Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Story is rated M for language, and lemons.
Hello all! I've got some very good news for my MASHward fans...I have chapters 8, 9 & 10 done. My beta is working through the last two as well as some other things, but the updates will keep coming for this. Right now this looks to be around 19 chapters including the epilogue, but as these guys seem chatty, I'm sticking with them. I'm still working on my other stories, but this one will probably be the first of my in progress stories to complete besides the ones that only have a chapter left. This chapter is a little shorter than normal, but it is mainly because this is a short break in the action for our couple. The drama will return next chapter as we near the midpoint in the story.
Thanks for the support and I will catch you again soon...leave some love so I know what you think.
Chapter 7 – Seminar in Tokyo
Edward and Bella had their bags packed and were on a chopper to Seoul as soon as they could fly out. From there they took a plane to Tokyo. Bella hadn't taken any R&R yet, so Tokyo was a new experience for her.
As they made it through the airport in Japan, Edward secured them a ride to the hotel they would be staying at near Tokyo General, which was hosting the seminar. Even though she was still in uniform, the skirt took her a little getting used to, but Edward didn't mind it at all.
"What are we going to do about the rooms, Captain?" Bella asked as they were given their keys.
"Simple, we'll decide which one has the better view and stay there," Edward teased. "If you think I came all the way to Tokyo with you to sleep in separate rooms, you're mad. We'll get ourselves settled and then we can go over to the hospital for the first lecture."
"I wonder what they'll be discussing?" Bella wondered aloud.
"Whatever it is, I'm grateful that it got us out of Korea for the next five days," Edward told her.
Upon their arrival at the hospital, they signed in and were escorted to a large room where seating had been set up for all of those in attendance. While some of the doctors and nurses were mingled, there was a great divide of the majority of them, with the nurses on the left side of the room and the doctors on the right. Edward made a point of leading Isabella to a pair of empty seats in the back of the room and waited for her to sit before he did the same.
A doctor who appeared to be barely old enough to have a degree in medicine stood at the front of the room to gather everyone's attention.
"Thank you all, for taking the time away from your various assignments to make the journey here for what we hope will be a very informative three days."
For two hours, the schedule and the various topics were laid out, including the few mixers that were being held. There was one that evening and Edward already had plans for what they would do once they left.
When the welcoming lecture ended, the attendees were shown to another room where a repast was laid out for lunch. Edward watched as a few of the doctors eyed his girl, but she seemed to have blinders on for all but him. The same could have been said for Dr. Masen, as he was oblivious to the gaggle of nurses that had their minds set on the handsome physician. As they once again sat beside each other while they ate, the pair broke quite a few hearts, and caused a few more to be bold the next time they encountered them.
After lunch, the nurses went to their first lecture on assisting with triage, while the doctors were taught a new procedure for dealing with extensive damage caused by shrapnel.
Both Captains paid close attention so that they could relay the information once they returned to the 8076.
As the afternoon session ended, Edward and Bella met up so that they could grab a bite before going to the mixer that evening. The restaurant they dined in had mats on the floor and low tables as young Japanese women served the men around. Bella watched with a worrisome curiosity as men flirted and joked with the girls.
"Edward, during your first year in Korea, did you spend a lot of time in Seoul or Tokyo?"
"Not much, three days R&R at each, but this is the first time in almost a year now. Why do you ask?" Edward didn't know what Bella was trying to ask him, but he didn't like the look on her face as she did so.
"It's just that I've heard about the different activities that exist in these cities for men on leave, and I was wondering if you ever partook in them before we met." The color rushed her cheeks and her eyes found the table as she finished her sentence.
"Isabella, look at me," Edward said, catching her attention. "You know the extent of my history. A few nurses at the 8076 before I thought better of it, and while I've been to bathhouses and gotten a few massages, that is all that it was. I was never intimate with any of the L.I.P.'s."
"L.I.P.'s?" Bella asked.
