New Beginnings [Mei-li Yeh]

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro Lawson yawned as he gathered up his folded clothes and shoved them down into the duffel bag. He was looking forward to the trip that he hadn't yet told Orange--his girlfriend--about. It was a surprise for her. For them to just get away for awhile, be together and veg a little. He was going to have them board the ship and fly to Naboo to a place he had discovered when helping his brother find a place for a honeymoon. It was a little resort next to a big lake, really in the middle of nowhere, but it was the prettiest thing he had ever seen.

Jiro was afraid Orange wouldn't want to go. She not being much a romantic like Taro and Jesimae. He didn't know how much she would like a getaway like that. But since they had gotten back together, they hadn't done anything together. Nothing. And Jiro wanted to just get as far away from everyone as he could and just be with Orange. Alone, no worries. Just them.

He pushed the duffel bag into the closet. The ship left tomorrow, and he was going to tell Orange about it tonight when he went to her apartment. He glanced at his watch. He had to leave soon for her apartment. He sighed and went to his bed, grabbing his t-shirt, going back to the closet and pulling out the duffel bag.

Hoisting it onto his shoulder he moved out into the living room. He didn't see anyone but didn't really care. Waving a hand he started towards the door.

"I'm going to Orenji's! See you all in a few days!" he called. Everyone else knew about his plans, but Orange didn't. He hoped that she would like the idea.

[Orange Diren]

"Bloody hell!" Orange said as she glanced up at the holoscreen that showcased the game she was playing at her apartment. This day was so dreafully boring that she was contemplating on going ahead and working on her day off. She didn't know why she was taking a vacation from work. It had been Jiro's idea and already she was dreading that decision. She was at home, bored, playing a game, and losing horribly to the creatures trying to rip her head out and eat it. She saw her screen go dark red, letting her know that her character had just died. She did nothing but toss the controller on the floor and crawl over to the console and flick it off. She was quick to turn the screen off as well and stare at the dark living room.

"Bad idea, Jiro, bad idea." She voiced as she stood up off the floor and stretched. Her stomach growled and she realized she hadn't had much to eat that morning. She smiled and walked into the kitchen and began searching the cabinets for food.

[Jiro Lawson]

It took Jiro a short taxi ride to get to his girlfriend's apartment, and he felt his stomach flipping as he got out, paid his fee and started towards her apartment complex. Orange had had a copy of her card made so that he could get in at any time, and as he slid it through the lock, he felt the butterflies flutter violently in his stomach.

Swallowing, he pushed the door in and went into the lobby, heading for the lifts. He smiled and gave a short wave to the man at the desk who knew him by name now. Jiro switched his duffel bag to his other shoulder as he punched in the floor and boarded the lift, pocketing the key card. The lift groaned slightly and the doors shut, taking him upwards.

Jiro had talked Orange into taking a vacation from work. What she didn't know was that it was so that they could leave on this trip. God, how nervous he was. He was afraid that she would turn her nose up at it and ask him why the hell he had done this when she could be doing valuable work.

His thoughts were cut short as the lift doors opened and he got off, making his way down two hallways before reaching her door. He looked at it a moment before raising his hand and knocking.

[Orange Diren]

Orange shot up from the fridge and suddenly felt her head come into brute contact with the freezer handle. She groaned and felt her eyes sting with pain as she broke off the tip of the carrot she munched on and closed the fridge door, going over to answer her own. She swallowed the carrot in her mouth and quickly brought it back up to chew on it some more, it being a healthy snack and a quick fix for her stomach.

She sighed out and tilted her head as if this were some hard walk, but when she made it to the door she realized it could have been Jiro. She smiled at that thought and opened the door.

"Jiro!" She said happily. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a quick kiss and wiping her mouth, hoping she didn't get carrot juice or peices on him. "What are you doing here?" She frowned as she back away so he could enter her apartment then seeing his attire.

"What is with the duffel bag? You coming to entertain me for a week?" She raised her eyebrow and closed the door as he entered.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro laughed, dumping the duffel down onto the floor and moving over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. He looked down at her and grinned, leaning his head down and taking a bite of her carrot. He crunched it a moment before leaning down and kissing her on the cheek.

"Sort of," he answered, watching her a moment. He nodded back to the duffel bag and smiled, the butterflies still fluttering in his stomach. "In there, I have two tickets on board a passenger carrier to Naboo, and there," he said, placing a light kiss on her lips. "I have reservations at a romantic resort next to a senic lake..." he paused. "One week, you and me, middle of nowhere...with a pool, hot springs, and room service thrown in there somewhere..." he grinned down at her. "I wanted to surprise you."

[Orange Diren]

Orange frowned as she listened to him speak a mile a minute. After a moment of silence her brain finally caught up with her. A romantic trip? She let out a groan.

"Jiro...is that why you wanted me to take a week off?" She let out a sigh. "I will say you sure have surprised me." She looked at him a bit mad that he asked her to take a week off and miss some good pay all because he was a mushy guy. She was more of a man in this relationship than he was. But she gave him credit, he apparently checked this place out for he knew everything about their activities.

"Well....I guess!" She let out a laugh and shrugged. "Why not! A little time away from here wouldn't be such a bad idea, plus I haven't been able to have a lot of time alone with you recently either!" Suddenly this trip wasn't sound too bad, but she would need to make up for lost money in the long ruun.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro smiled, but he knew that it hadn't had quite the effect he had hoped. He moved away from her and picked up his duffel bag, pulling it away from the door. How disappointed he was. It wasn't like they ever did anything together anymore. Except see each other at really weird times of the day or night. He knew Orange wasn't romantic, but she could at least pretend for his sake!

Oh, well, he had gotten used to it. Romanticism was something he had learned to live without since he had begun dating her. Sure, he didn't want a girl who wanted him bringing her flowers and chocolates all the time, but wanting him to be romantic for her once in awhile didn't bother him in the least. He wanted to be that way...but Orange...she just...didn't want that...at all.

Jiro sighed and tossed out that they were leaving in the morning and to pack for warm weather. How annoyed he was now. He had spent all that money and time trying to find a place that she might like and she threw it in his face.

That was Orange Diren.

[Orange Diren]

Orange smiled at him and gave him a kiss. She told him she loved him and moved into the bedroom, telling him about her day and what not. She wondered how she ever mangaed to hook up with such a romantic guy. She liked romanticism, but she just didn't like it that much for herself. She was a much more blunt kind of person. If someone wanted sex then she was on it! But to have someone dilly dally around with romantic things such as flowers, candies, candle lit dinners, just bored her. Thankfully Haruko hadn't been that romantic back in his good ol days.

Orange grabbed her own duffel bag and suddenly began to pack. She was going to be glad to have Jiro all to herself, but if he was expecting her to get spa treatments and funny weed wraps she'd shoot herself. But, if he really wanted it, she guessed she could act a little bit excited about it, for most of the time she put on an act to make him happy. She figured that was relationships for you.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li widened her eyes as she leaned close to the book in her hands, trying to translate what was being said on a pamphlet she had picked up at the ship port, reading about Coruscant's history considering she was very new to the large planet. She let out a disgruntled sigh as she closed it and tossed it into the empty seat on the air craft. Nobody was on this flight to Naboo and it made her wonder if she had gone at a bad time. She knew that during this part of the season they had bad storms, but she never really figured them to be liefe threatening, besides a good thunderstorm always raised spirits for it helped the plant life!

Mei-li smiled at the thought of seeing her precious Japanese gardens she had worked so hard on when she was married. Coruscant was severely lacking in the plant department and she was so glad to see that green land of Naboo, her home. She was a bit sad that she had left Hana behind, but she knew that she really couldn't risk taking her with her on this trip for she had so much to bring back with her. She didn't need the little girl to get lost like she enjoyed doing so many times!

Mei-li bent forward and grabbed the bag below her seat. She pulled it out and quickly unzipped it and rummaging through her clothes and other personal items she had brought along. She smiled when she felt the paper all the way at the bottom. She pulled it out and smiled when she saw her little girls face taking up the whole photograph, the only thing seen of Mei-li was her hair and her daughter attacking the camera, chocolate covering her face. Those two had been too hyped on chocolate when going to the zoo. Mei-li knew never to do that one again! She let out a laugh and put it beside her on the window sill, glancing out over the planet. A few more hours and they'd be docking and she'd be picking up the pieces and ending that bad chapter in her life.

[Jiro Lawson]

Neither Jiro nor Orange had said much on this trip. Jiro had realized that there really wasn't much to say. He didn't have any news, and Orange didn't want to be here anyway. So...

He sighed leaning back in his chair and looking out the window at Naboo looming closer and closer. They would be there soon, and he was happy about it. But Orange was another story. She'd never want to do anything. Jiro realized that morning as they had been leaving how out of Orange's alley this was. This was something Jiro might have done with Ren--God knew Jiro wanted to so badly, even now--or more recently...Mei-Li Yeh. Just her name brought a little smile to Jiro's face. He had liked her so forcefully when he had met her so long ago. He hadn't talked to her in forever, since they had returned from Naboo. He wondered how she was. And how little Hana was. It was the only child in the world Jiro could remember just wanting to adopt as his own. So sweet, and cute. And her mother, so meek and kind, a woman who could appreciate the time her boyfriend put into finding something romantic for them to do...

Unlike Orange. Who happened to be Jiro's girlfriend. He sighed, leaning his head back and watching Naboo come closer. Suddenly, he just wanted to turn back and go home, the thought of Orange acting like this the whole week making him want to puke and die.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li drew in a deep breath the second she stepped off the ships boarding dock and breathed some real fresh air! Nothing artificial and reused. How she hated being in such a closed ship seeing nothing but metal and wires poking here and there. She just loved the nature of Naboo, which she was kind of sad she had left behind. But, that was nothing she could cry about now, it was already over and done with! She smiled as she walked quickly to a hover taxi platform, a little skip in her step. Oh the sights and sounds made her eyes water with joy and caused her heart to balloon up and just explode with joy. She wondered how all her old friends were back in town where she always got her fresh fruit. She must make a stop there before leaving.

She waved her hand in the air and was so happy to see a taxi docking without a soul in it. She opened the heavy door and gladly fell into the comfort of the seat, Naboo's taxi's being a bit cleaner feeling than that on Coruscant. She leaned forward and knocked back her heavy black hair and typed in the address of Sakura Suites, one of the best hotels in the Universe. She was so glad she had gotten in for the gardens they had there were perfect!

Mei-li leaned back with a smile on her face. She glanced up in the sky enjoying the bright blue and seeing a shadow being cast over the taxi when she saw a rather large ship ready to dock. WHoever was on that ship was coming to the right place.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro and Orange arrived in thier hotel room a little later than Jiro had planned due to the fact that there had been a mix up in thier names and they had thought he had booked under Lawdon, instead of Lawson. But once they get it settled, the were able to go to the suite Jiro had gotten for them. It was one of the more expensive ones, for at the time Jiro had thought that Orange was worth all the money. But with the way she had been acting about the whole thing, Jiro was thinking he should have spent less money on the thing.

The room was nice however. It was a big roomy living room, a nice bathroom and a bedroom with a hot tub in it. And the wall in the bedroom looked out over the huge lake and the gardens that held sakura trees, the reason why the hotel was called Sakuro Suites. Jiro loved the view, but he was waiting for something to be wrong with it as he sat his things down on the floor.

[Orange Diren]

Orange let out a sigh as she dropped her bags on the floor, suddenly running from here to there with excitement, finally. The whole trip had been boring, Jiro didn't talk to her at all and when they did it was in short sentences and quick snaps. He seemed annoyed, which ultimately made her annoyed. What was his problem? Orange really didn't care at this moment, she was enjoying all the luxuries the room had provided and she was definitely loving the hot tub. She suddenly walked out of the bathroom and let out a sigh of approval as she put her hands on her hips.

"Well, Jiro, I can say you have outdone yourself! I don't know how many people you had to blow to get it, but your girl is so proud of you!" She ran over to the bed and fell face first letting out a few moans of comfort. "Oh wonderful!" She said happily rolling onto her back.

"This place is just too good. I don't know how you ever found it! It is out of your league!"

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro stopped in what he was doing. Orange has a big mouth, Jiro, just let it slide. She's got the biggest flapper of anyone you know, you love her, Jiro, you really, really do, his mind was telling him as he straightened and the hurt trickled in from Orange's words. Hurt that went deeper than just a bothersome phrase here or there. It was a hurt that stemmed from his past and stemmed from the problems he and Orange were having.

Thier relationship was on the rocks slightly. Jiro had known it for awhile, but he was afraid to face it. He chewed his lip and sighed out, putting cheer in his voice, even though he was not smiling.

"Good, I am glad my girl likes it," he said, sounding as if he were grinning...but he wasn't. He couldn't not after she said that. He licked his lips and turned, putting a smile on his face. "Why don't you get in and enjoy the hot tub, I am gonna go stake things out in the hotel and on the grounds." He smiled again, forcefully. "I'll be back in a little while. I have my com with me if you need me."

He waved cheerfully to her, the grin immediately fading when he got out into the hallway and started down it. They hadn't even been there one night and he was already seeking refuge from her.

"Bad idea, Jiro, bad idea..."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li hummed along to the music she was listening to on a tiny player she had stolen from Hana for the week. She knew the minute her baby found it missing and the note she left informing her she had taken it, she'd be fuming when she returned home which was why she was thinking about what she could take back to make her not so mad. She walked around the hotel looking up at the beautiful paitings and the beautiful flowers and random places where people could go see a certain tree or garden. She was loving every minute of it! This place was like an art museum and botanical gardens rolled into a fancy hotel with great service and great rooms. She was so glad she had the money to splurge!

"Come on now! Just fang kai ni de xin!" Mei-li sang out loud not really noticing considering her brain was focused on the good music and the beautiful floral art work hanging in the lobby.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro was muttering to himself when he heard someone singing in a different language. Chinese he recognized because of the time his brother had spent in the HWANG District on Coruscant and also because of the time he had spent with...

"Mei-li!" he exclaimed loudly. He couldn't believe it! He had just been thinking about her on the way here! Was it really her? He squinted, his eyesight not so good right now. He got closer, wondering if she could hear him from those head phones. He felt his stomach flip incomfortably. After all this time here she was and stil las beautiful as ever. He couldn't believe. He walked closer, his stomach getting butterflies. Good ones this time. The kind you got when you talked to that special person.

"Mei-Li?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

"Baby! WO AI NI!" Mei-li sang a bit louder than she should have and she suddenly realized this when she could hear herself over the loud music. She looekd to her right and saw a few people looking at her. She pulled the earphones out and let out an embarassed laugh.

"Sorry." She said with a tiny giggle. "Sorry." She said again turning to walk the other way. She looked up from the floor and saw a man standing there, staring at her like were a figment of their imagination, then again, once she realized who it was, she did the same.

"Ji-Jiro?" She said surprised and floored beyond words. Her jaw dropped and suddenly she let out a laugh. "Jiro!" She dropped her hands and then let out another laugh. "Jiro!" She shook her head and lifted her hand to touch her forehead, knowing she probably looked stupid singing so loud then saying his name a million and one times!

"Hi! Oh! I mean...ko...ko...ko-ni-chi-wa? Konnichiwa? Right!" She was making an idiot of herself, what was the matter with her! She just didn't know and she really didn't think much about it. Jiro was all she was thinking about.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro's grin got bigger as she stumbled over the Japanese word that her pretty Chinese mouth was not used to. He felt like screaming at her that she was like an angel to him right this moment. He nodded emphatically, walking forward towards her, noticing that he had gotten just a little taller since the last time they had seen each other, due to the fact that he was looking down at her a little more than he remembered.

"Hai!" he said a little louder than he meant to. He laughed. "Hai! Konnichiwa, Mei-chan!" he said. Without thinking, he reached out to her and gave her a hug, unable to hide how happy he was to see her. He leaned back away from her and grinned like an idiot again. He shook his head. "I didn't expect to see you here, Mei-li!" he said through a laugh. He looked her up and down. "You look good! How are you? How's Hana? How's...everything!" he laughed, feeling like a fool.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed at his loud Japanese word, something she couldn't really remember, but it must've been a good thing for he was quick to cut that space in two and give her a hug that was absolutely something she had never felt in her life and she was absolutely overjoyed to have been one to feel it! SHe hugged right back as tight as she could muster and then he pulled back and gave her the quick once over. She simply giggled like a child and shook her head at his sudden blast of questions.

"Haha! Where to start, Jiro!" She said as she, too, found her gaze searching repeatedly over his stature. "You've grown tall! You so handsome!" She tapped his shoulder as she was smiling from ear to ear.

"Oh I'm good!" She said in a loud and exasperated way. She looked around and shook her head. "We are so loud!" She laughed again and grabbed his arm in a kind manner. "How are you? Oh...how is everyone? Oh Taro and Jesimae, was their wedding good? I couldn't make it I was so sad." This was like a dream come true! How crazy was it that the two of them would find themselves back on Naboo and in the same hotel at the same time. She was loving it.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro laughed as he put a hand over hers when she took his arm and he started walking with her down the hall. He couldn't stop smiling. He was so happy to be here with her again. He could remember some of the first times they had been together here on Naboo but under worse circumstances. He could remember one night in particular when she had seen him in his shy days, and he had been so afraid to let her see that scars he bore.

Jiro could remember liking her so much then. And then...he had met Orange and...Ren had come back into his life, and things had just gotten carried away and he had not been able to ever express his feelings for her. But seeing her here now was like a breath of fresh air. A calm after the storm. The storm that was Orange Diren. He smiled over at her as they walked.

"Yes, they are acting like a severe married couple," he said with a laugh. "They fought thier wedding day and when they finally got to go on thier honeymoon they were gone four days longer than they had said they would be. They came back with grins on thier faces and I haven't heard a bitter word between them since," Jiro said. He smiled. "They send thier love. Jesimae was upset you weren't there, but she understood," Jiro said, watching her as they walked. He sighed.

"What brings you here?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li listened so happy as they walked together. Neither one of them walking to a place in particular, although Mei-li would have said she was walking on a stariway to paradise! She laughed loudly at every single word Jiro said, when had she ever laughed this much? How great this was to see him, how wondeful he was talking to her , beside her. Before when she thought of Jiro it was all dreams and wishes and simple memories that were, sadly, trying to fade on her.

"I'm so sorry. Hopefully I can...see them!" She was so nervous yet excited and happy that she was forgetting english! How silly! She shook her head when he asked her why she was there. She was still unsure herself for she had everything back home, but she knew there were still a few memories that she had wanted to keep back at her old home.

"I am gathering up some belongings I left when I moved." She stopped and gave him a playful hit on the arm. "I did not tell you! I moved to Coruscant! I saw that Jesimae had my old address on the invitation. Lucky, it found me!" She smiled and grabbed his arm and began to walk with him again.

"How about you? Why are you here? Not looking for me?" She smiled at him and gave him a gentle poke with her elbow. This was a great day indeed.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro chuckled a little at the poke and sighed looking up at the ceiling, not wanting to talk about Orange now that he was so happy to see Mei-li. But it was why he was there, even if it wasn't a great reason because Orange was...less than receptive.

"Well, I'm here with, um, my girlfriend," he sighed out looking down at her and laughing, feeling sad that he had to tell her he was attached. "I wanted to do something romantic for her, but...she didn't exactly embrace it with open arms," he said with a bitter chuckle. He shrugged. "She isn't really the romantic type. I am thinking about just going back home. I am not sure if we can stand each other for an entire week here," he said, looking away. Where had all that come from? He never talked like that about Orange, and yet it was what he had been thinking ever since they had arrived. He shook his head and looked back at her. "I don't want to talk about her." Then he grinned. "Where is Hana? I miss her! I keep meaning to write to her, but I lost your new address! She sent me a picture of..." Jiro scrunched up his nose and shook his head. "Something. I'm not exactly sure what though. I'll have to give it to you to let you see if you can figure it out," he laughed. "But I loved it either way. It really brightened my day!"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li's smile slightly slipped for a split second, her heart suddenly breaking. She should have figured he'd be at such a beautiful place with, a probably, gorgeous woman. To her dismay and surprise his tone changed rapidly and he was suddenly talking about leaving. Mei-li couldn't have been more dissappointed to hear such news.

"Hana! Oh!" She laughed lightly not really wanting to talk about his girlfriend either, not meaning to sound rude or horrible! She was just...wanting to talk to Jiro. "I had to leave her home. She had school." She looked around as sthey walked around the elaborate lobby.

"Hana loves taking pictures. She has so many. Oh, I have a picture of her in my bag I should give to you. You, of all people, would love it." Mei-li began to laugh at the thought. "She and I were on chocolate when we took it. Her eyes...so huge!" She laughed knowing he probably thought she was high on chocolate as well for she was so animated and so alive now that she saw him!

