Soul looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his tie nervously. Relax Soul, he told himself, be cool. It's just a party.

Yeah, a party where he'd finally see Maka again. No big deal or whatever. Who the fuck was he kidding?

"Soul, what's taking so long?" Black*Star asked, pounding his fist on the door.

"Calm your tits Star!" Soul shouted back. He shot one last look at his reflection and then left the grand bathroom. The boys had decided to get ready at Kidd's place since Tsubaki had claimed her and Star's apartment for the girls.

Soul was stunned to find his best friend in a neat black tuxedo. "What-"

"Don't ask." Black*Star interrupted.

Soul, deciding he didn't even want to know, moved aside for his friend to occupy the bathroom. He walked the stairs off, to the grand hall where everyone of Spartoi was gathered. Or at least, the most of them. Harvar, Ox, Kim and Jackie were standing together by the food table. Figured, Soul thought. The quartet always stuck together.

"Soul!" Kilik voice made the weapon look up. The African-American meister made his way to Soul, followed by his partners Fire and Thunder.

"Hey," Soul greeted cooly. "How's it going?"

"We're cool." Kilik grinned. "You?"

Just as the weapon was about to answer, he sensed a familiar soul. Soul looked up, searching for its source. He saw the Thompson sisters and Tsubaki walk in and then there she was. Maka. She was walking a few steps behind, looking slightly uneasy. And though she frowned, Soul still thought she looked gorgeous. The dress fitted her like a glove and her hair was tied back in a low classic bun, a few strands framing her face. Soul's hands itched to brush them away. Of course that wouldn't be a good idea so he restrained himself.

Instead, he turned back, only to find that Kilik has already moved on. He found him standing with Black*Star. Kilik met his eyes and he grinned. Soul smirked back. He knew Kilik wouldn't hold a grudge against him for ignoring him.

Soul turned back to Maka and saw she was coming his way, eyes to the floor. He straightened up and met her half way. "Maka." he said.

Maka looked up. "Oh hey Soul."

"You look good."

The meister smiled. "You look not so bad yourself."

Soul ran a hand through his hair, chuckling nervously. "Yeah, thanks."

"How have you been?" She wanted to know.

"Fine, I guess."

But Maka didn't seem to believe him. And he was thankful for that. It meant she still knew him better than the rest. Soul grinned. "It's good to see you."

"Yeah, it is."

Soul looked around. He saw some of the Spartoi members expectantly looking. They quickly looked away when they met eyes with the weapon. Soul bent a little over to Maka. "Is it just me or are we being watched?"

Maka nodded. "Can we go outside for a sec? We need to talk about a few things anyway."

"Sure."

"Okay cool. Let me tell Tsubaki." And with these words she left to find the shadow weapon.

They found Tsubaki with Kidd and Black*Star. "Hey Tsu," Maka said. "Soul and I are gonna be outside for a sec."

Tsubaki smiled. "Sure. Do you want me to save you a plate?"

"Yeah if that's not too much trouble."

"Of course not."

Maka thanked the taller woman and then joined Soul again. "Shall we?"

Soul nodded and guided her to the front door. When they passed Kilik and Harvar he heard them whisper, "Ten bucks they're going to make out." "You're on."

Maka and Soul sat down at the front steps, both not sure where to start.

"So," Soul began, feeling like a nervous little boy. "How was Paris?"

"It was okay I guess. Considering the circumstances."

"Where were you staying?"

"Near the Louvre. Shibusen has a headquarters set up for the European devision."

"Did you like it?"

Maka shook her head. "It was very lonely."

Soul looked his meister over. Her shoulders were hunched and she was biting her lip. All signs of nervousness and uncomfortableness. "I missed you, you know? Every day. I know I said it in the Black Room but I felt like I should tell you again now that we're in reality."

"The Black Room is reality too Soul," Maka corrected him gently. "Just twisted."

Soul chuckled. "Ever the smart ass."

"I do try to keep my image up, yes." Maka said nonchalantly. But she gave him a sideway smirk.

"Still, felt the need to tell you again."

Maka's smirk turned into a soft smile as she turned to him. Green emeralds meeting red rubies, everything around them seemed to fade away. Like they were in some kind of peaceful version of the Black Room.

"I missed you too Soul. So very much. I'm sorry that I let you down." Maka said, speaking slowly so he couldn't hear anything but the truth in her words. "If I could, I would've stayed. I would've shoved Kidd's offer right up his OCD ass and gone straight to you."

"But you couldn't. And I'm not mad at you for it." Soul finished, giving his meister a sad smile. "Kidd was right. He did it to keep both you and Spartoi save. I just couldn't stand the thought of you being out of hand reach."

Maka's lips quivered and before Soul knew what was going on, he felt her slim arms around his neck. Soft hair tickling his face as Maka buried hers in the crook of his neck. Unsure, Soul wrapped his arms around Maka's body, pressing her close to himself. He inhaled her strawberry scented shampoo and felt himself relax.

"I'm so sorry!" Maka sobbed. "I'm sorry that I lied, that I broke your trust. Can you please forgive me? I just want you back. It doesn't feel right to not be by your side."

Soul felt his heart swell. So he wasn't the only one that felt that way. He grinned a little. "You idiot," he mumbled. "You never lost me."

/

Hi there sweeties, it has been a while... again... *sweats nervously* I hope you can forgive me for the long hiatus ^_^'

So, did you like this chapter? We're finally nearing the end of this fic... just one or two more to go. I do not have any plans yet to make a new multi chaptered story, simply because I have no inspiration/time but I will update 'Songs from the Soul' with more one shots :1