Italy Challenge - By Olivia

[Annie]

Italy Challenge
By Olivia

Please do not reproduce this without Olivia's permission.
Olivia sends her apologies, but she is taking an indefinite break from 'Italy Challenge'. She will send me what she has already written, and if she decides to continue the story in the future I will post the chapters. Until then, enjoy her other fan-fic 'In A New York Minute'

" I am not really fond of this story anymore as much as the NY [In A New York Minute] story, so I am not sure I will finish it. Its been two years in the making, and I am tired of it as well lost inspiration... Who knows, I might finish it way in the future but for now I think its a back burner story. Sorry about that, especially for the fans but I just can't do it anymore.


Hope everyone understands.
Thanks, Ollie [Olivia]"
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Chapter One: The Trip:
{a/n}: This is my very first Marat fic, that I was also writing for a friend so it is a self-insertion fic. Me (Olivia) and Kristin go to Italy on an art group tour. . .we challenge each other to do crazy stuff so the trip is more memorable. . .then end up running into Marat Safin, of course. . .as well as a special guest who first appears in this chapter. . .also, Marat speaks Italian in this fic, and he doesn't show up till next chapter, sorry. . .this fic is more serious than my other one, but still fun. . .

disclaimer: by now you, of course, realize that I don't own anything especially Marat. . .because if I did I wouldn't be writing about him but experiencing it all first hand with a NC-17 rating of course. . .and as always I have clarifications at the end of this chapter as well. .

We finally made it or at least almost had made it. It was too good to be true and I was a little worried my luck would run out and Brian would call any second saying to catch the first flight home. Or even worse this was a dream and once I had Kristin pinch me I would wake up in my bed thousands of miles from here. But so far all was good, except for the lines.

We stood in line to check our bags at LaGuardia Airport in New York on our way to a long tour of Italy. We decided to do it in March so we wouldn't have to face summer traffic and the gypsies who come out of hiding to rip off stupid Americans of all their prized possessions. Kristin was cursing me as we speak. I had evidently forgotten to check when the East Coast was having their Spring Break and every other college kid was at the airport trying to do the same thing we were; to leave their smothering lifestyle if only for a little while to catch some fresh air and get rejuvenated for whatever lie ahead. We of course wouldn't feel any of this fresh air till we were out of the country and in some foreign land of mystery.

"Can you believe we are actually here, Kristin?" I sigh as I comment about the utterly unbelievable situation, "I mean, not the airport, but actually on our way to a place out side of the country and Brian actually let you go?"

"Right at the moment I'm too cranky to care. . .besides you wouldn't believe what I had to pull just so he would let me go." I could tell she was tired and mostly because of all the flight changes we had to take just to get to New York and it was still over ten hours away. She was also cranky toward me because of the Spring Break thing we had to battle in the airport. I was a little cranky too but was trying to enjoy the situation even though LaGuardia was freaking me out it was so huge.

"Yeah, you never did tell me what the deal was. It must have been pretty big for this to happen. . .what did you do?"

"You don't want to know and if I rehashed it right now, I'd probably blow my fuse . . .so maybe later, ok?" She sighed. It was going to be a long plane ride.

"That's fine. . .I'm just glad we are here."

We stumbled through the line in silence for a while looking at all the weird people and hoping we didn't get mugged before we even got out of the country. I had to think of something fast to make this trip memorable and not like anything we'd ever do because I was sure it wouldn't happen again, plus we had the benefit of never seeing or speaking to these people ever again and could be anyone we wanted to be. That was my motivation for the idea yet to come. I began to wonder when we'd meet the rest of the people in our tour. Kristin thought it would probably be at the gate and I figured she was probably right. I hoped there wasn't to many hot looking guys distracting me because who knew if I could pull off the idea I had hatched. I began to think of a way to tell Kristin and get her to think it was good idea too and actually play along with me. So that's what I thought of while in line and decided to tell her on the plane.

Once we were passed all the extra security and were at the gate Kristin yelled at me for all my photography stuff I felt the need to carry on with me and slow us down further. I proceeded to give a lecture on how she knew I was doing this and how much it meant to me and all she did was roll her eyes. Man, I hope there was alcohol aboard; we both needed it to relax. We met up with our group leader and slowly others from our group began to join and we all introduced ourselves. There was no way I'd remember every ones name so I was hoping Kristin would help me.I just hope we wouldn't have to wear stupid name tags around like morons. Our group leader was nice. She was in her 30's, and reminded me of the ceramics artist that visited Mona (a/n: a museum) once but couldn't remember her name; long brunette hair, artsy type yet dressy too, and very laidback, which made me feel better already. She could speak three languages; English, French, and Italian (of course). Kristin and I brought along Italian tapes to listen too and hopefully grasp some of the language to get by.

As we boarded I was getting all nervous, flying does that for me. I guess if you don't fly much your not use to it and have to renew the fear over and over again. I wasn't sure but it seemed Kristin was too. She was all tense and not talking much. Someone bring on the daiquiris!!! The plane was a huge 747 and I had never been on one before so I was in awe. There wasn't any Spring Breakers so we had a lot of free room to move around. I guess they all went to some place warm and tropical instead of some place where spring was barely beginning. That was fine with us, more for us and none for them. It took longer than we thought to find our seats and we eventually had to ask. We also talked to some of our group members; well at least I did anyway. I don't think Kristin was in the mood plus she knows how she is around new people. Anyway, once we got our carry on stuff put away and sat down we both could breathe easier.

"Cool," Kristin said.

"What?" I lean over to see what she is looking at.

"You'll never believe what the in flight movie is going to be?" She laughed.

I smile, "What 'Fight Club'?"

She looked at me like I was a dork, "Do you think they'd show a violent film like that on a plane.it would freak people out doofus. . .although I wish they would," I heard someone snicker in the seat behind us and hoped they weren't listening in, "No, its Bridget Jones' Diary."

"Cool, You know I love that movie too" I sit back and try to relax as the plane heads down the runway.

Kristin laughs. "You will so believe anything I say won't you?"

"What are you talking about?" I look over at her.

She laughs at me, "Cuz the movie they are playing is Fight Club."

"You fartknocker," I playfully punch her, "I so believed you cuz of the violence in it. . .I'm sort of shocked but it will work better for my plans anyway." I grin mischievously and laugh like Dr. Evil.

"You are such a dork, what are you talking about?"

I laugh again, "You'll see later in the flight. . .I have a plan that will make this trip beyond monumental."

"Whatever," Kristin said, but I knew that it was bugging her to know what I was talking about. She grabbed a magazine, so did I and we waited for the plane to even out in the air and the movie to start.

After a bit I was tired of reading and started looking around at the people on the plane and just watching them. It seemed to be a fave pastime of mine. I heard some commotion down the aisle behind us and turn slightly around and looked over the seats to see what had happened. . .I'm so nosy. . .anyway, I happened to see the people in the row behind us and notice a cute looking guy reading a magazine. He looked so familiar, but I had to sit down in my sit and think about it for a few seconds, then I gasped out loud, squeezing my armrests.

"What now?" Kristin whispered in clenched teeth.

"I think I may be dreaming but It looked like Edward Norton is in the row behind us," I start mumbling, "No it can't be, why would he be in coach, although it could be but why and what and." I proceeded to continue mumbling incoherently till Kristin told me to shut up.

"I so don't believe you, you are just trying to get me back cuz of the movie thing, you fart."

"Oh really!!! Well you look behind us and tell me what you see if you think I'm just kidding."

"Well I just can't sit up and stare at the guy behind us. . .its rude and He'd look at me like I was crazy"

"Well, Just pretend that you have too stretch or go to the bathroom like you usually do." I laugh at my statement.

"Ha Ha, very funny. I'm not going so soon after we took off. . .so I'll just pretend I need something out of my bag in the overhead and get a good look."

We giggle like schoolgirls as we plan out how we are going to look at the guy behind us without looking suspicious. We were having fun even if it wasn't Ed, and if it was I have no idea what we would do except talk about him in whispered tones and giggle some more. So Kristin finally gets up the nerve to get in to her over head bag and take a look at Ed, and when she does I expect to be wrong and Kristin laugh her butt off at me till the end of time, but she doesn't. Her eyes got enormous; she got all nervous and headed back to her seat in a huff.

"Its him, oh my god, its him"

"Ha I told you", I say even though I'm as unconvinced as she is.

"What do we do, we have too talk to him or at least say hi, or I will be so mad at myself."

"We will, just give me time to think up something ok? Lets watch the movie and maybe it will give us some confidence." I suddenly realize that the person whose laugh I heard behind us was him and he had been listening to our conversation. I was so embarrassed. "We have to be quiet though or he could over hear us and think we are some crazed fan girls or something ok?"

"Ok, Your right, the movie will help give me confidence that's for sure."

The movie was beginning and we sit back with headphones on and try to relax even though we are extremely tense. I realize I need to make my move and let her in on my plan somewhere in the movie cuz the movie was a big influence on my plans and it would put her in a better mood to go along with my plans.not to mention the confidence booster the movie was to both of us. I had to speak up about ten minutes before the rules were spoken cuz I wanted to incorporate the rules into my plan too and have Kristin in on it. The planning and speech had to be just right or everything could go south. I asked the stewardess for two drinks and waited till Kristin had had at least two before I brought up the subject.

"Hey," I whisper, "I need to talk to you about something I've been thinking about, and I know that I'm interrupting the movie but we have seen it and can see it again, ok?"

I definitely had her attention now. She looked at me with intrigue.

"Well, what is it?"

I have come up with the perfect plan to make this trip the most memorable trip we have had or will ever take, that is if Brian will ever let us again if he hears anything that goes on on this trip," I pause for special effect, "I think we should challenge each other to do the most crazy things we would never normally do. Whatever we can think of and off the top of our head, as long as its not illegal and physical harm is not done. Just remember it's a huge world out there and we most likely will never see any of these people ever again so it really doesn't matter what other people see or think. . .most likely they will think that we are just crazy Americans or something. What do you think?"

"Sounds good except I'm not sure exactly what you mean."

"Well, like for example, Ed back there," I just hope he wasn't listening in, "One of us could challenge the other one to go talk to him, you know about F.C. or where he's going to in Italy, etc. We most probably will never see Ed again so why not try to have a conversation with him and get to know him. . .much more memorable than just saying you saw him and didn't talk to him. See what I mean?"

"Yah, well I challenge you first, and it is to go talk to him."

"You Fart, you are the one who likes him most"

I got upset because I think I said that a little to loud, worried he can hear, I put my finger to my lips and make silent 'shush' sound and point behind us.

"You were the one being loud, and besides this is your whole idea so why don't you get it started off," she laughs, "then I'll see if you really mean to stick to your word."

"Well, let me get up my nerve first ok, besides the movie part is coming up that we need to hear.the rules get spoken. We definitely need rules to follow for this or we will get upset and then not stick to it."

"Ok, lets listen to them."

We pause and watch the movie. Tyler aka Brad Pitt is relating the rules to the members and I hurriedly write them down so we can change them to benefit our challenge thing.

Rule 1: You Don't talk about Fight Club.

Rule 2: You Don't talk about Fight Club.

Rule 3: When someone says, "stop" or goes limp, the fight is over.

Rule 4: Only two guys to a fight.

Rule 5: One Fight at a time.

Rule 6: No Shirts or Shoes.

Rule 7: Fights go on as long as they have to.

Rule 8: If this is your first night to fight, you 'have' to fight.

"Ok, I think we can change the rules like this. . .

Rule 1 and 2: You Don't talk about the Challenge. To no one. This is our fun time together.

Rule 3: If Challenge gets too hard or painful, one may say 'stop' and it will end, but that person will still have to go next till they have completed a Challenge.

Rule 4: Only one person to a Challenge.

Rule 5: Said Challenge must be finished before another one begins.

Rule 6: Must wear shirt and shoes (hee hee, can be broken under special circumstances if you know what I mean.)

Rule 7: The Challenge goes on as long as it has to, to be finished.

Rule 8: This really doesn't apply unless we are taking new members and of course we are not because we will follow the first two rules, right?"

Kristin laughs, "Right!"

"Any amendments to the rules before we begin?"

"Those were awesome. . .I can't think of any at the moment, but can I add any along the way?"

"As long as we both agree to it."

"Sounds good. . .now to the first challenge. . .I believe you need to go talk to some hottie behind us."

"You Fart, I was so hoping you'd forgot," Kristin laughs at me, "fine, but lets wait till the movies over, ok?"

"No, as you've said we've seen it before. . .you should have enough courage by now, and besides what if he's asleep before the movie is over and we don't another chance. The plane is landing at three in the morning our time and eight in the morning Italian time so he's gonna be pretty cranky when we get there. It's now or never. Or should I say now or you have to do another challenge when we get there.

"Fine, fine. . .just let me think for a minute how I'm gonna approach him, ok?"

Kristin leans back pleased with the pain she is putting me through. I just gotta view it in a different light. I get the privilege of speaking to a movie star and she doesn't. Why did I have to be so shy.damnit, that was the point of the whole challenge thing.to get past the fears and realize I'd never see him again so no harm no fowl. That's when it hit me.I could ask a favor. If he was staying in Milan it would be even easier to accomplish, that is if he didn't think I was a complete weirdo and tell me to get lost. I decided to get up and go to the bathroom, having to pass Ed on the way there, with Kristin giving me the thumbs up on my way back there. . .as if that helped. . .fartknocker. I paced back and forth for two minutes and then headed back. Ed was flipping through a photography magazine when I stopped.

"Your Edward Norton aren't you?" Hoping he'd say yes so I could talk to him.

"Yeah, I am," he looks up at me and smiles, "what can I do you for?"

Good, he wasn't gonna be an asshole, thank you god.

"I'm a big fan. . .would you mind if I could sit and talk to you for a few minutes, I promise not to bug you any further."

"No problem, sit down, I was getting bored anyway, I've read this magazine twice now, but I'd rather talk to someone."

I lean in and whisper, "I am a big fan but really this is sort of a double dare thing so thanks for doing this, just don't let on ok?"

He leans in even closer and whispers also, "Ok. . .but I had an idea you were coming over anyway by your conversation in front of me." He chuckles then leans back.

"You were listening to us!! I'm so embarrassed, and for some odd reason feel the need to apologize, cuz I have no idea what kind of comments either of us had during the movie. We love the movie, but we love to analyze and tear it apart too."

"Don't apologize, quite entertaining, really." He said with a big smile on my face. I lean back, my face most likely red.

After a few moments of embarrassing silence, he asks my name, and that helped to start conversation again. We talked about the movie, what he thought about the philosophy of it, and other things. He was about to film a movie in Milan. It was an independent film, so with the limiting budget he took coach to save money. He told me a bit about the plot and who else was in the movie with him. I began to fidget some remembering what I wanted to ask him, but had the feeling it was crossing the boundaries of the small connection we had made so far. I could just see him screaming at me to get away from him calling me a 'psycho' and avoiding me for the rest of the trip. I decided it was better to try and be rejected than not to try at all. . .that was the whole point of the challenge too me, but he seemed to notice before I could say something.

"I would have thought you'd have gotten past the nervous thing by now, or is there something you want to ask and too afraid to. . .don't worry, I've heard it all, there is no way you could shock me, trust me. What is it?" he seemed genuinely interested or maybe just curious. If I were him, I'd be afraid, very afraid.

"I doubt very much you've heard this and if I were you I'd be very afraid", I fidget some more.

He turns his whole body toward me, "Now you have my complete attention, I have to know now."

I bite my lower lip, hesitate, then say, "Ok, you asked for it. . .you see my friend up there," He nods as I point, "well. . ." I proceed to whisper the rest in his ear hoping Kristin wouldn't hear.

After what I said he sat back with a look of shock on his face, "Your serious aren't you?" he looks at me, then laughs.

"I so would say no if I were you but I had to at least ask, I wouldn't feel bad if you told me too leave right now and leave you alone calling me a 'weirdo' but its part of the whole challenge thing you over heard up there.which I just broke the first 2 rules for even speaking of it." I laugh at my stupid joke and out of nervousness.

"I wouldn't do that. But your right you did warn me and no I haven't heard anything quite like that before." He paused. "Wow, I think I'll have to think about it, is that ok?"

"Of course. . .completely up to you. Let me give you our hotel and name so you can find us. I don't know the room number or phone number so you'll have to call the front desk."

"Ok." He said as if still in shock or deep thought, I couldn't tell which one. I gave him the info then said, "I better head back to Kristin, she's probably dieing to know what happened."

I head back to my seat realizing that I didn't even ask for an autograph or anything for proof I saw him. Crap. Hopefully I'd see him again, cuz there was no way I was bugging him again on this trip after what I just asked. I was probably a freak in his eyes for who all knows.

Kristin grabed me as I sit down in a daze and whispered, "What happened? You were there longer than I thought you'd be. What did you talk about?"

"You so missed out, Kristin. He was so hot and so sweet. You should be soooo jealous now, Ha Ha, I did it, now its your turn."

"Fine, fine, but what did you talk about?"

I explained our discussion about the movie and how he's gonna be in Milan for awhile and we might see him again there.

"Yeah, right. Milan is huge, Olivia. There's no way."

"You'd think, huh? But he gave me a few secret shooting places where we could go and watch. What do you think about that?"

"Damnit, you should have introduced us so I wouldn't feel like a complete idiot if we saw him again."

"Ha, you lost that chance when you dared me first on the challenge. We might be lucky and I'll be able to introduce you to him before we depart the airport. Ha, I like the sound of that. . .I'll introduce you to a movie star. . .me like, hee hee."

Kristin just gave me a dirty look and sat back in her chair, "Fartknocker."