"Chocolate all over face. Big smile. Oh, my Hana. She will be so sad to know I came here and saw you. Even worse when I tell her you have girlfriend. I bet she is pretty." Mei-li had to add a little something about his girlfriend, she couldn't ignore it. Plus, she was also wanting to get out that she was sad to hear about his girlfriend. Hana was an appropriate cover at the time.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro grinned. The thought of seeing the little girl again made him so happy. He loved that little girl like she was his own even though she was decidedly not. But he could still unofficially adopt her. After all with her father gone, she needed someone...so did Mei-li. He wondered if she had found someone on Coruscant to be with. He sighed and looked over at her, nodding a little.

"Orange is..." he paused. "Something else." More like someone else, his brain said, for she truly wasn't what he had thought she was in the beginning. And he wasn't sure if he liked what she was changing into. He sighed and then smiled again. "She's just my girlfriend," he said with a shrug as if it was no big deal, which suddenly it wasn't. He looked over at her. "I would love to see Hana again! Maybe when we leave you can give me your address again. I'll come visit you guys," he said with a soft smile. "I'd like to...see you again too." He sighed looking away. "Maybe before we leave you and I can get together and do something, while Orange is enjoying the hot tub or something," he said with a laugh. Then he shook his head.

"Hana will have to tell me off herself when she finds out I have a girlfriend," he said with a chuckle. "Someone needs to."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li's heart flutterd with a bit of jealousy in the pit of her stomach. So she must've been something beautiful, only beautiful girls ended up with Jiro. Perhaps that was why she did not. She softly smiled at him when he continued to talk about the woman as if it were no big deal, not that Mei-li was complaining! Jiro looked at her and then muttered words that caused her heart to flutter again, this time in a way that made her excited and almost giddy.

"Address?" Mei-li repeated after he said it. She simply nodded and allowed him to continue.

"I'd like to...see you again too." Mei-li almost stopped dead in her tracks. What an odd thing her mind was doing! Playing tricks on her, so mean. She smiled when she realized he had actually said that! She wanted to jump for joy and voice her opinion on the matter, which she figured could have been a kiss or a hug...or both!

Jiro continued to speak dreams to her, did he just say do something with her? How wonderful! Her eyes got big and she smiled brightly.

"Oh, that would be lovely, Jiro!" Her words were stupid, but she wasn't exactly sure how to express herself. Those, actually, were exactly how she felt. She smiled so bright at him her heart beating so fast and causing a stir deep inside. She laughed loudly when he spoke of Hana yet again, this time having the girl tell him off. Mei-li shook her head and rolled her eyes while giggling. She touched Jiro's arm again with her free hand having her other arm occupied by having hooked it with Jiro's.

"Believe me, Jiro, if I were you I'd hide from her. She'll have such big fit! She'll stomp around the house and probably smack you around." She laughed and looked up at him with such big bright eyes. He had grown so attractive since they last saw each other. He looked so different, so grown up, so beautiful!

"If you feel abused, just tell me and I will come bail you out!" She laughed again and stopped in their walking.

"You know it is so funny you are here! I was just thinking about you the other day." She shook her head almost baffled that this was real. "I am glad you are here. When will you be leaving?"

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro smiled at her words about Hana. How he could remember her face like he had seen her that morning. And Mei-li. How nice she looked. The last time he had seen her, she had been stuck in a marriage she didn't want to be in, with a crazy man she didn't love, in a house that was too big, trying to raise her daughter who needed the father that she didn't have. Jiro remembered feeling so poorly for her. He remembered getting the strangest feeling of wanting to be there for Hana...and for Mei-li.

He had supposed at the time it was just his heart, and paternal instinct kicking in at seeing two people in such a mess. Yet, he had never felt it before, and he hadn't felt it since, and he wondered if maybe it wasn't something different. Of course, Jiro wasn't going to say he liked Mei-li that way--he had a girlfriend! But...Jiro liked Mei-li. He had since he had first known her. She was so kind, so quiet, so interesting. She was a woman who had an opinion and didn't mind speaking it, but knew when to stay quiet and when to voice them. She was grown up, mature, she didn't just open her mouth and shoot things off...like a certain other person Jiro knew. Mei-li was beautiful, not to say that Orange wasn't, she certainly was. But Mei-li was beautiful on one end of the spectrum, while Orange was beautiful on the other end. Mei-li was soft, and graceful. Orange clumsy and adorable. Mei-li was thin, and spread evenly. Orange was short, and easy to sweep up in his arms. Mei-li could accept and appreciate a bouquet of flowers with grace and love. Orange said it wasn't for her and not to worry about it, that she loved you anyway. Jiro could as soon make a decision which was better as he could shoot himself in the face. He liked both women, for vastly different reasons.

"We'll be here for a week," he said, smiling at her. "I'm going to relax and enjoy myself, I am not sure what Orange will do," he said with a sigh and a shrug. Then he looked back over at her. "How long are you planning on staying?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled at him so amazed that he was there and looking at her. It was so wonderful to be talking to him, she was afraid to even say tht for she didn't want to overstep her bounds.

Great! She thought to herself. Jiro was going to be there for a week as was she! How she was ready to jump up and down and celebrate. She somehow refrained.

"A week as well!" Her eyes were so wide with excitement and happiness. Mei-li just wanted to give him another hug and a kiss on the cheek. This trip had taken a turn from good, to great, now it was just unexplainably perfect! They were going to be there for the same amount of time and that gave them enough time to see each other more than once! She'd even meet his girlfriend, although that part wasn't too good for her, but she was happy for Jiro at least.

"This is just fantastic, isn't it?" She shook her head and gave a little laugh. "Maybe we can eat dinner together, hmm?" She hoped he would, even if he brought his girlfriend she'd love to talk to him and see all that had gone on in his life since they last saw one another. Oh it was so long ago and how many times she had thought about him were spreading into infinity.

"If that is okay with you and your girlfriend, of course. Bring her as well, okay? I will buy." She smiled. She just missed him so much that at some other time she might actually have been not so warm to inviting his girl along. Mei-li understood that he was with someone now, someone who probably deserved him and someone who wasn't tied down with a child.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro nodded at her and grinned. How good this felt to have a grown up conversation! He was so ecstatic to see her, there was just nothing that was making him happier right this moment. He couldn't believe that she was standing here in front of him, real, tangible, just as beautiful! He felt like he was in a dream and that any moment he would wake up to Orange's voice telling him that something else wasn't right in thier hotel.

"Yeah, sure!" he exclaimed. "We should have dinner together. Catch up some more," Jiro said. He decidedto skim over the part about Orange coming with them. If he could avoid bringing Orange, he would. He wanted to see Mei-li again just like they were now--alone. He wanted to talk to her about...everything! Anything they could think of he wanted to talk about it with her. These thoughts were just coming out of nowhere, but somehow, they were okay with Jiro!

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked at him and gasped, perhaps a bit too dramatically, but it was just the only way she could react to get her point across even if it wasn't even an act.

"Really?" She said to him happily as if he were just teasing her. Mei-li had never been so sure in all her life that she was still head over heels for Jiro Lawson. There had been something about him that had stuck with her after their bitter departure. How many times she had pondered what her life would have been like had she gone with the family, had she stayed with Jiro. Would she have been happier? Would Hana have been different? The 'what if's' being something she dealt with everyday since she had met the Lawson family.

Now it was like she was being given a second chance, but different from what she had wanted. This was her second chance to remain in contact and be friends. Perhaps she'd be getting an inviation to another Lawson wedding, he and hsi girlfriends! Mei-li, despite her sadness, was ultimately happy for him. Good for him! She thought inside. Jiro was happy and knowing that, Mei-li could be happy, too.

"How about tonight, huh?" She smiled at him hoping he'd say yes. She knew it was sudden and he was there with someone else, but he had to give it to her they hadn't seen each other in such a long time a quick game of catch-up was well in order. "I am not doing anything, it would be so nice to talk to you some more." Her heart beat so fast and she was so nervous! To hear him decline would break her heart, but it would be okay if he promised to at least give her one dinner date.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro perked and thought a moment. He hadn't planned anything for that evening, just hanging around. He grinned wide and nodded emphatically to her.

"Sure, tonight sounds great!" he smiled. "If I show up alone, I guess it'll mean Orange didn't want to come," he said with a shrug. He looked ahead of them and smiled. Maybe Orange wouldn't want to come and butt in on him catching up with an old friend. He wouldn't tell her it was an old flame. Just an old friend. He grinned ot himself. How nice it would be to have dinner with Mei-li and just talk with her, talk about what had all happened since they had left each other. She didn't know about Haruko! That would be something to talk about. He wanted to ask her what she had been doing all this time, and he wanted to apologize again for not coming to see her. He had always meant to, just...life got in the way.

"I'm afraid I don't know any good places around here though," he said, looking at her with an apologetic expression. "I'm hopeless with restaurant hunting."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled so happy that he didn't decline! She suddenly was two seconds away from giving him a hug and thanking him for not killing her! She laughed lightly and nodded.

"It's okay! We can eat here!" She looked around the lobby and frowned, trying to remember where the entrance was. "There is a good one here. Well, so I hear!" She looked up at Jiro and continued to smile to bright that her face was beginning to hurt, but there was no way she was going to stop. Not now. Not while he was there in the fesh. Not while she still had that childlike feeling inside of her that fluttered due to meer puppy love.

"Will you meet me at the restaurant, Jiro? Please?" Suddenly Mei-li was beginning to beg him! She knew that was crossing the line when she couldn't actually understand he had already agreed. He did, didn't he? She let out an embarassed laugh and rubbed her reddened cheek.

"Sorry." She said shyly. "I just really want to talk to you." She was going to scare him off if she wasn't careful. All that time apart had seemed to make her feelings for him grow much stronger than before and now they were forecerfully coming out of her all at once when she herself had never really realized it.

"Six, okay?"

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro nodded thinking a bit. He'd have to ask Orange, but if he beat her, he would be able to go. He wanted to more than anything, he wanted to spend time with her. But he knew if he brought Orange, she would probably ger possessive and ask her all sorts of questions about thier relationship before, like she had done with Ren. He couldn't stand that. He hoped she didn't want to come.

"Yeah, six is wonderful!" he laughed loudly, much more so than he meant to and noticed a few passerby staring at them. He waved and grinned in thier direction, a little embarrassed but too happy to be. He looked back down at Mei-li. "But, promise to give me a ten minute allowance for getting lost, okay?" He asked, laughing. He actually wasn't sure if he would be able to find it, since he had never been here before. But he was willing to give it his best shot.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed lightly when he laughed louder than before. What was it with these two? They were going to be kicked to the curb if they didn't start using their "inside voices". She bit her lower lip and looked around and suddenly she felt the dire need to close some space between them, if that was even possible! She already flet like she were in his personal space, but it was for the best considering they could try to be a little less...obvious to others!

"For you, Jiro," She said lowly. "I'd wait for eternity!" It was a sappy thing to say, but then again her language skills were a bit lowsy. Hopefully that wasn't too strong of a thing to say? Mei-li's face grew red and her heart stopped with fear. Okay, she needed to breathe. She just made some sort of pass on him and he was going to suddenly change his mind. She smiled trying to not seem so shocked that she had even said that!

"I won't order without you."

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro chuckled leaning in a little to hear what she said. When he caught it, his faced reddened slightly. He smiled a little to himself. Why had his stomach turned over when she had said that? Why had his heart fluttered at the words like he was in grade school again and a girl had just given him a peck on the cheek? Why was Mei-li making him feel like this? It was scary but...nice.

"I'm glad," he said back to her, grinning wide at her. "If I don't show by six thirty come to room four fifty-one and smack me!" he said jokingly, but he wouldn't miss this dinner for the world. It was the only thing he wanted to do right now. Right now. He wanted to go with her and eat dinner now and talk more with her. He couldn't bear the thought of leaving her and having to come back later. He didn't want to come back later. But he would so he wouldn't crowd her. He bowed to her slightly.

"I ought to get back to the room and make sure Orange hasn't drowned herself in the hot tub," he said rolling his eyes playfully. Then, on impulse, he leaned down and gave her a small kiss on the cheek, leaning back and smiling. "I'll see you at six, Mei-chan."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li felt herself slightly pushing towards him, her chin being raised a little as if she were expecting to kiss him. Her heart was beating wildly inside of her and her face was burning like Jiro was a fire. She feared to take her eyes off of him for just a split second because it would probably cause her to look at his lips and just dive in without fear, so she suddenly realized that she wasn't going to survive if she didn't back up, just a little.

She watched him bow and she suddenly felt so sad. He was departing. That was something he had taught her when they had first met, bowing was a polite way to do many things that words could not. She smiled knowing taht she would at least see him at six! Mei-li was prepating to leave herself, but he leaned down and gave her a kiss. She let out a tiny gasp and she lifted her hand to where his lips had touched. SHe glanced up at him trying her best to contain the huge smile that was trying to break free of her tiny grin. Her face must've glowed three shades of red by this point. He was smiling at her, which made things much worse, then he confirmed he'd be there. The second he walked away she ran the opposite direction towards her room. Sic was in a few hours and she was going to make sure to do everything to make herself look gorgeous. She knew it was wrong to do this, but she wanted to be a knock out! Wanted so much to fight for his affections.

Mei-li had made it to her room without dying of a heart attack or waking up from this blissful dream. She had closed the door, locked it, then screamed as loud as possible with joy. She shook from head to toe, jumping around like a kangaroo, and waving her hands freely in the air as if she had won some lottery. She let out a sigh once the excitement had been let out as if it had been bottled up for years! WHen she let out a sigh it hit her. She was going to be with Jiro...at dinner. Her stomach flipped. What was she going to wear? How was she to do her hair? What was she going to say? What was she going to do? She had no idea but she knew that a shower was in order.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro walked with happiness all the way back to his room. His walk was sharper, crisper, bouncier. He hadn't felt like this in so long, actually able to let his happiness out. His earlier stew about Orange was gone and all he could think about was Mei-li! The way she talked, smiled, the way she smelled, God, how nice she smelled. He had wanted to just gather her up in his arms right there in the hallway and run away from Naboo with her. Take her and Hana and just go and settled down somewhere and be a--

Whoa, okay, paternal instinct taking over again. It was so odd how when he thought about Hana, he could only think about being a father to her, and when he thought about Mei-li, he could only think about loving her forever, until the day he died.

Suddenly, a very unwanted thought hit him. What if he wasn't with the right one? Everyone talked about the one like it was some sort of all powerful force in one's life, but Jiro didn't think it was all that silly. Taro had found his one in Jesimae. Haruko had found his in Asher. But had Jiro found his in Orange Diren? Most of the time, he had to act like a different person around her because she didn't really understand him that well. And he knew she acted around him because he didn't understand her that well. They got along alright, and the sex wasn't anything to scoff at, but it wasn't just about getting along and having sex. It was about being able to talk to one another about things that really bothered you. Being able to bitch about what some stupid person said to you in town that day. It was about laying down in bed one night and just holding them close and snuggling. It was about being able tell them what was on your mind about them without them getting offended. It was about so many more things that what Jiro was suddenly feeling his relationship with Orange was based on. He didn't know how ten minutes with Mei-li Yeh could make him think like this. It was ridiculous! He loved Orange, loved her more than anything and he was happy. Happy with her...wasn't he?

He reached thier room again in a somewhat stumped fashion, unable to come to a solid conclusion. When he opened the door, he looked in glancing around.

"Orange?"

[Orange Diren]

Orange heard Jiro and she quickly turned from leaning over the bathtub and walked out of the bathroom with a towel on her head, scrubbing her wet hair furiously.

"Hey! Did you have a good walk?" She stopped rubbing and let it fall on her shoulder, the wet strangs dripping onto her tank top she had thrown on a few moments ago after taking a blissful bath. "I was looking at the little pamphlet on the hotel, they have off track betting on pod racing!" She smiled happily as she pointed at the object laying out on the bed.

"I know this is our trip and everything, but....do you think I could go tonight? It is at 5:00 and it lasts a few hours. I promise I will make it up to you, if you say yes!" She walked over to him so sad that she was already doing things to cause separation, but this had been a vacation and while Jiro pranced around looking at flowers and what not she could watch some racing. "Pretty please?" She looked at him and prayed he'd say yes!

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro looked at her a moment, hurt slightly that she wanted to be away from him. But he shrugged, remembering that this meant he could be alone with Mei-li. Meaning no Orange to give her the Spanish Inquisition. He walked around her and into the bedroom, crouching down to go through the clothes he had brought, wondering what would be good for a nice dinner. He shrugged again.

"Your vacation," he said, pulling out his favorite pair of jeans--they were ripped, but had white cloth under the holes that had Japanese written in black lettering. He dug around another moment, glancing back at Orange. "I'll be out, too, so don't call the room if you need me. Call my com," he said absentmindedly, pulling out a black dress shirt that was floppy and broken in and fit him perfectly. It even had white trimming on the sleeves and the neck to match the cloth in the jeans. This was what he wanted to wear, along with his big clunky boots, because he liked the way they looked with flared jeans. He folded them up and laid them on the bed, along with his shoes.

Grabbing a towel, he went past Orange again to go to the bathroom. He smiled.

"I'll be in the shower if you need me."

[Orange Diren]

Orange frowned and turned to watch him start taking out clothes, nice clothes at that. He was going out too? Suddenly she wondered if perhaps she had made a mistake on even coming on this trip.

"Jiro, don't get all huffy!" She said to him even though he was smiling. He didn't really say anything in response, he just went into the bathroom and closed the door. Orange stood there for a moment wondering what had gotten into him. Fine, if he was going out, then she was going out all night. She was tired of this cat and mouse game anyway. Nobody was getting along anymore, something was going to set someone off and she wasn't wanting to be there when it happened.

"Fine." She said in a huff. "I'll see you later then." She walked into the bedroom and grabbed some cargo pants and threw her towel on the bed and grabbed a key and walked out of the room, slamming the door purposely as she exited. What good was this damn trip? She could've been home with grease all over her and sweat dripping off her nose and getting killer credits. But no! She was stuck in a hotel she did not like, doing things that did not suit her, and being with a man who was suddenly getting on her nerves.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro did something very childish and stuck his tongue out at the door when he heard her slam the door shut. Then he did something worse and mocked her like a child. It was very immature and Jiro never did it but at that moment Orange was suddenly souring his good mood. He shook his head, turning on the shower and getting in, feeling the hot water run over his body. How nice this felt.

He wanted to stay there all day, let all his worries run off of him. But he knew that staying in the shower wasn't going to cure Orange Diren. He quickly washed his hair and and body and got out, drying and going into the bedroom. He quickly dressed, making sure that everything was perfect. He looked at the clock. He still had over and hour and a half to finish getting ready, he needed to slow down. Everything was going to be fine. Now that Orange was out of his hair.

Speaking of Orange, Jiro moved to her duffel bag, digging inside and helping himself to her blow dryer and hair curler. He usually didn't do anything with his hair, but he figured this was a special enough occassion. He dried his thick, tipped red, hair and then curled it just slightly on the ends to make it flip out. Not too much, but just enough to give a hint. He ran a little gel through it and stepped back. He didn't look half bad, comparatively speaking.

Moving to the bedside stand he got a peice of paper and wrote Orange a not just in case she got back before him which was unlikely. He told her if he wasn't in the room, then he had probably gone out with his friend to the gardens or into the city and would be back later, to ring his com if she needed him, that he loved her, and he would see her later. It was the shortest note he had ever written her. Usually, his notes gave her detailed descriptions of where he would be so she wouldn't freak and think he was cheating on her or something. But he didn't really care what she thought from this note. She didn't want to be here, he did. He could have fun even if she didn't want to. She could sit in the room and pout for all he cared. Hell, she could buy a ticket and go back to Coruscant if it would make her happy. She had grown up with men, and she would always belong with men. He wondered then, how she couldn't appreciate the things they did for the women they loved. How she couldn't understand that this was a desperate move to save thier relationship and how she was chewing it up, jumping on it, and throwing it back in his face.

Sighing, he tossed the note and pen onto the stand and sat on the bed. What a mistake this had been...no, not a mistake, because it had brought him to Mei-li again and Mei-li to him. He felt a warmth inside of him simply thinking about her. He couldn't wait to see her again, even though he had just seen her.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li stood contorting her mouth as she moved from the right to the left, growling angered that she hadn't thought of bringing something a bit more nicer to wear. All her skirts were to the knee, had cute floral designs, were bright blues, pinks, and purples...she never had anything sultry or sexy!

