He hadn't seen her in a long time. He heard from the Hokage that she was coming back here to Konoha to assist Shikamaru and his ANBU team in tracking and destroying the infamous criminal organization Akatsuki. It was the first time that he had ever woken up in time for anything. Maybe the thought of seeing her again was too exciting for him to miss out on. The last time he had seen her was when he had to go to Suna and deliver an important message from the Hokage. He always thought that his missions were troublesome, but when he knew he would see her he forgot all about his fatigue and continued on with his mission.
He had finally arrived to the Hokage's office, when he as about to turn the knob he heard her voice, it was the voice he missed for the 2 years he hadn't heard it. Suddenly he felt his stomach get all tingly and he didn't want to admit it, but he was actually scared of opening that door. One of his teammates, Naruto, patted his back and said "Are you going in?" Shikamaru decided to man up and go in. He turned the knob and she was the first thing he saw. His first love and probably his last was right in front of him.
"Long time no see, how have you been?" said Temari.
Shikamaru couldn't seem to come up with an answer. He felt the butterflies nesting in his stomach again and his saliva getting harder to swallow.
"I've been fine." responded Shikamaru without daring to make eye contact with her.
All the tension in the room hadn't gone unnoticed by Tsunade.
"Well if we are done with the reunion here, how about listening to what I have to say." exclaimed Tsunade.
Shikamaru and Temari had both turned their heads and faced the Hokage.
"Shikamaru, you and Temari will have to act as a couple and find out as much as you can about the Akatsuki and their whereabouts."
"WHAT?!" Shikamaru and Temari said simultaneously.