"Local Indigenous Personnel. It's the army's term for the Koreans," Edward explained.
"I'm sorry that I asked you, it's just…" Bella stumbled over what to say, so Edward saved her the trouble.
"Hey," Edward reached over to take her hand. "If we're going to have a future, you have to feel that you can ask me hard questions. I promise to always be honest with you."
"Thank you, Edward. I still feel out of sorts sometimes. I've never really been in a serious relationship before, and I don't want to question you too much."
"Bella, I plan on marrying you, so I need you to feel free to talk to me openly. Now, if you're done with your meal, I have a surprise for you."
Bella shook her head as he waved over the waitress to pay for their meal and then led her down to catch a ride down to the Ginza. The shopping district was not what Bella had expected, but as Edward led her into a shop and told her to get herself a few dresses that she could wear out during the rest of their R&R, she balked.
"Edward, I'm not sure that I can afford a new wardrobe-"
"Bella, pick out a few dresses, I will be taking care of the cost. I want us to enjoy a few days out of the olive green and khaki outfits that we're always in. I so rarely get to spoil you." His lips danced to the spot behind her ear and she sighed her agreement as Edward promised to be back in a little bit.
While he left Bella to shop, Edward found a jewelry store a few shops down and looked over the merchandise. He was given the name of this particular store because it was reputable, so as he picked out a simple solitaire for the day he proposed to Bella, he didn't feel as concerned that it was a fake as if he'd gone in with no information. One hundred and fifty dollars later, he had the tiny box secured in his pocket and was returning to Bella, making a spot at the newsstand so that he could have an alibi for where he'd run off to.
Nurse Swan was looking at three dresses when he returned and he promptly told the sales girl to wrap them up so they could be on their way. Edward noticed the additional package, but Bella explained that Alice had asked her to pick up something while they were in Tokyo, so he smiled and took her hand as they browsed a little more.
Edward once again leaned in as he helped her into the car that would take them back to the hotel near the hospital. "We will be staying closer to this area on our last two days, I had Eric patch through a call for me so that is arranged already. But we had better return to the hotel so we can get ready for the mixer."
That night, all those in attendance were enjoying the libations and music that the hospital had arranged and as the doctors and nurses danced and chatted, Edward's patience wore thin.
"Hey, Mac, you can't hog one of the prettiest girls in the entire Asian theater just because you work with her. Let us take her for a turn on the floor." Edward's jaw clenched, just as Bella put an end to the idiotic man's attempt at earning her hand for a dance.
"The Captain and I are more than just co-workers, and his name is the only one that appears on my dance card, so you better try your luck with some of the other nurses."
Bella's smile was sugary sweet as she shot the man down, and Edward was once again whispering to his beloved. "How long is a respectable amount of time to spend at this mixer before we leave?"
"In thirty minutes I think I'll be overwhelmed by how suddenly tired I am, and I will need the assistance of my dear Captain Masen to escort me safely back to my hotel room."
Bella's smirk caused a groan to escape Edward before he responded, "It will be the longest thirty minutes of my life."
When it came time for them to leave, Edward led Bella to their hotel and quickly followed her into the room. The door was locked and their uniforms fell to the floor as Edward guided her back to the bed.
"God, Bella…tonight is going to be so special. I'm going to worship you for hours before I'm done with you."
Giggling, Bella sat back on the bed and stretched out. "I'm just happy that we don't have to worry about rolling off those tiny army cots."
Edward growled at her teasing comment before his lips found hers, beginning his worship of his love. His lips traveled across her cheek to her ear, and then down her jaw before moving down her neck. He spent a few minutes memorizing Isabella's collarbone before inching down to her breasts.
Sure fingers pulled her bra away from her body as he first kissed, and then sucked on her bosom. Ample attention was paid to each one until Edward continued to move south towards his ultimate goal.
Gasping both in shock and fear, Bella reached for Edward's shoulders. "Edward, what are you doing?"
