Part Two

Nighttime Follies: The Beginning

By Liewe

Standard disclaimers apply…

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Trowa groaned when Midii suggested a night on the town. Barely even twenty-four hours into his new duty and already he was beginning to wish for some form of attack just so he could escape her. Of course she just had to prove to be just as manic as Duo was won't to be. But as far as he could tell, she didn’t have Duo’s motives, she didn't make people laugh so they wouldn't cry. No, she just did it because it gave her some sort of perverse pleasure to see everything around her in chaos.

She was the spawn of the devil. He was sure of it. No one else would be that troublesome. That morning when she had walked into Preventer HQ with Lady Une, no less than five new recruits became infatuated. It hadn't helped of course, that she'd been wearing jeans that hugged her hips, and sheer blouse. Really, what had Une been thinking letting her niece leave the house in such attire? It was... it was... it just wasn't done.

Of course, his reaction went unnoticed, unlike some he had previous experience to draw on, as well as a wealth of patience. Of course Duo had helped as well, drawing attention to himself and his comical appraisal of the new talent as he called her. While Duo had been ogling her, giving her the attention she wanted, he had been given the opportunity to calm his own raging hormones, and present a cold and un-approving facade.

"Maxwell," he growled, glaring at the ebullient Preventer. "If that's all, then we will be on our way, Miss Une." He silently congratulated himself on the aloofness of his tone of voice. She would definitely not be getting any ideas about feminine wiles working on him!

"Hey, are there any good bars or clubs around here?" Midii asked as she draped her arms around his neck, her breath stirring his hair.

In the background Duo chuckled as Trowa promptly removed Midii's arms. The muscles worked in his neck as he fought the urge to scream and rail at the young woman. It would only encourage her, he assured himself.

"There are a couple," Duo responded with a grin, and Trowa bit back a sharp retort. "Planning a night on the town are you?"

"Yup, sure am. It's been an age since I had the opportunity to do some bar hopping," she grinned, batting her eyelashes. Her actions causing Duo to double over in laughter. "And it seems that Aunt has gifted me with an escort, so a delectable morsel like myself won't have to worry about unsavory characters. It's the perfect opportunity, don't you think?" She asked with a flirtatious grin. The light in her eyes strangely reminiscent of Duo's as the axe fell and one of his jokes sprang upon an unsuspecting victim.

The look in her eyes scared Trowa. Terrified him.

"I think I'll have to tag along then, don't want a 'delectable morsel' such as yourself to go bar hopping without a harem of men," Duo responded, as he slung an arm around Midii's shoulders. Trowa just continued to glare at them; Duo was acting very unprofessional, he thought as he waited for Midii to disengage herself.

He sighed, it was going to be a long day, followed by an even longer night.

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Midii giggled as she wriggled into her pants. The black leather clinging to her lean frame. She smirked as she laced the sides, securing the pants about her person. He wouldn't be able to resist her, she thought with satisfaction as she admired herself in the mirror. She was the picture... well the picture of everything a man could want. Her shirt was loose enough that it showed the edges of her bra, and of course, she hadn't been able to resist cutting the shirt either. She grinned as she caught sight of the stark contrast between the pale skin of her midriff and the inky blackness of the leather.

"Midii?" A soft voice called, and she whirled, a smile in place. Her little cousin, so unsure, so damaged.

"Yes Marie," she responded holding out a hand to the younger girl.

"Why are you dressed like that?"

Midii hesitated a moment, kneeling down so she could draw the younger girl into her arms. Her chin resting on the crown of her cousin's head, the vibrant red of Mariemaia's hair looking like blood against her pale skin.

"Well, I'm going out with friends... and I want to make someone notice me," she finally said, opting for a minimalized version of the truth.

"Can I go?" Already so trusting, Midii thought, sadly shaking her head.

"Sorry Marie, but you can't..." she broke off as she felt the dejection travel through her little cousin's frame. "But, why don't we go on a picnic tomorrow, just you, me and that stuffy Preventer Aunt has watching over me." Midii asked softly, silently begging her cousin to understand.

Mariemaia nodded her head in acceptance of the offer, and Midii was struck by the lost look in the young girls eyes. Almost as if she were a puppy expecting to be kicked. In that moment her hatred of Dekim Barton began, and slowly grew. She had seen the vids of the would be dictator. And the young girl in her arms bore little resemblance to the self assured child that had told the world she would rule at the tender age of eight.

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A wall of sound hit them as they entered the bar slash club. Trowa groaned as Midii chuckled in delight. Duo just patted himself on the back as he admired the view. Agreeing to meet up at Preventer HQ had been the best idea he'd had, next to going to this partical locale. He chuckled. Oh, this was going to be so much, he thought, chortling with glee.

"What's the name of this place again," Midii asked, her cheek pressed against his, her voice raised in an almost yell.

"Crimson Tears," Duo responded, resting a hand on her hip, steadying her. He grinned as she leaned into him, fingers lightly resting on his hips a look of promise in her eyes. His other hand came up to rest on her other hip, and he saw the barest hint of surprise and fear before it vanished, and then it hit him. She was using him to get to Trowa, he was outraged for a moment before common sense kicked in. Maybe she could help him as well. He chuckled as he watched Trowa stalk away to the bar, and winked at her. “Score one for the blonde," he said into her ear as he moved slightly to show her Trowa's current position. His eyes twinkled at the soft chuckle that left her lips, and understanding flash in her eyes. In that moment they became allies.

"Dance," she yelled, before stepping back, and grabbing his shirt to drag him onto the dance floor.

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Midii groaned. Her head felt like someone was using it for a soccer ball. That would definitely teach her not to mix her drinks... She couldn't even remember the names of all the drinks she'd consumed. What an idiot she was. What scared her though was the fact that she couldn't remember anything that had happened after the second scorpion bowl.

She could remember something to do with a table though, and lots of hooting and hollering.

"Midii dear, breakfast is ready," the voice of her aunt called, and Midii jerked, her face paling at the mention of food. She extricated herself from the nest of blankets only to slump to her knees. Her forehead touching the rug.

"It's bacon and eggs," Lady Une called again, in an effort to prompt her niece to move faster. She looked up as she heard pounding feet and then the sound of retching. "Oh dear, I believe I'll just put this in the oven then."

Midii groaned as she rested her cheek on the cold porcelain of the seat. "I'm never drinking like that again," she moaned before shifting to pay homage to the porcelain god once more.

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-to be continued...