“Of course it’s me! I’ve only been beating on your door for five minutes. Anna’s here. Something about Japan.”

“Fuck. Alright. I’m up.” I heard his heavy footsteps recede down the hall. Checking my phone it was already 11:30, and I’d missed two calls from her. I threw on my clothes, slapped some cologne on my neck and hurried downstairs the normal way.

“Hi, Jack. Looks like you’re ready to go.”

“Jack? You let her call you Jack?” Lab grinned at us.

“Yes. She’s the only one allowed. Don’t go getting any ideas.” I heard Anna giggle at my side.

“No, no. Far be it from me to get any ideas, kid. You two have a good time. Give me a call if something comes up. I have friends there that can help if you need.”

“You what? No. No, nevermind. Forget I said anything.” As I opened a door to the alleyway by the Takashimaya building, pain lanced through my head. Thankfully, I could ignore it now. Anna and I stepped through and the pain jumped up a bit in intensity. I let the doors dissolve and looked down at my date. “So! Where to?”

“Well, I figured we’d grab a bite at Dixie, then maybe do some shopping?”

I shrugged. Sounded as good as anything. “Sure. I’m fine with that.”

She took my hand and led me back into the building and up to the thirteenth floor, where we found the Dixie Diner. It was a smallish space, especially to me, but it still had a similar atmosphere to an old train-car diner from the states.

We were seated swiftly, as it was only noon there, and got our water almost immediately. Anna and I both ordered a sirloin with fries. The restaurant was sparsely occupied, and as it felt rather “homey”, I was immediately at ease.

“So, I’ve heard you’ve spent a lot of time with William lately. Everything okay?” Anna regarded me serenely, her chin resting atop the back of her interlaced fingers as she leaned on the table.

I leaned back in my seat, still a little tired. “Yeah, everything’s okay. He’s just following my progress with my doors and such.”

She smiled. “It did seem a little easier for you to open the door here. How’s your head?”

“I’m good. A little bit of a headache, but that’ll probably go away after we eat.” I smiled, knowing that she cared enough to ask.

With a grin and a wink, she said, “Good. I want you to be well-rested.”

Heat crept up my neck and cheeks. The reply I had was interrupted by our server coming over with our meals. Feeling that anything I said further would only serve to make me more embarrassed, I simply dug into the steak.

It was good. Well-seasoned and perfectly pink inside, it tasted more or less like any other grilled steak I’d had in the past. Which wasn’t often. Now that I knew I had an income, and a substantial savings built up thanks to Lab, I could afford to do this more. And I was starting to feel like taking Anna out on dates more often would be a central point in my life for the foreseeable future.

We ate and chatted softly for the better part of an hour, eventually finishing our meals. I paid the bill, and we left the shopping center, where Anna led the way to the subway station, which eventually had us passing under a large blue sign proclaiming “Subnade”.

“Subnade? What the hell is that?”

She giggled softly. “Just wait, Jack. You ain’t seen nothing, yet.”

She confidently led us into a sprawling shopping district, which felt very much like a shopping mall back home. Only underground. And quieter. So quiet. Japan sure seemed to have a penchant for silence.

“Why are things so quiet here?”

“Hmm? Oh. The Japanese culture places heavy emphasis on being considerate and respectful of others, especially their peace. It’s really comfortable, especially when you come from our hectic and abrasive world.”

I nodded. It was comforting, in its way. The lack of constant chatter was a relief to the cacophonous counterpoint in my head. Especially after the last few days. It was nice to just walk around and “be” in a place where we didn’t have to worry too much about any bullshit from other people.

“Huh. I like it. Kinda soothing.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into my side. “Just like you.”

She grinned and hugged me tightly, then took my hand as we explored the many shops in the Subnade. We visited several clothing shops, a wig shop, for some reason, jewelry stores, and other department stores that randomly caught her eye. After another hour or so, she started yawning, and I suggested heading home.

“Aw. But I’m having such a good time with you.” She looked up, a cute pout on her face.

I gave her a crooked smile. “Yeah, but we have lives to live back in Chicago. It’s not very crowded here. I can open a door near the bathroom,” I suggested, motioning with my free hand.

She sighed heavily. “Oh, alright. Let’s get home, then.”

I opened a door just inside the alcove heading to the bathroom, and we walked into my bedroom as my brain threatened to burst from my skull. I grunted in pain as I let the door dissolve a moment later, and sat down heavily on my bed, clutching my head.

Anna rubbed my back gently. “Do you need anything for the pain? Aspirin or something?”

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“Nah,” I shook my head slowly. “It’ll go away in a few minutes. Always does. Anyway,” I took a deep breath and looked up, smiling at her concerned look. “Do you want to go back home, or are you staying the night?”

Her cheeks burned red as she fidgeted and looked down with a soft smile. “Well…”

“She’s staying the night, you idiot!” I heard Lab yell from across the hall. Damn, that man had good ears.

Anna laughed and nodded. “I’ll stay. I-if that’s alright, I mean?”

I pulled her close. “I asked, didn’t I?”

She nodded against my chest. “You did.” She checked her phone. “It’s pretty late, Jack. Let’s get some sleep?”

I nodded and pulled off my shirt. “Sounds good.” I stood, turning off the light as I saw her doing the same. A moment later, I heard the sheets rustle and she patted the bed. “Lay down, Jack.”

