Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Checkmate

Chapter 8

Wufei was sitting in his hospital bed, scowling at the doctor who just told him that he was putting him on restricted duty for a week. He was told that he could conduct one class for 2 hours a day and no physical activity whatsoever. He knew better than to argue with the doctor. He'd just sit here and look unhappy then go do whatever he wanted. Restricted duty my ass!

A knock at the door broke his scowl and he looked to see Milliardo walking in, a large box in his arms.

"Am I interrupting?"

"No. We were just leaving Chancellor." The doctor replaced Wufei's chart and turned to glare at Wufei as he spoke to the chancellor, smirk in place. "I'm relying on you to enforce my restricted duty on Command Chang, Chancellor. I hope I can count on your help. It's for his own good."

Milliardo smiled and bowed to the doctor. "You have my full cooperation doctor."

The doctor and nurse left and Wufei turned on Milliardo.

"You can't be serious!"

"If the doctor wants you on---"

"I will not sit around for a week doing nothing!"

"Who said you would be doing nothing? I know you better than that Wufei." Confused onyx eyes blinked at Milliardo and he chuckled. "Now. If we could just procure a table…" he looked around the room but didn't see anything big enough so he went over to the phone and dialed a nurse. "This is Chancellor Peacecraft. I would like to have a table sent to Commander Chang's room immediately. Thank you."

"What are you up to?"

"You mean down. I'm down 2 wins to your 5."

"Chess?"

"Why not? You don't need to get out of bed, and it will distract you."

"But you can't sit here and play chess with me for the next week."

"No. But I can try."

"Milliardo…"

The chancellor's mouth morphed into a soft smile. "I like hearing you say my name." He saw the blush creeping across Wufei's face and he smiled even more.

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After the nurse came in for the fifth time to scowl at them, Milliardo acquiesced and put the table with the active chess game in the corner.

"We'll finish this tomorrow. Get some sleep, Wufei."

"Are you going to let that nurse bully you?" Wufei was teasing the platinum blonde as he settled back into the deep pillows, his eyelids already starting to droop.

Milliardo chuckled as he made his way over to Wufei's side. "Big talk for someone who's practically asleep before I even leave."

"I have an excuse. I'm injured. What's yours?"

Milliardo cocked his head to the side and reached out to squeeze Wufei's hand. "My excuse? That should be obvious. I care about you, Wufei."

Milliardo delighted in seeing the half-lidded eyes open wide, revealing two sparkling black orbs of confusion.

"Goodnight, Wufei."

He made his way to the door and just before he stepped out of the room, he heard a quiet "Goodnight, Milliardo" which gave him the smallest thrill.

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Wufei was almost sorry to see Milliardo go, but they both needed to rest. Over the past week he'd become very comfortable in the platinum blonde's presence. But he keeps making those comments. Is he just trying to get a rise out of me? He must be. He's just as bad as Maxwell.

The thought of his best friend reminded Wufei that he had wanted to call Duo. Now was as good a time as any.

"Hello?"

Wufei frowned at the blank screen. "Hello, Maxwell. Did I wake you?"

"'Fei? Oh, hold on a sec."

Noises of rustling fabric and mumbled words were the only clues Wufei needed to figure out what was going on in his partner's room. When the screen came on, there was Duo, bare-chested, hair unbound, sheet wrapped around his waist and a sleepy smile in place. Wufei's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't seen Duo's hair loose in a long time. He forgot how…different…he looked.

"Sorry about that."

Wufei blinked away his blatant stare and kept his blush under control. "No, I shouldn't have called so late. You obviously have…company…I'll let you go."

"'Fei, you know everyone takes a backseat to you. Now talk to me. How are you feeling? You're not being stubborn and going against doctor's orders are you?" Wufei's smirk told Duo everything. "How silly of me. Of course you are."

"Actually, I'm being forced to comply."

"Forced?"

"Milliardo. He's keeping an eye on me to make sure I stay in bed."

A pang of jealousy ripped through Duo and he swallowed hard to keep from showing it to the man on the screen. He plastered on his best smirk and made his voice sound as teasing as possible.

"Milliardo? Since when do you call him by his first name? And just how is he keeping you in bed?"

"Must your mind always be in the gutter?" Wufei sighed and studied the man's face before him. His smile is fake. I've seen it enough times to know. What is Maxwell hiding from me?

