DISCLAIMER: (checking bank account) Nope, STILL don't own it.
A/N: I went back into the previous chapters and "fixed" the problems pointed out to me, so I hope it eliminates some of the confusion.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
Author: (dressed in flame-proof armor, typing & drinking tea)
Shizuru Viola: I died? (reaches for author's tea)
Author: Don't touch my tea and yes, you died back in chapter 4.
Shizuru Viola: (retracts hand away from author's tea) I'm alive in chapter 6?
Author: (moves tea away from Shizuru Viola) No, she is. (points to Shizuru Fujino snuggling with Natsuki Kuga on author's couch)
Natsuki Kruger: (hands Shizuru Viola author's tea) What are you going to do with her? (points to Natsuki Kuga)
Author: (glares at Natsuki Kruger) I think Fujino-san has that well in hand.
Natsuki Kruger: (rolls eyes)
Nao: (smacks author upside back of head) What's the big idea writing me like THAT?
Author: (rubs back of head) I needed a villain. You were perfect.
Nao: (glares at author) My fans want to kill you.
Author: (smiles at Nao) I know.
Nao: (raises one eyebrow & glares at author) You don't seem too worried about it.
Author: (shrugs shoulders) Just more fans that want my head on a platter.
Nao: (laughs) Oh yeah, your other series.
Author: (glares at Nao) Meh. Who would've thought Amane had so many fans?
Nao: (serious) Did my…that…scene have to be so…ummm...
Author: Graphic? Yes. I wanted to show the depths of your madness. Here, give this to DemonicTwister and ManiazAzn (hands Nao two cups of Shizuru Fujino's "special" tea).
Nao: (hands DemonicTwister and ManiazAzn their tea)
Author: That should help with the pain.
Headquarters
PRESENT
Yukino sits behind her desk peering over her glasses at two of her best agents.
"So, you two just barely missed The Red Spider in Japan?" asks Yukino.
"Yes," answers Shizuru and Chie in unison.
"She's somewhere in Germany? In the same country as The Ice Wolf?" asks an extremely concerned Yukino.
"Yes," answers Shizuru and Chie in unison.
"Well then, what are you two still doing here?" asks Yukino frustrated.
Shizuru and Chie quickly take their leave and are on the private plane to Germany.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO
In C.O.D.E.'s state-of-the-art medical facility, Chie was busy recuperating from her injuries.
"How are you feeling today?" The tall blonde nurse asked Chie.
"Much better, now that you're here," Chie flirted and flashed her most charming smile.
Chie eyes the nurse's name tag, 'Linda.'
"Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort?" Linda asked trying to maintain her professional demeanor and ignore her patient's flirting.
"Why, yes," Chie answered.
"Where and how severe is it?" Linda asked.
"Right around here…," Chie said as she swept her hand around her chest area.
Linda began lightly pressing various areas to locate the source of the pain.
"Here?" Linda asked.
"No," Chie responded.
"Here?" Linda asked.
"No," Chie responded.
This went on for a bit. Linda grew frustrated in her inability to locate the source of Chie's pain.
"Try pressing here," Chie said taking Linda's hand and placing it over her heart, while bringing the nurse down to her.
Chie looked deep in Linda's eyes and closed the gap between their lips. Chie wrapped her arms around Linda and pulled the blonde on top of her.
"I see you're feeling better," Natsuki said after loudly clearing her throat.
Linda quickly raised herself off Chie, buttoned the buttons Chie managed to undo, and left the room; avoiding eye contact with Natsuki.
"Thanks a whole bunch Ice Wolf," Chie said sarcastically and added, "Do you know how long it's been?"
"You'll live," Natsuki chuckled.
"Thanks to you," Chie flashed a huge smile.
"I'm happy we didn't lose another good agent," Natsuki smiled back.
"It's going to take a whole lot more than some stupid spider to kill me. There are still too many pretty ladies I haven't met yet," Chie joked and blatantly checked out the short brunette nurse who entered the room.
"Well, The Red Spider is no longer a threat to us. I shot and killed her back in Japan," Natsuki said.
