The Inevitable Fanfiction

The tension had been building up. There was no denying it. From the moment Simon had lay his eyes on her there was something different. It was all black and white in their relationship. At first, they had been insanely attracted to one another. But the second they started to work together that attraction vanished and the hatred, more like loathing began. Lately though they had started to respect each other for whom they were and had agreed to disagree.
Paula Abdul.
His insanely beautiful and bubbly co-worker and somewhat friend.
They had been called in for a meeting along with Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson. It was a rather last minute thing and while Simon usually knew what was going on behind the scenes, in this situation he had been clueless.
Simon watched as Paula walked in, just two minutes after he had. She was wearing a black blouse and jeans with a scarf life belt. She had on big dangly earrings and a matching necklace plus a few rings. He looked her up and down as she walked towards him. He reached her eyes and saw her smirk.
“Hi Simon,” She said coyly.
“Hello, darling,” He replied, kissing her cheek.
She kissed Randy and Ryan hello too before sitting between Simon and Ryan. Nigel and Ken walked in then and looked awfully cheerful for reasons unbeknownst to them at that point of time.
“So guys, we have an idea for the finale,” Nigel said. The finale was 2 weeks away.
“It’s a sketch like thing that involves Simon and Paula,” Ken added. He met Simon’s eyes and then Paula’s.
Paula frowned, confused, turning to Simon who simply shrugged his shoulders.
“You guys have been getting along better this season but the public needs to see that,” he continued.
“So you’re going to have a ‘date’ and we’re going to film the whole thing,” Nigel smiled at his bright idea.
“A date?” Paula asked. She grimaced.
“It’s a dream come true for you isn’t it, Paw-ler?” Simon asked, smugly.
“Sure it is, Simon. It’s all I ever dream about,” She rolled her eyes to match her sarcasm.
“Admittance is the first step to acceptance, sweetheart,” He flashed a toothy grin. She rolled her eyes again.
“Guys,” Ken warned, knowing this could easily turn into one of their heated arguments. Simon and Paula reverted their attention back to the men in front of them while Ryan and Randy chuckled quietly.
“Okay. So it’s going to be classy and there’ll be the champagne the dessert, everything. Dress nice,” Nigel gave a chiding look at Simon who just smiled to himself. He wasn’t about to change from his usual attire.
“Heard that, Simon?” Ryan teased.
“Yeah, I should wear one of your pink frocks shouldn’t I, Ryan?” He shot back.
“What the hell is a ‘frock’? What’s a frock, Randy?” Ryan mocked.
“I don’t know dude!” Randy played along.
“A frock,” Paula giggled.
“Guys!” Ken raised his voice. They all turned back a little embarrassed. “Gads, I know kids who are better behaved then you lot,” He muttered. “So you’ll do it then?”
Simon and Paula looked at each other, eyes questioning.
“I am feeling generous today. I’ll do it for Paula’s sake,” Simon quipped.
“Nice excuse, Simon,” Paula replied. “Fine, whatever,”
Randy, Ryan and the producers smirked. It was too easy. Simon and Paula were obviously ecstatic.

“Splendid. So we need a set. Somewhere easy to set up and not too costly,” Nigel went on.
“We can shoot on my balcony?” Simon offered. Paula gritted her teeth. He loved showing off his new mansion.
“That’d be perfect, old boy. Great!” The two producers smiled widely.
“Randy, you have a part too. Because this whole date thing is going to played off as a dream and then Simon you will wake up in bed with Randy,”
“Dawg! What? You’re kidding me, dude. What?” Randy shook his head, chuckling at the absurdity.
“You guys are drunk aren’t you?” Simon accused, not quite amused.
“Oh it’s just a joke, Simon. Everyone will see that,” Nigel comforted.
“Who’s the one dreaming now?” Paula asked.
“Oh ha ha, Paula,” Simon said. He poked her side and she squirmed.
“Right, so is tomorrow okay for you?” Ken asked. They all nodded.
