A/N: THE SONG IS RUN BY RHODES, AND YOU AND I BY LADY GAGA.

It had been almost a month since Beck and Tori started dating. Even though a couple of Wednesdays had passed, that had been the first time Tori let him watch. She didn't like to sing in front of people who were close to her. Ever since she gave up on being a pop star a movie star, or overall successful. She had become scared of critics, of course she had gotten bad feedback since then, but it hit her harder when it came from people she cared about.

The Pompeii Pub was a small place, on a big street. It was almost impossible to find it, unless you knew exactly were it was. It was on the second floor of a small, old building. The ground floor was a record store, and inside it there was a flight of stairs. They led up to the second floor, where the café was. Though it had no sign, or any indication that it was there, the place was always crowded.

Tori had found out about it a couple of years before. One of her former roommates used to perform on Mondays, and she went there to support him. It was an indie rock night. There were young adults, in stylish clothes having fine wine. A few old couples, drinking fancy coffee and singing along like they were eighteen again. Small groups of friends with beer, that stayed there the entire night talking. The Pompeii café had an amazing vibe, and Tori fell in love with it instantly. The owner had a spot open on Wednesday, and auditions were starting the next day. The salary was made out of tips, and they could sing anything they wanted as long as it stuck to the theme of the night. Tori was in a place in her life where she didn't need to earn any more money, so she auditioned. It had been a long time since she stopped singing, and she missed it. She got the job, and never left it since.

The stage was round, and surrounded by tables. The red brick walls, had fairy lights and old vinyls hung on the wall. Old, and cheap decor. Though it seemed to work perfectly with everything else. There were four columns, one in each corner. They were painted black, and were signed in silver by thousands of people. Some simply wrote there names on it, other left a small phrase or poem. It gave a special touch to it all, a personal feeling from everyone who went there. The coffee was good, and the drinks were strong.

Beck looked down at the address on his phone, to make sure it was the right place. He parked his car on the street, and checked his clock. He cursed himself for being late. She started singing at seven, and it was almost an hour after that. He took a turn to stop by the florist, and when he got back to the road the streets were packed. He was stuck in traffic for forty minutes. He shrugged. There nothing he could do about it now, apart from apologizing. He grabbed the bouquet of white gardenia, and cross the street towards the records store.

He walked across it, and headed to a flight of stairs like Tori had told him to do. There was a black curtain that separated the store, from the dark stairs. He couldn't hear a sound, but at the top he could see double glass doors. Behind them there was bar, and a small sign with a volcano and the word 'Pompeii' written on it. As soon as he opened them, the sweet sound of his girlfriends voice took over.

"Do you
remember when we used to run?
Sometimes I think alone,
I dream under the sun.
And I know...
It's a long long time ago now,
But I miss it, I miss it so...
Oh why do we run, run, run
So far from each other?"

Beck smiled. She stood there, with her eyes shut. He had never seen her so focused, so peacefully. She wore a long black skirt, and a black cropped top. Her heels were red, and gave her an extra ten inches. Her hair was loose down her shoulders, and she carried a hidden smile on her lips. She felt the words slip through her mouth, as the pianist hit the perfect notes. She finished the last note, and opened her eyes. Some got up, and left coins and small bills on the hat in front of her. A smile was printed on her face, when she saw him. Sitting in a single table, trying to hide the bouquet that was in his hands.

She looked back at the band, and told them quietly what she was going to sing next. They nodded, starting the beat. She grabbed the microphone, and took a deep breath. "This song is dedicated to someone really special to me." She said. "Someone once told me that the best kind of love is with the most unexpected person, at the most unexpected time. I'm starting to believe it."

"It's been a long time since I came around
Been a long time but I'm back in town
You taste like whiskey when yoü kiss me awe
I'd give anything again to be your babydoll
And this time I'm not leavin' without you"

Beck recognized the song. A pop hit from a few years back. He was hearing it in a whole new way now. Tori had changed the rhythm, slowed it down. Almost like a smooth jazz. She had her eyes on him, closing them to hit the higher notes. He smiled, surprised. He remembered her voice from high school, when she did upbeat songs with that guy... He couldn't remember his name. But he felt as if it was the first time he really paid attention to it, how good she sounded. Maybe it was only because she was looking at him in such way he couldn't resist.

