Okay, so Immortality is on Hiatus. I decided that in order to quench your thirst for some stories, I would work on another one while I figure out how to continue with Immortality. Just to let you know, the 'It's in your house' thing came from the top of my head. I have no idea how it'll fit. But don't worry. It will once I'm done. So, here's a filler really. Also, I'm writing an epilogue for this but I wanted to know if you guys wanted a lemon or not. There will no doubt be a lemon in Immortality and in The Science Of Seduction, so please let me know if I should add a lemon in the epilogue for this one. Pretty limey stuff in this one. Geez, I'm a whore, aren't I? -_- Anyway, hope you enjoy it.

"I'm telling ya, Cosmo, you need an assistant." Were the words that I heard when I sat at the piano. I glanced around, looking for the conversation, but in vain. I never was very gifted in sight. My vision wasn't abysmal (glasses were unnecessary), but still not 20:20. My brown wavy hair wasn't the same as all the girls nowadays. They had short, very curly hair. I liked it but it just wasn't me. So, I remained different by growing my hair to my shoulder blades. My tawny eyes flitted across the music sheet and my nose crinkled. This wasn't something to be played at a party, especially not an important one like this. I'll spice it up a little. No harm in that.

My fingers drifted across the piano with ease, the notes I wanted to play swirling around in my brain, waiting to be made from the beautiful instrument in front of me. After the first few seconds of my playing, some of the guests turn to look at me but soon lost interest. There were two people, however, who remained 'captivated' by my music. I didn't chance a look at them; I'd get distracted. "What about her?" One of them asked their partner. I had a feeling that these were the two people I had heard speaking earlier.

"Well… I don't know… I don't even know her." The other replied and my ears perked up a little.
"Never stopped you before." The first said cheekily. I chanced a glance up, to 'casually survey my surroundings', and soon my eyes landed on the two men who had been speaking about me.

The first was the man I recognised as Don Lockwood. He was the most famous actor out there and lived up to his name very well. Don was apparently in a romantic relationship with his screening partner, Lina Lamont, but I didn't believe it for a second. His black hair was slicked back and his dark eyes glistened with humour. Don enjoyed the spotlight, from what I could gather, and he was a genuine person. He amused me whenever I saw him on film or at the many Hollywood parties I had been instructed to play at. But he was never seen without Lamont or Cosmo. Cosmo being his best friend. Cosmo being the man who was standing beside him.

He had lighter brown hair than Don and it was styled so that it was combed back as well but was a little bigger at the front. It suited him. He looked to be like the kind of person I was. His very bright blue eyes gazed at me and his suit looked simply delectable upon him. In case you haven't noticed; I'm a sap for romance and the tingles you get when you see someone compatible. I can tell you now, though, that Cosmo was giving me tingles all over my body. I nearly stumbled on a note and I covered it up quickly, looking back at my work.

"I think she took a shine to you, Cosmo, old pal." Don said, clapping his friend and musician on the back. Cosmo could have grinned or he could have sneered for all I knew. But I was pretty sure that Cosmo would be grinning; he was a happy man. "Why not go over there and talk to her, huh? See if she's worth it." Don encouraged. After a few moments of no reply from Cosmo, I believed that they had left. But instead, just as the song finished, someone leaned on the side of the piano. I looked up from the last note and nearly gasped at Cosmo Brown, who was grinning like a mad man at me. It was infectious.

"You're a pretty good player, huh." He stated more than asked. I shrugged sheepishly, trying not to come off as impolite. I had a habit of doing that and I wanted to try extra hard not to this time. Why? I daren't answer that question. "I suppose…" I said softly and then turned the music sheet.
"Do you write your own stuff?" I nodded with a little smile. I was suddenly all shy and gooey… What's happened to me? "What's your name?" He asked curiously.
"Harriet Juno. I don't need to ask you your name, of course, Mr Brown." Must. Remain. Polite. If I make a wrong move, it's all over. My career, my dignity, my interest in Cosmo… Gone. What am I talking about? 'My interest in Cosmo', what am I doing? I'm just… Be quiet.

