…It Begins

Time: 9:39 PM

Date: 25 December 2027

Location: Klavier's arms

"Where are we?" Ema asked as Klavier swept her out onto a grand balcony overlooking a spectacular garden. "You didn't show me this!"

Tall hedges, the bases decorated with varying flowers, systematically wound around the garden, encasing fabulous fountains in their twining embrace. The gushing water caught the light of the moon as it jumped and shimmered, adding to the mysterious invite it exuded. It was untouched, unchanged… and Ema had never seen anything more beautiful.

Klavier smiled at her, a lopsided smile, as he came to stand by her side and looked at the magnificent garden. "Apologies, liebling. I simply forgot. And we are currently above the ballroom terrace."

She nodded, having heard the Gavinners music on the air and was thankful for it as the silence lengthened. She fidgeted, knowing it was crazy that she'd followed Klavier here, that she was willingly standing with him when she spent most of her time—

"I am sorry you are having to endure the scrutiny of so many unsavoury eyes," Klavier said quietly and she looked at him in surprise. "Because of me."

She blinked. Wow. Did he just apologise to me?

"I know this was probably not how you wished to spend your Christmas."

Ema frowned at the look on his face. It was bordering on sadness and...

Loneliness?

The latter staggered her. She had never imagined that a man of his fame could be lonely with all those fans following him around and the endless fan mail he no doubt received.

And then, somehow, she found herself seeing through his eyes, seeing the endless screams and proclamations of love by people who thought they knew him… Ema suddenly experienced an overwhelming feeling of suffocation, of being crushed under an image that wouldn't let true personality breathe.

She looked at him again — Ema didn't know the man under the glamour. Beneath all that vanity and (Ema's mouth twitched) foppishness, she didn't know what his true personality was. She had caught sight of it during trials, his persistence at finding the truth and his silent acquiescence to the defense when the true criminal took the stand. She had never heard him express a desire to win for the sake of his reputation, to prove himself. Always, he fought for what was right.

And though that was all she really knew about him, it was enough for her to begin to understand.

What else does he like, she wondered. What does he like to eat? What sports does he enjoy? What kind of friends does he have?

"I didn't see any of your band mates," she said, frowning. "Didn't you invite them?"

"Deston and Seren are spending Christmas with family. Raoul is downstairs."

"Really? I didn't see him."

Klavier's mouth twitched. "No, you did not. You were far too preoccupied evading me."

Oh damn. "I wasn't—"

"Ah, ah," Klavier said, wagging a finger. He said nothing else but Ema knew full well what he was saying: don't lie to me.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, looking away.

When Klavier shifted but didn't answer, she peeked at him: he was staring down at the garden and her heart turned over at the dejected look in his eyes.

He was hurt.

And in just one tiny moment it all came together: he felt lonely on Christmas and he had asked her to be here because he felt comfortable in her presence, because she didn't fawn over him, because she spoke her mind. He had wanted a friend... And she'd spent the evening running away from him.

He doesn't understand, she thought with a wry smile. I was just running from all the dancing because of… because of what people would say.

Idiotic fop. He should know better than to assume.

Ah... But then again, could she blame him? Didn't she spend half her life running away from him and making him very aware of the fact?

"Are you going to teach me to dance?" she said, turning to him with a smile.

Wow. I don't even feel scared or nervous or... put off.

Klavier turned to her slowly and where she would have expected him to say something, he simply stared at her with a serious expression. His eyes darted between hers to gauge her expression and she met his gaze confidently, showing him she meant every word.

And then he smiled. "It would be my honour."

Ema's heart picked up (dammit, calm down) when he took her hand and drew her closer. She should have looked away from his eyes, knowing what she did about their perceptiveness, but couldn't. Their gaze was locked and somewhere in the distant recesses if her mind, Ema felt something fall into place when he took her hand and put it on his shoulder.

"Right here," he murmured, as he dropped his own to the small of her back.

Why didn't she feel the urge to kick him? To push him away?

"And now," he continued in that low voice as his other hand founds hers and lifted it into the air. "We dance."

They didn't move.

"You must think I'm so stupid," Ema said, needing to break the silence.

"On the contrary," he said, his hand on her back drawing her closer still. "I think you are brave for admitting it."

"You didn't leave me much choice," she said with a tiny scowl.

Klavier smiled. "Listen to the music," he whispered. "Can you hear the rhythm?"

Ema kept her eyes fixed on his jacket and nodded.

