Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

(A/N) – Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 6

Months were passing and Atsushi could feel how his love to such wonderful woman as Elena, grew stronger. He felt really embarrassed by this feeling, probably, because he never felt this way before and he actually asked himself: is it really a love? However, if it wasn't then what was it?

He enjoyed spending every minute with her, even though it was something boring as browsing through papers. Her presence made him sometimes less focus on their job, but he couldn't help it. It was enough if she would smile at him and he already could feel his heart beating faster. Atsushi also felt very flattered by Elena, when she congratulate him on his book and promised that she would definitely read it.

However, Elena seemed to be less talkative than Atsushi, who could speak for hours. She usually either smiled or gave short respond. Atsushi loved Elena's smile, which made her even more beautifully, but there was sadness in her eyes.

Atsushi figured out that something horrible had to happen in Elena's life, but he didn't dare to ask. Atsushi didn't want to seem nosy and he knew that he had to be patience, if he wanted Elena to like him.

However, it didn't prevent him to tell his life story.

As usual, they went together to the dining room, where other members always came to eat, talk and relax from all their hard work. Atsushi was very happy, when Elena agreed to have always lunch together with him, though only like friends. Atsushi was still glad, because Elena considering him as a friend was still a big achievement.

"It already passed three months, since you came here and I still remember, when I first saw you, Wirson-san," Atsushi started the conversation smiling widely at Elena.

"Three months and you still did not learn how to pronounce my last name along with my first name, Miyano-san." Elena responded smiling slightly.

Atsushi laughed nervously and cursed himself in his thoughts. He wanted to impress her and here he was saying her name wrong. She may even think that he was doing this deliberately to make fun of her British name.

"My apologies, Wi-" he didn't finish the sentence, instead he looked down feeling embarrassed. He glanced at Elena, who was trying preventing herself from laughing.

"Great, now you are laughing."

"I apologize; please do not understand me wrong. I am laughing, because I am finding funny how you are pronouncing my name," she brought her hand to her lips and she giggled quietly. She added after few seconds, "Speaking of names, I think that we should call ourselves by ours first name. What do you think, Atsushi?"

Atsushi looked surprisingly at Elena. Did she just call him by his first name? It was one of his dreams regarding Elena. Even though, she called him her friend, he wasn't enough brave to ask her if he could call her by her first name. He tried push himself to do it several times, but clearly he was either too shy to do it or he was simply a coward.

He didn't expect Elena to make a first move. The surprised expression quickly vanished from Atsushi's face and instead he grinned at her saying, "That would be my pleasure, not mentioning that it would be much easier to say your first name," he just reminded himself that her first name also had this hapless letter in it.

"Do not worry Atsushi. I am sure that with little practice, you will be able to pronounce my both names without any fault," Elena gently smiled taking the sip of her tea.

Practice. Of course! If he wouldn't spend his all time on thinking how wonderful Elena was, not that he regretted that, but still he should learn how pronounce her name.

"I will definitely practice Er-lrena," he uttered.

"It did not sound perfect, but also it was not a disaster. I actually think that soon you will master it perfectly," Elena said.

"I-" he started, but he noticed Pisco coming towards their table.

Pisco didn't look as smart as he always did. His hair was unkempt and his suit looked like it would need an iron.

He yawned covered his mouth by his hand. Bags under his eyes were telling them that he didn't have much sleep last night.

"Did you work all night, Pisco-san?" Elena asked concerned.

"Work? I wish! The boss asked me to take care of this brat and he would not stop crying through all night, so please Elena-san, take care of Ichirou after you finish your lunch."

"I will be glad if you would not call Endoso-sama's son a brat," Elena said coolly.

"Alright, just take care of him." Atsushi could hear the irritation in Pisco's voice.

"We will. Where is he now," Elena asked.

"In the second bedroom on the right," Pisco explained. He added, before he left Elena and Atsushi, "Just hurry up, I left that br- ehm Ichirou with one of the members from the financial department. I doubt that he would be able take care of this kid much longer."

"Well, I guess, we should go," Elena said.

"We? I, I'm not sure if it is a good idea. I don't know anything about babies and-"

He was interrupted by Elena, who stood up from the table and grab Atsushi's hand smiling at him, "I am sure you will be alright, beside I will be there."

Atsushi blushed on the feeling caused by Elena's touch.

The man who was sitting on the bed with annoyed face, quickly get up from the bed and without a word, he left.

"I think, it is better to leave that man with the numbers," Elena noticed.

"God! Why people in here are so grumpy!"

Elena approached the crib and Atsushi heard the Ichirou's cry.

"I'm so sorry! Do you think that I scared him?!" Atsushi started to panic.

"Well, if you keep shouting, then yes, I am sure that you are scaring him," she said as she raised Ichirou up.

"I'm sorry! I mean sorry," Atsushi said quieter this time.

