Standard Disclaimers Apply

Author's Notes: It's been a while eh? Forever actually, man I can't believe I promised to finish this fic 6 months ago, very sad. As I am writing this I have the next chapter done and I will post it when it's typed and proofread. Which is tough since the scroll bar in Word appears to be gone.

---Trying my patience

Trying pink carnations and yellow daffodils

Don't forget the flowers Sunday

I know you will. ---

---Chapter 4------------Forget the Flowers

I woke up to music, more specifically the theme from Monty Python's Flying Circus, more specifically my cell phone. I reached over groping for my nightstand only to realize it wasn't there, not just the phone but also the whole damn nightstand. I jolted upright and scanned my surroundings, Kaoru's. I had come up to her apartment and I was on her futon in the living room. I breathed a sigh of relief; at least I hadn't slept with her. And my cell phone was still blaring Monty Python. I got up and looked for my jacket.

"Red?"

"Yeah?"

"Is that mine?"

"No mine, where is my jacket by the way?"

"Front closet"

I found my way to the closet and grabbed my cell.

"Hello?"

"What in God's name is wrong with you?"

"Morning Meg"

"You left her there!"

"It was an emergency"

"Like hell it was"

"It was Meg"

"Fine, be that way see if I ever do that for you again."

"Can I talk to Sano?"

"He's out running."

"Have him give me a call on my cell will ya?"

"Where are you anyway?"

"A friend's"

"Oh really?"

"Just a friend, now I have to go"

"Bye Tiger"

I hung up and returned my phone to its jacket pocket.

"She is a nag isn't she?"

Kaoru was behind me making coffee in the kitchen.

"Ah yeah, but Sano loves her like crazy."

"So I'm told, coffee?"

"Please"

I shuffled over to one of her stools and she poured me a cup and sat across the island.

"So. . ."

"Look Red, I'm sorry"

"Really it's fine"

"No it's not I come into your office unannounced, make you miss your date, tried to sleep with you, and then got you in trouble."

"Really it's fine"

"I still feel guilty"

"Don't worry it happens all the time"

"Clients try to sleep with you?"

"Ah no, everything but that actually."

"Should've known."

"Hey now, I'm sure some of them would."

"But alas they don't"

"No they don't. It would violate patient doctor relations anyway."

"Ever thought about it?"

"Yes"

"When?"

"Last night"

"No!"

She was now partially standing now leaning over the island. Her eyes were wide, with some type of emotion I couldn't place, anger or surprise. . . maybe both.

"Yes"

"Seriously?"

"You don't seem to realize how unbelievably attractive you are."

Ah shit, that was a shit thing to say Ken. I looked at her; she was still standing just staring at me. Staring is never a good sign. Thank God the phone rang. She walked around the island into the living room.

"Hello? Enshi! How are you? Nah I'm not busy. No I'm fine really, yeah I'm still upset. Nothing actually I looked through some old photo albums. You called him? En! Oh I know he is."

From the side I could hear, I knew I was a fool. You'd think someone with a Ph.D. could tell when a woman was using him. Quietly I grabbed my coat and keys and slid out the front door and down into the street.

I went home threw on some running pants and went out for a job to clear my head. I felt stupid. Beyond stupid in fact, I was rounding the corner by the park when I saw Sano running ahead of me.

"Sano!"

He stopped and ran back towards me.

"You dumped another one eh?"

"She was on rebound."

"I know I told Meg it was a bad idea."

"Engaged no less."

"I think Meg just wanted you to get laid."

"I almost did last night without her help."

"No!"

And Sano hit me particularly hard on the shoulder sending me forwards a few inches.

"Yes!"

"Who?"

"See that's the problem."

"Married?"

"No, I'm not you."

"That was uncalled for Ken. So then, she's a patient? Shit Kenshin a patient!?!"

I was silent; if Sano was upset it's never a good thing.

"Can I ask who?"

"I don't know if I should say."

"So she's a business woman, who is not married."

"I can't believe I almost did. I wanted to then the doctor in me was screaming 'no'"

"Stupid inner doctor of yours, he never lets you have any fun. Look Kenshin, I'm you're best friend just tell me."

"You cannot tell Meg"

"Swear to God I won't"

"Kaoru Kamiya"

"Holy shit Ken! Holy loving shit!"

"I know"

"No you don't seem to know. She's a fucking bear! She'll eat you up and spit you out. She's a cold, cold bitch."

"She's not that bad"

"Oh but she is"

"Sano"

"I'm leveling with you here Kenshin, the girl is bad news. She'll break your heart without blinking an eye. Look Ken I gotta get back, call me later and just forget about her."

"Later"

Sano started running back to his place. I walked down to a coffee shop for a cup and walked back home trying to sort out every emotion that was coursing through me.

Wrap up: Next chapter is up and should be posted soon. Chapter 6 is partially written, so who knows when that'll be up.