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Approaching number 20
Hi, everybody. I’ve gotten busier of late, but I wanted to let you know I’m still inching forward to SelfieFic number 20. Apparently, I still have much to write, and this new piece will be relatively short (hint: weather theme). There are 2 longer pieces I have in my mind, and my muse is kicking my ass because she won’t let those 2 big story ideas go; both of which need fleshing out and a lot of work yet to do.
Ginger Ale
Posted on AO3, 5 June 2015.
Sequel to "Canada Dry". Moving beyond 'friends' into a new phase of their relationship, Eliza and Henry test the boundary waters. Henry wants to see them proceed in a measured way (naturally), whereas Eliza wants him to become acquainted with alternative words to "intimate" (of course).
Chapters 1 and 2 are rated T for terrific. Chapter 3 is rated M for mature (coarse language, sexual situations) and E for excellent-because-it's-about-time. As long as I continue writing, this below is an enthusiastic 'thank-you-selfie' to "Selfie", along with gratitude to EK, KG, and JC. EK created the "Selfie" show, and characters ED and HH.
This work is intended as a follow-up to "Canada Dry", because god only knows, my muse and I believe in a sexy follow through. It might be useful to read "Canada Dry" first, but there's enough in the present story to stand on its own.
Chapter 1 of 3: “ALL GOOD THINGS ...”
Having the fever was one thing, but having the "total hots" for someone was something very different.
Being sick never felt so good, or led to such good things.
It had been a memorable two weeks.
Henry had taken care of Eliza through her bad cold, and he finally admitted how he felt about her. To her great credit, Eliza embraced him with warm open arms. But turnaround was fair play, and he caught her cold, prompting her to take care of him.
Eliza and Henry spent the following week, slowly learning more details about the other. Henry was interested in cooking, astronomy, and running. Few surprises there, but she no longer thought he was "super boring ..."
Well, maybe a little boring, but that's what I'm here for ...
He was surprised, however, to learn Eliza was interested in starting school and community outreach programs to encourage young women to nurture their creativity. Judging by the creative use of her wall space, he'd seen what Eliza could do, and he always thought she should explore that side a little more.
"We could ask women from different walks of life to come and speak; we could ask Charmonique, Joan, and Linda if they'd be interested. But I think you should be the first to speak and tell your story, Eliza." Henry remembered her initially shy reaction, but he could tell she liked the idea.
"Oooooh, my story, yeaaaah ... it be like 'from Butt to Bitch ...'"
"Uh, maybe a revised title would be more prudent, Eliza ... how about 'from Butt to Boss'?"
"Yeahhhh nooooo .... it's okay; we'll work on a title ..."
They spent most evenings together alternating between their respective places, and settling slowly into a new phase of their relationship. Best friends, and now, in love with each other. They hadn't yet reached the 'intimate' phase of their relationship, and it was all Eliza could do to try and erase that damn three-syllable word from his vocabulary.
Like a damn earworm that wouldn't go away, the word 'intimate' played on her mind.
She wanted Henry, sex, and coffee: not necessarily all at once, and not necessarily in that order.
She wasn't that fussy after all.
He knew what she wanted. He knew her well enough to know, but he also wanted her to appreciate a quieter side to being together. That if she wanted a more meaningful and lasting relationship, sometimes, the relationship was filled with spaces and moments that didn't necessarily carry big neon signs and fireworks. That sometimes, the best moments happen when it's quiet and both people are listening, truly listening to each other over the distractions of day-to-day life and beyond the messy array of personal hangups and desires.
Canada Dry
Posted on AO3, 18 March 2015.
Summary: Stuck at home with a bad cold, Eliza finds out just how much Henry cares. He checks in on her, and finally follows through by giving up the last vestige of control. Both discover they get more than what either could have possibly imagined. Elements drawn from 1x01, 1x03, and 1x10.
Rated T for coarse and suggestive language. As long as I continue writing, this below is an enthusiastic 'thank-you-selfie' to "Selfie", along with gratitude to EK, KG, and JC. I've drawn some inspiration from prideandfangirling's "Honey Bears and Valentines".
This story took a huge life on its own, and I decided to split the story into multiple chapters. The story could almost work like a "series finale."
As of posting, the #saveSelfie petition has exceeded 60-thousand signatures. Congratulations to Erika Lawson and others on a big accomplishment. Even though Gillan and Harewood have signed onto new shows, no matter what happens, it's been and still is a great ride.
Chapter 1 of 4: ONSET
He looked at his watch for the umpteenth time in the last 15 minutes. He frowned, considering how she'd been much better of late about showing up to work on time. Especially now that she no longer had to spend 3 hours "upending her bed head."
Although he admitted to himself she'd look really cute with bed head ...
But anyhoo, she was very much on time for lunch; she would arrive at his office to remind him about lunch. A hungry Eliza was an impatient Eliza.
Henry poked his head out of his office. "Charlie, have you seen Eliza today?"
"Uhhhhhh no," Charlie answered, slowly yet deliberately. "I haven't. Should I call her?"
"No, thanks. I'm sure she'll show up later in the afternoon."
Charlie nodded, and returned to organizing Henry's meetings with a variety of clients over the next three days.
By mid-afternoon, she still hadn't shown up at KinderKare. Henry had cancelled all appointments and meetings for the rest of the day, and left work early. Earlier, he had lunch alone, and he finally reached the point to admitting he was worried, and by 1pm, he had called both her iPhone and landline. To his surprise (and secret delight), she answered on the latter.
