When the World Stops

FredsAngel

Disclaimer: Like we said, we don't own it. I own Alex, the character. And before I forget, I don't own MI2, People Magazine or Jennifer Lopez's dress either.

A/N: This was originally chapter 2, but due to Alex writing a new chapter 2 to appease Faye, this is now chapter 3. Because of this, it might not flow as well as it originally did.

Chapter 3

July 2000 (present day)

I have no contact with the magical world now; there's no need to. Angelina Johnson-Weasley no longer exists; she has been replaced by Antoinette Toussaint. All the house-elves have been sent to Beauxbatons so I only use muggle appliances. And the very last spells I cast were the anti-apparition wards and the other security charms that surround Le Chateau du Toussaint. If you asked me where my wand is right now, I couldn't tell you; I probably snapped it in half or something. I actually considered undergoing the Fidelius Charm, but all the people that I'd trust as my secret-keeper are dead. Besides, that would require me to deal with the magical world, and that's something that I don't want to do.

B-rrrring. That's my mobile. I don't really want to answer it, but I have to. I look down at the illuminated dial. Shit; it's Alex Daniels, guitarist for Tumultuous and the latest in my string of failed relationships. I dumped him a month ago, but he won't leave me alone. If it wouldn't end up in all the tabloids, I'd have a restraining order slapped on him. Gossip columnists in the muggle world are just as vicious as the ones in the wizarding world; they just can't go to the lengths that wizards and witches can to get their story. "Alex," I groan into the receiver.

"Toni, hi!" he says brightly. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to the premiere of Mission Impossible 2 next week." Does he not realise that we are over?

"Alex, we've been broken up for a month now. Find someone else."

"Why can't we just go as friends, huh?"

"Two reasons. One: I don't want to get harassed by the paparazzi about the status of our relationship. And two: I can't go anyway; I'll be in New York for a shoot."

"Well, that's perfect. They're doing a bi-coastal premiere on the fifteenth: one is in L.A. and the other is in New York."

Shit. I was hoping to get out of going by having a legitimate excuse. "Alex, no. I don't want to go out with you; if I did, I wouldn't have broken up with you."

"I don't accept that. I think that you're just trying to play your role as the stereotypical hard-to-get diva." Musicians: they always want to get so damn philosophical. They all need to learn that sometimes what you say is exactly is what you mean; there's no metaphor behind it. "Well, I don't play that way. I'm honest about what I want in a relationship. And it goes like this: I want you, I know you want me and –" he doesn't get to finish his sentence because I just hung up on him and throw my phone on the other side of the room. I don't want to listen to him; I've heard it all before: from him and every other guy I've ever dated, save for one (and you know that story).

You know what? Fuck this. I'm too pretty and too young to harp on something as trivial as the break-up of my marriage. Where did I put my mobile? Come next Saturday, I will be attending the premiere of Mission Impossible 2 on the arm of People Magazine's sexiest celebrity, wearing a dress so alluring that it will make Jennifer Lopez's Grammy dress look like a nun's habit. "Alex? It's Toni. Good news; I've changed my mind and decided to take you up on your offer."

"I knew you'd come around, sweetie. North Penthouse of the Four Seasons?"

"Is there anywhere else?"

"I'll see you there."

"I'll be waiting." I hang up. Now that wasn't so hard. I just made the deal of a lifetime; I get to go to New York with a hot celebrity to see the premiere of a major motion picture and the promise of great sex while I'm there (which Merlin knows I need). I have the greatest life. So why do I feel like crap?

"So all the gossip is true. Alex Daniels? Tsk, tsk, tsk. I guess you've lowered your standards, Angel," says a voice from behind me and I freeze when I hear it.