Eighty-Two

The Next Hurdle

      “Nikki...”
      I turned to Relena in surprise as Nikki pulled back from me. We’d been kissing at a table.
      Nikki focused on her, “Yeah?”
      Relena had a none too happy look, and I felt a bit bad about it...but...
      “What’s going on?”
      Nikki sighed, “That letter was from Suretta Wester.”
      “That...” she started, recognition in her eyes.
      Nikki nodded, “Yep. Her.”
      “Why is she warning me?”
      Nikki shrugged, “I haven’t the foggiest. I just know that it’s from her.”
      Relena sighed, sitting across from us, “So what should I do?”
      Nikki shook her head, “Be careful.” she shrugged, “That’s all I can think of. Tell your drivers to be vigilant...your guard to keep extra watch...I don’t know if anyone’s trying to kill you or kidnap you...”
      I sighed, “If you’d feel safer you could stay with us.”
      Nikki gave me a look from the corner of her eye that was more a warning than distaste...she’d changed in the way she treated her...obviously, since she’d sat there and talked to her like that...like they were almost friends...for some reason, that made me uncomfortable.
      Relena thought about that, “I’ll see. I’ll talk to my brother and Quatre.”
      I nodded, starting to trace the design on Nikki’s skirt with my finger, “I think they might agree.”
      Relena stared into space to one side of us and made an inarticulate sound.
      I sighed again, stopping the motion as Nikki slid from my lap.
      “Did you enjoy dancing?” Nikki asked, leaning forward like they were old friends sharing a secret or something...
      Why did that seem so wrong?
      Relena smiled almost dreamily, “Yes. It was very fun...Wufei is really...”
      I snorted, feeling a little miffed, “Only because he’s got the balls to...”
      “To what?” Wufei demanded as he approached us.
      Nikki laughed, “What do you do, Wufei? I noticed you dancing a little close to her...”
      Wufei rolled his eyes, “And I dance even closer to you, so shut-up.”
      I gave him a level look and he grinned.
      “It’s fun. She smells good...”
      I rolled my eyes, looking to Nikki...she wasn’t annoyed about being told to shut-up, for some reason...she was amused...she did smell good...but he was just fucking with me. He had Sally and was very happy with her.
      “Only because I let your ass get so close...” Nikki returned, her eyes sparkling.
      I rose an eyebrow at her and she laughed delightedly.
      “Are you suggesting...” Relena started.
      We turned to her in surprise...I’d forgotten that she was a little delicate about things like this.
      “Saying what?” Wufei asked, sliding her over by sitting on the bench, “That I’m interested?”
      I couldn’t help but laugh and Nikki threw a napkin at him.
      ‘She’s serious.’ I mouthed quickly.
      Wufei chuckled as Relena looked at him wide-eyed, “Sorry. Just messin’ with ya.”
      “What did ya need?” Nikki asked.
      He looked at her and I could see the replies in his eyes, but...with a glance at Relena from the corner of his eye...he refrained from saying them, “Sally and I are gonna leave after I have another drink or three.”
      Nikki tilted her head, “Can you make me a purple passion? The ones here don’t taste so good...”
      He grinned, his look of pride, “Sure...come on...help me get on the other side of the counter...”
      I knew this was going to get interesting.
      Wufei slid out and went behind me to grab Nikki as she stood. He helped her hop the back of the bench without falling, then they disappeared toward the bar.
      “What are they doing?” Relena demanded, but the look in her eyes suggested she already knew.
      “Come on...” I stood, grabbing her arm and heading for the counter. “Stand close so he thinks we’re together...” I added as we got there.
      She mumbled something about ‘I wish...’ as she moved closer to me. It occurred to me that Nikki might not like this so much...but she was going to mess with the bartender and I didn’t like that...not to mention Wufei...
      We were standing near them as they also took up the stance as a couple...which didn’t bother me as much as I expected...and waited.
      The man finally made it over to them and Nikki leaned over the counter. She was wearing a low-cut shirt, so the man had a very engaging view...I noticed him having troubles focusing on her face...and made myself not react. She was just messing around, this was how it was supposed to be...she’d get mad if I acted...she might understand, but she’d be put out about it...
