The Ex Factor Part 7
By Tralla

“Will you always put up a fight?” murmured Une as she lifted a hand to hover an inch from Noin's blouse.

Noin pushed away the hand. “As long as I have to choose between you and Zechs, yes.” (excerpt from part 6)

~snicker~ Let's see how strong Noin's resolve is…

Contains: 11x9x11 lime, OC (original character)+9, same OC+11, and some 6x11x6x9 (eekk...a weird way of listing a pairing but it makes sense in the fic)

Noin's back was still pressed to the formerly cool wall. Her body, both hot and needy, shared its warmth with the cool surface, bringing its temperature close to that of the blood coursing through her veins. Une had placed her leg between Noin's. She then lifted the leg higher so that her thigh was at the V of Noin's legs. And Noin, unabashedly rode her leg, and allowed her juncture, which was shrouded by a tight pair of breeches, to rub against Une's thigh. One of Lady Une's hands toyed with the tops of Noin's breasts which were pushed high by the simple but effective bra she wore. Lady Une's other hand had found an equally captivating endeavor. It reached behind Noin to squeeze at a pert, firm buttock.

But, despite her earlier protests against this sudden, clandestine intimacy, Noin was in no way passive. Her mouth closed over Une's with intent. She sucked at Une's lips and kissed at the sides of her mouth. One of her hands was lost in Une's hair while the other one tugged at the woman's shirt, pulling it out of its tucked position in her skirt. The hand soon finished its task, crept underneath Une's shirt, and slid up her back. It took delight in toying with the small of her back. It traced the curve of her spine and found her bra strap and undid it with only a minute struggle. It had loosened Lady Une's confines. All the while Noin's mouth delivered wet promises.

“I remember a time when you balked at the thought of even touching me,” murmured Une as Noin continued to rub herself on her thigh.

“And I remember a time when you had no qualms about putting your hand in an old man's pants,” charged Noin's with a small laugh.

Had she the reserve, Une would have fixed her with a stern look. But Noin had begun to suckle at the skin of her neck and her vision was beginning to cloud and her thoughts were beginning to disperse. But she still managed a defense. “Mission tactic. I offered but I never gave in.”

“That's worse, Une,” murmured Noin as she nibbled at Une's neck with a playful nip of her teeth. “That makes you a tease instead of a whore.”

“That's not worse,” whispered a flush faced Une.

“Oh, God,” gasped Noin as Une replaced her lean thigh with her hand. She cupped Noin's juncture. “It is…”

~*(Begin Flashback)*~

The air was hot and humid inside Conceit and Noin could feel her outfit clinging to every part of her body. Water. She could use another glass. Anything. If she and Une kept dancing at this rate, she'd pass out. She would; she could feel it. But something prevented her from stealing away to the bar. She remembered Une's words to her only 15 minutes earlier: {20 minutes. We have 20 minutes before I take matters into my own hands.} What did Une mean by that? Noin would have swallowed, but her throat was parched and all she could do was mechanically follow the crowd around her as they vibed to the music. The strobe lights in Conceit flickered wildly causing everyone to appear as if they all had been sucked into a time warp, back into one of those jerky black and white films of the past. The partygoers' movements were fevered and erratic, spasmodic and dizzying. Noin closed her eyes. The sudden feel of a hand on her arm caused her eyes to spring open. The hand was insistent and tugged her forward. Full awareness hit Noin as she came in contact with a solid male body. The strobe lights continued to flicker but Noin was able to make out the face. The man's boyish features were endearing in a sort of clownish way. She caught a glance at the man's short blonde hair that was dyed fuchsia at the tips. He smiled at her as he let his hand glide down her arm. As he curled his lips into a grin Noin was greeted with the familiar sight of his lip ring. Her eyes narrowed and she recovered from the surprise that had overtaken her the very moment her breasts had come in contact with his rock-solid chest.

“Chester, get your hand off me,” warned Noin as she made a move to pull her arm away.

“Easy, easy,” shouted Chester over the music. “I've got a message from the blond at the bar.”

Noin relaxed and tried to look past the barkeep. The crush of partygoers made it near impossible for her to see the bar, but ever so often she could catch a glimpse at it. She became aware that Zechs was leaning against the bar and was staring in her direction, waiting.

