AN: Been ready for quite some time.. But now that I'm on it.. I don't think I'll stick to once a week anymore.. Probably more than that.. As soon as I finished it, I'll publish it.. But I can only do that if people review..

So thank you those that Review!!!

tyleet88: Thank you. I get absentminded on how great I am (just kidding) Hope to hear more of you.

shevaleon: You never fail me. It's awesome! I'm going to make Wufei and Duo's meeting explosive!

Lord Barton

Lord Barton.

I sure as hell didn't like that tone of voice- that wavery, frightened shrill threatening to come through. Hilde's anxious eyes were glued to the floor as I walked with her. Now that I was finished with all the letters, a good ten minutes going into Treize's, for some odd reason, I had my thoughts honed on the fact that this Lord Barton had the same last name as Trowa's. It was eating away at me. Instinct was pressing my slave and this Lord together, but I tried not to dwell on it.

We came to the main lobby, with the staircases heading upwards to unknown floors, and the corridor leading down to the Fun Room, still strewn with carcasses. The place was relatively clean, the glass swept and shining, and the dark furniture situated mainly in the eastern part of the room, where the fireplace was. In more remote locations, like near windows or simply beside a door, were other loveseats and divans.

However, who I presumed to be Lord Barton stood directly inside the door, Louis hanging his coat on a rack nailed besides the front door. The old man, with gray shocks of hair sticking out from under his red ostrich-feather cap, held a cane with a blood red globe for a hold. I saw his military style dress, a gray and red uniform outfit, and wondered briefly if he fought in the war. But he couldn't have; he was a Royal who had a bunch of cronies to do the dirty work.

Then I spotted a familiar- though I've never met her- ginger-headed little girl next to him. She looked decidedly unhappy, no, she looked downright depressed. Holding hands with the man that I guessed was her guardian, I could tell she had no great love for him. One look at me and her tiny forked eyebrows drew together, dark blue eyes concentrating. She looked at Hilde, blinked, then looked back at me, focusing even harder.

Before I could greet either of them she burst out, "Why can't I read your mind? Can my dad do it?"

"Your dad," I spoke slowly, and then it hit me. This familiar face must be Treize's daughter. And she being in the clutches of this old man must be the reason why Treize was an infinite downer.

I smiled. She cocked her head to the side then smiled back.

"Nah, your dad couldn't," I answered. I've always liked kids, and she seemed like a smart one. "What's your name?"

"Marimeia Kushrenada," she said automatically, but Lord Barton took his cane and whacked her on the head with it. Marimeia seemed ready to cry, but her mouth hardened into a thin line and she said, "Mary Barton, I mean."

"Hey, I'll appreciate if you left needless punishments out of my house please, Lord-" Ugh. "Barton."

"I'll punish as I please, Duo."

"Lord Maxwell, you mean."

His ugly wrinkled face sneered. "No, I mean Duo." As if to gloat, he stuck Marimeia on the head again, and this time her lip trembled. I was just ready to take his throat out, but Heero suddenly appeared beside me. Great timing.

"What the fuc- What are you here for, Lord Barton?"

Without preamble, Barton demanded, "Give me Trowa."

What the fuck? What the fiddly-fuck?

"Um, no," I said, and absolutely nothing could change my mind.

The door bell rang, and Louis, who had been watching while biting his lower lip, answered it.

I was surprised to see a gloomy, wary Treize, dressed also in a military suit, walk through my door. Louis unlatched the buttons for his cape and hung it next to Barton's gray coat on the rack. Treize's sexy, and I do mean sexy, knee high boots and tight white pants were snug on his long legs. White gloves covered his large hands and a gleaming white gold-trimmed shirt and lapel spread evenly over his chest.

I would be his aide any day. Yes, sir.

Treize took one look at his daughter and immediately brightened. A genuine smile spread over his face and he whispered, "Marimeia." She seemed just as happy to see her father before Barton shook his cane over her head. 'Mary Barton' then looked at the floor and began to cry- and all be damned if Treize didn't have a look to kill just then- and I don't mean he just had good looks, which he did, but I bet if Marimeia's hand wasn't in that bastard's hand, Barton's head would be flying.

The fool grinned. "Now that the other guest has arrived, I would like for you to ask for our main guest to come, Duo- Ah, there he is."

I shifted and saw Trowa standing there, with that same deer in the headlights expression. It wasn't exactly one of surprise, now that I looked at it, but one of entire blankness, like how Heero was. This time around, he wasn't wearing something seductive nor was he completely naked-as Louis still was- but still tantalizingly attractive. Low slung India pants, a salwar without the snugness at the ankle, and a tan sweater baring his shoulders.

