The Extra (A Tom Hiddleston Fanfic)

Misunderstandings

Rosie was almost done with her emails when there was a gentle tap at the study door. She sat up, glancing at the time on her computer. Almost 630pm , boy the time had gone quickly. Too quickly. They would soon be leaving. Her heart sank, all too soon they - He - would be gone permanently. With a resigned sigh, she closed the laptop and stood up, opening the door.

As she looked out, she saw a retreating figure move down the hall. A tall, leather clad figure with a swishing green cape. "Loki!" She called out instinctively, immediately feeling herself blush to her toes. Oh god! How embarrassing! Loki turned, smiling devlishly,
"Ah your ARE there my little pet Midgardian" and with a couple of strides of his long legs he was back standing in front of her. For a second he looked at her with an icy impasive stare and she wasnt entirely sure if Tom was even in the room! Then, as if a switch had been flicked, the Frost Giant disappeared, replaced by a laughing Tom, his smile as broad as he was tall.
"Ehehehe I'm sorry" he laughed" its this costume, it seems to make me want to live up to his reputation" he winked " though not his womanising i can assure you!" It was his turn to blush slightly. Rosie knew all about Loki's repuation, she'd read the mythology and she raised an eyebrow "i should hope not!" She said laughing along.
"Actually I - err - we - wondered" Tom began, indicating the group of cast and crew now standing at the front door, if you'd like to join us for something to eat?" He looked at her, his eyes crinkling as he smiled. " after all, we're invading your privacy. Its the least we can do for you?" For a moment she paused, feeling overwhelmingly starstruck. Tom took this for reluctance and grabbed her hand, "please?" He asked softly, and something in his gaze made her stomach do a somersault. She felt he was about to say something else when Taika piped up " come on you two. Quit making eyes at each other and get on this bus Tom! We have to change first then eat - we're starving!" With that the moment was gone and Tom let go her hand with a laugh. "Meet us at MonteCasino at 8?" He called and he and the others departed. She nodded and waved goodbye. What have i to lose she thought?

Locking the door an hour later, so looked in the darkened glass at herself. She had done her hair, put on her best - no strike that - her ONLY decent white shirt and some skinny black jeans. Make up in place and perfume spritzed she felt almost human. Almost. Her stomach contained an entire bag of snakes and as she arrived at the destination, those same snakes whirled and slithered maddeningly as she walked into the local Italian restaurant.

Sitting around a large table, she saw the location crew including Taika and one of his assistant directors, Jamie. Jeremy Renner -Haweye- had also arrived now, he was shooting tomorrow. She tried not to stare at this new arrival but failed miserably. He looked over as she stood there, uncertain, and waved. "You must be the poor girl Tom's been murdering!" And she blushed, nodding "c'mon, sit here, be kinda good to chat to someone other than this wierdo" he laughed, indicating Taika. She crossed over and slid into the seat next to him.

"Rosie" she said, holding out her hand,
"Jeremy" he countered, "my my you do have pretty eyes, Tom was right!" And her heart stopped. She could barely breathe, and she darent look at Tom. What was she supposed to say to that ? All she said was a shy "oh my, thanks" lowering her lashes. Feeling her embarrassment , Jeremy patted her hand and smiled "dont worry, he's harmless, Hiddlescharm is a legend round here!" And with that the subject was changed. They spent the next hour chatting about Marvel, the cast who werent here and what the plans were for tomorrow.

Tom sat a little father down the table to her left, his arm draped casually round the back of the chair of a pretty blonde makeup girl. He looked as handsome as ever, although now he was most definitely back in Midgard mode. He wore a navy blue sweater which silhouetted his muscles to perfection and his hair was short and brushed back, in contrast to the flowing black locks of Loki. His sleeves pushed up, revealed his strong forearms and for a moment Rosie couldn't help but remember being held so tightly to his chest by them, how they made her feel in that moment, how they still did. Her stomach clenched, her mouth went dry. Then a sound broke her reverie. It was giggling, high pitched and effusive. Piercing into her brain. The blonde was giggling girlishly, gazing up at him and hanging on his every word. Rosie suddenly felt small and stupid and ashamed. Who had she been kidding. He wasnt interested in her, he'd only been being nice. She was an idiot. The wave of embarrassment washed over her making her feel more resentment to this than she had any right to. Tom was a single man, he could choose to sit, speak and flirt with whomever he wanted and he was , to be brutally honest, way out Rosie's league. She had no right to him. No matter how much her fevered imagination might want him.

This would have been bad enough, if not for one thing. Every time she looked up from her meal, or from talking to Jeremy who had taken it upon himself to be her companion for the evening, he was staring at her. Not just a glance, but an out and out stare. There was something in his look that made him seem almost angry with her and she felt very very uncomfortable and more than a little ashamed. Did he see through her? Was he disappointed at her lack of professionalism? She decided not to look his way again for the rest of the night.

In fact, they didnt actually cross paths until the next afternoon. Well, that wasn't exactly true, she saw him but he seemed to be avoiding her. When they did get within 5 meters of each other there seemed to be an air of tension that Rosie found unsettling. What had she done? As a result, they didn't speak. To make matters worse, the pretty blonde seemed to be everywhere Tom was. Rosie smiled at her through gritted teeth. Life just wasnt fair.

Things came to a head when Taika wanted to get some additional long shots of Tom, Jeremy and her to add to their scene for cutaways. Inwardly she groaned. She wasnt sure how he would react. Things were so different now. He was still as polite, but there was a detached air to him. So different from the almost electric spark she felt yesterday as he'd looked into her eyes. She only hoped she could be as professional as she thought she was....