Chapter 15

A/N: I know a lot of you have caught onto this already, but just in case anyone is confused, I know that the Chris character is a weird semi-Chris Hemsworth.  Although this is a Tom Hiddleston fanfic, I don't really try to stick strictly to real life events/people/things. I play around with it a bit. Mostly because I am too lazy to do the research of when Tom was here or there or doing whatever. So thanks for understanding! Hope there isn't any confusion.

And as always, thanks for reading. :D -S

      Tom was already at the table when Chris and Emie walked into the restaurant.  Emie saw him immediately from across the dim room.  Chris had stopped to talk to the maitre d’, but Emie had immediately seen Tom and locked eyes with him.  He stood up when he saw her, waiting for them to walk over.  Emie felt her heart pick up a beat.  It was stupid.  It was so stupid, but she couldn’t control it.         He was wearing a fitted white dress shirt, rolled at the forearms like usual, and slim fitting dark pants.  Dressy, but a bit casual.  He didn’t take his eyes off Emie as she walked over, his expression unreadable.       “Tom.” Chris said as they approached the table.  Tom broke eye contact with Emie, and turned to Chris, pulling him into a hug.       “Brother.” He said easily with a smile and a chuckle.  “Where’s your lovely missus?” He asked.       “She’ll be here any minute.” Chris grinned, and sat down opposite from where Tom had been sitting.  Tom turned then to Emie, and she felt his eyes sweep up and down her body, quickly.  It wasn’t the first time he’d done that to her.  Coming from any other man, it might have felt degrading or aggressive.  Coming from Tom…she wasn’t quite sure how to describe it.  It wasn’t as if he were undressing her with his eyes.  He was just…taking in the sight of her.  It wasn’t unwelcome, so it was a bit thrilling.       “Hello, gorgeous.” He said softly.  He took her hand, kissing it quickly.         “Tom. Long time no see.” She returned.  Tom grinned and then pulled out the chair for her, right next to his.  She sat down, sweeping her dress underneath her as she did.       Lucia showed up a few moments later, looking beautiful as always.  She had changed from earlier that day, and her hair was swept up in a chic updo.  Emie watched her and Chris talk as she sat down.  It was as if they were the only two people in the restaurant.  She smiled, and took a quick sip of her water.         Their dinner passed by quickly.  The food was delicious and their conversation was light and easy. They caught up on the past few weeks.  Tom and Chris talked about the press tour they had been on earlier, and how exhausting it had been.  Tom was unusually quiet, but Emie chalked it up to the massive amounts of traveling he had done the past few weeks.  He had slept even less than she had on the plane, so she knew he must have been exhausted.       Lucia talked a bit about the wedding, but she mostly just gazed lovingly at Chris.  It made Emie laugh, but she was happy for her sister.       “Speaking of the wedding.” Tom said, lifting his glass of beer.  “I wanted to tell you two about my surprise for tomorrow.” He took a sip.  “I’ve chartered a boat for us.  It’ll take us sailing overnight.  It’s for the four of us.  I had invited your brother, Chris, but he couldn’t make it since he’s coming in the day of the wedding.” Tom said, smiling.  Chris’ brother was also an actor, and had an equally demanding schedule.  Tom and Leam were sharing Best Man duties.       “Wow! Tom! That is so sweet.” Lucia clasped her hands together, beaming at Tom.       “I figured it would be a bit of a rather tame bachelor and bachelorette party.” He raised an eyebrow at Chris, who laughed loudly.  There had been a lot of discussion in earlier months between Lucia and Chris about what an acceptable activity for the bachelor party would be.  Emie smiled, looking from her sister to Tom.         “Tom, that’s really fantastic. Thanks, mate.” Chris stood up, walked around the table and pulled Tom into a hug.  Emie reached across the table, squeezing Lucia’s hand.         “That’s going to be so fun.” Emie looked up at Tom as he sat down.  He was smiling that big, bright grin that sometimes made him look years younger.  She had to admit, she’d gotten rather used to that smile. It was infectious.       “We leave early tomorrow morning and will be back the next evening.  We can do some snorkeling and swimming.” Tom sat down, and threw his arm casually over the back of Emie’s chair.  She felt her arm brush up against her bare back, and she tried not to react.  Tried not to focus on it.       “I have the perfect bikini to wear.” Lucia exclaimed, making Chris laugh and Emie roll her eyes.         “Lucia!!” A voice rang out across the restaurant.  Emie looked up, raising an eyebrow.  They all looked in the direction of the voice.  The surprisingly loud and shrill noise came from a rather small woman.  She walked over to the table, her arms out.       “Vicky!” Lucia stood up, taking the woman in her arms.  Chris stood as well, giving her a quick hug next.  Emie didn’t recognize the woman, though she did look vaguely familiar.  