Disclaimer: I don't own them except for the kids

Disclaimer: I don't own them except for the kids!

Warring Hearts, Part 7

Leigh sat on the edge of her bed, staring out her window. It was a little past midnight, Monday morning now after the Sunday dinner from hell at the Maxwells. She was furious at her dad for putting her on the spot like that. She didn't like the way he was rubbing Jonathon's nose in the dirt by having her bring Ling along. And she knew he was using it to bait Duo. Her toes curled in the dark green rug under her feet. "Maybe I should apologize to him for that?" she asked herself as she got up and started pacing the room. "I should tell him it wasn't my intention to bring Ling and make him mad." The shoulder of her white v-neck shirt slid off as she paced back and forth. She stopped for a moment and thought of the way that Jonathon had looked at her when she had first introduced Ling to him. He looked mad as hell at her. She shivered a little at the flashback. She didn't want him to look at her that way and with her jaw set, she decided on what she should do.

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Jonathon braced his hands against the tile of his shower as the hot water beat down on his head. It had been a tense evening. His dad looked like he could cheerfully kill Wufei at any moment. And Wufei had been acting all smug since Ling was there with Leigh. He knew very well what Wufei was trying to pull. He was making sure that he wouldn't be able to get her back by throwing Ling into his path. "Cunning bastard. Does he really think that'll stop me?" he asked himself as he closed his eyes briefly, letting the water slide over his face. "No, that won't stop me. I'm a Maxwell. But Leigh seems to be taking to Ling and that's a problem. How to eliminate the competition without being noticed?"

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Leigh drove her car out to the Maxwell house, turning off her lights as she pulled into the driveway. She rubbed her palms on her threadbare jeans she was wearing, having only pulled them on; before pushing her feet into flip flops and climbing out her window. She went around to the back of the house where Jonathon's room was. She was grateful that all the lights were out in the house. She jumped up and grabbed onto the tree branch over her head, slowly pulling herself up. It took her a moment to do so since she lacked the upper body strength and the height to make it easier. "Come on Leigh," she said to herself as she started climbing up the tree. She could feel the smoothness of the bark under her hands, telling her that the tree was well used to the climbing. She finally made it to his room, where she noted that his light was still on. "Good. I didn't make that climb all for nothing," she breathed as she leaned forwards and pushed herself through the open window. "Ouch," she muttered as she landed on the floor with a light thud. She stood up and looked around. His room was a slight mess, clothes on the chair and the floor, and the unmade bed. Rock music sounded from his stereo. She looked at the books it the built in bookshelves. Every time she looked at it, she was impressed with his collection of books.

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Jonathon got out the shower, pulling the dark blue towel around his waist. His bangs dripped as they hung over his face. He shook his head a little, sending water flying in all directions. Steam clouded the mirror. He wiped it with his hand so he could see his reflection. He sighed when he carefully examined his eye and his stitches. "I hate black eyes. You can never see out of them until the swelling goes down more." He pulled open the door to his room.

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Leigh heard a noise behind her and she turned around quickly. Her mouth rounded in a small O as she saw Jonathon, standing there in only a towel clinging to his hips. "Damn, he looks good!"

Leigh standing over by the open window brought Jonathon up short. He was shocked. "What the hell are you doing here?"

She snapped her mouth shut. "I wanted to talk to you," she replied, trying to concentrate on something else besides him in the towel, but it was very hard since acres of his tanned skin were in plain sight.

"About what?" he asked, as he tilted his head to one side.

"About…God, will you put clothes on! I can't talk to you when you're wearing just a towel!"

Jonathon smirked at her flushing face. "Why? You were the one who came in her in the middle of the night."

Leigh glared at him. "I'll ask you again, will you please put clothes on?"

He continued to smirk. "Wait a minute," he replied as he went over to the bureau and pulled out a pair of boxers. "Are you going to turn around?"

She shot him another dirty look and turned her back. She crossed her arms over her chest, muttering under her breath at the same time that her imagination was going wild. "Are you finished?"

"Yes," he said as he tossed the towel over the bathroom door and moved closer to her.

Leigh turned around again and nearly took a step back because he had moved closer to her. She kept her arms crossed over her chest. "I wanted to apologize."

"For what?"

