Duo returned to the newer, closer safe house hours later. Just because the others never saw him calm and quiet, didn't mean he didn't enjoy some time without his mask on. He was the last one in.

Wufei was in his room, silently reading, but not really paying attention to the words on the page. He heard Duo enter the safe house and walked out to see the braided boy. "Duo."

Trowa was in the kitchen quietly humming to himself as he made some cookies.

Duo quirked a smile the moment he saw a sign of life. "Hiya, Feidinkles!"

Wufei scowled at the nickname. "Must you butcher my name?"

Duo tipped his head and turned his smile into a wide grin. "Yes, I must. You are entirely too serious at times, so I must prevent it."

"May I speak to you..." He shot a look at the kitchen. "Privately?"

Duo tipped his head. "Certainly. Do lead on, hm? Oh! How do you like this nickname, mini-master?"

Wufei just shook his head. "Be serious. Please," he said, motioning for Duo to follow him back to his room. He paused a moment in front of the room Heero and Quatre were in, and could hear voices, so he continued.

"But seriousness doesn't get me anywhere." Duo shook his head, tisking a bit, though his smile was smaller as he followed after Wufei.

Wufei closed the door behind the braided boy and made a sign for him to sit as he perched on the edge of his bed, feeling stupid and nervous for the first time.

Duo went and perched on the bed as well, sensing the need for silence, so he was. He knew when to be quiet, contrary to popular belief.

Wufei was grateful for the silence, as it gave him time to think over what to say. "Duo... do you prefer male company to that of females?"

Duo tilted his head. "How do you mean?"

"I'm not sure... If given the choice, would you rather have male friends or female?"

"Any friends. They're hard enough to get, why distinguish? If that's not what you mean though, just say so." Duo looked back at Wufei.

"It's not... Not really."

"Then spit it out my friend, you'll get your answer faster." He had no secrets in this field and didn't see a reason to keep them.

"Are you... do you prefer to sleep with males?" Wufei felt dumb as he said it, and flushed a few shades of red.

Duo smiled. "Yes, I do. I haven't slept with anyone just yet though. Does that bother you?"

"No..." he said quietly, blushing deeper while silently berating himself for being weak, but unable to stop it. "How did you know that you preferred... men?"

"I saw a naked woman and cringed." Duo felt his lips twitching, but he couldn't help it. "I couldn't help thinking that she looked disfigured down below."

"Disfigured?" Wufei felt a bit better, but was curious as to why the other felt that way.

"Just intrinsically wrong that there was nothing sticking out down there. Now, another guy..." Duo shrugged. "No problems what so ever."

Wufei was quiet for a moment, trying to digest that information. "Is there anyone... that has... sparked your attention particularly?" Oh, he was *not* doing well. He was feeling a bit faint the longer he talked.

"Few people. Why do you think I freaked Zechs out?" Duo shook his head. "He figured out I was flirting."

Wufei snorted. "Weren't you?"

"I was. Also issued a challenge to him. No way in hell, pah. We'll see." Duo smirked.

Wufei had to smile himself. If there was one thing he knew about the American, it was that he loved a challenge. "So... how would one, hypothetically, go about trying to show their affection for someone of the same sex?"

"Show them that you are interested." Duo promptly answered this.

"How?"

"Do you not understand the concept of flirting, Wufei?" Duo just *looked* at him.

"Am I you?" He glared. "No. It's not *done* in my culture."

"Precisely. This means someone would have to be blind not to see you trying to flirt." Duo waved a hand a bit as though to indicate 'see?'

Wufei shook his head. "I have *no* idea... Maxwell..." He sighed, feeling old and shy at the same time. "I was married before I piloted Nataku."

"Oh, well... How did you flirt with her? Did you flirt with her?" Duo seemed to flounder a bit here.

"I didn't. I didn't even want to marry her, and she felt the same way about me. It was an arranged marriage."

"I see." Duo eyed Wufei. "Okay, why don't you just try telling them you like them then?"

"I'm just... not good with emotions. My family was very traditional. There was little physical contact between us, and little of what you would call affection."

"Ah. Well, if it makes you feel better, I didn't have anyone I could ask about this at all." Duo smiled at him a little, though it was faintly lopsided.

"That is a small comfort," Wufei replied dryly, his lips quirking into a very small smile. "What if they do not reciprocate my... Gah! What if they don't like me?"

"Then they don't like you. You could use my approach and pursue anyway, but that doesn't always turn out so well, and if you get too extreme... Enter Ojousan."

Wufei shuddered. "*That* would never happen!"

Duo laughed quietly. "That's the spirit."

Wufei scowled, not comforted in the least. He wasn't even sure of himself, let alone telling someone else. "This is just... too damned complicated."

There was a quiet knock on the door. Wufei stood and opened the door, flushing as he noticed Trowa there in the doorway. "Yes, Barton?"

"I made some cookies. Would you like some?" Trowa asked, pointing back towards the kitchen as he spoke.

Duo turned around, watching the interaction with interest, not to mention Wufei's response.

Wufei blushed a deeper shade of red. "No... thank you." He added the last bit a mite quickly.

"No? I made them myself and they are rather good."

"I am sure they are excellent, but no thank you," Wufei said, his voice a bit shaky. "Perhaps you could tempt Maxwell..."

Duo got up, coming up behind Wufei. "He's just being silly, he'd love some."

Wufei glared at Duo. It was his 'I hate you, why can't you just die' glare.

"Duo?" Trowa balked a little bit, he didn't know Duo was in there.

Wufei's head shot around as Trowa spoke. "No, it's not like that..." he said hastily. "We were just talking about something that happened with Winner." Wufei glared at Duo again, daring him to call him a liar.

Duo nodded a bit. "Yes, Duo. I was just on my way anyway. Wufei, don't worry about me. I can fix it all by myself, I promise. Go ahead and get some cookies." Then he slipped off down the hall to his room, peeking out to see if Wufei did as indicated.

"Not like what?" Trowa blinked looking after Duo. It had gone completely over his head. He just didn't want Duo to know he'd made cookies.

"Nothing," Wufei said hurriedly, sidestepping Trowa and into the hallway. "You were saying?"

"They're chocolate chip," Trowa said with a small smile as he led Wufei back to the kitchen.

