A/N: The trivia from previous chapter is still on. www dot imdb dot com is a great source of info about shows, movies, and CHARACTER names…
Part 4: Black Widow's Seduction
Pearl Harbor, Oahu – Hawaii
At zero-seven-fifty, Aoshi was at his desk, steaming cup of caffeinated tea in his hands, waiting. After his day with Commander Kendall, he had spent most of yesterday reading and writing reports…and hadn't come home until close to eight p.m. He had called Misao to let her know that he was going to be late. If there was one thing he had promised himself since he quit NIS, was that family feelings would always be considered first. Misao hadn't complained. She told him that given the fact that it was his first week back, she expected him to be late. Even more so if a high ranking officer needed his input, and he wasn't up to date on current information.
"You don't wanna be passed over, right?" Misao had asked. "You plan to retire as a captain, at least, so you gotta do what you gotta do."
He was sometimes amazed at how smart she was. Girls her age were usually obsessed over the most unimportant things. Misao had her head on straight. Granted, she still had the energetic personality of a teenager, but he wouldn't have it any other way. It was Misao's spirit that had always made him smile over the years.
He grimaced. Seventeen. Going on eighteen this November. And she was in a fairly serious relationship now. Her first boyfriend. Not that Aoshi had a problem with Rex. Well, he did, but which father didn't have a problem with their little girl's boyfriends? No one could take better care of Misao than him.
Misao's photography hobby had caused her to take many pictures and print them on her photo-quality printer. She'd also buy cheap frames…so much that it seemed that Aoshi took with him to work a different photograph a month. Misao usually rotated group photographs. There were two photographs that stayed permanently at his desk, one of Megumi and one of Misao. His two favorite females in the world.
Misao told him yesterday that Megumi hadn't been answering her phone or calling back after she left messages for the last few days. Aoshi knew she was busy and it didn't concern him as much until Misao told him that Megumi usually got back within a few hours. It could be midnight in California, and she'd still call Misao to talk.
He wondered if she was feeling all right. A part of him also told him that if he wanted to know, he could have just called her. He looked down into his tea cup. It wasn't as if he was afraid to talk to her. He'd shared a large part of himself with that woman.
"Good morning, Commander."
Aoshi looked up, seeing Commander Kendall standing in the doorway of his office. He rose to his feet. "Morning."
She moved inside of his office, a cup of coffee in her hand. "You can sit, Commander. Since we're working so closely, I don't insist on formalities."
Aoshi settled in his seat while she settled in the seat facing his desk, setting her cup at the edge of his desk.
"I love the taste of Kona coffee," she mentioned before taking a sip. "I'll have to buy some before I leave…Anyway. As soon as you're done we'll go to the harbor…"
Commander Kendall's presence was fairly welcome at the harbor. Many personnel were very cooperative and answered questions regarding tracking foreign vessels, checking equipment, and in comparison to other weapons. He stayed out of her way, standing to the side as she interviewed various personnel. She made various notes to her clipboard.
"Your reputation is…impressive," Kendall commented wryly as they left one of the ships docked at the harbor and walked through the gates and into the parking lot.
"Why do you say that?"
She laughed softly. "Many of those men are intimidated. One pilot told me that his squadron didn't do so well with the recommendations you had made on their systems…you have this way of making even the most successful officers feel insignificant."
"I'm only doing my job," Aoshi responded.
"But you do it so well. It drives them to do better."
"With the government spending several million dollars to ensure the safety of this country…" Aoshi said evenly, "…they should be doing better."
"I find the strive for perfection very important in an officer," she murmured. "After work, there is a gathering at Mano's Restaurant outside the base, to catch up on what happened today."
He frowned slightly at the mention of the casual dining restaurant just three miles outside Pearl Harbor.
"Commander Saitou didn't mention it when we left this morning."
She smiled slyly. "Who said anything about him being there?" Then she turned and made her way to his car in the parking lot.
~
Andrea did her best not to smile. Lt. Commander Shinomori was very good at masking his emotions. He certainly owned up to the name 'Iceman'. In her opinion, no matter how aloof a man was, it usually took the right moves…or woman…to bring out a man's passionate side.
