Title: Wealth Has Its Privileges

Author: WingedPanther73

Pairing(s)/Characters: Nichol, Lady Une

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Sybil and I are doing another FicTicTacToe. This time, we're doing Nichol and Lady Une with the set Symbols. This is 03. Tattoo.

Warnings: None.

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing, its names and characters belong to Bandai/Sunrise.

Beta Reader/Opponent: Sybil Rowan

Lieutenant Nichol smiled as he hung up the phone with his father. The transfer was as good as done.

It was important for Nichol to be working under the most prestigious, accomplished members of OZ if he were to continue his rapid advancement through the ranks.

Currently, Colonel Une was the rising star, and he intended to ride her coat-tails as far as possible. The fact that she was clearly from aristocracy was just a bonus. She doubtless had many useful connections he could take advantage of, as well.

"Lieutenant Vladimir Nichol, reporting for duty, Ma'am."

The woman with the severe bun glanced up at him through her glasses. He stretched forth his arm with his papers, which she accepted. She opened the folder and glanced at them briefly, before nodding to herself.

"Welcome to my unit, Lieutenant. Don't disappoint me."

He saluted smartly. "No, Ma'am."

"Dismissed."

"Thank you, Ma'am." He turned smartly and marched from her office. Once he had left her office, he allowed a smile to spread from his heart to his face. He was here! He was finally only two steps below the mighty General Khushrenada. Soon, he would come to the General's attention and be raised to a position appropriate for a man of his background.

A week later, Nichol responded to a summons to the Colonel's office. "Lieutenant Nichol, reporting as ordered, Ma'am."

She looked up and removed her glasses. There was a thoughtful look on her face as she said, "At ease, Lieutenant." Nichol promptly assumed the wider stance appropriate to her order. "No, really, at ease."

He knew his face held a puzzled expression. "Pardon?"

"Relax, Nichol. You're not here in an official capacity. Take a seat and stop acting so stiff." Nichol was completely baffled, but stiffly sat down, per her orders. She got a strange look on her face. "Relax, Nichol!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" He then attempted to figure out what he was supposed to do while the Colonel rested her face on the palm of her hand.

Finally, she sighed and lifted her eyes. "Nichol, I have a personal policy to have a relaxed meeting with every one of my subordinates. I like to know who's working with me beyond what's in their file. So far, I'm starting to wonder if you know how to act like a human being."

Nichol looked at her in complete bafflement. He had never had a superior treat him like this. "Is this supposed to be that meeting?"

"It was, but it's clear to me that it won't work. Meet me at DaVinci's at oh-nine hundred hours. Do not be there in uniform. Dress casual. It will be dutch, and we won't be the only ones there."

Despite his complete confusion, he managed to sputter a, "Yes, Ma'am."

She returned her glasses to her face. "Dismissed."

Nichol's discreet queries revealed that what the Colonel was doing was not unusual at all. It seemed that about once a week, she would select a different group of about five of the personnel to spend the evening with. It was always casual, unofficial, and fun. It was not uncommon for a private to be seated next to a lieutenant.

Nichol thought it was madness, but he did understand that it was a casual dinner. He carefully selected a pair of khakis, a short-sleeved button down shirt, a brown belt, and his reddish-brown dress shoes. He made a point of leaving the top button undone. A quick appraisal in the mirror confirmed that he looked quite relaxed. He hoped he wasn't under-dressed.

When he arrived at the restaurant, he was faced with confusion. He had heard from the others on the base that DaVinci's was an excellent Italian restaurant, but when he pulled into a parking spot, he saw people wearing jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. What kind of quality restaurant would tolerate that type of clothing?

As he stepped in, his ears were assaulted with the noise of talking and the music of the common man. The waitress guided him to a table when he requested the "Une party", but he didn't see any. He was more confused when he saw the table. There was no sign of the Colonel at the table at all!

Glancing over the people present, he realized that he didn't own a single piece of clothing that could be considered "casual" by this crowd. Facing his direction was a young female private wearing jean shorts and a tank top. Next to her was another lieutenant with a band t-shirt and jeans. His eyes continued to scan for the Colonel, noting people in various states of improper attire.

The worst was the woman whose back was to him. She had straight brown hair down to the middle of her back, and she was wearing a sleeveless shirt that showed off her tattoos. She had a pair of angel wings imprinted on her back, partially concealed by the shirt. They were large enough that they probably covered most of her back. The open seat was across from the woman who could only be street trash.

As he circled the table, she looked up at him and smiled. "Welcome, Vladimir, I was starting to think you wouldn't make it." With shock, he realized that the woman who reminded him of street trash was his superior. "Why are you dressed up? Didn't I say this was casual?"

Nichol didn't know what he mumbled, he was too shocked. To his further embarrassment, the private, whose name he didn't recall, piped up. "Now, Ann, perhaps he's been in uniform too long, and doesn't remember how to dress down." Everyone laughed, and Nichol hid his face.

The evening didn't improve. He silently vowed to never do this again. He would not degrade himself be associating with common people.

The next day, he was summoned to the Colonel's office again. "Lieutenant Nichol, reporting as ordered."

The glasses didn't come off, this time, as the stern gaze was leveled on him. "Nichol, it's clear that you didn't enjoy the company last night. You will not be subjected to that again."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Understand this, it did not reflect well on you."

"Ma'am?"

"Your subordinates need to respect you. They also need to be appreciated by you. I respect General Khushrenada a great deal, and he shows me appreciation. You did not inspire respect or show appreciation, last night. That concerns me. I will be keeping a close eye on you, Lieutenant."

He hadn't realize the prior evening was a test, of sorts, or that he had failed. "Understood, Ma'am." This wasn't going to be as easy as he had thought.

"Dismissed." He could feel her stern, disapproving gaze on him as he retreated from her office. This was not going as he had planned, at all.