Zas smiled as he watched Ezza practically bouncing over to the dresser. She pulled out a pj shirt and slipped it on before heading to the bathroom. He turned and looked out the window, the sun was shining brightly, practically making the whole room glow. It was such a happy scene and all Zas could feel was dark guilt. Not that it had been his fault entirely, Ezza had been all naked. Who could resist that? Still, Ezza was his best friend and Pairing, and while it wasn’t unheard of, it wasn’t considered a great achievement either. 

As Zas wrestled with his thoughts in the sun filled bedroom, Ezza was touching her self up in the bathroom, a huge smile plastered on her face. She brushed her teeth so Zas wouldn’t smell her morning breath, and then started fiddling with her hair. She blushed as she remembered the night before. As a man she’d always wondered what the woman felt as he touched her, well now she knew. It felt almost as good as what Dina had done to her as a man.  She’d even remembered a few things Dina had done to her, and tried them on Zas last night. He’d loved it. She’d always wondered as his best friend what woman had seen in him, and why they always came running into his arms. Now she knew and it was wonderful. 

As those thoughts ran through her mind, her outlook darkened just a bit. Now she had to do something about Penny. Heaving a sigh, she plastered a smile on her face and sauntered back towards the bedroom. Breakfast would have to wait for later, she wanted dessert first.

 

It was a few days later and they were at Oasis Springs and Ezza was loving every moment of it. She stretched her arms wide and tilted her head back towards the sun in a warm welcome. Zas was enthralled at the sight of her. She’d loved sunny days even when they’d been children. Ezza smiled and giggled at Zas as she caught him watching her.

“What?” She asked.

“Nothing, just looking.” Zas replied with a smile.

“Well, look all you want, but I’ll start charging soon.” Ezza flirted.

There’s no price that could sum up what I’m looking at, he whispered into her mind. 

Ezza immediately blushed and looked away. Zas laughed and began walking towards the chess tables. Ezza watched him go, slightly embarrassed. This was a new side to Zas and while she loved it, she also wished he’d hold back a bit more. 

 

It was about mid afternoon and Zas was flipping the skewers of fruit over. They’d done a little fishing, and gathering and Ezza had been getting hungry. So here Zas was grilling food, while she was off playing somewhere. He looked up and saw Ezza standing stock still staring at something across the park. He could see the longing look on her face from here. Suddenly she moved, and took off tearing across the park. 

Dropping his skewers in alarm he moved away from the grill, only for a moment to see where she’d gone. Ah! One of the plant people. Zas laughed a little at himself as he went back to the grill. How pathetic was he? He’d always been protective Ezza, even when he was a man. Ezza had been built with a slight frame, and not very good at defending himself. As a woman Ezza was capable of defending herself and Zas had been happy to let her do it, but now that they’d slept together he felt the need to know where she was all the time, and with who. It was truly pathetic. He needed to pull himself together, it was just a woman and his jealousy was unbecoming. As he finished grilling the fruit Ezza came bouncing upto him as happy as a clam. Looking at her quizzically, she showed him her new found bean. Zas just smiled and shook his head. Ezza bounded for the hut in ecstatic joy. She practiced her Mixology Skill until Zas dragged her away. He had plans and needed to get ready.

************

“Stop fiddling Muffin, you look delicious.” Cameron said as he looked around the lounge. It was quiet, but then no one was really singing yet anyways. Zas came up behind him tugging at the collar on his shirt. Cameron gave him a light slap and hissed at him to stop. Finally Zas gave his signature look and walked in after Cameron.

Zas wandered around the lounge a bit. He’d never been in an Earth lounge before and it was interesting. There was a sleek double horseshoe bar that would make Ezza drool, a karaoke machine that Cameron said was guaranteed entertainment as long as you weren’t singing. There was also a pool, but no bathing suits. It posed an interesting question in Zas’s opinion, and Ezza kept flashing across his mind. By the Mates! It had been one night and already he was fantasizing. Heading to the bar he ordered a drink and took a long swig. He watched as a few people headed for the Karaoke machine.

 

“How have you been Cameron?” Tetsu asked. Cameron smiled up at the elderly gentleman before him. 

“I’m good Su, how are you?”

“Only you’ve ever called me that. I kind of missed it. I’m good, a little bored, but okay. I saw Akira the other day, he seemed… not like himself. I’m a bit worried. How is he doing?”