"One, two, three... One, two, three..." His head lowered to hers. "Now move your feet to it."

"How?"

"Follow me."

And then he was moving, his hands leading her gently, giving her no choice but to follow him. Just as she was marvelling at how smoothly it was going, she stepped on his foot.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed but when she tried to step away, his hold on her grew firm and he laughed.

"It is welcome," he said with amusement. "You were dancing so well, I was beginning to doubt my powers of perception," he explained, seeing the look on her face. "I wondered if, perhaps, you did dance and simply lied to cover up the fact that you did not wish to dance with me."

"Paranoid much?" Ema asked, looking down at their feet again.

Klavier's hand tightened on her back. "I was slapped," he reminded her but when her head snapped up to his, she was met with twinkling eyes. "I believe that has earned me some right to caution. Nevertheless," he added, when she opened her mouth to apologise, "it matters not. Let us try again."

And so she did. Her eyes remained fixed on their feet and she took great care, focusing on the steps and somehow, she didn't stumble again. He was gentle but firm, guiding her, giving her the confidence she had lacked so that she found herself wondering how she'd ever thought dancing was too difficult.

"Klavier, honey!"

Ema stumbled.

"I've— oh."

She whipped around towards the sugary voice and found the source: a very recognisable, very beautiful young woman stood at the archway, looking back and forth between Klavier and Ema.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Ema quickly let go of Klavier and stepped away, realising too late how suspicious that must look. He threw her an odd look before turning to the newcomer with a smile.

"Cinnia," he said. "I am so glad you could come."

Cinnia, who apparently didn't care if she had interrupted, swept up to Klavier and dropped a kiss on his cheek. Ema looked away and took a step back, earning herself another glance from Klavier.

"Of course, darling'! I couldn't miss something like this!"

What he did next completely took Ema by surprise.

"I'd like to introduce you to Fräulein Skye," he said, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her to his side. "Ema is a detective down at the precinct and, incidentally, my date for tonight."

Cinnia looked at Ema with a guarded expression, as if she wasn't quite sure what to make of her. "Pleasure."

Ema didn't respond.

"Anyway, Klavier darling," Cinnia gushed, turning back to him. Ema felt him stiffen though the smile was still on his face. "Keramba wants to know if you'd be willing to do a shoot with me in Barcelona."

Huh. She looks like she's getting turned on at the thought, Ema thought, eyeing the model critically.

"We'd be like Grecian gods!" she said, excitedly. "Ker—"

"I really do not have the time, Cinnia," Klavier said gently, "but thank you. It is an honour to be considered handsome enough to work with yo—"

"Oh come on!" Cinnia moaned. "You can't just hide that body from the world, it's not fair!"

"Considering it's his body, I'd say he can do what he wants with it."

Cinnia and Klavier both turned on Ema who clapped a hand over her mouth in horror. Oh my GOD! I've just insulted—

But her thought was left unfinished when Klavier discreetly squeezed her waist, as if in reassurance, and when she looked at him, his eyes were twinkling again.

"Oh I'm not saying he HAS to," Cinnia said with a tinkling laugh but Ema saw the flash of anger in her eyes. Huh. Guess the blondie doesn't like me. Big surprise, Ema thought dryly. "I just think it's sinful for him to hide that gorgeous body from the world!"

"How can you be so sure it is gorgeous?" Klavier asked in amusement. "You have never seen it."

Am I seeing things or did he glance my way when he said that?

Cinnia looked unhappy to be reminded of this fact in front of Ema who wasn't particularly surprised. She may be beautiful but something told her Klavier preferred women of substance.

"Whatever, Klavier. Now come on, I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Cinnia, you are aware of my work load, ja? I cannot ta—"

"Oh pish!" She waved dismissively. "You don't have the band to worry about now, you've got plenty of time."

Ema, who had been watching Klavier and saw something flicker in his eyes, felt her temper flare.

"He said he doesn't have the time," she said sharply. "Isn't that clear enough?"

Klavier twitched but she didn't care if he was annoyed with her. She was staring at the model whose veil of amiability fell away as she turned icy eyes on Ema.

"It's crystal clear, honey," she said in a contemptuous tone. "I just figure if he's got the time to be teaching a nobody to dance, he's got time to do something worthwhile that he ca—"

"Cinnia!" Klavier barked suddenly.

