Sorry for the delay folks. As you know, I'm working long hours and working on three stories, so my time is stretched and limited. But, here is the next installment. Things get quite interesting. Also, if you haven't checked it out, read my newest fic "Spy Versus Spy". If you love the OOCness here, you'll love SVS. Well, on with the show.

Chapter Fifteen

Sweat dripped from the top of Kenshin's furrowed brow and rolled down to the tip of his finely shaped chin. Amethyst eyes, usually bright and soft were now wide and dilated like a doe who knew the SUV in front of her would soon be on top of her. His fingers twitched, the only sign this frozen figurine was alive. Those, long, lengthy digits then continued their movement, this time in a more controlled manner, stoking the soft strands of his flaming hair. All he could do was watch his wife take a seat next to a tall, lanky woman and smile demurely. It was as if he was caught in a bad dream in which he was only a witness, never able to change the events occurring before him.

His wife. His mistress. Both in the same room.

"Kenshin," I whispered to him, trying to jog him out of his state. I tugged at his sleeve and said his name again, this time winning his attention.

"My wife is here," he said to me, but it sounded as if it were more to himself.

"I noticed. She's is pretty as you said she was," I commented. I wasn't lying. She was more beautiful than he said, actually. But, in looking at her, it made me wonder what drew the pair together in the first place. Her skin was milky white, her features sharp and angular. Her eyes, though full of love at the moment, were this icy hue…much cooler than the eyes of Kenshin's counterpart, Aoshi. There was a certain calmness about her…like that of a figure carved of ice. So beautiful, yet, so cold, quiet and distant. This was the love of his life.

"Don't be so mean, Kaoru," Kenshin said, facing forward.

"I'm not, she's as pretty as you said. It's just that…"

"It's just what?"

"I wouldn't picture you with someone like her."

"What do you mean by that?"

I sighed and tapped my finger on the file in front of me, reminding Kenshin why were there.

"We can talk about her later. Right now, we have more important things to tend to, ok?" I said to Kenshin. He finally shut his trap and began to sort through his files. It didn't take him long to snap back into reality and work on the task at hand. His face had a slight seriousness to it, his lips in a straight line, his brows forming a scowl, the little worry lines on his forehead making an entrance. No matter what he did, he never looked his age. He was ever-alluring. Even at that moment, I found myself almost writhing helpless in my chair as my arousal grew for him. If I was a little more daring, I would brush these worthless papers off the table, push him onto his back and have my nasty way with him as his wife watched in horror and disbelief. I would do things to him she never dreamt of doing. She would tremble as he called out my name over and over as we fell into the abyss of animal lust and longing.

"Kaoru?"

"Eh?"

"Com'on, stop fooling around. The judge is ready to proceed."

"Oh."

As I had reminded Kenshin only moments before, it was time to get down to business. DeMakey had her claws fully exposed, as well as that heifer, Sanchez. They reminded me of a pack of hyenas; intelligent, but extremely annoying. If they didn't kill you with their cunning, they'd get you with undying persistence.

"Ms. Kamiya, Mr. Himura, is everything ok?" Sanchez asked in a tone reminiscent of a school teacher reprimanding naughty students.

"Yes, your honor," I hissed…as respectfully as possible. I turned to Kenshin, who had seemed to compose himself enough to stop staring at his wife every few seconds.

"Let's see what the prosecution has in store," I whispered as DeMakey rose and began her opening arguments. This was the part of the trial I hated the most. I often had a hard time concentrating at this point because it's usually just a bunch of speculation and psycho-babble put together so elaborately the jury has no choice but to go along with what's being said because they have no idea what any of what they just heard meant. Unfortunately, as an attorney, I had to take note of every detail and prepare to counter it later on.

So, DeMakey went on and on and on about how she would prove beyond a shadow of the doubt that my client had killed his wife and how heinous the victims death was and blah blah, blah… bullshit, bullshit. Kenshin was attentively taking notes, both written and mental. I could see him intense focus. He was going to handle everything. I had faith in his ability to perform under pressure. This had nothing to do with our indiscretions. As Boss told me, he put us together to be a great team. I knew Kenshin had it in him, he just needed to be thrust in the right direction. And when it was his turn to present our opening argument, he rose to the occasion. Of course, the tactic used was not much different than the Prosecution's, but it was always my style to do it with class and in language that the jurors would understand easily. I made them believe in me and understand me before any evidence was presented to them. Kenshin had much the same presence about him. He commanded the audience, drew them in with his words as he painted the picture for the defense.

