Torn
By
Captain Anonymous

Lt. Norton walked up the stairs to the front door of his house, it was late but since the lights were on, it seemed that someone was still awake. He lightly knocked and waited. Trowa had called him earlier this afternoon, saying that he had something that he wanted Norton to take to Colonel Townsend. Since Norton would be working late tonight, he decided to stop by to get what Trowa had.
The door opened, Norton looked wide eyed at the woman standing in front of him. Catherine looked at the young Preventer as he stood, on the porch.
"You must be who Trowa was expecting, why don't you come in."
Norton said nervously, "Thank you."
He came into the house and waited nervously, as Catherine called Trowa. He looked around the main room, noticing the circus posters on the wall. Catherine came back into the room and said, "Trowa will be down in a minute, just had to date the papers he wanted to give you."
Catherine took a deep breathe as she looked at the young officer, wearing a Preventer jacket that hung open. Seeing him made her think of Ordway. It seemed everytime she saw Ordway, he wore his Preventer jacket. Even the first time they met, he wore a similar jacket. When Trowa had first started working again as a Preventer, Catherine came to see him at work. While she was there, she was introduced to that young officer. At first she didn't notice his arm, she wouldn't notice it until the first time he held her in his arms. Catherine could still sometimes feel the heavy metal arm on her shoulder, and expected Ordway to be standing behind her. She sighed, Ordway was gone.
Trowa came into the room, and handed the folder to Norton. "Here are the papers, all are properly filled out, signed and dated." Norton didn't even look in the folder, he held it under his arm. "I'll take them to Townsend. He's working late tonight. We've been put on call. Sally Po's unit was out tonight tracking down a splinter unit of the Epyon De Telos. Norton wants to be in, incase they come in with some prisoners, or need help. God knows, they gave us a hand a few times when we fighting Kurt."
Trowa nodded, he knew Wufei was part of her unit. "They didn't send out our unit this time then." Norton shook his head, "With you and Mitchell gone, I'm the only field officer Townsend has left. Seems that we'll be getting some time off. After what happened last year, I don't think we can complain."
Norton looked around the room again, "I'll be going soon, got to get back. Oh, how's the baby doing?"
Trowa smiled, "She's fine, Midii's feeding her now."
Norton smiled, "Glad to hear it Trowa. Better get going now." Norton snapped to attention. "Lt. Barton, Ms. Bloom."
Trowa watched as Norton disappeared across the lawn to his car that parked on the street. He closed the door. Catherine looked at Trowa, "Is something wrong Trowa?"
Trowa almost wanted to go find Norton and tell him the papers he gave him were a hoax. Tell him that it wasn't true.
"Nothing is wrong, just had to get something down. Don't worry about it Cathy."

-------
Johnnie looked at his watch, 19:40, she was ten minutes late. He paced up and down the street, waiting. Part of him couldn't believe that he was doing this, waiting for a girl like her. He had always considered people like her the enemy. When he had been fighting during the great war, the enemy always seemed to be OZ and Romafeller. Marlene was part of the Winner family, one of the richest families from the colonies. It was because of them, that weapons like the Gundams and mobile dolls were developed. After Midii was gone, Johnnie went out and fought for any side that would be able to pay him enough to feed his family. It seemed ironic, the reason that his father got rid of Midii was because she had become a spy. Johnnie had been no better then Midii, having to kill to feed his family. Johnnie could still remember the day that Midii left, he had been close to his sister, and knew that she had done what she had to help them. He never forgave his father for what he did to Midii, maybe if he didn't drink so much, he would have gotten better, so they could have been a family.
Johnnie was glad that they were together finally, as a family. He was glad that Midii had found someone, and that she was a mother, she was never happier. Johnnie held nothing against Trowa, but still couldn't face Catherine. It was just so much different, he never faced anyone in a fight a like that, never that close to someone. He had taken his life and left Catherine alone. Nothing anyone could say could erase that guilt.
Johnnie bit his lip, it was painful just thinking about it. During the war he spent most of his time part of an anti mobile suit unit. More less they would pelt mobile suits with Molotov cocktails, since that was the only weapon that was available to the rebel units. Johnnie had seen a mobile suit stopped by one these units, most of the time the gasoline would burn up on the armor plates, not doing any damage to the suit. Johnnie could still smell the gasoline as it burned, no matter how long he lived, he would never forget that.
Johnnie had heard that Marlene's father had been killed during the war, it seemed her family had been like many others, losing someone important. But when it all ended, she was able to go back into space, or return to Earth, and never have to work a day in her life. While that happened, many of the soldiers were left standing, no where to go after the final peace was declared. There wasn't enough money, leaving many to join up with various factions. He often thought about Marlene, if she would understand what he had up until recently to feed his brothers. If she was going to understand what it was like, she would have to burn.

