Twenty-three

Argument

      I woke suddenly, hearing my cell-phone ring, looking at the clock, five.
      Who was calling me at five in the morning?
      “Hello?”
      Nikki was so deep into her sleep that she didn’t wake.
      “Heero? It’s Relena, want to join me for breakfast?”
      I blinked, clearing my mind, thinking about it, “Sure...when?”
      “Probably around seven. Sorry I woke you.”
      “Mmm...don’t worry about it...where do you want to meet at?”
      “I was thinking we could have a personal breakfast...in my room.”
      “Sounds good to me.”
      “All right!” I could tell she was happy, “I’ll see you then...”
      “Yeah. See you then.”
      “Bye...”
      “Bye...” I smiled.
      There was a hesitation and then she hung up.
      I wasn’t so sure if it was a good thing or not that she reminded me of the more innocent girls I got involved with...
      I yawned, leaning over Nikki to set the alarm.
      “What are you doing?” she murmured sleepily.
      “Setting the alarm.”
      She yawned, “Why?”
      “I’m going to have breakfast with Relena.”
      “What?” this was more awake and I looked down at her, “Why?”
      “Because she asked me to.”
      She watched me tiredly a while, “Are you still mad at me?” she asked in a meek, tired voice.
      I hated that tone...she didn’t know it though...but...God...that tone...yeah, stab a knife into my heart...
      “A little. Go back to sleep.”
      She sat up, “But I thought...”
      “That I would be a nice boy and get over it? You were a bitch.”
      Her tired eyes were hurt and she looked around the room, thinking. She met my eyes again, tears in her own, “I’m sorry...”
      I shrugged, “I know...” Tears trailed down her cheeks and I couldn’t help but wipe them away, “This isn’t a revenge thing.”
      She looked away again, “Why don’t I believe that?”
      I watched her a second, she just didn’t get it. “What’s your problem with me fucking her?”
      She looked at me, her eyes hardening, “I don’t know, Heero.”
      We met eyes and I shook my head, “Don’t lie to me, Nikki.” I caught myself before I could yell at her, “Don’t fucking lie to me.”
      She looked away, but didn’t respond. She remained silent a while and stood up, heading for the bathroom.
      I lay back again as she started the shower, trying to go back to sleep...she’d just fucked up my day...
      The phone rang and I jumped up as Nikki answered it, I instantly noticed her perfume, “Hello?”
      I blinked at her, looking at the clock, it was six-thirty...she only wore perfume when...Where the hell did she get perfume?
      She met my eyes a second as she started talking and reached over, turning off the alarm before it could go off, setting the phone down.
      “Who was it?” I asked as she sat down on the bed.
      “Someone who’s more considerate than others. At least they wait for a reasonable hour to call and invite people for breakfast.”
      “Tcch...” I rolled my eyes, realizing she was pissed again.
      That made me feel better for some reason.


      I sighed as Nikki made another bitchy comment to Heero and he rolled his eyes.
      How could they still be acting like this? Yesterday they had been fine...and now...
      “Trowa...come dance with me...” Kitty tugged on my arm.
      I smiled at her, standing.
      Today had almost been uneventful. I couldn’t stress the ‘almost’ enough.
      Heero had eaten breakfast with Relena...to the chagrin of Nicole...and she wasn’t all too happy to see him when he did show up again at ten or so. Wufei was still pissed at her, too, causing a few interesting confrontations throughout the day...
      Then Heero and Duo had went off on Sam and Kris again for taking off...then Quatre had complained about everyone arguing...only to be turned on...
      Not me or Kitty, but the others...not really Kris either...only a bit.
      Lunch had been eaten in our rooms...and I could only imagine that Nikki and Heero were arguing again.
      Dinner was eaten with almost rigid small talk, and of course, Nikki’s hidden insults...not to mention Sam’s. I couldn’t figure out which of the two were worse.
      As the song ended, Quatre came up to us, “Come with me...we need to talk.”
