GL Sandborn wrote:


 >                          The Wild, Wild East
 >                       Chapter 5 - Run, Run Away

         Cue Flock of Seagulls!

 >                          by GL Sandborn
 >
 >
 >     "Miyabi-san, is there no word yet?" Aoi asked as her guardian
 > entered the family room where she and Kaoru had been patiently waiting.
 >     "I'm sorry, Lady Aoi," Miyabi said bowing.  "I was just speaking

         said, bowing

 > with your mother.  She has taken an unusual interest in this case."
 >     "Mother?" Aoi gasped.  "I... I thought Mother was following the
 > Sakuraba Group's decision not to get involved."

         Was that a 'surprised' gasp or an apprehensive one?  Hm...

 >     Miyabi cleared her throat, averting her eyes as if this were
 > something of a secret.  "Your mother has not always... not always agreed
 > with the decisions of the group."

         "Thirty days of darkness!  Rivers and seas boiling!  Dogs and 
cats,
*living together*..."

 >     Kaoru blinked as he looked between the two women.  "Aoi's mother
 > acts independently of the Sakuraba Group?" he muttered.

         Sug:  "he wondered under his breath"

 >     Miyabi, however, clearly heard his voice.  "As much as it pains me
 > to say, Aoi's mother has often displayed a streak of individual

         <gaijin mode> My, what an... insult.  </gm>

 > thought."  She looked at Aoi with a strange little smile.  "Much like
 > her daughter."

         Heh.  What is scandalous behavior for a settled matron of the 
Sakuraba
appears to be a bit more indulged in ojou-sama.

 >     Aoi's hands quickly covered all but her eyes.  Kaoru couldn't be
 > sure but it looked to him like she was hiding a little smile of her own
 > behind those hands.  She was obviously pleased with the thought of her
 > mother being so much like herself.

         "So I DO have genetics to blame it all on!"  :)

 >     It also explained why her mother allowed Aoi-chan to stay with him
 > when it was obvious the group would be most displeased.

         That, and her mother also understands (or so I suspect) that when
breaking the most spirited horses, sometimes the 'discipline' approach
siimply leads to Pyrrhic victory.  Sometimes you just need enough time
(and a long enough rope) to convince them that what you want them to do
was their own idea all along.

 >     "She has been making quiet inquiries on her own through contacts
 > only she is familiar with," Miyabi said.  Her eyes swept between Kaoru

         The Secret Sakuraba Shojou Surveillance Society!

 > and Aoi.  "I'm afraid there is still no news concerning Miss Tina."
 >     Aoi's hands slowly lowered and her chin dropped.  The first makings
 > of a scowl touched her face.  "I see."
 >     "She wants you to know that she will continue her inquiries."
 > Miyabi seemed pleased with her news.
 >     Aoi just nodded as if grateful for her mother's intervention.

         Uh oh.  Normal Aoi behavior would be to politely thank Miyabi 
(and by
extension, her mother) at this point.  Between this and the "scowl" (not
an expression that befits her naturally), I'm worried about what's going
on in her head.

 >     "On another matter, your mother insisted that I relay to you an
 > important reminder."  Miyabi shifted her weight as if what she had to
 > say made her nervous.  "You are to attend the opening of the Sakuraba

         Smart lady.  The last time someone threatened to take someone 
she cared
about away from her, Aoi did something... precipitous.  And if anything,
I'd say she's *gained* self-confidence since then.

 > Center this coming Friday.  You are to wear your indigo kimono with the
 > gold obi.  I will see to it that you arrive in time for you to enter
 > with your parents."
 >     "Very well," Aoi said before turning to Kaoru.  "I'm certain we can
 > provide Kaoru-samma suitable attire for the occasion."

         SP:  sama.
         ...wait a minute.  Did she just throw down a gauntlet?

 >     "Perhaps I did not make myself clear.  You are to attend this
 > function with your parents only," Miyabi said in a firm voice.

         She DID!  She DID throw down a gauntlet!  And I *did* see a 
puddy tat!

 >     "What?" Aoi gasped, her eyes wide.  "That is unacceptable.
 > Kaoru-samma is --"

         SP:  sama.
         Okay, maybe I was wrong about the gauntlet.

 >     "Not a Sakuraba," Miyabi finished for her.  "Lady Aoi, this is a
 > very important event in which your family must present a harmonious
 > appearance."  She hesitated long enough to look directly at Kaoru.  Her
 > expression sent chills up his spine.  "This is nothing personal, Sir
 > Kaoru.  But it is imperative that we maintain appearances.  Many
 > dignitaries will be on hand. Prominent people from many countries and
 > the Prime Minister himself will attend.  There is even some suggestion
 > that a member of the royal family will be in attendance."  She regarded
 > Aoi with the same stern expression.  "I'm sure you understand how
 > important this is to your father."

         <facepalm>  Miyabi, you realize you just handed Aoi a hostage 
situation
on a platter, if she's motivated enough to use it?

 >     With her eyes squeezed shut, Aoi shook her head.  "I cannot accept
 > this.  If Kaoru-sama cannot attend, then neither shall I."

         Okay, I'm pretty sure that's a gauntlet.

 >     Before Miyabi could launch into another of her lectures on proper
 > behavior, Kaoru interrupted.  "It's all right, Aoi-chan.  Miss Miyabi is
 > right.  This is very important to your family."  Aoi regarded him with
 > astonished eyes.  "Besides, Professor Isemoto wants me to complete my
 > research for him by Monday.  This will give me a chance to work on it at
 > the university without worrying about leaving you home alone."  When Aoi
 > continued to stare at him like she didn't understand, he smiled at her
 > in a reassuring way.  "It'll be all right.  You go and show everyone how
 > much of a lady you are and I'll be here when you get back."

         Three guesses as to what he's really planning.  And the first 
two don't
count.

 >     "Kaoru-sama?" Aoi asked in a tiny voice.

         She sounds a bit betrayed here.  But surely he hasn't attended 
her to
formal functions before?

 >     "It'll be fine.  You'll see."
 >     "Sir Kaoru, I am pleased you understand how things are," Miyabi
 > said in her most official voice.  Turning to Aoi, she wore a satisfied
 > expression as she bowed.  "I will see to the arrangements, Lady Aoi."

         Oh, Miyabi, Miyabi, Miyabi.  So easily deceived, sometimes.

 >     Miyabi quickly turned to leave, but not before casting one last
 > look Kaoru's way.  To his surprise, she nodded as if extending to him a
 > respectful honor.

         ...or, perhaps not.  Hm.

 >     As Miyabi left the room, Aoi gently touched Kaoru's shoulder.
 > "Kaoru-sama?  Are you certain this is what you want?" she asked as if
 > she herself wasn't quite sure.
 >     Kaoru nodded and smiled.  "Everything will be fine.  Miss Miyabi is
 > correct.  It is very important to your father to maintain appearances
 > and the opening of their new conference center will be a boon to all
 > sorts of activities in Tokyo.  I can appreciate why he just wants his
 > family there."
 >     "You're almost family," Aoi noted with a hint of bitterness.
 >     "Someday I will be a member but not just yet."  He took her hand in
 > his and looked directly into her deep blue eyes.  "I think it best we
 > follow Miss Miyabi's advice.  Besides, it'll give you something to take
 > your mind off of Tina.  I know you've been worried sick about her."

