Disclaimer: The beautiful boys of Gundam are not mine unfortunately.

In this chapter Zechs is taught a lesson and Duo shows he's all heart. Especially when it earns him a free (ahem) meal.

Kyrilliz: That question will be answered a little bit further down the road. (Insert evil laughter here.)

Checkmate

Chapter 6

Wufei returned to Zechs' quarters every Tuesday for the next four weeks. He grudgingly admitted he enjoyed spending time with the Chancellor. He was intelligent, funny and for the most part, respected Wufei's privacy.

But they'd experienced a few awkward moments, and Wufei wasn't sure if they were awkward because of him, or because of Zechs. Am I reading into things too much? Is he just trying to be my friend? Maybe he's like this with everyone.

Wufei was accustomed to Duo's affectionate personality. But he had known the man for many years and accepted an arm around the shoulders, a playful wink or anything that was very….familiar. But he didn't really know Zechs that well and the man honestly didn't seem the affectionate type. He didn't see Zechs treating anyone else in that manner, so Wufei was puzzled why he was the recipient of such behavior.

On one occasion Zechs had put an arm around his shoulders and led him down random hallways to discuss why he chose to eat in his room as opposed to the dining room.

"Don't you want to eat with the rest of the staff?"

"I am accustomed to taking my meals privately at home. Since I am not at home, I retreat to the privacy of my quarters. I've never seen you in there when I've gone to pick up my food."

"I'm not expected to eat there."

"Why? Too good for the rest of us?"

Zechs stopped and stared at Wufei, his speechlessness apparent. Wufei just smirked and took the opportunity to step out from Zechs' arm.

"Don't throw stones in glass houses Chancellor Peacecraft."

The use of his formal name and title brought Zechs back to his senses and a sly smile crept onto his face as he closed in on Wufei, backing the now uncomfortable man up against the wall.

"I'll tell you what Chang. We'll eat there together. That way you needn't worry about anybody wanting to sit with you. Deal?"

Wufei didn't like the tone Zechs had taken and he certainly didn't like what he perceived to be a veiled insult. But maybe eating with the rest of the staff would teach Zechs a much needed lesson.

"Fine. Tonight. 1800 hours."

"It's a date."

Zechs winked and walked away without another word. That night, Wufei sat at dinner with a smug, victorious smile on his face as he watched Zechs try to ignore the raucous atmosphere of the dining room.

"Enjoying your meal Chancellor?" Pale blue eyes glared at him and he chuckled. "Would you prefer to eat in your quarters?"

Zechs wiped his mouth and took a sip of his drink as if deliberating his answer. "Only if you'll join me."

"Fine."

Wufei wasn't sure why he agreed so quickly to join Zechs in his quarters for dinner, but it wasn't a move he regretted. After that first quiet meal, they had taken to eating dinner together before their Tuesday night chess matches.

That was just one example of the behavior Wufei was trying to decipher. He really wasn't sure what was going on, but for the most part, he was comfortable with Zechs. He's no Maxwell, but he'll do for now.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Maxwell! What did you do?"

"Me! Why do you assume it was my fault?"

Wufei gave his best friend a concerned glare, head cocked to the side. The man on the screen had a bandage on his temple and his arm in a sling.

"I warned you not to do anything stupid while I was gone, didn't I?"

"But 'Fei, it wasn't my fault!"

Wufei took a bite of his dinner, but didn't stop glaring. Duo knew he was waiting for an explanation and he groaned as he sat back to tell his story.

"I've been lonely without you and I was sitting home bored and thought I'd go out and see if some guys were playing hoops at the school. So I joined a game and we played for I don't know, a few hours I guess and they invited me to come out with them afterwards. So I figured, why not? 'Fei isn't here and I've got nothing better to do so we all met up at this sports bar downtown. No big deal."

"Out with it, Maxwell."

"Well, by the end of the night we ended up at this other bar and this guy bet me that I couldn't ride the mechanical bull. And well you know me…."

"You hurt yourself riding a mechanical bull?"

"No, man I rode that piece of scrap metal like a pro!"

"Maxwell. If you don't tell me how you hurt yourself right now, I'm going to reach through this screen and throttle you myself."

"Ok, ok, jeez man, calm down. Well, once I rode the bull, they all wanted to ride and so Hachiro finally gets up there and he's doing ok, but then he gets cocky and starts showing off. Well, he goes flying into the air and I couldn't just let him land on the hard ground, so I caught him."

"And that's how you hurt yourself? Catching some drunk who got himself flung from a mechanical bull?"

"Not just some drunk. Hachiro."

Wufei raised an eyebrow as he took a sip of his drink. Hachiro, is it? "I hope you were properly rewarded Maxwell."

Duo smiled at the serious comment from Wufei, knowing it was drenched in sarcasm. It was the closest he'd ever heard Wufei come to what the reserved man called an 'off color' comment.

"That's what I'm hoping for tonight. He said he'd cook dinner for me as a thank you."

"Dinner, huh?" Wufei pushed his own food aside, thinking of his own dinner companion. He'd skipped dinner with Zechs tonight to talk with Duo and he wasn't regretting the decision, but he was suddenly eager to see the platinum blonde. "Well, I wouldn't want to keep you from your reward Maxwell. I hope everything goes well for you and I'll call again in a week."

