Q: When will Harry and Melfina get down to business?
A: How dare you ask me such a stupid question! Go back to reading porn, you loser!
Q: Do you own Outlaw Star?
A: Not a chance in hell.
Q: When is this gonna start?
A: How about now? Is now good? Or are you gonna go cause you gotta watch country music? Get back and read my story!
Another sunrise, another morning in Heifong. Melfina woke from her blissful sleep, still in Harry's arms. As she opened her eyes, she realized Harry was still in dreamland. His mouth slightly open and muttering something about television, he seemed to be in a peaceful state. Melfina slowly slipped her body through Harry's embrace and rose from the bed. First, she went to the bathroom and took a shower. Then, after getting dressed, she went to go make breakfast for herself and the gang. After a few minutes had gone by, as usual, Aisha woke up, trying to take the television. Melfina noticed her out of the corner of her eye and smiled while rolling her eyes. This seemed to happen a lot.
"Hi, Aisha," Melfina cheerfully responded. "Did you sleep well?" Aisha jumped up in horror, not knowing that Melfina was there.
"Melfina! You scared me!" Aisha screamed.
"Quiet, Aisha. You're going to wake everyone up ... again."
"Yeah, sorry. Uh, Melfina, can I tell you something?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Well, um." There was a long pause. Aisha stared at the floor, playing with her feet. She didn't want to look Melfina in the eyes after the fight they had the night before. She was ashamed of how she had behaved around her, but she did have to apologize at some point. "Melfina, about last night. I ... I never should have acted that way around you. You deserve a lot better than that and I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
"Aisha, you didn't have to apologize. Of course I forgive you. Harry told me you apologized last night. I can't hold a grudge against a friend, and you're a friend, Aisha. Don't worry," she said as she patted Aisha on the back.
"Aw, thanks, Melfina. By the way, where is that video game wizard, Harry? He's not on the couch."
"Oh, yeah. Harry slept with me last night to keep me company." Aisha turned around and looked at Melfina in shock.
"What!" she said in a hushed whisper. "I mean, I saw him laying down with you last night, but I thought he would get up and go to the couch. Did he try to have sex with you?" Aisha said, obviously concerned.
"No! Are you crazy? He wouldn't do that, Aisha. He even asked what I wanted him to do. I said I wanted him to stay with me. It's okay." Just then, Melfina remembered her food that she was making. "Sit down, Aisha. Breakfast is ready." Aisha walked over to the dinner table and took a seat. Melfina placed a wide assortment of foods on the table as Aisha began filling her plate with them.
"So, Melfina," Aisha said as she ate her food, "Are you sure that Harry's okay? I mean, you did tell us that he did try to kidnap you and he even hit you. Why the sudden change toward him?"
"I don't know, Aisha. Maybe I'm getting a little caught up in the situation. I just think that Harry has changed. The last time I met him before these events recently, he told me that I didn't have to do anything for him. He told me that he loves me. He said it in a way and with a look in his eyes that said he meant it. And ... please don't tell the others this, okay, Aisha?"
"Sure, Melfina," she said, enthralled in what Melfina was saying. "What is it?"
"Well, Aisha," Melfina said, almost embarrassed to tell Aisha her secret, "I ... I'm in love with him."
"What!" Aisha screeched.
"Shhhhhhh. Be quiet or everyone will know." Melfina was panicking too much now.
"Sorry. Are you out of your mind? Do you know what he's like? This guy has killed tons of people and is probably gonna kill us. I can't believe you let him stay here, not to mention sleep in the same bed as you."
"He's not that bad, Aisha. If he was going to hurt me, why didn't he do it the night that we went out shopping? Or last night? Why didn't he kill Gene and Jim at thier job yesterday? He's had a lot of oportunities and hasn't taken them. He's a nice guy, trust me." Aisha thought about what Melfina had said. She could be right. Harry did have the chance and never took it. Maybe he was good like Melfina said he was.
