Genma/Shizune rating T

Beta'd by NeonKnight

"Evening, Kakashi-sama." Kakashi didn't need to turn from his desk to know that voice, but he was thrown off by the tone. It sounded almost bitter.

Swiveling his chair around he studied the figure before him closely. Shiranui Genma was sitting on the windowsill with his feet hanging out looking like someone just ran over his puppy. That wasn't what concerned Kakashi. The trademark senbon rolling between Genma's fingers and not in his teeth, that was concerning. Kakashi almost felt sorry for him. "Why are you in my window and not at my door? And drop the 'sama,' Genma."

"I miss my wife," he sighed without hesitation.

"All the more reason to come to my door. You do know she is on the other side?" Kakashi was honestly confused at this sudden turn of events. Genma might be among his closest friends, but that friendship did not include sharing feelings. Their friendship was based on drinking and swapping war stories. However, the truly pathetic man before him seemed determined to mope in his window all night, and he didn't have time for that. "Genma, why are you in my window?"

Finally turning to Kakashi he weakly asked, "So she is really still here?"

"What do you mean 'she is really still here?' Where else would she be?"

Genma pulled his bandana off to run his fingers through his hair before answering, "Hell, I don't know what I mean. She leaves every morning, works from six to four at the hospital, then comes here, and doesn't get home until at least midnight. It's been like that for weeks. Is she..." Genma looked at Kakashi with pleading eyes. "Is she really here that late everyday?"

Kakashi was caught completely off guard by his friend's vulnerability. He has never seen Genma so without hope, even on the worst of missions. "We aren't here that late are we? What is it now...like 9:30?"

Rolling his eyes Genma answered, "It's almost midnight, Kakashi."

"Is it? Maybe Shizune and Shikamaru were right about me needing a clock in here? Do you want to go talk to Shizune, you know confirm for yourself she really is here? Or drag her home?"

"Um...I don't know. I hate for her to know what I was thinking. I do trust her. I just miss her so much right now. She hasn't had a day off sense the transition. I know she has a lot to teach Shikamaru and that the hospital is busier than ever, but she is working longer and longer. I worry about her."

"If you are so worried about her, just go out there and talk to her. I'm sure she would understand. I'm about done for the night, at least you can walk home together."

"Do you think that's a good idea? I don't want her to think I don't trust her. Not really. I feel like a fool being here at all."

"Look, I only took over as Hokage a few months ago, and honestly I would love to move her to just working at the hospital. That has always been the plan, but she really is the only one who understands how Tsunade did things. I would never be able to get through all her unfinished projects without Shizune."

Genma looked down at his dangling feet and sighed. "I know. I really feel kinda selfish, but this pace isn't good for her, or for us. She won't say anything, but she needs a break."

Kakashi couldn't help but to smile as his friends honest concern. He knew Genma was right. They were working an unsustainable schedule, and it would break them all eventually. "I will start closing the office on Sundays. Shikamaru and I need the break too." Turning back to this desk he grabbed his schedule and walked to the window. "Tomorrow afternoon is pretty light, come back about six, and I'll make sure Shizune is free for an hour or so."

Genma finally looked up with a smile, and returned his senbon to its usual spot between his teeth muttering, "Thanks, Kakashi." Then he jumped out the window.

The next day Genma wandered into the Yamanaka Flower Shop, where he found Ino behind the counter.

"What brings you here, Genma-san?"

"I need something for Shizune. The kind she can keep on her desk at the tower for a few days, so something in a vase I guess. I just… I want her to know I miss her. What would that be?"

Giggling, Ino turned around a pulled a vase from under the counter. "Carnations mean 'I miss you' and roses are 'I love you', which are you looking for?"

"Could you maybe do something with both? Would that even look good?"

"Relax, I'll take care of it." She pulled a card from the stack with the Yamanaka logo on the top corner and handed it to him.

Genma considered the card for a long time before jotting down a short message. "Ino, can you deliver them to the tower about 5:55?"

Cocking an eyebrow at the odd time Ino answered, "That won't be a problem."

"Thanks kiddo," he answered as a confident smirk returned to his face.

Genma was standing just outside the stairwell at 5:55 when the elevator doors opens and Sai came out with the flowers. Shizune's desk wasn't close enough to see her, so he quietly crept a bit closer where he would at least hear the exchange.

"Good evening, Shizune-san. I have a delivery from Yamanaka Flowers."

"Hey Sai. They're very pretty, who are they for? Most everyone's already gone for the day."

"They are for you. Ino was very specific that I was to have them here at 5:55." He sat the vase on the corner of the desk. "That is all I know."

"Oh...um well, thank you."

Sai was walking toward the exit, but turned back. "There is a card, maybe that will help."

"Oh! Thanks." Shizune turned the cool glass vase until she found the card.

There were two word: "Look up." Shizune smiled, she would know that handwriting anywhere. Following the instructions she found Genma standing in front of her desk.

"Hey beautiful," he said with a grin.

A little taken aback, Genma wasn't one for grand gestures, Shizune smiled back. "Hey yourself. What are you doing here?"

"Kidnapping you." he answered with a wink.

As if on cue the door to the Hokage office opened behind them. Kakashi was leaning against the door frame with a smile. "Shizune get out of here for a bit, and don't come back for an hour. That's an order."

Shizune looked from her husband to Kakashi and back, smiling at the obvious conspiracy. She stood up and took Genma's hand. Wordlessly he pulled her to the stairwell and turned to start climbing up

"Where are we going?"

"To the roof. We've only got an hour, which is more time than we've had in a month, but I'm not gonna waste it walking somewhere." Arriving at the access door Shizune giggled and punched in the code.

She stepped out into the waning sunlight and gasp as she took in the roof. There was a fuzzy blanket laid out with a tea setting, dango, and tea cakes. She felt strong arms wrap around her waist and she closed her eyes to take in the feel and smell of her husband. Leaning her head back onto his shoulders she asked, "What's all this about?"

"Us, this is about us." He pulled back just a bit and turned Shizune so she was facing him. Taking her hands he continued, "I know your work is important, both here at and the hospital, but we're important too."

Smiling at her husband Shizune pulled the senbon from his lips, placed it behind his ear, then gave him a chaste kiss. "You're right. I've missed you too." Taking his hand she pulled him to the blanket, and knelt down to sit in her yukata.

Genma sat beside her so they would both be facing the sunset. He wrapped an arm around her side and held her tightly. Leaning close his kissed her temple lightly. Holding her was all he needed to make him whole again.