminding him that this wasn’t his fight, Heero stepped out stopping at Lea’s side. She smiled at him and rested the barrel of the shotgun against her shoulder. Heero’s stomach twitched.

“Gentlemen,” she said sarcastically, “This is Heero Yuy, my new caretaker.” Lea sounded proud like she was announcing royalty or something. It made Heero’s cheeks flare up slightly.

Laughing boy didn’t seem phased by Heero’s entrance. The dark smile and evil gleam never left his face. The expression seemed to intensify. Caution lights were flashing brightly in Heero’s mind. “A pleasure, Mr. Yuy. My name is Damien McCart. This,” he nodded to his right, “is my cousin Robert Carter and this distinguished gentleman is…”

“Alistair,” Heero finished for him. The tension in the air became a little thicker as the two men locked eyes again. “We’ve met.” Everyone except for Heero and Alistair exchanged confused glances. “He was on the hill while Orson, Jacob and I fixed the fence, which wasn’t knocked down. It was taken apart.” Out of the corner of his eye, Heero saw Lea’s mouth fall open. Robert had that how-did-he-know expression. Alistair and Damien’s composure didn’t falter one bit. “Wouldn’t have any disgruntle employees with a grudge against Ms. Lea would you, Mr. McCart?” Heero’s warning tone rang loud and clear despite how casual he sounded.

Damien busted into laughter. “Finally found one with a backbone, Lea.” He suddenly became serious addressing Heero directly, “No, Mr. Yuy. None of our employees would ever pull apart Lea’s fence. We always strive to coexist with our residential neighbors which is why we are paying her a visit. If there is any damage done buy our cattle or employees, we will finance the repairs.”

‘Spoken like a fucking layer.’ Heero’s icy demeanor dropped a few more degrees. ‘No wonder all the other caretakers left. Do civilians really live like this!?!’

A truck pulling a huge trailer filled with massive bound squares of wool pulled onto Lea’s rather long driveway. Lea whimpered softly. Only Heero heard it. He noticed Damien and his goon patrol was also looking a little apprehensive. Alistair and Robert headed for their vehicle, a Jeep four by four.

“Send me a copy of the repair invoice, Sunflower,” Damien said sweetly as he backed up towards the truck. “Include Orson and Jacob’s bill. You shouldn’t have to pay for it all in your current financial state.” Damien hopped into the Jeep and the group left before the new visitors had a chance to park.

Heero was glaring at swiftly fleeting truck and replaying the conversation in his head to notice Lea leaving his side. His mind was still reeling over “Sunflower.” It was a pet name, one that was meant as an endearment. Dr. J had taught him that some pet names could be used as a torture tactic, a verbal button to push the person into doing what the user wanted. Heero could clearly see the tactic was being used by Damien McCart the so-called normal Cattle Rancher and “concerned neighbor.” Heero sighed shaking his head, “I agreed to this…”

“What the fuck did that asshole want!” an elderly male voice boomed. “And why are you toting that shotgun, missy? That dumb fuck sniffing around for trouble?”

A short, burly man with salt and pepper curly black hair and beard stormed into view. He started down the drive way when Lea grabbed him by the elbow. The two of them were followed by a young man who was slightly taller than the other man. He too had the curly black hair minus the gray. Both men looked pissed and protective of Lea by the way they stood by her. Heero remained on the porch waiting to see if he was still needed or not.

“Hank, please,” Lea begged the old man to follow her. He snorted at the Jeep’s dust trail and followed. The young man sighed his relief. “There’s nothing you can do now, okay?” Lea soothed. “How’s Hanna?” Lea asked the young man.

“Oh, mom’s a little under the weather,” the young man answered with a broad grin. “She told me to tell you that she’s sorry for not coming. What did McCart want anyways, Lea?”

“Same old shit,” she grumbled.

He and Hank followed Lea to the porch. She had motioned to Heero to introduce him when Hank pushed by her and walked up to Heero giving him the evil eye. “Who might you be, boy?” he demanded.

Heero never liked being called “boy” even when he was a boy. He turned on the Death Glare at full and said in a soft but most challenging voice he could muster, “Heero Yuy, the new caretaker.”

