Rewrite- 01-20-2017 A/N just a little note. I only tweaked Jack's/Ichabod and Marianne's/Abbie's Film Scene." Gave it more bite. I wanted to contrast what was happening in Real Life. Hope you like it.

Only Make believe Chapter Three — The Two Penny Opera Begins.

"So, in this scene Ichabod,"Luke Morales said."Jack, your character is in love with Marianne AKA Abbie and wonders if she feels the same."

Luke Morales looked up from reading his script to find Ichabod staring out straight ahead. He sat opposite Ichabod

behind the large black leather desk on the film set. Luke and Ichabod had their copy of the script open on top of their

knees looking over the scene. There were black markings littered the white pages of both scripts. Luke leaned forward across the desk and waved his hand in front of Ichabod's face. He snapped his fingers.

"Hey, are you listening?"

Ichabod's eyes quickly focused on Luke's face and blinked twice.

"I'm sorry, what?" He asked.

Luke's face brightened into a huge smile.

"Thinking hard about the scene huh, Ichabod?" Luke asked.

Ichabod's eyes shifted to Luke and he frowned. His eyes grew wide.

"Yes. I was thinking about the scene," Ichabod stated. "My character Jack wants to know if Abbie, I mean Marianne is

as attracted to him as he is to her."

"Right," Luke laughed. "How do you want the scene to play out?"

"Like you wrote it," Ichabod answered. "A seduction gone wrong."

"Ok, good you agree,"Luke answered."play it exactly that way. "

Luke leaned forward and clapped Ichabod on his back. Luke winked at him and raised himself up from his chair.

Ichabod closed his eyes from the sharp pain and shook his head. He wasn't thinking about the concept or the irony in

the scene. It was on the kiss the characters were going to share in the scene. He couldn't get it out of his mind. He

anticipated the kiss to come. Maybe too much he thought.

Luke's deep sigh brought Ichabod out of his thoughts.

"Have you've seen my assistant director and Katrina?" Luke asked. "I'm missing both."

Luke lifted himself up from the couch and searched around the crowded set.

"Andy Brooks?"Ichabod answered."he's in the makeup trailer with Katrina and Abigail."

He waved his hand at the long wide trailer across the sound stage. Ichabod glanced over and scowled at it. It was

long, wide and white with an extremely treacherous low ceiling. It caused him to hunch over and left him with a stiff

neck and aching back. He hated that thing and avoided it every chance he gets. Ichabod froze. He stared out at the

trailer and narrowed his eyes. His own words echoed back at him. The young good looking assistant director Andy

Brooks was inside the makeup trailer.

A knock on the trailer door made Abbie stop whispering her lines. Her dark brown eyes turned to Katrina on the

large couch behind her. Katrina met her eyes in the mirror and shrugged.

"Come in?" Abbie called. She turned back to look into the mirror.

The trailer door opened to Luke Morales smiling up at her from the stairs. He was followed behind by Ichabod Crane with a sour look on his handsome face. Abbie smiled.

"Hi guys!" Abbie chuckled. "What brings you here?"

Ichabod smiled and stepped up into the trailer. The low ceiling immediately made Ichabod bend forward and his neck started to stiffen.

"Shit." He whispered as he took his place to stand next to Luke as he spoke to Abbie.

He should have listened to his instinct and not have come inside the belly of this trailer beast with Luke. Thank God he wasn't claustrophobic. Ichabod grimaced as his eyes met Abbie's in her lighted mirror. She smiled and she turned the bright red makeup chair to greet her guests. Ichabod sucked in a breath. He stared at the vision staring back at him from the makeup chair. Abigail's Mills face was freshly made up and she was dressed ready for the scene. She wore a salmon pink blouse with two pink buttons opened and a short pleated black skirt with high black stiletto shoes. Her dark natural curl coils fell around her angelic, dolls face.

Katrina's voice from the couch snapped Ichabod back to reality.

"Ichabod?" She asked. "what are you doing here? You hate coming into this trailer. It always hurts your back."

Luke and Ichabod turned to look at Katrina. She was dressed in a low cut multi-colored summer dress with peach colored sandals.

