To Live and Learn
Part Two: Frailty, they name is woman! - (Hamlet: Shakespeare)

20-08-10 -> 20-08-12
Author’s Note: Here is story five, part two, of the five mini-stories that I'm writing. The characters are derived from the Gundam Wing Anime (meaning they aren't mine) except for Rebecca and the gangs. So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as the other stories!

Wufei ground his teeth as he hiked up the hill… ‘She is impossible!!!’ his hands turned into fists and his upper body leaned forward at the steepness of the mountain…

‘She is the most stubborn, naïve, narrow minded woman!!!’ his pace started to become faster as he heard Rebecca panting behind him.

‘Humph! Let her pant! I offered to carry that damnable bag, but nooo! She refused!’

Anger… he needs it… He couldn’t let his mind stray to what happened this morning…

Wufei’s mind wandered on an event he could get angry at her for… Ah… yes… The day after Rebecca’s house burned down, after they finished eating the sausages for breakfast… Wufei tried to re-live the anger he felt…

~*~

[Start Flashback]

Wufei jutted his lower jaw out as he saw Rebecca pack everything back into the bag.

“If you want, I’ll carry the bag.”

Rebecca heard the stiffness in the request, as if someone’s twisting his arm and forcing him to help her… Besides, she did say that she could carry this! She has her own pride.

She shook her head, “No, thank you. I’d rather carry it and show you that women aren’t as weak as you imply.” She pulled the straps over her shoulders and picked up the bag, lighter than last night… maybe it’s because they’ve drank some of the water and ate a canned food… or maybe she got used to it from last night. But the good thing is that it is lighter…

It’s just that her whole body seems to have needles pricking into them… Every single muscle is aching! But, she’d never let him know…!

Wufei slanted his eyes. Well! He offered out of the goodness of my heart and she refused! Fine!

“Let’s go.” Wufei snapped.

[End Flashback]

~*~

Rebecca wiped a sweat trickling down her temple…

‘Darn it!’

The distance between her and Wufei is becoming larger, and he’s still picking up his pace!

Why is he so mad anyway…? I didn’t do anything to make him mad… He’s been like that since the day she refused his offer to help him… but it became worse this morning!

They’ve been traveling for four days now… camping out for five nights… Her feet is aching, she wants a decent bath and decent food… And decent company!

Her glance went back to Wufei.

‘Can’t believe he went berserk after I asked that couple to give us some water…’

She remembered how yesterday, she was walking away from their campground and found a trailer parked in a clearing… They were running low of water… so, thinking that the old couple might have extras, she asked… And they did!

When she came back with another 2 liters (she brought 2 liters with her in the pack) and Wufei saw it, he started yelling about people being able to recognize her and others…

‘Well…’ Rebecca admitted grudgingly, ‘He does have some point to be cautious of other people since we don’t know anything about what the news have said about my burning store… But still! He could have been happy that they won’t go thirsty! And this morning!’

Rebecca’s cheeks burned red with embarrassment as she remembered what happened…

~*~

[Flashback]

Rebecca felt so comfortable… She hasn’t been this comfortable since they’ve gone into the woods… She snuggled deeper in the secure embrace, her hands tightening the hold around the body…

Wufei smiled faintly as he felt the morning sunshine filter through the leaves… He feels so much at ease… And he doesn’t want to move… There’s a relaxing weight on his chest and a wonderful feeling of security, as if anchored… His hand tightened its embrace on the body…

Wufei frowned… ‘Body…?’

Rebecca frowned… ‘Body…?’

The two opened their eyes at the same time. Wufei quickly looking down on his chest, and Rebecca looking up from Wufei’s chest…

They stared at each other in shock and surprise for a few seconds, then, at the same time, their eyes wandered.

Wufei’s eyes to his left arm encircled around Rebecca’s shoulder.

Rebecca’s eyes on both her arms encircled around Wufei’s middle torso…

‘Oh my God…!’

‘What the- !’

They jumped away from each other as if burned, both looking at something else, instead of the person in front of them.

“I… er… a…” Rebecca stammered out.

“Uhm…. Ahh…” Wufei started.

Silence…

Wufei doesn’t like this… he doesn’t like how he’s feeling towards this woman either… Why is he embarrassed…? Why is it that he wanted her arms around him again? This is impossible!!!

He doesn’t want to feel this way at all! Not knowing how to cope with an embarrassing event, he turned to anger.

“What the hell happened?!”

At the sniping remark, Rebecca’s embarrassment also turned to anger, “How in the world should I know?! You saw that I slept on top of the blanket last night!”

Wufei growled then turned away and walked off into the woods to let out his steam and confusion through solace while Rebecca started to fold and clean up the camp in frustration.

[End Flashback]

~*~

Now, the sun is shining behind their backs- clearly showing that it’s around 3 in the afternoon- and they haven’t spoken a word to each other…

Rebecca took a glance at Wufei’s back once again… ‘Okay… Granted that I’m not mad anymore… Then, I need to be truthful…’ Rebecca sighed…

‘The truth is, Becky, that you liked what you felt this morning… That maybe its because you two have been cut off from civilization, relying and… well… sleeping together for three nights that you are starting to have feelings for this man…’

Rebecca frowned… ‘No… That’s not right… You already feel something to this man from the moment you saw him looking so helpless that night that seems like a hundred years ago… And knew that he isn’t supposed to look like that…’

‘Okay… so I have some affection for him…’ Rebecca groaned, ‘Egad, Becky! You like this hotheaded tyrant who doesn’t even give you a glance?! Why of all people should you choose someone like…’ She glared at Wufei,‘Him! I must be crazy…’

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice a twig in front of her. She stepped on top of it, leaned forward… and the next thing she knew, her weight was thrown back, her arms are flailing, she started to fall back down the steep slope and she could only shout out one word-

“Wufei!”

~*~

Wufei heard his name shouted behind him then a thud. Frowning, he turned around just in time to see Rebecca fall backwards and started rolling down the slope… His eyes widened in fear and he started to run to her, with one thought in mind...

‘Please don’t let her be hurt…’

~*~

Rebecca tried to get a stop her fall… She’s dizzy from rolling and her hands are probably full of scratches as she tried to grasp for something to stop herself. She finally felt herself starting to slow down and pushed the tip of her rubber shoes and her knees to the ground for a stop. It worked…

She didn’t move for a while, exhausted, until she heard leaves crunching above her… And she knew who was coming down the mountain.

Wufei…

She groggily pushed her upper body up, ignoring the wincing pain she could feel on her right foot and sat on her buttocks with her legs splayed in front of her and she numbly looked up at the figure coming towards her.

Wufei tried to run as fast as he could without tumbling down the slope. He saw Rebecca finally stop… Then she didn’t move…

Dread chilled his blood as he willed her to move… ‘Not again… Please not again!’ he kept on repeating as he ran down, nearly stumbling.

Then, she started moving, and as if in slow motion, she sat up. Her red rimmed glasses askew on her nose, hair jutting out from her usually neat ponytail with leaves dangling and inserted within her hair… But to Wufei, she seemed like an angel that just stumbled on earth from the heavens above… She’s alive! Thank the gods!!!

And then, not used to showing softness, Wufei shouted angrily down at her. “What the hell happened?! Weren’t you looking, woman!? Don’t you use your eyes?!”

At Wufei’s outburst, Rebecca’s lips started to tremble… then, against her will, a tear fell down her cheek. As that single tear ran down her face, she lost control and she started crying.

Wufei looked down at her in shock… God what did I do?!

He wanted to apologize, but the words just won’t come out of his lips… Instead, he went down on his knees beside her and placed a hesitating hand on her shoulder.

Thankfully, she didn’t shrug it off. But, she did bring her knees to her chest and placed her face atop her knees.

“Why… are you so (gulp!) mean to me… anyways… I- (sob!) I haven’t done anything wrong to you… I- I’m not used to hiking like… you are! I’m a damn bookstore (sniff!) clerk! I… I try my best not to (sob!) be any problem to you, (sniff!) but you’re still overly cantankerous!”

She started to cry quietly and Wufei started to feel guilty instead of annoyed… Why doesn’t she wail like all the other girls do? Instead of crying like… this… He felt her shudder, and Wufei bit his lip…

“If you want to leave me… go ahead. I won’t (gulp!) tell anyone about you…” she said in between sobs.

