Α/Ν: Quick thus small update - well, smaller than my usual ones, it ain't small per se - though I'd have put in more but...next chapters bug things happen and I wanted to give emphasis there so I seperated them.

Disclaimer, I don't own KHR, only my OC etc etc.

Love you all who alerted/faved/reviewed; you are dears and keep my motivation sooo high up.


"Lots of first aid supplies."

That was the boss's sole request for their trip to Japan. That most certainly meant some sort of fight would take place, a dangerous one if she were to guess. She was deeply troubled by that thought because, well, wouldn't that mean they'd all be liable to be tremendously hurt? She didn't want that. She could still recall very vividly the time she had to power through a twenty-hour operation simply to save his life.

In fact it was so burnt into her memory she winced just at the thought. Good thing was she would have to talk to him now and she'd finally get to know what exactly they'd be doing in Japan…again. Though she feared the possibility of Xanxus going up against Tsuna once more, she had the odd feeling this once it wasn't about the seat of the Tenth. It helped her be more certain of that, the fact Xanxus was nearly as angry and full of nerves as he had been the first time.

She took many a left turn till she glimpsed him: he was coming out of the master living room, followed closely by an extremely old-looking man, almost ancient. He appeared to be decaying, as everything about him seemed derelict, despite his hair which seemed to be quite fashionable. She heard Squalo call him Talbot.

Was this the person she heard many a person call old man Talbot? Wait, why did she have to ask: just a glance at him and she could tell he had outlived the dinosaurs; he could absolutely have met the First head of Vongola house in person, as the rumours said.

She cleared her throat to attract the silver-haired man's attention and she got it; but she attracted the old man's too. His mischievous grin only widened upon seeing her. As his eyes must have travelled up and down her body – his eyes were covered by an odd device and only his head was left to indicate he was doing anything of the sort as it rose and fell – he hummed, quite infuriatingly, with the most gossipy air he could. She had to stop herself from tapping her foot on the ground.

"So this is the young Francesca." he sounded very pleased. She made an inward remark of how everyone under the age of one hundred must look young to him, but she refrained from voicing it. "Greetings to the lady of the house."

Had he not been slouching so much from the old age, he would have bowed—or it would have been obvious anyway for he attempted to do just that.

Despite her initial distrust, the way he addressed her got her cheeks burning a flaming red colour and her heart did that thing where it starts beating out of control due to pure and raw elation. The lady of the house, huh; how wonderfully did it sound. When she understood by the looks these two were giving her though that she must have been gaping or something similar, she shook her head and cleared her throat once more.

"Hello sir. Squalo if you're quite finished I would like to have a word."

"Ah yes, we are quite finished little Francesca." His head had turned away but she had the oddest feeling his eyes were still on her. Also why everyone loved calling her little was beyond her. "I'll be going to Mammon in case you need me later."

Curt nods and small looks exchanged between all three, the man was gone. Immediately, Francesca turned to Squalo a little awestruck. "I've never met him before yet he knew who I was…odd isn't it?"

"It ain't; people know you as the Varia's scientist. Now what do you want with me?"

Why was he already walking away? "Don't just leave! I'll be coming with you to Japan." The look he gave her meant he knew that, duh. "Well, the boss ordered me to come to you to be updated on the new mission." Now he finally did look every bit surprised.

"Sure; but first answer me this: what's with these clothes?"

Her cheeks became fiery red immediately! "That's not important or relevant for that matter! Just fill me in already—didn't you hear what I-?"

"VOOOOOI! Relax, you unbalanced chick! I was only trying to gauge your current relationship status with the boss."

"Don't bother and just tell me."

She wouldn't have snapped if it were any other case really, but she knew he must have known what possibly happened; he only asked to make her uncomfortable. As if reading her mind, Squalo rolled his eyes; well of course he had hazard a correct guess as to what things were between them because she still called him boss. Then, taking a deep breath, he started narrating the story of the Arcobaleno as he had heard it from Mammon. Only the basics of course, nothing detailed, yet it was far more than she ever knew.

By the time he was finished, she was feeling sick to her stomach. "Battle royal? I don't like it one bit."

"We are an assassination group; mortal peril is bound to be in the menu."