"Maybe your right, Melfina. But don't forget, I promised to look out for you with Harry here, and that's what I'm going to do. I'm not letting him out of my sight." Melfina slightly sighed in relief and despair, mainly because Aisha had said she would watch Harry while he was with her. Suddenly, Suzuka entered the room, fully dressed and looking ready for a job.
"Hi, Suzuka," Melfina said. "Do you want breakfast? I've got a lot left over."
"Hello, Melfina," she replied. "Just a small amount of egg, please. I have to leave soon."
"What's the reason?" Melfina asked as she placed the egg onto Suzuka's plate.
"I have been employed for my usual purpose. I should be home at my usual time."
"Let me guess," Aisha blurted in. "10:00. Right?"
"Exactly, Aisha," Suzuka replied as she ate the last piece of the small amount of egg Melfina had made for her. "Now, I must be leaving. Goodbye, Aisha. Goodbye, Melfina."
"Bye, Suzuka," they both replied. Suzuka walked toward the kitchen where Melfina was and put her head next to her ear.
"Watch out for Harry. If he tries anything, tell me. Okay, Melfina?" she whispered.
"Don't worry," Melfina said, backing away. "Everyone thinks that he's trying to hurt me. He's okay, I know it."
"Fine. Believe what you want about him. I know his reputation." With that, Suzuka left the shop and proceeded to her assignment. Melfina turned around and walked to the couch. Sitting down, Aisha joined her as they watched tv. After a few minutes had passed, Melfina's bedroom door began to open. Harry stumbled out, fully clothed now, and stumnled toward the couch where the two girls were sitting.
"Hey," Harry said quietly, "It's my two favorite women in the world." Aisha couldn't help but scowl at Harry, while Melfina simply blushed. Harry sat next to Melfina's left side, mainly to get away from Aisha.
"So, what are doing out of bed, Mel?" he asked.
"Oh, I usually get up this early. You just saw me on a bad day yesterday, Harry."
"Oh, okay. Do you want me to help you out with anything?"
"No thanks. I've got it. Besides, you and the guys have another job today. Don't you?"
"Yeah. You're right, Mel. Oh yeah, you're coming with us, Aisha."
"What!" Aisha screeched. "I don't wanna go!"
"But you're going to get a part of a major payday, and Melfina told me how much you like big paydays," Harry said, very coy. Aisha seemed to be in deep thought over the matter. A huge smile crept across her face.
"How much am I gonna get?" Aisha said in her trademark sly tone. Harry leaned over Melfina and whispered something into Aisha's ear. Immediately her ears shot to the sky. Aisha jumped from the couch and began running toward her room.
"Where are you going?" Harry shouted.
"To get ready! I'm not going to miss out on that much money!"
"We aren't leaving for another hour. Sit down." Aisha slowly walked back beside Melfina and took a seat.
"Can't we just go now?" she asked Harry.
"No. We can play video games if you want," he said, obviously hitting Aisha in already open wounds. Aisha did want revenge, though, and thought that this was the best way to get it.
"New game, though. We're playing this." Aisha darted toward the tv and pulled out a new disk. As she inserted it into the system, Harry grabbed a controller and got comfortable on the couch. Aisha then grabbed a different controller and did the same.
"This one's a racing game. Think you can win again?"
"The real question, Aisha, is 'do you think you can?'" Harry retorted.
"Okay, Melfina, get him away from me before someone has to clean up his blood!" she screamed in anger. Melfina was quietly looking at Harry, in deep concentration about his fight with Aisha, wondering how she would tell everyone else about her feelings for Harry. She knew the one person who would probably take it the worst was Gene. They had never been extremely close, but everyone, including Gene, had assumed that they were a couple. Melfina knew that if she told everyone, they would all take it as her cheating on Gene with Harry. She wanted there to be an easier way, but sadly, there was none. She was going to progress with this slowly and strain her relationship with Harry or get it over with quickly and possibly make everyone so mad that they throw Harry out of the house, or worse. As she was thinking about how or if she was going to tell everyone, Harry tapped her on the shoulder. Melfina, startled by the sensation, looked up at Harry.
