The second time Tahani drank antimatter, she's in Chidi's and Eleanor's study.

Although Tahani was usually punctual in telling her friends beforehand that she was going to visit, she had forgotten. After spending an unimaginable amount of time poring over new designs and techniques, she was beyond stressed and needed relaxation. Even Shawn, who was a stickler for employees following strict regulations, kindly asked—coerced—her to take a day off or two. Thrilled with the news of relaxing her artistic strengths and just being herself, she had immediately visited the Good Place and knocked upon Chidi and Eleanor's door.

In a flash, the door opened to reveal Chidi in his usual outfit that spoke of professionalism and eloquence. Tahani surmised that she must have caught him at a time when he was at his most relaxed—in his hands, there was a novel.

"Tahani!" Chidi tucked his book under his arm as he gave an awkward, but warm hug towards one of his dear friends. They squeezed each other for a moment before Chidi let go. "What brings you here? Eleanor didn't tell me that you were coming to visit."

"Well," Tahani began as she crossed the threshold and into the sitting room. "Shawn told me to get some fresh air or he would, quote, 'stuff spiders up my arse'. Don't worry, Chidi," Tahani said as Chidi began to look mildly alarmed. "It was all in good fun. He's still working on past habits. Glenn and Val are great mentors, though."

Chidi smiled as he, too, took a seat. "That's great to hear! How long are you free?"

"Just a few days, I imagine. I don't want to get too comfortable in the Good Place." She laughed breezily. "I just might forget that I'm supposed to be in training to be an architect."

"Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee? Eleanor is usually the one stocking up around here, but she had to go do something a while ago."

"Actually," Tahani reached into her messenger bag and pulled out three styrofoam cups of coffee. "I've never seen the Good Place serve this beverage before so I took it upon myself to get you two a nice pick me up. Try it!" Her well manicured hands handed Chidi one of the cups while she added a packet of stardust into her own.

At first, Chidi looked a little perturbed as he looked at the contents. He swirled the beverage a little in experimentation before he blew the steaming contents gently.

"You sure this is meant for humans?" He raised a brow at Tahani, who looked like she was about to start laughing at his current indecision. That brought back memories. "I don't want to end up exploding into a million Chidi particles if I can help it. I mean, you didn't even tell me what it is."

Tahani pretended to be offended, she really tried, but acting was never her forte. Instead, she tipped back the styrofoam into her waiting mouth and made a show of enjoying her cup of antimatter.

"Come now, dear, a cup of antimatter never hurt anyone and—" She waved another packet of stardust that she had stashed away in her suit jacket. "—if you don't like the taste, we can add in some stardust to spice it up."

"Well…" Chidi closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and before Tahani could warn him about the temperature, Chidi copied Tahani's movements to the letter. Immediately, Chidi just about dropped his cup of antimatter onto the coffee table before immediately fanning his face. "Oooh! It burns! It burns!"

Tahani jumped to her feet and sprinted to the kitchen. As she rummaged through the cupboards, she kept apologizing to Chidi for her negligence. "Oh my! Shirt! Shirt!" Finally finding what she was looking for, she took out a glass and headed towards the freezer. Once she emptied the dispenser of ice, she placed them into the glass and headed back to her philosophical friend.

Chidi had calmed down since the original attack on his taste buds. He was resting his back against the cushions of the couch and he was studying the cup of antimatter with the serious disposition of someone going through an existential crisis. To be honest, it eerily reminded her of when Michael had gone through a similar phase.

That can't be good.

"Er… try this." Tahani shoved the glass of ice into his hands. At Chidi's confused expression, Tahani rolled her eyes and simply commented, "Suck on them."

"Wha—"

"Oh, get your mind out of the gutter! I meant the ice!"

"That is—That makes much more sense. For a second there, I thought you were going to be as horny as—"

"Chidi!"

"On it!"

The instant Chidi placed an ice cube onto his tongue, his face immediately relaxed. It took a minute, but Chidi finally sucked the cube until it was nothing more than chilled water in his throat.

"Whoo!" Chidi placed the glass of ice onto the low table. "That was quite a ride!"

Tahani peeked up at him through her lashes. "You're all right?"

"Yeah," Chidi picked up the cup of antimatter and raised it to his lips. "I guess Jason must have rubbed off on me. Recklessness and all that."

Tahani stopped short in the middle asking Chidi why he was going to try the antimatter again. It had been…a while. Even now, Bearimy's after, there was a hole in Tahani's chest about her—their—friend that left.

"Yeah," Tahani managed to concede. "I'm glad that Jason finally found his inner peace. I hope that he's in a better place now."

For a moment, the duo remained silent.

Until—

"I think I want to go too."

Tahani's warm brown eyes were wide and unblinking. It was rare for the former heiress to be stunned into silence. So rare, that Chidi looked vaguely uncomfortable but mostly concerned as he tried to catch her attention by waving his hand in front of her face.

"Are you… are you all right?"

Feeling helpless and out of her element, Tahani could only shrug. "I am… that's a bit to take in right now. Are you certain? Perhaps the antimatter has done something to you!"

In haste, Tahani was about to take the antimatter away from Chidi, but he waved her attempt off.

In his most matter of fact, professional tone, he stated, "You remember Jason's metaphor about the right temperature for a jalapeño pepper?"

"I don't believe I'm familiar, but I can pick up on the context." Tahani nodded to herself as a sense of sadness took hold of her. It was like remembering Jason again, but stronger this time. This sort of sadness was fresh and new. Suddenly, another stab of pain accompanied with concern filled her body. Hesitant, but firm, she asked, "Did…did you tell her yet? Eleanor?"

He sighed—a long drawn out exhale that had Tahani fearing for the worst. "No, not yet."

"Is it because you're not sure or…"

Chidi shook his head. "I'm ready, but I'm not sure about Eleanor. She's been through so much throughout her life and if I leave well…" He chuckled lowly, but Tahani couldn't find anything humorous about the situation.

"How long have you felt this way?"

Chidi smiled at her.

"Well…I don't quite know what to say." Tahani wrung her hands and worried at her teeth, all manners of behavior that were not befitting of someone who was raised with a silver spoon in her mouth. "Do you need help or—"

Chidi leaned over and grasped one of her hands into his own. His touch was comforting and warm, instantly calming her.

"Don't worry. Eleanor and I will be all right." Chidi smiled at her before pointing at his antimatter. "Do you still have some of that stardust? I want to see if it'll make it taste better."

"Of course, darling."

Tahani took a sip of her antimatter and let the smooth, mellow notes of all the uncertainties of the universe swirl across her tongue.