Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Price They Paid ❯ Having a Ball: Part I ( Chapter 29 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The Price 29

Having a Ball.

Author notes: after Relena and Wufei speak to each other at the ball, marked by ####, the story
splits into two parts. One part is what is happening to Heero and Duo the other what is
happening to Zechs and Wufei simultaneously. The two threads converge again at@@@@@.

And I'm ashamed to admit that I completely forgot to thank Shenlong Deb for the help with the
pics of jumps. Sorry. And Thanks So Much.

~ * ~

Relena sent out the invitations to her ball. She was stalling a little, she knew. But she was
worried about the response of her most desired guests.

Dorothy Catalonia stuck her head around the edge of the door and smirked.

"You want to come collect this mutt or what?"

Relena looked at Doro in confusion. "Mutt? What are you talking about?"

"Dog. Long hair, mushed in face. Belongs to Maxwell?"

But . . . what is Binky doing here?"

Dorothy laughed at Relena. "You sent her to the groomers with explicit instructions on what was
to be done. They assumed she belongs to you. So they sent her back to us. She's whining like
crazy. You better get her home."

Relena sighed, she really didn't have time for this right now. She had the final plans for her ball
to complete. She started to say something to Dorothy then she changed her mind. She didn't
have a personal assistant for nothing as said personal assistant, Dorothy Catalonia, was
constantly telling her.

"Well, since I was remiss in making sure that the groomer knew where to send Binky, I guess I
should take her home myself. Call the driver, please."

Dorothy nearly fell over, literally. This was the first time she could remember that Relena did
what she wanted instead of what she ought. She plastered a smile on her face, called the driver
then had a mini break down. She was going to have to hustle like crazy to get every thing done
on time.

"Drat that girl."

~ * ~

Duo was laying on the floor of the conservatory, nibbling on his last piece of toast. Wufei had
tried to go down to the gym and wound up dumped on the chaise lounge here instead. Zechs had
pulled the 'I'm bigger than you' card. Wufei was still sulking.

Zechs was trying to coax Wufei out of his sulks by offering him outrageous presents, which
Wufei was scornfully refusing.

Heero was reading the paper, absently listening to the lover's quarrel with one ear. Duo poked
his ankle with his bare toes and, when Heero looked at him around the paper, made a face at him.
Heero simpered back at Duo, who snickered back and returned to his toast, Heero returned to his
paper.

The door bell was answered by one of the footmen. He came to the conservatory to announce the
visitor, but he was interrupted by the scrabbling of tiny paws and Relena's voice calling, "Binky,
no."

Duo rolled over just in time to have a small bundle of white fur jump on his stomach. He
laughed delightedly and caught the little dog to his chest.

"Hey, little girl. How are you?" Duo grinned up at Relena. "Hey! Relena. What are you doing
with her? Lookin' good, by the way."

Relena did look good. She was wearing a pair of dark grey wool slacks and a steel blue blouse.
The blouse was cut in the popular poets style, with an open throat and full sleeves. Her golden
blond hair was done in a simple, elegant French roll. She dimpled at Duo and nodded to Wufei.

Relena settled at the small ice cream parlor table. "The groomer sent her back to me just this
minute. They thought she was mine. So I thought I'd better bring her."

Heero gave the little dog a rather stunned look and stood up suddenly. Duo dumped Binky onto
Wufei and rushed to him.

"Oh, 'Ro. I . . . sorry . . . if you don't like her. I'll . . . find someplace for her."

Heero put his arms around Duo. Duo's disappointment was plain in his voice. Heero got himself
together quickly.

"No. It's all right. I just . . . need a minute. She's nothing like Mary. I . . . just . . . you know, I
never did find out what that little girl's name was? Kind of makes me feel . . . odd."

Duo held onto Heero until he got himself together. Then they went to see Binky.

Wufei was eyeing her with an amused expression on his face. Duo blinked at him for a second,
he'd figured that Wufei would be highly indignant at having a lap dog dumped on him.

Zechs was just standing watching Wufei with a slightly stunned expression of his own.

Relena approached Duo and Heero carefully. She'd finally learned that it was dangerous to rush
at them by seeing one of her Preventer body guards nearly get his arm broken. He'd put hands on
Duo, Heero had objected.

"Heero, are you all right? Did I do something?"

Duo gave Relena one of his thousand watt smiles and Relena looked back in disgust. "Do not
even start."

Heero patted Duo and just shook his head at Relena. "No, you didn't do anything wrong. Small
dogs . . . upset me sometimes." Heero turned to Duo. "If you want Binky, we'll keep her. I . . .
think I'd like to talk to Dr. Terry. Duo, love, don't look at me like that. I'll be fine. I'm going to
phone now." Heero just walked out the side door into the hall, and disappeared.

Duo sighed happily, he'd been bracing himself against having to give Binky away. He really
wanted to keep her. One of his childhood dreams had been to have a dog. He couldn't care less
that a Maltese wasn't considered a 'manly' dog. He was already in love. Trust Heero to put
Duo's needs above his own.

~ * ~

Wufei was gently stroking the little dog and talking to her in Chinese.

"What kind of hair cut is that? I thought she was supposed to have . . . longer hair?"

Duo couldn't help but feel bad for the little dog. He'd known that her coat was in bad shape but
he'd had visions of cutting off the mats and then combing her out.

Instead, the groomer had shaved her closely and right down to the skin in a few places.

"It's a 'teddy bear' cut." Relena was happy to explain what the groomer had done. "She was so
matted that they didn't have a choice. I gave her medicine to the footman. And I had the groomer
send a fax of all the instructions. She's too thin, she's got sores where her coat pulled, and she
has to be combed every day. You'll have to send your person to the groomer to be instructed."
Duo started to say something but Relent interrupted. "I'd really recommend having someone else
do it. Then give her treats when they bring her to you. That way she won't associate you with
anything bad."

"If she doesn't like being groomed, isn't that a bad thing?"

Duo wasn't sure exactly what he wanted to know, but Wufei nodded, agreeing with Relena.

"She'll have to be medicated for a while, until the sores heal. That will sting. So have someone
else do it. That way she won't associate you with being hurt. She's a very sweet little thing."

