A/N: The later part of the chapter is going to go by very quickly. Almost like you were watching a movie. You'll see what I mean. And see if you guys can name the different types of women Aoshi went out with...
Part 3: The Boss' First Dates
January 29, 2003
Okay. Finally. I actually selected a few women who are going to be Aoshi's dates. I've been emailing them back and forth and it looks like these ladies have some real potential. I can't wait for Aoshi to meet them! He's really going to like them. Some of them all come from different careers and some are different ages. Not too young, not too old. Just right. I can't wait to hear how things are going!!
Oh yeah. Aoshi ran into an old friend today…
~ Misao
Frowning slightly, Aoshi skimmed his handwritten report. One of the ships that had docked at Pearl Harbor needed an upgrade in their weapons system. Glancing at his clock, he had two hours of work left to go. He began typing into his computer.
"Always the hard worker, Commander," a female voice entered his office.
Aoshi looked up to see Lt. Theresa Williams standing in the doorway. He smiled slightly.
"Theresa…"
She stepped further into the room as he rose to his feet. "How have you been, sir?"
Aoshi closed his office door, gesturing to a chair. "Good. You?"
Theresa sat in the seat he offered. "I'm okay. It's…different without you."
"I'm sure your current superior follows the rules. Always by the book." Aoshi settled in his seat.
To which she grinned and said, "He definitely doesn't break into hotel rooms. So…how is it working for Commander Saitou?"
Pause. "Different." Aoshi leaned forward. "Then again…what I'm doing is different."
They were quiet for a few moments. He studied his former junior officer. Something was different. She seemed much more confident. And more relaxed.
"I…never really got to thank you for what you did," Theresa said quietly.
Aoshi looked away. "There's nothing to thank me for."
"I would have done the same for you."
He nodded. "I know."
They sat in silence for several more moments.
"You…remind of someone I worked with," Aoshi began.
"Oh?"
"Hannya. The loyalty…and strength…are very similar," he continued. "He sacrificed himself when our ship went down…"
Theresa smiled ruefully. "If…that's a compliment, sir…thank you."
"I meant it as one."
Their eyes met over his desk. He couldn't explain to anyone the bond he shared with his former junior officer. She understood his way of thinking and the way he worked. There were times she disagreed and while she never hesitated to say so, she always kept respect for him. She would risk her life to save his, and he had once already done so. That type of gesture only occurred between two people who ultimately trusted each other.
The phone rang. Glancing quickly at the caller ID, Aoshi activated the speakerphone.
"Misao."
"Hi, Aoshi!" her cheerful voice filled the room. "I'm just calling to tell you to hurry home as soon as you're done. You don't want to be late for your date!"
Theresa muffled a laugh, stopping when Aoshi gave her a look.
"I won't be late," Aoshi assured. "I'm never late."
"I know that, but just reminding you…See you at home!" Click.
He hung up.
"You're going on a date?" Theresa asked.
He shook his head. "Misao took out a personal ad and has set me up with several women," Aoshi replied.
"Oh, no…" Theresa's shoulders shook in hysteria.
"Did I ever tell you, Lieutenant, that one of your most admirable traits is self-control?" A hint of a smile lifted his lips.
"Was that a joke?" Theresa asked, still struggling not to laugh.
"No." He straightened some papers on his desk. "I'd better finish this…"
"All right." Theresa stood up. "Oh…before I forget…Austin and I are getting married early next year…"
Aoshi's eyes widened slightly. "I take it you two got along very well during our mission…"
"We've always gotten along. We've been friends since the Naval Academy," Theresa explained. Then she grinned. "I don't know…when he asked me…it just…felt right. Have you ever known anyone who just seemed to fit you?"
He blinked. "I…can't say that I have…"
"Well, that's how we are."
"Congratulations," he nodded.
"Thanks. We're looking forward to it. You're invited to the wedding. We're not sure where it's going to be, though…" she sighed.
"You have plenty of time," Aoshi assured.
"Yeah. Anyway, we should have lunch sometime…"
"Of course. You know how to find me."
