Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Love Potion Fujiko Mine ❯ The Next Step ( Chapter 19 )

Love Potion Fujiko Mine

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin isn't mine. Jigen arrives to collect the loot and the women then Lupin decides their next move.)

Part Nineteen: The Next Step

Jigen waited outside the house, wondering what was taking Lupin and the others so long to come outside. He took out the communicator and buzzed Lupin. A few seconds later, Lupin answered. " Jigen. What's up? "

" I'm at the house. Where are you guys? " Jigen called back.

" We're in the main room. Bring my stuff, will you? " Lupin said. " I'm going to need my computer, my printer, the mold making kit, the solder cubes and the laminator. "

" What the hell? What are you doing, Lupin? " Jigen said as he reached into the second seat and retrieved the requested items.

" Just come inside and have a drink. I'm working on something. We're just not going to ditch Pops at the temple after all. I got a better idea, " Lupin's tone made Jigen wonder what he was up to. Then again, Jigen always wondered what Lupin was up to.

" A better idea? " Jigen opened the van door and jumped out.

" Yeah. I'll tell you more when you get inside. We found some good whisky that hasn't been tampered with and there's some good scotch too. I bet you're dying for a drink, " Lupin said.

" Remind me never to take you to an AA meeting, " Jigen replied.

" Since you've never set foot in one, I don't think you have to worry about it. Now, hurry up. "

" On my way, " Jigen said. " I'm coming up to the front door as we speak. "

" I'll see you in a sec, " Lupin called back. " Lupin out. "

Jigen stuck the communicator back in his jacket and reached for the doorknob. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the door opened, revealing Fujiko. She smiled a rather venomous smile. " Why hello… how are you doing? " He asked as nicely as he could muster as he put the Magnum away.

" I'm fine, " Fujiko replied. " I didn't know you cared. "

" Considering it was no fault of yours this time… unless you were wearing some slutty outfit that screamed: 'Come and get me!' " Jigen smirked.

Fujiko frowned, " You know I still owe you for the wire. "

Jigen took a step back, " That was Lupin's idea. You should kick him in the nuts for it, not me. "

" Lupin said you were the one that listened the longest, " Fujiko countered.

" Well someone had to make sure this wasn't some grand plot to get us out of the way so you could get the money, " Jigen said. Fujiko narrowed her eyes and advanced on Jigen but he was a step ahead of her. He grabbed her knee as she brought it up and had her flipped around so her back was towards him in a matter of seconds, trapping her against him with his arms.

" Let me go, Jigen. I'll scream if you don't, " Fujiko grunted as she pushed against the arm he had around her waist.

" Who are you going to scream for? " Jigen said as he tried to keep a hold of the thrashing woman. " Goemon or Lupin? "

Fujiko growled, " I'll call Lupin of course. "

" I figured you'd call Goemon since you seem so enthralled with him at the moment. You two have done it twice, right? " Jigen said into Fujiko's ear.

Fujiko stilled instantly, " You didn't… "

" I heard it, Fujiko. Does Lupin know about that quickie? " Jigen asked firmly.

" You pervert! " Fujiko shouted but Jigen put his hand over her mouth.

" I was making sure that you all were safe, fuck you very much. I didn't even have a chance to turn off the receiver before he started banging you, " Jigen growled. " I shut it off as quickly as I could though. I didn't want to puke in the van. "

Fujiko sighed behind Jigen's hand and relaxed against him. It was obvious that she had given up. " Now, are you going to scream if I take my hand away? " Jigen asked. Fujiko shook her head and he took his hand away from her mouth.

Fujiko took a deep breath but he quickly threw his hand over her mouth again. He growled, " Look. If you scream, I swear to God I will tell Lupin you screwed him again. You can blame whatever you did the first time on the potion but you were seducing Goemon that second time… I heard every word of it. "

Fujiko made a noise of protest from behind his hand but he held her tighter, " I think that was pretty low to do that considering he is still weak from that crap. You better not do anything else to him because he's going to be beating himself up enough over what's already happened between you two. It would be different if it was mutual but, to me, it looks like you're using him and I'm not going to stand idly by while you do that. "

Jigen let his hand fall away from Fujiko's mouth. She turned her head enough to give him a dirty sideways look, " What's wrong? Are you jealous or something? Are you wishing it were you banging me instead? "

" You just don't know when to give up, do you? " Jigen turned Fujiko around, holding her firmly by the shoulders as he looked her in the eyes. " I'm just looking out for my two best friends. Since you don't have friends, I suppose you don't know what it's like. "

" Oh that's it! " Fujiko growled and brought her knee up. Jigen reached down and blocked her knee with his hand.

