AN: I know I suck and it's been forever since I updated but this was supposed to be one, roughly, 10 page chapter and it's currently 16 pages unfinished. So I can't postpone any longer. So this is the first installment of what should have been the last chapter. Normally my chapters are roughly 7 pages long so this just got away from me. So you will find that this chapter ends in a strange place. But regardless, I hope you enjoy.


It was silly really. The two of them were adults, it had been years since either of them had seen each other but still Soul found himself blank. What was he supposed to say now? Hi Maka, the last time I saw you you were a crying mess after the worst break up of my life. Something told him not to go with that. So instead he had asked her to get a drink. How stupid was he? Now he had just put them in a position where they would be alone with each other.

The two of them walked awkwardly over to the champagne fountain. Soul grabbed two glasses, handing one of them to Maka he turned and leaned on the table. Both began to drink silently before Soul spoke. "So, you really became a lawyer then?"

Maka laughed awkwardly, "Yeah, and it looks like you went to art school."

"Actually no, I got a manager and started playing piano again," Soul replied as he swirled the liquid in his glass.

The blonde raised an eyebrow at his confession. Maka inhaled, to say that this encounter was awkward was and understatement. She had so many questions for him, how had he been, how was his family, did you ever fall in love again, did he ever think about her? She downed the rest of her glass and grabbed another. "So, other than piano playing what else have you been doing?"

Soul finished off his third glass of the night and let himself think the champagne was much stronger than he knew it was. "By 'what' do you men 'who'?"

Maka thought a moment about what he said and replaced the appropriate words from his sentence to her's. She scowled, "You're a jerk. You know that right?"

"I think you've been telling me that since we met. But you know when you say it, it's kinda cute," Soul said casting Maka a playful and buzzed side glance.

The blonde woman snorted, "I see you're still as childish as ever."

"Aww, but don't you find it at least a bit endearing?"

"Hardly. Besides we're supposed to be discussing business," she said turning her attention to the bubbly liquid.

Soul shoved his hands deep in his pockets, "Very well then," he began, changing his tone to one Maka didn't remember. It was stern, manly, commanding, and overall mature; like he had been breed for business, which to some extent he probably had been. But now the person standing in front of her was clashing with her memories of the eighteen year old boy she had loved nearly a decade ago, and suddenly she wished they weren't there to discuss law. "Miss Albarn, as you have probably been informed by your benefactor, I recently received a resignation letter from my financial lawyer seeing as she finds herself expecting her first child. Within the next few months I will need to replace her. I already have a few applicants in mind, but I'm wiling to interview one more on behalf of he good relationship between my family and Azusa's. Regardless, it seems I have left my party and should be getting back before my manger tries to book me half way around the world, so let's meet to finish this conversation. I'll have my manager contact you."

Maka stared at Soul, had he really just spoken to her professionally? Suddenly Maka found herself taking this opportunity seriously. She was Maka Albarn a top of her class lawyer and just because of preexisting circumstances between her and a potential employer she would not forfeit a chance to get ahead in her career. "Thank you Mr. Evans."

The white haired man could feel himself smirk, she looked truly shocked that he had taken her advice and began to think like a business man. He had done it for two reasons: one being that the atmosphere around her was stifling and another being that he would not just let her go this time, he was trying to put forth the effort to see her again under less watchful circumstances. "Until tomorrow then, Maka. By the way you look lovely." He dismissed himself tossing a wave over his shoulder.

She felt herself blush again, her a twenty seven year old woman blushing just because somebody had complimented her. But it wasn't just anybody, it had been Soul. And when he had said her name she had felt like she had all those years ago. She watched him stand with a man who she assumed was his manager, and she thought to herself that Soul really hadn't changed, at least not to her. But she quickly dismissed the thought.

Snow was the last thing Maka had expected when she got up the next morning. Her phone had gone off at about eight o' clock with a phone call from a private line. She had answered it groggily, "Hello?"

A man on the other end cleared his throat, "Um, yes, is this Miss Maka Albarn?"

She sat up on her bed and rubbed her head, "Yes, this is she."

"Good, you are acquainted with one Soul Evans?"

Maka simply made and affirmative noise in response looking around her old bedroom as she did.

