Okay, this one's much longer than previous chapters (hope it's long enough!). Now, I'm trying to move things forward some plot-wise, but just be patient. Angsty romance doesn't just happen overnight, ya know! ^_^ This chapter's mostly dialogue, but hopefully it adds to the storyline. You see, I've been mega stressed lately, and this chapter just kinda birthed itself without my help (like Athena from Zeus). Anyway, it's kind of like stress relief for me. Especially Watari's little scene. ^_^;; And for reviews:

Meritite - Thanks for the advice! I've taken it to heart in this chapter as far as length, and I'll definitely try to ease scene transitions next time I have some. ^_^;; I hope this one moves the plot along some!

Konnie-chan - Scene changes will be marked by ***** from now on. Of course that doesn't make me angry, silly girl! *huggles* I think it's a damn good idea!

Kyraille Fade - They're my favorite, too. ^_~ Yes, he is definitely getting himself into a mess…a big, terrible mess.

LinaLau - *huggles and passes out yummy sweets, stolen from Tsuzuki* Thank you so much! Your comments mean so much to me. Not to mention how much they inflate my already over-flowing ego…heh heh.

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The restaurant they opted for was simple and comfortable, the walls painted a pale blue, the booths matching. Tatsumi sat down, sliding to the center of the seat. Watari sat across from him, chatting with the waitress as she took their drink orders. When she left, the scientist turned his bright amber eyes on his comrade.

"So," he began, "whatever could you want to talk to me about?"

The mischievous side of him wanted to add to the question, but he refrained for the sake of Operation: Tatsumi. He had to be approachable, after all.

"Well…There is something concerning me, Watari-san."

The blonde Shinigami leaned forward conspiratorially.

"Oh? Does it have to do with Tsuzuki? Did Terazuma do something to provoke him again? Or is it…case-oriented?" The last part was said with obvious disdain.

The Kagetsukai shifted slightly, adjusting his glasses in what Watari had long recognized as a nervous gesture.

"Actually, Watari-san…it involves you."

Watari's smile wilted slightly at his partner's formal tone. 'Uh oh…'

"Ah, is that so?" he said, forcing the now insincere smile to stay put.

Tatsumi nodded slowly, watching his reaction.

"It has come to my attention that lately, you've been…acting rather strangely. All of this," he motioned with his hands for effect, "suddenly confiding in me and offering to do the same, it's not like you. If there is something going on that could negatively affect your job performance, I'd like to know."

Watari blinked, taken aback by this. Trying to remain patient, he couldn't help but be offended at the response his efforts were receiving.

"Well," he said tersely, "there's no need to be concerned about my job performance, Tatsumi-san. I can assure you that it will not be adversely affected. As for what you describe as my odd behavior, I apologize. I was not aware that trying to actually be your friend for a change would be received so poorly. After all, it doesn't cost you precious money, but as you always say, time is money, right?"

Tatsumi's eyes widened, his surprise evident. He was silent for a moment, and Watari stood abruptly.

"Is there anything else, Tatsumi-san? If not, I shall be leaving now. I'd hate to waste any more of your time."

The Kagetsukai winced at the formal tone his partner had taken, and at the hurt swimming in the man's usually bright eyes.

"Watari, wait." He again fixed his glasses. "Please, be seated. I…apologize. I mistook your attempts at friendship as something else. I should not have spoken without first hearing you out. You aren't wasting my time, believe me."

Hesitantly, the scientist retook his seat. He sighed, looking out the window next to him.

"You know, Tatsumi…Tsuzuki never was really happy before Bon came along. He seemed happy, sure, but in reality he suffered quite a bit. And then along comes Bon, and suddenly Tsuzuki has someone to lean on, to support him. Not to mention that he feels useful now, like he has a purpose in life. That got me thinking. Don't I always seem happy? Don't I always shrug things off like Tsuzuki always did? Except there's no Hisoka for me to lean on, nothing to make me feel useful. All of us are associates, we see each other every day, yet none of us really ever talk. Not like actual friends should. But at least I have 003 to talk to, even if she can't actually answer. But then, I realized something. As silly as it seems, having her following me around helps. It makes me feel better. What I'm trying to say, Tatsumi, is that…well…" He paused, forcing himself to look into concerned deep blue eyes.

