This chapter goes out GothicDream and moogle in paradaisu I wrote this all in one sitting…enjoy!

Like Melting Ice

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"How are the repairs?" Heero inquired. Nikita looked at her watch, then down at him. She smiled slightly. Nikita wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, and grabbed onto the lowering cable.

"Don't fall," Heero warned. There was a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Nikita laughed at the cable lowered her to the ground.

"You know, I don't think you'd really mind," She replied with a coy smile of her own. Heero's smirk broadened slightly.

"Hn," He acknowledged. Nikita simply laughed. In the weeks she had spent at the safe house, she had become accustomed to his minimalist communication approach. The subtle emotions in his eyes and even subtler inflections in his voice were indicative of softer side of his personality. It seemed that that side was often buried beneath the perfect soldier.

"Repairs are at 89," Nikita stated. Heero nodded, and looked up at the Gundam. The status seemed correct, and the tasks that remained were simple enough for him to complete himself. However, he had not finished trying to justify his lapses in rationality.

"And, I've made other maintenance upgrades," she said. Her soft voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"What upgrades?" He questioned.

"Well, there is evidence of previously extensive damage that was repaired improperly," She began. He furrowed his brow. Improperly?

"For the most part they're alright, but the wiring was patchy which can interfere with reaction time. Some of the controls weren't responding properly—but don't worry, I fixed all that. It should be able to keep up with you," She explained. Heero nodded, digesting the information. It made sense, he could fix exterior damage—wiring was not his specialty.

"How long until all the upgrades and repairs are complete?"

"A few days—do you need it sooner?" She returned, rummaging the pockets of her short shorts. He shook his head no. Nikita pulled out a slightly tattered schematic, she held it out. Heero accepted the paper. Their hands brushed, and a change of electron position occurred. The spark made a loud snapping noise. Nikita drew her hand back as if it burned. Sparks, go figure, she thought with a tiny smile. Heero didn't say a word. He nodded, and left her alone to work. She opened her mouth to protest, but she couldn't think of anything to say. Her eyes lingered on his retreating form. A hand on her shoulder brought her out of her reverie. Nikita turned around. It was Duo.

"Hey, babe," He greeted with a warm smile. Nikita returned the smile and nodded a greeting.

"Heero can be quite impossible," He explained. She arched a single eyebrow.

"I don't follow."

"You can't tell me that you haven't noticed it…"

"Noticed what?" She questioned innocently. Duo folded his arms and rolled his eyes. Could she be anymore oblivious? Heero all but openly stares at her! Not that I can really blame him…

"Well, I think you've got a bit of a soft spot for your client," He said with a tell-tale wink. Pink seeped into Nikita's face as she blushed furiously. She bit her lip and shook her head vigorously. Duo just laughed at her reaction. The passed few weeks had brought the two of them closer as well. He was the first of all the pilots to go out of his way to befriend her.

"Stop laughing at me!" She cried. Duo held his sides and laughed for a few more seconds—for good measure.

"Don't take it personally, babe! It's just the look on your face! Priceless!"

Nikita covered her face with both hands. Duo grabbed both her wrists and pried them away from her face. He tried to smile encouragingly with out breaking into laughter. She silently prayed that the ground would swallow her up, but gave Duo a weak smile.

"How could you tell?" She finally asked.

"Well…It's just how you act around each other. Sometimes you check him out when you think no one's lookin' ," Duo explained. Her hands slipped out of his grasp and she covered her face again. Duo chuckled lightly.

"No need to hide—he does the same thing," He offered. Nikita's face emerged from her behind her hands. She wore a shocked expression.

"Really?" She asked incredulously. He nodded, smiling at her disbelief.

"Don't act surprised---you're hot stuff!" He slipped an arm around her shoulders. Nikita blushed again. Duo began leading her away from Wing Zero. She opened her mouth to protest.

"Don't sweat it, you can take a break! We can play old video games, and talk about your crush!" Duo's emphasis on the word increased the intensity of the red in her cheeks. He led her out of the hanger, talking about the vintage Nintendo products that he had found on an online auction. He'd spent a small fortune on an N64, GameCube, and a Nintendo Wii. Nikita was interested---she liked vintage electronics, they were simple, yet effective. Duo set up the GameCube, and inserted his Mortal Kombat minidisk. He tossed Nikita a controller and settled on the couch beside her.

"So tell me about Heero," Duo prompted. Nikita had been waiting for the question, but still blushed ever so slightly. She did not take her brown eyes off of the screen as she chose her character: Kitana. Duo had chosen Scorpion. The fight began.

"What is there to say?" She asked. Scorpion delivered an uppercut that sent Kitana to the level above. Duo shrugged nonchalantly, as he tapped the button combinations. Kitana hurled her bladed fans. Scorpion dodged.

"How do you feel?" He questioned, steeling a glance as she quickly tapped button combinations. Three hit combo.

