The Key to My Heart

Title: The Key to My Heart: Chapter 9
Author: JadeHeart
Archived: Found on gurabiteshiyon.net. If anyone else would like it, please ask me first!
Fandom: Gravitation
Rating: R
Warnings: Bad language mainly
Timeline: After the anime/manga finishes.
Characters: Yuki, Tohma
Feedback: Feedback is always welcome! If I don’t get feedback, I don’t want to continue!
Summary: Just how far would Yuki go in search of Shuichi?
Author’s Notes: Thank you to all the reviewers – I don’t know if you realise just how much your encouragement means to writers like myself. I only started posting fanfiction about two months ago, so I’m a real ‘newbie’ to all of this. I had no idea how my stories would be received, or even if they would appeal to anyone - other than myself! So the encouragement reviewers give me is very much appreciated! (don’t stop because then I’ll probably get depressed!). Please note, I am not trying to cast any slurs on any nationality or country with some of the comments made during this chapter – it’s just a story, okay!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, they belong to the creators of ‘Gravitation’, nor am I making any profits from this. (Except the character of Jim Harris, the lovely FBI agent, who is still mine!)

The Key to My Heart: Chapter 9


The trip back to the hotel passed in a blur for Yuki. He’d found him. He had finally found him!

Yuki’s mind raced, joy infusing his every thought. Shuichi had been here. He was even all right, amazingly! That was such a miracle, such a relief. Yuki felt that his prayers had been answered. Someone, or something, had been listening to his fervent wishes all this time.

Okay, Shuichi wasn’t exactly ‘here’ here. But he had been. And he had been well enough to leave of his own accord. The hospital wouldn’t have let him go otherwise.

They knew the place he was going, so they would find him. So what if he had left five days ago? It was only five days, not even a whole week. Just how far could the kid get in five days? Where else would he go? No, they would find him.

The usual feelings of trepidation that Yuki would generally experience if he ever thought about that place, didn’t come this time. This time, that address was the best place in the world, the only place in the world, and Yuki had no hesitation what-so-ever of returning there. His only complaint was that he couldn’t get there fast enough!

He looked out the window, not even seeing the city they were driving through. Shuichi was so close now! So close Yuki could almost touch him! Gods, when he finally saw the boy he’d hold him so tight he’d choke! Though, perhaps that might not be a good idea. Wouldn’t do to finally find Shuichi, only to send him straight back to hospital! However, when they got back to Japan, Yuki was going to chain the kid in the apartment. He didn’t care how kinky people thought he was, he was taking no chances. Shuichi wasn’t going anywhere, ever again, without him right by his side. He was NOT going to go through this again! The brat could bloody stay put in one place for once!!

The motion of the cab halted and he looked up, surprised. They were parked out the front of their hotel. Tohma turned to smile at him.

“Time to snap out of it, Eiri” he said, opening the door. “We’ve got things to organize.”

Yuki was out of the cab just as rapidly and they strode inside. When they reached their room, Yuki bundled his clothes and other accessories into his bag, heedless of folding and neatness.

“Make certain the lid’s tight on your aftershave.” Tohma warned, picking up the phone. He dialed the reception and asked for information regarding flights to New York. They promised to call back.

Tohma watched Yuki move rapidly through the rooms. “Sit down, Eiri.” That just got him a glare, and he sighed to himself. “Eiri, we don’t even have a flight yet. We don’t even know what time we can get on a flight. Just put things together and sit down and take a breather. You’re not going to get there any faster, no matter what you do.”

Yuki paused, continuing to glare at his brother-in-law. He knew Tohma was right, but he couldn’t bear to admit it. He tossed the shirt he was holding in his hands onto the bed beside the bag, and sat in a chair with a loud, “Huh!”.

The phone jangled noisily. Tohma reached out and picked it up.

“Yes?” he listened. “Yes, that would be fine. Could you please make the necessary reservations? Thank you. And if you could arrange for a taxi to take us to the airport? Oh, you have a courtesy car. That would be just perfect. Yes, yes, thank you for that. I will be down shortly to finalise everything. Thank you.”