He took a small moccasin-clad step backwards but Barton barked to myslave,"Get over here," while pointing at his feet.

I gave Trowa a look when he glance at me and pointed down to my feet. I swore to myself that if he walked to Barton I was going to punish him mercilessly. He was mine, dammit. Luckily, I was going to save myself from wearing out my arm when he walked towards me, his slightly taller frame sidling up against mine. His pale skin at his scarred shoulders were sweaty and cold. His fear made me nauseous and angry.

I hated this Lord Barton.

Slowly, said bastard held his cane at both ends, removing a sheath to a long thin blade. With purposeful intent, he braced it under Marimeia's chin, her eyes flashing not with fear, but pure hate.

Dekim started, "Shall I say it once-"

"Don't listen to him!" Marimeia screamed, shocking the rest of us. "He'll just kill you!"

"Oh, I get it," I said, and it took all of my being not to trounce him, "When you kill her, Treize will kill me. Everything will be as smooth as butter if I give Tro' up, right?"

"Exactly."

"What are you going to do with him?"

Barton grinned, fangs glistening. "I'll fuck him.Then I'll cut him to pieces, freeze them and eat them later."

I was thoroughly disgusted and didn't want to continue this conversation any further than stone-cold Trowa wanted to hear it, but I had to buy time to think. "Why? You can do that with any slave."

At this, Barton's eyes hardened. "It must be him. The Seer," he spat, "said that one of these days he will kill me. It's been three years and now is my chance." He licked his wrinkled lips greedily. "It is the son of my sister who is going to kill me, and he is the only one who fits the vision. I will have him, and I will kill him."

"Why didn't you take care of him three fucking years ago?"

"Because," the old man smiled, his mustached creasing, "then he had belonged to masters who didn't give a damn about hurting Treize's feelings or killing this little girl."

By then, I was out of questions, because I knew he was right. I tried staring at Treize, and his hands only shook. Hilde cracked her knuckles indecisively, and Trowa took a hesitant step forward as if deciding himself that he would go. My mind was in shambles- I could call on the spirits for help, but Fate would probably have it for old Barton to take it the wrong way, as a threat to him.

Right now, Trowa was the main threat- how in the hell would Trowa kill him being a slave and all was beyond me, but a psychic Seer isn't a person to take lightly. It'll probably happen, unless Trowa dies. And I can't let that happen. Something told me that would be very bad- besides the fact Catherine would probably kill me, but if a Seer has a vision of someone as low as scum as Lord Barton, there's some big shit going around that mystery.

But I couldn't just let Marimeia die. That's like... She's so young. Yea, she was about my age when I was in the war but that's besides the point. And then Treize will kill me for Barton killing her...

Wait a minute.

"Lord Barton," I called, pretty sure of myself, and becoming more confident by the second. He looked at me with that same sneer.

"Have you made your choice, Duo?" There was a thin stream of blood falling off the tip of his pointer, but Marimeia didn't so much as flinch.

"Well, I don't think it is about me making a choice, Barton, but you."

Now they were all giving me funny little looks, except Marimeia, whose eyes opened wide in recognition.

"Do you know what I'm about to say, kid?"

"Well, I can't read your mind, but I just thought..." She said slowly, looking in Barton's confused eyes. "Why would Daddy kill Duo for you killing me? Doesn't it make sense that he would kill you?"

That was exactly what I was about to say.

"Y-You thi-think," Barton stammered, now at a loss, "that Prince Kushrenada would risk his reputation to save a little Half-Breed like you?"

"Don't call her that," Treize hissed.

The old man continued, "He won't. If he did, he would put shame to his whole family accepting a little bastard child. Every part of the Order would destroy him, make a firm example out of his ashes or maybe they'll possess him with spirits. Then he'll be a puppet-"

"That's besides the point," interrupted Marimeia, a bit pale- paler, "You'll still be dead."

Trowa was warmer now, and delicious smells were drifting into the lobby, meaning his sister was just finished whipping up something mighty good. Trieze now had his arms crossed, seeming to be pretty much amused by the whole situation now. Louis, eyebrows lifted, had gone somewhere, already knowing the outcome of the situation. Hilde tapped her toes impatiently, as if she had better things to do. Heero had disappeared now that I was no longer a threat to Royal.

