You can't hold me down| Finished.

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne started to walk up an down the corridor nervous as hell for what was about to happen tonight.

If it ever did happen though , since she was hoping that Richard would be to busy an with his hands full of work to actually come an pick her up for their dinner.

An she would be more happy if he could not even make it at all after all his load of work, but maybe he would be to busy to even reschedual an have to do it till next week.

But knowing Richard there was also the high possibility that he would come an would be wearing a smirk on his face, maybe give her flowers even.

But she would say that this was merely part on what they had agreed on, it was only an outing nothing more it had no sentimental value at all an would have rather just get over an done with the dinner.

But no it would take a long time, an she was going to be patient she really was if he did not play any dirty tricks.

Walking over to the entrance mirror she looked at her jade color dress, her favorite color an the long earings that her boy had picked out.

She was not going to ever wear any of his favorite colors or favorite dresses, she would wear what she liked an only what she liked, no one else had an oppion or even get to opinion except her precious boy.

Sighning she heard the door start to sound an rolled her eyes as she walked over towards the door, her heels she opened the door an smiled wide.

Waiting for the man in front of her to come in or for she to get out, but then noticing him start to wait outside she turned around.

She headed to the entrance an grabbed her coat an a shawl that she had prepared if it got to cold an walked out, "You ready to go " she asked him an started to look somewhere else an noticed the door open.

Her boy suddenly hug her, " I don't want you to go with the horrible man" she heard him say an only bit her lip to supress a chukle.


"Now then go back inside, an I promise ill be back soon " she told him an saw only smile an kiss her makeuped cheek.

An saw him go back inside an close the door behind him, she was glad that she had hired a nanny for the night an was sure that her boy would be alright for the few hours she stayed with Richard.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Richard couldn't remember feeling this excited since he heard the news of Edward's impending death some weeks ago. Macabre the information may have been, but it was like music to Richard's ears.

Tonight, he thought to himself, was going to be a good night. The previous day he'd had his best suit touched and up dry cleaned and earlier that morning he had gone so far as to bribe the limo driver not to tell Edward what he was up to (he would of course be taking Anne to dinner in the limousine; a taxi simply would not do).

On the way to her house he'd been busily making calls in the back of the car; arranging for a bunch of white roses at their table, champagne...the works. Having made the final call and replaced his phone in his pocket he couldn't help a little smirk.

He only hoped all would go according to plan.

At length the car drew up outside Anne's building. Richard extricated himself from his seat and hurriedly smoothed out a crease in his suit jacket. He had to admit, all things considered, he looked pretty good.

This thought in mind Richard approached Anne's door and rang the doorbell, his smile still in place as he waited for Anne to emerge.

When at long last Anne opened the door, Richard had to admit he was taken aback. Why, if she looked beautiful before her good looks seemed to have increased tenfold! He was about to say something, to compliment her, but she ducked back into the house at the last second to get her coat and shawl.

Richard couldn't help a chuckle. It seemed she wasn't at all pleased with her own decision to change the date of their dinner...she certainly seemed afraid.

"You ready to go?"

Oh yes, Richard thought, I most certainly am. He was about to offer Anne his good arm to take so he could escort her to the car when her son, Henry, appeared in the still open doorway.

"I don't want you to go with the horrible man..."

Richard stiffened at the insult, his lips thinning with displeasure. Did the child even realize it was he who was paying for his education? If it wasn't for Richard he wouldn't be half so privileged! And yet he called him horrible?

Richard knew it was foolish to feel hurt at a child's insults, but it wasn't what the boy had said that bothered him. It was the fact that Anne, doubtless, was planting ideas of Richard being horrible in the boy's mind...who else would do such things? That was what hurt.

Anne bent down to hug him and bid him farewell. As the door shut behind Henry and Anne straightened up again, Richard hurriedly wiped away the mask of displeasure and brought back his smile, offering her his good arm as he had planned to earlier.

"I never thought you could be more beautiful than you have been before, but clearly I was wrong," he said, his voice not at all cold or threatening as it usually was. It was strange...despite the fact he was using Anne to win the favour of the people and the media, tonight he felt more like the old Richard...the one who loved Anne long before d'Anjou.

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne just quirked her brow at his comment an saw him hold out her arm for her, as she only smiled an tried to decide if it was woth grabbing his arm, or say thankyou for the compliment since she has sworn herself that she would be civil but not take anything persona.

He was starting to take things a little the way she did not want them to go at all, but no matter it was only a stepping stone, "Thankyou" she told him simply an grabbed his good arm.

Sighning she wished that her boy had stayed just a few more or begged her to go in again but there was no way around it she had not forgotten anything ,an she had planned everything to the greatest detail.