He placed the phone down and looked over at Yuki’s expectant face. “Flights are booked. We leave in half an hour. Finish your packing, and pack properly, please. It will at least keep your clothing looking respectable. There’s no need to look like some sort of vagabond.” Tohma stood and made his way to the door. “I’ll go and clear the hotel bill. Be back shortly.”

“Bloody fashion-conscious nazi!” Yuki snarled at the closed door as he also stood. However, he did empty his bag and began to repack it more carefully.

He paused a moment to run his hand lovingly over the clothes he still carried for Shuichi. Soon, he murmured to himself. Soon he would be able to give these to him. Soon. He gently laid them in the bag, smoothing out any creases, before throwing his own clothes on top, with a little less care.

He was well and truly done by the time Tohma had returned, and was standing out on the balcony smoking.

“Everything’s organized.” Tohma called to him, as he too swiftly went about the business of packing. “Ready to go?”

Yuki came back into the room. “Yeah.”

Tohma nodded. “Good. I’m going to make a couple of calls.”

“Who to?”

“Well, Mika for one. She’ll be delighted to hear the news.”

“Huh. She’ll probably blame Shuichi for all the trouble.”

Tohma dialed, and smiled when he heard the familiar voice of his wife. “Mika, my love.” he said warmly. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. So is Eiri. No, no, listen for a moment. We’re not coming home just yet. Wait a moment, there’s been another change. It was a mistake. I mean, that the person we thought was Shindou wasn’t. I mean, it wasn’t Shindou. He’s not dead. I know. I know. I thought it was, we both did. We only found out yesterday that it wasn’t. He was at another hospital. Now, Mika, you can’t blame the hospital at all. It’s been such a terrible mess over here. Well, from what we’ve been told he’s fine, but he left before we could get to him and he’s gone to New York. Mika, he couldn’t return home, he’s apparently lost his memory. It’s true, we were told by the doctor himself. Shindou doesn’t remember who he is. He’s going to New York because there was an address there that he remembered. It’s an address that Yuki knew. Shindou apparently remembered that. I know it sounds really strange, but the doctor explained that this is quite common in such cases. Apparently, the oddest things will be remembered, yet everything else will be gone. Anyway, Eiri and I are going to New York shortly to find him. Yes, yes, I’m sure it will be alright. After all, where else is he going to go? He doesn’t know anyone else, and doesn’t remember anything else. So I’m sure we’ll find him there. Yes, yes, I’ll tell Eiri. I’ll call you from New York when it’s all done. I know. I love you too.”

He hung up, with a smile. He always felt good after speaking with Mika. He found himself longing to be back home with her. He missed her. More than he had realized he would.

He picked the phone up and dialed again. The phone kept ringing, then clicked into a message bank.

“Hi, this is Jim Harris. I’m not available at the time, so leave a message. Ciao, baby!”

“Ah, Jim. It’s Tohma. I thought I would let you know that we have just found out some news. Shuichi Shindou is still alive. We’re heading for New York now. Just thought you might like to know.” and he hung up.

He glanced at his watch and stood to pick up his bag. “Time to go.” he called out to Yuki, who re-entered from the balcony and grabbed his bag also.

As the car sped towards the airport, Tohma’s cell phone rang. “Tohma Seguchi.” he answered.

“TOHMA!” he held the phone away from his ear at the loudness of the shout. “What the hell are you talking about?! What do you mean he’s alive?!”

“Hello, Jim.”

“Don’t you ‘hello, Jim’ me, you slanty-eyed pipsqueak! I check my messages, and you just about give me a bloody heart attack! What the hell is going on?!”

“I know, Jim. Believe me, I know how you feel. We feel the same.”

“Okay,” Jim sounded a little calmer now. “Tell me what’s happened.”

“The hospital received the dental records finally and confirmed that the person in room 213 wasn’t Shindou after all. That was when we found out that two survivors had originally been transferred to another hospital. So we headed there this morning, and found out that Shindou had been there the whole time.”

“Holy shit!” Jim said amazed. “You’re kidding me!”

