Part 6: The Vixen Eludes Iceman

February 11, 2003

Okay, I've thought of someone who might actually work. Challenge will be how to get the two of them together. I think Megs and Aoshi would do pretty well. Now I know that I thought earlier that it wouldn't work because she wasn't interested in him. But they get along great! And they'd have kids that'd stop traffic. Not to say that they'd go that far, but you know what I mean. She respects him and his work…she understands what it's like to work hard. She's smart, she's funny…and best of all, she stands up to him. I don't think Aoshi would want a meek woman. I remember her saying that she and Aoshi never went out because she never thought about it. So how would I get her to start thinking…?

Oh yeah, did I ever mention how dumb Aoshi can be sometimes? I wonder how someone in Intelligence can be so freaking clueless…

~ Misao

After raising his hand to ring the doorbell, he waited. And waited. Aoshi glanced at his watch, which read seven-zero-three. He rang again.

He must have waited several more minutes. He had work early today since a ship was due to arrive for some refueling. He had no intention of being late. But he didn't want to leave her behind. What if she was still asleep? Aoshi moved towards his car to retrieve something.

Fortunately for him, Megumi lived in a fairly secluded area of her apartment complex. No one would bother him as he unlocked her front door.

Knowing Megumi, she was probably still asleep. But she'd wake soon enough. With a splash of cold water on her face. Aoshi smirked. She'd hate him for that…

Megumi shut off her hairdryer before pinning her hair up in its usual twist. She spent just a few minutes applying makeup before she exited her bathroom to enter her bedroom…only to find a tall man in khaki uniform standing in her bedroom doorway.

She stepped back in surprise, but held her composure. Wonderful. He knew how to pick locks and deadbolts?

When his eyes caught sight of her, they widened before immediately looking away.

Megumi gestured to the black lace slip she usually wore beneath dresses for work. Never mind that it had a flesh tone lining underneath, he didn't know that. As far as he could tell, that was her skin tone. "If I knew you'd be breaking in, I would have worn less." She tugged at one thin strap, a slow smile curving her lips.

He immediately grabbed for the doorknob, knocking his hand against it. Cringing, he tried to reach for it again, keeping his eyes averted from her, "I'm sorry…you didn't answer when I rang the doorbell…"

"Of course," she said sweetly as he pulled the door towards him. Her eyes widened slightly as he banged the door against his toe.

Aoshi let out a low sound of pain.

"Are you all right?" she stepped forward.

"Yes," he barked, glancing up, then back down to the carpet. "You…get dressed. I'll…wait out here…" The door shut firmly behind him as he turned to leave.

She stood still for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. While most women would have easily been embarrassed in a situation like that, Megumi wasn't. He had seen her in a bathing suit, after all, and that had been much more revealing than what she was currently wearing. She caught her reflection in the closet mirror and grinned. Well, not by much…but still.

She pulled on a gray dress with a pointed collar before opening the door. Aoshi was in her living room, examining a flower vase. He was ready to go, judging by the fact that he had put his shoes on and stood by the front door.

"I didn't mean to walk in," he explained when she entered his peripheral vision. "I didn't realize you'd still be…getting ready for work."

"I told you I wouldn't be ready by the time you got here," she reminded.

"I thought you were joking," he responded. Almost hesitantly, his eyes moved to focus on her, as if seeing if she was appropriately dressed. Once he saw she was, his eyes traveled over her form.

She lifted slender brows. "You've had your free show, Commander."

Aoshi forced his gaze away. She'd almost swear he was blushing beneath his healthy tan.

"But I might be convinced to give you an encore," she said teasingly. "And you'll see a lot more skin this time around…" Had flirting with him always been this exciting? She wasn't sure. Reaching out, she ran the nail of her index finger along the back of his hand.

"I didn't mean to…" He jerked his hand away and pulled open the front door. "I'll be waiting in the car."

Once he got in the car, he had a few moments to settle. He had seen enough women to know what they looked like. But this was Megumi. Aoshi tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. He honestly didn't mean to walk in on her. What irritated him the most was that he was trying to apologize, but she insisted on provoking him. Did that woman ever stop…even just for a minute?

No.

