Lily sat at the dressing room table, looking at her reflection. The ladies had done their job well, and even she had to admit that her transition from ugly duckling to swan was complete. She looked stunning. She hardly recognized the girl looking back at her.

They had tamed her curls into a 1940s updo with dramatic sweeping curves. Lily's make-up was flawless, and her red lips were full and kissable. June had assured her that no matter how many takes, how many kisses, her ruby red lips would remain intact. She stood and looked at the silk dress that hugged her curves. She was wearing minuscule underwear, and there were no lines in sight.

Her image should have made her happy, it should have given her confidence, but it didn't inspire any of those feelings. In fact, she didn't feel anything at all. If ever there was a day she wished she could call in sick to work this was it, but you couldn't do that in acting. The show must go on, no matter what.

Hadn't Gene Kelly danced through the flu and a hundred-four temperature in Singing in the Rain! She could act through a little heartbreak.

The door opened behind her and Mason walked in, stopping when he saw her, giving a low whistle.

"You look beautiful, Lily," he said softly.

"Thank you," she said as she forced a smile.

He held open his arms, and she walked into them. "How are you? I heard about the run-in with your mother this morning," he asked as he squeezed her.

"I'm fine, Finn took care of it," she assured him.

"Wonderful, how is it going living with Finn and Mike, are you all settled in?" He stepped back from her and looked down at her.

" Fine, but I'm thinking about taking a vacation when we're done here. Finn and Mike won't need me," Lily said hesitantly. The idea of returning to his house was one she was dreading, and after spending a week with him, she realized she wasn't needed, nor would she be.

When he had first mentioned the idea of her moving in she had hoped that the reason he had wanted her to help was so that he could keep her near. Now she knew that wasn't the case. She had been thinking about it all day, and if she had to guess she would guess that her Uncle Lee and Finn had made the plan to keep her safe from her mother. Especially after his comment the night before where he let it slip that Eve was still around.

"I think that's a great idea!" Mason grinned. "Now, are you ready to make your grand entrance and sing your heart out?" He threw his arm over her shoulder and walked her out of the dressing room. It was as if he sensed she wanted to run away and he wasn't going to let her.

Mason had gone all out for the scene. There was a big band on the stage, the room was filled with diners and dancers, and all of the crew were there. So much for a closed set. He led her across the room, through the crowds of people, holding her hand. Everyone stopped talking and working as she passed.

If she weren't numb from her aching heart, all of the attention would have made her nervous, as it was, she walked through the silent crowd oblivious to all of the surprised stares.

"Let's rehearse the song, shall we?" Mason suggested, leading the way onto the stage. Lily did a quick scan of the room and saw Jo standing in a corner with her mouth hanging open in shock, she wasn't in the scene, but she had come to watch. Next to her was Tom, who was smiling appreciatively at her new look. Finn was nowhere to be seen.

Elias was making a guest appearance and was sitting at the piano. He winked at her before he ran his hands over the keys, and Lily couldn't help but think that he looked great in a tux.

Lily walked over to the old fashioned microphone and waited while Mason adjusted it to her height. "Can we get a soundcheck," he called into it. Lily was singing live, with the possibility of a voice-over if it didn't turn out well on film.

"Check, check, check," Mason said as there was a back and forth between him and the sound man. Lily took a moment to let her eyes scan the room once more, but she still couldn't find Finn, and she didn't feel him anywhere either. She mentally chewed herself out for caring.

"Are you ready, Lily?" Mason held out a hand, and she stepped up to the microphone.

The band started to play, and Lily couldn't help herself; she suddenly felt excitement as the music swelled behind her. She turned to look at Elias, and he grinned at her. She could feel it in her heart as it vibrated through the room. It was amazing.

"Let your voice sore, Lily," Mason whispered as he stepped off the stage and moved towards the back of the room while he told the lighting team to adjust accordingly.

"From the top once more guys," Elias called. "You ready Lily?" Everyone took their places.

Lily nodded and licked her lips, glad for the staying power of her lipstick.

She came in on time with the band and let her voice sore. "I remember you; you're the one who made my dreams come true a few kisses ago..." she sung, closing her eyes, wishing it was all true. She opened her eyes and saw Finn standing in the door to the set, watching her. He was too far away for her to gauge his reaction, so she closed her eyes and sang; "when my life is through, and the angels ask me to recall the thrill of them all then I shall tell them I remember you..." She opened her eyes and looked right at him, meaning every word, as much of as she could without actually being kissed.

Everyone moved through the actions of the song, and Lily realized that they were filming the rehearsal. One of Mason's dramatic moments no doubt.

When the song was finished, they reset the scene and ran it a few more times, but none of the other takes felt like the first one.

"That's good," Mason called after the sixth take, "Finn and Lily, come talk with me while they set the next scene," Mason called from the back of the room. Elias jumped up from his spot behind the piano and helped her down the stairs with the offer of his hand. Lily smile her thanks at him as he squeezed her hand in support.