"Huh? What is it, Harry?" Harry was looking at her with a second game controller in his hand.
"I was going to ask if you wanted to play with us. Do you want to, Mel?" he asked, extending the controller to her.
"Oh, yeah. I've played a few times, but I'm not that good."
"Don't worry, I'll help you out." As Harry began giving a quick tutorial about the game to Melfina, Gene came down the stairs with Jim close behind him, both of them still covered in their bloody clothes. As soon as Melfina saw them, she put her hands over her over her mouth, gasping in horror.
"Gene! Jim!" she screamed as she ran over to them, dropping the controller. "Are you okay! What happened?"
"We got paid, Melfina," Jim said, "That's what happened."
"But you're covered in blood."
"Yeah, don't worry about that. This belongs to the doofus we caught. I told Harry 'No, don't shoot him', so he proceeded to stab him until he passed out from blood loss. I don't blame him. The guy was about to kill Gene and me with a weird explosive. Luckily, we took him in alive and we're at the point where we won't have to take jobs for a while."
"Hey, Jim," Harry said, "I know we don't have to take jobs, but we had a big one set up for today. Are we still going to take it?"
"Oh, yeah. We're definitely doing that one. We'll be able to pay of Fred for everything if we can pull off this one."
"Jim," Melfina said, slightly worried about that statement, "We're in debt to Fred Lowe for a lot of money. What job did you guys get that could pay that much?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just assassinate a known terrorist for a government organization. You know, no biggie."
"What! Are you talking about the one that's always on the news!"
"Yeah, that one." Jim said happily. The truth was that Jim was scared of this guy, too. His name was Pyrados Dachuel. A very cunning individual, he had already established himself as a brilliant assassin at the age of 17. A few years later, after being disgusted by the way the establishment in the goverment was handleing itself, he started a terrorist orrganization, ironically named the 'White Flags'. They weren't known for being peaceful, that's for sure. After several surprise attacks on various stations, he attempted to stage an uprising from inside the goverment by having members of the White Flags elected into office on Heifong. After they were found out and executed, he promised to assassinate all head officials of Heifong's goverenment, and was doing very well, due to all the breaking news interruptions every day telling how more and more people were being killed in their sleep by him. Melfina was particularly worried about him because there was a rumor that he had assosiations with the Kei pirates and had met with Lord Hazanko before his death. Melfina knew that if they took this job they probably wouldn't come back alive, and she didn't want to lose Harry again.
"Please, Harry," she said as she turned around to him and sat down on the couch, holding his hand lovingly but tightly, "Stay here. You're going to die if you try this."
"Don't worry, Mel," Harry said, carressing her hand, "It'll take a lot more than an outlaw wannabe to kill me. When, not if, but when I come home, I'll do anything you want to do, okay?" Melfina kept looking at him, despair crawling over her whole being. Harry knew this would be the way she would react to it, that's why he whispered it to Aisha, so Melfina wouldn't hear it. After soaking in the bad news, Melfina went to her room, silent to everyone and never answering Harry's question. Harry slowly got up and went over to Gene and Jim in the kitchen. Harry was hurting so much inside. The woman he loved, his one purpose of life, was ignoring him and distraught over a desicion that he made. He felt like that was the move that Gene would have done to her, choosing what he thought was best over what she thought was the best idea. Maybe he should stay. Just then, Jim tapped Harry on the back.
"Harry, we've got to go. Get Aisha. We'll be in the car, kay?"
"Sure, I'll get her. Let me guess, I'll need a gun, right?"
"Oh, we've got the perfect one for you. Don't you worry," Jim said with a devilish grin. Jim followed Gene out of the main door of the shop. Harry checked the hallway, looking for Aisha. Aisha then came running down the stairs with a hand-held game system in her hand.
