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Warning: Unbeta'd

Chapter Eight

Groggily, Noin fought the last vestiges of sleep and turned on her stomach, lazily wondering why she was naked. Her eyes instantly snapped open at feel of a solid body underneath her. She stared at the back of a blond head of hair, and thought cynically that it was the wrong shade and way too short. Noin became aware of the tenderness between her legs, that wonderful feeling after a good lay. She remembered the party, the bartender with the pretty smile, watching Wufei go after Relena, dancing with Quatre again…

Oh, God, no!

She leaned over the body, praying he wasn't who she thought he was. Before she could confirm or deny her suspicions, she was flipped onto her back, a solid body pinning her down. Quatre's angelic face was smiling down at her, his bangs falling endearingly into his eyes. Noin swallowed hard, staring into tender blue eyes that made her cringe with shame. She finally lost all semblance of composure when Quatre's gaze drifted downward, to her naked chest; his eyes went still, zeroing in on the marks he'd left the night before. He gave her a crooked smile, and nipped her bottom lip.

Instantly, Noin was on her feet, the dark navy sheets wrapped tightly around her body. Unfortunately, that left Quatre completely without cover. Noin closed her eyes at the sight. "I'm sorry."

"Noin, what's the matter?"

She could hear the bafflement in his voice. Noin turned around and started searching for her clothes, ignoring the naked man on the bed. She found her dress, mangled and torn at the food of the bed. She had no luck with her bra or panties. Her shoes, she found kicked across the room. She dressed quickly sans panties and bra, her back still turned toward Quatre. Finally, when there was nothing else to busy herself with, she turned toward the bed. Quatre was gazing at her, a frown on his smooth forehead, and completely unself-conscious about his nudity. "Have you seen my undergarments?"

"They're ruined," was all he said.

He was such a good boy, so sweet and courteous, always referring to her as 'Ms. Noin.' This was a nightmare, it wasn't possible that they had slept together, and definitely not in the way that the torn clothes and marks on her body pointed to. "Quatre, I'm so so-"

"Sorry, yes, I know." He gave a mirthless laugh. "I thought you were sober, I should have known better. I apologize for having taken advantage of you."

Noin shook her head, and handed him the sheet, he placed it carelessly on his lap. "I should leave."

"My driver can take you wherever you need to go."

"Thanks," Noin smiled at Quatre for both their sakes, to make the situation less awkward but she felt like she might burst into tears at any second.


Wufei parked his motorcycle in Relena's driveway and made his way to the door.

Her highness had beckoned, telling him that her brother wanted to have dinner with both of them and had requested that he show up early in order to get their facts straights for Milliardo. He debated whether to tell Zechs the truth about his relationship with his sister. However, he didn't know how Zechs would react; he didn't want to gamble with a perfectly good professional relationship. When this was over, everything would back to normality, he doubted that would be the case if went to Zechs now. But he wanted to, so badly to humiliate Relena.

5649 W. Amerige.

Pretty place, Wufei thought, wondering if Relena had trouble finding her own home amid the hundreds of other look alike houses. All two story houses, painted a dull brown, with a three-car garage and a medium size yard. It suited her, the upper class private suburbia neighborhood, even if he had pictured her living in a sprawling mansion with a footman and servants tending to her night and day. He rang the bell, twice, and cursed when she didn't come to the door. He tried the doorknob, remembering that Relena had said she'd leave the door open for him in case she was out when he arrived, and found it unlocked.

He went in, only to come face to face with the biggest dog he'd had ever seen. The dog stared balefully at him, a giant ball of black fur with no discernable pedigree. Wufei remained motionless, not wanting to antagonize such a large dog. Suddenly, the dog leaped at him, his paws coming to rest on his shoulders and proceeded to lick his face with gusto. Satisfied at the greeting, the dog then yipped and jumped playfully at his feet, vying for his attention. Disgusted, Wufei wiped his face and patted the exuberant dog on the head. Beaming at his attention the dog continued to play at his feet, almost toppling from his exuberant exertions. Some guard dog, Wufei thought, a smile edging at the corner of his lips. Oddly, the hyperactive dog with the big brown eyes reminded him of Duo.

He scratched the back of the dog's head, "Okay," he started, looking for the dog's collar. "Tulip, where's your mistress?" As if understanding, the dog took off running. He came to a stop at a closed door and waited patiently for Wufei to catch up.

"Thank you," Wufei said, now openly smiling at the dog's enthusiasm. The dog raised his right paw, Wufei laughed and shook it.

