“You’re not stopping me for medical reasons. You’re stopping me… because you have the hots for me.”
Lisa tried not to smile, but there it was. And there was the laughter. She couldn’t stop it.
“Cut!”
“God! She does, though, it’s so freaking obvious…” Lisa protested, standing and stretching her cramping calves from remaining in the same position for so long. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Can we try it again?”
“You’re stopping me… because you have the hots for me.”
Lisa stood up, biting her tongue—hard. “You’re still here because you have the hots for me.”
“Evidenced by the fact that I’m the one who moved into your office…”
“It’s the biggest office. And I’m not the one that destroyed—”
“Why are you dressed like that? Why do you try so hard to get my attention? Are you screwing with me?”
Lisa moved closer to him. “Are you screwing with me?”
Hugh’s eyes never wavered from hers. “Depends on your answer.”
Lisa caught her breath as Hugh’s eyes locked with hers again. Sometimes it seemed like that was all they did from one day to the next; nothing but endless staring at each other. And they’re paying me how much for this? Finally she licked her lips and moved along. “Everybody knows this is going somewhere,” she breathed, and Hugh’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Lisa tried not to choke on her next line. “I think we’re supposed to kiss now.”
“We already did that,” he responded, but still electricity crackled in the air between them. Suddenly Hugh reached out and put his hand on her breast. Lisa tried to ignore the heat radiating out from under his palm and fixed him with the coldest, most betrayed look she could summon up. “Seemed like the logical next step,” Hugh offered, his eyes trying to convey apology even as he said it.
“Really.” Lisa started to step back. “I’m an idiot for being surprised.”
As she turned to leave, she realized Hugh’s arm was still stretched across her chest, blocking her exit. His hand had not moved.
“Can you leave these?”
Lisa fixed him with another look until he dropped his hand and she stalked out of the room, leaving him behind with his head bowed.
“That’s great, guys, we’ll call it a night!” Deran got off his director’s chair and stretched as the crew and whatever cast members were still around gathered their things to get home. It had been a long day already, and they were approaching the midnight hour. Hugh was contemplating spending the night in his trailer rather than attempting to go home when he just had to be back the next morning at 6:00 for an early call. After getting caught with a few questions from the director for the next day, Hugh finally made his way toward the trailer, but as he passed Lisa’s he noticed that her light was still on as well. Was she also staying?
Only one way to find out.
“Hello?” Hugh knocked on the door, and a few minutes passed. He was about to walk away when Lisa swung the door open, looking out at him in confusion.
“Hugh. Sorry, I was just changing. Did you want to come in?”
“Um—” Hugh looked around. The set had completely emptied out, and the lights were turning off all around. “Yeah, sure.”
Lisa let the door close behind him and locked it. Security or no security, it was still LA and it was still dark out there. Hugh had made himself at home on the couch, and was watching her carefully as she came into the main area of her space. Cuddy’s clothes had been discarded—rather quickly, it appeared, and she had thrown on a pair of sweats and an old t-shirt with a logo that had long since faded. She had been planning on a shower before she heard the knocking, and threw her comfy clothes on to see who it was. As if it would’ve been anyone else.
“So. Good scene today.” Hugh reached his arms along the back of the couch, stretching his legs in front of him. Lisa raised an eyebrow at him and reached in the refrigerator for a bottle of water.
“Do you want one?”
“No. No, thanks, I’m fine.” Hugh was slowly lapsing back into his British accent, and Lisa couldn’t help but smile. “What?”
“Nothing, just—you sound so different off set, when you relax a little bit. I don’t know.” She shrugged. “It’s nice.”
“You’re one of those silly American girls who have a thing for accents?” Hugh said, playing it up even more. Lisa just shook her head, laughing.
“I can’t help it; it’s just so damn sexy.”
Hugh couldn’t help but smile at that, and then without realizing it, his eyes slipped down to Lisa’s shirt. Lisa looked down.
“What, did I spill on myself?”
“No, no, just—I’m sorry about groping you earlier.”
