Woke Up One Morning... Part 23
I'm locked in place, my grocery basket hanging from my nearly limp hand as I stare at the man before me.
Up close, Jesse Krutza is a bit more muscular than he appeared from a distance or in his shots taken by satellite that make him look tall and lanky. His mature, handsome features and brown eyes- that are taking me in from head-to-toe at this moment- are a little more captivating in person.
Then, there's that smile that is slowly creeping across his oval-shaped face. It's pretty easy to see how the guy has no problem wooing the ladies around here. Between his looks and his bank account, it's a dangerous combination.
Of course, I'm not nearly taken aback by his appearance as by the fact that I am within arm's reach of the man that I have been helping track down for more than a week now. The last thing I had ever expected was to have a run-in with him.
"Sorry about that," Jesse grins kindly in a smooth, deep voice. Yet another quality about him that I'm sure the girls love. "I didn't see you there."
Quickly recovering from my surprise, I smile, "No problem. I'm just as much at fault, but no harm, no foul." I begin to walk past him casually, looking forward to put this whole chance meeting behind me. My eyes are focused on the cart of rice that I plan on getting for my husband.
...Heero. Man, I would not want to be Krutza if my lover had seen the way his eyes raked over me or how that almost lecherous grin spread on his face. Of course, I could be reading too much into the guy's behavior. My brain wasn't exactly thinking very clearly for a brief moment back there.
As I continue to move on without looking back, Jesse's voice calls, "Well, hold on a second." I freeze in place again, swallowing roughly as he hurries to move ahead me so we can face each other. A few inches taller than me, I have to look up to meet his gaze.
Smiling in a way that has me a little uncomfortable, Krutza comments, "I've never seen you around these parts before. Where are you vacationing from?" And all of a sudden, I recall a couple of times that I had spotted him returning home late with a male companion. At first, I never thought anything about it, but now...
Oh... shit. Maybe I wasn't over-reading his reaction to me earlier after all. I've posed as bait at gay bars on enough missions in the past that I know how to read a come-on when I see one.
The initial panic that wants to build is pushed back as soon as I see the opportunity in this. Flashing my best smile, I answer vaguely enough to continue the conversation, "The States. And I'm actually here on business for a few weeks."
Jesse's brown eyes light up a bit at the information. "So, you will need someone who knows the area to show you around," he offers smoothly, showing his perfect white teeth in his smile. Lowering his head a bit, he shrugs coyly, "I apologize if I am a bit forthcoming, and I don't normally do this, but you're quite an attractive one."
Jesus! What is it about me that screams 'try me' to guys that are even half interested in experimenting that way? Frustrating as that can be, it does come in handy at times like this.
Not letting on to anything being wrong, my grin widens and I chuckle, "Well, I do appreciate that." Tilting my head, I make it a point to look him over, making that gleam in his glance turn a bit more predatory. "I could go for a friend familiar with the area," I shrug, but make it a point to let something else hang out there in my tone.
Even if everything in me is screaming for me to stop baiting myself, I have to give this a chance to possibly get more information than those recorders and videos may pickup. How many times will an opportunity like this come along?
Taking the bait, hook, line and sinker, my unknowing target extends his hand and introduces, "I'm Jesse Krutza."
"Jeffrey," I reply in kind, shaking hands with him firmly. "Jeffrey Cunningham."
Quickly pulling his wallet from his jeans' pocket, he opens it to remove a business card that he offers. "There is my number," he tells me as I accept and look over the simple card that bears literally only his name and number.
Wanting to keep up my appearance of never having known him while not being easy, at the same time, I raise an eyebrow. His head falling back, Krutza laughs, "I don't actually work. I am living off an inheritance that will last me well past my days."
My smile returns as I blink in fake wonder, "Wow. That must be nice." Pocketing the card in my own jeans, I nod firmly, "Well, I am free from work later tonight. If you're not busy, I just may give you a call so we can meet up again."
Back straightening, Jesse smiles, "That'd be great. I don't have any plans this night, so feel free to get in touch with me." The word 'touch' is drawn out a little too long and deeply to mean the innocent context that he had used.
Still, I play along and reply, "All right." Waving, I end with a pleasant, "Nice meeting you." Almost on their own accord, my feet turn and lead me away as he calls a friendly, 'You, too,' from behind me that I do not acknowledge.
Keeping my eyes forward, I lose myself in the crowd gathered around and move for the rice and bean cart at the end of the row. Pulse racing and breathing a little heavily, I force myself to relax and not draw attention to myself. Acting on pure auto-pilot, I smile to the sweet old lady and buy a few pounds of rice for Heero.
At the end of the market place, I put my purchases into two plastic bags for carrying home when I step out of the shopping area... and right into a glaring Wufei.
Might I add a glaring Wufei who looks like he is about to spit nails at me right now with his own bags at his feet.
Fuck. He knows.
