Mark didn't call like he had said he would, but
Amy figured he forgot. Men had
a tendency to do that. Well,
wolfmen anyway, Amy thought with a
snigger. Renee was persuaded to go to work, much as she wanted
to call in sick so that she could meet and drool over Mark Frasier when he
arrived for rehearsal. Amy told
Renee there was no guarantee he would show up, because of the fact he didn't
call, and so it would be best if Renee went to work.
Renee pouted the entire way from the
apartment.
So Amy was finally left to enjoy her coffee, her
morning devotional, and her reading of Charles Dickens' Great
Expectations, which she had begun to think she would never
finish.
The phone on the end table behind her twittered,
and Amy smirked as she picked it up.
"Good morning, Mark."
"Hey.
How'd you do that?"
"This is about the same time you called me yesterday,
only you were supposed to call me last night."
"Sorry. Nessie and I-- Damn. I mean Vanessa and I went out for a movie."
"If Gar-- Mr. Harrison catches you two, you're
going to get into a lot of trouble," Amy teased, knowing full well that Garret
couldn't penalize them. After all, werent they doing the same
thing?
"Why?
Vanessa and I are just friends."
"So. You
were still fraternizing."
"Nah. We
were doing research for the characters in the movie."
Amy arched an eyebrow, and then she
laughed.
"Whatever. Are we on
or off for rehearsal this morning?"
"On."
"Good.
Can we go through scene 86?
'Aeris' Wood'? Some of the line's just aren't
clicking."
"Sure thing."
"Oh, and Mark?"
"Yeah."
"I dont suppose you'd want to have dinner
with me and Renee this evening?"
"Are you
kidding? Of course I
would!"
Amy laughed.
"Don't say 'yes' so fast.
Mr. Harrison is invited too."
"What?
Why?"
"Because we've been rehearsing that death
scene." Well, we're supposed
to be rehearsing that death scene, Amy thought with a slight
smile. "I thought it would be
nice to have both of you stay for dinner as a way to thank you for helping
me out. You don't have to if
you don't want to."
Mark hemmed and hawed before saying "If he stays
out of my face, then I'll come over."
"Alright, but you have to promise not to get in
his face either. I understand
you two have a bit of a bad history, but that doesn't mean you can't try
to be civil."
Mark grumbled.
"Alright, sis."
Amy chuckled.
"Thank you. Now get your butt over here so we can
rehearse."
Mark laughed.
"Okay, okay. See you in a bit."
Click
Ring
"Hello?"
"And so the shadows of night are banished with
such a whisper."
Amy's eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled
into the phone. She nestled
into the corner of the couch, Charles Dickens forgotten as she hugged the
novel to her chest. "I will
whisper more if you but be forever my knight of
shadow.
Garret
chuckled. "Good morning,
Amy."
"Good morning,
Garret. Getting ready to start
your wild day?"
Garret chuckled
again. "Yes, and much as I wish
I could say I have called only to hear your voice, I'm afraid such isn't
the case."
Amy's smile
wavered. "You can't come to
rehearsal or dinner tonight, can you?"
"No. Max
has requested my presence at the meeting with the stunt
company."
Amy's smile was
sad. "That's alright,
Garret. You are the Executive
Producer. I've got to expect
you to bow out of the not-so-important
meetings. I hate it, but it's
not a surprise."
"My time with you is never considered
'not-so-important', Amy. The
only reason I have agreed to attend the dinner meeting this evening is due
to the fact I know it will likely affect your very life."
Amy closed her eyes to picture his face, his flowing
white hair, his magnificent blue eyes... "Thank you for that," she said
softly.
"Ah," Garret whispered, "my muse sighs and I am
content."
Amy chuckled as she opened her
eyes. "Come, come, sweet poet,
give your muse rest."
"What rest does she need whom controls the singing
of my very spirit?"
Amy's eyes
twinkled. "Sing, then, that
your muse might relive your presence while you are so far
distant."
Garret released a deep
breath. "Much as I wish I could,
Amy, I'm afraid I must go."
Amy nodded with a sad
smile. "I
know. I'll see you tomorrow,
then."
There was a moment of
silence. "Amy, tell me that
you will miss me."
Amy's throat
tightened. "I will miss
you, Garret."
"No, softest and truest
muse. Tell
me."