"He would like to discuss business further today with you. Preferably at ten this morning at Joe's Brew located on Justin and Law."

She thought for a short moment, roughly two hours until ten, that gave her just enough time to make herself presentable and gather her credentials. She got out of bed as she answered, "That's fine I'll be there." Maka pulled back the curtain covering the window and saw a blanket of snow covering the ground. Dammit.

"Wonderful, Soul will see you then," and with that the man hung up.

Now an hour and a half later Maka was walking down the streets of Death City. Snow had become a sore spot with her after she had had her blow out with Soul if only because it made her think of the only Christmas they had spent together, and that memory itself was enough for her to become depressingly nostalgic.

She had done so well to avoid Soul for the last ten years when she came back to visit for holidays. Always sticking close to her side of town but well away from Black Star's apartment. Tsubaki had agreed to meet with her in private every time she was there. She would always want to ask how Soul was but could never bring herself to and her friend knew it so as they would part for the final time of her visit Tsubaki would turn and smile at her friend as she said, "He's fine, Maka."

For a while after she had ended things with Soul she truly hated everything. Even herself for doing it. Mostly though she hated Soul for stringing her along. It was only two years later that she had learned the truth. Up until that day she had been bitter and angry but even to this day she thought it was amazing how quickly her opinion had changed. She chalked her break up with him up to wanting a reason to hate Soul to preserve her barriers.

Over the years she had thought all too commonly about how she felt about Soul, or rather how she still felt. She had concluded that it probably wasn't normal to think about an ex-boyfriend as much as she did, nor miss them as much as she did, even years later. Sure she had had a few boyfriends over the years but none had been willing to work through her problems, not for very long anyway.

Even though she was going to school in Chicago and being supported by one of the wealthiest families in Death City they only covered her classes and dorm so she had gotten a job as a waitress at a small diner about a half hour's walk away from the outskirts of the campus.

In the end though, after years of contemplation she had begun to put just a little faith into the idea of soul mates. Maka just couldn't think of any other way to explain her feelings or why even the few good relationships since had always felt flat: unfulfilling.

Last night she had just been taken so off guard and hadn't known what to do. She had imagined seeing Soul again for so long and it never was like this. She thought that she would return to Death City walk up to his door and apologize for the past and things would ideally workout. But life wasn't a fantasy, today was about business. He had made that clear. And who was she kidding their attempt at small talk had been terrible. It seemed obvious to her that Soul had moved on. Regardless, she had a flight the next morning.

Maka saw Joe's Brew at the corner of the street she was approaching and she slowed her pace wanting to delay her time with the red eyed man as much as possible. Even so she walked through the door of the establishment not five minutes later and the thick smell of coffee hit her nostrils. The cafe was painted in a dark orange with a dark brown and wooden border along the top. There were colorful mismatched tables through out the floor and each corner had large leather chairs for more of a private atmosphere. To her left was a tall oak counter that came to her bust. On the right hand side of the counter was an ancient cash register and to the left of that was a rounded glass case with various pastries. Beyond the counter was a multitude of appliances to make coffee and beyond that was the kitchen.

She approached the counter where a middle age woman took her order, "You aren't from here, are you?" The barista asked as she made change.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because it's freezing out and your wearing hardly anything in comparison to the rest of us," she answered smiling as she handed Maka her change.

The blonde looked down at herself, she was wearing a nice jean skirt with brown thigh high hoisery and mocha colored, lace up boots that reached just below her knees with a brown aviator jacket under which was a green camisole. She had dressed up a bit because this was an interview, not because she was seeing Soul, and because she hadn't know how formal to be so she went with somewhere in the middle. "I guess your right. Chicago winters put new meaning to the word cold."

The woman gave her a polite smile before dismissing her to tend to the next customer. She went to the end of the counter to wait for her order. Suddenly there was a hand on her shoulder and she jumped.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Soul said once Maka had turn to see him. "Let's find a table."

"But I got a coffee," Maka replied in a slightly childish voice.

Soul smiled at her, "So did I but the guy that makes the coffee is crazy about making it so you have a while."

"Alright then," Maka replied looking behind herself where a man was making coffee.