A loving, faithful husband comes home to find his wife, whom he adored with all his heart, murdered. With all the pain and anguish in his heart, he let out a shrill cry which awoke the neighbors, alerting them to call the police. The grief-stricken husband stumbled through the house and found the murder weapon. Without thinking, he picked it up and began crying…that is how the police found him. How could a man who so loved his wife, kill her in cold blood? That was what we presented to the jury. That's the stage we have set, regardless of the prosecution presenting first. Why? Because instead of boring them to death, we enthralled them within the story, making them a part of the action and emotion. Yes, Kenshin did a wonderful job. So good, in fact, Ms. DeMackey asked for a fifteen minute recess.

"You did an awesome job," I said to Kenshin, patting him on the back like a coach would his star athlete.

"Yes, honey, you were great."

Kenshin and I turned around simultaneously to see Tomoe behind us, leaning against the wooden railing. Up close, I could see her features better. Rosy cheeks accented her pale face while deliciously full, pink lips framed pearly white teeth. She wore a crisp blue button-up shirt against a tan, fitted blazer and tan pants. Her long, raven hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail held together by a dark blue ribbon midway down her back. I'm sure she could have sat on her hair if she wanted. The porcelain doll then turned to me and leaned a bit closer. She extended her hand and smiled genuinely.

"I believe this is the first time we have formally met. It's good to see your face, Kaoru," she said as I took her warm, gentile hand.

"Yes, much the same, Tomoe…though it sometimes feels as though I have known you forever," I said. I wasn't being sarcastic. Kenshin spoke of her so much, I couldn't help but to take note of what he said. So far, it seemed all true. She honestly seemed like a decent woman.

Tomoe's hand released mine and then found its place back in her lap with the other. She slowly tilted her head to the side in a curious manner and batted her lips as though she was trying to calculate a thought in her head. She them chuckled to herself, brushing a stray hair off of her flawless face.

"I'm feel silly for asking…but…what fragrance is it you are wearing? It smells…so familiar," she asked. I had to think about that one. Why would it be odd to ask? Women ask each other this all the time. I couldn't figure it out right away, so I just responded nonchalantly.

"Addict by Christian Dior. It's all I wear," I stated, with a smile on my face.

"I must say, it smells simply intoxicating on you. I swear, I've smelled it before…but I can't remember where."

Oh shit.

I had to think of a comeback rather quickly.

"Well, it is one of Dior's top selling fragrances. I'd be surprised if it wasn't sprayed on you every time you went to the mall," I said with a slight giggle.

"Hmmm, I suppose you are right. It's still very becoming," she commented, as if truly not satisfied with my answer. I knew what she was thinking. I simply knew it. My perfume…she had smelled it on Kenshin. Well, that's a given…he and I work very closely together. She had to take that factor into consideration.

What she also had to take into consideration were the lies he may have told her…of who he was with when he was really with me. If he told her, "Well, I'm going out with the fellas," and smelled like a female when he came home, there's a good chance he was lying about who he was hanging with.

"Well, I thank you for your compliment. I don't mean to cut this short, but Kenshin and I need to discuss a few things before we reconvene. I trust we will speak again soon," I said to Tomoe, not a hint of hesitation in me cool voice.

"How about lunch today?" She quizzed.

"Lunch in court is just another meeting to go over what happened in the morning and prepare for the afternoon session. I promise, we will talk soon, you seem anxious to speak with me and I can't wait to get to know you better," I said. Of course, the latter was a lie, but she didn't have to know that.

"Very well. Kenshin, Kaoru," she said, bowing to each of us respectfully and then reclaiming her original seat.

I turned to Kenshin. His face was bright red, though he held little emotion on the surface. I patted him on the shoulder and redirected his attention to the trial. In all actuality, I needed someone to pat my shoulder and wake me up, for I had to be dreaming. As much dirt as I had done, never had I encountered a situation quite like this. As much as I tryiedto control it, the other players broke from their strings and performed their own monologues. What started out as another pursuit of another handsome man had turned into a circus with me as the ringleader with a broken megaphone. I had to finally concede that I had no clue what was going to happen next. I had to admit that perhaps, this would get messy and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. But, I could still try.

After all, what's life without challenges?