Fifty-One

Round Three

      My judgment was off that evening. I could walk a straight line, of course, and all that other crap...but my judgment...
      I was well on the way to drunk.
      Nikki was watching me with a worried expression, so were the others...I wondered why they were worried...
      Relena didn’t seem to notice, she was enjoying my attention. She particularly seemed to enjoy my compliments, because she looked pretty. She also kept throwing smug looks at Nikki.
      Nikki ignored her and continued to watch me, her eyes haunted...she must really understand now, what had been happening...
      Suddenly she was beside me, pressing a cup of...water?...on me. Oh yeah...I had been drinking, if I didn’t drink some water I’d have a horrible hang-over in the morning...
      “Zechs, can you help me get him upstairs?” she asked.
      “What!” I demanded...I’d expected...and hoped...that she would ask Duo...then we could talk...she always asked Duo...
      “Shh.” she murmured without looking at me.
      “What do you mean, help him upstairs?” Relena asked, “He’s perfectly fine...”
      I smiled at her, if she only knew...
      Zechs ignored his sister and nodded to Nikki.
      “No.” I said quietly to her... “Not him...”
      She looked at me questioningly.
      I glared at her a moment, couldn’t she tell?
      With some surprise, she realized what I meant. “All right.” she muttered, “Never mind, Zechs, Duo will help me.”
      Duo was surprised, but he stood to help me anyway. The look he gave her reminded me of why I was mad at him, but I buried that. He had Kris now...and that look was just questioning...
      I walked between them up the stairs, finding it amusing when I nearly fell over.
      They didn’t, however.
      Nikki shook her head, still seeming haunted as the growing tension mounted.
      Finally we stopped, “Heero, I’m sorry...” Duo started, “I know I that that doesn’t make it better. But I...”
      “Took advantage of a situation to get layed?” I asked coldly.
      Hmm...it was harder to forgive him than I thought...
      “Tcch...” Nikki wasn’t expecting that.
      I turned to look at her, “Isn’t that what happened?”
      “No.” she said falteringly, “He was...”
      “Deciding to get layed.” I repeated.
      Duo wasn’t looking at us, saying nothing in his own defense.
      I turned glared at him.
      He remained silent.
      “Ai...” she started.
      I turned to her again, “Nikki...” if I said anything now, she would get pissed at me, that didn’t bode well for our relationship...what was left of it.
      She swallowed, tears in her eyes. “I am sorry.” she stated clearly. “I have been...selfish...and cruel...and...” tears spilled onto her face, “Now I’ve topped myself...this is more than I’ve ever done before...”
      We both watched her, not sure what to say, I could see Duo still his movement of comfort.
      She sobbed slightly, “Now I’ve ruined a friendship...” tears were streaming down her cheeks as she looked at us, taking a step back, “I don’t know how I managed it...great victory for me, huh?”
      Then she was gone, running down the hall.
      Duo and I exchanged a glance, and I felt bad, seeing the truth of what she said.
      Wordlessly, we started after her.
      She didn’t realize the power her tears had over me. Seeing her crying...I may still be mad at him, and he may have actually decided to have sex with her when he knew how I felt, but we both cared for her...for all of them...
      Maybe forgiving him was the better course. He’d always been my friend...and yeah. He’d known...but then again, I hadn’t told Nikki...
      Memories of fun things we’d done in the past came to me...even as I remembered how he’d been acting for a month or so after Nikki’s brother’d tried to break her from us.
      It made sense now.
      Nikki was running away from us as fast as she could...we both decided not to let this go on too long and followed, stretching out our strides to stop her, “Hey, Duo...”
      “Yeah?”
      “I accept your apology...but we still need to talk...”
      He smiled slightly, “Yeah, we do...but first, let’s get her calmed down...”


      My head was pounding...but Nikki was next to me...
      I rolled over and held her close to me...to my relief, she didn’t fight it, she buried her head into my chest.