“Gentlemen,” Lea said to stop Hank from speaking and causing more turmoil. She held up a shaky hand and announced, “My nerves are shot. Hank. Hal. Will you please unload the truck?” She turned to Heero as if just seeing for the first time, “Heero, have you eaten?”

“Um… no,” he stuttered. He watched stunned as Lea threw up her hands, shotgun included, and stomped past him. He shot a glance at Hank and Hal who were still standing on the porch. They were just as speechless as he was. With a shrug, Heero followed Lea into the house.

Logic chose to speak up again, ‘See what just happened! If you stay, you’ll fall back into the same roll as before. You’ll become “the job” again!’

‘Not true,’ the little voice argued. ‘And don’t let that limp fool you. She’s strong, a survivor. Just like you are.’

Heero stopped in the door way of the kitchen. Lea grabbed his plate muttering something evil about Damien McCart. Not once did Lea brake and cry while facing him and his goons. She remained calm about the fence, even though it came as a shock to her, and even stopped Hank from going ballistic. She wasn’t bulking under the pressure of the McCart-Carter Cattle Ranch. She didn’t even acknowledge her handicapped leg.

Her land was her battle field. The McCart-Carter Cattle Ranch was the enemy. In a way, Lea was a soldier defending her post. The difference between she and Heero was she was willing to fight. Heero had always followed orders. It wasn’t until he had met Relena and the other Gundam Pilots that he had started to truly think for himself.

Lea placed his plate in the microwave and glared at it as it worked. The expression looked wrong to Heero. He preferred her smile. The way she had her arms folded across her chest blocked his view of her upper chest. She wasn’t top heavy, not that that mattered Heero. Her shape was pleasing to him... very pleasing. The fullness of her lips grabbed his attention a lot. He wanted to see how soft they were. And her beautiful brown eyes held such confidence that he never wanted them to look away from him.

‘I AM attracted to her!’

“Kuso…” he whispered and ran a shaky hand through his hair.

“Heero? What’s wrong?”

Heero was staring at her with his mouth wide open. ‘Make up something, quick!’ He closed his mouth and shook his head. “I just remembered about a part on the truck that’s needed,” he said as-a-matter-of-factly. It wasn’t a total lie. There was a few parts that was required for fixing the truck. He never forgot about it, though.

Lea shrugged, “We’ll put that on the to do list for this weekend. Will the truck run?” Heero nodded. Lea smiled, “Great! There’s the silver lining to this morning’s events. We can take it into town.” Her smile faded and she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I really don’t have anything else for you to do right now or for the rest of the day. Feel free to roam the property or you can help Hank and Hal with the wool. Really, I don’t care.” She rested the barrel of the shotgun on her shoulder and walked out of the kitchen.

Heero took a deep breath silencing all emotions. ‘I agreed to stay. Attraction or none, Lea’s still off limits!’ He took his plate out of the microwave and considered what to do with the rest of his day.

~::*::~

News of Heero’s employment must have traveled fast because visitors popped by more frequently for the rest of the week. Lea said as much as she would gripe whenever one would leave. Most dropped by to introduce themselves to Heero. “It’s like I’ve got a new toy or something…” Heero heard Lea mumble at one point. This made him laugh. He would have never thought of himself as a toy let alone something to gawk at.

One person Heero never thought to show up was the Mayor of Mead Colony. Heero remembered seeing him on T.V. during the shuttle trip to Mead. The Mayor showed up in a fancy car with just one bodyguard who was doubling as his chauffer. Heero was sitting on the front porch reading one of Lea’s books on gardening when they pulled up. The Mayor was young, tall and so clean cut it freaked Heero. Not a single hair was out of place on the man’s head and his smile was too perfect. ‘Politicians…’ A sour taste developed in his mouth. ‘Why can’t they be like Relena or Quatre?’

“Good afternoon, Sir.” The Mayor flashed Heero a charming smile and held out his hand. Heero hesitated for a second before taking it. The Mayor had a good grip. “You must be Ms. Zikamo’s new caretaker, Mr. Heero Yuy, yes?”