That was the thing about most of Chris and Lucia’s friends.  They all looked vaguely familiar.  Mostly because there was a good chance she had seen them before in a movie.  This woman was young, maybe a bit younger than Emie.  She had sleek, long dark hair and a very petite frame.  She was balanced on ridiculously high heels, and was wearing a body hugging dress made out of what looked to Emie like some kind of plastic.  Possibly saran wrap.       “Oh baby girl, you look amazing!” Vicky said, her voice still loud even though they were standing right next to each other now.  Chris sat back down, but Lucia continued to stand, grasping her friend in her arms.  Chris looked at Emie, raising a quick eyebrow and giving her a slight shrug.  She hid a smile.  Most of Lucia’s friends were great, but there were always the few questionable ones.  Perhaps Victoria fell into that category.       “Thank you, Vicky.” Lucia crooned.  She let go of the smaller woman, and turned to the table. “Do you guys know Victoria York?” She asked, looking from Tom to Emie.  They both shook their heads.       “Afraid not.” Tom said quietly, glancing at Emie and winking at her.       “Oh, oh!” Victoria gasped over Lucia’s shoulder.  “You must be Tom.” She leaned forward, holding out a perfectly manicured hand.  Tom laughed, shaking her hand.  Emie held back from smacking him on the arm.  Did he always have to be so genial and accommodating?       “Yes, I’m Tom.” He said, standing up to give Victoria’s hand a proper shake.         “I’m a big fan of your work.  And you’re incredibly sexy.” Victoria said, still holding Tom’s hand.         “Wow, just put that right out there.” Emie mumbled under her breath.  Chris glanced at her, his eyes wide and slightly horrified at Victoria’s behavior. He mouthed the word ‘Crazy’ to Emie which made her nearly burst into laughter.       “Um, wow, thank you.” Tom said, laughing it off.         “Vicky played my little sister in a movie we did together two years ago.” Lucia offered.       “Which is strange considering you look nothing alike.” Tom grinned.  He then turned and looked right at Emie, who was still making faces at Chris.  She straightened quickly, and gave Tom a big, fake smile.  “Victoria, have you met Lucia’s actual little sister, Emeline?” Tom introduced them.  Emie mustered all her good will, forced a smile and held out a hand.       “We haven’t met.” She said quickly.  Victoria smiled at her, shook her hand and then turned right back to Tom.       “Tom, I would love to pick your brain. You are a fascinating actor.” Victoria said, putting a hand on his arm.  If Tom noticed how insanely obvious she was being about hitting on him, he made no indication of it.       “Well, thank you.” He said graciously.       “Will you be here all week?” She asked.  Emie shifted uncomfortably.       “Yes, well, I’ll be here two weeks but it’s going to be quite a crush.” He said quietly.  Emie breathed out, then took her drink and drained it.        “OH, well I’ll be here for a week.  I’m sure we could find some time to meet up.  The nights are long here.” Victoria said, her intention obvious.  Emie’s jaw nearly dropped.  She had no idea people were so openly ridiculous.  Tom coughed and then chuckled.  She didn’t want to hear his response.  She leaned forward, waiting for it.       “Emie.” Chris said quietly, so only she could hear him.  She looked up, and leaned toward him.       “You sure our conversation earlier wasn’t about anyone in particular?” He was obviously baiting her, a mischievous look in his eyes though his voice low.  She scowled at him.         “I’m going back to my room.  I’m really tired.” She blurted out, rather loudly as she stood up.  Everyone at the table stopped their conversations and look at her.  She straightened up, brushing imaginary crumbs from her dress and grabbing her clutch purse.       “Are you alright?” Lucia asked, concerned.       “I’m fine.  It’s been a great dinner, really.  Great food, great company.  I’m soooooo tired.” She said, over exaggerating her words, and suddenly feeling like an ass.  She pushed back on her chair, bumping into the table and causing everything to shake momentarily.  The water glasses threatened to tip over and she groaned.  Chris steadied the table quickly, and merely gave her an eye.       “Oh my.” She heard someone, most likely Victoria cringing.       “Yes. Well.” She managed.  She wasn’t sure why she was getting so worked up over some woman flirting with Tom.        “OK, honey, get some rest then.  We’ll see you early tomorrow for the boat trip.” Lucia said carefully.  She walked around, giving her a quick hug.  Chris just squeezed her hand.  Emie fought to look Tom in the eye.  He was staring at her though, his gray blue eyes unyielding.       “I’ll walk you to your room.” He said carefully.       “No, no, no.  I’m fine.  It’s not far.  It’s right…somewhere over there.” She gestured randomly.  Tom frowned.       “Emie.  I’m walking you to your room.” He said firmly.  She raised her chin, about to fight back, but then just blinked.       “Have a good night, everyone.” She said swiftly, turning and walking away from the table.      

