Seventy-Seven

Old Enemy

      I listened as Heero dealt with Brendon. His shoulder was bleeding again...the dumb ass was never going to let it heal...Nikki was putting pressure on it, at least...
      I let my mind wander as I leaned against Kris.
      Kyle...I was still surprised about that. I had no idea the asshole had any money...let alone enough to be a business associate of Quatre’s...
      What had Heero meant by what he said? He knew that Nikki and I...that it was last year...why did he imply it being so long ago...
      It occurred to me that he’d been joking. Not serious. Not annoyed. I’d been hoping he’d come to terms with it...but that was a little too much.
      It had to be the stress.
      I remembered glancing at him as he perked up and smiled...then looked suddenly pissed and was drawing his gun as Quatre knocked Nikki down. Then, Heero being knocked back as he readied to shoot, then him shooting and Quatre standing and shooting...then Heero was gone.
      I was moving to the door before it fully occurred to me what was going on...Zechs was with me and I had met Nikki’s eyes as long as I could without losing Heero. It was in that moment that I realized Nikki had been the target.
      Then we were careening further and further into that neighborhood...where we couldn’t see what was around the next corner...or in that next alleyway...next doorway...
      It had been a trap.
      Kyle hadn’t expected his sniper to actually kill Nikki...it just would have been a plus.
      When I’d finally caught up to Heero he’d been pissed that he couldn’t kill or question the fuck he’d been chasing...and I’d been the cause of that. Even though he’d known it was for the best...he wouldn’t have stopped if he hadn’t...well, he might have. He had a tendency to listen to commands...he’d had to let the anger out...as well as the frustration and pain.
      I wondered who he thought he was fooling. I, at least, could read the pain in his eyes, Nikki, of course, could read it...I doubted he had fooled anyone.
      I was in semi-shock that he’d let me look at his shoulder like that...that he’d let me do what needed to be done without saying anything...
      He’d definitely changed.
      I couldn’t believe it was Kyle, though. Like the rest of us, I had recognized him, but not placed him...he’d glared at Heero, Nikki, and I off and on as he stuttered to Quatre, but I had only thought it a bootlicker’s dislike of people getting in good with his pocket.
      I realized that he’d noticed we didn’t recognize him...Heero and I would have chased him off...and he’d taken advantage of that. He’d expected Nikki to be surprised.
      The poor fool.
      Someone tapped on the door.
      There was a wave of movement as Sam climbed off his lap and leaned against the desk beside him and Heero came and sat next to Wufei.
      Surprisingly, Nikki situated herself better where she sat.
      “Yes?” Quatre called when the rustling was done.
      A secretary entered, “Mr. Winner, there’s a Mr. Price to see you.”
      That sent a tense through the room.
      Quatre looked us all over, then nodded, “Very well. Please show him in.”
      She turned, but stopped before shutting the door, turning back to us with a startled look, “Mr. Marquise and Miss Noin are here...”
      Before she could finish Zechs pushed past her, followed by Lucratzia.
      Quatre stood and came around his desk, “Mr. Marquise...Miss Noin...” he shook their hands in turn. It only took me a second to realize it was because of the secretary... the formal greeting...
      “Would you like me to show Mr. Price in, still, Mr. Winner?”
      Quatre nodded, “Yes, please. Thank you, Miss Sheel.”
      She disappeared out the door and Zechs looked us all over.
      “What?” he demanded, picking up on the tension.
      I smiled, “You’ll never guess who Mr. Price is, Mr. Marquise...”
      “An old friend.” Heero added, “Someone who’d probably prefer not to have to face us again.” he also smiled.
      Zechs looked to Sally, “You tell them who set it up?”
      She nodded.
      “Then why...”
      The door opened again and the lady...evidently Miss Sheel...leaned in, “Mr. Price.”
      Quatre nodded as Noin and Zechs sat next to Kitty and Trowa.
      Kyle looked like a rat or something as he entered and I had to force myself not to jump him. It hadn’t occurred to me how badly I still wanted to hurt the bastard.
      “Mr. Winner...”
      Quatre shook his head, “Mr. Price. Please, come in, join us...” he gestured to the chair Sally had just vacated.
      Kyle looked at the chair, then up at Nikki, then over to me and Heero, his movements a bit furtive.
      Quatre emphasized his gesture and waited for him to start moving before returning to his own seat.
