"WHAT?!" Ilie's eyes teared up a bit "We have to do more interviews?? I thought we got in the car to go home!"

"Yes, with the city health center and biological research lab. And after that, it's the alliance research institute." Kidou sighed in annoyance. You were seated in the back, which wasn't his preference, and he was driving and mostly unable to sign. "Everyone wants to hear it straight from the horse's mouth."

He was grateful, however, that you didn't have to hear Ilie's whining. "Then when are we going to buy souvenirs?!"

"Get something from the hotel shop... I saw some tapestries." He muttered the last part, having already bought several tapestries that he saw you touching and eyeing.

Ilie sighed back, "But I already marked out places to go." However, Kidou was already thinking of other things. I have no proof. Why are they so interested in the baseless testimony of a random exterminator...? Even the inspector general knows about this... the half-bug serial killer... Do they have an idea of who the killer is...? Or maybe they're interested in something else entirely... A tap on his shoulder broke him from his thoughts.

Pull over at the desert "heart flowers". She'll like the view and it's free. I like them as well. You signed quickly as not to distract him from driving. Kidou looked over at Ilie and noticed her teary eyes. That, plus your plea encouraged him to pull over at the next cliff side and signal for you and Ilie to exit the car. He signed as he answered Ilie's question of where they were.

"In this day and age, you won't find a single tourist attraction that's free."

"Wow! What's this? It's blooming on stones!" Her eyes were no longer filled with sadness, but wonder. You were already off exploring the "blooms" happily.

"They sprout in deserts, so people call them 'desert roses' or whatnot. But it's actually sulfuric acid calcium crystals. People will really pay money for them, so they have to be pretty rare. Look around and tell your friends that you were here."

Ilie looked around and gave Kidou a curious look. "Did we come here just for me?" Kidou could tell she desperately wanted this to be true, and as much as it pained him, he knew you and Jin had been right about needing to thank her. She had saved his life even if he hadn't needed her to.

"It's my thanks to you... for that time." He noted vaguely, scuffing his shoe on the dirt and rubbing the back of his head.

"Um... thanks..."

Did you thank her? You signed as you cozied up to Kidou's side, feeling very intimate. Thank you for stopping. He held you tightly back, kissing your temple as he looked out at the crystals. It was easy to tell that he had more on his mind, so you kept your hands still.