The lights begin to dim in the auditorium as a man comes walking through a back door. He quickly closes the door behind him to prevent light from escaping into the room. It's obvious from the condition of his crooked bow tie that he was in a hurry on the way to his destination. He looks around the room desperately for a familiar face.

"Jake!" A man yells waving his hand in the air. "Over here!"

Jake makes his way over to a table where several gentlemen are seated also dressed in tuxedos. "Tim, I'm so sorry I'm late. I got this last minute call about this project that I..."

"Don't worry about it. Have a seat." Tim motions to a chair. "Jake this is Mr. Larabee. Mr. Larabee this is Jake the man who is going to be designing your building."

Mr. Larabee extends his hand to Jake. "I understand you're one of the best in the business."

"Depends on who you talk to." Jake answers smiling as he shakes Larabee's hand. He then takes a seat and nervously runs a hand through his dark hair. He then leans toward Tim. "I swear I didn't plan on this happening."

"It's ok, Jake. You aren't that late and the presentation hasn't even started yet." Tim whispers back at him.

"Thank god, that would have been a hell of a first introduction." Jake answers back.

"You got those notes and your presentation, right?"

Jake lifts a briefcase. "Got 'em right in here."

A man steps onto the stage lit by a spotlight. "Good evening ladies and gentleman. I would like to take the time to welcome you to this evening's presentation by Cossington Industries. Before our presentation begins however, we have a special treat for you. The chorale from the Ludwig Arts Center will be performing pieces, which reflect the holiday season. So we invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy being whisked away to a musical land." The man then steps off the stage.

I hear the applause from outside and know that the curtain is going to be pulled aside any second. My instinct is right as I see the curtains pulled to the side revealing an audience before us. I take a quick glance around the room and notice all the tuxedos and gowns. Oh great it's a stuffy crowd that would rather drink and count money instead of listening to a bunch of singers belt out Christmas music! Still, a job is a job! My eyes then fall back on our director who is raising his hand. His hand then comes down and the piano begins in the background.

It's always interesting to see just how interested people are in Christmas music by testing them with different kinds of pieces. Most normal people prefer the traditional ones like "Silent Night" or "O Come All Ye Faithful". But tonight is a mixture of traditional along with pieces that no one else would know unless they were a performer themselves. It's sad really that so many people miss out on beautiful music because of being close-minded. And I guess there is one advantage to singing in another language as well. If you mess up the words no one will know but the director. But tonight in our group there are no mistakes. All of our voices are blended into one gorgeous sound. Then comes my moment of truth. I take a step down until I am in front of everyone else. The spotlight is on me and I feel as if I'm being grilled like a hamburger. I hear the piano starting up behind me and it sounds like a death march to me. I keep telling myself to take deep breaths and remember everything my director told me in recent days. The chorale sings behind me and now a take a deep breath as my turn comes.

Jake shifts in his chair, trying to adjust his bow tie. It seems to be ages since he last dressed in a tuxedo. He's never really had much of a reason to. Normally his attire consists of blue jeans and t-shirts or maybe a nice casual shirt and pants if he was around anyone important. But this account was definitely one of the biggest he had ever dealt with and the last thing he wanted to do was piss them off. He certainly wasn't one for any other kind of music except rock either. Maybe some blues to lighten the mood slightly but that was it. His attention is diverted from his thoughts as he hears a single voice fill the room. He glances up to the stage where he sees a young woman with red hair dressed in a long black gown. He is entranced as he watches her lips move and the most wonderful sound escape that he has ever heard. Normally he would cover his ears from hearing something like this particularly in a language other than English. But this is different for some reason. It's almost speaking to him. He nudges Tim and whispers. "Hey Tim, the woman up there on the stage, who is she?"

"I have no clue." Tim whispers back. "What a voice though huh?"

"She's incredible." Jake answers putting his focus back on the stage again.

As I sing, I feel the entire room go dead silent. Any chattering that was taking place during our previous pieces has come to a stand still. Are they all listening to me? I find a newfound strength as I find myself soaring to notes that I never thought were possible. It's been said to me that the best performers are those that use passion in their music. I sadly have never had a reason to have passion within me but for some reason on this night, it has started to surface. My heart and soul have become one with my voice and I literally sing like an angel. I feel as if I'm flying above the stage. And I don't realize that I'm not until after the thunderous applause that comes from a moment of silence. I can feel my head spinning as I slowly start to shake. I then feel my body go limp as I fall to the ground unconscious.

"Dana!" Jess screams above the other ones echoing throughout the hall. She quickly climbs down from her riser and pushes everyone out of the way. She kneels down to me and brushes air toward my face. "Dana? Dana are you ok?"

My eyes slowly open halfway. "Je...Jess?" I whisper weakly.

"Yes, Dana. It's me." Jess replies smiling.

I look around confused. "What.."

