Chapter Two: Catch Us, We're Falling!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Author's notes and sneak peek at chapter 3 at the end :D

Plots And Plans and Poor Syaoran

What I would give for a normal day! Syaoran thought as the fire alarm went off on his floor. There were shouts and yells in the corridor, and he leaned back wearily in his office chair. Someone seemed to have had an accident with the microwave, and Syaoran was already thinking of the cost of renovating the pantry. It never ends, he sighed.

He caught himself thinking, I wonder if Sakura knows about the fire? Then he shook his head to clear the thought. I am stupid, stupid, stupid. Syaoran dragged his hands through his hair, and stared out his window at the Tokyo skyline, wishing he could fly away from it all. Preferably with Sakura in my arms...What the hell? Shut up, Li!

Then someone burst into his office. All Syaoran caught was a glimpse of dark hair before he was hauled out of his chair and practically hurled into the elevator.

"We're not supposed to take the elevator in case of fire," he mumbled, trying to fix his rumpled shirt and tie. A pair of dark blue eyes accompanied by a large grin met his confused look, and he knew he was in trouble.

"Did you set off the alarm?" Syaoran accused.

"Why cousin, do you think I would stoop that low?" Eriol drawled, keeping a firm grip on Syaoran's scruff.

"Hell yeah...Oi! Hey! Let me go!" Syaoran yelled at Eriol, who was dragging him to the Li Tower executive parking area. Though they were the same age, Syaoran was leaner, and Eriol about an inch or so taller and more solid, which allowed Eriol an advantage in the strength department. Syaoran dug in his heels, like a small boy, then said, "I still have to review the proofs for the Christmas supplement! Stop it, Eriol!"

"Don't worry. I had Sakura take a look at them," Eriol waited for Syaoran to freeze at the mention of Sakura's name, and he did. So predictable, cousin! Don't worry, we've got plans for you two tonight.

Eriol calmly continued dragging Syaoran to his waiting convertible. He saw Syaoran frown; he had never approved of Eriol's penchant for expensive things, and this BMW Z3 definitely displeased Syaoran.

Which pleased Eriol.

"Don't make me bring out the big guns, Syaoran," Eriol said smoothly. "Meiling is just one phone call away. We're just going to the mall."

"I have work to do!" Syaoran ran his hands agitatedly through his hair. "Mother is going to be displeased..."

"Syaoran." Eriol's voice was low. "Every now and then you should at least pretend you have a life of your own." He looked Syaoran straight in the eye for a few seconds, then abruptly smiled. "Oh, and stop doing that to your hair."

"What does going to a mall have to do with that?" Syaoran practically yelled. Before he could run his hands through his hair again, Eriol firmly gripped his wrists, shoved him into the car, and took off.

Syaoran sat staring firmly out of his side. His amber eyes were afire with frustration, because he had been hoping to review the proofs with Sakura—an excuse to be alone with her.

It had been a month since she'd begun coming in to the office three times a week, and Syaoran had found every excuse to talk to her at least once each time she was there. Or twice. Or thrice. Syaoran's already tousled hair was getting messier because he kept running his hands through it, and his throat was going raw from all the throat-clearing he was doing whenever Sakura was near.

It was humiliating to realize that he was making up excuses to see her. But it was worth it. Several days ago, when he'd found out she liked Star Wars, he'd called her in to "discuss" her suggestions for the handling of a new campus beat section...again...then casually (or so he hoped) mentioned he had an original model of a Starfighter, bought from LucasFilm. Sakura had squealed, grabbed his arm, and insisted on seeing it.

In the elevator, Sakura had leaned in, then tiptoed up to touch his cheek playfully. He was a good head or so taller than her. She was grinning, and was about to say something. Syaoran felt his cheeks burning again, so he cleared his throat, and asked, "What?"

Unfortunately, the word came out abruptly, roughly. Idiot, that came out wrong. He mentally kicked himself when Sakura's smile faltered.

"Am I being a pest?" Her beautiful green eyes were hidden behind thick brown lashes, and she hung her head. She couldn't explain, not for the life of her, why she was dreaming of Syaoran these days, why she was inhaling his pleasant clean scent, why she had just tried to touch his face. And why he had answered her in that way. I must really be annoying to him, she thought sadly.

