home

fanfiction

journal

links

feedback

Disclaimer: Not ours. The real ones at least. Just wild imaginary spinnings.

Summary: Hmmm, about technophobes and friends who mean well.

Chapter Ten

Billy had waited inside the theater until the crowd outside had dispersed. It had certainly taken a while, but he hadn't wanted to go outside and face the fans and cameras again. It was just too much tonight. As he stepped out into the crisp, cold air, he found that indeed the fans were gone. All except one.

A blonde-haired woman stood at the end of the sidewalk, jumping up in the air as she tried to hail a cab. One went flying by her, sending a spray of water over her as it hit a puddle of melted snow in the road. He heard her outraged shriek and curses at the cab, and Billy couldn't resist chuckling to himself.

She must have heard him, for she turned and glared at him angrily. Billy gave her an innocent smile, but it obviously didn't work on this one. She was a feisty one, aye, and for some reason, he found himself wanting to rise up to the challenge he saw there in her blue eyes.

"Need some help, do ye?" he asked, stepping up beside her.

Water dripped from her hair and the end of her nose, but she refused to reach up and wipe it away. "No, I don't," she said from between her clenched teeth.

"Sure 'bout that, lass? I could get ye a cab if that's what ye want. Or how 'bout a handkerchief."

She turned to give him another glare, but her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the white piece of cloth he held out in front of him, almost as if in surrender. Reluctantly she took it, wiping at the water on her face. She cringed when she saw that most of her makeup came off with it. Sighing she looked at the handkerchief and then back up at him in regret.

"Dinna worry, lass, tis nothin' but a piece of cloth that can be washed," he said, dismissing the ruined material. "Now, 'bout that cab?"

She crossed her arms in front of her and gave him a pointed look. "I don't need your help. I am fully capable of doing it myself. I haven't lived in this city for five years and not know how to get around."

"If ye say so, lass."

"And stop calling me lass. It's annoying."

"Aye, la-" He caught himself from saying it again when she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well, what do ye expect me to call ye when I dinna have yer name?"

"Nothing would suffice. I don't want you to call me anything at all."

"So…which is it? Nothin' or Anythin'?"

His attempt at humor was lost on her. "Look, just leave me alone, okay? I've already had a sucky night. First, your friend breaks my friend's heart. Then she leaves with the tickets and the car. So, not only did I not get in to see the movie, I'm also not getting home any time soon. My ass if frozen and I think I've lost all feeling in my toes, so if you please, leave me alone!"

Billy waited till she had run out of steam and then smiled. "Well then, seems yer in need of somethin' to warm ye up."

He put his fingers to his lips, let out a sharp whistle and watched in delight when a cab pulled up, causing her mouth to slowly fall open.

"How did you do that?"

"Practice. Shall we?" he said, opening the door with a flourish and waving her inside.

She glared at him once more for effort and then slid into the back of the cab. Billy slid in after her, noting how stiffly she held herself away from him, as he settled back.

"Where to?" the cab driver asked.

Billy looked over at her. "Where to, love? We are at yer disposal."

She closed her eyes wearily for a moment. "Look, all I want to do is get to Jen's house and make sure she's okay, and then go home. You can go wherever you like as long as it's not with me."

"Too late, love, I'm already here. Tell him where ye want to go."

"788 Lakes Drive," she rattled off to the driver when she realized Billy wasn't going to get out any time soon.

Michelle settled back against the seat, her whole body shaking, inside and out. Why hadn't she worn her heavier coat? She should have known it would be cold…course she hadn't planned on standing out in the cold wind for three hours, trying to hail a damn cab and then getting splashed with water…

"Cold?"

His voice startled her out of her thoughts. She looked over to see him pulling his black gloves off his hands. He took one of her bare ones and slid the glove over it, before doing the same to the other.

"Better now?"

"Yes, thank you," she whispered.

The warmth from the gloves he had worn, seeped into her skin, causing a sharp tingling sensation to spread through them. It was almost painful. Now if she could just warm up everywhere else, she would be fine.

Billy slid an arm around the woman's waist, bringing her up against his side, despite her stiffened posture or sudden protest. He silenced her with one sharp look. "Ye're cold. I'm not," he said as way of explanation. "So, tell me yer name."

"Michelle," she found herself answering automatically. She winced when she did so, not liking that he knew her name now.

"Aye, Michelle. I seem to remember Orli mentionin' yer name now."

She looked over at him, taken back by the startling clarity of his green eyes, even in the dark interior of the cab. "And why would he be mentioning me to you?"

"To torment me, no less."

Michelle took offense to his words, not sure if he meant them to be an insult or not. "And what's your name?" she asked.

He seemed amused by her question, but answered it none the less. "Billy Boyd."

"I take it you were one of the stars tonight?" she said, her tone almost bitter.

"I dinna know if that's what'd you'd call me, but aye, I was there."

"Movie good?"

"Best."

