A/N: Just so as you know, this fic will also be posted at yourfanfiction . com (no spaces, same author name - bloodsoakedleather) so in the event that I get deleted from here you can still continue to read it

The title comes from the name of the song that Raven is singing in this chapter. You tube it, it's a beautiful song and perfect for this story.

Rated T for now but will go up in later chapters.

I KNOW WHY (AND SO DO YOU)

From the film "Sun Valley Serenade" (1941)

(Harry Warren / Mack Gordon)

Glenn Miller & His Orch. (vocal: Paula Kelly & The Modernaires) - 1941

x - x - x

Why do robins sing in December?

Long before the Springtime is due?

And even though it's snowing,

violets are growing

I Know Why and so do you

Why do breezes sigh ev'ry ev'ning

Whispering your name as they do?

And why have I the feeling stars are on my ceiling?

I Know Why and so do you

When you smile at me

I hear gypsy violins

When you dance with me

I'm in heaven when the music begins

I can see the sun when it's raining

Hiding ev'ry cloud from my view

And why do I see rainbows

when you're in my arms?

I Know Why and so do you

I Know Why and so do you

NEW YORK - 1947 - THE HARLEQUIN CLUB

It was late afternoon and outside, the streets bustled with people of all ages, shapes and sizes. Children chattered loudly, running and playing and earning themselves occasional chastisement from sour old gents who had long since forgotten what it was like to be that age. Haughty ladies in feathered hats walked tiny dogs and cast jealous glances at the girls they couldn't forget they had once been. Men in suits and women in high heels hurried from their jobs all eager to get home and get ready to meet their sweethearts and traffic rumbled and honked endlessly around them all.

For some their jobs had not yet begun and wouldn't officially for several more hours, yet they worked anyway, in anticipation of the evening.

Inside The Harlequin Club, rehearsals were ongoing and now becoming tiresome. The smooth, sensuous, breathy voice of Raven Darkholme danced between the tables and upturned chairs accompanied by a chorus of shuffling footsteps upon the wooden floor and chinking glasses at the bar.

"Why do breezes sigh ev'ry evening, whispering your name as they do?" She sang, gazing across the room at the bartender who busily dried and put away glasses while managing to keep one eye on the beautiful girl on the stage. The two shared a perhaps not so secretive look and Raven fluttered her eyelashes, making the guy grin broadly. "And why have I the feeling stars are on my ceiling? I Know Why and so do you."

She tore her gaze away from her beau and floated across the stage to a group of three musicians and leaned lazily against the pedestal in front of them.

"When you smile at me I hear gypsy violins." They chorused.

"When you dance with me I'm in heav…"

"Okay, let's do it again, one more time from 'why do breezes' okay?" A voice called out, halting the music abruptly.

Raven sighed mellodramatically and slumped her shoulders.

"Again? Charles, we've done this a hundred times already. It's going to get boring soon."

"I know sweetie." The young man at the piano said, shuffling his stool back a little and running his fingers through his dark brown hair. "And you were perfect as all ways." His blue eyes shone with adoration for the blonde singer. "But you boys…" He wagged his finger sternly at the three chorus boys. "Are still coming in a half beat to late."

They all grumbled under their collective breaths and Raven pouted.

"Why do I have to do it again? Can't you just do their part? My throat is starting to feel dry." She glanced over at Hank, still busy putting away glasses. "And I need a drink. I don't want my voice to wear out before this evening."

Charles followed her gaze and chuckled softly at his sister as he shook his head in mock disbelief.

"Okay, fine. Why don't we all take a short break and start again in fifteen?"

Raven beamed brightly and bounced over to him, placing a soft kiss on the top of his head.

"Thank you Charles." She smiled sweetly before bouncing over towards the bar.

Charles closed the piano lid and stretched his fingers out with a faint groan, then rolled his shoulders forward and back a couple of times until he felt the muscles loosening just a little. He was about to get up and grab a drink of his own when the doors of the club swung open, letting in a short burst of the outside noise that made everyone turn round.

"Can I help you?" Charles asked, squinting his eyes at the shadows, just able to make out the figure of a tall slim man but not much else.

"That depends. Who's in charge around here?"

Charles caught his bottom lip between his teeth, worrying it briefly before he stood up and step down off the stage.

"Well, in the absence of Mr Shaw, I suppose that would be me." He said. "At least for the next few hours. My name is Charles."

"Erik." The stranger replied, stepping out of the shadows and into the light where Charles could see him. Charles's breath caught in his throat. The man was quite striking, intimidating even. Not quite as tall as he had first appeared but still close to six feet and considerably taller than Charles, he had a long angular face, all teeth and cheekbones, with vivid green eyes, dark blond hair and an air of confidence about him that was oddly compelling.

Charles offered the man a shallow nod and repeated his question.

"So, Erik, how can I help you?"

He took another step forward, held up the instrument case that Charles had only just now noticed he was carrying and answered.

"I'm kinda hoping you'll give me a job."

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