A/N – Thanks for reading. I see the numbers -I know you are, lol. A review would be sweet. For fanatics, I realize I'm not following the actual time line of events. And I know that cuz I'm a fanatic. ;)

Four ~

He was already seated, messing nervously with his hair, when the driver opened the door to the car and she slipped in, bringing with her the smell of perfume and new clothing. She was wearing another dress, for which he was eternally grateful. She settled next to him, looking up quickly with a shy smile.

"Hey."

"Hello." He smiled and let his eyes wander down over her zipped up jacket, then lower to her superb legs - sweet Jesus - crossed nicely, and finally to those black high heels that she was wearing. "Lovely." He forced his eyes back up past those legs to meet hers. Whatever she saw in his made her blush. Which he found adorable, yet frightening at the same time. It felt distinctly wrong to get a reaction like that from this girl, after eons of nothing but friendly Cut it out, Rob's or Quit joking around, Rob's. Suddenly he felt like the geek in high school, the one who'd been chasing endlessly after the prom queen, and had made her laugh until she realized her true affection for him. The geek is never prepared for that change of plans. Or he for this one. He honestly wasn't sure what to do next. Act like a man in love, or hold back for a while? He watched as she looked him over, admiring his black sweater and his chest. Suddenly he was embarrassed.

She lifted her gaze to his, taking in his redness. "Shit. This is awkward, isn't it? I really didn't want – you know – awkwardness."

"Kristen, are you sure about this? There's so many things to consider, not the least of which is our friendship. Have you thought of all the things you're getting yourself into? I'm not exactly – a - a prize, you know. I'm carrying a lot of baggage around, if you haven't noticed." The words came pouring out, and he wasn't sure from where, because to him those words sounded like he was trying to talk her out of this. Out of this, something he'd wanted since the day he set eyes on her and was now right in front him, tantalizingly close.

She sighed. "If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's – it's you." She was quiet for a moment. "You've proven yourself to me - a hundred times over - since we've been friends, and the... the way we are together just says – yes. It's worth the screaming girls and paparazzi and the hiding we'll have to do and anything else that gets thrown at us." She looked him straight in the eyes now. "I am sure we can do this and even maintain our friendship if it fails, as long we continue to be honest with each other. Because it's just that – profound - between us – in my opinion. Do you agree?"

Her face was red with the effort to explain her feelings and throw her heart out there for him, but he saw only a hint of the anxiety over his answer in her face. She spoke so simply and yet made so much sense. Such inner strength. He desperately wanted to kiss her, but clenched his jaw and just nodded instead, forging ahead with his stupid talk. "What about... I mean, if the movie does well, there could be three more. Have you thought of what that might mean?" He had to know all the answers before he could let himself believe.

"I'm not looking for a short-term thing, Rob. I think you know me better. Are you?" She stared him down, looking hard into his eyes for the truth.

He replied quietly. "Not with you. Never."

She smiled softly. "Good answer. Now. Are you sure?"

He snorted. "Are you insane? Have I not gladly made a fool of myself over you? Do you really need to ask that?"

Looking at him thoughtfully, she bit her lip. "I do. And you're not a fool. I gave you nothing to go on, and if you'd found someone else since wrap... it – would be – okay. My fault. Understandable."

"Kristen, I haven't been a saint – but, no. There's no one I care about." Crazy girl. What was she thinking?

She smiled, happy and serious at the same time. "Then we begin now." She slid her fingers in between his.

Remembering her reluctance this morning he was confused. "But, don't you need a bit of time? With Michael just - "

"He's gone. I made sure."

She hadn't exactly answered the question, but suddenly the car door was opening. He didn't even realize they'd stopped. Reluctantly disentangling their fingers, he stepped into the street and reached back for her, helping her out. Keeping his voice low, he continued to question her. "If you weren't in your room to avoid him, where were you all night before you came to me?"

"Hiding, basically. Running down hallways to stay away from people."

"What? Why didn't you call? Why didn't you come earlier?! " He could not believe she'd spent hours in a labyrinth of plush corridors, trying not to be seen by paparazzi or fans. How miserable.

She looked down at the sidewalk they were on now. "I was afraid."

"Of what? Of me?" He was stunned. It was very hard to keep a pleasant look on his face for the cameras.

She still wouldn't look at him. "No. I was afraid you – had – company." Her cheeks were beet red, but she continued, haltingly. "And I – didn't want to know. I didn't want - to see."

