Author's Notes:

All attempts to kill Keiko have been taken into consideration, but I think she might have finally met her match in this chapter. And who is/are this person(s)? You will have to read to find out, ne? And yes, Crescent, Yuzuki was influenced by the one from Chobits. She is one of my favorite characters there and I just had to 'borrow' her influence for this fic.

Thank you all again for your wonderful reviews, emails of encouragement and death threats. And now, if I can only get my Lab report finished on time….

Oh yeah, one other note…I think I was finding it a bit hard to write this chapter due to all the things happening around me right now. I wasn't sure of what scene to put in what place or how to deliver it without confusing the heck out of everyone again. And then on one bright Sunday morning, this song comes on by Alice Peacock (whom I have never heard of before) and it just completely blew me away. The song is called Some Things Get Lost. Heh, the best inspirations always seem to come when we least expect them. Enjoy! ^_^

Special thanks to my beta, Zan.

Warnings: What's a lemon that doesn't go all the way called again? Help me out there and you decide. ^^

*********************

You said you'd realized in life that chances pass you by

And what you thought was yours, slowly fades before your eyes

And part of growing up is that you can't go back in time

You have to live with your regrets and things you leave behind

And we agreed to be the best of friends

Let's talk real soon, I gotta go, you said...

- Alice Peacock

CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

Relena Peacecraft was considered to be the brightest student in the history of the Maynard School for Girls. Now in her final year, before graduating and moving to yet another prestigious school, she was prepared to be named the Valedictorian for the graduating ceremonies that were to take place by the end of the school year. Of course, it did not hurt to have such a prestigious family name as a backup of sorts. The Peacecrafts were well known for their charitable contributions to both the school and society in general. Their social parties and get-togethers were legendary amongst the wealthy and anyone who was anyone, longed to be on good terms with the family.

However, Relena was not the only Peacecraft heir. There was one other – an older brother by three years and the first child to the family. Milliardo. Tall, handsome and with a penchant for adventure (which never ceased to baffle his parents as many of these adventures had the tendency to be life-threatening), Milliardo was the most sought after bachelor in the country. His playboy reputation was well documented in the tabloids and on entertainment news programs every other day. It was something that his parents did not approve of; considering their high moral values and standards. But, no matter how hard they tried to curb their son's over zealousness it seemed as if the situation was often made worse as he defied them at every turn.

As for Relena, she did not hate her brother. She despised him.

At least she kept telling herself that.

She stood beside the desk, her hands clenched into tight fists as she watched the long-haired blond flip through the pages of the book she had so carefully hidden in her drawer last night. She grit her teeth as she watched him 'ooh' and 'ah' mockingly over the sinful images of couples in extreme positions of lovemaking. Her cheeks became an even darker hue of red as she watched him lift the book closer to his face to take in the sight of a man and woman who seemed to be having intercourse upside down.

This was really too much.

Milliardo gave up the fight to keep a straight face as he began to laugh in glee. His laughter rang out clear within the cozy confines of her bedroom as he glanced up to notice his younger sister's thunderous expression. This sent him into another round of laughter and he had to move very quickly or he was sure that the slap Relena had intended for him would have made good contact with his cheek.

"Now, now, dear sister," he taunted with a wicked grin, "surely you aren't going to hit me over this book now, are you?" He stepped out of reach and held it above his head.

"Give that back to me!"

"And where on earth did you get such a book, my dear?" Milliardo continued smoothly as if he hadn't heard a word she had said. He moved back a little and sidestepped a large stuffed animal that lay discarded on the floor. Goodness, his sister had a horrible penchant for toys.

The teenager scowled and tried to make another grab for the book, but ended up falling flat on the floor as she tripped over the very same toy. Flabbergasted, infuriated and humiliated all at once, she bellowed out angrily.

"GIVE THAT BACK TO ME, MILLIARDO!"

The young man stopped and pinned fairly amused icy blue depths on his kid sister while tapping the book against his thigh in a steady rhythm. "Why won't you tell me who gave it to you? And what on earth could you possibly need it for? If you wanted help with your sex life, I would have been more than happy to assist you."

