Like Melting Ice

--

Nikita rapped lightly on Duo's bedroom door. The door creaked open, and he stood before her smiling. Nikita hadn't realized how late it was until she noticed his appearance. A pair of black, cargo sweat pants hung low on his hips. He wore no shirt, but the majority of his chest was hidden. His long brown hair fell loosely to the small of his back.

"Duo! You were right!" She managed to exclaim through an excited whisper. She threw her arms around his neck, and laughed. Duo smiled and patted her back.

"Right about what?" He asked---though he knew what she had to be talking about.

"About Heero," She replied. Duo grinned, and beckoned her to come into his room. They both sat on his bed. He folded his arms across his bare chest.

"Ok—spill," He demanded.

"Well after you left, I was sitting on the couch," She began.

"Uh huh…go on…"

"And Heero sat down next to me—really close to me. So close I started to blush…" She trailed off. Duo laughed, but did not interrupt.

"He asked if I wanted to play Mortal Kombat, and I said 'Sure, if you don't mind losing to a girl!'" She recounted.

"What did he say?" Duo questioned.

"If by lose to, you mean destroy, then sure!" Nikita used air quotes. Duo laughed harder, and tears began to squeeze out of his violet eyes. He was having difficulty breathing, and even more difficulty picturing Heero making a joke. Nikita hit him on the leg, and forced him to listen. A few moments passed before he recovered, and she continued.

"He got a flawless victory, and had this little tiny smug smirk on his face. Then he told me he heard what I'd said when I was talking to you, I was so red…" She trailed off. Duo snickered.

"I bet."

"I was about to leave, when he grabbed my hand. And…."

"And...and he kissed me," She whispered. Duo gasped audibly. Nikita covered her mouth and nodded vigorously.

"Did he say anything after that?" He questioned. She shook her head. Duo wasn't surprised, some things would never change. He smiled at Nikita, she was practically glowing. Suddenly, she deflated. There was a befuddled expression on her face.

"What's wrong? I thought you were happy," He queried.

"I am, I am, but…" She trailed off. Duo prompted her to continue.

"I don't know where to go from here, ya know? The repairs will be done in a few days, and then I have to leave," She stated sadly. Duo placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"No you don't. You said it yourself—people are after your life, you almost have to stay here," He said with a smile. She returned the smile, but it was a sad smile.

"You're too sweet, Duo, but I can't…I'm not sure how the rest of your housemates will take it," She said.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I don't think Trowa and Wufei like me," Nikita replied a bit sheepishly. Duo rolled his eyes, which did nothing for Nikita's nerves.

"Babe, Trowa's just really quiet. And Wufei…he can be difficult, but he's not really all that bad. Besides, the two of them have had different missions every few days—they haven't had a chance to get to know you like I have. Or Heero for that matter," He said with a wink. Nikita giggled.

"I guess you're right," She conceded.

"Of course I am, but as much as I'd love to sleep with you—I think Heero would kill me, G'night!"

Nikita laughed and left his room, heading towards her own.

--

Heero stared down at his laptop at the mission objectives before him. It was a fairly simple undercover mission: He and 05 were to infiltrate an organization's private event, and assassinate their leaders. The event was a formal party hosted by some new troublesome organization. He was to attend the party with an escort---preferably female to lower suspicions. He was instructed to hire a prostitute if he could not find a woman with no military background. Wufei was to pose as their chauffeur

"Nikita…" He whispered under his breath. He thought it was odd, and re-read the mission statement. He had never been instructed to involve a civilian. Regardless, he had to follow orders. Even though, he was unsure of what to say to her…especially after that kiss. What was he thinking? In all honesty---he wasn't. He hadn't been thinking at all, he just acted. He did not regret it---in fact, he had been mentally reliving the moment since it happened. He remembered the softness of her lips as he touched his own. A small smirk played on his lips---he had to kiss her again.

The next day, Heero approached Nikita as she put the finishing touches on his Gundam. He could tell that it was just about done. He called up to her, and she grabbed the cable. It lowered her to the ground. She smiled at him.

"Hey, Heero," She greeted softly. Her voice was soft and sensual as his named rolled of her tongue. The hair on the back of his neck prickled—and for the first time in a while, his mind considered her in a sexual context. It was too much; he forced his thoughts to the present situation. Heero nodded a greeting.

