~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
"Are you ready to go?" Ashley asked George, taking a glance at him.
"As ready as I'll ever be!" He said smiling. Ashley looked at herself in the mirror.
"Whoa, hold on, I gotta fix this." She snapped her fingers, and her horns disappeared. "There. Maybe when Halloween rolls around next time, but not tonight!" Turned around to George. "I'll meet you there. I can't get in through the front doors 'cause I don't have a ticket, but I will blink in....there's always a place for me at a David Sanborn concert!" She smiled and winked. George sighed and walked out the door, making sure it locked behind him. Then he walked out the door and got in the elevator.
A short 30 minutes later, he was well on his way to finding his place. Sanborn was playing at a very hip New York club. George found a table and sat down, a little self-conscious seeing that everyone had a date pretty much. But then Ashley blinked in, and he smiled.
"'Ello, luv!" He greeted her. She smiled.
"Hey, George. I love this place. I come here a lot in my spare time. David is like the God of all saxophone players! You'll love it! And also, there is this little thing I forgot to mention to you." George looked up. He didn't like the sound of that.
"Forgot to mention?" He asked.
"Well...yeah. See, you kinda...hafta...play tonight."
"PLAY?! What do you mean I have to play tonight? I can hardly play Mary Had a Little Lamb." Ashley smiled warmly.
"You can do it. I know you can. Here is the thing. You have to play the encore. Don't worry about it, you'll do fine. I am with you, remember? You can't mess up!" George wasn't so sure, but he had to take Ashley's word for it,.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
John tossed his few belongings into a paper bag, seeing as he didn't really
have much to his name here in 2000. All around him the boys were getting
ready to head out, but John knew he couldn't go. He stood by the door,
waiting for someone to notice him.
"John, you alright?" Lars asked, hauling a bursting suitcase over his left
shoulder.
"Well, not really, since you asked." He replied soberly.
"What is it, mates?" The other three Metallica gathered round to hear what
John had to say.
"Thing is...I know that I said I'd join the band, and everything...but...I'm
afraid I just can't go with you."
"What??"
"Why not, John??"
"Well, I've got friends here, and I just can't leave. You don't need me.
You've hit the big time already, you don't need me to hold you down." The
four looked at him, eyes wide. James was the first to speak.
"Well, if that's the way it's going to be, I guess it *is* your choice." He
said quietly, looking at the floor.
"Yea. It's not our place to make you stay with us. I promise, we won't let
Jason kidnap you again!" Lars joked half-heartedly. John laughed softly.
"Thanks, lads." He gave each of them a small hug, then they went their
separate ways.
@@@@
Ringo collapsed in Central Park, out of breath from running and from trying
to hold back his frustrated tears. Here, with no Candy or Clint or anyone,
he let loose, crying unabashedly in the darkness beneath a large elm.
"Goddamn it, why did you have to do this to me??" He cried softly, looking
to the stars. He was starting to wish he had never met that scientist, never
time traveled, never met Candy, or Clint, or Sam.
"I hope you're not sorry you met me," A voice said quietly. Ringo turned his
tear-strained face to the source of the voice, and seeing Lucy, her face
half-darkened with black shadows, started to cry even harder.
"No, I'm not, but my life is so damn complicated now. Oh, Luce! Why did you
have to do this to us? The Beatles are brothers, can't you see? We're
helpless without each other!" Lucy approached slowly, her boots crunching
softly in the grass.
"Ringo, there's a reason for everything." She answered softly, her Oakleys
hiding all emotion. Ringo wondered briefly why she wore her sunglasses in
the middle of the night.
"But this?? This is terrible! These have been the worst days of my entire
life! You don't understand!" He cried, standing up and angrily brushing
himself off with stiff, quick motions of his shaking hands. Lucy turned
away, trying to hide her hurt.
"I'm...I'm sorry." She whispered. Ringo softened, moving to put his hands on
her shoulders. She stepped away quickly at his touch, as if it burned her.
"If I mean nothing to you but pain, then I'll be on my way. You clearly
don't need me anymore. I'll let Ashley know and she can keep an eye out for
you."
"But, I didn't mean it like that..." Ringo reached for her, but grasped
nothing but air. "Lucy, damnit, you're all I have left!" He looked up to the
sky, fresh tears springing to his blue eyes.