The B-L-T: The Bacon, Lick, and Touch
Posted on AO3, 23 February 2015.
Summary: Because Henry paid attention to Eliza's morning favorites, they both were going to reap big payoffs, beyond mere brunch options. Henry dreams large about Eliza, but will he go far enough to close the deal? Post-canon / one-off stand-alone.
Based on and inspired by this tweet and this tweet.
Rated T for suggestive language. The B-L-T abbreviation describes a bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich with toasted slices slathered with mayonnaise. My "B-L-T" references the opening scene in episode 1x03 and events in episode 1x10, but the following stand-alone is post-canon and assumes Eliza is no longer with Freddy. This story is independent of my other stories. As long as I continue writing, the following is an enthusiastic 'thank-you-selfie' to "Selfie", along with gratitude to EK, KG, and JC. The characters belong to EK.
Stepping out of the elevator, a distracted woman automatically turned right. Her head remained down, eyes on her phone, keeping track of tweets scrolling hot on her screen over the last hour.
Without looking, Eliza waved her hand by way of greeting. "Good morning, Charmonique ..."
"Good morning, Eliza."
Stopping in her tracks, Eliza jerked her head up in surprise at the very male voice.
She had been entirely focused on this morning's Twitter drama between her followers and FitBrit's followers. She and FitBrit had implicitly agreed to let their respective followers hash it out online. They even DM'ed each other and agreed to stay out of each other's way today. Tomorrow, however, would be another story ...
She turned her head towards the reception desk, but Charmonique was nowhere to be found.
"You're just in time for today's staff meeting."
"Wait ... what?"
Henry's expression grew severe, as his lips thinned into a horizontal line. He extended his hand to her, palm up. "Give me your phone."
"No way ..."
"Wayyyy ..."
She held her head up in defiance, keeping her phone away from Henry. "This time, Henry, I'm going to have to say 'no' ..."
"Please give me your phone, Eliza ..."
She would win the battle of wills, as she generally did with Henry, because as before, she was going to lick the hell out of her phone.
As she raised the phone to her mouth, Henry quickly swiped the phone from her hand.
"HEY!"
Narrowing his eyes, he looked at her in a way she hadn't seen before. If pressed, she would have described it as "extra smoulder."
He raised the phone to his mouth. He took a speculative lick, then another one, a long one across the face of her precious phone.
Brows skyhigh, Eliza stared back, stunned and astonished.
"Mmmmmmmmm," he replied, the gravelly tone shooting spikes of molten liquid through her body. He looked at her in the eyes. "Bacon."
She exhaled, opening her mouth in a small 'o'.
"And ... a hint of blueberry waffles ..."
Before she could reply, he grabbed her by the arms, and mashed his lips onto hers. He opened his mouth, as if her breath was precious life. For a brief moment, she didn't know what was happening, but when her brain finally caught up, she thrust her tongue into his mouth. He laughed into their open-mouthed kiss, and their moans marked the early jousting efforts of their dueling tongues.
When he stepped back, Eliza looked shell-shocked. She grabbed him by his hand and dragged him into his office, closing the door behind them.
She grabbed the phone from his hand. "Henry, not that I mind, but what the HELL?!"
"What? You said you liked bacon and waffles in the morning, or did I hear you wrong?"
"You heard me?
"Yes, of course, in your room at Saperstein’s estate in Santa Barbara ..."
"But how did you know I had bacon and waffles this morning?"
"I detect a faint aroma of bacon. And you have a smudge of blue ... right ... here ... on your cheek." He reached up and slid his thumb across her cheek.
"Uh, thanks. And you just totes kissed me. The moment was super `gram worthy, by the way ... "
"Yes, I kissed you. Very thoroughly, too, I might add. And I want to do it again." He looked unbelievably calm, which she found a little exasperating. Because she was defs not calm, a big bump of the feels.
"Yes ... well ..." She tried to hide her blush. "Don't we have a staff meeting, the one you reminded me about yesterday, the very same one you insisted we be on time for?"
"The only meeting I want is my mouth to be joined with yours."
"Oh my God, Henry, what's gotten into you?"
"I want this. Look ..." He pointed at his eyes. "I'm blinking ... rapidly. I'm not going to guess by having you blink, but ... tell me you want me, too, Eliza."
"I ... I ... what if someone walks in on us right now?"
"I'm pouring out my heart to you, and you're worried about propriety? Wow, I must truly be rubbing off on you."
"Henry, the next words out of your mouth had better not be 'old and boring' ..."
He chuckled. At her glare, he continued "I wouldn't dare ..."
"No, you wouldn't dare if you knew what's good for you ..." She stuck out her lower lip in a pout.
He took in a deep breath. "Eliza, you're deflecting. And I'm not playing you. I know what I want. And who I want, is you."
Eliza let out a deep breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"It's about quacking time ..." She launched into his arms, and they kissed again without reserve.
In between ... "Eliza" ... wet smacks ... "mmmm" ... of their lips ... "Henry ..." and quick gasps, they remained joined. Uttering each other's names somehow made the moment more real, attaching their thoughts directly to what they were seeing and feeling.
"Mmmm, Henry," she whispered huskily. Her arousal was turning him on, and his own fueled hers. And down, down the spiral they willingly went, surrendering themselves to their feelings and to each other.
She was tugging on his tie and opening the buttons to his shirt, fingers flying everywhere and nowhere. He was stuck stationary, and all he could see was her manicured fingers slipping inside his shirt and touching him, setting him on fire.