"Hey, that's my word." I said a little too loud, then covered my mouth and laughed. Kristin shook her head at me and leaned back.

We both sighed then, realizing that we had several more hours of trip to go. The movie was almost over and people would soon be settling down to sleep for what few hours they could.

"I'm feeling too nervous to relax and sleep. I need to be distracted from what I just did. I'm so on a adrenaline rush we gotta talk about something else so I can get mind of it," I say all fidgety.

"You mean get your mind off HIM, don't you?", Kristin replied as if she's a tad bit jealous.

"Whatever, Miss Jealous, just help me or I'll drive both you and me crazy all night."

"Fine. . .did you notice that there is not one cute guy in our group. . .not one! What's with that?"

"It's the roby-gebhardt curse. They secretly are all watching us saying, 'Oh no, roby and gebhardt are gonna be there so lets take the next tour and wait for the silicone breastusses girls.' Hee hee, besides I'm not sure I want any American boys distracting me from the European men we are gonna be surrounded by, if you know what I mean. . .ok that's not helping. . .lets not talk about men period. . .which by the way will probably curse me with its presence while on this trip. I haven't had it in a while, and its probably waiting for me to have fun before it rears its ugly head. . .literally."

"Eeww!!. Lets not talk about that. . .please. Ok, ok, lets talk about our itinerary for the trip."

"Fine, but I get to hold the map this time."

"Baby."

"Yeah, but you love me."

We talked for about a half hour about the trip and what we'd see or hope to see. We planed to be in Milan 4 days, Venice 2 days, Rome 4 days, and then head back to America via Rome international airport. Kristin began to wonder when we'd fit in time for the challenge-a-day plan. I explained that we'd have to separate from the group every now and then to accomplish it. Besides that was half the fun, taking off and being on our own. I decided we needed to brush up on our Italian more so we should listen to the tapes the rest of the way and during our sleep, that way it would get imbedded into the subconscious. Who knows if that would help but it was worth a try.

I turn to Kristin to try to test her knowledge, "Hey, Kristin, 'Ciao, io mi chiamo Olivia'."

She grinned and gave me a look as if to say 'yeah right you can catch me off guard', "Buona Sera, Olivia, io sono Kristin." We laugh.

"Yeah, well, introductions will only get us so far, we need more help I'm afraid."

We settled back in our seats, listening to our tapes and finally falling asleep. We awoke a few times from turbulence, which kept me awake for a while but had no affect on Kristin. I thought 'How can she sleep when we might hurl to our deaths in the middle of a huge ocean?' Maybe she was more afraid of the jet lag we'd have to get over if we didn't get any sleep.so with that in mind I tried to concentrate on anything but my impending death.such as the cutie behind me. I smiled as I drifted off to sleep imagining that that was probably what Kristin was thinking of right at this moment also.

Clarifications:
Roby-gebhardt=if you hadn't figured that out that is our last names. . .
Brian=Kristins husband.
Ciao, io mi chiamo=from what I remem it means hello my name is…
Io sono=I am

[Annie]

Chapter Two: The Club:

{a/n}: Yay Marat finally makes his grand appearance in chappie two. FYI Ed Norton is stayin in this story for the long haul if you didn't know. If you cant deal with it I am sorry as this fic was originally meant to be for two pairs of eyes only…I just thought it was so fun I wanted to share it…hope u are all enjoying it…I have several more chappies ready its just when I will get them to Ruth…but story is not finished. If after ppl have read all the chappies I put up and want t give any advice I am open to it. Just contact Ruth.

disclaimer: I do not own Marat, Ed, Kristin, etc. All places I talk about in story are real places in Milan. I have never been there so I am adding the ambiance where I see fit.


The next thing we both heard was the intercom come on and wake the passengers saying we were about to land at Milan Malpensa Airport and that we needed to buckle ourselves in. I stretched, and then yawned feeling like it was the worse night of my sleeping life. It felt like a quick trip yet a torturous long one at the same time. I glanced over at Kristin to see if she was stirring at all and she wasn't. Apparently trying to ignore the sounds off people waking up and catch a few more minutes of sleep, but I nudged her anyway. She groaned and told me to leave her alone.
"Kristin, we are here and its 8am in the morning, so your not gonna see your inner eyelids for at least 10 more hours, we have stuff to do ya-know!!" Making a reference to our challenge thing to refresh her memory. "You can sleep when we get back to the States." I decide to check my breath on my hand and about pass out. Good thing I brought breath mints because I doubt I could get up and brush my teeth now that we were about to land.
"Girl, You better give me a nap later or I'm gonna bite someone's head off. You'd think they'd give us a chance to recover from jet lag."
"They give you most of the first day too, but if we really gave enough time to recover, the trip would be over, girl…besides we need to explore and make the best of our free time away from the group." Hoping she'd get the second clue while still in her semi-sleepy state.
She grinned and understood, "Got 'cha there Liverpuss," then whispered close to my face, "I so forgot about you-know-who back there, you don't think he heard me do you?"
I cover my nose, "Dude, If he did he has already passed out from your breath, man." I hand her a breath mint and she pops it in her mouth.
"I can't help it, we didn't exactly have a chance to brush our teeth on this tin can now did we?" I just laugh as we looked out the window at the beautiful landscape as the plane lowered itself onto the runway.
"Hey, wait a minute, where is Milan at?"
"The airport, for some odd reason, is 30 miles away from the city so we won't get to see it from above. I think we are traveling by rail to get the city because its cheaper than taxi…something like 67 Euro or something…which sounded a bit much for me…the rail sounded much cheaper at 8 Euro.
Kristin laughed at me, "You are such a dork…hey, do you think you could introduce me to him before we depart his beautiful presence?? Please!"
"I barely know him myself, Kristin, besides, it all depends on his mood and if he acts like he's met me before or I'm just a crazed fan to ignore." I said thinking back to when I asked him for the very odd favor. I wouldn't be surprised that after that he would avoid me like the plague. I always had to be like this and give people weird first impressions of me. I was hoping he was weird like me and felt a connection instead of a stalker sensation from me.
The plane was now at the gate and people were getting all their possessions together so they could be first to get out of there, as if that was possible in coach. Some people were standing and in a hurry. We were told by our group leader to not rush getting out and to meet in the airport by our gate for everyone then head to baggage together. I stood up to stretch and see what Mr. Norton was up to and if he'd address me. I was in luck.
"Morning Olivia"
"Morning, I wasn't sure you'd say hello after the conversation we had last night." I smile sheepishly. He laughed at me, while Kristin gave me an odd look for that statement.
"Why would I let a silly thing like that keep me from talking to you…although I couldn't get it off my mind last night," he paused, smiled, then realized he shouldn't be talking about it in front of Kristin. "Are you gonna introduce me or just stand there and gawk at me." I came out of my stunned silence of disbelief that we were talking about the secret right in front of Kristin. She would give me the third degree later and I wasn't sure what I was gonna say either. Thanks a lot Ed.
"Oh, yeah, sorry…Ed this is my friend Kristin…Kristin this is Ed."
They began to talk about everything under the sun…the plane trip and trip itineraries for both, while I just listened and let them talk. I had to come up with an idea of what to tell Kristin about what Ed had said to me but was clueless. Great, just great. She was gonna know something was up and I wasn't even sure something was up because of his lack of commitment to the idea. Which was completely understandable of course. I turned my attention back to the couple and as we filled out of the plane they were still gabbing like old friends and I must say even flirting a bit too. Ed had that twinkle in his eye and that gorgeous smirk in his smile that made ya just want to kiss him. I was feeling pretty confident that if this meeting between the two went well that he might seriously consider my proposition. I left the plane with a smile on my face and crude in my eye.
We made it to the entrance, said our goodbyes to Ed, who promptly invited us again to the set to see him, and waited for the rest of our group. I was glad we had had Ed to talk to so it distracted me from the foreign, busy place of the airport. It wasn't as big as St. Louis airport but it was a mad house and scary nonetheless. Once our group got situated and had our bags we headed to the railway to enter the city. On the 30-mile trip into town, our group leader explained some things to us and warned us again to be careful of our bags and to stay together as a group. After she got done with her speech, Kristin addressed me in harsh whispered tones about Edward's comment to me on the plane and what did he and I mean by weird conversation. I was leaving out bits and pieces and she was mad. I acted like I didn't know what she was talking about because if I went any further I'd probably give myself away.
We finally arrive at the Central Station and walked 2 blocks to the Hotel Principe di Savoia. It was stunning and also beautifully situated around all the main art attractions downtown. There were 9 floors and the main floor and lobby had vaulted ceilings showing rich colors of golds, reds, and browns. It felt like a palace and we felt for sure we were in the wrong place, but soon to find out we weren't. For some reason the brochure plan was for this hotel. I was very impressed and so was everyone else in the group. As our group leader, Georgia, prepared our info with the concierge, we wandered around the lobby staring at the spiffiness of it all :. As Kristin and I wandered around, I happen to uncharacteristically bump into someone while walking backwards and was thinking I needed to take pics of this place because they would never believe me back home instead of watching where I was going. The man and I grabbed each other before we both toppled over and I immediately started apologizing in English not realizing at first he wouldn't understand me. I looked at him as he replied in perfect English and recognized him immediately as Juan Carlos Ferrero, the tennis player, and one hot looking guy.
"No problem, I should've been watching where I was going too," he said in a beautiful Spanish accent as he headed toward to the lobby door with tennis bags in hand.
"Who was that yummy Popsicle you were molesting, Olivia?" Kristin said as she came over from the antique dish set she was admiring in a nearby cabinet.
"He's a famous tennis player…and I'm not sure what he is doing here except maybe there is a tennis tourney going on and I don't know about it…oh my goodness, I have to find out…and if there is we have to get tickets to go…wouldn't it be even more awesome if Safin or Roddick were here…I think I'd faint…promise we will go if it is true…PLEASE???" I begged almost falling on my knees.
"Fine, fine, but if we get attacked while going alone to this thing I'm blaming you and the challenge is off." Kristin mumbled upsettingly as she headed back to the front desk.
"Deal." I knew she hated tennis but maybe I could spare one of my challenges for her and make her go and enjoy it at the same time or she'd have to do two challenges. An evil grin spread on my face, then dropped. My evil plans never work out I thought as I trudged behind her to join the group and head to our rooms.
Well we finally found out why we happened to be in one of the best hotels in Milan…they had economy rooms especially for student tourists. I guess they don't like losing money to hostels or something. They were small suites and two rooms had to share a bathroom in the middle. The rooms were ok with Kristin and me; we would only need a place to crash after busy day of touring the city. Kristin and I made sure we could share rooms and at least we got our own beds so we didn't have to share that thank goodness. The minute we got in Kristin claimed the bed closest to the bathroom, which was fine with me because I like the bed farthest away from the door anyway. I dropped all my stuff on the bed and immediately searched for a magazine showing the events of the month hoping they would show that there really was a tennis tourney going on and Juan wasn't here for just a vacation or something. I searched and searched and finally found it. It was the Milan Indoors tournament, but was written all in Italian so I had to grab my English-Italian book to translate. While I was doing that Kristin called Brian to say all was well, gave him the room number and then conked out on the bed. Georgia had told us on the rail to the city that the first day was part recovery and part group day. We were to rest then go out to eat as a group, and then as a finale there was a huge marble fountain in the Piazza that would be lit up at night and was apparently a big tourist attraction. I thought it was romantic and was lamenting not having a special someone to cuddle with; there was no way Kristin would let me cuddle with her. It would only solidify the curiosity they already had about our relationship (hee-hee).
The booklet never said if Safin would be at the tourney but I bet he would be considering he usually comes every year. I called Georgia on the phone and asked if it would be all right if Kristin and I checked it out tomorrow and maybe watch a match. She said that was fine because the day would only be a half-day and the rest was free time to relax or explore the city. I went and practically jumped on Kristin to tell her the news…lets just say she wasn't too happy about it but I knew once she had some sleep she'd feel better about being dragged to a sporting event she hated watching.
After our wonderful but short-lived naps, and dinner we headed to the Piazza to view the fountain. I of course kept looking at all the hot guys and drooling while Kristin rolled her eyes at me saying I just needed to get laid and that would solve all my cravings. If she only knew. :. We stayed awhile at the fountain and then we were free to walk the few blocks back to hotel or venture off, but were given another warning about being careful and to go in twos. I lean into whisper to Kristin.
"Good thing we are going in twos, huh Kristin?" I grin mischievously.
"What are you talking about…we are going back to the hotel so I can get some beauty rest, I'm still freakin' tired here." She said as she wandered toward the hotel with me trailing behind.
"HA! I challenge you. It's your turn and you are now at my whim." I laugh like Dr. Evil or at least make a bad attempt to. Kristin turns around, faces me, and looks like she could kill me; but I just laugh.
"Just what do you have planned for me egghead." Boy, did she look cranky. A few beers should clear that up, I thought.
"As you know I like to investigate a city before I venture into it and I found this cool looking club on the Internet called Tunnel. It's under Central Station in an old warehouse, and plays Indie and other kinds of music and people can dance."
"So what's the challenge in that?"
"You have to go to this club with me, get majorly hammered and dance with me on the dance floor unless guys come along to ask us, then I may free you…and not specifically in that order either."
Kristin agreed, as if she could say no with our challenge pact, so we ventured down the street toward the club.
"Dude, its not like I'm not scared too but if we get hammered enough it won't matter…besides, that's the whole point of the challenge…I want to face my club fears and you need to face your fears about looking like a doofus in public. "
"I'm not afraid of looking like a doofus in public."
"Sure you aren't." I said with as much sarcasm as I could muster.
We walked to the club in silence except to make some comments every now and then on the scenery. It felt like I was heading to Judgment Day or something. I was beginning to think it was more of a challenge for me than for Kristin…which it probably was.
Tunnel took up three stories and was quite large. The music could be heard before we even reached the door. It sounded way to techno and I was beginning to regret my decision if this is what kind of music they played. I hated European techno music, and I was pretty sure Kristin didn't like it either but wasn't sure. We stayed on the first floor because the other floors had cover charges for each. I guess something's never change no matter what country you're in.
"I hope I don't grow deaf in this place," I say.
"You are already half way there so I wouldn't worry about it." Kristin laughs at me.
"Hey!!!" I yell and give her a dirty look.
We walk inside. It was so dark inside; everything was black with posters and artwork on the walls. Its neat how they made the modern touches look so cool in the old warehouse, yet not ruin the ambiance of the old atmosphere. The wooden floors looked old, worn, and were also black. The dance floor in the center was full of vibrating people and they had a disco ball going above. I thought that it was sort-of tacky but they might think it was cool for all I knew.
We headed to the bar. As Kristin was under my whim I made her take two shots with me before she could have beer. I wanted to get us both drunk fast and beer takes to long in my book. Kristin wasn't happy about the shots but did it anyway. We had Kamikaze's to drink so it didn't taste as bad as say tequila would.
"Olivia, I realize this is a challenge and all but I don't want to stay up too late and then have a hangover in the morning."
"Yeah, well it will be more memorable tomorrow if we have a hangover. We might not enjoy the day or remember any art we see but we will always remember it as one of the worse days of our lives and that's what I intend."
"What…to make me miserable??"
"Ahh, but misery loves company remember. You'll have me being miserable with you so its not like I'm trying to just torture you."
Kristin shook her head at my stupidity, but couldn't do a thing under the pact, so I was grinning to the bank.
"We are gonna have fun and get drunk…I promise you though that we won't stay out too long. I think I'm gonna get tired of dancing pretty quickly if they kept playing crap like that."
We order more drinks before heading out to the floor. I was hoping we'd run into more people who knew English. I was already a bit tired of stumbling over my Italian and it would get only worse as we drank more. It was so dark in the club that if I dropped anything on the floor I doubt I would find it, so I stuffed my money in my bra which got me a ghastly look from Kristin but oh well.
"Dude, no one could've seen me, its too dark in here, and besides people are too engrossed in themselves to even notice me."
"I bet you they are looking more than you think they are."
I just shrug, and we then decide to head to the dance floor being tired of yelling in each other's ears just so we could communicate in the overly deafening club. We were both hoping we had enough alcohol in our system to be able to let loose without feeling self-conscious. Once out there we realize it was pretty difficult to dance without bumping into each other and the people around us because it was so packed. After being jostled around for a bit, it finally hit my funny bone how hilarious we must look jerking around instead of dancing and I began to laugh my head off. I couldn't explain it to Kristin I was laughing so hard so I left the floor with her in tow. Kristin followed not sure what the hell was going on. As I gasped for breathe and told her how funny we must look out there she didn't find it funny.
"What do you need another beer in your system to finally be able to find stupid things utterly hilarious??" I'm crying by now in my laughter. Kristin begins to laugh but I believe it's more at me than at my story. We get some more drinks at the bar and then head back to the floor. We make these rounds at least two times and still no potential partners in sight. It was beginning to drag me down and probably Kristin even more. Just when no hope was in site and I was almost proposing we make a night of it, a knight in shining armor came dancing over to me with a big smile on his face. I smile back in grateful relief that for one, we have a potential partner now and two, that he seemed really happy to see us.
Ed screamed in my ear, "Fancy meeting you here."
"I should say the same about you considering your stationed clear on the other side of town."
"Well, the club's reputation precedes itself so I had to try it out." He then leans in to whisper in my ear, "Actually I'm stalking the two of you. I followed you from the fountain hoping that you'd stop somewhere and I could talk to you."
I grin hoping he was talking about what I thought he was talking about, "And what could that possibly be?"
"I think you know," He says with a smile, "I think tonight should be the night, don't you think?" I scream and wrap my arms around his neck thanking him.
"By the way, how did you know we were at the fountain?"
"I happen to be there with the movie's producer to see if the fountain would be a good site for a scene in the movie."
"Just happened, huh?" He only grins. With a permanent smile on my face I turn and notice that Kristin has become aware of Ed's presence.
"You want to dance with him don't you," It was more of a statement than a question and Kristin nodded eagerly. I proposed it to Ed and he gladly took Kristin up on her offer. I went back to the bar with my permanent smile and just enjoyed watching them together. They were dancing quite a bit slower and closer than the music, that was being played, permitted, which made me smile even more. It was all going as planned.
I was so engrossed in the couple that I barely noticed the man coming up to me to ask me to dance. I agree, on a new high, and keep my eyes on Kristin, not noticing my own luck in finding a partner. The man was beautiful and very tall, almost too tall for me, and I couldn't see his facial features as he was leading me to the floor. This should be interesting, I thought. As we face each other and begin to dance all I could think was he was super tall and I was getting way too drunk to be gazing up at the stars to get a glimpse of him. As we turned around I kept my eyes on Kristin most of time and for once in my life really enjoying myself and being in the moment. I laughed at their intimacy and cuteness, which I think got the attention of my partner.

