Shizuo rang the doorbell and stepped backward. Tom had called him and asked him to come over; apparently it was about something important. Shizuo hadn't forgotten his previous rampage which had ended his working hours way too early and couldn't help but to feel nervous. Yes, he had gone berserk in the middle of their work many times before, but this was the first time he had actually ignored Tom and let his anger take over him. He had chased Izaya for hours and realized only after that what he had done. Tom was probably mad like hell. Usually he never got angry (or at least didn't show it), but everyone had their limits. Besides, Tom had already suffered many times because of Shizuo and his anger issues. It was a miracle that he hadn't fired him already.

Shizuo gulped as Tom opened the door.

"Ah, you're here. Come on in", the older man said. Shizuo followed him into the apartment, trying to figure out Tom's mood. It was a difficult task; Tom looked as calm and collected as always.

"Sit down", Tom said after they had gotten into the living room. Shizuo nodded and obeyed, he didn't want to annoy his boss even more. Tom sat down opposite of him. There was a short moment of silence and then Tom started to speak.

"Got any idea why I asked you to come here?" he asked, raising one eyebrow.

"It's... it's got something to do with what I did today, I guess", Shizuo muttered, not daring to look at his boss.

"Correct."

"Thought so. I ditched you in the middle of work, after all", Shizuo said and gave a nervous laugh. Damn, he really is mad at me! How could I be that stupid? He gave me this job and hasn't fired me even though I'm violent, and now I betrayed his trust. Ahh, I really am one hell of an idiot! He's gonna fire me for sure!

"Yes, and that certainly was something I didn't like", Tom said and Shizuo felt his gaze on his face. "You are my employee, you can't just leave in the middle of our workday like that. We missed three debtors because of you."

"I'm sorry", Shizuo mumbled, staring at his feet. Normally he didn't really care if someone (usually Celty or Shinra) tried to scold him, but Tom was different. He was his oldest friend and he respected him. Tom seemed to understand him and wanted to keep him around even though he had troubles in controlling himself and his anger. Shizuo hated letting Tom down, and this time he had done it worse than ever before. It made him feel sick.

Tom didn't say anything, which made Shizuo feel even more nervous.

"Are you... are you going to fire me?" the ex-bartender managed to ask. Even though he didn't want that he knew that Tom definitely had the right to do so. No debt collector needed an unreliable bodyguard, even if the bodyguard in question happened to be his friend.

Tom sighed.

"No, I'm not. I'm not even going to cut your salary if that's what you were going to ask next", the older man said. Shizuo didn't want to believe his ears.

"What? But Tom-san, I acted like a complete idiot! I have done stupid things before, but this was the worst. Some bum could've beaten you to death or something!"

"Didn't I say I didn't go to see those people?" Tom reminded and Shizuo went quiet. "This job is risky and I can't do it without getting hurt if I don't have a bodyguard."

"I'm sorry", Shizuo said again. Then he realized something. "But if you're not gonna fire me, then why did you ask me to come here?"

"Ah, yes. I do have something important to say - and to show, which is why just a phone call wouldn't do."

"What's that, then?"

Tom got up.

"Well, you are my good friend but also my employee. That makes me your boss, and an employee should always respect his boss", the dread-locked man explained in a calm manner as he took a few steps to reach Shizuo. Shizuo felt his heart skip a beat when Tom stooped and came so near to his face that their noses touched.

"Shizuo, I'm going to show you who's the boss here."