"Sorry, Harry. I've gotta find something to do on the ride there. Where are the guys?"
"They're outside. Um, can you wait for me for one second, Aisha?" Harry said.
"Sure. Is it about ..." she said, her eyes drifting toward Melfina's bedroom door, which was shut.
"Yeah, it is. Just wait for me." With that, Harry entered Melfina's room. After quietly shuting the door, he saw Melfina on the bed, just like the night before. This time, Melfina was openly weeping. Harry slowly creeped toward her. He had no clue how to handle these kinds of things. He sat on the bed, Melfina's back facing him. Slowly, his hand rubbed her left shoulder. Melfina, unaffected by Harry's touch, wept more now. Harry then layed down behind her, pulling his arms around her abdomen. Melfina sobs became more of a gasping cry. Harry had to tell her something.
"Mel, I ... I know you're mad, but ... I've got to do this." Melfina slowly rolled over to face Harry. He could see two streams of tears flowing from her eyes. Her face red from her sorrow, she placed her hand on his face and cried more.
"Don't go. Do you know who this guy is? Do you have any idea?"
"Yeah, Jim told me more about him than you probably know. He's dangerous alright. But trust me, we've got a plan. Nothing is going to happen. I really came in here to say that, if I hurt you in any way, I'm sorry. Can you just forgive me and trust me about this mission, Melfina?" Melfina slowly began to stop weeping, but she was still scared.
"It's just, I've lost you once, Harry. I saw you die and ... and that was too much." She began to open up more as she pushed her head into Harry's shoulder. "I don't want to lose you again. Not again." As they poured their emotion out, they had no clue that Aisha had left the door open slightly and was listening to them. She was hearing what no one else was supposed to.
"I'm not going to die. I promise. I wouldn't break a promise to someone I loved, especially as much as you." Melfina slowly began to wipe her tears away from her face.
"Just come back to me. That's the only promise I want, Harry."
"And that's the one I'll make. I'll come back to you, Melfina. I love you so much."
"Mmmmm. I love you, too, Harry." Melfina looked down in dispair. "I guess you have to go then, huh?"
"Yeah. But ... can I get one thing before I go?"
"What?"
"You know. A kiss." Melfina just smiled at Harry as she moved in this time. Aisha jumped back in shock and horror. What the hell? Did she just kiss him! Oh God, this couldn't happen at a worse time. Melfina pulled away from Harry, breaking their kiss, and smiled at him.
"I should get up. I've got things to do while you're gone." Melfina said.
"Okay. I'll see you later tonight, Melfina."
"Bye, Harry." Harry got up from Melfina's bed and began walking to the door. Aisha, noticing that Harry was headed for her, bolted for the shop door, just making it there when Harry walked out of Melfina's bedroom.
"Come on. I've got money to make, MacDougall!" she screeched.
"Yeah, coming." Harry said, getting very annoyed at Aisha's antics. Melfina emerged from her room just as Aisha closed the shop door. Melfina still was worried, even though Harry tried his best to make things seem better.
Hours had passed. The guys and annoying cat girl had been driving through a heavily-wooded area for what seemed like forever. The only space they could see in between the heavily moss-covered oak trees was the trail they were driving down. Soon, they had arrived at a palatial mansion that had no place in settings such as these. Painted the same color green as the moss around them, it had to have had over four stories to it at spead over at least two city blocks. A simpiler way to put it, it was gargantuan to say the least. Luckily, or unluckily, it matched the description they had recieved. As they drove by, they parked a great distance away where they wouldn't be seen. As they exited the car they looked in awe at the massive structure in front of them.
"Okay," Gene said. "Jim, where are our disguises?"
