NOTE: All characters in this are strictly fictional. Also, it's possible that some people may find the following slightly offensive, if you're one of those, I apologize. Rated PG 13

STRANGERS

It was the best night of my life, it was also the worst. We met at a party, two strangers who's eyes meet across a room. As I walk over to him, our eyes speak to each other. He knew I'm aware of who he was, just as I knew he'd never speak that name aloud.

"Hello." I say to him, the simple word conveying more meaning then it ever should be able to. He smiles in return, his blue eyes saying he was glad to meet me. I grab a glass of ice water off the table next to him, more to occupy my hands then due to thirst. He glances towards the open french doors, indicating the cool privacy outdoors. I accept with a nod.

Walking into the middle of the private hedgerow, I blurt out, "I feel as if I know you, and yet....I couldn't." "I know." he says quietly, his deep voice as smooth as melted butter. We sit down on a nearby stone bench, I tell him my first name, Charlotte. "Very pretty." was his only reply, never asking for a last.

I slowly sip my water, the conversation turning towards photography, something I'd always had an interest in, but never a passion. Until I heard him speak of it. His face comes alight with an inner fire as he discusses different cameras and subjects he'd photographed over the years, mostly still life. "People change when they see a camera pointed at them. They lose their natural beauty." he says as explanation to my unasked question, reflected in my green eyes. I nod in awe, understanding him completely, and yet there were no words to describe my feelings.

Noticing the noise around them had diminished, they leave the hedges. The party was almost over. They leave together, after a few polite goodbyes to their hosts, who had both thought they'd left hours before.

"I know of a coffeehouse that keeps later hours. Care to join me?" he asks, eyes pleading with me to say yes. When I agree, we get into his Explorer and he drives us there, my gaze enraptured with his profile. The whole evening had been surreal, I had a feeling it was going to become more so.

We talked over cappucino for an hour, until the manager informed us it was closing time. "Where to?" he asks me, back in his truck. I give him the address to my hotel, several blocks away.

At his questioning look I tell him, "I'm not from LA, here only for the party." When he asks where I'm from, I tell him it would be better if I keep some secrets. I'd already given him all the intimate details of my life over the coffee, as did he. Both of which had been eerily similar, despite the differences in our career paths.

We arrive at the hotel. Turning to me, he says, "I don't want the night to end." "Me neither. Come up with me." "You know what will happen if I do...." "Yes. Come up with me."

He hesitates a minute, torn between his commitment and his desire. I could see the emotions playing across his face, like the movies he acted in. I stayed quiet, this was a decision he must come to on his own. I see it on his face the moment it is made, and he puts the vehicle into drive, moving it from the curb to a nearby parking place.

We leave the truck behind and tiptoe through the lobby, being discovered would be disasterous for him. We make it to the room with no one the wiser. I enter and turn on one light only, stepping in to allow him access to enter.

We made love. Slowly, tenderly, no sign of the awkwardness which usually mars a first time, since we knew it would also be the last. We knew exactly what the other needed, our souls connected for one small moment in time.

We held each other through the night, speaking softly to each other in hushed whispers. Afraid if we spoke any louder, the spell between us would be shattered. Our eyes said more than anything we could vocalize anyway. "I wish we could have more, I know it's impossible." his eyes were saying to me. "I understand. I realize you're married." Mine said to his, the words too frightening to ever say aloud.

Eventually, as it always does, the dreaded dawn arrives, slightly pinkening the sky outside our window. "I must go." I tell him. "My flight leaves in an hour." "I know." he says in response, eyes drinking in the final looks he'll have of me. "I'll be in touch." I tell him. He knows it's a lie, but he allows it to stand. Saying I'd never speak to him again sounded so harsh, and we knew our hearts would be connected for eternity.

"Goodbye." I say, tears filling my eyes as I turn to leave him behind. "Goodbye....Charlotte." I hear just before the door closes. It was the one time he ever spoke my name aloud.

I fell in love that night, beneath the stars in that secluded garden. I never made any attempt to see him again, nor did he look for me. A simple moment stolen in time, remembered by both in the wee hours of the morning. I continued to watch his work, of course. My heart both shattering and filling at the sight of those gentle hands and soul searching eyes on the silver screen before me. Whenever I see someone taking a photograph, my soul flies back to a certain actor, speaking so passionately, his chestnut bangs falling onto his forehead. Memories that will remained locked in my heart for eternity....and never spoken.

THE END