         "And it'll give me a chance to go do something stupid, 
impulsive, and
heroic -- I *am* the male lead in a harem series, after all."

 >     Aoi closed her eyes and leaned into him, her forehead pressing
 > against his chest.  His arms gently enveloped her in a loving embrace.
 > "I truly do want to believe that she will come home again but it's so
 > hard sometimes," she said.

         "again, but"

 >     "It's only been two days since she disappeared."  Kaoru stroked her
 > hair with his cheek.  "Sometimes it takes longer for someone to return."

         Actually, isn't it the FBI rule of thumb that abductees not 
recovered
within 48hrs usually aren't ever?
         Um.  Okay, I won't tell Aoi if you won't.

 >     "Then you believe, too?" Aoi said, lifting her head to look up into
 > his eyes.
 >     Kaoru suppressed a chuckle.  "It's hard not to.  Tina always seems
 > to land on her feet, no matter what."

         Except when she's drunk, and then she tends to land on whatever 
person
she likes who happens to be in range.

 >     Aoi's arms went around his body, pulling him into a tight hug.
 > "Then we shall believe together, Kaoru-sama.  Nothing will keep Miss
 > Tina from returning.  Nothing."

         I sense a scene change with a joke lead-in coming.

 >
 >
 >     Tina's mind was far from the train car she was riding in.
 > Daydreaming about all the times she had taken trips with the photography
 > club through this part of Japan, she was trying to recapture the feeling
 > of those trips.  In some ways, this journey wasn't all that different.
 > She wasn't alone and they had limited funds for such an expedition.  Of
 > course, back then, she didn't have people hunting her who wanted to do
 > her harm.

         Except for all the bartenders who'd gotten stiffed on her tabs.

 >     She glanced at Steven, just long enough to see his eyes were closed
 > as if taking a nap.  Little wonder, she thought, he probably didn't
 > sleep much the night before, being constantly on his guard over threats
 > that were very real.  Considering what he told her this morning, his
 > vigilance might also have been due to something else.
 >     The thought that someone felt the need to protect her brought a
 > tiny smile to her lips.  She never before felt like she needed
 > protection while traveling, even on her trip around the world.  Having a
 > man feel the need to take care of her was something she could get used
 > to, so long as he understood she was an independent woman.

         <eyeroll>  Women.  If what they want from men wasn't always so
self-contradictory, we'd all get along so much better.
         (of course, when I mention this to my "independent woman" 
sister, I'm
sure she'll have some choice comments the other way.  If she doesn't
just smack me around)

 >     Steven's eyes blinked open as the train applied its brakes.  He
 > quickly set about checking the other passengers with cold, suspicious
 > glances.

         Suspicion:  Good.
         OBVIOUS suspiscion:  Bad.

 >     "You okay?" Tina asked.
 >     "Fine," he abruptly replied as he shifted his attention to the
 > approaching train platform.

         I'd swap "abruptly" and "replied" -- the adverb is describing 
his tone
of voice more than the speed of his response.

 >     She wanted to say more, perhaps even admonish him a little for
 > being so cautious, but knew it wouldn't change a thing.  His job
 > demanded carefulness.  The Koreans were still be lurking about.  The
 > threat to their lives was still very real.

         I dunno... having those guys shooting *at* you might be safer than
standing behind them.

 >     As the train pulled to a stop, Tina started to get up but was
 > quickly pulled back into her seat.  "Hey!" she yelled, frowning at
 > Steven and then at his hand gripping her wrist.
 >     "We have to be careful, Tina.  Slow and steady.  Understand?" he
 > said in a low voice.  It didn't sound menacing but conveyed exactly the
 > calm and serious way he was approaching this detour to Kagome.

         Sug:  "menacing, but conveyed the deadly seriousness with which 
he was"

 >     Tina blinked a moment before nodding.  "Oh.  Yeah.  Right."  She
 > joined him in looking around, although she had no idea what constituted
 > a threat.  In that, she kind of envied Steven.  Despite his protests to
 > the contrary, he seemed to know what he was doing.  Well, most of the
 > time, anyway.  She was counting on him to spot trouble before it spotted
 > them.

         He's already spotted the biggest Trouble in the immediate 
vicinity:
the blonde boozhound sitting next to him.  :)

 >     He waited for a few moments before nudging Tina out of her seat and
 > they gathered their bags.

         Sug:  "before he nudged Tina... and together they gathered..."

 >     Stepping onto the station platform, she scanned for signs
 > indicating the shop the old lady at the inn suggested while he continued
 > his threat surveillance.
 >     "Why are you so nervous?  We haven't seen a Korean since Tokyo,"
 > she said, still looking for the shop between glances his way.  "I think
 > we lost 'em this time."

         Cue!

 >     "The problem is that every time I start to think that way, the
 > Koreans show up again," he replied.  "It's like they know where I'm
 > going even before I do."

         Has he checked his socks for hidden GPS-RFID-ABCXYZ devices?
         Hm.  They didn't show up at the hotel.  They only showed up at 
Hotel
Aoi because they'd ID'd Tina.  And they certainly didn't know he was
coming to play one-man army at the warehouse.  So tracking devices don't
seem too likely.  And I don't think he's been phoning in to HQ...

 >     Tina wanted to admonish him for being so paranoid but he probably
 > had a point.  After all, they found him at the zoo and tracked him to
 > the Sakuraba house.  Maybe his paranoia was justified.

         It's always comforting to know for certain that they really 
*are* out
to get you.  *So* much better than mental illness....

 >     "I wonder where that clothing store is," he said, eyeing a couple
 > of businessmen over by a vending machine.
 >     "Don't know," Tina admitted, glad to put her mind to something more
 > pleasant.  She dimly remembered passing through Kagome with her
 > photography club two years ago.  But everything looked different while
 > half asleep on a train than from the station.  Spotting what looked like
 > the town's main street, she tugged on Steven's sleeve.  "Let's try down
 > there."
 >     Taking his hand, she practically towed him out of the station and
 > down the street.  It took her a few tries but she eventually spotted
 > what appeared to be an abbreviated version of a Tokyo department store.
 >     She paused to admire the window displays.  "Yup, this is the
 > place," she chirped happily.  When they got to the front entrance, she
 > hesitated at the sight of a familiar symbol above its polished glass
 > doors.  It left her with a homesick feeling.  "Sakuraba Group," she
 > mumbled.

         Heh.  Saw that coming.

 >     "What was that?" Steven asked as if he only half heard her.
 > She averted her eyes from the symbol and shook her head.  He probably
 > had no idea what she was talking about.  How could he?  The Sakuraba
 > Group couldn't have meant anything to him.

