Author's note: The song that Ashley sings "The Color of Roses" belongs to Beth Nielsen Chapman.
Chapter Nine: Song
Tommy laughed. "Good Heavens man, do you expect us to wait all night for the damn valentines?"
Zhane smiled. "Of course not. But the valentines will be the close of the evening, the grand finale if you will. For now, however, let us merely enjoy the dinner and music afterwards. If," he smiled at Tori and Ashley, "these two young ladies will grace us with their talents."
Both young ladies made rather unladylike faces, which sent the assembled guests into peals of laugher.
Dinner passed as a quiet affair, and the only thing Ashley noticed was how very quiet Andros was. He hadn't spoken a word to her once they entered the dining room, and was regarding his friend with a rather dark look. She wondered what her dress had to do with Zhane, and why Andros was so upset about it.
After dinner, she attempted to find out.
Ashley couldn't grab a moment alone with Zhane until Tori rose to play a few songs on the piano. She found him standing by a pillar, quite silent as he watched his beloved play.
"A word, Zhane?"
He smiled infectiously. "I will always have a word for you, and a kind one at that."
Despite her worries, Ashley smiled. "As I for you. But Zhane, why did you give me this dress?"
He stopped and turned towards her, frowning slightly. "You don't like it?"
"I think it's beautiful, it's just that... well."
"Yes?" His green eyes shone with interest.
Ashley sighed. "Andros doesn't."
"Really." Was his only answer.
"Zhane, why do I get the impression that is exactly why you sent me this dress to wear?"
He shrugged eloquently, then moved across the room to talk with Tommy. Frowning deeply, Ashley turned to talk to the other guests, still wondering what was up Zhane's sleeve when it came to herself and Andros.
She didn't get a great deal of time to think about that though, for a few moments later, Kim walked up to her and placed a hand on Ashley's arm.
"Tori has grown tired of playing. Will you grace us with a song?"
"A song?" Ashley murmured.
"Why yes, Zhane tells us you know a great deal of tunes, and write your own as well."
"I know only a little, but I would be glad to play for you."
Ashley made her way over to the piano. Sitting down she settled her thoughts, and began playing a short melody, simple and sweet. After a verse she began to sing along, nearly closing her eyes in concentration.
* * * * *
Andros could hardly stand it. Watching her play the piano was sweet torture that was for sure. Her voice rang clear, and her expression matched the passion with which she played. He closed his eyes as the song ended, wondering if perhaps he had treated her badly for what must have been another one of Zhane's jokes.
Just the night before they had spoken about Ashley, Andros remembered telling Zhane that she reminded him of the ocean just before a storm. That night, Andros had fallen asleep to dream of her, standing beside the ocean, her eyes bright and speckled with the lightning flashing in the distance.
When he awoke, it was with a deep regret for it only being a dream. As he readied himself for the day, it was with a deep sorrow that she only loved Zhane, not himself, and that her eyes would only glow with passion for his brother, and not him.
Then, when meeting her upon the staircase, his heart shattered. Seeing her standing there in that dress, which so uncannily matched his dream, Andros wasn't sure what to do. Sorrow and anger filled him at the same time, and his anger was what came to the surface. Not anger at Ashley, but at his friend for knowing him so well.
Yet, in truth, he had taken it out on her, and it was Ashley he must apologize to. Another glance at where she sat playing told him that would be nearly impossible. The minute he walked up to her, he would lose his tongue. No, he would keep his distance, it was only best for them both.
She finished her song, and sat back from the piano, met with applause from the room. With a smile, Zhane walked over to her and quietly asked her something. From where he stood, Andros could see her eyes darken. He wondered what Zhane was talking to her about, but the next moment she laughed and nodded, and Zhane turned to the crowd.
"I have convinced Ashley to perform for us now a song she has been working on for some time now. I confess I was spying on her recently and heard the haunting melody, which she swears is not hers, and that she heard it as a ghost played in her music room one day. A likely story?" A few guests laughed. "I thought as much."
Ashley made a face at Zhane, then turned back to the piano. "This song was written for a newly acquired friend, who should always learn to trust their heart."
Andros settled back in a chair to listen to what she had come up with, and was glad he was sitting once the music started. The tune was almost identical to a song he had written long ago. How did Ashley know it? How could she have possibly come up with a melody so strangely familiar to his own? Then he remembered. The day he had met her in her own music room, he had sat down and played a bit of the melody he was working on. But certainly not the whole thing. And she had added so much to it, that Andros wasn't sure who should be congratulated on the music. He watched with rapt attention as her hands glided over the keys.
Then she began to sing. Never had Andros heard such a beautiful sound, full and clear, in such perfect harmony with the piano. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair as she sang.
I held you close to me
Once in a distant dream
Far from the shores of my fear
I sailed on this ocean
Where all i imagined could happen
And now you are here
It's so hard to touch what is out of our hands
To know and to trust what the heart understands
Chorus:
Only the ones who believe
Ever see what they dream
Ever dream what comes true
Life gives us magic
And life brings us tragedy
Everyone suffers some loss
Still we have faith in it
Childlike hope
There's a reason that outweighs the cost
And gravity throws all these rules in our way
And sometimes the spirit refuses to play
Chorus
Oh love
Turn me around in your arms
And in this dream we share
Let us not miss one kiss
And add my regrets to the tears in the rain
That's what the color of roses contain
Chorus
Ashley held her hands just above the piano as the last note faded into silence. Slightly blushing, she wondered if perhaps no one had enjoyed it, but a small glance at the assembled company spoke otherwise.
Tori stood with wide eyes, nearly brimming with tears, as Zhane stood beside her, his eyes and lips smiling. Kim rested her head on Tommy's shoulders. Ashley stood up from her place and faced the company. She began to speak, but that was when she saw Andros.
As their eyes met, however, her heart jumped. His eyes, his amazing blue eyes were dark, but not with anger. They were dark with some other emotion she couldn't grasp, but which made her pulse quicken. It was as if living in a dream.
Just as soon as it had begun, however, the dream ended. Andros walked forward with a cool expression, clapping lightly. "Well done Ashley, you show much talent." As he came to stop beside her he turned to his friend. "And now Zhane, I believe you should retrieve the much sought after valentines."
As Zhane laughed and left the room Andros spoke softly to the young woman beside him. "I must envy your ghost however, whose song has been blessed with such moving lyrics. You touched nearly every heart in the room."
She glanced up at him, her eyes a question. "Nearly?"
His answer was enigmatic. "I cannot speak for everyone."
As he turned away from her and walked across the room, Ashley wondered if perhaps the one person she truly wished to touch was made of ice.