The Stuff of Dreams

What do you want?

Tai-Lung sat in the silent house, growling to himself as the morning hours ticked. He massaged the bridge of his nose and kept trying to focus on the paper he was reading, but the echo of the paper rustling in the empty house kept jarring his conscience, and the image of a panda plagued his mind. Finally, he put the paper down and groaned, "I'm such an idiot. What am I going to do?" Tai-Lung looked around and saw his phone. He grabbed it and called the one person he never thought he would. "Hello, Mother?" 

"What did you do to Mei?" Anka asked. 

"Wha! How did you... Why are you asking that?"

"This is the first woman in your life that you've tolerated being around," She said. "You're not going to be perfect, and I can hear your depression from here."

"Then why did you tell me not to marry until I was 20!" Tai-Lung growled out. 

"Which would you rather have, Tai-Lung? A relationship where you couldn't help the woman, or a relationship where you could?" Tai-Lung was speechless. "When I met your father, we didn't start dating until he finally got a job, but we knew each other for a long time before that."

"Why didn't you start dating right there and then?" 

"Because we didn't just want each other. We wanted to a future with each other. I didn't want you to get tangled up in the emotions of love until you had a strong head on your shoulders, but I guess should have taught you how to manage them first." Again Tai-Lung was speechless. "Son, don't be afraid to go after her. You decide what kind of relationship you want."

"And if she doesn't want one?"

"Then you go back to a professional relationship, but as it stands right now, it doesn't seem like you can stay in one place. I have to go now, I'll talk to you later." Anka hung up, leaving Tai-Lung back in the silent house before his phone rang again. This time, it was Po. 

Tai-Lung's heart sank. His finger trembled, his throat felt dry, and he was pretty sure the tight T-shirt he had on was producing sweat right now. "Hello?"

"Hey, Tai-Lung. I just wanted to tell you that I sent the book out to the publishers. So what should I do now?" Po asked. The snow leopard probably had the biggest sigh of relief he ever had. 

"AHh! Well, you should try and start the next thing. While it's nice to sit down and relax a bit, you'll find yourself wanting to get started on another project soon. But for the week, it's good to just let your pen rest, so to speak," Tai-Lung said. "I'm really proud of you, Po. I'm glad you've made it this far."

"Yeah, thank you. Also uh... Mei came home last night and told me what happened," Po said. Tai-Lung's heart stopped. 

"Po, I'm... dreadfully sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"What's wrong with you?" 

"Huh?"

"What is wrong with you?" Po repeated. He didn't say this in an angry or disappointed manner. It sounded like genuine concern and worry. Tai-Lung loudly sighed into his chair, hunching his back.

"I... I don't know. I just...Over the past year, Mei has been a great help and I really enjoy her company. But... I keep forgetting that this is a professional relationship... and I can't... I've never-"

"What was that thing I said to you when we first met? I'm here to learn," Po said. Tai-Lung was silent. "Look, I'm not your mom, but get rid of your pride, accept that you like the girl, and get to it! Geez! Sometimes it's painful watching you two. Anyway, I have to get to work. Make sure that you tell her before it's too late." He hung up after that. 

Too late? Tai-Lung didn't know what he meant by that, but he didn't have time to dwell on it before the doorbell rang. He opened the door and Mei stood out there, holding a plastic bag in front of her. "Oh... uh... Good morning, Mei."

"Good morning, T... Mr. Tai-Lung." Suddenly, the 'Mister' felt like a bee sting to the heart. "I wanted to give you this."

"Oh, thank you."

"It's food... probably the last food that I'm going to be making for you in a while," Mei said with a sad smile. 

"What do you mean?" He asked, setting the food down inside. Mei took a deep breath. 

"Yesterday, I got a job offer and they accepted me. Basically, I can go back to working from home and doing what I love." Tai-Lung's eyes widened as his ears sagged. "I wanted to tell you yesterday, but I didn't know if I could secure the offer yet."

"And now you can?" Mei nodded. Tai-Lung breathed slowly and folded his hands behind him. "Very well, I... I'm very grateful for all you've done for me and my work. I'll send your last check tomorrow." 

"Thank you," Mei said, turning around to leave. All the panic in the world jumped onto Tai-Lung's mind and his heart cried for release; each step she made churned his internal screaming more and more.

Get her you, idiot! 

"Wait!" Something like a crippled child crying for care rang out of his mouth. Mei stopped. "I... I'm sorry for yesterday."

"It's okay. I didn't mean to-"

"No, listen," Tai-Lung said, holding her shoulders and turning her around. She didn't flinch. "I'm sorry that I just...I didn't want to... I... I want you to stay here. Please." 

"Why?" Mei asked. "If I stay here, I have nothing to do other than use your kitchen. And how are we going to keep a professiona-"

"Forget about professional!" Tai-Lung nearly roared. "I'm tired of living this fake idea that we had a professional relationship in the first place!" He looked her straight in the eye. "Look, I'm sorry for shutting down like that. I didn't want to admit that you've changed so much of my life. You and your brother. You helped me get my parents back, you helped me change my view about people and how I see the world. And I was trying to avoid saying that because I didn't want to...You know. Please forgive me, Mei. I don't want you to leave. I never did. It was just my big mindless pride that got in the way. Please, stay." Something hot yet wet streamed down Tai-Lung's face. "Please stay," His voice trembled.

Mei sniffled, wiping her eyes and then wiping the snow leopard's tears away. "Oh, you overgrown cat." 

"Are you really calling me fat now?" Tai-Lung teased, smiling through his drying tears. "I'm sorry for-"

"It's okay," Mei smiled. "I'll stay." Tai-Lung grinned, making Mei laugh. "I've never seen you smile like that."

"You... uh... I mean. Darn it, words!" Tai-Lung growled. The panda stifled a laugh. "Please, why don't you come in so you can work here... with me? 

"I would be glad to." 

To Be Continued...