"No! Not at all. I just...I mean...You..." Syaoran was going red, so he turned his back to Sakura, and was grateful when the elevator stopped at the penthouse.

"Ah! Here we are. Follow me!" And he walked quickly out of the elevator, forgetting his manners, and letting Sakura trail behind him because he was blushing violently. Ah, no, not now, and not in front of her!

Sakura followed him quietly, embarrassed that she had insisted on him showing her his collection. I haven't gotten to a good start with him, have I? She hated that she liked him so, when they'd only known each other for such a short time. It didn't make sense. And he thinks I'm a pest, she added glumly. No surprise there; I think I turn guys off. Her track record with boys in college was so dismal, even her brother had actually tried to set her up once. And that date should've entered the Guinness entries for "unqualified disasters", the least problem of which was that the guy had decided to start flirting with another girl...while he was picking her up!

But I don't want to lose Syaoran's friendship, she thought determinedly. If I can just be his friend, I'll be okay. But her heart told her it was a lie; when she looked into his amber eyes, she wanted to drown in them. When she saw him run his fingers through his messy hair, she wanted to entwine hers in his chocolate locks. And now, walking behind him, she fought the urge to touch him gently.

Syaoran stopped in front of double doors of oak, then used a key to open the doors to his private collection. Unable to think of what to say, he stood back to let her in, and gestured at Sakura to come in. She did, shyly, and Syaoran watched Sakura explore the room, feeling a strange tug on his heartstrings. Why can't I ever get it right with her?

"Wow..." Her eyes opened wide as she saw the glass cases of memorabilia. "Amazing!" She stood reverently in front of the Starfighter model for several minutes, then wandered around, touching a few cases here and there, making pleased little murmurs when she encountered Muppets puppets ("Ooh, it's Oscar the Grouch!"), a bust of Buffy the Vampire Slayer ("Wow, she's so beautiful and strong!"), a glass-covered copy of the first Elektra and Daredevil comic (sigh). She gasped, then jumped backward upon seeing the model of The Predator with a soft, "Hoe!"

She lost her balance, and Syaoran flew across the room to catch her, praying that his rusty martial arts skills would let him catch her. He did, just in time to keep her from hitting her head on the edge of a glass case. Oh thank God!

He didn't realize how close he was holding her until he heard a faint "Hoe?" near his neck. Syaoran opened his brown eyes and found himself staring down into Sakura's great green ones. Neither of them breathed. Sakura looked at Syaoran closely this time, and felt her heart jump. His skin was unexpectedly smooth, his nose upturned nicely. And his eyes...the color made her think of old coins and bronze statues. They were even more breathtaking up close, especially since his gaze was soft and tender.

In the stillness of the room, Sakura thought, No one has ever looked at me the way Syaoran does. She opened her eyes when she felt his breath near her mouth, their noses almost touching.

In the back of his head, Syaoran could almost hear his mother screaming at him. Something about being too forward, being too aggressive. He blocked her voice out because it was intoxicating to be this close to the woman who was looking up at him trustingly, searching her face for any sign of feeling for him.

She could almost feel his lips against hers. They were so close...Sakura closed her eyes again, praying Syaoran would...

...jump up and pull her upright, all the while pretending to dust her off. A cleaning woman stood at the door, looking confused.

"Master Li?"

Syaoran turned to face the woman, who was so frightened at having disturbed him that she didn't notice how his cheeks were flushed a bright red.

"My apologies sir, but it was the scheduled time to clean..."

"No, no...carry on." Syaoran edged towards the door, leaving a hurt and bewildered Sakura standing in the middle of the room. He was almost out the door when he remembered her, and was instantly sorry when he saw her expression.

He saw something he didn't like, Sakura thought dully. Maybe my nostrils are too big. Maybe I have something in my eye. Maybe he thinks I'm ugly. But he was about to kiss me, right? We were so close...

Syaoran's voice brought her back to herself. "Sorry...I...I had to catch you. You were falling," he said. That had to be a record for lameness, Li! "Er, time to go back for me. Shall we?" And he hemmed, wincing when the sensation rasped against his already tender throat.

So it was just me imagining things, Sakura thought. I am such an idiot.

"Uh...yeah. Thanks, for showing me. Sorry for the bother."