"Yes but not with things like these! What sort of assassin engages in such an affair?" She couldn't get the image of the unconscious Squalo, bleeding from places no person should, out of her mind. "Too much danger; anyway do you know if I'm going to be a part of the team as we-?"

"VOOOOOOOOOOOOOI! You want the boss to murder us if anything happens to you? Of course not—you're staying out of it. You aren't even back up you're the medical assistance."

"A…alright." Somehow she felt better at the sound of that. "Do you need anything specific from me?"

"Not I; just make sure you're ready to leave tomorrow by sunrise. Go pack early."

"We're leaving by first light?"

"You are; we follow after a day or so."

"Why?"

"Mammon thinks it best; the boss agreed."

"I see…very well." she had hours left in front of her, that was fortunate. But she had too many; she needed something to pass the time. "Err, Squalo, is Lussuria free by any chance?"

"The hell should I know? Go badger him to find out."

"Oh I am badgering you, am I?" Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. "By the way do you know where I'm headed when I get to Japan? Is it the same hotel?"

He nodded affirmatively and that was all she needed; she headed straight to Lussuria. She found him in front of his mirror, applying an after-bath cream on; he spotted her by her reflection.

"Franny-chan!" He was at her side in record time, a big hug welcoming her presence. He was careful not to touch her where he had the greasy substance, bless him. "How lovey to see you again! And, oh, how nice you look; I see my lessons didn't go to waste." They giggled. "Would you like me to give you a nice spa treatment for the face? I see you have circles dear and that won't do. We women always have to look our best."

Her smile reached her ears. "Sounds perfect!"

"Splendid! Now we only need to go and buy what's needed." She immediately deflated. "You see I happed upon the most wonderful new-!"

"You know I can't leave the house Lussuria. If I am to go anywhere I must first clear it with the boss and-."

"Why don't you ask him then? I have this conviction…he won't deny you. How could he?"

He winded at her; she became even more uncertain. Yet there was something so ego-boosting about the way he was looking at her, so empowering, she couldn't help but puff up her chest and go! After all, the worst that could happen would be to, well, be refused.

She was allowed inside as soon as she had knocked but when she was spotted, he appeared to be angered: she noticed a twitch at the corner of his mouth and then he promptly turned away from her.

"Err, I was wondering if I can go downtown with Lussuria to shop. He said something about a mask and a facial treatment…but I want ingredients for the first aid kits." She made something up quickly; she really wanted to go. It wasn't even a lie if she really thought about it. "Not to mention I need to restock those cupboards before I leave and since I'll be leaving first thing tomorrow…"

He might not have seen the anticipation in her eyes, but he sure heard it in her voice. He smirked but made his expression neutral when he faced her. "You can go." She beamed at him! "Mammon will be footing the bill; said'll take care of anything that has to do with this."

"Amazing! Thank you Xanxus." Only when his eyebrow rose did she come to the realisation she called him with his first name…and became so ashamed she wanted to bury her face in the floor below. "Err, eh, I mean-."

"Go Francesca. Be ready for tomorrow."

She felt something warm and tingly spread inside her, from her heart to the rest of her; had he just called her…by her name? Had he just called her by her real name? Did Xanxus just call her Francesca? Her heart swelled; she thought it'd burst out of happiness! It sounded so wonderful to be uttered by him so…casually. Because really; he remembered her name.

"Right…" A dazed, stupid smile came to her lips. "Bye for now."

If anyone came up behind her and snapped her neck right now, she honestly would have died a happy person. So overwhelmed was she that the morning rejection felt like a thing of the distant past. She literally breezed by two hours of shopping with Lussuria, too despite his constant inquiring as to what has put such a smile on her face. Due to her shy nature, she would have dropped it a long time ago and deny she was ever this happy but now she really didn't care. How can one simple word change so much, she mused; how intimate did it feel to be addressed as such.

If anyone saw her, they would have guessed she was being ecstatic over the new bags Lussuria bought for her, or that lovely coat he just couldn't see on anyone else but her; or maybe because they saw her carry many, many small white boxes that to anyone would look like jewellery – when in fact they were medicine supplies – but that wasn't the case.

The real case was…there was this possibility her hopes weren't that slim; there was this very real chance. And somehow it was all she could think about.

She stayed for Lussuria's facial spa treatment though; she wouldn't miss it for the world.

.

.

