At 9 pm sharp, A Chevy was parked outside Sherry's apartment. Shuichi was leaning against its door with a cigarette tucked between his lips. He spotted the redhead coming towards him with her usual arrogant strut and an unusual dress for her taste. The low V-neck dress tightly tracked her body which fitted perfectly under the silk fabric. When she reached him, he cocked an eyebrow.

"You look nice!"

"Don't sugar talk me, Moroboshi, I know you didn't want to do this with me."

"If I knew you'd be dressed like that, I wouldn't have protested."

"And if I knew my sister's boyfriend will be hitting on me, I wouldn't have called."

They both smiled simultaneously.

Shuichi pushed himself away from the car. He opened the door to the passenger's seat behind him and gestured Shiho to get in. He then turned around, hopped onto the driver's seat, and started the car.

"Fill me in."

"Haru Asahi has been a researcher for the other pharmaceutical company for three years. He's our guy in there and he reported that the drug they're working on is finally complete. We're going to meet him now and he's going to give us a sample of the new drug. We take it and leave."

"Sounds easy."

"One more thing, you shouldn't stay with me once inside. We don't want him to be uncovered so it'll be better if I go see him alone while you watch us from another table."

(~)

Sherry walked inside the bar carefully and took a seat on one of the stools. Dai was right behind her when they got in but he went his separate way once inside.

She examined her surroundings. The place looked fancy, men were dressed in suits and attire, not the typical thought she had of a bar. Just when she was about to order a drink, Haru appeared and placed his hand on hers.

"Honey, sorry I kept you waiting. Come with me."

Sherry stood up and followed him. So they were going to play a couple! She was thankful Gin wasn't accompanying her, otherwise, he would've blown his cover and broke Haru's jaw already.

Haru sat with Shiho across from him. He placed his elbow on the table and brought his head closer to her, supporting it with his palm.

"You look beautiful, Sherry." He murmured with a smile. Shiho mimicked his posture, bringing their faces even closer.

"Why don't you cut to the chase, Haru?" She smiled back. For one who didn't listen, he'd think they're whispering sweet nothings.

"Let us at least get a drink first. I already ordered a bottle of Sherry especially for you."

Haru started pouring her a drink from the Sherry bottle, his glass was already filled with a shot of scotch. Shiho sighed. She was only hoping to get the sample and leave but a drink won't hurt. The man across from her held his cup and she did the same.

"To achievements." He said.

Their glasses clicked together and Shiho drew hers closer to take a sip, but before it could touch her lip, a fast hand snitched her glass away. Sherry gaped when she saw that same hand pour the content of her glass over Haru's head.

Haru rapidly placed a hand on his hair that was now soaked in the front. He looked completely shocked.

Dai, however, was expressionless. He just calmly placed the empty glass on the table while staring daggers at Haru. When he turned to Shiho, he found that she was still trying to process what happened, so he grabbed her elbow to force her to stand up. There was no time to explain then, he had to be fast! Shuichi held her hand firmly and led her out of the bar in silence, he opened the door to the passenger's seat of his Chevy, gently pushed her inside and closed it before appearing on the driver seat.

"What did you do?" She started soon as he sat.

"Save you."

"What are you talking about? We didn't get the sample."

"There was no sample to begin with. I heard his partners talking in the bathroom, they were planning to drug you with that Sherry you were about to drink and use you to give them a glimpse of your research. Haru was their accomplice."

"So Haru's loyal to the others!"

"You damn right he is."

Shiho swallowed hard. Most of her work was done in the lab and she rarely got caught up in action like this. She looked behind her and noticed two cars she remembered seeing parked in front of the bar.

"They're tracking us." She said with her face looking at the rear window, Dai didn't respond so she turned to face him. "The two black cars, they're tracking us."

"I know...Shiho, I'm going to leave my seat now, you're going to take over and continue driving. I'll shoot at them from-"

"No no no, I don't know how to drive." She shook her head.

Shuichi frowned. She knows how to create drugs and doesn't know how to drive!

With no choice left but to continue driving, the agent wobbled in the roads. He almost crashed into a big truck, the sound of its loud horn made Shiho want to scream. She heard the tires squeal with every turn they took. She could see a red light at the end of the road, but Dai kept his speed constant. By the time they reached it the Chevy's speed was over 100 km/ph, they almost collided with another car if it weren't to abruptly press the brakes. She turned to the rearview mirror, the two cars were still trailing them.