"Henry?"
"Mmmm?"
"HENRY!"
At the urgency of her voice, Henry shook himself out of his fuzzy stupor.
He looked up, and found himself standing in front of Charmonique's desk. He saw a very concerned looking Eliza, and Charmonique with an equally puzzled look on her face.
Eliza put her hand on his arm in concern. "Henry, are you okay?"
"Uh ... yeah, my mind was somewhere ..." He couldn't believe he had imagined and fantasized that entire scenario. Either he needed a vacation, or he needed to get laid.
Or both.
He rubbed his face with his hand, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could feel the waves of concern emanating from his friend. He opened his eyes, and sure enough, those waves of concern originated from her beautiful green eyes. He put his hand on hers and squeezed. "I'm okay. Thanks, Eliza."
"Where were you? What were you thinking about?"
No fear, he thought.
"I ... I was thinking about you."
And this would be later noted as one of the few times Henry had rendered her speechless. This momentary lapse was short-lived.
"You ... you were thinking about me?" She looked over at Charmonique who had def legit heard what Henry had said, judging by the ridiculous grin on her face. Eliza made a face at her to scram, but Charmonique wouldn't budge. Henry looked over at Charmonique, and faced with the double silent barrage of Henry and Eliza, Charmonique knew enough to give up the jig.
"Okaaaaaay, time I stepped away for a moment ... uh, while you lovebirds figure things out, don't forget about the staff meeting in five ..."
The hallway remained mercifully empty, leaving only Henry and Eliza in front of the reception desk. They both saw Charmonique walk away. They turned their attention back to each other. What they didn't realize was they had somehow ended up holding each other's hands.
She was about to jerk them away, when he held them fast. His thumbs rubbed her hands, slowly, gently, and rhythmically. It was one of the most calming gestures anyone had done for her in a long time.
What he read on her face was full of questions.
"Eliza ... you had bacon and waffles this morning, didn't you?"
"How ... how did you know?"
"I smell bacon, and the rest of it was a lucky guess."
"SRS?" She asked, brows scrunched up, her voice betraying total disbelief.
Normally, he'd panic and deflect. But right here, right now, he was at ease. His open smile showed teeth. "SRSLY."
And in this moment, she understood one thing she hadn't seen in awhile and something she wanted to see much more. How she loved to see him smile; he looked years younger than the serious boring stick-in-the-mud old-guy frowny face.
"What's that look for?" Henry asked. He saw the change in her eyes, her soft look he'd describe as dreamy, affectionate, almost if he dared, loving ...
"I was just thinking, your guess was totes cray cray."
"And that's a good thing?"
"Yes, it is. And you have a beautiful smile, and how I'd like to see you smile more often." She palmed his cheek.
He met her hand with his. "Thank you. I ... I ..."
"What is it?"
"I ... It's you. I love seeing you, and I can't imagine another day without seeing you, here at work, at home, or at your home. You've gone through tremendous changes, and I know that some of them have been painful, no thanks to me. But I'm here. It's also what you've done for me, how you've made me better. I'm not a lost cause, and I need you, with you by my side."
He moved towards her, a short sweet affectionate peck on her lips.
She smiled, blushing adorably and matching the color of her hair. "Uh, what about the staff meeting, Henry?"
"Quack the meeting."
He surprised her, she had to give him that. But to hear him curse meant he felt very strongly about what they were discussing. Or about whom they were talking, which in this case was her.
"Eliza, I'm sorry for the way I've treated you."
"You weren't ready." She was always perceptive when it came to him. "But, you are now?"
"Yes, without question."
"Awesome." She hooked her hands around his neck. "I forgive you, and I'm sorry, tooooooo ..."
She leaned into his mouth during her apology, which he was more than happy to meet halfway. They kissed deeply, nibbling on each other's lips, exploring each other's mouths tentatively with their tongues. They wanted it, the sudden hunger striking them hard. They knew there was the promise of more, of something even better.
He moved fractionally from her lips and whispered. "Can we continue this in my office?"
Barely apart, she dragged her eyes from his mouth to his eyes. "Yes, please ..."
He held her free hand (because the other had her phone, duh), and led her willingly into his office.
Eliza rushed back into Henry's embrace, the sounds of giggles and muffled words trailing behind the closing door.
Thirty minutes later, the door to Henry's office reopened. By itself, this was not unusual.
But a closer inspection told a different story. Hair astray, clothes ruffled, sporting their own small silly grins, their perceptions of the world and of each other had been irrevocably rocked.
They had checked each other's appearance: shirts tucked and straightened, hair reordered and reshaped, faces free of smudges and crimson lipstick. Eliza walked out of the office, with Henry close behind. The background chatter told them the staff meeting was done, and staff had returned to their desks and offices. Eliza and Henry maintained a conversation loud enough for the other to hear, but hushed so they would not be overheard.
"You know what, Eliza?
"What's that?"
"Kissing you has made me hungry, and for breakfast, I only had ..."
"Do not even mention prunes or fruit yogurt, because if you do, I exercise my right as girlfriend and demand mandatory changes in your choice of breakfast food ..."
He laughed because he knew she was yanking his chain. "... I only had a cherry danish. You know, because it's red ... and sweet."
"Awww, sweet ..."
"But now I'm feeling ... hmmm ..."
"What? Don't leave me hangin'!"
They turned the corner towards the reception desk.
"I want a B-L-T sandwich."
"Henry ..."
"Point bees, Eliza, the smell of bacon is driving me crazy ..."