"Sweetheart, it's okay, I know what I'm doing. I'm going to make you feel so good," he whispered, but she tugged on him again.
"Edward…" He could tell by her tone that this was more than nerves, so he stopped his movements and slid up beside her.
"Bella, darling, I don't want to make you uncomfortable. But this is something really special that I wanted to share with you. As a nurse you surely know that having someone…pay you attention down there can be quite pleasurable." Edward hated how bumbling he sounded, but it was the first time he was trying it, so it was never something he had to talk someone through before.
"I know that, Edward, but my mother always said that it was…" Bella left the sentence hanging and that worried Edward most of all.
"Bella, what did your mother say?"
"She said that there were some things that a man does with women he's with that he would never do with the woman he's going to marry because he respects her too much," Bella whispered.
"You don't think I respect you?" Edward asked.
"No, of course I think that you respect me, but I still have these small town insecurities. I've changed a pretty big part of myself by being with you and I'm just scared of what is going to happen after this."
Edward reached over to take Isabella's hand for a moment before getting out of bed to find his suitcase. "I wasn't going to show this to you until the moment I asked you, but I think you need to see this tonight." The Captain sat on the side of the bed, wiping a tear off his gal's cheek before he held out the small velvet box. "I bought this this afternoon while you were at the clothing store because I want to have it when the time comes. And it is coming, Bella. I would propose tonight if it didn't mean that they would ship you off to another unit, but the moment this war is over or one of us gets our orders, that ring is going on your finger. You're it for me, Isabella Swan, and I want to give you something I've never given anyone before. But if you aren't comfortable with it than I won't ever bring it up again."
"I knew I shouldn't have said anything," Bella mumbled through her tears.
"Of course you should, Bella, I need you to be honest with me and if you don't want me to do something then you tell me and I won't. You're my whole world, Sweetheart-" he tried to continue, but Bella cut him off.
"I know that! Goodness, Edward, I'm not questioning your love for me, it's just those types of activities were always considered taboo where I grew up. But living in a big city like Chicago would give you a different perspective. I saw things in my time in Seattle that were very different, so I can begin to understand it. Can we just wait? Maybe we could save it for our honeymoon?"
"We can definitely do that," Edward agreed. "I'm going to fetch my pajamas-"
"Wait, you mean we aren't going to…" Bella blushed as Edward turned back to her.
"You never have to ask me twice, Bella," Edward told her as he secured the ring in his suitcase and returned to her on the bed.
Their lovemaking that night was slow and sensual, with every bit of care and consideration paid by Edward to his beloved. As they fell asleep, Edward held her extra close so she could feel just how precious she was to him.
The morning led to another round of lovemaking before they showered and got ready for their second day of the seminar. Lectures filled a good portion of the day, as well as a chance for the doctors and nurses to observe a procedure or two so that they could see what they were being taught. The evening ended with a private dinner for the couple before they returned to their hotel for the night.
The final day of the seminal felt longer for Edward, even though it was a much shorter day. There was a shared lecture on dealing with patients suffering from battle fatigue and a separated VD lecture for men and the women. While Edward couldn't believe that as doctors and nurses they were being subjected to a lecture normally saved for the enlisted men, Bella tried not to giggle as the matronly head nurse tried to lecture the girls on the evils of GI's with smooth lines and fast hands.
After a pleasant little luncheon to send them off, Edward and Bella moved to their hotel closer to the Ginza. That evening they went to see a performance of Noh theater, but the masks and the stylized performance made it hard for Edward to follow.
The following day, Edward managed to fit in two other types of traditional entertainment with a matinee of Bunraku, a puppet performance that tells the story of Japan, and an evening performance of Kabuki theater.
Edward and Bella managed to get a little more shopping done as they enjoyed their final day in Tokyo, their night ending as they packed up and boarded a late night flight back to Seoul so they could hop a chopper and be back in camp by 2400 hours and the end of their time together in their happy little bubble.
