Switch (Part 3)

Circus

"I will take the risks," Trowa asserted on the phone, trying to find a way to get on a shuttle to go to the colonies. The quarantine between the Earth and the colonies was tricky to get through. For one, for emergencies only, there were some non-contaminated stations where no trace had been found. Those were the only way to get through, and since there weren't many, the price had increased exponentially. It zig zagged a strange way, and created a barrier of wait times nearly five days long.

Trowa had to find a way up there. Whatever lies they told Middie, he had to find her and clear the air about it. Not only that, but he needed her on Earth to take a test, to discover her truth. So far, Duo was cleared and so was Wufei. He had just heard from Heero and Quatre though. Both Relena and Dorothy still seemed to be pregnant, but it couldn't be said with total accuracy. Relena also wasn't with Heero anymore, he was playing his own way through the problem, leaving her with Zeches now.

Meanwhile, Trowa waited on the phone as they checked through what was available and how much. Cost wouldn't matter, Quatre already said he'd put in any help Trowa needed. He just needed to find a way up. He strolled over to his bed, still waiting for an answer.

From the day he lost her, he had already become prepared when he found her again. She should have been there, that night, safely in the boxed in bed area he made to prevent anyone trying to get to her at night.

It was unexpected that Duo had found her, but he was grateful. At least now he had something to go on. Quatre had also been aware of Gin and Middie now too, but he didn't want to worry Dorothy about it. His security was tight, and Quatre was still on the premises.

Middie. She had tried to escape her past, but RTL was forcing her back into it. I can't let her get away with this. It would damage not only her, but Quatre too. Middie didn't even know Dorothy Catalonia was pregnant.

Duo was fine though. He seemed to have more bounce in his voice last they spoke again. He wasn't leaving with his friend back to the colonies until he knew for sure she was okay and quarantine was lifted. Wufei hadn't contacted him again, but Heero stated that the woman Mei-Lin wasn't having Wufei's child. Her test should be completely accurate having only lived in the colonies. Wufei planned on testing in one more week, then she would be freed. Until then, he hadn't even planned on sleeping in the same bed.

That sounded like a mistake.

 "Knock knock." Catherine came to his tent. "Trowa? How are you doing?" She looked over toward his boxed-in bedding. "I bet that's a pain to take down between shows." Trowa didn't respond. "I wish I could make things better for you. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes." Trowa turned. "If I get a hold of her, she is staying with me 24/7."

"Well, if she's carrying your baby, sure," Catherine said. "I'm sure we'll have to get it figured out. Once she takes the test though, maybe this will be over."

"No," Trowa disagreed. "If it's negative, it means I have a better chance of beating RTL, but I won't let her out of my sight or they will just try something again. Until RTL is brought to justice, I can't risk letting her go."

"Oh." Catherine sounded disappointed. "You mean no matter what, that dirty little spy has to be here?" She looked toward the bed. "What if she tries something at night against you?"

"It wouldn't be in her best interest since I am the one protecting her," Trowa reminded her.

"Well, I didn't exactly mean try to kill you." Catherine groaned. "I don't trust her, Trowa. Don't get too close to her."

"That's . . . not a problem right now."

"Oh, I didn't mean to! To drag up losing her. Again." Catherine looked disappointed in herself. "You should talk to the ringmaster, Trowa. We don't get along with regular people on the outside very much. That's why you picked the carnival in the first place."

"I know that, Cathy," Trowa said affectionately. "I will deal with her presence here, if it becomes a problem." If. It was the 'if' that was the hard part.

"Mister Trowa Barton?"

There. He got in on the phone. "Yes, I'm still here. This is an emergency, so did you find something?" Trowa asked. "As soon as possible." There was only one thing that would be letting Trowa in. It was something he didn't want to use, but without some political influence, it would be positive to work.

Duo made it obvious. Middie was in bad condition. Duo had said her leg was funny, her face was smashed up and she had bruises all over. With a small amount of guidance with Heero, he managed to get himself in officially as someone looking for Duo's half-brother Gin, for suspicion of abuse.

"We have a route for you, and we might have found the person you are looking for," the voice on the phone answered. "A suspicious man and woman. She is even sleeping now with her face covered in a hoodie."

"I need along that route, right away. Please do not intercept them, just make sure they cannot leave," Trowa demanded.

"Yes, Sir. We will be waiting. We will not approach."

"Good." Trowa got the details and hung up. "I am going after Middie Une, Cathy. I am bringing her here. Anything management needs to talk about, I will. Could you please pick up a pregnancy test for me?"

"Now? Trowa, it's almost time for the last show tonight," Catherine urged him. "You're going to collect the spy now?"

"Yes. Her name is Middie. Middie Une," Trowa reminded her. "I'll be back."

Hopefully, this time, with her.