To Jeff's surprise, the week passed rather quickly.  Nabiki
was less talkative and more inscrutable [oh, that word] than
usual.  By Saturday morning, Jeff had psyched himself up to going
through with this  mixed nude bathing' business.  However, his
arrival at the train station quickly delivered a crushing blow to
his resolve.
     "Konnichi wa, Jeff-san" Nabiki called from across the
station.  "We're all ready to go."
     <WE?!?!> Jeff hesitated when he noticed that Nabiki was
accompanied by three attractive young ladies.  Two he knew from
school, Yuka and Sayuri.  The third was her older sister, Kasumi.
     "Ah, Nabiki.  I though this trip was for you and me alone. 
I can't afford all these people." Jeff whispered pulling Nabiki
aside.
     "Don't worry, Jeff-chan.  They are paying their own way."
She flashed her mischievous grin. 
     <Good.  I haven't got *that* much in my savings account.>
Jeff thought as they rejoined the other girls.
     "Besides, I don't think daddy would have let me go alone." 
Nabiki whispered to him.
     The train trip out was noisy and fun for the four girls. 
For Jeff, it was an hour of boredom.  All the girl-talk left him
with plenty of time to look out of the window and ponder his
weekend.  With the other girls around, Jeff was certain to get no
quiet time with Nabiki. <Well, there goes this weekend.> he
thought.
     Jeff barely remembered the lunch Kasumi had packed or the 
latest school gossip shared by the girls.  He was dreaming of a
hot spring and a warm Nabiki.
     They checked in at the inn after noon and made arrangements
to meet at the pool in an hour.  Up in his room, Jeff decided to
follow Satouro-san's advice and beat the girls to the spring.
     <I hope she appreciates me doing this.> he mused as he
undressed. <I've gotta remember to act like I don't notice when
she gets in.  Think Japanese, Jeff.  Think Japanese.>
     Jeff was robed and out the door in less than ten minutes. 
As he wandered down to the mineral spring, he noticed the great
amounts of steam rising from the water, mixing a few feet above
the surface in the cool morning air before disappearing above the
many trees.  Much of the water's surface was obscured by the
steam.  <This is going to be easier than I thought.> 
     Many of the bathers were older with a few honeymooners and
families mixed in.  It wasn't overly busy, more than enough space
around the edge so that Jeff could soak in some privacy.  He
caught sight of a young couple slipping out of the water.  Much
to his relief, they were as nude as he was under his robe.  At
least, he couldn't claim to be underdressed for the occasion.
     "Ohaiyo" The young husband said cheerfully as they passed.
     Jeff returned the greeting as nonchalantly but pleasantly as
possible.
     At the water's edge, Jeff looked around until he felt sure
no one was looking or could see before dropping his robe on the
side of the pool and slipping in.  The heat of the water struck
him immediately and drove from him all concerns of his current
lack of attire.  He felt like a lobster being boiled alive. 
<Hot! Hot!! HOT!!!> his brain screamed.  Employing his ninjutsu
training, he quickly regained control of his senses and began
damage control.  It wasn't as hard as the time Master Sato had
him stand under a freezing waterfall for two hours in sub
freezing temperatures, but it could have come in second.
     Slowly, he became acclimated to the hot water and settled
back onto a conveniently placed underwater rock to soak, his
little hand towel draped over his head.  <This wasn't bad at all,
once you get used to the temperature.> he thought.
     The sounds of Nabiki and the other girls approaching caught
Jeff's attention.  Slowly, he turned his head to see the four
coming down the stairs wearing the same type of inn supplied
robes that Jeff had used.
     "How's the water?" Nabiki asked as the girls got to the edge
of the pool.
     Thankful for the mineral induced murkiness of the water
combined with the rising steam that concealed him from the
mid-chest down, Jeff responded calmly that it was hot enough to
boil
eggs.
     "Perfect." Nabiki replied as she turned to her friends.
     <Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy!  Here it comes.> Jeff thought,
trying not to look like the hormone driven teen that he currently
was.
     Kasumi led the parade into the pool by dropping her robe to
reveal...her pleasantly styled one-piece swim suit.  The other
girls followed suit, each wearing their own stylish beachwear. 
Jeff's jaw hit the water with a noticeable splat.  Only four
words formed in his head. <I...have...been...had.> as he sunk
lower into the water.
     Nabiki and her two friends giggled and whispered together
for awhile before disappearing into the mists, still gossiping
and giggling.  For some reason, Kasumi assumed it fell to her to
 entertain' Jeff while in the pool.  She balanced on an
underwater rock not far from Jeff and led a lengthy round of
small talk.  Not that she wasn't a stimulating conversationalist. 
