A/N: I know, I know... I shouldn't be doing this... starting another story- yet again. Shame on me... hope you guys enjoy it! Please review (it is much appreciated)! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Usagi, even now, never considered herself anything less than fortunate. She had her health, a decent two bedroom apartment, and high hopes for a decent job. She was only twenty-two, and worked hard at everything she did... and though she never got the straight A's her parents so desperately hoped for her she managed an average GPA by the end of school. She was, in fact, lucky to graduate.

But none of this mattered now... only that she found a job soon to replace the job she had as a supervisor at a cute boutique. The store closed down a week ago and she had been searching for something else immediately after she heard the news. Now just was not a good time to look- and the unemployment checks barely kept her afloat.

It was not only her that she had to keep afloat though- and at this thought a six year old boy came barging through the front door. He was all smiles, waving about a piece of paper with an "A" written in it in large, red ink.

"Mama! Look what I got!"

"I see, Eiji, I see..." She smiled and took the paper from him. "Another A! Mama couldn't be more proud!" She picked him up and kissed his cheek. Thankful he took after her side of the family's looks. She loved her son but did not care to be reminded of the father- or who she thought the Father could be.

Not that she slept around. Far from it. Eiji's father took advantage of Usagi one evening on her way home from the arcade. When she started screaming he covered her mouth. When she bit him he delivered one solid hit to her face. The hospital treated her, her parents at her side, but Eiji had decided to fight any drug the hospital gave to her. And a little over nine months later she had a son.

Her parents, though supportive of Usagi's struggle, and though very loving of their grandson, were against Usagi's decision to keep the baby. At first they tried to talk her into aborting him. Then, when it became clear that she would not abort the baby, they tried to convince her to adopt. Even an open adoption, they said. Usagi refused.

So here she was with Eiji on her own, in her own place. Her parents would have let them live back at home- but she couldn't deal with her mother standing over her shoulder anymore. Taking control of the situation. Running Usagi's life... and trying to run Eiji. She knew her mother meant well... but as soon as she graduated high school and found a decent job she was out of there.

So now she stood at the kitchen counter making a snack for her son. He was telling her all about his school day and the fun he had playing with his friends when her cell phone began to ring and they both fell silent.

"Tsukino Residence?" Usagi answered. "Speaking... oh, wonderful! Yes, tomorrow at three. Thank you!" When she was sure her phone was off she beamed at her son. "Mama has a job interview tomorrow!"

"YAY!" Eiji beamed back at his mother, his light blue eyes twinkling at her.

"So Grandma Ikuko might have to pick you up from school... or Grandpa Kenji."

"Will Uncle Shingo be there?"

"I'm sure he will..." Usagi smiled. She set a plate of food in front of him and picked up her phone. "Hi Mama... yes, we're both doing fine... can you pick up Eiji from school tomorrow? I have an interview..." She paused. "I know, Mama... yes Eiji would love that! He wants to see Shingo too... ok... alright I'll pick him up after the interview. Yes, we'll stay for dinner... love you too. Bye bye!" She sighed when she hung up, a little exhausted.

"Grandma will be picking you up tomorrow." Usagi kissed the top of Eiji's head- sandy blonde hair hanging in his eyes and she brushed them out of the way. "She mentioned something about you going to get... ice cream." Usagi grinned, as did her son.

"Ice cream, ice cream, ice cream!" She laughed- the mere mention of ice cream already giving him a sugar high. She couldn't blame him- she still had her sweet tooth as well. She gave him another kiss and looked in his backpack.

"Another book from the library?" She raised a brow.

"Yep! Can we read it at bedtime?"

"Of course..." She smiled. She walked to her son and gave him a hug, kissing his forehead again in the process.

Usagi dressed sleek in a black, woman's pin suit ensemble. Her skirt rested just above her knee. She kept her hair in her ordinary pig-tail look- buns straightened at the sides of her head. She put on minimal make up, pulled on a pair of high heels and walked out the door.

The position was to be a receptionist for an independent surgeon in the area. Dr. Mamoru Chiba. He was the best in his field, according to the research Usagi had done to prepare for her interview. She would be interviewing with a young woman, Asami, first. She would be replacing Asami's position- so it was only suitable for Asami to give her first interview. If she passed on the first interview she'd move up to Dr. Chiba himself next.