She let Soul lead them to a little square table opposite the counter. The top of it was vibrant tiles that looked like they had been painted by children as they had varying designs and drawings and were encased in a wooden frame.

Both of them sat at the table and Maka began to pull her things out of her leather satchel.

"Aren't you cold?" Soul asked from across the table as he leaned his head on his palm.

Maka set a leather bound portfolio on the table and went back to her bag, "No not really. Why do you ask?" She was to intent on finding the pen she knew she had brought, in case she needed to take notes, to remember her earlier conversation with the clerk.

"Because it's like negative forty three million degrees outside, Maka," Soul exaggerated raising his voice slightly.

The blonde stopped cold, it was just the way he said her name was paralyzing. She recovered and found the pen, "I live in Chicago, this weather is nothing to me."

"Ah," Soul affirmed. He watched as the small woman opened a notebook to a fresh page. She still looked like her seventeen year old self in most respects, just more mature. Her hair had grown long, probably to the center of her back if Soul had to guess but she had kept her bangs. He had always liked them and the way the would scatter across her face and just highlight her emerald eyes just right. "What are you doing?"

Maka stopped, "What do you mean?"

Soul gestured to the table, "Why do you have all this stuff?"

"It's all my credentials, resume, and letters of recommendation that I brought for the interview," she responded as she looked up to meet his eyes.

The white haired man sighed heavily, "I don't want to discuss business right now. I haven't even had coffee yet."

"Oh," Maka looked down at her things before proceeding to close her notebook. "I guess we'll wait for our coffees then," she said placing her notebook on top of her portfolio and moved the stack to the edge of the table. "Why didn't you have some at home before you left?"

Soul smiled knowing he was about to upset Maka. "Because, I just got up not a half hour ago."

He had called it, Maka scowled. "You're so lazy, jerk. You have your manager call and wake me up but you get to sleep in? - I don't ever get to sleep in."

"It's not my fault it takes you two hours to look as good as I do in ten minutes," Soul replied easily. She was just to easy.

"Is your definition of 'looking good' dressing like a teenager?" she retaliated. Though she couldn't help but secretly agree with him. He was wearing a black leather jacket underneath which he was wearing a black, long sleeved thermal and dark blue jeans. His hair was how it always had been, unkempt, overgrown, and gravity defying.

Soul clasped a hand over his chest, like one would do if going into cardiac arrest. "Oh, Maka, I'm crushed," he said feigning physical pain. She in return narrowed her eyes. It was then that the man from behind the counter came over with two large, brown, ceramic mugs filled to the brim with coffee.

"One house blend," he said with the energy of a man who had way to much caffeine in his system and he set the cup in front of Maka. "And one Eternal Spring," which he set in front of Soul. "Enjoy."

Soul eyed his coffee which was topped with chocolate coils and had a beige color to it and compared it to Maka's bland cup of house blend. Sure he had had the house blend in the past and it was delicious but had she really gotten something so plain? "You really got just the house blend?"

"Well yeah, none of the other items had a description and they had such strange names I mean really – The Clowns?" She answered as she looked first on their table and then to surrounding tables. "There's no sugar."

Soul reached across the table and took her mug and replaced it with his, "Trust me, you don't need it. That's the only rule at Joe's, you drink what he gives you. Nothing more goes in after he brings it to you. Once Black Star asked for cream and the guy freaked out and drank Black Star's entire mug, gave it back to him, and then gave him a twenty minute lecture on 'coffee integrity'."

Maka stared at him doubtfully and upon seeing this he said, "I'm not kidding! That's not something you can just make up."

"Fine," she consented, "But will you give me my coffee back."

The older of the two proceeded to take a large gulp, "Nope. Mine now. You don't come to Joe's and order the house blend unless you're in a hurry."

Maka blew over the coffee that was now hers as a precaution and stared at the liquid. It seemed harmless enough, "Why only when you're in a hurry?"

"Because it's the quickest to make." He said as Maka took a tentative sip of the liquid.

She pulled back with wide eyes and licked at her lips. "Oh my god, that's good." She looked up at Soul as if trying to confirm this realization.

He just laughed and took another sip of his own beverage. "I told you." He continued to smile at the blonde woman as she giddily enjoyed her coffee. Her smile was huge and her eyes were pure bliss all from one cup of perfect coffee. At least he could do this for her, even till this day it still made him happiest to make her happy.