“Not at all. We spoke to the treating doctor, and he confirmed it through the dental records, and DNA testing. There’s no doubt. Shuichi Shindou was there.”

“Man, that’s….hold on.” Jim paused in his enthusiasm. “You said, ‘was’.”

Tohma smiled. Jim was sharp, and didn’t miss much. “Unfortunately. He’s left already.”

“What? So he’s on his way home?”

“Not…exactly.”

“Tohma,” Jim growled. “If you don’t fucking tell this to me straight, without any of your usual double talk, I’m going to reach down this phone and personally rearrange your facial features!”

“Honestly, Jim I’m not trying to be difficult.”

“Huh!” Jim snorted. “You can’t seem to help yourself! That’s your problem! Now tell me!”

“The doctor said Shindou has amnesia. He doesn’t remember who he is, or where he’s from. Pretty much nothing.”

“Then why the hell did they let him go?!”

“Because, physically, he apparently is fairly much fine. Still healing, but the worst was over, and he wanted to leave himself.”

“Gods, the medical system is crazy! What else?”

“Well, if you would stop interrupting me, I could maybe finish the story?”

“Don’t get cocky with me, you little bastard!” Jim snarled.

“Very well. Shindou has amnesia, but he did remember one thing. An address in New York.”

“How come he knows an address in New York? Thought you said the kid had hardly been over here much?”

“Are you going to continue to interrupt me?”

“Okay, okay. Hurry it up will you!”

Tohma cleared his throat and settled back in the seat of the car a little further. He glanced over at his fellow passenger. Yuki wasn’t paying any attention to the call, simply looking out the window. Tohma knew that it wasn’t the scenery he was engrossed in. He would be seeing only one thing. One face. He turned his attention back to the conversation he was having.

“Look, the address is one that Eiri and I know. Shindou knew about it. For some reason, that’s the only thing that he recalls.”

“So that’s why you’re on your way there?”

“Yes, we’ve got the flight booked. We’re taking off at 12.40pm.”

“Okay. Look, when you get to the airport, don’t worry about it. I’ll organize things.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’m going to meet you there. I’ll make certain you get through without any hassles, so look for me out the front.”

“Jim, you don’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I do.” Jim said, his voice serious. “I should have checked further. Made certain I had all the facts. It was because of my bum steer that you and Yuki went through all this hell.”

“That’s not true at all.” Tohma scolded gently. “Without your help, we wouldn’t even have got this far. It’s not your fault.”

“Yes, it is. It’s my job not to make such mistakes. I fouled up. So this time I’m going with you to make sure!”

“Jim…”

“Stop trying to bloody argue, Tohma! You can’t have it your way all the time, so just quit it! I’ll see you in New York.” and he hung up.

Tohma looked at the silent phone in his hand, and shook his head. Jim was such a good man!

He turned to look over at Yuki. “Jim said he’ll meet us in New York.”

Yuki turned his head. “What for?” he growled.

Tohma cocked his head to one side. “He feels responsible for this mix up.”

“Not his fault.”

“I know that. And I tried to tell him, but he’s rather stubborn. So he’s going to meet us at the airport.”

“What ever. It’s his time he’s wasting.”

“That’s true, isn’t it?” Tohma said with a small smile and turned to look out the window.

“No wonder this country is such a bloody mess! The FBI spends their life doing what they want!” Yuki then returned to his own inner contemplations.

The flight was short, thankfully. Yuki’s stomach had been churning non-stop. He had drunk a couple of vodkas to try and settle his nerves, but it hadn’t helped. Now he just wanted to throw up. After he had a cigarette.

Once in the terminal, Tohma spoke to a staff member. Yuki watched it with a sense of de ja vu. This was how it had been when they had arrived in LA. Was it really two months ago? Had it really been that long?

He followed Tohma as they were led away from the crowds. Sometimes it seemed to Yuki that he must have dreamed that day. The day he first heard the news. But then he would look around himself and realized that, no, it was no dream. This was real. Only too real. Every tug on his heart, every ach, every pain. Gods, it was so bloody real it was killing him!

