Disclaimer: I own neither the Gundam Wing characters, not Treize's house.

Note: This one is for Cinnamon Selkie, who was not only my 500th reviewer for ALG, but has been giving supportive, thoughtful comments on my stories since I started posting. Many thanks and I hope you like it.

Thanks also to KS, for editing.

Note 2: This one has three chapters. No more, no less. Just so you know….

Pairings: I take only partial responsibility for these. *coughs* Mention of 13x1, 2+3 (developing) 4xOFC, past 13x6, 3x4. Ahem….

Invasion:

Normally, when he was house-sitting Wufei liked to stay in the kitchen, or the bedroom he'd been allocated, preferring not to invade the home-owners' living space. This job was just a little different. For a start, he'd been in the house before, as a guest, and the owner was a friend. Or at least, the owner's boyfriend was.

He'd been told to make himself at home, so he'd done just that, allowing himself the unaccustomed luxuries of a real log fire, and a detective story to be enjoyed while he curled up in one of the enormous leather couches. He had a glass of red wine and he'd foregone preparing dinner in favour of helping himself, as he'd been instructed, to some of the goodies that had been left for him in the fridge. He had a purring cat on his lap and jazz playing softly in the background as a gentle accompaniment to the rain thudding outside the window and the crackling fire.

One day, Wufei resolved to himself, he would have a room like this. Well, he would never need this level of luxury, but it would be nice to have a replacement for his own shabby, third-hand couch whose broken springs attacked on a daily basis, and proper bookcases, and a state-of-the-art sound system. One day. Part-time house-sitting jobs didn't pay very well, and most of that went on tuition and textbooks.

It didn't mean he couldn't enjoy the occasional treat, though, and when his 'phone rang he almost didn't answer. It was Duo, though, and he'd just call over and over until Wufei picked up.

'Hey!' His friend's voice greeted him warmly. 'Having fun where the other half lives? Done any snooping about yet?'

'Duo! Of course not!'

'Well, maybe not snooping, as such,' Duo qualified. 'But, you know, you might have happened to see stuff lying around, like nakie photos or kinky sex toys.' He laughed at Wufei's spluttering denial. 'God, you're so easy to wind up, Chang. Listen, I was calling to see if you wanted to come out tonight. I thought we could go to a club or something; the two of us and Tro.'

Wufei considered it for about two seconds. 'I don't think so. I've had a long week; it's nice just being able to relax.'

'You'll never get a boyfriend if you stay in every night reading detective stories and drinking endless cups of tea.'

'I'm drinking wine, actually.' Wufei rolled his eyes. Practically everything he did, from wearing his hair tied back to his fondness for herbal teas, were, according to Duo, all guaranteed ways never to get a boyfriend. 'Why don't you just go with Trowa?'

'You know why,' Duo moaned. 'If you come, it's the three of us going out and having fun. If it's just the two of us, it's like a date.'

'What's wrong with that? You'll never get a boyfriend if you only ever go out with a supporting cast of friends,' Wufei quipped.

'Oh, ha hah. Don't start that. There's no point. You know what he's like nowadays; Mr. One Night Stand. I don't just want to be another notch on the Barton bedpost.'

'It mightn't be like that. And he has had at least one relationship. He went out with that Kurt for over a month.'

'Yeah,' Duo sniffed, 'and kept calling him Quatre, apparently. That's why Kurt dumped him in the end. Face it, 'Fei. He's still not over Quat, and I couldn't compete anyway. Those two were like Romeo and Juliet or something. The perfect couple.'

'Romeo and Juliet both died, Duo. It's a tragedy,' Wufei said gently. 'Quatre's not here any more. You are. He's got to move on sometime. Quatre wouldn't want him to spend the rest of his life alone.'

Duo shrugged; the only person in the universe who could make a movement of his shoulders audible over the 'phone. 'Whatever. Quat mightn't want him to move on with his best friend.'

Wufei suppressed the comment that Quatre didn't exactly have a say in things any more. He'd said it all before. 'I don't know, Duo. I don't see any harm in you two going out for the night together. See what happens?'

'Sure you won't come? Please?'

