The 8th Day ~ Version 2.0
A/N:
Chapter 5
5:54 a.m.; Tokyo, Japan
With a weary sigh Angela walked into her husband's study, sinking into the comfortable leather chair. 'Oh I needed that.' She slipped her feet out of the slippers and rested them against the edge of the wood. Reaching forward she opened a drawer and removed the papers that she had left there last night.
"Poor Hee-kun. He's worries so much but he has good reason." she murmured as she stared at the words and figures blankly.
With a slight shake of her head she pushed away her thoughts and got a pen, going over the reports of the income. Absentmindedly she started chewing on the end as she worked trying to assuage the feeling of fear that she had growing inside. 'Heero knows what he's doing…I have no reason to worry.' She chewed the pen end more as she reluctantly recalled the night he duelled with Wufei. They both had been equally stubborn, Wufei retaliating for the slash across his face with a vicious cut to the shoulder. It had been a miracle that either had made a blow to the other much less see what was-
"I thought you would be in here. You work more than me sometimes. Take a break Angel."
She glanced up startled to see Heero walk into the room and sit beside her feet. "Arigatou Hee-kun but I had to finish these and see what is still owed to us."
"Why not let the secretary do it? You need your rest." he said as he moved closer.
"I don't trust Hilde; he has messed up before and I barely caught it Imagine if those requisition forms had actually made it to the revenues bureau? We would be in the proverbial 'shit'."
"Hn." Heero picked up one of her feet and started massaging it. "It's still early in the morning. Do it later Angel."
She couldn't help but smirk as she slid her other foot against his thigh slowly. "You mean you want me to come back to bed. Or did you actually want to do something else?"
"I thought we would go out later. Or we can go for a walk now and catch the sunrise. We are dressed and all…"
"Let's go for a walk now." she slipped her foot out of his hand and stood easily. "I am rather tired of work for now."
Heero simply smiled as they left the study and walked out of the house and down the street. Angela snuggled close beside him as they walked towards the park, enjoying the slight crisp of the pre-dawn air.
"How come you were up early?" Heero asked.
"I was a bit restless, that's all. So I figured instead of tossing and turning which could wake you up, I would do something else instead." she gave a snort. "Not that I got much done anyways."
"I noticed. You seem preoccupied; is something bothering you?"
She remained silent as she watched the park come up form the end of the street. "Heero…" she trailed off and shook her head. "Forget it. It's just me being my usual worrywart self that's all."
No more words were spoken as they turned into the park, heading for the walkway by the bay. As they came to the metal railing Angela broke away from Heero and rested her arms against the cold metal. The waves churned against the cold concrete in a futile attempt to gain back what they had lost to man. She didn't move as Heero wrapped his arms around her.
"Nothing is going to happen to me Angel." he whispered into her ear. "You don't have to worry."
"I still remember what happened when you fought Wufei last time." she gazed out at the water. "I don't want to remember but it still comes up and I can't forget it Hee-kun."
"I don't like to remember it either." he replied. "But I can't let him get away this time."
"I know." she bowed her head slowly. "Kami I wish that none of this happened sometimes. But then I have to take it back." she gave a small smile. "What would I have done if you hadn't stopped that madman?"
"You would have led a very dull life Angel." he pulled her tighter. "I'm not going anywhere Angel. I'll still be here when this is all over."
"I hope so." she whispered. "You better be because if you're not when I get to Hell you are so dead. Don't fear Satan; fear me Heero Yuy."
Heero smiled. "Now why would I Angela; you're much better looking than Satan. Horns excluded."
She whapped him lightly on the arm. "You better sleep with one eyes open mister or else…" she admonished with a laugh.
Heero simply chuckled as he savoured the feel of her in his arms. Slowly, the deep blue-black of the night sky seeped away into the bright orange-pink of the rising sun. Angela remained silent as the harbour came to life now, the ships puttering over the water. She turned around in Heero's arms before hugging him.
"What was that for?" he asked surprised but hugging back.
"No reason. Let's go and get breakfast now." she said taking his hand. "We have nothing to worry about."
Heero gave her a slightly puzzled look before shrugging slightly. "Want anything in particular?"
She shook her head. "Whatever you want is fine. Besides, you know what I would eat. And you can't stand that stuff."
"I don't know how you can eat that cereal. It's so......"
