Howdy ho! Here's a new fic from me. I can't exactly control my plot bunnies from the Trauma Center franchise, so just bear with me as I post these stories.

I claim no ownership to any of the Trauma Center games.

The Secret Admirer

Naomi was an incredibly smart woman. She handed her cases at CIFM with care and everyone knew that. But there were some things that the medical examiner couldn't wrap her head around. She was a very closed-off individual, what with her past dealings and all. Naomi had very few friends, and that was how she intended for it to be. She knew that Little Guy harbored some sort of feelings for her but right now, her main concern was Alyssa. Even though the Rosalia Virus eradicated her impending disease, she still couldn't be so sure that it was gone for good. The last thing she needed was for two people to be depending on her—even though it seemed like Little Guy was already depending on her enough as it was, but that was a different story. Naomi just didn't have time for a relationship. She was already busy enough, as it stood.

It was an ordinary morning in Cumberland County. Alyssa was still sound asleep; thank goodness, that little girl was quite the chatter box. Naomi sat on the back porch deck of her home, watching the sun rise over the horizon. She brought her steaming mug of coffee up to her lips as she glanced at the ever-growing glow of the sun. This was how she spent most of her mornings, or at least those that she wasn't still at work handling a case. She didn't rely on tech to keep her company. The only reason why she had a phone in the first place was to keep up with work-related issues. Naomi never called anyone just to talk. There was always a reason. The medical examiner had a TV, even a computer. But she never really used them. The TV was solely for Alyssa's amusement, though on occasion the little girl did ask her adopted mother to sit down and watch some cartoons with her. Naomi's computer, like her phone, was usually just used for work. The former surgeon found herself to be the most at peace in absolute quiet, which she never really got at CIFM, or while Alyssa was awake. So she took the time every morning to come outside with a cup of coffee, just enjoying the time to herself.

She practically jumped out of her skin when a sound came from behind her. Naomi had zoned out enough that every sound she heard amplified. Even the smallest noises would sound like they were right over her. The medical examiner glanced over her shoulder, a small smile playing at her lips. It was little Alyssa, stepping out onto the porch deck.

"Naomi," Alyssa whined, rubbing tiredly at her green eyes, "why do you always get up so early?" The child questioned, plopping down at the chair beside her mother.

Naomi chuckled softly, cupping the back of Alyssa's head. "I just like the quiet." She took her hand back after stroking her adopted daughter's hair a few times. "What are you doing awake?"

The eight-year-old shrugged, doing her best to stifle a yawn. She just went back to watching the silver-haired doctor. When Naomi went to take another sip of her coffee, Alyssa made a gagging sound. "How can you drink that black stuff? It's so nasty!"

"Nasty, hmm?" Naomi shook her head, that small smile never leaving her face. "Well then, why don't we get you some breakfast?" She rose to her feet, offering a hand to her daughter. The brunette child's eyes lit up as she took the proffered hand in front of her.

The medical examiner led little Alyssa to the screen door of their back porch, opening the door for her. Alyssa shot inside, like an overjoyed child at Christmas. Naomi took one last imploring look back at the sun, which was now shining bright for the whole world to see. With a tiny sigh, she too went inside.

o—o—o

"Judging by the bone structure, I would say this man was in his mid to late thirties," Naomi spoke, "My, what a young age to die. Of course, what age is the right time to pass?" Doctor Kimishima was busily working with the corpse sprawled out in front of her. After getting Alyssa off to school, it was just another day at CIFM. Or was it? Little Guy had paid her a visit earlier that morning, and he was acting off. More than usual. Something was obviously bugging him, but he just wouldn't come out with it. That annoyed Naomi to no end when he did that.

The medical examiner gained everything that she could from the corpse and its effects before heading back into her office. What she discovered there threw her for a loop. On her desk was a fresh bouquet of dark tulips, and a note. At first, she thought that it pertained to the case. It wasn't until she read the note that she realized that this was a gift for her.

Dear Naomi,

Tulips are a real mystery. When planted, you just never know when they are going to bloom. I picked these with you in mind. Hope they can brighten your day, at least some.

Huh. That's odd. Whoever sent these obviously didn't want her to know it was them. Poetry and flowers…

Naomi exhaled sharply; maybe it did pertain to the case after all. Someone wanting to distract her so they could further their alibi? It was hard to tell. But at any rate she might want to bring this up to Little Guy. Doctor Kimishima fished around in her pocket to pull out her cell phone, taking the time to call her partner. During the time it took him to answer, all Naomi could think about was that letter. The Raging Bomber sent her a gift personally, and it ended up almost taking Alyssa's life. What more could the human race be capable of doing?

"Doctor Kimishima. H- how's the investigation going?" Little Guy stammered. He heard a short pause before words were ever spoken.

"So far I do not have much to go on. The deceased's cause of death seems to be from blunt force trauma to the head, but I can't ascertain that without digging a little deeper," the medical examiner explained coolly, trying to keep her head on straight.

"Just send me what you have so far and we'll go from there—"

"There's one thing that is bothering me, Little Guy," Naomi interrupted with, blue eyes leering back at the note and flowers that were still on her desk.

"Huh? Is it about the deceased?" The secret agent gripped his phone a little tighter. Could she know?

"Well, I'm not so sure it pertains to this case but," the former surgeon sighed, "I received a bouquet of tulips and a note today. Could it be someone trying to steer me away from the investigation?"

"Maybe you have some secret admirer out there, Doctor Kimishima," Little Guy teased. He had to pick some fun at her. It was only a matter of time before she discovered he was behind all of that.