Amy sighed as she closed her
eyes. "Sweet poet, my world
will be gray until once again your voice is present to color my
sky. Return swift, that the
delicate petals of my soul might again embrace you to the heart you hold
within the palm of your gentleness."
Amy's voice cracked, and she
sniffed. "I fear I die if your
return be tardy even one breath.
So please, sweet sweet poet, tarry not in the presence of damsels
and dragons."
"Surely I cannot tarry when my soul and heart are
held captive within your song and
warmth. Be assured, sweet
muse. Fare thee
well."
"Nay.
Say not so. I beg of
thee, sweet poet, bid me 'until our dreams', for I shall surely seek you
there."
"If so doing gives comfort... until our dreams,
dearest muse."
Silence click
Amy replaced the receiver with a deep
sigh. "Until our dreams," she
whispered.
*
knock knock knock
Amy opened the door with a smile that faded into
a surprised blink. "M-Ms.
Heron!"
Ms. Vanessa Heron smiled a genuine greeting as
she gracefully motioned to Mark beside
her. "I'm afraid I begged and
whined until Mark promised to bring me.
I missed our meeting that first day on-set and just had to
set it right."
Amy shook her
head. "No,
no. It's fine! Come
in.
Please."
Vanessa passed with an air of both refined
sophistication and welcoming interest. Her long, dark brunette hair was simply braided, and beneath
her long London Fog coat she was dressed in a pair of casual black slacks
and a silk blouse of dark blue. To
Amy's delight and surprise, Vanessa Heron seemed as normal as any other person
Amy had met.
Mark sent Amy a boyishly guilty smile that clearly
said 'sorry'. Amy waved it away
with an expression of 'don't worry about
it.' "Can I offer you
something?
Coffee?
Tea?
Water?"
Vanessa faced Amy and started slipping out of her
coat. Mark made his way over
to help, and Amy found the entire scene adorably
amusing. "Do you have decaffeinated
tea?"
"Better.
I have herbal. Would you like some?"
"Yes.
That would be wonderful."
Vanessa sat delicately on the couch, still examining the furnishings
and the decor as Mark sat close beside
her. "Oh Amy, I love your
apartment. It feels so much
as a home should."
Mark jerked a quick motion over his
shoulder. "And check out her
library. You'd love
it. She's got everything you
and Garret read."
"Oh how wonderful," Vanessa said with smiling
eyes. She focused her attention
back on Amy, who was busily preparing the teapot and putting it on the
stove. "I understand from Mark
that you and Garret have begun rehearsals?"
Amy smirked, but didn't
turn. "Yes, but he's got a meeting
this evening, so we'll have to postpone until tomorrow."
"Great.
I think we need to work on the 'Cloud's Sin'
scene. I can't remember which
scene number it is."
Vanessa laughed, and the sound was musical and
genuine. "Mark, you can't occupy
all of Amy's time. I have scenes
to rehearse with her as well."
Amy smiled wide as she moved to lean on the bar
counter. "There's only three
more days until shooting starts. I
don't think I have enough time to rehearse with
everyone."
"Which majorly sucks because Shepherd's filming
your scenes first. He probably
wants to get you out of his hair."
"Mark," Vanessa
chided. "That wasn't
necessary."
"It's the truth, though."
Amy arched an
eyebrow.
"Why? What did I do to
Mr. Shepherd?"
Vanessa looked from Mark to
Amy. Her expression was muted
regret. "You weren't his first
choice for Aeris."
"First choice?
She wasn't even close!"
Vanessa sent an attractive scowl to Mark beside
her. "Mark Frasier," she scolded,
"what have I told you about tactless phrases like that?"
Mark ignored the scold as he held her
gaze. "It's the truth, and Amy
knows it already."
"That is beside the point," Vanessa
pressed.
"It's alright," Amy said.
Vanessa looked back over to Amy with an apologetic
smile. "It's hardly that, but
thank you. I find his tendency
to blurt truths his greatest attraction most of the
time."
"Hey.
'He' is in the room," Mark protested
half-heartedly.
Vanessa reached over to rest a hand on Mark's knee
as she looked over at him. "Yes,
dear," she said in a clearly patronizing tone.
"Hey now.
None of that. You promised."
Vanessa laughed with a tilting back of her
head. Amy
smirked. The woman knew exactly
what to do to look beautiful. "I'm
sorry, Mark."
Mark moved aside her braid to give her back some
gentle rubs. "We'll have words
later," he told her with a meaningful look.