In many ways, she displayed greater mental agility than her
younger sister, as they freely and easily touched on subject
after subject.  
     One subject came up so abruptly that it almost knocked Jeff
off his rock.
     "You know, Jeff-san.  Nabiki really likes you." Kasumi
sighed as she looked directly at the dazed Jeff.
     "If she likes me, why does she treat me like something to
keep at arm's length?"
     Kasumi smiled slightly before continuing.  "In Japan, girls
wait for the boys to show their interest before responding."  Her
own love life with Dr. Tofu added a tinge of sadness to her
voice.  "Sometimes, the boy is too good to be true.  Sometimes,
he's not everything the girl hoped for.  Sometimes he's just shy.
In any case, be patient with Nabiki.  She is fighting her heart
right now."
     "It's the money thing, isn't it?"  Jeff cut to the heart of
the problem.
     "You know about that." Kasumi looked a little embarrassed at
having to explain her sister's actions.  "Well, that is her
struggle.  She wants to be rich.  I don't really understand it or
why she is so driven..."  She paused as if considering some
possible answer.
     "So she likes me but I'm not rich enough for her."  Jeff's
summation was short, brutal and boorishly American.
     "Give her time, Jeff-san." Kasumi said softly with a smile. 
"Give her time."
     Jeff wasn't fully convinced, but nodded and changed the
subject.
     Before either of them knew it, the afternoon had passed and
it was time for dinner.  Kasumi insisted Jeff leave first.  She
would wait for the other girls and they would join him for
dinner.
     Jeff hesitated, gulped, and checked the distance between
himself and his robe.  It looked a mile away.  To complicate
matters, a light wind had sprung up and their entire half of the
pool was now free of the concealing mist.  Nothing left to do but
get out and try to act natural about it.
     "Jeff-chan" came Nabiki's call as the three girls came back. 
"Good.  You're still here."  Then, turning to Yuka: "Looks like I
win.  I told you he wouldn't get out with my sister there."
     Kasumi looked confused as she looked first at the three
girls and then at Jeff.
     "Go ahead, Jeff."  Sayuri chided.  "Are you Japanese
enough?"
     "What are you girls talking about?" Kasumi said, clearly
annoyed.
     "I still say he won't get out until after dark." Nabiki was
savoring her brilliance.  She was clearly on the verge of winning
some kind of bet with the other girls.  "I know Americans."
     <So that's it.> Jeff thought.  <She hauled me all the way up
here to be a wagering object.  Well, I think I'll just change the
odds.>
     With no fanfare, Jeff stood up, skillfully concealing
himself with the little tenugui towel as he stepped out of the
pool.  Kasumi, for her part, looked away but wore an expression
of a bottle that just cracked; her eyes fixed on the water near
the rocks, a little smile creasing her face.  She hadn't been in
a mineral spring pool with a naked man since she was 5 years old. 
In spite of the traditional Japanese nonchalance towards opposite
gender nudity in bathing, the sight of a naked Jeff exiting the
pool right in front of her had caused a slight  tilt' in her
expression.  Nabiki and her friends at didn't help.  They giggled
and called out encouragement at the sight of Jeff's bare white
bottom exiting the pool.
     Jeff quickly threw on his robe and hesitated.  <If they want
a show...> he thought.  Turning quickly, his robe still untied,
he bowed politely to the ladies.  The girls and Jeff looked at
each other, but their eyes never met.
     "Oh my" Kasumi gasped.
     Jeff tied his robe shut, turned on his heel and started back
to the inn; leaving Kasumi, wide eyed and hand in front of mouth
and the other three girls giggling like, well..., school girls.
     An hour later, the girls met for dinner.  The conversation
was lively and pleasant.  No mention of the day's  show' was
heard.  Only Kasumi seemed concerned with Jeff's absence.  She
was getting a bad feeling about this.
     She excused herself and sought out a hostess to ask if Jeff
had eaten yet.
     "Hai, Lawrence-san ate very quickly and left just before you
arrived." she said with a big smile.  "He took bottle of sake and
left."
     Kasumi was exceptionally quiet when she returned for the
rest of dinner.  Jeff's absence combined with his acquisition of
the sake didn't sound good.  She worried that Jeff had been
driven to drink to resolve his embarrassment.  This was not good.
     After dinner, the girls scampered off to check out what
amusements the inn provided.  Kasumi, enjoying the serenity of
not having to do the dishes or clean anything for one night,
wandered out to the balcony, a soft drink in hand.  She was
wondering what happened to Jeff when she noticed someone sitting
in the pool that looked familiar.  A more careful examination
confirmed; it was Jeff.
