I woke with a start as the dreams from last night rushed through my mind. Images of Chibi-Usa, of Mamoru, and of me thrown together into a jumble of pictures and scenes. I shook my head as the memory of Mamoru kissing me came to my mind.

'Sooner or later you are going to have to face up to it Usa', I thought as I walked to the bathroom. I would think about Mamoru later. Right now I needed to take a shower and then go over the information we had gotten.

"We," I muttered as I turned on the hot water. I had been assigned a partner. Because of the multiple deaths at the hand of Mamoru, this case was now an official case by the Agency and because agents had been killed it was a priority. I knew haw hard it had been for me to be left on this case, so any problems that I had were left unsaid. I let the hot water flow over me and let all my worries leave for just one moment.

"God, my life is messed up," I said to myself. I thought back to when Seiya and I had first started out together, life was so simple back then. There had been no Mamoru, no assignments that took lives, and no new partners. When I really thought about it, the men in my life caused all my problems. Seiya was the reason I cried every night, I missed everything about him and hadn't gotten the closure I needed at the funeral. Mamoru was the reason I stayed up every night, going over every piece of paper praying that this time I would see something that we had missed. And this new partner, he was one more obstacle that was blocking my way. Everything I did now, I had to think about another person with me.

'Why can't things be like they were before?' That was the question that always came to my mind when I saw a family together, or heard a couple laughing, or when I was by myself thinking about life.

I got out of the shower and dressed for the day. We were scheduled to leave and fly to Washington where Naru Osaka had a residence. I had a feeling we would find her in a similar style that we had found Paul, but Mamoru had never killed a woman. At least that we knew of.

I returned to the police station and tied up the loose ends with the officers and spent most of my day copying more material on Naru Osaka. After lunch, I returned to the hotel, gathered my bags and checked out. I walked down to the lobby and adjusted my bag on my shoulder. There he was. Motoki Furuka. His reputation definitely preceded him; he had done well for himself. An ex-pilot for the navy and an ex-agent for the CIA, most of the cases he worked on had all been solved. I tried to remember the number, was it five percent or ten percent of his cases remained unsolved? Whichever it was an unprecedented number for his caseload and case type. I watched as all the females in the lobby had an eye on him, waiting for him to move their way. Even I had to admit, Motoki Furuka was a handsome man, but the last thing I wanted to worry about was another male in my life. Motoki had green eyes that reminded me of a cat's on Halloween and rich sandy brown hair that fell just short of his eyes. His time in the navy had put him in shape, and it looked as though he had kept busy, not an ounce of fat could be seen on him. It had been to long since we had seen each other last.

"Usagi," he called as I walked towards him, we embraced lightly, then headed out the doors. Taking my bag he led the way towards the taxi that waited for us. We sat in the backseat and he pulled out a manila folder and placed it on his lap, "I was looking over the information on Mamoru and saw that you, Seiya, and Mamoru have met on a few occasions. In fact, you had been kidnapped by Mamoru a few years ago."

"Yes. A little over five years ago. Seiya and I had split up looking for the entrance to the place where we had believed a suspect to be. Mamoru's men surprised me, the next thing I knew I was in a small room. I was held captive for a few months before Seiya and a team of agents found me," I shuddered as I remembered the whole ordeal, "However I don't see how what happened five years ago has anything to do with right now." So much had changed in those five years; and so much had remained.

"I'm just trying to get the information down. I'd hate to run into Mamoru and not know everything." I felt his eyes on me and I nodded even as friends I had to keep that distance, I kept my eyes glued to the window. "And the last time you encountered Mamoru was when your daughter was taken?"

"Yes." It was a lie, but I couldn't bring myself to talk about what had happened just the other night. How do you explain to your partner of twelve hours that while he was flying into town, you were kissing the man you both are after? I wonder if he knew I was lying.

He nodded and began flipping threw other papers, accepting my word. This was new for me. The only partner I had ever had was Seiya. We were a team; we did everything in perfect synchronization. The key to being partners with someone was knowing their reactions and how they thought, Seiya and I were perfect. True, I knew Motoki, but time had distanced our friendship. 'I can't do this again.'

We made it to the airport and boarded our plane with little hassle. It never fails to amaze me how the airport personnel know that we are government agents but still harass us before allowing us to board the plane with our weapons. That is until the plane is about to take off, and then allow us entry. Amazing.

We sat down and Motoki continued to study the information while I slept. When I woke we were about twenty minutes to landing. I had never been to the state of Washington before, and from what I saw from the plane, I wouldn't care to return. I lived for the big city excitement, even at this point in my life.

