Piper, Lorne and Faith
Piper stood in the middle of the club looking around. She glanced down at her watch. 6:55pm. They had a few minutes to kill, so she told everyone to relax.
"You want to sing, Lorne, to get the ball rolling?" Piper asked.
"Yeah, why not, sugar beans." Lorne went over to the karaoke machine and selected a song. "Ahh, oldie but a goodie." The music began to play and Lorne started to sing.
"There'll be another song for me
and I will sing it
there'll be another dream for me
someone will bring it
I will drink the wine while it is warn
and never let you catch me
looking at the sun, oh yeah
and after all the loves of my life
after all loves in my life
you'll be the one."
Faith gasped and then smiled. She recognised that sad ballad. Lorne had sang it to her when he'd sat by her bedside.
There was a knock at the top of the club and Piper went to answer it, while the others sat around, entranced by his singing.
"Oh, hey." Piper led Admiral Twin down the stairs and into the main area. "You can set up there, that's the stage." She pointed to the stage where Lorne was sitting on the edge.
Lorne finished his song and turned the mike off and swept Faith up in a hug. She pecked him on the cheek. "Thanks Lorne." she whispered into his ear.
"No problem, sweetcakes."
He straightened up. "Well hey there, Admiral Twin, how very good to see you guys again. No problems this time?" Lorne winked at the guys who smiled back at him and began to set up their equipment.
"Ash and everyone else should be here soon." Phoebe chimed in.
Ash
"Nice set," John nodded, looking it over for a moment.
"Dude, get back to work," Jarrod insisted, beginning to piece together the drum set with Brad.
It was at that moment that Ash and Mindy came through the door, hand in hand.
"Hey Piper!" he waved, getting her attention as he came down the steps.
Then he spotted the band.
"Hey guys, how's it going?"
"Just setting up," John grinned, plugging his guitar in, then going to shake his hand.
Halliwells and Faith
Piper waved back to Ashley. "Hey guys, just get comfy, there are couches, and yada yada. If you want drinks just over there."
There was a loud crash from the kitchen and Piper closed her eyes. "Let's hope that wasn't too drastic." She ran off to the kitchen.
Paige and Phoebe went over to Ashley and Mindy, and hugged Ash, each in turn. "Hey Ash. Hi, I'm Phoebe, that's Paige. And Piper's not usually that rude. Just a minor problem in the kitchen."
"Hi, Ash, how've ya been?" Faith came over with Lorne, holding hands. "I'm Faith, this is Lorne."
Ashley
"Hi," Mindy said shyly, staring at Lorne.
She hadn't seen anything like him before.
"Nice to see you again girls," Ashley grinned, "and ah... nice to meet you Lorne."
He shook his hand.
Lorne, Phoebe and Faith
Lorne extended his hand to Mindy and then to Ashley. "Hi, I'm an Anagogic demon."
"You look like you eat enough." Phoebe said, looking confused.
"Psychic. When you sing, you bare your soul and I look into it." Lorne smiled at Phoebe. She smiled back sheepishly.
"So if anyone wants to know what I see in your soul, get up and sing your little hearts out." Lorne said. "Oh Mindy, hun, don't be scared around me. I'm a demon yes, but of the good kind."
"He's a good guy... demon. Really." Faith told her, leaning on Lorne's shoulder.
Ash
"Interesting," Ashley nodded, "I'm a shape shifter. Mindy's a hybrid without powers."
He kissed her forehead and she grinned.
She checked her watch.
"Everyone should be here soon," she said thoughtfully.
"Yep," Ashley grinned, "then the party begins. Oh, guys, please don't let anyone leave until we've announced the bridal party. We'll ask the nominees tonight then anounce it at the end if they say 'yes'."
Faith, Lorne and Halliwells
Faith grinned. "Sounds like an awards show." She flicked her hair away from her eyes and turned to Lorne. "Wanna go get a drink?"
"Why not, sweetie pie?" Lorne escorted Faith over to the bar where Christina and Madison were patiently waiting.
Phoebe and Paige left to go see how Admiral Twin were getting along and to check out the karaoke again while Piper came rushing back out of the kitchen.
"Yeah, just... just do it, it doesn't matter... uh, try not to break anymore stuff." Piper rolled her eyes and approached Mindy and Ashley again. "Hey guys, sorry about that."
Ash
"No problem," Ashley smiled at her as a few people came through the door.
"Finally," Mindy said as she turned to them, then turned back to Piper.
"Hi, sorry I didn't actually get to meet you," she smiled reaching out to shake her hand.
"This is my little hunny bunny," Ashley grinned, hugging her waist and twisting her.
She giggled.
Halliwells, Faith and Lorne
Piper smiled. "Aww sweet. Well, Ash, we went all out, how do you like the place?" Piper laughed gesturing around at the balloons and streamers.
Paige switched on some music and Faith, Lorne and Phoebe started dancing around.
Ash
"Oh yeah, the place looks great," Ashley insisted as he and Mindy gazed around.
Many of the guests arriving just made themselves comfortable at the tables provided, a couple going to the bar.
"Let's say... Admiral Twin at 7:30, then after a while when they're done we could probably have them and Hanson do something together. Then Hanson, then karaoke," Ashley grinned.
"Don't be mean," Mindy warned, patting his cheek.
"I won't be mean to you, love," he kissed her neck, "then whenever someone wants to get moving we'll announce the bridal party and wedding date."
Piper
"Alright, well pretty much everything is raring to go. Just waiting for the Hansons. So that could take awhile. But make yourselves comfortable, I better get back to the kitchen and make sure nothing else is broken..." Piper waved and with a final saulte, dashed back to the kitchen.
Ash
"Speaking of the guys and their fam, I wonder where the heck they are."
Ashley pulled out his cell phone.
"We can wait a little longer. You know they wouldn't be on time to save their lives," Mindy insisted, putting a hand on his arm.
"I'd better find out what's keeping them anyway. I asked them to be early and it's already ten past seven."
He waited as he heard Ike's cell phone ring.
Madison and Christina
Madison and Christina stood at the bar, now used to working at P3. "See, I told you everything would work out for us." Madison told her half sister.
Christina turned and smiled. "I know, you know everything. Sheesh."
"Should we start to get things ready?"
"Yep."
Madison began the task of crushing the ice in the blender and Christina shook up the fruit juice.
Shakira
Shakira settled into a corner booth, just sipping on a Shirley Temple and watching everybody else. After all these days of perfoirming, she'd be happy to watch eveyone else sing and dance.
Mouse
Mouse made her way into P3, Fafnir at her side. She still wasn't going anywhere without her wolf. She saw Faith and headed straight for the dark haired Slayer. "Faith! Hey Ash, Mindy, Phoebe. And um." Mouse looked at Lorne, a little puzzled, but decided if he was a friend of Faith's that was good enough for her. "Friend of Faith's. Name's Mouse. And this is Fafnir." She patted the wolf's head and he whined at her.
Too many people. Can we go and hunt?
Hunt later, packmate. She told him reassuringly. He still growled at Lorne however. "He's still jumpy. Bad stuff happened, and we're not quite all good with it."
Anyone tries that again, and I will rip out their throats.
"Calm down. Happy friendly people here. Mostly." She grinned.
Lorne
Lorne smiled at her. "Would you sing for me, pet? I can read people telepathically and empathically, as well as see their future and past, when they sing." Lorne grinned. "I'm Lorne, by the way, well, Krevlorneswath of the Deathwok Clan, but Lorne's just a little bit easier," he chuckled.
Faith
Faith grinned at Mouse and nudged her in a way of greeting. "Heya Mouse, long time no see. Whatcha been doing? How are you?"