      Kyle sat across from him as Nikki slid over to be beside Sam, who joined her...it was a very wide desk. There was about a foot between the two.
      “How can I help you today, Mr. Price?” Quatre asked, sitting down.
      Kyle shrugged slightly, looking unnerved.
      We were all staring at him...I was almost positive that the guys were having the same time I was trying not to hurt him.
      “I was just coming to offer my regrets about the incident....”
      Quatre nodded and Heero shifted in a menacing type way.
      “I...I...I...I...” he was stuttering.
      Quatre frowned slightly, “What’s the matter, Mr. Price? Can I get you something...”
      Kyle shook his head, re-collecting his thoughts, “No, I’m fine. I just have a slight stutter on occasions. I apologize...”
      Quatre nodded as Heero stood and started pacing to one side and Sally sat next to Wufei.
      “I never thought you had enemies...” Kyle was watching Heero.
      Quatre smiled slightly at that, “I’m young, I’m successful, and I’m rich. Of course I have enemies.” he pretended to just notice Kyle’s distraction.
      Kyle turned back to Quatre embarrassed.
      Quatre smiled, sitting back, “How rude of me...you must forgive me...this attack on my assistant made me forget my manners...allow me to introduce you...” he turned to Sam, “This charming, wonderful, beautiful, young lady, is Samantha Killeine the love of my life...”
      Sam pretended to be overly charmed as she nodded at Kyle, then smiled deceptively at Quatre...I had to fight not to snicker, he had a way with brownie points...but Sam wasn’t appreciating it right now.
      “This...” he gestured to Nikki, “Is Nicole Kaze. My personal assistant...and dear friend...” he seemed to go into thought mode as she nodded, “If I ever find the bastard who hired that man to kill her, I’m going to see they pay...”
      Kyle was looking a bit pale.
      Quatre pretended to shake himself out of it, “...And I’m sure you recognize Mr. Marquise and Miss Noin.” he gestured to them and they nodded. Quatre moved on, “This charming...bright eyed...angel is Katie Seepa...another dear friend...”
      Kat nodded as Kyle tried not to glance at Heero.
      Quatre smiled, “I guess I don’t need to say that each time, these are all my dear friends.” he smiled, “My family, you might say...” he re-focused on Trowa, “This is Trowa Barton...an expert shot and agile fighter...” Trowa nodded.
      Kyle was still being distracted by Heero, but now he turned and saw me.
      He froze.
      I continued staring at him without blinking.
      “This is Duo Maxwell...” I inclined my head without moving my eyes. “He’s also an expert fighter and shot. Very observant.”
      Kyle swallowed as Quatre focused on Kris.
      “You look now on the wonderful woman who can light the day up with her smile...” out of the corner of my eye I saw Kris give Quatre a look, “A woman whom I must have been blessed to meet...” Kyle swallowed and glanced at her, “Krystal Turren.”
      I gave Quatre a look.
      He winked and I realized he was enjoying himself, pulling shit out of his ass. He had lounged back when Kyle had turned away from him and now could take his time introducing the others.
      I turned back to Kyle, catching his eyes again as Kris nodded.
      “And now, Chang Wufei. A talented fighter in all fields...and most impressive with a sword...”
      I noted Wufei tilt his head.
      “Where is your sword, by the way?” Quatre asked.
      Wufei smiled slightly, “By the door, Quatre. I’m surprised you didn’t see it...”
      There was a shift of people looking that way as Kyle broke his gaze away too...it wasn’t that we hadn’t noted it at his hip...it was that Kyle needed to be lead a bit. Wufei had intended to practice today.
      I glanced quickly, seeing the shining metal and looking back to Kyle.
      Kyle avoided my eyes this time as he focused on Sally.
      “Of course you recognize the wonderful and talented Sally Poe.” Sally nodded.
      Kyle regained a bit of his composure.
      “Which brings us, to Heero.”
      Kyle took a breath and looked up to him.
      “Heero Yuy...I’ll have to refrain from a description at this moment.” he smiled.
      Heero didn’t nod, he just watched him.
      Kyle looked down, not being able to continue meeting his eyes.
      Heero rolled his eyes quickly, then suddenly smiled, “Mr. Price, I’m glad to see you again.”
      Kyle looked up in surprise, “It’s nice seeing you again too, Mr. Yuy. May I ask how your shoulder is?”
