Chapter Nine: Mixed Emotions

Author's Note: Well, I apologize for hooking up Chris and Nina for Prom, at least for a bit. But, hooked up they are, until further notice. Forgive me, most wonderful readers. Dedicated to Hannah-nita, because she was so frighteningly threatening in her last review. :-) Sorry it took so long, dahlings.

* * *

The days went on. Chris remained insanely busy. Business was booming at The Rhythm and Harold insisted that he work, not matter what his school life was like. So after setting up before opening, Chris would find a corner of the bar and work non-stop till closing on the play, Henry sitting silently beside him.

But the work paid off- the play was going spectacularly. Henry had been right- Matt was a wonderful actor, as was the Argentinean. And Tina! My God, she was amazing. She put raw emotion into every word and gesture. Acting came as naturally to her as breathing.

A change had come over her since the day of tryouts. She seemed to spend less and less time with Mike and more talking with Chris about the play. She smiled more, laughed more, and in general seemed more... free.

He shook his head. Women. He would never understand them.

One night when Henry had called off sick, Nina slid into the empty seat next to him at the bar, glancing at the thick pile of papers in front of him. "How's it going, Shakespeare?"

He laughed. "I'm no Shakespeare."

She rubbed his arm affectionately. "Sure ya are, doll. I've heard people talking about this Big Secret thing. It's gonna be a hit, thanks to you."

He smiled at her. "Thanks."

"No problem, doll." She gazed out at the dance floor below. "Hey, ya wanna dance?"

"I don't know... I have a lot of work to do by tomorrow."

She stood, tugging playfully at his hand. "It's just one dance. Besides, we're going to need to get some practice, aren't we?"

He looked up at her. She wore a form-fitting strapless black dress with an asymmetrical hem that went diagonally from her right knee to her left upper thigh. Her hair was twisted into an elaborate twist with loose tendrils curling around her face. She looked... beautiful, he admitted. "Okay," he gave in, allowing her to lead him down the stairs.

She led him to the center of the dance floor and wrapped her arms around his neck. Without any hesitation, she pressed herself against him, swaying slowly with the rhythm of the music. Her fingers entwined in his hair, pulling him closer. And, he suddenly realized, he didn't mind. He surrendered the last of his reserves and lost himself in her fiery kiss.

* * *

Harold allowed Chris to stay at The Rhythm long after closing. He sat upstairs a t the bar, Nina's arm linked through his. She planted little kisses on his neck and shoulders as he worked on the script. "I don't know what to do at the end."

She leaned her head against his shoulder, her now-loose hair tumbling down in soft waves. "What, doll?"

"After the queen realizes her love for the court singer... I don't know what to do next."

"Well... he has to find out."

"Who?

"This idiot king. He has to find out about the two."

"Okay... but how?"

Nina wrapped a tendril of hair around her finger as she contemplated. "Umm... one of the queen's maid servants could tell him because of her jealousy."

He stared at her. "That's perfect!" He kissed her gently. "Thank you."

"No problem, Shakespeare." She smiled to herself. "Take that, Tina." She nuzzled his cheek. He was hers now. And she would use him to get to what she really wanted- Mike.

* * *

It was now the day before opening night. Dress rehearsal was in utter chaos. Costumes were missing, nerves were frayed, tempers were high, and lines were forgotten. The Argentinean actually fainted in the middle of one of his lines. Chris leapt from his seat. "Honestly, amigo, this is impossible!"

Tina touched him on the shoulder, preventing him from taking out his aggression on the cast. "Chris... they need a break."

She was right, he knew. "Half hour break, everyone!" he called. "We'll meet back here at five." There were several appreciative cheers of approval as the auditorium began to empty. Chris made his way over to where Henry was busy painting the sets. He was about to ask his diminutive friend to go with him to eat when Tina spoke to him again.

"Would you care to join me for an early dinner, Monsieur Director?" She flashed him an amazing smile. "My treat." Chris glanced back at Henry and she added, "Henry can come too. We haven't had much chance to talk lately, have we Henry?"

The painter struggled to his feet. "It is twue, Tina. Unfortunately, I have much work to do. You'll have to make do with Cwis."

She smiled. "I suppose I'll manage." She headed towards the door, glancing back over her shoulder. "Chris? Are you coming?"

He glanced back at Henry, who gave him an encouraging wink as he hobbled over to a can of paint. With a smile, Chris hurried to join Tina at the door. He slid his arm through hers. "Let me escort you to the royal VW Bug."

"No, I'm driving. We'll take my Mustang."

He mock-frowned at her. "I hate you, you know."

"I know." She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "But please, dahling, don't hate me because I'm beautiful," she paused and glanced at him. "Or, in your case, because I have a Mustang."

He elbowed her gently. "Don't flaunt yourself."

"I can't help it!" She broke away from him, twirling across the parking lot.

Shaking his head, he gazed after her. What had come over her the past few weeks? One day she was Ice Queen and the next she was practically giddy. For a moment, he regretted asking Nina to the dance, but quickly pushed the idea away. It was the right thing to do. Tina didn't want him.

He followed her to the car. "Very nice," he commented.

"Why thank you. Daddy got it for me for my sixteenth birthday."

"No... you're obviously not spoiled. If you were you'd have a chauffeur and a stretch limo. But you probably keep those at home, don't you?" he taunted her jokingly as he climbed in the car.

She tried to look indignant. "How dare you insult me! I'll tell my personal manservant on you. His name's... Warner," she made up. "He's big and tough. He could take you."

"Oooh, I'm scared. Really."

She laughed. "Sonic's sound good?"

"Perfect. Let's go."

* * *

Tina tried to keep herself under control. She'd gotten him alone, but now what? She wasn't exactly the take-control type who would ask a guy to a dance. The best she could do was skirt around the question and try to get him to ask her. "So," she started, after swallowing a bite of burger. "You going to Prom?"

"Uh..." He froze. He couldn't tell her about Nina. She would hate him... of course, she would find out anyway... but why spoil the moment now? Things were going so well between them. "I'm not sure."

"Why not?" She glanced at him, adding, "No date?"

"That's not the reason. I'm not much for dancing," he lied.

"Really? You were quite good when I danced with you at The Rhythm."

"Yeah, well... I have my moments, I guess. Are you going?" Change the focus back to her, that was the plan... good idea, Chris, he told himself.

"I haven't decided either."

That was a surprise. If he had been a cartoon, he probably would've done a double take right about then. "Wow... I thought you'd go with Mike. You two are still dating, right?"

"You could say that, I guess." She shrugged as she sipped her Diet Coke. "I guess you could say I'm finally seeing the light about him... or wanted to see the light. I've seen it for a while, I've just ignored it."

"Ignored what?"

"Who he is. He's a jerk... I was an idiot to ever want to stay with him, especially with the reasons I had." She turned to him. "I'm so sorry, Chris... about everything. I was..."

"Confused?"

"Yes, exactly. You helped me realize what I really wanted..." She stared into his eyes, letting her sentence trail off.

Chris swallowed... hard. This was not turning out the way he had wanted, at all. Tina was here, waiting for him to say what he wanted to so badly. But the image of Nina hovered constantly in the back of his mind. Would she really mind? It wasn't like they were dating... exactly. Sure, they had kissed, but there was no commitment. Right?

He reached out and ran his hand over her cheek, cupping her chin in his hand. "I always knew what I wanted, Tina."

END CHAPTER NINE