Oh, my, effing, G! What a response! Thank you to everyone who read and favourited, and a super special firework display thank you to all those who reviewed. I was so worried that this was going to be a catastrophe and I'm so glad you all showed me I was wrong! I promise I'll try to make this a good read!

Sorry about the title. I was struggling to come up with something and I didn't want to leave it blank while I thought of something else. Too late to rename now! Also, please let me know if my writing starts to get a little verbose. I always seem to fall into that trap but I'll try my hardest not to do it this time.

Okay then, same deal as before. An asterisk (*) marks a word I think might need clarification and is in the glossary.

Play for me, Jack

Chapter 2

There was still snow on the ground in the streets not too far outside downtown. It made everything feel somewhat inhibited as snow always does. Everywhere you looked things seemed to be either running slower or were simply less busy. Be it stores, roads or sidewalks, there were fewer people outside and the nip in the air frosted up windows and made the indoors a very inviting place to be.

None could testify to this more than Jack who remained under the covers as his alarm shrieked at him to get up. After the previous day he never wanted to go outside again and he had no idea how he was going to face everyone when he went to work. Least of all, that guy. That heavenly, gorgeous, unfathomably hot guy who was not only his new boss but in front of whom he had royally embarrassed himself to the point of silently pleading for death.

As the moments ticked by he lay there trying not to remember how the rest of the day had gone but, as it always does when one is mortified, he couldn't stop his mind from going over every excruciating second that had followed his initial faux pas.

The previous day…

Finally, the initial speeches had subsided and they got into a little playing. As they had all expected, it was just a run through to familiarize everyone with the score although being professional musicians they all pretty much knew it inside out. It was a standard work to be found in any orchestra's repertoire – especially one that regularly played for ballet companies – and it didn't take long for them to get deep into it.

Jack just kept his head down and tried to mitigate the burning heat in his cheeks that had been there since he'd realized he'd made a complete moron of himself in front of everyone. Tooth had been sympathetic as she'd handed him back his violin but it was no use. There was no way he was going to be able to laugh this one off. It was just too embarrassing.

Bunny hadn't taken the baton* at first and had simply taken a seat behind one of the associate conductors as they led the orchestra through the first few pages. The conductor in question was a tall, lithe, scary-looking British man with a personality to match that was somewhere between a suave, silky sophisticate and an evil genius. He had sharp, piercing eyes but with slim, tapered features that were not unattractive in their own terrifying way. In any case, Jack had always found Pitch Black unsettling. That was his name, and Jack hadn't missed an opportunity in the past to make fun of it with other members of the orchestra. Whenever he'd had sectionals* or private rehearsals with him he'd always made him feel wary and just a little bit nervous. He was mean with his words and very strict. He didn't allow for any slacking and was quick to pick up on even the slightest thing that he did wrong. That being said, when he wanted something he switched on his spine-chilling brand of charm that managed to win some people over but always gave jack the heebie-jeebies.

Thankfully, private rehearsals for Jack were rare as he never had solos to practice. That in itself, though, was a little saddening. It simply was the way it was. Any solos went to the concertmaster or a guest player and Jack didn't mind that truth too much. Those were the rules in any orchestra and he was still happy to play. It would be nice to be recognized though, even just once.

All of that, though, was the farthest thing he was thinking of now as he just tried to get through the day. He did his best to concentrate on the music as they played but couldn't help himself from occasionally flicking his eyes over to watch the Australian beauty sitting nearby. It only served to make him feel even more like an ass as he was caught more than once in doing so by meeting the Aussie's gaze.

"Oh God! Oh God! Oh God!" Jack grimaced in his head as he felt a huge black hole open up in his stomach. How could he possibly be making it all so much worse for himself?

Bunny just continued to smirk as he saw the slim boy glancing at him. He was pretty cute. Must have been around 24 or so but still had very young, sort of pretty features. He chuckled to himself when he thought of using the word 'pretty' to describe the guy. He wasn't by any means girly, buy still kind of boyish. He looked very masterful as he played and the white of his skin contrasted greatly with the dark wood of his violin. His white hair contrasted even more and bunny marvelled as he didn't think he'd ever seen anyone with hair as light as Jack. He seemed quite a timid thing to Bunny and he hoped he could get to know him a little better as time went on. It wouldn't be long before he found out how wrong he was.

That was the way it went on until lunch and then through the afternoon until about 3PM when they were released. Jack made a beeline for the exit making tooth stumble and trip as she hurriedly tried to follow him. He had to find some corner to crawl into and hide away from the world. That quickly took the form of the Starbucks across the street and Jack buried himself in a booth to feel sorry for himself while Tooth got the coffee.

