Even Gold Stars Can Fall

Chapter One

Tom reclines in the makeup chair, his script covering his face, his soft snores easily heard from underneath the pages. A twenty-something petite Cuban-American woman with latte colored skin, hazel eyes and pink, pixie cut hair sneaks up behind him. She carefully wraps one of his cherub curls around her index finger, stopping to assure she hasn't woken him, yet, and then gives the curl a solid tug.

"Ow! The fuck?!" Tom asked, mouth held in a sleepy half grin. "Nicolette!"

"Cole, Tom!"

"When you pull my hair, you're Nicolette! Serves you right, you wicked wench! I'm so tired."

"Oh wah, wah, wah. 'Oh, I'm Tom Hiddleston the biggest movie star in the world right now and I have to do a movie and I've had no sleep because I stayed up all night memorizing lines because I'm a goody two-shoes!'. Poor baby!" Cole teased.

"It's 4am, makeup is late, wardrobe is about to mutiny because the director is shrieking for last minute adjustments to my costume, and yes, I stayed up and memorized my lines. And what did you do?" he began, interrupting her before she could answer, "Let me guess, you went to the dyke bar AGAIN and pulled AGAIN."

"Fuck yeah I did! Wanna see?" Cole offered with a wide grin.

"Is that even a question you have to ask at this point?" Tom replied with a laugh.

Cole pulled out her mobile and after browsing through a fair few photos she stopped on one.

"Here she is! Her name was...Vivi, I think."

Tom eyed the stunning woman's photo not the least bit surprised that Cole managed to bring her home. She was good at that.

"She's really exquisite, Cole! Are you going to see her again?"

"I'm not sure, but it's a definite possibility. Ok, enough chatter. I'm here to serve you, milord!"

"Uhm...I could use the strongest coffee you can manage and perhaps a pastry?" Tom requested as warmly as always.

"I know where there's a little Cuban coffee stand and I will get you a cup that will keep you going all day long."

"You are a saint, my dear, have I told you that today?"

"You tell me every day, Tom...but never stop." Cole answered with a soft chuckle. She hurried off to fulfill Tom's request.

Cole had met Tom some time back on the set of "War Horse". She was filling in for his original assistant, but soon Tom had no want for the now former employee. Not only was Cole incredibly diligent at her job and able to conjure up just about anything his heart desired, but they got on like a hand and a glove. Pretty soon, he began to count her among his inner sanctum of true, close friends. He could always count on her both on the job and even just for a laugh when he felt lonely. He was very fond of her, and she knew when Tom got a job, she got a job and she would turn up, the same squeak of glee, the same warm embrace, the same head full of stories of her conquests that would have Tom variously envious and tickled. When Tom told her he was slated to reprise his role of Loki in "Thor 2" he heard her set the phone down and shriek like a banshee for about five solid minutes. She was a delight on set, keeping morale high was her strong suit.

The makeup team finally came around to apply Loki's face and before long Cole returned, Tom's breakfast in hand. Tom wolfed down the mango pastry, far hungrier than he realized he was, and gulped the small cup of rocket fuel strength coffee.

"I should have asked you for..." he began.

"Another pastry? In the bag." Cole finished.

"Oh bless! Oh, Cole, do marry me!"