Part 17: Past Memories

            She had seen determination before. Just like she did now. But there was something else that sparked beneath those blue-gray depths. He was truly a man who got what he wanted, when he wanted…who would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

            "It's over now," she said with confidence she wasn't sure she had.

            "Not yet," he responded.

            "But…why? Why go through all this trouble…?"

            "Consider it one form of investigation, Doctor."

            "So…everything you told me…your dream to help others succeed in life…to help others…those were all lies?"

            "I have a job to do," he answered neutrally.

            She shook her head. "You can't do this! You can't…those people…deserve to know who you truly are! Those staff members trusted you!"

            "So what do you plan to do?" he asked quietly.

            How could he be so cold and uncaring? He had worked side by side with some of the best hospital professionals she had ever known…and for what?

            "You're heartless," she whispered. Her eyes flashed. "Only someone with so little consideration for-"

            "So now you know I work for NIS. You were born into a Navy family, you know all about rules and regulations. What are you really angry about, Doctor?" Understanding dawned in his eyes. "It bothers you that the young officer you thought you befriended shared the same dream as yours. Then to find out he was only there to gather information on you or your fellow colleagues."

            He knew. When he first started working at the hospital, she had tried to stay away from him. It had been her personal experience that good-looking men were just trouble. But he came across as such a dedicated, compassionate person…she couldn't help herself. But he had only been acting as the type of person that he knew people would confide in. Just so he could find out their secrets. She hated deception.

            "Honolulu, Doctor. NIS started looking into it the minute they knew…"

            She felt her knees give out on her, so she leaned back against the cool wall. "The pharmacy…it's…missing some items…they've shown up in downtown…"

            "Exactly."

            Her eyes hardened. "Your cover's gone."

            "You're the only one who knows who I really am," Aoshi corrected, stepping towards her.

            "Everyone here will know."

            He arched a brow. "If that's the case…then it's only a matter of time before the entire hospital knows who the prime suspect is."

            "If you're accusing me of something-" she retorted.

            "I don't need to accuse you of anything," he shot back.

            "You have no proof," she argued.

            "It's your choice, Doctor," he responded before turning to walk down the pristine hallway.

            She swallowed as cold fury seeped through her. If she leaked out what she knew about him…her reputation could be destroyed. Her father may believe that she wasn't the perpetrator, but he'd be angry at putting herself in such a terrible situation. And the officer knew that!

            Megumi nearly flinched at his demand. The wary look in his eyes…she hadn't seen that in a long, long, time.

            Dr. Stanley glanced at her then back at Aoshi, frowning slightly, glancing at Aoshi's medical chart.

            "Aoshi," she started, unsure of what to say. "How…How are you feeling?"

            "Why does it concern you?" His eyes narrowed slightly.

            "Commander…" Dr. Stanley spoke up. "What year is it?"

            "Two thousand…one."

            Misao and Okina glanced at each other in alarm.

            "And the month?"

            "July."

            Megumi let out a breath, falling back against the doorjamb. He could only remember as far back as then…just after she had first met him. This isn't happening…Wait…just wait…he just needs time…

            "If I could speak with you outside…" Dr. Stanley directed the comment to Misao and Okina.

            "Whatever it is, Doctor, you can say it right here," Aoshi spoke up.

            Dr. Stanley cleared his throat. "All right…"

            "Wait." Aoshi's eyes moved to a point behind the doctor…right at Megumi. His message was loud and clear. He didn't want her there.

            "I'm not going anywhere," she declared, straightening her shoulders.

            "This hardly concerns you…"

            Misao and Okina looked at each other again.

            "It does," Megumi responded.

            "Whatever plans you have-" he argued, only to be cut off.

            "The year is two thousand four."

            "Dr. Takani-" Dr. Stanley began.

            "A lot has happened since then, in your professional life, and your personal life," she continued.

            "Dr. Takani, I have to interrupt," Dr. Stanley began. "I know you're concerned, but regardless of your personal connections-"

            "Her what?" Aoshi cut in.

            "This is something I need to explain to the admiral and the commander's daughter," Dr. Stanley stated, moving towards Megumi.

            "Doctor, it's okay," Misao protested.

            Megumi lifted her chin. "I won't just go outside and-"

            "You understand the rules," Dr. Stanley declared. "As much as I would like to bend them for you, doing so would cause me to lose-"

            "Why does she have to go?" Misao asked, her voice rising.

            Shaking her head, Megumi said, "Dr. Stanley, I understand that you are only following regulations. But if you would just-"

            "Get. Out."

            The quiet, but assertive command drew everyone's attention to the patient on the bed. Megumi bit her lip, studying him for several long moments. The distance in his eyes, the way he was looking at her as if…

            Megumi quickly whirled around to leave.

            Okina looked heavenward. "I'd hit you but I doubt it'd do any good…"

            Aoshi frowned.

            "Commander," Dr. Stanley spoke up. "What was the last thing you remember? The last significant event?"

            Aoshi blew out a breath, his eyes cold. "The last thing I remember is Admiral Francisco threatening to kick me out of the Navy."

