Dojima

What to do, what to do. Dojima stirred her coffee slowly, letting out a heavy sigh. She squinted her eyes at the absence of persons, and therefore activity in the room. Things had changed, and Dojima felt like she'd missed everything. Suddenly, Zaizen quit, and then suddenly, Kosaka took his place. At least that's what they said. Dojima didn't believe a word of it. Something had taken place, and everyone tried their hardest to keep her in the dark. And they'd done a damn good job of it, too.

Miho didn't seem to know anything either. The pair had spent more than their fair share of time together while the office remained empty. Sakaki was the first one back. He wouldn't say anything, and that was unusual. Sakaki liked to talk, and here he was, not saying a damned word. But his mood had lifted, and he was always busy doing something other then twirling a pen and playing games.

Then Michael returned. He never looked more alive than from that point on. He was almost always smiling and was willing to talk about anything and everything—except what Dojima wanted to know the most, of course. And then there was the matter of him going and coming as he pleased. Dojima was dying to know what caused all the changes, and knew her chances of getting anything out of Amon were slim to none.

Surprisingly, when Amon came back, he talked a little more. Not much more, but he certainly wasn't as silent as usual. Dojima found it suspicious that he and Michael and Sakaki were spending time together outside of work, and saw it as a clue to what had gone on without her knowledge.

When Robin came back to work, she too seemed full of life and the four of them practically glowed when they were within each other's company. Was it just Dojima, or did she deserve a vacation as well? Here she was, picking up all the slack of her fellow hunters while they strayed away from the office all that time, and did she get a break? Nooo. And neither did Miho, but Miho didn't mind as much as Dojima did. She…kind of stood off to the side and watched from a distance, smiling contently. It was almost motherly the way she regarded them at times. Dojima was fed up, and was near her boiling point on this particular night.

Everyone was gone. Well, except the chief— oops! The boss and Hattori, and the boss's new underling, the new chief. Dojima grunted in frustration. She stormed over to the chief's desk and folded her arms.

"Excuse me," she said. The chief looked up at her.

"Yes, Dojima-san?"

"Would you just happen to know why the others got the night off and I'm stuck here by myself like this? I mean…I could have at least received a memo." The chief smiled at her.

"Dojima-san, you're free to go whenever you want, you know what."

"But, there's no one here. I feel obligated to…" The chief shook her head very slowly.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Dojima." Dojima made a face. Great. Now she'd feel guilty because she was leaving before the usual time. She went back over to her desk and sat down. She'd leave after she finished her coffee.

Karasuma

Passing by Robin's block on the way home, Karasuma spotted Robin's vespa, Sakaki's motorcycle and Amon's car. She smiled to herself knowingly. Although things had changed, Karasuma couldn't say she wasn't comfortable with it. She'd always been able to adapt to change; it was one of her strongest suits. Sitting back and watching from the sidelines, she had a little trouble piecing all the pieces of the puzzle together, but in the end, she was sure she knew what was going on between her fellow hunters. The absence of Zaizen and the slow reintegration of her hunters proved to be the most comforting part of all. Though she wasn't involved, Karasuma knew her place, and intended on keeping her distance.

Sakaki

Sakaki had grown to hate hospitals, and, adversely, he'd grown to love work. Even seeing Dojima brightened his day, and that was probably the most frightening outcome of the entire ordeal. Robin, Michael, Amon and Sakaki had an unspoken, mutual agreement to keep things quiet. Kosaka hadn't told anyone about what happened except for the people in charge, who decided on the consequential happenings after the attack. It was hard on all of them, but in the end, they persevered. Sakaki was just happy that they'd all survived.

Michael

Robin was nice enough to let him stay with her. The arrangement was nice; Michael wasn't used to all the space. He took no time at all getting used to it, however. Directly out of "prison," he went out and adopted a dog, just a little something to help him adjust. At first, when Robin was still recuperating in the hospital and he made the request, she thought it would be a bad idea. But Michael insisted that it wouldn't be and she agreed and so Michael got himself a new best friend.

Robin

Touko had gone. Where, she wasn't sure. All Robin knew was that sharing an apartment with a guy was a big change from what she was used to.

Michael, newly released from "prison" as they often joked, had nothing just out. No money, barely any belongings and definitely no sense of direction. Robin had been quick to offer the apartment, but Michael said he wanted to get his own place. He moved in with her temporarily, and then Robin decided she was going to move out, but the plans fell through. Then, Michael thought he found a place, but then, suddenly, his plans didn't work out. So the two were stuck with each other, and surprisingly, they got along.

They were both neat freaks when it came to the apartment in general; Michael's room was another story. It was really the only thing Robin "nagged" him about, but neither of them really considered it nagging. Michael knew how to cook, and liked to, and Robin knew how to shop for food, and liked to, and they both liked to chow down, and so things just sort of worked out.

