---

---

---

---

As the flurry of the fight and chaos went away, Kip finally got the chance to get his gift from the table which was miraculously still intact, no dents, still carefully wrapped with it's gold bow shimmering from the light. It looked like your typical bar fight; tables were turned over, chairs were wrecked, broken ceramics and glass all over the place, the place was reeking from spilled alcohol and most notably there were the casualties... Friends fight for friends and sometimes it can get pretty ugly and by the looks of it, this circle of friends is pretty damn tight. But out of all of it, the one thing that bothered Kip the most was that Edgar dude, who the hell is he and whatever did Nat do to deserve that kind of treatment? Curiouser and curiouser, he thought.

He can feel the tension in the air dissipate but there's something sticky that he can't shake off.

---

With his best efforts to keep a smile on, Kip approached Nat.
"I haven't actually greeted you in person yet and I know it's coming out of nowhere but I want you to know that I am just so glad that I met you and I hope that our friendships continue to grow... if it doesn't bother youatallImean no pressure.." his voice started going shaky he then handed his gift over to Nat, trying his best to put on a smile, if he can offer anything... it's comfort, giving the gift can possibly remind Nat that it is still her birthday and nothing should stop her from turning it around.

If it weren't for Nat, he would not have a deeper understanding of how to be comfortable around the kindness of others; the woman was like a kindness powerhouse, with so much love to give.

After a tight warm hug from her Mami Nat, Kip decided to go back to Didi.

---

Before he even got close, he already noticed the googly eyed girl wooing over the lady leprechaun.
And then something amazing happened;
After noticing the injury from Claire, something awkward and fluttery went over Didi and she got a little too transparent, that thing in romcoms when people look into each other's eyes and sparks fly and all that... that happened. Claire had tension in her body but the tension between the two of them were far stronger and Kip perceived it well enough to not let the opportunity go to waste and just like that *click* went the camera although this time a flash escaped.

And in a blushing little hurl, Didi went right to Kip grabbing him by the arm and to the buffet.
"Delete it. Now." Her face going completely red, staring right at Kip
"You.delete.that.now.or.I.will.... uh.... you won't get anymore bike-rides to school." she said coming up a bit short, Kip's face turned away.
"I can always just w-walk... I..." he whimpered.
"....."
after a moment's notice, Kip's eyes widened as if coming up with an idea, no... a bargain.
"I get to take a kitten." he said, eyes filled with determination, lips turning into a grin.
"........"
"No go, my bro." she replied with a roll of her eyes and a pinch on Kip's cheek.
"Please?" Kip pushed.
"NO, come on just do it as a favor, I'll owe you another one." She pleaded back with a pout, her hands ruffling his hair.
"Please?" she pleaded with an angry stare, confusing to be honest, sometimes he wonders just how much Didi holds in.
"Okay..." He hushed, reluctantly pushing the trash button on his camera.
"Good!" Didi exclaimed, smiling triumphantly all relieved. But he feigned it, She'll need this someday when they get married, was how he went about it as a grin flashed over his face.

As she turned her back from Kip, he then soon processed what was going on in the background.

COPS, questions... the siren blaring from the street, the red and blue lights twirling in the atmosphere, blood on the messy floor, mess, noise, injuries, more questions, hushed voices, the tense cold air, he was having a sensory overload. His memories from that time were triggered and instantly his body went cold, his breathing went heavy, his eyes went in circles eyeing the scene, his heart thumping like a trapped boy in panic pounding at the door, he was having another episode... oh, why now? no, no not now.... not here.

With the last bit of his strength, he struggled to catch Didi by the hand, getting a weak grip with his cold sweaty palms.
She knew right ahead what was happening, this wasn't the first time.
Didi took him by the shoulders and led him to the door. He heard the static ring in his head like a song stuck on repeat.

"Look at me. It's gonna be ok." Didi said with a reassuring tone with her hands on his cheeks, the only warmth he was feeling.

Breathe in... then out.... in.... then out... Everything is alright. Everything will be fine.
in.... out..... in... out...

After a moment his head finally cleared out and the bustling city noise went back in. His hands on a tight lock with Didi's.
I don't deserve my friends, he thought.
"Didi, I want to get better." he said softly.
"You will, Kipster... you will." she said.
Tears ran down his cheek.
"Can we go take a bike ride?" He asked, his last selfish request... he thought.

---

---

Tas looked over towards Edgar as she ripped stripes of cloth tape and secured the straw against his chest to keep it in place during the ride. The paramedics calling in the patients information to the emergency room so they would be waiting when they arrived. Sitting back down she rested her purse in her lap and just shook her head towards the man. She couldn’t exactly feel sorry for him, he had started the entire mess; granted he may not have deserved such a beat down but Tas was biased when it came to Natalya.

“To make sure you make it through this safe and sound,” she said as she reached over and adjusted the IV’s drip that the paramedics had put into place. “That’s what doctors do, we treat people no matter our personal feelings,” she added as she leaned back and waited for them to arrive. Once they arrived she hopped out of the back of the ambulance and was met by the attending physician; who seemed rather surprised to see Dr. Brinne back in the ER already considering she was supposed to have the next seventy-two hours off.

“Dr. Brinne…. I thought you weren’t going to come back until either it was your next shift or the apocalypse happened?” Dr. Martin said as he he helped to get Eddy into the trauma area.

“Apocalypse happened…” she huffed before giving him a rundown of the injuries she suspected and what had already been done to the patient.

“A crazy straw?” he asked as he looked at Eddy’s chest.

“Don’t ask, a leprechaun handed it to me..” she grumbled as she hung the IV bag up.

“A leprechaun? You know what, don’t need to know. We can take it from here Dr. Brinne,” he said quickly and Tas nodded before she strolled off. Edgar was now in the capable hands of the Emergency room staff and no longer her problem.

Looking down at herself she groaned inwardly; she was covered in Edgars blood, her clothing stained. Last thing she wanted to do was to show back up at the party like this. Pushing through the ER she made her way to the doctors locker room and proceeded to go through her locker. Thankfully she kept several changes of scrubs in there at all times as well as some extra pairs of tennis shoes.

“Can get out of these heels at least,” she mumbled as she began to change. Grabbing a spare set of scrubs she shoved them into her bag and slung it over her shoulder; she figured she could at least bring Nat some dry clothes to change into. The night was still young. Taking a breath she began to walk towards the door of the locker room and was stopped midstride as Dr. Reynolds came in.

“Heard you were here,” he said as he walked in.

“Yeah and leaving now,” she said as she started to brush past him.

“I have the test results,” he began as several others wandered in and out of the locker room for various reasons, “for that patient from earlier today.”

“Oh,” Tas said as she stopped and turned to look at him. He held out a small file over to her; taking it she began to flip through the papers and let out a slow breath. “And your conclusion is?”

“That we need to take more aggressive action,” he said as she handed him the file back. “Current treatments are not helping to the degree we would like.”

“I doubt they will agree to that,” she said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Then convince them Dr. Brinne, this is not something that can wait,” he said quickly. Tas nodded before heading out of the locker room and pushing her way through the hospital and out the rear entrance to the Emergency room.

Taking a deep breath she looked around and opted to take a walk instead of trying to get a cab right then, with the night being what it was there was little chance that one would even be available for hours. Looking down at the ground she began walking, not really having any particular location in mind at that time. After a bit she found herself outside an older building that she knew better than perhaps she should. Pulling out a key she unlocked the door and let it close heavy behind her.

Dropping her bag next to a bench she sat down, the place echoed with each movement. Today had not been the day she had been hoping it would be. She surly didn’t want to end up in the ER again tonight, getting results for a patient. It was all things she had hoped to avoid until she had had some down time; some rest to reset her mind. Seemed a lot of the time what one wanted and what they received where two very different things.

