Still PG for now.

For those that want more detail on the songs used and links to the songs themselves you'll have to go to my LJ page since Fan Fiction . net sucks and doesn't let you link. The link for my LJ is in my profile.


Tony shut his hotel room door behind him as he finished buttoning up his shirt. They were in London and he had rehearsal in 10 minutes. He slipped the keycard into the back pocket of his jeans. He was still a little damp from his shower and the hallway was slightly chilly. The black silk of his shirt clung to his back and he pulled at the bottom of it idly. He told Carlos he would swing by and get Michelle on his way down. They needed her to sit in and see if she thought any of their usual content for the tour could be enhanced. It was just one of the reasons they'd brought her along.

Unfortunately the other reason is she's dating my brother.

Tony scolded himself. He couldn't think about her. He shouldn't think about her. She was his brother's and besides, his love was a curse. It was better for her and him if he just kept his distance.

Coming closer to her room he heard the faint sounds of music. He knocked quietly on her door and a faint "come in" came shortly after. The door was ajar and he pushed it open. The entire band was staying in full furnished suites that were more like apartments than hotel rooms. Michelle had asked to have her own instead of staying with Carlos.

Tony made his way through the living room towards the music. He came to the den and stopped in the doorway.

Michelle had her back to him, standing in front of the patio doors that led to the balcony. She was playing the violin. He knew the piece, A Postcard to Henry Purcell, from the musician they had spoken of the night before. She was…enchanting. She was wearing a black skirt that came just to her knees, flowing softly as she swayed with her playing. Her blouse was a deep red and cut to show off every beautiful curve she had. Her hands moved along the instrument with precision and grace. Each move she made was perfect. But what caught Tony off guard was her face. She had a look of euphoria he'd only seen a few times when he'd happen to catch himself playing near a mirror. It was like she was in a trance. Her curls ran down her back and soaked up the light coming in from the patio. She was stunning and he had to remind himself to breathe.

He didn't know what made him do it, but he moved closer to her. He just wanted to be near her; to try and soak up as much of her as possible. Whatever it was about her that made him crave every fiber of her being. He was slowly falling into a hole he'd never be able to crawl out of.

He stopped just inches from her back as she drew the bow over the last chord of the song. She must have felt his presence because she spun quickly and drew in a quick breath, startled.

"Oh my God…you scared me." She held the violin and bow in one hand and swept her other quickly through her hair, pushing it behind an ear.

"I'm sorry Ms. Dessler. I didn't mean to scare you. You asked me to come in."

"I just…I thought you were Carlos. He said he'd come get me for the rehearsal. And please, call me Michelle."

"He was working on something, called and said I should come get ya. You play beautifully by the way...Michelle."

Michelle blushed and looked away. "Thank you. Our conversation last night inspired me to practice a little. Thibaudet is a favorite of mine." She had brought her violin up and started playing with the strings, trying to distract herself from his eyes.

He watched her fingers fiddle with the instrument nervously. A shiver went down his spine as he watched her blush deepen. She was just as attracted to him as he was to her. This was getting more dangerous by the second. But right now, he didn't care.

Tony reached out and touched her hand lightly. She froze in her movements and looked up at him.

"I'm glad I could be of some, inspiration, to you." He could feel himself leaning closer to her slowly.

Michelle had no idea what she was doing, but she leaned into him.

A loud knock from the front door caused them to step back suddenly.

"Michelle? You in here?" They could hear Carlos making his way towards them.

Tony turned and moved closer to the door. Carlos came around the corner and stopped when he saw him. "Dude, you're late. Something wrong?"

"Nah. She was just finishing up getting ready to go. I'll meet you guys down there."

Carlos looked at her curiously after he watched Tony leave. "Is everything ok? What took you guys so long?"

Michelle started putting up her violin and grabbed her notebook. "I was just practicing and he interrupted. Shouldn't we get downstairs?" She didn't wait for him and headed out of the apartment.

Carlos stood there for a second looking around the room. Why was he getting the feeling he had walked in on something he wasn't supposed to?