Isaac
Isaac heard his phone ring and fumbled around in his pocket.
"Ash?" he asked, surprised.
He answsered the phone.
"Hey Ash, what's up?"
Ash
"Ike, where the hell are you? You should have been here fifteen minutes ago," Ashley scolded as he felt Mindy take his arm.
"Settle down, they'll come," she murmured.
"Admiral Twin's here to set up, so they're gonna be on first. Then I thought you might wanna do a set with them then go on your own. I think we have Shakira here too, even though I didn't ask. She's been hanging around, so she'll prolly do something for us too."
Mouse
"Not much. Being paranoid and scared but that's up for par with me after the Spider thing. Fafnir is not helping, and would you just stop it!" Mouse slapped the wolf's nose and he whined, tail tucked between his legs as he nuzzled her hand in apology.
He doesn't smell right.
He's not human or alien. He's a demon. You dealt with Spike and Dru, so quiet now. He's good, I can feel it. Mouse looked up at Lorne and smiled wryly. "You don't smell right, apparently. It's kinda freaking him out, espeacilly after some of the stuff we've been doing lately. Sorry I didn't come to Shakira's concert thing like I said I was gonna. Sidhe got sick. She's better now though. One happy little ball of annoying fluff, bouncing around and annoying everybody right out of their minds."
Still don't see why I just can't eat her. Fafnir grumbled.
"Cos I like her, that's why." She looked up again. "He wants to eat the kitten. I havta keep telling him no."
Faith
Faith nodded. "If you want any drinks, the bars over there. How's your boy?"
Faith led the way to the bar and signalled for Chrissy to serve them.
"Yeah, how can I help ya?"
Mouse
"Tay's fine. Bit distant sometimes, but we're all still getting past the Mouse went all psycho serial killer and wolf, I think." Mouse shrugged. "I'll have a coke, thanks."
Lorne
"Birds gotta swim, fish gotta fly," Lorne said, smiling. "To each his own. I mean, some people drink blood, some people eat dust. And by the way, I don't really like being called a demon. I prefer the term 'otherworldly American' myself. Just like vengeance demons now prefer to be called justice demons. It's all relative. And I know how you feel, girly, I'm empathic myself. I get vibes."
Mouse
"Vibes, oh yeah, vibes by the handful," Mouse said with a grin. "So, you from LA?"
Lorne
"Oh yeah, how did you tell? Is i t the flashy clothes?" Lorne asked, spinning around and making jazz hands as he grinned that big Lorne smile.
Mouse
"They do tend to stand out. That and the fact Faith knows you, helped me clue it in a bit. So, you kow Angel? Did you see him get his ass kicked by my kitties? Cos, Nyx and Sabre rang me about it later, laughing and carrying on so."
Lorne
"Yes, that was really rather amusing. Nyx and Sabre are quite fun. anyways, let's get us a drink," Lorne smiled as they sat at the bar.
Faith
"Kinda like how Angel prefers 'Undead American'... which is wrong in itself, coz technically he ain't American. But oh well." Faith shrugged.
"Same thanks." Faith took her drink as Chrissy handed them over the counter.
"Ah well, these things happen. You'll get past it."
Umm...
"I'll have a SeaBreeze, sweetcheeks, thanks,"
Mouse
"Good idea. If I'm gonna sing later, I'm going to need something to drink." Mouse grinned at Lorne, yeah, she liked this one. "Nyx and Sabre rock. Priss is pretty nice too, but they're more fun."
Isaac and Zac
"I'm in the bathroom of P3," Isaac said. "And in you wait thirty seconds you'll hear the toliet flushing. Zac and Tay are out there somewhere."
Zac, at this moment, was cruising the bar.
"Greetings, ladies," he said.
Lorne
"Birds gotta swim, fish gotta fly," Lorne said, smiling. "To each his own. I mean, some people drink blood, some people eat dust. And by the way, I don't really like being called a demon. I prefer the term 'otherworldly American' myself. Just like vengeance demons now prefer to be called justice demons. It's all relative. And I know how you feel, girly, I'm empathic myself. I get vibes."
Faith
Faith winked at Zac. "Hiya Zac, I'm Faith. I think we kinda met, but not totally officially."
Ash and Christian
"You bugger," Ashley hung up and looked around the room.
He spotted Christian behind the stage, talking to Mark from Admiral Twin.
"Come on Mindy, they've been here for a while," he rolled his eyes.
And they made their way over.
"Hey Ash," Christian grinned, shaking his hand, "Congrats by the way."
"Tay man, it's so good to see you after... you know. How are you and Avie holding up?"
"Better. A lot better," Christian grinned, "have you seen Ike?"
"Haven't seen him, but heard him. Do you guys know what you're doing."
Christian stopped in thought.
"Uh... I guess so," he eyed Mindy, "we're after these guys, right? I think we have a song list somewhere..."
"Does it include Mmmbop?" Mindy giggled.
"You wish."
"Aw come on Tay, gotta do it once a year at least," Ashley chuckled.
"Not tonight."
Avery and Zoe
Avery and Zoe ran to Ashley and hugged him at the same time. Then moved to hug Mindy.
"Hi Ash! Hi Min!"
"Ash, up!" Zoe pointed, meaning she wanted him to pick her up.
Ash and Christian
"Ok," Ashley grinned, picking up the youngest Hanson.
He sat her on his hip, getting her comfortable.
"What do you say Zoe? You think your big brothers should play Mmmbop tonight?"
"No," Christian insisted.
"Aw come on. You'll spoil the fun," Mark grinned.
"No."
Zoe
Zoe grinned at Ashley. "If he doesn't play it, I will!"
Zoe hugged Ashley. "MMMBop!"
Ash and Christian
Ashley chuckled as Christian rolled his eyes.
"Anyway..." Ashley began, finally putting Zoe down (she was getting a bit heavy), "I'd better find Ike."
He winked at Mindy who smiled, then went to find him.
"Hey Avie, Zoe, you remember Mark don't you?" Christian began, crouching down to Zoe's level.
"He's from Admiral Twin... we sang on his album, remember?"
Avery and Zoe
Avery smiled while Zoe hid behind her, shyly peeking out. "Hiya."
Avery picked her sister up with great difficulty. "Don't be shy Zo. Hi Mark."
Mouse
Mouse looked around and spotted Christian across the room. "Be back. Gonna go say hi to my boy." She made her way across the room and to Christian. "Hey Tay." She smiled at Christian, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. "Looking forward to tonight?"
Zac and Isaac
Zac grinned at Faith, took her hand and kissed it.
"A pleasure, I'm sure," he replied. "So, what brings you to Ash and Mindy's engagement party?"
Meanwhilst, Isaac had come out of the bathroom. He scanned the room looking for the groom-to-be.
Avery and Zoe
"Mousey!" Zoe launched herself out of Avei's arms and wrapped her arms around Mouse's legs in a giant hug.
"Hey Mouse." Avery grinned.
Christian
"Hello again," Mark grinned, "I think we're about set to go Tay. You guys wanna join us for a few songs?"
"Depends on what you're playing," Christian grinned, "no doubt Ike'll be in on it."
"Of course I am," Christian grinned, "have you met Mark?"
"I don't believe I've had the pleasure," Mark grinned.
"Oh. This is my girlfriend, Jane. Better known as Mouse."
"Nice to meet you."
"This is Mark from Admiral Twin. Those guys over there are John, Jarrod and Brad," Christian pointed out.
Mouse
"Hey." Mouse smiled around. "Glad to meet you. And this is Fafnir, my wolf." She petted Fafnir's head. "He won't hurt anybody, unless they're trying to hurt his Pack. Which is me and the Hansons at the moment."
