He hadn't thought about the other passenger's need for the bathroom before he headed in for shelter. He also hadn't expected there to be a person in there at the time. After being kicked out once for bad timing, he returned to his seat. Was he really that desperate? Yes, but he would have to make due with what he had, an old pair of ear plugs and a blanket provided by the flight attendant.

Before he knew it, the plane has landed and he was in a completely new environment. Where they speaking Japanese over the loud speaker? Of course they were. Where was the translator when you needed him? His fellow workers were not far behind, including Mr. Schmit, and they seemed to be heading for the baggage claim. He had already been, gathered his two bags and staked his carry on neatly at the top. He would have packed a third bag, but figured that may have been too much.

As for the rest of the business men, they were chatting with each other, loudly and obnoxiously. He wasn't surprised, he had never been one to make friends at work. He was considerably younger than most of the other people in his office, being only 20. Fitting in was never a huge problem for him until he left school, and entered the real world.

School, he just couldn't forget the year Yumi moved away. She hadn't told him until the week of her departure, and it ripped his heart in two. Did she ever think about him? He only hoped she did, the memories haunted his mind day after day.

Walking over to his fellow employee's, he cleared his throat to get their attention.

"In case you haven't noticed, we are in a foreign country and speak none of the language what so ever. Does anyone know where we were supposed to meet the translator?"

Mr. Schmit stepped forward, and Ulrich inwardly sighed. Of course he knew, he knew everything, and openly expressed it to the world.

"This would be where you tell us where to meet him…" He was gesturing with his hands, and rolling his eyes.

The man made a facial expression indicating he had missed that memo, and began to speak. "I was told, unlike the rest of you, that we were to meet the translator at the front gate at 4:15. But according to my watch it is only 4:12, so we have no need to leave..."

With that, Ulrich was already in the general direction of the front entrance. He dragged his bags close behind him, using the other hand to adjust his watch. Looking back, he could see one of the three men following his lead, the other two pointing to their watches and shaking their heads. He could make out different symbols on the signs above his head, the Japanese characters themselves not making much sense to him.

When he had finally reached the front gates, he could see a woman holding a sign in front of her chest with the name of his company written in large, black letters. She had her face turned away from him, making it impossible for him to recognize the beauty he had once known. Her black suit and matching skirt where pin striped white, her hair tied neatly into a bun. The shoes she wore were only a few inches at most, but by the way she shifted her weight from one foot to another, he could tell she wanted nothing more but to sit down. He continued walking towards her, pulling on his tie and straightening his suit.

Tapping her on the shoulder, he smiled. "Miss, I do believe…" His voice stopped working then, she had turned around. Her warm brown eyes had connected with his, and her smile had dropped into a look of disbelief. His own had resembled hers at the time, and she gasped before putting a hand over her mouth.

"Yumi?"

"Ulrich?"

As if on queue, the rest of the men arrived. Yumi's confused face went blank, as well as her mind. Her limp body fell towards the cold concrete, but never reached the destination.

She could see a girl sobbing, her ebony hair cascading over her face. The girl was being held by a boy, whose arms were rapped protectively around her back. They never noticed, but there worst enemies, and best friends, were watching from afar. Each word she mumbled was just loud enough for those who needed to hear it to understand, and quiet enough to leave spectators confused. His emotions had finally let go, and tears were now welling from his eyes as well, mixing with hers on the path to the ground.

The loneliness she felt in that moment was unbearable, standing alone watching the scene unfold. Everything was so vivid, each color and sound expressed in a way she could only imagine. The girl, she seemed so familiar. Every aspect of her body, clothing, she seemed to know what move she would make next. How did she know her? A connection she could not make, or understand. The boy as well looked had caught her interest, reminding her of someone she could not place.

Someone was talking to her, whispering in her ear. The voice was steady, but dull. Gradually, it increased in volume, and she could make out each individual word being said. That was when she understood.

Yumi's ember eyes shot open, and the first thing she noticed was the pain in her head. She moaned and moved her hand to her forehead, where an ice pack had been gently laid. Where was she? Her room, no doubt. Where was she supposed to be?

Work, she was supposed to be at work! Yumi sat strait up at the waist and cringed at the throbbing pain in her head. What had happened? The last thing she remembered was turning around, and..

Ulrich, Ulrich happened. Why was he here, in Japan? Had he been the one who called? No, she couldn't contact him when she moved into her apartment, how could he have her number? Impossible, simply impossible.

There he was, sitting at the edge of her bed, staring at her with wide eyes. She made a point to look away when she noticed his stare.

"I have to go, I have work,"

"I told your boss you weren't feeling well,"

"Well I'm fine now so,"

"You're lying," she glared at him, sending chills up his spine. Venomous, she had always been one to strike when you didn't agree. "You look horrible, I wasn't sure where the Tylenol was, and I wasn't planning on turning the place upside down, but now that you're awake I guess I could find something for you."

She took the ice pack off her head, "How did you know where I lived?" Her voice was timid, softy spoken as if she were afraid to know.

"I asked one of your coworkers, and from there I followed the signs the best I could. You know you should really,"

"Tell the owner to install an elevator." She winced and nodded. Feeling a sudden weight of guilt strike her heart, Yumi apologized for having to be carried up 14 flights of stairs. Ulrich just smiled and shook his head.

"Least I could do. I'm sorry for…making you pass out?" He rubbed the back of his neck, just like he always had. Her heart fluttered, and she smiled back at him.

What could she say? He hadn't changed, he was the same Ulrich she had fallen in love with. Except for the height, "It's, it's fine, I was just surprised. I haven't talked to you in, how many years?"

"Five, five long years. So, how have you been?" This began the 2 hour conversation that would fill the gap of 5 years. She had never realized how lonely she truly was, living on the 14th floor. Her mind was racing with emotions she never noticed existed, her heart had grown wings.

Ulrich was amazed at how she seemed to adapt to her new lifestyle. 14 flights of stairs a day? Even his soccer toned legs couldn't do that. He had never understood how strong she was, in body and in mind. Absorbed in her beauty and intellect, he had forgotten about work. She had forgotten what the word stress meant, for those two hours alone with him.