Ladies and Gentlemen

Ladies and Gentlemen 9

**I Will Possess Your Heart is Death Cab for Cutie's

****Ok, so here is the deal...I am posting multiple chapters at one time today, so if you haven't yet, go back and read chapter 8. I plan on posting 10 as well, which consists the stories first lemon. Enjoy.

Defeat the Emo, Engage the Berry

"Shirosaki, calm down. You are overreacting." I glare at Ulquiorra as he makes the vain attempt to settle me down.

"Naw, I don' think I am. Ya see, overreacting would be giving in to my inner desire to bash your head against this table and proceed to kick the crap outta ya. The only thing keepin' me from tearin' ya up is the fact that Ichigo is still gonna give me a chance." His eyes widen slightly, the only thing that gives away his surprise.

"So he accepts your lifestyle choice? A stripper who enjoys casual sex with different people is not what I expect the Kurosaki boy is interested in."

Keeping my glare, I let a menacing grin slip into place. "Why not? It obviously holds your interest."

He looks at me with a contemplative, slightly disbelieving stare. While Ichigo has no problem with my career path, I know full well he does not accept my sexual history. However, Ulquiorra does not need to know that he almost succeeded in sabotaging my chances. He needs to believe that further interference would be futile.

"I developed feelings for you long before I started questioning the choices you made. While I am not happy with where those decisions led you, they have not abated my desire in the least. You need someone who is willing to overlook their insecurities and stay by your side. By the look on that boy's face when I left, he is not suitable for-" Reaching across the small table, I grab his shirt and yank him out of his seat.

Both of us leaning across the table face to face, I speak in a low deadly tone, "If I wanted you that way, your name would've been in that book long ago." I released him and sat back down.

Smirking at his uncharacteristically shocked face I continue, "Ichigo is to good to be suitable for me. That is why I will make myself suitable for him. I'm burnin' that damn book and makin' sure he knows that he's got nothing to worry about."

He composes himself and sits back down as well. "Fine. But don't blame me when this whole thing crashes down in flames. I did try to prevent the upcoming disaster."

Resisting the urge to punch him for good measure, I instead hold my hand out, "I believe you have something of mine."

He hesitates before speaking, "Do you really believe that is necessary?"

Losing my patience, I ball the outstretched hand and slam it against the table before returning it to it's original position. The restaurant quieted at the sound as many patrons looked our way. "Key, now."

"Shirosaki, you are making a scene-"

"And if you don't hand it over, I'll give them something to talk about." My tone leaves no room for argument and he fishes my key out of his pocket. Once he drops it into my hand, I let the famous 'maniacal' smile overtake my features and stand up. Dropping some money on the table for my part of the bill, I reach over and pat him on the head, "Thank ya Spunky! You made the right decision. I'll show myself out." His shocked face is priceless as I turn on my heel and whistle my way out of the restaurant.

Reaching my car I jump in and laugh, those people probably thought I was nuts. Hm, they might not be to far off. Time to re-engage operation 'Woo the Strawberry.' Don't want to suffocate him though...He said he'd need time. I'll give him one week before re-initiating contact. He should be ready by then.


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*one week later*

It's been a week since a crestfallen Shiro walked out of my apartment, and I haven't been able to properly concentrate on anything since. Hell, today my supervisor at the med center almost sent me home when I distractedly dropped a full tray of sterile supplies. Chad noticed my aloofness over the past week as well and asked a few times if I was alright. Finally, when he got back today and asked again, I filled him in on the 'Shiro' situation. He gave me advice that should have been obvious, but for some reason wasn't. Recalling the conversation, I scowl and sit up in bed. It really did make me feel like such a girl.

After retelling the whole story, Chad asked two simple questions that snapped me back to reality. The first was if I liked the guy. The second was if I believed Shiro when he said that he wanted something real with me. I answered affirmatively to both and it was like a grand epiphany smacked me in the face.

