The last week of the month had ended rather eventfully. Liz stared absently at the ceiling as the other women refused to stop looking at her. There was officially only one month left before the wedding but the engaged couple had finished any specifics they wanted in their theme decor and completed the shopping list so Maka was now free to pry into her friend's love life. They had gathered in Liz's room for an all girls meeting.

"Soul isn't the type of guy to beat around the bush," Maka said, "so it's understandable that he would make it so obvious. I just can't believe I was the last one to figure it out."

"Yeah! And I thought you were his meister," Patty commented.

"Didn't we have to practically tell you?" Tsubaki asked skeptically.

"Oh yeah," she replied lowering her head.

"Oh, you guys," Liz sighed, sitting up on her bed, "it was so amazing. I don't think I'd ever felt like that before. It was...it was so wierd- I was so scared but at the same time I was happy too. Is this what love is like?"

"Yes," Maka answered with a smile.

Liz got down onto the floor with the others. "Now that we've both practically admitted that we like eachother..."

"Well," Tsubaki started, "actually what Soul did was test the waters and you just replied approvingly. BlackStar did the same thing."

"Really?!" Patty exclaimed.

"Yep. He wasn't as smooth as Soul though. I was sitting in my room reading when he came in, stole my book from me and just kissed me. His idea was that if I didn't slap him then I must have liked him too."

Maka just shook her head as Tsubaki and Patty laughed at the memory. BlackStar was worlds different from Soul in people skills. The fact that he was such a calm type of guy made him and Liz a perfect couple. Maka was determined to make sure when they got together she would help them make it last.

"Anyway," Tsubaki giggled, "Now that you're both you're on the same page you can tell him without worrying about his rejection."

"It's mission a go!" Patty exclaimed. "Soul and big sis sittin' in a tree~"

"That's right," Maka agreed. "Now you can tell him with no doubt in our mind of how he feels about you."

"I love how sure you all are about this," Liz replied nervously. "Well, when should I tell him?"

"Soon," they said in unison.

"We'll back off so you don't feel pressured," Maka said. "But don't forget we're here to support you!"

They jumped at a knock on the door. Tsubaki opened it and met eyes with the black haired shinigami.

"Maka?" he asked and the blonde meister went to the door. "Do you know if we have any aspirin? Soul's got a slight headache."

"Yeah, I'll get it. Be right back," she said to the others as she went out.

Liz was very suddenly worried. With her luck he'd get sick right when she was about to confess.

"I'm sure he's fine," Tsubaki assured her, reading the other weapon's expression. "It's just a minor headache, I'm sure."

"Right," Liz sighed. "Back to my pep talk please."

Patty started it back up by drawing out a plan that ended up in the shape of a giraffe. They continued when Maka returned with news of Soul looking a little pale. They decided to regroup in the morning and try to come up with a plan that didn't end up as a giraffe.

"Good night," Liz yawned. "Thank you guys for all your help."

"It's no problem," Tsubaki said with a smile. "Sleep well."

"Good night Liz," Maka said as she closed the door.

"Night~!" Patty called back as she ran down the hall to her room.

Soul lay helplessly in bed as his headache started to spread to irritate his sinuses. He pulled up his covers to prevent the chills attacking his vulnerable body. This was all her fault right? She's the one who said it. "Were you trying to get sick?" Soul turned over on his side and closed his eyes at the dull pain radiating in his face. She just had to say it. Of course he hadn't been trying to get sick. He'd gone out in the rain plenty of times without getting sick. Well, there was nothing to do now but wait it out.

"Oh no.."

Soul opened an eye to see Maka sitting over him, her expression worried.

"Maka?"

"You went and got yourself sick," she said. "All I wanted you to do was go get the icing for the cake and you come back sick. What am I suppose to do with you Soul?"

He mumbled something but gave no clearly audible reply. Maka stood and went out of the room only to return with a bottle. She glanced over the labeling then proceeded to open it.