Relena nodded again and accepted a cup of tea from Zechs. 'Thank you, Milliardo. Oh, and you
know how I like it. Well . . . if you want to show her, she'll have to have a show 'cut'. What you
probably think of as the standard Maltese coat. That is difficult to take care of, so people who
don't show their dogs, keep them cut short. The long coat needs combing every day. Every day."
Relena repeated herself for emphasis. "But if you keep up with it it only takes a few minutes.
Maybe ten or fifteen. You could do her right after gym. While you wait for breakfast. And don't
let her sleep with you. That's . . ."

Wufei snorted. "A major disaster. Those two would roll over on her, or stab her. Mistaking her
for a threat. She can't sleep with us either, for the same reason. I'll see about finding one of the
maids to sleep with her. She'll need a kennel too."

Duo realized that Wufei knew a lot more about dogs than expected.

"Ok 'Fei fess up. What's with this?"

Wufei didn't even bat an eye. "My mother had a Shih Tzu, very . . . fierce. She was called small
lion. I loved her a great deal. I would have had a dog sooner, but with one thing and another.
Especially Heero's . . . I can't say dislike of. . . Perhaps avoidance of small dogs I never did
anything about it." Wufei turned dark liquid pleading eyes on Zechs. "We can keep her, can't
we. Please. I know it's your house but. . ." Zechs put one finger against Wufei's lips.

"If you want a dozen dogs, you'll have them. This little princess is just fine. I'm sure any
behaviors that are displeasing can be trained out of her."

Zechs smiled at Wufei then turned his smile on Relena and Duo.

After some petting and fussing they all got settled around the table. Tea was brought and they
listened as Relena explained everything she knew about the care and feeding of the small animal.
Duo took mental notes, Zechs watched his sister with shining eyes and Wufei smiled at them all.

Binky was in seventh heaven. She was clean, shaved down so that the mats didn't pull painfully
every time she moved and she'd had a nice breakfast, with treats. Now she was on the lap of a
kind handed man who was scratching her ear in just the right place. She sighed and collapsed
into a puddle of doggy delight.

Duo poked Zechs in the ankle with bare toes and patted Relena on the hand. They all turned to
look at Wufei.

He looked right back with a slightly offended expression. "What? She's a perfectly well behaved
lady."

Relena sniffed slightly. "Chang, you are not bringing her as your escort to the ball, are you?"

Wufei shook his head. "No, I don't think Zechs will give up his place. Will you, My Ice Prince?"

Relena nearly choked on her tea. "Oh, you two are an item? For sure? Duo said something but I
wasn't really sure. Are you planning any . . ."

Zechs held up a hand before Relena ran away with herself. "We are still negotiating our
relationship. Don't put the horse before the cart or rush your fences, sister dear."

"Oh, well, all right. But I'm the first, outside your close circle, to know. Or else."

Duo narrowed his eyes. "Or else. . . what?"

Relena twinkled at him. "I'll pout." She stuck out her lower lip to demonstrate.

Zechs shuddered dramatically, making his braid quiver. Binky eyed it with interest. "Heaven
help us, not the lip. Please."

"Very well, not the lip. But I promise you the lip, and raise you a wibbly chin, if you don't tell
me first when you decide to . . . er . . . declare yourselves."

Promises were duly made, with Duo grinning like a fool and Relena sniffling a bit.

~ * ~

No one noticed the sound at first. Then Duo, always sensitive to anything to do with Heero,
noticed the faint sound. He hissed softly "quiet" Relena started to ask a question, then she heard
it.

Zechs had heard the sound at the same time Relena did. Wufei smiled, he'd heard it at the same
time Duo did.

Heero was somewhere near, playing his whistle. He was playing a happy, jaunty tune called
Paddy Breen's Jig. Duo sighed with relief, everything was going to be fine. Heero had reconciled
himself to Binky.

Heero sauntered in with his whistle still in his hand. He stuck it in his hip pocket and settled on
the foot of the chaise Wufei was reclining on.

"Damn."

"What's the matter?" Duo reached out for Heero who just lifted his hip and pulled the whistle
out of his pocket again.

"I bent another one. I wish I could find one that came in sections or something. You know, like
the O'Brian one? Only shorter."

Duo eyed the bent whistle for a second. "Can I have that one?"

Heero handed it to him. "Sure, but it's bent and you can't straighten them. I tried, it just broke
where the dent was."

Duo just accepted the bent whistle and put it aside. "Got an idea. I need that one for
measurements. Don't know if what I have in mind will work, but it's worth a try."

Wufei eyed Duo with interest. If Duo had an idea, it was probably going to be interesting. Duo
gave him a sparkling look.

"No, Wufei, it will not explode, shoot darts, or release gas."

Wufei put on a disappointed look. "Well, damn."

Zechs laughed, Relena looked puzzled and Heero had to get up to go give Duo a kiss. Binky
tried to lick his face, which made him wrinkle his nose.

"What's the matter?"

Heero laughed. "Dog breath."

Relena let out a little squeak. "Oh, they have mints for that. And tooth paste."

Duo gave Relena a funny look. "Mints? And she'll suck on a breath mint. Right." He drawled
out the last word. "You're foolin' me."

"Um. . . no. I'll give you a . . . no, I'll have Catalonia send you some." Relena looked at her
watch. "I've got to go. You are all coming to the ball. Right? Don't forget."

Duo shook his head. "I got the invite. We just haven't gotten the tickets yet. When did you send
them out?"

Relena gave Duo a puzzled look. "Tickets? Um . . . you don't need tickets to get in. All you need
is the invitation."

Wufei just covered his eyes with his hand.

Relena suddenly understood. "OH! I send out informative emails to let everyone know that I'm
having ball. They tell me they're coming, then I send out formal invitations. It's so much easier
than sending out a bunch of paper invitations then getting RSVP's. It's not traditional, but it is
much easier. Security likes it better too. You'll be getting your invitations this afternoon. See
you"

Relena walked out the door, heels clicking on the hard wood floor.


~ * ~

Duo and Heero, Wufei and Zechs duly got their invitations. Duo, realizing that the ball was in
two days, groaned. He needed to go into his office that Monday, he wasn't sure he'd be up for it
if he partied late Saturday night.

Zechs snickered. "I don't think you'll find one of Relena's balls anything like a Sweeper Bash. If
you get drunk I personally will whip your ass. Heero or no. Tux and patent leather shoes."

