Kiss From a Rose Unplugged by Seal

21. Ball

She is without a doubt, the most beautiful woman to breath air on this earth. Her graceful movements as she walked down the staircase towards him kept him enchanted. His gaze was transfixed on her as the lovely satin dress flowed around her shapely legs. His heart skipped.

"Lizzie, you look amazing," he said huskily as she reached the bottom and gazed at him shyly.

"Thanks," she mumbled as she nervously pulled her bangs behind her ear. "Um-you don't look to bad yourself." She bit her lip, trying to hold back a grin.

"Hmm, this old thing?" he said saucily adopting his valley boy voice, she had heard him use it once at the Embassy. "I just threw it on!"

She laughed as she grasped his proffered arm. "Are you sure I'm not overdressed?"

"Positive, I wouldn't tell you otherwise for fear that you would go back upstairs and change. You're gorgeous."

She smiled at him as they walked outside of the mansion they had been staying at for the day.

Dembe gave them both a wide grin as he held the door open and she slipped inside the car.

The car ride to the restaurant Red had picked for the night was brief. However, Liz felt a rush of excitement each time his thumb flickered over her shoulder . He caught her staring at him from the corner of her eye several times, and he chuckled quietly when she blushed and hastily averted her gaze.

"I think you'll love it here Lizzie! It's like something out of a fairy tale!" he told her when they stopped in front of an elegant building with classic architecture.

It reminded her almost of a cathedral, except for the rather large floor to ceiling windows which revealed a twinkling chandelier and a bustle of people inside. A wonderful attempt at making it look modern yet tasteful at the same time.

Dembe gave the keys to the valet and walked several steps behind them as they went inside. He refused to dine with them this evening, choosing instead, to eat at a separate table and give them time to kindle the fire that he had sensed long before.

Red and Lizzie were escorted to a private dining area with open French doors. They faced a balcony that overlooked the Hudson River; across the river the city lights twinkled like stars, making the skyline look tremendous.

"It's beautiful" she breathed as they sat at a table on the balcony.

"This is one of my most favorite views here in Washington. I love the way the everything seems so still from way out here. So silent…" he trailed off and smiled at her.

She grinned and heard the stirring notes to a piano tune. The song sounded vaguely familiar.

She cocked her head to the side and listened. Inside she caught a glimpse of a man in coattails playing at a grand piano.

She turned back to Red and felt her heart jump when he held a red rose out to her.

"Dance with me," he whispered.

She nodded and took his hand when he stood up. He gently held her hand in his and wrapped the other around her waist caressing her side.

"There, used to be a graying tower alone on the sea…you became. ..the light on the dark side of me…" he sang into her ear in a light voice.

"Kiss from a rose," she said.

His eyes filled with amusement and warmth and he nodded.

"That's why you brought the red rose," she said in realization.

"You're my rose, Lizzie," he whispered against her ear.

A/N: So, how did I do?