Title:Here's to the Night Author: tiff_duke [ Send a Private Message ]
Copyright: tduke.2007. Content Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: The characters belong to IC and Showtime, the story is inspired by Before Sunrise/Before Sunset, but is basically mine.
Title and summary are from the Eve 6 song.
Author's Note: So I was viewing Before Sunset and Before Sunrise again, and thought, hey, why not. (Besides, thank heavens for that Delete button.)
So. This is set eight years after the finale of season one, throwing away everything that happened afterwards (for the most part. You'll see).
The first line, of course, is a nod to justkeepswimming. Because you should read that story.
And read. Enjoy. Comment.
Summary: Are you the now or never kind? Total Views: 3982 times.
Bette frowned at her ringing cellphone, and checked caller ID. When it showed a blank screen, citing how it was a number it had never heard of before, she ended the call, willing whomever it was to stop calling.
"Work?" Shane inquired, having seen Bette frown at the phone.
Bette pocketed the phone. "I don't think so."
"You got yourself a stalker," Shane joked.
"No, that'd be you," Bette quipped, grinning at her friend. She glanced at where Alice and Dana were talking to Kit and Lara about something. "This must be awkward for Lara."
"What, just because she's in charge of catering Dana's wedding to Alice?" Shane asked wryly. "Why would that be awkward?"
Bette smiled. "Think we'll have what Alice and Dana have?"
Shane shrugged. "I can try, but you had that once."
"Operative word being 'once'."
Shane smiled sympathetically. "Well, I think that's my cue to get us some more alcohol."
"Thanks." Bette smiled at her as Shane stood up.
Then the phone rang again.
Bette stepped away from the table, and pulled out her cellphone, which rang with the intent of not being ignored. She answered the phone, annoyed that it would interrupt Alice and Dana's rehearsal dinner. "Hello?"
"Turn that frown upside down, Porter, you're prettier when you smile."
Bette froze, and pressed the phone closer to her ear, trying to confirm that the familiar voice was real. "T?"
"The same."
Bette closed her eyes, and willed the wave of overwhelming feelings to calm down. She willed her heart to slow down its rate of beating, she willed her brain to slow down firing unnecessary neurotransmitters, and she willed her soul to seize its hopeful longing.
Eight years was a long time to wait for a phone call that only now happened.
"Were you the one just calling me?"
"That depends. Were you the one that's been hanging up on me?"
"Sorry. How..." Bette took a deep breath. "I don't... I mean..."
"I know." Came the reply. Then her soft chuckle. "It's been a while, Bette."
"Eight years," Bette agreed. "I was worried."
"I'm sorry."
Bette lowered her gaze, falling on the cobblestones that lined the path towards the fountain at the back of the hotel. "What's going on?"
"Before all that, I'm curious: you sounded pretty pissed off when you answered my call."
"You interrupted me at Alice and Dana's rehearsal dinner."
"Al and Dana. That's crazy."
You calling me after eight years of nothing but silence. No, T, that's crazy. Bette shrugged. "They're really in love."
"Then I'm glad."
"Why are you calling?" Bette suddenly inquired.
"Can't a girl call up her ex and just want to talk?"
"You've been gone for eight years," Bette whispered.
"And you look as exceptional as ever."
At this, Bette straightened, suddenly on alert, and glanced around, suspicious. "Tee?"
"If this were a suspense thriller this is the point where you learn that the killer knows you intimately and can kill you at any time." Tina noted.
Bette glanced behind her at the dinner she'd just escaped from, and continued glancing around the garden. "But this isn't a suspense thriller."
"Wouldn't say that. I'm in a suspended thrill ride wondering what you'll say or do."
"Where are you?"
"Close your eyes."
"What?"
"Come on. Give me my dramatic effect, and close your eyes."
Bette felt incredibly stupid, but that glimmer of hope gave her the ability to go ahead and close her eyes.
"Closed?"
"Yes."
"Promise?"
"I swear."
"Okay."
Bette waited.
"Okay. Here goes." Tina giggled. "Ask me again."
"Ask what?"
"Ask me where I am."
She still felt stupid, but what the hell. "Where are you?"
"To your right."
Bette turned, and felt her world stop at the sight.
A familiar blonde stood several feet away, talking into her cellphone. Her hair was held up in a loose bun, and wore a simple black suit that stood in stark contrast to her peaches-and-cream complexion. She met Bette's gaze, and smiled.