"Well, maybe, I should consider removing my clothes. Because I care about you and your needs, and I wouldn't want to drive you crazy." She waggled her eyebrows at him for full effect.
"Point one, too late! And two, your point taken. But I still think we should feed my desire for B-L-T."
"Whatevs. I don't ..."
"... And afterwards, you're going to help me feed the cat."
A knowing pause and a very knowing look passed between them. "You don't have a cat."
"No. I don't."
They stopped in their tracks, suddenly interested in their own little game of "chicken."
"Ahem."
They hadn't realized they had ended up directly in front of reception. Charmonique was seated, bright and amused at the sight before her. Leaning against the reception desk was Saperstein, whose serious eyes were at odds with a very happy look on his face.
"And where were the two of you? You missed the staff meeting."
"Uh, sir, I called Eliza into my office to discuss our recent joint marketing-sales project with E&H PharmaCo.
"Is that right ..."
"Yes, sir," Eliza piped in. "Henry wanted to make sure I had the necessary information for us to proceed. We were just touching base."
"I'm sure you did more than just 'touch base' ...," Saperstein muttered.
An evil cackle escaped from behind the computer monitor, invoking identical and simultaneous glares from Henry and Eliza.
"Well then," Saperstein continued. "Do you both have what you need?"
"Yes, we do," they answered. They glanced at each other and smiled.
Saperstein leapt up at them and smacked them both in the upper arm. "It's about time!"
"Uh, to what are you referring exactly?" Henry asked.
"Your joint project, of course! Or is there something else I should know about?"
"Nothing else, sir," he replied too quickly.
"You'd tell me if there was something else, wouldn't you?"
Oh my God, he knows, Henry and Eliza thought.
"Absolutely, sir," she added.
"Fantastic! As you were, both of you. But you'll both be present at our next meeting."
"Yes, sir. We'll be there," Henry replied. "Well then, uh ... we're going for lunch."
"Henry, it's only 10am." Saperstein was practically laughing his words out loud.
"Early breakfast, early lunch. Gotta keep the body fed to keep the brain going, I always say."
In agreement, Eliza gave Saperstein a tentative smile and "happy finger guns."
They raced down the short hallway and into the open elevator. As they stepped inside to the closing doors, they looked at each other with concern.
"Saperstein knows, doesn't he?" Eliza asked.
"Yes, I'm sure he does now. Are you okay with that, Eliza?"
"Yeah, we're legit now, right? I'm totes sure."
"Good. I'm glad."
They threw themselves into a corner for a hot embrace, another round of making out in a rush of desire to make up for lost time.
"Thank God they finally figured it out," Charmonique said, not looking up from her keyboard.
Saperstein glanced at Charmonique, then back to the elevator.
"At long last, yes. It took them long enough. But uh ..."
"Yes?"
He leaned down slightly to ask her a quiet question. "Is it just me, or do you smell bacon?"
---> back to story list <---
Temporary Discord
Posted on AO3, 3 February 2015.
Summary: Henry `fesses up, to a long line of sins, and Saperstein listens, still shippin’ the Heliza. John Cho’s 2-minute cover of “Wild World” is on Soundcloud.
“Oh baby, baby, it’s a wild world It’s hard to get by just upon a smile Oh baby, baby it’s a wild world I’ll always remember you like a child, girl …”
Another verse. The chorus, again, one more time for good measure; the last line burned into memory. His heart ripped out, out into the open as a pile of ashes.
When he stopped, he opened his eyes. For a moment, he stared out into the room, briefly blinded by the lights. He could tell by various movements there were a few staff members staying late to tidy up.
Saperstein was at the bar, right where Henry had left him. Saperstein looked serious and thoughtful, in wild contrast to his Terence Trent D'Arby wig and costume.
Taking a seat next to his boss, Henry raised his hand to the bartender, indicating a request for another drink.
“You know, Henry, you’ve been doing tremendous work with Eliza lately, but this …”, Saperstein waved his hand at him and into the air. “This … this thing with you and Eliza …”
“Nothing’s happening between Eliza and me …" And after tonight, I’ve all but guaranteed nothing ever will, Henry thought darkly.
"Well then, let me tell you another story, another tale as old as time. Girl meets boy at work. Boy helps girl rediscover her true self. Girl makes real friends, girl becomes an even more valued member of the company. Boy breaks girl’s heart. Girl goes back to the safe banal behavior of old.”
“Sir …”
“Henry, I don’t have to tell you how this story ends, should it continue this way.”
The bartender placed a drink in front of Henry. With a nod of thanks, Henry picked up the tumbler, taking a big gulp. He rubbed his face with his free hand, suddenly aware of the day’s exhaustion. “No, sir, you don’t have to tell me …”
“But I’m gonna, anyway. Boy fixes problem. Boy FIXES problem …"
"Sir, I …" I made a mess of things. Henry’s face crumpled in misery, finding difficulty in continuing his train of thought.
"What’s going on between you two?”
“Nothing is going on, sir …”
“Son, I wasn’t born yesterday. I’m asking, not as your boss, but as your friend. This is completely off-the-record. I know it's personal, and I know you’re very protective of your personal life. But you and I, we go back to the days of our ‘elephant’ …”
Years past when the orange vitamin was merely an idea, before striking gold with their trusty tablet.
“Henry, I’d like to help. You can trust me.”
He looked up at Sam for a moment, and made his decision.
