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

The finishing touches on my self-produced CD were completed two weeks after dinner with Tamaki and Haruhi. I was pleasantly surprised that recording went so smoothly and quickly. I was mostly worried about finding musicians to accompany me on short notice, but being Kyoya Ohtori's girlfriend and a rising opera star had it's perks. Tamaki volunteered to play the piano, and the orchestra conductor offered his services for free. Free! I may be dating a very wealthy man, but I refuse to pay more than I must. I still can't believe all of the musicians are playing for free, too. As for Tamaki playing, he said it would be a welcome reprieve from the daily stresses of his company. The cd was a compilation of my favorite art songs and a couple of arias. It wasn't anything fancy or showy. In my opinion, it was just a recital for friends.

The day of the final recording session we suffered a setback. The principle cellist had contracted the flu. The poor woman tried to come in and play anyway, but she nearly fell over her instrument. After he sent her home, the conductor looked at me in apology.

"Don't worry, Maestro. We can wait until she is well. It's not a problem." Maestro looked at me in relief and mopped his hair from his face. In truth, it was a problem as I had scheduled a meeting about the proof cd with a record label in less than a week. "I'm so sorry that you all came out for nothing today." I bowed to the smaller string ensemble that were to accompany me for the set. "I suppose we should all go home now." I smiled. "Enjoy the rest—"

"Judy, wait." I looked at the blonde in the corner. Why is he even here today? We're not doing any piano work. Tamaki began waiving his cellphone in the air as he walked toward the ensemble. "I've found you a replacement. He knows the piece and will be here in less than five minutes." I raised my eyebrow at him. I hope he didn't bother Kyoya.

I had my answer when the enigmatic man of the hour showed up, cello and all. He took his seat and watched the maestro. I tried so hard to ignore my boyfriend, to ignore my heart beating. As Maestro cued the cello orchestra, I calmed my mind and let myself be carried away by memory. The first time I sang this, Kyoya decided to surprise me. He appeared behind the curtain, and I still don't know if it was out of the goodness of his heart, his love for music, or if he knew that he could use me. I smirked at that. Of course, he knew.

The beautiful vocalize from the Bacchianas once again flowed from my vocal folds, tinged with memory and nostalgia at how far Kyoya and I had come since we met. I wouldn't change a thing. I released the last note on a pianissimo hum and felt a single tear trace down my face. The love I felt for the man was strange but amazing. I once thought I knew love, but I was wrong. I had fooled myself into loving a man who could never love me back, but now I knew real love. Kyoya loved me just as I loved him.

The conductor cued the second movement and Kyoya rushed off, his bow skittering across the strings as before. And, thus we are caught in a fast paced life that leaves little time for rest for either of us. The tempo slowed to a lilt, and I felt my mind relax with the knowledge that even Kyoya and I would eventually find time to enjoy each other. It needs to be soon, though. The final a tempo section ran past me, and I decided that Kyoya and I were going to have to make time if we could find none.

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

I got the call from Tamaki just as I finished my morning rounds at the hospital. Typically, I would spend two hours on lunch and business before I started my afternoon rounds, but today I had other business. Grabbing my coat, I called my housekeeper and had my instrument sent to the theater. I stopped at the break room and poured myself a much needed cup of coffee before walking out the door.

My rounds had been a special dose of difficult that day, and I felt the effects of too much sorrow tugging on my face and nerves. All my life has been an exercise in restraint and masking my feelings. Though it comes in handy in business and as a doctor, I find it hard to maintain a mask when telling a mother that her boy is…I shook myself from my doldrums, and focused my mind on the workings of the company, on the matter of my father, on Judy.

By the time I reached the opera house, I was calm and ready to take on a completely different role, one I liked very much. I unpacked my cello and tuned it before heading onstage.

I could tell my girlfriend was trying to ignore me. So unsubtle. Am I to be just another musician playing to her tune? So be it. I smirked at the thought as I raised my bow for the opening aria.

I loved Bacchianas Brasilias No. 5. It was all fire and passion, brilliance and romance. It's everything that embodies love. Though the lyrics weren't about love, the emotion was. This time, I let go of my training and let my love for the woman singing lead my bow. I caught her eye when I started the intro for the second movement. She shot me one of the slyest looks I'd ever seen. Is she egging me on?

As the work progressed, I felt our mutual absence keenly. We haven't been alone in over a week.

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

The maestro was shaking Kyoya's hand animatedly and talking about who knows what. Probably begging him to play for the symphony. I rolled my eyes. Of course, Kyoya would get an offer like that. Why not? I chuckled as I watched my boyfriend struggle to reclaim his hand and end the conversation. The maestro gestured to me. Better go rescue him.

"What are you two so excited about?" Kyoya shot me a thinly veiled glare.

"I was just asking Mr. Ohtori to join our little group," the conductor grinned.

"I'd hardly call the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra a little group, Maestro." I looked at Kyoya. "What an honor."

"Well, I'd certainly like to have him, but it seems his company takes too much of his time." The maestro looked a bit disappointed before he continued. "I would like for him to play in a string ensemble that I direct. It meets once a week and performs three or four time a season."

"I see."

"Miss Mooreson, surely you know that talent like his shouldn't be wasted." I grinned at the enthusiastic musician before me and the less than thrilled business man to my right.

