I just want to thank the people who reviewed and alerted this story, I'm glad to see that the twist didn't take away from the storyline. I'll do my best to improve the story as I put up new chapters and I hope you'll all keep reading.

Oh and it occurred to me that I hadn't planned out when exactly this happened. I apologize in advance for the tons of confusion this could cause. Also… Sorry for the short chapters!

When one feels admiration for another, their image becomes as flawless as new glass. Beautiful, smooth, a symbol of perfection worth respect. Knox's one action turned him into a glass statue. In my eyes, he could have no flaws.

"You're so quiet, Will! Perk up, it's a party!" My gaze was snapped from Alan and to the redhead beside me. He was wearing a red dress for the occasion, of course. He wiggled his silk-clad hips, tightening his grip on my arm. "Release my arm, Sutcliff. I'm not above giving you overtime for your actions at this party. We're still in the office." He pouted in response and his fingers squeezed one last time before they drew away, settling at his waist. "But the office party only comes once a year~! Loosen up, just this once~!" His hands clutched at my tie, loosening it. I slapped his hands away. "Don't bother me." My head swiveled to return my gaze to Alan, but he was gone.

I glared at the space he used to be, now filled with faceless people. It might as well have been empty, for all I cared. I was bordering on obsessive, and I hated the way my heart raced the more desperate I became. I weaved my way through the people, hoping to catch a glimpse of him again. Sutcliff's huffed noise of disapproval went by ignored as I moved away. I didn't even try to make myself appear casual as I searched- not only was it a futile attempt, but none would even pay attention to me if they could help it. My only thoughts were to find him again- I don't know why I tormented myself like this. But I suppose keeping an eye on him while he was alone was less painful than not seeing him at all. But worse than not seeing him at all was seeing him with Eric- and the world has a way of making what's most painful appear before us when we are least prepared.

My eyes scanning the crowd, I'd let myself forget to look where I was going. On the job, that mistake would be fatal; at this moment, it may as well have been. I was finally reminded of this when I smacked chest-to-back with another man, making him spill his drink. I jumped and quickly righted myself. I opened my mouth to speak but it hung gracelessly open as I realized my sour luck.

"I apologize, Mr. Slingby." I finally croaked, and averted my eyes to look anywhere but at him. Where my eyes finally settled was worse. I swallowed dryly and closed my eyes, hiding the image of their tangled hands. "Good evening, Mr. Humphries."

The smile was in his voice again, cheery rather than amused as it had been in my office that night. I tried not to think of its cause, of how the one next to him seemed to make him so much happier than I did. "Good evening, Mr. Spears." When was the last time I heard that tone in his voice? Had I ever heard him that content around me? His partner merely nodded in acknowledgement, and it seemed to me as silent agreement that I had never been treated the same way. I kept my now opened eyes focused behind them. I couldn't look either in the eyes.

I should say something, I thought to myself, but my jaw stayed tight. Perhaps if I weren't so socially uneducated, I could've found a way to end the silence, or they themselves would start the conversation rather than staring at me as if they wished I would leave. It shouldn't have been a surprise. They'd want alone time.

"Sir!" An arm hooked around my shoulders and yanked me down, and I fixed my glasses in an attempt to hide my surprise. I glanced to my side to see Ronald's grin much too close. "I didn't expect to see you at the party, I'd have guessed you'd still be up in your office doing paperwork!"

I shuffled his arm off my shoulders and stared down at him. Could it have been that he knew the reason I was in the state he found me in? Either way… I was grateful.

"Despite what you may believe, I do socialize once every century." It was meant to be a joke, but once again nobody seemed able to tell. Except perhaps Ronald, whose grin widened. "I'll keep that in mind. Better enjoy your time here now, if you aren't gonna show up for ten more decades." He led me off without even touching me, his magnetism undoubtedly at work. We settled at the edge of the party, leaning against a wall as we drank. I couldn't even remember when he'd put the drink in my hands, but we now stood as if we had planned to end up like this. He was a seasoned pro, knowing how to make even the most awkward of retreats look casual. If he were the one following Alan…

I silenced my thoughts with a gulp from my glass. The double meaning of my own thoughts was best left ignored. The result was the same no matter how much I thought it through- Ronald had helped me once again, though it may have been a mystery to him as to the reason I needed help in the first place. I'd prefer it to stay that way. It seemed so much purer that way. In that way, he wasn't a charmer who saved a pitiful man from his own depressing thoughts of unrequited love, he was a- I was almost afraid to even think it. He was a friend, helping me for no reason other than the fact that he saw I needed it. That should be enough.

"Thank you…" I mumbled, but Ronald didn't seem to hear. A group of women was approaching us, though their sights were clearly set on him. As they got closer, he smiled at me, softer this time. "Let's enjoy this once-in-a-century party."

His magnetism at work yet again. Without him, nobody would even approach me, much less those of another division who'd heard nothing but exaggerated rumors. If people were puzzles to be solved, I was a thousand-piece gray one. I was the puzzle, the person, which nobody bothered to look twice at. I was too 'difficult', and I offered no help to those who tried. Was I his project? Did I amuse him with the challenge? It was perhaps my desperation that kept me from fighting his help. I'd gone too long without inclusion. I needed his friendliness, his charm, his magnetism. If not in myself, I needed it in someone willing to spend their time on me. I wasn't alone that night, and a once-in-a-century party it was.

I could have sworn I smiled that night.