“Oh for crying out loud.” Lisa set her water down and collapsed into an armchair, bringing her legs up and wrapping her arms around them. “Hugh, it was in the script. You have got to stop worrying about offending me. I’m fine.”
“I can’t help it! I’m a gentleman, you know.”
Lisa snorted. “I’m so sure.” Hugh actually looked offended, and Lisa quickly tried to quash the laughter that was coming again. “I’m sorry. You are a gentleman. And that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about earlier.”
“No.”
“Hugh, seriously, I need to—”
“Lisa, please.” Hugh’s eyes were serious. “Don’t.”
“I am trying to be a good person, here.” Suddenly Lisa’s voice was choked. Hugh sat up and rested his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor as she talked. “Ok, Hugh, I think you should probably go now. I know you have an early call. I don’t know why you came in the first place…”
“Just to talk.” He said, looking up at her. “I didn’t mean to keep you. I just wanted to talk with you, is all. Make sure we were still fine. The scene today…”
“It was just a scene.”
“Fine. Then the photobooth shoot.”
Lisa’s lip trembled and she bit down on it slowly, trying to focus on the pain rather than the words that were coming out of Hugh’s mouth. “What about it?”
“That was not a scene.”
“I know.” Lisa sighed, untangled her legs and got up, putting her water back in the fridge and pacing up and down in front of the couch, running her hands through her hair. “I know, and I’ve been trying to think of some way to apologize. I’m sorry, Hugh, I didn’t mean to—I mean, I wasn’t thinking—I just get overly… flirtatious sometimes, and it’s completely and totally inappropriate and I will do everything I can to stop being such a bitch—”
“You are not.” Hugh got up and stood in front of her, forcing her to stop moving. “Lisa.”
“Hugh, I really really think you should go back to your trailer now.”
“Lisa—”
“Don’t—say it,” Lisa whispered, putting her hand on his chest, ostensibly to push him aside. But the message didn’t make it from her brain to her arm muscles, and they both stood, frozen like that, until she spoke again. “Please.”
“Say what?” Hugh’s tone mimicked her own.
“Anything.” Lisa swallowed hard, and looked up at him. There it was, the same look he’d had in the photo session. Directed at her. Only this time there were no cameras, there were no bystanders, and there were no witnesses.
Completely and utterly alone.
“You know I’m physically incapable of not saying anything,” Hugh said lowly, and Lisa shook her head, her eyes glassy. “You know that as well as anyone, because you know me as well as anyone. And I’m not going to let this get ruined because of some random scenes or photo shoots. This is absurd. We’re friends.”
At this, Lisa lifted her eyes to see him smiling, that same gentle smile that Hugh seemed to save just for her. He was her friend. She was being ridiculous. He wasn’t looking at her any special way in that photo session. He was acting. So was she. So she had a little crush. It was completely harmless, and it would completely go away any time now. She just needed something to distract her. Finally she realized that Hugh was still standing there, waiting for her to say something.
“I’m sorry.” Lisa smiled for real this time, enough to set his mind at ease. “I’m so sorry. You’re right.” A short laugh burst out of her and she shook her head. “God, you must think I’m out of my mind. What would I do without you?”
“Oh… probably be setting things on fire somewhere to get rid of all that excess energy you seem to be carrying around?”
“I am not a pyromaniac!” She gasped, punching him in the arm. Hugh caught her hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving hers.
“No. You’re my friend. And I love you.”
Lisa smiled. “I love you too.”
“Hug?” Hugh opened his arms and Lisa walked into them, relishing the strength that was wrapping around to her back, holding her close. Hugh let his head fall forward enough that the hairspray still remaining from the day’s shoot tickled his nose, and ran his hand up and down her back gently. Lisa rested the side of her head on his chest, one hand around his waist and the other between his shoulder blades, and closed her eyes. “Comfy?”
She smiled. “Of course.”
“Good.”
