The next day Meredith and Giles both slept in late, only rising when the sun was well past its zenith. However instead of allowing her to dash off to the gallery Giles insisted she take the day off, resting at home and letting him handle the last minute details, and besides he added cryptically as he slipped out the door, he had a surprise for her. It wasn't until they were both sat in the back of Meredith's jag slipping through the night that he even mentioned it again.

"Let me guess its Great Alfonzo and his amazing invisible flea circus?" Meredith joked, playfully tugging at Giles's neck tie until it was finally perfect.

"I am afraid they weren't available but there's something else I've a feeling might tempt you Ms Gates!" "Am I going to like the sound of this?" Meredith cautiously quizzed "Like it? If I know you and hunny (scoffs), I think I do, it'll be music to your ears!" Giles beamed with a crafty wink, which served its purpose, intriguing her further, as they pulled up and James dashed round to help his employer out of the car. 'Hmmm?' She pondered with a nervous grin, her bemused expression completed with the raising of a professionally plucked eyebrow, the security guards immediately springing to attention and greeting her with muted 'good evening Ms Gates' as they escorted the pair into the building. "The Latin Quarter, '94 – ring any bells?" "Well from what I remember, on that particular jaunt you rang more than a few bells and not all of them were Latin!" "Oh and you didn't? I know the Louver Monet exhibit is renoundly extensive, but after the third seminar you and Professor Veneres missed, we thought we'd have to send out a search party!" This invoked a reddening of his companion's face (heaven knows why, she wasn't exactly embarrassed about it at the time, so why would she be now?) The subtle change in her complexion did not pass him by, so before he could even dream of mentioning the words 'hot' and 'flush', Meredith brazenly reminded him "Well, when you don't need the extra credits to make the grade, its pure pleasure ... still, that's besides the point, what are you getting at ...? She trailed off as the mass of tropical foliage gave way to a luxurious dance floor, right in the centre of the gallery, the large balcony doors that normally remained firmly bolted where now flung open and above stars glistened brightly above the soothing glow escaping the streetlights. It captured the most glorious panoramic view of the London skyline – such a break-taking sight made even Meredith, who'd lived in the metropolis for the best part of the decade, want to pinch herself; and it was all hers.

As she dragged her eyes away from her picturesque surroundings, she noticed where Giles's gaze lay, firmly on the tuxedoed musical ensemble, which, as he had hoped, was preparing to strike up the Lambada, the introduction of which was instantly recognised by his partner who's jaw dropped before exclaiming "Surely not?!" "Why on earth not?! Surely you haven't forgotten how, sweet!" "Forgotten?! Its like riding ... well a bike!" "Come on then Cinders, it'll make you feel young again" he teased starting to get into the swing, shimmying his shoulders back and forth in time to the beat' "Who said I was feeling old?!" Meredith bantered as she began to mirror his movements, only slightly more vigorously, swaying her hips. "True, and in that fairly fabulous attire, you're certainly not looking it, even if you might be starting to show around the middle!" (He teased, gently prodding just below her right rib cage, chuckling as she squirmed) "Watch it twinkle toes, or there may well be more than one of us getting stepped on this time!" "THAT was a momentary lapse fuelled by a rather richly mature cabernet sauvignon" "Of course it was darling, I believe you" she mused, reaching down to grasp his hand before leading him to the centre of the floor, at the moment it was empty but all too soon it was filled with couples wining and dining the evening away. It had been years since the pair had truly been able to let their hair down, true there had been the odd occasion on the other side of The Pond but those downtown Manhattan bistros had never managed to capture the essence, let alone the rhythm of Paris and the huddle of salsa bars shrouded in the shadow of Notre Dame.

