Title: Killing Morpheus

Author: Ryoko no Shinigami

For warnings, pairings, notes, etc, see Chapter One

Chapter Four: Biding Time

For about a week, Zechs tried to patch things up between himself and Treize. Even though his commander often invited him to dine in his private quarters, by meals' end Zechs was always back in his own room, alone. Of course, he hadn't expected for things to return to normal so quickly, so he waited patiently, and let Treize pay him the numerous small attentions that he hadn't enjoyed for so long.

Zechs' plan was forced to lie dormant for several days while Treize was called away to deal with the heads of Romefeller. He apologized to Zechs, and promised to make it up as soon as he returned. Zechs accepted this. He wasn't in any rush, now that his plan was already in motion. He didn't let it bother him, simply bided his time, immersed himself in his work, and went over his plan again and again in his head, until he was sure it was perfect.

If you have to kill a god, Zechs mused, you might as well get them to do it for you.

But it was during those days that an unexpected and very happy accident occurred. And when it did, Zechs knew that the final element was in place, and he could truly see his victory for the first time.

Lucrezia Noin, Zechs' long-time friend and would-be lover, was re- stationed to the Lake Victoria base, following a minor injury inflicted while training an over-zealous cadet.

It couldn't have been more perfect.

Zechs made sure he was on the landing strip when Noin's shuttle arrived, made sure that he was the first person she saw. When she stepped off the plane, he swept her up into a close embrace, for once heedless of what others would see or say.

He wanted them to see, yes, and even more, he wanted them to talk.

He asked Noin to dine with him that evening, in his own quarters. She had accepted, as he had known she would. She may have had enviable self-control on the battlefield, but when it came to the man she loved, she couldn't help the pain she put herself through.

The meal was elegant, in a simple way. He made sure it was quaintly romantic, just the way he imagined Noin would have thought of their relationship.

Of course, at the end of the evening, he sent Noin off alone. No sense moving too quickly, he thought, before all the elements could be brought into play.

The next day, Treize returned to Lake Victoria. His meeting with the Romefeller heads had not gone well. His opposition to mobile dolls was being widely ridiculed, and he had to struggle to hold off their accusations.

But when his plane touched down, Zechs made a repeat performance, though of course with more restraint. Whereas Noin would appreciate public displays of affection, Treize would not, and Zechs acted accordingly.

He saved his words and his touch for when they were alone, locked in Treizes' private office. Treize had practically fallen into his chair, exhausted from days of diplomatic maneuvering.

"They're like sharks, Zechs. Always waiting for you to bloody your hands before they attack."

Zechs moved behind his commander and laid his hands on his shoulders.

"I'm sure you dealt with them quite well."

He spoke soothingly as he began to massage the tension from Treizes' strong shoulders. Treize leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes with a sigh of contentment.

"Yes, I think I've taken care of them. For now, anyway. But I'm honestly not sure how much longer I can hold them off."

Before, it had been times like this, when Treize was relaxing and opening himself to him, that Zechs felt his love for Treize most deeply. No one else was in the position of Treizes' confidant, and it made Zechs feel most important.

Now, he felt again that twinge of the heart. He ignored it, stuffing it down to some dark corner where he could forget it.

He moved to the sideboard and poured Treize a glass of wine from the decanter he had prepared. It was a deep, rich red, perfectly aged, from Treizes' private store. As Treize sipped the liquid, he visibly relaxed further, allowing his chair to support him more, instead of sitting on it uneasily.

He raised a hand to brush the soft blonde hairs away from Zechs' temple, and he sighed.

"I missed you over the last few days, Zechs. I think, before, I had rather forgotten how to miss you."

Zechs averted his gaze and felt a hot blush come to his cheeks. It had been ages since Treize had admitted to missing him, ages since he had been so open and caring. He covered his officers' hand with his own, entwining their fingers together.

"I.I missed you, too, Treize. I'm glad you're back."

And when he spoke, he knew it was only half a lie.

Back in his quarters that evening, Zechs knew that his plan was going along as well as he could ever have wished. Events were beginning to occur, now that he was ready and everything was in place.

Momentarily, Zechs had to struggle to feel happy about this. It troubled him slightly, and he wondered why. But again, he put such bothersome thoughts from his mind, and assured himself that once Treize was gone, he would rise to take the vacant place. Treize had not known how true it was when he promised that Zechs would eventually have his power back.

"You have no idea, foolish man. No idea at all."

Morpheus was as good as dead, and Zechs told himself that he was glad.