Nota Bene: My dear readers... Thank you for those wonderful reviews and keep 'em coming. While I don't want to stop you good people from reviewing, can I request ever so nicely that you don't give anything spoilery away when posting any of your gems... plot points, big reveals... that sort of stuff. I don't know if there are new people reading at this late stage (my larger than life ego fervently hopes) but I don't want them to be spoiled just from looking at the reviews (just in case someone else apart from me actually looks at them). Ta and cheers to you all for being so interested in my little o'l story.

Chapter 14

Some man unworthy to be possessor
Of old or new love, himself being false or weak,
Thought his pain and shame would be lesser,
If on womankind he might his anger wreak ;

And thence a law did grow,
One might but one man know ;
But are other creatures so?

Are sun, moon, or stars by law forbidden
To smile where they list, or lend away their light?
Are birds divorced or are they chidden
If they leave their mate, or lie abroad a night?
Beasts do no jointures lose
Though they new lovers choose ;
But we are made worse than those.

Who e'er rigg'd fair ships to lie in harbours,
And not to seek lands, or not to deal with all?
Or built fair houses, set trees, and arbours,
Only to lock up, or else to let them fall?
Good is not good, unless
A thousand it possess,
But doth waste with greediness.

("Confined Love" by John Donne)

It was a bewildered James Beresford that followed a mass of slow moving and equally sour-faced men into an emergency meeting. Having dozed off in his bed and then rudely roused by the blaring ring of the telephone beside him, he was scarcely in any frame of mind to be sociable. But Beresford, in spite of himself, suffered from a human trait that afflicts the human psyche all too commonly... curiosity. Nursing remnants of a hangover, he had been ill-equipped to pose the right questions to an impatient receptionist. Over the phone, he had been given little information about this unscheduled gathering except assurances that it was a "life and death situation" which warranted his attention, and while he was as surly as the next person about having their free time intruded into, the aura of mystery surrounding the matter had an allure about it that was nearly impossible to resist.

He managed to pull aside a fellow conductor to ask, "What's going on my dear fellow?"

The other man did not bother to hide his irritation. "Not sure... something about Chiaki's wife, I think."

"Chiaki's wife?!" Beresford echoed disbelievingly. Nodame? "The pianist?" What does she have to do with the guild?

"Must be... unless he has another wife that nobody knows of until now."

"What's happened to her?"

"Search me... you know as much as I do." was the bellicose reply.

Perceiving that he was going no where with this conversation, Beresford fell silent and indulged in a little internal speculation. It was difficult to imagine how this unassuming young woman would somehow be embroiled in the recent troubles that had besieged the guild. Sure she was Chiaki's wife but what kind of devil would make her a pawn in this diabolical game? Beresford too was surprised at how his interest had piqued when she was mentioned. It was something of a puzzle to him, his growing concern for this strange woman, when he scarcely knew her. However, there was something about her that drew one in... that made one oddly protective of her. The last time he saw her, she had been noticeably distressed.. He had put it to marital problems but now, it seems that there was a lot more going on than he had imagined. Her ties to the guild evidently ran much deeper than his usual source of gossip was able to provide.

As he took his seat amidst the two hundred strong attendees...a heavyset man dressed in a non-descript brown overcoat got up and made his way to the podium.

"Gentleman... and ladies..." He began by saying. "I want to thank each and everyone of you for giving up what little spare time you have this afternoon to be here."

Get on with it man. Enough with the softening up already. A rumble of discontent rippled through the audience.

"My name is Inspector Moser and currently I am investigating a mysterious disappearance, which requires your cooperation. As many of you may have been aware, someone or a group of individuals have been making waves among guild members during this conference using poison pen notes, with the mischievous intention, it would seem, of taking advantage of the tensions within the guild."

Gazing around to see if he had the attention of his audience, Moser paused to let his words sink.

"Earlier this afternoon... things came to ahead."

"Where is Weiss?" Somewhere in the crowd, a thirty-something conductor from the Netherlands whispered surreptitiously into Beresford's ear.

"Not a clue... wasn't he informed?"

"He should've been. He is still the damned president, isn't he?"

"Well yes..." Last time I heard.

"Well then... he should be here... it's his job to look the part and make us look good."

"I suppose."

" I don't like to say this... but he has been acting a little strange lately..."

"You don't say... "

"I've heard rumours that the VSO were threatening to give him the sack."

"No... really..."

"They're only rumours, mind you."