"For what happened earlier."

"You mean the entire dinner?"

"Yes."

"It's pointless to cross your arms Leigh, I know you're not wearing a bra."

Her face flamed with color and she took a reflexive step back.

"So are you going to apologize?"

"That remark wasn't necessary."

"Then why are your arms still crossed. I would have noticed anyway."

"Sexist."

"You said it, I didn't," he said calmly, smiling slightly at her.

"Oh why did I bother!" she said with exasperation as she dropped her arms. She turned on her heel only to be brought up short as he grabbed a hold of the waistband of her jeans. "Let go!" she hissed at him.

"Why? I want to hear this apology," Jonathon said as he pulled her back to him. He walked back and sat down on the edge of his bed, dragging her down on his lap. "Now, you can start apologizing."

Leigh was fuming, but she couldn't move since his arms were linked securely around her waist. She could feel his breath brushing against the back of her neck, inadvertently sending chills down her arms. "I'm sorry for what my dad did. He had no right to ask Ling to come."

"Oh so, that's it. You're apologizing for your dad's actions. Why? Didn't want to show Ling off to the rest of us?" he drawled.

"No, I didn't want…I didn't want for you to think I was using him to get back at you."

"And you weren't?" he asked skeptically.

"No! I wasn't! I'm not that cruel Jonathon. You really think I would rub some other guy in your face?"

"Yes and no. You do have a mean streak."

Her mouth fell open and she looked at him over her shoulder. "I do not!"

"You do, but in this case, I would say you weren't trying to. You don't like to get back at me that way. You like to sling insults at me instead."

Her mouth fell open in angry surprise. "I don't have to listen to this!" she snapped as she tried to squirm off his lap.

"You know that's not a good idea," Jonathon said dryly, not letting go. His eyes met hers, his brows arching.

Leigh stopped moving, knowing exactly what he meant. Her face suffused with more color again. "That was crude."

"You were the one who moved. I can't help my reaction to you."

"I'm finished apologizing. Can you let go now?"

"Is that all you're apologizing for? There was our argument in the kitchen."

"I'm sorry for that too. I took my anger at my dad out on you."

"I don't think you were so mad at your dad. I think you were jealous."

"I wasn't anything of the sort," she sniffed as she thrust her chin up.

"That's bull, Leigh. You were probably mentally throttling Morgan. You even sounded jealous of her when you mentioned her when you were yelling at me."

"Why would I be jealous of Morgan? That's ridiculous," she snorted, turning to face him.

"Is it?"

"Morgan's an ex girlfriend as am I. I have no control over who you want to see. So I wasn't jealous."

He studied her for a moment. "You were. You're lying."

"I wasn't jealous! Will you stop insisting that I…"

His lips cut her off in mid sentence.

For a moment, she was startled, her eyes flying open, but then they gradually began to drift closed. Warmth began stealing through her body, making her arms feel heavy. She wanted to push away, but she found herself not really wanting to.

He nibbled on her lower lip, trying to persuade her to open her mouth. His hands slid under the hem of her shirt, lightly caressing the skin above the waistband of her jeans.

Leigh was already too weak to resist as his fingers pressed against her skin. She parted her lips, letting his tongue gain entrance. Her arms came up and looped around his neck, holding him tight.

He turned slightly, his hand coming up to the middle of her back, supporting her as he lowered her to the bed. His tongue stroked hers.

Her fingers toyed with the damp hair on the nape of his neck as she kissed him back. She didn't mind his familiar weight settling on top of her.

Jonathon left her mouth and his lips trailed across her cheek to her ear. He knew her ears were the surest way to get the strongest reaction from her. He kissed the lobe before gently sucking on it.

Leigh gasped. Her eyes shot open as thrilling sensation shot from her ear through the rest of her body. She felt his tongue tracing her ear. Her eyes closed again as the feelings continued to course through her, making her shiver.

His fingers slowly began pushing up her shirt, revealing her skin inch by inch. He nuzzled the side of her neck with his lips, pressing tiny kisses down to her shoulder.

Her insides were rioting. Her heart was pounding hard against her ribs. He was the only guy that made her feel like this, even when she had dated others. They didn't make her feel so alive inside. Her fingers traced the back of his neck to his shoulders, her nails lightly scraping along his skin.

