One Night Part 4

The door closed behind them, and Trowa couldn't hear the conversation anymore. He lifted his head and blinked at the two men carrying the chair.

"So," Duo grinned at him as they set him down in the hallway on a waiting plastic tarp, "how does it feel to be dead?"

"Sticky." Trowa could feel the fake blood dripping down from his head, coagulating on his back and arms.

"I know," Heero nodded as he started untying Trowa. "Sorry about that. You're going to need another shower."

"The spatter was impressive," Duo said to Heero. "I really liked all the little chunky things you put in it. I really thought we had blown his brains out."

"I'm glad you liked." The ropes came free and Trowa carefully stood up. Duo handed him a towel.

Trowa wiped himself off the best he could. A small contingent of the dark clad men came and took the chair, tarp and towel and vanished.

"Who are they?" He asked Duo as the three of them set off down the hallway.

"Winner's bodyguards- the Magunacs." Duo grinned. "If you need anything just ask one of them. Mr. Winner doesn't need to see us until tomorrow morning- what time?" He looked at his partner.

"Ten. In his office." Heero smiled. He stopped as the hallways branched off into two different directions. "Can you find your way back to your room from here?"

"Yes."

"Good. We'll see you in the morning then." He took Duo's elbow and led him off down one branch of the hallway. Trowa took the other and managed to find his room again. Another shower was definitely in order.

As he stood under the warm water, hoping the makeup and fake blood would melt off, he wondered about the last part of the conversation he had heard. How was he valuable? That didn't make sense. He was an assassin... not a leader. He was wealthy, but not rich enough to influence anyone... How did he have any value in this game?

He sighed and picked up the washcloth as he realized the mess was staying stubbornly in place. At the very least though- he was free of the organization. His death would be reported; he wouldn't have to go on anymore jobs. Duo and Heero seemed happy with their employment with Winner... maybe it would be better than he'd hoped... And really anything would be better than working for the Organization these days...

Trowa walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair and reminding himself not to let Duo and Heero kill him again. It had taken ages to get all of that gunk off of himself. He shivered in the slightly chill air, and decided to see if the dresser contained anything warm he could appropriate for himself.

"Glad to see you looking so much... healthier." Trowa blinked, and automatically dropped the towel to his waist. Winner was stretched out on his bed, propped up against the headboard, a newspaper in his hands. He gave Trowa a lazy smile. "I did knock."

"I wasn't complaining," Trowa replied and retreated to the dresser. He was hoping that he wasn't turning red- which was ridiculous because he was never embarrassed. "To what do I owe the honor of your company?" He found a pair of loose pants and a t-shirt in the drawers and pulled them on hastily. Winner didn't answer until Trowa had once again turned to face him.

"It's been quite a night for you so far," Winner smiled and folded up his paper. "I thought you might have some questions for me? Or perhaps would simply like to reflect on the choices you've made. I'm afraid I had to rush things a bit this evening."

"I do have a few questions..." Trowa decided that he wasn't going to let Winner intimidate him, no matter how attractive he found the man. He stretched out on the other side of the bed, propping himself up on one arm.

"Ask. If I can answer, I will."

"In this game... who are the players? The Kings and Queens?"

Winner reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box. He opened it to reveal a tiny chess set. He put it on the bed between himself and Trowa.

He touched the White King. "Myself." He touched the Queen. "Relena Peacecraft." His fingers moved to the other side of the board and touched the Red King and then the Queen. "Zechs Merquise and Dorothy Catalonia."

Trowa frowned. "I know none of them. Dorothy was the one who hired me- she gave me yours and Zechs name. Why am I so important to this game?"

Winner smiled. "That's where it gets complicated. You see, in this game we also have all the supporting pieces." He touched the pawns. "These would be the ones you have heard of- the leaders, the presidents- as well as the ones who simply serve in minor capacities. They merely serve as placeholders, vessels to hold power that they are given- though any one of them could take out a King or Queen."

"You called me a knight."

"And so you are. The pawns are a major part of the struggle. They shift hands, move around all during the game as alliances are made and broken. Some are valuable and some are not so. And then there are these..." He touched the rooks, the knights and the bishops.

"Who are they?"

"They are the ones who help us distribute our power. My rooks would be my Magunac corps, and your two friends. My bishops are those who help me hold my power."

"And the knights?"

"The ones dearest to us. Our champions."

Trowa frowned. "I have never been dear to anyone. That does not make sense."

Winner smiled. "This year, things have changed slightly. We have two bishops that are trying to become royalty." He frowned at the chessboard. "You see, in actuality it looks more like this..." He took all the pieces off the board. "The two queens stand together," he put the red queen and the white queen in one corner of the board. "One king stands with his bishop," he put the red king and a red bishop in the corner. "I stand here," his piece went into another corner. "And this time we have, two new major players," he put a red bishop and a white one into another corner. "It's a little more complicated than this, but simply, that is how things stand."

Trowa touched the two bishops standing together. "And I am dear to them?"

Winner nodded. "Indeed. Their main power- their pawns- are among those who traffic in information and seek to walk around the sides of the laws."

"Like the Organization."

"Exactly. Your organization is one of theirs. They are rival powers and this year we seek to make our alliances with them."

"I can see why I'd be valuable to them- but not dear. A pawn but not a knight."

Winner smiled and folded up the chessboard. "I'm sure all will be clear by the end of the week."

"Is that the end of the game? Only a week?"

Winner nodded. "Only a week and then we can go back home." He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, looking suddenly weary.

"You sound as if you don't like the game." Trowa observed. It surprised him, Winner seemed liked he had been in his element earlier.

"I do- and I don't." Winner frowned. "I never truly wanted to play, but my father pointed out that it is the only way to keep our sector the way it is. The game can be exhilarating, but there is a lot riding on the outcome." He smiled suddenly. "But without high risks, what game is worth playing?"

"True." Trowa returned the smile. "Thank you for taking the time to explain."

"It was my pleasure." Winner's look suddenly changed. His eyes swept over Trowa, and the other again felt that hot surge in his blood. "Very much so."

Before Trowa could manage a reply, Winner leaned over and captured his mouth with his own.

This time there was no hesitation, no protest... this time Trowa simply reached out and dragged Winner closer, opening his lips and allowing Winner access.

"I never do this with employers..." He said when they parted.

"I do seem to be making you break all your rules," Winner parried, and kissed him again.

TBC...

 

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