Chester bent closer. “I need to talk to you.” He gestured to a corner of the club. Noin glanced to where he pointed and nodded in agreement. But she was stopped from walking away as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to face a rather stern Une.

“Where are you going,” asked Une. She shot a reproachful glance at Chester.

The low whistle that glided past Chester lips was drowned out by the rave music. His eyes lingered on Une's chest, moved to her face, moved back to her chest and then he managed to look back at her face.

“It's fine. I'll be back shortly,” responded Noin to a frowning Une. She shook Une's hand off from her shoulder, turned away, and nudged an immobile Chester.

His mouth was hanging open, but he finally realized that Noin's prodding was a signal for him to move. He moved forward into the crush of sweaty gyrating bodies.

He pushed his way through the crowd with one hand and pulled Noin along with the other. They finally reached the corner of the club where the music wasn't as loud and the heat wasn't as oppressive.

Noin pulled her arm free of his grasp. “What is it?”

She received a full grin from a too close Chester, “That woman…oh, man…she's fucking electric!”

Noin was losing her patience. “You said there was a message for me?”

Chester swallowed. “That woman…you and her…” Chester let the suggestion hang in the air.

Noin sighed and nodded. “Yes, we came here together. Now, the message. What is it?”

Chester smile grew wider and he reached out to stroke her arm, “God, this evening is getting better. Lesbians and they're both hot…”

The look he received from Noin was deadly. “The message, Chester. You have a bar to return to.”

“Actually, I don't. I've gotten my cousin Sheryl to cover for me. I'm ready to dance the night away with a pair of lesbians.” Chester shrunk back a little at the sour look on Noin's face. “Or…not…”

“The message,” murmured Noin again but this time she moved forward, causing Chester to back into the wall.

The man raised an eyebrow at her sudden closeness. He was putty and began rambling. “The blonde and I struck up a nice conversation. Turns out he's not the gigolo I pegged him for. He said something about wanting to stir up a little trouble. After a couple of drinks, I got him to elaborate. Seems I like I found myself a new pal. He saw you and your friend on the dance floor and said it would make his night if the two of you…” Chester dipped forward and brought his lips close to Noin's ear to whisper the rest.

A column of color rose from Noin's throat to her forehead. She stood unblinking.

Chester raised his head and looked down at her. He continued, “The price, is quite generous, don't you think?” Chester backed away a little. From the look on his face it was evident that he partly expected her to slap him. But he appeared quite surprised when Noin simply nodded quietly before turning away to push her way through the crowd.
~*(End Flashback)*~

Both of Une's feet were back on the floor. The hand that she had placed at Noin's juncture rubbed at the hungry mound roughly. Noin gasped into her neck and began to move against the hand. Her breeches were a torturous barrier.

Une chuckled softly. “I'm still deciding, Noin.” Une's other hand lifted one of Noin's pert cheeks. “Who should I be today?” The hand squeezed Noin's firm buttock. “Tease or whore?”

There came a hushed moan from Noin, “The answer…you know it.”

A corner of Une's lips was raised. “Yes, and I want to hear you say it.”

~*(Begin flashback)*~

Noin was becoming a wiz at making her way through the drunken gyrating throng. It was simple. Elbow. Push. Elbow. Push. And if someone still didn't move out of your way you pushed again, this time throwing your entire weight into the motion.

Rather easily, she found Une. Without bothering to shout over the music, she gestured for the other woman to follow. She didn't wait for Une to accept the gesture. She simply kept moving until she reached another secluded alcove of the club. She waited for Une to arrive. When Une appeared, she was ready to communicate the message Zechs had relayed through the all too eager barkeep. But before Noin could say anything Une demanded, “Who was that guy?”

“The bartender,” replied Noin.

Une didn't look pleased, at all.

Noin continued, “He had a message from Zechs. Something about us stirring up trouble, down there.” Noin gestured to the lower level of the club where there were dimly lit lounging areas. “According to Chester, and these are his exact words, 'there's a group of old farts down there who could use a good rise.'”

“He's disgusting,” murmured Une.

“I know, but he's proven himself useful. We can't be seen talking to Zechs, now can we?” Noin turned away and peered down at the lower level of Conceit. “And all this time, I thought he'd given up and left us to fend for ourselves. He's saved us some time.”

