This fic was started… dropped because I didn't have any idea what to do with the characters… re thought of while writing drabbles and getting to know the characters… then picked up again in the boredom of x-mas break. It's been though several incarnations and revelations as the characters developed and decided that they were going to write the story, damnit. sigh
I'm going to be pretentious and tell you to think of this as… sort of an episode or two of a third season (pray hope wish). There aren't really any spoilers, but it was written to be set a good while (six months) after the second gig ending.
In any case, I'm
damn proud of what I came up with (surprised too…) so please sit
back and enjoy the ride.
Red and white. The Japanese colors, and also the colors that Prime Minister Kayabuki most often wore. The paper was thick and stiff, the front text a loopy bold font in bright red. And in small black characters, the card revealed itself to be an invitation directly to her for the opening of the Refugee Center in downtown New Tokyo. She glanced up to the rest of the members of section nine, all of whom held similar cards and equal expressions of confusion.
"Chief, what the hell is this?" Batou asked, flipping his card between two fingers, "Don't tell me the lady's decided we're her pet poodle now, of all times?"
"This is standard procedure; the prime minister is simply inviting all military sections of the government who have had a hand in refugee politics."
There was a collective sigh in the briefing room. "So that means we don't have to go," Ishikawa said.
"On the contrary, we are required to go." Somehow, he managed to say it with a straight face.
This time, there was a collective groan. Togusa grunted. "Says we can bring one guest," he said, then smirked, "my wife'll be glad for an excuse to dress up and go out." Nearly every man gave him a look of venom and the ex-cop shifted under their gazes. "What? It's been awhile."
"Yeah, yeah, shut up," Saito muttered.
"So Chief," Pazu said languidly, "lemme get this straight. We've got a week and a half to clear our schedules…,"
"As if they weren't cleared already," Ishikawa muttered.
"…Get ourselves some swag for the occasion…,"
"Paid for and provided by Section Nine's budget," Arakmaki said.
"…and find a date for a Friday night shin-dig?"
"Shouldn't be a problem for you, Pazu," the Major commented, "Get over it." She stood. "This is part of our job now that section nine is fairly well known as a terrorist suppressant. We will all attend," she smirked as Pazu rolled his eyes. "Dates are optional."
"Ah, the benefits of marriage," Togusa said, placing his hands behind his head and giving the bachelors a Cheshire cat grin.
"Quiet," the chief barked as the room burst into murderous mutters. "Now we know your tux sizes, so unless you've changed something in the last four months, get back to work." He glanced at Motoko. "I assume you will be providing your own dress?"
She smirked, "Last time you guys chose a dress for me it was for a sex doll convention. I think I'll be 'providing' for myself."
"Thank god," Bomer muttered. "That was depressing."
A week and a half was quite enough for Pazu and Saito to find a date; Ishikawa and Bomer to decide they didn't need dates; Arakmaki to phone a lady friend; and Motoko to consider inviting one of her girl friends and then write it off as a bad idea. Saito did suggest once that Batou should try his luck with the Major, but he only did it once. The episode ended in a chuckling Ishikawa saying 'I told you so,' to a grumbling Saito, whose only reply was 'take a check?' However, as they assembled in the briefing room that morning for their orders, a small issue with Togusa arose.
"Look, I know you guys aren't the types," the man said, "but I need a babysitter."
"Take one of the AI's," Batou suggested, and held up his hands defensively when the natural man gave him a look. "What? They could probably handle it!"
"You haven't met my daughter when she's had sugar," Togusa muttered.
Pazu opened his mouth to say something, but the Major interrupted, taking pity on Togusa. "I'll handle the baby sitter," she said, "Some friends of mine owe me a favor."
Togusa eyed the major, "Friend's of … yours?" he asked tentatively, and chuckled nervously when Motoko arched an eyebrow. "It's just … well…"
"She's a pediatric nurse at Shisei Hospital," the major said, "and very good at her job."
"It's settled then," the chief interjected before Togusa had a chance to obect. "Now, if everything else is done, you are all dismissed until we are picked up at nineteen-hundred hours."