Lupin III Fan Fiction ❯ Love Potion Fujiko Mine ❯ Operation Return Zenigata ( Chapter 21 )

Love Potion Fujiko Mine

By Bekka Mouri-Hibiki

(Lupin belongs to Monkey Punch. Goemon returns Zenigata and the bad guys are captured but the bad guys place the blame for their crimes on someone else.)

Part Twenty-One: Operation Return Zenigata

" Let up on the wheel, " Zenigata muttered. " Your arms will get sore if you keep holding it like that. "

" Right, " Goemon replied. He loosened his grip on the steering wheel but still felt uncomfortable. He had always left the driving to Fujiko, Lupin or Jigen and hadn't really driven in a long while. He knew how to drive but it still made him nervous and the pill Lupin had given him made him feel a little jumpy.

" You can go faster. You're way below the speed limit, " Zenigata pointed to a sign along the roadside. " This is a sports car after all. I want to see what this thing can really do. "

" Would you please be quiet? " Goemon glanced at Zenigata. " I'm not used to such a tiny car with this much power. I prefer we make it to Ggantija and not have to be scraped up off the road with a pocketknife. "

" Jeez. You aren't much fun, " Zenigata sighed and reached into his jacket with his good hand to get a cigarette. After a few rather amusing moments of fumbling around, he got one and stuck it in the corner of his mouth. He reached forward and pushed in the lighter on the dash and waited for it to warm up.

" Are you going to go through with it? " Goemon asked as he turned the car to follow a curve in the road.

" Sure. If they discover you really aren't an ICPO officer, I'll act surprised. I pretend like I didn't know a thing about it. You do know it will add to the list of things you are already wanted for though, right? " Zenigata said in a serious tone as the lighter popped out.

" What is one more thing? " Goemon sighed. " This supposed list is probably longer than my arm as it is. "

" True, " Zenigata lit his cigarette. " At any rate, after you drop me off you'll need to haul ass out of there. If you stick around too long, there might be problems. "

" I am not stupid. I will move on as soon as I can, " Goemon glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned. He didn't like the way Fujiko had insisted on doing his hair before she left but she said it would make him look less suspicious.

" Have I told you that you look really slick? " Zenigata commented as he put the lighter back. " You don't look untrustworthy at all. "

" Once I get away, I am taking my hair out of this ponytail and finding somewhere to wash this hairspray out, " Goemon grumbled. Fujiko had pulled his hair straight back in a rather tight ponytail and practically cemented it in place with some hairspray she had found in the bathroom.

" Hey now. It's a good thing Lupin put that you were an undercover agent because they don't have the same tight restrictions as us regular guys, " Zenigata made a scissoring motion with his index and middle finger. " If you were an investigator, you wouldn't be allowed to have that long hair. "

" I am aware of that, " Goemon said. " I was actually asking if you were going to see those ladies that are interested in you. "

Zenigata looked out the window and watched the scenery go by as he silently smoked is cigarette. He let out a heavy sigh, " I'm not sure about that. I doubt ICPO would agree to send me to escort them home. "

" I see, " Goemon nodded once. " The nurse seemed to like you a little bit. "

" Eliza? " Zenigata said the nurse's name without thinking as he looked at Goemon. " Yeah. She seemed to be a really nice young woman. That Kat girl seemed really nice too. "

Goemon blushed, " Yes. She is a good girl. "

Zenigata smiled, " Do you like her? "

" She's a good girl, " Goemon repeated.

" You don't have to tell me, " Zenigata looked forward. " It's written all over your face. Fujiko seemed a little jealous of her though. What's going on there anyway? "

" I do not wish to discuss anything about Fujiko, " Goemon narrowed his eyes as he glanced at Zenigata. " The things that happened back there happened back there. "

" I won't mention it again, " Zenigata put his good hand up. " That's your business and I shouldn't have asked. "

" No you shouldn't have, " Goemon said as a sign saying the temple was close came into view. " We're almost there. What's my name again? "

" Taro Wantanabe, " Zenigata said. " You are a junior ICPO investigator with the undercover operations branch. "

" And what happened? " Goemon approached the temple slowly, the police encampment coming into view.

" You had slipped into the house undercover but all the women were gone except for one that had been killed. You found me in the living room with the gunshot wound and I told you that I had been shot by one of the two men in the basement, " Zenigata furrowed his brow. " What else did Lupin say? "

" We found several dead bodies in the house and are led to believe the men that we tied up in the basement are the murderers, " Goemon nodded. " Oh. We've got company. "

Two police officers ran towards the car with weapons drawn as Goemon eased into a stop. A third officer joined them, a bullhorn in his hand. " Halt! This area is off limits! " He shouted.