Tas found herself feeling foggy and beginning to get a bit of a headache; she blamed it on the long last thirty-six hours or so and everything that had happened. Cringing she rummaged through her bag, pulling out her phone and flipping through it. Maybe she should call for that cab now. Instead she found herself texting someone else.

---

---

---

---

Claire looked over at Didi and shook her head slightly, giving her a swift hug before she had wandered off and letting her know she was okay.

"Oh please, I've taken worse beatings than that in the ring," she laughed before continuing on her way to the bar, her brother Connor coming up quickly behind her and taking a seat next to her.

"He's at it again," Connor said towards Claire as he pointed over to Murphy.

"Hitting on Tas? It never ends," she laughed as she ordered both of them a beer and slid one over towards her brother.

"He have a chance?" Connor asked smirking.

"Yeah, snowballs chance in hell," she laughed as she took a long pull from the bottle.

"Figured as much," Connor chuckled as he looked around the party, anyone he caught looking at him, he would raise his beer bottle to in greeting, give a cheeky smile and then turn his attention back over towards Claire.

"So why the pop in?" Claire asked leaning back in the chair and spinning around slightly. Connor just laughed at his little sisters antics.

"We missed you, what better day to pop in? So what happened here?" he asked, curious to why the guy had been rolled out on a stretcher and why his sister wasn't in handcuff.s

"Dumb ass poured beer on the birthday girl, fight broke out, Tas saved his ass cause that is what she does," Claire explained quickly and Connor nodded. He didn't need more details, at least not right then with the cop still roaming about. He wasn't really asking much in the way of questions but he had found that on St. Patricks day any chance not to throw someone in lock up made the local cops jobs a bit easier.

Claire watched out of the corner of her eye as Dom left and sighed slightly, she wanted to go after him but she knew better. When he was like this he needed to work things out for himself. He really never went dark around her but he would wander off from time to time, disappear for an hour or two and then show back up acting like his old self again; she figured it was one of those times.

"Well, tis a pleasure to meet anyone that is at least not enemies with Claire Bear and Dr. Heartbreaker," Murphy laughed as he slapped the man on the shoulder in a friendly manner.

"Ay, I'll drink with ya! It's Saint Patties Day! Tis a day for drink, for fighting, for dancing, for singing me friend!" he exclaimed as he held up the glass and then downed it like it was water. "Where'd you get this stuff? Me mum puts harder on her ironing," he laughed as he wiped his mouth the back of his sleeve.

"I never bothered using a machine to sing with, we just belt out a tune when the mood strikes but ay, I'll have a go at it!" he said standing up and pushing his sleeves up to his elbows.

"Come on Jay, let me introduce you to the wailing sounds of the Banshee known as Murphy McManus!" he chuckled thumbing his nose. Connor heard him over the crowd, Murphy was anything but quiet and tapped Claire on the shoulder. Both of them turning to see what Murphy was getting ready to do.

"Mary mother and Joseph.... Have pity..." Claire said as she looked up towards the ceiling.

---

Feliks couldn’t help but grin when Connor complemented his slutiness.
“Nothing quite so heroic as the super power to sleep around. Sorry bout the drinking dude that-“ Here Feliks paused. Grinning at Conner, he snagged someone else’s half finished beer from a nearby table and maintained eye contact as he took a long swig before his next sentence. “-really sucks.” Chuckling at himself he turned to survey the room around him now that he had more of a sense of what was going on.

“I gotta say, what the dude did was shit. But man that did not warrant a trip to the hospital. Holy mother of anger issues, remind me to never pull any pranks on Natalya.” Feliks grimaced, imagining what it would be like to be in the same situation. That shit was pretty messed up.

“I’m sure you can find time to give Nat her surprise.” Here Feliks threw in an exaggerated wink, though he rather doubted it would be anything lewd. After what had just happened, no one would be messing with Dom’s girlfriend for a very long time. “And don’t worry, I’m sure you can find the time for the chick. Though I have to say, just one of our female friends? I’m disappointed.” Not really. One was enough. Not that he cared. It was just…
ugh.

Maybe if he walked home they’d be done by the time he got back. He could try and find a shelter for Bob on the way.

Growing quiet for a second, Feliks overheard Eva talking before she came up to them. "You two were quiet throughtout that entire ordeal."

“Yeah, I was outside so I missed the throw down. Heard what you said, sorry about your roomie. Nobody deserves that just because they’re a social idiot.“ Feliks frowned, reaching out to give Eva a hug because seriously, nobody liked to see their friend beaten to a bloody pulp.

“I actually have no idea who they are…” Feliks trailed off, looking the new guys up and down. “ But, I’m going to guess that they’re her brothers though, based on the camaraderie and resemblance. They seem like fun.”

---

“Yeah, I was outside so I missed the throw down. Heard what you said, sorry about your roomie. Nobody deserves that just because they’re a social idiot.“ Eva nudged Feliks in response, a small smile on her face as she gave him a pointed look. "I'm fine, but Nat's not very happy. I don't blame her, I'd probaby throw a hissy fit if someone did that to me." The girl shuddered. It was probably an exaggeration, but Eva wasn't sure what her reaction would've been if someone had thrown a drink and spat on her during her birthday party. "Oh, and who's that homeless guy and why did he follow you insid- wait, does he have your jacket? Feliks, you do know that you can't adopt a stray homeless dude like you can with cats or dogs, right?" Eva asked, surprised.

As soon as she had finished speaking, she barely managed to supress a squeak as Connor threw his arm around her. Her heart went doki doki sped up in surprise. "Sprite Zero, Eva." He whispered into her ear, a pleasurable shiver running down her spine as he did so, and she barely stopped a pout from forming on her face as Connor moved away from the half-hug. Her bright eyes eyed the can of Sprite with a raised eyebrow, but refused to comment as Connor continued speaking. Her face changed from amusement to shock, to some vague form of horror as Connor told her that Jay smashed a beer bottle over her roommate's head. "Wait, so it was Dom, Claire and Jay that beat Ed half to death? Oh god, now I know why Tas was performing surgery in the middle of the room." The girl shook her head, sighing. "I'm not too sure if the party is over yet, I won't be surprised if it is though. Dom's gone, Ed's in the hospital and Tas is off doing doctor stuff on Ed as we speak. Two out of three of those not here are really important to Nat, so you might have to just surprise everyone some other time." Eva shrugged, "What exactly is your surprise? Can you at least tell us now? It might just make the night better if you announce it now?" Eva suggested, looking at him with pleading eyes, silently begging him to tell her what the surprise was.

"I guess that means you should just stay with me here and there." Eva's cheeks darkened, lips pursing slightly as she decided how to respond. 'Fuck, I'm not drunk enough to deal with this.' The girl couldn't help but think. She wanted to be able to flirt in response, but the only way she could flirt without making herself look like a total idiot was when she had some booze in her system. Instead, her mouth stupidly responded: "I'd rather be with Feliks, at least he won't molest me in my sleep. Probably."

'Oh, good job, Evalyn. That was the perfect way to flirt back.' The girl mentally slapped herself for opening her mouth.

"Claire has siblings? I didn't know that and I'm her roommate." Eva looked at the two strangers, realising that there was a few similarities between them and the leprechaun. "They might make the night better, if they're anything like Claire. I'm sure Nat knows them, or at least knows of them."

---

Ugh Connor was flirting with Eva. Which was totally gross because, well, because reasons. Anyways, Eva looked like she was about to have a heart attack. So whatever, never mind, it was chill, he was chill. He was freaking Antarctica. Or something.

“Or Feliks, whichever your prefer. Spoiler alert, though, I have better cuddling blankets and better anime”

Feliks forced out an awkward laugh and rolled his eyes, “Better anime? Please, I have better anime in that I have no anime whatsoever.” Back into familiar sass territory Feliks was able to switch back into non-awkward mode. Not that he was awkward in before for any reason whatsoever.