"See you later, Commander…"
"You are late!" Misao exclaimed as Aoshi stepped inside the house.
Her guardian calmly set his briefcase down before placing his cellular phone, keys and wallet on the small table by the door.
"I was in traffic," he replied.
"Hurry and go take a shower!" Misao ordered, waving her arms madly. "You're supposed to meet her in less than an hour!"
Aoshi headed to his bathroom while pulling on several buttons of his collared khaki uniform shirt.
"Misao, I still need-"
"Aaah!!! I forgot to set out your clothes!" the teenager screeched before hurrying into Aoshi's room.
As the sound of water filtered through Aoshi's closed bathroom door, Misao shoved his closet door to the side, filing through his clothes, each neatly hung on white plastic hangers, facing the same direction, two finger widths apart.
"Darn it…Where is…" Misao yanked a pair of khaki cargo pants off one hanger. "Oh good! Now…where's that…shirt…" She pulled out a white tank top and dark blue collared button-down. "Why does he always dress like he buys from Banana Republic?" she muttered. After nicely arranging his clothes on the bed, she fished into his dresser and pulled out a pair of boxers and socks. "Aoshi!" she hollered. "Hurry up!!"
As if on cue, the water shut off. Moments later, Aoshi emerged from the shower, wearing a white terry cloth bathrobe, his eyes shifting to the bed where Misao had set his clothes.
"Misao, what-?"
"Okay, we need to fix your hair. Tell me when you're dressed!" Misao sailed past him to shut his bedroom door behind her so she could leave him in privacy.
She must have paced the hallway outside his room three times before she knocked on the door.
"Aoshi-"
"I'm done," came the curt reply.
Misao practically battered the door down as she stepped inside his room to see him running a comb through his barely regulation cut hair. Immediately, she began straightening sections of his shirt in the front and back.
"What are you doing?" Aoshi asked, exasperation evident in his voice.
"Making you look nice," Misao replied, her eyes shifting to his face. Then her ocean blue eyes widened with horror. "No, Aoshi! Dracula look is not in! What's wrong with you?!"
"Misao-"
She jumped up, snatching the comb from his hand while mussing his hair slightly.
"I wasn't finished," Aoshi stated.
The teenager combed several bangs to remove any tangles, but for the most part, she left her guardian's hair untouched, giving his strands a tousled, just emerged from the shower look. "Your hair's short, so it doesn't look too messy left uncombed."
Aoshi rolled his eyes heavenward as Misao opened his vanity cabinet to retrieve several more last minute items.
"Here…I got these for you, too," she announced, pressing four circular objects wrapped in foil into his hand.
Aoshi stared at them before glaring at her. "Why are you giving me condoms?"
Misao shrugged. "Because you might need them."
"I do not-"
"Aoshi, it's okay. I understand you have urges. That's part of being human. I'm mature, I can handle that. You don't always need to be the perfect parent. It's not like I don't know that-"
"I don't need them because I don't plan on sleeping with my date tonight," Aoshi said through gritted teeth.
"Well, take two just in case."
Aoshi covered his eyes with his hand. "If I take them, will you leave me alone so I can get to my date on time?"
"Oh yeah."
He stuffed them in his pocket before heading to the front door to retrieve his wallet, keys and cell phone.
"Don't forget to hold a white rose when you enter the restaurant. Even if she saw your picture, Cassandra will know it's you." Misao trailed after him, a frown on her pretty features. "Hey, Aoshi…Why are going along with this date thing, anyway?"
"Because it makes you happy," he answered sincerely.
Misao smiled tearfully before throwing her arms around his waist. Then she grimaced as her cheek hit the solid wall of his chest. "Good luck. You look awesome."
A wry smile lifted his lips as he ruffled her hair. "Thank you. I'll see you tonight..."
Misao had given him a brief description of Cassandra, in terms of what her interests were. She had every intention of setting him up with several different women and had shown him the women she had chosen. He had memorized each one's name, age, occupation, hobbies, and faces if a photograph had been included.