      I sighed heavily, thinking over what had happened...I remembered the look he’d given me when I’d asked him if he wanted to get drunk...that was after we had her asleep, and after I’d nearly punched him again when he admitted that he had remembered I wanted her, but hadn’t stopped...of course, he had pointed out how hard it was to stop when she was...initiating...
      He’d also admitted that it hadn’t been a one night stand.
      It had went on just about the entire time Wufei was there...and a while after that.
      A lot of things that I’d put to the back of my mind...like calling Nikki in the middle of the night and having no answer...made sense now. She may not have known my feelings, but she knew I’d force her to tell Sam...which she’d been desperately avoiding...hence the year long silence.
      I sat up partly, reaching for my cup of water, looking around.
      Nikki woke up, looking at me as I downed the glass of water, she pulled away and sat on her knees. She still looked haunted as she watched me silently, tears trying to find a way out.
      I flinched and closed my eyes as the alarm shrieked...hissing in pain...
      Quickly she leaned over and hit the snooze button and turned it off, “Are you all right?” she whispered as I breathed deeply...
      “Yeah...” I muttered, rubbing my face with one hand, bracing my head against it and opening my eyes...
      She was holding her hand out, in it were two ibuprofen, “These should help.”
      I took a deep breath and swallowed one, she pressed the cup of water on me and I drank deeply...before realizing I’d drained the cup...I looked around, there was a full pitcher on the nightstand...oh yeah, I had got that before I went to sleep...
      “Drink...” she muttered.
      I downed the other pill and that cup of water. Passing it back to her, I lay back down, wishing I hadn’t drank that last screw driver...and whatever else I had after that... “Thanks...”
      She lay beside me on her stomach, propping herself on her right elbow and running her left hand through my hair.
      I smiled ruefully at her, hoping she realized that Duo and I were friends again.
      “What’s going on?”
      I sighed heavily, “Nothing.”
      Her brow furrowed, “What do you mean?”
      I smiled slightly, “Well, after you went to sleep, we talked, for a long time. It’s pretty much smoothed over now, but he did have sex with you...” I shrugged, “That still bothers me, but...” I shrugged again, “So nothing’s happening...other than this horrible headache I know he must have too...” I squeezed my eyes shut.
      “I’m so sorry...” she repeated again, her voice breaking, “I really...”
      I sighed, “Nikki, you don’t really have anything to be sorry about. I didn’t tell you how I felt...and there were some extenuating circumstances. Had I not been worried about Wufei seducing you, I would have been there when your brother called and the entire thing wouldn’t have happened.” I wiped the tears off her cheeks.
      She smiled slightly at me, “Wufei seducing me?” she repeated.
      I nodded, “At that point, no one told him no. He was the guy all the girls wanted. I guess I was scared that he might take you away from me...” I looked away from her, trying not to think of what had happened, “So I let Duo do it instead...”
      She shook her head, “Duo didn’t take me away from you...no one could take me away from you...”
      I leaned up and kissed her, then smiled.
      She smiled, kissing me back, “I love you. I have loved you for years... Nothing scared me as much as the thought of losing you...nothing scares me more... I have so much I need to make up for...I don’t deserve you...”
      I smiled at that, “I don’t deserve you. I love you.”
      She met my eyes, “I love you.”
      For a while we just lay there and watched each other.
      She could make me so mad, so fast...and nothing was more soothing than her caress when I was stressed...and I loved her.
      She started running a hand through my hair again and I sighed...that felt good...I was going to tell her as much, but instead, I fell back asleep...
      She held one finger up to her lips, as she stepped back to allow us in... “Sam is sleeping...” she muttered.
      I wondered who she was, and who Sam was.
      Her eyes were on me as she shut the door, I looked to Kevin questioningly.
      He smiled, “Nikki Kaze.” he said, then turned to her, “Nikki, this is Heero Yuy...”
      Her eyes were slightly wide as she shook my hand, “Nice to meet you...”
      Wondering why she was staring at me, I shook her hand, nodding.