And their ride back down to their respective floors was quiet. It was an hour later, when Syaoran was reviewing what had happened in his mind, that he realized how thoughtless he must have seemed to Sakura. He'd caught himself banging his head on his desk in frustration, muttering, "Idiot!" over and over.

The Terrible Trio's Trap is Sprung

Syaoran was brought out of his reverie when Eriol's voice cut across him. "Don't you trust me?" Eriol parked the car in front of the mall entrance—he'd always had the devil's luck with parking—and turned to his sullen cousin.

"Nope. Not a whit," Syaoran crossed his arms. "You've got something in mind, and I'm not going to be..." He was cut off when Eriol dragged him out of the car and into Madam Haruka's, one of the swankiest parlors in town.

"Oh no," and Eriol chuckled as Syaoran actually went pale. "I...You can't!" And he grabbed onto Eriol's coat lapels. "Get me out of here!"

"Oh yes he can," a familiar female voice hissed in his ear. Meiling stood there, smirking. She bent down and whispered, "Or I'll tell your mom that you like someone. You know what she'll do."

Syaoran knew only too well, and looked up at her in horror. "I don't...what...no..."

"So eloquent, isn't he?" Eriol brushed off his lapels, where Syaoran had had a death grip on them earlier. "I've done my part. Your turn, Meiling."

Meiling turned to the top stylist who had been hovering over them. "I want him to get a good haircut. Oh, there you are, Tomoyo," and she smiled.

"I'll get him a nice, smart casual wardrobe for him to try on in here," Tomoyo said sweetly.

"Who's running the damned office?" Syaoran squeaked.

"Eriol is with your staff right now. Don't worry. That's what the staff is for, and that's why we pay them well," Meiling grinned, then barked out Syaoran's body measurements and clothes sizes to one of Tomoyo's bodyguards as he was dragged off for a shampoo.

As he was being shampooed, Meiling grabbed his SmartPhone from his pocket and canceled his appointments until 6 pm, over his protests. Then she dropped Syaoran's phone into her bag.

It was like drowning in a whirlpool of air. Every time Syaoran tried to protest, Meiling shot him a death-ray glare and held up her cell phone, on which his mother's number was clearly visible and ready for dialing. When the stylist poised his scissors over Syaoran's hair, he wasn't even consulted; it was Meiling who said, "Layer that mop a bit, give it some definition. And maybe shorten the length a bit?"

"Hey...hey!"

"Shut up, Sya-syao," she mocked him with his childhood nickname. "You don't know jack about style, and it's about time you got some."

"But why does it have to be now? Ouch!" Because he'd been squirming, the stylist had pulled some of his hair by accident.

Meiling ignored him, then when the haircut was done, she spun him around to look at himself.

Not bad, Syaoran thought. I look human. The tousled hair looked neater, and more fashionable, as if he'd mussed it on purpose. Better still, the haircut made him look younger, bringing out his cheekbones and his eyes.

No sooner had he climbed out of the chair than he was assaulted with a pile of clothing. Tomoyo forced him to try on three tuxes, several dress shirts, slacks, trousers, and even something that looked suspiciously like a prince's costume. Syaoran gave up and meekly subjected himself to Meiling and Tomoyo's brutal assessments of how a shirt played up his flat abs, or made him look like an old dork. He drew the line, though, when Meiling spun him around and commented to Tomoyo, "These slacks look good on his butt, ne?"

"If SHE likes this on his butt, then we will have succeeded!" Tomoyo's laughter pealed across the room.

"That's enough!" Syaoran almost tore off the shirt as he stomped to the dressing room, where he removed the offending pants. He put his white shirt, blue tie, and black slacks back on, and trudged towards the exit.

"Wait, Syaoran, there's still the shoes!"

Not for nothing had Syaoran been a champion sprinter in high school. He dodged through the crowd, quickly sidestepping anyone in his way. He quickly lost the two giggling women and flagged a cab to take him back to Li Tower, thrusting a large note at the astounded cabbie without bothering to wait for change, and taking the express elevator to his office. I hope I'm not too far behind in my work for today!

He stopped short. No one was in the reception area; his secretaries had gone home. But the light was on in his private office. Who the hell had let that person in? Had to be a secretary, because only he and his secretaries had the electronic cards that granted entry into his office. He strode in, prepared to tell the intruder off, when she raised her green eyes to him.