"So how's Chicago?" he ventured.

Maka set down her quickly draining cup, "It's great. I have a job there."

"Where?"

"Just a small legal firm that does payed internships," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"Why aren't you getting a job there?" Soul asked.

The younger of the two brushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear, "It's just supposed to be a jumping off point. There are larger more reputable firms I could work with or start a small firm which is what I would do if I got a client base. Location isn't the point"

Soul clucked his tongue, "Is that all you do with your time?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you seemed so focused on work are you even a person still?"

Maka glared and took a pointed sip of her coffee. "Is this a round about way of asking what I do with my free time?"

"Yes. I guess so."

"Well I do a lot of things in my free time," she said defensively.

Soul raised and eyebrow, "Oh really? Like what?"

Maka stuttered, "U-um, like, hm, read books." She finished her answer quietly and blushed as she took another sip of her coffee.

The other laughed. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" Soul asked lightheartedly. "You always were a bookworm," he added with an unreadable tone.

"Well, I'll bet you still do the same thing too! Sit around in your theater and watch out dated family movies and then horror movies and play guitar," Maka listed all the things in an annoyed tone.

The other chuckled, "Maka I haven't lived at home for nine years, thus I haven't had a private theater." He smiled and drank the last of his coffee. He set the mug down and leaned back in his chair.

Maka blushed a little, "That reminds me, how are your parents?"

Soul shrugged with disinterest, "As distant as always. My dad's doing well, my mom got sick a few years back and now she's just sick constantly so she stays at home nowadays. She always loved you," Soul laughed as he reminisced. "She never forgave me for letting things end with you." He tilted his head towards the ceiling.

Soul had actually acknowledged that past and it had made Maka's heart stop briefly. She worried whether it would make things awkward now, but it really hadn't. If anything addressing it had made things less awkward. "Well you didn't really have a choice," she took a sip of what remained of her coffee.

"No. I didn't," he breathed out with a definitive tone. He brought his head back and stood from the table. "Alright, let's go. You're done right?"

Maka looked at her empty cup, "Yeah, but I thought we were having the meeting here though."

Soul ran his hand through white hair, "Um, we were, but now I'm bored."

The woman narrowed her green eyes, "You're acting suspicious."

"Ah, but the funny thing is, you're still going to follow me," he replied as he tossed his keys in the air and caught them. "C' mon, you know you want to," he teased further.

Maka knew this meeting wouldn't happen but if she let herself admit it she would have had to decline. In all honesty she wanted to go. Go where? - She wasn't to sure. She knew he couldn't take her back ten years, but she could act like her seventeen year old self for a few hours. So it really didn't surprise her when she found herself being laughed at by Soul as she tried to modestly straddle the bike without letting her skirt ride up to far.

"Shut up and help me, Soul!" Maka yelled at the other.

Soul stopped, "It's not my fault that you wore a skirt."

"Well at the time I wasn't deciding on the best attire for riding a motorcycle."

Soul grabbed her had and positioned himself so he blocked passersby from catching a glimpse of Maka's modest black panties, though that didn't stop him from taking a quick peek.

The touch made Maka's heart flutter and she found herself disappointed when Soul let go and straddled the bike himself. The motorcycle wasn't the yellow one from their youth instead it was sleek solid black one. She felt the engine roar to life and she clutched tightly at Soul's jacket, though it was hard to do with the gloves Soul had given her to keep her fingers from freezing.

"Been a while, Maka?" He looked behind himself to see that Maka had tightly shut her eyes.

She cracked her eyelid open, "Hardly. I figure it's like riding a bicycle, it'll all come back to me once we start."

Soul let out a disbelieving chuckle and pulled out on to the street. He had been right though Maka hadn't been on a motorcycle well since her high school days. The feeling that rushed through her as they began to ride was exhilarating. A short while later Maka felt the bike come to a stop and when she finally took in their surroundings she saw that they were at Soul's parents house, Evan's manor.

Soul cut the engine and the bike died obediently. He swung his leg over the side and offered Maka his hand, which she took as a means to support herself.