"Have you thought any more about my offer," he softly asked as she passed.

"Yes, and I would like to take you up on it if you don't mind. As long as it won't interfere with this or vice versa. I did agree to do this show first." She looked up at him

"You can do both, I promise." Elias smiled. "We'll figure out the details later."

Lily nodded and then headed towards an impatient Mason.

"You were wonderful Lily," Mason said, hugging her as she joined him. She refused to look at Finn. She couldn't, but she could feel his eyes on her, wanting to know if she was alright. She knew he cared, just not enough to love her. She swallowed hard against the tears and focused on Mason.

"I want to change this scene. I know you two were supposed to kiss, but I have learned from experience that the absence of a kiss is much more dramatic." Mason explained.

Lily couldn't help it; her eyes looked up at Finn with a question in them. Had he arranged this? Did he realize how hard a kiss would be for her now, was he the one to tell Mason to strike it? He met her eyes, but she couldn't read anything in them that answered her questions.

"We're going to run through the scene and then cut right before the kiss. Which means when Desmond wakes up from his dream, he will be frustrated." It was as if Mason was playing them against each other in real life, trying to make them both nervous and frustrated for the final scene. If Finn had requested to strike the kiss, Mason would know that there had to be a reason, and he would use that to his advantage for the show. Lily switched her gaze to Mason, looking at him with serious eyes. He met her eyes with a serious look of his own, but no words were exchanged.

They took a twenty-minute break, while Lily was freshened up.

"Places!" Mason called when the break was over, and Lily took her place on stage with Finn, waiting at the base of the steps for her.

"Action!" Mason called, and the audience clapped as if she had just finished a song while she made her way to the edge of the stage, and this time it was Finn's hand that took hers to help her down the steps. She felt his touch all the way to her toes.

"You're very good," Finn said, following the script.

"Thank you," she returned as if the compliment was her due, totally in character.

"May I buy you a drink," he asked, holding her hand, refusing to release it even when she tried to pull her hand from his

As Brooke, she looked down at their joined hands and raised an eyebrow and his forwardness. "I don't drink," she said, pulling her hand away from his and started to walk away from him. He looked over her shoulder at something, and she wasn't supposed to notice, so she didn't, smiling at someone as she moved further towards the dance floor.

"A dance then," he insisted as she grabbed her and pulled her onto the floor causing her to stumble a little.

The action angered her, and it forced her out of the scene for a moment, but she stuck to her lines. "Do I have a choice?" she asked as Finn pulled her close. She lost her focus once more as his hand touched her bare back before moving lower to her hip. The thin silk was no match for the heat of his body. He pulled one of her hands between the two of them with one of his own, and her other hand landed on his shoulder.

"No," he said with a boyish grin that she had never seen before, and her knees went a little weak at the sight of it. She could only stare at him for a moment, losing her train of thought and her line.  "You look lovely."

He squeezed her waist, and it brought her back to the present.

"Thank you," she replied cooly as his legs brushed against hers, and she could feel his large chest under her hand. She looked over his shoulder, but the hand that was holding hers reached up and turned her face toward his, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"I need you to leave with me," his voice was urgent, just as it should be.

'Gee, there's a first." She gave a mocking smile. "No, thanks," she said as she tried to pull away, but he only pulled her tighter to him, and Lily couldn't help the gasp that escaped her at the sensation, and she closed her eyes.

"You're in danger," he hissed into her ear. Lily knew the mics would pick it up as they should.

Lily leaned her head back, looking up into his eyes, letting her eyes scan his handsome face. If she were truly Brooke meeting him for the first time, she would be in danger, in danger of falling in love with him.

"I doubt that," she whispered.

"There is a man by the door. I'm going to spin you around and try to get a look at him, let me know if you know him." Finn did just as he said and Lily made a show of looking at the door for the camera.

"Yes, I know him, he's my manager." She had seen his disapproving look on his face and stepped away from Finn. "I have to go."

"No, if you go, you will be in more danger than you are now!" He grabbed her hand and wouldn't let her go.

Lily looked at him. "I think if I stay, I'll be in more danger." It was a line that could mean anything, but the look she gave let everyone know that she was concerned for her heart.

"Please." He pulled her tight against him, and Lily had to bite back a groan. Being held in his arms was as wonderful as she always imagined it would be.

He looked down at her, and she looked up at him. It was the part of the script where they were supposed to kiss, he started to lower his head toward her, and she froze, unable to move, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She was captivated by his lips, but before his lips could meet hers, Mason called cut.

Finn stood up straight, released her, and transferred his attention to Mason. Lily followed her lead and did the same.

"Very good!" Mason called. "But this time..."

Lily gave a little whimper as she turned away from everyone. She didn't think she could do it again, but do it again she did, eight more times.