"Because yo uare a frumpy mother!" She said stomping her foot like Hana did whenever she didn't get her way. She stared at herself in the mirror a bit disappointed. The red wavy skirt was going to have to do for the night. She was grumpy that the only thing that looked half attractive was a sophisticated white halter top shirt that she wore whenever she did something at Hana's school. It was professional, showed class, and wasn't offensive. Mei-li whined to herself as she shut the closet door. She wanted to be offensive! She wanted to feel sexy! Not like a mother with a five year old daughter who had lost all sex appeal and was now viewed as a miraculous house wife! She just wanted cleavage, legs, sex! Anything to turn heads instead of having men stare and go 'aww, cute.' Why couldn't she be hot for a change?

Mei-li let her sudden fit slide off of her. She wasn't sexy, she wasn'y sultry, she was just a mother with motherly clothes. She grabbed a hair brush and quickly ran her hands through the thick mane wondering if she should cut her long hair. It was to her back now, and it was so hot when she was back on Coruscant! Perhaps cutting it would make her look a bit younger? She groaned and grabbed a decorative chop stick and pulled her hair up in a nice french twist, forcing it to look messy, yet sophistically so. She checked her make-up, or lack there of, and figured that a dab of blush and some colored eyeshadow would do the trick, but she decided to at least put something on her lips. She grabbed her bag and put a dark red on and touched a dab of gloss to her bottom lip. At least something would look sexy.

Mei-li was suddenly annoyed at herself for trying to turn a man on who had a girlfriend. It was pointless. She grabbed her small purse and slipped on her wedge sandals and headed out the door, hearing her com ringing within her purse. She grabbed it and looked at the number. She closed the door as she smiled while answering it.

"Ni hoa! How is my little Hana!" She moved down the hall and hoped she wasn't too early, or too late.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro puffed his cheeks out as he slid into the seat at the restaurant. As fate would have it, he had arrived there before her after realizing that he had been wearing a track in the carpet from pacing nervously back and forth. This was the first "date" he had been to in ages. He had never gone on dates with Orange, and before Orange, the only person who he had gone on a date with was Ren, and that had been more than a year before he met Orange.

He was uncomfortable being so nervous about this. It was friendly, Mei-li was a friend. If she's just a friend, why did you dress so nice? And put on a little cologne? said a little voice in his head. He sighed. He was just looking nice to go to a nice place. He didn't want to look like an It when he went somewhere nice. Yet when he thought about that fact that he was going to be here with Mei-li, his stomach flipped sickeningly. He was going to hurl, even though he was hungry.

Jiro sat back and tried to get comfortable, telling the waitor that he was waiting for someone and to come back in a few moments.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed lightly as she stepped out of the elevator, Hana talking away in her ear going a mile a minute. Mei-li let out a sigh as she turned the corner seeing the entrance to the restaurant. Her heart was beating so fast! What was going to happen? How was she supposed to take this as? A date? A friendly dinner? She didn't know exactly, but she did know what she wanted it to be! She bit her lower lip, listening to Hana blab about how 'dissappointed' she had been at her Mom for taking her media player.

"I know, baby! I will get you something nice to make up for it, promise!" Mei-li sighed and rolled her eyes giggling as she walked into the restaurant, her eyes scanning the place quickly and suddenly seeing Jiro sitting by himself. How lonely and pitiful it looked. She frowned and looked at the phone. "Hana, I have something for you now." She told her daughter to hang on and she immediately jogged over to him. She put the phone on mute and smiled.

"Ji-" Before she could even finish her sentence she was tripping on her thick soled shoe and falling flat on her butt. She realized that she had not only fallen in front of God and everyone, but she had just fallen in front of Jiro! How embarassing! Mei-li looked up at him and wondered for a moment if she had just done that. Her legs sprawled in front of her, purse beside her and her comlink still in her hand. Without much thought she burst out into laughter, the pain quickly running up her spine.

"Ah!" She said as she tried to move from her position on the floor.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro jumped from his seat, crouching down next to her and taking her arm, helping her to her feet. Jiro couldn't help but smile a little. How adorable she was. When he got her up, he leaned towards her, trying to see her face that was quite pink.

"Oh, Mei-chan, are you okay?" he asked, going behind her and retreiving her purse from the floor, making sure everything was in tact and laying it on the table, taking her arm and sitting her down. "Are you alright?" he repeated, but he got distracted. Terribly distracted. By her dress, the halter top, the red lips, the messy hair, the chop stick, the pink cheeks, the legs, the feet, the hands, everything about her glowed and suddenly Jiro was speechless. He had never seen a woman look more beautiful in...anything. She wasn't showing a bit of cleavage, or anything most people would define as sexy, yet to Jiro she was the sexiest woman in the restaurant and he couldn't believe she was sitting across from him. He found his mouth slightly ajar and quickly closed it, sliding into his own seat across from her, licking his lips, trying to still his heart that was going a million miles a second. He shook his head, trying to rid it of its blankness, and he chuckled a little.

"Are you okay?" he asked stupidly.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed louder than when she had realized she fell. Her butt was hurting, but she could nothing but laugh at herself and her clumsiness. She was now becoming embarassed when she suddenly allowed her brain to get the oxygen she was depriving it of by laughing. She had just been laid out in front of Jiro! She let her laugh drain and she put a hand over her warm cheek.

"Y-yes." She repsonded trying to not look at him for a moment, the embarassment still too deep. She gathered her compusure quickly and let out a sigh, glancing around to see a few people holding back their snickers and looking at her as if she were such an idiot. She looked back at Jiro and smiled. "Mind if we go somewhere else?" She kidded as she shook her head and laughed lightly.

"I think that topped the worst case scenarios, yeah?" She frowned and moved slightly in her chair trying to get her bum to feel a bit better. "Sorry! I must have embarassed you as well." She groaned when she looked at the phone. "Hang on." She smiled at Jiro and unmuted the comlink.

"Guess what I just did?" She looked at Jiro as she heard Hana talk. She wasn't really listening and for her that was a first! Somehow, Jiro had just taken her by surprise. His face was just so beautiful, much more so than she remembered. His hair was styled to perfection, his ripped jeans that were so stylish and hip that fit him so well, his shirt...oh he was perfection. Walking, talking, breathing, living perfection. She felt her face grow red, redder than before! She looked away shyly and glanced at the table.

"Mommy fell on her bum, in a restaurant!" Hana laughed loudly and she pulled the com away from her ear and glanced up at Jiro and smiled brightly. "Here, I have someone you might want to talk to!" She handed the com out to Jiro with such a smile that could never have been mistaken for anything but love.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro took the com, still wide eyed at how beautiful Mei-li looked. He smiled and put it to his ear, listening for a moment before winking at Mei-li.

"I'm sorry, who is this?" he asked, as if he didn't know. On the other end he heard Hana throw a fit. A fit of laughter and few "Jiro, Jiro, Jiro!"s and a lot of laughing to which he could only respond by laughing back. He grinned wide at Mei-li. How nice it was to talk to Hana again. "How's my little girl?" he asked. She began to talk a mile a minute, telling him about what she had done since they had last seen each other, and had he gotten the pictures she sent, and why hadn't he written or called her, and have you missed me, and I want to see you and other things, some of which Jiro couldn't make out. He grinned when Hana finally seemed to run out of breath and asked him what he was doing.

"Oh, nothing, just being sad without you," he said, and Hana giggled on the other end. Really, she asked him and Jiro laughed. "Of course, Hana-chan! I am never happy unless you are with me!" he heard her laugh gleefully again and then he sighed. "Alright, sweetie, I am going to give you back to mommy, okay?" he asked. He heard Hana whine then accept, and tell him she loved him. Jiro grinned. "I love you too, sweetie. Here's mommy." He reached the com back over to Mei-li giving her a look that told her how taken he was with her daughter. How he loved that little girl like it was his own.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed happily at the scene unfolding in front of her. Although it was filling her daughter with happiness, a sudden sadness sunk deep within Mei-li. Her smiled was beginning to fade as she leaned her chin on her hand, staring at Jiro laughing and talking into the com. He had called her his little girl! He had used ownership over the little girl on the otherside of the connection. She wanted to bask in the moment for what it appeared to be. It appeared to outsiders as a happy family. Which was making the pain inside hard to bare.

Mei-li was playing mother with Hana, and doing such a fine job, but she was also having to be a father. How hard it was to take on two jobs at once. Things that Mei-li had grown up with her daughter was missing. Hana was missing a father figure, a Daddy, she was missing out on getting away with certain things that her Dad would allow her to get away with. Hana wasn't a Daddy's girl, she was just Mei-li's. How would she ever know how much someone loved her when they didn't threaten to send her to a convent so she'd never marry? How would she know how to stick up for herself? How would she ever know what it was like to live with a man? What it was like to be able to hug her Daddy and have him read her bedtime stories. Who would carry her to bed when she fell asleep next to them? How would she ever...

Mei-li felt her lip quiver. She was putting too much thought into something not worth thinking of at that moment. She just guessed it was how she tried to make everything perfect for Hana, how she wanted the world for her and so much more. How easy it was to see Jiro fulfill such a role. Mei-li knew that Hana taked about him constantly, wanted to see him all the time, and missed giving him hugs. How she retained such information, Mei-li would never know, but she wasn't doubting she remembered it because she had never received it from her own father who meant as much to her dead as he did when he was living.

She cleared her throat and pretended to be fine as sher heard Jiro talk to Hana, followed by her laughter. She looked up at Jiro as he said good-bye, followed by an I love you, too, sweetie. Mei-li grabbed the phone and bit back the urge to excuse herself to the bathroom. If Jiro only knew.

"Hi baby." Mei-li said with a smile. She laughed and felt that ball crawling higher in her throat. "No, baby. Jiro isn't coming back with me." How come it hurt her so much to tell that to her daughter.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro watched Mei-li tell Hana that Jiro wasn't going back with her. And suddenly, Jiro felt like that was a lie. Jiro wanted nothing more than to go back with Mei-li at the end of this week. Go back with her and stay with her. Be with her and Hana forever. He wanted to take care of them, show them love they needed. He wanted to give Hana a father and Mei-li...he wanted to give her a husband. Give her a life she had never known with Jabari. He wanted all these things so suddenly that when Mei-li hung up the com link, he wanted to rewind and tell Hana that he would be home in a week with his wife, her mother, Mei-li, and that he would bring something back for his favorite daughter. To which Hana would of course respond, I'm your only daughter. It was a scenerio he could so easily envision happening. And it hurt that it wasn't like that.

For a moment after Mei-li hung up Jiro didn't say anything. He was thinking about Mei-li. Thinking about all of this. Everything that had happened since they first met. Everything in between then and now. Somehow, his feelings for her had not changed. He had not realized it, but they had only grown stronger. Finally he looked up at her and slid his hand across the table, laying his hand over hers, holding it gently.

"You look beautiful, tonight, Mei-li," he said quietly, giving her a smile he had reserved for her, and only her. He leaned back and swallowed back his thoughts, trying not to think of how hard it would be to walk away from her at the end of this week and return to his normal life with Orange. "Thanks for letting me talk to her."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked at the hand that covered hers....perfectly. She kept a very tiny smile on her face as her trace his hand then up his arm to his face. He was leaning back in his chair and all she could do was stare. This was a very bittersweet moment for her, she was enjoying being with Jiro yet at the same time it was literally killing second by second. She looked at his hand that had not moved and it reminded her of the time he had helped her off the walking path in her garden and how they had not let go after she was walking stable alongside of him. Why hadn't she just grabbed Hana and go? Why couldn't she had just left everything she had behind to start a life that woudld have been more fulfilling than the one she was living now.

"Thank you." She said lowly, her eyes trying their best to tear up. She looked up at Jiro and smiled brightly as if nothing was wrong, which really there wasn't she was just letting her feelings get the best of her. "I feel like I should be at a parent-teacher meeting." She sighed out enjoying the moment. She was with Jiro after being apart, Hana had gotten talk to him, it was a great moment. A dream come true.

"Yes." She said to his thanks. "Hana always talks about you. I knew that if I let her speak to you she'd not be mad at me for leaving her behind and taking her media player." She laughed and allowed it to fade. "She is now going to be infuriated at me that I didn't bring her because I ran into you." She smiled again, unable to do anything else for seeing Jiro was just like hearing you won the lottery over and over again.

"Where is your girlfriend?" She raised her eyes as she asked the question. It was logical and she knew that she couldn't ignore the fact that he was unavailable.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro sighed out, squinting one eye and laughing slightly. Oh, that was territory he didn't want to stray to, but he knew that he should tell her why his significant other wasn't there. He shrugged slightly.

"She wanted to...go see pod races," he said, laughing at how strange that sounded. He shook his head. "I don't think she likes here at all." He sighed heavily, thoughts of his girlfriend falling heavily on his heart. He didn't know what he was going to about her. But he didn't want to talk about it. He shrugged again. "I don't know about her," he said trying to make it sound lighter than it was--when it was truly a big problem. He smiled up at her and sighed, then looked around.

"It's nice in here. I didn't know this place had a restaurant in it," he said with a chuckle, scratching his head a little. "I guess I didn't read about it thoroughly enough."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled and nodded. "Pod races, hmm." She allowed both her nod and her smile to fade as he proclaimed that the girl didn't like it very much. This made her a bit mad. Who couldn't love it here? It was so full of beautiufl things like artwork, flowers, even the building was a work of art! She saw him change the subject and she quickly got the drift. Girlfriends were not to be discussed. All Mei-li could think was THANK GOD!

"I saw it earlier today. I don't think they mention it." She smiled at him trying to make him feel like he had read everything perfectly! She knew that building him up was flattering to a man, but making him appear flawaless could get very annoying. She knew she was going to not say anything like that again. She leaned forward and spoke quickly, unable to really contain her excitement.

"You know they have Japanese garden here?" She made a little tiny happy noise that sounded much like a squeal, yet not so piercing. She wanted to bounce in her seat, but settled to slightly moving her feet with joy under the table. "They have um...periodical showers!" She realized he'd not understand that for he didn't seem like a botanical garden and greenhouse kind of man. She looked around as if this were some big secret, but she was just wanting to make her excitement known to him only.

"You can walk around the garden and at a certain time they fake rainstorm! They have lightening flashes, rolling thunder, and then...boom! Water falling on you!" She laughed lightly and rolled her eyes. "They figured, I guess, it makes people feel like they are actually walking around in an exotic place rather than a hotel." She sighed out. How dorky she was!

"Isn't that neat!" She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Sorry. That must be boring to you! I thought it was funny. Romantic too. Just imagine if you got caught in artificial rain storm."

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro laughed. This was what two people should do. Talk to each other about what interested them. And because it interested Mei-li and she thought it important to share with him, it made it important to him. He glanced to the entrance and grinned. That was interesting, he didn't know of any places like that on Coruscant. He shook his head.

"No, that is really cool!" he said, genuinely meaning. He smiled. Orange talked about things, but when Orange and Jiro talked they spoke a lot of words but nothing was ever said. Yet, now Jiro knew in just a couple sentances what interested Mei-li, and they were actually getting information about each other. He enjoyed it already and they had barely said anything to each other. He looked back at Mei-li and smiled a little.

"Maybe when we are finished eating, we can walk through," he smiled at her. "If you like?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li leaned back and looked at him with seriousness, an action people said Hana had gotten from her whenever she was surprised, for Mei-li was so dramatic in her actions about everything. Which was why she still had that childish charm.

"Yeah?" She said leaning her head forward almost as if he were putting her on. THen she smiled. "Yeah!" She laughed and nodded. "That would be so much fun, don't you think?" She scrunched her nose and smiled. "Yeah." She was almost surprised he didn't scoff at it, that was something only true romantics liked. It made her really happy to hear him suggest a walk. Jabari would have just laughed and called her stupid. It was great change.

"So, tell me everyhing, Jiro." She said with all seriousness inside of her. "I want to know what happened when you went back. I was so happy to have met you all it so sad to see you leave." You, in particular Jiro! How she wanted to just scream that at him! If she had a dollar for everytime she thought about how he was, what he was doing...she'd be the richest woman in the Universe.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro thought a moment back to when they parted. He shook his head, trying to sort it all out. He leaned on the table slightly remembering the last time he saw her.

"Well," he began, squinting one eye and thinking another moment. "We went to this port and that's where I met Orange," he said thinking about that ship ride. It had been more like a carnival ride for all the ups and downs that had happened on the ship. "A lot of stuff happened on that trip that you don't want to know about!" he laughed. "We got back to Coruscant...got attacked by a long lost brother..." he grinned at her. "His name is Haruko, and he's got Disociative Personality Disorder. He's on medication now, and we went to his home, and met our father after nearly fourteen years for me..." he paused, trying to just hit the high points, which was a hard task considering they were Lawsons. He shook his head. "Our father passed away and we met up with two half-brothers on Tattooine, and also Asher Perez, who is now Haruko's girlfriend. We went back to Coruscant, Taro proposed...Orange and I broke up...and I started dating someone else..." Jiro sighed. "He and I broke up and Orange I got back together...Taro and Jes got married, Haruko had a few break outs, Orange and I drifted apart, and now I'm here!" he exclaimed the last part like it was some triumph. Which going over all of it like that, it sure did feel like it. He groaned, running a hand over his forehead like he was sweating.

"Trouble follows the Lawsons like a lost puppy!" he said through a laugh. Then he looked at her. "What about you? What have you been up to?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li leaned her chin on her knuckles, her full attention on him like a magnificent student being taught the ways of the world. She found the story exciting, though relatively short on the details, she could only imagine the chaos that he had spoke of. So they had another brother! Fabulous! She was stuck on the disorder for she wasn't sure as to what that was. She figured she'd ask a little later for he was still talking about how he hooked up and broke up, followed by engagements and many loves. The ending was a bit sad, poor Jiro was probably taking this trip as a last effort to fix a abroken relationship. And she was there only aiding to the problems, probably. She felt a pain of guilt, but knew it was a free country and that they weren't doing anything shameful. Two old friends catching up.

He groaned and she smiled, the noise sounding so cute coming out of him. He wiped his forehead. She did nothing to give him a response except stare with a smile.

"Sounds so exciting!" She said after a long pause of being lost in his words and his beautiful eyes. She leaned off her knuckles and shrugged her shoulder glancing at the neatly folded napkin to push it backwards and forwards for a moment as if it were helping her tell the story.

"Well, it isn't as exciting, I have to admit." She smiled and looked up at Jiro and put her hands in her lap. "After you left I realized that it wasn't safe here." She looked around suddenly paranoid and then leaned forward again.

"Jabari's following..." She shook her head and slit her eyes. "They think I kill him. Hana and I had to leave to be safe. I figured we could move to Coruscant, the melting pot of the Universe, yeah?" She sighed out and realized that perhaps it didn't have many happenings but it was just as stressful. "I enrolled Hana in school and I buy a nice apartment. We got a lot of money from Jabari so we are doing well, but I didn't want to sit around doing nothing." She smiled when seh realized this was the most exciting part of her story.

"I got a job teaching science at Hana's school. She is a straight A student and she has a good eye for photography. Although it looks funny, it very good." She couldn't stop smiling. She had been dying to tell this story to Jiro for ages it seemed, she had even recited it to herelf many times as if she were actually telling him. Above all, she wanted Jiro to know about Hana and how she was doing for she always had this connection with him, almost as if she looked up to him to be a father figure Hana never had.

"She doesn't do well in english, so I help her out. She is so smart Jiro! She can name all the planets and their moons and suns, the different mid rims and sectors in the Universe." Mei-li laughed and stopped talking feeling shy once more. "I am a prideful mother." She smiled and looked around then back to Jiro.

"Anyway! We got settled and after while I made a few friends and I figured it was time to pick up the pieces of my past. So...I come here." She let out a gentle sigh and she slightly slumped her shoulders as if a weight had just been lifted, which actually it had. Jiro had been the only person to know about her past and her abusive relationship with her husband. To tell him how well the were doing made her so happy for she always knew he'd care. Well, she didn't actually know, she always insinuated, but after seeing him again and having him talk to Hana she felt her guess had been correct all along.

"That just about covers it." She said after a long paused as she tried to remember if she left anything out. But she came to the conclusion that she hadn't and that she had told Jiro everything.

"Now I am sitting here having a great time at a great hotel, having a good dinner with an even better man...except... that graceful entrance into the restaurant...that didn't happen!" She laughed lightly and felt her cheeks pinken yet again.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro watched her as she talked, listening to every word that came from that pretty red mouth. He felt a smile on his lips as she spoke about Hana and how well she did in school, except for Basic, which Jiro himself had had a problem with when he had been young. He could relate to that. And even if Hana's photography didn't seem like much, Jiro knew she could become a better photographer if given the proper encouragement and mentoring. Jiro could see her as a young woman someday, a famous photographer.