Shiho had enough. If they didn't die from the men behind them, they'll end up dying in a car crash.

"Give me your gun, I'll do the shooting." She finally broke the silence.

"No." Shuichi's answer came fast, indicating that it was out of the question.

If he were to take the shot, it would only be a threat to make them stop. But if he gave his gun to Sherry -a member of the organization- she'd probably kill someone, which was the least he wanted to happen as an FBI agent.

"What do you mean no?" Her brows furrowed.

"Your sister sent me to unsure your protection, not to let you do the shooting."

His words gave her a sense of being dominated and she didn't like it. Gin taught her everything about guns and shooting so what's the point if she didn't put it into practice now that they're both in danger?

"I don't care what my sister told you. You're here to protect me and if you don't give me the gun right now, we'll both end up dead in a car accident."

Just when she finished they took a sudden U-turn that made her bite her tongue. She cursed him. Dai continued driving ignoring her. When she realized he wasn't going to give it to her, she decided to find it herself. Sherry searched the glove compartment but it wasn't there.

"Where's the gun?" She asked.

Dai focused on the road not bothering to answer her. She felt angry. Her slender fingers reached for the jacket on him searching every pocket for the gun. When she couldn't find it there, she brought them down to his waist. Soon as she touched him there, he spoke.

"Enough!"

"Give me the gun."

Shuichi was going at the fastest speed his car could offer. He thought he could escape with his driving skills but the men behind him were just as skilled. At this rate, they'll catch them. He was starting to feel cornered. He couldn't possibly give Sherry the gun and allow her to kill someone but he couldn't continue driving either. Thick drops of sweat came down his forehead and Sherry didn't make it any easier.

"Give me the damn gun." She raised her voice a bit, losing her temper.

"No, take the wheel."

"I told you I don't know how to drive."

"You're not gonna drive, just keep us straight and don't let us crash into something, I have my foot on the gas." He said with a soft voice. Dai stole a moment to look at her, expression gentle. "You think you could do that?"

Shiho nodded, she took a deep breath and did as he said. Her heart was trembling inside her chest, this was the most intense moment of her life along with the two times she had Gin's gun to her head.

Shuichi brought the gun inserted in the waist of his pants and aimed at the car behind them. His sharp gaze pierced their opponent.

"Hurry!" Shiho rushed.

"It's not helping when you say that."

He took in a deep breath, one, two, three, boom.

He shot, and it was just centimeters away from the driver's head causing him to suddenly lose control. The car tottered and ended up hitting a tree on the side road while damaging the other one behind it.

The chase was finally over. They won! Now Shiho didn't own him anymore because after she'd saved his ass from Gin, he saved hers from those men. Now they're even.

Shuichi took the wheel back. He slowed their speed and took a turn at the next intersection then stopped the car. He turned to the side to examine his partner who let out a breath of relief.

"Are you okay?" He asked while fixing his eyes on her.

"I... That was intense." Shiho answered, looking ahead. Just minutes ago they had their lives on the stake and she needed time to process it.

"Then I take it you're not used to going on missions like these."

"Not much... Are you?"

She turned his way suddenly and found him lighting a cigarette. Shuichi's gaze rose slowly, greeting her with their smoky dark green. Every time She meets him in a place with low lighting, they would glow in their own way. Their shade was rare and distinguished, at day, they were sharp and intense, but at night they were soft and beautiful she'd look into them for hours.

"They don't let me work in the lab, Shiho. These jobs are all I do."

Shiho continued staring into his eyes. Dai was expecting her to say something but she didn't. After a little while, he turned his face to the wheel in front of him. Realizing that the situation was getting awkward, Shiho blushed and turned ahead.

"Gin will dispose of Haru soon as he comes back to Japan." She said, in hope of starting a new topic as Dai retrieved driving.

"Probably."

They both stayed silent for yet another while. None of them was the talkative type and they always had few words to say, so silence wasn't really an awkward situation between them. Sherry drowned in her thoughts for some time before speaking again.

"Dai san, I think I did the right thing by bringing you along with me tonight. To be honest I'm not sure my bodyguard would've handled this."

"Is this your way of saying thank you?" He asked with a smug expression. Shiho was never a fan of that cocky look of his.

"Anyways," She continued, ignoring what he said. "Would you like to be my bodyguard?"

When Shuichi started his infiltration, he had a goal in mind. He wanted to learn sensitive Intel, to capture important members, he wanted the organization wrecked. But the 8 months he spent were a disappointment. He was aspiring for more and knew that if he waited long enough he'll get his breakthrough especially for a man with his skills. He wanted to reach deep and being a bodyguard will only keep him in the shallow. The agent breathed into his cigarette.

