Chapter 14: A Fairy Tale Ending (Yeah, Right!)
T-minus one hour before the show started and Darren was at the precinct waiting for Sara in his limo. He didn't want to go in fearing that he'd get caught. The only reason he wasn't stopped the last time was because he looked just as normal as everyone else. Tonight, however, was very different. With a black Armani tuxedo and a red silk tie, he'd easily stand out in a crowd.
'Fuck it,' Darren though as he got out of the limo and walked into the precinct. Just as he reached homicide, he saw Sara ascending the steps, her hair falling down in a cascade of curls, her eyes tinted silver, and her lips a deep shade of red that matched her dress. He fell in love with her all over again as he continued to stare at the beauty in front of him. His heart raced as time seemed to slow and she walked towards him, a smile lighting up her face.
Sara could see Darren standing in the room, and it seemed as if everyone disappeared. They were alone in the room, admiring each other from a distance as the space between them slowly closed. Again, they were in each other's arms, his soft lips pressed up against hers. It was a sensation that she'd never get tired of, especially the great joy that it brought her.
"You look even more beautiful than ever, if that's possible," Darren whispered as he gently brushed a curl of her hair behind her ear. Sara blushed as he stroked her soft cheek with his thumb.
"You look great," she commented, running her hands over the lapels of his black jacket.
"Aw, aren't you two just the cutest couple," Jake sarcastically said as he walked past them, their moment broken.
"McCarty! You want a three inch heel up your ass tonight?" Sara yelled back as she moved away from Darren, remembering where they were.
"No, I have plenty of things up my ass tonight since you're not gonna be here," he replied. "Then again, I don't think any work is gonna be done around here since almost everyone is gonna be huddled around the TV watching you walk down the red carpet." Sara glared at him. "How does it feel to be a celebrity?"
"Shut up, Jake," she hissed.
"Jeez, Pez, calm down. This is all in good fun. Besides, didn't you say we needed something new to talk about around the water cooler?" Jake walked away after his last comment knowing that Sara was already fuming. The last thing he wanted to do was get on her bad side. He began to wonder why she had turned so angry so quickly. It was quite uncharacteristic of her, but it might have had to do with something biological. He dismissed the thought from his mind as he continued to walk away.
"Don't like him much?" Darren asked as Sara turned to him.
"He's the rookie I'm training, and he's supposed to be my friend, but he's been a total ass tonight," she replied as he took her arm and led her to the limo. "He dropped what was probably the best line I've ever heard earlier."
"And what was that?" Darren questioned.
"'Excuse me, I don't want you to think this is ridiculous or anything, but you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I just wanted to tell you that,' or something along that line," Sara answered.
Darren began to laugh. "I've used that line! I'm just thankful that it wasn't on you," he said.
"I doubt that you really needed a line to impress me."
*~*~*
The camera zoomed into the crowd of reporters as a tall woman dressed in a sequined gown turned around and said, "Welcome to Radio City Music Hall and the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards. I'm Cindy Crawford reporting for VH1 from the red carpet tonight, and what a night it is. Some of the world's finest designers, actors, and musicians have gathered here tonight. I've managed to snag ex Savage Garden lead singer Darren Hayes, who happens to be presenting the Visionary Video Award tonight." She turned to Darren and added, "You look marvelous tonight."
"Thank you," he replied. "Armani is one wonderful man to work with when it comes to my wardrobe. You also look very nice."
"My, what a charmer. So, who's the lovely lady with you tonight? Supermodel or up and coming actress?" Cindy asked, pulling Sara into the spotlight.
"She's on TV!" Jake yelled over the voices of his colleagues as he continued to stare at the screen of the TV in Sara's office.
All too suddenly, the little room became flooded with the entire staff of the homicide department, including Vicky, who had a reserved spot in between Jake and Danny. "Oh, my God! She looks so pretty. I did a great job with her hair and makeup, didn't I?" she asked.
"Shh! They're talking," Jake replied as he turned up the volume so that everyone could hear.
"Actually, she's neither," Darren said.
Cindy gave him a confused look. "Then who is she?"
"Sara Pezzini, one of New York's finest homicide detectives."
"Oh, wow. You're a cop. That's very interesting," Cindy turned to Sara and said. "How do you know Darren?"
"It's a very strange and funny story, but I don't think anyone really wants to hear about it," Sara answered shyly. The TV cameras and reporters were giving her the creeps, especially since Anastasia was still out there, somewhere.
"At least give us the watered down version," Cindy begged.
"Well, I was investigating a case for Darren, and we somewhat hit it off," Sara said.
"Aw, that's so sweet. So you guys are officially an item?"
"Yes," Darren answered as he took Sara's hand and held it up.
"That's so sweet." She turned to Sara and added, "Who made that magnificent dress? And that choker is absolutely lovely. By far, you're one of the most beautiful people I've seen."
