The Thing about Dreams…

Enjoy!

I. The Beginning

With her lips thinned out in a terse look of disapproval Mary Poppins stood by the door of Bert's flat ready for their Tuesday afternoon outing.

"Come now Bert! It is very impertinent to make others wait! Are you quite ready yet?"

In his bedroom Bert was a whirlwind going through drawers and closets and even going as far as to lift up his bed mattress. He called back, "Just one more tiny minute Ms. Poppins I'll be out and about in a jiffy!"

From down the hall he heard his dear friend call back to him, "What on earth can be keeping you!?"

"Oi, I can't leave without me scarf or me cap!" He paused in his search the puzzled man placing on hand against his hip and the other to run through his dark hair. "It's a mystery it is!" he called as he heard Mary's impatient foot fall carry toward him, "I could'a sworn I placed em both in the closet like always."

Appearing at his door Mary gave him chastising look as she undid her jack to place on his drawer. "If that were true Bert than the items would be just where you specified." Placing her hands upon her hips her cheery clue eyes traveled about the bedroom, "And to be perfectly honest I really can't see how you would be able to find anything in this mess."

Bert looked sheepishly around, "Aw it's not all that bad now is it?"

Another chastising look from the nanny, "Oh, well if I must I must. Let's get to work on tracking down that scarf and hat shall we?"

"Er we go!" Cried the young man with an excited smile blooming on his face, "A little bit o' that good old fashion Mary magic to 'elp brighten up the day!"

Mary had begun the chore of picking up the older man's cloths from the floor to fold and place in the drawer, "Now, now Bert one must understand that magic does not substitute for everything."

"Oh come now." Bert said as he began to pick up as well, "You make this sor' a thing a game with the little one's all the time!"

"Yes with children. There is, however, a lot to be said about a grown man who cannot take the responsibility to tidy up after himself."

Bert once more ran a hand through his hair as he took a look around at his messy room, "T'aint the room that's a problem Mary Poppins. I swear to you the hat and scarf took up legs of their own and went off on 'oliday!"

"Utter nonsense Bert!"

"A'right then!" Bert said with a cross of his arms and a sure fire smile, "Once the place is all tidy up I'd like to see you find that 'at and scarf!"

Pushing in one the drawers Mary turned to him then with wide surprised eyes, "Honestly Bert!" Placing her hands on her hips she moved making her way to the chimney sweep, "Blaming a mishap on the impossible instead of taking charge of your own misdoings." Once she stood before him her head was inclined up her disapproving gaze capturing his own. With a light shake of her head she softly asked, "Whatever are we to do with you?"

Funny enough Bert had always fancied Mary's disapproving gaze to her approving one. It was at the point where he would sometimes say and do un-witty things just so Mary could shoot him that stern glare if only for a second. There was just something about it that always did the trick in sparking a familiar...desire.

With this line of thinking Bert instantly made to move a step back from Mary however he was cut short by his bed which hit the back of his thighs. He quickly spoke, "Pe-haps we should be moving along now eh?"

Mary's eyes widened in slight surprise, "And after all the fuss about the hat and scarf? I think not." She reached up placing her small hands on Bert's shoulders before pushing him down. Bert obliged her by plopping down to a seat on his bed. He kept his own blue gaze linked to Mary's and it was all he could do to keep his thoughts in order with Mary so close to him looking at him with that 'look' and the fact that they were alone in his bedroom together. From any other point of view the whole thing was quite scandalous.

His kind of scandal.

But of course this was Mary Poppins! And no matter what anyone had heard about Herbert Alfred, Bert was always a true gentleman whenever she was around.

With a smile full of nerves Bert said, "Ave it your way Mary."

With a winning nod of Mary moved away from him making her way toward the closet. As she did so she began to unfasten the button on her sleeve. "And goodness Bert, must you always keep it so dreadfully hot in here?" Rolling her sleeves just halfway up the arm she then unbuttoned a few of the buttons from the neck down stopping just past her collar bone. The whole time she did this she sorted through Bert's closet every now and then putting items in their proper place.

Bert watched her every move with growing anxiety. He shifted in his seat nervously and would rub his sweaty palms against his pants. He looked to the bedroom door that lead into his hallway then back to the lovely nanny tidying up his closet.

"You know we really ought to be goin' if we don't want to 'it central park by mid-day. You know 'ow crowded it can be an' all."