The feeling of her nails made his skin tingle. He had succeeded in pushing her shirt off her shoulder with his nose and he was gently sucking on her skin. He could smell the jasmine she always seemed to smell like. The heady floral scent seemed to fit her perfectly. His hands came to rest under her breasts since he had pushed the thin cotton up to reveal her stomach.

Leigh ran her hands down his back to his waist, feeling the contours of his muscle under his skin. She could feel his hot breath against the crook of her neck and his hands resting on her ribs, as his thumbs began to stroke the under curves of her breasts. She slid down and found his mouth with hers, kissing him hard.

Jonathon's breath came out in a rush as she crushed her lips against his. His hands, pushing the shirt up higher, and with the briefest break between their lips, pulled her shirt off and tossed it to the floor. His mouth found hers again, their tongues sliding over each other, twining.

She shifted her body under his a little until he was laying between her jean clad thighs. Her knees pressed against his hips.

He gathered her securely under him, being mindful of her slight frame. He nipped her chin and went lower, his lips not missing an inch of her throat. She intoxicated him as always. When he was with her he never had to drink, he could get drunk off of her.

She kneaded his shoulders as he moved lower. Each touch of his lips sent trills of electricity through her body. She arched her body as his lips found their way between her breasts.

His tongue traced patterns across her skin while his one hand came up and skimmed over her breasts, barely touching her pert nipples. He captured one in his mouth and drew it deep into his mouth.

A sigh escaped her lips.

The other hand rubbed over her silky skin, sliding over the curve of her tiny waist to her equally slender hips. He could feel her heart pounding against his lips. He moved his lips to the other breast, taking in the tight bead of flesh. His tongue laved it, the sweetness of her skin making him feel lightheaded. He moved lower still, his mouth over her navel, his tongue delving inside, making her jump.

She squirmed under this assault. It was making her insides quiver. Her hands squeezed the taunt muscles of his back.

Jonathon deftly began to undo the buttons of her threadbare jeans. He had them undone in record time and they landed in a heap on the floor beside the bed. She was left in dark green cotton bikinis. His fingers toyed with the elastic that rode her hipbone as his lips came back up to hers.

Leigh moved her legs restlessly against his. She could feel his erection pressing meaningfully between her spread thighs. Her hips moved involuntarily, making him growl against her mouth.

He wanted her. She was the only one that he ever wanted more then anything. The only woman he took to bed that he loved. He felt her move again, sliding teasingly against him. He wanted to be inside her, feeling her surround him, and calling out his name. And he knew she wanted him too.

She moved again, hearing him growl deep in his throat. She felt his fingers slide off her hipbone, moving inwards under her panties. She felt him shift slightly and his hand found its way between her thighs, his fingers moving against her hot wet flesh. Her breath caught in her throat as he stroked and his fingers slipping inside her. She whimpered.

He felt her closing around his two fingers as he carefully thrust them inside of her. He could feel her whimpers against his lips.

Her hands clasped his hips and began tugging impatiently at the waistband of his boxers. She didn't want to climax without him not being completely inside her.

Jonathon felt her impatience and readily complied with what she wanted. His striped black boxers were tossed to the floor and her panties followed them. His thumb rubbed across the sensitive kernel of flesh between her thighs at the same time his tongue was moving over the tip of hers.

Leigh felt all the sensations come in a rush as she arched against his hand at the same time she felt him thrust inside of her. A choked gasp broke past her lips. Her eyes flew open to meet his.

He felt her tighten around him. His eyes found hers, their lips now barely touching. His other hand came up and brushed back her hair away from her face. His fingers caressing her cheek and jaw.

Her eyes watched his. She could see the heat in them, but she could see the tenderness in them as well.

The light in his room cast her skin in a golden light. His nose rubbed against hers; his eyes still locked on hers. He gently thrust inside her again, making her whimper again. He could stay this way forever with her if he wanted to.

Leigh's nails clutched his back, her knees tightening against his hips with each stroke. She wrapped her legs around him, her ankles locking him into place. She felt an avalanche course through her as all the feelings and sensations came to a head. "Jonathon, I love you" she sighed softly, her nails digging into his resilient flesh.