            "Who?" Okina glanced at Misao, who shrugged.

            It took all of Aoshi's self-control to keep calm…

            Aoshi stopped once he reached his office, seeing a man nearly thirty years his senior examining several of the items that hung on his walls. The man was dressed in khaki uniform, and as he turned, Aoshi caught the many colored ribbons decorating his left breast pocket.

            Following Navy customs, Aoshi greeted the senior officer. "Good afternoon, Admiral."

            The other man nodded. "Commander."

            Aoshi stood in the center of his office as the senior officer crossed his arms, examining him.

            "Do you know why I'm here, Commander?"

            "No." The man standing before him was three officers above his direct superior. Nearly at the top of the command in this divisional region. He had no idea why he'd want to see him.

            Admiral Francisco waited a few moments. "I'm a little concerned about the way operations are running here at NIS. I've spoken to your supervisor."

            "Concerns? I have an excellent investigation record," Aoshi said.

            "I realize that there are cases of human error."

            "I don't make many mistakes, sir," Aoshi informed mildly.

            "You're new here, Commander. So perhaps you're not familiar with the way things are run around here…"

            "Then perhaps you wish to share your knowledge," Aoshi offered.

            The admiral narrowed his eyes. "I understand that are investigating an incident related to Pearl Harbor Medical Center. Your primary suspect is Dr. Megumi Takani."

            Aoshi remained quiet.

            "You are harassing her," the senior officer announced.

            "I'm what?"

            "Harassment is taken very seriously, Commander. I realize that you have a job to do…but because of your constant and interfering presence, she is unable to establish a good rapport with her patients."

            Aoshi set his jaw. "And how do you know that, sir?"

            "Because she told me."

            He fought to keep his surprise down. "I wasn't aware that she knew anyone-"

            "Above your command?" the admiral prompted. "Her mother and I knew each other since high school. And I've known Megumi since she was born."

            "Then perhaps you are too close to the situation-"

            Admiral Francisco stepped closer. "My personal feelings do not interfere with my thinking."

            "With all due respect, sir, all the evidence I have found indicates that she is the one responsible."

            "Then I suggest you continue your investigation until you find the real culprit, Commander," the senior officer warned. "Because if you're wrong about her…I'm almost positive you'll be passed over for your next commission. Especially if you have a history of harassing a female civilian."

            His warning was obvious. If Aoshi was wrong about Megumi, the admiral would see to it that his Navy career was short-lived. With one final stare, the admiral left the office. Aoshi set his jaw. He had clearly underestimated that woman's deviousness...

            "Aoshi, did you hear that?" Misao prompted.

            "Hear what?"

            "You'll have to recover your memories on your own," Misao repeated the doctor's explanation. "We can tell you stuff…but not too much. The rest is up to you, but don't force yourself to remember. It might take time, so being with family and friends is the best medicine."

            "Fine. When can I go home?" Aoshi asked the doctor.

            "First thing tomorrow morning," Dr. Stanley answered. "I'll inform your superior that you'll be on medical leave."

            When the doctor left, Misao and Okina settled more in their chairs as Aoshi watched.

            "So you're…seventeen, then." Aoshi took in his ward's appearance. She still looked the same to him.

            Misao nodded. "That's right."

            "And…you're still living in Spain?" Aoshi asked his former guardian.

            "Correct."

            His head was starting to hurt. "And where…do I work?"

            "NIO," Misao answered. "Commander Saitou is your commanding officer."

            He briefly remembered the name. That man had a reputation. Many navy personnel genuinely hated Saitou. Everything he could find wrong pertaining to weapons and security, he'd find during inspections, making many personnel miserable.

            "And…Dr. Takani was here because…" He almost dreaded the answer.

            Misao and Okina glanced at each other.

            "What?" Aoshi narrowed his eyes at their silent exchange. There was something that they weren't telling him. Something he probably didn't want to know.

            "You're in love with her," Okina said after a moment.

            That was not what he expected to hear. "I'm what?!" He ignored Misao's flinch. Somehow, Okina's calm expression seemed to make his voice rise…just slightly. "This is hardly the time for practical jokes-"

            "Do I look like I'm joking?" Okina cut him off.

            Aoshi looked at Misao, who nodded quickly twice.

            He was in love with Dr. Takani? "What…? Why…?" He settled back, shaking his head. That made no sense. They had been at each other's throats since his investigation started. At least, as far as he knew. But if he really did have amnesia…then what had happened the last three years? Aoshi began to massage his temples. His headache was getting worse. Too much information to take in…

            Okina chuckled. "I raised you better than that if you have to ask why…" At Aoshi's glare, he glared back. "I'm not sure what your history is, but whatever it is…somewhere down the way, you were able to get past it. So the next time that lady walks in to see you, you better treat her with a little more respect."

            Instantly, he recalled the look in Megumi's eyes when she had fled his room. Something inside of him told him that telling her to leave was not quite the thing to say. Yes, he was angry about his encounter with the admiral. And yet…he couldn't completely stay angry…

A/N: Megumi's got quite a foundation to build now, don't you think? And don't worry, I'm still working on Sano's side of the story…