The following night was opening night. BB had excused herself fairly early in the morning, no doubt heading for rehearsal. Neal knew enough about the stage to know there was blocking and timing and all that to work out. But now it was about a half hour before curtain, and he, Peter and Elizabeth were walking into the huge theater. It was hard for Neal to see so many well-dressed people and not pick any pockets - he was with Peter, and a theft here would not go unnoticed. Still. He tried to get to their seats as soon as possible; the main lobby of the theater was making him twitchy. "There isn't long to curtain," he commented to Peter, who was looking around and shifting his suit collar all at once. "We might want to get in our seats. And you need your pants tailored."

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likessmart 2011-09-04 06:21 am UTC (link)

Peter looked at him. "I do not need my pants tailored, addict. You're all twitchy. Look, you can steal my wallet, as long as you don't take any money out of it." He winced when Elizabeth swatted him. "Boys," she teased, "stop fighting or I won't take you out to dinner after the show." El took both their arms, and she couldn't help but gasp when she saw where their seats were. They were lavish opera box style seats that came with its own bar and its own bartender. (Reply to this)

classicratpack 2011-09-04 06:39 am UTC (link)

"You need your pants tailored." Neal pointed down. It actually bothered him when Peter called him an addict; Feds were all holier-than-thou. But he shut up when Elizabeth threatened; he did like a good dinner and BB had sworn it was a place off the Strip. He followed the Burkes into the box, raising his eyebrows when he saw how good they were. "We've got better sight lines than most of these VIPs." (Reply to this)

likessmart 2011-09-04 06:42 am UTC (link)

"You are a VIP, Neal, you're her family. Gin and tonic for you, babe?" El looked up at Peter, who gave her a nod. She turned to look at Neal, winking, before heading to the bar. Elizabeth was good with booze; she'd be able to figure out what Neal wanted. Peter sat down next to his friend, smiling a little. "I meant what I said. You okay? You look nervous, kinda twitchy. I'm sure BB will be fine, this is her job, right?" He tried to make small talk, calming Neal down. (Reply to this)

classicratpack 2011-09-04 06:47 am UTC (link)

Yes, good. Think about BB. "She seemed pretty ready this morning. I mean, she's done all this before, just never in Vegas, in front of a crowd." Neal crossed his legs, sitting back a bit. He remembered the story he'd told, and smiled a little. "Hey, she kicked me in the face practicing. She's ready." He could get past the craving; it was a little like a smoker wanting a cigarette. Just ignore it and it would pass. (Reply to this)

	likessmart 2011-09-04 06:49 am UTC (link)
	"You know I still don't believe that, right?" Peter smiled and shook his head. "Whatever you two get up to in private on soil outside of the US is none of my business." He smiled at El when she returned with a gin and tonic for him and a scotch neat for Neal. She had a glass of red wine for herself, and immediately sat down next to Peter, curling up close. (Reply to this)

classicratpack 2011-09-04 06:56 am UTC (link)

It was almost irritating that he was so predictable, but for now, Neal just wanted the scotch. He smiled and thanked Elizabeth, downing half of it in a long swallow. He didn't drink much other than wine, but in moments like these, Scotch mellowed him out. He didn't answer Peter, figuring his friend just wouldn't want to know. Thankfully, the lights dimmed, and the overture music began. Neal sat back with his drink, watching the stage. The music wasn't horrible, and when the curtain opened, Neal knew immediately that the diminutive woman at center stage was BB. She had what looked like a length of silk draped over her, but the silk was attached to the ceiling. (Reply to this)

likessmart 2011-09-04 06:59 am UTC (link)

El just smiled at Neal, shaking her head. She was curled up against Peter, but she soon gave the stage her full attention when the lights dimmed. She could tell BB as well, despite her stage makeup, and when she started to ascend the silk using only her arms, she blinked. It was Peter, however, who gasped when she got to the top and twisted the length around her, sprawling out so she was on her back in seemingly mid-air. (Reply to this)

classicratpack 2011-09-04 07:05 am UTC (link)

Neal had seen her do that before, so he just smiled. Still, it was a surprise how completely graceful she was. Everything she did had purpose, and there were no wasted movements. She moved on stage the way she did offstage, but that was rare for a performer. Even now she was climbing higher, reaching almost to the apex of the big set - and she let herself drop about ten feet, still wrapped in the silk. It was a strange feeling for Neal; he felt like he'd jumped out of his seat that same ten feet, but only belatedly. It hadn't been a foul-up; BB was fine and continuing with her routine. It had probably been a death drop of some kind. (Reply to this)

likessmart 2011-09-04 07:14 am UTC (link)

Peter, on the other hand, had gasped loudly, as had El, who had giggled immediately afterward. The music was lovely, and she was enjoying herself. Peter normally wouldn't have, but it seemed to help that there was someone there whose health he worried about. BB resumed falling down the rest of the way before the lights went down. After that came a rather longish piece of dancing that she wasn't a part of, and El had to elbow Peter a few times to keep him awake. After that, BB came back onto the stage in a large circular hoop, soaring and dipping over the audience by one leg. El clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from squeaking when BB moved to dangle by an ankle as she swept over their seats. BB blew Neal a kiss before flipping upward, grabbing the ring with her arms. (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-04 07:24 am UTC (link)
	Neal was astonished, smiling, almost giddy with adrenaline and he wasn't even doing any of the moving. He just knew what it felt like to throw oneself into something they loved full force. When she blew him a kiss, Neal just grinned, feeling absurdly flattered, hoping his lady stayed on stage a little longer. It was dull as dishwater when she wasn't there. (Reply to this)

likessmart 2011-09-04 07:26 am UTC (link)

