"So, what exactly is your relationship with Kurz," Chidori asked as the two women walked towards the ball room, "I mean, are you a couple or something?"

Mao blushed, "We are friends and co-workers, but I do…love him."

Chidori smiled, "Then why not make it an official thing?"

"Because he's a womanizer," Mao laughed, "Besides, having him chase me around is so much fun. What about you and Sousuke? I mean are you enjoying being with him?"

Chidori looked at the floor, "It's…complicated at the moment. I know that sounds like a Facebook relationship status but that's the only way I can describe it. I'm, I'm with Liam right now."

Mao looked at her, "Why? Sousuke loves and adores you."

She looked so sad, "That's just how it has to be for the time being. I do love Sousuke, so everything I do is to protect him. Being with him and having him safe is everything to me, so I just have to do what I need to to make that make that happen," she giggled, "But staying away is hard when he's such an amazing kisser."

They both laughed as they entered the room. Chidori smiled at Mao. She really was beginning to become one of Chidori's good friends. They began greeting people, Mao guiding Chidori like she was a date. On the other side of the room Kurz took time to take in the view that was Melissa Mao and Kaname Chidori. He nudged Sousuke in the ribs and jerked his head in their direction. Sousuke actually had to try to keep his jaw from dropping. She looked beautiful, like a goddess. He'd have to thank Mao later for the dress choice. It accented her long, beautiful legs perfectly and the heels made it so she'd be a bit shorted then him but not by much. He looked around. Chidori had seemed to attract more then just his attention. She'd attracted everyone's. Mao smiled as she stood next to Kurz, who took Chidori's hand and kissed it.

"You both look yummy tonight," he leaned in closer to Mao, "I hope I get to see what's under your dress as well."

Mao's face turned bright red, "The only thing you'll see is my heel going up your ass pervert."

Chidori laughed, "You never seem to learn Kurz," she turned to face Sousuke, "You look spiffy, I mean handsome."

"You…wow," he tried to collect his thoughts, "Beautiful, you look, um. What I mean is, well, wow."

She laughed again, "Way to go Sergeant Smooth."

An arm wrapped around her waist, "You look radiant my dear. I believe Liam is looking for you."

His voice made her jaw clench. That vile man was actually here. She couldn't get away from him. Sousuke grimaced as Leonard excused them and pulled Chidori away. So that was Tessa's older brother. He hated him already. He could see where Tessa got her slightly spoiled 'I-get-what-I-want' attitude. Kurz grabbed his arm as Sousuke went to follow them, giving him a 'not right now' look. Leonard tightened his grip on Chidori's waist, guiding her to meet a few of his colleagues and Liam. Liam placed a kiss on her cheek, taking her out of Leonard's hands. She looked back at Sousuke, who was being clung to by Tessa. She felt her blood pressure rising.

"Excuse me," she said as she pushed out of Liam's arms.

She marched over to Sousuke and Tessa. Pushing Tessa aside slightly, she wrapped her arms around Sousuke's neck, lightly kissing him on the lips. He blushed then smirked as he watched Leonard's face grow angry. Liam looked indifferent. He took he hand in his, taking her to the dance floor, where a few other couples were dancing. He bowed to her, making her smile then pulled her into him. They swayed back and forth for what seemed like forever. She pressed her cheek against his, smoothing the back of his hair with her fingers. Her other hand rested on his chest, safely held by his. His other hand rested on her lower back, just above her rear.

"Mao cut your hair," he noted, "I like it, it looks nice and you look like an angel."

"Thank you," she whispered, "I really am putting you in a lot of danger right now."

He smirked, "Does it look like I care?"

She sighed, "Not really, you always know how to stay so calm."

He kissed her cheek, "I'm a specialist," he teased.

She smiled but said nothing else. He felt so strong, leading her around the dance floor. She noticed Mao dancing with Kurz and smiled. They really did look good together and she could see it in both their eyes, they were in love with each other. Sousuke paused when the ground started to shake. Chidori looked at him, his face looked discomforted. The ground shook again. Everyone looked up as the roof to the ballroom got ripped off. Sousuke pulled Chidori closer to him and ran towards Mao and Kurz. Three AS units stood above them. They scanned the crowd, focusing on Tessa, Chidori and Mao.

"Targets Mao, Tessa and Kaname Chidori sighted," the first AS confirmed out loud, "Targets Tessa and Chidori: Whispered, Melissa Mao: specialist and only woman of the Special Response team and pilot of Advanced Command M9 named Friday."