Jonathon watched her lips as she said those words. She had never been loud. She would always whisper his name when she came and he liked it much better. He liked the breathy whimpers that she would issue from her parted lips. He felt the sharp pain of her nails for an instant, as he finally couldn't take anymore, burying himself inside of her. "Leigh," he groaned as he pressed his face against her neck.

Her eyes gradually closed when she heard him say her name. She pressed her lips against his still damp hair.

His breath came out raggedly against her neck. He blinked his eyes rapidly as he finally lifted his head up to look down at her. Her eyes weren't completely closed and he could see the ice blue shining through her lush black lashes. His heart melted a little at that look. He pressed a chaste kiss on her lips as her eyes drifted completely closed.

She couldn't keep her eyes open anymore and the last thing she saw was the intense emotion reflected in the cobalt orbs above her. Her arms slipped lifelessly to his sides.

Jonathon smiled, pressing another kiss on her lips as she fell asleep. He moved off of her, tucking her delicate body against his. He pulled the crisp light blue sheets up over them. He found the remote for his stereo, turning it off. He felt her breath tickle his neck as she slept. He rubbed his hand over her back, feeling each vertebra. She was a China doll, ethereal, fragile, and lovely. And he loved her. "I love you Leigh," he whispered as sleep finally claimed him at last.

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Thunder rolled causing Jonathon to wake up. He cast a look towards the open window, noting the rain falling outside. He looked over at the inky hair spilling across his other pillow. Her hands were folded neatly under her cheek. She was lying on her stomach, the sheet now around her waist, exposing her naked back. His lips tilted up in a slight smile. The thunder made the windows rattle again. He sat up and groped the end of his bed for the blanket at the end of it. He stood up and wrapped it about his hips, stepping over the discarded clothes on the floor. He shut the window, watching the rain come to splatter against it once he did. He went over to his door and locked it. He wasn't going to take any chances. He went back over to the bed, glancing at the clock. It was five. The gray light flooded the room. He crawled beneath the covers of the bed again, moving closer to Leigh. He propped himself up on his elbows and looked at her. Her pink lips were parted slightly and her nose twitched a little before becoming motionless again. Strands of her hair fell across her cheek. He moved to push them back behind her ear, his fingers trailing across the satiny skin of her cheek with finesse. Her lashes lay like fans on her flawless golden skin. He smiled as she whimpered in her sleep. He moved closer to her, drawing her close to him. She cuddled against him as his arm secured her against him once again. He pressed a kiss on her forehead before closing his eyes and going back to sleep.

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Leigh moved herself against the inviting warmth. She never wanted to leave it except thunder made her eyes flutter open. She blinked her vision into focus and she found the source of her "warmth." Her mouth opened with a soundless gasp as she saw the unmarked side of his face. She felt his leg slide against hers under the sheet and his arm across her back. She leaned her head up a little and looked at the clock. It was a little past seven. She moved carefully from under his arm, not wanting to wake him. She felt her skin prickle as it brushed against his. Miraculously she made her way from under the sheet, grasping the blanket from the end of the bed. She wrapped it around her as she searched for her clothes. "I'm an idiot," she hissed at herself. She also called herself several other names in Chinese as she found her shirt and pulled it on. She found her panties as well, sliding them up her legs. She looked over her shoulder as she hurriedly pulled on her jeans and pushed her feet back into her flip-flops. "I can't believe I did that last night. You are so stupid Leigh," she muttered at herself as she quietly tip toed across the carpeted floor. She could hear the rain overhead, making her mood even blacker. Her hand touched the knob until she heard his voice.

"Going somewhere?" Jonathon asked as he leaned up as he saw Leigh with her hand on the knob. The sheet felt down around his waist.

She flinched guiltily, her hand stilling on the door. She looked over her shoulder again and then she wished she hadn't. Even with his bruised eye and the stitches, he was as handsome as ever. Especially when his hair was tousled from sleep and the sheet exposing his tanned skin stretched over taunt muscles. She felt a little weak kneed as she thought about what she did the night before.

"Are you going somewhere?" he repeated, noting her guilt-ridden expression.

She didn't answer and wasted no time in unlocking the door and bolting out into the hall, slamming the door behind her.