      “Can my baby...” she ran her hand up Wufei’s thigh and side, “...make me a drink, please?” her tone was meek and I couldn’t help but close my eyes as I felt Relena’s surprise at my arms tightening a bit...oops...I loosened them.
      “Well, Miss...” the bartender had managed to meet her eyes finally, but she leaned a little more forward and inhaled, “I...I...”
      “Please...he makes good drinks...he’ll make you one...please?” her tone had went even more meek and I looked down.
      “What’s the matter?” Relena asked as Nikki went on in the same tone...I noticed Wufei burying his head into her shoulder...making it look like he was kissing her neck...she reacted accordingly, lifting her head to the side a bit.
      “That tone...” I muttered, “I hate that tone...”
      “So ask her not to use it.”
      I sighed, “She doesn’t realize how successful it is...she only uses it now and then...”
      She listened. Nikki hadn’t changed her tone at all...I felt like walking away or something...but settled for hugging Relena a bit.
      Wufei was having similar problems, and I noticed him whisper something in her ear.
      Her tone eased a bit as she moved on.
      It took maybe five minutes max before Wufei was on the other side of the counter.
      Nikki come over to me and met my eyes. I grinned at her but didn’t let go of Relena.
      Wufei had made the man his drink, and he now stood there watching as Wufei made Nikki’s.
      “Make me one too.” I muttered quietly, hoping he heard me.
      He nodded as he handed Nikki hers and the other bartender started helping other customers.
      After a moment, he handed me my drink and looked to Relena, who stepped closer to the counter to say what she wanted. Nikki took her place, leaning up and kissing me before I could take a drink of my own...she tasted good.
      I pulled back and smiled at her, “That was nice.”
      She chuckled, taking a drink, not looking away from my eyes. I returned the smile as I drank my own and she settled against me.
      Relena turned back to us, but didn’t say anything as she drank her own as well.
      We were all amused that Nikki had pulled it off, and I had a feeling that Relena was getting over...me...
      I hated being conceited about things...
      Nikki smiled winningly and I focused on her as she turned to Relena. I looked to Wufei...who was mixing drinks for customers.
      “Do you normally drink so much?”
      That made me look at her...she’d had about three over her norm tonight...and I was sure it would kick in soon...if we were going to...
      Relena grinned, “I’ve had more, yes. How much have you had?”
      Nikki smiled, “Too much...it hasn’t kicked in yet...shortly I’ll be drunk off my ass and need to be carried out...”
      Relena smiled a bit, then turned to me, “You?”
      I shrugged, “Not enough. I’m too sober...but she...” I nudged Nikki, “Is getting drunk...thus flirtatious...and that makes me a bit nervous...” I shrugged.
      Relena laughed, “Do you think she’d do something with someone, then?”
      I laughed at that, “No. She wouldn’t. She would make them think she would...” I made a face, thinking of Kyle. “One of us needs to be sober...” Nikki nuzzled me a bit.
      We stood there and talked until Sally joined us, giving Wufei a level look.
      He focused on her, then smiled sheepishly, “I’m sorry...I got distracted...Nikki wanted...”
      “Nikki?” Sally asked him, turning to her.
      She turned to face the older woman, “I wanted him to make me a drink. So he did...”
      Sally rolled her eyes, “All right. Are you ready?”
      Wufei nodded, tossing something to the paid bartender, then hopping back onto our side.
      He flicked Relena’s hair, then Nikki’s, nodded to me, and then disappeared into the crowd with Sally.
      I shook my head as Quatre joined us, “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to go...So is Sam.”
      I nodded, turning to Relena. Relena nodded as well.
      “Uh...Quatre...” she muttered as Nikki and I started away.
      We found the others waiting near one of the doors, and in about two seconds Quatre and Relena had joined us.
      She accepted her brother’s offered arm...Lucratzia was on his other.
      “Why are you the one with the chicks?” Duo demanded playfully of him.
      Zechs shrugged, “I’ve always been a ladies man...”
