Precipice.

The taxi rolled to a slow, gradual stop. She lifted her hands to tuck the long trenchcoat she wore about her frame, wary of the chill in the air that threatened to permeate even the shell of the vehicle that had borne her hence. Her lips curled into a slight sarcastic smirk as she chuckled at herself. How poetic, she thought.

A precursory glance up and down the sidewalk had betrayed the bustle of the day; despite the overcast, gray chill enshrouding the city, the muted chatter of small groups of young men and women rose to greet her as she finally mustered the courage to open the taxi door and pull herself from its warmer confines. Purpose-driven businessmen and women pressed by without so much as a glance up from their chosen electronic devices, be they cellular phones, PDAs, or tablets. Umbrellas could be seen on occasion, but as the rain had ceased for a few hours, they were closed and fastened to belt loops or handbags.

Her jaw tensed as a fitful gust of wind off of the nearby river tossed the hem of her skirt around her calves. 'Dress up for me,' he'd begged of her -- but why hadn't she thought to remember stockings or pantyhose? A hissed expletive danced across her lips as she fought to suppress a shiver. He wasn't some weather-based deity, after all, and could scarcely have predicted the precipitation, but--

"Hey."

Her grip on the taxi's door seized at the sudden low single syllable uttered so close to her ear. She wheeled about, deep blue hues wide in fear as she dangerously reeled, wobbling atop her heeled sandals. Were her hand not so securely fastened to the taxi door, she would have likely fallen into the street or face-first onto the sidewalk.

His green eyes had similarly widened in fear as he reached forward to grasp her free hand in an attempt to stabilize her, utilizing the newfound leverage to pull her away from the taxi and into the warmth of his waiting arms. "Whoa, now, I didn't mean to scare you, haha."

"B-.. Bastard!" The fear immediately melted into indignation as her cheeks blossomed into a deep blush of embarrassment. The rather loud utterance had drawn the disinterested gaze of a few passersby, but she hadn't seen -- instead, she heaved a sigh as she buried her face into the familiar scent of his coat, the faint aroma of his cologne still clinging to the fabric. She closed her eyes and afforded another deep breath, drawing in his warmth and comfort.

He laughed, the sound a bit hoarse as he lifted a hand from its embrace about her frame to twirl a lock of her shoulder-length brown hair around his finger. "You know it. And, for as much as I'd enjoy clinging to you here, I -think- the taxi driver wouldn't mind going on his merry way to get a few more fares in." He'd taken his hand away from her hair, then, and pushed the taxi door closed. Within mere seconds, the taxi had found an opening in traffic and pulled into the carpool lane.

"Sorry," she muttered, voice muffled by his coat. "My cheeks are cold."

"Well, yeah," he remarked as he cast a glance up and down the busy sidewalk. "I know I asked you to meet me here, but our actual destination's a block away. I'd really expected better weather than this.. enjoying a romantic walk along the river, then.. a few surprises!"

"Surprises?" She pulled her face from his coat, her eyes widened in worry. Two bright splotches of red sat high upon her cheeks as she narrowed her eyes at him. "This had better not be some half-assed attempt at embarrassing me. You know how I hate that."

Another laugh bubbled from his lips. "I promise, babe, no embarrassment." He lifted a hand to drag a finger lazily along one of the bright spots on her cheek, then smiled at her. "Now, come on before we catch a cold. You'll never forgive me if one or both of us gets sick."

"You bet your ass," she quipped. A giddy grin danced along her lips as she tucked herself beneath his arm, nestled easily against him for warmth. "Lead on."