"Why thank you," Sara blushed. "To tell you the truth, the dress and the choker were a gift from Darren. He has a better fashion sense than I do."
"The dress was designed by Odette Christiane and the choker is Swarovski crystal," Darren explained.
"Shit! How much did he spend on Pez?" Jake nearly yelled.
"At least a grand," Vicky managed to mumble.
"Well, you both look marvelous," Cindy said. "Have a great time tonight," she managed to add as Darren was pushed along by his bodyguard.
*~*~*
"That was crazy!" Sara exclaimed the moment she and Darren reached the inside of the music hall. Her heart continued to pound from all the excitement going on outside. She had never met so many reporters in her life.
"Welcome to my world," Darren replied. "You can pretty much bet that you'll have a million calls tomorrow from reporters wanting to know more about our relationship. My advice is to disconnect your phone and get a new number."
Sara merely laughed. She wasn't ready to take such drastic measures. They found their seats in the large theater and waited for the show to begin.
That night had definitely been a night to remember for Sara. She had never seen so many celebrities in her life, and the fashion was incredible. But as the night wore on, something began to dwell in the back of her mind. It started off as a slight throb, but progressed into a full blown headache at the post show party Darren had dragged her to. It was more than just a headache, though. Images began to pop up in her head, images of death and destruction in another part of the world, somewhere in the desert. Where, she did not know.
As Sara and Darren finally climbed into their limo near daybreak, the pain and the pictures had reached a disturbing level. Darren could see that she had become less and less sociable as the night progressed, and now he could see the agonizing pain she was in.
"Sara, what's wrong?" he asked as he pulled her close to his body. She was quite warm.
"I think I'm getting a migraine, but I'm also seeing things," she replied as her head rested on his shoulder.
Darren took her hand and instantly linked to her. He could see and feel everything that Sara was experiencing. It disturbed him to see such horrible things. As he pulled away, Sara's cell phone began to vibrate indicating an incoming message. She pulled it out of her pocket and took a look at it.
"I'm watching you."
Sara looked up at Darren. Another message popped up.
"We'll meet again."
The Twisted, Tied Up, and Tangled Series Will Continue
Author's Note: It's not over till the fat lady sings! Part 2 is being written in full force (aside from a couple of setbacks). Please, be patient. It's coming soon! And yes, expect a couple of characters to pop into the story (clears throat), you ought to know which one's I'm talking about. They have a MUCH bigger role in Part 2 than in part one. I hope that pleases those of you who were starting to hate me.
~D
T-minus one hour before the show started and Darren was at the precinct waiting for Sara in his limo. He didn't want to go in fearing that he'd get caught. The only reason he wasn't stopped the last time was because he looked just as normal as everyone else. Tonight, however, was very different. With a black Armani tuxedo and a red silk tie, he'd easily stand out in a crowd.
'Fuck it,' Darren though as he got out of the limo and walked into the precinct. Just as he reached homicide, he saw Sara ascending the steps, her hair falling down in a cascade of curls, her eyes tinted silver, and her lips a deep shade of red that matched her dress. He fell in love with her all over again as he continued to stare at the beauty in front of him. His heart raced as time seemed to slow and she walked towards him, a smile lighting up her face.
Sara could see Darren standing in the room, and it seemed as if everyone disappeared. They were alone in the room, admiring each other from a distance as the space between them slowly closed. Again, they were in each other's arms, his soft lips pressed up against hers. It was a sensation that she'd never get tired of, especially the great joy that it brought her.
"You look even more beautiful than ever, if that's possible," Darren whispered as he gently brushed a curl of her hair behind her ear. Sara blushed as he stroked her soft cheek with his thumb.
"You look great," she commented, running her hands over the lapels of his black jacket.
"Aw, aren't you two just the cutest couple," Jake sarcastically said as he walked past them, their moment broken.
"McCarty! You want a three inch heel up your ass tonight?" Sara yelled back as she moved away from Darren, remembering where they were.
"No, I have plenty of things up my ass tonight since you're not gonna be here," he replied. "Then again, I don't think any work is gonna be done around here since almost everyone is gonna be huddled around the TV watching you walk down the red carpet." Sara glared at him. "How does it feel to be a celebrity?"
"Shut up, Jake," she hissed.
"Jeez, Pez, calm down. This is all in good fun. Besides, didn't you say we needed something new to talk about around the water cooler?" Jake walked away after his last comment knowing that Sara was already fuming. The last thing he wanted to do was get on her bad side. He began to wonder why she had turned so angry so quickly. It was quite uncharacteristic of her, but it might have had to do with something biological. He dismissed the thought from his mind as he continued to walk away.
"Don't like him much?" Darren asked as Sara turned to him.
"He's the rookie I'm training, and he's supposed to be my friend, but he's been a total ass tonight," she replied as he took her arm and led her to the limo. "He dropped what was probably the best line I've ever heard earlier."