              They walked in silence for a few minutes.  Instead of taking the paths that she had taken over with Chris, Tom had steered her toward the beach.  She figured it was a short cut.  They chugged along through the sand which was cool beneath her feet.   It had been a nice walk over with Chris, but walking back with Tom, it was almost painful.  He was quiet, and so was she, both lost in their own thoughts.       The moon was nearly full, which lent a lot of light to the beach.  Emie glanced at Tom a few times, taking in the sight of his strong profile.  He had taken off his shoes and held them leisurely in his hand.  She had done the same.  They walked quietly for quite a few minutes.  The only sounds were of the lapping water, and slight breeze.       “Vicky seems really, really nice.” She said finally, not able to hold back the sarcasm in her voice.  Tom burst into laughter.       “You’re a trip, Emie.” He said, shaking his head.       “You should definitely let her pick…your…brain.” She nodded, then stopped and turned to Tom.       “Please.” He groaned, running a hand through his hair.       “She’s very pretty and obviously you two would have loads to talk about.”       “Emie.”       “You’re both actors, you both have…glossy hair.”       He burst out in laughter again. “Emeline, please.”       “She probably likes cookies and I know for a fact you like sweets.”        “Do you?” He asked, but then shook his head.  “You can stop.”        “She looks really flexible too.” Emie said without thinking, just shrugging her shoulders.  Tom groaned, frustrated.       “Emeline, for the love of…” He groaned.  She took a step back, but then he took a step forward.  A larger step forward, quickly closing the gap between them.  He placed his hands gently on her arms, his head tilted down toward hers.  “I don’t want to spend time with what’s her name.” His voice low but fierce.  “I don’t care if she likes biscuits or thinks I’m good at what I do.” He crouched slightly, so he was eye level with Emie, who immediately looked away. "What I care about is if you like biscuits.  If you think I'm good at what I do."       “I’m not any good at this, Tom.” She managed.       “Good at what?”       “Whatever this is.”       “We don’t need to label it, Emie.”       “Okay.” She nodded, finally finding his eyes.  Being around him made her feel jumpy and on edge, until she actually looked at him.  Once they connected, she felt more calm and relaxed and more herself than any other time.       “Tell me what you’re thinking.” He asked.  Tom was normally such an easy going and sweet man, but when he really wanted something, he knew how to ask for it.  She swallowed, hard.       “I don’t want to tell you what to do.” She bit her lip.  He raised an eyebrow, almost imperceptibly.  “But while we are…doing whatever this is…I would appreciate it if I were the only one you were…doing it with.” She said it and immediately knew it didn’t come out exactly as she had thought it in her head.  Tom smiled though, gracefully.       “You don’t even have to ask me, Em.  I’ve got tunnel vision.” He said simply.  She felt something inside of her melt.  Some wall, somewhere, crumble down.       “Okay.”        “Alright?”       “Yes.”       “Okay.  So let’s talk about the really important issues, then.  Do you really think my hair is glossy?” He grinned as Emie pushed him toward the water.