Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own Outlaw Star or anything affiliated with said show.

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

A pale hand reached out from under a dark red silk sheet, groping around blindly for something on the small table that sat next to the king-sized bed. Fingers danced across several pieces of paper as well as a cell phone before coming to rest on top of an antique clock covered in golden flowers and swirls. Grabbing it from the side, the hand retreated back under the blankets with the clock in tow.

Several seconds passed with no other signs of movement until finally the sheet was pulled down to reveal a head of slightly shaggy black hair, which lead to a young feminine looking face that could've belonged to either a man or a woman. The owner of said hair yawned as he held the clock up to his eyes and squinted at the numbers, and then gently placed the clock back down on the table as he moved to sit up.

Stretching his arms above his head, he was about to stand when a soft knock sounded on his door. "Enter." He called out, watching as a well dressed maid walked in carrying towels, followed soon after by a silvery haired elderly man wearing one of the finest suits to be found on Heifong.

"Young Master." The elderly man began. "I've brought your schedule for the day as well as some breakfast if you're interested." Setting the tray of food down on the stand next to the door, he clasped his glove covered hands behind his back.

"Not now Henry." The man replied, finally standing up as the maid retreated from the room empty handed. "I'm not in the mood for anything this morning. Perhaps I'll have an early lunch." Seeing Henry nod, he continued. "And how many times have I told you to call me Fred. You are not, nor will you ever be considered part of the help. You know how much you mean to this family."

"It wouldn't be proper Young Master." Henry said with a shake of his head. "I am your personal servant and as such I refuse to be so informal with you. It just wouldn't be right sir."

Rolling his eyes with a sigh, Fred pulled on the blue silk robe lying across the chair that sat next to his bed. "As you wish. Now, you mentioned something about my schedule for the day. Anything interesting I should know about?"

Henry glanced at the small list he'd had in his hands before replying. "It appears not sir. You have a meeting with the Space Foundation at ten, they wish to discuss the donation you're planning on giving them next month, and then a meeting with Mr. Jones about the shipment of machinery you ordered last week, there was talk about needing another few days to acquire what you requested. After that it's lunch at the club, followed by your dance lessons at two and a meeting with the President of the Hospital at three-thirty."

"Booooring." Fred said dismissively as he made his way to the large closet that lined the entire west wall of his room. Stepping into the space that was big enough to house a tailor and all his equipment, he began to browse through the thousands of articles of clothing that hung there. "I wish Gene was still here, at least then I'd have something fun to do today." He said, making his way towards the section of green shirts. "But alas, I suppose I'll just have to suffer through the day without my darling little redhead."

"Speaking of the Captain of the Outlaw Star." Henry cut in. "There was a message received from him regarding the weapons you gave him in return for their help with the Reiko Ando incident. Apparently several of the missiles were duds and he's demanding replacements at once. Shall I have the new items ordered sir?"

"No." Fred replied without hesitation. "While I appreciate everything they did for me, preventing that Amazonian woman from winning the tournament and all, I made no guarantees that the weapons he chose would all be in fine working order. Besides, I gave him a great discount so I really don't see why he's complaining about it anyway. A few missiles is no big deal, he fires hundreds of them off at once."

Henry nodded. "Very good sir, I'll let them know your answer at once." Turning to leave, he stopped as he suddenly remembered something. "I almost forgot. As you know, Miss Cecile is leaving on vacation today for a month so you'll have a new maid starting this evening. The agency will be sending her over before supper so Mrs. Matrin may acquaint her with the schedule and get her settled in before she begins serving you for the night."

"Very good. Now please see to the car, I'd like to get a bit of shopping done before I'm forced to sit through all these dull meetings." Fred said, walking out of the closet with a dark green button up shirt and a pair of grey slacks draped over his arm. "I'll be out in twenty minutes; inform the driver that I'll wish to leave then."

"It will be done. Is there anything else I can do for you sir?"

Shaking his head, Fred made his way to the attached bathroom located on the opposite wall of his closet. "No, that will be all Henry."

With a bow of his head Henry left the room, closing the door on his way out.