Wufei followed silently behind Trowa, avoiding looking at the other boy, and opting for staring at his shoes. "Oh?"

Duo snorted. "He needs the help bad."

"You don't need to worry so much," Trowa commented. "I didn't lace them with anything. They are just cookies."

"I wasn't... worried about that," Wufei said, in a quiet, small voice.

"Then, what were you worried about?" Trowa sat down at the table and helped himself to a cookie, watching Wufei's face.

Duo followed them to the kitchen, peeking in without them seeing him.

Wufei looked at the cookies, unsure of what to do. "Nothing... major, I suppose." He took a cookie and stared at it before biting into it. Secretly, Wufei loved chocolate chip cookies, though he avoided eating them because they were a luxury.

Duo smiled a bit, mumbling to himself. "Praise them."

"Good. Huh?" Trowa asked.

Quatre slipped out of the room he was in with Heero, and found Duo watching something in the kitchen. He quietly moved to stand next to the braided teen. "What are you doing, Duo?"

"Watching Wufei try desperately not to faint under Trowa's direct attention." Duo whispered it lowly.

"What?" Quatre asked quietly. "Why would he do that?"

"Yes. Very," Wufei said after he swallowed, flushing a little more.

"I thought you'd like them," Trowa commented lowering his voice significantly as he gave Wufei a warm smile.

"Thank you," Wufei responded, taking a glass from the cabinet and filling it with tap water. He then downed the whole glass without taking a breath.

Trowa got up and put a hand on Wufei's shoulder. "You alright?" he asked, his brow furrowed.

"He *likes* him. Shh, he doesn't know I followed him down here after I went to my room." He peered into the room a bit further.

"Wufei... likes... Trowa? That's too much," Quatre whispered, trying to watch as well.

Duo moved Quatre so they could both see through the crack, the blond kneeling to look.

"Look at that. Trowa's nearly seducing Wufei," Quatre hissed.

Wufei felt a bit uneasy at the sudden invasion of his personal space. "I'm fine." He filled his glass again.

"You know...if you were thirsty, I could've made some juice or something to go with the cookies," Trowa commented, his tone completely neutral, although he was still smiling with just the barest of turns to his lips.

"That is fine. I will just have water. Thank you."

Heero walked into the living room and padded over to the pair, tapping Quatre's shoulder and looking at him questioningly.

Quatre turned around and glared at Heero. 'Wufei and Trowa, courting,' he mouthed, going back to watching them.

"Suit yourself." Trowa sat back down at the table and helped himself to another cookie. He looked over at the door, and his expression soured. He cleared his throat.

Heero then joined the other two, peering through the cracks, and muttering lowly. "About time." Quatre elbowed him. Heero noted that Trowa saw them and moved away, tugging the other two with him. Duo realized what happened and headed back for his room.

Wufei whirled around to see why Trowa had made the noise and heard the sound of retreating footsteps. "Thank you," he muttered, making to leave the kitchen and strangle Duo.

Heero tugged at Quatre again, noting that he wasn't moving.

Trowa made a mental note to pay a favor to Heero and turned back around to Wufei. "Are you busy later?" he asked as he rose up again to follow Wufei. The boy just seemed to want to avoid him lately.

"Later? No, I suppose..." He stopped mid-sentence, and then looked at Trowa with a puzzled expression. "Why?"

"I thought you might like to..." Trowa paused. He hadn't actually think Wufei would agree! "Work on... something." He moved across the room, walked to the door, and pulled it shut behind him. Now, Wufei and he were in the kitchen alone, and Wufei's exit was cut off.

Heero gave Quatre a bit of a pull, barely stopping the blonde from having his nose caught. Quatre rubbed at his nose and turned to Heero. "Let's go," he whispered. "You're going to entertain me now." He grinned impishly and dragged Heero back upstairs.

Heero looked at Quatre in shock. "I am?"

"Work... on... something?" Wufei asked suspiciously. "What?"

Quatre turned around to smile again. "You are."

"How's that?" Heero was at a loss.

"Do I really have to tell you?" Quatre asked, pushing Heero up against the wall, a devilish smirk across his lips and his eyes burning lustfully.

Heero's eyes widened a bit. This was highly unanticipated. "Quatre?"

"Yes?" Quatre purred, leaning in close to the brown haired boy. So close he could kiss him if he wanted.

"What... Are you doing?" It was a nervous question, not a clueless one.

"What I've wanted to for a while," Quatre replied, closing the distance and placing his lips upon Heero's.

Heero was still for a long moment, not moving immediately. When he finally did, it was to just relax on a sigh of breath.

Quatre smirked. He had won, but just barely. "Heero... you don't have to, but please?"

Heero gave Quatre a little smile. "What are you asking for?"

"Oh, you know... Fun... You interested?"

Heero bit at his lower lip a little, and then glanced to the side. "I don't know about that..."

Quatre smiled at Heero's nervousness. It was cute, and endearing. "We can go slow," he whispered, lifting a hand to twine his fingers in the boy's hair.

Duo glanced out his door and blinked as he saw Heero and Quatre, quietly closing it again before moving to his bed and sitting on it. "Well damn. Guess I'm stuck with my choices now." He made sure to speak softly enough that the pair in the hall couldn't hear.

Heero ducked his head a tad, cheeks turning the lightest shade of pink noticeable. "I'd like that."

Quatre moved his head up until their lips touched again. "Do you like me, Heero?"

Heero shuffled a foot a little. "I do."

"Good," Quatre whispered, taking Heero's hand once more. "Come with me."

Heero looked back at Quatre and squeezed the hand in his own, giving Quatre a faint smile before his confidence managed to reassert itself. He was really only so cold because he was shy.

Quatre squeezed Heero's hand back, saving the smile in the back of his mind. He was planning on getting a *lot* more than that, eventually, from the quiet boy, but he was willing to go as slow as possible.

Heero nodded back at Quatre, a bit more relaxed than he had been before. "What do you intend?"

Quatre smiled. "Nothing major right now, but you are coming in a room with me," he said, shutting the door to his room as they entered. He walked up to the other boy and kissed him gently again.

Heero let Quatre kiss him, remaining still before leaning into it a bit, eyes fluttering closed. Tentative though it was. He could try this with Quatre...