Duo gave Zechs a look that was pure Shinigami. "I'm not completely uncultured. I've been to a
ball. The damn thing will go on and on. Probably until three or four in the morning. I don't sleep
well after eleven and a nap? Not me. I can't sleep then either. So I'm gonna be a very unhappy
puppy on Monday."

Zechs gave Duo an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I didn't think. But if you get tired we can make
our excuses at midnight and no one will think a thing about it. Could we just see how things go?"

Heero sighed, he wasn't looking forward to having Duo go into the office. Leaving him there
alone. With a house full of servants to be sure but no Duo meant an empty house.

Duo nodded to Zechs. "That's good enough." Then he turned to Heero. "What's with that heavy
sigh? You don't want to go to the office Monday?"

Heero blinked slowly as he processed this. "I'm going with you? But . . ."

"Sure are. I know you're better than I am at physical security. I'm a hackers hacker, and I'm
good with explosives and stealth. But you're better at camera placement and sensors, buddy,
we're an unbeatable team we play to each other's weaknesses. So . . . what? I'm gonna let ya
stand around with your dick in your hand? Not a chance. You didn't think I was going to let you
just sit around, did you?"

Zechs picked Wufei up and carried him out the door.

Heero ducked his head and looked at Duo from under his bangs. "I wasn't sure what . . . I mean
. . . well. I'm still a felon. And Quatre . . ."

Duo dragged Heero to the chaise lounge and sat down next to him. "Ok love, find a thought and
cling to it until it makes a sentence."

Heero just hung his head and shrugged. "I don't want to cause you or Quatre any trouble. And
lettin' me into the facility will make trouble."

"The guy who gives you trouble will deal with Shinigami and I mean it. You're still in my
custody and I don't intend to have you out of sight. You're being foolish. Quatre wants you on
the team and you'd know that if you'd stop protecting everybody from whatever you're afraid of.
So what the hell is your problem? You want me to call Dr. Terry again?"

Heero bit at his lip for a moment. "I want you to have the normal life I can never have. J screwed
me up so bad, I have to be careful constantly not to . . ."

Duo put his hand firmly over Heero's mouth. "Listen. We've all been in therapy for months. Dr.
Terry is really good. He evaluated us all again. And he says that we're all fucked up. The best we
can hope for is functional, so I don't want to hear the 'N' word again. Hear me? And don't
protect me. I'll do that for myself, thank you very much. I need a partner, not a keeper. And so
do you. So take a pill and get over it. Love you."

Heero nearly attacked Duo, he grabbed him and held on like his life depended on it. Duo just
held back and kissed Heero until they both had to come up for air. Which was a while.

~ * ~

"Where are you taking me? And don't squish Binky."

Zechs just laughed. "Away from the love birds. Library?"

"Put me down, please." Wufei didn't wiggle or kick. It wasn't dignified for one thing, and he
really didn't object to being carried that much. "I don't want to frighten the dog."

Zechs let Wufei's feet drop, carefully holding him by the shoulders until he got his feet under
him.

"Under protest. I don't want you hurting your head."

"The operative word being head. There's nothing wrong with my feet. Library is fine. We need
to find someone to be responsible for Binky when we can't. I don't want her wandering around
the house alone. She'll protest that sort of thing by chewing and . . .making messes. Who would
you suggest?"

Zechs shrugged and settled himself on the love seat. Wufei settled in a wingback chair and put
Binky on the floor. She immediately began to explore this new room. Wufei called her to heal
and told her to stay. She didn't, so he called her again. This time she stayed.

"Call the house keeper and we'll ask her who she recommends."

Mrs Brown was duly called and took one look at Binky. "Oh, how sweet. She's so cute. Who's
going to take care of her when you're all not around?"

Zechs smiled at the woman's obvious delight, that was going to make things much easier. "I was
going to ask you that. Who do you recommend?"

She smiled back. "Me. I love dogs. We had dachshunds when I was young. She's very obedient."

Wufei grimaced. "Not really. But it's just a lack of proper attention, not anything to do with her
personality."

Mrs. Brown picked Binky up and cuddled her. "I'll take her away and get her settled. I need to
go shopping for some things. How should I charge them off?"

Zechs shrugged. "House hold expenses. Anything she needs. And one of the footmen has
medicine and there's a fax floating around somewhere."

Mrs. Brown left with the dog who was happily trying to lick her face, or hand, or whatever bare
skin she could reach.

Zechs smiled at Wufei who wondered blankly what he was grinning about.

"Well, that takes care of that. Maxwell will have to be sure to spend time with her every day or
she'll forget who she belongs to. Come here."

Wufei stood only to find himself scooped up and plopped into Zechs's lap. "What? You know
Duo will love that dog to bits. Heero will tolerate her because Duo loves her. And I like her. I'm
sorry if you don't. But . . . mmmmmff"

Zechs stopped Wufei's chatter the best way there was. Wufei didn't object at all, in fact his
enthusiasm nearly knocked the love seat over.

~ * ~

The next day and a half went by in a fog of preparations.

Zechs refused to allow any of the pilots to rent a tuxedo. He sent for his tailor and had them
measured. He apologized regally for having to rush the man but insisted that all three of them
have tailor-made tuxes for the ball. Wufei shook his head and gave the man careful instructions
on exactly what he wanted. Duo groaned and Zechs gave in. Especially when Wufei turned his
liquid onyx eyes on Zechs in that special pleading look he reserved just for him.

There were also arrangements for Binky. She had to be walked on a regular schedule to prevent
accidents. She had to be combed and played with. Duo enjoyed that a great deal and spent part of
their play time training her. Heero rather grimly played with them.
Zechs watched that first morning and realized that Heero wasn't unhappy, he just really didn't
know what to do. He'd never played with a dog before. Zechs wasn't even sure he'd ever
touched a dog.

Mrs. Brown arranged for footmen to walk Binky every three hours. A different one each time so
that no one was put out too much by the new pet. And she was careful to pick men who liked
animals, rather than just telling someone to walk the dog. That was a sure way to trouble.

Binky was a very happy little dog. She had Duo to play with and Wufei to pet her. Nice men
walked her and let her take her time. Her food was set out on a regular schedule. She wasn't
much pleased with the medication as it did sting but there were cuddles and treats to make up for
it. But the best by her lights was that she was loved.