"I'm sorry, but we need to finish this patient's examination," The short brunette nurse said to Natsuki.
"Okay. I'll come by again," Natsuki said and left the room.
As Natsuki walked away from Chie's room, she heard the sound of metal crashing. Natsuki shook her head and smiled.
In Yukino's private suite, Yukino was lying in Haruka's arms, cuddling in bed together.
"I missed you," Yukino said as she looked in Haruka's eyes.
"I missed you too," Haruka said and firmly kissed Yukino.
Their kiss deepened and Haruka wrapped her arms around Yukino. Haruka gently turned over, putting Yukino underneath her. Yukino's head fell back as Haruka kissed the side of Yukino's neck.
"Haru, yes, yes," Yukino moaned as she gripped Haruka's back.
"Yuki, I love you so," Haruka whispered and cupped Yukino' cheek.
Several hours later, the lovers cuddled together, basking in the afterglow.
"Haru? Would you consider leaving field work?" Yukino asked as she ran her fingers through Haruka's hair.
"Why?" Haruka asked stunned.
"The last three months apart from you were especially difficult," Yukino answered shyly.
"What would I do?" Haruka asked.
"I need a new secretary…," Yukino began and abruptly stopped when she caught the look on Haruka's face.
"I like field work," Haruka said, leaned down, and kissed Yukino firmly on the lips.
"I understand. I just thought I'd ask," Yukino said sadly.
In Natsuki's apartment, Natsuki was bored. She spent the past three months close to headquarters in order to keep an eye on Chie. Chie made a remarkable recovery. After Chie completed the mandatory counseling sessions, she immediately requested a new assignment and was sent somewhere in the Middle East. Now that Chie was on assignment, Natsuki was anxious to get back in the field as well.
As Natsuki approached 'L's' office, she was surprised to find a strange young woman seated behind 'L's' secretary's desk.
"Hello. I'm here to see 'L,' Natsuki said.
"Who may I ask are you?" Mai asked.
"The Ice Wolf," Natsuki answered obviously irritated.
"You're an agent?" Mai asked in a skeptical tone.
"Yes, I'm an agent," Natsuki raised her voice.
"Let me see," Mai said absently as she checked the agent roster.
Natsuki shook her head in frustration and asked, "Where is…."
"Retired," Mai said cutting Natsuki off and added, "My name is Toki, her replacement."
Natsuki rolled her eyes.
"Please be patient with me. This is my first day," Mai said without looking up from the agent roster and quipped, "And don't roll your eyes at me."
Mai located Natsuki's name and rang Yukino. Mai motioned for Natsuki to enter Yukino's office. As Natsuki entered Yukino's office, she saw Yukino was not alone.
"Sorry, I thought you were free," Natsuki apologized and turned to leave.
"Ice Wolf, please come in and have a seat," Yukino said.
Natsuki turned around and approached Yukino's desk. As Natsuki got closer, her eyes widened with surprise.
"Ice Wolf, you remember Ms. Fujino?" Yukino asked.
"Y-y-yes," Natsuki sputtered and thought, 'That was smooth.'
Shizuru stood and extended her hand. Natsuki just stared at Shizuru.
"Ice Wolf, nice to see you again," Shizuru said bringing Natsuki out of her stunned state.
"Yes," Natsuki said and finally shook Shizuru's hand.
Natsuki sat in the seat next to Shizuru in front of Yukino's desk.
"A bit surreal Ice Wolf?" Yukino asked as she watched Natsuki steal glances at Shizuru.
"Huh? Oh, yes," Natsuki stammered.
"I was telling Ms. Fujino she could be the late Special Investigator Viola's identical twin," Yukino said.
"Ara, as far as I know, I do not have a twin sister," Shizuru said and added, "I must remember to ask my parents about this, the next time I speak to them."
"What are you doing here?" Natsuki asked.
"I am here to check on Nao-chan," Shizuru replied.
"She's dead," Natsuki growled.
"Ara, I understand that. Do you not remember it was my shoulder you shot through to kill her?" Shizuru said trying to control the anger in her tone.
"I didn't hit anything vital and you're still alive," Natsuki said flippantly.