"I'd rather be with Feliks, at least he won't molest me in my sleep. Probably."
“I make no promises. Nah, kidding. My bed is your bed, and don’t worry, I’m not bringing Bob home.” Feliks paused to wave at the adorably frightened man who was currently trying to meld with the corner. “He’s super chill though. 10/10 would adopt. Plus he’s totally rocking that jacket. I’m gonna drop him off at a shelter on my way back, you’re welcome to walk with me. I doubt Lance-a-lot will have room on his bike. He’s apparently got plans with a female friend.”

Feliks smiled at Connor holding out his hand for a fist pound, because he was totally in support of his bro scoring. So totally in support. “Connor is probs going to win the evening in the end, but I kissed Bob and he’s awesome…” Feliks leered close to Eva, “Wanna taste?” He wiggled his eyebrows and took a step back, he’d wait till he’d brushed his teeth and talked to Tas about potential diseases before he did any more kissing.

“Anyways, dudes. The party ain’t over yet. Not as long as we’re here to keep it alive.” Feliks stuck his hands on his hips and struck up a superhero pose.

Breaking character he grinned at his friends “Come on, guys, Karaoke is starting and if anything can save this evening it’s the sound of my lovely voice.”

---

---

Claire grabbed her brother Connor by the arm, holding her beer in the other and made a beeline for Feliks, Eva and the other Connor. She knew what Murphy was about to do and it wasn't good, at least not. to the ears in the room.

Pulling her brother over to the group she let go and grabbed a stack of napkin, ripping them up quickly and balling them into redneck versions of ear plugs; handing them to each of them. Her brother just stood there laughing as she shoved a pair into his free hand.

"If you love your hearing, put these in," she said quickly as she handed each of them a pair.

"He ain't that bad..." Connor tried to say with a straight face but it was clear he was lying through his teeth between his voice and the fact he was shoving the napkins in his ears; white paper sticking out from the side of his head.

"There's a reason he's called the Boston Banshee!" she chuckled.

"Gonna introduce me?" he said elbowing her in the side.

"Oh shit, sorry was distracted trying to save their ears," Claire said as she smacked herself in the forehead with the palm of her hand. "This is Feliks, Eva and the other Connor. Guys, this is my oldest brother Connor, Murphy is the other eldest over there about to blow out your ear drums," she said pointing over towards Murphy.

"Nice to meet you, shove them in your ears. Lass ain't lying about his voice," Connor laughed as he gave a wave to them. It was about that time that Murphy decided to start to warm up his vocals.

"Waaaaaaahahaaaaaaaa" Murphy sang, sounding more like a cat in heat that had its tail stepped on while getting shot out of a rocket than a man trying to sing. Claire cringed as she covered her ears; Connor wrapping his arm around Claire's head.

"Fucking hell, he's gotten worse?!?!" she exclaimed. The cops decided they were not sticking around for the show and beelined it out the door.

---

“I make no promises. Nah, kidding. My bed is your bed, and don’t worry, I’m not bringing Bob home.” Eva wasn't sure whether she was relieved about the fact that Feliks was willing to share his bed without any funny business, or that he wasn't planning on bringing a homeless man back to his apartment. Either way, she decided to treat it like good news. "Well, its good that you're helping a man in need, but was it really necessary to make out with him?" Eva grimaced. Sometimes she worried for her friend's health.

"Plans with a female friend?" Eva turned to look at Connor, "if you were planning on sleeping with Tas, she's long gone now, and I don't think she'll be back." Eva laughed quietly, trying to hide her disappointment as Feliks held out his fist for Connor to pound. Her cheeks darkened as Connor commented about the differences in their beds, her head pointedly turning to look in the opposite direction so she could avoid embarrassment. "W-what makes you think I want to molest you back?" Her heart raced again with his arm around her, Eva cursing him and his bloody cute face to Hell.

"And since super partier here has his homeless dude to get all close to for the slow songs, you’ll be forced to dance with me, Eva. Sorry, tough luck, I know…"

'I definitely have no problems with that whatsoever.' Her inner thoughts chirped. Instead, she responded: "Well, if I must." The girl let out a deliberately heavy sigh, acting as if she was doing Connor a favour by accepting to dance with him. All the previous embarrassment now ebbing away until Eva could finally look back at Connor without bursting into fifty shades of red.

Not long after she had said that, Claire had joined her, Feliks and Connor and quickly handed them some weirdly rolled up paper towels, with only one warning: "If you love your hearing, put these in," Eva, while confused, decided to do what the leprechaun said, but instead of blocking her ears with the rolled up tissue, Eva just used her palms instead. She gave Claire's brother a smile in greeting, a quick "nice to meet you," were the only things she could do as the leprechaun's brother began singing loudly beside the karaoke machine.

Singing was one way of saying it.

Eva looked at Claire, eyes wide. Her look just said one thing: "Thanks for the warning."

---

Jejomar had asked several nights before whether it was possible that he could hook up the karaoke machine to their television. They initially said no but he argued that at the time that they were having the part, there would be no games on. And so, after some polite conversation, they have in and said that he could. He fiddled with the wire, letting the karaoke screen spring into life. It was your usual karaoke waiting screen, pictures of waterfalls and parks with yellow text saying "WELCOME TO PORTABLE KARAOKE. CHOOSE SONG." He had let Murphy shift through the song directory beforehand so he had an idea of what song he wanted.

Jay let out a sigh. He would have to confront Nat and Echo, the former to apologise what a mess he made and the latter to apologise about getting drunk and beating someone. He would also need to say sorry to Ed in the hospital. "Are you going to apologise?" Silence. He walked towards Murphy and asked what song he had chosen. When he pointed at a name, all he could do was raise an eyebrow. What a man wanted was what a man wanted, he guessed. He picked up the microphone and went into full airplane captain mode. He tilted his fedora forward to cover his face, mostly because of the amount of eyes that would be staring at him when he made the announcement. He cleared his throat to get his friends attention.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I please have your attention. Please note that the exits are that way." Jejomar paused and pointed to the door on his right. "If you feel that the evening has become very unenjoyable for you. Also note the fact that this is an Open Mic session, meaning that Mr. Murphy here will be singing until someone else grabs the microphone. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can join the karaoke session at any time. Duets and group songs will need to be cleared by me first. Thank you for listening and I now present to you 'Irishman Murphy' singing 'Anything by Flogging Molly'." He stepped away from the limelight and stood next to Claire while Murphy put the code on his microphone.

The Filipino raised an eyebrow to find that the Irish girl was seemingly praying, craning her head to look at the ceiling. "Hey," He began softly as Murphy began singing "[color=wheat]do you think we did the right thing? What d-did I do to him?color]" He had so many questions but one was on the forefront of his mind. What does Echo think of him? It was selfish but he couldn't help but feel that the party was ruined because of him and that he ruined it with the shy girl. He needed to go and talk to her but he didn't know where she was.

When Murphy started singing however, he was stupified. How can someone be that bad!? All thoughts vanished from his mind as his brain focused on numbing the nerves in his ears so he wouldn't be able to hear most of it.

---

---

---

Whenever Kip has an episode, Didi always knew what to do to calm his nerves. A hug usually does the trick, a warm cup of herbal tea or an accompanied breathing session but biking at the bay trail with her was one of Kip's ideal escapes from those reoccurring memories that long haunted him. The cool breeze of the sea and the street lights that uniformly lit the side walk was aesthetically comforting as both of them share an earphone, listening to Kip's personal playlist. They stopped by a lone bench, and sat together while Didi reached a can of cold Nescafe to Kip, and a Bottle of Fanta Raspberry to herself w/c they bought earlier at a nearest 7/11.

"I'm messed up." Kip broke the few seconds of silence.

"Hmm?" Didi didnt hear her friend's softspoken voice, and adjusted the earbud to her left.