The fact that the Mayor’s Secret Service was actually doing their job didn’t bug Heero. It was the fact he knew Heero was there. He thought only a few people knew he was there. Trowa would have cleared any records of his arrival. Lea, Mitch, Orson, Jacob and McCart and his goons were the only ones to know he was there. Inwardly, Heero groaned. ‘McCart… but would he have such high connections?’ Heero nodded sending a glance to the bodyguard standing a couple of paces behind the Mayor. “Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Ms. Zikamo.” The Mayor’s slick smile broadened. “Is she here?”

“Yes,” Lea said stepping onto the porch. She had one end of her apron in her hands wiping them. She looked a little annoyed by the Mayor’s visit. “Excuse us for a moment, Mr. Yuy.” Heero choked back a grumble. She held the door open for the Mayor and his bodyguard. She mouthed, “Stay here,” and disappeared into the house.

They were in the house for a little over fifteen minutes before raised voices were heard. Heero couldn’t help but count the minutes as he strained his hearing to listen. “Damn it, Rodecker! I’ve told you a thousand times. I’ll finish the contract. Hell! I’ll even reinstate it when the time comes but I won’t take the promotion!”

“Lea, please think about …” Mayor Rodecker’s voice faded when the sound of a pot slamming against something rang out.

“First McCart and now you!” Heero could imagine Lea giving Mayor Rodecker her version of the Death Glare. It made him chuckle. “Get. Out.” Each word was bit out with such venom that it sobered Heero. He was ready to get up when he heard hurried footsteps towards the door.

“I really do wish you would reconsider, Lea.” Mayor Rodecker paused at the foot of the porch stairs. The bodyguard went to the car and opened the passenger door. Lea stood at the screen door with a murderous look in her eyes. Her mind was made up. Whatever the Mayor wanted, the answer was no. The Mayor visibly paled at Lea’s expression but managed to say in a leveled voice, “I’ll see you in December, then. Good afternoon, Mr. Yuy.” Heero nodded. The Mayor, looking rather defeated, retreated to the car. The bodyguard eyed Heero before getting in and driving away.

Warning signs were flashing in Heero’s head as he watched them leave. The bodyguard was tagging him. ‘He’s just doing his job. There’s nothing wrong with that.’ True as it may be, Heero was having a hard time believing it.

~::*::~

Dinner that night started silent and tension filled. Lea wouldn’t look up from her plate. It didn’t look like she was hungry. She had taken a few bits of her food. Lea poked at the peas for a moment then sighed and laid down her fork. She placed her head in her hands and said in a muffled voice, “Ok. What would you like to know?”

Heero paused with a fork full of food half way to his mouth, “Excuse me?”

Lea sighed. She looked him in the eye like she was staring down an adversary. It look comical to Heero. He contained a smile and remained serious. “There’s a lot of gossip out there about me,” she explained. “Whatever it is that you have a question for I’ll answer.” She sat patiently awaiting the first question.

Hundreds of questions popped up in Heero’s head. Which one to ask first? He ruled out any intimate questions like: how did you injure you leg or what happed to your parents? That might shut down the conversation before it was started. She had already explained the McCart-Carter issue but he wanted to know more. Then there was the Mayor’s visit. That alone brought up a dozen questions. Heero felt so lost. He didn’t want to upset her any farther with the wrong question.

Then there was the thought that it really wasn’t his business. He could do his job without knowing everything. Whenever trouble popped up, Lea would be on her own. One look into Lea’s eyes vetoed that thought. He wanted to know. There was no doubt about that but how to ask?

“I know,” Lea said sadly to his puzzled expression. “Where to begin?”

‘I’m not going to get anywhere by dancing around the issue.’ “Why doesn’t your family help you with McCart or the Mayor?” Heero lifted an eyebrow when Lea tossed her head back and laughed.

“The million dollar question on the first try!” Her laughter and smile turned sour. “As you know, both of my parents are dead.” She waved away Heero’s frown. “Don’t worry about it. They’ve both been gone for nearly six years now. Mom fell sick and wasn’t strong enough to pull through. The family doctor said that it was foul play. He couldn’t prove a thing though. It was a couple of months later when the house was broken into. Dad was murdered.” Lea’s eyes became distant and sad. “I had broken my leg trying to escape the burglars. As far as I could tell, they were looking for something that had to do with Dad. I never found out what it was. I really don’t care. They were caught and sent to jail. That’s all that matters.” She shrugged, “As for family… well… Dad was an only child and Mom’s family has disowned me.”