Wufei had a fleeting thought that it is for the best. But, it was replaced by a sense of trepidation for a future without Rebecca by his side…

He lightly pulled Rebecca’s shoulder, knowing that she’d look up at him- and she did…

Wufei then smiled, “Shut up… You didn’t cry when you nearly died in your apartment, you didn’t cry when your whole house burned down, and you haven’t complained during all this time… Why start now?”

A line appeared between Rebecca’s eyebrows as she frowned in confusion…

Wufei’s left hand smoothed it out… he has the sudden urge to kiss her, but he turned away and looked down on her feet. “Can you stand? Is there anything wrong with you?” Wufei asked with a hard voice, not used to showing much concern since Merian died…

She finally understood it… He’s concerned for her but he doesn’t want her to know… why? She tried to look into his eyes to find out, but she couldn’t… Rebecca sighed and shook her head, “No… I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me…” she lied as she felt that piercing pain once again shoot from her ankle.

Wufei gave her a dubious look as he stood up and waited for her. Rebecca stood up, but the moment she placed her weight on her right foot, she almost toppled over. Luckily, Wufei’s in front of her…

‘Déjà vu… I did this once before… but it was Wufei who nearly fell…’ she thought with a grimace.

“Humph! She’s ‘all right’ she says… I knew it…”

Rebecca looked away, “Sorry I’m such a bother…” she mumbled.

She felt Wufei taking the bag from her shoulders. She twirled, “What are you doing?”

“Take this bag off… I’m going to bring it.”

“Huh?”

Wufei frowned. “No… On second thought, I’ll leave it…” then, he stood in front of her and squatted. “Come on.”

Rebecca frowned…. What the heck does he want her to do?

Wufei irritatingly glanced behind, “Get on my back so I can carry you!”

Rebecca bit her lip… She can’t walk, that’s for sure… so, she needs to be carried… but… “But, Wufei… The city is still far away…”

Wufei shook his head, “No… I can already smell the smog. Let’s go, we’ll be there by nightfall.”

Rebecca hesitated only a moment more, but then she quickly complied and went behind Wufei.

Her hands went around his shoulders while his hands hooked both her legs and hoisted her up.

“Are you sure you can handle this?”

Wufei smirked, ‘She’s light, compared to the sacks of grains he used to train with…’ “Yeah… Don’t worry. It’s easy…”

Wufei felt Rebecca’s arms tighten around his shoulders as he started to move… ‘It’s easy to carry you… but it’s confusing with you so close to me… Nataku, give me guidance… why am I so confused?’ He tried to think of Merian… but to his utter surprise, he couldn’t… His thoughts is too muddled with the want to get Rebecca to a room and place an ice pack on her foot…

~*~

True to his word, by nightfall, they reached the city.

“Wufei look! A motel! Just over there!” Rebecca exclaimed in relief. She’s just about ready to fall over in exhaustion! ‘Thank God that there is a motel so very close to the woods! Wufei is probably so tired even if he doesn’t show it…’

Wufei grunted, “Yeah. I know… I can see you know!” he’s tired and irritated… he probably would have been better off if he left her behind… but… He sighed inwardly… I couldn’t… Dammit!

Rebecca didn’t let Wufei’s attitude bother her… He’s been silent ever since he started carrying her…

They reached the motel… It looked cheap and rundown. Rebecca had a sudden inkling not to go in… But, there’s no other choice… Besides, she’s sooo tired…

Wufei stopped just outside the door, “Rebecca, get down.” He ordered.

Too tired to complain, Rebecca complied. Wufei then took the pack around her shoulders and placed it on his own then, he faced Rebecca’s side and squatted, placing one of his arms just around her shoulder and another behind her knees.

“Wh- what are you doing?!” Rebecca asked, surprised, she jumped away from him using her good foot.

Wufei pursed his lips together, “Don’t you use your head?! Carrying you on my back is not the right way a lady should be carried! It’s all right if we were in the woods, up until now since there aren’t anyone around- but once we go inside, there will be people who will see us.”

Rebecca gulped, “Oh… Alright then…” She stood still as Wufei scooped her in his arms, as if they were a married couple about to enter the threshold of their home…

Rebecca jerked her head up, ‘What the heck was she thinking?!’

“What’s wrong?” Wufei asked when he felt her jerk.

Rebecca quickly shook her head, “No- nothing’s wrong…” She just suddenly felt really drowsy…

Inside, the motel looks just as cheap as it did on the outside… The counter has stains and is full of junk, while a balding man with a huge beer belly sitting behind it.

Wufei stopped in front of the counter, “Two rooms.”

The man’s eyebrow shot up as he assessed the two.

Rebecca didn’t see the man’s expression, but she could feel herself falling asleep in Wufei’s arms…

Wufei’s eyes slanted, “We are not married.” He spat out as if it was the most disgusting event that will ever happen.

The man shrugged while Rebecca tried to keep her eyes open… even Wufei’s tone about ‘married’ didn’t get her anger boiling…

“Well… that’s a pity…” drawled out the old man, “There’s only one room available with one bed… Ever’ otha’ room ‘ere’s taken.”

Wufei’s eyes almost bulged. ‘Every room is taken in this cheap motel?! That is totally impossible! Who would want to spend a day in a dump like this?!’

“Why?!” Wufei almost shouted.

The man shrugged, “It’s the middle of June… vacation for a lot of people who wants to go camping and stuff.”

Wufei looked down at Rebecca whose hands are embraced around his neck, and head leaning on his shoulder. His voice became unusually soft as he tapped her shoulder with his right hand, taking care that he won’t drop her.

“Rebecca… Becky…” She looks as if she’s already in dreamland… I guess this is harder for her since she’s not used to it… “Becky…”

She smiled softly at the soft voice and groggily opened her eyes behind those glasses, “Hmmm…?”

“They only have one room… is it alright for you if we share it?”

Wufei felt Rebecca’s arms tighten around his neck, snuggling her body closer, “Ish okay… we did it before… maybe you can get the couch… *yawn * this time…” then she closed her eyes again.

Wufei stared down at the girl in his arms, then forced his eyes towards the man- who at the moment is smiling widely.

“We’ll take the room.” Wufei finally muttered.

The man nodded as he took a key from one of the pegs, “I’ll show you your room so you can put the little lady down on the bed, then you can follow me back here and pay…”

Wufei nodded, “Fine.”

The man went out of the counter and started walking to the right side of the building, “You know… you two looks like you can be a good team…”

Wufei looked down at Rebecca quickly once again and saw how peaceful she’s sleeping… ‘A good team…? Him?… with a partner…?’ His mind drifted to the past events… He must admit that Rebecca is quite a girl… but him having a partner…? Preposterous!

“Here we are.”

Wufei jerked to a stop as he almost bumped into the old man. The man opened the door and Wufei found a decent looking room… “Thanks…”

He went straight to the bed and carefully laid Rebecca down, resisting the urge to smoothen away a stray lock of hair on her face.

He turned around to the man, “Let’s go back so I can pay you.”

The man nodded and started to walk back away.

With one last glance at Rebecca’s sleeping form, Wufei locked the door and followed.

~*~

Wufei walked towards the door, his whole body aching… He’s just about walked aimlessly for two hours. And what did he think about…? Nothing… absolutely nothing- but Rebecca… What is that damn woman doing to him..?!

He slipped the key in and heard the click.

~*~

Rebecca heard a faint click and her taunt nerves made her eyes open widely in fear, her heart hammering against her chest… Her gaze fell on an ashtray near the bed and she quickly grabbed for it.

She heard the door open and without missing a beat, she sat up, saw the shadow at the doorway and threw the ashtray straight for it’s head and scrambled down from the bed.

“OW!!! SHIT!!!”

At the sound of Wufei’s voice, Rebecca quickly limped towards Wufei. “Oh gosh! I’m sorry Wufei! I thought… I mean… Oh I’m soo sorry!” the barrage of Rebecca’s apologies mingled with Wufei’s expletives.

Rebecca led Wufei to the couch, after she locked the door, and quickly went to the small refrigerator she saw when she quickly scanned the room and took some ice.

