by S D Rogue
Bashir seemed uncomfortably tense as he said, “Hana, this is Riko—Riko, Hana.”
“That’s a cruel greeting for your former lover,” Riko said. “I guess you’re still upset with how we left it.”
Bashir didn’t answer. Now Hana was the uncomfortable one.
Riko looked her up and down and then said, “Well Hana, I see you’ve had no time to go shopping since you got here. You look like a basic American tourist.”
Hana looked down awkwardly, and her cheeks got red. She was wearing the clothes that Bashir had picked up at Target.
Bashir explained quickly, “I picked them out—I didn’t want her to stand out.”
“I see.” Riko smiled. “Well you always did have terrible taste—except in me, of course.” She turned to Hana. “I don’t mean to be rude, Hana, but you look terrible—let me take you out tomorrow. I’ll find you something that doesn’t call quite so much attention to you.”
“I was really hoping to stay here tomorrow—get over the jet lag.”
“Nonsense!” Riko said. “I hear you have some special skills we might need—you need to have clothes ready just in case we need you.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” York said, walking up behind Riko and interrupting the conversation. “It would give you time to get to know some of the international Paladins.”
Hana looked at Bashir hopelessly.
Bashir caught her stare, and said, “Why don’t you just bring some clothes to her? She can give you her size.”
Hana sighed, “It’s fine. I’ll go.”
“That’s a trooper!” York said. He turned around and called out, “Everyone! Please find your place at the table—dinner is about to be served.”
Most of the seats were already taken. “I’ve saved you a seat next to me,” Riko said brightly to Bashir. “Hana, there’s an extra place at the end of the table.”
“Maybe you can trade with us?” Bashir asked.
Riko teased loudly, “What, are you dating or something?” She looked at the end of the table. “She’ll be fine there—it will be nice for her to get to know some of the other Paladins. We really need to catch up.”
“I’ll see you after dinner,” Hana said awkwardly, and then found her place at the end of the table. She walked into the EHA starving, but from the moment she heard Riko’s voice her appetite had fled her.
“I’d stay away from Bashir if I were you,” said Embry, who was seated to her left.
Hana ignored her.
“He’s nice, of course. But he’s also a diva. All Paladins are—at least the men.” She looked to the right of Hana at Cassian, another Paladin. “Isn’t that right, Cassian?”
He smiled. “I find divas to be the most delicious kind of superheroes.”
“He’s a heartbreaker,” Embry offered.
Hana gave a forced smile and said, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Luckily, my ability is creating forcefields,” Embry continued. She threw Leith, who was sitting next to her, a playful smile and explained further, “So I can handle a little Paladin hurt.”
Hana ignored Embry and looked over at Bashir. Riko had moved her chair closer to his. Hana tuned everyone else out and listened as Riko leaned near Bashir’s ear and asked, “So how have you been?”
“Good,” Bashir answered coldly. His body seemed stiff.
“Just good?” Riko asked. “How do you like California? I bet the beaches are the best.”
“They’re not bad.”
He was ignoring her, Hana noticed. That was good.
“Are you still shy about taking your shirt off in public?” she teased. “That’s the way they do it in California, is it not?”
Bashir didn’t answer. Riko’s fingers slid up his arm. Hana waited for him to push them away, but he allowed it. “You really have nothing to be afraid of—I always told you that.” She added, “You know, in Brazil, most the women on the beaches go topless. It’s so liberating. I wish you could see me there.”
Bashir looked up at her, Hana noticed. He’s thinking of her at the beach!
“Are you going to eat?” Embry said, nudging Hana’s arm.
Hana looked at Embry blankly; she hadn’t noticed the food had been brought out. She turned to her plate and jumped backyards letting out a soft yelp; a live chicken was on her plate—its small round eyes staring directly at Hana’s.
“It’s a delicacy in Japan!” Cassian laughed. “You kill it and eat it raw—they’re farm raised, so it’s perfectly safe.”
Hana looked at the chicken speechless.
“Allow me,” Embry said.
Hana turned to her and she was holding up a small knife. She had a twisted smile on her face, as she quickly and forcefully brought the knife down on the chicken. The knife went through the chicken like it was air and made a loud noise as the blade hit the glass plate.
Hana looked at Embry, confused. From the other end of the table, Riko laughed loudly and said, “Cassian likes to show off his power of illusion in the most morbid ways.”
Hana relaxed as the real dinner was brought in and put in front of her. The first course was a salad that looked more like a piece of food art. Each leaf and vegetable was delicately arranged on the plate. She took a few bites but spent most the time playing with her fork.
She did her best to ignore the conversation between Bashir and Riko but couldn’t help listening in when Bashir left the table and Riko followed him.
“So what’s the deal?” she heard Riko say in the kitchen. “Is that your new fling?”
Bashir replied quickly, “Just a nurse from the agency.”
“Mmm, a nurse—that sounds naughty. You know I’d take care of you good if that’s the kind of attention you need.”
“That was never the problem.”