     "Kasumi," Nabiki called as she walked onto the balcony. 
"Have you seen Jeff?  I want to find out why he wasn't at dinner. 
That was pretty inconsiderate of him to make us dine alone."
     Kasumi just pointed out the lone figure in the pool.
     "You know, Nabiki, I'm not surprised.  What you girls did to
him wasn't very nice."  Kasumi began her older sister routine. 
"I think you hurt him."
     "Oh, Oneechan, Jeff's a big boy..." Nabiki started.
     "Who happens to love you." Kasumi finished forcefully.
     Nabiki was stunned.  She slowly looked first at her older
sister then at Jeff in the pool. She knew Jeff liked her.  She
even had some feelings for him. But the fact her older sister
knew more about Jeff's feelings than she did cut right to the
bone.
     "How do you know that?" Nabiki asked softly.
     "By what he said when he talked about you." Kasumi crossed
her arms like a chastising mother. "He's pretty vulnerable right
now.  It wouldn't take much to push him away forever."
     "Why should I care?" Nabiki shrugged.  "He's poor. 
Remember?"
     "Sister, I hate to think that I spent an evening in your
room trying to calm down a woman who didn't have some strong
feelings for a certain young man.  At the very least, I think you
owe him an apology."  Kasumi looked her younger sister in the
eye.
     Nabiki started to say something but was derailed by her
older sister.
     "You owe him." Kasumi said with a firm look.
     "Okay, Oneechan, I'll... apologize to him." Nabiki sighed
looking at the deck.  She couldn't understand why it had all come 
to this?  It was only a prank.  Yuka and Sayuri went along with
the plan because it sounded like fun and was another chance to
engage in a little lite gambling.  They never really meant to
hurt Jeff.
     Quietly, Nabiki made her way back to her room.  Removing her
clothes, she picked up another bathing suit and paused before
throwing it back on the bed. <I guess I owe him some honesty this
time.> she thought as she pulled on her short robe. <If he was
willing to be Japanese and bathe properly, I guess I can too.>
     With a sigh, she walked slowly down to the pool.  She
couldn't help but notice the empty saki container laying on its
side behind him.  Jeff never moved, yet he knew she was there. 
     "Beautiful, isn't it?" he said softly as she came up behind
him.  "See how the shadows of the mountain behind us slowly
marches up the side of Mount Fuji."  Jeff indicated with his hand
the masking of the shadow.  "Magnificent."
     Nabiki paused for a few moments considering his words and
absorbing the scene.  She wondered how much of the sake was
talking.
     "I'm... sorry for earlier..." Nabiki said softly.  She was
used to others apologizing to her.  She had little experience at
doing such herself.  It was harder than it looked.
     "That's okay, Nabiki-chan.  It was a good joke...really." he
replied but sounded sad doing it.
     There was an awkward pause.  Nabiki shuffled her feet
slightly.  For once, she was at a loss for what to say or do.
     "Twelve years." he said.
     "What?"
     "I've been trying to fit in for twelve years.  Growing up in
foreign countries, knowing only kids from the legation community. 
You don't make many friends that way."
     Nabiki wanted to stop him, to tell him she was sorry again. 
Clearly, what she and her friends did hurt him deeper than she
thought.
     "When I failed to make friends my own age, I resorted to
trying to please the adults.  Whatever it took, I did; jokes,
stories, languages, even acting silly if necessary.  I became a
 trick pony', performing on que in hopes they would like me.  It
was really embarrassing." He paused and squirmed uncomfortably at
the memory. "Only Master Sato treated me like someone of worth. 
I hated leaving him back in England.  He was like a grandfather
to me."
     Jeff shifted position to rest an elbow on a large rock.
     "Japan isn't much better.  No one my age I want to be
friends with.  All I had was the Marine Guards and whomever I
could round up from the Japanese staff.  Then I met you." Jeff
looked back over his shoulder at Nabiki.  "Do you know that
before last weekend, I had never been on a date before?"
     "You're kidding." Nabiki said incredulously.  "You were so
relaxed, like you'd done this a hundred times."
     "Thank you, but everything I know about dates came from old
movies and stories I overheard the Marines tell.  Besides, I
really wanted to impress you." Jeff's eyes fell.  "You know, I
really do love you."
     Nabiki didn't know what to say.  She was sure the sake was
talking now.  Still, no guy had ever said to her those words. 
The more she thought about Jeff and the more she looked at him,
the more the feelings she had for him the first date flooded
back.  She understood a lot of what he said.  She too was a bit
of an odd duck.  Most boys wouldn't even approach her unless they
wanted a loan or were willing to pay for her temporary company. 