"You're joking, aren't you? Why would you think...?" He couldn't even finish the thought. Sure, he'd had a couple of "encounters" back when it was flattering to be recognized, early on in the game, but it was just... drunken fun. And they'd ultimately turned out to be a lot less fun than he'd imagined after wishing someone else was moaning underneath him the entire time. Funny how that worked. But only on his time off. Never during business; when she was around. It was much too dangerous now anyway - career wise, and he just didn't have the heart to pay someone to be quiet about having sex with him. On how many moral levels was that wrong? But the sad final fact was, he didn't want anyone else. Sam called him "hopeless".

"Then I decided it was better to know. I wasn't going back to Michael regardless, so I – came to - see you." She gazed up at him, still red.

They were at the photo call now, standing in front of the Film Festival wall. "Smile, Kristen," he muttered under his breath. "Do you really believe I'm that kind of a man? With you a floor away?"

She smiled through gritted teeth. "No!! I just mean - I know you've been lonely. And you are fucking gorgeous and women want you. You could have easily tripped over one of them on your way through the hotel."

Well. That was certainly a shot of adrenaline to the ego. Could she honestly see him that way? Was it possible? With a real grin now, he bent quickly to whisper in her ear. "Is someone jealous at the thought?"

She openly glared at him now. "I have no right to be." Catching herself, she replaced her hostile look and turned toward the cameras again.

"But you are, aren't you?" He couldn't resist teasing her. This was information he'd only dreamed of ever hearing.

She finally gave him one of her tight-lipped smiles, giving in. "Yes, damn it." Her face softened as she watched his reactions.

Although he'd only been playing with her, hearing her say it was intense. He felt... thrilled. Happy. Excited. Awed. Something snapped into place in his head. This was real. They were going to be together. He tightened his arm around her small waist, murmuring softly toward her ear. "No need to be. I'd rather have the mere thought of you than anyone else." Honesty felt good.

She looked up at him, wide eyed, trying to contain her emotions. Another pressed-lip smile and she looked away.

Catherine was suddenly between them, and he had to concentrate on acting normal. She'd warned him not to pursue Kristen the day he'd showed up for the audition. She and Michael were friends, having worked together on another film. He wondered how much she knew about this morning.

The three of them rode together to the book-signing. It began well. Catherine again managed to get in between them, sitting in the middle chair of three, carrying on loud conversations with the guests. After signing twelve books, he looked up at the next fan and smiled. "What's your name?"

"Gabby."

"How are you, Gabby?" This one was sweet. She seemed very shy as they talked, although she was fairly bouncing with excitement. He began writing and was surprised when she lifted the opposite side of the book for a second, showing him a folded piece of paper lying between the back cover and the pages. He looked up again quickly and she was grinning. Her eyes moved to Kristen and away, so he slid the paper out and swiftly shoved it under the table onto his leg. He favored her with an extra-long quotation and added a heart to his signature in her book. Girls liked that, right? He thanked her for coming and she smiled happily, in heaven to be in on a secret. How had Kristen managed this? Moving carefully, he unfolded the paper and read it underneath the table.

No more questions. It's on. Right Now. Deal with it.

~K

He found himself grinning like a fool at the next girl in line, and her hands shook as she handed him her book. He took a fast glance to the left and caught Kristen smiling at him. He held her eyes for a moment and they shared a look until she made herself concentrate on the person in front of her. He did the same.

The place filled up and then there were too many people, crushing against the entrance outside, trying to get in. Security called for the signing to stop and for them to get ready to leave as they ushered people out of the store and tried to make room in the chaos outside. Their SUV was parked in an alley behind the place, but the crowd had found it, surrounding it in a wall of humanity that ran to the door of the book store and spread through the area to the connecting side streets. This was the one thing he feared most in all of this insanity that was his life. Huge crowds ready to swallow him up and hurt him, unintentionally or not. He had vivid nightmares about it occasionally. But as strong as his phobia was, he was more concerned about Kristen, as she was so very little. To make matters worse, it was dark outside now. He gritted his teeth and grabbed her hand as a fierce need to protect her overwhelmed him. "Stay close to security and don't let go of me. I'll be right behind you." He looked around for Catherine.

"I'm staying till this clears. Sorry." She was white.

He shook his head and smiled in understanding. He and Kristen didn't have that option. The mob outside wouldn't clear until they were gone. The security was woefully understaffed, and they had no luck clearing a walkway for them. Two men stood in front of Kristen, one was directly behind him with his hand on his shoulder, and one other on each side them.

She looked up at him, terrified. "Is it all right if I punch people?"

He smiled grimly at her attempt to joke about the situation. "If that's what it takes. Don't worry. I've got you."

She opened her mouth to say something, probably to remind him of his own phobia, but the look on his face stopped her. She leaned into him for a brief moment, then they were heading into the deafening chaos.

