Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Shikamaru normally got along well with his coworkers. You had to learn to play well with others when working at a law firm. After all, the bosses were lawyers. No one was dumb enough to piss one off.

He usually never encountered a problem. His boss and mentor, Asuma, recently assigned him to work a new case.

Family law.

Shikamaru wasn't familiar with family law. Asuma assured him that the head lawyer was the best. He would learn a lot. It was a great experience.

Shikamaru sighed but went as he was told.

Temari was a no nonsense woman. She ran a tight, yet effective, ship. She was intimidating, standoffish, and smart.

True to Asuma's words, Shikamaru did learn a lot. Once he got over his initial fear of approaching her, Temari was very knowledgeable.

Their team worked well on the case.

There was just something that bothered him. Like a small tickle in the back of his brain.

Temari used the bathroom. Frequently.

At first Shikamaru didn't pay much attention. Lawyers drank a lot of coffee. They worked long hours to collect evidence and poke holes in their opponents statements.

He shrugged it off as having too much caffeine.

Until one day when their team and a few other lead lawyers sat together to discuss the case. Temari did most of the presentation. She answered all the questions.

Then she suddenly announced that all further inquiries would be answered by him. Shikamaru was floored.

He knew he hadn't impressed her that much. Why was he suddenly in charge of answering questions?

Then she got up from her seat and walked out. No one batted an eye. The meeting continued on like nothing changed. Shikamaru answered questions. The other lawyers seemed happy.

By the time Temari returned the meeting was wrapping up. The lawyers shook each other's hand and deemed the case in excellent hands.

They won the case.

Shikamaru returned to Asuma for his next case. He happily informed him that Temari requested his aid for her next case.

Shikamaru was puzzled. "But why?"

"Guess she likes your work ethic."

Shikamaru gave him a blank stare.

Asuma laughed. "Her report stated you were fast. You asked few questions and didn't need a lot of instruction."

Shikamaru wasn't convinced. But she was paying well so he thought 'what the hell'.

This case was proving to be a lengthy one. He grew pretty friendly with the team.

He also noticed how often Temari left the office. Sometimes she would verbally say 'I'm going to the bathroom' and other times she just walked out.

Shikamaru didn't chalk it up to caffeine.

Was she doing drugs?

Meeting with a boyfriend?

A secret spy?

If Shikamaru didn't know any better he would assume her kidneys were failing. What reason could a person have for going to the bathroom so often?

He later got his answer.

The team was staying late pouring over their notes. Temari was pacing around the room. Speaking out loud to everyone.

"We need more information about the father. As well as the uncle."

"They're MIA at this point. Last time anyone saw them was 4 months ago at a wedding." Sasuke replied.

"I'm sure the grandmother could enlighten us."

"That sounds mildly like a threat." Shikamaru yawned.

"Only if they have something to hide."

Everyone grumbled under their breaths.

Temari placed down her folder. "I want 2 new ideas by the time I come back from the bathroom."

Loud groans. Followed by shuffling paper and a coffee refill. Shikamaru's brain was no longer thinking about the case. It was trying to come up with a reason for Temari's frequent bathroom trips.

As Temari walked past him and toward the door Shikamaru had an idea. It was supposed to stay in his head. His mouth had other ideas.

"Geez what are you, a diabetic?"

"Yup," Temari purposely popped the 'p' and left the office.

Shikamaru felt his entire body heat up with embarrassment. He started to sweat. His heart racing in his chest.

Oh fuck.

That was insensitive.

HR was gonna have his ass on a silver platter.

Shit.

Asuma would be disappointed.

Temari would probably throw him out the window.

He was fired. He just knew.

No one else seemed to notice as Shikamaru internally panicked. They continued to work.

Shikamaru was frozen in his seat. His brain had shut down.

When Temari returned from the bathroom she let everyone go home. A good night's sleep would help everyone think of fresh ideas. No one complained.

Shikamaru collected his things and ran out of the building.

He did not sleep that night.

The next morning he dragged himself to the head of the HR department. He felt awful. He looked awful. His parents would disown him after today.

He knocked on the door and entered once given permission.

"Good morning! How…oh wow um are you ok? You don't look so good?"

Shikamaru gave her credit for trying to remain polite.

"I need to report something."

Sakura shuffled some papers around and grabbed a pen. She gestured to the empty seat in front of her desk.

Shikamaru sat down. He closed his eyes. Sighed heavily. Then he described his screw up from last night. After his speech was done he finally made eye contact with Sakura.

