They agreed to meet at the theater.

Noll leaned against a pillar, trying to calm his thrumming heart.

He spotted Mai at the edge of the overhang, scanning the crowd for him. Making his way over to her, he saw that cheeks were tinted pink. Noll would have blamed it on the wind, if there had been any. A calm breeze filled theater breezeway as people filtered around them.

He should have said 'Hello', or something witty, but instead he said: "Are you alright?"

Her smile crinkled the edges of her brown eyes. "I'm fine," she said, "just a little cold."

Noll frowned but gestured to the door. "Perhaps it'll be warmer in the theater."

Mai was jostled by passersby as they joined the queue for concessions, falling into his side. He caught her arm, steadying her.

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

"It's... okay," he said slowly. Her skin was uncomfortably hot beneath his fingers. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"You keep asking me that," she said with a soft chuckle. She crossed her arms over herself.

Noll saw again her pink cheeks and swore to himself. "You have a fever."

"I'm fine," Mai laughed again, but he wasn't fooled. He could see it in her eyes now, the exhaustion that crinkled around the edges. Why hadn't she cancelled if she wasn't feeling well?

"C'mon," he said, "let's get you home."

"We can't — you just bought the tickets!"

Screw the tickets, he thought as he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her trembling shoulders.

"Make some tea and we'll call it even," he said. "Come on, let's get you home."

Mai didn't live far from the theater. One train ride later, Mai was guiding him up to the second floor of a squat apartment building, shivering as she fumbled with her keys.

Noll resisted the urge to steady her, afraid she might see his own hands trembling. "Do you think—" he started, swallowed, and began again. "When you're feeling better, do you think we can—"

"Next week?" she asked.

Noll paused. Mai blinked up at him, her whole face flush in a way that didn't seem to be the fever. Noll felt heat creep up his neck. She wanted to see him too.

"Next week," he laughed and she finally managed to unlock her door. "Goodnight, Mai."

"Goodnight..."

XXX

YEARS LATER

They were supposed to meet at the coffee shop. Noll pushed the elevator button again knowing it wouldn't make it descend faster but feeling better for doing so. He was nearly late. Really, he have been there ages ago, but some technical glitch kept him in his office and buried under paperwork longer than it should have.

Jamming the button again, he sighed. He should have taken the stairs, but he didn't know if he could stomach it. His nerves were shot, hands shaking and more than a little nauseous over the thought of the little velvet box in his pocket.

No, the elevator was the best choice.

When the doors dinged open Noll had to forced himself to walk. The cafe was only across the street. Despite the panic rising in his chest, there was no need to rush.

Mai was already there, waving at him from one of the patio tables.

Noll gave her what he hoped was a smile and kissed her cheek, "Sorry, I only just got away."

She sipped her tea, "It's alright, I only just ordered. Did you want anything?"

Noll didn't think he could eat but he gazed down at the menu anyway. It was nerve wracking, waiting for a moment to open in the conversation, his heart threatening to beat out of his chest.

Conversation came easily between them as Mai's order was delivered and Noll received a hot cup of tea.

Mai took a bite of her parfait, ticking off the things they had to do on her fingers. "We're meeting Housho and Ayako at the Art Center. After the show, we're meeting Masako and Gene for dinner, then dessert at home with Martin and Luella." She cocked her head, "Is that it? Did I get everything?"

Noll felt his smile fall into place. Perfect. "Well," he said, pulling the box from his pocket, "there is one more thing."