"Alright 'Fei. Any special plans for the evening?"

"Just chess with Zechs."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course. We play every Tuesday. Is there something wrong with that?"

"N-no." It kind of makes sense actually. "I just…I can't remember the last time I saw you play chess. It was probably with Heero."

"Zechs is a very skilled opponent and I like the challenge he offers."

"So you're kicking his ass, right?"

"You doubt me?"

"Never."

"Good. Now get going, I wouldn't want you to be late on my account."

"Goodnight, 'Fei."

"Goodnight, Maxwell."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After his call with Duo ended, Wufei quickly finished his dinner and then made his way into the familiar setting of Zechs' sitting room. Once he saw the pale blue eyes and the small smile, he felt the tension leave him. He'd grown tense talking with Duo and he realized it was because he wanted to see Zechs. It didn't make any sense to him at first, but as he walked towards the chancellor's quarters he hit upon something and it all made sense. He was raised on discipline and order. And part of maintaining order was routine. Zechs was his Tuesday routine and staying in his quarters to eat dinner and talk with Duo was breaking his routine. That has to be it.

"Sorry I couldn't meet you for dinner."

"That's quite alright. I took the opportunity to do some extra work."

"You didn't eat?"

"No. Did you?" Zechs made his way over to the small bar and started to prepare the hot green tea he knew Wufei would want.

"Yes."

"You wanted to eat dinner with someone else tonight?" Please say no. I don't know why but it would kill me if you said---

"Yes, actually." Wufei studied Zechs carefully. He saw the man's body stiffen at his answer and wondered why it meant so much to him. He'd caught the hint of disappointment in his voice when he told him he wouldn't be able to make dinner tonight. But why? Wufei didn't let Zechs dangle on the hook for too long. "I called Maxwell and ate dinner at the same time."

"How very efficient of you." Zechs turned around and made his way over to the chess board where Wufei was already seated. He had a warm smile on his face and a cup of steaming tea in his hand.

"Efficiency has nothing to do with friendship. I haven't talked to Maxwell in quite awhile. Thank you." Wufei accepted the tea and Zechs sat down across from him, his usual glass of scotch already waiting for him.

"Thank you as well." He lifted his glass in a mock salute to his opponent.

Wufei just shrugged. "You were already making my tea." He placed the cup on the table and gave Zechs an arrogant smirk. "I believe it is your privilege to make the first move."

Zechs didn't dignify the statement with a response. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, and began to map out his strategy. "You and Maxwell are close."

Wufei raised an eyebrow at the statement. He was accustomed to Zechs talking during his turn, it was the subject matter that intrigued him. "Yes."

Zechs was silent for a few more moments before speaking again, his attention still focused on the board. "How close?"

"He's my partner."

Zechs' hand froze, hovering over a piece and he slowly turned his face up to Wufei not caring if his cheeks were flushed or not. "Partner?"

Wufei frowned a bit and leaned forward so his body language mirrored that of the man across from him. "Yes. We've been partners for two years. Are you surprised he didn't accompany me on this mission? Do you have a problem with that?"

"This mission?" Zechs' mind immediately understood Wufei's definition of partners and berated himself for coming to such a stupid conclusion. "Surprised? Well, yes a little. I mean, with two of you the job wouldn't be as stressful." Zechs sat back, relieved that Wufei's and Duo's relationship wasn't intimate. I have to stop thinking this way. It's none of my business.

Wufei turned his attention to the chess board. "Maxwell's talents are not needed for the majority of this mission. It would have been nice to have him here for the explosives, but I'm perfectly capable of handling the mission myself." Wufei moved his piece and his mind screamed at his stupidity. Damn it! I've opened myself up for an easy attack! I shouldn't have been paying attention to him.

"I'm glad you're handling this assignment by yourself. This way I don't have to share you with your partner."

Wufei knew his cheeks were red. What is he trying to do? Is he coming on to me? Teasing me? Trying to get me to make another mistake?

"Glad I could accommodate you, Chancellor."

Zechs frowned and leaned forward to study the board. "Please don't call me that while we're playing chess. It's one thing to keep things professional in public, but here you're my friend and we're playing a nice game of chess."

"Friend?"

"Yes, Chang." Zechs let out an exasperated sigh. "I'd like to be your friend. We have a standing date every Tuesday to eat dinner and play chess, and I think we get along rather well. If we're not friends, what would you call us?" He moved his piece and sat back, his cerulean eyes demanding an answer.

Wufei just sat there meeting the gaze of the man sitting across from him. He knew Zechs had a point, but he'd never really given it any thought. And the other man seemed annoyed that he didn't consider them friends. It was true, he liked the time he spent with Zechs. And in conjunction, he liked Zechs himself. Maxwell would be so proud of me. I made a new friend. This thought brought a smirk to his face as he leaned over to take his turn, his eyes now focused on the board.

"I'm just surprised you would consider me a friend after I've managed to beat you so handily at chess. That's all."

Wufei looked up, happy to see a smile on his friend's face that matched his own.

To be continued….