The dress brought out her bright red hair which is in a loose braid thrown over her right shoulder.

"He's here Katrina, to show you a video of two brown bunnies in a paper cup,"Luke answered."Isn't that right, Ichabod? Isn't that what you told me outside?"

Luke's face broke into a huge smile and cleared his throat. His full lips turned up in corner in a smirk.

Ichabod turned his eyes to him. He nodded his head.

"Yes, that's right," Ichabod answered flatly.

"Oooh, let me see,"cried Katrina." Let me see. I love those bunny videos."

She clapped her small hands together as Ichabod made his way hunched over to the large grey material couch. He immediately sat down and thumbed through his IPhone for the video. Found it and held it up between he and Katrina to watch the video together.

Luke and Abbie smiled at the two on the couch. Luke turned his head to address Abbie.

"So, where is Andy?" Luke asked. "I thought he was in here with you ladies."

Ichabod's head snapped up at the mention of the assistant director to look at Luke and Abbie. His eyes looked around the trailer looking for the Andy Brooks.

"He left a few minutes ago for lunch," Abbie laughed. " he said he will be back in a few. he is the cutest thing. So super funny. I love his puns."

Ichabod caught Luke's eyes and shot him a dark annoyed look. Ichabod rolled his eyes and shook his head. Luke bit down hard on his bottom lip trying not to laugh.

"Ooo, Ichabod, look," Katrina softly murmured."Look how cute they are. Look."

Katrina held the IPhone in front of Ichabod blocking his view of Abbie. His eyes lowered to look at the screen.

"Yes. They are very cute." He nodded at the IPhone's screen and then lifted his eyes again and noticed a page of the script taped on Abbie's mirror. The dialogue highlighted in canary yellow.

"Studying your lines, Abigail?" Ichabod teased. "I would think you already knew them."

He smirked.

Abbie's dark eyes met his blue in the mirror and she turned her chair to face him.

"I'm just going over the ki..scene," Abbie nervously chuckled. "To refresh my memory."

She flashed him a huge smile showing her perfect white teeth.

Ichabod eyebrow raised. His leading lady was nervous. Though she didn't look like it. He gazed steadily at Abbie in silence when she turned to Luke sitting in the second chair. Ichabod smiled. Her pretty face looked clear, cool and bright. Radiant. Not a shine of perspiration on it under the heavy bright lights. The only sign to tell him she was nervous were her small hands. They were folded tight together on her lap until she released them and began to beat a steady rhythm on her both of her knees. Her red rose bud lips were pursed. Her dark eyes brightened as she spoke to Luke and then to Katrina. He heard Abbie then let out a breath as she spoke. It was a small quiet whisper. He grinned. She was so very lovely. Then Abbie's eyes locked on his. Her eyes grew wide as if he'd caught her doing something wrong. Her brow furrowed.

"I'm not nervous!" Abbie accused. She frowned.

"I know," Ichabod chuckled. He smiled.

Abbie giggled. She closed her eyes and let out the breath she held.

"We all know you're not nervous, Abbie,"Katrina answered."You're too good at what you do to be."

"Sorry y'all," she said. Abbie swiped at something on her nose and turned the chair back to the look in the mirror.

"Relax. Don't worry about it," Ichabod and Luke replied.

Ichabod met her eyes in the mirror and they both laughed.

Everyone was silent then in the trailer. Luke observed, the smile Ichabod gave Abbie. He knew exactly why Ichabod insisted in coming with him to the trailer. Andy Brooks. He didn't like the fact that Andy Brooks was in here with Abigail Mills. Ichabod even being inside this makeup trailer after avoiding it for years spoke volumes. Luke stood up from the makeup chair and clapped his large hands together.

"Okay, everyone,"Luke shouted. " we start filming in one minute. Get ready! Abbie you're gorgeous. Break a leg. Ichabod. Come walk me back."

