A/N: Random thought of the night... Mila Kunis is a gorgeous being. Yes she is.

Act II: Somewhere I Belong

A taxi cab ride and a zigzag through the busy streets of New York City and the two ballerinas finally made it to their destination. The Cortina Lounge sat dead red before the cluster jam that was the Time Square area, the eatery lit up moderately with only a simple logo sign and a see through window entrance. Not exactly the spot for nightlife debauchery but more like the last stop right before and after it.

Inside the high end restaurant it was a nice and quaint place, most of its business catering to the young adults who were done with their clubbing fun, coming here to recover and lounge with some pristine food and beverages. The décor was a modern vibe with shined out edges of monotone black and white, scattered with paintings of abstract art that screamed Van Gogh or Picasso.

Dainty. Simple. Yet curiously inviting in a modern Noir sort of way.

Nina figured Lily would gravitate to this kind of place.

I could do without the paintings though.

"Hey I don't want to step on your toes but please let me order you." Lily insisted with an earnest snatch of their menus, Nina blankly watching her ordering tool soar across the table and off it. "I promise you, your taste buds will go to heaven."

"Always building up expectation aren't you?" Nina gladly gave Lily the reigns with her usual soft reply, letting her eyes toil around the restaurant, once and awhile taking a glance outside as the traffic jam down Fifth Avenue.

Lily kept to herself for the moment, her head against her comfy booth seat while having a look of just extreme interest. Ogling at the angelic nature that was Nina Sayers used to be a Thomas Leroy exclusive. Now that Lily was doing so she realized it was really adorable and tragic at the same time. She looked so innocent and nervous, like a lost puppy of the cutest kind. Certainly not as nervous as when they first met but it was a different kind of nervousness. The key words were cute and lost. It was as if Nina still hadn't figured out how to calmly interact with others without over thinking it. Lily knew this girl was as wound up tight as an old doll but she was only scratching the surface.

As the days went by when Nina was in her coma, Lily noticed that only she, Thomas, and her mother were the only real visitors – of course a sprinkling of other dancers here and there visiting from time to time. It was sad how a girl like this didn't have others in her life. A young woman so pretty and talented… lost in her own world so deeply that she either chose to or couldn't be close to anyone. Erica, Nina's mother, probably had a lot to do with it Lily thought. This girl was the most sheltered person as much as she was the best ballet dancer Lily had ever seen.

Brilliance comes at a price it seemed.

"Sorry to keep you waiting ladies." A waitress swung by in a blurring speed with a pen and paper ready to go, struggling keeping up with the busy house. "Are you two ready to order?"

"Yes ma'am. Two House Special Club Sandwiches with seasoned curlies, and two Harvest Hefenweisens." Lily ordered quickly and decisively.

Nina blinked at the last part of the order recognizing the alcoholic beverage, defiantly shaking her head towards the waitress. "Uh, excuse me Miss, can you make it just one beer and some herbal lemon tea please?"

"Aw Nina, come on." Lily grabbed her wrist and shook, "Just one?" She brought up the universal hand signal for a single numeric value with that index finger. "For fun..?"

"… Tea please…" Nina wouldn't give in on this. Not this time. The stern face urging the waitress to change it as she shook against Lily's wish.

The waitress just gave them both a look of awkwardness, pleading for an answer or at least waiting for a congregation of bickering minds. After a few moments Lily rolled her eyes and conceded with a regretful nod that didn't sit completely well with her.

"Okay fine, make that two beers and a tea." She countered like a devil dealing with a new suitor.

"Excellent choice and compromise," The waitress smiled, really getting a good read on the two, writing down the order with a chuckling finish. "I can tell you two are a cute pair am I right?"

"We certainly do try don't we darling?" Lily shared a glancing look at the young waitress approvingly as she clenched Nina's wrists tightly pulling her close to show off how cute they were. Nina just blushed without reply, looking down as the teasing of their union was now spreading beyond the circle of two.

"Hah, now ain't you two a lucky bunch." The waitress pointed her pen at Nina, smiling gingerly at Lily. "We'll be back with your order in no time."

