Need, Deleted Scene
Title: Need
Author: luckyj52587
Pairing: Jackson/Ashley, implied R/K
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone
Summary: This is a many-chaptered story following Jackson/Ashley from the start of New Moon filming, and beyond.
“None of Us Are Free”, Solomon Burke
Uncle Larry came over and sat next to Ashley. “So,” he said. “Who’s your favorite soul singer?”
Everyone else in the room suddenly became very busy, pretending like they weren’t paying attention to the conversation. Ashley’s eyes darted to Christina, who just gave her an ‘I told you so’ look. At dinner the previous evening Christina had asked Ashley if Uncle Larry had asked her ‘the question’ yet. Ashley hadn’t known what Christina had been talking about. Christina had explained that, when Ashley least expected it, Uncle Larry would ask her a random question. Christina then said that he would always be nice to her, of course, but how she answered the question would decide if he respected her or not.
Ashley hadn’t taken Christina’s warning to heart or even given it a second thought, and now she was feeling anxious. She knew that all the guys - including Jackson - looked up to Uncle Larry and took his opinions very seriously. Ashley ran her hand nervously through her hair and answered hesitantly. “Solomon Burke?”
Everyone stopped pretending to do something else and looked at her. Ashley couldn’t see Uncle Larry’s expression, as he was wearing sunglasses, but when she looked at Jackson she found him staring at her in shock. “Solomon Burke!” Uncle Larry repeated, a smile breaking out on his face. “Why he’s the king of rock ‘n soul. What’s your favorite song of his?”
“’None of us are free’,” Ashley answered quickly.
Uncle Larry patted her shoulder. “Well, that’s fine.”
With that he got up, took out a cigar, and lit it. He took out another and offered it to Jackson. Christina scooted closer to Ashley. “You passed,” she whispered with a smile.
Ashley wondered if she should feel offended that everyone seemed so surprised that she knew soul music, or just proud of herself for giving such a good answer. One thing she knew for certain: under no circumstances would she ever tell anyone that the only reason she knew that song was because it was in the ending of an episode of House, M.D..