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Star Ch. 01

By: david100



Waking up one morning I realize my life would never be the same. 

I – The Call

The phone rings and I answer it.

"Hello" I say as I hear a woman's voice on the other end. She informs me that the audition I went to last week was successful and I've landed the part. I thank her with great enthusiasm as she tells me when and where to be. I of course agree and hang up the phone. They want me to come in for an informal meeting to talk about the scene I'm going to be in. I shower and clean my body for at least a good half an hour. I make sure my penis looks and is big, full and beautiful. While I shower I stroke it for a while, work up a semi hard-on by thinking about the actress I'll be fake fucking in the scene. Letting my mind drift to it being some superstar actress. After I finished showering I dry myself off, first with a towel, then my hair with a hairdryer. Afterwards I butter in my body with different lotions and creams, most of them to buff and brighten up my body. Making it look better. My name is David and I'm a attractive man. I'm 24 years of age. White, about 180cm and 180lbs. I've got brown eyes, and brunette hair. It's long at the front, falls down to in front of my eyes. I have a good washboard stomach and my dick comes out at 9inches hard and hangs at a good five or six normally.

I step outside my apartment and head for the bus stop. On the bus I can't stop my mind from racing, thinking about the meeting. I climb off the bus at my stop and head for the MAX Corporation building. I give my name to the pretty young receptionist behind the counter. She tells me to sit down and I'll be called soon. I do as I'm told. While I'm sitting there I for the first time realize the buzz that's coming from me. I never even gave the receptionist, who, ten out of ten times other than this time, I would start to chat up. Let's just say I try to be a ladies man. So I know the phone call has made some effect on me. I start to leaf through some magazine in front of me. I keep at it, reading about ten ways to please your woman until the receptionist calls my name. She tells me to go to floor twenty, to room 2004.

I knock on the door and a voice tells me to enter. 

II – The Casting

I sit in front of an attractive business-like woman. She identifies herself to me as Janice the casting manager. She has long strawberry-red hair, which cuts off just below her shoulders. Her C-size breasts are mashed inside her vest, which has only six buttons, but only four are buttoned up so she's showing quite a bit of cleavage. She's dressed in a black business suit with a matching short skirt, cutting off not far after her hips. She's in her 30's but you wouldn't think she's a day over 25 by looking at her.

"Right, your part is the stranger the main actress picks up in a bar and takes home for a little nookie. You won't have any lines since the director wants it to be a montage sequence.

"A what?"

"Montage. It means it's not a standard scene. It'll flow without speech. Music on top of images, you see?

"Sure. Can I ask who I'm acting against."

"Sarah Michelle Gellar." I feel my heart stop and my cock grow. I'm gonna simulate sex with Sarah Michelle Gellar! -the sexy vixen vampire hunter from Buffy I think to myself. This just makes me harder. Janice's voice brings me back to reality but not my cock. It stays semi hard. 

"Right, as you have to understand since we're filming with 35 millimeter film and we're on a low budget we, the project, that is, have to know that you are properly well endowed... So if you wouldn't mind." She gestures for me to strip off my clothes. I stand up and start to pull off my clothing, all to aware of my hard cock. This is going to be embarrassing I think to myself as I undo the zipper of my jeans and drop them to the ground. My cock stretches the fabric of my cotton white underwear and I know they can tell.

"All the way?"

"Yes. Since its on 35 millimeter we can only do one take and if your penis was to flash on screen we'd have to roll with it. So..." Janice gets up and walks over to me, carrying a couple of Porno mags.

"We'd, uhmm... we'd like to see you when you are hard. You can go behind the screen if you like." She points to a screen on my left. I try and play my cards right, replying, as I accept the magazines, "No thank you. I've all ready stripped in front of you, may as well conquer any fears about any kind of nudity and get it over with. I start to jerk my semi hard cock. Watching Janice's fine, sexy, tight ass, which hugs her skirt, walk away as she sits back down at her seat. I then start to think about SMG and truth be told, it doesn't talk long for me to work my cock to its full nine inches. Janice seems impressed.

"Well, you certainly have enough talent." She says as she grins. I put on a smile for her. She picks up a digital camera sitting on the desk in front of her and snaps off a few pictures of me and my cock.

"Don't worry. This is just for the director and producer to see. It will be discarded afterwards of course." She reassures me. "You can get dressed now and if you'd like to take a seat outside again we'll call you in a little bit. I dress and leave the room, Janice accompanying me. She disappears down the hall as I take a seat.

Ten minutes pass, then twenty. 

By the time half an hour has gone I get up and ask the receptionist if anything is wrong. She checks her computer for me and tells me everything is fine and that I should sit back down. So I do. Another twenty minutes pass, nothing. All though I can't seem to stop thinking about the sex scene with Sarah and I can't seem to stop my cock from staying hard. That's when I hear it. Low ruffled moaning sounds coming from the interview room. I think nothing of it at first and let it go on for another minute. I then decide to investigate. I creak the door slightly, just to listen in a bit better and now I can clearly hear the sound of a woman moaning and panting. I open the door some more and stick my head.

"I'm sorry. I just thought... I stop dead and stare as I see Janice. Or more correct, Janice half naked, her legs spread with two fingers inside her pussy, her other hand holding onto the digital camera.

"Oh my god" she screams as she closes her legs.

"Please, don't stop on my account. I'll leave, I'm sorry. I just thought... You know with the moans and all." I say as I try and reassure her.

"Oh my god, I'm so embarrassed."

"No need. I'm cool with it. I was just thinking, why go for peanuts when you can have the real deal." I put on my smug smile. "I guess the camera is me."

"Yeah" she replies while blushing.

"You know it's funny. I think you're really sexy too."

"Oh my god. I'm so busted." She mutters to herself.

"No kidding." I reply. "Do you want me to leave, or??"

"No. No. Don't leave. In fact, why don't you come closer."

I grin and make my way up to the desk, unbuttoning my shirt as I do. Never taking my eyes off of Janice. I stop by the desk and look down at her long, shapely legs. I reach my hands out and gently rest them at the bottom of her thighs. I start to slowly trace them up to her knees. Then back down again. I gently lift her left leg up and take of her red high heel pumps. I take her toes to my mouth and pop her big toe into my mouth and suck on it very gently. This makes her laugh slightly and she starts to loosen up. I take her toe out of my mouth and lick up her entire foot. I place her leg back down on the desk, making sure it's spread out a bit more, then change over to her other foot. Taking off her shoe and gently licking, making circular motion over her foot before popping it into my mouth and sucking on her toes. I start to kiss the insides of her thighs and work my way upward. I lift her other leg up again and gently spread them out some more while kissing her thighs. I trace my tongue along the insides of her left thigh, when I start getting close to her crotch, I jump over to her other leg and work my way inwards again. I slowly but steadily drop to my knees and face her pussy. It's bright, pink and looks extremely tender. I kiss around her thighs for a while, getting closer and closer to her pink pussy. I extend my tongue and touch the folds. I lay a few kisses on it and taste that she is quite wet.

"MMM..." I moan. "Nice and wet." I lick up and down at her folds, starting from the bottom, going to the top. Dampening her hole with my saliva. I use my fingers to rub her clit while gently licking her pussy lips. Janice starts to moan more and more, never taking her eyes off of me. I gently but firmly thrust my tongue slowly inside of her. Tasting how wet she is. I start to fuck her with my tongue. Increasing my rhythm. Doing it faster and faster. I also start to scoop up and down with my tongue while it goes in and out. Janice can't stop moaning so I decide to pinch her clit a few times. This makes her wetter and I can sure taste it since I'm feeling a small orgasm of hers starting to begin. I take my tongue out and lick up to her clit where I start to flick it and fuck it. I hear the door slam shut and I panic. I turn and see...

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR standing at the door, looking at both of us.

"Catch you two at a bad time?" she mockingly says, with a sense of slyness, to us. I stand in horror. Wanting to say one of my flirty remarks. 'Contraire, you caught us at the perfect time' but I don't. Instead I just stare at her. I come to my senses when Janice throws herself off the desk and starts dressing. I stand up and watch as Sarah Michelle Gellar walks towards me. I stare at her as she walks, dressed in a white tank top and white Lycra pants that hug her figure. Her nipples can be seen sticking through the fabric of her clothes. Her blond hair is wrapped up into a ponytail and she is wearing glasses that accentuate her good looks. She looks fucking spectacular! 

"Are you the fucker?" She says.

"What what what what??

"The one for the sex scene?"

"Ubb... Ub... ... I try and come to my senses. "Yea.."

"Well... I like what I see. I think I'll enjoy working with you. Now. I'd shake your hand but I don't know where it's been." She mockingly tells me as she walks past me. As she does I inhale her perfume and it nearly knocks me out. Making my dick nearly want to blow right there, in my pants. I watch as she walks and sits down at a sofa. I stare at her ass swaying in those tight Lycra pants.

"Dave, clothes." Janice tells me --my unconscious picks it up but none other since I've gotten so seduced by SMG and her sexy ass.

"Ahh, yeah." I say as I grab my shirt and slip it back on. "So, uhmm... this is embarrassing."

"Just a little bit." SMG says, again mocking me and Janice. Do you wanna go clean up or run some lines with me? We've got a few extra minutes."

"Whatever you prefer. I mean... I'll run the lines. I can understand you're a busy woman. LADY." I approach SMG sitting at the sofa and sit down opposite her, but only after she offers me a seat.

"I'm Sarah."

"I'm Dave. "Janice, could you bring Dave a script."

"Of course." Janice replies as she quickly and extremely embarassed disappears out of the room. I turn back to Sarah. "Look, could I just apologize for that. Catching us. I don't know really what happened. It just kind of did, I hope you understand?" "Animal urges?" "No. It just... ... well... maybe. We didn't plan for it. Let's put it like that. Anyway... uhmm... It's great to meet you. I'd just like to say I'm a fan. A big fan. Loved you in I Know What You Did Last Summer. Always felt you should have had a bigger part. You were much better than that Jennifer girl. She was horrible in the role. And not even close to as beautiful."

"Thanks." I grab a bottle of water in front of me on the table, pop off the cap and start to drink. Not knowing what to say anymore.

"So, how was it?" she asks me.

"How was it??? Uhmm... well, I'd like to say 'what are you talking about, but that would be a lie... uhmm... what do you want to hear??"

"The truth of course, silly." I hesitate for a moment, then speak up; "Good. Nothing more to say really. I'm just a little bit psyched out." Sarah giggles and looks at me. I try and stay strong and look back at her but can't. It just doesn't feel right. "So, how's celebrity life treating you?"

"Not good. Long days, lots of work. It's hard." I think of my erect penis hiding in my pants and shift my body to try and hide the creases in my jeans.

"Yah... I think I can understand that. I always wondered one thing, though. If it's worth it." 

"Truth be told, some days I wish I never became famous. Others I can't get enough of it." We both chuckle together and we continue talking about life in the fast lane for another minute or so. Then Janice reappears with the script for my scene. She hands it to me and I thank her. By now the awkwardness has subsided and we are mostly focused on the scene, all though the aroma sex is still in the air. But luckily we're smiling about it. Janice excuses herself again and leaves us to going through the scene.

"Right. There's no dialogue but for now we'll just improvise with some lines" she tells me. "Just so we can get into our characters." I agree and we start running through the scene, mostly with small talk and casual flirting. By the third time Sarah has moved in closer to me, trying to get a more intimate feel of the characters. She gently rests her hand on my leg, not far from my subsiding erection. She gently strokes my leg with her hand and it nearly vexes me from continuing. Here I'm sitting with Sarah Michelle Gellar and she's stroking my leg. I shape up and try and become professional about it. We run through the scene once more, this time I run my hands through her hair and rest it on her shoulder. I start to caress gently.

There's another knock on the door and the man responsible for Sarah's itinerary walks in. He informs her that she has to move on to a different location where she has more rehearsals to do. She thanks me and we both stand up. I make sure to thank her especially. She gives me a quick peck on the cheek and she seems to react to the taste. But not in a bad way. I say good bye as she disappears out of the room. This is gonna be one interesting film. 

III – The Shoot

Watching the crew set up for the scene I stand in my rope, underneath nothing on. Opposite of the stage, in a chair, eating a piece of fruit is Sarah Michelle Gellar. She is also in a robe, and I can only imagine what she is wearing underneath, if anything at all. I take a seat in one of the many Director Chairs around and wait. Casually reading through a magazine as I wait for the lighting crew to set up the scene. I'm covered in all kinds of oils and lotions, smeared in by the make up artists. They took special care around my thighs, arms, stomach and butt. Making sure it looks tanned, firm and tight. Which is it, but the special make up only makes it look even better. I stare at Sarah and see that even though, with all the make up there is not much change to the time I first met her. She is just as stunning. The director shouts a few words, commanding people around and then a person with a radio headgear tells me that I have to lose the rope and get on stage. I take off my rope and hand it to him, then make my way to the stage. The director tells me where to stand and I do, never really caring about all the eye on me. The director screams for all unnecessary crew to leave the room and ten are about left. Three on the camera, four on the lighting, a script supervisor, and two runners. Then Sarah walks up to me. I greet her and she greets me back.

"Are you ready?" I ask her.

She nods and drops off her rope. My mind goes ballistic as I stare at Sarah Michelle Gellar in nothing but a thong. She looks good enough to eat. Her tits are round and firm, don't sag, they are nearly produ of themselves. Her long tanned legs run up to her tight, firm, round ass which has a small thong running through her crack. I can't help but stare at her. She catches my attention by waving her hand in front of my eyes.

"Up here, big boy." She says as I realize my cock growing.

"Uhmm... Sorry. I just... you're just... just spectacular. I'm sorry. I'll try and be more professional. She chuckles and replies; "I don't wanna brag, but I can understand." I smile at her and she smiles back.

"So, I want you two to start kissing, start walking around the room, crash up against that wall, Dave, lift her up, hold her up by the legs and fake fuck her. Then move to the kitchen counter and place her on it, there continue fucking for a while till I tell you to fake your orgasm. We'll be doing this in one shot from three different cameras. SO just keep at it till I yell cut." The director informs the two of us. "Are you both ready?" I nod. So does Sarah.

"Good. ARE WE READY!?"

"Check." From lighting. "Check" from camera.

"Then, three two one, and action!"

I step forward and sling my arms around her and feel her sliding my arms around me. My semi hard on rubs up against her and she starts to stroke up and down my muscled arms. She starts to gently grope them while I move in for a kiss. She kisses me back. We start to walk around, clutched tight together, my growing cock rubbing up against her. She slides her hands down and starts to cup my ass cheeks so I do the same. Running my hands from her slender arms down to her ass I grope them and they feel nice and firm. I moan and she moans with me as we continue walking around the room, fully aware of the cameras on us. I I gently stick my tongue in and start to massage the inside of her mouth. I feel her start massaging my tongue with hers so I concentrate on massaging hers as well. We continue doing this, just standing still. I run one hand up and down her back, while the other still gropes her ass. 

I push her up against the wall and continue kissing her. I feel that her hands go to my chest and starts to massage my stomach and pecks. I move my hand to my cock and pretend to enter her with it. We both grunt and moan as I start to fake fuck her. Banging her up against the wall while still groping her ass, even being so naughty as to slide my fingers in between the crack of her ass and gently touch her asshole, of course, pretending that I'm not fully aware of this. She doesn't seem to mind too much since she is all over me with her tongue inside my mouth. My other hand goes to her breasts and I start to cup them, running from one to the other, then gently tweaking the hardening nipples. She moans and I thrust my tongue further into her mouth. I pull away and start to kiss and nibble on her neck as I lift her up and grab hold of her legs, which she wraps around me while I continue to fuck her against the wall.

"Good. Good." I hear the director say. "Now move her over to the counter. But take your time."

I continue banging her against the wall, feeling my cock become fully erect. I turn her and carry her to the kitchen counter. I go in for another kiss and she more than happily kisses me back, sticking her tongue into mine and massaging it again as I lay her down on the counter. She opens her legs and we shift her body so it's more comfortable for both of us. I pretend to enter her again and while doing this I start to look into her eyes. She looks back at mine an smiles hard. I leap my head forward and go in for more kisses as we both moan and fuck each other.

"This is great." "Keep it going... keep it going... keep it going...and cum!" Those words I hated hearing from the director but I start to kiss on her neck again and then fake my orgasm, which, to be truthful, isn't far away. I go limp over her body and she hugs me tight. I return the favor for a moment till I hear the director scream cut!

IV – For Real

Leaving the set, I pick up my cheque from accounting, signed to my name and it is worth 3000 dollars. I pocket it and start to leave the pay roll room. Walking down the hall I decide to grab a drink of water from the water cooler and take a seat for a second. To contemplate what I just did. I realize that my dick isn't all the way down yet and I've still got Sarah on my mind. From within one of the room comes Sarah. She is alone and casually looking at a piece of paper. I look at the clothes she has changed into. A nice tight, white V-cut silk shirt which proudly display her full firm breasts and a short silver skirt, cutting off not far after her crotch. She isn't wearing any stockings so her sexy legs are on full display. Her high heels elevate her to my height (when standing) and she stops when she spots me.


Star Ch. 01



She'd gone and done it.

She dropped the bomb, the "L" bomb. How the hell did this even happen? He was acting weird, she could already tell. Running his hands through his hair, shifting his weight from foot to foot, but most of all avoiding looking at her, looking into her eyes in particular.

His face was stricken, he looked shocked, confused and lost all at the same time. His eyes were everywhere but on her.

Her headphones were in, at least one was but she couldn't hear the music. Just sounds.

"Star," he began, looking at his shoes... "Where did... We're friends.. You're my best friend, I don't want to jeopardise that"

"yeah," she said her voice barely a whisper. 

"We've been friends for so long, Star, you understand..." he looked at her now. His eyes pleading for what he couldn't say. He just didn't feel it. She knew.

"listen I gotta go, I'll call you okay?" he said, pulling her into a brief hug.

"I'm sorry star," he whispered in her ear before letting her go. 

She watched him walk away, still dumfounded. 

It wasn't until he turned the corner that she finally heard the music. You dropped a bomb on me by the gap band.

Oh, the irony!

She turned and walked in the opposite direction.

What the hell just happened?

****************************

3 Months earlier...

"I got em!!" Star was jumping up and down ecstatic clutching her phone. She nearly knocked it out the wall.

"You and I are officially going to see the purple one live in concert next weekend! Are you gonna die from excitement or what???" 

"Fuck off star!" the voice on the phone countered. "those tickets have been sold out for weeks! There's no fucking way!"

"you better believe it baby! And I really had to go through some things to get these tickets so you better worship the ground I walk on!" 

"okay I'm on my way over right now, I gotta see this!"

"kay, I'll see you in a sec."

Star hung up the phone and snuggled into her plush couch. Things were going so well! She just started a new job which allowed her to move into a bigger better apartment. She'd been living on her own since she was 18, and now sitting her cozy apartment, she took a look around. Everything was so her. From the bright colourful walls, to the peculiar yet enigmatic art on them. Her family would say, she threw whatever together and called it decorating, but she felt that everything had it's place in her house. From the iron and glass coffee and end table set to the African sculptures and masks. 

The building was perfect. Not to mention her very best friend lived in the same building. As if on cue, her front door opened and he walked in.

"alrighty, hand em over!" he said a huge smile on his face. 

She took a second to take him in.

Micah was beautiful. His blonde hair which was once long and shaggy in that surfer type of way was now cut short and almost always styled into fauxhawk. He changed his style as the wind blew and she loved it. His smile made more than a few girls swoon, big dimples in each cheek, perfect white teeth and his green eyes were memorizing. 

She could never keep anything from him, he could always tell, it was funny though, he never knew the one thing that was right in front of him... 

"Earth to star!" he said.

She grinned. "They're in my bedroom Mikey!"

He took off down the hall and star took the opportunity to take a look at his ass. And what a nice ass it was. Her family used to tease him about it all the time. 

"That boy got some black in him somewhere! Someone's lying!" her aunt would say.

"granny musta been creepin, cause I seen his parents and they ain't got it like that!" was her mothers usual remark.

It really was that nice though. The kind you gotta hold on to with both hands. He would always laugh it off. His excuse was her mothers cooking. 

"this," he'd say pointing to his butt, "was not here before I met you!"

They'd been friends since milli vanilli. When they were in middle school, she'd played purple rain for him. It was over for him from then on. They watched the movie over and over until she broke her mothers vcr trying to dub the movie for him. 

When they turned 16 she worked for eight months to get him a guitar for his birthday. Not just any old piece of shit guitar, something found in local pawn shops. No, she'd gotten him a custom made gibson guitar that cost much more than she could afford even after 8 months of saving. 

In the end, she had to persuade her mother into putting in the other half. 

And now they were going to see their idol, the purple one, the one and only prince, live and in concert! 

He came back into the living room, clutching the tickets in his hands and a strange look on his face. 

"micah, you okay?" star asked rising from her seat.

"yeah," he said sitting down beside her.

She turned to him trying to change his strange mood. 

"okay, picture this," she said closing her eyes.

"your standing in the midst of throngs of people, the guy liner and glitter is everywere!"

She sneaks a look at him and sees his eyes open, watching her.

"you know, this will work better if you actually close your eyes,"

He continued to look at her in that way... like he was seeing her for the first time. It was unnerving. Finally he closed his eyes. 

"thank you for your participation," she chuckled.

"Now, your standing in the middle of throngs of people, bedazzled outfits galore, I'm, of course right beside you," she shifted slightly in her seat and felt him slide closer to her in his seat. 

"suddenly, the lights in the stadium go out completely, and you hear that familiar sound."

Star reaches her hand over to the end table for her remote and presses play.

The sound of "kiss" fills the room and she looks at him. He's smiling, eyes still closed.

"I take it you can see it as well as I can!" she said excitedly.

He opened his eyes again and looked in hers still smiling.

"I can," he said leaning into her. "I can't believe you sometimes. Your just too good to me. How do I even deserve a friend like you in my life?" 

His eyes were staring into hers as his voice took this more serious tone. Star didn't know what to think, the way he was talking was strange. Although he was always vocal about how much he adored her, it was always in a friendly way. Now, the way he was talking to her, was like he meant more. Like he wanted more from her. 

"no one has ever done anything like this for me, ever," he said leaning in close enough to kiss. She could smell his dolce and gabbana cologne. His lips were inches away from her mouth. He was leaning over top of her and she wanted nothing more than for him to do it. To kiss her senseless, starry eyed, stupid. However they were describing it these days. 

He wasn't moving. Just suspending his body, his lips just over hers. She could feel his hot breath against her mouth and could take it no longer. She pressed her body into his and was about to claim his mouth when she felt the vibrtion in his pocket. It scared her and she jumped back against the sofa.

Micah moved from over top of her and cleared his throat. 

Reaching into his pocket he fished out his cell and answered. 

"hey," he'd said unenthusiastically.

"hey baby, where are you I'm outside, I thought we were hanging out tonight," Star heard the sweet voice and knew without him saying that it was Kathryn, his latest conquest.

"I'll be down in a sec," he said hanging up without waiting for her reply. 

Star stood up and walked to her kitchen. What just happened here? Had she really almost kissed her best friend? Had she really wanted to? She had to admit, it crossed her mind. But she'd never cross that line. She love and respected their friendship too much. So what was she doing? About to get kissy faced with Micah? She laughed out loud at the thought in her head. It was ridiculous! 

"hey I gotta jet," he said interrupting her thoughts. He was standing in her kitchen doorway, looking at her, leaned over her sink.

"okay," she said. Her voice was hoarse. She cleared her throat and stood upright.

"I want you to know though, before I go, that I'm grateful. And I'll return the favour. I don't' know how yet," he said showing off one of his trademark, Micah smiles. He could literally smile from ear to ear.

"it's okay, you know how I am!" she said grinning back. 

"yeah, I do," he said. 

**********************

It was now 2 weeks later and he was avoiding Star like the plague. It was childish and he knew but he just needed to step back and get some perspective on things. 

He expelled a breath and walked the short distance to his guitar. Picking up the instrument he sat back on his bed and played a few cords, his short hair falling onto his face as he played. Nothing in particular.

His fingers stopped as he heard the thump on his floor. He was about to get pissed, when he looked at the clock: 4:27am. 

He sat the guitar back in it's case and laid out on his large empty bed. He remembered the last time someone was in it. The night he almost kissed Star. He didn't know what came over him. Well, actually he did. He'd gone in her bedroom, a place he'd been a thousand times, and saw those tickets on her dresser. He knew those tickets were sold out for months and there was no way to find them anywhere. But she'd found them. Not only that, they were front row tickets! No one had ever done anything so nice for him, and he meant to tell her so.

Ever since they were kids they were thick as thieves. She'd shared her kool-aid cup freezy with him and he was hers ever since. Even if she didn't know it.

When his father died, he was heartbroken. Even now, just thinking about it had the back of his eyes stinging with tears. He was nine years old and she was the first person he told. He'd ran from his bedroom, out the door, and down 40 blocks to her house. When he got there he ran right into her house, past her mother who was yelling at him not to run in her house, and into Stars bedroom where he collapsed into sobs. She didn't ask him anything. She'd just held him. Stroking his hair whispering soothing words in his ear while he cried.

Once he'd calmed down enough to talk, he'd explained what happened and she'd cried too. His father had been sort of a pseudo dad to her too and it hurt like hell to have him ripped from their lives. 

But that was Star, she was kind, and selfless. She'd do anything for the people she cared for. Go to great lengths even. Like, hunting down and probably spending her savings on tickets to a concert she knew her best friend was dying to see. 

Or how about the time she stood outside in the pouring rain with him while he waited to get into future shop to buy the new grand theft auto game.

Or how about the countless times she'd waited for him at movie theatres, restaurants, malls, wherever they were supposed to meet because he was running late as always. She was never angry or upset.

But when she was, watch out. This girl had a mouth like a trucker at times. It kinda turned him on, wondering if she'd use that kind of language in bed. 

He felt a stirring in his pants as he imagined her now walking slowly into his room, wearing his favourite tee. It was plain, lavender with a faded guitar on it but it hugged her body so nicely. No pants, just the red lace boy shorts, he knew she wore. He saw her crawl onto his bed seductively, and then right up his body sitting on his lap. 

He looked up at her, a devilish grin on her face as she peeled off the t-shirt and threw it over her shoulder. He took in her body then.

Her skin was like the finest chocolate, smooth and even. Her lips, were like soft pillows. Thick and plump enough to suck into your mouth. Her breasts were more than enough, way more than a handfull and he reached out and tested their weight through her red lace bra. She moaned as he rolled her nipples in his fingers. 

He let his hands roam the contours of her body. Her curves were drastic. The way her tiny waist gave way to round seductive hips and an even rounder ass out back, she should wear a sign or something. Because a lesser man wouldn't be prepared. 

He watched as she reached behind her and unhooked her bra. Her large brown breasts fell free of their captivity and danced in his face. His mouth was on her immediately, palming the other in his hand. 

Before he knew it, he felt her hand snake between them and caress the growing bulge in his pants.

"Mmmmm," he moaned into her breast. 

She leaned away from him, pushing him back on the bed. She pushed his white t-shirt up to his chin and kissed a fiery trail from the top of his chest down to his nipples which she took lovingly in her mouth and sucked until they were hard. She continued downward until she met the top of his jeans.

Her pink tongue slid slowly from her mouth and she licked him though his jeans. 

"oh shit star," he moaned out loud. 

The sound of his own voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He let out an exasperated breath. This wasn't right. She was his friend. His best, and at a few points in his life, his only friend. He couldn't feel this way about her, couldn't put their friendship in jeopardy. It wasn't fair to either of them he reasoned. 

After he'd left her apartment that night he went outside to let Kathryn in. She was standing outside of the building wearing a long trench coat and heels. That meant only one thing; there was most likely nothing underneath. She smiled demurely at him when he opened the door and wrapped her slender arms around his neck.

"I missed you," she cooed placing sweet kisses on his lips. 

Micah had liked her at a point, that much he knew. But she'd become more of a booty call than a girlfriend. What the hell, he thought kissing her and pulling her into the elevator. I could use a distraction.



Star Ch. 01



The ultimate wish fufillment. Written in the form of an interview with flashbacks. Part 1 of 5 

Part 1: Lucky Star

Interviewer: I'm talking with the star and co-star of Karen Carragher's 'Dirty Work', her first film since she finished the seven film series of 'Scholarship Girl'. Karen is also co-producer on this new project. So, I hear you two met before the film was even properly scripted?

Karen Carragher: Yes, that's right. I was doing some research into waste collection and I came across a blog on the net by Dave. It was very articulate and thought-provoking with a lot of insight into the job he was doing. When I read his profile and found out that he had been doing the same job...

Dave Gerrard: Or variations of the same job!

KC: Yes. Doing the same job for over twenty years, I thought maybe he would be able to provide me with the depth I needed for the role I was going to play.

Interviewer: The young woman determined to succeed in a job dominated by men?

DG: I'd just like to say that women aren't unwelcome; they just don't like the job. Probably the smell, or thought of it, puts them off. That's only my opinion though.

***

I wasn't sure what to say when I was told by my supervisor that some film people wanted to come and pick my brain about my job. It was just my job, and although I thought about it a fair bit and even put those thoughts into a blog I'd started, that's all it was. I didn't consider myself the fount of all knowledge regarding waste collection. In any case, I agreed and was pleasantly surprised when the only person that turned up on the appointed day was Karen Carragher, the film star. I'd watched her grow up throughout her films in the 'Scholarship Girl' series, we all had. From a cute ten year old to a highly attractive twenty year old, all under the eyes of the world. I was almost expecting her to be aloof, just going through the motions, but I was wrong. She wanted to learn about what life was like collecting people's rubbish. The first day she just sat in my RCV with me as I drove around and asked questions: about the attitude of the public, about the attitude of other bin men to women who worked on the collections. Just background stuff really. She made copious notes and I was expecting more of the same on her second day with us. Karen however asked if I could show her how we worked, she wanted to load bins. To help her out I ceded my driving seat to my second driver and worked the lifts with her for the day. I explained how to load a bin and tried to explain how to load two bins at the same time.

"You just line them up."

"But how? Not everyone can do it, I can see that."

"I can only tell you how I think I do it. It's been so long since I started I can't remember exactly what process I used in the beginning."

"Okay, go on."

"All right. I line up the right hand bin so that the right hand corner is up against the right edge of the lift and then the left hand bin should be about the width of a fist away from it. If everything is correct, when you tip them forwards they should both go up together."

"Sounds simple."

"Well, to me it is, but I've had a hell of a lot of practice." I smiled. "Not so much these days though, as my loaders will tell you." I watched as she painstakingly tried to follow my advice. To her joy and my surprise it worked first time, and then second time. In fact it was nearly ten minutes before she failed to get two on at once, overconfidence finally striking.