Relena gasped at the meaningful look in her brother's eyes and blanched in disgust. "You are

sick," she muttered thickly as she scrambled to her feet. "You are a sick bastard!"

"Look who's talking," came the retort as he held up the book in front of him again. "The Kama-Sutra? What is this? Thinking of capturing some poor unsuspecting boy to teach him a few things?"

"It's none of your goddamn business!"

"Oooh! Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such foul language from you, Relena. Is that the way a Peacecraft should act? Just think of the horror it would cause poor Mom and Dad…"

"Just shut up and give it to me!" And with a quick lunge, she made a grab for the book only to gasp and wince in pain as she found herself thrown onto the bed and her wrists caught in a painful grip behind her back. She bit her lower lip to stop herself from crying out as the agony shot up her arms.

Milliardo! You sick, sick bastard!

Straddling her quickly, the blond leaned close to whisper against her ear. "If you just tell me nicely, I will let you go, Relena. Just say the word and the book is yours."

She could taste the blood in her mouth as she tried to even her breathing. He was twisting her arm now and the pain was blinding. "No…no, I won't."

"Is it for Heero?"

"Shut up…"

"Who gave it to you?"

"I…am…not…telling…argh! Let me go, Milliardo!!"

How in the world had he gotten a hold of it in the first place? She had been reading it last night and had fallen asleep, but she had made sure she had locked it up in her drawer before giving in to her weariness. Or perhaps she hadn't locked it up as she had thought. She must have been too tired to really notice.

Shit.

And to make things worse, her sick brother had finally come back home from his mountain climbing trip to make her life even more miserable. The blond seemed to get a perverse pleasure out of seeing her in pain and that was something she could never understand. In front of her parents and everyone else, they were both the perfect brother and sister combination, but once away from the spotlight, things were far from perfect. It was a miracle they had survived this long in each other's presence without killing off the other.

I am not going to cry. I am not going to cry.

And just as suddenly as she had been trapped, the pressure on her wrists was released and the weight against her lower back eased as she felt him move off of her. The book was tossed carelessly towards her and she had to move a little or it would have hit her face. Spinning around quickly, she frowned as she noticed him standing beside her window looking out at something. She sat up slowly trying to get the blood flowing back to her bruised wrists as she stared at him.

What the hell was he thinking now?

"Looks like mother and father are going to visit the Yuys again. Are you sure you don't want to follow them, dear sister ?"

Relena cursed inwardly and got to her feet, her hands reaching for the book to hold it tightly against her chest. She would have to wear long sleeves or something. The bruise was becoming more obvious.

"Oh, you bet I am going with them and I am going to tell Mom and Dad what you did to me!"

It was an empty threat and they both knew it for a small, cynical smile had come to the blond's lips. He yawned and spun around to grin wider at her angry visage.

"Oh, but don't worry, dear sister. I intend to join you'll in this little soiree. After all, it's been so long since I have had a chance to see my future brother-in-law."

Relena could feel something cold pool at the pits of her stomach. The last time Heero and Milliardo had been together…

And groaning weakly, she shook her head and slowly made her way towards her dressing room. Let sleeping dogs lie, she thought ruefully as she began to search for a suitable outfit. Let sleeping dogs lie…


__

Why isn't he scared? Why is he smiling? What the fuck is so funny?

Never giving away her growing unease at the confident smile on the man's face, Keiko gave a winning grin of her own and thrust out a hand to capture the offered one before her.

She sucked in a harsh breath as she felt the warm skin of Duo's palm against hers. This was the hand of one who had been through a lot in his life. It wasn't that smooth and she could have sworn she could feel calluses, but then again, she might have been hallucinating the entire thing. She wasn't allowed to feel any more for Duo had removed his hand just as quickly as he had offered it.

Trying to hide a pout at not being able to hold him much longer, she smiled sweetly and raised a hand to her hair to brush some of the long dark locks away from her face.

"What a pleasant surprise as well, Mr. Maxwell. What a coincidence that we should meet in such a place."