'Not tonight. I don't want to leave the house my first night here, and honestly, I am tired. I was helping at the restaurant 'til two last night, and then I was in the library most of the day. Actually, I'd better go; there's a car pulling up outside and Treize's housekeeper said she might drop by with some dry-cleaning she was collecting.'

'What? It's the butler's day off?' Duo sounded marginally more cheerful. 'OK. You're still on for lunch tomorrow?'

'Absolutely. See you then.'

The person standing in the hallway, bending over a mound of suitcases, duffle bags and a cello case, was very definitely not Treize's elderly housekeeper. There was a gardener, he'd been told, but this man didn't look like anyone Treize Khushrenada would employ, much let allow in his house. His long legs were encased in torn, faded combats, and topped off by an ancient-looking leather jacket that a scarecrow might have rejected.

Sweeping long, blond bangs out of his eyes, the man straightened to look at Wufei.

'Good God. You must be the new twinkie. Where is he?'

'Excuse me?' Not, apparently, a burglar nor even a stranger. Not since Treize's cat, Epyon, was fawning lovingly against his legs.

'Treize.' The blond scooped up Eppy and repeated the name, slowly and clearly. 'Yes, I'm sure he's not with you for your amazing intellect, but I imagine you must know his name. Now, where is he?'

Wufei gaped at that level of rudeness and then closed his mouth sharply. 'I have no idea who you are, but you'd better get out right now,' he snapped, holding up his 'phone. 'Or I'm calling the police.'

'Call the police by all means,' the blond told him, sounding bored. 'I think that's a wonderful idea. I am a registered owner of this house and I've never seen you in my life. I rather think they'll listen to me, not you.'

'I'm calling Treize,' Wufei retorted. 'Are you a friend of his?' It was difficult to imagine; this scruffy, boorish character as a friend of the urbane, sophisticated Treize Khushrenada.

'Yes, you do that. ' The tall blond dropped his duffle bag on the floor and headed for the kitchen. 'Go whining to him, and see what he says. And, no, I wouldn't say I'm a friend. I'm his ex-boyfriend, Zechs. For now. I take it he hasn't mentioned me?'

'No, he hasn't!' Well, that was true enough. 'What do you mean; for now?'

'I'm sure you have the wits to figure that out. Treize and I broke up two years ago for various reasons, some of which no longer exist. I'm moving back to Sanque; I see no reason why we shouldn't get back together.'

'He has a new boyfriend. Me.'

'You, yes.' Zechs looked him up and down as he might regard a minor inconvenience. 'Very pretty. I'm sure he's enjoyed having you around as a little diversion, but I somehow don't think he'll be needing you anymore.'

'You're the one he doesn't need,' Wufei said coldly. 'Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to call him.' It took a few moments for Wufei to dial and longer to make the connection. Gods, that awful man! What had Treize ever seen in him? Well, apart from that sweeping mane of blond hair and those eyes…he hadn't thought Treize would be that shallow though.

'Wufei? Is everything all right?'

'Ah, I'm not sure. There's a man in the hall who's just let himself into the house. He says his name is Zechs and he's your ex.'

'What does he look like?'

'Very tall, long blond hair,' Wufei supplied. 'Not very polite.'

There was a deep sigh on the other end of the line. 'That would be Zechs, yes. What does he want? He knows I'm away for the week.'

'I don't think he does, actually. I think he's planning to move in. He's got a massive pile of luggage with him. And he says he's part owner of the house.'

Treize swore in some language Wufei didn't know. 'He is, unfortunately. Both of our names are on the deed of ownership. He's been living abroad since we broke up and he's never been around to sign the place over to me.'

'What do you want me to do? If he's going to be here, you hardly need me to stay here as well.'

'I certainly do. I need someone to take care of the cat. He probably just needs a place to stay for a night. I'll call him first thing in the morning and sort it out. I'd talk to him now but Heero's waiting for me downstairs. We have lunch reservations and then we're going ice-skating. Do you think you could put up with him for one night?'

Wufei wanted to say no. But one night was nothing, really. It was late enough that he'd be going to bed soon and if Zechs had just taken a long flight, he'd probably be tired. And Treize had employed him to look after the house, and make sure nothing disturbed his and Heero's romantic holiday.

