Nina smiled softly up at him as she stepped back. "I'm relieved…you are here."

Takagi smiled back at her, she hadn't changed at all since he last saw her. Her grey eyes were still full of kindness. "Nina, I'm just glad you are safe." Takagi watched as she tilted her head to the side. She seemed troubled.

For a second she turned away from him. The young detective didn't move.

"I…"

Takagi too turned away, his gaze on the dark oak floor. "How have you been?" Nina asked quietly.

"Good. Busy, but good." He smiled weakly aware of the tension that seemed to settle in-between them. Suddenly Takagi's phone rang and he answered it. Nina stood and watched him speak with whom she assumed was another officer over the phone.

She didn't think that it would have been possible for him to have become even more handsome. He still had that gentle, boyish aura around him though now he was…stronger, a little more serious, she figured his time as a detective would have done this. He seemed to have grown, his body was bigger though it could have been the suit he wore making it appear that way. His face was still sculpted just as she remembered, his defined cheekbones perfectly set and accentuating his masculine features. And those lips that she knew were so soft and warm were still full and wholly kissable.

Nina sighed and sat back down on the decoral sofa. She instead fixed her gaze outside the large window, there was no point in torturing herself with the sight of him.

When he hung up he turned to her. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, fine. Just a little tired. What was that phone call about?"

For a moment the young detective just stared before opening and closing his mouth a few times. "It was one of my superiors, Mitsui-san is on his way here."

Nina resisted the urge to sigh again at the mention of her husband, by him of all people. She could see the discomfort on his face.

But of course he would be uncomfortable when speaking of a man whose wife he had had an affair with. Even during the time they had been together they had rarely talked about him. Nina smiled up at Takagi, hoping to spare him any further discomfort.

"I see."

She stood and winced, quickly grasping her bandaged arm with her other. Takagi was at her side in an instant. "It's fine." She reassured him. "Not even broken, just a little bruised."

She wished he hadn't given her such an adoring look just then. She was having enough trouble trying to keep her thoughts off of the undeniable feelings she still held for him.

"Maybe you should rest." He said concerned.

She was tired. He knew she was…though she would rather not remove herself from his company if she could avoid it. "No, I, I'm fine…" She closed her eyes, they were so close. She could smell his cologne, not the one he used to wear, but she liked this one just the same. She wanted to reach out and touch him again.

"You must be hungry, the kitchen can make you almost anything, why don't you eat?" She asked.

"Nina, don't worry about me, worry about yourself." For a moment she said nothing. Takagi's eyes widened as she suddenly leaned her head in towards his.

"Mitsui-sama, your mother is on the phone and wishes to speak with you."

She moved away from him so quickly it was like she had never been there. "That was quick." she said to no one in particular as she exited the sun room, the maid close behind her. Takagi stayed rooted to the spot before gingerly stepping forward to follow her. He waited in the hall as Nina conversed over the phone, his thoughts jumping between the case, his partner and Nina. He could have sworn she had just been about to…no, there was no way she still had feelings for him. Not after how he had left her.

He couldn't deny the small spark that ignited in the pit of his stomach when she had embraced him. It was so familiar. He bent over the railing of the upper floor and glanced down the hall to her bedroom. He would have to be careful that no one noticed he knew the layout of the massive house almost perfectly. He looked up when he heard a door open and his partner walked out of the guest room fully dressed. She looked around and her face visibly relaxed when she saw Takagi perched over the railing.

"I thought you were going to get some sleep." Miwako shrugged as she moved next to him.

"No point. I can't sleep without you in the bed." She rarely spoke with such an exhausted voice. He could tell she was still mourning the loss of their alone time. Before he could respond Nina walked back into the hallway and looked between the two officers. Takagi was a little surprised by the flicker of hurt that flashed over her delicate facial features.

"Detective Satou, is the room not to your liking?"

"Oh, no, no!" Satou put her hands up in defense. "To be honest I'm not very tired." It was obvious that she was lying.

