"Please?"

"No, Tom."

"It's only for a week, week and and a half tops."

Tom had been shadowing Reese all morning as she scavenged the house, trying to find things to keep her busy and shake him, but so far she'd been unsuccessful. He'd been trying to convince her to drive up to Washington with him to check out a filming location (but the drive up will be so lonely! You have to come.) Reese insisted she had to stay with her father and turned a corner sharply into the bathroom.

"Lily starts Monday," he argued.

"Well, I'd like to be here the first few days to check up on her," she said, dragging a wet washcloth over the sink and rinsing it under the tab.

"She'll be fine! She's had so much experience, she's almost overqualified."

Reese threw the washcloth into the bathtub, turned off the flow of water, and turned around to face Tom. She was leaning back against the edge of the sink and he was a few inches away, clutching the door handle, a pained expression on his face. Why he thought they'd both fit in here was beyond her.

"He'll miss me," she said quietly. "What if something happens? What if Lily runs off like Emily did?"

Tom took a step forward, so close now their noses were almost touching. Reese didn't understand how he didn't look the tiniest bit flustered but did her best to look the same.

"Reese, everything is under control," he breathed, then, "How do you expect to go back home if you can't even be away from him for a week?"

Glaring, she shrugged and ducked under his arm and back into the living room, walking as fast as she could, though Tom hardly had to push a comfortable stroll to keep up. "Reese, darling."

She fought back a smile but dropped it as he grabbed her arm.

"Come with me."

She was at a loss for words, but yanked her arm out of his grip and crossed them over her chest. "Where would we even stay?"

Tom beamed unashamedly. "They're putting us up at a hotel. It's nice, we could explore the city a little, maybe visit Seattle. Do you like coffee?"

"Not much," Reese muttered, but Tom hadn't heard her.

"Great!" He clapped his hands together and started moving towards the stairs. "You'd better pack! We leave early tomorrow." And with that he bounded up to his room, leaving Reese to stare after him and wonder what had just happened.

***

Tom poked his head in her room the next morning at a quarter to six, and in response, Reese grunted and pulled her covers over her head. She hadn't set an alarm the night before in the hopes he'd forget and let her sleep in, but he appeared beside her bed, annoyingly on time.

"You can sleep in the car," Tom said, tugging off her blankets. She knew he was smiling, amused, and reached out to swat him. He ducked out of the way and backed out of the room. "We're leaving in thirty!" he called over his shoulder. "I"ll wake your dad!"

She dressed slowly, still half asleep, bothering to do nothing more than throw a large sweater on over her pajamas and a pair of slippers. Her suitcase lay closed on a chair by the door, packed from the night before, and she lugged it down the stairs and let it drop as she reached the kitchen.

"Well good morning, sleeping beauty," Tom said cheerfully, popping up from behind the stove. Reese snorted and pulled her hair up. "I'm making eggs. Dad's up. Lily will be here around eight."

Too tired to argue, she just nodded and slipped into the dining room, where she crawled into a chair and lay her head down. She'd barely closed her eyes when Tom emerged and set a steaming plate of scrambled eggs down in front of her.

"Wow," he laughed. "You're really not a morning person, are you?"

Grunt.

They ate silently, Tom because he was typing away on his phone and Reese because she was barely awake enough to form coherent sentences. Her father entered just as they were finishing up and Tom set a plate in front of him.

"Lily will be here in a few hours," he told him, clearing the rest of the dishes. "So you'll be alone for maybe an hour?"

Her father just nodded and began to eat. Reese watched him as Tom left, scrunching up her eyebrows worriedly. She hated to leave him with a complete stranger again.

"Dad?" she asked softly. "Will you be alright by yourself for a bit?"

At this, he stopped, smiled, and set his fork down. "Yes, honey," he said warmly, reaching out to cup her cheek. His hand was old and wrinkly, and his knuckles had become stiff, but it was a huge comfort.

"Be good, okay? Don't burn the house down."