Vanessa chuckled before looking back over at Amy,
who had set herself to work at preparing Vanessa's
tea. "I would love to participate
in the readings and rehearsals today,
Amy. If you don't
mind."
"Of course I don't mind," Amy said as she brought
out the tea cup and saucer. She
set it on the coaster in front of
Vanessa. "I'd love to have you
join us. You don't mind, Mark,
do you?"
Mark shook his
head.
"Nope. I just wish she'd
have brought her costume."
Vanessa frowned as she slapped Mark somewhat firmly
on the arm.
"Mark!"
Mark and Amy laughed.
"For heaven's sake," Vanessa complained with fists
on hips. "To be ridiculed by
you of all people, Mark. You
know they cast me as Tifa just to spite me."
Amy sat on the couch beside
Vanessa. "Don't believe that,
Vanessa. Tifa is a wonderfully
complex character, and I think you're the only one who can draw that out
onto the screen."
Vanessa changed her gaze to
Amy. "She is complex,
that I don't deny, but a bartender?
Why couldn't they have written her as an innkeeper or an
armorer? Instead, I must traipse
around in a too-short skirt with a padded bra - that is simply ridiculous
in size - and do my best to be taken
seriously." Vanessa sighed deeply
as she lowered her head and pinched the bridge of her
nose.
Mark gently rubbed her
back. "Sorry, Nessie," he said
in a tone that clearly conveyed he felt like a jerk.
"Vanessa, it won't be that horrible," Amy
consoled.
Vanessa sighed again as she lowered her
hand. "Yes, I know, but to think
the casting might be a plot to sabotage my career... It breaks my
heart."
"Your fans won't let that happen," Mark assured
her.
"Mr. Harrison won't either," Amy
added.
Vanessa looked over at Amy with a patient
smile. "Amy, Garret is the one
who suggested me for this role."
Amy blinked as shock grabbed her by the
throat.
"What?"
"Garret and I were intimately involved at one time,
he's quite the charmer you know."
Vanessa raised her hands in a helpless
gesture. "I'm afraid I didn't
handle the break-up very well, as in I didn't word it
correctly. I'm sure he went
away hurt and insulted. This
is his revenge."
Amy shook her
head. "B-But... But I'm sure
he wouldn't do something like that.
He wants this movie to be a success as much as the director
does. After all, it's his reputation on the
line."
Vanessa
nodded. "I'm not saying that
casting me as Tifa will jeopardize the success of the
movie. If anything, my reputation
will attract a certain amount of attention from
critics. However, in casting
me as Tifa, he is assured of attention while slurring my reputation
with an unspoken criticism to my personal character."
"And why do you think he wanted me as Cloud, Amy?"
Mark put in. "Cloud's a puppet
controlled by the villain. He
doesn't have a clue about it, either.
He's just a soldier who hurts those he cares about because he's doing
what he's been designed to do: follow
orders." Mark
scoffed. "Garret's made it painfully
obvious he thinks I'm just a robot doing what I have to do to get the money
and the attention I want."
Amy shook her head again, eyes
wide. "I don't... I can't believe
that. He cast the people he
knew would do the best in the role.
There wasn't a subversive motive."
Vanessa
smiled. "You're welcome to give
him the shadow of the doubt, Amy.
After all, even the invincible Garret Harrison needs that every once
and a while. However, I know
him too well."
Amy lowered her gaze to her clenched hands as her
mind reeled, her heart nearly drowning under the wave of negative
information. I can't... I
can't believe it. I
won't. Amy shook her head
yet again, and she suddenly felt sick to her
stomach. Amy stood to her feet
just as Vanessa leaned forward to say "Are you all
right? You look
pale."
"If you'll excuse me," Amy
whispered. "I need to take a
second."
Mark and Vanessa exchanged a curious
expression. "Did you need for
us to leave?" Vanessa asked gently.
"N-No.
It'll only take a minute.
I-I just need to be alone."
Amy went to her room, closing the door softly behind
her before turning on her stereo - Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman already
cued and ready - and lying back on her
bed. She stared at the ceiling
of her room with an arm over her forehead, blinking as thought after tenacious
thought attacked her view of Garret.
Amy's throat tightened, squeezing in on itself until she thought it would choke her. Then she closed her eyes and softly cried.
