Well hello there! I can't quite believe that I haven't updated this since February, but it's true. Could you all excuse me for a second? I have some introductions to make.

Shit, this is Fan. Have you met Fan before? Fan, this is Shit. (yeah, try and ignore the smell if you can. Oh, and try and keep him away from the food as well.)

Okay, hope you enjoy.


Chapter Twenty Eight: Talk Of The Town

Emily

Things improved between Naomi and I after my bold actions in the theatre. Not in a distinct, noticeable way – just little things. She seemed a little less scared of the feelings between us that grow stronger every day. She seemed to understand a little better that I don't want to 'own' her, the way Justin had done. That I want her – all of her – exactly the way she is.

I was relieved to say the least, to discover that I hadn't fucked things up completely between us. I still can't exactly say what was going through my mind when I decided to tie her up like that. I had been so happy to find her so quickly that morning, and discover that she hadn't ran any further than the theatre. I mean – it hardly counted as running at all, really. Was there anywhere in Vegas she could have gone to that I could have found her quicker? It convinced me at once that she really wanted to be found. So my anger and hurt feelings towards her had disappeared in an instant, replaced by an overwhelming need to make her see that this thing between us is real and for keeps. What I did next took me by surprise almost as much as it did Naomi. And it got the two of us so fired up, as well. That part hadn't been planned, either. As I released her, I saw a flash of fury in her eyes that I had never seen before. For the briefest second, I thought that I had pushed her too far, and it was all over. That fear only lasted until the kissing began in earnest. And then… well, Naomi is one passionate woman when she likes.

"Are you even listening to me Emily?" Mum's admonishing tone snapped me reluctantly back to the present day. Mum dad and James had arrived back in Vegas a few days ago, this time for an unspecified length of visit. Mum was at least talking to me now, but her conversation was unfortunately full of nothing that I wanted to hear. She had made it her mission to 'make me see sense' – which seemed to consist of endless lectures about going through 'phases', and not throwing myself away on some 'silly little obsession'. I had snapped at her several times recently, but to no avail. She kept on lecturing me, so I took to ignoring her.

"Not really" I answered with a bored sigh. I felt a sudden urge to wind her up. "I was day-dreaming about making love to my beautiful girlfriend, if you must know." Mum's eyes narrowed at me.

"You've grown very cheeky since falling in with that… girl." Mum studiously avoided actually referring to Naomi by her name. Instead, she was known variously as 'her', 'that girl' and occasionally, 'that young lady'. All uttered with as much venom as humanly possible.

As mum launched once more into a nasty diatribe about 'alternative lifestyles', I tuned her out, and let my mind drift away once more. I cursed myself for letting her box me in for this little lecture. I realised on her first day back that she had no intention of listening to my point of view. I had tried hard to avoid her altogether since then, so mum had resorted to more sneaky tactics – this time swooping into the rehearsal room after the others had all left for the day. Either myself or Katie always had to hang back, since the two of us couldn't move through the hotel together. So I was by myself, and mum was on me before I could make my excuses. I cast a swift glance at my watch: surely Katie would have reached her hotel room by now?

My phone suddenly vibrated with a new message, and I snatched it from my pocket with relief. It informed me that Katie was now out of sight, and I could finally leave the rehearsal room.

"I've got to go" I muttered, turning my steps towards the door. Mum fell into step along side me, not once breaking from her lecture.

"…And you're breaking up a marriage, Emily! It's just not right!" I stopped dead in my tracks as a few of her words filtered through my outer indifference.

"What did you say?" I demanded harshly. Realising she finally had my full attention, Mum's eyes flashed with triumph.

"I said that you're breaking up Naomi's marriage with your selfish behaviour!" She continued, hoping to press home her point. "That boy loves her!"

"That's not my definition of love" I answered with a sneer, but that was so not the part that I should be fixing on. "What do you know about Justin?" I asked, trepidation rising within me.

"I know that he loves his wife!" Insisted mum. "Did she tell you that she just ran out on him? Not a word about where she was going or anything. Left him absolutely beside himself with worry!"

No no no! This couldn't be happening!

"You've spoken to him? When? What the fuck did you say to him?" I took a firm step closer to mum, hoping that her answers would not be as bad as I suspected. Mum flustered a little, clearly thrown by my urgent questioning.

"Well, we… he needed someone to talk to, and… sometimes a mother's point of view can…"

"Did you tell him anything about me?" I asked, cutting abruptly through her sentence. Mum's face softened instantly.

"He doesn't blame you for all of this, Emily" she said gently. "He's always known that his wife is head-strong and stubborn!" My anger bubbled higher at hearing Justin's assessment of Naomi, but I needed to stay on track. I took another step closer to mum, not caring if my words came out harshly.

"Did you tell him about me? Justin thinks that Naomi is dating Katie – he doesn't know that I even exist!" Mum's gaze faltered, and I knew then that she had let our secret slip. And of all people, to Naomi's soon-to-be-ex husband. "Fuck" I cursed under my breath.