Lily had that air about her as the waitress strolled off, the one of a sexy deviant on a night on the town of course. Lily took a peak back at Nina who seemed little amused by her antics. That face she made reminded Lily of when Nina pulled her out to confront her about informing Thomas of her struggles. Probably not that upset but close.

"Oh come on, what now?" Lily chided. "I'll drink the second beer if you don't want it."

"Well firstly, yes you will be drinking it." Nina tilted her head, "Secondly why did you make it sound like we were some sort of… r-romantic pair?"

"Uh, because it's fun?" Lily laid it out plain and simple with a mischievous shrug. Her big eyes lit up for a second like a Christmas tree. "Oh! We can even pretend this is a play date or something."

Nina just reddened again as Lily's flaring nature made her fight the smile she wanted to spring out. The double edged sword of struggling containment and the deal with the warm embarrassment was worthy foe. But as always, Nina gutted it out. With every facial muscle in her thin façade, she successfully defended against such a reveal of approval.

"I just think it is slightly impolite. I honestly think that the waitress was giving you looks like she-"

"Wanted to fuck me?" Lily smiled as she finished for Nina in explicit fashion.

"… Was uncomfortable." Nina cleared that interruption up with a clear disregard to the prior statement.

Lily giggled as she opened up her purse, unzipping the entrance as her phone was sending alert noises in the form of a clip of Lady Gaga's Poker Face. "I think you mean you were uncomfortable right?" She began to reply to the text with those active fingers.

With a touché of agreement in the form a simple yet deep sigh, Nina just sat sipping away at her complimentary glass of water, knowing that this was the way Lily operated. In high school terms, Lily was probably the loud extravagant girl in the class. Getting all the attention by gorgeous looks and a sweet talking mouth. She was the one all the boys liked and from the looks of it all the girls liked too. Lily was probably the lead cheerleader with the shortest skirt, the everyone wanted to be with and she reveled in it. Honestly, it was strange sitting here next to her, Nina being the way she was.

Nina was the artsy one all to herself, the nerdy girl in class, beauty hiding behind social ineptitude. It was amazing how she so incited by someone like this. It probably helped that Lily was so genuine about the way she was… it was no act as far as Nina was concerned. That thought died the minute she awoke in the hospital.

Jealousy had slowly given way to admiration.

"Huh, I guess I'll start the conversation as usual." Lily put her elbow on the table as her phone was put away, curling those cute brows and leaned forward for some girl talk. "So… I am guessing it was Thomas' idea to put you in as his assistant?"

Nina nodded, recalling her telephone call with her director in the hospital. "I called him and told him what the doctors told me. He said he felt bad and told me what was going to happen with you and the lead role." she paused with a breathy inhale. "... I really… really wanted to help out anyway I could even though I couldn't… perform... so…"

"He offered you the spot." Lily finished with much more reverence to the situation, meekly poking at her drinking glass, thinking of what exactly was going on between Thomas and her. It was probably a romance but even she wasn't so sure. Things were a bit blurry backstage at the production that was the only thing that was ironically… clear.

Nina was reflecting. "I... just... couldn't imagine being away from the production as I healed, sitting at home and doing nothing."

It isn't about me and my wants anymore…

Lily swayed at the sweetness Nina showed. If the tables were turned Lily had trouble imagining she'd be so selfless. "… Hey, Nina, you belong on the stage but I think it's so awesome… how you're being a team player like this. Much respect…"

"What else can I do?" Nina breathed as she glanced downward, she too manipulating the moisture on her water glass, seeing her own distorted reflection in it. "I'm not going sit idly by and sulk… no… not anymore…"

Nina said the last words so quietly almost to herself but it spoke volumes to Lily. In this world of ballet where girls are looked at so superficially and judged so intensely, it's no surprise how everyone seems to be looking out for themselves. In the weeks leading up to opening night Lily hoped to kind of ease Nina's extreme aspects of these characteristics, not really knowing how bad it got for the Swan Queen until they found her bleeding on the hidden bed.

