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A Small Piece of Heaven - Part 25

The door to Treize's office was left ajar, and Milliardo could hear his master talk to somebody over the speakerphone. The blond, carrying a tray with freshly brewed coffee, considered for a moment whether he should enter or not.

"It was to expect that he would want time to think about it," Treize spoke. "Do you have any idea if there are any other offers?"

"Yes, as far as I know at least one other party is interested, which brings up my other question. Is 2.5 million your best offer, or would you be willing to go any higher in case we are being outbid?"

"I would probably go up another 500 000 if needed. You know how much I want that land, Mister Lindforse, but I don't necessarily want to overpay for it."

"Don't worry, your Excellency, I will make sure that you won't pay more than it is worth."

"Very well then, I'll be waiting for your next report. Goodbye until then."

Milliardo could hear the phone being hung up. He knocked at the door and waited for the invitation to come in, before he entered the room.

"Coffee?"

Treize looked up from his desk. "Thank you, Milliardo, that would be wonderful. Is Wufei still asleep?"

The blond slave nodded a smirk on his face. "I know better than to wake a sleeping dragon."

"Indeed," The ginger-blond man agreed. "We would end up with a very grumpy dragon." …and this morning probably with a very sore and grumpy dragon…

"You are up early, Master."

"I was expecting an important call and I'm trying to get some of this paperwork done." The duke gave a sigh as he stared at the pile of bills and papers he still had to work through.

Milliardo found an empty spot on the desk to put down his tray, and poured two cups of the aromatic brew.
"I don't understand why you are doing this yourself? Most people in your position have accountants to do this kind of work for them. It's not like you couldn't afford hiring one."

"Habit I suppose," Treize answered with a shrug, as he accepted the cup the blond was handing him. "I like to be atop of everything going on around here, which includes my finances."

"Not a very good habit," Milliardo propped himself against the edge of the desk, "because it takes away time that could be spend with more enjoyable things."

"Like being together with you?" the duke asked casually.

"For example," the blond replied with a smirk on his lips. He looked around and picked up something that looked like a project drawing from the desk. "What's this?"

"Some plans my architect sent over this morning."

Milliardo look at the paper for a moment. "Planning on building another stable?"

"Not just a stable; a riding school. More or less a pet-project of mine, something I have been dreaming of since the day my father took me for the first time to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. A few weeks ago I finally found the perfect piece of land. Here, take a look." Treize handed the younger man the other drawings. "This will be the main riding hall. Everything will be finished in ivory tones and white marble."

To Milliardo it looked more like a lavishly decorated ballroom.

"If you leave the hall, to the right are going to be the changing rooms for the riders, the saddlery and the storerooms. On the left side are going to be the stables, four of them. Behind the stables is the exterior training ground. The landscaping with fountains and sculptures will be done in a style that reflects 16th century Spain. I just hope everything turns out the way I imagine it once it is finished."

"I'm sure it will." Milliardo couldn't help but smile. He had never before seen his master as enthusiastic about anything. Treize sounded as excited as a child in a candy store. "Knowing you, Master, it will turn out perfect."

"You are not afraid I'll have even less time to spend with you?" Treize teased.

"Hmmm…" Milliardo pretended to think about it. "I'll survive, I suppose. I still have Wufei to comfort me if I get lonely."

The ginger-blond man gave a low growl. "It is not nice to tease your master." He reached out, took hold of the front of Milliardo's shirt to pull the young man toward him, and captured Milliardo's mouth in a passionate kiss. Soft lips opened invitingly, a pair of strong arms encircled his waist, as Milliardo lowered himself into his master's lap. Treize nipped at the blond's lower lip before placing a trail of soft kisses along his jaw-line.
"I need you to do something for me, Angel," he whispered into the young slave's ear.

"Anything you want."

"Anything?"

"Anything," Milliardo breathed.

"Go and tell Evans to start serving breakfast."

"And you are calling me a tease?" The blond pouted.

The duke chuckled as he gave his slave one last affectionate nuzzle. "Go, I'm hungry."

"Any thoughts on what we are going to do after breakfast?"

"Actually I do. I have things to do in town and while we are there I thought we will drive by the S.A.U. office to see Doctor Po and get that over with."

*****

Milliardo forced himself to calm down and take deep breaths, as the young female doctor fastened the leather straps that restrained his wrists and ankles to the examination table he was laying on.

About a week ago Sally Po had called his master to let him know that Milliardo's neckband needed to be replaced. That was something that had to be done routinely every few years. The doctor had offered to come out to the Khushrenada estate to perform the procedure, but when given the choice, Milliardo had opted to visit the field office.

For the past 18 months the blond slave had avoided to come back here. Too many bad memories were associated with this place; too much pain. He couldn't help the feeling of dread that came over him only thinking about it, but he was hoping that facing those fears would help him to finally move on.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" Treize had asked him outside the doctor's office.

