Summary: What would Aramaki think of the Sniper and the Prime Minister? Saito and Kayabuki find out.

UNEXPECTED TARGET
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"I hate nukes," muttered Pazu as he looked up at the sky over Deijima.

"It's such an impersonal way to die," agreed Saito calmly.

Pazu emitted a wry laugh, "Shoulda known you'd rather have a manned weapon on you."

"Actually, I'd rather be the one pulling the trigger." Saito turned to look at the sky, but he wasn't seeing the blue. He would face death with images of Yoko Kayabuki filling his mind. The weight of her body pressed against him was a precious sensation, especially in slumber.

What had begun as weekly trysts had turned into a routine to the point that he hardly knew his own apartment anymore. Outside of work, Kayabuki had simply become the focus of his life, so his memories of the woman came as naturally as breathing, but his revelry was interrupted by Pazu.

"You're one of them Catholics, aren't you? Aren't you supposed to be looking for a priest so you can give your last confession?" asked Pazu.

"Yes, but seeing as you're my only option, I think I'll face my sins in silence."

"Come on, Saito, no regrets at least?" Pazu frowned a moment. He hesitated as if reconsidering his words, but finally spoke. "You know, you're gonna hate me for this, but one time, I kissed your girl."

Saito merely shifted his eye toward Pazu. He was certain that the gangster had never propositioned Kayabuki, let alone kissed her, and he actually had to bite back a laugh as he came to an obvious conclusion. Miki had acted as a decoy date for Saito on the odd occasion and the woman was an unconscionable flirt. "You mean Miki?"

"Yeah," said Pazu as he scratched the back of his head. "It was that costume party that Kayabuki insisted we do security for, you know, and--Aw, hell, I didn't figure you'd be seeing Miki much longer considering how mad she was at you that night."

Saito just nodded. That's right, Miki had been angry that Saito had referred to her as a tanuki, but really, her eye make-up and fuzzy brown boa dragging to the floor had made the comparison obvious. Kayabuki had agreed with his assessment. "It's okay, Pazu."

"No, you don't understand, I mean, things got pretty hot, but I swear, I just kissed her. Well, yeah, I touched her, but that's as far as it went," said Pazu firmly.

Saito made a vow that if somehow he survived this day, he would use this piece of information to relentlessly taunt Miki. She was like the annoying little sister he'd never had. He stopped to consider how much richer his life was since he had found Kayabuki.

The couple rarely went out unless they had Miki for a decoy, but it was no burden for the introverted couple to find their diversions in the isolation of Kayabuki's flat. Sometimes it was the mundane, like talking until the wee hours of the morning about their lives. Some rather mundane experiences were novel for the Prime Minister. Kayabuki had also never cuddled with a man while watching senseless movies on the screen, soon forgotten as the lovers indulged in distracting caresses.

Sometimes the agenda was a bit more exotic, such as the time Kayabuki had decided she was going to cook a gourmet meal (he had a feeling that Miki had put her up to it). That was a culinary disaster, but the evening had ended with both of them unable to breathe due to their laughter. And then there was the time she taught him how to waltz or play the piano or speak in Russian. Through it all, Saito had realized that this woman truly valued him. And he realized he had never told her that he loved her. If he had one regret, it would be his silence on that issue.

Again, Saito's musings were interrupted by Pazu. "Hey, aren't you gonna say something? Look, just hit me already."

"Why?" asked Saito having been lost in his thoughts.

"I was making out with your girl. I'm a rotten friend, Saito. I deserve to get slugged for not respecting your territory, man."

Saito quirked an eyebrow. Men dealt with imminent death in interesting ways and, oddly enough, he felt compelled to oblige. "If you insist."

Thud. Saito laid out Pazu with one quick punch. When Pazu finally woke up, he opened his eyes and saw a wondrous sight. A spectacular shower of light could be seen in the heavens when the Tachikoma AI satellite intercepted the missile.

Pazu propped himself up on an elbow and mumbled, "We're not dead?"

Saito actually chuckled. "No, we're not dead."

Pazu touched his chin. "What happened? How'd I pass out if the missile missed?"

"I slugged you."

"Why?" asked Pazu. He couldn't quite remember what happened. He had a vague memory of confessing something quite stupid to Saito, but surely--

"To make you feel better."

"Oh, yeah, thanks," said Pazu with a frown as he realized that yes, he had been stupid enough to confess to Saito. "Things okay between us?"

"Never better," confirmed Saito as he offered his comrade a hand up. Indeed, the sniper had made up his mind not to live with any regrets where Kayabuki was concerned.

- - - - - - - - - -

Soon Saito and the other members of Section 9 were contacted and debriefed. His heart tightened when Aramaki described the Prime Minister's arrest, but he said nothing. He acknowledged his continued assignment to Deijima as the crisis faded. He was not surprised to be remaining on the island for a few days longer with Pazu to help put things in order, but after the group was dismissed, he contacted Aramaki on his own.

Chief? The Prime Minister. Is she all right?

Yes, Saito, she suffered no physical harm and handled herself with grace during the crisis.

Thank you, sir.

Saito? I'll tell her you'll be coming home in a few days.

How long have you known, sir?

Don't fret, you've been very discreet, Saito. Taking advantage of the optical camouflage for your rendezvous has been a wise course to follow.

So how did you find out?