"… You know that night, when you put on the Black Swan get up." Lily paused, trying to conjure it up as if she was backstage opening night again, ready to go on. "I saw your face from behind the curtains and this vibe I got from you that sent shivers down my spine."

Dead crimson eyes.

White lifeless skin.

A black soul…

"… You turned into someone… something else."

Nina cringed at the thought. She felt uncomfortable even meandering on that night, she too having the sensation of a tingling nature whenever the traumatic images popped up. The blackness in her mind that overwhelmed her was no admiring matter. The sensuality that oozed from her loins to her darkened heart. The feathers that sprouted from her arms like a beast would. The evil scream she yelled out to the darkened crowd…

It all frightened her.

And it came from within…

"H-how did you do it?" Lily attempted to get at the money question. "What happened that night? It was like you were doing some sort of that Johnny Depp Method acting stuff…"

Nina nervously clasped her hands together, trying to stay focused, realizing they were just speaking and nothing more. Lily deserved some answers from her. If anything the knowledge Nina had could maybe help or inspire her in some sort of way. How many times did Nina walk out on Lily when she just was concerned? She owed Lily… something for the kindness.

"… It's hard to explain." Nina closed her eyes as she tried to lose herself in the moments. "I guess… it was sort of like being in a tunnel of darkness."

Lily's ears perked.

"I knew that I could get to that light at the end… somehow or someway." Nina began to whisper the words more than speak, "But the only way to do it was to venture on deeper and deeper into the tunnel. Getting more and more into the unknown."

**"Free yourself Nina… Go crazy…"**

**"Just let it all go!"**

"I kept walking and walking to the spec of light no matter how small. Not wanting to stop. Yes, it was scary. Yes I didn't know what to do." Nina imagined herself practicing alone all those nights in the studio. "But the thought of not reaching that light? The thought of not reaching my goal?"

Perfection…

"… It scared me more than anything else."

Nina was scared? Lily found it strange that the imagery Nina was describing felt like a heavy dose of fact rather than some abstract thoughts.

"It didn't matter what I had to do. Or what or… who I had to go through."

**"Come on! Why don't you let me dance the part of the Black Swan?"**

**"No! This is MY PART BITCH!**

Nina wheezed as she opened her eyes, the creepy blood red scowl of the Black Swan she swore were staring right at her. From underneath her coat she was actually breaking a cold sweat, looking at Lily who was as expected staring at her like she was some sort of strange science project. She curled into her little ball again, sighing, repeating and telling herself that it was all in her head.

"… This ballet thing is everything to you isn't?" Lily went to the heart of it all.

"Everything?" Nina muttered almost to herself, shaking her head. "No…"

**"My little angel…"**

**"My little princess…"**

"It's the only thing…"

With those words Lily felt it for the first time. The crawling truth that made Nina tick like a delicate time bomb. She was a girl so powerful and strong in her ballet movements but with a mind and soul that was so fragile that the pressures from home, work, and everyone around her made her crack. Nina's obsession was what caused the damage done opening night. It was Nina's frailty but also her determination that created what everyone saw that night.

She put everything into this… and everyone mostly turned their backs on her.

… Or at least Nina made it so everyone didn't have a choice.

"Orders are here ladies! Enjoy!" The waitress timely broke up the intense conversation, laying out scrumptious looking and heavenly smelling deli sandwich platters with fried potato goodness. Two bottles of beers and a cup of tea sat in the middle, Lily and Nina now eyeing down their feast.

Nina's eyes always shunned the greasy foods as much as Lily wanted to gobble down all of it. The metabolism of Lily made it such an easy guilty pleasure to fulfill. Just another damn thing Nina had to be jealous about. Everything always comes so easy to Lily of course…

"I want you to scarf that down Nina. None of this girly picking at the sandwich crap." Lily picked hers up, giggling at the smorgasbord of fats and flavor to come.

"But I… am a girl…" Nina sniffed hesitantly, examining the toasted wheat bread slices, picking it up like it was an illegal drug.

"You're a woman and you're not going on stage for a while now just enjoy for God's sake…" Lily suddenly grabbed her sandwich and popped it into Nina's mouth, smearing the sandwich on unexpected lips.