“I’m really sorry Wufei! I didn’t know… I thought you were an enemy… or someone dangerous… I thought that you’re already asleep on this couch…” Rebecca started again as Wufei took the ice from her, finally shutting up with the bad words.

Wufei glanced at Rebecca’s very concerned face, trying to feel for that familiar anger that usually encompasses him for a woman’s stupidity… but what he found was laughter…

Rebecca stared at Wufei as he started laughing heartily… It was so infectious that she herself started to laugh with him. When they finally stopped, Wufei placed a hand on her shoulder in a pat.

“It’s okay… I understand… Who wouldn’t have tight nerves if they’ve had some terrible things happen to them?”

Rebecca nodded as she looked into his eyes. “Thank you… I really didn’t know…”

“Dang… You have a good aim though…” Wufei said with a slight wince as his hand went to his forehead.

Silence encompassed the two as they looked at each other, then Wufei looked away.

“How’s your ankle?”

Rebecca looked down at her hands, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed, “It’s better… Thanks for carrying me…”

Wufei nodded. “Alright. It’s time to get some rest. I’ll sleep on the couch- and no arguments.”

Rebecca smiled softly, “Of course…” She stood up and started to limp back to the bed, then stopped.

“By the way, Wufei… What are we going to do now?”

Wufei laid himself on the couch… He’s also thought about that while he was walking before Rebecca hit him with an ashtray…

“As soon as you can walk, and we get our clothes washed, we are going shopping.”

Rebecca frowned in confusion, “Shopping? Why?”

Wufei tilted his head to one side, “Yeah… We are going to another place- a high class hotel. Stone will never think that I’ll be in one of those since he doesn’t think I have any money… But before we can enter one of those places, we need to look the part of a rich and snobbish race.”

Rebecca nodded, understanding the plan. “Alright then, Wufei… Good morning… and…” she covered her body with the blanket, “Sweet dreams…”

‘Sweet dreams…’ Wufei smiled in the dark… ‘I just might…’

Rebecca turned on the shower, feeling the warmth of the water cascade down her soapy skin. They’ve slept past midnight last night… Well, considering that she did hit Wufei with an ashtray… And both of them woke up at around 12 pm. She felt a little embarrassed as she remembered the faint bruise she saw on his forehead.

She turned it off, reached for a towel and rubbed her body down. Walking out of the shower, she went to the sink where her owl glasses are and saw the scratch marks… She brushed her hair, then grabbed it at the nape and tied it. She picked up her glasses, cleaned it, placed it on her nose then put on a bathrobe, not wanting to put on the smelly clothes they’ve been wearing for the past days…

She took a deep breath, nervous that she’s about to see a guy in just robes. After making sure that the V of the robe isn’t showing an indecent amount of flesh and holding her clothes in another hand, she came out of the bathroom.

Wufei turned around and saw Rebecca in the cheap fluffy robes, neatly scrubbed clean… On her, that robe looks nice…

“Hey Wufei!”

But he only nodded to her, “I’ll drop my clothes outside the door.” He started while walking to the bathroom. “By the way, there’s a person who’ll come over and get our clothes to be washed- be sure NOT to give her my coat.”

Rebecca nodded, “Of course Wufei. I’m not that stupid.”

Wufei grimaced before closing the door. She looked on as he closed the door, then sat down on the bed, her hands cupping her chin. A few minutes later, the door opened slightly and a hand dropped the soiled clothes just outside…

Rebecca smiled… What are they going to do today…? Her ankle is better… She’s actually not limping! It must have been because she was so tired walking… She just needed some rest…

Knock, knock!

Rebecca opened the door and saw a plump old lady with a sweet smile.

“Good morning! I’m here to take your dirty clothes.”

Rebecca smiled, “Thank you… When can we have them by?”

The woman assessed the clothes, “By afternoon today or early evening.”

“That’s fine. And how much?”

The woman smiled once again then shrugged, “Oh don’t worry about that one… A man spoke to us over the phone to bill it to him… I think his name is Edward or something…”

Rebecca stilled, ‘Edward…?’ “I… uhmm… I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong room. We-”

She didn’t finish her sentence as Wufei cut in, “It’s Edward Seltre. We’ll be expecting our clothes soon.”

The woman nodded and turned away while Rebecca turned to Wufei in confusion…

‘Edward… Gregor… That’s the name that man in her house called him before…!’ She slowly shook her head at Wufei’s impassive face. “You’re Edward Seltre…? And that man called you Gregor… so you’re Gregor to them…” she started very softly…

Wufei shrugged under the white bathrobe, “Edward, Gregor… As Shakespear once said, ‘What’s in a name?’ Don’t you use your brains?” Wufei said as he went to the couch, “I have aliases.”

‘Of course…’ Rebecca thought… ‘A man who lives as dangerously as him will have one… but…’

“Wufei. Is that your real name?” She doesn’t know why… but she wants it to be. She wants to call this man by his right name.

Wufei sighed dejectedly, “Unfortunately, I was too tired when you asked me for my name to think of one. So, yes. Wufei is my real name.”

Rebecca sighed to herself in relief, and decided to push her luck as she asked softly, “What’s your last name…?”

Wufei looked up at her, into her green eyes. He could have easily lied… but he didn’t, “Chang.”

Rebecca smiled softly as she tried the name, “Wufei Chang… That’s nice…”

Knock, knock!

Rebecca’s eyes widened and her hands grew numb.

Wufei smiled at her reaction and stood up, “Don’t worry. I ordered for some food.” Then he went to the door and opened it.

When he came back, he laid the food on the small table in front of the sofa.

Rebecca stared at the mouth watering Chinese food in front of her…

Wufei noticed her stare… and thought that she was looking at the food in disgust since some of it, like the peking duck, is full of cholesterol. His anger sparked. “What is it?! If you were planning to eat some salad then you’re wrong. When I eat food- it’s food. Not some carrots and lettuce. I-”

Rebecca cut him off, “No! I was just staring because you got my favorite food!”

Wufei’s eyes widened as he saw her grab a chopsticks, open one of the smaller boxes of rice and started picking some of the meat from the other boxes with zest.

“Uhmmm! This is sooo good! I love these! I can’t really imagine not having rice for any of my meals! Didn’t you notice that I always had rice when we eat at my house?”

Wufei frowned… ‘Well… yeah… but I thought you were only doing that to satisfy me…’ he thought.

Wufei was so busy staring at Rebecca in disbelief… ‘A woman who actually likes to eat…?’

Sauce dripped down her chin, she’s closing her eyes as if eating heaven, and when she opened her eyes and looked at him, she frowned.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Wufei started and looked down at his own box, now feeling his hunger. “Yeah… sure…”

“How’s your foot, Rebecca?” Wufei asked a moment later.

“Oh…!” she swallowed, “It’s so much more better. I’m actually not limping…”

“It was probably because you were tired.”

“Uh huh…. Probably… But, thank you for carrying me all the way, still.”

Wufei nodded. “Well… we can’t really go out today in robes. So, how about we do our shopping tomorrow bright and early?”

Rebecca nodded, “Of course… But at the moment… what are we going to do?”

Wufei grabbed a remote control on the sofa. “We need to catch up on some news…”

“Yes…”

They stayed in the house for that whole day. At around 5, they got their clothes back-

‘Thank God!’ Rebecca thought, already feeling very conscious of the way she’s dressed… She knows that both of them are trying not to look at each other long- especially in the state they’re dressed in… And she can’t take the awkwardness of it all anymore.

She was just about to put them on, when Wufei stopped her, “Don’t put them on yet… It’s nearly evening. You can’t sleep in them because it’ll create creases, and we are going to go to a store tomorrow- we can’t look shabbier than we do at the moment.”

Rebecca blushed and nodded, “Alright…”

“I’ve already ordered some Mexican food. Hope you like them.”

They are in silence once the food arrived and finally, they said good night to each other.

Rebecca tucked the blankets around her whole bathrobe clad body… Forcing herself not to stir… Alright… so, they spent the day with each other in just their bathrobes… But, everything was fine… He didn’t look at her at all… She felt a sadness at the pit of her stomach, ‘No… not at all…’

She forced her eyes shut and tried to will herself to sleep.

Wufei combed his hair back in frustration… This whole day was… a mess!!! Dammit! What is wrong with you!!! He sneaked a glance at Rebecca’s sleeping form and grimaced.