      I nodded and we followed him to where Heero and Wufei were trying to out-drink each other near Relena, Quatre repeated his command and led us to where Nikki, Sam, and Kris were sitting.
      Duo noticed us and followed as Quatre led us into one of the many alcoves that lined the walls of his rather large...ballroom...for lack of a better term.
      Nikki sat next to Wufei, who was sitting opposite Heero...and Sam sat near her, along with Kris. I sat beside Katie and Duo next to her.
      Quatre dropped the curtain and turned to face us. “What’s going on?”
      Glances were exchanged, but no one said anything.
      “You two,” he pointed at Heero and Nikki, “Do enlighten us.”
      Nikki flicked her hair back, “Yes, Master...”
      He gave her a look and I was reminded how much he disliked that term.
      “Knock it off.” Heero told her, “You don’t need to be rude.”
      She glared across at him.
      “Well?” Quatre cut in before she could respond, heading off an argument.
      “She was being a bitch.” Heero stated calmly.
      “You were fine with her yesterday.” The Arabian was anything but happy.
      Neither of them seemed to notice that Nikki had turned to Sam. Sam was mouthing something to her quickly, but I wasn’t paying enough attention to get it.
      Heero met his eyes, “You saw her yesterday. I’m still her friend, no matter how much she pisses me off. Honestly, if you were pissed at someone you cared for and they came to you near tears, wouldn’t you be able to comfort them?”
      Nikki turned to him sharply...he seemed to emphasis the ‘to you...’ and she didn’t seem to appreciate it...he looked her up and down slowly...I rose an eyebrow to Duo, that was an awfully suggestive look.
      “Stop it!” Nikki was annoyed.
      He grinned, “Make me.” his eyes hadn’t left her.
      “Heero...” her voice was pleading and he met her eyes, startled, “I told you I was sorry...”
      He rolled his eyes, “I know.”
      She looked away, tears in her eyes.
      I’d never seen her like this...she was usually equal bitch to whatever he was doing...If not worse...
      Wufei put a comforting hand on one of her legs and I noticed Heero’s instant tense.
      So did Wufei. He smiled very slightly and began murmuring to her too quiet for us to hear, one hand cupping her face so she faced him.
      For some reason, she didn’t pull away, she continued to meet the Chinese man’s eyes and listen to what he was telling her.
      “You know what,” Heero started, shifting, “I’m going somewhere else.” he stood.
      That was lame.
      Nikki instantly lost interest in Wufei, “What?”
      He glanced at her, “You won’t even notice I’m gone.”
      She stood.
      He laughed slightly, giving Wufei a look that could only be described as triumphant.
      “Why are you being such an asshole!” Nikki demanded, stopping in front of him before he could leave.
      “Well, Nikki, you’re the one who said normal but pissed.” he seemed to forget anyone else existed, “You didn’t realize how right you would be. You had no reason to do any of what you did...” he paced her as she walked around him, putting herself between him and us.
      “No reason?” she shook her head, “You are one stupid son of a bitch...”
      “Whatever, at least I make sense.”
      She smiled, but the effect was lost because of her tears, “If you weren’t so fucking stupid, I would make sense too.”
      Heero didn’t get it, and I could agree that he was being stupid right now, “Why don’t you just go to bed.”
      “Why?”
      “Because you obviously didn’t get enough sleep.”
      She snorted, “Yeah, it’s my fault your bitch is in heat and called you for a quickie...”
      He looked like she was the last person he wanted to see anymore, “Well don’t worry, she won’t call tomorrow, I’ll be there already.” then he turned and walked out of the room.
      Quatre, Duo, Wufei, and I all stood and started for her.
      Nikki’s eyes overflowed and she closed them, turning...it was Wufei, however, that she went to.
      I noticed Duo exchange a glance with Sam and Sam nod slightly.
      Duo sighed heavily.
      I shook my head, how did I get mixed up with these people? Kitty had stood and now pushed me toward the door. Quatre fell into step behind me, and Sam followed, I glanced back as I headed for the bar to see Kris come out also.