"Right here," Jim said throwing each of them a bag with a particular uniform in it. Harry and Gene each slipped on one of the military foot-soldier style uniforms and strapped a gun holster around their ankle where it wouldn't be seen. Gene strapped another holster onto his other ankle and placed his caster in it, then loaded his pockets with shells. Jim then threw a second holster at Harry, which he caught.
"Jim," Harry said, "What's this?"
"I told you that I had a special gun for you, Harry. Here." Jim handed Harry a case with a digital lock on it. After disarming the lock, it opened to reveal a sleek, dark-blue, brand-new caster gun. "You're gonna use this. We need all the firepower we can get in there."
"Wow. Thanks, Jim. Do I get to keep it?"
"Sadly, it's non-refundable," Jim angrily said.
"Thanks!" Harry said in jubilation. "I've wanted one ever since Ron got his. Now to see what they really do." Harry shoved caster shells into his pockets as well and walked over to Aisha, who was still staring into her bag. "What's wrong, Aisha? Why didn't you put your uniform on?"
"Why? Why! Because I have a freakin' space suit, that's why! What gives!" Aisha yanked her suit out of the bag. It was a large, white, biohazard suit. If she were to put it on, you wouldn't be able to tell what species was in it.
"Because, Aisha," Jim said, "Every member of the White Flags is human. Now, according to the blueprint of this place, there is a power generator somewhere in here. Gene and Harry are going to escort you to it. Supposedly, this Pyrados guy is so paranoid that after something takes place, he gets updates from the soldiers. After dropping you off at the generator, when they leave, start taking out everyone. Hopefully, he'll be too busy too notice the fact that you're taking out everyone in sight. Gene and Harry's uniforms are equipped with the elite guard insignia, which means that thier the only ones that can get to see this guy. Once in there, they are going to use their guns and casters and hopefully capture this guy. They don't care if he's dead or alive when we turn him in, so if he's dead, cut his head off. Okay, I'll stay here and monitor everything. Wear these camers inside your collar near your shoulder for me to tell you what to do. And wear these ear pieces." Jim handed all of them pinpoint-sized cameras and small ear inserts that they eqipped themselves with. Aisha reluctantly slipped into her suit and followed the two guys into the mansion/terrorist hideout. As they got to the door, they noticed it had been unlocked. Slowly, and cautiously, they entered the building.
"This doesn't seem good," Harry whispered as they casually walked the long halls. "The front door was unlocked. That doesn't seem like something a paranoid guy would try."
"I know it doesn't look good, but try to keep it together," Gene said quietly. "There's gonna be lots of firepower when we get in that office and I really don't want to get shot cause you were nervous. Kay?"
"Yeah, I understand. Are you ready, Aisha? We're almost there."
"I'm ready to break these mothers in half, if that's what you mean," she said happily.
"Good," Harry replied. "Now remember, treat it like a video game."
"Okay, you need to shut up, MacDougall!"
"Sorry," Harry said giggling. "I had to do it." As they continued to pass real soldiers in the hallways, they arrived at the power generator that they used to power the compound. There were a pair of sliding doors at the entrace to the generator room, which opened when they got close. As they walked in, a technician approached them.
"Hey, what's the halloween suit for?" he said, becoming suspicious. "There isn't a problem on this floor, is there?"
"Oh, uh, yeah, there is," Harry said, thinking of the first thing that came to mind. Now he just had to make up a story to go along with it. "There's been an overload of a generator and we've come to shut it down for now."
"Huh? There doesn't seem to be an overload. Let me check the computer." He walked over to a diagnostics computer and typed in the password to check the system. After examining the computer, he walked back towards the group, who was praying that he wouldn't find them out.
"It looks like you're right, guys. I'm sorry. You need to hurry and disarm the generator within the hour, before problems arise." Shocked, Harry and Gene knew what to do then.
"Okay," Gene said, "Me and my friend will go and inform Mr. Dachuel of the problem, since he likes to be informed of everything."
"Good idea," the soldier said, "I'll show the repairman the way to the generator. Are you sure you won't need assistance?"