         ...oh, dear.  I sense a plot point just stealthily slipped by.

 >     "Nothing," she replied in a dismissive manner.  "Just something I
 > happened to remember."
 >     A cheerful young lady bowed to them as they entered and welcomed
 > them with a childlike greeting appropriate for the time of day.

         Huh?  Is this another cultural tidbit?

 >     Bowing past the woman, Tina stopped and drew a deep breath. The air
 > smelled of merchandise and money.  With a satisfied smile, she searched
 > for the women's wear department.  It was time for some serious shopping.

         Oh ghod.

 >     "Keep it real, Tina," Steven warned.  "We don't have a lot of money
 > for this."
 >     "Don't worry," she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.  "I
 > just need some underwear and three outfits."
 >     "Underwear and TWO outfits," Steven corrected.
 >     She frowned.  What a skinflint, she thought.  Still, since money
 > was an issue, she'd make the sacrifice - this time.  After all, he was
 > going to owe her a lot more after this trip was over.  Maybe a full
 > night shopping on the Ginza.

         <sniffle>  She's already treating him like her boyfriend.  It's 
just so
romantic!

 >     Cracking her knuckles like she was about to do battle, she led the
 > way across the store and into the women's wear department.  Making sure
 > he was still behind her, she grinned mischievously at how uncomfortable
 > Steven looked as she wound her way towards the summer fashions.

         Wuss.  *I* don't start getting uncomfortable until we reach the
lingerie section.  And I don't *look* it until after I start getting
used as a bra tree.

 >     "May I help you?" asked a young female clerk when they emerged from
 > the shoe section right in front of a whole wall covered with fashionable
 > summer clothes.
 >     "I need... uh, something casual and appropriate for the season,"
 > Tina said, eyeing some of the more expensive outfits on the wall.
 >     "Very good.  About how much were you looking to spend?" the clerk
 > asked, her smile never wavering.

         ...I'm going to be hiding under that cement truck three blocks 
down.

 >     "Oh, not too much," Tina replied, checking Steven.  Seeing him nod
 > his approval, she started fingering a particularly nice skirt hanging
 > nearest her.
 >     As the young clerk started towards the back of the store, Steven
 > hesitated to follow.
 >     "What's wrong?"  Tina asked.
 >     "I need to see about something I don't have in our bags," he
 > replied, glancing towards the wall across the store.  "You pick out what
 > you need and I'll meet you back here in half an hour."

         Sug:  "glancing toward the far wall of the store"

 >     "Well, okay," Tina replied with a sigh.  It wasn't going to be as
 > much fun without getting to model various outfits for him.

         Yep.  Traditional female torture technique.  Ever notice how 
much more
quickly women finish their shopping if they don't have guys in tow to
torture?

 >     She started to follow the clerk when a thought occurred to her.
 > "What a minute," she called towards the retreating Steven.  "Half an
 > hour?  I can't even pick out underwear in only half an hour."

         ...like I said.

 >     "You'll do fine," Steven said from several aisles away.
 >     With a growl, she turned on her heel and stomped after the clerk.
 > "Men!" she snarled.
 >
 >     Almost exactly thirty minutes later, she had indeed picked out what

         Again, like I said.  Once he took all the *fun* out of it...

 > she wanted.  Most had been on sale so she added a nice pair of hiking
 > shoes to her selections.  They went perfectly with the cargo shorts and
 > safari shirt she picked out.

         "And could I see what you have from this year's Spring Kevlar
Collection?  You know, a few understated items for the stereotypical
blonde Bond Girl on the run?"

 >     Steven shyly arrived just as she was about to pick out some
 > underwear.

         <twitch>  bad timing.  Oh, SO bad.  Oh, geez, I'm backflashing! 
  No,
not the Summer Clearance Sale!  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

 >     "Find what you were looking for?" she asked in jest.
 >     "Yeah.  So, you finished here?"  He glanced around like just being
 > in the women's wear department made him more nervous than dodging North
 > Koreans.

         He has his threats in order.
         Hmm... I'm not sure, but can't Womenswear be one word? 
(although my
spellchecker disagrees.  But then, it doesn't like 'spellchecker'
either, so what does it know?)

 >     "Just need some personal necessities," she said with a giggle.

         Run, Steven, RUN!

 > Holding up a pair of fairly common cotton panties, she smiled sweetly.
 > "You like these?"

         "Plead the fifth."
         "Silly, this is Japan!  There ain't no Fifth Amendment here."
         "In this situation, the Geneva Accords, the ICC Protocols, and 
the Pax
Sub-Roseata all apply roughly equivalently."

 >     Steven tugged at his collar and quickly looked away.  "They're
 > fine."

         Forget it, Steve.  She won't rest until you say that she's 
shown you a
pair that makes you want to rip them off her and do Unspeakable Things
to her virginal, nubile young body, thus giving her an excuse to wallop
you for hentai-ness while secretly enjoying the compliment.  And buying
that pair.  And making you pay for them.

 >     She put them back and pulled out a pair of french cut panties with
 > a little lace around its waistband.  "How about these?"

         Sug:  "the waistband"

 >     "Um, those are fine, too," he said, his face turning red.  A couple
 > of middle-aged women shoppers nearby giggled together at his discomfort.

         Even in Japan.  The Female Conspiracy crosses all national and 
cultural
divides.

 >     Tina almost joined them as she pulled out a full thong with a
 > series of tiny hearts on its single triangle of fabric.  "These are
 > nice," she said innocently.

         Bit drafty, though.

 >     "You... you wear stuff like that?" he stammered, his eyes shifting
 > between the tiny strip of material in her hands and her innocent-looking
 > face.

         Forgot he was a country boy at heart.

 >     "No, not really.  I'm just seeing how red your face can get," she
 > said, dangling the skimpy garment in front of him before putting it
 > back.

         Remember, Steven, revenge is a dish best served cold.

 >     "Will you just pick something," he hissed.

         Sug:  "something!"

 >     "Yeah, you're right.  Cotton is much cooler," she replied with a
 > mischievous grin.  She glanced at the giggling women and winked, causing
 > them to giggle even louder.  A few other curious women had wandered
 > closer to watch the show.  Clutching a package of bikini cut white
 > cotton panties to her chest, she sighed loudly.  "I just don't know what
 > I'd do, if you weren't here to help me choose.  After all, you're the
 > only man who will ever see me in these."  She held the package out for

         He may see her *in* them, but he won't see *them* at the time. 
  Well,
unless the usual sex-comedy-of-errors chain of unlikely events happens,
in which case... Um.  Nevermind.

 > the clerk.  Steven's cheeks colored deep scarlet and his head tried to
 > imitate that of a turtle.
 >     "Tina, this isn't funny," he said in English.
 >     "If a wife can't have a little fun, what's the point in being
 > married?" she asked, sounding like a Texas cheerleader.

