"Eri, did you do it?" Kogoro just came back from the station after the chief decided to end his indefinite suspension. A week had passed since their hotel's escapade. Earlier this day, Kogoro was called by the chief and asked him to come back by Monday. Sure he is happy but the detective recalled the chief saying that he should thank his girlfriend. So here he is now at Eri's office asking the lawyer if she did it.

"Did what, Anata?" The lawyer can see that Kogoro is upset. And she couldn't point why. For sure he should be happy to get his job back.

"Did you ask the chief to remove my suspension?" He spoke coldly. Both of his hands on Eri's table. Clearly, he is seething but trying to control himself.

Eri didn't even remove her sight from her computer. "I didn't ask, Anata. I demanded that he gives you back your job." She said in a distant tone. Then, she looked up to meet the detective's fierce eyes. "Is there a problem?" Her voice as cold as Kogoro's.

"Stop interfering with my life." Kogoro then turned his back and headed to the door but stopped when Eri spoke.

"I did that because I care for you." Still cold.

"Then I don't want you to care for me." Kogoro then left.

Eri is upset with that detective. She did him a favor, how can he act like that! That bastard. He should be kissing her as a thanks instead of having all his dramatics.

One thing about Kogoro that Eri hates is his pride.

Kogoro went to his apartment. He's been living with Eri since that day that she was held hostage only going back here to check from time to time. His thoughts then wondered back to his girlfriend. He just couldn't take it that she went her way just to help him. A man has his pride, didn't she know that?

But he has to admit he reacted harshly. He knows she did it for him. Kogoro then lied on his bed. It is only 4PM. Perhaps he can think clearly if he gets some sleep.

Eri drove to her house. Now that her work is over her mind drifted back to Kogoro. That man really has a lot of pride inside him. All she wanted was for him to get back his work because she can see how sad he gets when they talk about. True that she used her connections but she did it for him. To be honest, she doesn't really want him to go back being a police seeing how dangerous it can be but she knows he loves it. Thus, she made a move to help only to be met by Kogoro's anger. He really is an asshole.

Finally, she arrived at her home knowing that Kogoro won't be there until he gets over with his self-pity. She headed to her bathroom. Perhaps it would help her relax to take a bath. At times, Kogoro's attitude would bother her.

Eri's thoughts were cut off when she heard someone ringing her bell. She took her robe and headed to see Kogoro. He was wearing that sheepish grin of his and handed her a bouquet of red roses.

"Eri, about earlier…" He was blushing.

"No need, Kogoro. I forgive you." She smiled as she pulled the detective's coat and tugged him inside. "Join me in the bath."

Kogoro followed and went with Eri inside. On the tub, Eri had her legs wrapped around his waist. Gently she scrubbed his back placing small kisses. How easy did she forgive this man? "Eri, I am sorry. I know you did it because you care for me." He then turned his neck to place a feather kiss on his lips. "Sorry if I got you mad, it wasn't intentional. Those things I said, I didn't mean them. I was just upset. Sometimes, I let my pride get in the way. But I don't want my pride if it means I am going to lose you."

Eri was touched. She completely forgot how upset she was with him earlier. "I love you, Anata."

"I love you more, Eri." He said as he captured her lips.

Perhaps it is true when people say that time passes by quickly when you're in love. It had been two months since the two confessed their love for each other. Yes she is happy. But their bickering didn't simmer one bit. She's beginning to think that it's like foreplay for them. Anyway, at the height of their tension, the next thing is for them to end up making passionate love wherever they are.

That reminds her of their latest fight. He was always teasing her with her age especially now that she will be 34 in two months. That bastard! He's turned 34 last month but she never teased him about it.

Eri returned to her work. Several minutes later, her mobile phone rang. Her caller ID displayed unknown caller.

"Hello. Kisaki Eri on the line."

"Eri…" The deep voice was on the other line. "Leave that detective boyfriend of yours." He then said.

Shocked registered on the lawyer's face. "Who are you?"

"Don't worry, Kisaki-san, you will know who I am in time. But I am telling you to leave that asshole else, he would die slow and painful."

The caller hung up before Eri could reply. Her thoughts then delved into the caller. Could it be Tobe? He's upset with her and Kogoro for sure but that didn't sound like him at all. Should she tell Kogoro? No. That boyfriend of hers is very overprotective of her. She won't be surprised if she gets escorted by him or the entire police force if she tells him about it. But the guy wasn't threatening her. He was going to kill Kogoro.

Kogoro knows something is wrong with Eri. For days now, she seemed to be so distant. When he asked her, she just smiled at him and said that she was just tired. He nodded but he knows something is up.

Eri looks so beautiful sleeping. Kogoro has a habit of watching her sleep. This night though, she was frowning. Perhaps having a bad dream. Still, she looks beautiful frowning in her sleep. He smiled to himself. If someone told him that he would fall in love with the lawyer months ago, he would just laugh at their face.

Then he felt Eri stir beside him. He was about to wake her up when Eri's eyes opened. She looked scared.

"Anata…" She said as she hugged him tight.

Kogoro gently stroked her hair. "Ssshhh… Eri, it was just a dream." He comforted her.

"I-it was so real." The lawyer was glad that it was only a dream and that Kogoro is here comforting her.

"Ssshhh… Not real, Eri. Go back to sleep." His voice was soothing to her ears. Then he kissed her hair. Just like he always do.

Moments passed before Eri spoke again. "You were killed." She said.

"Huh?"

"In my dream. I saw it. A guy shot you several times. When I get to you, there was so much blood. Then you smiled to me and said that you love me."