"Sugary?" she asked slipping an arm through his. "Come on, I'll behave myself."
Heero gave a mock sigh of resignation as they walked out of the park, laughing quietly among themselves.
10:45 a.m.; Hong Kong, China
Wufei stood beside the window, looking out to the small forest of trees around the house. 'There's always something, one way or another.' He glanced at his desk to see Amaterasu seated there, cross legged in the plush cushion. She did have a rare sort of look to her, she seemed so faraway yet she was always around him; her presence did get to him. Sometimes he found himself wondering what it would be like to feel that soft glow beneath his hands and run his fingers through-
"Yes Wufei?" her voice sounded quietly as she reached forward and picked up the pen on his desk and twirled it around easily in her fingers. "Did you want something?"
"Nothing." he replied looking back out the window again. 'Get a grip on yourself Wufei. It's only a person you hired in the karaoke bar two days ago.' He glanced back at Amaterasu who had a slight flush on her face as she stared determinedly at the pen in her hands. 'But I know she does...'
"When is Morgan going to get here?"
Wufei turned at the sound of her voice. "She didn't say exactly but she said around ten thirty to ten fifty."
"She's sure taking her own sweet time." Amaterasu paused, placing the pen back in its blotter. "Why can't she just give a certain time; then we-"
The door swung open, Morgan and Duo walking in pushing in a sullen and angry looking Dorothy.
"Sorry we're late Wu-man." Duo said as he flopped down into a chair. "Morgan was getting a bit happy there...you know what she gets like when she's on a roll."
Amaterasu snorted. "So you didn't step in? It's almost ten fifty."
"Shut up you idiot. I have enough on my plate with this one here." Morgan snarled. "I am liable to shoot your head off right here and now."
"I'd like to see you try." Amaterasu retorted. "You wouldn't get farther than-"
"Cripes, for once could you two stop antagonizing each other? I can't keep breaking up all of your fights." Dup muttered with exasperation. "Even if it is just for once, could you both just humour me?"
Amaterasu regarded Duo before sinking back into the seat quietly with her eyes closed as Morgan shoved Dorothy roughly into the seat before Wufei's desk, eliciting a sharp gasp of pain from the blonde. 'Morgan must be very mad.' Wufei noted as he came to his seat and motioned Amaterasu out.
"May I ask why Dorothy is here and why you are mad at her?" Wufei calmly asked, noticing Amaterasu moving behind his chair and resting her arms on the top; he could have sworn he felt her fingertips brush his hair.
"I'll show you why the bitch is sitting here awaiting your judgement." Morgan said tightly, removing a bond package of something and tossing it on Wufei's desk. "She had a lot of nerve to do this to you and quite frankly I wouldn't even let her-"
Wufei halted her speech with a motion, noticing a familiar Morgan rant. Opening the envelope he saw a few papers and pulled them out. Attached with paperclips were pictures of Dorothy, sitting in a restaurant booth and taking a briefcase. The next picture showed the briefcase open, piles of money banded and waiting to be used. Wufei glared from the pictures to Dorothy with a withering expression before he turned back to the files at hand.
"I can explain Wufei, I was only trying to-"
"Tojikomeru!" Amaterasu ordered in a harsh voice, still Dorothy into burning humiliation once more.
Wufei continued reading on, the lines on his face becoming harder and harder as he went. Eventually he placed the papers down softly and looked at Dorothy. "And what do you have to say for yourself woman?"
"I will not deny what I did but I did it in the best interest of you and the organization Wufei; I-"
"You do not have the right to address me by my name." he spoke in a dangerously soft tone.
Dorothy gave the barest of gulps before continuing. "You never let me do anything Wufei; I only wanted to-"
"With good reason; you were too power hungry yet I gave you the chance still. And this is how you repay me?" his hand slammed down on the file. "You sell behind my back?!"
"And what kind of man lets a woman do nothing and be useless? You let that bitch behind you do more than you ever let me and I was here longer than her!"
"Baita! Saseko!! How dare you insult me?! I at least do not go about questioning orders for I see the value of not doing so and see his intent behind them! What have you ever done besides try to sink your talons into him when he clearly does not wish to have anything to do with you, you delusional baka!"
