Disclaimer: Nope, still own nothing. Nope. Nada. Wish I did.
Uptown girl
She's been living in her uptown world
I bet she never had a backstreet guy
Julie stared at herself in the mirror, turning every which way. She almost laughed at her girlish attitude, until she heard someone applaud behind her. She spun around to see Higgins standing in the doorway.
He smiled at her fondly. "Lovely. And the frock is nice, as well."
Grinning, Julie did another twirl. She had chosen a black dress that went halfway up to her calves. It swished when she moved, accenting her long legs along with her black pumps. Her hair fell down her back in gentle waves. She had chosen simplistic, since she had noticed how Rick liked her laid-back style more than her glammed look.
"But something's missing," Higgins said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Frowning, Julie looked around.
Higgins snapped his fingers. "Lads!" Zeus and Apollo hurried to his side, both holding a box in each of their mouths. Higgins picked up one and opened it, to display a simple gold chain with an amethyst pendant.
"Wha… Higgins!"
"These were my mother's," Higgins said briskly as he walked up and fastened it around her neck. "She had hoped that one day I would present them to my wife or daughter. Seeing as how I've never found a woman that would meet my tastes and affections, I thought you should have them." Julie blushed slightly. "Despite my actions towards Rick and his decisions with the club, I believe him to be a capable young man with a good head on his shoulders. And if he hurts you, the lads can eat him."
Zeus barked in affirmation.
Julie shook her head at him, then gasped in delight when Higgins opened the other box to reveal matching earrings, amethyst studs.
She didn't, however, see Magnum hiding in a corner as she hurried up the stairs. She turned back to blow a kiss to Higgins before heading outside.
To her surprise, the Ferrari keys were in her clutch.
Looking back at the house, she saw Magnum's worried face in the window. She waved back to him, biting her lip. "Don't worry, Tommy," she whispered. "I won't let him hurt me."
I bet her mama never told her why
The drive to the club was uneventful. Julie kept looking for someone tailing her, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. Well, except for a few college boys tailing her for a while before she sped out of sight.
I'm gonna try for an uptown girl
She's been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
Rick walked quickly into his dining room and looked around once more. The dinner was set, candles lit the dim interior, and he had put on some old MoTown records TC had lent him for the evening.
He leaned over the warming dish to check the food once more: grilled salmon, glazed on a bed of rice with a honey, raisin and walnut sauce, with fresh cut green beans. And to drink, there was a bottle of white wine chilling in the refrigerator.
A glance at the clocked told him Julie would be arriving in almost ten minutes. He checked his tie in a mirror, fiddling with it until it met his standards. For Julie, he wanted this to be a perfect evening. For him, he wanted this to be relaxing enough for him to confess his feelings towards her, and maybe…
After their conversation on the beach, Rick understood what kind of guys she had pursued her whole life. Upper-class guys. The heirs to enormous fortunes and names. Well, he didn't fit that bill, but maybe he could prove to her that he was the kind of guy she needed. A guy who would alternately treat her like a princess and an equal.
His hands became clumsy. Cursing himself, he undid his tie and tried again.
And now she's looking for a downtown man
That's what I am
Julie pulled up to the club and looked around. Her heart pounded and her palms felt warm on the steering wheel.
She jumped when she heard the valet's voice at her elbow. Smiling sheepishly, she handed the car and keys over to him after he helped her slip out. Before she went in, he made her pause in his tracks with a comment.
"Boy, is Rick in for a surprise tonight!"
Spinning around, she arched an eyebrow at the guy. He grinned and gave her a thumb's up before driving off to park her car.
Grinning back, Julie turned towards the club and put a little attitude into her walk. She didn't notice the heads turning her way as she walked up to Hoki at the bar and asked, "Where's Rick?"
And when she knows what
She wants from her time
And when she wakes up
And makes up her mind
Rick heard a voice overhead saying, "Just down the stairs. Make sure you knock, too. If he turns around and sees you in that dress without a heads up…" Julie laughed at Hoki's tomfoolery.
Swallowing, he walked over to the door and waited for her to knock.