"I'm afraid his business really does take up most of his time," I felt myself frown slightly, "I would know."

"Maestro, I thank you for your offer, but I must decline with thanks," Kyoya bowed.

"I see. Then the matter we were just discussing is off the table, too?"

Kyoya thought for a moment before addressing me. "Judy, would you like to do a series of concerts based on your CD? The maestro says that a prominent act has pulled out of the symphony's schedule this season and he needs to fill it."

"We would need to adjust some of the repertoire, but based on what I've heard, you would be ideal." The maestro was looking at both of us. Is he asking Kyoya, me, or us both to perform?

"Let me speak for myself. In terms of making art, yes. In terms of working, I do have a job I must keep. Let me look at the symphony and my own schedules before I answer." Kyoya's face was carefully blank, but I knew he wanted to add something. "Do you have anything to say?"

"No." He took my hand. "Thank you, Maestro. She will get back to you as soon as possible."

The conductor walked off stage as Kyoya began putting his cello away. "I know you have more to say than that, Kyoya."

"Let's do lunch, Dear."

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

"You haven't said much this whole time." I snapped out of my thoughts as I led her from the restaurant.

"I'm sorry, Judy."

"I'm not mad, Kyoya. I just want to know what's bothering you."

"Tamaki says you still haven't answered him about working at the university this year." I kept my actions nonchalant as I opened her car door.

"I think I should just keep teaching." She doesn't sound too pleased at the idea.

"Why? It's obvious you don't enjoy it." She shot me a small glare. "If you don't like teaching you shouldn't be doing it."

"Kyoya, I have to work. I'll go crazy if I don't. Besides, I like the lessons." Her arms folded across her chest as she gave me her best pout.

"You and I both know that's not enough for you." I reached across the car to hold her hand, but she hunched over. Is this what I have to look forward to when she's angry? "That posture is not very attractive, hon."

"Oh, please, Kyoya." She pulled her legs onto the seat and huffed.

"Not that I don't love this new, petulant side of you, but we do have important matters to discuss."

"Then let's get started," she said defeatedly. Her posture and attitude didn't change.

"My dear, you were just offered a contract with the symphony as a regular. Why don't you take it?"

"It won't be enough, Kyoya. I can't quit my job for one gig."

"I doubt that is what this is about; but I can guarantee that after this one gig, jobs will line up. You'll be drowning in music offers." She opened her mouth to interject, but I stopped her. "Besides, if it doesn't work out, which it will, then I'll take care of you." As if I'd let her starve or even go without a manicure, for that matter.

"Kyoya, as much as I appreciate it, I can't take you up on that."

"Why not?"

"We aren't married. I don't want to be indebted to—"

"You don't want what happened last time to happen again," I whispered.

"Kyoya, you and Jackson aren't the same, and I love you; but I can't run the risk that it will end and I have nothing."

I never expected her to still be dealing with abandonment issues. I stomped on the breaks and pulled the car over. I grabbed Judy's hands and looked her straight in the eye. "I will never leave you. Do you understand? You have my full support and love. I will neither leave you friendless or loveless. You are my whole life now, and only when I am robbed of that life will I leave you."

Judy searched my eyes for what felt like an eternity, and I could only assume she found what she wanted. When she broke eye contact with me, she simply nodded her understanding.

"My dear, I need you to leave the university and not look back." There, I said it.

"Why are you so insistent on that?" She was no longer being childish. It was a genuine question.

"I think you know why," I said as I started to drive again. She didn't answer immediately, and I let out a frustrated growl. "I know what Jackson sent you. I've had it analyzed at the bunker. But, I don't know how he found out where you work. There's no telling what else he knows. Please, agree to the orchestra assignment." Judy turned her body toward the window to shut me out. "Not to mention, the lax security of having hundreds of people pass through your building every day keeps my men from being able to keep tabs on everyone that gets near you. Jackson could very well have delivered that little package himself without detection." Judy pivoted in her seat and contemplated my logic.

"Very well." I felt my grip on the wheel relax when she relented. Thank God.

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

Quit teaching. Not that I'm complaining. It was never my thing, just not good at it. I will miss my private students, though. There's nothing like the joy of helping a struggling musician discover his passion. However, I hate feeling forced into a decision. Hate. Hate. Hate.

"Why are you so insistent on that?" Seriously, if he brings it up again, I might keep teaching to show him I make my own choices. Is that petty?

"I think you know why. I know what Jackson sent you. I've had it analyzed at the bunker. But, I don't know how he found out where you work. There's no telling what else he knows. Please, agree to the orchestra assignment." So, Tamaki told him about the ring. Figures I couldn't keep that from him. I scoffed inwardly. Kyoya went on to explain that too many people near my studio meant Jackson could waltz in at any time. I couldn't argue with the validity of that statement.

"Very well." I watched Kyoya visibly relax at my answer. Now on to other things. "Let's watch a movie tonight."

To my lovely readers,

Tomorrow is St. Valentine's Day. Last year I sent the most sentimental tripe I've ever penned as a "gift," and this year I heartily apologize for the sad attempt that is "Of Paganini." To take it to the other extreme, here is a chapter strictly for character development and to further the plot. No unnecessary mush.

Luurrv,

The Author