This is a random Gin/Shiho fic. This is just an idea I had some weird day, thinking about the tense Vodka and Gin conversations.

STORY

" Vodka." Gin said to his partner as he walked out of the bedroom, rubbing his tense forehead. Vodka turned around, the teakettle in his hand, a grin on his face. " Hey, boss. Where's Sherry?"

" She left in the morning." He said. " But that's sort of a relief, as I have something I want to talk to you about."

" Yeah?" Vodka said, slightly disinterested.

" W—What do you get for a girl on her birthday?"

Vodka's eyes widened.

" Today's her birthday?" he asked, amazed that Gin actually knew something as delicate as a birthday.

" Y---Yeah," Gin said, embarrassed.

" Just give her what you always give her," he said, a smirk on his face.

Gin looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head. " Idiot." He said. " Today's a special occasion. I can do that to her any day. Come on think. What did you get your girl-friend on her birthday?"

" I don't have a girl-friend." Vodka answered.

" Okay then," Gin answered, slightly sheepish. " What about your mother?"

" I got her a necklace," he said. " But for a cold girl as Sherry who doesn't even tremble as the boss walks past her, I would think of something more---elegant. How about wine?"

Gin nodded his head, approving.

Then he shook his head.

" No. I want to get her something more---er---how should I say it?----sweet."

Vodka raised his eyebrows.

He had never seen this side of his boss before.

" Sweet?" Vodka asked. " Shiho is anything but."

" I know, damn it!" Gin roared out, frustrated, grabbing out his gun and blasting it at random parts of the wall.

Vodka thought carefully.

He knew how long Gin had to court this girl to actually get her, and BOY did he take a lot of seducing.

" How about a book?" Vodka asked. " She loves reading?"

" Er---what kind?" Gin asked, scratching his head.

" How about---the Merchant of Venice?"

" The Mermaid of what?"

" Pride and Prejudice."

" Even the name turns me off."

" Flowers for Algernon?"

" Nah. What a sissy name. What's it about?"

" Er----a really dumb guy becoming a smart guy and then becoming a dumb guy again." He said, rather lamely.

Gin raised his eyebrows.

"Sherry would think I'm insulting her." He said.

" What about Sense and Sensibility?"

" Jesus, Vodka." Gin said, fascinated. " Since when did YOU know so much about books?"

" I read." He said stoutly.

" You DO?" he said incredulously.

" Yes." Vodka said.

Gin raised his eyebrows thoughtfully.

" What's her hobby?"

" Sulking in a corner." Vodka said almost automatically.

" Besides that," Gin said hastily.

Vodka thought thoughtfully.

Suddenly Shiho walked in, her hands full of notes and assessment.

" Hey, Sherry." Gin said.

She smiled.

" Hello, Gin."

" What's that on your neck?" he asked.

" Oh---it's a gift from my sister. She gave it to me this morning."

Gin raised his eyebrows at Vodka.

She raised her eyebrows at them.

" Oh!" Gin said, snapping. " Happy birthday."

" Thanks." She said before vanishing into the lab, closing the door behind her.

" Damn, she's hot when she smiles." Vodka said, whistling.

" Tell me about it." Gin muttered.

Then his eyes widened.

" Hold on---she likes lab work, right?"

" Yeah." Vodka said.

" Well, give her a project! What's that undone one again?"

" APTX 4869." Vodka said clearly.

" That's the one!" Gin said. " Give it to her."

" Yes, boss." Vodka said.

They both smirked.

Inside the lab, Shiho sneezed.

" Bless you." Her lab assistant said.

" Thank you." She said.

She looked outside.

What was Gin thinking NOW? She wondered.

END