Robin still hopped around on a crutch, but she was getting better each day. She knew she'd be as good as new in no time. Michael was great about helping her out. He was strange, but Robin adored his weirdness.

Amon

Amon watched from the door. Michael was laid out on the couch with his laptop and Robin and Sakaki were on the floor in front of the coffee table playing the oddest and longest game of Uno Amon had ever seen. Not that he'd seen too many games of Uno, but after spending so much time with Michael, Sakaki and Robin, he'd seen enough to make up for all the years he hadn't seen it at all.

After years of living in a completely different world than theirs, Amon had no idea why he adapted so much to it. To the gossip, to the card and board games, to the non-alcoholic drinks, to the…innocence. Hell, that was it, wasn't it? As with many of the hunters before him, he'd missed out on his childhood. Actually, Amon wasn't sure he ever had a childhood to miss. Aside from being the poster child for kids who grew up way too fast, Amon wasn't familiar with anything and everything Sakaki, Robin and Michael took for granted.

Amon was about to take his leave when Michael's dog, Junki III, came bounding over and hopped into his arms. Michael smiled over at them. Amon gave Michael a look.

"What?" Michael asked.

"Nothing," Amon said.

"He likes you," Michael said. Sure. Junki III looked up at Amon panting and giving him sad eyes. Puppy dog eyes. What on earth for? Amon sat the dog on the floor. But, quick as lightening, Junki III pounced up and resumed its position. He whined at Amon and licked him on the face. Amon sighed. He hated it when the dog pinned him like that. Amon gave up and petted him.

Opening up wasn't that hard, now that he tried it. Sure as hell wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard. It was like…diet and exercise: difficult to adjust to, but easy to adapt to because of the results. And standing there, holding on to the shaggiest dog he'd ever laid eyes on, listening to the lamest excuses in card game history and hearing the familiar clacking of keys on a laptop, Amon knew his efforts were paying off.

Once Junki tired of the same monotonous pet Amon gave, he jumped to the floor and trotted over to interrupt Sakaki and Robin's game for some attention. Amon took the opportunity of freedom to make his way out.

Robin

Junki plopped down on the two stacks of cards and flattened them both, wiggling playfully on his back and swatting at the air with his paws. Robin chuckled at him and Sakaki seemed a little upset over the turn of events. Robin gave the puppy's stomach a good rub and it captured her hand within its paws.

"He's such a kitten," she joked just as Michael said, "Later, Amon." Robin perked and turned towards the door. Amon was indeed on his way out. She saw a hand wave very slightly through the opening of the door and then it shut. She made a small noise and grabbed her crutch. She used the arm of the couch and the edge of the coffee table to get up, and walked as quickly as she could to the door.

"Amon!" she called as she opened it, hoping he wasn't at too far down the stairwell yet. She looked down the hall and waited. Amon reappeared at the top of the stairs.

"What is it?" Robin smiled a little to herself as she closed the apartment door.

"I just wanted to…" she began, approaching Amon slowly. "…let you know that… I just feel that I could never thank you enough for what you've done for me. For…saving me…" Amon nodded very shortly.

"Michael told me," he said. Robin shook her head.

"No…" she said. "No…that's not enough." She stopped when she was in front of him and balanced herself. Amon seemed wary of her movements as she moved the crutch from her arm to the wall near them.

"Robin, you—" Before Amon could finish, Robin threw her arms around him. He wobbled slightly, now having to keep her balance for her as she weighted herself heavily on him, squeezing him tightly.

"Thank you…" she murmured, her voice a bit shaky. Amon reached a hand up slowly and patted her on the shoulder. He seemed hesitant, but after a very short while, Robin felt the warmth and comfort of his arms enveloping her, and she felt very small within his hold. Small, but whole. She felt tears stinging the backs of her eyelids and she sniffed unconsciously. Amon tensed.

"Are you hurt?" he asked softly. Robin's bottom lip trembled at hearing his tone, and she shook her head at his question.

"No," she breathed. "Amon…?"

"Yes, Robin…?" Robin pulled away slightly and raised her eyes to meet Amon's. She felt safe and protected under his height, and though his eyes seemed far away and were blurred due to Robin's tears, she saw no coldness, and that was enough for her.

She pulled away slowly and wobbled a little, forgetting that there was a reason why she was only on one leg. Amon reached for her, grabbing her around the waist and tugging her towards him to use himself to break what might have been a fall. Robin's instinct was to grab at him as well, and her hand clamped around his wrist. They both looked to each other for assurance, and suddenly things were dark and quiet.