Over the next half-hour, Henry began from the very start, and told Sam about meeting Eliza the first time, and the social etiquette lessons he’d been providing over the last few months. The culmination of mixed messages and bad timing occurred in the last 24 hours, when she admitted to having feelings for him. His fear about a loss of control had resulted in a knee-jerk rejection of Eliza, much to Sam’s disapproving look.
The way Henry viewed the facts was as clear as the glass in his hand: he had lost both Eliza and Julia in one fell swoop.
Losing Julia wasn’t easy, but he realized now the termination of their relationship was inevitable. Familiar and safe, but ultimately, boring. Like a bowel movement …
Losing Eliza, however, was something entirely different. The cut, much deeper; the loss, devastating. How only a short time after he had rejected Eliza to leave her on her own did the truth of his cowardice sear those facts into his brain.
Take away the irritating and impersonal aspects of social media, and her razor-sharp perception was left to train on him, like moth to flame.
He treated her the way she deserved. She loved him because she found her way back to her true self.
But Henry had lied to Eliza, and she had been spot on. Julia stormed off, mad at him. And he didn’t go after Julia, because what Eliza said was crystal clear and true: that he had loved her all along.
He hadn’t vacated the premises after all. Under the stage’s bright lights, any person singing up front would be unable to see across to the back of the room, where he hid in the shadows.
Where he had caught the first notes of her song.
Where he witnessed in bright technicolor the pain he had caused.
He had hurt her deeply. At that very moment of his horror, he didn't know, honestly did not know how he, how they would go on.
In a different universe where he didn’t give a quack, he would've marched up to the stage, asked for forgiveness, and shown her the truth. But he did no such thing. He stood paralyzed, watching her. As seconds dragged into minutes, his instinct had not been to fight, but for flight.
He hadn’t waited for the premature end to the song. He fled, away from the building, away from the office, away from her, away from guilt and pain. He wrapped himself in the overcoat, and walked to clear his mind. And he had walked some more.
By the time Henry returned, the karaoke party had ended, and most had left for the night. Just as he sat down by the bar with a drink in hand, his phone rang. The decision to ignore Julia’s call had all but sealed his fate with her.
Sam could easily tell by the way from Henry’s story that Eliza wasn't the only one undergoing changes. Sam hadn’t been kidding: Henry was not only more life-like, but much happier with Eliza around.
“If I were her,” Henry continued. “And I’d been rejected, I might've gone back to a place most familiar and safe.”
“So … she’s gone back …”
“She’s gone back to Freddy, yes. I’m certain of it.” The thought and his verbalization struck him hard.
“Oh. What are you going to do next?”
“What can I do? Nothing, at least for now. I’m still her friend, or at least, I hope I still am.”
“She’ll eventually see you weren’t ready.”
“Maybe. But the thing, the thing that’s killing me is the thought I’ve done irreparable harm to our friendship.”
“Yes, Eliza will be mad at you, but it’s only temporary, son. Look, it’s abundantly clear to Yasmin and me, that you two care a lot about each other. Despite what you’ve done, and yes, there’s been damage, you need to have faith and trust in what you two have built as friends. It’s a place where you can both start again … something like …”
And Sam began quietly, echoing his burst in the board room.
“’… and we build it up, we build it up … now we’re solid, solid as a rock’ …”
Henry grinned, despite himself. “Ashford and Simpson. Yes, sir.”
“You and Eliza would’ve done a good job with 'Solid’”.
“I believe you’re correct, but I also believe this year would’ve been 'wrong place, wrong time’.”
Saperstein nodded. “You realize, Henry, next year when we have our repeat of karaoke night, I’m going to try something new … something like … mandatory duets. Oh yes, I like it …”
“It’s a great idea, sir.”
“And by then, you two will have patched things up, though I’m secretly hoping for more from the two of you …”
“Sir!”
“Fine, fine. I’ll let you off the hook. For now. But I won’t promise I’m not going to put Yasmin on your case.”
“Great. Before long, I’ll have the whole office wondering and betting when Eliza and I will become a couple …”
In an instant, Saperstein drummed up a delicious idea, about starting a bet when Henry and Eliza would be an 'official couple’. “I’ll have to talk to Raj about pre-signing the paperwork for the two of you. And as for the bet, an 'over-under’ or 'before-after’ to some future date, say, three months from today …”
“Sam … no …”
“Ah, Henry, I’m just messing with you! Are you considering telling Eliza you’re no longer with Julia?”
“I’ll tell her eventually. But not right now, because I don’t see the point, especially with the appalling way I’ve treated her.”
“Yes well, at least you’ve quickly recognized the error of your ways.”
“Perhaps. I just wish I could turn back the clock. I shouldn’t have made her wait for an answer.”
“I was going to say, Henry. You know how you feel: it’s either 'yes' or 'no’. What point was there in making her wait for more than a day?”
“I was selfish, and essentially, I took her and her own feelings for granted. And truthfully, I had difficulty putting things together in my head … and I’d been stalling.”
“That’s not like you.”
“No, it isn’t. But when it comes to my feelings and the way I feel about her, all practice and reason go out the window.”
“That’s not such a bad thing, Henry. But just so we’re clear: do you know how you feel about her now?”
“Yes, I do. I guess one good thing to come out of tonight is she forced me to confront how I feel about her.”
“And that is …?”
“… That when she’s with me I’ve never felt more alive … or aggravated.” His smile softened the severe adjective, thinking about all the ways she drove him mad crazy. “That we can be more than colleagues and friends. That I want us to be something more. That I’m still crazy enough to believe someone like her would want to be with someone like me.”