Ichabod Crane looked up and to meet Luke's eyes. He nodded and raised himself up from his seat. Katrina smiled and got up from the couch. She slowly leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Her lips lingered on his soft bearded cheek until Ichabod turned his head. Katrina softly clamped down on Ichabod's full lips and scraped her teeth slowly along his bottom lip. Ichabod gasped. She lifted her eyes to meet his and smiled up at him. Ichabod could see Katrina's eyes were a deep green. Like emeralds. He pulled back and swallowed hard. Katrina licked her lips.

"Hmmm, thank you for showing me the video and watching it with me," Katrina moaned."I'll be watching your scene."

"Please don't," Ichabod said."You know how i feel about anyone watching me when i am acting."

"Only when it's a stranger," Katrina answered."and i am far from being one, Ichabod."

A crease appeared in the middle of Ichabod's forehead. He could only stare at Katrina. While she just smirked up at him.

Ichabod turned away only to catch Abbie watching them. Ichabod thought he saw a faint glimpse of a frown on her full lips before she turned the frown into a bright smile and waved at him. Had he imagined the frown on Abbie's lips? It was so faint he couldn't tell.

"See you on the set," Abbie said. Her voice cheerful.

"Yes. See you on the set." Ichabod nodded back and left the trailer with Luke.

Abbie and Ichabod were on the set a few minutes later.

"Ok places, people. Places!" Luke bellowed.

They looked up and outside the film set.

Luke Morales was hiding in the darkness of the sound stage. Only his voice was heard.

"Ok, this is it," Abbie whispered."see you on the other side, Ichabod. You look very handsome." She waved at Ichabod and walked away as the marker girl came up to stand in the middle of the set with her film marker. Ichabod waved back as Abbie left. He chuckled and shook his head as he walked to his place in front of the huge desk.

"All right. Quiet on the set,"Luke shouted. "Marker!"

The scene marker bar fell with a loud, sharp crack.

"ACTION!"

Jack Farrow sucked down the last gulp of his drink and lowered his glass. He stared down at his tumbler glass. He shook it and made the ice click together as his thoughts drifted back to Marianne. She is a member of the Board Of Education with him and his old girlfriend, Katia Winter. Jack has only seen Marianne in person a couple of times at the faculty meetings and shared a baseball game due to conflicting schedules with Katia. Marianne had taken her place when Katia had no interest in American baseball. He never forgot how easy it was to be with Marianne. How easy it was to talk to her about everything and anything. After that he's mostly communicated with Marianne through office e-mails, Twitter instant message or through Katia Winter and they became close friends. He tweeted Marianne this morning asking her to come to his office after work to discuss what to get for Katia's birthday.

He'd suggested perfume, a Chanel Bag, or a scarf. What do you get for the woman who has everything? Secretly Jack kept Marianne on twitter longer than needed to keep talking to her. Hoping that the conversation would lead into another conversation that would last even longer. Except Marianne was busy and needed to get off twitter to get back to work. Jack reluctantly let her drop off and eagerly waited for the work day to finish. Jack's eyes shifted to the small black and white clock on top of his desk. It read 6:15pm. It was after working hours. The building half empty now with some of the faculty working late to catch up with some paperwork.

"I need another drink!" He muttered. "For courage."

Jack raked his long fingers through his short reddish brown hair and scratched at his beard. He walked away from his small bar back to his desk when there was a knock on the door.

"Yes. Come in," Jack said. He looked up to see his office door open to find Marianne standing at his doorway.

He smiled up at Marianne. He blew out a breath and sat back in his chair. He lifted the drink to his lips and stopped. The glass frozen half-way to his lips. Jack's full lips then tipped up at the corner into a sly smile. He lifted the glass to Marianne.

"Wan' 'n?" Jack asked. His voice was low and slurred. A bubble of a small burp came from his lips.

"No, thank you."Marianne shook her head.

She walked in and sat down in the plush black leather chair in front of his desk. She crossed her legs. The short black pleated skirt she wore raised above an inch to show her slender firm legs. A small whimper came from Jack. He imagined her mocha skin to feel soft and smooth, like velvet. He swiped his large hand across his sweaty brow. Jack pulled at his tight collar.