"Do you know why I didn't want to do this with you? It's because I'm not bodyguarding material, it's restraining. I already have my work with Reiji and I like it."

"I see." Shiho looked out the window disappointed.

"If you wear more dresses like this one on the other hand." He teased, eyes still on the road.

"Pervert." She hissed.

"Relax, I'm just messing with you." He smiled "...Well, you still have your boyfriend to protect you."

"Let's not talk about him anymore." Shiho said annoyed. The fact that he knew about her dating Gin doesn't make it fine to discuss it with her. Also Gin as protector? He is the person she needs protection from. If only she could say.

"May I ask why you're keeping this from Akemi? I thought you two tell each other everything, at least I know she does."

"You may not, And don't you da-"

"Dare tell her... yeah I know" His husky voice interrupted.

(~)

It was a long day in the lab. Just when she thought ending preclinical research was an achievement, the clinical phase proved to be even harder. Shiho was as usual late home. It was 11 pm and she felt exhausted, all she wanted to do was to shower and collapse on the bed and sleep. She got inside her apartment and closed the door behind her before throwing her body on the first couch she encountered.

She stared at the ceiling for a minute. The figure of Moroboshi Dai tickled her imagination replaying the day they escaped death. Only two days had passed so the memory was so vivid in her mind.

It was then that the door was knocked stealing her from her train of thoughts. Shiho knew well who to expect, who else would come to her at 11 pm without an invitation except for him? She sat up cursing her luck. Why does he always come at the worst times?

"Gin." She said when she opened the door.

"Hello sweetheart." He grinned. "Can I come in?"

Shiho stepped back inviting him silently, though she really just wanted to close the door on his face and go to sleep. Gin walked inside and took a seat on the couch where she was lying.

"So you're back from the trip!" She noted.

"Just now. How was your weekend?"

"It was fine. Do you want something to drink?"

"No nothing. Just come here, sit next to me." He said as he tapped the spot on the couch next to him. Shiho slowly walked and sat there.

"I missed you so much." Gin added. And just when he finished his sentence, he leaned forward and kissed her, a kiss that was as demanding as his voice. Only after a long moment that he pulled back.

"I heard you got into some action."

"Yeah, If Dai san didn't hear Haru's accomplices speaking by chance it would've ended badly."

"What matters is that you're okay." He smiled and handed her a bag. "Here, I brought you something from Paris."

Shiho looked at Gin suspiciously. He was acting unusually nice, what is he planning? She opened the paper bag and found a Chanel purse inside. It looked elegant and expensive just like her taste.

"Thanks, although it's not like you to bring me gifts."

"I figured I should take more care of you since I realized I had competition."

"What competition?"

"That Moroboshi guy, he seems like your type, Sherry." The threatening grin took over his face again. Now he was the Gin she knew.

"Moroboshi?" Shiho laughed. "What made you think he's my type?"

"I know what you like."

"Well, now that you mention it, he would've suited me. Too bad he's seeing someone else." Shiho smirked. Gin gazed at her intently. She brought her face closer to his and added. "It's called sarcasm, in case you didn't know."

"You think this is something to joke about?" Gin asked earnestly. He placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. "You really do like him do you?"

"Gin, he's my sister's boyfriend."

"That doesn't deny what I just said. If you think I didn't know what you both were doing on the balcony the other day-"

"You're being paranoid again!" Shiho's voice rose. "I told you he's my sister's boyfriend for God's sake."

Shiho was sick of it! Gin's possessive nature made him suspect everything. He's hurt men before just because he thought they had a connection with her when they did not. He was so jealous it suffocated her, too possessive he made his own scenarios of her cheating whenever she met another man. Sherry feared that he might target Dai next. She won't forgive herself if Gin hurts the man Akemi loves. She knew that he'd easily do it, just from the intense glare he was sending her right now, and his dead eyes that were starting to slowly redden.

"Don't-you-raise-your-voice-at-me." He warned.

"... I'm going to sleep now. Would you leave?" She said with a low voice.

"I'll go. But if I ever hear you're fooling around behind my back, you can only blame yourself for what happens next, Sherry." Gin said his words then left.

"Fuck you, Gin." Shiho whispered.


Next chapter: Shuichi finally gets his breakthrough mission, but it comes with a price.

I hope you enjoyed reading.