Soul watched from his safe place at the top of the stairs as Liz and Patty checked the house to make sure every painting was symmetrical with the floor, there were equal amounts of everything on either side of the first hall, and that they had every mess cleaned up to perfection. Liz was wiping furiously at a stain on the kitchen counter when a knock came to the door. Soul ran down the stairs humming a little tune as he did so. Liz grabbed his wrist and glared at him.

"Don't even think about it," she hissed.

"We can't leave them standing out there, it's raining Liz," he pouted childishly.

"I'll get the door," she said as she put the rag in his hand and walked briskly out to get the door.

Soul shook his head and went to continue the assault when he heard Liz coming back up into the living room. She was laughing but he didn't hear the familiar voices of either meister.

"You gave me a heart attack when I heard that knock!" she was saying. "We're expecting them back from their honeymoon any time now."

"I-I'm sorry," came a familiar reply, "I didn't mean to scare you..."

"I know," Liz replied as they came into the kitchen. "Hey, where's Patty? Chrona's here."

"I'll get her," Soul said, dropping the rag. He walked up to the bottom of the stairs and shouted, "Hey, Patty, Chrona's here!"

Chrona sweatdropped when he came back and picked up the rag again. Liz was glaring at him but he didn't notice pass the stained counter. Patty came down in a cute, dark blue, spaghetti string top and jeans. Liz stared as she walked over to Chrona smiling like a cheshire cat.

"I'll be back later you guys," she said as she took his hand and proceeded out.

"O-Okay," Liz managed to muster up.

"We'll see you when you get back," Soul called after them.

"Um, goodbye," Chrona said before disappearing around the corner.

Liz waited until she heard the door close before turning on Soul and slapping him in the head.

"Ow! Liz, what was that for?" he snapped as he held his head.

She didn't reply but stumbled into the livingroom and fell out dramatically on the couch. Soul dropped the rag, still rubbing his aching head, and went to the couch to comfort his conflicted girlfriend. Liz stared at the cieling with an expression he only recognized as one that came before she wanted to talk. Things always got complicated after that.

"Soul, please tell me you saw what Patty was wearing," she droned.

"Yes," he answered cautiously. "Was there something wrong with it?"

"Of course you managed to completely overlook the way it drew so much attention to her-"

"Shoulders," Soul interjected quickly.

Liz rolled her eyes. "Yes, her shoulders were so obvious in that top! I've never seen her dress like that before..."

"Well, she is a woman now Liz," Soul said. "There's no reason to freak out about a little cleavage- I-I mean shoulder..."

"That's not the point Soul," she sighed as she sat up so he could sit next to her. "She was just going to hang out with Chrona. She wasn't really over dressed, but, I mean, Chrona was wearing black jeans and a t-shirt. She looked like she was going on a date while he looked like he was going to buy groceries. What's going on Soul?"

He stared back at her heated expression with a simple, clueless expression of his own and shook his head. She threw up her hands in frustration. Soul flinched away from her when she looked back at him. Liz was a fairly docile woman until she got frustrated, much like she was now. Then she was prone to hitting him like back in the kitchen. Liz's shoulders dropped and her face softened. Soul took her hand as she pouted.

"What's wrong Liz?" he inquired. "You were mad then you were worried and now you look like you're about to cry. What's up?"

Liz hugged him around his neck and rested her face in the crook of his neck. "Oh, Soul..."

"Oh my- Liz...are you pregnant?!"

She slapped him in the back of the head and he put his arms around her middle.

"If it's a boy can we name him Gauge?"

"Soul! Stop playing around, I'm worried about Patty and Chrona," Liz pouted.

"Alright, alright," Soul chuckled. "But you didn't say no."

"I'm not pregnant Soul."

"If you say so. What's the problem with Patty now?"

"I'm not sure, but, I think she likes Chrona. She hangs out with him whenever she has nothing to do and she asks me to borrow jewelry when she goes out."

"Does she talk about him all the time?"

"No, I never hear her talking obsessively about him. She does stare off into space a lot though."

"It is Patty we're takling about here Liz," Soul reminded her.

Liz looked up when they heard the front door close.

"Sounds like their back," Soul said.

Maka and Kid walked in carrying their bags and laughing. Liz let go of Soul and jumped up to help.

"Welcome back you two," Liz greeted them with a small smile. "I'm gonna guess you had a good time from those smiles."

"Hi Liz," Maka giggled. "Yes, it was wonderful."

"I'm glad to see the mansion's stille in one piece," Kid said with an approving nod.

"Of course! Patty and I aren't animals you know," Liz replied.

"Where is Patty?" Kid asked, looking around for the bright eyed pistol.

"She's out with Chrona," Soul stated as he got up to take their bags. "She's been hanging out with him pretty much everyday since you two left."

"Thank you Soul," Maka smiled. "She must be trying not to get inbetween you two."

"I know," Liz sighed. "I don't have a problem with that, but you should have seen what she was wearing! It was cute, but-"

"Her shoulders were soo obvious," Soul interjected, earning him a punch in the arm from Liz.

"Chrona, on the other hand, was dress so casually," she finished.

"Why are you worried Liz?" Maka asked. "Chrona's not the kind of guy to take advantage of anyone. Even if her "shoulders" were hanging out of her shirt. Chrona's a gentleman."

"I get the feeling we're not really talking about shoulders," Kid said with a raised eyebrow.