"You act like you're above everyone else here so I wouldn't talk if I were you!" Dorothy retorted. "You think you know Wufei? Ha; let me tell you something of the 'illustrious leader'; he let his wife die. That's right, he couldn't watch out for her and now she's six feet under. How long before it's any of you? He's weak and can't do a bloody thing to-"
Dorothy was cut off by Morgan's punch to the jaw. "You talk too damn much you traitor." she spat out the last word. "If I had it may way..." Morgan fell quiet as she dug around in her pocket and found a long piece of cloth. "I was hoping I would have to use it on you." she muttered as she savagely tied it around Dorothy's mouth, effectively silencing her.
"Morgan...I believe that I shall leave you to deal with her as is best. I do trust you know what I want done."
Morgan nodded her head, hauling Dorothy up none too gently and shoving her out of the door. "I won't be back for the rest of the day."
Duo rose with a heavy sigh as he walked out, following her. "Why me?"
The room went silent again neither Wufei nor Amaterasu moving, seemingly fine where they were. The silence grew along with the tension between the, with words that were hesitant to be voiced at all, to be voiced and admit something.
"Joou no baka-tachi." Amaterasu muttered as she moved finally, going to the window and looking outside.
Wufei simply sat in the seat, content to not move at all; for some reason her presence made him feel...it made him feel at peace. He glanced back at her, her features sharp with the bright light of the sun. He rose, looking at the back of her neck curiously; he had never seen it before, it was always covered by her hair and there was a faint sliver of colour.
"Amaterasu...what's on your back?" he asked moving closer to her; his entire skin felt electrified just from taking a step closer to her.
Her head moved slightly, the screen of her hair falling back over it. "It's nothing Wufei; nothing to concern yourself about; unless you are opposed to them."
"No, I was...just...wondering." he finished lamely.
Amaterasu glanced back at him before looking out of the window and resting her hand against the cool glass. "Why are you wondering; or is it just small talk to fill the silence?"
Wufei remained silent, hesitant to even say what was really on his mind. 'You fool.' His face burned as he tried to think of something to say. 'What makes you think that you are even worthy of a woman like the one before you?'
"Never mind the question Wufei-san; it was only rhetorical." her entire body stiffened imperceptibly before she cleared her throat. "I mean Wufei-sama."
Wufei felt his face flush even more. 'Now I act like a schoolgirl.'He gave a sigh of disgust before walking to the door. "I am going to the library."
He didn't say anything as Amaterasu followed him silently, her face burning just as much when he glanced up at her. Entering the large airy room, he pulled a book from the shelf and sat down to read. He forced himself to not look up as Amaterasu placed herself in the window seat and continued looking outside. Soon enough he had managed for once to concentration the task before him.
"A dragon."
"Hn?" he looked up to se her still looking out of the window.
"It's only a dragon." she looked back at him before looking outside again.
Wufei didn't say anything as he went back to his book, a small smile on his lips.
7:35 p.m.; Hong Kong, China
Rubbing red rimmed eyes, Lily turned back to the Petri dish before her with a yawn. 'How the fuck did this happen; I mean one minute I'm asleep in bed and then the two brutes come and cart me off here. Lord, I haven't even seen outside for the past two days. Not that they let me sleep much either...assholes...' With a thoroughly peeved sigh she pushed away from the table and rose. The burly guard at the end of the room glanced at her.
"For Christ's sake you idiot; I'm stretching! Haven't you ever seen that before?!" she snapped with a glare.
"Get back to work." he ordered in a heavily accented voice.
She plunked herself down the seat and crossed her arms. "Make me you boorish ass of a man." she turned her back to him.
The sound of booted feet came tramping across the floor as a large hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.
"You get back to work."
Lily gritted her teeth as she glared up at the man's face. "No."
The man's face hardened as he realized what she had said to him. Before he could do anything, she kneed him hard and bolted from the seat as he collapsed to the floor in pain. With a hasty search, she took his gun and stuffed it in her pants pocket beneath her lab coat. Flinging the door open, she found herself face to face with a less than pleased face. She swallowed hard, backing into the room slowly as the redhead walked in after her. 'I've gone and done it now; she looks about ready to kill me.'
"Get out now. You're done for the night."
Lily nodded silently, walking past the fuming girl quickly into the hallway. She walked down sedately, the room that had been serving as her prison. She stumbled into the room as the girl pushed her in forcefully.