I laid down, clutching her soft, nude, slender body to mine, and was asleep in moments.

*****************

I was falling, that dizzying, sickening feeling when the world beneath me cracked open. I felt the ground split, hearing the sudden shudder of reality itself as if it were made of glass.

The pain in my head spiked, sharper than before. I tried to shake it off, but it was like something was pulling at me, yanking me deeper into the ground, my body pinned beneath an invisible force. But... it felt different this time. Anna’s breath next to me was too real, too steady, and my pulse raced with that same pull, dragging at my mind.

I snapped my eyes open, a strangled gasp escaping my lips, and the pressure stopped.

I lay there, heart pounding, sweat beading on my brow. Anna, still beside me, was fast asleep, blissfully unaware. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing.

I sat up slowly, letting the sheet fall away from my torso. The cool air of my room was a balm to the heat radiating from my body. My pulse slowly calmed down as I sat there in the dark. I looked down at Anna. Had I nearly dragged her with me to the other world? Could I have done that? Was I too worn out to go there? Not tired enough? I still didn’t know how it all worked, as I’d not been there while awake, but I certainly didn’t want to chance it. Not yet, anyway. After a few more moments, and cooling down a bit farther, I scooted back in, wrapping my arms around her tightly.

The morning came, and with it, came the sunlight streaming onto my face. I woke, bleary-eyed and exhausted still. I’d jolted awake several more times throughout the night. Each time, terrified that I might have woken up with her in that place. Or worse yet, not woken up beside her.

Anna had snuggled against my chest, and was watching me as I woke. “Morning, handsome.”

“Hello to you, too. Been watching me all creepy-like for long?” I smiled into her eyes.

“Oh, hush. You know you’d do the same if our roles were reversed.”

“This is true.” I had to fight to keep my eyes on her face instead of letting them roam along her body.

“Did you sleep okay? You were jerking a lot in your sleep. Is something wrong?”

I waved my hand. “Bah. I’m fine. Just restless, I guess.” I yawned and stretched. “Wanna get up and get a shower?”

“You saying I smell?”

“What? N-no, I-”

She laughed and swatted my chest playfully. “Relax. I’m messing with you.”

I sighed and laid my head back on the pillow. “Ugh. That’ll be the death of me, I’m sure.”

“I mean, maybe.” I felt her hand sliding down my body. “But… I could mess with you in another way?”

I snapped my eyes open and raised my head to look down at her. “Uhhmmm… Where, ah, where is that hand going?” I felt her fingers caressing the tender spots near my hip, causing me to shy away from the touch, giggling.

Her eyes brightened. “What’s this? Is he ticklish?!”

“Ack! No! No, no, no…. I’m not ticklish! It’s just a- Ack!” I started laughing uncontrollably as her fingers danced up and down my sides, making me twist and turn as I tried to escape her evil grip.

We tussled about for a few more minutes, with me unsuccessfully attempting to evade her nimble fingers. Eventually, we both succumbed to a fit of giggles and laughter, falling into each other's arms.

“Don’t you tell a soul. I mean it. Not even Bethany.”

She kissed my chest. “Not a peep.”

“Shower?”

She nodded. “Shower.”

We both rose, and I opened a small door to the linen closet, retrieving a pair of towels. We wrapped up and headed to the shower. Once the water was running, I suddenly realized that I’d never done anything like this before.

“So… um, how-how does this work?”

She dropped her towel onto the sink and shook her head. “I know you’ve showered before.”

“No. I mean, yes. I mean- dammit.” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. It was getting a bit long. Time to cut it. “I meant, how do we do this? Take turns? Get in together? What?”

She grinned and pulled the shower curtain back. “Get in here, you big goof. I’ll teach you.”

It was here that I learned how addicting it could be to shower with your girlfriend. I still wasn’t quite ready to take that next step, easy as it would have been, even though she tempted and teased me relentlessly.

Eventually, the water started to chill, and we got out, dried ourselves, then dressed for the day. I opened a door to the office at the gym, and announced our arrival to Bethany.

“And a good morning to you two!” She held her arms out to Anna, planting a kiss on her soft lips. “Ooooh, a bit damp, are we? Did you have a good time?” she asked, cocking an eyebrow and grinning crookedly.

“I had a wonderful time, love. He’s still a perfect gentleman, and still strong enough to hold his word. Even in the shower.”

Bethany gave me a sly grin. “Even in the shower, huh? I can’t even resist her there. You’re something else, Gigantor. Get downstairs, the both of you. I’m sure Jennifer’s got the floor ready.”

I nodded. “Thanks for the head’s up, Bethany. I’ll see you later, yeah?”

“See you in a few hours, Jackson.” She waved and went back to the front desk.

“Ready, Jack?”

“Yup. Let’s do this.” As I pressed the button to call the elevator, ready to settle into my routine, I felt a quick, stabbing pain behind my eyes. I shook my head to clear it, and distinctly heard a voice, soft, but insistent, threading itself through my mind.

Please open my door.

Anna looked up at me, worry etched on her face. “You okay, Jack?”

I smiled down at her. “Yeah,” I lied. “I’m good. Just, ah… trying to get the image of you in the shower out of my head. That’s all.”

She grinned and hugged herself to my arm as the elevator door opened.