‘That wasn’t everything. She’s holding out.’ Heero didn’t push the issue. It was a start. “The McCart-Carter Cattle Ranch. When did they start pressuring you about selling the land?”

Lea rolled her eyes, “Those idiots at least had the brains to wait six months after Dad’s death. And I mean six months to the day! First a notice from Mom and Dad’s account show’s up saying there isn’t enough left in the bank to cover finances. Then that afternoon, Damien and Robert show up with a lawyer saying they want to by my land!” Lea took her half full plate to the kitchen. “I’ve already explained that part to you.”

“Do you mind explaining the fence?”

“Oh that!” she exclaimed. Again she rolled her eyes and said thoughtfully, “That didn’t start until two years ago. At first, they would accidentally run their cattle through the fence. After a while the cattle would do it on their own. Now the fence is down and there’s no sign of cattle.”

“No, just their brand,” Heero said more to himself. ‘They’re trying to push her off the land and working her with lawyers. They wouldn’t try to kill her, would they?’ Alistair on the hill with his gun popped into his head. ‘Would they have a connection with Mr. Zikamo’s death?’ Lea was eyeing him questionably. “What about the Mayor. Can’t he help you?”

“Nope, not really. He’s able to keep those blood hound lawyers at bay but nothing else. Rodecker’s gotta keep his nose clean.” She shook her head sadly, “But his help comes at a price.”

“The contract?” Heero didn’t wince at Lea’s shocked glare. Instead he said coolly, “The two of you were almost yelling at each other.”

Lea smiled sheepishly, “Yeah, I guess we were.” She sat back down at the table. She looked tired. “I must fulfill my contract with him. I really can’t afford to break it.”

“This contract requires you to be gone during December?”

Again, Lea gave him a shocked glair. “I did say anything, huh? Yeah, I’ll be gone for most of December. I’ll be back before Christmas.” She held up a hand silencing Heero before he could ask another question. “Don’t ask for details. That’s one thing I won’t talk about.”

“Understood.” Heero tactfully remained silent. Lea took it as he was done. She looked relieved.

“Nothing else?” she asked. Heero shook his head no. “Alright. I’m sure you can wash your own dishes. Lock up the front of the house when you go to bed.” With that, Lea headed to her workshop.

~::*::~

For the rest of the week Heero tended to the garden and fixed several things around the house. He also fine tuned and polished the truck that was sitting in the garage whenever he had nothing to do. It had been sitting there for a while. The truck had to belong to Lea’s father. Heero could tell she had fond memories of the truck just by the way she looked at it. Yet, that was another subject that she wouldn’t open up.

Lea kept her distance and only talked to him when need be or when she felt like being courteous. In short, Lea was very shy of Heero. With the run-in with the McCarts and Carters, she didn’t want to push her luck and run him off. He was a very efficient worker and hansom to boot, which was becoming a problem for her. At one point, she had found Heero working on the truck with no shirt. The imitation sun was blazing and sweat was dripping off his body. Lea, who had come out there to tell him something, hid behind the barn door to get a better look. She had been chastising herself for stealing a look at him the other night but she couldn’t resist this chance. Needless to say, the important information was immediately forgotten.

Heero possessed a sleek powerful body. Each muscle was well defined. His lightly bronzed skin was speckled with scars. The scars on his right shoulder and chest grabbed her attention the most. ‘Did he have a bad accident?’ She wondered what his skin would feel like. It looked like it was tough and soft like leather. Heero’s jeans became of interest as he slid under the truck. It hugged his body in all the right places giving her a beautiful view of his powerful thighs and the seat of his pants. Her mouth went dry as she pondered his size.

After a moment, Heero moved from under the truck and went to the well at the back of the barn. Lea followed as silently as she could to the other barn door and found Heero pouring bucket of water onto himself. Lea nearly swooned and slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a moan. Heero looked like something out of those fashion magazines. His body glistened from the water giving him an enchanting bonus to his sexual appeal. ‘A bronzed Adonis!’ her mind whimpered. In order to keep her wits about her, Lea retreated to her workshop.

