March 15th, 1985

It was unseasonably warm for a mid-March evening in East City, not that Lily Elric was complaining as she strolled through the large park, hand-in-hand with Randy, who she thought looked particularly handsome this evening. Not that he didn't always look good, but there was something about tonight. His light brown wavy hair was windblown as ever. His soft green eyes danced with humor whenever they talked, but that was normal too. His outfit wasn't particularly different: clean jeans, a clean slate blue t-shirt, with a blue-and-gray button down flannel open over it; a nod to the remaining coolness in the air.

"So what is this play we're going to see tonight?" Lily asked. She hadn't had time since Randy had told her, just the day before, that there would be a play in the park this evening.

"It's called Songs of Summer Crickets. I know, it sounds weird, but it's supposed to be a really good love story. Some friends of mine in the theatre department are doing it as their midterm performance piece for a class. I promised to come be part of the audience."

"In case they don't get an audience?" Lily asked knowingly.

"Pretty much," Randy chuckled. "Though they're really good, so I imagine they'll get a decent group this evening, even if it's mostly theatre majors."

It was true. Normally audiences for student class performances tended to be from those departments, though Lily liked that there was some crossover and support between the theatre and music majors. They did share rehearsal spaces a lot of the time after all.

A slightly chill breeze made the leaves in the park rustle around them. It was already dark, being just after dinner, but Lily didn't mind. She was wearing her favorite purple knit sweater—one of her mother's creations with neat patterns corded into the sweater in varying faded shades—and matching lavender pants. The outfit was not only comfortable, but also warm.

Soon enough, they passed under the last of the old metal lampposts that lit the walkways through the park, and entered the open-air amphitheater. The stage at the bottom was already decked out in set pieces, and a backdrop at the farthest point, painted to look like an ethereal summer night, complete with fireflies. Somehow, they had even gotten them to twinkle. Lily suspected lighting, with small holes in the cloth.

"Shall we sit, my lady?" Randy smiled with easy gallantry as he draped a blanket he had brought for them to sit on across one of the concrete stairs that served for seating.

"Unless you prefer to stand," Lily teased as she sat down, and snuggled up to Randy's side as soon as he joined her. What better way to spend an evening than watching a romantic play with her sweetheart?

Randy seemed to be thinking the same. "Why stand, when we can cuddle?" he whispered in her ear.

Lily would have responded, but at that moment two of the actors came out on stage, took their places under the lights, and waited for the hush. As soon as the audience noticed them and quieted, they began.

Randy hadn't lied. They were excellent, especially for students. Lily was happily captivated by the forlornly romantic tale of childhood friends and lovers, torn apart by war, told as a series of letters, where the two characters returned to a single summer, on a particular night in a field. In their letters they returned time and time again, to be together in that place that was theirs, even when, at the end, the girl found that the boy had been lost in action during combat far away. Then, she stood alone.

Years passed, symbolized by the artistic changing of scenery and subtle shifting of the movement of the girl. She aged, she stayed alone. She turned down lovers. Just when it seemed there was no hope for a happy ending, the boy returned, his letter saying that he had almost died, but would be returning to her. She should wait for him, in their field.
It was during their final reunion scene that Lily realized both of the characters looked like they had in the first scene, when they had first parted, as young, and realized that they had been reunited in death.

"Tissue?"

"Thank you." Lily took the offered white square from Randy and dabbed at her eyes. "That was really moving."

"Yeah," Randy smiled, and she realized his eyes were glistening just a little too. "I noticed."

The audience—all thirty two of them— burst out in riotous applause. Lily could not imagine how they couldn't have passed their midterm with top marks for a performance like that. Slowly, people started to stand up, and the crowd began to disperse.

"Want to meet them?" Randy offered. "I ah… I think they're tired of me talking about you."

Lily laughed, though her face warmed with pleasure. "Sure. I want to tell them how much I enjoyed it."

"Great." Randy offered her his hand and together they walked down to the stage, where the actors were chatting with a few others who had stayed. No one had taken down the sets yet.

As they waited their turn to talk, Lily wandered up to take a closer look at the backdrop. Even up close, it seemed almost magical. The paint work on it was good, and the twinkling "fireflies" turned out to be a combination of lights through pin-point holes, and tiny sparkling bits of glitter at certain spots in the paint.

"You like it?" Randy asked.

"It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you are."

"Oh stop," Lily chuckled, turning around-

-to find Randy down on one knee in front of her. He grinned at her look of surprise.

"What are you doing?"

He chuckled. "What does it look like I'm doing?" He reached into his pocket with one hand, as he reached with the other to catch her left. "I haven't known you as long as the couple in this play, but it's been a long time. I've been sweet on you since we were kids, and every day that we're together I feel like I'm the hero in some romantic epic, but only because I must be, to have a lady like you." He brought out the ring. "I'd like the adventure to go on forever. Lily, please say you'll marry me."