Quatre silently cheered as Heero relaxed, and he wrapped his arms around his neck, applying more pressure.

Heero rested his hands lightly on Quatre's sides and returned it for a moment longer, before pulling back.

Quatre let Heero pull back, and smiled, waiting for Heero's reaction. When none came, he became worried. "Heero?"

Heero inclined his head a little, looking back at Quatre and moving one hand to rest against Quatre's cheek fully for a brief moment. "Thank you." Then he stepped back and slipped from the room.

Quatre slumped to the floor as Heero left. What the hell had he done wrong? He'd planned everything out, and it had been going splendidly until Heero had pulled away from him. Quatre had to take a moment to think about the subtle actions. Heero's look had been warm. Heero was pleased, just uncomfortable, with the closeness. Really, the hand he'd rested against Quatre's cheek seemed more intimate than the light kiss.

Sighing at the loss, but grinning at what he'd gained by his display of dominance, Quatre happily got ready for bed. He walked out into the hall, and stopped in front of Heero's room. He thought for a moment, but continued on to the bathroom. He'd take things as slow as Heero needed.

"My Gundam?" Trowa offered at a loss for words.

"What is wrong with Heavyarms?" Wufei felt a bit uneasy being alone in the kitchen with Trowa right then.

"I broke...it?" Trowa tried again and then sighed. "Actually, you wanna chase Maxwell and threaten his life? Or his braid?" Trowa was having a hard time trying to think of something the Chinese pilot was interested in.

"No," Wufei said, feeling a bit more uneasy. "Trowa... what is this about?"

"Nothing. Nevermind. I'm going to chase him, however," Trowa replied and opened the kitchen door and left.

Wufei watched the other boy go, confused as hell. His head screamed at him to chase the other boy, and he absently did so, grabbing the lanky boy's arm as he caught up.

"Yes?" Trowa asked as he turned around to face Wufei.

"... What were you trying to ask me?" Wufei nearly blurted out. "Why did you invite me to have some of your cookies?"

"I thought you might like some." Trowa just shrugged a little. His expression had gone completely blank again.

Wufei didn't know why he did what he did next, but he stood on his tiptoes and kissed the other boy.

Trowa was too surprised to do anything and just blinked at Wufei.

Wufei stepped back as if he'd been stung. "I'm sorry," he whispered, trying to leave the room immediately.

Trowa grabbed his arm. "No, it's alright." He was visibly shaken, however, and couldn't quite meet Wufei's eyes. He blinked a few more times, took a deep breath, and looked back at Wufei. "So... you did like the cookies... right?"

Wufei resisted the urge to shake the taller boy off, and looked up at him. "Yes."

"Aa. I will make them again for you sometime then." Trowa smiled a little, still a bit shaken up by the unexpected action.

Wufei blushed. "Thank you."

Trowa smiled. "Next time, giving me a little warning." Suddenly he looked worried. "There will be a next time..." Trowa looked both ways to make sure they were alone. "Right?"

Wufei's head shot up. "You... you didn't hate it?"

"Of course not," Trowa replied, grinning at Wufei, as his hand slid down to clutch Wufei's and squeeze. He leaned down and placed a quick kiss on Wufei's cheek before pulling back. Still smiling. "Just surprised me."

"Oh," Wufei said in a small voice, liking the way Trowa's larger hand felt around his smaller one. Then, a thought occurred to him. "Can... I do it again?"

"Why don't we go someplace more private?" Trowa asked, looking around the room again. "I don't want anymore peeping toms."

Wufei felt his heart start to beat madly. "Where?"

Trowa cocked a head towards Wufei's room. "Your room?" he said softly, his voice dropping to an almost whisper.

"Okay," Wufei replied after a moment of thought. He didn't know where this sudden burst of courage came from, but he was damned if he was going to let Trowa go.

Trowa squeezed Wufei's hand again and laced their fingers together. He tugged Wufei down the hall to Chinese boy's room and pulled him in, shutting the door behind him. He smiled gently at Wufei and reached out with his other hand to take Wufei's smaller hand in his own.

Wufei allowed the banged teen to take his hand and he moved closer to him, feeling shy again, but wanting to kiss the other once more.

"You wanted to kiss me again?" Trowa asked as he tilted his head up a little from Wufei. He had grown and was nearly five inches taller than the smaller Chinese pilot.

Wufei swallowed and nodded mutely, ignoring the way his stomach was flopping around in his body.

Trowa leaned over Wufei, smiling playfully at him, showing a strange show of emotion as he licked his lips, his face centimeters from Wufei's. "What will you do if I kiss you first?" He didn't wait for Wufei's reply, and kissed him quickly before pulling away. "Gotcha back for that surprise."

Wufei startled and then smiled faintly. "Fair is fair," he said, moving a bit closer and leaning up to kiss Trowa once more.

Trowa smiled as he returned the kiss and pulled his hands free of Wufei's to wrap them around the Chinese pilot's waist and tug him just a little bit closer. His eyes drifted shut.

Wufei stiffened as Trowa embraced him and he pulled away, embarrassed. "S-sorry," he muttered, flushing for the umpteenth time since Duo came home.

"That... that's okay," Trowa replied as he pulled away and backed up. Trowa took a deep breath.

Before Wufei had a moment to question his sanity, he nearly jumped the other boy and kissed him, hard, willing the kiss to say everything he couldn't.

Trowa backed up trying to gain his balance and his back hit the door with a loud thump. He tried to get over his surprise again and kissed Wufei pulling him close again.

Heero blinked as he heard a thump from down the hall, and thought it best to ignore it.

Quatre grinned as he heard the thump. It was about time those two had stopped tiptoeing around one another and just let the other know how they felt. It looked like tonight was that night for everyone, except Duo, and for that, Quatre scowled.

Duo also noticed the noise from Wufei's room and promptly turned on the radio to a volume loud enough to block the sounds outside his room.

Quatre's scowl deepened as Duo started blaring music in his room, and he decided to knock on the braided boy's door. "Duo?"

Duo set the station to one of the ones he used when he didn't have his headphones on, twentieth century alternative oldies. "C'mon in, Q."