"Can you do errands quickly and efficiently?" That came out of the blue. I looked up into his blue eyes and smiled. I think my shyness was beginning to melt away. Here goes nothing. "Yes, I can. I was a secretary once." He cocked his head in interest.
"Oh? It didn't work out?" I shook my head, not at all sadly. In fact, I had a large smile painted upon my face.
"Not at all. And I for one am glad." I responded cheerfully. He seemed surprised at my sudden change in demeanour but he didn't take it badly. In fact, it encouraged him.

"Well, that's good! I don't need to ask if you can play or not and you're such a pretty little thing I don't think I could refuse if I tried." He chortled with a wink. I probably blushed but I smiled nonetheless. "How would you like to become my new assistant?" His assistant? Seriously? After a minute interview? Already? What would my aunt think? She'd be angry… In that case… I… Yes!
"Yes please! Definitely!" He laughed loudly at my eagerness, "Thank you so much!" He then moved away from the piano and held a hand out to me. "You start today." His eyes glinted mischievously and I found that I simply couldn't say no for the life of me. But why would I say no?

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously as Cosmo led me through the guests. I had never been gifted with height either. Cosmo was a head taller than me and all of these people simply towered over me. "Surprise for Don and Lina."
"What's the surprise?" I questioned with a small smile. He looked down at me and it was then that I realised our hands were still entwined. "Wouldn't be a surprise if I told ya." He reasoned playfully and we pressed through the crowd.

We came to a stop near a doorway and I spied Mr Simpson, the contract holder of Don and Lamont. A very large cake was being wheeled through the doorway. "I have a delicious surprise. It's a very special cake; I want you two to have the first slice." And then the cake broke.

A woman in a pink hat, pink outfit and pink… thing on her wrist burst out with a big grin on her face and arms outstretched. She had a pocket-like case on her hip and she seemed very happy. When she locked eyes with Don, her face went to pure shock. Don seemed surprised but amused. I couldn't properly hear Don's voice over the commotion of applause and Cosmo pulled me closer to him. Why, I couldn't comprehend, but I was not uncomfortable with the notion.

Trumpets sounded and many other women wearing the same outfit rushed in through the door. The woman on the cake climbed out, and with a helping hand from Don, dashed to the open space. They were going around and throwing streamers everywhere. Don was following the woman who had been inside of the cake. "She's got an admirer." I observed with a smile, having to raise my voice to be heard over the trumpets. Cosmo nodded but from the corner of my eye, I could see that he wasn't watching the chorus girls; he was, in fact, watching me. All of them assembled in the open space and I watched on in fascination as they sang and danced so effortlessly in such a tightly compacted group. I found myself laughing through it and shook my head in amusement. Cosmo had loosely draped an arm around my shoulder and I didn't object. My feet were my priority.

They were tapping to their own wish. I frowned down at them and willed them to stop. They didn't; they merely continued dancing a little to their content. It wasn't large dancing, but it was enough to draw the attention of Cosmo and some girls in the group. They pulled me in to their midst and went into an open circle, giving me space to dance. All of a sudden, I didn't want to dance but with some prodding and cheers, particularly loud ones from Cosmo and Don, I began to tap dance.

Tapping had always been my passion. Making a career out of that was difficult, however, so I made my way in the world with writing the music, and then tapping to it afterwards, making up a dance to each piece I created. Usually, however, it was improvisation. So, as I twisted and kicked and tapped, I felt like I was feeling letting my soul free. I hadn't danced in a long while. It felt like I was letting go and just being me.

