Sydney was extremely calm upon entering Just Be. True, she was going to have to worry about making sure Arlen's machine of a show was well oiled in front of a couple hundred people…yes, she had to sing and be charming and funny (not to mention keep an eye on a certain trio of people), but she had flowers at home and as ridiculous as it was, somehow it was enough to keep her spirits high.

Hours passed in a dizzying haze as the helping hands Arlen hired covered the tables in red and white linens, arranged flowers, and transformed Just Be from the relaxed, comfy atmosphere it was, to one of grace and elegance. He had so many donations from the community, so many people willing to help him fight for his cause…all of this simply because he accepted everyone for who they were, something the community needed so very much.

Sydney kept her word and not only had extra members of the AV Club there to film the night, but for the set up as well. She wanted to let Arlen take part in all of the hard work he had arranged. She had spoken to him briefly, letting him know that all was on schedule.

She entered Arlen's office before going to "hair and makeup" with Brynn, only to be met by another surprise. Sitting in the center of Arlen's desk was a stuffed red panda. Not a panda bear that was red and white instead of red and black, but the animal known as a red panda. It was situated so it was holding a small box of chocolates. Sydney started to laugh so hard that tears came to her eyes…then the tears of laughter turned into something else entirely. She picked up the card on top of the small box and pulled it from its small envelope.

You'll be wonderful tonight. I bet I'm changing your opinion of today, hm?

Flowers, chocolate, and a stuffed animal. "Not just a stuffed bear, but my favorite animal…where on earth…" She wiped at her eyes. "He listens to everything I..."

"Syd!" Brynn burst into the office. "According to Arlen time, we need to get dressed now!"

She composed herself and Brynn didn't even take notice of the gifts in the room. She had wanted to call Nathan, but knew she had to abandon the thought. "Right, off we go then." They hurried off to the employee's lounge and Arlen's ever so faithful stylist friends went to work on the leading ladies of the evening.

Meanwhile…

"Here?" Nathan asked from the backseat of Joe Hawkins' car. "We're going here tonight?" They were pulling into the parking lot of Just Be, something Nathan was very much not expecting.

"Yes, Nathan," Joe's wife, Sandra, answered. "Is something wrong? I've only heard the most delightful things about it and this fundraiser is one of the biggest events we've ever had locally. Usually the various cancer foundations choose downtown venues."

His thoughts were frantic. He had done everything right so far today, hadn't he? Flowers, the perfect stuffed animal, the right amount of a little something sweet. He had planned the day down to the last detail to get Sydney to come around, to be swept up into the possibility of an actual, full-fledged romance with him. He knew it was a little cheesy, but every romantic comedy on earth was cheesy, wasn't it? And while she didn't openly admit to it, Sydney did enjoy the guilty pleasures of romantic endings and Nathan knew this. He wasn't supposed to see her until later that night. He had made sure that he was going to happen upon this venue before she'd gone home and now he was showing up with another woman. A woman who Nathan wasn't sure knew that this wasn't an actual date.

"Not wrong," he replied, fussing with his cell phone, texting Sydney and hoping she'd get the message before he walked through the door, "just a little unexpected. Joe, you said you had no idea where we were going tonight."

"I didn't," Joe said with a chuckle. "I've never heard of the place. Problem with it, Nate?"

"No…uh, the opposite, actually. I know the owner…"

"You do?" the blonde next to him interrupted. Her name was Abbi; she was Sandra's sister and Nathan's "companion" for the evening. She laughed, the sound rather obnoxious. "Look at you, rubbing elbows with the upper crust."

"What? No, it's not that kind of place."

"It's the biggest fundraiser around the city this month…"

Nathan sighed, it was going to be a long night. "That's because Arlen has a big heart and some personal connections to the cause."

"Sounds like you know him pretty well," Joe said, pulling into a parking space.

"He's a life long friend of Syd's…"

"Syd?" Abbi interrupted.

Joe smiled, happy he could answer this one since he finally caught on that Nathan didn't call her Sydney all the time. "Substitute teacher he's been mentoring."

"Oh, Fran's sub," Sandra said knowingly.

"Yeah," Nathan said getting out of the car and going to Abbi's side out of habit. He opened her door. "She actually had to take charge of the event tonight."

"A woman of many talents, huh?" Abbi asked, not liking the tone Nathan's voice held. She was the complete opposite of his "type." From the moment they met when Joe pulled into Nathan's driveway, she came off as being above everyone else and having the desperate need for attention. Nathan had listened to her prattle on for ten minutes about how she should have gotten a promotion that week, but that it went to some "far less deserving pig of a woman." He wanted to crawl out of his skin and Joe sensed it, giving him a very apologetic look in the review mirror.

"She's a good person, as is Arlen."

Abbi smiled at him. "Tie's crooked, hon." She reached out her hand and straightened it. "There, better."