“So just a nurse, eh?” Riko said slowly. She had a seductive tone to her voice.
“Just a nurse.”
Hana cringed a little at the phrase. She thought there really was something there today and that Bashir was different from the other Paladins, but with that one sentence, she knew that she had been wrong about him.
“She’s cute though—a little nerdy, but with the right help she could be pretty enough to attract some pretty basic guys. And she takes care of people, so you got to at least be interested. You were always a sucker for people who take care of you.”
“She’s just helping out.”
“And that’s all you want?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.” Riko said. “We should get out of here—have a little fun. For old time’s sake. When was the last time you were in Japan?”
“I’m really jet lagged.”
“Come on—I know you hate the way we left things. We never had a proper talk—for closure if nothing else.”
“Not tonight, Riko.”
Hana sensed disappointment in her voice as she said, “If you can’t sleep, you know where my room is. I’ll be up.” Riko tased, “Thinking about you, I’m afraid.”
As Bashir walked back out of the kitchen, he caught Hana looking and smiled. Hana turned away embarrassed, then stood and made her way to the elevator. She had spent enough time at dinner and just wanted to get under the covers and think.
Bashir watched her leave and went after her, catching up at the elevator that led to the upper rooms.
“Hana, wait!”
She stopped at the elevator and looked at him disappointed.
“Going to bed so soon?” He stood between her and the elevator door.
“I’m pretty wiped out.” She said. “See you in the morning though.” She pushed past him and went into the elevator.
“Everything ok?” he asked.
“Mmm hmm,” she mumbled.
Bashir watched the door close, confused. He was about to put his hand in the door to stop it, but York came up behind him. “Bashir—got a minute? There’s something I want to go over.”
“I’m Hana.” She smiled. “I didn’t think you even saw me.”
“I didn’t—I smelled you.”
Hana looked at her awkwardly.
Kenna caught her stare. “Not like that—you smelled fine, obviously. It’s my ability. I have an enhanced sense of smell.” She had a nervous demeanor about her.
“That must be difficult sometimes.”
She shrugged. “You get used to it—just like hearing, I guess.”
Hana nodded. The elevator opened to her floor and she started to get out, but Kenna stopped her. “Hey Hana, watch out for Riko. She’s…just watch out for her.”
“Noted,” Hana said.
Hana went to her room and sat at her window staring hopelessly at the Tokyo skyline. This morning she had just want to explore the city; now she just wanted to go home. She turned to go to her bed, but caught a note being slipped under her door.
She picked up the note and smiled as she saw one of Frank’s cartoons. She opened the door, and Frank opened his arms for a hug, which Hana happily gave him.
She walked to her bed and collapsed onto it. “This is why I don’t date Paladins.”
Frank collapsed next to her. “Maybe you could throw a few my way. I’d love to see what all the fuss is about.”
They both stared silently at the light above them. Finally, Frank said, “So this is about that Riko girl, I presume?”
Hana didn’t answer.
“He’s definitely not into her.”
“Didn’t sound like it to me.”
Frank turned on his side and propped himself up on his elbow. “Wait! You used your hearing to listen in, didn’t you?!”
“I couldn’t help it—it’s hard to control.”
“I’m sure it is,” Frank laughed
Hana rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I’m so over him.”
“Yeah, you look over him.” Frank smiled. “Pouting on your bed like a schoolgirl.”
Hana tossed a pillow at Frank’s face. “He told her I was just a nurse.”
“Is that all?” Frank laughed. “He was super awkward around her. You could tell he didn’t want to be anywhere near her. He probably just didn’t want to get personal about anything. She seems like a pretty jealous B, and he probably didn’t want the drama.” Frank stood and walked to the other side of the bed. He reached down and took Hana’s hand. “My advice—guys can be dicks, but they also have dicks.” He smiled. “Stop using this ‘I don’t date Paladins” stuff as an excuse. Not all Paladins are the same—I’ve talked to Bashir. He’s different. Drop the passive aggressive stuff. Just talk to him. Trust me—he’s into you.”
Hana continued to stare at the ceiling as Frank left the room. She thought about Riko. I can never compete with that, she thought. A part of her wanted to go to Bashir’s roomto ask him what he meant by her being just a nurse. She wanted to ask him if he really did have feelings for her or if it was all a game—that she was just some toy he was playing with because he was bored—something until the next catch came along.
She thought if he was really into her, then he’d come. He’d apologize to her and they’d talk it out until she fell asleep on his shoulder again. She waited for him to come. But he didn’t.
Chapter Ten
H
ana was still in her jeans when she woke up to a knock at her door. She didn’t remember when she fell asleep, but when she turned, there was light coming in the window and she knew it must be early morning. The bathroom door was ajar and as she made her way to the door, she caught a glimpse of smeared makeup on her face.
When she opened the door, a smiling Riko stared at her and said brightly, “Ready to go shopping?”
“What time is it?”
“Almost seven,” she said cheerfully. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Are stores even open?”