They stood that way for a minute more, simply coexisting, breathing in and out, letting the day wash out of their systems. Lisa almost felt herself drifting off and forced her eyes open, afraid she really was going to fall asleep standing up. Hugh’s hand finally stopped at her waist, and slowly she moved her head back to see if he was pulling away to go back to his trailer, to get some sleep. She was not expecting to see him looking down at her, was not expecting him to kiss the side of her head gently. She was not expecting him to raise one hand to the back of her head and bring her again to his chest, moving his head down again to kiss her hair.
“Hugh?” She whispered, half wondering if they really had fallen asleep.
“Lis…” He was definitely awake. Hugh gently cupped her face with both hands, and she realized that her own hands were moving as well. She set them firmly on his waist, gripping handfuls of his shirt to keep them from roaming anywhere else. Hugh was still staring at her. And it wasn’t a game this time.
Lisa caught her breath as she realized that his eyes were closing, and he was coming nearer. Slowly her own eyes drifted shut as Hugh leaned over her, his nose and mouth coming into contact with her temple, his nose tracing the line of her cheek, down to her jaw.
“Hugh…” she gasped, squeezing those same two handfuls of material until she was sure she’d put a hold in something, somewhere.
“God, Lisa…” Hugh whispered, working his way back up her jaw. “Tell me to st—”
“Hugh, stop.”
One massive burst of self control later, they were standing on opposite ends of the room. Hugh’s breath was ragged, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Lisa was looking at him intently, touching her lips. They were so close—they had come so close to crossing a line that—
“I think you need to leave.” Lisa’s voice was strangled. Hugh swallowed and opened the door. He didn’t look up on his way out, and Lisa almost didn’t hear his whispered apology as he stepped out into the night.
When Hugh got to his trailer he sat heavily on his couch and buried his face in his hands. “Complete and total 100% jerk,” he muttered to himself. “What were you thinking?”
But he knew full well what he’d been thinking. And not 20 feet away, his co-star was thinking the exact same thing as she sat on her own couch, re-playing everything that had just happened in her head.
Definitely was not a game.
~*~*~
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Ok boys and girls, a question for you! Was Hugh going to say "Tell me to stay" or "Tell me to stop"? Which is it? I'm dying to know...
Lisa tried not to smile, but there it was. And there was the laughter. She couldn’t stop it.
“Cut!”
“God! She does, though, it’s so freaking obvious…” Lisa protested, standing and stretching her cramping calves from remaining in the same position for so long. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Can we try it again?”
“You’re stopping me… because you have the hots for me.”
Lisa stood up, biting her tongue—hard. “You’re still here because you have the hots for me.”
“Evidenced by the fact that I’m the one who moved into your office…”
“It’s the biggest office. And I’m not the one that destroyed—”
“Why are you dressed like that? Why do you try so hard to get my attention? Are you screwing with me?”
Lisa moved closer to him. “Are you screwing with me?”
Hugh’s eyes never wavered from hers. “Depends on your answer.”
Lisa caught her breath as Hugh’s eyes locked with hers again. Sometimes it seemed like that was all they did from one day to the next; nothing but endless staring at each other. And they’re paying me how much for this? Finally she licked her lips and moved along. “Everybody knows this is going somewhere,” she breathed, and Hugh’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Lisa tried not to choke on her next line. “I think we’re supposed to kiss now.”
“We already did that,” he responded, but still electricity crackled in the air between them. Suddenly Hugh reached out and put his hand on her breast. Lisa tried to ignore the heat radiating out from under his palm and fixed him with the coldest, most betrayed look she could summon up. “Seemed like the logical next step,” Hugh offered, his eyes trying to convey apology even as he said it.
“Really.” Lisa started to step back. “I’m an idiot for being surprised.”
As she turned to leave, she realized Hugh’s arm was still stretched across her chest, blocking her exit. His hand had not moved.
“Can you leave these?”
Lisa fixed him with another look until he dropped his hand and she stalked out of the room, leaving him behind with his head bowed.