"Sit back down on the couch where we
Made love the first time
And yoü said to me
Somethin', somethin' about this place
Somethin' 'bout lonely nights
And my lipstick on your face"

The pub quieted down. As Tori breathed in for the last verse. She smiled, letting go of the microphone. The yellow lights gave her a special glow, and all eyes were now on her. She ignored all of them, being able to focus on only one.

"It's been a long time since I came around
Been a long time but I'm back in town
And this time I'm not leavin' without you"

People started clapping. Again, some people tipped her. Beck got up from the table, carrying the bouquet. He was planning on giving it to her at the end of the night, but couldn't help himself. He walked up to the stage, and wrapped her up in his arms, kissing her. The costumers clapped and whistled. Tori kissing him again when he handed her the bouquet, wondering how he knew that her favorite flowers were white Gardenia. She rested the bouquet on top of the Piano, and Beck went back to the table.

She went on singing for another hour, mostly love songs. When she finished the last song, she grabbed the hat full of tips. She had gotten more money than usual, maybe her little show with Beck had inspired the clients. She turned back at the pianist, and split the tip half in half as usual. Someday she let him have all of it, she sang there because of the fun not the money. Though now that she didn't have a job, she needed the forty bucks. Comparing that little amount of money, to what she used to make made her sad. She had yet to figure out what she was going to work with next.

Beck had asked her about the job a couple of times. Why she always spent the night with him, not at the club. Making very clear that he liked the first option a lot more. She told him she was taking a break, that dancing got a bit overwhelming and tiring. He was happy to hear that. He didn't want to share her with anyone else. The truth was that Tori didn't miss it, she could live a happy life without ever walking in The Avenue again. But her constant paranoia about money wasn't worth it. Stripping paid more than any jobs she could apply for, without a college degree or any qualifications.

The couple walked out of the records store, hand in hand. Tori held her bouquet close. "Where do you want to eat?" He asked her, taking out his car keys.

"I don't feel like going to a restaurant." She told him. He opened the car door for her, and she went inside. "Let's just stop by a supermarket, and grab some food to go."

Beck looked over at her. She had never refused a meal out before. "You sure?"

She nodded, and he drove off. She gave him instructions to nearest Whole Foods. They drove for ten minutes until reaching their destination. Tori hopped off the car, leaving her flowers inside. "I know you hate this place, but I'll find something healthy and good for you."

He wrapped his arm around her waist. "I doubt it."

"If you didn't know it was healthy, you would love it." She grinned. He was like a child with anything non-fat. If it wasn't a burger or fried, he most likely wasn't going to eat it.

"I don't like lettuce, and everything you eat tastes like lettuce."

She broke free from him, grabbing a cart. "We'll see. You're gonna love what I pick out for you." She smiled, and he reached for her arm, pulling her back to him. She let go of the cart, surprised. It strolled off until hitting a light pole. She looked up at him. "What is it?"

He ran his fingers through her hair. "What you said, back in the pub?"

Her heart froze. She knew she had said too much. "What about it?"

"Do you mean it, about... Love?"

Tori nodded shyly. She figured it was best to get it out of the way. Be real, and if he didn't feel the same way she would deal with it. That was the first healthy relationship she had had since high school, and it was moving fast. Her feelings had developed quickly, and she didn't know what to think of it. She trusted him, and left it on his hands to make the decision. She though of a way of telling him she loved him in a way that he could ignore. He chose to do the opposite. "I...I did."

"I do too." He said, like a small child. Vulnerable and uncertain.

"You do?" She asked, smiling. Instead of answering he kissed her deeply. She broke away, bringing her lips close to his ear. "Then love me slowly. So it lasts." She whispered. He kissed her once more, before she pulled away, holding his hand. "We just said I love you for the first time in front of Wholefoods." She told him, and he rolled his eyes. "It must be a sign."

"I love you." He said, as they walked inside the store. "But I sure as hell don't love all this... Lettuce."

She giggled, and as they walked across the grains isle he pinned her against the wall. Kissing her again and again. He hated healthy food, but he loved every single can of soy behind her. She pushed him away, with swollen lips. "Beck..." She said, with widen eyes.

"What?" He said, shrugging. "We're in love, we can do whatever we want... Wherever we want."

She nodded her hair, slightly slapping his chest. They paid for their items, and went home. The food was left aside, as they went directly to his bedroom.

So I hope this chapter makes up for the long time I took to upload. I hope all of you like this one, love

- Kiribati