I stumbled on it from Togusa. He mentioned his daughter has a kite with the Prime Minister's face on it, but she keeps saying that it looks more like a lady named Ko, Mister Saito's friend. A quiet investigation confirmed my suspicions, but frankly, I saw your relationship with Kayabuki as an advantage for Section 9.

Sir, I'm not going to use her--

No, but I will and in general, what's good for Section 9 is also good for our country. Just so we understand each other.

I trust you, Chief, but you better earn that same trust from the Prime Minister.

- - - - - - - - -

Prime Minister Kayabuki was sitting in the limousine that was also carrying Aramaki as a passenger. The crisis was over, the bad guys had been disposed, but she would still be working around the clock for the next few days to do damage control. Still, she was anxious to see for herself that Saito was unharmed and whole. Hell, she just wanted to him to hold her so she could finally break down, so he could be strong for her.

"And the rest of Section 9? You mentioned some of them would remain on Deijima for a few days." Kayabuki tried not to appear too eager for information on Saito, but at this point she was too tired to worry about whether Aramaki would consider her questions strange. In fact, during the crisis, Aramaki had spoken to her discreetly to remind her that Saito specifically was on Deijima.

"The men will be useful in organizing the refugees," explained Aramaki, but then he provided her with the detail she wanted to know. "I can assure you that Saito will be coming home in three days."

"Is he--was anyone from Section 9 injured?" asked Kayabuki.

"I believe Pazu has a nice bruise on his chin, but you don't have to mask your concern; Saito is fine. The first thing he asked me when he had the chance to do so privately was how you were."

Kayabuki looked out the window and laughed wryly. It was welcome news to know that Saito cared, but that also meant that Aramaki was aware of their relationship. "You know? That's why you made a point of reminding me he was on Deijima. I must say it did provide a certain level of motivation to find a way to give the Major's plan time to work."

"As I told Saito, the best interests of our nation coincide with the best interests for Section 9."

Kayabuki suddenly stiffened. She hated the question that the situation created, but was compelled to ask, "Did you order him to--No, I can't believe it's all been a lie. He's not the sort to let himself be used like that."

Aramaki looked at the clenched fists of the woman and realized it indicated a depth of feeling for Saito he was not expecting. "No, I did not order him to provide stud service to you, for lack of a better term. I also believe he'd quit Section 9 if I suggested that this relationship should be dissolved."

Kayabuki relaxed her posture and inhaled deeply. "I won't let you take him away from me."

"Danger is part of the job for Security Section 9," replied Aramaki. "Saito's duties by definition place him in jeopardy."

"I can live with that," said Kayabuki, "I just don't want you to create a suicide mission for Saito in order to have leverage with me." Kayabuki turned to look directly at Aramaki. "Should that happen, I'd dissolve Section 9 and destroy you along with it. I won't be anyone's puppet, but as you say, what's best for Section 9 happens to coincide with what's best for our nation. Take care that doesn't change."

"I think we understand each other," agreed Aramaki with a nod. He appreciated Kayabuki's sincerity and understood that she wouldn't waste her time in weeping, but in getting revenge. Aramaki paused for a moment before he asked, "Have you considered that someone with malevolent motives will stumble onto your affair?"

"Yes." Kayabuki turned her face forward. "In the event that someone uses Saito as a hostage to get to me, I'm to consider him a dead man--and to have faith he'd find a way out. In any case, I expect Section 9 would be enthusiastic about his safe recovery or willing to avenge his death in the worst case scenario." She offered her sincere smile before she added, "I was tempted to dissolve Section 9, put Saito in a safer position within my security team. But then I realized that while his job with Section 9 has its dangers, it's still the safest place for him to be."

"You know, at first I found you and Saito a rather odd match, but perhaps," offered Aramaki as he turned to her, "perhaps it's the perfect one."

Kayabuki smiled at Aramaki and bowed her head in acknowledgment.

- - - - - - - - -

He walked into the familiar apartment and closed the door quietly. Saito could hear the music coming from the back room that Kayabuki used for dancing. Tonight it was ballet and the flow of the movements were her second favorite way to relieve tension. He stood there for a moment lost in the innocent seduction of the graceful movements and thought about her most favorite way to relieve tension. Any sense of fatigue was replaced by an aching need that only she could soothe.

He watched as she suddenly halted and turned to find him waiting for her. He captured her easily. The deep kiss they shared was eventually broken and they merely held each other in a moment of supreme comfort.

Saito moved to kiss her again, but tasted the salt of her tears as they quietly streamed down her eyes. He smiled gently and said, "Hey, you're not supposed to cry until after."

"But I'm happy now," replied Kayabuki as she nuzzled his neck. She whispered almost shyly, "I love you, Javier Saito."

He tightened his embrace. "That was the one thing I regretted. That I never told you that I love you, Yoko."

Kayabuki kissed him and then promised, "One day, Javier, I'm going to marry you. What do you say to that?"

"Well, I suppose I'll survive having Miki as a sister. Maybe I'll get Pazu to distract her," said Saito cryptically. He noted the way Kayabuki's eyebrow quirked and said, "I'll tell you that story later. Right now, I want my woman to welcome me home."

And a warm, loving welcome it was.

The End

Author Note: A bit of mushiness in the end, but I thought the couple deserved it. Again, for some reason, Pazu just kept inserting himself into the story.

Thanks for reading, thank you for your generous comments, and mostly, thanks for letting me share a smile.