“I figured we could take our time—grab a bite to eat, get to know each other a little.” Riko explained and continued, “Bashir told me last night that I was a little hard on you—we talked for hours after dinner—and I guess he’s right. I’d like to make it up.”
Hana yawned. She was too tired to let Riko’s passive aggressiveness get to her. “Give me 30 minutes to take a shower.”
Riko smiled and put the tip of her finger on Hana’s face. She rubbed off some of the smeared makeup. “Maybe take a little bit of extra time—you look like a mess.”
Hana looked at her blankly. Who is this woman? she thought.
“I’m not trying to insult you—I just know I’d want to know if I looked like that,” Riko explained. “Not that I ever do.”
“Thanks?”
Riko smiled brightly again. “Okay then. I’ll be waiting.”
As the warm water hit Hana in the shower, she couldn’t stop thinking about how much she was going to regret this trip. And how annoyed she was with Bashir. For a brief second, she thought about what Riko had just said—that she and Bashir had talked for hours—but she did her best to reason that Riko was just trying to get to her.
A feeling of paranoia came over her as she did her makeup. She didn’t know why, but she felt like she had to work extra hard with her makeup because she didn’t want Riko to make another comment. Why am I trying to impress her?
Bashir was up drinking tea when Hana came downstairs.
“You’re up early,” he said cheerfully.
“I had an early wakeup call—Riko wanted to get an early start.”
“I forgot.” Bashir sighed. “I’m sorry she roped you into that. She’s—she’s a character, so if you need me to bail you out, just say the word and I’ll pick you up.”
Hana nodded. “You guys have quite a past.”
“Past is the keyword there.”
“Didn’t seem so last night—I heard you talked for hours.”
Bashir started to reply, but Riko entered the room before he could. “Ready to go?”
“Be nice,” Bashir said as Riko left with her.
When the elevator doors closed, Riko looked her up and down and then asked, “Have you even changed?”
“Wasn’t that the point of this trip? To get clothes? I didn’t exactly have time to pack.”
Riko ignored her and grabbed the back of her shirt, pulling it down at the neck.
“Hey!” Hana squealed.
Riko let go then said, “Figures Bashir would buy you that—he’s treating you like you’re cheap. All guys will unless you give them a reason not to.”
The city was just waking up when they left the building and not that many people were on the streets. They walked in the opposite direction of the subway.
“I hope you don’t mind walking?” Riko said. “It will take about the same amount of time.”
Hana shrugged. “That’s fine.”
They walked in silence. Hana’s arms were crossed, clearly annoyed and not happy with the situation. Riko walked like she was on the catwalk. As guys gawked in her direction, she smiled and did her best to make Hana feel like they weren’t walking together.
After a few minutes, they stopped in front of a small restaurant and Riko pulled her in. “Come on. Let’s grab some food.”
Hana reluctantly followed her in. There were only a half dozen tables, but the cafe was empty except for an elderly couple in the back corner.
Hana looked blankly at the menu, which was entirely in Japanese with no pictures.
“What looks good?” Riko asked without looking up.
“I’m not sure what any of this is.”
“Oh, right—you don’t speak Japanese.” She smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” The waiter came and Riko spoke quickly to him, throwing in a laugh at the end while looking at Hana. When
he left, she explained, “I got you the traditional Japanese breakfast.”
Minutes later the waiter returned. He set down a bento box with steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and picked vegetables in front of Hana; in front of Riko, he left several pastries.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had fish for breakfast,” Hana commented, suddenly not having much of an appetite.
“It’s how the Japanese do it,” Riko explained, taking a big bite of her pastry. After she finished she continued, “I figured you’d want the protein—easier to burn off.” She continued eating her pastry as she explained, “I’m a carb girl—I can eat as much bread as I want and not gain a thing.”
“Must be nice,” Hana said, annoyed.
“You California girls are all the same—no carbs because it will all go to your hips,” Riko noted. “And yet you’ll be fat by 30 either way. I think there’s something in the water.” She looked at the full plate, “Go on—try it. The fish here is terrific.”
Hana took a long slow bite. Right as she bit down, Riko said, “I want orange juice—do you want orange juice?”
She almost gagged a little at the thought of fish and juice.
“You grew up in California?” Riko asked, suddenly friendlier.
Hana nodded. “All my life—except for time in the service.”
Riko nodded. “Yes, the service—I saw your file.”
“I have a file?”
“Everyone who works at the EHA has a file.”
“See anything interesting?”
“Seems like you had a pretty average upbringing.”
“Average as they get.” She paused. “What about you—I didn’t get to read your file. What’s your story?”
“Anything but average,” Riko explained.
Of course it wasn’t.
“My family comes from a very long line of warriors—it probably means nothing to someone so Western, but you can trace my lineage all the way to the Kofun period. I started training in martial arts from the time I could walk. My family is very important to this country.” She looked at Hana’s plate and seemed amused that she hadn’t eaten that much, then continued, “I know it doesn’t mean much to someone like you, but the Japanese take heritage very seriously. People know my family—at least the people that matter do.”