“Well, we can thank Zechs later.” Une began to descend the stairs to the lower level. “Do you think you're ready for this?”

Noin turned a bit green as she watched a muscle flex in Une's back as she rested a hand on the railing. Une was barely covered by her top. Noin was still green as she responded, “I don't have a choice.”

Une didn't respond. She descended the staircase and when Noin arrived she took the other woman's hand in hers and they began to stroll toward the section of the lounge area indicated by Zechs through the clueless barkeep. It seems Zechs had done some snooping. He'd found the very sitting area where Peyton and his cohorts were supposedly located. Cigar smoke, like a thick choking cloud bathed the area. The men were guffawing over something. Liquor had loosened their restraints and they pawed at their female consorts while chuckling over some matter. The shrill affected laughter of females could be heard every time the men took a breath between rolls of laughter. It looked like the group was having a merry little time.

Noin frowned. A merry little time indeed.

“Do you think you see him,” asked Une in a hushed tone. The club music was still audible but dimmed considerably in this section.

“It's too dark to single him out but these men look the oldest in the club. He has to be among them.”

“You're right. We'll begin here, in full sight.” Une ceased walking and Noin stopped at her side. “Your job is to tell me if we have their attention. Got that?”

Still frowning, Noin nodded. Une was the designated commander of this mission, but it still didn't feel quite natural taking orders from her, given her earlier behavior.

Une stood in front of Noin, briefly blocking Noin's view. But she shifted a little so that Noin could see over her shoulder. She moved in closer and began speaking into Noin's ear. Her hand still held Noin's. Neither woman's fingers moved. “Now listen carefully, this won't be easy. But, we have the sparse lighting of club on our side. We can make this look believable without having to go far.” Une paused to let her words sink in. “But, I can make this less of a trial for you. If it helps, you can pretend I'm someone else.”

There was silence between two. They both knew who the someone that Une was referring to was: a certain currently leather clad Preventers agent who was at the bar.

Noin's fingers moved in Une's grasp. It was no secret that she and Zechs had something going on outside of work, but she was uneasy at Une's slightly sardonic tone. What else did Une know about their relationship? Had Zechs let something slip to her? About how they…weren't really—

Noin swallowed. She felt a sudden need to take a jab at Une for the derisive intimation. “And will you be doing the same? Will you pretend I'm someone?”

There was a small noise that escaped Une's lips but she quickly checked it. She replied, “I'll do what's necessary.”

Noin quelled a snort. She had another question that was on her lips. Would Une pretend that she was Mallory? Une's little moment of indiscretion earlier had caught Noin's attention and made her rethink the relationship between the commander and her protégée. Yes, protégée. Mallory, hadn't he been taken under Une's wing? Well, as much as anyone could be taken under Une's wing…

Une didn't give her the opportunity to contemplate further. “Put your hands on my waist and pretend you're enjoying this. The better job you do the faster we can get this over with.”

There was another suppressed snort from Noin. She freed her hand from Une's grasp and placed her hands on the woman's waist.

“Improvisation is key,” murmured Une as she moved her lips away from Noin's ear. Her hands moved to Noin's head, cupping the woman's face. Une moved in close. Her face was inches from Noin. In the background, the music continued to pulsate. “Does this scare you,” asked Une as she closed in.

Noin stiffened. “Are you going to talk all the way through this?” The edge was audible in her voice, but she could do nothing to hide it.

Une raised an eyebrow but continued to inch forward. She began to sway with the music, urging to Noin to mimic her movements. When her mouth was an inch away from Noin's mouth, Noin abruptly turned away.

Surprisingly, Une didn't lose her temper. Instead she commented, “They're just lips, Noin. I'll save biting for a last resort.”

Noin's eyes narrowed. She'd sensed humor in Une's tone. Was Une secretly laughing at her? Unconsciously, her hands squeezed Une's waist.

This time when Une moved forward Noin held her ground. It was an issue of pride and nothing else. And she kept repeating that as the other woman's lips met her own. They were soft. Noin realized that first. Then she became aware of other things, like Une's scent. Even over the slightly musky smell of sweat that came from dancing, she could smell traces of azaleas. It was barely discernible but it was there. And the music…that hateful club music. She couldn't hear it anymore.