"Now I've got nothing."
@@@@
Paul continued to stare at the sky, repeating his question. "Where do I
belong? Not here, obviously, but where?"
"The loony bin, no doubt, ya quack!" came a rough but familiar voice from
behind him. He sat up abruptly, peering into the darkness, trying
frantically to place the voice. "Who...who's there??"
"It's Doctor Robert, take a sip from me magic cup..."
"Ashley, if that's you, this isn't funny!"
"RAAAAAHHHH!" The voice howled, running at him and leaping over the bench.
Paul screamed for all he was worth as a huge black blob set upon him. It
quickly covered his mouth, stifling his cries.
"Shaddup, will ya? It's me! Johnny!" John stepped back, removing his hand.
"John!" Paul hugged John unashamedly, and John reluctantly hugged back.
"Well, I never knew ye cared, son..." John smiled brightly, holding Paul at
arm's length.
"C'mon, lad, let's find George and Ringo."
@@@@
George sat nervously, fidgeting constantly through the entire concert.
Ashley poked him often, whispering sharply to settle down and relax. But how
could he? He had no idea what he was doing! She was going to put him up
on stage after this master of the sax and have him play in his amateur,
squeaky way?
The audience applauded loudly, a standing ovation as David Sanborn
bowed modestly, waving. The crowd sat down
again, chanting for an encore.
"That's your cue, luv!" Ashley dragged him up towards the stage, ignoring
his protests. He was handed a saxophone, then Ashley shoved him on stage. He was accustomed to his inexpensive, student model horn...and this was a big, expensive professional model Yamaha.
He
felt a little spark, then heard her say, "Play Tequila like you've never
played before!!"
George stood there for a moment, paralyzed. The audience quieted down,
waiting patiently. George's nervous eyes darted left and right. He spotted
Ashley, and she gave him the thumbs-up. Then, he looked into the back row.
John and Paul waved frantically, grinning like madmen.
He grinned from ear to ear, waving back. With renewed confidence, he slipped
the mouthpiece between his wetted lips, and played like there was no
tomorrow.
George's entire performance was perfect. Not a single mistake, not the
tiniest of squeaks; flawless, smooth, and perfect. Damn fine tone quality as well. He winked at Ashley as he
took a bow to uproarious applause. John and Paul whistled loudly from the
back row. George wondered briefly how they had gotten in, then remembered
that Ashley looked over Paul, too, and John was good friends with Lucy. They
probably got their tickets from them. He bowed a few more times, then
trotted off the stage. Immediately he was approached by a flood of people.
"Lad, you've got talent! How would like to record for us?"
"No, no, boy! Ignore that man! You want to sign with *us*!"
"Forget them! It's our company you'd want to play for!"
George waved them all to be silent. "I'm not signing for anyone." He
declared, winking in John and Paul's direction. "I've already got a
life-long contract with those two lads over there," He said, pointing to
John and Paul. The various men grumbled angrily, mumbling to themselves
about lost recording deals. George ran over to John and Paul after returning
the saxophone he had borrowed for the show. "'Ey, lads! Long time no see!"
"George, that was incredible!" John smacked him on the back a few times.
Paul just stood there, beaming.
"That's our George!" George grinned, then looked for Ashley. She saw him,
winking and nodding, then headed over to chat with David Sanborn.
"Where's Ringo then?" George asked, turning to the other two as they headed
out into the cool city streets.
"He's got a gig tonight! Off we go!"
@@@@
Ringo wearily returned to the studio, feeling utterly tired, dead, and
completely alone. Lucy had left him all alone, and she was the only friend
he had left in this cold unfeeling city. John, Paul, and George had probably
forgotten about him by now, judging by how he'd been voted off in the very
beginning. Who was he kidding. No one cared about him anymore; he'd just
hurt the only one who had.
Ringo trudged into the studio, throwing his coat down on the floor. He
looked up, turning on the lights. His mouth dropped open in utter
astonishment.
The entire studio was filled with flowers.
Ringo had a flashback to when he had left the Beatles once during the
recording of the White Album; he had returned to find his drum kit swathed in
bouquets and notes of apology. He walked around the room, smelling each
bunch, reading the cards of apology from Clint, Sam, and Candy especially.