For a moment he was caught in that thought. He could so easily see wonderful things for Hana. After all, her mother was so wonderful herself, that Jiro couldn't help but see Hana becoming something great. Even Jiro felt proud of what Mei-li was telling him, even though he hadn't been there for it, and wasn't her father. He felt a swell of pride and happiness.

Science? Well, Jiro had never been good at science. Actually, come to think of it, Jiro hadn't ever been good at really anything but pick pocketing. But hearing that Mei-li had begun teaching, and was happy at doing that made Jiro happy. Just knowing that she was happy, made him doubly so. He didn't get the feeling, he just knew that it was there.

He laughed again at her mention of the fall earlier. She didn't realize how appealing that had been. Unlike so many other women in that day and age, she wasn't perfect in every way. Well, to Jiro she was. But she had a child, she was slightly clumsy, a little louder than most. Just for her child alone, Jiro knew a lot of people would think that meant she was past her prime. But in Jiro's opinion, she had just hit it. She had always seemed perfect to him. He never wanted her any other way. Just like she was and he was glad. He shook his head and shrugged at her, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs under the table.

"The only thing I saw was a beautiful woman walk into the restaurant," he said with a small smile. "More graceful than anyone else here."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled at his opinion on the matter and her reaction was to look down and grin bashfully. She looked up at him after a moment and laughed lightly.

"Oh I know, I had practiced earlier after seeing you." She joked and suddenly understood what it was like to have a good date that was filledwith laughter and happiness. Jiro always made her happy even when she hadn't seen him in ages thinking of him brought a smile to her face, always.

"I'm sorry. I just read you the book of my life now didn't I?" She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I have a tendency to do that at times. I am around children who do nothing but chatter all day I have begun to pick it up myself." She laughed again. She looked at Jiro suddenly unable to talk. Why hadn't he tried to contact her? Why hadn't she been able to gather the courage to go find him? She was almost positive that her life would have been much better if he were in it. After all it was going swimmingly well at the moment.

"How come I didn't go with you, Jiro?" Mei-li didn't think it would hurt to let her thoughts spill out. It was something she did regret and had thought of taking back so many times. "I got along with you so well when I met you." She looked at him and smiled innocently. What all could have happened if she had gone?

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro looked down at his hands folded in his lap. He couldn't answer that question for her. He didn't know. He could even say why he hadn't held onto her, why he hadn't asked her to come with him, stay with him. He felt like they had much more than gotten along. He felt...

"I don't know, Mei," he said, looking back up at her. He shook his head. Then he nodded. "We did get along..." he muttered, and sighed. "I guess life got in our way. So much happened to us. I wish we hadn't fallen apart like we did..." he shook his head. Life had gotten in the way. All kinds of things had gotten in Jiro's way. Life, Haruko, Ren, Taro...Orange. So many things had drawn him away from everything he had wanted at the time. He didn't think he would ever be able to make up for it. He wished he had had the brains at the time to grab Mei-li and never let go of her.

But now, as they had met in the hotel spontaneously, it was like he was being given a second chance to take something great when it came along. And not many times had he been given that chance. He smiled a little.

"I'll have to make a better effort to hold onto you this time around."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked at him almost a bit shocked to have actually heard him say that. Was he serious or was he just teasing her? How good that sounded! What if they were given just one more chance to make things right, wouldn't it have been great? But there wasn't a second chance, well as long as he had a girlfriend. She smiled and bowed slightly, embarassed yet again.

"Yes." She responded lowly. She glanced around and wondered what she was going to eat. Actually she wasn't even hungry not after he insisted that they go walk around in the gardens like he had suggested. It was so neat to have soemoen with the same interests and the same humor and the same kind of love for Hana that she had. It was rare to even get a date these days now that she was a mother, who wanted to be stuck with that kind of baggage?

"We will keep in touch this time around. I don't think I Hana would let me live it down if we didn't. Neither would I. This is like...so great! Seeing you again, I mean! How funny it is we are here at the same time, yeah?"

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro laughed, putting a hand to his mouth to hide it. He nodded at her, fiddling with his napkin in his lap. He didn't exactly know how they would. But he would take every measure. He would get her address on Coruscant, her com number, he would find out where she worked, he would hunt her down so that they didn't fall out of touch again. Jiro had realized how much he had missed her until he had seen her again.

"Yes, we have to," he agreed. He knew Hana. She really wouldn't let Mei-li live it down if she didn't do this certain something. But Jiro would always find them. Now that he knew they were on Coruscant, he could easily find them and see them from time to time...maybe more often. Then he grinned.

"It must mean something!" he said through a laugh. "You know, like a sign!"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked at him with her head tilted, the breif moment of silence giving her the opportunity to actually allow herself to think of all the things she had missed about Jiro Lawson after their depatrue that felt like decades ago. How long had it actually been? A year? Two? Two and a half? It slightly annoyed her that the day she made the biggest mistake of her life wasn't embedded in the depths of her mind. Even so, it still felt like it happened yesterday and she had done nothing but dwelled on the bad decision. So many things could have been different! Mei-li's excitement probably showed when her mind found that thought. Just think, there could have been two weddings instead of one! She could be a Lawson, just as her sister-in-law. Hana could have had the father she wanted and needed. They might have even allowed Hana to have a brother or sister. She smiled to herself as she glanced down at her lap where her hands were placed, her nervous habit suddenly attacking her and causing her to rub her hands together in many ways. She looked up at Jiro to see him moving his hand from his mouth, grinning at her. Her heart fluttered at the sight of it, how she had remembered that smile, that laugh, that smile, of Jiro had so many traits that she remembered every time she closed her eyes to go to sleep. Hana also helped her remember him, she'd talk about him all the time, whine and complain and ask questions as to why they didn't go with them, or how he was, or why he never wrote her letters. But the one thing that always hurt Mei-li was when she'd put Hana to bed and she'd tell her how bad she wanted Jiro to read her a bed time story. Another incident that always killed her was when Hana would randomly tell her that she missed Jiro and wished he was there, especially when she woke up crying and fearng monsters. Although Mei-li would would chase them away, it would have kept them away longer had Jiro been the one to force them away.

"It must mean something! You know, like a sign!" The words brought Mei-li to reality and again she saw his beautiful face and again she grinned bashfully. His words ran over her and it gave her a slight shiver. What if it was? What if...this whole urge to go to Naboo was a certain action that Buddha had been a part of. Maybe he had conjured the old feelings for him inside of her and wanted her to go now so she could see him, so she could...change what had happened. Maybe Buddha was wanting to give her another shot and allow her to make the right decision. But what if it was just coincidence? He was, after all, there with his girlfriend. Who isn't enjoying this trip! Mei-li's conscience was screaming at her to get it right, to go for it, to tell him that she still thought of him at ever little incident, every night, that she regretted never leaving with them. Sadly, she was too tactful. She couldn't do something that would cause strife in a relationship, that could end a relationship. Mei-li couldn't be the other woman.

"Perhaps." She said to him after a pause too long. "That would be nice." Mei-li bit her lip in punishmemt for trying to be bolder than she was. Her luck, it was going to backfire. Jiro was just trying to make her feel better! she laughed lightly and waved a hand in front of her. "I mean, it would be nice...if...if..it were true!" She just needed to shut up. She couldn't lie very well and she definitely couldn't cover her butt if she needed to. Which was why she always stayed away from making those kinds of decisions. One thing she wished she could stray away from was being so truthful that it hurt people and hurt situations, much like the one she was in now.

Great! Freak him out, Mei-li! Freak him out. Ruin even having a friendship.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro watched her for a long time while she was silent. For a moment, he wondered what it would have been like if she had accompanied them to Coruscant. Would they have even stopped at the port? Would Jiro have been attracted to Orange at all? Or vice versa? Would Jiro have even come off the ship to hear her blaring Malice Mizer with her red pigtails bobbing about her head, her face covered with grease? Jiro couldn't help but get a warm feeling when thinking about the first time he had laid eyes on his girlfriend. She had been so cute, so funny, so bold, so different. She had showed him things he had never known--both emotionally and physically. Jiro had learned so much from Orange. But over time it felt like she had tired of him. Like she had been in it for the sex and now that she had done him, she was ready to move onto someone else.

Jiro was sad about that. He was sad that thier relationship had come down to him and this last ditch effort to save everything he had wanted for them. But it was slowly going down the drain, and he knew that soon Orange was going to be out of his grasp for good. He wouldn't be able to hold onto her, she would slip through his fingers and they would finally say goodbye.

Jiro figured he had always known that he and Orange wouldn't work. From the fights, and the misunderstandings. But ever since one day...how long ago had it been? At least two months. That one day, she had said something to him and he hadn't answered her with an "Okay, Orenji!". He had answered her with a "Whatever you say, Orange." It had been the same day when he had called her Orenji for the last time. That girl was gone now. The sweet, funny, caring girl. Now she was irritable, mouthy, unfeeling. Jiro would lay in bed next to her sometimes and just wonder what happened to the little redhead that he fell in love with.

Now that he was with Mei-li again, his feelings for her were as evident as ever. From the day he had left her until now, the strong sensation of love he had had for her when they first met had gone dormant out of her presence. And now it was back like it had never left. He just...he didn't know what to do about it.

Mei-li's words reminded him of where he was and he laughed when she tried to cover up what she had said. He lickedh is lips.

"It must be, right?" he said quietly. "I mean...everything happens for a reason. At least, that's what I think."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed lightly and felt her face grow three shades of bright red. Was it really? Coud she start over? Could things have just taken awhile to happen? Could it be fate? Could their lives have taken a wrong turn and now it was time for them to get on the right track? One thing Mei-li wanted to say was yes, that it was true, that they were both there because Buddha wanted them to be together. They were supposed to be with each other, if not then then now!

"Jiro?" Mei-li frowned softly and scooted to the edge of her chair. SO she wasn't a bold girl, but she was a girl who coudl get to the bottom of things in a manner that wasn't too over the edge or tacky. "Do you believe in fate? Do you believe that...we were both needing to be here for, not just the reasons we think, but because of something else?" She wondered if he thought she was stupid or just allowing imaginary precognative things to take the place of reality. Somehow, Mei-li just wanted to know how he felt on the matter.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro watched her a moment. Did he believe in fate? Yes, he did. Well, he beleived that things happened for a reason and that there was an ultimate end to everyone's twists, turns, ups and downs. Did he believe he was supposed to be here for more than that he was trying to recover his relationship? Maybe he was supposed to be there to end his relationship. Maybe he was there because Buddha had wanted he and Mei-li to meet again.

"Well," he said, thinking about it. He chewed his lip a moment before nodding. "Yes. I think that there is a reason we are here. I don't think it's coincidence," he said, letting the words tumble out. I think we are supposed to start again! he wanted to yell. But he kept his cool and smiled at her, nodding again. "Yeah, I think so."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled and suddenly got an urge of excitement. Thankfully he felt the same was she did, except seh felt something else was in play other than just a friendly get together.

"Me too!" She said happily. She felt silly for being so lively and quick about responding, but it was unable to control at this moment. Mei-li sat back realizing her sudden closeness to Jiro. So close, in fact, she got a whiff of his cologne. God, did it smell good! She looked around and let out a laugh realizing that she had just told Jiro that she came back to Naboo because of something other than closing a chapter in life. She was saying she was there because she was to be with Jiro, yet she wasn't vocally. God, could she get up the nerve to just say that? It was so easy to be with him and she actually thought that she was in love with him. Or...in love with the idea of being in love with him. Either way love was somehow involved, Lord knew that Hana sure was! And if Hana was, Mei-li knew that she was too. SO there was technically no need to hide it! But, out of respect for Orange, she was going to.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro smiled, looking down at the table as his cheeks reddened for no reason. He shook his head a little. Could he be lead to think that this meeting was to close Orange's chapter in his life and write a new one with Mei-li? Could it be that he wasn't meant to be with Orange? That she was a segue into the part of his life--maybe the rest of his life--with Mei-li?

Jiro didn't know. His emotions were confusing to him. He loved Orange, but he cared for Mei-li in a way that was so deep, it surpassed what he felt for Orange. But he was here to save his and Orange's relationship, not break it up. He wanted to just rip out his hair. How could he decide? Orange had been there for him all this time, and Mei-li had just come back into his life. But Orange was not what he thought she was, and Mei-li was everything Jiro needed. He sighed.

Jiro's thoughts were curtailed by the waitor coming over and asking them what they wanted. Which was bad because he hadn't actually looked at the menu. However, he smiled and just ordered something he knew they would have and glanced at Mei-li.

"Do you need more time?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li quickly ordered a small salad, soup, and bread and watched the waitor walk off. She glanced at Jiro and she was just unable to stop thinking about why she was here! Who had even brought that up? Was it her? It made this vacation's original plan go to pieces, she now didn't even want to think about going back to that house and gather things that Jabari had bought for her, to see the blood that was still there on the floor from when Jiro got shot, from where Jabari got killed. Her stomach turned. She still had nightmares about that night, but she also had dreams about the ultimatum she had been posed with and how she made the wrong decision.

"Would you like to do more after we eat?" Mei-li wasn't wanting to end their date, er...friendly dinner, just yet. She hadn't seen him in so long and besides his girlfriend was out watching pod races. Suddenly the thought registered.

How could a woman wanna to look at cars that go fast rather than look at a beautiful man such as Jiro. Did she really understand what a great guy she had found? Why on earth would a woman put her boyfriend after pod racing? If it were up to Mei-li she would have wanted to spend all her time with Jiro, or....whoever she was with! It was a vacation for the both of them, not for one person.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro shrugged a little. Yes, he wanted to do more with her. Anywhere they went as long as he was with Mei-li he would be alright. But he didn't know anything about Naboo's night life, especially in the small city just a few miles north of here. But he was willing to brave his poor sense of direction and go do something, anything.

"Well..." he said, thinking, then smiling at her. "After we walk through the garden, maybe you could give me a tour of Naboo?" he asked giving her another smile. "God knows I've never been anywhere and know nothing about this place," he said with a chuckle. It was true, he hadn't had the time or desire to tour Naboo the last time he had been here, but now, he was using it to stay with Mei-li more. She knew more about Naboo than Jiro ever would and she could show him around. Allow him more time to just bein her presence, which was all he wanted.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li had agreed to that, perhaps ab it louder and quicker than Jiro had intended. Her happiness over the matter must've been know the second he suggested it for her eyes got so wide and she had let out a laugh. She was forgetting that she was in a nice restaurant with nice high class people. Surprisingly, when she would have normally wondered who was watching her and what they thought of her she could have cared less now because all her attention was on the man who sat in front of her and was fulfilling dreams that he would have never imagined she thought.

Dinner was good and she had really enjoyed talking with Jiro about nothing, although to her it was conversation that meant the world to her. She told him of great places to go for fruit, places that were very low key yet offered such great knick knacks one could buy as souvenirs or gifts. Naboo was very diverse and had the best sceneary of any other planet Mei-li had landed on, and that was a lot! She was finishing up her water and she looked around, finally glad that the dinner was over, but not because she was annoyed with Jiro or their conversation, but because she was going to go see the gardens the place offered.

Thinking of walking around a garden brought back such good memories of Jiro and here they were about to go make new ones! She was so excited and she was having a hard time trying to keep it inside. SHe knew that once they entered the garden she was going to point out everything and run over to them as if they were as precious as her child. But she knew that Jiro would actually care what seh had to say and would actually probably enjoy walking around with her and listening to her blab about how to take care of certain things. She had learned that when she had met him. It seemed like he cared about other people and that was something Mei-li was so attracted to.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro yawned a little as they finished and got up to leave. He paid at the front and Jiro offered Mei-li his elbow. He hadn't gone through the gardens yet, but they were what had drawn Jiro here. He remembered having a strange attachment to flowers when he had looked at the information he had been sent about this place.

Jiro wondered now if it hadn't been Mei-li's draw to them when they had first met that had drawn him to them now. There were so many things Jiro liked now that he wondered if it didn't somehow stem from the breif time he had spent with Mei-li and her daughter. Jiro was wondering a lot of things since he had run into Mei-li earlier that day. She had thrown his mind and emotions into upheaval and he couldn't correct it no matter what he did or thought.

He looked down at Mei-li as they reaced the entrance to the gardens. He bowed slightly and motioned her ahead of him.

"Ladies first."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled up at him, how sweet of a gesture that was! She blushed and nodded and walked in and waited for him to hurry and walk beside her for she was not wanting to disattach her arm from his so soon. Was it right to be thinking all the things she had earlier? She felt kind of stalkerish, but she couldn't help it! She liked him so much and the thought of everything falling into place with him in her life was so fitting and she loved it, but she wa sfearing that perhaps she was setting herself up for a huge let down and reality check.

Mei-li wanted Jiro more than anything and it took finding him again to realize how big of a mistake it was to have him leave. Although it was her decision to stay, she had never regretted it more than she did now, especially when they both began to walk around on the metal walkway that had been elevated over large landscapes of trees, bushes, tiny rivers, creeks, and flowers. It couold have been many things, the smells, the sights, the sounds, the lighitng, but amongst it all Jiro looked beautiful, far more than she had remembered.

It had been everything combined, his hair how it was stlyed and gelled, the look adding to his features.

It had been his eyes, how they were such a beautiful color. The different greens and browns, the earthy colors bringing out the hazel in his brown eyes. The shape, that perfect almond shape! Those lashes that hovered above them. The thick sooty black lashes that curved perfectly on his pale skin when he blinked.

Oh his skin! The creamy skin that was flawless, in her eyes at least. It was such a soft pale color and it was so creamy and silky to the touch.

Oh his mouth! It was so full and beautiful!

His eyebrows! Shaped to perfection!

His clothes! Sharp and youthful!

His voice! So deep, like chocolate for the ears! Throaty, seductive, and real.

There were so many things that she liked. So many things that he had that radiated things that were not human. There were words she wanted to just make up to define how wonderful he was. His love for Hana was something, above all else, that drew her to him. Her dire need to have a father for that child was making her more desperate than anything and she feared she was going to pin Jiro down with such responsibility he might not want.

Mei-li looked away, finally, after observing everything about him at once. What was getting into her?

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro noticed Mei-li looking at him but he opted not to look over, even though his face must have reddened a little. Jiro couldn't remember being this happy to be with someone. Though he felt guilty. Guilty for doing this to Orange. Wanting another woman when he already had one. Then again, Jiro had always thought that if his brother, Haruko, had given her the chance to come back, offered her what Jiro could never give her--a sex based relationship--Jiro thought she would go back to him. But he knew Haruko would never do that to Jiro. Ever. But it didn't mean Orange wouldn't. Jiro understood that Orange had never had a real relationship besides what she had had with Haruko, and that that need ran deep for her.

Jiro shook his head, he didn't want to think of her. He wanted to think about now, about Mei-li, about his feelings for her, about Hana, about how much he felt like she was his child even though she was not. Jiro just wanted to think about what it might be like to spend the rest of his life with Mei-li, and Hana, just the three of them. He wanted to see Hana grow up and become something great. He wanted to wake up every morning and see Mei-li sleeping next to him. He wanted to give her his heart, his body...his soul. Everything he had he wanted to give to her. He knew it was reckless and he had a tendancy to trust and need when he shouldn't. But Mei-li was different. The feelings he felt for her ran so much deeper. Past physical wants and attractions. It went past just liking her for her personality. It went deep to feeling an attachment that he never wanted to break as long as he lived.

He was only eighteen, that was true, and Mei-li? She was twenty. It was only two years, but he still felt like just a teenager. Jiro smiled thinking about what Taro would say. Just don't do something moronic, and if it ends badly, you can come back and lick your wounds here. It's exactly what his elder brother would say. But this time, Jiro wasn't making a mistake. He had made too many of them. And Mei-li wasn't one.

"It's so beautiful," he muttered, looking down at her. You're so beautiful, it what he meant to say. But he didn't. That would have been too awkward...for them both.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled up at him, all smiles! This whole time she had been nothing else! The laughter, the smiling, the giggling...it was all so childish, but she couldn't help it! Jiro just brought back some part of her that she had missed out on when having a child. Jiro roused several things inside of her and she liked it, which was why she didn't want him to leave.

She looked away and glanced at a few flowers finding them all so beautiful as he had said. She agreed a second later and she suddenly spotted a flower that made her heart turn. She looked up at Jiro and dropped her arm from holding onto his own and walked over to a large bush with bright red roses. She looked at them and then over to Jiro, a huge smile on her face.

"I grew these in my garden." She suddenly remembered the time they had been together in her garden, when they held hands, when she had given him a kiss! Oh the things that she wished she could go back and relive. "I showed them to you when we were together." She felt her face grow red, probably redder than the flower! "I mean, when we were together here on Naboo, when we met." She sighed out and glanced at the flower longingly. Not only did she miss her garden, but she missed the rush she got when with Jiro. She had never felt so alive in all her life until she met him and he had changed her life forever.