He meant what he said. He did want Misao to be happy. And if fixing him up on blind dates was the case, then he'd go on those dates. They had gone through some difficult times over the last few years. He hadn't been a very good father to her, and he was making up for it now.
The things parents do for their children…
Aoshi entered the Thai restaurant, holding a white rose that he quickly picked up on his way over.
One woman sat by herself, wearing a V-neck red cotton dress with cutout portions over her shoulders, and at closer look, the curves of her waist. She smiled at him in greeting as she stood up.
"Aoshi?"
He nodded, extending the flower towards her before shaking her outstretched hand.
"I'm Cassandra," she replied. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise."
After letting her sit first, Aoshi then took the seat across from her. She was an attractive woman, with chestnut hair and brilliant green eyes. Makeup seemed to enhance her features, particularly her eyes and lips.
After they ordered, they engaged in small talk. Occasionally, she'd lean forward deliberately giving him a closer look at her plunging neckline. He'd been around his share of flirtatious women, especially while on shore leave, but he never paid much attention to them. He knew when they were acting up, but he never gave any signs that he was responding to their invitations. Usually women backed off.
"If you don't mind me asking," he began, "what made you decide to look through personal ads?"
Their order was placed before them.
She smiled at their server before he left to tend other tables. "Oh…I figured I'd try something new." Tipping her head to the side, she studied him with a quizzical smile on her face. "You seem to be a very reserved person. I'm surprised you put yourself on the internet like that."
He frowned slightly before taking a bite to eat. After chewing slowly, he responded, "I was…following the suggestion of a relative."
"You need a boost in your personal life?"
"It would seem so," he answered.
"This relative must have a lot of influence…"
"Something like that…" Aoshi said quietly.
They ate for several minutes.
"So…" she trailed off. "Tell me more about yourself…"
"There isn't much," he admitted.
"What you see is what you get?" she grinned.
"I work to support myself and my adoptive daughter, I have several athletic interests…" he paused, feeling something slide against the inside of his leg, between his shin and calf. His eyes shot to hers and a mysterious smile crept up her shiny lips.
"Yes?" she prompted in a throaty voice.
"That's…it…really…" He was instantly feeling claustrophobic. While most men would never turn down the attention of an attractive woman, he wasn't like most men. He had no problem letting a woman take the initiative in physical contact, but that was usually after knowing each other for a while. How could he tell her he wasn't that interested without causing a scene or upsetting her?
"I think there's a lot more to a person than they realize," she purred.
Thankfully, she set her foot down.
"How so?"
She shrugged. "Well, if you ask one person to describe themselves, they could never really do it…"
"True."
Cassandra sampled a bit of her food. "This is delicious. I've never had this before…"
He went completely still as her foot went to his thigh. It brushed his kneecap before moving higher.
"I've…never eaten at this restaurant before," Aoshi admitted, his voice easily concealing his discomfort.
Her foot had gone to the inside of his thigh.
Women were such complicated people.
"So…how long have you lived on Hawaii…again?" Aoshi asked, already knowing the answer, hoping to distract her.
"Just for the last five years. I love the weather here. It's so beautiful, and the people here are so friendly…" Her foot went even higher inside his thigh, her destination very, very clear.
"Excuse me." Aoshi reached for his cellular phone, moved his chair backwards and rose to his feet, heading towards the entrance, where he could get a clear reception.
Not that it was needed, since no one called him. But he needed some space to think on what to do. She seemed…friendly enough…and it was very clear what she wanted from him. But he wasn't planning on letting her have that.
On his way back in, he had passed by their server and asked for the check. Once he sat at the table, Cassandra still regarded him with that predatory look in her eyes.
"I've asked for the check," he announced.
Almost immediately, disappointment filtered into those green eyes. "All right."
When the check arrived, Aoshi dropped several twenties and rose to his feet. "Thank you for having dinner with me…"
"That's it?" she grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving.
"That's it."
"And I left," Aoshi explained, popping the top of his soda can. "I didn't know what to say."
"She must have been so disappointed," Megumi said. "So what did Misao say when you got home?"
"She was…surprised to hear what had happened, but that was the end of Cassandra. She was going to delete her from the email address book."