‘Look at her! She’s already asleep… and here you are, still awake… Why are you letting this bother you anyway?! She’s not bothered! So why should I- a man- be bothered?!’ He closed his eyes tightly and tried to sleep without thinking of Rebecca in her robes.

Rebecca gripped Wufei’s arm to stop him. “Wufei…” she started, very conscious as she looked at the tall elegant building in front of her, “Is this… necessary? Couldn’t we just… go to a different store? This place looks… too… expensive…”

Wufei’s eyebrow shot up. “So? We need to look expensive, so we came to the right place.” He doesn’t understand why she is so hesitant! He’s getting impatient!

“But… uhm…” her voice lowered, “This is going to cost you… I mean, I don’t have any… money…” she mumbled, looking at the pavement.

Wufei’s anger lifted… ‘Oh… So, that’s why she’s hesitant… Of course! She doesn’t know that I have enough… Thanks to Heero’s investments- heh…’

Wufei patted Rebecca’s back, “It’s okay. I’ll handle it… Let’s go.” He gently, pushed Rebecca through the golden-edged glass doors and went straight to the counter.

An aging, thin man greeted them, looking at them down his nose. “Good morning sir. How may we help you?”

Wufei nodded while Rebecca tried to hide herself behind Wufei while circling her wrists with her hands in nervousness.

“I’d like for myself and this lady behind me to be given the best services. We would like to look… different from the way we do right now.”

The man’s eyebrow rose as he assessed Wufei and Rebecca’s shabby clothing and Wufei felt his anger growing, but forced it down. “Check my account, the number is GD987567B8967. You can credit how ever much the total will be in there.”

The man furiously typed the numbers, and Wufei smiled in sarcastic pleasure at the way the man’s eyes widened in surprise… Heh! Good… Now, he’ll change his stupid attitude… Wufei glanced at Rebecca who’s looking down on the floor…

‘My God… she’s really shy with these things!’ Wufei thought in surprise… ‘Who would have thought…’

The man faced Wufei once again, now with a welcoming smile, “Of course Mr. Phfizer.”

Wufei saw the man press a button and a lady appeared on the left archway, “Therese, please take…?” he stopped and looked at Wufei.

And, Wufei didn’t know what possessed him to answer, “Mrs. Phfizer.” But he did…

“Mrs. Phfizer and give her the ‘works’.”

Therese smiled, “Of course, Mr. Dilan.”

Rebecca gave Wufei a surprised then panicked glance but Wufei only motioned with his hand for her to go with ‘Therese’ and Rebecca obeyed.

Mr. Dilan rang for another person, and on the right side archway, another silvery haired man, attired the same way as the person behind the counter appeared.

“Gwein, take Mr. Phfizer and give him the best.”

The man bowed and waited for Wufei to reach him, then they disappeared under the archway.

~*~

Rebecca stared at herself in front of the mirror… Is this really her…?! She glanced at the emerald green silk dress that the woman named Therese told her to wear… and the way another woman had her hair done… Though ‘Margaret’ only combed her hair back and placed a barrette just above her right ear after putting most of her hair on her right side…

“Your hair is too beautiful to constrain in a bun, dear.” She remembered her saying… Rebecca had blushed and thought if Wufei actually sees it the same way… But then… that’s wishful thinking…

Her gaze looked around her and she started to panic, “Excuse me, Therese, where’s my glasses?”

Therese grimaced, “You cannot possibly think of wearing those glasses right now!”

“I…er… no… But, they’re special…”

Threse sighed. “It’s in your packages.”

Rebecca sighed in relief… If anything happened to those glasses…

“You’re ready.” Therese announced, stopping Rebecca’s thoughts.

~*~

Wufei went back the way he was pacing while pushing his hand through his… hair…

“Dammit! Those imbeciles!” he started muttering in rage, “I told them not to do anything with my hair!!!”

He’s already missing the length of it as his hand combed through it. ‘AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!’

His right fist pounded into his open left hand, “Where is that woman anyway?! I’ve been pacing for nearly 30 minutes!!! Why do women take so long to dress anyway?!” he muttered- this time, louder.

The man at the counter winced, then noticed Therese emerging from the ladies’ archway. Finally!

“Ah hem! Mr. Phfizer, Mrs. Phfizer is here.”

Wufei turned around and stopped in mid step… He looked at the beautiful woman in front of him and did a double take… ‘Is this…? Could it actually be…?’ His eyes assessed her height and hair and eyes… ‘Yes… it’s her!’ He knows that surprised look anywhere…

Wufei stamped his feet. “What took you so long?!”

Rebecca walked up to Wufei, “Wufei! They cut your hair!”

“Yes they did! Those half brains with shears!” Wufei cried out in anger.

Rebecca smiled softly… He looks so different, yet the same… definitely the same… But, now that he’s cut his hair, there’s a boyish air around him… exotic…

“I like it…” she murmured softly, thinking that he wouldn’t hear, with all the racket he was causing, but Wufei stopped talking and stared at Rebecca…

‘I like it…’ It was so soft that he wasn’t sure if she’s said it… But the way she’s blushing… yup… she did… His anger ebbed… ‘Hmm…’

“Well… Let’s go then.” He announced while walking to Mr. Dilan.

Therese appeared under the ladies archway. “Oh Mr. Pfhizer. Here’s one more suite for Mrs. Pfhizer, a night gown which I am sure will fit your liking…” she hinted with a smile and Rebecca blushed furiously while Wufei just stared.

“And another set of casual attire for her. Not to mention these pair of sandals which will fit it.” Therese placed the bags on top of the counter

Rebecca moved towards Wufei, “What is all that??? I didn’t even see them…” she urgently whispered.

Just then, Gwein appeared under the men’s side. “Here is another pair of suit for you, sire, your pajamas and casual clothes. And this will be the shoes.” And he placed it on the counter.

Reason entered Wufei’s brain… Of course they’ll need these… they cannot possibly go out in the same clothes they’re seen going in… they will loose their façade… Not to mention that they do need night clothes… He can’t stand seeing Rebecca sleep in bathrobes again…

Wufei sighed.. But… Who cares? He’s got enough money. “What’s the total?”

Dilan started punching up the numbers. When he was finished, he looked up and announced, “15,000 credits sire.”

Wufei didn’t flinch…

Rebecca on the other hand, gasped. ‘OhmyGod! That is too much!’ She watched as Wufei nodded, went to the counter and signed the paper, then slip his receipt into his new coat pocket.

“Gwein. Carry these outside for us.” Wufei ordered. He looked at Rebecca turned to her and held out his arm. “Ready to go?”

Rebecca could only nod. She placed a trembling hand into the crook of his arm, thankful for his strength.

“You’re trembling.” Wufei whispered into her ear.

Rebecca looked away. They passed through the double glass doors and stopped in front of a white limousine. She frowned.

“Wufei…? Why did we stop?” she asked in a whisper.

Wufei just patted her hand and waited for the driver to come around and open the door for them.

He noticed, in amusement, how her eyes went wide. “Get in.”

She gave him a confused look but obeyed, and Wufei followed.

They started moving.

“Wh… how…? Wufei…?” she stuttered, not sure where to begin.

“Don’t worry about the clothes. We need it. I’ve phoned for this limo while we were in the store. And yes, we now have a suite.”

Rebecca bit her lower lip… This man is so full of surprises! How could he afford all these things? 15,000 credits! She nearly fainted at the expense! And this! A limo! She glanced at Wufei who was leaning back comfortably at the cream leather seat with his eyes closed.

“Enjoy the moment…” her brother’s voice echoed in her… She forced her body to relax… ‘Of course… there’s nothing else to do…’

~*~

Rebecca looked around the suite as Wufei laid the packages on the couch.

“Wufei… this is the most beautiful room I’ve ever been to!” Rebecca sighed as she twirled around to look at the room.

Wufei smiled to himself, but when he looked up, it was gone, “Women! They like fancy stuff too much!” he muttered.

Rebecca just smiled. She’s getting used to his ‘Women, etcetera etcetera speeches’.

“We might like fancy stuff, but why do men like drinking, eh? It’s just as bad and expensive, sometimes.”

Wufei grunted. “Well, whatever. Your room is the one on the left.” He said while pointing towards it.

