It was like floating, Mai thought as she showed Joey around the house. For the first time in two and a half years, she felt free. It's strange, she mused. Just three simple words set me free; words I've waited a lifetime to hear. Though, she smiled cynically, when those three words are combined, it's never simple.

'Impressive place you got here.' Joey stood with his hands in his pockets studying the view from the patio area; across the few fields and out over the cliffs to the sea.

'Mmm. I always wanted a home. I've dreamed of the concept as long as I can remember. This place is a far cry from what I imagined, but then, it had something special about it, even though it was run down. And in all my dreams, I could never quite grasp the feel the place would have, because I didn't know how a home would feel. I found the atmosphere I was looking for here. For the first time in my life, I have a place to call home. It's wonderful after all the travelling.' She spread her arms open to her land as she talked.

'Will you stay?'

A shadow came over Mai's face and she shook her head. 'I'm a wanderer. A home is wonderful, but it's not enough to keep me rooted. I my feet start to itch if I stay in one place too long. I don't even know if I'll keep this place for years, but I have it now, that's what's important, and unless I find something that feels as right, I'm not giving it up.'

'Mm-hm...By the way, when's your tournament in Switzerland?'

'Starts Thursday; I leave on Wednesday. Then I've got another two after that, a week's break and then the European Championship...What about you?'

'I was going to go to the German tournament the von Schroeders are holding, but I might just rethink that.'

'It starts on Monday, doesn't it?'

'Yep. Finals are Tuesday evening. We could make it work. The Swiss one's on a barge on one of those lakes isn't it?'

Mai whacked him lightly on the arm. 'It's on "One of those" lakes, yes.' Joey made a face. 'I think the Swiss might be insulted if you talk like that in their hearing.'

'They'll forgive an ignorant city boy like me.'

Mai bit back a grin. 'Anyway, I...I guess it could work if you wanted to come with. Though you'll have to put up with Viv, and the Swiss and Championship tournament are both tag team tournaments.'

'Perfect; I'll get a longer holiday, get to indulge in my favourite pastime without having the pressure of competing, and I'll get to spend time with my girl-so far I don't see a down side.' Joey held back a wince as he checked Mai for her reaction.

She smiled at him with a misty look on her face, then shook her head and her smile turned rueful. 'Look at me; I've had all the tricks in the book from guys come my way, yet you say something like that and I just melt inside.'

'Well, none of those guys was me.'

'No, and I wasn't in love with any of them-or even close to it-either.' She paused. 'Though, even if I hadn't fallen in love with you-'

'Gods forbid because I was and am crazy about you.'

Mai grinned, 'You can show me properly later-I would have still been your girl because of everything you've done for me. I didn't just become your girl now-I've been yours ever since you stepped up to protect me from Ra.'

'I was in love with you even then.'

Mai blinked, then smiled guiltily, 'I didn't want to accept it until you stepped up to protect me from Ra.'

'You wha-?!'

'I'd been fallen for you and was doing my best to ignore that. But then the shadows took my memory of you away and you broke that spell and I remembered...too much, I remembered too much. It really hit me then and I hated you for it.'

'Which explains the Oricalcoes.'

'No! It's no excuse.'

'I didn't say that, but it does explain things a bit better. I thought you hated me for getting to close to you or making you care.'

'You weren't wrong.'

'I guess not, but it was more than a year ago Mai, it doesn't matter.'

'It matters. To both of us, but I think we can live with that. I think I can.'

'I know you can, and I know I can. Okay, you're right, it does matter, but we can put it behind us. I've got a really good way to do so too.'

'Oh really?' Her eyebrows shot up with a teasing smirk.

'Yep, and it starts with me making us icecream pancakes, what do ya say?'

Mai grinned, 'I fell for a man who could cook; I think I did well.'

'I know you did, I know I did well.'

'Joey-'

'Nah, don't worry about it; I always thought you were out of my league, I guess not.'

'Funny, cause I always thought you were too good for me, even before the oricalcoes; you were warm and I was hard.'

'No, you just act like you are. I meant what I said before Mai; you have a huge heart. And I hope you've got a big appetite too cause my pancakes are filling.'

'How do you do it?'

'What? It's just flour, milk, eggs-'

'No! How do you always make me laugh no matter what the situation?'

'It's a gift. So, do you have flour and milk or do I have to run down to the store?'

'This is a small town city boy; stores close early. But I have flour and the rest. You cook, I clean, deal?'

'Consider it a date.' He kissed her. 'C'mon; I've got more on the menu after dessert.'

'Oh really?' Mai wiggled her eyebrows.

'Yep.' He kissed her again, 'but for that you'll just have to wait and see.'