AN: Sorry for the delay! Almost at the climax though. hooray!

(Stein)

There's a repetitive, nuisance of a sound beeping near me. It had been going off -seconds, moments, minutes, hours? I don't know- before I realize it is my alarm clock. I roll over and summon all my energy to fling my dead-weight arm on top off it to shut it off. I hate loud, repetitive noises. There's just something that feels violating about them as they ingrain themselves in my brain. Each repeat getting deeper and closer to the madness. Wait, this isn't where I was last night. What had I been doing? Oh yes, I made a fool of myself and Spirit tricked me into taking shots. I'm not sure how many I took but I know I took more than planned. I can't really remember last night but it's not a total black out. It's like waking up knowing you had a strange dream but you can't remember enough to explain it. Dreams. I suddenly realized I actually had a night of undisturbed sleep. My thoughts didn't keep me up and I didn't have any nightmares waking me up. I guess I should actually thank Spirit. Hmm. I smile faintly. All the problems I've been having lately... I'm a scientific man and it's my nature to find simplest solution to a problem. Although I have a pounding headache, I haven't been able to think this clearly in years. I suddenly realize the one action that will make everything go away and make everyone's life return back to normal...

I sit up and stumble out of bed, slowly making my way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. It's about 6:00 AM. I wonder what time I got home? Or how I got home? Clearly, Spirit had to have brought me back. As I walk pass the living room, I notice him passed out on the couch. Ah, he's been a good friend. I really should make it up to him before I go.

After retriving my cup of coffee, I return to my bedroom and pull some books I found most interesting from my bookshelf. I take a sheet of paper from my desk and write some more titles. After I finish getting ready for work, I carry the stack out to the living room and loudly drop it on the coffee table. Marie spots me, as she is eating breakfast in the kitchen now.

"Oh you seem lively this morning!" She smiles. I love that smile. "Good morning!"

"Good morning!" I respond, the happiness in my voice feeling foreign. I can't help but be in a good mood though. I finally found an answer and all my troubles will be over soon enough.

Spirit stirs on the couch. "Hmm? Stein? You OK?" He mummbles.

"Never been better, buddy! Thanks for the night out!" I playful slap him on the back as he struggles to sit up.

"Heh. Anytime, old pal," he responds and then yawns.

I sit down next to him on the couch. "Seriously, thank you. You opened my eyes." I grap the piece of paper that I was writing on earlier from the top of my stack of books on the coffee table. "I want to make it up to you. I know how you are trying to rebuild your relationship with your daughter. My best advice is you look into these books, maybe even READ them so you have some conversation material with Maka."

Spirit stares at the gigantic stack of books in front of us on the coffee table. His mouth practically falls to the floor. "WHAT? How can I read all these books! They look so boring too! 'How to Read a Soul's Personality?' How much could really be said about it to make a 3 inch thick book!"

I laugh heartily. "No, not those! I'm taking those with me to the academy today. Here." I shake the paper I have in my hand. "I wrote down the books I've seen Maka reading, and based on those I gave a few suggestions of what else she may like. I would give you those books but I'm not that interested in fiction so I don't have them."

Spirit takes the list. "The Great Gatsby? The Color Purple? Cat's Cradle? Aww these sound boring, too!" he groans.

"Actually, I did enjoy Cat's Cradle," I admit. "And your welcome."

Spirit regains his composure. "Oh. Thanks. I'll definitely do it if you think this will get Maka to accept me!" he said with determination evident in both his voice and face.

"No problem. What are friends for?" I smile.

I can't help but notice Spirit and Marie exchange confused looks. Marie. It's time I make things up to her, too.

"Hey, Marie, how about when I'm done at the academy today I'll take you out to dinner?" I finish the offer with a smile.

She seems pleasantly surprised. "Really?" Her smile got wider before she starts stammering, "Well, I- I mean we don't have to. I know you don't like crowds..."

"It's fine!" I wave it off. "I can manage for you. I ruined dinner last night. I need to make it up to you.'

She looks back down at her breakfast and pushes it with her fork. I can see a rose tint forming on her checks as she softly responds, "That's very nice of you. Thank you, Stein."

"Hmm." I give a crooked smile. "I'll see you later"

…

At the DWMA, I actually had the motivation to give an interesting lecture. Well, I always find dissections interesting but the kids don't seem to think that way. Today I decided to try something more engaging. We practice tactical training and demonstrations instead. I'm glad I was to capture the student's enthusiasm at least once.

At the end of class I call Maka and Blackstar over to my desk. Of course Soul Eater and Tsubaki follow, but I didn't expect Kid and the Thompson sisters to accompany them as well. I hadn't planned on that. I assume the trio must have gotten more acquainted with the group after their fight with the Kishin.

"Yes, Professor Stein?" Maka politely asks.

"Here," I respond as I lift the stack of books from under my desk. "I don't need these books anymore and I thought you would enjoy them."

Maka's face lit up in happy disbelief. "Really? Are you sure? Why don't you need them anymore?"

"Oh I'm just through with them," I vaguely respond. "And Blackstar, I have this book I've written myself that I thought you would find particularly interesting. It contains all my secrets on how to use your soul wavelength."

Blackstar froze for a moment as if trying to comprehend the situation. "I don't think a great star like me needs any tips, but I'm not one to refuse gifts. He eagerly jumps forward like an untrained monkey to grab the book out of my hands but I snatch it out of his reach just in time. "Actually, I think I'll give this to Tsubaki. It's the only copy in existence. It would be a shame for it to be torn into shreds in an instant."

Blackstar huffs and crosses his arms while I hand the document over to a graciously accepting Tsubaki. "Thank you very much, Professor," she says while slightly bowing.

I notice Kid attempting to politely hide his eagerness. I guess he's somewhat expecting something, too. But what does the son of Lord Death really need from me. I still can't ignore him. I playfully ruffle his hair while smiling. "You take care, Kiddo. It was an honor working for your father."

At that moment Maka gives me an excited hug. "Thank you for the books! You're the best! I promise to read them thoroughly and study hard!"

"Yeah.. Like you really need to make a promise for us to believe you'll study," Soul scoffs.

"Makaaaaa CHOP!" Maka throws How to Read a Soul's Personality on top of his head. An appropriate choice, I should say.

It's time for me to say farewell. "Ha. You kids take care and study and train hard." I give a quick wave and begin to exit the room. Just as I walk through the doorway I overhear Kid mumbling "'was an honor?'" to himself.