The two were on a lunch break from work. Around ten that morning, Aoshi had called Megumi's office and invited her to lunch with him. They had agreed to meet at the food court by the exchange promptly at twelve-thirty. The hospital and Intelligence headquarters were literally on opposite sides of the base, but with the exchange in the middle, it seemed to be the appropriate place to meet.
"She was too aggressive for you," Megumi concluded. Then she grinned. "And we know what you think about aggressive women."
He arched a brow. "There's a difference between aggressive and assertive."
She shrugged. "It's the twenty-first century. Women are taking a lot more initiative in the dating scene." She took a bite of her grilled cheese sandwich.
"I have no problem with women who take the initiative. I just don't like the idea of her reaching for parts when I barely know her."
"You've never had a couple night stands on shore leave?"
"No."
"Just wondering." She frowned. "But you have bedded a woman before. Right?"
"Is there a point to this conversation?"
"I'm curious," she replied. "You always seem so distant and untouchable." She paused. "That might be another reason why she wanted you so much."
"What?"
"It's kind of a…prize," she mused before taking a sip of her lemon-lime soda. "The player's ultimate prize is the one person who can see right through him…who refuses to go out with him. And yet…if the player manages to get her to go out with him and fall in love with him…it's an accomplishment. It's pretty simple. We want what we can't have. The more it stays out of reach, the more we want it. Why do you think women play hard to get?"
"Because they feel like tormenting men?"
She grinned. "Haven't you ever heard that the chase is the most exciting part of any relationship?"
"Can't say that I have…"
"You need to get out more, Aoshi…"
"I am. I have a date tomorrow and a date Saturday," he retorted. Then his frown disappeared. "Are you going to be at the halau for Misao's hula lesson tomorrow?"
"Considering my aunt, who's her instructor…insists on me being there every Friday night…yes," Megumi smiled.
"Can you take her home? I'm not sure how long my date will be."
"Sure." Megumi took a bite of her sandwich. "Dependable Megumi, that's me."
He shook his head. She was a kind, considerate, professional doctor as well as a spirited and flirtatious woman. Such a contrast. He had been around her often enough to know that she liked being both.
She smoothed back one of her bangs. Her long black hair had been pinned in a twist, away from her face. She had worn a silk blouse and brown knee-length skirt. Since she wasn't an officer, she didn't have to wear a uniform. But she did have to meet a dress code. She once jokingly told him if she could work in jeans, she would.
"Who are you going out with tomorrow?" she asked.
"Suzanne. She's a high school art teacher…"
Megumi smiled. "Hopefully she won't be as bad as the first…"
"I'm totally surprised!" Suzanne squealed, sounding younger than her twenty-seven years, her ponytail of red hair swinging from side to side as she clapped her hands. "I didn't think you'd email me back. It was just so unbelievable!"
Genuine smiles were very hard for Aoshi to fake. And in a situation like this, fake smiles were hard to fake.
"Your picture looked so good on the internet...but I didn't think you'd look this great in person. You're like..." Her eyes went wide and she raised her arms, palms facing away from her as if trying to spread a curtain. "...the elite of personal ad guys..."
He really didn't know what to say to that. He should have known by her choice of restaurant that he'd be with an...interesting date that night. What kind of woman would select a restaurant with a tropical bird theme as a place to meet?
His surroundings were gaudy, the noise level was high and the setting was unusually eccentric. The wallpaper had all kinds of tropical birds painted in a rain forest background. Bushes with exotic flowers lined various parts of the restaurant, and birds chained to perches squawked at every person walking by.
He was already feeling a headache thanks to the loud birds.
"I would absolutely love to paint you!" she said. "You're perfect! Brilliant!"
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Aoshi leaned towards her over the table. At the moment she began talking, every bird in the restaurant had gotten annoyed and began making irritating sounds.
"I would love to paint you! You're the best thing I've ever seen!" she exclaimed.
Flattery didn't do well with Aoshi. Especially from excited women who bounced in their chair for a full three minutes, laughing and joining in the bird squawking...