"I'll try," he winked but didn't smile. Tom burst back into the room and in a whirlwind of suitcases and goodbyes, he was pushing her out the door. Reese sent one last wave to her dad, who had already seemed to have forgotten her and turned back to his eggs, and then he was gone as the door shut in her face.

She got settled in the passenger seat as Tom loaded the luggage, and then he slipped in beside her, his smile growing ever wider. The engine roared to life and they were on their way.

"Thank you, Reese, for coming," Tom said after a while. She smiled and nodded, but he didn't tear his gaze from the road. He frowned, though, seeming to sense something was wrong. "Don't worry about your father. He's in good hands." He reached out and squeezed her knee reassuringly, but it only made her palms slick with sweat. Hell, they were almost waterfalls before he pulled his hand back to rest on the steering wheel, and Reese discreetly wiped them on her pants.

"I know," she murmured, leaning her head against the window and closing her eyes. How was she supposed to act around him when such a small touch made her body go haywire? It was ridiculous, especially if they were going to be sharing a hotel room.

She settled for sneaking little peeks in between naps. His hair was tousled in a sexy, careless sort of way, and he'd somehow thrown on a worn t-shirt and jeans and still looked camera ready for the front page of a magazine. Reese glanced down at her fuzzy blue pajama bottoms and slippers and sighed. Even if she did have feelings for him, there was no way it would work out. He didn't date women like her. He dated pop stars and actresses to which red carpets and private jets were second nature; Reese couldn't compete with that.

Her eyes half open, she saw Tom lean down to turn the radio on.

"You sleep, sweet," he said quietly, glancing over at her and emitting a tiny smile from Reese. "I'll wake you when we're there."

She dozed for the next few hours, waking once to pull off her sweater as the sun came out. Through blurry eyes she watched trees rush past, beautiful ones, tall, darkly, lusciously green.

"It's pretty up here," she said absently.

"Yeah," she heard Tom agree beside her. "We're almost there, maybe forty minutes off."

"Mh." Reese felt herself slipping back under a sleepy haze.

"Hey, Reese?" Tom asked after minutes of silence.

"Mh?"

"I wanted to ask you about something."

Reese rubbed her eyes but didn't sit up. "Mm, yeah, I'm listening."

"I've got a buddy who lives in Tacoma, and he asked if I wanted to have dinner with him and his wife."

"That's cool." Reese felt confusion boil up in the back of her head. Why was he telling her this?

"And I want you to come with me," Tom finished. Reese jolted and shifted in her seat so she was facing him. He was looking back and forth from her to the road. "It would mean a lot," he said.

"Er, of course, Tom. I'll tag along."

He turned to her then, and Reese glanced worriedly at the street. The first car ahead seemed to be miles off.

"You won't be tagging along," he told her sternly. "I'm bringing you, and once we get to the hotel I'm going to buy you something nice to wear."

He said it so matter-of-factly, Reese was left at a loss for words as he looked away.

"O-okay."

She saw him smile slightly and nod in satisfaction, and that was that. They rode in silence the rest of the way to the hotel.

They unloaded the car, under the surprised stares of a few people mulling around in the parking lot and shuffled quickly inside. Reese wandered around the lobby while Tom checked them in. It was huge, with long curtains draped over the front windows and tables and chairs scattered every which way. A table in the center had cucumber water, and she'd taken a glass despite being not the least bit thirsty. Done at the front counter, To beckon her to follow him and they slipped into the elevator, Reese still glancing around.

"There's a pool here, right?" she asked as they rode up.

Tom chuckled. "Yes indeed. Maybe we could go for a swim tomorrow after dinner -- I haven't done that in ages.

"I'm sure you could go swimming whenever you like, Tom," Reese said, cracking a smile. Heck, he could buy his own pool; in fact, maybe he already had. She wouldn't be surprised.

He shrugged and the doors swung open. "I guess the whim's just never arisen."