"We play chess."

"You play chess." Duo found the explanation perfectly logical. He knew they played together on a regular basis, but why would Zechs be taking Wufei's recovery so personal? Guilt maybe? A sudden bolt of panic hit Duo. What if he's making a move on 'Fei? Duo shook the thought from his head and rubbed his face to wake himself up a little more. "So when do you get out of there?"

"Tomorrow."

Duo offered a smile as he leaned his elbows on the table and rested his chin in his palms. "So. Are you still on target for leaving after six months?"

Wufei sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know. It might be eight months now. But I'm still not going to spend a year here, that much I can assure you."

"Good. I miss you. I thought doing solo missions would be fun but they actually suck. There's no one to have fun with."

"You seem to be getting your fair share of fun through other avenues."

Duo fought the blush but he lost horribly. He avoided making eye contact with Wufei as he sat back and ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, well, I've gotta relieve the boredom somehow, right? If you're not here, what else am I supposed to do?"

"Are you saying you only slept with someone because you were bored!"

"Well, no, not exactly, but…..I'm certain I wouldn't have slept with them if you were here."

"Maxwell…." Wufei sat there and gazed helplessly at his best friend. "What do you mean by---" Suddenly, a shoe connected with Duo's head and Wufei watched in amused bewilderment his friend's shocked face as someone yelled at him from the background.

"Ow! What the hell! No! Wait!"

Wufei chuckled as he saw another object fly past the screen. Although he couldn't make out all the words being exchanged, he definitely heard the front door slam. Shortly after Duo appeared and sat back down in front of the screen with a huff.

"Thanks a lot, 'Fei. There goes my entertainment until you get back."

"You brought it on yourself Maxwell. And please stop making it sound like I'm your lover. I should have no influence over your sex life."

"Well you do so deal with it." Duo sat back, arms crossed, glaring off to the side. There was one thing Wufei was certain of. His friend was pouting. But there were many other things about his best friend he was unsure of at the moment and he found it disconcerting. Duo was the constant in his life. If I can't figure out Maxwell, how am I supposed to figure out anything else?

But the former pilot of Deathscythe was in fact becoming somewhat puzzling to his best friend. Is he serious about me having an influence over his sex life? How and why do I have this power? I don't want it. Is it just my absence that's making him say such things?

"Hey!"

Wufei started at the shout and sudden closeness of Duo's face on the monitor.

"I'm sorry, Maxwell. What were you saying?"

Duo quirked an eyebrow at his distracted friend. "I think it's time you got some rest, 'Fei. I'm going to put an icepack on my head. Call me in a few?"

"Of course. Goodnight, Maxwell."

"Night, 'Fei."

Wufei sank down into the bed and closed his eyes. He knew sleep was going to avoid him if he kept thinking about what Duo said but he couldn't help it. Maxwell is being stupid. There's no reason for me to have that kind of influence over him unless we're lovers. And we're certainly not lovers.

He tossed and turned a little bit before settling back down again. Although, I could live vicariously through Maxwell's escapades. It's not like I have a sex life of my own. Suddenly an image of a smiling Milliardo appeared in his mind and there was a jolt in his chest. Wufei's eyes flew open. No. I can't be…..

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Wufei had practically run from the infirmary ward to his quarters. He showered and put on his own clothes then headed to the gym. The doctors, aided by Milliardo had kept him in bed as much as possible with no exercise and it drove him insane.

Now he found himself calm, concentrating on his movement as he went from one position to another. He knew better than to start out with his regular regimen so he opted for Tai Chi instead. The room was silent, his mind was clear and he was starting to feel normal again.

He heard the creak of the doors but he shoved it away and kept concentrating on his exercises. He was so intent he didn't hear the approaching footsteps of another. He didn't hear the light chuckle. He didn't open his eyes to find pale blue eyes appraising him. What he did notice was the hand on his shoulder.

Wufei grabbed the hand and pulled, flipping Milliardo over and onto his back. When he opened his eyes and saw a smiling Chancellor below him, he was speechless.

"Nice to see you haven't lost your gentle touch, Wufei."

"I'm…I apologize, Milliardo. I didn't know it was you."

