Waking Up In Vegas

Chapter Eleven

Quatre wisely didn't push for more info as Trowa lead him and the others up onto a spacious deck, set with a large table and several chairs. He sat down between Trowa and Duo's father just as Wufei and Duo stepped out into the sunlight. Duo was smiling brightly... like a mask that didn't quite reach his eyes, and Wufei clearly showed worry.

Delana and Howard- who turned out to be a rather short man with solid white hair (what little there was of it...) and sunglasses planted on his nose with a rather funny fashion sense- carried most of the conversation. Quatre learned alot by just listening, watching. Cecilia was several, several years younger than her husband, but love was evident with soft brushings of hands, sweet smiles, and loving glances. Delana seemed to be her twin's exact mirror, and the two looked as close as could be. Duo and Wufei looked to have as deep a relationship as Duo's parents... maybe deeper. Every move Wufei made, every word he spoke seemed to somehow support Duo, to lend him strength.

Trowa was a son to Cecilia and Howard, just as much as Duo was. Quatre could almost feel left out with all the love flowing from the family.

Cecilia, with that uncanny intuition that most mothers have, noted this. She leaned across her husband so she could place a hand over Quatre's. She sent him a warm, motherly smile and squeezed his hand gently, briefly. "Don't worry. Soon, you'll be just as included in this family as Trowa."

Quatre met her eyes. "Thank y..."

He was interrupted by the sudden sound of Mozart drifting through the air. He blushed, pulling out his phone, blinking at the name. He looked at the people staring at him.

"I'm terribly sorry... but this may be important...."

"Of course," Wufei said, motioning to the door. "We'll still be here when you finish."

Quatre sent a small smile to the group before excusing himself, the blackberry to his ear even as he stepped off of the deck, back into the hallway.

"Zechs?"

"Quatre... you'll never believe this. You need to be in New York now!"

"Zechs? What are you going on about? We discussed this. With the way things are...."

"We got the Romefeller account!" Zechs rushed.

"What?" Quatre had to blink, his mind didn't want to compute that.

"We got the Romefeller account. Treize Kushrenada is on the other line asking to speak with you."

"What?!?! Oh, Allah.... Zechs...."

"No, I'm not God," Zechs chuckled, "But I will transfer Mr. Kushrenada to you right.... now!"

The line went silent for a moment, then clicked by over.

"Mr. Winner?" came a smooth, velvet voice.

Quatre gulped silently, placing his perfect 'bussinessman' mask on.

"Mr. Kushrenada, please. Quatre will be fine."

"Then I insist you call me Treize."

"As you wish," Quatre smiled, replying. "My associate tells me you're still interested in doing bussiness with Sandrock Industries."

"No, not interrested. I've already decided. If your offers are still on the table, you have us."

"Of course, Mr Ku.... Treize. All offers still stand. May I ask what made you change your mind? Rumor was you were planning on going with WEI."

A chuckle. "Of course. You can thank your new husband for that. He talked me into taking a second look and observing all the angles. I assure you, this is not pity. I have found other motives to make Romefeller take our business to you, instead of WEI."

Quatre gasped... and was sure it was heard on the other end. "My... husband? You know Trowa?"

Another smooth laugh. "Know him, you're practically my family. I'm sure by now you know my daughter.... Maia..."

"Maia's your daughter? Oh.... wow...." Quatre's mouth hung open, his mind going curiously blank. Was it possible to be shocked into a coma, he thought.

"Quatre, I can tell you're slightly distracted at the moment. This must be a surprise for you... one of many lately, I can guess! I'll have my people set up a conference with yours. How does Nashville sound? Close enough to you, as I doubt you'll be wanting to travel to New York so soon. Alright then... good day, Quatre!"

And then the line went dead. Quatre stared at the little black blackberry with open-mouthed disbeleif. What... How...???? They got Romefeller? That would mean Quatre's business might not go down in shambles....

Quatre gaped with first confusion, then amazement. Trowa had done that....

Amazement turned to an annoyed anger in a split second. Quatre never made decisions lightly... especially not about his business, or his business plans. Trowa had interfered in his plans. Trowa had messed with his business without consulting him. This would throw the careful plans that he and Zechs created out the window! Sure, it was a good surprise.... but it was unasked for....

Aqua eyes glinting, he walked back to the deck, peeking out.

"Trowa?" Once those emerald eyes spotted him, he spoke. "Can I speak with you alone for a moment?"

Once the sliding glass doors were closed behind the brunette, Quatre rounded on him.

"Do you have any idea who that was?"

Trowa blinked, confused. "No."

"That was the CEO of Romefeller! Apparently my 'husband' talked him around into giving us a deal that was going to go to WEI!!"

Trowa smiled, but it was faulty... why wasn't Quatre happy?

"I thought that would be a good thing?"

"Ugh! It is!" Quatre began to pace. "A very good thing. The point is you didn't *ask* me first. You could've went 'hey, Quatre... what do you think about this....'. That's my corporation you're meddling in Trowa! My life! And you made a decision that affected it immensely... without consulting me." Aqua eyes sparkled with annoyance more than true anger. "Zechs is the only person I allow to do things like that, to make my decisions for me. And even he knows the limits!"

"Quatre... I..."

"No." Quatre waved his left hand, showing off the gold band. "We may be wearing this rings, but you are most definitely *NOT* my husband yet."

Quatre rounded on him again... only to find Trowa flanked by three pairs of violet eyes, one pair of black... and a pair of sunglasses. Quatre blinked. Most of the looks on those faces varied from shock to disbelief, to anger. Duo took a step forward, violet eyes snapping in barely suppressed rage.

"Now listen here, you little... That's my *FRIEND* you're yellin' at..."

"Duo..." Delana's voice was quiet as she put a hand on his shoulder. The touch was light as a feather, but it stilled him none-the-less. "Dinner's getting cold. Hey, Blondie, you ever rode on a motorcycle before?!?!" With a bright... incredibly fake... smile, she pushed her twin back, then grabbed a confused Quatre's hand, dragging him from the house.

"What...." Quatre couldn't speak as he was pulled behind the woman, racing out of the house, to the garage. She pulled two helmets from a shelf, tossing one at him, and donning one herself before she roughly pushed him onto a gold and black motorcycle. She slipped in front of him.

"Hang on!"

And they were off.

One moment, Quatre was enjoying a peaceful lunch with a interesting, happy family.... and now he was speeding along at break-neck speeds out of the driveway, clutching for dear life to the woman in front of him. They were speeding away... almost as if for his very life.

Remembering the murderous gleam in Duo's eyes.... Quatre thought that maybe that was exactly the case.