Second Ave Offices: The Time In Between (WLW)

Chapter Eleven

"They put Us far apart - As separate as Sea, And Her unsown Peninsula - We signified 'These see' ..."

-Emily Dickinson

Listening to a recording of Donald playing piano as she finished the last of her work, Kanda smiled at the inflections he made, the character to his artistry. After meeting him for a second time, though on the most mournful of occasions, Kanda had been spending more time with him. In fact, he wasn't the only member of the Kokkinos family she was getting to know and for the first time since coming to the states, she felt like she truly belonged. However, she wasn't sure if the government felt the same as something was set onto her desk by a familiar hand.

Peering up at its source, she found Maya standing over her desk. "Hey, stranger. I tried calling, but from what I'm told you've been quite busy?"

"Oh, darn. I'm sorry, Maya. I nearly forgot about our meeting and have been so busy with--" Kanda began as she removed her headphones playing Chopin's Opus 28, but was relaxed with a raised hand.

"It's alright, Kanda. I know you've had a lot on your plate. Ju filled me in when she gave me the fourth degree earlier in the week." Compassion controlled Maya's delicate features and she gave her an easy grin. "I only came 'cause I have very good news."

"Did someone say good news?" Mark asked as he walked into the artist's room and leaned along Kanda's desk with a tired sigh. "And a nap..."

"What's wrong with you?" Maya pat his back as he cast her a disparaging expression and found a bean bag nearby. As she slumped into it, she gasped and fell backward further than she apparently thought might happen, making Mark snort through his exhaustion. "I guess chivalry's dead?"

"Nah, and neither is karma."

At this, Maya's face fell and she fought to get back up from her perch, prompting Kanda to come to her defense. "Enough, Mark!" His eyebrows rose up his forehead and he swallowed rather resoundingly as Kanda stood up. She began ushering him out of the room much to his chagrin as he pushed back against her. "Either behave, or leave."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." He hurriedly professed as he spun out of her grasp. "I'm sorry for saying that, Maya. I know you're helping Kanda to stay here, so I really am sorry."

Kanda got him to the door and nodded toward it, watching him trod off with slumped shoulders as Maya called from behind herself, "You know, it's okay. I mean, it's not like I didn't bring that on myself."

"No, it's not alright." Kanda made her way back to her and began helping her out of the bean bag. She got her to her feet and gave her shoulders a few pats, then kept her hands there. "He's too protective for his own good a lot of the time and though his words came from a place of love, everyone needs to cut you some slack. You've more than made up for the past and I know you're back to being you now. How are the AA meetings getting along?"

"Wonderfully. My sponsor says I'm making great strides and I'm nearly four months sober. But that isn't what I came to discuss." Maya ran her arms through Kanda's hands and grasped hers with cheer. "Your application for a permanent residency visa has been approved!"

"Already? That was so fast!" Kanda jumped with Maya and found her cheeks literally glowing with just as much enthusiasm.

"It helps to know your way around the legal system and to have someone in your pocket rather high up in status." Maya grew bashful and rubbed the back of her head. "You know, we never really discussed my family, but you should know we...are relatively powerful within the law world. Either way, you have permanent residency status, Kanda. Now it will definitely take more time to become a citizen, but when you're ready to pursue that, just let me know. Okay? I'll make sure it happens."