Karen was wonderful to work with. She didn't moan once in the three days she worked with me, even when it rained on the third day, soaking all of us. I'd shrugged and said that was something we all got used to, even if we didn't like it. When we finished that day I wasn't expecting to hear from her ever again. I thought that meeting her for three days was great, but never thought that it would lead to anything else.

***

Interviewer: But it did?

DG: Yes. About three weeks later Karen called me. She asked if I was available to be the Technical Advisor for 'Dirty Work'. I had to tell her 'maybe', it all depended on whether my leave entitlement would cover the period they wanted me.

KC: When I told him that we'd need him for at least four months he said he couldn't do it. I had other ideas though. (Grins)

DG: (Smiling) Yes. She went to my line manager and told them that the production company would pay for my replacement for the duration of the filming. For some reason, only I would do.

KC: Well, I felt that the production, especially the actors and maybe the scriptwriter, needed some specialist guidance and because of the way Dave was able to give me some insight during my brief visit, I was confident that he was the man for the job.

DG: (Laughing) I'm glad someone was. When they told me I was going to be the 'Technical Advisor', I panicked. I mean, what does a Technical Advisor do?

KC: (Huge smile) Dummy!

DG: (Blushing) Yes, I know now, advises on technical issues, obviously.

Interviewer: But that still doesn't explain how you ended up in the film?

***

So there I was on the set of the film. They were setting up some sequences of the RCV working. I had just spent a week working with the scriptwriter, polishing the finer points of waste collection operation with him, but here on set I felt overawed, like a fish out of water and a little alone. I wasn't sure exactly what I was supposed to be doing here, so I went and had a look at the RCV they were going to use. Here at least was something familiar. As I was poking around the binlifts, Clint, the director, came up behind me.

"This will be fine for the job won't it?" He asked.

"It's a bit newer and cleaner than the one I'm used too." I smiled. "But it should be fine." I leant back against the big solid side of the truck. "Can I ask one thing though, why am I here?"

"Karen thought you should be on set." He shrugged.

"Miss Carragher? But to do what exactly?"

"To keep an eye on how the waste collection ingredient of the film looks. We don't want all your mates phoning up and telling us that its rubbish, no pun intended."

"All right, I understand that." Now I had an idea of what I was supposed to do. "How do you want me to express my displeasure? Should I run out shouting 'No, no, that's all wrong'? Or will a tap on the shoulder be enough?" Clint put his arm around my shoulder and laughed.

"Karen was right about you. You are a sharp one. Just tap me on the shoulder and as long as it's possible, we'll do it your way." 

I watched the first two takes as they loaded bins onto the truck down a winding street and then had to tap Clint's arm.

"What's up Dave?"

"This driver character is supposed to be popular with his workmates, if I read the script correctly?" He nodded. "Well, he wouldn't be very popular with his loaders if he kept pulling up like that all day and made them walk so far with heavy bins."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean he should either pull up just past the bins so all they have to do is push them onto the lifts, or pull up roughly equidistant between the bins either side of the road." Clint gave me a puzzled look. I sighed. "I don't suppose this driver is a real bin man?"

"No, he's the driver who brought the truck from the hire company."

"Thought so. Knows how to go forward, but not when to stop. Let me show you what I mean."

"Go on then."

I trotted up to the RCV and indicated that the driver should move over. I slipped into the driving seat and began to adjust things like the seat and the mirrors.

"Don't worry mate, I know what I'm doing." I said as I slipped the truck into reverse and shot backwards up the twisty street to the entrance, using only one hand as usual. The company driver gave me a dark look. Ignoring him I wound down the window and stuck my head out to tell the extra's what to do. I turned on the radio and sighed. Now it felt right. I moved to the first pair of bins, and then the second...

"That was quite astonishing." Clint said. "They barely had to move."

"Well, loaders deserve something. The driver is in the dry if it rains and in the cool if it's hot, so the least he can do is put the truck right next to the bins for them."

"I told you he was good." Karen said. I hadn't noticed her come onto the set.

"I could probably do it quicker with practice." I blurted out before I realised that it sounded like boasting. 

Clint and Karen looked at each other.

"How quick?" Clint asked.

"For the street? Maybe five minutes." 

"Okay. Go and practice and rehearse the extras at the same time." The director said. I trotted off; oblivious to the frantic signalling that was going on between the two I had left and three or four other people nearby.

***

Interviewer: So you had no idea what was going on?

KC: Same as usual. (Laughing)

DG: Cheek! (Pokes her arm with his finger) No, I didn't know what they were hatching. I just assumed that they were going to alter the camera positions or something. I mean, it was the first time I'd been on a film set, so I just took everything at face value. In any case, I was enjoying myself shuffling the RCV up and down the street.

Interviewer: At what point do you realise that Karen and Clint had something different planned for you?

DG: It was when Clint came over to where some of the film crew had gathered, betting me that if they coned off half the street I couldn't reverse up it.

KC: He bloody did though! Smart Alec!

DG: (Reddens again) It's easier than you think. Anyway, Clint came across and asked me to come to the trailer in five minutes.

Interviewer: And you still didn't suspect?

DG: No, I thought I'd pissed him off by showing off in the truck. I said as much when I went in. Karen and the scriptwriter were there too, all three of them looking at me in an expectant way. They told me that they wanted me to take the part of the driver 'Pip' that hadn't been cast yet. I was a bit stunned. Having read the script, I knew that 'Emily', Karen's part, was supposed to fall in love with him. 

***

"You're changing the ending then?" I asked.

"No." Said Clint. "Except to change 'Pip' to 'Pops' the script stands."

"But that's ridiculous. Twenty year old girls don't fall in love with middle aged men unless they've got money."

"You're an expert on twenty year old girls then?" Karen asked sweetly smiling.

"No. But I am an expert on middle aged men, and I've never been that lucky!"

"Maybe your luck's just changed." Karen said, a sly look on her face now.

"Besides which, this is the movies." Clint said waving his arms wide. "Anything can happen!" He put his arm around my shoulder. "Do you want the part?"

"I've never done any acting." I said. I still couldn't believe this.

"That's the easy part for you. You just have to be yourself."

"So this 'Pops' will react how I would?"

"You got it."

"Please Dave. I know you can do it." Karen gave me the 'scholarship girl' look, and batted her eyelids.

"All right." I sighed. "On the condition I can take some pictures of what's going on. It's the only chance I'm going to get." 

"Sure." Said Clint. "Everybody does that anyway these days." He went to the trailer door. "I'll just go and tell the crew what's happening." He turned and said as he left. "At least we won't need a stunt driver for you." 

Karen took my unresisting arm and led me towards the commissary truck.

"Come on. We need to discuss a few things about our roles." 

***

DG: I did find acting as myself fairly easy most of the time, on the set I mean. But when it came to the romantic scenes with Karen, it became difficult.

Interviewer: Why was that?

KC: I must say I never noticed any difficulties.

DG: It had been a while since I did anything romantic, and about twenty five years since I'd romanced a twenty year old. (Smirked) Anyway, the big tender scene two thirds of the way in? I couldn't get a handle on how to play it.

KC: I thought you were messing it up purposely, so you'd have to kiss me again!

DG: (Laughing) No, honestly, it wasn't on purpose. I was having problems with why.

Interviewer: Why Pops was in love with Emily?

DG: No, the exact reverse in fact. Why was Emily in love with Pops? I knew I could be in love with a twenty year old. I was acting opposite one who I'd been attracted to since her fourth or fifth film.

KC: You never said. 

DG: Why would I? Anyway, for all of that day, I couldn't get a handle on why Emily would be in love with Pops. Clint gave up in the end, saying we'd shoot it later.

Interviewer: But that scene is wonderful! How did you solve the dilemma?

KC: The night before the re-shoot I took him out to dinner and we discussed how the scene should play.

DG: That's not exactly how I remember it.

***

Karen had asked me to dinner. She said there were some things we needed to get right before the re-shoots, especially the major scene that I'd kept messing up a couple of weeks ago. I knocked on the door of her hotel room feeling overdressed. Suits don't sit well on me, I look awful in them, but I was dining with the beautiful Miss Carragher, so a suit it had to be. Or so I thought. She opened the door and just stared.

"Didn't I tell you not to dress up?" She asked, indicating I should come in. She was wearing a rock t-shirt, and a pair of tatty jeans.

"I thought you meant not to wear a tuxedo." I replied, my face going red.

"I said we'd just order some room service and then try and work out what we need to do with these re-shoots. At least, that's what I thought I said."

"You did, but I've never had a meal with a famous actress..."

"We eat together all the time!"

"On set snacks are not the same thing." I protested weakly.

"What is your real problem here? Is it the same one that's causing you to mess up in some of the romantic scenes?"

"I... I don't know how to act around you." I saw the smile on her face. "Poor choice of words."

"Sit down while I order some food." She sighed. I did as I was told. I slipped the jacket off and stuffed the tie into the pocket and instantly felt more relaxed. Karen handed me a drink. 

I sipped at it gratefully. 

"You know, I am going to be the envy of every bin man in the country."

"And why would that be?"

"Because I get to kiss you."

"So why do you keep getting it wrong?" 

I slumped down, realising I was going to have to tell her why.

"Inexperience and disbelief."

"What?"

"It's been a long time since I had to kiss a pretty girl, and never one as pretty as you. And I still can't get my head around why a young woman would fall for an old man."

"Oh, you're an old man now?"

"Don't tease Karen; this is messing up the entire film. So unless I can believe in a reason, it'll take some nifty editing to get something out of the scene."

"Do you believe in me?" Karen looked at me earnestly.

"Yes." I replied, but reddened. "But you're a very good actress. Very convincing."

"Thank you, but that's not what I meant. This film is my project, something to show I can act as something more than a clever schoolgirl. It was me who wanted you in this film, because..." She faltered. "Well, because you're kind, honest, and funny. And a person like that should occasionally get the breaks."

"But giving me that break is stuffing up the filming!"

"You are not listening. If YOU can get THIS role, then POPS can get EMILY."

I was dumbstruck. She was absolutely right. Maybe miracles can happen, and if I just ran with it, it would work. Karen saw the sudden understanding flash across my face. "Get it now?"

"Yes, yes. I can see how I can make it work now. Thank you." I reached up and held her hand, kissing it gently.

***

Interviewer: So, with that one piece of advice you got it right?

DG: Well, more or less. It still took about three or four takes, but it wasn't just me messing it up this time. It was madam here as well.

KC: I kept getting the giggles. And that was his fault.

DG: Me? How?

KC: You'd finally convinced Clint to put in the number plate scene earlier in the day, and I kept remembering it at the wrong moment.

Interviewer: I'm sorry, I don't...

KC: It's okay. It's only a quick cut scene. There's a car number plate that starts BJ08 and Pops just says 'Am I the only one who thinks that says...' and then we cut to another scene.

DG: Its part of the 'getting along with the crew' bit of the film, where Emily is starting to be accepted by the other workers. I asked if we could add a little 'bin man' humour in. And yes, it is all as bad and smutty as that.

Interviewer: Workplace humour doesn't change much wherever you work does it? (Laughs). Now a last couple of questions about some rumours from the set. The first one concerns the car chase near the end.

DG: The truck pursuit?

Interviewer: Yes. The rumour is that you drove the truck yourself as Pops chases Emily before she can leave town.

KC: Oh yes, I can confirm he did. The stunt driver couldn't get it right, but Mister Genius here did it much more smoothly and safely.

DG: (Reddening again). It was pretty easy really. I'm used to driving an RCV and had been driving that one in particular throughout the shoot, so I knew where to put her.

Interviewer: Her?

DG: The truck. Sorry if that sounds silly or offends anyone. But honestly, any other experienced RCV driver could have done it.

KC: I still don't believe you. You did it in one take, for goodness sake!

DG: Karen, I'm not the greatest driver in the world. Hell, I know I'm not even the best in my own yard. I'm telling you, that chase was easier than the reversing up the coned off street. Everything was choreographed, and I just had a better handle on how the truck moved than the stunt guy.

KC: (Mutters). I still think you're being modest.

Interviewer: Anyway, the other rumour concerns some romance on the set.

DG: On the set? (He looks puzzled.)

KC: Between some of the actors? (Also puzzled.)

DG: That guy, Steve, playing the other loader with Emily and Pops. He was always talking with that nice girl who was playing the admin assistant.

KC: She's his wife Dave.

DG: She is? It's a good job I decided not to chat her up then!

Interviewer: (Smiling) No, The rumours concern the two of you actually.

KC: (Astonished.) US!!?

DG: I think some people saw more than what there actually was between us. Karen is a very good actress, and I've already admitted I'm in love with her from her earlier films. She also spent a lot of time helping me. Perhaps they saw that and came to the wrong conclusion? Sorry to disappoint you.

Interviewer: I'm not sure I believe you.

DG: I'm not that good an actor; the whole crew will tell you that. (Grins)

Interviewer: Karen, Dave, thank you for your time.

***

The man from 'Film Today' left and I collapsed in a heap on the sofa of the hotel room.

"I'm glad that's over. I didn't like lying to him about us though."

"You didn't lie, just misled him a little. I'll tell you what, when we announce our engagement after the film opens, he can be the one we tell first. That will make you feel better."

"A kiss from my lover would help too." I grinned. She kissed me. "I still can't believe this you know?"

"Which part can't you believe at the moment?"

"Well I'm prepared to believe that I've just made a film which is apparently getting some reasonable reviews, I'm even prepared to believe that I don't actually ruin the aforesaid film. What I still can't believe is that I'm dating the star of that film."

"Why ever not?" Karen kissed me again, putting her arms around my neck. "I practically told you right at the beginning."

"You did?"

"Does the phrase 'Maybe your luck's just changed' ring any bells?"

"Good grief! All the way back then? I thought it was because of all that kissing we were doing for the big scene."




Star Ch. 01



"It started for me before even then. It was when you were showing me how to work the back of a dustcart."

"The first time we met?" I whistled in surprise.

"Yes."

"So you engineered me onto the set?"

"Well, I only wanted a technical advisor, but I got an actor and a stunt man instead."

"How many times...?"

"Teasing, teasing." She interrupted with a laugh.

"So... So, it's not just some flash in the pan thing then." I was suddenly serious. Karen saw this and sat next to me.

"Of course not. Why do you have to ask?"

"Well, the truth is, I keep worrying. You're still really young and I'm...not. I worry that I'll lose you somewhere down the line." I looked into her eyes and was surprised to see tears forming. 

"You muppet. You are dense sometimes." She kissed me again. "I contrived to get you on my film set so I could have another chance to talk with you. You were the first person in a long time to treat me as a person not a movie star."

"But I treat everyone the same way." I shrugged.

"I know, even though you openly admitted you loved me as an actress, you still treated me as a person."

"Well, you treated me as someone too, you weren't condescending or anything."

"That's why I knew we could make it work, but you made it so hard for me."

"With the 'young women don't date old men' stuff?"

"Yes. Remind me, when did we actually start dating?"

"Around about when you convinced me that Emily could love Pops." I stopped and slapped my forehead. "Oh, you're right. I am a muppet. That whole argument was aimed at me wasn't it? Sorry for being so dense."

"Shut up and cuddle me, muppet." 

I wrapped my arms around her in compliance.

"I was wondering, which one of us is it?" I murmured

"Which one of us is what?"

"The Lucky Star."



Star Ch. 01



"Oh hi." I greet her back and ask what she thought of the scene.

"I thought it was fun, too short, but I enjoyed it."

"Yeah. Me too."

"I think the whole room knows you enjoyed it." I chuckle and she laughs with me.

"So..." I try and think of something to say.

"Am I fully done, then or what?"

"Yeah." She replies. "It's just a dream sequence."

"More like an erotic dream sequence."

"True. – Say, would you like to come have a drink with me... I've got a twenty minute break and thought I'd get a quick drink. I hate drinking alone. But if you're not available or can't, I understand."

"No. No. I'm up for it. Like you said, my job is done. I'm available."

"Great." I get up and escort her out of the building. We casually talk about the rest of the movie as we climb into her Mercedes. I tell her I'm curious what the rest of the film is about because of the sexy scene as she drives and explains to me the story and what happens. I nod along all though I don't hear much, instead my mind races with thoughts off how I'm about to go have a drink with her.

We arrive at the outside of a bar and she parks her car. I get out and rush around to her side and open the door for her. She sticks her legs out of the car door and gets up. While she does this I look at her long, beautiful legs in that short skirt, catching a quick peep at her red, lacy panties hidden only inches from the skirt. I start to fantasize back to my scene but try and control myself as we both walk into the bar. We both head for the bartender who freezes when she spots who it is.

"What do you drink?" I ask her.

"Double JD and Vodka with coke and a lemon."

"Two of those, barkeep." I flip out a twenty and throw it on the counter. "Keep the change, my friend.

"Now that's a waste. You may as well get a couple of shots with that."

"True. Couple of Tequila shots as well. Now keep the change." We both chuckle and wait for a minute until the barkeep comes back with the drinks, he places them on a tray and I pick it up. We make our way to a booth and slide in. She sits down in the middle of the sofa, which goes around a small table while I take the edge. Sarah slides in closer to me and reaches over and takes the tequila while I pass her the JD and Vodka. I take my tequila and turn and look at her.

"Down the hatch, is it?"

"Always." She replies. We both slam the tequila down and up, downing the contents.

"You drink much tequila." She asks me.

"Well, I used to be a different person, more of a bar fly. I'd be out every day with me friends, always trying to find out who could drink the most."

"I bet you won all the time." "Well... can't deny that. Only lost on a bad day. But back then, a bad day was the days I lost."

"That doesn't make any sense." She giggles.

"I know. Double negative sort of attitude, I guess." She giggles again and I join her. We start to drink our drinks and she doesn't seem to mind the strong alcohol.

"So, what made you want to be in this film?" I ask her.

"I dunno. I thought the story was really cool, my character was just to die for. Weak but tough, you know. Sweet but deadly.

"Ahh, that double negative again." She lets out another laugh and we continue our drinks.

"How about you, what are you doing in this industry?"

"Don't know really... I'm not sure if this is for me, but I've always lived in LA, thought, might as well be in the industry. Why else live in Los Angeles, right?"

"Yeah. Typical run of the mill."

"Hang on... typical run of the mill... how's that possible. Shouldn't it just be run of the mill, since that is typical. Otherwise it's like saying typical-typical."

"Shut up." She says with a sense of flirtation, hitting me on the shoulder.

"I know, it's that double negative again." We both start to laugh as we finish the drinks.

"How about we get some more drinks?" she asks me.

"Well, I'm game, but are you sure. I mean, if you need to go back..."

"Ahh... well it's nearly five now. We're gonna stop shooting today at five so I'm sure even If I get back we won't be shooting anymore. I'll just do prep. Then we'll wrap for the day. Besides, the director won't complain. We just did the sex scene, so I'm sure he'll have his mind occupied on editing it up than anything else."

"Sure. I'll get some drinks then."

"I'll buy. You got the last round."

"Please... don't insult me. I got a beautiful woman out for drinks, I'll pay. Besides, I got three g's today. I'm sure it doesn't seem like much to someone like you but it's a small celebration to me. Sarah looks at me for a while, then smiles at me.

"You're so sweet."

"That's only my middle name." She giggles and I turn and head for the bar. I order more drinks and come back with two more Double JD and Vodka's with coke and lemon. Six shots of tequila, a bottle of Whiskey and a jug of Sex on The Beach. I sit back down at the booth and place the drinks in front of me.

"Right... now, what do you want?" She giggles again and I join in with her. I take off half the drinks and place them next to me, where she is now sitting. I line up my three shots, then do the same for her.

"Wanna race?"

"Love to." She replies and we dive into the tequilas. We down all six of them in a matter of seconds and we can both feel the alcohol through our system.

I get up and head for the free pool table. I place my drink up by the window and walk around to the coin hole, where I pop in a quarter and release the locking system on the balls. I start to rack them up into the triangle, asking her if she'd like to shoot some pool. "I must warn you, though. I'm pretty good."

"Wanna bet on it?"

"I never bet for money. But what's the stakes then?"

"Hmm... a shot of tequila for each ball."

"You'll be drunk before the first game is over."

"What's wrong with that?" she asks me flirtatiously. I swallow and try and keep my cool with her.

"I never said I was complaining." She gets up, drinking her JD and Vodka as she walks over to the pool queues and takes one. She walks around to the end of the table and places the white. She shoots and knocks a few balls off of the triangle.

"Beat that." I smile and walk up to her, getting nice and close as I take the pool queue off of her and take my aim, she quickly walks over to the other side of the table and leans down, spilling her cleavage to my eyes.

"Hey. That's cheating." I say.

"No. Cheating would be bending over the other way." I chuckle and try and concentrate. I fire and knock down a stripe and a full ball.

"You've put my entire game off with your sexy looks."

"It's not against the rules. She giggles and runs up to me and grabs the queue off of me. She walks around to where the white is and leans over and takes aim. I walk up behind her and grab my drink, which I placed by the window and drink it as I look at her, from behind, bent over the table, flashing her sexy lacy red thong and her firm and sexy ass cheeks to me. I feel my cock starting to twitch in my pants again as she shoots and misses completely, knocking down the white.

"Ohh.. what does that mean?"

"I guess you have to down an entire drink for that." She grabs her drink and downs it, then runs back to the table and grabs the bottle of Whiskey. She gets back as I line up my shot and fire the ball, knocking down another stripe ball.

"Time to drink." She takes a good long swig from the bottle as I walk around the table and take aim again she walks up to me and leans in close, rubbing her breasts across the side of my face.

"I can predict that you're gonna miss this shot." She nuzzles her breasts even closer to me and I shot, missing it. The ball returning back to it's original position.

"How'd you know?" I ask her playfully.

"Let's just say I have a sixth sense for it." She giggles, obviously the alcohol having a big effect on her. She squeezes in front of me and bends forward, now running her ass over my crotch, rubbing it over my hardening cock.

"Oh my, big... queues." She turns and looks at me. I smile at her and she gives me another one of her sexual looks back at me.

"I'll just move back, give you better room."

"You stay right where you are. I'm not complaining." I start to feel a bit hot under the collar as she continues rubbing her ass over my cock. She shoots and knocks down a half.

"HAH! You drink."

"Not to be picky, but you just knocked down one of mine."

"Oh no. More drinks for me?"

"Afraid so. Since this is another foul you'll have to down a drink. We don't have any. I guess it will have to be the bottle.

"Wow... wow... wow... that'll probably kill me, how about the Sex On The Beach.

"Good idea." She runs back to the table and gets it, she starts to down it and spills about half of it over her shirt. Wettening it, making the white material to go see trough. I can clearly see she isn't wearing a bra and I see the outline of her sexy pink areolas and her hard nipples.

"I made a mess."

"That's life." She giggles and walks back to the table, this time taking out a pack of smokes and dropping them on the ground. She bends down to pick them up, this time the skirt riding up her body and her showing off her sexy ass and thong. I shoot and totally miss any balls.

"Hey... now didn't we say that was cheating?"

"But I dropped something."

"Well... I missed as well, so how about we both drink.

"Yeah." She says as she grabs the bottle, downing a heavy swig. She exhales heavily from it as I walk up to her, handing her the queue and taking the bottle, which I swig Whiskey from. She shoots and misses again, the white bouncing around the table for a second, then knocking the black ball into the hole. I chuckle and she pouts at me. I smile at her and she starts giggling, walking up to me and putting the queue on the table.

"So. I lost. What happens now."

"Well, what do you think is a suitable punishment."

"Maybe a good spanking is in order." I chuckle and she looks at me.

"Shall we leave?" she asks me. I more than happily nod and we both leave the bar, she grabs my arm and places it on her rear.

"Squeeze it." She orders me.

"Whatever the missus demands." I squeeze her cheeks in my hand as we head out the door and move to the car. She fiddles out the car keys and unlocks the door with the automatic lock. We get to the car and she spins around and pushes me closer. Grabbing my arms and placing them on her ass. One hand one each cheek.

"So, I lost the game... what's the suitable punishment?" she asks me.

"I thought a spanking was in order."

"No. I said punishment." I chuckle and look down at her.

"How about we go back to your place? In fact, I'm not asking. I'm telling. You said you wanted a suitable punishment." I tell her. She moves her mouth closer to mine. "What are you going to do to me back at my hotel room?"

"I'll improvise when we get there."

She sticks her lips to mine and we start to kiss, she wraps her arms around me and I start to squeeze her ass. She wraps her arms around me and I lean up against her, still squeezing her ass. I thrust my tongue into her mouth and start to massage her tongue. We kiss for a good minute then pull away, our saliva sticking to each other, making a long line. I stick my tongue out and gobble up her spit, then swallow it.

"Mmmm..." I reach around her and open the door for her. She gets in and I walk around to the driver's seat and climb in.

"You're gonna drive my car, huh?"

"Of course. Now where are we going?" I start the car and pull out of the parking lot and head down the road. Sarah leans over from her seat and starts to bite and lick my earlobe.

"I want you to fuck me. I want you to take me doggy style. I want your balls in my mouth." She whispers to me while licking my ear. I nearly lose control of the car but keep my calm, sending all of those thought to my dick, which was growing in my pants. Sarah looked down and saw my cock straining to get out.

"I'm horny too. Have a feel." She grabs my hand and places it on her thigh. I start to run it up, getting closer to her skirt. I run it to the insides of her thigh, before slipping it inside of her skirt. I feel around and touch her panties, they are wet. Extremely wet.

"You dirty girl. You're not horny. You're dripping." She moans, feeling my fingers graze her pussy through the thin fabric of her thong. I gently slide the panty to the side and run my index finger up and down the slit of her pussy. Feeling my fingers get wetter and wetter with Sarah Michelle Gellar's juices. She moans more and drops her hand to my crotch, starts rubbing my hard cock. I moan and pull my fingers out of her skirt, I hold them up and we both look at the juices hanging from them. I stick my fingers in my mouth and suck the juices off of them. This sends my dick into over ecstasy and quickly start to unbuckle my belt, I zip down my zipper and Sarah slips her hand inside, feeling around, She pulls my 9 inch cock out.

"Ahh, baby, you gotta suck it. I'm dying."

"I will... we'll take our time. She gets a grip around it and starts to slide her hand up and down it slowly and gently. I lean my head back against the headrest and moan as she continues to give me a hand job.

"Goddamn you're big."

"You've gotta suck it, honey. I'm ready to pop here. Please, baby."

"Hold on. We'll get to it."

She runs her hand up to the head of my cock and leans forward, spitting out a gob of spit over it, then running her hand over it and lubing my cock up. I put my hand back down in her skirt and start to rub her pussy lips. Feeling the moisture come over my fingers again. We both moan as she continues rubbing the head of my cock. She leans her face in closer to my cock, so I can feel her breath over it. She sticks her tongue out and licks the tip of it. I shudder and moan even louder. This makes me push my fingers into her. I start fucking her with my fingers.

"Oh god, fuck me harder!" I start to drive my fingers in and out of her, faster and faster. She moans louder and louder as she puts my cock into her mouth and wraps her lips around it. She starts to bob her head up and down on it. Sucking and lubricating it with spit. She sucks up and down on my cock while I drill my fingers all the way till my knuckles touch her soft folds. I withdraw them and see them glisten with her juices.

I pull into the parking lot of the hotel and we both rush our way inside. She hits the call button for the elevator and we wait for the elevator. The doors open and we both get inside the box. She hits the penthouse button and puts in a key, she turns it and the doors close and the elevator starts to rise. We wait. I put my pussy juice soaked fingers up to her nose and rub them across the top of her lips. She inhales the scent and goes weak in the knees. I shoves my hand into her mouth and starts to suck on it as she shoves her hand into my pants and pulls out my hard cock. Sarah gets on her knees, still sucking my fingers, while she grabs hold of my cock and starts to jerk it.

"Ahh... Sarah..." She puts my cock in her mouth and starts to suck me off. She bobs her head up and down, licking her tongue over the head of my cock. Sticking the tip of her tongue into my hole. I wrap my hands around her head and force her cock further down into her mouth.

"Suck me off...Suck my cock, Sarah. Put that cock down your throat."

"Yeah, you like that, baby? You like my tongue licking your cock?" She sticks her tongue to the bottom of my cock and licks her way up. She trails her wet tongue to the head of my cock and rims around it. Then goes back down to the bottom of my shaft. She starts to jerk it while her mouth goes down to my balls. She pops one in my mouth and sucks on it. Then switches to the other ball. Sucks it, whilst stroking my cock with her hand. She guides her other hand in between her leg and starts to finger her pussy through the panty.

"God I'm so wet, baby. I wanna cum."

"Yeah, me too, sexy. I'm so close to blowing."

"Do it in my mouth. I wanna drink your cum." She runs her tongue from the bottom of my shaft and puts it back into her mouth, now sliding my cock, inch by inch, into her mouth until the full 9inches are down her throat. She starts to use her mouth muscles to suck my entire cock. I grab both hands around her head and push her tighter to me as I feel my cock contract and blow my load. I start to shoot load after load down Sarah Michelle Gellar's mouth. She swallows it. Licking my cum that escaped her mouth and stuck to her lips. I start to fuck her mouth while my cock starts to relax, until it's become semi erect.

I put my cock back into my pants as the doors open and we both walk into her penthouse.

"So, you said something about fucking me?" she asks. "Is that still on the table?" I pull down my pants and underwear, take her hand and place it on my cock, "What do you think."

"On the bed. I just wanna slip into something a little more comfortable."

"Yeah. Nothing." I say as I slip her vest over her head and press myself closer to her. I lean down and start to fondle her breasts with my hands. Pulling at her bra. I rip the front of the bra and the breasts go free. They don't hang. They stand upright. Her nipples perky and hard. I run one hand over her breasts while the other one plays with her nipples. Tweaking them. I tweak them while I start to run my tongue over them. Going between both of them, she arches her back and moans while she starts to slide her skirt off. I I run my tongue over her nipples, flicking it up and down while I run my hands over her body. Feeling the softness of her skin. I put my mouth onto her nipples and suck. Suck harder at them. Pulling them with my mouth. I slowly drop to my knees, pulling her skirt off. I stare at her red thong, running my hand up and down her firm rear. Feeling her ass cheeks. Using my hands to grab and fondle them. I go forth and attach my mouth to her cunt. Sucking at it through her panty.

"God, you're so wet. I wanna taste you again."