Zechs was pleased with Binky too. He liked his dogs large, more on the working dog line, but
Binky had made all three young men happy so he was pleased as well.

~ * ~

"Wufei, where is that infernal animal?"

Wufei looked up from were he was reclining on a couch reading some obscure manuscript.
"Right here. Why?"

Zechs grinned at the two. Binky's head had popped up from behind Wufei's hip.

"Mrs. Brown is looking for her, it's time for her walk." Zechs scooped the dog up from the
couch and patted her head. Then he handed her off to the waiting footman, who promptly
scratched her behind the ear, tucked her under one arm and left to walk her.

"Did you need something else?"

"Yes. We need to get ready. I want to have one last fitting before we get dressed."

Wufei put his book on the side table and got up. He looked up at Zechs and shivered slightly.

"Fei? What's wrong?"

Wufei smiled "Nothing. I was just thinking that you'll look so elegant in a tux. Do you favor
tails or more modern?"

Zechs snorted. "I don't wear tails. With my height I look like a giraffe. An albino giraffe, to
quote an old school . . . chum."

Wufei took in Zechs's look and decided the chum had better not say any thing to Zechs to upset
him or he'd be chum indeed, as in fish bait.
"Well, I hope you don't mind that I decided to wear traditional robes. I thought it might placate
the elders of the clan. I don't want to have to turn their demands against them. But they are
getting rather . . . pushy."

Zechs was well aware that, even though Wufei was now the head of the clan, some of the older
members of the clan council were becoming demanding. Wufei was holding them off with
dignified refusals. Zechs was afraid that they were trying to take Wufei away from him. He
couldn't tolerate that.

Wufei thought of the elders as he followed Zechs up to their rooms to try on his robes. He knew
that Zechs already had a tux. The elders were demanding that he take his place as head of the
clan. They wanted him to marry, produce heirs and manage the clan businesses. Wufei didn't.

Unfortunately for the clan elders, they'd never considered the amount of sheer hard headed
stubbornness it had taken to become the pilot of Shenlong, also called Nataku. Wufei was quite
willing to manage the clan's business, but he wasn't about to acquire a wife, never mind the
concubines he'd been offered. The whole thing smacked of feudalism. So he refused, again and
again. He was going to start getting nasty soon.

Zechs had to smile at the traditional robes, they enveloped Wufei, making him look smaller than
he really was. Zechs thought the robes were a very bad idea, but refrained from telling Wufei so.

Wufei eyed himself in the mirror and snorted, he looked about six smothered in yards of silk
brocade. He rejected the traditional hat with its coral button with every sign of loathing.

"If you don't like them, why wear them?"

"I'm hoping to get the elders off my back for a while. I don't think it'll work, but it's worth a
try."

Zechs just grunted. He wasn't fond of the elders.

"What are you going to do if this doesn't work?"

Wufei turned narrowed eyes on Zechs. "Get really nasty really quick. I'm tired of putting them
off. I've been as polite as I'm willing to be. They are being quite dishonorable. I am, after all, the
eldest of the eldest. And every penny of the money from L5 Chang belongs to me. So they better
watch out."

Zechs sucked in a breath. He'd never really thought about it. But Wufei was not only the eldest
of the clan but sole heir of it as well. Wufei was probably richer than he was.

"Well . . . um . . . that puts a different light on things."

Wufei realized what Zechs was really talking about. "No, it doesn't. This is your house. Not
mine. I don't have a home anymore. I was hoping that we could make this our home. We need to
sit down and have a real talk soon. All this dancing about is giving me a headache."

Zechs flinched, he wasn't sure if Wufei was talking about residual effects of his accident or
stress or what. He realized that his mind was skittering around like a mouse in a basket, so he
just stopped.

"Real or imagined." Wufei gave him a blank look. "Headache."

Wufei rubbed at his temples. "A little of both I think. I'm not a baby making machine. I'm not
creating lives then turning them over to the elders. If we decide to have children, we're going to
raise them ourselves. But that's a long way in the future. Neither of us is ready just yet."

Zechs nearly fell over. Wufei was talking about children! *holy shit*

"And how are we to accomplish this feat of magic?"

Wufei looked exasperated. "Oh, grow up. For heavens sake, you're smart. Where the hell do you
think all Winners sisters came from? We could do the same thing. Donor egg. Stripped DNA
from our sperm, simple. Just not yet, if you please."

Zechs nodded. "I see. You really want to keep me?"

Wufei's head jerked up. "Keep you? I thought we already had that out. I don't have casual sex.
Nor do you, as far as I can tell. So . . . I love you. I'm keeping you. You want to have the safe,
sane and consensual talk now?"

Zechs shuddered, a cold chill racing across his skin. He was really going to do this. Trust
someone again.

"I wrote . . . well . . . I thought. . . oh, god."

Wufei took the belt off his bathrobe and gestured to Zechs. "Fetch what you've written and come
here. . . let down your hair."

Zechs blinked once, then went to fetch his papers. He handed his notes to Wufei, who simply
placed them on the nearby table. He motioned for Zechs to turn around. Zechs obediently rotated
and, when Wufei reached for one wrist, he put both behind him to be bound.

Wufei tied the offered wrists carefully. This was the beginning. He made sure that the tie was
firmly knotted, but not tight around the delicate joints.

"Kneel." Zechs sank onto his knees, then bowed his head. "No. Look at me. I want to see your
eyes."

Zechs looked up, his eyes shining with love and hope.

"I will never humiliate you, ever. I want you to think of what you forgot while I read this."

Zechs bit at his lip, what had he forgotten, and how bad was it?

Wufei settled to read, smiling slightly. He frowned at the paper then realized, "Zechs, I've
forgotten my glasses. They're on the night stand, fetch them please."

Zechs stood then hesitated. Wufei realized the problem immediately. "In your hand."

"Yes, beloved."

Zechs fetched the glasses by walking to the night stand, his braid slapping against his back. He
turned around, picked up the glasses and returned to Wufei. He turned around and waited while
Wufei took them from his hand, then he knelt back at his feet. Zechs watched Wufei's face as he
read the paper.

"Well, that's quite comprehensive. Now we'll see what you really want."