"Don't try screaming like you have; we won't be here; we wouldn't want you to waste your voice now would we?" the sarcastic words were followed by a slam of the door.
With an angry cry Lily strode over to the night table that stood by the bed and kicked it. "Fuck. . ." she muttered as sharp pain shot through her foot. "Count on me to stub my fucking toe; my fucking toe of all the goddamn things to happen now!!" she yelled out loud at the top of her voice.
"You're here."
Lily spun around at the voice to see Zechs standing behind her, the curtains by the window swishing slightly. She glared at him, her anger not vanishing away like she had initially thought it would; not after what she had learned. . .
"This is the perfect chance." he said, peering out of the small window. "They've gone out now and won't be back for awhile." he looked back at her. "It's a quick trip sown the trellis and-"
"You lied to me." she whispered in a tight voice. "You lied to me."
"What?" Zechs walked up closer to hear her. "I didn't hear you properly."
"You lied to me, you bastard." she shook her head. "You fucking lied to my face too."
"Look Lily," he began taking her hand gently. "When we get out of here you can tell me what-" he was stopped by her hand jerking free and smacking against his cheek.
"You sold out. How could you; were those words you said to me a lie too Zechs?" she demanded harshly.
He rubbed his cheek, unsure of what to say.
"That money you got never was grant money was it? Was it?! It was drug money!!" she demanded, the feeling of betrayal welling up, harsh and bitter.
"Yes, it was drug money." he replied quietly.
"Christ you are such a fool Zechs; borrowing money from drug lords is the last thing I had ever expected you to-"
"Hey, wait a minute, I never borrowed it; I skimmed it."
"Oh even better; you stole it. The money's dirty, the things we did with it, the research and testing, it's all tainted now."
"I figured for once drug money would do some good; it would help to cure someone's back pain or ease the agonies of cancer patients." he retorted. "We were low on money Lily; you never knew how much though. You were-"
"Don't go blaming this on me; you got me into this mess. You hear me Zechs Merquise? You did; plus you got yourself into a shitload of trouble to boot!"
"Don't you think I know that you were in trouble; why do you think I spent the last two days searching for you?" he took her arm. "I wanted to-"
"Don't you dare touch me." she hissed, yanking her arm away and turning her back to him.
Lily, would you please listen to reason here and-" he said trying again.
"I swear, if you don't stop this I will shoot you." she managed in a shaking voice, feeling the gun in her pocket.
"Well maybe if you would listen to me for a minute then we wouldn't be in this mess." an exasperated sigh came now. "I'm not perfect you know."
"Really; I couldn't tell." she said in a bitter voice as another thought occurred to her. "If you were so perfect then you wouldn't have botched the sale of the cotaine up then would you?"
"I never sold it. I tried to. . ." he paused for a minute. "But I never did; they must have stolen it."
"You expect me to believe that line of yours?" her fingers slipped into the pocket and tightened around the butt. Her body trembled as new things were sinking in, making tears start to come to her eyes.
"Lily, let's get out of here while we still have time to. They could be back at any time and-"
Lily turned around, gun drawn and aimed at him. "Since when huh? You seem to be thinking about the effects now when you should have thought about them before!"
Zechs froze. "Since when what?"
"Since when did you care Zechs? Everything you told me could be a lie, how can I believe your words so easily now?" she blinked rapidly to stop her eyes from tearing up.
"Lily, I always cared. How can you say that; I would-"
"How can I say that; for all I know you could have lied about your feelings towards me just to get laid."
Zechs didn't say anything, his face going pale. "Lily. . .I. . .how. . .I would. . .how can you. . ."
"Christ Zechs, so that it huh? I was just an easy and comfortable screw to you." she said, bitterness and sadness on her voice.
Zechs' face went rigid with lines on anger that finally showed through. In one stride he was in front of Lily and wrenched the gun away from her, trapping her wrist in his iron grip.
"Let me go!" she demanded, beating against his chest, not noticing his winces of pain.
"No; look at me Lily. Look at me!" he brought up her evading head with his other hand. "You never were that to me. I love you; would I be here if I didn't? I have been shot, shot at and lived through God knows how many attempts on my life from that hell raiser of a blond sadist and I am still here. Would I have risked death so many times over if I didn't love as much as I do?"