“Good on you,” Sam replied, patting Henry on the shoulder. “There’ll be some tough times ahead. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir, I do.”
“All right then.” Sam stood and pushed off from the bar, brushing stray dreadlocks from his face. “I’ve got to get going. Yasmin’s waiting for me downstairs.”
“Oh yes, of course. Please give Yasmin my regards.” Henry stood and extended his hand. “Thank you.”
“Aw, come here, son …" Arms open wide, Sam stepped towards Henry.
"Please don’t kiss me, sir!”
“Hah! Not this time …” Sam wrapped Henry in a big Saperstein hug. Henry froze for a moment, but he relaxed, accepting the contact and kind gesture from his friend.
With a sympathetic glance towards his younger counterpart, Sam released Henry. “You’ll be all right?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“We don’t have any pressing matters tomorrow. Why don’t you take the day off?”
As much as Henry knew how much work defined him, Sam’s idea was starting to sound good. “But don’t we …”
“No 'buts’, Henry. And by the way, that wasn’t a request.” Sam smiled, not unkindly.
“I’ll stay away from the office tomorrow.”
“Go visit the Getty Center. Or go up to Griffith; I know how much you enjoy spending time in the hills. Good night, Henry.”
“You too, sir.”
He watched Sam say some final words to the remaining staff, before disappearing from view.
Henry reached over, and downed the remainder of his drink.
'In vino veritas,’ or perhaps, 'in good scotch lies golden truth’, he thought.
He returned to his office, closing the door behind him. He shook off his jacket and removed his tie, placing them on a chair. He set his alarm for 4am, so he could sleep off the booze and he could leave before the first staff arrived at 6. He dug out a spare blanket and lay on his couch, hands folded behind his head.
He breathed deeply, looking at the patterns on the ceiling.
He thought about his desk. A place which in the past held little meaning, other than work. That was no longer the case.
It’s where they met the first time.
It’s where she put to him an ultimatum.
It’s where countless conversations between them took place.
It’s where he and Eliza agreed he would help her.
It’s where he saw some of those changes take place.
It’s where he unknowingly let her in, and he had fallen hard for her.
It’s where he failed and she called him chicken.
It’s where he decided he’d make a change.
A riot of curly red locks.
A wave, gently riding on her soft full lips.
A deep sea of round knowing eyes.
He had blinked, but it’d all been figurative. He could no longer deny or contain the lie to himself: he loved Eliza Dooley.
He finally grasped what they’d meant to each other the entire time. They’d been circling another in imperfect harmony, and she'd bravely changed course to seek him out. It was up to him to break the dissonance, to find his way back, back into her warm fiery-red cotton-candy orbit.
Closing his eyes, he understood there was work to be done, work done on his part to meet her halfway. He hoped he wasn’t too late.
---> back to story list <---
George
Posted on AO3, 26 January 2015
Rated T for suggestive language. As long as I keep writing, it’s a continuously enthusiastic ‘thank-you-selfie’ to “Selfie”, and a big note of gratitude to EK, KG, and JC. Initially submitted to the #SaveSelfie fanfic writing contest Tumblr campaign, this piece has been modified and lengthened to fill out a few blanks.
Summary: All euphemisms aside, someone gets a cat (yes, really) and feeds them generously.
“George” is for Mr. Shaw and his “Pygmalion.” Eliza mentions her two dead cats, Two-Paws Shuh-Cute and The Notorious C.A.T., on a pre-season promotional #SelfieABC tag video for the ABC television network.
A shy little ball of fur poked its head around the corner, and wandered into the bright and cozy den. Seeing the two bipeds together was intimidating, more so than just the one who supplied milk and a warm place to sleep.
The room was well lit, bathed in soft warm yellows and wood-earth browns. A big desk, a few lamps, sofa, coffee table, big shelving units were items the small creature could not name or identify, but its little mind already viewed them as future opportunities for climbing and exploration.
Feeling strangely comforted by the one biped with long flowing red hair, the furball looked up with curiosity. The redhead spoke, but not to the kitten in question.
“So … you actually got one.”
“That’s right … why?”
“Nothing …”
He looked at her askance; she was up to something. “Eliza … out with it …”
“I didn’t think you’d go through with it.
“Go through with it?”
“You do know that ‘feeding the cat’ is a euphemism for …”
“Yes! I know!”
Eliza narrowed her eyes. She was going to test just how much he knew.
“Getting the boink on, hitting a homerun, doing the deed, a roll in the hay …”
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Please …”
She put her hands on her hips in knowing defiant fashion. “A big ride on the flag pole …”
“… Eliza …”
“… the lust and thrust …”
“… stop …”
“… taking a long trip to pound town …”
“ … please … stop …”
He was blushing furiously, to her absolute delight. “You know I can do this all day …”
“Eliza, I’m begging you … no more …”
“You’re begging me, Henryyyy?” Her full toothsome smile bordered on the ‘playfully evil.’
At her determined look to complete her final thought, he raised an index finger to the air, the look on his face urging her to stop. “No …,” he implored.
She deliberately opened her mouth as if to continue, baiting him again.
“Nooo …”
“Well then …” Eliza smirked with satisfaction. She looked down once more at his new pet. “You got a Ragdoll?”
Henry breathed deeply, relieved her one-sided game was done. “Yes, they’re affectionate, easy to take care of, and they have big blue eyes. How’d you know my cat is a Ragdoll?”
“I’ve had cats before, Henry. Remember I had one called 'Notorious C.A.T.’?”
