So... I really don't know what to tell you. Obviously it has been a rough year for all of us but you did not come here to listen to the same thing everybody else is saying. No, I am not dead (obviously) I am aware that I simply took to long and I will not blame you if you lost interest on this work of mine. Still, I once promised I will finish this and I will try my best to fulfill such promise.

My apologies and without further ado, hope you enjoy.

-DRON

Chapter 10: The Signs of Danger.

"My apologies for interrupting your night" Gogo said, a sad look directed at Hiro as she removed her helmet and jacket.

"Quite alright Leiko." Hiro yawned and rubbed his eyes. Trying desperately to wake up for his girlfriend who clearly had a rather tough night. "Would you like something to drink?"

"A glass of water should be fine, thanks." Gogo tried to force herself to remain calm as Hiro stumbled through the diner and into the kitchen.

"Are you okay?" Hiro asked.

"Yes." Gogo replied quite readily. Hoping against all odds to keep them from discussing the very reason why she was at the café at such time.

"Well…" Hiro tried to continue prying. "…You calling and coming to my house at three in the morning doesn't really spell fine to me." He walked with the requested glass of water up to Gogo and sitting right beside her.

"Hiro… please. Not right now." Gogo pleaded. The bags under her eyes showing a rather alarming sign of exhaustion.

Hiro, knowing not to pry further, took hold of Gogo's hand and tried to guide her upstairs. Surprised at the lack of refusal and rather willingness to be held, Hiro knew the speedster was quite shaken. Slowly but surely they started climbing the stairs to the third floor. The journey rather silent. Hiro focused on trying to figure out what affected his girlfriend and Gogo staring at the floor, refusing to look at Hiro. Afraid that with just one look, he would know what was going inside her brain.

"Wait here" Hiro stopped Gogo under the door frame as he walked to and fro within his room. Conscious of the staring eyes coming from the girl who kept hugging herself while waiting patiently. Although, he was able to spot a small smile coming from the biker as he scrambled around trying to tidy up a bit the mess that was adorning the room.

As Hiro pulled a set of blinds, Gogo was revealed the bed who was previously owned by the other Hamada. Gogo was able to see a flash of longing rush past Hiro for a second before he turned around.

"You can sleep in this bed." Hiro exclaimed as he pulled an extra sheet to keep his girlfriend warm.

"Thank you Hiro." Gogo merely nodded, walked towards the edge of the bed, pulled the blinds through and flopped on the bed. She knew she has to say something more. Her silence was most likely making him overly worried.

Gogo simply turned her head and stared at the silhouette of Hiro who was clearly debating to talk or not to the speedster. She simply heard a faint sigh come from the teenager, staring at the shadow who slowly walked to the lights. Darkness enveloped Gogo once again.

GOGO

5 hours ago.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Gogo woke up, sweating, trembling, and scared. The shadows being produced by the light coming from the moon ever so treacherous. As if someone was watching intently at every move she made. Studying her, taking notes, preparing for the experiment.

Tsk.

Frustrated, she slowly made her way to the kitchen. Hoping that her little nightmare did not wake her mother from her slumber.

"Why now?" She meditated. Now that everything was going so great.

She shook her head once again trying to think nothing of it. After all, it was just a nightmare. She wolfed down the glass of water she was holding at took a glance at the clock on top of the fridge.

1 AM

"Damn…" Gogo admonished.

Slowly but surely she made her back to her room but the dark and cold room felt foreign to her for a moment. She sighed, braving the walk for she needed her sleep.

Surprisingly enough, she was able to find sleep but her mind would not let her be at peace. Once again, she nearly jumped out of her bed. Sweating cold as she spotted the same piece of paper that was given to her back at the SFIT. A foreign shiver ran down her spine at the implication of what was written on that piece of paper.

Panic. That was the first thing Gogo felt as her mind slowly dug deep at that such thing meant. Her breathing spiked to a dangerous level. She had to get out of her room. She needed air, she needed…

No, it's too late for that!

