Title: Beet Borsch

Author: Kiarene

Pairings: 5x13, 3x4

Rating: PG

Summary: Mission's over; Wufei and Quatre wait for their pick-up.

Published: 1 Sept 2008

Disclaimer: You know the drill.

Notes: My apologies for the very long delay in updating. I think this story does not have much longer to go, maybe another chapter?

Beet Borsch

Wufei sat primly in the café patio, legs crossed neatly, dress draped neatly. His posture was ramrod straight, almost painfully so. On his right of the square table, Quatre looked more relaxed, though he also looked faintly uncomfortable. The two of them were positioned such that Wufei had a good view of the café entrance while Quatre faced the street.

Moscow was now a busy, thriving capital. It was devastated after the war but had since recovered. In a way, precisely because many of its buildings and infrastructure was destroyed, the city had to be rebuilt anew. Now gleaming skyscrapers boldly defined the horizon and the shiny Metro-Light, or ML, wound silvery tracks around the city. Quaint little cafés and boutique shops that dotted the stylish city catered to a population that was desperate to put the war behind them in every way possible.

Although he was the agent heading this mission – this very long and multi-part mission – he chose to come down to finish the last and most important part. Partnered with Quatre, the two ex-pilots quickly collected the last pieces of evidence they needed and the Preventers were now scrambling to prepare the legalities and arrests. The timing was important; all those involved had to be arrested at the same time so none would have the opportunity to warn the others.

"Why are you so uptight, Lin?" Quatre murmured softly. "This is not the first time we've done something like this…" He was referring to the cross-dressing part, of course. The other parts were easy, but they had to remain in disguise. The rules were simple: If either agent was alone, male or female agent, then it would be more sensible to dress as a male as a lone female, especially one who's unknown to the neigborhood, tended to attract unwanted male attention. If there were two agents, then a male-female or female-female pair made more sense. People tended to ignore couples snuggled in dark corners – perfect for surveillance – or two women, but two men tended to attract stares. And since both Wufei and Quatre refused to cross-dress if the other did not, they both ended up with the female-female option.

Wufei nervously smoothed out the lap of his dress again. He was wearing a deep red Chinese-styled tunic with high cut slits at the sides, over black leggings and ankle boots. It matched his coloring very well, and was in fact quite comfortable. The high slits and leggings would allow him to move easily if he had to fight.

"Leslie, the last time we did this was years and years ago. When we were still boys. And when it was acceptable for girls of the same age to appear flat and skinny." Wufei felt all too aware to the padded bra and hip pads that curved out his figure, certain that he looked like a guy in drag.

Quatre ignored the admiring look of a passerby and calmly sipped his tea. With his neat blue business suit and matching pumps, he looked like a professional businesswomen, sharp and expensive. The two of them looked rather good actually; and seated down, their height or muscles were not as apparent. "Yes, it's quite surprising that we can still pull off looking like women."

"That's hardly comforting to our male ego, you realize?"

Quatre tilted his head and gave a sweet smile. "Why?" He leaned over to Wufei with a saucy grin. "We are gay, you know."

Wufei shot the blond a frown. "Being a gay does not equal being a woman."

Quatre tittered, fluffing his blond curls. He knew that and Wufei knew he knew that, but he liked teasing Wufei. Plus, it was getting boring, waiting for their pickups to arrive. "You mean you've never role-played?"

Wufei flushed lightly. Trieze had wanted to – many times – but he was always too shy. Going out in disguise as part of his job was fine and he could act very well, but role-playing for the sake of kinky sex… well, that was totally different!

"We role-played often," Quatre whispered half-seriously to Wufei. "I suppose because of the status imbalance in our real jobs, role playing allowed us to keep things more equal."

Wufei and Quatre had become much closer over the past couple of weeks because of the shared mission, and Quatre, especially, had opened up to Wufei about his problems with Trowa. Although sometimes, Wufei did think that it was a bit too much information at times. Still, he couldn't help himself…

"What kind of role play?"