The song was about to end and I had to backtrack with the girls to avoid being trampled. Fortunately, as Don grabbed the girl he had been staring at before and during the dance, Cosmo yanked me out of the way. I must have looked like such a sight, but instead of pushing me away for my vulgar dancing, he just grinned and put a hand on my shoulder. "You didn't tell me you could tap." He said, still laughing. He didn't sound accusing at all, which relieved me. I shrugged a little.
"I didn't think it was necessary for you to know. I'm your assistant, after all. Not a dancer." He then winked at me.
"With talent like that, you could be." My heart fluttered but I ignored it. I then glanced at the two lovebirds, only to almost burst out laughing.

The woman in pink had picked up a cake and thrown it, intending to get Don, but instead planted it on Lamont's face, who had no doubt stormed over to accuse the girl and insult her. All hope of containing myself was lost when Cosmo belted laughter anyway. I got the idea that he wasn't overly keen of her either. Cosmo walked over, tugging me with him, and then stood with his arms crossed. "Lina, you've never looked lovelier." He joked with a big smile. I didn't catch what Don said after that because Lina looked at me through the sponge and icing all over her face. I think she mistook me for the incredible woman that I just had to meet.

"You… How dare you do this to Lina Lamont! You'll rue the day you were born! I'll get you, I swear, I'll get you!" Her voice was much higher than I thought it would be and I almost sniggered at it but when she tried to swipe at me with her claw-like nails, I let it out. "Sorry, but I didn't expect your voice to be that high." I snorted and she gasped at my insolence. It just made Cosmo laugh even more but he still pushed me behind him a little. "Now, now, Lina. Harriet here wasn't the lovely woman who threw the cake in your face. She's my assistant and good friend." He chided her. Don took the opportunity to run through the door all of the dancers had disappeared through and Cosmo quickly dragged me away as Lina tried to wipe some of the cake away.

"You got a home to go to?" Cosmo asked me as we left the party, his hands in his pockets. I had been escorted with the band and I wasn't leaving with them. "Sorta. I live with my aunt." Whom I was dreading to see. Maybe becoming Cosmo's assistant was a bad idea… I'd spent such a nice night around such pleasant people and going back would be like a cold bucket of water splashed on my face. Not to mention I had been out for the majority of the night. He looked down at me. "Got a way of getting there?" I looked back at the band members, who were now in separate cars and were already driving away. I pursed my lips and shook my head. "Not anymore." As the last car drove off. Cosmo didn't seem too down-hearted about it. In fact, his smile intensified and he put his arm around my shoulder. He's really flirtatious… Maybe, when I get to know him better, I'll be the same. At least, to him anyways…

"Well, I'll give ya a ride back." He offered as we walked closer to his car. It was simply beautiful. I had never been very good at cars or mechanics but this was a thing of beauty. It looked pristine in white and pretty much screamed elegance. "It's… beautiful." I muttered as I stepped over to it and surveyed it. Elegant and classy.
"Well, I'm glad you like it. Come on, tell me your address and I'll give ya a ride there." I grinned up at him.
"That would be marvellous. It's 33 Uptree Avenue." He nodded and merely hopped over the passenger door and then settled into the driver's seat. I, however, slowly opened the door as if terrified it would break, and carefully sat in the seat, closing the door gently behind me. He laughed at my behaviour. "This girl's been through plenty, Harriet. No need to be cautious." He informed me and I relaxed a little.

The car drive was uneventful and we didn't speak much. It was a comfortable silence, like nothing else really needed to be said. But when we did, it was about our instruments. I also learned that Don was proficient in violin. When the car stopped outside of my house, Cosmo turned to me, his arm raised at an angle and he rested his hand upon it. I raised an amused eyebrow. Yes, he is definitely flirting with me. "Enjoy the ride?" He asked with a big beam upon his face. I nodded with a smile of my own.
"Indeed I did, Mr Brown. Thank you for driving me home." I said gratefully and then opened the door of the car. I turned and closed it, trying not to make eye contact with my new employer. I was at the door when Cosmo spoke again.

