She sat at the bar, her friends had moved into the inner circle of other friends. Allison threw back the third shot of Jaeger and decided to leave. She was an american in bar in London. She didn't know anyone else here and was sure that no one would even notice she was gone. She threw a couple bills on the bar and made her way towards the door. Once she got there she soon realized it wasn't where she came in, it was a area with some doors roped off for smokers. Shit she whispered under her breath. She noticed a tall man next to her, he seemed to be searching his pockets for a light, so she pulled out a silver zippo from her pocket and offered it to the man. As she did she looked him over, tall, about 6 foot, dark hair trying to escape what she called a golfer's hat. He was in jeans and a deep burgundy sweater with a white t shirt peaking out from underneath. He then smiled and leaned close as she lit the lighter for him. Once the flame lit up his face she recognized him immediately, the one and only Benedict Cumberbatch. His deep blue/green eyes and perfect cupids bow lips gave him away. He must have been able to read her mind because he smiled and leaned close to her ear,

"you know my name, but I am at a disadvantage. I don't know yours"
She smiled a small mischievous smile and arched a brow at him. She stood on the tips of her shell toed Adidas shoes and gave him anything but her name.
"Why would you know my name, we've never met. So maybe I will keep my advantage, unless you give me a reason to stay."
He smiled widely as he took her in. Her dark hair falling around her shoulders, her eyes like his, shifting colors between green and blue speckled with a gold. Her lips were full and pink against her fair skin. She wore jeans that hugged her curves nicely and black lacy top exposing enough to let his mind wonder what was covered by the pink camisole underneath. He leaned back down trying not to yell over the crowd, but rather to purr into her ear.
"Aren't you going to at least have a smoke with me?" He motioned to the lighter still clutched in her hand. She looked up at him through her dark lashes and blushed slightly.
"I don't smoke anymore. I quite a few years back. I only carry this to meet highly attractive men. I will admit this is the first time it has worked." This time he was one with a slight blush dusting his cheeks. He took a drag then licked his lips as he looked at her.
"Are you really leaving? I would really like to know your name." Allison bit her lips and tried to look as if she was make a grand decision.
"I will tell you my name if you tell me I will talk to you again." Benedict then easily walked over the rope barrier and held a hand for her to follow him. Allison smiled, what the hell was she doing. She was leaving the bar with Benedict Cumberbatch, this would truly be an adventure. He continued to hold her hand as he led her down the street. Just as she was catching up to his long strides, a man with a camera started snapping pictures. Benedict held his had down, he hat partially covering his face. Then he angled to look back at her, seeing the look on his face was enough to make him stop and just look at her. She was looking directly at the camera making a positively ridiculous face at the camera when she noticed Ben had stopped she smiled and shrugged.

"Hey, now they can have a fun time trying to figure out what in the hell some crazy chic is doing with you."

Benedict squeezed her hand and pulled her closer to him, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they walked a few blocks to a little diner. He had been quiet the whole walk and Allison was starting to wonder if she had made him mad. She looked up at him as he opened the door for her, and his smile put all her worries to rest. They were seated at a table toward the back of the restaurant in a cozy darkened corner. Allison thought to herself if he did often, bring different women here. Benedict looked at Allison for a moment, wondering what she was thinking as she looked over the menu. He watched how she ran her tongue over the edge of her teeth as she thought. Soon he cleared his throat and she looked up at him. She gave him that mischievous smile again and he grinned back.

"So Benedict, what would you recommend?"

"Hmmm, I don't know. I've never been here." Just then a waitress appeared, and she was gushing all over Benedict, totally ignoring Allison. After she had asked for a picture with him and an autograph she asked what he would like. What came out next shocked Allison.

"My date and I would both like a cup of tea right now." The waitress scowled in Allison's direction as she slid away to make two cups of tea. Benedict notice a deep crimson blush creeping across Allison's cheeks. He smiled thinking how beautiful it looked on her.

"Well I guess if I'm your date for the evening I guess I finally have to tell you my name." He chuckled at her awkwardness at saying date.

"Yes I do think it is customary for you to at least tell me that much about yourself."

"My name is Allison Thompson. And as you may have guess from my foreign accent I am American." They both smiled as their tea was delivered and orders were placed. Then it was awkward silence for a moment. Allison sat at stared at her tea for a moment, then observed Benedict adding some milk to his.

"So, I must be honest, I have never had tea, well this kind of tea. My dad used to drink Americanized Iced tea all the time, but this is a bit out of my realm. Would it be acceptable to have milk and honey in it?" Benedict laughed at her ability to be so honest with him. Most people hit who they were, trying to be who they thought he would want them to be.

"I think that would be acceptable, I do hope you like it. If not that may just be a deal breaker." Allison watched the humor in his eyes gave him a big pout.

"Well for my sake I hope I like it too."

"So, Ms. Danielson what brings you here. Are you on vacation?" She thought it was cute the way he used an american term.

"Kind of. Um, Well. The company I used to work for combined two of their major office locations, and I just happened to work at the one that was shutting down. So I ended up loosing my job. I decided to take this as a second chance to go out and try to live my dream."

"And your dream was London?"

