A/N: Tada, new chapter is finally here. Sorry for taking so long.
I want to thank all who have reviewed so far, you people make my day. I'm
serious if you had any idea how sappy I get when I read my reviews you
would laugh yourself silly.
Okay, I'll just let you read the story then.
-------------------------- Chapter 12: Confrontation --------------------------
Draco stood outside the worn façade of the club, unsure if he was at the correct address. Gina Weston was an accomplished record artist, over the past three years she had made about 5 million according to his investigators' reports. Why the hell would she be performing at this run down place? But the investigator had said she would be at this address tonight.
With a final glance at his shabby surroundings, Draco Malfoy entered The Blue Note.
---------------------------------------------
The first thing he noticed was the surprising amount of patrons; there were people at every table and a small crowd in front of the bar.
The small dance floor was filled with dancing couples of all ages.
Ginny, however wasn't there.
He had expected to see her on stage; instead there was a jazz quartet Draco didn't recognize.
For a moment his chest tightened in disappointment - he had been so sure she would be here.
He almost turned around and walked out the door, when a glimpse of red hair by the bar caught his attention.
She looked.
Beautiful.
------------------------------------------------
The Blue Note was a dingy little basement club on the outskirts of the French quarter where the tourists rarely ventured.
Henri Merchet, the owner, was almost 70 years old, and something of a legend in the New Orleans' blues and jazz circuit.
The Blue Note was the scene where Gina Weston had made her first appearance; it was the place she had been discovered, she had met Jack in the bar one Friday night, almost three and a half years ago.
It was the place she had entered one Tuesday evening four years ago and decided to make herself a new identity. In a way it was the location where Gina Weston had been born.
Henri was probably the only man in New Orleans who knew the truth about Ginny. That first night, after the bar had closed and the patrons had left, Henri had pulled a stool up next to the young woman, placed a bottle of Glenfiddich on the table and listened as she told him a story unlike anything he had ever heard before.
Henri was the man who had created an identity for the broken woman; Ginny never asked how he did it. All she knew was that a week later she had a social security number, a passport, even a driver's licence, all made out to Gina Weston. Over time, Ginny and Henri had made her a complete identity, a high school diploma that said she was a graduate from Ben Franklin High School. A birth certificate. In short, no one could ever breach her identity. She had even seen interviews with "old classmates" in the tabloids.
Ginny knew that she owed the man a debt she could never repay; every time she tried offering him something in return he would blow it off like it was no big deal. So over the years Ginny had repaid him as best she could by helping him in any small measure he would allow.
Thursday nights at The Blue Note had become something of a habit for Ginny over the years, whenever she was in town she would spend Thursday evening here.
She would share a bottle or two with old friends; listen to whatever band was playing, simply having a good time.
------------------------------------------
Ginny leaned over the bar to place a peck on Henri's cheek before taking the bottle of wine from the counter and heading back to her table. Jack gave a small cheer as he saw her heading back with the wine, they had been there for hours and were all getting a bit buzzed. Trina gave a slight giggle at Jacks antics before turning her attention back to her husband. Paul and Trina both worked for Gina. Paul was her manager while Trina, who actually had a degree in accounting, handled all the economical aspects of Gina's career. The couple also lived in the house next door. Together they where branded as 'The Awesome Foursome' by Henri and most of the regulars at the club.
She scooted into the both next to Jack, and he put his arm around her giving her a small hug. They had always included a lot of physical contact in their friendship, and ever since she returned from England, it had increased. She wasn't really sure why, a psychologist would probably have a field day with that, saying that she was subconsciously trying to recreate the intimacy she had shared with Draco in her relationship with Jack.
Which was nonsense.
Really.
---------------------------------
He watched her as she crossed the floor, her boyfriend; he gave a shudder, was obviously inebriated and made a fuss as she sat down.
They where hugging.
He felt angry, with was silly. Why should he get upset because of a hug?
But he was.
She was his, damnit.
His to embrace and to kiss, his to make love to.
He signalled the barkeep for another drink as he continued to watch her interact with her friends.
She smiled and tossed her hair over her shoulder.
He loved her hair.
Draco almost smiled at the thought - a Malfoy loving the Weasley-red hair - now that was sure to make his father turn in his grave.
He emptied his drink and rose from his seat. It was midnight, and it was time.