Stepping into the bathroom, Fred placed his clothes on the table behind the door and grabbed one of the new towels that had just been delivered out of the linen closet next to the sink. From there he headed over to the shower that took up the far left wall, opposite the giant Jacuzzi tub, and turned the spray on full blast. "I do hope the new girl knows what she's doing." He muttered to himself as he proceeded to strip and enter the scalding water. "I detest incompetent help."

Exactly twenty minutes later Fred arrived at the garage and stopped next to a sleek black vehicle. It was a very expensive foreign model, but he'd fallen in love with the look of it and had ordered three direct from the manufacturer. They were an early birthday present for himself. "Good morning Johnson." Fred said to the tall, tanned man with blue hair and cat ears perched atop his head that was holding open the door for him. "I see that new wax you requested has done wonders for my baby's shine. My image is reflected perfectly off the side."

Johnson bowed his head politely as Fred slid into the car. "That it does sir." Closing the door, he straightened out his black suit and hat before making his way to the front of the car and taking a seat behind the wheel. Glancing into the rearview mirror, he caught Fred's eye. "Where shall we be heading to today sir?" He asked curiously.

Fred tapped his chin in thought as he sat back against the plush seats and got comfortable. "I was thinking that new boutique off main street, you know, the one they put in place of that old factory. I hear they have excellent material there and fabulous shoes."

"Very good sir."

As the car began to move, Fred turned his head and looked out the window at the blue sky that had just appeared overhead. "I wonder where you are right now darling." He said wistfully as Johnson turned them onto the street.

o o o o o

It was well after dinnertime when Johnson pulled back into the garage. Climbing out of the car, he held open the back door and waited for Fred to get out before closing the door and walking over to the rack of keys by the entrance to the house. Hanging the keys on the fourth hook, he removed his hat on the way to his quarters.

Fred stretched his arms above his head and winced as his back popped. Rubbing the now sore spot on his lower left side, he half limped out of the garage and headed into the kitchen through the side door. Bypassing the cooks who were cleaning up their dishes and the large banquet table where a place was already set for him, Fred continued on to his room.

Henry was standing right outside the door to Fred's room and he pushed it open when he saw his charge make his way up the stairs. "Good evening Young Master." He said with a bow. "And how was your day?"

"Dreadful." Fred replied with a whine as he walked into his bedroom. "I was forced to sit through those boring meetings for hours on end, they couldn't get my lunch order right and I had to suffer through normal food, and there was a substitute dance instructor who didn't know her left foot from her right. It was absolutely awful, I'm surprised I survived it."

Biting his lip to prevent a smile from forming, Henry tried his best to look apologetic as he spoke. While he loved the Young Master dearly, sometimes he was just too much. "Sorry to hear that sir. Would you like your supper brought up to you after your bath?"

Removing his jacket and tossing it on the floor for the maid to deal with later, Fred began unbuttoning his shirt on the way to the bathroom. "I suppose." He said with a dramatic sigh. "Oh, and do tell the new girl that my room is to be spotless by the time I get out." Dropping the shirt on the ground as well, he moved on to his slacks.

"It will be done sir. Anything else you require?"

Fred shook his head as he disappeared into the bathroom. "No, that'll be all Henry. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night sir, and pleasant dreams." Henry said with a bow. Waiting until the door to the bathroom closed, he turned around and made his way to the servants' wing to do as the Young Master requested. "Now what was that young woman's name again?" He muttered to himself as he turned down a long hallway. "Renge, Renka, Reinta…"

While Henry was on his way to find his new maid, Fred was just slipping into his luxurious bubble bath. Sinking deeper into the water, he came to a stop when everything but his head was completely covered by the iridescent bubbles. Releasing a sigh of contentment, he closed his eyes and began to hum a melody that the world renowned composer Franz Hiech had written especially for him. He'd asked for something for his birthday, and being as he'd just donated a new opera house to the composer's hometown, the man was only too happy to oblige.

It was a relatively short piece, only about two minutes long, but it was so beautifully done that it had brought tears to Fred's eyes the first time he'd heard it. He had every intention of playing the song at his wedding…just as soon as Gene agreed to his marriage proposal that is.