Milliardo had shaken his head. "No, I will be fine, Master."

Now he was starting to regret that decision. He had forgotten how much he hated to be restrained like this. The young man tried to fight down the rising feeling of panic, but it wasn't easy. This just felt too much like being tied down for a beating or to be…He shuddered, remembering those other things they had done to him while he was tied up and unable to fight back.

I don't want to think about it…No, I don't want to…I don't want to think about that...

"Are you alright, Milliardo?" A soft voice and a comforting hand on his shoulder pulled him out of his memories.

"I'm fine," he replied. His voice was, even to his own ears, somewhat shaky. "Can we just get it over with?"

Sally nodded sympathetically. "It won't take long," she promised.

Once she had removed the collar she just hat to transfer the data to the chip in the new neckband and fit Milliardo with that. The young woman didn't think that the blond would take the opportunity to try to escape while he was without collar, but regulations demanded that any slave had to be restrained during this procedure.

*****

While Dr. Po took care of Milliardo, the duke went upstairs to visit his old friend Rashid. It had been a while since he and the Captain had a chance to talk.

"So, how are things going for you and your two slaves?" Rashid asked, after he offered the duke a seat.

"Pretty well I would say. Aside from the fact that I'm getting complains for not spending enough time with them?"

The tall Arab laughed. "You don't think you are spoiling them a little too much, do you?"

"Spoiling them, I? What would make you think that?" Treize feigned surprise before admitting. "Perhaps I spoil them just a little, but they deserve it after everything they have been through, don't you think?"

"I suppose. I'm glad you have come to some kind of understanding with Wufei. Because honestly, Treize, I didn't believe you would be able to keep that boy from running away again. He just has so much spirit in him."

"I have Milliardo to thank for that, more or less. Somehow he managed to talk Wufei into staying. And even when I was about to give up on the boy, Milliardo wouldn't let me. He was convinced that we just had to get to know each other better. And it seems to be working." Suddenly Treize became very somber. "But then of course, we don't know everything about each other. Wufei still has no idea that I was in command of those troops that destroyed his home colony"

"You are not planning on telling him, are you?" Rashid's eyes narrowed. "That would be the worst thing you could do."

"Worse than him finding out through somebody else? I'm not so sure."

"It was an accident, Treize." Rashid reminded him.

"It was an accident that could have been avoided," the duke replied quietly. "I used excessive force because I was angry, and I let my feelings guide my actions."

:::Begin of Flashback:::

The day had started out rather pleasant, with an unaccepted call from an old friend he had not heard off since months. Wesley Kilham III and Treize had met during their time at the academy, and together they had driven many of their instructors to the brink of insanity. After graduation the two of them had served at the same garrison at L1 for several months. Those had been the best times Treize could remember.

Wes hadn't changed a bit since they had last seen each other. He still had that little smirk on him that so many women, and men as well, found irresistible.

"Treize, for god sake, have you been hiding for me. I have been trying to track you down since days."

"Why would I be hiding, if you are the one who still hasn't paid off his gambling debt?" The colonel retorted.

The other man snorted, but Treize couldn't understand what he said, because of some static in the background.

"This audio link is horrible, where on earth are you?"

"Actually, I'm on A0210."

"A0210?" Treize echoed. "How did you manage to get yourself transferred to L5? Whose toes did you step on? Anything I can do to help?"

Wes laughed. "No, please don't. I didn't step on anybody's toes, Treize. When the military was looking for a commander for this base I volunteered for the job."

Now Treize was absolutely dumbfounded. "Why would you do something like that? You always hated space, Wes."

"Things change, I suppose. A little base in the middle of nowhere is the perfect place to wait out the war. I spent five months in combat zones, Treize. I'm tired of fighting."

The colonel nodded. He could empathize with that.

"This place isn't too bad you know. If only the people here knew how to make some decent wine."

"Well, I suppose I could spare a crate or two of Château for a thirsty friend."

"I would be eternally grateful if you could."

Treize laughed. "Consider it done."

"Thank you so much, Treize, you are a true friend. - Now tell me, how have you been? How many hearts have you broken since the last time we met?"

"A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."

Wesley snorted disrespectfully. "Now there is a first."

The colonel suddenly thought of something.
"Whatever happened to that cute little blond Lieutenant you were dating when we were stationed at L1? The one you tried so hard do protect from my bad influence?" he asked.

"I married her."

"You did what?" Treize was almost sure his friend was joking. "What happened?"

"I think its called love. It sneaks up on you and hits you over the head when you least expect it."

"Congratulations, I suppose."