"What you may not know, however, is that this afternoon a young pianist, Megumi Noda Chiaki mysteriously disappeared during a recital she was giving at the Sala Terrena. Many of you may have heard of her and even know her as the wife of your secretary, Mr Shinichi Chiaki. The fire alarm went off at the Sala Terrena earlier this afternoon... only there wasn't a fire and it turned out to be a false alarm. From what we've been able to understand, it appears that she left in a hurry, leaving behind what worldly possesions she had with her – a black tote bag containing music scores and her cell phone. The fire department is certain that none of their people saw her leave so they are at a loss to explain her whereabouts."

"I am now asking if anyone of you know anything because I believe that this matter is somehow related to the events that have taken place in the last few days." At that comment, a murmur of disbelief rippled across the room.

"Yes, it may seem to you farfetched but Mr Chiaki has become the latest recipient of anonymous notes and the timing is compelling to say the least." At this point, the inspector allowed himself another pause.

"Look, ladies and gentlemen, this is not the time for pretence. The last thing I want to do is pry into your private lives but if you happen to know anything that can help our investigation, we will be grateful to hear whatever you have to say."

"Mrs Chiaki's life may depend on it."

"Shinichi... are you alright... son?"

The younger Chiaki sat numbly in the auditorium oblivious of the sympathetic chatter that was going on all around him as the guild members filed out of the room or gathered in their cliques arou nd different areas of the room.

"Huh... what... what did you say?"

"I asked if you were alright."

Engulfed by worry, Shinichi reached his breaking point."My wife's been kidnapped... and it's probably my fault... how do you think I feel?"

"I'm sorry, Shinichi... I'm truly sorry... I had no intention of patronizing you but as a wise man once said, 'a burden shared is a burden halved.'" was his father's calm reply... tinged with a world weary compassion.

The son was shamed into a short spell of silence but spoke again as he was determined to get to the bottom of the man who for many years had abandoned him.

"Dad, why now..."

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you care..."

"You're my son..."

"I've been your son for the last twenty-nine years... so why all this concern right now?"

His father did not answer immediately. A profound sorrow glazed over his eyes before he murmured regretfully. "Twenty-nine years... most of them wasted years... No amount of money or fame in the world will be able to buy them back..."

"Why now..." The son persisted, his eyes fixed onto his father's face.

"Because I can... because I am no longer afraid..."

"Afraid? Of what?"

"Of facing up to my responsibilities. Of finally realizing what it means to have a son."

Shinichi had nothing to say. How could he? For years he had been simultaneously avoiding his father and rehearsingwhat he would say when they finally faced each other. This was not what he had imagined. For his father to be so open with him and confessing so freely his shortcomings... this was not the Chiaki Masayuki that he had grown up fixated on. This Chiaki Masayuki was a man broken and capable of compassion... the kind of father he had fantasized about as a boy and given up on as a young man. It unnerved him because now the onus was on him. Previously it had been easier to blame his father for the way things were between them but right now, his father was taking the initiative to offer him the olive branch.

The emotions that were raging through his mind were many and varied. A part of him was eager to embrace this seemingly genuine gesture of reconciliation but a part of him was fearful of being disappointed as he had been on numerous occasions during his childhood.

"You've changed." was all Shinichi could muster in the midst of the emotional whirlwind he was experiencing.

"Your mother made the same observation."

"Mother? You spoke to mother recently?" Shinichi asked curiously, relieved not to have to commit himself at this point.

"Yes, I did. Heard a rumour that you got married and rang her to confirm it." Masayuki san gave his son a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, the entire conversation was very civilized."

"I didn't think it wasn't." Shinichi mumbled. "I'm just surprised that she even took your call."

"Perhaps we're both getting old and finally realizing how short life is and how ridiculous it is to cling on to these troublesome vestiges of the past."

"Sometimes the past is all some of us have." Shinichi blurted out with some bitterness.

His father nodded sorrowfully. "I know I can't change what happened, Shinichi but I would like to be a part of your future... yours and Nodame's, however much you want me to be."

"Just like that? So we just forget that the past ever happened."

"I don't blame you for being cautious... you have every right to be but I'm here now, Shinichi if you need me."

The sincerity in his father's voice was unmistakable... and irresistible... Shinichi was at his most vulnerable to be sure but more than that it gradually dawned on him why Nodame had been so eager to build that bridge. His father had changed but it wasn't just that he had changed his mind but it was as if his entire personality had gone through a refining process. What the h happened to him? What brought about this change?

Unprepared for where this question could take him, Shinichi ventured else where. "She was so angry. I wonder where that hentai is right now. Maybe she did run away."

"I doubt it. From the little I've seen and heard, there's no doubt that you are her life."

Fighting back the emotions that were welling up inside, Shinichi babbled on distractedly. "She's so reckless, it's hard to know what she'll do sometimes. Even though she has this innate ability to drive anyone crazy, it's... difficult... to imagine life without her."