      “Kev, why are you walking around in the middle of the night...” with an effort she pulled her eyes from me.
      Kevin smiled at her as the twits...Melanie and Jessica...walked in, nearly hitting Nikki with the door, closing it again.
      She grinned at them, “Please don’t tell me you’ve stooped so low as to fuck him...” she gestured to Kevin over her shoulder with her thumb.
      Melanie flushed slightly.
      Jessica laughed, “Hi, Nikki, nice seeing you again too...”
      I noticed that Nikki didn’t really seem to like these two.
      He grinned, ignoring them, “I didn’t hear you complainin’...”
      Melanie shot Nikki a dark look that she either ignored or didn’t see, I got the impression that she was ignoring it, though.
      She laughed at him, “You know when a child’s doing something, and it’s not turning out very good...but you can’t discourage them...”
      They laughed at that, even Kevin...which surprised me, she had just shot a huge hole in his ego...
      She smiled, “Just kidding, I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last guy in the colonies...”
      “You just make him think you’ll fuck him...” Jessica murmured with a titter of laughter.
      Nikki winked, “One does one’s best...” her eyes landed on me and she smiled.
      “Oh no, Nikki, this one’s got diplomatic immunity...”
      I smiled. Wondering, basically, what was going on and what he meant by that.
      She looked at him, “Does he now?”
      Kevin smiled, “Come here...” he gestured with his head to a door.
      She followed him, ignoring Melanie’s glare.
      “Have a seat.” Jessica offered, eyeing me as if she would offer more.
      I smiled, “Thanks.”
      Everything was situational...
      I sat down in a chair, and, as I’d figured, she sat on the arm of it. She ran her hand through my hair and I tried not to laugh.
      This wasn’t the situation.
      Melanie glared at her a moment, then settled on the floor in front of me.
      I smiled at her too, listening to Nikki and Kevin talking.
      “Can you baby-sit?” he asked her.
      Her voice was too quiet to work out.
      “He doesn’t want to stay in the dorms...”
      Her replies were too quiet...
      Eventually, Kevin laughed disdainfully and I heard her chuckle.
      After a bit of silence, she seemed to laugh under her breath.
      I fought the urge to go investigate.
      She came out first, looking...smug...amused...When he came out, he was looking...frustrated...I couldn’t tell if he wanted to kiss her, or hit her.
      Surprise, surprise... She had been playing her games...
      What games...
      I was confused a moment.
      She smiled at me and handed us all cans of Pepsi.
      Things seemed to blur and then she met my eyes and a slow smile spread across her face, “He can stay.” she said firmly as I smiled back.
      That stopped them, we were still meeting eyes.
      “What?” Kevin asked, seeming annoyed.
      She turned to him, her eyes low and amused, “He can stay.”
      He looked none too happy.
      There was another blur and I knew that she’d told them they had five minutes...and he’d told her I was emancipate...they knew I wouldn’t allow anyone to control me anymore.
      We watched as he joined the twits and they started running.
      She sighed, shaking her head.
      I followed her to the door and stopped right behind her, noticing she smelled good...
      She hadn’t realized I was there, now, she turned and jumped, “Jesus...” she muttered, trying to step back.
      I smiled at her, “That was good...”
      Her eyes opened wide, “I thought...”
      “That I didn’t speak English?” I grinned.
      “Well, he said something about diplomatic immunity...”
      I grinned, “Yeah. He did. Sorry if I scared you...I forget myself sometimes...”
      Somehow, I realized I was dreaming...
      I looked her over, not moving, “Where do I sleep?”
      “Out on the street if you don’t move your ass so I can get in.” she replied, annoyed, and I could see goose-bumps on her arms.
      I smiled, stepping back, “You really think you could throw me out?”
      She glared at me, “Want to see?” I could tell she was shocked.
      I smiled, looking her over, “Not really.”
      “Fine. The couch.” she shut the door and locked it. Then pushed passed me into the living room, then through a door, I could hear her moving around and the sound of someone else sleeping.