She smiled when she realized her spirits were wanting to fade when she autmoatically thought of his departure so long ago. She looked over at him and let out a laugh and walked back beside of him.

"That was so long ago, wasn't it?" She wasn't actually asking him, but she was making an observation. She grabbed his arm with her hand as if she were going to hook her arm with his again, but istead, she got brave. Braver than she figured she ever could. She let her hand trail down his arm, slowly, painfully so as well, until she felt his wrist. She didn't dare look at him, she kept her eyes on the walkway and then she slipped her hand into his palm.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro felt fire crawl up his arm when she ran her fingers down it and slid her small hand into his. He didn't know whether to laugh or bawl, for both urges came to him at once and he couldn't figure out which would be appropriate since his body was telling him both were adequate.

Jiro opted to smile to himself and then slowly close his hand around hers, holding her porcelein hand in his own, the warmth of his skin and hers mixing together. He wanted to just put his arms around her and hold her close to him and never let go. He wanted to tell her that he had come alive when he met her and died when he left her and that he never wanted to leave her again, or see her walk away as he had done so long ago without opening his mouth and protesting. He wouldn't let her go this time. Not until he fought as hard as he could. He refused to let her go again.

For a moment, they only stood there, thier hands together. Then Jiro shifted his hand a little and intertwined thier fingers together, pretending like it was the most normal thing in the world and beginning to walk again. He smiled around at the flowers and trees and knew how they all paled in comparison to Mei-li Yeh.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li couldn't breathe, or at least she was breathing but didn't realize it. All she realized was that Jiro was so beautiful and that his hand felt so good with her own, and that she wanted to just run off into the sunset with him. But with thinking that and holding his hand she also felt like a tramp. A homewrecker. A woman who was moving in on someone else's relationship. She tried her best to let that thought go, but it reared itsugly head in the picture so bad! She was holding a hand that belonged to another woman. But if they were friends, certainly it'd be okay?

Mei-li knew that the answer was no. It was never okay to hold hands with a man who had a girlfriend, not unless they were brother and sister and with the other woman's permission. Sadly, Mei-li knew that neither were true. She suddenly opted to remove her hand from his own, but her brain was blocking that impulse so she still held on. She smiled when she realized that this wasn't wrong, this was just a friendly thing between two people! Two adults who knew what they were doing.

"What are your plans when you leave here, Jiro?" Mei-li knew the only way to not make things weird for either of them was to talk and keep her mind off of the other woman, the woman she was not, the woman she would never be. How she coveted Jiro's girlfriend. How lucky she was.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro heard her, but it took him a moment to understand what she said for he was still caught up in the fact that they were holding hands and that idea that maybe there was hope for a relationship with this woman. When he finally caught what she said, he gave a little chuckle, then shrugged.

"I don't know...go back to Coruscant, free load a little more with my brother, then get a job, I suppose," he said, unsure if that plan was set in stone. He would have to find someone who would hire him first and then actually work and not bitch about working, because most of the bosses he had had were idiots who had no idea how to run a business and Jiro could do it with his eyes shut. He imagined he would free load with Haruko a little longer until he found his own place. Jes and Taro might let him stay with them a little until he found somewhere he wanted to stay. He was ready to stay somewhere away from the Nihongo District. He was tired of it there. Then he looked down at Mei-li.

"You gonna go back to Hana and teaching?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed at his story, it brought a good feeling inside of her just knowing that he was on the same planet as she was! It was all so great! But why was she so disappointed when she heard no mention of her in there somewhere? She tried to understand that this was just a friendship and that he was with someone, but she couldn't accept it just yet. She was still stuck back in a year ago when she and Jiro had the great workings of being together. She heard him ask the question in return, but she just wanted to say something that involved him. She so wanted him to be in her life and it was literally driving her insane. After all look at what she had done! Made a move on someone else's man!

"Me?" She said with a sigh. "Teach, try to control my wild five year old..." She bit her lower lip when she figured she could throw a little something in there that would hint around at Jiro and see how he viewed things. "Look for someone to settle down with as well." Mei-li wanted to just tell him that she wanted him to be the father Hana wanted, be the husband that Mei-li wanted! But, that was pushing things on him and keeping her mindset in wonderland.

"Hana and I are doign well, it is just that....I need someone else there, not only for Hana, but me as well. You know what I mean?" Mei-li looked up at Jiro wondering what he thought of her situation. She was hoping he'd jump at that kind of job offer!

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro watched her. He wanted to jump in front of her and tell her that he was right there, to recruit him for the job, how badly he wanted it! But that wouldn't have been right. He licked his lips trying to give her the heads up without saying it out right.

For a moment he looked at her, wondering how any man in his right mind wouldn't jump at the chance to be with Mei-li. After all, what was there not to like? She was funny, intelligent. She was calm, easy going, talented. She had a way of saying things that was just perfect. She was so easy to get along with. And not to mention how gorgeous she was. Her beautiful Chinese features were astonishing to Jiro. At one time he had sworn off dating Chinese women, but looking at Mei-li now, he knew that if he still went by that rule it would be out the window. There was nothing about Mei-li that Jiro didn't like.

He supposed some men would see Hana as baggage. After all, if you made a committment to a mother, you made one to the child as well. But to Jiro that would have been a dream come true. He wanted nothing more than to take care of Hana, be her father, be what she needed in a father. He wanted to hold her when she cried, and he wanted to laugh with her when she was happy. He wanted to be there for her every day, even if it was just to give her a hug if she needed one.

And he wanted to be with Mei-li. He wanted to give her what she had never had with Jabari. Love, kindness, fun, comfort, safety. All the things relationship was truly based on. He wanted to hold her hand like this every day they went somewhere together. He wanted to kiss her in the morning and at night. He wanted to tell her he loved her, and when she was crying he wanted to be there to hold her and tell her that everything was going to be okay. He wanted to satisfy her in every area that she needed him in. He had never wanted something so badly in his life.

"I understand," he said quietly. He squeezed her hand a little. "I wish so much that I had been there for Hana...and you, this past time. I'm so sorry that I wasn't. I so much wanted to be..." he paused, sighing a little. "I still do."

THERE! He had said it! Well...kind of...

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked at Jiro and suddenly stopped walking. They were out of sight for the most part and it didn't seem to be too crowded in the garden, actually it looked deserted! She sighed out and let his hand go and she felt a little stupid for talking about it or bringing it up, but she really wanted to let him know how much it was bothering her.

"I am going to say something, Jiro, and I don't mean to pressure you or make you feel obligated to do anything. Okay?" She wanted to give him a heads up before continuing, that way she wouldn't make him think she was trying to move in on someone else. But why would she need to tell him what seh was about to say? She knew where it could lead, knew that it could possibly end his relationship with the other woman, but it was ultimately his choice...right? Mei-li drew in a deep breath and let it out gently and looked around making sure nobody would be nosey or easvedrop.

"If I could do it all over again, I think I would go with you." She said it! She let it out! But there was still more to be said. "For you to say you could have been there for Hana and I...to say you still do...makes me wonder if I couldn't do it again.

"Jiro we are here now for a reason, right? We figured it was more than coincidence. What if we are here to fix the problem that I happened to create? Hana loves you, Jiro, and I can see why because for the last year or so that we've been apart...I think I have begun to feel the same as she." SHe bit her lower lip and wondered what she had just done. She just told Jiro something that she had told no one! This was so beyond her character and something seh enver would have done in her life, but she was wanting to try something a little different than her personality. Telling him that she missed him and wanted to try it again while he was attached just so happened to be the opposite of who she was. If this wasn't Jiro she wouldn't have opened her mouth. But she at least wanted him to know if they never saw each other again.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro listened intently to what she was saying and when she said the last thing he was expecting, he thought his heart was going to leap out of his chest and land on the ground. It was beating much faster than was humanly possible and he was sure that Mei-li could hear it. For a long time, he just looked at her as if he had no idea what had just come out of her mouth. But he had heard her--loud and clear. He was just trying to digest it, trying to let it settle before he opened his mouth and either spilled out a bunch of Japanese that she wouldn't understand, or manage to speak Basic and make a fool of himself.

Jiro looked down at his boots for a moment taking a deep breath. He knew this was so wrong. He was with Orange still, but he felt for Mei-li something he had never, and would never feel for Orange. He just...didn't know how to express these kinds of feelings. They were so foreign. Jiro found his tongue twisted around what he wanted to say and if he didn't get it out, he would lose her forever. And that was just unacceptable.

He put his hands on his face and took a breath to calm his heart rate, even though it didn't. He wet his lips and then looked back down at Mei-li. Slowly, he reached a hand up and moved a bit of hair from her face that had slid from the chop stick she had put in. He smiled a little.

"If I told you that I haven't regretted ever letting you go back then, I would be lying to you, Mei-li. And that's something I can't do," he said quietly, glancing about to make sure they weren't going to be ambushed by someone. Then he looked back down at her. "I've wished I could go back and stay with you. And I also believe this is another chance to try again. To do it right..."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

he was taking a much longer time responding than she had expected and suddenly her heart beat so fast that it was going to implode deep within the cavity of her body. She was scared now, she had just ruined it! She knew it! She could feel it. What had she done? Why had she just said that? Oh she was so mad at herself and when Jiro huffed and puffed she frowned and was suddenly trying to think of ways to apologize and take it all back, even though it would be against her will. But that is what happens when people lose their better judgement and forget to think of others. He put his hands on his face and she knew it was over. He was going to tell her he appreciated it and that it meant a lot to him, but he was in love with Orange, that his life would never revolve around her or someone else's child. Mei-li was ready to die.

Then he touched a piece of her hair that had fallen from her chopstick. She knew that this would not be an appropriate time to die, not yet at least. Then he smiled! What was going on? Why was this not turning out the way she was thinking? Either way she was still going to die, either hearing rejection or good news. She bit her lower lip and looked at him. And when things couldn't have gone any better, they did! Jiro telling her that he felt this was another chance...it raised her hopes and spirits greatly. She couldn't help but smile like a fool.

"Yeah?" She said lowly, but excitement and relief easliy seen in her eyes and in her voice. "So I didn't do something stupid!" She laughed a bit loudly and then looekd around hoping not to be disturbing anyone.

"Well?" She wasn't sure if she could now take a giant leap in the direction she was dying for it to go in. But she couldn't stop now, no way in hell! She moved a bit closer to him, closing some space that still remained. "How would you feel if I said I wanted to try it again? Would....would you want to? I know you are with someone! I really understand that! I am not trying to tear you away from them either! I just...would you want to?"

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro felt like he might collapse when she said she wanted to try again. Yes, it was what he wanted. What he wanted more than anything. But he was scared. Scared to break up with Orange, scared to try something so new. But he wanted to...yet, he didn't want to hurt Orange. Which he wasn't sure if he would...but...he wanted to...oh, God, he didn't know what he wanted concerning Orange. He just knew that he wanted Mei-li.

And simply because he had no words that could answer he question right, he stepped forward, closing the rest of the space between them. He moved gently, not quickly, even though he was shaking slightly. He slid his arms around her waist and leaned down, touching her lips with his own. He hoped it would be answer enough for her, because it was the only thing that seemed to say what he wanted. It was the most loving act he could muster at this moment in his haze of joy and confusion.

He hoped it would be enough.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li did nothing to stop what was happening, for she had started it all! She loved the way it felt to be held by someone and of all the men in the Universe there was no better person to have holding her, even kissing her. Those lips she had been looking at all night long were now on her lips. right where she had hoped they'd be at some point once more in her life. She had forgotten how great it felt to kiss him, to feel him near to her, how nice it felt to finally be accepted by a man without having any consequences.

[Orange Diren]

Nothing was ever smooth sailing with Jiro Lawson anymore. Orange had now understood and accepted this. She had sat around the entire off track betting in the lounge hearing men scream and holler at the large screens, but somehow she was unphased by it all and uninterested. The whole time she had been there, from the seconed she found a seat, she wanted to just go fin Jiro and apologize. But she knew that no apology would ever make him happy.

In a desperate attempt to make this trip worth it she had gone back up to the room to find he had gone. Orange was a bit disappointed, but she realized that she could at least get dressed up for him. Without his knowing she had bought a nice dress and planned to wear it out for him sometime, knowing that he was more of a romantic than she was. She wanted to appease him just one time by being romantic as well, for she did know how even though she rarely showed it.

The dress had been smashing, at least she had thoguht so, it was all white with spaghetti straps and a red belt. She had purchased some red high heels and had even gathered up the strength to put on the best make up she could. By the time she had finished she realized how good she looked. She had even curlred her short hair. She looked sexy! She was showing her curves, and she was showing her legs...she was just showing him everything he had never seen when she wore clothes. It made her so happy.

Jiro had said he was going out so she figured to spare that time by walking around the hotel, perhaps trying to find romantic things to do. She had been wandering around in the lobby and she had finally stopped to ask the desk what would be a romantic thing to do with a lvoed one and they had suggested walking in the gardens at night when they had upward lighting and one could see the stars through the glass dome windows. She had thanked him and had figured that would be a great way to spice things up. Jiro would never have guessed she'd actually enjoy a romantic walk around flowers.

But Orange was wondering if she had made a horrible mistake. She was now standing in the distance, peeking at two people kissing passionately, more passionate than she had ever seen in her etire life. The woman was so beautiful, thin, Asian, everything that Orange was not. Which had brought her to the question as to why her boyfriend was kissing her. She frowned unable to actually comprehend that he was doing this in public, doing this to someone else, and doing it without any guilt. Orange's eyes stung with hate and anger, yet at the same time it stung with sadness. She never found Jiro to be the type to cheat, yet there he was cheating away.

Orange looked away after a moment and turned around and headed back out into the lobby, looking around trying to find a reason as to what had happened to provoke him to do such a thing. When she looked around her eyes found a man standing by a restaurant drinking a beer and looking at her. She figured she could do what she pleased for it wa apparent Jiro was doing the same. She smiled at him and pointed at him to come towards her. To her enjoyment, he did. She clenched her jaw and turned around and walked towards the lift, holding the doors open for the man to follow. She heard him walking and she looked away from the button she was holding. He smiled and walked inside and she let it go. If Jiro was going to play the ugly card, then by god she was to.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro and Mei-li parted when Jiro got off the lifts at his own floor and bid Mei-li farewell. As the doors closed, he looked down at his feet and shook his head. He wanted to go talk to Orange. Have a real talk about thier relationship. It was true he wanted something with Mei-li, but Orange deserved him telling her everything he felt. He felt horrible for kissing Mei-li while Orange was at the pod races. But it was just something that happened.

As he walked down the hall towards thier room, his card key in his hand he tried to plan out what to say to her. He wasn't going to keep kissing Mei-li a secret. He was going to tell Orange everything. His feelings for her and for another woman. He was going to tell her how this trip had been his last ditch effort to save thier relationship. He was going to tell her everything. Everything that could come out of his mouth was going to. Because he wanted her to know everything he was thinking. Everything he was feeling, because she had always deserved to know. Now more than ever.

As Jiro got to the room door, he thought he heard movement inside and his stomach lurched at the thought of the conversation he and Orange were about to have. He lifted his hand and swiped the keycard, pushing the door in. He moved from the doorway into the living room and then to the bedroom. Which proved to be the biggest mistake of his life.

Jiro's eyes found Orange, amazingly dressed up. But the high heels he assumed she had been wearing at one point were discarded across the room. And the dress she wore was pulled up around her hips. Slowly, his mind wrapped around the fact that there was a man with her. He was bigger than her--by far--and he was bent over her slightly, his mouth everywhere. Orange was wrapped around him like a snake, one leg pushed up around his hip. Jiro blinked once as they seemed to realize someone else was in the room, and Orange looked his way. Jiro watched them for two heart beats more, his stomach feeling slightly sick.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to interrupt." He turned around and began for the door, unable to keep a lump from forming in his throat. "I'll be in the lobby if you need me, Orange. But it looks like your doing okay at the moment."

Jiro pushed out the door and began down the hall. Tears would not come to him. He didn't know why, but they just weren't there.

[Orange Diren]

Orange looked at the man and pushed him off, suddenly feeling very dirty and filthy. Which she was. She stared at the floor for almost a solid minute, hearing the man asking her what the matter was and if they were going to sleep together or what. Orange looked up at him and told him to leave and when he refused she pushed him towards the door and told him that he had two seconds to leave before she'd call hotel security. The man had muttered a few words, one sticking in her mind more than anything. She was a whore and apparenetly would always be one.

Although she wanted to go wash herself she knew that she couldn't, the damage that had already happened was irreversible. This relationship she had with Jiro was going downspiral quicker than anyone would have imagined. They hhad just gotten back together and already they were trying to separate. She sighed out and rubbed her forehead as she leaned against the dresser. In all seriousness she and the man hadn't done anything that Jiro hadn't been doing publicly. He had a reason to be mad, yet again so did she. This entire relationship was a trainwreck and neither one of them cared to realize it. Or at least tell one another about it.

Orange sighed out and looked in the mirror and fixed her make up and grabbed her shoes and put them on. She and Jiro needed to have a serious talk. Altough she wasn't sure if she could be as graceful and tactful as any normal person. She wanted to call him a whore as well, call him a cheater...but she was one too. Trying to retaliate by his kissing someone didn't mean she had to bring a complete stranger upstairs. Either way, Orange didn't really care. She wanted to talk to Jiro.

She left the room and walked down the hall and to the lifts, taking it into the lobby. Where had he gone? Apparently he was getting around more than she was if he had friends here and was making out in semi private places in the garden. He needed to realize that it wasn't her fault, it was his. She wouldn't have done anything had she not seen him kissing another woman! He was a whore just as much as she was. By God she was going to let him know it too!

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro was leaned on a wall near the lifts. His hands were clasped in front of him and he was staring down at them as if they would give him an answer to his problems. He understood that when he had kissed Mei-li, he had been cheating on Orange. But he wanted to tell her, explain to her what he was feeling. And kissing someone and being in someone else's lap like a hooker were two very different things.

Jiro was going to wait for Orange to be finished with the man before he went back in. And then, he was probably going to pack his things and leave. This trip had been his last ditch effort to save thier relationship, but all it was doing was ruining it further.

Jiro felt a lump in his throat. He was tired. Tired of fighting, tired of screaming, tired of acting like someone he wasn't. He was tired of trying his hardest to be what Orange wanted and always falling short somehow. He was tired of looking at her and no longer seeing love there. He saw annoyance. He was a bother to her. And maybe she was to him, he couldn't decide. His mind was a blur of thoughts and emotions and he didn't know how to make it right again. He would never be able to be with Orange the way they had been in the beginning. Devoted, happy, himself. They had driven themselves to a cliff and not only had he hurled them off of it by kissing Mei-li, Orange had by inviting a stranger to thier room.

Jiro didn't know whether to cry or die. Both seemed appropriate actions at this point. But neither felt right. If he died he'd be leaving Mei-li here alone. And if he cried he would show Orange the weakness she probably already knew was there. No, he wouldn't cry. There was no need, and as he stood there, no want to either. If this was how Orange wanted to play it, then they would play it this way.

Setting his jaw, he stepped around the corner from the lifts and almost ran straight into Orange. She was in her high heels again, her dress pulled down where it should have been and her face showing anger, and maybe a little fear. Probably what was on Jiro's face as well. He looked down at her for two heartbeats before digging in his pocket and getting out several hundred credits.

"Here," he said, holding it out to her. "Take this and go back to Coruscant. Work if you want, do what you want..." he paused and pushed it into the palm of her hand. "I'll come by sometime in the next couple weeks and pick my stuff up from your apartment. And I'll drop your stuff off when I come," he said. Then he moved past her and back down the hall towards thier room.

"I trust you don't need my help to pack."

[Orange Diren]

Orange was a mess now, she didn't know what had happened except that Jiro was mad an he had given her money and walked away. She looked over her shoulder to see him walking swiftly to get out of her way, but for the first time she didn't run after him or throw anything at him. She felt a sickening feeling in her stomach but she knew that it was't something she could fix, not by apologizing or anything of the like. The only way she could fix it was to realize their relationship had been headed down the path of destruction for a long time.

Orange let out a sigh and suddenly she wanted to cry, but for some reason she couldn't. Perhaps it was because she was in a crowded lobby or maybe it was because she didn't love Jiro anymore. Either way she sucked it up and turned back around and headed to the lifts. She wasn't going to fight leaving Jiro or having this relationship end on such a sour note, she was just going to have to tell him how she felt in a letter considering she wasn't about to do it in person.

