Tonight was the night. Axe had been psyching himself up for this night for the past few weeks. After almost two years of being together with Anastasia, he was going to ask her to marry him. He felt inside his jacket pocket to make sure that the box that contained the engagement ring was safely tucked away. He looked at himself in the mirror one last time, to make sure that he looked presentable and after a quick comb through his hair, he was good to go.

He made sure to grab the box of her favorite chocolates before he turned on the spot and apparated from his apartment right to her front door. Marcus, gave the door a soft knock and stepped back and waited for her to answer. He hoped that she was ready to go because their booking was for eight and the restaurant was very popular and they wouldn't hold their table for very long.

Annie was excited. She was positively bouncing around her room, curling her hair, talking to Gingersnapple, and nomming a few chocolates. Marcus usually brought her a box every now and then but the chocolates that had arrived today were from Jimmy. THE Jimmy, THE lead singer of her favorite band, THE cutest, smartest, most beloved wrocker in the world right now. Of course she hadn't been able to resist their smell when she'd opened them.

EEE! There was a knock on the door! Maybe it was Jimmy! She hadn't been able to stop thinking of him since she'd tasted those chocolates. But after peeking through the peephole in the door, Anastasia frowned to see just Marcus.

Oh well. He was buying her dinner - so thoughtful of him - and was that another box of chocolates under his arm? All right, so she could let him in. She swung the door open and cheerfully called out, "Hello Axe! Just let me slip on my shoes and we'll go."

She hadn't been able to choose between the pink Louboutins and the silver ones... but since she was wearing pink, maybe that would be the way to go? Didn't they match better? OH, but her clutch was silver so maybe not... such a difficult decision.

Okay this wasn't like her to be ready on time and she hadn't even bothered to give him a kiss hello or even stranger taken the box of chocolates which usually she would have squealed over.

Axe raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything instead he lent up against the door frame in a casual manner, folding his arms across his chest. "Take your time. I am a little early I suppose." Since she hadn't bothered to invite him in either, he remained in the doorway. As he watched her, something seemed a little off with her. Like a little too cheery and sort of flighty. Axe, shrugged his shoulders maybe she was just excited as he was about their date tonight.

"Okay." Annie didn't say anything else but started humming slightly out of tune as she wandered back to the closet. Silver or pink. Silver or pink. What would Gingersnapple say?

Pink, of course, it had to be pink. She quickly fixed the ankle straps of her Louboutin peeptoe heels and then fluffed her hair out as she walked back to the door.

"Oh, why didn't you just come in, silly," she half-giggled and snuck the box of chocolates out from Axe's arm. "Mmm, more chocolates." Annie had to open the box, of course, and wrinkled her nose at them. They didn't smell nearly as appealing as the ones from Jimmy.

Anastasia lightly tossed the blue box on the table next to the ones from earlier and had to sneak a small, dark chocolate truffle from Jimmy's box. She wasn't worried about spoiling dinner, after all, it was just Axe. And she could feed her cat the chocolates from him later.

"So, are you ready? Where are we going again?" Anastasia grabbed her clutch and leaned up to give Marcus a peck on the cheek. "I'm not really hungry though.... just saying...."

Okay something was definitely wrong with Anastasia tonight. She was never usually this blase with him. Okay so she never hung all over him either but she was usually more affectionate towards him then she was being right now. Had he done something wrong in between the few hours he had seen her last when everything had seemed perfect and was why he had decided tonight would be the night to propose.

"It's a surprise" he said giving her a wounded look at the way she had just tossed his chocolates to the side as though they were nothing. "Oh...well that's okay we can just enjoy each other's company right?"

What was that expression? Had Annie accidentally stepped on Axe's toes? She glanced down at her shoes and glanced back up at him with a bit of a confused look.

"Well....I like surprises. And I like spending time with you." She nodded emphatically and gave him a bit of a side-hug snuggle. "Shall we go then? To the surprise?"

OOH what if the surprise was Jimmy? Teeehehehe that surely had to be it. The number one Chimarea fangirl was finally going to get to hang out with THE lead singer. Axe didn't have to surprise her like thaaat.