For almost an hour the two old friends held the rest to shame, towards the end treating it as a showcase, a master class, moving so in sync, so close that had the multitude of eyes observing them blinked for even a second, they wouldn't have been able to work of whose limb was whose. Of course in reality, there was no sexual connection between them (for obvious reasons), but to the untrained eyes of those around them, they weren't giving anything away as their bodies swayed in tandom. Despite her flawless performance and the fact she was utterly revelling in doing what she did best (well, one of the things she 'did best') Meredith was secretly paranoid she was about to topple off of her scarlet Prada stilettos, but after every expertly executed twirl Giles' arms were there to claim her. It had been that way for as long as she could, or more accurately, wished to remember now. He'd been her safety net many a time, her constant, not that it was all one-way traffic, she had unreservedly reciprocated the favour wherever required. But alas, eventually hunger struck, and the overwhelming need for nourishment prevailed, especially as neither of these high-flyers had eaten since breakfast (not unless you include the low-fat wafer that comes with a skinny de-caf). However, this necessity was prolonged a little further, as Giles had to push through the crowds of people that flocked around Meredith, all offering their congratulations both on her marvellous party and her unique way of displaying Picasso's finest. Finally breaking away they simultaneously sank into the luxurious brown-leather tub chairs that Giles had skilfully hidden in little plant shrouded grotto's, Meredith broke with decorum, lifting her weary legs up to rest her calves on Giles' knees. Smiling blissfully, they leaned back into them, totally unwound, slipping effortlessly into full conversation, with some of the society high flyers who joined them. The talk of art, men, work and life (not that the four were really separated in anyway) continued for hours as they helped each other do the obligatory once around the floor, chatting to journalists and critics, artists and dealers, even having to exchange pleasantries with the odious John Raymont, who was the first one to offer his slimy congratulations as he obviously eyed Meredith up and not for the first time that evening she felt a pang for somebody else. Giles was wonderful, he was helpful, inventive and fun to be around but he just wasn't the sort of person who would even notice the little things that made her skin crawl like being touched up by dirty old men who should have known better, Gavin on the other hand could just by standing across the room mark her as his territory and therefore a no go area for anyone's sticky palms.

So instead with a pointed nod in Giles direction she decided this was the perfect opportunity to check out the powder room, and naturally, her figure as the gentleman in question's earlier comment about her 'showing' which had already semi-consciously struck a chord. However, little did the lady know, but a familiar face was already doing that, and had been for sometime, the first and last pair of eyes to notice the dancing divas, the fact of which Meredith was to be enlightened as she attempted to return to the gallery. "So the new sucker still around then?" Realising the source of the words, deep down before they were even spoken, Meredith froze. Grounded to the spot, her whole aura transformed in an instant. Not willing to let her guard down for a second, she coughed sharply, desperately trying to bury any tell-tale hesitance in her voice, before retorting 'That's a matter of great concern to you is it?' slowly pivoting around to face her tormentor. The false grin didn't last long- "Just answer the question" Gavin seethed, his voice remaining dangerously monotone. Not of the slightest intention to humour this conversation, she subtly snorted, shook her head, and with a smile tugging at her lips, carrying on her course intending to find the nearest security guard and have Gavin removed from the premises by force if necessary. She didn't have chance to get very far, as her clearly rattled lover was not about to let her walk out on this one, lunging forward to rest his arm on the wall, blocking her path. "I asked you a question" Accidentally, out of sheer force of habit, looking up at him as he bared down on her, locking his gaze for a second, before countering 'You're drunk, I can smell it' 'No not this time, I've only had one glass of your finest champagne but so what if I was?' He snarled, titling his head to study her cold expression further. 'So what (she hissed, checking about her to make sure they didn't have an audience) ... so what if I've got a question?' 'You haven't answered mine yet, but ... lady's first" he paused letting a little scoff out, to emphasise just how amusing that was to him. She didn't answer straight away and at stage of the game he had even less patience than usual "Like what?" he bitterly enquired. 'Like where the hell are you doing here? And how the hell did you get an invite?'

'Technically that's two questions..." Gavin retorted smugly, his smile broadening when she grimaced. 'Who fking cares!' 'Well you obviously don't, not about me anyway!" he hollered, totally eclipsing her "Do you think I can just turn my emotions off like you do? But then I suppose I should have realised that when you had me thrown out, cast aside like my feelings meant jack' 'It's my body' At this, Gavin raked his eyes over her slender frame, still powerless to resist, he reached out with is free hand, and gently ran it over her sleeveless arm, before continuing down her side, as she leant against the wall to steady herself, suddenly devoid any ability to back away. "Yes it most certainly is" he gushed, as he smoothly closed the distance between them, letting his hand skim across her back, coming dangerously close to letting it rest on her rear. Feeling as though she were unable to breath, the sheer weight of their proximity all but suffocating her, as she stared forward, her expression, absent-mindedly stunned.