He knocked on the door and went in. He found Relena in sweats and a t-shirt, kicking the crap out of a heavy bag. She had an intensely concentrated look, delivering jabs and kicks with stunning ability. He watched for a while, judging her skills. What she lacked in strength she more than made up for quickness. Kickboxing, he decided, watching her execute a brutal uppercut that made his jaw tense, obviously learned from a local gym, more for the purpose of fitness than self-defense. She was adequate and a little undisciplined judging from her wild blows. Through his inspection, Relena remained oblivious, her attention only focused on the task.

"Your posture is wrong."

Relena turned, the scream caught in her throat when she saw Wufei leaning against the wall. "What?"

"You need to spread your legs wider," he said coming toward her. Relena looked at him, still not making sense of his presence. He turned her around, kicked the inside of her calves to widen her stand. "Now kick."

She did so automatically.

"Good. Did you feel the difference?"

"Yeah." She took a deep breath, her brain finally catching up.

She wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole. She was a mess, sweaty and probably smelly, with her hair plastered unattractively to her head. She had been so jittery about her brother visiting that she had decided to spend some of her nervous energy kickboxing. She had never intended to lose herself in it, blocking out everything else. "You're early."

"It's five o'clock."

"Oh," Relena said absentmindedly, noticing what he was wearing for the first time; faded jeans that hung perfectly on his narrow hips, a bomber jacked and ancient sneakers. She didn't think she had ever seen him in anything other than a uniform or formal wear. He looked… approachable and very very hot. His hair was tied in his usual ponytail and her hands actually itched to unbind his hair. Relena was staring and probably drooling as well, but she didn't really have any incentive to care.

"You said it was going to be informal," he told her icily, taking her thorough once over and staring as disapproval.

"Oh, no, you look really good," Relena cringed at her words. "What I mean is that you're perfect. For the meeting." Relena cleared her throat uncomfortably, feeling her face reddening. "Would you mind if I take a shower? I'm afraid time slipped away from me."

He nodded.

"Make yourself at home," she told him, almost running out the room.

Twenty minutes later, Relena came downstairs, dressed similarly as Wufei; in jeans and a t-shirt. Following the noise of loud barking she made her way to the backyard, there she found her dog running around wildly, his tongue lolling out, his eyes euphoric as Wufei played fetch with him. Again she felt he shock of how attractive Wufei really was. His lanky frame infused with strength, the play of muscle evident even through his shirt as he threw the ball for Tulip to fetch. Relena had always been aware of Wufei, how good he looked, even with his ever constant pinched expression, but had always pushed that fact to the corner of her mind. Now, though, with Wufei looking so damn sexy and relaxed, it was all she could think about.

She remembered another time, when they had run into each other at some function, and she had been unable to keep her eyes off him. She had been dazzled by his lean form and his dark eyes staring moodily at her and his mouth tight in a prim line and… and then he had opened his mouth. He had taken an intense dislike of her since the very first time they had met, Relena was more than aware of it. Still, despite herself, more than once in the last several years she had felt a pull deep inside her when she spotted him in a crowd, or felt a shiver run through her when their eyes accidentally locked. Most of the time though, she felt like murdering him.

She let man and dog play for a while, and left to start dinner.

Relena was only beginning the simple dinner of rice, steamed vegetables and beef when Wufei stepped inside the kitchen. She smiled at his breathless entrance, his hair somewhat messy, a few strands out of place.

"Does he ever run out energy?"

"Nope, he sort of reminds me of Duo," she laughed. "What?" She asked when he looked at her oddly, hoping he hadn't taken offense in his friend's behalf.

"Nothing," he replied, a little peeved because he had echoed her thoughts about her dog. "When did you start kickboxing?"

"A while back. My brother thought it would wise for me to be able to defend myself." She shrugged. "So far I haven't needed it, but it helps me relieve stress."

He nodded at her, noting the insecure way she measure ingredients, looking back and forth between a book and the foodstuffs on the counter. "Ms. Darlian, do you need assistance?"

"I'm not much of a cook," she confessed, noting the way he was looking at her.

"Really?" he asked, looking serious, but the corner of lip was twitching in a way that was becoming familiar to Relena.

She laughed, "Okay, I suck at it. I always try to cook something for my brother at least once when he's here. It's a lot more personal that eating out or catering. He has never complained yet."

"I'm sure you could serve him mud topped with whipped cream and the man would wolf it down and sing your praises."

"You think so?" she asked, as if she really needed his validation to prove that her brother loved her.

Wufei winced at the unhealthy amount of seasoning she put on the beef. "Let me help you, please." He was already going to spend an uncomfortable evening with her and her brother; he didn't need bad food added to the mix.

"You cook?"

"Don't look so surprised," he said standing up, rounding the island to help her.