"I like him," She stated simply. Duo smiled, he always enjoyed her frank attitude with him. It made her easier to trust—to befriend.

"Well, that much I gathered…." He replied. Scorpion removed his mask and spit fire. Kitana dodged.

"I don't know, Duo, I like him. But It will never work," She said quietly. Duo could see the hint of moisture pooling in her brown eyes. She blinked it away.

"What makes you say that?" He questioned. Five hit combo-- Finish her.

"He's a legendary Gundam pilot," She began. Duo interrupted.

"So what?" He questioned. Fatality. Kitan's torso flew across the screen.

"It's his whole life, Duo. The war—I mean. With everything else…he's…" She trailed off. Duo gave her a knowing smile.

"Cold?" He offered.

"Yeah. Icy even," She replied.

"Well…if anyone could melt him, I think it'd be you," He offered with a broad smile. Nikita returned the sentiment.

"Thanks, Duo, but…I don't know," She trailed off once more. The two of them continued to play the video game, and Duo relentlessly pursued the topic. Neither of them noticed when Heero crept up behind them. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. He was just beyond their visual field—silent as death. The specifics of their conversation seemed irrelevant, until he heard his name. He perked to attention.

"Ever since Heero saved my life, I've just felt drawn to him," Nikita said quietly. Duo put paused the game and put down his controller. He turned to face Nikita.

"Saved your life? How? When?" He questioned.

"The day we met—Tsuberov's men came to the shop. I had something they wanted---they killed my brother for it not so long ago. I was next. He killed for me, Duo…" Nikita twisted one of her French braids and sighed. Tears pooled in her pretty eyes.

"He's so amazing, he'd never fall for the likes of me," She sniffed quietly. Heero could tell from the way her voice quavered slightly that there were tears in her eyes. He wanted to sit where Duo sat. He wanted to brush the tears away, but he did not move. He simply listened.

"Aw, babe, I didn't mean to make ya cry!" Duo exclaimed. He put an arm around her shoulders. Heero involuntarily glared at Duo, and was surprised at his own jealousy. But his mind was reeling—she liked him. He was not even sure what she meant by it, but there was a fuzzy feeling inside his chest. It was unfamiliar, but warm. His mind replayed the circumstances under which they met. In retrospect, his reaction was unorthodox—but it felt right. He remembered the short-lived embrace, and the way her small form fit perfectly in his arms. Her warmth and scent had lingered in her nostrils, and he almost sighed aloud.

Nikita, he silently mused, I think I like you too

Heero's mind finally returned to the present, and he noted that Duo had left the room. Nikita sat alone on the couch; legs crossed fiddling with the game. He sat down beside her, and she looked over at him. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Heero! I didn't even hear you come in! Oy, you think I'd get used to that by now…" She rambled a bit sheepishly. A tiny smirk played upon Heero's lips.

"Wanna play?"

"Sure, if you don't mind losing to a girl," She teased.

"If by lose to, you mean defeat, then sure," He replied. Nikita laughed and rolled her eyes. Heero Yuy made a joke. Now, she really had seen everything. As she chose her character, she noted how close he was. She swore she could heal the heat emanating from his body. She blushed at the thought, and when Heero arched an eyebrow—she blushed even harder. He smiled slightly.

"You okay?" He questioned. Nikita cursed herself and covered her face with one hand. She nodded His smile became more defined, but he turned his attention to the game. His fingers rapidly tapped in combinations, mercilessly tearing into Nikita's character. Flawless Victory. Nikita balked.

Damn, you weren't kidding about destroying me," She stated. He simply smirked, and his eyes softened ever so faintly. Those eyes, she thought, I can't get any more lost than I already am---but I think I could find myself in them

"I heard what you said earlier," Heero stated. Part of him was unsure how to broach the topic, the other part simply wanted to torture her just to see her blush. The latter was completely satisfied as color began to seep back into her features.

" When? About what?" She questioned cautiously.

"Just now, when you were talking to Duo," He replied. The blush deepened.

"Oh," She whispered. Heero looked at the floor, unsure of how to proceed. Nikita set down the controller, and stood. The mushrooming silence was thick and awkward. She felt like she was going to suffocate---and suddenly felt the urge to run. Nikita started to head towards the hanger, but Heero's hand caught her wrist. He was standing behind her. She gasped quietly—his touch was unexpected, and almost seemed to burn her skin. He whirled her to face him, and pulled her closer. His other arm slipped around her small waist. He lowered his head, and placed his lips on hers. Nikita's eyes widened and she froze. All of her senses were reeling. It felt like Heero's grip was the one thing tethering her to earth. If he let go, she would probably float away. Nikita shook the silly thought from her mind as they parted. Unsure of what else to do or say, he left her standing there frozen with her fingers on her lips.

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Then I did the simplest thing in the world. I leaned down... and kissed him. And the world cracked open. Agnes de Mille

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