I slide my right hand and push the fabric to the side, then sticking my tongue forth and running it up and down her slit. Her wet pussy is dripping juices, which I gladly lap up with my tongue. She walks backwards while I, on my knees, follow. She lies back on the bed and lifts her legs up. Closing them, her pussy sticks out, through the legs and I keep lapping it. Feeling more and more juice run out and onto my tongue. This just makes me harder and I thrust my tongue into her wet hole. I'm tongue fucking Sarah Michelle Gellar while massaging her breasts with my left hand while the other runs it's way down to her pussy and enter her, I fuck her fast and quickly, both with my tongue and with two fingers from my hand. I start to suck on her pussy lips, attaching my top lips to her clitoris, and sucking hard. She moans and thrusts her pelvis up and down, back and forth. I pull my hand out and start to tweak and play with her nipples again. Still fucking her hole with my tongue, now pushing it in as far as I can.

"OH GOD! OH GOD! I'M GUNNA CUM!!

"CUM!" I scream as I wrap my lips on her wet cunt. She suddenly stops thrusting her hips and screams in ecstasy as her juices flood out, all over my face and my mouth. I gladly drink them as I try and get every drop. She grabs my hand and puts it in her mouth, sucking on it hard. I start to lap at her wet crotch, taking up her juices, while swallowing them. I lick around her till I'm sure I've done a good enough clean up job. I stand up and lean in and start kissing her. Rubbing my hard cock, just gagging to get out of my pants, over her wet pussy. We swap fluids, she tasting herself.

"I love the taste of pussy." She says as she shoves her tongue into my mouth, running it all over. I pull myself back and unwrap my underwear. Dropping my pants and pulling out my cock. I start to jerk it while Looking down at Sarah Michelle Gellar lying naked, legs spread high in the air. Her pink pussy waiting for my cock. I rub the head and spit on it, lubing it up. I step forward and aim my cock in. I push forward and it enters her, I continue pressing forwards while we both moan loud. Until my full nine inches are inside her.




Star Ch. 01



"Yeah. I'm gonna fuck you so hard, baby. I'm gonna fuck you!" I start to slide in and out of her. We both moan together as I start to thrust my cock in and out faster. I grab her legs and hold them up while I fuck her hard. I start to bang forwards, feeling my balls bash out up against her soft but firm ass cheeks. I rest on leg up on my shoulder while stretching the other one further away. I use my free hand to rub and grab at her breasts while I continue fucking her hard. Feeling my cock slide all the way in and out of her tight cunt.

"Ahh fuck yeah... ahh fuck...!

We both continue moaning while I drill her harder and harder with my dick. I pull it out and continue to jerk myself, spitting out more which lands over her cunt. I push my cock in again and continue fucking her. I lean forward, her leg bending all the way backwards till it touches the bed. I start to kiss her, using my hand to grab hold of her hair. We French while I continue fucking her for a good five minutes. I pull it out and start to jerk off. She slides herself down at the side of the bed. She grabs hold of it and starts jerking it. Sarah Michelle Gellar puts my cock into her mouth and sucks it. I can barely hold on, looking down at this beautiful actress suck my cock. I grab around her head and force it all the way in, and down her throat while I shoot my cum into her mouth. This one even more mighty thab my last blow. I fire six huge globs off cum straight down her throat and into her stomach. She keeps sucking making sure she gets it down. I stand there for a moment, her cock all the way down her throat while I twitch. I pull my cock out of her mouth slowly and climb into bed. She gets up and starts heading for the bathroom. She turns on the shower and starts to turn valves.

"Leave the door open, please." She bends forward and lets me look at her pussy and closed asshole.

"Maybe next time you can play with my ass." She climbs into the shower and turns on the water. 

V – Celebrity 3Some

I wake up. I look at the ceiling. It's light blue and very soothing. I turn to my side and see an empty bed. I'm quick to look around.

"Sarah? Sarah?"

"Yeah baby?" I hear from the kitchen. I lean back in the bed and start to chuckle. I reach my hand under the sheets and start to play with my dick. Rubbing it, touching the head. Sarah comes walking into the room. Dressed in a white, satin bed gown. It's very revealing and cuts off just under her ass. Shaped like a sand glass, it shows off her breasts and barely holds them inside her gown, then cuts back outwards after her bellybutton so it show's off her curves. "That is nice." Is all I can say.

"You like it, huh? So does my friend." I react to this, and look at her a bit more puzzled.

"It's a surprise." She jumps onto the bed and starts to crawl towards me. Just one look in her eyes.

"I got you another part for a film. Spoke to my agent. It's the least I could do."

"Baby, you did all ready more than enough."

"You don't know the half of it."

"So... what's the part?"

"Charlie's Angels 3. You're gonna be the henchman of the baddie. Demi Moore.

"Didn't she die in the second one."

"No. Just got hurt."

"Right..."

"I know. They're really reaching for stories now." I hear footsteps come from the kitchen.

"Who else is here?"

"My friend. She's dying to meet you."

"Friend?"

"Good friend"

"Good friend?"

"Very good friend." I chuckle as I see... RACHEL STEVENS standing at the threshold of the door to the kitchen. My jaw drops as I look at this 21-year-old, in tight blue denim jeans, a tight fitting black tank top and sneaker shoes. Her hair is blond and brunette, long, and drops past her shoulders. Her large c-size tits are hidden behind the white top, tight up against it. There's no bra since there are no marks running along them. And I can clearly see her nipples protruding through them.

"Hi there."

"Hi yourself." I get up and realize that my dick is semi hard. I grab the sheets and stumble to my feet. I stick my hand out, even though we are ten feet apart.

"Come over here." She says.

"Uhpp... can't. Sheets aren't long enough.

"Then leave them." I consider, look back at Sarah who has fixated on my tight ass. I drop the sheet and my semi erect, five inch long cock hangs through my tightly wrapped underwear. I walk closer to her. "Uhmm... so... you're that British singer part of that club."

"S Club."

"Ahh... yeah. I liked you in that series. S Club in LA, wasn't it?"

"No. Not any more." She says as she looks down at my crotch. She smiles sly.

"Well... I'd shake your hand but you don't know where mine's been." I say, trying to cover over the tension and fragrance of sex in the air. She sticks her hand out, waiting for me to shake it. I do.

"No. Nothing sticky on my hand. At least not yet." She says.

"Uhmm... yeah. – so how do you two lovely ladies know each other?"

"We met at a Hollywood bash. Sarah said, continuing; "she was so sweet. I had just been knocked and spilt my drink; she came over and helped me clean it off." Even offered to give me her vest."

"Just offered, doesn't sound very good."

"Shut up... she did, and afterwards we ended up talking."

"Close ever since." They both look at each other and smile.

"Very close."

"So..." I say, trying to entice; "I got you two lovely, sexy women, but nothing to do. Anyone for scrabble?" They both laugh, Sarah rolls around on the bed.

"I think we had something a bit more substantial in mind."

"Monopoly?" They both laugh together again. Rachel starts walking closer to me. She gets close enough for me to feel her breath on my face. She looks right at me, and I look back at her. Soon realizing my dick is growing. It ever so slightly rubs up against her jeans.

"You're getting hard..." I grin. "I'll control myself."

"Did I say you were doing something bad?" she says to me as she walks over and sits down on the bed, next to Sarah, who's lying on her back. She places one hand on Rachel's left leg, and rubs it gently. She repays the favor by placing her hand on Sarah's chest and tracing her fingertips around.

"What do I do?"

"Just enjoy." Rachel says as she runs her fingers in between the gown of Sarah breasts. Her middle finger running up and down the cleft. Her other hand is tracing through her hair and rubbing across her soft cheeks. Sarah smiles as she runs her hand up and down Rachel's leg, tracing towards the insides of them. Running her hand closer to her crotch. They both go in for a kiss and meet each other with willing tongues. I fumble as I sit down on a chair, relaxing back into it. Rachel and Sarah continue kissing each other. Licking each others tongues and kissing each other with lust and intensity. They pull apart from each other and a trail of spit follows. Sarah laps at it and breaks it off, getting it into her mouth. The other half falls from Rachel's mouth and onto Sarah's stomach. Rachel climbs onto the bed, sticking her ass high in the air, turning her body so she's facing away from me while she leans down and licks at Sarah's stomach, lapping up the saliva whilst running her tongue across her bellybutton. I start to rub my hardening cock through my underwear, staring at Rachel. She runs one hand over her butt cheeks whilst the other trails over Sarah's stomach. Her hand runs over her cheeks and rubs her ass through her clothes. She dips her hand in between the jeans and runs her fingers down the crack of her ass. Sarah uses her hands to unbutton and pull off Rachel's jeans. I see her fingers rubbing up and down on her panties over her clit. Her g-string runs along her crack and she places her legs further apart, stretching her cheeks more apart. I can see her puckered little asshole, the string barely covering it. Sarah grabs at her tank top and pulls it off. Rachel's breast dangle free and Sarah grabs hold of them. She grabs one and gropes at it, running her fingers over her nipples and tweaking it. Rachel moans as she goes in for another kiss with Sarah.

I watch in anticipation as they massage each other's tongues, feeling each others bodies with their hands. Rachel slips out of her jeans and climbs on top of Sarah, placing themselves in a 69. Sarah slips her hand in between Rachel's panties and pulls the string covering her pussy down. She then rubs her hand up and down the clit, rubbing the folds ever so slightly. Rachel moans and leans down, resting her face on Sarah's crotch while rubbing her hands up and down the inside of her thighs. She yanks the gown up and stares at Sarah's pink luscious clit.

"I can't wait to taste your cunt... to taste those juices, swallowing them down into my stomach" Rachel moans out in speech, feeling Sarah rub two of her fingers over her folds. I reach my hand inside my underwear and pull out my erect cock, I rub my hand over the head and spit on my hand, then lube it while I lean back in the chair and jerk off, watching Sarah Michelle Gellar rub Rachel Steven's clit with her fingers. She enters her with middle and index finger, making Rachel moan loudly.

"Oh god yeah! Finger me hole!" Sarah spreads her legs further apart and her folds open up her vagina. Showing her pinkness to Rachel who's rubbing her head over the insides of her thighs.

"My clit is soooo wet... lick it! Eat my pussy!!" With those words Rachel sticks her tongue in and runs it along the inside of Sarah's pussy. Lubing it up with saliva. She runs her tongue up and down it, hearing Sarah moan. Rachel takes hold of the folds and spreads them even further apart. She laps at it while Sarah shoves three fingers in and out of Rachel's pussy. Fingering her hard and fast. Sarah pulls her fingers out and spits on them, then sucks on them, tasting Rachel's pre cum while also making her finger wetter. She shoves them back into Rachel's opening. 

"You taste so good. I can't wait for you to come all over my face."

I stand up and slip my underwear off, then make my way over to the bed. I stop next to Sarah and jerk my cock off.

"You want me to suck your cock?" she asks. "Is that what you want?" I guide my cock down and into Sarah's willing mouth. I stick my head in and she wraps her tongue around it, sucking on it. I place one of my hands on Rachel's pussy and push in with my index finger. Rachel moans even more as she's got four fingers fucking her pussy. She places her mouth over Sarah's wet cunt and starts to suck at it, hard and hungrily. Transferring her pleasure to Sarah. I press my cock further down into her mouth, now another inch in and I start to rock back and forth. I pull out my finger from Rachel's pussy and put it in my mouth, sucking off her sweet and salty juices. Sarah pushes her head forward and takes my cock all the way in, to the back of her throat. I moan and quake as I feel my head touching her throat. My cock running and bashing into her uvula, making her gag. I don't care and continue fucking her pretty little hot mouth while she sucks on my cock. I pull my cock out it with my cum covered fingers. Sarah sucks on them greedily while also fingering Rachel with her fingers while I use my free hand to jerk my cock off.

"Fuck me now! Put your cock in my aching pussy!" Hearing those words I just can't resist so I line it up with her pussy, which Sarah is spreading with her fingers and opening it up for me. I push forwards and feel the head entering Rachel Steven's pussy. I start to slide in and out, never pushing my cock in more than a couple of inches. I take my fingers out of Sarah's mouth, and put my balls over her face. She pops one in her mouth and sucks on it, while I fuck Rachel from behind. Rachel is busy licking Sarah's clit and fingering her with two fingers, which, when get sticky and wet she hungrily devours in her mouth. I feel my stomach bashing up and rubbing against Rachel's cheeks. I feel my heart beating faster and faster as I push my cock all the way in, until all nice inches are inside of this stunning, pink, wet pussy. I slide my hands around her thighs and spread them apart even more while I start fucking her for real. I go faster and faster, Sarah having problems sucking on my balls because of it, but I don't stop. Juices squirt and run out of Rachel's pussy, running down my cock, down my balls and into Sarah's mouth and face. I moan while I fuck her harder and harder. All she can do is suck and bite on Sarah's clit more, while moaning loudly. I stop and take my cock out, quickly replacing it with two of my fingers which I ram in and out of her fast, feeling juices cover them. I put my cock into Sarah's mouth and she hungrily sucks my cock, again covered with pussy juice, until it is nice, shiny and clean. I take my fingers out and start fucking her cunt with my cock again, now feeling it wanting to shoot. I run my hand over her ass cheeks while I steady my pace, putting my fingers in my mouth and sucking on them, cleaning them of her juices. Sarah climbs out of the sandwich and walks around me, she lies down on her back on the bed, and spreads her legs.

"She's like a factory with those juices, huh?" she says to me. I nod and position myself in front of Sarah, she places her legs around me and closes tight, My cock standing proud, leaking plenty of pre cum, rubbing up against Sarah's pussy.

"Rachel, come and sit on my face, I want you to watch Dave fuck my tight pussy, while you cum all over my face."

"All over your pretty little face?" she asks as she turns and faces me.

"Yeah." I slap my cock over Sarah's pussy, rubbing it over her pink hole for a minute, while Rachel climbs and places herself on top of Sarah's face. She leans forward and grabs hold of my cock, she starts stroking it and places her mouth over the head. She starts sucking it like a lollypop, licking her tongue around it. I take hold of her breasts and start to tweak and jiggle them. We both moan heavy together. She lets go and straightens her body and places her legs apart so she squats on top of Sarah's mouth. She feels Sarah attack her pussy with her tongue, licking it and sucking on it. I take my cock and press it into Sarah, now rough and hard as I can feel myself only moments from blowing. I start fucking her hard, grabbing hold of her legs and spreading them while I fuck her with all my power. Thrusting in and out. We all moan louder and louder.

"OH GOD! I'M CUMMING!" Rachel moans as she releases her hot girl cum all over Sarah's face, who laps it from her pussy. Rachel falls backwards and I see Sarah with cum all over her tongue, face, mouth, lips, cheeks. She is literally covered with cum. This pushes me over the edge and I pull out, and jerk off quickly. Making myself cum. It shoots and splatters over Sarah's stomach and face. Rachel turns and sticks her tongue to Sarah's cheek. My second load flies and splatters Sarah and Rachel's faces, who laps it up. Mixing my cum with her cum. I send off two more heavy loads, one hitting Rachel, the other splashing in Sarah's mouth and on the bed sheets. I wobble as I feel my balls unload their cum and then fall to my knees as I watch Sarah and Rachel kiss and tongue each other. Rubbing my cum around in their mouths. 



Star Ch. 02



Star was a very busy woman. She had vocal lessons, band practice, work. (Well, at a call center, but it still counts right?) She also volunteered at the YMCA, and the Children's hospital. On top of that, she was in school part time at ACU. 

So it took her a minute to realize that she hadn't heard from her best friend in a while. At first it was just a passing thought, 

'Hmmm, I didn't talk to Micah today,'

Then it was,

'Micah hasn't called me back.'

And now, she was all out pissed off. It had been three weeks! 

Now, she had to be fair, she wasn't exactly chasing him down or anything, and this was his usual practice if he broke up with a girl, or if she did something to piss him off. In this case she thought it could have been a little of both, but she couldn't think of a reason why he'd be mad. 

**********************

Star banged angrily on Micah's door, simultaneously calling his cell. 

"I know your in there Mikey! Open up!" she yelled though the door. 

Between thumps she listened for movement. Hearing the sound of his cell ringing, she banged harder. Finally she heard his footsteps coming towards the door.

"Jus a sec," she heard him mumble.

When the door finally did open, the aroma of stale pizza, beer and other unidentifiable odour's hit her nostrils. 

"Jeez Micah, what the hell happened to you?"

He looked like a train wreck. His hair was greasy and going in every direction, his facial hair had grown to scruff, the sweatpants he was wearing were stained, his socks were dirty and she'd identified the odour. It was him. 

"Can I come in?"

He moved out of the doorway and went to his living room without a word. 

"So... I get the silent treatment? What for Mikey?"

He said nothing just started cleaning up the pizza boxes and rearranging the mess. 

"Mikey," she started. He was moving all around her, going back and forth between the kitchen and the living room not speaking to her at all. On one of his trips she grabbed his arm and forced him to face her.

"Mikey, we have to talk about this."

"What's to say?"

"Hun, don't do this, don't shut me out," she said, her eyes pleading.

"It's for the best."

"Bullshit!" she spat at him. He looked away from her.

"How is ignoring your best friend for three weeks, for the best?"

She turned his head back to her.

"I didn't even know it was that serious, you never really brought her around."

He looked at her incredulously. "What are you talking about??" he asked.

"Kathryn! That's what all this is about right? You broke up!"

"Star, this has nothing to do with, Kathryn." 

The girls name fell from his lips like bile.

"Okay then, what?" She said throwing her hands in the air. "Your mad at me? What did I do?" 

Her voice had become quiet. She had no idea what she could have done to warrant this treatment. 

"Yes! I mean no! I'm mad at what almost happened. When we almost, you know..."

She looked at him as if he had five heads.

"Are you serious??" she said, arms now folded over her chest, foot tapping furiously on the carpet.

"You ignore me for three damn weeks, over a kiss that never happened???"

He looked at her as if to say 'Hells yeah!'

"I didn't know the thought of kissing me repulsed you that much Micah," she said turning on her heel and heading for the door. He was fast behind her.

"That's not what I meant and you know it Star," he began but she cut him off, spinning abruptly to face him, stopping him in his tracks. 

"What do I know Micah? I'm only your best friend! I'm only the one person you should be able to talk to! Ask me how I feel about this situation! Go ahead, ask!" she said her voice rising with anger. 

"How do you feel Star?" he asked obliging her.

"I feel like my best friend," she started, poking him in the chest. "Should have the fucking guts, to say he was just horny! Or he made a mistake! Instead of shutting me out of his life!" 

She was beginning to cry, the tears spilling onto her cheeks as she marked each word with a sharp poke in his chest. She clenched her jaw in an effort to stop the sob that wanted to escape. 

"Don't cry sweetheart," he said cradling her face in his hands, wiping away her tears with his thumbs.

"I know I fucked up. I fucked up royally this time. But you know how I am, especially with emotions. I'm not good with the stuff. Hell, what guy is?"

"I don't care," she said pulling him in and hugging him to her. "After everything we've been though together, all the bullshit, you should be able to talk to me." 

She backed up a bit to look into his eyes. 

"Mikey, you can't keep doing this, I'm not a mind reader! How am I supposed to know what's going on in that head of yours if you don't let me in?" she said tapping him playfully on his head. He smiled at her. Not one of his trademark smiles, but a start. 

"I guess... I guess I'm scared that if anything had happened, it would ruin our friendship. And I love you too much to lose you like that. I just don't wanna mess us up, you know?"

"I know, it all good Mikey." she said chuckling, and then added, "You know we could have had this conversation weeks ago right?"

He chuckled then.

"And you'd better be glad I'm a good friend, cause your ticket almost got sold! you lucky bastard!"

"You wouldn't!" he exclaimed, fake shock spreading over his face. 

"Ohhh, let me tell you," she said leaning in. "I was this close!"

He all out smiled at her, his big toothy grin spreading wide across his face and Star found herself smiling back just as hard.

"I missed you," he said hugging her again. 

"I missed you too, now go!" she said pushing him away from her.

"For the love of God! Take a shower, Sir funks a lot! I'll handle the mess in here." she said opening the windows and searching for any type of cleaner. 

"Hey," Micah said reappearing in front of her, a towel draped over his shoulder and a facecloth in hand.

"Thanks, for rescuing me."

She gazed at him, his green eyes were reflecting something she couldn't read. Shrugging her shoulders, she tried to appear nonchalant.

"It's what I do."

************************

It took them over an hour to clean Micah's apartment. About forty-five of those minutes, Micah spent grooming. To be fair, it had been a while. Once the place was fixed up, she made him take her to her favourite bakery, where he bought her favourite brownies. She'd generously shared only one with him and packed the rest up to take home with her. 

She was now in her car headed west to another band practice. A practice for the band with no name, although the traffic was trying to make sure she never made it there. Cars were moving at snails pace. At this rate, she'd get there by 2032. She pulled out her cell and called Ronnie, their bassist.

"I'm stuck in traffic, I'm gonna be late."

"Don't worry about it, we'll see you when you get here," he said. 

They'd had a fling about three years ago, sex was terrible though. For her anyway. Ronnie was what you call a selfish lover. He'd expect you to go to great lengths, to please him, the term lengths being used very loosely in this case, but was completely unwilling to return the favour.

"I don't eat pussy," he'd announced to her gaped open legs. Even though she'd spent the better part of 45 minutes on her knees in front of him, making sure he'd gotten his. The actual sex was anticlimactic. It seemed she'd barely gotten on the rollercoaster, and he was already getting off. Literally. 

"Sex is overrated," she found herself saying aloud. She knew this wasn't true. There was the one time she'd had a one night stand, completely unlike her, and she'd only told Micah. But this man, it seemed, knew her body explicitly. It was like he could read her mind, and knew exactly what she wanted, where she wanted to be touched, how she wanted to be touched. 

He was tall, much taller than star, with short dark brown hair, and smouldering brown eyes. His frame, covered with sinewy muscles and he just oozed sex. That night when she'd got him home she pounced on him, and it was on like popcorn! 

That was the night, she thought to herself, she found out she liked being spanked. He'd had her completely naked, bent over the footboard of her bed sliding his fingers back and forth along her slit. He'd run them slowly up, teasing her clit, then back to her core, plunging each finger agonizingly slowly into her wetness. Once his hand was coated in her juices, he spanked her soundly on her ass, once, twice, three times, until she'd lost count. The stinging slaps were causing quite the commotion in her pussy, and she didn't even realize she was moaning until he spoke.

"You like it when I spank you baby?"

Did she ever. He'd fucked her crazy, until she collapsed into the bed. The next morning, she woke up alone, with not even so much as a note, a phone number, or even a name for that matter. 

It took her more than a minute to get over that one. 

And now, as she crawled through traffic, her mind travelled to Micah. She knew all about him, including his sexual tastes, and prowess. If nothing else, they'd be great together sexually. She remembered his ex girlfriend, Ellie? Lizzie? Something like that. She'd decided she wanted to bond with Star and somehow they got on the topic of sex. The woman went into grave detail describing Micah's oral skills, and how the sex seemed endless. The places he'd licked her, bit her, teased her etc. 

She'd listened politely at the time, inserted the appropriate, "Ooh's," "Oh my Gods," and even the occasional, "Girl, no he didn't!"

Now, she couldn't help but feel curious about her friend. What he would be like, how he'd taste in her mouth, how he'd feel inside her. For some odd reason, although the thought of having sex with her best friend should appal her, the thought of it seemed more and more right. As if he's the one she should have been screwing all along. 

"That's ridiculous!" she said nervously to herself. 

But, somewhere way deep down inside, feelings collided with thoughts, creeping from the recesses of her mind and formed a single thought.

Is it?

**************************

Micah was filled with an overwhelming sense of relief as he walked into the 6th thrift store that day. He hadn't lost her. They were still okay. Even though his feelings seemed like they couldn't be ignored, they had to be for the sake of their friendship. 

He was going though yet another bin of albums looking for the one he wanted. After the concert was postponed, then rescheduled and then rescheduled again, due to reasons unknown, they were finally going! Micah was especially excited. Music was definitely a huge part of his life, and since she'd given him the gift of prince, he decided to do the same for her. He was giving her the entire collection. Every prince album ever released, on wax. It wasn't the same as seeing him live and in concert, but it was almost as good! He only had one more album to find. The purple rain album seemed as elusive as the lockness monster, loosing him at every turn.

"Can I help you?"

Micah turned to see one of the most lovely creatures he'd ever laid eyes on. She was tall, almost as tall as he, with short jet black hair styled flatteringly around her beautiful face. Her eyes were the brightest blue he'd ever seen in his life and he wasn't sure if he'd seen a more perfect smile in, ever.

"I, uhhh..."

He couldn't remember why he'd even come to the store, something about records. She was smiling at him and he couldn't think straight. Her dimples were driving him crazy, he was seeing stars. Star! That's why he was here!

"I'm looking for a particular album and I sincerely hope you can help me! I've been everywhere looking and I haven't found it."

At least his speech had returned. What the hell had come over him? 

"Okay, maybe I can help, I'm a bit of a musical genius! What album are you looking for?" She tucked a stray lock behind her ear and chewed nervously on her bottom lip, causing her dimple to become more pronounced. 

"Purple rain," he said, his voice slightly hoarse. He cleared his throat, and she ran off trying to find the album. He stood in the same spot trying to figure out why he was being so awkward. He was far beyond the stage where he was scared of girls, and this one seemed more timid around him than he was. Maybe it was because she was everything he liked. Thin but not skinny, tall but definitely not a freakshow, completely proportionate in every way; in short she was beautiful. 

He needed to shake this off and get what he came for. But when he found her bent over a stack of crates, searching for his purple rain, he found she looked just as good from the back as she did from the front. Her tight blue jeans showed off her body but not overtly so. She was wearing a plain white t-shirt, no muss no fuss but was still radiant.

"Ah ha!" she exclaimed triumphantly. "I found it!" 

She straightened and he pretended he wasn't staring at her legs, which seemed to go on forever. 

"Here you go! Purple rain, just like you asked."

She handed him his coveted album and he almost jumped for joy, literally. 

"Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me!" he smiled showing her almost all of his teeth. She smiled back, staring directly into his emerald green eyes, she seductively licked her lips. 

"It's the least I can do," she said, trailing her fingers up and down her long neck.

Micah fingered the album in his hands, all nervousness gone. His voice lowered, he leaned into her and took her hand in his. 

"So what are you doing after this? Tell me your shift is ending soon," he said, a cocky grin on his lips as he made his way to the register. 

"Well.." she looked around nervously to make sure no one was watching. "The thing is, I'm a volunteer here. So I can pretty much leave whenever I want."

She boldly wrapped her slender arm around his waist. He tucked the album under his arm and led her out.

"Let's blow this popsicle stand."

*************************************

Star got up from behind the drums and stretched. She kicked ass on the drums usually but she was really distracted tonight. 

"You alright hon? You seem out of it tonight."

She looked up at their lead Brian, also known as Irish. He kept his fiery red hair buzzed close to his scalp and was definitely not your average, full of himself lead singer. Although he was most certainly attractive, he almost didn't know it, which Star found to be one of his most endearing qualities. He, along with Star had been the founding fathers of this band with no name, and quite by accident. She was playing a gig as a favour for a friend when he walked in and saw her. They were fast friends, and subsequently a band formed. A band with no name.

"Yeah," she said gathering her gear and packing up her drums. "I'm just a little off tonight Bri."

"Your telling me! You were all over the place! what's going on in that noggin of yours honey?" 

He reached out for her, halting her movement and looking into her eyes with a look of concern. 

"Are you really alright? You can talk to me you know, that's what friends are for." 

"Didn't Stevie wonder sing that?" Robbie called over to them. 

"Dionne Warwick and friends, Whitney Houston too," said Jackie, lead guitarist. 

"No, I distinctly remember Stevie singing it too," Robbie stated and burst into song. 

Brian was leading her towards the door, the voices fading behind them. They were halfway to his car when she stopped him. 

"Hold up a sec, I didn't take my drums."

"Don't worry about it, what's really going on Star? You're the best drummer I know and you could barely keep the song together, what's up?" 

"Nothing," she stated and tried to walk around him back inside but he stopped her.

"No, it's not nothing. Now I'm not letting you go till I get an answer."

His look was stern and he meant business. But how could she say she was distracted because she was fantasising about fucking her best friend? She felt ridiculous even thinking it let along saying it aloud.

"I'm," she took a deep breath quickly and expelled it. "I've just had a lot my plate is all. With work, school this," she said waiving her hand at Brian's garage which they were currently practicing in. 

"I guess all this stuff is finally catching up to me. I just need a good nights rest and I promise I'll be back up to par by next week okay?" 

"Okay," he said hesitantly. " But you better be back to your old self by next week or your ass is grass lass!"

He pulled her into a hug and she eagerly accepted his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his trim waist and squeezed him to her. 

"Alright," she said finally pulling out of the hug. "Now help me lug these drums into my car would ya?"

"Why don't you just leave them here until next week, I promise I won't hurt them!" he said, right hand up in the air, left hand over his heart. 

"I don't know..." she said reluctantly. He wasn't exactly known for his responsible nature. 

"C'mon, that's what friends are for!" he added, joining in with the chorus coming from his garage. 

"Okay," she said walking towards her car. "But if your hurt my drums Brian so help me!"

He drowned her out with the song. "knowing you can always count on me! For sure! That's what friends are for!" 

He waved his goodbye and she got in her car and drove home.

******************

Star had just pulled into her parking space when she saw Micah's Chevy tear in to the lot and come to a screeching halt in his space just a few feet from her car. Grabbing her bags she walked out to meet him. 

"Hey maniac!" she called out to him.

"Hello my beautiful nutcase!" he yelled back at her, running up to her. "What are you doing out here? Never mind that, I've got someone I want you to meet!" 

He rushed to the passenger side of his car.

"It had better be my vacuum cleaner you've been holding hostage for weeks," she joked. Her smile faltered more than a bit when she saw who he was ushering up to her. The girl was gorgeous. Model gorgeous, she deserved to be on a magazine cover or a perfume add. 

"This, is Lindsay. Linds, this is my Best friend in the entire universe, Star." 

He watched star nervously as the two greeted each other. The woman was talking, saying things directly to her, but star couldn't respond, she just shook her head. She wanted with every fibre of her being to cuss this girl out. 

But why? Lily was being nothing but nice to her, there was no reason for her to be so crass. So then why didn't she trust herself to open her mouth? She realised they were both staring at her, Lacey must've asked a question. Shit! Wait! What was her name again?

"huh?" was all star could manage. 

"She asked if you play any instruments, Lindsay plays jazz piano," Micah offered. 

"Oh, I uh play the drums."

Star realized she was scowling and attempted to straighten her face but couldn't. why the hell am I being such a bitch? She thought to herself. 

"That's really cool!" Lindsay said, a little over enthusiastic. 

"Yeah, she's really awesome at it too," Micah added picking up on Star's nasty mood. A familiar look of concern took over his face.

Shit, she thought, not you too.

"Okay, well I'm really tired so I'mma hit the ol' hay. Lisa it was really nice meeting you."

"Lindsay," the couple said in unison.