"There's no 003 in your life. You don't have anyone to talk to…you're always alone. I never really thought about it before Bon came, but now that I do, it makes me so mad at myself. All this time I've at least had 003 to comfort me in life, and I never stopped to consider that you're alone. So I wanted to get to know you better, Tatsumi. To really befriend you, like I should have decades ago. But…I don't know, maybe it's just foolish of me to think…think that…"

Watari forced himself to stop before he gave too much information away. It wouldn't be smart to divulge too much information so early in the experiment. His speech had not been planned, and he felt rather embarrassed to have gone on like he did. 'So much for subtle, huh? And look at how he's staring at me…Did I screw up and give myself a second head or something? I hope I haven't blown the experiment…'

Tatsumi stared at him with an almost pained look in his eyes.

"As I said earlier, you're very intelligent, Watari. Too much so, it sometimes seems. It isn't…foolish…of you to try to befriend me. Naïve, perhaps, but not foolish. You have to understand, though, that I have immense trouble opening up to others on a personal level. Often, I hide things even from myself. If you truly are intent upon seeing this through, it will be very difficult for us both. I won't try to stop you, but I doubt I'll make it any easier."

Watari smiled. "Well, since you know my intentions now, I guess next time you'll just ask me what's up instead of dragging me here to find out."

"As I recall, lunch was your idea."

The blonde shrugged. "So it was."

The waitress returned with their drinks, and the men dismissed her, not having even looked at the menus yet. Watari eyed his partner as he sipped his Sprite.

"So…what do you think of Hisoka and Tsuzuki?"

Tatsumi raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Watari chuckled. "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you haven't noticed how taken Tsuzuki is with Bon? And Bon himself seems to blush a lot around him."

The Kagetsukai nodded thoughtfully.

"I have noticed Tsuzuki-san's…enthusiasm toward Kurosaki-kun…What do you think of it, Watari?"

The blonde man winked. "I think it's love."

Tatsumi's blue eyes widened behind his spectacles.

"That's quite a statement to make."

The scientist shrugged.

"They get along quite well, despite how Bon tries to push him away. It's obvious that they're magnetically attracted to one another…even if they don't realize it yet."

"It's true that they get along well…but that doesn't necessarily imply that there's more there than meets the eye."

Watari smiled slightly.

"That's too bad. You see, I believe that how you get along with a person reflects your basic compatibility with them."

"Oh?" Tatsumi tilted his head curiously. "How so?"

"Well," Watari began, "Bon and Tsuzuki are very compatible, as we've already established. Now, Tsuzuki and I get along great, but we're too similar. Bon is like a little brother to me, so there's no real potential. You and Tsuzuki are very close, though…"

Tatsumi frowned. "If you're implying that I have…feelings…for Tsuzuki-san, you're mistaken. It's…complicated, and an issue that I do not wish to discuss."

Watari nodded. "I understand. Anyway, as I was saying…you and Bon wouldn't really be compatible, since he looks up to you with respect, as his superior."

He paused, hoping that the secretary would notice his omission. He wasn't disappointed.

"And you and I?"

The blonde gave a purposefully shy smile and averted his eyes.

"We're like Bon and Tsuzuki…we're opposites, but we get along quite well."

Tatsumi rubbed his chin, thinking.

"So…your theory is basically that opposites attract, from what you've said?"

He realized what he had just implied, and adjusted his glasses, hastily opening the menu.

"That's exactly what my theory is, Tatsumi. If you're an uptight, money-grubbing tightwad, you need a silly, light-hearted genius to balance you. Of course, if you're a spacey, brilliant mad-scientist, you need a stuffy know-it-all to keep you from blowing yourself up. Especially when they threaten to cut your budget again!"

"Watari…" Tatsumi stared at his partner, surprise written plainly on his face. He was trying to figure out what to say, but the scientist interrupted him.

"Let's order and eat so we can get back to the office soon, okay? We can't goof off here for much longer, can we?"

Tatsumi cleared his throat. "I…I suppose not…"

He snuck a glance at his partner, who was now resolutely studying his menu, and sighed.