I want him and he obviously wants me, so what the fuck is my problem? I don't really care about his past if he isn't going to repeat it. The realization effectively chased the bitchy 'girl voice' in the back of my head away and I called Shirosaki.

The receiver picks up and I hear a pained muttering string of curses before he answers, "Hey Ichi!" He sounds surprised. I guess considering how things left off, he probably didn't expect me to call so soon.

"Shiro, you ok? You don't sound so great." I realize belatedly that I didn't plan out a conversation and am not really sure what to say.

He laughs a little at my question. "Yeah, just stubbed my toe on the way to the phone. I'll live."

The line is quiet for a second before I harden my resolve and figure a reason for calling. "So, you busy tonight?" My voice sounds a little to hopeful and cringe slightly.

He doesn't really give me time to dwell on it though when he quickly responds, "Yeah, with you. What can I do for ya?" He sounds genuinely happy and I feel my face heat up. Back to feeling like a girl.

"Well, I was...kind of... hoping we could make up for our missed date on Friday. I mean, I know there isn't time for reservations or anything but-"

Shiro cuts off my rambling and answers happily, "I would love to spend the evening with ya Ichi. And don't worry about it, we don't need reservations to have a good time. I'll pick ya up in an hour."

Before I can catch myself, I do a little happy dance while sitting on the bed and become immediately mortified when I hear Chad chuckle in amusement from across the room.

"Uh huh, yeah...Sounds great I will see you then!" I hang up and hide my face in my hands. I can't believe I just did that.


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"How I wish you could see the potential,

The potential of you and me.

It's like a book elegantly bound but

In a language that you can't read just yet.

You gotta spend so time love,

You gotta spend some time with me,

And I know that you'll find love,

I will possess your heart..."

Half dressed in the bathroom, I heard Ichigo's ring tone sound from the living room. I quickly finished pulling my pants up, and made a mad dash to answer my berry. Unfortunately, in my rush, I banged my shin on an end table and stubbed my toe on the couch. So much for the graceful dancer. Hobbling and cursing, I flipped the phone open and greeted my strawberry "Hey Ichi!"

To say I was happy that he called me before I showed up there tonight would be an understatement. Now I didn't have to worry about invading his personal space in an attempt to get him back. Originally, I had just planned on going over there, giving him what I had planned on giving him, stating my case to win him back, and leaving. Now I can replace 'stating my case' with picking up a strawberry.

By the time the conversation ended, I was excitedly thinking of things we could do tonight and rushed back into the bathroom to finish getting ready.

Half an hour later, I throw my shoes on, grab my keys and the envelope I'm giving to Ichigo, and head out the door.


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True to his word, Shiro showed up at my door exactly one hour after I got of the phone with him. "Hey Ichi, mind if I come in for a minute. I got somethin' for ya." I nodded, confused but assumed he was referring to the envelope in his hands.

I close the door behind him and turn around, "So what is it?"

He hands me the envelope, "Ichigo, I wanted to prove the words I said that day, and to show ya that I take your concerns seriously. I want you to be comfortable with me, and above all, I want you to know that you can trust me." His gaze doesn't falter, and I wonder if he had practiced that little speech before arriving. Either way it has me blushing madly as I tear open the seal to the envelope in my hands.

Quickly skimming the papers and clutching tightly to the little piece of metal, I look up to him in slight disbelief.

He smiles and verifies the contents, "The first thing I did when I left here Friday was secure my spare key, and toss it in that envelope. As for the test results, like I said, I don't want you to worry about anything, so on Monday I went in for a check up, and got tested to prove that I am clean. I know this doesn't make up for my past, but I-"

I cut him off by throwing my arms around his neck, the papers crinkling against the back of his head, and seal my lips over his. I hadn't realized until just then how much I had missed his taste.

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When Ichigo pulled himself against me and mashed his lips to my own, any other words I planned on saying, evaporated into nothingness. Slipping one hand around his waist, and cupping the side of his face with the other, I take control and deepen the kiss. God it's good to have my Strawberry back in my arms.