"I'm sorry, Lindsay." she said backing away. "Mikey, don't forget about this weekend, you and I have a date!" she smiled genuinely at him as she walked through the front doors of her building. The look of concern was ever present on his face, but he smiled back at her. 

"Okay, Star thanks again for the tickets," he said leaning into Lindsay even further, wrapping his arms around her slender frame. Star wished more than anything that he'd hold her in that way, she slipped her arms around her waist, mimicking the intimate touch and turned away.




Star Ch. 02



Part 2: Falling Star

Part 2 of 5. This is the only part not written in the interview\flashback style.

*

 The past two or so years had gone quite well and fairly whizzed by. 'Dirty Work' had been a minor hit to start with, but had got huge after it went to DVD. I, Dave Gerrard, bin man, had become an actor. In the main I got secondary roles. Not starring roles or lowly 'second thug' type parts, but characters that helped the plot along. I was usually only on set for three or four weeks, which suited me fine. It meant that I could accompany Karen when she was away filming. We had actually married on the set of her next film. For her part, she had been on set for my films too. I was glad of her support, especially for my first role other than as 'Pops'. Unfortunately Karen's next couple of movies hadn't been terribly successful. I told her that I thought it was because she was being offered and had accepted the wrong roles. She wasn't so sure but accepted my advice in the right manner. There had been rumours that there was to be a sequel to 'Dirty Work', but Karen wanted another hit before she did it. It didn't bother me as it had been her project anyway, and I wasn't desperate to get back into the limelight. However cracks were beginning to appear in our relationship, mainly due to the fact that we were spending more time apart than we'd like. My own insecurities about marrying someone so much younger were not helping matters either.

It was me who caused the cracks to widen however. Karen was away in New Zealand, appearing in another film I thought was wrong for her, while I was at home preparing for a bigger role than I'd played before (except for Pops). It was my birthday and I was bored. Karen had called and we had talked for nearly an hour. That had been fine at the time, but later on in the evening, sitting at our home, nursing a drink, I really missed her. 'I'll go out!' I thought. 'I need some people around me.' It was possibly the most stupid thought I ever had. Some photographer snapped me coming out of a club at two in the morning with a pretty redhead. In truth, I was just sharing a cab with her, but the tabloid headlines screamed something different. When I saw the pictures I knew they were going to hurt Karen. I called her straightaway and told her the truth. I said I knew how it looked and knew I had been careless. She listened and said she believed me in a quiet voice, but I knew I had dented her perception of me. I had a bad feeling that I'd started a chain of events that I wouldn't like.

I was right about that. Her manager, a weaselly man, put out a press release saying Karen was 'shocked and stunned' when I knew she was no such thing, at least not in the way the release implied. I had hurt her though, and this man was trying to stir things up, but I left things alone. 

In preparation for my upcoming role I was doing some driving again, a delivery van this time. During this time I was away from home and hadn't looked at a newspaper for three days. I was on my way back when Karen called me. I was glad to hear her voice again. She had called to say sorry she said. 'For the stunned press release?' I asked. 'No, for the pictures that are about to be published.' She said, adding that it had been her manager's idea again. Puzzled by what she meant I couldn't really say much. I got home and put the news on. There was Karen walking out of a club with a very hunky looking man. He looked like he kept his brains with his razor, and didn't use either of them very often. And he was so much younger than me. I was really starting to hate that manager. I threw some things into a bag and went to the airport.

***

 Karen was genuinely glad to see me. She hugged me and I hugged back, but because I'd been torturing myself throughout the whole flight out I pulled away after a brief moment.

"Just what is going on? I know I screwed up and you have every right to be angry with me, but those photos of me were grabbed on the fly. These...!" I waved a newspaper with her pictures in under her nose. "These are posed! Why Karen? If I hurt you that much, why didn't you just say so. You could have, should have yelled at me when I called you. I would have accepted that, you had every right to. But why tell me you believe me and then do this!" 

She looked away and then back, her face now reddening with anger.

"Don't you dare come here and lecture me! It was you who messed things up, and...and you've been holding my career back."

"How the hell have I done that? It was you and that idiot manager that picked your roles. I never once said 'take that one'. He's been poisoning you against me for months now."

"I can't talk to you like this, meet me later when you've cooled off, and we'll sort it out."

"Got another hunk lined up that you have to put off first have you?" I sneered. I knew I had lost control but I couldn't stop. All my anxieties were bursting forth and I was saying ridiculous things, things meant to hurt her. She stepped up to me and slapped my face hard. In my anger I started to lift my hand until I realised what I was doing. My shoulders slumped, my hand dropped down to my side. "I'm sorry Karen, I'll go. I never meant for this to happen, and I never want to hurt you again, so I'll go and leave you alone." I turned and went towards the door. As I reached it, her manager came in. 

"What's happening? I heard raised voices?" He saw me. "Oh, it's you, the husband." My anger returned. I saw all my problems personified in him and I swung my fist, landing it square on his jaw.

***

 At least I got out of New Zealand before the little git could have me arrested, but I'd probably never be allowed back in. I brooded on the long haul back to London. Now I'd calmed down and looked at my actions I was deeply ashamed. I loved Karen, but I'd shouted at her and accused her of so many stupid things. And I couldn't believe I'd actually begun to raise my hand to her. Before I'd started acting I'd never raised my hand to a woman. (Well, except my sister.) I was so mortified by that one near movement that I almost broke down and cried. Instead I came up with a plan, and it wasn't a plan to try and get Karen back. I'd decided that I didn't deserve her so I would lose myself, take myself out of her life, let her do what she wanted, let her find someone who did deserve her.

***

 Now it was eighteen months after the plane had landed in London. I had gone back to our home and packed some clothes and one or two other bits and pieces and left. Although I knew she wouldn't be back for three weeks I left her a long letter, apologising for messing up her life, telling her I'd always love her but I couldn't bear to see her hurt anymore so I was doing the only thing I could and getting the hell out of her life and then apologising again. Then I'd gone to the location site for the film I was supposed to be in. After three days I found I couldn't concentrate on whatever it was I was supposed to be doing and my enthusiasm was non-existent. I was on my way to find the director to tell him I quit when I met him coming to tell me I was fired. So ended my film career. I went back to the one thing I knew I was good at, waste collection.

I had to work as an agency driver of course. There were no full time jobs going anymore. I didn't mind though, I was still getting royalty checks for the films I had done and the book of photographs I had put together from 'Dirty Work'. They were paid into several accounts, one for each role I'd played. It was a game Karen and I had started; an account for each film we'd been in. Of course the account for 'Dirty Work' was the biggest, because both of us paid into that one. It was also the only one I never touched, figuring that was 'our' money not mine. So now I just enjoyed myself doing a job I learned to love again. Basically it was so simple; just empty all the bins that were scheduled for collection for that day. I didn't have to know why, I wasn't told how, I just did it. I went back to my Blog, the Blog that had caught Karen's attention, and just wrote what I felt. It was very cathartic, although I couldn't bring myself to write down why Karen and I had split. I left all the propaganda to her slime ball manager. It was obvious that I was going to be the bad guy, and she was the one hard done by. I was painted as some sort of gold digger, only out for her money, when in truth I left our house with less than I had arrived with. I was surprised that she had never filed for divorce, or if she had, I had never been informed. It was surprising because whenever she appeared in public there was another gorgeous hunk hanging on her arm, most of them with the vapid expression of a goldfish, and probably the brains as well. I learned to stay away from those pictures, just as I learned to live without Karen again. My new workmates soon tired of teasing me about my short-lived former life and learnt not to say anything bad about Karen too. 'She is still my wife' I would explain, bouncing their heads off the nearest hard surface.

I suppose I was disappointed that she hadn't come looking for me. It was almost as if I wasn't worth divorcing, I could just as easily be ignored. I was saddened by her attitude though. I knew she was more grown up than her years suggested in many ways, but she was still a child in others, especially when it came to relationships. I had seen that she could be easily led and had tried hard not to impose my views onto her. Apparently her manager had had different ideas. 

***

 She had finally got her big hit film for a part she took after a very public row with him. He hadn't wanted her to take it, but something, possibly something I'd said, made her want to do it, so she had. She had then fired him too. That was something I found very satisfying, I just wished I could have been there to see it. There had been a court case too, he had sued for defamation and loss of earnings, and she had counter sued for embezzlement. The case had only recently ended with Karen winning. To begin with I had kept tabs on it, but it had become drowned in legalese and even the tabloids found it hard to pick out any scandal.

Deep down though I knew everything was my fault. I could have saved our relationship right up to the moment that I punched her manager and I knew it. Even back then I had known it, for an instant I had wavered and then I had seen in his eyes that he wanted me to hit him. I knew he had set me up. He wanted me out of Karen's life, and sooner or later he was going to get his way, so landing the blow meant I was going on my terms at least. All this had flashed through my mind in milliseconds and I had thrown the punch anyway. He had gone down very satisfactorily. 

***

 I still had friends in the movies though. I kept in touch with some of the crew from 'Dirty Work', especially Clint the director. He kept offering me small roles in his films so I could 'keep my eye in'. I always turned him down though, preferring to do some truck driving for him so I could meet old friends that way. I was out with some of the old second unit who had just finished filming some location shots nearby when I saw the news. Karen Carragher was due to make an important announcement in the next few days. There was much speculation on the TV as to what this would be, but I felt I knew. This was the end of our relationship. One of the brainless beefcakes had asked her to marry him, so I had to be found and sorted out. I quietly slipped away and went back to my flat. As I sat in the darkness, contemplating my stupidity in throwing away the best thing that had ever happened to me, the phone rang. I tried to ignore it, knowing that this was obviously the beginning of the end, but the thought of hearing Karen's voice one last time made me pick up.

The voice on the other end however was that of Clint.

"Dave? Got a job for you if you want it." His usual line.

"Clint, it's good to hear a friendly voice. I was expecting it to be Karen or her lawyer telling me the dream was over."

"Dreams are never over son. Why are you expecting Karen to call anyway?"

"Well, she's divorcing me isn't she?"

"She is? She didn't say so earlier when I met her." He was genuinely puzzled.

"Oh? What about this announcement?"

"That's for 'Dirty Work II'. Now she's got another hit, she wants to do it. With the original crew too."

"That's going to be awkward isn't it? I mean, we haven't spoken in eighteen months."

"That's why I called and why the announcement is being delayed. I need to know if you're prepared to plays Pops again."

"Why?"

"Because we have two slightly differing scripts. If you won't do it, we'll use the one where Pops has just died. If you will..."

"Karen can dump me on film too." I finished for him. I was torn. I really wanted one last chance to see her, but I didn't know if the humiliation was worth it.

"You haven't seen the script yet."

"Post it to me."

"We don't have the time. We need to know within twenty four hours."

"I'm not agreeing to play a role that I haven't seen a script for. You, or Karen, could have turned him into an idiot." I heard him mutter something like 'well he is supposed to be you'.

"Look Dave, I'm five minutes away. I've got the script; I want you to see it. I want you to be in this film. We were a team four years ago; we can be again."

"All right, bring me the damn script and I'll see. You do know I haven't done a single acting job for nearly two years."

"See! It'll be just like old times." He sounded pleased that I was even considering the role. I was a bit surprised too, but that chance to work with Karen was going to be hard to overcome.

***

 Clint had waited while I skimmed through the role of 'Pops'. They hadn't changed his character, but he wasn't central now. Things happened around 'Emily', more like the original film had supposed to be.

"Okay Clint. I'll do it. It was more the sort of role I was taking afterwards anyway. I have one request. When Karen announces this, can she read out a short statement from me?" 

"I can't answer for her, you know that."

"I do know. I'll take the role whatever her answer, so she doesn't have to do it if she doesn't want to, but she won't get to see it until the announcement."

"I don't know Dave. That sounds a bit ominous." Clint sounded as dubious as he looked.

"It isn't meant to be. If it helps, I can show you what the note will say. I just want it to be a surprise for Karen."

"I can only ask her." He shrugged. I took out a piece of paper and wrote what I wanted to say on it. I showed it to Clint before I sealed it in an envelope. He smiled and nodded. 

***

 The room was packed. More people were interested in this than Clint and Karen had anticipated. I had sneaked into the back of the crowd by the simple expedient of closely following a reporter and waving my camera at the harassed guy on the door. Karen and Clint came in and sat before the assembled mass of cameras and microphones held towards them by the seated media. I looked straight across at her but she didn't see me, after all, I wasn't supposed to be there. She spoke in a calm authoritative voice.

"Good morning everyone. It's good to see so many old friends here." Her eyes swept the room, still failing to notice me. "As you have probably guessed by now this is to officially announce that 'More Dirty Work', the 'Dirty Work' sequel has got the green light. Clint and I are pleased to confirm that we will be using exactly the same cast and crew as we did in the original." Every hand in the room shot up, every reporter wanting to know the answer to the same question. Karen knew it too. "And yes, that does include my estranged husband as 'Pops'." 

"In fact, Dave was the hardest to persuade to come back, and not for the reasons you would think." Clint broke in. "He felt his performance in the first film had been exceptionally lucky and he didn't think he'd be able to repeat it. I managed to change his mind only yesterday, and he agreed as long as Karen would read out a short note to all of you." I tensed. I wasn't convinced now that this was a good idea, but I needed to gauge her reaction before we met again.

"Thank you for the explanation Clint." Karen sipped from a glass of water. "Before I read out that note, I have something I need to say first." Clint looked a little surprised, but recovered his composure by crossing his arms and leaning back. When he did he caught sight of me and almost fell backwards. Luckily everyone was looking at Karen.

"You all know I recently won a court action against my former manager. Throughout that action many claims and counter claims were issued. One thing that did not come out was something I was horrified to learn. My manager had engineered the whole break up with Dave. It was he who organised the barrage of abuse that Dave received after that picture, and he who somehow stopped Dave's friends confirming what he had already told me, that all he did was share a taxi." My eyes widened. I wasn't expecting this! Neither was Clint. He sat with his mouth open, obviously wondering where Karen was going with this. "Subsequent to that, he hired a succession of young men to accompany me to all sorts of functions and get photographed. It seemed he was trying to get Dave to file for divorce, because I had already refused to do so." I couldn't believe my ears. I was more and more glad I had thumped him. "So, before you all gang up on my husband, please realise we all, and I mean Dave, me, and all of you, were used by an immoral man for his own agenda, which was ultimately the embezzlement of a fair bit of my income." The media people all looked down, shuffled their feet and were generally embarrassed. While they all muttered to each other Karen picked up the envelope I had given Clint and opened it. She read the note and then burst into tears, sitting down. Clint picked up the note.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. All this note says is: 'I'm so deeply sorry. Forgive me. I'll never stop loving you. Dave'." He held it up for everyone to see. They all stood and tried to get a better look. I had lost sight of Karen so began to move around to the side of the room. Through the sea of noise I heard her speak.

"Where is he Clint? I have to find him, where is he?" Clint just pointed at me. Karen swung around and saw me. "Dave!" She ran to me, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Well, I wanted to see you before we started our next film."

"The note! The note was lovely."

"Will you forgive me?"

"For what? I just told everyone that we were manipulated."

"But it was me who gave him the opportunity, by going out that night. And I did thump him in front of you, and I said all those horrible things and thought even worse things. And worst of all, I lifted my hand." I hung my head.

"I forgive you for everything. Well, nearly everything. I don't forgive you for hitting him. You should have kicked him as well." Her watery red eyes were shining with laughter. I picked her up and kissed her.

"Karen, shall we go home?"



Star Ch. 02



"That's what friends are for!"



Star Ch. 03



AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you to everyone who patiently waited for another installment! Now, I know I said there would be two chapters added, but I'm having some technical difficulties! anywho, enjoy my lovelies! ;) 

*

"Face it kid, you're in love."

Staring blankly at the mirrored reflection of herself, Star tilted her head to the side and took in her body in the full-length mirror. She wore a tight black tube dress that went down to her knees, and clung mercilessly to her frame. The slight rueching at the waist added shape to her already curvy silhouette. Her hair fell down in loose waves around her shoulders and what lie atop her head can only be described as a raspberry beret. 

She looked perfect. Wearing the minimalist of makeup, only mint flavored lip-gloss and a little mascara. 

'You look perfect,' she thought to herself. 

However, she could not tear her eyes away from the reflection staring back at her. From those eyes most importantly. On the outside, she looked beautiful, but her eyes couldn't hide the truth. That she was in love, head over heals in love, with her best friend. Something she would never have allowed herself to even think, let alone speak aloud. The words sounded strange and foreign coming from her mouth but she forced herself to speak the unthinkable:

"I, Star Rashida Langford, am in love with Micah Roberts."

Her heart thudded in her chest at the admission. She had said it, it was true, now what in the hell was she going to do about it? Weighing the pros and cons, she walked to her closet and pulled out her black stiletto's. Really, when it came down to it, she only had a few options. She could continue on as his friend, keep her big mouth shut and always have him in her life. Or, she could take the chance, take that gamble and tell him exactly how she felt. Of course, there was always the chance he didn't feel the same way, but there was always that chance that he did.

Star walked the short distance back over to her mirror. On the outside, she was beauty personified. However, on the inside she was a torrential storm of mixed emotions. Part of her was saying to keep quiet. It doesn't matter that you're not together; as long as you have him, you'll be okay. But another, larger part of her couldn't deny her feelings any longer. This side was screaming for her to pour out her heart and soul to the only one person who ever truly understood her. To take the chance, and risk losing him because in all honesty, she never really had him in the first place. 

That realization hit Star like a ton of bricks. She looked directly into her reflection in the mirror. 

"I never really had him in the first place."

She realized that even after all these years of friendship, she didn't have him. He wasn't hers, nor was she his. They were just friends. Nothing more, nothing less. And the only way they could ever be anything more, is if she did the scariest and most courageous thing she'd ever done in her life. She'd have to fight for him. 

The thought filled Star's eyes with renewed vigour. She was going to tell him, tonight. Star grabbed the tickets off her dresser and dropped them into her clutch along with her wallet and keys.

"Look out Micah Roberts, the battle for your heart has begun, whether you know it or not!"

*****************

Micah was in the mirror trying to figure out what to do with his hair when his phone began to beep for a missed call. Entering his password, he listened to the recorded message.

"Hey babe, it's me! I hope you have an amazing time at the concert tonight! Don't miss me too much! And call me as soon as you get home, kay? Alright, I'll talk to you later!"

Micah promptly deleted the message, and hung up. The Lindsay spell was already beginning to wear off, and it hadn't even been a week. 

"Where do I find these girls?" he asked himself aloud. 

Resuming the task at hand, he reasoned with himself that it wasn't that Lindsay had changed at all, it was more that his interest in her had changed. Just like last time. Hell, just like every time!

His thoughts were interrupted by knocking at the door. Hopping up and down he tried to get a full view of himself in his small bathroom mirror. Unsatisfied, he went to the door. What he saw made his jaw drop. Star looked gorgeous. Absolutely, drop dead gorgeous. 

Star just grinned. 

"You like?" she asked striking a pose. 

"Wow, Star you look..."

Star wrapped her arms around him and breathed him in. Her heart was whispering two words, "tell him," her mind were whispering another two words, "not yet."

Micah's singing interrupted her internal battle. He started out, at first singing softly in her ear.

"She wore a raspberry beret, the kind you find at a second hand store..."

Smiling to herself, she joined in.

"A raspberry beret! If it was warm she wouldn't wear much more!"

Mikey pulled back from her to look in her eyes and continued singing.

"Raspberry beret... I think I loooooove her!"

He was grinning from ear to ear by now, and her smile matched his. In that moment, it would have been so easy to say. 'Then just say it,' her heart chided. 

"I have a present for you!" he exclaimed giddy as a schoolboy, and interrupting her thoughts.

"Really? What is it? And is that what you're doing with your hair? What time is it?" came her barrage of questions.

"Whoa, one at a time! First of all, it's nearly 5:30. Plenty of time! I'm gonna go finish my hair, because as you've noticed, it's a work in progress. Your present, is on the table-"

"Ooooooh!" came her squeals of delight and she took off to find her gift. 

Closing the apartment door, he joined her in the kitchen just in time to see her demolish the wrapping paper and rip open the box. And there he was. Prince, in his entire purple, frilly glory sitting atop a pile of similar recordings.

" I... I don't..." 

Star was speechless. This didn't happen too often. Micah took the opportunity to peruse her body. Star always exuded effortless beauty. Barely wore makeup, and when she did, you knew it was a special occasion. Most of her clothing was from thrift stores or something vintage from one of her aunt's closets. That did not mean she lacked style. She was always her own person, marching to the beat of her own drum so to speak. And tonight she looked utterly delectable in that skin-tight black dress, fighting back tears. 

"You don't have to say anything; this is my thank you for tonight."

She looked up at him though watery eyes, her fingers mindlessly tracing prince's motorcycle. She grinned, and tried to blink back the tears that threatened to fall. Only Mikey would do something like this for her. 

"Tell you what, how bout you go put one of those records on while I finish up."

Still incapable of speech, she nodded her head silently and began searching though the stack, as Micah stalked off to the bathroom. Realizing there was only one album she wanted to hear, she traipsed over to Mikey's beat up stereo and lifted the top to the record player. Carefully, she put the album in the player and dropped the needle. After a short pause, the sounds of "Let's go crazy" filled the room and she felt like she really was loosing her mind. Any resolve she had on the way over here was lost the second he'd opened the door. She had to tell him, she reasoned, just not yet. After the concert, that is when she'd tell him. She just hoped she didn't loose her nerve.

*********

Three hours, two wardrobe changes and a bottle of styling gel later, they were at the concert front and center. They'd missed most of the opening acts, but as long as they'd made it for the main event, Star was happy. The atmosphere was magnetic. There was an abundance of glitter and spandex, it felt like being transported back in time. The girl standing directly behind her was decked out in full 80's garb. From the stone washed tiered ruffled skirt, to the pink Lycra tank top. She even had the leg warmers and teased, feathered hair that probably took endless bottles of hair spray to achieve. 

They'd seen countless reincarnations. There was Morris day, Apollonia 6, and of course, prince himself seemed to be in every row. The stadium was packed to the rafters with people who were growing more impatient by the minute. The stage was empty, save for the lonely announcer trying to rile the crowd. A bunch of people on the far left started singing "Darling Nikki." I guess as an ode to the old prince, seeing as how he doesn't perform songs like that anymore. Aaah, the good old days of the 80's, when star was barely a thought, and music was music! 

The guy on stage was trying to get the crowd to chant his name, DJ so & so. The crowd responded with a muffled gurgle coming from all directions. After a few moments, it became clearer: Prince! Prince! Prince! The chant became louder, until finally the lights out, everything was completely black, and star couldn't see her own hand in front of her face. Firm hands enclosed around her waist and she jumped initially.

"Star, it's just me!" Micah yelled to her.

Star immediately relaxed into his arms and hugged him to her. The lights suddenly went up, a high-pitched scream/moan erupted over the microphone and the crowd went wild!

*************

Micah awoke the next morning feeling euphoric! Last night was one of the most amazing experiences of his life and of course, it was even better because he shared it with the most amazing woman in his life. The entire night his hands were itching to touch her. And when he finally did get her in his arms he didn't dare let her go. 

The concert was fan-fucking-tastic! Absolutely worth the wait. He was on stage for almost 4 hours, singing all the old songs and some newer ones, like "Fury," and "Guitar." It was as if he died and went to prince heaven! And he of course, finished off the concert with his favourite song; Purple rain. He'd almost cried when he heard the opening. He was pretty sure star did cry. 

It was hands down, the best night of his life. 

Stretching in his bed, he heard a ruffling sound coming from his living room. He sat up, and thought about the bat he kept under his bed. That thought was pacified by the sounds of "Get off." Star came dancing into his bedroom, swaying and grinding her hips. She was wearing that t-shirt he loved, the one with the faded guitar on it, and a pair of almost too short shorts, her thighs completely exposed. She was singing along with the music, a sly grin on her face. It was all having a wondrous effect on him, and his body responded almost immediately, beginning to form a tent in the sheets. 

She hadn't noticed, at least she pretended not to. She continued dancing her way over to his bed. When she began to crawl her way up the bed, he had a flash of déjà vu. However, this time instead of ripping his boxers off, as usual, she plopped herself down on the bed beside him and casually draped her legs over his. 

"Top of the Mornin to ya!" she said. 

Micah had that feeling again. He was itching to touch her, kiss her, fuck her... No! He had to redirect his thinking, try to concentrate on something else. 

"Good morning beautiful, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

He was staring at her lips and she subconsciously licked them. Forcing himself to look away, he studied the muscles of her neck.

"Well, my cupboards are bare, which means so are yours. Which means, the two of us must venture out in search of food. I was thinking Safeway?"

She turned to him and caught him staring.

"What? Do I have something on me? Why are you looking like that?"

"Like what?" he asked.

He needed a quick recovery.

"Like I'm a sirloin steak or something!" she said laughing.

"Sorry I was just reminiscing about last night. That was the absolute best night of my life!" 

"Aaaaaaah! I know!" she squealed, wriggling in closer to him. 

She smelled like cocoa butter and strawberries, and Micah felt himself swelling even more. Needing to mask his "situation" he had going, he shifted closer to her, simultaneously tucking himself into the waistband of his underwear.

"Wasn't it just perfect? I haven't had that good a time in... ever!" she exclaimed. "It was absolutely worth every dollar!" 

She was smiling so genuinely, looking over his head obviously lost in some memory of last night, and Micah took the opportunity to slip from the bed, hopefully with out her seeing his huge erection. 

"Kay, while you take a trip down memory lane, I'm gonna hop in the shower and then we'll go okay?" he said wrapping a thick towel around his waist and quickly rushing out of the bedroom.

****************

His shower took forever, simply because his wood was unrelenting. Star banged on the door a few times, asking if he'd washed down the drain or something. After about 45 minutes, he'd emerged with a cloud of steam following close behind. 

They decided to walk to the grocery store, seeing as how it was only a few blocks from their house. Star protested this because it looked like rain, so he gave her his powder blue rain poncho, and they were off. The entire walk, Micah could tell something was bothering star. She kept looking up at him as if she wanted to say something, but nothing came. Eventually, she put her music on and kept walking.

The skies were a dangerous shade of grey and looked like they'd open up and rain any moment. It was amazing how similar he felt. He wanted Star more than any woman in the world, no one else made him feel the way she did. Nevertheless, this was a love that could never be. He couldn't jeopardize everything they'd had, everything they had shared together to be with her, could he?

He toyed with the thought in his mind. Something he'd been doing a lot of lately. He thought about how right she felt in his arms last night, her scent, and how she thought she didn't know she cried when their song played. All he wanted to do was love her, but did he know how? 

Every single relationship he had ended badly. He wasn't even the least bit friendly with any of his exes. He'd lied to them, cheated, ignored them and on a few occasions, he just stopped speaking to them, without giving the slightest inkling as to why. He wasn't a good boyfriend, never has been never will be. So why would it be any different with Star? There is no way he'd put Star though any of his bullshit. They'd been though enough already together.

"Mikey?" Star breathed, pulling him out of his thoughts. 

"Huh," he answered.

"I've gotta tell you something, but I don't know how to say it, so I'll just say it."

Micah was more than a little perplexed, looking around he realised they were already in the Safeway parking lot.

"What's the matter babe? You know you can tell me anything right?" he looked into her eyes and they were clouded over with something....

"Micah, I..." she trailed off, looking down at her feet. He let her take her time, but he was becoming increasingly worried.

"I..." she looked him back in the eyes, he was holding her shoulders. 

"I love you Micah."

He was all out confused now. 

"I love you too, but what's wrong?"

"No," she said shrugging out of his grasp. 

"You don't understand, it's not like that, not anymore. Hell, I'm starting to doubt it ever really was like that. Jesus, this is coming out all wrong!"

Crumpling a bit, she ran her hands over her face. Micah was glued to the spot. He couldn't move. Was she saying what he thought she was saying?

Straightening again, she reached up and moved a lock of his blonde hair out of his face and stroked his cheek. The touch was so intimate, something they'd never shared before. She ran her thumb across his lips, along his jaw, and down his neck where they came to rest. He couldn't speak, all words were lost. Instead, he just stared into her eyes, which were so filled with, love.

"Micah, I've been in love with you for so long, I don't think I even realized it myself," she said, her fingers still stroking his neck.

Micah reached up, took her small hand and held it in his. 

She loves you. 

He looked down at their joined hands and then released it. Spiking his fingers though his hair he began to shift his weight from foot to foot. 

She loves you.

He stared at his hands, his feet, and the car pulling into the lot. What was he supposed to do now? In his heart, he felt what could only be described as elation. Pure bliss. 

SHE LOVES YOU!!!

But his mind was a tornado of thoughts swirling rapidly in his head. She, loves you? Where can you go from here? You'll only break her heart. That's what you do best!

"Star," he began, looking at his shoes. 

"Where did... We're friends... You're my best friend, I don't want to jeopardise that." 

He spoke quietly, his heart screaming at him to stop being a coward, and just tell her how he feels. His mind telling him to just spare her the heartache.

"Yeah," she said her voice barely a whisper. 

"We've been friends for so long, Star. You understand..." 

He looked at her now, she had to understand. She had to see how he felt. She had to know he loved her just as much. But the expression on her face showed only heartbreak. How could he make her see?

"Listen I gotta go, I'll call you okay?" he said, pulling her into a tight hug. He hoped she could tell, could feel it in how he held her. He just didn't want to hurt her.

"I'm sorry star," he whispered in her ear before letting her go. 

Turning his back to her, he hung his head and walked away. What the hell just happened here? Did she just tell you she loved you and you walked away? Turning the corner he picked up his pace. 

She loves you. 

You love her.

So what is the problem then? Micah was walking so fast he was almost jogging. The problem was the same as it always was. He was no good for her. He didn't deserve her as a friend, let alone his lover. Star was everything good and wonderful, and he was anything but. Ask any woman who crossed his path, they'd tell you the same thing; Micah Roberts was bad news! A few of his exes came together and put him up on that website, "don't date him girl.com" or something. 

Didn't she know he was terrible for her? 

Micah was all out running now, with no destination in sight. He had no one to talk to about this. The only person he ever felt comfortable enough talking to was Star. Ignoring the burning in his thighs, he picked up speed. 

The sky had begun to spit out sporadic droplets of rain and he thought of the temptations song "I wish it would rain." 

She loves you.

His chest was tightening from lack of air; his legs were beginning to cramp. He slowed to a walking pace and the rain began to pour. He hadn't realized he was crying until he'd stopped a sob from escaping his throat. 

She loves you, idiot! The most amazing girl you've ever known just told you she loves you! And you ran like your life depended on it! 

"It's for the best," he choked aloud. 

If only he could convince his heart.



Star Ch. 03



Pt3: Resurgent Star 

Part 3 of 5. Back to the usual interview/flashback style.