" What do we do? " Goemon looked at Zenigata.

" We put our hands where they can see them so they don't shoot us, " Zenigata put his good hand up.

Goemon put his hands up where the officers could see them and the one with the bullhorn approached the car, the armed officers following. " Roll down your windows and have your identification ready. "

Zenigata reached into his jacket and pulled out his wallet as Goemon did the same. The officer with the bullhorn came up to Goemon's window and stuck his hand in for the wallets. " Heiji Zenigata of ICPO, " He muttered as he read Zenigata's ID card. " Sergeant Martin has been tearing the camp apart looking for you and he's not very happy about it. "

" I have important news that might make him forgive me for sneaking off, " Zenigata said with a sheepish grin.

" You'll be lucky if… " The officer looked at Zenigata's blood soaked jacket and the fact his left arm was in a sling. " What in the hell happened to you? Someone call for an ambulance! "

**

Fujiko stared out the van window, frowning as she fingered the hem of the tank top Lupin had given her to wear. He had given her a change of clothes before they left the mansion so she could get out of her gown. The outfit was a baby pink tank top and a pair of black denim shorts. She moved her fingers lower, running her fingernails in the grain of the denim as she tried not to be worried.

They had passed the temple fifteen minutes earlier and it made her think of Goemon. She hoped he and Zenigata would be able to pull off their ruse without problems. She was also thinking about what she would say to Goemon once she saw him again. As the potion wore off, dread spread through her as the realization of what had happened sank down on her.

She kept going over everything in her mind and felt terrible. She would turn time back if she could and spill the potion on the couch so neither of them was affected. ~He's one of my best friends and now I've blown everything, ~ She thought as the scenery slipped by.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, turning to find it was Lupin's. " Lupin. What is it? "

" What's wrong baby? " Lupin glanced at her as he steered the van with one hand. " You look like you've lost your only friend. "

" Nothing, " Fujiko muttered as she shrugged Lupin's hand away. He had no way of knowing it but his words cut right into her heart. She glanced towards the floor, " Everyone's so quiet. "

Lupin glanced into the rearview mirror, " I think they've all fallen asleep. Would you look at that? " He said and removed his tie clip. " Steady… steady. Got it! "

" What did you get? What did you see back there? " Fujiko looked into the far backseat and saw that Jigen had fallen asleep with his head on Andrea's shoulder while her cheek rested against his fedora. Kat and Barbra were back there as well, Kat's head pillowed on Jigen's back and Barbra was leaning against Andrea's other shoulder.

" He is so going to kill me if he knew I took that picture, " Lupin chuckled as he re-clipped his tie.

" What about everyone else? " Fujiko asked as she looked at the other seats. The van was the kind that had three rows of seats that could hold at least four people each. The row in front of Jigen contained Eliza and three other girls that Fujiko hadn't really got to know very well. She knew their names were Jane, Lizzie and Misty but she couldn't really remember who was who.

In the seat closest to her was another batch of women she hadn't talked to at all. Their names were Kendra, Judy, Beatrice and Danielle but once again, she didn't know what name went with which woman. " What do you mean about everyone else? I only took the picture of Jigen, " Lupin looked confused.

" What I mean is what are we going to do with them, Lupin? " Fujiko looked at him. " We have almost a dozen kidnapped women. "

Lupin shrugged, " There's enough cash in the back for me to treat all of them like ladies before they have to go home. I figured once Goemon gets back with us, we'd just go back across to Italy and show them all a good time then send them home. "

" You aren't planning anything dirty, are you? " Fujiko arched an eyebrow.

" No. Now, if Jigen and Goemon end up hitting it off with someone, that's their business. They can do whatever they want, " Lupin glanced in the mirror again.

" So you won't be hurt if someone changes their mind? " Fujiko queried.

" You got it. They were forced to do something they didn't want to do so I'm going to let them be free to do whatever they want until they have to go home. I don't think it is too bad of a deal, " Lupin reached over and took Fujiko's hand. He gave it a squeeze, " And that means you too baby. "

Fujiko fought back a lump in her throat as she tightened her grip on Lupin's hand. She looked down at their joined hands and fumbled for words to say. She shut her eyes, " So you aren't mad at me for what I did? "

" You mean for who you did? " Lupin said slyly as he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.