She actually never did this, but because she did not want any mishmashes at all, an really she just wanted everything to be settled and done for.

Once again she had created her own doom, an was now a little nervous at what was in store, what torture would await her, an maybe she would order some big plate an bring back some left overs for her son.


Of course there was also the question , of weather this man right in front of her would let her bring them at all, but no matter she would fight back if he did not at all, an maybe curse him a little.

Anne was hoping that everything that he had planned would fall an crash an burn, but maybe she was also hating him to much, he seemed like his eyes had changed an had received that soft glow that once was in him all the time.

But maybe also her mind was playing tricks with her , nothing was ever safe anymore especially for her.


But Alas she also had to enjoy the best of herself tonight an no matter how many bumps happen to come by she could always look up with a smiling face an just let them pass.

Tonight was her night an nothing would ruin that , not even Richard, her only thought to get her by would be that of her old lover an desceased husband Edward.

Ah what happy days had they had together,that was just a really long an ever lasting tip that had formed into her life an was suddenly crushed by the man next to her.


" I hope I am not to fashionable" she whispered an bit her lip as she wished now that he would say yes, an why was he not guiding her to the car.

An quite suddenly she felt suddenly her feet guide her to the stairs, well more gently strolled to the stairs as she with Richard started to step down, an helped him down hoping that he was alright.

No matter how many cruelties she could spit out she still had a tender heart an would be kind when it was needed an not when it was not.


The only thing she hated was when he thought that her kindneess was an act of affection, when in reality she did not do it because she felt that she had a right to do it, in fact she did it because she felt that she could hel[.

An that help came from her heart ,but everything that he thought came from that damm, dark, cold thing that he called his soul.

No Richard did not have a soul at all who was she kidding indeed, ah well she could at least still think that she had done good with just a small gesture.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

As Anne thanked him and took his arm, Richard's smile increased a little. He would have started to guide her to the car but it was as though there was some other force at work, holding him where he stood, all the better to observe her.

"I hope I am not to fashionable..."

Richard laughed at Anne's statement, but his laugh wasn't cruel or mirthless as it so often was. It was a warm, friendly laugh...strange to have it coming from his mouth after all that had passed between them.

"You're talking nonsense, my dear," he said once his chuckles had subsided. "You look simply perfect."

It was as he said this that Anne began to move towards the stairs. Richard allowed her to take the lead, almost managing to match her gentle pace yet not quite. As such getting down the stairs was a bit troublesome...but Anne helped him. Just like she used to.

He found his mind almost subconsciously flitting back to the memories of time they had shared together in the past before he fiercely jerked it back. Now was not the time to wallow in nostalgia...that time would come later, no doubt. Right now he had to focus on the present.

"Angelic as ever, my dear," he said, as a means of thanking Anne for her assistance, leading her towards the limousine. He let go of her arm so that he could open the door for her; having done so he inclined his head slightly, all formality and politeness.

"After you."

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne only heard him half his speech when she turned her face away an just tried to force a smile an say thank you for the compliment,
but she could really not think of of anything else than wanting to choke the man.

But she could hold herself yet, "Thankyou for the compliment Mister plantagent " she said an bit her lower lip an started to curse her own head, an started to enter the car as she moved an saw the champagne an blushed.

He was trying to make an effort to make her feel confortable, but she really did not need all these formalities ,she could have just settled for a ride in the car or was that wine or was she just altoguether confusing herself.

Fixing her skirt, she started to stare out of the window an waited for Richard to get in the car and was becoming a little impatient with him, she was also wondering what restaruant he had picked out for their dining to be done .

She hoped that it was not a new one were the media was very centered on, she would hate him for it ,an would not speak to him for a week. But she also hoped that he had made his part in separating a table were they would be left in peae.

But knowing him everything could be a surprise, seeing him sit next to her she pressed her back to the car an started to take out her mirror from her purse an check that everything was right as it should be.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

It seemed as though Anne was debating whether to accept the compliments he was heaping on her or to simply say nothing, which confused Richard a little. What woman wouldn't accept compliments, especially coming from a man of his status? Then, he reasoned, Anne wasn't like other women. Not to mention she had every reason to loathe him.

"Thankyou for the compliment Mister plantagent "

Well hallelujah! She actually thanked him for the compliment! Things were looking up. With a grin Richard got into the car alongside her, and instructed the driver to take them to the restaurant.

As the car started up again and sped off, Richard turned to look at Anne. She had pulled a small mirror from her bag and was checking her appearance. Richard hadn't the faintest clue what she was so worried about; he'd already told her she looked perfect.

