Learning to Fly (Austin)

[Paige Owen]

(Because I miss these two.)

Ever since the unexpected date with Austin, when she had confessed her eating disorder to him, then wound up watching old tapes of herself from her ballet days, Paige had been "busy." Actually, she really had been busy with work, what with the serial killers and foreign aurors and other strange happenings, but she could have found time to see Austin. She just felt so... awkward. He was so perfect, and she kept wondering when she was going to find the catastrophic flaw. Or maybe she was flawed enough for the both of them (and a few other people besides). She wasn't sure, but until she figured it out, she intended to avoid him.

She couldn't deny, however, that he was still on her mind. Almost constantly, in fact. It was getting pretty distracting, and she was actually beginning to wonder when he was going to walk into the Daily Prophet office carrying a giant bouquet of balloons and a large heart-shaped box of chocolates. She could just imagine the reaction of her new nemesis, Breanna Sheridan, if something like that were to happen.

At the moment, Paige was out of the office and on her way to Galligan's restaurant in London, to meet what she thought was a source on a story she was working on. It was all very mysterious, actually... the person hadn't signed his name or given her any information other than he would be holding a single yellow rose. Odd behavior for a source, but Paige was willing to go with it.

She stepped into the restaurant and waved off the hostess, saying that she was looking for someone. Then she scanned the restaurant, looking for the one person with a yellow rose in his hand. She probably shouldn't have been surprised when she located him and recognized the face smiling at her.

"Austin..." she whispered, rooted to the spot. She wasn't sure whether she wanted to go in or run away.

[Austin Hancock]

Of course he could have shown up at the Daily Prophet with his guitar and sang to Paige, or he could have shown up with a whole bouquet of flowers with a sweet, cheesy note, but he knew that he needed to do something different. It seemed like she was avoiding him for some reason, and he missed her. He missed her little quirks and all that, and he liked talking to her. For once, Austin was willing to fight for something, even if she pushed against him.

The next best thing Austin could think of rather than appearing at the Daily Prophet, he sent her a note. Austin wrote it in a very neat handwriting a note telling her that there was some information that was known and that he needed her to meet him at Galligan's where he would be holding a single yellow rose. He knew that if he told her that he was holding forget-me-nots would be a dead giveaway. A single yellow rose would be a better idea. He made sure not to sign it, because he wanted it to be a surprise.

He made sure to arrive at Galligan's before the meeting time he wrote down on the note. Once he was at the table, he knew that Paige would be on time, so he stood beside their table, holding the rose in his hands. The hostess knew the plan, so she knew which direction to point Paige in.

Austin waited patiently for Paige to arrive and when she did, a smile grew on his face. She still looked the same, which was still perfect to him. Her reaction wasn't exactly what he thought it would be. He kept his smile on his face and he walked toward her. "Paige," he said with a smile as he approached her.

[Paige Owen]

She had to hand it to the guy, he knew how to woo a girl. Paige, on the other hand, had never really been wooed by a guy before. It didn't make sense, but she was more used to being used and tossed aside. She expected it, and she understood it. But no one had ever pursued her before. No one had cared enough to try so hard for her. It scared her a little... but it also made her feel good. How could she not be flattered? It was almost impossible to keep her feet on the ground when he was there to sweep her off her feet.

He looked good today. She'd forgotten how blue his eyes could be and how easy it was to get lost in them. They were the color of forget-me-nots.

"It's good to see you," she said shyly. "I... I'm sorry I haven't... I've been busy with work..."