Maka just laughed again and kissed him on the lips. "We are honey."

"I just think that Patty might try to force heself into something so that she doesn't have to be a third wheel. Everyone she knows is in a relationship and that might be making it worse, especially me and Soul."

"That doesn't sound like something Patty would do Liz," Kid stated. "I think you're overreacting again."

Liz folded her arms defiantly. "I am not! I just want to make sure she doesn't ruin her friendship with Chrona trying to get a boyfriend while he isn't interested."

"How do you know he isn't?" her meister questioned.

Liz shrugged. "Fine, I don't. This just means I have to find out. Soul!"

The white haired death scythe returned from the upstairs rooms. "Yeah?"

"I need you to spy on Patty and Chrona," she said as if it were an everyday occurrence. "Make sure you aren't seen and find out if Chrona likes Patty. I'm sure she likes him but I want to make sure he feels the same before approaching her about it."

"Are we missing the part where we're all adults here?" Soul asked, a little annoyed. "She can handle her own relationships Liz."

"Look, I'm her big sister and I just don't want to her to go getting hurt because she feels pressured to get into a relationship because of us."

Soul opened his mouth to reply then thought better of it and walked out. "I'll be back later."

Maka shook her head. She made her self a glass of water then went upstairs to take a nap. The plane ride was five hours long and she couldn't get an ounce of sleep on the way back. Kid sat down with his weapon and talked about what they had been up to while he was away on his honeymoon. Apparently the usual; making huge messes in the kitchen, spending time with Soul, complaining about him to Tsubaki, spending almost every waking moment cuddling with him, sharing the couch on odd nights. Okay, the new usual for them. Patty had been going out all day almost everyday.

"We meddled in you and Soul's relationship because you kind of asked Tsubaki and I wanted you to be happy," Kid said. "I want the same for Patty, but we shouldn't meddle in her affairs without her consent."

"I guess you're right," Liz admitted shamefully. "It's not that I don't trust Chrona, I know he's a sweet guy, if not shy. I just..."

"I know Liz. Just sit back and let her come to you if she needs help. You know she will come to you before anyone else- you're her big sister."

Liz smiled at her meister. He was a cool guy when the moment called for it. Seeing that the moment also called for something extra, Kid held out his arms for a hug. Liz smiled nervously but didn't turn down the invitation. Maka had definently caught a good man. Kid was also lucky to have caught her. He was right too, she should let Patty handle her own relationships and help from the side lines. They weren't kids any more after all.

"This is so stupid," Soul growled. "Why can't she just leave things alone? She's so attractive until she starts plotting crap. I hope our kids don't pick up that trait..."

Soul sat outside of a resturaunt in the cold rain of the afternoon holding his umbrella and trying not to look suspicious as he casually glanced inside every now and then at Patty and Chrona. They were talking about something funny because Patty had her head thrown back and was laughing seemingly hysterically. Chrona was also laughing, though not as hard. A waiter brought out Soul's fries and drink.

"Are you sure you wouldnt like to come inside sir? I'm sure I could find you an empty table," the waiter insisted.

"No, I'm fine here," Soul replied as he ate a french fry. "Don't worry yourself. I'll leave you a big tip for your trouble."

The waiter looked unsure but only nodded then went back inside. Soul looked back inside at the table where his friends were sitting. They were eating as well. Chrona had that same nervous look he often had as he ate. Ragnorak came out of his back and stole a...fistful? He stole food from both of their plates then went back inside of him. Chrona was beet red with embarrassment as he bowed his head to apologize, bumping it on the table. Patty stood then so Soul couldn't see anymore beyond her leaning over the table. He remembered the top she had worn and grinned his sharp toothed grin.

"Getting a good look at those shoulders, huh, Chrona?"

"Soul!"

He looked up to see Liz running up to him wearing a jacket. "Hey Liz, something wrong?"

"No, everything's fine," she said through the pelting rain. "I just came to get you so you could come home."

"I'm sorry, did you text me?" He fished his phone from his pocket.

"No, I didn't text you. I just came to get you myself."

"What about Patty and Chrona?" Soul asked, now confused.

"We'll let Patty come in on her own," she said. "If she needs us she'll come. Now come on Soul~ You aren't going to make me wait are you?"

Soul walked into her waiting arms and pulled her close. She was wet without an umbrella but he wasn't complaining as they walked back home. He was glad she had changed her mind and was sure he had someone back home to thank for that. Liz pulled down her hood and shook her hair. It was also wet and hung limply down her back as she walked beside him.

"You and Patty look alot alike," Soul said out of the blue.

"She is my sister," Liz replied.

"Yeah, and I think if Chrona can win her over then that's a woman worth holding on to."

"That's so sweet Soul."

The death scythe smiled. "I can be sweet when I want to," he remarked. "I'm telling the truth you know."

"And here I thought you were just trying to get at me with some smooth line," Liz replied.

"That too."

Liz kissed his cheek and hugged him tighter. These moments with Soul were so sweet she never wanted them to end; they reminded her that he was a big softie on the inside. Chrona was one she wanted to see for the real him as well. He was so shy with everyone but she hoped that Patty would be able to open him up more. She would be the one to do it.

"Even if Chrona doesn't like Patty that way, I will help her win him. They would be good for eachother. I really believe that Soul."

"Then so do I."

Soul kissed the top of her head as they continued through the grey afternoon. There would be other plans and he would be there to make sure Patty got her happy ending no matter what.