"Did you not just get done telling me that your parent's are cold and distant?" Maka questioned as she attempted to fix her now askew hair.

The older man pondered this a moment, " Yes, but I'm here to see Azure. But you're free to go see my parents, I'm sure my mom would like that. She should be in the piano room."

Just then the doors to the side entrance, the servant entrance, opened and there stood Sebastian. "Master Soul," he addressed formally, "you know you are not supposed to use the servant gate key code to try and avoid your parents."

Soul smiled and his old companion, "It's nice to see you too, Sebastian. I have a guest with me today." He stepped aside to reveal Maka.

"Hello Sebastian," the blonde said with a smile. Sebastian had always treated her well back when she spent most of her time here. "You look well."

The old gentleman smiled, "Miss Maka! I haven't had the pleasure of your company in ages! Is there anything I can do for you during your visit here at Evans' Manor?"

"You never treat me that nicely," complained Soul as his guest contemplated the butler's offers.

"Well it truly is your fault that you aren't nearly as charming."

"Actually Sebastian, will you accompany me to see Mrs. Evans?" the young lawyer asked hopefully.

Sebastian smiled warmly, "Of course Miss Maka. We can't expect this one to do it can we?" he teased as he gestured to Soul.

She laughed lightly, "No, I guess we can't." She turned to Soul, "Go find Azure I'll come find you later so you don't have to talk with your mom."

They stepped in to the common room, the room the servants used to store their things and take their breaks. Sebastian offered to take their jackets but both of them declined. "Well then, were off. Master Soul, don't be an idiot." The butler led Maka one way and Soul went the other, to the East Wing where Azure spent most of her time.

Soul picked his way through the never ending halls, even to this day he still thought that a house this big was utterly useless. The East Wing was hardly ever used but was so large that at least one part of it was always being dusted. The wing alone had one dining hall, two studies, one well sized ballroom, and two, what common people would call, living rooms. The irking thing was that their house was only considered medium sized in the community. And as far as the new definition of medium went, it was on the small side.

Soul rounded the corner to the dining room and found Azure dusting the mantle located on the far side or the expanse. Windows lined the walls to the right and he could see the large, field like, backyard. The sky was gray, as it had been the entire winter's day, however heavier and thicker clouds were beginning to roll in making the atmosphere serious.

His white hair bounced as he quietly skipped up behind Azure and poked her in the ribs causing her to jump and nearly drop the vase she was polishing.

Azure set the vase down and turned to the young man. "My God, Soul. You almost gave me a heart attack."

A smile crept across Soul's lips. "But I didn't."

"What did you want? If Mrs. Evans finds out your here she'll insist you stay for dinner."

Soul ran his hands through his hair, "No she won't"

Azure snorted, "What makes you so sure?"

"I have a get out of jail free card with me today."

Azure raised an eyebrow as she set her hands on her hips, "Another one of your girlfriends? Hardly. She'll just have Carlos take them home. You know she doesn't take 'No' for an answer."

"She's not my girlfriend. At least not anymore."

The older woman let her stance go slack, "Harlot-like ex-girlfriend?"

Soul shook his head, "Not exactly."

"Well then I don't know who you-"

"Maka Albarn," Soul cut her off as a devilish smirk grew on his face.

He heard his second mother inhale sharply before sitting on a dinning chair in shock. "Does she know about the proposal?"

He shook his head to answer, "I don't think so, I guess she'll be just as surprised as Tsubaki is going to be. That's actually what I came to ask about, are you going to the dinner tonight?"

The woman let out a long breath, "No, I don't think I will. I love my son and I know he's nervous as is. That's why he tried to keep it a secret." Azure laughed and looked to the ground as she stood. "That boy. Nervous? Can you imagine? That Tsubaki does something to him. I just can't believe he waited until now to propose. What has it been? - ten years?"

"I think he was waiting to be the man his father never was," Azure said nothing. "I mean I think he wanted to know he could support her and whatever."

She smiled solemnly, "That sounds like him, putting his all into everything for the people he cares about."

They stayed quiet a moment, "So Maka Albarn. How did you manage to persuade her a second time?" Azure laughed.

"Beats me," he shrugged. "She went to say hello to my mom, so I might run into her anyway. She hasn't changed."

