Enclosed Heart, Hidden Treasures
Part One: By Chance...

20-05-12
Author’s Note: Here is story four, part one, of the five mini-stories that I'm writing. The characters are derived from the Gundam Wing Anime (meaning they aren't mine) except for the teacher, students, and Thaliah. So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as the other stories!

A soft knock resounded through the office.

"Come in," answered a low baritone voice.

A tall lanky senior student went inside with a big smile, "Professor Trowa, you're in! I thought you're not in your office yet!"

A soft smile flashed on Trowa's face, "Hey Leonnard. How was your winter break?"

The student sat on one of the chair in front of Trowa's desk, "It was great!!! The scenic route you told us to take was really breathtaking!"

Trowa nodded, "I'm glad you liked it."

"How did you know about that route?"

That soft smile flashed once again as Trowa remembered his travels with the circus, "I've been around…"

The student nodded, respecting his professor's silent wish, "By the way, I've told a lot of my friends to take your class! You are going to have a full load on your hands this semester!" he announced cheerfully.

Trowa shook his head, "More work for me, eh?"

Leonnard laughed, "You are the best Aerospace Engineering teacher this school ever had! Why wouldn't we take advantage of you?"

Trowa put on a stern look as he stood up. "Leonnard, I suggest you go to your class right now!" he ordered.

Leonnard gave one last smile at Trowa as he gave a salute, "Yes sir!" and quickly went out of the office and straight to his first class.

Trowa silently laughed at one of his best student's antics. He sat back down on his desk. Still having an hour before his first class, Trowa opened one of the drawers in his desk and took out a foldable picture frame.

He traced the face of the close-up picture of a wavy brown haired girl, "Congratulations on your engagement, Catherine…sister…" he said as he glanced on the letter on his desk that Catherine had written, announcing her good news.

Then, he looked at the picture of a young man in his early twenties with a boyish and angelic air, almost the same age as he is… "Well, Quatre… I hope you're doing fine in outer space…"

He leaned back in his chair as he remembered his past. Though sadness dominated, he was able to know many memorable and true friends.

He stood up and went to the window of his office. Looking down, he saw the mobs of teenagers going to this school and remembered being at their age. That instead of going to school with love and laughter, he was given a responsibility where he almost lost himself in the process…

"I'm glad Heero thought of this plan…" Trowa said to him self as he remembered what Heero had said two years ago at colony H-4.

"You know, Trowa, I think this will be good for you…" and he handed Trowa a piece of paper, "I know that you don't need a job, financially, you're more than wealthy. But, I think, that you might need a little cheering up…" Heero watched Trowa as he read the paper.
"You want me to be a teacher?" Trowa had asked in disbelief.
Heero stayed silent, then turned around, "Just call me when you made up your mind."
That night, Trowa called Heero, "I'll take it… I don't know why, but I will."
Trowa had a feeling that Heero nodded, "I'll take care of everything. All you need to do is to show up… What subject would you like to teach?"
Silence… "Engineering… Aerospace."
"All right… Go to that school on Monday…" Heero was about to hang up when,
"Heero."
"Yeah."
"Don't tell Quatre, all right? I know that he's been worrying about me… But, I just, I want to try this out for myself first… I'll still keep in touch with Quatre of course, but…"
"I understand, Trowa… Don't worry. I won't tell a soul." Came that calm voice. They hang up…

The four of them, Duo, Quatre, Heero and himself, still met during the agreed annual reunion-of-sorts as partners in their business venture. But, for the past two years that he has been teaching in this school, he has never told Quatre about it…

Ever since he started, teaching wasn't a job… It was more like a past time. He feels great to see and feel the happiness of so many aspiring students, so unlike the desperation he had felt most of the time…

And it helped… Being with so many cheerful people, and students who had claimed him to be their best teacher had helped him to forget the sadness that usually invaded his heart and to ease the nightmares that crept upon his subconscious during nights…

He doesn't want to think about it… 'Not right now… I shouldn't let it haunt me during the mornings… It's already bad that it dominates my nights, but I won't let it dominate my days…' Trowa told himself as he shook his head.