      Heero shrugged, his eyes masking his pain...I almost didn’t notice it... “I don’t even notice it...”
      “But certainly, Mr. Yuy...” Kyle protested, “It must cause you a lot of pain...”
      That sounded almost hopeful...
      Heero shrugged again, “No, not really. It hasn’t bothered me at all.”
      Kyle nodded, “That’s good.” he seemed sullen, “I’m sure I would be in a lot of pain...”
      Heero grinned, but lost it before Kyle looked back up and shrugged.
      Kyle looked back to Quatre, “So have you found any information out about it?”
      Quatre shook his head, “Like I said before, I’m young, I’m successful, and I’m rich. I’m sure I have enemies I don’t even know exist...” a slight grin lit his face, “Not to mention the enemies who think they’re stronger than me but are sadly mistaken.”
      Kyle tilted his head slightly.
      Quatre ignored that, “Whomever it is...” he mused, “Doesn’t realize that I have resources at hand that they may never have dreamed of...”
      It was fun to covertly threaten the asshole.
      “All legal, I trust...”
      Quatre pretended to jump back to reality, “Of course. I will exercise every legal avenue at my disposal to bring this man...or woman...to justice. I will not permit attacks on my personal circle. I will not allow assassination attempts to stand.”
      Kyle nodded, thinking,.
      Quatre smiled, watching him intently, “Of course, I have a few more legal avenues at my disposal than most...”
      Kyle looked up.
      Quatre receded again and we sat in silence.
      Nikki, though, was evidently getting uncomfortable...and I realized why.
      While Kyle had mainly avoided looking at her, his eyes had dropped...at first. He was watching her from his peripheral vision. He probably didn’t notice her nervousness, but I was sure everyone else did...it was amazing how well we all knew each other...
      Heero started pacing again and I could feel his tension...and picked up on it.
      I sat back, starting to flick my leg...unintentionally. It was either that, or kicking his ass...evidently Quatre had plans for him so that wouldn’t work...
      Quatre sat up, also catching the tension.
      “I’m sorry...but like I said, this attack has me worried. I forget myself sometimes...please don’t let me hold you if you have things to attend to. I have a feeling that I won’t be much more focused than this...”
      Understanding...or maybe not...Quatre’s dismissal, Kyle stood, “I understand.” he glanced at Nikki and refocused on Quatre, “I hope you have a good day...”
      Quatre nodded and accepted his hand, also standing.
      Kyle tilted his head to Nikki, “Miss Kaze...”
      She inclined her head.
      Kyle smiled, “May God protect you from further meddling...”
      I exchanged a look with Quatre over his shoulder, I had every intention of that...
      “Thank you, Mr. Price. May your protector watch over you as well.” her tone was cold...but not...neutral...
      Kyle nodded, then turned and looked everyone over, “Everyone...please excuse me...”
      The girls nodded as well as Zechs. The rest of us just sort of watched him...Nikki did that too.
      He left quickly.
      Heero threw a pen across the room before he thought about it. It bounced off the wall above Trowa’s head and landed on the floor in front of him.
      Heero shook his head, “Sorry.”
      Trowa affirmed that with a nod.
      Heero started pacing again for a moment, then went to Nikki, wrapping her in his arms around her and murmuring in her ear.
      I had Heero’s restlessness now, so I stood and started pacing...I couldn’t just sit there.
      “So what’s your plan?” I finally asked Quatre, turning to him.
      He shrugged, “We’ll see.”


      I couldn’t stand it.
      Kyle thought he had ingratiated himself with Quatre...he came every day and talked, acting like a concerned friend...seeing if he’d wiped his trail enough.
      And he watched me.
      He watched me all the time. I’d taken to sitting on Quatre’s desk instead of anywhere else...he wouldn’t focus on me, he’d used his peripheral vision to look at me.
      Quatre apologized to me continually...explaining that he wanted his friends close, but his enemies closer...he wanted to keep Kyle under thumb.
      I understood, but Kyle scared me...or, at least, what he was capable of scared me.
      I slid off the desk and started out the door without looking at anyone.
      Heero and Duo exchanged glances, then Duo followed me.
      The others were at our hotel...Quatre’d rented the entire top floor for us...but having Heero and Duo here reassured me...not that Quatre couldn’t take care of anything, but Heero and Duo had always been there for me...not to mention that Kyle was scared of them.