With his mind filled with thoughts of his lovely redheaded obsession, a smile formed on Fred's face and he giggled like a little girl who'd just gotten a flower from her longtime crush. First he thought about where he'd send the annoying women who always hung around Gene, some place far away no doubt, and then he moved on to planning the wedding. "Jim would make the cutest ring-bearer/flower-girl ever!" He squealed in delight as an image of the young mechanic with flowers in his hair popped into his head. "And Gene would look so handsome in a white tuxedo, it would really make that gorgeous hair of his stand out."

From there his thoughts moved to where they'd live and how many children they'd adopt, he was thinking three, two girls and a boy, but really he was fine with whatever Gene wanted. "I really do want a daughter though, preferably with red hair just like my darling."

He laid there in the water contemplating different names for the children he had yet to adopt until the water became uncomfortably cold. Standing up, Fred shivered slightly as he pulled on the thick robe hanging from a hook next to the tub. Tying it tightly around his waist, he released the water and headed back into his room. He spotted his new maid, a tall, well built woman, grabbing his clothes off the floor and wadding them into a ball and he practically screeched in anger. "How dare you do that to my clothes! Do you have any idea how much those cost?"

The woman looked up and Fred's eyes widened in shock as the long brown hair parted to reveal a very familiar face. "Y-Y-YOU!" He cried out. "What are you doing here you crazy Amazon woman?" Without giving her time to answer, he continued screaming. "HENRY! GET IN HERE NOW!"

Seconds later the doors were thrust open and Henry came running in with a sword in his hand. "What is it Sir?" He asked, eyes darting around for any sign of danger. Seeing nothing other than the new maid and the Young Master, he slowly lowered his arm.

"What are you doing, get this thing out of here!" Fred wailed, pointing his finger at the maid. "Use your sword if you have to, I don't care, just remove her from my room at once!"

Looking from Fred to the maid and then back again, Henry shook his head in confusion. "Young Master, perhaps you'd better explain to me just what in the world is going on here."

"Do you not know who this woman is?" Fred demanded.

"Of course I do, she's your temporary maid. Mrs. Matrin brought her here a few hours ago." Henry replied. He'd relayed a message to her only a little while ago, though he hadn't actually met the woman yet "What seems to be the problem?"

"The problem." Fred said in annoyance. "Is that this beast of a woman should not be allowed anywhere near me. Do you not remember what she tried to do to me?"

Taking a good look at the rather large woman who was standing stock still, several rolled up articles of clothing in her hand, Henry finally realized exactly what it was the Young Master was talking about. "Ah, Miss Reiko. It's lovely to see you again dear. Everything going well I hope."

"Yes, thank you." Reiko replied with a smile.

Fred watched the interaction with an uncomprehending look on his face. "What the hell is going on here? Why are you being so nice to her? She's evil! Get her off my property this instant!"

Rubbing his ears, Henry turned to face the fuming man he'd watched over since birth. "You will watch your tongue sir." He said shortly. "That's no way to talk to a lady, help or not."

"But…" Fred began only to be cut off before he could continue.

"No buts sir. Miss Reiko hasn't done anything wrong, be it now or in the past. Don't forget that you were the one to make the terms for the arrangement to begin with, she merely tried to win and take your hand in marriage. No one can fault her for that. And as for your behavior, I'm ashamed of you." Henry admonished. "She has done nothing to you since arriving and you will refrain from treating her badly or I will see to it that you're forced to do all the cleaning for a week."

Fred took several steps back with a gasp. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." Henry said, narrowing his eyes slightly to show he meant business. When Fred turned his back on them and began to mutter darkly to himself, Henry moved his attention back to Reiko. "I do hope he hasn't upset you too badly."

"No. I mean I expected him to have some kind of reaction when he saw me, I just didn't think he'd be so harsh. I guess he really does hate me." Reiko finished, a tear making its way down her cheek.

"I wouldn't say that my dear." Henry consoled. "The Young Master only gets really worked up over people he cares about. I'm sure somewhere in that warped heart of his he cares for you very deeply, otherwise he would've ignored you completely."