He looked at his watch… twenty minutes till his next class… Maybe he should start getting ready in the classroom… With that thought in mind, he shrugged his coat on top of his turtleneck shirt and picked up his case to head for class…

"Oh my God, oh my god… oh god…" came the stream of muttering from Thaliah's mouth as she sped up the stairs to her class.

"How can I be so stupid?! First day. First day! And I'm late, darn it! (She opened the main door and noticed that no one was out side the hall way) Shoot! I can't believe this! (running faster) I knew I shouldn't have seen that movie last night! But noooo! I didn't listen to myself. (She nearly slipped) I had to go and watch another weepy romantic story (she rounded a corner) that I-"

BANG!

"Oooof!" Thaliah suddenly fell on her backside and she grimaced as pain shot through her.

Trowa felt the breath knocked out of him as he staggered to remain balanced and standing up. "What the-!" he exclaimed in surprise as he looked in front of him to see the guilty person. He didn't see anyone and he frowned.

Thaliah's hand went to the side of her backside and gingerly rubbed it to stop the pain. "Ooohhh…." She moaned.

Trowa heard the moan and looked down. Sprawled in front of him is a shapely student with wavy light brown hair tied in a ponytail, who was, at the moment, rubbing her, Trowa was positive, hurting backside.

Her black skirt is hiked up higher than her mid thigh- 'Nice legs'- probably because of her fall. Trowa frowned, did he just think of nice legs? He looked down at the student once again, and, well… it's true…

Trowa frowned once again, 'He's seen legs before. Damn it, he's lived at a circus! Catherine even wears shorter skirts than that…' Forcing his eyes to her face he offered his hand.

"Here, let me help you up."

Thaliah looked up as she heard a deep voice asking if she needs help, and saw two serious, deep forest-green eyes. She looked away. 'Darn!' Thaliah cursed to herself mentally, 'What else can go wrong? I made a total idiot of myself in front of someone (she looked at Trowa once again) who is definitely gorgeous!'

"I- I'm so sorry…" she replied as she placed her hand into his. A slight tingle went up her spine at the contact of his hand- softly calloused hand… Then she was standing up. Quickly, she let go of his hand, before he could feel her tremble.

"I really am sorry."

Trowa shook his head, "It's all right. No one got hurt- except maybe…" Trowa looked at her significantly, and Thaliah blushed.

Deciding to make the matter light, she giggled nervously, "Yeah…tell me about it…" and unconsciously, her hand went to the side of her backside again. Then, she stopped as she remembered the person standing in front of her, looking at her.

Trowa noticed the action, bringing a smile to his face as he remembered the times he himself had fallen on that particular anatomical part when he was doing his flips.

Then, going to the matter at hand, he looked at the girl's light brown eyes, "You know, there's a rule about running in the hall ways."

Thalia sighed and looked at the floor, "I know, it's just that-" she didn't finish.

"You're late- I know the bell rang about 45 minutes ago."

Sudden realization dawned on Thaliah. 'If he's out in the hall ways… that means…' "You're a teacher!" she almost screeched out loud, remembering that there are classes going around at the last minute she just whispered loudly.

'Why wouldn't the Earth swallow me up when I want to disappear?!' she thought to herself.

Trowa, not noticing her discomfort just said, "Yes I am. Now, since this is the first day, I'll be lenient. Just go to your classroom and don't run." With that said, Trowa turned around and willed himself to not look at the pixie like face as he walked to his classroom.

Thaliah, on the other hand, buried her face to her hands. "I made a total idiot of myself in front of a fellow teacher… He thinks that I'm a student! Oh God! The way I acted, how can he not think of me in such a way? I am sooo embarrassed!" with that, she started walking- slowly, to her designated classroom.