Amon was moving towards her, and she was barely conscious of his motives until she felt warm pressure against her lips. She always thought that if they ever were to kiss, she would be surprised, and would be wide eyed and stunned and start stammering and stumbling about with her uncertainty. But right then, at that very moment, there was none of that. All the questions she'd ever asked herself, about what was normal and natural and right and just. Nothing in the past had ever felt more affirmative in those respects than the present.

She didn't melt away; instead, she melted into the embrace. She didn't feel the need to hang onto the moment, something assured her the moment was hers and that if she would like to have the moment again, there was no doubt that she could. Forthrightly, Robin was feeling a healthy, yet unfamiliar amount of confidence. Confidence in herself, in her actions, in Amon. There was no need to glance around searching for answers, to consult someone for advice, or submit and be a follower.

By, God. She was certain that no other moment could make her feel more like a woman, and proud to be a woman, than childbirth.

That thought was followed by imaginative visuals, ones that made Robin pause and her eyebrow quirk in amusement. Amon sensed her changed and broke contact to look at her. Robin was stifling her chuckles. Amon's cheeks flushed a deep maroon and he chuckled slightly. Robin raised a hand to her mouth and laughed a little, and Amon laughed a little more, and then Robin a little more also, and then Robin and then Amon and then Robin and then Amon …

The small hall was filled with their laughter, the type of "eat, drink and be merry" laughter that no one should go through life without experiencing firsthand. It didn't take long for them to settle down. Amon wiped the corner of his eye and cleared his throat, visually attempting to pull himself together, which only made Robin's smile grow.

"I'll…see you tomorrow, Robin. Have a nice night." Robin grinned at him shamelessly, and his usual stern look was nothing short of a pout.

"You too, Amon," she said. "Drive safe." Amon nodded, took her crutch and handed it to her. Robin took it from him and steadied herself, and once she did, Amon headed down the steps. Robin stood and waited until she heard the door closed at the very bottom. She sighed a little to herself and went to turn to the door when she heard Michael singing and Sakaki chuckling.

"Amon and Robin, sitting in the tree, K.I.S.S.I—"

"What on earth are you singing?" Robin said, laughing a bit as she went over to the door. Michael opened it to let her in.

"Something I picked up watching too many DVDs."

"I'll bet," Robin said. She was sure she was in for a night full of their teasing, but, with that thought in mind, she didn't think there was any way she'd rather spend the night.

……………

Over, it's over! Yay! I like ending stories! And no sticks and stones if you didn't get what you wanted, especially in terms of pairings. :wags a finger: This is a story about Amon, after all. I'd like to thank everyone who read this and have reviewed. Me loves you! No, really, I do! And I really appreciate you checking out the end of this, k? You all rock! Peace out!

kaj

It's been a long time and you guys probably don't remember what you wrote, but some of the reviews you gave need answering to. At least that's what I think.

wendyghost: Ah, yes. Amon likes Michael. But he doesn't choose Michael, thanks to Karasuma's insight. And…I didn't finish it soon, but I finished it! That's good enough, right?

Naisumi: Hilarious! Thanks for the compliments and the humor, a gal really needs it at times. Sorry to disappoint the fangirl in you, but as a fellow fangirl, me needs YAOI too! And regardless of the lack of bishie on bishie implications in the show—hello! That's what fanfiction writing fangirls are for! The Amon/Michael version of this is posted on another site. Email me for the link or something if you want to check it out.

Rein: Really? It's scary? Darn, that sucks. It's not supposed to be.

reynamanga: I totally agree about the age thing! And the guy who waits in the entrance lobby hall thingy? That room doesn't really exist in this story, so…neither does he. That seems evil now that I think about it. I totally cut him out of the show. And the Sakaki/Michael/Robin parts of the story are my favorites. I want them to hang out more in the show, but it's not that type of show, you know? That's what fanfictions are for! Whoo-hoo!

HypernatedRikku: Robin and Sakaki:broods over the pairing: ROBIN AND SAKAKI? Um…hm… What to say…? Um…I'm…sorry to disappoint you?

Amon's Angel of the Darkness: You're so awesome! I really hope you came back after my seven month hiatus. I really appreciate you sticking with me for as long as you did! And yes, it is an A/R fic. :train whistle: And…about the whole Touko part at the end. She was going through things. She wasn't there to shoot him, just to intimidate him and yell at him for being a jerk. Then they would have gone off to eat steaks over Chablis. But of course, Amon had other plans, and knocked the snot out of him. Touko just wanted Zaizen to know some things, and felt the only way he would listen was if he was…forced to. Amon didn't say much to her beforehand. Touko blabbed on about how much the situation sucked, and Amon was like, 'go tell him and make him stop being an ass, you're his daughter, he'll listen.' Delusional stuff like that to get Touko to lead him to wherever he was in so that Amon could…beat the snot out of him. :nods: Man…I totally could have made a chapter out of that… :snaps finger: But seriously. Thanks for your support!

Latahs!