He nodded.
“I’m surprised you didn’t get a Siamese; they’re a little more regal.”
He glared at her, softened by the knowledge she was mocking him. “Haha, funny, Eliza. I know about Siamese well enough to know they’re vocal and chatty. Besides, I have you …”
“Waaa?! Whatevs! Was that a burn or a compliment, and did you just compare me to your kitten, even though it’s very … ”
She stopped mid-sentence with a squeal, followed by a sympathetic 'awwww.’ The kitten had failed spectacularly to climb up his pant leg.
“I’ve got to tweet and `gram this: H-dawg has a cat!”
“Okaaaaay …” It was only then he noticed she had something extra in hand. “Hey, what’s in the bag?”
Eliza dug out the iPhone from her purse, and plunked both purse and bag onto the floor. She took a snap of the kitten lying prone, upside down on the floor. She was in mid-tweet when she replied.
“Your jacket. I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to return your jacket.”
He never asked. She hadn’t brought it up.
Both might have had reasons to feel embarrassed, and there were likely more reasons on his side, he supposed. But his subsequent rejection at karaoke night, their return to common ground as BFFs ('better friends with the feels’), a gradual change to the new-old Eliza, and her subsequent breakup with Freddy had made for a breathtaking and very eventful four weeks.
With all of that rushing past his mind’s eye, he was as eloquent as a monk on the mute.
“Oh … uh … thanks …”
Mostly on the mute, he realized, but totes correct on the sex life of a monk. TOTES?! What the hell was Eliza’s voice doing in his head?!
“I want to talk about it.” She looked at him keenly. Her abrupt focus was a little unusual, especially now that it was trained on him; he found this Eliza a little unsettling.
“'It’. What is this 'it’ to which you’re referring?”, he asked evasively.
A few weeks ago, she would’ve been frustrated and walked away. The difference now was she knew better. In an instant, she decided she would push back, push harder. Eliza shook her head at him, bent down, and picked up Henry’s pet, cradling the limp mewing kitten in her arms.
“Awwwwww, your cat is totes adorbs. What’s her name?”
“It’s a 'he’, and his name is George.”
“George … I like it.”
He smiled at her approval.
She leaned down to the kitten. “Henry is obtuse and very silly, isn’t he, George?”
“Did you just use the word 'obtuse’?”
“Stupid, dumb, half-wit, brain-dead, dumbass … I really like dumbass, by the way …”
“OK, OK, I get it.”
“Oh my ragdoll George … that Henry, suddenly he’s a smart one …” She gave George a kiss on the head, and put him down onto the floor. The kitten scampered out of the den to survey further his domain.
This time, she looked at him straight in the eyes. “I don’t want any bullshit. I just wanna talk about it.”
He closed his eyes and breathed slowly. She waited for him; patience was one thing she had learned from their many lessons. He had never realized those lessons would one day be used on him. It seemed the continued silence meant he would begin.
“First of all, I loved how you made my jacket look so good on you. I was amazed you did so much with so little … no, Eliza, don’t go there … just … not yet …”
She wanted to pounce on what he said, but remained silent. Her brief disappointment dissipated when he allowed for a return to point.
“Second, I always thought you could do better than Freddy. But you two were getting 'seriously serious’, and you said 'things had gone okay’ over dinner with Freddy and his parents. If he made you happy, I was okay with that. Mostly okay with that. So imagine my confusion when you decided to give me back my jacket, you opened the jacket, and I got to see …”
“ … ogle …”
“… your naked body underneath.”
“You didn’t exactly run screaming for the hills. You lingered. Yes, Henry, your eyes lingered.”
“Yes, well … you’re a very beautiful woman …”
She giggled self-consciously. “I think that’s the first time you’ve said that out loud and directly to me.”
“No … really?”
“Uh huh,” she replied, opening the trap.
He really should’ve known better. “Oh, well how about that time when I picked you up for Terrence and Maureen’s wedding …?”
“AHA! Knew it! I knew you thought I was beautiful, even then!”
“Yes, I did; I always have. But that night at your elevator … I wanted to say more than 'wow.’”
Her look softened. “I know; I could tell. Why didn’t you?”
“I was confused, and I was a little afraid. You were with Freddy, and I had something going with Julia …”
Eliza looked at him skeptically, both reliving that conversation in his office on karaoke night.
“Look, Eliza, you had just dinner with his parents, for heavens’ sake, and there you were in front of me … naked … soft … glowing … skin …”
If Eliza didn’t know any better, she would’ve said his voice trailed off dreamlike, which she found unbelievably hot, knowing she was the cause. Because she was turning him on!
“If I had known showing you my hot rockin’ bod would work, I might’ve pulled that trick on you earlier. But that night, I left dinner early, because I wanted to be with you. I chose you, you idiot!”
“You did?” Even after her subsequent declaration of love, this was something he still couldn’t quite believe.
“Yeah, I did. I do; I still choose you.”
If he hadn’t remained in the moment, that might have been his heart melting or exploding. Kinda felt a lot like both, if you had asked him right then and there.
“But you know what? I def totes believe in second chances. I don’t want to startle you, Henry, but I’m going to mess with your hair now.”
“Wha-what? What do you mean?” Apparently, he hadn’t been paying attention, because all of a sudden, she was a lot closer. Right up in his space, in fact.
“Henry … I’m going to kiss you.”
Recognizing his chance, he realized he no longer felt afraid. Instead he felt the strength of the gift she was tenderly returning to him. He let out a long breath in relief. “I’m glad, because I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time.”