When she got inside, she was surprised that there wasn't a single student inside… She checked her watch. 10 minutes to 9… frowning, she opened her bag and took out her schedule… Her finger slowly went down the page as she looked for the time of her first class this semester…

"Nine o'clock!!!" she exclaimed in shock. "I read it wrong?!" The paper dropped from her hands as she felt her knees grow weak. She pushed the seat open and let her body fall into it as she remembered the trouble she went through…

"I went through all that embarrassment for nothing…!" she felt like crying, and at the same time punching someone… Not wanting to let her first class see their teacher in such a disgusting state as crying she reached for her bag and placed it squarely in the middle of her desk.

Standing up, she took some potholders from the wall and piled it on top of each other. Then, facing her finished work, she balled her hands into fists and punched the bag and potholders as she counted, "1-2-3….10!"

Feeling better, she placed the potholders back to their designated places, and just finished doing so, when her students started to appear by the door one by one…

Once the room was full, and the bell rang, Thaliah went in front of the room and gave her friendliest smile. As usual, the effect is astounding, though Thaliah didn't know it, but her students decided, right there and then, that they liked her.

Good morning everyone! My name is Thaliah Locklin, and I'm your Culinary Arts teacher…"

Trowa laced his hands on top of his desk as he leaned further into his chair. 'Leonnard is right…' he thought, as only two more seats were not taken from his huge and isolated classroom. 'It is packed…'

The bell rang just as two students hurriedly passed through the doors and went to the last empty seats.

Trowa stood up and went in front of his desk. He looked at the students from left to right, giving them a stern look, making it known who should be respected.

In a low and no nonsense tone, he introduced himself. "My name is Trowa Barton… I am your professor for Aerospace Engineering… I don't want to be called Professor Barton ('because that isn't my real name…' Trowa thought). Call me Trowa or, if you don't feel like being in the first name basis with your teacher, then Professor Trowa."

Once again, he looked at the now pale faces around his classroom. He smiled mentally as he saw the desired effect, knowing exactly what the students are thinking,

"I'm very sure most of you are now thinking, why the hell did I take this class…or what am I doing here? Well, you're here to learn engineering. And believe me… I do not curve grades. I do not like whiny students. I expect you to take this class seriously."

He looked around. "Got it?" he asked with his eyes slanted into slits.

Some heads nodded too scared to voice out an answer.

"I repeat… I am going to make life a living hell out of anyone who does not understand what I just said."

Now, the whole class is nodding. Trowa almost laughed right then and there at the scared looks on his students' faces…

"Now, let's begin." Trowa walked to the middle of his room. "What does Earth have that the outer space do not?"

One hand slowly, and unsurely went up. And Trowa nodded.

"O-outer space… s-sir… you float…"

"That is nearly correct." Trowa said as he went back to his desk… Now for his favorite part… His hand went to the lever hidden from the vision of his students in his desk.

'God! I am so happy I made Heero donate some of my money into making this thing! It always reminds me of home!' Trowa thought.

"There… is…. no…(Trowa pushed the lever) gravity!"

Suddenly, the students started to float out of their seats… The seats didn't move because they were nailed to the floor, and so is his desk.

Trowa saw the look of surprise on each of his students' faces. And slowly, their surprise turned to pleasure as they enjoyed the feeling of weightlessness… Trowa smiled.

"Since we're doing space engineering, I thought I might as well give you people the chance of experiencing this."

Some of his students laughed, and the girls tried vainly to keep their skirts down.

"Now, I will start with my lecture."

"Sir? You're going to give us a lecture like this?" one student, who has his head facing the floor and his feet by the ceiling asked.

Trowa gave a ghost of a smile, "Of course I am. There isn't any reason not to. Just try to feel how to move your body and you will get the hang of it. All I'm asking from each and every one of you is to keep quiet about my teaching skills…"

At this everyone laughed. And Trowa floated toward the board and started writing…

At lunchtime, Thaliah went to the cafeteria to eat. Sitting on one of the open tables, she started to eat. Then, she frowned as she heard some students talking behind her… Curious, she started listening to them, giving a number to each of the voices…

"He is sooo good!" (soft voiced- girl1)

"Yeah, at first I thought I made a huge mistake when I saw his stern face in front of the class!" (tenor type of voice- guy 1)

"And then he did it! I couldn't believe it! It was the most wonderful experience!" (girl 2)

"Man! I am definitely going to outer space!" (guy 2)

"I am going to change my major- that's for sure!" (guy 1)

"He's smart and handsome…" (girl 1 sighed) Thaliah smiled.