"Boss and secretary is our favorite—"

"—which explains why you knew exactly what kind of business suits to buy when we got here," Wufei injected snidely.

"But I also like general and captured pilot," Quatre teased.

The light pink across Wufei's cheeks blossomed into a full red. "Wh… why?" He was mortified. How could they have usedthat as… Oh. He remembered Quatre saying that he had read all of Trieze's books…

Quatre only shot him a saucy wink. Wufei muttered a few obscenities in Mandarin.

Suddenly, Wufei's eyes widened. "Oh. God. No."

Quatre panicked, and turned his head. Had something gone wrong?

Treize sailed into the café grandly, and stopped in front of their table. When he smiled, his smile was dazzling. "My apologies for my tardiness, ladies."

"Oh, that's quite all right, Vladimir." Quatre stepped in when it appeared that Wufei was still a little too shell-shocked. "We haven't ordered yet… Perhaps you could do the honors?"

"Why certainly," Treize said jovially. He signaled a waiter, who promptly came over with three menus. He opened the offered menu and browsed thoughtfully as the waiter hovered. Treize quicky made up his mind and rattled off a long order in flawless Russian.

After the waiter left, he turned to Wufei with a flirty purr. "And how are you, Lin?"

By then, Wufei had recovered. Initially, he had been both shocked and elated. Shocked that Trieze was the contact they were supposed to meet, and yet elated because it has been a long month undercover and he missed his husband dearly. Then, he remembered the restrictions placed on Trieze after the war and he was terrified, for Russia was one of the countries that emphatically banned the ex-general. And now, he was furious.

"What do you think, Vladimir," he leaned forward, hissing coldly.

Trieze winced. "Ah, love, really. I can explain."

"I'm sure you can." Wufei had no doubt about that. Trieze probably had a very good explanation and he was not stupid enough to get caught. But that does not mean he cannot be utterly mad at the reckless husband. His hands clenched with the effort to not throttle the irrepressible ex-general; really, often he wondered who was the more mature one in their relationship. He can't scold Trieze now, but just wait until they're alone…

Their food came and it was excellent. Trieze hummed in pleasure at his hearty beetroot borsch and Wufei felt himself softening. The two of them, but especially Trieze, were somewhat of epicureans and loved good food. And while Russian food could be found in Paris, it was usually in swanky restaurants. That was usually the case for many types of imported international cuisines – as they are usually meant to be a showcase of their culture, only the best, and hence expensive, are introduced. But sometimes, simple fare was just as good. Sometimes even better.

"How's the borsch?" Wufei asked. He took a sip of his own soup. It was quite good, though he was not an expert on Russian food, despite his husband's background.

"Wonderful," Trieze gushed, almost crying. He had a broad smile on his face.

"I'm happy for you." Wufei tried to remain cross but sighed in defeat. "Did you arm-twist Une?"

"No, I would not be so crass," Trieze looked shocked. "I simply said I missed good borsch and blini and syrniki…"

"And Une casually mentioned that she needed someone to pick us up in Moscow?"

"Why yes, actually."

Wufei rolled his eyes and Quatre muffled a giggle. Une may now be the head of the largest policing organization in the world and Trieze, just a humble writer, but she would always cave to him. Trieze liked to pretend to be clueless about his influence he still retained, but Wufei knew better.

When they were done and Trieze had paid their bill, the three stood up to leave. "What time's our flight?" Quatre asked as they walked out.

"Well, you see…" Trieze coughed. "Lin's and my flight will be delayed…"

"Tr… Vladimir," Wufei hissed at Trieze.

Quatre smiled knowingly. "That's fine with me, I can leave first. And Lin, the reports are already in. Go take a break. You've been working non-stop for the past three months."

"Exactly." Trieze nodded, grinning broadly. "You've been outvoted, Lin."