"Ladies and Gentlemen we are currently approaching Cherish National Airport. If you will return all tray tables and seats to their upright position and buckle all seatbelts we shall be landing in about ten minutes," the stewardess's voice sounded through the cabin; actually it sounded more like a recording than a woman.

Finally we landed and retrieved our luggage. I watched Motoki stretch out his arms and stifle a yawn.

"Well Miss Usagi, I think I'm gonna find the nearest hotel, hope like hell its ours, and fall into the best sleep I've ever had," Motoki said picking up his bag and then mine. I smiled as he struggled to hold both bags on his shoulder, "Man, what is in this thing?" His back was bent over and his arms were struggling. I smiled and took my bag from him without much trouble.

"A girl has to have the bare necessities of life, Motoki," I answered as we found the train to our hotel. Seiya also commented about my bags too, he always said that it was ridiculous for someone to have a bag that was twice the weight of the owner. A girl needs her life with her at all times, that is my theory.

We made it to the hotel and found our rooms. Actually these were the nicest hotel rooms I had seen in a while. I walked with Motoki into his room and we agreed that for tonight we needed sleep and tomorrow we would go to the police headquarters and find out what the men there had to say about Miss Osaka. After leaving his room I found mine a few doors down the hall. Room 536.

I unlocked the door to my room and dropped my bags as soon as I was through. I turned around to lock the door when a hand grabbed my mouth and guided my hand to the door lock.

The hand didn't leave mine but pulled my arm behind my back and twisted it up.

"Long time no see, Princess," he whispered into my ear. I straightened out in an instant and felt him release me, placing both arms on either side of me. I was trapped between the door and Mamoru. I slowly turned around and found his face inches from mine.

"I could scream and there would be guards here in an instant," I said as calmly as possible, but even I heard the quiver in my voice. I was cursing myself for leaving my gun in my bag, which had just been kicked by Mamoru to the other wall.

"Yes, you could. But you won't, will you?" he had that look in his eyes, daring me to call out. We both knew that if he was caught, by the police, Chibi-Usa would be kept where she was…or worse she could be killed. I shuddered at the thought of her dying because of me. In an instant he was closer to me, not hugging me, but his arms were closer around me than before. I felt the tears coming and tried to blink them away. Every time I saw the man before me I saw Seiya dying, and then I felt Mamoru kissing me and then I always felt the overwhelming sense of no control.

"She isn't hurt, Usagi. You know I wouldn't hurt that little girl," he almost sounded like he was pleading with me not to cry. I chuckled as the irony hit me. He wanted me to cry over my husband, but not over my daughter who he had taken. "I came to tell you to watch your partner. The last thing I need is to worry about some wannabe hero trying to save the day. And I must say I'm surprised that you found which city we would be in," he had yet to remove his arms from my sides, and I didn't dare want to fight him. I might be in shape, but if we fought it would be hands down victory for him.

"Oh please, you couldn't resist this place. Cherish? My daughter? You practically shouted it out," I could feel him take a step closer. The tears had gone, and I realized that he had just called me Usagi, not Princess. It also occurred to me that we were in almost pitch black. It was nearly midnight when we arrived, and I didn't get a chance to turn on the lights and Mamoru hadn't bothered to. But that didn't detour the fact that I knew what he was doing. The first thing about chasing a suspect, or in our case a known kidnapper and murderer, was to know your man better than he knows himself. I just wish I knew him well enough to know where he was keeping Chibi-Usa.

"I was wondering when you would pick it up. I remember to mention it in the note, but I wasn't sure if I did on the tape," he shifted his weight a bit, and I felt his leg against mine. "Tell me, Princess, what are you thinking?" he voice had a light sound to it, again I was reminded that this was a game to him.

"How much I hate you," I replied moving my arms slightly to push him away. I needed to get in control of this situation and my being trapped against him was not helping. As I moved, his body moved against mine again, succeeding in pushing me closer to the door and closer to him. There was no space between us and his hands were just barely away from me. The heat of his body was causing my own to react against him. He leaned down and brushed his cheek against mine, then whispered softly,

"You don't hate me," four small words. The power this man had over people astonished me, I didn't hate him. I should. I should despise him, I should want him to die and burn in hell. But I didn't. I couldn't. I froze, until he leaned over again and continued his spell on me, "Princess, you can't hate me. Think about everything. Do you hate me?" I shook my head and felt his release a breath. I was tempted to yell for help, if nothing to get him out of him room. I didn't trust having Mamoru Chiba in my room.