“That’s great, guys, we’ll call it a night!” Deran got off his director’s chair and stretched as the crew and whatever cast members were still around gathered their things to get home. It had been a long day already, and they were approaching the midnight hour. Hugh was contemplating spending the night in his trailer rather than attempting to go home when he just had to be back the next morning at 6:00 for an early call. After getting caught with a few questions from the director for the next day, Hugh finally made his way toward the trailer, but as he passed Lisa’s he noticed that her light was still on as well. Was she also staying?
Only one way to find out.
“Hello?” Hugh knocked on the door, and a few minutes passed. He was about to walk away when Lisa swung the door open, looking out at him in confusion.
“Hugh. Sorry, I was just changing. Did you want to come in?”
“Um—” Hugh looked around. The set had completely emptied out, and the lights were turning off all around. “Yeah, sure.”
Lisa let the door close behind him and locked it. Security or no security, it was still LA and it was still dark out there. Hugh had made himself at home on the couch, and was watching her carefully as she came into the main area of her space. Cuddy’s clothes had been discarded—rather quickly, it appeared, and she had thrown on a pair of sweats and an old t-shirt with a logo that had long since faded. She had been planning on a shower before she heard the knocking, and threw her comfy clothes on to see who it was. As if it would’ve been anyone else.
“So. Good scene today.” Hugh reached his arms along the back of the couch, stretching his legs in front of him. Lisa raised an eyebrow at him and reached in the refrigerator for a bottle of water.
“Do you want one?”
“No. No, thanks, I’m fine.” Hugh was slowly lapsing back into his British accent, and Lisa couldn’t help but smile. “What?”
“Nothing, just—you sound so different off set, when you relax a little bit. I don’t know.” She shrugged. “It’s nice.”
“You’re one of those silly American girls who have a thing for accents?” Hugh said, playing it up even more. Lisa just shook her head, laughing.
“I can’t help it; it’s just so damn sexy.”
Hugh couldn’t help but smile at that, and then without realizing it, his eyes slipped down to Lisa’s shirt. Lisa looked down.
“What, did I spill on myself?”
“No, no, just—I’m sorry about groping you earlier.”
“Oh for crying out loud.” Lisa set her water down and collapsed into an armchair, bringing her legs up and wrapping her arms around them. “Hugh, it was in the script. You have got to stop worrying about offending me. I’m fine.”
“I can’t help it! I’m a gentleman, you know.”
Lisa snorted. “I’m so sure.” Hugh actually looked offended, and Lisa quickly tried to quash the laughter that was coming again. “I’m sorry. You are a gentleman. And that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about earlier.”
“No.”
“Hugh, seriously, I need to—”
“Lisa, please.” Hugh’s eyes were serious. “Don’t.”
“I am trying to be a good person, here.” Suddenly Lisa’s voice was choked. Hugh sat up and rested his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor as she talked. “Ok, Hugh, I think you should probably go now. I know you have an early call. I don’t know why you came in the first place…”
“Just to talk.” He said, looking up at her. “I didn’t mean to keep you. I just wanted to talk with you, is all. Make sure we were still fine. The scene today…”
“It was just a scene.”
“Fine. Then the photobooth shoot.”
Lisa’s lip trembled and she bit down on it slowly, trying to focus on the pain rather than the words that were coming out of Hugh’s mouth. “What about it?”
“That was not a scene.”
“I know.” Lisa sighed, untangled her legs and got up, putting her water back in the fridge and pacing up and down in front of the couch, running her hands through her hair. “I know, and I’ve been trying to think of some way to apologize. I’m sorry, Hugh, I didn’t mean to—I mean, I wasn’t thinking—I just get overly… flirtatious sometimes, and it’s completely and totally inappropriate and I will do everything I can to stop being such a bitch—”
“You are not.” Hugh got up and stood in front of her, forcing her to stop moving. “Lisa.”
“Hugh, I really really think you should go back to your trailer now.”
“Lisa—”
“Don’t—say it,” Lisa whispered, putting her hand on his chest, ostensibly to push him aside. But the message didn’t make it from her brain to her arm muscles, and they both stood, frozen like that, until she spoke again. “Please.”
“Say what?” Hugh’s tone mimicked her own.
