Music Note: Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Pagannini is a 24 movement work. If you don't particularly care to listen to all of it, the main movement referenced here is No. 18. Listen to it here: www. youtube watch? v=4E7XHOotTX0 and start it when the story says to do so. :)

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What is it," she asked a bit self-consciously.

"Nothing." She's beautiful. I had been aware of her looks before, but I'd never seen her so disheveled. Is it possible for someone to be so attractive?

"Have a seat." I did. "Would you like some tea?" She walked to the kitchen languidly, and I noticed her bare feet. Is that an American thing?

"I'll take some, thank you." I tried to sound normal, but she was throwing me off balance.

"What are you here for, Kyoya? I doubt you hopped in your fancy car to have tea and inquire about my health in the second watch of the night." She bent over the coffee table and placed my tea before me. I watched her graceful movements, her face, her hands. Poetry in action.

I cleared my throat. "I needed to clear up a misunderstanding."

"I think I understood you, Kyoya." She sipped her tea. "You make beneficial business moves. You want me to sing. Though, I'm not sure what's in it for you besides possibly impressing your guests." She blew into her cup.

I could hear what she was saying, but I was mesmerized by her movements: the way she tucked her feet under her, the way she leaned into her chair, the way she held her mug. "Uuuuhh. I think you may have misunderstood one thing: I want you to sing, Judy."

Her hazel eyes snapped open and looked hard into my own. I couldn't be sure, but I felt like she was trying to divine how much she could trust me. This is a test, the first of many.

J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had to take a sip of my tea. Just his presence was making me agitated. I still wasn't sure if he knew what "La Captive" really meant to me. Not to mention, Kyoya Ohtori was quite possibly the most handsome man I'd ever met, and I'd always had trouble dealing with such men one on one. Of course, I've learned how to hide my nervousness and how to deal with men on a short term basis, but this much prolonged exposure could be hazardous.

"Uuuuhh. I think you may have misunderstood one thing: I want you to sing, Judy."

I stared at him, hard. Was he kidding me? He talked to me as if we were complete strangers and not friends at all. He, quite possibly, purposefully brought up the most painful memory of my life. Does he really have the gaul to think that I'll believe that's all he wants?

"I know you do. Why?" Out with it.

"You're gifted: I appreciate art. My guests will like hearing you." Don't mess with me, Ohtori.

"I know I'm gifted, sir; I know you can appreciate the finer things in life; I know your guests will like listening to live opera and feeling sophisticated. My question isn't why you asked for me to sing opera, but what your reasoning is for the future. You have something up your sleeve."

"Maybe I do. You'll just have to wait and see. Is that a bad thing?" He smiled one of his devastatingly beautiful smiles into his mug. At least, have the decency to show off your grin. Don't make me suffer by hiding it. Jerk!

I frowned in return. "I suppose not, but I prefer to know what I'm getting into."

"Now, on to what I want to know." He set his tea down and his demeanor was complete gravity. "What made you upset over the phone?"

"Are you serious?" Don't make me say it.

"Yes." The Rhapsody's Movement No. 18 began playing on the player. I tried to ignore my favorite work.

I'm not one to purposefully show my emotions, but sometimes they slip out. That was especially the case around Kyoya. I gathered my thoughts and put my cup down. "You completely ignored our friendship when you asked me. I know you're an important businessman and I'm a professional singer, but I thought…" What did I think? That this might go somewhere? That I could like him? That…No. I don't have time for men. I tried once.

"You thought what?" He sounded eager for the answer.

"I thought you would still treat me as a friend regardless of being my temporary employer." That was the initial reason for my anger, so not a lie.

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You thought what?" This could be beneficial.

"I thought you would still treat me as a friend regardless of being my temporary employer." Bingo.

"Of course, we're friends. I never assumed otherwise. I apologize if my manner seemed cold."

"It's alright, Kyoya. I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions." She put her feet on the floor and stood. I could tell my time was short. She was taking the dishes to the sink, which was situated in the kitchen island.

"I have one more question." I followed her to the kitchen and leaned over the counter to watch her wash the cups.

"What?" She rinsed the cups and placed them on the drying rack.

I got as close to her face as the dividing counter would allow. "Why did you hang up when I made my only request?"

Silence.

J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He leaned in and got pretty close to my face. It wasn't hard for him. The counter was barely three feet tall, and he was nearly six foot. "Why did you hang up when I made my only request?"

Seems like he's sharper than even I anticipated. He knows, but I can't say it. I won't. I looked into his grey eyes and then at the sink. My breathing was shaky and the memories were assaulting me again. I planted my hands on the sink edge to help me gather courage. "'La Captive' is a deeply moving song, Kyoya," I whispered.

"I know all about it. Would you, please, sing it?" He was abrupt but not unfeeling.

I looked at him then. When I saw his eyes soften and his sweet smile, I felt my pent up emotions threaten to spill out. I began to blink rapidly to keep the dam from spewing, but to no avail. I finally had to give up and shut my eyes while single tear after single tear rolled down my cheeks unbidden and unwanted. I wiped, but nothing could remove the rivulets. I tried to train my mind on the music playing. Ironic that the No. 18 would be playing just now. In fact, it was reaching a climax.