Ash
Ashley finally spotted Isaac and made his way over. Grabbing his arm, he ushered him back into the bathroom and cornered him.
"You could have let me know when you first got here," he raised his eyebrows, "but forget about that. I have to ask you something important. You might have been expecting it, but it's better to ask, right?"
Isaac
"Well," Isaac replied, "I would have said hi, but hey, when you need to go, you need to go. What's so important?"
Ash
"Ok, sorry," Ashley grinned.
He checked to make sure there was no one else around.
"Well uh, I'm not sure how to ask, but here goes... Clarke Isaac Hanson," he raised his eyebrows, "you're my best friend, and I want you to be my best man... at the wedding. Would you do me the honour?"
He mentally crossed his fingers, waiting for a reply.
Isaac
"Sure," Isaac replied with a nod. "It would be an honour. For me, that is."
Faith
Faith smiled and winked at Zac. "Ah, I'm staying with the Halliwells at the moment, and Ash invited me last time I spoke with him. So... you're looking good tonight. Damn, if I was younger..."
Zac
Zac laughed.
"Well, thank you," he said. "But if it's any consolation to you, I'm not interested in dating anyone at the moment. I'm just out to be my usual charming self."
Faith
Faith let out a giggle. "Oh I wasn't talking about dating. But anyway, what have you been up to? More procrastination with the new album?"
She took a sip of her drink. "Charming self. Ha, this from the boy, who I do recall, a few years ago, said, and I quote - 'I'm taking a poop.' Sure, charming." Faith grinned cheekily.
Zac
Zac winked.
"What's not charming about that?" he asked. "And as for the album, we're having label problems and that's all I'm gonna say about the matter. So, wanna dance?"
Faith
Faith grinned. "Why not?" She grabbed Zac's hand and they managed to half drag each other onto the dance floor.
"And I gotta tell ya, telling people you need to poop, not so much a crowd pleaser."
Mouse
"Dancing could be fun." Mouse grinned, then looked at Christian. "Wanna dance, or do you havta set up?"
Phoebe, Mouse, Piper
Phoebe and Paige were dancing together on the dance floor, laughing happily.
"Hey Mouse, dance!" Phoebe called over to her.
Piper meanwhile had come out from the kitchen, and while still looking worried, she had relaxed a lot more. She was setting food up on the table. Christina called over to her.
"Hey, Piper, don't worry, I'll do that. That's what you pay us for!"
Zac and Isaac
"Really? You think so?" Zac asked, teasing. "Oh, and my appologises in advance if I tread on your toes. I can't dance."
Meanwhile Isaac was helping himself to the food.
Christian
"Think I'd better help these guys set up," Christian winked at her before giving her a prolonged kiss.
He grinned when he pulled away.
"Have fun babe."
Then he went to help Brad setting up the stage.
Mouse
"Will do!" Mouse waved and headed over to the Charmed Ones. "So, dancing...I'll just follow your lead." She grinned and started to copy some of their movements.
Paige and Phoebe
Paige was halfway straddling Phoebe's leg when Mouse came over, so she backed off and lifted her hands above her head.
"Yo Mousey! Having fun?" Paige asked.
"This is the first time you've been at P3, isn't it?" Phoebe chimed in, twirling around and managing to twist her way to the ground and then up again.
Mouse
"Yeah! I like it though. It's cool." Mouse smiled. "This is fun!" She danced arms abover her head and shimmying her hips, before bending backwards almost to the floor, and back up again.
Phoebe
Phoebe levitated a bit and danced mid air before coming down and grabbing Mouse's hands and spinning her round. Paige clapped and began to chant.
"Go Mousey, it's yo berfday, we gonna party like it's yo berfday!"
Piper and Faith
Piper put a plate of food down next to wear Isaac was.
"Hey there, Ike, having fun? Piper, by the way."
Meanwhile, Faith was dancing and laughing along with Zac. "You're a hoot and a half kid. I like ya."
Isaac and Zac
"Oh, yeah," Isaac replied. "Nice to meet you. Wow, there sure is lots of food here. It's hard to know where to start."
"Well, thank you," Zac said to Faith. "It's nice to know I have a fan club. Oh wait, I already knew that..."
Mouse
Mouse laughed gleefully. Man, this was fun! Fafnir laughed along with her in her head, wolves being very gregarious animals, this was fun for him as well. She copied a few more moves she saw being danced around her, discarding the ones that didn't work for her.
Phoebe and Paige
Phoebe pointed at Faith and Zac. "Looks like Faith got her wish. She's been wanting to meet Zac. Said something about him being more her type."
Paige giggled. "She didn't want to bed him. Well she did. But I think she gets along with him because he's a bit more of a free spirit. And so is she."
Mouse
"I like her," Mouse said. "She has an almost catness to her. And she's a predator, ya know? I always got along best with predator types rather then prey. Kinda weird for an empath."
Shakira
After a while, a fun song came on and Shakira decided to dance. She got up to where some of her friends were still dancing and started to shake her hips, doing her famous bellydancing moves, waving her hand above her head.
Mindy
Mindy, knowing Ashley had gone off to find Ike to ask him to be his best man, pulled out her phone.
The person she was going to ask to be the maid of honour wasn't there.
She searched through for the phone number she'd been given, and hesitantly rang it.
She disappeared into a corner to wait for an answer.
Miette
Miette picked up the ringing phone. Who could be ringing this late?
"Hello?" she asked.
Mindy
"Hi, uh, Miette? That's you, right?" she asked, blocking her other ear so she could hear.
"I hope so. I have something very important to ask you. It's Mindy by the way, we're having the engagement party."
She smiled.
"I'm so sorry you couldn't join us."
Miette
"Oh hi, Mindy," Miette replied cheerfully. "Yes this is Miette, how's the party going? I wish I could have come. What is you you have to ask me?"
Phoebe and Paige
"Yeah, Piper and I have known her since we were kids. She's always been like that really. Never the victim." Phoebe told them.
"I guess she was a good choice for a vampire slayer then." Paige commented.
Mindy
"Well we're really only jusy getting started. Admiral Twin, Hanson and Shakira are here... I guess I could let you talk to Ike in a moment if you want."
She cleared her throat.
"But what I needed to ask, is about the bridal party. See, I don't have a sister... and I've kind of been devoting most of my time to Ashley and to work. So I was wondering... if you'd be my maid of honour for the wedding."
Miette
"Oh my gosh! I'd love to!" Miette exclaimed. "Oh, but are you sure? Surely who have some girl friend you know better than me? I mean, not that I'd want to get out of it or anything - I'd really love to, but are you sure you want me?"
Piper and Faith
Piper grinned. "Ah, the joys of a catering staff. So how've ya been?"
Faith playfully slapped Zac across the top of the head. "Fan club, my ass."
Isaac and Zac
"I've been pretty good," Isaac replied. "Miss Mi though. You met my girlfriend, Miette right?"
Zac peered over her shoulder at Faith's behind.
"And a nice ass it is too."
Piper and Faith
Piper nodded. "I think so. English, right?" She smoothed out a bump in the table cloth.
Faith slapped Zac playfully again. "Well, I work out." She peered around at his behind. "Well, yours isn't so bad either. Do you work out?"
Isaac and Zac
"Yes, she's English. And England is where she si at the moment. She would have come to the party but she has Uni, so, y'know," he sighed.
"Y'know," Zac said, drly. "If you're going to talk about my ass and slap me, the least you could do is slap my ass. And I am not referring to a pet donkey."
Mindy
"Of course I want you! You helped me through a very tough... period of my life. Getting to know aliens and the like, and I can't thank you enough for that."