“Can I come and watch?” Ryan asked, excited.
“I don’t see why not,” Ken said.
“Alright then, we’ll meet at Simon’s at 6pm,” They dispersed.
It was inevitable. It had to happen. Little did they know just how deep the tension ran between Simon and Paula. Tomorrow would bring more than any of them bargained for.
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Paula was running late. It was already 6:30 pm and she had only just arrived at Simon’s house. She parked in the driveway and quickly got out. She had been bracing herself the whole day. She had been preparing. But the second she walked through the door and saw Simon lounging on the couch, in his usual black shirt and jeans, all her effort was put to waste. Could she get through this without terminally embarrassing herself? God, she hoped so.
“Paula, there you are!” Nigel exhaled.
“Hey, P,” Randy kissed her cheek. Ryan bounced up next to her and kissed her other cheek.
“They filmed the Randy and Simon part while we waited. It was Hil-lar-ri-ous!” He laughed.
“Aw I’m sorry I missed it,” Paula pouted.
Simon got up and walked over to them. His cheeks and ears were slightly red. Out of embarrassment from Randy and him, she tried to convince herself. There was no reason that he should be nervous about their ‘date’. There was no reason for her to be nervous either, actually, but she was a pack of nerves.
He smiled at her, looking a little vulnerable to her amazement. She smiled back but soon realised he was checking her out and shook her head slightly. She was dressed in a black strapped dress with a large gold necklace and accessories. Her hair had been pulled up slightly, framing her face beautifully and her make up was dark and smoky. Simon swallowed. It made Paula feel more confident.
She was afraid he was going to dress in his suit. She wasn’t sure if she would have been able to concentrate with all that chest hair showing.
Paula heard Simon whispering to Ryan.
“She won’t be able to take her hands off me,” He chuckled. Ryan raised his eyebrows as if asking ‘Is that so?’
Paula huffed. She was not going to look like the weak one. She would make sure Simon would be the one all over her.
They got set up on the balcony. Paula had only been to Simon’s house a few times and always in a group. And she had definitely never been upstairs. But looking around, she had to say she liked his taste. It was a gorgeous mansion.
The balcony had a table with a white table-cloth on top. And it had been set up with candles, a vase of roses, champagne, strawberries and whipped cream. Oh Lord, help her.
Simon took the seat on the right quietly. He was watching her every move making Paula extremely self conscious.
“Okay, guys, look in love!” Nigel called. Paula smiled bashfully, Simon more confidently and they turned to each other.
“Look at each other now. As if you were lost in each other’s eyes or some crap like that,” Ken said, chuckling.
Both Paula and Simon rested their chins in their hands just gazed into the other’s eyes. Simon was surprised at the quiet determination in Paula’s eyes. He didn’t know she heard what he had said to Ryan. She did have beautiful doe shaped eyes. And Paula was sure Simon could read into her very soul. She wouldn’t find it hard to get lost in those hazel depths.
“Okay, Paula, turn to the camera and smile. Be cheeky,” She did as she was told, rubbing her hands together. She pursed her lips slightly, knowing Simon’s eyes were following her every move. “Good now look back at Simon,”
‘No, don’t!’ Simon wanted to scream. This Paula was so brave. This Paula made him feel a little weak in the knees. He wasn’t sure if he liked this new Paula.
She turned to him and met his eyes at once.
“Simon, look embarrassed,” Ken said.
Thankful to cut his eyes away from her, he looked down, his cheeks hot.
“Okay. Now how about some champagne? Bring in the bottle,” Someone from the crew gave Simon the bottle of champagne.
“Right, Simon, open it and Paula when it pops, act like… act like the sound is the sexiest thing you ever heard,” Ken said.
“Something hot,” Nigel continued.
Paula was sure she was blushing.
“Why is a bottle opening ‘sexy’?” She asked, laughing off her discomfort.
“Oh come on, sweetheart. Show Simey your naw-ty face,” Simon winked. Paula pressed her tongue into her cheek. Fine, she could make Simon think she’s hot. She grinned.