He was intelligent, dedicated to his job, and very, very good-looking. He had the perfect face. Strong jaw and piercing blue-gray eyes. And that mouth. She had no doubt he could do things that would fulfill fantasies. And that body. Broad chest that tapered to a narrow waist and long legs. The kind of body that would inspire even the most timid women to pounce. She was looking forward to having him. And she would, eventually. She usually got what she wanted.
Which was why she wasn't surprised when he showed up at Mano's and surveyed the area before finding her seated at the bar table. She sipped her mai tai as he made his way towards her.
"Good to see you on time, Commander," she greeted.
"You mentioned catch up," he responded, sitting back in his stool.
He was certainly a focused man. She liked that.
She might as well not waste too much of his time. "I wanted to tell you…unofficially…that you're doing a good job. You're very thorough and you do what you can to make sure that Pearl Harbor's projects exceed the expectations of the southwest region. And anytime a ship docks, you do a precise investigation before it begins its long deployment," she stated. "I understand that Commander Saitou recommended you for the job…as opposed to waiting for NIO to assign someone to the unit."
"The opportunity came at the right time," Aoshi declared.
"I've known him for a while…he doesn't recommend many people for a job," she continued.
"He's one of the few COs who isn't all talk and no listening."
That she knew. "Working with him can be a valuable experience."
"You speak very highly of him."
She studied him carefully. His gaze didn't waver. "He's a good officer." Even if the man had turned her down flat, how was she supposed to know he was married? His wife hadn't taken his name because she wanted to keep her professional name. Which was why she was always careful now…engaging in an affair with a married man could easily end her career. The Navy was only slightly lenient towards relationships among personnel. As long as they weren't in the same unit. And as long as the behavior didn't reflect badly on an officer.
"You mentioned that you knew him previously."
Was she getting interrogated now? "Navy's small world. We've run into each other several times throughout our careers."
She took a sip of her drink again.
"Is there anything else that you wish to tell me?" he asked.
Was that impatience in his voice? "Do you have someplace that you need to be?"
"With all due respect, Commander, that's my business."
She wondered if he had a girlfriend. Even if he did, it didn't matter. As far as she was concerned, a man was only out of the market if he had a wedding ring and a marriage license with his name on it. "There are still things that I need clarified."
"Perhaps that is best done at the office."
He was a difficult one. He almost sounded…bored.
"Would you rather we waste time going inside the base so we can sit in formal discussion?" she inquired. At his silence, she leaned forward. "During an average work week, how often are you at the harbor?"
He was quiet before answering. "Depends on how many fleets are on the Pacific."
"If two fleets are deployed?"
"Twenty…thirty hours."
She continued to ask him about his work. They had sat for a good hour and a half. He was very professional in his answers, direct and to the point.
He was a difficult one.
After she paid for her drink, she rose from her bar stool.
"I'll see you tomorrow in your office," she said, hitching her purse over her shoulder. "Inspection, whites."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "I remember. I'm surprised…the commander hates whites."
She grinned. "I know. And since you rarely wear them…I'll be examining your uniform to make sure it meets regulations." And with that, she turned and walked away.
~
"I always thought a man in whites was the epitome of perfection," Kendall murmured once he entered his office the next morning.
She was perched on the corner of his desk, her eyes assessing him.
"Today is your last day here, correct?" Aoshi refused to react to her comments.
"Tomorrow," she answered breezily. "At least on the base."
She stepped forward, circling around him to examine his uniform. "I hope you have a spare khaki uniform…we'll be going on ship again tomorrow."
"I have one," Aoshi answered.
"If you need help with that one, let me know. Your shirt is slightly crooked." She pointed to a section at his abdomen before heading out of his office.
Aoshi narrowed his eyes at the moment Saitou came to the doorway. His commanding officer acknowledged Kendall with a nod. Then he turned to Aoshi.
"We need to talk. Outside."
At that, Aoshi frowned. So he followed the man down the stairs and outside to the back of the NIO building.
He remained quiet while Saitou took a cigarette out and lit it.
"How has she been treating you?" Saitou asked before taking a drag of his cigarette.