"Yeah…" (girl 2 sighed)

"Hey! That's not fair! How can we compete with a professor!" (guy 2) Thaliah is already shaking with barely contained laughter.

"Well, Tony, we can't do anything about it… He is one cool prof." (guy1)

Thaliah shook her head and stood up, 'I guess I've heard enough… Whoever this professor is, he sure got a lot of fans…'

She dumped the contents of her tray into the trashcan and was about to pass by a table when she stopped.

"Mr. Grayson?!" she exclaimed in surprise as she saw a balding man in good physical condition.

The man looked at her and smiled, "Thaliah!"

Thaliah went to Grayson and gave him a hug. "What are you doing here?"

The man smiled, "I could ask you the same question."

Thaliah noticed the man's right arm in a sling and a look of surprise crossed her face, "What happened?!"

Grayson looked at his arm and sighed, "Horse back riding…"

Thaliah nodded in understanding.

"So? What are you doing here, Ms-"

Grayson didn't finish his sentence because Thaliah suddenly grabbed his good hand and squeezed it tightly, her eyes wide with fright.

"Please Mr. Grayson! Don't say it… Just call me Thaliah… please… I don't want anyone to know…"

Grayson looked at one of his old students and saw the panic in her eyes. He nodded in agreement, though he doesn't know why… "Why are you here?"

Thaliah let out a breath of relief and shrugged, "I applied for the open position for the Culinary Arts… It's only for this semester… I just wanted to see if I could get into 'the' best school that only hires 'the' best people…" she said with a triumphant smile.

Grayson licked his lips, "Hm-hmm! They sure picked the best, if they picked you, Thaliah! I can still taste those lemon pies!"

Thaliah laughed, "I'll bake you one tonight. What about you? What've you been up to, other than breaking your bones?"

Grayson smiled sadly, "I'm the fencing teacher here…"

Thaliah clapped her hands, "That's great! Of course you are! You're the best when it comes to fencing- I should know- you taught me everything I know!"

Grayson laughed, "And beat me!"

Thaliah shook her head, "It was pure luck!"

Grayson looked at her incredulously, "Pure luck for five times?!"

Thaliah brought her hands up in surrender, "Okay! It wasn't pure luck… but you were the one who taught me!" she said, not backing down.

Grayson smiled at the compliment, "Thanks Thaliah… You were one of my best students…"

"Yeah, but my brother is better…" she said wistfully.

Mr. Grayson smiled that proud smile of his as he remembered Thaliah's brother, "He should be better, after all, he is the one who will carry on the name…"

Thalia shook her head, "Sometimes… sometimes I feel sorry that he has to do it… Because we never really gave him the chance to live a life he wants… his life was already dedicated to the name the moment he was born…but he never complained… (Thaliah smiled) he never whined about the responsibilities, just did it with that cute smile of his and his kindness and patience…"

Mr. Grayson nodded, "I am proud of the man he has become… Your father would've too…"

Thaliah smiled… "Yes… but enough about my family… What about you? Why is it that I have this feeling that you have a problem?"

Mr. Grayson smiled, "Once again, you hit the mark, Thaliah (he saw her smile) I am in trouble because every semester I do this exhibition with another person who is really good with fencing, but I can't do it this semester because I have this…" he said as he pointed to his arm.

Thaliah frowned and placed her chin on her hand. "When are you going to hold this exhibition?"

"Friday this week… in the morning at 10"

A wide smile spread on Thaliah's face. "I'll be your substitute then… I'm free on Fridays."

Grayson snapped his fingers, "Of course! Thank you Thaliah… Of course, I have to warn you… The person you're going to fight against is pretty good…"

Thaliah held up her hand for silence. With an air of confidence, she said, "Don't tell me anything about that person. I don't care if he is good because I know that I'm better since I almost defeated my brother once… almost…"

Grayson smiled, "Anything you say Thaliah… Both of you will be anonymous to each other until after the match…"

Thaliah nodded. Then, checking her watch, she stood up. "I need to go! I have a class! Goodbye Mr. Grayson!" and with a wave, she left.

