Author's Note: ::insert note here::

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Chapter 3: Walks Softly and Searches for a Big Gun

The night for Quatre's art party. Huzzah!

So in a testament of fashion I chose to wear charcoal grey Dockers instead of artsy black to go with my Ebony Express shirt. Fuck conformity, I say! I walked over to Treize's, where Wufei was brooding in a corner as usual.

"Well, now that the team's assembled let's go before Quatre frets." Treize said with a smile as he grabbed the keys to his Lexus and led us to the Treize-Mobile. I was pre-occupied with playing with my braid and wasn't quick to react as Wufei grumbled 'shotty' and thus I was forced to sit in the backseat. Ah the backseat and I are such dear friends. ::Wink wink::

We got to the gallery and sure enough in a black pants and jacket and pink shirt is Quatre, smiling tensely as he wiped his forehead.

"Hey!" he said happily, walking quickly over to us.

"Pretty nice spread, Winner. How's your stress level?" I asked.

"Oh, up there. I hope this gets Trowa-kun the exposure he deserves." he said with a small smile.

Exposure hrm? I bet you'd love to have him exposed to you, my shy little Arab uke. Ah, but it's better to think that little jab since Quatre looked like he was already nervous enough. Ah, and as Mr. Waiter Man passed by with champagne, I had begun what would surely be a fine night of drinking. Wufei wandered over to some dark corner, which suited everyone fine. He lived for places like this where fellow Brooding Bastard types dwelled.

Treize had wandered to the bar to grab a drink to walk the room, and flashed that rakish smile that had women in his wake which was how he liked it. Not that he was heartless and was the type to be an arrogant ladies man, he just liked attention. Really, he should of been a politician.

I saunter over to look at some of Trowa's art and actually he's pretty damn good. Though his clown paintings are weird. It was then I saw a familiar face walk over my way.

Long dark hair, mischievous green-gold eyes....Acheron Heller, Ash to everyone. If I was playing the field, than she was an MVP. At age 25, she had an impressive collection of exes and an even more impressive black book. She was the type who didn't stick to one image, didn't fit into any mold too well.

When she was bold, she wore dramatic make up: the eye-liner, red lipstick, revealing clothes. When she was going for subtlety she wore soft pinks and shimmery pink lipgloss and less revealing clothes. It was when she was being subtle that she was more dangerous.

Tonight her hair was down, pink make-up in place to match here simple pink spaghetti strap cocktail dress and she looked elegant, smart, and almost innocent. Yeah right. I know firsthand just how not innocent she is.

Yes, yes indeed, Ash and I had done the nasty. Got it on. Boffed. Not that we were dating or loved each other or anything. It was simple recreational sex. We don't sleep together anymore, but we're still good friends. And besides, she can get into any club with so much ease it's scary. And she's one of the most interesting conversationalists I've ever met.

"My my, Duo Maxwell. What brings you here, stud?" She asked, slinking up to my side, a small smile on her face.

"My friend works here and begged."

"Ahh...so I see. So how have you been?"

"Pretty okay. Playing the field at the moment and doing my writing thing. You?"

"Hmm, that's my little Duo."

"Actually, I saw Heero the other night at a club."

"Ouch! I'm sorry to hear. He was a good looking one, though quite antsy. But, I will admit, he was a good influence you."

"How so?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

"You spazzed less."

"I do not spazz, Ash."

"Honey, you define spazz. But you're gay so it works out."

"I'm bisexual, not gay. Total difference."

"Hmm, that's true since I make it a policy not to bed blues as you put it. But, if anything I think Heero could change your colors. Ah well. I guess things change." she said with a wistful sigh.

Ash waxing sentimental romantic notions? Quick! Someone check the thermostat in Hell!

"So how are you doing?" I asked.

She smiled.

"Getting by. Actually my dear, I think I'm finally retiring."

"Retiring?"

"From the game."

I blink.

The 'game' was her term for playing the field, and for her to suggest retirement could only mean..

"Are you dying?"

She laughed.

"Hell no! Worse! I'm in love."

"You? In love? Who's the victim?"

"A martial arts instructor."

"Oh God, don't tell me it's Wufei!"

She made such a face of disgust I had to laugh.

"No no no! His name's Atsushi. I really...ah!" she said, sighing.

"So the mighty Ash has fallen. God help us all."

"Well don't cheer yet, he erm...doesn't exactly love me back..yet."

"Oh?"

"He will be mine. If he's responsible for me invoking monogamy then he damn well will be mine."

"Go get em, tiger. You're the champ."

"Yes, I pass my torch to you. You may now officially take the title of 'Supreme Whore of Tokyo'."

"Oh no, I doubt I'll ever live up to your standards."

"Well suit yourself. I'm off to mingle. And chin up, Duo, you'll find someone."

I nodded and watched her go.

Now that was weird.

And it was then I noticed Treize...leaving...keys in hand...with a brunette. Oh..oh hell no he isn't?!!

I quickly go to find Wufei and thus our powers of brilliant deduction concluded:

We had been sexiled.

It can be said that perhaps Treize is the horniest of them all.

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