" Has anyone ever told you two that you fight like children? " Goemon's voice startled Jigen and Fujiko.

" If she wouldn't act like a spoiled child, " Jigen started.

" Lupin sent me to find you, " Goemon cut Jigen off. " He was certain the two of you had run into one another and wanted me to break up any altercations that might have started. "

Fujiko straightened her gown, " I'm going back to Lupin. I want to see what he's got planned. "

Jigen watched Fujiko flounce off to what he assumed was the main room the turned to Goemon. He rolled his eyes when he saw the samurai was watching Fujiko as she retreated. " Buddy, we need to talk. "

" Yes we do. Where is Annalisa? " Goemon looked around for any sign of the young woman.

Jigen shook his head; " I had hoped Lupin got to tell you about that away from everyone. "

" He said she followed you. Where is she? " Goemon looked out the open front door. " Is she in the van? "

" No. She's not in the van. Goemon, there's something I need to tell you since Lupin didn't. Follow me to the garage; " Jigen took a step toward the hall that led to where he spoke of.

" What is going on here, Jigen? " Goemon's tone was demanding. " I want to know where the girl is. "

" She's gone, Goemon. We won't be able to take her home to her father and that insane goat you told us about, " Jigen looked over his shoulder.

" What are you saying? Are you saying she is dead? "

Jigen nodded solemnly, " She attacked me. I couldn't do anything but shoot. She slipped up on me with a Beretta and opened fire. "

" You killed her? " Goemon sounded like he couldn't believe his ears.

" Yeah but I thought it was another thug, " Jigen put a hand over his face. " I wish I could go back in time and change it but I can't. "

" Where is the body? " Goemon said quietly.

" On the way to the garage. Come on, " Jigen pointed the way. " I'll tell you everything once we get there. Then maybe we can talk about something else. "

Goemon looked at Jigen, " What do you want to talk about? "

" What the hell is going on between you two? " Jigen motioned to where Fujiko had been standing as they walked towards the hall that led to the garage.

Goemon sighed, " I wish I knew. That drug was very powerful and I'm still coming back to myself. It all still seems like some strange dream. "

" It sounds more like a nightmare to me, " Jigen muttered and got a cigarette out. He lit it and took a long drag as he thought over what he would say. He looked Goemon in the eye, " Whatever you do, don't get attached. I've seen the aftermath of her handiwork and it just isn't worth it. "

" I do not plan on getting attached. I wasn't in control of my faculties when we… " Goemon's voice trailed off.

" Were you in control the second time? " Jigen asked quietly.

" The second time? " Goemon arched an eyebrow and stopped. A second later, he reached for Zantetsuken.

Jigen stopped and reached for the Magnum, " I heard it by accident. I was monitoring the situation while I finished my crossword puzzle. I wanted to make sure nothing was going wrong on this end. "

Goemon unsheathed Zantetsuken, examining the handle carefully. He narrowed his eyes the he reached the base before peeling off a paper-thin wafer of clear plastic that had several thin copper wires running through it. " I won't be needing this any longer, " He held the wafer out to Jigen. " It's been nothing but trouble. "

Jigen put the Magnum back where it belonged and pulled out his lighter. He flipped the top open and flicked it to life in one smooth motion, the amber flame quickly devouring the plastic when he brought it to the wafer. Goemon dropped it on the carpet and quickly stamped it out with his foot. " I'm still sorry for hearing that, " Jigen put his lighter away.

" It is alright, " Goemon muttered. " This episode has proven to me that I am still not worthy and I must train harder. "

" Would you please cut it out with this crap about not being worthy? " Jigen growled. " You start in on that bullshit then you run off but you can't split on us now. We've still got a lot to do here. "

" Perhaps I need some distance between that wench and myself to get her off of my mind, " Goemon looked towards the main room.

" You aren't going anywhere, " Jigen grabbed Goemon by the arm. " You're going to stay right here and face up to what you've done. Not only that, you can't leave me at the mercy of those ladies. "

" Lupin told you about the deal he made with the women, didn't he? " Goemon gave Jigen a sideways glance.