Rebecca smiled at Wufei. Nothing can dampen her mood right now… It’s the first time she’s experiencing this, just like Cinderella… She took her clothes from the bed and started for the door. Before she could close it, Wufei spoke.

“We are going to the lounge tonight at 7. I made reservations.” He said it as a command, not an invitation. Rebecca smiled.

“I’ll be ready… I won’t be changing anyway, that’s only an hour away…” then she closed the door.

Wufei finally let his eyes wander to the door she went into… ‘Where did she come from? I mean… I know that she looks nice…’ he remembered that first day in the woods when he woke up and saw her combing her red hair… She looked like a red headed pixie… ‘But…’ Wufei sighed.

‘Hell! My life is messed up as it is! I don’t need another woman to add to it!’ He grabbed the parcels on the couch and headed for his own room, banging it in the process.

~*~

Wufei looked at his watch as he started to pace outside Rebecca’s door. ‘It’s five to seven!!! And she said she’ll be ready!!! What the hell is she doing?!’

He couldn’t take it… He walked up to the door and was about to pound on the door when it opened.

Rebecca’s face appeared on the crack and saw Wufei in mid-knock. She smiled embarrassingly. “Oh Wufei! I’m glad you’re just outside my door… could I ask for a little favor?” Rebecca asked in her sweetest voice.

Wufei gulped… He doesn’t like the sound of that voice… His hand slowly went to his side and he cleared his throat, forcing an impassive look upon his face.

“Yeah. What is it?! Anything to get you out of that room! We’re going to be late!” he said impatiently.

Rebecca opened the door wider and Wufei noticed the increase of her blush. “I… er… I took a short nap… and uhm… I took off my dress so it wouldn’t crease… now I can’t get the zipper up… Could you please zip it up for me?” Rebecca asked as she turned around to show Wufei her half- zipped bodice, biting her lip in embarrassment…

She’s never had this trouble before! She’s lived by herself since she was 18, for heaven’s sake! But… She was just sure that she could hear something tearing every time she tried to push the zipper up… And a 3,000 credit worth of dress isn’t just something you rip apart!

Wufei looked at Rebecca’s back and cold sweat appeared on his forehead… He couldn’t see the zipper because her nearly waist length red hair is hiding it… but oh god… His hand went up to her nape to brush back her hair and he wanted it to stay there…

‘Hell Wufei! What do you think you’re doing?!’ His eyes slanted and he ground his teeth together as he quickly grabbed the metal and zipped it up, then turned away, trying to erase the memory of Rebecca’s graceful back from his mind.

“Is that all? Because we are going to be late!” he growled out.

Rebecca forced herself to move… From the moment that she felt Wufei’s hand on the back of her neck, and on her hair, she felt so… She shook her head… ‘Wishful thinking, Becky…’

“I’m coming Wufei.” She walked up to Wufei and shyly slipped her hand in the crook of his arm.

“Ready whenever you are, sir.” She announced gaily. Her heart started to pound faster at the excitement of going to a formal dinner… She looked up at Wufei, with ramrod straight back and the air of a gentleman…

She remembered faintly a voice calling her ‘Becky…’ when they were in that rundown motel…

They entered the elevator.

‘Was it…?’ she glanced up at Wufei who was looking straight forward and decided to take a chance. “Ah hem…” she cleared her throat to catch his attention.

He looked down at her. “What is it?”

She looked down at her shoes, “I… I was just wondering… I mean… I remember during that first night at the motel… I’m not sure… but did you call me… Becky?”

Wufei’s eyes softened as he remembered that night while looking down at Rebecca’s hair. Then he coughed and forced the thought out of his mind. ‘I can’t let this woman get near me!’

“You must have been dreaming.” He spat out.

Rebecca bit her lip at the sinking feeling at the pit of her stomach… ‘Oh well… As I’ve said before… wishful thinking…’ her mood dampened a little bit.

“Sorry…” she muttered.

The elevator door opened and a man in a suit greeted them.

“Table for two, Mr. Pfhizer.”

They saw the man’s eyes go down the list and then nod. “Yes. Table 14.” He motioned with a flick of his hand to another waiter and they were led to their table.

~*~

Rebecca placed the fork down and sighed. “That meal was scrumptious!”

Wufei nodded, “hmm… It was alright…”

Rebecca smiled slightly, “Oh c’mon! You’ve got to be kidding… Admit it! It was delicious!”

Wufei tilted his head as if thinking as he looked at Rebecca’s hopeful face. “Well… alright… Wouldn’t hurt to say yes… Women! They always want to make us say frivolous things!”

Rebecca laughed. “Men! They always try to appear macho!”

Wufei’s right eyebrow shot up, “And what does that mean?”

But Rebecca wasn’t listening. Instead, she is looking to her left at the dance floor where a few couples started walking towards and dancing a waltz.

Wufei saw her sigh and had the tugging feeling of wanting to ask her… ‘So… what can one dance do?’

Wufei leaned forward. “Do you want to dance?”

Rebecca looked back at him with a smile, “Do you know how?”

Wufei snorted, “Humph! A man isn’t a man if he doesn’t know how to coordinate his feet!” Besides… that sounded like a challenge!

Rebecca’s brows went up, “Really? Well then, I’ll take you up on your offer!”

Wufei stood up and held out his hand to Rebecca while she placed her right hand in his. He led her to the dance floor for the Waltz…

Rebecca smiled at Wufei as he gracefully danced around couples and twirled her. “Well… Okay… you’re right… you know how to dance.” She finally admitted with a smile.

Wufei nodded proudly, “Of course!”

Rebecca smiled and closed her eyes, feeling the music flow through her while Wufei looked down at her softly smiling lips… The music changed, and instinctively, Wufei brought Rebecca’s body closer, while Rebecca brought her hands up around his shoulders, then leaned her head on his chest.

Wufei looked down at the woman in his arms in confusion. Why…? What…? He felt her stir, and all his questions fled as he hugged her closer to him. The music stopped and Rebecca looked up at Wufei with a smile.

“Ready for another dance?”

Wufei smiled at the challenge. “Why not?”

But, after Rebecca took a step forward, she almost stumbled and she felt that stinging pain on her ankle once again.

Thank God Wufei still has his arm around her!

Wufei saw her grimace. “What is it? Your ankle?”

She could only nod at the pain.

“Can you walk to our table?”

“Y- yeah… I think…”

He guided her to their table and helped her to her seat then called for the bill. When he finished paying, Wufei placed his arm around her waist once again in a half embrace and started walking slowly towards the elevator.

“I’m so sorry this evening has to end like this…” Rebecca mumbled.

Wufei shrugged. “It was alright.”

The elevator doors opened and they went in.

Rebecca winced one more time at the pain, and Wufei saw it, feeling the pain himself.

“Jesus! Why do women have such weak ankles?!” he exclaimed.

Rebecca looked down at her foot then shrugged. “Okay… I don’t have any retort for that one yet… I’ll get back to you later.” She replied trying to be cheerful.

Wufei smiled down at her and, unable to stop himself, brushed back a lock of hair. “You are stubborn… do you know that?”

Rebecca looked up into Wufei’s eyes and smiled slightly, “Yes… I do…” she whispered, though for the life of her, she doesn’t know why!

Wufei trailed his finger down her cheek and traced her jaw…

Rebecca closed her eyes. Her whole body feels like jell-o! And- darn it! She wants him to kiss her!

Wufei looked down at her closed eyes then, at her slightly open red lips… His face moved down and his lips captured hers. His arm tightened around her waist, while she moved her right arm around his waist while her left arm went to his shoulder.

They didn’t even hear the elevator door opening...

“Awww… Isn’t that such a cute couple, Hermy?” and old lady’s voice said sweetly.

“Reminds me of our good ol’ days…” replied the man.

Wufei and Rebecca stilled and opened their eyes, their lips still on each other, they quickly moved back.

“Oh! Don’t stop because of us!” the lady started.

“We won’t look!” the old man assured them.

Rebecca blushed and glanced at Wufei who looked as if a storm is brewing…

“This is our floor. Good night.” He said as he pulled Rebecca out of the doors and left the grinning old couple behind.

They walked in silence to their room and Wufei opened it, heading straight to the bar...

Rebecca tried to say something to Wufei… but she couldn’t… She just gave Wufei’s back one last look before walking to her own room.