No one had ever expressed their love for her and no one had ever
exposed themselves to this much ridicule for her sake.  Nabiki
suddenly felt rotten.
     "Can I join you?" she asked.
     "Sure, this rock is big enough for two." he said scooting
over slightly.
     Jeff never looked at Nabiki but he heard her robe fall to
the ground, saw the ripples of the pool when she entered and felt
her arm bump his as she slid onto the hot rock with him.  He
closed his eyes and smiled to himself as he smelled her perfume
and felt her presence.  His dream was coming true; even if she
really didn't love him.  Being alone with her was all her ever
wanted.
     "I tried to be Japanese today.  As usual, all I did was
provide entertainment.  I guess you were right when you said I
could never understand." he lamented out loud.  "I'm sorry."
     Nabiki quietly slipped her arm through his and snuggled
close.  <You understand better than you think.> she thought.
     Immediately, Jeff knew something was different.  Something
soft and warm was pressing against his right bicep.  Her head
rolled slowly over to rest on his shoulder.  He wasn't sure but
he could have sworn what he was feeling was her bare left breast
rubbing his arm lightly as she pulled herself against him. 
Slowly, he tried to look at her out of the corner of his eyes but
her head was in the way.  He couldn't lean forward to see if he
was right without being obvious.  In the end, he simply kissed
the top of her head and rested his cheek lightly on her hair.  By
then the shadow of the mountain had covered all but the snowy
peak of Mount Fuji, creating a moon like affect.  The stars began
to twinkle lightly above.
     Back on the balcony, Kasumi had finished her soft drink and
watched as the two lovers sat silently soaking in the pool.
     "Kawaii." was all she said before leaving them to their
privacy.  On her way inside, she intercepted Nabiki's two friends
and guided them into the game room to prevent their interrupting
the couple.
     <This will cost some of the family's money,> Kasumi thought
as she herded the two girls. <But it's worth it.>
     Just before total darkness, Jeff asked if Nabiki wanted to
for a walk.  She happily agreed and Jeff quietly stood up.  Like
Jeff's earlier in the day, Nabiki's jaw seemed to hit the water. 
He was wearing a beige swim suit.  She watched as he climbed out
and donned his robe.
     "You coming?" he asked innocently.
     With a sudden flush of Western modesty, Nabiki shrunk deeper
in the misty water.  "Toss me my robe." she pleaded.
     "No way.  It'll get all wet." Jeff said with a small smile. 
"I'll tell you what, I'll hold the robe for you."  Jeff picked up
her robe and held it open.
     "Turn you head." she said her eyes narrowed  The water was
up to her chin now.
     "Why? You didn't turn your head this afternoon.  Besides, I
thought only gaijin had such weird hangups."
     She was caught and knew it.  Without a word, but with a
mixed look of warning and fear, she stood up abruptly.  Without
even the help of a tenugui towel, she made vain efforts to cover
herself as she stepped from the pool and into the robe.
     "Kawaii." Jeff said as he hugged her. "Now we're even."
     "I should hate you for that." she replied as she snuggled
back against his warm body.  <But why don't I?> she thought.
<What's happening to me?  Could Kasumi be right?  Am I falling in
love with this guy?>
     A cool autumn breeze caused her to tremble slightly.  She
snuggled closer.  For a few minutes they stood like that,
enjoying for a second time in their lives the comfortable warmth
of each other, until interrupted by another young couple coming
down for a soak.
     Jeff helped Nabiki tie up her robe and held her hand as they
walked up to the inn.

     From that day on, Nabiki and Jeff went out again and again;
to school sporting events and dances.  Nabiki made it sound like
a matter of convenience.  Who else would take her out, Kuno? 
Sure he had money, but the thought of being physically close to
him was enough to make her skin crawl.  Jeff was...comfortable,
and as always, the perfect escort; considerate, attentive, and,
most importantly, always able to pay the bill.  
     He was also creative.  One winter weekend, with the help of
his Marine friends, Jeff helped Nabiki fulfill another dream of
hers; shooting a gun.  At the government target range, the Marine
instructor handed Nabiki a loaded Glock 9mm.  After the first few
rounds, Jeff and the rest of the Marines were scrambling for
cover.  Six clips, ten targets, two vehicle tires, and a
government vehicle later, Nabiki announced she was finished. 
There were holes everywhere, some even in the targets.  It took
three days to get that odd look off her face.  She obviously
enjoyed it a bit too much.
