Always more than prompt, Gavin is first into the dressing room of the photo studio, but professional, ambitious Astrid is not far behind him & they are both in their costumes before the photographer's assistants have finished loading the cameras & metering the set. Gavin is sure that having to work with Astrid is a golden opportunity to heal the anger between them, his only problem in achieving that has been Astrid's repellent attitude. But today she's different, he senses it right away, even before she says anything.

She quietly asks if he'll help with her necklace. She probably doesn't need help really, Gavin knows it's a conciliatory gesture. It will be so good to finally have this put behind him. A lot of women have broken up with Gavin, but the heartbreak was never like what Astrid did to him. He hated her so much....his fingers tremble as they touch the nape of her neck...it was because he loved her so much.

Astrid turns, smiling sweetly for him as she takes his hands, "Thank you, Gavin," Astrid says, "I'm really sorry about the way I've behaved towards you. I know this isn't going to sound believable, coming from me, but I really am sorry. I feel like a fool, for being so immature. I'd really like for us to be friends." she says. It took a lot for her to apologize like that, Gavin knows, and is touched deeply by her humility. "Of course we can be friends, Astrid," Gavin replies, "I've never wanted it any other way."

Gavin would far rather be on the other side camera now. Of all his lovers, Astrid was was the best subject for his photography, better even than Xtina, who couldn't resist the urge to camp it up whenever a lens was pointed at her. Astrid could be anything he asked her to be.

She's doing the same thing now as she poses. She has no lines to speak, but in every move she makes, she's Death, not Astrid. Gavin however had forgotten to act, he's been standing here thinking about his relationship with Astrid. Luckily for him, Dream would probably do the same thing in this situation, and Gavin is in character without having to try.

NEXT