Backup Girl [Tom Hiddleston] {EBT book 2/4}

Anticipation

The following Monday Kate felt settled again. She was playing quite a bit and although the strength was still returning in her wrist she could feel a huge improvement. They were getting organised for the tour, Ed had asked Kate to do some alternative arrangements for some of the charts and she would actually be on stage for a reasonable chunk of the show. At 3pm she had an unexpected 2 hour break, and went straight to the Donmar to see Tom.

He was rehearsing with Hadley so she waited in his dressing room for a few minutes. "Well this is a pleasant surprise," he said towelling off his face.

"Yes it is," Kate stood up and peeled off his soaked shirt.

"Whoa I should warn you I have to be in makeup in half an hour."

"Yeah, actually that can wait, that's not why I'm here."

"Oh," he pouted. "What's up?"

"I'm going to the gym with Lachlan tomorrow! He told me this morning!"

"I hope to god the part you're bouncing around about is the gym."

"Of course, baby."

"Then I'm really happy for you. This was supposed to be the slowest and hardest part and you've totally smashed it." He took her hand. "I'm really proud of you, I can't imagine how much pain you've been in and how hard it's been mentally."

Kate leaned in and kissed his mouth, probing gently with her tongue just enough to make him moan. "See you tonight," she stood up and he pouted again.

"Dammit I love you," he said, pulling her to him.

"I love you too, Thomas."

Kate returned to Ed in the studio. He looked up from his guitar when she opened the door and smiled.

"So Chris bloody Martin is trying to steal you?"

"What?"

He laughed. "It's ok Kate he just called to talk about timing to see if he could borrow you." Kate flopped down in the chair next to him. "You ok?" Kate managed a nod, it was all she could summon. "Pretty awesome when it all comes together, huh?"

"Yeah," Kate breathed. "It is." As smile spread across her face.

"Can you play this part for me? I can't decide whether to leave it at just guitar or add piano."

"Sure can, only for 10 minutes an hour though."

Ed laughed again. "Perhaps I should factor that in to the set lists."

"No I'll be- Why?"

"Because you'll be playing keys," why would I hire a keyboard player when you can do both and then some?"

"Yeah I just... I can't promise I'll be back to 100% by then, I'm a bit rusty."

"We're not playing Bach Kate. You'll be great."

"OK then let's do it."

Kate paced around the apartment, checking the clock every few minutes. She had used up all of her 'piano minutes', done all of her exercises and everything was spotless. She willed Tom to hurry and come home to her.

Finally she heard his key in the lock and almost ran to the door, opening it before he could. "Er, hello," he said, surprised. "What's happening?"

Before he could close the door she pulled him down to kiss his lips softly, and then pulled away just as suddenly, closing the door for him. Her whole face beamed with a huge smile.

"I'm playing keys for the tour!" she blurted out.

"That's incredible!"

"I know!"

"Kate, have you been drinking?"

"I might have had just one celebratory glass of bubbles while I was waiting for you." She went to the kitchen and poured them both a glass while Tom took off his coat and put his bag down.

"You know if you keep up this rate of progress you'll be the one fighting off the fans in 6 months."

Kate led Tom to the lounge and they sat in front of the smouldering fire. She stared in to it thoughtfully and then looked Tom in the eyes.

"I owe you so much Tom," she said solemnly.

"You don't owe me anything, you've done all the work. The success is yours, I just stand back in amazement." he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "You really are that good Kate, I'm glad you're starting to see it for yourself."

"You showed me that, and you held my hand so I could reach for it, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to. I would never have believed I could do any of this, you released me from my own fear."

"Well then I'm glad I could help you, but honestly I love you and I want you to go after whatever it is that you want. I can't wait to see what you do next, I'm so excited for you." He pulled her in close, kissing her slowly. "I know you're used to being told you're nothing, and it kills me that anyone would treat you that way. If I have to tell you how wonderful you are every hour, every day, I will until you believe it."

Tears stung Kate's eyes and she wrapped her arms around Tom's neck and kissed him fervently to stop them from spilling down her cheeks. He lifted her on to his lap and after a few moments stood up and carried her to the bedroom, putting her down on her feet next to the bed. She lifted his shirt over his head while he unbuttoned hers and slipped it off her shoulders, kissing her neck and pushing her gently back on to the bed. She had been waiting for this since the Donmar.