Hibachi Chefs Wear Armani

(Originally posted at fanfiction.net: Hibachi Chefs Wear Armani) 

'Are you serious?' Morgan stared at Anna in shock.

'Is it the string cheese? Because I can be reasonable. I'm willing to try some cheddar. Maybe a little muenster on special occasions.'

Anna, his little Gothic goddess, his tattooed angel of love, just looked back at him, a small, sympathetic smile on her face.

'It's not the cheese, Morgan. This just isn't working for me anymore.'

He sputtered. 'Not working? You said you loved me! You came to Hawaii with me. Anna - You signed a lease!'

Anna had the grace to look guilty as she hitched her bag higher on her shoulder.

'I know, and I'm sorry, but things have changed. What I want has changed. I left you a check for the rent,' she coaxed.

He just couldn't comprehend it. After everything they'd gone through, what had finally tipped the scales?

'Is it because I failed out of Hibachi school? I told you, Anna, those knife skills are genetic!'

He stopped as a horrible thought occurred to him. His eyes widened.

'Are you leaving me for another chef?'

Anna rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

'Yes, Morgan,' she snapped sarcastically, 'I'm leaving you for another Hibachi chef.'

The sarcasm was completely lost on Morgan, who stopped listening after the yes, Morgan part. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. To them. Things had been going so well. They'd been happy. He'd thought his life was finally going somewhere. Then she'd gone home to visit her cousin and when she'd gotten back, she'd hit him with this.

Anna stepped up and kissed him on the cheek.

'Go back to Burbank, Morgan. Chuck will take care of you.'

Then she walked out the door, leaving him to stare at the empty lanai.

He sat down heavily, whispering 'Anna Banana.'

Anna stepped off the airplane into the hot, humid Los Angeles night. They'd told her to pack light, so she picked up her one bag at the carousel and headed out into the parking lot.

A large, well built man in an Armani suit was leaning against a shiny Crown Victoria, smoking a cigar. When he saw her approaching he pulled it from between his teeth.

'You ditch the dwarf?'

Anna scowled.

'He has a name.' Then she slumped.

'But yes. We broke up. Are you sure I couldn't have told him? He must think I'm horrible!'

The man opened the passenger side door and waited for her to get in. Then he closed it and walked around to enter the driver's side.

'Ms. Wu, you are entering a top secret government training program. You can't do that with a bearded midget on your back.'

He looked at her torn face. He could tell she'd been crying. While he couldn't understand why anyone would want to be with Grimes in the first place, much less be upset about leaving him, he did understand having to make that choice between country and love. So he offered her one final out.

'Ms. Wu, this is your last chance. If you have any doubts, any at all, step out of the car now.'

He watched as she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath.

'No, I'm ready. Let's go save the world!'

He grunted in approval and reached into the center console. He pulled out a wet wipe and handed it to Anna.

'Then wipe that crap off your face. You're going to work for the U.S. Government, not a Gothic whorehouse.'

He stuck his cigar back in his mouth and guided the Crown Vic into the night. Of course, if Casey'd had any idea who Grimes' next victim would be, he just might would have ordered Anna to kill the bearded freak before she left him.