"No, I'll be fine," Aisha said in a disguised voice, trying to cover up her Ctarl-Ctarl screech.
"Good," Harry said, "We'll be on our way, then." With that, Harry and Gene left the generator room, the doors closing automatically behind them. Suddenly, Jim's voice came through their ear pieces.
"Do you like how I overloaded the system, or should I have just stayed quiet?"
"Nice one, Jim," Gene whispered. "Now just direct us to his office and we'll be home free."
"Okay, here's the directions. By the way, I told Aisha not to attack them yet. I thought it would be easier if you took him out quickly and effortlessly."
As Jim began giving the two the directions, they navigated the corridors of the mansion. Gene looked out the many windows leading up the stairways, noticing it was getting very late from the beautiful sunset in the distance. As soon as they arrived at the office doors of Pyrados, they were confronted by two large bodyguards.
"Hey," one of them said in a very gruff, hoarse voice, "What do you want to see Mr. Dachuel for?"
"Report of the facilities," Harry camly replied. "You know he likes updates ever so often."
"Yeah," the other bodyguard said to the first one, "Are you stupid or something? You knew that."
"Sorry, I forgot," the first one replied. "Right this way, you two." As they unlocked the office doors, Gene and Harry cautiously entered the office. They noticed that Pyrados was behind a large, semicircular desk, looking at files on a laptop. As the doors closed behind them, they heard them lock. Pyrados knew they were in the room, but did not look up. He was a relatively normal-looking man. He had pale skin, like Harry's, spiked, lime-green highlights in his hair, and was wearing the casual attire of a sweatshirt and jeans. As he continued typing, Gene looked at Harry, clueless to what he should say to the terrorist leader.
"Don't worry, you two. No one can hear you in hear," Pyrados said in an unusual accent. "The doors are soundproof. A bomb could go off in here and no one would hear. It's the perfect setting for when I torture people."
"Good," Gene said, pulling out his caster gun and pointing it at Pyrados. "Cause we wouldn't want anyone to hear us trying to take you in, now would we?" Pyrados looked up from his computer in shock.
"Yeah, so just be quiet and it'll be over soon," Harry said as he pulled his caster out, loaded it, and pointed it at Pyrados as well. Harry then realized something which greatly disturbed him. "Gene, did you even load your gun?"
"Huh? Oh man! I forgot! Keep your gun on him while I load it." As Gene began to load his caster gun, Pyrados continued to look at the two in shock. How did I allow myself to be taken hostage by these morons? Once Gene had finished loading his caster gun, he pointed it at Pyrados as Harry walked toward him, pulling restraints out of his pockets.
"Should I go ahead and put these on him, Gene?" Harry asked as he continued to walk toward Pyrados.
"Yeah, the quicker you do that, the quicker we can get out of here." Just then, a large explosion ripped through the wall, knocking Pyrados and Harry over the desk and into Gene, sending them to the ground. As Gene stumbled to regain his footing, he tried to see what had made such a large explosion.
"What the hell?" he said as he cleaned the dust and rubble off of him. "Suzuka!" Suzuka looked back at Gene in shock as well.
"Gene!" Suzuka screamed,"This is my job! Stay out of it!"
"Yeah, right! Me and Harry are getting paid for this one, not you. Go back home you old hag!" As they continued to trade insults, they didn't realize that Harry had his hands full. He was in a fist fight with Pyrados on the floor, attempting to restrain him from reaching the door and signaling for help. As Harry lost his grip on Pyrados, he tried to keep his grip on his ankle. Pyrados began kicking at Harry with his free foot, hitting him in the face. Harry lost his grip on him and Pyrados opened the door, only to find his guards incapacitated on the ground and a surprise in front of him.
"Oh, no you don't," Aisha said. "You're my ticket to a monster payday."