It took no time at all before they were bustled outside, in such a way that Yuki almost felt like a stray cat being tossed out of the house. What was their problem?!

“Hey!” a voice reached them over the noise, and turning they saw Jim making his way towards them, waving. He stuck out his hand in greeting, a smile on his face. “Good to see you both again!” as he shook their hands. “Come on. I’m double parked.”

They walked outside. “Have any troubles getting through?” Jim asked, opening the car.

“None at all. Though they did seem a little… uhm, eager perhaps, to get rid of us?” Yes, Tohma would have noticed that hurriedness also.

“Probably because they like to have as little to do with the FBI as they can! I probably put the wind up them a bit.”

“Oh, so it was your fault then.”

Jim shrugged. “Got you through, didn’t it?”

“Very true.”

Jim put on a burst of speed to merge with a lane of traffic. “Okay, so where are we going? What’s the address?” Tohma gave it to him.

“You sure about that?” Jim asked, with some concern. “It’s not exactly a very savoury part of town.”

“I know.” Tohma acknowledged.

“And you’re sure about it?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay then, you’re the boss.” Jim glanced down at his GPS and pushed a few buttons. “Looks like it could take about an hour, maybe an hour and a half, to get there, depending on traffic. New York traffic is the pits, so you may as well sit back, and enjoy the ride.”

There was silence for a time.

“Hey, Yuki!” Jim called over his shoulder to Yuki in the back. “I’m sorry for all this. I screwed up.”

Yuki didn’t say anything. He didn’t really know what to say.

Jim continued. “I should have checked things out better. I was slack. But I’m real glad it’s finally working out.”

“Thanks.” Yuki said shortly.

Jim smiled. “And by the way, you can smoke if you want to!” and a flash of silver spun in the air to land on the seat next to Yuki.

It was a lighter, probably the same one Jim had tossed to him back in LA. He looked up to see Jim’s smiling face in the rear view mirror. “Knock yourself out!”

Yuki lit up, this time keeping the lighter.

They navigated the route laid out for them by the GPS, dodging the traffic where they could, and continuing on.

Yuki was getting more and more frustrated. Come on, come on, come on! he fumed. Geez, it takes so fucking long all the time!!! He could fucking get there quicker if he walked! He knew he was exaggerating, but his impatience had almost reached its breaking point.

They soon reached an area that Yuki could recognize. Yes, this was the suburb sure enough. He glanced around him as they drove. Some things hadn’t changed that much over the years. They continued on.

Yuki then began to notice that a change had begun to occur in the surroundings they passed. The apartment blocks looked seedier, the shops grubbier, many of them closed and boarded up. There was more rubbish lining the streets than he recalled there being.

“This area is lined up for future redevelopment. It used to be a sort of middle-class area, nothing too swish, but not the poorest either. That was about 15 years ago. Gradually, it just went downhill. Crime rates increased, people and businesses began to move away, lots of the apartments went to the State to turn into low income housing. All that did was drag the area down further, because there was no longer enough infrastructure around here to support even those people. So it pretty much became the hang out for the dregs. Lots of squatters, drugs, organized crime, you name it, it’s here. The State has slated it for rezoning and redevelopment. They started relocating people in the last year, so a lot of these places around here are empty.”

Yuki could see how derelict the places were now. It wasn’t the way he had remembered it from way back then.

They pulled up to a halt in front of a building. Yuki got out of the car and looked up. Yes, this was the place. It hadn’t seemed to have changed from the time he had briefly returned here, not that long ago. Then, this had been only one of the few places that had seemed so run down. Looking up and down the street now, Yuki felt it blended in perfectly with everything else around it.

“You two head up, but watch yourselves. This is a rough neighbourhood. I’ll stay with the car, otherwise I have a feeling we’d come out and find we no longer have one!” He motioned with his head towards the corner street nearby and Tohma and Yuki saw the movement of shadows. “If you get into trouble, give a holler. I’ll come with all guns blazing.”

“Let’s hope that is not necessary.” Tohma said as he turned towards the front door.