Grayson smiled at the girl who went through the doors. "That girl is definitely going to take this school by storm…' He went back to his lunch, 'She's going to have one heck of a fight this Friday… I forgot to mention to her that he beat me more than enough times… I'm just not sure why he wasn't picked to be the fencing master after all those defeats I've had from him…'

Friday, 1000 hours

Grayson went inside the men's restroom and saw Trowa throwing the sword into the air and catching it again, getting a feel for it… or so he says… Personally, he doesn't think that it'll do anything at all- or any good with this coming fight…

"Hey Grayson. What is it?" Trowa asked while still facing the lockers.

As usual, Grayson was surprised at Trowa's sixth sense- always knowing who's around him. Darn! It gives him the creeps sometimes…

"I just wanted to tell you that I won't be giving the name of the person your fighting with until the end of the exhibition… Same goes with your name…"

Trowa nodded, "That's all right."

Grayson sat down on one of the benches, "You know, I've got to warn you, this person is very good with a sword, I don't think you should underestimate your opponent."

Trowa turned around and looked at Grayson seriously, "I never underestimate my opponents, Grayson… If I do, I wouldn't be alive and talking to you as of this moment."

Grayson felt embarrassed. "Well, uhm… I just wanted to wish you luck… You might need it."

Trowa nodded.

"Go out in precisely two minutes with your head gear in place." Grayson said in his referee voice and walked out.

Trowa bent down to get his helmet and placed it on his head. Not needing a watch to know when the two minutes are up, he started for the door.

"Well, Thaliah… Today's the day I'm gonna see how well you've been practicing." Grayson whispered to a fully geared Thaliah (with the helmet of course).

"Humph. Let's just see who's going to say 'uncle' first." Replied a very assured Thaliah.

Grayson shook his head, "I really do hope that you are not so sanguine, Thaliah… It's going to be hard for you if you loose."

Thaliah faced Grayson, "You said it yourself, IF I loose…Which I'm not planning to…" her voice trailed off as a figure from the other side of the gym emerged and walked toward them.

Grayson checked his watch, "Prompt as usual…" He faced his class and told them to take their seats. Beside his class, half the grand stand in the gym is full, awaiting the exhibition.

Grayson started his speech as soon as Trowa reached the middle of the mat. "…these two people do not know each other…They will demonstrate to you the art of fencing…"

Thalia turned to face Trowa, blocking what Grayson was stating. 'Very nice physique… Definitely a man… Unless of course if it's a muscular woman… which can be possible…' she thought… 'Hmm… (She noticed how Trowa was holding his sword in a very unprofessional way) an amateur… or maybe he doesn't know how to hold the sword properly.' Thalia softly snickered, 'I've got this competition in the bag.'

Trowa is also assessing his opponent. 'Slight body… almost as tall as him… His or her head is up to my…hmm… just above my shoulder… good… Knows how to hold the sword… Serious about this sport…' he generalized from the way his opponent has its head held high, the stance, and the way the sword is held.

Suddenly, both heard their names being pronounced by Grayson and both turned to face their audience.

"Without further delay, let us begin the exhibition!" Grayson announced. He told the two to give the proper respect and to obey the rules of the sport.

Then, after the two took their places and stood their ground- Thaliah in the formal fencing stance with feet wide apart and her left arm up, while Trowa in a simple standing position on his side with his sword up. Grayson held up his hand then quickly brought it down, "Begin!"

Thaliah quickly moved toward Trowa, lightly thrusting her sword, being the offensive.

Trowa quickly parried her thrusts to his chest without moving from the spot he is standing on.

Thaliah gave more thrusts to Trowa, but he just kept on parrying her attacks away without moving!