"I'm so sick of this feeling. Uneasy, Afraid. I feel like a burden to you, Didi."

"Dont even." she stopped him before he can even say another word,her thin hand gripping his. "One thing for sure Kazuhiko, is not once, did I ever think of you that way. And you shouldnt either. You've been through a lot and even though i will never understand how you're still sitting here talking to me after all that insane crap. I'm just glad your here and I'll help you get through it all the way." And true she had been doing it for years, it has become like a routine. Kip's having an episode? Okay, let him sit down, gently brush his hands, reassure him, take him out for some fresh air, tell jokes, grab some ice cream, and everything's gonna be fine.

Didi sighed and leaned on the bench, both her arms outstretched on the ledge. " Remember that one night I came knocking on your front door with a busted lip and a box of old dvd's? Just turned 16 and what i got was a night of drunken bitching and a good right hook from dearest mom." It was one of those nights where her mom would get drunk, and ramble shit on her kids and their fathers for being useless bags of semen. Didi had the courage of standing up to them, what resulted was the small scar tissue that's now visible on her bottom lip. Kip always understood where she was coming from, and more than glad to shelter the young troubled teenage girl, eyes swollen from crying, who frequent his doorstep to watch evening cartoons.

"Was that the night we binge watched a whole season of Daria?"

"Yeah. Half a season, you mean. Then you suggested we watch Chucky, For chrissakes. Still. I never got to thank you properly for the present."

"You didnt have to. I was glad you came when you did, the nightmares stopped for some reason."

"That's because I secretly wrestled the dream sasquatch under your bed while you were sleeping."

"Well then, makes perfect sense." Kip smiled, finally. They sat a bit longer, savoring the peace and quiet, and reminiscing the time they first met, at this very same spot, Kip sneakily taking pictures of Didi. " What were you thinking? I was this close to calling 911. You could've just approached me and said hi you know."

Didi stood up, throwing the empty bottle on the bin and popping a double mint in her mouth. "Let's head back. They probably think we bailed out for good."

---

On the way to the door Didi could hear a wild animal screeching in pain only to realize that it was one of the patrons from the party singing some karaoke. She held firmly her ears as she walked in the establishment.

"Did some feral chimpanzee went loose?" She eyed the two strangers, one who was hogging all the mic action and the other cuddling next to Claire and is that a homeless man shoving a plate of calamari in his mouth on the buffet table? Darn it. She sat next to Jay her hands still covering her delicate ears. This dude, she thought.

" Gotta give him credit for that amount of confidence." She exclaimed over the deafening screech.

---

ohhhh, the certain female friend was Eva. Well crap, that had been kind of a shit thing to do in that case. He really ought to feel bad about kind of getting in the way of their romance. Really, he ought to.
No, scratch that, he did. He totally did.
This feeling was remorse god damnit.
ugh.
Fuck everything.

"And since super partier here has his homeless dude to get all close to for the slow songs, you’ll be forced to dance with me, Eva. Sorry, tough luck, I know…"
"Well, if I must."

Feliks grimaced in a way that under the right lighting probably looked like a grin. Maybye.

“Hah, you joke, but just you wait and see. I may very well dance with Bob.” He paused to shout across the room, “You hear that Bob? You and me, the next slow song, it’s on.” Now he was actually grinning, and Bob’s eye was visibly twitching. Feliks started to slowly inch away from the lovebirds as Claire came up to the group to introduce her sibling.

Taking the ear plugs from her he smirked, “Please. I’m no wimp, and I’m sure it’s not that bad. People complain about Didi and me all the time, and our voices sound like ambrosiac sound waves!”

Approximately two seconds later Feliks was shoving the earplugs into his headholes as fast as he could, laughing as he pulled out his phone to record the wailing for future mischief. “Oh my god Claire, he’s amazing. This right here is true talent! He’s driving out the freakin’ cops!”

Feliks looked down at his phone for a sec and looked up to see that Jay had joined the group. He smiled at his friend, and moved further away from Eva and Connor to go stand between Claire and Jay, wrapping an arm around each friend as he did so.

He turned his head to the side and greeted Jejomar loudly, “Hey Jay! How’s it hanging? Heard you went ape shit on some dude. Which wow, possibly uncalled for buddy. You gotta be feeling like crap, and it’s only goanna get worse in the morning.” Feliks took another swig from his captured beer before continuing, “Don’t worry though, you weren’t the only one. I’m sure it’ll all get worked out in some heartwarming fashion.”

---

---

Claire looked out from under her brothers Connors arm and nodded slightly towards Eva; she was trying to save their ear drums but even with the napkins and her brother covering her ears it wasn't enough. Murphy had always been bad but she hadn't realized that he had gotten even worse. Maybe they should have just let what happened with Eddy slide and make him listen to Murphy sing... Nah, the ass beating was less punishment than this.

"Don't encourage him!" Claire laughed towards Feliks. Pushing out of Connors arms she bee lined it for Murphy. "I can't take this anymore," she snapped as she ripped the mic out of his hand and headed over to the machine, starting up another song without a word.

"Hey! I was doing great!" Murphy protested. The music started and Claire just smirked.

"Bye, Bye, Bye. Bye, Bye... Bye, Bye... Oh, Oh.." she sang into the mic as she grabbed Murphy by the collar and shoved him back into a chair. Connor fell against the bar laughing as he took another drink from his beer.

Claire loved to sing, she sang a Capella a lot and had perfect pitch, it was a welcome change. What made it better was that she danced along, bopping about the room as she sung. The leprechaun outfit didn't hurt.

"I'm doin' this tonight. You're probably gonna start a fight. I know this can't be right," she sang as she pointed over towards Jay and gave him a wink. Skipping over towards Didi she wrapped an arm over her shoulder.

"Hey baby come on, I loved you endlessly. When you weren't there for me. So now it's time to leave and make it alone I know that I can't take no more," she sang as she swayed back and forth with Didi against her before spinning off and and hopping around the room.

"It ain't no lie I wanna see you out that door, Baby, bye, bye, bye..." she continued to sing as she hip checked the other Connor before climbing up onto the bar and impersonating 'N Sync as they danced to the chorus in the music video.

"Bye Bye! Don't wanna be a fool for you. Just another player in your game for two. You may hate me but it ain't no lie, Baby, bye, bye, bye... Bye Bye! Don't really wanna make it tough, I just wanna tell you that I had enough. It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie, Baby, bye, bye, bye," she caroled before she jumped off the bar top and landed next to her brother Connor, Connor high fiving her as she sauntered over towards Eva and leaned back against her.

"Oh, Oh...Just hit me with the truth, now, girl you're more than welcome to. So give me one good reason, Baby come on I live for you and me, and now I really come to see, that life would be much better once you're gone," she serenaded Eva before running off across the room and slipping up behind Bob as he stuffed his mouth full of food.

"I know that I can't take no more. It ain't no lie, I wanna see you out that door! Baby, bye, bye, bye..." she sang as she made a nasty face from the smell and shrugged and hopped back over to the middle of the room by the karaoke machine.

"Bye Bye. Don't wanna be a fool for you, just another player in your game for two. You may hate me but it ain't no lie. Bye Bye Bye, bye, bye... Don't really wanna make it tough, I just wanna tell you that I had enough. It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie, Baby, bye, bye, bye," she sang as she repeated the silly dance people made fun of time and time again impersonating the video and stage performances of 'N Sync.

"I'm giving up I know for sure. I don't wanna be the reason for your love no more. Bye Bye, I'm checkin' out, I'm signin' off. Don't wanna be the loser and I've had enough. Don't wanna be your fool, in this game for two so I'm leavin' you behind. Bye, bye, bye..." she sang as she skipped over to Nat and got all silly in front of the birthday girl, shaking her rear end and doing her best impression of Goofy trying to dance; complete with a mock slip on a banana peel, landing on her back on the floor.