On the other side of the door, Julie paused. She knew, although she didn't know why, that Rick was on the other side of the door, waiting patiently for her to make the first move on this date.
She tilted her head towards the door, considering her options. Then a sly expression crossed her face.
Nonchalantly, she leaned against the wall and waited for Rick to move.
She'll see I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love with an uptown girl
One minute… Two minutes… Rick felt his temper rise. What was taking her so long? He finally asked, loud enough so she could hear, "Well?"
"Well what?"
He rolled his eyes. "Aren't you going to knock?"
The smug grin was obvious in her tone. "What's the point? You already knew I was at the door; you're waiting for me to make the first move. And a lady never makes a first move, she waits for the gentleman."
"And whoever said I was a gentleman?" Rick retorted. But he was starting to grin. She was good for him, all right.
You know I've seen her in her uptown world
She's getting tired of her high class toys
And all her presents from her uptown boys
She's got a choice
"As I recall, a few nights ago a man that matched your description claimed to be a gentleman when letting me use his coat."
Rick counted to ten in his head. "Well, I'm not one tonight."
"Then maybe I should leave. I have no idea what plans you might have for me." The slow seductive drawl made Rick want to smash open the door and drag her in while kissing her into an oblivion, but he resisted the temptation.
Uptown girl
You know I can't afford to buy her pearls
But maybe someday when my ship comes in
She'll understand what kind of guy I've been
And then I'll win
"I may not be a gentleman," Rick said cautiously, "But I promise not to do anything you don't want to do."
There was a long pause, but it seemed to be the answer she wanted.
Two brisk knocks sounded on the door.
Rick opened it with flair and gave a good imitation of surprise. "Miss Juliet, how nice of you to drop by!"
Her laughter chimed throughout the club.
And when she's walking
She's looking so fine
And when she's talking
She'll say that she's mine
Rick offered her his arm and bowed deeply. Julie curtseyed and took aforementioned arm, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw how he had cleaned up his humble abode.
Candles covered almost every flat surface, his table was set with trays and warming pans nearby (covered), and a bottle of wine chilled next to the two seats.
She turned to compliment him, but Rick was staring at her, his mouth open. Julie squinted at him in confusion.
His eyes scanned her from head to toe. "Hoki was right."
"What?"
Rick slowly grinned. "I did need a heads up." Julie blushed, something that rarely happened. Rick's hand caught hers and he brought it to his lips. "You know what I said earlier about nothing happening that you didn't want to happen?"
Julie nodded. She felt her heart hammer in her chest.
Leaning over to her ear, Rick whispered, "All bets are off as long as you're dressed like that."
She slapped him on the arm playfully, making him laugh at her.
"After you, mademoiselle," he perfectly enunciated, pulling back her chair for her.
She'll say I'm not so tough
Just because
I'm in love
With and uptown girl
"I'm glad you were able to get reservations, seeing how the place is packed," Julie quipped.
"I know the manager," Rick teased as he slipped into his seat.
Smiling, Julie shook her head. "You're as bad as Tom."
"Oh?"
"He and I used to tease each other constantly," she confessed.
"Seems like you two still do." Rick corked the wine with expertise.
As he poured, Julie tilted her head, watching him. He could feel it, despite his gaze on the goblet in front of him.
And when he looked up, her eyes met his. The expression in them made his mouth go dry. She quickly looked down, blushing. He decided not to mention it.
Hey there lonely girl, lonely girl
Let me make your broken heart like new
Eddie Holman's voice poured over the room from the record player. Julie finally put down her fork. "Rick, this was wonderful," she said with surprise.
"Well, thank you."
She smiled at his sarcastic tone. "Tom didn't tell me you could cook," she explained. "I stick with my comment earlier; you should open a restaurant."
Rick paused, flabbergasted. "I thought you forgot about that."
Julie's head shot down, and he could tell her cheeks were flushing. But she finally spoke, looking up at him. "I didn't forget anything."
And his breath caught in his throat, threatening never to return.
Oh, my lonely girl, lonely girl
Don't you know this lonely boy loves you
Mistaking his expression for horror, Julie's face almost crumbled in front of him. But she quickly started talking.
