[DISCLAIMER: Again, only a fictional story that is one of my faves to write.

This is a transitional little part of the love story. Aw, romance, tis glorious!

Short chapter because I'm kind of cut for time today, but because I was so moved by recent collabs of AmeSame and Gura's fantastic Karoke (as I like to call, Guraoke) last night, I'm posting this one quickly. And because I got another review – they make me write, just sayin'. *wink*

Gawr Gura had around 120,000 watching her Guraoke and it was amazing! If you missed there are unarchived clips on YouTube. She is honestly a hidden and amazing talent. I have some Korone in here, but it's all about AmeSame. Enjoy and thanks for reading.]

Chapter 8 – They Long to Be Close to You

The day was bright, sunny, and the kind of day all good things happen.

Gura walked beside Dr. Amelia Watson, watching how the sun brought out the deep golden touches of Watson's hair, as it blew gently with the breeze coming off the coast.

A song played on someone's small radio, "just like me, they long to be, close to you," as they passed.

What a timely song, Gura thought to herself, as they walked along the boardwalk looking for a place to eat. She would consistently glance over at the slightly taller girl.

"Did you say something?" Amelia asked.

"No." Gura bobbed her head, "I don't remember saying anything." She giggled awkwardly, "did it sound like I said something?"

Watson laughed along, and then asked, "I just feel like walking."

"Not hungry?"

Watson shook her head. "I do have to pack for this trip later, but I want you to tell me about your talk with Ina, and if you know where she went."

Gura considered having to explain her life. How do you cover thousands of years to a person who lives a finite amount?

"Wanna just buy some sandwiches and go to my cool new abode?"

"Go to your place?"

"Well, technically it belongs to my doggo landlord."

They both laughed awkwardly.

"I think she's with her girlfriend today, and so…"

"You want me to go to your place?"

Gura nodded. "Hm, does that sound creepy?"

"No," Watson laughed again, placing a strand of hair behind her ear. Gura glanced at her slender neck and then glanced away. "You've never been creepy to me."

They both looked to one another, and in that moment each heart was pricked in that way when you notice someone, and you realize they have something that makes your heart skip a beat. That iconic term actually means something.

"I mean," Gura looked past Watson, "since I might have to tell you a bunch of stuff that might make the casual observer think I'm crazy. I'd rather go somewhere private."

"Okay, sure."

And that's what they did. They bought sandwiches from a local deli and carried them to Gura's temporary residence for the time. It really was a nice bungalow, painted in light grey and white, and on the beach.

There was a gate at the front they had to walk through, and then they walked around to the back entrance.

"This is a pretty nice place."

"Yeah, I lucked out with this gig."

They both snickered again.

The sun was high and there were a few folks basking on the beach. Overall, this was set in a spot that was away from most beach traffic, since it was near the rocky outcrop where the lighthouse was just above.

Gura began to unlock the door, but it was open.

"Hm, maybe Koro is home." The shark girl pushed open the door.

She walked through the door when she was hit across the face hard, shoved into the door, shoved by a person running out. As they passed Gura, they were met by Watson, who tripped him.

The unexpected thief went flying forward and into a bush.

In an instant, the ex-investigator was pushing the buttons on her phone for 911.

"Hold it right there while I call the police to pick you up."

The guy leapt up, "are you fuckin kidding me, love" looking disheveled with a bald head and bad teeth, speaking with a British accent.

He went to punch Watson, and she maneuvered to the side – a simple side-step - and he fell forward to be met by Gura's tail, that slammed him so hard across the noggin, he flew to another bush. This time he was out cold.

"Who do you think that is?" Gura was slightly shocked, rubbing at her cheek where he smacked.

"Looks like one of her fans." Watson walked over to the gentleman on the ground while speaking on the phone to the police. They'd be on their way.

"You're pretty quick," Gura laughed.

"You weren't too bad either."

"Should we secure him? Do you have handcuffs?"

"No," Watson giggled. "Do you think I carry those around on me?"

"Well," Gura blushed because that might have had other implications of a sexually kinky nature, and then she asked, "What if he was just here cause he's the maid?"

That was when Amelia noted she was bruising on her cheek.

Her hand immediately lifted to her cheek, "Oh my goodness, are you okay?"

"Oh yeah, he hit like a girl."