Duo's smile did not waver as he gave a light laugh. "You said it, Keiko. After all this time, we finally get to meet in…well…" He waved his hand a little as if marveling at the spectacle of their surroundings. "I get to meet you here. So, you are Heero's cousin, I presume?" he asked conversationally as he bent down  to pick up the tray he had placed down earlier. He fully expected it to shake or rattle. It would have given away the dull and nagging worry that was beginning to rear its ugly head again.

But he wouldn't panic. Oh, no, not this time around. Duo was determined to show that Keiko's presence could not…would not faze him this time around. And if things did come to a head, he would just have to figure out a way to get out of it.

Keiko stared at the lowered head with a small frown. This wasn't the way she had imagined things would happen. She had had the whole scenario mapped out in her head as she had come out of the breakfast room. Her intentions had been to make her way towards the gardens and perhaps visit the den later on, but as fate would have it, she had spied the tall figure of the very man she longed to see standing outside the familiar doors. And to make it worse, he had been speaking to that witch, Yuzuki, as if they were the best of friends.

Enjoy it now while you can, Yuzuki-san. Soon, you will be sleeping on the streets where you belong.

She had honestly thought that walking up to Duo would have sent the teacher quaking in his boots. She had fully expected a torrent of apologies, or perhaps a flood of pleas for her not to tell or something that went a little like:

"Oh please, Keiko. Please don't tell anyone about me! I promise to do anything you want me to!"

"Oh, really, Duo? And tell me just what you intend to do for me?"

"I will do anything you wish, my dearest Keiko. Anything at all. Just say the word and I am yours for the taking."

"Oh, Duo. I have longed for you. Loved you. Take me! Take me now! Take me in front of everyone and never ever let me go!!"

"Keiko…"

"Oh, yes, Duo…"

"Keiko?"

"Yes, my love…"

"Keiko?!"

She opened up her eyes (she didn't realize she had closed them) and blinked in surprise at the bewildered look on the man's face. She could feel her cheeks burn with embarrassment as she realized that she must have been mumbling her fantasies out loud again. Coughing lightly, she grinned again and reached for the door.

"Here. Let me help you get that, Duo. You don't mind if I call you Duo now, do you?" she asked with a flutter of her lashes that sent a chill down the teacher's spine.

"If you like…" he began softly, only to jump in surprise as Heero's flat tone of irritation interrupted his frazzled thoughts.

"You are late…again."

"Heero-chan!" Keiko squealed in delight as she walked into the room and wrapped her arms around the unmoving boy's body. Giving him a crushing hug, which Heero did not return, she pulled back and clasped her hands together. "Oh my. You are studying really hard, aren't you?"

The heir took off his glasses and eyed the blushing girl in growing anger. Why in God's name did she have to show up now to ruin the morning for him? He had envisioned Duo walking through the door and then perhaps…

"Good morning…sensei…"

"Good morning…my precious dear student…"

A dark blush. A flutter of lashes. A shy smile. "You flatter me too much, sensei. You know I would do anything for you."

"Anything, my Heero?"

"Yes…anything…"

"Then why don't you take off your clothes and lie on the table for me. I think we should do some practical Biology today, don't you think?"

"Oh, yes, sensei. I will gladly offer my body for any experiments you might have…"

Well, he could scratch that dream from ever happening because Keiko's face had blocked his view again.

"What do you want, Keiko?" he asked coldly as his peripheral vision caught Duo placing the tray filled with treats on a side table. He could tell that the older man was tense and he noticed with faint concern that Duo looked a bit weary.

Is everything alright, Duo? I wish I could help ease your worries...

"I am here for lessons," Keiko announced loudly as she made herself comfortable in an empty chair beside him.

"You are in college," Heero said with a wary look at her. "Why are you going to study high school work again?"

"You are preparing for college, so why shouldn't I be studying with you? And besides, Duo is very good at teaching college-bound students. Ne, Duo-chan?"

Heero's scowl deepened and he stole another glance at the silent man, who was now bringing out notes from his briefcase. Why was Keiko sounding as if she had known Duo all her life? He tapped his pencil against his textbook a bit restlessly while trying to maintain an air of nonchalance.