Jigen let go of Goemon's arm, " Yeah. "

" A few of them want to date Inspector Zenigata so we are saved to a point. I wish that Lupin had only consulted us first, " Goemon shut his eyes.

" So what's that mean? We get three girls each now? " Jigen asked.

" I believe that is correct, " Goemon opened his eyes. " Unless Fujiko gets jealous and makes Lupin give up his other two. "

Jigen growled, " Knowing her, she probably will. I guess it can't be too bad. Those ladies will have to go home as soon as the law knows they've been located. "

" This is true. I assume we will just have to endure it. Perhaps there will be a likeable one in the bunch, " Goemon shook his head.

" It sounds like you aren't very fond of economy sized dating, " Jigen chuckled. He put his cigarette out on the heel of his shoe before flicking it into a potted plant. " I'm not either but I guess these ladies deserve something for what they've been through. "

" I am afraid I have to agree, " Goemon nodded. " I wish the circumstances had been different though. "

**

" Where the hell are those two? " Lupin muttered as he drummed his fingers on the arm of the couch.

" I guess they were talking about something, " Fujiko said as she leaned onto Lupin's shoulder.

" I can't do this without my computer, " Lupin reached over and picked up the glass of whisky he had poured for himself. On the table, Lupin had laid out Zenigata's ID wallet and a piece of paper with some notes scribbled on it.

" Just great. We're running short enough on time as it is but this is seriously biting into the time it will take to make my plan work, " He said and took a drink. He glanced at Fujiko, " We'd be ahead of schedule if it weren't for you and Goemon. "

" He was getting a rash from that potion and I felt filthy. I needed to clean up, " Fujiko huffed. " Nothing happened. "

" It still took up valuable time, Fuji-baby. I prefer Pops not wake up here. No telling what crazy conclusion he'll jump to, " Lupin took another drink.

" Goemon! " Kat and Barbra shouted as one, causing Lupin to look towards the door. The two women grabbed his arms, their breasts rubbing against the limbs and caused him to blush again. Jigen looked at the whole display with slight bewilderment before looking towards Lupin and Fujiko.

" I got the stuff, " He called. " Where's the scotch? "

" Over here with me, " Lupin waved Jigen over. " I even have a tumbler and some ice ready for you. "

Jigen walked toward the couch, glancing over to where Zenigata was sprawled out on another couch. " How's he doing? " Jigen motioned to the inspector when he arrived at the couch Lupin was sitting on. He noticed that some pillows had been stuffed under Zenigata to prop him up.

" He'll live. He started snoring about fifteen minutes ago so I'm pretty sure he's going to be just fine, " Lupin took the computer case from Jigen then the other case. " You got everything, right? "

" Everything you told me to, " Jigen took a seat on a couch next to the one Lupin was sitting on. " What do you have up your sleeve this time? "

" Something good, " Lupin said and unloaded the computer from the case. He took the satellite antenna out and attached it to the computer. " I just hope the connection is good out here. "

" Is that the thing you were telling me about? " Fujiko said as she watched Lupin turn on the computer then start adjusting the antenna.

" Yeah. This thing links me up with my super computer back at the hideout through a satellite I commandeered, " Lupin turned the antenna slowly.

" This is the same computer you've hacked into other super computers with, right? " Fujiko arched an eyebrow.

" That would be The Phantom Lupin 3000 indeed, " Lupin smirked as he locked onto the signal. " Although it is hooked up to every supposedly private high security network imaginable, no one knows it even exists. "

" So that's the computer's name today? I'm used to you calling it a worthless piece of shit, " Jigen moved so he could look at the screen as Lupin typed in a bunch of numbers. Within seconds, the 'welcome' screen for the ICPO appeared, asking for a password.

Jigen tipped his hat back a little to get a better look, " Jesus Christ, Lupin. You're even hooked up to them? "

" I did it on a whim, " Lupin tapped out the password. " I figured it would come in handy some day. "

" What are you going to do? " Jigen asked as Lupin clicked on the icon for 'personnel'.