He closed his eyes. Why did he have to have the worst timing? Or best, depending on how one looked at it. He thought he could start new, bring up the subject of dating slowly, and see her reaction to it. But now…everything was thrown off.

"Is it safe to come in?"

His eyes flew open and he saw Megumi peering back at him from the passenger's side. He flicked a button on the driver's side to unlock her door.

"You all right?" she asked as she settled beside him.

"Yes." Aoshi cleared his throat. She probably knew he wasn't feeling too comfortable with what happened. So how was a man supposed to ask his lady friend out on a date after seeing her wearing next to nothing? Most men would have easily seized the opportunity, but he wasn't most men.

"You don't have to give me a ride to the shop today…my father's going to," she explained as he started the engine and began driving to Pearl Harbor.

"Absolutely. I think the new expansion to the base will prove useful," Commander Hajime Saitou commented to his wife.

Aoshi half-listened to Cmdrs. Saitou and Takagi's conversation.

"Considering the location, it's an excellent idea," Tokio Takagi continued.

Aoshi set his fork aside. The food court by the exchange was busy as always during lunch break. His superior had arrived with his wife not too long after Aoshi sat down. Ever the gentleman, Aoshi offered them seats at his table since the area was so crowded.

As he drank his soda, he noticed Megumi walking with bags of foam boxes containing food. She meandered her way through tables, occasionally greeting people she knew.

Then he noticed that Saitou and Tokio's conversation stopped and both pairs of eyes were on him. Aoshi immediately picked up his fork and began to eat again. Tokio looked at her husband curiously, frowning slightly as Saitou's head turned to look over his shoulder. When he turned back, he smirked slightly.

Aoshi merely continued eating.

Saitou glanced at his wife. "Isn't she dating that tree-hugging, peace-loving loser?" Saitou asked. He turned to Aoshi. "You went with him to your girl's school to do a little marketing for the Navy."

"Greenleaf," Aoshi supplied.

"As far as I know, they went out several times, but that's it. Greenleaf's a nice boy," Tokio interjected. "And he believes in a cause. Just like you, darling."

"Don't ever compare me to him," Saitou replied, disgust clearly on his face.

Aoshi hid a smile. "Excuse me…" He rose to his feet and walked over to the doctor. But not before hearing…

"Hajime, you are not smoking that in front of me…"

"Megumi," Aoshi spoke up once he was closer.

She looked up, smiling in response. "Aoshi."

"Delivering food again?" he prompted.

She lifted her bags in a showing gesture. "Like always."

He cleared his throat. "About this morning…"

"It's all right…It was an accident," she assured him.

Aoshi nodded. "Yes. I also wanted to ask you if-"

"Commander, what a nice surprise," a male voice interrupted.

Captain Takani came up on his daughter's right side, bags in hand as well. He had excellent timing.

"Good afternoon, sir," Aoshi responded.

The captain returned the polite greeting. "Good afternoon. It's been a while…how have you been doing since your last assignment?"

"I've been doing well," Aoshi answered honestly.

"How do you like your new job?"

"It's…different. But no less important."

He nodded. "Good to hear. Megumi, I'm going to go ahead and take these to the car…"

"Let me assist you," Aoshi reached for two bags from Megumi's hands.

"It's okay, Aoshi," she assured him, but he helped her anyway, following the captain to his car.

Once everything was loaded into the captain's vehicle, the older man nodded in thanks.

"Commander, I have a favor to ask…" Ryuusei Takani came forward, his tone serious.

Megumi looked at him curiously as she opened the passenger side door.

"What's that, sir?" Aoshi glanced at Megumi before meeting the captain's direct gaze.

"I have a late meeting today, so if you could take Megumi to the auto shop, I'd appreciate it."

Aoshi blinked as Megumi's lips parted in shock.

"What late meeting?" she blurted.

"Oh, you know…with several commanding officers of the units. We need to discuss something that has come up recently," her father responded quickly.

"Of course," Aoshi replied. Then he looked at Megumi. "I'll be at your office at five."

She smiled back falsely. "Okay. Thanks."

Once her father got back on the road, Megumi crossed her legs and studied him carefully.

"There is no late meeting today, Father."

"Yes, there is," Ryuusei responded innocently.

"What are you up to?"

"When have you ever objected to spending time with Commander Shinomori?" her father continued, turning the table on her.