"It'll go away on it's on," Soul said suddenly. "I don't need you to take care of me like a kid, Maka."

"No matter how old you get you need help when you get sick," Maka replied softly as she poured the proper amount into the cap. "Here, I'll give you the medicine then I'll leave you alone. Okay?"

Soul took it then turned away again. Maka rolled her eyes at him. You're completely predictable Soul, she thought as she walked out. The others looked up when she came into the living room. Liz looked the most expectant.

"He's as sick as ever," she stated sternly. "He shouldn't have gone out like that the other night."

"And I thought we could all go do something really fun today," Patty sighed disappointedly.

"We could still go do something," Tsubaki said. "Me, you, and BlackStar."

Maka leaned forward on the counter in front of Liz. That sad look on her face was not very becoming of one of her bridesmaids.

"Hey, Liz," she said. "Why don't we stay here and take care of Soul? The others could go out and I can help you."

"R-Really? I mean, I don't want to..." she looked away from the meister.

"You don't want to-"

"I don't want to stress him out with all this stuff while he's sick," Liz said quickly. "You know..."

That and she was all for getting her feelings out but she was not willing to get sick for it. She did like him and all, but how embarrassing would it be to confess while blowing your nose? Liz shook the image from her mind and looked back to Maka.

"Are you sure?" Maka asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure," she said. "I can wait until he's feeling better. I'll go with the others."

Maka shrugged as Liz got up to grab her stuff. She was nervous, understandable. There was no need to rush things after all. It looks it was going to be just like the academy days; Soul sick and Maka taking care of him. Some things never change.

"We'll be back soon," Patty called as they went out the door.

Maka waved then went up to Soul's room to check up on how he was doing. She walked in and stood over him. He looked miserable.

"Soul, Soul, Soul," she sighed as she put a hand to his forehead.

"I thought you were going to leave me alone," he moaned tiredly.

"I have to check up on you," she said, wiping her hand on her skirt. "You are burning up. I'll be right back."

Kid had stayed behind to help Maka with Soul so it was just the Thompsons and the assassins. They went to a small amusement park that had recently opened. It was very crowded and with good reason. There was a live band, DeadPan; cheap, fatty food; rides ranging from kiddie to thrill-seeker; shows for the kids and so much more. Patty was enjoying herself to the max with BlackStar. He was someone just as reckless and as little concerned for his safety as she was. Liz tried to put on a smile but she was thinking about Soul the whole time. Tsubaki sat next to her with a stick of cotton candy.

"You should have stayed with Maka," she said as she pulled a ball from the cotton candy.

"I know.." Liz sighed guiltily.

"Then Kid could have come."

She looked at the chain scythe. Tsubaki laughed and Liz dropped her head.

"I just didn't want to get sick..." she said quietly.

"That's not very romantic," Tsubaki said, still giggling a little.

"Neither is confessing with a runny nose," Liz stated matter-of-factly.

"What is it now Liz? Tell the truth." Tsubaki turned to face her friend.

"I just want it to be perfect, you know? When I can finally tell him how I feel. I just want it to be special."

"I know what you mean," Tsubaki said. "Sometimes I wish BlackStar had been a little more romantic with his approach, but that's the past. What you should do is make it special for you. Soul is the really calm type so you can do that. He'll give you your space. Right now he isn't in the best of health, but, this could be just as romantic as you make it. Nurse Thompson."

Liz blushed at the title. "Don't say it like that," she blurted. "It sounds perverted or something..."

Tsubaki laughed. BlackStar and Patty came wobbling from the rollercoaster they had just rode. They leaned on their respective partners and groaned loudly.

"To much for ya BlackStar?" Patty panted her challenge.

"Y-Yeah right," he retorted. "I'm the one who's surpassed the gods! A wimpy little thing like that couldn't weaken me."

Patty glared at him. "I'm hungry!"