“Let’s hope.” Jim agreed, giving his attention fully to his surroundings now.

Yuki and Tohma mounted the stairs, watching their footing, kicking empty bottles and other debris out of the way. The railings on the stairs had come away in places as they went higher. The smell was disgusting, rotting…something, mixed with urine, and other smells that couldn’t even be distinguished. Tohma wrinkled his nose at the assault. He wanted to gag. Yuki seemed unaffected. Graffiti spanned not only the walls, but the ceiling, floor and even the stairs. All in all, it was a complete hell-hole.

Yuki stopped outside a door. It was closed, though it appeared to be only holding on by one hinge. Tohma glanced at the faded number scratched into the surface. Yes, this was the place. Yuki said nothing as he grasped the handle and turned. The door moved only a couple of inches, and then stuck. Yuki pushed again. It wouldn’t move.

“DAMN IT!!!” Yuki roared, and slammed it with his shoulder. The brittle door gave way under this onslaught and ripped fully from its fragile hold on the frame, to collapse to the floor in a shower of dirt and dust. Old papers drifted up from the floor, dust eddies swirled at the impact. The noise was deafening in the silence.

Yuki stood on the threshold, looking into the dimness. The windows had been boarded up, though light shone through the cracks between, and somewhere out of sight, a patch of larger light ran across the floor where a board must have been missing.

“Shuichi?” Yuki called out, stepping forward, his shoes crunching on the rubbish littering the floor.

He made his way into the room, looking around, taking in the broken bits of furniture, the broken glass and bottles, everything.

“Shuichi?” he called again, moving to where the bathroom had once been. The wash basin had long ago been ripped from its place on the wall. An old water stain on the floor had dried up years before.

He strode out and moved to where the bedroom had been. “Shuichi?” he called again, more loudly. The door to this room had already been removed. An old mattress, torn and stained lay on the floor.

A sudden flurry of movement caught Yuki’s eye and he spun towards the dark corner.

“Shu…” he stopped. A squeak told him it was nothing more than a rat, angry at being disturbed.

He slowly turned and walked back to the main room. Tohma stood in the centre, looking around him, obviously thinking about the past.

“He’s not here.” Yuki felt a little foolish for stating the obvious.

Tohma nodded. “I know.” he signed and lifted his chin to look at Yuki. “What now?” he asked, letting Yuki decide.

Yuki turned and walked over to the window that was missing a board, looking out into the street. “I don’t know.” he answered honestly, reaching into his pocket and lighting a cigarette.

An insane part of his mind wanted to drop his lit cigarette to the floor, and watch this place burn to ashes. Where the hell was Shuichi?! He was coming here. This was the only place he could come to! So where the hell was he?!!

“He probably came here and saw the state it was in.” Tohma said quietly.

“So, then what would he do?” Yuki snarled, spinning around. “What the hell would he do next?!”

Tohma let Yuki’s anger slide off him. “Eiri, sometimes I don’t think you give Shindou enough credit.”

Yuki let out a bark of laughter. “What’s that supposed to mean? I know that kid better than anyone!”

“Do you?” Tohma asked seriously. “Shindou is a very strong willed, and determined young man.” Yuki snorted at that, but Tohma continued. “Yes, he’s temperamental, and sometimes quite manic. But there is a great strength of character within him, if you really care to recall. He’s come through some quite rough times, and he’s done so, and still been able to, remain true to who, and what he is.”

Tohma was right, Yuki thought. Shuichi was pretty tough, even if he was also a complete crybaby and suffered mood swings that sent Yuki’s mind spinning. Sometimes Yuki got exhausted just from watching him!

Yet for all that, Shuichi still seemed to be able to come through anything. Even things that would break other people, the kid just seemed to swim through it all, and be able to come back as himself. It was a trait that Yuki admired in him. Though he would never, ever, say it.

“Okay. So let’s accept that the brat is as tough as you say, and came here and found this? What do you think he’d do next?” Yuki asked Tohma.

Tohma looked around him again, lips pursed as he thought. “Well, I don’t think he would have just given up. So he came here and found nothing. He would have found somewhere else to go.”