He had noticed Lea watching him, which is why he went to the well. He wanted to make sure what he heard her whisper so seductively the other night wasn’t his imagination. Hearing her stifle her moan was enough evidence for him. He even did a mental jump for joy as he heard her leave. Heero didn’t like being the only one constantly aroused by a mere glance. The attraction he had for her was growing. He was trying his best to keep hands to himself. He half praised and half cursed her for hiding in her workshop or house. By the end of the first week, Heero was having second thoughts about working for Lea.

~::*::~

A sense of desire, lust, and need washed over Quatre as he sat beside Relena. The two diplomatic ambassadors were traveling from a fancy event that was for helping orphaned children throughout the Earth and space. Quatre was preoccupied with how the Cinq Kingdom would fit in the grand scheme of things when the emotions flooded him. He could tell that they were not his emotions. There was an odd twang of unfamiliarity in them, as if the actual person wasn’t use or want to them. ‘Heero…’ It had to be him again but what would make him feel like that?

“Quatre?”

He snapped to attention, “Yes.”

Relena eyed him questionably. “What is it? You went silent all of a sudden.”

Quatre hesitated, “Sorry. I was lost in thought. Did you say something?”

“Oh, just thank you for taking over for a week.” She smiled sheepishly, “But you didn’t have to stay away the whole time.”

He laughed, “You had a very demanding schedule. Ever thought about letting me handle a little bit more of the chaos?”

“Chaos!” Relena said, sounding hurt. “Well… I guess you could call it chaos. Are you sure you can handle it?”

Quatre slid closer to Relena, trapping her between the limo’s wall and himself. “Is that a challenge?”

Relena’s heart skipped a few beats. Sure, Quatre was playful but not like this! Quatre looked like a wolf on the hunt. His normally pleasant features were set in a heated stare. His breath was controlled, yet heavy. She knew that look all to well but it was on the wrong person. Relena gulped, “Qua-?”

Quatre silenced Relena with a forceful kiss. It was completely unlike him to be so rough. He held her head still with one hand as the other snaked around to the back of her dress. Skilled fingers unfastened the row of hooks and eyes as Quatre’s tongue invaded Relena’s mouth. She became excited and fearful at once. Her mind was screaming the fact that this was wrong but her body was quickly silencing it. Quatre kissed, licked, and nipped his way to her breasts. Relena didn’t even remember when they had become exposed. Without warning, she was pulled onto his lap and made to straddle him. Relena didn’t mind the attention but this wasn’t her husband. “Quatre, stop. Please…”

The fear in Relena’s voice snapped him out of is arousal. In one swift motion, Quatre slid to the other side of the limo. One look at the ravished Relena sent Quatre’s stomach reeling. She had bruise marks on her neck and the tops of her breasts where he had bitten too hard.

“Oh, Allah!” There was great remorse in his voice. “I’m sorry. It’s… it’s…”

Relena gently took his hand in hers once she had put herself back together. “It’s alright,” she soothed. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“I don’t.”

Quatre lightly tightened his grip on Relena’s hand. Whatever it was affecting Heero was cutting into him as well. Which meant one thing: Heero was bottling his feelings again and it was spilling into Quatre. Heero had to be found and the situation dealt with fast before his emotions would overrun Quatre.

~::*::~

“You think what?” Trowa demanded as his mind finally snapped out of his sleepy stupor. Quatre had called in the middle of the night - the middle of the night for Mead Colony that is - seeming a little panicked. At first, Trowa had thought nothing of it, thinking that it was just Quatre needing to vent. Now, he new better.

“I think Heero’s falling in love and doesn’t want to admit it,” the blond repeated. He looked beyond tired. “You’ve got to help me find him, Trowa. He’s driving me insane! I can’t sleep. I can’t even go near Relena without pouncing on her!” Quatre ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I’ve got Duo and WuFei keeping their eyes open.” His bright blue eyes fogged over, “Allah, how does he shut out such strong emotions as these.”

Trowa felt a pang of guilt. If what he was saying was true, then… “I know where he is. I’ve been meaning to visit him anyways.”