They were room number one-forty-one, and Reese took a deep breath as they walked in. It smelled new, and the freshly made beds gave her a sort of tingly feeling. There was nothing better than rolling into one of those at night, with crisp, newly washed sheets and light pillows.

"You like it?" Tom asked, tossing the suitcases into a corner and dumping his jacket.

"I love it." She flopped down on the closest bed, pressing her face into the mattress.

"Hey, why don't we go out for drinks tonight?" Tom's voice carried above her. "I'll be gone most of the afternoon tomorrow, so it'll give us a chance to hang out a bit more before I meet up with my agent."

Reese rolled over onto her back, grinning. "Wow, you're a real professional," she snorted, and Tom looked taken aback.

"I am, as a matter-of-fact."

"You even have an agent, I'm impressed."

Tom had set his suitcase on the other bed and was rummaging through it. To her surprise, his shirt was off, his loose jeans hanging low on his hips. Reese felt her face go red as her eyes, despite her objections, raked his chest. She turned her head quickly, rolling onto her side and curling up. "Why are you changing?" she asked quickly, still flustered.

"Drinks, remember?" There was some shuffling and then Tom laughed quietly, in between a chuckle and a whisper. "Reese, you can turn around now."

He was buttoning up a crisp collared shirt, half tucked in and spilling out of his belt. "You should get dressed," he told her, fixing the collar. "I hope you brought some real clothes."

Reese shot him a glare, but marched over to her suitcase and pulled out some jeans and a sweater, then disappeared into the bathroom. By the time she was done, Tom was pulling on a blazer jacket and moving towards the door, key card in hand. He looked more awake, somehow, and his light hair was pushed back like he'd been running his hands through it.

"After you." Tom held the door for her as she slipped out, slinging a bag over her shoulder. She feigned a curtsy and he let it fall closed behind them.

They walked past a large group, chattering loudly and loaded down with luggage. Tom slipped an arm around Reese's waist and pulled her into him as they passed, the group taking up more than their fair share of space.

It was dark outside, and the chilly air hit the both of them like a ton of bricks. Tom, who still hadn't let go of Reese, pulled her close to his chest and wrapped his coat around them. "Cold," he muttered into her ear, sending every hair on the back of her neck standing straight up. She could only nod in response.

The neon light above the bar read Twin Peaks, and Reese tilted her head in confusion. Like the TV show? Underneath read scenic views, with a picture of two snow-capped mountains. Tom led her inside, where they were greeted by a gust of warm air, prompting them to shed their coats.

The bar was full of chatter and laughter, softly lit, a small band playing off to the side. It seemed nice, calming and very Northwest-y until a waitress came to seat them, two cocktail menus tucked under her arm. The first thing Reese noticed was her dangerously low cut shirt, and how it was so tight her breasts seemed about ready to burst out at the slightest bump. She wore jean shorts, long black hair down and curled, and a shy smile.

They let her lead the way to the bar, Tom's mouth agape, Reese doing all she could to stifle a laugh behind her hand. They thanked the waitress and watched her go, hips swaying. In fact, all their hips were swaying; every waitress in the place wore tight shorts and low cut shirts with the words Twin Peaks written across the chest.

Once she had gone, Reese let out a loud snort, and Tom looked around wildly, expression a mix of awe and horror.

"Scenic... views," she choked, shaking with laughter. "Oh... my God!"

For a full minute, Tom just stared and Reese laughed and laughed until her stomach ached and tears were seeping from her eyes. Finally, he turned to her, looking like a deer caught in a pair of headlights.

"Reese... I swear I didn't-"

"It's fine Tom," she chuckled, wiping the corners of her eyes gleefully. "That was so worth it."

"It doesn't even look like... I didn't think it was the place that..."

It was true the building looked completely normal from the outside, more of a Pacific Northwest theme rather than... say Hooters. Reese could have even sworn she saw a few families dining in the restaurant section.

"What a place to take a girl, though," she sighed. "You really know how to make me feel special, Thomas."