Sakura.

She lit up when she saw him. She was reviewing the proofs for the Christmas shopping supplement, making the occasional red pencil correction here and there. She was almost done.

"Wow. I like your haircut, Syaoran," she smiled.

"Uh..." and he barely stopped himself from running his hands through his hair, "thanks." And he cleared his throat when she reached up and swept some hair off his forehead.

"There you go," she said cheerfully. "Looking good!"

She smells like fresh berries, Syaoran thought. She gently caught his arms and turned him to face the mirror. "See?" Then Sakura dug into her pockets. "Here..." and she handed him a small tin of orange-flavored throat lozenges. "I know you don't smoke, so I guess you should see a doctor. But these taste good and they've got honey, great for a sore throat."

Syaoran was silent for several seconds, and Sakura was beginning to wonder if she'd insulted him. He took the tin from her outstretched hand, and mumbled, "Thanks." Why can't I be confident around her? I can't lose this opportunity!

Is there anything she can do that won't make me happy? Syaoran wondered. I should make a move...I should show her soon! He smiled, and turned to Sakura. "I was wondering..." he said, just as she said, "I wanted to tell you..."

"Oh, sorry. You first," she smiled.

"N..no, I'm sorry," Syaoran stammered. "Please, you first."

An excruciating exchange was avoided when the lights on their floor suddenly died, and the electronic door to Syaoran's office clicked shut ominously.

"HOE!!!" Sakura screamed, and jumped again. This time, Syaoran was ready, and he caught her quickly. She was soft and warm in his arms, and she didn't pull away; instead, she nestled her head against his chest, breathing hard and whimpering. She's this afraid of the dark? Syaoran wondered. Her breath was hitching, and she was clutching his shirt in fear.

"Sshh," Syaoran said gently. "I've got you. It's okay."

The Watchers

Two floors below them, in the master power room, Eriol smirked as he let go of the power switch for Syaoran's floor. It was now in the "OFF" position. He dialed Meiling's number, then dialed Tomoyo's number for a conference call.

"Project Get-Them-Together, Phase Two accomplished," he said when Meiling and Tomoyo said, "Hello?"

"They're trapped in his office?" Tomoyo squealed.

"Definitely. Overnight okay with you two?"

"Of course," Meiling said. "Tomoyo made sure his office bar was stocked with food and water before she left. And Sakura's purse is in the reception area. Plus, I've got Syaoran's phone. Damned thing has a password, though."

"Try spelling out S-A-K-U-R-A on the number pad," Eriol suggested.

A pause, then, "Nope. He's not that obvious," Meiling chided her cousin.

"What I'd give to know what they're doing now," Eriol chuckled. "Too bad he doesn't allow cameras in his office."

"Inside, dear Eriol. Not outside," Tomoyo let out a high-pitched giggle.

"You didn't," Meiling said in an awed tone.

"Oh yes I did. It's a passive camera, with a limited range for visual and audio, but I think that will do, ne?"

"You rule, Daidouji," Eriol said. "How much for the tapes?"

"Depends. I prefer favors, you know," she said smugly. "Now let's meet in my condo in thirty minutes and watch them. I'm making popcorn. Live feed's been hooked up to my big screen."

Meanwhile, Sakura had calmed down after Syaoran crooned soothingly to her, and stroked her hair. She began to breathe normally, and released her grip on Syaoran's shirt.

A gentle voice in her ear asked, "Better?"

She drew a deep breath. I am such a loser. I just had to spaz out in front of the guy I'm crushing on. Thank God he's nice!

"Yeah. I...I just hate darkness."

"I'm here. Don't worry," Syaoran said as he made a note to ask her about her fear of darkness some other time. "Someone should be coming for us in a bit. Stay here, I'll try to get us out." He strode over to the doors, and tried to open them. No go. He reached in his pocket, then remembered that Meiling had his phone.

Worried, Syaoran dashed to the windows. The bright lights of Tokyo Tower and the rest of the city were still ablaze. What the hell?

"Sakura? Have you got a cell phone?"

"No, my purse is outside, in the reception area."

Syaoran opened one window a bit, and looked down. The rest of Li Tower's lights were still on. Possibilities ran through his mind: sabotage? Someone who knew he would be alone at this hour? A kidnap attempt?