As soon as she walked through the office suit doors she knew Dr. Chiba had to have made thousands of dollars. Everything was very pristine, nice... expensive. From the waiting room couches, to the elegant fountain mounted on the wall placed for tranquility... the marble counter tops. Usagi was afraid to touch anything. Asami greeted her with a smile.

"Miss Tsukino?" She held out her hand.

"Yes."

"I'm Asami, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. And please, call me Usagi."

"Alright, Usagi... let's use one of the examination rooms." Asami led her through a door and down a hallway, opening the door to Examination Room 6. "What brings you to Dr. Chiba's office?"

"I saw the position online..." Usagi started. "And thought it would be a great opportunity."

"Things can get quite busy around here... Dr. Chiba is the only surgeon in his field for miles and miles. Some months he will be at work here- in this office or at the hospital... some months he is constantly in and out of the country... we are looking for someone that can help run and maintain his office with or without his presence. Are you willing to do this?"

"Yes, I am." Usagi nodded, maybe too eagerly. She never could tell on interviews. She hoped her nervousness wasn't too obvious.

"What experience do you have leading a team?" Asami asked.

"I was a supervisor at Momo's Boutique for almost two years... they recently shut down. But I was in charge of many things there- guiding and training a staff of five or more, payroll, customer service..."

"And is there anything in your every day life that could keep you from the office if you were needed?"

"Well," Usagi looked slightly worried. "I am a single mother. I have a six year old son- my mother does not work and is available to babysit most of the time... but with children you never know what could happen..."

"Oh, I know." Asami smiled. "I have two children myself. Divorced... it is hard to juggle work and kids... but us women... we're stronger for it." Asami stood. "Usagi, I've seen all I need to see... if you still have some time I'll see if Dr. Chiba has a moment to talk to you." Usagi boasted, her smile wide from ear to ear.

"Yes, of course. I have time."

"Wonderful. Wait here, I'll be right back." Asami left, closing the door behind her. Usagi could barely contain herself and sat alone, all smiles, for nearly fifteen minutes (which felt like forever to her) until Asami rejoined her. Asami seemed a bit disheveled when she returned, cheeks bright pink. "Dr. Chiba will see you now." She gave a smile and led Usagi further down the hall and stepped aside when they reached an office.

Dr. Chiba's office was painted all white. Certificates, awards and medals were all proudly framed and shown on the walls and bookshelves. He had no pictures up. Nothing warm and inviting. Just declarations of his achievements and skills. Usagi bit her lip for a second when Asami closed the door and left the two alone. She did not expect Mamoru Chiba to be so handsome.

He did not look up at her at first- so she could not see the depth of his dark blue eyes. But he had a slight tan, broad shoulders, a built but slender body. His black hair looked like silk from where she was standing and she momentarily wondered what it would be like to touch. She mentally punched herself for such thoughts and waited for the Doctor to acknowledge her presence.

At last he did, merely glancing up at her and then back down at his paperwork. She thought she saw him give a smirk after looking her over. She felt chills run down her spine.

She thought maybe this was a mistake.

"Asami leave in two weeks. Will that be enough time for you to learn your position here?" He asked, his voice deep and enveloping her like velvet.

"Yes, Sir."

He glanced up at her again- his eyes holding her own before speaking again.

"You start tomorrow. 9 a.m." He stood, so she could see how tall he really was, and walked over to the door. He leaned across her and grabbed the doorknob, hardly giving any space between them. "See you then, Usagi." He smiled, opened the door, and allowed her to leave.

"Well?" Asami smiled warmly at her as Usagi reached the end of the hallway.

"I have the job- I start tomorrow!"

"Congratulations! I'll see you tomorrow, then!" Asami waved as Usagi exited the building- excited, but still not shaking the feeling that she just walked into a trap.

The next two weeks flew by extremely fast for Usagi. She felt she barely had time to learn everything Asami taught her- but caught on very quickly (according to the rest of the staff). She was still nervous and unsure when it was time for Asami to leave her side, however, and no amount of reassuring hugs made her feel better.