Despite this Nina smiled. "Well, then why don't you join your partner and I, we were just going to have a light meal."

Two minutes later the three were seated at a massive dining table. It was all Satou could do to stop herself from gawking at the beautiful dining room. Perhaps even more amazing to Satou was the chef that came out to greet them and ask what they would like to eat. Anything they asked for he could prepare. Miwako was glad she would not have to decide on something as Nina chose their meals for them. It was hard to believe how some people lived.

Nina watched the two officers as they silently and rather politely ate their meals. She had made a point of asking the chef to make his favourites. She slowly ate her food as she watched him. She stifled a giggle at how hard she knew he was trying not to gobble it up too fast. As she had expected, he had been hungry.

A while later Mitsui arrived home just as their plates had been cleared away.

The two police officers stood silently off to the side as the master of the home was greeted by his staff and wife. Takagi stood rigid and neutral as he and Satou were introduced to him by the inspector. Takagi was not surprised that Megure-keibu had personally escorted the CEO home. The man was only in his early thirties but clearly older than Shiratori. He was tall and well built, his dark eyes always focused. He stood with perfect posture radiating a sense of accomplishment and confidence that matched his slightly sharp facial features. His black hair was combed back neatly and his rather expensive looking suit did not have a single imperfection. It was obvious to anyone that he was a man of financial standing and power.

Takagi noticed the slight look he gave Satou as he shook her hand. Next it was his turn. Wataru locked eyes with Nina for a split second as he shook the man's hand. Glad the CEO's utter disinterest in him prevented any notice of the exchange.

Takagi's thoughts were preoccupied as the officers, including himself, Satou, Megure and Shiratori sat with the couple in another lavishly furnished room that seemed to function as a living room. Takagi let his mind wonder as the inspector explained the events of the previous evening in greater detail to the CEO. Throughout his relationship with Nina he had never met the man personally. He was never home. This was of course what had allowed for…what had gone on to happen. He looked to Nina seated beside her husband. You would never know the couple were not happily married. When she locked her eyes with his a second time he saw it.

As he expected, their relationship had not improved since he left her. She has promised him that she was going to try and connect with her husband when he had left but he had always known that was just something she had told him to ease his conscience.

"Though it is unlikely that anything should happen in your home, I would like to ask if you would allow my officers to remain here as guards. I would also ask that at least one of them accompany you when you leave the property." Megure spoke seriously.

"That is acceptable Keibu. I would appreciate the presence of your men until this case is solved, it never pays to not be prepared." The business man said with a strong yet smooth voice. "Though, I would like your word that anything they learn about my companies, shareholders and associated partners be strictly confidential."

"Of course." Megure responded with a curt nod to his detectives. "Sir." They confirmed their understanding.

"Well then if you'll excuse us Mitsui-sama, as you can imagine we have a lot of work to do."

The inspector gave a few more brief instructions to the pair before he and Shiratori left to continue the investigation.

Takagi was surprised when the CEO addressed them. "I trust you have been given rooms."

The two officers nodded. "Yes, thank you very much." Satou said politely. Takagi kept a neutral expression as he graced her with a charming smile. "Excellent. Nina, have the staff close all of the curtains."

"Yes dear, I'll tell them now."

Nothing more was said between the couple as the husband excused himself to his home office. After quietly whispering to one of the maids Nina looked back to the two detectives. Takagi noticed that Miwako was tense, her fists balled tightly at her sides.

"If you'll excuse me detectives, I think I am going to retire for the evening. I suggest you get some rest as well." Nina said quietly. After the officers nodded they silently watched as the young woman left for her own room.

Wataru quickly followed after his partner as she made her way to their guestrooms, not located too far from the room Takagi knew belonged to Nina. Wataru stopped at his own expecting to have a word with Miwako when she continued walking and entered her own room without a word to him. Not sure what to make of it and knowing that something had upset her he entered his own room and closed the door. He jumped slightly when she entered from another door Takagi would have otherwise assumed was a closet.

