Patlabor: Inappropriate Relations Chapter 1 - Caught in the Act. By: Lord Archive Characters belong to Headgear, Manga Enetertainment, Manga Corps, Viz Comics, and bunch of other people and companies. I'm only borrowing them. I'll return them rather quickly since I can't stand Ohta's snoring. "I DON'T SNORE!" [Reminder to self, don't piss off a man in a labor.] -------------- "Do you know why we're talking to you?" Noa shook her head. "No, sir." She sifted uncomforably in her seat. The people interviewing her reeked of being Internal Affairs and wondered what they wanted to know from her. Too many possibilities raced through her head. "It has been become known that you might be involved in an inappropriate relationship with Shinohara Asuma. We are here to find out the extent of the truth about that. You are under orders to answer us truthfully. Failure to do so will have you removed from the force and, if applicable, criminal proceedings will be pursued." Noa's eyes widen in shock and her mouth opened as if to say something. "We'll start simply and build from there. Have you ever gone on a date with Shinohara?" Noa shut her eyes, trying to think of what to say or do. She had gone off base and had been alone with Asuma doing some date-like activities. She also knew that it wouldn't be too hard to find that out. She finally nodded and reluctantly answered, "Yes." "Have you ever kissed him?" Noa didn't like this. She could feel herself losing Alphonse and potentially Asuma. By the time they were done they would recommend her to transfer to another part of the force, one where she would not be a labor pilot and away from Asuma. Not answering truthfully, though, would cause her even more trouble. "Not really." "Care to explain what you mean by that?" Noa sighed. "I... I've hugged Asuma on occasions and my lips have, sort of, touched him- but it wasn't a kiss." "Have you had any physical relations with him beyond hugging?" Noa shook her head. "No." "Do you want to kiss Shinohara?" "I..." Noa clucked. "I, ah, guess I do." "Do you want to pursue a relationship with Shinohara?" Noa looked down. She wished they never asked her that. Her answer would confirm their suspicions, even though nothing has ever happened. While she was under orders, she had considered lying anyway, but she realized she had probably already lost Alphonse. With a tear, Noa answered, "Y-yes." "Would you be willing to have sexual relations with Shinohara?" "I... I don't know." Noa was visibly fighting the tears in her eyes. "That'll be all for now. We'll call you back if we have any more questions." Noa nodded and ran out the room. She ran straight to Alphonse, nearly knocking Shige off the catwalk in her hurry. She jumped into the cockpit and lowered it. Only then did she stop fighting the tears. "Oh, Alphonse, I'm so sorry." She doubted they would allow her to stay in SV2. She might not ever get to pilot him again. There was still a chance with Asuma, but it would be difficult to stay with him. ------------------ Asuma watched with concerned as Noa ran out of the room. He wondered what shook her up that much. "Shinohara Asuma, report to the chief's office," Goto called out. "Guess I'm about to find out," Asuma muttered. He went to the office and sat in the offered chair. "So why am I here?" "Well, it has been become known that you might be involved in an inappropriate relationship with Izumi Noa. We are here to find out the extent of the truth about that. You are under orders to answer us truthfully. Failure to do so will have you removed from the force, and if applicable, criminal proceedings will be pursued." Asuma closed his eyes, recognizing the practice with which the man spoke of the accusation. This was obviously not the first time that man had investigated such cases. Asuma considered an approach that likely wouldn't get him into trouble for what little relations he did have with Noa, but discounted it. Noa had already gone through this interview and was visibly upset. While he didn't know what she said to these guys, it probably confirmed, rather than deny, the accusation. "Have you ever been on a date with Izumi?" "None that we actually referred to as such, but you might consider some of our outings as dates," Asuma answered. "Have you ever kissed Izumi?" "No, sir. I haven't." "Has Izumi ever kissed you?" "No." "She said you've felt her lips." Asuma groaned. "One time she hugged me and I felt her lips scrap against my cheek. That was after a highly emotional mission where Noa could've died if things went wrong." "How often does she hug you?" "Not very often, but she's a touchy-feeling kind of person. She'll hug almost anyone." "Have you ever hugged Izumi?" "If a girl hugs you, you hug her back." "Do you want to kiss Izumi?" "I wouldn't mind the idea." "Do you want to pursue a relationship with Izumi?" Asuma blinked. He should've expected that question, but for some reason