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| The place seemed somber, quiet save for the droneing of the television in the corner of the huge old warehouse. Ramone had all but given up on trying to get her into the studio, then she had surprized him one grey and drizzly day. She came creeping into the studio, a large canvas under her arm that needed framing. He was so glad to see her finally taking an interest in her work again, he almost cried. Immediately he jumped up from his seat and took the painting from her, laying it against the back of the couch. He hugged her, long and hard. His strong arms wrapped around her snugly in friendship so loyal. He wiped away her tears and kissed her cheek, giving her a knowing smile. She did her best to return a smile, though it was a sad effort, at least she did try. "I can't tell you how glad I am to see you back in the studio. I know it's been hard on you dear, but I'm so happy to see that your work has some meaning to you once more." He confessed. She said nothing, only a weak smile her response as she nodded her head, trying to hold back the tears. "Well... lets go get you some nice strong tea. You look like you could use a cup." He offered. She nodded again with her sad smile and put her arm around him as he lead her to the kitchen."Then we'll see to framing that picture. I know you've been wanting something really special for it. I have a little surprize for you. A little something I picked up before you left for... well... before you took your little break shall we say." He smoothed. She sat down at the counter and watched him silently. He fixed her a quick cup of tea, then held up a finger to indicate to her to wait a moment. He dashed away and returned quick as a jackrabbit, a large oblong covered in a soft sheet. He lay it gently on the table behind her and she turned around, cup in hand to see what his heartfelt offering was hidden under the sheet. Carefully he unwrapped it, she could see hints of gilt on mahogany. It captured her curiosity and she lay her cup aside as she slid off the stool. He took away the last vestiges of shroud, and stepped back as she sucked in her breath, a rasp of awe. She stood, fingers outstretched not quite touching the warm hued wood, her other hand holding in her sobs of emotion as it covered her soft mouth. Her teary eyes darted from the gift, to her dearest friends' face and back again in disbelief. "Where did you get this?" She whispered in a quivering voice. She heard his soft chuckle behind her but she just couldn't take her eyes from the frame that lay on the table before her. "I had your mom fax me the dimensions and such, and she sent me a picture. She and I have been talking a lot lately since you won't return anybodies calls, she's been worried about you. She thought you might like to have this, it's only a replica, but she thought it might be a nice reminder of who you are, and where you come from." Ramone toned gently. "It does more then that. It tells me how much I'm loved... who those special people are." She added. She turned and hugged her friend, hugged him fiercely. And for the first time in so very long, he saw a smile upon her lips. A real smile. It lit his heart to know that he'd put a touch of sunlight back into his friends life. Perhaps she was on her way to healing. He certainly hoped so. They talked over tea, this time more positively then any of their other recent conversations. It was nice to have back a bit of the old Moirah. After tea they went right to work. It surprized him to see how much she threw herself into her work. It was like she had a new purpose. A new lease on life. The show was only a month away and he knew she was not going to have all the pieces done that she had wanted. But he also knew that with the few pieces she did have, it would be a fantastick show. They were all bold and powerful, more masterful then any she'd ever done before. This show meant something to her. Something more. It had a soul. This time, it was like she had to finnish those few choice pieces, just to answer a question she'd been asking for a very long time. It was time to end the quest and open the box to read the answer to the riddle. The painting she'd brought with her was framed. The gift from Ramone making her masterpiece just that much more special. The garden was littered with small statuary and there was a rageing fire in a freshly dug pit as Moirah fired some of her pottery with the earth kiss of fire. The rest being tucked away for their slumber in the large kiln inside. There were a stack of paintings. Dark and brooding, slashed with crimson or electric blue. Others demure pastels sweeping over the canvas like a lovers whisper. The dark room was filled with strips of film, all had been waiting to be selected and tampered with since her last visit to the studio. But the most important thing lay still and stone silent. A tomb of emotions swirling over and through each nuance of curve and crevase. All bottled up beneath an oversized tarp awaiting a loving hand to coax out it's true nature and help it grow into the ediface it was meant to become. It sat patiently. Not knowing whether or not if it would ever feel once more the chisel to it's bone. But once more she worked. There was hope for every piece she held dear in her heart... and she held them all dear. They sat together on the stone bench watching the flames lick at the earth, kissing the clay to lusterous sheen beneath the brick hovel where treasure lay hidden. She was still sullen in her quiet times. That was to be expected, it was still a raw feel to her emotional state. Nothing was going to fix it overnight. He watched her, not wanting to pry into her thoughts too much. "So..." He breathed. She looked his way, then back to the fire, poking it with a long stick as she gripped her ankle tighter, laying her head back upon her knee once more. "What made you decide to come back to the studio?" He ventured. She didn't say anything at first. Then she gave a bit of a sigh, never lifting her head as she continued to poke at the fire unnecessarily. When she did speak, it was quiet and far away. "I saw it." Was all she said. He knew what she meant, but he