"Syaoran?"

"Sakura. We're on the only floor without power," Syaoran's voice was calm, but urgent. "I don't like this. I want us to move behind my desk." He gently guided her behind his large desk and they sat down in the recess behind it. Quietly, Syaoran reached for the gun he kept in one of the drawers, and made sure it was loaded.

"You're worried." Sakura's voice was calm. She knew he'd gone for the gun, then.

"Just making sure," he said.

Sakura moved closer to him. The reflected light from outside the office showed her adjusting her skirt as she leaned against him.

Syaoran felt her arms encircle him, and had to stifle a gasp. She nestled against him again, then said, "Tell me about yourself."

"Uh...and Syaoran was glad for the semi-darkness, because he had blushed. But then, the darkness also prevented him from stammering at her, and he was thankful.

"Guess you're stuck with me," Sakura said. "So...where were you born? When? What do you like to eat?"

Sakura was kicking herself for being so forward with him, but she figured this would be her only chance to learn about Syaoran. And I really want to know about him, so why not now?

"Me? I'm not so interesting," Syaoran said. "Born on July 13, originally from Hong Kong. How about you, Sakura? Your favorite things?"

"Cute stuff!" He could almost hear her smiling. "Kittens, anime, manga, learning how to cook, teddy bears, traveling...gee, there's a lot!" And you, she added silently. Sakura was astounded at her own boldness, wrapping her arms around him like she had, but she felt she would never have another chance to be close to him. Carpe noctem, Sakura!

"Really?" Syaoran made mental notes as she talked, remembering that she liked chocolate and teddy bears, hated Math in school, and had never gone out of the country. I think I can do something about the chocolate and the teddy bears...and the going out of the country bit. He smiled. It would let him spend time with her, if he ever worked up the nerve to pull it off.

It felt natural for him to put his arms around her after a while, and she cuddled up to him for warmth, as the office was cold. Thank goodness for the cold, Syaoran thought. I might never be able to hold her this close again otherwise. Upon his prodding, Sakura complained about her lack of a love life, her silly students, and her bullying brother. Syaoran found that, to his surprise, she didn't care about him being a Li, but was amazed that he practiced martial arts, used to be a gamer, and wanted to have a normal life.

"Normal life, eh?" Sakura grinned. Have I got a treat for you then! Plus, and she blushed at the thought, if you agree, I can spend time...alone...with you.

They sat together in soothing silence, each enjoying the feel of the other's breath, skin, and touch, not knowing that they were feeling the same way.

Caught!

Several blocks away, Meiling threw some popcorn at the screen. The feed for the camera had been diverted to Tomoyo's large condominium, and all three were seated on plush cushions, relaxing in sleepwear. "Ehh! They've been behind the desk for hours! What are they doing?"

"Knowing our paranoid cousin, he's probably using his desk as a shield against intruders," Eriol said calmly as he accepted another bowl of popcorn from Tomoyo.

"But! But, but, but!" Meiling stamped her foot. "I want to see action! I want kissing, touching, clothes strewn everywhere...they're adults, for God's sake!"

"Go watch a porn movie, then," Eriol said, as he yawned, and Tomoyo giggled. "Really, Meiling, I know I don't want to see Syaoran naked."

The two girls looked at each other, then began to laugh.

"You wouldn't, Meiling!" Tomoyo choked out.

"Oh but I would!" Meiling said.

"Would what?" Eriol asked.

"Like a video of Syaoran naked. Imagine how much that would fetch from his stalkers!"

Eriol threw a pillow across at Meiling. "Gross. Do what you like, just don't show it to me!"

They all froze when movement on the screen showed Syaoran standing up. He eyed the door carefully, then crossed towards the small bar in his office. He pulled out two bottles of water and some sandwiches and fruit.

"Ah, he's found the chocolates," Tomoyo giggled, as a puzzled look crossed Syaoran's face and he reached for the chiller, where the chocolates were.

Syaoran stared at the chocolates. He knew he didn't put them there, and none of his secretaries would have...unless...

He handed the food to Sakura, and said, "Wait here. I think I know what's going on." Syaoran began to search the corners of the room for a telltale plastic lens. If Tomoyo is in on this, there's going to be a camera somewhere. Something glinted outside the window, and he found a tiny camera aimed in the direction of his table.