"I don't wanna make it tough, and it ain't no lie. Bye, Bye, Don't wanna be a fool for you, just another player in your game for two, but it ain't no lie. Baby bye, bye, bye..." she sang as she hopped back up off the floor. By this point Murphy and Connor were wrestling. Murphy trying to sing in on the chorus and Connor trying to shove napkins down his throat. Neither were angry, both were laughing their Irish asses off. Claire just kicked at them as she sung and they kept wrestling.

"Don't really wanna make it tough, I just wanna tell you that I had enough. Might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie! Bye, bye, bye!" she sang finishing the song, complete with mic drop at the end as she crossed her arms over her chest.

---

With Claire singing and dancing around the room, it was hard not to laugh at the sight. There was a literal leprechaun singing. Who gets to see something like this everyday? Eva clapped as her roomie finished the song. At least Claire had lifted up the spirits, and it looked like the party was slowly coming back to normal, with everyone being at least somewhat entertained.

As if Connor was going to let this dork in a leprechaun outfit show him. She had been funny, sure, but Connor would be better! Or something like that; more like than not, he’d go up there and make a total fool of himself, but hey, it was all about the fun, right? He clasped his hands together and moved toward the stage, snatching the mic off of the floor. “Alright, my turn.” He rubbed his hands together and moved over to the karaoke machine, a stupid grin on his lips as he shook his head and went through the different songs. “So, I’mma say this now, but I’m probably the best vocalist we know. Just ask Benji and Feliks about my Rock Band high scores.” He punched a button on the machine and his song started to play.

Eva raised her eyebrow, her hands paused mid-clap as she stared at Connor. 'What the hell is he planning now?' The girl wondered but didn't comment. With the music playing, it took only a second for her to realise what was playing. Confusion clouded her mind, and she couldn't stop herself from muttering, "who's he singing that for?"

Ah, jealousy.

Connor’s choice was a classic, easy song, and one he knew all the lyrics to from the aforementioned Rock Band playing. It would serve two purpose: first and foremost, it was more his speed, but secondly it was going to make this even. He moved his head back and forth to the opening guitar riff, resisting the urge to go ‘Dadada dada dadadada’ along with it. Once the lyrics to the song began, Connor looked over at Eva and grinned, pointing at her with a finger-gun motion, “So, one two three, take my hand and come with me, ‘cuz you look so fine that I really wanna make you mine,” as he sang, he had a stupid grin on his face.

It was now very clearly apparent who the song was for.

Whatever thoughts that were running through the girl's mind were immediately halted. She stood there, eyes wide and jaws slack as Connor pointed at her, almost as soon as she had muttered her question. If Eva's cheeks weren't already red enough, they felt like they were on fire. Her hand moved to cover her inflamed cheeks, blinking rapidly in surprise. Eva's lips curved into a smile, without her even realising, as she watched Connor's 'performance' closely.

Connor watched her lips curl up and saw Eva’s cheeks light on fire and he grinned. ‘Hey, good job me,’ he mentally congratulated himself. He continued to sing the lyrics, keeping all of his attention locked on Eva. “I say you look so fine that I really wanna make ya mine. Four five six, come on and get your kicks, now ya don’t need money, when you look like that, do ya honey?” Connor winked as he finished his question, breathing in shortly as there was a brief pause. “Big black boots, long brown hair, oh she’s so sweet with her get back stare!” Connor jumped down from the stage as the chorus of the song began, smiling as he sang his way across the floor and over to Eva.

“Oh, I could see you home with me, but you were with another man, yeahhh--” for the briefest of moments, Connor took his attention away from Eva and stuck his tongue out at Feliks, though it was just for a flash before he was back on Eva, almost directly in front of her as he sang. “I know we, ain’t got much to say, before I let you get awayyyy.” The song’s lyrics briefly paused as the guitar riff filled the void, and Connor took one of Eva’s hands in his free one, staring in her eyes now as he said the ending lines.

“Are you gonna be my girl?” He asked, then grinning dumbly, lifted her hand up to his lips and kissed it before he moonwalked--rather expertly--away from her. As it turned out, serenading was just as easy as it looked in movies.

Eva inhaled sharply at his wink. She could feel her heart pound against her chest, and for a moment, Eva hated Connor for the way he was making her feel and act. 'Stop acting like a school girl with the biggest crush in the world. Eva mentally berated herself, but she knew it didn't matter. She was hopelessly crushing on Connor and now she had no choice but to blush and squeal and giggle everytime he paid her the slightest bit of attention.

But this wasn't just the slightest. It was a whole lotta attention.

Well, Eva was certainly not complaining. Eva's cheeks grew impossibly darker as she realised Connor had changed the lyrics ever so slightly just to match her description, the girl's knees shaking slightly. She laughed - no, giggled - when Connor stuck his tongue out in Feliks' direction. She wanted to hide from all the attention Connor was giving to her, but at the same time she wanted to bask in it all. She loved and hated it.

It took all of her strength not to just swoon as Connor kissed her hand. But the magical spell broke as Connor literally Michael Jackson'ed it away from her. It was ridiculous and hilarious all at the same time, a weird snort escaping her lips.

She was falling for him. Hard.

'What a bloody dork.'

When she snorted, Connor grinned and moved the mic away from his lips so the chuckle he had wouldn’t be caught. Smiling at Eva again, he began to sing the lyrics once more. Connor, all in all, wasn’t that bad, it was seeming. “Well, 1, 2, 3 take your hand and come with me.” He grinned and started back toward Eva as he sang, “Because you look so fine that I really make you mine. I say you look so fine that I really wanna make you mine~ Oh, 4, 5, 6 come on and get your kicks, now you don’t need money with a face like that, do ya, honey?” Another wink as he moved close to her again.

“Well, I could see you, home with me, but you were with another man, yeahhhh~ I know we ain’t got much to say, before I let you get awayyyy~” He paused, taking Eva’s hand as if he was going to kiss it again, but this time he lifted her hand over her head, giving her a light tug to spin her around as he lifted the mic to his lips again. “Are you gonna be my girl…?”

Eva's eyes narrowed as Connor moved the mic away as soon as she snorted, as if he were hiding a chuckle of his own. The girl decided to let it slide, instead tapping her heels to the beat of the music as she smiled brightly at him. Eva's cheeks were still red, but she was sure that he and pretty much everyone knew that she was blushing so there was no point to her in hiding it. Her eyes followed his every move, locking with his as he winked and moved closer to her, this time prepared for Connor to do something.

While she was prepared for Connor to kiss her hand, or something similar, she didn't expect to be spun in her place, the girl let out a surprised squeak as she was spun around. When Eva faced Connor again, as the music blared around them and his voice drifting off, she kissed him.

She kissed him.

Her lips were pressed against his, Eva on her tip-toes so she could reach the giant's. Even with her heels and being on her toes, there was still quite a difference in height. She had to pull Connor down slightly by tugging on his shirt, just to make things more comfortable for the both of them as she finally kissed him.

It registered a few seconds later, Eva blinking her eyes open - when did they even close? - to look at Connor with a mixed expression, with horror, surprise and happiness. Eva's heart was thumping hard, she could barely hear the instrumental in the background as she stared up at Connor. "I- uh..." She wanted to explain, but how she didn't know.

Eva could only hope that she did not completely ruin things between them.

Eva’s kiss catches him off slightly, but Connor quickly falls into it, slipping his arms around her waist. When she finally pulled away from him, Connor tilted his head, staring curiously at her. It had been surprisingly brave of her, and even Connor had been caught off guard. When she started stammering and trying to defend herself. Connor simply lifted one of his fingers up to her lips, pushing it against them softly to shush her. Once she trailed off completely, Connor leaned down slightly, kissing her again, this time more passionately, his hands on the small of her back.

Nat’s birthday? Yes. But it was Eva’s night.