Quatre entered, and looked at his friend, who seemed depressed. "Would you like to talk?"

Duo grinned at Quatre, crossing his legs as he sat in the center of his bed. "Don't I always?"

"Yes, but most of what you say is nonsense to block out your own thoughts," Quatre replied, sitting next to the braided teen. "Care to tell me why you look like someone shot your puppy?"

"Guess Wufei asking me for a bit of advice helped him out down there, eh?" Duo shook off his melancholy, visibly brightening. "Nah, I've never had a puppy, Q. You should know better than that."

Quatre startled. "Wufei... asked... *you*... for advice? What is this? The Twilight Zone? And I know, Duo, but when the war is over, I'll buy you four."

"What's wrong with asking me for advice?" Duo immediately got offended, lolling back on the bed. "Ohh! Puppies! I want a chihuahua, a pug, a miniature pincher, and a rat terrier."

"You'll have to remind me," Quatre said, laughing. "And there's nothing wrong with asking you for advice. It's just that it's a bit... out of character for Wufei to do so. In fact, he's been acting strange since yesterday... Did something happen at that meeting that you didn't tell us about?"

"He just discovered a few things about Trowa. You want to know, go ask them." Duo shrugged a bit, prodding at Quatre. "They know to be there tomorrow."

"Hmmm, maybe I'll ask Trowa, but later. Tell me what's wrong with you?"

Duo raised an eyebrow at him, turning his head to look at the blonde in amusement. "Wrong with me? Where *did* you get that impression?"

"Oh, I don't know... It's just that your mask is slipping. Talk, Maxwell. Stop avoiding the issue."

Duo grinned a little. "Just the meeting tomorrow, Q. I had to get some terms, and I've discovered a few people who might just be good for my sense of humor. Oh! Relena is now stalking someone she is calling her 'Lady Angel', and I'm still to figure out who that is."

Quatre smiled. "Who knows? Maybe it's Colonel Une, but that would be freaky. What else is bothering you? The scene between Trowa and Wufei?"

Duo shook his head. "Nah, just a conversation I had earlier. Still recovering, and all that. Really, stop fussing man. Besides, I have a conquest to plan out, starting first thing tomorrow afternoon." Duo's smirk was positively evil.

"Conquest? Would this have anything to do with a tall, blond, and mysterious pilot we all know, and who Heero wants to fight again?"

"Yes, the other one was Wufei's. Though, I think he might be more than a little willing to help me. Just call it a hunch." Duo smirked.

"Oh, I can just *imagine* that conversation in the morning," Quatre said with a chuckle. "But, I don't doubt he'll be a lot nicer after things calm down."

"Who? Treize seems like a perfectly interesting guy, even has a good sense of humor." Duo smirked.

"One would have to have a sense of humor to do what he does. So, are you alright?"

Duo looked back at Quatre with a little laugh. "Aren't I always?" He propped up on an elbow, watching Quatre with a huge grin. "I am so tempted to go downstairs and plead hunger."

"I don't think Trowa and Wufei are in the kitchen anymore," Quatre said with a knowing grin. "But, don't go jumping into the nearest bed for fun, okay?" He yawned. "I'm gonna go sleep. Night."

"Night, Q." Duo shuffled Quatre out of his room, and then closed and locked the door behind him before slumping. "Do you really think so little of me? I know that Twilight Zone crack wasn't for humor." His voice was low enough that the music covered it, and he returned to the bed, pulling his rare, unabridged copy of Les Mis�rables back from his bag to read.

Quatre paused before Heero's door again, and knocked this time. "Heero?"

Heero opened the door, blinking at the blond on the other side.

"I just came to wish you a good night," Quatre said, smiling softly before giving Heero a kiss on the cheek. "Sleep well."

Heero nodded back, giving him a faint smile. "You as well." He stepped back, lightly closing the door.

Quatre smiled triumphantly as he went to his own room and went to bed. Oh yes, slow and steady was going to win this race, and there was enough time to get Heero over his shyness. He knew it.

Wufei didn't pull away as Trowa's arms wrapped around him. Instead, he threw his own arms around the boy's neck and pressed his smaller body into Trowa's lanky form.

Trowa made another startled but pleased sound as Wufei did that. He licked Wufei's lips, wanting to deepen the kiss. Wufei was really turning him on.

Wufei was startled for a moment as the sandpaper-feeling tongue wiped across his lips, but he opened his mouth. He had no idea kissing could be this enjoyable, and the closeness of the other boy was making his normally placid member awaken with passion. Trowa slipped his tongue into Wufei's mouth, making a soft sound at doing so. He traced Wufei's teeth with his tongue, making the kiss passionate, but gentle. Wufei moaned as he felt Trowa's tongue in his mouth, and he decided to play along, bringing his tongue to dart out and touch Trowa's. There was a loud muffled moan from Trowa. He never imagined Wufei would taste so good. His hands went lower on Wufei's body to cup his backside and pull their hips closer together. Wufei moaned as his body was as close to Trowa's as he could get still clothed, and pulled away to breathe. His vision was swimming, so he closed his eyes and rested his head against the taller boy's chest.

"You okay?" Trowa asked, his own voice breathless. His chest heaved with pants.

Wufei nodded mutely against Trowa's chest, listening to the heartbeat. "Yes," he whispered.

Trowa moved his hands from Wufei's bottom to rub Wufei's back softly. "You want to kiss me again?"

Wufei looked up, pleasantly surprised at the question. Instead of answering, he kissed the other boy again, gently.

Trowa returned the kiss and then pulled away, grinning down at the Asian boy. "Was that a yes or a no?" he asked.

"Shut up," Wufei said, placing a chaste kiss on Trowa's chin.

"Make me," Trowa challenged, grinning at Wufei and leaning over taking possession of Wufei's lips again before he could respond. There was another loud thump as Trowa pushed both of them to the floor.

Wufei moaned as Trowa landed on top of him, lips still locked as he returned the kiss. He decided it was his turn, and licked at Trowa's bottom lip. Trowa eagerly parted his lips, nearly pulling Wufei's tongue into his own mouth to rub against his own. Wufei moved his body a little, discovering that when he did so, his erection would rub against Trowa's thigh, and he moaned happily. Trowa shivered as Wufei did that, and he pulled away from the kiss and looked at Wufei for a moment before adjusting his own position a little, starting to kiss Wufei's neck.