It only took Amy a couple of minutes to cry out
her frustration and her initial feelings of shock and
disbelief. Then her feelings
for Garret and her obsession with seeing the best in people took firm hold
of the information and shoved it in the corner for a later conversation with
him. Once done, she exited the
room, assured the two she felt better, and promptly led the two into rehearsal
of shared scenes.
It was wonderful to get her mind off certain
things.
Rehearsal went smoothly, with only a few changes
in the wording here and there, and the trios chemistry jumped off the
page. Vanessa did an awesome
job portraying jealousy of Aeris obvious attraction to Cloud, and Mark
did a spectacular job being concerned for both of
them. To say the least, Vanessa,
Mark, and Amy all had fun.
Then Vanessa was reminding Mark of an appointment,
Mark was bowing out of the dinner that evening, and Amy was wishing them
a pleasant good-bye while accepting their promise to return the next day
for more rehearsal. Amy leaned
against the door with a deep breath.
Renee would be furious that dinner with Mark Frasier had been cancelled,
but Amy wasnt in the mood to have him
over. Ill just have
to make it up to her later.
A backstage pass would be the only
ticket.
As expected, about the time Garret and Amy would
normally begin their rehearsal, Garret called.
Hello, Amy greeted, and she could hear
the reserved tone in her voice.
After all, she didnt want to start crying over the
phone.
As always, I have arrived too early and have
forgotten my PDA.
Amy reluctantly
smiled. Im
sorry.
Silence.
Amy, there is no song in your voice, Garret
observed.
Amy traced the pattern of her flannel loungers
on her knee, sitting as she was tailor-style on the
couch.
Nope.
What has happened? he asked
carefully.
Amy cleared her
throat. I would really
rather not talk about it over the phone.
Not this.
Garret released a long
breath. The meeting may
go quite late.
I know, she said as she
nodded. Can you stop by
afterward anyway? Ill
nap on the couch, that way Ill hear your knock and you wont wake
Renee.
Amy
I dont want to talk about this over
the phone. Its too
impersonal. And Amys
voice caught in her throat.
Silence.
What have I done? Garret asked, and his voice was filled
with dread.
Amy shook her head and took in a breath as she
closed her eyes. Please,
Garret. Just come by
later. You deserve
that.
Silence.
Very well.
Thank you, Garret, she
whispered.
Silence.
Deep breath. Did rehearsal go well with
Mark?
Amy reluctantly
smiled. It
did. He brought Vanessa, so
we were able to rehearse the scenes we
share. It was a lot of
fun. Vanessa is such a wonderful
actress.
Yes, she
is. I am relieved Vanessa accepted
the role. I had begun to believe
Tifas complex character would be doomed to a stereotype of her outward
appearance. No one seemed to
understand her inner workings.
Amy blinked, her smile
fading. Yes, she
said slowly, the death of her mother and father really hit her hard,
didnt it?
As did her unrealized attraction and connection
to Cloud Strife. So many of
those whom auditioned could not see her true
nature. They did not understand
her history and how that would so completely affect her
present. Garret
chuckled. I do apologize
for going on. The role of Tifa
caused me no end of frustration. I
truly believed I would need to cast Nicole Kidman until I remembered
Vanessas contract was soon to end.
Thanks be to God Vanessa accepted the
role. I greatly feared she
wouldnt, due to Tifas occupation and unfortunate choice of
wardrobe.
Amy laughed.
I remember. Wasnt she taking up those issues with the head of
wardrobe that first day at the studio?
Silence.
Yes, Garret said
slowly.
Silence. Amy, there
is a bit more song in your tone than
before. Should I take that as
a sign a bit of your troubled spirit has left?
Amy closed her eyes with a slight nod and a small,
hesitant smile. A bit.
Talking to you has a tendency of doing
that.
Deep breath.
I am glad. You
worried me.
Im sorry, she said
softly. Can you still
come by? I wont keep you
out too late. I
promise.
Of course I will come,
Amy.
Silence. Max is
here. I had best go.
Thanks for calling,
Garret. I needed
it.
Silence.
Amy, there are many things I have done which have pelted my
conscience to no end. Please
do not judge me too harshly by them.
Amy wiped a tear
away. Garret, you know
I give everyone as many chances as possible, she said
softly. Amy
sniffed. I wouldnt
give you any less.
Garret
chuckled. Then my soul
is safe--
Ah. I have just received
the evil eye from Max. Until this evening, sweet muse.