"Don't speak." Jess replies cradling my head gently. "Let's get you back to a dressing room." She then slowly helps me to my feet and leads me off stage.

There are a bunch of confused looks and murmurs throughout the room as the director walks to the front. "It's all right, ladies and gentleman. Miss Dana will be fine. Just a slight reaction to the warm lights."

A sigh of relief echoes from the crowd followed by applause.

"We would like to now conclude our program with a Christmas melody." He then turns to the chorale conducting them acapella.

Jake slowly rises from his seat.

Tim grabs his arm. "Jake? Where are you going?"

"I want to go find out if she's ok."

"Jake, are you crazy? You have a presentation in ten minutes! Your whole career could be riding on this!"

"Don't sweat it, Tim. I've got ten minutes. I just pop back stage, see how she is and then boom I'm on stage for my presentation."

"Jake why are you doing this? You don't even know this girl!"

"Chill, Tim. I need to get ready backstage anyway. I'll be back." Jake answers grabbing his briefcase.

Tim lets out a sigh and settles back in his chair watching Jake walk off. "Crazy S.O.B." He mutters.

Backstage I open my eyes and find me lying outstretched on a couch. I let out a moan and then see Jess' familiar face staring at me.

"Welcome back to the land of the living." She replies with a smile. "How do you feel?"

"Like I'm not a part of this planet." I whisper back holding my head. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?"

"No."

"Well, you gave what was arguably the most beautiful and moving performance that I have ever seen and heard. You literally sang like an angel, Dana. It was the most haunting voice I've ever heard. And then....you just fainted right there on the stage."

"Oh god." I answer shaking my head. "The audience probably thought I was a complete moron!"

Jess takes my hand. "No, no. It's just the opposite, Dana. They loved you!"

"They.....they did?" I ask looking back at her.

"Yes! They applauded you and gasped when you fainted. And when they found out you were ok, they applauded again. Tonight, you were a star, Dana."

"I....I don't believe it."

"Well, believe it. You were." Jess answers squeezing my hand.

"What about the rest of the performance? Jess! You should be out there with them!"

"Ah, they can do without me. Besides, my best friend and sister are more important." She replies grinning. She then hears a knock at the door.

"I wonder who that could be?" I ask looking toward the door.

"Probably one of your adoring fans to see if you're all right." Jess teases at me before rising from the side of the couch. "I'll be right back." She then opens the door. "Yes, can I..." She then stops as she sees Jake standing there. "Hi."

"Hi." Jake smiles back. "I'm sorry to bother you but I was just checking to see if the young lady who fainted on stage was all right?"

"Young lady who fainted?" Jess asks stammering her words as she looks back at him. It's obvious that this handsome looking man was not who she intended to find on the other side of the door. "Oh, she's...she's much better now."

"Can I speak to her?"

"Actually, she's....resting now. But....I can give her a message if you like?"

Jake hands her a red rose that he took from a table on his way backstage. "Actually if you could give her this and tell her it's from...." He paused. "An admiring and concerned fan."

Jess swallows and is literally thrown by this. She takes the rose from his hand. "Ummm...sure. I'll....I'll do that."

Jake smiles. "Thanks. Well I have to go now but it was nice meeting you Miss..."

"William....Williamson. Jessica Williamson."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Williamson." Jake gives her another smile before walking down the hallway.

Jess closes the door and lets out a sigh as she leans against the door.

I look toward her as I slowly sit up. "Jess, what is it?"

"You know how I told you I would never marry until I was completely settled down in my hectic life?"

"Yeah, you told me that several times. Why?"

"Oh, I think I just met someone who could change that VERY easily." She walks toward me and shows me the rose.

"He brought that for you?"

"Ha!I wish. No, my dear Dana he brought it for YOU."

I point to myself. "M...me?"

"That's right. He said to give this to you and tell you it was from an admiring and concerned fan."

I slap her playfully. "You're lying!"

"Do I look like I'm lying, Dana? I would like nothing better than to lie and say that this rose was for me but it's not."

"Well, what does he look like?"

"He has dark hair and these GORGEOUS hazel eyes that you could just lose yourself in. Mmmm...he's yummy."

"Yeah and probably a jerk too." I add looking at the rose. "Probably thinks that giving me a rose will just get brownie points with me."

"Girl are you for real?! Are you cra..." Jess then stops speaking as she hears the sounds of other females approaching. "Performance is over."

"Jess, wait. Promise me you don't tell anyone else about this ok? It's just between us."

"My lips are sealed." Jess replies motioning a zipper on her lips.

As everyone starts to settle into the dressing room, I stare at the red rose in my hand. As I twirl it many questions run through my head. And I can't help but wonder where did it come from? Why did this man choose me as its recipient? Would we ever meet? I couldn't help that part of me certainly hoped so. If anything I could at least tell him that he was wasting his time after thanking him of course. Or was this a sign for something else? Little did I realize that yes indeed this would be part of a large change in my life.