Hey again everyone! Sorry for the long wait, I've had a lot of stuff going on, and then the wonderful dilemma of knowing how to end the story, but not how to get there. Well, here we go, latest chapter, hopefully to be added to soon!

Chapter Three: Pretty Lady Teacher

Her steps were slow and measured as she made her way over to one of the large windows that were a part of her small dance studio. Though a little cramped, the smooth lines of the glossy hardwood floor and mirrors covering almost every wall lent an open-aired feeling to the room. With the afternoon sun shining gently in through the large skylights, it gave off an almost cathedral-like air. She ran a hand along one of the satin-smooth barres that hung across the walls, the only disruption between the floor and the ceiling. Her feet, clothed in thin slippers made no sound. Reaching the window, she rested one hand along the sill, and with the other, gently slid it open. A warm breeze flowed into the room, smelling faintly of autumn. Her eyes drifted over the liquid ambers outside the building that surrounded the parking lot, and slowly drifted off into the woods that were spread out behind her building. Their leaves had just begun to turn, and she could see droplets of gold and fire red begin to splash themselves across the wide leaves. She heard the sounds of cars driving up into the parking lot, and shut her eyes to prepare for the beginning of the class. She heard the front door open and shut a multitude of times, and small feet beginning their way up to the studio.

Cheerful laughter rang up the stairs, and small girls began to pour into the room, dashing to their cubbies and talking and giggling as they began to put on shoes or tighten skirts. Not turning from the window, she gave the ghost of a smile. She had always loved the Thursday class. Young girls ages six to nine, always smiling, always the ones who wanted to try the newest things. Turning slightly as they began to quiet down, her eyes drifted over them in a silent count. Michiko Shields was missing, she noticed with a small frown. The seven year-old had always been faithfully attendant to the class, albeit slightly tardy some of the times. The woman recalled the image of the child accompanied by a dashing raven-haired woman, who, though she seemed nice, always seemed to be rushing somewhere. She had never really thought about it, knowing it did not involve her. She heard the door open again, and turned to look at her tardy student, who was currently trying to pull a large dark-haired man into the classroom. He looked sheepish, and was doing his best to shoo what she supposed was his daughter into the room without him. She glided over to them, grasping the door and opening it completely, which brought the dark-haired man tumbling into the room. On top of her. She heard a small gasp, then Michiko burst out into laughter, the giggles of the other girls slowly rising in volume as well. Flaming red, the woman slid herself out from under the tall man, and rose, brushing her skirt off and tugging her shirt down. The man stood as well, and she found she was forced to look up at him, something vaguely foreign to her. His eyes were sad and he began apologizing profusely, and bowing, apparently without realizing it. A thin eyebrow arched and she looked down on him with an expression bordering amusement. Michiko flew past her and tugged on the man's arm.

"Daaadddddyyyyyy!"

The blonde woman tilted her head. So this was the ever-mysterious Darien Shields. His name had appeared on the checks when Michiko had begun her class, but she had yet to have gotten a glimpse of the man. Good. Now there was a face to attach to the name. This fact pleased her immensely, and she laid a gentle hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"It's quite alright, Mr. Shields. I should have realized you did not have your balance. Michiko is really very strong."

He slowly raised himself back up, and stared down at her.

"You are the teacher?" His voice rumbled around the room pleasantly. She inclined her head gracefully, and lifted her hand to shake his.

He could not believe what happened. Not only had Michiko kept the entire class up, just so she could introduce him to her "Pretty-Lady" teacher, but now he had probably landed on that teacher. He hoped desperately she hadn't been crushed. Standing at 6' 5", he was used to towering over most people a room. He was ridiculously tall, even for an American. With a flicker of surprise, he realized she was only five or six inches shorter then he. A faint thought passed through his mind, and he wondered how easily she would fit under his chin. His mind jerked him back to reality when he realized she was talking.

"-meet you."

"A pleasure." He replied, hoping he had answered correctly. From her lack of reaction, he supposed he had guessed right. A tug on his hand brought him back down to his daughter's level. He smiled and brushed her cheek with his the back of his hand.

"You be a good girl today all right sweetheart?" At her quick nod he rose again.

The teacher was still standing there, waiting for him to leave he supposed. Her posture was very rigidly straight, but she pulled it off with grace. Her head inclined once more, then placing her hand on the back of his daughter's head, she gently steered her towards the rest of the girls. Recognizing the delicate dismissal, Darien took a step back and made his way out through the doors.

and...done! Hope to be back soon, I hope you guys enjoyed this! Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and review, it really means a lot to me.

-Yumi T.