---

---

Jay sobered up from the whole affair, letting himself enjoy the evening while it lasted. Slinging his arm around Feliks' shoulder, he laughed with him as Claire danced around. Well, it was a bloody leprechaun dancing around on stage. Who wouldn't laugh? He decided that he didn't want to spend the evening sulking about it (this may have been influenced by alcohol) and decided to deal with everything the next morning. He lived in the present, thank you very much. When the leprechaun dropped the mic, he clapped excitedly with Feliks. He looked around the room, only to see Echo clutching one of her brandy bottles. He went to go to her but was distracted when Connor began singing.

Jejomar knew right from the get go that Connor was singing to Eva. His sister's crush on him was very obvious and it seemed like the man went for it. All throughout the song, he was enraptured in the performance. He had to give the performer credit, he knew how to entertain a crowd. He was surprised at Eva's forwardness but then surprise was quickly replaced by happiness and then.... Jealousy? He took a double take on himself, disgust swelling in him. He was supposed to be happy for her, not jealous. He risked another glance at Echo, packing away her things while blushing a faint red, placing an empty brandy bottle on the table.

She bowed in the direction of Tas before saying her apologies. Jay's mind was a blur. She was going to leave. Leave him. These words echoed in his mind, bouncing between the walls of his skull. "Oh hell no." He whispered brazenly as he slipped out of Feliks' grasp. Eva and Connor stepped off the stage after their kiss, leaving the mic on the floor. He took a stool and a mic stand next to the stage, placing them in the middle. He went to input the code in the mic as he sat down. He looked up to see her walking slowly towards the door, eyes focused on leaving.

The Filipino tilted his fedora to cover his face before a strange sound escaped his lips. A deep, soft, husky voice that enraptures the crowds. A singing voice, one filled with hurt. The acoustic guitar strum emitted from the karaoke machine signalled his start.



Jay let everything go, tears flowing from underneath his hat. The crowd was silent before him, most of them gob smacked at his voice. This was not how Karaoke Jay sung. But they misunderstood, in a way. This was Jejomar Salinas. Unknown to him, Echo stopped in the middle of the doorway, swerving her head towards him. The man continued to sing, eyes closed.



Echo widened her eyes, lips parting slightly. She stepped back from the door letting it slowly go back. She dropped her bag before slowly walking towards the voice, a furious blush on her face. Of course she knew the song, it was a classic duet. It was usually sung by people who wanted to... say something. She noticed another mic laying on the ground, spilling from a karaoke bag. Picking it up, she began singing with him. The words "SINGER #2 HAS JOINED" appeared on the TV.



Jejomar looked up, watching as Echo slowly walked towards him, mic in hand, singing with him. There was a sweet contrast between the two, a beautiful mix of low and high notes. Her voice was sweet, shy and soft, a very soothing voice. She walked up onto the stage, pulling up another stool and sitting next to him. He beamed at her before focusing back on the song.



They continued together, eyes locked with each other. Doe eyes met soft, both sparkling. They stood as one, taking a step closer towards each other. Both of them blushing a furious red, heart pumping, breath hot. They inched towards one another as they sang, Jay politely setting his fedora down on the floor.



Jay wrapped his arms around her bringing Echo closer to him. His heart was beating but he's never been this relaxed. He was panicking inside but was comfortable so close to her. Her breath was warm, tickling him through his thin layers. He looked down at her brown locks, those irresistibly cute eyes, petite face and couldn't help but intake a sharp breath of air as he sang with her.



With the last line, Jay leaned in. He was surprised, she didn't revolt or back away, Echo merely closed her eyes. Their lips touched, a spark of emotion flowed through, exploding in the middle. His passion, desire, hope, love and frustrations all went into this one kiss. It was like heaven but like all things, it came to an abrupt end. They parted, eyes still locked on one another. "E-Echo, I w-wanted you to s-stay..." He paused, gulping as his heart went a thousand beats a second. "I d-don't want y-you to w-walk away." If they realised that everyone was watching them at that single moment, they would've had a heart attack.

Echo put a finger on his lips before pouncing on him, squeezing the man in a bear hug, a comical sight if it wasn't so intimate. "Don't worry, I'll walk with you."

Tas had left Sam with something unexpected through the night. Before leaving him to tend to the injured, Sam had said he would give her whatever she wanted with hopes of finding something he could do to reward her for all she was doing, and to his surprise the answer was that she wanted him. That answer gave him high hopes, it reinforced that what he was feeling for her could be something more. Maybe he was a little oblivious before about her feelings for him, but he was sure as hell on point with his own feelings for her, or at least he thought he was. Hell, he got jealous when Tas was hanging out with Connor all the time. He never had the courage to speak up or say anything before as it wasn't his place, but tonight it possibly confirmed that it was his place and he could do something about it.

"You can do it, Sammy!" The voice inside his head said, encouraging himself. "The worst things that can happen are that you read the wrong signals and she can say no." There was still some trouble at the party, but it looked as if the bad times were healing quickly as the party was kicking up again. It was Nat's night, and he wished things had gone differently in the beginning, but without all the commotion and drama he wouldn't have been able to really hear Tas's feelings.

So even though it was supposed to be Nat's day, Sam was going to make it his night.

---

Sam had left the party and made his way home. He was going to make the rest of Tas's night special when she was done. A special surprise dinner would have to do, it was Sam's specialty. Prepping his tools, he laid out the bowls, pots, pans, and knives accordingly and quickly scavenged for whatever ingredients he had in the fridge that was to Tas's liking. He ended up with some organic vegetables and heavy cream, thinking of the only and possible solution, pasta. "It'll have to do!" He shouted cheerfully. He was happy. He was going to do it tonight, he was going to tell Tas how he felt, there was no real reason why he couldn't. There was nothing in his way as he heard it from Tas's mouth.

As he was chopping up the vegetables for his love pasta, the ringing and vibrating of his phone went off. He hoped it wasn't anyone from the party looking for him, he knew that he shouldn't have just upped and left without letting anyone know, but he was on a mission and he wanted to succeed. Without looking at the ID he quickly picked up the phone, "Hello?"

"Sam?"

---

---

Claire sat there at the bar watching the couple singing and smiling as she did. It was good to see things taking a much nicer turn, granted she wouldn't have minded another fight: it was the Irish in her, she couldn't help it.

Tas pushed the doors of the club open and stepped back inside of party, looking around and seeing things had calmed down. Letting out a sigh of relief noting the cops were gone, the mess had been cleaned up and for the most part it seemed that everyone was back to normal. The karaoke machine was going, probably a good thing considering everything that happened. It was a good distraction and as she walked by Jeje, she gave him a pat on the shoulder and a small smile; as if to say everything was alright.

"Good idea," she said as she walked by and hefted her bag back onto her shoulder, adjusting it slightly in the process. She hated that she was no longer in the outfit she had intended for the evening but that couldn't be helped at this point. Better to return in gym shoes and green and scrubs that were clean instead of being covered in blood and give Nat a reminder of the fight that had broken out. At least now she didn't have to be in those awful heels.

Claire spotted Tas as she walked in and bee lined it over to the doctor, giving her a big hug and laughing a bit. Tas just shook her head slightly and Claire rose a brow as she looked Tas over.

"Everything okay?" Claire asked quietly, a bit concerned.

"Yeah, just a long night and I haven't slept in like thirty-eight hours now," Tas said as she stood there looking around, rubbing her temples slightly.

"Headache?" Claire asked as she tilted her head to the side.

"Yeah, how's Nat?" Tas asked as she dropped her hand.

"Shook up, understandably so. How about the new guy?" Claire asked as she lead Tas over to the bar and got her a drink.

"He'll be fine, dropped him off at the ER. He is in good hands, I will go check on him tomorrow to make sure. That is after I sleep. Where's Sam? I don't see him," Tas said as she took the drink and downed it quickly.