     After several months, even Nabiki began to wonder if she
misjudged him.  Perhaps, he (or his family) had more money than
they showed.  She tried again to track down his net worth through
her usual channels, even resorting to bribing a former classmate
of Kasumi's working at a major financial institution and ran
smack into the same ambiguities as before.  Perhaps there was
something there and, then again, perhaps not.  To her friends at
school, she was the same old Nabiki.  Inside, however, she was
riding an emotional roller coaster; her emotions urged her to
openly return Jeff's love but her common sense insisted that it
could never work due to his lack of wealth.  <Sure, I like him,
perhaps even love him, But I have to provide for father in his
old age.> she would think.  <That fool Ranma won't run the dojo
profitably and without it father will lose everything.  No, the
only way I can help out is to marry wealth.  That way, father
will be able to keep his home even if that baka Ranma screws the
whole thing up.>
     For Jeff's part, he was running up some pretty hefty IOU's
to keep financing his affair with Nabiki.  His mother reminded
him that he was supposed to be playing poor to see if a girl
would marry a poor Jeff.  Spending all this money was defeating
the purpose.  Jeff dismissed such talk, insisting that Nabiki
really loved him just for his self.  His mother just sadly shook
her head and let the matter drop.
     In the spring, it was obvious to everyone except Nabiki that
the two of them were heavily involved.  When she wanted to go
out, Jeff was there.  He was warm, cuddly and not afraid to show
his love for her. Even Mr. Tendo and Mr. Saotome noticed; they
kept congratulating themselves on such a successful match. 
     For Jeff's part, he was willing to play along with whatever
Nabiki wanted to do.  He would suffer the worst indignities to be
with her.  Many times she would do something as if to test his
resolve; not returning his phone calls or going away to a friends
house for the weekend unannounced.  Each time, Jeff patiently
waited her return; usually following up with small gifts or a
special date.  Of the two of them, Jeff was the only one truly
confident in the relationship.

     A month before graduation, Jeff invited Nabiki to a fancy
embassy ball to honor the Japanese Prime Minister.  For Nabiki,
this was an opportunity too good to pass up.  Making important
contacts in the government was paramount in good Japanese
business relations.  There was no better contact than the prime
minister himself.
     Jeff arrived early to pick up Nabiki.  Dressed in his
tuxedo, he looked every inch the gentleman.  
     "I trust you will have my daughter home at a decent hour. 
I've heard about how late these affairs last." her father asked
pouring himself some more tea.
     Jeff was about to respond, when Ranma, or at least the
female Ranma, came in dripping wet.
     "Stupid old man," she mumbled.  "Tossing me in the pond like
that."
     "It's your own fault, Ranma." Mr. Saotome said as he
followed his son into the room.  "I've told you a thousand times,
training is a 24 hour a day job."
     "Yeah, but not while I'm on the can!"
     "A good martial artist is prepared for attack anywhere."
     With a disgusted look and a low growl, Ranma spun quickly
and kicked his father across the lawn and into the koi pond.  A
loud splash accompanied Mr. Saotome's landing.
     Strangely, Mr. Tendo didn't seem to notice the activity.  He
just kept sipping his tea.
     "Take that, old man." Ranma chimed as she began to remove
her dripping wet shirt.
     "Ranma, you pervert, don't you know anything about feminine
modesty?" Akane yelled as she entered the room.  She grabbed a
large towel from the kitchen, and threw it at her gender switched
fianc‚.
     "Oh, like you'd know about anything feminine." Ranma shot
back.
     Akane was about to respond in her usual delicate manner when
Kasumi entered the room and announced that Nabiki was coming
down.
     Jeff just sighed and thought: <I've *got* to start picking
her up somewhere else.>
     Jeff was used to Nabiki's fashion sense, but was unprepared
for the sophisticated beauty that appeared in the doorway that
night.  Her entry seemed to take all the air out of the room. 
     Wearing a long strapless evening gown of black velvet that
seemed to glitter in the bright light of the room, Nabiki Tendo
looked like a woman ready for a night to meet royalty.  The
mid-calf length skirt was cut modestly to mid thigh on one side
to
show the shapeliness of her long, nylon encased legs.  Above
that, the material hugged her form until it reached her breasts,
where it abruptly ended, leaving a truly modest amount of
cleavage exposed.  A beautiful silver necklace with a single
pearl nestled seductively between the swells of her breasts. 
Silver bracelets from her late mother's collection and formal
white gloves lent her a regal air.
     "Oh Nab-chan, you're beautiful." Kasumi sighed as she poured
a kettle of warm water over Ranma's head.
     Mr. Tendo gave her the once over, nodded and declared her to
be 'kawaii' before returning to his tea.
