Masquerade - Jack/Samantha
Title: Masquerade
Author: M. Elizabeth Ravensblood
Rating: T - Teen
Pairing: Jack/Samantha
Summary: A change in costume to help out a friend puts Samantha in the arms of her nemesis...
Author's Notes: Post Season One or early Season 2, sans Sharon. In response to velvetwhips's request at my Halloween Fic Meme. I may expand and/or add to this story later.
Prompt: Skeleton
Sitting at her desk, Sam mulled over her costume for the masquerade ball. She had reluctantly accepted John's invitation to go with him to the charity ball he'd won tickets to. He was a good friend, but she couldn't see herself ever having a serious future with him. Despite his treating Angel callously, she often wondered if there were still some lingering feelings between them.
Tonight would be awkward as Angel was supposed to come to the ball as well, a wealthy patron had invited her and wouldn't take no for an answer. Although Angel said it would be fine and even offered to pick up both their costumes at the rental shop, Samantha felt guilty. Pushing thoughts of the evening aside, she tried to focus on work as she finished out the day.
When she got home, Angel grabbed her to show her the costumes. They had selected them and been measured at the same time and apparently the store had made a mistake. Sam's was too short and tight in the bust and Angel's was too long and loose in the bodice.
"I suppose we could switch," Sam suggested. "I probably should call John since he's going to be looking for an angel with a long blonde wig."
Angel bit her lip and hesitated, "Um Sam. Do you think that maybe you could not tell him? It's just that- I mean if you-"
"Of course!" Samantha exclaimed, understanding dawning on her. "That's brilliant. I would love to see you two give it another shot. But what about your wealthy patron?"
"He doesn't really know me. Just my art. He's handsome and it's in costume. Sam, please? I would really owe you."
Hesitant to accept but seeing the hope on her friend's face, she agreed. "Okay. Okay. I'll do it. Just tell me what he'll be dressed as."
"The Phantom Of the Opera," Angel replied.
Sam groaned, "The theme of it is Murder and Romance at the Opera. Do you know how many guys will be dressed as the Phantom?"
"When I talked to him earlier, he told me, he would be unmistakable."
It was sounding less promising by the moment, however Samantha assured her friend she would find him and all would be well. An evening of discomfort was well worth it to give her friend another shot at happiness. Taking her costume to her room Sam was horrified to find that the costume wasn't the frothy white Christine costume she'd seen Angel try on. Instead it was a very provocative corseted creation with a frothy robe that went over it that was from Christine's passing through the mirror into the Phantom's lair. Maybe it wouldn't be too terrible with the robe, Samantha thought hopefully and got into the shower and started to get ready.
Two hours later, Angel and Sam stood in front of the Atlanta opera house in costumes and delicate domino masks. Angel was thrilled and entered anxiously, hoping that John would take another look at their relationship. Samantha was anything but thrilled. The robe was designed to frame cleavage rather than hide it and she felt very exposed and vulnerable as she entered. After tonight Angel would owe her for a very long time, Sam decided as she was ogled by a paunchy man in a baseball uniform.
Finding Angel's patron wasn't merely difficult, it appeared to Sam to be impossible as she counted at least 30 tuxedo clad men wearing a phantom half mask. After approaching two to find out if they were the mysterious Mr. Newquay she was supposed to meet and getting lewd propositions from both, Samantha stopped asking. So much for Mr. Newquay's "unmistakable" costume, she thought. Another hour and she would simply slip out of the party and tell Angel she just couldn't find her patron.
Circulating and glancing her watch, Sam was gratified to see Angel and John getting along quite well on the dance floor. It was just shy of the hour mark and her planned departure when a man entered who was not only the most unique of all the phantoms, but far in a way the most frightening. Clad in a form fitting antique red velvet suit and an enormous red velvet feathered hat and sporting a skull mask which covered all but his mouth and chin. The eerie skeletal incarnation of the Phantom Of the Opera was both terrifying and strangely sensual in the confident air with which he entered.
Gulping as he approached her, Samantha knew this had to be the man in question. Uneasily she inquired, "Mr. Newquay?"
He didn't speak, merely nodded. His hand captured hers and he kissed it as he bowed with a flourish. Offering his arm quite formally, Samantha found herself being lead onto the dance floor. Perhaps Mr. Newquay was merely eccentric as the rich often were. His dancing was smooth and flawless as he guided her across the dance floor.