      Relena smacked him as Lucratzia rolled her eyes.
      “What?” he demanded, looking down to her, “I didn’t do anything...”
      Nikki snickered and Relena gave her a look...causing more snickering from everyone.
      Zechs was pretending to be hurt and confused as Relena looked everyone over...allowing herself to be led completely. We followed them out, a few people snickering and a few rolling eyes...and a few sighing in tolerance.
      It had been a fun night...other than the warning to Relena.


      Relena was staying with us. She had been for a week now...it was surprising to how well we got along. It seemed to unnerve Heero, however.
      We were swapping stories as he sat in Duo’s room and complained...or I assumed from the looks Duo gave me.
      I snickered, “So...what did he say?”
      She grinned at me, “He tried to sweet talk me. The asshole...” she’d gotten less embarassed using such terms, “...said that he knew what I wanted and how to give it to me...”
      I rolled my eyes, “Typical male garble...”
      She nodded, “I know. And the richer they are...the more garbled it is...”
      I died laughing, “I wonder what Quatre would say about that...”
      She snickered, “We could ask him...”
      I laughed, “You want me to?”
      Her eyes were sparkling as she nodded, and I wondered what Sam was doing. They seemed to be avoiding me lately...I assumed that she, Kris, and Kitty must’ve taken off again or something.
      I winked, “Hey, Quatre!”
      Her mouth opened, “Nikki, don’t...”
      I snickered again.
      Quatre appeared from down the hall, “Yeah?”
      I schooled my expression and met his eyes, knowing my eyes were giving it away, “I’ve got a question for ya...”
      He looked us over and nodded, “Mm...really?” he sat on the coffee table in front of us, “What’s that?”
      Relena was watching me, wide-eyed.
      “The richer they are...guys...the more garbled it is...in reference to rich guys thinking they’re the best thing since sliced bread.”
      He gave me a look and started laughing, turning to Relena...she’d gone red, but other than that was normal.
      He checked his laughter, “Well, I couldn’t correctly answer that...”
      I wondered what he’d come up with.
      “...I have everything any woman could dream of...everything. So I don’t know about garbled information or puffed egos.”
      I had died laughing along with Relena...who was still embarassed.
      “Can you prove that?”
      Relena gave me a look as Quatre joined my laughter.
      He grinned, “Ask Sam. I’m sure she’d tell you.”
      Relena joined in the laughter and Quatre stood, “You two be good, or I’ll tell on you.”
      I rolled my eyes, “Tell who what?”
      He tilted his head, “Tell Heero you were trying to seduce me...I’m as convincing as you, Nikki-dear, I can make it look succesful.”
      I dropped my jaw, “You asshole!”
      He snickered, changing his breathing a bit and going wild-eyed, “Am I?”
      I started laughing and stood, moving close to him and running my knee up his inner thigh and nearly touching his skin with my lips, “I can make sure you’re not making shit up, if you’d like...”
      He nodded, he hadn’t moved, “You could...but please don’t...”
      I moved back grinning, “Run along now...go play with your friends.” I flicked my hands at him and he laughed, starting down the hall.
      Before he disappeared all the way, he turned and looked at me...with that penetrating look that made me self-concious...the one that noticed everything...
      After a moment he snickered and continued on his way.
      Relena looked at me, “What was that?”
      I looked at her, I’d almost forgotten she was there, “Which?”
      She was studying me, “Why were you doing that...at the end...”
      I smiled, “Because he would have told Heero I was being naughty...so I decided to point out that if he got me in trouble for it, I would get him in trouble for it...and keep Heero from getting mad at me.”
      She shook her head, “You people...”
      I smiled, “How did you get mixed up with us?”
      She laughed, “How did you know?”
      I winked, “You’re not the only one who’s said it...it’s said quite frequently by everyone but Heero and myself....even Duo says it on occasion...actually, I think Heero just got tired of saying it.”
      Heero entered the room, giving me a level look, “What were you doing?”
      I was happy to see him, so got up and ran to his arms, kissing him lingeringly, “Now, what was the question...”
