Beyond the Bounds

The next few weeks went by with no incident. Chun-li busied herself with a bottomless reservoir of paperwork and research while the colonel remained out of sight. The woman considered it a reprieve. Out of sight, out of mind.

After that night, she’d considered calling him and confronting the man about his behavior but given his response, he was somewhere regretting his actions.

“Serves him right.” She muttered while her eyes scanned over a wall of text detailing Shadowloo’s food preferences. Seemed like the drug lord had a sweet tooth. She chuckled at the sheer ridiculousness of someone so horrible devouring a large cake.

“I need a break.” She said while stretching. A shadow loomed over her. She spun around and nearly toppled over.

“Guile?” His sudden appearance surprised her. She opened her mouth and then slammed her jaw shut. Unsure of what to say, she turned back around and pretended to busy herself at work.

“What the h-“ Guile stopped himself. “I have something for you.”

He leaned over and placed a pastel yellow envelope on her desk. “Uh, Julia’s sister is having a baby shower and we’d like you to come.”

“Really?” Chun-li retorted. “I’m surprised considering I dress like a hooker or something.”

“Don’t do that.” He grabbed the back of her chair and spun her around. Guile placed his hands on the desk, his large arms on both sides of the woman.

“I’m sorry for what I said and what I did.” He hissed. “Can we get on with our lives?”

“I moved on.” Chun-li said with nonchalance. “Haven’t you?”

Guile said nothing but leaned closer. Chun-li backed away until she pressed into the back of her chair. He drew closer until he stopped just short of her nose.

He then bopped her on the head.

“Ow!” Chun-li grabbed her head. The blow didn’t hurt but out of shock that was the only thing that came out of her mouth. Guile stood up, laughing heartily.

“You’re such a kid!” He teased.

“You’re a dork!” She snapped.

His laughter lowered to a chuckle. “So will you be there?”

Chun-li smiled. “I’ll check my schedule and I’ll call you if I can’t but I’ll be sure to send something if not.”

“You better be there.” He warned. “You’re the only chick I know who isn’t all fluff and frills.”

Chun-li sighed, releasing the last of her tension at the man’s arrival. Guile grew solemn.

“So…” His gaze faltered for a moment. “We’re good.”

After a pause, the woman spoke.

“Yeah.” She beamed. “We’re great.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The mansion stood on top of a lush green hill. The place looked way too big for two people but Chun-li didn’t disapprove. If she was willing to spend the time and the money, she’d invest in something as expansive.

Not like I’d have the time to hang out there. She mused. After checking in with guest list, she went to the gift room. At first, she thought she’d misheard the clerk when he said room but she followed the other guests and placed her gift in with the others.

The bright, sunlit ballroom dripped with happiness. The aroma of fresh flowers was quite evident. The sheer size of the party proved to be overwhelming.

She decided to go with a simple outfit comprised of a powder blue shirt, black skirt and flats. The woman looked plain compared with the designer garb everyone else wore. She kept her hair tied in two buns but kept them uncovered.

Since Chun-li didn’t know anyone at the party so she drifted off to the side near the punch fountain.

“Oh, you’re here!” Sang a melodious voice followed by the clack of heels. An attractive and very pregnant blond wrapped her arms around Chun-li and pulled her into a tight, hug.

After a brief moment of confusion, she recognized her as Eliza, the star of the party. With a smile, she awkwardly embraced her with her free arm. “Nice to meet you.”

“Sorry, I’m a hugger!” Eliza pulled away, holding Chun-li’s hand. Another woman approached them with a knowing smile.

“You think she’s bad now, you should’ve seen her before the hormones.” Julia added. “C’mon, we’re having tea on the patio.”

Chun-li’s face grew hot at the sight of Guile’s wife. In the back of her mind, she wondered if Julia really did say those things. Guile wasn’t a liar but he could exaggerate. Even so, Julia was right about her husband spending more time chasing after Shadaloo with her instead of being with his family.

Noting the Interpol agent’s silence, Julia cleared her throat and spoke. “Something wrong?”

“N-no.” Chun-li laughed nervously. “I’m good.”

“Let’s go!” Eliza tugged on Chun-li’s arm, pulling her out of her awkward haze. She allowed the blond to pull her along. For a woman with child she had some strength on her. No wonder she’d come out okay after the allegedly double CIA agent abducted her.

Honored guests got to hang out on the patio with the hostess. Chun-li wasn’t sure what she’d done to become so honored but she wouldn’t object it.

Arriving on the patio, she saw the host, Ken Masters. His casual, white suit looked expensive but the red shirt underneath his jacket offset it with a sense of comfort. The blond threw his head back and laughed as if he’d just told the greatest joke in the world. The taller man beside him couldn’t look less amused.

…Guile never did like Ken much. His hair remained tall and gelled in place but instead of his wife-beater, he wore a black, collared shirt and slacks.

'He looks nice.' Chun-li thought. Eliza released her and she stood at the entrance. She shook off her confusing lack of nerve and approached them.

“Hey, you made it!” Guile’s face lit up at the sight of her.

“Well, I’ve actually done enough work to be ahead of schedule for a change so I thought I’d congratulate the happy couple in person.” A smile played on Chun-li’s lips. She shifted her attention to Ken. “So do you know what you’re having yet?”

Ken rolled his eyes. “Liz wants it to be a surprise.” His voice dropped. “I’m hoping for a boy…girls are complicated.”

“You can say that again.” Guile added.

“Guys are just as complicated if not more so.” Chun-li said hotly. “Besides, it would be interesting to meet a girl who practiced shotokan out of devotion instead of obsession.”