Gura felt her warm hand on her cheek, taking in the moment for a second when the police sirens were suddenly behind. She backed up. "Looks like the coppers are here."

"Yeah." Amelia nervously backed up, swallowing.

The police officers walked up, and Watson immediately explained the situation and who she was, and they arrested the young man. He kept yelling he wasn't guilty of anything. Watson noted he had a British accent. She called Botan and asked if she could head down to observe them question him at the station.

Watson, with police, walked into the home, making sure it was safe.

Gura stayed outside, calling Korone to let her know someone was in her place and asked her to come and check if anything was missing – half of which was telling her she was fine and nobody was hurt.

As Amelia Watson walked outside, thanking the officers, Gura stated, "Guess our lunch date is a bust."

"Yeah," Amelia Watson stood there as the sun lowered slowly across the sky. Her light blue eyes sparkling in the light, matching the sky.

"I'll stay here with my landlord and make sure she's okay, and then… maybe we can meet later."

"Maybe… that would be nice. I… would like that."

"Why are you going to the station to question that small-time thief?" the shark girl asked.

"It's a case that's come up, and I was asked by a local investigator to help. He might be a person of interest."

"I see." Gura's mind wandered to what she could be talking about. "What kind of case?"

"Just an old case that seems to have popped up again."

"The finger case? Cause yubi yubi and such, right?"

Amelia Watson only nodded quickly. "Maybe you should be a cop."

"Maybe I once was." Gura smiled with an easygoing wink, but Amelia was detached, thinking over the case.

She could see Amelia Watson was bothered, and her thoughts were drifting to that case that broke her, as she had said.

Gura held out the sandwich, "Here, you should still eat something. The bag fell on the ground, but I'm sure the sandwich survived."

The investigator was still detached, not laughing at the comment. "I'm not feeling very hungry."

"Well," Gura looked toward her, and Watson caught the concerned look, "you still should take care of yourself. Since you'll probably be doing your cop stuff and not take a break."

She slowly took the sandwich, her hand nearly brushing against Gura's.

"Thanks."

"Sure. Gotta keep up the strength, Watson."

"I haven't forgotten about the conversation between you and Ina, and so this is just side issue."

"Oh – got it. I think maybe you shouldn't let it bother you and just take care of this case. Don't want to be distracted."

An officer walked up and Gura could see Korone headed her direction looking worried.

"I guess this is goodbye for now."

"Yeah." Gura stood there standing so close to Amelia Watson she wanted to reach out and hold her, but she stepped back, "yeah, take care of yourself out there, detective."

She brushed aside a hair behind her ear, and then said "Hi" quickly to Korone.

Korone rushed past her, barely noting her existence, and hugged Gura tightly. "You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, you're crushing me again."

"I'm so sorry someone in my house attacked you."

"What?" Gura was still being held. "No, I wasn't attacked." Although, she was feeling attacked at this moment. "Koro, you're squishing me," she giggled, "despite smelling really good."

"Gu-gu-gura, I'm so glad you're okay." She held her, moving her back and forth like a stuffed animal in her arms.

She finally released and looked over Gura's bruised cheek looking sad, which immediately made the shark girl feel badly.

"I'm good doggo, it's all good. No worries. It's cool."

"I'll get you ice for your cheek." Korone took her arm in her own, holding her closely.

"Thanks," Gura blushed.

Amelia Watson looked at the two, realizing she wished that was her hugging Gura. She always had trouble physically showing emotion. It never came easy to her, and that's why Ina was such a surprise, but then her attachment to Gura felt deeper, more connected, and she didn't understand how much she was drawn to Gawr Gura, this mysterious shark that just appeared in her life.

The officer asked if she needed a lift to the station and she took the invitation and caught a ride to the station.

In the police car, she looked back one more time, seeing how easily the two laughed together and just a small part of her heart felt jealous of their ease. Why couldn't she handle life so easily? Was she just wired wrong? She held the sandwich in her lap. She held the "almost" date in her hands, thinking over the shark girl's laugh and how easily she made her laugh, and… she couldn't get her out of her thoughts.

[END NOTE: Thanks for reading: Fave, follow and review with your honest opinions. I have a question: Should I promote this on a site like Hololive Reddit? Are you all liking this? Next chapter will be hot tub Holios at the Kame Inn and developments in the Yubi case.]