Marianne uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. Her forehead crinkled.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"Yes. I'm fine,"Jack whispered. "except for not being able to stop thinking about you."

His index finger combed over his mustache as he smirked at her. His blue eyes drooped.

"What?"

"No. nothing," he slurred, "Why are you here, Marianne?"

Small creases formed in the middle of her brow as she stared up at him. A small smile played around the corner of her lips.

"You asked me to see you in your office after work to discuss what to get for Katia for her birthday on Friday," Marianne answered. "Don't you remember?"

Jack's throat went dry and he took another drink. He loudly cleared his throat. Yes. He used Katia's birthday as an excuse to get her in here after hours. Obviously, she wasn't afraid to be alone in his office with him. Now, was he brave enough to pull this off? Too

late now to chicken out. Marianne was sitting here with him alone in his office just where he wanted her to be.

Jack unbuttoned the two buttons of his freshly ironed white dress shirt. Was it his imagination or was his drink beginning to take an early effect on him? Making him feel hotter and his tongue looser. It couldn't be. He's only had two drinks. Hang in there, Jack. Calm down. He wiped his suddenly sweaty, wet hands on his black trousers. His large hand brushed across the crotch of his pants and he suddenly felt himself get thick and hard underneath. Jack raised his eyes to meet Marianne's eyes.

"Tell me, Marianne, weren't you afraid that people will talk?" Jack asked. His voice was thick. His blue eyes dark.

"About what?" Marianne's brow lowered into a frown.

"About both of us being alone in an empty building after hours,"he said."of you inside my office alone. aren't you afraid that people will talk, if they find out, come morning?"

Jack's voice was a low rumble. His accent thick.

Marianne shrugged.

"Why? I know I'm safe here alone with you," Marianne answered. "And I've never cared what other people in this building say or think."

Jack frowned. His mouth opened as he stared at her. Her beautiful face brightened into a huge smile. It lit up her face and made his cock harder again.

"I know I am safe alone with you here at night. I know you wouldn't try anything because you are a gentleman, Jack," she answered. Marianne licked her lips.

Jack's eyes lowered to watch Marianne lick her lips. A low moan escaped from his own lips. He cleared his throat.

"Well, you are so wrong if you think you're safe alone here with me, Marianne," he whispered. His voice a low seductive rumble.

Her brown eyes grew large.

"What?" She answered.

Jack quickly stood up from his chair and walked around to the front of his desk. He perched himself at the edge of the desk and stared down at her. A small smirk played around his lips.

"I think you heard me, Marianne," he answered. "What makes you think you're safe with me?" He leaned forward. His arm reached out and his fingers softly caressed her chin. Marianne's body stiffened. Her brow furrowed.

"I..I....

"Yes?" Jack whispered. He snatched his hand away and replaced them on his lap. His smile widened and he lightly chuckled. Marianne's petite body then deflated and she burst out laughing. Her laugh was light and musical like the sound of a bell.

"Oh, ha ha very funny, Jack," Marianne laughed. "Were you going to pinch my bum and chase me around the desk. You almost had me there."

She snorted. Her voice mocking Jack's proper English accent. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

Jack leaned forward and reached out. He placed his hands on the wooden arms of her leather black chair and jerked the chair hard toward him.

"Oh," Marianne gasped. The huge jolt made her clutch the arms of the chair with her hands to hold on. She had almost fallen out of

the chair. Her dark brown eyes now large; surprised at Jack's sudden aggressive behavior. Jack chuckled at Marianne's surprised expression and leaned forward close to her face. He looked into her eyes. He smiled, showing his teeth. Positively predatory.

"Oh, no Marianne, you will find I am most serious," Jack said. "Extremely serious. You will find that it is most dangerous for you to be here alone with me in my office."

Jack bravely leaned forward and nipped and bit lightly at Marianne's lips, at first. He moaned. He opened his eyes to look at Marianne's reaction to his light kiss. He closed his eyes expecting the sharp, hot sting of the hard slap to his face he was sure was coming.

Instead he opened his eyes and found Marianne's dark eyes dilated, her eyes wide open staring down at his lips. She swallowed hard and opened her mouth again, her breath coming out in short gasps.