Before she could open it, Wufei spoke.

“I’m sorry Rebecca.” His voice hard and unfeeling… but somehow… Rebecca knows that that isn’t so… That he himself was disturbed by it…

Well… She isn’t disturbed… She liked it…

She opened the door, and without looking at Wufei, answered.

“I’m not…” then she closed the door behind her.

She walked to the dressing table’s mirror and looked at her face, her lips red from Wufei’s lips… Her right hand moved up to lightly trace her lower lip as she tried to relive Wufei’s kiss…

She turned away, a few seconds later and plopped down on the bed, with one hand behind her head, biting her lower lip…

She couldn’t deny it… She loved the way she felt his lips on hers… She loves the way his arm felt around her waist… loves the way he dances, the way he gets mad, the way he hollers, the way he looks at her in an angry yet concerned look…

She sighed and placed her other hand on her forehead while she closed her eyes to think… “Is it possible to learn to love someone so quickly…? In the span of just nearly 2 weeks?” she whispered, knowing that by tomorrow, she’d only known Wufei for that long.

She sat up on her bed and opened a drawer, taking out her sketchbook and opening it to her brother’s picture.

“Des…” she whispered… “Is it…? Because as funny and unbelievable as it seems, I think that… I’m in love with him…” Slowly, her hand moved the pages to a blank one. She reached for her charcoal pencils and placed it beside her, picking one.

Her hand moved quickly over the book as she outlined Wufei’s face… The proud tilt of his chin… the nose… those blazing eyes… She tried to draw it by memory… but when she looked back on the sketches, she sighed… It didn’t look anything like Wufei… His eyes are soft, like that hazy memory of her when he was looking down at her in his arms in that cheap motel… like that one night when she felt him place his coat over her body for more warmth… Or when he talked of justice for the people who will be compensated…

She looked towards her door and heard the tinkling of ice cubes in a glass… She shook her head and placed back her pencils in the drawer and then changed into her new silk nightgown.

“What is eating him…? Has he been betrayed before…? Hurt?” she murmured… She’s quite sure that the reason Wufei is so angry at the female race, and so intent in hiding his true caring self is because of that… or fear… But then, Wufei isn’t afraid of anything… or is he?

She laid down on the bed, her sketchbook still open on Wufei’s sketches, she left it on that page and hugged it close to her…

‘Maybe its time that a woman shows him otherwise…’ she thought as she curled up, ‘Maybe it’s time that someone shows him…’ then, she fell asleep…

~*~

Wufei swore under his breath…

“I’m not…”

Rebecca’s words echoed in his mind… She’s not… “What the in the blazing hell does she mean by that?!”

He gulped down the drink and looked at Rebecca’s closed door…

“Dammit! What is that woman doing to him?” he muttered in anger. Placing the bottle back into the cabinet, then the glass in the sink, he went back to his room…

He nearly tore off his shirt buttons in frustration…

“Bull shit!” Try as he might to tell himself that Rebecca doesn’t affect him… he knows otherwise… “Damn!”

He sat down on the edge of the bed and cupped his face, “I don’t want this!!! Any of this!!! I don’t want to feel it again! Merian why the hell did you have to die?!” he shouted angrily to no one in the room… He tried to think of Merian… but to his disgust, he could only vaguely remember her… The person who fills his mind instead is the very much alive Rebecca…

He growled in frustration and punched the bed, trying to let off his anger as he tried not to think of the kiss…

Wufei opened his door quietly and checked his watch… 6:00 am… He glanced at Rebecca’s closed door and quickly went to it then smoothened the post-it paper on her door.

He went to his old coat and took out the disk, putting it in his trouser pocket and silently slipping out of the front door of the suite…

Then he frowned… ‘Why the heck am I sneaking out? I should just make all the noise I could!’ but he didn’t and only waited patiently as the elevator reached his floor.

~*~

Rebecca woke up and stretched. She smiled at the sunshine pouring into her room from the window then stood up.

“Hmmm…. I wonder what Wufei has in mind for today…” she murmured as she went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.

She came back inside her room and took out her old jeans and shirt, now cleaned, then put it on. Then, she looked at her right foot and flexed it up and down, trying to see if there’s any pain… there wasn’t.

She walked out of her room, and straight into Wufei’s room, knocking… No answer… She knocked once more and waited. Still no answer…

Rebecca frowned and opened the door… To her surprise, the bed is made and Wufei isn’t in it!

She stilled as fear gripping her heart… ‘Has he left? He… he couldn’t have, could he? I mean…’

Slowly she started walking back to her room, and noticed the piece of paper taped on her door.

In a lean script, it said:

“Order for room service when you get hungry- DO NOT go out.”

She sighed in frustration. “Where did he go?! What if something happened to him? Darn it!” She went straight to the refrigerator and took out some orange juice.

A sense of dread encompassed her as she tried not to think of anything bad happening to Wufei… Instead, she turned to anger.

“How convenient for him to just shove off without telling me where he’s going! It’s as if…” her voice trailed off as realization dawned on her.

“What am I doing?! I’m acting like a… wife…!” But then… She repeated the word once again in her mind and found it pleasing…

She drank her orange juice and started tracing stick figures of a family at the moisture outside the glass with a smile… Inspired, she went into her room and took out her sketchpad and her glasses… Placing the glasses beside her, not on her nose, she took a charcoal pencil.

With all the love and care, she started on a new page to sketch Wufei…

Wufei slowly turned the knob of their suite, making sure that there isn’t any sound… He doesn’t want another ashtray thrown to his forehead now, does he?

He opened the door slightly and saw, to his disappointment, that all the lights were turned off… ‘Well… why are you disappointed anyway…? It is midnight…’ he thought angrily… but he knows the answer… Somehow, he wants Rebecca to be waiting for him with open lights and a smile… Somehow…

Wufei sighed and went inside, closing the door behind him. He turned on the light switch and went to the refrigerator, feeling a little bit of hunger when a movement to his left caught his attention.

He turned and saw Rebecca curled up on the sofa, with both her hands together under her cheek.

A smile tugged at Wufei’s lips as he walked to her, stopped just beside her, then just look at her while he let his left hand drift to the stray lock of red hair to comb it away then let it stay on her hair.

Rebecca stirred and her eyes slowly fluttered open. She smiled softly as she saw Wufei’s face.

“G’evening…” she said sleepily, then stretched on the couch.

“What are you think of, sleeping on this couch? You’ve got a good bed in your room…” Wufei said, his voice harsh but soft.

Rebecca shrugged and brought her hand up to her forehead where Wufei’s hand is still on. Enclosing his hand with hers, she brought it down to her other hand and placed her face on it, as if about to sleep, but she only looked up to Wufei.

“I was waiting for you…Where have you been?” she said as if it should be so obvious. She rubbed her cheek on the back of his hand and Wufei felt a jolt in him…

“I went to the telecommunications tower to observe their schedule…”

“And…?”

Wufei smiled, “And now I know it like clockwork so I can go there tomorrow to send out a message to my friends…”

He couldn’t help himself as his other hand went to Rebecca’s cheek to slowly rub it.

“What are you doing to me, woman?” Wufei asked her softly. Rebecca shook her head.

“What are you doing to me, man?” she said with a smile.

Wufei smiled. “I don’t know…” he whispered.

Rebecca brought her hand to his face to lightly trace his jaw, “Then, I can’t tell you…”

Her gaze went to the floor and saw a flat flesh disk…

Wufei saw Rebecca frown as she looked down, “What is it?”

Rebecca sat up, breaking the spell. “Your disk is on the floor, Wufei.” She said as she pointed to it.

Wufei looked down and quickly scooped it up. “This blasted thing has been falling off my pocket too many times!” he muttered angrily.

Rebecca smiled as she let her hand comb through his hair. “IF you want, give me your new coat so I can sew a secret compartment into it.”

Wufei shook his head, old habits are hard to break, “I can sew.”

Rebecca’s eyebrow shot up then she stood and walked to Wufei’s old coat, turning it inside out she pointed to ‘Wufei’s work’.

“You call this sewing? It’s such a surprise that you haven’t lost your disk before. I’m not even sure if…” her face went closer as she teasingly examined his work, “I’m not sure if this is a back stitch or a running stitch… Oh wait! Maybe it’s a zig-zag stitch!”