*

Interviewer: With the successful release of 'More Dirty Work' I'm at the home of Karen Carragher and Dave Gerrard to discuss the difficult path to making what has turned out to be an astonishingly successful sequel. It started with the announcement of the film that re-united the pair, on screen and in real life, and a pair of statements.

Dave Gerrard: Yes, that was all Karen's doing. I had no idea about the testimonial she made, but I'm happy she did. It showed all those people who thought 'how can that lucky sod two-time such a beautiful wife' that I hadn't. And it was very brave of Karen to stand up and say what she did. Like I said, I'm glad she did.

Karen Carragher: Well, I'm glad you wrote me that note. (Hugs Him)

DG: (Smiles). It could have backfired monstrously on me though. Nevertheless, I moved back to our home that very day, but something was still not quite right between us.

KC: We had been apart for eighteen months. We had to rediscover each other.

DG: I didn't mind that. Something else was niggling away at me though. I knew what it was as well. Partly it was the fact that I had dented Karen's perception of me as being, well, perfect, I suppose. But mostly it was my own feelings that I had let her down, that she was still too good for me, that maybe she would find someone better than me.

KC: Why would I want to do that?

DG: (Shrugs.) You could have quite easily, if you'd tried. (Kisses her.) Anyway, because of these notions of my own inadequacies we ended up sharing the house but not the bedroom. 

KC: I was surprised but said nothing. I could see that he was struggling with some inner turmoil, and let it go. 

DG: (Wane smile.) She had forgiven me but I hadn't, and I didn't want to hurt her again. I had to prove to myself that all those negative thoughts were not shared, that it was just in my own head.

***

The preparations for 'More Dirty Work' were going well. Clint had organised a brief training day where the crew and the cast re-learnt the art of loading bins. Unsurprisingly I was put in charge. What was a little surprising was that after only a couple of hours everyone was loading like a pro. Most surprising of all was Karen's aptitude; it was as if she had been loading bins for the past four years instead of making films. The banter between all of us soon became like that of a team of refuse collectors, smutty and full of invective and derogatory remarks. Things looked good to start with.

It was summer and we were shooting all the outdoor locations first. To begin with I found it easy to slip back into playing 'Pops', after all he was still me, but the scenes with Karen rarely seemed to work properly. She was still a consummate professional, but my personal hang-ups kept getting in my way. Even Clint began to lose patience with me. The problem was, I couldn't actually act. I was playing me, and I had changed. I wasn't 'Pops' anymore, so things didn't come natural to me anymore. Karen and Clint decided on a break in filming, and to try and remount some of the scenes at a later date. It was to try and help me, but if anything it made me feel worse. Even worse than I had felt for that big scene in the first film. I could find no way to bring 'Pops' back. I was on the point of telling them to re-write the part so that it was even smaller. That way they should be able to at least save most of the film.

***

I was driving Karen home for the break. We sat in the car, neither of us speaking, both alone with our thoughts. Karen was staring out of the window, watching the scenery flash past, when she spoke, finally bringing out into the open the dilemma I was still struggling to conquer.

"Dave, what is the problem? Are you still hung up about... well, you know?"

"It's that obvious, isn't it? Yes, I can't help it. I know you forgave me, but I can't forgive myself. I came that close to completely throwing away something wonderful forever, but I just can't get back to what we had before. My feelings for you haven't changed, but my inner demons won't let me feel the same way about us. I'm sorry, but I just can't shake the sense I'm ruining your life." 

She stretched across and kissed me on the cheek, resting her hand on my knee.

"You're not ruining my life. But you can't just give up again. Tell me how I can help you. I want us to be like we were before."

"I wish I knew how you could help me Karen, I really do. But unless you can think of something I can't..." I put my hand on hers. "Just be patient with me. It'll come back, but it might not be in time to save the film. Maybe you'd be better ..."

"No! I'm not having you written out, or your role diminished. That bastard manager tried to do that to us and nearly succeeded. I'm not going to let him win. Not now, not ever!" 

I smiled at her, saw the resolve in her eyes. I shrugged.

"Karen, it's your film. The other one should have been too. I'll do whatever you want me to."

"Just try your best Dave, that's all I ask. I have faith in you, so does Clint. You can beat your so-called demons, that I do know. You did it for 'Dirty Work', and you can do it again."

"With you two behind me, how can I fail?" I squeezed her hand. She smiled and squeezed my knee.

***

Interviewer: So what happened?

DG: Well, Karen rehearsed me all through that break, told me how the 'old me' would have approached each scene, coached me to put my feelings, misguided feelings according to her, to one side. She was certain I could still play the part I had created by the end of the week. I was still unsure. Would I be able to do it in front of an audience, albeit a friendly audience?

KC: When we went back to the location, Dave was really nervous. I had to keep telling him that it was easy; all he had to do was be the old him.

DG: It was easy to say, but a lot harder to put into practice. I managed though.

KC: Yes, those early scenes were definitely difficult for him, but he came through.

DG: I wasn't great, nowhere near as good as I had been in 'Dirty Work', but considering what I was battling, my own insecurities, I was pleased enough. Clint was too, which was the main thing. Everyone was supportive, they all obviously still believed in me. It made me believe in myself.

Interviewer: It was a sort of redemption?

DG: In a way, I suppose. It enabled me to carry on that's for certain. (Pauses.) Can I tell you what other piece of redemption inspired me?

Interviewer: Sure.

DG: You'll need to bear with me a bit on this. You remember Euro 96? England against Spain. Penalty shoot out. Stuart Pearce steps up to the spot. Six years earlier he had missed a penalty against Germany in the semi final shoot-out of the world cup that resulted in England getting knocked out. He hasn't taken an England penalty since. He places the ball on the spot, calm as you like, steps back and buries it. And then six years of hurt disappeared, just like that. The look on his face. He had faced his demons and beaten them. The fans forgave him instantly; mostly I think because he had the bottle to stand up and say 'I'll take a penalty'. I had that in the back of my mind when we started filming. I'm not saying I was anywhere near as brave as Psycho was that day, I could still have backed out, whereas once he had the ball he was taking the penalty, but it was that which ultimately inspired me to step up and take my shot again.

KC: You never told me this. It seems a bit odd as an actor to take inspiration from a football match.

DG: I keep telling you, I'm not an actor, just someone who happens to be in a film. And I can't expect someone who was only a six year old girl to remember what a feeling it was when he slammed the ball into the net that night.

Interviewer: But the film was back on track again?

KC: Not exactly. Something still wasn't clicking.

***

Karen, Clint and the scriptwriter, Douglas, were meeting in our hotel room, trying to work out what was going wrong, what it was that was missing from the production. I was only half listening, feeling that there was nothing I could contribute, when Clint called me over.

"Dave, you had some ideas last time. Is there anything we are missing?"

"I'm not sure you should be asking me. I still feel it might be me getting things wrong." 

Karen leant over and kissed me.

"Not everything is about you, you know. Come on, what have you got?" 

I sighed. She could twist me around her finger.

"All right. Maybe you need some more bin man humour. I know it's meant to be a drama, but we binnies don't take anything seriously for too long. You've got to laugh sometimes."

"Anything specific?" Douglas asked, picking up his notepad.

"How about a sequence where Pops keeps looking at passing women, it gets boring just driving you know, and Emily notices."

"How is that funny?" Karen asked.

"Look at those legs. Slap! She's got a nice... Slap! You don't get many of them... Slap! Etcetera." I sat back. The other three looked at each other and the scriptwriter started to scribble.

"Anything else?" Clint asked.

"Well, there's a lot of stuff we aren't supposed to do that has humorous potential."

"Such as?"

"Loader hanging on the door, driver heads for a bush or a bin, loader get face full of bush or has to lift up over bin. I know it's not cerebral, but it makes us laugh."

"You never did that sort of thing when I was with you." Karen said.

"Well, we aren't supposed to do it, but when the management aren't about..." I shrugged, "We all do it. Clip a wet bush just right and you can shower the guy walking under it."

"Sounds a bit one sided?"

"They can get their own back. Flicking wet gloves through the open window, a judiciously lobbed berry when you're not looking."

"I've always wanted to ask, why do you drive with the window open?" Clint broke in.

"I don't really know, I just do." I shrugged again.

"Well, thanks for the input Dave. Anything else?"

"There is one thing."

***

Interviewer: And what was that?

DG: I didn't want to mention it because I thought Karen would oppose it, but she told me to go ahead and tell them. They could always say no afterwards.

KC: At that point though I was willing to listen to anything. Things just weren't slotting together properly.

Interviewer: So what was this change you wanted to make?

DG: In the original script, Emily and Pops were considering leaving to take up a new challenge together somewhere. I explained that in my experience long-time bin men don't just up and leave. Any one of us who has been doing the job for so long just can't leave. People with less than, say, fifteen years service come and go. You reach fifteen years and the only way you're leaving is by some sort of retirement or by dying.

KC: I said at the time you put this forward that you had left though.

DG: Yes, I know. But that was to be with you. And what did I do when I thought I'd lost you? I went back to the bins.

KC: I hadn't thought of it like that.

DG: (Smiles.) We're creatures of habit after that amount of time, all bad ones. Anyway, I thought that Pops was accepting this talk of leaving too easily. I suggested that he would be torn by his two loves, Emily and his job.

KC: That isn't all he suggested. He came up with a whole new ending.

Interviewer: Did you use it?

KC: (Nods and smiles.)The film as it was completed has Dave's ending.

***

We had integrated my ideas into the film. Karen had enjoyed the head slapping, which was fair enough; I had enjoyed the ogling! Now we were filming my final scene. What I hadn't thought through when I suggested it was the fact I was going to need to do some stunt work; Pops was going to be hit by a car. The scene started.

Pops is making his way back to the cab of the RCV after helping load some bins. A little girl runs into the road as a car speeds around the corner. The girl trips and falls. Pops sprints out into the centre of the road as the car comes past the truck, scooping up the child and throwing her out of its path. The car tries to stop but slams into him, knocking him into the air. Emily runs to his side. She cradles his head as he tries to speak.

"Emily, I would have come with you, I would." He coughs.

"Sshh! It doesn't matter. You must hold on. Help is coming." She starts to cry.

"It's too late." He coughs again. "Wear something flowery for the funeral."

"Pops, you can't die on me now." Tears are streaming down Emily's face.

"I'll always love you." The light in his eyes goes out. 

The music, Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters', swells. Emily wails 'NOOooo!'

The whole crew applauded as Clint called 'Cut!'

"Beautiful. And in one take too."

"I didn't want to have to keep hitting the ground." I laughed. Karen kissed me, tears still in her eyes. "Are those real tears?" I asked.

"Yes. Pops is worth crying for." She smiled a watery smile. "Your first death scene."

"The laws of nature mean I'll have at least one more." 

"That's a bit morbid."

"But true. Playing your own death, especially of a character everyone says is you, does that to a guy." I sat up and then Karen helped me to my feet. "Come on, we've still got the funeral to film, and then the final scene."

***

Interviewer: So it was Dave who suggested killing off Pops?

KC: Yes. Although it was something I hadn't wanted to do, it made everything else work. I accepted it this time because he wasn't just saying it because he thought he couldn't act, but because it was what the movie needed and he could see that.

Interviewer: After that scene, how can you say you can't act Dave?

DG: I don't believe I can, I was still playing myself, opposite the woman I love. I did like the heroic touch though; my suggestion was that he was just hit by a car. It was Douglas who added the little girl and I'm grateful that he did. I asked him about it and he said it was to repay the rescue work I'd done on the script.

Interviewer: A nice gesture.

DG: Well, there was some talk of giving me a writing credit, but I didn't want to take anything away from all the hard work he put in. After all, the only thing I'd done was make a couple of suggestions. (At this point Karen thumps Dave quite hard on the arm.) What was that for?

KC: How can you say that? Not only did you come up with the ending, you came up with the music for those scenes.

Interviewer: The music tracks for the final scenes were his idea too? They really set the right tone, if I may say.

KC: Yes, they do. The way 'Nothing Else Matters' soars at just the right point says everything about his final words. 'The One I Love'...

Interviewer: The R.E.M. song?

KC: Well, that was exactly the right song to play over the funeral as we panned out from the cremation service and then out over all the RCV's parked outside the crematorium.

DG: 'Comfortably Numb' was too long. (She punches him again.)

KC: Be serious Dave.

DG: (Grinning.) Well it is.

Interviewer: The last scene is also a panning shot isn't it?

KC: Yes. It seemed that both of those last scenes worked better without words. Again the music helps enormously. 

Interviewer: What is that song that plays out until the final fade?

DG: That's 'Against The Wind' by Bob Seger. I thought it projected the idea that Emily, standing on that hill as she scatters Pops ashes, and then walking down the hill with her suitcase, knew what she had lost, but was determined to carry on with the plans they had made.

Interviewer: It does work. 

KC: It does. I still keep being surprised by Dave's hidden depths.

Interviewer; My final question; I take it there won't be another 'Dirty Work' sequel?

DG: Probably not. For one thing, it'll be hard to come up with a decent title. (Laughs.)

KC: Personally, I would say 'never say never'.

DG: But Pops is dead!

KC: (Smirking.) It's the movies Dave. Patrick Swayze's character was dead for 'Ghost' and look how successful that was.

Interviewer: Very true. Thank you both.

***

Karen burst out laughing when I came back after letting the interviewer out.

"What's so funny?" I asked. She wiped away a tear.

"The look on your face when I said we might make another one."

"Well, it was a bit of a shock. I thought we'd agreed I was giving up on acting and going behind the camera with Clint."

"Oh, we have. But are you saying that if a really good idea came along you wouldn't want to play Pops again? Even as a ghost?"

"Well, maybe." I sat down next to her and pulled her close. "It'll always be nice to work with you, as long as you don't keep expecting miracles from me." I smiled. We kissed, a long kiss, a kiss from four years ago. 

"Why can't I expect miracles? You keep coming up with them."

"Only because I'm with you, the biggest miracle of all. And one that you came up with. Twice. You inspire me."

"Fairs fair. You inspire me too." She got up and held out her hand. "Come on, you've inspired me again." She headed out of the room and up the stairs.

I followed her. I always will.



Star Ch. 04



AUTHORS NOTE: It's been a long time comin, but it's finally here! Chapter four! The final chapter will soon follow, (for real this time!) as my goal is to finish this story by the end of Jan. Enjoy my lovlies and as always feedback is greatly appreciated! ;)

This was an all time low. 

It had been a month since Star had even seen Micah. This time though, it was all her doing. She avoided him like the bubonic plague. He called, like he said he would, and she didn't answer. He came to her house; she didn't answer the door, or sneaked out the back. She couldn't face him, after what she'd said. There was no way she could just go back to being friends. Not after she'd professed her love for him and he shot her down quicker than a kamikaze jet fighter. 

Because his visits increased as time went on, she started spending less and less time at home. At first staying over her mom's house, but that provoked too many questions. She quickly moved on to Brian's couch. 

Upon arrival, he wanted to start the inquisition, but she halted it quickly.

"Irish, I am going though something really heavy right now. I'm honestly not ready to talk about it, but when I am, you'll be the first one I talk to. Okay?"

That had placated him for the time being, but she knew she only had so much time before she had to spill the beans. 

With everything being such a mess in her personal life, she jumped head first into everything else. School, work, the band, you name it. She tried to keep herself so busy she didn't notice how lonely she felt. It always crept up on her, and many nights she cried herself to sleep. 

How the hell did it get like this? 

They'd never, ever had a blow up this big, could they make it through this? 

Star had no clue, but she knew she had to try. It felt like she was falling into a bottomless black hole, with no end in sight. 

"Good morning, lov!" Brian invaded the living room, just as chipper as always. 

His sunny attitude always made her smile. Lately though, it was getting on her last nerve. You know what they say; misery loves company.

"Go away," she grumbled.

"That's no way to treat the man that just made you breakfast in bed!"

Star removed the pillow she'd used to shield her tired eyes from the sun, and sure enough, there he was. Holding a tray with all her breakfast favourites. Scrambled eggs, bacon and thick toast with hash browns. Her mouth watering, she sat up and reached for the tall glass of orange juice. 

"Nope!" he said pulling the tray out of her grasp. 

"What the hell Irish?" she whined.

"You have to do something for me first, and then you can eat."

Here it comes, she thought. Hanging her head, she spoke. 

"What do you need Brian?" although she already knew the answer. 

"I need to know what's going on with you. When you first came here, you said you needed space, so I gave you that. I wanted to wait until you were ready to talk. But I can't wait any longer. You gotta talk to me. I mean, most days your like an angry bear walking around here. And we're all on eggshells because we don't wanna poke the bear ya know? But I can't keep quiet any more, you gotta talk. If not to me, at least to Micah. The poor guy is calling here 4 times a day checking up on you."

"He's been calling here?" jeez, Star didn't know that. She did need to handle this. And Brian definitely deserved and explanation. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Come here," Star said patting the seat beside her. 

He sat the tray down on the coffee table, and took a seat next to her. 

"So what is it lov?" he asked.

Star didn't know where to begin, so she started at the beginning. It all came spilling out, how they met, their friendship, the almost kiss, the suppressed feelings, and finally the showdown in the Safeway parking lot. By the time she was finished, she was crying hysterically, and Brian was holding her tightly in his arms. 

"I'm so sorry honey," was all he could say. 

When she'd calmed down enough to speak again she stared him directly in his eyes and asked him what she should do.

"I don't know lov, I really don't' know. Love is hard, you know? It's a long twisting path though a beautiful forest. It looks bright and happy, but when you start walking, you find there's huge roots, and trees in your way. Ultimately, it's a path you and Micah have to take for yourselves."

And that was why she loved Brian so much. Every so often, he could drop something so profound on her she'd be blown away, astounded, in awe. 

He was completely right. This was a matter she and Micah had to sort out themselves. But, their problem was they were stuck at the beginning of the path. They couldn't even start walking.

And there was the little fact that he didn't feel the same way about her. She was alone, at the beginning of the path, and the only person she wanted to take that journey with didn't want to take it with her. 

"Oooooooooooh," she moaned aloud. How could she let things get this far out of hand?

"I need a drink. A good stiff drink," she announced.

"Star, it's 8:42am and you want a drink?"

Star just stood, grabbed the plate of food and began searching the cupboards for the whiskey she new Brian had stashed.

"I think, given my circumstances," she said between bites, "happy hour needs to start a bit early don't you?"

**************

The room was in absolute darkness thanks to the dark sheet that covered the window. Disarray couldn't even describe the mess the entire apartment was in. Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes were singing a sad, sad song in the background, and curled up in a ball on the bed was Micah. 

Depressed was an understatement; he felt abysmal.

Back and forth, he went in his mind. Did I make the right decision? Should I have stayed? Why did I go? He knew all the reasons why he ran away that day, figuratively and literally. However, as each day passed, the reasons became less justifiable. And each day it hurt more and more. He undoubtedly missed her; she was his balance. And without her around, everything was helter-skelter.

The song that was playing faded out and a new song began to play. He cringed immediately, recognizing the songs first few notes. It was "Because I love you" by Lenny Williams. One of Star's all-time favourite songs, and way too appropriate for how he was feeling right now. He could see them both as kids, in her mother's living room singing this song into wooden spoons. Well, she was, he was watching her sing because he was definitely too shy to partake. 

Right now, all he wanted was for this song to end. He didn't have the energy to get up from the cocoon he'd made in his blankets.

'She loves you,' his mind whispered. 

He still couldn't wrap his mind around that fact. It seemed obvious that he'd be in love with Star. What man in their right mind wouldn't be? She was his everything, and he'd thrown her away. 

But for what? And at what cost? 

He'd barely left his apartment, except to bang on her door. Praying she'd open up, he'd knock incessantly; although part of him was glad she didn't open up. He had no idea what he'd say, how he'd explain himself. He just knew he had to try. 

Stretching in his bed, he decided to get up. The smell of his body was beginning to revolt him. He needed a shower badly; even more than that, he needed star. She was the one he needed to pull him out of the state he was in. she was the one who'd throw him a life raft when his ship was sinking, she always was. Only this time, he was the one who'd abandoned ship. He'd have to save himself.

***********

Brian, being the "good" friend that he is, would not allow Star to be hammered out of her mind first thing in the morning.

Sitting now at the kitchen table, they made plans for this evening.

"I promise I'll buy you oodles of alcohol tonight, if you do this one thing for me."

She should have known his gifts come with a price by now, but she agreed anyway.

"Okay, what do you need from me?" she asked wearily.

"You've gotta talk to Micah, at least for my sake! He's killing my daytime minutes!"

Star slumped visibly in her chair, her eyes filling with fresh tears. 

"And just what am I supposed to say to him huh?" 

"Anything I guess," he answered.

Star rose and paced the kitchen floor running her fingers through her tangled hair. 

"It's just not that damn easy! Christ! I told him I loved him! How could I think he would feel the same way? Of course he's not in love with me, how could he love me? So damn stupid!"

Brian was on his feet and had her in hand in no time flat. A look of pure anger was in his eyes.

"I don't ever want you hear you speak like that again, you hear me? Now I want you to listen and listen well because I don't repeat myself."

He grabbed hold of her chin and looked directly into her eyes. 

"You're wonderful Star, absolutely wonderful. And Micah is the stupidest motherfucker on earth if he doesn't realize that. Now, with that said, sometimes we men need a little 'smartening up," he said putting the last part in air quotations.

"It's high time you two spoke, instead of just ignoring the situation. It's not getting any better by you-"

"I know, I know, I know," Star said wriggling from his grasp. The truth was she wanted to talk to him. She missed him too much. Every day was getting harder and harder. It felt like someone was cutting off her air supply a little each day. 

"I'm gonna go... today," she stated looking at his feet and then into his eyes again. "I promise."

****************

Dressed in old sweat pants and an older Van Halen t-shirt, a defeated Micah knocked softly on Star's door. He knew she wasn't there; she hadn't been home in weeks. He just knew he couldn't listen to another Otis Redding song. Otis sang with way too much truth; he knew his heart couldn't take it any longer. He was preparing to walk back up to his apartment, when the door opened.

"Uh, hi. Your, your actually home," he stammered.

She looked worn, and all he wanted to do was hold her. He crossed his arms across his chest to stop them from reaching for her. She was wearing that t-shirt he loved and a pair of tight jeans. Her hair was piled atop her head in that sloppy, sexy, I don't really care what my hair looks like kinda way that he loved. It was her eyes that gave her away. There was a new level of sadness in them that made his heart wrench. How could he hurt her that way?

"You wanna come in?" she asked stepping out of the doorway. 

He entered and went directly to the couch. She followed and sat beside him. 

"I was actually going to come up to your place today," she said softly. She wasn't making eye contact and Micah couldn't blame her. Silence ensued, and they both stared off into space, trying to decide what to say. Star was the one who broke the silence.  

"Okay look," she said turning towards him, but still not looking at him. 

"I, I mean I know what I said before. But,"

"But what?" he asked interrupting her. He leaned in closer, partially to hear her better and partially to smell her. She smelled like strawberry ice cream and Micah was dieing to taste.

"But, well I just," her voice had begun to quiver. She still wasn't looking at him, but the emotions were all over her face. She dropped her head in her hands and went still for a moment. He thought she was crying until he heard her even voice.

"I miss you Mikey. I miss you so much." 

She removed her hands from her face and he saw the wetness on her cheeks from her tears. She turned and looked him in his eyes for the first time. 

"Micah, I know you don't feel the same way I feel about you, but I just-"

"Hold up," he said cutting her off. He felt anger swelling inside him and he could barely keep it in check.

"If I didn't feel the same way about you, tell me why I've been going through such hell these past few months!" he yelled. 

"What do you think? I'm over here pissed off because you've caught feelings for me or something?" 

Star sat staring at him, a look of pure confusion on her face. What was he talking about? Of course that's why! That's why he ran away from her that day, why he'd rejected her. Because he didn't feel the same way right?

"Yes!" she said standing her ground. "That's exactly why Micah! And I don't care anymore! I need you in my life!" she said openly crying now.

His anger had dissipated and what he felt now was shame. Of course she didn't know! He didn't exactly make anything clear, she had to come to her own conclusions because he was too much of a coward to explain. Sitting down beside her again, he spoke.

"Star, sweetheart. I'm so sorry. For everything. You've been put through so much these past few months because of me and I'm sorry." 

He turned her face up towards his and spoke the words that were in his heart.

"I love you too. I always have. You are my everything, my best friend, my rock, my life raft. I've never felt this way about anyone else. You're my heart."

Star closed her eyes and felt his words wash over her. She drowned in the mixed emotions they washed up and felt reborn. Tears leaked from her tightly closed lids, and he gently wiped them away.

"Star?" he whispered her name. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him sniffling. 

"Star," he whispered once again. It was the way he'd whispered it, coupled with the look in his eyes that made her react. She lifted her hand and quickly connected with his cheek smacking him soundly across the face. He was completely caught off guard and immediately brought his hand up to his cheek. 

"How could you? How could you hurt me like that? You broke my heart Micah! How could you do that to me?" she screamed at him hysterically. He couldn't speak.

"This is me!" she said pounding her chest. "How could you treat me like... like ...." she crumpled onto her lap sobbing, unable to finish her sentence. 

Micah draped his body over her back and held her to him whispering apologies to her. 

"Now you know though. Now you know it wasn't because I didn't love you Star, it was because I love you that I ran away. For the sake of us! Star you know me! You know what I'm like, you don't want a man like me in your life. The only thing I could bring you is pain! Look how I've hurt you already! That's why I left that day. Because I knew that if I'd have stayed, I'd only end up loosing you in the long run and I need you too much to loose you like that." 

His own tears were running down his still stinging cheek onto the back of her t-shirt. She sat up and stared at him again. She looked deathly calm and it worried Mikey. 

"So, basically what your saying is you did it to protect me. You made the decision on your own that we're no good for each other. Based on the fact that Sara, and Laura, and Tiffany didn't work out. And because I'm soooo much like those women, YOU decided that it's best if nothing happens between us? Because you didn't want to hurt me? Am I getting this all correct Micah, or did I mix any of that up?" she asked, well beyond angry. 

"No! Well, I mean yes but it wasn't like that, I just wanted to save you the heartache! I'm not a good-"

She cut him off with her kiss. It came on so fast, Star barely saw it coming herself. She firmly pressed her lush lips against his. It was as if fireworks were going off inside her. Once Micah caught onto what was happening, he became the aggressor, taking her mouth in a flurry of passionate kisses. Pressing her body down into the couch, he parted her thighs so he could lie between them. Her lips were like nothing he'd ever tasted and he'd been unable to stop himself. Her hands were everywhere, running the length of his back, down to squeeze his ass, then back up and into his hair. 

He felt his body responding to her and felt intoxicated. It was everything, her scent, her touch her kiss. She had him reeling. He was teasing her lips, nibbling and sucking on first the bottom then the top lip. Her back arched pressing her large breasts into his chest. He couldn't contain the moan that tumbled from his lips, and his tongue demanded entry into her mouth.

Her hips rocked against his as hands also began to roam her body. His tongue was acting out what she so desperately wanted him to do lower and his hands. They were everywhere, in the most intimate places and all star could think was 'more!'

Then, just as quickly as the kiss began, it ended. Micah somehow found the strength to tear his mouth away from hers and stood up putting distance between them. No kiss had ever left him so undone.

"Did you feel that?" Star asked panting. She was hunched over her lap gasping for the breath she didn't know she'd deprived herself of.

Micah couldn't think straight. All he could think about were her lips. With his back to her, he leaned against the wall for support. 

Star looked up at his sagging back, leaned into the wall right next to a picture of the two of them. In the picture they looked so happy, not a care in the world. Now they were in the middle of an emotional minefield. Things were blowing up all over the place. 

"Micah, I know you felt that as much as I did. I know that was the best kiss you ever had, because it was the best I ever had."

Star rose and came behind him. When she placed her hand on his shoulder, he jumped a little then turned to face her. His face was bright red and apprehensive. 

"I know it's scary. You don't think I'm scared? You're all I have! But I'm right here! And I'm willing to take that leap with you! I don't fucking care about all the other girls, fuck them! This is about you and me. You know it's different with us, I felt it. This is so much realer than anything either of us has had before and you know it!" 

Star was becoming more and more emotional. Her hands were fisted in his black t-shirt and she was itching to taste his mouth again, maybe more. 

"Star, th-this is just a lot right now. I I I," he stammered 

"I know, I know," she said putting her fingers to his lips to silence him. "But I just can't waste any more time. Just thinking about all the time I wasted, lonely and unhappy, when the best thing that could have ever happened to me was right before my eyes..."

Star closed her eyes and leaned her head into his chest, hands still gripping his shirt. Micah wrapped his arms around her and laid a soft kiss on the top of her head.

"I just don't want to waste another minute Mikey. I just want to be yours, no one else's. You're the only one I want. You're the only one I love. You're who I need. Please, please just say you need me just as much."

Her pleading eyes looked up into his.

"I need time; just you know to process all thi-"

"No! no, no no!" Star exclaimed releasing her grip on him and backing away from him. 

"We've had our whole fucking lives to come to terms with this! Neither of us needs any more time to decipher feelings! I LOVE YOU!" she screamed.

"I don't know any other way to say it to you! And if that's not enough now, then it never will be!"

"Star, please!" Micah begged. "I need you! I just, I just..."

"No," Star stated picking up her purse and jacket. "You don't need another day, or week or month."

Picking up her keys from the coffee table she looked up at Micah, who was still leaned into the wall, defeated.

"It's now or never Micah. You can say either yes, or no but I can't do this. I can't wait not one more day for you. I'm so sorry but I've spent too much time waiting. So what is it? Yes or no?"

Slumping a little further into the wall, he turned his head heavenward. God, what was he supposed to do? Everything in him called out to this woman but he felt so jumbled inside. It felt like they had both thrown everything on the table and he needed to sort through it all. 

"Star, I just," Star never gave him a chance to finish. She just went straight for the door.




Star Ch. 04



Chapter 4: Shooting Star

Interviewer: With the surprise release of a third 'Dirty Work' film, called 'Emily: Not So Dirty Work', I'm once again at the home of Karen Carragher. I suppose the first question should be 'where's Dave'?

Karen Carragher: (Smiles) I told him you'd ask that! Dave thought that as he only makes cameo appearances in the film I should be the one interviewed. He keeps telling me it's my film this time. 

Interviewer: I seem to recall he said that last time too.

KC: (Laughs) I think he's embarrassed that he keeps getting better reviews than me when he claims he can't act.

Interviewer: Any chance you can get him to change his mind and join us? I mean, he doesn't just have acting credits for this film does he?

KC: No, he doesn't. If you give me a moment I'll try and get him to come in. (At this point Karen makes a phone call and after five minutes or so announces that her husband will join us shortly.)