"Call me Cosmo, Harriet." He said loudly, making sure I could hear him. I turned to him and found that he was looking at me with his right arm stretched over the passenger seat and his left resting on the door. I stood and waited for a moment. This would be a romantic moment. If this was a film, Cosmo would jump out of that car, hug me to him and tell me never to leave him. And I would respond by kissing him passionately and promising that I wouldn't. But this isn't a movie. Sadly. "Then thank you, Cosmo. For the drive and the job. I fully appreciate it."
"You're a very talented woman, Harriet. I won't let that go to waste." The compliment made me blush and I nodded.
"Thank you. Good night Cosmo." I whispered and then unlocked the door and pushed it open.

"Harriet Ann Juno, where the hell have you been?" Oh no… The door was still open and I knew that Cosmo could still hear everything. I winced visibly and looked up at my aunt now thundering down the stairs. I made to step inside but she held the door open, not noticing Cosmo watching. I dared not to turn and tell him that he should go. "Oh no, you're not coming in just yet! I'll repeat myself, where the hell have you been?" She screamed and I whimpered feebly.
"I told you… I had an opening at the Hollywood party…" I mumbled shamefully. I'm a disgrace. My parents died when I was younger and left me to this woman, believing I would become stronger like her. Instead, I was a disappointment.

"Party or not, you come home at 3 in the morning! I can't be the only one to be hauling my ass around doing all the work! That job of yours doesn't even get you enough money to stay here! I may as well kick you out right now!" My aunt was a big woman. She was very sturdy and big-boned. She was muscled and rather fat and her pronounced cheekbones made her an aesthetically displeasing person to look upon. I told her that once, when I was feeling particularly rebellious… I got a black eye and a broken knee cap for that. I suppose it's no secret that she beats me. You must have worked it out on your own anyway.

"Please don't…" I pleaded softly with my head hung and tears streaming down my face. It fuelled her anger.
"Well, I don't think I have a choice! And for god's sake, child, wipe those stupid tears away and stand up for yourself! The reason you're such a failure is that you don't even stand up for who you are! You're just pitiful… You're pathetic! You're…" She was cut off by Cosmo, whom put an arm around my waist rather than shoulder.
"My new assistant and fiancé." Whoa, where did that come from? His fiancé? I don't recall being proposed to! I looked up at him and found him looking at me emotionlessly. Oh god… I'm a failure. He won't smile. He won't show me any emotion. I've done something so stupid. I'm just an idiot.

"I don't care who the hell she is or who the hell you are!" I was surprised that she had yet to recognise Cosmo. I'm quite glad she didn't actually. "This girl is outta my house! A poor excuse of a woman. Her parents were lucky to be dead. Lucky they're not here to see what she is." She jabbed a sausage-like finger at me.
"Now that's enough! Harriet is a sweet girl and she's a pleasure to know! She's beautiful, incredible and caring! I'm in love with her, we're gonna get married and we don't care what you say!" Wow, he is a talented liar. He should have been an actor. My aunt burst out laughing.
"She's never even mentioned you! Prove it!" I think I snapped. I stood up straight and glared at her. She was surprised but didn't back down.

"How dare you! How dare you question who we are! Who I am as a human being! I can't believe I've put up with you for this long! My job brings in more money than your entire bakery does! If it weren't for me, you would have lost your house a long time ago!" I was slapped across the face by a big meaty hand and it hurt.
"Why, you insolent little-." She didn't get to finish her sentence. Cosmo slammed the door in her face, literally, and pulled me to the car. The door opened as Cosmo stepped on the gas pedal and we sped away from my abusive aunt.

I suddenly chuckled. Cosmo looked at me like I was crazy. "I just thought… You know how 'agony aunts' are supposed to help?" He nodded a little, making sure to keep one eye on the road, "Well, she actually caused me agony… The irony is saddening." And then the tears came on again.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey…" Cosmo said, reaching a hand out to place on my shaking shoulders, "Don't worry… Here, look, we'll go to my place, we'll sort something out… Look, we're nearly there already." I peered up from behind my hands and found we were in Beverly Hills.
"But don't you live with Don?" I whispered shakily. He shrugged a little.
"He won't mind, trust me." He assured me and I nodded wearily.