'What the-!' Thaliah thought with a frown… 'He's just playing with me! You lousy baboon! You have no idea whom you're fighting with.' And with that thought in mind, she made her attacks faster, finally, she saw the opening and she thrust towards Trowa's left side…

Trowa's eyes widened as he saw the blade head straight for his stomach. He gracefully jumped backward and parried it. He frowned,

'Now, how did that attack get past me…?' Trowa thought as he saw his opponent take the usual formal stand, ready for another attack…

Thaliah smiled to herself, 'I want to see how good you are… (She went to her opponent and attacked once again) but you are just playing with me… humph! I haven't given you my best attacks yet, either… so we're both holding back…'

Trowa moved backwards as he parried the blade.

'…but, I don't want to hold back!' Thaliah thought as she turned and aimed for Trowa's neck.

'What the-' cried Trowa as he once again jumped back and missed the blade by mere inches. His eyes turned to slits, 'So… you want to play rough…' he thought as he saw his opponent's head tilt while taking the stance. He could feel his opponent challenging him…

'Fine… If you want a challenge I'll give you one…' Trowa thought as he opened his legs and bent his knee, preparing for the assault.

Thaliah saw him take his stand and smiled… 'Finally, we're getting serious…' she thought as she quickly went to him.

She attacked, and felt happy when her opponent attacked her back and not just parried her sword.

'This is better…' she thought as she did some combinations she had learned while fighting against her brother.

Trowa frowned… 'Déjà vu… I've seen those attacks before… where…?' Trowa asked himself as he blocked off the attack and made some himself…

Grayson observed as the two went at each other, knowing that both are already giving their best… "They are both good…" he muttered… he heard some of his students ask something,

"Sir… are they mad at each other?"

"No Ren. They're not ( he crossed his fingers- I hope…)… they are fighting with respect to each other's skills, but they want to see who is better at this, though only for knowledge… They are not mad or angry…" Grayson repeated once again as he saw Trowa nearly hitting Thaliah's arm, but Thaliah quickly made a defensive move.

"They are both very good…" said another student.

"Yeah… I wonder who they are…"

Grayson smiled… "You'll know soon enough." He said.

"Now watch them." Grayson ordered. But he didn't have to since all of his students were following the fight closely, they're eyes glued to the figures in white (Thaliah) and black (Trowa).

Thaliah stepped backward and brought her sword to her left arm just as she saw Trowa's attack.

"My…my… you are good…and fast… whoever you are. Well… this is better, now I wouldn't mind being a little rough with you…' she thought as she moved forward.

'Good reflexes…' Trowa thought when Thaliah parried his sword. 'Any other person wouldn't have noticed that attack until they're already bleeding…'

Trowa shook his head as he noticed the time on the clock at the other side of the gym. They've been fighting for fifteen minutes already…

'This is going on too long… I think it's time to end this…' he thought. With that in mind, he put both of his feet together and jumped high in the air, making his famous signature flip that usually brings applause from the audience. As he came back down, he thrust his sword forward, calculating how far he should throw his opponents' sword. He got ready to land…

Thaliah saw him jump and looked up. Her mouth fell as she saw him made a spin and a back flip. Then, mentally, she shook her head, 'Thaliah! Concentrate!' she commanded… But she was too late…

The next thing she knew, her sword had flown up in an arc and landed by the end of the mat, behind her.

Trowa made his stance. Happily thinking that it's over.

Quickly Thalia studied how far away her sword is from her. She looked at her opponent then closed her eyes, 'God, I hope those five years in gymnastics are still in me… I know I'm not good, but I won't let anyone beat me with out a fight!' she prayed

Trowa moved forward, then was surprised as his opponent suddenly arch back and made back flips towards the sword.

Trowa smiled, 'I thought I was the one doing those…' Trowa commented as his opponent reached the sword while in the process of doing one last back flip and faced him in her stance with her sword pointed at him…

Thaliah felt sweat fall down her brow as she gasped for breath, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!'" she whispered to no one in particular. She glared at Trowa through her helmet, "You are going to pay for that…" she muttered to herself.