Michelle tried not to act miffed, as she burrowed down in her coat, succeeding in snuggling up more to his warm body. He smiled down at her, and she scowled at him, looking away.

"If ye keep frownin' like that, yer face will freeze and then no one will think yer as beautiful."

"Keep spouting crap like that and someone is likely to kick your ass just for the hell of it," she returned as sweetly as she could.

His anger she had expected, his silence she hoped for, and instead he laughed. It was a deep, hearty laugh that turned her stomach upside down with nerves…she didn't like it. Michelle decided that as soon as the cab got to Jen's she would call for another one, or steal a car. She wasn't about to ride anywhere else with this man.

When the cab got to Jen's, Michelle was about to hop out of the cab, but a steely arm around her waist prevented her from going anywhere.

"Let go of me!"

"I dinna think so, love. Ye shouldna go bargin' in there."

"Why not? I have to see if Jen's okay."

"I can tell ye that she is probably more than okay. Just leave 'em be."

Michelle glanced toward the house and saw through Jennifer's bedroom window where Orlando and Jen's silhouettes shined through. Michelle sighed and leaned back against the seat, watching as the two shared a kiss. It nearly broke her heart to see Jennifer so happy. Because now she had lost a friend for sure.

"Drive on," Billy ordered the driver, settling back with Michelle still in his arms. "Guess they've worked out their differences."

"Yeah, guess so," Michelle mumbled.

"Are ye okay, love?"

Michelle shrugged her shoulders, feeling odd about what she had just seen. Was she okay with it? After all, she never thought Jen would ever be happy with anyone and now that she was…what did that mean?

"Wish for me to take ye back to me room and ravish ye? Will that make ye feel better?" Billy teased, leaning close to whisper it in her ear.

Michelle turned to give him an incredulous look. "Do you actually think you're charming? Cause I can tell you right now, you're not."

Damnit all, the man laughed at her again.

"Settle down, love. I was only teasin' ye."

Michelle sighed and shook her head. "I just don't know what anyone could possibly see in you."

"Good looks, charmin' personality and lots of potential," he replied quickly.

She didn't even bother to comment on that one. Her body was slowly starting to warm up, thanks to him. But she didn't bother to say anything about it. No need to give him more fodder to make his head grow even bigger.

"Ye're not gonna fall asleep on me, are ye?"

"No," she murmured drowsily.

"I think ye are. Driver, find a coffee shop that's still open, if ye dinna mind."

"Sure thing," the driver responded.

"I need to get home," Michelle protested. "I'm too tired to go out for a date."

"Tis not a date, love. Merely a way of warming ye up. A couple of cups of coffee and ye'll be feelin' as good as new."

"But I don't want to feel as good as new," she whined. "I want to go home."

"Dinna be such a ninny, Michelle," Billy said, gruffly, his rough tone taking her by surprise. "Ye're not a baby, so stop acting like one."

Michelle just stared straight ahead in stunned silence. Most of the time, men catered to her, wanting her to be happy. But this one…this one was different. He seemed to have her figured out. She hoped not…cause she had only one defense against pushy men, and if he didn't fall for it, then she was in big trouble.

The café had been about to close, but when the owner saw who had strolled through her door, she gladly let them in. Michelle could only stand by Billy, shivering uncontrollably as the owner gushed and fawned over him. She rolled her eyes a couple of times for good measure but neither one of them saw it. The owner led them toward the back of the store, so as to keep Billy from being recognized Michelle guessed. The table was small, which meant her knees were constantly bumping into his, no matter where she put them. The lighting was low, which made it all that more uncomfortable for her.

Michelle and Billy put in their orders and then waited while the owner scrambled about to get them ready. Michelle glanced around the room, having been in here a couple of times herself, but never really noticing the decorations about the room. Okay, so she was avoiding looking at him, but still…

When she turned her head, she found that Billy was watching her with an amused expression on his face. His elbow was propped up on the table, which brought him closer to her than she liked.

"So tell me, Michelle, what had ye planned on doing once ye got to Jennifer's house? Break down the door and play the martyr?"

Michelle narrowed her eyes at him. "Why don't you just leave me alone? I don't appreciate you sticking your nose in my business."

"Well, it's kinda hard not to when ye keep wavin' it right in front of me nose."

Michelle opened her mouth to retort, and found she had absolutely nothing to say to that. Instead she turned her head with a haughty air and sniffed. She didn't miss hearing his soft laugh, but she still ignored him.

"Are ye gonna ignore me the whole time? Cause I have ways of makin' ye talk."

"Like what?"

"See?"

"That's it! I'm leaving!" she said, grabbing her purse and standing. She would have stomped off toward the door, but her coat was caught on something and she couldn't get loose. When Michelle turned around to jerk her coat loose, she found Billy holding onto the tail of it.

"Sit down," he ordered her softly.

She felt her heart thumping into overtime, as she slowly sank into the chair she had just vacated. Her eyes were wide as she watched the hard look on his face slowly die away.