"Well I just assumed he knew!" Argued mum, suddenly realising that she had made a mistake. "He was very interested to hear all about you…"

"Yeah, I bet he was" I muttered. My emotions finally bubbled over. "Mum, Justin is a manipulative, controlling piece of shit." I practically spat each word out at her. "He doesn't want what's best for Naomi at all. He wants to own her, and he's willing to use anything he can to get what he wants." Even as I spoke, the enormity of what mum had done loomed up above me. Justin didn't want Naomi to be a success in Vegas – he wanted her back in England playing his dutiful wife. And he had just discovered the one secret that held our show together.

Without another word to mum, I ran right out of the theatre. My only panicked thought was to get to Naomi. I knew the news that I had would devastate her, but we had to act on it as quickly as possible if we had any chance of keeping our secret under wraps. I paced restlessly in the elevator, as it made its meandering ascent to the right floor. Once it 'pinged' it's arrival, I burst out of there and along the corridor to Naomi's room. The sight of her in the doorway arguing with Justin only quickened my pace.

"I don't give a shit!" Declared Naomi to her husband. "The only thing I want to hear from you is that you've signed the divorce papers. We have nothing else to discuss!"

"That's where you're wrong" he said smoothly. "Meet me for a drink downstairs in twenty minutes." It wasn't a request, it was an order – which added to my already strong urge to slap the man. He turned and smiled at me. "Hi Katie." As he moved away down the hall, I wondered if perhaps mum hadn't actually spilled our secret to him. That hope was shattered a second later. "Or is it Emily?" He asked, turning back to throw a smug grin at the two of us. I heard Naomi gasp beside me. Before either of us could answer, Justin had sauntered off along the corridor. I turned to see Naomi's reaction: she had her eyes scrunched tightly shut.


"I'm gonna fucking kill him!" Growled Cook. Shortly after Justin left, we had summoned Katie and Cook to Naomi's room for an emergency meeting.

"I know how you feel" answered Katie. "I'm gonna kill my mother, as well." Cook shook his head.

"I'm not talking metorollogy!" He snapped. "I mean I'm really gonna fucking kill that bastard! This is Vegas – that's how they solve their problems! There's a lot of secrets buried in that desert."

"That's how they used to solve them" said Katie dryly. "But I don't think it's going to help us now."

"I have to meet him" said Naomi softly. She was sat on the edge of her bed and had hardly spoken a word since Justin had dropped his bombshell.

"No!" My exclamation came out stronger than I meant it to. "That's playing into his hands!" I argued. I hated the idea of Naomi going off to meet with her ex for what he probably thought would be a cosy little drink.

"We have to know what his intentions are" answered Naomi, staring firmly into my eyes. "He might keep it to himself." I snorted at that.

"We know what his intentions are!" I snapped. "He wants you back, and he'll use any means in his power to achieve that!" Naomi stood up and took both of my hands with hers.

"That's not what I want" she insisted. "But I should listen to what he has to say, and maybe I can get him to see reason." I really didn't hold out any hope for that, but since Katie and Cook both agreed that Naomi should meet with Justin, I could no longer really argue against it. But my heart still felt heavy as I watched her leave to go meet with her ex.

As the door closed behind Naomi, I felt Katie wrap her arms around my shoulders.

"Naomi doesn't want Justin anymore" she muttered into my ear. "She's in love with you." I returned her hug with gratitude. As each day passed, Katie had grown more and more accepting of my relationship with Naomi. Knowing that she was on my side was a great source of comfort.

"I know that" I told her. "I know she won't go back to him, but he still seems to have this hold over her." I couldn't really explain what I meant, I just knew that Naomi still reverted to her former 'doormat' self whenever she was around her husband. And I hated seeing her like that.

The time went agonizingly slowly while I waited for Naomi to return. At last she did, letting herself quietly back into the room.

"Well?" Demanded Cook, although it was clear from her face that the news wasn't good.

"He said he's going to tell McLair about the twins" said Naomi with a sigh. "Unless I agree to give our marriage another try." Her eyes darted immediately to meet mine. "I told him to fuck off" she added quickly. I instantly stepped closer and slid my arms around her waist.

"I know that!" I told her. "I didn't ever think you would take him back!" Naomi reached her hand up to trail gently across my cheek.

"How could I ever go back to him, when I have everything I want right here with you?" As I leaned in closer I heard Katie impatiently clearing her throat, so I changed my mind. She may be accepting of our relationship, but she's still not comfortable with any PDA's between us.

"So that's it then?" Asked Katie grumpily. "Nothing else we can do?" Naomi turned towards her and Cook, a look of guilt flashing across her face.

"What else could I say?" She asked. "I can't go back to him!" Katie looked suddenly mortified.

"I didn't mean you should go back to the fucker!" She insisted.

