Alex took a deep breath of fresh air as she walked along Fisherman's Wharf. It really was wonderful being back in San Francisco. She had missed it terribly in the months since she had been gone. She'd have to send her ex-roommate Ariane a note and another present to thank her for having her wedding in the university chapel, and for choosing her as a bridesmaid. It was nice to have a college reunion such a short time after graduating. Ariane had looked radiant, and the bride had been lucky to find her groom. Alex only wished that someone else had been there. But she was off to meet him for lunch.

It would be nice to see Derek Rayne again. That was putting it mildly. She smiled as she thought of her mentor. He was no longer her professor, but she hoped that they would remain friends. She hated to turn down his job offer, yet she also hoped that one day she might be able to work for him. At the moment she couldn't. Gramma Rose was doing better, but the elderly woman was still laid up and Alex couldn't leave her for long. As usual Tanya was off somewhere finding herself, and Gramma Rose had put up with so much from her youngest granddaughter that she knew that she had to be there for her grandmother. That meant that she had to turn down a job with the Luna Foundation.

"Derek!" she called out to him as she spotted him waiting for her in front of the restaurant. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting," she said as she gave him a quick hug.

"Don't be silly. I just got here myself." He kissed her on the cheek. They went inside and were shown to their table. Derek held out the chair for her, and then ordered an appetizer.

"Oh, before I forget," he said once the waiter had gone. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Tonight?" Her heart went to her throat. "Nothing in particular."

"Great." He pulled out an envelope and gave it to her as he smiled. "I know this is last minute, but I hope you'll be able to come to the opening this evening."

Her eyes widened as she read it. A special benefit at the Winston Rayne Hall of Antiquities... She stared at him in surprise. "Derek, I'd love to. It's... so sweet of you to think of me." She shook her head. "But... I don't have anything to wear to something like this."

"Don't worry." She saw a mischievous look in his eyes. "I'm sending something to your hotel."

She was humming when she returned to the Park Hyatt several hours later. Lunch had been an amazing treat of sushi and champagne at a noted local restaurant. She hadn't cared too much for some of the delicacies, but Derek had known what to try. It was also quite delicious with French champagne. She felt positively decadent, spending lunch that way. The chopsticks had taken getting used to, so at first Derek had used his fingers to feed her several samples that he wanted her to try. She had certainly enjoyed eating crab that way, but she couldn't imagine that she'd be having hamachi again any time soon.

She giggled as she hurried upstairs to her room. Had the dress arrived as yet? She couldn't wait to see what Derek had picked out for her. Did he really pick it out? Please don't let it be anything too frumpy...

A few hours later, she checked herself in the mirror. She was overwhelmed, both at how she appeared and the dress. It fit her quite well, which had shocked her. How had he known her size? She grinned as she touched her hair. That man was just full of surprises.

When she opened the door of her hotel room, she had been stunned to find several boxes with ribbons around them. She had been expecting only one with the dress, but another held an evening wrap, a third a hair band, and yet another box contained a dazzling necklace with a ruby gemstone and matching ruby earrings. She had to sit on the bed for several minutes to absorb it all.

Now she was dressed and standing in front of the full-length mirror. It truly was an exquisite gown, a replica of one from 1912 according to Derek's note. She loved the feel of the dusty rose-colored silk as she touched the long undergown. An overgown of a fine mesh net in silver gray was attached. She fingered the crystal beads and the silk embroidery of the top layer. There were two others, each becoming more slanted than the previous. The angled style of the gown made the left side higher than the right. She giggled. The damn thing even had a train.

The dark rose bodice was soft velvet, but there was more of the silver gray mesh at the top. Triangles of embroidered lace were at the shoulders, and she loved the layered, sheer panels which served as sleeves. She looked as if she had stepped out of a time machine.

She finished pinning up her hair, then used the dark rose hair band as a tiara to hold back the cascade of curls from her face. To complete the outfit, she put on the ruby necklace and earrings, then the two long, white, silk gloves. Awed, she reached out to the figure before her. Was it really her reflection in the mirror? She felt like Cinderella after her fairy godmother had waved her magic wand. She was a princess going to the ball, not Alex Moreau from Louisiana.

At least she had the comfortable heels that she had worn with the bridesmaid dress, the only exterior item that she owned. It might take some getting used to walking in the dress, so she took a moment to practice. By slowly turning and being attentive to where the train was, she was somewhat sure she would make it through the evening without falling on her face and embarrassing Derek. She would die if that happened.

She checked the clock radio. Derek said that he was sending a car for her at 7, the carriage that would whisk her off to the ball. If Gramma Rose could see her� She did a half turn to make sure that the rear of the dress was fine. She shook her head. It was simply the most incredible dress that she had seen in her life.