Thinking that telling her about his encounters caused the dream, Kogoro made a mental note never to talk about those again. "I am alive, Eri. I can't be killed easily." He joked.

Eri stared at his eyes. "You are not invincible, Kogoro. What if someone gets to you?" "Someone gets you because of me." Eri added in her thoughts.

The detective kissed her lips. "You worry too much."

"Because I love you and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I love you more and nothing is going to happen to me, alright. Now let's get back to sleep. We still got work tomorrow."

The following day, Eri went inside her office only to see a box of her favorite chocolate, Zigoba. She opened it and knew instantly it was from Kogoro with that note only he would leave. "You always eat this that's why you are getting fat. Maybe on our next date, I will bring you to a gym." Eri sighed. That bastard boyfriend of hers is trying to get to her nerves again. She was about to call him to give him a mouth but she noticed an envelope. She then opened to read the content.

"I gave you a fair warning, Kisaki-san but you didn't heed. Don't cry too much when you see his dead body."

Eri felt numb. She dropped the letter on the floor. No… they won't do anything to him right? Immediately she called the detective.

"Anata…" She said.

"Hey Eri, I will call you back in a bit. There is a robbery ongoing at the bank and I am about to get in. I love you."

"Wait…" But the line went dead. Eri cannot calm down but she has a meeting that she has to attend to.

Kogoro was analyzing the situation. It would be very difficult. There were at least five robbers holding around fifteen people hostage. Then Eri called. He put her aside and told her he will call back. Whatever she has to say can wait until later.

As he is experienced, Kogoro was in charge when the chief gave the go signal that they can infiltrate. Kogoro motioned to his team mates to move. When he did take several steps though, everyone heard a gunshot followed by a bloodied Kogoro falling on the ground.

Immediately, Inspector Megure rushed to him and ordering to team to stand by. Kogoro was shot on his side but the bullet didn't pass through. Good thing there was an ambulance on standby due to the robbery-hostage taking place. Takagi went with him and the chief took over leading the team.

Inside the ambulance, Kogoro was fighting to maintain his consciousness. But he was losing it. Before he did though he spoke to Takagi. "Don't tell, Eri."

Three hours later, the operation was successful and he is now resting on the hospital bed. "Takagi-san, can you hand over my cellphone?" Takagi gave it to him and instantly, he called Eri.

"Anata… Why didn't you call me sooner? I thought something happened to you." She said when she answered.

What's with the radar of this woman? "Oh nothing. So what was it that you were trying to tell me earlier? I am sorry that I wasn't able to talk to you earlier. Got caught up."

"I was…" Eri paused. Should she tell him? "I was going to say that I am not getting fat." She blurted.

Kogoro caught her tone though but decided that whatever it is, she is not yet ready to tell him. "Oh really? You eat those chocolates a lot. I might just have to find another sexy woman."

Takagi who was listening on Kogoro's end was surprised. When Kogoro talks about Eri at work, he would talk like she is some angel.

"Oh really you asshole. I won't let you taste my body." Smiling to herself, Eri knows that Kogoro is playing with her.

"You should be thankful I love you more than those sexy women." He teased. "By the way, Eri, I cannot make it home tonight."

She loves how he would refer to her house as a home. Wait! He's not coming home? "Why?"

"Uhmmm… Because… Ah… I can't?" He asked questioning.

"Nice try detective. Now tell this great lawyer why you are not coming home tonight."

Damn. It is so hard to lie if your girlfriend is the Queen of the Courtroom. "Ah… look the chief is calling me. Darn it. Talk to you later… I love you, bye."

Something is definitely up. If that detective thinks that he can fool her then he is dead wrong. Immediately, she called the chief.

"Hello, Tsubayashi-san. I was just wondering where is that asshole detective of yours?" Eri went straight to the point.

The chief sighed. Earlier, Takagi informed him of Kogoro's wishes but damn if he would face the wrath of this girlfriend of his. However that happened is beyond him. "I will tell you if you promise not to tell him that I did. Anyway, I don't think Mouri-san can keep something this huge to you."

Eri felt nervous. Is he womanizing again? "What is it?" She tried to calm.

"Kisaki-san, Kogoro was shot earlier." Shock coursed through her. She held the phone tightly afraid that she might drop it. When the Eri did not speak he continued. "He is alright. Just needs to rest for a couple of days."

That idiot! That's why he cannot go home. "Where is that idiot?"

Tsubayashi sighed. If the killer didn't get Kogoro, for sure Eri will. "Beika hospital."

Takagi left immediately when Eri entered the room much to his and Kogoro's surprise.

"How are you feeling, Anata?" She said, sarcasm dripping on her voice. Her eyes showed anger towards the detective.

"Eh… Ahmmm… ok?" Oh boy, he is so going to get it.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING NOT LETTING ME KNOW?!" She punched his arm.

"OUCH! Hey I am already injured no need to add damage."

"Asshole! How dare you not tell me?"

The detective sighed. "Eri, I do not want to bother you. This is nothing anyway."

"Nothing? You were almost killed Kogoro."

"Calm down, Eri. I am alright. It just grazed."

Then Eri wants to know if the criminal was caught. "So, who did it?" she asked but her eyes everywhere but the detective's.

"No idea. I was about to enter the bank when I was shot. Presumably by a sniper. He was possibly aiming for my heart but I made a move to enter the bank when he took the shot that's why I got hit on my left side. And it wasn't from the robbers because they were in front of me. The bullet came from my back. By the angle of my shot, he was somewhere above me making me deduct that he was a sniper."

Eri didn't say anything. But her instincts are telling her that this was the work of whoever was threatening her. She badly wants to tell Kogoro but this is not the right time. Perhaps once he is well enough.