'Of course I can. Please, don't worry about it. I'll call you tomorrow if I can't sort it out but I'm sure it will be fine. Say hello to Heero for me and enjoy your meal.'

Wufei hung up, smiling faintly at the thought of his best friend being taken out to an undoubtedly luxurious restaurant and wined and dined like a prince. If anyone needed to be pampered a little, it was Heero. And ice-skating sounded fun. When Heero had told him Treize was taking him to Canada, they'd looked up Quebec on line and it looked beautiful, especially in Winter with snow on the ground.

He could just imagine his friends walking arm in arm around the Old Quarter, perhaps taking a carriage ride on the cobbled streets, or wandering in and out of the narrow streets allés .

Bah, perhaps Duo was right and he did need to find a boyfriend, instead of living vicariously through his friends' various romances.

What a good thing that Zechs had turned up when his friends were away; their relationship was still so new that Heero didn't need ex-boyfriends turning up and making accusations of….of twinkie-toyboy-ness.

Or calling him. Wufei turned back to the door, and caught a sudden devilish little smirk hovering around his lips. It was the sort of expression that customarily lived on his friend Duo's mouth, when Duo was plotting some particularly extravagant piece of mayhem.

Heero didn't need Zechs getting in the way of what was probably his first proper holiday ever, and certainly his first romantic getaway. He didn't need jealous ex-lovers calling his beloved Treize and making trouble, and making him feel insecure.

And Zechs had already made the assumption that Wufei was Treize's new boyfriend. It would be a shame to disillusion him.

When he went back to the library, Zechs was sitting on the couch, a bottle of Treize's finest brandy and a balloon glass beside him.

'You've made yourself at home here, haven't you?' he demanded, blue gaze taking in Wufei's glass and discarded blanket.

'Well, I do live here,' Wufei glared at him. 'I could say the same about you.'

'Well, I do own the place.' Zechs mimicked the glare. 'I take it you talked to Treize, then?'

'I did, yes. He's on a very demanding schedule for the next few days, but he told me you were entitled to stay here.'

'How gracious of him.' He gave Wufei a long, appraising stare. 'Where is he anyway?'

'He's in Canada for the next four days. Quebec. He said you knew he was away.'

Zechs shrugged. 'I haven't been checking my messages for the past few days. Hmm, since he's left you at home with the cat, I assume the honeymoon period is over. Interesting.'

'Oh, it's a business trip.' Wufei lounged back against the cushions on the chair, trying to imagine how a gold-digging toy-boy would act. 'I would have been bored. I'm not interested in that sort of thing.'

The blond man's mouth twisted. 'I'm sure you're not. Although I'm sure you're somewhat less bored by the money he's going to make while he's away.'

'Of course,' Wufei said brightly. Maybe if he acted like a brainless bimbo for long enough, Zechs would get bored and go away and he'd have the lovely room all to himself for the rest of the evening. 'I love shopping! And he's so generous to me; he's always buying me the most extravagant presents.'

Zechs snorted. 'I hadn't realised he was into cradle snatching. Are you even legal?'

'I'm twenty two!'

'Really?' Zechs wondered dismissively. 'Well, don't let me keep you. Since you're not staying here while I'm in residence you'll want to pack a bag.'

'Treize wants me to stay in the house. Probably because he doesn't trust you here alone.'

'Miaow.' Zechs gave him a highly unpleasant smile. 'Treize isn't here. I am. I happen to be part-owner of this house and I'd prefer not to share living space with my ex-partner's new toyboy.'

'Then you can leave.' Wufei crossed his arms over his chest. 'It's low season for tourists. I'm sure you'll be able to find a hotel room easily enough. Do you want me to call you a taxi?'

'I,' Zechs sounded like his teeth were grinding broken glass, 'have been on one form of transport or another for the last seventy two hours. I have no intention of going anywhere in the immediate future but bed.'

'Fine. This house has six bedrooms. I'm sure you know where the linen cupboard is.'

Zechs looked like he very badly wanted to pick Wufei up and hurl him bodily in the street. Wufei hoped he'd try it. That would show him who was a brainless toy-boy!

'Fine.' He made it sound like an obscenity. 'Since you're so conversant with the domestic arrangements, you can go and make me a bed. And get me another cup of coffee while you're at it.'