Tom smiled and spun around in his chair, waving down the barista to order two shots, and making an obvious effort to not let his eyes drift anywhere near her chest. Reese had to admit, he unfailingly adorable when he was flustered.

As soon as his glass was set in front of him, Tom seized it and threw his head back, draining it in one gulp. Reese did the same and Tom ordered another round.

"So what job are you going to apply for back home?" Tom asked, playing with his cup.

Reese shrugged. "I was actually thinking of looking into some online newspapers." And maybe actually trying to get her screenplays read. Either way, she knew she couldn't stand going back to serving drinks to regular drunks, none of whom even understood the concept of personal space. Besides, she missed writing, and it was something she hadn't gotten to do in a long time.

Tom smiled widely, all dazzling teeth and bright eyes, and reached out to touch her arm. "Reese, that's amazing. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks," she mumbled, pulling away. Tom was too preoccupied with the waitress, who'd loaded him with two more shots each, to notice. He handed Reese one and they downed them together.

Three shots later, Reese's head buzzed with alcohol and a pleasant fog had settled over her brain and she and Tom were laughing together about something said on the TV above their heads. She couldn't exactly remember what had been said, but it felt good to laugh, and the whiskey she'd been sipping burned her throat and warmed her stomach.

"We'd better stop," Tom whispered in her ear, lips ghosting her skin. "If we get any drunker, we won't be able to drag our sorry asses to dinner tomorrow." Reese snorted and this set off another round of laughter between them. Once they'd recovered, he leaned in again. "Plus I've got work tomorrow," he finished, then in one smooth motion, he tilted his cup and drained it, then slipped unsteadily off his stool. Reese took his hand and followed suit, giggling.

Of course, he wouldn't let her pay, so he dug around in his pockets and left a generous wad of cash under their empty cups, then offered out his arm to Reese and marched off, both looking much more confident than they felt.

The hotel was only a couple blocks from the bar, so they stumbled down the damp sidewalk, arms tangled and draped around one another, toward the large glowing building.

"Thanks for this, Tom," Reese murmured. "I really needed a laugh."

Tom squeezed her shoulders good-naturedly and nodded. "It was my pleasure. You are an excellent drinking companion."

More laughing

"No-" he managed. "That came out wrong-"

They switched between fits the rest of the way back, into the lobby and up the elevator to their room. Reese wanted to shower, but Tom shoved her lightly back into her bed and bent down to yank her heels off.

"No, you'll fall and break something in this state," he was saying. Reese just watched his head bob in front of her, transfixed by the curls. Without thinking, she reached out and touched one. Soft, smelled nice too. Less of a curl, more of a wave.

Tom shot her a confused smile, but tossed her left shoe aside and went to work on the right one. Reese hadn't even seen, and without hesitation combed aside the hair hanging over his forehead, running her hand all the way to the back of his head. It was smooth, he'd probably not bothered to put any product in that day, but it smelled like shampoo, and lightly of alcohol. And God it felt good.

Tom stood up suddenly, lightly brushing her wrist aside. They stared at each other for a full minute, then Reese pulled back her hand and dove under the covers, slipping her long shirt over her head. Tom appeared at her side, more of a blurry bob than an actual person.

"Goodnight, Reese," he said quietly, and she watched as he bent down to eye level. "I had a great time."

She watched his mouth move. His lips were stained with drink, but his breath somehow didn't smell sour, just strong. Reese saw her hand move and brush those lips, and a sudden urge to pull him in consumed her.

Maybe it was the shots (who was she kidding?), or a violent burst of confidence, but she did. She aimed for his mouth but ended up colliding nose and cheek. His jaw was rough and prickly and felt like sandpaper on her lips. Really... sexy sandpaper.

They pulled apart and Reese closed her eyes before her head even hit the pillow. She heard the faint sound of footsteps as Tom dressed for bed and his mattress sagging, then settled under the sinking of her heavy eyelids, her last waking thought how much she was dreading the next day's headache.