     Jeff just stood and stared, his mouth hanging open.  He had
seen Nabiki dressed up several times before, but nothing like
this.  She was more beautiful than even his dreams and for once,
he was at a loss for words.
     With a small smile, Nabiki slowly crossed the room, placed
her fingers of her right hand under Jeff's chin and gently closed
his mouth.
     "And what about you, Jeff-chan?" she purred stroking his
cheek.
     Jeff quickly recovered. "I fear this party will be a great
disappointment to the prime minister as he will be completely
ignored." Jeff said softly with a little smile of his own. "All
eyes will be on you this evening."
     Akane gave Ranma, now switched back to his male form, a jab
in the ribs.
     "What?!?" he said with a startled look.
     "Say something nice," she hissed back at him.
     Ranma cleared his throat.  "You...ah...look better than
usual tonight."
     Akane slapped herself in the forehead. <Why do I even try?>
     "Why thank you, Ranma." Nabiki cooed.  Jeff closed his eyes
and everyone else held their breath, waiting for the flame. "How
sweet of you to notice."
     "There, nyeaaaa." Ranma said to Akane sticking his tongue
out at her.  Bad move.  Akane bopped him on top of his head hard
enough to cause a painful bite on his tongue.
     Nabiki had Kasumi take a few photographs of the couple with
her camera.
     "No profit in these." Jeff whispered to Nabiki.
     She smiled slyly. "A girl can have a scrap book, can't she."
     "I'll bet your's is worth a fortune."
     "Be nice and I *might* let you look at it."
     "I'll check my bank account and get back to you."
     A few more photographs and the couple were ready to leave. 
Kasumi waved, Mr. Tendo cried, and Akane repeatedly slammed
Ranma's head into the table.  Just another night at the Tendo's.

     Jeff and Nabiki arrived at the ball early.  Nabiki
immediately took off like a kid in a candy store.  Everywhere she
turned, she was faced with another of the powerful and
influential.  It was all Jeff could do to keep her from becoming
a nuisance.
     The party was in full swing when Jeff offered to introduce
her to the prime minister.  That was what she had been waiting
for, she practically sprinted over to the Japanese politician,
dragging a bemused Jeff behind her.
     Then it happened.  Nabiki was used to wheeling and dealing
with the folks in her neighborhood.  The highest ranking person
she had ever dealt with was that rich idiot Kuno.  Sure, she had
done some deals with the bank to keep the family's home out of
hoc.  One bank officer had even said that she could charm the
siding off his bank.  But she was suddenly aware of where she
was.  This was the big time; the very inner sanctum of the high
and mighty.  Every word, every inflection, every move was vitally
important.  A misstep here could damage her business goals
permanently.  This was a job interview, college entrance exam,
and a major international negotiation all rolled into one. 
Nabiki was frantically grasping for the proper words in her head. 
She started to panic.  She needed a plan.  Her brain, however,
had a plan all it's own; it ran home an hid under the bed.  As
Jeff was addressing the prime minister, Nabiki became aware she
was about to go into a battle of wits unarmed.
     "Prime Minister Takahashi, may I present my good friend;
Tendo Nabiki.  She is from Nerima." Jeff said with a formal bow.
     Nervously, Nabiki tried to bow and curtsy at the same time. 
It came out like a person who was either going to fall on her
face or lunge at the prime minister.
     For his part, Takahashi proved the master politician. 
Bowing politely to Nabiki, he responded: "It is a great honor to
meet a resident of such a distinguished Tokyo district.  What do
you do there?"
     "I... I... school... my sisters... father dojo"  Nabiki
squeaked.  She looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an
oncoming car and talked like a defective computer.
     Jeff did a double take between the prime minister and Nabiki
that quickly turned into a triple take.  Jeff's Japanese was a
bit off at times but even *he* noticed there was something
seriously wrong with her answer.  He quickly attempted to clarify
her words.  "Her father runs the Tendo School of Martial Arts,
your excellency.  She is a high school student at Furinkan High
School, soon to be a graduate."
     Nabiki still stood rooted to the spot, smiling like a
billboard.  At least, she didn't faint.
     "Ah," the prime minister responded. "A charming graduate of
our public school system.  I trust you will be attending
college?"
     Nabiki looked like she was trying to say something but
nothing came out of her mouth.
     Once again, Jeff rode to the rescue. "Her college plans are
not yet complete, your excellency.  She is yet to receive her
final test scores."
     The prime minister chuckled and said: "I understand.  I too
took my time in deciding on a college.  You will not regret your
caution.  It has been very nice meeting the both of you."  He
bowed again and returned to his earlier conversation.