Inquisitively, Samantha studied her partner and tried to discern anything beneath the mask. His eyes were dark and he appeared to have a small black domino mask underneath which leant to the macabre air of his costume. The evening was becoming more bizarre by the moment, she decided under his intense gaze. Nervous and feeling vulnerable under the scrutiny of the masked man, she said, "I feel a bit too warm. Would you mind if we stepped out on the patio for some air?"
Again, the masked man didn't answer, but escorted her from the dance floor and lead her to the deserted patio. The man disappeared suddenly and just as suddenly re-appeared, pressing a glass of cold champagne into her hand. Disconcerted by the whole evening, she downed it rapidly. Angel's patron took her glass and vanished once more. Moments later he materialized with two glasses and a bottle of champagne. As the man poured, Sam tried to talk to him once more in vain. He raised his glass in a silent toast and she brought her glass up to his and drank with him.
Too uncomfortable to continue the deception, Samantha confessed, "I'm not really Angel Brown. There was a mix up with costumes and a guy she likes and I'm sorry I'm rambling."
The man smiled in response and caressed her hand. The effect would have been quite sexy if it weren't for the death mask he was wearing, Samantha thought. Mr. Newquay's continued silence made her feel uneasy. The strong silent type was one thing, this was too much, Sam decided, especially combined with the all to realistic skull mask.
"I don't suppose you would be willing to remove your mask before midnight? It's rather unnerving, Mr. Newquay."
Removing the hat and the mask, Angel's patron again smiled at Samantha. This time his smile had a devastating effect. Most of his face showing, save the small domino style mask around his eyes, he was quite handsome. Although his appearance was far less intimidating, Samantha was feeling even more shaken. Feeling attracted to a stranger could end in nothing but misery for either one of them.
Just as Samantha was about to suggest they return to the safety of the ballroom, he took her hand and turned it over, kissing the inside of her wrist. The intimate gesture weakened her resolve and she found herself allowing him to pour her more champagne. Downing another glass of champagne, Samantha was starting to feel light-headed and slightly drunk. The man hadn't said one thing to her and yet she was wishing he would kiss her. Or even more. She began to giggle slightly at the idea of being seduced at the Atlanta Opera.
Her companion took her glass and set it aside decisively before returning his attention to her. Dipping his leather gloved fingertip in his champagne glass, he traced her lips. Samantha's breath caught as he leaned closer. The soft brush of his mouth against hers, sent a wave of electricity through her. Her stomach fluttered with erotic anticipation as his tongue slowly explored her mouth.
Samantha moaned softly as her masked man moved his mouth down her neck and to the swell of flesh above the corset. His gloved hands slid upwards to cup her breasts and his lips captured a sensitive spot on the side of her neck, causing her to softly cry out. Trembling in the embrace, Samantha let her hands roam over his chest. When her hand dipped lower to cup his arousal, he groaned into her neck.
A moment later, she whimpered as he pulled away from her.
"What's wrong? Don't you- don't you want me?" Samantha panted.
"Want you? I want you more than I've ever wanted any woman in my whole life," he snarled. "But when I have you, it will be forever and not a quick tryst in a semi-public place!"
"Jack!" Samantha gasped in shock.
"Samantha," he responded, confirming her fear.
The realization of what she had done and been willing to do with the man she despised had a sobering effect. Unable to move, she whispered, "Oh God. Why?"
"I wanted to kiss you," Jack replied. "I never meant for it to go so far."
Dazedly she admitted to herself, he could have taken his masquerade all the way. She'd been more than willing, she thought and blushed. Why hadn't he taken if further? Samantha wondered. Curious, she demanded, "Why did you stop?"
"Because, I love you. And because I'm a gentleman," he replied.
"Leave it to me, to get a gentleman serial killer," Samantha muttered under her breath.
Jack laughed and moved towards her. Pulling her into a tight embrace, he kissed her again. Although he expected her to resist, Jack was pleased to feel her return his kiss. Moving his mouth back to the mark he'd made on her throat earlier, he murmured, "Don't mistake my being gentlemanly for weakness. You will be mine, Samantha."
She started to protest and was cut off by another kiss. A moment later, Jack along with his hat and mask had disappeared, leaving Samantha trembling with unfulfilled need. Quietly, she slipped out of the ball and went home.
On the bed was one of Jack's roses. She knew he had likely been there only moments before and it didn't frighten her as it should have. While she undressed, Samantha saw in the mirror the mark Jack's passion had left on her. Climbing into bed, sleep didn't come easily and when it did, his promise she would be his echoed over and over.