"Mmph!" Nina had a mouthful of deli meats in her mouth by horrid surprise, Lily holding the food there with a devilish look.

"Now chew…" Lily threatened like she had a gun pointed at Nina, cold metal replaced with warm ham slices. "You need the energy to heal and it would make me very happy if this time you actually join me in some LEGAL not hallucinatory fun okay?"

Nina groaned and rolled her eyes at the mock threat, slowly beginning to chew away reluctantly like a punished child. Slowly but surely she felt the warm juices flow into her mouth, tickling her taste buds as the guilty pleasure set in. So long Nina had to keep her thin frame so small that she would be so strict on her diet. That and trips to the toilet were a mainstay in her culinary life. Even something this small like a comfort food night.

It felt good to just forget about the ballet world for a second in exchange something fun for once.

"Now is that so bad?" Lily laughed hysterically as she pulled her mischievous hand away, the aftermath of a scrunched up sandwich against one's face making Nina looking like a three year old toddler trying to eat a grownup's meal.

It was an understatement that Nina had a mouthful, trying to chew as she wiped her face with a napkin drawn across, scowling at Lily in a annoyed more so than angry manner. The former Swan lead's eyes bulged in horror next as Lily's iPhone took a quick photo snap, stashing away a her newest priceless picture. Nina huffed and groaned, trying to get the food down as Lily was amused with the image displayed on the phone's LED screen.

"This should so be my wallpaper don't you think?" Lily turned the phone so Nina could see a pair of puffed up chipmunk cheeks and a greasy mouth.

"Mm! You delete that right now!" Nina finally could breathe let alone speak, cleaning off the remnants of pastrami, just watching as Lily amusingly popped open her beer bottle, laughing up at her own humor. The laughing slowly got contagious Nina breaking a grin, staring at how stupid she looked.

For a girl so obsessed with how she looked and how perfect she was… it was strange laughing at herself like this.

How long has it been since I've done that…?

"I say now we're making progress… you're laughing with me." Lily pulled her beer to her lips, taking a nonchalant swig.

Even when she drinks she's so… attractive.

"H-how do you do this to me?" Nina's laughter calmed, the girl genuinely staring in admiration of her previous rival. "I told you things tonight I couldn't even tell my mother…"

"Because you're being honest and I'm being honest." Lily took a glance over at the other beer bottle that she had opened already, and then took a peak at the warm tea cup with the steam fuming upwards. "So Nina Sayers are we going to do a matching toast or should I ask for some sugar cubes?"

Nina nibbled on her lip as she grinned at the girl who was replacing her spot. It felt so strange looking at this girl and not feeling any malice or jealousy. Then again it felt strange sitting here, not at home, and not thinking about her career for once. Nina shrugged, not taking her eyes of Lily as she reached over towards her beverage of choice.

"Congratulations on your part Lily." Nina bowed her head, feeling a weight on herself leave. "I know you're going to do amazing."

"Thanks babe, I won't let you down…" Lily replied as she extended her bottle.

"To a good production." Nina pushed her bottle against hers, clanging them together.

"To a new start for the both of us. Now bottoms up!"

The amber beverages hit the spot. Even the bitterness of the beer couldn't kill Nina's mood tonight.

It felt too sweet to be true.

- B – B – B -

( 1 Day From Re-Opening Night )

Nina stood next to Thomas as she, for the first time in her life, watched a true maestro at work from a behind the scenes. Whether it was directing or producing, she was eyeing his every move like a hawk rather a swan, wanting to learn from the best. The way he presented himself and the way he commanded the dancers as well as the entire show crew itself was an amazing feat. The lighting, the music, the stage directions, the props, the costumes… it was so much to worry about yet Thomas took it all in stride with a confidence befitting of the brilliance Nina held him at.

But as Lily so eloquently put once, "That cute ass doesn't make it any easier to look away huh?"

"Alright musicians stand by! Lighting can we please have a bit more of a blue tinge on the background for some depth?" Thomas shouted to the back. "Terry the prince of evil are you ready?"