They started rolling again and Simon opened the bottle, his eyes intent on the goddess in front of him. Paula turned her head and gave a breathy moan. Shit. That was his limit. In that moment Simon realised Paula Abdul was the sexiest thing he had ever seen… or heard. He exhaled, only then realising he had been holding his breathe.
“Okay, I’m not doing that again,” Paula said. She eyed Ryan whose eyes were wide.
“No need. That was perfect, darling,” Ken said, trying to be professional. He was also a bit flustered.
“Simon, pour the champagne in the glasses next. And you guys are going to take a sip together, with your arms crossed and all that. You know it,” Nigel instructed. “And, action!”
Simon poured the liquid into the glasses and they took one each. They twined their arms and had to lean closer to take a sip. Simon’s warm bare skin against Paula’s was a lot to handle. What if while keeping eye contact, the glass misses her lips altogether?
But the glass touched her lips and Simon looked down at his before taking a sip of his own. They pulled back slightly.
“Just look at each other for a moment,” Ken said.
And so their eyes met again. Quickly, Simon looked at her lips. They were so full and inviting. He could just imagine kissing them.
“And cut!” Ken told them.
“Okay, Simon, move back for the moment. Paula, take another sip and lick your lips after,” Nigel said.
“What? That’s silly,” Paula shook her head.
They ignored her. “Action!”
Paula took another sip of the drink and looked at the camera. She was going to prove she was the irresistible one. Simon watched, transfixed, as her pink tongue came out and ran over her lips hotly.
“Cut! Wonderful,” Nigel said. “Now, strawberry and whipped cream time,”
“Oh, God. Will it ever end?” Simon asked. Paula almost felt a little hurt but understood that he was just uncomfortable.
Ryan was sitting down now, watching, very amused. Randy had gone home.
“Simon, dip the strawberry in the whipped cream and Paula take a bite… And action!”
Simon picked up a strawberry from the plate and dipped it in the whipped cream. He brought it to her mouth, wishing he was that strawberry. She bit it, her eyes locked on his. He watched but she knew she could have done a better job. She could have made it look sexier. Damn.
“Cut. Hm… let’s try that again. This time, no whipped cream. Just feed her the strawberry and eat the other half,” said Ken.
Her prayer was answered. Shed get another chance! She looked almost smug.
Simon picked up another strawberry and brought it up to her lips. Her tongue reached out a little and she bit the fruit slowly, before puckering her lips to it, almost as if she was kissing it. Simon was even more jealous of this strawberry. She met his eyes as she did this, silently telling him ‘Suffer.’ And he was suffering. He tried pay back and bit the half-strawberry, holding her eyes with his. Her head followed the movement of the fruit and when he sunk his teeth into it, Paula’s eyes closed involuntarily.
She was either a better actress than he thought or she was totally enjoying this. Simon hoped it was the latter. He winked at her. And she blushed, turning away, realising he caught onto her slip.
“Good. Now, whipped cream. Guess what?” Nigel asked, grinning evilly. “Paula, you’re going to lick the cream off his finger,” He almost sang.
“WHAT? NO!!” Paula moved back in her seat, appalled. Simon was excited about this.
“Oh come on, Paw-la,” He drawled. “You know you want to.”
“Come on, love,” Ken coaxed. Paula huffed. She met Ryan’s eyes. He was motioning for her to lick his finger. ‘Hah, look who’s side he’s on, Simon,’ Paula thought happily. She winked at him.
“3, 2, 1, action!”
Simon dunked his index finger into the white cream and brought it up to Paula’s lips. She looked into his eyes seriously and sucked his finger.
“One more time,” Ken told them. “Use your other hand, Simon.”
So this time, Simon used his right hand and Paula looked at him in the naughtiest way she could this time and leaned down. Simon’s hand was trembling as her mouth closed onto his finger. It was too fast for anyone else to know, but her tongue spiralled it once as her lips pulled backward. Simon swallowed. That woman would be the death of him. Then she bit him slightly.