"Duo was paid to teach me…alone, Keiko. Don't you have anything else to do with yourself?"

The girl shook her head and gave a light pout. "There is nothing to do here and besides, you are my cousin, so we should be doing things together, right?"

A particularly loud slam of a book on the table had Keiko and Heero gasping in surprise as they noticed the frown on Duo's face. It was brief, but the girl was sure she had seen something close to a murderous rage flash across the older man's face for a moment. She felt a fear rise within her throat that made her want to run away from his presence and never look back.

I was just imagining things. Yeah, that's it. Duo doesn't look like someone who could hurt a fly. He is…he was just…I was just seeing things.

"If you will excuse me for a few minutes," came the rather terse words, "I have to use the bathroom." And not waiting for either teen to reply, Duo spun on his heels and made his way towards the adjoining room leaving the two to sit in silence with their bewildered thoughts.

"Well…he's a strange one, isn't he, Heero?" Keiko commented with a soft sigh as she began to slowly tip her chair backwards. Heero watched the movements in silence wishing he had some sort of telekinetic power to knock her off the seat. But he remained silent, his eyes now turning to look at the door that Duo had disappeared through.

He was beginning to itch. And he needed it scratched…now.

"I can't believe your father would choose such a man to be your teacher," Keiko continued as if Heero had been agreeing with everything she had said. "He looks so…unreliable."
Duo…

"I mean, your father should have had better taste and should have been able to choose any prestigious teacher he wanted in the world. Why would he choose a man that has been accused of being a…"

"Excuse me, Keiko," Heero interrupted curtly as he rose to his feet. He hardly gave her a glance, his feet already beginning to lead him towards the door. "I will be right back."

The dark-haired girl blinked in surprise and then pouted as the door was slammed shut behind him. She huffed and crossed her hands across her bosom with a petulant pout.

"Men. What is wrong with all of them? And I was just getting to the juicy part too…"


__

Heero walked the short distance between the den and the adjoining reading room with steps that were quick and determined. Glancing behind him to make sure Keiko hadn't decided to follow, he slipped into the room quickly and quietly closed the door behind him.

Sure enough, the lonely figure of his teacher stood beside the window as still as death.

The room, which supposedly led to the bathroom, was one that actually led to a smaller reading area. Keiko didn't know that and Heero figured it was a blessing in disguise. He held a hand to his chest, feeling his heart pound faster as he walked closer to the older man. Stopping within inches of Duo, Heero stared at the broad back for several long seconds, a tentative hand reaching out, but then withdrawing again as uncertainty crept in.

He could feel his mouth getting dry. He was sure his heartbeat could be heard in the room and he suddenly felt a wave of shyness wash over him, leaving him vulnerable and naked for the eye to see. He opened up his mouth to call out to Duo, but nothing came out except for a small whimper of need. Duo still had not turned around to acknowledge his presence and Heero had no idea why that little action sent such an ache through his heart. But throwing caution to the wind, he wrapped his arms tightly around the older man's torso and pressed his forehead to the strong back. He felt Duo stiffen a little at the contact, but Heero did not let go.

I will never let you go. I promise…I will never let you go…

"What…what do you want, Heero?" Duo asked in a voice that seemed too tired and resigned to Heero.

The heir fought the urge to grow panicked as he tightened his hold around Duo's waist.

Don't give up on me just yet. I will be good to you! Please just give me a chance!

"Remember what I said last night, Duo?" he asked softly, closing his eyes and inhaling the unique scent that was the braided man. He nudged away the braid gently, trying not to sneeze at the soft tickle of the hairs against his nose.

For a moment, Heero was sure that Duo wasn't going to answer, but sensing the teacher was finally nodding in response, he smiled softly to himself.

"I meant every word I said, Duo. And I am not going to take it back."

The older man did not say anything and Heero tried again, his voice a bit louder. "Did you hear me, Duo? I love you and I am not going to take it back."

The teacher closed his eyes and tried to swallow down the stubborn lump that had risen in his throat.

Heero…what are you doing to me?