The car stopped and Cosmo got out first. He crossed to my door and instead of opening it, merely reached over the top and lifted me out like a child. I probably just seem like a child. I'm nothing. He held me close to him, an arm around my waist and a hand in my left, as he led me to the door. He opened it, without unlocking it I noticed, and pushed me in, closing the door then locking it behind him. The lights were on, so I guessed that Don was in.

"Cosmo, you've been out for ages! Where the hell ya been?" Don shouted from another room and walked into the entrance hall. He stopped at the sight of me and then looked at Cosmo in such a masculine way that I knew what he was implying; he thought Cosmo was bringing me home as a one-night stand. "It's not what you think, Don. It's Harriet, my assistant." Don finally recognised me and approached.
"Well, it's lovely to meet you again, Harriet, if I may call you that?" He was so polite. I hadn't been expecting it but I had always known that Don was a kind man. More so than Lamont, that's for sure. "Yes, it's fine, Mr Lockwood." He grinned a little at my formalities.
"Don't worry, Harriet, you can call me Don." He then turned to Cosmo, "So, why's she here?" Cosmo kept his arm around me and his hand in mine as he spoke, squeezing to reassure me.

"I drove her home and her aunt came out. She was a proper big lady, Don!" He exclaimed and Don laughed in return. "I mean, she was like a cow!" I ended up laughing a little, agreeing with his description. He squeezed me a little again, as if approving of my improved mood. "Anyway, she came out and hurled a whole load of awful insults at her, so I stepped up and defended her. She stood up for herself as well." Yet again, he squeezed me, a little tighter this time, as though he were applauding me for it. I liked the sensation it gave me. "Her aunt struck her and then I closed the door on her and we got out of there real quick." Cosmo telling the events made it sound more innocent than it really was and I was getting over it already. After all, it was a nightly thing.

"She struck her?" Don asked in disbelief. Cosmo nodded and gently moved my hair out of the way to show the bruise forming on my cheek. Don hissed at the sight of it in sympathy. I shrugged. "It's fine now." Now they both looked at me crazily. "I've had worse." I reminded them and they seemed to settle a little. Yes, it could have been worse. She could have bustled back inside and gotten her favourite lacrosse stick. "What's the worst you've had?" Don questioned curiously. Cosmo was about to chide him but I spoke across him, hoping he wouldn't mind my rudeness. "I've been beaten by her lacrosse stick, chucked down the stairs and then forced to stay in the garden with no keys to the house or shed." I said nonchalantly, as though I wasn't talking about my harshest beating. A stunned silence ensued.

"Jesus…" Don rubbed his hand across his face, "Well, you sure has hell can't go back. Stay here for as long as you need." I smiled in gratitude.
"Thank you, Don." He nodded and smiled grimly, and then shuffled into the room he had been in before. Cosmo began walking me over to some stairs.
"Right, we'll get you settled in to the guest bedroom. Don't usually have guests here but it's a good thing we agreed to have the music room renovated into a guest room. Of course, we added a room on to the house for all the instruments." I stopped abruptly one stair and he looked at me, puzzled.

"You have a music room?" I asked in surprise. A music room… Most I had back at home-my aunt's home. Not mine anymore. I don't live there. Anyway, the most I had back there was a little piano in the corner of my closet bedroom. I also had a violin stashed in my drawers and a viola under my bed. I played them when she wasn't in. I also tapped in the kitchen when she was at work.

Cosmo grinned. "Yes, indeed we do. Tomorrow, well, later today I mean, I'll show it to ya. After all, you are my new assistant." I think I could have hugged him then. Damn these stupid formalities. "Now, come on. You look dead-beat." And he pulled me up with him by the hand, entwining our fingers like it was nothing. Perhaps it was. It saddened me but I didn't let on.