wanted to get her to talk more, know where her point of healing was, he already knew where her heart lay, he just wasn't sure if she was going to listen to it or not. He hoped she would follow her heart. "What? You saw what?" He asked mock innocently. She gave him a sideways glance, a sarcastic look in her eye. "You know very well what I mean." She almost sounded like she had mirth in her voice. She knew her friend too well for him to get anything past her. "You know, I saw it... actually, I've seen it several times. I even taped it so I could watch it whenever I wanted to. I've watched parts of it a lot. Too much actually. I've been pausing it at one point and just stareing at the screen as I think. I've been thinking a lot too. More then I should. I know I should probably just do what I have an impulse to do. But... Well somehow my heart just won't let me. I think there are too many scars on it. Too many for it to be set free for me to follow." Moirah's voice floated over the crisp crackle of the fire. It snapped and popped like her eyes did when she talked. Eyes of green fire. He wished he could just tell her to shut up and do what they both knew was right. It was time to let herself be free, forget about all her old wounds from the past. Just let herself be loved... and to love. It was the greatest way to live one's life. And Moirah deserved that more then most people he knew. He wished it were something he could give to her. That freedom she craved. She needed to step out of her cage, and take wing. She needed to act on what was so very real, and still very much alive. Her love for Zac. They talked quietly as she worked. It seemed almost as if she weren't even there while she worked. It was as if the pieces were finnishing themselves, her hands moving with a mind of their own. He didn't want to push her. He didn't want to startle her. But he did want to brace her. He was privy to many things, and the one thing he was sure that she needed to know, was the one thing he least wanted to tell her of. He kept quiet for as long as he could, not wanting to interrupt the flow of her work, now that she was working again. But he could only hold his tongue for so long. "Hun?" Ramone began timidly. She stopped the swing of hammer on chisel and turned to look down on him expectantly. "I... I wanted to tell you something, but I just haven't known how to say it until now." He confessed. She lay her tools down gently and climbed down the ladder. She took the towel he offered her and began to wipe her face and hands as he led her silently towards a nearby block of onyx hued stone. He offered her a seat and they sat side by side. He took up her hand and sighed. "Spit it out already." She kidded with a grin. He tried to smile back, giving her a weak immatation. He patted her hand and drew back, standing up. He rubbed the back of his neck and began to pace. Now she was worried. "Is everything ok dear?" She asked with clear worry in her voice. He hadn't meant to startle her so he answered her quickly. "No, no." He held up his hands in a 'stay calm' gesture. "Everythings ok... well... it's nothing life and death. I just... I just have a few things I need to say to you. You need to know." He said enigmaticly. Her brows knit in confusion. "I don't understand. You say everything is basicly alright, yet you act like you've murdered somebody. What is going on Ramone? You're starting to scare me!" She urged. He gave one last sigh, and pushed the words from his mouth. "Zac is planning on comming to the show." He began. She started to stand up, wringing her hands. He motioned her to sit back down. She looked worried more now then ever. "I have something else to tell you too." He started again. She began to bite her nails, her eyes darting nervously. She wasn't ready to face Zac and he could see that by the way she was acting. He hated to make things worse for her, but he had to tell her, and he had to tell her now. She'd been back to the studio for only a short time now, but already she had nearly completed most of the pieces she really wanted to put in the show. The show was merely weeks away and she had but only to put finnishing touches on everything save for the statue she'd been working on when he'd interrupted her. "I'm the one that told Zac not to show you the pictures." He blurted. She was shocked to say the least. She wasn't sure what to do with herself. She wasn't sure what to do with this new information. She wasn't sure if she was truely rooted in reality. She sat there in silence, her eyes dark in brooding as she turned over everything in her mind. He looked on anxiously. When she looked up at him she looked angry. He was afraid, afraid for their friendship. "I'm not pleased with what you did Ramone." She stated frankly, yet her voice lacked that certain doom he was sure it would possess when he'd finally told her. Still waiting for the volcanoe to errupt, he opened his mouth to defend himself with a protest. She cut him off immediately with a hand held up to stop his words before they started. "I think I understand why you did it." She admitted. "And once more, since I've been stareing away at that damned tape, I'm pretty sure why Zac did it too." She revealed. He breathed a sigh of relief. It appeared he was off the hook. He knew her temper was rarely something seen, but when it was, it was hell on earth personified. It seemed he'd escaped it, and for that he was grateful. She got up from her perch, and once more climbed the ladder, taking up her tools and resumeing her work. It was as if the conversation had never even taken place. He felt uneasy about it all, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. He was sure a pint of new york super fudge chunk and a lengthy conversation were in order later for them. Then they would settle things between themselves. Then he would find out for real just how much she'd healed, and see if she was ready to deal with the issues that lay like an open wound between she and Zac. He'd been feeling so guilty for so long, it was a great weight from his shoulders now that he'd let known his own hand in the dirty deal that dragged them all down. He was going to work his ass off to fix