[Annie]

"You've been staring at that couple for awhile now…that your friend or something?" Busted…He knew all along, and I was trying to be such a good dancing partner…well, not really…I was too drunk to do that I think. He had a distinct and sexy accent, that was definitely not Italian, but I couldn't place it much to my dismay, for I thought I was particularly good at placing accents.
"Yeah, her birthday is coming up and that's her present in her arms and she has no idea." My partner looked confused but smiled anyway. I looked up at him to see his reaction and recognized who he was instantly. (Yeah, I know I have the same theme in all my stories Kristin, but hey, its my story so you have to put up with the sappiness of it all : ) Anywho, on with the story…. It was Marat Safin, the man who I planned to watch at the tennis tourney later. I stopped dancing midstream and proceeded to gawk up at the man in front of me. He realized I knew who he was, laughed at me, then proceeded to escort me off the dance floor to the bar. I walked in a daze in front of him thinking I was in a dream. He ordered us drinks and led the way to a table to talk. As we sat down all I could do was stare at him. He was Adonis in the flesh and I was mesmerized. His hair was longer than usual and that's the way I liked it…all curly and wavy...that made you want to put your hands through it. He usually cuts it short every few months for tennis play, which I hated but understood. And I had never seen him dressed in anything but his tennis clothes but he was now sharply dressed in black pants and button down cotton burgundy shirt. He looks good in that color. Very yummy.
He chuckled at my star-struckness and introduced himself, as if he needed to. I shook myself out of my stunned silence and introduced myself and my friend Kristin, who I checked on visually when I said her name to see if she had figured out that I had left. She hadn't and was at the moment glued to Ed's eyes. I sighed in jealously at their instant connection and also wondering if this was such a great idea to begin with. The bartender drew my attention back to the table when he brought our drinks. Marat had been looking at me the whole time when I was staring at Kristin. I blushed and apologized that I had wondered off…I seemed to be doing that a lot tonight.
"What did you order for me?"
"You didn't look much like a beer drinker so I ordered you a screwdriver. Hope its ok?"
"Anything's better than beer…I can't believe its you…just a few hours ago I was planning on buying tickets to watch you play tomorrow and here you are."
"You mean today, don't you?"
"What?"
"It's almost 2am." He takes a long swig of some European beer.
"How can you party and drink then do several hours of play," I say in awe.
"I limit my drinks, I'm in top physical shape and I'm on a different body clock than the sun and moon…especially when one travels across time zones all the time."
Makes sense, "Oh," is all I said then down my drink. I looked at him after that and he appeared amused for some reason, while all I was, was confused, tipsy, and wobbly. I suddenly felt the need to go out to the dance floor again. Not sure why because I'd most likely make an ass of myself, but had the feeling I wanted to show off my booty a.k.a. Marat to Kristin. Marat had to practically drag me out there because I'm so out of it, but he concedes after seeing my stubborn persistence. Kristin is too busy to notice till I bump purposely into her really hard.
"Oi doofus watch where your going…Oh Hi what do we have here…you have a partner, Liverpuss." She started off mad then had a smile on her face at the end of her sentence.
"Kristin, 'Oi is my saying…what's with you stealing my crap again," then I go into a whisper, "and I told you never to call me Liverpuss in public…it sounds so lesby and I thought we wanted people to think we are hetero."
"Chill buggeroo, unfortunately we hang out too much and your stupid sayings are contagious…they are already in my vocabulary from you saying them every stinking day…so its not like I can help it."
Ohhhhh, my temp was rising and the alcohol wasn't helping, "My sayings aren't stupid they are individualistic and I like them." I was ready to attack and Marat stopped me, as did Ed who got between us.
"Alright girls, I think its time for bed. You both have drunken way too much," Ed said, although Marat was probably thinking the same thing.
"Oh, and you haven't?" I snorted, already in a cranky mood.
"Ok and that right there is why we need to make a night of it, Olivia."
"Yes father", I say in a more playful tone.
He in return playfully gave me the finger. We all decided to leave and go back to our respective hotels sharing one taxi. We find out Ed is in a hotel across town near the set and Marat is in the same hotel we are, as are all the other tennis players in the tourney. I smiled thinking how fortunate I was and Kristin wasn't, then I remembered the plan and my smile grew. Marat asked what was up with my mischievous look while we waited for the taxi. I pulled him over to the side of the building while Kristin and Ed are all over each other again.
"You remember how I said that Ed was her Birthday present and she has no idea?" I waited till he nodded and then continued in whispers as we leaned into each other. I was very cognizant of the proximity of our bodies and it increased the dizziness I was feeling from the alcohol. I was trying so hard to keep a schoolgirl giggle from escaping but became too hard especially with the subject matter we were discussing. I felt so naughty about the plan I had made behind Kristin's back and enjoying every minute of it.
"You are so wicked, Olivia. I can't believe you'd have the guts to ask Ed in the first place…killer idea."
I almost spilt the beans, saying it was due to the challenge we made up but was amazingly able to keep my mouth shut in the face of drunkenness. I simply decided to bow and say "thank you, thank you." I seemed to be having problems already with obeying the rules…but who knew what Kristin was doing and saying about it.
The taxi arrived and all four of us piled into the back somehow. There were two sides to the taxi; a seat facing the driver and one facing the back window attached to the drivers seat, sort of like a small limo but a taxi. Anyway, we sat down and Ed and Kristin immediately started where they left off in sucking face. I began to get uncomfortable, started to squirm and tried to clear my throat to get their attention but it failed. I rolled my eyes.
"Why don't they get a room; its driving me batty."
"They will be in a few minutes now won't they?" he said trying to calm me down and get my mind off the awkwardness. I grinned mischievously.
"I so can't wait to see her face. This is gonna be killer."
We paused for a few minutes. I sighed wondering how the next part was gonna happen without to much being given away to Kristin, because she already suspected something is up. I didn't have too much time to consider it as the taxi swerved and I landed sprawled across Marat on the seat, with his back to the cushions. I was too embarrassed to notice how it affected the other couple but apparently Kristin was able to spare time and come up for air to yell at the cab driver. The driver apologized but evidently some stupid drunks had darted in front of him and he had to swerve to miss them. I mentally cursed the drunks and thanked them at the same time. I was too embarrassed to meet Marat's eyes and when I apologized and tried to get leverage to move off him he grabbed my arms. I promptly landed on top of him again with a thump as we expelled air. It was a much harsher landing than before and I looked at his face in surprise.
"Sorry that hurt…I just didn't want you leave just yet." Before I could respond he came forward and claimed my lips. It took me a few seconds to decide on how I would react, but I tried my best to react with what little knowledge I had in kissing. I melted into him and it didn't hurt that I was drunk and willing. Actually I probably would be freaking out if it weren't for that fact. I tuned out Kristin's love making session and enjoyed the taste of the man I had been dreaming about for years. Was it just me or did he seem very experienced and that my inexperience seemed inconsequential because of him? I've got to learn to stop with the mental paranoia and just enjoy it.
The moment was short lived however as the taxi had stopped and we hadn't taken notice till the cabbie cleared his throat. We apologized but he didn't seem to mind, he probably saw it all the time. As we carefully climbed out of the taxi, we paired up again going into the hotel. Ed and Kristin were walking in front of us when all of a sudden Ed turned around real fast to wink at me. He was going to do it tonight like we had talked about in the club. I tried my best to wink back before he turned back around. As we reach the inner lobby Ed came over to us and said he wanted to talk to Marat for a second. I was a bit curious but I was going to let Ed handle it. I walked over to Kristin and waited.
"I wonder what they are up to?" Kristin asked.
"I don't know but its probably fun," my grin wouldn't stop growing and I'm sure she was suspicious.
"So did you enjoy Marat's kiss?" It was her turn to smile.
My mouth fell wide open, "How could you possibly notice us while playing kissy face with Ed?"
"Because, for a few brief moments during your kiss, we stopped to watch." Now she was laughing…my mouth still open.
"You Farts," was all I managed to say.
"Hey, you two have been getting a free show all night with Ed and I so it was only fair."
"I can't help it that you guys don't get a room…besides you guys were so cute."
"Oh and you weren't?"
"No way was I cute…more like trying to keep up with him…I must have looked horrific…so glad that wasn't being filmed to torture me with for the rest of my life."
Ed made his way back to us and I went and snuggled with Marat after exchanging huge smiles with Ed. Marat began at once to explain to me what Ed had in plan as we walked to the check-in desk. After Ed asked the clerk for a room next or near to room #706, he explained to Kristin he wanted to spend some more time with her before we head to bed and he doesn't want to wake our suitemates. Kristin had no problem with it but did express some curiosity about the importance of the room number. Ed said that that was Marat's room and he wanted every one together just incase we all had to crash or something. Kristin replied with an affirmative head movement but still looked confused and Ed couldn't help but laugh.
On the way to the rooms we talked about getting some more drinks for the evening but how there should be alcohol in the mini-bar so we didn't have to order any. As we exit the elevator we realize how loud we are being and try to cover our mouths but end up bursting out laughing at our stupidity and continue stumbling to Ed's room. I'm surprised we even found it but once inside Ed immediately went to the mini-bar and found glasses to pour it into. While he is busy with that Marat fell back on the bed as if he was ready to conk out. I sat next to him with my hand on his knee.
"I think its time we let Kristin in on our little secret, don't you Ed?" I smiled to Ed's back as he was rummaging in the fridge.
He turned and said, "I'm leaving that all up to you," before he turned back to the fridge laughing.
"Thanks a lot"
"Hey, what's going on?" Kristin couldn't keep quiet any longer.
Ed replied, "Hey, this was your idea remember…I'm just the instrument." He laughed at his own joke without even turning away from the mini-bar. Marat joined in too at the implication Ed made, and I playfully hit him to say he's not helping. What was taking him so long to grab something…probably trying to stay out of the way till I explained things.
"Ok, Kristin you do realize it your birthday coming up and when I ran into Ed I came up with the perfect gift for you, that is if Ed would comply to the request I made to him on the plane…that's why I thought he wouldn't talk to me again and we had that weird conversation that you didn't understand."
"You guys have been planning something since the plane?" I think she was getting a little upset or maybe embarrassed. Good thing she was drunk.
"Well, not really planning it…I had to wait and see if Ed would want to agree to it and he told me at the bar tonight that he was up for it."
"Ok, up for what?" Now she was nervous. I loved it and then she had to go and shock me. She leaned into me on the bed and whispered sort of loudly in my ear.
"Is it the threesome that I've always wanted to do?" She giggled and I gasped. Marat laughs and sits bolt up on the bed.
"I so heard you." He plopped back on the bed laughing hysterically. Ed who was finally pouring drinks, wants to know what the secret is.
"Olivia has a present for my birthday and its what I've always wanted too."
Ed cocked his brow, "You have?" He's wondering what I told her, if I told her at all yet and why she responded the way she did.
I jumped in and tried to clear everything up, "No Kristin, not that…Ed and I talked on the plane about him stripping for you and then whatever leads from there is up to you two…so this will be private of course and not in front of us so we are gonna head out." I turned to help the laughter-drunken Marat off the bed with out him taking both of us down. Kristin began to pout, boy, did she have too much to drink…I wasn't sure Ed should be giving her anymore.
"I want my threesome, damit." Ed looked in surprise to Kristin and then to me as he finally figured it out and was quite shocked himself. "Give me Marat too just for a few hours then you can have him back. I want Ed and Marat." I couldn't believe she had the balls to ask for my guy, I was glad she was drunk because I'd be getting really upset by now. Marat defensively went behind me to block Kristin's hands that were reaching out to grab him. Ed just stood there in shock, while I backed away to the bathroom door that lead to Marat's room, with Marat behind me.
"No, Kristin, you can't have him, He needs to go to bed…he has a match to play in a few hours and needs rest." There went the pouty lip again. Marat's laughter kicked up a notch when Kristin had said she wanted him too, and he kept saying "No way, no way". Ed gave us a sneaky 'leave-this-to-me' look and taking the hint, I pulled Marat to the bathroom door. "I'm leaving this up to you guys to handle…we are leaving." And I then addressed Marat, "Let's leave before the show starts."
"Bye-bye…have fun." He grinned and followed me to his room. The moment we shut the bathroom door, we heard excited screaming from Kristin. Ed had obviously found a way of distracting her!
Once in Marat's room, I turned on one lamp because it is completely dark. I was so drunk and tired that I wanted to pass out but now felt awkward alone with him. Marat collapsed on the bed like he did in Ed's room. Poor baby, it will be completely my fault if he loses this match today.
"I should go back to my room, and let you get some sleep…you have a match in a few hours."
He sighed, "I do need sleep but there is no way you're leaving me alone with those nutcases next door-they're already banging against the wall. Besides you need to be here to protect me just in case she asks for a foursome." I laughed at his comment, noticed how the wall was shaking a bit. "There's enough room for both of us." He stretched out his left arm inviting me, so I went and cuddled up next to him.
"Don't think I'm rude if I fall asleep," he mumbled, and was asleep before he finished the sentence with me close behind.

[Annie]

Chapter 3

{a/n}: Chappie Three is where things get heated between Olivia and Marat.



disclaimer: I doth not own Marat, Ed, Kristin, etc. All places I talk about in story are real places in Milan. I have never been there so I am adding the ambiance where I see fit.





Chapter Three: The Tennis Match With An Encore Finale:







An alarm woke me up. I groggily turned to find it and smashed it before it made my head explode. It took me a few moments to find the off button and I then pulled myself up into a sitting position, grabbing my head in pain. I forgot to take the ibuprofen and two large glasses of water before bed like Kristin always tells me to take and I was suffering now because of it. Hopefully Marat will have some…by the way, where was he? He must be at practice because I don't think he'd let me sleep through his match today, which is probably why the alarm was set. I turn to look at the bed…it was a mess, then I glanced at his pillow doing a double take. There was a note, envelope, and a single rose on it. 'Ahhh' I thought, 'how sweet.' I wondered how he got the flower but realized there were tons of bouquets around the hotel he could have taken it from, but it was still a sweet gesture. I smelled the rose then read the note:



Love,



Wish I could wake up in bed with you next to me

but duty calls. I set the alarm so you wouldn't

oversleep and miss my match. Look in the

envelope-there are 3 tickets to my match for you,

Kristin, and Ed… I need you guys in my corner cheering

me on when I play at 3pm. Can't wait to see you.



Ciao, Marat.



I screamed in excitement then stopped and held my head. As I walked to the bathroom I noticed that I was only wearing one of Marat's practice shirts and nothing else. How the hell did that happen? Oh well, no time for that and I dropped it because it hurt my head to try to remember. I entered the bathroom hearing the shower going and just hoped it was Kristin.

She screamed, "Who the hell is in here with me?"

"Just me."

"You scared the hell out of me, Liverpuss. Don't do that…by the way, how was your night?"

I could tell by the tone in her voice she thought I got laid and wanted details, "I'll tell ya later, guess what?"

"What?"

"Marat gave us three tickets to watch him play today at 3pm, so we have to hurry so we can make it in time. I know we both have hangovers and jetlag but this is a chance of a lifetime to get invitations to sit in his entourage area and cheer him on."

She screamed and I followed, then we both groaned together because of the vibrating pain in our heads.

"We must stop that…how was you night?" I said, not sure if I wanted any details, and wondered if she could remember any at all.

She laughed, "Unbelievable, Angelo left after the first hour-wuss-he couldn't keep up with us," she laughs, "anyway, Ed is still in there asleep, he was amazing, we went for a few hours, slept, then went at it again-Boy am I sore. You wouldn't believe all the positions we tried."

"Please don't tell me. I'm just glad you guys had fun, but if your late getting ready for Marat's match I'll kill you-I'm gonna go wake up Ed."

"Good Luck…oh and hey, Olivia…thanks for the present."

I smiled, "No prob," I said as I ventured into the next room. Ed was sprawled out across a very messy bed, half on and half off the bed, lying on his stomach with only a sheet covering his lower half-thank god. I smiled at that picture and thought 'man, is he hot but…not as hot as Marat is.' I sat down on the bed next to him, hand on his back and whispered, "Ed?'

He mumbled, "Back for more?" as he turned over, grabbed me, rolled me over on the bed and kissed the heck out of me. Two seconds into the kiss he stopped, looked me in the face, and released me quickly.

"Wow," is all I said, as I plopped down backward on the bed.

"Sorry about that…thought you were Kristin."