      He chuckled, “What were you...” I had started running my hand down his stomach and he shifted a bit, “...doing...” he had lost focus.
      I smiled, “Nothing, we were just talking.”
      His breathing went a bit harsh and he couldn’t say anything else.
      I smiled at him, then turned to Relena, “We’ll be back in a while...” I started us down the hall.
      “You might want to find some sort of entertainment in the interim...” Heero managed to say it clearly enough.
      Relena was grinning as I glanced back at her, and then she was following us. But instead of trying to come into our room, she went past it to Wufei’s.
      I grinned at Heero as I shut the door, starting on his shirt.
      “You two are getting along rather well...” he noted, then kissed me.
      I nodded, pulling his shirt off, “She’s nice...”
      “Mmm...”
      We stopped talking.


      “What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded of Nikki, who was sitting on Quatre’s desk again. Quatre himself was visiting with Kyle in the lounge across the way. Heero, Duo, and Trowa were in the hall because I asked Heero and Duo to leave so I could talk to her.
      She shook her head, “What are you talking about?”
      “You’ve abandoned us.”
      She frowned, “What?”
      “Nikki, ever since you got with Heero we’ve all been put on the back burner to boil over. You talk to us as if you know what’s going on in our lives when you really only have the summary...”
      “What are you talking about?” she demanded again, sliding off the desk and pacing to the window.
      “Nikki...”
      She focused on me, “Sam.”
      “What kind of friend are you?”
      She started to look pissed.
      “You’ve changed since this all started...you’re turning back into Kaze.”
      She studied my face, “I am Kaze.”
      I shook my head, “No, you’re Nicole. You were my best friend...but now you’re turning into my...commander again...the ranking officer...”
      “Why are you saying this? You’re my best friend...I don’t understand...”
      I sighed, “Exactly. And the only time you talk to me is when you need me to do something for you. You take off with my man everyday and play games with him...come home, exchange cursory greetings with us and disappear into your room for most of the day until it’s dinner-time, and now you just start talking to Relena. You don’t care if we’ve been fighting with our men. You don’t care if we’re worried about you, and you don’t care about us personally...” she looked about to protest, “...Not anymore,” I interupted, “You care that we’re alive and near, but you could care less if we’ve had nightmares or if we’re going shopping...all the things you used to care for mean nothing anymore...”
      Tears had shown at some point and now trailed down her cheeks.
      “What are you saying?”
      I shook my head, “The truth.”
      She covered her mouth with her hand and looked away, “I do care...”
      “So you just pretend we exist when you want us?” I watched her a moment, “Enough with the bull-shit tears, Nikki! Knock your shit off and get serious for once. I’m asking you: are you, or are you not, our friend anymore?”
      That stopped her...all her show...
      “Of course I am.” it was nearly whispered.
      “Then act like it. I’m sick of seeing you all over Heero like no one else exists. I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but no one enjoys seeing you two necking it.”
      She gave me a surly look.
      “Not to mention what you do to the other guys on a whim...”
      “I’ve always done that...”
      I nodded, “Yeah, I know. But if I wasn’t involved with one of these toys of yours, I would be helping you. Do you realize what this has to do to Heero? You going on like you do? Do you suppose it makes him feel he measures up? That you make him feel like you’re completely his when you go off and turn guys on and get too close to them? I’m sorta shocked that he’s tolerated it. You have to imagine he gets jealous...I know Quatre would...and Duo...if Kris and I started that shit...and Trowa would probably just leave.”
      That sobered her.
      “You need to think of others...”
      “Heero knows me...”
      I nodded again, “I’m assuming that’s why he puts up with your shit...because he knows you love him...but you’re his woman now...not just someone to occasionly fuck and watch like you can’t have...he doesn’t go fuck around with other women for entertainment or challenge...why should you? Find somewhere else to channel your energy...and at least pretend you care about everyone if you’re gonna claim it.”
      She stared at me, “I know I don’t show you my feelings...but I do care. Whether or not you believe me...that’s another matter. Do the others feel the same?”
      I shrugged, “Give or take.”