"Yes sir!"

"Lily, are you ready my dear?"

"Always Thomas!" She shouted from backstage.

"Background dancers and hands clear stage… music in 5… 4… 3… 2…"

On cue Lily swayed out with the swagger of a rock star, dressed as the Black Swan without the full make up, and dragged out by the designated Prince to center stage as she was as stiff and cold like a dead body. In a tango of seduction and freakishness the ballerina leapt off from the grasps of the Prince, every sway and step as sultry and seductive as the girl who embodied the role. Nina watched Lily's every step seeing her old rival bring the Black Swan to life, every plié to pirouette leaving no trace of hesitation or technicality behind.

It was as raw as it should have been. As sensual as it could have been.

Speaking of sensual Nina felt eyes peer at her from the side, glancing at her as some forbidden treat. She tried to ignore it by keeping focus on the task at hand.

"… Lily is amazing." Nina stated in awe, her glare not leaving the stage in a combination of fear and nervousness.

"Of course, her Black Swan comes to her naturally and is brilliant." Thomas smiled at his apprentice, eyes peeling back towards stage as well if not just to disguise his real motives.

"… And what of her White Swan?" Nina almost didn't want to ask the question but couldn't help herself.

The silence that followed Thomas scowl had already spoken louder than words. The director sighed as he tapped his foot on the ground to the classical music piece. "Nina you have put the bar in a higher register that night. We cannot regress from that. That's not art. That's not my brand of ballet. That's not how our production company operates."

"Of course Thomas." Nina said the name in its full French dialect, perking as she finally turned to him. "But really, you cannot expect Lily to-"

"Equal you?" Thomas chuckled quietly to himself as he turned to her, now stepping close as a ballet partner would, running his fingers through her hair. Nina's heart raced as she was touched by him yet again, her skin on edge as her sensuality underneath was tickled to stimulation. "You're adorable my little princess, but don't worry. Lily has so much ability I have all the faith in her. Besides…"

He took his hands to hers holding them, letting his strong grip make her feel protected as it always did. Thomas dominated this girl every time. Probably like any girl he chose to have interest in.

"… She has you to help her directly am I right?"

"R-right…" Nina found the courage to look up at him mouths so close almost being nose to nose, remembering the vivid moment of opening night clearly.

The kiss as the Black Swan.

The kiss planted on those lips with a furious passion.

It wasn't the same girl I am right now.

The music suddenly stopped in a climatic finish of clashing violins, those few watching applauding the rehearsal performance Lily gave. Lily stayed in character and in pose as Nina and Thomas had their own moment frozen in time forever as they separated their close encounter. In an awkward separation, the director moved towards the stage swiftly as Nina wanted to recover her pulsing heartbeat. She grabbed at her chest in a heavy breath as she had her personal space back, silenced almost like the night where Thomas seduced her, touching her places no man had ever done before.

"Bravo Lily, Terry." Thomas clapped. "I think we're done for today."

"Aw and we were just getting started right Terry?" Lily broke out of ballet pose and began to grind on Terry like they were at some club bouncing to hip hop, making the Prince laugh and play along. The playful bit where Lily began to spank the prince even brought out a chuckle from Thomas and serious giggling from Nina.

"Wow, it is nice to see you laugh again." Nina heard Thomas mention, the girl blushing and nodding away as she clapped for Lily. "My Swan Queen we're done for today. Prince, you and the fellow male swans stay back for one more meeting. That's a wrap!"

With those beautiful words everyone loved around these parts, production crew began to breakdown the rehearsal set.

"… So my new adviser of excellence," Lily strolled over to the end of the stage and knelt down to where Nina was below in the orchestral pit. "Anything you can give me for advice?"

"Your Black Swan was riveting and beautiful…" Nina conceded she had no words of improvement. "I've got nothing for you."

"Hah, just say I was hot and I won't pry about your critiques." Lily licked her fingertip and put it against her firm buttocks making a hissing noise because she wanted to make sure Nina knew she was 'on fire'.

"… Just go backstage and shower up…" Nina rolled her eyes. "You have a big night tomorrow so keep focused."

