Author's Note: While I have a general idea of where I'd like this story to go, the plot hasn't been completely straightened out and is subject to change in the early stages. So if you have any bunnies you'd like to send my way, I'd be happy to consider them. And despite hintings in this first chapter, this is not a bashing fic.

The Great Eclectic

Chapter One

Usagi blew the bangs out of her face and continued to impatiently tap her two-inch pink heel against the glossy hardwood floors outside of the Preventers conference room. Her fortitude was waning and the insistent stare of the wrinkly day janitor who'd been cleaning the exact same window for the past 10 minutes she'd been standing outside the door was beginning to put her at disease.

"Just walk in and walk out. Be professional," she murmured to herself with a sigh. If only it were that easy.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, the door opened and a man clad in an expensive business suit exited, sparing her only a nod and a "pardon me" as he headed off down the hall. Groaning, Usagi glanced back at the janitor and slid into the room before the door shut.

Inside it was warm and crowded with Preventers sitting at tables lined from one side of the room to the other. At the far end of rotunda standing behind a raised podium was the ever-daunting Lady Une, and while Usagi didn't understand half of things coming out of the woman's mouth, she was certain that it was very crucial from the way all of the officers watched her with rapt attention: all except one.

Silently thanking the gods for making Duo such a slouch, Usagi quietly made her way to where he was slumped in his seat in the back row uninterestedly attempting to balance a pen on the end of his finger. Lady Une continued to drone on.

"Duo," Usagi whispered, "I have the files you needed…"

"Hey, Beautiful!" Duo perked up at the sight of her and straightened in his seat. Usagi winced and glanced around glad to find that only the persons sitting in the surrounding seats had seemed to notice Duo's outburst.

Sighing in relief, she placed the manila folder on the table in front of him atop the agenda he'd ripped to shreds in his bored state. "Well, if that's everything you need…"

As she turned to leave Duo effortlessly caught her wrist in his hands and gently tugged her up against his knees. "Hey, how are you doing, Babe?"

He was sincerely concerned. And noticing this as such a rare moment in which Duo ever managed to be serious, Usagi decided to reciprocate the gesture. "Terrible."

Duo sighed and took a moment to consider her response as he absently massaged the skin of her forearm. "It's rough on him too."

Usagi scoffed.

"Well, if the way he's glaring a hole into my head right now is any evidence, I'd say he isn't over you yet."

She tensed but couldn't bring herself to turn her head in the direction in which she was certain he was standing. He was exactly why she'd stood outside the door for ten minutes silently arguing over whether or not to come in at all. He was the reason…He…

A knot began to form in her stomach.

"I should go." She straightened but Duo didn't release his hold on her.

"We'll talk later. You, me, and Bloody Mary: my most fantasized threesome," he teased with a seductive grin.

Usagi managed a small smile and turned to leave the conference room, acutely aware of Duo's eyes following her backside out the door.

The man sure did know how to be a friend.

By the time she made it back to her desk, Usagi's legs were trembling so violently she could hardly stand and readily collapsed into the inviting black leather chair. Head knocking against her desk with a resounding thud, she groaned and willed her watering eyes not to leak.

It was the first time she'd seen Heero since she'd left a week ago, well, not that she had actually 'seen' him just then, but she had done a decent job of avoiding his presence for the last seven days. This in itself was a considerable achievement as they worked for the same organization, in the same building, on the same floor of the same wing. But due to cat-like reflexes, well planned lunch breaks, and small miracles she had managed to steer clear of her ex. Not that he had made any attempt to seek her out.

The phone blared to life next to her left elbow. After briefly considering whether or not to answer it, she opted for the machine to pick up the message and allowed her head to sink back into the folds or her arms.

"Hello, Miss Tsukino, it's Relena Darlian…"

Usagi stiffened.

"I've been trying to get a hold of Heero Yuy, and was wondering if you might have another number I could reach him at. If you do, just give my secretary a call at 327…"

She picked up the receiver and promptly slammed it back on its base. The need to cry suddenly replaced with the need to scream, Usagi angrily scribbled a note claiming she was on her lunch break, stood with a huff, and marched to the elevator. As she waited for the metal doors to slide close, a small freckled face appeared on the other side.

"Ms. Tsukino! I f-found you. Um, Preventer Rawlings needs…needs you to type up this me-memo." He nervously flashed a sheet of paper covered in indecipherable scribbles.

Usagi smiled sweetly at the nervous man. "You'll just have to tell Preventer Rawlings that I'm going on my hour break, which despite what he may think, is not a working lunch and not an invitation to join me. And just because I've returned to work here, doesn't mean he should come near me. Ever, ever again. Bye now!"

The man opened his mouth just as the elevator doors closed with a charming 'ding.'