"Never, really," she admitted.

Her father had made it very clear his opinion on Lt. Commander Aoshi Shinomori. He was one of the few men her father actually approved of. The only one, actually. Not that Megumi ever needed her father's approval. But it was strange to have her father literally throwing her in the man's direction.

"He's a fine man," her father added.

Megumi stared out the window, a soft smile lighting her features. "Yes, he is…"

"Yuki has noticed that one of her students happens to have a young father who never hesitates to engage in conversation with her only favorite niece at the halau…" Ryuusei continued.

Megumi massaged her temples. "Let me guess…Misao is the student…"

"It's just a thought, Megumi…"

Aoshi glanced at his passenger. She was being very quiet since they left the hospital at five p.m. on the dot. It had been a long day, though…while in the halls, he had heard snippets of how many patients had come into the hospital. Brown sunglasses were perched on the bridge of her nose, shielding her eyes from the sun as he drove the short distance from the base. Aoshi pulled into the parking lot of the auto store before cutting off the engine.

"Megumi."

She shifted slightly, her chest gently rising and falling. Aoshi reached up and carefully removed her sunglasses.

"Megumi," he called out her name again.

He shook her arm, causing her to stir.

Megumi blinked several times before rubbing her eyes. "Sorry…I'm exhausted…"

"You shouldn't drive home right now if that's the case…"

"I'm all right. I just saw a lot of patients today…"

Megumi climbed out of his Legend. They spent a couple minutes in the shop, with her finalizing the paperwork and paying fees. When they left the store, Aoshi held the door open for her, letting her stroll out before him.

When Megumi got to her car, he spoke up, "Let's have dinner together."

"I ate lunch a little late today, so I'm fine, thank you."

He cleared his throat. "I mean some other time. What are you doing this Saturday night?"

Megumi shrugged. "I don't really have anything planned."

Good. "We can go to dinner then."

She turned towards him. "Is there some military function I'm not aware of? Or…you and several superiors are going out that night?"

He smiled slightly. "For a woman who's been out a lot…you don't seem to understand when a man is asking you on a date."

She blinked again, her mouth dropping slightly. "You…and I? On…a real date?"

Anxiety began to build in his belly. She didn't seem very pleased with the idea… "Yes."

Megumi bit her lip. "But…this is us. Friends don't date each other."

He arched a brow. "Unless they're interested."

Her eyes rounded. "You...you…you've never said anything…When did all of this start?"

"Does it matter?"

Uncertainty flickered in those expressive brown eyes. He frowned. Since when was Dr. Megumi Takani afraid of anything related to dating?

"Megumi?" he prompted. This was not going well. Not at all. She was staring at something far, far away, lost, he almost thought she didn't hear him. He was about to call her name again when her eyes shifted to his.

"I'm…I'm really flattered, Aoshi…but…I…I can't." She looked away.

"You won't hesitate to come on to me, but when it comes to a date, you immediately turn away."

"Flirting is one thing," she responded defensively. "It's…it's not that simple when you go past that…"

He intuitively knew that this type of attraction wasn't temporary. It had probably been there all along. But he had no intention of scaring her off. "I'm not asking for much, Megumi. One date."

"What happens then?"

Silence. Until...finally, "That depends on you."

"I'm sorry, Aoshi…but…my answer's still the same…"

He watched her turn away to enter her car.

Misao looked up from stirring the boiling macaroni when Aoshi entered the house.

"Hey, Aoshi!"

"Hi, Misao." As usual, Aoshi set his keys by the door. He disappeared in his room to change out of his uniform.

Misao scooped up some macaroni, examining it carefully before placing the items back in the boiling soup. Aoshi came back dressed in a white T-shirt and black shorts, settling on the stool by the kitchen.

"How was your day?" Misao asked.

Pause. "Eventful."

"Cool." Misao set her wooden spoon down. She couldn't help but feel guilty about what had happened. She tried so hard to find someone for him and failed. "Aoshi…about the Valentine's Day thing…I'm really sorry I couldn't find someone for you…"

He said reassuringly, "It's all right, Misao. You tried."

"I just can't believe everyone turned out so badly…" she continued. "Well…it's okay. You're not looking for a relationship anyway…"

"I asked Megumi out," he said quietly.