Still, she slowly reached for her cellphone. The light blinding her immediately as she ignored the time and rushed directly to her contacts until she found his name.

He won't answer.

Gogo pressed the call button. Hoping against all hope to hear his voice. Several rings passed, slowly losing the faint glimmer that had caught her eye at the prospect of listening to the boy she had dangerously become so attached to. Giving up, she was about to hang up until…

"Hello?"

There it was, a raspy voice met her through the speaker of her phone and she was tempted. Tempted to hang up and woman up, to brave the storm, to…

"Gogo is that you?"

"Hi!" NO YOU IDIOT! YOU SHOULD LET HIM SLEEP!

"How are you? What happened? Are you okay?"

Gogo felt guilty instantly as she felt the concern wash over the boy. "You know what, never mind! My apologies for waking you up."

"Don't you dare hang up!"

And Gogo stopped, feeling ashamed for acting like a kid.

"Where are you? I'll come for you!"

"NO!" Gogo panicked. "I-I mean, it's okay. Uhm, would it be okay if I go to you?"

Present time

Gogo kept focusing on the light of the moon coming from the window as it peacefully and slowly danced its way through the room. Unaware of the existence of trouble, of emotion. Cold. Gogo tsk'ed tossed and turned but sleep would not reach her. She had gone the length to go to Hiro but he wasn't there with her.

Aware of the rather nonsense of her complaint, Hiro would obviously not offer what she wanted unless…

"Hiro, are you still awake?" She hoped and once again, against her promise, she would be selfish.

"I am." The boy answered quite readily. "Can't sleep?"

She hated it, being seen like this, but at this point Hiro knew better. "Yeah." It could be barely heard but she knew Hiro was listening.

"Would you like to…"

"May I sleep with you?"

Both said at the same time. Gogo tensed as she grabbed the bed sheets for dear life. She became awfully conscious of herself. Did she smell? And hundred thousand questions started running through her rather thick skull. She was about to retract her request when she saw two hands pulling the blinds carefully. Gogo just stared at the boy with her mouth completely open. The knot on her throat unable to give her the freedom of speech.

"That bad?" Hiro stood there, looking at her, trying to find anything within her eyes.

Meanwhile, Gogo simply stared at the boy, unconsciously pleading for him to tuck in beside her. Wish granted. She watched as the boy slowly walked around the bed and nervously tucked underneath the sheets.

Several minutes passed. Both staring intently at the ceiling in an awkward silence.

"Thank you for letting me stay." Gogo started. Awfully aware that a thank you was probably the best way to start their conversation.

"No need to say thanks. Although I must admit, I wasn't expecting a call at 3 AM." Hiro chuckled. "How are you feeling?" Hiro turned to her, adjusting his body to properly face her.

Gogo sighed as she turned around to face Hiro. Her eyes locking up in his, admiring the faint moonlight being reflected on them. The way he looked at her with affection and concern for he was clearly worried.

"I feel much better." She smiled as the distanced shortened between both teenagers. Gogo holding on to Hiro's arm as she curled beside the boy closing her eyes. Perhaps this wasn't THAT bad.

Slowly, Gogo felt Hiro's hand brushing her arm as he slowly reached for her head. She opened her eyes once again, staring intently at the boy, expectant of his next move. She had tensed up a bit until she felt his fingers brush through her hair gently. As if she were made of glass and even the gentlest touch could break her. Hiro opened his mouth and something came out that she was not expecting. Hiro most definitely did not have the best voice in the world but…

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know dear how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away."

Gogo felt her chest tighten. A silent tear falling down her cheek. This was unbelievable. Gogo was a woman who thought love would never find her. Love for her was a waste of time and the pleasure her work at the lab provided was more than enough but after all the things that have happened over the past 6 months… She knew better now. Blaming herself for so much wasted time.

"You're the Apple of my Eye.
And I love you so and I want you to know.
That I'll always be right here
And I love to sing sweet songs to you.
Because you are so dear."

Hiro continued.

Gogo swore to never forget this night, for what was to come and the implications of their job. After so long, Gogo was able to remember what a good night sleep meant.