"Maybe a little. I always wanted to travel. So I picked a destination, outside of the U.S. and London won."

"What else did you dream about? Or was travel it?"

"Oddly enough as a kid, as young as I can remember up until I was in high school I wanted to act. Somewhere along they way I got discourage and started listening to all the people around me saying that I would never make it. That everyone was stuck in that small town. Then life happened, and now, I guess I'm ready to go out and either sink or swim so to speak."

"And you just happened to run into me tonight. How convenient." At that comment Allison's heart sank. Did he really believe she sought him out because of that.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"I hear that all the time, some fan wants to be an actress and approached me asking about roles and auditions." Allison was now heart broken and angry, and anger right now took the wheel of her emotions. Allison then pulled a few bills out of the clutch she was carrying and put them on the table.

"I know that we just met and you have no reason to trust me, but we only met because I offered you a light. I never even knew who you were at first, and honestly even if you weren't famous, if you were just some average guy I would done the same. I never expected anything from you and I still don't. I'm sorry but I think maybe it better I just go." And with that Allison got up to leave.

Ben sat for a moment stunned at what had just took place. Now he felt guilty, he never meant to hurt her feelings or imply anything. He fished out a bill from his pocket and put in on the table next to hers. Then he ran out the door looking for her. She was down the road, looking up at the street sign as the rain started to fall. He heard her groan in aggravation, she must be lost. She rounded the corner, and he knew she was headed the wrong way. He started jogging trying to catch up to her and as he rounded the corner he saw her, leaning against a building trying to stay out of the rain and looking at her phone, most likely for directions. He ran up to where she was and she turned away from him, but not soon enough. He had clearly seen the tears streaking down her cheeks.

"Please forgive me. I never, never wanted to hurt you. And I never should have judged you like that. I am simply not used to someone who doesn't see me as a connection to the business. Please let me prove you that I am not man you saw back in the cafe." She reached up and wipe her cheeks before turning around to face him. Seeing her eyes red and full of tears broke his heart, how could he have done this to her. How did she do this to him, someone he has barely met and she had gotten to him.

" Benedict I see you as man, a person. The only thing I ever expected from you was maybe a thanks for giving you a light. Even after I realized who you were, I NEVER expected anything. Maybe I shouldn't have let it bother me, but I was more hurt because you placed me in the category of people who would expect you to hand them things just because of who you are. I am not one of those people nor will I be. My father made sure to raise me to be respectful of everyone else around me, no matter who they are." Tears fell down her face again and this time Benedict reached up and wiped one away. He then hailed a cab and extended a hand out to Allison.

"I know you have no reason to trust me, but please there is some place I would like to show you." She could see the sincerity in his eyes, knew he was speaking with honesty and she slowly took his hand. Once in the cab he watched as she nervously played with her hands. She avoided looking at him and for some reason that alone pained him. Soon he reached out and took her hand in his and ran his thumb over her fingers. He watched her until her gaze met his and once it did he decided to tell her a truth about himself.

"I'm sorry. I know I hurt you and I want to make it up to you. Now I don't want to make excuses, but this isn't easy for me. I had my heart broke a few times and I find it hard to trust people now. I find myself pushing people away rather than letting them in close. Now I don't know how you have done it but already after just an hour you have got my full attention. You have reached a part of me that I though was broken for good. I really do want to know more about Ms. Allison Thompson. She seems like a very nice person." Allison once again saw the humor in his eyes as he spoke the last few word to her and smiled at him.

"Thank you I needed to see that smile again"

"Benedict, You are amazing. And as far as that Allison chic, she is pretty cool, I don't know about that whole nice thing, but defiantly pretty cool." They both seemed a bit more at ease now and Allison leaned on his shoulder as they rode along.

Soon they were pulling up to their destination and Allison was a little worried, it seemed to be some back ally way. She cautiously got out behind Benedict and waited close as he paid the cabbie. Soon he walked over to the side door of a building and knocked. An older man with a Scottish accent answered the door.

"Oh Benedict, I didn't know I was going to get a visit from you tonight."

"I know Drew, I am sorry for late notice, but I was wondering if we could come in, I would like to show my friend Allison this place."

"Oh, well Hello miss. Your easy on the eyes aren't ye? Of course, come in come in get out of the rain."

"Thanks Drew, I owe you"

"Nah, just enjoy, I will just take my break now." With that Drew winked at Benedict and left the two of them alone.

"Close your eyes"

"What"

"Please, just trust me."

"Alright" Allison shut her eyes and Ben took her hands. He lead her threw the darkness for a good distance then he came around behind her, placed his hands on her waist and whispered in her ear,

"Open your eyes now"

As Allison opened her eyes it took a moment to adjust to lighting around the room. The enormous room started to take shape, rows and rows of seats. She looked all around in wonder, She was standing onstage at the London Coliseum.

"It's Beautiful." was all she could say as she imagined some of the Operas that had been preformed here. She turned around and wrapped her arms around Benedict.

"What is this for?"

"A thank you, for bringing me here. It is just amazing."

"Am I forgiven?"

"Yes." then she got up her tip toes as place a soft kiss on his cheek. "On one condition."

"What is that Ms. Thompson?"

"I get a second date."

"How about tomorrow?"