She finished all of her packing around nine. Only then did she dare venture outside her room. She had to administer the boss his medicine and she had completely neglected it! Ironic really, if one thought he was all she could think about today. Granted, she wasn't thinking of him as a patient.

Would he be different with her tonight she wondered? Should she look forward to an actual goodbye…?

She knocked on his door and waited; after what felt like a very long time, she heard the familiar word of approval and opened the door. As she walked inside, there was the boss on his armchair, leaning forwards. Gun parts were stretched on the table in front of him and he was currently fiddling with the barrel.

Surprised as she was to see him do something like that, she still came closer, serums in hand. "I brought you your medicine. I brought you five days' worth of medicine too—please don't neglect to take them tomorrow. I've put numbers on them so you won't have a problem with the sequence this once."

He nodded, never looking up.

Hesitant, she took a step towards him. But then she looked behind her again, at the open door; should she leave? She appeared to be a nuisance. Yet if he was in any way annoyed by her, she knew for a fact he'd already have sent her off. So she took another step closer to him. But why did he have to be so preoccupied by his current engagement that he wouldn't even spare her a glance? She leaned backwards, but still took a third step to him.

"In or out; don't hover there."

Her steps were very small indeed, she noticed. "In" she decided and after she carefully closed the door behind her she was sitting next to him in seconds. She was actually sitting on the arm of the luxurious chair watching him. After she carefully left tomorrow's medicine on the bed, she turned her attentions back to him. His movements were very familiar to his hands for they appeared to do everything with practised precision. She found herself distracted by him but most importantly, she found herself entertained.

It'd been a long while later that she saw his right hand leave the gun or the parts and extend in front of her. Without thinking too much about it, she gave one of the serums to him. He drank; then he repeated the gesture a fact that only made her repeat her own movements, too. Before she had time to make the connection of what she was doing, she no longer had a reason to remain in the room for her hands were empty.

All the meds were gone.

He didn't seem to care though; once she was finished with the tiny bottles, he retracted his hand and put it to good use again. He made no comment about her being there, though; he let her be by his side.

This whole moment felt very…familial to her. She remembered all those times she'd curiously peer over her aunt's shoulder to find out what she'd been doing and how in order to replicate it herself later. It also reminded her the times her aunt would sit like this and peer over Francesca's shoulder in an effort to supervise or teach her niece something. Fond memories of her aunt teaching her about DNA and RNA, differences and functionalities came rushing back to her.

She felt more at peace these passing minutes than she'd ever had in this home.

There must have been something very different that had nothing to do with guns or tomorrow on her mind or else she wouldn't look this content just by watching him maintain his twin guns. In fact, he was upgrading them to hold more power, a task which would easily take the whole night and then some—one of the reasons he couldn't leave at the same time as her. He frowned suddenly; he didn't mind her presence one bit but soon enough she'd start getting bored – and probably ask him many things – but he didn't want to be bothered.

"I'll be at it all night," he warned yet it sounded more of a goodbye.

"I don't mind…"

There was no more talking after that; she simply sat there next to him, making him put extra effort in staying focused. He didn't particularly mind her presence; in fact it somehow raised and kept his spirits up. Still, he could feel her right there, by his side, unmoving. The fact he kept her entertained by doing virtually routine work was…unfamiliar to him. At least she didn't bother him at all and he had as much time as he wanted to think about this…

But then she did bother him: it must have been an hour when he felt her slide on the arm; her side collided with his. Then her head fell on his shoulder. She wasn't talking but she wasn't doing anything to remove herself either. Was this…some weird pass at him, literally falling on him?

A minute passed; a second; she did nothing else, but still rested against him. A mixture of annoyance and amusement stirred inside him, how forward of her but what terrible timing. But five minutes later annoyance won out and he turned to her thunderous…only to find her breathing in that small rhythm unperturbed by his admonishing eyes as hers were closed.

She had fallen asleep!

He was stricken. An odd sense of achievement came over him: he had never seen any woman sleep in his presence before, for any reason – not counting physical exertion –. Also, considering it was him who had fallen asleep literally on top of her not too long ago, but she had never done anything of the sort, there was the sense of score keeping, too: from zero to one now it was even.

