Marion knew that Hanson had a show that night, she also knew their support act. She had been using her power on them, so they would like her enough to invite her to a show and get her backstage.
She smiled at the security guard, flashing her pass, and head through the doors at the back of the venue.
"Hey," she smiled, making some small talk with the support act, before heading off to go say hello to Hanson.
Isaac & Taylor
"I'm telling you, we really don't need to include it," Isaac was insisting.
"But-"
"Woah, hey," Isaac's attention was diverted, and he gently hit Taylor on the arm, "what's she doing here?"
Taylor looked in the direction he indicated, and frowned.
"This can't be good."
Zac & Marion
Zac was coming back from the bathroom when he came face to face with Marion.
"Zac!" Marion grinned, going to give him a hug.
"Uh, Marion, hey." He awkwardly hugged her back. "What brings you to town?"
"Promoting my new album," she smiled. "I know your support guys. They said I should come check out a show."
Taylor & Isaac
"She's here with the support guys," Taylor shook his head, having read her lips.
Isaac sighed, pulling his guitar from his shoulder as the lights dimmed.
"Maybe she'll leave when they're done," he wishfully thought.
"Body language says no," Taylor's eyebrows rose as he folded his arms.
Zac & Marion
"Uh, so..." Zac looked around for an escape.
"Why so nervous, Zac?" Marion raised an eyebrow. "We can still be friends, right? So, you guys are back on the road. Where are your brothers?"
"Yep, back on the road..." he spotted his brothers. "Over there."
Taylor & Isaac
"Spotted," Taylor said under his breath, before nodding to her with a fake smile.
"We can't really ignore her..." Isaac winced a little.
"Then let's not. Besides, Zac needs saving."
"Unusual to hear you say that," Isaac smirked as they began to make their way over.
Zac & Marion
"Guys! Hey." Zac had huge panic eyes on as he turned to his brothers.
"Hey," Marion smiled sweetly. "How have you been? I haven't seen you all in ages."
Taylor & Isaac
"No, it's good to see you," Taylor nodded, "what brings you to town?"
Isaac stood to the side a little awkwardly, sharing a knowing glance with Zac.
Marion & Zac
"Promoting my new album," Marion smiled, and glanced at Isaac. "Marit says hi, by the way."
Zac cleared his throat, really hoping that his wife wasn't in the area.
"How's the tour going?" she asked.
Isaac & Taylor
"I'm sure she does," Isaac made clear his view on the subject via his face.
"Tour's going great," Taylor opted to ignore the comment, "how's the... promo tour?"
Marion & Zac
"Really good, everyone's been really receptive of the new single," Marion smiled, taking a quick look at Zac.
"Oh, haven't heard it, sorry," Zac said, not sounding sorry at all. "I'll check it out after the show."
"Oh would you?" Marion asked. "I think you'll enjoy it. I hope, at least."
Taylor
Taylor caught an underlying tone in her voice, but opted to ignore it.
He turned as he heard their support act take to the stage.
"We should um..." he said pointedly to Zac.
Zac & Marion
"Yeah, um, I guess we'll see you around?" Zac said, looking awkward.
"Sure thing," Marion smiled.
Taylor & Isaac
Taylor offered her another small smile before turning and walking away. Isaac followed without saying anything.
"What on Earth...?" he began.
"Later," Taylor shook his head, lifting the camera from his chest and going to stand at the side of the stage.
"You alright Zac?" Isaac put a hand on his shoulder.
Zac & Marion
"I'm fine," Zac nodded. "I just hope she doesn't find Kate."
Marion, was, as they spoke, searching out Kate.
Isaac & Taylor
"She'll be with Nat and Nikki, they'll be fine," Isaac insisted, "Nik can certainly hold her own."
"I'd be more worried about the kids," Taylor's eyebrows rose as he messed with his camera settings.
"Thanks, Tay," Isaac scorned.
Zac
"I know Kate will be fine, but I'd rather not subject her to my crazy ex-fling," Zac pointed out.
"Who knows what she'll say to her."
Isaac & Taylor
"Wasn't her power something to do with attraction?" Isaac struggled to remember.
Taylor started snapping photos of their support act, suddenly oblivious to the conversation behind him.
Zac, Marion & Kate
"Yeah," Zac nodded. "Which explains my lapse in judgement."
Marion had found her way to the wives and the kids.
"Kate?" Marion feigned surprise. "Hi!"
"Marion," Kate tried to sound enthused. "Hey."
Natalie, Nikki, menagerie
Natalie looked up in surprise. And not the good kind.
"Who's that?" Nikki leant in to her, holding Monroe's hand.
"Zac's ex," Nat said softly, "it didn't end well. For Kate."
Marion & Kate
"You're looking well," Marion smirked, then looked down at Shepherd, who had picked up on the unfriendly vibes and was standing next to his mother, ready to defend her as best he could.
"This must be your son."