"Ikezu," Shizuru said under her breath.
"Anyways, you were helping her," Natsuki accused.
"Nao-chan claimed to be a C.O.D.E. agent and there was no reason for me to doubt her," Shizuru countered.
"Why are you on such familiar terms with the deceased Red Spider?" Natsuki asked pointedly.
Shizuru blushed and answered Natsuki's question. She shot a look of utter disgust at Shizuru.
"Ano, it was not like that," Shizuru said sternly.
"The blush in your cheeks says otherwise," Natsuki chuckled.
"Ara ara, Nao-chan and I went out a few times, nothing more," Shizuru defended and thought, 'Why do I feel the need to defend myself to this rude woman?'
This seemed to defuse Natsuki's anger and her demeanor returned to normal.
"I didn't come here to talk about the late Red Spider. I'm here for a new assignment," Natsuki said.
"Perfect timing Ice Wolf," Yukino said and smiled devilishly.
"Where to, 'L?'" Natsuki asked brightly.
"Here. Ms. Fujino requires an armed escort while she conducts business here in Switzerland," Yukino stated.
"HER?" Shizuru and Natsuki exclaimed in unison.
"I'm not a baby sitter," Natsuki protested.
"Ara ara, I would prefer a more…refined agent. I would not want this heathen to cause an international incident," Shizuru said.
"Heathen?! Who you calling a heathen?! International incident?!" Natsuki abruptly stood up and yelled.
"Ice Wolf, sit down and stop yelling," Yukino instructed sternly.
"International incident my ass," Natsuki mumbled as she reluctantly sat down.
"Ms. Fujino, unfortunately, Ice Wolf is my only available agent," Yukino apologized.
"Fine, she'll have to do," Shizuru pouted as she glared at a fuming Natsuki.
Between learning to recognize all the players, the protocol, and Shizuru's demanding schedule, Natsuki's first week of duty proved daunting and extremely frustrating. Having to live in Shizuru's penthouse suite just added to Natsuki's stress level.
'At this rate, this duty is going to kill me and not from the possibility of being shot, but the high blood pressure she causes,' Natsuki thought and rolled her eyes, as Shizuru lectured her on protocol for the umpteenth time.
"Ara, and don't roll your eyes at me," Shizuru concluded.
"Yes, Ms. Fujino," Natsuki said sarcastically.
Shizuru narrowed her eyes at Natsuki. Natsuki sighed deeply and walked into her bedroom, locking the door behind her.
"Get back out here. I am not finished with you," Shizuru said through Natsuki's bedroom door.
"Good night Ms. Fujino," Natsuki yelled through the bedroom door.
Shizuru stood outside Natsuki's bedroom door for a bit, waiting for Natsuki to come back out. When Natsuki showed no signs of returning, a fuming Shizuru walked into her bedroom.
The next morning, Natsuki woke dreading the day ahead. She knew Shizuru was still upset from the night before and would more than likely make Natsuki's life difficult. As she prepared for the day, Natsuki pondered the events from the previous night.
'Damn, how the hell did I know the guy was royalty? Okay, yeah, maybe the royal get-up and sash thing were clues, but still. The guy was completely out of line when he put his hands on her ass,' Natsuki fumed to herself. 'I guess I didn't have to throw him in the swimming pool by the seat of his pants, but it was pretty funny.'
Natsuki emerged from her bedroom dressed in a black suit with a burgundy dress shirt. Shizuru was seated at the dining area table with her barely touched breakfast in front of her, drinking tea, and reading a bound report. She was dressed in a light purple business skirt suit.
"Good morning Ms. Fujino," Natsuki said as she poured herself a cup of tea.
Shizuru glanced up slightly from her report to acknowledge Natsuki, but remained silent. She quickly returned to reading her report. Natsuki shrugged her shoulders and sat down at the table. She began eating her breakfast, which had grown cold from sitting out since Shizuru sat at the table, one hour ago. Shizuru glanced up from her report and watched Natsuki eat the obviously cold breakfast. Natsuki was enjoying her breakfast and oblivious to Shizuru. Natsuki quickly finished her cold breakfast, downed the last of her tea, and left the penthouse suite.