That was it.
He would get her back for that. For the reaction that she caused. The reaction she knew she caused. She would pay. He would not lose this game.

“Great. Now we need two things – Simon caressing Paula’s face and one Paula caressing Simon’s face. Okay?” They nodded.
First Paula brought her hand to his cheek and stroked it delicately with her fingers. His eyes closed and his humoured smile widened into a genuine one as he enjoyed her touch. The second her hand left his face, though, his eyes opened to show her he hadn’t liked it at all. Paula mentally frowned at that.
Next Simon placed a bent finger under her chin and stroked her softly. He watched as she leaned in and smiled as his finger went close to her neck and back. Her eyes almost closed at the sensation but quickly, she reopened them. Maybe it was all the sugar from the whipped cream and strawberries, but his smile proved to her that he felt her goose bumps.
“Okay guys. Last thing. Your lines. Fairly simple,” Nigel told them their lines.
“I have to call him ‘cuddles’?” Paula guffawed. Simon was close to blushing.
“It was Simon’s idea,” Ken said. Simon tried to laugh it off, indifferently, but he wasn’t sure he succeeded. He wasn’t used to feeling so defenceless.
“Oh… Ok, then, ‘Cuddles,’” Paula smiled.
Ryan was near the camera people, laughing.
“Then Simon you will say ‘Kiss me,’ and then you, well, kiss! And that’s a wrap,”
“KISS?!” Paula and Simon asked at the same time. They glanced at each other.
“No, no, no,” Paula complained. Simon shook his head.
“Come on guys, it’s just a kiss,”
“Alright?” Simon asked softly, looking genuinely concerned but Paula didn’t want to show him any weakness. She looked him dead in the eyes and then… he winked. Damn it, that man. She blushed.
“Okay, action!”
“Thank God the season’s over…” She started. But they looked so stupid, his arms were crossed in front of him. She was holding her shoulders. They burst out laughing.
“Guys!” Ken rolled his eyes. Ryan and Nigel giggled. “You are like so far away from each other. Paula, stroke his arm or something, would you?”
So Paula sucked in a deep breathe as Simon uncrossed his arms. He left one on the table and Paula placed her hand on top. Simon’s other hand came down to her seat, resting next to her thigh. She could have sworn he brushed it.
“Action,” Nigel called.
Paula’s hand was trembling and so to cover it up she stroked the hairs on his arm gently.
“Thank God the season’s over… Now we don’t have to pretend,” Paula spoke.
“It’s been killing me, Paw-la,” He said, watching her eyes. The hand he had near her leg moved onto her lap and he rubbed her thigh gently.
“I love you cuddles,” His eyebrows rose slightly as he watched the words roll of her tongue easily as she kept a straight face. Didn’t he affect her at the slightest? Then he felt it. Her leg jerked upwards, so his fingers were on her inner thigh. He almost choked.
“Kiss me?” He just about managed. He really should have ‘said’ it but instead it came out more like a question.
They started to lean in but it got too much for Paula. She pulled back abruptly. Simon too leaned back, watching her, smirking.
“Cut!” Nigel sighed. “What’s the problem?”
“Nothing. Sorry,” Simon said. Paula smiled slightly thankful but extremely angry with herself. How could she let him get to her that way?
“Again,” And the cameras rolled. “Just pick up where you left off,”
Satisfied, this time Simon put an arm around her shoulders as he pulled her closer. This time, she lifted her hand to put on top of his. He brought her closer and they tilted their heads. Their lips met and it was like their bodies went up in flames. It was a closed-mouth kiss. It lasted only a few seconds and quickly Paula pulled away.
“Come on, you guys. That was so… short and timid. It’s not like this is your first kiss!” Ken huffed. Simon and Paula averted their eyes from each other.