"Hope we got this fact right." Candy and the other two stepped out from
behind a table full of flowers, small, timid smiles on their faces. Ringo
turned quickly, a smile spreading across his face.
"Yea. Yea, you did." Candy ran up to give him a hug, and for once, he hugged
back. Clint and Sam both shook his hand, telling him how glad they were that
he came back.
"Ready to play, lads?"
@@@@
Lucy collapsed on the couch, sobbing her eyes out. Ringo was having the
worst week of his life, and it was all her fault. He hated her now, and
there was nothing she could do about it. She cursed the day she ever saw his
beautiful blue eyes...
Ashley popped in, looking very self-satisfied. "Well, that went as well as
could be expected." Then Ashley noticed Lucy.
"Oh, Lucy!" She rushed over, sitting next to her friend on the couch.
"What's wrong? What's happened??"
"Ringo hates me! I'm never going to look at him again..." Lucy bawled into
the couch cushion. Ashley rubbed her shoulders reassuringly.
"Now, dear, tell Ashley what happened." Lucy relayed the entire tearful
story, and by the end, Ashley looked like she might burst into tears.
"Oh, Lucy! You poor thing..." Ashley hugged her tightly, trying to calm her
down. When Lucy's sobs finally quieted, Ashley let her go, standing up. She
walked over to the crystal ball.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to call Ringo."
"I don't want to talk to him."
"Lucy, he's calling you! Can't you hear him?"
"No." Lucy lay out on the couch, trying to gain control of her feelings. "I
told him you would watch over him." Ashley stared at her, mouth agape.
"You can't do that!"
"Oh, but I did. If you want, I'll watch over Paul. I don't ever want to see
Ringo again." With that said, Lucy rolled over, her back to Ashley, cutting
off all conversation.
@@@@
"Lucy, where are you??" Ringo stared up at the night sky. He was standing
outside the back door of the club. "I'm on in five. I want to apologize!"
"She doesn't want to see you." Ringo whirled around, seeing Ashley leaning
up against a lamppost. He just stared at her, mouth open.
"What?"
"You heard me. You hurt her a lot, y'know." Ashley stood up, straightening
her skirt. She walked over to Ringo slowly.
"I thought she could hear if I was calling, and..."
"Not anymore. Do you have any idea how much you've hurt her, Richard
Starkey? So much that she's turned over your responsibility to me. She can't
hear you, and you can only talk to her if she wants to talk to you, and I
got the impression she never wants to see you again."
Ringo's eyes burned, threatening to fill with tears yet again. "But...I want
to apologize..."
"The only way you can talk to her now is through me."
"Can you tell her...tell her...I'm sorry?" He whispered, almost inaudibly.
Ashley nodded once, curtly, then with a snap of her fingers, disappeared,
and Ringo was left alone once again.
@@@@@@
"No, I won't I won't I won't! I mean...how could he...I mean...I just don't UNDERSTAND!!!" Lucy cried. "I did everything for him. I was with him all the time. He is NOT going to brush me aside like I am some kind of PAWN in his game of life!!! You know, there is such a thing as feelings, and I don't care if he is mortal and I am an angel, he HURT my feelings worse than anyone has ever before. He KILLED me inside, Ashley. He might as well have put a gun to my head and shot me....I could have just died again. Not that it would have mattered to him!" Lucy rambled on.
"Luce...I really think he is sorry. I mean, I think he is sincerely sorry. He had a lot on his mind, and you were just there to unload. Now he feels alone, with no one to turn to. And I don't know what to tell him....he hates me for God's sake. He wants you. Not me. So, I am handing my power back to you."
"NO!! I don't want it back."
"LUCY, FOR GOD'S SAKE START ACTING LIKE A MATURE ANGEL!! You can't just hand your responsibilities over to me! I have my own stuff to do! He is your responsibility!"
"NO! I don't want him, no, no, I don't want him!!"
"Do you want his case turned over to the Superior Angels? They can't help him like you can. He needs you...and you need him, so go. I am going too...but you have to go." Lucy stood up and glared at Ashley.
"I do NOT have to go. I thought you were my friend!"
"I am your friend. And I know that if you don't go tonight, you are messing up something that was meant to be...and I don't care what you say, he loves you from the bottom of his heart, and you need to let him know! Because I know you, Lucy, and I know you don't give up that easily. So just go....GO!" Lucy crossed her arms.