Suddenly all Lily could hear was her heart beating in her ears, and the night seemed even warmer. Her vision blurred—with tears, she realized, as she bent down and kissed him.

Taking her actions for the affirmative they were, Randy grabbed her up in his arms and stood, almost picking her up as they kissed passionately.

The hoots and hollers and riotous clapping made Lily break off the kiss to look around, blushing furiously as she realized they were being watched. Her feelings turned to surprise as she looked at who was there, and realized that this whole thing was planned. Her roommate Tara was there and her friends Penny and Viola. Randy's roommate and his best friends were there as well. All of their mutual friends…

Lily wasn't used to being surprised. Even Eamon, who had known her better than anyone, had rarely been able to pull of any kind of surprise where she hadn't found out ahead of time. "How did you set this up?" she asked as Randy set her down and slipped the ring onto her finger.

"A lot of very careful planning and trying not to sneak around while, well, sneaking around," Randy admitted, laughing as he hugged her tightly again. "I love you."

Lily beamed. "I love you."

A moment later, they were swarmed by all of their friends and well wishes, and Lily found herself fielding questions from when they would be getting married—which seemed awfully early to be asking the question—to just what kind of a wedding Lily had always envisioned.

Their friends, unsurprisingly, insisted on celebrating by taking them both out—despite it being after dinner—for drinks and dessert. By the time they got away from the crowd, after they finally managed to convince everyone that they really did want a little time alone together, it was getting late.

Randy walked Lily back to her dorm, as he always did, though tonight the walk seemed to go by far too quickly, despite the fact they walked deliberately slower than usual. "I don't want tonight to end," Lily admitted. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"When you're happy, I'm happy," Randy pointed out. "Nothing makes my day better than seeing you smile."

"Even when I'm smiling and you're late to class and missed getting your morning coffee?"

"Darn, you figured out my plan," Randy teased as they paused outside the dorm. His hands rested lightly on her arms. "Does this mean if I'm running late in the morning, you won't bring me coffee?"

"Pretty sure if you're running late, we both will be," Lily pointed out, blushing as she considered the reality of being married, and moving in with Randy. He had always been a gentleman, and their make out sessions, while passionate, had never crossed any lines that made Lily uncomfortable. "I guess…we need to make plans."

"We do." Randy smiled. "First things first, I guess. When do you want to tell our parents?"

"Summer," Lily blurted out, for a moment unsure if she wasn't just still thinking of the play. Then, the other reasons followed.

"Why wait that long?" Randy asked, looking confused.

Lily smiled. "I want to see our parents' faces in person when we tell them."

"Fair enough." Randy kissed her again, before letting her go for the night. "Sleep well. I'll see you in the morning."

"Of course," Lily said. "First thing. Just don't forget the coffee."

Randy blinked. His deep, pleasant laugh filled the night air. "I see how this is going to work."

March 22nd, 1985

Ian would have been happy if they had been filming this pool scene in the summer, when it was warmer, but at least it had turned out to be an unseasonably warm day in Central for filming. Otherwise, he was certain the entire crew would have rioted. In either case, they were filming their poolside scene on an indoor sound stage that was done up to look rather realistically like they were outdoor poolside at a beach resort in Aerugo.

In any case, with the bright lights warming the air, and the fact that Bartholomew Tanner, who was directing this film, had made sure the indoor pool they were using was heated enough to feel a little more comfortable, it would do. At least his character in this show seemed to like actual swim trunks, instead of the professional swimsuits that were more revealing than even Ian preferred most of the time. He could live with dark blue patterned swim trunks.

For this part of the film, he and his romantic interest were on what would prove to be a particularly steamy vacation.

As he arrived at the pool, he noticed that Tanner looked annoyed. "Something wrong, Sir?" He'd worked with the man long enough he felt comfortable asking him just about anything.

"One of the extras isn't coming in today," he said. "We need her. She's the one serving drinks in this scene."

"Can't one of the other girls do it?" Ian asked. There were plenty of girls on set in skimpy bikinis. Most of them were extras with non-speaking rolls though. Still, how hard could it be?

"She's got to fit the uniform costume we've got." Tanner insisted. "You know any girls with a 32 Double-D bust and a twenty-five in waist we can get on short notice?"

Ian wasn't sure if he should be insulted or flattered that Tanner actually seemed to be asking him that question seriously. He thought about the uniform he'd seen for the hotel employees for the scene: a shimmery silvery swimsuit with tie-on strings. Yes, it would have to be someone pretty specific to fit into the costume as it was. "Bonnie Walsh would fit it," he said almost as soon as he thought of her. He hadn't actually meant to speak aloud, but it was true.

Tanner blinked. Then he grinned and clapped Ian on the shoulder. "You're right!" He turned and glanced across the set. "Miss Walsh, get over here!"