         "2-4-6-8, what do we appreciate?  MATRIMONY!"
         Seriously, I'm not sure what "Texas Cheerleader" is supposed to 
'sound
like,' here.

 >     Turning to the clerk, she handed over the panties.  "He likes
 > these.  We'll take 'em."
 >     The clerk giggled, casting amused glances at the still embarrassed
 > Steven.  "How do you get a husband to submit to such teasing?" she asked
 > Tina in a hushed voice.

         <blink>  I thought all women were *born* knowing that.

 >     "Well, you gotta train them early," Tina replied with a wink.  "But
 > you don't want to overdo it.  Scares them off."
 >     The clerk giggled again, the other women giggled some more, and
 > Tina smugly soaked it all up.  This part of the trip was turning out to
 > be more fun that she hoped.
 >     Steven hastily paid for her shopping spree, never once commenting
 > on how much it cost him.  He seemed more interested in getting out of
 > the women's department.

         Which is how they get us to pay all those outrageous prices for 
all
those items they'll only ever wear once...

 >     "You find what you were lookin' for?" Tina innocently asked.  She
 > knew he was embarrassed at the show she had put on.  His stony silence
 > hinted that he was also just a little bit upset.  She felt a bit
 > irritated at how he was acting but there was also a hint of remorse at
 > putting him on the spot that way.  He really didn't deserve it.  After
 > all, he'd rescued her twice in the last few days and treated her pretty
 > well since.  Perhaps she had gone too far this time.  She knew her sense
 > of humor took a little getting used to and they hadn't known each other
 > very long.  Maybe that was it.  He didn't understand it was just her way
 > of coping.

         Oh, please.  Like she wouldn't do the same even if they were an 
item.
Or if he was Kaoru, and Kaoru wasn't unavailable...

 >     Casting furtive glances his way, she noticed he'd gone back to
 > suspiciously examining each person around them.  Haunted by her own
 > confused emotions, she said nothing.
 >     Tina was still quietly trying to sort out her feelings over her
 > little prank as they left the store.  She had her new clothes in her bag
 > but for some reason it didn't comfort her as much as it should.

         Sug:  "reason that didn't"

 >     When they turned towards the train station, her indecision bubbled
 > over.  "Hey, you mad at me?" she asked, tilting her head over to look at
 > his face.
 >     "No," he replied abruptly.

         Sug:  maybe curtly<>abrutply, or shortly?

 >     "You sound like you're angry," she said frowning at the sidewalk.

         "said, frowning"

 >     His hand suddenly gripped her upper arm.  Before she could protest,
 > he yanked her between two buildings.  Spinning her around to face him,
 > Steven scowled her way.  "Look, what you did was cause a scene," he said
 > in a scolding voice.  "One of the first things you have to learn about
 > this business is you never do anything to draw attention to yourself.  I
 > know that's hard to do being a Westerner in Japan but you have to try.

         Ohhh.  He's not *personally* pissed off, he's *professionally* 
pissed
off.  That'll faze her a bit more.
         Nope, he wasn't embarrassed back there at all, no sir.  Just 
irritated
about her breaking tradecraft.  Yep.  That's all.  Uh huh.  Fer sure.

 > Causing a scene invites people to look.  When people look, it can
 > sometimes expose you folks who want to do you harm.  Do you understand?"

         It also makes you memorable, which makes it easier for pursuers to
track you down.

 >     Tina pouted.  She didn't like being scolded but had to admit it was
 > probably deserved.  Despite their peaceful innocence, every place they'd
 > been was potentially dangerous.  Her actions today compounded that
 > danger.  "You're right.  I'm sorry," she said softly.
 >     "I'm not angry with you, Tina.  I'm just disappointed.  I thought
 > after what those guys did to you that you'd be a little more cautious."

         Ooooo!  Now he pulls out the "disappointed" whip and smacks her 
with
it!  REVENGE!  BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!!!

 > He let go of her arm and adjusted the bag over his shoulder.  "I don't
 > want you to get hurt, Tina.  To be honest, I'll consider this mission a
 > success if I can get you home safe and free of the Koreans."
 >     "But what about that... thing you stole?" she asked.
 >     Steven shook his head.  "It's more important to someone else than
 > to me."  He looked deep into her eyes.  "To tell the truth, getting you
 > home is more important to me than some lousy piece of circuitry.  The
 > fact is, Tina Foster, I really like you and that's the part that makes
 > this even harder."

         Nice Guy School of Emotional Aikido, Female Disabling Strike 
Technique:
   Confession of Liking!

 >     "I... I didn't..." she stammered, her cheeks burning with what had
 > to be the deepest blush she'd ever had.  Did he just say what she
 > thought he said?  All she could do was stare at him, her heart pounding
 > in her ears.  She felt like a high school girl again, facing a guy who
 > sounded like he was confessing his feelings to her.  The sensation was
 > exciting and frightening at the same time.
 >     She was still trying to sort out what it all meant when he took her
 > hand in his.  It felt warm, soft, and comfortable - like something she
 > never wanted to let go of.

         Kaoru:  "I fell so betrayed--"
         Aoi:  "Ahem."
         Kaoru:  "Relieved!  Yes, relief is definitely what I feel.  And 
all I
feel."

 >     "Let's get back into character and finish this trip so I can get
 > you home," he said.
 >     Leading her back out to the sidewalk, they started towards the
 > train station again.  As it came into view, Steven jerked to a halt
 > before darting into an alleyway, pulling the confused Tina with him.
 >     "What now?" she demanded.
 >     Steven looked like he'd seen a ghost.  "They're back," he gasped,
 > pressing himself against the store wall.
 >     "What?  No way!"  Tina released his hand and peered around the
 > corner.  In front of the train station stood two men in dark suits,
 > eyeing each person passing by.  One looked familiar, very familiar.
 >     Turning back to Steven, her shoulders sagged.  He was now squatting
 > down with his back against the wall.  His face twisted into a mask of
 > torment and confusion.
 >     "I don't understand," he gasped.  "How do they keep finding me?
 > What am I doing wrong?"

	Well, you got involved with Tina...
	No, actually, that's a good question.  I still don't buy that they're 
tracking him directly -- they lose track of him too often.  But there's 
got to be something that he's doing periodically that gives them a 
location update.
	Hm.  How did he pay for the train tickets?  And Tina's clothes?

 >     Tina knelt next to him, a little shaken herself.  Only she was
 > shaken more over his reaction than their predicament.  "It might just be
 > a coincidence," she offered, not really believing it herself.
 >     Steven shook his head.  "NO!  Everywhere I go, they show up.  It's
 > like they know where I'm going to be."
 >     She chanced another peek around the corner.  There was no mistaking
 > the two Korean agents standing guard to the entrance of the train
 > station.  She recognized both from the warehouse.  Two more soon
 > appeared from the nearby bus station.  There was no way she and Steven
 > were going to get past them and back on a train.
 >     When she returned to her partner, he was still muttering questions
 > about the things he should have done to evade his pursuers.