"Aisha, grab him, quick!" Harry shouted. Soon, Aisha and Harry had him on the ground, puching and kicking him in an attempt to restain him. Eventually, Harry got the handcuffs and leg braces on Pyrados. He and Aisha then grabbed Pyrados by his hands and feet and picked him up. As they walked toward Gene and Suzuka, they noticed that they were still argueing over who should take in Pyrados.
"I'm taking him in!" Gene shouted in contempt.
"Get off your pedastal, Gene! You can't get all the glory!" Suzuka screamed.
"I'm already caught, you dumb fucks!" Pyrados screamed in anger as he writhed, attempting in vain to break out of Harry and Aisha's restraints. Gene and Suzuka stared at him in slight confusion.
"Hey! My team won, Suzuka!" Gene said, raising his arms in victory.
"Gene," Harry said, "There wasn't any teams in this thing. Me, Jim, and Aisha are collecting the money."
"Oh, come on. Give me a break, please!"
"No, Gene!" Aisha screamed. "This one's mine."
Eventually, they made their way out to the car. Pyrados was still doing what little he could to escape, and swearing immensely in the process. Once out to the car, they were met with a very agitated Jim.
"Aisha!" Jim said in obvious anger, "I told you to wait! Why did you have to attack everyone in the generator room?"
"It worked, didn't it?" Aisha said as she walked by Jim and took a seat in the car. Everyone was wondering what to do with Pyrados, since they feared he could break out of his handcuffs and because he was struggling immensly trying to prevent from going into the car. Then, Harry got an idea.
"Hey, I know what to do," Harry said as they attempted to put Pyrados in the backseat.
"What?" Gene said, struggling with the terrorist.
"Put him on his back on the ground. Ron taught me how to do this." Suddenly, Pyrados saw himself looking at the sky, then saw the bottom of Harry's foot go into his face. Harry began to kick repeatedly until Pyrados went unconscious. Harry then wiped his forehead.
"Okay, that should do it. Now we can put him in," Harry said. Once inside, the team drove back to the city and turned Pyrados in at the police station. Once Harry, Aisha, and Jim had been paid, they made their way back to the car, counting their money.
"I can't believe it!" Jim exclaimed. "We're actually going to be out of debt with Fred. Thanks for giving me enough of your money to pay Fred off."
"Don't mention it," Harry said, just as ecstatic. "Me and Aisha still have enough to buy a limo if we wanted. Which reminds me, there's something we have to go by the plaza for."
"What is it?" Jim asked.
"Just something I've been wanting to get for Melfina. It should only take a few minutes."
Back at the shop. Melfina was sitting on the sofa, worried sick about the guys. She glanced up and looked at the clock near the television. It read 12:06 A.M. She was very tired, but was determined to stay up until Harry walked through the front door. She was also thinking about how, if Harry returned, she would tell the others about their love. It was still the burden on her heart. Would she ever, or could she ever, open up to the rest of the gang. As she continued to think in sorrow, the door began to open. Melfina jumped from her seat, looking at the door in anticipation of who would walk through. To her dismay, Suzuka walked through. Melfina slumped back down into her seat as Suzuka walked over to her.
"Melfina? What are you doing up at this hour?" Suzuka asked calmly.
"Suzuka, I ... I'm really worried. I need to talk to someone, but I don't know who to go to except Harry."
"You can always talk to me. I'll listen." Suzuka said moving close to Melfina. "What's troubling you?" Melfina sighed.
"It's Harry. I don't know how or if I want to talk to you about this," Melfina said as she got up from her seat. Suzuka rose from the seat as well and followed Melfina into the kitchen placing her hand on her shoulder.
"Melfina?" she said. Suddenly, Melfina quickly turned around and buried her face into Suzuka's chest, crying as Suzuka rubbed her head.
