Disclaimers: Gundam Wing belongs to Sunrise. Any songs or quotes belong to their respective authors listed with them.

Summary: Three years after Endless Waltz, a girl named Averil with a mysterious past joins Trowa's circus. The two struggle with trusting one another within the bonds of a fragile friendship. Trowa becomes Averil's protector and helps her to face her past and right old wrongs.

Dedicated to: Lucy Maud Montgomery, the queen of romance—clean, sweet romance. She is an awesome author, and I’ve learned a lot from her. Read her stories, especially the Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily of New Moon series, and of course, Kilmeny of the Orchard (Bonus! It’s only 90 pages)!

Hey everyone! This is the first fanfiction that I have ever posted. There are a few things that you might want to know before you read this. First of all, I may have assumed that you know most of the characters enough that I don't have to go too in depth on their personalities. What I did was try to make everything they say and do reflect their character. If they do go out of character, I apologize, because I know how annoying that can be. The reason they would is either because I interpret them differently than you, I'm a beginning writer, or because, since I haven't seen the whole series yet, that I modeled them more after their stereotypes in the fanfiction world than what they're truly like on the show. In any case, I tried my best to keep all details accurate, etc. And sorry if my own characters aren't very well developed. I know I have a long way to go as a writer. This is only a hobby though, just a way for me to express myself. I'll warn you now that I am a huge romantic, and that's just about all that I'm inspired to write. So this story is probably a lot more sappy and happy than Gundam Wing really is, but I thought it would be nice for a change since a lot of what I see out there is brimming with angst. I basically assume that three years after the war, the pilots, for the most part, have overcome a lot of their social and emotional problems. I think that's enough time for them to heal enough to function without every other thought being about how their hands are so bloodstained or whatnot. But anyway, I don't mean any offense to those of you who love to write angst. I honestly think that's the hardest type of fanfiction to write, so you deserve respect.

I also use some things relating to horse racing and gambling-which I really don't know a thing about. I did research it though, so I tried, but I probably sound like an idiot. However, it is my story and however I set up the horse racing/gambling scene is how it is done in my Gundam Wing universe. Just to tell you now so there's no confusion, my character Xavier Kraten is what you would call a "bookie," a person who owns their own betting business and takes people's bets.

I chose the name Averil for my main character from Anne of Avonlea. Anne writes a story called "Averil's Atonement"-a romance probably just as pathetic as mine! Anyway, I looked up the name later in a baby name book just to see what it meant, and there was a coincidence. There are two meanings for Averil: one is "April" and the other is "Warrior Boar" or something like that. I just thought it was interesting that Trowa's love interest's name would mean warrior. It's kind of like the meaning of Hilde's name-"Battle Maiden." There is also a very minor character who I chose the name Hachi for because in Japanese it means both "eight" and "lucky one." "Lucky One" applies to her role and using a number name follows with the Gundam tradition.

Also, there are a few songs and quotes I'll put in here randomly that I think tie in with the story. This is not a songfic because the songs do not split up the text. I picked the songs because they helped inspire me to write what I did, and of course you can skip over them if you want to. I love to pick out songs whose lyrics totally fit the couple. For instance, if you're a Heero and Relena fan, check out the lyrics to "Last Flight Out," by Plus One. They fit those two so well! At least the way I imagine them. I'm actually using that song in this story for Trowa and Averil, because it works. Oh, and you'll just have to guess the point of view for who the song is meant for. For instance, a song by a female artist may actually be from Trowa's point of view in the story, vice-versa. Sometimes it may be both POVs.

My section break, //_- is supposed to be Trowa. Can you see the hair over one eye and his classic pose-leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes closed, face emotionless? I saw someone use it once to represent Trowa and I thought it was so cute! So I'll be using it, thank you.

And finally, I have one more thing to say. Thank you so much Marcie for your help on this story. I really appreciate it! On with the story! Enjoy everyone!

//_-

After the wars, Trowa returned to a normal life. Well, as normal as a circus performer’s life can be. He kept mostly to himself, as most introverts do. He didn’t think that there was anything missing, or that there was anything else he needed. He had his sister, he had his friends, and he had a job that made him happy. What more could he want?

If he was ever lonely, he dismissed it as something that all people normally feel. He didn’t think there was really anything he could do about it. Yet there was someone about to enter his life who would change his thoughts about that, irrevocably.

//_-

Even More Author's Notes: Yeah, I know that was really short, but the chapters will be a lot longer. This was intended more for me to post my author’s notes and to get us all on the same page in Trowa’s life. If you have any comments or flames, then email me. I can take criticism and I love compliments. Thanks for reading, and God bless!

To Be Continued