" You'll see, " Lupin looked over the screen and narrowed his eyes. " Of course, it might make Barb and Kat unhappy but it's the best plan I can think of at the moment. "

" What's up with that anyway? " Jigen asked as he picked up his tumbler and the scotch. " Goemon looks like he's getting along with those two. "

" Those two have been totally enamored with him since he walked in the door. Annalisa thought he was hot too, " Fujiko muttered. " I had to pull a fainting act to distract them. "

" He's finally getting comfortable with them at least. He was as nervous as a cat in a rocking chair factory earlier, " Lupin chuckled. " That tall one over by the bookcase was trying to molest him but it looks like she's interested in you now, buddy. "

Jigen tipped his hat at the mysterious gypsy-looking woman then looked back at the computer screen. Lupin was filling out what looked like a personnel file with Goemon's personal information but had a made up name on it. " Oh! I see. You're going to make Goemon an ICPO officer so you can get Zenigata back to the cops without doing anything suspicious. "

" Bingo. I'm even going to assign him to the kidnapping case with Zenigata as the co-investigator, " Lupin looked up again. " Were there any other cars in the garage besides the van? "

" I think there was. It was covered with a tarp, " Jigen said. " You want me to go pull it around to the front? "

" Enjoy your scotch. I still have to make him an ID card and a badge. You remembered the solder, right? " Lupin picked up Zenigata's wallet and looked the badge over.

" Yes and I remembered the mold making kit as well. Copying that badge is going to be a challenge, " Jigen got out a cigarette.

" Yeah but it's going to be dark so maybe they won't notice any flaws, " Lupin reached for the other case. " Now, I have to print up the ID card. "

" Can that printer handle it? " Jigen looked skeptical.

" I'll just put the quality on high. No one will be able to tell the difference, " Lupin took out the printer and turned it on. After he adjusted a few knobs, he went back to the computer. He took Zenigata's ID out of the wallet and ran it through the scanner.

Jigen and Fujiko watched as Lupin cropped a photo of Goemon and inserted it into the corresponding space on the card. He then filled in the information that the card required and double-checked the finished product. He smirked and printed it. The three of them looked over at Goemon again, this time catching the samurai's wary look.

" Why are the three of you looking over here so much? " Goemon asked, arching an eyebrow.

" We're just talking about you, " Lupin grinned. " Are you ready for your marching orders, Officer Taro Wantanabe? "

" What nonsense are you talking about? " Goemon narrowed his eyes.

Lupin got out the mold making kit and the blowtorch. " You'll find out soon enough, Ta-kun. "

Goemon looked at Kat and Barbra. They moved away from him so he could walk over to where Lupin was making a mold of Zenigata's badge. " What have you planned for me this time? " He asked, his thumb resting on Zantetsuken's handle.

" You are now a junior ICPO officer. You are being trained by Zenigata and were assigned to investigate the kidnapping case with him, " Lupin explained as he pressed the badge down into the mold. " Jigen, we still have the file right? "

" Yeah. It's in the van with everything else, " Jigen replied.

Lupin carefully pulled Zenigata's badge out of the molding compound and started to manipulate the numbers with a small tool. " You know how to drive a car, right? " Lupin asked as he changed a few numbers.

Goemon narrowed his eyes and looked away, " I've driven a few times. "

" Good. Excellent, " Lupin smiled as he finished the adjustments to the badge. He then got the solder out, placing the small silvery cubes in the mold for the badge. " Jigen, light the blowtorch. "

" Sure, " Jigen said, taking out his lighter.

Lupin waited as Jigen lit and adjusted the torch before handing it to him. " I don't like it when you are quiet, Goemon. Tell me what you're thinking; " Lupin brought the flame down to the cubes, melting them almost on contact.

" I was just wondering where you pulled this idea from, " Goemon muttered.

" Where do you think I pulled it from? " Lupin turned the torch off once the mold was filled with the liquid solder. It turned solid just as quickly as it had turned to liquid.

" I believe it was your ass this time, " Goemon clicked Zantetsuken loose.

" Look, " Lupin didn't look up from the mold. " I just want to make sure Pops gets back to the cops. I just can't send you in there as Goemon Ishikawa The Thirteenth, assassin and thief. Lest ye forget, you are a wanted man. "

" I remember that but you made me that way, " Goemon replied coldly.

" Ah shut up, " Jigen said. " You would have ended up one anyway being an assassin. "

" They won't suspect Taro Wantanabe though, " Lupin pried the new badge from the mold. " Now, we have to find you a disguise. "