The taxi thrummed over head as Malik waited on the corner. The orange and blue glow of the lights contrasted with the shining chrome under his eyelids.

With a puff he blew his bangs from his eyes and turned up the collar of his jacket, huddling against the biting wind. The crowds walked past him and he stayed rooted in his spot, searching the eyes of the passersby for any hint of familiarity.

She should have been here by now.

As of on cue another taxi slows to a stop just across the street and slowly descends to the ground. A woman with fiery red hair steps down on to the curb, he white sneakers in stark contrast against the oil streaked concrete.

The taxi thrummed back to life as it ascended to cruising height and Malik watched as the woman took a deep breath of the sour air and seemed pleased by it. She adjusted her scarf and looked around. Her eyes lit up with recognition as she saw Malik standing across the street. He raised his hand and gave it a wave.

“Malik!” She yelled across the street. He jogged the short distance to reach her and swept her up in his arms. He buried his face in her curls and she smelled sweeter than anything else found on the ground floor.

“Kassandra. It’s so good to see you. I’m so glad you called!”

“Of course! When they told me I was being sent back home I had to tell you right away.”

“And I couldn’t be happier. Let’s eat.”

He lead her back across the street and into the cafe.

The wait was short and they were soon seated by the window. He watched her watch the city. It had been a long time since these streets knew her steps. The orange a blue glow that he knew so well looked vibrant again on her face.

She turned to meet his gaze and he looked down, suddenly preoccupied with the grime still under his nails. He doesn’t see it, but her eyes soften after he looks away. Years have changed the both of them. She knew immediately that he was changed. And sitting here in front of him now, in the dingy glow of the lower city, she could see all the signs painted clear as day on his face.

The years hadn’t been kind to him. She studied the face that she knew and loved and found new landmarks on what had been a blank slate. The lines in his face told her more stories than she thought he would ever say. The chrome eyes were only the obvious signs. The scars speak for themselves. Small blinking lights just under the skin at his temples told her there was much more to him now than the young man she knew from all those years ago.

Before the silence between them could grow awkward, the waitress arrived.

“Water for me, please” Kassandra said. The waitress raised her eyebrows in response.

“That some kind of joke, honey? We haven’t served water here since ‘47. You can have a DolaCola like the rest of us.”

“Oh. Sorry, I’ve been away for a long time.”

“Mm.” The waitress rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Malik.

“Caff-Go for me, please.”

The waitress tapped on her PadPro and turned on her heels.

“Things sure have changed haven’t they?” She said sheepishly.

“Yeah, it’s been rough down here on the ground. We can’t all go be diplomatic agents, some of us gotta have real jobs” He jested with her, but she was obviously out of place. She looked down.

“You’re right about that”

“You look good though, travel suits you. Get to spend lots of time in the sky huh?”

“Yeah I’ve hit some amazing altitudes. You wouldn’t believe the views at platinum level. It’s beautiful. The clouds look like rolling hills. You just want to roll all over them.”

“So why’d they send you back?”

“Oh it was time for a rotation home. It happens to every agent eventually.”

“We’ll I’m glad it finally happened for you. Must be different back on ground level. Sorry you had to come home to all this.”

“I don’t know, the view is pretty beautiful from here too.” Their eyes met and this time he did see the smile on her face.