A/N: *hugs Andromeda* Thank you love! I'm glad that you're enjoying it, and I hope that everyone else reading (read: I hope other people are reading) is enjoying as well. And I'll give you that sledgehammer, so feel free to use it… Nicely of course. *Hands over her sledgehammer*
December 24
11:30 PM
The Roof
Shivering in the cold breeze, Dakota stood on the roof of the building, staring uptown at the bright glow that was Times Square. Broadway. Her dream. Sighing wistfully, she turned away and shook her head.
Pacing back and forth, she crossed her arms across her chest and tucked her hair behind her ears, trying to save it from the wind that howled angrily. Finally ending up on the opposite end of the building, she sat down Indian style on the roof, staring down at the construction site below.
Yes, sadly enough, Benny had begun Cyber Arts Studios, although it was moving much slower than he'd have liked it to, after a year, they were still working on construction, and the steel skeleton was barely completed.
Not hearing the protesting shriek of the door opening, she continued to stare at the spot where CAS would stand someday. It wasn't until Mark was standing directly behind her, hand on her shoulder and looking down upon her with a concerned look on his face that she realized that he was there. And when she did, she jumped up from the position she was in and shook her head. "Who's watching the steaks?" She asked, hurrying towards the door.
"No one. But I turned the plate off." Mark replied, catching up to her in two steps, his lanky form carrying him swiftly to her side. Grabbing her arm, he halted her flight. Unwinding his scarf with his other hand, he draped it around her neck. Biting his lip, he paused, at a loss for words. "Are you… okay? I mean, whatever happened, you've got to know that he didn't mean it. He's just been testy lately. I mean, April, and then Mimi. He just can't handle things now…" Mark babbled, trying vainly to fill the silence as the wind stung at his cheeks.
Dakota laughed, not the laugh of happiness or of glee, but the tired, bitter sound that shouldn't come from a girl so young. "Mark, it isn't always about Roger." She replied, burying her chin into the scarf she now wore. It provided only a little heat, but it was enough for her to be thankful for.
"Oh." He replied lamely. Peering at her face, he paused; confused by the two streaks of shimmering light that ran down her cheeks. "Were you…" His voice trailed off, unsure of what to say, "Were you crying?" He asked, voice soft and brow tensed.
Swiping at the cheeks that she hadn't even realized were damp until that moment, Dakota shrugged. Silently cursing the salty trails that had betrayed her, she laughed half-heartedly. "Don't worry Marky." She whispered, reaching up to softly smooth his tense forehead. "You'll get wrinkles if you keep carrying all your worries there." She said before removing his hand from her arm and then leaving the roof.
'What the hell?' Mark thought to himself watching Dakota leave. Buttoning his coat, he stared into the sky, searching for at least one star. When he saw none, he shook his head, disappointed, and followed Dakota inside.
A/N: Dun Dun Dun…