"This little boy owes me!" Lord Barton howled, desperate, pointing his weapon at Treize, who merely raised his eyebrows. "He fucks with this little human woman and gets her pregnant. Woman's dead now, good riddance-"

"I highly suggest you stop playing around with his emotions," I warned. Treize's power was crackling out of control, and Heero had suddenly appeared again, this time by his side.

"And then this little girl comes out," Barton then shook Marimeia with his free hand, "and she has the choice of death or becoming a pet, and guess who owns her now? Me! I do! I do!"

"That's all fine and dandy. Now, what are you going to do?"

Visibly shaking, Barton hovered there for a moment, then straightened and took Marimeia by the hand. Hurrying to the door without another word, he took his coat, and opened my large wooden door himself, moon rays gushing in over my spotless floor.

"Bye-bye, Daddy! Bye-bye, Lord Maxwell!" Marimeia called ecstatically, her little hand still waving just before Lord Barton slammed the door.

Then it opened again and Lord Catalonia's daughter or granddaughter walked in, grinning like she won a thousand bucks. She pulled her ears, making it obvious to everyone that she had been eavesdropping the whole time. She wore absolutely nothing but a plain, long, white dress that ended right at her knees. The moonlight made her shine and her grin like diamonds. Pretty young thing, alright.

"Cousin, I had no idea you cared so much for little Mary," she crooned devilishly at Treize, who rolled his eyes.

"Her name is Marimeia, Dorothy, and I told you that the only reason I haven't pranced around at dawn yet is because she's still alive," murmured Treize, rolling his eyes again when Dorothy mouthed 'awww'. He turned to me, not looking me in the eye just yet, and said, "I'm in your debt. That was brilliant thinking."

I grinned. "It was your daughter who did all the thinking. I'm sorry I put you in the middle of all this and your daughter and, you know, hesitated between your daughter and Trowa-"

"I understand perfectly," Treize assured with a smile, "If I was in the same position, I wouldn't be too quick on giving up somebody I don't know so somebody else I don't know can live."

"Oh, I know Tro just a bit," I said with a smile.

Dorothy chirped curiously, "You fucked him already? I thought he was a eunuch."

"Jeez, you're not one for subtly, are you?"

"Not at all," Treize muttered, looking at the door and at me, then at his coat. Obviously, he didn't want to leave just yet.

"I'm having dinner here!" Dorothy announced, heading down the hall from which the smells came the strongest. Her feet were light touching the ground, but I could still hear her somewhat padded steps hit the floor.

"Cousin, you just can't invite yourself-" Treize started.

"Too late!"

"It's fine, Treize," I said, meaning it too, "It's better with you guys here to show me the ropes since my right-hand woman and my right-hand man are busy. With what, I don't fucking know." Treize's laugh was as clear as bells. I liked the sound of it.

"Plus, it seems like you have something to say to me," I added, a bit distracted when suddenly Trowa rubbed against me.

"You're very perceptive. Can we discuss it at dinner, please?" He gave Trowa behind me a little knowing smile that I didn't miss. He must be reading something in his mind that was a tad bit interesting.

"No problem."

Treize nodded and walked off after his cousin. Miraculously, everyone was now gone, including Hilde, and so Tro' and I were all alone. I would've trailed after Treize towards the dining room, but Trowa was holding me by the arm, desire radiating off his skin in delectable waves, and then I could guess what the Prince's smile was all about. He clutched harder, bidding me silently to turn to him, and so I did. My eyes couldn't meet his because he was trying his damn best not to look at me, so I hooked my arms around his slightly higher waist and brushed our groins together. He was already out and hard and moaned a little when I ground harder.

"We should go eat dinner," Trowa said softly, but I knew by his feelings that that was the last thing he wanted to do. Instead of listening to him, I picked him up around his waist and dropped him on the nearest loveseat, the dark red one farthest from the unheated fireplace.

"Don't you want to do something else first?" I whispered seductively, running my hands up a bared side, its heat turning me on mainly because vampires, though you get used to it, are usually so cold.

Wait.. They're always cold.

I shoved that thought to the side, because Trowa was saying, "I'm sorry about my uncle..."

Uncle? Oh yea, Barton was saying something about a vision with his sister's son or whatever.

"That's not what I asked you. What do you want to do?" I cupped his chest around a nipple and slowly sucked on it.

He gasped, "You know what... I want to do, master."

I breathed over the tiny projection, knowing it would be arousingly cool on his heated skin. I wasn't going to make him say what he wanted, not yet, but there will come a time when I'll make him mine and absolutely no one else will come along and try to take him from me.