"I can't do it. I can't face him after what he said to me! Don't you understand?"
"Yes, I do. Remember...what was it...a couple days ago? With GEORGE? He hurt me just as bad...he blamed John's death on me, but that wasn't my fault, was it? Come on, he loves you...and I'll be DAMNED if I am going to stand here and watch this deteriorate. Lucy...come on!" She picked Lucy up.
"NO NO!!! I AM NOT GOING!!!"
"Oh yes you are! You are going now!!!!"
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
"So, you think you can go
Well, that's alright with me
I'm okay I'm okay I'm okay
I said that's alright with me
You threw me down
and expected me to get up
brush myself off
well I am telling you now
I'm okay I'm okay I'm okay..." Candy sang into the microphone. Ringo hated to play so half-heartedly, but he didn't know what else to do. Half of him was missing....the part of him he wanted to see more than anything. But what could he do to bring Lucy to him? He had lost all contact with her. All he could do was talk through Ashley. And he wasn't too sure about the reliability of Ashley. Ringo played through the song as optimistically as he could. He didn't see the other three Beatles walk in. They stood in the very back and watched the band. Ringo also didn't see the record executive that was standing about 5 feet away from the stage. He didn't see the his wide smile, or the dollar signs that lit up his eyes. All he saw was this black, desolate, fog over his heart, and he didn't care. He just wanted to get his mission over with, and then he wanted to go back to the '60's and pretend like nothing had ever happened.
They finished the song, and Ringo managed to plaster on a fake smile. He sighed. They had only just begun.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
"I will NEVER forgive you for this! NEVER!!" Lucy screamed at Ashley as they neared the club.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
"How...."John's voice trailed off as he watched his drummer rip it up on stage playing the guitar.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
Ringo was feeling sorrier and sorrier every minute. He missed Lucy... he had had no desire to ever make her feel so wrong, or ever deliver a message that she wasn't important to him. He went down to the bar and ordered a drink. He sat down, and buried his head in his arm. He thought he heard John and Paul's voice, but he realized how completely daft he was thinking. He was hearing voices now? Oh well, that was just wonderful.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
Ringo played like never before. He felt SO GOOD! Candy was finally leaving
him alone, the Beatles are back, Sporadic was going places, and Lucy...ahh,
Lucy. He looked over, and, seeing the three Beatles and their two friends
dancing, winked at Lucy. She smiled and waved, then turned back to the
group, dancing ecstatically. Ringo thought she looked so good dancing; how
he wished to be down there dancing with her! He was having trouble
concentrating. At this thought, Ringo blushed and suddenly took much
interest in his guitar strings, smiling to himself.
As the last strains of the song died out, Ringo stepped up to the
microphone, clearing his throat loudly. The crowd died down, listening
intently.
@@@@
Ashley buried her nose in George's soft sweater, sighing with contentment.
They danced slowly to the beautiful song that Ringo had written for Lucy, no
doubt. George softly sang the chorus into her ear.
@@@@
Paul and John stood off the floor a ways, watching the goings on.
@@@@
"Mates:
Sorry to be leaving at such short notice; you don't need me, honestly.
You'll do fine on your own. I've gone to rejoin me old band.
He dropped it on the floor, fists clutched in rage.
@@@@
Ringo looked over the crowd as the song ended. Paul had found a rather
attractive girl to keep him company, while John sat at the bar watching the
people on the dance floor. Ashley and George were...busy...and Lucy was
sitting at the bar, alone, with a tequila. Ringo eagerly left the stage
after the song, waving to the cheering crowd. He sat down next to Lucy with
a breath of relief. @@@@
John sat, secretly wishing for someone to dance with. Ringo and
Lucy...George and Ashley...Paul and...someone... He sighed.
"Shut your mouth. You have to look good. Come on, you can't go in looking like that!" Lucy was shivering. She had on her angel robe, which was not best for the frigid winter air. Ashley snapped her fingers, and Lucy was wearing tight black leather pants and a red 3-quarter-sleeved shirt. She had on black high heeled boots, and her once disheveled hair was now elegantly perched on top of her head, along with her Oakleys. She glared at Ashley.
"I look like a whore," she said plainly.
"No you don't. You look extravagant, and you just don't want to admit it. Now come on."