Nathan tried to cover up the fact that he squirmed due to her close contact. The suit was another portion of his Valentine's Day master plan. It exuded old Hollywood class, something Sydney had mentioned to him during their first little "getting to know you session." It was all black, slim fitting, and the lapels had a satin sheen to them. He wore a simple white shirt and black tie with his hair just right…and was wishing he could have found a fedora, though he knew it wouldn't have gone with this particular ensemble. But maybe later on… He shook his head, clearing his wicked thoughts.

"Something wrong?" Abbi asked, wondering why Nathan was silent. He looked at her again wondering what on earth Joe was thinking when he asked him to do this. Her blonde locks were piled on top of her head in a way befitting a high school girl at the prom, not a woman in her…late thirties, he'd guessed. Her dress was also a bit age inappropriate, boasting a black, strapless and sequined bodice and a crinoline skirt. Maybe she was trying to go retro and failed. Her makeup was more subdued than her opinion of herself and it's not that she was unattractive, but she was certainly trying too hard.

Nathan wanted to bite his tongue, but couldn't. "Abbi, I just want to make sure we're on the same page here. You know that this isn't a 'date'…right?"

Abbi smiled, the act mischievous. "The night is very young," she purred, trying, Nathan assumed, to sound seductive. She took his arm and they walked toward the building.

"I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I'm rather certain the situation isn't going to change."

"Well see, hon."

Hon…that's going to get old really…

"Nathan?" Jess interrupted his thoughts, as they had reached the glass door to Just Be. Seeing the blonde on his arm infuriated him almost immediately. "You've gotta be kidding me!"

"Know him too?" Abbi asked. She didn't wait for an answer before turning back to Jess. "Are you taking coats?"

"Yeah." He didn't look at Abbi as he took her coat, he shot an icy glare at Nathan instead…and Nathan knew immediately.

"Abbi, can you go with Joe and your sister? I need to speak to Jess here for a moment."

Abbi rolled her eyes. "Fine."

"How could you show up here with…that?" Jess began, his words coming out faster than his brain could process them. "She's not your type, I don't think she's anyone's type and you're here where Syd is and I know damn well that you two are into each other no matter how Syd might play it off. You were making out in Arlen's office just the other day and…"

Nathan went red and his words came just as quickly, but in a more hushed tone. "I had no idea we were coming here, Syd knows that I'm doing this as a favor to Joe, the principal at school, and I had every intention of this evening going a lot differently." He took a breath. "So, you saw?" Jess nodded. "She just wanted to…with where we work it's…"

"Flowers from you?" Jess asked.

"Yeah." He smiled. "Did she like them?"

Jess smiled back at him. "You made her morning. Stuffed weird thing and chocolates in Arlen's office?"

"Red panda."

"Huh?"

"The stuffed animal is a red panda, Sydney really…what?" Jess was laughing now.

"Nothing, I'm just relieved, that's all. I didn't want you to be an ass, like…well, I'm sure you know."

Nathan's eyes were solemn. "I do. He's why she…"

"I get it, secret's safe. I just think she's gonna be a little, uh, I'm not sure what, exactly."

"I tried to let her know a few minutes ago…"

"Cell's in the office, has been all day." He took Nathan's hand, shaking it firmly. "I'll try to run interference, but…just please be good to her."

Nathan smiled, happy to know that Jess cared for her so much. "I give you my word."

A few minutes later, Jess was doing his best to ignore the looks Eric was currently shooting in Brynn's direction. He couldn't understand just how he got into the mess he was in, but soon didn't have time to focus on that. Oh no! Oh, shit, shit, shit! He saw Sydney…more to the point, he saw Sydney seeing Nathan.

Sydney did her very best to not look completely confused when she arrived at the table that held her boss, two women she didn't know…and her lover. "Mr. Hawkins," she said sweetly, honing in on him rather than Nathan, "how nice to see you. I didn't know you were coming tonight."

Joe smiled brightly. "Well, to be fair, I didn't know you were partaking in such a wonderful cause." He took her hand. "You look lovely."

"Thank you," she replied, trying so very hard not to ask Nathan what was going on.

"This is my wife, Sandra," he said pointing to the woman to his right, "her sister Abbi," he continued, pointing to the blonde on the left, "and, well, Nathan, of course."

"Of course," Sydney smiled. "Very nice to meet you, ladies. Nathan." She nodded her head toward him.

Nathan swallowed hard and his heart was racing. He had seen Sydney in a red dress once before, soaking wet and heaving with sobs…it was heart breaking…but tonight made that November evening a very distant memory. Sydney's dress was a nearly exact replica of Satine's dress in "Moulin Rouge." She had been after Arlen for years to make one – ever since they had first viewed the movie in the theater. After everything with John happened, Arlen had begun work on it simply for her to have something special; it then fit in so well with the evening, he rushed to finish it. He gave it to her the night she helped him pack. Sydney knew it was rather silly, running around in a corseted top, but she loved it just the same. Her hair was curled and pulled up, exposing her neck and Nathan wanted so badly to kiss her there. Her dark eyes were captivating, highlighted in smoky grays with just a hint of green outlining them, drawing him in.

"You're a sub, huh?" Abbi asked, breaking Nathan's study of the woman he found himself needing so badly.