Michelle shifted again on the leather couch. She had sat through three songs so far and she was finding it increasingly difficult to keep her eyes off of Tony. She didn't know if he was doing it on purpose, but every song seemed to be a sensual play he was putting on for her. It wasn't just the words, but the beat of the songs were sexual and she was having a hard time concentrating. She was there to observe their music and add whatever classical elements she felt they could benefit from. So far all she had come up with was how sexy Tony looked in that black silk shirt. He looked so dangerous. Dark shirt, dark jeans and his overall dark look was distracting.

They finished up the song they were currently playing and paused for a quick sound adjustment. She felt the couch move with someone's weight and looked over to see Bill Buchanan take a seat next to her. Bill was their manager and was such a contrast to them. He was a business man type. She smiled at him. She was always glad to see Bill.

"How's it going Michelle? Anything you can do to help this rough band of degenerates? They need all the class they can get."

"I think I see a few areas they could add some strings, maybe some wind instruments. I'll have to sit and talk with them on the exact places. I don't want to change or tamper with the feeling they are trying to convey."

Bill looked over at the group as he spoke. "Then you just need to meet with Tony. No offense to the other guys, but Tony is the only one with any creative talent. They can all play a number of instruments, but he's the artist of the group. Carlos couldn't write himself out of a death sentence." He chuckled at her. "How's it going with you guys?"

Michelle's smile faded a little and she looked over at her so called boyfriend. "It's ok."

"You don't sound very encouraging. Trouble in paradise?"

"Is that what this is? Paradise?" She snorted and he beamed at her.

"Well for some I guess it is." She watched him cut his eyes over at Tony. "For others it couldn't be further from the truth."

She looked down at her notebook. "Does Nina make him happy?"

Bill got a sad look on his face. "Not in the slightest."

They both looked up when the first cords of a song started to play. Unlike the others that were blatantly sexual, this one had an underlining hatred to it. Again, Tony was singing and playing the guitar.

visually you're stimulating to my eyes
your Cinderella syndrome's full of lies
your insecurities are concealed by your pride
pretty soon your ego will kill what's left inside

Michelle looked over at Bill. He leaned over so she could hear him. "Nina."

She turned back and watched Tony continue. He was so sorrowfully beautiful. Why would he stay with someone who he obviously couldn't stand?

just as beautiful as you are
It's so pitiful what you are
you should have seen this coming all along
It's so pitiful what you are
as beautiful as you are
you should have seen this coming all along

Bill leaned over to her again. "Have you met her yet?" Michelle shook her head. "It's a pleasure." He rolled his eyes. She smiled at him and turned back to Tony.

you're everything that's so typical
maybe you're alone for a reason, you're the reason

They finished the song and set up for the next one. Michelle turned to Bill. "I know this isn't my business, but if he doesn't like her why does he stay with her?"

Bill sighed. "I really don't know. Loneliness?" Michelle gave him a look that told him she wasn't buying it. "It confuses me too."

They started the next song and this time, it was sad; deeply, painfully sad. Tony was sitting on a stool with a guitar in his lap. It started with a slow, echoing sound and he sang so softly but there accusation in his voice. The words made no personal sense to her, but she knew clear as day he was talking about himself. He was talking as if he had done something horrible and was forever asking for forgiveness. She blinked a few times to try and clear the wetness from her eyes.

Michelle looked over at Bill and he leaned her way. "Nina?" The look of confusion on her face would have been humorous had his answer not meant a story so tragic.

"No, not Nina. Rachel."


Last song Tony was singing

The Noose by A Perfect Circle

So glad to see you well, overcome them
Completely silent now
With heaven's help
You've cast your demons out
And not to pull your halo down
Around your neck and tug you off your cloud
But I'm more than just a little curious
How you're plannin' to go about makin' your amends
To the dead
To the dead

Recall the deeds as if they're all
Someone else's
Atrocious stories
Now you stand reborn
Before us all
So glad to see you well

And not to pull your halo down
Around your neck and tug you to the ground
But I'm more than just a little curious
How you're plannin' to go about makin' your amends
To the dead
To the dead

With your halo slippin' down
Your halo slippin'
Your halo slippin' down
Your halo slippin' down

Your halo slippin' down
(I'm more than just a little curious
How you're plannin' to go about makin' your amends)

Your halo slippin' down
Your halo's slippin' down to choke you now