"True love never seems to. She'll always be just as perfect to you as she was in high school."

"You sound like the wise elderly character in a romance novel."

Azure shrugged dismissively, "Who knows maybe I am. I bet she has changed more than you think. For all you know she has a fiance waiting for her." She looked at the young man out of the corner of her eye an snorted when his face dropped into a scowl.

"She does not! She would have told me."

"Did a twenty-eight year old man just whine at me?"

"No," Soul sulked.

Azure went back to cleaning the mantel and Soul found his way to the cart with cleaning products. "Is she going with you tonight?" She asked as Soul began reading labels on various cans of sprays and bottles of liquid.

He shrugged again, "If I can get her to stay around that long."

"So what's your plan exactly? Sweep her off her feet again, court her, marry her, pop out a few baby Evans and live happily ever after?"

Soul smiled, "Basically. But when you say it, it sounds impossible." He set down a can of spray on the cart.

"Good luck. Maybe you should go find her before your mother scares her off with wedding plans."

"Good idea," he replied and turned to take his leave. "Bye mom," he called.

"Don't be an idiot," she threw over her shoulder. He knew she meant, "Don't mess this up."

Soul had just enter the hallway and turned a corner when he spotted Sebastian, "Your mother would like you to join her and Miss Maka in the aviary. Though only the lord knows why," he added.

Soul walked past him, "Is that woman insane! The doctor told her to stay warm and indoors." For all the complaining he did about his parents he still loved them dearly.

It took a few minutes to walk to the other side of the house where the aviary was located. He walked through the door of the expansive white piano room and out to the backyard. Before his mother had gotten sick one of the few things she enjoyed, outside of business and entertaining high society, had been gardening. So the huge lawn had always been perfectly manicured and she had personally helped with the planting each season. Once illness had over taken her though she wasn't able to help as much so instead she had, had a glass aviary installed in the middle of the garden so she could watch people plant her flowers.

A winding stone path led to the aviary from the piano room. The aviary itself reminded most people of a birdcage. It's base was an octagon which housed a round metal table, a Victorian style blue and gold couch, and various exotic plants which were sustained by the humid environment. The base portion was roofed by a tall glass dome that separated the birds from the bottom portion.

Soul reached the door and pushed it open after shaking the snow off his jacket and hair. He was met with humid air, the heavy scent of his mother's perfume, and the sound of the ladies laughter. He removed his jacket and set it on the spiral staircase that led to the hatch that closed the birds off from the bottom. He made his way to the opposite end, the two women seemingly undisturbed by his entrance as they laughed. He leaned over his mom and kissed the top of her head paying extra attention to the temperature that her body let out.

"Oh Soul," she greeted him by turning and cupping his cheek. "I thought you were avoiding me in the East Wing with Azure." She smiled sheepishly. "Have you been eating? You look thin, darling."

"I should be asking you the same thing," Soul replied evenly.

Aurora sighed, "Honestly, I'm fine."

"You feel warm. You should be in the house. Sleeping."

His mother snickered. "Me and Maka were just talking about the time she fell asleep on her laptop and woke up hours later with the letter 'H' typed into forty-six solid pages," she began to laugh until Soul exhaled loudly. He must have had a look on his face because she continued, "I guess you had to be here. Maka tells it much better anyway."

"I guess so," Soul looked over to Maka, "Like the aviary?"

She smiled and felt suddenly to aware that she had removed her jacket leaving her shoulders bare. "Yes, Mrs. Evan was telling me about the heating system that allows for the tropical birds."

He smiled thinking "Of course she would find that interesting". "Did she take you upstairs?" He looked up through the reinforced glass floor that separated the birds from them.

Maka's eyes followed suit. "No. She didn't want to upset you more by using the stairs."

He turned to his mother, "At least you did that much."

"It's not my intention to die," Aurora teased. Her hair was braided down her back and curled delicately around her hip and rested on her thigh. She had gotten thinner, he could tell because her cheeks had become more hollow. Even in the warm environment she was wearing thick jeans and a large oversized sweater of his fathers. She still looked youthful when she smiled and the sparkle in her eyes never left but she was weak: frail even.

Soul tucked his hands into his pockets, "It's not my intention to let you," he muttered. He blushed when he heard Maka giggle.

