1 Thou Jests Three

Dinner went pleasantly enough. Duo, Angel, and Mei kept the group amused. And maybe he was imagining it, but Quatre thought that Duo's eyes came to rest on Angel quite a bit during the dinner.

He shook his head. He was imagining it. Had to be. They were just friends, at Duo's own insistence. He shook his head and sighed. What was wrong with him? He'd never cared about Duo's conquests before.

But maybe it was that he didn't want to see such a happy, innocent girl burnt by Duo's lack of commitment.

Mei, who had warmed up quite a bit during dinner, touched his arm. Her laughing eyes met his gaze and she smiled up at him.

"What's the matter, hm? Eat a red pepper?" she asked. Quatre smiled down at her, warmed by the look in her eyes.

"No, not yet. I probably will before the night's over." He took a sip of water, watching her slender hands pick up her chopsticks.

"I did. Mako didn't warn me." She shot the older woman a venomous look. Mako only smiled back innocently. Quatre laughed at this comfortable exchange.

What a charming girl, he thought, and sipped his water again.

~~

Angel saw the looks Quatre was giving Mei, but was forced to choke down sudden jealousy. She turned instead to Duo, flashing him her brightest, most charming smile.

"So, Duo…how long are you in town this time?"

"Oh, just until this shoot's over."

She tossed a quick look Mei's way, then looked back to Duo. "Wanna do something? We could take Aisha, too. She's a big fan of yours."

Mako shot Angel a warning look. She knew what this was going to lead to. She knew that Angel was just setting herself up for heartbreak…

"Sure." Duo was grinning.

Damn, Mako thought, and bit viciously into her food.

"Hey all!" a voice drifted in. Everyone looked up to see a young man, about Mei's age, walk into the room with a smile and a few bags. "Oh, company." He tossed his keys onto the counter and set a large brown bag down. His voice had a hint of the English brogue, but the newcomers could tell he wasn't full English. He settled down with a smile. "I'm Eric."

After a round of introductions, Eric joined in the food. He seemed most interested in Quatre and his work. He asked questions throughout the remainder of the meal.

Finally, Aisha stood up. "I think we should all get together for drinks at O'Malley's!"

There was a moment of silence, then a chorus of agreement.

"So it's settled. We'll get to meet the famous Louie, and you girls get to hang out with God's gifts to the female race," Duo announced, and beamed.

Angel laughed. "Something like that."

~~

"Dinner went well!" Aisha was still beaming, even more head-over- heals with Duo than she had been before the dinner. Angel laughed and rinsed off dishes.

"Yeah, it did." She winked at Aisha. "I think he likes you."

"Who? Duo? REALLY?" Aisha began her patented hop-until-you-die-of- excitement bit, which always made the others laugh.

Even Mei was still grinning. "Mr. Winner is really good at what he does."

"Yeah, you bet." Angel's voice held a similar appreciative tone.

"And he's so handsome…"

"Those eyes…"

"And his voice…"

"The way his hair curls…"

"You two make me sick," Mako growled lightly.

"Well…you were looking at the Japanese guy!" Mei yelled, then ducked behind Angel.

"Oh, sure…hide behind the short one."

"Did you see the Japanese guy?" Mako retorted. "Sexy."

"No! Duo is sexy!"

"You're all wrong." Lian frowned at them. "Wufei is the sexiest."

This started quite a bit of rucus. Eric laughed at them all and picked up his keys.

"I think I'm going home now. Do you need a ride to Louie's, Mei?"

"Sure!" Mei was staying with Louie O'Malley. She bounced down the steps with Eric, chattering about school and business.

"So, like I was saying," Angel said after bidding the two goodbye, "I think that Quatre and Duo are pretty sexy…"

~~

Duo nudged Heero as they walked toward the estate. "So, what'd you think of them, eh? Pretty sweet, aren't they? And gorgeous!"

Quatre laughed at him. "If someone were to give you pretty girls and food, you'd be happy for the rest of your life, Duo."

"Damn straight!"

"Hn. It was fine."

Wufei said nothing. His thoughts were on Lian. In fact, nothing could get his thoughts off of Lian. Gritting his teeth, he headed straight for his room.

Trowa followed suite, bored with the topic.

"What'd you think, Q-man? Any of them you like in particular?"

"They were all very pretty. Mako is intelligent and interesting to talk to, Mei is cute and sweet, Angel is funny, Blade is quiet but very smart, Aisha is loud and fun, and Lian has a lot of worldly knowledge."

"But your favorites?"

"Duo…I…"

"Come on!"

"Mei and Angel. They're both very cute."

Duo smiled. "I figured you'd get a kick out of Angel. Careful, though…it takes a lot to make her mad, but once she is…and Mei! I'd never met her before, but she's great!"

Quatre laughed and shook his head. "I think you need some rest. Up to bed."

They retired up to their rooms, and for the first time, Quatre wasn't thinking about work as he slid into bed.