A/N Kyaa! I'm so sorry I took so long for me to post this chapter. Funny how life gets in the way doesn't it? Thanks to all who have reviewed, and added this story to your favourites. Reviews, comments and questions are always appreciated. Without further delay here is the next chapter.

Despite what I had said to Ray that night, I found myself looking forward to the challenges of practice, work, and working on the web page. Serene and I met every night to work on it, and every time we reveled a little bit more about ourselves to each other.

We became regulars at that little internet café, and the barista always greeted us by name, and had our order ready with a smile, and a friendly comment. The page was coming together, but the strain on my face must have been apparent, because after I had stifled a yawn for the 50th time that night, Serene commented.

"Taira you look exhausted. What have you been doing to yourself? This can wait as it is almost finished. Go home and get some sleep, I do no mind at all."

"Hmm," I looked up. Concern was radiating from Serene in waves. I hastened to assure her. "Oh you know how it is. Work, late night practice. Ray hasn't forgiven me for missing it that one time, so e is raking me over the coals about it. But I don't want to leave…not yet. To tell you the truth you're the bright spot in my day honestly. I enjoy being with you no matter how tired I am."

She just sighed softly, and smiled, then patted my hand gently. "I care about you too Taira, but you will work yourself to death. I do not want to be the one who would be standing at your tombstone at the end of the day. What would I wear?" She said laughing, and I couldn't help but to laugh along with her as well. She had a subtle humour about her, true she wasn't no stand up comedian, but she defiantly lighten the mood when she wanted to.

"Oh man… Well if you put it that way, why don't we pack up and grab a bite to eat? Afterwards we can head up to my apartment; Saku is working so we won't be disturbed…" As so as I trailed off, her smiled faded, panic flashed through her eyes. Oh god! I forgot how shy she was…how inexperienced she seemed. I could imagine what had gone trough her mind at that moment.

"Look, look." I backpedaled holding up my hands." It's not what you think. We are not going to do anything you don't want to do OK?I only thought…oh god. I'm so dense, we only just met…I'm sorry…"The words tumbled out of my mouth, too fast for her to keep up, I could see she hesitated as she translated in her mind. She blushed a deep crimson that coloured her pale cheeks, but she seemed relieved. The she spoke quietly, I learned forward slightly to catch what she was saying.

"It is not that I do not like you. I like you very much. I am sorry, I reacted that way. You are the first guy who has been considerate or my feelings, and did not try to take advantage of me because of my foreignness. I would like to see our apartment."

She wasn't scared off! Holy fuck. She liked me, she wasn't leaving, she was going to stay. I could have leaped for joy at that moment, but I held it in check. Instead I took her hand, tucking the laptop under my arm, and we walked out the front door.

The next day I reflected on the night before. After getting something to eat, we brought it back up to the apartment, and sat and watched TV, and talked, until exhaustion took over and I passed out on the couch with Serene nestled beside me. The next morning I woke up with a blanket over my shoulders and a note on the table. It was written in very rough but readable kanji and read:" Sorry for the bad writing Taira. My kanji not the best. I had a great time last night and look happily to seeing you tonight at the usual spot. Serene."

I smiled and pulled myself off the couch and went to fix breakfast, the note tucked into my back pocket. Saku still wasn't home so I assumed he stayed a Koyuki's place again. Just as well, because I wouldn't know to explain the fact that I was seeing a girl without anyone knowing about it. Laughing in perpetual glee, I went to get ready for work.

I hurried through the workday, checking my watch every few minutes, finally, when I was quitting time I rushed to the studio to meet with Ray and Koyuki. I had a hard time concentrating, but if I appeared distracted, they didn't comment. Turning down an offer to grab dinner with Ray and Chiba, I rushed back to the apartment, blowing by a confused Saku who had his hands in a sink of dirty dishes.

I placed my bass on the bed, snatched up the laptop, and hurried towards the door. Saku was about to say something, but I called back an apology and a lame excuse and ran down the stairs two at a time.

Panting I threw open the door and headed towards the barista, the friendly lady saw me and simply pointed behind me. I turned around to see that Serene had already beaten me there and had our drinks ready.

She saw me come in smiling she patted the seat beside her. "So you got my note and could understand it then? My kanji is not that good; in fact, it is just plain bad. When I write for myself it is usually in English."

"So your name then was written in English?"

"MmmHmm. I do not think there is kanji for it. My mother wanted a unique English name. Here people are asking what it means rather than telling me the obvious like they do back home."

I raised my eyebrows in a wordless question. She seemed to know what I was asking.

" Oh Taira I'm sorry… in English my name means calm , quiet, peaceful."

"It's a beautiful name and it fits you." I reply taking her hand. "By the way I had a great time last night but sorry for falling asleep on you."

She blushed. "I had a very nice time as well. I enjoy your company and I would like to do it gain sometime. I don't get out much."

Before I could form a reply to that, she continued.

"I did take the liberty to finish off our work as you slept. All we need to do is go over it, finalize it and then publish it."

"That's great. But you didn't have to go through all this trouble at my expense. But it will be nice to have this off my plate so we can do other things. I'm definitely looking forward to showing Ryusuke tomorrow!"

We worked until midnight, exhausted but relived we stumbled back to my apartment. Saku was already in bed so we quietly slipped in. I managed to convince her to stay over so she wouldn't have to go home alone. Reluctantly she agreed to this reasoning, so we slipped into my room. I pulled a t-shirt out of the dresser and handed it to Serene to change into. As she went to the bathroom to change, I spread blankets on the floor for myself. When she came back, I persuaded her to take my bed, I checked to make sure she was comfortable and then spread myself out on the floor.

"Good night Taira."

"G'night."

It was quiet for a few heartbeats and before I could sink into sleep I heard her turn over. I felt her reach down for my hand, I reached up and gave it a gentle squeeze and opened my eyes. She stared down at me, and with her glasses removed, her eyes shone with an eerie light highlighted by the moon.

"You will get cold down there. It is your bed." She murmured. "Why don't you join me?"

"Are you sure?" I asked looking up at her.

"Perfectly."

"Well then…Okay." She moved over and I slid into the bed already warmed by her presence. I carefully wrapped my arms around her and she snuggled closer to me. Tilting down I brushed my lips to her forehead.

"This is much better." She whispered.

I wordlessly agreed. It was hard to find sleep that night; too many emotions swirled inside my head. I watched Serene sleep contently until I too slipped into oblivion.