Zechs blinked, he'd put down every thing he and Treize had done. He didn't think he'd forgotten
anything.

"I know this is what you did, with Treize. But, is it what you like, or what he wanted?" Zechs
frowned. "Don't bother to answer, your face gives you away. First, most of this is stuff that I
wouldn't do to a dog. You are very precious to me. I don't mind punishing you, if that's what
you need. But not in that fashion, I might spank you, or even use the cane. But most of my
punishments are much more subtle, and enjoyable."

Zechs looked at Wufei with a new awareness of him. This commanding figure was nothing like
his tender lover. He shuddered suddenly. His life was changing and he was sure it was for the
better, finally.

"Now, I believe I told you that you forgot one of the things I asked you to do. What was it?"

Zechs shook his head frantically trying to figure out what it was. "I don't know. Truly, I don't.
Wufei. Please."

Wufei smiled so gently that Zechs relaxed. "Your hair . . . I believe I asked you to let it down . .
. This is just for us. You are never to be seen in public with your hair down again. Baring
accidents, of course. Now, I'll forgive it this time. Things are moving a little fast for you, I
think."

Zechs put his head on Wufei's thigh. "I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

Wufei smacked Zechs on the shoulder. "I said I would, didn't I? Turn around and I'll take it
down." Wufei waited while Zechs rose to the balls of his feet and swivelled around to kneel
again with his back to him. "You have such beautiful hair. It's so soft and . . . so very blond."

Zechs sighed as Wufei unbraided his hair. It was going to be a mess to brush out after they were
done doing whatever Wufei had in mind, but he wasn't worried. Wufei would take care of it.

"Thank you. I'm sorry I forgot. I'm so . . . nervous. I . . . feel. . ."

Wufei smiled at Zechs as he stammered, trying to express his feelings.

"Like a sixteen-year-old virgin?"

Zechs snorted. "I'm neither sixteen nor a virgin. But yes. Very much so."

"We're not going to do much right now. We don't have time. I just want you to understand that I
take all this very seriously. I love you and I will . . . cater to your needs. But there are lines
which I will not cross. You understand that."

Zechs nodded, "Yes. I understand. What are you going to do now?"

Wufei shuffled the papers around and then started reading out loud. After reading a passage he
told Zechs whether it was acceptable to him or not. Zechs was surprised to realize that Wufei
was neither offended nor disgusted by anything he'd written. He was however, very firm on
what he would and wouldn't do. Almost everything he wouldn't do was something that Zechs
wasn't truly fond of. He wondered how Wufei could tell he didn't really like something without
looking at his face.

Wufei smiled as Zechs shifted from one heel to the other. He'd been reading for a while now and
knew that Zechs had to be tired of kneeling. His shoulders were getting too stiff to read.

"I'm getting hoarse and you're getting tired. We'll stop now. I think I have a good idea of what
we'll be doing. Lean forward a little."

Zechs dutifully leaned and Wufei untied his wrists. He let them fall forward, then shook them
out. His shoulders were a little stiff and the skin around his wrists was reddened.

Wufei stripped out of the robes and hung them on the stand. "Come on. I want a bath and you
need a good shoulder massage. They're stiff. I'll brush out your hair and braid it for tonight."

They settled in the tub and Zechs started to wash Wufei's hair. Wufei had to stifle a snicker,
Zechs had wrapped his hair into an odd bird's nest, twisting it around his head and sticking long
pins into it to hold it out of the water.

"What? I know it looks stupid, but I don't have time to wash and dry it before we have to start
getting ready. Do you think the tailor has been in yet?"

Wufei shrugged. "Don't know. Yuy would let you know if the guy didn't show on time. So he
must have been here."

"Well, I'm not going to worry about it. Yuy and Maxwell are big boys. They can take care of
themselves. And it's not as if we're under fire."

Wufei settled with a snort.

Zechs finished washing Wufei's hair and they washed each other, fooling around and teasing
each other.

They spent the rest of the afternoon reading poetry to each other. Sappho turned out to be a
favorite.

~ * ~

Heero studied Duo and Duo glared back.

"You look good."

Duo snorted. "But . . ."

"No but. You look good. Fit's nice. Smooth across the shoulders and the holster doesn't show."

"Well, ok . . . if you're sure." Duo gave Heero a doubtful look.

"I'm sure. Stop worrying. I don't now what's wrong with you."

Duo sighed. "I don't want to look like a street rat dressed up like a mink."

Heero shook his head. "How do I look?"

Duo looked Heero over from head to toe. The tailor hovered in the back ground. This was the
true test of his skills. Heero was smaller than average, like all the pilots except Trowa. But he
was muscular and solid. That caused some trouble getting the suit to fit correctly. It couldn't be
too loose or too tight, but it had to hang properly when Heero was relaxed and still allow room
for his muscles to expand as they flexed.

"Well, it looks really good. . . and you're holster doesn't show either. . . so I guess we're good to
go."

The tailor nearly fainted in relief, this could have ruined his reputation. Sending the ever more
popular Gundam pilots to Lady Relena Peacecraft's ball less than exceptionally well dressed
would have been a disaster. He'd never had to deal with two slender, youthful individuals who
insisted on carrying the sort of arms they did before.

After tipping the tailor and sending him on his way, the two young men removed their suits and
hung them in the closet. They spent the rest of the afternoon resting, reading and playing video
games.

Binky shuttled back and forth between rooms and men, happily licking hands until someone
petted her.

~ * ~

They met in the large foyer, examined each other then went out the door to climb into the car
and head for the palace.

Their car added itself to a long line of similar cars and idled up the drive. Duo was astonished to
see that the palace was a stark, modern structure made of form poured concrete and steel. It was
rather ugly and squatted in the surrounding parks like some gray toad.

"Holy hell. That thing is awful. How can Relena stand it?"

Zechs just eyed the building with mild disfavor and shrugged. "She doesn't like it much. But the
original palace was damaged badly in the second invasion. The government decided to tear it
down and build a new building to symbolize the downfall of the old and the creation of the new.
I, personally, despise the thing. But I don't have to live here. Thank god."

They finally made the portico and the entry. Heero took one good look and cringed. The place
was all glass and crystal and steel. It was so open that he grumbled, "Might as well have the
party in a foot ball stadium. All that glass. Hn!"