"Um, I think he left...Whoa... Anything else wrong?" Claire asked, she wasn't used to Tas downing anything that quickly.

"Oh... um... Test results for a patient came in... It wasn't good..." Tas said as she placed the empty glass on the bar top and looked over towards Claire and shrugged. Claire hugged her once again.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Claire said and Tas nodded as she returned the hug before stepping away and seeking out Nat. "Anything I can do?"

"Just keep being a dork," Tas said with a smirk as she looked over her shoulder. Claire laughed and saluted her before dashing off once again and back over to her brothers, grabbing them and going into a mock huddle as they began to whisper to each other.

"Hey girl," Tas said as she stepped over towards Nat. Pulling out the scrubs, green that matched the ones she was wearing, she handed them over towards the birthday girl. "One set of clean dry clothing, proper color for the event. Figured you could use them. The party crasher is fine, he'll recover. I'll check on him tomorrow. I'll take care of everything, so try not to go into momma bear mode and worry," Tas said softly.

"Now, go ahead and change. Then you can decide if you want to hang out here for a bit longer or head home. Either way is fine, it is up to you. Don't worry about what the others need. It's your day, so do what you want to. If you want to stay we'll party all night long, if not I'll cover things here and make sure the place is closed up after everyone leaves," Tas said as she hugged Nat before stepping back.

"Go on, least get changed," she said before stepping away and wandering through the crowd and back over to the bar. Setting her bag down she glanced around and noticed the food was all gone and that there was some homeless guy lurking about. "Know what, don't want to know.." she muttered to herself as the music for the Karaoke machine started back up. Turning around she saw Claires brother Connor standing there with the mic, a cheeky grin on his face.



"Alright, alright. You have been deafened by me brother and serenaded by me sister. My turn," he said in his thick Irish accent. Tas turned and leaned against the bar. She had heard the McManus Clan sing before, last time she was in Boston with Claire. She had gone as medical personnel for one of Claires fight and had met the entire group. They were a fun bunch, so she figured this should be good.

As the music played Claire's brother Connor began to pat his free hand on his thigh before it was time for him to sing, getting the beat of the music. When he finally did sing, his voice was completely different than Murphy's; smooth and clear with a soft lilt to it. Seemed he and Claire had more in common than the same name and cheeky grin.

"I'm only one call away, I'll be there to save the day. Superman got no-thing on me - hey I'm only one call away," Connor sang as he danced along with the music. Claire snickered slightly, her brother did have moves.

"Call me, baby, if you need a friend. I just wanna give you love. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon. Reaching out to you, so take a chance. No matter where you go you know you're not alone," he sang as he strode around the room, stopping by Murphy and wrapping his arm around his brothers shoulders.

Murphy rolled his eyes and held up his hand, holding another mic. Instead of the usual wrestling bought to get the mic away from Murphy, Connor just smirked. Then Murphy joined in and sang the chorus with his brother, his voice was rich and clear; nothing like the screeching cat from earlier.

"I'm only one call away I'll be there to save the day. Superman got no-thing on me - hey I'm only one call away," The McManus twins sang in harmony.

"Come along with me and don't be scared, I just wanna set you free. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon. You and me can make it anywhere. For now, we can stay here for a while cause you know, I just wanna see you smile. No matter where you go. You know you're not alone," Murphy sang solo, letting his true voice ring out with clarity as he danced over to Tas and grabbed her by the hand.

She looked at him like he was nuts but that didn't stop Murphy from singing to her and giving her a kiss on the back of her hand. Tas just shook her head and rolled her eyes as he let go of her hand. She had to give the man this, he was persistent.

"I'm only one call away, I'll be there to save the day. Superman got no-thing on me - hey I'm only one call away," The twins, now joined with Claire, all sang in harmony as the three of them danced around the room, grabbing various people and pulling them to their feet, pairing them up. They didn't care who was paired with who. They felt this was a song about friendship, not love, so anyone could be paired together.

They just made sure that everyone had a partner, even if it was them dancing with someone they had never met. Friends of Nats meant they were friends of Claire on one level or another and that made them alright in their book. Tas sat there at the bar and Murphy slipped over to her, she gave him a you have got to be kidding look but then shrugged and went with it. She might as well she figured, thinking she had scared Sam off with her answer earlier that evening.

"And when you're weak I'll be strong. I'm gonna keep holding on. Now don't you worry, it won't be long. Darling, and when you feel like hope is gone. Just run into my arms," Claire sang as she waltzed over to Didi and sang to her once again.

"I'm only one call away, I'll be there to save the day. Superman got no-thing on me - hey," the trio sang until Murphy took the lead vocals and let his voice carry out over the other two with the solo separate part, holding the note out long and beautifully.

"I'm only one, I'm only one," Murphy sang.

"Call away. I'll be there to save the day. Superman got no-thing on me - hey I'm only one call away," they all sang together once again.

"I'm only one call away," Connor sang solo, bringing the song to a close the same way he had began it.

Claire giggled as she ran over to her brothers and gave them a big hug, both of them hugging her back tightly. Tas clapped for them and gave them a bit of a whistle, they were always a good time. Murphy smirked a bit and shrugged.

"What? You all thought I howled that badly? I'd be kicked it of me clan if I did," he laughed. Tags rolled her eyes, she had fallen victim to the Boston Banshee the first time she met them.

"So, who ain't sung yet?" Connor asked and Claire pointed right to Tas. "Oh yes, we haven't heard Doc sing have we?"

"And you're not going to," Tas said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Come on lass, pwease...." Murphy begged as he dropped to his knees holding out the mic to Tas.

"Nope."

"Oh she'll sing alright," Claire pipped in.

"Like hell I will," Tas challenged the leprechaun. Claire laughed before she leaned over and whispered against Tas's ear.

"You wouldn't dare," Tas hissed as her eyes narrowed.

"Try me," Claire smirked as she stuck her tongue out at Tas.

"Fine... bitch," Tas snapped as she took the mic from Murphy and stepped over to the machine.

"Proud of it," Claire laughed as she hopped over to the bar for a drink.

Tas fiddled with the machine a bit to find a song, as she did a smirk came to her lips and Claire perked a brow watching Tas let her hair down. Starting the song up, she began to sing.



"When I was a young girl, my mother took me into the city to see a marching band," Tas began singing, her voice was different than Claire's; a little rougher, a bit sultry.

"She said, "girl when you grow up, would you be the savior of the broken, the beaten and the damned?" She said "Will you defeat them, your demons, and all the non-believers, the plans that they have made? Because one day I'll leave you, a phantom to lead you in the summer, to join The Black Parade,"" Tas sang as she stood there, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"When I was a young girl, my mother took me into the city to see a marching band. She said, "girl when you grow up, would you be the saviour of the broken, the beaten and the damned?"" the doctor continued to sing as she stood there. Claire slowly turning around at the bar, a bit surprised by the song choice; she had thought Tas would have picked something completely different. Claire really wasn't expecting to see Tas break out the head banging and hair flip as the instrumental part took over.

"Sometimes I get the feeling she's watching over me. And other times I feel like I should go. And through it all, the rise and fall, the bodies in the streets. And when you're gone we want you all to know," Tas continued to sing before she thrust her fist in the air and started bouncing around the room as she continued on to the chorus.

"We'll carry on, we'll carry on and though you're dead and gone believe me your memory will carry on! We'll carry on and in my heart I can't contain it, the anthem won't explain it," she sang as she bounced in place, a smirk playing on her lips. Claire stood there with a small grin on her lips as she watched Tas.

"A world that sends you reeling from decimated dreams. Your misery and hate will kill us all. So paint it black and take it back let's shout it loud and clear, defiant to the end we hear the call," she sang as she walked around the room.