"It's Harry," Melfina wailed. "I don't want him to be dead." Melfina had no clue that Suzuka had seen Harry alive at Pyrados's mansion. "He's been so caring to me, Suzuka. He's loved me since we met. I want him to be here so much," she said as she looked up at Suzuka. "I ... I ...I love him. I love him so much." Suzuka camly directed Melfina back to the couch.
"I know. I know, Melfina. And I know he does, too. It's been proven. I didn't think I'd say it, but he's starting to make a believer out of me. I know that you would probably want a relationship with him, right?" All Melfina could do from the crying was shake her head in agreement. "If you feel too nervous, Melfina, I'll talk to Gene about it and tell him how you feel. Would that be okay?" Melfina didn't answer immediately, for she was still wiping her eyes.
"Yes, please," she replied. "It would mean a lot to me."
"Good. Now go to bed, Melfina. I'll tell Gene in the morning."
"Okay. Goodnight, Suzuka."
"Goodnight, Melfina." Melfina walked into her room and closed the door. Suzuka was one of the only people Melfina had opened up to in the past and knew that she would keep her word. As Suzuka headed for her room, the rest of the guys entered the shop, talking about their job.
"That must have been a hard blow, Harry," Gene said, talking about the fight Harry had with Pyrados in his office.
"It didn't hurt much," Harry replied smiling, "Not as bad as a foot to the teeth." Harry began looking around the room until his eyes caught Suzuka entering the hallway. "Suzuka!" Harry called out.
"What is it, Harry?" Suzuka said, stopping in her tracks.
"Why didn't you go with us in the car? We had enough room."
"I felt like walking. Now ask me the question that I know you want to ask," she said, as if she could read his mind.
"I guess I shouldn't hide stuff, huh? Anyways, do you know where Melfina is? I got her a present." Harry motioned to the small box in his hand, which was wrapped in a colorful wrapping paper.
"I told her to get some rest. She was very distraught over you; not knowing whether you were alive or not, you know."
"Yeah, I know. I'll just sneak in there and put this by her, okay?"
"Sure," Suzuka said smiling. "Harry, she told me."
"About what?"
"About the two of you. She said she loves you, too."
"Yeah. I guess I can't hide it any longer. She's my world."
"I told her I would talk to Gene about it and get him to understand. Promise me that you won't hurt her in any way."
"I already promised that to her. You have my word, Suzuka."
"Thank you. Your brother taught you well, Harry."
"Yeah, he did. Well, I gonna put this in her room, so I'll see you later."
"Goodnight, Harry," Suzuka said as she entered her room. Harry quietly opened the door to Melfina's bedroom. She had already slipped into a nightgown and dozed off on the bed. Harry tiptoed through the room until he arrived at her bed. Her slipped a note under the box and placed it next to her hands. He gently brushed the hair from her face to get a clear view of his love. Harry gave a small sigh and smiled. His life was perfect at that moment. He gave her a small kiss and then left the room. He still wanted them to think he slept on the couch. As he exited the room, Jim walked toward him.
"Harry, here's tomorrow's assignments," Jim said, handing Harry the sheet of paper. It showed that Harry had to leave early in the morning before sunrise to meet with someone about shipping arragements. It also showed that, later in the day, they would take the Outlaw Star for a long shipping job.
"Okay, Jim. I guess I should get some sleep, huh?"
"Yeah. Everyone else went to bed. I'm going, too, so goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Jim," Harry said, patting Jim on the shoulder as he walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it. He got comfortable as Jim turned out all the lights and went to his room upstairs. Harry turned off the television and closed his eyes.
"Told you I'd keep my promise, Melfina."
Okay then, thus ends my newest chapter. By the way, Thanks to all of you who gave me reviews! July and Karen, you guys are the best friends I've ever had. Thanks (read their fics, NOW!). Now, back to the story. I'm still thinking about the next chapter, but I'm sure that all my friends are gonna remember where this one came from. By the way, if I ever misspell anything, tell me. I type too fast. Til then, touch that mouch and that hand will never touch anything ever again.