Wufei felt his eyes flutter as Trowa kissed his neck, and one hand moved to Trowa's hair absently. It was a bit stiff. "Do you use styling gel to get your hair that way?"

"Why are you asking me that *now*?" Trowa responded, squirming against Wufei's body to get better friction.

Wufei stifled a moan. "Your hair... it's stiff."

Trowa groaned. "That's not the only part." He pulled back and gave Wufei a look.

Wufei flushed a bit. "I've... noticed," he murmured, moving his other hand over Trowa's back.

Trowa sighed and propped an elbow up to rest his chin against his palm.

"What... what's wrong?" Wufei asked, wiggling from underneath Trowa to look at him.

Trowa shivered as his eyes slammed shut. "Don't... move like... that... Wufei," Trowa panted out, trying to get a hold of himself.

Wufei blinked. "Like what?"

Trowa shook his head roughly, his eyes sliding half-open to stare at Wufei. He leaned over to kiss Wufei deeply again, not waiting to flick his tongue into Wufei's mouth again.

Wufei moaned, shifting a little. "Trowa..." he whispered.

Trowa pulled back and grabbed one of Wufei's legs and lifted it to wrap around his waist. He moved between Wufei's legs, moaning loudly as their erections rubbed against each other now. He pulled away from Wufei's lips and kissed wet trails over Wufei's neck.

Wufei threw his head back, moaning as Trowa's hot breath ghosted over the delicate skin of his neck. "Trowa... don't do that..." he said between heavy pants.

"Do..." Trowa kissed down Wufei's neck, his tongue darting out every so often for little licks. "What?" he finished pushing his hips into Wufei's again.

Wufei groaned loudly as Trowa thrust his hips into his own. "That," he panted, grabbing at Trowa's shirt.

"Why... not?" Trowa panted again, pulling up from his admiration of Wufei's neck to look at him, his chest heaving.

Wufei's eyes fluttered close under the intense gaze of Trowa's eyes. "Just... don't," he whispered, his grip loosening as he started to pull away.

"I'm sorry," Trowa apologized and pushed himself up from Wufei, into a kneeling position.

Wufei sat up, feeling ashamed for having made the other boy feel the need to apologize. "It's... okay," he said, pulling his knees up to his chest. "It's my fault."

"No," Trowa corrected. "It was my fault." He shook his head lightly and got to his feet, smoothing out his clothes.

Wufei's head shot up as he watched Trowa fix his clothing. "Trowa... I've... never even kissed anyone before tonight," he said, his voice low and trembling.

"Never?" Trowa took a deep breath as he looked at Wufei.

Wufei shook his head. "Never."

"Oh," Trowa responded. He didn't really know what to say for a moment. Suddenly he smirked. "Could've fooled me."

Wufei's head shot up again, and he caught the smirk, smiling in turn. "I'm a fast learner," he said, relaxing from his position.

"So you are," Trowa responded looking at the clock across the room.

Wufei stood, and walked over to the European boy. "What time is it?"

"3am." Trowa took the opportunity to pull Wufei into his arms and backed them up towards the bed. "I'm not tired. Are you?" He pushed Wufei to sit on the bed and crouched down to gaze eye to eye.

Wufei blinked at the sudden movements, but he didn't pull back. "A little," he said, closing his eyes and resting his head on Trowa's shoulder.

"Damn," Trowa replied tilting his head to lick Wufei's ear.

Wufei shivered at the curse. "What?" he breathed.

Trowa pulled away to look at Wufei's eyes again, his smile nearly evil as he gazed at Wufei and licked his top lip.

Wufei felt apprehensive about the look Trowa was giving him. He felt like a piece of meat all of a sudden. "Trowa?"

"You wanna get high?" Trowa asked, wiggling his eyebrows at Wufei, the same silly grin on his face.

Wufei glared at him, trying to disentangle himself from the other boy. "What?" he said darkly, arousal totally forgotten.

That wasn't the reaction Trowa was hoping for and he pulled back to stand up. "Nevermind." He sighed as he turned his back to Wufei. He'd only wanted to share a little piece of his special haven with Wufei not offend him. "I'll let you sleep now," Trowa said, his face turning cold and self-depreciating as his hand went for the doorknob.

"I'll see you in the morning," Wufei replied icily. "When we meet your drug dealer again."

Trowa didn't respond to that, and simply opened the door and walked out, shutting it quietly behind himself. He walked to his own room and threw himself on the bed. "That was dumb of me..." he whispered into the pillows.

Wufei glared at the door as it closed and then sagged into the bed's mattress. Why had he reacted so violently to Trowa's question? He knew that he'd only been offering to share another part of him, but... It irked Wufei. Giving up trying to make things out, Wufei kicked off his shoes and curled under the covers to get some sleep.

Trowa on the other hand, went out to Heavyarms. Sleep wasn't coming tonight without a little help...

Makoto hopped off the bike as soon as Riku stopped it at the hotel, climbing up the fire escape as fast as she could. She needed to keep her gift cool before it went bad, and besides, she wanted to change.

Riku waited back at the bike. He didn't need anything from inside the room and despite the gruesome actions of his partner, he was hungry.

She ran into the kitchen area, placed the canvas bag in the freezer, and shed her leather trench coat. She put her sword in the bedroom, and opted for the handgun that Riku insisted she carry. Then, she went back out. "Didja miss me, darlin'?"

"Of course," Riku flirted and started the bike once more. "Now, get your pretty little bottom on this bike. I haven't eaten since yesterday."

Makoto snorted. "Oh, and I've had tons to eat," she retorted, hopping on the bike and patting his back. "Let's go!"

Riku laughed quietly to himself, but refrained from opening his mouth. Makoto wouldn't like that smart comment at all. He sped off to a restaurant and parked the bike right outside the front doors, always paranoid about having a quick escape route.

She shook her head as he parked; old habits were hard to break after all, and she followed him inside. She was dying to get something edible in her system. Damn carnivores.

Riku sat at the bar and ordered a cheesecake to start as well as a beer and didn't even get carded. "And one for the lady as well," he said when Makoto sat next to him.