“Anything.” Lisa swallowed hard, and looked up at him. There it was, the same look he’d had in the photo session. Directed at her. Only this time there were no cameras, there were no bystanders, and there were no witnesses.
Completely and utterly alone.
“You know I’m physically incapable of not saying anything,” Hugh said lowly, and Lisa shook her head, her eyes glassy. “You know that as well as anyone, because you know me as well as anyone. And I’m not going to let this get ruined because of some random scenes or photo shoots. This is absurd. We’re friends.”
At this, Lisa lifted her eyes to see him smiling, that same gentle smile that Hugh seemed to save just for her. He was her friend. She was being ridiculous. He wasn’t looking at her any special way in that photo session. He was acting. So was she. So she had a little crush. It was completely harmless, and it would completely go away any time now. She just needed something to distract her. Finally she realized that Hugh was still standing there, waiting for her to say something.
“I’m sorry.” Lisa smiled for real this time, enough to set his mind at ease. “I’m so sorry. You’re right.” A short laugh burst out of her and she shook her head. “God, you must think I’m out of my mind. What would I do without you?”
“Oh… probably be setting things on fire somewhere to get rid of all that excess energy you seem to be carrying around?”
“I am not a pyromaniac!” She gasped, punching him in the arm. Hugh caught her hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving hers.
“No. You’re my friend. And I love you.”
Lisa smiled. “I love you too.”
“Hug?” Hugh opened his arms and Lisa walked into them, relishing the strength that was wrapping around to her back, holding her close. Hugh let his head fall forward enough that the hairspray still remaining from the day’s shoot tickled his nose, and ran his hand up and down her back gently. Lisa rested the side of her head on his chest, one hand around his waist and the other between his shoulder blades, and closed her eyes. “Comfy?”
She smiled. “Of course.”
“Good.”
They stood that way for a minute more, simply coexisting, breathing in and out, letting the day wash out of their systems. Lisa almost felt herself drifting off and forced her eyes open, afraid she really was going to fall asleep standing up. Hugh’s hand finally stopped at her waist, and slowly she moved her head back to see if he was pulling away to go back to his trailer, to get some sleep. She was not expecting to see him looking down at her, was not expecting him to kiss the side of her head gently. She was not expecting him to raise one hand to the back of her head and bring her again to his chest, moving his head down again to kiss her hair.
“Hugh?” She whispered, half wondering if they really had fallen asleep.
“Lis…” He was definitely awake. Hugh gently cupped her face with both hands, and she realized that her own hands were moving as well. She set them firmly on his waist, gripping handfuls of his shirt to keep them from roaming anywhere else. Hugh was still staring at her. And it wasn’t a game this time.
Lisa caught her breath as she realized that his eyes were closing, and he was coming nearer. Slowly her own eyes drifted shut as Hugh leaned over her, his nose and mouth coming into contact with her temple, his nose tracing the line of her cheek, down to her jaw.
“Hugh…” she gasped, squeezing those same two handfuls of material until she was sure she’d put a hold in something, somewhere.
“God, Lisa…” Hugh whispered, working his way back up her jaw. “Tell me to st—”
“Hugh, stop.”
One massive burst of self control later, they were standing on opposite ends of the room. Hugh’s breath was ragged, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Lisa was looking at him intently, touching her lips. They were so close—they had come so close to crossing a line that—
“I think you need to leave.” Lisa’s voice was strangled. Hugh swallowed and opened the door. He didn’t look up on his way out, and Lisa almost didn’t hear his whispered apology as he stepped out into the night.
When Hugh got to his trailer he sat heavily on his couch and buried his face in his hands. “Complete and total 100% jerk,” he muttered to himself. “What were you thinking?”
But he knew full well what he’d been thinking. And not 20 feet away, his co-star was thinking the exact same thing as she sat on her own couch, re-playing everything that had just happened in her head.
Definitely was not a game.
~*~*~
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Ok boys and girls, a question for you! Was Hugh going to say "Tell me to stay" or "Tell me to stop"? Which is it? I'm dying to know...