"You just snapped your fingers for God's Sake!"
"-and you are going in. So come on." Ashley snapped her fingers again, and they were inside the club.
"But.....But it took me YEARS to play like that!" George protested, watching him.
"Yeah...go Ringo," Paul said, his eyes locked on Ringo.
"They are behind this! I KNOW they are behind this," John said.
"Oh, I know they are too. You don't think I can really play the saxophone well, do you?" George asked, a smile playing his lips jovially.
"Well, I am �appy for �im! I mean...'e is just playing so...well...I am amazed!"
"Of course we were behind it, you twits! Just goes to show you right from the beginning- why would I give ANY of you a magical guitar if you already knew how to play the guitar? You've gotta be quick, boys! Being observant isn't a bad thing!" Said a chipper voice from behind.
"Ashley!" George and Paul said at the same time. George looked suspiciously over to Paul who didn't seem to notice.
"Hello, everyone! How's Ringo doing?"
"Well! He's doing very well!" Paul said.
"Lucy? FOR GOD'S SAKE get your ARSE over here NOW!!!" Ashley yelled at Lucy, who turned around. She had put her glasses down in front of her eyes. "She's not feeling well..." Ashley shook her head and dragged Lucy to where she was standing.
"H-hey guys," Lucy said quietly.
"Lucy? Are you alright?" John asked quietly. But Lucy wasn't paying attention. She was staring at the stage. She was staring at Ringo...and Candy. Candy was hugging Ringo...Ringo was hugging back...no.
"I'll...I'll....I'll KILL her!!!" Lucy burst out. Ashley grabbed a hold of her just in time before she sent herself sprawling up to the stage.
"LUCY! You can't do that!! Do you want another Angel offence for God's sake? And this one won't be a mini-offence! You'll get an offence for starting a fight with a mortal...like I have...well...actually, starting the fight is a little worse. You can't do that!" Lucy hung her head.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asked, on the verge of tears. The other three Beatles stood in shock, not knowing what to say. "WHY did you bring me here, Ashley? you TELL me WHY you thought it would be so FUNNY to see me in pain?"
"You think I am doing this for enjoyment? Damnit, Lucy, you are my FRIEND! WHY would I bring you here to hurt you? If you don't make amends with Ringo, you will never forgive yourself; I know you won't. And not only that, but I will have to hear about it for the rest of my eternity. About how you messed up with Ringo. So, please...do it for your sanity...and remember my sanity while you are doing it!" Lucy smiled a little.
"Fine...I'll wait for a break.." Ashley nodded.
"Hey, boys, how about some drinks?" she asked.
"ASHLEY! DO you remember what happened last time you drank?!"
"Lucy, relax. At least I am not taking marijuana again!! Besides, drinking is a mini-mini offence....and you can do it every six months! Well, it's been over a year, and I need some alcohol, so kindly step aside!" Lucy sighed and shook her head. Ashley was the most stubborn person she had ever met in her life....or her eternal life for that matter. Ashley tried to buy drinks for everyone, but George wouldn't let her.
"Fine, you waste your money...I can get whatever you want but NO....you have to be a gentlemen about it, well fine, see if I care!" George winked and kissed her hand, which made Ashley smile.
"You can buy if you want, you know!" Lucy sat at the bar and watched Ringo. He looked so good under the hot stage lights. She could tell he was in deep thought, trying to do everything at once.
"We'll take a 15 minute break and be back!"
"Alright," Lucy thought. "Here's my chance."
"You know, I really admired your performance up there..." a young feminine voice said from somewhere beside him.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"You looked kinda preoccupied up there," she said, persisting with the questions.
"I was," he answered quietly.
"Missing someone special?"
"Yes, so very much...I hurt her...I didn't mean to...and I am so sorry...but she's gone now," Ringo said, feeling even worse.
"I bet if you look harder, she'll turn up somewhere."
Ringo raised his head.
"I don't- LUCY!!!!!" she smiled wanly.
"Hello, Ringo."
"Lucy!! Oh my God, Lucy, I am so sorry...I am so sorry, I don't know how to tell you! I was so wrong, I didn't mean a thing I said! Oh, I missed you and I love you and-" he stopped when he realized what he'd said. He looked into her eyes, and her tears began to fall. "I love you." She nodded and said something hardly audible, but Ringo knew what she meant. He hugged her tightly, and planted a sweet kiss on her lips. Ashley stood by in the shadows, watching the reunion. She felt a tap on her back, and she turned around to see George.
