Tony helped out the show so he could stay hidden, make money and be near Valentina. They put all their money together and agreed to change the look of the show to something more modern and much nicer looking. In no time at all they where performing at places they've never been at, nicer places. Making more money then they've ever made. And Tony took front and center sharply dressed in a white suite with a white long nose Mardi Gras mask.

"Come," he said as he pulled her along. "Take walk with me."

She laughed and asked; "where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"Why are you wearing a mask?"

"An air of mystery." He smiled. They walked a few blocks and a festival came into view. As they got closer they heard loud music being played and saw tents set up selling all manner of things. They walked arm in arm exploring all the street festival had to offer. There were kiosks of food, jewelry, incense, decorative crafts, and other novelty items including masquerade themed masks.

They neared the place where the music was being played. He led her to the midst of the crowd. She smiled and laughed as he spun her out and brought her back to him. "I heard ladies like a man who can dance. Do you agree?"

"Absolutely," she smiled. They danced side to side and in circles. He twirled her about and brought her back to him. Unbeknownst to her, they became quite a spectacle. The crowd formed a circle around them and watched. They danced for a few more songs and when she became aware the crowd was watching them she blushed hotly. He led her off the dance floor and they walked along the tents and saw all there was too see. He lead her to a nearby tent and said; "Be right back sweetheart," and left.

She looked around at all the people and suddenly she was approached by a tall man. "Hey Miss, come dance with me."

"No thanks." She tried not to look at the gothic beauty to long.

He looked up through his lashes. "You know you want to," he smirked.

She blushed. "No I don't."

"Sure you do." He flashed her a smile so brilliant that when he pulled her along she didn't protest. He clasped his hands behind her back and held her to him. She let herself look at him and instantly adored the way his pale blue eyes contrasted with is jet black hair. "The name's Tom. Tom Hiddleston."

"Valentina. Or Val."

"Valentina is so beautiful I could not bear to part with a single syllable of it." Her breath caught in her throat at the enchanting complement he had just given her. "Only in town for the festival or do you live here?"

"Um, I live here," she said still recovering from his complement.

"As do I but only for another month or 2. After that I'll be moving the states to work. Right now I frequent the coffee shop on the corner of 5th and main. Do you know where that is?"

"Oh yes."

"Good." He smiled some. "Where do you stay?" She turned away from him not wanting to tell him she was a carnie and lived out of a large trailer that doubled as a stage for her and her friends. He took her chin and turned her to face him.

"No, no. Don't do that. Look at me. You don't have to feel ashamed or embarrassed." He replaced his hand around her waist.

"I- my friends and I have a stage show. We travel. We're carnies. We have a trailer," she said not aware of anything but the stranger who held her close. Tony stood beside them and cleared is throat.

"How interesting in this day and age," he commented.

Tony proceeded with, "I see you found a friend."

"How do you like it?" Tom asked.

"I-I don't. I used to, now I'm just getting sick of it all."

"Valentina," Tony said.

Tom simply ignored Tony and Val was amiss to everyone else around her except for Tom.

"Hey, I'd like my girl back now if you don't mind," he said harder, quite annoyed at being ignored.

"Do you wish to go back?" He said looking directly in her eyes.

"I, uh," she stumbled. Tony boldly reached between them and took Valentina's hand off the stranger's shoulder, tearing her out of the trance she seemed to be in.

"Oh, Oh my god Tony I'm-" she struggled flustered. She couldn't think of a single thing to say as he walked away with her arm tightly in his. The stranger looked on, concerned.

"I leave you alone for 5 minutes and you already find someone else?" She didn't think anything serious of the remark. She thought he was kidding.

They walked around a building and out of sight where he leaned her against the wall and put a hand on the side of her head.

"What was that?" He asked looking at her pointedly.

Confused she asked, "what, was what?"

"What was what?" He rolled his eyes. "That thing you had going on back there with Mr. Charming." She looked down unsure of what to say. Normally she'd fire back with something when back into a corner but she could think of nothing. "You're doing it again," he said disdainfully. She looked up at him really at a loss of what she was doing again.

"Doing what again?" He squinted at her. But then she thought of something. "I'm yours?" She asked in the form of a question. "Am I?" She had not heard those words when he spoke them but from the way he was acting it would seem to be true. He looked hard at her. "Tony…" She put her hand on the side of his face. "I thought I was just a fling, just a bit of fun to you." His look softened. He took her hand and put it to his chest.

"I'm here because I want to help you." He nodded his head. "I'm here because I'm…fond of you." She smiled.

"I'm sorry about what happened back there." She became serious. "I said no. I tried to say no," she said getting flustered. "I couldn't say no." That angered him.

"You couldn't say no? Hmm?" He dropped his hands down on her shoulders then moved them to her neck. "Couldn't say no? Huh?" She brought her arms up between his and pushed them away. As quick as lightening he pinned an arm to her side. With a hand on her neck his lips crashed into hers. She thought she should stop this. Something about it didn't feel right. She tried to stop it. She moved her body against his and he only pushed her tighter against the wall. She gave in realizing she didn't want to stop it. This tall stranger that she barely knew was showing a side of him she hadn't yet seen. A side of him she knew she shouldn't be so enthralled with. She gave in and kissed him back just as passionately. His hand moved lower and made her heart beat faster. Lower still he moved to a place she'd never been touched. She shivered and moaned feeling his hand tease the under side of her bosom. He took his lips from hers and said, "You'll say no to everyone but me."

Her eyes where half lidded and her body growing hotter by the second. "Yes Tony, yes," she responded.