'Where did that rude woman run off to now?' Shizuru thought. 'She had better be back in time for my meeting.'
Natsuki returned ten minutes later with a large coffee in her hands, reading the morning paper. She sat down at the dining area table without acknowledging Shizuru.
"That stuff will kill you," Shizuru said flatly.
"No more than this duty," Natsuki replied sarcastically and added, "But at least I'll die happy."
Without looking up, Natsuki knew the look Shizuru was giving her.
Natsuki sat in a chair a few feet away from Shizuru's business meeting waiting for it to conclude. Natsuki wished she could be doing something, other than just sitting there, but Shizuru confiscated Natsuki's palmtop computer the first time Natsuki pulled it out during a meeting. As Natsuki was praying to Kami for a quick death, a lovely young woman entered the office.
"Hello father. I apologize for interrupting your meeting, but you are urgently needed in the other room."
"Thank you Catherine. Ms. Fujino, this is my daughter and right arm, Catherine. Catherine, this is the head of the Fujino Corporation."
"Hello Ms. Fujino," Catherine smiled.
"Hello Catherine," Shizuru said.
Catherine watched her father leave the room. She smiled at Shizuru and spotted Natsuki. Catherine walked over to Natsuki and began speaking to her. Shizuru strained to hear their conversation, but she was too far away to hear anything except the occasional flirty laughter from Catherine. Shizuru knew from Catherine's body language the young woman was definitely flirting with Natsuki. Natsuki was more difficult to read. Shizuru narrowed her eyes at the two women as she watched them.
Shizuru's business meeting concluded soon after the man returned. Natsuki expected the limousine ride back to the hotel to be as silent as the ride to the meeting, but Shizuru spoke as soon as the doors shut.
"What did you think of Catherine?" Shizuru asked.
"She was lovely," Natsuki said and smiled.
"Ah," Shizuru said.
"What? Now what did I do wrong?" Natsuki asked exasperated as she crossed her arms in defiance.
"Nothing, your behavior was exemplary," Shizuru stated.
Natsuki sat across from Shizuru with her arms crossed staring at the older woman, trying to figure out if Shizuru was being facetious.
Two weeks later in her penthouse suite, Shizuru informed Natsuki they would be attending a formal party that evening and Shizuru needed a date.
"A date? You want me to find you a date? With this short notice?" Natsuki asked incredulous.
"Hai. I do not wish to have a repeat of the swimming pool incident, so I think a date would deter anyone from placing their hands where they should not be," Shizuru answered and giggled.
In her head, Natsuki ran through the short list of eligible men she knew, but Natsuki knew none of them would be presentable in Shizuru's eyes.
"I'm sorry, I don't know any eligible men good enough for you," Natsuki said.
"None?" Shizuru asked and smirked.
"None, sorry," Natsuki said oblivious to Shizuru's smirk.
"Well then, you shall be my date for the evening," Shizuru announced.
"Me? No way. I'm your armed escort. I can't be your date," Natsuki said.
"Why not? What better way to keep a watchful eye on me, than on the dance floor?" Shizuru said and twittered.
"No way! I do NOT dance," Natsuki protested.
"Ara ara, you will be fine. I will lead," Shizuru teased and hurried into her bedroom to get ready.
"Like hell you'll lead," Natsuki yelled at Shizuru's retreating figure.
As Natsuki put on her modified man's tuxedo, she remembered the magical night in Monte Carlo. She smiled as a tear ran down her cheek and finished dressing. As usual, Natsuki was ready to leave before Shizuru. Natsuki sat on the couch and sighed deeply.
'I hope her highness isn't planning on being too late,' Natsuki thought as she looked at her wristwatch.
Shizuru emerged from her bedroom dressed in a slinky black evening gown with a slit up the back. The plunging neckline was tastefully covered with sheer black lace meant to tease and tantalize. The back plunged down to Shizuru's lower back, exposing the sensitive area. Natsuki stood and gaped at Shizuru. Natsuki was speechless, but so was Shizuru, as she stared at Natsuki. Both women stood silently staring at each other for a few minutes.