"Don't fret; we'll have plenty of time before mid-day." Mary said pushing aside a dusty box and then smiling upon discovery, "Here we are! Hats in the closet just as they should be!" taking the items she made her way to Bert, "I believe a little humility is in order. Pick one please and don't be all day about it."

Bert looked at the caps Mary had found in his closet then looked to her with a smile, "Oh, I knew those were in there. I need me gray cap Mary Poppins!" He looked back to the black and blue caps she presented him, "That's me fa-rite one. An' we're still missin' me lucky scarf!"

With a huff Mary allowed her arms to fall at her sides, "Your favorite hat and your lucky scarf is that it?"

Bert smirked at her, "Ya know I believe a little 'umility is in order ere."

Again that glare. Bert lowered his gaze and shifted once more. "Don't worry your pretty little 'ead about it. I'll find em later. Let's just go before the days 'alf over."

Instead Mary tossed the two caps on the bed and moved closer to Bert. The chimney sweep swallowed as he looked to the side. Mary leaned down placing her hands upon her thighs so she was eye level with Bert. Softly she spoke, "Not without that hat and scarf. You bet I couldn't find it remember? So," She raised a hand up and snapped her fingers. Bert's bedroom door closed shut on its own. "I want you to think hard and re-trace your steps."

Bert's mind was racing but not in regards to the silly hat and scarf. She was so close. Just within his reach. His heart was pounding and his fingers twitched with the need to touch her…and this whole situation he found himself with the magical woman...It was not un-new to him.

Slowly Bert raised his gaze up to meet Mary's icy blue stare. She really was close. Their noses nearly touching their lashes lowered to take the other in.

Bert spoke soft and unsure. "Is this real…?"

Mary's brows furrowed just a bit, "Don't be ridiculous Bert."

He always asked and she always answered the same.

Bert's blue eyes lowered to tempting red lips his body already responding to the situation.

She moved closer their cheeks brushed and she spoke in his ear, "It helps…if you're relaxed." Her hands moved to slip the dark jacket from off his shoulders.

He inhaled sharply taking all of her in. Once his jacket was off he placed his hands appropriately back onto his lap. "What 'elps Mary?" he spoke in a low and gruff tone his body yearning and hot.

One hand she left on his shoulder which crept up to twirl lightly in his soft hair. The other she placed on his thigh. She leaned back so their gazes could reconnect.

"Remembering."

"Oh…right…" He said only able to focus on the feel of Mary's hand on his thigh and the other running through his hair. Bert closed his eyes to focus more on the feeling. He heard Mary speak to him, "I really don't see the bother of you putting on a hat." Her next words were against his cheek, "I love the feel of your hair." He felt lips touch softly to his cheek. Bert rubbed his hands together before clasping roughly in a tight fist. He refrained from touching her.

Mary's lips made a slow and sensuous trail from his cheek to his ear she breathed against the lobe before taking it gently between her lips. He bite down on his lower lip. Mary's hand moved from his thigh to his firm stomach then chest then to his shoulders against his arm then to his chest again. The soft and considerate attention she was giving was slowly driving the chimney sweep mad. From his ear she kissed down to his neck and gave a sharp nip.

His eyes shot open, he breathed in deep, "…I don't know how much more of this I can 'andle…"

In a soft yet heavy voice she inquired, "Are you still not relaxed?"

Bert gave a breathy chuckle, "I'm afraid…what you're doing doesn't make a man relaxed…" Mary leaned back and once again blue gazes collided. He barley caught a glimpse of her tongue brushing over ruby lips, "Oh?" She moved in he closed his eyes again feeling their noses brush, "It makes a man…"

His sentence was cut short once Mary's lips touched his own. Like always Bert could hardly stand it as she gently moved her lips over his own a soft gentle probing when really all he wanted to do was grab the back of her head and kiss her hard and fierce.

Again Bert refrained.

Mary became a little daring as she raised herself just a little and forced his head back to deepen the kiss. One hand cradling his face affectionately the other resting against his shoulder. Their breathing became heavier as the kiss became more desperate. Mary leaned into him making his hand shoot out to place upon the bed to steady them, she moved closer and Bert was forced to scoot back upon the bed. She reached down and grabbed a handful of her dress raising it so that she could raise a stocking clad knee up to rest on the bed; she halfway straddled the chimney sweep.

When the kiss broke Mary breathlessly spoke the words he had been anxiously waiting for,

"Bert…touch me." Desperate and almost pleading before her lips were on his again.

