Just Like a Movie.

Shamed

Scarlett stood at the front door, shading her eyes from the bright sunlight. A few passers-by noticed her, and before she could do anything about it, a crowd began to form. The security guards, used to preventing the stars from being mobbed, formed a little cordon and saved her from being overwhelmed. Selfies and autographs were begged, with a few lucky people managing to get their wish as she stood, scanning the street.

After a few minutes, she spotted her quarry just a little further off sitting in the shade of a large acacia tree.

"Alice? Alice! Over here..." Alice looked up. She could see the figure waving madly from the doorway. Scarlett's smile reassured her it was going to be ok. Alice stood and wiped her eyes. She walked back over, dodging under the arms of the makeshift cordon currently keeping everyone out that should be out.

"I'm so sorry. I hope I didn't ruin things... is... is Tom really angry with me?"

Scarlett didn't speak, just grabbed her hand and dragged her back out of the street to the relative safety of the restaurant foyer. Now they'd been quite publicly rumbled, Simon - Scarlett's personal security - and his colleagues formed a tight-knit little barrier to stop Joe Public from demanding a seat in that particular establishment. The hostess just stood and stared. This was nothing like she'd ever seen during a Comicon, and she'd seen quite a bit!

"Sweetie, it's ok. Why on earth did you run?"

"Why do you think? " Alice felt small and stupid again as the reality of it all hit. She looked like she might dissolve all over again as Scarlett handed her a napkin from the hostess stand and waited till Alice was calmer.

"It was an accident, Tom knows you didn't do it deliberately!" she looked at her and winked,"but if you did, I'll give you a $1000 dollars myself. His face? Priceless!" she laughed, and for the first time, Alice relaxed.

"It was quite funny, wasn't it?" she admitted, handing the soggy napkin back. "I honestly don't know what I was thinking, trying to mop up his lap!" She flushed again, and the other woman laughed loudly as they both absorbed that particular statement.

"Oh really? Do you wanna try that again? Even I didn't believe you...." Scarlett nudged her, "Come on, let's get some lunch. I'm sure the boys have it all under control.... no, wait... it's Evans and Hiddleston, there's absolutely NO way ANYTHING is under control....."

They pushed the door and walked back inside the main room. As they did so, the table fell silent, and Tom, Chris, and Kenny all turned and stared at them Alice and Scarlett stopped.

"So she walked about like that ALL day, you said? No clue it was tucked in?" Tom spoke to Kenny, his face - and eyes - trained on Alice. Kenny looked at his sister and smiled sweetly, delivering the killer blow.

"Oh, not a clue, Tom, pink knickers on show the entire time!"

Alice let out a little shriek and covered her face as Kenny dissolved into hysterics, accompanied by the other two sniggering little boys.

"Kenny! How COULD you!" recovering her composure, she marched over and slapped the back of his head, making them laugh even harder. "I hope you told them I was only 5 at the time!" she looked at Tom in desperation, who was wiping his eyes on his sleeve, nodding.

"Yes, yes he did.... It's still funny.... It's still so funny...." he stood, his napkin tucked into his waistband to camouflage his rather damp trousers and held out a hand. "Please, come on, Pink, sit down. I'm sure there are MANY embarrassing stories you could tell in retaliation." he swallowed and tried to become more serious, hoping to win her back. "Please? Let's eat and talk, I'd like to sit here for a bit longer... it'll help dry me out?" he winked and indicated the seat next to him.

Alice smiled. If Tom could see the funny side of things, so could she. "Well, ok, but you better move the water away from me...." she slid into the seat and, to her shock, as he sat down from tucking her seat in, he leaned in close, his breath playing on her neck.

"Only if I can move closer in it's place" he whispered in her ear, sliding an arm along the back of her seat.

His aftershave filled her nostrils, and she almost moaned out loud as she felt his thigh press gently against hers under the table. His eyes sparkled, and his smile curled his mouth up until it was all she could do not to simply turn and kiss him.

Swallowing deeply, she nodded without speaking and grabbed the menu. "Ok, erm, well, maybe lunch first, then stories... yes, lunch... what do I want...." she pretended to concentrate, the others turning away to their own choices now the floor show seemed to be on a break.

Tom leaned over and looked at her menu, preferring it to his own. He didn't look at her. He just spoke softly. "I know what I would like.... and it's not on that menu."

"Oh." her breath left her body. "Oh my." She turned in her seat and looked at him, her lips millimetres from his. She could feel his breath, his body heat, his hand as it gently caressed the back of her neck. Slowly, Tom turned to her, a gentle smile on his lips, lips he proceeded to lick carefully as he looked from her eyes down at hers.

"Oh my indeed." As she sat, he leaned forward, and his mouth met hers in the single most delicious kiss. Her eyes fluttered shut as his tongue probed her mouth, her core bursting into flames. Neither cared this was public. Each wanted the other so much.

"Oh, Tom....." her mind screamed as she felt herself almost come undone.

She opened her eyes and blinked. The harsh sunlight made her wince. She was sitting at the base a shady tree she'd found after she fled the restaurant. Emotional exhaustion, the heat, and the lack of food, all conspired to make her fall asleep. The reconciliation, the kiss - it had all been nothing but a beautiful, if fevered, dream.

Over whelmed once more, she burst into tears and covered her face. Tom was still soaked, Kenny was still laughing, and she was still mortified. Today had turned into something about as far from a Hallmark Romance as it was possible to be. A voice from above made her stop short as she stared resolutely at the ground, wanting to die of shame.

"So there you are, we've been looking for you everywhere. Sitting down there, you were almost invisible, kitten. Just as well Scarlett has assassin trained eyesight, eh? Come on, it's time to go and get some lunch. Don't know about you, but swimming always makes me hungry."

A pair of strong, caring hands extended down to help her up. As she took them, feeling their warm smoothness, she looked up, and her heart stopped.

Tom. And he was smiling.