"I mean, like you said, they're like totally…what?" Misao paused.

"You heard me."

Misao blinked. She couldn't believe it. He asked Megumi out? On his own? She didn't play matchmaker this time around and he still…She frowned in thought. Aoshi didn't look too happy, though…

"Judging by your expression, she said no," Misao concluded.

He nodded.

Misao sighed. "Megs doesn't think of you in that way."

"I figured," Aoshi said wryly.

"So that's it? You're just going to go back to the way things were?" Misao demanded.

"Yes."

"That sucks." Misao frowned, hands on her hips. "You can't just quit like that, Aoshi!"

"Megumi isn't going to change her mind," he replied.

"Well…you're just going to have to convince her!" Misao exclaimed. Planting herself in front of her guardian, she looked him over. "Okay, listen. You want to be with Megs right?"

"Right." He frowned. "I have work, and I have you…but lately…and the more I'm around her…"

"Relationship doesn't sound too bad," Misao concluded.

He nodded. Then added, "I told her that all I wanted was one date. If she was open to going beyond that, then I'd be willing to as well."

Misao groaned. "No, no, no! Aoshi! How can you be expect to be Megs' boyfriend if you're going about it like that?!"

"She doesn't want to be rushed," Aoshi responded. "Still, she said no."

"Of course she said no!" Misao retorted.

"Misao, you haven't even had a boyfriend yet, how do you-?"

She swatted his shoulder. "Only because they know my dad is military! That actually terrifies some guys. Not to mention…you told me so yourself…you'd have them sign a contract to bring me home on time and treat me nicely…and if they didn't…you'd shoot them."

He arched a brow. "I still meant it. I have the contract typed into our computer."

Misao wrinkled her nose. "Okay, we're getting off the subject. You need to start getting Megs to see you as a man. Not as Aoshi the friend. Aoshi the man."

"That sounds ridiculous…" Aoshi released a breath.

"I know it sounds romance novel-ish, but it's true. Think about it. For the longest time, you saw her as Dr. Megumi Takani. Then she became Megumi. You just need her to look at you with new eyes. Once she does, she'll go out with you."

"And how do I do that, wise one?"

She ignored the drip of sarcasm in his voice. "Start showing her that you're interested. Little gestures, here and there. She needs to understand how you see her. Nothing is more of a turn-on than someone who's interested. And you're smart, you're nice, you're good-looking, a woman would be crazy not to go out with you. You're generous, and kind, and-"

Aoshi narrowed his eyes. "I'm not increasing your allowance this week."

"Darn! There's a sale going on at the mall, and I wanted-"

"No." She could tell by the twitch of his lips that he didn't take offense to her obvious flattery.

"But, Aoshi-"

"Misao, I appreciate the advice. But I think I can handle this one on my own."

She watched as he headed towards the den to watch the news.

"Yeah right," she murmured. "It took you over a year and a half to realize that she isn't some creature of the night who steals men's souls…"

            Later that night, Megumi picked at her strawberry cheesecake in the cafe at the Royal Hawaiian, ignoring the curious looks shared between her aunts.

            "You seem awfully distracted, dear," Yuki commented.

            Kyoko's eyes studied her face carefully, as if the action alone could reveal the problem.

            Megumi smiled ruefully. "Just…thinking…"

            "Must be a very controversial topic," Yuki thought aloud.

            "What makes you say that?"

            Kyoko pointed at her dessert. "You turned your strawberries to slivers."

            Clearing her throat, Megumi set her fork down. "Oh."

            "What's wrong?"

            Megumi sighed, looking away. She had always been able to talk to her aunts about her problems in the past. They had always been there to advise her in matters of the heart. "There's someone…who recently…told me that he's interested in me. I don't know how to deal with him."

            Yuki's eyes widened. "He isn't harassing you, is he?"

            Immediately, Megumi shook her head, holding one hand up in protest. "No, no…my safety isn't an issue here. He's a good man. I'm not exactly sure about everything. I…I…"

            "What did your young man say?"

            Megumi bit her lip. "He wanted to take me to dinner. And maybe…go from there…"

            Kyoko laughed softly. "Since when was that a crime? I'm sure you've been asked to dinner on numerous occasions…"

            "He's different," Megumi insisted. "And I'm not sure how to…" she trailed off, unsure of what to say.