Johnnie looked up as Marlene came walking over, "Sorry I'm late, had to deal with my brother's personal guard. With the way they hover over him, you'd think that he saved their lives or something." Johnnie smiled slightly, he was glad to see her. "Don't worry about it."
They walked down the dark street, Marlene said, "I'm glad you decide to call me again, I was thinking about you." Johnnie looked at her, just now noticing what she was wearing. Her skirt and thin blouse looked like they had been made specially for her, along with a long jacket. Johnnie almost felt embarrassed, he still wore an old Alliance cold weather coat, he got when he was with Kurt. It didn't seem that bad, since nearly every Preventer he saw was currently wearing the high OZ boots, evidently the Preventers found an old stock of them.
"I really wanted to see you again."
Marlene looked at Johnnie, "I wanted to ask you something. Well, ever since I met you, you seemed nice, but you also seemed upset, like something was bothering you."
Johnnie took a deep breathe, "I've got some blood on my hands, I really don't want to talk about it."
Johnnie stood silent for a moment, "I hurt someone, it wasn't meant to happen like that, but it did. I was the one to blame, that's why I'm guilt stricken. No matter what I do, I'll never atone for that sin."
Marlene walked beside Johnnie, trying to find the words to say. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...."
Johnnie looked at her, "Don't worry about it."

It was nearly 22:00 when Johnnie had walked Marlene home, he looked on at the large house, one of many the Winner family owned. "I'll see you tomorrow, it was really nice to seeing you again Marlene." He looked at her with his pale blue eyes, as she moved slowly towards him.
"It was nice seeing you. I'm really sorry about before."
Johnnie looked away from her, "Don't worry, I guess it can help if I talk about it. But I don't want to trouble you."
"I don't know what you have done, but I can see that you sorry for it. I'm sure whoever you have hurt in the past will forgive you. You have good soul."
Marlene kissed Johnnie, he could feel her lips as they pressed against his, he could taste her lipstick. All logic seemed to go to hell for that moment, Johnnie moved his arms around her and pulled her body closer to his. Johnnie could feel her hands against the material of his coat. Marlene slowly moved her head back and laid it on Johnnie's shoulder. She whispered into his ear, "Better get going, don't want to wake up my brothers guards." Johnnie smiled, "Goodnight."
Johnnie watched as Marlene trotted up the stairs to the door, quickly waving to him before going inside.
Johnnie stared blankly at the house for a moment. He didn't know what he should be thinking. Was he doing the right the thing? Did Marlene understand? The darkness gave him no real answers, he walked away, taking one last glance at the house.

-----
Sally looked over the warehouse, no movement. She lowered her binoculars and looked to Wufei. "It appears that they don't have any guards posted. If we move in quick, we should be able to take them out quickly."
Wufei smiled as he looked over the position, "They'll regret that mistake."
Sally looked at the Chinese Gundam pilot as he reached for his sword. "I'm going to leave this unit to you, I'll be done on the other post. I want your unit to go in first, with the other section in support to help mop up."
Wufei nodded, "Right."
Sally walked down the line to where Lt. Nichol was standing, looking rather impatient as he waited. He looked at Sally as she walked over to him. "Are you sure you want to leave him in command of that wing, he has the least command experience of any officer in the unit."
Sally looked at Nichol, he had been an OZ officer, and a former aid to Lady Une. He was bitter, and had been that way for some time it seemed. He had been like many of the higher ranking OZ officers from Europe. Many had prized there nobility, but as the great war ended, the ranks that had been given by Romafeller had become almost meaningless, especially to the combat soldiers. He seen first hand what the Gundams could do, he hand been one of the few survivors of OZ's space fortress barge. It fueled his distaste for the Gundam pilots even more.

Sally watched as Wufei's unit moved across the open parking lot of the warehouse, covering ground as quickly as possible. Wufei moved across the line, shouting orders, and moving his unit into position at the main entrance of the warehouse, before disappearing inside.
Sally turned to Nichol, "They're in. Lets go."
The unit crossed the open area, under the pale light of the street lamps. As the Preventers ran, the sound of their heavy equipment clanked. It didn't seem real, almost if they were going in slow motion. It had been nearly a minute since Wufei went in, and no shots had been fired. Maybe the warehouse was empty, or they had been able to stop them without a fight.
The sound of shattering glass rang out over the parking lot. Sally turned to see her unit fall to the ground, taking the safety's off there weapons, preparing to return fire. Sally kept on her feet, staying in front of the unit. Nichol yelled, "Damn it, Po, get down!"
Sally raised her pistol, Wufei and his unit were already inside. She wasn't going to lose them. "Let's go."
Sally kept going toward the main entrance, slowly in a single wave, the unit followed her. She was the first one into the door, taking cover as shots snapped at the crates around her. In front of her, she could see Wufei's unit pinned down. But there was no sign of the Gundam pilot. They fired back sporadically, slowly gaining ground. Sally watched as the support units entered the warehouse providing fire support to the Wufei's group.
Sally fired her pistol, directing the effort, watching as the crates were splintered by the hail of bullets.