The entire front of the vestibule was window from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, with huge
wide doors right in the middle.

Zechs gazed around with disgust. The place was nearly industrial in its sparseness. Everything
was angular and hard. It was too; too bright, too hard, too cold.

He just hoped that Relena's quarters were more to her taste than this.

The Preventer who ran the security wand over then stiffened then pushed a button on the Saf-t on
his belt. They were surrounded in a moment by armed security guards. All of whom looked
extremely nervous.

Zechs shrugged and started to put up his hands but Heero tugged his elbow down again. "No,
don't give them the satisfaction. We'll be in, in a moment. Hold onto Duo for me . . . Wufei?"

Wufei just nodded grimly. "Zechs do not let him make a scene. Please."

Duo eyed the head of security and sneered. The man was sweating already. And no one had done
a thing yet. He muttered to Wufei. "Our people are much better trained. Look how every one of
them has his piece at the end of his extended arm. Way too much vid."

Wufei snorted his agreement. "Frankly, I'll be glad to get back to the office. I want to review
some of our training methods."

Heero and Wufei parted ways then. Heero moved left and Wufei went right, Duo took center
with Zechs behind him. If things went sideways there would be at least two of them still on their
feet.

The sharp voice made everyone in range in a uniform cringe. "I'll have a report on this at once."

The commander of the group hurried to Une and saluted. "They're armed. And quite heavily. I . .
. that's the Lightening Count and . . . I don't recognize the others. But . . . ma'am, they've got
enough arms between them to start a small war. And they're not registered. At least I don't think
they are."

Une gave the man a look of such disgust that he stepped back a step.

"And why not?"

"Um . . . no one checked?"

Une made a sharp 'chk' with her tongue. "You're on report. And the wand handler as well. I'll
handle this."

Une approached the group with all guns blazing, figuratively speaking. The first thing she did
was dress the wand handler down with a look, then she turned to eye the group of pilots.

"Well, I'm glad you've got more self-control than my men." She nodded her head at Zechs.
"Milliardo." Zechs gave her a flat look that convinced her to continue her greetings. "Yuy.
Chang. Pleasure to see you again. Maxwell. . ."

Duo was nearly hiding behind Zechs. He didn't want to talk to Une or even be near her.
Somehow being sociable with someone who'd tried to have him executed was just beyond him.

"I'd like to talk to you sometime tonight. If you don't mind."

Duo found himself clutching Heero's offered hand in his. "I do mind."

Une gave him a surprised look. "Excuse me?"

Duo got himself in hand when Heero gave him an encouraging look. "Not a chance in hell, babe.
Ya wanna take this outside? Or do ya wanna make a scene right here in the foyer. Cause I got
somethin' I wanna get offa my chest."

Une stiffened then led Duo and Heero to a room hidden behind a sculpture.

"Very well. Say what you have to say. Then I'll say what I have to say."

Duo took a deep breath. "You stupid bitch. Leave me alone. Not only are you a psycho, you ain't
got the sense of a flea. First ya turn me over t' a bunch a great big guys that hate Gundam pilots
on principle then ya try ta shoot me for doin' my duty. And chase my sorry ass all over hells'
half acre for days. Not to mention lettin' that ass assistant of yours interrogate me. If beatin' the
shit outa me with his belt counts. Now ya won't let it rest. What . . ya wanna apologize? So ok,
you're sorry, so what? Don't care! Leave me alone! Go away! Fuck off! Take a hike, off a cliff
for all I care. Now . . . what!"

Une gave up. She'd hoped that Duo would work for Preventers and draw the others into the fold.
Now she knew that it was impossible. Chang had turned her down, saying that he had to take
care of Maxwell. Heero wasn't eligible until he'd completed his sentence, Milliardo/Zechs was
in the same situation. Winner and Barton were much too busy with WEI.

"Well, that answers all my questions in one . . . er . . . rant. I'm sorry you feel that way. I do
understand, however. I just want to say that, with my current medication, I'm not a psycho. And
I never knew how you were treated until I saw the replays. Heads did roll over that. Not that it's
much comfort. I won't bother you again. Please enjoy the ball. And register those guns."

Heero dipped his hand into his jacket pocket, opposite to his fire arm. He presented Lady Une
with his carry permit, smirking and remarking that it was wonderful what throwing a bunch of
money at something could accomplish.

"We all have corporate carry permits. Wonderful thing, money. Excuse us. We need to rejoin our
party before Zechs has an aneurysm."

Duo turned in the door and rather childishly stuck his tongue out at Une. She wondered for a
moment what exactly Winner was up to, then gave it up.

They rejoined their party and watched as the guards scrambled away to hide themselves
wherever it was they popped out from.

Wufei immediately went to Duo. "You ok? What the hell did that evil onna want?"

Duo told the story in a short hand so clipped that Zechs barely understood him. After he
translated Duo's explanation into English, he shook his head.

"I don't know what she's thinking. After your history . . . I don't even want to work for her.
She's too unstable for me. Medication or not . . . we better get in there."

Zechs dipped his hand into his outside jacket pocket and retrieved his invitation. Wufei tucked
his hand into his wide bell-shaped sleeve and did the same. Heero and Duo already had their
invitations in hand. They'd retrieved them on the way back to the group.

"Well, come on. Let's go." Zechs squared his shoulders and headed for the ballroom proper.

When they got to the door they joined a line of people waiting to get in. The men were all
dressed in tuxedos. The ladies all in evening gowns and jewelry, some even wearing tiaras. Duo
was wide eyed, wondering why some of the women wore crowns and others didn't. Quatre
hadn't covered this.

When they reached the door there was a soft chime then a voice announced. "Prince Milliardo
Hans Gunter Alberto Zechs Merquise Peacecraft. . . and party."

Zechs made a face and started down the stairs, head held high. There were a few whistles, boos,
and catcalls, which were quickly shushed. Zechs ignored them like they didn't exist.

Heero glared around the room so hotly that it was a wonder the drapes didn't catch on fire. Duo
made note of those he could and vowed that they'd suffer before the night was out. Wufei just
took Zechs's hand and held it tightly in his.

A footman approached them almost at once. He asked them to follow him, which they did,
weaving their way through the crowds quickly.