We were now lying on the bed side by side.

"I gathered that and I also gathered that you had fun all night long…or should I say morning?"

He turned to me and smiled, "You have to ask?"

I smiled back at him, "No, stupid question…sorry."

"By the way, thanks for the idea on the plane…its been great hanging out with you guys, and if you hadn't suggested it, I wouldn't have had the most interesting night of my life."

"No problem…" I couldn't keep a straight face anymore and burst out laughing imagining what Kristin put him through.

He merely rubbed the sleepiness off his face, ignoring me and smoothed his hair down. I sighed and suddenly jumped up; patted his stomach, and said, "Get dressed," while I headed to the bathroom door.

"Why should I when I can stay in bed all day getting some much needed rest and basking in the glory of last night."

"That good huh?" I paused and he nodded with a smile, "Sorry bud, Marat gave us tickets to watch him play today and we need to be there to support him."

"Alright, but I need a long nap later, I have to return to the set tomorrow sharp and I need some sleep," he said as he began to pull the sheet off and get up. I turned and went into the bathroom before the free show started.

"Kristin, we need to contact Georgia, though I'm sure she has already gone to the museum we were suppose to visit today but at least we can leave a message. I hope she wasn't too worried. It is mid-day and we haven't been in our rooms or anything…she probably thinks we are dead…poor woman, I feel bad."

"Go call her and get out of here so I can get out and get dressed doofus."

"Fine, fine," and I went to leave a message for Georgia and then get dressed in my club clothes from last night. I started to think about how I ended up in one of Marat's practice shirts because we fell asleep immediately. It had to have happened later in the night but I didn't remember anything. Maybe Marat would clue me in. Which reminded me, I had to see if he had any ibuprofen, so I went searching for it.

After we went back to our rooms, and everyone was dressed in fresh clothes, we took a cab to the IOL stadium where Marat was playing. On the way over I explained what had happened with Marat and that we didn't sleep together. I could tell her mind was a churning and that scared me. The tourney Marat was in was just beginning so he was still in the round of 16, and playing Xavier Malisse today. It should be an easy match but the farknocker has been beaten by Malisse before so who knew with Safin, especially after last night's excursion. His inconsistency really drove me crazy sometimes but I could never give up on my baby. If I was to survive as a fan of his I would have to accept his philosophy about playing and wait till he cared about tennis on the same level as his fans did otherwise I'd continually be frustrated and eventually give up.

The players were coming onto the court as we got settled in our seats. His coach seemed very friendly and was glad Marat had some support while here in Milan. The crowd roared when they saw them come out and before Marat reached his seat he gave us a smile. I was all antsy till they began to warm up on the court. Kristin decided to lay the bomb on me at this moment.

"Olivia, I've decided what your next challenge is gonna be."

I turned to see a goofy grin on her face, "Oh yeah, and what would that be?" I was a little bit afraid…and pretty much knew what she would say but hoping she'd be nice and give me a somewhat easy one after I gave her an easy one. I was sorely disappointed…of course.

"You must sleep with Marat…let me rephrase that…you have to have sex with him. You slept with him last night but as you said there wasn't any hanky-panky and that's what I want."

I groaned, "I knew that's what you would say…you are always thinking of sex when it comes to me…let me rephrase that…you want me to have sex to fix all my men probs…I didn't mean that you thought of sex every time you thought of me…anyway, I can't believe you'd give me such a hard one after I gave you an easy with the club thing…not fair," I begin to pout yet at the same time imagine having sex with the man practicing in front of me. Very tempting but I'd have to get him drunk off his ass before he'd even think about it. Kristin watched me scrutinize Safin as a potential partner.

"You know you want him…so quit complaining and jump his bones."

"Easier Spiffed than done. I have to plan it or it will go down hill."

"Nice use of Spiffy…and no you don't need to plan it, just let it happen or it will screw up…but I definitely request that their be alcohol present but more for you than for him…he seems very willing, its you that needs to loosen up and put the sex grooves on him so he will know that you want him…guys need the confidence boost or they sit in a corner all clueless."

"He seems pretty confident to me, he knows the effect he has on women and I'm pretty sure he knows what he does to me…its just that I like the guy to make the first move…maybe because I'm too afraid of rejection."

"So are they…we just need to give them a couple strong hints and boom they are all over you."

"Which reminds me…you seemed to be very much a Safin fan last night when you were trying to pull him out of my arms so you could have a threesome."

"You're just trying to change the subject on me, aren't you?"

"Yes, because its not as if I wasn't nervous enough for his match but you added tons with your challenge and I feel like throwing up so now the heat is on you for 2 seconds, Ok?"

"Fair enough I guess, I am a bit embarrassed about it but I'm sure he didn't mind with me being drunk out of my mind so I'm sure we will have no probs conversing like two adults next time we speak…I'm convinced he'll tease me a lot but I can handle it and maybe lay a little his way too."

The match went in Safin's favor yet there was times that he scared me and thought he'd break serve but he fought like crazy. Poor guy, I hoped he wasn't feeling too bad after last night…I guess I'd find out later. After a few interviews and while he was in the shower, we waited in his car with his coach at the door where he would eventually emerge. I thought we'd just meet at the hotel but his coach said that Marat wanted us to wait for him. So we did.

Well, evidently Marat had to take longer than expected so Ed and Kristin decided to take a cab back to hotel and sleep for a good twelve hours in his room. They were too tired to celebrate with Marat and would try to make it up to him tomorrow. So I waited alone, or should I say with his coach in his car. I became nervous again. His coach was with me but I knew he wouldn't be for long, and it would just be Marat and I.

When he finally did come out it was just him and his tennis bag. I expected a huge entourage behind him or media trying to take pictures but there wasn't any. It was nice that they gave the players space and personal time. He was so beautiful. He was staring at the ground most of the way to the car but once he looked up, met my eyes, a huge smile broke over his face and I couldn't help but join him. He had me under his spell and I wondered if he knew it or not. When he got in I profusely thanked him for the note, flower, and tickets. He seemed to blush and shrug it off as if he wasn't use to people thanking him.

On the ride to the motel, everyone was silent…but it was a good silence and just enjoying his victory in our own minds. I began to remember the question I was going to ask Marat about the t-shirt thing last night. I was really curious yet was way to shy to ask. I guess I had to challenge myself…, which was the whole point of the trip for me, and I wasn't going to back down now.

"By the way, Marat…I have a question…how did it happen that I was wearing your t-shirt last night when I went to bed in my club clothes." I asked all innocently. Oh my goodness, he was blushing like he got caught in the candy jar. What exactly did happen? I never thought Marat would be the type of guy to blush at all so it made my head spin about what could have happened.

"Actually, it was odd…you woke up in the middle of the night and started stripping saying you were hot and couldn't sleep with all those clothes on anymore…so I gave you one of my shirts to wear, but actually I'm not sure that it mattered to you because you headed toward me on the bed before I even suggested it." He chuckled. And it was now my turn to blush.

"I had no idea, I couldn't remember, and was a bit curious about it."

"You really don't remember?" He said through a smile and paused before he continued, "You thought I had taken advantage of you, did you?" His laughing grew, as my blush deepened. Shouldn't he be mad instead of laughing? Not that I was thinking that at all…okay, well…at the very back recesses of my brain I might have but doubted it.

"Well…I hadn't presumed anything really…" I sort of trailed off not knowing what to say.

Marat took my hand and held it in his lap, I looked at his face in surprise but he was looking out the window so I couldn't read it. Probably still laughing at me but it felt nice anyway. I completely missed the coach's look in the rear view mirror at us…he was smiling. Marat seemed really weary yet I had a feeling he would want to celebrate and I'm hoping it will be the way I think it will be so I can fulfill my challenge. For two seconds I wanted to kill Kristin for this but then realized that if it did happen, that it would be one of the biggest memories of the trip for me…yeah, it could be good and it could be bad. I sighed deeply, and Marat turned to me questioning. I smiled to reassure him.

"Just thinking about events of the past few days and something's that Kristin has been telling me." Yeah, like the challenge tonight.

"What has she told you?" Crap, I had to say that…now I gotta come up with some thing good so he'll believe it was worth that big sigh. Crap…Crap…Crap.

At that moment the ringing of Marat's cell phone saved me. He pulled it out of his pocket, telling me its probably one of his family members calling to congratulate him, and then answered it. Thank goodness for his family because I still couldn't come up with anything plausible off the top of my head and was hoping after this call that he would forget it. What I didn't know was that it was Kristin on his line and the conversation goes like this…remembering that I can only hear Safin's end:

"Hello?"

"Marat, its Kristin…"

"How did you…"

"Ssshhh…don't let Olivia know its me...I'm your mom, okay?"

"Oh hi, mom how are you?"

"I'll tell you how I got the number later but yeah, don't let Olivia know I'm talking to you, I have to talk to you about something."

"Yeah, mom I understand."

"Good…okay, the reason I called…by the way, is Olivia acting a bit strange at all…cause I bet she is."

"Yeah, I guess…a little bit…if you want to call it that, but I thought the match went well," adding the last bit for my benefit.

"I'm about to enlighten you…she is very interested in you man and is hoping to get intimate later if you know what I mean…she's just not good about giving the right cues so I thought I'd help her out and in the end help you out…wink wink," He laughed, "just don't lead her on and play games because she has no idea how to play them and it would only succeed in confusing her…be forward and blunt but in a passionate physical way…get my drift."

"Yeah, Mom, I heard you loud and clear…I need to call you more and will work on it okay?"

"Ok…and lastly have fun…and she likes chocolate covered strawberries too…that should help set the mood…by the way, I wanted to talk to you about the whole three-some thing last night and how I propositioned you and everything…" I actually think she was flustered, while all Marat could do was laugh.

"Just for get about it…almost like it never happened."

"That's exactly what I was hoping you'd say…I completely agree…talk to you two love birds tomorrow."

"Thanks Mom for all your help…you're the best…talk to you tomorrow."

"Yeah, I know I am." Marat laughed at her.

He hung up then and smiled at me. He seemed to have a good relationship with his mom…that's always a good sign on how men relate to women…how he is with his mom. Boy, was it my turn to be clueless. If I only knew it was Kristin I seriously would want to attack her about now, but I didn't.

We took our time getting back to the hotel. I could tell he wanted to wind down after the match and I hoped that it included me in his plans. Once we reached his room he told me that he was going to order some room service for us. While he did that, I used the restroom. When I came out he was preparing drinks for us. This felt so odd…like we are reading each others minds or were on the same page and knew how its all gonna end or at least I hope ended.

"So what did you order for us to eat?"

"It's a surprise," he smiled as he rubbed his neck for the second time.

"Okay," I finally noticed the neck thing and felt I could be of assistance as well as having an excuse to touch him, "you know I do a killer back rub if you'd like one?" Please say yes!!

He seemed taken back for a few seconds as if he hadn't expected me to make a move or something, "That sounds great," he said as he took off his shirt, placed his drink on the bedside table then laid on the bed with his feet on the pillows. I stood grounded in my spot drooling over the show he was giving me, and getting nervous at the same time. He meanwhile was getting all comfortable…I hoped he didn't get to the point of falling asleep, that would be too embarrassing. I decided to get comfortable myself and without telling him what I was about to do, I grabbed lotion from Bath and Body and straddled his lower back and butt. If I could've moaned out loud I would have but it was a really loud inner one instead…he would have thought I was a weirdo making that noise just by sitting on him.

I began to massage the lotion into his upper back and neck and he began to relax more and more, with an occasional groan or exclamation saying how good it felt. I had no idea what power I had in my hands but it was working. I thought about all the women on the Internet who fawned over his butt and great bod and here I was straddling it. They would never believe it now. I'm in disbelief myself. I was in a daze trying to memorize every portion of his back and enjoying the feel of his skin, so that when the door was knocked upon I shot up sky ward also making Marat jump.

"That must be the food," he said as I moved off him onto the bed so he was free to get the door. The waiter brought in a tray on a rolled cart into the room. I gasped thinking 'what has he done…this was too much…he must think something is going to happen." It helped clear that thought away, that I had to seduce him some how with the non-existent skills I possessed, and now just be nervous about the actual task. Oh why did I have to think of it as a task and not as one of the greatest opportunities in my whole life? Actually I was thinking it as both things but more the former than the latter.

The waiter left with a huge tip and Marat proceeded to show me what he had ordered. Chocolate-covered strawberries and whipped cream with champagne!! Oh, he was so planning this all along, I thought, and I wasn't sure how to react. Happy because he wanted me? or upset because he was presuming?…of course, I was in his room for the second night in a row now and I was massaging him half naked. Why did I have to over-analyze everything…okay, that was it…I was so shutting my brain down…or at least try to and then try to enjoy just being with him.

I stayed on the bed while he brought the tray to the bedside table. He poured us both a glass of champagne, gave me a glass and we cheered his win today over Malisse. It was an important win for him because it was actually his first win over him in a long time and he had begun to worry that Malisse had gotten to his head and would never conquer him. I was shocked and he noticed.

"You don't have to look that shocked." He laughed. I closed my mouth.

"Well this is a big celebration then, isn't it?" I downed my drink and he chuckled again at my uneasiness. He reached for a strawberry and proceeded to feed me. I took a huge bite looking at his eyes the whole time. I realized that I had gotten chocolate all over my mouth and was about to wipe it away when he stopped me. He kissed me and as he was doing so he licked the chocolate off my face. I was so gone that I didn't notice him take our glasses and set them on the table. My hands immediately went in his hair pulling him closer. He leaned me back against the pillows and then reached for the lamp to turn it off.

[Annie]

Chapter Four: Just Us Girls:

A/n: All the names of restaurants etc in this chappie are real places in Milan, but I improvised on what the ambiance might be like. The plot and title of Ed's movie is false as I made it up.

Disclaimer: Don't own a thing except myself.