"That's my cue." Quatre laughed, and held his hand out to Trieze. "Now, my ticket please?"

"Wait, hang on." Trieze's grin faltered slightly. He stuffed his hands into his long coat, and Wufei could tell that his husband was a little nervous. Wufei frowned. "Don't take it the wrong way; I'm just the messenger."

"Oh?" Wufei and Quatre turned to look at the ex-general, wary.

Trieze leaned towards Quatre, his voice low. "You have two options. I can pass you the ticket for your flight, which leaves in two hours, or… you can meet another contact."

Though he spoke softly, both ex-pilots heard him clearly. "What?" There should be no reason to change plans unless something had gone wrong…

Wufei quickly ran through their activities for the past few days. The mission had went through smoothly and there appeared to be no indication that anything was amiss.

"Lin, calm down." Trieze's eyes flickered to a small park bench to his right. "Yes, it's not part of the agenda, but perhaps, Leslie might be interested in… a date."

Two pairs of eyes casually glanced at the bench Trieze looked at. Wufei did not recognize the man seated there, a tall figure in a dark stylish trench coat and hat, but apparently Quatre did. The blond went still.

Wufei looked at Quatre, concerned. "Are you all right?"

Quatre remained quiet for a few moments, and then he turned to Wufei with a smile the Chinese boy had not seen in a long time. It was a just a small upward tugging of the lips, but his whole face was alight with hope and relief, his eyes bright and fixed on Wufei and also on something distant that only he could see, something possibly wonderful. "Yes, I will be."

Wufei blinked, uncertain as to his friend's unusual mood. Quatre laid a hand gently on his forearm. "Really, it's nothing bad. I'll see you back in Paris in a few days. Meanwhile, enjoy yourself. And Vladimir… thanks."

"Ok-ay," Wufei felt like he was missing something that both Trieze and Quatre and probably that mysterious man on the bench knew.

"See you later." Trieze wrapped an arm around Wufei and guided him firmly away. "Don't worry, he'll be fine," he whispered into Wufei's ear, the latter frowning faintly with worry.

Looking over his shoulder, Wufei tried to see what Quatre was doing but Trieze was insistent. "This is between them."

"Who is that man?"

"Barton." Trieze's voice was very soft, just in the very remote possibility that they were being watched.

To his husband's surprise, Wufei relaxed, and the two continued to stroll along Moscow's trendy streets. It was late summer but already the temperatures were starting to drop. Wufei shivered lightly when a brisk wind blew, wishing he brought a coat or wore a thicker outfit. Trieze rubbed his arm and the slighter man sighed at the heat. Perhaps it was his Russian heritage but Trieze never seem to be as affected by the cold to the extent he was.

"Why?" Wufei cocked his head to stare at Trieze curiously. "I know you don't like B, so…"

Trieze shrugged with a rakish grin. "Who ever said it was for him? The quicker Leslie forgives and goes back to B, the faster we can get back to our normal lives."

"Sure," Wufei laughed. He didn't believe Trieze; his husband was too big-hearted for that.

"I'm being truthful!" Trieze pressed a kiss to Wufei's cheek. "Now, enough about others. I want to see how Moscow has changed since I was here last… That must have been over ten years ago!"

He looked around at the streets with wide eyes. "And it has changed a lot. I've seen vids, but there's nothing like seeing a place in person."

Wufei made a face. "Sure, I'd love to explore Moscow with you, but first, tell me you've booked a hotel room somewhere. I'd like t ochange out."

"Of course I did. But why change?" Trieze leered. "I think you look very nice as you are now."

Wufei flushed, hissing at the other man. "Because I don't feel comfortable in this outfit."

"But I never get to see you like this. Please?" Trieze pleaded, his eyes comically wide. Wufei winced. Trieze… should not be the type to do puppy eyes but that does not stop the ex-general anyway.

"No!"

"Aw dear, don't be like that…"

-- tbc