      I hoped Duo knew what he was doing.


      Nikki snorted, “Yeah, it’s my fault you bitch is in heat and called you for a quickie...”
      Fuck...
      I saw how badly he wanted to leave now, “Well don’t worry,” his voice was cold and calculated to hurt her, “she won’t call tomorrow, I’ll be there already.” He didn’t look at anyone as he left and I was glad he wasn’t stupid enough to stay around after saying shit like that...
      How dumb could he get? Nikki had basically handed him her feelings and he had smashed them to pieces...which was why Nikki always refused to tell him how she felt, he thought it was more of her games and got pissed at her for it...
      I started for Nikki at the same time as the other guys did.
      Nikki was crying, she turned...to Wufei.
      I met eyes with Sam, hoping this wasn’t what it seemed to be...
      She nodded very slightly and I sighed, if anything, this could explode.
      Heero was using Relena, and Nikki was using Wufei...
      Everyone else left, knowing something was wrong here.
      After a few minutes, Wufei finally looked up at me.
      ‘You realize she’s playing you, right?’ I mouthed.
      He nodded, smirking, ‘This could get fun...’
      Why didn’t it surprise me that he had that view of it?
      ‘You realize that Heero’ll kill you if you do anything, right?’
      He gave me this grin, ‘Who’s the one who left, now?’
      ‘That’s not the point...’
      ‘...And we all know I’m scared of Heero.’ he added.
      “Wufei...”
      “Duo.”
      “What are you two saying?” Nikki asked, looking up to me, wiping her eyes.
      “Come here...” I said, offering my arms, only looking away from him for a second.
      It would have been fine if Wufei hadn’t decided to tell me the truth.
      She disengaged from Wufei and came to me, burying her head under my chin, “How can he be so stupid?” she demanded, and I could feel her tears on my neck.
      “Shh...” I rubbed her back comfortingly.
      Wufei was pissed, ‘Fuck you.’ it was very clear.
      ‘Fuck you. You don’t need to use her right now.’
      ‘Why not? She was going to use me...’
      I shook my head slightly, ‘Just leave, Asshole.’
      He glared at me, but did as I said.
      He didn’t seem to realize that she would just make it seem like she was going to go through with it...she wouldn’t actually do it...even if she didn’t know it.
      She looked up at me, “I’m losing him...”
      I shook my head, “No. You’re not. He just wants to sleep with her. Things will change after that...”
      I didn’t want to tell her she was right...I couldn’t do that...and I wasn’t even sure if she was or not. Heero had never pulled anything like that before. Never.
      “He was so pissed at me, Duo. He really was...I’ve said shit about his sluts before, but he’s never gotten that pissed at me for it...”
      “Nikki...”
      She was crying again, “Why doesn’t he understand...”
      “Because he’s angry. Whatever you did, you hurt him, then...” I shook my head, “I don’t know, Nikki. I really don’t.”
      She cried for a while longer, then finally pulled back, meeting my eyes, “You’re so sweet...” Then she was kissing me...it took every ounce of will for me to pull away.
      I shook my head, “Nikki, don’t do this.”
      She pulled herself to me again, but just for the comfort of it. “I’m sorry...but...”
      “You want to hurt him...but imagine what position that puts me in? Wufei in? If you’re going to toy with him, don’t use his friends.”
      “You know me too well.”
      I shrugged, “Well...yeah. This isn’t exactly a unique situation.”
      She pulled back and brushed her hair away, “Do I look horrible?”
      I smiled slightly, “No. If you wait in here a minute you won’t be able to tell that you were even crying.”


      Relena laughed...a tinkling laugh...
      I wondered how Heero could stand it. It was sickly sweet...and showed she was basically an innocent.
      I downed the contents of my drink and slammed the cup onto the counter, “I’m bored.” I informed Samantha.