“Right, so he went somewhere else. Like where, Einstein?!”

Tohma ignored Yuki’s sarcasm, and shrugged. “I have no idea.”

“Well, that’s a fucking lot of good, isn’t it?!”

“Eiri, I’m not a mind reader. I don’t know where Shindou would have gone. All I’m saying is that, if he came as far as here, and we have every indication that he did so, then he’s probably still here, somewhere in New York. After all, if he only had this address in the first place, I don’t think he would have tried to move on to somewhere strange immediately. So, he must still be here somewhere.”

“And just how are we supposed to find him in a city this fucking big?!’ Yuki shouted back.

“There are always ways.” Tohma replied, calmly. “It’s just a matter of finding them.”

Yuki smoked some more, trying to calm down and think clearly. What Tohma said did make some sense, but where the hell could he even begin now?! He had been so certain, so positive, that he would find Shuichi here. That he would be waiting for him. Here. He had really, truly believed that finally his search would be over. Damn him! Damn him, damn him, damn him! Damn the brat to fucking hell! He ground the butt beneath his shoe in anger.

“So what’s next?” he said, turning to Tohma.

“I think we should speak to Jim. I’m sure he can verify that Shindou was on a flight to here sometime in the last five days. If that’s the case, then we definitely know he’s here. Perhaps Jim will have some ideas of where he might have then gone.”

Yuki strode towards the broken doorway.

“Eiri,” Tohma’s voice behind him made him stop. “Don’t give up just yet. We’re a lot closer than we were before. At least we know he’s really alive.”

“Yeah.” and Yuki left the room.

They arrived out in the street to see Jim still standing guard on the car. He turned his head when he heard them. One look at their faces told him the news.

“Nothing there?” he asked for confirmation.

Tohma shook his head as they piled into the car. “Unfortunately not. Jim, I know this is asking a lot, but are you able to find out if Shuichi was on any flight from Washington to here within the last five days? At least that would tell us if he truly did arrive in New York.”

“Sure. That’s no problem at all. Do you boys have somewhere to stay?”

“No. We didn’t have time to arrange anything.”

“Then I’ll take you to a place I know. I stay there myself when I’m in town. I’ll make some calls when we get there.”

It wasn’t long before Jim pulled up in front of a hotel. It wasn’t a large place from the looks of it. They entered the lobby.

“Not quite the five star palaces you’re used to, Tohma.” Jim said with a grin. “But it’s clean, has great food, and they are completely discreet.”

“That sounds fine. Eiri,” he turned to Yuki. “Why don’t you just mind the bags whilst we check in?”

“What do I look like? A fucking bell boy?!” Yuki scowled at them, before dropping untidily into an armchair and lighting a cigarette, completely ignoring the no smoking sign on the table before him. Jim just shook his head and walked away. Tohma rolled his eyes, but remained silent also.

Jim was already talking to a receptionist as Tohma drew near. “We’ll have three rooms.” Jim was saying.

“Make that two.” Tohma put in. “Eiri and I will share.”

Jim looked at him. “Really?”

“I think it would still be best. For the time being.”

“Hmmm.” Jim murmured, then glanced over to where Yuki was sitting, scowling at a young receptionist who had come as close as she obviously dared, and couldn’t find the courage to go any further to tell the gentleman to cease smoking. Jim chuckled. “What’s he going to say to that arrangement?” he asked nodding in Yuki’s direction.

Tohma returned the smile. “He will curse and swear, and perhaps throw something at me. But that’s all.”

Jim let out a laugh, and turned back to the waiting receptionist. “Make that two rooms, thanks.”

As she typed and took a record of their credit cards, he spoke again to Tohma. “You two have got to be the oddest couple I have ever known. And yet,” he glanced over at Yuki again. “Somehow you go together.” He turned back to look at Tohma. “So why’s that?”

Tohma just smiled in that knowing way of his.

“Okay, okay.” Jim said, holding his hands up. “I know that look. It’s none of my business, and you’re not going to tell me anyway. Right?”

“Completely.”

