Ezza was standing at the kitchen counter preparing dinner when Zas came home. A few minutes after hearing the door shut, she heard him walk up behind her.

“Nuh uh. Put the kitchen utensils down!” Zas said loudly.

Ezza giggled and put the knife she was holding down. Zas stepped up beside her and took over the prep.

“I want to help at least.” She said watching him. He had speed and was graceful as he sliced and diced. It was like a mesmerizing dance.

“And I want to eat something edible.” Zas replied. Ezza crossed her arms in front of her and made a hmpf sound. Sighing Zas put a few vegetables in front of her with a knife. Surely, even she can’t screw up cutting vegetables. It was a decision he came to regret after nawing on the uneven vegtables that night.

 

Ezza had just finished fluffing the pillows on the couch when she heard the elevator rumble. They were here at last. Standing up and smoothing her clothing, she went to the door and opened it.

“Pretty Baby! Please tell me you haven’t been waiting at the door all this time.” Cameron said as he rushed forward to give her a hug. Akira behind him, narrowed his eyes as he watched the display and then shook Ezza’s hand himself. Ushering them in, Ezza closed the door behind them; she missed the look that Akira gave Cameron.

“So, where is my Muffin?” Cameron said taking a seat on the couch beside Ezza. Akira narrowed his eyes at Cameron, but said nothing. Instead he gave Cameron a warning look.

“He’s at work. You know him, throws himself into everything he does.” Ezza said sitting down and smiling.

“Oh he literally gets into everything, even when he probably shouldn’t.” Cameron said with a smile on his face. Akira cleared his throat in warning. Cameron smiled back. Ezza was sitting there, nodding in agreement with Cameron.

“Did you guys want something to drink?” Ezza offered. Both men agreed and Ezza made her way into the kitchen. She could hear a quiet argument taking place in the living room between them and wondered what was going on. The argument ended as she brought back drinks for everyone. Sitting down a little awkwardly on the couch, she passed out the drinks.

Conversation turned to the events happening in the city around them.

“Tonight is the Romance Festival! Will you and Muffin be going?” Cameron inquired. He stood up and offered the couch to Akira. Ezza smiled and blushed a little.

“I’d like to. Are you two going? We could double date.” Ezza said excitedly. She clapped her hands together and pressed them to her face in a begging gesture. Things with Zas had gotten a little awkward since the bar. Penny popping over to visit all the time didn’t help at all. She got the feeling that Zas didn’t like Penny very much, he was always asking her to leave early in the evening and glaring at her.

“We’d love to!” Cameron said breaking Ezza’s train of thought, unfortunately it was at the same time that Akira said no. Cameron turned around and looked at Akira.

“Well, take your time and decide. It was just a thought, not like we have to.” Ezza said trying to lighten the vibe in the living room.

“Why don’t you want to go?” Cameron asked Akira confused.

“Are You Serious!? Why would I want to go there with these two and you? I love you Cameron, but you think I don’t see the way you look at Zas. Yes, he’s a great guy and you two are friends, but there’s some kind of tension there. Also, this!” He said gesturing with his hand between Ezza and Cameron. He got up off the couch and backed Cameron back down on to it. “I don’t know what this is. It needs to stop. You aren’t the man I fell in love with anymore, I don’t know who you are anymore, but this needs to stop right now. We’re not going, and we are leaving. Thanks for the juice Ezza.”

Akira got up and rounded the couch. Cameron sat stock still, he had a hurt look on his face, and he seemed confused as to what to do. Smiling a little sadly at Ezza he made to get up.

“Get out.” Ezza said, her voice cold and firm. She was staring at Cameron’s face, he had frozen in place an embarassed look on his face, when she had made the command. Ezza turned her head and looked at Akira. “Go on. Out of my house!”

Akira looked at her in disbelief. Cameron stood by the couch unsure of what to do at the moment. Ezza was never usually this cold. As he went to go with Akira, Ezza reached out and grabbed his hand.

“You stay Cameron,” Ezza said looking at him. Then she turned to Akira. “You get out.”

Akira’s mouth opened and closed several times, then he looked over to where Cameron stood holding hands with Ezza, his eyes wide.

“Cameron, are you coming?” When Cameron didn’t move Akira took a step towards him. “Cameron, come with me now. We’re leaving!”

 

“I think I’d like to stay.” Cameron said quietly. He just needed a break. He loved Akira but his jealousy was exhausting sometimes.

“You heard him. Now get out. Drop the attitude and you can come back sometime.” Ezza said. Her eyes told him it would be futile to argue the point any farther. With a huff Akira turned and walked out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Ezza turned to Cameron to find him with a sad look on his face, staring at the floor. She tugged him forwards and then hugged him once he sat down.

“It’s going to be okay.” She said in a consoling tone.

“I love him, I really do.” Cameron said, his voice just barely above a whisper, and it sounded like a broken whisper at that. Ezza patted his hand for a bit, and they just sat on the couch in silence for a time.

“You were so commanding. When did you become like that?” He asked Ezza after a while. He was looking at her as if she were something new. Ezza blushed under the scrutiny.

“What do you mean? I’ve always been commanding. You have to be when you’re Paired with Zas. Someone has to keep him in line when he goes too far.” Ezza said smiling. She could remember having to haul him back several times during their Academy days. Ezza chuckled at the memories.

“Zas said it’s none of my business, but I’m making it that way. What’s going on with you and Akira? I’m worried about you friend.” Ezza said looking at Cameron with concern.

Cameron looked at her for a few moments. Then began to talk, he told her things that he’d never told another soul. Like how the Council had destroyed any happiness he may have had, any kind of a life. How they abused him like a dog, and finally he’d had enough. He had been on top of the bridge looking down and about to jump when Akira had seen him. He’d tackled Cameron and dragged him to the ground asking what he’d been thinking.

Cameron recalled how Akira hadn’t realized he was a halfbreed, and had ranted and raved about how this planet was being taken over and why couldn’t anyone else see it. Cameron had knew not telling Akira who and what he really was was wrong, but Akira was just so captivating to watch and to listen to that he hid himself a little longer and got a little closer. How Akira hadn’t minded at all. How he finally felt like he wasn’t alone anymore with Akira, he was wanted.

He unleashed everything. Akira’s feelings of betrayal when he found out about Cameron, eventually he’d accepted and forgiven him. They started the Network together, convincing humans and aliens alike to join their cause. At first it had brought them closer together, but then it changed. As the Council found their members and destroyed them one by one, Akira had changed. Maybe it was losing brother and sisters in arms, who knew, but Akira became more controlling by the day. There were times when Cameron couldn’t even get the mail anymore without Akira jumping on him about cheating, trying to leave him, or betraying the Cause.

Ezza listened and nodded. She truly felt bad for him. She had known a pairing like that back at the Academy. Eventually the pilot had done the only thing she could do. She had flown their ship into a sun after knocking out her science officer. The last communication they’d heard had been ‘I’m free.’ It had been a great loss to everyone.

“I do love him, at least I think I do. I’m not sure anymore. I don’t know what to think.” Cameron said sounding miserable.

“We’ll get through this together. We’re friends after all. You were there for us, and now we’ll be there for you. Zas should be home soon.” Ezza said as if it was fact.

“I do not want my Muffin seeing me all pathetic.” Cameron said a little angrily, while wiping below his eyes.

“Too late. He read your mind during the dinner party.” Ezza said with a smile on her face.

“What?” Cameron said shocked.