Slowly pulling back his anger so that his face isn't so red, 'Fei takes a deep breath and frowns quietly, "Yuy is not going to like this."
The smartass in me smirks, as 'he' always does when I'm nervous. "Yuy-Maxwell, you mean." Of course, those words never actually come out, of course, but my anxious smile grows. Swallowing roughly, I duck my head a bit when my friend's face boils that deep red again.
* * * * * *
For the entire walk back to the hotel room, I've felt like a child being led to the principal's office with Wufei stomping ahead and my trying to keep up. We don't talk and we don't really acknowledge each other. And even as upset as I am sure he is, I also know that he appreciates this was the right move in light of the risks.
That's the only reason I am sure I haven't been hearing it from him our entire walk back. Whether there are people around or not would make no difference to 'Fei. He would find away to let me hear it.
When we reach the hotel, we head for the room booked to Heero and I. Bryant is gone, most likely following Krutza at a distance since he had left his estate. And Tyson must still be sleeping in his room.
So, that only leaves my husband and Trowa seated at the main room's table. Their eyes turn on us the second we step inside. I make it a point to avoid Heero's gaze when it follows me as I move towards the table.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Trowa tensing up a bit in his chair at the strange feeling in the air we're giving off. "So, how did the shopping go?" he asks in a hinting way for us to fill in the spaces of what's really up.
There is not an immediate response as Wufei and I set about emptying our bags. "What did you and Krutza have to talk about?" Heero asks in a tight, controlled tone that I can tell he is forcing to keep calm. Stunned, I look up to actually see that he has been glaring fiercely at me this whole time.
Bryant. Bastard did such a good job of following Krutza undetected that I never spotted him. And he snitched on me.
Despite how mad I want to be over that, all that I'm worried about is that heated look directed at me from my lover.
Wufei bites his lip, back straight, as he put two and two together quickly in his own head. He snaps his head in Trowa's direction and they both quickly leave the room to allow some privacy before I can blink.
I really don't blame them. Right now, I could stand to not be in the same room with 'Ro in this state. But my feet are glued in place.
Taking a deep, measured breath, my husband sits back in his seat and folds his arms. "What the hell are you thinking?" he questions in a near growl. "You're putting yourself in harm's way by planning on meeting with Krutza. We have no idea what he's capable of if he ever realizes he is being watched."
Finally able to breathe, I reply simply, "We can only get so much information from what we can record in his home." Heero literally chews on that, the reluctance clear in his eyes when he turns his head away a bit. Slowly rounding the table, I slink into the chair beside him as carefully as I would if I was nearing a wild animal.
I continue to take my time sitting before him, bending forward to prop myself up with my arms on my legs. Gazing up, I sigh quietly, "I can get inside, look through Krutza's personals. We could spare ourselves a shit load of time that way instead of waiting for a call or a meeting to come up."
When there is still no response from my partner in any sense, I bite my lip and beg softly, "Please look at me, 'Ro. I can't stand it when you're mad at me like this."
Closing his eyes, Heero looses all of the sharp edge that had been in him as he frowns, "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at the situation." I'm completely washed over with relief and my tense shoulders slump forward with it.
Finally, he turns his head back towards me and all that can be found in his cobalt eyes are concern and sadness. "You hate being the bait," he comments in little more than a whisper. Shaking his head, he adds, "I hate you being the bait."
My lips curl up in a joy-less smile. A few of those cases back in our early Preventer days involving a gay bar or crude dive where I would have to lure a suspect in had all come with risk. In every one of those cases, I remember Heero expressing just how much he hated the idea of it being me.
So, his reaction to finding out about my 'date' with Krutza wouldn't have been out of character as he had been protective of me in the past. As Trowa and the others besides Wufei were concerned, this was all part of the norm and not a case of a husband looking after his spouse.
Despite how unhappy with a plan like this Heero would be, in the end, he had to relent in knowing that was the best way to get what we needed. And this time is not about to be any different.
"Trust me," I request softly, reaching forward to take his hands in mine with a firm squeeze. "I'm not thrilled about this, either. But we both know we won't get another chance like this. Quatre, Relena and everyone on the Assembly are still in danger until we get to everyone involved in the attack. And as long as that Glycaminum is in production, no one is safe. Time could be running out before the next hit, so we have to act."
Never breaking eye contact with me, my husband nods shallowly, "I know. And I do trust you." Squeezing my hands back, he releases one to hold up a finger and states in a tone that leaves no room for argument, "However, I am going to be the one standing close by whenever you're with him. You may be able to handle yourself, but I will not agree to this unless I know I'll be able to move in if anything happens."
I smile at that, inwardly laughing over how he just can't help being protective while giving me the benefit of the doubt at the same time. "Fair enough," I agree with a grin. Sitting up, I lean in to kiss him soundly in appreciation. The gesture is returned in kind and deepened a bit before we part.