"To carry on! We'll carry on and though you're dead and gone believe me your memory will carry on. We'll carry on and though you're broken and defeated, your weary widower marches," she chorused as she bounced along with the beat.

"On and on we carry through the fears. Ooh oh ohhhh! Disappointed faces of your peers. Ooh oh ohhhh! Take a look at me cause I could not care at all," as she held held her hand to chest.

"Do or die, you'll never make me because the world will never take my heart. Go and try, you'll never break me. We want it all, we wanna play this part. I won't explain or say I'm sorry; I'm unashamed, I'm gonna show my scar. Give a cheer for all the broken. Listen here, because it's who we are. I'm just a girl, I'm not a hero just a girl, who had to sing this song. I'm just a girl, I'm not a hero," she sang, nearly preaching the spoken parts.

"I Don't Care!" she screamed in true MCR style.

"We'll carry on! We'll carry on and though you're dead and gone believe me your memory will carry on. We'll carry on and though you're broken and defeated your weary widower marches on," sang as she grabbed Claire and got in her face, singing with a smirk on her lips.

"Do or die, you'll never make me because the world will never take my heart. Go and try, you'll never break me. We want it all, we wanna play this part," she skipped back over to the stage where Murphy and Connor backed her up on chorus.

"Do or die, you'll never make me because the world will never take my heart. Go and try, you'll never break me. We want it all, we wanna play this part," she finished before taking a deep breath and slowly lowering the mic before she giggled. Claire giving her a standing applause. Tas just shrugged as she tossed the mic down and walked back over to the bar, she needed some water after that.

---

---

It was a bit weird that all of a sudden everyone was hooking up with anyone. Saving Jay and Echo and their cute little number, there was Connor who ended his groovy serenade with a mushy kiss from his muse, Eva.

“Get a room you two!” Yelled Didi to the lovebirds who cant seem to detach their heads from each other. And of course, there’s Claire, who was all lovey dovey on the mic for Didi, not like Connor did for Eva, thank god, she wouldnt know how to take that. But it was the closest romantic experience she can get tonight and it gave her tingles in the most inappropriate areas, a shameful confession to herself.

Honestly, when did their friends all get into relationships, what was with this?! Feliks sighed and looked over to Didi, “So I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking it’s time we should these romantic fools what real Karaoke is?”

“You just read my mind , Fee.” Looking over at Feliks. She spat her gum and stuck it on the plastic cup in front of Jay, then stood up from her seat and grabbed a mic, handing it over to him, and another one for herself. “This song is for all you people out there, who just simply appreciate the aesthetics of well rounded butts.”

Feliks grinned as she handed him the mic, dragging her along to the stage before striking a dramatic pose as the music started up, “Oh, my, god. Becky, look at her butt.
It is so big. “ He paused to scoff and grin at Didi, they’d done this song a thousand times and it was always a crowd pleaser.

Didi hated this song, in all honesty, but it doesn’t mean it wasnt so much fun to sing specially with Feliks. She rolled her eyes, doing her best impersonation of a typical Regina George.

“I can’t believe it’s just so round, it’s like, out there, I mean gross, look! She’s soo.. black.”
She was giggling under her breath and tries so hard to suppress it. Trying hard not to laugh himself Feliks nudged Didi, they couldn’t break character! This was karaoke! Karaoke was serious stuff!

The music changed and Feliks turned from Didi to gesture at the crowd “I like big butts and I can not lie, You other brothers can't deny that when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist, and a round thing in your face- you get sprung!”

“Wanna pull out you though, Cause you notice that butt was stuffed, deep in the jeans she’s wearin,” From then on Didi was in her shameless karaoke mode, she slid in front of Feliks as she does her thing, trying hard to impersonate a gangster and looking very awkward as she does it.

Feliks snorted at Didi’s gangster routine, “I’m hooked and I can't stop staring.” Here feliks paused to step out to the side of Didi, looking her up and down and then turning to face the audience and wiggle his eyebrows a few times, “Oh baby, I wanna get with you, and take your picture. My homeboys tried to warn me but that butt you got makes me so horny.”

“Ooh rump o smooth skin yo say you wanna get in my benz?” She gave Feliks a coy look and turned to his side. “Well, use me, use me, cause you aint the average groupie, I’ve seen them dancin to hell with romancin. She’s sweat, wet got it foing like a turbo Vette.” She was unintentionally looking at Claire at this point, and trying to grin charmingly to put aside the awkwardness. Real smooth, Dee. Would be sweet if it wasnt for the vulgarity of the song. She then turned to Feliks, pointing to him as if to say, Take it away!

Feliks raised an eyebrow as Didi made eyes at Claire from on stage. Way to go Dee, way to get the message across. As the two continued to dance around on stage producing ridiculously terrible sounds that some might call singing Feliks scanned the crowd, looking for suitable victim. After a brief pause on Connor, that he really hoped went unnoticed, Feliks pointedly turned away and locked eyes with Bob. Grinning like a shark he sang, “I like 'em round, and big and when I'm throwin' a gig- I just can't help myself, I'm actin' like an animal.Now here's my scandal, I wanna get you home and ugh, double-up, ugh, ugh.”

Didi couldn't hold her chuckle any longer as she looked over at Bob, eyes wide who was halfway through a bowl of something. “Mix a lot’s in trouble, beggin for a piece of that bubble.”She got carried away and slapped Feliks’ backside, jokingly, “I’m looking at rock videos, knock kneeded bimbos walkin like hoes,” The timing was perfect when she caught a glimpse of Belle just across some tables.

Feliks’ eyebrows shot up in surprise when Didi slapped his butt and he stuck his tongue out at her as she continued to sing.

“I’ll keep my women like Flo Jo, a word to the thick soul sisters, I wanna get with ya.” Kip was smiling, and reluctant when Didi gestured her to come over the stage. She wasn’t gonna force him tho, but it would be sweet if Kip agrees to sing Karaoke with her just this once.

Noticing what Didi was doing and who she was was gesturing to Feliks pulled a face and tried his best to convey through facial expressions how not on board he was with this plan, “A lot of simps won't like this song 'cause them punks like to hit it and quit it,and I'd rather stay and play.”

“Coz I’m long and Im strong and down to get the friction on.” Didi proceeds to do her dorky gangster routine, while still eyeing on Kip, who was meekly grinning. “So ladies, ladies If you wanna roll in my Mercedes then turn around! Stick out! Even white boys got to shout, Baby got back!”

Feliks shook his head at Didi’s return to the mock gangster moves, turning to stand back to back with her as the song continued, “My anaconda don't want none unless you've got buns, hun. You can do side bends or sit-ups, but please don't lose that butt.” Here Feliks spun away from Didi to properly shake his rear at the audience as he continued, “Some brothers wanna play that "hard" role, and tell you that the butt ain't gold. So they toss it and leave it and I pull up quick to retrieve it.”

"And I'm thinkin' bout stickin' To the beanpole dames in the magazines!" She was very much enjoying this, like any other session with Feliks and she got behind him, as if mounting, pretending to be a cowboy twirling her imaginary lasso. It was an awfully unpleasant sight but the two obviously are having fun getting their freak on on stage. Just wait till her mother sees this tho.

Trying very hard to look at no one in particular Feliks concentrated on executing a few hip thrusts and body rolls as they neared the end of the song and he sang, “You ain't it, Miss Thing! Give me a sister, I can't resist her. Red beans and rice didn't miss her. Some knucklehead tried to diss, 'cause his girls are on my list” Brushing imaginary dust off his shoulders Feliks continued, “He had game but he chose to hit 'em, and I pull up quick to get wit 'em.”

"Little in the middle but she got much back!" They sang the last part in unison, and the whole seedy performance, thankfully came to an end.
Feliks mock bowed as the song came to a close, standing up to gesture to Dee and clap for her. She bowed elegantly, both were laughing as Felix mock tipped his invisible hat and the two hopped off the stage.