"Ye would try the patience of a monk, lass."

"You try mine, and I wish to leave."

"We will soon enough. Now sit back and enjoy yer coffee," he said, nodding toward the owner who was now bringing hot, steaming mugs to them. "Thank ye, me laddie."

The owner blushed and fumbled over her words, then blissfully left them to their peace and quiet. Michelle shivered as the hot liquid coated her throat and slid down to warm her from the inside out. She couldn't remember having ever been so cold before.

"Better?"

"Yes, thank you," she replied, quietly.

"Ye're welcome. What do ye do for a livin'?"

Michelle eyed him warily. "Is this twenty questions time?"

"Only for ye, lass. Ye, no doubt, know all there is ye want to know of me."

"Not everything," she murmured, before she could catch herself.

She looked up to see if he had heard. He had. But he kept his comments to himself.

"What would ye like to know?" he finally asked, breaking the silence between them.

How good are you in bed, the traitorous thought popped into her head. "Nothing," Michelle blurted out quickly, looking down at her coffee to keep the blush from his eyes.

"What do ye do for a living, Michelle?" he repeated his question from earlier.

"I work as a buyer for a software company."

"Ah, fittin'."

"Meaning?"

"Meanin' ye like to shop, no doubt. This is a perfect job for ye."

Michelle wasn't sure if he was making fun of her or not, so she bit her tongue to keep from lashing out at him.

"Do ye have a beau?"

Michelle hesitated. Well there was Roger…but it wasn't as if they were engaged or anything. Still, it could be that he might ask her…one day.

"I take it ye do, if ye're hesitatin' that much."

"Well, we're not engaged, if that's what you mean."

Billy narrowed his eyes at her for a moment, just watching her. Michelle became almost spellbound by his eyes, wondering what was making them look as if they were twinkling. "So ye think ye might marry the wanker?"

Michelle blinked a couple of times. "Wh-what?"

"I said, do ye think ye might marry the wanker? I dinna trespass on other people's territory, nae matter what a pansy arse he might be."

She frowned. "What? Pansy arse? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Billy just shrugged his shoulders and gave her an innocent smile as he sipped his coffee. "Nothin', love."

"I really wish you would stop calling me that," she huffed, settling back in her chair angrily. "You're so annoying."

"So ye keep tellin' me. What else would ye like to reveal about meself?"

"You mean besides that you're a regular pain in the ass?"

"Aye."

Michelle bit her bottom lip, finding that she almost blurted out what a great lover she thought he could be. But there was no way she was going to say that to him. His swelled head was hard enough to deal with.

"Nothing," she murmured, staring down at her coffee cup.

"Ye're not gonna let me down now are ye? I was ready for a comeback to singe me brows."

"I refuse to let you bait me, Mr. Boyd."

"The name's Billy and if that be too difficult for ye, then you can just call me sweetie. Surely ye should be able to remember that one."

"Where do you get off?!" Michelle burst out in pure temper.

Billy poked his tongue in his cheek, but didn't really hide his smile. "I dinna think I should answer that one, love. Might not be too refined for yer ears."

"ARGH!" she screamed, getting to her feet again. "I don't have to sit here and listen to this."

She rummaged in her pocketbook for some change to leave on the table, but then realized she didn't even have her wallet with her. Damn…now she was going to owe the jerk.

"Ye're right, love, it's gettin' late. We should go."

"I'm not going anywhere with you! Stay away from me!"

Michelle realized her reflexes were getting way too slow, for she didn't even get a step away, before Billy had caught her arm and was pulling her back to his side.

"Such a drama queen, aren't ye, love?"

She was about to fire a couple of choice phrases his way when the owner of the café stepped up and broke in.

"Is everything okay, Mr. Boyd?"

"More than fine, l´ddie. Thank ye for keepin' open later for us. I appreciate it."

"For you, anytime."

Michelle rolled her eyes and sighed loud enough for them to hear it. She didn't really care at this point. She had no choice but to wait for Billy to finish his conversation before she could leave, considering he had a firm grip on her arm. She was thankful for the layer her coat provided, for she didn't want to know what that tingling zipping up her arm would feel like if he was touching her bare skin.

Finally he led her outside and right into the cab that had waited on them this whole time. She sure hoped that he was willing to pay the whole bill since she didn't have any money on her. She could always pay him back later…great, another thing to owe him.

"Ye're awful quiet. What's wrong?" he asked, breaking into her thoughts.

"Nothing."

"Sulking now, Princess?"

"Shut up."

"Are ye gonna tell the driver yer address or not?"

"Not, cause I don't want you to know where I live."

Instead of being offended like she had hoped, he laughed. "Okay, if ye wish to just drive around the city, I dinna care. But I will see ye home, so ye might as well tell him."

Reluctantly, Michelle rattled off her address and then turned so that her back was slightly to him, her arms crossed over her chest to ward off the chill.