"Say, I noticed you were getting real close to teach while I was dancing." Lily smiled teasingly. "Did you tongue wrestle or what?" She whispered.

"Just go… you." Nina pointed backstage yet again.

"Meow, so catty of you advisor of mine." Lily laughed as she mimicked a predatory feline with a scratch of her 'claws'. "You're going to have to tell me sometime eventually…" She got up walking backstage. "Have fun with your date with Monsieur Thomas!" Lily finished with that mocking French flare.

"I will try…" Nina just smirked again as she too began to pick up her things for her dinner appointment with Thomas at her new apartment building, only to turn back and yell. "And it's not a date!"

"Wha~tever…" Lily replied from behind curtains.

- B – B – B -

With an exhausted pull, Lily took off her headdress as she made it back to the backstage area, prancing her way towards another night of freedom from the work. Most of the backup ballet roles had left only a few crewmen preparing to leave themselves. Being about fifty meters from her dressing room she notices a girl dressed in the Black Swan dress also, admiring herself in the mirror.

"I wish you luck tomorrow Lily." The dancer's words had very little hint of a genuine tone.

"… I'm sure Veronica." Lily puffed an annoyed breath as she stood arms crossed and unwelcoming.

"I think you'll need it as much as Thomas has been screaming at you lately don't you think?" Veronica had as much bite as she did her ballet work, turning to meet Lily's stare in a tense meeting of two dark swans.

"You know for some strange reason, ever since you've been named alternate I've been getting like a little ... gee… I dunno… bitchy attitude from you." Lily showed that she could bite right back. "Is that an accurate assessment?"

"Can you really blame me?" Veronica walked and closed in on Lily, targets set to fire. "I don't know why the fuck Thomas would choose you to replace Nina over many of us girls who've actually been here and performed for him for years."

"Maybe because most of you just can't cut it?" Lily shrugged with her voice full of agitation.

"You walk in here all late every practice and cute with your act like your some hot stuff." Veronica mocked her. "You don't fool me with any of your shit."

"I worked hard to get this part." Lily defended with a growl. "Don't you think any less of it."

"Oh yes, I'm sure you worked so hard." Veronica suddenly made an oval shape with her hand and mouth, pretending to do something vulgar as she rhythmically moved her grip. "I'm sure you and Thomas have a lot of personal time to verify how hard you worked."

"You bitch…"

"I see right through you and your phony little innocent San Francisco girl act." Veronica kept on insinuating. "You pretend to be so laid back when you're just as conniving as the rest of us here. You buttered up Thomas. And of course you buttered up the lead girl Nina, who's now the assistant and you're the lead. Wow, what a coincidence."

"You leave Nina out of this." Lily finally walked up to her, butting her chest out. "You have a problem with me? I dare you to do something about it."

"Hah! You actually really do believe you're just some randomly friendly girl with an affinity to get with those in high places don't you?" Veronica sighed mockingly, rejecting the offer to get physical. "This is so sad. Playing with Nina like this don't you think? She's been through so much…"

"You know what's sad?" Lily growled as she felt like she wanted to pounce on her. "The fact that I have your so-called 'lead part' and you're going to be stuck riding the background for another year!" The insult hit the spot as Veronica was now steaming just like her.

"… Like I said Swan Queen…" Veronica's glare was full of hate as she spat the words. "Good luck to you, because one slip up? And you're probably getting your ass sent back to the west coast where it belongs."

With the last words of warning Veronica stormed out with her head held up high like the villain would, leaving Lily there standing like a furious volcano ready to burst. The accusatory words tore at her like no physical damage ever could. In the mirror she thought harshly as she stared at herself. She wasn't a fake. She wasn't a phony.

I wouldn't do those things…

I couldn't…

She couldn't believe it but a sinking feeling was overcoming her deep from within like ghosts from the past. This was the last thing she needed before her opening night but it was here.

Doubt.

"Fuck…" Lily sighed at her reflection as she slammed her fist to the makeup station.

A/N: Next chapter opening night for Lily... let the fun begin! :)