Author: M. Elizabeth Ravensblood
Rating: T - Teen
Pairing: Jack/Samantha
Summary: A change in costume to help out a friend puts Samantha in the arms of her nemesis...
Author's Notes: Post Season One or early Season 2, sans Sharon. In response to velvetwhips's request at my Halloween Fic Meme. I may expand and/or add to this story later.
Prompt: Skeleton
Sitting at her desk, Sam mulled over her costume for the masquerade ball. She had reluctantly accepted John's invitation to go with him to the charity ball he'd won tickets to. He was a good friend, but she couldn't see herself ever having a serious future with him. Despite his treating Angel callously, she often wondered if there were still some lingering feelings between them.
Tonight would be awkward as Angel was supposed to come to the ball as well, a wealthy patron had invited her and wouldn't take no for an answer. Although Angel said it would be fine and even offered to pick up both their costumes at the rental shop, Samantha felt guilty. Pushing thoughts of the evening aside, she tried to focus on work as she finished out the day.
When she got home, Angel grabbed her to show her the costumes. They had selected them and been measured at the same time and apparently the store had made a mistake. Sam's was too short and tight in the bust and Angel's was too long and loose in the bodice.
"I suppose we could switch," Sam suggested. "I probably should call John since he's going to be looking for an angel with a long blonde wig."
Angel bit her lip and hesitated, "Um Sam. Do you think that maybe you could not tell him? It's just that- I mean if you-"
"Of course!" Samantha exclaimed, understanding dawning on her. "That's brilliant. I would love to see you two give it another shot. But what about your wealthy patron?"
"He doesn't really know me. Just my art. He's handsome and it's in costume. Sam, please? I would really owe you."
Hesitant to accept but seeing the hope on her friend's face, she agreed. "Okay. Okay. I'll do it. Just tell me what he'll be dressed as."
"The Phantom Of the Opera," Angel replied.
Sam groaned, "The theme of it is Murder and Romance at the Opera. Do you know how many guys will be dressed as the Phantom?"
"When I talked to him earlier, he told me, he would be unmistakable."
It was sounding less promising by the moment, however Samantha assured her friend she would find him and all would be well. An evening of discomfort was well worth it to give her friend another shot at happiness. Taking her costume to her room Sam was horrified to find that the costume wasn't the frothy white Christine costume she'd seen Angel try on. Instead it was a very provocative corseted creation with a frothy robe that went over it that was from Christine's passing through the mirror into the Phantom's lair. Maybe it wouldn't be too terrible with the robe, Samantha thought hopefully and got into the shower and started to get ready.
Two hours later, Angel and Sam stood in front of the Atlanta opera house in costumes and delicate domino masks. Angel was thrilled and entered anxiously, hoping that John would take another look at their relationship. Samantha was anything but thrilled. The robe was designed to frame cleavage rather than hide it and she felt very exposed and vulnerable as she entered. After tonight Angel would owe her for a very long time, Sam decided as she was ogled by a paunchy man in a baseball uniform.
Finding Angel's patron wasn't merely difficult, it appeared to Sam to be impossible as she counted at least 30 tuxedo clad men wearing a phantom half mask. After approaching two to find out if they were the mysterious Mr. Newquay she was supposed to meet and getting lewd propositions from both, Samantha stopped asking. So much for Mr. Newquay's "unmistakable" costume, she thought. Another hour and she would simply slip out of the party and tell Angel she just couldn't find her patron.
Circulating and glancing her watch, Sam was gratified to see Angel and John getting along quite well on the dance floor. It was just shy of the hour mark and her planned departure when a man entered who was not only the most unique of all the phantoms, but far in a way the most frightening. Clad in a form fitting antique red velvet suit and an enormous red velvet feathered hat and sporting a skull mask which covered all but his mouth and chin. The eerie skeletal incarnation of the Phantom Of the Opera was both terrifying and strangely sensual in the confident air with which he entered.
Gulping as he approached her, Samantha knew this had to be the man in question. Uneasily she inquired, "Mr. Newquay?"
He didn't speak, merely nodded. His hand captured hers and he kissed it as he bowed with a flourish. Offering his arm quite formally, Samantha found herself being lead onto the dance floor. Perhaps Mr. Newquay was merely eccentric as the rich often were. His dancing was smooth and flawless as he guided her across the dance floor.