The front desk soon called to let her know that the car had arrived. After one last, deep breath, she beamed in the mirror prior to grabbing her keys and purse. Wait! She slipped her arms through the cream-colored, velvet evening wrap. Since the outfit was a replica, she hoped that the sable fur trim was fake. It would be chilly without something, so she closed the ornate silver clasp. Cinderella was now off to the ball... and there was no midnight deadline to concern her.

A short time later they pulled up in front of a large building. The driver opened the door, and she stepped out into this glittering world of Derek Rayne. She showed her invitation as she entered, then tried not to gape.

"Welcome aboard, ma'am," said a man in a white uniform as he helped her onto the "gangplank." It led to two wide doors, which opened to reveal a large staircase that led down to a sizeable area decorated as if they were on a luxury ship. A small orchestra played music as she stopped to stare at the room below.

It was as if she were in the early 20th century. There were gorgeous women in stunning dresses, and handsome gentlemen in tuxedos. She felt a little intimidated, feeling quite out of her league. At the moment, she had to concentrate on not falling down these spectacular red-carpeted stairs. She gently lifted the fabric of her dress, held her head high, and descended into the past.

"Alex, there you are." She smiled as she saw Derek approaching her after she had checked her wrap. "I'm glad you could come. You look lovely," he said before he kissed her cheek. Her breath caught at how handsome and relaxed he was in his tuxedo of the period.

"Thank you for the invitation." She glanced down. "And to let me borrow such an elegant dress."

"The dress isn't half as beautiful as the woman who's wearing it." He kissed her hand and she flushed. The older man waved over a waiter with a tray of drinks.

"Now, Derek, who are you trying to keep to yourself?" A man with dark hair and French accent neared them.

"Armand, keep your hands off this one, she's mine." Alex laughed as Derek slipped his arm around her. "This is my prot�g�, Alexandra Moreau." She nodded to the man. "Alex, this is Armand Marchaude, the curator of the Muse� de Bordeaux." Derek bent to her ear. "Be very careful of him. He's unscrupulous." The other man laughed.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Marchaude." Alex smiled shyly at him.

"Enchant�, Mademoiselle Moreau. And it's Armand to you." He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it prior to looking up at Derek. "I understand that this captivating creature is available, that she turned down your offer to work at Luna." He beamed at her. "A smart woman as well as a charming one." He tried to take her elbow with his hand, but Derek slapped it.

"Armand, don't get any ideas," he said as he drew Alex back to him. "She's off limits to you."

Derek handed her a glass of champagne before taking one for himself. Linking her arm in his, he led her away from the charismatic Frenchman and toward a group of men and women. He continued to introduce her as his prot�g� and sang her praises as he kept her close to him. She felt so special to be with him as he greeted his guests on behalf of the Luna Foundation.

She stood off to the side when he later made a speech and toasted the first of many visiting tours of special artifacts in this new wing of the Winston Rayne Hall of Antiquities. As he spoke, she glanced around the room at the display cases with archeological remains from the HMS Titanic which had been discovered nearly three years previously.

The orchestra began to play once more, and Armand Marchaude suddenly had a hold of her arm. He apologized as he hurried her off to meet friends of his, but he was quite sure that they would convince her of what a pleasure it was to work for him. She giggled at his delightful attempt to steal her away from Derek and America. No, she insisted, she could not accept his offer of employment in France. When her current circumstances changed, she anticipated being with Dr. Rayne.

Speaking of the man, where was he? She circled around a young couple and kept her eye out for Derek. There... She spotted him talking to an older woman. One of those very high society types, by the look of her. Alex watched for several seconds as she waited and grew uneasy about what she was sensing from Derek.

She tried not to be obvious as she walked closer. "It was a beautiful event," she heard the older woman say. "I can't believe that you didn't attend."

"I was called out of town," Derek said. Alex noticed that his fingers were sliding together as they often did when he was anxious or concerned, but he was trying to be gracious. Maybe the woman wanted something. She'd give this woman one more minute... He glanced away from the woman for a second, and their eyes met. No, the time was now.

"Excuse me, Derek," she said as she came over and possessively took his arm. "Dr. Lockfield wanted to say goodnight to you before he left."

"Dr. Lockfield?" He momentarily appeared confused and she hoped he would see what she was doing. "Ah, yes, of course. I'm sorry, Virginia, I must talk to him."

Alex saw the woman scowl as she walked away with him. "Derek, I'm sorry. Dr. Lockfield didn't ask for you. I just thought you needed..." She sheepishly grinned. "Rescuing."

He squeezed her hand, as her arm remained in his. "Thank you. She can be very... gossipy." He gazed at her, then kissed her cheek. "I most definitely needed rescuing. You saved my life, Alex. What will I do without you?" She colored slightly as her heart soared.