“Words, Henry. Now show me,” she demanded. “Show me how you feel.”
She was always the push he had ever wanted or needed.
He grabbed her by the waist, fulfilling a pledge, satisfying their desire.
Waiting had made them yearn; their eager kisses crashed, resulting waves of love and affection washing away pain and past wrongs, mouths and lips sealing a delicious bond, replenishing them both with the promise of more. So much more.
“Uhm … wow.” Barely finding his voice, those two words came out low and raspy, flavored with a hint of want and need. Lumps of his once well-styled hair stuck out at crazy angles.
The way he said those two simple words struck Eliza at her core: emotional and physical. She was very moved and, also, very aroused. But she smiled a secret smile instead. “I’m going to say 'good night’ now.”
“What, really?!”
She liked playing with him; this was their game, one only she and Henry could play together. But she also sensed things had gotten farther than he might’ve liked, and she wanted to give him some space.
“I know you, Henry. I think all this might’ve pushed you way beyond your comfort zone. So I’m leaving … for now. But this means we’ve got something new, and the start of something really really good.” She reached up to palm and caress his cheek. “Good night, my raggedy man.” She leaned in to steal another kiss, before walking to and opening the glass door.
As she stepped out into the Los Angeles night, he called out to her.
“Eliza …”
She turned to face him, hope in her voice. “Yes, Henry?”
He lit up with a smile. “You sure you want to head home right now?” echoing the same question a nude Eliza asked him by her elevator.
She laughed. “Is this where you stop being a chicken?”
He laughed in reply, knowing the message was received. “Nice burn. Yes, it is, and it’s also part of my new mantra: no fear. So, get your ass back in here, Eliza.”
She walked back into his house, closing and locking the door behind her. She liked this new confident and forceful side to his personality.
He closed the distance and reached up to part a lock of her hair, a fine touch over her glasses, his finger tracing a soft line of fire along her cheek, before dropping his wayward hand to the side.
“Sometimes, I catch myself when I see your shorter hair and your glasses. It’s almost like there’s a different person, but underneath, it’s still you; it’s always been you. I think about how far you … no … how far we’ve come.”
She frowned. “You think I look different? Like, butt different?” She shouldn’t, but a part of her, the Doolio, still cared what he thought about her appearance.
“I think you look really super cute.”
She looked down and blushed.
“Eliza, it’s not just about your looks. It’s about everything that makes who you really are, the one that I’ve come to know and care about: the smart sensitive caring beautiful Ariel hot ginger of a woman.” He raised his hand again to palm her cheek. “I gotta admit though: you are sexy hot in these glasses.”
She dropped her purse to the floor without care, and cozied up to him. She looped her arms around his neck, fingers loose and in play with his hair.
“I do, don’t I? 'That’s right, bitches: I’m better than basic!’”
He laughed, shaking his head at her. “What am I going to do with you?”
“You know what, Henry? You love it. And I like to think we went through this whole process together.”
“We are a winning combination, aren’t we?”
“For the win, baby …” She leaned in, and her heart soared when he closed the remaining gap. “Eliza and Henry. You and me. Can’t lose …”
George shuffled back slowly into the den. Things seemed too quiet. He looked up to see the two individuals holding each other, hungry gasps emanating from where their mouths were attached.
Funny creatures, these fair bipeds.
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Avalanche
My first story based on ABC’s “Selfie”.
Posted on AO3. 28 December 2014.
Rated T. An ultimate thank-you selfie to the “Selfie”, to EK, KG, and JC.
Summary: For Henry and Eliza, an evening conversation in the hills overlooking Los Angeles is one they won’t soon forget. Events up to and including 1x12 “Stick in the Mud”.
Out of the corner of his eye, the illuminated sign loomed in the distance. If he didn’t know any better, the sign seemed to accuse him of intransigence.
That’s just ridiculous. The ‘Hollywood’ sign can’t talk, point, or accuse, he thought.
He’d held onto the fallacy that he could not be changed, that he’d been the one to help change her ways. He had been single-minded, obstinate, unyielding, intransigent.
But it wasn’t like that any more.
Like the surrounding cool breeze, he let the mix of blame and effect wash over him.
Moist Pacific air descended from the layer above the ocean just off the California coast. Broken clouds, a few stars peeking through, and temperatures in the lower-50s rounded out the setting.
The lone man folded his arms, deeper into his cardigan, deeper into his funk.
He looked back to his car. The jacket was folded neatly, sitting on the backseat.
He welcomed the cool air. Tonight, he wanted to feel something other than numb.
This was Christmas Eve evening. Few lingered after sunset up here in the Hollywood Hills. They scurried back to friends and family, to a big roasted bird (or tofu equivalent) with stuffing, potatoes, and pie.
There really isn’t anyone else up here but me. Guess I’m the weirdo, even though I’ve always found peace and quiet up here.
He sat on the hood of his car, in Griffith Park on Mount Hollywood with a commanding view of Los Angeles.
A city of lights. The city of angels.
There was one firebrand of an angel in his mind.
“Stealing Home”, Heliza SelfieFic
#Heliza #SelfieFic #saveSelfie
Summary: What happens after Eliza gets naked in front of Henry and the screen fades to black? What could've, should've, might've happened after the elevator scene in 1x09 (Follow Through). I'm following through on an alternative-canon universe, and I'm taking Eliza and Henry on a good little ride.
Available for you at AO3 and FFN. Please leave your comments on AO3!