'Make your own bed. I'm not your servant!'

His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. 'No. Of course not. You're Treize's…what's it called these days?'

'Partner!'

'I'm sure that's the politically correct term, yes. I can think of a few other names. I imagine you always do what he tells you.'

'Oh, yes!' Wufei smirked. 'Always.' He let a little bit more smugness creep into the smirk. 'But then he makes it worth my while. And Treize doesn't order me around like that. He asks me nicely when he wants me to do something.'

'I'll bet he does. Listen, if you get me a coffee, and something to eat, in the next five minutes, I'll make it worth your while by not throwing you out in the rain. I've been on the road for days and I'm not in the mood to indulge Treize's new pet.'

'Wait 'til I tell him how you've spoken to me.'

'Go on then.' Zechs' voice was suddenly shaded by desperate weariness, and he slumped back against the chair. 'Do whatever you like. Just leave me alone, will you?'

His lashes drooped shut, and for the first time Wufei noticed the smudged hollows under his eyes, the deep little groove edged between those fair brows.

He'd been travelling for days…his conscience nagged. It was to be expected that he wasn't in the best of spirits. And Wufei, in all fairness, hadn't been particularly hospitable. Moving quietly, he stood up and headed for the kitchen.

'I asked for coffee, not this flavoured water,' he grumbled ten minutes later, taking the cup Wufei handed him with bad grace. 'Don't you know how to read labels?'

'You won't be able to sleep if you drink caffeine,' Wufei told him brusquely, those few tattered shreds of sympathy evaporating. Infuriating man. He should have made the damn coffee and spat in it!

No wonder Treize had broken up with him.

'I made you some food as well,' Wufei offered grudgingly, holding out the plate of brown bread and smoked salmon.

'My God.' Zechs' eyes actually closed in pleasure as he took the first bite. 'Food that doesn't taste of cardboard or polystyrene. It's a miracle.'

The miracle was that the man could smile when he wanted, Wufei thought hazily. And look unbelievably good in the process.

He demolished the food in twenty seconds flat, washing it down with a few gulps of the tea and then stretching.

'Thanks. Have you made my bed yet? I'll fall asleep at any second if I don't get upstairs soon.'

'I'm not your housemaid!' He'd actually planned to make up a bed; he would have if Zechs had bothered to ask politely instead of issuing orders. Well, he could make his own bloody bed or sleep on the bare mattress or on the floor. 'And I don't do favours for people who treat me like that.'

Zechs just snorted. 'Oh, I I'm you give out all sorts of favours provided the money is right. I've met your type before. I can't believe Treize hasn't seen thorough you yet. God, the Khushrenadas have always been eccentric but I didn't think Treize would start to lose his mind this young.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'I think it's obvious; inviting a gold-digging little tramp like you into his home. I should have thought one night with the likes of you would have been more than enough, but you presumably have hidden talents. Rather exceptional ones, since he hasn't tired of you yet.'

Wufei entertained himself for a brief, lovely moment, imagining this idiot meeting Heero Yuy. That would be fun. He let the smile linger on his lips. 'Oh, I have all sorts of hidden talents.'

'I don't suppose you want to come and warm my bed for me and demonstrate some of them.'

'No! I don't think you're much of a friend; propositioning his boyfriend!'

'I never said I was his friend,' Zechs grunted. 'Know which side your bread is buttered on, do you?'

'That's right.' Wufei took a long look around the room, letting his gaze linger on some of the antiques. 'I like living here; I'm not stupid enough to jeopardise that.'

'Well, at least you're honest about it,' the blond muttered, pouring himself another brandy. The liquid in the bottle was already several inches lower than it had been. 'Drink?'

'No, thanks. I'm going to bed.' Wufei scooped the cat up on his way out, not wanting to leave her alone with someone who seemed set on drinking themselves into insensibility. He hoped Zechs wasn't going to set the house on fire or something.

An hour later, tucked up cosily in the best spare room, the one his friends had insisted he take, things seemed brighter. It was a large house, assuming Zechs did decide to stay, and it would only be for a few days. Wufei let his eyes drift closed, sprawling across the huge mattress, and enjoying the feel of cool cotton sheets against his bare skin. He'd get up early in the morning and he'd be out for most of the day. It would be fine. And he'd call Treize and tell him it had all worked out.