Zechs sighed his relief when he saw who they were meeting.

Relena held out her hand to Zechs. "Milliardo. I'm so glad you came. Ignore the . . ."

Zechs bowed over Relena's hand and then kissed it. "Ignore who, my dear. I thought I heard
some birds croaking. A bagatelle."

Relena plastered a pleasant, white bread look on her face. "I know who most of them are. They
won't get away with it. I promise."

Zechs looked Relena in the eyes. "Don't cause yourself political trouble for my sake. Please."

Relena narrowed her eyes slightly. "I won't. But social intervention is one thing. Political
another. I'm cold shouldering every one of them. You're my brother for heavens' sake. They're .
. . nobody."

Duo smirked at Relena. He bowed over her hand and kissed it with a flourish. "We need to
compare notes. I had a different vantage point."

Relena just smirked slightly. No more than the slightest quirk of her lips, but it was there.

Wufei and Heero made their obeisance and were greeted with every evidence of delight. Relena
even went so far as to allow Heero a quick peck on her cheek, in fact she insisted.

Heero obliged and complemented her on her perfume. Relena replied just a little too loudly.
"Why thank you, Heero. It is so very nice of you to notice." Then she turned to Duo, turning her
back on the man who'd been slithering up to her. "Oh, Duo. What do you think of my new
perfume. Heero says that it suits me."

Duo leaned over and sniffed her shoulder. "Not bad. A little fruity for my taste, but it does suit
you."

Relena let out a little yip and smacked Duo on the shoulder. "You fiend. Stop that."

Duo laughed softly. "I know, shame on me. But you should have seen that man's face. I thought
he was going to bust."

Heero poked Duo in the side. "What did you do?"

Relena made a disgusted sound. "He pretended to lick my shoulder. I thought Baron Langerfeld
was going to explode. Not that I mind."

Relena turned to Wufei, "I'm so glad you came. Um . . . you might want to be a little careful.
Some of the elders are here. I'm not really happy about it. They gate crashed, but my people
didn't know any better. They said they were here under your invitation."

Wufei gave her a sour look. "They presume too much. I'll deal with them if it's necessary. Next
time either turn them away or call me and I'll handle them. I would never presume to invite
someone else to a party. It's tacky."

Relena gave him a sympathetic look. She was well aware of his troubles and would help him
anyway she could.

####

Zechs led Wufei away to stand in a small alcove. They both watched the crowds for a few
moments.

Zechs snarled. "Damn. Here comes Connaway."

"Connaway?"

"The giraffe guy."

Wufei sniffed, it resembled one of Relena's disdainful little sniffs, only the look that
accompanied it couldn't have been accomplished by someone with blue eyes. Wufei's eyes
turned from warm onyx to obsidian chill.

"Hey it's the albino. How's tricks?"

Wufei stepped between Connaway and Zechs before the man could slap him on the shoulder.
Connaway withdrew his hand with a stung expression.

Wufei didn't let him get too far away. He stepped into the man's personal space and chested
him.

Connaway stepped back again, which put him in sight of most of the near by guests. He put out a
hand in a natural reaction and pushed Wufei away.

"Hey, girlie. What's your problem?"

Wufei snarled. "I'm not a girl. I'm Chang Wufei. I claim insult. You laid hands on me."

The man backed up with a startled expression on his face and made the fatal mistake. "Hey
Giraffe, what the hell is wrong with your girlfriend." Heads turned. "Albino, you better get her
off or I'll do something I shouldn't."

Wufei caught the man by the thumb and twisted his hand backwards, turning his thumb against
his wrist and his wrist away from his body. He fell to his knees with a shrill yelp. Wufei eyed
him in disgust.

"Don't touch me. Go away."

Zechs hauled the man to his feet, dusted his knees off and shoved him into the crowd. "Do go
away, there's a good chap. Wufei is slightly sensitive about insults. Dragon Clan, ya know."

Connaway scrambled for something to save the situation, but after looking around for help
realized that it was irretrievable. He'd just committed social suicide.

He'd touched someone who was well known by reputation to be untouchable and he'd insulted
the Prince of the House of Sanq. Never mind that he was an old school friend. He was in so deep
that he was never getting out.

As he walked away, he watched as a man he'd been drinking with the night before turned his
back.

Wufei saw it too and smiled, Zechs realized that it was really nasty. He smirked.

"Thank you."

Wufei inclined his head. "You're welcome."

They stood on the edge of the room and watched as people coalesced, separated, orbited and
wandered by, in random glittering patterns. Wufei realized that they stood shoulder to shoulder
with their backs to the wall. They were just far enough away from the wall that they invited
conversation.

Many of the people who stopped to visit with Zechs asked for introductions to Wufei. When they
were introduced, the reactions were almost equally divided between people who knew him as the
Eldest of the Chang Clan, and those who knew he was Pilot 05. Either way, he was somewhat
insulted that their first remark was either 'you're so young' or 'you're so small' it grated on his
nerves.

He never realized that he looked incredibly small with Zechs standing so near.

Zechs was watching the dancing crowd and enjoying a glass of wine, he despised champagne,
but enjoyed a nice glass of white wine. When Wufei said softy but quite clearly, 'Mother fuck'
he turned to see what the matter was.

Wufei was staring at four men bearing down on him from the very center of the room. One of the
men handed Wufei a paper.

Wufei opened it and read quickly. Right here in the middle of Lady Relena's spring ball four
members of the council of elders were trying to take Wufei into custody as a runaway. Wufei
just handed the paper to Zechs.

Zechs eyed the thing like it was slimy.

Wufei snorted. "You can't do this."

An elderly man reached out to pat Wufei, who slipped out from under the touch. "Now, now my
boy. We have your best interests at heart. You're the ward of the Eldest of the Elders. All we're
going to do is take you to him."

Wufei ground his teeth. "I'm the Eldest. Since I am, I'm already in my own custody. Idiot."

The other three were eyeing Wufei with narrowed eyes and sullen expressions.

"You're too stubborn for your own good. You know you're too young to know what's best for
you. The council will decide what you should do and who you should marry. You have
responsibilities. "

Wufei backed up against Zechs who motioned to someone out of Wufei's line of sight.

"I know exactly what responsibilities you're speaking of. I tend to them quite well thank you."
"You don't understand."