She giggled a little, then spotted Ike at the bar.
"What's even better for your position is that Ashley has asked Isaac to be his best man. I'm not sure of his answer, but from what I can tell Ash looks happy enough."
Miette
"Well, it was my pleasure, and I would be honoured to be your maid of honour," Miette giggled. "So, Ike's the best man huh? I couldn't agree more..."
Piper and Faith
Piper nodded. "Ah the bad bit about long distance relationships. You know, my sister can orb, so if you ever want Miette over here or you want to visit her, give Paige a call. She can orb in and out in seconds. Just a thought."
Faith slapped Zac's behind. "You happy now, donkey boy? Whoa, that sounds vaguely sexual."
Isaac and Zac
Isaac nodded.
"Okay," he said. "Thanks."
Zac gave Faith a silly grin.
"Yep, much happier now. But if you're going to call me donkey boy, then I'm either going to have to find a nickname for you, or slap your ass back."
Mindy and Ash
Mindy giggled.
"Do you want to talk to him? I'll find him for you," she offered, looking around.
He'd nicked off somewhere.
"Ok, I've lost sight of him. Oh wait a second, there's Ash. ASH!"
He turned, hearing her voice.
"Find Ike! Mi's on the phone!"
"IKE?!" Ashley yelled.
Mindy giggled.
"He'll be found in a second."
Miette and Isaac
Miette giggled.
"Thanks. I hope this call isn't costing you too much."
Meanwhile Isaac had heard his name called.
"I guess I'd better see what Ash wants," Isaac said to Piper. "It was nice talking to you."
Mouse
Mouse giggled, then put her hand over her mouth, eyes wide. Then she sensed some of Zac's emotions and started to giggle more. "You are *such* a cat." Her eyes flashed with amusement as she thought about what she'd said back at the Tournament.
Faith and Piper
Piper smiled. "Well, I'll let ya go. I think Mindy's calling you."
Faith grinned and teased Zac. "Try it... Donkey. Boy."
Zac
"You challenging me huh?" Zac replied, lowering his voice seductively.
He moved one of his hands down and just rested it on Faith's butt.
MIndy and Ash
"Doesn't matter," Mindy giggled, "Ash offered to pay for the call. He knew I wanted to ring tonight."
She watched him talking to Ike.
"I think he's about to come over."
"Mindy wants you," Ashley told Ike, "I think someone's on the phone for you."
He winked at him with a grin, then went to see if Admiral Twin were ready to go.
Isaac and Miette
"Oh I see..." she paused hearing movement noises. "Mindy?"
"Hey Mi!"
"Ike! How you are you?"
"I'm good. I'd be better if I didn't miss you so much."
Miette giggled.
"Same. Hey I hear you've been asked to be best man?"
"Yep."
"Mindy just asked me to be her maid of honour."
"Oh really? Awesome! You accepted right?"
"Of course."
They chatted a little longer and then Isaac passed the phone back to Mindy.
"She wants to say good bye," he informed her.
Faith
Faith giggled and lowered her hands onto Zac's butt. "Hmm, you do work out, don't you?" She giggled again. "There's something I can put on my resume... I've touched Zac Hanson's butt."
Zac
Zac chuckled and then moved his face closer to Faith's.
"Wanna add a few more things to that resume?" he asked, moving his other hand up her back so her could feel her bra strap through the back of her dress.
Faith
Faith grinned. "Well, see I could touch some things of yours, but I don't think out here on the dance floor is the most appropriate place. Besides, things might 'arise'."
Faith leaned her head on his shoulder. He was surprisingly tall for a 17 year old. And incredibly hot. Maybe not for a boyfriend, but just for a night. Or two.
Zac
"Is that an invitation?" Zac teased.
He traced her bra strap, wondering if he should try unhooking it. He had never attempted unhooking a bra before the other clothes were off before... hmm...
He pulled the thought back. Faith was right, this wasn't really the place.
Faith
Faith's hands gave Zac's butt a final squeeze and she moved them back around his neck. "So... I'm staying at the Halliwells... so if... you feel like, picking this up again later..." Faith trailed off, pulling her head off his shoulder and biting her lip seductively.
Zac
Zac was drooling. Figuratively speaking, of course. He moved his face close to hers and gently kissed her nose.
"Sounds like fun," he replied, his voice low and husky.
Faith
Faith giggled teasingly. She brought her mouth up to his ear and whispered. "Naughty puppy." She kissed his neck before pulling away, wondering if anyone was watching them.
"Well, if you're up for some fun, we'll just have to arrange it, won't we?"
Zac
"Absoultely," Zac agreed, touching his forehead and nose to hers. "You wanna blow this party now and make our own? Or shall we just arrange our own little after party later?"
What could he say? Old habits die hard?
Mouse
Mouse had watched the interaction between the two from the corner of her eye, but she couldn't help tuning in when they broadcast their feelings so loudly. Now, Zac she'd tagged as a cat first off. Faith, she'd thought might have been a wolf but no. Another cat. Solitary hunter, very few entanglments, and that 'oh yes, I'm a sexy beast and none of you non-felines better forget it' vibe. Cats were so arrogant. She smiled to herself, and swayed to the beat, enjoying the rhythm of the music.
Phoebe and Paige
Phoebe danced over and leant on Mouse's shoulder. "I give it... a few minutes. They'll both be down each others throats."
Paige laughed. "She's probably invited him back to the Manor. She's being surprisingly coy with him. I think what stops her is the fact that his parents are here."
Phoebe grinned at Mouse. "So, what do you think? How long?"
Mouse
"Few seconds?" Mouse grinned, then fanned herself with her hand. "There's definite flames between the two of 'em but he better tone it down or Diane's gonna come over. He's putting it out plenty strong. So's Faith."
Faith
Faith grinned and kissed him. "I'd love to leave now, but I think you guys are playing soon. And I don't wanna get you in trouble with everyone. Besides, I wouldn't mind watching you play with your brothers..." Faith ran a hand through his hair. "Although, I wouldn't mind playing with you."
She reluctantly pulled her hand out of his hair and tickled his neck. "So, you wanna come straight home with me? Or do you have to go home first?"
Zac
Zac let out a sigh.
"Guess that's true. Umm, I think I can get away with not going home first."
He kissed her lip softly.
"Talk to you later, sexy," he said, and with a wink, walked away.
Paige and Phoebe
"True, and they'll both cop it for that. Anyway, it doesn't really take that much for Faith to reel them in, not when she wants to, anyway. For that matter, it doesn't appear to take Zac that much either." Phoebe commented.
"Definitely the only thing stopping them is the fact that everyone's here. You should see Faith on a normal night at P3. Always surrounded by a group of guys. She's unbelievable. Whereas I'm lucky to get noticed by one or two." Paige shook her head, smiling. "So, Mouse, where's your man? Tell me he's as eager and his brother over there."
Mouse
Mouse smiled dreamily. "Where to start? He's just...perfect." She glanced over at Christian and her smile went wider. "And he's a great kisser."
Paige and Phoebe
Paige smiled. "Aww that is so cute. I wish I could find someone like that. But Isaac's taken." She joked, heading for the bar. "I'm getting a drink, you guys want?"
Phoebe signalled. "The usual. So envious. Taylor is very hot and he's very sweet. You're lucky. Hold onto that one."
Mouse
"I intend to,' Mouse said, still smiling. "My animals accept him, he likes them, he can talk to them...I could really spend forever with him, you know?"
Phoebe and Avery
"He does seem like a good type. Talented, gorgeous, nice. You've got the whole thing. And once he falls in love, you can tell he is determined to stay that way." Phoebe said, looking at Christian.