Interviewer: While we wait, I'd like to ask why you use your married name in the producer credit.

KC: I wasn't sure many people would notice that! As an actress I use the name on the 'Equity' register, but I can use my married name 'Karen Gerrard' as producer. I wanted to show what Dave means to me, so I use OUR name for that credit.

Interviewer: You surely don't need to prove anything after all the two of you have been through.

KC: Not prove as such, but acknowledge. Definitely acknowledge.

Interviewer: In our 'More Dirty Work' interview it seemed that you weren't planning on carrying on with Emily's story.

KC: To be fair, we weren't. But as I said at the time, if the right storyline came up and it fitted, we might

Interviewer: And it did?

KC: Strangely, considering he was the one who was certain we wouldn't make another one, it was an idea from Dave that started the ball rolling.

Interviewer: Again? He keeps surprising us with his talents.

KC: (Laughing) He does. That's why I always have it written into my contracts that he's on set with me. Dave has a way of spotting things that can make a film better. Sometimes it's only a little thing like a small joke, or a big thing like the ending to 'More Dirty Work'. Besides which, it's always nice to have him around. He buoys me up if I'm feeling down and keeps my feet on the ground if I'm getting full of myself. (At this point Dave comes in.)

Dave Gerrard: Who's that? The coffee man? (They kiss.)

KC: If you must know, we were talking about you.

DG: I thought my ears were burning. (He shakes my hand.) Karen said you'd like to interview me as well?

Interviewer: Especially as it seems the original story came from you.

DG: It surprised me as well! I was the one who thought we shouldn't do another!

Interviewer: Can you tell us about it?

***

I was having one of those nights when I couldn't drop off to sleep, my mind was buzzing. For some reason I kept thinking about the ending to 'More Dirty Work' and wondering what would happen to Emily, what the big plan she and Pops had come up with was, whether it would work. As I lay in the dark, ideas began to come to me, about their plan and beyond. Things started to fall into place and I felt the need to make some notes. I slipped out of bed, carefully avoiding waking Karen up and quietly padded downstairs to the study. Still unsure this story would work; I began to make notes on the computer about my ideas. I must have drifted off to sleep at some point as the next thing I knew was Karen gently shaking me awake, a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Anything wrong?" She asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"No, I couldn't sleep and then I got an idea that I needed to write down." I took the coffee from her and sipped it. "Thanks."

"And?"

"And what?"

"And can I see this idea?"

"I don't know that I should show you yet, it's not fully formed."

"A hint then?"

"I'll just say it's something I thought we'd never do."

"You had and idea about 'Dirty Work III'?" She caught on quickly. "Let me see." She woke the computer before I could stop her and quickly scanned my notes. "This could work!" She looked at me with shining eyes. "I'm going to call Clint and Douglas."

"Are you sure? I mean it's barely an outline at the moment." 

Karen looked at me softly and kissed me on the forehead.

"Let's find out shall we? Pass me the phone."

***

Interviewer: And what was their reaction?

KC: Well Clint was out of town, but said he'd be round in a couple of days. Douglas had shut himself away writing, but when he got my message a day later he said that he'd co-ordinate with Clint and they'd both come and see what we had before the weekend. 

DG: Douglas always has either too much work or not enough. (Karen nods.) He's either trying to complete three screenplays at once or wondering where the next one is coming from. We happened to catch him at the end of one of his busy cycles this time.

Interviewer: But what did they say about your, well, synopsis?

DG: By the time they saw it I had had a few more ideas, even down to snatches of dialogue, but it looked messy. I had no notion about how to present it to them.

KC: Which was where I came in. Although I've never written anything...

DG: Neither have I!

KC: No, but you keep having ideas. Stop interrupting. (Smiles.) So, although I've never written anything, I have seen how a synopsis look's. I just rearranged things on the computer until they made sense. Or a sort of sense.

Interviewer: Only 'sort of'?

DG: That was part of the problem. Every time I looked at it, I thought of something else and added it, usually in the wrong place. By the time Clint and Douglas got to see it, the story had grown.

Interviewer: They liked it though?

KC: Clint loved it, and Douglas started trying to pick Dave's brain about how it should start straightaway. It was obvious from the beginning that we were going to make number three.

***

"Dave, I think that's a cracking idea." Clint said. "Setting up an RCV hire company is just what Pops and Emily would have thought of, so having Emily start it by herself fits in with the end of two." He sat back. "But where's the drama going to come from?" 

"I've thought of that now." I said. "I just haven't had time to put it down anywhere." The other three all looked at me expectantly; suddenly I wasn't so sure about this. It was one thing suggesting changes to someone else's story, but something else entirely to come up with a storyline that could work. Karen sensed my discomfort and clasped my hand, nodding at me. "Well, you remember the girl that Pops saves? I thought that she could come looking for Emily and they could end up working together." They looked at each other and considered. Another thought hit me. "Her arrival could trigger a few flashbacks for Emily, of Pops." 

Clint's face lit up.

"That'll do it." He turned to Douglas. "How soon can you and Dave get a screenplay together? I want to start to get the backing for this."

"A week, maybe two. I have nothing else at the moment so I can concentrate on this." I nodded. Karen spoke for the first time in ages.

"Clint, don't worry about the backing. We can call in a few favours; put some money in ourselves, like the first film." 

Clint subsided for a moment, and then sat forward again.

"Dave, how much does it cost for a course of HGV lessons?"

"Something over a grand I think, maybe a grand and a half by now. Why?"

"I just thought it might be helpful if Karen could do her own driving." 

I could see the sense in what he was saying. In 'Dirty Work' things had been simplified because I could drive the RCV.

"Hey! Wait a minute! Why do I need to drive the RCV?" Karen interjected.

"You know you don't need to darling." I said soothingly. "But if you took lessons and a test, it would be research. It would make it easier for you when we filmed the test sequence for the pre-titles." My mind was racing now, all sorts of possibilities coming up. Douglas was making note after note, even messier than mine had been. Karen looked at me sharply.

"You just thought of that too?"

"Yes. But it will work, right?" They all nodded, Karen a little reluctantly.

***

Interviewer: So this film had a different birth to the others?

DG: In a way. Once Douglas and I settled down to actually write the story and then the screenplay not much changed, whereas before we kept adding bits or changing them, this time the original screenplay is pretty much what appeared on film.

Interviewer: How was the driving Karen?

KC: I was terrified most of the time! Dave got in touch with the people who got him through his HGV test and booked me a full course and test. The medical was no problem...

DG: I should hope not too.

KC: And the theory and hazard perception I scraped through...

DG: That was amazing considering how little time we'd given you.

Interviewer; And the actual lessons?

KC: Like I said, I was terrified. Dave had always made it look easy, but a HGV is a lot of machine to be in control of, even more so for someone like me who doesn't drive that much, but I persevered and began to actually enjoy it.

DG: It can be fun can't it?

KC: Stop interrupting Dave!

DG: (Shamefaced.) Sorry beautiful, carry on. (Kisses Karen.)

KC: I found the reversing exercise difficult to start with. Again, that was because superman here always made it look easier than it was. The actual test at the end of the course had me scared stiff, but I passed first time. I was so happy I hugged everyone, the examiner, the instructor, the other guy taking his test.

DG: I never told you before, but it took me five tests to pass.

KC: But you make driving an RCV look a doddle!!

DG: Well it is now, but it wasn't then. I told you that you're more talented than me.

Interviewer: So, with all the elements in place things went well when filming started?

KC: Pretty much. This time it was my turn to make a minor tweak that made things work.

Interviewer: How so?

DG: In our original story Lucy, the girl I, sorry, Pops saved was a mechanic. Karen pointed out she would still be a little young for that, so we made her an organisational genius instead. She takes over the paperwork which Emily has been having problems with and makes the firm run better.

Interviewer: And no problems with Pops this time Dave?

DG: No. Not at all. He only appears four or five times, total screen time about ten minutes, so I wasn't worried about screwing the whole thing up. I left it to the professionals.

Interviewer: A big change for you then. (Everyone laughs.)

KC: We were a very happy crew until... (She looks away suddenly sad.)

Interviewer: I suppose this is a good a time as any to ask about the tragedy towards the end of filming.

DG: Yes. Clint's sudden illness came as a big blow.

Interviewer: How did you hear about it? (At this point Karen asks to be excused for a moment and she runs from the room.)

DG: Karen still finds it difficult to talk about. We heard when we were on our way home from my nephew's birthday party.

***

Karen looked across at me as we drove home.

"You seem to be deep in thought. What about?"

"Sorry, I was thinking about the party. The fun the kids had."

"And what else?" I looked across at her. "Come on Dave, I can tell there's more to it than that, I know you too well by now."

"Actually... No, I can't tell you."

"Come on. Talk."

"If you must know." I sighed. Karen nodded her head. "I was wondering about what it's like to be a parent. To be responsible for the upbringing of a child. It's something I feel I'll never know."

"You've never said you wanted to be a father."

"I didn't want to put that pressure on you. It would be your career that went on hold for a while, and I couldn't ask that of you."

"But we've never really discussed it."

"Like I said, I wouldn't put that pressure on you. I still won't. You've given me more than I could have asked for, and I've never really thought too much about it."

"Until now?" She asked. I nodded, wishing I hadn't started this now. "I've not thought about it either. Maybe I should."

"Karen, you know I love you, but I'll never ask this of you. It has to be your decision." At this point her mobile rang. "Who is it?" I asked. Then I saw her face fall. "Karen, what's wrong?" 

"We have to get to the Alexandria Hospital quickly. It's Clint; he's in a bad way." I put my foot down while she reset the sat-nav.

***

Interviewer: Clint had suffered a heart attack?

DG: He had; a massive one. (Karen comes back in.) Are you all right sweetheart?

KC: (Nods.) Just felt a bit queasy. (Dave looks a little puzzled.)

DG: We got to the hospital as quickly as possible, but no-one would let us see him.

KC: It was only when they realised he had no family, that we were the closest thing to family that he had, and that he was asking for us, that we got to see him one at a time. I was first. (Karen pauses, putting her hand to her mouth.) He looked terrible. (Karen looks down, tears forming in her eyes.) I'd known him since I was ten, my first director. He'd always treated me like I was his daughter. I sat next to him and held his hand. He looked across at me. He told me that Dave was meant for me, that we were the most perfect couple he had ever seen. We made him happy. He said I must carry on, finish the film, that my career was still ahead of me. (Karen stops, tears freely flowing from her eyes. Dave puts his arm around her and rests her head on his shoulder.) I'm sorry. Remembering that night still upsets me.

Interviewer: No, I'm sorry for reminding you.

DG: He said much the same to me, but he told me that it must be me who directed the last few parts of filming. He knew he was close to the end and wanted to bequeath his film crew to me, to carry on his work.

Interviewer: And you will?

DG: Yes. I already have a directing job lined up on Clint's recommendation.

Interviewer: It was you who gave the eulogy at his funeral too.

DG: (Shrugs.) It was in his will, but I wanted to do it anyway. He brought so much out of me, things I didn't know I could do. Speaking at his funeral hardly made up for that, but it was the only way I had to thank him.

***

I wasn't comfortable with making a public speech, but it was for Clint and in a way for Karen and was something I was going to have to get used to. I cleared my throat.

"We all knew Clint in different ways, but he was in essence a wonderfully simple man. He liked who he liked and wasn't worried by who he disliked. I was lucky I suppose, in that he liked me from the moment we met. Looking back, I suppose it was because I was new to the business of film-making, I had a different, and to him interesting, outlook to everyone else on the set. It gave him a different stimulus. We quickly became good friends. And when Karen and I had our dark period he never doubted me when even Karen I suspect wasn't certain. He kept in touch with me, offering me small parts or jobs, but never questioning me or judging me. He knew long before Karen or I that we'd be back together. He was the perfect friend and mentor. It was towards the end of those dark days that he said something to me when I thought Karen was going to end things that stays with me to this day. He told me 'The Dream is never over'. It was a creed he lived by. 'The Dream is NEVER over'. I try to live by it too now. It is the perfect epitaph for a wonderful human being, because even though he has gone, his dreams live on in all of us and in his many films."

I sat down next to Karen. She put her arm around me.

"That was perfect. I'm so glad I found you."

"Thank you. I should never have left you that time. We could have worked it out. It was a stupid decision brought on by shame."

"Shame?" She looked at me quizzically.

"I lifted my hand to you." I shrugged. "I'll never forgive myself for that."

"You should. I have. But I should never have let you go; or I should have looked for you. Like you say, we could have worked it out."

"What if's." I sighed. "It doesn't matter now, we're together still and mainly thanks to Clint. That's the important thing." I kissed her gently. "I'm going to miss him."

"We're all going to miss him love."

***

Interviewer: Am I right in assuming that Clint's death was the reason for the delay in the release of 'Emily'?

DG: Partially, but not in the way you might think. We, that is the whole film crew, wanted to make sure that everything was right for Clint's last work. That included the editing. We also went back and re-shot a couple of the later scenes that we had filmed after his death.

KC: None of us were at our best for those scenes and it showed. Dave was unhappy with his direction for the scenes too, so we recalled the crew, they were all happy to come, and remounted I think it was three scenes.

Interviewer: I must say that I for one couldn't differentiate between the scenes Clint directed and those of Dave.

DG: I'll take that as a compliment, thank you.

Interviewer: So what does the future hold for the pair of you and the franchise?

DG: I think that the franchise has run its course. (Smiles) But I've said that before. As for me, well I'm going to be trying to live up to the directorial standards Clint set.

KC: (Puts her hand on Dave's knee.) I know you'll do just fine. You always do yourself down too much.

Interviewer: And what about you Karen? Any films in the pipeline?

KC: Actually I'm thinking of taking a break from films for a couple of years or so. There are some things I want to do before it's too late.

Interviewer: Isn't that a bit of a risk? People may forget you.

KC: (Laughing.) Well I can think of one director who will still employ me!

***

I saw the journalist out and went back to Karen. She looked at me sheepishly. 

"What was that about?" I asked mildly. "This 'break'. You haven't said anything before. I thought we were looking at doing a school comedy." I smiled wolfishly. "I always liked you as a schoolgirl." 

She grinned back.

"You old Perv, you."

"Seriously, what are you up to?" 

She looked sheepish again.

"Well, I suppose I should have mentioned it earlier, but I only got confirmation this morning. You are going to be a daddy in about seven months." 

I sat down stunned. Since the conversation before Clint's heart attack neither of us had talked about having children. After several moments I asked.

"What made you change your mind?"

"I didn't change my mind. I told you before, I just hadn't thought about it. And then I was thinking about how alone Clint had seemed, and how you are around kids, and I realised that I did want a child. I want to see you with our child." She looked down, her face reddening in embarrassment. 

"But why didn't you tell me that's what you wanted?"

"And spoil the surprise?" Now her eyes glittered in wicked amusement. "Besides, I knew if I said anything your natural worrying would kick in, so I decided to let nature take its course."

"You are a scheming, devious minx, but I love you anyway." I pulled her to me and held her close, kissing her long and hard.

"That's the schoolgirl comedy gone then." I said when we finally broke the kiss, needing air.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, however good an actress you are, I can't picture the mother of my child as a mischievous schoolie."

"Sorry. You'll have to come up with something else then, but you have got a couple of years to get it right." She grinned that grin. The one I had fallen in love with before I even met her. I kissed her again. 

"Why do you put up with me?"

"Apart from your great kissing? Because even when you're wrong, it's for the right reasons. Now kiss me some more." I was happy to comply. I was always happy when I was with Karen, my soulmate. The Dream Is Never Over.



Star Ch. 04



"Wait, don't go!" he reached out to stop her. She tore her arm from his grasp and stepped into her shoes.

"Don't leave like this, let's just talk-"

"I am sick to death of talking! Of this constant back and forth between us! The cards are on the table Micah so ante the fuck up!"

Her hand was on the doorknob, and he knew he needed to say something. He was loosing her. But his lips, wouldn't work. Nothing was happening, his brain was sending the signal, but no sound came.

"Just what I thought," she stated angrily swinging the door open and slamming it shut behind her. She didn't care that it was her own apartment she was storming out of, or that the landlord lived only a few doors down and could probably hear the slam. She also didn't care when she heard the huge crash a few seconds later. The only thing on her mind was escape.

*********************

Brian kept one eye on the door and the other on the bartender. The wishing well was deserted tonight and he was glad. Star was supposed to have been here over an hour ago, and she was never one to turn down free, anything! Things must have gone badly. Brian felt like a heel for making her go, she obviously wasn't ready...

"Barkeep!" he yelled to the attractive brunette behind the bar. She blatantly rolled her eyes and made her way over to him. 

Bourbon straight up!" 

As he watched the bartender fix his drink, his mind once again wandered to Star. Was she alright? Her cell phone was off completely, voicemail box filled to capacity. No doubt full of messages from Mr. wonderful and he was beginning to assume the worst. That she'd gone all "Juliet" and attempted suicide.

"$6.50," the bartender announced setting down the glass of amber liquid on a napkin and sliding it to him. A brown hand intercepted the glass. He watched as the glass went to familiar lips and the glass was drained like lemonade.

"Jesus Star! Slow down!"

"What is that, bourbon?" she asked. 

Turning to the bartender who was still waiting for her money, she ordered another drink.

"Whiskey sour, no need for ice but keep em comin."

Brian watched her with trepidation, trying to figure how to broach the subject. 

"Brian," she began, staring into her glass. "Why is life so damn hard? I mean, I am in love with a wonderful... idiot! Who loves me just as much as I love him. But yet here I am, back at the wishing well drinking my broken heart away because he's too much of a coward! I love that disaster of a man for some inescapable reason but I can't just keep torturing myself right?"

She looked up then, her eyes awaiting his response.

"We kissed Bri, and you know, I'm not one of those sappy, believing in fairytales, happily ever after type chicks but when we kissed," 

She paused to touch her lips remembering the feeling.

"It was just... magic." she paused again, but this time to finish off her drink and wave down another. 

"But still, even after everything was put out in the open he wants to analyze it! He needs time to think and gather his, his thoughts! And so I gave him an ultimatum."

She was leaning slightly towards him on her barstool, her lids were heavy and her words slightly slurred. The liquor was hitting her hard. Brian moved closer and put his hand at her waist to support her.

"I told him, you wanna know what I told him?" she drawled. 

Brian made eye contact with the bartender, and signalled to cut them off. 

"What did you tell him?" he asked.

"I told him it was now or never. And do you know what he chose Brian?"

He didn't have to be told, it was pretty obvious what he chose. 

"Star, I'm so sorry," he said pulling her into him. She held on tightly to him. She was sinking in a sea of lost love and this red headed Irishman, was like her white and red life raft. She dared not let him go for fear of drowning.

There was noise, at first faint and distant then drawing closer and closer until it burst through the door in the form of raucous laughter and singing.

Star lifted her head to see the mob invading their quiet solace. They appeared to be college students, taking the party on the road with them. They rushed the bar ordering tequila and jeiger bombs. 

"Do you wanna take off? We can go home I'll get that bottle you were looking for this morning!" Irish proposed.

"No, I want to stay. Besides we were here-"

Star was interrupted by someone bumping into her from behind almost causing her to spill her drink. 

"Uuuuuuuuughhh! What the fuck are you doing?" Star yelled whipping around to see who this dumbass was. The face she saw she couldn't identify at all, but the face recognized her!

"Oh my God Star? I'm sorry about that! It's gotten kinda crazy in here! How've you been?"

Star's face softened a bit; she was beginning to recognize the girl. One of Mikey's floozies, and her name was completely gone from Stars head. 

"Oh, I've definitely seen better days. I'm sorry, I forgot your name," Star said extending her hand.

"Lindsay, we met a few months back though Micah?" she hesitantly took Stars hand. Most likely because Star wasn't exactly nice to the girl. Both times she encountered her. 

"Of course, God where are my manners! Lindsay this is a close friend of mine Brian, also known as Irish. Bri this is Lindsay, a friend of Micah's."

Irish had a knowing expression on his face, as he offered his hand to Lindsay. 

"Lindsay? Nice to meet you!" 

They smiled genuinely at each other and Star decided to take this moment to escape before the "Mikey" subject came up anymore. 

"Okay well I'm gonna go use the facilities, but I'll be right back. Lindsay, you wanna hold my seat for me?" Star asked hopping off the stool and wobbling a bit. The alcohol was hitting her where it hurts and she really did have to pee.

"You alright?" Brian asked reaching for her again. 

"Yeppers! I'll be right back!" she yelled disappearing into the crowd. She didn't have it in her to go though the whole routine with her. It always happens, she sees one of Micah's conquests on the street, she doesn't know them, but they sure know her! They inevitably ask about Micah, where he's been, they haven't heard from him in a while, blah blah blah. 

But this time was different. This time there were broken hearts and feelings in the mix. 

She was weaving her way through crowds of people. Getting bumped into, followed by profuse apologies and offers of drinks of which she flatly refused. Once she finally made her way to the bathroom, she collided directly with what felt like a brick wall.

"Ow!" she shrieked falling backwards. Strong arms quickly surrounded her holding her steady.

"Whoa nelly! Slow down now, these bathrooms ain't goin anywhere!"

Star's head snapped upwards and she was face to face with Mr. one-night-stand. Live and in color. Looking like Channing Tatum, or some other scrumptiousness. On his face, a look of recognition mixed with trepidation and lust. 

"You!" Star breathed anxiously trying to get out of his grasp. 

"Me!" he said releasing her. A nervous smile played on his lips and he went to speak but Star beat him to the punch. 

"I can't believe, you pick today of all days to pop back up again! Today, being one of the worst days of my life! And in the last, what, 25 minutes it's gotten progressively worse! What is this, blast from the past? Why is everyone showing up today?"

Star attempted to wriggle past him but he stopped her.

"Hey, why are you runnin off?" he asked, the adorable dimple in his cheek deepening.

"I gotta pee!" she yelled sliding into the bathroom and away from Mr. sexy. 

She went directly to the sink. Ripping towels from the dispenser, she ran them under cool water and patted her face and neck. She was suddenly very warm! 

"What the hell are you doing Star?" she asked her reflection. It didn't respond. Once a stall opened up, she relieved her aching bladder. Which thankfully had a sobering effect on her, and she returned to the mirror once again asking her reflection the same question. 

"What are you doing?" 

She honestly had no idea. Micah was what her heart wanted. What it needed. But obviously, that's not what was meant to be. Maybe fate is trying to tell her something with these reappearing acts. Maybe Lindsay is supposed to be with Micah not Star, maybe she's meant for someone else. 

The entire situation was quite tragic and seemed more like the synopsis for the young and the restless than her life.

Taking a few deep cleansing breaths, Star decided to rejoin her friend and take him up on his offer. As soon as she opened the door though, Mr. sexy was waiting for her. Leaning up against the wall, he smiled at her. 

"I was beginning to think you fell in!" he joked.

"Ha ha," she remarked, her face grim. "Look, don't you have some friends looking for you? A girlfriend waiting at the bar, someone waiting for your return?" she asked sarcastically. 

His eyebrows rose at the word girlfriend, but he responded coolly. 

"No one that won't mind waiting. Besides, we kinda have some catchin up to do, don't you think?"

"No, actually we don't! From where I stand, it's all very clear! We had our night together, but obviously all you wanted was a one shot deal! So that's what happened! Wham, bam, thank you ma'am!"

Star prepared to walk away, but stopped abruptly in her tracks when she heard the sounds of his hysterical laughter.

"What?" she exclaimed. He laughed harder.

"You mind telling me what you find so damn funny?"

Righting himself against the wall, he cleared his throat and began to speak.

"I'm sorry, about that, it's just the situation! It's hilarious!" 

"I'm sorry too but I fail to see the comedy in waking up alone without so much as a name, a phone number, a forwarding address! I'm not that type of girl you know! The, the type that just takes random men home with her? That's not me!" she stated angrily. 

Noting the hurt in her voice, he decided to explain.

"Okay, first of all, the name is Adrian." he said pointing to himself. 

"Second, if you check your cell you'll find a number under the name Adrian," he once again pointed to himself. 

"And third, after almost 3 weeks of not hearing from you, I decided to take a swing by your place. Saw you and your new blonde boyfriend walking out all hugged up. I took it as the final sign that she's just not that into you, and I gave up! Now here you are, beautiful," he paused, biting his bottom lip. "And angry because I blew you off. Most definitely not the case."

Star was dumbfounded. Jesus, this was too much information in one day! Star decided to check her ancient cell phone for verification. Sure enough, there was his name! She called the number and his pocket began to vibrate and sing. 

Star slumped into the wall beside him and he began to laugh again. This time Star joined him. All those months of sexual deprivation, when relief was right at her fingertips!

"What you say?"

"Huh?" Star asked. Shit! Did she say that aloud?

"You just said something," he said, his laughter finished. A look of fresh interest on his face.

"No I didn't!" Star said laughing nervously.

A smug look crossed his face and he leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

"You don't have to deprive yourself of anything as long as I'm around. You know daddy knows exactly what to do to make you scream."

Star's knees went weak and she slid down the wall a bit. He chuckled as he steadied her against the wall. She cleared her suddenly dry throat before she looked into his big brown eyes and said, 

"I need a drink!"

***********************

About four shots of Patrone and a shot of Jack Daniels later, a very anxious Adrian was leading Star outside. It turned out there was a lot about him that she didn't exactly remember. Like how charming yet forward he could be. She liked it though. It was a refreshing change from the complete uncertainty of her relationship with Micah. 

Just as she was leaving out the door, she felt a tug on her hand.

"Whoa there! Just where do you think you're going?"

Damnit! She'd hoped to sneak out, but was obviously busted. 

"Irish, I'm just stepping out with a friend," she slurred.

"Not in this condition you're not! And who the hell is this guy anyway? Do you even know him? What are you thinking running off like this?" he asked peppering Star with questions. 

"Adrian, would you mind flagging us down a taxi? I have to talk to my friend."

"No problem," he said.

They waited until he walked away before anyone spoke. 

"Brian listen to me. Over the years, I have watched as Micah fucked anything with a pulse. I on the other hand have been alone! Waiting for... prince charming I guess! Micah did not end up being my prince charming but he," she said pointing to Adrian. "Just might be!"

She attempted to storm off, as Adrian had successfully gotten a cab but Irish caught her at the wrist.

"Honestly? Your drunk and he's no prince charming! Just some bloke you met in a bar!"

"But see the difference is, he's here!" she said wrenching herself from his grasp. 

"And he's not just someone I just met; I've known him for a while now! But that is outside the point! The point is, as much as I'd love for Micah to be my knight in shining armour he's not! He chose door number 2! But this man here is ready! And willing! And just like Micah, I'm moving on!"

"Lady! Are you comin or not?" the cab driver yelled out the window. 

Star took one last look at her friend, his eyes pleading with her to use her better judgement. Hormones won the battle in the end.

"If you'll excuse me I have a taxi waiting for me," she announced, and with that, she disappeared into the taxi and drove off.

"Jesus Christ Star!" Irish yelled to himself running his hands over his face. "You're gonna be the death of me!" 

He walked slowly back into the bar, praying like hell Star found her happily ever after.



Star Ch. 05



Authors Note: Here it is! the final chapter! This has been so much hard work and I thank you all for taking this journey with me! Another thank you to everyone who patiently waited for the final installment! Wait no longer my lovelies! Oh! and don't forget to comment! I really want to know what you think!

C8ER2U

*

Star was being pulled from the state of blissful sleep into a state of awareness. The awareness of throbbing pain trying to split her skull in two. This same awareness caused Star to open her eyes and she saw not her hello kitty alarm clock but a neck. Now she was aware of three things: She was not at home in her own cozy bed, she was in bed with someone who most likely owned this bed and her head felt like someone had taken a jackhammer to it. 

Star attempted to move quietly and slowly away from this person and became painfully aware of two more things: she was wrapped pretty tightly in this persons arms, and that she was completely naked under the sheet. 

Oh no.

Star tried to get a good look at his face but it was buried in his huge pillow. Looking around the room, she gathered she was in a frat house of some kind, what with the Greek lettering on the walls, the mess, and the smell. She decided to get herself out ASAP. Slowly, she removed herself from his arms, detangled herself from his legs and attempted to sit upright on the edge of the bed. She closed her eyes and groaned inwardly at the increased pounding in her head. 

Still clutching the blanket to herself to hide her nakedness, she scanned the room for her clothes. They were nowhere to be found. 

"Shit!" she whispered aloud. 

"Well good morning to you too!"

Star turned around slowly, so she wouldn't agitate her aching head and there he was again.

"Adrian?" she asked slightly confused.

"Tis I," he stated. He sat up as well, and it was then that she noticed she was hogging the blanket, because there was only a small corner of it covering his lap. 

Suddenly, the cold hand of realization slapped her across the face.

"We, we didn't sleep together did we?" the panic she felt must've been written all over her face because he looked almost amused.

He said nothing, just stood up revealing that he did in fact have some clothes on. If snug boxer breifs count. His body looked magnificent as he strode over to the crumpled pile of clothes that covered a chair and pulled on a pair of jeans. 

"You always this jumpy the morning after?"

For some reason his question just rubbed her the wrong way and she quickly went on the defensive.

"What exactly does that mean? I asked you a valid question! Especially since you're wearing a whole lot more clothing than I am!" she said standing up and bringing the blanket with her.

"And I believe I've expressed to you how little I find myself in this position!"

"Yes, you did," he stated grinning at her.

"So then," she paused, spotting her lavender underwear on the floor. She made her way over but halted when she was met with resistance from the blanket she had wrapped around her. It was tucked in at the end and was not moving. 

"What the fuck? The entire room is a disaster but you take the time to tuck in your blanket?" she yelled ripping the blanket from the bed. She ignored his laughter as she grabbed her underwear and pulled them on under the blanket. 

"Stop fucking laughing you ass! Where the hell are my damn clothes?"

Star was overcome with so many different feelings. At the forefront was the pain in her skull but behind that was humiliation, shame, disgust. She leaned into the wall and slid down to the floor. He stopped laughing and she saw him making his way over. 

"I'm sorry; I'm not trying to be insensitive. It's just, you're very cute when you're angry."

He was crouched down in front of her, and Star hid her face in the blanket. 

"Please, just give me my clothes," she asked quietly, her voice quivering with emotion. 

"That's going to take some time," he stated lifting her face up to his.

"You threw up all over them; I put 'em in the wash." 

That feeling of humiliation was really threatening to overcome her. She once again dropped her face into her hands, her eyes welling up.

"Aww, there's no need to be embarrassed! It happens to the best of us! Well, not to me. Not in a very long time. But I can tell you honestly we didn't have any kind of sex. Not that I didn't want to, I mean I did at first. You were so sexy, doing that little strip tease,"

"Strip tease?" Her head snapped up, which was not a good idea considering the state of her throbbing head. 