I felt warm fingers brush my cheek, and a palm followed. I tried to turn my face out of Kyoya's hand, but his other hand stilled me as he began wiping my tears with his thumbs. It was so gentle and so sweet, that I didn't want to move. I just stood there for a moment and let a man I'd only known a month wipe my tears away.

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Judy, it's alright." She reached up with her right hand and cradled my corresponding hand on her face. I didn't stop messaging her face with my thumbs.

Her breathing evened out, her tears stilled, and her eyes opened. She slowly raised her eyes to mine. My heart stopped when our eyes met. Her hazel orbs shone a vibrant green rimmed with a sea blue and gray. A final tear escaped while I stared. I caught it with my thumb and tilted her face up to look at me more fully. Immediately, I noticed a wall go up behind her eyes. She swallowed and brought her left hand up to mirror her previous action.

It was only for a moment that we stood like that, counter between us, hands together, faces close; but I felt a magnetism. I didn't realize I was moving closer, but Judy did. She sighed and gently removed my hands. I felt her begin to release me; and, for some unknown, incomprehensible reason, I couldn't bear the thought of not maintaining contact. I caught her hands in mine before she could fully let go and began edging my way around the counter. I felt like she needed me to close the distance.

J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Judy, it's alright," he murmured. Impulsively, I reached my right hand up and cradled his left hand to my face. I didn't want the feeling to stop. I didn't want to feel the inevitable bereavement when he let go. The music reached its full crescendo.

But, eventually, it had to end. I pulled myself out of my doldrums, controlled my breathing, stopped my tears, and opened my eyes. I knew my eyes held every pain, hurt, hope, and joy I had ever experienced. Only one other had ever seen those emotions on my face; but here, over a kitchen sink, I was letting the coldest man in the world see my soul. Why? I don't know. The music started its last swell. When our eyes locked, I noticed for the first time that his grey eyes held a depth to them that I had never seen before. I saw a flash of similar pain. Sympathy? One final tear traced its way from my eye, a tear of mutual understanding. Kyoya caught it before tilting my face up to his.

No, too much. That's all I can handle. I started erecting my walls and closing off my emotions. I can only take so much. But, still, I needed his touch; so I brought my left hand up to hold his right to my face, and I leaned my face into his gentle hands.

I felt the world stop for a minute as he held my face and I held his hands. I was thankful for the barrier of the tiny counter. I closed my eyes, but that didn't stop me from noticing the darkening of the light against my eyes. I felt his presence draw closer to me. I wish he hadn't done that. I sighed audibly and tugged his hands from my face. Before I could release his hands from mine, he grabbed my hand with his own.

I watched as he began edging around my small counter. Why is he coming closer? Oh, gosh! Too close. Too soon. I really wasn't ready for anything. Even if I wanted human contact, I was a really slow mover.

The music cut off.

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The entire time, we were both completely silent. I felt like I was dealing with a wild animal. If I hade moved too fast or made any noise, Judy would have bolted. Her eyes had gone from sad and tender to slightly wild and afraid. I kept eye contact with her as I closed the gap between us.

"Judy, don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid." Her voice betrayed her.

She's so small. I tower over her. Again, I noticed I was bringing my face close to her's. It was no longer about her need, but it was about mine. An inch from her mouth, she spoke.

J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He had closed the gap between us and was trying to get even closer. I hadn't had someone so near me since…I felt panic well up inside me. It's not right. Not yet!

"Kyoya, stop." I knew it wasn't loud enough. His lips were still approaching mine. I felt my mind groan with the thought of not being kissed by this man, but my heart was screaming to halt him. "Please," I pleaded. It wasn't loud, but it was heard. Kyoya's mouth stopped a mere hair's width from my own. If I weren't so cowardly, I could have simply moved my lips to finish what he had started. I don't know what I want.

He pulled away from me, and I freed my hands. And, there's the bereavement.

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Kyoya, stop." The whisper was so light, I disregarded it. "Please." This time, her voice had more weight, and I halted a breath away from her lips and had to take a steadying breath to calm my nerves. I didn't know why I wanted to kiss her so badly.

I pulled back, and Judy freed her hands. Why do I feel so empty?

"I think it's time for you to go home now." She walked the few steps to the door and began unlocking it. I followed her.

J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He was about to leave when he placed his hand on top of mine on the doorknob. "Please, sing the song for me." I froze.

"Kyoya, I am no one's captive," my voice, firm and determined, mirrored my resolve. No one will take me without my consent.

"Neither do I think you to be. You are your own woman." I felt sudden relief wash over me with his words. He respects me. I was about to shut the door when he turned and bowed to me. "Good night, Judy Mooreson."

"Good night, Kyoya Ohtori." I locked the door and began turning off the lights one by one. Tonight the light and I have nothing to do with each other.

K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Good night, Kyoya Ohtori," and she shut the door, effectively enshrouding me in darkness as she took the light.

R&R, everybody! So, ends your Valentine's gift. :)