Opening them up again, he placed his hands upon Heero's arm and squeezed it gently, before turning around slowly to wrap his own arms around the younger man's waist. He pulled the heir tightly against his body allowing their rising body heat to culminate around them like a shield. With a small smile coming to his lips, Duo reached out to brush away some of the unruly brown locks from his student's face. His fingertips caressed the smooth skin, his gaze locked firmly on the intense blue eyes before him. 

Is that what being in love looks like? That look of determination in your eyes, Heero? Are you so willing to give yourself even when you don't know me that well? I have secrets, Heero. Secrets that will make you hate me…and I never…never want to see hate in your eyes, Heero. Not for me…not ever…

His thoughts were silenced as he felt the clasp of Heero's hands behind his neck. He was powerless to stop the slow approach of the lips – those sweet, delicious lips- he had longed to taste all morning. And closing his eyes with a soft sigh, he leaned forward to meet them.

The familiar rush of heat and jolt of electricity that raced through their bodies caused their knees to buckle at the intensity of the intimate communion. Heero would have fallen if it wasn't for the death-like grip  Duo had on his waist. He parted his lips and allowed Duo's hot, seeking length to stroke his. Low moans and whimpers of desire and growing pleasure escaped his throat as he pressed himself even tighter against the older man. All thoughts of Keiko and the story he had heard last night were wiped from his mind as he gave in to the heady rush of being in the arms of the man he could never get enough of.

Heero tasted like sweet nectar and Duo milked it for all it was worth. He fought the nagging worry that seemed to want to make itself evident as he allowed the pleasure of the moment to overwhelm him. The boy was beginning to shiver in his arms and it was all Duo could do to hang on to rational thought. With a low groan, he began to slowly push Heero backwards until a light grunt from the heir told him he had caused the boy to hit the wall.

We could be caught, came the wild thought as his hands released the lithe waist to cup Heero's face gently. His tongue dove in deeper, the kiss becoming harder and almost desperate as he felt the boy respond in kind. Someone could just walk in here and catch us. I just have to say the word and this…this insanity will be over. So, why can't I? What the hell is wrong with me?!

His hands slipped beneath Heero's loose oxford shirt to touch the bare skin beneath. Wandering fingers brushed against tightened nipples and caressed them roughly. His mouth swallowed the boy's harsh cry of pleasure as he continued his torture on the sensitive nubs. The ache between his legs grew and with a light grunt, he thrust a leg between Heero's, slowly beginning to rub their swollen nether regions together.

"Oh…"

"Ah…"

"Oooooh…"

Heero could feel himself about to come and he clutched Duo's shirt tightly as he continued to move against him in their sinful dance. Their thrusts became wilder and faster, their breathing becoming haggard and rough in the tiny room. Beads of sweat glistened against their feverish bodies and Duo felt himself stiffen in impending orgasm. But Heero's low howl of satiation broke through his thoughts and he felt the warm evidence of the boy's essence against his thigh. This seemed to bring Duo back to his senses, and with a low moan of dismay, he pulled away gently. He eyed the stain on the boy's pants with a darker shade of red filling his already flushed visage. Well, this was going to be hard to explain to the parents or anyone else for that matter.

Heero, through his dazed countenance, realized that Duo had stopped his ministrations. Still trying to catch his breath, he opened up his eyes a bit wider to stare at the lopsided grin on his teacher's face. He blushed at how much more handsome it made the older man look and lowering his lashes shyly, he loosened his grip on Duo's shirt. He moved a little and then lifted his eyes to stare into Duo's with a look of pure mortification on his features.

"I…I…" he couldn't even speak as humiliating scenarios of him walking outside in such a state filled his mind. "Duo…"

The older man silenced the stuttered words with a hard kiss and pulled back completely to take off his jacket. Draping it over Heero's shoulders, he gave a nod as he noticed that it was long enough to at least hide the top of the boy's pants.

"I think this should last until you get to your room, Heero," he muttered softly. "Think you can make it up without drawing any suspicion?"