Lily's mouth twisted into an icy smile. "If this was before, I would be so tempted to sleep with you right now. . .you impotent fool." she retorted, trying to inflict pain on him in some form.
Zechs' lips became an ironic smile. "Impotent am I?" he bent forward, nudging his nose into the tender spot between her ear and her neck causing a shiver to pass through her body. "I remember this 'impotent fool' making you scream on certain nights. Or were you just faking it then?"
"To hell with you Zechs Merquise!" she said, voice shaking slightly as she tried to push him away but found herself suddenly trapped in an iron hug. "Let me go!" she demanded loudly.
"No." he said, running his hands down her body. "I know those words you said you don't mean a single one of them; as do I."
The hell I don't." she managed as her knees threatened to buckle. "You can rot in hell for all I care now. . ." her hands traitorously slid up underneath his shirt, his skin scorching her fingertips.
Zechs assaulted her with a heady kiss before leaving swollen lips as he pulled her closer to him and ripped away her shirt easily. "If I rot in hell you can come with me." he growled as her nails raked down his back.
Lily didn't say anything else as she divested him of his clothing, wanting nothing more than to cleave into his delicious blazing heat. She didn't even feel when the rest of her clothes were torn away but when she suddenly landed on the bed with a thump she barely had time to see what had happened before Zechs pounced on her, slowly but surely driving her to a frenzy as he touched, teased, twisted, pinched and pulled until she was writhing beneath him and exacting the same punishment on him. She gave a silent gasp as he entered her without warning, sheathing himself to the base. She gave a low growl before she rose her hips to his, needing to feel him deep inside. An answering sound came from deep within his throat as he started moving, plunging in and out of her mercilessly, the pain from their smacking hips making her wince and cry out in pleasure. Grabbing her legs, he angled them up, making him sink in deeper than before and her entire body tighten with a scream as she came, driving Zechs to come with her. They melted into one another, bodies seemingly boneless.
"What happened here?" Lily asked in a hoarse voice as she stroked the small patch on shoulder.
"I got shot." Zechs lifted his head from her chest and looked at her before resting his head again. "It wasn't serious at all; only superficial. The bullet went through clean though it bled like hell."
Lily gave a sigh as she returned to stroking his shoulder. "I am sorry Zechs. I do hate it when you're right though. I didn't mean those words. . .I was-"
"It's all right Lily. I know. . ." he sat up suddenly and looked at her. "Now up; we can't afford to stay here any longer than we already have."
"I know." she yawned and ran a hand through her hair. "It's all well and good for you to say that but what am I going to wear; you did rip my clothes."
He grinned. "I took a trip around the house earlier and got you a change." pulling on his pants, Zechs went back to the curtain and took out a top and a pants. "They're slightly baggy."
"So where exactly are we going to go now? This guy is probably going to hunt us down when he finds that I am gone." she took the clothes and pulled them on quickly before moving to her shoes.
"Trust me. I left him with a little something that will distract him eventually." Zechs offered his hand as she stood from her seat. "I'm just glad that I found you safe."
She smiled at him as they walked to the trellis and climbed down. "Zechs?" she said as they stole through the empty garden.
"Yes Lily?" he asked looking back at her.
"I just want to go far away now; very far away."
Zechs nodded his head as he pulled her closer to him and they vanished away into the night.
Notes:
Tojikomeru = Shut up
Baita = bitch
Saseko = whore
Joou no baka-tachi = Queen of fools
Furor: And there's Chapter 5. . .all done and leading up to stuff. Are you happy Princess; I told you I didn't kill him!!
Princess: *dazed look on face* Yeah. . .wow. . .damn that was the best argument scene I ever read!
Jasmine: *nudges* Ya huh, I wonder why you're saying that!!
Peridot: Hey Furor, you dumb bitch; you've been neglecting Duo!!
Duo: Yeah. . .when am I gonna get some!?
Peridot: Lord knows Duo. . .she can be pretty slow sometimes. . .
Slow?! Me!? I'm on wheels you blind old bat!! You on the other hand have crutches, so I wouldn't talk if I were you!!
Peridot: Blind old bat; you ugly hag, I'll knock your teeth out for that one!!
Furor: You wish! *starts wheeling over towards Peridot and hey fight again*
Duo: Are they always like this?
Jasmine and Princess: *pat Duo on the back and shake their heads sadly*