Flittering over from the counter with her case over her shoulder she placed her chai and his frappucino on the table, moved his case which he'd tossed onto the seat upon which he wasn't lying curled up in a ball with his face buried under his arm, and sat down. Leaning to the side and ducking her own head under the table to see his across from her, she said "Come on. Today wasn't that bad"

"Not that bad?" Jack exclaimed, "I nearly choked to death and had to be rescued by the new boss"

"Visiting boss"

"Foreign artist who now thinks I'm a complete idiot"

"You don't know that" Tooth said as she sat back up and blew on her chai.

"Oh, come on! How could he not?"

"He doesn't even know you. He wouldn't make assumptions"

Jack leant up to raise an eyebrow at her, "You sure about that?" Tooth just smiled, shrugged and sipped her tea. Jack grabbed his blended ice drink and went back under the table hoping the calorie-laden beverage would perk him up.

"You sure you want that? It's freezing outside. Wouldn't you rather have something hot?"

"Nah, I don't really feel the cold" Jack said as he sipped the drink, "You want some?"

"No way. Too much sugar. It'll rot your teeth"

"Right now I don't care. I just wanna crawl into a hole"

"Jack, what's up? Usually you'd just laugh something like this off. Why are you so hung up on it? Tooth asked kindly

Jack slowly sat up and looked down at the table. He didn't really want to admit to her that he found the new conductor amazingly hot and was a little dismayed that now he wouldn't be able to introduce himself properly. More to the point, it now meant that he wouldn't be noticed for his playing. He'd be remembered as the guy to whom he'd had to give the Heimlich on his first day and that would definitely cloud any new impression he got from him. It now hit home hard with Jack that you only get one first impression and he'd screwed his up badly. Cataclysmically. How could he possibly be respected as a player now? To bunny, he was surely the orchestra goof.

Jack suddenly realized he'd left Tooth hanging and blurted, "Uh…I, uh…I just wish I hadn't made myself look stupid in front of him."

"People choke. Accidents happen. Don't beat yourself up."

"Yeah…" Jack sighed, "I still don't know how I'm gonna walk in there tomorrow though"

"You'll feel better by then" she said cheerily, "You should just do something to take your mind off of it. Are you giving any lessons tonight?"

"None tonight, thank God. A couple tomorrow after work, then again on Thursday and then some at the weekend in Burgess"

"How's that boy coming along? What's his name? Jared?"

"Jamie" Jack said, smiling as he thought of his student, "He's doing really great. He's really enthusiastic and his playing is really coming along. There's nothing like teaching a kid that actually wants to learn"

"I know what you mean. I wish I had a good one like him"

"Don't you?"

"Kinda. But you know how it is. Any kid learning the violin takes about five years before they actually sound…"

"Tuneful?"

"I was going to say good, but sure, tuneful"

Jack chuckled. He was glad not to be thinking about his earlier catastrophe. As time went on and they talked some more Jack soon forgot how stupid he had been feeling. He quickly resumed his usual, mischievous nature and became so absorbed in having a good time that he didn't even notice Bunny from the window crossing the street and heading through the door. It wasn't until he got up to the cashier that Jack noticed the distinct, flower-like markings on the shoulders of his bluish jacket he'd seen earlier and stopped mid-sentence to gawp.

Tooth turned her head when she saw him become so absorbed with something and smiled when she saw her new boss.

"Oh my gosh! Let's go say hi!"

Jack shot her a terrified glare, "Are you kidding?! I can't see him"

It was too late though. Just as Jack looked back to him, Bunny walked along the counter to wait for his coffee and noticed the cute boy from the first violins he'd seen peeking at him earlier on. With his trademark smirk, he gestured a hello to the pair and grabbed his drink before ambling over to them. The few seconds that passed as he crossed the store were perhaps the longest in Jack's life and he had to fight the urge to slide down onto the floor instead of facing the gorgeous man.

"Hi there. Glad to see you're still alive" Bunny said in his awesome accent that Jack couldn't deny he loved. He then turned to Tooth, "Hi" he said extending a hand, "Bunny"

"Hello" Tooth chimed as she took his hand, "it's so nice to meet you in person instead of as a collective mass. I'm Tooth"

"Tooth? Is that a nickname?"

"Uh…well, it's a long story" she said with a smile. "I expect it's the same with 'Bunny'"

"Yeah" he said with a smile.

"How are you liking Pittsburgh?"

"It's much colder than home but it's nice. And the orchestra seems great"

"Oh, I bet we were terrible today. Wait 'til things really get going. I don't think you'll be disappointed"

"I'm sure I won't be"

"So, Bunny, me and Jack were just talking about you"

"You were?" Bunny said looking at Jack and giving him a coy look of intrigue that Jack didn't know what to make of, let alone respond to.

"Yeah" chimed Tooth, "we're really looking forward to you taking charge tomorrow. It's not often we get a conductor coming all the way from Australia. In fact, I think this is the first time"

"Really? Well, I'll try not to disappoint you"

"Oh, I'm, sure you won't. Jack's already very pleased with you"

Jack shot daggers at her as soon as he heard that and had to force himself to look normal as he felt Bunny's eyes return to him.

