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CHAPTER 6:
Exhausted from the chase, Takeshi and Liz found themselves at the IGPX race track. They both decided to head up to the top of one of the towers. Once there, they stood in silence as they leaned on the railing, overlooking the race track. After a few minutes, Liz broke the silence.
"We should've known that was going to happen."
"You know, Fantine once told me, 'You're a celebrity now….at least wear some sunglasses.' I remember thinking that she was right, but a part of me felt, I don't know, that I was being too secretive. I wasn't prepared for all of the attention we got after we made it to the IG-1. I guess I still wanted to be a normal guy who wanted to do normal things. I do want people to give us space, but I don't want to keep whatever we've got going on, a secret, either."
Liz stood there for a minute.
"What do we have going on?" she thought to herself, as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Takeshi, I feel the same way too, but there comes a time when we're going to have to face people, like reporters, who aren't going to respect the whole space thing; all they want is a good story."
Takeshi took her hand from off his shoulder and held it.
"I just wanted to be alone with you, and just when it felt like we were, something or someone interrupted. I'm sorry, Liz, this is probably one of the worst dates ever."
"Didn't I tell you not to act like a total spaz? Besides," she continued, while putting both of her hands on his shoulders, "didn't I also tell you that we'll have plenty of opportunities to make up for it?"
Takeshi blushed as Liz came closer to him.
"Don't act like a total spaz yourself," Liz thought to herself, "You kissed….."
Her thoughts were quickly interrupted as she felt Takeshi's lips on hers. Slowly, her eyes closed, as Takeshi put his hands on her waists. The kiss was short, but it was slow and tender; a look of satisfaction appeared on both their faces.
"How about tomorrow night, we give our first date a second chance?" Takeshi asked.
Liz grinned and nodded her head in agreement.
"Come on," he said, as he took Liz's hand.
"Where the hell are we going now?"
"Down to the track; let's have a little one-on-one race."
"Now!"
"Why not? We don't have to start training for awhile, but….if you think you can't handle it?"
With a serious look on her face, Liz walked up to Takeshi.
"Oh, I can handle it, pretty boy. The question is, will you be able to handle me?"
Liz punched him in the arm and took off running, with Takeshi following closely behind.
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It wasn't until they reached the bottom landing of the tower, that Liz remembered that Mark and his crew were already working on the mechs.
"Damn it!"
What's up?"
"The mechs are being worked on, remember?"
Thinking, Takeshi looked down.
"No worries. If anything, this is good for you."
"Good for me?" Liz asked.
Smiling, Takeshi answered, "Spare you the humiliation of losing….to me."
Liz looked like she was ready to punch him in the face, but, instead, she started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Takeshi asked her.
"Remembering how much of a dope you looked like when that chipmunk was on your head, but then again, you really don't need the chipmunk to make you look like one."
Takeshi fired back, "Nope, I got you."
Liz was ready to fire back, when she spotted the two reporters….again.
"Uh, we got company."
Takeshi turned to see the direction she was looking in, and sure enough, there were the reporters heading in their direction.
"How did they know we were here?"
"We passed a lot of people, maybe someone squealed," Liz replied, "Let's just get out of here."
"No."
"No?"
"No," Takeshi repeated, "Why should we? I mean, when have Team Satomi ever ran away from something?"
"Well, gee, let me think…"
"Liz, I'm being serious. I don't want to keep whatever we've got going on a secret; I don't want to keep….us a secret. People are going to find out eventually, Liz; with our own words, let's tell them."
Reluctantly, Liz agreed.
"You sure about this?"
"Of course I'm sure, Liz. Think about it; if we don't do it now, they will be there tomorrow night."
"They will always be there."
"I know, but hopefully, it won't be as bad as tonight."
"Dude, Fantine was right, you are naïve," Liz said.
"You can always walk out."
"As a famous wise man once said, 'I am never going to let go of you.'
"You forgot to say ba…."
"I'M NOT GOING TO CALL YOU BABY!" Liz yelled.
Smiling mischievously, Takeshi replied, "You just did."
Liz blushed, but she took his hand, and together, they met the reporters halfway, who were more than eager to finally take their statements.
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Well, there you have it, end of this episode, BUT DON'T WORRY, I WILL WRITE ANOTHER EPISODE; the continuation of my fanfic storyline. I'm sorry this chapter is short, but I thought it would be nice to end it like this. I really want to keep writing more about the series, up to the point where we see the first race in the new season (in the year 2051).
NEXT TIME ON IGPX: CHANCES