Out of the smoke came a white flag, they were done. Sally stood, "Cease fire."
Slowly the word went down the line and the assault rifles and pistols fell silent. "Lt. Nichol, take your group and round up the prisoners."
Sally walked over to where the Epyon De Telos unit had been fighting, stepping over the bodies of the dead. Large puddles of blood soaked the floor. She got to the back of the warehouse where she saw Wufei standing. He was covered in blood. It took Sally a moment to realize that it wasn't his blood. Wufei walked over to her, holding his blood stained sword in his hand. Sally said, "The warehouse is secure. I'm going to have the other unit sweep the area. Are you all right?"
Wufei nodded, "I need some air." Sally looked at the Gundam pilot as he calmly walked past her towards the door.
She followed him and saw him stand out in the parking lot where they had started, still holding his sword.
Wufei looked up at the sky, it was moments like these that were most difficult for warriors. "Nataku, blood is still being spilled in the name of justice. I'm afraid that I'm stained in it." Wufei walked back inside to help with the clean up. The situation was secure.
---

It was nearly 4:30, Trowa held Marie in his arms, rocking her to sleep. Most of the time when Marie was crying, Midii would hold her. But with all she had been doing,
Midii needed some rest. Trowa wrapped the extra pink blanket around the small angel in his arms, smiling down at her as she went back to sleep. It still seemed hard for him to see himself as a father, he never really thought of himself as anything other then a soldier.
Trowa hadn't told Midii yet that he resigned his commission with the Preventer agency. It was probably one the hardest choices he would have to make, but it seemed to be the right choice. He loved Midii, and he loved Marie, there was no way he would leave them. For some time now, Trowa had been losing faith in being a soldier. It had been the career that he had done all of his life, but it seemed now that this was more important to him. He didn't want Midii and Marie to be alone.
Over the last year, it become clear that he was longer suited for being a Preventer. After Ordway and Course were killed, there was a feeling of emptiness. Now with Mitchell being assigned as personal guard to Sylvia Noventa, he was not going to take part in any more operations. The only way he could, is if Sylvia released him, but there was no way in hell she would allow Mitchell to take part in another blood bath like that. It seemed Mitchell would eventually resign, the same way Trowa did.
Mitchell and Sylvia had come over earlier that day, to see if they could help with anything. Mitchell seemed nervous around Marie, and didn't hold her for very long, as if he was worried he might do something wrong and hurt her. Trowa had become friends with Mitchell, and it seemed both Sylvia and Mitchell had known Midii from the times during the war. Trowa was glad to see Mitchell happy and would probably be a matter of time before he and Sylvia would get married. When he first met Mitchell, he always seemed quiet and kept to himself. Ordway had known Mitchell for short time longer, and told Trowa a little bit about Mitchell and the tests they made on the Epyon. Ordway didn't know all the details, but it seemed that he had deep mental scars from that experience. Mitchell never talked about it. Trowa had piloted the Wing Zero, with high levels of testing they would have been doing on Mitchell for a similar system, it was no suprise that still carried the wounds from that. When he met Sylvia, he had changed. He couldn't hide his pain any longer. She had become Mitchell's guardian angel. Midii had talked with Sylvia. He seemed to be doing better now, but the scars were still there. He would often have nightmares, of the Epyon trying to convince him to fight, showing him his "enemies." It was often too much. Sylvia would often hold him in her arms, like an angel watching over him.
Mitchell had been his comrade and friend. It seemed looking back, most of the soldiers he had known were dead. If things kept up like this, Trowa would most likely be a causality. Even if he didn't, the thought seeing more his friends die seemed unnerving. Still, he was torn between his love for Midii, and his remaining comrades. Townsend had done a lot to help him, Norton had been a good soldier as well. But with Mitchell not part of the unit, and Course and Ordway gone, it just seemed that was one of the chosen few left. Even for the Gundam pilots, that had given so much during the war, only two had been left in combat situations. Heero, Duo and Quatre had gotten married, and distanced themselves from this. Now with Trowa gone, only Wufei remain in the agency.
Trowa looked at Marie's face, she had his green eyes, and it seemed that her hair was coming in blonde, she was probably going to look more like her mother. Maybe now that Trowa had resigned, he and Midii could get married. They had often talked about it, but with the problems at the Preventer agency, and Midii's pregnancy with Marie, there just never seemed to be a right time.
Trowa carried Marie into her room, and laid her gently into her crib. As Trowa leaned down to pull the blankets over, he lightly kissed her on the forehead.
Trowa walked out of the room, careful not to make any noise.
Trowa had often worried that they would be together, that at some point they one of them would be forced to leave. With Marie now born, it seemed both Midii and Trowa were cemented together. Midii wouldn't leave her brothers or her daughter. Now with Trowa out of the service, it seemed that they would be together as a family, something that Trowa never had growing up.

To be continued.