Makoto scoffed and ordered a vegetable platter as well as the beer. "Thank you *so* much for decidin' for me."

"What?" Riku protested. "I was trying to be a gentleman." He ordered some tofu with vegetables, deciding he should be a good boy and not just eat his dessert before dinner.

"Tofu burger. An' if I get any meat on that... Just make sure it's all tofu," she said, smiling coldly as she downed half her beer in one drink, "And another beer."

"Can I see some ID?" the waiter asked, giving Makoto a small glare.

"She's with me," Riku said after that, and the waiter returned with another beer.

"How the *hell* do I get carded?" Makoto was scowling. "Fuck that... I'm sick of this bull."

"Makoto. Calm down." Riku turned to her.

She munched on her food. "I *am* calm. Is anyone dead in here?"

"Not yet," Riku said quietly. "Why? You have an interest in someone?"

"No," Makoto said, amused. "Just if that waiter doesn't watch himself...."

Riku sighed. "Don't worry about it too much. I took care of him."

"Mm hmm," she muttered around the food in her mouth. Swallowing, she smiled normally. "So, you ready to take the last one out? I'd like to sleep sometime tonight. In an actual bed."

"Of course. I'd like to climb a tree though," Riku added as the waiter came back. "Best view that way."

"A tree?" Makoto snickered. "That's a new one. I thought ya liked buildin's."

Riku gave her a look and nodded to the waiter. He knew the waiter was listening.

She leaned back in her chair, taking in the other people in the place and smiled. Not too many to say they actually saw the two Asians. "Alright, I think I know someplace good."

"Good. Let's go." Riku got up and left quickly without paying.

Makoto sighed, dropped a fifty cred on the bar, with the note of 'watch yourself next time', and walked out to catch up with the man. "Yanno, a gentleman *pays* for a lady's dinner."

Riku scoffed. "I didn't pay for *my* dinner."

"No, I did... and I left him a gift," she said coldly, climbing on the back of the motorcycle. "There's a forest near the mark's house. Tall redwoods. One should suit ya *just* fine."

"Sweet," Riku replied and took off.

"Thought ya'd like that," she said, holding on tight to the body in front of her as they drove. "Yanno, I might be willin' ta be extra nice to ya tonight," she purred in his ear.

"Oh?" Riku asked, turning just a little to look at her slightly. He was going to snipe this guy right out of his house.

She smiled coyly. "Jus' wait an' see. Jus' wait an' see," she said lowly. The amount of men she'd killed that night had made her rather... playful, and she was *so* ready to get this over with.

Riku drove up a hill and parked down a small driveway. "Sounds good." He stopped the bike and got off. "That tree looks nice." Riku nodded towards it and started that direction. "I'll be right back," he called, his voice taking an unusual quality to it.

Makoto watched, amused, as her partner climbed the tree. With her trained eyes, she could see his white hair through the leaves and smiled. "Pretty as a picture," she muttered, pulling out the knife that Skeren gave her.

Riku didn't have to wait long as his target walked out moments later. Riku got the man in his scope, took aim, and shot him once in the head. He never saw it coming and collapsed, dead on his front walkway. Riku climbed down, went back to the bike, and pulled out his phone while the man's wife screamed.

Makoto listened happily as the woman screamed, and wiped her knife with a cloth from the saddle bags. "Tha' was quick, suga'. Congrats."

Riku was smiling almost drunkenly as he started the bike again, tied his rifle to his back and roared off down the road. "That was fun."

"Mm hmm. So was choppin' that second guy's... Nevermind. That might not make ya too comfortable," she shouted as they rode.

"You are an evil woman," Riku commented over the wind on the bike.

"Ya love me anyhow," she replied, moving until she was sitting directly behind him. "Don'tcha?"

"Most of the time," Riku teased as he rounded a corner tilting the bike and then they were back at the hotel.

"Ooooh, dun tease, Riku," she purred, climbing off the bike slowly. "That's no fun."

"Like I told you, I'd be fun later. When the job was done." Riku hopped off the bike, dialed a number, and spoke into the phone. "Yes, the job is done." Pause. "Yes, only took a few hours."

Makoto snorted. "Ass... I knew that guy was trouble," she muttered, hopping onto the fire escape and making her way to the top floor to their room. "Meet me upstairs," she shouted before ducking in the window.

Riku frowned. "We agreed on 50k if I completed it in one night." Another frown. "No, 50k." Riku hung up the phone a moment later, his eyes dangerously narrow. He followed Makoto up. He climbed in the window, shut it behind him, and tossed his phone on the couch, where he sat down a moment later and booted up his laptop.

Mako appeared from the bedroom in nothing but a soft, red, silk, half robe. "'Smatter?" she asked, taking in the look on his face. She blew a few strands of her loose hair out of her eyes and sat down to play with her new toys as well.

"I've been stiffed. If I hadn't already pocketed that money, I'd be even madder," Riku commented. Fortunately, he knew another way to get his pay.

"Jus' kill him. Why d'ya think I told him no?" She took apart her new computer and added the other extras, following the way her daddy taught her. "He's a notorious cheapskate."

"I'm gonna wait on that. Let him sweat a little, while I ruin him financially," Riku commented, draining 50k from the man's bank accounts. "As you know, there are worse things than death."

As a second thought, Makoto shoved the list of their marks into her jean jacket's inside pocket. It would be fun to show that to Treize and Sky the next day. She then went back to playing with the computer parts.

"Heeyy..." Riku asked and looked up. "Is Skeren dead set on having that heart?" Riku had a strange gleam in his eyes.

Makoto paused, giving Riku a confused look. "She doesn't know about it, yet... But that's not all I took." She gave a cold smile. "Why?"

Riku grinned. "I thought I might like to leave him a little present..." He raised his eyebrows at her and licked his lips.

Makoto couldn't help herself, and she started laughing. "I'm sure Sky would love the other thin' just as much... But, yanno, it's a bit cold now... Not that it wasn't before I got to it."

"Doesn't matter. It's gross, and it will get the point across. Plus, make him sweat, which is exactly what I want. What a waste of good C4." Riku frowned, he was more pissed about that than anything else. He'd gotten some practice in with his new rifle so the night wasn't a total loss.