But she was surprised, Wufei didn't seem like the type of man that would know his way around the kitchen. It didn't fit with his persona. It was obvious after a few minutes of watching him work that he was much more talented in the culinary arts that she. He ended up taking charge of the making of her meal, and she turned into his assistant, handing him ingredients and utensils. Through it, they discussed what they would say to her brother, learning little things about each other as they did so. Birthdays, family, hobbies anything that might come out during dinner. Wufei wasn't that forthcoming, and neither was she, which was okay, since for all intent and purposes they were only starting to date. She still wanted to know more about him.

It was something to be standing so close to him, to smell the clean scent of him, to watch him work gracefully with those elegant long fingered hands. He moved smoothly and gracefully with a concentrated look of his face that she found terribly cute. To add to the surrealism of the situation he actually donned a dishtowel as a makeshift apron and tucked it inside the waist of his jeans. Yummy, yummy, Relena thought, and she wasn't referring to the food. Another surprise for her was that Wufei was patient with her, explaining the steps and the precise amount of ingredients necessary. He was a good teacher, someone who would be strict but fair and thorough. In the end her humble meal had been turned into a work of art.

"Oh, my god!" Relena exclaimed, not believing that steamed vegetables could taste so good, especially if she had anything to do with preparing them. The ginger sauce Wufei had made was just indescribable. She licked her fingers and stopped suddenly at the look Wufei was giving her. "I'm sorry, I'm just not used to having something so good in my kitchen." She wondered if she was referring to the food or him.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," he said, the image of Relena savoring that piece of broccoli imprinted in his mind forever. The drawn out moan she let out had been almost orgasmic.

"My brother is in for quite a surprise. Thank you."

She was smiling at him and it was almost blinding him. "You're welcome."


At exactly seven o'clock, the doorbell rang and Tulip dashed to the front door. When Relena opened the door, as always, the dog launched himself at whomever was on the other side. Milliardo dusted himself fastidiously as Relena smiled sheepishly at him and held Tulip by his collar. "Sorry."

"When I said get a guard dog, I meant a vicious Doberman not a giant ball of fur that can lick you to death."

"You can't cuddle a vicious Doberman," Relena stated as she led Tulip away.

"That's exactly my point," he said dryly, watching his sister struggle with the eager dog that was dying to slobber all over him.

Zechs looked around the living room, noting the framed picture of him holding baby Relena on the mantle, next to various other pictures. He wondered if she only brought it out when he came to visit. It could be a definite possibility, except that Relena had also given him a key to her house when she had bought it four years ago. He was a stranger to Relena, his picture should not have been next to the one of her adopted parents. There he was, however, and always an incredible warmth and tenderness for Relena spread through him at the sight of their picture standing next to other pictures of her loved ones.

Relena came back a few minutes later, gave him a kiss on the cheek. Zechs wanted to hold her tight, as he had done only once when she'd been fourteen. He hadn't been thrilled, he remembered when she been brought home by his parents. Relena was always crying, fussy and demanding of his mother's attention. He had liked to make her laugh when she got older, when his parents let him play with her, he had liked the way her tiny hand would wrap about his fingers, he had been especially fond of her toothless smile, her chubby cheeks soft and round. It was his job to protect her, his parents told him, to look after her. Even as a child he had taken the duty seriously. It had been her memory, his duty to her that had kept him going through the war; it was still what kept him going.

"Come, on," Relena said taking his hand and leading him to the dinning room. "Dinner's ready."

"You really don't need to put yourself to the trouble, Lenny. We could have easily dined out."

"I know. But I…" she looked away shyly.

"She likes testing your love," Wufei finished for her, already seated comfortably in the large dinning room.

Zechs cracked a smile and sat, preparing himself for bland, burnt or overly seasoned food. He had never had the heart to tell his sister that her cooking left much to be desired. She had always looked so hopeful, her eyes begging him to like the meal, always looking so earnest.

Conversation flowed smoothly if a bit limited in its topics. Work, politics, and the never failing social silent filling item; the weather. It was a still a heck of a lot better than when he'd had dinner with Yuy, Zechs thought. He had never liked Yuy, not for his baby sister. Ultimately, he knew, his opinion didn't matter but he still liked to meet the men Relena dated. It was his job as older brother to look after Relena's welfare; a job he took very much to heart.

Upon tasting the first morsel on his plate, his eyes snapped to Relena, "Did you cook this?" he asked surprised. "It's very good." He took another bite of the scrumptious food in front of him, almost groaning from the pleasure. This was certainly unexpected.

"You don't have to look so shocked," Relena pouted but was pleased at his reaction. "Wufei cooked it," she admitted.

"Ahh," he said, nodding at the younger man with something akin to humor in his eyes.

Relena noticed Wufei returning the friendly gaze with a smile, then unable to control himself he gave a light chuckle. "I saw Relena's ability in the kitchen and I must say they are abysmal. However did you manage to eat anything she made?"