	Well, there's a few things to try -- dump EVERYTHING, even the McGuffin 
Item (but put that someplace you can surveill), use nothing but cash, 
and change your appearance as much as possible.  Break every possible 
means of contact with the pursuit.
	Of course, in RL it's not always easy.

 >     "Maybe, they got spies all over the place who are reporting on us,"
 > she said.  She couldn't believe that the kindly Mrs. Ohta was a North
 > Korean spy.  She didn't want to believe that.  There were others along
 > the way who could have informed on them but two traveling Westerners
 > were fairly common in Japan during the summer.  Picking her and Steven
 > out of so many seemed like an impossible task.  So how else could they
 > be tracking them?

	Tina hasn't hit any bars lately, so that can't be it.
	I'd almost suspect some kind of beacon in the McGuffin Item, but then 
I'd expect them to be zeroing in on the Happy Newlyweds right now. 
Heck, even a GPS chip with a 'phone home' feature would be getting them 
closer than they appear to be getting.

 >     Tracking them?  That thought suggested an obvious possibility.
 > "You know, when folks in those big animal parks want to track the
 > movements of an animal, they put a tracking collar on 'em.  Could the
 > Koreans have done something like that to you?"

	Okay, he *should* have thought of that himself.  But he's new at this, 
and not exactly having a good week...

 >     "No," he replied, his eyes squeezed shut as he dismissed the idea.
 > "I ditched all the clothes I wore when we penetrated the Korean's
 > hideout back in Tokyo."

	Obvious question:  list every item that you still have on you from 
during or before that timeframe.  Include fillings, chewing gum, and 
that weird suppository thing Q stuck you with just before you left HQ...

 >     Tina hummed her agreement and slowly looked away as she rolled
 > around in her head the tracking collar idea.  If the Koreans didn't slip
 > something into Steven's pocket or something like that, there had to be
 > another reason.
 >     She was about to dismiss the whole idea when something occurred to
 > her.  "What about that gizmo you took?" she anxiously asked.
 >     Steven's eyes popped open, like the same thought occurred to him as
 > well.  He shrugged off his bag's shoulder strap and started clawing at
 > the collar of his shirt.  In moments, he produced a small brown leather
 > bag that hung on a leather strap around his neck.
 >     Yanking open the bag, he pulled out the stolen electronic card key.
 > Holding it up, he carefully examined both sides of the device.  After
 > several minutes, he sighed.  "I don't even know what I'm looking for but
 > I'll bet you're right," he said softly in disgust.

	The problem is, if that's giving off a signal, why don't they have NKs 
dropping in their laps right now?  It's got to be something less 
straightforward.

 >     "Well, pitch it in the trash and we'll sneak out the back way.
 > They'll never find us in Japan without the tracking signal," Tina said.
 >     But Steven only shook his head.  "I can't do that.  Sylvester
 > risked everything to get this thing and gave his life trying to get it
 > to our contact.  I can't just throw it away."

	Where's one of those RFID-blocking passport-wallets when you need one?
	Hmmm... I got it!  Tinfoil!  A big ol' wad of tinfoil.  I don't care 
how sophisticated the tracking beacon is, if it's stuck into a card key, 
it can't have much of a power supply or amplifier.  Wrap it in a thick 
layer of tinfoil and it'll block the CIA mind control satt-- er, I mean, 
the NKs' homing devices.

 >     Tina fought the urge to snatch it out of his hand and throw it as
 > far as she could.  Only the look on his face when he mentioned his dead
 > partner kept her at bay.  That left only one solution.  "Okay, then we
 > have to cut off its signal," she said, glancing at his face to see if he
 > agreed.
 >     Receiving no response, she turned towards an overflowing trash bin
 > in the alley and began to gingerly sort through the refuse.  It took a
 > few minutes of handling things almost as bad as hippo poop before she
 > found something that looked like it might work.
 >     "Put it in here," she said, holding out a small metal mint
 > container.

	ALTOIDS!!!!!

 >     "I doubt that will be enough," he said with a degree of
 > resignation.
 >     "That's why I'm going to wrap it with this," she replied, holding
 > up a wad of used aluminum foil.  "We used to make fun of people who said
 > aliens were bombarding their brains with mind control waves by offering
 > to wrap their heads in foil."

	BWAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!  That's our girl!

 >     Shooting Tina a skeptical look, Steven sighed.  "Your friends
 > thought aliens were trying to control them with mind control rays?"

	"Only some of 'em.  The rest thought it was the CIA.  Except for that 
one guy who was convinced that the Vatican was behind it all."
	
 >     "Only the ones in California," she said, taking the card key and
 > wrapping it in the cleanest part of the salvaged aluminum foil.
 >     She finished wrapping the card key and tore off the excess foil
 > before fitting it into the mint container.  Squeezing the lid shut, she
 > tied it securely with some discarded twine.  A few minutes later, she
 > held up the container and nodded her approval.  "What'cha think?"

	Modern art.  The curators at the Met will go *ape.*
	Quite the improvisor, our Tina.

 >     "Well, it looks like it ought to work," he said.  "I just hope the
 > foil doesn't short circuit anything on the key."
 >     "Who cares?" Tina replied, dismissing his fears as easily as she
 > had the excess aluminum foil.  "Even if it does, they won't be tracking
 > us anymore and you can still deliver what's left of it to your people."

	Just watch for it to get hot.  I got careless and dropped a 
high-capacity battery in my loose-change pocket once -- took me a while 
to notice I was getting a nice burn...

 >     When Steven agreed that her plan was pretty good, she blushed at
 > his compliment.  "So, what now?"
 >     "We need to get out of here," he said, standing up and shoving the
 > mint container into the pocket of his pants.  "We better stick to the
 > back streets."
 >     Both shouldered their bags as they set off deeper into the alley.
 > It ended at a cross street that ran along side the railroad tracks.
 > Leaning over, she could see the tracks disappear around the corner of a
 > building a couple of blocks away, probably heading into the train
 > station.
 >     A gentle nudge from Steven and she turned away from the station,
 > staying close to the buildings as Steven followed her towards the far
 > end of town.
 >     The minutes seemed like hours as they carefully picked their way
 > through the little town, keeping to the back streets and checking around
 > each corner before proceeding.
 >     Before long, they emerged into the outskirts of town on a road that
 > seemed to hang on the edge of the mountain.  It was only then she
 > noticed that Kagome had been built on a flat plateau that overlooked a
 > beautiful valley hundreds of feet below.  Any other time and this would
 > have been a perfect photo opportunity.  But this wasn't just 'any other
 > time.'

	Not to mention, I don't think she has her camera with her...

 >     Steven turned off the road into a small grove of trees, his caution
 > as evident as ever.  Dropping his bag he surveyed the possible escape
 > routes.
 >     "We could stick to the road but if they figure out we cut the
 > tracking signal, that's going to be the first place they'll look," he
 > said, kneeling down to rummage through his bag.
 >     Tina peered over his shoulder trying to determine just what he was
 > searching for.  "I guess you probably have some high tech gizmo in there
 > that's going to tell us which way to go."

