The Doctor Will See You Now

Above and Beyond

"So, how about it? Fancy a little change for a couple of days?" Marion looked at her intently, and Ruth smiled.

"Why the hell not?" She looked at Marion and nodded."At least I can do my own makeup!"

The two women laughed. "Ok, so, be on set for 9, ok? Give you time to get the others sorted, then change. Take your pick of the dresses on the rack in Sarah's trailer. As long as it's Lurex and long, it'll be grand. See you at the party!"

After the events of Monday, she'd managed to avoid Tom. When he came to get his makeup done, she asked one of the juniors to do it 'for practice'. She busied herself elsewhere, anything to avoid his seeing just how much that kiss had meant to her. She knew she couldn't avoid him forever. She just wasn't quite ready to start living the lie.

On the Thursday following 'Kissgate', Marion had popped in and offered her a chance that might just provide the olive branch Ruth - and Tom - would need.

They were filming a party scene, and to boost the numbers, Ruth and the other female crew had been asked to be extras. It had crossed her mind that it might not be a particularly good idea, filming with Tom - especially when he was supposed to be having sex with Sienna's character on the balcony - but then, was that any worse than him ACTUALLY doing it with April?? No. Not really.

She managed to avoid Tom, he'd been and gone early that day, other closeup shots to be done early, so she could concentrate on getting herself ready.

Doing a quick makeup, best 70s style with glittery eyeshadow and the thinnest eyebrows she dared, she wandered over to wardrobe.

The rail of dresses had been depleted, as usual she was limited because she wasn't a size 'stick insect'. There was, however, one dress in her size that stood out. Teal coloured lurex to the floor with a plunge neckline. She'd need plenty of boob tape to stop her embarrassing both herself and everyone around her, but it was in a 1970s way, gorgeous.

She emerged and walked onto the set, one of the apartments they'd comandeered, and there was a ripple of chatter. Normally, a jeans and hoodie, no makeup kind of girl, the sight of her in full colour, plus platforms and more boob on show than Dolly Parton, caused quite the reaction.

Paul from night out at the pub walked over. He, too, had been roped in to be a guest. Now he was the epitome of 70's chic. Velvet suit, frilly shirt and large velevet bow tie. He gallantly took her hand and placed it on his arm with a small bow.

"Allow me, Miss. May I say you look stunning?" He smiled. There was nothing unsolicited behind the remark. He was happily married with two small kids. He just thought she looked amazing and deserved to know it. "Would you like a 'screen husband' ?" He asked with a grin.

Ruth smiled and nodded. "That would be lovely!"

They took their places, glasses in hand, while some general party shots were taken. Then the music was added, and they were asked to dance in couples. Naturally, Ruth and Paul became one such couple.

As the directions indicated things were getting a little more heated and drunken, they were asked to dance in a close, intimate but not overtly sexual way.

Ruth looked at Paul. "You ok with that? I'll understand if you'd rather not." She patted his arm, and he smiled.

"Ruth love, you're stunningly gorgeous. We have an audience of hundreds. What man in their right mind wouldn't want to dance with you?" He said gently.

"Indeed." The voice to the side made her jump, and Paul grinned. Tom took her hands from Paul. "You don't mind me cutting in, do you?" It was polite, charming, and inoffensive. The tone, however, suggested to Paul that he'd better not disagree.

Paul smiled and winked at Ruth. "Be my guest." He answered and walked away to chat to another of the makeup girls.

"Laing, my name is Dr Robert Laing. Hope you're enjoying the party? I don't think I've had the pleasure? May I say you're looking stunning this evening....Miss???." It was banal small talk, pure party fliand for a second, she was completely at a loss. Then, as he stared into her eyes, she suddenly realised his intentions. He was offering a way out of their awkwardness.

"Pip... you can call me Pip." She smiled and bit her lip, her eyes as full of mischief as his. He smiled.

"Well, Pip, I must say... that colour really suits you." He ran a hand up her arm, "perhaps another time we could chat more? Now is not the place. Coffee? Tomorrow?"

"Coffee. Tomorrow, I look forward to it." She nodded and smiled. "Dr Laing..." she turned away and grabbed Paul to dance. She could feel Tom staring at her.

He pulled her back sharply, his breath hot and urgent.

"I can't take this. You. That dress. You're just too delicious Pip...." He looked down at her as they began to dance. She shook her head.

"Am not."

"Am to."

There was an awkward silence, although to an outsider, just two people dancing closely. His hands slid around her and grabbed her backside, pulling her against him. She could feel every minute detail of his body, and she was about as far from calm as it was possible to be.

"What the hell?" She whispered urgently."Tom, what are you..." she was silenced as he kissed her roughly.

Pulling back, he grinned at her. "Enjoy the party Pip!" He winked, and despite the shock, she laughed. Naughty boy was using his character as cover!

They filmed more general party shots, and then it was time for the sex seen between Tom and Sienna's characters. It would be - almost - fully clothed, so not as closed a set as normal, but it would be rough and graphic, so only essential crew were present.

Tom and Sienna spoke quietly together in a corner, him making sure she was ok with every move, every gesture, every touch before he made them. He insisted the camera focussed on him more to give her an element of cover. The last thing he wanted was to exploit her.

"Darling, if you'd rather have a body double, it's not too late." He said when she voiced some lingering doubts.

"No, no, not at all. Just, well, can I have a woman on set with us? Just so it's not me and thirty burly blokes watching me getting the pounding of my life?" She laughed, although her concern was real.

"No problem AT ALL," Ben walked over to join them. The last thing we want is for you to be uncomfortable he agreed. "Is there... oh wait, I know." He turned and saw Ruth, standing off to one side, still in the dress but now carrying her makeup kit, back in 'the day job'.

"Ruth? Ruth?" He called over, and she obligingly trotted over. "Ah hi. Can you do me - well, Sienna really - a favour?"

Sienna smiled at her and reached out, laying a hand on her arm."Would you stay on set for this bit? I know it's a bit weird, me asking you to watch us effectively fucking our brains out, but in reality? Even though it is the most polite man in Hollywood, I still feel a little intimidated." She flushed, "another woman here would.l just be so reassuring."

Tom stood further back. This was NOT what he had intended at all. This was awkward in the extreme. How the HELL would he concentrate knwing she was standing there; looking like that; making him feel like this? Shit. There was nothing he could do.

Ruth looked at Sienna, then Ben and glanced at Tom. She nodded slowly. "Of course, I'd be happy to." She lied. How the hell was she supposed to remain coherent. When he was there, trousers round his ankles, screwing Sienna when all she could think of was what it would feel for him to do it to her.

Shit. There was nothing she could do.