------------------------------------
She noticed him when he was 15 feet away, moving steadily in her direction.
A part of her wanted to have a Hallmark-moment, her running into his arms, and kissing, a lot of kissing.
Another wanted to give him a right hook.
She did neither. Instead, she remained in her seat, letting her nails sink into Jack's arm as she tried to will her heart to stop racing.
---------------------------------------
"Hello, Virginia."
"Draco."
"How have you been?"
"Fine."
"Really?"
"So have you told your little friend?"
He smirked in Jack's direction, giving him a glance perfected by the Malfoy clan over the generations, conveying his loathing for the other man, who was obviously inferior to him in all respects.
Ginny almost chocked on her wine when she realized the reason behind Draco's behaviour. He thought Jack was her lover. For a second she wanted to giggle at the men's oh so childish staring contest.
"What's to tell?" She arched one eyebrow at him, the insinuation was clear. He was not as unforgettable as he thought.
"I can remember a thing or two."
She blushed as he let his eyes wander across her body, obviously remembering their night together when he had explored it with his hands and mouth and. He could see her nipples harden against the silk of her top.
"Is that so? Cause you seem to have forgotten our parting words."
"I haven't forgotten anything."
He let one finger brush down her collar bone.
She closed her eyes and gave a light shudder as a familiar thrill of arousal warmed her body. When she opened them and looked at him she already knew what she would see, but she still felt a sting of disappointment at his gleeful smirk, as he revelled over the power he held over her body.
"I don't want to do this," she whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"I won't play your games, Draco."
"It's not a game."
"Then what is it?" Her voice trembled as she fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill. "What do you want from me?"
"Damnit, Ginny, I don't know." He stoked back his hair with one hand. "I had a perfectly fine life until you started mucking things up, you know. What am I supposed to say? You're a ministry agent, fine. You are Harry bloody Potter's ex-fiancée, great. Everything you told me about you was probably a lie - and still, I can't help thinking about you. And when I finally confront you with your deceit, you act as if you are the innocent one. I don't understand it."
He paused for a second.
"I want to find out what this is, who you are."
His eyes held hers, and for a moment she was captured by the myriad of emotions she could sense in their depths.
Anger
Confusion
Disappointment
Pride
Desire
And maybe. love?
Okay, I'll just let you read the story then.
-------------------------- Chapter 12: Confrontation --------------------------
Draco stood outside the worn façade of the club, unsure if he was at the correct address. Gina Weston was an accomplished record artist, over the past three years she had made about 5 million according to his investigators' reports. Why the hell would she be performing at this run down place? But the investigator had said she would be at this address tonight.
With a final glance at his shabby surroundings, Draco Malfoy entered The Blue Note.
---------------------------------------------
The first thing he noticed was the surprising amount of patrons; there were people at every table and a small crowd in front of the bar.
The small dance floor was filled with dancing couples of all ages.
Ginny, however wasn't there.
He had expected to see her on stage; instead there was a jazz quartet Draco didn't recognize.
For a moment his chest tightened in disappointment - he had been so sure she would be here.
He almost turned around and walked out the door, when a glimpse of red hair by the bar caught his attention.
She looked.
Beautiful.
------------------------------------------------
The Blue Note was a dingy little basement club on the outskirts of the French quarter where the tourists rarely ventured.
Henri Merchet, the owner, was almost 70 years old, and something of a legend in the New Orleans' blues and jazz circuit.
The Blue Note was the scene where Gina Weston had made her first appearance; it was the place she had been discovered, she had met Jack in the bar one Friday night, almost three and a half years ago.
It was the place she had entered one Tuesday evening four years ago and decided to make herself a new identity. In a way it was the location where Gina Weston had been born.
Henri was probably the only man in New Orleans who knew the truth about Ginny. That first night, after the bar had closed and the patrons had left, Henri had pulled a stool up next to the young woman, placed a bottle of Glenfiddich on the table and listened as she told him a story unlike anything he had ever heard before.
Henri was the man who had created an identity for the broken woman; Ginny never asked how he did it. All she knew was that a week later she had a social security number, a passport, even a driver's licence, all made out to Gina Weston. Over time, Ginny and Henri had made her a complete identity, a high school diploma that said she was a graduate from Ben Franklin High School. A birth certificate. In short, no one could ever breach her identity. She had even seen interviews with "old classmates" in the tabloids.