"Did you do that?" He asked.
"Me? No, I didn't do that. I just set it up, 'cause Lucy was kinda paralyzed for a while." George smiled.
"You set that up?"
"Well, yes, but I don't want to take cred-" He cut her off with a kiss. When they broke apart, she smiled.
"You have to quit doing that! You always cut me off in the middle of my sentence!" She said with laugh. Paul and John stood back, amazed at what they had missed.
"So you two...and them two...and..I don't get it?" John said.
"Yeah, kinda," Ashley answered.
"Come on, Rich! we're going back up!" Clint said. Then he got a glimpse of everyone standing around.
"These are...your friends?" Candy came up behind him.
"Oh Lord almighty!" Ringo smiled.
"I'd like you to meet John, Paul, George, Lucy, and Ashley." Candy's mouth hung agape.
"John...George...Paul...Ringo...Good Lord, you ARE the Beatles!" Ringo smiled.
"Come 'ead, we've got a show to finish!" Ringo gave Lucy a last kiss, and then they took the stage. Lucy walked back to where Ashley was standing.
"Did I mention that I *told* you we should come?" Lucy said.
"WHAT? Uh-uh, I don't care what you say, you little freak, you didn't want to come, and you aren't going to pretend like you did! Oh no, you are not!" Lucy smiled.
"Thank you," she said. Ashley smiled.
"Hey, what was I supposed to do? Now, do you want your powers back? 'cause Ringo keeps sending me messages that say 'I love you' and you know, I just don't think they are meant for me!" She smiled, and Ashley handed Ringo responsibilities back to Lucy. She smiled.
"OH my GOD, who IS this BAND?! Their guitarist is CUTE!" Lucy whirled around.
"How in bloody HELL did SHE get in here?" She asked. Because standing right before her, in this very popular New York club, was Britney Spears.
"Oh my God, Your Out fit is SO cute! Can I have it?" She asked Lucy.
"No you can't have it!" Lucy said. "And you can't have the guitarist, either." Ashley stood back in the shadows, cursing Britney out.
"Hey, who are you?" Britney asked George.
"*Cough*DIE WHORE DIE!!!!!!*cough*" Ashley yelled from the shadows, making sure not to aim it at anyone particular so that she wouldn't get an offence.
"I-I'm hers," George said, pointing.
"She won't mind if we-"
"OH YES I WILL!!!!!!" Ashley said. "I know you. I watch you. I know what you did with Justin Timberlake of NSYNC, I know you have done the dirty with every Backstreet Boy, and I know you have banged a couple of them from the Rolling Stones, which is how you got the rights to the song for your new album!! So you keep your hands off of my man, 'cause I've got connections, baby, oh yeah, I've got connections, and I can turn your sugar coated world upside down." Britney narrowed her eyes.
<"Tomorrow night at 7?" She asked George expectantly.
"Well, actually, I-"
"If I weren't bound by law, I would be kicking your ass hard, understood? However, I am bound by a strong law that prevents me to do that, unless I want to go to hell. So, you're just going to have to be a good whore and go steal someone else's man!" Ashley was mad. Lucy was laughing at the whole situation.
"Okay, I'll see you then." Britney scurried off to her security guards, whom she probably slept with more than once.
"Something tells me that won't be the last time I see her," George said, scowling at her.
"They are fake you know," Ashley said.
"Fake?" George asked, confused.
"Oh, I could tell," John said, jumping in.
"Complete fakeness. It doesn't get much more fake than that." Ashley and John laughed while George stood confused. Then they all turned and watched Sporadic's performance, which only got stronger as they went along. Ashley smiled and leaned her head on George's shoulder. Lucy watched Ringo, hearing every message that he sent to her. For awhile, it felt just like a happy ending.
"Uhm...hullo, everyone. Thanks ever so much for listenin' to our band
tonight. We'd like to finish our performance with a little song I wrote
called 'To Heaven and Back'. I hope you like it." Ringo stepped back,
winking at Lucy, who returned his gaze with a confused smile. Candy returned
to her spot at the microphone. Ringo started the song with a few mellow
notes, the song clearly a slow one, and Clint, Sam and Candy followed his
lead.
