R&R, everyone. It's my SPRING BREAK! We have officially reached over 5,000 views. That's a big deal for me, just sayin'. It's only been a few months, but let me give you a brief rundown of how readership has gone: January-979; February-2,423; AND less than two weeks into March-1,633. I'm hoping to beat each month's record as we go along. So, that means MORE UPDATES for you. :)

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why does she make me so angry? I had just incited Judy to new levels of excitement and worsened her already dreadful asthma attack. I felt like a jerk. Which is rare. I also felt slightly panicked. Which is also rare. I had observed Judy using her inhaler before, after Sato initially grabbed her backstage, but I hadn't realized just how serious her asthma was. I crossed the office in two strides and gathered her from the desk chair. She seemed so small in my arms.

"I'm sorry, Judy. I shouldn't have tried to scare you like that. It was ungentlemanly and unfair," I whispered into her hair. Wow. Her hair smells heavenly. I laid her on the couch then. "I'm going to put your head in my lap so I can better monitor you until Tamaki comes back. Your head and neck need to be elevated. Is that alright with you?" Not to mention, if you fall asleep, you'll be silent!…Take it easy, old man. You're the one who made her worse. Her hair is so soft! You're the one who has the responsibility to monitor her. Geez! What does she use on her hair?

She nodded at me weakly as I sat at the end of the couch. I lifted her head and shoulders gently and placed a pillow beneath her upper back to help maintain an open throat and chest for airflow. I cradled her head in my hands and noticed her wince. "The attack has triggered a headache. Hasn't it?" She nodded again. "You don't have aspirin, either?" Judy smirked and shook her head. "Figures." I rubbed her temples and massaged her scalp. Her hair is so silky. It almost became less headache relief for her and more tantalizing enjoyment for me. Almost. Keep a lid on it, Ohtori. You haven't even finished the first step yet, even if you've gained ground. She gave me a questioning look that I could only interpret as surprised by my expertise in scalp massaging. Couldn't blame her. It was a strange discipline for a man. "I had a practical exam on unmedicated forms of tension relief. This is one." She blinked at me. "Just close your eyes. Tamaki will be back shortly."

Shockingly, Judy did as I said without question and was soon asleep. Gained ground, indeed.

I massaged her scalp and temples until the crease between her eyes smoothed. Her breathing didn't completely even out, but the lack of conversational stimuli seemed to calm her breathing patterns considerably.

I mulled over our most recent clash. We always seem to pick at each other just enough to send both of us over the edge. I've never lost my temper so often, and I've never felt the need to force someone to do what I say so strongly. In similar circumstances, I was always able to just back off and find another way to get what I wanted. Why do I feel backed into a corner by this girl? Why must I take the most direct route with her? She's too smart to not know when she's being manipulated and too independent to just allow herself to be nudged around.

I stared into space, a rare luxury, and absently stroked her hair. I wish I knew why she drives me so crazy. I'd never had a woman get under my skin, so this was new for me. Sure, many a woman had thrown and were throwing themselves at me. After all, I was one of Japan's most eligible men. Mother after mother primped, poked, and prodded her offspring before clumsily introducing the offering to me or some member of my family.

Luckily, I had had written into my inheritance contract that I was the sole decider on the subject of my wife. Yes, there were other clauses that I had to comply with, but that one was firm. No matter how many women launched themselves at me via cannon, slide, or rocket, I still had the final say. It didn't stop me from cooly observing each possibility and scrutinizing every move and gesture. They always failed. It was rare, indeed, for one of them to pass the first round.

I was always polite and considerate outwardly. When, a multimillion or billion dollar deal is on the line, it's best to treat your partner's daughter with utmost respect and cool dismissal. This season, though, I was sick of fielding the marriage meeting requests, business engagements, and clumsy introductions that dogged me wherever I went. I had more important things to deal with than that. Something had to be done, and I had set the wheels in motion a month ago. For one year, at least, I would have respite; and then I would make one of the more important decisions of my life. I couldn't delay it even if I wanted to do. Confounded full proof contracts, designing fathers, and bitter brothers.

I didn't have any more time to reflect on my familial and business situations as Judy had begun wheezing and coughing violently. She's not waking up. Either her body has decided this isn't a life threatening situation, or she is a very heavy sleeper. I assumed it was the later because she was trying to turn herself over but couldn't.

I did the only sensible thing I could. I didn't want her waking up and making things worse simply by being conscious. If I could manage to treat the problem and keep her asleep, her breathing would regulate faster. I clamped my hand over her mouth to keep her from hyperventilating.

Apparently, it was a bad idea.