"Heh heh. Well, I'm glad I was around to help. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have gone down well to let one of my players choke to death on my first day"

"Yeah…thanks" Jack grumbled trying his hardest not to sound rude as he fought the redness that begged to show again in his cheeks. "I…uh, I really appreciate it"

Bunny smiled, "Anytime, mate. Just don't make it a regular occurrence"

"I won't" Jack said feigning a smile, "Still, it's good to know you'll be around to squeeze me again"

"Aw shit!" Jack shouted in his head as he screwed his eyes shut. That could not have come out any worse.

"No! I mean! I just-"

Bunny laughed, "It's alright, mate. I got what you meant"

Jack groaned internally as he looked over to Tooth who was fighting against roaring with laughter. Jack did his best to disguise kicking her under the table as reshuffling himself in his seat.

"Alright, guys, it was good to meet ya. Tooth, a pleasure" he said extending his hand to her again which she shook and then turned to Jack to offer the same. Jack tentatively took his hand and tried not to swoon just a little as he felt the conductor's smooth but firm skin against his. It wasn't so hard to do as he was now, of course, at rock bottom.

"See you guys tomorrow" Bunny said as he began to leave, "Oh, and Jack, don't bring any gum in the morning"

Tooth waved as he left the store and turned back to Jack excitedly.

"He's so nice!" she cheeped as she turned back to Jack who now had his forehead planted firmly on the table in front of her. Tooth just couldn't help but laugh as Jack groaned and begged for the ground to swallow him up. Why couldn't he help making himself look like a complete and utter imbecile in front of that man? That man, who just then, had looked even hotter than earlier.

"God damn it…" Jack muttered as Tooth simply carried on laughing.

Back to present…

Jack finally pushed himself out of bed and smashed the alarm with his fist to shut it up. He couldn't stay there all day, even though he wanted to. He wanted to take advantage of the late start they had today and get some practice in. Not that it would make any difference, especially now since his chances for recognition were, he assumed, in tatters. Oh well, roll on next season.

After stepping out of the shower and getting dressed, Jack got out his violin and placed his music on the stand that stood near the window of the small living room of his tiny apartment. He was not too far outside downtown here and, even though it was small, the place was fine for him. He and Tooth had considered living together but Jack liked having his own space. At least this way he didn't have to worry about leaving his stuff everywhere. Tooth's apartment was the epitome of tidiness and he'd hate for something like that to come between them. Being alone did render him lonely from time to time though. Still, a friend was never too far away.

Turning the pages of the score, Jack made for the parts he knew they'd be practicing that day. Something stopped him when he happened upon the Act 1 Pas de Deux though as he knew it to be one of the most beautiful solos of the entire piece. He'd played it countless times on his own or during lessons back in college but had never had the chance to play it in concert. He remembered Tooth saying yesterday how beautiful the music was and he couldn't argue. This particular solo had to be one of the most beautiful pieces ever written for the violin and he had to admit he liked it.

Feeling sentimental, he raised his violin and went to give it a go. Memories of learning it came flooding back as he played and since he knew it all too well he sounded pretty good. It was technically challenging and took a lot of effort to make it sound so perfectly fluid. That was partly what he loved so much about it. That, and its sheer beauty. Still, he was very aware that he would not be the one revered for making it sound so good when the performance finally rolled around and that didn't leave him feeling too happy. It would be Sandy that played this one and even though Jack was very fond of him and had immense respect for him as a player, he was incredibly jealous.

"Oh well…" he said as he finished the final section and turned the page to get to where he had originally planned. Hopefully his time would come. Hopefully being the operative word. If only they would believe in him.

After an hour or so, Jack packed his instrument away, grabbed something to eat and headed out the door towards downtown. As he went the damning realization of what was waiting for him filled his consciousness once more and it wasn't long before he regretted pushing himself out of bed. Seeing Bunny again was just going to be hell. That, and Tooth, he was sure, would be reminding him of his choice of words the previous day in the coffee house all day long. No doubt she'd managed to spread to the whole section by now.

Glossary:

Baton: the stick the conductor uses to direct the orchestra.

Sectional: A rehearsal for a single section or sub-section of the orchestra.

If you want to hear the piece Jack played that I'm referring to, follow this link (EDIT: FF is a bitch and deletes URLs so you have to put the dots in yourself):

youtube com/watch?v=_7JGBC-nOjQ

I realize a lot of you might not be into classical music but if you want to skip through to the sweetest bit so you can get an idea of what I was writing about then go to about 2:29 and listen to the end. It helps if you close your eyes and imagine Jack playing it while you listen!

Anyway, thanks again for your amazing responses. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and then either follow, favourite or leave feedback. You guys are awesome!

Next chapter soon! x