"As I expected," Aoshi answered. He reached into his breastpocket to put on a pair of dark, mirrored sunglasses that minimized the glare of his and his commanding officer's pristine white uniform.
"Is there anything that I should know?" Saitou asked. "File a report…anything?"
Aoshi shook his head. "No. I can handle Commander Kendall."
"That's what she's hoping for." Saitou smirked.
He ignored the comment. "I don't think we're out here just to avoid her."
"Actually, we are," Saitou responded. At Aoshi's lifted brow, he continued, "The only reason she left was because she saw me through your office window. And you know how soundproof those windows are. Anyway…how would you feel about leaving your weasel-looking daughter alone for a couple of days? Think she'd manage?"
Aoshi frowned. "Misao's seventeen. She can take care of herself."
Saitou grimaced. "I thought she was twelve." At Aoshi's shake of the head, he continued, "You get a head start than most parents. Tsutomu's going to be ten soon…and I'm not even thinking about his driving yet."
The statement surprised him. While he knew Saitou had children thanks to the housewarming party he had gone to a year ago, the man never talked about them.
"Three boys. Insurance is going to be a pain." Saitou frowned. "If you have no problem leaving her alone for a while, then I have to send you overseas for a few days."
"Few?"
"Three. Five, if you count the weekend." He took another drag of his cigarette. "Kendall's sending her reports almost at the end of each day. A committee wants to meet with one of Pearl Harbor's weapons security at the end of next week when they've finished going through her reports…they figure it's easier for him to fly out as opposed to all of them flying in. You leave next Tuesday. I'll have one of the men work on your travel arrangements to San Diego."
Barely unable to prevent a surprised smile, Aoshi turned his face to the side to examine the government facilities across the street.
"Should I tell him to make arrangements for you to stay at the Navy lodge or do you have somewhere else you can stay?"
Aoshi turned back to see Saitou watching him carefully. "How did…? Your wife told you…"
Saitou continued as if he never spoke, "You do have a job to do, and as Kendall said…you are the most senior officer in the unit and the most familiar with what's been going on at NIO since you were stationed there. You'll meet with them for two days and fly back here."
While Aoshi believed him, there was something else that wasn't being said. As if…
"What's the wager this time?" Aoshi asked suddenly.
Saitou didn't even blink. "Meaning what?"
Aoshi shook his head. "Everyone in the division had bet when we would start going out…when we'd have our first fight…when we'd make up…what is it this time?"
He was greeted with silence.
Aoshi rolled his eyes before asking, "How much are the winnings?"
Saitou looked at the sky. "…Three thousand."
~
Well, she had tried. The man was as unresponsive as the day she first met him.
"I've enjoyed working with you, Commander," she spoke up as they left the ship to enter the parking lot. "I always enjoy my trips to Hawaii, but it's much better when I work with a competent officer."
He merely said nothing.
Instead, she continued, "Even if I don't leave until Sunday…there's a going away gathering for me tonight, and I'd like you to come."
"I have to take my daughter to hula class," Aoshi replied.
He had a daughter. Interesting. "I'm officially off duty, Commander," she declared. Then she stepped closer. "And since you haven't been picking up my subtle signals, perhaps I should be more obvious." She moved until she was just an inch away, her head tilting back slightly to look at him. "My place. Tonight."
He hadn't moved, and his expression was masked by the sunglasses he wore to shield his eyes from the bright late afternoon sun. Most men would have shied away, if only in denial. She was so close, she could have gone on her tiptoes and kissed him, if she wanted to. But she'd save the physical for later. He must have enjoyed being hard to get. But it could make things slightly frustrating for a woman.
"She just got home from school. And she's waiting." With that, Aoshi turned and moved towards his car.
She gave an exasperated sigh. How long did he intend to play this game?
~
Back in her hotel, Andrea examined the cell phone she had taken from Aoshi's car. In this technological age, people were fairly reliant on equipment. Even if he could get a replacement, he'd want to know what happened to it. She had to pride herself in her work. Although…she didn't recall ever working this hard for sex. Just thinking about him made it worth it, though.
It indicated that he'd had two voicemails. She pressed a couple buttons to activate it.