Trowa jumped toward her and landed just two arms away from her. They started fighting once again…

Trowa felt sweat trickling down his cheek as he stepped out of his opponent's swords' way… 'I'm sweating?! This has been a good work out… I haven't had this kind of a battle since I've sparred with Heero and Quatre…I'm going to have to congratulate this person for putting up with me so far… afterwards…'

Thaliah smiled as her opponent dodged another of her attack. 'Well… I can't wait to get to know you… my skillful opponent…' she said as her anger diminished, replaced by respect to this person who, sometimes seem to be winning…

Grayson glanced at the clock by the gymnasium's wall… 'They've been at it for thirty minutes…' he looked back at the two… 'But it seems as if they still have a fight in them left… oh well… I've got to go on with my lessons…'

He stood up and clapped his hands three times for the two fighters to stop. His students moaned their protest.

Thaliah lost her concentration when Grayson clapped, making her loosen the grip she has on her sword as she thrust towards Trowa.

Trowa, who had been planning to dismantle the sword from his opponent even before the clap, quickly made his sword circle the other and threw it to the air just as he heard the clap.

THUMP!

The sword stuck to one of the high beams at the roof of the gym.

Thaliah bit her lip… 'Grayson's sword! Oh no…!'

Trowa glanced at the astounded students who are gaping at the ceiling with mouth wide open. Then he looked at Grayson who seem to be at a lost for words as he looked at his sword.

Trowa already knew that the sword his opponent was using is Grayson's, and he knows how significant it is to him.

Walking to one of the ropes attacked to one of the beams, he hoisted himself up.

Thaliah looked as her opponent started climbing the rope- very fast.

'No wonder that person has such broad shoulders!' she thought to herself.

By now, all of the students are looking at Trowa.

"What's he doing?"

"That's high!"

Trowa calculated the distance of between himself and the beam just above him, where the sword is indented. He started swinging the rope.

Thaliah watched as her opponent started swinging the rope. "Please be careful…" she whispered just as she saw Trowa let go of the rope, make a summersault and grab on to one of the higher beams.

The students gasped.

She let go of the breath she was holding as Trowa hoisted himself up and stood on the beam.

Walking with assurance and grace on the beam, he bent over and grabbed the sword.

Then, aiming at one of the side doors of the gym, Trowa threw the sword.

The sword went true to its aim and plunged into the middle of the door.

Some of the students clapped their hands… But the others waited to see how he was going to get down from his thirty-five feet high position.

Trowa glanced down at the mat, flexed his leg and ankle muscles then opened his arms from his sides.

Thaliah saw him bring his hands up as if he was going to fly. Her eyes opened wide as realization that he's going to jump registered in her brain.

"NOOOOOO!!!!" she shouted just as Trowa stepped away from the beam. She felt her body grow weak and she fell on her knees. But she couldn't look away…

She saw him fall head first, then, to her surprise, he did another summersault and landed on his feet- standing up.

The gym exploded with applause as the students realized the amazing feat this person had just done.

Trowa bowed slightly to the audience and patted his dusty gloves. 'This is one of the things I miss about the circus…' Trowa thought as he waved to the clapping audience, though not smiling.

He looked for Grayson and saw him leaning over his opponent who seem to be on his/ or her knees…

The helmet of his opponent bobbed up and down… probably assuring Grayson that he (for the moment) is all right…

Grayson helped Thaliah stand up and regain her balance. Then, after reassured that she's all right, she went to the door and plucked his sword from it.

Then, he faced his students…

"Everyone! SILENCE!" he shouted to the noisy students. Everyone hushed as they looked at their teacher.

"I'm sure that all of you are very impressed with the impressive swordsmanship displayed by these two individuals… among other things… (he saw everyone nod his or her agreement) So, (he turned to the two opponents) turn around, look away from each other." Grayson ordered. Trowa and Thaliah followed.

He looked at his students, "I present to you our two exhibitionists. Take off your masks."

Both Trowa and Thaliah took off their masks without looking at each other.

"Ms. Thaliah Locklin, your new Culinary Arts teacher, now you know that cooking isn't the only skill she's good at (some students giggled) And Mr. Trowa Barton, our Aerospace Engineering teacher!"