      “Hey...” Duo caught my arm, stopping me, “...are you okay?”
      I allowed him to pull me into his bear-hug and direct me into the empty lounge. It was directly across from Quatre’s office. The walls were all glass, but the curtains were all down. We had started to keep the curtain on Quatre’s door down too.
      Duo looked down at me without letting go, “What shall we say you were doing?”
      I smiled, “Restroom break.”
      He laughed, “Sounds good to me. We’ll have to go in shortly. We should get stuff to drink too...”
      I smiled larger, getting an idea, “I’ll bring in Quatre’s tea, Heero’s juice, and my Pepsi. I won’t even look at Kyle...and I’ll sit next to Heero so he can’t watch me...” I stopped myself from shivering.
      Duo squeezed me, “Don’t worry about it...”
      I sighed, “I’m not worried. I just...”
      He kissed my forehead, “I know...I know...”
      We were silent as we carried out my petty plan.
      Kyle watched me as I handed Quatre his cup and disappeared out of his immediate view, holding the juice and Pepsi.
      Duo, however, didn’t give it time to settle as the insult I was intending. Instead, he handed Kyle his drink before I sat down.
      Kyle’s eyes registered surprise as he turned back to Quatre...
      Quatre’s eyes also held slight surprise, but I winked after Kyle looked away.
      “Thank you, Omaesan...” Heero muttered appreciatively.
      “No problem, Koibito...” I kissed him.
      Quatre laughed, “So if I say thanks will I get a kiss?”
      I smiled without saying anything.
      He grinned to Kyle, who was looking a bit green, then looked back to me, “Thank you.”
      I smiled and stood, crossing the room and kissing him on the cheek.
      He laughed, “That’s not exactly what I meant...”
      I ruffled his hair and he jerked his head away, giving me a look.
      We were slowly reverting to normal when Kyle was here.
      “Hey...” Duo said, “Thanks...”
      I laughed at him and crossed to him, starting to kiss him on the cheek also. But, seizing the moment, he turned it into a real kiss.
      I pulled back smacking him in the chest, “Duo!”
      He started laughing as he wiped his mouth...then he was hit in the head with a pillow.
      “Watch it...” Heero warned, sitting back.
      Quatre, Duo, and I laughed as Kyle watched, unsure.
      “Sorry, Heero...couldn’t resist...”
      Heero nodded, “I understand...but will Kris?”
      Duo laughed, “Oh, shit...”
      “Yeah, buddy...oh shit...I can’t wait to tell her...”
      Duo sat back, looking out the door with a grin.
      I returned to Heero and sighed as I crawled on his lap. He enfolded me in his arms without a word.
      I sighed, listening as they started talking...I shifted so I was more comfortable and could hear Heero’s heart...
      “Shh...shh...Nikki...”
      I stopped trying to fight the arms that held me when I realized it was Heero.
      I sat up, blinking.
      They were watching me.
      I swallowed, trying to push back the memories...
      “Are you all right?” Heero asked, concerned.
      I nodded.
      “Bad dream?” Duo asked.
      To say the least. I nodded again, “Yeah...” I snuggled closer to Heero.
      “Come on...” he readied to stand, “You can tell me about it...”
      I allowed him to lead me into the hall as Quatre, Duo, and Kyle watched.
      We crossed to the lounge and he shut the door, locking in it, “Was that what I thought it was?”
      I nodded, feeling a little sick to my stomach.
      He sighed, sitting next to me on the couch, “You were fighting me...trying to get out of my arms...” He looked upset.
      “I’m sorry...I couldn’t help it...” I crawled on to his lap again, “I was scared.”
      He nodded, looking like he’d swallowed a bug, “I know...” he swallowed, “I could feel your heartbeat...”
      I pulled myself tighter to him, “I’m sorry...”
      He tightened his arms, “It wasn’t your fault...” he went silent for a while, “I just wish I knew what Quatre was up to...I know he says that shit about friends and enemies...but I know him better than that. He knows something and hasn’t told us yet...I get the feeling he’s searching him out...” he sighed, “Anyways, as soon as he’s done with him I’m gonna get over my amnesia and that little boy who plays at being a man will learn first hand what it’s like to have me as an enemy...”
      I nuzzled his neck, “I love you.”
      He sighed, “I love you too.”

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Kyeian