The tension in the bullpen was becoming unbearable. He was seriously considering going to work with a knife so he could cut through the stolen glances, bashful smiles and silent sighs, when a more practical and audacious thought crossed his mind. Tara had been reminding them Valentine’s Day was fast approaching by wearing red every day. He could take advantage of the holiday, couldn’t he? But where would she like to go?

He scratched his bristled chin while drinking his coffee. He opened the morning newspaper to the entertainment section and flipped through the pages. Movies. Restaurants. Concerts. Shows... His eyes widened when he saw the perfect venue. Forgetting his cup, he reached for his phone.

He smiled at his reflection in the mirror. Not a single nick this morning. He rinsed his razor and headed for the shower. While the hot water washed over him, he carefully masterminded his brilliant plan.

This is an exciting start, Marlene! Eager to find out the identity of our mystery man. And I love your title!!!

oh who is it?? who is taking who out.

What a great start! I can't wait to see what happens, and to whom it happens, next!! I'm off work today, so I'm on pins and needles here!!

GinaSue

Marlene, I love it so far!! So many possibilities!! I can't wait to see who this mystery man is!!!

Joy

You started it! Oooh, this is looking good already. The title really caught my attention, too.

] A challenge story by Marlene!!!

I want to know who is he??? Please, soon Marlene!! [/color] Tere

At first when you mentioned the bristled chin I thought it was Levi, but since our mystery man was reading the paper, I guess not. Levi is a wonder dog, but...even my imagination has limits.

kav

Marlo has started a challenge story....

Can't wait to see how this unfolds. I'm wondering if the who is who I think it is? If so, I think I might know the where he is taking her; but, I'll just wait to see if I'm right, probably not; but I love trying to guess!

Lynn

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! (Kim rubs her hands together gleefully) A new Marlo story!

Kim

Good one, Kav!

Okay, Marlene. On with the show!

Jill

Like this much!

Oh! I wonder who's that man??
I am so excited to see where the story will go
Josy

“You’re late, mate.”

Myles shrugged. “Traffic.” The detour he had been forced to make in order to pick up the tickets had cost him precious minutes. He hung his coat, but kept his jacket. And under the guise of working on his latest report, he observed the blond woman.

He had almost resigned himself to wait till lunchtime to make his move when the perfect opportunity presented itself. Dogs were truly men’s best friends, he thought as he watched Sue take Levi outside. For a moment Myles was afraid Jack would follow her and ruin his perfect plan. But a timely call kept the dark haired agent tied to his chair.

With the invitation heavily resting inside his coat pocket, Myles stood up and walked towards Tara. He placed a yellow sticky on her computer screen.

Tara read the name and address. “Who’s that?”

“A snitch of mine and he skipped town. Think you can find something on him?”

“I’ll try.”

And as he wandered by Sue’s desk, Myles discreetly tucked the invitation between her keyboard and her phone.

+++++

“Hurry, Levi.” She was growing worried about him. Twice during the night and twice during breakfast he had asked to go out. “There’s something wrong with you, boy,” she told him as they headed back after he visited a few trees in the park. “I think we need to call your vet.”

As she reached for her phone, she caught sight of the small white envelope. Two tickets, attached to an invitation card with a twisted paperclip, fell on her desk.

Her gasp of surprise attracted everyone’s attention.

She read the invitation twice before daring to lift her head in his direction. As she did so, Jack hung up and stared at her with those irresistible dark brown eyes.

“Sue?” He smiled at the rosy shade spreading to her face. “Is everything all right?”

Under the curious looks of her colleagues, she timidly approached his desk. Placing the card in his hand, she leaned forward.

Her cheek grazed his chin and Jack found himself holding his breath.

“I’d love to go with you,” she whispered in his ear.

Dazzled, his eyes drifted to the invitation.

I would love to spend the evening with you,
Jack

RSVP by placing the invitation in my hand

His smile broadened as he met her gaze. ‘It’s date,’ he mouthed for her eyes only.

As Sue walked to her desk to make a call, Jack studied his friends. The faint smirk floating on the tall agent’s lips didn’t escape him.

“Myles? Bring that fascinating report in the conference room, would you? We need to talk.”

Unperturbed by the request, Myles followed and closed the door behind him. “Yes, Jack?”

Jack glared at his friend. “I’m hesitating between killing you and thanking you. For your sake, I hope you picked a nice setting for my first date with Sue.”

I wonder what it is!

Yeah! A new challenge story by Marlene!!!! What a way to come home to after a disastrous day at work!

Thanks Marlene!

I think I love Myles!


Kim

I cannot wait to see what kind of roller coaster you take us on this time.

Thank you Myles!!!

Exciting beginning Marlene!!