He smirked at himself; who would have thought she'd ever feel so safe with him? It was a real fear she'd never get to that point as all she had been doing was run away. And there was some merit in her face the way she looked so peaceful…

Oh no; the scene was turning way too familial! He stood up abruptly – yet had the instinct to keep her from falling – and grabbed her by the waist. Without much thought, he put her on his shoulder, belly-down legs up front, and marched to her bedroom.

Suddenly, he was struck with how easily her life could end; the fragility of human life had never been a concern for him, instead it was a convenience. It was an odd feeling for him, to worry about that; what if anyone did anything to her while she was overseas alone? He was sending her before everyone else not because Mammon wanted to but because he was worried anyone might attack them; yet what if some creep decided to prey on her at Japan? She was to be escorted by two low ranking Varia members at all times of course but the walk from the gate till the limo was long…

And if anyone ever looked for the most paranoid person in existence, that would be him! What was he even thinking? Angry at himself, he kicked her door open, reached the bed in question, tore the covers off with one swift move, threw her on it…and then put the covers back on. He checked to see if she was still sleeping; she was. Flawless, he thought to himself satisfied and swaggered out.

The moment the sound of his footsteps were gone, she allowed it to herself to roll her eyes with a smile on her face. Her eyes had snapped open the moment he took a rather bumpy left turn at the corridor but he never noticed. It was a very bumpy ride in fact, but she hoped there would be more to come.

With her last thoughts being good ones, she drifted off to sleep.

.

=:=:=:=

.

One minute she was sleeping and the next she was in a hotel room in Japan. Well, a suite, rather; she was standing in the middle of their luxurious suite. The whole floor all to themselves, again. She vaguely recalled the man at the desk calling her by her name.

Of course the matter remained on how the hell did she find herself here? She remembered opening her eyes and seeing silvery-white; there was a loud voice then and someone yanked her out of bed…she vividly recalled the feeling of the fluffy carpet on her face. Ah, it was so soft…! But, yes, she was pulled to her feet and driven out of the room; she was so sleepy she could hardly claim she did it on her own.

Two people hugged her; she remembered because the two hugs were consecutive and one person pried her away from the first. She was unceremoniously stuffed inside a taxi and led through a gate. Someone guided her while another carried her luggage for her since they were all there next to her.

And then everything was hazy…without further ado, she found something soft and crashed head-first into it; the sweet sensation of oblivion took over immediately! It didn't last long though, as a person came in and informed her, all politeness and manners, she was supposed to be housed in the floor right under this one, in the room 1112.

"But I just got here…the rest won't be coming for a day or so…lemme sleep."

"I'm sorry but we can't do that, dear guest. Would you please relocate to the designated room?"

She groaned; the man at the entrance remained unyielding. "Yes, alright; can you get my stuff? I'm too tired-."

Out of apparently nowhere, the people who escorted her to and from the airport grabbed her luggage and started leading the way. "That works, too." She stood up and followed the two men.

It took nearly three more days to actually see them again. Not that she had any time to miss any of them, no; she was far too preoccupied with her own duties and of course—she had to brush up on her Japanese! How could she forget it? She had neglected her studying completely! She was nearly hyperventilating when she remembered.

So she ordered for someone to bring her the same book she was supposed to be studying, without her little notes sadly, and started reading avidly.

So when one afternoon the door opened wide and a screaming Squalo burst through the door, she was actually scared out of her skin! "Oh my God, you gave me a fright! Why can't you knock!?"

"Why can't you come upstairs!? We've been here two days! You need to be debriefed."

"I hadn't realised the passage of time, forgive me." She didn't sound apologetic at all. "I'm coming, go now."

"Aaaaah, hell no; you're coming with me and if you need a minute I'm taking it with you. I ain't going down there without you. The boss is in a good mood, sort of, but he'll be pissed if he sees me alone and I ain't getting burnt for your sake."

She laughed; despite feeling very self-conscious at is actual words, it was such a relief to see him so normal with her. Also, he had the whole "don't fucking shoot the messenger" vibe which was so adorable in its own way. Plus, she could swear he was here on his own initiative, probably because he got tired of seeing the boss being an asshole.

"I'm finishing up and we're going."

"Hurry up!"


A/N: Like I said, small chapter but plenty of interaction between the two of them; need to see them together a little more, you know? Stir things up a bit, feelings and insticts.

Anyway, that was it! New update will take a while, a month or so.

Please leave a review on your way out~!