it. Make things right. Zac and Moirah belonged together. All would be right in the universe again when they would get back together, he was positive of it. Now he had to do everything possible to see to it that it was done. He couldn't live with himself anymore thinking he'd had a part in what nearly destroyed one of the strongest loves he'd ever been witness to. He walked away, back into the studio and up to his loft, sifted through his belongings for a small black book, and quickly looked up a number as he took up the cordless phone and sat on the edge of the bed. He chewed a nail as he waited in silence. "Hi! Darius?" *************** Zac lay on the stiff hotel bed, his head spinning as he tried to grab at thoughts as they hurled themselves towards him. There were so many things he wanted to say, but just didn't know how to do it. He supposed though too that what he really ought to do was go pound her door down and demand that she listen to him. But then again, that was what got him into this mess in the first place, making decisions for her, forcing her to follow a path, not giving her options or choices. It was infuriating for him really. All he wanted was to protect her, keep her from harm. He thought of her somewhat like a fragile glass trinket. She proved him so very wrong on that. He turned over on his side as he thought of her, how close he was to her, only mere blocks away, yet he still lay there, doing naught but thinking. He'd been an ass, belittleing her by not telling her of the pictures, then lost his love. He had to win her back, his life was so empty without her. He'd sank to the very depths of depression, not liking the person he'd become. He'd thrashed his drum kit during many a session to rid himself of his frusteration and anger, only to come away tired and acheing, but still have no real answers to solve his troubles. He heaved a great sigh. Ramone had blamed himself for the fiasco of Moirah finding out about the pictures, but Zac knew better. It was his decision not to tell her of them, to keep them a secret. Why warning bells and flashing lights hadn't gone off in his head when he decided to keep them from her he'll never know. He already knew of her mistrust in men. He already had seen her temper, even her anger. He was second guessing himself eversince then, and it was not a part of himself he liked. He was never like that before, he supposed he was doing it now as hindsight. He snorted at himself as he turned over on his belly, laying his head upon his thick arm and one foot dangling off the bed lazzily as he chewed a nail on his free hand. None of it mattered now anyway. He was here to see her, appologize and get her back. Everybody had worked so hard to help him get to this point. He was going to try his hardest not to screw anything up. A knock on the door drew him from his thoughts and he groaned a bit as he got up off the bed. "Who is it?" He called as he reached for his pants on the floor. When there was no answer he figured it was just more fans. It never failed to amaze him how they always seemed to manage to find him no matter where he was or what he was doing. Once, he was rock climbing with his cousin in some remote area, and a girl came up from out of nowhere as they were breaking for camp at the end of the day back at the base of the mountain. She asked for his autograph, and went on her merry way. He still gets teased about that one from time to time... the phantom fan. "Who is it?" He called once more as he buttoned up his jeans. Still no answer as he opened the door. He stood back a bit, surprized then broke out in a huge grin. He lunged forward and grabbed Ramone, dragging him in as he gave him a giant bear hug. "Man! It's good to see you!" Zac punched him in the arm. Ramone grinned back, returning the favor. It was times like these that let Zac forget that Ramone was gay. He was just another one of the guys. "Oh! I have so much to tell you!" Gushed Ramone. It was times like these that reminded Zac that Ramone really was checking out his ass as he walked away. Inwardly he shivered. Yet still, it was good to see him again, it made him feel that much closer to having Moirah back. Zac headed for his suitcase, fetching out a clean shirt, he felt uncomfortable with the way Ramone was nearly drooling. He pulled the shirt down over his torso, and the unmistakable disappointment in Ramones eyes was so comical Zac nearly laughed. He covered his amusement with a cough and offered the other man a seat with a gesture. He himself took a seat on the corner of the bed and leaned his elbows on his knees. "So? What's going on?" He prompted his friend. Ramone leaned forward and took up a position similar as he began. "Well... she saw it." He revealed. Zac jumped up, immediately he began to pace back and forth over a short distance quickly. "Are you sure? Were you there when she saw it?" He asked hopefully. "She has it on tape, told me she'd been watching it so much she was afraid of wearing out her vcr." Ramone reassured. "And...?" Zac pushed. "And... she seems to be ok, even after I told her that it was me that suggested you not show her the pictures." "I told you that was my decision, it wasn't your fault!" Zac interrupted. "I know! I know! But I told her anyway, and she wasn't even mad! She said she understood, I was surprized to say the least. Zac... I think she's ready." "Why do you say that?" Zac asked, turning around and stopping his brisk pace over the stiff carpet. "Because I told her you were comming." Ramone said quietly. Zac looked at him with concentration. "How did she take it?" He wanted to know. "Fine. She was really quiet after that for a couple of weeks, but..." Ramone broke off. Zac stood before him and got down to one knee. The pleading in his eyes nearly broke Ramones heart. He wanted nothing more then to make it all better. "Today, I told her I was comming here to see you before the show began." Ramone whispered, Zac was nearly ready to explode with anticipation. "She said nothing... but the pain was gone in her eyes. All I saw was hope Zac. All I saw was hope." |
| Hearts of Stone |
| pg. 15 |
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| thankx for read'n. Z-ya! |