"Ichirou need a new diaper, don't you, you need a new diaper," Elena said with her childish voice. Ichirou was not crying so much.

Atsushi was agitated by this scene. Elena looked very beautiful with Ichirou in her hands.

"Give me a new diaper and tissues from that bag," she pointed out the blue bag on the small table. Atsushi passed it to her and she took care of Ichirou.

When, Ichirou had new diaper, Elena tried to feed him, but he didn't want to eat anything, so Elena put him back to his crib.

"Ichirou should sleep now," Elena said as she covered Ichirou with the blanket.

"You're really good with babies," Atsushi was clearly impressed.

"It is noting. I did it before," she explained.

"Oh, do you have children," Atsushi asked curiously, though there was some disappointment in his voice.

"No, I had the younger sister and I was often taking care of her until," she become silent. Atsushi watched as she caressed Ichirou's cheek and also as her smile disappear from her face. She bitted her lower lip.

Atsushi, who noticed that Elena was sad, he approached her. He slowly raised his hand up and he putted it at Elena's back. She turned her head towards him. Atsushi noticed tears in Elena's blue eyes, he asked, "What's wrong?"

She looked on Atsushi's hand and she stepped back. Atsushi observed Elena as she looked down on Ichirou, who was already sleeping.

After few seconds, she uttered, "My sister died from the pneumonia, when she was still a kid."

Elena squeezed tightly the crib's bars and her body started to shake. Atsushi felt compassion for her and he grabbed her hand and he said, "I'm really sorry. I know what you are feeling."

Elena looked curiously at him. Atsushi explained what he meant by it.

"I have lost my parents before I started high school, so I know what it means to lose someone important to you."

Elena wiped her eyes and the corners of her lips slightly went up.

"Thank you."

"I'm always here for you, no matter what," Atsushi smiled at Elena, who returned the smile.

"You know, when I found out about the organization's true goal, it actually gave me the hope," Elena said.

"Hope? You don't mean about your sister? I mean-" he was interrupted by Elena.

"No, no. I know there is no possibility for it. I meant that this project will help other people not to feel any pain anymore, though it could be hard, because of the boss's selfishness," Elena was more talking to herself than to Atsushi, who looked at her curiously.

Elena, who noticed it, she quickly said, "Do not pay attention to me. I am still thinking about my sister."

"That's fine," Atsushi responded, though he could feel that Elena was hiding something.

Next moths were passing by and Elena and Atsushi were spending time together as much as they could. They spent most of their time in the laboratory; working on creating the drug that would make their dreams came true. However, it was very hard and they knew that it would take many years before the drug would be finally finished.

They spent their free time eating lunches and dinners together and talking about different matters. Atsushi usually talked about Dejima and how great friend he was. He also talked about his times in high school and of course he didn't forget to mention that he was the best in science.

Elena also discussed with Atsushi his book and she was very impressed by it and she believed in every theory that Atsushi presented in his book and she believed that it was possible to accomplish it.

They also were taking care of Ichirou, who was growing very fast. It seems that other members along with Pisco wanted to stay away from this baby and they always used Elena, so she could take care of Ichirou.

Elena and Atsushi weren't against it. On the contrary, they loved played with Ichirou and making sure that he had everything what he needed.

Atsushi didn't even noticed how quickly time passed by. It was already two years, since he started to work for the organization and a year, since he met Elena.

Atsushi didn't expect how much things will change over these years. He became in charge of the science project, but what most important he felt in love.

Elena wasn't only beautiful, but she was very gentle, kind and compassionate. She had all the traits in her that made her perfect. Atsushi knew that he wouldn't meet a second person like Elena.

Atsushi went outside the organization's building to breathe a fresh air. The moon and the stars were shining on the navy blue sky. He saw Elena talking with some woman. When, he went toward them, the other woman went in other direction. Atsushi only noticed her long wavy blond hair.

"Who was she?" Atsushi asked.

"Uhm, one of the workers. Well what are you doing here?"

"I have decided to breathe a fresh air. I'm tired after all this work."

"I know what you mean," Elena said as she looked up at the sky.

"The stars are really beautiful," she stated with her dreamy voice.

Atsushi watched Elena being fascinated by the stars and he decided that it was the perfect moment to tell her how he felt about her.

"Elena," he started.

"Yes?" she looked at him questioningly.

Atsushi felt very nervous about what he was going to say, but he knew that this time was the best for it. He took both Elena's hands and he looked at Elena's eyes and he confessed.

"I love you." He had the feeling as his heart was about to jump out of his chest. It felt like hours, before Elena respond back to him.

"I love you too," the smile stretched across her lips.

Atsushi smiled as well. He never felt so happy before. Atsushi kissed Elena passionately, who reciprocated the kiss, hoping that this moment would last forever.