A/N Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and provided much needed feedback. I really appreciate the suggestions and I will keep them in mind if I choose to write another Beck fanfic. That being said however, I will not be making any changes to my characters or story at this point. I have come too far and have worked too hard on the story to change it now. That being said let's get on with it.

The next morning I rolled over and stretched my arms out to the side, feeling for Serene. Realizing that the bed was empty, I pried my eyes open and looked around the room. Her bag was gone so was the laptop. I frowned as I threw on some clothes not caring if they matched or not, and yanked open the door. I stomped out to the kitchen, only to find the girl and Saku deep in conversation, the laptop between them. I heaved a sigh of relief as I nonchalantly ambled to the fridge.

"Good morning Taira." Serene exclaimed when she saw me. She rose from her chair and gestured to Saku. "I was just showing Sakurai…"

"Saku." We both mumbled at the same time. He grinned at me in return. We've been living together too long I thought. I'm starting to finish his sentences just like Koyuki… I shook my head, and then realized Serene was still speaking.

"…Saku…sorry… our work on the web page."

"It's really quite food you know." He commented. "But I'm, dismayed that you didn't mention that you had help from this cute girl." He said winking at me.

I hesitated for a moment and undecided, then walked over and slung an arm around her waist. "She is cute isn't she?" Blushing Serene shoved me gently away.

"Stop it both of you," she chided. "Or else my head will swell and I would not be able to leave the apartment."

"I wouldn't mind." I playfully growled and lunged for her. She shrieked which surprised me, as she wasn't so outgoing normally, and hid behind Saku.

"Neither would I!" He laughed.

We had a simple breakfast together, but when I went to get the things ready for practice, Serene watched but didn't say much. I could tell she was thinking about something, and I tried to draw her out but it didn't work. We stayed silent for most of the time. Just before we left, she placed the laptop in my hands.

'Do not forget this." She said smiling slightly." Or all our work would not matter." She turned to go, but I made a grab for her hand. "I'll call you later okay?"

She just nodded and walked down the hall.

After our session, I opened the laptop and loaded the webpage so Ryusuke could review it. He studied it for a long time, cocking his head slightly, frowning to himself. I tuned by bass, keeping my head low, but watched for his reaction through my lashes. He was silent for so long, that we all jumped when he finally spoke.

"Holy shit!" he exclaimed." All this flak about not being able o do this was a load of crap wasn't it Taira?"

'Huh, oh yeah, I had help. It wasn't me, it was all her." I tried to explain. "I just told her what we wanted…"

"Help?"

"Oh yeah, and she is a real cute one too." Saku interrupted." I met her this morning. She's a keeper alright." He said shaking his head slowly.

"Shut up Saku, it's none of your business." I snap back.

"Hmmm, our little Taira is going out with a cute little girl is he?" Chiba chanted in a singsong voice.

That was it, I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, and I balled my fists. " Goddamn shut it, or I'll shut it for ya." I said as I paced towards our singer..

Chiba smiling mockingly motioned me forward. "Bring it."

"Enough you two. It doesn't matter…Chiba lay off." Ray said. He went back to studying the page, and muttering to himself. "This girl is damn good at what she does. Maybe we should employ her to do our marketing, design, something."

"She won't take our money." Saku commented. "I already asked her." I looked at Saku incredulous. How long was I sleeping for?

"Well the least we can do is to invite her to Saturday's gig and giver her our thanks. Taira?"

"Hmmm," I wasn't paying much attention to them and got lost on a thought. "What?"

"Hello earth to Taira." Chiba droned waving a hand infront of my face. I slapped it out of the way. "Call her you fool." He said exasperated.

That night I held the phone, and stared at her number, thinking. Why was she so quiet this morning when we were packing up, did I do something to offend her, say something wrong? Maybe I imagined the spark that was there last night; maybe just maybe she didn't feel the same way that I felt about her. But I had to try.

I pressed the send button; the phone rang three times before she picked up. She was delighted that I called her, and she didn't sound distant, didn't sound like she wanted to reject me. I sighed heavily relief flooding through me. I quickly asked her if she wanted meet us at the gig, and although she said her mother was in town, she said she would be able to swing it. I gave her directions to the bar, and asked her if she would meet us out front before the show. She agreed, thankfully, so we set the time and I hung up the phone.

I felt eyes up on my back, I turned around sharply to see Saku grinning deviously at me. I lunged playfully at him, but he made a break for it and slammed the door to his room in my face. I could hear him laughing his head off inside. I didn't know what was so funny, shrugging I went back into my room.