Well now that was better. Axe wrapped his arm around her and held her close as they walked down the street. He could have apparated them to the restaurant but it was such a nice night out and taking a walk was always romantic.

"So what did you get up to this afternoon after I dropped you off." He liked to hear about her day when he couldn't be with her. It still took him by surprise how effect she had on him. He had never thought he wanted to get married until he had met Anastasia and he could just imagine little Annie's running around the place. The thought brought a huge smile to his face and he started humming one of the songs from the band's latest album.

Walking was nice, but Marcus was being rather clingy just now... Annie was tempted to squeeze out of his grasp and bounce from bench to bench or parking meter to parking meter but...

He was paying for dinner. So she'd be nice.

"Hum..... I...I..." what had she done? "I washed my hair. I wrote a letter to my friend. I listened to some music and brushed Gingy?" She scratched the back of her head because she knew she was forgetting something now.

"OH! And you'll never guess who I got a surprise package from." Annie practically sang that sentence and started swinging Axe's hand as they walked. "I don't even know why it came by owl though, I mean, it's not like we're total strangers..."

She giggled. Well, she wasn't going to be a stranger to Jimmy later! She'd have to drop by the rock star's place and personally thank him for the chocolates, of course. He was so thoughtful. So sweet. So talented. And to think, it was Marcus who had introduced them so long ago!! Siiiiiiiiigh.

The humming stopped as soon as she spoke, something was definitely off with her and he just couldn't seem to put his finger on what it was. Annie had never been like this before. He was glad that she was happy and bouncy but this wasn't normally her style. Marcus, put his hand in his pocket and made sure the box was still there. Well after tonight they would be engaged and he would have to get used to her mood swings.

He nodded and smiled as she spoke about her day but then frowned slightly when she said she had received a surprise package and from someone she knew. "Oh yeah" he said lightly. "And who did you get a surprise package from? And what was it?" He got packages all the time from fans but he never got excited over them like she was doing at the moment.

Annie's usual diabolical smirk started to curl at the corners of her mouth but she shook her head. "Mmmmm no, mum's the word. I'll tell you... later. When we get to where we're going."

Because obviously if he was surprising her with their restaurant location or whatever, she had to surprise him with something. She gave Axe's hand a reassuring squeeze. Nothing wrong with surprises.

"What did you do today, then?" He was being oddly... aloof or something today.

Hmm she was being very mysterious all of a sudden and if he wasn't so exited and nervous about proposing to her he might have stopped walking and demanded that she tell him. As it was they were nearing the restaurant and he had to keep taking some deep breaths to control the butterflies in his stomach.

They stopped just outside the restaurant door and he turned to Annie and gave her a smile. "Incanto" he said grandly, flourishing his hand towards the building. "The finest Italian restaurant in the city." Marcus leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Only the best for my Annie" he murmured into her ear.

He didn't answer her question. Annie made a pout-y face and was about to say something... only they had stopped, and he was all happy-looking about some restaurant.

"Italian eh? I hope they have good wine." She grinned but then almost winced when he leaned over to kiss her. Axe was a good kisser, of course, but something just felt wrong about it. And she didn't like that possessive statement much either.

"That tickles," Annie added after his murmur, though she wasn't giggling or grinning anymore. "You're... too sweet to me, Marcus, you are." She gently returned his kiss with a light peck on the cheek though, and then let go of his hand to go in.

That was not the reaction he had been hoping for. This was the most exclusive restaurant in London and she was worried if they had good wine? He scowled slightly, this was not going the way he had planned at all. There was something definitely wrong with Anastasia tonight.

But all thoughts of her strange behavior disappeared the moment she called him sweet and returned his kiss. Marcus followed her inside all happy again and after speaking to the concierge they made their way over to the table he'd had reserved just for the two of them. It was towards the back of the restaurant away from the other patrons.

Once they were seated Marcus smiled at Annie and leaned forward slightly in his chair. "Would you like some champagne Annie?" He was not really a drinker but tonight was a special night after all.

Well this was nice... all the way in the back... maybe Jimmy was hiding with a mariachi band somewhere back here... though mariachi bands were hardly Italian, that would be a funny sight.