Quatre looked like he had heard the greatest news of his life. “You have?!? Where is he? How soon can you contact him? Will he be able to talk to me? Do you know what’s going on with him?”

“Calm down!” Trowa laughed. “I’ll see him as soon as I can and will tell you everything afterwards. Do you really think Heero’s in love?”

Trowa and Quatre stared at each other for a few seconds before Quatre nodded. “Yes, why?”

Trowa turned into his casual self and waved a nonchalant hand, “Let me check on my hunch. I’ll fill you in later.”

“Fine. Just don’t take too long. I don’t know how long I can maintain my sanity.”

Trowa sat back in his chair and stared at the blank screen. When he had heard Heero was in search of himself, Trowa felt a great need to help. Heero was a brother to Trowa, distant but a brother and he didn’t like seeing him so alone. The love of Kathren and his lover, Pramjeet, had helped him heal some pretty deep wounds that wouldn’t around the others. Trowa figured that the same might help Heero as well. Yet, he never expected Heero to find it in the arms of Lea Zikamo. Had she told him everything about her tragic past? Was it true that they had found peace within each other?

~::*::~

“I’m sorry I haven’t stopped by earlier.”

“It’s alright, Mr. Barton. I understand that you’re a very busy man.” Lea smiled warmly as she led him to a chair on the porch. “I’m afraid that you have missed Heero. He’s gone near the back of the garden.”

“That’s fine,” Trowa flashed another charming smile. Lea had called Heero by his first name. Not many had the honor to do so. “I came here to speak to you.”

“Of course,” she whispered, trying to keep her cool. Not very many hansom men had graced Lea’s life. Now in less than a month, both Trowa and Heero had shown up at her doorstep. Lea didn’t know whether to consider herself lucky or cursed. “Care for something to drink?”

Trowa noted her blush and decided to test her. “No, thank you,” he said, turning up the charm a bit. “I’m fine.”

‘Why, yes you are,’ Lea thought, keeping her features neutral. “Please, have a seat,” she motioned to an armchair on the porch.

Once seated, Trowa pulled out his note pad. “Let’s see now. It’s been a week since I dropped off Mr. Yuy. How well would you say he has taken to the job?” Trowa locked eyes with Lea. “Would you say that he’s adapted well or has trouble with the tasks assigned to him?”

Lea smiled brightly, “Heero’s never complained about any task and has finished each one well above my expectations. Hell, the man has fixed Dad’s old truck and that thing hasn’t run for years. The garden hasn’t looked this good since Mom and Dad passed away.” Lea became distant for a few seconds. Trowa felt a pang of sympathy for her. She took a deep breath, “Really he’s a godsend. It’s good to have more than one person in the house. I just hope I’m not boring him to death.”

“You would know,” Trowa said before realizing what he had done.

“It’s alright,” Lea said to his sheepish grin. “I figured you knew him. That’s mostly why I haven’t sent him back to you.”

“Oh?”

“Yes,” she answered with a delicate smile. “I figure that you wouldn’t steer your friend wrong, which means you would have some trust in me.”

Trowa nodded his approval. “That’s quite correct, Ms. Zikamo.” His voice was soft and kind, which made Lea blush. “Would you want to keep Heero on as your caretaker?”

Lea smiled wickedly. The word “keep” sparked highly intimate thoughts in her head, particularly the one where Heero poured water over his bare scared chest. ‘Caretaker, Lea! He said caretaker.’ “Yes, I would like to hire him on permanently.”

Her hesitation and wicked smile didn’t go unnoticed. Trowa had said, “keep” to get a reaction from Lea. There was a good chance that Lea was attracted to Heero but Trowa doubted love. “Very good. The necessary paper work will be sent as soon as I get back to the office. Once again, I must apologize. I won’t be able to deliver them in person.”

“No need for apologizes. As I said before, I understand.” Lea paused again, this time in thought. “Do you mind giving Heero the good news before you leave? With the fair coming up, I’m afraid that I will need all the time I can get.”

Warning bells rang in Trowa’s head. ‘Now, why would she give a glowing report about Heero and not want to tell him?’ “Don’t mind at all.”

