Disclaimer: I lay claim only to my family, cat, house and car.

Ok, so I think Milliardo gets a little….well, un-Milliardo like in this chapter. Just for a moment. But I figure everyone has an off day and there's no reason why Milliardo can't be an emotional little girl just like the rest of us. Oh, and he curses a bit too. But I'm willing to let that slide because I'm a big proponent of cursing.

Rascal

Chapter 12

Milliardo knew he was taking a chance, but you never got anywhere in life without taking risks. So he'd shored up his resolve in the days leading up to his usual rendezvous with Heero and by the time he sat down next to the brunette, he was ready to take that risk. And so he asked the question:

"Do you like the theater?"

Heero eyed Milliardo suspiciously.

"What kind of theater?"

Milliardo thought for a moment and wondered how to answer Heero's question, but then it dawned on him.

"Playhouse theater."

"I don't do theater."

"Why not?"

"Boring."

"Please, Heero. I have an extra ticket and if you don't go I'll be forced to go with Relena."

"So go."

"But I want to go with you."

"Why?"

Milliardo bristled at the accusatory tone and let a short frustrated growl loose as he stood up, pulled out his wallet and laid several bills on the bar before making a hasty exit.

Heero remained sitting forward but watched Milliardo's retreat in the mirror. What the hell is his problem?

"Trouble in paradise?"

Heero turned his gaze to the smirking bartender and gave her one of his dirtiest looks. The older woman just chuckled as she collected Milliardo's money and half empty glass and left Heero to brood. He quickly drained his beer and gestured to Rose for another, then let his head fall so he was staring blankly at the bar

Just because we've been hanging out and drinking doesn't mean he has the right to ask me to go to the theater.

Heero drank deeply from his new bottle of beer and thought about his "relationship" with Milliardo Peacecraft.

Okay, sure, I guess we're friends. I've been over his place a few times and I picked his ass up from the hospital. We….talk. And his cat has some sort of freakish crush on me. But the theater? That's beyond the realm of friendship. It's…..it's dating! What the hell?!

Heero growled and paid for his beer, stomping out of the bar muttering to himself.

"What does he want from me?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Milliardo maintained his tight grip on the steering wheel all the way home. He had no idea how fast he drove, or what roads he took, he just drove home on automatic as his mind raced along with his car.

Shit!

Why did I walkout like that?! I wanted to coax him out, not piss him off and drive him away! I must have looked like some pouting girl!

Shit!

I blew it. I can't face him after this. I'm sure he's figured out what I was trying to do by now. His tone of voice was clue enough. And even if he didn't figure it out, that still leaves me looking like an idiot.

Shit!

Milliardo kept berating himself all the way back to his apartment and by the time he'd walked in the front door he was exhausted. His hands hurt from maintaining such a strong grip on the steering wheel and he had a raging headache thanks to his clenched jaw.

But now it was catching up to him since he wasn't speeding down the roads in his car. He slumped down on the sofa, not bothering to turn on any lights. Rascal jumped up and rubbed his head against Milliardo's hand which was just sitting limply on the sofa.

Milliardo looked down and scratched the cat who was now purring.

"Sorry, Rascal, I think I screwed up everything."

Meow.

Milliardo's frown deepened at his cat's plaintive noise. Heero would know what the hell he just said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next Wednesday came around and Milliardo never showed. So after killing an hour drinking beers by himself, something he found he didn't enjoy as much as he used to, Heero called Milliardo as he walked home.

Hello?

"What time?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end and Heero thought they'd been disconnected, but finally Milliardo's voice sounded in his ear.

Heero? Why are you calling?

"What time?"

There was another pause and Heero could just imagine the smug look on Milliardo's face.

For what?

"The theater."

I thought you didn't want to go?

Heero ground his teeth as he faced forward, glaring a clear path through the people on the sidewalk. After all that drama he's playing games?

"Fine. Goodbye."

I'llpickyouupat7.

Heero's lips curved into an arrogant smirk at the sound of the rushed and desperate statement. I don't play games, Peacecraft. Remember that.

"See you then."

And just like that he disconnected the call, feeling triumphant at having taught Milliardo a lesson. But as he walked up the stairs to his apartment his smug feeling evaporated as something finally occurred to him.

I just agreed to go on a date with Milliardo.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Milliardo knocked on the door and waited as he heard the apartment's occupant make his way to the door, cursing. The door swung open with a gust of air revealing a flushed Heero. Milliardo could only stare. Heero was wearing a grey suit with a pale blue shirt that set off his eyes perfectly and even though it was obvious he actually did something to tame his hair, Milliardo was happy to see it still had a bit of the wildness he liked. Wow. He looks really good. And I don't know why he's blushing but…very nice.

"What?"

"Nothing. Ready?"

Milliardo offered a smile and the two left. Once they were on the road Heero broke the silence to get his mind off his nervousness.

"So what are we seeing?"

As he asked his question Heero turned to look at the man next to him and found himself actually noticing Milliardo. He had been too distracted at berating himself earlier for falling into Milliardo's trap to notice, but Milliardo looked nice. Not that he doesn't always look good. I think it's a genetic trait among the Peacecraft family. His normally tied back hair was loose and it gave Milliardo a softer look, but Heero found himself frowning because it blocked most of Milliardo's profile at the moment. He clenched his fist on his thigh to keep from reaching out and tucking the hair behind his ear.

"We're seeing a play called Our Family: A Tale of Two Cousins. It's supposed to be a dramedy."

"Good."

"Good?"

"No musical."

Milliardo chuckled and then thought to take advantage of the topic to learn more about his companion.

"Surely you must like some kind of music, Heero."

Heero remained staring forward, fully aware of what Milliardo was trying to do. But why does he care?

Milliardo's good mood was beginning to falter at Heero's continued silence. Why won't he just answer my question? All that programming and training and that bastard doctor couldn't teach him simple social skills?

"Classical."

Milliardo's smile slowly returned.

"And?"

"And what?"

"There has to be something else. Jazz, rock, country, hip-hop----"

"Hip-hop? Can you honestly picture it?"

Milliardo looked over to see an incredulous Heero staring at him. He smiled playfully and turned back to driving.

"Everyone has their dirty little secrets, Heero."

Heero turned back to face forward and scowled. Of course everyone has dirty little secrets. But some of us are absolutely filthy with secrets. I wonder…..have you reconciled with your conscious the role you played in all that death and destruction?

"Even you?"

The question was muttered more than spoken directly, but Milliardo heard it and scoffed.

"I'm shocked you even had to ask."

Heero's frown turned into a bitter smile and as he looked over at his driving companion he was pleased to see a similar look on Milliardo's face.

"Blues and Blues Rock."

Milliardo didn't acknowledge the response and the pair drove the rest of the way in silence.

Is it possible he's finally willing to open up to me?

Why did I just tell him that?

Should I push my luck and ask something else?

He better not ask me anything else.

Why hasn't he asked me what I like? Normal people would ask in return. I guess he's really not that curious about me.

Hmm. I wonder what kind of music he listens to. But I can't ask him because that will just encourage him to be nosy. But…I want to know. Damn it.

Both men were frowning as their thoughts continued along, completely unaware of the other's parallel train of thought.

To be continued….

Favorite line: "But some of us are absolutely filthy with secrets."

Favorite Pipe Dream: Our Family: A Tale of Two Cousins. Someday, my cousin and I will write this screenplay based on our respective family's scandals, tribulations, blunders and embarrassments, and the occasion shopping trip that led to an epiphany. And it will win Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars and we'll get to walk the red carpet and finally be able to tell the stars what we think of their outfits without yelling at the screen.