Avery ran over to Mouse and hugged her again. "Hi Mousey. Please don't tell me you're looking at Tay again. Because gross."
Mindy
"Thanks Ike," she winked at him, then put her ear to the phone.
"Ok Mi, well I'll expect you down here for the wedding arangements of course... which I don't think should be a problem. If you can't afford to I'm sure we have many more a way of getting you here," she chuckled.
Miette
Miette giggled.
"Okay, cool," she replied. "I just hope I can organise my studies accordingly."
Faith and Paige
Faith smiled as he walked away and went to join Mouse, Phoebe and Paige.
"Seen you've been busy." Paige remarked in amusement.
"What? All Zac and I did was dance and talk."
Mouse
"I happen to think yummy, not gross." Mouse grinned at at younger girl.
Avery and Faith
Avie stuck her tongue out. "Bleugh, but he is my brother I guess. Ok, that's all I had to ask. Well, there was one thing. When you and Tay get married, have a party here!" Avery giggled and ran off, waving over her shoulder.
Faith smiled, just joing the conversation. "Well, I like her. I'm glad we rescued that one."
Mouse
"Same. I like the Hansons, it's such a shame that the Spider decided to be the evil villian and kidnap Tay and Avery." Fafnir snarled from across the floor, and Mouse jumped slightly, then calmed him down. "As you can see, still a touchy topic. But everyone's safe and home, so all's cool in Mouse's world. When are we gonna do the karoake?"
Ash and Christian
Ashley waited for Christian's signal. When he receieved the thumbs up, he grabbed the microphone, only for a screeching sound to go through the air interrupting everyone.
He winced, looking back. Christian was laughing.
"Ok, ok, everyone. I'd like to welcome you all to the engagement party for me and my angel, Mindy. I should know all of you..."
He squinted into the crowd making a couple of people laugh.
"But anyway. First up we have Admiral Twin, then as far as I know, Hansons might be joining them for something, then Hanson, then hopefully Shakira who's out there somewhere..."
He waved when he spotted her.
"Then the fun part. We'll be announcing the bridal party and wedding date, and yes, it's basically all sorted. If you don't get asked by then, then obviously we don't want you."
He recieved a few 'boos' from his workmates and chuckled.
"Then after all that crap's out of the way, KARAOKE! By the way, I'd love to say thanks to Piper Halliwell for letting us have the venue for tonight, and now... over to Admiral Twin!"
The majority of the crowd cheered as the band began their set, and Ashley stepped offstage.
Mouse
Mouse looked at the Charmed Ones. "Do you need Taylor from now until he actually goes on stage? I want to do some dancing with my guy, and seeing as how Zac is being all not working..." She raised an eyebrow.
Piper
Piper shook her head. "Go ahead and have fun, you crazy kids."
Mouse
Mouse grinned, and headed off with a wave. "Thanks!" She made her way over to Christian. "So, wanna dance before you have to go play?" She smiled.
Faith and Lorne
Faith managed to find Lorne in the rabble and strode over.
"How you going, Lorney?"
"Not so bad, sugar plum. You seemed to be having fun with, Zac."
Faith grinned. "How did you guess?"
"Well, I'm slightly empathic and you two were sending off enough vibes to send anyone into over drive. Sing for me, for a second."
Faith leaned in closer on the seat and began to sing. "I don't need no one when it comes to God and truth, I can see the sunset, and I perceive."
Lorne gasped. "Well, you're going to be in for a good night, aren't you?"
Faith grinned. "If all goes to plan, then both Zac and I will be in for a good night."
Christian
"For you my lady? Anything," he grinned, placing her arms around his neck and his around hair waist as he began to sway her.
John saw them from the stage, and, catching on, prompted the guys into a ballad. He grinned as he watched them.
"So... enjoying yourself so far?" he asked, kissing her forehead.
Mouse
"Definitely. Everyone's really nice. You should met this guy, Lorne. He's from a dimension called Pylea. He's a friend of Faith's, and he's empathic! But he reads people's futures and stuff as well when they sing. Sounds pretty cool, dont'cha think?"
Christian
"Sounds good," Christian grinned, looking up a little worried.
Due to Taylor's echo, he knew how to mask his feelings to her... from Taylor's experiences with his mother. Lorne... he hadn't heard of this guy. Christian knew he had to sing that night, and it wouldn't do any good if someone saw his future and blurted it out.
Not that he wanted to know it anyway.
"I'm guessing we'll be on in an hour or so," he chuckled, "and we're singing anything but Mmmbop. Sorry, I know you don't know it that well."
Mouse
"Nah, Hanson never really were my music, but I appreciate them now. Especially you. I was always more of a Linkin Park, System of a Down type." Mouse grinned. "Heavy stuff. Angsty. But *everyone* knows Mmmbop. As I said, you'll never live that one down."
Christian
"Don't I wish," Christian rolled his eyes.
"Although the worst part is just the girl jokes. You do realize you'll be called a lesbian for the rest of your life, don't you?" he chuckled, leaning his head into her shoulder.
Mouse
"Who cares what the public thinks? I happen to know you're very male." Mouse grinned.
Christian
Christian chuckled not at all uncomfortably, as Taylor might have.
"I'm sure you do babe."
He pulled her closer to him and more hugged her than anything else.
Mouse
Mouse smiled and let her head drift down to lean against his shoulder. Just being. It was a good place to be. She breathed in deeply and sighed in contment. "What songs are you singing tonight, anyway?"
Christian
"I forgot," he chuckled, "I thinkwe have the song list somewhere. But I know we're singing Love Song. Apparently it's Mindy's favourite, so..."
He just grinned and closed his eyes for a moment.
Mouse
"Gotta have what the bride to be wants, right? Even I know that much," Mouse said, slightly wistful as she thought about what her life could have been. But then it wouldn't have had Taylor in it, or all the other people she'd met so she wagered it an even trade.
Ash and Christian
SUddenly, Ashley jumped onstage and grabbed the mic away from Mark.
"Hey!"
"Ok ok, listen up everyone!" he ordered, getting everyone's attention.
"Come on man..."
"Shut up for a sec Mark. Now listen, I have a request..."
"Yeah, and so do other people," someone called.
"Screw you. Anyway..." he began pleasantly, "recently I, and a few friends of mine, featured in a little song on Admiral Twin's album called 'Fool's Brigade'..."
"Oh no," Christian murmured, burying his face in Mouse's shoulder, "why me? Oh why me?"
Ashley laughed.
"Ok, so I want everyone who knows the song to sing along in the appropriate parts. If you don't know it, don't sing. Cos you'll ruin it."
That was followed by 'boos' as Ashley gave some guys a birdie and jumped down from the stage.
"Ready?" John looked back at Jarrod.
The drummer, nodded, and the song began.
"Here in the garden,
Tricks by the torture
Everyone tells a tale...
Pastime of beer and smiles
Leaving the best outside
Best friends and strangers
All share the stages
Poison seeps in our brain
Probable cause is plain
But will we turn again?
Cos we are the fool's brigade,
Bleeding our cares away,
When they've all passed us by,
Regrets will bring us back, here today..."
Ashley was prompting everyone to join in the chorus.
Mouse
"Why is it all about you? What's so bad about this song? It's pretty good, I think." Mouse asked, curious to find out what prompted such a strong reaction.
Christian
"I was joking babe," Christian grinned, standing up again, "it's just that we - Hanson - and Ash up there and a few other people were a kind of... insane choir for the song."
He chuckled.
"Basically sing along tot he chorus, then make any weird noise you could. It was fun though."
Mouse
"Sounds like fun. Different, but fun." Mouse grinned.