Orange had packed quickly, sometimes fighting back the urge to cry due to frustration adn resentment for ever meeting Jiro. She had changed her clothes, washed off her make-up and simply grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and quickly wrote. She apologized for making bad decisions and told him she would accept his apology for making some of his own. But that wasn't what she wanted to say. She sighed out and quickly told him how she felt in a sentence.

Jiro...you were never enough for me. Orange dropped the pen and laid the key down on a side table and walked out the door and walked out of Jiro's life for the second, and last, time.

[Jiro Lawson]

Orange wasn't in the room when Jiro got out of the shower. It felt empty. Felt lonely. Jiro ran a hand through his hair shaking some of the water from it. Moving slowly, he walked into the bedroom of the hotel room. She really was gone then. No fights, no screaming. Good. He hadn't wanted to scream anyway. There was too much of that that had gone on in thier normal relationship anyway.

A relationship that was no more.

Jiro glanced over to the bedside stand and furrowed his brow as he saw the key card and a pen and sheet of paper on it. There was writing there. He moved to it, looking down at it a moment before picking it up and holding it into the light coming from the stars and moon outside. It was Orange's handwriting. She said she was sorry for making bad decisions, that she would accept his apology for him making bad decisions. Jiro's eyes scanned all the words. The last sentance however, seemed to be written in red.

Jiro...you were never enough for me.

Jiro had known thier relationship had been headed down this way for a long time. It had hurt to think about it, hurt to think of his life without her. But this. This hurt more than anything.

No physical or emotional pain had ever felt like this before. The words went from the paper, to his brain, and to his heart. For the last time, Orange had pulled his heart from his body, chewed it up and spit it back at him. Jiro could remember plenty of times he had hurt emotionally. But this was unlike any other hurt. Jiro's life was changed then. It was a wound he would never recover from. Jiro wanted to call her, ask her if Haruko had been enough for her. Wanted to ask her if a few good screws was all she looked for. And suddenly, Jiro was glad he hadn't been enough for her.

If she had been able to be happy with him, then it meant he hadn't been anything but a whore, like he had been back in the day. Able to give sex at any given moment, without any emotions or thoughts. To Jiro, this meant she wasn't good enough for him, not the other way around. It had never been the other way around. He had just made it so to make her happy.

"It's my turn now, Orange," he said, tearing up the paper and tossing it into the trash recepticle. He turned away from it and walked to his suitcase, tears finally finding his eyes. "It's my turn to be happy."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li sat n the lobby, drinking some fruit drink as she stared up at the stars, wondering what was going to happen between she and Jiro. That kiss was still causing her to shiver and her spine to tingle. She grinned at the though as she mindlessly walked around the garden she had been in a few hours ago with him. The metal walkway was lit lowly with cute garden lights and it was making the garden very soft, low lit, and absolutely serene and peaceful.

She grinned softly her face trying to blush from her mind being unable to throw what had happened aside. She couldn't sleep and lucky for her nothing closed here. It was nearing about 11 at night and she was still wandering around the gardens, pausing breifly to look at an exotic plant she found entertaining, only to be sidetracked by that kiss. She chewed her straw as she looked up at the dome ceiling, seeing a few stars flutter and then stabalize. She couldn't help but feel that was what her heart was doing. Matter of fact it was Jiro who was causing all the heart problems this night! She smiled and let the straw go for a moment so she coudl take a sip, then she began to chew on it again as she moved around a cruve in the walkway near a few roses.

Mei-li wanted Jiro to be happy and she wanted to try this relationship thing again, but she knew that there was another woman who could prevent this, she just didn't kno what to do which was why she had been walking in circles both in the garden and in her room. Mei-li was confused on the details of how they were both going to get their way and try to work things out, but she didn't want to force anything on him. If friends was all they could be, then she would be more than happy to take on that role.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro was in exercise pants and a wife beater when he decided to go see Mei-li. He wanted to see her. She was the only woman in his thoughts now. At least...the only woman who he wanted in his thoughts. He had pulled on a black hoodie and flip flops, but when Mei-li didn't answer her door, he figured she was eigther asleep or out somewhere.

Jiro couldn't bear the thought of sleeping alone, so he got on the lifts and went down to the lobby. He seemed to be the only living person there, but the man at the desk merely smiled at him and went back to working on whatever it was he was working on. Everything seemed so surreal. His and Orange's relationship had ended on the day they had come. Even though Jiro had hoped that it would be restored. And now she was gone, and Jiro was angry and bitter. He didn't want to see her anytime soon, and when he came to pick up his stuff, he was probably going to do it when she wasn't there so he wouldn't get in her way and he could avoid seeing her. He just wanted to take her stuff back to her so he didn't have to look at it.

The Buddha necklace she had given him was no longer around his neck. Orange probably had not found it yet, but it was in her suitcase, buried beneath some clothing with a note telling her that he no longer was in need of it. That he had his own. And thank you. He couldn't bear thinking about it being around his neck anymore. He might regret that later, but as of right now, he didn't want any reminders around him. He just wanted peace.

The gardens were still pretty when he wandered inside, the lights making it warm and carefree. Jiro let out a long sigh, running his hand over some of the plants on the side of the walkway and he walked, the feeling of thier slightly damp leaves giving him more peace. He closed his eyes as he walked, praying he didn't run into anyone. Although it was unlikely this late at night.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked around, wandering aimlessly as she tried to relieve her mind of all the sudden stress she felt mounding on her. Her little frozen fruit drink wasn't helping her clear her mind either, nor was the garden. Then again when one went into a restauran and bought a drink she had earlier with a man she was mad about, then proceeded to walk around in a place where she had been kissed...a free mind wasn't probable. She continued to gnaw on her straw and ake sips every now and then, trying her best to think of things other than having Jiro hold her again, kiss her, or talk to Hana like he had. She was forcing herself to enjoy the air conditioned breeze, the fragrance of the flowers, and the wonderful sound of tiny man-made creeks and little ponds.

Mei-li thought she heard a noise and her stomach turned. She wasn't one who enjoyed being a lone in a dark place at night, but she figured most people that came to the hotel were good citizens and wouldn't try to molest her. She turned her attention back to the large curved window in front of her that looked out at Naboo. It was much more beautiful than Coruscant, it had more green life and it was more pleasing to the eye and she couldn't have thought of any other place in the world she wanted to be at that moment.

"Well..." She said to herself lowly as she leane on the railing with her elbows and felt the air vent hitting right against her, creating a false breeze for those wandering around. Mei-li did know one place she'd like to be other than where she was. "In his arms." She finished lowly, her mouth and teeth finding the straw.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro heard someone say something, but when he opened his eyes and looked around, he couldn't see anyone. Then again, his eyesight wasn't the best and it was dim in here. And he was preoccupied with his own thoughts, meaning he wasn't paying any attention to the world around him. He sighed heavily and backed up against the cool damp plants, feeling a few droplets of water fall onto his face, cooling him a little.

He rolled his shoulders and let out another breath. He felt totally emotionally drained, he couldn't remember feeling so empty after a relationship had ended. No...that wasn't true. He remembered how he had felt after Ren Wilcox had walked out of his life. That had matched this pretty well, maybe even exceeded it. And Jiro had survived. So he knew if he could survive the pain that Ren had put him through, he could survive anything that Orange put him through.

Taking another deep breath and letting it out, he shook his head and reached up to touch a leaf that was tickling his face. He ran his fingers down it, somehow the feeling of nature bringing him a little more calm.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li moved from her spot after she heard another sigh, someone else was enjoying the gardens with her she knew now and she also knew that it wasn't a good thing to be talking to onesself. She turned adnd walked around the curve of the walkway and headed into the area with trees, lots and lots of trees. She smiled as she smelled the green and the earth, it always bringing a sense of calm and euphoria. Like that of aroma therapy. All they needed now was some music and she'd be good to go take on the world with being stress free! But, she wasn't stress free, her mind still wouldn't walk away from the whole Jiro incident.

She wondered if he was regretting it now, if he perhaps wished he hadn't done that. Her stomach flipped when she thought of that. Things had been so good with him that it would be devastating if he were wannting to end it all on a silly spur of the moment thing like that. She was one to forgive and forget....but...she doubted that she'd be able to forget anything that reminded her of Jiro.

She looked around and spotted a figure moving in the darkness, touching a leaf. This action somehow brought a smile to her face. It was always nice to see people enjoying the true beauties of Naboo. She was so glad that she had chosen this hotel to stay at, not only for its zoological wonders but because of the man who was also in there with her. She wondered if he was in his room now. She looked away to inspect something on a low dipping branch that had overcasted the walkway. She glanced back over the person and she was about to metion how nice this place was, but the two had discussed it earlier! She smiled and felt sick to her stomach, but she accepted the fear and the pain and walked over to him.

"You wouldn't be stalking me, would you?" She joked and looked up at him, biting her straw nervously. Even in comfortable clothes he looked gorgeous and of course low lighting made it worse. Suddenly she realized her own attired was less flattering than that of which he wore. A baggy white shoulder shirt and black yoga pants and black slippers. How frumpy she looked!

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro jumped at the sudden voice and he opened his eyes looking down to see Mei-li standing next to him, chewing on the straw of a small drink she must have gotten in the restaurant. He smiled a little down at her, his aches easing a little at the sight of her. He stood straight and moved away from the trees, his back wet from the drops of water on the leaves. He shook his head.

"I don't think so," he said with a nod. Then he smiled a little more. "If I didn't know better I'd say you were stalking me," he said with a little nudge of her shoulder. Then he looked down at his feet and shook his head. Slowly he raised it back up and sighed. "It's so nice here...I don't ever want to leave."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed lightly at his playful nudge. She sighed out and looked at him. "Was I that obvious?" She winked at him and looked away, her laughing finally subduing as she lifted the straw back up to her mouth so she coudl take a drink, suddenly feeling dehydrated at the sight of Jiro. She heard him speak and she gave him a sideways glance, sipping away at her drink like a child, her heart pounding at the very thought of him leaving. She swallowed and nodded, finding other sights in the gardens then back to him.

"So, don't leave!" She laughed lightly looking at him. She was half wanting to tell him to move to Naboo into her old house with she and Hana...but she refrained. It wouldn't have made a good joke. Although it would literally have been a serious dream for her.

"I think I would stay here had I brought Hana." She sighed out and looked around, finding the large down window she had been staring out of earlier. She touched Jiro and pointed. "Look! It is such a beautiful night, it always looks like this here. The air is so crisp and clean, the sun isn't given off by lights, the atmosphere isn't run by machines...it is just..real." She breathed in deep as if this were pure air that no place in the Universe offered and let it out. She let out a laugh and looked up at Jiro.

"Maybe you stay, I stay too."

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro looked out the window she indicated. It truly was clear and beautiful. Unlike anything he had seen on Coruscant where there were so many machines and pollutions and lights to block out the natural beauty. Here it was so peaceful and calm. There was nothing to get in the way. Jiro took a deep breath, trying to calm his hurt soul. He wet his lips and smiled a little, swallowing down the lump that was in his throat. He shook his head and chuckled.

"I could...never stay here..." he said quietly. Then he shook his head again and looked at her, hoping that he couldn't see the urge to cry in his eyes. "Not that I wouldn't love to live here...it's just..." he looked away. This was where his relationship had ended. He would have to get away for a little while. Maybe long enough to get Hana. Maybe long enough to sell some things on Coruscant and get a job here and a home for them. Maybe just long enough...

Jiro sighed out and looked up into the stars closing his eyes a little. Then he couldn't help but smile. He looked back over to Mei-li, furrowing his brow with the effort to keep the lump in his throat down.

"I would only want to stay, if you stayed."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li had been kidding, but she wondered if perhaps her joking had a hidden meaning behind it all. She frowned softly, still smiling at him, just feeling confused. Would she really like to do that? Would she honestly stay there and have Jiro tag along? A lot of things caused her love for Naboo to dissippate, such as the youth and life she literally lost when she got pregnant then married Jabari. It was a lot of pain and bad memories that were mixed with the good. But, after a while, she guessed the pain would pass and nothing but goood would prevail. Especially if someone else was tagging along...such as Jiro. She laughed and looked away and thought for a moment. Something was a bit off with him now, he looked sad..or at least his eyes did. She wondered if something had happened since they last met?

"Is...something wrong?" She was going to be a bit nosey, after all friends were allowed to be right? "Sorry, it really not my business. Sorry." She waved a hand agitated at herself. She was trying her best to get in that place where his girlfriend was. If she didn't stop being so pushy all she would have would be an enemy and no chance of trying anything again.

Mei-li was trying to think of something else to say, trying to keep her mind off of a relationship. She decided to just not say anything for a moment she was wanting to enjoy just the silence of it all and hearing him breathe. Mei-li shocked herself yet again with that thought. Was she becoming his own personal stalker?

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro paused for a moment in his thinking then looked down at his feet. He shook his head. He was going to tell her about him and Orange. He just needed to arrange the thoughts and get them out.

There had been so many things wanted to say to Mei-li and now he was blank, drained so to speak. He just needed to go to bed and sleep on all the happenings of the day, but now, being with Mei-li was the only thing that was keeping him from going off the deep end. It had been almost year since he had gotten with Orange and it had ended just like it had begun. Suddenly. Suddenly and without warning. Well. Maybe not completely so. He had known, it was why he had planned this trip. But still, it had felt like there had been nothing to warn him about it. Turning slightly, Jiro took a deep breath and smiled down at her.

"You are welcome to know," he said. "And I think you should..." he paused a moment, then looked out at the stars again, the words tumbling out of his mouth before he had time to really make sure they were right. "My girlfriend and I broke up when I got back to the room..." he said quietly, his voice breaking slightly in the middle. "She's on her way back to Coruscant now."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li frowned and then raised her eyebrows out of shock and surpise. No wonder he was acting a bit different, no wonder he looked so sad. "Oh...Jiro!" She reached up and touched his cheek and ran her hand down his neck and caressed softly and kindly. She felt so bad for him! She knew it was a bad idea to have ever said anything to him about trying to do things over again. It was not in her best interest, nor his. She had overstepped her bounds and suddenly she felt so bad and so guilty for it all.

"I'm so sorry." She said dropping her hand after a moment. "Are you going to be okay? Can I do anything to help you? Do you need hug?" SHe bit her lower lip. She suddenly felt so bad that she was wanting to cry for him. Jeez, did someone break up with her as well?

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro chuckled a little, blinking back a few tears. How sweet she was. He looked down at her and smiled shaking his head, and brushing some of his hair away from his face, shaking his head again.

"No, I'll be fine," he said, waving a hand in front of his face. "It was coming, I'd seen it from two miles away..." he chuckled, looking down. "It was why I planned this trip, you know? Last ditch effort to save it, but..." he looked back up at her and smiled, somehow feeling better. "We weren't exactly...on the same page should we say. I wanted something that she couldn't give to me..." he laughed, running a hand down his face and then shrugging, smiling down at Mei-li. "I think it'll be okay though...I mean...it's okay."

He looked back out at the stars. Things would be alright eventually. He just needed something a little more stable.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-Li watched him with a slight pain deep inside of her. She had never seen him act like this, then again tehre were probably many things she had never seen him do for she hadn't known him that long. One thing she knew thought was that she wished she would never have to see his sad face again. It was pitiful and it broke her heart. She gave him a soft empathetic smile and nodded.

"I understand. I lost someone, too, remember." She sighed out. Although she and Jabari hadn't had the best relationship there had alwas been those times when he had been goood to her, although the bad outweighed the good she couldn't deny that there had been those moments that seh wanted to hold onto.

"I guess..." She looked away for a moment then looked over at him. "I don't mean to preach or act like wise woman, but...if it was meant to work it would have worked." She shrugged her shoulder and gave him a slight smile. "It be okay soon." She reached up and grabbed his elbow and squeezed it and smiled a bit wider this t ime. She wanted to just give him a big hug, even though he didn't want one. She wanted to somehow absorb the sadness and heartbreak he was facing. She just felt so bad and there really wasn't anything seh could do.

"Promise." She said lowly looking out over Naboo. Mei-li drew in a deep breath and dropped her hand. As sad as this was she was feeling a bit of happiness inside. Although she was glad he was now single she felt a huge pang of guilt.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro smiled at her looking back out over the planet he found himself alone on. Well, not alone. With Mei-li. Even though Jiro was facing pain at the departure of his girlfriend, he felt like it wasn't because he felt anything for her. As bad as it was, Jiro knew the reason he hurt was because all those times that he had Orange had exchanged 'I love you''s and told each other they would never be apart again...they had been masks to cover something deeper.

Jiro had been covering that he longed for more than Orange could give him. And Orange? Well, she covered that she didn't want what Jiro had to offer her. Jiro supposed that now that it was over, that things would get better. He could only go up from here. And he thought that if he and Mei-li spent more time together, maybe even tried again what they weren't able to start all that time ago, then maybe Jiro would find what he was looking for. A person to not only love him romantically, but to be his best friend. It was what made a good relationship work. He didn't want to have to fight about every little thing, pretend all the time. He wanted someone who loved him for him and vice versa.

And Mei-li...she did. There was only one other person who had ever understood him and loved him just because. But he was long gone, and Jiro would never get him back because he didn't want to. He didn't want to go back to all of that. He...loved...Mei-li. At least...he truly believed he did. His emotions were so thrown about everywhere, he certainly wasn't going to tell her his undying love right now. But Jiro thought, that if given the proper nuturing, he would realize that he did love Mei-li. Deeper than he had loved anyone. He looked over at her, and just watched her. He couldn't help but smile. How wonderful she was. In every way. Perfect in every way.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li grabbed her drink and began to sip again, raising her eyebrows as the cold slushy hit her tongue and sent her mouth into a watering rage, loving the taste of orange and peach. She felt Jiro looking at her and for a moment she had an inner battle to not look, but she lost horribly. She slowly looked over at him and smiled, her teeth clamping onto the straw that had probably been masacred by them. She laughed lightly and let out a sigh. She really didn't need to say anything to him because she felt so comfortable with the silence they shared. She swore that she could literally walk away from him and feel as if that had been the greatest conversation of her life! It was unusual to experience comfortable silence. She looked back to the scene and felt her body wanting to just inch a little closer to him, feel his body heat a little more, hear his breathing a little better, feel his presence a little closer. She wanted so much, but she was just going to be. If there was anything she could do, it would be to just listen if he had anything at all to say. She felt her face grow warm and she took a sip of her drink hoping to cool her off, but that wasn't possible. Jiro would always give her that warm fuzzy feeling. She leaned her head to the right and then found herself resting her cheek on his shoulder, sipping her drink and looking out over Naboo. This was probably the most pleasant thing she had ever experienced in her life and she just hoped it would last for more than two seconds.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro felt her rest her face against him and he could do nothing but smile. Slowly, he lifted his arm and put it around her waist, stepping a little closer and carefully lowering his head to rest it on hers. They were closer than they had yet been, and Jiro was so happy right where he was. He had never felt this way before and he knew he never would again.

Thinking that Mei-li would be with him made things not look so bleak. In fact it made them look not bleak at all. It made him want to hurl himself at the future instead of inch his way into it as he had been doing so painfully with Orange. It made him excited. Made his wonder what he would be like fifteen years as a thirty-three year old with a twenty-year old Hana coming to visit he and Mei-li in thier home on Corsucant. It made him wonder what could all happen in thier lives.

Jiro took a deep breath and let it out, holding Mei-li just a little tighter. He never wanted to move from where he was right now. He never wanted to change who he was right now, and he never wanted Mei-li to change from how she was right now. He wanted them to always be like this. Always care about each other. Always be what he hoped they could be. Friends, lovers, soul mates. The phrase was so overused it felt funny to think, but Jiro hoped that maybe Mei-li was it. Maybe she had been what Jiro had missed out on his entire life. True love.

Neither of them needed to say anything. Becuase nothing was necessary. Jiro was as happy with a silence between them as he was with talk. Because both were just as wonderful. Everything seemed better with Mei-li.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled like an idot when he responded. She wanted to just laugh loudly and jump up and down, but she kept it inside. It was hard to do, but she was somehow managing to keep it bundled up and allow her insides to have the party. She loved how it felt to be held tightly as if that was exacly where they belonged, it felt good to feel him respond in a very positive way. It wasn't anything over the top, she didn't end up tackling him and kissing his face off, she just gave him a simple person to lean on in the hard time and she was so happy with that feeling. She let her straw go and lifted it up at Jiro. It seemed that with him, at this point, nothing would ever be off limits.

"Drink? Very good!" She smiled and looked up at him slightly, moving her head as best as she could with his own head resting on top. What was it about Jiro that made her heart flutter? Why did she get so excited to see him? Why did she feel so happy to think about a future with him, whether it be as friends or more. She had never grown so attached after such a brief meaning. It was beyongd beleif. She loved it.