The rather tame kiss was broken and Une's hands were smoothing back her hair. “Anyone looking yet?”

Noin's eyes were still closed. She didn't sputter but her words were spaced out as she opened her eyes to peer at the collection of older men and their female escorts. “Not a one.”

Noin felt Une's hips move under her grasp. Noin blinked. Apparently they were still moving to the music. She hadn't realized that they were still in motion. Their dancing seemed automatic, a reflex.

“Looks like we've got to turn it up a notch,” said Une. There was a pause. “What would you have Zechs do?”

Again, that teasing tone. And this time, coupled with Zechs's name. Noin quelled a frown. “You assume too much, Une.”

“Am I?” murmured Une. Her hands left Noin's hair and she began to move away. She slid out of Noin's grasp and began to snake her way around the other woman.

Noin didn't answer her, even as the woman pulled up close behind her.
~*(End Flashback)*~

“Upstairs, we have to go upstairs,” gasped Noin. A warm flush covered her forehead and cheeks. And her lips were cherry and bruised from kissing. Haphazardly, she swatted away Une's hand which had busied itself with caressing her swelling, needy womanhood.

Une continued to suck at Noin's neck but she did stop her delinquent hand from torturing Noin.

“I'm serious,” whispered Noin into Une's hair. As if to persuade Une, Noin moved away from the wall. Her hand slipped beneath Une's skirt to caress her thigh just at the border of her panties.

Une managed to take her head from the crook of Noin's neck. She looked up at the Noin with hooded, hazel eyes. “No,” she panted. “I have a feeling this is where we belong.” With that said, she simply pushed Noin back against the wall.

~*(Begin Flashback)*~

Noin was losing sense of time, sense of what was going on. The cigar smoke had made her dizzy. And the club music was a monotonous backdrop that seemed to dull her awareness of her surroundings. And Une's touch. It could have been anyone's touch. Zechs's. Even that barkeep, Chester's. It had been so long since anyone had touched her this way. She supposed that's what made her complacent, past pretending. They were just hands, the ones that caressed. They were just lips, the ones that kissed at the skin behind her ear, the ones that placed light, damp kisses on her neck. It was all charade, a carefully crafted charade that was causing her head to swim.

The hands were around her waist now. Then the lips returned to her ears and whispered, “Are they looking now?” It was a low husky murmur and it tickled Noin's ear.

Noin was breathing deeper now. She closed her eyes. And then she opened them, hoping that they obeyed her this time and focused. The hands flexed at her waist. Her eyes focused. “Yes…yes. Someone's getting up from the table and coming towards us.”

The lips moved again at Noin's ear. “Then let's give them a show to seal their interest.” The hands left Noin's waist.

Une backed away a little from her position behind Noin. She moved around until she was in front of Noin. She suddenly grasped the woman's face in her hands. All of this was done in time with the music. It was like some choreographed act.

And then a series of thoughts rushed through Noin's head during the moment that Une's lips hovered only an inch from her own. Was this really Une? Or was this like before? With Treize? With Mallory? A split? A result of a division? Did Une divide in order to protect? Was this Une for her as there was a part for Treize and Mallory—

Une's lips met Noin's. That slow sweet press of lips that occurred earlier was replaced by a wet intemperate union, and Noin let it happen. Her mouth was open and she felt Une's skilled tongue twist against her own. And then Noin surprised herself. Her mouth slanted over Une's and she took hold. She was sucking on the other's woman's tongue. And there occurred a noise, deep, hungry and a bit surprised that left Une's throat.

And then the moment was destroyed.

A coarse male voice, chuckled at their side. “God, I'm getting hard just listening to you two.”

Frowning, Lady Une turned around and was greeted with the sight of a heavyset man. He had a receding hairline and a lecherous but somewhat good-natured smirk. He had “lackey” written all over him.

“What do you want?” asked Une as her hands fell from Noin's face.

“Touchy,” murmured the man. “I hope that attitude won't prevent us from becoming friends.”

“Don't make me laugh,” responded Une scornfully. She took Noin by the hand made a movement as if to leave.

A bit anxiously the man sputtered, “Hey, wait a minute. Where are you going off to so soon?”

Une began to stroll with Noin at her side.