As if on cue, Chiaki senior remarked, "When I watched her recital the other day, I was struck by how easily she found the emotional core of the piece and drew her listeners in. It was hypnotic and wonderfully arresting."

"She does have that effect on people."

"In fact, it is why you fell in love with her."

At least he understands that much. "You really have changed, Dad."

"And you, son, have grown up."

Beresford was disturbed. Why should he care if the chit of the girl had gone missing? It had nothing to do with him. As Jack had said, the chances of his developing a conscience was slim to none. Nonetheless, that feeling of disquiet that had nagged at him that morning had gradually taken root. Surely it was just a coincidence that Weiss was no where to be seen while Chiaki's blushing bride had mysteriously disappeared.

He turned a critical eye toward the beleaguered husband and wondered how he was holding up. While he could perceive that Chiaki was doing his stoic best to keep a brave face, there was something in his eyes that told a different story. What he saw in them was a man in despair, fearful and utterly helpless.

I was wrong about him... He really does love her. From the looks of things, he does know what is at stake... what he could potentially lose.

In another rare moment of introspection, Beresford allowed himself the luxury of realising how envious he was of this young couple.

What is the hell is wrong with me? I must be getting soft in my old age. If this keeps up at this rate, it won't be long before I'll be headed for the nearest confessional and weep for all the husbands I've sinned against.

Spinning furiously, the ferris wheel was gaining momentum, with no sign of slowing down. Her heart was pounding madly. She could hardly breathe and felt a terrifying tightness around her chest. Clutching wildly around her, there seemed to be no way of stopping it and there she was, its sole occupant, strapped to the seat with no possible escape in sight. Helpless, she tried to scream for help but no sound came out of her lips. Nodame clung on to her seat for dear life as the wheel was threatening to spin out of control. Suddenly the ferris wheel gave a violent rumble and shake, causing the bolts that were keeping it down to rip out of their places. Still whirling madly, it took off like a rocket and headed straight for the stratosphere. Death seemed imminent until she saw a large brown, furry figure sitting in a distant cloud beckoning and calling... Megumi... Chiaki...

Megumi? Gyabo! It's the mongoose... What the.. What's going on?

Megumi... I've come to take you home. (The mongoose was looking particularly grim.)

Home? You mean Japan?

No... no... the place where people go when they die...

Die? I'm not going to die. I'm too young.

It's inevitable, Megumi... you can't escape it...

But... but... I'm not ready... I just got married... I've waited so long to get married... and my career... I've only just begun.

I'm sorry Megumi but your time is up...

Nooooooooooooooo...

Nodame tore open her eyes in violent protest and observed through a dusky haze that she was still on terra firma, clinging with all her might to the side bar of the cabin. Ever vigilant, Her young captor was looking nonchantly over her and patted her on the shoulder.

"Time's up... Mrs Chiaki... the boss is here."

"I don't want to talk to him." She tried to wriggle free of her restraints to make her point.

"Well, it's not up to me... he wants to talk to you. And what he wants, he gets."

"Over my dead body..."

"You know, Mrs Chiaki... I wouldn't say it too loudly. He might just give you what you want."

"I don't care."

Fritiz lowered his voice and looked away quickly. "Ssssssssh... here he comes... just play along as long as you can. It might buy you time."

"Wha..."

Whatever else Nodame had in mind to say, Fritz never found out. For ambling towards them was the instigator of the conspiracy himself, dressed to the nines complete with a hefty picnic basket in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other.

In keeping with the theatrical nature of the affair, he burst onto the scene with all the swagger and drama he could marshall. "Ah my dulcet darling. So sorry to keep you waiting, child. I hope everything is to your satisfaction." He beamed suavely.

Nodame was stunned speechless. He was the last person in the world she would have imagined to be behind this entire business. It was too bizarre for words. Fortunately for her, he seemed only too eager to fill in the silence that marked their encounter.

"I hope you liked my surprise and that Fritz gave you a right royal welcome."

"Muki... he did..." was all that she could mutter.

"Good... good... I apologize for the ropes but I didn't want you to get the wrong idea."

That you're crazy? That some one should lock you up and throw away the key?

"Gya... of course not... Mr Weiss... of course not..."

Author's Notes:

Hi everyone! Needless to say, I have been slack... There's a cool new feature on this site that I've just discovered and it reminded me that I have been very sloooow about updating. But as you all know... there's no rest for the wicked.

Thank you to all the wonderful people who reviewed the last chapter. I'm sorry if I made you feel obligated to do so... but it was good of you and it's always a boon to hear from anyone who reads the stories. I apologize for not responding to each of you personally but please know that I find a great deal of encouragement from each one.