A/N: Essentially a continuation of chapter 9: The Parents. Double Update because I didn't last time.

Pairing: Maya/ Phoenix

Disclaimer:... Pmow? Also- "EVERYWHERE!"

Simple

Trucy and Apollo stared wide eyed as they began to wrestle for the hat again for a second before Apollo grabbed Trucy and shoved his hand over her eyes before leading her away around the counter, and under her protests exclaiming that "There are some things the real children should never see their parents doing!"

...

They eventually collapsed on the sofa. Breathing deeply and both wishing they were younger than they were and even though they both realised how close they were neither moved. Neither could because they didn't want to, even though they knew they were supposed to.

Phoenix felt like his heart was on fire. They were so close. Their arms were forced against each other and their hips touched. The touching didn't stop until it reached their knees where her legs crossed at the ankle.

Not liking his arm to feel so smothered he lifted it above his head and rested it on the back of the sofa behind Maya, knowing what the movement symbolised. She giggled and leant onto his shoulder, sighing contently she whispered "Just like old times right?"

"Not quite." He said smiling down at her. "In this situation I would usually have Pearls hogging my lap."

"Now you have a daughter..."

"She says she's too old now, it would be like when I first met you, didn't you feel too old?"

She giggled at this. "I never felt too old, and it's different, she's your daughter, your family. Daughter's don't like to cling onto their fathers from what I've seen... Can I ask you something?"

"You just did, but go ahead." He said smiling.

"Answer me honestly OK, what did Trucy mean when she asked if I was her 'new mommy'? I know you brushed it aside and laughed it off when she said it so I know you don't really want to talk about it, but she did ask."

Phoenix sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose tightly. "She does that from time to time."

"So... it's not just me?"

Phoenix looked down at her again and was taken aback by the disappointment in her voice and the hope in her eyes.

"Especially you." He said to her, and then explained that is was especially her because he hadn't told Trucy about her in so long. "She thinks that we are dating, I gather."

"I can see why. Wait! Before your eyes bulge out of your head just listen ok? I mean sure, we're old friends and I used to be your 'assistant', but after not seeing each other for so many years we suddenly start meeting up secretly, going out for drinks or to the burger stand or to that steel samurai film? Is that what just friends do, because it doesn't seem that way to me now." She said and couldn't believe how red her cheeks were.

"I don't know. I haven't- um- courted anyone in years. Not since before I became a lawyer... since before I met you."

"And why's that?"

"I...I...I don't know, I guess."

"Really?"

"No...I... we both know why."

"Then what's stopping you?"

"You know what. I wish it could be simpler. I wish I could just tell the truth and that would be it. I would say 'I like you', and they would say 'well hey, I like you too'. Then I'd ask them if they wanted to go out some time... for as long as we both shall live, and they would say yes. Done. But it's not that simple. I have a daughter now, and-"

"Phoenix... do you like me?"

He stopped for a second at the sound of her using his real name. "Do you like me?"

"I asked you first." She shot back at him.

For as long as he could remember he'd been fighting battles. Primary school was the start of it. Then Middle school and high school. College wasn't much better considering that was the first attack on his life and the woman he loved lied to him for six months. He fought to gain respect as a lawyer and fought to get their 'not guilty' verdict, he'd fought even harder to keep his badge. Since then his only battle had been bringing up a daughter to be a good person.

None of that seemed as big as it had back then in this moment.

He swallowed hard.

"I like you."

"Well hey," She smiled. "I like you too."

Hopefully not too cheesy. WHO AM I KIDDING? I love cheesy.