“No, wait God damn it!” In a series of quick, clumsy strides the man managed to place himself in front of the two. “My boss,” he huffed, “would like to have a word with you two.”

“Your boss?” snorted Une. “What would we want to do with *your* boss?”

The man eyed her with an interesting mix of desire and scorn. “Look, lady, we ain't stupid. We know your game and we're willing to play along.”

Une stood before him, silent and motionless.

“My boss… he'd like to have the night alone with you two.”

“Sounds good for your boss but what about us?” Lady Une made sure the man was watching as she brought Noin's hand to her lips.

The man watched the simple, innocent gesture. He seemed to waver for a moment. He shifted uncomfortably. “He's willing to make it worth your while.”

“And will others be watching?”

“The boss is a very private man,” replied the goon.

“Good. We could use a chance to exercise some discretion tonight. It would be a nice change of pace. Right, love?” murmured Une to a red-faced Noin.

A bit tongue-tied, Noin nodded stupidly. She managed not to frown. Some part of her, even though she knew this was just acting, just part of tonight's assignment, felt…felt…Noin closed her eyes for a moment. But she was drawn away from the contemplation as she felt herself tugged forward by Une. She opened her eyes. Apparently, they were following the goon…following the goon right to Peyton.
~*(End Flashback)*~

Une was gentle now. Her hands lifted and squeezed Noin's breasts ever so lightly. They pressed the smooth flesh through Noin's blouse. The fabric of Noin's lace cups yielded easily to the gestures. And Une whispered words against Noin's lips. Even, now it was too beneath her to fall into little “I love you's,” but the remarks were sweet nothings nonetheless. Une's head moved to the side of Noin's. She began to whisper into Noin's ear. And, as she did, her fingers moved over Noin's hard nipples which strained frustratingly against the layers of fabric. And, then as she took an open-mouthed breath, Noin opened her eyes. At first, she thought she was dreaming, and the sight of the figure was too much. She saw long legs encased in slate slacks. She saw a wide muscular chest partly visible behind a partly undone shirt. Her gaze dipped. The sleeves of the white crisp shirt were rolled up to the elbows to reveal perfectly sculpted bronzed forearms. And then her eyes traveled upwards once again. And then she saw a face with a blank expression that was shrouded by a long fall of luminous platinum blond hair. The figure's ice blue eyes held Noin's and she started. Her figure grew rigid and unwilling under Une as the dreamscape faded away and she was confronted with reality. The color drained from Noin's face as she looked back at Zechs. He was standing in the doorway. He'd come back earlier than she and Une had expected. He'd entered the room silently, like a gentle breeze. And, there was no way to know how long he'd been standing there, watching… and listening.

Une had felt Noin stiffen. She'd also felt Noin tremble for a moment against her. Une removed her lips from Noin's ears. With her hands still at Noin's breasts, she turned around. She was as calm as ever as she stared back at Zechs. His hands were fisted at his sides, but he said nothing. Une's right hand left Noin's breast. Une rested the hand on her own hip. She continued to lock gazes with Zechs. Both their faces were impassive masks. The tension was palpable. The air was taut. Still pale, still anxious Noin looked from the man who'd only shown her affection once he had competition to the woman who'd made her aware of urges she'd thought had died so long ago.

And then something unexpected occurred in that tight, tight atmosphere. Une's hand that remained at Noin's breast moved against Noin's shirt. Blindly, it undid the remaining buttons on Noin's blouse. And then it opened the blouse as it spread the halves.

All the while Une's gaze never moved from Zechs. And, it continued with unwavering intensity as she said to him and to him alone, “Don't tell me you're just going to stand there?”

~*(Begin Flashback)*~

“I'm not having this conversation with you, Une,” said Zechs. He poured himself another glass of wine. But, he didn't drink it. The liquid sat red and motionless in the glass. He continued to sit at the table.

There came a light snort from Une. “I suppose I'll have to wait for you to get drunk again. It's easier that way, isn't it? You can pretend it never happened.”

“I'm sure you have somewhere else to be,” replied Zechs coolly. He lifted the glass to his lips. Before him, on the table, sat an already half empty bottle. He tilted the glass slightly. But, from the expression on his face it was evident that he was not relishing the wine one bit. He set down the wine after a brief taste.

