A few weeks went by and Luke had succeeded in turning down every girl that asked him to the dance. Nat had took note that this wasn't because he was ignorant, it was because he was truly overwhelmed that so many girls would want to ask him. Horribly, Nat took some pride in this, knowing that eventually he'd either go alone or go with her. Either worked in her book, however evil that may have sounded.

No one had asked Nat. But she didn't like people, so it didn't bother her much.

The spring concert came before the dance though, so it wasn't like they two had anything better to worry themselves about. If they chose to worry about it. Nat's mother had decided to take Luke and Nat to get new clothes for the performance. It wouldn't have been so bad in hindsight, but Luke had found the perfect tuxedo and tie in under thirty minutes, Nat's clothing escapades had taken them over two hours.

"What do you think about this dress Luke? Tell me, you have to be on stage with her." Nat's mother Vivian said, holding up a short pink dress to Nat's body. The girl tried to surpass the urge to blush harder than what she already was.

"I think it would be up to Nat." Luke told the mother, not sure if his opinion was really needed or not.

"Hmm..." Viv said thoughtfully. Vivian couldn't help but be a fashionista, but it was part of her occupation. For the longest time, Vivian had been employed as a personal shopper and interior decorator when the Ulmer family had been in America. After the move, Vivian's job declined, but was still offered an opportunity or two if someone in town (usually an official) needed a new wardrobe or an opinion for a new set of stairs they wanted to put in. This would have been fine for Nat if she was a more interested shopper, but she wasn't. She wanted to get out as soon as she could.

Eventually, (praise all that is good) Vivian was able to find her daughter a long dress that matched the color of Luke's tie (which was dark blue) and then took the kids to the local pizza parlor to get something to eat for a late lunch, early dinner.

"I am going to look ugly." Nat muttered to Luke as her mother ordered the kids' food.

"No one will be able to see you that well!" Luke pointed out to her. "You don't even need to smile or anything. All Miss Blanchard asks of us, really, is to stand up (or sit, in your case) with our backs straight and focus on what we're doing. Unlike most teachers, she doesn't require that we plaster on false smiles while we concentrate on something else."

"It'll still be ugly." Nat bitterly told him. Luke smiled back, assuring her that it wasn't all that bad. Mostly.

But that had been only a few short days ago. Now the two were standing backstage, waiting for the current performance to end so Luke and Nat could take their places. Luke was holding his violin under his arm. The piano Nat would be performing on was already on the stage, due to it being too heavy for easy removing. Nervously, Nat bounced on her heels, a bad habit actually considering she was in high heels.

"You'll be fine." Luke told her without even looking over at her.

"Says you." she retorted.

"And the dress looks very beautiful on you." Luke added before the two prepared to take their places after the current act had ended. Caught in the midst of her own nervousness, his comment had sailed completely over Nat's head and didn't hit her until after their duet.

When the duo finished their duet, there was hardly a dry eye left in the house. Luke took a bow before helping Nat stand up so she could bow as well. The two bowed together at the audience one last time before walking off the stage for good. Waiting for them in the wings was a woman dressed entirely in black. Dark shaded sunglasses blocked their view of her eyes, although there was no need for her to be wearing them indoors. Luke had noticed her first, and when he did, he took hold of Nat's hand. At first Nat had been confused, but then she noticed the woman too. Nat tried to tug Luke away. The woman's hollowed face was scaring Nat for a reason she couldn't describe and she wanted to get away from her. Now.

Luke's resistance to move didn't help Nat's growing anxiety either.

"That was a wonderful performance Luke Triton." the woman said coolly. Her voice was near toneless and as hollowed as her face.

"How do you know who I am?" Luke asked the woman.

"Your face was all over the London papers less than five years back. It doesn't take that superior of mental power to connect two faces." the woman said with a wave of her hand. "Besides, the Targent doesn't believe in coincidences."

At the mention of the Targent, Luke's face instantly grew pale. This reaction only made the woman smile.

"I believe its time for us to join forces." she snickered satisfyingly. Luke's face only grew more pale.