Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Ok, I'm just hoping that you guys haven't forsaken me. I mean, I haven't gotten anything that says the story sucks, or I should just give it up….but then again, I haven't gotten anything at all and that's a little worrisome in itself. Helloooooo? Is anyone out there?

Checkmate

Chapter 10

"Checkmate."

Wufei glared at his toppled piece on the board. He hadn't been playing well tonight, his mind constantly wandering to thoughts of Milliardo instead of the game at hand. But even so he'd lost this game very early on and he inwardly cursed himself. He looked up at Milliardo who looked like the cat that just ate the canary.

"Try not to look too smug."

"Why shouldn't I? It's a rare occasion when I can say I defeated Chang Wufei."

"Enjoy it while it lasts, because next week you won't have that luxury."

Wufei stood and glanced at the clock. 12:30a.m. Hmmm. At least my lousy game has an upside. We're finished early. He took his empty cup over to the tray and when he turned to say goodbye, he found Milliardo still sitting in his chair, that small, knowing smile on his face. Wufei chuckled and shook his head.

"Goodnight, Milliardo."

"Wait just a minute." Milliardo stood up and made his way over to Wufei who was standing in the middle of the sitting room. Now's my chance. "I think I should get a prize for winning."

"Excuse me?"

"I hardly ever win. I want a prize."

Wufei saw Milliardo's pale blue eyes sparking and he heard the tone in his voice. No. No, I'm imaging things again. He has no interest me. He's just joking, like Maxwell. So I'll treat him like Maxwell.

"How about I not kill you and we'll call it even?"

Wufei turned for the door but Milliardo caught his arm.

"How about you kiss me?"

Wufei hadn't turned around to face Milliardo when the other man grabbed his arm. Now, not only could he not move, but he wasn't sure if he could speak.

Milliardo waited for a response, but knew none was forthcoming when Wufei didn't turn around. So he walked around him, adjusting his hold on Wufei's arm and faced him. Still the man would not look at him. Milliardo slowly brought his free hand up and gently nudged Wufei's chin upward, bringing the onyx eyes into view.

"Will you give me my prize, Wufei?" He let his thumb run lightly across the bottom lip that he so desperately wanted to taste.

Milliardo leaned in a little, his eyes falling to the mouth that was mere inches from his own. Meanwhile. Wufei struggled to fight the urges coursing through him at the moment. He wanted Milliardo. He'd realized just how much that day in the gym and he'd been fighting it ever since. But now….now he had Milliardo asking him for a kiss. Wufei knew how much the man liked getting a rise out of him. Almost as much as Maxwell. But if he does desire me, why hasn't he done anything about it up 'til now?

Wufei knew there was only one way to stop the endless questions running through his mind. He leaned in the rest of the way and kissed the lips he'd dreamt about for the past month. They were soft, sweet, yielding. He brought his free hand up and cupped Milliardo's cheek while the hand still in Milliardo's possession moved towards him, firmly grasping the platinum blonde's hip.

He felt Milliardo's hands move to his back and suddenly he was being held firm against Milliardo's body and he was being kissed back with as much passion as he was giving. Wufei moaned into the kiss and Milliardo's grip tightened just a little. They finally had to break the kiss to breathe and both gazed at each other with lust filled eyes.

"Don't go. Stay with me."

Wufei wasn't sure that was the wisest course of action at the moment, but Milliardo kissed him again and all doubt was blown away. Wufei accepted Milliardo's invitation as he was led back to the bedroom.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

For the last two months, Wufei had been spending most of his nights with Milliardo. They had agreed to restrain themselves in public, not wanting the questions and stares, but they still managed to find ways to show each other affection, even when people were around. Lingering glances, light touches from passing off documents or sitting next to each other.

The security team was shaping up nicely and Wufei had to admit they were good. Not great, but good. He was slowly starting to turn over duties to the team leader, allowing for a slow and easy transition for the time when he would no longer be around.

Wufei frowned at that thought. He had to leave. He knew that, and Milliardo knew that. And yet they never talked about it. What was going to happen once the team was ready?

"Hey. Are you even listening to me?"

Wufei blinked a few times and focused on the frowning face before him.

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

"It's not important. What's going on with you? You've been acting weird this whole conversation."

Wufei ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. He hadn't told Duo of his relationship with Milliardo yet. Mainly because he couldn't figure out why he was hesitant to tell him in the first place.

"Actually, I do have something to tell you." Expectant purple eyes were fixed on him. "I'm….Milliardo and I……we're lovers. We have been for a few months now."

Wufei went on to explain in his halting, hesitant-to-share way the events that led up to the relationship, but Duo never heard a word. After his partner's initial confession, he shut down. He saw Wufei's lips moving, saw that subtle smile and rosy blush as he spoke, but he didn't hear a word. All he was aware of was the pain in his heart as it broke. He can't…he can't be with Zechs. Zechs doesn't deserve him. He doesn't know a thing about him. I'm the one he should be with! I'm the one in love with him! Zechs couldn't possibly love him!

But then something occurred to Duo. It was one thing for Duo to have a one-night stand or a brief, steamy affair, but Wufei was just not the type. If he and Zechs were lovers, Wufei had feelings for the man and was certain his feelings were returned. Oh gods, I've lost him again. First to Heero and now to Zechs.

Duo was suddenly aware that Wufei had stopped talking and was expecting a response from his friend. What do I say? What can I say?