“Humph! It lasted this long, didn’t it?” he replied back with amusement. He watched with a smile as Rebecca shook her head.

“Tsk! Tsk! Well… I’m just going to cook you some food and then, I’ll start with your pocket.” She said as she dropped the old coat back on the hanger and went to the small kitchen.

“Will eggs be alright? Scrambled or Sunny side up?” she asked from within the kitchen.

Wufei nodded, “Eggs are fine. Scrambled.” He leaned back on the sofa, relishing the feel of someone cooking food for him once again… but then, Rebecca had cooked before… then again, every time they ate, they fight so he never had the chance to enjoy it… Now, for some unknown reason, the simple domestic act was so endearing.

A few moments later, Rebecca waved to Wufei. “Come on and eat… We don’t have any rice, but there is bread.”

Wufei nodded, “That’s alright.”

Rebecca watched as he sat down, then she left to take the small sewing kit she saw in her dresser and Wufei’s new coat, and went back to the table, sitting in front of Wufei.

“Wufei, will it be alright if I take a small piece of your old cloak for your inside pocket?”

Wufei shook his head. “Go right ahead, I’m not using it any more.”

Rebecca went to the coat and decided to snip at the edge of the coat. Her hand skimmed through the lining and frowned as she felt a lump underneath… ‘Hmm… that’s funny… Then again, it could be just lint trapped in the lining…’ she thought as she started cutting, already forgetting about the lump.

Wufei ate in silence while he looked at Rebecca snipping a hole and working with the needle on his new coat.

The ambiance is so… homey… Wufei had missed this… He watched Rebecca, putting her full attention on his coat and smiled… ‘This wouldn’t be bad at all…’ then he stopped…

‘Hell! What am I thinking?’ He reminded himself of Merian and warred against the air of peacefulness surrounding them.

He finished eating just as Rebecca announced, “It’s nearly finished!”

He went to the sink and washed the dishes. Then, he turned around just in time to see Rebecca smile up at him. Wufei almost let go of his anger… almost.

“It’s done!” She stood up and walked to the table in front of the couch where the disk is and Wufei followed silently.

Rebecca picked up the disk and felt a bolt of shock travel up her arm. She quickly let it go… ‘What… what was that?!’ she thought as she looked at the disk, as if it were a snake.

Wufei saw her let go of the disk and frowned at how pale she suddenly became. “What is it?” he growled out.

Rebecca shook her head, “No-nothing…” she tried to pick up the disk once again, and felt that similar shock go through her. She closed her eyes trying to erase the images she saw… Of Wufei being gunned down… of Wufei lying so still… A tear escaped her closed eyes…

‘No! Not again! Why?! Why do I see these things?!’ She isn’t a clairvoyant… no… she knows that… but her sixth sense to people she truly cares about, that she loves, is strong… It very rarely happens… but each time…

The first time she felt it was two days before a woman doctor called them and told them that Des had died…two days ago… Then… when her uncle drove to the store and she held his tie and felt the similar shock… Hours later, the police called her saying that her uncle has had an accident… And now… she could feel her own… if he doesn’t interfere…

Wufei looked in confusion as a tear escaped her closed eyes… ‘What is going on here…?

“Rebecca…?” his hand went to her shoulder as he sat beside her. He tried once again, “Becky…”

Rebecca opened her eyes and smiled tearfully, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “My brother used to call me Becky… I prefer it…”

Wufei didn’t answer. He watched as Rebecca held the disk on her hand then turn to him, taking his own hand and placing the disk on his palm.

“Wufei… Take good care of this… okay? It has a… part of you… I can’t explain…” she started.

Wufei’s frown deepend… ‘How did she know…?’ He had seen the contents of the disk and saw Nataku’s weapons in it… Nataku is his… A part of him… ‘How did she know?’

Instead, he spat out, “What are you talking about?” his confusion melting into anger.

“I… You know…” She turned away from him and looked at her hands… “If anything happens to me… don’t come after me… Save the disk. Bring it to people who will protect it…”

She looked at Wufei, “I know that you’re a good person, and that what you are doing is right… Knowing that, I don’t care if anything bad happens to me…”

‘What is she talking about?! This is nonsense!!! Nothing is going to happen to her! She’s overreacting!’ He couldn’t bear himself to think of anything bad happening to Rebecca… He couldn’t!

He pounded his fist on the table, “What the hell are you talking about, woman?! You are talking nonsense!!!”

Rebecca bit her lip. ‘He doesn’t understand…’ She doesn’t want anything to happen to him…

“This is bullshit! You are jumping to conclusion! Why are women like that?!”

She felt her anger and frustration in her, “You don’t understand!!!” She stood up and glared at Wufei. “Why are you so mad anyway?! Why are you always damning the whole female population?! Is it because of what one woman did to you?” she shouted out angrily.

Wufei’s eyes slanted and he himself stood up. “What do you-”

“Care?!” she finished for him. “I care a lot!!! That is just one female!!! Each one is different! Were you betrayed? You were hurt definitely! But how can you be such a coward as to turn away from the world and live in your own anger filled world?!”

Wufei flung out his hand, “I AM NO COWARD! You want to know what happened?! I had a wife once! Merian! And I loved her! But she betrayed me! She died! But she died because she was WEAK!!!”

Rebecca stopped… ‘Merian…’ the girl’s name he uttered on that first night… He had a wife…?’ She could see the pain and anger in his eyes and she spoke softly.

She held out her hand to him, “Wufei… People die… we cannot stop it… But you shouldn’t hide behind all that anger… You are missing life if you do… missing love… We should just learn from the past and live for the present and future…”

Wufei looked at her and Rebecca gasped at the intense fire in his eyes. “Who talks about hiding? You hide behind those glasses of yours! You don’t need them! There aren’t any grades in the lenses! Who is the one who always hugs a sketchbook, not wanting to let go of the past! You!”

Rebecca bit her lip and felt as if she was slapped. In a low voice she answered him. “Wufei… I do not hold on to my past… I learn from it. I keep my memories so it can help me with my present and future… I have my glasses because it reminds me of my uncle’s teaching and patience… I have my sketch of my brother to help me remind of his bravery… But I do not live in them and shut out the world… What you have is anger instead of happiness… Do you think that Merian will have liked seeing you like this?”

Rebecca watched as Wufei shook his head, and his fists tighten. Then, with a frustrated growl, he left her and went straight into his room, banging it.

Rebecca looked at his closed door and closed her eyes, as she felt the stinging tears fall down her face… She opened her eyes and started walking to her own room, closing it softly behind her…

~*~

Wufei paced around his room… Him? Living in the past? Outrageous! He nearly ripped the buttons of the polo shirt he was wearing as he started to change into his night clothes.

“The nerve of her to ask me if Merian would like it…” he muttered. He pulled the blankets and went inside… His mind going to Merian… Remembering her jasmine scent and her smile… Her silky black hair and willowy figure… Sure it was an arranged marriage… And at first they hated each other… but later on… Later on they learned to love each other and accept… How… What will she think if she sees her now…?

Wufei punched the pillow under his head as his mind pictured Rebecca’s face. “Damn woman! Shagua! Bakayaro!”

Rebecca heard the door close… Then, she glanced at the watch…. 6:00 am… She walked to her own door and placed her hand over it…

“Be careful Wufei…” she whispered, knowing that he shouldn’t get caught.

She went back to her bed and tried to sleep, but to no avail… she’s too worried… Especially when she remembered last night when they fought…

Knowing that she couldn’t go back to sleep, she went to the bathroom and took a long relaxing bath in the tub. When she was finished, she donned on her new casual attire of pastel blue pants and sleeveless white silk shirt…

She brushed her hair back, remembering the way her own brother used to brush it and smiled sadly at the memory… ‘Des… I know that you’re dead, but you’re alive in my memory…’

She went to her dresser, took out her sketchbook and went to the room outside her own, sat on the chair and started sketching Wufei.

Hours later, she glanced at the clock just on top of the table near her… “Its 11:30 already?” she exclaimed in disbelief… “Gee… time flies…”

She heard her stomach growl. Picking up the phone, she dialed for room service and ordered for her food.