Shakira
Shakira wandered over to them. "Hola all, what are we discussing now?" She said with a laugh. SHe was very wound up.
Zac
Zac leaned against the food table, muching on whatever he felt like picking up.
"Zac Hanson."
His head jerked up and he turned around.
"Uhh, hi Mom," he said.
"Saw you dancing before."
"Err..."
"Faith's older than you."
"Well, so's Julie."
"By how much?"
"A month," Zac couldn't stop the grin.
"Well, I imagine Faith is a number of years older than you."
"We're just fooling."
"I seem to remember where fooling got you last time."
Zac groaned.
"You haven't even told Julie yet."
"I told you. I'm telling her on Monday."
"Hmph," was Diana's non commital response.
"I mean it!"
"You be careful, young man. Once is an accident and a foolish mistake. Twice..." Diana didn't even finish the sentance, just turned and walked away.
Zac looked pained.
Ash and Christian
Ashley grabbed the mic off John again as Admiral Twin's last song for the night came to an end.
"Ok you lot," he grinned, eyeing Isaac, Taylor and Zac.
"Now we're gonna give these guys a break, and instead..."
He waited til the crowd died down.
"I give you Hanson! By the way, announcements are after this, so enjoy yourselves."
He poked his tongue out at the crowd, set the mic up as Christian bounced onstage, waited until Admiral Twin had vacated, then went looking for his bride-to-be.
"Ok, guys," Christian said into the microphone at the keyboard, "how are we doing tonight? Alright?"
A few few people yelled out and he grinned.
Zac and Isaac
Zac tapped his drumsticks together and they began "Runaway run":
"And I waited for you
and I waited for you
Just a picture and a feeling and a face
how could I forget your touch your warm embrace
And the shoes you wore with long black satin lace
As you walked into my mind
As I walked into this old forgotten hall
Just one look and I begin to fall
Wish I could frame you and this feeling on the wall
To stare at till there is no time
And I waited for you
Just hoping that you'd come back to me
And I waited for you
Run run runaway run
Maybe someday maybe some day
maybe someday..."
And this was followed by "Can't Stop". Which rocked the joint. Like anyone should expect anything less:
"Can't stop thinking about you
Can't stop thinking about you
Morning day or night
I tremble at your sight It's impossible to fight, I've tried
Now you're in my head
and your mind I've read
Could recite the words you've said, now I
Can't stop thinking about you
can't get you off my mind
No I can't stop thinking about you
Thinking about you all the time..."
Christian
When the song was over, Christian ran his fingers through his hair with a grin.
This was pretty fun.
"Ok guys, the next one..."
"Do Mmmbop!" someone called from the crowd of men up the back.
"You know, someone said the exact same thing at our concert in February," Christian raised his eyebrows, pointing at the guy, "and I'm going to say the same thing. I don't think so."
He turned and glanced at Ike and Zac with a grin.
"Ok, this one's called In The City..."
He grabbed the mic and stood up, not needing the keyboard for this one.
He waited for a moment as Ike began, all three head banging. He grinned as he stepped up to where he'd sat the mic on it's stand.
"Well I see you walkin' out that door..."
They headbanged some more...
"And you know you can hide no more."
More rock from Ike...
"If I asked you now, I know you wouldn't give it up.
If I asked you how, you'd give that look to kill,
I know it give syou a chill, but,
Oh it gives me a thrill, to say -
Do you love me?
Do you love me?
Do you, love me little pretty, yeah
Can you tell me?
Can you tell me?
WHat's goin' on in tha city, yeah!"
Isaac and Zac
"Okay, well, we've had a little request," Isaac said. "This is from Ash to Mindy, 'Love Song'."
The wind blows through the trees
Claiming those innocent leaves
And the thunder rolls these crashing seas
like a tender kiss holds this heart in me
In this life long love song
You can love right, you can love wrong
In this love song you can love long
But if you love wrong it doesn't mean love's gone
Mary was a young girl
with a young girl's heart
All I can remember is I loved her from the start
I was hers forever, she was mine too
But something's wrong 'cause now she's gone
Tell me what did I do
In this life long love song
You can love right, you can love wrong
In this love song you can love long
But if you love wrong it doesn't mean loves gone
And it doesn't mean love's wrong
just because you're feeling low
And it doesn't mean love's gone
'cause you feel like you want to let go
Well no one wrote in this book of love that you'd always know
I wish someone would have told me before
We talked about love a million times it seems
The words come out our lips like we forgot what it means
We said we'd be together 'till death do us part
But we said those words with only half of our hearts
In this life long love song
You can love right, you can love wrong
In this love song you can love long
But if you love wrong it doesn't mean loves gone
I wish someone would have told me before
I wish someone would have told me before
I wish someone would have told me before
I wish someone would have told me before"
Ash and Christian
Mindy blushed furiously as the song came to an end. Ashley had found her before it started, and swayed with her to the music.
She turned and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you."
"Anything for my angel," he grinned, before they entered a prolonged kiss.
"Awwwww..." Christian grinned from the stage.
Then he looked back at Zac.
"You're on. Last one I think, unless people request," he grinned.
Zac and Isaac
"Okay," Zac said. "This song is called 'Wish that I was there'."
"The sun has fallen
Another day gone without you
My heart keeps calling
And I don't know just what to do
When you're near me
I seem to forget my lonely days
It's more than a feeling
It's something that can't be explained
I wish that I was there
I wish that I was there
When you're not here
I wish that I was there..."
When it was done, and the applause was over, Isaca turned to the mike.
"Any requests?"
Faith
Faith danced around to Zac singing and decided to ask for a song.
"DO MMMBOP!"
Christian and Faith
"MMMBOP!" the same guy yelled.
"No!" Christian refused, getting slightly annoyed.
He sat behind the keyboard and fiddled.
"Anyone got a harmonica? We can do If Only," grinned.
"You guys can finish up in a second if you want," came Ashley's voice, "we can get the announcements out of the way then get the karaoke going."
Christian nodded.
Zac and Isaac
They didn't find a harmonica, so they decided to sing "Strong enough to break". And on that note, they finished up.
Ashley
"Ok, come on," Ashley groaned from where he was sitting.
He stood up, took Mindy's hand, and led her up to the stage.
"Thanks a lot guys," he nodded to the band, before taking Christian's mic and setting it on the stand - adjusting it to his own height.
"Now people, I know this may seem boring to the little kiddies and some others, so we'll make it quick," he began.
Mindy leant in to the microphone.
"We're about to announce our bridal party," she smiled as the crowd died down.
Ashley waited until it was silent.
"Ok, after much deliberation, we decided who we'd ask. And I'm glad to say we didn't get any refusals," he chuckled.
Some people in the audience laughed.
"Ok, ladies first," Ashley grinned, stepping back.
Mindy cleared her throat and stepped up to the mic.
"Ok, my maid of honour couldn't make it tonight, so I called her earlier. My maid of honour for the wedding will be Miette Braddock, better known I guess as Isaac Hanson's girlfriend."
She chuckled as there was applause.
"My two bridesmaids will be Janine Greyson, Ashley's sister, and also my closest friend who lives in Tulsa, Donna."
There was more applause as she stepped back.
"Ok, now for the men," Ashley grinned.
"I am very happy to announce by best man, who's also been a very good friend to me throughout the years... yeah you guessed it. Isaac Hanson."
There was applause.
"And my groomsmen," he raised his eyebrows, "will be John Russell of Admiral Twin, and Taylor Hanson of ah, you know."
There was more applause, before Ashley grinned.
"We're still deciding the bell boy and flower girl, so for now, onto karaoke! Hope evryone's had fun so far tonight, and will continue to."
