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Diversion #41 - Ii Kibarashi - Personal Days
Wufei looked around the large room, noting that Duo and Trowa were somewhere else. Estaban was at the doctor's with his possibly-pregnant wife. Enrique had drawn the short straw this week and was filing. Moira and Tiffany were dealing with calls and Inazuma was most likely still trapped in a classroom at the School. Wufei had warned him about volunteering.
Heero was glancing between his computer screen and a pile of parchments on his desk, but he wasn't frowning or growling, which would have been a bad sign.
Perfect time for a chat.
Heero looked up when Wufei stopped next to his desk. The Were-Dragon looked nervous, possibly upset. Or it could just be indigestion. As far as he knew, Rowdy hadn't caused any more problems.
"Wufei," he said quietly and waited.
It took a few breaths, but Wufei finally said with a sigh, "I have a request. I have already talked to Moira and Enrique and they have agreed to take over my work, what there is. I've cleared most of my cases. Tiffany says she does not feel any ominous rumblings in the ether."
Heero nodded, vaguely mystified.
"Therefore, I am requesting some time off," Wufei finished, not looking at Heero.
"Certainly, Wufei."
The Were-Dragon looked up, startled. "You mean it's okay?"
"You just said you've covered your duties; why wouldn't it be okay?"
He shrugged and sighed. "I don't know... I guess I was just building barriers in my mind."
Heero looked at him. "Is something wrong at home?" he asked slowly. "Are you needed there?"
For a moment, Wufei looked blank. "Oh. No, it's nothing to do with my family. I just want to go visit someone..." He hesitated before continuing. "It's for my... my therapy. The doctor thinks it will help me," he muttered uncomfortably.
"Ah," said Heero softly. "Do you know how long you will be gone?" No wonder he didn't look very happy to be having a holiday. It probably rankled quite a bit to have someone else directing his life. Chang Wufei was nothing if not independent, and never hesitated to inform the world of that fact.
"Only two days; maybe three," said Wufei with a bit more confidence, and Heero nodded.
"Do you think it will help you?"
"I... don't know. But I think it could," he sighed. "The doctor recommended that I talk to someone I respect, who isn't so close to my life now. To give me some perspective."
"Ah. That could indeed be helpful." He gave Wufei a small smirk. "Please give him my regards."
Wufei blinked, then nodded and began to turn away.
"Wufei?"
"Yes, Heero?"
"It is not my place to say this... but I will say it anyway." Wufei looked at him warily; usually when Heero Yuy said something wasn't his place it meant someone was going to get their hide sizzled, but Wufei hadn't done anything in weeks... "I am impressed, Wufei. Your progress in just these few months has been remarkable."
Wufei blinked at him. "You... think so?"
"Absolutely. There are days I hardly recognize you."
Wufei fidgeted slightly. "I don't want to lose my job," he said faintly. "It's all I have left."
Heero stood up. "How can you say that, Wufei?" He circled the desk to lay a hand on the startled Were-Dragon's shoulder. "You have everyone in this office and then some. The Clan of the Almighty Q. Remember?" he smirked.
Wufei's jaw dropped and he snorted. "Does the Banshee tell you *everything*?!"
Heero leaned close enough to whisper in his ear. "You bet your shiny red scales he does. Now, go; have a holiday. And do something fun while you're there or I'll smack you when you get back."
Wufei gaped at the Wyvern. Heero raised one eyebrow in satisfaction. Not often the Were-Dragon was caught off guard this way.
"Worse," he threatened genially. "If you don't have some fun, I'll tell Duo."
Wufei opened his mouth, shut it. The Banshee would get that wide-eyed, sad look... He would... sigh.
"I promise I'll do something frivolous," said his mouth without help from his brain.
Heero gave him a smile that conjured up picnic baskets and red riding cloaks. "Good."
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