Ian moved away, hoping that Bonnie wouldn't see him there, but it was too late. She saw him, and looked curious before she was distracted by Tanner.

Ian picked up a copy of the script, pretending to go over lines he already had perfectly memorized.

"You want me to what?" he heard Bonnie exclaim over the murmur of dozens of voices. When he dared to look back, Tanner was nodding, looking pleased, while Bonnie stalked back to the dressing room. Tanner saw him looking, and gave him a thumbs up sign.

Ian had a feeling that hadn't gone over as well as Tanner thought it did, but there wasn't much he could do about it now. Besides, it was time to get to places. He eased himself down at the edge of the pool as his co-star, Angie Simpson, came over. It occurred to him that Angie could also have fit the costume, if she wasn't one of the stars in the cast. She was blonde, busty, and filled out the bright red bikini she was wearing as if it were a second skin.

"Ready to shoot?" Angie asked, batting her eyes as she settled, perfectly businesslike, down in front of him and leaned up against his lap. This was opening position for the scene.

There were moments Ian wondered what the directors and camera operators were thinking, but it always somehow looked natural when the films came out in theaters.

"Completely," Ian assured her, smiling as he put his arm around her waist. There was nothing awkward about it; it was just business: Dozens of scantily clad men and women, standing and sitting around, studying lines, getting into character; getting ready to film. Last minute hair, make-up, camera movements; yes, his life was weird.
This particular shot being a distance shot didn't require him to do much other than hold her and pretend to be conversing with the couple next to them. As soon as it cut, it was time to get ready for the water fight scene.

Ian nearly swallowed his tongue when Bonnie came out of the dressing room. She would never have chosen something so revealing for herself, but -as he had expected- she was stunning in skimpy swimwear. The bikinis were made of a shimmery silver material with tie-on strings on the sides and back, and purposefully barely held in the bust of the woman wearing it.

"Oh! Ian!"

He looked at Angie, who he realized he was still clutching on his lap. She was giving him a dirty little smile.

"You really are a bad boy aren't you?" she chuckled, wiggling her hips before Ian realized what she meant. Fighting down a blush, he shrugged casually, as if it were of no concern. He didn't tell her his reaction had nothing to do with her. They had to act together for the rest of the shoot.

So he grinned. "That's what they tell me."

"Perfect!" Tanner smiled broadly. "All you've got to do Bonnie is come in on the mark where Ian pulls Angie out of the water and waves you over. Bring the tray of drinks, crouch down and set it down poolside, smile, and return."

"Got it," Bonnie replied curtly.

"Good. All right everyone, places! Take it from the end of the water fight."

Which was really more like water-flirt. They were in the shallow end of the pool, and the scene involved a playful splash fight that turned into a romantic moment between "Danny" and "Laura" that would take their passionate summer relationship to the next level.

They finished the water fight in only four takes, which was good as far as such things went. Ian gallantly lifted Angie out of the water, waved Bonnie over, took drinks for the two of them, and gazed lovingly into Angie's eyes as they both sipped their tropical red dyed water.

"Cut! Okay, that's a wrap. Nine in the morning tomorrow folks."

Ian breathed a sigh of relief as he set down his drink, hopped up, and grabbed a towel, which he rubbed vigorously over his hair before draping it over his shoulders. It was time to get back into some real clothes.

"Nice work today," Angie paused beside him, smiling as she took a towel for herself. "I love the intensity you can put into your eyes. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were actually desperately in love with me."

Oh, if only I thought you were kidding. Angie was a good actor, Ian wouldn't deny that, but she thought a little too much of herself out of character for him to really like her.

"Thanks," he smiled, as if he didn't know she was fishing for compliments… or possibly a bed partner. Too bad she hadn't hit on him a few years ago. "I've been working on that, but you know, it's hard to tell if it's working sometimes. My uncle's dog isn't very responsive."

Angie looked lost. "Hrm?"

He used Angie's momentary confusion as a means of escape. Better to do that before she figured out he'd compared staring at her eyes to looking at Uncle Ethan's dog.

Ahead of him, he saw Bonnie walking quickly towards the trailers.

"Hey, wait up!" He lengthened his long strides, managed to catch up quickly. "That was good work to-"

Furious green eyes cut him off cold. "I can't believe you did that to me! I've never been so embarrassed in my life!"

That wasn't the reaction he had been expecting. "What do you mean? You did just fine. Tanner said you were great."

"I was on screen wearing this travesty!" Bonnie gestured at the bikini.

"And you looked amazing!" Ian replied, trying very hard not to stare at her body. It was hard when she was pointing like that.

Bonnie snorted in disgust. "I look like some big-boobed bimbo! But then, that's how you like them, isn't it? You were all over Angie today."