He dipped a fake hat, and he and Mindy departed the stage.
Shakira and Lorne
Before long, it was time for karaoke. Lorne volunteered to read anybody who wanted to sing. There were a couple of guys that went first, and then Shakira decided she wanted to sing, and poke some fun at the Hansons. As the song started, everyone immediately recognized it.
"Something has been going on and I don't know what it is
You don't mind the taking girl, but you don't know how to give
You drove me crazy but I don't know baby
You're thinking that it's me you're fooling
Where's the right in, all of our fighting
Look at what you're doing
Where's the love
It's not enough
It makes the world go 'round and 'round and...
Where's the love
Give it up
It makes the world go 'round and 'round and 'round
Can you tell me what you see whenever you look around
We're tripping all over ourselves and pulling each other down
We're separating, consciousness is fading
Are you thinking that it's me you're fooling
Where's the right in, all of our fighting
Look at, look at, look at what we're doing
Where's the love
It's not enough
It makes the world go 'round and 'round and...
Where's the love
Give it up
It makes the world go 'round and 'round and 'round
Dark clouds all around, lightning, rain pouring down
Waiting for the bright light to break through
Face down on the ground
Pick us up at the lost and found
We've got to change our point of view, if we want the sky blue
We're segregating, consciences are fading
You're thinking that it's me you're fooling
Where's the right in, all of our fighting
Look at what we're doing
Where's the love
It's not enough
It makes the world go 'round and 'round and...
Where's the love
Give it up
It makes the world go 'round and 'round and 'round
Won't you, won't you give it up " Shakira bowed as everybody laughed.
"Muchas gracias," she said, and handed the mic to the next persojn.
Faith and Lorne
Lorne pushed Faith onstage and she shrugged and grabbed the mike. Lorne selected the song, winking at her, and she looked at what it was and giggled.
"Baby you pretend that things ain't what they seem
All this tension telling me just exactly what we should be
Now I don't mind us being some kind of casual thing
Listen, all I wanna do right now is have your contact on me
Can you put your hands my waistline
Want your skin up against mine
Move my hips to the baseline
Let me get mine, you get yours
Hang a please don't disturb sign
Put my back into a slow grind
Sending chills up and down my spine
Let me get mine, you get yours
If you see me with a man
Understand that you can't question me
The feelings that you call, it ain't my fault
It can't help your jealousy
If you can handle the fact that
What we have has got to be commitment free
Then we can keep this undercover lovin' comin', hittin'
Underneath the sheets
Can you put your hands my waistline
Want your skin up against mine
Move my hips to the baseline
Let me get mine, you get yours
Hang a please don't disturb sign
Put my back into a slow grind
Sending chills up and down my spine
Let me get mine, you get yours
Now listen
So, come on and freak my body
We can get nasty, naughty
All night a private party
Gotta hit that spot just right
Work me like a 9 to 5
It ain't about the kissin' and huggin'
Cause this is a physical lovin'
Straight sweatin', our bodies are rubbin'
Gotta hit that spot just right
Work me like a 9 to 5."
Faith giggled and finished and stepped off stage. Lorne whistled. "You seem happier." He commented, obviously just finishing reading her aura.
Faith
Faith glanced over and saw Zac talking to his mom. Uh oh. This looked like trouble. She inched closer and caught the tail end of the conversation. When Diana had left and she moved closer, looking like she just happened to feel like eating when Zac was over there.
"Zac, hope I didn't get ya into trouble. Couldn't help overhearing. All I really wanna say is, if you're still up for it, it's on. But if not, maybe some other time. Besides, I don't do the unprotected sex thing."
Zac
Zac turned to Faith.
"No, it's cool. Mom just doesn't want me to provide her with a second grandchild before I'm married. Actually, I've never done the unprotected sex thing either," he shrugged. "Accidents happen, I suppose."
He gave her a wink.
"Haven't gotten any for a while - my own choice - so when I do it should be quite an experience for the lady," and he took her hand and kissed it gently.
Jessica
Jessica was not in the mood for this. But everybody in her family was pushing her to sing for Lorne. Finally, Avie said she'd sing too, so Jessica agreed. She picked her song, and sat down on the edge of the stage. She didn't even need to see the monitor, she knew the song by heart.
"Please die Ana
For as long as you're here we're not
You make the sound of laughter
And sharpened nails seem softer
And I need you now somehow
Open fire on the needs designed
On my knees for you
Open fire on my knees desires
What I need from you
Imagine pageant
In my head the flesh seems thicker
Sandpaper tears
Corrode the film
And I need you now somehow
Open fire on the needs designed
On my knees for you
Open fire on my knees desires
What I need from you
And you're my obsession
I love you to the bones
And Ana wrecks your life
Like an anorexia life
Open fire on the needs designed
On my knees for you
Open fire on my knees desires
What I need from you."
Jessi, like the rest of the Hansons had a beautiful voice. Though she hadn't used it since the end of February, except to cry out in her sleep. Dully, she got up and went over to Lorne to see what he saw.
Lorne
Lorne gasped. He waited for Jess to come over, then he sat her down.
"Jess, before I get started, is there anything you want to say to me about anything?"
Upon no answer, he launched into it. "Jessi, I'm not going to tell you how you should feel and how you shouldn't. That's not what I do. I'm just worried, sugar cheeks, because the way you're feeling... it's... maybe I could explain what I read. I saw nothing but darkness, and anger and depression." Lorne reached over and hugged Jess, hoping this wouldn't scare her. He sent out some calm, soothing and safe vibes.
"And I know what you do to yourself. Honeycake, please, don't do that. I know you may think it's the best idea at the moment, but let me tell you, things will get better."
LOrne was almost unconvinced of that last statement. After what he just read, would anything get better for this girl or for her family?
Faith
Faith watched the young guy for a second, wondering maybe if her own past hadn't been screwed up, could she have fallen for him? He was sweet enough, good looking and talented. Everything she should want in a potential partner. But, she was happy just to bed him and move on. And go back to him again if he was good.
Faith shrugged. "Well, we might as well try it out. I mean, if you haven't gotten any in awhile, I think it's time to, get back onto the horse, as they say. And even if it takes us all night, I'm prepared to help you with that."
Zac
Zac grinned.
"Sound like fun," he said. "But if we're going to make an all nighter of it, then I should probably go home and then sneak out soon thereafter. Otherwise Mom'll stay up until I get back and I'll be in deep do-do if I don't get back until 5 in the morning or something."
Jessica
Jessi looked up at him with doleful eyes, "I need to," she whispered. "What he did, I deserved it, and I deserve it all," she said quietly, not sure if he had even heard.
Lorne
"You don't have to, and you don't need to. Sweetheart, you didn't deserve this. No one deserves what he did to you. You just have to believe in yourself... because you're a good person. You're an amazing little girl, who has so much to live for."
Lorne's last sentence rang hollow in his ears. She was a good kid, but he wasn't sure if she could survive what was to come.
Jessica
Jess nodded, not believing him for an instant. It was Avery's turn to sing now.
Avery
Avery got up onstage, and shyly took the microphone. She waited for the words to show up on the monitor, hoping whatever Lorne read, it wouldn't have anything to do with her cutting herself. No, she argued to herself, he can't read that.