The latest was from a female left during early afternoon. "Aoshi, it's Megumi. You're probably busy at work, but I need to talk to you right away."
Andrea rolled her eyes and when prompted, hit the delete button.
The first one was from the same woman mid-morning. "Aoshi, call me as soon as you get this. It's very, very important."
"Right. Where does he find these clingy women?" Andrea deleted that message as well before tossing the phone on the couch.
Suddenly, the cell phone rang. Andrea looked at the caller ID that flashed, 'Home'. As in…Aoshi's home?
She answered, "Hello?"
Pause. "I wondered where my phone went…"
She smiled. "You left it at the office, Commander. And…I didn't know how to reach you…I figured that you would call it. You can come by and get it." Never mind that was a lie. She had taken it from his car when he dropped her off when they had finished for the day.
"Where are you?" he asked.
"At the Navy lodge on base. Room one sixty-nine."
He was silent for a moment. "I'll be there in twenty minutes." He hung up.
The sooner, the better, she grinned. And she had just the place for his phone.
Twenty minutes later on the dot, she received a knock on her door.
She opened the door to see Aoshi dressed in civilian clothes.
"Come on in."
"I'll stay here," he politely declined her offer.
Reaching out, she grabbed his hand. He resisted at first, but took one step inside.
"My phone," he prompted.
"I have to look for it," she fibbed. "Commander, it looks bad if a visitor is hovering in a doorway. Discretion is highly recommended, no matter how harmless things seem."
He tightened his jaw for a moment before stepping inside and closing the door.
"That's better…" she smiled slyly.
"My phone," he repeated.
Oh, he was good at being hard to get. She moved forward.
"You've just been invited to my going away party, Commander."
His eyes narrowed a fraction. "My phone." He merely crossed his arms and waited.
Immediately, a ring tone filled the room. His eyes widened slightly. The ring tone wasn't standard…probably a friend or family member calling.
He began to look to see if she had placed it on the sofa and end tables. She waited as he looked around to no avail. Until his eyes rested on her. She smiled slightly. He walked over towards her, stopping two feet away.
"I'd like to have my phone back."
"I'm sure you would…" she teased, reaching inside the front of her blouse. He kept his eyes trained on her face, and the ring tone stopped. She reached inside and pulled out his cell phone just enough so that he knew its hiding place. Something flickered in those eyes of his. "Come and get it." Now he'd give in.
Instead, he turned away. "I'd rather report that it was stolen." He then stalked to the door.
Her jaw dropped. He was serious. He was actually going to walk away from one of the best sexual experiences he was going to get? She couldn't believe this. He wasn't married, what was holding him back?
As he opened the door, she grit her teeth before calling out, "Commander."
He glanced over his shoulder as she pulled the phone out. Then she tossed it to him. He caught it neatly with one hand before closing the door behind him.
Andrea rolled her eyes heavenward. So much for that…
~
Some women. He wondered how they had gotten through life sometimes. He grimaced. His cell phone was still warm to the touch as it had rested against…whatever part of her body it had rested against.
Due to her departure, her come-ons had been the most obvious today. He hadn't had many women pay attention to him since high school. Mostly because his manner turned them away. They usually thought he was too unemotional or distant. Which had been fine with him. He had made a few exceptions over the years, dated…had very few girlfriends. But he'd never sleep with a female higher ranking officer. Even if she wasn't working in his unit. But there was also something else…he believed in loyalty. He'd never cheat on the woman in his life, no matter how close or far away she was. Having been cheated on himself, trust and fidelity were very high on his list.
Aoshi looked at his display before entering his car.
Megumi.
Her calling was good. If only he hadn't been so busy the past week…
He had missed her. But as much as he'd like to call her right back…there was so much he had to say. It'd be best if they could talk where he wouldn't be interrupted.
Home would be the best place. Misao had a date with Rex after hula class, so they wouldn't be back until ten, ten-thirty.
With that, Aoshi began the drive back home.
~
~
A/N: I hate MS Word. Oh yeah, thanks to Daiji for the 'hiding the phone' against a body part idea. And I told myself I wouldn't make this TOO dramatic, so bear with it. =P