Emotional Blackmail

by Libellule

Chapter One don't know how many it'll end up being.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Eroica (sob)

Pairing: Dorian/K, Dorian/Klaus (yay!) Thanks to my beta Lexin :))

"There is no possible way I am going to pretend to be the earl’s lover just to flush out some idiot blackmailer!" Major Eberbach yelled, horrified at the very idea.

"We don’t want you. We want Mr. Z," the chief chuckled, "Ja, no one would believe that - you and Eroica!"

"Mr. Z?" "Nein! He is a good decent German boy, I won’t have him corrupted by that queer."

"Mr. Z is not a boy, and I think he is capable of resisting even Lord Gloria’s... er considerable charms," the old man leered a bit, the decision has already been made.

"Call in Mr. Z please." Klaus made an inarticulate sound of fury and disapproval, but said nothing further.

Mr. Z entered the office carefully, as ever his demeanor was polite and completely professional.

"Please sit down Z," the chief invited. "Yes, sir.

Thank you," Z sat in the offered chair.

"Mr. Z, I'll get right to the point. It seems someone’s been blackmailing NATO agents and some extremely sensitive material has unfortunately been leaked. The director and I have come up with a plan we think will work to flush out these bastards, but we need your help," the chief said.

"Of course sir, whatever needs to be done," he spoke obediently, confidently, although he felt quite the opposite. Major Eberbach’s silence was a warning Z couldn’t miss and found worrying.

"Good boy," the chief beamed. "We need to put you in what appears to be a compromising circumstance," Z nodded. "We’ve chosen an inappropriate relationship."

Z frowned a little, but nodded again. "Lord Gloria has graciously agreed to help us," the chief smiled.

"L-lord Gloria?" Z began to sweat. No clue from the major, he was practicing blowing smoke rings.

"Yes. You and he will pose as lovers," the chief beamed at his brilliance.

"Oh," Z said in a faint tone of voice. The major patted Z on the back sympathetically.

Z was sitting at the table looking even more somber than usual. Klaus sat down across from him. "Sorry about this mission, wasn't my idea."

"I know, sir, its OK," Z attempted a weak smile, which promptly disappeared as Dorian breezed into the room. The eccentric nobleman was wearing a low cut sleeveless purple shirt and pair of tight white jeans.

His long flowing curls shone like golden wheat even in the ugly fluorescent lighting of this NATO conference room. As always he filled the room with his presence. Approve of him or not, you could never ignore Dorian. Dorian moved determinedly toward the young blond agent, not even sparing a glance for the major.

"Mr. Z, are you as excited about this mission as I am?" Dorian gazed at the young agent fondly. Z looked at the major as if asking him for help.

Feeling strangely snubbed, Klaus felt compelled to respond loudly, "Course he's not, you idiot, he doesn't want to spend time alone with you anymore than I do!" "Oh, major, I told Bonham you'd be jealous, he's just lost five quid," Dorian turned toward Klaus all sultry eyes and pouty lips. Wishing you were in Mr. Z's place? Never fear no one could ever replace you in my heart."

"Shut up and sit down you stupid queer," the major bellowed roughly pushing Eroica towards a chair. "Of course, darling," agreed the thief, only managing to sit with any grace at all instead of falling to the floor, because he was Eroica. The major was too hard on the earl, Z mused. He had never known what to make of him. Z could see why his superior officer hated the earl so much. After all the man never passed up an opportunity to flirt with the major. That was bad enough, but then the earl would declare his love. Usually as publicly as possible. Probably so Major Eberbech couldn’t kill him. Too many witnesses.

In intelligence circles the major had quite a reputation. First and foremost as the oft times feared, grudgingly respected Iron Klaus. And secondly as having won the affections of the world’s greatest thief. The fact that the earl was astonishingly attractive made the story even better. Quite a few of those in their profession on both sides of the Iron Curtain. were certain Iron Klaus was involved in a sexual relationship with Eroica.

Z was certain he wasn’t. He believed the major honestly found Eroica’s advances repulsive. Z, however, had a better opinion of the earl. The man was funny, even sometimes outrageous, but even so Z found him rather intimidating. The earl was so self possessed, and secure in his abilities. Z honestly admired his sophistication and wished he had that ability talk to anyone. In contrast, Z was sure he must appear gauche.

His family were loving and kind but very ordinary, and he felt sometimes that his ordinariness put him at a disadvantage. He couldn’t help it, but around people like the earl he was self-conscious even a bit tongue-tied.

"You're looking very... attractive today, Mr. Z," Dorian winked, enjoying the hell out of annoying the major.

Z to his shame, blushed like a schoolboy. "Leave him alone," the major roared.

"But major, I’ve been hired to do quite the opposite," the blond drawled sweetly.

"Mein Gott!" "He’s such a religious fellow isn’t he?" Dorian smiled slowly, playing with one shiny gold curl and regarding Z steadily. He was rewarded when Z reddened again and looked away. Z loved his job; he didn’t mind the dangerous assignments, but he was starting to feel that intimacy with Lord Gloria was above and beyond the call of duty.

The major slammed his fist down on the table; "Can we get this over with?"

"I’m ready," the earl purred.

"Good, then, Klaus glowered at Eroica, the first contact will take place at Club Y."

"Excellent choice," the earl said, "the D.J. there is wonderful!" The major and Z exchanged resigned glances. "What?" Dorian demanded.

"Z will be in the club. You’ll arrive later. I will be with some of the other alphabets watching you both.

I'll be looking out for signs of... suspicious... interest in you."

"I've a another idea. Mr. Z should sit here..." The earl indicated a place on the roughly sketched plan of the club "...and our backup here. I'll arrive shortly after him, and after I've beaten them off me, I'll suddenly notice him. How does that sound?"

Klaus laughed snidely, "Beaten them off you?"

"Yes, major. Some men do find me somewhat attractive." Dorian glared, and the major retreated with a snort. "Then I'll recognize Mr. Z, who will of course be mortified, but I'll reassure him his little secret is safe with me. Then things should get cozier especially after we dance."

"Dance! Mr. Z does not know how to dance."

"Let's ask him shall we?" Dorian turned the full force of his blue, blue eyes on Z, Mr. Z do you know how to dance?"

Z swallowed hard under the intensity of the other man’s regard, taking in the secret smile playing across rose colored lips. Lord Gloria was flirting with him. Again.

"Yes, I do dance occasionally," Z admitted reluctantly.

"Of course you do dear boy, anyone with any kind of a social life does. You must have dozens of... girls after you." Dorian smiled slowly and Z stared as if hypnotized.

The thief continued, "Then after that we should... snog... a little bit."

At this the major interrupted, swinging toward Eroica, "SNOG! What is snog, another word for fuck?"

"Major, I realize your opinion of me couldn't be worse," Dorian wrinkled his nose in aristocratic distaste before continuing, "but I do not... fuck in public."

Z cleared his throat nervously, " Um, sir, snog is the English term for, er... knutschen." Major Eberbach looked dumbfounded. Eroica giggled.

Recovering the major growled, "Scheisse!" and stomped out of the room.