"Our rooms connect. I checked before."

He had forgotten that some of the rooms were like that. Takagi ran a hand through his hair as he beckoned her over to him. "Did you lock your door?"

"Yes." she answered. He nodded as he locked his own. "Good."

Takagi wrapped his arms around her when she suddenly leaned fully against him. "What is it?" He asked, already having a good guess.

Miwako looked up at him as she smoothed her hands out over his suit. "He didn't even ask her if she was all right. After what his wife has been through tonight." She whispered harshly.

Takagi held her tightly as a response; it wasn't something he was comfortable discussing. I know that's why I…

"I know, but it's not our place to judge, just because that is not how our relationship works." He said smoothly, despite the tangible hypocrisy of the words he spoke.

"Hmm…" was her only response as she pulled away from him. "At least we can sleep in the same bed without anyone knowing." He heard her mutter to herself as she moved around to the other side of the room to go back into her own room. "Be right back, they left something for me to sleep in."

Takagi nodded as he glanced at his own bed and noticed an expensive pair of men's silk pyjamas folded perfectly on top of the covers. Suddenly a thought came to him and he called out that he would be back shortly. He didn't wait for her reply as he stepped back out into the hallway.

Trying to look as natural as possible he carefully scanned the area and when he was sure no one was looking quickly opened one of the double doors that led into Nina's room. He breathed out as he slowly turned around. Just as he faced the interior of the room, Nina stepped out of her bathroom, a pair of silk pyjamas on and her long black hair plated in a loose braid. She halted abruptly in her tracks a look of shock on her face.

For a whole minute the two just stared at each other. Nina was frozen in place. This was so familiar. This was exactly how it had been back then. The two of them, in her bedroom, alone. She felt the tears start to form as he finally spoke.

"Nina, I, I wanted to make sure that you were alright." He whispered.

Nina blinked at the young man, her thoughts clouded over by memories. Memories of how he had held her, kissed her, loved her…in this very room.

Did he not understand he was torturing her by coming in here? If she concentrated hard enough she could still feel his hands on her as he stripped her clothing off before he would crush her against his own naked body.

She felt a tear slide down her face as he crossed the room but before he could envelope her in a tight hug she held up a bandaged hand to stop him. "Wataru, don't touch me." She hissed.

He halted mid-step a look of uncertainty on his face. The reminder of her injured arm only giving him more incesentive. "Nina…"

"Please Wataru, it…it's not like before." She quickly wiped the tear off her pale cheek. "I'm fine."

When he reached out a hand to her she took a step back. "Wataru, if you touch me now…I won't let you leave."

The two stood in a very emotional and uncomfortable silence. Slowly his hand dropped to his side, his mouth was pulled into a thin line, his eyes cast down at the ground.

"Nina…I…"

She fixed him with the best smile she could muster. "It's alright, go to sleep. Please Wataru." The pleading in her voice was enough to make him straighten. "I understand…good night." He uttered quietly. "Good night Wataru." She whispered as he carefully slipped out of her room and back into the hall.

Relieved, Nina turned the light off and collapsed on her bed. She tried to stop the tears but they were soon sliding down her face. Oh Wataru, don't you have any idea how much I've missed you?

With a heavy heart he entered his guest room. He quickly changed into the pyjamas laid out for him and crawled under the covers. He wasn't surprised when Miwako entered through the connecting door and slipped into the bed with him. With only a quiet 'goodnight' she positioned herself up close to him. Takagi placed his arm around her and held her firmly against his chest. He knew this behaviour from her was a rare sign of nervousness.

He tried to ignore his conflicted emotions and sleep. He had a feeling that this case was going to get a lot more dangerous. And Nina…

Wataru's brows furrowed even as he kept a steady hand on Miwako's back.

…Was still in love with him.

File 804 has inspired me to update! I am very excited!

Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter. It did not advance the case plot but we will return to that next time. Thanks for reading. Drop a review if you have any suggestions, thoughts, or concerns!

Takagi/Satou forever!