Chapter Text
Tabitha was sitting there going over her notes, well trying to go over her notes but the truth of the matter was that she was trying to calm her nerves. But then again, who wouldn't get nervous when they were going to interview one of the worlds sexiest men, Tom Hiddleston. She looked through her note cards one more time as he came in, bottle of water in his hand. She stood up to greet him and his presence was just awe-inspiring. He really was larger than life, standing at 6'2" towering over her 5'6.5" frame. He shook her hand firmly, but gentle enough as not to hurt her.
"Hello Mr. Hiddleston. I'm Tabitha and I'll be conducting your interview today. It shouldn't take long, just some question regarding your upcoming film Crimson Peak, and you have heard most of these questions already, so this should be easy if not monotonous."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Tabitha, and please call me Tom." She smiled at him and he returned her one just as warm.
"The pleasure is all mine. Can I interest you in a chocolate while we wait?" She held up a little box of Ferrero Rocher and he couldn't help but grin as he took one. He popped one in his mouth and she did the same. The camera man started rolling and Tom panicked slightly.
"I'm really sorry. I feel very rude." His hands covered his mouth as he tried to finish eating his little piece of candy.
"Don't be, they can edit it out, and I'll make sure they do, besides, I had one too, and Charlie, the camera guy." Tom couldn't help but admire her as she giggled at him, she seemed to be very relaxed with him, not like most people, or women mainly, are when they meet him.
"I'm still sorry." She smiled as she tipped her head to him, slowly licking the taste of chocolate from her lip.
Before they began a make up girl came over and made sure Tom looked perfect and soon she dashed off, looking slightly flustered as she did. Just before she started the interview though Tabitha looked at Tom, leaning towards him to get a better look.
"Oh, um, you have an eyelash, just on the outer corner of your left eye." Tom reached up to wipe it away but missed and Tabitha stood up and reached for his cheek, stopping short as she spoke.
"May I?" Her cheeks now looked pink, but Tom couldn't take his eyes from hers.
"Please." She softly ran her finger just along the top of his cheekbone before smiling at him and holding up her finger.
"Make a wish." Tom blew the eyelash off her fingertip before she sat back down.
"Thank you." She tipped her head again before telling him they were ready to start the interview.
She started with the normal questions about the film, the cast and working with Guillermo del Toro. He had heard most of these question or some variant of them and he almost went on autopilot answering them. Tabitha then had some fun little game to play with him and he instantly became interested.
"Let's play a little game, shall we. What do you say of a rousing game of Tennis?" Tom looked around the room then back to Tabitha, who in her sheer floral top, jeggins and boots, didn't look to be ready to play.
"I'm guessing you don't mean on a court." She chuckled as she shook her head no, explaining the simple little game of questions. Once he understood what she meant he leaned on the edge of his chair waiting for her to begin.
"Do you prefer sun or rain?" She had a few questions prepared, but this seemed like a fun place to start. She and her best friend played this game all the time and she hoped Tom would like it.
"Wouldn't you rather take a walk in the rain?" That was her favorite, how did he know. She quickly pressed on.
"Would you walk alone or with someone?" He let out in signature little laugh as he thought of what to say next.
"What someone would I be walking with?" He was playing right along with her, or what she playing with him?
"Who would you want to walk with?" She put the slightest emphasis on the who and want, and his wide smiled turning to something more warm and slightly serious.
"The person whom I'm talking to seems to be a good choice, don't you think?" Oh he was playing her, but she liked it. She was sure he was being nice, playing the game to win her over, after all why on earth would he be interested in her, he could have anyone.
"I suppose, what do you think about her?" There, how can you dodge that she thought.
"I don't' know enough yet, is she able to walk with me?" What on earth she thought, so she asked him to clarify.
"Do you mean is she capable of walking?" Her tone was almost smart ass like but she didn't intend it that way. She prayed she didn't offend him.
"Would someone be jealous if she did?" His tone was serious now, no joking smile, just serious.
"Not on her side, would you have someone to be jealous of her?" Tabitha's heart was racing at a million beats a second, thumping hard in her chest as she kept her eyes on his.
"No, is she available when this is over?" There was no hesitation as he asked, leaning forward on his knees now as his eyes were almost pleading with her.
"Life is about taking opportunities isn't it?' Alright, that was an open prepared question, she'd admit that but he just caught her off guard completely.
"Is that a yes?" He was being persistent, was he toying with her for the camera or did he mean it. He was in fact a very talented actor, Tabitha had to assume he was playing.
"Is that a formal invitation?" She had a coy smile on her lips, seemingly happy with that she beat this little game of his. He stood up now as he asked his question.
"Would you go to dinner with me?" Wait, was he playing. She stood up as well reaching a hand out to shake his as she spoke.
"Very good game. We look forward to the film as well as any other projects you're working on. Thank you." Tom shook her hand, stepping close as the camera man turned off the camera. He brought her fingers up to his lips while his eyes stayed on hers. After placing a soft kiss on the back of her hand he let it go and spoke softly.