Ginny knew that she owed the man a debt she could never repay; every time she tried offering him something in return he would blow it off like it was no big deal. So over the years Ginny had repaid him as best she could by helping him in any small measure he would allow.
Thursday nights at The Blue Note had become something of a habit for Ginny over the years, whenever she was in town she would spend Thursday evening here.
She would share a bottle or two with old friends; listen to whatever band was playing, simply having a good time.
------------------------------------------
Ginny leaned over the bar to place a peck on Henri's cheek before taking the bottle of wine from the counter and heading back to her table. Jack gave a small cheer as he saw her heading back with the wine, they had been there for hours and were all getting a bit buzzed. Trina gave a slight giggle at Jacks antics before turning her attention back to her husband. Paul and Trina both worked for Gina. Paul was her manager while Trina, who actually had a degree in accounting, handled all the economical aspects of Gina's career. The couple also lived in the house next door. Together they where branded as 'The Awesome Foursome' by Henri and most of the regulars at the club.
She scooted into the both next to Jack, and he put his arm around her giving her a small hug. They had always included a lot of physical contact in their friendship, and ever since she returned from England, it had increased. She wasn't really sure why, a psychologist would probably have a field day with that, saying that she was subconsciously trying to recreate the intimacy she had shared with Draco in her relationship with Jack.
Which was nonsense.
Really.
---------------------------------
He watched her as she crossed the floor, her boyfriend; he gave a shudder, was obviously inebriated and made a fuss as she sat down.
They where hugging.
He felt angry, with was silly. Why should he get upset because of a hug?
But he was.
She was his, damnit.
His to embrace and to kiss, his to make love to.
He signalled the barkeep for another drink as he continued to watch her interact with her friends.
She smiled and tossed her hair over her shoulder.
He loved her hair.
Draco almost smiled at the thought - a Malfoy loving the Weasley-red hair - now that was sure to make his father turn in his grave.
He emptied his drink and rose from his seat. It was midnight, and it was time.
------------------------------------
She noticed him when he was 15 feet away, moving steadily in her direction.
A part of her wanted to have a Hallmark-moment, her running into his arms, and kissing, a lot of kissing.
Another wanted to give him a right hook.
She did neither. Instead, she remained in her seat, letting her nails sink into Jack's arm as she tried to will her heart to stop racing.
---------------------------------------
"Hello, Virginia."
"Draco."
"How have you been?"
"Fine."
"Really?"
"So have you told your little friend?"
He smirked in Jack's direction, giving him a glance perfected by the Malfoy clan over the generations, conveying his loathing for the other man, who was obviously inferior to him in all respects.
Ginny almost chocked on her wine when she realized the reason behind Draco's behaviour. He thought Jack was her lover. For a second she wanted to giggle at the men's oh so childish staring contest.
"What's to tell?" She arched one eyebrow at him, the insinuation was clear. He was not as unforgettable as he thought.
"I can remember a thing or two."
She blushed as he let his eyes wander across her body, obviously remembering their night together when he had explored it with his hands and mouth and. He could see her nipples harden against the silk of her top.
"Is that so? Cause you seem to have forgotten our parting words."
"I haven't forgotten anything."
He let one finger brush down her collar bone.
She closed her eyes and gave a light shudder as a familiar thrill of arousal warmed her body. When she opened them and looked at him she already knew what she would see, but she still felt a sting of disappointment at his gleeful smirk, as he revelled over the power he held over her body.
"I don't want to do this," she whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"I won't play your games, Draco."
"It's not a game."
"Then what is it?" Her voice trembled as she fought to hold back the tears threatening to spill. "What do you want from me?"
"Damnit, Ginny, I don't know." He stoked back his hair with one hand. "I had a perfectly fine life until you started mucking things up, you know. What am I supposed to say? You're a ministry agent, fine. You are Harry bloody Potter's ex-fiancée, great. Everything you told me about you was probably a lie - and still, I can't help thinking about you. And when I finally confront you with your deceit, you act as if you are the innocent one. I don't understand it."
He paused for a second.
"I want to find out what this is, who you are."
His eyes held hers, and for a moment she was captured by the myriad of emotions she could sense in their depths.
Anger
Confusion
Disappointment
Pride
Desire
And maybe. love?