“Thank you, Mr. Barton,” Lea flashed him one of her warm, charming smiles. Trowa was dazzled by how beautiful it made her, but was able to hide it. She took a deep breath and motioned down a path. “Follow that path. It will lead you to Heero.”

“Thank you,” Trowa said with a slight bow and left.

‘Get a grip!’ Lea chastised herself. ‘There is no way you are going to snag Mr. Barton or Heero. They are way out of your league!’

~::*::~

Heero gave a double take as Trowa approached him. “You said a couple of days,” he half growled and went back to trimming the bushes.

“Not everything can be controlled,” Trowa simply answered. A small smile played at the corner of his lips. Here he was, Mr. Invincible, sweating away under the fake sunlight for yet another woman. Trowa silently began praying… “Ms. Zikamo gave you great praise. She said that you are a godsend.”

Heero paused for a few minutes, processing the new information. Finally, a frown got the better of him. “She’s been avoiding me like the plaque.”

“Oh?” Trowa clasped his hands behind his back, crossing his fingers. “She’s sounded quite found of you. In fact, she’s hiring you on permanently.”

Heero stared at the house as if he could see Lea. It was obvious that he was having trouble believing this. He was sure that after his little display at the well, she would get rid of him. After a few more minutes of silence he shrugged and went back to work. “Lea seems a little… shy around me. Or she really likes her workshop.”

‘So, they are on first name bases. I wonder…’ “Do you want to be assigned somewhere else? I could see if there is an opening with the weather charters or Mead Colony operations…”

“No.” The answer wasn’t immediate but it was firm.

Trowa kept his smile soft. Attraction was there then. He was still doubtful that Heero was in love with Lea, though. He watched Heero for a few minutes. Never in his entire friendship with Heero had Trowa seen him content with anything other than battle. He had always figured Heero was never going to conform to peace. Yet, here he was, doing something… peaceful! Trowa was about to say good-bye when Heero stopped and stared thoughtfully at him.

“Is it all right to have … ” Heero paused to find the right words. “Never mind,” he mumbled and moved on to the next shrub.

“Heero?” Trowa prodded.

He sighed, “I’m having odd dreams about her.”

Trowa blinked. That was unexpected. There were two people Heero would open up to: Duo and Relena. Quatre was there by default. Not wanting to be left out, Trowa asked, “Intimate dreams?”

“Yes,” he growled.

Inwardly, Trowa danced a jig. His expression, though, was calm and contemplative. “I see.”

“Why do I feel like such a pervert?” Heero continued to frown and hacked at the poor shrub. “I can’t sleep at night. I can’t be in the same room as her. Just hearing her say my name…” he dropped his arms and head in defeat. “I don’t know what to do. I work for her.”

‘That’s almost exactly what Quatre said. No… It couldn’t be!’ “That never stopped you with Relena.” Trowa stepped back when Heero shot him his trademark Death Glare. Trowa held up his hands in surrender, “Just kidding. Look. You’ve never seen yourself worthy of something like love. Part of why you left Relena the way you did.”

“You’ve been talking to Quatre,” Heero said with a snort.

Trowa smiled apologetically. “He confesses so easily. You, though, shouldn’t feel guilty. Ms. Zikamo is a very lovely woman.”

For some unknown reason, Heero felt possessive of Lea. He had only known her for scarcely over a week, eaten her food, and watched her fall asleep in her chair as she knitted. He could watch her for hours and listen to her voice for even longer. He longed for the morning and dreaded bedtime. And right now he didn’t like the way Trowa was talking about his Lea. His Lea… Heero shut his eyes. Ah, kuso! “I’ve got to finish this part of the garden today. Lea wants to go into town tomorrow.”

“Right,” Trowa nodded. He had seen the realization register in Heero. ‘Perhaps things are as Quatre said’. “Call me if you need anything.”

Heero didn’t respond. For a few minutes, he stared at the mauled shrub before him, his mind replaying the conversation. How could he, in less than two weeks, fall in love with a woman he hardly knew? Ok… correction. He had learned some things but was it enough to fall in love? That was something he had to have answered right away.

~::*::~

Alright! This is moving a long nicely. Chapter 4 already! More massive changes are on the way. Do these changes work or should I stick with the original work?

Arigato

~Jasmine
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Being Human