"Good," he voice was again not above a whisper, but it sounded so powerful and loud in my quiet room. I felt him slip a paper into the front pocket of my jeans, I shivered slightly at his touch. He had to have felt my response, and kept his hand on my waist, at the spot where my shirt and jeans should have met. Somehow in our little conversation my shirt had moved up a bit revealing my stomach to the dark room. His hand was warm and again I felt my stomach twist. I know what I wanted, but I knew I wouldn't do it.

'You do hate this man. Stop thinking about him like this. You must get in control here.'

I heard the voice in my mind, whether it was my conscience, or the wife in me, or the government agent, I don't know. I do know that I didn't pay any attention to it. I became aware of his other arm next to my head, somewhere along the way I had leaned my head on his arm.

'God, I'm sick.'

One month ago, I would never forgive myself for what was going on here. One month ago this would never have happened. One month ago wasn't now. That knowledge scared me more than anything and I didn't want to think about what caused the change. But a change had happened, and I was about to prove that change. Mamoru took another small breath and was about to speak when I stopped him.

'This is wrong. Don't do this.'

I pushed my arms up his chest and felt his heart beating, pounding hard against my hand. Whatever he was going to say died away as my mouth found his. Both of his arms encircled my waist and my arms wrapped around to his back. The intensity of that kiss was unbelievable. Whenever I kissed Seiya I—

'Oh God.'

That was it. I broke away suddenly and snapped my head back. I felt new tears coming and Mamoru again bent down and whispered softly,

"The sooner you accept it, Princess, the sooner you will get what you want. DO some investigating, Agent. I do believe that at the end of this, you will be surprised at who the real villain is, " And with that he placed a chaste kiss on my lips and unlocked the door. He slid back into the hall and disappeared into the night. I slid back against the door, shutting it as I went down.

"Shit," I said quietly. I closed my eyes hoping to wake from another dream, but when I opened my eyes I was back in my room. I felt the need to take a shower and wash him off, but I couldn't move. I looked around the dark room and saw various shapes. The lights coming through the window was enough to light up the room; the park next to the hotel never turned their lights off. In the light I saw a tape and an envelope on the television/VCR. Standing I locked the door with every lock it had and moved to the table with the television on it.

"Another clue to this game of his," I mumbled as I threw the tape and envelope onto the floor. I fell onto my bed and fell asleep instantly.

- - - - - - -

I woke to the sound of the alarm and phone ringing simultaneously. I fumbled with the alarm clock and heard it hit the ground with a loud crash and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Usagi? I didn't mean to wake you. It's Motoki. I was just gonna see what time you wanted to meet to get to the station?" By the tone of his voice, it sounded as if he'd been up for hours. It took a moment to register that I had slept the whole night. No dreams, no wierd feelings. Perfect, content sleep.

"Muss have been the locks," I mumbled as I sat up on the bed.

"What?"

"Nothing…..how about two hours….that'll give me time to," I paused as I looked at the video and TV, "go over the material and get ready."

"Great, that'll give me time to go over the material as well and maybe work out for an hour. See ya then Usagi." We hung up and I headed for the video. I sat at the edge of the hotel bed and pushed the tape into the recorder and watched.

The screen was snowy and then went black. After a few seconds a room came into view. The tape was in black and white, and the room looked like an office of some sort. Perhaps it was a security tape. On the bottom of the screen was a time and date. '12:34 am March 24 2000' blinked at me; that was three weeks before we went into out last assignment. Mamoru walked into the room and sat behind the desk, typing on his computer and flip through a few papers. The sound of the typing was the only sound in his room and in mine. This lasted for a few minutes before another figure came into the room. I couldn't see who it was until Mamoru glanced at the camera and at the figure,

"Seiya."

"Mamoru."

The two men stared at each other and Mamoru went back to his typing, then without glancing up he started to speak, "Was there anything that you wanted or is this a courtesy visit?"

"You know damn well what this is about," Seiya sounded more angry than I had ever heard him.

"Oh dear friend, I might know many things," he looked up and smiled as Seiya, "but I have no idea why you are coming to me now." His smile widened as Seiya stormed towards the desk and slammed his hands on the top of the computer.

"Last night…my informant was killed. Rumor has it that your man did it." Mamoru nodded as he turned his computer off and gave Seiya his full attention,

"You've never been on to believe rumors, have you? Now I have no idea who killed your little man. I don't care who killed your little spy. What I want to know is why are you still here? I told you before our friendship is over. I don't kill random innocent people for revenge. That is unnecessary and irresponsible. It brings in too many outside forces…cops, family, and other people who might have wanted that person alive. Now, I suggest you leave here. Rumor has it that you are working for the 'other' side, dear boy," Seiya's breaths were more ragged and his shoulders went up with each breath, "You do know what I will do when I find the proof of your betrayal?"