"Yes, this is Shepherd, our first born," Kate returned, putting her hand on the back of Shep's shoulders.
"Funny, he doesn't look a whole lot like Zac," Marion smiled sweetly, her tone indicating her true meaning.
Natalie, Nikki & menagerie
Nat locked eyes with Nikki before standing up.
Ezra, River and Everett took that moment to come racing into the room.
"Shep! Come quick! We found something really cool!" Ezra exclaimed, grabbing his arm.
"Who 'dat?" Everett pointed at Marion innocently.
Shepherd, Marion & Kate
Feeling the waves coming off Marion and the feelings she had towards his mother, Shepherd scowled, narrowing his eyes at her.
He let himself be pulled away by Ezra, his eyes never leaving Marion.
"Just someone who used to know your Uncle Zac," Kate said, smiling down at Everett.
"Very well," Marion smirked.
Natalie & menagerie
"ZacZac!" River clapped, a grin on his face.
"Mom? Can I borrow Uncle Ike's power?" Ezra asked suddenly.
"What for?" Natalie looked suspicious.
"To reach something high."
"Maybe if it's high up, you shouldn't be reaching for it?" Natalie suggested, "but go and ask him. If he says yes, show him what you plan to do."
"Okay! Come on Shep!"
Shepherd, Kate & Marion
"Ok," Shepherd said, running off behind Ezra.
Kate smiled faintly as she watched her son disappear.
"Cute kids," Marion sniped. "Just the one of them Zac's?"
"We have two," Kate replied, in an equally sweet tone.
Nikki, Natalie & menagerie
Nikki gave Everett a pat on the head as he followed the boys out. River had remained behind, staring up at Marion as if she were a television.
Natalie finished putting Penny's hair into pig tails, then indicated for her to follow her older brother. After eyeing Marion herself, she did so.
Just in case, Nat began focusing a little of her power onto Kate.
Marion & Kate
"So, you all look like you've done well for yourselves," Marion said, gesturing around. "You should write a book. On how you domesticated Hanson."
Kate felt Nat's power working on her and she turned and gave her best friend a little smile to indicate that she was ok.
"Maybe we should," Kate shrugged, trying not to let Marion get to her.
"I'm sure it would be a fascinating read." Marion faked a yawn.
Nikki & Natalie
"I'm sure it would be to someone who failed so badly at doing it," Nikki smiled.
Nat gave her a look that clearly said 'don't encourage her!'.
Kate & Marion
Not for the first time, Kate was again grateful that Nikki was always there when she needed her.
"Who says I failed?" Marion smirked a little. "I never had to trick anyone into anything."
"Oh sure," Kate hit back. "So you never used your power on him?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Marion smiled sweetly.
Nikki
"But I'm sure Zac does," Nikki's eyelashes fluttered.
Marion & Kate
"You must be Ike's wife," Marion smiled. "You're not his usual type."
"Well, that's good news for all," Kate said, grinning at Nikki. "Because judging from the past, Isaac's type was horrible."
Nikki & Natalie
"So I've heard," Nikki nodded to her, conversationally.
Natalie took a deep breath, feeling very awkward about the whole situation. She wished the guys hadn't just gone off wandering.
"Granted, the same could be said for Zac's, you know."
Kate & Marion
Kate smirked a little.
"Oh, I don't know about that," Marion smiled. "I think Zac's taste has been the same. He just... had no choice in some matters."
"The matter of your power, maybe," Kate returned.
Nikki
Nikki laughed.
"Yep, that pretty much hit the nail on the head right there."
Marion & Kate
"I never had to use my power on Zac," Marion scorned.
"So... that's why he dumped you?" Kate replied, tapping her chin. "Good to know."
"Come now," Marion's sweet smile returned. "After all this time, we can't get along?"
Nikki & Natalie
"This isn't getting along?" Nikki looked to Natalie, dubious.
Nat raised her hands in surrender, indicating her unwillingness to get involved.
Kate & Marion
"Well, as enjoyable as your company is," Kate said. "I actually do have other things to do, so..."
Marion smirked a little. "Yes. I'm sure you do. Well, it was lovely seeing you again."
Nikki
"And lovely to meet you!" Nikki insisted with sweet insincerity.
"I'm sure we'll be seeing you around, no doubt."
Marion & Kate
"You sure will," Marion simpered, before going to find the support act.
Kate rolled her eyes once she was gone.
Nikki & Natalie
Nikki waited until she left the room, then started laughing.
"What a B!"
"Why on Earth would she come here?" Nat just shook her head.
"I have no idea, but it was worth it," Nikki grinned, getting up to check where the kids went.
Kate
"To torture me?" Kate laughed.
"Or rather, to annoy me. And Zac."
Natalie & Nikki
"Object achieved?" Nat raised an eyebrow.
"Everett?!" Nikki called down the hallway, soon followed by the sound of small feet running.
"What are they doing?" Natalie asked.
"Ike's got them," Nikki shrugged.