He used the opportunity while Anne was otherwise engaged to pour her a glass of the wine he'd ordered for the car. He wasn't sure if it was the right order (wine in the car, champagne at the restaurant) but in all honesty it didn't really matter to him.

Wordlessly he offered Anne the glass, his smile still playing about his features.

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne finished checking her appearance an set down the little mirros as she started to put it away, but noticing from the corner of her eyes Richard Serving the glass she only chuckled.

So he wanted to play the charmer game now did he, well she could also play it, an she was going to give him a wirlpool that he would never forget, but how was she going to complete this if he noticed her.

Streaching her fingers she turned around an puckered her lips an started to move closer an started to grab the glass of his hand touching his skin an started to cross her leg an took a sip tasting a gentle scent of grape, white wine her favorite how did he know.

But that was not the real thing she had to concentrate on now, but to just make him miserable or make him probably enjoy it. But could she really with stand having Richard in her beck an hand, yes but not today.

Anyways , she only smiled an started to carress his cheek an removed her hand an set it down in her lap, "Thankyou for the wine, but I am curious are you trying to get me drunk " she asked him an chuckled laughing a little.

She was not trying to be rude, but she was just wanting to know a little bit more information, honestly she would never really ask something if she was not curious or would she.

If she did she was a fool for asking, an she should shut up an try to stay as calm as possible, but Richard had a charm around her, an also always had her in his leesh because of her boy, so which way was it her feeling something true or her feeling something fake.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

She laughed a little as he offered her the wine glass, and his smile grew. As she took it from his hand, it was only natural that her hand should brush his...but there was something about that touch that felt different.

Richard's smile grew even wider as she took a sip of the wine; white wine was her favourite, he knew. He liked to think he knew her well, knew just how to get her on his side.

It was as she drew close to him again and caressed his cheek that his smile fell a little...not that he didn't enjoy this, of course, but because it seemed to him as though she'd figured out an effective weapon against him...she knew she made him weak.

Well. Two could play at this game.

"Thankyou for the wine, but I am curious are you trying to get me drunk ?"

Richard spluttered with indignant laughter. He couldn't help it. Him...try to get Anne drunk? He had to admit the idea had it's merits...but that wasn't what he was aiming for at all! Was she going crazy, he wondered, for surely she knew he wouldn't stoop that low...

"Am I trying to get you drunk?" he replied, once his laughter had subsided, shaking his head in disbelief. "You really do have some strange ideas in that pretty head of yours."

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne just noticed Richard expression of shock, as she only bit down on her bottom lip an took another sip an saw him splutter out with laughter, typical Richard reaction but would he follow the game now that she had started it.

" I don't have strange ways, I am sure right now your finding ways of using me for whateveryou wished" she told him, an set down the glass as she would not have any more of the wine, she would wait for dinner.

An also she should save her strenghth for what would happen later on in the evening, she hoped the restaruant that they would be going to have something that she should find eadable.

Knowing Richards taste for fine food , she really should not worry about that but he was making her nervous every time he looked at her it kinda send a chill down her spine but alas she had to get through with it.

"so how have you been " she asked him an hoped he would keep a short awnser for her, an not lengthen it she hated when she had to keep up with his current affairs , an wait a minute why was she taking everything so personaly.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"I don't have strange ways, I am sure right now your finding ways of using me for whateveryou wished"

Richard wasn't sure whether to reply with indignation as Anne seemed to have figured out his game plan or merely mock indignation to try and put her off the scent.

"Anne..." he said, deciding mock indignation would be the way to go. "I'm hurt, really, that you would think so ill of me. After all I've done for you."

He laughed after he said this however, as if to show her he was only kidding, that he wanted them both to be friendly to one another for once, with no hostility or harsh words spoken...the way things used to be. How hard would it be to try and return to those times?

"So how have you been?"

Richard's good natured smile (or at least that's what he hoped it looked like) re-appeared on his face at Anne's query.

"I've certainly not been as happy as I am now for quite some time," he answered, truthfully. "And yourself?"

It seemed the pair of them were talking properly, like the old friends they were, rather than trading insults like the enemies they seemed to have become.

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne only chuckled an just stared out the window wondering why was he taking her comments so seriosly , she was just playing around nothing more.

She really never meant to hurt Richard at all , but sometimes he just deserved a taste of his own medicine.

But hearing his mock indignation made her groan an turn around an near him grabbing him by his collar an using at the strength he could muster, " PLEASE LETS JUST ENJOY THIS CAR RIDE" she yelled and snuggled next to him.