"Let's get out of here. I know." He whispered into her ear. "Why don't you grab two glasses and I'll snitch a bottle of wine. Then you and I can go somewhere and talk about your future."

She was afraid the glow she felt inside would light up the room and blind him. "That sounds wonderful, Derek," she said as casually as her voice would allow.

They met near the entrance and walked outside. "Where are we going?" she asked as they hurried to the parking lot.

He smiled. "I want to show you someplace special." Loosening his tie, he took her hand and led her to a stunning, sleek silver Jaguar automobile.

"Derek, it's gorgeous," she said as she slid her hand along its side.

"Come on, get in." He opened the passenger side and helped her in, putting the bottle of wine at her feet. She still clasped the glasses so he leaned into the car and placed the seat belt into position. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and she inhaled the subtle musk aroma of his cologne.

They sped away from the museum, and through the streets in the darkness. Their conversation was light, and he pointed out several landmarks along the way. She was startled when they headed over the Golden Gate Bridge. Where were they going? He pulled off onto the Panoramic Highway, and she held her breath as he negotiated the curves.

"Wait until you see this view," he said when he brought the car to a stop. He exited the car, and she waited as he came around and took the glasses from her hands so she could undo her seatbelt. His hand waited for hers as he helped her out. "The wine."

She reached in for the bottle. It was a Merlot, she could see, and she thought the label said Napa Valley, but she couldn't be sure in the moonlight. No matter. She took his hand and they walked away from the car.

"We go up this way," he nodded toward a path. She was grateful her heels were comfortable. She had to lift the side of her dress with one hand to make walking easier as she grasped his hand with the other.

Something was suddenly under her feet and she stumbled. As she lurched forward, Derek turned and caught her. She looked into his startled face. "Sorry." The semi-darkness hid her blush. "These shoes aren't made for hiking."

"Perhaps we should go back."

"No, we've come all this way." She grinned. "I'll simply remove them." He took the wine from her as she held onto his shoulder for balance. "There, that's better." He gazed at her, she swore, with admiration. He took her hand again as she lifted the other side of her dress, shoes as well, and they continued onward. A short time later he indicated the scene in front of him.

"Oh, Derek..." She stared at the dazzling sight.

The lights of the Bay Bridge glowed off to one side, while the Golden Gate Bridge was one the other. She could see Angel Island, and Derek pointed out the light near his home. "I hope you'll live there one day, Alex." He handed her a glass of wine.

She shivered at his voice and he noticed her trembling. "Oh, I didn't give you a chance to grab your wrap."

"That's all right," she whispered before she took a long sip of the red liquid.

"No, let me give you my jacket." He took it off and helped her put it on. Feelings of sorrow and unrequited love abruptly assailed her, and she lowered her face to hide it from him. Could they possibly be for her? Was he that upset that she was leaving?

She tried to keep her tone bright and soft as she started to tell him of Ariane's wedding as they shared the Merlot. The expression on his face fell, and she chided herself on her stupidity. If he was unhappy about her leaving, how could she be so foolish as to tell him about someone else's happy ending. Fortunately, she soon had him laughing at various stories from their days at Berkeley.

"What are your plans for the future?" A lazy grin was on his face and she fought its effect on her blood pressure as he drank his wine.

"Right now?" She took a sip to gather her thoughts. "Only to get a job that will keep me close to my grandmother. She is better, but the recovery from her heart surgery will take a spell." She gazed out beyond the Bay Bridge. "I feel guilty being away from her."

"I'm sure she doesn't begrudge you a few days to return and attend the wedding of your friend. And seeing your old professor." Her heart melted as their eyes met. He looked so sad. Was he feeling old? Her hand touched his face, and she bent forward and kissed him.

"You and that wine taste very nice together," she said a few moments later.

He laughed and she thrilled to the sound of it. "Thank you." She was even more thrilled when he kissed her.

He broke the contact and stared at the scene before his eyes moved to hers. "I should get you back to your hotel while I'm still in shape to drive." He finished the last of the wine in his glass.

In too brief a time, they were at her hotel. He escorted her up to her room as she knew he would. Would he be expecting her to ask him in? She pulled out her key, and he took it out of her hand. He slipped it in and out of the lock, and she heard the click as he leaned forward to open it. She put her hand out as well and it covered his.

"There you are, home safe and sound." His eyes studied her when he opened her door. She smiled as she shifted to the other side of him, standing just outside the open door. "I... I hope you enjoyed the evening," he said, handing her back her key.

"It was... amazing, Derek. Thank you, and thank you for lending me your jacket," she said softly as she slipped it off her shoulders. His eyes remained on her as she slowly placed it around his shoulders, making sure that her face was close to his.

The silence stretched between them. "I should go," he finally said as he placed an arm in his jacket.

"Or you could stay." Her hand reached for his, and their fingers intertwined.

End part 23