Reiko's eyes lit up and she clutched her heart happily. "You mean there's still a chance he may marry me?"

Glancing over at Fred, who was now sitting with his arms wrapped around his knees and moping, Henry sighed. "Anything's possible I suppose, but don't get your hopes up. The Young Master still has his heart set on Gene Starwind."

"Then I'll just have to do my best to show Fred how much I love him!" Reiko said enthusiastically. Dropping to the floor, she started grabbing clothes and throwing them into a pile.

Rubbing his forehead, Henry groaned. "Why do I get the feeling that the next few weeks are going to be miserable." He muttered to himself as he turned around and headed back to his room. And then pausing, he smiled. "On the bright side, at least it should be rather entertaining." There was the sound of something crashing against a wall and he groaned. "Perhaps a little too exciting it seems." Shaking his head, Henry continued on his way. They'd figure things out for themselves…either that or he'd have to call for an ambulance in the morning.

Fred couldn't believe the nerve of Henry, letting the obsessed woman stay like that. The man was supposed to be on his side, but apparently he'd have to have a chat with him later and remind the old timer of his place. Right after he figured out a way of removing the Champion fighter from his room. Eyeing the larger woman as she pulled his clothes off the ground, Fred narrowed his eyes. "You're wrinkling my wardrobe, cease that at once." He ordered. "And watch where you step, that rug costs more than you'll make in a lifetime and I don't want your filthy feet traipsing all over it."

"How would you know what I make?" Reiko shot back, his haughty tone finally getting to her.

"I know everything there is to know about you, right down to the heart shaped birthmark on your lower back. I had my people check you out as soon as you started winning those tournaments." Fred said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And despite your record wins, your net worth is pitiful. You really need to get someone to manage your money better. I'll give you the number of my banker in the morning and he'll set you up with somebody." Then realizing who he was talking to, his whole demeanor changed. "Get back to work, and stay away from my underwear drawer or I'll make sure you disappear…permanently." Turning his back to her once more, Fred walked over to the desk he had near his bed and sat down. Grabbing a stack of papers, he set to work, steadfastly ignoring the other occupant in the room.

Reiko rolled her eyes at the order, but followed it all the same. This time though, when she picked up a blue shirt, she made sure to hold it gently and not wad it up like before. Moving on to the next pile of clothes, she finished her job and left the room without a word. Leaning up against the wall just outside the door, her shoulders sagged and she sighed heavily. "Why I love that man I'll never know. He can be such a jerk sometimes." She grumbled, pushing herself up and carrying the large pile of clothes in her arms down the hall towards the laundry room.

Dropping the clothes into the basket she'd been told was for Fred, Reiko decided to call it a night. There really was no point in trying to clean the room while he was moping around inside anyway. Making her way to the staff's quarters, she found her room and stepped inside. It was modest compared to the rest of the rooms in the place, but still huge by her standards, and she couldn't wait to curl up on the bed for the night.

Not even bothering to change, the black slacks and white button up shirt she was wearing were actually quite comfortable, she fell onto the bed and was asleep in seconds.

o o o o o

No matter how hard he tried, Fred couldn't seem to concentrate on his work. Every time he heard a noise he had to force himself to not turn around and it was starting to get on his nerves. Okay, so the woman wasn't all that bad really, but her constant professions of love and whatnot were so annoying, and frankly he'd rather not be forced to deal with them. That's why he'd hired Gene to beat her in the first place, so she'd lose and no longer feel the need to bother him. His plan hadn't turned out quite the way he'd wanted it to and instead she'd become even more clingy, so he'd fled and vowed to never go anywhere near her again.

So what does Henry do, allow the woman to work in…his…house! As his maid! Now he'd be stuck with her for the next month and he was already near his breaking point. If he survived it'd be a miracle.

Hearing the door close, he breathed a sigh of relief and threw the papers down on the desk. "Finally." He muttered. Standing up, he walked over to the door and made sure the lock was engaged before tossing his robe onto the chair and slipping under his covers. "Maybe I'll get lucky and this'll all have been a bad dream."