“Right, and go,”
This time, Simon took her hand in his and Paula, for the sake of anywhere better to put her free hand, clasped onto their joint ones. Paula saw Simon’s mouth open and she copied him and this time their lips met with more familiarity. Their eyes closed immediately. Their tongues met half way and sought each other’s so easily it was like they had been doing it for years.
They knew that it was time to stop. So begrudgingly, they parted, trying to calm their breathing.
“Okay…” Nigel dragged. “One more,” he knew the third time would be a charm. He could tell they were very into it. Perfect for the shoot.
So one more time, Simon and Paula leaned in. Secretly, well maybe not so secretly, they were both thrilled. Simon’s hand held the back of Paula’s head this time and she held on to his other hand with one of hers, placing the other one on his neck. They wasted no time as their tongues met once again, more than happily. This kiss had even more fire than the previous ones. There was no stopping now. All rational thoughts left their heads. As Simon deepened the kiss, Paula’s hand left his to grip his shirt. He held her arm with his now free hand. Paula moaned.
“Cut!” But they didn’t stop. Simon’s hand was now tangled in her hair. “Guys! CUT” Then they heard Nigel. Quickly, they pulled away, staring at the other, panting.
They immediately blushed, looking away from each other. Paula stood up and excused herself quietly. Simon grabbed his cigarettes and walked off to his other balcony for a smoke. Ryan was speechless for once. Everyone was speechless. There was no noise except for Simon and Paula’s footsteps.
The camera crew packed up quickly and they, Nigel and Ken all left the house. Ryan went to look for Simon. He found him in an identical balcony to the other one, smoking his cigarette. He walked up to him and patted him on the back.
“You okay, buddy?” Ryan asked, genuinely concerned for his friend.
“Ryan – spare yourself. Do yourself a favour and go away before I yell at you. I’m awfully peeved right now,”
“Come on, Simon. So you enjoyed kissing her. Big deal. She liked it just as much!”
“I have a girlfriend for one. And two, what is Paula going to think? ... Where is she anyway?” Simon wondered.
Then they saw her. She was downstairs, outside in the garden. The moon had come out and she looked awfully beautiful as its glow caught onto her flawless skin. She ran a hand through her hair and breathed deeply.
“Talk to her, man,” Ryan said before disappearing into the house. He would leave and talk to them at Idol again.
*
“Paw-ler?” Simon called softly. She spun around quickly to see him take a step closer to her.
Silence.
Neither of them knew what to say. They just stared into each other’s eyes.
It was a game.
At least it should have been. It didn’t stay that way.
Inevitable.
What had happened was no doubt inevitable. That tension had to be released at some point.
Tension.
Now that they had felt what it would be like to use that tension and make it into something they wanted more.
More.
How was that going to happen? Paula had just gotten out of a relationship with Colton and Simon was with Terri.
Relationship.
No, there was no way they could start a relationship. They had just started becoming friends.
Before either of them processed what was happening, their lips were pressed against each other once more. It was like they were each a drug and a drug addict together. Both playing both roles.
“Mm. No, Simon,” Paula pulled back. “This can’t happen.” Simon pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.
“I know… Are you okay?” He asked softly.
“I am… surprised, Simon… I didn’t expect that… what happened back there… The way you were, the way I was. It was just a lot to take in,”
“I know what you mean. I have never… never had that feeling before,” He looked into her eyes.
“Yeah,” She agreed. “I won’t be the other woman, Simon,”
“I’m not asking you to be… I know that wouldn’t be right,” He caressed her chin much like he had earlier.
“Hm… Good,”
“You fascinate me, Paw-la,” He watched her intently as he did often. “I don’t think I can resist for long,”
“Why is that?” She struggled for words, leaning into his soft touch. Her eyes closed.
“Because after that… I must say, I’d think you would be very good in bed,” She reopened her eyes.
“Bye Simon,” She leaned up and kissed the corner of his mouth delicately.
“Bye, Paula,” He whispered as she walked away.
And what happened when Simon returned for auditions in season 3? Let’s put it this way… Simon knows when he can resist and when he can’t.