Jim chuckled and accepted the keys to the room. They wandered back to Yuki and grabbed their bags. “Come on. Before they decide to call the cops and have you thrown out!” Jim said to Yuki, tossing him one of the keys.

Yuki grunted and reached over to stub the cigarette out against the no smoking sign. Jim couldn’t help himself. He burst out laughing, and was still laughing when they exited the elevator on the third floor.

“We’re right next door to each other.” Jim said, still chuckling. “Drop your gear and come over whilst I make some calls and see what I can find out.”

Yuki and Tohma entered their room and looked around. “And just why are we sharing?” Yuki demanded.

“Eiri, I have to watch the expenses a little, you know.” Tohma said mildly, as he hung up some of his shirts and jackets.

“Ha!” Yuki snapped, doing the same. “You’ve never had to worry about money!”

“Is it really that bad, sharing with me? We are family.”

“You cramp my style.”

“What you do in private is nothing to do with me.”

“Just what are you implying?!”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Tohma turned to Yuki with a pleasant smile. “Shall we go and join Jim?”

Yuki followed him out the door, snarling. “One day, Tohma. One day you are going to get yours!”

At their knock, Jim opened the door and waved them inside. He had removed his tie and jacket, as well as shoes. “Make yourself at home, boys. Tohma, pour me a scotch, would you?”

“My pleasure. Do you still take ice?”

“You bet! And make it strong!”

Jim sat on the end of the bed and dialed a number. He listened in silence, and nodded thanks as Tohma passed him a glass. Suddenly, he spoke.

“Hey, Di! It’s Jim. How are you doing? What do you mean, what do I want? Why do you think that’s the only reason I’ve called you? Okay, because that is the only time I call you. Ah, you know you’re my favourite lady! It’s not sweet talk if it’s true!” Jim’s voice became serious.

“Look, I have a favour to ask. It’s a big one too, so tell me if you can’t. No, I haven’t killed anyone. It’s nothing like that. Hey, that’s really sweet of you, luv. Not too many friends would offer to help hide the body.

Getting back to what I was saying. Can you check up for me if a young man, around the age of 20, of Japanese origin, going by the name of Shu and traveling under a temporary visa from the FBI, caught a flight from DC to New York, at any time in the past five days. No, I don’t have anything more to go on. Yeah, you’re right on the money, sweetheart. He was one of the crash survivors. The kid’s got amnesia, and two of his friends are trying to track him down. Oh, I’m involved because it works out we’ve got a mutual friend, and he called in some IOUs. Yeah, I owed him, so I couldn’t exactly say no. Besides, I reckoned this was for a good cause.

You’ll do it for us? You sure? I don’t want to put you in any hot water. I know you usually manage to do that by yourself, I just don’t want to add to it! Okay, I’m in New York now. Give me a call on this number.” Jim rattled off the hotel number from the stationary in front of him. “Yeah. Yeah. I’ll stay here until I hear from you. Thanks, Di.” He hung up, and took a long swallow from his glass.

“Okay,” he said, leaning back against the headboard and swinging his legs up on the bed. “My friend is going to look up the information and get back to me. How about we order some room service and eat here while we’re waiting?”

“Sounds fine to me. Eiri?”

Yuki shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with that.”

“Great!” Jim snagged the hotel menu from the bedside table and tossed it frisbee-style to Yuki, who caught it mid air. “Take your pick. It’s all good. I can vouch for that! I think I’ve worked my way through the menu more than once by now!”

Once they had chosen, Jim rang through and placed their order.

“So, your friend is another FBI agent?” Yuki asked, curiousity getting the better of him.

“Yep. She’s a great lady. One of the best. I’ve worked with her a few times now, and we always keep in touch. It’s a shame she’s still single.”

“A shame?” Tohma put in, with a laugh. “I thought that would make it a perfect opportunity for you.”

Jim took another drink. “Nah. Wish it did. But she’s still hung up on another guy. Even though the prick wont even look at her that way! Bloody idiot!”

“Why not? Is something wrong with her? Is she ugly, or something?” Yuki said dryly.