Tere

WOOHOO a challenge story from marlene fantastic
loved how myles is helping jack to date sue im loving it already
Lin

Do you notice how heroic Myles has been in our fanfic kingdom lately? It does my heart good. And I love his not so subtle push in the right direction. But you have me worried about Levi! Nothing better happen to him, marlene...I'm warning you.

kav

Yay! Marlene, a new challenge fic! And Myles is the instigator? Oh, I love it! Hm... I wonder what he has up his sleeve for Jack and Sue's first date.

He stared in absolute wonder at the woman in front of him. ‘You’re beautiful,’ he signed.

Blood rushed to her cheeks, matching the darker shade of her dress. “Thank you.”

He petted Levi. “Are you feeling better, boy?” Sue had told him the antibiotics were starting to work, but the poor boy was still having accidents, so he’d spend the evening with Lucy.

“Don’t worry, guys. Levi and I will be fine. Enjoy your evening.”

Her excitement was palpable as they drove towards the Old Opera House. She still couldn’t believe Jack was taking her to see the deaf production of The Phantom of the Opera. “How did you get the tickets? They’ve been sold out for weeks.”

“I owe Myles a few favors,” he sheepishly admitted.

Impulsively, she kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

‘Welcome,’ he signed, smiling. And with any luck, he’d improve her aim by the end of the evening.

The cobblestone steps were slippery. He encircled her waist to prevent her from falling and was secretly pleased when she welcomed his embrace.

After relinquishing their coats, they were directed by an usher towards the narrow stairs leading to the balconies on the upper level.

Sue leaned against his shoulder and showed him the program. He quietly read the passage she pointed with her finger.

Since her opening in 1863, the Opera House has been the theatre of many on and off the stage dramas.

In 1879, the building burned to the ground. A charred body, believed to have been the curtain master’s wife, was found in the rubbles. The husband was charged with murder and arson, but the conviction was overturned after his mistress swore he was with her the night of the tragedy. The Opera House was rebuilt a year later.

Mesmerized, he followed her slender finger down a few paragraphs.

Feb 14, 1942. A love affair between Laura, a young soprano, and her dashing music teacher, Antonio, ended with the young woman’s death. Intent on surprising her lover for Valentine’s Day, Laura sneaked into the Opera House after nightfall and stumbled onto his secret romance with Megan, her twin sister. Heartbroken over Antonio’s betrayal, Laura jumped from the balcony, killing herself.

“That’s sad,” Sue whispered.

He took her hand and gently kissed each finger. The lights dimmed over her smile. And the curtain rose.

So romantic!!



Tere

beautiful so very romantic
Lin

I KNOW I'm in love with Myles!!! Phantom of the Opera... oh, it just doesn't get any better than that!!! Oh wait, yes it does - I'm reading a story by Marlene!!!

You sure know how to set a setting!!! Did that sound corny? Oh well. You know what I mean!
Poor Levi. I have a dog that can empathize with him. When you've got to go, you've got to go!

Jill

How romantic! I love The Phantom of the Opera!

Go Myles!!!

Em

It didn't take Jack long to know it was Myles that gave Sue the invitation!! Myles is wonderful though - he couldn't have picked a better venue for their first date!! And, Jack is being sooo romantic - I just love it!!!

Marlene, I love the information about the Opera House - adds a bit of mystery to the scene!!!

Poor Levi!! But, at least it's not serious, and with his medication, he should be right as rain soon!!!

Joy

Go Myles!

I could just see him doing this, too...

Now, lets just hope that Jack and Sue don't get too into the 'Phantom' story...

Looking forward to the unfolding of the plot!

I simply love Cupid-Myles!! You had me scared for half a second that he'd actually set his sights on Sue, but thankfully you didn't let me work up too much of a lather over it before you revealed his true intentions. And Jack catching on to him so quick... what a guy! AND Jack doesn't seem to be letting this opportunity slip through his fingers. The hand not AT, but AROUND her waist, kissing her fingers... SIGHHHHHHHHH

Phantom is one of my all time favorites along with Le Miserables, but I guess that would be a bit of a downer for a first date, huh?! I have a question... are deaf productions done in silence or with a combination of music/spoken word and signing? I guess I always thought of them being only in sign, but if they're done in both, it would make them more appealing to a wider audience. Sorry, just something that made me say... Hmmmmmm?

So glad you're writing this Marlo!!

Tina

Way to go Myles!!!
Now, the Phantom of the Opera...perfect setting for romantic escape.
Sweet story Marlo
Josy

I love the setting of this one, Marlene. Very mysterious. With the mood you have set and your imagination, this ought to be an exciting story. I'm so glad you entered the challenge.