Releasing another sigh, I wash my face with my hands and groan behind them, "I just don't know how the hell I'm the one that always winds up in this situation." A frustrated frown on my face, I lower my hands and shake my braided head, "I mean, I don't know what the hell it is about me that these assholes are drawn to."
To my surprise, Heero actually laughs, his head falling back a bit. My head tilts as he looks back at me and smirks, "You really don't get it, do you? Duo Yuy-Maxwell, you are practically sex walking without even trying."
Well... damn. Completely taken by surprise at actually hearing such a thing from my partner of years, my back stiffens and my eyes widen in shocked, dumb disbelief. Then... maybe that means...
"How the hell long have you thought that about me?" I question when my brain is able to process the words. How the hell long have I been blind to acknowledging that my own best friend was attracted to me?
There is a flash of almost... panic in those eyes on me when they widen slightly. My God, is he actually scared at being caught in something he didn't want me to know?
Backed against a wall of sorts, Heero gives me a small grin and admits quietly, "A while." And that is all that he is comfortable with revealing for now. It's all such an eye-opening thing for me that I don't think I really care to push for more from him in fear that he may pull back from me.
So, Heero Yuy had been attracted to me for 'a while' without my even knowing it. It's as much a surprise as it is an exciting revelation. My cheeks are actually burning a bit and I turn my head away until I can fight the blush back.
Once I'm able to look at my lover again, all I can do is chuckle like some love-struck school kid, "Really?"
"Really," 'Ro nods, smiling. Leaning forward, he kisses my forehead before rising from his seat in a silent announcement that this topic is over. That works perfectly fine for me as I continue to sit here with a stupid grin on my face.
Moving for the door, my partner looks over his shoulder and announces, "I better go tell the others that it's safe to come back. If you're going to be going out with Krutza tonight, we better start getting ready for that."
Quickly snapping from my stupor, I shoot up from my chair and reply, "Good idea."
Heero pauses with his hand on the doorknob, turning to look back at me once again. All of a sudden, the realization in his eyes is clear as a bell to me. He just noticed at the same time that I did that this is a rare moment alone for us. That moment is used to the fullest when he closes the distance between us to kiss the hell out of me.
Gasping for air when we break a short lifetime later, 'Ro grins and slaps my rear before walking back off. "Don't want the others worrying to the point that they call for help," he smirks. With that, he opens the door and steps out.
Not having him to hold me up, I'm weaker in my knees than I had realized and hold out a hand to brace myself up against the wall. "Damn," is all I can manage in a quiet laugh.
Just when I think I know all there is to know about Heero Yuy, he goes and surprises me. I'm going to have a blast learning more about him, one revelation at a time over the course of this unplanned marriage.
* * * * * *
By the time Bryant returned to the hotel following Krutza's day out, Tyson was awake and they were both brought up to speed on the chance run-in I had at the market. Neither one had any objection to my plan, seeing it for the opportunity it is.
At about five o'clock, I sit before my laptop monitor to find Jesse sitting on his living room couch, reading. Taking up the business card that he gave to me earlier, I call the number from my secured cell phone. On the screen, he quickly lowers his book at the first ring and takes up the cell. A quick glance to the caller ID on it does not come up with a number so he flips it open to place the receiver to his ear.
"Hello?" he greets with a little bit of anticipation in his tone.
Smiling so he that he can hear it in my voice, I greet, "Hey, Jesse. It's Jeffrey, from the marketplace this morning."
Over the cell phone and the laptop, Krutza chuckles, "Of course. I certainly was not about to forget you any time soon." I glance behind my shoulder to see Heero standing by with the others, looking a bit like he is about to wring the guy's neck when the question comes, "How can I help you?"
My smile growing, I answer, "Well, I thought that I might take you up on your offer earlier. I could go for some sight seeing without having to get lost in the process."
Rising from his couch, Jesse begins to pace as he grins, "Great. Have you eaten yet? Maybe we could have dinner at one of the lakeside restaurants for starters? I'm thinking the Lugano Heights Restaurant at the north beach."
"That sounds good to me," I reply. "I know where that is, so I'll meet you there. No offense, since I would love to have you pick me up, but the team that I'm working with wouldn't be exactly thrilled if they see that I'm mixing business with pleasure." That end of that comment is purposely drawn out and Krutza freezes in place.
His brief pause is pushed back as he rushes to reassure, "That's fine." Glancing to his wall clock, he asks, "Does meeting there around seven o'clock work for you?"
It'll be dark at seven.
More than happy that all is going according to plan, I respond, "Seven sounds perfect. I'll see you then."
Closing my own phone to end the call, I watch and listen as he disconnects from our conversation to dial another number. After a brief pause, he says, "Yes, I would like to make reservations for two this evening." The rest of the conversation can be ignored as I turn to face my teammates.
With a deep breath, I smirk, "All right. If you all would excuse me, then, I have a date to prepare for."
TBC...
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