"Wow. I'm…happy for you, 'Fei." He forced a fake smile and a teasing voice. "He better be taking good care of you. 'Cause if he's not, I'll have to come up there and smack him around a bit."

Wufei chuckled and rolled his eyes, not knowing that Duo was already picturing several ways in which to torture the Chancellor. "I'll give him fair warning, Maxwell. Thank you."

"Hey! I better get going! I promised Hilde and the others I'd go clubbing with them tonight. You'll call again soon, right?"

"Soon. Have fun, Maxwell."

"Yeah…you too."

As soon as the screen went blank, Duo's head fell and made a loud thud when it hit the table. He groaned as he mentally berated himself for not telling Wufei how he felt. This is it. I've lost him. I can't compete with Zechs. Their relationship must be really important to him because he actually told me about it. He never told me about Heero, although I figured it out for myself. That's why I was never jealous of Heero. Wufei never loved him.

Duo slammed his head into the table again.

"Ow! Shit!"

He sat back up and rubbed his forehead, cursing Zechs and hoping the aristocrat would suddenly develop an impotency problem. Blonde bastard. I hope he knows how lucky he is.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I think you may be facing a loss tonight."

Wufei smiled at his lover who was looking smug, his victory eminent and they both knew it. "Ah, but there are victories and there are victories."

Milliardo chuckled as he watched Wufei lean forward to take his turn. "Tell yourself whatever you need to sooth that ego, Wufei."

"Hmph." Wufei turned his attention back to the chess board, debating how long he wanted to draw this match out. "I will be more than happy to concede defeat to you, Milliardo. And I might even give you a prize if I'm feeling generous."

Wufei moved his piece and sat back, deciding going to bed earlier rather than later was preferable to bolstering his ego and drawing the game out. Milliardo chuckled as he leaned forward to take his turn, noting the sparkling onyx eyes fixed on him. Looks like he doesn't want to draw this out any more than I do. Good.

"Generous, Wufei?"

"One of the greatest victories you can gain over someone is to beat him at politeness." Wufei saw Milliardo suddenly stiffen and his smile disappeared, leaving his face with a far away look. He wondered what could have caused such a sudden change in his lover. "Milliardo?" He didn't get a response. Wufei was becoming worried and he sat up and saw that Milliardo's eyes were seeing something that wasn't there. "Did I say something wrong?" Wufei waited for a response, but Milliardo was completely lost in his thoughts and that just made him worry even more. He reached out and touched the man's hand and the sensation startled Milliardo out of his reverie.

"What? Oh. I'm sorry." Milliardo absently moved a piece and sat back, staring at the game board, looking lost.

Wufei got up and went over to sit on the armrest and stroke the long blonde locks. "You know I have ways of making you talk. They could be good, or they could be bad."

Milliardo leaned his head on Wufei's thigh and sighed. "I'm sorry. You just….that quote was one he used often and it just caught me off guard."

"He?"

"Treize." Milliardo reached up and brought Wufei's hand down and kissed his palm before letting it go again. "He was my mentor and my friend and I loved him very much."

Wufei stiffened at the mention of the former Romerfeller leader's name. Milliardo didn't seem to notice as he kissed his hand. "You….you two were lovers?"

"Yes. Towards the end we didn't see each other that much but that didn't mean I still didn't love him." Wufei continued to stroke Milliardo's hair, his stomach churning the more the saddened man spoke. "The last time I saw him….he lay dead in my arms. He'd called me back, said he had to see me. Scarily enough, I think he knew he was going to die. Treize had a sense for these things. But I wasn't in time. For the longest time I beat myself up for not getting there in time to save his life. I didn't even get to say goodbye. I tried to find out who killed him, but it was as if his killer was a mere ghost. There was no trace of anybody."

Wufei felt as if he were going to be sick. He never knew Treize and Milliardo were lovers. How could he? If I had known, would I have ever gotten involved with Milliardo? Oh gods, save me. "I'm so sorry, Milliardo. I had no idea you two were involved. I should---"

Milliardo looked up at Wufei and the sad pale blue eyes cut off any words he was going to speak. "Thank you. But I have you now, my beautiful dragon." He pulled Wufei down into his lap and captured his lips. "I love you, Wufei."

Wufei had never experienced such a high and a low at the same time. He felt like the most despicable creature listening to Milliardo recount his lover's death, not knowing the killer he had sought was laying next to him every night. But then his heart soared as the same man proclaimed his love for him for the first time. Wufei melted into Milliardo's embrace, giving into his passion and desire and letting go of the notion of telling his lover the truth about Treize's death. I am such a coward.

"Milliardo….aishiteru."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Once Milliardo had fallen asleep, Wufei lay awake, trying to give his situation serious thought. Having Milliardo's lips and tongue giving him such exquisite pleasure, his mind was not focused to make a proper decision. But now, everything was quiet and Milliardo was sleeping peacefully by his side.

What do I do? Should I tell him? Will it give him closure, or just tear us apart? Wufei turned over and gazed at his sleeping lover. He'll be outraged. I saw the hurt and sadness in his eyes tonight. He'd never forgive me. But can I forgive myself for keeping such a thing from him? He reached out and absently played with a lock of platinum hair. I don't want to lose him.

"I'm so sorry, Milliardo. Please forgive me."

To be continued…