They spend the next 30 minutes or so catching up on things and talking about old times, until Wes suddenly said:

"Listen, Treize, it was great talking to you. We have to do that again some time, but right now I have to go. If you are ever somewhere near L5, I hope that you will come by and visit. I think…"

Treize never found out what his friend thought, because the connection died. It was nothing unusually. With all the interference in outer space, loss of communication happened frequently. So Treize thought nothing of it, but made himself a mental note to tease his friend about it the next time they spoke. After all, the Kilham family owned the company that manufactured 80% of all communication satellites.

He turned off the computer and turned his attention to a pile of reports on his desk that needed to be filed.

The colonel was still working on those files when the news about an attack against a military base on A0210 came in. Treize felt his stomach clench painfully as he watched the first video transmission from the base, or what was left of it. Most of the buildings in the south sector, including the officers' quarters had been reduced to dust and rubble. From what he saw the colonel knew that there couldn't been any survivors in that area. Those people didn't have change when they attack came. No, it was no attack; it was plain and simple slaughter.

In some strange twist of fate, less than 24 hours after his conversation with Wes Treize found himself on the way to A0210, and with him more than 50 mobile suits. He had been assigned the task to find whoever was responsible for the assault…

::: End of Flashback:::

"Treize!" Rashid's deep tenor tore the duke out of his dark memories.
The Captain had pulled a bottle of whiskey from his desk and filled a water glass with the amber-colored liquid.

"You look like you need one right now, though it's probably not what you are used to."

"Thanks." Treize sipped slowly on his drink, letting it roll over his tongue for a few moments before swallowing. The alcohol burned on its way down.

"I read the reports about the incident, Treize. The classified ones; not the watered down, modified version that was made public," Rashid spoke as he put the bottle back into its place. "But still, as far as I remember, it could never be proven that the missile that hit the power core care actually from one of your mobile suits."

"You are saying they destroyed their own colony?"

"I'm saying it was an accident. It's possible that the explosion was caused by a stray surface to air missile, isn't it?"

The ginger-blond man didn't answer. There was nothing his friend could say; nothing anybody could say, that would make him feel different about what happened. Rashid hadn't been there. He hadn't watched an entire colony and most of his own men disintegrate in a giant ball of fire.

"Captain Kurama, Sir?" the desk clerk's voice came over the intercom.

"What is it?"

"Duke Khushrenada's slave is down her. Should I have somebody escort him to your office?"

"That won't be necessary." Treize downed the rest of his drink in one gulp and rose. "We will be leaving. Milliardo would probably like to get out of here as soon as possible."
The colonel was only too happy to take the chance to end this unpleasant conversation. He gave Rashid a curt nod. "Thank you for the whiskey. - I'll see you."

The limousine was waiting in front of the entrance when Treize and Milliardo left the building. Treize couldn't help but notice that the blond slave looked exhausted. The ride home was rather quiet, as both of them seemed pre-occupied with their own thoughts.

When they arrived at the mansion Evans greeted the duke in the hall.

"Welcome home, Sir. Mister Lindforse called while you were gone. He said he needed to talk to you in person and that it was rather important."

"Thank you, Evans. - I'll call him right away to set up a meeting. If you excuse me, Milliardo."

*****

Milliardo and Wufei were sitting in the living room over a game of chess when Treize came home from the meeting with his lawyer. Milliardo knew instantly that something wasn't right when the ginger-blond man went straight upstairs without sparing as much as a look or a single word for his two slaves.
Milliardo and Wufei exchanged surprised looks with each other. This was very different from their master's usual behavior. After the two slaves had finished their game Milliardo decided to check on the duke. He found him in his study.

"Master?!"

"What is it, Milliardo?"

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing you should have to concern yourself with, Milliardo." And at the blond's somewhat skeptical look he added. "It's just that I didn't get the land I wanted to buy, not a big deal really."

Considering how upset his master was about it, it seemed to be a big deal, despite what Treize said. And when he remembered how excited the duke had been about his plans for the riding school, Milliardo wasn't surprised about it.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Is there a way that you could contact the person who bought the property? Maybe he would consider reselling?"

"That won't be necessary," Treize laughed bitter. "The buyer called my lawyer shortly after the deal was finalized, telling him he would resell the land if I was willing to throw something else into the deal."

"Throw in what else?" Milliardo inquired curiously.

"You or Wufei."

The blond felt like he had been punched in the stomach. "May I ask who the buyer is?" he asked quietly.

"Duke Dermail."

Milliardo paled visible, barely able to suppress a gasp.

"Relax, Milliardo. It's not going to happen." Treize told him softly. "Come here."

The blond melted into his master's embrace. Treize let his fingers run through the soft, pale-blond hair, as he reassured the young man that he wasn't going anywhere. "I wouldn't sell you, or Wufei, to anybody, Angel, especially not to somebody like Dermail. You believe me, don't you?"

"I'm trying, Master."

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T.B.C.

Author's Note:

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