She got up and ran to the nearest food cart. BlackStar followed, determined not to be beaten by the pistol. Their partners laughed as they bombarded the poor workers with food orders. They ran back to the bench and proceeded to stuff their faces with the arm full of food they ordered. Liz went up to pay for it, apologizing for their animosity. Patty glanced up at one point and found herself falling behind BlackStar. Tsubaki was actually cheering them on while passersby stared. Invulnerability to embarrassement was one of the things she had slowly gained after being with BlackStar for so many years.

"Look at them go," Liz said, both afraid and impressed at their ability to fit so much food in ther mouths without pausing.

Patty finished first and threw her fists up as soon as she got down that last piece of funnel cake. Sadly enough, she was so occupied with her victory she hadn't noticed the person standing next to her holding his pained face.

"Where did Crona come from?!" Liz pointed out.

"Oh, Crona!" Tsubaki exclaimed.

"Oh hey," BlackStar said over a mouthful of food.

Patty dropped her hands and looked around. Crona, where? That's when she noticed the tall, slender person standing next to her holding his face.

"H-Hello.." Crona said, still shocked from the punch.

"Did I do that?" Patty said, jumping up to look at his face.

"I-I'm fine, r-really," he stuttered, backing away.

"Lemme see," Patty said, taking his hand from his face and looking at his bruised cheek. "Oh no..."

"Umm, please, Patty, it's fine..."

Tsubaki walked over to inspect. "It's bruised Crona," she said. "Sorry about that."

"I-I s-said it's fine," he continued pitifully. "I just came for Maka's wedding. I didn't think I'd end up getting pucnhed if I came..."

"I'm sorry Crona," Patty apologized. "I didn't see you there."

"Maka will be so glad when she hears you were able to make it," Liz said. She turned to Tsubaki and pulled her away from the others for a moment. "I'm gonna go back to the mansion. You were right."

"Okay," Tsubaki nodded. "Make it your own."

Liz nodded then started running back to the mansion. Patty and BlackStar had hooked their arms in Crona's and started swaying him from side to side, ignoring Ragnorak's angry ranting. Crona fidgeted nervously as they stole him away to spend the day.

Liz ran into the house and shut the door loudly behind her. Kid peeked in from the living room.

"Oh, Liz, you're back?" he asked, obviously confused. "Did something happen?"

"No, where's Maka?" she asked absently.

"She's upstaris with Soul-" he started as she ran past him. He caught her wrist. "Wait, is something wrong Liz?"

She sighed. "No, nothing's wrong Kid. There's just something I have to do."

He let her go and she ran up the stairs to Soul's room. She stopped in front of his door to compose herself. Calm down Liz. You have everything under control. Make this work for you. She knocked then slowly opened the door. Maka looked over her shoulder.

"Oh, Liz! What are you doing back? Did something happen?" she asked.

"No, I just thought you could use some help," Liz said as she went to sit beside her. "We both know how much work it is dealing with this one."

"Hey," Soul groaned, "I heard that."

Liz put a hand on his forehead. "Hey, how are you feeling? Any better?"

"No way," he sighed.

His face was flushed and he shivered under her touch. She looked at Maka who smiled.

"I'll come back in a little while to check on him," she said.

"Don't worry about it," Liz replied. "I can keep an eye on him Maka."

"Alright then. You come see me in two hours for his medicine. Have fun you two~"

"Fun?" Soul echoed weakly.

"She's just teasing," Liz said. "Now, I'm going to be taking care of you until you get better! So be a good little patient and don't give me a hard time."

"Or what?" Soul asked more so than retorted.

"Or I'll punish you." She pinched his cheek and laughed when he moaned helplessly.

"Alright, alright~"

Over the next two days Soul and Liz saw a lot of eachother, and spent most likely more time together in a single sitting than they had in all their years of being friends. Liz never left the room but to get food or medicine for Soul. She was devoted to him for his entire time of illness. BlackStar thought it was pretty pathetic for Liz to be taking care of Soul. The follower of such a man as himself should not be able to be taken so easily by a simple infliction. Tsubaki thought it sweet that she was taking of her man. Crona had also started visiting and catching up with everyone.