"S-s-shall we go?" Natsuki managed through the lump in her throat.
Shizuru nodded her head. As they walked out of the penthouse suite, Natsuki placed her hand on the small of Shizuru's back to lead her forward, causing Shizuru to shudder.
As they approached the ballroom, Shizuru glanced down and noticed how Natsuki's leather pants hugged her ass perfectly. Shizuru lustfully smiled at the sight. As they walked in to the ballroom, Shizuru slipped her arm into Natsuki's and led them in. Almost immediately, Shizuru was swarmed by the men and a few women. The crowd of admirers managed to separate Shizuru from Natsuki. Natsuki kept a watchful eye on Shizuru as the older woman danced with scores of men. Shizuru never took her eyes off Natsuki the entire night. Natsuki fended off several women over the course of the evening. Shizuru waited for Natsuki to ask her to dance, but Natsuki wasn't dancing with anyone, until a certain lovely young woman arrived at the party extremely late.
"Hello again," Catherine said to Natsuki as she slid next to the raven-haired woman.
"Hello, Catherine," Natsuki said and smiled.
"You look very nice tonight," Catherine purred.
"Thank you. You look quite lovely as well," Natsuki said.
"Are you dancing tonight?" Catherine asked.
"Not tonight," Natsuki answered.
"Why not?" Catherine asked.
"I'm working," Natsuki said and pointed to Shizuru.
Catherine looked over at Shizuru who was dancing with a man, but glaring at the two women.
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you danced one dance," Catherine said as she took Natsuki's hand and pulled a reluctant Natsuki on to the dance floor.
Unbeknownst to most, Natsuki was an accomplished dancer. She whirled and enchanted Catherine on the dance floor through three fast dances. Catherine would not let Natsuki leave the dance floor. The fourth song was a slow one. As Natsuki was about to leave the dance floor, Catherine pulled Natsuki back and snuggled against Natsuki. They danced close. Both women had their eyes closed as they swayed to the music, so they couldn't see the hard glares Shizuru was shooting them from across the room. Shizuru was now visibly jealous. The fifth song, another slow one, started up and Catherine held on to Natsuki tightly. Natsuki got the hint and continued dancing.
"Ano, may I cut in?" Shizuru asked as she tapped Catherine on the shoulder.
Catherine ignored Shizuru and held on to Natsuki tighter, but Natsuki stopped dancing to allow Shizuru to cut in.
"Sure," Natsuki said and stepped away from Catherine, thinking Shizuru wanted to dance with Catherine. Natsuki started to leave the dance floor.
"No, I wish to dance with you," Shizuru said and grabbed Natsuki's wrist.
Shizuru took a stunned Natsuki in her arms and began dancing. Once Natsuki regained her senses, she swept Shizuru into her arms and held the older woman close as they danced.
"Ara, you didn't tell me you were such a wonderful dancer," Shizuru said and looked into Natsuki's eyes.
"It's not something I put on my résumé," Natsuki teased.
"You should reconsider," Shizuru teased back and snuggled her face into Natsuki's neck, breathing in Natsuki's cologne.
After the dance finished, Shizuru kept Natsuki by her side and away from Catherine.
When Shizuru and Natsuki arrived back at the penthouse suite, they were unconsciously holding hands. Natsuki dropped Shizuru's hand to unlock the front door and let them in. Natsuki took Shizuru's wrap and hung it up. When she returned, Shizuru moved close to Natsuki.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening," Shizuru said and hugged Natsuki.
"You're welcome. I had a pretty good time myself," Natsuki said and hugged Shizuru back.
The two women stood close, looking into each other's eyes. Shizuru looked at Natsuki's lips and felt desire wash over her. Through heavy-lidded eyes, Shizuru looked back into Natsuki's eyes and leaned in closer. Their lips got closer and closer. Shizuru parted her lips a little as she tilted her head to one side in anticipation. They could feel each other's warm breath against their lips and a loud knock on the door startled them apart.
"This better be damn good!" Natsuki yelled as she flung open the door.
"And a good evening to you too."