"You aren't putting your damn mechanical hands on her," Kurz yelled, pulling Mao behind him.

Liam gripped Tessa, "You aren't touching this one either."

The AS unit extended its hand, reaching for Chidori, "STAY AWAY FROM HER," Sousuke screamed.

Sousuke pulled Chidori in front of him, pushing her out of the way of the hand. Kurz pushed Mao under the nearest table, reaching for whatever weapon he could find. Liam grabbed his gun and backed into a corner, making sure Tessa stayed behind him. The three AS units reached again, causing Liam to shoot. The three men were pushed aside. Sousuke reached out for Chidori. She took his hand and he pulled her into him, rolling out of the way of another hand. They looked when the heard a scream.

"MELISSA," Kurz ran towards the AS, getting slammed back into a wall.

He let out a gasp, unable to get up. He watched the first AS unit leave. They heard her scream Kurz's name as it departed. He managed to get up with help from Sousuke and Chidori. He told them he was going to get his AS and follow them. They nod and begin to follow. They all pause when they hear more gun shots.

"TESSA," Liam bellowed, trying to stand.

They ran back to grab Liam, telling him to follow Kurz to the AS units. The other members of the party began to leave, getting ready to help attack. Sousuke keeps his death grip on Chidori. They both went flying as the AS unit slammed its fist into the ground. Sousuke tried to recollect himself as he see Chidori laying on the ground across the room. She blinks a few times, grabbing her head. Her eyes widened as a giant hand moves her way. She rolled out of the way in the knick of time. She noticed she wasn't near Sousuke. Suddenly an arm gripped her waist, pulling her off of the ground.

"We have to move," he ordered, "Chidori come on!"

She pushed him away from her as the hand gripped around her waist, "SOUSUKE," she screamed as it lifted her up into the and began to leave, "SOUSUKE," she reached out her hand to him, tears starting to come down her cheeks.

"NOOOO," he ran after then, reaching for her, "CHIDORI!"

He clenched his fists as he ran towards where they kept AL. Kurz and Liam looked as he sprinted past them. He climbed into AL without changing into his uniform. Kurz and Liam followed closely behind him. The women looked when they heard more then the three footsteps. Mao and Tessa smiled, recognizing the AS units. Chidori dried her eyes so she could see better. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized Sousuke was in the front. He had a knife in his hand, his eyes gleaming green. She reached out for him. Instinctively he did the same.

"SOUSUKE," she screamed at the top of her lungs.

He caught up to the AS unit that had Chidori and plowed into it, stabbing his knife into it's side. He used the other hand to break the hand that held Chidori. He moved them to the side as Kurz shot the AS that had grabbed Mao and Liam tackled the AS that had taken Tessa. The AS that had Chidori broke free of Sousuke and kept going. Tessa and Mao were safe and in good hands so he didn't concern himself with that. He shot at the AS unit again. The shot caused Chidori to go flying.

"CHIDORI," he reached out, catching her in mid-air.

Her head hit the metal with a thump, knocking her out. He shot a final time, making the other AS unit explode. He looked down at an unmoving Chidori and panicked. He headed back towards the others. Once together all three headed back for the base. Sousuke knew who was behind this. Leonard had two other friends with him, each looking at Tessa and Mao. He most have ordered the attack to get the other two so they could…use them to their advantage. It made him sick. As gently as he could her touched Chidori's face. He had no clue what he would do if….he felt something hit AL. He turned around to see another AS unit. He made a mental note and AL made room for Chidori. Sousuke opened the head and placed her inside next to him instead of in back of him then reclosed the head.

The AS unit charged at him. His eyes widened when he realized it looked like Venom. This had to be Leonard's AS. A shot came from behind him, hitting Venom. He made another mental note to thank Kurz. He began to attack, using his knife and fists. Venom put up a good fight but was still no match for Sousuke. Inside the AS Leonard cursed Sousuke, all he wanted was her. He would take her if that's what it really meant. The only reason the other two were taken was to give him enough time to leave plus Liam had double crossed him and he'd never liked Kurz. Sousuke was really starting to piss him off. He took one more blow before deciding he was going to lose this fight. He began to retreat, surprised that Sousuke wasn't following.

"Are you alright," he asked Chidori as she woke.

She rubber her head, "I think so. You saved me."

He smiled, leaning over to kiss her head, "I'll always save you, even if it kills me."