Both women jumped at the sound and turned to look at the rock-star. Ema had never seen him like this: gone was the languid, charming smile and in its place was a dark frown and a hard glare. Ema almost stepped away from him but his arm tightened around her waist again.

"That was unnecessary," he said icily.

Obviously seeing she'd pushed her luck, Cinnia quailed under his stare. "I'm sorry, Klavier, you're right, that—"

"Perhaps you should join the rest in the ballroom," he said tersely. "We will be down shortly."

The model didn't need telling twice. With a nod, she whirled on the spot and fled, leaving Klavier and Ema alone again. He watched her leave and Ema watched him.

His expression was unbelievably out of character. She had only seen it once before — when Kristoph's truth had been revealed to the world... Her eyes widened. She had no idea Cinnia's comment about the band had had such an effect on him.

He looked at her, his expression softening.

"I'm sorry," Ema said before he could speak. "I know I shouldn't have said anything but she was out of order about your— about the Gavinners and…" she faltered. Klavier was looking at her strangely.

"Is that why you said what you did?" he asked.

"Well, yeah!" she said. "I could tell it was getting to you! I don't blame you for snapping at her. I would have done the same."

Klavier cocked his head. "You believe I 'snapped' because she mentioned the disbanding of the Gavinners?"

"Yes," she said, frowning. "Um… didn't you?"

Klavier blinked, looking genuinely surprised and then he laughed. "Achtung! We have an innocent!"

"Huh?"

"Where were we?" he said, smiling widely. "Ah yes."

Before she could insist that he explain himself, Klavier pulled Ema into his arms and began to lead her into a dance. She instantly looked down to watch her feet, all other thoughts leaving her as the single aim took over her mind: she must not step on his feet.

"Look at me," he murmured.

"I'll squish your foot again," she said, half-scowling. "Now be quiet, I'm trying to concentrate."

"Look at me, Ema."

When he said her name like that, she couldn't ignore him. Obviously it was just out of surprise. There was no way that he'd…

She looked up and lost her breath.

His eyes were intensely boring into hers, as if he were digging up her darkest secrets and taking them for his own.

"See?" he whispered. "You're dancing."

Ema couldn't believe it. What was happening to her? What was this feeling that made her feel like she was dancing on air, on nothing at all? And when he slowly began to sing, his voice vibrating deep in his chest, she felt it under her fingers, could feel it wrap all around her. Before it could register what he was doing, Klavier was twirling her around the balcony, pulling her in every time she distanced herself and singing mesmerizingly into her ear.

When he stopped, slowly drawing her into his arms, a satisfied smile stretched across his face. "You are a wonderful dancer, Fräulein."

She laughed sheepishly. "I had a good teacher." She paused, suddenly very conscious of the fact that she was still in his arms, her hands on his chest, that they weren't moving and that he was looking at her.

She cleared her throat. "You were wrong earlier, you know."

He cocked his head to the side. "About what?"

"I didn't have anything better to do today," she admitted, looking away. "Lana's spending Christmas with her boyfriend. She invited me but I didn't want to get in the way. I would have spent the day in bed. So… thanks."

He smiled. "Thank you for the dance, Fräulein," he said softly.

She bit her lip. "Do you want to go down and dance now?" She gave a nervous laugh. "Everyone's been waiting for you."

He paused, as if to think about it, and then shook his head. "No."

To her surprise she felt a pang that could best be described as embarrassment. "Yeah, I guess I can't be trusted in public yet."

Klavier touched his fingers to her chin and lifted her face so she was looking up into his eyes again.

"That is not why I said no." He brushed a lock of hair off her shoulder. "I said no because some things are too special to share with anyone else."

With his words, Ema felt the disappointment fade. Something surged through her, at once slow and fast; it started at her head and trickled over her skin, all the way down to her feet, leaving a tingling in its wake that left her smiling.

"I like it when you smile," he murmured, touching the corner of her mouth.

Ema's smile widened. "Is that right."

"Ja," he whispered, grinning. "And that—" he ran the tip of his finger over her lips "—is the best present I have received all year."

Ema's heart skipped a beat. "Glad I could be of service."

Klavier's smile was affecting her as if something had slipped under her skin and was pushing at her from the inside. She felt like a goof, standing there and smiling at him but she didn't care — she felt light and happy.

"Shall we rejoin the world of uptight celebrities and brainless models?" Klavier said, holding an arm out to her, mischief in his eyes.

Ema laughed at the irony of his comment and slipped her arm through his.