AU } Maybe in another life, we wouldn't be alone tonight

[songofsong]

Saturdays were always big days, but today, well, it was even bigger.

The World Museum was open to the trawls of parents and children that flooded in every weekend, a spell of bad weather driving in an even bigger amount than normal. What also helped, was the fact that a new space exhibition had arrived on the science level, one that Melody Pond had been angling for some time, and today was the big opening.

It had taken a lot of hard work and a lot of money, but it was finally here, and Melody was practically bursting with excitement as she zoomed around the museum, making sure everything was going smoothly. She'd heard there might be some special guests making a visit later, the kind of special guest that could possibly see her head hunted. Therefore, everything had to be running perfectly.

Passing one of her colleagues, Melody stopped him with a hand on the arm, requesting in hopefully pleading voice that usually got her her own way.

"Malcolm, would you mind standing by for the 3D showing? Just make sure everything goes to plan? Thank you, sweetie."

He was all too happy to oblige, which was why Melody had asked him in particular, and she watched him go with knowing look, unable to feel much happier than she did in this moment. With her hands by her sides, she did a little spin on the spot before she bounced off to continue with her duties, nothing able to wipe the smile from her face.

Everything was going to plan.

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[songofsong]

When the waiter arrives, she sits straighter in her seat, giving him a forced smile. She hopes she doesn't look too upset, though she can feel it on the inside. It's ridiculous, it somehow feels like all her dreams have come crashing down, when it's only the second time she's met this man. But it hurts. The idea that this might all mean nothing, hurts.

"Yes, it does, doesn't it?" she says, trying to follow his lead. She hopes that eating something might help her feel better. She's sure the wine on an empty stomach can't be helping.

[bowtimeandspace]

James nods a bit as he starts to eat, working on his dinner as something to focus on. But he can't focus for too long, pausing after eating a chip to look up at her.

She doesn't look like she's enjoying herself any more, and maybe that's the worst bit. Maybe too the thought that he was worth something for a night between the sheets but somehow this is a step too far? It makes him feel just as awkward as she might.

"Would you rather I just go?" he asks. "Because to be quite honest you look like you'd rather be anywhere else but here."

[songofsong]

When he says that, she feels like she's been called out on her behaviour, and her eyes close, laying her knife and fork down. "No," she tells him, voice softer as she lets out a sigh. "No, that's not what I want at all. I'm sorry, James. It's just a bit of a shock, that's all."

[bowtimeandspace]

"Look," he says with a small sigh. "I don't care how old you are. I don't care how old I am. It's just a a number, it doesn't mean anything. But what does is that I like you. And I think you like me. And you know Mel, I think this could actually go somewhere. If you want it to. Because I think I would. You're not just some quick shag."

[songofsong]

She carefully looks towards him when he begins to speak, getting a sense that he was trying to say something important and it would be wrong of her not to give him her full attention. What he tells her, it gives her some hope, but in the same breath she ridicules herself for thinking such. He's young, he's infatuated, it's all too easy to dream of a future when it's as far away as his.

But she tries to take away the positives, that he does seem to care, and as he said himself, she wasn't 'just some quick shag'.

"Well, thank you for clarifying that," she points out a little dryly, her lips twisting into a small smile. "And I do like you, James. Very much. I just can't help but wonder what's in it for you?" There's that insecurity again.

[bowtimeandspace]

"What's ever in it for anybody?" he asks, not really understanding her point. Does everything have to be so planned, so worked out? He's never lived life that way. Plans don't come before, they're made up as he goes along. One way or another things have a tendency to work out.

"Can't we just enjoy ourselves?"

[songofsong]

Perhaps herein lies the age difference. The fact he can so easily leave life to chance, and she's spent so much of hers under control. She smiles wryly to herself, looking down at her plate for a moment before she nods.

"You're right," she agrees. That could be just what she needs, to stop trying to plan head, to know what's going to happen to them. Just enjoy it while it lasts, even if it does come to an end. At least it got a chance to begin.

"Here's to enjoying ourselves," she decides, picking up her glass and offering it towards him in gesture.

[bowtimeandspace]

Picking up her glass softens him a little, and he does the same in return.

"To enjoying ourselves," he agrees, tapping his own glass against hers.

"Right then, were were we?"

[songofsong]

With that in mind, Melody happily goes back to her meal, having made a promise to herself to do just that. For the rest of the meal, the conversation remains far lighter, and with the wine and jokes flowing, Melody has a smile on her face once more.

As the meal comes to an end, she sits forward upon the table, nursing the glass of wine in front of her as she smiles across at him.

"You know, you should come up to the museum again. It's nice sharing that place with someone who cares."

[bowtimeandspace]

After the little hump in their conversation, the evening goes much more smoothly, laughing and joking as they enjoy their meal. He sits back now, the dregs of his wine sipped from the glass.

"Do I get that private tour?" he asks, teasing. "Because I think that might just be worth the train fare."

[songofsong]

Melody purses her lips in playful thought. "Maybe. Depends on what the boss says," she replies naughtily, then taking a drink of her wine before she raises an eyebrow. "Hm. She's ok with it."

[bowtimeandspace]

"Glad to hear it," he says with a smile. "I'd have had to had words with her otherwise. Can't have these bosses getting all above their station now, can we?"