Wufei turned to the three middle-aged men. "Yes, I understand quite well. What do you really
want?"

Zechs started to say something but Wufei held up a hand saying softly. "Let's hear them out. I
want to know exactly what I'm dealing with"

Zechs dipped his head. "Very well. We'll listen"

Wufei shot him a grateful look.

The man in the middle stepped closer to Wufei. "If you sign these, we'll arrange for you to be
the ward of someone else. The eldest isn't interested in you, only in these stocks and bonds. We
need them, for reasons you wouldn't understand."

Wufei raised one eyebrow and took the papers. He flicked through the pages and nearly
screamed in pure frustration. Not for himself but for the council of elders. They wanted all the
most worthless stocks the clan owned. They'd looked purely at the number of shares owned.

"And the other stocks?"

"We don't want them. You're free to keep them. They should supply you with a reasonable
income."

"And if I sign, you'll go away and leave me alone forever?"

The man started to say yes, but one of the others shook his arm. "The DNA, don't forget the
DNA."

Wufei stiffened. They couldn't have that, not for any amount of money, pleading, or threats. His
children would never fall into the hands of the council of the Chang clan. That he would never
allow.

"NO! Absolutely not. That is black mail of the worst sort." Zechs loomed over the smaller, older
men like an avenging angel. Wufei thought absently that he looked wonderful.

"Please, love. I can handle this bunch of ghouls." Wufei turned his gaze back to the men. "Do
you have a print pad with you?"

One of the men produced the four-inch square, computerized finger print scanner. He held it out
to Wufei.

"Put in on search mode. Full scan for personal ID."

The man did as Wufei requested and held it out again. Wufei placed his right index finger on the
pad and waited for it to scan. When it was done scanning Wufei ordered the men to read the
identification, with a picture, that appeared. He got a trio of stunned looks and one filthy one.

"Now, I do believe that you know who you're dealing with."

Zechs loomed a little more pointedly.

Wufei examined the list of stocks and bonds again. "I'll sign all these over to you gladly." Wufei
produced a sheaf of papers from somewhere in his robes. "You sign here . . . here . . . and here. I
assume that you are truly representatives of the Clan Council. I would be so disappointed if you
were not." Wufei gave them a fierce look. "And you wouldn't like me when I'm disappointed. I
don't handle it well."

Zechs twitched. "'Love, you don't have to sign anything over to them if you don't want to."

Wufei shot him a warning look. "I'm willing to acquiesce to some of their demands in order to
rid myself of their annoyance. Allow me to know what I'm doing, please."

Zechs frowned but quieted himself. He glared at the four men with such icy fury that they began
shifting uncomfortably.

Wufei signed papers where he was told. He also made sure that all four men signed his papers
where they were supposed to. Then he bowed, barely nodding his head.

"Thank you. Please go away now. I have no further use for you."

The DNA man started to say something but was jabbed in the side by another of the men who
hissed, "Not now. That is Peacecraft. We'll have to make other arrangements. The Chang
primary blood line ends with Chang Wufei. Enough!"

They turned away, but Wufei was afraid that he hadn't heard the last of the chubby man he
already thought of as "the DNA Freak."

Zechs sighed and Wufei turned to him. "I know you only want to help, but you won't do me any
good by undermining my position. I think you need to be punished."

Zechs blinked. "I'm sorry. But I need to see what you signed. You can claim duress and I'll back
you up."

Wufei handed Zechs the papers and shrugged. "See for yourself. I think the stocks and bonds I
traded for my freedom from the demands of the clan were well spent."

Zechs eyed the papers, what Wufei had said finally penetrating his brain. He decided that any
amount of punishment was worth making sure that Wufei hadn't been cheated.

Wufei plucked a glass of wine from a tray, then leaned against the wall. Zechs opened the papers
and scanned the list of stocks and bonds. What he saw left him vacillating between amusement
and outrage.

The Clan Counsel had made the mistake of looking at the number of stocks and the purchase
price, instead of the dividends they paid. They had taken the majority of the stocks, and left
Wufei with bonds and a few stocks. But the bonds were high interest bearing bonds and the
stocks were utilities and WEI. The stocks were fairly expensive, but there weren't that many
shares of any one stock. Zechs realized that they were all preferred and/or voting shares, which
made them much more valuable.

Then Zechs turned the page and nearly choked. Wufei had let the council have all the high
profile companies the clan owned. He'd kept the smaller and much more lucrative companies for
himself. Again the council had looked at the short term bottom line, the quarterly reports, instead
of the long term projections. The council had shortsightedly given Wufei all the best of the
investments and taken the high profile, low interest, troublesome ones. The same with the
companies

Zechs realized that while Wufei had effectively given away more than half his ownings, he was
still extremely rich.

Zechs handed Wufei back his paperwork and just looked at him, waiting for his explanation.

Wufei decided what he wanted and motioned Zechs to step out into the terrace.

"I gave them everything that I don't like or find less than lucrative. I don't like supervising some
of the companies, so I let them have those too. I kept all the best stocks, all the bonds and the
companies that don't need close supervision. I'll never spend even the interest from the bonds,
the dividends from the stocks Quatre is investing for me. And the companies nearly manage
themselves. Satisfied?"

Zechs nodded. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to be cheated. I hope I didn't make too much
trouble for you."

"Not enough to worry about, I think. But you interfered after I told you not to. That deserves a
punishment, don't you think?"

Zechs could do nothing but gulp and nod.

Wufei produced a cord from somewhere in his robes and motioned for Zechs to step into the
heavy shadows at one side of the terrace. Zechs gave him a puzzled look but went where Wufei
pointed.

Wufei quickly opened his fly and with quick fingers wrapped the cord around Zechs. Zechs
moaned as he felt the cord constrict him, Wufei had wrapped it around the base of his sex then
up the shaft. The knot he'd tied just behind the glans was going to be torture.

"Please." Zechs didn't know if he was pleading for mercy or more.

Wufei wrapped the cord down to Zechs's scrotum, crossed it between his testes, separating them,
the next knot was rather large and pressed into his perineum. Then Wufei carefully rearranged
Zechs clothing.

"Come. We should go back before Maxwell suspects something."

Zechs checked his clothing with trembling hands and followed Wufei.

#####