She blinked. "It's not gross... It's just small, and blackened. And now, it's cold, but yeah, you can have it... For the right price."

"Oh?" Riku cocked his head to one side. "And how much would that be?" He reached over, turned his laptop off, pulled one of his guns out of his pants, and laid it on the table before turning back to Makoto.

She just leaned back in her chair, stretching her pale, smooth legs out across the coffee table, watching him the whole time. "How much are ya willin' ta pay?"

"How much do you want?" Riku asked, mimicking the action and stretching out on the couch a little, pulling his legs up. He gave his bangs a small fluff with his fingers.

"Oh, I think ya *know* what I want, Riku," she said, winking seductively. "And if you want, I'll even drop the accent tonight."

"I think I do," Riku replied with a small smirk as he crouched up on the couch and moved so he was leaning over Makoto; not quite touching her, just hovering.

"You do, what, Riku-san?"

"I think the king sized bed would be better suited for my..." Riku licked his lips, "*payment*." He leaned closer to Makoto's face and nodded his head in the direction of the bedroom.

Makoto smiled, grabbed his hands, and dragged him to the bed. "Yes, I think so too," she whispered in his ear as she shut the door and divested him of his clothing.

Riku was a little surprised to suddenly be nude but grabbed Makoto's hands and pulled her quickly to the bed on top of him. "In a hurry?" he purred.

Makoto shed her robe and leaned over him. "So, how do you plan on paying me back?" she asked, her voice perfectly modulated. She licked at his ear, knowing how much he enjoyed that.

Riku moaned his eyes drifting shut. He did love that. "Mako..." he whispered. He pulled her close again, his hands running lazily down her back.

She purred as he did so. "Yes?" she whispered. "Tell me what do you plan on doing?"

"Hmm." Riku pretended to think about it as he rolled them over, so he was on top. His mouth descended on Makoto's neck. "You want me to fuck you into the mattress?" he whispered.

Makoto shivered as he started to kiss her neck. "Yes. Hard."

"You asked for it," Riku replied, his voice a dark timbre as one hand snaked down her body to cup a breast.

"Yes, I did," she moaned, wrapping her legs around his waist and pulling him down. She readjusted her body before pulling him completely down, and with one pull of her legs, he was inside her. She sighed happily at the sensation of being filled. "Hard, Riku, hard."

Riku moaned-shivered at the unexpected action, but braced his hands on the bed and pulled back to thrust. Hard. "Mako..." he moaned, barely above a whisper.

Makoto yelled out as he thrusted, finally getting what she wanted, but not fully satisfied. She yanked his head down and kissed him hard, with no mercy, needing this contact to be as ruthless as possible.

Riku responded equally, kissing her back even harder, giving a series of hard, sharp thrusts. He lifted her legs up and pulled one over his shoulder, panting harshly as he pounded her ruthlessly into the mattress.

Makoto threw her head back, clawing at Riku's back as he pounded into her body. "Yes! Yes! Harder!"

"Unnhh...Mako..." Riku panted, his eyes squeezed tightly shut as he continued his harsh thrusts.

Makoto reached one manicured hand to tweak Riku's pierced nipple and moaned as the pressure began to build and the nerves from her feet up started to tingle. "Kami-sama, tasukette," she screamed.

"Kimochi..." Riku panted harshly, yelling out intelligently when Makoto pulled on his nipple rings. His hips lost all rhythm as he teetered closer to the edge.

Soon, the pleasure overload was too much, and Makoto screamed out, her legs trembling, her hands pulling anything close enough to be caught, and her inner muscles contracting tightly.

"AH!" Riku shouted out as he came a split second later, his own body trembling and quivering as Makoto squeezed him. He thrust roughly several more times as he emptied himself, hoping to bring her over a second time.

She felt his hot seed hit her cervix, and she cried out again as she climaxed once more. "Damn..."

Riku let out a small laugh as he tried to catch his breath and he sank down on top of Mako, giving her a small kiss. He had a rare true smile on his face; one that he only had after good sex. Or a large explosion.

Mako chuckled. "When's the last time you made me come twice in one night, Riku?" She moved her legs to get comfortable, and wrapped her arms around the man on top of her.

"Last night?" Riku grinned at her and rolled over a little so he wasn't squashing her completely.

Makoto glared at him playfully. "Last night, if I remember correctly, we had to run from our last hideout... Because of your friends..." She leaned up on her elbow to look at him. "Must have been a few days ago." She kissed him softly, and placed her head on his chest. "Good though... Great, even."

Riku threw back his head and laughed. "I was teasing you." He leaned his head over to kiss her on the forehead. "Yes, great. Not quite as good as that time in the alley when you just couldn't wait, and I fucked you into the wall of that bar. But good."

"Ah, but there was the element of being caught that time. You know I'm a closet exhibitionist," she retorted, sucking lazily on one of the pierced nubs in front of her.

"Yes, I know... mmm... feels good," Riku purred, rubbing the back of Makoto's hair softly.

Mako ran one hand down the flat planes of Riku's body. "Sometimes, you being a guy is inconvenient," she whispered, flicking her tongue across the hoop.

"How so?" Riku asked somewhat breathlessly.

Mako smiled against the warm chest. "I want to play again..."

"Again?" Riku grinned as he bit his lip, "You insatiable little nymph...." He pulled her on top of him again, tangling his hands in her hair. He smiled at her and pulled her down to kiss him.

She returned the kiss, wiggling her hips a bit. "You know how I get... It was just soooo much. Besides, having you watch me made it better," she purred.

"Hmm..." Riku replied, his eyes half closed as he gazed at her smiling seductively. "I think I might need a hand though."

Makoto snorted, and then surprised herself by yawning. "The hell?" She leaned over to rest her forehead on Riku's cheek. "You *do* know I've only had three hours of sleep, killed two men with glee, and just had amazing sex, right?" She yawned again, her breath soft against his jaw. "Hmmm, I think my libido can hold out till the mornin'," she whispered.

Riku laughed again. "Alright. We are supposed to meet with those pilots again sometime today." Riku wrapped his arms around her and just cuddled her close, reaching out to throw a blanket over them both. It was daylight now.