*

"....Make sure, then. This will not. Happen. Again. She might have been killed!" He was still seething, talking into the phone around her as she pressed into his side, shaking. "Call them right fucking now.... No, we're still in the fucking car!!" He lowered his voice. "I'm not saying anyone is at fault. I just want you to take care of this now and make sure we have enough fucking security from now on...........Thanks. Yeah bye."

He put his other arm around her as soon as he clicked off the phone, holding her as tight as he could. "Are you sure you're okay?"

She nodded into his shoulder, still shaking.

"That's a fucking miracle, then," he snarled. It had been worse than he'd ever imagined. The security men had tried their best, but there were just too many people pressed into the narrow alley between the door and the SUV. She had gotten the worst of it, as she was a smaller target than he was. Everyone had wanted to touch them, but multiplied by a few hundred over-excited screaming fans grasping and pulling and shoving at each other and he and Kristen, the experience had resulted in more of a verbal and physical beating. He'd managed to keep hold of her and stay right on her back while trying to knock away the hands pulling at her clothing and hair, but had heard her cry out in pain more than twice. It made him furious that he couldn't protect her. He'd felt helpless as they'd shoved their way through the crowd. She hadn't said a word once they finally made it to the car and security managed to get the door shut, blocking out about half of the din from outside. The fans had continued to beat on the windows, grudgingly making way for the SUV as it drove slowly through them. She'd had a dazed look on her face, all wrapped up in hurt and he'd wanted to strangle someone for it. He'd pulled her close with one hand and hit speed-dial on the phone with his other. If he couldn't strangle anyone, he sure as hell would make it known how enraged he was. He tried to smooth her knotted, tangled hair as best he could. He was becoming increasingly worried about her. She hadn't spoken in fifteen minutes. "Kristen? Say something, please."

Her voice was muffled, speaking into his shirt. "You said fuck three times on the phone. You never do that. You're too fucking polite."

He let out a short laugh, relieved. "I did. I suppose I'll need to apologize later."

"So...yeah. You're pretty scary when you're mad."

"Sorry."

She looked up at him finally. "Don't be. I appreciated it."

He sucked in a breath as he saw a red welt rising on her cheek and a scratch near her temple. He grabbed her shoulders and gently pushed her back a little. "You're hurt. Let me look at you."

"I'm fine, Rob. Really. I was just a little freaked for a while."

He ran a finger very lightly over the welt on her face. She was wearing her leather jacket still, so he couldn't see if her arms were bruising. At least they wouldn't be scratched. He speed-dialed again. "How hard would it be to get a doctor up to my room?....No, I'm fine - it's Kristen...... I TOLD YOU.... she's pretty banged up; scratches and red marks......." At this point Kristen was shaking her head and mouthing no, no, no. He ignored her.

"That's ridiculous! I'm fine!"

"Whichever......Thank you. We'll be there shortly then." He leaned forward and tapped on the glass separating them from the driver. When he lowered it, he gave the man an address.

"Rob!!"

He gathered her up in his arms, laying his head on top of hers. "Please just do this. I was so frightened for you, and I felt so damned stupid and helpless when I couldn't protect you. You were in shock, Kristen. Let the doctor tell us you're okay."

She pushed away a little to catch his eyes, surprised. "Are you kidding? You did protect me. Look at yourself - look at your shirt. You're a mess!"

Not understanding, he took in his arms with amazement. His clothing was pulled and torn and he had deep scratches all the way up and down. Strange. He hadn't felt a thing. Until now. His back was on fire suddenly, and he supposed his shirt was in pieces there, too. "Oh. Fuck."

*

He leaned back against the elevator wall, holding his stomach. They'd been laughing for at least an hour, and the muscles were hurting, despite the new trainer's best efforts. The doctor had declared them both fine, if not certifiably insane, shaking his head and smiling at them acting like a couple of middle schoolers with their private jokes and giggling. When Kristen had asked the doctor why he didn't feel anything after being mauled, the man had innocently replied, "Adrenaline rush." They'd looked at each other and said "Google it," in perfect unison, which had set them off completely from there. Every little thing said was hilarious at that point and they couldn't stop laughing even when they tried, making fun each other's attempts at serious faces. She'd just gotten quiet as they entered the elevator, and it was obvious how very tired she was as he looked her over. He suddenly felt as though his legs were too heavy to lift. This was the letdown after the heightened rush, then. The elevator stopped on her floor. "I understand if you want to stay in your room and get some rest." She rolled her eyes at him and grabbed his hand, dragging him with her into the hallway and down to her room.

"Yours is much nicer. I didn't get a window wall or a bar." Sticking her lower lip out, she unlocked the door and went in, digging in her bag for clothes.