	Yep, a genuine Pentagon-issue Digital Decision Generator: a quarter.

 >     "Not quite," Steven replied.  Pulling out a detailed map of the
 > region, he spread it on the ground.  Adding a common compass, he rotated
 > the map until everything pointed north.  "Okay, we are here," he said,

	<whistles innocently>  Hope he checked his magnetic offset lines...

 > pointing to a spot just outside Kagome.  Tracing the road with his
 > finger it only confirmed that it would be the most likely escape route,
 > one the Koreans would most certainly check first.  Following the road
 > would probably expose them to discovery long before they got to the next
 > town.

	Of course, with the signal cut, the *really* clever thing to do would 
be to hide in Kagome until the pursuers fan out to cover their escape 
radius.  But if the bad guys are clever, they'll think of that...

 >     "What's those little dashes?" Tina asked, pointing to a couple of
 > dashed lines that left the main road and appeared to head into the
 > valley.
 >     "Looks like some kind of trail."  Steven traced the first but found
 > it just wound its way down to the floor of the valley and then back up
 > to the other side of Kagome.
 >     The second wasn't much better, ending only a short distance down
 > the mountain.
 >     The third, however, seemed to emerge onto another road in the
 > valley that led directly to the town of Katise.
 >     "That's about five kilometers," Steven said, turning to Tina.
 > "Think you can make it?"

	Cue Nancy Sinatra.

 >     "Hey, it's downhill all the way," she chirped.  "Besides, I've
 > walked farther on my trip around the world."
 >     Steven started to fold up the map.  "How are your ankles?"
 >     Tina had forgotten about her painful injuries received from the
 > kidnaping.  Wiggling one foot, she smiled confidently.  "I'm okay."

	He'll be carrying her that last klick or two.

 >     If he suspected otherwise, he hid it well.  Stuffing the map and
 > compass back into his bag, Steven pulled out a couple of brochure-sized
 > papers.
 >     "What are those?" she asked, curiously leaning in, trying to pick
 > out some of the Japanese words printed on the documents.
 >     "Bus and train schedules for the region," Steven replied as he
 > thumbed through a few pages.  "I think we can catch a train for the
 > coast just before dark.  That would put us into Aomizusaki a little
 > after nine."
 >     Tina shook her head.  "You sure have a lot of amazing things in
 > that bag.  What else you got?"

	"An electronic Thumb, a copy of the _Guide_, and a towel."

 >     With a sigh, Steven just closed the schedules and stuffed them back
 > into the bag.  "Just a few things I need.  I packed this just in case I
 > got separated from my partner.  Mienaku-Naru was my escape point.
 > That's standard procedure when on a mission."
 >     "You don't have another gun in there, do you?" she asked, a little
 > unsure that she really wanted to know.  She didn't like guns very much.

	<snort>  Maybe not *after* her little redecoration fiasco at Hotel Aoi.

 > She had seen how they were used in some of the places she had visited on
 > her travels.  They weren't the prettiest of memories.

	Mmm... this is a bit inconsistent with Ch2.

 >     "No," he replied.  "My backup piece is in a locker back in Tokyo.
 > We don't dare go back to get it."
 >     "Right," Tina said, feeling a little relieved and yet strangely
 > disappointed.  A gun might be dangerous but it could also provide a
 > degree of protection should they run into the Koreans again.  From what
 > she had seen of Steven's marksmanship, it might do more than that.
 >     Gathering their things, Steven cautiously led her back onto the
 > road.  The trail they wanted was only a few hundred meters or so.
 > Casting worried looks back towards Kagome, Tina followed Steven along
 > the road's edge.
 >     It didn't take them long to find where the trail left the road.
 > The entrance looked overgrown and little used, perfect for two people
 > evading pursuit.
 >     Tina followed Steven off the road and onto the narrow, winding path
 > as best she could.  The difference in how she walked was noticeable.
 > Walking on a flat surface such as a street was one thing, negotiating a
 > crooked, rocky dirt path that was always going downhill was completely
 > different.

	Yep.  Downhill doesn't always mean easier.

 >     They had gone less than a kilometer when the pain in her right
 > ankle got bad.  Still, she tried to cover her growing disability by
 > appearing to be cautious, stepping more carefully over the rocky surface
 > cut through by exposed tree roots and dangling vines.
 >     By the second kilometer, she was limping.  Both ankles ached with
 > every step.  Every time Steven looked back her way, she tried to pretend
 > to be stepping carefully over some obstacle.  She hoped it fooled him.
 >     A few minutes later, he stopped.  With a heavy sigh, he turned to
 > look directly at Tina.
 >     "What?" she asked innocently as she could.
 >     "Give me your bag," he said, holding out a hand.
 >     "Why?"
 >     "Because you've been limping for the last half hour," he said,
 > grabbing her bag's strap and pulling it off her shoulder.  "If you don't
 > have to carry any extra weight, you might make it to Katise."
 >     Tina started to protest but knew he was right.  Both her ankles
 > ached so bad she wasn't sure if she could make it at all.  If she
 > couldn't, he would probably end up carrying her.  That would be
 > embarrassing.

	Or a prelude to *romance*... <waggles eyebrows, brandishes Barry White LP>

 >     Shouldering both bags, Steven resumed negotiating the trail but at
 > a slower pace.  Tina had to admit, it was easier walking without the
 > added weight on her shoulder but it was still unpleasant.
 >     By the time they got to the halfway point, her limp was really bad.
 > She felt flushed and wanted nothing more than to sit down somewhere.
 > Steven pulled off the trail opposite a small Shinto shrine.  A thin
 > mountain stream cut its way close to the trail there and a couple of
 > boulders were placed next to the stream as if designed to give hikers a
 > place to rest.

	And dangle aching feet in the water?  :)

 >     Guiding Tina to one of the low boulders, he dropped the bags and
 > knelt down to examine her ankles.  She watched with increasing anxiety
 > as he gently handled her bare leg.

	Anxiety about her leg, or his hands?  ;)

 >     "Swollen," he said before untying the laces of her right shoe.

	Isn't that a bad idea?

 > Easing it off, he gingerly felt around the injured area.  "This isn't
 > good, Tina.  Your ankle is as swollen as it was the night I found you in
 > the warehouse."
 >     "That bad?" she asked, knowing full well it was that bad and
 > possibly worse.
 >     "Ordinarily I'd hole up somewhere until they healed enough for
 > travel but I need to get to Aomizusaki by tomorrow."  He reached for her
 > other leg.  Cradling it in his hands, he removed her other shoe and
 > sock.  "What are you doing wearing these flimsy sneakers anyway?"

	<bink>  Oh, I didn't realize she hadn't put the boots on.  So much for 
Nancy Sinatra...