Why was she so convinced Jimmy was here anyway? Those chocolates had been so tasty earlier....and the sweet note with them... sigh. Marcus would have to do for now. Especially since he was offering her champagne.

"Of course, thank you," Anastasia purred. "Champagne is... different. You don't usually have champagne." She tilted her head slightly and blinked at Axe distractedly.

"Well tonight is a special night" Marcus answered giving her a grin. "Our current album has gone to number one and all our concerts have sold out in record time. I think that deserves a little celebration and champagne." He signaled the waiter, looked back at Annie and gave her a wink. "Don't you think?" He gave the waiter the order for a bottle of their finest champagne and lent back in his chair.

He could feel the little box inside his jacket pocket and sat there thinking of the best way to ask her. Should he put the ring inside her champagne glass? Nah, far too cheesy. Maybe order some red roses and put it inside one of the petals? Nope it might get lost. Or maybe just go with the whole traditional down on bended knee. Problem was, Axe was certainly not traditional or conventional. Damn Lawson you certainly didn't think this one through very well. Probably best to just go with his normal strategy...and just wing it.

Annie took a generous gulp sip of the champagne the instant her glass was full. She settled back in her seat with arms folded and nodded at Axe's reasoning.

"That is something to celebrate! You know, I should make some congratulatory flower arrangements and send one to each member of the band.... I can start with the lead singer... and then the guitarist, that's you... oh yeah!" Annie had a good idea now, see, she could take Jimmy the bouquet later and thank him for the chocolates and all.

It was a plan. She started twirling a bit of hair around one finger as she plotted it all out in her head... first she'd have to get away from Axe for a bit. "Hey, hey, do you know what type of flowers Jimmy likes best? I'm just asking 'cause you're his frrriend and all..." Annie got a slightly loopy smile on her face as she looked at Marcus and took another long sip of champagne.

Taking a sip of his champagne, Marcus frowned slightly at Annie. Honestly the woman drank far too much. He just didn't get the kick people got out drinking alcohol but then again he liked to gamble...a lot. So he probably wasn't one to talk but at least you didn't get all messy from gambling. he had seen Annie so sloshed at times that she couldn't even stand. It hadn't been pretty.

Again he frowned at her when she started going on about Jimmy. And he was certainly not best friends with the man. They tolerated each other for the band's sake. Axe was a damned good guitarist and Jimmy...yeah well Jimmy could sing he would give him that. But the whole strutting around on stage and gyrating his hips at the female audience always had Marcus cringing. Why couldn't it just be about the music for Merlin sakes?

"What's with all the questions about Jimmy all of a sudden?" He certainly didn't like the look on her face when she mentioned the guys name either.

"It was just one question.... just one...only one.... one little question.... harmless, really, just a question..." Anastasia mumbled to herself as she twirled her hair some more. Just an innocent question... sooo why was he making such a fuss about it?

More champagne, that was what she needed to clear this matter up. Anastasia filled up her glass again and continued talking as she swirled the bubbly around her glass. "Well I was wondering... hehe... do you remember the package I got today? It was from Jimmmmmy." Cue fangirl sigh. "Such a lovely surprise. I don't even know whhhhhy he's just now like, writing me a letter..."

Oops, shouldn't have said that. But really, Annie hadn't written fangirly letters to anybody for a while.... well, not since she had met Marcus. So it had been a nice surprise to get a little different attention from THE lead singer she had once been gaga for.

Marcus put down his champagne glass and concentrated really hard at not crushing it in his hand. He took a few deep breaths trying to control his temper. He very rarely got angry, usually he just let things slide but when he did get angry, he could get quite out of control. He had smashed his guitar over a guy's head once when he had been extremely ticked off.

"And what did the letter say? And what did Jimmy send you?" It was as though a light had gone off in his head. Her strange behavior, the questions, the stupid girly look she got when she mentioned Jimmy's name. Everything was starting to become quite clear to Marcus right now.

He had wondered where Jimmy had disappeared to when they were supposed to be rehearsing for their concert earlier today. Marcus glared at Annie from across the table and he lost his casual posture and folded his arms across his chest, his body rigid in the chair.