"Well go on take her up. I'll wait here," she took a sip of her tea.

"C' mon Maka," Soul said offering his hand to help her up.

She politely took it but immediately retracted it once up so she could straighten her skirt. They began to climb he stair and Soul undid the latch to the floor hatch. "Remember the ceiling is transparent you two," Aurora called casually.

Maka blushed while Soul simply sighed in aggravation as he stepped up on the glass floor. He offered his hand to her again to help her up but he tighten his grip refusing to let her take it away.

Soul kicked the hatch shut with his foot. Birds flew over tops of them to various bushes and small potted trees, all synthetic of course. Birds squawked all around them, "Soul," Maka began as she looked at their clasped hands but was cut off when a large red bird flew overhead causing her to scream in surprise and press closer to Soul.

He tried to stifle his smile but couldn't, "It's just a bird, Maka"

Her cheeks flushed and she stepped away. She had decided not to acknowledge his hand. "I was just surprised, that's all."

Soul snorted and then whistled a high pitched note. A moment latter a small blue bird came over. Soul offered his arm to his friend who perched on it gracefully. "This is the bird I bought for the aviary. It answers to my whistle."

"Wow, that's impressive," Maka said looking at the bird in awe.

Soul shrugged, "Want to hold him?"

Maka's head shot up in alarm. "What?"

"Here, just hold out your arm," he encouraged at he placed himself in front of her, without releasing her hand. He could see the hesitation in her face but she did hold it up mimicking his own arm.

The bird saw the offered perch and hopped across the small gap between their forearms. Maka smiled and looked up to Soul. "He's cute,"she breathed looking back to the bird.

"Not by comparison," he mumbled.

She blushed but let out a steady breath, "I'm sorry. I was distracted what was that?" She had heard him clearly but she was unsure how to respond so she played it off. What was she doing here. Every fiber of her being was telling her to retreat but she couldn't leave him, not yet.

"Nothing. Watch this." Soul puckered his lips and let out a short string of notes. The bird perked up and looked at Soul who repeated the same notes.

After a moment the bird repeated him perfectly. Soul added another small string and the bird recited both together. The melody sounded familiar to Maka, though it was hard to place.

"What is that, it sounds familiar."

Soul scratched he neck. "It should, it's the song I wrote for you."

Maka's jaw dropped. The song Soul had played for her that day in the piano room when they had first kissed and become a couple. He had written it down?

"I didn't know you recorded it," she said meekly.

"I never recorded it. And I didn't write down the notes till after," Soul paused. "Well after everything." He looked at the bird not really wanting to see Maka's eyes.

"What's the title of the song?"

Soul's head popped up with wide eyes and a surprised expression. "Oh, it's called Emerald Trance."

"Emerald Trance," Maka repeated slowly so each syllable rolled off her tongue. Suddenly the bird flew away causing Maka to tighten her hold on his hand in surprise and Soul and her were left standing facing each other. Both of them, despite being grown adults, blushed at their proximity.

Soul held her cheek in his hand and she stared back at him as he rubbed his delicate finger over her cheek bone. Both of their hearts beat in rapid unison.

"Play it for me," Maka requested.

Soul dropped his hand from her face and interlaced their fingers with the other.

He opened the hatch and they made their way down the stairs. "Mom," Soul called out. "We're-" He looked around to find his mother had left. Dammit, how long had they been up their? - Ten, fifteen minutes? "Fuck, that woman is going to turn my hair gray."

Maka inhaled to refute that but Soul cut her off, "I am aware my hair is white."

She smiled, "Okay."

He dropped her hand and swiftly walked across the room to grab her jacket hanging on the chair. "Here," he said walking back. He held the jacket open for her as she got it on.

He grabbed his own jacket and did the same. Soul grabbed her hand and they left the aviary. They walked briskly to escape the cold. They entered the piano room but both ignored the ivories. Soul wanted to find his mother and reprimand her for leaving, and Maka knew this so she followed.

"I swear. She better not have made herself sick."

"Soul, I'm sure she's fine."

He stopped and breathed, "You're right. But I still need to find her."

