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*Meg's sitting at a booth in the bar, with a fire extinguisher well within her sights.

Theoretically, she's working on a lesson plan.

But every fifteen seconds or so, her eyes dart up, scanning the bar for dancing. Which alas means she has not made much progress on the aforementioned lesson plan.*

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*Andrew's making a slow circuit of the room, with a slightly smaller fire extinguisher tucked under his arm.*

*When he reaches her booth, he slumps into the seat opposite her.*

No fires yet.

*Meg shakes her head.*

I haven't seen any either - nor even anyone singing tonight, though it was pretty bad last night.

*A small shudder.* I was talking to a girl yesterday when we got hit with a nasty one -

Nasty how?

Nasty, *Meg says, a little grimly,* in that I'm positive the tune was something Christine sang at the Opera House - I mean. Note-for-note.

Subject matter wasn't too far off either, actually - so basically it was a flashback in the middle of a curse and altogether not fun.

*Andrew winces.*

Yeah, it'll do that.

We've got to figure out how to stop this.

You're telling me?

*Meg sighs.* At least you have a semi-decent singing voice.

*- look, if you're going to be under a horrible demon curse, you can at least sound nice while you're doing it.*

Really? *Andrew brightens slightly.* Thanks.

*Meg grins across the table at him.*

You're welcome - I've heard you karaokeing, remember.

. . . and I am suddenly very very glad that the karaoke machine has not showed up recently, because if the demon got its hands on that it'd be I feel pretty much totalement unstoppable.

Or cancel each other out, maybe, I don't know.

*He gives a sigh.*

Always something.

*Meg echoes his sigh.*

Oui. It's just -
we all lead such elaborate lives -
Wild ambitions in our sights . . .

*She's hardly singing, yet; more simply talking in rhythm, which is why she hasn't noticed.*

*Andrew nods.*

How an affair of the heart suvives
Days apart and hurried nights...

*... now that's a little more ... melodic.*

*Meg's mouth quirks a wry, slightly sad smile.*

Seems quite unbelievable to me -
I don't want to live like that.

*He reaches across the table to take her hand, and sings.*

Seems quite unbelievable to me;
I don't want to love like that.

*Meg's voice twines around his in harmony:*

I just want our time to be
Slower and gentler, wiser, free ...

*Meg's hand grips his, a little, tightly.*

You still live in extravagant times
Playing games we can't all win -
Unintended emotional crimes
Take some out; take others in . . .

Too many choices tear us apart;
I don't want to live like that.

Too many choices tear us apart -
I don't want to love like that.

*Meg's eyes raise to his, again.*

I just want to keep your heart . . .
May this confession be a start.

*Andrew stands slowly as she sings those last few words, and comes around the table to draw Meg to her feet.*

I know you'll give me courage
to face what I must face

*His free hand indicates the front door, and by implication his world beyond it.*

With all these complications
in another time and place...

*Meg's gaze follows his hand to the door; quickly, she looks away, and then back up at him.*

We all lead such elaborate lives
We don't know whose words are true -
An affair of the heart survives
All the pain the world can do . . .

*The music swells, and they sing in harmony:*

I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to live like that
I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to love like that

I just want to be with you, *Meg concludes, softly.*

Now and f-

*Her eyes widen, as she hears the forbidden word struggling to emerge; desperately, she leans up and presses her lips to Andrew's, cutting off the finale of the song.

The musical note hangs, poised, in the air.*

*Andrew draws back from the kiss, and meets her eyes.*

*And sings.*

Now and however long we do ...

Here and together, peaceful, true.

*The music winds to a close, leaving them looking at each other.*

*Meg's gaze drops first.*

- well, *she says, and her voice is carefully light.*

Now you've actually heard my singing voice, I'm kind of surprised you haven't already taken off in the opposite direction -

Come here.

*Andrew tugs lightly on their still-joined hands, drawing her into a gentle hug.*

Didn't go anywhere, *Meg points out, with a small smile, and lets herself be pulled, resting her head against his shirt.

But she's careful not to put her arm around him; not to hold on too tight.*

*He doesn't hold too tightly either.*

*Some things you do learn.*

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