She did remain onstage; when she got close enough, she swung from the lyra to a trapeze that was over the stage - and a fire cannon. Peter jumped three feet, looking over at Neal. "I'm not even dating her and I'm freaking out. Your blood pressure must be through the roof." As if on cue, the bartender came by to refill their drinks - or in Peter's place, replace. The melted ice would taint the flavor of the gin. (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-04 05:03 pm UTC (link)
	Neal didn't object to the 'dating' word, and he knew somehow Peter would remember. But BB was overhead again, flying through the air with, well, what seemed the greatest of ease. The fire cannon went off right when BB hit the trapeze, and okay, that time Neal jumped. (Reply to this)

	likessmart 2011-09-04 05:11 pm UTC (link)
	El smiled at Neal, reaching over to squeeze his hand. She wanted to comfort him, and she smiled as he squeezed back. Eventually the trapeze that BB was on lowered to the ground a bit, she paused, standing still. Immediately, she went en pointe and danced with one of the larger men in the company, an elegant but sensual dance that was as complicated as her trapeze work had been. (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-04 05:48 pm UTC (link)
	He didn't pretend to understand it - dance wasn't his medium - but it was still elegant and somehow arresting. Neal sipped his scotch, slightly calmer now, watching his BB move with the music. It wasn't really hot or anything, but it was captivating. She could have been the only woman in the room. (Reply to this)

	likessmart 2011-09-04 05:56 pm UTC (link)
	The show ended soon after, and Peter and El rose to their feet, clapping enthusiastically. El raised her fingers to her lips, whistling. BB bowed with the rest of the cast, but she did blow another kiss in the direction of the theater boxes. (Reply to this)

classicratpack 2011-09-04 06:04 pm UTC (link)

Neal smiled, having joined his friends on their feet, clapping. "I'm going to go see her," he said to Peter, raising his voice above the din. "If you wait down by the stage door she or I should find you guys." He made his way out of the box and down toward the stage. When he got to the door, a large man stopped him, polite but devoid of levity. He asked who Neal was, and he only debated for a moment. "I'm trying to see BB. I'm her boyfriend." (Reply to this)

folleconnasse 2011-09-04 06:07 pm UTC (link)

BB was in her dressing room, taking her makeup off with some cold cream when the guard who was watching over the dressing rooms knocked. "Miss LeBeau, there's a man saying he's your boyfriend. Shall I let him in?" She grinned and answered through the door. "If he's really well dressed, about six feet tall with blue eyes and perfect teeth, then yes, that's Neal Caffrey. Let him in." (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-04 06:11 pm UTC (link)
	Neal thanked the man when he was allowed to pass, heading right for the door with BB's name on the door. It looked like she shared it, so hopefully the other lady wasn't in there. He knocked. "Miss LeBeau, are you decent? Can I come in?" Neal grinned. He kinda hoped one answer was no and the other was yes. In that order. (Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-04 06:14 pm UTC (link)
	"I'm never decent, Neal, and of course you can come in." She was wearing her kimono and nothing else, having quickly stripped out of her costume as soon as she'd gotten backstage. She was brushing out her hair when he opened the door, having quickly rinsed off her face after the guard had left. (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-04 06:16 pm UTC (link)
	Neal came in, removing his hat, wrapping his arms around her. "Hey. You did great." He picked her up off her feet just a little, wanting her to giggle. (Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-04 06:18 pm UTC (link)
	She did, wrapping her arms around his neck and beaming. "You think? I'm just glad you could tell it was me! I kind of hate the costumes." She took the moment to kiss him hard, adrenaline still surging through her. (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-04 06:22 pm UTC (link)
	Mm. Neal grinned. "I knew it was you. I know the way you move." Vertically and horizontally. It had been obvious to him. "Scared the crap out of all of us when you were doing the silk routine, too. It seemed like something you'd get a huge kick out of." He kissed her back, one hand resting on her face. (Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-04 06:24 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh, god, I love doing that tissue routine! That drop? Oh, god, it's so fun." She was loosening his tie, fingers working to get his buttons undone on his shirt. "Gotta lock the door," she murmured. (Reply to this)

	classicratpack 2011-09-04 06:30 pm UTC (link)
	Neal blinked, doing so and coming back to her. What was she up to? "Peter and Elizabeth are waiting outside," he answered, but his own tone grew quieter, almost sweeter, when she was touching his skin. (Reply to this)

	folleconnasse 2011-09-04 06:32 pm UTC (link)
	"They can wait a little longer," she mumbled between kisses, untying her kimono and letting it fall to the floor. "They'll understand." She didn't want to rip his shirt open since they were going out to dinner afterward, so she was being more careful than usual. (Reply to this)

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