      “Then I think we need to talk. I’m sorry that I’ve withdrawn myself so much, but...”
      “I don’t care to hear your excuses. I know what’s going on. You’re right. We need to talk. Tonight. We’re taking a girls night out without anyone else. No guys, no Relena, and no Sally...It will be us four and we’ll get this figured out. You have some time, Nikki, make it good.”
      She didn’t say anything as I turned from her and left. Trowa stood, sighing.
      Heero and Duo were also looking a bit...unnerved...uncomfotable maybe...
      I remembered how good their hearing was as Trowa met my eyes.
      So they’d heard.
      I met Heero’s eyes and he moved out of my way, then Duo’s.
      Duo, however, had more balls with me when I was like this.
      “You’re not going out alone.”
      “You heard what was said. We need some time to fix things.”
      “You can fix them with me and Wufei near-by. You’re not going out alone.”
      “Duo...”
      “Don’t even start any shit with me, Samantha.”
      I stared back at him, “What right do you have...”
      He stepped close, lowering his voice, “Because I care. I know you understand that. I’m not letting no sun of a bitch catch you. Not again.”
      I tried to think up an excuse he couldn’t shoot down, but it didn’t happen. I couldn’t think of anything.
      “And if you don’t want Wufei going, I’m sure Trowa would be happy to join us...” he grinned a bit, noticing his victory, “I know better than asking Quatre or Heero. Make your plans and choose...” he gestured to Trowa, “We’ll be ready when you leave.”
      I glared at him and he glared back.
      I gave up, disgusted, and brushed past him, Trowa falling into step right behind me.
      Trowa chuckled as the door to the building closed behind me, looking up to Quatre’s office where Nikki stood, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
      “Of course I do.”
      “Don’t snap at me, little girl, I’m not the one who took a stance.”
      I turned to look at him. He was grinning.
      I tilted my head, “You find this amusing, don’t you?”
      He nodded, “Highly. I have no idea why you did this, but I guess it will work out or blow over.”
      I got a bit annoyed, “This isn’t one of our games...”
      He rolled his eyes, “Sure...I believe that...I don’t know what you three have been planning, but ever since Nikki started playing nice to Relena, you’ve been glaring at her and talking behind your hands...”
      “We have not!”
      He rolled his eyes, “It’s an expression.”
      “Why don’t you mind your own...” I was feeling a bit peevish.
      He snorted, “You are my own.”
      I tilted my head, “What do you think is going on?”
      He shrugged, “I agree...to an extent. Nikki has been acting different since she and Heero got together, but confronting her like it was all her fault doesn’t quite cut it. She’s been under a lot of stress since we started this...and it’s because we’re asking her to do so much...and at the moment she’s got a lot of stress from Kyle. You think she’s gonna want to be in the middle of things when she’s had to deal with a man she’s upset by as frequently as she has? Do you think she’s gonna want to deal with people at all? I completely understand about her making out with Heero...it is annoying, but just because she’s hiding in her room, doesn’t mean she’s stopped caring...and just because she’s making a new friend doesn’t mean you guys don’t exist...”
      I noticed someone join Nikki in the window and looked up, it was Heero. After a moment Quatre appeared, then Kyle. Nikki made the ‘wait’ signal and Quatre disappeared as Heero moved closer to Nikki, sheilding her from Kyle.
      I sighed, “We took too long.”
      Trowa shrugged, “Sorry, I didn’t intend to double-cross you...but Duo said to stall you.”
      I turned to him as Quatre appeared inside the building, heading for the door.
      He smiled, “I know, I’m an ass. Take it up with Duo.”
      Quatre looked confused as he stepped close, “What’s going on?”
      I sighed, leaning into him, “Care to specify?”
      “What did you say to Nikki, and why did you just leave like that...they didn’t even tell me you were here...”
      “I didn’t want to interupt you...I needed to say something to Nikki...”
      Trowa met my eyes for a moment longer, then turned and looked over the area.
      If I was going to get scolded by everyone like that, then they didn’t understand what was going on, and I didn’t have the patience to explain.

<--

-->

Kyeian