Only inches away from her lips, Gavin tilted his head, instead engaging his with her cheek, placing feather-like kisses along the bone, then huskily whispering in her ear "It's the one that keeps me awake at night" before nuzzling her fragrant hair "All night." At this, she inadvertently gulped, in order to clear her throat as her breathing hiked and tears began to well, her mouth open, just slightly, her bottom lip trembling – how could he still do this to her? Rolling her head back slightly, she closed her eyes, lifting her right hand up to rest upon his chest, initially intending to push him away, but when it came to it, she just couldn't find the strength. At her touch, he manoeuvred back to face her, willing her to open those piercing eyes, which against her wishes, they did. However, all they could focus on was her hand, which was now meticulously caressing his torso, her brow furrowed.

He lifted his own to cover hers, threading his fingers through hers until at last she dared look up. On doing so, he could have sworn he caught a flash of regret, but quickly dismissed that as being a likely explanation, before leaning in further, as if to rest his forehead on hers, but instead retorting viciously 'But it was OUR baby!' At the mention of the 'B word', a cold shiver shot through Meredith's spine, physically expressed in a non-too discrete flinch, which greatly satisfied Gavin. 'You really don't like that word do you? Doesn't feature in your impeachable vocabulary does it?' On coming to her senses, Meredith firmly asserted 'No, ... no it doesn't', but still praying he wouldn't see the lie. 'No ... of course it doesn't..." He started, bringing his hand up to softly trace the outline of her face, before withdrawing completely. "... because that would involve you giving two shits about anyone other than yourself wouldn't it?' Being so highly charged, and totally unthinking Meredith blurted out angrily 'And I suppose 'love' occupies more than a blank space in yours does it?' realising how that may have been construed, further insult was rapidly required. 'Don't kid yourself! You know, I can't quite make out who you think you are Will bloody Shakespeare – little wife and kids tucked away home, or Sinbad the Sailor, women and bastard children in every port!' 'Well there's one less in this one isn't there, after what you did. And YOU, you don't even know the bloody meaning of that word!' 'Don't I?' 'Not so anyone would notice no!' 'Well ...' Meredith began, as she desperately ravaged her evening bag, snatching at her mobile 'who knows... what you'd have noticed it you'd stuck around!' 'Stuck around for what exactly?' he fumed, placing his other arm on the wall the other side of her, all but pinning her there 'One way or another you destroyed everything we had going for us' Meredith didn't reply, she was engrossed in dialling an sos to Giles, she couldn't see how else she was going to escape. Gavin too faced downwards, hanging his head between his shoulders "Why?" At this somewhat fragile whimper, Meredith's head shot up, but Gavin's stayed put. "Why did you do it, to us?" he gasped, letting his arms drop from the wall, to fall to her waist, snaking round her, bringing his head to rest on her left collar bone. "I loved you, dammit I still do....How can you treat me the way you do?" For once she once was unable to answer, unable to protest at such a public display of affection (well, she hadn't had much choice). In that moment she felt the strangest physical pang of guilt in her abdomen, oh it was guilt alright, even having Gavin Cochran as a father, no child would begin kicking at this early a stage. It quickly subsided, but in its place was left an incredible sensation of sorrow, just what had she done, done to him, to this usually so strong, mysterious being, who now clung to her so dependently. Just as she was about to cave in run her fingers through his hair, kiss the crown of his head to let him really know she was there, Giles swung round the corner, worried why Meredith was taking so long even before the phone call. Immediately concerned, he asked "M, are you quite alright darling?" Rotating her head slowly, she cautiously nodded. "Well, don't mind me then!" he whispered, raising his eyebrows in delight, before attempting to pass to get to the men's' room. However, he hadn't been subtle enough and Gavin being Gavin, totally misread the situation, peeling himself off of Meredith to face his assumed rival. "She's perfect (pausing momentarily on reaching her eye level, this time she was looking at him, which could only be a good sign he figured) ...ly alright thank you, so looks like you're services are surplus to requirements!' he warned. When this was not heeded, he began stepping towards the tall, slim and rather puzzled Giles, "What's the matter Yankee Doodle, not bright enough to realise when you've been just handed your cards?" A little bemused by this unexpected interrogation, Giles simply looked right past him to Meredith, who wanted to be as far away from this situation as she possibly could. Once again jumping to the wrong conclusion (it was becoming quite a trademark for him), Gavin turned to face her, unable to wipe the look of devastation from his face quick enough, when she didn't back him up as expected, before moving in menacingly, once more giving Meredith cause to retreat. Like a rabbit caught in the headlights, she shot anxious glances between the two men, so much so that she unsuccessfully spied Gavin grasp her wrist to shake her. This hadn't gone unnoticed by Giles who shot forward to break the link, stepping in front to shield her. Perceiving this concern to be affection of a more intimate nature, Gavin fumed at Meredith "You little ... well that's IT! That's fking well it!" Gavin fumed dodging Giles' hand, stepping back to stalk back and forth, shaking his head in disbelieve- just how long has thing between the two of you been going on, really?' He asked turning back to Meredith. 'Was he before me, or perhaps I was just a diversion while your stud of choice was out of town?' He didn't take long, only the time in which it took Giles to put his arm around a visibly dazed Meredith. This was the last straw for Gavin who lunged forward, only to be caught in action by an appalled Giles. "What kind of man are you to...?" "To what?" Gavin sneered, his eyes firmly fixed on the woman whom, to all appearances, had betrayed him, twice over.