He offered Milliardo a hand up which he accepted. When they were both in an upright position again, Milliardo didn't let go of Wufei's hand and he was happy that Wufei didn't try to pull it away.

"I hope not. I'd like to think I've earned a nicer greeting than that." He squeezed Wufei's hand tight and yanked him forward so they were only inches apart. "So what do you say, Wufei?"

Wufei's cheeks couldn't be more red if he'd run one hundred miles in the scorching sun. "Pardon me?"

Milliardo was practically giddy with Wufei's reaction. "What do you say we finally spar?" Milliardo let go of Wufei's hand but didn't back up, letting the Chinese man take a safe step back. "I figure with you being slightly out of shape I might actually stand a chance."

Wufei smirked. "Do you always attack a man when he's down Chancellor?"

"'Attack' is hardly the word I'd use for what I do to a man when he's down Commander." Gods he's even more beautiful when he blushes. I bet his skin is so warm right now.

Wufei felt that jolt in his chest that he was becoming accustomed to feeling when around Milliardo. But when he saw the sparkling eyes he was certain that Milliardo was exactly like Duo. Just trying to get a rise out of me.

"Is that what makes you such an effective Diplomat?"

The two men began to circle each other, readying themselves for the other's first move.

"It's part of it, yes."

"Is that why the representative from L6 is always calling you?"

Wufei saw the flicker in the pale blue eyes and knew he hit a nerve. Uh-oh. Are they having an affair? Wufei was about to attack just to end the awkward silence between them when Milliardo spoke up, his voice having a definite annoyed edge to it.

"That depraved sycophant keeps calling because he wants you Wufei. He wants that "handsome man with the dark hair and smoldering eyes" to come be his bodyguard."

Wufei dropped out of his stance, hands at his side, staring dumbfounded at the smirking blonde. "You're joking."

"I wish I were, Wufei."

Milliardo came at Wufei and the Chinese man barely had time to bring his hands up in defense. They exchanged several blows and kicks, all being blocked by the opponent. When they pulled apart, both had intense looks on their faces.

"What did you tell him?"

Another volley of punches and kicks. This time Wufei landed a fist to Milliardo's chest. They circled each other a few times and Milliardo swept Wufei's feet out from under him, but the young man was up before Milliardo could take advantage.

"What did you tell him, Milliardo?"

There was that flash in the pale blue eyes again and Wufei attacked, landing another blow, this time to Milliardo's midsection. But the chancellor followed up with a kick that landed square on Wufei's side.

They were staring at each other, only standing a few feet apart, both trying to concentrate on the match and not their thoughts about the man across from him.

Why did I have to open my big mouth! But it was too tempting to see the look on his face. I should have just made something up or changed the subject. Damn it!

Why won't he answer my question? What could he have said that was so horrible? Is he using me as some sort of bargaining chip behind my back? No, Milliardo would never do anything like that. But he's hiding something. I can see it in his eyes.

Wufei was getting fed up with Milliardo not answering his question. He lunged for the blonde and in three quick moves he had Milliardo pinned against the wall, his leg between Milliardo's and his forearm over the man's chest.

"Answer my question, Milliardo. What did you tell him?"

"I told him…" …to go to hell…to call Lady Une…..you were a Preventor, not a bodyguard….you were nothing but trouble. "….I never wanted to let you go."

Wide eyes gazed at him and Milliardo could see the conflict, the uncertainty. He watched as Wufei's face got closer and closer, millimeter by millimeter. Oh gods…..I want him. I want to kiss him, to hold him close, to have him under me…

A single piece of hair fell and hit Milliardo's eye causing him to blink rapidly. That small movement was enough to break the spell. Wufei growled and pushed off of Milliardo, turning his back on the man.

Milliardo remained against the wall, breathing a bit heavier than he should, his cheeks warm from the close contact, not the exercise.

"I think that's enough. I was stupid to think I could spar with you today." Wufei began to walk towards the door when he heard the familiar deep voice.

"When you're ready Wufei, just let me know."

Wufei stopped and turned his head just enough to catch a glimpse of the platinum blonde, face serious, chest heaving. He did nothing else to acknowledge the double entendre before he continued out the door. Milliardo just watched helplessly as Wufei left. As he slid down to the floor, he was wondering whether or not he just made a huge mistake.

To be continued….