I finally realized the experience of waking up in a man's arms. I thought for sure he'd be gone to practice but maybe I was awake earlier this time than last…wasn't sure of the time because I couldn't see the clock. I so wasn't going to move to find out and then ruin this moment. He was lying on his stomach cuddled next to me with an arm over my belly, and still sleeping. I watched him sleep and reminisced about the night's events with a smile on my face. At first it was awkward more for me than for him. He so knew what he was doing and what to do for me; I wasn't sure what to do but just enjoy it the first time. I then opened my mouth after that and said I wanted to do more, but that he'd have to show me what he liked. He, of course, had no problems with that and we even tried a few things that…well let's just say, sent us into hysterics of laughter. That was the best and remembering it again I almost laughed, having to put a hand over my mouth. To be honest I almost felt like a man when I woke up and wanted to hightail it before he woke, but how would I face him later if I could at all. It wasn't like I did this everyday and knew what the etiquette was in these situations. Did he secretly want me too leave and like most men didn't verbalize it? Oh crap I hate this. Well the awkwardness that is…not the man, never him even if he didn't want me here now with him.
He began to slowly wake up. He was pulling me tighter to him and stretching his body out over the bed. Sometime in the middle of the night I had put one of his shirts on so I wouldn't be completely naked when he woke up. I was still too self-conscious for that.
I continued to watch him and practically jumped out of the bed when I felt his teeth graze my arm. He bit me!! Not hard but still!! I pulled my arm back, having a shocked look on my face, while he laughed. I began to chuckle too putting my arm back down…he sure knew how to break the ice even before he was completely awake…what a pro. Not sure if that idea upset me or relieved me. That's the other thing though that I noticed about him throughout the night-how experienced he seemed, and how he knew a woman's body inside and out. I'd love to know his body inside and out, and last night was just a beginner's lesson.
He snuggled next to me for a few more minutes then suddenly jumped up in the bed also causing me to jump.
"Oh shit, what time is it? I forgot to set the alarm," he got up and hurriedly got dressed while I lay back, getting a free show.
"How come you forgot?" I smiled at him.
He turned to look at me and smiled, "You know why…you completely distracted me."
"Am I a bad distraction?" I pretended to be hurt showing a bit of lower lip.
"No, you're the best kind," he leaned over the bed to kiss me then finished packing his practice bag. "But I can't stay anymore Love, I'm late for practice…stay as long as you like…see you later," he said as he blew me a final kiss before heading out the door.
A big sigh escaped. Well at least I had those few morning moments. Not sure how I should have felt though. He did say 'see you later' so that was a good sign I'd see him again but maybe he was just saying it to be nice. 'Shut up, Olivia'. I'm so paranoid sometimes. I decided to get up, while staying in Marat's shirt, and visit my twin in paranoia, Kristin. As I walked through the bathroom I put my nose to his shirt enjoying his scent-(No, he hadn't sweated in it yet. I had been sleeping next to him in the shirt-remember?) Anyway, I tried the door to Ed's room and it was unlocked, probably due to the number of times that Kristin has to use the bathroom through the night.
I peeked around the corner to make sure everyone was covered and only saw Kristin in bed. At first I was worried and then remembered he had to be at the set for rehearsals early morning. With a sigh of relief and smile on my face I tiptoed in the room.
"Kristin?" I whispered, "Wake up." Only mumbling and tossing was what came from her sleeping form. "Kristin, we have to join the group today…I'd like to see some art on this trip, you know." I sat on the bed next to her. "We are going to the Contemporary Museum where they have a huge Futurist collection and you know I love the Futurists so get your butt up. You had to have had enough sleep after going to bed right after the match yesterday." She turned over…progress…but at what price?
"You'd be surprised."
"What does that mean?"
"We slept, yeah, then we woke up and were restless if you know what I mean."
I rolled my eyes, "Jeez, I can't believe how much you guys are all over each other. I'm jealous and disgusted at the same time."
"Which reminds me…did you fulfill your challenge last night?"
"Yes, I fulfilled it." She jumped up then and sat Indian style in front of me.
"I want to know details man."
"No way, I don't ask about your dirty deeds and I don't expect to be asked for details either for my dirty deeds."
"That's not the same…this is your first time and I've been around the block a time or two. Was he good? Did you enjoy it?…come on and spiff up."
"Hey, nice usage…it was amazing, he was so attentive, and very sexy; it was almost like he was reading my mind it was so weird. It was so great waking up this morning with him next to me…that was almost the best…but then he had to rush off for practice," I paused and smiled, "he forgot to set the alarm, very distracted apparently."
"I'm so glad it turned out so well…it helps that he is so experienced and I knew that's what you'd need."
"Oh, you know what I need do you?…you know, I'm still mad at you…you are so gonna get a hard one today, don't you."
She lowered her voice to sound like Butthead, "You said 'Hard One' dude…heh heh heh."
I tried to sound like Beavis, "Hey, Wiseass you know what I meant…heh heh heh."
"Okay, enough, go call Georgia and find out when and where. We might have to take a taxi to meet them there. You do that and I'll take a shower." She got up and got ready for her shower.
"Okay dude, but what is with this where I'm the one who has to constantly call Georgia…and you get out of it?"
"Cuz she likes you more and I'm sure she's cranky after ditching them yesterday."
"Fine, whatever." I left to Marat's room giving up the argument. As I dialed and talked to Georgia I could hear Kristin singing "Big Balls" by AC/DC in the shower. Georgia seemed a little short-tempered with me and probably mad because we skipped out on the official first day of group activities, but I didn't feel bad at all; it was our vacation. The group was leaving soon for the museum so we would have to meet up with them by taxi. The conversation was short and once I hung up I snorted for some reason. This challenge thing was a good influence on me…I think…giving me confidence and I didn't give a crap what Georgia felt at all.
As we headed to the contemporary museum in a taxi I reminded Kristin it was her turn again for a challenge, saying it would be a doozy because of the last one she made for me for me. She asked what it was going to be. I told her that I'm not sure yet but it will be a doozy. She just laughed at me in disbelief.
The contemporary museum was an old two-story mansion built in the 1600's yet the modern artwork functioned well to their surroundings. While I drooled over the Futurists collection, Kristin checked out the exhibition over some 1970's minimalist artist that was unknown to us. I was enjoying the artwork so much that I completely forgot to come up with ideas for Kristin's challenge till I was looking around in the gift shop. After I bought a ton of futurist postcards, I went to sit by the fountain in the courtyard so I would have time to think. Before the group began to assemble around me to meet for lunch I thought of a few ideas but none were big enough to equal mine. Maybe I was putting to much pressure on myself to come up with something great and should just relax…then the doozy would come to me.
After the group had all joined up together we went for a late lunch at Ditirambo, an artsy restaurant that was on the itinerary. I was really excited to see it. I checked it out on the Internet and it looked awesome. As we took a taxi there I described to Kristin what I learned about it.
The restaurant had mostly modern art on the walls, even a few sculptures and glass pieces hanging from the ceiling. What I didn't expect was how everything was black again inside-I guess it emphasized the art but I still commented about the weirdness of it all to Kristin. The atmosphere was formal but relaxed-very vibrate and animated with conversation. Candles were used to light tables and the only other lights were the ones on the artworks. The food was amazing. They had Italian, American, and German cuisines but of course we ate Italian. We got to know our group a bit better seeing as how we skipped out on them for most of the trip already. I tried to concentrate but it became harder. I was upset with myself I hadn't thought of a challenge. I was sure Kristin was happy about that. Plus I think she thought I couldn't come up with anything half as well as she had for me. She's probably right but I wouldn't give up. I was going for something very embarrassing-more public the better. After all, mine were embarrassing-not publicly-but that's where mine would top her's-maybe.
After lunch we walked back to the hotel for it was only a few blocks away. I was glad I had my camera handy to take shots on the walk back. Once back at the hotel we had a group meeting in the lobby. Georgia said we were free to do what we wanted this evening (she gave us a weird look) or we can stick with the itinerary and visit the Duomo after a brief rest in our rooms. When we got to our room, I dived on the bed and sighed deeply. I so wished I was with Marat right now. His match should be over soon and I hoped all went well. I hope things weren't gonna be weird next time I saw him. I shook my self out of my daydream and went back to the task at hand…what was I gonna challenge her with. I pressed my brain to the limits again and my brain began too wander off the topic. I was thinking that we hadn't spent much time in our room so far this trip, even to sleep. We have always been with the guys…I guess I can go one night without Marat…I have for most of my life so why should tonight be different. Some how I couldn't completely convince myself with that fact.
Kristin turned to me, "You have no idea what to do for the challenge, do you?"
"Not yet, but I will," not sounding very convincing at all.
"Sure you will," she replied sarcastically. She went to the bathroom while I was thinking I couldn't wait to wipe that smile off her face. I'm so nice aren't I? Then the phone rang and I went to pick it up.
"Hello?" I said wondering who it was and thinking it was probably Georgia.
"Hey, Olivia how are you doing," it was Ed.
"Hey Ed, doin' good except the challenge thing…how's the movie going?"
He laughed at my challenge comment, "Movie's good, that's why I'm calling actually. I'm filming a scene at the Duomo this after noon and thought you guys would like to come watch."
"If it involves watching you I'm so there…we are actually on our way there with our group in about an hour…we could split from the group and meet you somewhere." Kristin came out of the bathroom, laid on the bed and proceeded to read a book, not asking who I was speaking to; while Ed told me where to meet him at.
"Okay, it sounds good, we will meet you there, bye." I hung up and turned to Kristin, "That was Ed."
"Why didn't you let me talk to him?"
"He was in a hurry," I then relayed the whole conversation to her and she got excited. We still had about fifty minutes to wait and go with our group. We debated leaving early but decided to keep our somewhat silent truce between Georgia and us. So we waited. Kristin read while I tried to come up with challenge ideas. The wheel was beginning to whirl in my head-we would be going to a cathedral-a place where one could embarrass oneself very easily. My smile grew as ideas popped into my evil mind left and right. I would've made an evil chuckle out loud if I could've but knew Kristin would ask questions then. I wanted to keep her in the dark and still think I was having problems thinking, then spring it on her. The only problem now was which idea to pick…the most embarrassing one, of course.
It finally became time to leave and not soon enough for us. We walked to the Duomo because it was only a few blocks away. It was one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Our group got together on the steps and Georgia gave us two hours to look around-then we'd meet in the piazza of the cathedral. We all split up from there; Kristin and I practically ran to our meeting place with Ed. There was no way we'd be done in two hours after watching Ed work and seeing the cathedral. We'd have to let them leave without us, but we'd worry about that later. Right now we just couldn't wait to see Ed and watch a movie in action.
We were to meet at the entrance area to the offices of the church officials, not sure why. Kristin saw him before I did and went bounding after him; greeting him with a hug and kiss. He seemed genuinely happy to see us. He was wearing robes of a priest and strangely looked good in them. I wasn't about to let him get off the hook of hugging me too and I told him so. He conceded with a laugh. I wanted to melt into him pretending it was Marat. Not sure Kristin understood that because she gave me a silent signal saying that the hug was lasting too long. I let go of him reluctantly. Ed was smiling at me.
"So how was your evening with Marat last night?"
I blushed…why must I always do that!! "How did you know about that?"
"Kristin can't keep a secret when she's excited about something and there wasn't anyone around but me when it spilt out. Besides I overheard the challenge thing at the match yesterday and knew you wouldn't say 'no' to that opportunity…so?"
"It went well…" I paused and frowned, "I miss him." I was thinking 'I want him to be here with me and I'm jealous of you guys getting to be together today and we can't.' …but didn't say it out loud. Instead I said, "I feel like the third wheel and I hate it."
Ed laughed, put his arm around both of us leading us to the back offices. "We won't let that happen will we, K-Geb?" he winked at her but I couldn't see.
"Oh, now your sharing our nicknames with everyone…is anything sacred with you?" Pretending to be mad at her just for the sake of it. She ignored me because she knew I was teasing her.
As we walked back Ed explained his movie some more as well as the scene he was shooting today so we understood. The title was tentatively called "Conflict of Betrayal" and was based on a true story of a priest, Father Marco, who got involved with the mafia, which eventually lead to his death. It was set in the 1930's, a time of great political conflict within Italy. The story begins like this…the daughter of Don Salvatore had been visiting confession quite frequently and her father took notice of it. He eventually had her followed beyond the scope he usually did for protection. By this time, Father Marco had given into his desire for the woman. When word got back to the Don he was furious. He forbid his daughter to see him anymore and confined her to the house. The Don then addressed the priest and threatened him, saying he didn't believe in killing men of God and he would give him a way out if he chose it to be so. The Father accepted seeing no way out. The job was to relay a message to the opposing Mafia family, the Castellano's, with the hope that they would kill the Father for him, and also scoring points in their little war. Unfortunately for the Don, the Castellano's got wind of the scheme, let the priest go unscathed, hoping to win, and thus score points for their side. It angered the Don greatly. Soon after the job the priest was found hanging from the ceiling in his office. It was thought many years to be a suicide because it couldn't be proven otherwise, but lately new theories had surfaced. Did Father Marco kill himself for betraying God with the woman, and betraying the woman by doing a job for her father; or did the Don have him killed staging it as a suicide? Father Marco's death sent waves through the church and community at a time when faith was greatly needed. Only a few in the church knew of the mob connections. It actually was one of his fellow priests that wrote a book about it sometime after WWII. He feared to publish it seeing as how the Don was still living, so he published it in America first and later in Italy.
Kristin and I stood trans fixed by the powerful story he was expressing to us. We had already come to the set, but he had continued to talk to us waiting for them to call him.
"Jeez, Ed that sounds so depressing. Why did you pick the role to play?"
"I really liked the script and the character. It was the classic ordeal. A man, who just happened to be a priest, had one master in life, God; then temptation comes along. You know the saying 'a man can't have two masters'; look what he chose and look where it lead him-to his death. I really thought I could bring Father Marco to life, showing something that no one else could. It's an Italian movie, that's why the movie budget is so small. I'm actually surprised that the script even crossed my path but maybe it was meant to be," he looks at Kristin, "in more ways than one." They smiled at each other. I'm thinking 'gag me with a spoon.' One of the crew called him over just then while the two of them were making googily eyes at each other. 'Thank Zeus,' was all I could think.
The scene Ed was shooting consisted of Father Marco speaking to another priest. The priest was addressing Father Marco saying he was worried about his behavior lately. It was basically a foreshadowing scene for the events to come; making it an emotionally tense scene. It was exciting to watch Ed inaction and the emotion he played with. You could read every thought on his face.
After about an hour of this we decided to go out and look at the cathedral plus somehow let Georgia or one of our group know we would be staying awhile. After one of Ed's takes we signaled to him that we'd be going out. He ran over to us saying he wouldn't be too long, they were almost done with shooting for the day. He wanted to meet us later in the back part of the nave and we agreed to.
As we went out of the office area, I let Kristin know that her challenge was coming up in a few minutes. She looked surprised.
"You actually came up with one?"
"Yes, Smartass, I did and its embarrassing so I thought we should do it before lover boy gets here and spare you any additional embarrassment in front of him."
"Alright let me have it," she rolled her eyes and sighed. She probably thought mine wasn't gonna be up to par but I hoped it would be.
My smile grew, "Follow me into the nave." I walked into the main part of the church but stayed over to the left, walking straight to the confessionals. I peered inside making sure there wasn't a priest in one of them and then turned to Kristin.
"Okay, here it is. You remember the movie 'When Harry met Sally' right?"
"Yeah, so…wait a minute…your not thinking what I think…no way am I doing it, Olivia."
"Yep, yepper, yep. You have to. I want you to go into this empty confessional and pretend that your getting it on with someone in there. It doesn't have to echo throughout the whole church but I want it to venture at least a few pews each way from here. I want moaning and groaning for at least 20-30 seconds, okay?"
"You are such a toad," she was upset yet couldn't keep the smile off her face either. She took a deep breath and went inside the confessional. I went to the nearest pew and sat down with a huge smile on my face. That's when I heard it…the moaning…I almost burst out laughing and had to hold my mouth under my shirt the whole time.
"I think someone's getting lucky in the confessional," I nearly jumped out of my skin as Ed sat down next to on the pew. My mouth flew open, what the hell?
"What the hell…that was fast?" the moaning continued, Ed gave the confessional a look, laughed, then turned to me, "Yeah, all I had to do was basically disrobe and they were done with me." It had been about 20 seconds now and the groaning had stopped. People kept looking at the confessional but didn't do anything about it…hoping it was someone in earnest prayer. I kept staring at the confessional and Ed noticed. It was taking Kristin forever to come out after she was done.

[Annie]