Naomi rolled her eyes. "Be serious, Little Guy. This is not the time for jokes. Remember Sandra Lieberman?" She tensed up at the mere mention of that psycho's name.

"Right. S—sorry, doctor." Alright, so this wasn't exactly going in Navel's favor. Maybe he shouldn't have sent that second note and one of those edible arrangements to her house…

"I want that note tested for fingerprints and ran on the criminal database you have at Headquarters," the medical examiner pinched the bridge of her nose, "I'll send it to you right away, in the meantime, I am going to the crime scene. You know what to do."

"Yes ma'am!"

And with that the conversation ended. Little Guy put his phone down and ran his fingers through his blonde strands of hair. He had no idea what to do about the letter. Should he just say there were no matches? Should he come clean about what he did? Oh, Doctor Kimishima just might kill him for this…

o—o—o

Later on that evening, the case had been solved. It turned out that her secret admirer had nothing to do with this case. Naomi felt foolish for letting it get to her the way it did. Sure, she had her reasons. But now an even bigger question stood: Who was her secret admirer? There were very few men in her life. Gabe was dating a rather loud, obnoxious paramedic at Resurgam—not that he'd send her one anyway. Those two were strictly colleagues, and had been for some time. David was married with children and grandchildren. Derek wouldn't even bother; he was far too in love with his assistant Angie. Naomi came into the living room of her home, finding a seat on her surprisingly vacant couch. Just where was Alyssa?

"Naomi!"

Speak of the devil, the silver-haired woman sighed. She just wasn't in the mood for her hyperactive eight-year-old. Not at the moment. She was far too distracted. "Yes, Alyssa?"

"A pressie came in the mail for you!" Alyssa chirped, practically flying onto the couch where her mother sat. She hadn't forgotten about the bomb, either. That little girl will never forget the day her life changed forever. But she knew the mailman. He was nice. Even gave her lollipops when she answered the door for Naomi.

The medical examiner ran a hand across her face. "Does it have a return address on it?"

"Mmm. I didn't see one," Alyssa rolled off the couch and ran to go get her adopted mother's pressie. When the little girl returned, she came back with a giant basket of fruit and a note taped to it.

Naomi quirked a brow at the basket; first it was a bouquet of tulips, and now fruit? Whoever it was obviously thought this through. It was someone who obviously listened to her. She and Alyssa loved fruit. Back before Naomi adopted this child, Alyssa would always pick apples from her father's tree and bring them over to the doctor. That was how they started bonding so well. And as far as tulips go, Naomi kept an immaculate flower bed in her front yard. Tulips, daffodils and irises were among them. She loved watching the flowers grow. It was just another thing she could get lost in thought with. Like the silence.

"What's the note say, Naomi?" the eight-year-old asked, handing the basket over to her mother.

The former surgeon sat the basket down on her lap, spinning it around to read the note. She was quite curious too, even though she didn't really show it.

Naomi,

The tulips signified your passion for the quiet. I got these Edible Arrangements for you to share with Alyssa, as it signifies your ever-growing heart.

"Wooow! Someone's got a crush on you, Naomi!" Alyssa spoke, hopping back on the couch with the medical examiner.

"Yes. It would appear that way," Naomi agreed, setting the basket on the coffee table in front of them. How many more of these would come for her before she found out? This whole thing was bringing back her migraine from earlier.

"I think it's that guy you work with," the young child made a face, trying to remember more specific details. "That guy you're always on the phone with. Little Guy. That's his name, right Naomi?" He was always talking to Naomi. Always giving her those gross looks grownups gave each other. It was the same way her dad always looked at her mom. He must have been the one to send this!

Why didn't that click sooner?! I'm such a fool, Naomi thought to herself, leaning against the arm of the couch. "He has been acting a little weird lately," she trailed off, a sigh escaping her lips. The medical examiner turned to her child, chuckling softly. "Good detective skills, Alyssa."

The eight-year-old chewed at her lip, her large green eyes focused on her mother. "So, does that mean I can have a piece of fruit now?"

o—o—o

During the next day at work, Naomi was just waiting for Little Guy to show up. He had been making it a habit of his lately. When he did, the forensic expert was going through files on her computer to send over to the FBI agent in question. She picked her head up at the sound of her office door opening and closing. There was Little Guy, clothed in his favorite suit.

"Oh, look who's here. I'm sending you things that I need analyzed as soon as possible," she started in a deadpan, looking from Navel to the computer once more.

"Doctor Kimishima," Little Guy started, nervously playing with his tie, "there's something you need to know."

Naomi smirked to herself, getting up from her computer chair. She walked over to Little Guy, yanking his tie away from him. "So, you're my secret admirer?" The medical examiner tugged at his tie a little more, making the man before her flush bright red. "I've got to say, I didn't think you had the guts."

"H—how'd you know it was me?" the blonde agent asked, his eyes never leaving Naomi's. While his voice was strained from the tight grip she had on his tie, Little Guy never budged.

"Let's just say I had a little detective on my side," Naomi said. She tilted her head a bit, finally letting go of her partner's tie. They were still only millimeters apart. The blonde thought that his chest might implode from his erratic heartbeat, and Naomi just looked cool and collected as ever. She put her hand on his chest, eyes locked with his for a beat or two.

"Get back to work," the silver-haired woman spoke, the ghost of a smirk tugging at her lips.

While I love this pairing, it's kinda hard to write for. Feedback would be lovely!