      She smiled at that, “Bartender!” she signaled Wufei, “How could you let the lady be without a drink?”
      Wufei smiled at me, starting to mix something else.
      I could get Heero so easily...but Duo’s words stuck in my head...Wufei was willing though...
      I heard Relena giggle again and couldn’t help but turn and look.
      Heero was standing so close to her...leaning down and whispering in her ear...
      If he noticed me looking, then he hid it really well...
      Sam grinned, “Shall we start a strip-tease?”
      I grinned at her.
      She shook her head, “Right...too...showy. We can’t ruin Quatre’s reputation with sluttish activity...” her eyes were glittering.
      I nodded my agreement, “That could be bad.”
      “Hmm....shall...we....start a fight amongst the men-folk?”
      I smiled, “That has possibilities.”
      “All we’d have to do was...”
      We both thought about that and shook our heads, “Too much effort....”
      She thought for a second as Wufei set a glass in front of me and I took a sip, “That’s good.” I informed him.
      He smiled appreciatively, “I hope so, I made it special.”
      Sam made a pouty face, “Make me something special?”
      He grinned, “And if I don’t?”
      We glanced at each other.
      “I’m willing to fight.” she said, and we laughed.
      He chuckled, “That’s supposed to be a bad thing?”
      We both gave him an arch look.
      He held his hands up in surrender, “Sorry...sorry...” he started mixing something.
      We met eyes again as Wufei set a drink in front of her and retreated to the other end of the bar.
      “Want to have a cat fight?” Sam asked with a smirk.
      I nodded, “Sure...why not...then I’ll take off with Wufei...”
      She tilted her head at me, “I thought you were above that?”
      I smiled, “Only when he is.”
      She glanced around me.
      We were sitting at one end of the bar, Heero and Relena were at the other end, leaning against it...
      “Don’t do that, Nikki. Don’t sink to that level.”
      I sighed.
      “He might expect you to do it, you realize?”
      I shook my head, “I want to have some fun.”
      She sighed, “Don’t do it, Nikki.”
      “Why not? He’s completely willing...ask Duo...”
      “Would you actually sleep with him?”
      I smiled, “Everything is situational...and if he’s anything like that kiss...it’d be worth it...”
      She shook her head again, giving me a disgusted look.
      “Look at them? You think he’s not going to fuck her tonight?”
      “Just don’t turn into a slut because of him. I know you...you’ve done it before...”
      I couldn’t believe she’d just said that... “I have never...”
      She nodded, “Yes, Dear, you have.”
      “No...You’re the slutty one...”
      She gave me a look, and I could tell she saw Wufei looking at us...
      Suddenly her drink was in my face, “You bitch!”
      I gasped, completely shocked...and pissed...first she calls me a slut...then throws her drink in my face.
      “You fucking bitch!”
      I was moving before I noticed it, slapping her across the face...hard...
      Her eyes were more shocked then they should have been and it occurred to me what she’d thought I was doing...
      The cat fight.
      She started yelling at me...still shocked, but what she said meant nothing, it was the tone...and boy had I pissed her off. Now that I realized what was going on, I felt really bad...but we couldn’t let on...not in public...I matched her, word for word, phrase for phrase...she slapped me...hard, like I had her. There was a sharp pain and I was suddenly reminded of the gash on my cheek...I splashed my drink on her chest, as she jumped at me...oops. I had a feeling I’d just ruined the thing.
      Suddenly we were being pulled apart...it occurred to me that Heero was pulling me, and I noticed Wufei had her...Duo was nearby...concerned...until he noticed Krystal rolling her eyes and moving away...then he was pissed.
      We continued to yell at each other as we were pulled into the hall...
      The nice thing about that side of Quatre’s house was that there were only two doors and a long hall connecting them.
      Kris came out the door with her, and Duo out the one with me.
      Quatre was there already, an expression of mixed annoyance and concern...
      I broke free of Heero as Wufei let go of Sam, and sprinted toward her, still yelling...but only for show...

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Kyeian