Those three...I'll kill them! He aimed the camera upwards, and after making sure Sakura wasn't looking, he glared at the lens and aimed a dirty gesture at it with his finger before disconnecting it from its cable.

"Syaoran?" Sakura called softly. "You must be hungry. It's past midnight already."

Syaoran found himself smiling. Now this is our private time. Finding the camera had, perversely, given him fresh heart, and he decided to do something he hadn't done: to seize the opportunity presented to him. So he tucked the remains of the camera in his desk drawer, then sat down next to Sakura. "Let's eat, shall we?"

Sakura cheerfully fed him bits of chocolate as they exchanged sandwiches. Afterwards, he lent her a towel from his tiny dressing-slash-bath room so that she could freshen up and brush her teeth. He offered her an oversized shirt so that her work clothes wouldn't be soiled. Afterwards, he freshened up as well, and changed into jeans and a plain white shirt.

She was shivering, and so Syaoran spread a clean towel behind his desk for her to lie down on. For once he was thankful for the thick carpeting, and he covered Sakura with another towel as she murmured her thanks. He settled down on his office chair to go to sleep, but noticed she was still shivering.

"Sakura," he knelt down next to her. "I don't feel too cold. If I share body heat with you, will you be insulted? I don't want you catching a cold."

Does he mean what I think he does? Sakura's heart leapt in anticipation as she said "No, it's okay," and was rewarded when Syaoran lay down next to her, and pulled her into a spooning embrace. She sighed gratefully, and pillowed her head on his arm.

"Thank you, Syaoran," she said softly.

Syaoran would never know why he decided to turn Sakura around, but he never regretted it. In response to her faint "Hoe?" of surprise—something he was beginning to find endearing—he ignored all his inhibitions, and bent down, almost touching her nose with his.

"Sakura," he began. "You're very beautiful, do you know?"

This can't be happening! Sakura smiled. It has to be a dream...a wonderful dream.

"Thank you. I think you're handsome," she said.

A pause, as Syaoran digested what she said, then boldly said, "Will you let me kiss you, Sakura?"

"Oh Syaoran...I've been waiting for you to say that since last week," Sakura said, and she closed her eyes to wait for the kiss.

She wasn't disappointed. Syaoran bent down and began with a chaste kiss, lips just touching lips. When Sakura sighed happily, he grew bolder, and took her lower lip between his own. They stayed that way, kissing gently and tenderly, and Sakura finally got to twine her fingers in his hair, just as she had been dreaming of. And Syaoran knew he had finally found someone who liked him for who he was, not what he was. No words were exchanged as they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Back where the Terrible Trio were, Eriol was panicking.

"He's found us out! Now what?"

For once even Meiling looked somewhat perturbed.

"I've never seen him make that rude gesture before," she said thoughtfully. "And it's never pleasant when he's mad."

"Ah, but both of you are overlooking the real crisis," Tomoyo said worriedly, and the two turned to her, expecting the worst. "We don't have what they're doing now on video!"

Next- Chapter Three: Christmas is a Magical Season

Sakura and Syaoran begin to accept their feelings for one another, and Tomoyo gets her wish! But what happens when Yelan Li finds out?

Author's notes: Ohmygod, thank you to everyone who reviewed: moon23, Pipi-chan (your colorings are awesome!), Hououza (thanks for the advice!), magic key, starangel02, I'd rather be dead then cool, DiamondRose3, animelover0328 (Aha, you like seeing Syaoran tortured!), KibumiWong, iNuQTple (I will update regularly!) angelemcuti (hearts for reading this too!), shara (This will run to several chapters, don't worry!), ccs's cherry blossom, Sinshana, and Selene Thalia. Also those who favorited and placed this story on alert :D I'm so happy this was received well; please don't worry, I will update regularly because I'm enjoying all the fluffiness!

Sorry, but not turning this story into a lemon because the next story I'm drafting is, er, very lemony. Might have to post it in another site

To those wondering about "Intersections: A Story of Three Feathers" there are only two chapters left. I'm just reviewing and revising to make sure loose ends get tied up. :D And it would be cheating to tell if anyone dies, haha XD

Please enjoy this chapter, and the next one, which will be up within the week!