So, when would it be safe to say something? A few weeks? A few months? Afterall he was going through a tough break up and she was not going to say anything to damage his healing process. If it took years, then she knew she'd be there helping him battle those demons. It was a win-win situation with him...how wonderful!

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro lifted his head a little and grinned down at her, unable to keep a laugh down. He had never had a moment like this with a woman. So quiet and serene and so fun. He reached up, steadying the drink with his own hand and taking a sip the taste of oranges and peaches exploding in his mouth like a foreign flavor, even though he had had this kind of thing before.

It was slightly tangy and he laughed as it tickled down his throat. Then he looked down at Mei-li and smiled again, nodding his agreement that it was good. This was such a normal thing to do, that it felt weird to do it. Of course a couple would sit together and watch the stars together and share a drink and laugh about nothing, or about an in-joke, but Jiro had never done this before. None of his previous girlfriends had been interested or the type to do this kind of thing. Jiro liked the feeling it gave him. It was being friends first. Having fun together. This was how things should go.

"That is really good!" he said, unable to keep a little of his happiness inside, and it spilled out in a laugh. "It's been forever since I have drunk something like that!"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li gasped and looked at him. "Yeah?" She gave him a playful push. "You crazy!" She took another drink and shook her head laughing lightly. God! If there were any moment in her life she wanted to remeber, it'd be this. They were just hanging out, talking, leaning on each other, just enjoying the company without having to say a word. It was so perfect that Mei-li feared the day it would end. Which she now realized would be here quicker than anything.

"I have an idea." Mei-li set her drink down on the bench a few feet away. She looked at him as she leaned against the railing that protected people from walking around on the dirty and flowers. She sighed and bit her lower lip. "Why don't we do something tomorrow! I am going to my house to pick up a few things, I don't know if you want to tag along for that, but after wards we can go get some good fruit. We can make our own, yeah?"

Mei-li just got a shiver. Making a frozen fruit drink wit Jiro sounded like such a good idea that she was actually wanting him to say yes. She was literally hanging on his breath waiting for his answer. She could see them now laughing and cutting up as they blended things together, perhaps even conjur up something that wasn't even invented yet. It would be dubbed the Mei/Ji fruit drink. She was bubbling inside.

"It could be fun, yeah!?"

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro grinned wide. He was sure he was glowing. He had never done anything like this before. He nodded emphatically.

"Yeah! That'd be fun!" he said laughing. Then he nodded again. "I can come with you, in case you need help carrying anything," Jiro offered referring back to her going to the house. He was a little afraid of going back. There were memories there the didn't want to remember, but he didn't want her going there alone either. He wanted to go with her and help her peice together the things she had lost when they had wrecked her home. Jiro felt guilty about that. About the fact that his brother had murdered her husband. But Taro had just been looking out for everyone, trying to keep Jesimae safe, to keep everyone safe. Including he, himself, who had been shot.

And Mei-li and Hana? Taro had been trying to keep them from being murdered by thier own husband and father. But still...Jiro shook his head. That was in the past. Maybe he would have the courage to approach the subject with Mei-li, but not now, while they were having fun.

"Yeah, I'd really like to! Just tell me when and where!"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled and raised her eyebrows, almost exaggeratedly. She laughed and nodded. "Great, Jiro!" She smiled and felt her heart flip flop and then almost explode by the swell of happiness she suddenly felt. So she wasn't going to have to view the bloody house by herself, perhaps it would be best for the both of them to close a chapter in their lives. She was glad that he'd help her, although she didn't think she'd need help carrying anything, she'd need some support when she saw the blood stains that were all that was left of her husband. Jiro's blood was there too and tha twould be moset difficult to look at. She still cringed at that horrid thought. Thankfully he was alive and just as handsome as before.

"We can go and get some stuff from my house...we can them go play in a nice part of Naboo. They have such good fruit. We can come back here and have at it. I cannot promise you it would taste as good as this, but I can promise it will be an experience!" She laughed. How much fun they were going to have. Although it might start out a bit rocky, the day she meant, the night would be something she would be able to laugh and love.

"I was planning on leaving at noon. I am in no hurry to go to the house, you know? You can come to my room or you can meet me in the lobby. Up to you. But I can say I am excited!"

[Jiro Lawson]

--------------

Jiro woke up in a very cold sweat two hours before he was supposed to meet Mei-li in the lobby at eleven thirty. He found himself wrapped like a mummy in the blankets of the large two person bed, one pillow on the floor, the other down nearer his feet than his head. He had had a rough night, unable to stay asleep long, nightmares. He would be right as rain however once he showered, dressed, got food in his stomach and called his brother.

When he finished in the shower he pulled on a pair of jeans that were ripped in the knees and various other places. He also pulled on a undershirt and a button down collared shirt that was pinstriped with little blue lines. He only buttoned the last four or five buttons for it was comfortable that way. He shook his hair out and let it dry on his own, it craziness untamable.

He dialed Taro's com number and waited as it rang. When he picked up he sounded like he was grinning about something and he heard Jesimae laughing in the background. How happy they sounded.

"Hello?" Taro said.

"Hey, it's Jiro," he said. He told his brother about how he and Orange had broken up, but how he had met Mei-li there and they were going to spend some time together and that he would see him in a few days. Taro apologized and told him that he would see him and they hung up. Jiro didn't know why he needed to give his brother a play-by-play of his life, but if he didn't tell him all the goings on, he didn't feel complete.

Getting up, Jiro glanced at the clock. Ten thirty. He still had an hour before he had to meet Mei-li in the lobby. Patting his pocket, Jiro decided he was going to go outside and have a cigarette. He never smoked but he always kept a pack with him in case he got the rare urge, which he did right now. He moved out of the room, and to the lifts, going down to the lobby and just outside. Lighting up one, he took a short drag and blew the smoke away from him.

It was warm outside, but it wasn't humid, and there was a pleasant breeze blowing through and around everything. Jiro took a deep breath to enjoy it.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li yawned as she dug around for a shirt. She was half awake and she hadn't been able to sleep very well for after parting with Jiro she felt so lonely. It had been so long since she was in the company of an adult and it had been so good to talk and just hang around. Since she left Naboo it seemed her life had been consumed with children, amongst her own, even the parents she spoke with at PTA meetings were much older and more wise than she, so she never felt connected to anyone except those she read in books. Plus, she wasn't sleeping well for it seemed this would be the time for her to face her past and face an ugly truth that she had wanted to stay away from. Luckily, she'd have someone with her.

Mei-li suddenly smiled brightly and realized how good it had felt, how wonderful it was to be around him, how natural it all felt. She pulled on her jean capri pants and quickly pulled on a yellow button up shirt. She always loved yellow and today looked like a bright day to wear a stand out shirt. She smiled as she walked over to the bathroom and put on a bit of make-up and combed her hair and put it in a braid and flipped it over her shoulder, seeing a few uneven strands fall into her face. She grabbed her watch and put it on her left wrist and then looked around for her empty duffle bag and her travellers card with a certain amount of credits. It beat bringing real credits and helped her from losing a purse whenever going somwhere. She put the heavy black duffel on her shoulder and walked to the door, pushing her feet into her black flip flops and walking out of the door hearing it automatically lock. She glanced at her watch as she walked down the hall towards the lifts. It was about ten till, hopefully she wasn't too early for him. But somehow she just felt this urge to hurry and go, the desire to see him again perhaps more important than the actual task ahead.

Mei-li stepped into the cool elevator and began to hum a little tune from a chinese song she had heard on Hana's headset. It was a catchy tune and it was entertaining her through the boring ride down. When the doors open light poured into the elevator and she looked up from the floor out into the slightly bustling lobby. She looked around for a moment before catching glimpse of Jiro standing outside. She smiled and felt herself literally jog over to the fancy revolving doors. She pushed out and walked up behind him and put her hands over his eyes, biting her lip trying to not laugh.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro made a surprised sound as he felt two hands go over his eyes. He grinned flicking his cigarette away from him and blowing the smoke out before reaching up to run his fingers over the hands as if he didn't already know who it was.

"Ni hao, Mei-li!" he said, using the words she had taught him on how to say hello. He didn't know how well he said it, but he did anyway. He ran his hands to her wrists, then turned, holding her hands in his. He grinned down at her and wet his lips. "Good morning!" he said cheerfully. It was funny how a new day gave you a new look at life. After the harsh night he had had the evening previous he was beginning to see that even though it was going to be hard to get over the parting with Orange, he would survive it. And Mei-li would help him do so, even if she didn't know it, which she almost certainly didn't.

"Did you sleep alright?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li smiled at him with surprise and with excitement. She laughed lightly and stared at him for a good moment. "You remember!" She didn't know why but this made her feel so good. Hearing him speak her words was almost like hearing that she had won a lottery. He said it so well, too.

"Morning!" She finally said squeezing his hands with excitement. So far the momrning was turning out to be great and seeing Jiro only made it more so. "I sleep, okay." She dropped his hands to push her duffel bag onto her shoulder and then put an arm around his waist, walking towards a platform not too far off in the dinstance. She didn't know why she did this, but it just seemed, and felt, right.

"Perhaps it was because I didn't have my little girl nearby. I dunno." She frowned slightly at the sun the beamed down upon them, every now and then being covered by a large drifting cloud. She looked up at him and felt a cool breeze blow by. "You?"

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro gladly put his arm aroudn her shoulder as they began towards the platform a little ways off. He was glad to hear she had gotten at least a semi-good nights sleep. More than he could say for himself. But it didn't matter now. He looked down at her and nodded.

"Slept fine," he answered, holding his other hand up over his eyes to sheild them from the sun that was so bright this morning. The day was going to be good and he was happy that he could share it with Mei-li. It seemed right, seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do. Everything seemed more natural when he was with Mei-li. He didn't understand it, but it did.

"It's so nice this morning," he commented. "You'd be hard pressed to get this anywhere in Coruscant. Even in the gardens they have set up inside designed to do this," he chuckled.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li nodded and made a noise that let him know she agreed about his statement. "Coruscant is nice, very busy, but nice. But I love my Naboo." She looked around and saw a taxi pull up unattended. She pointed over to it and grabbed the door and opened it, allowing Jiro to sit down inside first. Although for a moment they both laughed about who was to get inside first she finally stomped her foot and pouted, thankfully he complied or else they would have been there all night. She fell into the seat, almost right into his lap, and quickly typed in the address and sat back, hearing the door slam shut.

"Where are you from, Jiro?" Mei-li questioned as she looked over at him. "I knew you and your brother lived in Coruscant, but is that where you were born?" She was surprised that she hadn't found this information out sooner, but now was better a time than never. She looked around as they began to speed off to platform and towards her large house where she was waiting to get a sick feeling deep sinde when she caught glimpse of it.

"Do your parents live nearby?" She raised her eyebrows asking the questions she never knew answers to. She hoped he didn't mind her being nosey, but she was very interested in him and hoped to know everything about him and his family some day.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro thought about it a moment. He hadn't really had anyone ask him about his past, his family. It caught him off guard a little and then he digested the information. He looked over at her and nodded.

"Yeah," he said. "Taro, Haru, and I were born in the Nihongo District. We basically grew up there, though me and Taro planet hopped a little when we were younger," he explained, looking out of the window at the scenery as it sped by. Then he wet his lips. "As for my parents," he said looking back over at her. "My dad just passed away last year. And my mom died when I was still a kid," he finished with a nod. He smiled at her and turned towards her a little.

"What about you? I mean, what about your family?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li felt herself sway back and forth from the taxi that was being pushed around due to the nice breeze that Naboo was having that day. She listened to him talk and periodically glanced at him. She nodded when she flet hte need and smiled at him when he had finished. It was sad to hear about his parents, but she knew the feeling as well.

"Me?" She said taken a bit off gaurd. It had been a long time since she told anyone about her past or her family. THe only other person she told had been her husband. "I was born and raised here. I moved to Tattooine for a while when I was a teenager, which was where I met Jabari. I got knocked up and moved here with him." She frowned and looked away from him for a moment, it had been a long time sine she talked about it for she had almost forgotten that she still even had parents.

"My Parents are still here. They don't talk to me. When I moved to Tattooine, I got mixed up with certain people. They didn't like my pregnancy." She finally looked up at him and gave him a smile just because. It was a sad sappy story, she was sure, but it had been so long since she realized it that it didn't seem to hurt her anymore.

"I guess you and I have more in common than we think. Both travelled around, both parents gone..." She smiled feeling a bit awkward. She had never really had this conversation before in her life, not even with her husband. Jiro was beginning to be the man she had always wanted.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro gave her a smile and then reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly. He didn't say anything, he didn't feel like he had to. He had realized since running into her that Mei-li seemed to understand what Jiro meant even though he didn't say anything. They just understood each other.

He looked back out the window as the scenery continued to race by. He was a little nervous about seeing the house he had been shot in. He was nervous about seeing the house where his brother had murdered a man in. He was just nervous all around, even though he knew his nervousness couldn't compare to what Mei-li must have been feeling right then. She must have been moritfied. It was where her husband had been slaughtered, where strangers had murdered her husband. Jiro wet his lips. Maybe when they got there they would be able to finish a part of thier lives together that was hanging over thier head. Jiro could accept what had happened, what his brother had done, and so could Mei-li. She could pick up the peices of the life she used to have and sew them back in to the life she had now.

It was a little scary, but necessary.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li didn't speak the rest of the way, she wasn't really sure why but she figured it was because that her mind was running rampid with thoughts of what she was going to see. She knew that she had taken Hana out of the house without so much as cleaning a single thing. She knew, however, that Jabari's body had been dragged out of the house by his council gang members which is when they decided that Mei-li was responsible for his death, which in turn was the real reason why she left. She breathed in deeply when she saw the large house, the beautiful house that she missed and wished was still her home. She glanced over at Jiro and squeezed his hand out of fear and nervousness as to what she'd see.

"Here we are." She stated just to say something since she was sure he already knew that was her home. The taxi came to a stop and it was almost like her heart did too. She bit her lower lip and opened the door and stepped out staring the odd architectural building the once over. She was shaking like a leaf and she was so nervous. Jiro had crawled out a second later and seh simply walked on ahead and grabbed her key and tried to brace herself for what was inside. She looked over her shoulder to Jiro and smiled, if he didn't pick up on her uneasiness of the situation then she was doing a good job at hiding it.

"You sure you want to come with me?" She watched him nod and she quickly swiped her card and heard the door unlocked and the alarm kick off. She drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes before finally pushing the heay door in and stepping into the large foyer where she had remebered running up and down chasing Hana and also running from Jabari. She walked inside and realized that there were no lights on, for the large circular ones that hung high on the ceiling were turned off. She heard the low drumming sound of the air system and she knew that the place was still up and running. She looked at Jiro and glanced around, walking on ahead where she heard their footsteps echo. She glanced to the left then to the right seeing the large office that Jabari had used. She sat down her duffel bag and sighed walking on into the large office, seeing things shattered and tables broken. She bit her lower lip as she heard the pieces of glass crunch under her feet. She frowned and looked down seeing stains on the floor from a few droplets of blood and from a drink that the broken glass had held. She saw nothing of importance and turned around, seeing Jiro standing inside quietely looking around. She sighed out.

"I guess your brother and my husband duked it out." She walked on by and felt her stomach flip when she neared the kitchen. Mei-li didn't know if she could actually go and look, but she knew she needed to. She stopped in front of the white door that swung and allowed her to enter. She closed her eyes trying to prepare herself, but she knew she could never be prepared. She pushed the door open and felt tears crawl up her throat. She put a hand over her mouth as her eyes went from one end of the kitchen to the other. Dark blood stains everywhere, nothing being untouched. She wasn't sure if she was crying because of the amount of blood that had been spilled or if it was because of the horrible death he had. Either way she shook her head, never really expecting to see this again. She stepped back and closed the door and sighed out.

"I can't believe a human has that much blood inside of him." She sniffed and put a hand on her hip as she wiped her tears away with the other. She wasn't really crying for Jabari, it was just hard to see her dream house destroyed and deserted because of an evil man. It was also hard for her to remember the many times she had been in that kitchen fixing Hana's lunch, playing games with her daughter in there, and even having defended herself with knives when Jabari was having a bad day.

"So much." She said lowly looking at Jiro.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro followed Mei-li mutely unable to take in everything at once. The house was a wreck. Memories flew through his mind. His body shivering with the cold he had felt when he had been shot, four times he thought it had been. But at the time, he had been too stunned to count.

Taking a deep breath Jiro moved to where Jabari had been murdered. He pushed in after Mei-li had backed out. The floor no longer looked white, but was stained with blood, brains, glass littered the floor, chairs were upturned. Jiro felt ill. He could remember seeing his brother murder Jabari. Even though he had been in pain, he would never forget it. Taro advancing on Jabari, gun in hand, firing blindly into the man's body, his screams like that of a madman, blood exploding from Jabari's body, hitting Taro, his face and chest and legs decorated with it.

It had been like a nightmare that none of them had been able to wake up from. His stomach flipped as he remembered how close Hana had come to being killed by her own father simply because of a kiss he and Mei-li had shared. Jiro knocked away some of his hair, a lump forming in his own throat as he too backed out of the room and turned, finding the spot on the floor near the stairs where he, himself, had been shot. The blood had not been cleaned up, the shreds of his clothing still embedded in the blood caked carpet.

Jiro furrowed his brow, going to the spot on the floor. It was wide, spreading from one spot on the floor, evidence of hand and footprints surrounding it, where his brother had stepped in the blood, where he had grabbed the carpet as if it might help him stay alive. Crouching, Jiro let out a long breath running his hands over the carpet, hardened now from the blood. Glass was around here too, used charger packs for blasters, even a discarded blaster still lay in the corner. Probably where Taro, or Jabari had thrown it when it was no longer of any use to them.

It was surreal, looking at his own dried blood on the carpet, the memories flashing through his head as he remembered catching a glimpse of Jabari falling to the ground, his head caved in from the blaster shots, the sound of brains and skull splattering on the wall behind him as Taro fired at will. It was traumatizing for him, but he couldn't imagine what it was like for Mei-li. Seeing these things made Jiro forget all the problems he had in his life now. It made him remember what he and his brother had faced at one point. What Mei-li and Hana had faced. What Jesimae had faced. Her only brother--a lunatic--being murdered by her lover.

Jiro raised himself back to a standing position and let out another breath, saying a quick prayer over the gore, his and Jabari's alike. He touched the Buddha necklace under his shirt and closed his eyes, letting the memories find thier places again. He turned back to Mei-li and nodded at her, unable to find words that could acurately describe any of this. Especially any that would do her justice. None of his pain could ever be like hers.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li felt the tears stream down her face as she suddenly elt remorseful for Jiro as he walked over to the carpet and bent down to touch it, as if it was helping him heal in some way. She bit her lower lip and wiped the salty tears away and walked over to him standing at a safe dinstance as his hands formed over the dried carpet, watching a few shards of glass pop in the air and land somewhere else. It had been a nightmare and they were actually reliving it together. She crossed her arms and tried to blink away the tears as she watched him stand and sigh out. She watched him reach his hand up to touch something then he turned and looked at her. HE nodded and for soem reason that was the most comforting thing she had ever experienced. He had understood everything and no words were needing to be said. She smiled at him and nodded in return. She dropped her arms and walked over to the stairs and put her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. It was something she really wanted to do as if it helped her, and in a way it did.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro raised his arms and wrapped them around her shoulders, holding her tightly and looking around the wrecked house as they embraced. This was a nightmare that was part of thier history together. It wasn't something they would ever be able to erase, but that was okay. It had helped in forming Jiro's personality, and he didn't want to ever forget it. He needed to remember what had happened to continue.

He hugged Mei-li for a long time, neither of them seeming to want to part. Jiro kept looking around, his brain still unable to wrap around the fact that they had both lived through this. That Taro and Jesimae and Hana had lived through this. It was so horrifying it seemed like only something that would happen and Jiro would read about in the news. Not something that would happen to him and the people he knew and loved. It was so surreal, Jiro was almost not sure if it wasn't just a bad dream.

But this house was proof that it wasn't.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li sighed out the hug helping her in so many ways that could never eally be explained. She moved slightly and looked around and then up at Jiro.

"Okay." She said after a long moment finally letting go of him, although it was slightly against her will, adn walked over to the duffel bag and grabbed the strap and put it on her shoulder. She sighed out and quickly grabbed Jiro's hand and began ascending the steps. She looked over her shoulder at him and gave him a smile. "Thank you for coming with me." She smiled and looked up the steps. That was really it. There was nothing more to actually see, except painful reminders of she and her husband in forced pictures and bad candids. All she was to do now wa go into Hana's room, pick up some stuffed animals, books, clothes, and some other items, and head to her room to get a few pictures of her daughter and then leave.