"Are you horny or something?" Ed looked at me incredulously.
I blushed, "Yes, but that's beside the point," I paused and pointed to the opening door of the confessional, "That is the point however." I started laughing watching Kristin come toward us. The expressions going over both of their faces were priceless. Ed wondering if it was for real and Kristin wondering what the hell Ed was doing here.
"Ed, what are you doing here already?"
"Oh this turned out so much better than I thought," laughing my butt off while they were giving me dirty looks.
Ed got up and went over to the stunned Kristin, "I got done early, what was going on in there?" pointing to the confessional.
"It was the challenge for me…I had to go in there and do the fake orgasm thing from 'When Harry met Sally.' I was by myself, and it was only for a few seconds…trust me nothing happened…even by myself." Ed was beginning to chuckle.
"Maybe we should extend the challenge and make it the real thing," He raised his eyebrows to Kristin. I over heard and gasped.
"You wouldn't?"
"I believe we would," Kristin replied, "I'm done with my challenge and you know your way back to the hotel if you get bored…I think I want some quality Ed time."
I did the motion of gagging then said; "You guys can't leave me here alone…I hate being alone." What a whiner I was being.
"You'll be okay…go take some pictures and sketches on the roof of the nave…its open you know…probably have wonderful sunsets." Sounded good…I'd just be alone doing it, or at least I thought so. I had no idea what Kristin had up her sleeve. I was busy wondering if this was my punishment for the challenge I gave her. I sighed then watched them pile into the confessional to have a bit o' fun. This challenge thing was turning on me for some reason.
While I wandered around the nave I led myself slowly to the stairs that would take me to the roof. Meanwhile, Kristin in the confessional was making out with Ed as silently as possible trying to stop him and get his attention.
"Ed…hun…wait a sec…I need to do something."
"Yeah, me." He laughed at his own stupid joke.
"No, no…I mean yes…but what I really mean is do something for Olivia."
"Oh…" he stopped his advances, "What do you want to do?"
"Call Marat of course…where is that trusty cell phone of yours that we have used in our previous scheming." Ed smiled, finally catching on, and pulled his cell phone out, giving it to Kristin. Meanwhile, Kristin was searching her pockets for Marat's cell number. She finally found it after searching through her million and one pockets, and started dialing.
"Yeah," Marat answered, sounding tired and cranky.
"Is this the way you always answer the phone, love?"
"Who is this?"
"Kristin, of course, your co-conspirator."
"Oh hey, hi Kristin sorry about that…what exactly so you mean by co-conspirator? Do you have another plan involving Olivia or something? By the way, where are you guys…I went by your room and Ed's and no one is around.
"We are at the Duomo with our group and Ed was filming a scene for his movie here…how was the match today?"
"Good took me four sets but it was good…by the way, if you couldn't tell from what I just said, I won the match."
"Great, I'm happy for you, so will Olivia once you tell her."
"Isn't she there with you?"
"That's the thing…we split up from her, and she's alone at the moment unknowingly waiting for you on the roof of the nave. Ed and I went off on our own but I was hoping you could join her and make her feel not so alone anymore. What say you?"
"I'm at the hotel right now and can be there in less than ten minutes…just make sure she's still there." Marat was talking to her as he headed out the door.
"Oh, she will be, we won't leave the cathedral till you show up then we will head back to hotel." They both hung up as Marat headed down the elevator.
"What?…doing it in a confessional doesn't appeal to you?" Ed laughed. "Okay, lets get out and make sure that Olivia is actually where we said she would be." While Kristin waited for Marat, Ed went and took a peek at the roof to try and spot me, then headed back down. Right as Ed made it to the back of the nave and front entrance, Marat entered all out of breath.
"What, did you run here?" Kristin asked, a bit amused at his speedy arrival to be with me.
"Just about…where is she?" he said looking all around. Ed approached.
"She's up on the roof of the nave…the stairs are on the left front corner. Good luck." Ed said before they split up again, with Marat going further into the church, and Ed and Kristin heading back to the hotel. Ed had decided it would be best to keep his room next to Marat's till we left for Venice tomorrow.
Meanwhile I have been on the roof of the nave, looking out to the city all alone. Well not literally all alone, there were a few tourists and couples up to watch the sunset, which would come about in about an hour I thought. I took a few pictures and sketched some too. It reminded me of a lecture Dr. Boeckl gave once, saying that the light and air was different in Europe than in the States. She said it could be seen in artwork produced from both places. I always wanted to see if I noticed a difference in the light but when I tried, I really couldn't see any difference at all. Maybe that meant I wasn't a true artist or something. That thought didn't make me feel better at all so I tried to think of other things. Like that I was all alone in a very romantic place, and how ironic it all was. That wasn't helping either.
The lovebird couples kept catching my eye and were beginning to depress me a bit. I looked out over the city, wrapping my arms around myself, and breathed in the air. I began to use my imagination so I wouldn't be alone anymore. I closed my eyes for a few seconds visualizing Marat's arms enveloping me and whispering in my ear. Not sure if it was helping me or making things worse.
Suddenly I felt hands cover my eyes. It scared me for 2 seconds and I brought my hands up to them. My worry deflated when I heard a familiar voice.
"Guess who Love"
"Marat?" I pulled his hands from my eyes and turned around to embrace him, "you scared me."
"Sorry…I just wanted to surprise you…would you mind some company?"
"Are you kidding me? I'm so glad you are here. Actually I was just thinking about you…wait a tic…how did you know I was here?"
"Thinking of me, Huh?…oh, uh, Kristin called me on Ed's cell."
"That ratfink…I think I'll love her forever." Marat laughed. "How was your match?"
"Could have played it better but I won."
"I'm so happy for you, I wish I could have been there to watch. You must be so tired, I'm surprised you're not resting."
"Resting?…I don't know the meaning of the word-besides I couldn't pass up the chance to see you again today. I went by your room and Ed's after the match but no one was around so I'm glad Kristin called."
"Me too." He sat down on the deep bench pulling me with him to nestle against him in-between his legs facing the sunset.
"I don't think I've been up here before." He said as he looked around.
"Me neither." I laughed at my stupid joke, of course I hadn't been there before…I hadn't even been to Italy before.
We didn't talk for a while enjoying each other's presence. It was getting chiller as the sun set and I shivered uncontrollably.
"Cold?"
"Not too bad." He proceeded to wrap himself tighter around me anyway.
"I have tomorrow off…quarterfinals are the day after…thought I might spend tomorrow with you. What are your plans?"
"To be with you." He laughed.
"What about your group?"
"I think we are going to the Poldi Pezzoli Museum which has 14-18th c. art. Can't remember what after that."
"You know, we haven't had the chance to talk about that. Is this some art group you're with or something?"
"Yeah, sort of. Kristin and I are Art History majors and our lives are centered around art, so we wanted to go on a tour that focused on culture and art. Of course, we have been way to distracted so far and haven't been able to see much of it." I turned and smiled at him.
"Disappointed?"
"Not at all, in fact, it's turning out better than I could've planned."
After the sun set, we decided to walk back to the hotel and did so hand in hand. On the way back we came upon a pub named The Grey Cat Pub and Marat suddenly stopped.
"I've been wanting to try this place out for awhile now…besides a drink might help warm us…are you up for it?"
"Sure." He opened the door for me then led me in the pub from behind. We took a booth and waited for a waitress. The place was so beautiful, like an Irish pub with dark rich woods and old saloon styling. We talked about the place and the people at the bar. It reminded him of a place in Monte Carlo he liked to visit and almost bought for himself before he won the U.S. Open. He talked about the bar with a passion that I wasn't sure he had talked about in the same manner with tennis. It made me very curious but I didn't press it. Might be a sensitive issue at the moment.
The waitress finally came over, apologized for making us wait and took our order. I don't like beer and he knew that by now so he ordered a Vodka Collins for me and a beer for himself. Moments later a few fans approached him, recognizing him almost immediately, speaking rapid Italian with him. I sat back and watched him converse with his fans. He was great with them, taking pictures and signing everything from t-shirts to coasters. When they had left, he smiled at me and apologized.
"There's no need to. I'm glad you have fans here in Milan to support you…You know, your amazing with them and they love you for it." He seemed to blush. "Was that a blush, did I just see The Marat Safin blush?…thought I'd never see that ever. Hard to believe." I can't stop laughing.
"Okay, Stop teasing," he laughed with me. As the laughter subsided he took a long swig of his beer then said, "That so hits the spot…my back is so tense right now and it's helping to relax it."
You don't get a massage after your match's?," I paused and he nodded.
"Yeah, but it doesn't last all day like I'd like it to."
""Well, would you like another massage from me when we get back to the hotel?" Hoping he'd say yes and I could spend the evening with him again.
"Thought you'd never offer." Ha laughed like he'd got me or something.
"Why do I feel like I've been tricked or something?" I so didn't have too…he already had me and didn't know it.
"Because you have." He said still laughing. "You have no idea how awesome that rub down was the other night. I about wanted to kill the bell boy for interrupting…I have to have another."
"I believe I have weapons and don't realize it."
We finished our drinks and headed back to the hotel. As we stepped out of the noisy pub into the silence of the night I shivered. It had gotten colder and was almost completely dark. Marat wrapped his arm around me and we took our time walking back to the hotel. He kept finding ways to touch or caress me. It made me excited knowing that he wanted me. Right at that moment I would've given him anything he desired. Anything!
Once in the elevator alone, he made his move claiming my mouth so hard that I was forced against the wall. His hands roamed freely as I ran my hands through his hair pulling him closer. When we reached our floor and the doors opened I hardly noticed. I'm sure he would've taken me right then and there if I hadn't tried to point out the doors were open. He pulled me with him, still embraced in our kiss, out of the elevator and down the hallway. He tried to open his door with out interrupting our union but he failed to do so, got frustrated and had to stop kissing me so we could get in.
"We aren't gonna get to the massage are we?" I laughed, lips swollen from his forcefulness, as I walked in first. Marat shut the door, threw the key and came at me like I was his prey. It was so powerful, it scared me, and I backed up but was stopped by the bed. He reached me before I could move, taking my head in his hands and capturing my lips once again. Before I knew it I was half undressed and he was leaning me down on the bed.

[Annie]

A/n: All the names of restaurants etc in this chappie are real places in Milan, but I improvised on what the ambiance might be like. The plot and title of Ed’s movie is false as I made it up.

Disclaimer: Don’t own a thing except myself.




Chapter Five: Is Farewell Forever?:



Marat was the first to wake apparently and was trying to tease me awake as well. I was lying on my back with him on his side next to me. His hand, like butterfly wings, fluttered over my stomach. It felt like I was dreaming so I gave myself over to his hands, excitement building. As his hands worked their magic I slowly came out of my sleep gasping for breath, realizing that it was reality.
“No way mister…its my turn now.” I jumped up, pushed him on his back and straddled him. If he was shocked he recovered rather quickly. I cleaned out my eyes, which he laughed at, and then said, “It’s time for your massage.”
“Oh, would you like for me to turn over.”
“Nope, this side is just fine with me.” He grinned as he put his hands behind his head.
“I’m all yours.” My ears couldn’t believe what he just said. If only I could here those words from his mouth everyday for the rest of my life. A melancholy almost came over me—I’d never be able to hear those words again after this trip.
Sometime later, laden with sweat, we rested; him on his back and me sprawled half way over him. He caressed my hair and I could tell he was thinking…something. I almost asked him when he finally decided to verbalize his thoughts.
“What is your biggest fantasy with a man?” I was shocked and looked up at him.
“Why…do you plan to fulfill it?” I chuckled.
“Maybe.” His face is humorously serious but still not sure how to react. So I rested my head back on his chest and paused.
“Well…you pretty much fulfilled everyone I had for the bedroom.” Opps, shouldn’t have said that—look at that cocky grin.
“What? —You have fantasies outside the bedroom?”
“Of course, doesn’t everyone?”
“Okay, name one.”
“You’re gonna laugh your head off, but…one of my fantasies is to shave a man’s face.” He laughed alright.
“To shave a man’s face?…how sexy is that?”
“You’ve never let a woman shave your face?”
“No, and I’m not sure I want to start…I like my face the way it is.”
“Then your missing out…I totally assure you of its sexiness.” I said nothing then, letting it sink in and hoping he’d say yes.
“Alright but if you nick my face…your gonna get it.”
“Oh, how?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” He laughed and I grinned. Marat then slid out from under me, and put his boxers on. (black silk…if you really wanted to know) Just staring at his muscular back, and bum, as he got up to put his boxers in place, made me want to jump his bones again. He then grabbed his shirt and threw it on my head.
“If you expect me to hold still long enough for you to shave me, you better put that on…come on.” I laughed as I put the shirt on and followed him into the bathroom. I stood in the doorway watching him lock the door to the other side (that should make you happy huh Kristin?) and then got out his shaving stuff for me. He then sat on the toilet…it was my turn. With a smile on my face I put gel into my hands and walked over to him, placing myself between his spread out legs. I smiled at him then spread the gel across his face. His hands went behind my knees holding me in place.
“Now I finally see the advantage for the guy.” He was referring to the fact that my breasts were at eye level. I laughed, what is it with breasts and men…I’ll never get it but I knew what worked alright. I pulled his hands away as I went to get the razor. Before I came all the way back to him, I cocked my head and looked at him, thinking ‘which side first’.
“Need some help.” I think he was dying to help for some reason.
“Against the grain or with?”
“Against, the same as shaving your legs.”
“Okay, Okay,” I said as I straddled his left leg and started shaving. Evidently he wasn’t too worried about distracting the girl with the razor because his hands started getting frisky. It became a game. I’d bat them away and then shave, back and forth. If he didn’t knock it off I’d be in his lap in a second. Oh, who was I kidding, I was enjoying every minute of it and so was he.
When I was done, I threw the razor into the sink and leaned into him, breasts practically touching his face, to reach to the towel rack behind him. I proceeded to wipe the gel residue off his face, while his eyes never left mine. He had that look in his eyes again, and he grabbed the towel to finish faster. He then jumped off the toilet, picked me up, wrapped my legs around his waist, and seized my mouth. He was headed for the bedroom when I grunted at him as we kissed, and tried to point out that he needed to unlock the other side of the bathroom door. He growled but did it and then headed back to the room. (Better thank me for that Kristin, he wasn’t too happy, but at least you get to pee now)
Much later…
“Okay, I never realized till now how much shaving a man’s face could lead to sex. You were right and I happily admit I’m wrong.” He sighed deeply, caressing my arm that was sprawled over his chest. He paused a few minutes, “So you’re heading to Venice later today?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m gonna lose my good luck charm.”
“You think I’m a good luck charm?”
“Absolutely.”
“You know, the luck is all in you to win. I have nothing to do with it.” And then I quickly changed the subject. It worried me that if he was serious about it, how would he do in the quarterfinals with this mental obstruction of sorts. No, he had to be clear headed and get me out of his head…oh, but it was so nice to be in it though. “You know we are never gonna make it to the museum in time, if we don’t get out of bed soon.”
“You first.”
“No way.”
“Shy?”
“Just a bit.”
“Well, how many free shows have I given yet haven’t gotten any in return.” He said sounding all hurt. Big faker.
“True, but if you get a free show we might never get out of bed than if I got one.”
“Think you’re that hot stuff huh,” raising his eyebrows at me, then resigned saying, “Fine, Fine, I’m up.”
“Ha, A victory for me.” He got up, flashed me his front then headed to the shower. “And a mighty fine victory at that.” Yummy I thought. I jumped up out of bed and put my old clothes on from yesterday. Why the hell didn’t I just bring my suitcase to his room…cause it would be presuming idiot. That’s why.
I was having fun with Marat the past few days but it was getting to the point that I was having an emotional connection. I didn’t want to…it would only hurt more when I left. I had been a fan of Marat’s since 2000 before his U.S. Open winning so I was a very devoted, if not crazed fan. I held that in of course, not wanting to freak him out, but because of this past, I felt a bond with him before I even met him. He wasn’t that much different than I thought except much closer to his family than I expected. That was a bonus though. I wanted to view this all as a fling and thought that’s how he saw it, thinking he does this at every tourney he’s at. Jesh, that means he’s been with a ton of girls…it almost grossed me out…he couldn’t be like that, could he? The thought that lingered in the back of my mind said it was true. It hurt and I hated that. I gave him power over me with out him even asking. Boy, this was not putting me in a good mood, ‘shut up, Olivia.’
I decided to call Kristin, instead of tempting myself to further destruction by going through the bathroom that included a shower laden Marat, which, by the way, was another one of my fantasies. I shook the visual images out of my head and waited for Kristin to pick up. Once she picked up I asked her if she and Ed were going to the museum today.
“No, Ed had to head back to the set, he can only spare a few moments before we leave to say goodbye so it looks like its just you and me chica.”
“Uno momento…Marat is coming with us today…he has the day off.”
“Oh, I see now I’m the third wheel, huh?”
“Yeah, something like that, but you know how you like to look at artwork alone anyway.”
“Yeah, actually I could use some alone time after spending all this time with Ed.”
“I noticed your libido sure jumped to life after you got with him…didn’t understand that but oh well.”
“Yeah, you know how that libido can flare up on ya…besides its Ed Norton, if you didn’t catch that before, who wouldn’t do it if they had the chance?”
“I suppose.” We decided to meet in our room to shower and get ready. After we hang up I peek into the bathroom covering my eyes—temptation remember—to tell the still shower laden Marat where I’d be and he could come by when he was done. He stopped mid-song to hear me then said “okay love, see ya.” Not sure what he was singing…sounded very European and strange but I didn’t ask.
As I opened the door Kristin was just closing Ed’s door so we walked together talking about events of the last day. I still couldn’t believe that Marat would want to go near a museum; he didn’t seem the type but he never ceased to amaze me. The idea almost snuck in that he didn’t plan to look at anything artsy but me—I quickly squashed that—couldn’t be. It was merely a fling—or at least that was what I thought. I was sure he did this a lot I just couldn’t prove it. Here I go again excusing his behavior, but people do get lonely on the road all the time…its inevitable, right?
After everyone was ready and I had told Georgia we’d meet them there, we three went down to catch a taxi. Marat somehow got stuck in the middle (not good place for very tall person at all). We were making a Marat sandwich. I burst out laughing but refused to disclose what I had just thought—way to embarrassing.
We split up in the lobby of the museum. Marat and I looked for a bit but his incessant attentions to me were driving my body batty. So basically after I saw all the art that I could handle with his hands all over me, we ventured to the café. I couldn’t imagine what kind of show we had offered the security guards but I’m sure they enjoyed it. We sat down opposite each other after ordering coffees and a croissant: I hadn’t had breakfast earlier and was famished. The tables were small so he was able to continue his fawning. I truly was embarrassed a bit…people kept staring. Not in a bad way but I didn’t want their attention at all. That was another thing I liked so well about him…didn’t care what others thought. The shoe was now on the other foot. I had become the person people looked at and said, “get a room”. Why can’t I shut up and enjoy it. It wouldn’t last forever. I decided to get with it too. I took my foot out of my shoe and slowly brought up it up his inner leg and beyond. The look on his face was priceless. Good thing we were at the back of the café; too bad it was lit up real well. Oh well.
We talked as we teased; about his tennis, and friends, and about my life and future. I told him how I’d love to live in Europe and someday I’d get here and stay here for good.
“What’s stopping you?
“Fear…taking that big of a risk, not knowing languages, getting a job, being alone…” I trailed off hoping I didn’t say that last part out loud. “It’s a big risk for me and not sure I’m ready yet.” I paused again, “I guess it’s basically the same stuff as in the U.S. except the language and culture.” He didn’t say anything…seemed to be thinking. I hadn’t realized how frisky my foot was becoming—enjoying it too much—till he spoke up.
“Love, I am purely enjoying the foot action but I think it’s a bit much action, if you know what I mean…you don’t want to end up on the floor do you?” I blushed and put my foot back in my shoe. It was hard to believe I did that and much more harder to believe he was that attracted to me. He chuckled at me, “You’re so adorable when you blush.” Jeez, I was blushing even more now, I had to get back at him.
“And you are very yummy when you smile you know that.” He laughed again. Oh why couldn’t this be real. Why couldn’t I have a relationship with Marat. Well for a million reasons ya idiot. First and foremost, you’re not his marriage material…just ‘****’ material…and second you’re from two different worlds not to mention countries. I was almost glad I was going to Venice in a few hours—I felt the need to jump out before I got into too deep…wait a gosh darn moment here…this trip was about challenges and here I was backing down like a coward. Damn. But its’ completely different though when the heart is involved—that wasn’t part of the plan.
We were silent for a few moments. He had gone off to La-la land staring at our embracing hands, while I stared at his beautiful face. He looked like he was contemplating awful hard…hope he didn’t blow a gasket in that gorgeous head of his. He glanced up at me, look down, and then back up again as if he was surprised I was looking at him. Maybe it had more to do with the way I was looking at him, but I couldn’t tell what way that was now could I?
He looked decided just then on what ever the matter was. “Olivia…?”
“Yes?”
“I’m gonna ask you something…that I’ve been thinking about for awhile now.” He hesitated, and almost looked afraid. I wanted to reassure him so I smiled and squeezed his hand that was in mine. “I want you to stay with me…at least till the end of the tourney then meet back up with your group in Roma…you wouldn’t have to worry about anything, I’d take care of it all.” I was speechless. What was he trying to pull by this? Was it that stupid idea of a good luck charm again or did he want to use me longer? He knew we could never be serious so what was the point of drawing it out. I guess he wanted to enjoy it a bit longer but my heart couldn’t handle it. Especially when he smiled at me, my heart felt wretched apart; it would soon bleed if I stayed any longer. Oh I so hated to disappoint him.
“I can’t Marat. I’d love to but I really want to finish the tour with Kristin,” Bad excuse, I know, but couldn’t come up with anything better on the spot. “You don’t need me to win this tourney…its all in you.” I can’t believe I just dissed Marat Safin…I always thought it would be the other way around.
His jaw clenched. “This has nothing to do with the tourney. I just thought that we had enjoyed each others company so much, why end it so soon.” Oh my heart, he’s so irresistible when he’s angry…must stick to my guns…uhhh what where they again?
“I can’t, I’m sorry.” Why couldn’t I come up with a plausible excuse? Because there isn’t one you moron…just your heart…and there is no way your gonna make yourself vulnerable and let him know that.
He released my hand and shook his head like he understood, but his jaw stayed clenched. I wanted to cry so badly. This was much worse than when he would lose in a tourney, I had to hold it in, but it was so freakin hard when he was sitting right in front of me. Damn you, Marat for making me feel the way I do for you. We didn’t say another word till it was time to go. We shared a taxi back and then separated without a word. Damn you, Marat speak to me, I thought as we got off at our floor and he stayed in the elevator. Men…I couldn’t believe that he’d be that freakin angry and hurt that he couldn’t even say goodbye…but I guess I couldn’t either. I didn’t want to believe it was goodbye.
Kristin didn’t say anything to me in the taxi but the moment the elevator doors were shut separating us from Marat, she screamed at me. “What is going on between you two…the air is so thick I could barely breathe…what the hell could’ve changed from your annoying lovebirdness earlier to your coldness now…you have some explaining to do.”
“He’s acting like a baby. He wanted me to stay with him till the tourney was over then meet up with you in Rome. I couldn’t do it any more. So I told him so and he got angry that I wouldn’t stay.”
“Oh, he’s being the baby huh? I say take a long look in the mirror girl and then you’ll see the real baby. I can’t believe you blew this op because you want to see Italy with me…you can always see Italy again…but Marat, now that you might never have again.” What? I thought.
“What do you mean by that? I am not a baby. I want to stay with him, I do, but I can’t.”
“You mean won’t…and why pray tell is that?”
“I think I’m getting too emotionally close to him, its gonna hurt even more if I stay and get closer, then have to leave and never see or hear from him again. It was a fling, but he is mastered in it and I am not, and I couldn’t keep it on the level that he wanted. It probably wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t already felt connected to him before I even met him. I mean come on…I’d cry my eyes out for days when he’d lose a tourney…now he’s here as real as day and I can’t handle what he is doing to my emotions. I realize it was very cowardice but it’s over now and that’s that, so do me a favor and stop making my guilt trip even more worse that it already is.”
“Bad excuse, Olivia.” She shook her head, “Fine, stay in your comfort zone, and don’t risk for love.” Why had Kristin said that? Love? As if! Maybe she saw something I didn’t…yeah, right…Marat and me? It could never be.
That was all she said as we walked into our room and started packing for Venice. I cried softly the whole time I was packing. I almost tripped over Kristin’s curling iron cord and that made me cry harder for some reason. This better be a speedy emotional breakdown because if he took forever to get over, the rest of my trip just went down the drain in the fun category.