didn't. He didn't know how to answer it. "I'm not entirely sure." "Would you being willing to have sexual relations with Izumi?" Asuma sighed. "Not at the current time." "That'll be all for now. We'll call you if we have any more questions." Asuma left and walked to the roof and stopped at the metal balcony on the roof and looked out at the bay. He wondered if he was going to be transferred now. His answers, while truthful, gave everything an innocent, non-relationship viewpoint. Judging by the way Noa reacted, he doubted she had done as well. They might be looking at being transferred soon. He didn't know what he would do then. ------------------ Noa spent over an hour in Alphonse. She spent most of it crying, and then lovingly going over the various parts of the cockpit with a heavy heart. She didn't know what to do anymore. She expected that they would knock her back to meter maid again. She hated that job. She didn't know how she could live without being at least a labor pilot, but doubted they'd allow that. Noa finally raised the cockpit to leave. She had to talk to Asuma about this. Unfortunately several mechanics were waiting for her. "What happened?" was the most coherent thing they asked. "I don't want to talk about it. Where's Asuma?" Noa replied. "Last I saw him, he was heading for the roof," Shige answered. "Thanks." Once Noa ran off, one of the mechanics asked, "Should we do something to the suits?" Another mechanic shook his head. "I checked their plates. Those guys are internal affairs. What they want with SV2, I don't know." Shige slapped his head. "Damn. There are a _lot_ of things they could be investigating. But why just question Noa and Shinohara? You don't thinks this is about those stupid relationship rules?" ------------------ Noa approached Asuma while he stood on the balcony. "We need to talk." Asuma nodded. "I'd say so. What did you tell them?" "That we haven't done anything, but...." Noa gulped. "But?" Noa looked at the floor like it was very fascinating. "They got me to admit that I, well, ah, want to have a relationship with you." "You do?" Asuma chirped in surprise. "Don't you want that too?" Noa asked nervously if slightly angry. "That's what I've been trying to figure out since they asked me." Asuma let out a long breath. "I guess I do." "You guess?" "I never considered it before. Thinking about it now, I guess we're already a couple. It's just been platonic so far." "Oh." Noa walked next to him and looked out towards the bay. "So... what happens now?" Asuma grimaced. "It's only a matter of time before they'll transfer us." "I wouldn't start packing yet," Goto interrupted them. The couple looked at him wearily. "All right, Captain, explain what's going on," Asuma demanded. "And 'what's going on?'" Goto asked. "How come they investigated us?" "Probably had to do with the purse snatcher you two caught a couple weeks ago while on one of your outings. Your reports suggested that you were on a date." "Oh." Asuma slouched. "So how come we shouldn't start packing yet?" "The SV2 is a special case in the police department. The police commission won't directly punish any individuals breaking certain police rules, primarily the ones regarding relationships." Asuma raised an eyebrow. "Then why won't Shinobu return your feelings?" Gotoh scratched his head. "Well, that's the direct part. You see, if she gets involved with me, she'll be indirectly punsihed by not being able to advance to a higher rank." "Oh. But why is the SV2 signaled out?" Asuma asked wearily. Gotoh looked at his watchless wrist. "Oh, look at the time," he said impatiantly. "I need to get some paper work done. We'll talk later." He turned around and walked off. "He's hiding something," Noa observed. "What else is new?" Asuma commented dryly. ------------------ SV2 was on edge for the next couple weeks. By then everyone knew what had happened. Almost everyone felt sorry for Noa and Asuma, expecting the transfer orders to be sent any time now. They did not think it was fair that the two of them were likely to be separated when they had done nothing wrong... yet. Some of them suggested to Asuma that he should make the accusations true, and while it upset him at the time he had to admit it didn't seem to be a bad idea. They waited for the proverbial shoe to drop. It still hadn't happened and doubts began to surface if they ever would. Asuma scowled at the papers in his hand. It had taken some work, but he found out what he wanted. The investigation on his and Noa's relationship was dropped immediately after it was sent to the police commission. The commission rarely decided against Interal Affairs, but apparently this time they did without even voting on it. Someone had the matter dropped, but who would care about two police officers stationed in the middle of no where? Asuma could only think of one person with enough ability and reason to do that, his father.