Without turning around he knows she's arrived.

As if I couldn't hear all the noise she made clattering down the corridor in her new boots. Boots I designed for her. I hope they work well. Nonsense, what am I thinking, of course they work well. I made them. I should know.

The clatter is replaced by the sounds of someone trying to move stealthily. Pretending to be engrossed in his work he ignores her. Then just as she pounces, he turns and catches her up in his arms.

'Oi, Ni-san you're no fun at all!'

He notes the flush of excitement on her face, her sparkling eyes, and wonders what could have happened to make her this happy.

Her next words make his heart sink. 'I'm going on my first solo mission, tomorrow.'

Although he does his best not to worry, he spends the better part of the night, sleepless.

…

The morning sun glints darkly off the smoked glass cockpit. The rest of the science team, dwarfed by the enormous mecha, can only gawk in amazement.

'It's magnificent!'

'It's a supreme example of brotherly love!'

River clears his throat and the team looks at him expectantly. 'Its a perfect example of an over protective hare-brained insanity. Thats what it is.' River grunts irritatedly.

Komui shoots him a venomous glare before continuing to point out Komurin's akuma-busting features to an increasingly unsettled sister.

'Er, Ni-san, its only a short mission, do I really need all that?' Linalee sounds uncertain, unsure of how to break the news to her excited brother, without breaking his well-intentioned heart. Her assigned Finder is by now no more than a disappearing spot on the horizon.

'Of course you...'

'Don't.' River interrupts briskly. 'Now off with you. I'll deal with our new chief.' She heaves a sigh of relief and runs off after the Finder.

'Let go of me you maniac!' Komui struggles futilely in River's grip, 'Linalee, remember! Stay alert! Trust no one!'

'Got it Ni-san!, Don't worry so much!' With that, the slight young girl disappears from view, leaving him, a very worried older brother, behind.

Be safe Linalee. Come back soon.

'Honestly Komui, you worry too much. She'll be back even before you know it.'

…

Still. He tosses in bed at night. He toys with his coffee mug rather than inhaling it's contents the way he usually does. He even attempts to clear some paperwork. The science team can only look on, marveling at the change in him. River clucks his tongue in distaste, but can do nothing.

Only when Linalee finally returns, tired, travel-worn but triumphant, do things at Headquarters finally go back to a semblance of normality.

… END …