Ian felt his face go hot. "She's playing my girlfriend! The character's supposed to be all over her."

"Between takes?"

She was sitting on my lap. What did you want me to do, drop her? "What, are you my babysitter now?"

"I thought you were interested in me."

"Yeah well, you know what; I shouldn't have to act like we're together when you've made it abundantly clear that we're just friends. You don't get to be jealous and possessive." Ian forced his fists to unclench. Instead, he turned back towards his personal trailer. "If you won't commit, don't act like we're dating." He had to exercise all his will power not to turn around. Bonnie's silence was worse than if she had kept yelling at him.

It was turning out to be a pretty nice evening, Ted thought as he strolled through Central. He was meeting up with a few friends for dinner after work, but he'd gotten done a little early. He was passing the gates to the studio where his brother Ian filmed when he was almost run-over by someone.

"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry," the woman looked up and then her eyes widened as she recognized him.

Ted blinked, startled, it was Bonnie Walsh; Ian's friend-who-was-not-his-girlfriend. "Bonnie. What's… is something wrong?" he asked as he realized her eyes were tear stained.

"Your brother is an ass, that's what," she replied shortly as she pushed past him and kept going.

Ted turned to watch her, stunned. Well, crap. What did you do this time, Ian?

Ted checked his watch. He still had time. Changing direction, he made his way to his brother's apartment first. When he got to Ian's apartment he found the door unlocked when he knocked. He got a "come in" for his troubles. Inside, his brother was sulking on the couch.

"Rough day?" Ted asked.

Ian looked up, and blinked in surprise. "It was a pretty good day, actually. We got a lot of filming done. Why?"

He called that a good day? "Because I just had a run-in with a crying redhead in the street."

Ian's expression went from momentarily confused, to angry. "Oh, that." He shrugged. "I made a suggestion on the set and she didn't like it."

"What did you do?"

"All I did was suggest she fill in for one of our sick extras. It's not my fault she actually did it."

"Why would she be mad about that?" There were times Ted wished he understood the entertainment industry.

"You'll see it when it airs." Ian leaned back on his couch cushions.

"She sounded pretty hurt, Ian. Bonnie doesn't strike me as the over-sensitive type."

"You know what?" Ian stood up abruptly. "Let's go out, hit a club. I feel like being out tonight."

Ted opened his mouth to object, but thought better of it. His brother wasn't going to talk until he was ready, and if he was in one of his more manic moods, than it was best to follow along and just let him blow off steam. "Sure," he replied. "Sounds fun. I was meeting up with a few guys. You can join us." He didn't think Ian would do anything truly stupid, but he was too well known a face to be left wandering around town alone in places where he was likely to run into fans. I'm totally going to bill him for using me as private security.

March 23rd, 1985

Ian hoped Angie didn't get too into filming their torrid love scene today. If she did, he might lose his breakfast on top of her.

He dropped into the make-up chair in wardrobe and only opened his eyes when a male voice said, "Good time last night?"

Ian's eyes sprang open and he found himself looking at Rafael, one of the male costume and make-up artists that worked for the studio. "Where's Bonnie?" he blurted out, ruder than he had meant it.

Thankfully, Rafael didn't take offense. "Bonnie called in sick this morning."

"Sick?"

"Yeah, she said she caught a head-cold. Sounded pretty stuffed up, too. So, you make due with me." He shrugged and smiled. "Not that you have much choice."

"Oh, I don't mind," Ian assured him. Rafael was perfectly capable. "Sorry about earlier. You surprised me."

"Good." The man got to work. "You look a little pale yourself. I hope whatever it is isn't going around."

"I'm not sick," Ian assured him. "I just had a late night. My brother and I were hanging out and I lost track of time." Maybe a little hungover, but not sick. It was the truth after all. He didn't make a habit of telling anyone the details of his personal life anyway, so Rafael didn't seem to find it odd that Ian didn't say more than that. Which was good, since Ian didn't really want to talk about the club night that quickly turned into a bar crawl since it made it a lot easier to avoid female fans if he kept moving and didn't stay at any one place for more than an hour, sometimes less. The last thing he needed was more bad press.

He closed his eyes and let Rafael work. Once he was done, it was time for wardrobe, though today's was even skimpier than the swim scenes, if that was possible.
Ian arrived on set in the pair of almost-skin toned briefs he would be wearing for filming, with black silk boxers over them. Angie was already there, waiting in the filmy red lingerie "Laura" would soon have removed for their passionate love scene. Under it, Ian knew, she wore flesh-tone underwear and a strapless bra. Neither of them would actually be naked. The rest would be worked with careful camera angles.

It occurred to Ian that it was probably a good thing Bonnie wasn't there on set today. She'd probably through a fit over him having his hands and lips all over Angie for most of the shoot.

Unfortunately, he was pretty sure Angie was going to enjoy it more than he was.