A moment later, there was a knock on her door… She frowned, ‘That was quick!’ She placed her sketchbook on the table in front of the couch and stood up.

Her hand closed over the knob, and she felt the tingling sensation that something is wrong… But she shrugged it off. “I’m too worried…” she muttered to herself.

Rebecca opened the door with a smile then froze. “Oh my God!” She tried to close the door back again, but she couldn’t as one of the muscular men outside pushed it.

She scrambled towards the kitchen, putting the counter between them as five men entered the suite.

Terror gripped Rebecca’s heart as she could see the bulging form of guns under their overcoats…

“What do you want?!” she screamed at them from the counter. She might be frightened, but she’s not going down without a fight.

The men looked around, two went into Wufei’s and her own room, while the one in the middle spoke.

“Where’s Gregor?”

Rebecca swallowed… They’re looking for Wufei… “I.. I don’t know who you’re looking for!”

A dark haired man looked behind him to the coat rack and saw Wufei’s coat… Rebecca bit her lip… they know…

“Well… That’s his coat…” the dark haired one said to the one in the middle.

The two men appeared from the two bedrooms.

“No one’s in there.”

“Same here.”

The man in the middle snarled at her. “Where is he?!”

Slowly, her hands went to the cabinet and opened them… She knew that there are pots and pans in them… She saw it last night when she made Wufei his dinner… She quickly ducked, took a pan and threw it at the man in the middle.

“OW!!!” He stumbled backwards onto the table, falling and shattering the glass. Blood from his nose fell on Rebecca’s sketchbook as he passed out.

Rebecca didn’t loose time as she grabbed some more pans and started throwing it at the other men who were trying to avoid them.

When she went back down, she saw that there aren’t any more… She looked behind her and saw the dishwasher, knowing that there are glasses inside. Then, from the corner of her eyes, she saw some knives…

She opened the dishwasher and started throwing anything that she could get a hold of. Most of her aim went straight to their marks, but the men kept on coming!

She grabbed the knives and started backing away to her left.

“I’m warning you… One step and I’ll throw these at you!” she threatened… Her eyes went over the men… One is on the floor… another has a bleeding forehead… two more has scratches on their hands…

Wait a minute… There was five of them! She saw the men’s mischievous smiles then felt the hair at the back of her neck prickle… Before she could turn around, she felt a hand on her shoulder then numbing pain…

Her vision blackened and she felt herself fall on her knees then down on the floor…

‘Wufei…’

A man in his early 40’s entered the room. “My… What a mess… I’d never have thought of Gregor to afford this place… I guess there’s more to him…”

“Sir! Mr. Stone! Gregor isn’t in here…” one of the men said.

Stone looked to his left, at one of his boy’s limp body surrounded by shards of glass.

“What happened to Hans?”

“The girl- the bookstore keeper- threw a skillet at him… She surprised us.”

One of the men motioned towards the kitchen and stone walked towards it. He saw, lying on the floor, a redheaded woman… “Ahh… I knew that there was a woman involved in this project… but I didn’t expect a clerk… Who would have thought…”

He kneeled on one knee and brushed back Rebecca’s hair. He smiled at what he saw, “Gregor knows how to pick a lady… and to hide her… She doesn’t look like the bookstore woman you took pictures of, Tom.”

“Yeah… I know.” The man answered sheepishly.

Stone stood up. “John, pick Hans. Tom, get the girl… We’re going.”

“Yes sir…”

“Sir… what about… I mean, how will Gregor know where to find us?”

Stone smiled without amusement. “We have his girl… He’ll find a way…”

The others nodded. They closed the door behind them and went down the fire escape.

~*~

Wufei frowned… ‘Damn! I’m sure they got it by now…’ he thought as he glanced at his watch… He’s been here since 8 in the morning… he sneaked in with no problem at all and everyone thinks that he’s the replacement mechanic… In less than thirty minutes that he’s been in the tower, he was able to transmit his message in the frequency and code that he wanted without anyone noticing… He’s just waiting for the reply… And hell! It’s 6 pm already!!! If he doesn’t go soon… everyone will get suspicious of him… He’s been in here too long…

Suddenly, the red and blue flashing of light caught his attention… He sighed in relief as he pushed a lever and heard the code while reading it on the monitor…

He smiled as he finished. “I knew you’ll get through… Thanks Heero…” He started typing in the keyboard, erasing the data that it received and inconspicuously left the building.

He decided not to take a cab… He needs to think… Well… He’s been thinking the whole day since he left the suite…

Rebecca…

He looked at his hands…

Merian…

He tried to feel the anger he had reigned in because of her death… but he couldn’t… ‘She’s right… Merian wouldn’t want me to live like this…’

He passed by a store with a wedding gown in it and saw Rebecca wearing it… He turned away…

Is he ready to actually let another woman in his life…? He grimaced. Well, she’s already in his life, mixed in its trouble…

He looked straight ahead, and to his surprise, saw a church and crosses of the dead behind it, lighted by the fainting rays of sunset…

Wufei walked to the waist height fence and looked at the cemetery… Placing his shoulders on top, he leaned forward.

Maybe it is time to lay down his ghosts… He pictured Merian in his mind and didn’t feel the anger and betrayal he felt before… Wufei smiled… Maybe he has done it already, because of a certain redheaded woman…

He looked towards the slightly darkened sky and spoke, “Merian… I’m sorry…I know I’ve been an asshole… I didn’t really say good bye… So, now I’ll say it… Good bye, Merian…” He turned away from the cemetery and started walking, feeling the lightness of his heart.

He thought of Rebecca once again… Her smile, her lily scent and her long red wavy hair and blazing green eyes…

Wufei smiled softly… Well… He’s coming back home… He can’t wait to see Rebecca once again and – Wufei grimaced at the idea but then shrugged, he’s gotta start sometime- apologize for the way he acted…

Wufei frowned as he stood in front of his suite’s door… ‘Something happened here…’ he thought as he quickly pushed the key in and turned the lock…

He opened the door and his eyes widened as his gaze fell on the chaos of the whole room…

Pots and pans are everywhere… Broken glasses… His eyes turned to his left and noticed the broken glass of the table…

His heart hammered in fear. “Rebecca!” he quickly went inside Rebecca’s room and saw that her whole room was ransacked.

“Becky!!!” he shouted again to no avail as he went to his room, also in disarray…

His whole body grew cold as he went to the kitchen and saw the opened dishwasher and the clutter of knives on the floor…

“Oh my God…” he exclaimed as he saw the knives…

Stone… He’s the only one who will do this!!! Anger and fear warred in him as he went to the couch, walking over the shards of glass…

His eyes saw Rebecca’s sketchpad under the glass and his heart seemed to stop at the blood that seeped into it…

“No…” he whispered as tears clouded his eyes. His hands quickly pushed away the glass and he gingerly took the pad…

He looked on the opened page, seeing his face sketched in fine lines… He could see how careful she is, and thought of the time she spent working on it… A person cannot just draw without care or feeling by mere memory… He knows that this is from memory since Rebecca has never asked him to pose for her…

Not a single tear escaped Wufei’s eyes as he touched the now clotted blood on the edge of the page…

“Becky…” he whispered.

In anger he kicked the table away from him and punched a hole into the wall. Then, he sat down on the couch and touched his temple…

“What happened… How did he knew where we were…?” he mumbled, trying to think. He looked up and saw his old coat… Then, he knew…

He bounded for his cloak and started tearing it apart. Then, he found it, near the place where Rebecca snipped a piece of cloth for his new secret pocket…

“A bug… A stupid stinking bug and I didn’t even know!!!” he shouted angrily, nearly crushing the simple circular device in his palm, then he stopped…

“Rebecca…” His mind started to work… He knows that with a simple reprogramming, he’ll know where Stone will be hiding… and Rebecca…

He remembered what Rebecca told him last night… “If anything happens to me… don’t come after me…”

He walked back to Rebecca’s sketchbook and reached for it.

“The hell I won’t! Nobody can stop me! I am not going to let them hurt you… I found you and I will never let you go!”

His right hand turned into a tight fist, “Stone… If you hurt her… I’ll rip your bones apart…” he said in a low and dangerous voice…

“I will make sure that you pay… They won’t even recognize your body…”

(Author’s Note: Well everyone, we’re nearing the conclusion of our story…)