"The world seems so cold
When I face so much all alone
A little scared to move on
And knowing how fast I have grown
And I wonder just where I fit in
Oh the vision of life in my head
Oh yes
I will be
Strong on my own
I will see through the rain
I will find my way
I will keep on
Traveling this road
Till I finally reach my dream
Till I'm living, and I'm breathing
My destiny, yeah yeah
I can't let go now
Even when darkness surrounds
But if I hold on, yeah
I will show the world
All the things that you never expected to see
>From little old me, this Pittsburgh girl
And I wonder just where my place is
Close my eyes and I remind myself this
Oh yeah yeah
Well I gotta believe
There's something out there meant for me
Oh I get on my knees
Praying I will receive
The courage to grow and the faith to know."
Avery put the mike down and stepped off the stage, walking over to Lorne nervously.
Zac
Zac decided to have a turn at a Billy Joel song:
"Friday night I crash your party
Saturday I said I'm sorry
Sunday came and trashed me out again
I was only having fun
wasn't hurting anyone
and we all enjoyed the weekend for a change
I've been stranded in the combat zone
I've walked through Beford Stuy alone
Even rode my motorcycle in the rain
And you told me not to drive
but I made it home alive
so you said that only proves that I'm insane
You may be right
I may be crazy
but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
turn out the light
don't try to save me
You may be wrong for all I know
but you may be right
Remember how I found you there
alone in your electric chair
I told you dirty jokes until you smiled
You were lonely for a man
I said take me as I am
And you might enjoy some madness for a while
Now think of all the years you've tried to
find someone to satify you
I might be as crazy as you say
If I'm crazy then it's true
that it's all because of you
and you wouldn't want me any other way
You may be right
I may be crazy
but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
too late to to fight
too late to save me
You may be wrong for all I know
but you may be right
You may be right
I may be crazy
but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
turn out the light
don't try to save me
You may be wrong for all I know
but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right"
Zac made an elaborate bow and bounded off stage.
Lorne
Lorne grabbed Zac as soon as he left the stage. "By the way, sweetcheeks, it'll all work out."
Zac
Zac gave Lorne a confused look.
"What's going to work out?"
Faith
Faith raised an eyebrow teasingly. "What makes you think we're gonna be done at five?" She let her fingers trace patterns on Zac's arm. "Paige and I can orb in and collect you, so you could go home first."
Zac
Zac laughed.
"Did I say at what day at five in the morning?" he asked cheekily. "Okay, that would be good, if Piage wouldn't mind."
Lorne
Lorne shrugged. "I don't know the question, honeybunch, I only know the answers."
He paused and winked. "By the way, you're also gonna have a good time with the slayer."
Zac
"Well, that's nice to know," Zac grinned. "I suppose as far as these things go, it's always good to have a good one - even if you don't understand it."
Faith
Faith bit her lip and winked at Zac. "Oh, she won't mind. Anyway, I can always break you out, if worst comes to worst. I'm pretty stealthy. Comes with the slayer gig. But then again, so does endurance and strength." Faith leaned in towards Zac so he could smell her perfume.
Zac
Zac smelled Faith's perfume and then pulled back.
"Well," he said. "If we don't separate soon enough, you may have to break me out. Because If my Mom is sensing what I'm feeling right now, she won't let me out of the house until I'm 21."
Zoe
Diana picked Zoe up and put her on the stage and handed her the mike. Zoe grinned shyle and looked at the monitor and began to sing with the music.
"He's looking in the spring,
looking for another lonely heart,
Trying to find the missing part.
It's flown and the wind starts blowin'
It's going inside his heart, he's all alone.
And his heart is gone.
Is there no one who could love a lonely boy?
And at the end of the day,
There is no one to hold his hand.
Is there no one who could love a lonely boy?
And at the end of the day,
There is no one to understand. [End of chorus.]
He's looking in the spring,
looking for another start.
Trying to find the switch,
And turn on the light in the dark.
He found the answer, that you can prevail.
Through the darkest nights, coldest winters,
Through the fires of hell
Is there someone who could love a lonely boy?
Love me, hold me, is there no one?
Is there no one who could love a lonely boy?
Whose heart is gone. Is there no one?"
She grinned and jumped off the stage into Diana's arms.
Faith
Faith nodded. "Well, I don't want you to get into trouble. You should have my cell phone number, I gave it to your parents when we went to get Avie and Tay. So just give me a call. Or just say 'Paige'. She'll hear it." She winked and started to walk away, turning to say one more thing. "And if you're mom is sensing what you're feeling and gets worried, then I hope she doesn't sense what I feel for you. See ya later, lover."
Faith, Phoebe and Paige
Faith flounced back over to Piper, Phoebe and Paige. Paige giggled. "You know, you and Zac seem to be hitting it off rather well."
Faith grinned. "Well, if I have it my way, we'll be hitting it off a bit later too."
Phoebe gasped. "Please don't tell me you've managed to wind that little boy up. You're not going to go through with it, are you?"
"Why not?"
"Faith, he's 17."
"And Pheebs, you're 18 and Paige is 17 too. What's the point?"
"You're 22. Slightly older than him."
"It's for a night, why are we worrying?"
"What if you hurt him?"
"I'm not going to... unless he wants me too." Faith grinned but it faded when the Charmed Ones looked unimpressed and worried. "Guys, relax. Zac can give as good as he gets. And I'm not forcing this on him."
"Faith, you don't have to! Have you seen the effect you seem to have on guys? You're not going to continue seeing Zac after the party, right? Tell me that you've just wound him up and that's it."
"Pheebs, you know me better than that. Look, I won't hurt him, ok? Oh and Paige, can you orb him into the Manor? He has to go home first."
Paige raised an eyebrow in amusement, obviously just paying attention for the first time. "You're... oh you're bad girl! Yeah, I'll orb him in." Catching Phoebe's look she shrugged. "Why not? They can both look after themselves."
Avery
Lorne pulled Avie over to her sister, and took a teep breath. Oy. Two in one family? Not good.
"Avery, I see what's happened to you. You need to stop, sweetcheeks, nothing is worth hurting yourself for, nothing. He's gone, child, he's gone for good, I promise, just let him out of yourself." All he saw was darkness and pain, and asw he saw with Jess, he didn't know if she'd be able to face what was coming.
Avery
Avery took a deep breath. "I... what if I can't? You know, it just feels like I have to, because I don't know what else to do."
Mouse
After some mild protest, Mouse got up on stage and took a mike to sing. She cleared her throat and waited for the words to appear on the prompter as the music started to play. She sent a silent command to Fafnir to keep his big wolf mouth shut. He tended to howl along when she sang, it being one of the ways wolves reconnected with their pack. He agreed, and she took a breath, looking out over the heads of the people. She started to sing.
"Somtimes I get so weird,
I even freak myself out,
I laugh myself to sleep,
It's my lullaby.
Sometimes I drive so fast,
Just to feel the danger,
I wanna scream,
It makes me feel alive.
Is it enough to love?
Is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out,
And leave me here to bleed.
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life,
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.
To walk between the lines,
Would make my life so boring,
I want to know that I have been to the extreme.
So knock me off my feet,
C'mon now, give it to me,
Anything to make me feel alive.
Is it enough to love?
Is it wnough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed.
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life,
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.
Let down your defences,
Use no common sense,
If you look you will see,
That this world is beautiiful, accident, turbulent, succulent,
I feel it permanent no way,
I wanna taste it,
Don't wanna waste it,
No way.
Somtimes I get so weird,
I even freak myself out,
I laugh myself to sleep,
It's my lullaby.
Is it enough, is it enough, is it enough to breathe?
Somebody rip my heart out, and leave me here to bleed.
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life,
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.
Is it enough?
Is it enough to die?
Somebody save my life,
I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.
Ohuuhhh.
I'd rather be anything but ordiary please."
Mouse finished and put the mike back in its stand, stepping off the stage. She was blushing furiously now she was done, and she couldn't believe that some people were clapping.