"Hey, I need a favor," He stated. Nikita arched an eyebrow at first, but then smiled, "Anything."

"I need your help for a mission," He began, and there was a sudden look of disbelief on her features. Disbelief was soon followed by confusion.

"What do you want me to do?" She finally asked.

"I'm going undercover to a formal party—and I need an escort," He replied. Their bodies were very close. He could not resist—he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

"An escort?" She questioned. Her face was flushed; she bit her lip for a moment. Heero leaned closer, and whispered into her ear. His warm breath tickled her neck. His lips brushed against her skin—teasingly. She closed her eyes.

"A date."

He pressed his lips to hers, and her arms went around his neck. Her fingers instinctively delved into tousled brown hair. It was not brief like before, but it was still soft and chaste. But the way her fingers teased his neck, it would not remain chaste for long. They parted, and she looked up at him with a tiny smile.

"How can I say no to that?" She asked with a soft chuckle. He smirked, and leaned forward to kiss her again. The chastity of the kiss prevailed, but the level of passion increased exponentially. Reluctantly, Nikita pulled away. Disappointment flickered in Heero's piercing blue eyes, but he released her. It was just in time, because moments later the entrance to the hanger swung open. Nikita quickly grabbed the cable, and returned to her repairs. Heero decided it was a good time to make preparations for the up coming mission. He nodded a greeting to Wufei as he passed him. Wufei looked up at Nikita, arching an eyebrow as she worked. He had only seen her a few times since their first meeting. Back to back missions had kept him busy the passed couple weeks. He still did not completely understand the circumstances of her stay—or why Yuy allowed her to work on his Gundam. Would he hire a civilian? And a woman at that?

"Nikita," He called to her. She turned around to face Wufei who stood behind her.

"Yes?"

"Did Yuy hire you?" He questioned. She shook her head no.

"I'm not getting paid for this, if that's what you are asking," She replied. Wufei arched a dark brow, and folded his arms. Not getting paid? Why would she forfeit all that time and money? Nikita could read the question on his face and smiled slightly

"I am in his debt," She called down to him, but then decided to lower herself to the ground to avoid anymore yelling.

"For?"

"I owe him my life. It would be dishonorable to charge him for these repairs. It's the very least I can do," She explained. Wufei nodded, understanding. It began to make sense to him.

"I can see the justice in that," He replied, "How long have you worked with mobile suits?"

"For most of my life actually, I started studying science and engineering very young," She explained. His eyes widened slightly, indicating his surprise. Most of the female scholars he had encountered were more interested in humanities. He had never met one interested in science, which is what he had always been interested in.

"Science? Any particular area?"

"Chemistry and Physics are my favorites, but really…I just like any subject with a finite answer, no gray area, ya know?"

"I agree. Especially in these times, finite answers keep me from going mad," He said gently. Nikita smiled.

"I can imagine. With the politics in such a muddled uproar, how do you know if what you're fighting for is just? Or worth fighting for at all?" She questioned solemnly. Wufei regarded her with a small smile; her questioning was similar to his line of thought about the war.

"Wars are illogical by nature," He explained, "those who fight must find their own sense of justice."

"You must be very strong—to have the patience to find the reason amongst all of the…" She trailed off, tapping her chin as she searched for the right word.

"Illogical nonsense?" He supplied. She smiled and nodded.

"Exactly!" her entire face lit up, "But that's why you fight—I'll just keep trying to figure out if Schrodinger's cat is dead!"

Wufei chuckled at her reference, and she laughed as well. Her eyes looked be hind him at Altron, and she suddenly arched an eyebrow. Wufei turned to follow her gaze.

"Have you had some difficulties maneuvering at full throttle?"

"Yeah, how could you tell? There's a bit of a lag," He admitted. Nikita pointed at the suit, "See, the left and right sides aren't completely level. That usually happens when the signals aren't traveling at equal speeds. Probably a loose wire." Wufei surveyed the Gundam carefully. Just as she said, the suit stood awkwardly as if one leg was slightly shorter than the other.

"It's usually the one pink wire in the main hub, just replace it—the resulting problems will fix themselves," She explained. He nodded his thanks, and they both worked on the suits in a comfortable silence.

---

This chapter is sub par---but necessary for establishing some relationships. Don't worry, there will be more action next time, I promise!

Sylver Secret