“No way!” Jim said vehemently. “She’s a real looker! No, he’s bi. I think. And from a couple of things that Di’s said, he’s chasing after some guy at his precinct at the moment.”

“So what does he do?”

“He’s a commissioner of police. Fucking moron, is all I can say. Passing up a great lady like Di. Sometimes I just want to snot the bastard, to see if that would wake him up, but she wont let me. She’s too soft for her own good at times.”

A knock on the door signaled the arrival of their meal.

“Well, cheers!” Jim said, holding up his bottle of beer. “Here’s to tomorrow. And a whole new day!”

“That, I think, is an excellent toast.” Tohma said, raising his wine glass.

Yuki stared at his bottle of beer for a moment. A new day. What would it bring? More pain? More heartache? He still didn’t know where Shuichi was? Where could he be?! But a new day meant new hope. That is how he had look at it. Yes, a new day.

He looked up to see both Jim and Tohma watching him silently. Slowly he lifted his beer bottle in salute. Jim grinned back at him.

“A new day.” he repeated with a firm nod.

Just as they were finishing, the phone rang next to Jim. He hurriedly dropped his cutlery and wiped his mouth, before grabbing the receiver.

“Yes?” he answered. “Hi, Di! What have you got? Because you always come through for me. The day you don’t, will never come, and we both know it! Yes. Yes. You sure? Yeah. Okay. No, we don’t know what to do at the moment. The kid’s gone AWOL somewhere here in New York. The only lead we had was an address of where he was going and we’ve checked that out, and he’s not there. So we’re pretty much at a stand still now. Any suggestions? Well, we know he would have to be getting some sort of medical checkups for his injuries, but that could be weeks in between. No. No. Nothing. Really? How do you know them? Oh. That prick! Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I promise to behave myself, and not say a thing! I give you my word. Sweetheart, you wound me! Yeah, yeah. So, what are their names?” Jim scribbled on some paper, listening intently. “And their numbers?” more scribbling. “Yeah, I got it. You really think they’ll be willing to help me? They’d be sticking their necks out on this. I’m not exactly doing this by the book. They wouldn’t have a problem with it? You sure? You must be pretty certain of them to be speaking for them like this! What do you mean, they’re a sucker for lost causes? I’ll find out when I meet them, will I? I’m beginning to wonder who the hell these fruitcakes are! I shall be on my best behaviour at all times, so as not to embarrass you. Look, thanks, Di. I mean it. Thanks a bundle. Yeah, I’ll let you know how it goes. I know you’re a sucker for a happy ending. Take it easy, girl.”

He placed the phone on the cradle and turned with a smile on his face. “Good news is that Di confirmed that Shuichi definitely came to New York five days ago. He must have got on a plane as soon as he walked out of the hospital. Not surprising, I guess, in the circumstances. So he certainly did get here. Even better news, is that Di’s given me the names of two detectives here in New York who she knows, and says are pretty damn good. And she says they’ll help us out.”

“Why would they?” Yuki wanted to know.

Jim shrugged. “Not really sure. Di was being a little mysterious about it all, but she swears that as soon as they hear your story, they’ll be in on it, and they’ll be more than happy to do it out of hours. We’re not going to know any more until tomorrow. I’ve got the precinct they’re in, so I’ll call in the morning and find out what shift they’re on, and we’ll get down there to see them.”

Jim swung off the bed and made his way over to the bench to pour himself another scotch. He turned back to Tohma and Yuki.

“Believe me, having those two boys on our side will make our job one hell of a lot easier. This is their home turf, and they’ll be able to find out a lot more than I could, and quicker. So take it from me, this is one hell of a breakthrough!’ and he took a drink.

“If they agree.” Yuki said cynically.

“Di wouldn’t have recommended them if she wasn’t 100 percent sure that they would. She’s got some history with them, and seems to know them pretty well. If she says they’ll be in, they’ll be in.”

“So, tomorrow?” Tohma said thoughtfully.

Jim nodded his head, then lifted his glass. “Tomorrow. I have a feeling that it’s going to be a good day!”