     Jeff took the still grinning Nabiki by the shoulders and
guided her back through the crowd.  "Well, that's enough
excitement for you tonight, young lady.  Let's check out the
punch bowl to see if it's deep enough to drown in."
     As the couple passed Jeff's mother she stopped him and
asked: "Is your young lady friend alright?  She looks awfully
pale."
     "I'm sure she's going to be fine, mother.  However, when she
snaps out of this I think it wise to hide all sharp objects for
awhile.  We're going outside for some air."
     "That's nice, dear."
     Jeff steered Nabiki out onto the back patio, snatching a
very large glass of champagne from a waiter along the way. 
Outside, he sat her down on one of the benches and turned to face
her.  "What was that all about?" He asked.
     Nabiki just blinked.  And tried to speak again.
     "Here, drink this." he said shoving the glass in front of
her face.

     Nabiki had lived a rather sheltered life when it came to
most vices.  Drinking was not on her resume.  In spite of that,
she took the large glass and downed the entire contents in one
gulp.  You could almost hear the internal detonation as the
alcohol viciously grabbed her conscious self and slapped it
around.
     "You okay?" Jeff asked as he slid onto the bench next to
her, easing the empty glass from her fingers.
     For a moment all he could see was her lower lip trembling. 
Suddenly, she started sobbing and buried her face in her hands.
     "Once in a life time." she sobbed in a very tiny voice.  "I
will never have another chance to get that close to a member of
the Diet.  Never!"
     Jeff just wrapped a comforting arm around her and sighed.
     "I can't believe I froze!  Jeff-chan, I couldn't say a
thing!" she moaned.  "I can never face someone in authority
again.  I've failed!"  Her body shook as she announced her
failure.  "I'm just a fat fish in a puddle."
     "I think that's 'a big fish in a small pond'" Jeff corrected
examining the size of the glass she just drained. "Besides,
they're just people like you and me."
     "You don't understand!" she sat up straight, grabbed another
glass of champagne and looked Jeff in the eyes.  "This was my
country's prime minister, the man I came to meet tonight.  I
couldn't even say 'hello'."
     "Yeah, well.  Talking to prominent people takes some getting
used to.  You just have to think of them as regular people that
dress nice."
     "Oh, that's easy for you." She said finishing one glass of
champagne and snatching another from a passing waiter. "You do
this all the time." 
     "Not really." Jeff said looking for a place to set Nabiki's
original  empty'.  "My father was always afraid I would screw up
somehow and affect relations, or something.  So he never allowed
me to meet anyone important."
     Nabiki finished her latest glass with a flourish, wiping her
mouth with the back of her hand.
     "Ahhh, you better go easy on that stuff.  It can have a
rather nasty kick."
     "Never let you meet anyone important?" Nabiki was clearly
one conversation behind.  Jeff was beginning to worry about
bringing a drunken Nabiki home to a peeved father.
     "My father once introduced me to a famous British general
because I had expressed some interest in military things."  Jeff
said looking around for a clear area to place two more empty
glasses.
     "What happened?" Nabiki asked wiping her eyes.  She was
beginning to have troubles focusing.
     "We shook hands and when I went to say something, I belched
loudly."
     Nabiki stared at Jeff incredulously before stifling a small
drunken laugh, covering her mouth with one of her hands.
     "Actually, the general wasn't insulted.  He claimed while
shaking my hand that it was the most eloquent greeting he had
ever received; one worthy of an old soldier."  Jeff grinned.  "My
father acted like I had just singlehandedly killed NATO or
something."
     "No!" Nabiki giggled.  It was good to see her smile again;
even if it was alcohol induced.
     "The general even invited me out for an ale."  Jeff
chuckled.  "Of course, my mother insisted we wait until I was of
drinking age, the spoil sport."
     The two laughed together, the earlier indiscretion
forgotten.
     "You know," Nabiki said standing.  Big mistake.  It took
several minutes for her blood to catch up.  Only Jeff's arm on
hers kept her from flopping over on her backside.  Still, she was
a determined woman. "You're right.  They are just like me...us. 
I'm going to march right in there and talk to the prime
minister."  She started towards the ballroom.  
     "Do you really think that's wise, right now?" Jeff asked as
he caught up with her.  In her rapidly deteriorating intoxicated
state, she could easily say or do something she would regret
tomorrow.  "I mean, your first impression was such a memorable
one.  Why spoil it?"
     "Ah, Jeff-chan." she said waiving a finger in Jeff's face. 
"Still with the  wind song'."