            "Judging by your uncertainty, you seem unsure about your feelings for him…" Yuki observed. "Is he someone you can't see yourself being with?"

            "No, it's not that…" Megumi paused.

            "What does he look like?" Kyoko leaned forward excitedly.

            Sometimes Megumi wondered if other women had aunts like hers. Auntie Kyoko was known to be quite the gossip in the family. It had driven her father nuts when they were younger.

            Megumi cleared her throat. "Well…he's tall, dark…very good-looking. And like I said earlier…he's a good man. And…he's a naval officer, so he lives his life very much like that. I…I suppose one could consider that a negative, though…"

            "I don't see how," Kyoko mused. "Military men…officers…in my experience…tend to be very neat people. Their clothes hang all in the same direction, are spaced evenly apart…and they pick up after themselves whether in the bathroom, kitchen, or…bedroom." Then she continued, "Although, I admit, this does come as a surprise…I never thought you were attracted to the tall, mysterious, moody type…"

            "Aoshi isn't moody," Megumi responded. Her aunts glanced at each other and smiled. It just occurred to Megumi that they had known who she was referring to all along, before she even started describing him.

            "Hmm." Yuki tapped her fingers on the marble table top. "Are you sure you're not thinking too much about this, Megumi? It's just dinner. Why not indulge him? You go on one date and decide what to do from there?"

            "But once two people go on a date, things change," Megumi replied.

            "So what if they do? I've heard what that bear of a brother-in-law thinks about him. Are you sure you're avoiding Aoshi because your father thinks he'd be good for you? Or because you think he'd be good for you?" Kyoko queried.

            Aoshi was well into deep sleep when his cell phone rang. He jerked to a sitting position, his hand bracing his forehead. A quick glance at his nightstand told him that it was nearly eleven-thirty p.m. Grimacing slightly, he leaned over and grasped his phone, frowning as 'Megumi Apt' flashed on the caller ID. Pulling the charge cord out, he pushed the talk button.

            "Hello?"

            "Aoshi, hi. Did I wake you?"

            "Yes." He bent his knees slightly, bracing one elbow against his knee. "It's fine." It wasn't like her to call at a late hour.

            "I…I…" It was a rare occasion for him to hear Megumi uncertain about anything. She let out a sigh. "About earlier…"

"You don't have to explain," he responded quickly.

"I didn't mean to sound so…well…it's just that the idea of us never really came into my mind, so I was surprised."

"I could tell," he responded dryly.

"Please don't make this difficult," Megumi replied.

Aoshi frowned. "What do you want, Megumi?"

"I…I don't know." She tried to keep her voice cool and distant.

Amazing. She knew exactly what he was asking. What did she want from him? And not just a phone conversation. They were already tuned to each other's questions and thoughts. If that wasn't an indication already…

"I think you do. You just aren't willing to go after it."

To which she immediately replied, "It would never work, Aoshi. We're too different."

"Explain that."

Several shifting sounds occurred before she spoke again. "You're too…set in your ways. You're very stubborn. I'm too…outgoing, I guess. You turn glacial when I even say something remotely suggestive to you…"

            He responded in a low voice, "My physical response to you has nothing to do with why this wouldn't work and you know that. The reason why you don't think this would work is because you're afraid."

            "What?" she exclaimed in disbelief.

            "How you choose to deal with that is your own, but don't sit there and give me an illogical excuse."  

            "You don't even know me well enough to say something like that," Megumi stated. "I have nothing to be scared of."

            "Is that so?"

            "Yes."

            But he pressed on, "You're so accustomed to being in casual relationships now that trying for something more secure is intimidating you." There. He forced his frustration down. It had been a long time since he even considered wanting to be with a woman. Four years to be exact. Why was it that the one woman he wanted, was fighting what seemed to be the most natural? "You couldn't even tell me this in person. You chose to discuss this over the phone."

            "I needed to talk to you. I was hoping that you'd be willing to accept my reasoning," she argued.

            He let out a breath, gathering patience. "I'm only asking you for the opportunity to try."

            "Aoshi-"

            "Think about it."

            Pause. "I have to go. Goodbye." Click.