This hadn't been as hard as she had figured, but she was almost positive it would have been much worse had she never run into Jiro and have spent the time with him. To have him with her now was almost surreal and like a dreamn, but she knew that he was there reliving it all with her on his own free will. She glanced at him and smiled, squeezing his hand so happy that he was there. She didn't know how she would ever repay him for having him help her. She just knew that she'd spend the rest of her life doing it if she could.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro followed her up the stairs to the rooms on the second floor. As they passed it, he glanced into the room that Jesimae and Taro shared. He saw articles of clothing there that belonged to his brother. Things he had left because they had all wanted to leave as soon as they possibly could. He spotted a necklace on the dresser and knew that it was one Taro had left in the heat of the moment.

They passed the room and continued down to Hana's room where Mei-li probably needed to get some things. They entered slowly and Jiro couldn't keep a smile off of his face. It was so small and girlish, like Hana. Cute and sweet, with all the things--or many things--that were or had been important to her. Some areas of the room looked like they had been cleaned of things--probably from where Hana and Mei-li had grabbed what they could before they had all left.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li sighed and dropped the duffel shaking her head at how much Hana missed her old room. She missed her canopy bed, the pink carpet, the pink floors, the windows, the pictures, everything Hana wanted. She knew that it was just impossible to get everything in one trip, for this was going to be her final trip to Naboo and to this house. She looked over at Jiro and smiled.

"We don't even live here anymore and it is still a wreck." She sighed out and shook her head. "If you find anything of stuffed animal decent I need it to go in this bag!" She laughed lightly and walked over to the bed and grabbed a pillow and tossed it next to her bag. She didn't think Hana had this much stuff, but Mei-li realized how spoiled she was and it made her slightly annoyed. What was one five year old to do with a million and one things?

"You know, her room at home isn't much bigger than this one, but for some reason it amazes me that she still has so much stuff here." She was just speaking off the top of her mind, glancing at Jiro and shaking her head. For some reason it seemed so right to just be babbing about nothing with him, like he actually gave a darn about what she was saying and how it seemed as if he knew exactly what she was talking about. Mei-li just smiled so happy that Jiro was here. Like it was the last trip they'd make to an old house together before moving into a new one...together just the three of them. Her heart skipped a beat and she quickly moved on to grabbing the sheets off of her bed and folding them quickly to push it inside the duffel bag.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro began making rounds about the room, grabbing a stuff dog from the corner and a stuffed something else a few feet away from it. He smiled at Mei-li's words as he walked to the duffel bag and dropped the animals in.

"Little girls love thier things," he said with a chuckle, spotting a lone stuffed cat in another corner and going over to rescue it. "Besides, a little girl can't have enough stuffed animals," he said. He didn't actually know from experience since he hadn't had any sisters and the only girls he had known as a young boy were older ones, usually Taro's girlfriends. And any girlfriend he had had--which had been few and far between--had not allowed him to see thier rooms, usually for reasons such as its messy or I don't want my boyfriend to see my bed. But it just seemed like a little girl needed stuffed animals. Especially a five year old. Jiro was certainly not a girl, but he remembered even when he had been five he had had a small stuffed something that Taro had given him. It was long gone now, but he and it had been inseperable.

Jiro smiled a little as he looked under the bed and got a small stuffed horse from there, looking down at it before tossing it into the bag.

[Evie Choi]

EDIT!

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li felt him slightly brush against her leg when she realized he was taking on the task of getting on his hands and knees to search under the bed to get more stuffed animals. How many had they found? SHe was surprised if it was Hana who had kept many stuffed animal factories alive and in business, Lord knew she had millions! She smiled and watched Jiro crawl back out and put a horse in the bag.

"I'll be amazed if I can get anything of mine in this bag." She bent down next to him and rolled her eyes with a smile, putting a unicorn into the bag that was quickly beginning to be filled. "I don't have but a few shirts and a dress, but still...this bag is all Hana's!" She laughed lightly and looked up at him. How cute he was! The backdrop of Hana's old room was just a moment in Mei-li's mind that she would always want to keep fresh for she wasn't sure if she'd ever see it again. He looke so right with it all. She felt her cheeks flush with color and she let out a sigh and stood up.

"Well...I guess that is it." Just as she said that she found a huge yellow teddy bear in the corner, something that was almost as big as Jiro. She laughed loudly and shook her head. "That definitely can't go." She said looking over at him and laughing. "Hana got that from me on her birthday last year, I paid too much for that thing." She laughed and looked around seeing nothing else of importance.

"My little Hana. Spoiled rotten."

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro grinned and went over to the big teddy bear. He grabbed a paw and pulled it out from the wall. He moved in behind it and looked over at Mei-li.

"Why can't it go? If it was a birthday present, I imagine she would want it," he said grinning like a fool as he crouched slightly and wrapped his arms around the big teddy and hoisted it up a little from the floor. It was very heavy, much more so than it looked. He laughed out loud as the teddy overpowered him and he fell forward, falling over top of it and into it's lap, laughing more like a kid than he had in forever. He crawled up to his feet and stood straight, pulling his shirt back down from where it had hiked up.

"Okay..." he said, brushing back some hair. "Maybe not."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed lightly and watched him fall forward. How cute that was! How cute he looked holding a teddy bear! GOD! How cute he was in general! She laughed a bit louder as he finally stood up showing defeat, pushing back his hair that had fallen.

"Aw, you mean to tell me you can't pick up bear?" She raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Are you saying you are wuss?" She smiled at him and tried to stop laughing, but trying to see him pick up a teddy bear and lose was just too funny. "I thought men were supposed to be strong!" She couldn't help herself. If there was one thing that she could poke fun at, it would be Jiro being beaten by a teddy bear. Her daughters, no less.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro put his hands on his hips and furrowed his brow. Then he began to advance forward as if he were going to tackle her.

"You're calling me a wuss?" he asked, grinning evilly at her. Then he jumped over to her and grabbed her around the waist, hoisting her up for she was light as a feather. Then he spun her around. "This strong enough for you!" he laughed as he spun, holding her up above him. After a moment, he got a little dizzy and finally let her down, still laughing. He brushed away some hair from her face and grinned down at her.

"There now. I'm not a wuss!"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li laughed like a child who had eaten too many chocolates. She put a hand on her forehead as she tried to stable herself from the sudden pick up and spinning Jiro had randomly done, which had amused and suprised her more than she had figured. She held out her left hand and laughed, letting out a little 'woo' from being dizzied up. She looked at Jiro and gave him a playful push.

"You pick me up and spin me, yet you still can't pick up a fluffy teddy bear." She laughed and sighed out. That was fun! Her laughing subsided and she regained her balance. "You are still a wuss." She said with another laugh as she looked around finding nothing else to take. The poor bear was just going to stay put. "I'll guess I'll have to buy a new one." She looekd over at Jiro and grinned.

"Remind me, though, to find someone who can actually pick one up." She laughed and gave him another playful push. She was loving this far more than she should have. Jiro had suddenly made her feel like a kid and it was actually really nice.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro laughed as she pushed him and he put his arm around her shoulder, leaning down and kissing her forehead, more because it seemed the right thing to do than that he knew what he was doing. He turned and picked up the duffel bag, putting it on his shoulder and zipped it up, pulling it securly onto his shoulder and looking around. Then he looked back at Mei-li.

"I guess that means you have to count me out as your dream guy," he said with a playful wink. "I can't pick up a teddy bear!" he laughed and sighed giving the room the once over again before sighing and nodding. "Alright then..." he looked at Mei-li. "Do you mind if I stop in the room Jes and Taro stayed in? Taro left a couple things in there I know he has missed."

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li felt her cheeks blush. What was going on here? Why were they shamelessly flirting with each other? And that kiss...ugh! Shoot Mei-li in the foot! She was on cloud nine, more so than she had been the night before when she got to kiss Jiro. Now the two were playing husband and wife for a split second and making jokes about dream guys. This was bordering something that Mei-li was beginning to take serious. They were kidding, but all truth had some hidden meaning behind it, she was positive. For she counting Jiro out as a dream guy was just not happening, not now at least!

"No," She said frowning softly as she walked behind him. "You picked me up, that counts as something." She laughed and put her hand on the small of his back as if she had always done so. It was all so natural with him and it was beginning to go beyond her dreams into another realm. This was scary how much she liked him, how she wa ready to profess undying love for him, kiss him again and again, call him her husband, and even claim him as Hana's real father.

"Sure!" She said to his need to go to the guest room. She had wondered what that stuff was. "You go there. I'll be in my room next door getting a few things." She smiled at him and suddenly she felt like giving him a huge kiss as if they were leaving each other for a day, when it might only be a few minutes. She bit her lower lip and smiled at him and walked on down the hall into her bedroom, her heart hitting the floor immediately. It still smelled like Jabari.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro smiled at her, watching her walk into the next room and disappear from his vision. He moved into the room that Taro and Jesimae had shared and glanced around. There was a bag in the corner. Jiro cocked his head, dropping the duffel and going over. He crouched down next to it and unzipped the bag. He reached in and felt there were clothes in there. Pulling an article out, he recognized it as one of Taro's t-shirt.

Stuffing it back in, Jiro picked up the bag and tossed it on the bed--that was still unmade--and worked his way to the dresser where he had seen the necklace. He looked down at it. It was Taro's. It had the character Ai on it--Jiro had given it to him ages ago when they had still been children. He remember Taro asking if he had seen it, that he couldn't find it. Taro must have forgotten it here in the chaos. Jiro pocketed the item and searched the rest of the bedroom, finding only one of Jesimae's old guns and a pack of cigarettes on her side of the bed. Jiro left both and grabbed the bag from the bed and the duffel from the floor.

Jiro put both bags on his shoulder and moved out and back down the hall to where he had seen Mei-li go. He went to the door frame and pushed the door open, looking in at Mei-li who was searching through things. He leaned on the door frame, allowing her the time she needed to go through whatever she wanted.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li folded a few shirts of hers, grabbing a necklace Hana had made her in art class in kindergarten. She looked at it with a smile and then put it around her neck for good measure. She looked at the tall dresser and frowned. She sighed out and picked up the large heavy diamond ring that Jabari had given to her before they got married. She wasn't sure if she should have kept it there or if she should take it and give it to Hana later in her life. Or...sell it? She wasn't sure, but she held on to it looking at the other dresser with a few pictures of Hana. She smiled and put them on the edge of her bed on top of her clothes. She suddenly realized Jiro had been standing there. She looked over at him and smiled.

"I don't know what to do with this." She sat the pictures down and walked over to Jiro and showed him the large piece of flashy jewelry in her hand. For some reason taking it would feel like she had been cheating on Jiro, although they weren't anything but friends at the moment. "What do you think?" She frowned and waited for a response as if he had as much of a say in the matter as she did. Already she was looking at him for advice. If this wasn't a sign then she had no idea what it was.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro looked at the large ring and sighed. It certainly was huge, and most would think that it was a token of love. But Jiro had the sneaking suspicion that it had been an act. Because it certainly hadn't been love that Jabari had been showing her when Jiro had seen them. He dropped the duffel and bag he had retrieved form the guest room and walked over, observing the ring. Then he looked at Mei-li and sighed again.

"Well, if it is important to you, take it," he said, giving her a reassuring smile. "But if you don't want it, leave it. It is all up to you, Mei." He smiled down at her, hoping she didn't mind the shortening of her name. He had always said that to Taro and Jesimae but the nickname had slipped out without him noticing it. He chewed his lip. It looked as if Mei-li was having inner conflict about whether or not to keep or leave the ring.

If it had been Jiro, he would have left it, but he understood that Jabari was still Mei-li's husband even if he had been a bad one, and there had to have been an amount of love there.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked up at him and smiled like a fool. "Mei?" She sighed out and took the ring and nodded. She returned it to where she found it and realized she didn't need it, had no use for it. It was too gaudy, too large, too...impressive. She knew that she had gotten it for a black eye received by Jabari and that it was just a lasting impression on her if she were to take it. She grabbed her clothes and went over to the duffel her dropped and quickly put the few objects inside. She stood and bent down to grab the strap and sighed.

"Mei...it means cute when shortened." She pulled the heavy bag on her arm and laughed. "You think I'm cute?" She was flirting again, shamelessly so! She knew he didn't know but it was nice to tease him. He took it so well and even teased back. If she were ever to do that to Jabari he would have told her to stop acting like a child. She walked by him and laughed.

"If you want to make out with me, quit beating around the bush!" She looked over at him and smiled. She was definitely flirting shamelessly and for some reason she had no intetions of stopping.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro watched her walk by him, telling him how Mei meant cute and how if he wanted to make out with her, he should stop beating about the bush. He grinned at her back, grabbing his own bag and jogged up behind her. He reached out taking her wrist, stopping her, and pulling her back closer to him.

"Okay," he said, leaning down over her shoulder and pressing his lips to hers. They were acting like they were already boyfriend and girlfriend, but to Jiro it felt natural. Felt like he was always meant to flirt and tease and kiss this woman. That he was always meant to share himself, share his life with her. He didn't know why he felt this way about her, but for some reason, even though the feeling had gone dormant over time, it had come back full force when he had seen her again. And now, he was kissing her gently, passionately like he had always done so.

Mei-li had thrown his emotions into an upheaval. But Jiro liked it.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li furrowed her brow when he had actually done it and when she was in the midst of being kissed she felt her knees grow weak and her heart use all the power and energy in her body. How was this possible? She was joking and already they were making out and acting like the happiest couple in the world. Although it wasn't set in stone properly, she couldn't help but already feel that she was connected to him and already his girlfriend. Their mouths hadn't actually voiced it yet. When they parted Mei-li felt winded. She didn't know a time when she had ever been literally floored by a kiss, last time she had was...well...when Jiro had done it!

"Well! That is..much better...than....beating around a bush." She couldn't help but want to drop her bag and jump on him and just have her way with him! But, she remembered the last time she had that thought she ended up pregnant with Hana. "Be a bit more quick about it, hmm?" She laughed nervously and shivered.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro laughed when he pulled away and she told him to be quicker about it. He gave her a shrug and then began to walk with her back towards the stairs. As they walked he couldn't remember why he had kissed her. But he was glad he had. It had been nice. To kiss someone who understood him, whom he cared deeply about. It had been a kiss he had really meant and wanted.

As they walked back down the stairs, Jiro had to step over the dried pool of his own blood to get back to the front door. He stepped outside, taking in a deep breath of freash Naboo air. It was so nice out, warm but not humid, and a gentle breeze catching through thier hair and the trees. He wanted to stay here forever, never leave Naboo. But Coruscant was his home and he would always have to go back to him home, and his brothers and everything.

Jiro glanced down at Mei-li and smiled a little, lifting his eyebrows expectantly.

"Are you sure you have everything you want?"

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked at him and frowned. She controted her mouth and thought.

"Hana's stuffed animal's--check. Hana's bed clothes--check. My clothes--check. My necklace--check. A cute escort...by the name of Jiro--check!" She smiled at him and felt so corny, but she was havingto much fun! What was she going to do when she got back to Coruscant? She was going to be thrown into that world of older people who couldn't relate, she'd be taking care of Hana without help again, she'd be ultimately lonely. She never wanted to leave Naboo. Not after everything that had happened, not after seeing Jiro again. It was a sad thought, but she knew that was life.

"You get everything?" She raised her eyebrows and got serious as she walked beside of him. She didn't think she could literally handle the thought of not seeing Jiro again. Which was why she was eager to push the thought aside.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro glanced down and around him, making sure he had the bag that had been in the guest room. Then he patted his pocket to make sure the necklace was still there. He felt it then smiled and nodded.

"Yep," he said with a shrug. "Looks like all bases are covered." He smiled again as they headed for the taxi platform that was near to her home. They arrived but it took awhile for a cab to actually come their way. Finally, Jiro hailed one down, and the door opened. He pushed the duffel bag in first, then motioned for Mei-li to get in before him. She crawled in and he finally finished it off by piling in with his bag at his feet, and his body slightly squashed between Mei-li and the door that closed.

He looked over at Mei-li and smiled, motioning towards the key pad, since she knew where they were going and he did not.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li looked at him as if he were crazy. This taxi was much smaller than she had remembered it being before. She sighed out and laughed.

"Prepare to see something you never thought you would!" She grabbed the door and pulled herself up and over the mess to type in the hotel giving Jiro a clear shot of her butt. She felt horribly embrassed yet she was slightly wanting that to happen. What was hapenning to her? She was turning into this huge carefree woman who was wanting to look sexier, wanting to jump on him and make out with him, wanting to marry him, wanting to just...stick her butt in his face!

"Sorry! Jiro!" She said loudly as she laughed lightly as the taxi started up and roared with life. She felt it move forward in a hard jolt and she almost fell ontop of his lap. She sat down and let out a sigh. "Sorry!"

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro chewed on his lip as her she leaned over him, her back side right in his face. Not that it wasn't nice, she had a very cute butt, it was just, slightly embarrassing, probably more so for her than him. When the taxi revved to life and started off, she almost landed on top of him, but skillfully avoided it and landed in the seat next to him. He grinned over at her as he made himself comfortable between her and the door and the bags.

For some reason, even though this was one of the most uncomfortable places he had been in his life, it felt fine. He felt comfy because Mei-li was sitting beside him, and because they were going places together and would be together the rest of the day. He could imagine the complaining Orange would have been doing if she was here. But she wasn't. Jiro was coming to grips with that, though it still felt strange not to have her there with him. He liked being with Mei-li, being himself. Never having to pretend like he was enjoying her company, because he truly did love being with her and around her.

"It's no problem!" he answered with a laugh.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

She laughed and looked at him for the longest time. She gave him a push with her elbow. "When do I get yours in my face?" She laughed and let out a sigh. It was burning up in that tiny little tin can she wasn't sure if it was because of the things, or if it was because Jiro was so close, or that she was flirting...either way she was needing air.

"It's getting warm, yeah?" She frowned and when he looked at her she couldn't help but smile. Nothing brought out a smile in her like seeing Jiro. "We can go to hotel and drop these off and, if you'd like, we can still go to the fruit stand and get some fresh fruit!" She hadn't forgotten last night and the plans they made, she was just making sure that he was still up for it. She felt herself blush.

"I being pushy?" She frowned and looked at him. Dear God if she was in some way making him uncomfortable she'd jump off a bridge.

[Jiro Lawson]

Jiro shook his head emphatically.

"No, no! You aren't. And yeah, we can still go," he said, his mind working back to the evening previous when they had discussed making drinks together. He couldn't help but grin about it. The idea was still appealing and he still wanted to do it. But God knew he would probably make a huge mess out of everything because of how clumsly he was with everything. But he nodded and smiled anyway, willing to do anything as long as he was with Mei-li.

[Mei-Li Yeh]

Mei-li bit her lip with excitement and joy. She was sitting next to the most attractive man in all of the Universe and they were on their way to get some fresh fruit for some great frozen drinks that the two were to make a little later that evening. Her mind was rushing with ideas of what they could do, what they could talk about, what they could see. The lists were endless and it only made her more anxious to get things rolling. There seemed to be so many things she wanted to do and say that there just didn't seem to have that much time to disperse it all.

She was sure Jiro picked up on her excitement and bouncing joy as they made their way through the tiny little townships and homes in the city that were so different and diverse that it almost seemed like a lost world. Everytime they turned a corner there was new things to see, explore, and love. Naboo had always been her first home and she knew almost every part of it, but it also had a dreainess to it all that Mei-li just couldn't get over. SHe missed her home, but yet she loved the future Coruscant was holding for she and Hana. Plus, that was where Jiro was and what a better place to live than on the same planet as him?

She looked at Jiro smiling like a child who just received chocolate.

"Isn't this place great?" She bit her lower lip and looked back out the window as the taxi began to roll to a stop. She smiled and let out a sigh and pushed Jiro playfully. "We're here! This place is called 'Hanging Gardens' it has so many places filled with fruit, flowers, and other herbal things!" She opened the door and crawled out and looked at him slide out, his legs much longer than her own and it seeming to last forever as he stood up and stretched. She smiled and stopped herself from giving him a playful tickle on the tummy wondering if that would perhap cross a line of comfort he wasn't wanting her to, yet.

"They have such good stores! Best ice cream here, too! Hana and I come all the time together. Well...we used to! Come on, I show you everything!" She was excited and she needed to calm down. She let out a laugh and shook her head and pushed her hair out of eyes and let out a sigh and rolled her eyes. She found Jiro's eyes and waved a hand at him.

"Sorry! I so happy to be here...with you."