"Wha..." she whispered.

Jack leaned forward.

"Pray may I ask what is the scent of the perfume you're wearing?" he whispered. "It is intoxicating."

The line at Marianne's forehead creased.

"It's a HALLS menthol," she murmured." I have a cold. See."

Marianne clicked the tiny menthol lozenge against her tooth. It clicked against the tooth and she quickly shut her mouth. She sniffed twice.

Silence. The only sounds in the office was their heavy breathing.

Jack clucked his tongue.

"No, 'tis you Marianne," Jack mumbled. "You've intoxicated me."

He reached his large hands out and wrapped them around Marianne's small waist. He pulled her onto his lap and held her tight against his broad chest. Marianne's hands landed lightly upon his chest and closed into two small fists around his white dress shirt.

They stared into each other eyes. This was unreal. He couldn't believe this was happening after wanting this for so long. He couldn't believe Marianne hasn't slapped him and ran out of the office screaming bloody murder already. Jack smiled at the thought as he slanted his lips and sucked at Marianne's plump lips. His tongue asked for entry at the seam and then sucked on her tongue when he gained entrance. Jack could taste the menthol cough drop in her mouth. It tasted like mint tea to him. She moaned. His hands slowly traveled up her slender back to the nape of her neck where he anchored her to deepen the kiss. They sucked and bit at one another's lips not getting enough of each other's taste. Jack began to place light soft wet kisses down Marianne's cheek, down her chin and then behind her ear.

Marianne sighed. Her fists loosened around his white dress shirt as her body relaxed and surrendered to Jack's kisses. His soft lips bit and sucked behind her ear. Her eyes rolled up in her head and she closed her eyes.

"Oh God," she moaned. Marianne's head was spinning. Her thoughts swam around in her head. How did it get to this? One moment they were talking and now he was biting and sucking on her earlobe.

"Oh, ooooh," Marianne moaned. "ahhhh." Her thoughts were reeling. All scattered and flying around each other trying to come

together. Jack was her best friend. They have been for years now. It wasn't until this year where she thought of him more than just a friend. Hell, until now she always thought Jack only thought of her as only a friend, fellow worker.

"Marianne," he growled. Her breath caught when Jack's lips began to travel and graze down her neck. He pressed deep kisses then across her shoulder and down to her chest. Marianne felt dizzy. She felt hot flashes across her body and felt as if she were going to pass out.

This was crazy! She had to stop this. Get this under control before it can get any further. Marianne cleared her throat.

"Jack?" she said."I think we should stop before this goes any further." She winced at the weakness in her voice.

"Hmmmm?" Jack hummed. His teeth now moved up to the side of her neck and bit at her, hard. Then he kissed and stuck out his tongue to soothe his bite.

"Yyyou're drunk and....Oh, Ahh, Jaaackkk," Marianne groaned. She grimaced at the sound of her breathless voice. Get a grip girl. He's drunk. Take control of this situation before you drown in Jack's arms and his kisses.

"Jack," Marianne murmured.

Jack then stopped and lifted his head to look up into her eyes.

Marianne's breath caught. She immediately saw that the spark and heat had gone from Jack's blue eyes replaced with

embarrassment and regret. His eyebrows knitted together. His mouth clamped tight, the cocky smirk erased from his lips. He pulled immediately away from Marianne until he felt his back against the front of his large desk. He stretched his long legs out in front of him and let his head fall back on the desk. It created a loud bang that cut the silence of the office. He didn't cry out in pain, instead; he closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Now feeling the pain of a headache already beginning from the back of his head.

He opened his eyes and looked at Marianne again. His eyes dark and soulful.

"I greatly apologize, Marianne," he muttered."I don't know whatever possessed me. Obviously, I've been drinking too much today. Please forgive me."

"Jack,"Marianne chuckled.

"No, Marianne, I shouldn't have grabbed you, like that. It was monstrous."

"It wasn't monstrous," she sighed. She shifted on the carpet and tucked her legs underneath her. Her hands pulled on the hem of her skirt to cover her exposed knees and let her small hands fall back on her lap.