That was all he needed. For Bert would never inappropriately touch Mary before he was given proper permission from her first.

One hand shot out around her waist to help pull her fully into his lap whilst the other hand like always went to her hair. Taking apart the pins she used to keep it up in its usual almighty bun. Dark auburn hair fell down in lovely whips framing her face.

Having raised Mary properly onto the bed and fully upon him the Nanny now sat fully straddling Bert. The kiss becoming more faster, more intoxicating. Soft moans and groans of appreciation, quick hands moving everywhere struggling persistently at clothing and god Mary always dressed in layers!

As the blouse became undone Bert allowed himself to fall back onto the bed pulling Mary with him never allowing her lips to break from his…

…

"Bert! Hey Bert! My god man allow a lil' decency eh!"

Bert woke up to the orange setting sun of the London rooftops. Groggy and pushing himself from his bundled jacket (made temporary pillow) against one of the brick chimneys Bert felt something heavy fall into his lap. With a start he looked down to find a small stack of newspapers.

"Hey Bert!" Grinned his fellow chimney sweep, "We all 'ave days when we like to pitch our tents but no need making a show abou' it mate!" At this the other chimney sweeps who stood nearby laughed.

Rubbing one hand on his face trying to rub the sleep off and the other hand making sure that the newspapers where properly covering up his rather large…embarrassment. Bert picked himself up to a sitting position, "Lay off Gene! And shouldn't you be finishing up the Cremshaw house? And the rest o you lot don't you 'ave chimneys to be working on? Instead o making fun o a man whilst he's down?"

One of the sweeps called out, "Sorry bou' that mate, you looked pretty up to me!" Again they engaged in rowdy laughter but began to disperse in amusement as Bert grabbed his jacket and threw it at the pack!

But Bert had a smile just a beat from laughter himself. All fun and games. He could never stay mad at his chums who he'd known from childhood.

The chimney sweep known as Gene stayed back and offered Bert a hand, helping him to his feet. Bert still kept the newspaper at a certain angle to keep things decent before retrieving his jacket and tying it at the waist.

"Good work mate. No one'll 'eva suspect."

"Bug off!" snapped Bert but he grinned at the sweep, "But the Cremshaw home? I thought I 'ad time to get in a few winks there before it was my go."

Work had been a little tight. So whenever there was a rich-cat customer with a large chimney the sweeps sometime broke it off into two jobs and split the pay. Bert had asked Gene to go halves on the gig since Gene hadn't had much luck in work recently.

"I barely got halfway. We'll have to finish the job ano'er time. Me and the rest o the gang don't like the high winds comin' in. Best to get off these rooftops before they blow us off to god-knows-where."

Bert had not noticed the high winds till then. He raised his dark blue gaze up to orange sunset glow.

Winds from the East. Slight mist coming in…

His heart began to speed. It had been a little over a year now.

"C'mon Bert!" cried Gene lunch pail in one hand and sweepers in the other. "Let's get to safe ground now!"

Bert began to pick up his supplies as well being sure to grab his cap and tie together his sweepers, "Oi, Gene come back 'er a second!"

Gene had not moved to far and by the time Bert had everything in order the young man stood before him again. Bert looked off to the lovely landscape then back to his friend. He shuffled almost nervously while setting his sweepers on his shoulders. Gene was getting anxious for the wind was coming in stronger, "What Bert, what is it?"

Bert looked to him then and Gene was instantly aware that something was wrong. "What is it Bert?"

Nervous and feeling slightly foolish Bert quietly asked, "Is this…real…?"

Gene stared but could not help the slow smile that pulled on his face, "You askin'…you askin' if you're still dreamin'?"

"Right then." Bert said quickly pulling his cap down low, that foolish feeling growing, as he moved past Gene.

The chimney sweep followed, "Well, well, well! Tha' musta been some dream Bert 'ol boy! Oo was the lucky lass then!? Angelica I'm thinking huh!? "

If only, if only.

The winds became stronger still and for the first time ever Bert almost dreaded what that symbolized.

Something was brewing…about to begin…

TBC…

My first Mary Poppins fic! Just a side-line project that I'm having fun with. First timer in this category, naturally, so reviews are appreciated with how I came out with our two favorite characters. This will be a quick five chapter fic, so feel free to follow. This should be fun!=)

Peace-)AR07