Inquisitively, Samantha studied her partner and tried to discern anything beneath the mask. His eyes were dark and he appeared to have a small black domino mask underneath which leant to the macabre air of his costume. The evening was becoming more bizarre by the moment, she decided under his intense gaze. Nervous and feeling vulnerable under the scrutiny of the masked man, she said, "I feel a bit too warm. Would you mind if we stepped out on the patio for some air?"
Again, the masked man didn't answer, but escorted her from the dance floor and lead her to the deserted patio. The man disappeared suddenly and just as suddenly re-appeared, pressing a glass of cold champagne into her hand. Disconcerted by the whole evening, she downed it rapidly. Angel's patron took her glass and vanished once more. Moments later he materialized with two glasses and a bottle of champagne. As the man poured, Sam tried to talk to him once more in vain. He raised his glass in a silent toast and she brought her glass up to his and drank with him.
Too uncomfortable to continue the deception, Samantha confessed, "I'm not really Angel Brown. There was a mix up with costumes and a guy she likes and I'm sorry I'm rambling."
The man smiled in response and caressed her hand. The effect would have been quite sexy if it weren't for the death mask he was wearing, Samantha thought. Mr. Newquay's continued silence made her feel uneasy. The strong silent type was one thing, this was too much, Sam decided, especially combined with the all to realistic skull mask.
"I don't suppose you would be willing to remove your mask before midnight? It's rather unnerving, Mr. Newquay."
Removing the hat and the mask, Angel's patron again smiled at Samantha. This time his smile had a devastating effect. Most of his face showing, save the small domino style mask around his eyes, he was quite handsome. Although his appearance was far less intimidating, Samantha was feeling even more shaken. Feeling attracted to a stranger could end in nothing but misery for either one of them.
Just as Samantha was about to suggest they return to the safety of the ballroom, he took her hand and turned it over, kissing the inside of her wrist. The intimate gesture weakened her resolve and she found herself allowing him to pour her more champagne. Downing another glass of champagne, Samantha was starting to feel light-headed and slightly drunk. The man hadn't said one thing to her and yet she was wishing he would kiss her. Or even more. She began to giggle slightly at the idea of being seduced at the Atlanta Opera.
Her companion took her glass and set it aside decisively before returning his attention to her. Dipping his leather gloved fingertip in his champagne glass, he traced her lips. Samantha's breath caught as he leaned closer. The soft brush of his mouth against hers, sent a wave of electricity through her. Her stomach fluttered with erotic anticipation as his tongue slowly explored her mouth.
Samantha moaned softly as her masked man moved his mouth down her neck and to the swell of flesh above the corset. His gloved hands slid upwards to cup her breasts and his lips captured a sensitive spot on the side of her neck, causing her to softly cry out. Trembling in the embrace, Samantha let her hands roam over his chest. When her hand dipped lower to cup his arousal, he groaned into her neck.
A moment later, she whimpered as he pulled away from her.
"What's wrong? Don't you- don't you want me?" Samantha panted.
"Want you? I want you more than I've ever wanted any woman in my whole life," he snarled. "But when I have you, it will be forever and not a quick tryst in a semi-public place!"
"Jack!" Samantha gasped in shock.
"Samantha," he responded, confirming her fear.
The realization of what she had done and been willing to do with the man she despised had a sobering effect. Unable to move, she whispered, "Oh God. Why?"
"I wanted to kiss you," Jack replied. "I never meant for it to go so far."
Dazedly she admitted to herself, he could have taken his masquerade all the way. She'd been more than willing, she thought and blushed. Why hadn't he taken if further? Samantha wondered. Curious, she demanded, "Why did you stop?"
"Because, I love you. And because I'm a gentleman," he replied.
"Leave it to me, to get a gentleman serial killer," Samantha muttered under her breath.
Jack laughed and moved towards her. Pulling her into a tight embrace, he kissed her again. Although he expected her to resist, Jack was pleased to feel her return his kiss. Moving his mouth back to the mark he'd made on her throat earlier, he murmured, "Don't mistake my being gentlemanly for weakness. You will be mine, Samantha."
She started to protest and was cut off by another kiss. A moment later, Jack along with his hat and mask had disappeared, leaving Samantha trembling with unfulfilled need. Quietly, she slipped out of the ball and went home.
On the bed was one of Jack's roses. She knew he had likely been there only moments before and it didn't frighten her as it should have. While she undressed, Samantha saw in the mirror the mark Jack's passion had left on her. Climbing into bed, sleep didn't come easily and when it did, his promise she would be his echoed over and over.