13IsTaLkThEaKaTsUkI13: I like the old version better, too, and it was just so fitting for Leon and D here that I had to use it. Thank you for the review!

Rissika: thank you, though I don't understand what you mean... are you asking if Count D has some special powers or if he's supernatural? Because if yes, he isn't. He is just an actor and singer, like Leon. I hope you will still read despite this, but thank you for your review.

CD One, Track Three: Can You Feel the Love Tonight?

Timon: I can see what's happening

Pumba: What?

Timon: And they don't have a clue

Pumba: Who?

Timon: They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line

Our trio's down to two.

Pumba: Oh.

Timon: The sweet caress of twilight

There's magic everywhere

And with all this romantic atmosphere

Disaster's in the air.

Jill was not a dumb woman, and neither was she unobservant. She noticed the looks flying between her friend and the young Chinese singer whenever they thought the other wasn't looking. It was clear that they were fascinated by each other.

Not that she minded in the least. That was exactly why she'd convinced Leon to do this. If the guy was too dumb to find the one for him on his own, well, she wasn't his manager for nothing.

So she settled back and attentively watched the events unfurling. Singers. They were so easy to play sometimes. If they were doing a whole album full of love songs, chances were up to 80% that sooner or later they would fall in love with each other.

Nala: Can you feel the love tonight

The peace the evening brings

The world for once in perfect harmony

With all its living things.

D marvelled at the beauty of the song he was just singing. He could feel it vibrate through his whole body, the tune taking him to someplace he could not describe, but he knew it was wonderful there. He didn't want to leave it, not anytime soon.

And today, he even had company in this strange, unearthly place.

Simba: So many things to tell her

But how to make her see

The truth about my past, impossible

She'd turn away from me.

The young Chinese cast another glance at his partner. Leon seemed calm, collected and concentrated on his part. So very different to the performance he'd seen yesterday, where the blonde had suddenly turned into the Phantom in front of his eyes. Today he was cool and though he seemed to enjoy his song, D missed something in his voice that had been there yesterday.

Nala: He's holding back, he's hiding

But what, I can't decide

Why won't he be the king I know he is?

The king I see inside?

He startled, having missed his cue, and blushed as his father raised a reprehending eyebrow. "I am sorry," he stuttered quickly, but the conductor merely smiled and waved dismissively.

"Happens all the time, don't worry, Count," he said. "Was wondering anyway who'd be the first to fuck it up, Leon, you or us." He grinned and winked at the blonde. "Usually our golden boy here's the one not concentrated enough."

"Hey!" Leon protested and took off his earphones. "I'm a professional, I know how to do my job! Anyway, I could use a break," he added and looked around. Jill entered and offered him a bottle of water which he took immediately.

"Yeah, true, we could all use a break. We've been here since four hours," she said and looked at Mr. Count questioningly.

The Chinese bowed. "If you say so, Jill-san, we will take a break," he agreed and signalled D to come out.

The young singer put down his earphones, too, and left the cubicle reluctantly. He'd have preferred to continue. They still hadn't done the duet, and he was so curious how his and Leon's voice combined would sound. Still, his stomach was telling him that he could do with some food, too.

His father smiled at him and patted his shoulder. "Very well done, son," he said and then turned to Jill. "Are there any restaurants near here that offer good vegetarian food?"

Leon and Jill both looked up, surprised. "Yeah, there's one around the corner," the woman answered. "Are you a vegetarian?"

"My son is," Mr. Count replied and gently steered D towards the door. Jill took Leon's arm and went after them, ignoring the blonde's protests.

"We'll come with you," she said decidedly. "I like the food there, too."

But stepping out, she had to let go of Leon, due to a bunch of excitedly squealing girls. "Mr. Alcott, can I have an autograph, please? Oh please, can you sign my CD?"

Leon grinned. "Sure. Hand them over."

Both Chinese blinked in obvious surprise while Jill grimaced. "Not them again!" she murmured irritably.

"Do you know them?" the elder inquired and she nodded.

"I even know their names by now, and Leon probably does, too. They turn up every two weeks or so and try to get his attention, hoping to become his lover," she explained. "We'd better get to that restaurant. He's not going to get away from them before lunch break is over."

"But then he won't get anything to eat!" D protested, speaking up for the first time since he'd stopped singing.

Jill winked at him. "I'm gonna make sure the diva gets something to eat, don't worry. They have a take-away there," she said and set out for the restaurant.

When they returned, Leon was slouched on one of the sofas inside the bureau. He lightened up seeing them. "Jill, you're an angel," he said and started wolfing down the food his manager had brought him. She watched him, bemused.

"What did you do this time to get rid of them?" she asked. D hung up his cloak and listened.

"Told 'em I've gotta go back to sing," the blonde answered. "Are they still in front of the door? I checked five minutes ago, and they were still standing there, so I thought I could as well stay here."

"Nope, they were gone," Jill replied. "Are you done eating? You don't have so much time left before you've gotta leave for St. James again."

Leon threw the carton into a dustbin with an expert flick of his wrist, stood and stretched, causing D's eyes to widen. "Yep, I'm done. Let's get on with the party." He smiled at his partner who blushed for real this time. Leon almost chuckled. Oh, alright, he was kinda cute, what with those big mismatched eyes and the shyness. He wondered how D could play on a stage in front of a lot of people while being so shy behind the scenes.

But well, perhaps he could slip into one of the performances sometime. At the moment, he had to be content with just hearing the Chinese sing. And that he for sure could. Leon was more than surprised to find out their voices sounded perfect together. Perhaps he could convince Jill that next time, he got a role in whatever D was playing. Doing a musical with him should be much more fun than doing one with Lucy.

Both: Can you feel the love tonight?

The peace the evening brings

The world, for once, in perfect harmony

With all its living things

Can you feel the love tonight?

You needn't look too far

Stealing through the night's uncertainties

Love is where they are.

Nala: And if he feels the love tonight

In the way I do

Simba: It's enough for this restless wanderer

Just to be with you.

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