 >     "Well, I didn't know we were goin' to hike all the way there," she
 > growled, crossing her arms defiantly.  How was she to know they were
 > going to take this nature trail?  The plan was they were going to ride a
 > train down to the coast.
 >     Steven checked his watch and looked back up the trail as if
 > deciding what to do.  "We've got less than an hour for you to rest.  I
 > doubt that will be enough but it'll have to do.  For now..."
 >     Without warning, he spun her part way around on the rock and
 > plunged both her ankles into the swift-running stream.
 >     The shock of the cold water on her skin caused her to throw her
 > head back and squeal loudly.  Her frantic attempts to pull her feet

	<eyeroll>  geez, Tina, it's not like he dunked you or anything.

 >out
 > were stopped by Steven's weight on her legs, trapping them in the icy
 > stream.
 >     "What are you doing?" she managed to gasp.
 >     "I don't have any ice.  We need to reduce the swelling before I can
 > try to get your new hiking shoes on," he said in a surprisingly calm
 > voice - considering she was now pounding on his back in an attempt to
 > get him to release her legs.  "They have better ankle support."

	I like this guy.  Anyone who can maintain a calm, rational conversation 
while some ungrateful female is beating on him wins cool points.  :)

 >     Her blows became weaker as she tired and her feet went numb.  The
 > freezing water also numbed her throbbing ankles.  With a heavy sigh, she
 > leaned back on the rock, supported by her hands.  A shudder ran through
 > her body as the cold crawled up her legs to her hips.  She might have
 > gone into a full shivver except Steven's warm body was still on her
 > legs.
 >     "You can get up now," she said breathing more normally.  "I think
 > the cold treatment is working."

	"Aw, do I haveta?"

 >     Slowly Steven eased off her legs and sat back on the ground.
 > "Good.  You know, you have a really wicked punch."
 >     "A girl's gotta protect herself," Tina replied with a grimace as
 > another twinge of pain shot up her right leg.
 >     Steven hesitated as if empathizing with her injury.  "You do pretty
 > good, Tina Foster."
 >     Tina blushed at the compliment.  All along, she felt like she was a
 > burden but lately, with the discovery of the tracking device and his
 > compliment over her ability to take care of herself, she began to feel
 > like she might be some value to Steven's team after all.

	<snicker>  The Stevengumi?

 >     As her feet soaked in the icy stream, Steven went about condensing
 > their two bags into one.  Things he thought could be abandoned were.  In
 > the end, all that was left were clothes for both of them and a few items
 > he must have thought necessary.

	You're being coy, Greg.  That always gives me a bad feeling.  :)

 >     Thirty minutes later, after several cold water dunkings of her
 > ankles, Steven pronounced the swelling sufficiently reduced to try her
 > new hiking shoes.
 >     Her feet were still numb from their icy plunge to feel much when he

	"still TOO numb"

 > slipped clean socks on them.  The shoes only hurt a little bit as he
 > worked them gently over her feet.  He tied the laces as tight as he
 > dared, hoping the added support would give her a chance to walk the rest
 > of the way down to Katise.
 >     "Ready to try standing up?" he asked.
 >     Tina drew a deep breath and nodded.  Easing her feet under her, she
 > held Steven's hands as she slowly put her weight on her legs.  The pain
 > was still there but it was much less now.  "I... I think I can make it."
 >     Steven shouldered their one remaining bag and again led the way
 > back onto the path.
 >     They hadn't gone far before the pain returned.  This time, Steven
 > didn't hesitate.  Over her protests, he wrapped her arms around his neck
 > and lifted her onto his back.  It took him a few moments to work her and
 > the bag into a satisfactory position before resuming his trek.

	Ouch.

 >     Ashamed at being unable to walk on her own, Tina closed her eyes
 > and rested her cheek on his shoulder.  It wasn't easy to keep from
 > crying but she tried anyway.  "I'm sorry," she whispered.  "It's all my
 > fault."
 >     "Nonsense," Steven replied, shifting her body as he carefully
 > stepped over an exposed root.  "You've taken a beating over the last two
 > days.  Anybody else would be laying in a bed whimpering.  You're a tough
 > girl, Tina."

	<grin>  And he *likes* tough girls, I bet.

 >     Tina sniffed and shook her head as much as her position allowed.
 > "You should have left me behind."
 >     "That's not possible - partner," he replied.  "I don't leave my
 > wounded behind."
 >     "Is that what you American agents are like?"
 >     "I don't know about that.  But it's what I'm like."

	<grin>

 >     It took them an hour longer than planned but they eventually
 > emerged from the mountain trail onto a smooth road just outside of
 > Katise.
 >     "You want to try and walk?" Steven said, stopping just off the
 > road.
 >     "I'm heavy, aren't I?" she asked.

	Like he's going to ANSWER that question...

 >     Steven chuckled.  "No but I'm getting tired and it wouldn't look
 > good if I carried you into town.  You remember what I said about
 > attracting attention?"
 >     "Yeah, I guess a big American carrying a dainty little blond girl
 > on his back would attract attention."  She eased herself off his back,
 > gingerly testing her ankles as her weight settled onto them.

	Not sure Tina really counts as *dainty.*  But I won't tell her if you 
won't.

 >     To her surprise, they didn't feel all that bad.
 >     Stretching and readjusting the bag still on his shoulder, Steven
 > offered his hand.  She shyly took it and followed him onto the road.
 >     Their pace was slower than normal, due to her stiff gait, but they
 > easily made their way into town.
 >     From his earlier use of their map, Steven knew approximately where
 > the train station was.  Remembering what happened to them in Kagome,
 > they warily approached.
 >     To their mutual relief, there wasn't a Korean in sight.

	<repressing Ethnic Joke Reflex>

 >     "Looks like your hunch about the card key was right," Steven said.
 > "By now, I'm sure they've discovered they can't track us anymore.  I'll
 > bet they're having kittens trying to figure out where we went," he said
 > with a chuckle.

	Or, if they're smart, they're slapping agents on all the nodal 
chokepoints for anyone trying to escape the area.  Of course, their 
manpower may not be unlimited...

 >     Tina, placing each step carefully, just hummed her agreement.  She
 > was determined to walk into town and get on the train under her own
 > power.  She squeezed his hand in a reassuring way.
 >     The distance to the train station wasn't all that far, certainly
 > shorter than what she walked that first night.  Each step was stiff and
 > flat-footed as she tried to put as little strain on her injured ankles
 > as possible.  Despite the slow pace, they made it onto the platform and
 > to a seating area near the ticket windows.
 >     Easing into the seat, Tina groaned softly as weight left her
 > ankles.  It was a blessed relief.  Their walking was over, for now.  On
 > the train, she'd have time to rest her ankles and maybe they'd be okay
 > for the rest of the trip.  She certainly didn't want to return home
 > limping like some war refugee.  That would have been embarrassing.

	Er, yeah.  Guess it hasn't occurred to her that Aoi, Kaoru, and the 
gang are going absolutely nuts...