Sydney raised an eyebrow. "Uh, currently, yes."

"Can't get a real job? Little old for the temporary thing, aren't you?" She wasn't going to let someone else take Nathan's attentions from her.

Sydney bit her tongue, but it was Joe that raised his voice. "Abbi, could you please show a little tact toward our host? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get a job in our profession?" He looked at Sydney. "I'm so sorry. You and I both know that you are doing amazing things with your students and I'm going to fight for you as hard as I can."

"Thank you," Sydney said softly. "If you'll please excuse me, I have a few things to attend to before we begin."

"Of course."

Nathan watched as Sydney hurried into the back, most likely to Arlen's office. He waited an inconspicuous amount of time before he excused himself from the table to "use the restroom." He found her immediately and he saw that her phone was in her hands.

"Oh, Syd, I'm so sor…"

She turned and smiled. "You tried to warn me, so…you're off the hook." Her smile widened as she took him in. "I'm just going to say it, Nathan, you look delicious."

Nathan didn't respond verbally. Unable to control his motions, he took Sydney into his arms and held her. He didn't kiss her lips, as to not leave any telltale signs, but he did trail a few light kisses along the neck that had grabbed his attention, as well as a lingering one that made her tingle down to her toes. When he released her, he whispered, "Anything I could have said would have sounded hopelessly corny."

She looked into his eyes. "I really like corny." She caressed his face. "Thank you for everything today. I thought we agreed on no gifts."

"You like corny, I like to break rules."

"She's horrible by the way."

Nathan sighed. "Yeah…wish me luck?"

"Makeup's come a long way, Nathan, I'll do better than luck." She kissed him fully, making sure she slid her tongue along his in a rather promising manner.

It took a moment for Nathan to open his eyes, but when he did a boyish smirk lit up his face. "That is infinitely better than luck."

Sydney had made it through her introductory speech without a hiccup. She touched on why Arlen was absent from the event without revealing too many private details, remembered the rules for the silent auction, and thanked all the correct people. She felt that she could breathe once that was over, even though the rest of the night was ahead of everyone.

Dinner was a huge success. Brynn and Jess made sure to keep their eyes on the wait staff so that everyone was attended to and they heard countless words of praise over the food Arlen had chosen. They couldn't keep track of how many people asked for the catering information.

Eric was busy drumming up interest in the silent auction, silver-tongued as he was. He either spoke business or flirted, whichever the situation called for, but it worked as those in attendance were buzzing about the donated items.

Everything was fluid and very much on track. A few members of the city's symphony had volunteered their time to play during dinner (as well as a few of the evening numbers) and the music was pulling everything together perfectly. Arlen would have been proud – and certainly would be, as soon as he saw the video footage.

Guinea pig that she always seemed to be when it came to Arlen's plans, Sydney had the first number of the evening. Though Nathan had seen her sing it in rehearsal, he was just as captivated this time around. Unfortunately his enjoyment was muddled by Abbi and the fact that she had whined until he caved and took her onto the dance floor. He kept turning them so his face was to the stage, something Sydney noticed and appreciated. After her number came Eric's…and he had everyone there eating out of his hands. He even took the mic and traversed the room, a collection basket in his hand. Even though it was for a good cause, it made Jess seethe just a little.

The numbers were spaced out so that there were songs, comedy, a few guest speakers, and a DJ taking requests. Arlen didn't want this event to be anything that was stuffy or boring. He wanted people to truly enjoy themselves as well as give to a worthy cause. Sydney watched Jess and Brynn on the dance floor as the DJ was currently in charge. They were talking as they danced and Jess said something to Brynn that made her burst out in a fit of laughter. He then decided to add to it by doing an impromptu jig, causing everyone around him to begin to applaud, egging him on. He hammed it up as best he could, happy that for once it wasn't Eric taking up the spotlight.

"Glad to see he stopped sulking for a while," Eric commented, appearing at Sydney's side.

"Well, you two do give one another quite a bit to brood about," Sydney answered. She turned to face him. "None of this is my business, but…" She stopped herself.

Eric smiled. "Why stop yourself from asking what you want to know?"

"Because I think I'm just better off being in the dark."

"Oh, come on, I know that isn't true."

Sydney cocked her head, still looking at Jess and Brynn and the undeniable, although possibly muddled, love between them. "No, the less I know the…" Her attention was stolen by Abbi…and the fact that she was trying to grind against Nathan.

"Looks like your friend is going to have a good time with her tonight," Eric laughed.

Sydney didn't have the chance to retaliate, as Jess, while doing his silly little dance, had noticed this situation as well. Instead of grabbing Abbi's hand to join him, he took Nathan's…and Nathan took the cue, causing those around them to roar with laughter and more applause.

"Oh, killjoy," Eric muttered. "Why on earth break up someone's good time?"

"This isn't the kind of night for that sort of behavior," Sydney said dryly, thinking Jess was solely doing his duty as being a part of the event.

"Hmm…fair enough. Maybe later tonight then."

Sydney actually laughed since she knew it would never come to pass. "Maybe."