Heero gave a slow nod. "There is a way to get up to my room without using the main hallway. The beauty of living in a large home is that you find lots of secret rooms to…to…" He blushed at where his thoughts were heading off to while trying hard to fight down the tingle of excitement at how their little act seemed so…wrong and yet so right. They were only a few feet away from Keiko and possibly his parents. Right beneath their roof, he had done the unthinkable with an older man. It was enough to get him excited all over again. And knowing that he might not have the willpower to resist Duo going all the way with him, he pulled back completely with a shy smile on his handsome features.

"I should be back in a few minutes," he said softly. And mouthing a soft 'I love you', he opened up the door and slipped out from it just as silently as he had come in.

Duo remained in his position, unmoving as he willed the ache in his stiffened flesh to die down. He hadn't gotten any satisfaction having to hold back and it hurt like hell right now. Groaning thickly, he eyed the door that led back to the den. And imagining Keiko pouncing on him with her claws of deception and deceit, he successfully killed his erection in one fell swoop.

Time to put up the act again, buddy. And this time…make it good, Duo.

__



Odin remained silent in his chair, the coffee now congealed and cold in its cup as he blindly stared ahead.

/Fire, Yuzuki./

Damn bitch.

He figured that he had brought this upon himself. The very notion of cheating on Hikari was a thing he would have never imagined on his wedding day. He had fallen head over heels for the petite Japanese girl and had been ready and willing to give up his soul for her well-being.

The first few years of their marriage had been pure bliss. They had traveled around the world and done every thing imaginable under the sun. Everyone had considered them the Golden couple and both had been so totally and completely in love that the thought of getting a divorce or ever leaving each other's side was preposterous.

And then they had Heero and everything changed.

Odin sighed heavily and closed his eyes in pain. Left to him, he would have never sought pleasure elsewhere. He knew it was a weak excuse, but it was the only thing he could come up with in his defense. Hikari…the kind, wonderful, sweet Hikari he had married on that beautiful summer's day had changed into a woman that was a complete stranger to him.

She hadn't been upset with the birth of Heero, if anything she was proud of her only child and had done her best to see that the future heir was well taken care of. Hikari had insisted on taking care of Heero by herself. She needed no extra maids or servant; neither did she leave him for hours at a time in the hands of strangers at a daycare. She had spent months away from work dedicating her time and energy to taking care of Heero.

Heero.

Yes, Heero had now become the focus of her life and Odin had slowly gotten the sense that he had become nothing more than a hindrance to his new family. Whenever he traveled for days at a time and returned home, he got nothing more than a lukewarm welcome and a quick rundown of the day's or week's events. It was as if Hikari would have rather spoken to anyone but him and it had baffled Odin to no end. Days or nights of intimacy were long gone and any mention or even the thought of getting too close to the female had only brought about rejection in the subtlest of ways.

This had gone on for a year and things had finally come to a head one night. Odin had gotten so frustrated at the lack of attention that he had almost forced himself on her. Needless to say, that little blunder had left Hikari even colder and more unreceptive to his advances. Even though they gave others the notion that they were a strong couple and attended events and social gatherings with wide grins on their visages, inside they lived two completely different lives.

I still love you, Hikari. What happened…what happened on that night should not have occured.

He buried his face in his hands, shaking his head slowly.

It had been like a rush. The very idea of sleeping with another woman besides Hikari had seemed thrilling at the time. It had begun on a business trip to San Juan and then it had escalated to having parties at his private beach home on the lslands. Each time, a different woman. Each thrill a painful reminder that he had wife and son at home waiting, trusting…loving him? He wasn't so sure about the last part, but it still didn't lessen the guilt he felt each and every time he woke up the morning after. He would see his son's smiling visage in his mind and it only made the pain worse.

I should just tell her. I should just probably walk up to Hikari and let her know the truth. I can deal with the insults and the humiliation, but I just can't give in to that…that…girl like this!

Just the thought alone of letting Yuzuki go was something that looked and seemed unfathomable to Odin. Yuzuki was a childhood friend even though her life was dedicated to servitude. They had grown up together and there was no way in hell he was going to let her go so easily.

/Think of your reputation. What will other people think if I spread these pictures about…/

"Argh! What am I going to do? What the fuck am I going to do?"