Everything was fine….

The sudden flare of light took him by surprise and then Zechs was standing over him, and the sheet was whipped off him.

'What the hell are you doing?' he gasped, grabbing the sheets back and holding them tightly up to his neck.

'Enjoying the view.' There was a broad grin on the blond's face. 'Or I was, at any rate. Do you always sleep naked? I bet Treize loves that!'

'It's none of your business! What are you doing in my room?'

Zechs laughed. 'I thought you'd be in the master bedroom, honey. But apparently not.' One eyebrow arched quizzicially. 'So you changed your mind about warming my sheets for me, then?' He perched on the bed, resting one hand lightly on the curve of Wufei's hip.

'No!' Wufei squirmed away, which turned out to be a mistake as Zechs managed to slide an arm around his waist. 'Let me go!'

'You're the one in my bed, sweetheart. Time to stop playing hard to get, hmm?'

'No.' Wufei gave the hand touching him a vicious twist.

'Oh, want to play, do you?' The tussle ended with Zechs somehow on top of him; all long lean body and clouds of pale hair. Wufei had got in a few good jabs but Zechs outweighed him and wasn't handicapped by trying to cover himself with a sheet. Unlike Wufei, he wasn't particularly trying to hide his body's own reaction to all of this.

'That was fun.' Those blue eyes were alight with mischief as they laughed down at him. 'I should have known Treize wouldn't settle for just anyone. Now, my lovely, shall we get down to business?'

His brain and body gave vastly different responses. His brain, however, was used to being the organ in charge; his body was used to training and discipline. Not pleasure. Brain won, eventually. Wufei twisted until he was on top of the other man, pinning his arms behind his head.

No one had ever dared to treat him like that, to touch him so intimately. He'd been on dates of course, because that was what one did; dates usually arranged by Duo or Quatre, who both thought he needed someone. He'd made earnest conversation with these strangers, or sat through films or concerts that he would never have chosen himself. Sometimes, at the end of the evening, there had been a quick peck on the cheek; sometimes a fumbling attempt at something more. Just enough for Wufei to realise he didn't like being groped in return for the price of a cheap meal, or a cinema ticket.

One or two of his dates had become casual friends, but he'd never met anyone he'd wanted a romantic relationship with. It hadn't mattered, really. He had his friends and his studies and a succession of part-time jobs to fill his time, and no particular desire to have sex with someone just for the sake of saying he'd done it, of chalking off a new experience.

One day, he'd meet the right person, the person he wanted to be intimate with. Quatre firmly believed that everyone had a destined soul-mate. Duo's perspective, two years' ago, before he'd thought he might have even the ghost of a chance with Trowa, had been rather different. Since the person he'd fallen in love with was taken, he'd decided to try on every other male he met for size to see how they fit. Wufei liked Quatre's philosophy better. In a random, chaotic universe, he liked the idea, the symmetry of everyone having one perfect partner. It was just like Quatre had said it would be.

He'd never thought it would happen like this, with someone he didn't even like.

'If you wanted to be on top, sweet, you should just have said.' The blond was smiling up at him, apparently perfectly happy with this turn of events. 'No need for all that melodrama, enjoyable though it was. You are the one who turned up in my bed, after all.'

'It's not yours! I only sleep in here because I don't like being in Treize's bed without him,' he hissed. 'It's no reason for you to burst in here and try to assault me.'

'Touching.' Zechs was smiling even more broadly, curse him; probably at the assault comment. Of course, it hadn't been anything like that, and they both knew it. He could have just walked away; he could certainly have overpowered Zechs if he'd really been trying. 'I'm sure Treize would be impressed at how zealously you defended your honour. And, personally speaking, I loved every minute of it. If you'd rather be on top, I don't have any objections.'

'I don't want to be anywhere near you!' Wufei snapped.

'Indeed?' That blue, blue gaze was suddenly focused on a very specific part of Wufei's anatomy. 'Are you so sure about that?'

His hands were suddenly free, wrapped around Wufei's neck, and the kiss, brushing against Wufei's mouth was soft and flavoured with the finest brandy.