Giles too looked at her, and she looked back at him with such an awful expression of fear, shaking her head rapidly, nodding slightly at Gavin. Whereas the latter was completely oblivious to significance of her gestures, Giles twigged instantly she still hadn't told Gavin, he had seriously misinterpreted their previous cosiness, assuming that she had changed her mind and had invited him to the gala to tell him the truth, but now he knew exactly what was going on he thought it best if he made a quick exit.

"Come on, you're leaving if not voluntarily then I'll call security and have you thrown out ... Right Meredith?" he asked, nodding as he tried to engage Meredith's lost stare, and gain her support for his decision but instead she continued to stare into space only jolting out of it when he wrapped his arm around her waist, fearful she wouldn't be able to support herself.

"Fine!" Gavin snapped. "But this is far from over! If you think I'm giving her up to you forever...." He trailed off as they slowly walked away, they weren't impeded by the broken man who was left standing opposite a rather large mirror, which, a few moments after they had disappeared, he steeled himself to gaze into. Who was this unrecognisable figure staring back at him? No longer the man who had made Gavin Cochran one of the most infamous names in London, but certainly not a man who was about to let some jumped up yank lead away the one thing he'd even consider relinquishing his hard-earned reputation for. A spilt second after making that distinction he swept off to claim what was his, he hadn't come here tonight to take second place and she would be back by his side tonight by any means necessary.

However, on reaching the gallery he found no trace of them in the crowds and walking over to the chairs where they had been sitting, he found just that, chairs - minus their occupants. However, he quickly noticed there was a shimmering and thoroughly familiar looking (seeing as he had bought it for her) stole neatly folded over the back of one of them. Tentatively reaching out to pick it up, fondly running it through his fingers, his eyes fell upon a champagne glass sitting on the nearby table the telltale scarlet flash of her lipstick still staining the exterior, but far from being filled to the mark with the finest champagne, it was filled with what appeared to be, and on savouring its aroma, turned out to be cranberry juice. At this instant revelation, he let the glass slip through his fingers, not even blinking when the crystal shattered on the floor, spilling its richly coloured contents. He unsteadily took her seat and looked up towards the door to her office, the door that he was certain she had disappeared through, now was not the time, he would wait until he caught sight of that interfering Yank before he ventured off to find her and return the slip of fine material he still held to his cheek to its owner, and then there was going to be a few more questions answered.