"Naomi, you're far too good for that arsehole" added Cook. Naomi relaxed a little in my arms at their words, happy that no-one had considered Justin's offer as a possibility at all.

"It wouldn't save the show anyway" I added. "The second you agreed to give him another try, he'd have you on a plane back to England." Everyone nodded their agreement.

"He's given me a couple of days to 'think it through' and change my mind" said Naomi, using her hands to add air quotes. "Maybe we'll think of something else in the meantime."

A short while later Cook and Katie left Naomi's room, leaving me alone with my girlfriend. It had been a gloomy departure, with none of us holding out much hope of getting around Justin.

"I've let everyone down" said Naomi, sinking with despair onto the bed. I sat next to her and pulled her into my arms.

"No you haven't! This isn't your fault, Naomi!" She shrugged, not ready to let go of her guilt. I tilted her chin until she was facing me and looking into my eyes. "Naomi, none of this is your fault, okay? Justin is a complete wanker, but he's not your responsibility." She gave a little smile of agreement.

"I can't believe I used to think that he loved me" she said softly. I gave her a reassuring squeeze, but since she seemed to want to talk, I just listened. "He tried to blackmail me into going back to him tonight – I mean, what kind of person does that? That's not what love is! Love is… love…" Naomi raised her eyes back up to meet mine, and I saw a whole host of emotions brimming in them. "Emily, you make me happy" she added, simply. "I could never go back to Justin now, because you've shown me what love is supposed to feel like." I pressed my lips firmly to hers. We gripped each other tightly, as though we were never planning on letting go. Our kisses tasted salty, and I realised that a trickle of silent tears were sliding down Naomi's face.


A couple of days later, it was our day off. I woke in my own room with the warmth of Naomi lying next to me. I glanced at the bedside clock: it was still far too early to be awake, considering that it was a day off. I vaguely wondered what had woken me so early. I turned to see the sleeping form of my girlfriend in the bed beside me. She looked so gorgeous with her blonde hair spread out across my pillow, her brow showing no signs of her waking worries. I shuffled closer. It may be early, but I was wide awake with no hope of getting back to sleep any time soon. An early morning fuck seemed in order, possibly followed by some more sleep.

I slid the sheet from Naomi, exposing her neck and shoulders. I pressed a light kiss to the base of her throat. She grunted a little, but otherwise showed no signs of stirring. I kissed her throat again, this time a little firmer. Then I began to kiss my way up her neck and across her face. I caught her lower lip between my teeth, tugging it gently. Finally, she mumbled something incomprehensible, and opened her eyes. When she saw me gazing down at her, she gave me a smile of dazzling warmth.

"Are you horny by any chance babe?" She asked, her voice still showing signs of her sleepiness.

"What makes you think that?" I asked, while sliding a hand teasingly up her stomach towards her breasts.

"Because it's a day ending in 'Y'" she answered with a grin. I wanted to resent the implication that I'm always horny, but really I had to concede that it was a fair point. Naomi slid her arms around me and pulled me in to a searing kiss.

Just as things were getting altogether more interesting, there was a nock at the door. I groaned and closed my eyes. Naomi placed a silencing finger against my lips.

"If we keep quiet, they'll just think we spent the night in my room" she whispered, making the same assumption as me that it was either Cook or a member of my family on the other side of the door. I nodded. We both held our breaths as we waited for any further noises. The knocking came again, this time a little more insistently. Again we waited, neither one of us willing to break our embrace.

At last things seemed to fall quiet.

"Now where were we" mumbled Naomi as she rolled me onto my back and claimed my lips with a kiss. This time we both groaned loudly when the knocking came again. Barely a second later, the hotel phone began to ring. "Fuck" cursed Naomi. "I don't think they're giving up. Okay, you get the phone and I'll get the door." She slid out of bed and threw a t-shirt on. As she grabbed her jeans, I reached over and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Emilio, is Naomi with you?" It was Cook, and he sound pretty urgent about something.

"Yeah, she's right here."

"Okay. Stay put, the both of you."

"Cook, what the fuck…"

"Don't leave that room, and whatever you do, don't answer the door."

It was too late. By the time his words had registered, Naomi had thrown on some jeans and was pulling open the door. A huge ball of sound forced its way into the room. I saw some flashes coming from the hallway, before Naomi slammed the door shut in a panic. She drew the bolt across, before running around the bed towards the phone. She grabbed the receiver, holding it between us so we could both hear what Cook had to say.

"Cook what the fuck is going on?" She demanded. "There's fifty fucking photographers outside our room!"

"It's the fucking press" said Cook with resignation. "It's out, Nai. They know about Katie and Emily. Freddie announced it at the end of his show last night. He…" I didn't hear anything more of what Freddie had done, because Naomi dropped the receiver at that point. Our eyes snapped instantly to meet each others.

"Fuck" we both said in unison.