Amys eyes crinkled at the
corners. Until this evening,
poet mine.
chuckle beep click
*
tap tap tap
Amy stretched and gave a slight, sleepy
moan.
tap tap tap tap Amy came a
whisper.
Amys eyes snapped
open. She sat up, scooting off
the couch to hurry to the door.
She unlocked the chain and deadbolt and opened the door a little
way. Garret smiled a greeting,
but he looked tired- no, he looked
exhausted. Eleven oclock
at night, after a day full of meetings and arguments and intense business
decisions, he still came.
Amy stepped out into he hall, closing the door
behind her. Then she stepped
forward and wrapped Garret up in a tight
embrace. She squeezed her eyes
shut as she pressed her cheek against
him. Garret released a slow
breath as his arms enfolded her, the warmth of his heavyweight wool coat
surrounding them both.
I havent been able to focus on a single
item of business since our conversation, he
whispered. Max became
quite furious. Garret
chuckled and pushed gently back.
Come, come, sweet muse, tell me now what has troubled your
song.
Amy took hold of Garrets hand and led him
to the wall opposite her apartment. Then she sat on the floor with her back against the wall,
tugging him down beside her.
Garret, why did you want Mark to play Cloud
Strife?
Garret examined Amys profile in silence before
speaking. To be quite
honest, I didnt. A friend
suggested him.
Amy absently nodded, staring at her
barefeet. Why didnt
you want him? Garret
didnt answer, so Amy faced him.
He had looked away.
Its because of
Vanessa.
Right? You wanted to
try again with her, didnt you?
Garret picket at a non-existent piece of lint from
his black slacks. I
did.
But they had a
history. You didnt want
him getting in the way again.
Garret straightened the
crease.
No. I didnt.
So then why did
you?
Garret released a deep breath and crossed his arms
with a slight frown. Their
history was the key.
Because of Tifa and Cloud and
you.
Garret nodded as he let out yet another
breath.
You wanted to make sure the chemistry was
there.
Garret made a slight
grunt. Hes a pompous
bastard, but he has a talent for action.
That and the blood cameras love him.
Amy smiled.
You had to eat humble pie all over the place, didnt
you?
Garret met her gaze, and then his frown melted
with a reluctant smile. To
offer this movie the future it
deserves? Yes.
Amy held his gaze with a slight smile, though her
eyes glimmered. Im
sorry, Garret.
He reached out and caressed her
lips. And for what must
you apologize?
For doubting you.
Garret raised an
eyebrow. Doubting me in
what?
Amy looked
away. Your motives for
choosing the people you did for the roles they
have.
I dont
understand.
Amy nodded.
I know, but thats
alright. She looked over
at him again, and the smile returned.
Thank you for coming by, Garret.
Of course, he said
absently. Garret still examined
her expression as he tried to reason her behavior.
Rehearsal tomorrow? Amy
asked. She watched his face
and eyes with a smile, absorbing their beauty and expressiveness as he
spoke.
Yes. I have told Max that I am strictly
unavailable. However, dinner
may be an impossibility.
Thats
alright. Maybe breakfast or
lunch?
Garret smiled his most beguiling and
flirtatious. Breakfast
would be delightful.
Amy chuckled.
Be here by 7 am and I will have it waiting for
you.
You mean I must sleep elsewhere? Garret
asked, shocked.
Amy nodded with a
smile. Unless, of course,
you dont mind sleeping on the couch.
Garret leaned close, pressing his lips lightly
on hers. Only if you were
there with me.
Amy returned his light kiss before pulling
back. I have my own
room, she told him with a smirk, and it hasnt yet had a
boy in it.
Garret
chuckled. One day,
he promised.
Maybe, but you have to say the magic
words.
Garret chuckled
again. Then he looked to his
watch. I had best away,
Amy. Morning comes earlier each
day.
He stood and helped her to her feet, taking both
hands in his. Sleep well,
sweet muse.
Amy smiled up at
him. Only should you promise
to await me within my dreams, poet mine.
Would that I could be there always,
he whispered. He kissed her
cheeks. Good night,
Amy.
Amy kissed him softly on the cheek before he pulled
back. Drive safely,
Garret.
With the wings of my muse upon my
soul? I shall
fly. Garret gave each
hand a gentle squeeze before moving toward the
elevator. Once inside, he turned
and gave a slight bow as the doors closed.
Amy sighed and leaned against the
wall.
*