[Annie]

Chapter Six: Venice, My New Love:

As our Tour group waited at the rail for the train, I half hoped to see him again. You know, like in those movies where, he rushes up at the last minute to stop you from leaving saying he loves you and not to leave him, etc. I wanted that and yet dreaded that at the same time. I just wanted a chance to have said goodbye. Kristin was standing beside me looking all around. Then suddenly she pointed.
“Oh, he’s here, I knew he’d come!” He’s here!! Oh no, what do I say, I turned around expecting to see him coming toward us, only to find Ed coming instead. Oh yeah, I forgot he was gonna meet us here. My shoulders slumped in relief…was that what it was? Or was it disappointment? I waSsn’t sure.
Kristin and Ed embraced all excited yet sad about having to depart from each other. I could hear him ask Kristin where Marat was, and Kristin shushing him. He looked puzzled then she whispered in his ear. I hated that they were doing that only a few feet from me…Hello, I’m right here I wanted to scream. Ed then came over, hugged me, and then said he was sorry. I faked a smile. I was happy to see him but he only reminded me of what I didn’t have at that very moment.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. We all knew we’d have to separate sooner or later, right?” Stop looking at me that way, Ed or I swear….
“Right,” Was all he said. He turned to Kristin who joined the circle and said, “I should be able to join you guys in Rome for a day or two, if you guys want me there that is?” We both heartily agreed, happy that we would see him again. After a few moments of excited talking, I decided enough was enough and boarded the train, that had arrived a few moments earlier, to wait and be alone with my dishearten spirits. Kristin stayed talking with Ed till the train had to leave. After all, they hadn’t seen each other all-day and wanted to catch up…I guess.
I tired to find a place where few people were sitting so I could be alone and maybe even cry without people staring at me funny. Not sure I could control the flow of tears any more. I stared out the window at the businessmen hurriedly getting on the train and the lovers saying goodbye over and over again to each other, not wanting to leave each other’s presence. Okay I was about to Ralph…I had to turn away. Why is it that when your down in luck with love that love tries to throw it back in your face.
The train was declaring its departure and Kristin finally joined me. She didn’t look too happy with me and finally spoke up about it.
“Ed and I were talking about Marat and he brought up something I didn’t see before, I think you should know about it.” I groaned and turned away from her but couldn’t turn as far as I would have liked too.
“No, please nothing that concerns him okay…my stomach can’t handle it.”
“Too bad…your gonna hear it then I’ll leave you alone.” I groaned again. “If this was just a fling to Marat, why did he want you to stay?” she paused to let it sink in then continued, “He could’ve let you go and left it as a fling but no, he wanted you to stay. He wouldn’t have offered if he wasn’t serious about you.”
“Yeah, and continue the fling till he wanted to end it at the end of the tourney, he was just mad that I ended it first…it’s a male thing.” I said to her face then turn away.
Kristin rolled her eyes and growled, “Your hopeless and your gonna be loveless too if you act like this all the time and not take any risks.” She then moved to a seat on the other end of the car. My tears flowed freely now and there was no stopping them. I continued to curse Marat in my head as I search for the box of tissues I took from the hotel. This was gonna be a longer trip than the flight over here.
Amongst all this angst I had forgotten about the Challenge plan. It was my turn now and I was beginning to get worried about what she’d have me do. My paranoid mind kept thinking ‘she’s gonna make me call him or even worse go back to Milan and join him for rest of tourney.’ She better not even think of it. I was getting mad at her with my over speculating and I didn’t even know what she planned for me. Great friend you are, Olivia.
My depressive state was making me tired and before I knew it I was asleep. I didn’t wake up till the train stopped at the station. Kristin was already ready and left the train without speaking to me. I was so groggy and trying to get my things together, that all I could think of was ‘why is she mad at me?’
After meeting the rest of the group outside the train, we all walked a few blocks to the hotel. Even after the nap I was so tired and groggy, I had no idea where I was headed or why…just following the group around. I was drowning in my own little world; almost glad Kristin wasn’t speaking to me. It would probably only make me cry again or something. We got to our rooms and settled in, and then the plan was to meet up with the group for supper. I almost refused but decided at last minute to go. Kristin still wouldn’t talk to me and ended up chatting with one of the girls from our group, Meg, the whole time at supper. It was a mentally quiet evening…too tired to think of anything so I just enjoyed the moment. It felt like I was in this clear box that filtered out most of the noisy outdoor restaurant. I sat back and people-watched, enjoying how different they were.
There was a group of American women behind us at a table—I wondered what they were doing besides here on a vacation so I listened into what they were saying. Boy, was that a bad decision. Their conversation turned to the tennis tourney going on in Milan. They were planning on going to the quarterfinals match tomorrow and were talking about their excitement. I tried to block them out, but before I was successful Marat was mentioned as the match that they were to see. The color drained from my face and I wanted to throw up my supper on the spot. I got up immediately told someone I was going back to the hotel and wasn’t feeling well, then hightailed it. I didn’t leave fast enough apparently, for I had the ill-fated fortune to hear one woman say, “he’s so hot…man, if I had that man you can be sure I’d never let him go…he’s so close to the perfect man it hurts, and what isn’t perfect makes him completely adorable.” I practically ran out of there then, and tried not to cover my ears at the same time.
The tears flowed and I didn’t even notice them till they had blurred my vision and I wasn’t sure which way it was back to the hotel. A small park was up ahead so I sat down on a bench to pull myself together. That’s when reality and my instincts kicked in all at once. I was a woman, all alone, walking at night in a big city…what the hell was I thinking. That thought helped stop my crying and I made my way back to the hotel sticking to lighted areas. Sometimes I hated being a woman.
Once in my room I took a long shower and decided to take on a new resolve. I liked being depressed, for some reason, way too much. It was so easy for me to wallow in it. Well, damn if I’m gonna let a guy do this too me and ruin my trip…starting now I was gonna act like nothing happened at all…I was gonna cheer myself up and have fun. I laid on bed after the shower thinking instead of the challenge, what Kristin might have planned for me and what I should have planned for her our last day in Venice. As I was almost asleep, Kristin walked in. I jumped up to talk to her. We had to get back on the right foot again and it looked like it was gonna be up to me.
“You forgot to challenge me today.”
She looked at me in surprise, and then went back to getting ready for bed. “I figured today wasn’t such a good day with your attitude anyway so I thought we’d either wait for tomorrow or for the mood to pass, which ever was first.” Ouch, harsh! Must still be mad at me.
“I’m up for it tomorrow…just please don’t let him have anything to do with it please…its in the past now and I want to leave it there. Maybe soon I can look back on it and laugh with enjoyment but not at the moment.”
“I wasn’t planning on having Marat be a part of it so don’t worry.”
“Thanks…I’m sorry I’ve been a pain Kristin, I wish you weren’t mad at me…I need your support to get over him, not to try to get together with him again. I mean it. I don’t want to take that kind of risk right now…I’m not ready. Please, I know you get frustrated with me when I don’t take what you feel are good opportunities for me but its my life to screw up or not, okay?”
She looked ready to forgive me so I went up to her and we hugged, and then I got back in bed. After her habitual bathroom trip, she addressed me concerning the challenge.
“I have a whopper for ya tomorrow and your gonna have to wait till late afternoon for it though...that should stir up the stomach juices for ya.”
“That’s not fair, I’m gonna get an ulcer.” She laughed like she was an evil sorceress about to take down an empire.
“Yeah, but I’m gonna do it with you and it will be fun and a stress releaser so don’t worry too much…just about embarrassing yourself in public is all.”
I rolled my eyes, “Haven’t all our challenges been embarrassing? I think I’m getting quite use to it by now almost…almost.” I reiterated. Soon we were both asleep, with the last thing in my mind that Marat played tomorrow and I hoped that I hadn’t jinxed him.


Morning finally came, and with it my resolve was still intact. I smiled and went to the small balcony we had, pulled open the curtains and opened the doors to take in a breathe of fresh air. I was a new beginning or at least that’s what I tried to tell myself. Oh yeah, all the other crap lingered in the back of my head but I was gonna pretend that it wasn’t there. My opening of the curtains caused Kristin to moan and turned away from the light, mumbling at me to close them. I ignored her. I really did feel better, not sure why. I guess it was a mind over matter thing…it also helped not being in the same city together.
Today the plan was to go to the Palazzograssi Museum, showing mainly modern art, after that have lunch, then we would visit glass galleries and workshops, which were very popular in Venice. They had glass galleries everywhere so I didn’t think we would see them all but I knew that Kristin would enjoy them more than I would. I knew Chihuly had done an exhibition here once and looked forward to seeing if he had any influence on the up and coming artists or if he had any pieces that he left behind.
The day had gone by so quickly. I was in a much better mood, the air here was so romantic. I thought that would make things worse but apparently I wasn’t gonna let that happen. After the glass shops we were free and on our own. We both were a bit tired but Kristin reminded me of the challenge. She said we were to go to a fountain that was close to the hotel. As we walked to it…I had no idea where it was…Kristin was leading the way (surprisingly) and checking her watch every few minutes. What the hell? Were we meeting someone or something? I paled ‘No, not him please,’ I thought. My stomach became knots. I asked her why she kept looking at her watch…she only said it was nothing. Yeah right…it was that ‘nothing’ that I worried about.
Once we arrived, I scanned the area immediately for familiar faces, and then let out a sigh of relief. No one I knew was here. Kristin half-straddled the rim of the fountain then turned to me.
“This is suppose to be a fun challenge but there is one rule. First though, the challenge…you must swim in this fountain for at least two minutes or till you get kicked out.”
“What’s the rule?” A bit surprised by the change in direction. I was worried about seeing Marat and she was talking about swimming in a fountain, very odd to me.
“You have to be fully immersed from head to toe.” My jaw dropped then shut.
“Fine, I remember something about you joining me?”
“I will, but after you, of course.” This was gonna be fun—going back to the hotel all soaked. I took off my shoes then hopped over the rim. Standing in the icy cold water I gasped. It only came up to about my knee, so I knew that I had to really swim good and even dunk just to get all wet. Kristin joined me two seconds after I got in. My capri’s were already soaked at the bottom as I stood trying to get used to the water, not quite ready for the plunge.
“By the time we get use to the water it will be Christmas.” Kristin said and I laughed as I stuttered with agreement. People began to look on—some looked mad others laughing, but did nothing.
Kristin finally put the pressure on, “They could kick us out soon so we needed to hurry or we have to try it again later…and I don’t want too…too freakin cold.”
“Should have checked the temp of the water first doofus before you planned this one.” I say before I dunk myself, and come up screaming. People were giving looks as if to say ‘why would people be so stupid to do that to themselves, crazy Americans.’ At least that’s what was written on their faces. After my plunge, I stood shaking, dripping and freezing my ass off. “Your turn.”
“You realize that we have to swim around for at least two minutes right…not scream and stand up every two seconds.” She dunked under, and I laughed my ass off as she comes up screaming too.
“How are we gonna do this for two minutes without getting a cold or something?”
“No clue. I guess just get used to it.” ‘Ha’ I thought and then plunged in again, wanting to jump and scream but didn’t let myself and started to swim around. This would be a lot more fun if it were warmer.
“You know, there should be a law saying only warm water in fountains.”
“Its probably to keep weirdoes like us out of the fountains and keep them free of human germs.”
“Ewww, gross…didn’t think of that…thanks a lot for the visual though, Kristin.” I stuttered out.
“Your very welcome.” No one seemed to care about us or at least that’s what I assumed. We did hear sirens after about a minute so we got out as soon as we could, grabbed our shoes and ran toward the hotel dripping, freezing, and laughing all the way. We slowed down block or two before the hotel and wringed out our clothes the rest of the way back. Once to the hotel we put our shoes on and walk into the hotel as if nothing was the matter with us at all, and tried to suppress the giggling. It had been so fun—feeling like we’d gotten away with something. I was still freakin cold though and I was sure we looked like drowned rats, which made it even funnier. In the lobby we ran into some of our group headed out to dinner I suppose. What a look they gave as if to say ‘what?…did you fall into the canal?’ We’d explain later I thought as we headed up the stairs. While Kristin stripped in the bathroom, I did the same next to my bed. I dried off, put on nightgown and jumped under the covers to warm my self up. Kristin came out and did the same. We shivered for awhile till our shivering caused hunger pains. We eventually got up, got dressed, and headed out on our own with the hope to find a nearby café we hadn’t been to before. Fortunately in Venice it wasn’t that hard.

[Annie]

Chapter Seven: One Little, Two Little, Three Little Schemers:

"That conversation took awhile," I said as Kristin arrived back in the room. "What did you have to say to her that would last that long?"

"You'd be surprised&ldots;okay time to get serious."

I got up from my laying down position to face her on the opposite bed, "no, please&ldots;I've had enough seriousness tonight&ldots;I've got major over load and I'm gonna have a break down if you bring any thing more my way."

"Too bad&ldots;have you made a decision?" I didn't say anything and just stared at my hands. "Okay, time for an analogy. Let's bring up something from the past that we all know you hate to talk about&ldots;why you say? Because it's this situation all over again, is why."

"What are you talking about?"

"You mean who don't you&ldots;remember a one Sam Odum?" I groaned, "Noooo, Please not him." I turned to the pillows and hid my head in them starting to softly cry. This was way too much already.

"Sorry Buckaroo&ldots;he has been haunting you and your mind for far too long now because he was an opportunity you didn't see and do something about&ldots;well now you do see this op, your not blind this time, and this time your gonna do something about it if it kills you. But it won't you know-the most it will be is rejection but at least you'll know and not give him the privilege of pining over him for the rest of your life." She paused, "So? What have you decided?" I got up to face her.

"Fine, fine&ldots;as if you'd give me another choice&ldots;I'll do it, now tell me what he said." Oh, my nerves!! She just had to bring up Sam. I should have never told her about him&ldots;now he was ammunition and she knew how to use it. He was like silver bullet just awaiting in some holster somewhere till some one pointed it at my heart. Though I was far from admitting that fact to myself in a million years.

"That's my girl." She paused. "Okay, that morning I basically addressed him asking him what his intentions where."

I gasped, "You didn't?"

"I did and I'll tell you why if you shut up already&ldots;okay, he replied that he was just having fun and hoped you were too. I said that was fine but he needed to stop sending you mixed signals." I gasped again&ldots;thinking 'he was doing that&ldots;I so couldn't tell.' She continued after I didn't say anything, "Well it looked like mixed signals to me, anyway, I told him that it was going to hurt you because you were getting in deep already."

"Kristin!!! I can't believe you told him that&ldots;it was suppose to be a fling&ldots;no wonder he was acting odd at the museum."

"Shut up it's the truth isn't it&ldots;okay where was I&ldots;I told him that he needed to clarify himself to you. He said that he wanted you to stay with him for the rest of the tourney, he hadn't asked you yet but wanted too that day. I told him that if he planned on doing that that it better be for more than just a fling because you couldn't handle it otherwise. It got him to thinking I think and I hoped that he would talk to you about it himself&ldots;but apparently he didn't and only asked you to stay without explaining." Kristin decided that that was all she would divulge to Olivia at the moment, Marat should tell her the rest himself. "I personally thought that he harbored greater feelings for you Olivia and I wanted to point them out to him in case he was blind as a bat too and apparently he was. I thought the little talk would help him make a decision because you were ready to leave him behind without doing anything about your feelings. I figured he was the last hope of clarifying things. I think your saying 'no' to his request really affected him and he wasn't able to put his cards on the table so to speak. But now that you've promised to go talk to him things will be resolved&ldots;correct?"