Look at who was asking the questions now. Annie stopped playing with her hair and instead tugged a bit in front of her face, as if it would deflect some of Axe's anger away.

What was his problem anyway? "It was just a box of chocolates. Really really, like, really really good chocolates. Best I've ever had." She was being honest, that was all.

Annie took another long drink of champagne, just a bit oblivious to the death glares Marcus was radiating in her direction. "You never.... write me letters... like thaattt.... it was... like... very thoughtful...." she trailed off into a small hiccup and looked back up at him. "What?"

"Oh no wonder you threw my chocolates away as though they were nothing. I got you your favorites like I always do. Obviously your tastes have changed." Yeah like the guitarist isn't good enough anymore, we have to have the singer.

Marcus unfolded his arms and gripped the table hard. "Thoughtful? Everything I do for you is bloody thoughtful. From buying you chocolates, taking you to the best places, basically giving you everything you want. But it was never enough was it? You just take and take Anastasia but you never give anything in return. So Jimmy's the new fad at the moment is he?"

He could feel the box inside his jacket pressing against his rib cage and he was quite tempted to throw it at her.

Anastasia straightened up in her seat and gave Marcus a defiant look as she set her empty glass down. "Maybe they have. Maybe my tastes have developed into something more mature and exciting. What are you going to do about it?"

She was tempted to just leave right now, right now with the ridiculous way he was acting. "And Jimmy is NOT a fad. Not to me." Annie could cross her arms and be just as snide, even if she didn't know what she was saying. "It's always the same with you, isn't it? The same chocolates. The same restaurants. The same chords on the same guitar." Sometimes she thought he loved the guitar more than he loved her... which was probably true at the moment.

"It doesn't matter, Marcus, what I do," she said with a deep sigh. "I'm tired of it all. Two years... for two years I followed you around, not knowing what or why I was so glued to you, of all people." Annie held her chin up proudly, determined to just get it over with. "But I'm done now. I want to move on and move up. I want a piece of the light and to me... you'll always be in the dark."

This was exactly how Jimmy had explained it to her earlier.... though his letter hadn't mentioned anything about Axe's angry face. The bubbly would help her forget that though... and some more chocolates.... all in time.

He sat stony faced as he listened to her sprout off all the things that were wrong with him. He wanted to ask why she hadn't said anything but quite frankly he couldn't be bothered.

Marcus watched her talk and he wondered what he had ever saw in her. She was shallow, vain and just plain not nice. Everything they had done, he had done because of her. He always asked her what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go. Not his fault if they did the same things and went to the same places. They ALWAYS did everything SHE wanted.

"Then go Anastasia. Go and be in the limelight if that's what's important to you, I wouldn't want to hold you back." He picked up his glass of champagne and downed it one go and then picked up the bottle and refilled his glass. "I love you Anastasia, I have from the moment I laid eyes on you and I would fight if there was anything to fight for. But I can see the way your face lights up when you speak of him. I just can't compete with that." He sucked in a shaky breath and looked out the window at the twinkling lights of the city below and as he stared he was sure that he had just seen one light flicker and then go out. It was exactly how he felt right at this moment that the light had just gone out from his life.

Marcus turned back to Annie and gave her a faint smile. "Go to Jimmy, Anastasia and you can bask in the light together." He gestured for the waiter and asked him to get Annie's coat and help escort to a safe apparition spot. He picked up his glass and downed it again. Marcus was staying to get well and truly drunk.

Annie exhaled slowly when Marcus said she could go. That hadn't been so bad... except for the nonsense about his loving her. Impossible. Jimmy hadn't said anything about that... just... she was a little confused now......

Chocolate. She needed more chocolate. "Goodbye then," Anastasia stood and shrugged into her coat, refusing the waiter's aid. She paused behind her chair and shook her head at him. "You're a good guy, Axe Lawson, just not the guy for me." And to think, it had taken her two years and a little bit of persuasion to come to that conclusion.

She stared at him for a few more moments and then turned on her heel to go, never needing to look back. No regrets.