Me: This one will be fun...
GS: I can't wait for the next chapter though.
Me: ... Stop reading my notes.
GS: ... fine.
Me: (laughs) Ok, World, Picup, do your stuff.
Picup and World: Ok!
Disclaimer: The author doesn't own Trauma Center because Atlus does.
Picup: They still can't be real.
World: Are we back on Naomi's chest size?
ITB: Nope, they're real.
Picup and World: ...
oOoOoOo
Delphi: Under Wraps
Pursuit
oOoOoOo
"Dr. Weaver! Dr. Weaver!"
"Dr. Kelso?"
Nozomi looked up from her cleaning, seeing the young man run up to her, his arms waving frantically for her attention. He looked ecstatic, a huge grin on his face, "There's a reporter here to see you Dr. Weaver! He's from a huge company and everything!"
"Calm down for a second," she said, smiling, "Can you tell me a little more about him? I'm a little camera shy..."
Todd tilted his head, "Uh... let me think for a second... dark hair... accent maybe... well, I don't remember what he looked like. He just said he came from Japan to talk with you about the exchange program. I wouldn't blame the medical board for wanting..."
The water stopped and something clattered against the bottom of the stainless steel sink. He cocked his head, "Huh? Dr. Weaver? Is something the matter?"
"No... It's nothing..." she said, waving a hand, but her thoughts were out of control, 'How the hell did they find me?'
"Well, he's waiting for you at the entrance... guess someone told him your shift was over," Todd continued, once again, oblivious to her turmoil. Nozomi remembered the reporters the first time after she got removed from the Japanese Medical Board. The press had been one of the many reasons she took up Delphi's offer without hesitance and once she had arrived, she was sure they would never find her again. Maybe this one had found out about Delphi too.
She sighed, "Alright... I'll see him about this..."
'Yeah right...'
oOoOoOo
Another chase was soon underway as they left Eidoth, disguised as Old Brooks St. Hospital, and she would have to admit, this guy, whoever it was, was persistent. She double checked her seatbelt as Michael sped the car up, not pedal to the metal, but close enough. As the black car swerved through the Mountain Pass, he looked at the rearview mirror.
"...He's still following us. I thought we'd be able to lose him on this mountain road," he said, his eyes turning back towards the road ahead.
Nozomi shook her head, glancing at her side mirror, seeing the headlights still following close behind, "He did come all the way from Japan. Would you want to leave empty-handed?"
"Damn reporters'll do anything for a scoop," he replied, hands clasping the wheel firmly, "He probably wants to build his career on the remains of the 'Devil Doctor'. It isn't often that the Japanese Medical Board expels a doctor for having magical powers."
She shook her head and sighed, knowing it was the truth, but he could at least stop bringing it up. Michael noticed her suddenly silence and, which a smirk, added, "... Or maybe he wants to get under that lab coat of yours and start rumors of his own."
It worked.
Her cheeks turned slightly pink and she looked over at him, laughing lightly, "You're disgusting."
'Well it worked...' he thought, shaking his head, 'Wait... why the hell did I do that now?'
"What makes you think it's me he's after, anyway?" she asked, her laughter dying down, "Maybe he stumbled on your organization; they have a presence in Japan, don't they? Considering all your activity lately--"
"If anyone had found out about us, I'd know," he cut in, eyes shooting towards the rearview mirror again. The car was getting closer and he cursed under his breath. He glanced over at Nozomi again, "If it's all right with you, I believe this situation calls for a little more speed..."
With a curt nod, the car's engine roared as he stepped on the gas. The distance between the two cars grew dramatically, especially as they entered the tunnel in the mountain. It was pitch black, the car's headlights piercing the darkness. His steely blue eyes were focused on the road and he rarely looked back to checked on the tailing car.
"... Are you sure he's a reporter? He could be working for the government," Nozomi commented, but he shook his head, "The FBI wouldn't be so obvious. It's clear he has no idea what he's doing. I've had training, but he's going to get himself killed if he keeps driving like that."
She looked back, noticing what he was talking about. The car was swerving awkwardly on the road, going between lanes as it attempted to catch up on the unfamiliar road. She turned around, her eyes widening when she saw what was approaching at a deadly speed, "Look out! There's a curve ahead!"
"I know that!" Michael snapped. Quickly, he pulled the wheel, the tires screeching as the car turned sharply. Nozomi held onto the door, shutting her eyes as they rounded through the turn and only opening them after they finally cleared the tunnel. Michael hit the breaks, tires screeching once more and he looked back, "...Dammit!"
There was a thundering crash echoing from the tunnel and she opened the car door, stepping out. Smoke started to billow out of the tunnel and she bit her lip. Michael set the car in park and stepped out, shaking his head, hissing, "That idiot ran right into the wall!"
"... Go back," Nozomi said after a moment of watching more smoke rise out of the tunnel.
Michael looked at her sharply, "You don't think you're going to save him, do you!? It's his own fault this happened. Besides, pulling him out of that wreck would be a pain in the ass."
"And how do you think the newspaper will treat this story if he dies?" she asked. He was about to reply, but she just shook her head, "I'm already in enough trouble as it is."
"Tch, doctors... This would be a lot easier if you didn't have a conscience," he grumbled, watching her get back in the car. He got in, taking it out of park and u-turned, "We're getting the hell out of here if he's already black-tagged, understand?"
Nozomi laughed under her breath once more. Man, he was such a sourpuss over these things.
oOoOoOo
Slowly, the vehicle pulled to a stop. She was still pleased at the fact she could save Mr. Makurami after his little accident and that the rescue team had responded. Even if it was that same reporter from the hospital and wanted to drag up her history, it was her job to save him. Nozomi turned to look at Michael, noticing that he was resting against the window, his arms crossed and his eyes closed, most likely catching up on some much needed sleep. He kind of looked... cute.
Nozomi quickly shook her head and tapped his shoulder, "Michael... hey, Michael."
"Hm...?" he grumbled, opening his eyes slowly and looking around.
She smirked, "A little worn out after everything? I wouldn't blame you but how may hours of sleep do you get anyway?"
Michael didn't answer as he opened the car door, got out and closed the door, expecting her to hand him the keys as she stepped out as well. However, instead of handing him the keys, she closed the driver's side door, locked it, and pocketed the car keys. He looked at her, hard but she just glared back, "You're not going anywhere tonight in your condition..."
"I'm not staying here," Michael replied, "I have important experiments to run now and they need to be done as soon as possible."
"That might not happen if you fall asleep at the wheel and get yourself in an accident as well..." Nozomi hissed. Once again, he was about to respond but she cut him off, "And then what happens the police arrive and ID your body if you 'black-tag'? Also, I want to recheck your injuries."
"... Can you put that conscience of yours to sleep?" Michael asked, "Because it's starting to bug the hell out of me."
She rolled her eyes and grabbed his sleeve, dragging him (with some protest) to her apartment. She was going to glad when she could put this all behind her, but for now, she would just have to live with this medical-hating fanatic.
oOoOoOo
Me: That's the end of Chapter 5 (though it's short)! Yay! Time for more fun and torture in the next chapter!
Picup and World: 'Fun and torture'?
ITB: You'll see...
GS: Ahaha... torture... (listens to Fallen Grandeur)
Me: Oh well...
Review because I know you're reading this... (seriously)