Marianne smiled as Jack pinched the top of his nose with his forefinger and thumb. A low moan escaped from him.

"Yes. It was. I was drinking and I didn't know what I was doing," he answered Jack lied. He knew exactly what he was doing. He dreamed of kissing Marianne since he first met at her at the Steak House that Thanksgiving.

Marianne stared at Jack and sighed. She leaned back. Her small back against the legs of her chair.

She folded her arms across her chest. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Just, how many drinks have you've had, today?" Marianne asked.

"I lost count," Jack slurred. "Maybe four or five this afternoon. I confess, Abraham and I had a liquid lunch."

Jack scratched at his reddish brown beard and threaded his long thin through his hair. Then he raised his large hand and slammed it on top of the desk above him. With a loud grunt, he pulled himself up from the floor and casually walked back around his desk. Jack sat back in his huge leather chair and snatched the drink waiting for him spilling its contents on it. He took another good long drink.

His eyes lifted over the rim of his glass and fixed on the confused look on Marianne's face. He lowered the glass.

Her brow lowered in a worried expression.

"I humbly apologize again, Marianne. My actions were inexcusable," Jack murmured. "Drinking too much is never an excuse to take advantage of a beautiful woman."

Jack met Marianne's eyes for a minute before he put the drink back on his desk. He blinked at her and smiled.

"No it isn't. If that's what it really was?"Marianne answered. Her eyebrow lifted. Did she just see him walk completely straight without a stagger and not bumping into his desk? She's seen many a drunk person and they didn't walk in such a very straight line.

Marianne licked her lips. Her lips tasted sweet but she didn't taste alcohol.

Jack was caught up in her intense stare.

"What?" He asked. His eyebrow lifted over one eye.

Marianne took in a breath and let it out slowly. She smiled and lifted herself gracefully from the floor. She shook herself off.

"On second thought I will have that drink," Marianne said.

"Oh, I'll—"

"Oh, that's ok," she answered."I'll take a sip of yours instead."

Marianne reached her hand out across the desk and plucked the glass from Jack's hand just as he stood up.

"Wha? Wait—" Jack reached out to stop her.

Marianne smirked and laughed into the glass as she closed her eyes. She threw her head back to drink the rest of Jack's drink.

He gasped and stared at her. He nervously licked his lips.

A second later Marianne opened her eyes and stared at him over the rim of the glass. Her eyebrows raised. She lowered the glass and stared at Jack. He nervously smacked his lips once again.

"I can explain," Jack said. His voice in a rush. He held up his large hands in defense as Marianne stomped around his desk.

"Apple Juice!" Marianne screamed. Her soft voice hardened as she stepped up to him. Jack closed his eyes tight and leaned back ready for the slap he was sure he was about to receive.

Her soft voice hardened as she stepped up to him. Jack closed his eyes tight ready for the slap. It came just as he'd expected. Hard and fast. It stung and made his ears ring. He closed his eyes and winced. Jack moved his jaw. The tip of his thick tongue poked at a tooth in the back of his mouth. It wobbled and he tasted copper.

"I think you loosened a tooth," he drawled. His eyes met Marianne's. A small smirk played around his full lips.

Marianne's eyes narrowed. Her full red lips a thin line.

"Goodnight, Mr. Farrow," she said coldly. "I take back everything I said about you. You are most certainly not a gentleman. I should have used my taser gun on you when I could."

"You mean this one?" Jack answered. He took his left hand from behind his back. Jack showed Marianne the small red boxy weapon about the size of a pack of cigarettes in his hand. It had two firing barbs attached two wires on either sides on the top.

Marianne's eyes were huge.

"HHHow?" she stammered. "I had it in my pockets."

Her small hands began to pat herself down in front and behind to look for her taser but knew it was now in Jack's hand. Marianne raised her eyes to Jack's.

His smile widened.

"I took it when you weren't looking, luv,"he laughed."Abraham inadvertently told me about it once. He knew that you always have it near you."

"What?" Marianne opened her eyes wide.