Makoto yawned again. "Two PM, but I wanna get there 'fore hand... Dun trust 'em all completely," she replied sleepily and closed her eyes.

"Neither do I," Riku agreed quietly and slipped into slumber.

It was a while before those in Zechs' office broke up, but it had the unfortunate affect of leaving Relena in line to find Zechs, having spotted Une leaving with Treize.

Zechs looked at his sister, feeling a bit better now that they were alone. "So, Relena, how are you?"

Relena got immediately shy, though she smiled brightly at him. "I've been well... I'm sorry... For what I said in Antarctica."

Zechs waved it off. "You didn't know. All you knew was that some insane OZ colonel was trying to kill your... interest," he replied dryly. "There are no hard feelings."

Relena relaxed a little. "That doesn't mean that I shouldn't apologize. Just because I thought someone you are not..."

Zechs smiled. "Not entirely. But I suppose there are a few things I should apologize to you for. Namely, Une's killing of your adopted father."

"That's for her to apologize for, not you... But I can't say I blame her. It's hard to hold onto grief for someone you almost hated." There was a twist to her lips then.

Zechs' lips twitched at that. "Hated? Really? Even you are capable of that, I suppose. But, one day, I will tell you about our parents' murder. Not right now. So, how are things working out with Dorothy?"

Relena blinked at the topic change, trying and failing to understand it. "Working out how?"

"Well, you don't *magically* think she appeared to be your friend, do you?" he asked, reaching up to take off his mask. "You don't mind do you? It's rather irritating to me."

"No, I don't mind at all." She actually really wanted to see what her brother had grown into. "And I know she didn't magically appear, but people tend to assume she and I are... closer than we are since I ceased chasing Heero."

Zechs snorted, opening his desk drawer, pulling out a brush, and then taking off the metal mask. "No, one would have to be dumb to think the two of you are more than like sisters." He brushed his long platinum locks out of his eyes.

"People pride themselves on being stupid then." Relena watched him brush out his hair, drinking in the sight of the only person she could now call *family*. She didn't think of Mrs. Darlian as her mother now, it just seemed... wrong.

"Is there something wrong?" Zechs asked, looking worriedly at his sister.

"How did you get here?" Relena seemed to be referring to more than the office they were in.

"How did I join OZ, you mean. I vowed revenge against our parents' killers, and Treize offered the best solution," Zechs replied coldly, his blue eyes resembling ice.

Relena bit her lip, circling the desk and resting a timid hand on his arm. "I meant... How could you be here? I know that I..." She sighed, unable to ask the question she wanted to.

He looked up, softly, at the girl in front of him. "How could I be here?"

Relena grimaced as she heard it, but nodded anyway. It was as close as she could get to what she wanted to ask.

Zechs sighed, feeling old. "I wanted that man dead. Treize understood, but kept me sane. He helped me change my name, and I got what I wanted. He's been a good friend. Besides, Treize is out to end this war, Relena."

Relena shook her head, moving forward abruptly to hug Zechs. "That isn't what I meant at all, brother."

"Then explain yourself, little sister," he said, slowly returning the embrace. He fought back the thought that he shouldn't be tainting the pure, innocent girl touching him.

"How did you..." She took a deep breath, feeling miserable all of a sudden, and she shook her head, unable to speak it. She couldn't ask him that, but he knew... Surely...

"Just ask, Relena. The most I can say is that I won't answer," Zechs replied, trying to figure out what the hell his sister was getting at exactly.

"How did you live when everyone else died?" Her voice was so tiny, making it clear that she was certain she shouldn't be asking at all.

Zechs smiled, feeling relieved. "Do you really think that the Darlians were the only loyal retainers that our parents had? Noin's family was one of those, and they hid me when we were attacked."

"I just... I wasn't sure if I should ask that... If it was even fair of me to ask that." Relena was doing a very good job of clinging though, and she had a damn good grip.

Zechs hugged the girl tighter. "As I said, you can always ask, but I reserve the right to refuse you an answer. Besides, it was a miracle they even found me when they did."

Relena let out a long breath, just leaving it there. "Yes, but it's good that they did... Even though I said what I did... before. I was proud that you weren't unfair."

"Unfair?" Zechs said, mock-affronted. "Me? No, but I am glad that I was saved, for many reasons."

Relena smiled. "I'm glad you were saved too. It's good to have a family, even if you didn't want me to know."

Zechs smiled sadly. "It was for your own protection, although I see that is a moot point as of now. Thanks to Lu and her big motor mouth."

Relena laughed a bit, pulling back to look Zechs in the face. "I don't need all the protection the lot of you seek to lavish on me."

"Ah, but little princess, it comes with the job. Get used to it," he replied playfully, flicking her hair.

"Yeah, yeah. I swear only the women seem to know what I'm capable of." She blew the hair out of her face after he flicked it onto her nose.

"Oh, I know you, but as your older brother, it's my job to make sure you are safe. Even if that means from me, and yourself."

"Yeah, well, big brother or not, it's a new position, so don't go thinking you can tell me what to do." Her voice was a little amused. "So, why were you following the same guy I was?"

Zechs smiled. "Only man who could best me in a mobile suit. Like Treize, I love a good challenge, and Heero's the best I've found."

"Best you've found, but no proof he's the best there is." Dorothy had filled her in on this front. It was common knowledge there were five pilots, but to all indications, there seemed to be only four gundams. She found this funny.

"As I said, he's the best I've found. I've yet to fight any of the others."

Relena smiled and nodded to herself. "I should have suspected we were related just by that."

Zechs snorted, and then looked at his desk. "That... girl has messed up my paper work for the day." He groaned. "And look at how much there is... You know I hate paperwork, right?

"Doesn't everyone? Anything I can help with? I'll be at the meeting tomorrow too, after all, so perhaps if we work on this mess together, we can get it done faster."

He shuffled through the sheets, and handed her requests forms. "If they ask for more than is reasonable, chuck it. I can claim I didn't get them."

Relena laughed, settling in to do just that. "Of course. You'd think people would learn the first time."

"These are soldiers, not reasonable people, Relena," Zechs said, chuckling warmly as he started in on his own pile.

"You think soldiers are the only ones that make unreasonable requests?" She sounded rather disbelieving. After a shake of her head, she got to work.