"Well yeah, you kinda stripped a little. You only took off your t shirt which was right over..." he went off to the side of his bed. 

"Here!" he said returning the crumpled shirt to her.

She accepted the garment and pulled it into the blanket with her. 

"I'm afraid to ask, but what else happened?" she asked peering up at him. He took a seat beside her on the floor and stretched one leg out in front of him.

"Well, after you pulled off that little shirt of yours, you hopped up on my lap and, well you power puked all over the both of us. I mean, it went everywhere!"

Star Groaned in disgust. This was her worst nightmare.

"After that you started crying, I kinda had to strip the both of us, I put you in the shower and put our clothes in the washing machine. When I came back up, you were in my bed. Naked. And passed out. Kinda hard to have sex with someone who's basically unconscious!"

"I don't think I've ever been more mortified in my entire life. Ever," Star replied. 

"It's not that bad sweetheart, look I'll be right back. I'm gonna go check on your clothes," he said standing up again.

"I put 'em in the dryer this morning but they probably ain't done. That thing takes forever. You need me to grab you anything?" 

"Tylenol, ibuprofen, aspirin, whatever you have to kill a headache," she stated. 

"Okay, I'll be right back," he said shutting the door behind him.

Star immediately curled into a ball and cried.

**************

Two hours later Star was in a taxi on her way to Brian's house. Adrian was actually very sweet, bringing her a smorgasbord of medications and H2O. He gave her sweats to wear while hers were drying and amazingly enough, things didn't get awkward. She'd fully expected it to be weird, for him to ignore her until her things were ready and kick her out. But he didn't. He made conversation, and they found they had mutual interests and friends actually. 

He had even seemed reluctant to see her leave, which seemed completely unreal considering she'd thrown up all over the both of them. She knew if the tables were turned, he woulda been put out too quick. 

He also said he'd call her, which she immediately brushed off as him being nice because there was no way in hell he'd call her after what happened. 

As her taxi pulled up to Brian's door, she considered Adrian. He was too sexy for his own good. And nice, and funny. Part of her, deep down in her heart of hearts kinda hoped he would call. But a much bigger part of her was concerned with another man.

Paying the driver, she got out of the car and walked up the driveway to the door. She quickly grabbed her keys from her purse and opened the door. The darkness of the house made her squint when she walked in but her ears wasted no time registering the sounds. Obnoxious high-pitched moans invaded her eardrums and Star froze. She was already inside and her eyes were beginning to register what was happening. She looked up at the mirror that was over top the fireplace at the reflection on the couch, and immediately wished she hadn't. 

She saw a naked woman. Her back arched seductively causing the muscles that ran along her spine to flex as she bounced wildly on the lap of, well... Brian. He was gripping her hips so tightly she'd most likely be bruised as she ground herself onto him, swinging her short black hair. Star could clearly see the sweat pouring from him as he swiftly lifted his hips, pounding himself into the girl. She, from what Star could tell loved every second of it. 

Star was glued to the spot and felt horribly awkward. If she moved, they'd hear her and know that she'd been watching. If she didn't, she'd have to continue watching. And although, Star was definitely no prude, voyeurism was not her thing. 

Slowly, she began to back up and out of the room. She'd taken three silent steps back unnoticed. All she had to do was get her keys and she'd be on her way. Chancing another backward step, she dropped her foot on the wrong floorboard as it let out a loud creak. Star froze once again, staring at the reflection in the mirror. They were obviously off in their own world, as they heard nothing. 

Feeling more sure of her getaway, star took a few more hurried steps backward and this time bumped directly into a table that housed four huge picture frames. Star spun around and watched in slow motion as they fell. Reaching out she clumsily grabbed the photo of Brian and his mom but couldn't save the rest. The picture of him and his sisters, the picture of his home in Ireland, and finally the picture of the two of them fell to the ground and shattered. 

Star carefully placed the picture back on the little table and turned back around. They knew she was there now. There was no denying it. Rolling her shoulders, she made her way to the kitchen and called out to the fumbling couple. 

"It's just me!" she yelled rooting around in the spare closet for the broom and dustpan. 

"Fuck! Star! You scared the shit out of me. When did you get back?" she heard Irish ask from behind her. 

She could tell he was still angry with her for leaving last night. There was a definitive edge to his voice and he was making no attempt to mask it. Star was filled with shame. Things just sucked lately! She'd already lost her best friend and she really didn't want to loose Brian as well. 

She turned around, broom in hand and almost swung. She felt anger overtake her as she laid her eyes on the half naked people in front of her. 

"Lindsay?" she whispered in disbelief. 

There she was, wearing the rolling stones t-shirt Brian had worn yesterday and nothing else. She was looking increasingly uncomfortable. Silence cut through the room and Star gripped the aluminum broom handle as if it was a weapon. 

"Wow, you really move fast huh?" she asked the girl. 

"Just what's that supposed to mean Star?" Brian asked, but she wasn't looking at him. She was staring dangerously at Lindsay. 

"You know, if you wait around long enough a few of my other friends will be coming over, you know, if you want to fuck them too."

"Excuse me?" she breathed, trying to pull the hem of the short t-shirt lower on her thighs.

"Star, that's enough." 

Star turned and threw the dustpan back at the closet

"Oh wait!" she said turning back to the girl and moving in on her. "I've got a younger brother you can fuck as well," Star stated evenly. There was only about a foot between the two women and even though Lindsay was much taller than her Star wasn't the least bit intimidated. She'd taken on girls twice her size; this skinny bitch didn't stand a chance. 

Star felt a hand roughly grab her arm and she was forcibly thrown up against the refrigerator. It happened so quickly Star didn't get a chance to react. She realized at once, what Brian had done and attempted to push him off. He grabbed her other arm and held her firmly against the fridge. 

"Don't move," he said coolly. 

She didn't. She just stared at her friend in utter shock. He was wearing only his jeans from the prior evening and nothing else. His face held a look of pure contempt and it hurt star in a place that was very familiar as of late. 

"You will never speak to her like that again, do you understand me?"

Star just stared at him.

"This isn't just some random from a bar that I took home, we have an actual connection and I will not stand here and let you disrespect her." His Irish accent had thickened; he was serious. Star felt the emotion gripping at her throat. In a voice barely above a whisper she spoke.

"Get your goddamned hands the fuck off me."

He continued to stare daggers at her but slowly released his grip on her arms. As soon as he did, she slapped him with every ounce of strength she had in her. He took the slap but there was a fury in his eyes that should have deterred star. It pushed her further and she wound up for another. This time he stopped her, grabbing her arm. She countered with the other pounding his chest with her fist. He managed to subdue both of her arms and she swung her legs wildly trying to free herself from his tight grip. 

Wrenching herself free she wailed at him.

"She's a fucking whore! A slut! A random bitch you met last night and you're ready to throw away years of friendship for this?" 

"You're gonna make me choose? Between her and you?"

"It shouldn't even be a choice!" she countered.

"You're right about that! Tell me something," he said closing the distance between the two of them.

"Why is it okay for you to run off with some random and fuck him like mad, but as soon as I bring someone home; someone I care deeply about-"

"Fuck you Brian! You insensitive bastard!" she yelled turning for the door. She stopped in her tracks and turned back.

"I didn't fuck anyone last night Bri. And you know what? I could give a rat's ass who you decide to fuck! That's your own business! I just assumed that you would have respect enough for me and for our friendship to not fuck Micah's leftovers. But you know what? Fuck you, fuck you and fuck you again!"

"Oh, fuck me huh? You self-centred bitch! This has nothing to do with you! Or Micah! This is about us!" he yelled pointing in Lindsay's direction. 

"And if you can't accept that then I guess you've made the choice for me."

Star held his gaze for a long time, and then glanced over at the girl. She looked like a deer in headlights, all long legs and wide eyes. Fuck that, fuck her, and fuck this! 

She turned and started gathering up her things in a plastic bag. The room had once again fallen silent and the air was thick with tension as they both watched her grab her belongings. She knew she would leave a bunch of stuff behind but there was honestly no time to think. 

As she was turning to leave Star turned to look at her friend one last time. He was holding Lindsay tightly in his arms and for a moment Star had a memory of Micah holding that girl in the same way and her heart lurched. When she finally spoke, her eyes were blurred with tears and her voice shook violently with emotion.

"Brian I hope for your sake that you find everything you're looking for in this woman and all this wasn't for nothing but I'm done. I wish you both the best."

"Really? You're just gonna leave like that?" he called after her, but she was already running out the door trampling the happy photograph of the two of them beneath her feet.

****************** Star jumped in her car and peeled out of there as fast as her four wheels could take her. Tears obscured her vision and she had no idea where she was going but as long as she was going away from Brian's house, she was going in the right direction. 

Her heart thudded in her chest as she replayed their fight blow for blow. Star had never felt so alone. She'd successfully alienated herself from her two best friends and it was all because of... well, she didn't know what to blame it on. Love? Love is a shit disturber. Something that moves in and fucks everything up. It was nothing like it was supposed to be. Hell, her life was nothing like it was supposed to be. 

She wasn't supposed to be madly in love with her best friend, she wasn't supposed to be the only one with balls enough to own up to it, and she for damn sure wasn't supposed to be loosing one of her closest friends over this bullshit.

She loved Micah! And she hated it! All it did was make her weak and irrational. She was so gone over him. He had a part of her that no other man on this earth could ever have and he was to afraid to claim it. All she wanted was to love him. And for him to love her the same way. But that seemed impossible. 

Everything in her was telling her to just go to him. Tell him it's okay if he's not ready yet, that she'd wait as long as it takes. And truthfully, she could. It was in her nature to be patient.

Star had to suddenly slam on her breaks because she was about to run a red light. Reversing back out of the intersection, she wiped her eyes and took in her surroundings. It was funny that she was here, less than a block away from a house that had always been safe to her. She drove the rest of the few blocks trying to mentally calm herself down and by the time she was outside, she felt considerably better. 

That is until the front door swung open and she heard that familiar voice call out her name.

"Star? Baby that you?"

At the sound of that voice, she lost all control again and ran from the car to her mothers waiting arms. 

*****************

Star was sitting out on the back porch of her old house, staring at the peach tree that used to look so gigantic! Now, it just looked old. 

After her mother hauled her in the house, she cried and cried. She had a sense of déjà vu too. Not long ago she was doing this same thing in Brian's arms. That fact only made her cry harder. Once she'd calmed down, again, she walked directly though the house to the backyard. She really needed some fresh air.

Her mother joined her after a few minutes. She handed her a tall perspiring glass of peach lemonade and sat down across from her looking at the old peach tree as well. Over the years they'd had peach everything. Peach tea, peach cobbler, peach flavoured chicken, (yuk!) peach pie, squares, turnovers, yada yada yada. She had long since lost her love for peaches and although the peach flavoured liquid should have offended her taste buds, she drank the whole thing down in one gulp!

"Damn child! Thought you hated peaches?" he mother asked lifting a carefully arched eyebrow at her. 

Star thought for a moment and then told the truth.

"Tasted like home," she stated simply. 

"You gon' tell me what's wrong? Or am I gonna have to pry it outta ya? You know I have my ways! It'll be much easier if you just tell me!"

Star thought for a minute. Mama did have her ways. They usually included bribery and torture. She'd spill the beans; she really couldn't keep much from her mother. She could just see right though her. 'Mama's intuition' she called it. 

Star took in her surroundings again. The vast backyard she remembered was now so small and closed off, the flowers were still there, the tulips, daffodils, and even the forget-me-not's she and Mikey had planted were somehow still there. 

Micah.

"Mama?" 

"Yes baby?" her mother asked tilting her head towards Star. She somehow stopped aging. She was frozen at about 35. She was at least 10 years older than that. God, she looked so much like her! They were more like sisters. Appearance wise, they shared the same full lips, the same almond shaped eyes, the same rounded nose. They had the same bone structure as well, same high cheekbones same soft jaw line. 

There were subtle differences. Her mother had dimples. In both cheeks, but they only showed up if she laughed really hard. She even had a slight cleft in her chin and her skin was about three shades darker than hers was. And damn if she wasn't envious! Her mother's skin was always soft, even, dark and beautiful. 

"I always wished my skin was the same color as yours," she said staring at her mama's arms resting comfortably on the arm or the tan deck chair. The color was contrasting so starkly, the cream against her dark chocolate. Her mother was still looking at her expectantly, like she was tired of Star stalling. Star turned back to the old peach tree and finally spoke. 




Star Ch. 05



Star Pt 5: Comeback Star

Part 5 of 5

Interviewer: I'm once more at the home of Dave and Karen Gerrard to discuss Karen's comeback film, a spy spoof called 'Jane: Blonde?'. To start with, I must say it's been a while since all three of us were together.

Dave Gerrard: Well, you and I have met four times in the past two years.

Interviewer: Yes, for each of the films you have directed since 'Emily'. Each one better than the one before, I thought.

DG: Thanks. It's been a steep learning curve for me. And I felt wrong being on set without Karen for the first two.

Karen Gerrard: (Laughing) I was going to say that it was unavoidable, but I suppose it wasn't.

Interviewer: Where is young Clint?

KG: His nanny, Maria, is reading to LC upstairs.

Interviewer: LC?

DG: 'Little Clint'.

Interviewer: I take it he is named after your late friend and mentor?

DG: (Nodding.) My fault. When I first saw him he was bawling and waving his arms about. I said he looked like Clint with a bad actor, meaning myself.

KG: I just burst out laughing, but I knew that he'd always be Clint from that moment.

Interviewer: (Laughs). So, tell me about how you came to decide on a comedy as your comeback film after nearly three years away to have Little Clint.

KG: I just wanted to do something different. There had always been elements of humour in the films I'd made, especially the 'Dirty Work' series, mostly down to Dave getting jokes put in.

Interviewer: I remember you telling me.

DG: I think I've said before, bin men can't be serious for too long. (Smiles)

KG: How long before you give up on the 'I'm still a bin man' thing? (Laughs)

DG: It's just a mindset that helps me, you know that. It keeps me grounded.

KG: Anyway, I thought that maybe it was time to give comedy a chance. Drama is all I'd done previously.

***

Karen and I were eating breakfast. Little Clint was nearly eighteen months old now. Karen had wanted to wait until he was walking and talking before hiring a nanny. She had finally found one she liked who got on well with all of us. Maria fitted into the family smoothly, slowly taking over running the household from Karen. I could tell Karen was building up to asking me something by the way she fiddled with her glass of juice.

"Come on, get it out Karen. You're wearing a hole in the table. What is it?" 

She jumped.

"Well." She looked down at the table and then back up at me. "I was thinking that maybe it was time I started to look at some scripts. Clint and Maria get on fine and, and..." She tailed off as I stood up and began to walk towards my office, beckoning her to follow me.

"Six months." I said over my shoulder as I reached into the only purposely locked drawer on my desk.

"What?"

"Six months after we hired Maria before you got restless. I thought it'd be less." I dropped a script onto the desk in front of the bemused Karen. "I've been holding onto this for nine months. See what you think."

"What is it?"

"A script. Remember them?"

"Idiot! What is it about?"

"A female spy. 'Jane Blonde'."

"That sounds silly."

"It's supposed too. It's a spoof. I know we talked about doing a comedy before Clint was born and this is what Douglas and I came up with. See what you think. If you don't like it I'll get in touch with our agent and see what she can come up with." Karen took the script and began to read.

***

Interviewer: So I take it you liked it?

KG: I did, but I have to say that I didn't really read it properly. I thought that if Dave was satisfied that it was good enough for me, then it was.

DG: Unfortunately when we went to get backing for it, not many people were convinced that it would work.

Interviewer: Really? Did they say why?

KG: Most of our usual backers either didn't think it was a role I could play or that I had been out of the public eye too long and they wouldn't see any return on their investment.

Interviewer: So how did you get the backing?

DG: We talked a couple of them round, found one or two new investors and then did what we had done before; put up the rest of the money ourselves. I had confidence in the script and in Karen.

KG: I wasn't as confident. Having Clint and then looking after him had been the longest break between films that I'd taken. I wasn't sure I still had the spark. 

DG: (Cuddles her.) I couldn't believe that for a moment. It was the opposite of everything that we had done together previously. For a change it was me having to reassure her about her ability.

Interviewer: So, you got together the backing, and then what? Any training this time?

KG: (Laughs) Well, I had to get super fit quite quickly, and learn all sorts of martial arts to play Jane convincingly.

Interviewer: You seem to have pulled that off if I may say. 

KG: (Blushing.) Thank you.

DG: When it came to the filming, things didn't go quite to plan though. My plan anyway. I suppose I'd got used to doing things my own way.

Interviewer: I did hear rumours about dissent on the set.

***

We were two weeks into the filming when it happened. Looking back at it, I suppose I could have handled it differently, but I wasn't used to actors directly questioning my methods, and the fact that it was Karen only made it worse. I should have spotted that she was unhappy with something, but unfortunately I attributed her unease to her nervousness about making a film again. Then again, she should have just come to me and asked why I was doing things the way I was and I would have explained everything to her. As it was, half way through a days work, she just stopped and turned to look at me.

"Why am I the only one in this film who doesn't get a laugh?" She asked loudly, her hands on her hips, a pout on her lips.

"It explains everything in the script. You told me you'd read it, that it was fine. So what's the problem now?" I answered, in a much more high-handed way than I'd intended.

"Everyone else plays their roles for a laugh, I have to play my role straight. You said I was doing comedy!"

"You are doing comedy."

"Well it doesn't feel like it. It feels like less fun than doing a drama, and I want to be funny. I'm going to see Clint." Her last statement confused a few people on the set for a moment, until they remembered Clint was our son. I let her storm off. If I'd gone running after her like she expected my credibility as director would have been shot to pieces. Instead I calmly called a break in filming and told everyone to go home and come back tomorrow. I waited until everyone had left before I called Maria up on the intercom and asked her to ask Karen to come back onto the set.

"Are you sure sir? She seems pretty upset."

"I know Maria, it's my fault. Please tell her I asked nicely."

Most of the lights were turned off now. I sat on the darkened set for nearly twenty minutes waiting for Karen. Eventually she tiptoed back onto the set and sat beside me. I could tell she had been crying, her eyes looking reddened even in the gloom of the studio.

"Why the drama queen scene sweetheart?" I asked her quietly. "I'll always listen to your concerns or ideas if you come to me, but I can't have you shouting at me on set, and I can't go running after you. If I do it'll ruin my credibility with everyone else, you understand that?" She nodded, tears still in her eyes. "Then tell me what the matter is now. I've sent them all away until tomorrow; we're the only ones here, plus Clint and Maria of course."

"I'm sorry Dave." She sobbed. "I should have read the script properly, but I thought I was going to be clowning around like everyone else, but I'm the only one who doesn't crack a joke, fall over something, break something or pull a funny face. It doesn't feel like a comedy to me."

"Seeing as it's you, and I can't do this film without you, I'll try to explain my and Douglas's reasoning." I took her hand and kissed it. "Jane, your character, is the only competent member of staff at a spy agency, and she's only a secretary. However, she actually owns the agency and helps her staff by covering their backs, surreptitiously going with them on missions, rescuing them if she has to."

"I understand that." Karen looked at me with still teary eyes. "But why do I have to be serious all the time?"

"Because that emphasises the chaos around Jane. Everyone else is being silly, accident prone, and you aren't, it shows up the humourous and the serious sides of the agency." I saw a light dawn in her eyes.

"So, it's not because you don't think I can be funny?" She looked really worried now.

"Why would I think that? I KNOW you can be funny, but we have to make everyone else realise it too, and I think this is a nice subtle way to do that. The next film we do, you can be a complete clown if you want, but for this one I need you to be 'Emily' or the scholarship girl." I brushed her hair from her face.

"Okay, now I understand. I'm really, really sorry about the strop: I don't know why I didn't just come and ask you." She bowed her head in shame.

"I think LC has been rubbing off on you." I laughed. "What he wants, he gets. From both of us. Just remember, on set, I'm in charge; off set you are, or LC." She grinned at me. I took her hand and we went to find Little Clint and Maria.

***

Interviewer; It seems to have been a really serious misunderstanding between you?

DG: Our first argument in a long time. (Cuddles Karen.) I should have seen she wasn't happy about something and asked, but in all our work together Karen had been such a professional I'd assumed she 'got it' from reading the script.

KG: It wasn't just that. I was really nervous about being in front of the camera's again and stupidly I hadn't read the script properly. I knew in my heart that I should have just told Dave quietly about my worries but I didn't. I did something I never would have done with Clint directing. So when I thought about what I'd done later I was totally embarrassed. I'd shown Dave and myself up. It made the next morning very tense.

Interviewer: So what happened?

KG: I just stood on the set and apologised to everyone.

DG: (Hugs Karen.) It was very brave, but exactly the right thing to do. I suppose it helped that she, we, had known most of the crew for a long time. Some of the other cast members were a bit surprised I suppose, but if anything it served to bring us closer together. We were all on the same page from then on.

Interviewer: But from what I gather, that wasn't the last of your problems?

KG: No, something from our past came back to haunt us. Well, me particularly.

***

The filming had almost finished, just one or two scenes to complete before we went to the editing, when I saw Karen looking moody, or upset. Not wanting to repeat the earlier incident I took her to one side and asked what the problem was. At first she said nothing was wrong, that she was fine, but I persisted and she broke down and told me.

"It's my former manager, you remember him?"

"I'm not likely to forget the man who almost broke our marriage, who did force us apart." I said.

"Well, he...He sent me a message this morning."

"And?"

"Dave, there's something I didn't tell you back then." She looked down at the ground for a while. I waited patiently until she spoke again, looking back up with tears in her eyes. "I told you a huge lie back then, about that first picture that was taken of me with that guy. I said it was all my manager's idea, but that first one wasn't, it was mine. I was hurt and I wanted you to feel the pain I had felt." She burst into tears. "I'm sorry." She sobbed. "I didn't expect you to come out to see me, and, and, things just got out of hand after that."

"But only that first picture?" I asked as kindly as the shock would allow me. "Everything after that was him?"

"Yes." She nodded, still crying. "He arranged all the other escorts after I told him I would never divorce you. He thought he could get you to divorce me." She looked at me, fearful of how I was going to react. She reached up and brushed my cheek. "I swear Dave; I never realised what would happen. I was going to call you after a day of you feeling like I had, but you came out and we argued and then..."

"And then I disappeared." I took her in my arms and held her close. "Both our faults I suppose." I kissed away her tears. "Doesn't matter now. It's long forgotten."

"But not by him. He wants money or he said he was going to tell you about my lie."

"You've just told me yourself, so he can go and take a running jump."

"I already told him I'd meet him tonight, and..."

"Forget it. You are not going, I am. And don't try and stop me." I looked into her beautiful but tear-stained face. She gave a watery grin.

"All I was going to say was, don't forget you're not as young as you were."

"Meaning? You cheeky madam."

"Meaning, don't swing a punch again." She grinned.

***

Interviewer: So you went to meet him instead of Karen?

DG: (Nodding.) I did. I told him I knew about his little scheme, and what he thought I didn't know and if he pushed off now, I was prepared to let him.

Interviewer: And that worked?

DG: Not exactly. He intimated that others might be interested in paying for proof that the 'pure' Karen Carragher was a liar.

Interviewer: Others?

DG: I presumed he meant the scandal sheets.

KG: Dave came back and told me what the bastard was planning on doing, but he had an idea to pre-empt him, if I was willing to go through with it.

Interviewer: That extraordinary press conference? (They both nod.)

***

I sat with Karen in front of the gathering pressmen, holding her hand. She looked worried.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked quietly.

"It's the only way." She replied. She took a couple of deep breaths, steeling herself and then stood up. "Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon, thank you for coming at such short notice. You may be wondering why Dave and I called this conference, so here goes. There is a rumour concerning an incident in our past." The assembled hacks looked at each other, some puzzled, and a few others more knowing. "The rumour is that I told Dave a huge lie. I'm ashamed to confirm that this is true, I did. I told him that the first picture taken of me being escorted from a party by someone else had been organised by my then manager, when in truth I had organised it myself. I had been planning to tell him fairly soon afterwards, but events overtook us and I never did until yesterday. Dave was very magnanimous and forgave me instantly. We both realised that we were both acting foolishly at that time, neither of us thinking too rationally. But someone else knew and is trying to trade in this knowledge for money. He approached us first and when we refused to buy his silence, said he was going to sell his story to one of you. This announcement is to forestall that. You have the story and you didn't have to pay for it, I hope that will be enough. I just want to apologise to all of you and again to Dave and hope that none of you think any the less of me for my admission." 

A hand shot up near the front and the journalist asked pointedly.

"Are we talking about your former manager as the other person here?"

"We are not willing to confirm or deny that." I spoke for the first time.

"What are your feelings in this Dave?"

"My feelings have not changed towards Karen." I stood up beside her and took her hand. "I loved Karen before she told me, and I love her even more for having told me now." I kissed my wife. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have a film to finish."

***

Interviewer: At the time, still now in fact, many of us wondered why you didn't just issue a press release instead of forcing yourself to stand up and admit to the truth in that way.

KG: I, we, just wanted you all to see that I was sincere in my apologies. Although it was Dave who suggested it, he wasn't sure that I should do it, but as soon as he mentioned it, I knew that would be the best way to confess. It was the scariest thing I'd ever done at the time, but it felt good to finally get it out in the open.

Interviewer: You've done something scarier since?

KG: (Laughs.) I have, and that was all my own fault too.

DG: After the press conference, I asked her if there was anything she wanted to do in the film, other than crack a joke. What she suggested really surprised me.

***

"You what?" I said.

"I think I should have a couple of scenes where I'm not wearing much." Karen was deadly serious. "All the spy films have them. You know, manly chests, scantily clad women, and long suggestive kisses." She kissed me to illustrate what she meant.

"I suppose you're right." I muttered.

"So, shall we do that?"

"There are one or two scenes we haven't filmed yet that we could adapt I suppose."

"That's a lot of supposing." She grinned.

"Are you sure? I mean, you've never really done any scenes like that before."

"I did some bikini scenes for the Scholarship girl."

"Those were on a beach."

"I knew that if anyone remembered them, you would." She grinned again, teasing me. I shrugged. If she wanted to do this, it would almost certainly help the film. I deliberately hadn't written any scenes like that for two reasons. The first and major reason was that I didn't think she'd want too. The second and more selfish reason was that she was my wife, and I wasn't sure I wanted everyone on set ogling her, let alone all the audiences.

"All right." I sighed. "I'll start the rewrite tonight, but I'll have to check with Douglas that he doesn't mind."

"Can I help?"

"Just let me know how far you're prepared to go."

***

Interviewer: So those sexy scenes were a last minute addition?

KG: (Grinning.) Yep! And doing them was the scariest thing I'd done. I was worried that maybe I was a bit old to be doing this now, that maybe I wouldn't be sexy enough any more. (Dave bursts out laughing.) Dave! (Punches his arm.)

DG: Sorry, but how on earth could you think that? You're only thirty or so.

KG: And a mother don't forget. It was very nerve wracking.

DG: And your idea, don't forget that. All I did was write the scenes slightly differently and then direct them.

KG: You also made sure that there was almost no-one on set when we filmed them. Don't think I didn't notice. But it helped; I'd never been filmed in sexy underwear before that. 

DG: (Laughing again.)Fibber!

KG: (Going red.) For other people, I meant.

Interviewer: Would it help if I said you looked gorgeous?

DG: (Mutters.) It doesn't help me much.

Interviewer: Sorry, I forgot. I'm blushing too now. (We all laugh.) Anyway, the film seems to achieve all its objectives. You proved Karen can be funny as well as still being quite beautiful, and that Dave is a very capable director.

KG: Thank you for the compliment.

DG: Yes, although I still think I have some things to learn as a director.

Interviewer: I think Clint, Big Clint, would be proud of you. Thank you for your time.

***

I sat back down next to Karen after he had gone.

"I like doing interviews with him; he seems to understand what we mean."

"He's a sweetie too. Did you see him blush when he remembered you were my husband?"

"I did. Now what shall we do? Got any more surprises for me?" I joked.

"Actually, I do." I looked at her in astonishment, her eyes shining with suppressed devilment. "While you were doing the editing for 'Jane', I was pitching an idea to Douglas. Well, getting him to write something for me." She pulled a script from beneath the sofa we were sat on. "It's the comedy you said we could do next, with me being the funny one this time." I took it from her and scanned through a few pages. There seemed to be a lot of scenes where Karen kept losing items of clothing in various amusing ways.

"You seem to be undressed rather a lot." I said mildly.




Star Ch. 05



"So?" She frowned at me.

"It worries me that's all."

"What, me taking some of my clothes off?" She began to unbutton her blouse. "It doesn't bother you all the time does it?" She breathed sexily into my ear.

"No, just..." 

She put her hand over my mouth.

"LC and Maria have gone out for a while..." She left the suggestion hanging. I swept her into my arms and picked her up, kissing her.

"Let's go and rehearse shall we?"

***

I think this is where the story of Dave and Karen ends, unless the right idea comes along. It's not that they are difficult characters to write, you can probably tell that I am 'Dave', but while my binman knowledge is good, my directing-a-film knowledge isn't. I'm prepared to take on board suggestions if anyone has a workable idea. Just bear in mind that the actress Karen is based on (In my head!) has NEVER done anything even mildly risque. And I'm not telling who it is even if means I don't get to be in her next movie. 



Star Ch. 05



"I'm in love with Mikey, but he doesn't feel the same way, well he does, but he needs to think about it which, I am not waitin around for! I mean he's just asking me to do the impossible! I can't be that patient! I am not that patient mama! Meanwhile he runs around with anything with a vajayjay, and what am I doin? I'm sittin here waiting for the perfect guy! And then the perfect guy shows up! And he's prolly everything I could possibly dream of havin but who do I want? I want the messed up, manwhore, jerk who's... who's also my best friend! Oh mama what do I do?"

She finally looked back over to her mother who was staring open mouthed. 

"Wow, Star"

"Oh but wait! There's more! Brian and I JUST had a huge fight, over a... girl that used to be with Mikey, but surprise surprise, he dropped her like a hot potato! So she moved on to who you ask?"

"Brian," her mom said finishing her sentence. 

"Yeah! But not before he slammed me up against his refrigerator-"

"Hol up, he did WHAT?"

Her mom had jumped up out of her chair and began examining her for bruises. 

"Ma, I'm fine! I promise! It's just," she paused trying to explain

"Everything is so fu-"

"Watch ya damn mouth!"

"Sorry mama-"

"Is this the child I raised? Runnin' from her problems? Gettin' manhandled by your 'friends' and payin rent on an apartment you barely stay at? Look at you! Eyes all swole, face sunk in like I ain't feed ya? And for what? These knucklehead white boys?"

"Mama!"