He sets his glass down and gestures over for a waiter to bring them their bill. His brows raise at it when it arrives, but he pulls his wallet out and sets his card out to get

"I've had a good night," he tells her. "Thanks for asking me, Mel"

[songofsong]

As the bill comes, Melody sits up in her seat. She hadn't expected him to pay for their meal, but she appreciates the gesture nonetheless. It somehow makes things feel a little more real. A little more like a date. She smiles at that.

"Me too. I'm glad we could get together," she says, though she's hoping the night isn't going to end there. She waits until the waiter has been and gone with their payment before she makes her suggestion. "You know, my hotel isn't too far from here.."

[bowtimeandspace]

He breathes in a little as he keys his pin into the machine. Quick and painless, like ripping off a plaster. That's what he tells himself.

The vague suggestion raises his eyebrows, and he smirks a little. It's hardly like it's an unexpected turn of events, after all in a way he wonders if all of this wasn't in some way just a preamble to that.

"Well then, I best walk you back, hadn't I?"

[songofsong]

"In these shoes?" Melody replies, then giving a small laugh as she gets to her feet, showing him the heels she towers on, and the long legs that lead down to them. "No chance, sweetie. We'll hail a cab."

[bowtimeandspace]

And so they do. It's not difficult to hail a cab, and the drive is a few minutes at that. Before long they're stepping out into the street by her hotel.

"So am I coming up?" he asks plainly, standing outside the hotel doors.

[songofsong]

Melody pays for the cab, much to the relief of James' wallet, and as they step out into the cool night air, she can't help but feel a little excited about heading inside.

His question makes her smirk, because she's sure there's no doubt in either of their minds where this is going. Which is why she can afford to be a little playful about it.

"I don't know. Are you?" she replies naughtily, giving him a grin before she begins heading on inside the building.

[bowtimeandspace]

There's no response to her words, just a smirk that says it all. He follows, just as she knows he will, stepping into the foyer and following her up to the lift. They wait outside and step in when it opens. It's only when the doors open that he turns towards her.

And when he does? He steps against her, hand out about her waist, pulling her against him as he steps against her, his head leaning in to steal an eager kiss he'd undoubtedly been waiting for all night.

[songofsong]

Stepping into the lift, Melody can barely wait to get into the hotel room. She's eager, certainly, but he gets there first, managing to catch her by surprise. She lets out a soft muffled noise against his lips, but it doesn't take long for her to follow suit. She can feel all the desire that's been building since they saw each other last, and once it starts, it's hard to stop.

Fortunately, it doesn't take long for the lift to reach her floor. Unfortunately, there's a couple stood waiting as the doors open. Melody pulls back quickly, giving them a wide eyed look before she hides her grin behind her hand and quickly tiptoes out of the lift with James in tow.

[bowtimeandspace]

There's a smirk on his face as they're caught by the couple. It doesn't dissuade him, in fact far from it.

"Shame," he whispers as they step out along the corridor. "Could have fucked you right there." Teasing, perhaps, but then only a bit.

They step ahead, closer to her door, and he waits for her to swipe the keycard, standing behind her as she does, his eyes over her back and hand touching against her behind as her dress clings to her form.

[songofsong]

His words alone make heat prickle along her skin, and she tries to hurry with the keycard. She's a little distracted by his hand against her backside, and she breathes out slowly before she finally gets the door open. Almost relieved, she steps into the room, turning to face him and kissing him as soon as she's able, reaching one hand behind him to shut the door with a satisfying sound.

[bowtimeandspace]

No sooner that the door is shut, James turns them both, pressing her back up against it with a harsh clatter. His kiss seeks out hers, teeth clashing and tugging against her lips.

"I'm going to fuck you so hard tonight Melody," he tells her, almost like a warning.

[songofsong]

She lets out a gasp as her back thuds against the door, for a moment submitting to the rough kiss that overtakes her. She's left breathing heavily when he tells her what he's doing to do, that only making her want him more. Her fingers grab needfully at the front of his jacket, pulling him close as possible against her, her lips catching against his as she speaks.

"Yes, you are," she agrees confidently, like she'd make sure of that.

[bowtimeandspace]

His arms slip backwards, allowing her to push the jacket back if she might, his own arms going to assist in the same. It doesn't take long, and he's soon back to her, pressing her back to the door and not stopping kissing for a moment, barely space for breath.

His next move brings his hand down to the button on his jeans, popping it open and reaching into his pocket where he has a packet of condoms (obviously, he came prepared). It's quite clear he has little intention of even allowing them to move further into the room.

[songofsong]

Their lips clash with every kiss, as though they could fit in every possible kiss they had missed during their time apart. She's left gasping against his mouth, her chest heaving beneath them as she exerts herself with their actions and adrenaline. She shoves furiously at the jacket the moment she realises it's coming off, pushing it down his arms and letting it fall to the floor behind him.

Between them, she can feel his hands going for his jeans and she only just about realises how fast they're progressing. But she doesn't mind, if anything, she's been looking forward to it just as much as he has. Their kiss breaks a moment as she looks down, giving soft gasp as her hand squeezes gently into the back of his neck. There's no hiding his desire, just as there isn't hers.