"You'll do fine, Usagi. You've done a wonderful job. The staff and patients adore you." Asami hugged her again.

"Thank you." Usagi sighed. "It will just be a tough role to fill."

"Well, I've worked here for three years, Usagi... of course I know this place like the back of my hand." Asami laughed lightly. "In another two weeks you'll be running this place in your sleep!"

"Doubtful." Usagi laughed with her. "Maybe in three weeks, though." She shared a grin with the older woman.

"Asami to Dr. Chiba's office." Called over the intercom and Asami smiled softly at Usagi. "It was very nice meeting you, Usagi. Here is my phone number." She slipped a piece of paper in Usagi's hand. "If you ever need anything... feel free to call me."

"Thank you, Asami." Usagi put the paper in her purse.

"I'd better go see what the Boss wants before I get out of here forever." Asami winked at her and rushed to the office. The door closed behind her and Usagi shrugged it off. It was no uncommon for Dr. Chiba to call Asami to his office. Asami told her, as head administrative assistant, there were things to keep the Doctor updated on. Usagi nodded, accepting it as part of the position, but was still thankful it was Asami's name he called over the intercom and not her own.

Usagi had seem him assist a few of the patients in her two weeks present. She was very impressed- in front of them all he was a very concerned Doctor. But still, she could not shake the feeling that something darker was in the center of him.

She shrugged. Here she had stability. She had more pay than she expected, vacation time, sick pay... maternity leave (should she ever need it- she crossed her fingers that she wouldn't for a long, long time). Plus, Eiji had insurance and was covered by the company with her plan. She couldn't have though she could get much luckier.

By five thirty Asami had already left, in a hurry. Her eyes were a little red- her face flushed. Usagi assumed she was just feeling sad from leaving the place she had dedicated most of her time to for three years. Usagi was alone in the building, aside from the Doctor who usually stayed much later than the rest of the staff anyway. She finished up some filing and began to shut down the computers. She was pulling on her coat when she heard her name being called from the office. She buttoned her long coat on her walk down the hallway.

"Dr. Chiba?" She asked, lightly knocking on the door. "You called for me?"

"Have you learned all you need to learn?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." He looked at her from his chair, leaning back Seemingly studying her. She shifted on her feet, uncomfortably. "And are you enjoying it thus far?"

"Yes, I am."

"Even better." He slipped her a sly smile and again- chills swept down her spine. "Asami tells me you have a son at home."
"Yes, Eiji... he's six..."

"And the father?"

"I'm a single mother, sir." Usagi did not like being held in his gaze. His eyes seemed cold. He seemed so perfect, otherwise- like a piece of art. A statue.

"It must be exhausting."

"Not really... Eiji is a good son."

"And you, I'm sure, are an excellent mother."

"Thank you, sir."

"Very young, however..."

"Yes, I had him at a young age." The Doctor was standing now, slowly approaching her. His finger was on her cheek, trailing down to her chin. Usagi's instincts told her to flee... but she felt frozen.

"And the father decided not to stick around?"

"Sir, I'm sorry for saying..." She whispered, pausing for a second. "But I don't feel this is any of your business."

Dr. Chiba stared at her, dropped his finger, then gave her a smile. "You're right, it's not. But I find you very... interesting, Miss Tsukino."

"Interesting?" She questioned, raising her eyebrow. "How?"

He fell silent... then shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure."

"Do you..." She stopped herself.

"Do I what?"

"Do you attempt to seduce every female that comes through here?" Again, she earned a smile from him.

"Is it working?"

"...No." She said it softly, very quietly.

"Are you sure about that?" He lifted her chin, easily- not forcing her, and kissed her mouth. He kept his lips there and she let him- closing her eyes as he kissed her. She then blinked her bright blues open and stepped back.

"I need to get going, Dr. Chiba. But please... I am here to do my job and go home. Nothing else. No funny business in between."

"I understand, Miss Tsukino." He smiled. She could tell by his expression that he did understand- but he didn't care. She frowned and turned her back to him, walking out of his office. "Have a good weekend, Miss Tsukino."

She grabbed her purse and left.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!