She put up her hand to silence Star.

"Now you know I love that boy like he was my own, he comes by here all the time to see about me, which is more than I can say for you."

Star hung her head shamefully. It wasn't that she didn't want to be here, her mother was the world to her. Her life had just become so hectic; she just didn't have the time. 

"I took care of him like he was my own, God knows Linda could barely keep herself together after john died, let alone take care of Micah. And you think I didn't know how y'all fell about each other?"

She stared at her mother shocked.

"He, he told you? How he felt about me?"

"He didn't tell me nothing baby but I know my children. I knew all those years ago when he first started comin around here. Followin you around like a lost puppy. I knew you felt the same way about that boy, even if you didn't wanna admit it. Hell the only ones who didn't know how y'all felt was y'all!"

"But why not tell me?"

Her mother waved her off with a swing of her slender hand. 

"It's your life baby; I can't live it for you or tell you how to live it. As much as I'd love to."

"You need to make these decisions... and mistakes yourself. I can't protect you like I did when you were little. You've grown into a strong, loving, independent, hard-headed, beautiful woman. Believe me, Mickey knows as much and, well," she trailed off.

"What mama?"

"Just, don't be so damn hard on the boy!"

Star couldn't believe her ears. Don't be so hard on him? Was she serious?

"Yes you heard me correctly! Don't be so hard on him. Impatience don't look good on you Star, he just needs time to realize who he is okay? I know this might not make sense, your mother telling you to wait on a man. But he really needs some time to figure himself out you know? So wait for him, you know it's worth it."

And with that, she stood and walked towards the house. 

"I'm cooking and you're eating!" She called over her shoulder.

After a few minutes, Millie Jackson started blaring through the tiny house and that was that.

*********************

By 6pm, she was walking up the front steps of her apartment building, tummy full. In her right hand were two huge Tupperware containers, one filled with an obscene amount of food; chicken, greens, potatoes, biscuits and chocolate cake. The other filled with fresh peaches her mother had forced her to take. 

To say she was exhausted would be an immense understatement, and that headache was going to work on her temples. What she wanted to do was take the elevator up to Micah's apartment and make him massage her back until she fell asleep. Hell, if she was honest with herself she wanted a lot more that a simple back massage but she quickly pushed those thoughts out of her head. Walking directly past the elevators, she made a beeline to her apartment. 

Once inside, she dropped the Tupperware in the refrigerator, grabbed some extra strength Tylenol from the cupboard and pressed play on her blinking answering machine. 

It told her she had 21 messages.

She took a seat on her sofa realizing for the first time that her coffee table was missing the huge piece of glass in the middle.

First message. 

"Star?" Micah's voice sounded on her answering machine. 

Silence. 

Next message.

"Hi Star, It's Merissa. I was just wondering if you could take my shift tonight? I just met this hot guy from Brazil-"

Next message. 

"I sincerely hope you plan on calling your mother sometime soon! Remember me? The woman that held you in her womb for nine months? Fed ya? Clothed ya? Any of that sound familiar? Call your mama Star!"

Next message.

"I'm sorry. For everything. Most of all for hurting you, I," he trailed off and Star sat breath held, waiting for him to speak again. 

"I love you, call me back."

Star's heart thudded in her chest.

Next message. 

"Star if you don't get your behind down to this bar soon I'm gonna..." Brian's Irish accent came loudly from the speakers of her machine, and Star felt a stab of anguish.

"Well I don't actually know what I'll do. I'll probably just get very drunk and wish you were here, so hurry up and get here!"

The messages went on and on like that until a particular voice caught her attention. 

"Now I know what you're thinking already; why is this man calling me? I just left his house! After I threw up all over him! Am I right?" Star found herself nodding in agreement to Adrian's recorded voice. She really hadn't expected him to call at all, let alone in the same day.

"Okay, hear me out! So I was cleaning my room, since a certain lady had remarked on what a pigsty it had become, when I came across my cell. Now, at the same time I pick up my cell, I noticed a flyer on the floor for this really cool jazz club called Chexx. So, I've got the phone in my right hand and the flyer in my left... you see where I'm going with this?" 

Star smiled in spite of herself. He was even charming on voicemail.

"Anyway, my fingers seemed to find your number on their own, and next thing I knew I was calling you! Funny how that works huh?"

Star chuckled and heard him rustling a piece of paper in his hand.

"Next Friday, they're doing a tribute to Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. I really hope you know who they are,"

"Of course I know who they are!" she squealed aloud appalled by his accusation.

"Good! Because I'll be by to pick you up at 8, I'll see you Friday."

End of messages. 

Star just sat there staring off into space. She had a date. On Friday. With Adrian. She quickly released a breath she didn't realise she was holding. She needed a shower and quickly. Make it a cold one.

**********

It was 9:00 on a Saturday night and Star was in bed. 

After Star's very long and very hot shower, she sat at her computer working on a project for her intro Pharmacology class. It was quickly forgotten as she fell asleep at the keyboard leaving a page and a half of "L's" on the screen. 

Once she'd given up on school work, she decided to try to watch a movie, but every singe film she owned reminded her of Mikey. She'd even tried to watch "p.s I love you" but Gerard Butler's accent reminded her too much of a former friend she was trying to avoid thinking about. 

Finally, she gave in to the thoughts she was trying to avoid. 

The first name that came to her mind was Brian. The emotions that followed were anger, hurt, outrage, you name it. How could he be so cold? He had never, in her years of knowing him, called her outside of her name. And now that he was getting a taste of Lindsay's recycled pussy, he'd lost his damn mind! Well it was too damn bad cause she wasn't going to wait around for him to find it. 

She couldn't believe the balls on him! Puttin his hands on her like that! As if pookie 'nem wasn't a phone call away. And the people she could call, would not think twice about fuckin his ass up! 

Star just couldn't believe it at all. He knew. He knew all about her and Mikey's past. Hell, she'd introduced the bitch to Brian as Mikey's leftovers. Well, not in so many words. But he knew the drill! Instead of avoiding the girl, he takes her home. Fucks her. Then worst of all flat out disrespected her in front of Lindsay. There was absolutely no way they could remain friends. Not after how he'd treated her. It didn't matter what kind of feelings he called himself having for the girl, he had no right to act the way he did. 

An abrupt noise brought Star out of her thoughts. A big clunk coming from her front door. She listened intently and heard the faint knocks at the door. 

Star looked down at herself on her bed. She was naked save for her bra and panties. She pulled on her thick white fleece robe with yellow stars all over it and went to the door to cheek the peephole. 

Whoever it was, was leaning up against the door at an angle that hid their face. 

"Who is it?" Star called nervously.

"Micah," she heard though the door. She immediately brought a hand up self consciously to fix her hair and opened the door. 

He looked delicious. Absolutely delicious. His hair wasn't styled and it hung loosely around his face. He wore a plain black long sleeve shirt that clung to his body beautifully, and a pair of low-slung light denim jeans showing off his lean legs. As was previously stated, he looked delicious. She clutched her robe tighter to herself, more aware of her own near nudity. 

"Hey," he said apprehensively.

"Hi, come in," she offered moving out of the way so he could enter. He moved away from the door out of sight and picked up a huge piece of glass bringing it in with him. 

"You've probably noticed the glass is missing from your coffee table," he stated gesturing with the heavy glass. 

"Yeah, I saw that."

She followed him into the living room 

"I threw my cell phone at it," he said carefully placing the glass on the iron frame. It was excessively big and looked awkward. Star was tired of the ugly table anyway and was looking for a reason to get rid of it. 

"Shit," he breathed to himself realizing the same thing; it was way too big. 

"I can get it cut smaller, so it'll fit. Shit! I should have known, I'm sorry."

He was looking directly into her eyes, one hand nervously rubbing the back of his neck. She wanted to grab onto him and not let go. Her body was moving before she realized it and she grabbed him tightly in her arms. 

He stiffened initially, most likely expecting to be hit and then quickly wrapped his arms around her nearly picking her up off the ground. 

Star wanted to cry. Again. But she couldn't, she'd spent so much time crying these days. Her eyes were dry.

"I miss you, you know that? I've been going crazy! I miss you so much," he said into the top of her head. She just nodded into his chest. 

He loosened his grip enough to look at her, cupping her face in his hands he stared at her. His eyes so full of emotion. Star felt her throat tighten, as her own feelings overtook her. 

"Micah," she whispered. Her voice too thick and hoarse to make any more of a sound. 

"Shhh," he said cutting her off. 

"I've been doing a lot of thinking... About you and about me. You were right; I was too scared. Hell I still am scared Star." 

His voice hitched in his throat betraying the emotions he was barely keeping in check. His eyes never once moved from hers. His hands still lovingly cupped her face and Star found herself tightening her arms at his waist.

"I need you to understand me star, I need you to understand who I am okay?"

She nodded in his hands. 

"I've never really been in love before. Ever. I've cared for a few girls. Cared very deeply for them but I didn't love them. None of them. Only girl I ever loved was you, but that was different. You were my best friend." 

He chuckled and a grin tugged at his lips. 

"You remember that time I had you come rescue me from that girl? Sher, Sherane? Charmaine! The first black girl I ever dated. Turned out to be the craziest girl I ever dated. Period."

Star cringed at the memory. The girl was psycho; she was clinically bipolar and had decided to go off her medicine. By the time Star got to Micah's apartment, the bitch had a knife to his throat trying to force him to impregnate her. Star cracked the girl in the back of the head with a frying pan and called the po po on that hoe. She was institutionalized for 6 months before they let her out. 

"What I'm trying to say is that no one else in this world has my back like you do! And when I'm honest with myself, I realize a lot of other things."

Star gave him a curious look. He let his hands fall away from her and guided both of them to the couch. Star's memory reminded her of the last time they were on that couch roughly twenty-four hours ago and her pulse raced at the kiss they shared. 

He'd turned to her stiffly, and then relaxed.

"When I'm completely honest with myself, I know that I've never loved you as just a friend. It's always been so much more than that. So much deeper than that. I look for you in every girl I've ever dated, because I knew I couldn't have you. Not in the way I really wanted you. And my relationships... if you want to call them that.... They always ended quickly because they weren't... you."

At his last admission, Star's eyes began to well up. 

"Look, I don't wanna stay too long, I've got some stuff I gotta take care of tonight but," his voice trailed off again and he looked at the carpet for a long time. 

"I'm playing somewhere," he said finally looking up again. 

"It's an open mic type deal at 'The Well' something new they're trying."

He reached out for her, pulling her close to him. Her robe parting at the thigh distracting both of them for a moment. 

"Will you come?" he asked, his eyes filled with hope. She opened her mouth to answer and he interrupted her before she could speak.

"Before you say anything I need you to know. I'm doing this for you. I need you to come baby, will you come?"

She'd wanted to come but in a very different way and his words were sounding like pure sex to her. She looked up into his eyes and saw fear in them. He was scared she wouldn't show.

"Of course I'll come Mikey," she said stroking his chin just under his lip. "Of course," she repeated.

He smiled a smile of relief at her words. One of his big toothy trademark grins. 

"Okay!" he said hopping up.

"You're coming!" he said more to himself.

"Yes!" she exclaimed.

He turned to leave, backing up and looking happier than Star had seen him in weeks.

"Okay, so I'll see you Friday! My set starts at nine sharp, don't be late alright? What am I talking about; I should be telling myself that! You're the one who's always thirty minutes early for everything!"

Star just laughed at him and watched him leave. It wasn't until the door slammed shut that she realized her problem. 

"Shit!" she yelled. 

Her life had become that much more interesting in the span of ten minutes. 

*************

Come Monday morning Star was at her desk about to start work. She was ten minutes early and didn't want to log in and take calls. She hated her job with an unbridled passion. Hated taking calls for the computer company and even more, she hated that it paid her so well.

"I'm just full of hatred today ain't I?" she said aloud. 

With A deep sigh of resignation, Star logged in to her phone.

"Microsoft Help desk, Star speaking how can I help you?"

The day went on in a very monotonous manner with Star periodically allowing herself to consider her "situation."

It was like a cheesy television drama. Should she choose the jazz club Friday night? Listening to someone butcher Ella Fitzgerald and choose the too sexy for words Adrian? Or would she choose to go to her old chill spot the Wishing well and listen to her best friend sing for her?

What she wanted to do and what she would do were two completely different animals. Besides, she had about a week to decide. 

By the time star was finished for the day she was completely exhausted. Not that call center work was very physical; all she did was sit in a chair all day. What it was, was emotionally draining. People called in all day every day to bitch and moan about their problems. It was never cut and dry; my computer isn't working, can you help fix it? No! It was always, "Do you know how much I paid for this computer?" or "I have so much work to get done and you are wasting my time and money!" It seemed that on a daily basis she was threatened with a lawsuit. Emotionally draining. That's what call center work is.

She had just pulled into the parking lot and was getting out of her car when she spotted him. Brian. Her body tensed reflexively and she thought about getting back in her car and running. Then her mother's voice sounded in her head.

"Is this the child I raised? Runnin' from her problems?"

He was running to her and Star readied herself for a fight. 

"Don't say a word!" he yelled to her before she could open her mouth. He stopped directly in front of her studying her silent frame. She had her hands balled into fists at her side and looked like she was ready to attack. 

"I owe you an apology-"

"Save it!" she snapped angrily. 

"I said all I have to say to you before and I do not want to hear a single sorry word from you. I meant it when I said I'm done with you so please do me a favour and fuck off."

He watched her walk away; she could feel his eyes on her. She didn't look back as she walked into the building.

***********

Tuesday was just as uneventful. 

Today she had work and class and thankfully, there was no appearance from Brian. She knew she couldn't handle another rundown with him.

She was in the long line up at Starbucks. She could practically taste her caramel macchiato. She glanced down at her cell. She had twenty minutes to get to her class. Plenty of time. 

When it was time to place her order, she felt a possessive hand on her shoulder. 

"Caramel macchiato," a very deep and sexy voice said. Star turned to watch Adrian retrieve a bill from his wallet and set it on the counter. He wasn't looking at her but that cocky grin was on his face. She looked at the strong line of his jaw and wanted to lick it. 

"How'd you know?" she asked curiously. 

He turned and looked at her then; she noted the coffee in his hand and wondered how long he'd been here. 

"You were singing it to yourself? You didn't notice?" he said chuckling to himself.

"Guess not," she said. He led her to a table in the corner and realized he must have been watching her for a while. 

"So," she said after she was seated. "How is it I go from not seeing you for months to seeing you like, 3 times in a week? Are you stalking me?"

He grinned again.

"Guilty as charged. When you weren't getting the messages I was leaving in my breath on your bedroom window, I decided to take a more direct approach."

Star laughed aloud.

"So now I've taken to stalking your answering machine," he stated, that half smile still tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

Star considered him. It was something more that just sexiness that pulled her to him. He was confident. Almost cocky. Not characteristic of the twenty something guys she knew. They all seemed to be trying to find themselves. Adrian, it seemed, already knew who he was and was completely comfortable with himself. She loved that about him. 




Star Ch. 05



"I guess you got my message?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I did."

He straightened in his seat and leaned in holding her in his gaze. 

"I need to speak openly with you, is that okay?"

His eyes didn't waver at all. She nodded in response, words wouldn't come. 

"Good," he said relaxing slightly in his chair. His eyes stayed locked on hers. 

"I like you Star. I don't know how you did it but you worked your way under my skin in a way no other woman has in a long time. You know what I mean?"

Star just nodded again clutching her coffee in her hands.

"I have this unrelenting attraction to you. Even when I knew, I should have let it go. I would find myself thinking about you. About our night together."

Without realizing it, Star's mind travelled back to that night. Images of their two naked bodies flashed before her eyes and she had to fight to suppress a moan. Shifting in her seat she noticed that his eyes had taken on a more sultry look.

"You're thinking about it right now aren't you?"

She just nodded once again lost for words. He cleared his throat.

"I don't want it to just be about sex between us," he said.

"That's why I invited you out. I want to get to know you and vice versa. I feel something different with you Star and I want to fully explore any and all possibilities with you."

She stared on entranced by the words he was speaking. The cocky grin reappeared on his lips.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is I'll be by to get you by eight."

"You said that on the answering machine," she said speaking her first words in forever. Her voice came out hoarser than she'd intended. 

"I guess I did huh. Just want to make sure I was heard."

He glanced down at his watch. Then back up at her. 

"I think we better hightail it outta here."

She looked at her phone. 

"Shit!" She was four minutes late for class, and was ten minutes away from school. She got up abruptly and made for the exit.

"I'll see you Friday!" he called after her as she ran out the front doors. 

"Yeah!" she yelled back. This was the first time she'd be late since elementary school. She was not pleased. To say the least.

**************

The rest of the week blew by, much to the annoyance of Star and before she knew it, it was Friday.

Friday morning Star awoke at 7:45 realizing the power went out at some point in the night because her hello kitty alarm was flashing zeros and hadn't woken her up!

Panicking, she dashed to the shower and somehow washed her whole body in 2 minutes. She was supposed to be at work already! Well, in twelve minutes. But her alarm was supposed to have gone off an hour and a half ago! 

Moving at the speed of light, Star was amazingly in her car by ten to eight. She dialled work while she was manoeuvring her way onto the freeway. Her boss was irritated to say the least. Star was pissed. It's not like she had ever been late before! 

She was doing 110 in a 90-mile zone and if she didn't slow down, she'd be stopped very soon. She eased on her brake and realized the rest of traffic had slowed as well. That's when she saw it. A five-car pile up about a mile ahead of straight highway, and traffic all around was at a stand still. 

She eventually brought her car to a stop as well and laid her head against the steering wheel. One thought popping up in her head repeatedly: Today was not going to be a good day. 

By the time Star got to work, she was an hour and a half late. They had to wait until the tow trucks came to move the cars but because traffic was so backed up, they had no way of getting to the narrow stretch of road.

When she got to her desk, her supervisor was giving her the evil eye. She logged in and went to work. 

4:00 arrived not a moment too soon and Star was outta there! Apparently, it was stupid question day and no one had notified her. Every call she took today was pointless. She got everything from prank calls to pure idiots. She needed out before she ripped someone's head off. 

Hopping in her car again, she decided to go grab dinner before she went to her evening class. She tried three different restaurants but they all had about a twenty-minute wait for a table. She grudgingly settled for fast food and decided to go to her class early. 

It was a two-hour long lecture and was one of her most boring classes. She was fast asleep thirty minutes in. 

Star was awakened by the sounds of people shuffling. She looked at her phone and realized it was seven! She'd slept through basically the entire class! It's a good thing she knew a girl who taped the lectures because she'd definitely be screwed.

It was then that Star realized she hadn't really made up her mind. Was she going to open mic night? Or was she going to listen to jazz?

Slowly, she gathered her belongings and left the building. She'd have to make up her mind and quick. Glancing at her phone again, she looked at the time. 7:18! Adrian was due in forty minutes and she looked like hell in a hand basket. 

"Shit!" 

Star ran to her car for the umpteenth time that day. 

****************

It was a quarter after eight and Star was nowhere near ready. It took her forever to get home because she avoided the highway hoping to avoid her earlier mistake. It took her twice as long to get home because Sunday drivers were everywhere. Or maybe it was her road rage.

As soon as she'd shut her front door she went directly to the shower and stayed there until the buzzer sounded for the front door. 

Uh oh.

He was here! And he was early! Shit! Star ran from the shower almost slipping in the pool she'd made on the floor. She ran to her bedroom and towelled off. Just as she was attempting to dry her now smooth legs, there was a knock at the door. 

Wrapping the towel around her, she rushed to answer it. She flung open the door and yelled, "Make yourself at home I'll be in the bedroom getting ready!" It came out so fast she had trouble understanding what she'd said herself!

She raced back to her bedroom and looked at the time. Quarter after eight? When did that happen? Star ran around the room in a blur. She put on vanilla scented body oil, put on her sexy black boy cut lace panties with the matching demi bra. She then put on a pair of skin-tight light denim jeans, a tight white baby tee, and her four-inch black ankle booties. She pulled her hair into a tight bun at the nape of her neck and checked her reflection. Understated, but sexy. 

All of this took place in the span of five minutes. 

She emerged from her bedroom to find Adrian still in the small hallway looking slightly confused but devastatingly sexy. Jesus, there should be laws put in place for guys like him. His wardrobe was not unlike her own, white tee that hinted deliciously at what was underneath. Faded denim jeans that hugged him snugly at his hips, crisp pair of white sneakers on his feet. And was that lacoste she was smelling?

He was starring her up and down. Was looking like he was about to throw her over his shoulder and carry her back into that bedroom cave man style. Me Tarzan, you Jane style. She shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

"Damn," was all he said. She smiled at him and grabbed her little leather jacket from the closet. 

"I'm glad you like!" she said. 

Wordlessly, he opened the door for her. She grabbed her purse and locked the door. 

He was staring again, and it was making her uncomfortable again. 

"Do I have something in my teeth or something?" she asked as they made their way to his car. 

"Naw, why?"

"Because you keep staring at me like I'm water in a desert!" she laughed nervously. When they got to his car, he leaned in and kissed her full on the lips. It was a quick peck, full of promise and the intent was clear; I plan on doing so much more later.  

**************************

Fifteen minutes later, they were strolling into Chexx lounge. The sounds of cool jazz invaded her ears and Star wanted to relax. She really did but she was torn. She was here with a wonderful guy who evidently wanted more than just sex from her. He wanted to explore any and all possibilities with her. Wanted to get to know her. 

Hold me close and hold me fast, the magic spell you cast, this is La vie en Rose. When you kiss me heaven sighs, and though I close my eyes I see La vie en Rose. 

She felt sick. Her stomach felt like it was suddenly in knots. Adrian found them a table in a secluded corner and she sat, not making eye contact. 

"Hey, do you want a drink?" he asked trying to get her attention.

"Whiskey sour, no ice." she stared at her hands refusing to look at him.

When you press me to your heart, I'm in a world apart a world where roses bloom. And when you speak angels sing from above, everyday words seem to turn into love songs.

She felt him give her a worried look. She could feel his confused eyes on her. She never looked up. He finally left to grab their drinks. She was such a bitch. A stupid bitch. Only stupid bitches get themselves in situations like these. Micah would be so hurt, he was probably wondering where she was right now. She checked her watch. It was a quarter to nine. She felt sick. 

Give your heart and soul to me, and life will always be, La Vie en Rose.

"Louis please," she sighed aloud. The song mixed into another. A band was setting up on the surprisingly large stage. Star felt sick. 

The tables are empty, the dance floor's deserted. You played the same love song, it's the tenth time you've heard it. That's the beginning, just one of the clues. You've had your first lesson in learnin the blues.

Adrian returned with two short glasses in his hands. He sat one down in front of her and pulled the chair around to sit next to her. Oh God, he smelled so good.

"You wanna tell me what's goin on in that head of yours?" he asked nudging her with his shoulder. 

The cigarrettes you light, one after another, won't help you forget him, and the way that you love him. You're only burning, a torch you can't loose. But you're on the right track, for learnin the blues.

She winced. It was all getting to her. The music, the man beside her, and the one on the other side of town with a soon to be broken heart. 

The drink was gone in three swallows. It burned all the way down, a more than welcome distraction. 

She stared into the empty glass and he silently studied her, patiently waiting for her to explain. She finally looked at the gorgeous man she was sharing a table with. The first time she'd done so since they'd arrived.

When you're at home alone, the blues will taunt you constantly. When you're out in a crowd the blues will haunt your memory. The nights when you don't sleep, the whole night you're cryin. But you can't forget him, soon you even stop tryin. You'll walk the floor and wear out your shoes. When you feel your heart break. You're learnin the blues. 

It wasn't until she looked at him. And I mean really looked at him, that the realization hit her. She stared into his beautiful brown eyes and realized they weren't that deep green that Micah's were. And although his smile was enough to make any woman's panties dampen, it wasn't Micah's wide toothy smile.

And most of all, although he was perfect for her, everything she should want in a man, he wasn't Micah. 

"I have to go," she said sadly. 

His expression was a mixture of shock and disappointment, which made her heart ache. She never wanted to hurt him. 

"I think you are a wonderful man, one of the sexiest men I've ever laid my eyes on. You're confident, funny... you're the total package!"

She leaned into him and cradled his face in her hands. She looked him over, trying to burn his image into her memory. If only they'd met a few years ago, maybe things would have been different. 

Star knew that wasn't true. Her heart belonged to someone else and no matter what way she looked at it, she'd only end up hurting him in the end. 

"I'm so sorry," she whispered closing her eyes. 

Placing a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek, she wondered if he'd be okay. She released him but held his gaze once again. She couldn't bring herself to look away, knowing that any ill feelings he harboured were completely her fault. 

"Are you okay?" she asked apprehensively. 

He looked away and cleared his throat. When he looked back at her he was smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes. They still held disappointment.

"I guess I should've known huh? Too good to be true. It's okay, I totally understand."

The smile fell from his lips and he turned away from her towards the stage. She placed a final hand to his back and got up. 

"Goodbye Adrian."

He never looked up. 

***************

"Taxi!!!" she screamed as she weaved though the streets trying unsuccessfully to hitch a ride. 

She had seven minutes. 

She saw a yellow car making it's way towards her. It wasn't going to stop. 

"Taxi!!!" she yelled again waving her arms. 

The empty cab drove directly by her. 

"Son of a Fucking Bitch!"

She began to sprint down towards the busier streets. There'd be a taxi there. There'd have to be a taxi. She was stopped mid stride by her heel getting caught in the pavement. She damn near broke her tibia. She ripped her leg free and kept on running. She just needed to get into a taxi. She could still make it. 

She spotted one; it was making a right onto her street. She ran into the middle of the road directly in front of the car and cringed waiting for it to hit her. It came to a screeching halt inches away, thank you Jesus!

"What the fuck are you doing? You want to die? Get out of the road!" the old Indian driver yelled at her.

"No! I just need a ride!" she pleaded already making her way to the back seat. 

"Okay, next time just wave your arms!" he said imitating the same thing, she'd been doing for the past few minutes. "You kill me!"

"I'm sorry! Please, I need to get to the wishing well, downtown in the next," she pulled out her phone and checked the time.

"Five minutes!" she screamed more at herself. There was no way; they were ten minutes away from the wishing well. She'd never make it in time. She felt her stomach flip-flopping and her throat became thick with emotion. She wasn't going to make it!

"Five minutes? You pay extra?" he asked pausing slowly at a stop sign. 

"Yes!" she screeched at him. 

"Okay! Five minutes!" he yelled and stepped on the gas.

***********

He must've only driven on two wheels the entire way. He'd made a valiant effort too, cutting off cars and cursing out drivers in broken English. She almost made it. She was almost there. 

That is until they hit the downtown core. The streets were like a maze and everyone seemed to be driving at snails pace. She checked the time. 8:59. She wasn't gonna make it. 

Reaching into her purse, she grabbed two twenties and threw them to the driver with a quick thank you. She had to make it. 

Star hopped out the cab in the middle of traffic and resumed her sprint. She just had to get there. She had about four city blocks to go. Her thighs ached. It had been too long since she'd done anything this strenuous. 

She kept running. 

She kept seeing his face, disappointed, hurt, trying to play his guitar. Her chest heaved. Her thighs were on fire. Two more blocks to go, you can make it Star! Just keep going Star!

She ran directly through a red light and almost got hit for the second time today. She couldn't stop, had to keep running. She lost the lift on her heel ages ago, causing and uneven click clack when she ran. She could care less. As long as they didn't disintegrate off her feet, she'd be okay. 

She ran past drunks, smokers and homeless people, all looking at her quizzically. She was oblivious. Her destination was in sight now. Less than a block to go. 

"Just hold on baby, I'm on my way."

She ran the remaining distance at a slightly slower pace. She retrieved her phone from her pocket. 9:06. 

"Shit!"

She picked up the pace again and ran past the large group assembled outside through the doors and right into security. Star felt like she ran face first into a brick wall. Since when did they have security?

"ID please," a tall, muscular and unimpressed man asked.

She dug frantically in her purse for her wallet and handed him the card. He quickly looked at it and handed it back to her. 

Her breath came out in ragged pants as she fought in vain to catch her breath. Star anxiously scanned the room. She was hoping, no praying he wasn't angry with her. 

Then she saw him. 

They had a small stage set up in the corner. It housed a barstool and a few mic stands. There he was nervously checking his phone, guitar in his lap, chewing his bottom lip. He was waiting for her. 

"I'm here!" she yelled. He didn't hear her. 

She didn't take her eyes off him but her body was drawn to him like a magnet. She weaved through the crowd, her gaze unwavering and then he saw her. His eyes landed on hers and immediately her vision was blurred with tears. 

"Baby, I made it!" She whispered standing stock still in the middle of the crowd.

He looked at her, as though there wasn't another soul in the room. As if not another soul existed. 

"You made it," he said into the microphone, drawing the attention of the crowd. He never once took his eyes off her as he lifted his guitar, played a few opening chords and began to sing.

I've been so many places in my life and time. I've sung a lot of songs, I've made some bad rhymes. I've acted out my life in stages With ten thousand people watching But we're alone now, and I'm singing this song for you.

I know your image of me is what I hope to be I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see There's no one more important to me Baby can't you see through me Cause we're alone now, and I'm singing this song for you. You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing You came out in front and I was hiding But now I'm so much better, and if my words don't come together Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding. 

I love you in a place where there's no space or time I love you for in my life, you're a friend of mine. And when my life is over Remember when we were together When we were alone and I was singing this song to you. When we were alone and I was singing this song to you.

Applause broke out and loud whoops and hollers were heard. He was supposed to keep going, he still had another twenty minutes. But he was packing up and stepping away from the stage. 

Star was floored. Completely blown away. Of course, she'd heard him sing before but never, ever like this. There was so much raw emotion and truth in his voice; she knew he sang every single word from his heart. 

And he sang it for her. 

He was coming towards her, greeting people who stopped him in between all the while keeping his eyes on her. 

Her feet were aching, her legs were threatening to cramp but she stood quiescent and still waiting for him to make his way to her. 

When he reached her he pulled her willing body flush against him, hard against soft, and he kissed her senseless. 

As soon as his lips touched hers, she moaned unable to contain herself. His lips were firm and demanding, and she felt her body give against his when his tongue gained entry into her mouth. 

More whoops and catcalls broke out; neither heard a sound. 

She let him own the kiss, following his lead as he bit and sucked on her lips. When his tongue brushed against her front teeth she parted them granting him access into her mouth. He took it exploring the sweetness of her mouth. 

He was aggressive, taking possession of her mouth. She was passive, massaging his tongue with her own. She snaked her hands down his back, cupped his ass, and then squeezed. 

He moaned into her mouth and that single deep rumbling sound turned her legs to jelly. They gave out and if it weren't for his arms around her, she'd be laid out on the floor below.