We soon came to a white door and Cosmo leaned against the door jamb, his arm the same way it had been in the car and his head resting on it again. "You're gonna love this." He promised and then opened the door with his free hand. And he was right. I did.

The bed was positively huge and had a lovely white bed spread on it. The room was pristine and white, much like Cosmo's car, and the floor was a beautiful mahogany. The room had a white dresser, a dressing screen, a full length mirror, a wardrobe and a chair by the balcony window. My hands had found their way up to my face as I looked on in wonder. I turned back to Cosmo who was now on the inside of the room but his arm still up. "This can't possibly be my room." I exclaimed in disbelief. His grin merely intensified.

"It most certainly is." He moved from his position suddenly, sprinted past me and leaped onto the bed. I winced a little but when all was fine, it didn't matter. We laughed a little and when it died down, Cosmo raised his head to gaze at me. "Come on, join me." He said lowly, beckoning me with a single finger. I had a feeling that he was trying to be seductive and I'm sorry to say that he was succeeding. I walked over and perched on the end of the bed, marvelling at its softness and how much the mattress sank.

"No, not like that! You gotta jump on it!" Cosmo reminded me and I laughed, "Here, look, I'll move out of the way and you try it." He did as he said and he crawled off of the bed. I laughed at his behaviour and then he gestured to it. Grinning, I stepped back a few paces and then ran at it, jumping into the air and landed on the bed. Or at least, did for a moment; I tumbled off the other end. I hit the floor loudly and I heard Cosmo laugh from the other side and then it stopped. "You alright, Harriet?" He called. Hmm… Perhaps some fun could be had here… I decided not to answer. "Harriet…?" His voice was no longer full of mirth; it was full of concern. "Harriet, are you okay?" I abruptly sat up and laughed my head off. He looked at me like I was crazy and then burst out laughing as well. "Damn it, Harriet, you had worried for a moment there!" I didn't really notice. I was still laughing when he rifled through the drawers for a nightgown. I didn't ask why they had feminine clothes in an all-male house. Perhaps they cross-dressed or perhaps Lina visited a lot. The former thought just made me continue giggling.

He pulled out a knee-length navy blue night gown. It wasn't silk, thank god. Instead, it was cotton and was very soft against the skin. I took it carefully from his fingers and went behind the screen, indicating that he needn't leave yet. So, as I changed, I heard Cosmo settle on the bed. There were holes at the top of the screen and I peeped through the top. Cosmo was lying on his back, hands behind his head, and he was smiling. Not hugely. Just softly. He seemed content. I pulled the dress up slowly, revelling in the softness, and checked that nothing was on display. It was a rather modest dress actually. I walked out from behind the screen timidly and Cosmo looked at me, turning his head to view me. I didn't say anything. "You look lovely, Harriet, dear." He assured me and I smiled softly. "Right, bed time!" I laughed and crawled onto the bed, settling underneath the covers.

Cosmo walked away from the bed and stopped at the door, looking back at me. "I'm just down the hall if ya need anything." He reminded me and I nodded. He switched off the light and just before he left, I spoke.
"Cosmo." He turned back to see me. I couldn't see his face but he could see mine. I hesitated for a moment but continued anyway. "Thank you. So much. For everything." I think he smiled. There was a smile in his voice when he spoke.
"As I said before, how could I refuse such a pretty little thing like you?" I chuckled a little, "Good night, Harriet, dear."
"Good night, Cosmo."

You guys must really hate me. I watched Singin' in the Rain and I noticed that Cosmo just didn't get enough love! That's not fair! Poor Cosmo :(. So, I devised a story plan! Of course, it'll go along with the movie. I'm much quicker at stories if they're going along with a film/TV show. I don't have the patience to write chapters of my own. It's a peeve, I guess -.- Cheers folks. Adios.

Luna