Une shifted slightly in her standing position beside the table. “You're right. I do. And my date is waiting for me upstairs.”

Both Zechs's hands were on the table. The wine glass sat as the mid point between his large, lean hands.

Une continued, quite cruelly, “Reservations. We have reservations at Der Atem. Noin has shown a surprising penchant for German cuisine, much to my approval.”

For a moment, one of Zechs's digits betrayed him and lifted off the table. He set it back against the wood. His voice was low but ultimately measured as he said, “Aren't you supposed to be in love with a dead man?”

Une was immediately hushed. Her entire form was rigid and the color had receded from her face.

Zechs continued, “You already have his child in your possession. What else must you take?”

Une's voice was taut with anger. “You have no right--”

Zechs actually looked at her. His ice blue eyes moved almost dispassionately over her shaking form. “I can see right through you, Une. You're still grasping at straws.”

Une didn't answer. Her face contorted with restrained emotion.

Zechs continued, his tone was almost patronizing as he said, “You can't steal the last part of Treize from me. No matter how you try to hurt me.”

Une snorted and tossed her hair behind her shoulder with a sharp jerk of her neck. Her eyes narrowed as they returned Zechs's gaze. “I'm not the only one who's still fixated on a 'dead man'. You can't even love your woman. She deserves better than you.” Une's hand fisted at her sides as she watched Zechs leave his seat. He stood before Une.

“And you're better?” murmured Zechs. His tone was soft and low but his eyes smoldered. “Colonel Une…Lady Une…representative Une…”

Une looked up at him with a defiant gaze. “Without a doubt, Lightning Count… Zechs Merquise…. Milliardo Peacecraft.”

Zechs glanced down at her. “You shouldn't feel superior, Une. We're not much different, are we? Never only one person?”

It was instinctual. She'd raised her hand to slap him. And, like in the movies, he caught it an inch from his face. But she didn't stop there. In an instant, she'd raised the other hand and cracked it against his cheek. She left a mark against his perfect skin. The outraged motion was deceiving because there was a slight quirk of her lips. “You wanted me to do that. It's just like the last time,” she said in soft acknowledgement.

“No, this isn't like the last time,” he said as brought his face closer to hers. “I'm still quite sober.” This time his words were murmured against her lips.
~*(End Flashback)*~

Zechs had approached them. His expression was still blank. It was unclear what he was going to do. But, the answer came as he suddenly reached out. He brought a hand to Une's face and edged closer, bringing his lips to hers. Noin was still against the wall. Une's hand was still on her blouse. She felt the hand tighten and she continued to watch the two. Her eyes grew large and warm. Noin watched as Zechs treated Une to lingering presses of his lips. Noin watched as Lady Une parted her lips for him. And strangely, Noin felt the color coming back to her form. She was flushed as she watched the two of them. The realization came and she melted. Lady Une and Zechs had worked things out without her. She was grateful. No more running between them. She could run to both of them now. Noin's hands reached out. Her left hand buried itself in Zechs's hair while the right found a home in Lady Une's. Both hands stroked the fine silky lengths.

And then they invited her to join them. Zechs left Lady Une and turned to Noin. Her hands left their hair to cup Zechs's face. Her fingers found solace in his finely chiseled features. He moved in and secured her lips. His hands fell on her hips. Lady Une snaked behind Zechs. She pulled his shirttails from his pants and slipped her hands underneath to caress the sleek muscles of his back. And then her hands went around to stroke his solid abdomen. And, she leaned into him, placing her head on his shoulder to watch as his mouth slanted over Noin's.

Mariemeia suddenly paused mid step. The servants were loading suitcases into the jet. She stood still. The sun was setting and there was a slight breeze. She watched darkening blues merge with molten reds and purples. The wind moved over her, caressing her stationary form. It teased the slightly curled ends of her hair. A smile touched her lips. Perhaps, she'd grow her hair longer, maybe not as long as Lady Une's, but long enough so that someone could run their fingers through it. She lifted a hand to her hair. A partly restrained red curl stroked her temple.

And then she was suddenly called into motion once again. She could hear Dorothy's stern voice telling her to either get on the jet or go home.

Mariemeia smirked as she murmured to herself, “No, they need some time alone.”

She began walking and she soon caught up with an impatient Dorothy Catalonia.

Part 8