---

The restaurant they'd stepped into was one she hadn't been acquainted with, but the decor had left her nothing short of breathless. Glass block walls, beautifully assembled floral arrangements, the subtle scent of culinary spices and the rather hazy, romantic glow of the lighting painted a picturesque scene of serene warmth. The contrast in comparison to the drab gray weather outside of the building was nothing short of jarring, and her breath caught in her throat. She halted in her tracks as he pressed past her to address the hostess at the podium, her hand rising to settle in mild shock just beneath her collarbone. As she took in the sight of the seating area, she became vaguely aware of the way her heart fluttered beneath her palm, a frantic little bird in a living cage. With some effort, she dropped her hand to her side and beamed a confused yet elated smile to her male companion as he turned back to her. "What.. what is this place? How could you--"

"Don't strain yourself, now," he laughed dryly, settling his arm easily about her waist. His fingertips kneaded gingerly at her hip -- an endearing, chaste gesture -- as he eased them into step behind the hostess in her journey to guide them to a table. His voice lowered into a soft, charming tone as he pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "It's been five years and you haven't told me to go away yet. I figured for this anniversary, I'd do something a little different."

Anniversary. Her blood ran cold. Had she... truly forgotten? Five years, an eternity in their young lives. Her gaze immediately fell to the carpet beneath their feet, and they came to a stop at their table. The hostess' soft, musical voice rose. "And here we are. What may I get you to drink?"

As the brunette lifted her gaze once more, her deep blues slowly widened as she realized their table's location. A table for two at the edge of a modest dance floor, the lazy glow of a lit maroon candle atop the pristine white table cloth. A few flower petals sat scattered at the bottom of the silver candelabra that held the candle aloft, and it took a bit of work to pry her eyes away from the lovely display. Across the dance floor, an unoccupied grand piano sat elevated near the large bay windows that gave an ample view of the gray day and the river beyond.

A slightly nervous laugh rose from her companion behind her, and he shook his head. "Sorry. She's still taking in the scenery. Just water for the two of us, please."

The hostess issued a small smile and a curt nod before striding purposefully away to address their order.

A moment passed, and he slipped to her side. "It's not going to disappear if you blink, you know." A soft chuckle finally roused her from her momentary stupor, and she turned to him then.

"How.. why.. this place, it's just--"

"--Perfect? Of course. I mean, I -am- just that awesome." His characteristic half-smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he stepped around her, lacing his fingers between hers before bringing their foreheads to rest against one another. "I know it's a bit early and we haven't eaten, but.." He trailed off, lifting his head to gaze past her, offering a nod to someone outside her field of vision.

"Hm?" She blinked blearily, having lost herself in the warmth of his skin's touch against hers. A quick turn of her head in the direction he'd nodded revealed a lean, dark-haired man in his rather lengthy strides toward the grand piano. She offered him a small smile and nod in greeting as he waved, then sat himself at the keys. Her lips had parted as to frame an inquiry to her partner, when the first gentle notes of a familiar tune drifted from the handsome instrument. "What.." she whispered to herself, her gaze flitting between the piano's melody and the knowing smile of her partner. She tried in vain to swallow the lump swiftly rising in her throat, speech struggling to reach her lips. "This song, I--!"

"Shh. Just listen." His warm smile widened, and he unlaced his fingers from hers only to slip his arms about her waist. He brushed a stubbled cheek against hers for a moment as he gently, carefully guided her onto the otherwise empty dance floor.

She squeaked softly, then instinctively laced her hands about his shoulders in anticipation of the movement. Had he truly meant for them to dance here, in front of everyone? The blush bloomed once more atop her pale cheeks, but she uttered no words of protest. After all, it wouldn't do to make a scene with so many eyes undoubtedly upon them. She distracted herself instead with the familiar notes as they blended into chords, the melody shaping itself even as the man seated at the piano parted his lips and began to sing.

There on the side of the street 

Concrete casualties of love 

Chewed up and spit out 

Raise high then dropped down 

And now I don't know what's left of me

He had begun to hum along with the song. Her eyes widened slightly as realization had dawned upon her. Had he learned the song specifically for this event? Surely it could have also been attributed to the multitude of times she'd listened to it while studying or cleaning, but...