"You likely didn't ask for them." He sat gratefully on the bed as she disappeared in to the bathroom, leaning back a few minutes later and closing his eyes, patient. She wasn't one of those girls that took hours to change and go somewhere. Another astonishingly wonderful trait of hers. Low maintenance. Always good in a woman. He felt her cool hand on his cheek and leaned into it, savoring the feeling and looking up at her.

"Are you all right?"

"Of course. Perfect. Very tired................ In truth, I feel like a steamroller smashed me." He was now conscious of every spot where the hundreds of hands had grabbed at him, and the fingernails. Oh, the fingernails. "I'm no more than a flapjack on asphalt."

"Do you want to stay here?" Smiling, she acknowledged his exaggeration.

"No, no, no, no, no. We need the bar, don't you agree?" He noticed her wet hair as she nodded. "Did you shower already? How did I miss that?" She'd only been gone a minute.

"Easy. I'm fast and you were asleep."

She held her hand out to him and he took it, letting her help him up. He was surprised as she grabbed him around the waist and hugged him. He let his arms fold around her. "Not that I'm complaining, heaven forbid, but what's this for?"

"For saving me. You're my hero." She grinned up at him.

He rolled his eyes. "Pppffftt. Hero. I was terrified. I probably pissed myself." He was secretly elated at her words.

"Could have fooled me. Come on, let's get you a shower and you can lie down."

"'Let's''? Would you be helping with the shower, then?" He gave her his best hopeful face as they walked down the hallway.

"You wish."

"I actually do." He was teasing. A little. Much too fast. Shut up Robert. Instead of blushing, she just grinned at him. Here was progress. Maybe the strange awkwardness had left them finally.

"I know."

She made a point of shaking her sweat-panted ass as she walked directly in front of him into the elevator. Sassy wench. Suddenly he wasn't quite so tired anymore. She held her hand out for his key when they reached his door, unlocking it and then turning back.

"Just like last night, okay? It was perfect."

He smiled down at her, understanding immediately. "If you'd like." She pushed the door open and went to the bar, opening the refrigerator, then the freezer. Using that light, he grabbed some jeans and a t-shirt out of his bag, and headed for the bathroom.

The hot water on his skin was at first painful, then felt so good it was frightening. He stood there, letting the water soothe and relax him until the heat waned, and he hurriedly washed his hair and soaped up before it went too cold, rinsing quickly. He was exhausted from the days events. Emerging from the bathroom, he sighed as cooler air hit him. Kristen had opened the French doors, and the night air in the room was the perfect temperature on his overheated body. He stood still a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, and then found her in the murky room. She'd piled pillows up against the headboard of the bed, and was sitting on top of the covers leaning back into them, staring out at the night sky. Beauty in a t-shirt and sweats. Noticing him, she patted the bed beside her, and he crossed the room, lifting an eyebrow, but she just smiled. She had two fresh drinks on her bedside table. She pulled down the covers on his side, and he slid between them gratefully, sitting close to her and taking a deep sip of his whiskey. She took it from him and placed the glass next to hers, then snuggled into him, her back against his chest. Just like last night? This was infinitely better than last night. He hugged her in thanks, then let his hands wander up and down her arms as they stared at the stars.

His drink was empty, and her breathing was soft and regular. He could barely keep his eyes open, but didn't want to move for fear she'd wake and leave him. Just a few more minutes of this. That was all he wanted, just a few more minutes of her warm body pressed up against him, her hands sometimes holding his, sometimes stroking his arms. He could smell the shampoo in her hair and he was ... happy. Ridiculously happy for someone who'd waded through a riot earlier this evening. She stirred in his arms, finally stretching, and he sighed heavily. She shifted away, then turned to him, tilting her head, eyes questioning. He smiled, drinking in her gorgeous eyes, then her lips were all he could see, bow-shaped, parted, and he was moving closer, slowly, without thinking. His hand raised to the soft skin of her cheek and then he felt her hands in his hair and her lips on his, so soft and warm and sweet. He was gentle, afraid she'd disappear if he moved too fast or was too aggressive. His other hand moved to her cheek now, too, stroking it lightly a few times then sliding into her hair and around to her neck, holding her head as he kissed her tenderly and felt her lips moving under his. Her fingers were on his chest now, now on his shoulders and he gathered her in his arms and pulled her closer as she stroked along his back. She shifted again and her chest was pressed tightly against his, her lips parting, their tongues meeting gently, and he'd never in his life had such a simple, intoxicating kiss. He backed away just a little, and returned to her lips, then kissed her cheek, then her temple. He pressed his forehead against hers finally, and was at complete peace with the world.