Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 File 1: Dominant Species
Part 3: Casualties
Chapter 34: Calm Surfaces
by P. Kristen Enos (bgcpost2040@aol.com)
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A Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 English Dub Version Fanfic. All rights belong to AIC, ADV Films and the other creative powers that be. I just want credit for writing the story. Contains spoilers! Rated PG13. Yuri warning! Nothing in here should be a shock if you've watched the episodes and paid attention. All I'm doing is filling in the gaps with my own interpretation of events! Special thanks to Greenegret for betaing!
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Daley stared over his terminal out at the view of the Tokyo skyline. His fingers gripped a pen as the words of that morning's conversation still played over and over in his mind.
"I need results, Wong!" his gruff boss Nick Roland had yelled in his usual unrestrained fashion. The open door negated the fact that the two of them were in the privacy of his office. "Top brass is expecting something concrete after that hospital sting operation you pulled without their prior knowledge or approval! It's giving them more weight to close this case if this sting didn't produce court evidence!"
"I'm telling you, sir, we should have answers soon!" Daley had insisted as he had tried to maintain his composure. "My team is still researching -"
"What team, Wong?! I've checked. The labs aren't doing anything special for you, nor are the other detectives. Romanova's been putting in only half time in the office so you can't tell me she's doing your research work! Do you mean to tell me you've got your own private staff at your disposal? If so, I'd like to know who they are so I can put them on payroll!"
"Sir, I NEED you to trust me on this one!" the normally composed detective blurted. "I'll admit right now I have no evidence even though I'm damned convinced I know who's behind it and how they did it. All I ask is for another week to be able to produce something. If nothing pans out, you can suspend me, fire me, whatever. I don't want these killers to get away with this anymore than you do!"
Roland paused and stared at Wong. Then he took a breath and said in a much calmer voice, "Fine. You have one more week to prove there's a reason why this case should remain open. And that's it." Then he added with a wry smile. "I used to think the harebrain schemes were all originally Leon's idea but now I'm wondering if I wasn't a little off."
Wong had grinned at him and said, "Maybe his influence rubbed off on me?"
"Nice try. Now get your ass back to work. Or I'll be tempted to hire your boyfriend in your place!"
Daley frowned at the memory of those words. Even though the last comment was said in jest, it particularly stung.
Once Yuuji's "sources" informed him of the mysterious goings on at the hospital - which he knew was timed with Daley's sting operation -- he used his investigative reporter's skill at research and interviews to dig up as much dirt as possible. He ended up painting a picture of some sort of conspiratorial cover-up regarding a missing witness to the Plaza Slaughter. Adding fuel to the fire, the public never knew this witness existed since that was previously kept as confidential information. And since Yuuji worked for the most prestigious newspaper in town rather than some tabloid rag, everyone knew that there was substantial truth to be had in the front-page article.
Since then, things had not been very cosy in the Wong/Akamatsu home despite their agreement to leave their professional lives at the front door. At least they were now being civil to each other even though it was clear a very obvious subject was being avoided in their otherwise pleasant conversations. It was probably just as well since their apartment was being bugged and they didn't dare remove any of the devices since that would tip Daley's hand too much. At least he got Yuuji to agree to being "ignorant" about the spying given what was at stake here.
Daley sighed and stared at the phone, once again resisting the overwhelming urge to call Sylia to get some sort of status. They had agreed to no contact because of bugging and surveillance, and that any substantial news would be reported in code through Nene. And his assistant hadn't uttered a word of anything positive yet.
Still, there were other cases to work on, though none anywhere near as high-profile or as important.
He then looked over at the young woman who shared his office and found that she too was staring out the window, which was unusual for her, since she usually found some way to occupy herself through her terminal.
"Hey, Nene, want to go for an early lunch? I think we both need some fresh air."
"I'm not really hungry," she answered, not turning her gaze from the view.
Daley's eyebrows shot up. Now this was serious. "Are you feeling ill? Perhaps you've been overworking yourself?"
"No, that's not it." She paused and then finally looked at him with a deadly serious gaze as she asked, "Daley, do you think I'm immature?"
Realizing that this was a loaded question, Daley pushed his glasses back in place and asked instead, "Did someone imply that you were?"
"Well, not directly... I just... I guess I don't know what I'm trying to say," she admitted with a huff of breath. "You know, I asked Sylia about that 'drunken make-out session' comment that Reika woman said about her and Linna. She told me it happened during Galatea and that they didn't 'go all the way.' She said they just took a 'partial trip.' Whatever that means."
Daley could make some educated guesses even though he admitted he definitely had no personal knowledge or interest in lesbian foreplay and sex practices. "Well, they obviously found some sort of resolution about it if they're friends now and aren't seeing each other -- like that, I mean."
"It's not even so much knowing about the two of them," Nene admitted. "I just had no clue. I don't go around thinking about sex and stuff even though it appears everyone else seems to."
"Well, um, what about you and Mackey?"
Nene's face turned completely red. "No, of course NOT! That's what I love about him. He's not the stereotype of hands and hormones that I've heard others complain about. But now I'm wondering if it's because of me, and he's only accommodating whatever I want to do, or don't want to do."
Daley narrowed his eyes as a picture started to form, "Has he shown interest in someone else?"
Nene now frowned and muttered, "Yes. And it would be some tall Amazonian goddess who seems to be perfect for him."
"Perfect? Do you mean -"
"So is this how you waste the taxpayers dollars? Gossiping on the clock?" Leon McNichol said as he leaned in the door way, dressed in the jeans and t-shirt that had become his standard attire of the past three years.
"LEON-POO!!!" Nene squealed happily as she jumped up from the chair.
"Hi - Hey!" he retorted just as she tackled him with a bear hug. However, his initial annoyance was immediately swept aside by her genuine enthusiasm.
Daley chuckled and got up from his seat to shake hands. "Well, howdy, ex-partner. They let you in here unescorted?"
Leon flashed his visitor's badge and said, "Apparently I still have a trustworthy face around here."
"I had no idea you were coming!" Nene exclaimed, her excitement barely contained. "When did you get back?"
"Actually, just now. I came from the airport, and Priss is heading over to Sylia's to talk to her." He paused slightly as he suddenly saw Daley pull out a notepad and madly scramble something down while motioning for him to continue speaking. "And I admit I have pretty selfish reasons for coming here first in that I was wondering if either of you could put us up temporarily until we can find our own place."
Daley handed him the note which read 'Office is bugged. Careful of talk about K.S.' Leon nodded in understanding.
Not caring about the note exchange, Nene declared, "So you're back to stay?!"
"For now," he admitted, though his tone didn't sound completely sure.
"Well, I'd love to have you two, but you wouldn't fit in my apartment with all of my computer stuff," Nene admitted.
"I'd have to call Yuuji to okay it with him but I don't see why you can't use our guest bedroom."
"Hey, I'll finally be able to meet the man at last!" Leon declared.
"You know," Nene said, "Sylia has plenty of room at her place. You and Priss could stay there as long as you need to and you wouldn't be in anybody's way."
"Ah, I'd rather not explore that option unless we absolutely have to," Leon said with a slight frown.
"Hunh? Why not -?"
"Let me call Yuuji now," Daley said quickly as he pulled out his cell phone, picking up on the deeper meaning.
Leon grinned and teased, "Well, isn't this domestically cute? Bet you're the totally whipped boy, Wong."
Daley glared at him, pushed his glasses back in place and stated, "Don't throw stones, Leon-poo!"
-- End Chapter 34 --
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