Chapter 3 – Telltale signs

Morning sun crept over the couch to Sousuke's face. As the bright light hit his eyes, it woke him. Flopping his arm over his eyes and not wanting to wake, his hand hit Kaname's head causing her to stir. Realizing again that she was there, he knew he'd not be able to go back to sleep, but he wasn't rousting. No way. Never before had he wanted to stay in bed. He'd always been up at the crack of dawn. Now the sun was high in the sky and he didn't even know what time it was. She was here...

Was he still sick? He almost hoped so. Carefully he rolled over and held her tightly to him – lips gently pressed to her forehead. Seeing her startle, he felt a smile appear on his face – for the only time that he could remember. It was hard not to laugh as she tried to figure out where she was. Recalling the last time he held her after he had just knocked her out of the way of a bus and his hand accidentally ended up in the wrong place, he reminisced - boy, did he get a halisen slap then. Things were changing indeed.

Bolting up, her face was a mask of the 'Oh my God what happened last night' look. As her memory came back, she sighed with relief. Catching a glance of his expression, she considered him more closely. "You're actually smiling – I can't believe it! I've never seen you do that! What's going on in that military otaku head of yours?!"

"I slept soundly without my Glock under my pillow for the first time," he commented to her.

Again, she gave him a double take. She'd never considered him sleeping with his trusty gun at his side before – but it sounded right – it was ALWAYS with him. "Really?" she verified. He nodded. Snuggling back beside him she realized that maybe he really was changing.

Just then, a sharp knock at the door made them both jump. Kaname silently groaned in frustration and hit her head on Sousuke's shoulder as Kurz hollered outside, "Hey Sousuke you slacker – some girl called us on your comm equipment last night saying you wanted more time off before you came back!"

Sousuke slapped his forehead in disbelief - he DID NOT need this to be happening right now. Kurz wasn't supposed to be here until next week.

"Go away – I'm not feeling well. You'll catch it," Sousuke hollered only hoping it would work.

Melissa chimed in, "Ready or not here we come!" A slight picking at the door and WHAM! It slammed open. Followed by a lightning fast shuffling on the couch and finally a completely red in the face Sousuke and Kaname were sitting up at least a foot apart from each other – trying to act nonchalant. But the telltale blankets on the floor taunted them – they wouldn't disappear no matter how much either of them wished for it.

Kurz whistled loud and long and commented, "Well my boy – finally figured out girls did ya? And what a sickness they are...Hope I...HRMMPH..."

Melissa, beaming from ear to ear, had elbowed the blonde soldier so hard in the side that he scowled.

Kaname gave him the look from hell. She'd planned on making breakfast and then telling Sousuke about her actions last night, hoping to smooth this over a bit. Then the couple could talk about his future on their own terms.

Deciding to end the stalemate, Kaname stood up and offered to get breakfast for everyone from the shop down the street. Immediately Kurz nodded. Melissa agreed too, since she hadn't eaten in 16 hours.

Sousuke was NOT going to be left alone to be tortured by these two. "I'll come with you – I know what they like." He grabbed his coat and practically pushed Kaname out the door, leaving Kurz and Melissa howling with laughter behind them.

Sliding her hand into Sousuke's and smiling, she said, "Nice retreat."

He grimaced at the thought of what they'd face when they got back. Running his hand through his unkempt hair, he realized they'd also get unusual looks in the store with their wild wrinkled appearance and holding hands in public.

"So what did you do last night when I was asleep?" Sousuke tried to casually query to cover his anxiety. He couldn't remember ever sleeping so hard – it must have been the fever. Also, he hadn't taught her how to use the common equipment yet.

Kaname had been hoping he wouldn't ask yet, but gave in, "Just as they said. I called to ask if you had any sick leave or vacation you could take before returning. There's a lot to do and you'll miss at least a day from being sick. But they wouldn't give that information to me. Can you believe it? Kurz should have! I thought it was just you who was so closed lipped..."

He shrugged. Knowing she hadn't said everything, he prodded gently, "When did you learn to use a sat phone?"

Her lips pursed. Whispered abilities were so handy when trying to figure out something electronic. Stopping, she stood on her tip toes to quietly murmur in his ear, "I'm trying to keep you here as long as I can. Do I have security clearance with you now?"

It was his turn for a double take. Holding her hand tighter, he took the lead to the store. Sousuke no longer felt like a lost puppy here in Japan. He had a purpose – even if it might not last more than a week.

Update – inserted name of pistol