"Dammit Leigh," he mumbled under his breath as he yanked on his boxers and a shirt, and threw open his door, slamming it behind him as well. He ran down the steps after her. "Leigh, come back here!"

Leigh ran even though she could hear him calling her name. She unbolted the front door, pulling it open as well. She skidded to a halt on the edge of the porch. The rain was falling in sheets across the drive. "Dammit." She looked over her shoulder again and ran out into the rain towards her car, parked under the branches of the oak tree in the middle of the circular driveway. The rain felt cold against her skin.

Jonathon ran out onto the porch, watching her run across the drive to her car, and trying to dodge puddles. "Leigh come back here!" he yelled again as he ran out into the rain, his bare feet slapping against the smooth wet concrete. He didn't notice that the entire door slamming had woken up his parents and his siblings.

She abruptly closed the car door behind her, jamming the key into the ignition, and jerking the car into gear. Her hair hung in limp cords around her face as she floored it. Her tires squealed on the concrete before she tore down the driveway.

Jonathon came to a quick halt, the rain soaking through his shirt. He stood there for a moment as the taillights of her car disappeared down the driveway and out into the street. Rain pelted his face, sliding down over his cheeks, to drip off his chin.

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Duo halted. He had arrived in time to see Leigh's car peal out of the driveway. He looked over at Jonathon, still standing there, unmoving. He felt Hilde come up behind him, her arms slipping about his waist. He absently covered her hand with his own.

Randy's eyes bounced between Leigh's disappearing car and her older brother. She felt David's hand come to rest on her shoulder. She looked back at him.

David flashed her a worried smile. He could see that she was worried too. He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. His eyes went back to his brother still standing in the pouring rain.

Hilde closed her eyes as she leaned against Duo's back. She could feel his concern for Jonathon. "I'll get him a towel," she said faintly as she moved and went back inside the house.

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Jonathon didn't blink as he turned on his heel and went back to the house. He was impervious to the cold rain. He went up the steps and stood on the porch. He felt the eyes of his sister and brother on him. He didn't flinch when he felt his dad's hand on his shoulder. "I don't want to talk about it," he said stonily.

"I understand," Duo said quietly, lightly pushing his son towards the door.

Hilde came back down the steps as the front door closed once again. She moved towards Jonathon and handed him the towel.

He took it from her and ran it over his face and hair. He saw the worry in her eyes again as he handed her the towel. He swiftly moved towards the kitchen and down into the basement where he swung at the punching bag.

Hilde looked towards Duo again. "Duo, what do we do?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly.

"There isn't anything we can do now. This has to work itself out on it's own and we can't interfere. He has to do this alone," Duo replied, placing his hands on her shoulders.

Hilde looked over at him.

"Trust me," he whispered, kissing the tip of her nose.

"I'll start breakfast," Randy said in a subdued tone as she walked towards the kitchen.

"I'll help," David said, following his sister.

Hilde bowed her head as she turned against Duo, pressing her forehead against his chest. "I'm worried."

He rubbed his hands over her back in a comforting manner. "I know you are. And so am I, but like I said, we can't do anything. Jonathon has to do this alone."

"I wish there was something that we could do," she said softly, her arms wrapping around him.

"I know, so do I," Duo replied, kissing the top of her hair, staring in the direction of the basement.

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Jonathon plowed his fist into the sand filled bag. It was swinging wildly from previous punches. Deep seated hurt and anger fueled each punch. Then his fist thrust through the material, spilling the sand out onto the cool floor. He turned to the wall and with enough force, slammed his knuckles against the cinder blocks, cracking the block and his fist. "DAMMIT!" he shouted as he fell against the wall. He slumped to the floor and cradled his head between his hands and cried all over again.

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Leigh screeched down her street and into her driveway. She ran across the front lawn and let herself in through the back door. Her flip flops made sucking noises on the linoleum floor. Water dripped from her hair and down her face as she silently made her way up the steps to her room. She shut the door behind her and fell against with a dull thud. Her hands came up and covered her face. "Oh God, what have I done?" she whispered as she slid down to the floor, crying silent hot tears.

A/N: I'm getting to be very cruel, aren't I? I bet I had you all thinking that they would get back together after this? Oh no, this is a lot more complicated and I have a lot more in store for them! Stay tuned for more! XOXO!