A/N: Okay so I have been meaning to continue the Matched chapters for ages! I meant to do all the characters like the other chapters, but I started too late and ran out of time. But, I will try to do the others and post them when I can, even if it's one at a time. I just need to fit them in around work. Anyway, it's 12:30am here, so please excuse any errors. I just really wanted to post this to keep the chapter momentum going. :))

~~ Blake ~~

Staring at his reflection in the mirror, Blake fiddled with the tie. He wasn't used to wearing such a fancy outfit, but Savannah had purchased it and left it out for him for the evening. He supposed that the clothes he owned weren't exactly dressy enough. She'd paired a sleek black suit with a gold tie, which gave him the idea that the party would be an expensive one. Despite how much he tried, the tie just wouldn't sit right, and he was just about ready to give up on it.

However, Savannah slipped back into the room, scanning him with a look of approval. "It suits you," she remarked, moving closer. Once she reached him, she pushed his hands out of the way, adjusting the tie herself until it was sitting right. "Much better," she said, pausing in front of him to press a lingering kiss to his lips. Inhaling, he returned it, his fingers moving to grasp at the fabric of her dress. Smiling, she caught his hand, removing it. "We'll be late if we linger too long. And while I don't mind being fashionably late on some occasions, it wouldn't be a good look for the magazine editor to be late to the magazine's own party."

While disappointed, he nodded, drawing his hand back. Now that he finally had a chance, he looked at her outfit, drawing in a quick breath. She'd matched the colour of her long, silk dress to his golden tie. It had a plunging neckline, and a slit which showed off one of her long legs, and it was hard to keep his hands off her. "You look…" Embarrassed, he couldn't come up with a suitable word to describe her. Pretty did not quite cut it, but he was not good at such descriptions.

However, she seemed to understand this, her smile growing in satisfaction. "I know," she replied, taking his hand and leading him towards the doorway. "Now, remember," she said, continuing to talk as they made their way down the lift and outside. She could walk quickly even in heels, easily moving to hail a taxi. Driving in New York city was not entirely pleasant, so a taxi was often an easy way to get around. "There will be a lot of people there, so you don't need to remember everyone's names. Just… be yourself." That was easy for her to say when he wasn't so good in social situations. In any case, he was glad that she didn't seem to be putting too much pressure on him. It was the first time that many of her friends would meet him, after all.

"I'll do my best," he replied, watching as a taxi pulled up. He ran a hand through his hair again, hoping that it was looking alright, and he tried to sound more confident than he felt. "It'll be fine."

Once they got into the taxi, the driver was quick to take off, and Blake tried to hide his nerves. Savannah would be the only one he knew, and he was keenly aware that he didn't want to embarrass her. The magazine had finished its last issue for the year that week, so it was a breakup party of sorts, before the holidays. From what he understood, it was mostly a social event, although there were awards given out too.

As if sensing his discomfort, Savannah reached over to brush her fingers against his arm, distracting him from his thoughts. "The food's always good at these things," she remarked. "If nothing else."

He gave a slight smile despite his nerves. "I knew I was coming for a reason." He had been glad that she'd invited him at all, since she often liked to keep her work things private. Perhaps she felt they had been together for long enough to warrant it.

Savannah pushed his arm lightly in response, about to say something else, although she paused when she looked out the window, realising that they had already arrived. "Ah, here we are. I hope it doesn't rain."

As the taxi pulled up at the iron gates, Blake got out of the car, walking around to open her door as well. He couldn't help but glance around at the property, impressed. It was a garden party, complete with a large fountain in the middle, and it was lit by lanterns. Offering her his hand, she took it once she had paid the driver, getting out of the car carefully, as she adjusted her dress. It was then that he realised she was much taller than him in her high heels.

"Always a gentleman," she commented, a pleased tone to her voice. As a couple of other people passed them, Blake realised they were certainly not overdressed, as everyone else had put the same care into their own outfits.

As they started down to where the main event was being held, Savannah was quick to greet some of the others, introducing him as well. A waiter came around with a tray of drinks, and another with food, and she picked a champagne for herself, before passing a non-alcoholic drink to him, knowing he wouldn't want to drink anything else. Especially not on a night with all of her friends and colleagues.

"Oh?" said an enthusiastic girl with blonde curls. "Are you Savannah's elusive Match? We've been trying to get details from her for ages. I didn't realise she'd bring you tonight."

Blake felt a slight blush creeping over his cheeks, although he tried to hide it. "Uh… yeah, I guess I am."

"You know I like to keep my private life… private, Rose," Savannah remarked, resting her hand on Blake's arm. He could almost envy how calm and confident she always sounded. "Perhaps I did not feel like sharing him just yet."

"Well I'm glad that you finally decided to," Rose half complained, grinning. "It's about time."

Savannah rolled her eyes, about to say something else, before someone interrupted her, mentioning something about the next deadline. "Excuse me," Savannah said, glancing at him one last time, before she followed the new girl away to discuss it.

Blake found himself stuck with Rose, and he took a sip of his drink to draw out the silence.

"Savannah's never been one to date someone for long," Rose informed him, and he felt like she was studying him. "So you can imagine our surprise that she even tried this out. Do you think that the Matching works? Do you swear by it, like other people do?"

Blake glanced at Savannah sidelong, catching her talking to a few others near the fountain. She was… more than he could ever dream of, although he didn't quite know what he had to offer in return. He hesitated a moment too long before answering, not wanting to sound too generic or sappy. "I would say it's worked well so far. For both of us, I think."

Rose nodded, looking interested. "And how's the sex life? I heard it's like… amazing with your Match."