She looked confused.

"Um, have you spoken to Temari about this?"

Shikamaru shook his head. "No. She's probably going to march her way here as soon as she clocks in. I just wanted to give my version before any misunderstanding could happen."

Sakura slowly nodded her head. "Right."

Shikamaru stood up from his seat. "Thank you for listening. I will report back to Asuma. I'll keep a look out for an update."

Then he left.

Sakura was left puzzled and amused. She called Temari into her office. She knew the older woman was already working.

Temari was equally confused when she arrived at Sakura's office. As far as she knew she held no complaints against her. She hadn't made an employee cry in the past 2 months.

She got straight to the point.

"What's this about?"

"Are you having any problems with your employees?" Sakura asked.

Temari raised her brow. She remained silent.

Sakura accepted her answer. "Shikamaru Nara is currently working for you. He's new to your group right?"

Temari's response remained the same.

Sakura nodded her head. "I thought as much." Sakura laughed lightly. "Shikamaru is under the impression he has greatly offended you. He thinks you're gonna report him to, well me, for a comment he made."

Temari blinked. "If I had a problem I would deal with it myself."

"I know. I think this misunderstanding is a bit funny."

"What's he so worried about?"

"Your diabetes."

Now Temari understood what happened. She rolled her eyes.

"Oh good lord. He really thinks that would upset me?"

Sakura shrugged her shoulders. "It's a fair concern."

Temari shook her head. "I guess I can't fault him too much. Really the entire building knows, I'd just assume Asuma told him. Or he heard word of mouth."

"Maybe talk to him. He seemed really bothered by it."

Temari waved off Sakura's suggestion. "I think I'll wait. Make him sweat a little."

"That's mean." Sakura laughed a bit.

"Anything else?"

"No. You're still in the clear."

Temari bid Sakura goodbye and left her office.

Temari had planned to rile up Shikamaru. Tease him. Maybe make him do some grunt work. But she didn't get to. He refused to work on the case. He was waiting for some sort of punishment from HR.

He took the fun out of everything.

Temari called a meeting with Asuma, Shikamaru, and Sakura. She needed her group back in order. She would mercilessly tease him later.

Sakura was more than happy to set the record straight.

"So first thing, Temari, is there anything you would like to say?"

Temari glared at Sakura's cheerful smile. "I am a diabetic."

Asuma seemed a bit confused. He wasn't told why he was needed at the meeting. Clarity slowly morphed into his face. He began to chuckle embarrassingly.

"Oh did I forget to mention that?"

Shikamaru glared at his mentor. "Don't you think that's important information to share?"

"But…I mean…I just," Asuma spluttered. (Not a very fitting look for a lawyer.) "The entire office knows. The cleaning crew knows!"

Temari nodded.

Sakura gave Shikamaru a gentle look. "In a different circumstance, yes, someone would have taken offense to that comment. I'm glad you came to me first. No harm done."

"Exactly. Now stop pouting Nara. We have a bastard to throw in prison."

Temari stood up from her seat and left the meeting. Sakura sighed and began to shuffle some documents around and waved the gentlemen away. "Don't worry I won't make this an official report. It'll just be a small note for me."

"Thanks a bunch Sakura." Asuma patted Shikamaru on the back. "I believe you're wanted elsewhere."

"How troublesome."

Shikamaru returned to Temari's team like nothing happened. She didn't acknowledge the mishap. She didn't tell anyone else on the team why he was away. They just picked up where they left off. It amazed Shikamaru how Temari just went on like nothing happened.

He still felt bad about the comment.

While everyone else was packing up to go home, Shikamaru walked up to Temari and asked to speak with her. She accepted and they stepped into her office.

Both took a seat and Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"I know Sakura said you weren't offended but I still want to apologize to you."

"There's no need."

He shook his head. "I went about the situation all wrong. I should have come to you about my concerns. I also didn't want to butt my head into something that may have been a private issue for you. I am sorry."

Temari couldn't help but feel the corner of her lip turn up. "Alright Nara, since you feel so bad about this, I accept your apology. Should I also kiss your forehead to make you feel better?"

Shikamaru's embarrassment was replaced with mild annoyance. "No need."

"Go home and get some rest. I plan on putting you through the ringer tomorrow."

Shikamaru went home feeling much better. She was definitely one of the most troublesome women he had ever met. He looked forward to working with her on many more cases.

When 1 tiny idea pops into your brain and you have to force out some sort of plot XD. I haven't had much time to do any writing, work is killing me. Until next time!