"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have-"
Before she could speak another word, Rick was at her side, holding her shoulders with his hands gently, and his lips upon hers.
She was surprised; he could feel her hands shoot up as if to push him off. He couldn't let her do that. One hand reached up to touch her jaw, cupping it as if she was made out of glass.
Her body slowly relaxed. The hands reaching up to push him away now touched as if to measure the width of his shoulders. Her mouth softened slightly, not as rigid and unresponsive anymore. One hand tremulously reached up to run through his hair.
When they finally moved apart, Rick was surprised to see her expression full of fear.
"Julie, what's wrong?" he asked, the back of his hand rubbing against her cheek. "I didn't mean to hurt you." Please say I didn't hurt you, please, please, please…
"You didn't." Her voice came out choked. "It… It's nothing."
She turned and started fidgeting with her silverware. This wasn't the calm, confident flirt who had been driving him crazy not five minutes ago.
"Try that again with feeling."
Biting her lip, Julie asked, "Did Tom ever tell you about his best friend growing up?"
Ever since he broke your heart you seem so lost
Each time you pass my way
How I long to take your hand
And say don't cry, I'll kiss your tears away
"You have more baggage than an airport," Rick said. His tone cut her, making her head raise with her eyes flashing at him. "Every time I make a move, you have some excuse about something. Let me guess, your dad paid him to date you when you were little, right?" His voice weighed with sarcasm.
"No!" Julie snapped back. "He pretended to be friends with Tom to get close to me, then tried to rape me!"
As soon as she spoke, her eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her mouth.
"I said that out loud, didn't I?"
Rick stared at her. "How old were you?" he asked. His voice had lost all emotion.
Julie stared at her knees. "Thirteen."
"Jeez." Rick stood, running a hand through his hair. "Julie, I'm sorry, I didn't-"
"I know." Julie looked up at him again. "I know you've been friends with Tom for a while. It ripped Tom apart last time, when Jack betrayed him." Rick now remembered her starting to mention a Jack at the beach, when they had walked to the club.
Her eyes begged him to understand. Rick slowly sank down to her level again. His hands reached towards her, holding her face gently. "I will never ever hurt you or Thomas like that," he vowed.
"That's what makes you different than him," she whispered.
"What?"
Julie shrugged, embarrassed. "When you say that, I know I can trust you."
You think that only his two lips can kiss your lips
And make your heart stand still
Rick stood, offering her his hand. "What?" she asked, confused.
"Dance with me?"
She stood and let him lead her into the middle of the room. His hands circled her waist and she let her head rest on his chest. Closing her eyes, she listened to his heartbeat. They gently swayed to the music, back and forth.
No words were spoken. But Julie knew that the man who held her now thought her the prettiest sass in the world and loved that about her.
Rick's lips touched her forehead. "I meant what I said earlier."
"You won't hurt me?" she asked, looking up into his eyes.
Chuckling, he said, "Well, yes, but I was referring to when you refused to come in." Julie smiled at that. "I won't make you do anything you don't want. At any time."
"That's a first for me, you know," she admitted. "Most guys want as much as they can get."
"I'd be lying if I didn't say I wanted that," he informed her dryly, "but I also want you to trust me." Tell her, you coward, he silently reprimanded himself.
A mischievous smile curved onto Julie's face. "If Tom found us like that, you know that he'd not be too happy."
"That's putting it mildly." Rick grinned. "Thomas'd kill us!"
But once you're in my arms you'll see
No one can kiss your lips the way I will
Tell her, tell her, tell her…
"I hope you're not thinking about me, with that expression," Julie interrupted his thoughts.
"Sort of." C'mon, you coward.
Julie frowned at that.
"Nothing bad!" Rick assured her. "I…" he swallowed and tried again. "I…"
"You…" she prompted.
"I…"
Breathe, breathe, breathe…
"I think I love you," he finally said.
Oh, my lonely girl, lonely girl
Don't you know this lonely boy loves you
Oh my lonely girl, lonely girl
Don't you know this lonely boy loves you
Author's Notes: Uptown Girl by Billy Joel; Hey There,Lonely Girl by Eddie Holman. Review!