      The dream blurred and we were in the kitchen.
      “Want a burrito?”
      I was surprised, “Yeah, sure...” I followed her. “How old are you?” I asked finally. She had to be about seventeen...
      She glanced at me over her shoulder and hesitated, “Fifteen.”
      That was surprising, “Where are your parents?”
      She hesitated again, “At home...”
      I watched her again, she was really pretty...
      “I take it that’s not here...” then I remembered, “Kev said you were an emancipate...” I leaned against the island.
      She nodded. I looked her over, she was wearing pajama bottoms and a tank top and her hair was in this bun-like thing.
      “Why?” I asked, continuing to watch her.
      She seemed uneasy as the micro-wave beeped. She passed me a burrito on a plate, “Events.” she waved her right hand in a dismissive gesture.
      Something shiny caught my attention and I grabbed her wrist, setting the burrito down.
      She was shocked and swallowed hard, not pulling her hand from me, “I’ve seen this before...” I muttered, not realizing I hadn’t let go.
      “Heero!” she protested finally, trying to yank her hand away.
      I didn’t let go, “Damaru! Let me think...” it occurred to me she was scared.
      “Heero...”
      “Damaru...”
      “Don’t fucking tell me to shut-up.” Nikki snapped.
      I woke up slowly, Nikki was annoyed.
      I blinked, “Sorry, Omaesan...I was dreaming...”
      Her forehead furrowed, “What about?”
      I smiled, “When we met...”
      My head felt remarkably better, but I hadn’t had to pee that bad in a long time...
      I stood up and nearly lost my balance.
      Nikki, who had been sitting on her knees on the bed, stood put her hands on my shoulders, “You all right?”
      “No. I feel like shit...”
      “I’m sorry...it’s no one’s fault but your own, you know.”
      I sighed, “I know. I’m fine now...” I shrugged off her hands and started to make my way across the room.
      I did really feel like shit.
      She was sitting on her knees on the bed again when I came back out, I looked her over, she was wearing pajamas similar to the ones she had that night...
      I smiled at her. She looked good like that.
      She was watching me with an unsure look, “Are you mad at me?” she asked finally, her voice making her seem vulnerable.
      I collapsed forward onto the bed. “Not really...”
      She was silent and I looked up to her, her eyes were full.
      I smiled slightly, “I love you.”
      “I’m sorry...”
      I shook my head, “I’m not mad at you, Ai, but...”
      She nodded, “I know...I understand...”
      “I love you.” I repeated.
      “I love you too.”
      I sat up, pulling her to me, then I just held her.
      After a while, she pulled back, “It’s time for breakfast.”
      I kissed her, “Well, let’s go...”
      We joined the others in Trowa’s room. They were all watching me.
      I noticed that Wufei wasn’t here yet and sat down in my usual spot, accepting a plate from Nikki, wondering who got the food.
      Nikki was talking to the others as if nothing had happened, she didn’t seem as haunted.
      I looked to my watch... “Shit...” I muttered. Everyone fell silent, looking at me.
      I looked around the room, meeting eyes, “It’s eight...”
      Nikki nodded, smiling slightly, “Yeah...We didn’t get here ‘til seven-thirty.”
      They started talking again.
      The door opened and Wufei came in, followed by Sally.
      “Good morning, all.” she said happily.
      We all smiled and greeted her and she got a plate.
      Finally, I stood up and approached Duo. We had decided to let the others know we’d reconciled, and, just because it was fun, we were over-dramatizing it.
      I noticed everyone tensing but Nikki.
      Duo stood, looking like someone ready to fight...tension began to build, he shook his head when it nearly became tangible, “I’m sorry.”
      I offered my hand, “I’m sorry too.”
      We shook hands, “Now...Do you want to get drunk tonight?” I smiled.
      He grinned, thinking about it as there was a visible reduction of tension, “Yeah,” he said, nodding, “Let’s get drunk.”

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Kyeian