"Is everything alright, Master Odin?"

He lifted his head quickly to stare into the concerned face of the woman in question. Yuzuki had noticed Keiko leaving the room earlier and had decided that it was safe enough for her return. However, seeing her master look so worried and fearful of something had the maid's heart pounding rapidly.

Something isn't right.

For how long they remained staring at each other in silence, neither could tell, but Odin knew in his heart that he would have to tell someone about his sins and transgressions. And that one person was standing before him.

"Yuzuki…Yuki-chan…" he muttered out thickly as he lowered his head and reached for her hands to place a soft kiss on them. "Please forgive me, Yuki, but I am about to ask you for the biggest favor of my life…


__

Well, this is a pretty damn long bathroom break.

Keiko got to her feet and paced the room in growing agitation. So her fantasy 'Duo-groveling-sequence' had not worked out, but that didn't mean she was going to give up so easily. And then her attempts to get Heero to listen to her tale of Duo's molestations were thwarted by her cousin's need to use the bathroom as well.

Something funny this way happens…

Or something like that.

She eyed Duo's briefcase and bit her lower lip. Smiling softly to herself, she reached for it and began to rifle through the sheets of paper as quickly as she could. She made a face as nothing but boring notes filled with scribbles and doodles about lesson plans met her curious gaze. There had to be something in there that was bound to get Duo in even more trouble. But what was it? What was that one thing that would make Duo fall into her trap and never let go? She was just about to give up the search, when her fingers wrapped around something small and cylindrical in shape. With a bewildered look coming onto her features, she pulled out the object and stared at it in disbelief for a second or two.

This wasn't what she thought it was….was it?

It was lube…a lubricant. And not just any lubricant, but the kind that were used by mostly…mostly…

"Gay," she breathed out softly as she stared at the small tube in growing awe. "So I was right. He is gay."

"Who is gay?"

"Aaaaargh!!" She spun around so quickly that she almost fell on the floor in her haste. She held onto the table ready to lash out at her impromptu guest, only to blush darkly as she came face to face with none other than Milliardo Peacecraft.

Oh…my…

"Hello, Keiko," came the low drawl of confidence that sent the girl opening and closing her mouth speechlessly. "Ah, what's this you've got here?"

Keiko tried to stop him from reaching for it, but the blond was so quick that in mere seconds the lube she had been trying to hide was now firmly held in the man's hands.

"Give that back to me," she cried out, her blush not fading as she reached for it fruitlessly.

Milliardo gave an amused chuckle and raised a brow as he read the name of the item. "How intriguing. Who would have thought that you would like taking it in the ass, Keiko? But then again…you always did have a tight one to begin with."

"You…you…"

"You love me?" came the tease as he leaned close to tap her nose gently. "Don't frown too much my dear. It does more to bring out the wrinkles you know."

When the hell had he come in? Keiko cursed inwardly at being so engrossed in her find that she had ceased to take into consideration that others might walk in on her. Others that included Duo himself. But she had never thought that the bitch's brother would make an appearance and besides…wasn't he supposed to be on some mountain trip?

"Oh? What's this?" Milliardo's curiosity had taken him towards the study desk and he eyed the notes with fascination while turning the tube of lubricant over and over again in his hand. A small smile came to his visage and he barely looked up as the angry footsteps of his sister were soon heard.

Relena froze in mid-stride, her mouth, which had opened up to reprimand her older brother for barging into Heero's private lessons, suddenly dropping in surprise as her gaze fell on the female she loathed most in the world. With their fists clenching tightly at their sides, two minds were filled with one venomous thought.

The little…

…bitch.

They glared at each other as Milliardo's smile widened in perverse glee as Duo finally came into the room with a bemused expression on his face. Moments later, Heero walked into the study to an air so thick with tension, he could have cut it with a knife.

The shit was bound to hit the fan really soon and Duo Maxwell had a nasty feeling he was going to be right in the middle of the chaos.

AN: Millardo Peacecraft the perv? * LOL* Who would have thunk it? Sorry, he just seemed too perfect for that role for some reason or another. ^^