Mission Accepted: One Returns
Relative disclaimers apply.

Thomas sat alone in the kitchen sipping a tall glass of chilled champagne.

It's over. Everything is back to normal now. We can relax.

It had taken several hours to get the revellers off the estate and off the streets, and the police and security guards that had helped Thomas with that arduous task were certain to send registered-receipt requests for large payments, but it was worth it.

Thomas sagged a little - just a little - and took another sip.

Ahhhhhhhhh. Oh, to hell with it. Loosen up, Whestcott.

He did, unfastening his tie, undoing the first three buttons of his shirt and - this would certainly shock his mistress if she knew - deliberately messing up his hair with his free hand.

Better, better.

He took another sip, then grimaced.

Wait one moment...has long has this not tasted right?

He put the glass down, prepared to give the chefs a tongue-lashing.

Then he slumped down a bit further, unconscious.

Duo stifled a chuckle as he walked into the kitchen.

This should be good.

It was better than he had expected. Thomas was slumped in his seat, his lips were parted and he had a few fingers around the stem of the champagne glass.

Not a very becoming sight for a butler.

Oh, how horrified he'd be if he knew! But he won't remember a thing when he wakes up.

Still stifling a chuckle, Duo raised and aimed a digital camera at Thomas.

Seconds later, he had captured the scene before him for posterity.

I think I'll have this framed and sent to Heero. He may never need to use it. But one never knows.

A wicked idea came to him. He walked over to Thomas and pushed him down to the floor.

Thomas went without protest...still holding on to the glass.

Amazing.

Duo shook his head slowly in wonder, then took a few more pictures.

That should do it. And I need to leave before security realizes all is not clear in here.

He took a few more pictures, bowed to Thomas, then left the kitchen.

A few seconds later loud laughing brought security guards to the kitchen, but they considered the question answered when they saw Thomas.

As they carried him to his room, they promised each other not to say a single word to anyone about it. It would be listed as "Miscellaneous" on the next weekly "Services Rendered" bill, however.

Poor Miss Relena. Her butler had done a bit too much personal celebrating this night. But it was good to know, that security at Northfield Gardens was up to the task.

Yes, nothing got past this team. Nothing.

A door clicked open in the darkness and footsteps padded on carpet.

Suddenly the footsteps stopped, and a bare foot was revealed in the sliver of moonlight shining through the gap in the curtains protecting partially-opened windows.

The foot seemed to hesitate, then moved out of the bright path.

The footsteps resumed, and a minute or so later there was a soft thump on wood and two moonlight-illuminated hands reached up to close and lock the windows.

The room was in darkness.

The footsteps resumed once again, then suddenly stopped again a little less than a minute later.

Bedsheets whispered and a boxspring lightly protested the addition of weight upon it.

"What the—"

A lamp clicked on, revealing Relena's half-sleepy, half-shocked face. Who would dare to come into her bed in the dark?

Then:

"HEERO!"

He was right behind her, one hand on her flank. He motioned her to be quiet with the other hand, then reached over with this same hand to turn out the light.

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