"Fuck you Mamoru. Do you think I am afraid of you? No one believes that I could do anything wrong. I am the Agency's 'golden child'. I have the perfect wife, the perfect daughter, the perfect family life. I have the perfect record, never had a mark against me. You were disbanded because of an 'accidental' misinterpretation of information. Wish I could apologize about that, but I still think you deserved it. Even if you had proof, who would believe you? I have never left—" Mamoru cut him off by standing and resting his hands on the top of the desk.

"She would believe if she found out on her own."

Silence. Mamoru and Seiya stood face to face, in a contest to wills. Seiya broke down first.

"She won't believe you. She hates you. You destroyed her life when you took her. She still can't talk about it. Is that what you wanted? To traumatize my wife? Was that your revenge? You are some piece of work, Mamoru. So you find a few things out, I will be able to convince everyone that it was all fake." Seiya sat and propped his feet on the desk. Mamoru looked down at his feet, narrowed his eyes, and walked over to one of the file cabinets. He pulled out a file and walked back behind the desk and leaned against the wall. Adding distance between him and Seiya. I wished I could have seen Seiya's face, but from when the camera was I could only see his back.

"Priority File. Seiya Kou. Ex-partner. Betrayed friendship and partnership," Mamoru began, "Criminal. You know Seiya, I have details about the Russian files that were stolen, the NASA shuttle that was destroyed, the list goes on and on, old friend," Mamoru tossed the folder on the desk and watched as Seiya picked it up and read its contents.

"You have no proof of any of these things. You always were a liar," I could tell by the shake in his voice he was scared. Mamoru always did his homework, he didn't make accusations. Seiya stood and turned to leave. He paused at the door and looked back over his shoulder when Mamoru cleared his throat.

"They will know, Hen," Mamoru sounded different. Same voice, but his tone was something I had never heard.

"No one will believe you; I will convince them that everything you have is false. Technology is man's best friend. And the day they do believe you will be over my dead body," Seiya opened the door and left. Mamoru walked back to his desk and stared at the door, or where the rood should be. From the camera angle I couldn't see it for sure. He nodded and spoke clearly, "So be it, Seiya," and turned his computer back on.

The screen went black again and another room came into view. This one in color.

"Mamoru! You're back!" I caught my breath as Chibi-Usa squealed and ran into Mamoru's arms. The date on the lower part of the camera said that this had taken place yesterday.

"Hey there Munchkin, what's happenin'?" Mamoru scooped her up and swung her around in his arms.

"Nothing. I did something for Momma. Where were you?" She frowned.

"I had to do some shopping. We have to eat, don't we?"

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "You always have the food made. We never eat out."

"Okay. I did go shopping, but nothing really good to buy," he put her down and picked up a paper from where she had been working, "What's this?"

"It's something for Momma. It's nothing big, just a picture. But I thought maybe she would come back if she knew I missed her," she frowned, again, as she said this. She looked close to tears. I felt my heartbreak as she said it. I was trying so hard to find her, and I was still at square one.

"What about your father?" Mamoru asked taking the paper over to her. She frowned again and shook her head. Mamoru sighed and told her to go and eat.

"What about that?" she asked pointed to his hand with the paper.

"How about this. If I see Mom, I'll give it to her," it was a statement and not a question. She looked confused for a moment and then nodded slowly.

"Do you know why she isn't here?" He seemed to stiffen when she asked that.

"I don't think she knows where we are," he replied. His voice soft again.

"Oh. But Momma know everything," she was still confused and standing in the middle of the room clutching Panther. I smiled and wiped away a fallen tear she looked so beautiful. God, I missed her so much.

"Does she?" he laughed as he asked. She nodded and walked to the door on the opposite side of the room from where he had come in.

"Except for the you." And with that she opened to the door and walked out. Mamoru stood staring at the door for a few minutes and cursed as he folded the picture up and stuck it in his pocket.

The screen then when black, followed by snow.

I stared at the screen, begging for more. Just one more second of Chibi-Usa. I needed to see where they were and what she meant. 'Damn it, I need more information.' I stood and reached to turn the TV off.

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HI GUYS!!!!! First off, thank all of you who reviewed *shakes head* I can't say how wonderful that made me feel to have those reviews. And thank you to all the e-mails *giggles* it motivated me…that and my wonderful IMers. LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

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