A lot of student clapped and as the two turned around to face each other and shake their hands…

Trowa saw light brown hair then light hazel eyes as his opponent looked up at him…

Thaliah bit her lip as she gazed into a familiar set of serious deep forest green eyes upon a handsome classical face…

"You…." Trowa said in surprise.

Thaliah smiled weakly at the person in front of her. "Uhm… Hello…"

Suddenly, a half smile appeared on Trowa's face, and he started walking to Thaliah…

"Thaliah Locklin, isn't it?" he asked as he stood in front of her.

Thaliah nodded, "And, you're the famous Professor Trowa that I've been hearing so much about…"

Trowa held out his hand, Thaliah accepted…

The whole gym applauded once again.

"Nice to meet you Ms. Locklin." Trowa said as he looked into her eyes, feeling unusually happy that she isn't a student at all.

Thaliah blushed, "I-uhm… Call me Thaliah, please, Mr. Barton…"

"Then, call me Trowa." He said, not letting go of her hand.

Thaliah nodded, "Trowa… then…"

They let go of each other's hand…"

On the sideline, Mr. Grayson watched the exchange… "Hmm… Spring isn't in the air yet… But, I think it will be in sooner than we expected…" he muttered to himself with a smile as he noted Thaliah's deep blush and Trowa's soft smile.

Then, he turned to his students,

"All right everyone! To your lines!!!" The students grudgingly followed.

Trowa and Thaliah looked up and saw Mr. Grayson waving them a thank you.

Trowa nodded while Thaliah waved back.

They looked at each other…

"Well… it's nice to know you…" Trowa said softly.

Thaliah smiled then said, "I hope to see you around…"

They turned away from each other and started walking on different directions, each wanting to look back to the other, but too shy to do so…

Thaliah walked towards the ladies room, jerking her gloves from her hands. The whole event kept on playing again and again in her mind… Oh she didn't loose to him… It was a draw… I mean… It could've been a draw if Grayson didn't clap his hands and distracted her, darn it!

She turned on the faucet and splashed cold water to her face, then leaned over the sink to look at her face… flushed from the exercise, her eyes wide from the shock she received when she saw him jump from the ceiling…

She started to undress. And with every piece of padding that she stripped from her body, her anger rose… She started to mutter…

"Who did he thinkhe is?! The nerve!" unconsciously her voice started rising.

"That freak teacher! What in heavens name possessed him to jump from that ceiling! (she faced the mirror and started to talk to her image as if a real person) I mean, didn't he even give a damn to what the others down on the safe ground thought?!"

She threw her hands up in the air and faced her image again, "He's acting like a clown on vacation! I mean, what kind of an idiot teacher is he? Give me a name of one (she pointed to her image) just one teacher who can do the things he just did today, huh?"

"Dammit… Was he asking to die?!" She sighed

After a few minutes, during which she pushed her jumbled gear into Grayson's bag, her anger slowly subsided.

"But, (she faced her image again as she finished putting on her dress) he is a pretty good fencer, don't you think?"

Thaliah's eyes opened wide as realization dawned upon her, "What am I doing?!" she shrieked.

"I'm talking to myself like a crazed lunatic!" she said as her palm slapped her forehead. "See? See what he's done to you? You are probably still in shock."

Her head shook in disbelief as she slung her pack to her shoulders.

Then, softly, she contemplated about him, "I wonder what kind of cookies he likes…? What about pies…?" Her voice faded as she walked out of the girl's locker room still thinking of different food that he might like…

Trowa folded the last piece of cloth that he used, and carefully placed it into his pack. He opened his locker and took out a navy blue blazer from the hanger then shrugged it on.

His gaze traveled toward the intricately designed silver, fencing sword that he used. Quatre had given it to him two years after the war… A 'friendship gift'- Quatre had said.

With both hands, he took the sword and twirled it around as he thought of the other gundam pilots, then of that morning's event.

He remembered the thickly lashed light brown eyes with some green specks that looked up at him as they shook hands.

A slight smile touched his face as he reached for his bag. "That… was an interesting battle."