"Yeah," I said in a bit of a daze. I wasn't sure how to feel after all that info but I knew that I was upset. I got in bed and turned the lights out when Kristin had gotten ready too. She didn't speak again to me seeing me in deep thought and wanting me to work things out in my head. My anger was growing though. Why didn't he tell me this himself, yeah I understand the whole rejection thing but couldn't he see I was completely gone over him? Apparently not-I don't know why I put him on the level of a god when he was just a guy with insecurities about women too. I was still mad at him though for not communicating with me&ldots;what did that say about him&ldots;and is that how he'd act in a relationship where communication was important. Then my anger turned on me; well I wasn't that communicative either now was I. Jesh, I was as guilty as he was. I turned to Kristin in the dark of the room.

"Kristin, I promise I'll do something about it. Just give me a bit of time to get past my anger so I can talk rationally with him." I waited till she agreed before I continued, "Your challenge is tomorrow and I know what its gonna be already. Georgia said tomorrow is our free day here so I thought that we'd do the challenge in the morning, then I could take a train in the afternoon to Milan to talk to him. If all goes well I'll stay, and if not, then I'll be back in time to go to Rome together."

"Sounds good," Kristin said as she smiled in the dark for she knew something I didn't, that I wouldn't need to make that train ride at all&ldots;the little schemer.

Morning came quickly, I didn't get as much rest as I would've liked. I went to bed on too heavy of subjects and couldn't digest them very well so my brain wouldn't shut off. I got up to take a shower and while I was doing that Kristin called Marat's room. She told him to follow us today then when the time was right she'd signal him. After my shower, I talked to Kristin about the challenge as we got ready because I planned that we would do it at breakfast and after on a special trip.

"Okay Kristin you know how our paranoid selves are always thinking that people think were lesbians when we are in public together," She nodded and looked scared. I laughed, "Well today is our chance to really get people to talk about us."

"Oh no! What are you planning?"

"Today for breakfast and our special trip afterward, we are gonna pretend that we are lovers, just for the fun of it, and watch peoples reactions to us, and just enjoy acting it all out. We of course don't have to kiss on the lips but we could hold hands, kiss on hand or cheek and just talk like lovers&ldots;get my drift&ldots;it will be fun."

Kristin shook her head at me, "Your such a dork you know that don't you&ldots;fine I'm up for it I guess." Still shaking her head at me. This would be a great distraction for me from thinking about Safin. I'd have the whole train ride to think of what to say, at least that's what I thought I would have.

As we ventured outside of the hotel we clasped hands and whispered to each other like lovers. I started laughing so hard at our stupid attempts that it probably look like we were a newlywed couple or something, and I was completely nervous. That thought made me laugh even harder.

When we found a open air café, we talked sweet talk to each other at our table&ldots;thinking that if they didn't know English that it wouldn't matter but we knew so that's what mattered. We'd say things like 'sweetheart, could you pass the sugar?' or 'honeybuns, what do you think the weather will be like today?' while our legs were intertwined under the table. I laughed suddenly and Kristin couldn't help but want to know what I was thinking.

"Remember that one time we were in Omaha on a shopping spree and that one man asked if we were married? We freaked thinking he meant us two and adamantly refused laughing, then realized a few moments later he meant to other people and not to each other. We felt so stupid at our own paranoia," Kristin laughed, "yeah, I wonder to this day what that said about us."

"Let's not even go there Olivia." She said still laughing, "I'd rather not figure it out; my paranoid mind has enough things to think about already."

I laughed and happened to look down the street to see a strangely familiar man duck into a shop. He looked a lot like Marat I thought&ldots;no, couldn't be and shook the thought from my head. He had to be miles from Italy by now.

After breakfast we started walking down the canal. Kristin asked what was on the agenda.

"Well, we can't go to Venice and not go on a gondola ride now can we?"

"But you're afraid of boats."

"Sooo, I'll just try to conquer that fear while I'm here in Italy I might as well, huh? Besides I've always wanted too do that&ldots;so romantic." I head over to one of the boats and commandeer a vessel for our ride.

As we get in&ldots;very carefully and without falling in&ldots;I remind her that the challenge is still going on.

"Your enjoying this way too much aren't you?" Kristin said as she sat in the fountain of pillows.

"Why yes I am Sherlock. Aren't you?"

"Yeah, I suppose, but you are really gung-ho about it&ldots;bit scary there girl." I laughed at her.

"Just trying to get into character and make it believable is all."

As we give the gondolier driver a free show we talk about everything under the sun Suddenly I turn to her and ask if she had any make-up on her face. She said no and before she could ask why I had licked her face. She looked at me in shock and didn't say anything till the driver had turned away to laugh as I did too. The look on her face was priceless.

"Your so weird Olivia, why did you do that&ldots;you know you have bad breath after that coffee." She whispered as she wiped her face off. I laughed louder, and went to my purse for some gum, put it in and then breathed in her face.

"Better?"

"Yes, but if you freakin lick me again your going over the side, fear or not&ldots;you hear?" she said half teasing half serious. After a few minutes she went up to the driver and spoke to him softly. I wondered what she could have to say to him. Before I could think of designs she might have she came back.

"What did you have to say to him?"

"Oh, just a little surprise for my Liverpuss is all." She smiled.

"Cool&ldots;what is it?"

"Can't tell you till we are there." She said as the boat stopped at the next street corner we came too and Kristin rushed to the rim of the boat looking as if she was getting off.

"Dude, I thought we were taking this back to hotel&ldots;we are no where near the hotel."

Kristin jumped out and onto the sidewalk, "I'm taking a different gondola back to the hotel while you stay in this one."

I rolled my eyes, thinking she was kidding, "What are you mad at me again or are you thinking that I really haven't gotten past my fear of boats and to really do it I must be alone."

"Oh, I know that you'll never get over your fear of boats&ldots;its not that, I have something different planned." I get up on my knees thinking I'm getting off too, while she whistles out loud to who knows what.

"Who the hell are you whistling at? I am sooo going with you, I don't want to be alone dang it."

"You won't." My blood froze. I sat down and looked up at the voice that spoke. Marat stood at the side of the boat looking at me. I was speechless. This was a set up. I looked up to Kristin my eyes burning in fury.

"What is this?" My blood was now boiling as I tired to keep the tone of my voice even without emotion.

"You said you'd talk to him, Olivia, we never agreed how or where, it's now or never."

"I'm too freaking mad at being set up right now to speak rationally. What are you doing here Marat?" Hoping he'd say for me, yet at same time hope he didn't.

"Well, I'm not here for a tournament, now am I?" Sarcasm dripped from his words as he entered the boat. Oh, no you don't. I got right up ready to exit the boat. What the hell did he have a right to be mad? Maybe at the way I was behaving but hey, I felt I had the right&ldots;the schemers were plotting behind my back.

"I was planning on going to Milan this afternoon to talk to you but I see that you people had other plans."

With angry eyes he said, "If you went to Milan I wouldn't have been there but here, I've made it much easier for you so what do you have to say," His voice full of anticipation.

I couldn't look at him, the anger in his eyes would've weakened my resolve. I moved to the edge of the boat to get off.

"Sit down," he commanded to me then turned to the driver telling him to move away from the dock. "No I won't."

"If you don't sit down we are gonna fall in the canal."

I screamed in frustration as the boat moved away before I have a chance to get off. Boy was I pissed and sending my reserve of eye darts toward Kristin as she waved bye. I could kill her. Why was it whenever I wanted to choke her she was never in reach&ldots;just my luck I suppose or should I say Kristin's luck? I screamed again and went to sit down on the cushions. Lets not be stupid&ldots;I wanted to plop down very indignantly but this was my 'fear' I was sitting in here and I wasn't about to rock the boat for anything. How dare he order me around the bastard what was he doing here? As if to answer my question he came over and sat down across from me.

I couldn't look at him; I was boiling hot and ready to attack if provoked. I knew deep down inside I felt completely differently but quashed the need to embrace him and never let him go.

He spoke first. It was soft and full of emotion, "Olivia, I came here for you." The tears welled in my eyes. Please don't make me cry Marat, I can't be vulnerable in front of you&ldots;its not safe for me. "Please tell me you'll forgive me for my stupidity of letting you go without talking to you. I shouldn't have." Damn he was reminding me of my own guilt in the matter. I could have spoken up too but acted like a child. The tears flowed now without stop. I turned to him&ldots;mistake. His eyes were pleading to me&ldots;damn my stupid pride.

"Olivia, why are you crying?" He came and sat beside me taking me in his arms. I didn't push him away. It felt so nice, safe, and warm. Damn him. What was he doing here? Was he serious? What was I suppose to do about this? Through my tears I thought 'please talk Marat I don't know what to say.' As if the gods were listening in, he started talking to me, soothing me with a soft, low voice, "Luv, I'm not sure how you feel about me yet, but I'm increasingly more and more confident about my feelings for you. That's why I'm here; I didn't want it to be merely a fling anymore. Please tell me I'm not alone in this and that you feel the same way."

"What do you mean by that?" You moron, he was baring his soul to you and you want clarification or something.

"I don't have all the answers right now, love, all I know is how I feel and that I want to be with you for a long time to come. Do you at least want to try that? If you say yes, then we can solve all the other questions when they come up."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say yes." I could tell I was killing him&ldots;he wasn't alone.

"Sounds too perfect."

"Trust me, love, its far from perfect."

I pushed away to look at his face.

"How do I express how I feel for you&ldots;you exasperate me, overwhelm me, entrance me&ldots;I so deeply care about you and didn't feel like I could do something about those feelings. They became too much for me to handle, that's why I left Milan&ldots;not because I didn't care but because I cared too much. It was so painful sometimes, but a strangely welcome pain. A ache that I never felt before&ldots;its so new to me that I wasn't sure what to do with it. That's the only way I can describe it&ldots;oh and if you weren't sure what my answer was from all that, its yes."

He smiled brighter than the sun, and pulled me to him so hard that the boat started to rock. I shrieked and grabbed onto him, "Stop rocking the boat." The driver gave us a dirty look.

As the rocking boat began to subside, he said, "I might have to do that more if you intend to grab me like that every time."

I looked at Marat suspiciously, "Ha, very funny," I playfully hit him. He just smiled still holding on to me, "I'm afraid of boats you know."

"There's nothing to be afraid of. I won't let anything happen to you." That sounded so nice. Not sure I completely believed it but it was comforting nonetheless. He leaned back against the cushions pulling me with him. He called out to the driver in Italian.

"What did you say to him?"

"There's a type of lover's lane on water here and I asked him to take it, why? Don't want to?" He said teasing me. Lover's Lane!! I blushed. Why? I have no idea, we had been together-yet this was different and with it came a different mindset. It was no longer in the fling category, it was for real, and I was resting in his arms in a gondola in Venice, Italy. I so couldn't put that into perspective at all. So maybe I shouldn't and just enjoy the moment. I felt my body become less tense as he stroked my arms, softly soothing them. I felt I should say something at that moment for some reason, but wasn't sure what that should be. The only things I could think of were questions about his match the other day or his schedule to come. But I didn't want anything from the real world to disturb this moment for it would have its spotlight soon enough.

Soon the gondolier made its way back to the hotel. I hated for the dream to end then head back to reality. How was this relationship going to last with the lives we lead and especially how far apart we live from each other? I mean I've heard of long distance relationships working but half the world away from each other was a bit ridiculous. Marat got out of the boat to help me out and we walked hand in hand into the hotel. We agreed to go pack for the trip to Rome, he was gonna travel with us on the train, then meet later in the lounge. We separated reluctantly on the stairs as we went to our own rooms.

I opened my door to the room to find Kristin reading a book. She stopped and looked up at me, "So how did it go?"

I frowned, "Aren't I supposed to be mad at you?"

"Oh come on Olivia, you know it had to happen&ldots;you were being way to stubborn, and Marat came all the way here to try, so I thought why not try. Come on your back together, I can tell&ldots;you had a huge smile on your face when you first came in like you were on cloud nine."

I smiled, "Okay, I'll forgive you this time, and yes your right as usual, we are back together, but for how long who knows." I sighed as I sat on the bed next to her.

"Olivia, don't start that. He came here to try that's as much as you should give and let whatever happens, happen."

"Oh, I'm willing to try, more than willing&ldots;Its Marat Safin for Zeus' sake," I paused and sighed, "I could really fall for him hard though Kristin-very hard-in fact, I'm on my way there. If anything happened I'm not sure I would recover for a long time. You saw how long I pined over Sam and I wasn't even in a relationship with him. I think I'm the type of person who could be easily co-dependent despite the independent front I give&ldots;even if I'd never fully admit it to myself."

[Annie]

"You worry to much, at least you know and knowing is better than not knowing. You can prepare yourself, but in the meantime just enjoy him and the moment."

"I suppose your right but what about after the trip?"

"It will come when it comes-what about before the trip is over? You gonna let your worry about the future ruin the now? You'll regret ruining this time with him."

"Okay okay your right, I'll try harder. Oh I need to hurry with my packing. I'm meeting him in the lounge; we are gonna stay there till we have to leave for the train."

"He's gonna come with us&ldots;no wait stupid question."

"Yep," I smiled.

"I just called Ed and told him the good news&ldots;oh and he can't come into Rome till day after tomorrow."

"Ha you get to be third wheel again&ldots;tsk tsk poor baby&ldots;wait a tic, what good news??"

Kristin smiled sheepishly, "I jumped the gun a bit and told him about you two, but hey, I knew you couldn't refuse him especially when he showed up in Venice just for you."

"You butt." I laughed and threw a pillow at her. She just grabbed it and used it to lean against as she started reading her book again.

I hurried to finish packing, throwing things left and right into my suitcase.

"Join us later if you want to okay?"

"Yeah, if I'm bored with my book I will."

"Okay and don't forget that its my turn for the challenge tomorrow."

"Oh trust me I so didn't forget about that." She said with an evil smile, eyes still on her book.

"You scare me when you say it like that, stop it, now I'm gonna be all worried."

She laughed, "That's the point Liverpuss." I shook my head at her as I said goodbye and headed out the door.

I hurried as fast as I could down the hallway to the stairs with a huge case trailing behind me. I cursed myself for my incessant need for emergency clothes and shoes, 'just in case' was my motto, I swear. As I reached the top of the stairs a voice from below stopped me.

"Wait, let me help you." I looked below to find a smiling Marat.

"What are you waiting on the stairs for me." He bounded up the stairs, grabbed my case, then headed down with it easily,

"Guilty as charged." I smiled as I followed him down. We grabbed a booth once in the lounge, ordered drinks, and started talking. I wanted to bring up the Milan tourney with him but wasn't sure how, and especially why I wanted to do such a stupid thing. I just had to know what happened though. I missed all the newspapers trying to avoid him and there was no way to get to the Internet. As I thought about all that, I began fumbling with the coaster in front of me and looking at it like it was the most interesting thing on the planet.

"Love, what's on your mind?" I looked up surprised with a smile.

"I've been wanting to talk to you about something but worried you'll get upset." His jaw clenched but he was still smiling.

"Lay it on me&ldots;we gotta get it out some time." I hesitated then dove in.

"What happened at the Quarterfinals in Milan?"

He sighed and dropped his head, damn it Olivia he isn't ready yet. "I just lost it mentally and couldn't find my game at all."

Oh that angered me. I wasn't a reporter to feed that same old line too. Yet, I felt guilty at the same time.

"It's my fault isn't it?"

"No Love, it was my fault, I was the one playing&ldots;why would you say that?"

"Because of our discussion in the café and how we left things." I winced at having to bring up that subject. I so couldn't call it a rejection for the life of me though-discussion seemed to be a much more delicate way to put what I did to him.

"The way I preformed in the quarter's was my own doing. I hated losing but losing helped me realize how I felt about you. That realization meant more to me than losing or winning that stupid tourney." I blushed-he was being so open with his feelings yet I couldn't-not yet anyway.

I had become more important to him than a tennis match-how the hell was I suppose to process that? Tennis was his life-well it should've been. He would've said something completely different though I'm sure. I didn't want to be the reason or excuse for his drop in standings, yet I wanted to be with him badly.

"That should make me feel better but it doesn't some how." His gaze was too intense and I looked down at my hands.

"It's just one tourney and a small one at that&ldots;out of how many in the year?? Tons, love, literally. I don't feel bad about it so you shouldn't either. Okay, I was upset for awhile but I've been playing for several years now&ldots;it's getting easier to just release it when you can't do anything about it." He reached across to grab onto my hand.

"I'm glad that you're able to do that but it's gonna take me a bit longer to try and accept that idea." He only smiled as he caressed my fingers. I continued, "I'm glad you're here with me though&ldots;very much, I don't want you to think other wise when I do."

"I know." Those two words he said were very powerful to me some how. We sat in silence for a while. The other question I had rumbling around in my brain though wouldn't be suppressed much longer and it came tumbling out knowing it wasn't the right time but I had to know.

"When does your next tourney begin?"

"I leave for Hamburg Germany our last morning in Rome." I noticed he avoided saying that I would be going back to USA and speaking of our eventual separation. I guess we were both going to be in denial of its eventuality and have fun in the moment or at least that's what I assumed was taking place in his mind. Who knew with Marat, as a fan I still hadn't figured him out.