The day finally came when Soul's fever dissipated and he was making his way down stairs.

"Welcome back Soul!" Patty greeted him loudly.

"Ah- S-Soul, hi," came Crona's small greeting.

"Hey Crona, Patty," he yawned. "What are you two doing up so early?"

"We were watching a movie," the blonde weapon replied, turning back to the tv.

"Just the two of you? Is this like a date or something?"

Crona blushed bright red but Patty just laughed. "No Soul, we were both awake so we decided to watch a movie."

"I'm glad you could make it for the wedding Crona." Soul walked into the kitchen.

"M-Me too," he replied meekly, still shaken by Soul's previous assumption.

"Where's sis Soul?" Patty asked from the couch.

"She's still sleeping," he answered curtly. "You know, she slept on the floor so she wouldn't have to leave at night? What's with that sister of yours?"

"She's serious when she sets her mind to something," Patty said with a nod. "Especially you~"

Crona looked over the back of the couch. "A-Are you and Liz d-dating, Soul?"

"No, we're not," he said flatly. "Well...not yet anyway..."

"Oooooo~" Patty teased. "Soul and big sis, sittin' in a tree-"

"Aren't you a little to old for that Patty?" Soul asked, his voice not lacking in annoyance.

A groggy Liz came stumbling down the stairs amidst the early activity. She ganced sleepily around the room until her tired eyes fell on the white haired man standing in the kitchen. She walked into the kitchen and leaned on the counter.

"How are you doing?" she half asked, half yawned.

"I'm feeling a lot better. Thanks for taking care of me even though you didn't have to." Soul leaned down on the counter next to her.

She might have made up some excuse or blatantly walked away or even just moved away from him before. This time she moved closer and leaned her head on his shoulder. After spending the past two days feeding him medicine and hot soups and basicly catering to his every beckoning call Liz felt this was almost payback enough. Almost but not quite...

"Soul, I need to talk to you," she said after a minute. "Can we go outside?"

She took his hand and led him out the front door. Patty looked to the top of stairs where Maka, Tsubaki, BlackStar, and Kid appeared from their hiding places. They shared the same knowing smile which confused a certain pink haired boy.

"Why is everyone smiling? What's happening?" Crona looked at everyone and sweatdropped.

Liz stopped out on the porch and turned to face Soul. She still held onto his hands as she looked seriously into his eyes. This was it. There was no reason to hold anything back any longer now.

"Soul," she started confidently.

"Liz," he said back.

"I have something to say and I want you to be serious, okay? Don't make fun of me."

"I already know what you're going to say," he pointed out.

"Well, just let me say it," she whined.

"Alright."

"Soul-"

"Liz."

"I..like you."

Soul raised an eyebrow, which made her instantly want to take back her words. Oh no~! Why is he looking like that?! Did I say something wrong? Oh Death-

"That wasn't exactly what I was expecting," he admitted. "I was going to say something completely different... It won't sound cool if I say it now though."

"What? Say what? Soul!" Now he was just messing with her emotions. "Tell me!"

"I don't know if saying I love you means anything now-"

Liz threw her arms around his neck in a hug. Soul was startled at first then he laughed into her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I love you to Soul," she spoke softly into his ear.

"I'm pretty sure you just said like," he whispered.

"Just shut up and take it albino," she hissed.

They released each other then went back inside to find themselves bombarded by colorful streamers and cheers. Maka swooped down on them with a big hug and pushed them into the living room.

"What's all this?" Liz inquired, still in shock.

"It's a 'They Finally Did It' party," Tsubaki exclaimed.

"Party?" Soul frowned.

"Yeah!" BlackStar exclaimed. "We can throw a party for whatever we want, alright?!" BlackStar shouted from atop the coffee table. "So shut up and enjoy it alright?! I command it!"

This was more likely than not a random party for no good reason but they pinned their names on it to give it reason. Whatever the reason was, they celebrated together for the first time in a while.