Hello, here's another chapter, hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Wolf's Rain and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 2: Tea and Coffee

I look again anxiously at my calendar, three weeks, three weeks since we met, and nothing.  Countless times I've reached for the receiver to call Marion, but I always stop myself, knowing that involving her would, at best, complicate things, and, at worst, ruin any small chance I may have.  I look at myself in the mirror before taking my hat and putting it on as I exit through my apartment door.  I lock up and proceed quietly to the entrance.  I step outside and, after a short debate, decide to walk to the station.  Again, as has been the pattern since that evening, my thoughts return to her, what she said, how she looked, and her laughter.  I frown, I have never been in a situation like this, so - unsteady, like the world has lost its balance.  Yet, despite this feeling of aggravation and frustration, I still would not want to give up what I have gained. 

A rusty car with a faulty muffler passes by, it is not unusual, but I find it bothersome because it has interrupted my thoughts.  Already distracted, I continue to look along the road and at the other side of the street.  I see a café with tables outside, and I notice something that grabs my attention, a woman alone at one of the tables.  I watch as she alternates between sipping from a cup and writing on a pad, could that be?  Overflowing with hope, I walk blindly in the street, narrowly avoiding being hit by a speeding car. I slow my pace as I approach the café, trying my best, but surely failing at it, I attempt to walk casually by the fence near the woman's table.  I am ecstatic when I realize that she is indeed Cher Degree.  She looks up from her pad and sees me there, and displays a look of surprise.

"Inspector Lebowski."

I feign surprise and respond, "Doctor Degree."

I remove my hat and hold it in my right hand, and place my left hand on the fence as I lean in slightly.

"How nice to see you again, Doctor."

She smiles and responds, "The feeling is mutual, Inspector.  Are you on your way somewhere?"

"Yes, I decided to walk to the station today."

"I see, that's nice. I decided to stop and have some tea and take notes before I go to my laboratory."

I nod my head in acknowledgment. Another silence looms, and I begin to debate again about what I should do or say.  She has been kind to me and often smiles when we talk, could those be indications or am I reading too much into this? 

"Inspector, is something wrong?" she says with a questioning look on her face, my emotions must have been written across my face.

I involuntarily blush, and respond, "No, no, I'm fine."

As I look at her, I decide that I'm not going to let myself get into the same situation twice, I am going to ask her.

"Doctor?"

"Yes?"

"Would you happen to be free this Saturday evening?"

My stomach churns as I see a range of emotions play across her face, surprise, uncertainty, sadness, and embarrassment.  She looks down at the tea in her cup momentarily, before lifting her head to look at me once more.  Knowing what her response will be, I wish that I had remained silent.

"I, I'm sorry, Inspector, I think that you are a very nice person and I enjoy spending time with you, but I'm not sure that it is a good idea.  My research is very important to me and…"

Unable to control myself, wanting to end this for both of our sakes, I feign a smile and interject, "Doctor, please don't be worried about this, I understand."

Not looking overly convinced, she looks at the tea again as she says, "I'm sorry."

Wanting escape, I force myself to glance at my watch and say, "I'd better be going, I hope that you have a pleasant day, Doctor."

She quietly answers, "You as well."

I glance once more at her, place my hat back on, and walk the remainder of the way.

"Lebowski, you want coffee?" Adamson shouts.

I look up from a pile of papers and respond, "Sure, thanks."

I've been unable to concentrate, the events of this morning keep repeating in my mind, continuous jabs of the pain of rejection.  I put the papers down and look out the window behind my desk, why did it have to be this way?  I finally found a person that I love, to have my hope torn to shreds.  I sigh and return to my work, knowing that I can't spend forever regretting, as painful as that is to admit.  Soon after, Adamson walks through the door with the coffee.

"Here you go."

I nod and say, "Thanks."

"Oh, when I walked out, someone was talking to the receptionist, wanted to see you."

"Ok, thanks for letting me know."

"No problem," he answers as he walks out the door.

I take a sip of the coffee and then pick up the receiver to ask that the person be sent in, even though I'd rather not deal with anyone today.  I lift up the cup once more to my mouth and hear the door open.  I almost choke on the coffee when I see who it is.

I hastily put down the cup, stand up, and say, "Doctor Degree."

She walks over to my desk, but remains standing.

"I, I realized I made a terrible mistake today, Inspector."

She looks at me, her expression anxious, while I remain stupefied by her presence and words.

She continues, "To be honest, I had wanted to say yes, I find you to be charming and humorous, but I was weary – because of my experiences in the past. However, I realized that I shouldn't let those prevent me from seeking happiness in the present."

Barely able to speak I am so excited, I say, "Then, then you would like to?"

She smiles and shakes her head yes.  I grin broadly, overjoyed by this great moment.