Fujiko looked at him but decided not to slap him for his expression was soft and caring. " I know Goemon is one of your closest friends. I would have never done anything like that otherwise. "

" I know, honey. But it happened. I was mad at first but I decided there was nothing I could do about it so I just accepted it. We can move on, " Lupin lifted Fujiko's hand to his lips and kissed it.

He lowered their hands back down to his lap. He laced his fingers through Fujiko's and sighed, " Besides, it was only once. "

Fujiko felt her heart sink in her chest. Lupin still didn't know about the second time. Something deep inside of her wanted him to know the truth but something else was scared of what he would do if he knew. His actions often expressed that his love for her knew no bounds but she had never slept with anyone so close to them both before.

" Lupin… " She whispered as she let her hand go limp in his.

" Yes, my princess? " He said.

Fujiko tried to say the words but they wouldn't come out. She wanted to tell Lupin there had been a second time but her throat tightened and she couldn't make a sound every time she tried. She pulled her hand away from Lupin and put her hands over her face as tears formed in her eyes. She couldn't stop them as they slid down her cheeks.

He pulled the van off to the side of the road and turned to her. " What's going on up there? " Jigen called from the back.

" Nothing. Keep an eye on everyone. I need to take a walk, " Lupin called back. He glanced at Fujiko, " Fujiko does too. "

" Ah damn it, " Jigen muttered. " I told the two of you to go to the damn bathroom before we left. Christ, it's like looking after two little children. "

" Shut the fuck up, would you? You'll wake the women up, " Lupin whispered harshly. " Just get up here and sit in the drivers seat until we get back. "

Jigen slipped through the tangle of females that surrounded him and opened the passenger side door. He walked around the back of the van and came up on Lupin's side. " Just go. I won't go anywhere. "

Lupin opened the door and got out as Fujiko did the same on her side. Jigen climbed in Lupin's seat and gave Fujiko a rather nasty look but it softened when the moonlight shimmered off the tears on her cheeks. " Are you crying, Fujiko? " He asked.

" What do you care? " Fujiko snapped quietly.

" Oh yeah, " Jigen put his feet up on the dash. " I don't. "

" Stop it, you two. We'll be back in a few minutes, " Lupin said and walked around to Fujiko's side.

" Don't take too long, " Jigen said. " You never know when the cops are going to be patrolling this road and I don't want them dragging you out of the bushes with your pants down. "

Lupin took Fujiko by the arm, " I feel the same way. "

Fujiko led Lupin lead her behind a large rock, panic welling in the pit of her stomach. " Now, we're alone. Why are you crying? " Lupin said as he tilted Fujiko's chin up so she was looking him in the eyes.

" Lupin, " Fujiko sobbed as she put her arms around him. " Please swear to me you will never ever hate me, no matter what I do. "

" Fujiko, " Lupin slipped his arms around her. " I could never hate you. Do you think we would have been through so much together if I could ever hate you for anything? "

Fujiko held him tight as she thought about his words but the fear inside of her would not let her speak. She curled her fingers against his back as she pressed her face into his chest. She felt him put his chin on the crown of her head and they stood there in silence save for the sounds of the night around them. A breeze picked up, making the skin on her shoulders tingle.

" You two did it more than once, didn't you? " Lupin finally whispered. When Fujiko didn't answer, he sighed. " I'll take that as a yes. "

Fujiko let go of Lupin and tried to step away but he wouldn't let her go. " Was it in the shower? " He asked as he held her to him. Fujiko shook her head.

" Did you do it on Fabian's desk? " Lupin said and Fujiko shook her head again. Lupin shut his eyes, " Fujiko, could you just tell me? I'm not going to get mad. "

Fujiko took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She exhaled then spoke. " You had the right time frame when you asked about the shower but it wasn't there. "

Lupin put his hand up, " I don't want to hear any more. I knew something happened but I didn't want it to be true. "

" It was still because of the potion though, " Fujiko nearly shouted.

" Shhh. I know. I told you I'm not mad. I'm relieved you told me the truth, " Lupin hooked his finger under Fujiko's chin again.

Fujiko looked into his eyes, " Sometimes, the truth is too hard to say, Lupin. You know that. "

" Yeah. I know, " Lupin leaned forward and took Fujiko's lips in his. He kissed her as he slid his hand up the back of her tank top and around to the side of her left breast. He wasn't surprised when she pulled away and slapped the hell out him.

" Now you're acting more like yourself, " Lupin smirked as he rubbed his cheek.