"And what was that?" Darren questioned.
"'Excuse me, I don't want you to think this is ridiculous or anything, but you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I just wanted to tell you that,' or something along that line," Sara answered.
Darren began to laugh. "I've used that line! I'm just thankful that it wasn't on you," he said.
"I doubt that you really needed a line to impress me."
*~*~*
The camera zoomed into the crowd of reporters as a tall woman dressed in a sequined gown turned around and said, "Welcome to Radio City Music Hall and the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards. I'm Cindy Crawford reporting for VH1 from the red carpet tonight, and what a night it is. Some of the world's finest designers, actors, and musicians have gathered here tonight. I've managed to snag ex Savage Garden lead singer Darren Hayes, who happens to be presenting the Visionary Video Award tonight." She turned to Darren and added, "You look marvelous tonight."
"Thank you," he replied. "Armani is one wonderful man to work with when it comes to my wardrobe. You also look very nice."
"My, what a charmer. So, who's the lovely lady with you tonight? Supermodel or up and coming actress?" Cindy asked, pulling Sara into the spotlight.
"She's on TV!" Jake yelled over the voices of his colleagues as he continued to stare at the screen of the TV in Sara's office.
All too suddenly, the little room became flooded with the entire staff of the homicide department, including Vicky, who had a reserved spot in between Jake and Danny. "Oh, my God! She looks so pretty. I did a great job with her hair and makeup, didn't I?" she asked.
"Shh! They're talking," Jake replied as he turned up the volume so that everyone could hear.
"Actually, she's neither," Darren said.
Cindy gave him a confused look. "Then who is she?"
"Sara Pezzini, one of New York's finest homicide detectives."
"Oh, wow. You're a cop. That's very interesting," Cindy turned to Sara and said. "How do you know Darren?"
"It's a very strange and funny story, but I don't think anyone really wants to hear about it," Sara answered shyly. The TV cameras and reporters were giving her the creeps, especially since Anastasia was still out there, somewhere.
"At least give us the watered down version," Cindy begged.
"Well, I was investigating a case for Darren, and we somewhat hit it off," Sara said.
"Aw, that's so sweet. So you guys are officially an item?"
"Yes," Darren answered as he took Sara's hand and held it up.
"That's so sweet." She turned to Sara and added, "Who made that magnificent dress? And that choker is absolutely lovely. By far, you're one of the most beautiful people I've seen."
"Why thank you," Sara blushed. "To tell you the truth, the dress and the choker were a gift from Darren. He has a better fashion sense than I do."
"The dress was designed by Odette Christiane and the choker is Swarovski crystal," Darren explained.
"Shit! How much did he spend on Pez?" Jake nearly yelled.
"At least a grand," Vicky managed to mumble.
"Well, you both look marvelous," Cindy said. "Have a great time tonight," she managed to add as Darren was pushed along by his bodyguard.
*~*~*
"That was crazy!" Sara exclaimed the moment she and Darren reached the inside of the music hall. Her heart continued to pound from all the excitement going on outside. She had never met so many reporters in her life.
"Welcome to my world," Darren replied. "You can pretty much bet that you'll have a million calls tomorrow from reporters wanting to know more about our relationship. My advice is to disconnect your phone and get a new number."
Sara merely laughed. She wasn't ready to take such drastic measures. They found their seats in the large theater and waited for the show to begin.
That night had definitely been a night to remember for Sara. She had never seen so many celebrities in her life, and the fashion was incredible. But as the night wore on, something began to dwell in the back of her mind. It started off as a slight throb, but progressed into a full blown headache at the post show party Darren had dragged her to. It was more than just a headache, though. Images began to pop up in her head, images of death and destruction in another part of the world, somewhere in the desert. Where, she did not know.
As Sara and Darren finally climbed into their limo near daybreak, the pain and the pictures had reached a disturbing level. Darren could see that she had become less and less sociable as the night progressed, and now he could see the agonizing pain she was in.
"Sara, what's wrong?" he asked as he pulled her close to his body. She was quite warm.
"I think I'm getting a migraine, but I'm also seeing things," she replied as her head rested on his shoulder.
Darren took her hand and instantly linked to her. He could see and feel everything that Sara was experiencing. It disturbed him to see such horrible things. As he pulled away, Sara's cell phone began to vibrate indicating an incoming message. She pulled it out of her pocket and took a look at it.
"I'm watching you."
Sara looked up at Darren. Another message popped up.
"We'll meet again."
The Twisted, Tied Up, and Tangled Series Will Continue
Author's Note: It's not over till the fat lady sings! Part 2 is being written in full force (aside from a couple of setbacks). Please, be patient. It's coming soon! And yes, expect a couple of characters to pop into the story (clears throat), you ought to know which one's I'm talking about. They have a MUCH bigger role in Part 2 than in part one. I hope that pleases those of you who were starting to hate me.
~D