     <Wind song?  What the...> "I really think..."  Jeff said
taking hold of her arm.
     "NO! Jeff-chan." she protested shaking Jeff's hand off her
arm and flashing her famous  look of warning'.  "I'm going to
speak with my country's leading... leader."  She made a face and
started, once again, for the ballroom.
     She might have made it, too.  Except she misjudged where the
door was, tripped over a potted plant, slammed into the door
facing, spun around and landed in Jeff's arms before she could
collapse onto the patio.
     Stunned she held her forehead for a few moments, looked
questionably at Jeff while trying to make everything return to at
least double.
     "Well, *that* went well.  Perhaps you should wait for
another day to address the Diet." Jeff suggested.
     Nabiki nodded groggily.  Jeff helped her back to the bench. 
She couldn't have been too far gone.  She made an abortive
attempt to grab another glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
     "Jeff, Jeff, Poor Jeff," she lamented, then started to
giggle when she realized the irony of what she had said.  "You
know, it's really... a pity...that I cannot marry you.  Cause
you're such a nice guy and my sister Kasu... Kasummm...
Kasumani...something, thinks I'm in love with you."
     "Well, Kasumi is a very wise woman."  Jeff was beginning to
worry more about being seen with a drunken Nabiki than returning
her home.
     "It's a pity you're too... poor to marry me." she pouted
then smiled a crooked little smile.
     Jeff almost dropped her when she said that.  "What are you
talking about, Nabiki-kins."  he said sweetly but with an edge to
his voice.
     "I... cannot... marry... a... poor... man."  she said,
poking Jeff's chest with each word.  "And *you*, my sweet,
caring, but utterly broke, gaijin-chan, are a poor man."
     "Ah, well.  Money isn't everything."  Jeff answered, a bit
embarrassed at the whole situation.
     "Yes it is, silly." she said trying to curl up in his lap. 
"My father, the *great* dojo master, thinks that baka
Ramnma-na... is going to *save* the family's business."  She
waved her
arm under Jeff's nose for emphasis.  "And you know what?  He and
my poor, sweet, but totally without a clue sister, are going to
leave my dear father without even a place to live."
     "I...I don't really think..."  Jeff strained to say, trying
to move her elbow which she had planted in a tender spot.
     "Oh, but it *will* unless I marry a rich man."  she said
stretching.  "And you're just not rich enough."  She added a
tender flick of Jeff's chin for emphasis.  She was actually
aiming for his nose.  "I'm sure you understand, Jeff-chan."
     "No, not really."
     "You know the worst part, Jeff-chan?" she said grabbing his
head to keep it from moving. "I really think I *am* in love with
you."
     "Perhaps we should get you somewhere you can have a little
lay down."  Jeff said, scooping her up in his arms.  "I think the
library has a couch."
     She still had some spunk left as she cleanly snatched a
whole champagne bottle off a passing waiter's tray.
     Jeff got her into the library without being seen and set her
gently on a large leather couch.  He had only a small struggle
getting the champagne bottle away from her.  He was about to go
get her an ice bag for her head when she called to him.
     "Jeff-chan, am I still kawaii?"  she said in a baby doll
voice.
     "In an Ernest and Julio way, yes."  he answered.  "But I
think you're really gonna need that ice bag in a few moments."
     She pouted and looked at him through squinty eyes.  "You
kissed me."  she said in an accusing voice.  
     "Not tonight, I didn't." Jeff was defensive and confused at
the same time.
     "You know what that leads to...And you can't have it."
     "It?"
     A glimmer of anger forced its way through her alcohol fogged
brain.  "All you want is to get in my... tiny, pink... panties." 
She was industriously tucking her skirt in around her legs,
sealing her nether regions from attack.  "Well, mine is only for
my rich rusband...husband."
     "Lucky guy," Jeff said quietly bemused before turning to
leave.  "Stay put, and I'll return soon with your ice bag."
     "Good," she mumbled. "This drink needs some ice."  She was
holding one of her shoes under her nose.  "I think it's gone
bad."
     Jeff just shook his head.  <How, the hell, am I going to
explain this to her dad?> he thought.  <I'm toast.>  With a sigh,
he left in search of an ice bag.  
     He wasn't gone long.  Just long enough for her to fall fast
asleep, her skirt askew almost to her waist and her shoe draped
over her nose.  She looked like she had been in a wrestling match
and lost.  Jeff removed her shoe, set the ice bag on her head and
straightened her skirt. <Hmmmm. She was right, pink panties.>  He
pulled a large comforter over her body before retiring to an
overstuffed chair across the room.  He had much to think about. 
<At least she didn't throw up on the carpet.>