His laughter calming her down, a little as she was really mad at him an did not ever find funny his jokes, but then hearing him reply to her question she only pulled away a little , as she only tried to step away an try to hold herself from what she was doing.

God she was a fool for playing his games sometimes, but other times felt good as well when she felt lonely the most. But enough of that she had to stay calm an proper as well, an she was not behaving like that god she hated herself right now but really it was all his fault.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Anne didn't reply to his query straight away; instead she chuckled a little and instead looking out the window at the city passing by, lights on buildings gleaming as the sky darkened overhead.

Then something very unusual happened...that is to say Anne answered his question but in the most unexpected way possible. She turned back around and moved towards him, grabbing him with all her strength by the collar of his shirt and yelled at him.

Almost immediately afterwards she let him go and instead snuggled up close to him, as though nothing had happened.

To say Richard was confused would be an understatement. What had just happened there? Surely two sips of white wine wouldn't make her flip her lid like that?

Maybe mock indignation had not been a good idea after all.

It seemed he had said or done something to calm her down however; although she pulled away slightly after a moment or two she was still close to him...much closer than he would have ever anticipated at this point in the proceedings.

He was tempted, sorely tempted, to pull her closer to him, to caress her cheek, stroke her hair... But even he realized that would be taking things a bit too far too soon... Besides he was simply content to have her in such a close proximity to him.

"Yes..." he said, somewhat weakly, unsure whether Anne had regained her composure or whether she was still liable to explode with the sudden fury she had just displayed. "Let's."

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne just saw him start to quiet down , an onlyu smiled and took his hand gently in hers an grasped his old fingers feeling the texture of them an sighed, she was not surrendering to him just enjoying the casual moments of being alone, an not having the media in the spot light in front of her.

She could notice that he was confused at her sudden outburst as she just smiled playfully, she was like that when Edward was around, she felt that she could speak her mind an nothing would happen, an when edward would get mad so would she it was their little moment of yelling at one another.

But now that was gone, an she had to move on but the man beside her was not going to be part of her life she hoped, well that was only depressing her an the feeling of touching his hand was making her feel relaxed and at ease.

Hearing him say that they should continue enjoying made her turn around and smiles as she suddenly saw the multitude of a crowd of paparrazis appear in the distance. " Richard... no you did not please tell me you did not " she started to say an frowd moving away her hand as she started to try an control her breathing.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

As Anne took his good hand in one of hers, Richard's smile returned. She seemed herself again. Her calm self. He of all people knew she could get angry, but who wouldn't prefer her when she was calm and at ease?

She continued to hold his hand for a while longer, lacing his weathered fingers in her slim, small ones, tracing the texture of his skin. It felt to him as though she was at ease in his presence once more, just like they used to be...he could hardly believe this was the case, it was all happening so quickly, and yet that was how it felt...

Anne looked up at him and smiled, a smile that made Richard's heart leap, although he would never admit this, not even to her. He smiled back as she turned away to look out the window once more. Richard followed her gaze.

The nature of his smile changed altogether. They'd made it. Everything was going according to plan...

"Richard... no you did not please tell me you did not..."

Anne wrenched her hand out of his grasp and moved away from him; it looked as though she were having an asthma attack or something similar as she attempted to breathe normally... Richard's devious expression faded as he noticed this... Originally the plan had been just to take her out with him to show her off to the media...but then another plan had formed...it seemed they were at last returning to the way things had been before Edward d'Anjou...

He didn't know what to say, how to reply. There was no denying that he had. But now he wasn't sure if it was what he wanted after all...

He momentarily considered lying. But he guessed Anne would see right through his lie. Instead he simply said nothing, his steely gaze fixed on Anne, hoping her reaction to the situation would not get any worse...

[ANNE SOPHIE PLANTAGENET]

Anne just noticed the car stop as she was about to cry, how dare he expose her like that when she had asked him specifically for somewere quiet an with peace, but now he had to have his moment of glory . The moment were he would show her off, this was just dissapointing her, an just when she was relaxing as well thinking that things would not be bad enough.

"HOW COULD YOU.. " she told him in a cold mannor as she started to open the door an walked out , as she smiled at the press an saw the flash lights go off every second, as she tried to fight her way through the crowd an into the restaruant, as she just looked back hoping that Richard would not follow her.


But she was here with him an anyways the paparazzi would see them together, as she only sighed an turned her head away an started to walk as calmly as she could inside an felt one of the buss boys take off her shawl as she just hid in one corner while she waited for Richard , an suddenly felt cold touch her skin.


A tear trickling down her eyes as she cleaned it off with one of her fingers and started to compose herself and be strong so that she could not show him how weak a thing she was.