 >     Home.  Funny how that old Victorian mansion in Tokyo had come to be
 > called 'home'.  It was really just another stop on her long journey
 > through life - and a temporary one at that.  Sure, it had people she
 > regarded almost as much as her own family but they were only a
 > collection of misfits like her.

	"regarded as much as her own family" doesn't really work, gramatically. 
  Maybe "regarded almost as family"?
	And Tina?  Some families are born.  Some are built, out of whatever 
lost, broken odds&ends happen to be wandering around looking for 
someplace to belong.

 >     Taeko, the clumsy but good hearted maid, had no idea what she was
 > going to do after college.  But then, that wasn't unusual considering
 > how the girl's mind worked.

	It works?  <ducks>  Okay, that was mean.

 >     Chika was a bundle of energy, just coming into young womanhood.
 > Despite her constant attempts to fix up Taeko with an eligible young
 > man, she meant well and was always a joy to have around.  Her future was
 > the most open of them all.  She still had the rest of high school and
 > then college to look forward to.
 >     Miss Manager would probably stay by Miss Landlord's side but that
 > really wasn't much of a life for her.  She'd just end up taking care of
 > Miss Landlord's children and repeating the cycle over without a chance
 > of finding someone for herself and maybe having her own children.

	Miyabi's biological clock starts ticking.  *There's* a story idea with 
some disaster potential.

 >     Of course, Miss Landlord was already fixed for life.  Rich, cute,
 > and totally refined, she could have anyone she chose.  Unfortunately, it
 > looked like her interest was in Kaoru.  It was obvious he also had
 > interest in her.  Just the way he looked at Miss Landlord when he
 > thought nobody could see him told Tina that much.

	Yep, that good one's taken.  But, y'know, there's another one close 
by...  :D

 >     Tina drew a deep breath.  Maybe... just maybe, there was no point
 > in holding out hope that Kaoru would return the love she felt for him.
 > Maybe it was time to move on.

	To a dashing, if slightly out-of-his-depth, secret agent man?  :D

 >     She looked over her shoulder and watched Steven get their tickets,
 > still casting wary glances at every person who came or went from the
 > little station.  Why did he say those things to her in the alley back in
 > Kagome?  Did he really like her in that way?  Why did that bother her so
 > much?

	Either she finds him subconsciously repulsive, or she's trying to deny 
a certain growing attraction.  I know which I'm betting on.  :)

 >     She was still deep in thought, her eyes staring unfocused at the
 > floor in front of her when she felt Steven take a seat next to her.
 >     "We're just in time," he said.  "The next train is due in about ten
 > minutes."
 >     She heard him but only enough to acknowledge his presence. Her mind
 > was still working out what he meant this afternoon.
 >     "We're not going directly to Aomizusaki," he said softly.  He
 > sounded as tired as she felt.  "We're heading west to Nagano.  We can
 > catch a train heading south from there.  That should put is in
 > Aomizusaki by dawn."
 >     "Dawn?" Tina asked, snapping a confused look his way.
 >     "We need time to sleep.  At least, you do."  He smiled down at her.
 > "We can't afford another place to stay.  The ticket agent assures me the
 > seats we got are as comfortable as those on an airplane."

	Coach or first class?  Not that either is saying much...

 >     Airplane seats?  Tina sighed and looked down at the station
 > platform floor.  The last time she tried to sleep on an airplane, she
 > woke up with a terrible headache and a sore neck.

	Last time I fell asleep on a plane, I woke up in a DHS holding cell 
accused of being an Al-Queda "Snore Bomber," whatever the heck *that* 
was supposed to mean.

 >     "After I hand off this card key, I'll get you home."  The way he
 > said that made her feel uneasy.

	Heh.

 >     "Home," she mumbled.
 >     "After all, you've got a good reason to get home," he said.  "Your
 > boyfriend, Kaoru, is probably waiting for you."

	Oh, dear.

 >     Tina's eyes blinked open.  Kaoru?  How did he know about Kaoru?
 > She only mentioned him once and that was in passing.  It wasn't like she
 > told him everything.  How could he possibly know about her relationship
 > - or lack thereof - with Kaoru Hanabishi?

	She talks in her sleep, doesn't she?

 >     "How...?" she started to ask but the look on Steven's face caused
 > her words to jam up in her throat.
 >     "You talk in your sleep, Tina," Steven replied, turning away, like
 > he didn't want to even face her.  "Last night, you sounded like you were
 > with him.  You kept saying over and over how much you loved him."  A
 > dark chuckle welled up from deep inside Steven.  It sounded like someone
 > who was lamenting his own foolishness.  "I guess, I should have known
 > all along that a pretty girl like you would have a boyfriend.  He must
 > be something special to be part of your dreams."

	Special, yeah.  Also *off the market.*

 >     When Steven turned back, his painful smile was like that of a
 > condemned man facing the inevitable.  She tried to say something,

	Woah, he's got it bad.
	Sug:  pained<>painful

 > anything, but the words wouldn't come out.  All she could do is move 
 >her lips in aborted attempts to explain.

	Was<>is.
	Sug:  "in a halting attempt to explain."

 >     Before she could work the right words free, Steven slapped his
 > knees and stood up.  "Well, I guess I better see about some coffee," he
 > said.  "I'll just be a minute."

	Darn it, Steve, don't RUN!  Oh, heck...

 >     As he walked towards a row of vending machines at the far end of
 > the station, Tina sagged into her seat.  Squeezing her eyes shut she
 > hissed through gritted teeth, "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"  What was wrong
 > with her?  Why couldn't she say anything?  Why couldn't she tell Steven
 > it was all a mistake, just a dream from her past?  Kaoru had been part
 > of her dreams for a couple of years now.  At first, they were hopes
 > about things that might become real.  Lately, they had become dreams
 > like any girl might have about some unobtainable guy - like a rock star
 > or athlete.  They weren't to be taken seriously in real life, and this
 > was as real as life got.

	Well, technically one might say that falling into a Hollywood spy movie 
isn't exactly "real," but...

 >     Hanging her head, she shuddered like a chill had take her body.
 > She'd screwed up again.  One of the nicest guys she'd met in Japan had
 > given up on her and was about to walk out of her life, if only in an
 > emotional sense.

	This sounds like a cue for the NKs to show up and *drag* him out of her 
life.

 >     Despite her best efforts, she felt the first tear work its way
 > free.

	Guess not.  <sniffle>  Poor Tina, her love life is like the Edmund 
Fitzgerald.  But don't give up hope yet, Tina -- don't noise it around, 
but I think the author likes you....


	IN OUR NEXT THRILLING INSTALLMENT:
	Will Aoi draw a line in the sand?
	Will Kaoru do something stupid?
	Will Miyabi have something to get angry about?
	Will Miyabi have something to REALLY get angry about?
	Will Tina manage to get a lifeboat off the sinking ship of her love life?
	Will Taeko make a mess?
	Will we get any closer to learning what the heck that keycard does?
	Tune in next... um... whenever!  Same FFML time, same FFML channel!



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