After they had looked in all the rooms on the west side of the mansion Soul finally spotted a maid exiting the lavatory. "Um," he called not sure of the maids name. "Have you seen my mother?"

The maid stopped short and curtsied, "Master Evans, I haven't seen her in the last twenty minutes or so, but I left her in the kitchen."

Soul groaned, now they had to go to the front of the house. They walked slower as they made their way to the kitchen. When they stepped over the thresh hold they simultaneously released the others hand as to not provoke questions. "Mom! What are you doing?"

Soul rushed in and went to his mother who was standing on a step ladder to reach the plates on the top shelf. "I was hungry, so I came in here to make myself lunch since Julio has the day off," she answered stepping off the ladder.

Maka took a seat at the bar. The kitchen was just as she remembered. She smiled as she thought of her first morning there when Soul had made them pancakes.

"You should have told me you were leaving. What if you had tripped, or worse, had an attack?"

Aurora sighed and planted her hands on her hips. "Soul. I am sick not dying. I appreciate your concern, but I don't need you breathing down my neck every time you see me get up from the couch." Aurora took the plate from him and served herself a grilled cheese sandwich from a frying pan on the stove. She kissed her sons forehead, "Besides, you looked busy." She shrugged and went to sit next to Maka.

"I know you aren't dying. But I just want you to be careful." He leaned on the bar. "What time is it?" He asked.

Aurora looked at the womanly watch on her wrist. "One-seventeen. Why don't you two stay for dinner. We could order out, or go to a restaurant."

Soul shook his head, "Sorry Mom, we have plans." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Maka stare at him in irritation.

"Please, darling? It isn't often you come to visit," Aurora pleaded

Maka spoke, "Are you sure we can't stay? I mean I wasn't aware we had plans."

"Yes, I'm sure. But we can stay a little longer. I have a gig tonight."

Aurora exhaled, "I guess it can't be helped then."

Soul's phone began to ring and the two women looked at him. He removed it from his pocket and looked at the screen. Black Star rolled across the screen. "Excuse me, I have to answer this." Soul stepped out of the kitchen. "Hello?"

"Soul! I lost it!" Black Star sounded genuinely worried as he yelled.

"Whoa, calm down. What's wrong? What did you lose?" He heard the phone clatter to the ground before it was picked up again.

"The ring! I can't find it and Tsubaki is going to be home any – Oh! Tsubaki hey!" The conversation was muffled but Soul could hear Tsubaki in the background.

"Black Star, is something wrong?"

"No! No. What would make you think that?" Soul could feel the nervousness. "I thought you were going shopping with Liz and Patty today."

"I already did. I just wanted to get home so I could get ready for dinner tonight. And I'm kind tired."

"Tired? Why don't you go get a massage?"

"We can't afford that. Black Star is everything okay?"

"Um, no. Actually, I was working out and I, um, pulled a muscle!" Soul laughed out loud.

"Oh dear. Do you want me to go get some ointment?"

"Yes," Black Star drew out. "Can you get it from the herbal store you like. That stuff works great!"

"Yeah, but it's kind of far away. It will take a while."

"That's fine I'll ice it."

"Okay," Soul heard the sound of gentle lips smacking. "I'll be back in about an hour."

"Bye!" Soul heard a door close. "Soul man, you still there?"

"Yeah, are you okay? I thought you were going to have a heart attack."

"Can you come over and help me please?"

"Yeah, but-"

"Okay! See you in twenty!" The line went dead and Soul exhaled. Guess they couldn't stay.

Soul reentered the kitchen just as his mother was saying, "So Maka, are you seeing anyone?"

The young woman flushed, "Well-"

"C' mon, Maka we have to go. There's a crisis I have to take care of."

She stood, "Something wrong?"

"No just a small crisis. Sorry Mom," He said looking to his mother.

The white-haired woman sighed, "Alright. But please take your car. The snow is really starting to come down."

"Fine Mom," Soul gathered his mother in a hug. "I'll come over later this week for dinner. Relax, at least until dad gets home." He kissed the top of her head. "Bye."


AN: So like I said weird place.

Honestly I see myself writing another 6 pages so bear with me, it's almost complete.

Also~ I know I'm an undeserving creep but if somebody wants to draw something for this story I will cry tears of joy.