"You never answered my question, would you have dinner with me, tonight?" She swallowed down a lump in her throat as her honey colored eyes raked over his face, reading his genuine expression.
"Really?" she seemed surprised by his question, but Tom wasn't sure why. She was beautiful, slightly freckled skin and warm eyes and her delicate face was framed in a mass of silky dark blonde hair. Surely any man she interviewed who was single would hit on her.
"Yes, I try not to make a habit out of asking beautiful women to dinner then not meaning it." She was speechless for a moment while she took in a deep breath.
"I'd like that." He smiled as she blushed.
"When would you be free?" Tabitha looked to the door, seeing her producer sticking his head in and motioning with his fingers to hurry up by drawing circles in the air.
"I have to interview Mr. Beaver first then I'm done for the day, so in a half hour." Tom smiled as he leaned down and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear.
"I'll wait across the hall. I better go before your boss comes back." He smiled at her as she giggled, making his way across the hall where Jim was waiting for his interview. He and Tom spoke for a minute before the producer asked Jim if he was ready.
Nearly forty minutes later Tom saw Jim leaving the interview room and he watched for Tabitha to leave. He saw her producer step into the interview room and then he could hear them talking. The producer was asking her out for drinks but she politely refused. Tom heard the man ask why not and then the conversation seemed to fade. He stood and walked to the door, seeing the door pushed closed on the interview room. He took a step towards it but the door was suddenly jerked open by the producer who jumped seeing Tom standing there. Tabitha was standing there with her purse over her shoulder and when she saw Tom, she pushed past her producer and smiled up at Tom.
"I'm ready now." Tom led her down the hallway and down into the lobby of the hotel where the interviews were taking place.
"I have a car waiting for us. How do you feel about sushi?" Tabitha laughed as she looked at him.
"I haven't had any in a very long time. It sounds good."
He was nothing short of a gentlemen the entire evening, opening the car door for her, taking her hand and helping her from the car, opening door and pulling her seat out for her. The conversation was good but Tabitha felt like she was doing all the talking. Soon she just stopped and looked at him, smiling as she realized he was enjoying listening to her. She then thought he was reading her mind as he leaned close, telling her he could sit and listen to her talk all evening and she felt a pain in her chest. She had been here before, had this conversation before just with someone else. She picked up her glass and held it up to him.
"Here is to a wonderful evening with amazing company." He drank to that and soon they were giggling as they were eating. After they finished their sushi, Tom asked where she was staying, wanting to be with her a little longer. She told him she was just in town for the interview, staying in the hotel where he had met her earlier. He thought things were rarely a coincidence, that just happened to be where he was staying. He had the driver take them back and as he walked her to the elevator he couldn't stop himself.
"Would you like to come up and have a drink with me?" She was quiet as she pondered his question. Would she, hell yes she would. But what if it was just a ploy for sex, could she really be disappointed if Tom wanted to have sex with her, even if it was just a one time deal? Could she live with her self if she did? She could always have a drink then leave if she felt too uncomfortable, after all she doubted he was the psycho killer type.
"Sure, one drink." he smiled as they took the elevator up to the floor his suite was located and when they stepped inside Tabitha slid her heels off and put her purse on the chair before making herself comfortable on the sofa. He brought over two glasses of Jameson and soon they were both laughing as they talked about their lack of social lives and bad dates they had been on.
"So, how could a night get worse after a trip to he emergency room?" She laughed as she sat down her empty glass, talking with her hands as she went on.
"Well, we left the E.R. and I had to drive him and his car home now that he was impaired from the pain medication they gave him. I helped him inside and up to his apartment and then I called for a cab. He insisted I wait inside and I didn't really argue considering it was freezing outside. I tried to get him comfortable on the sofa, helping him take the coat off and such when he leaned in and kissed me. It was a good kiss, for a moment then he went slack mid way though and passed out. I went to lay him back on the sofa and he turned, wrapping an arm around me. It wouldn't have been so bad except he was built, huge muscular arms and I was literally pinned. I somehow manage to wiggle my way free, only to end up on the floor. As I stood up, he moved his head over the side of the couch, then he proceed to vomit on the back of my jeans and shoes." The laughter died down and as it did Tom watched her as she looked back to the door. He hated their night was coming to an end, so he leaned over and kissed her. It was soft and slow, then she kissed him back. He hoped she would stay a while longer, but instead she stood up and took her purse before putting her shoes back on.
"I better go. It's been the best date I've had in a very long time. Thank you." Tom stood up and made his way next to her, his hand on the door as he looked at her.
"Before you leave, could I have your number, I'd love to talk to you again, see you if it's at all possible." Tabitha looked up into his blue eyes, sure this time he was pleading and she took his phone, typing in her name and number before taking a picture of herself and saving it as the contact photo. She handed the phone back to Tom and he opened the door for her. She got on her tip toes, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before making her way down the hall. Once she was gone he shut the door and went to collapse in bed. That night as he laid there awake thinking about her she did the same three floors down.