" Let's go, " Fujiko turned around. " We still have a lot of driving to do. "

Lupin walked behind Fujiko as they headed for the van. ~Fantastic. I guess we've made up but will she be able to make up with Goemon? ~

**

" I will have to beg your forgiveness on this matter, Miss… Miss? " Goemon stopped, not knowing the woman's name.

" I am Investigator Faye Camilleri Parlato, " Faye said in a hostile tone. Zenigata was a few feet away, being examined by paramedics. She was none too happy that the murderers had been left behind at the mansion. It was like she wanted Zenigata and Goemon to strap them to the roof of the car or that she didn't care that Zenigata was injured, Goemon wasn't sure which.

" I'm sorry, Miss Camilleri Parlato. I decided to bring my partner back here first since he lost quite a bit of blood. I secured the murderers so they would not be able to escape and they will probably still be there when we get back to them. I wanted to make sure my senior officer was taken care of first, " Goemon took off the glasses. " Surely you can understand that. "

Faye narrowed her eyes some more, " There's something about you that looks familiar but I can't place my finger on it. "

Goemon quickly put the glasses back on, " I hear that a lot. Apparently, I resemble quite a few people. "

Faye nodded her head slowly, " Sergeant Martin? Could you come with me for a moment? "

" Yes, " Sgt. Martin nodded but looked a little confused. She took him out of earshot and whispered something into his ear before they skittered off into the tent together.

Goemon followed the paramedics that were loading Zenigata into the ambulance. He got in and took a seat close to the front of the vehicle once Zenigata was secured. He didn't plan on staying in the ambulance but he didn't want to stand outside. " This does not bode well, " Goemon muttered to Zenigata.

" I'll vouch for you, " Zenigata replied quietly. " I at least owe you one favor. "

Goemon nodded as Faye returned. She climbed into the ambulance and sat down across from Goemon, a suspicious look still on her face. " Now, " Faye said. " Where is this hideout and how did you find it, Zenigata? "

" It is a little over sixteen kilometers east of here, " Zenigata started. " I followed them there through the eastern catacomb of the temple. "

" That's impossible, " Faye scoffed. " Those catacombs end in dead ends. I've explored them myself. "

" Not exactly. You see the eastern one only looks like it ends but it is an optical illusion. Wantanabe? " Zenigata looked at Goemon and pointed at the knapsack he was carrying.

Goemon handed him the bag and he opened it. He pulled out his sketchpad and showed it to Faye " I made this map as I was going through the catacombs. "

" Did you ask permission to go into the temple unescorted? " Faye arched an eyebrow.

Zenigata looked at the pad, " Well… not really. "

" Excuse me. We need to take Inspector Zenigata now. Could both of you please get out so we can go? " One of the two paramedics asked from where he was standing outside of the ambulance.

Faye grabbed Goemon by the hand and Zenigata's sketchpad with her other hand. " Since you know where it is, you will take me to it. I will gather a few more officers and we will go. Investigator Zenigata will be fine without you. "

" Hold on! Just take the map! " Zenigata shouted as the paramedics climbed in then shut the doors behind them.

" What did he say? " Faye asked Goemon.

" Something about the map, " Goemon replied. " Perhaps there are some drawings of a personal nature in that sketchbook. "

Faye flipped through the used pages and frowned. " He's really obsessed with this Lupin The Third person, isn't he? " She said and showed Goemon one of the drawings.

Goemon felt the urge to laugh but didn't. The drawing consisted of four labeled stick figures in what looked like a jail with another figure labeled as Zenigata smiling broadly. " Yes. He lives to catch that thief. "

" I swear, " Faye flipped back to the map. " I don't know why ICPO keeps that buffoon around. "

~You will have a different opinion once we reach the mansion, ~ Goemon mused.

Sgt. Martin came back, holding up a piece of paper. " Here's the information you wanted. "

Goemon tried to get a look at what the Sergeant had handed Faye but she gave him a cold glare. She then read the paper and frowned. " I see. I wish the ICPO chief had mentioned that when he called us. "

" He was at a loss, " Sgt. Martin said. " He said he had never heard of him but he pulled up the file and there it was. He said that maybe there was a break in the chain of communication. "

" I hate communication breakdowns, " Faye muttered and folded up the paper. She looked at Sgt. Martin, " Get together five of your best men. We are heading for the hideout. I will go ahead of you and call back with directions. "

" Fantastic, " Sgt. Martin nodded.

" Wantanabe? " Faye looked at Goemon.

" Yes? " Goemon replied.

" You will drive me to the hideout, " Faye informed him and strode off to the car.