Phill Jupitus, who was rumored to be somewhat of a 'miserable' person actually seemed really nice (which I had hoped, especially after he freaked out about Mr. Blobby earlier in the evening), and John Barrowman was every bit friendly as he seemed on TV, as well as quite talkative and just plain cheerful. His partner was there by his side for most of the party, his smiling, quiet(er) supporter. Noel's parents were of course very nice people. His father was a bit boisterous while his mother was the quieter one of the pair. They were very interested in how I'd come to end up in England and my work at the bookshop, and they wanted to know how we met. I looked at Noel, a bit surprised that he hadn't already regaled them. He shrugged, making a face and blowing the air from his cheeks a little, "It just never came up, love." So, red-faced, I told them the story. I could hear Noel slightly choke on his drink next to me, then chuckle. "Shit, the way you tell it makes me sound like some sort of long-legged freak who hides in the shadows and devised the worst way possible to get yer number!" he smiled as he teased me good-naturedly.

"Shh, she's not supposed to know that's how it really happened, son!" Mr. Fielding jokingly ducked away from Mrs. Fielding, who looked ready to (playfully) give him a thump on the head.

"C'mon, Dad, let's get some drinks, yeah? Leave Mum a minute so she doesn't knock yer bleedin' block off!" Noel chuckled, kissing my cheek ans giving me a wink before leading his dad away.

Mrs. Fielding watched them walk away with a small chuckle, then turned to me with smiling, kind eyes. For a moment we just talked about how silly men could be, and that no matter where you came from, men were still very much little boys in older bodies. Then she asked, "How long are you staying here in England, darling?"

"Tentative plan right now is a year," I replied with a slightly nervous nod and smile.

"A year?" she asked, nodding as she stepped a little closer, closing the distance between us a little. "What if something were to change? Would that affect how long you stayed?"

Curious, my brow furrowed a little as my head cocked to the side, "How do you mean?"

It was then that Noel and his father came back and Mrs. Fielding stepped back and gave me a gentle look that told me that the discussion we had been having should be dropped. I nodded discreetly as Noel handed me my drink. "Thank you!" I smiled to Noel, taking a sip.

They all fell back into conversation and I half politely listened, half wondered what Mrs. Fielding was trying to get at. I never could quite leave things alone easily, and this has always resulted in me stressing out far more than necessary. Eventually, Noel brought me out of my half trance by asking me something that I had to answer. Oh well, at least I wouldn't be puzzling over Mrs. Fielding's question for awhile.

All too soon the party was over and Noel's parents were on their way home, departing with hugs and 'it was lovely to finally meet you's!' Noel smiled and wrapped an arm around my shoulders as we walked back to his dressing room so he could get changed. First though, he set about washing his face.

"So did you have a good time?" he asked as he stood in front of the mirror and used a moist towlette to wipe the KISS-esque makeup off of his face.

I smiled, sitting on a small couch, "Oh yeah! Meeting John and Phill was awesome! And your parents are so nice!"

He chuckled a little and his eyes met mine, a half smile played on his lips. "Told ya they wouldn't bite."

I giggled, then briefly remembered what his mother had asked me earlier in the evening. I was about to tell him about it when he turned to me, now free of makeup and suddenly shirtless, 'happy trail' peeking out from his jeans and his long hair tousled in such a sexy way I was stunned right back into being silent. He noticed my jaw slack and smirked a little; normally when a guy straight up knew he was good looking and cocky about it, it got on my last nerve. Not Noel. With him, I found it endearing and adorable. The man was slowly turning me inside out in more ways than one...

He was now sitting next to me, coaxing me to turn towards him. He pulled me close and our lips met, then the entire world was forgotten around us. The kiss became deep and passionate; my arms wrapped around him as his did me, and I relished in the feel of his skin, warm and pleasing, against the palms of my hands. Suddenly his arms were moving, hands up my sweater, his palms trailing up my back, under my arms and around to my fabric-and-lace-clad chest. The kiss broke for a moment as our eyes, glassy and half-closed, met and his hands molded to my breasts. Our breath caught simultaneously, then I moaned and melted into his palms. His hands went to my back and pulled me close once more, kissing me with a ferocity that I could only chalk up to animal instinct. He kissed his way from my lips to my ear by way of my jaw, nibbling as he went. His breath was hot but made me shiver.

"Do I have to take you home, baby?" It was a plea. His entire frame was slightly stiff, prepared for the possibility of either having to wait once more, or to have me right there on that couch and then take me home and not get to sleep next to me afterward. All of this from that sentence.

"No. I can call in."

His mouth came down on mine, tenderly this time. His forehead leaned against mine and he peered into my eyes again, "Then this can't happen here. I'm takin' you home... with me."

My heart thumped and the pterydactals were back in full force, causing me not to be able to function properly for a moment. Those impossibly gorgeous eyes were on mine again, imploring me for an answer or at least some kind of acknowledgement, which I gave when I nodded, swallowing hard. "Okay."

He smiled, kissed my lips once more, then got up and offered me a hand up as well. I took it, rising and stretching a little as he found another shirt of his to slip on for the ride home, then his jacket as he dialed a number on his phone. "Raymond? Yeh, I'm ready. I'll have Kelsey with me as well. No, just to my flat. Right." He hung up and slipped the phone into his pocket, then slid into his jacket. "Raymond's just up the road, he'll be along in a minute."

I nodded, the pterydactals still going strong as he shut off the light to his dressing room and we walked down the corridor and to the private entrance where Raymond would be picking us up. He waved to the night guard on duty as we walked out; almost as soon as we stepped out into an icy chill Raymond was right there, the car a warm, welcome sight.