"Through sheer will and determination. Although, I admit that coq au vin dish she served me last time was quite a challenge."

"Hey," Relena started, outraged and then burst out laughing because her brother looked too cute wrinkling his nose in such a manner and because it was the first time he had ever teased her like this.

"You screwed up chicken?" Wufei asked, shaking his head at her, a smile on his tanned face.

"I think I might have put in too much wine," Relena chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully.

"And I think I got drunk from it," Milliardo said, gazing at her, also smiling.

"Keep that up and I'm never going to cook for you again."

"Well that's an incentive," Wufei deadpanned.

Zechs chortled, "I apologize, dear sister." He took her hand and rubbed her palm gently. "You can cook for me anytime you wish to." The fact was that he loved his sister cooking for him, no matter how god-awful the food was. It meant a lot to him that she would take the time, make the effort to make something for him that she would rarely bothered with for anyone else.

Relena beamed at him. "Next time, how about you cook for me?"

"Done," Milliardo told her smiling tenderly, bringing her hand up for his lips to kiss.

It was tangible, the love the siblings shared and yet there was a sense of stiffness around the air, as they were not completely comfortable with each other, as if there was a thick barrier between them. Wufei observed them in silence, feeling like an intruder.

The proverbial ice broken, the rest of the evening went much better. For dessert Relena brought out a cheesecake that to everyone's relief had been bought at a bakery. Both Wufei and her brother, but especially her brother continued to razzle her about her cooking skills. Milliardo, to her mortification, recited every single one of the meals she had prepared for him, describing each one as a battle he had fought and barely survived.

After dinner, they moved to the patio. Relena, always keeping in mind that she and Wufei were supposed to be a couple, sat in the arm his lawn chair, with her hand on shoulder blade, and her thigh grazing his torso. The touch wasn't unpleasant, Wufei surmised, but nevertheless unwelcome. She would turn toward him periodically, drawing him into the conversation, her breast making contact with his shoulder, and he tried not to squirm. He had fought two wars, looked death in eye, he could handle the former queen of the world's breast touching his person. He steeled himself and continued making light conversation with Relena and Zechs.

It was maddening, her little touches, the way she kept smiling down at him, shifting so her legs would make more contact with his body. He could just sit there, and let her… take liberties with his body in front of her brother while he fantasized about running for his life, away from her and anything having to do with her. He had been about to lose it when she had started playing nonchalantly with his ponytail, and had sent her a look that would have curdled milk. Either she was immune or he was losing his edge because Relena only smiled and patted his thigh affectionly.

Thankfully a little before ten, Zechs said his goodbyes. Wufei started relaxing again as Relena saw him to the door. He went to the kitchen and started tidying up, trying to regain some of his composure before she got back. It had been unsettling being the focus of Relena's attention, her hands touching gently, her body cozying up to him, her eyes shinning at him almost making him believe that she really did care for him. He shook his head, trying to shake the weird aura around him as well. He took deep breaths and felt the tension slowly leaking out of his body.

His newfound peace was shattered when two slender arms wrapped around his waist and a pair of soft lips brushed against his jaw.

"That was amazing," Relena told him, bubbling with laughter. She felt his body tensing and quickly released him, embarrassed at her actions. "Leave that alone," she ordered, taking the dishes he had been loading into the dishwasher away from his hands.

"I'm going to head home now,"

"Okay. Thanks for everything, Wufei, for the food, the kickboxing tip, and putting up with me. Again, I'm sorry for causing you or your girlfriend any inconvenience." Relena had to make herself remember, that not only did Wufei not like her, but that he had also hinted at having a girlfriend.

Girlfriend, what girlfriend? Then he remembered saying something about being involved with someone. He wasn't involved with anyone but apparently Relena had misconstrued his hypothetical example and thought he was actually in a relationship with someone. "I don't have a girlfriend." As soon as Wufei finished the sentence he heard alarm bells ringing loudly; the volume increasing at Relena's pleased smile.

He had to snap out of it, he thought as he drove home, had to look beyond the lovely package and look deeper. It had been a long time since he had fallen for those seemingly guileless eyes, for her trim body, that smile that had once made his heart jump. A charity, he remembered with clarity, he'd been barely twenty, and had run into her on the balcony. Her gown was an exquisite silver, her hair piled atop her head, displaying her graceful neck. She had turned and a smile had pop out at the sight of him. He remembered feeling dizzy, the ground shifting unsteadily beneath his feet. She had shaken his hand, greeting him politely, and then she left, back to Heero who was waiting inside.

She was fake, her little performance tonight proved it further. She was a mirage, only a mirage and he would be a fool to fall victim to her charms.

TBC

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