"He just makes me so mad! I just wish I never went out with him. Two years, and no sign of getting married. It's just...grrrr!"
Deborah was a petite blonde. And pining over her ex-boyfriend. She had chosen to meet at a Chinese restaurant in the Ala Moana Mall, in Waikiki.
Did a man have to listen about a woman's emotional problems on the first date? "How long have you two been apart?" Aoshi found himself asking.
"A month. He calls a lot, but I always let the machine pick up."
Aoshi stared at his lemon chicken as if it was the most fascinating thing on Earth. But he was still aware of his surroundings, his eyes catching the movement of a burly man making his way towards them.
"Deborah, you didn't return my calls!" the man called out. Glaring at Aoshi, he barked, "Who the hell are you?"
Before Aoshi could reply, Deborah shot back, "That's not your business. What are you doing here, Stu?"
Then the man's eyes began to fill. "How could you go out on a date with someone at our restaurant, Deb? Like I meant nothing to you?"
Aoshi picked at his meal.
"Don't give me that crap..." Deborah spat out.
"Baby, I love you. I've missed you so much. Let's get married. You and me. We could have that cute wedding you always wanted..." Stu pleaded.
Aoshi continued to eat.
"You're thinking of marriage now?" she asked.
"Come on, let's get married!" Stu clasped his hands together, his eyes shining with tears.
"Oh, Stu!" Deborah flew into his arms, smothering him with kisses. Then she pulled back. "You better not be lying to me..."
"Would I do something like that?"
They wrestled to the floor, kissing, hugging, holding each other. Outraged cries in Mandarin filled the restaurant. Aoshi handed twelve dollars to a waitress, indicating he was paying for his share, before promptly leaving.
"I think a man should take care of everything," Lynnette, Aoshi's next date, commented. "Chivalry ain't dead. At least, I don't think so."
She flipped her blonde-brown hair to the side, adjusting her wide sunglasses with brown-tinted lenses. Those sunglasses reminded Aoshi of that one singer/actress...he couldn't seem to remember her name...but Misao mentioned a couple times that she dated a hip hop star and was probably engaged to some actor who was going to play some Marvel superhero in a movie.
"Women like security," she continued. "We want to know that we're being taken care of..." She signalled for a waitress. "Excuse me. I'd like a New York cheescake and a glass of your finest white champagne." When the waitress left, she turned back to Aoshi. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all..." Aoshi replied, keeping his thoughts to himself.
"I'm tired of broke ass men trying to boss me around, tell me what to do. If they took care of me, maybe then I'd listen. Maybe." She twirled her hair. "Who said we gotta listen to them, anyway?"
The woman had chosen an expensive restaurant in downtown Honolulu as her place to meet. Aoshi didn't mind paying for the date, even if it was a little too expensive, but after hearing her talk...she deliberately chose the restaurant expecting him to pay.
"I mean, if men just paid more attention to us, we wouldn't be giving them any problems..." she leaned forward. "What's the most expensive gift you'd buy for a girl?"
To which Aoshi said, "A car for my daughter."
"Oh, that's funny! I mean a girlfriend."
"I suppose...an engagement ring?"
"Then she becomes your fiancee. I meant a girlfriend."
"A necklace," Aoshi replied monotonously.
"How much would you spend on it?"
He blinked. "Depends on what she liked..."
"See...now that's good. Cuz you know she wants to be treated right," Lynnette continued with a smile. "So how much does the government pay colonels like you?"
"Lieutenant commanders," he corrected.
"Same thing."
"Actually, it's not," he replied. When dating a military man, never confuse the branch of service he was in. It should be added onto the list of dating etiquette…whoever…wrote the book on that.
"So how much?" she pressed.
"I earn enough."
"Don't want to brag, huh?" she grinned. "Is it true they only pay you twice a month on fixed dates, like every fifteenth and thirtieth of the month?"
What kind of question was that? "Yes...why?"
She leaned forward in her seat. "What if a woman wants something on the twenty-seventh of the month and you don't have enough money to buy that platinum necklace. What do you do?"