"I took it, treasure," Jack teased. "for my own protection to win the bet."

Jack swallowed hard. He watched Marianne's large deep brown eyes flash angry. Her full lips opened wide. Her mouth a perfect circle. He swallowed again. He expected another slap to come.

"Win the bet?"she answered slowly.

"Yes. Abraham and I made a bet who would be the first to get to kiss you," Jack answered. "He will be disappointed though, that he's lost."

"Oh," Marianne gasped. She stared into his eyes. She lowered it and shook it.

Marianne lifted her head to look into his eyes again. Her brow furrowed. Her huge brown eyes were glassy.

"I guess I better go, then," she whispered, her voice cracked. Marianne cleared her throat.

"Yes, It's late," Jack answered his voice low. "I'll call a cab for you."

"No. I have my own car!" Marianne answered curtly."and you can buy your own damn present for Katia. Goodnight, Mr. Farrow!"

"Goodnight, Ms. Robbins." He kept the fake, painted smile on his lips. Jack kept telling himself he had to do this. He knew he didn't

deserve Marianne Robbins and he thought he never will.

Marianne slammed the door hard behind her. Jack winced. The fake smile turned into a grimace. He walked back to the bar to get something harder than apple juice on ice. It was his idea to pretend he was drinking a stronger drink than just a soft drink.

Abraham daring him to kiss Marianne was not his idea and not true. The truth is Jack told Abraham he was in love with Mariann and didn't think he deserved her. Abraham disagreed. He told him to go for it.

Jack will never forget the kiss or how her petite, warm body responded against him. Her soft full lips kissing him back. Except, what the hell does that all matter when she now hated him? Isn't that what he wanted? He wasn't so sure anymore.

"CUT! Great Job! Ten minutes," Luke yelled."Check the gate!"

Ichabod blinked twice into the bright set lights and came back into reality. He lowered his glass of apple juice as he felt his heart beat faster inside his rib cage. He slowly exhaled.

"Abbie. Ichabod!"Luke shouted. "Come see it on the playback. It looks great."

Ichabod looked up and crossed to the other side of the film stage where he knew Luke hid.

"Ok. I'm coming," Ichabod shouted. He shook his head as he walked off the set.

"Bloody hell!" He cursed under his breath.

That kiss was electric. Amazing. Her full lips soft and tasted so sweet. Her skin tasted salty and smelled like sweet almonds. He could have sworn he smelled lemons. He didn't want to stop kissing her. In fact he had to practically make himself pull away or he would ruin the scene. Especially when he felt Abbie's lips respond and kiss him back. He shook his head and sighed deeply. Worst of it all. The kiss made him nostalgic to be in love again. Ichabod remembered that ache and vowed he would never fall that hard again with his leading lady. His thoughts ran over the early days of his relationship with Katrina. It began so hot and heavy when they made that first film together. Only to fizzle soon after once real life set in. He and Katrina realized it was never going to work out romantically between them which resulted in both just being friends. They now just play as a couple for the publicity blogs and celebrity magazines. Ichabod's thoughts then went back to Katrina kissing him inside the makeup trailer. He frowned. What the hell was that all about? Did she want to get back together? He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He shook his head.

"Keep it only make believe between you and Abbie," Ichabod whispered."keep it out of the real world. It will be better for you both."

Ichabod couldn't help but wonder then if Abbie's response to his kiss was for the film or was it real to her? Did she like his kiss?

Ichabod sucked his teeth. Will he ever learn? He shook his head as he walked further into the darkness outside the stage to meet Abbie and Luke.

To be continued....

Author's Note- Hi Mary and everyone. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. I hope you liked the chapter. I hope it wasn't too long. Lol I just wanted to give you guys a longer chapter than usual for the holidays. Lol oh and I used the name Marianne for Abbie's character's in the movie because I think it would sound so sexy when Ichabod says her name with his English accent. Lol Try it. You'll see. Ok as always please review even if you like it or not. Roses or flaming arrows. I can take it. Lol As always thank you so much Mary for being my beta-reader. I always appreciate your great input and suggestions.