While I'm swooning with everyone over the romantic setting, the pitching oneself over the balcony has me a bit worried...seeing as you're writing this and you don't just throw things at your readers without a reason. ack.

kav (who thanks you for sparing Levi the embarrassing details of his ailment. )

... Ooooh

A tragic romance at the Opera House...A deaf production of Phantom of the Opera...my spine is already tingling with the possiblities!

Kim

Off to a superb start!

This one was priceless
thanks,
Terie

Ooh, the Phantom of the Opera! :swoon: Although I don't really know who I'm really swooning at right now... Myles for getting the tickets... Jack for taking Sue to such a beautiful show... or the incredibly handsome image of Gerard Butler as the phantom that just popped into my head.

Music filled the air, louder than anything Jack had expected to hear. He could feel the vibrations through the wooden floor, his chair... his entire body.

He looked at his lovely date who stared in wonder at the scene down below. Date. He loved the word. He had been scared to use it before, afraid she might turn him down, thought she deserved better than him. He had fought the attraction for years, only to realize a great force had allowed it to keep growing.

The meaning of some of the gracious gestures escaped Jack, but not the feelings portrayed above the spoken words.

Old and confined to a wheelchair, Raoul holds a music box over his lap. Around him, memorabilia from the Opera House are auctioned.

A flash of light blinded the crowd who gasped in surprise. Sue’s hand inadvertently gripped his thigh. He stopped her timid apology by intertwining her fingers with his and keeping her hand where it belonged... into his.

The audience is transported back in time. Under the watchful eye of the manager, the cast rehearses Hannibal. Carlotta is singing. As the music rises, Carlotta’s hands fly higher and faster. A backdrop falls to the floor, barely missing the young woman. “The Phantom of the Opera,” the cast cries. Upset, Carlotta leaves the stage.

Christine, protégée of a mysterious music teacher, replaces Carlotta as the lead singer.

His thumb caressed Sue’s hand in rhythm with the music.

After her triumphal performance, Christine meets with Raoul, a childhood friend. He invites her for dinner.

Jack smiled as he recognized the signs Raoul made.

Forbidden by her strict teacher, Christine refuses.

Sue heaved a sad sigh and shifted in her seat. Her hair brushed his shoulder. He lowered his head and inhaled the delicate fragrance of lavender.

Dejected, Raoul leaves the room. The Phantom appears and lures Christine into his lair to pursue her lessons. She rips his mask and he lets her go.

At the sight of the Phantom, shivers coursed over her skin. A strong arm encircled her shoulders. Content, she leaned into Jack’s embrace.

A new Opera is announced with Carlotta in the lead role. The Phantom objects and sends threatening notes. The manager refuses to give the role to Christine. Disaster strikes. Carlotta’s voice is stolen. Carlotta’s hands are tied behind her back. And a stagehand is killed.

Sue muffled her short gasp with her hand. He reached out and gently brought her palm to his lips. For a brief instant, their gaze met, and in the dim light of the balcony Jack captured her smile.

Raoul and Christine escape on the roof and pledge their love. Enraged by Christine’s betrayal, the Phantom strikes again and the mighty chandelier comes crashing onto the stage.

The sound of crystal shattering into thousands of shimmering fragments reverberated loudly through the house. The lights flickered and died, plunging the audience into darkness.

That was a planned "plunged into darkness", right?

Jill

Why don't I think it wasn't a planned plunge into darkness...I mean who would plunge a theatre full of deaf people into darkness without warning?????

kav

Why do I have a feeling things are about to change somewhere in the darkness?

Kim

It's been years since I've seen Phantom...and I can't remember what happens.

I'm scared!!!!!

(Although there is no one I'd rather be plunged into darkness with than Jack! I'm sure Sue feels the same way!)

wow this is amazing... and jack should be really gratefull for myles... now i'm with the rest...it is a planned plunge in the darkness right.

I hope that was planned, but why do I have the feeling it wasn't???

Marlene, the emotion and drama in your last post takes my breath away!! I read it twice just to get the shivery feeling, both from Jack's boldness and what was happening on stage!! I may just go back and read it again!!!

Joy

I remember these scenes from the show, but not the darkness!!

Hope Sue and Jack will be together

Tere

Eek!

thats wonderful but just hope sue and jack are kept together as
this is getting scary im about to go into for a while cant wait for the next post
Lin

I am loving this, Marlene!!!!

Em

Hmm... I need a smilie scratching her head right about now. It's been quite a while since I've seen the Phantom live on stage and meanwhile I kept thinking how uncomfortable those seats were. Theater seating just was not made for tall people....

...but I digress...

Marlene, you described those scenes just magnificently! I felt like I was actually in the audience, though I've never been present to a deaf production of a musical... I got shivers just as I did the day I went to go see the Phantom on stage. Though, the plunging into darkness sounds familiar... something tells me that it's not a good thing.