Blake nearly choked on his drink, before he lowered it. He had no idea of what to respond, unused to such blunt and probing questions. "Have you tried to find your own Match?" he asked, in an attempt to dodge the uncomfortable question. Of course it was good, but he did not feel keen on sharing that with a nosy stranger.

Luckily, it seemed she was happy to speak on the topic. "Oh yes," she nodded. "I have registered and everything, but my Match hasn't been found yet. But I'm sure it'll happen soon. It's only a matter of time, and when I do find them-…"

Blake found himself zoning out at her words, finding she talked much too quickly and it was hard to keep up. He was saved from having to come up with a suitable response, when some other people came to talk to them, and Rose continued her chatting with them. Blake excused himself, in the pretence of needing to refill his drink.

Walking around different groups as they chatted, it seemed most of the conversations centred around different celebrities, and the magazine's success. It was one of the most highest-ranking magazines, a fact which Savannah had already alerted him to. From what he'd heard when he'd asked around, she was basically a celebrity herself, as she had her own popular editorial that the fans adored. She was a good writer, from what he'd read, never allowing a boring piece.

Whenever he glanced at her, she was surrounded by people wanting to talk to her, although her gaze still sought him out on occasion, which he met. Slowly making his way over to her, he listened as the group chatted about the most popular issues and celebrities of the year, and he found he had little to contribute, having heard of less than half of them. Regardless, many of her colleagues asked about him, their gazes lingering on him.

"That's an interesting hair dye," one of the men remarked, gazing over at him. Blake once again wished he hadn't dyed the ends of his hair, feeling a little out of place. "Is it a new fashion trend coming out?"

Savannah saved him from answering, running her fingers through some of his strands. "I think it's nice. It's individual," she remarked, and Blake breathed a sigh of relief.

Luckily, they continued on with the former conversations, and Blake watched on, merely listening, until it came time for the awards presentation. Some of the employees were rewarded for the most popular articles, interviews or photographs, but the announcer left Savannah's award for last.

"And the last award goes to our fearless editor. Without her keeping everything together, I'm afraid this magazine would fall apart at its seams," the announcer stated, and the audience laughed, the clapping starting not long after. Savannah accepted the award gracefully, and Blake could see how they adored her. There was certainly something magnetizing about her.

She disappeared into the crowd as everyone went to congratulate the winners, and bid their farewells. Deciding to wait until she was finished, he retreated to a seat in the garden, watching from a distance. It was nice to have a breather, and he found he could finally relax now that he was alone. She seemed to be an extravert, while he was undoubtedly an introvert, and it seemed the term 'opposites attract' was actually true. Sipping his drink, his mood soured at the thought of work the next day. He'd been working on translating a particularly difficult document, and he was not looking forward to continuing it.

Scanning the area as some guests started to leave, his gaze caught on Savannah with the guy from earlier. She had her hand on his arm, and he saw her lean forward to whisper something in his ear. Frowning, he rose from his seat, starting over in their direction before he had time to think it over. However, by the time he'd gotten closer, the guy had disappeared into the crowd. Spotting him, Savannah turned to face him. "Are you ready to go?" she asked, and he nodded, walking beside her towards the taxi.

He was quiet for some of the taxi ride, and he could feel her gaze on him. "I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you the whole night," she sighed. "There's always too many people to talk to, and so many things to sort out before the next issue."

When he was silent, she spoke up again. "Is something the matter?"

Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "I saw you with that guy."

Savannah narrowed her eyes, as if thinking. "Which guy? Liam?"

"The annoying one," he replied, unhelpfully. "You two seemed very… close."

She considered him for a long moment before slowly responding with, "Were you jealous?"

"Why are you asking me that?" he responded, annoyance in his tone. "I don't see how that's relevant. I don't know what you were-…"

Savannah cut him off with a finger to his lips, before pulling her hand back again. "There is nothing between him and I. Not like us. It was merely some slight teasing to keep him satisfied. I would not actually go for someone like that. Not when I have you, anyway."

Blake did not look entirely satisfied with her answer. "I still don't understand why you need to worry about things like that."

Savannah's gaze remained steady on him. "To get into my position and to stay there, you have to be willing to do what is necessary, and I am. It is not so easy for us girls all the time. You don't have to like it. It's just how it is, and I don't need your judgement. I've told you that it's not important, and that's the truth. I have tried to explain this before."

Now she made him feel bad for judging her; she was good at turning the tables on him like that. He supposed it wasn't like they had even kissed or anything. "…Fine. I was jealous," he sighed, loosening the tie at his neck. "I don't like seeing you with other guys."

"And I appreciate that," she replied, studying him. "I am not so foolish as to want to do something to throw this away. As I've told you before, I am willing to be honest with you, unlike others. This is all… new for me, too."

Blake inhaled, giving a slight nod, his gaze going to the window. It was new for both of them, and perhaps there were things they would both have to adjust to.

Hearing the sound of a seat belt unbuckling, he glanced over at her quickly. "What are you doing?" he asked, frowning.

She moved into the middle seat so she was closer, doing up the seatbelt before the driver could complain. After a pause, she rested her head against his arm, and he could feel her exhale. Sometimes, he thought it must be exhausting, all of the pretences that she kept up, during the day.

"I'm glad that you came," she said, and he rested his arm across her shoulders, keeping her close. He was unused to such gestures, as anything else usually led to more, and he was equally unused to seeing this kind of affection from her. But it was nice, and he liked the times when it was just them. He didn't have to think of work or anything else, as nothing else mattered.