“Sakura’s a good kid.” Said Ken. “She just got a one-track mind.”

Eliza waved them over to a large round table. Chun-li took the first available seat but unfortunately she ended up sandwiched between Ken and Guile. She managed to make small talk with the others at the table but fell quiet.

“Let me tell you that you’re in for a hell of ride.” Julia began. “I remember when we had April, William used a videophone to talk me through it because he was in Guam at the time.”

Guile chuckled. “Yeah. I’m pretty sure you invented some new cusswords that night.”

Julia then directed her attention to Chun-li. “So you ever think of having kids?”

“Oh god no!” Most of the women stared at the Interpol agent with shock. Chun-li blinked. “Um, well after you’ve seen all the things I have on the job then you’d understand why…uh…I…” She struggled to find words to ease her awkwardness.

“I know what you mean.” Eliza chimed in. “After all the stories Ken has told me and what happened with that woman on that ship made me scared of what kind of world we live in now.”

She placed a reassuring hand on her stomach.

“But I know that people like Ken and people like you are working to make it better so that puts me at ease.”

“You’ve always been Miss Sunshine, haven’t you Liz?” Ken draped an arm around her waist. “That’s why I love her, folks.”

The conversation shifted to baby names and the Interpol agent took a long sip of her tea. A slight touch brushed up her bare leg and she nearly choked on her tea. Guile got even bolder and put his hand on her knee, inching it upward…

“Oh wow!” Chun-li exclaimed, jumping up out of her seat. Everyone turned their attention to her. “I-I…um…” Unable to come up with an excuse, she left her seat. Uncomfortable, Chun-li mumbled her thanks and hurried out.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Chun-li stormed down the hall, glancing over her shoulder. No one followed her but she could never be too sure. After walking for a few more minutes, she looked around realizing she’d gotten lost. After experimenting with knobs, she found one that turned freely and flung the door open.

On walking in, it became obvious that this was a closet…a massive closet that was bigger that her apartment. At least she was alone. She needed to think.

Who the hell would need a closet this big? Baffled, Chun-li looked around. This closet only housed coats, possibly for the guests. Made sense for the staff to leave this room unlocked.

Guile marched through the door, kicking it shut behind him. Chun-li stiffened her posture, taking an offensive stance against the man.

"So, you wanna beat my ass here in this closet?” He goaded. Chun-li glared at him. With a shake of his head, he continued. “No, I don't think that is what you want, Chun-li." Guile tossed his head back, his stiff hair brisling. "I know what you really want me to do..."

He walked towards her at a slow, deliberate pace. Chun-li faltered in her steps but anger kept her from returning to a proper form. "You don't know anything…"

"Don't I, Chun-li?" Guile said with a slow, sensual swing to his voice. Drawing closer, Chun-li fumbled in her stance, the colonel fingers slid out beneath Chun-li’s chin.

"Don't touch me. I swear, Guile, I will take you down, here and now…" Chun-li hissed, missing the chance to shoo the blonde’s touch away.

Her body would not respond to the command. Chun-li started enjoying his attention. Ashamed, she turned her head to the side.

Guile slid Chun-li’s face forward forcing the Interpol agent to look at him. His fingers traced the curve of her jaw line, feeling his partner shiver. She looked cute while inhaling rapid breaths with each delicate touch. How Chun-li could remain single this long, Guile would never know. He couldn’t be the only one who found her…alluring.

Chun-li met the tall American’s unwavering gaze, her hand coming up over Guile’s.

"Don't do this…" She said in soft desperation, a whisper that barely struck out from her lips.

"I have to." Guile said in a thick, husky breath. “You need this as much as I do.”

He leaned in against Chun-li until he felt her body give and she braced her back to the wall. He’d trapped her again and this should’ve bothered her more than it did…but it didn’t.

The air force colonel captured Chun-li against the hard surface, drawing in a sharp breath. He pressed his hips to square against his partner’s and lowered his mouth to meet Chun-li’s.

Chun-li moaned, low and soft as she felt Guile’s lips slide against hers. The woman shivered and her body flushed with inexplicable heat. This was all sorts of wrong, yet she allowed it. Lacking the capacity to question her actions, she complied.

With the slightest parting of her lips, the man slipped his tongue into her mouth. Chun-li relaxed her jaw and allowed the probing appendage to invade further. It was just a kiss. If he tried to do more she’d stop him or someone would walk in and he’d have to stop…right?

No! Chun-li shoved the man away. A shameful blush came over her features.

“You just say you’re sorry and you do things like this!” She snapped. “I’m not going to let you do this to me anymore!”

“Chun-li…” He put a hand on her shoulder. She shrugged away from him and slipped out into the hallway. The woman brushed through the crowd, searching for an exit.

The woman fled the party, greeted by the cool breeze of night. Drawing her keys into her hand, she slipped into her car and almost sped away. Her priority was putting as much distance between her and the colonel as possible.

'How could he do that to me?' She thought. 'In front of his wife, no less. '

Julia wasn’t stupid.

'If Guile were my husband I’d—' She stopped herself but then laughed. '...I’m glad he’s not my husband!'

*~*~*~*~*~*

All Guile could do was watch the familiar car speed away and peel out towards the city. Julia lightly placed her hand on his large forearm.

“Everything okay?”

Guile merely gave her a grunt and a nod. With a roll of her eyes, his wife tore away from him and stormed back into the party. With a sigh, the colonel reluctantly followed.

Author's Note: I'm sorry it took forever for me to update but I actually didn't think anyone would be interested in this pairing. After reading the reviews, I got inspired to continue. Thank you and I'll keep writing! :)