Cameron smiled sadly. Tetsu was an old friend, and someone to be weary of. They both worked for the Council, but in different departments. Tetsu had been a good friend to Cameron since the Council had roped him into working for them; but unlike Cameron he believed in everything the Council was doing. He had no idea who Cameron really was and what he was doing. Cameron knew he had to be careful what he said, Tetsu was his oldest friend, but he would sell him out in a heartbeat.

“I’m not sure. To be honest, I haven’t been home in a bit. You know the Council, when they assign work, there’s nothing else but the work.” Cameron laughed it off.

“Too true, too true my friend. Sorry for prying, I’m just…well poking my nose into an old friends business is what. You were so sad and lonely when we first met, but you perked right up after meeting your Fella. I was just worried about you two.” Tetsu laughed and clapped Cameron on the shoulder.

“No offence taken. I’m glad to have friends who care so much. Akira and I both are.” Cameron said, genuine warmth in his voice. 

“Well, you make sure you take good care of each other. Maybe he was having an off day or two.” Tetsu said. Cameron picked up on the subtle change in tone in Tetsu’s voice. Steady Cameron, steady, he thought to himself.

“Of course. You know Akira, he wouldn’t want to worry me even if something was wrong. I’ve been so busy we only talk over the phone, and unfortunately we work different shifts.” Cameron shrugged. “Thank you for bringing it to my attention though. I’ll be sure to grill him plenty next time we talk.”

Tetsu laughed and shook his head.

“It’s all good, but don’t tell him that I’m one who sicked you on him. I don’t want him mad at me.” Tetsu held up his hands in a warding gesture laughing the whole time.

“Don’t worry Su, I won’t. After all these years I can grill him until he’s running around in circles.” Cameron said. He wasn’t sure where this was going, but he felt like he was being interrogated.

“So, what has the Council been getting you to work on that’s taking up so much of your time. Maybe I can lend a hand and we can finish it quickly.” Tetsu smiled warmly at Cameron.

There’s the venomous snake, Cameron thought. He wondered how many people had fallen for that smile and friendliness. Su had quite the hidden reputation among the Council and its close workers. Outwardly Su seemed like a jack of all trades, flitting between all the departments and “helping out.” If you listened in the shadows, and to what wasn’t being said; if you started charting times, and departmental switches you pieced together a different story. Su’s friendliness wasn’t so friendly, it was deadly. The information he gathered was always passed over to the Council and people disappeared. Su was a spy for the Council, one of their watch dogs. Cameron admired the man in truth, and tried to be as ruthless, but he paled in comparison. The question was, why was he grilling him?

“It’s just a lot of coding, but if you’re that bored I-“ Cameron was interrupted by an awful wailing sound. Both men looked up towards the crowd around the Karaoke machine. Cameron’s eyes almost bugged out of his head when he saw Zas standing on the stage, a microphone in his hand. He was very juiced, and just moaning along, slurringly if it was possible, to the song playing.

“Oh goodness. That poor man.” Su said, a hand covering his mouth as if he were witnessing some horrible and embarrassing display; which he was.

“I’m sorry Su, my friend needs to leave. I think I should collect him and send him home to his lady friend.” Cameron said standing up.

“Of course Cameron. Good luck with that.” Su said giving Cameron a hug. Then he watched as Cameron went over to collect his friend.

************

“Stop breathing on me.” Cameron said a little vexed. Zas was draped across his back as they headed up in the elevator. 

“I’m not breathing. You’re breathing.” Zas said, then he laughed. 

Cameron sighed as he knocked on the door to the apartment, grumpy about carrying the dead weight (A.K.A. Zas) all the way from the bar. Ezza opened the door a few moments later. At first she smiled upon seeing Cameron and then noticed Zas behind him. Sighing, she reached over and dragged Zas into the apartment. 

After depositing Zas halfway onto the bed, she came back out and offered the couch to Cameron.

“Thank you Pretty Baby, but I’m staying elsewhere and should get back there. Have fun with my Muffin. You know, right now might be a good time to take advantage a little bit.” Cameron gave her a little wink, and chuckled as she let out an exasperated sigh.

“I don’t need to. We’ve already been there. I did that.” She said smiling proudly.

“What!?” Cameron almost shouted. When Ezza shushed him he covered his mouth in embarrassment. “ We need to talk Pretty Baby. We’ll make a day of it. I want details!”

Ezza laughed as she walked him out of the apartment agreeing with him. Then she went back in and locked the door behind her. She climbed into the bed and chuckled as she looked at Zas. It was going to be a brutally fun morning.