"You left me
or so it seems
You walked right out cos I was so cruel
I didn't know what you mean
To me
But I kept my pride
And hoped and waited
For you to return to my side
Lonely days and lonely nights
Waiting for you to come back
But little did I know, oh no
You've been to Heaven and back."
Ringo played a few solo bars, gazing at Lucy. She looked so beautiful in the
dim lights. He could almost see her halo above her perfectly done hair.
"To Heaven and back
That's not so bad
To Heaven and back
I never knew what I had
Until I lost you
Little did I know
You're too good to me
I hope I always show
How good that I can be
I'm so sorry"
"To heaven and back, that's not so bad. To heaven and back,
I never knew
what I had, until I lost you..." He sang the high note, his voice cracking
comically. Ashley laughed softly, hugging him tight. He tilted her chin up,
and they kissed softly. He gazed into her blue eyes.
"Ashley, you're an angel."
"No, really?" She teased.
"No, I mean it!" He kissed her again, then they continued to dance. Ashley
was in paradise.
"My God. Our two mates have fallen in love with angels." Paul shook his
head, chuckling. "This is not something you see everyday."
"And Ringo on that guitar! I think he plays better than I do!" John stared
in astonishment. "That's not something I had ever expected. He's doing
incredibly well." Paul silently agreed, nodding his head.
"Hello there." A catty voice said. John turned around, but Paul wasn't
paying attention. John beheld a rather slutty looking young woman in very
tight clothing.
"Say, you're that Britney cat, aren't you?" John asked, slightly nervously.
Britney slid her hand across his chest, giving him a look he wasn't too
sure he liked.
"Maybe." John raised one eyebrow, drawing himself up to his full height,
wrinkling his nose. She stood in front of him, hand on her hip, other hand
draped over his shoulder. She stuck out her chest, and John tried his best
to concentrate on keeping his eyes above her neckline.
"Uhm...riiiight...well, I uh..."
"You're John Lennon, aren't you? I'm a big fan."
"I'm dead, y'know."
"Oh, that's ok." John wasn't sure if she was inebriated or just stupid. He
wagered on both.
"I'm a big fan," She repeated.
"Uh, I doubt that. Name one song of mine." Britney seemed to search for a
moment, then sighed in frustration.
"Never mind. Wanna dance, hon?"
"Not really..." John replied truthfully, backing up against the wall, hoping
Paul would notice his predicament and come to help. At this point, Lucy
looked over, and John shot her a pleading look. She winked and came over.
"NO, he DOESN'T want to dance." Lucy said, stepping in between Britney and
John, removing her hand from his shoulder with a smack. Britney looked
put-off for a moment, meeting Lucy's stony glare with a half-hearted growl.
John snickered quietly into his hand. Britney shrugged, then walked off,
shaking her ass like no tomorrow. John breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks,
luv. Now THAT was scary..."
"Yea, you'd best stay away from her. She's...she's..." Lucy searched for an
appropriate saying. "...been around the block a few times." John laughed as
Lucy made her way back to the dance floor. He turned to talk to Paul, but
noticed that he had taken a rather nice looking brunette out on the dance
floor. He laughed to himself, then took a seat at the bar, ordering a beer.
"Oh, my God...he DIDN'T!!!!"
"He did." Justin waved the slip of paper in Jeff's face. "Read it and weep."
Jeff unfolded the paper slowly, reading it aloud with troubled eyes.
Best of luck,
~Paul."
"NO ONE walks out on 98 Degrees..." His eyes narrowed menacingly.
"No one."
Making sure no one was looking, Lucy snapped up a towel,
and Ringo dried his face. "Thanks, luv."
"No, thank you! That song was...beautiful." She gazed at him, and he leaned
in to kiss her. Someone snapped a picture, and the two turned quickly enough
to catch a glimpse of Clint racing off with a Polaroid camera. Ringo excused
himself and shot off into the crowd. Lucy laughed, sipping her drink. Sam
swaggered up.
"Hello there, cutie." He said, trying to act very macho.
"Uhm...hello..." She responded, raising one eyebrow suspiciously. He smiled
in a very cheesy fashion. Lucy stifled a laugh.
"You come here often?"
'That is the worst pick-up line ever...' Lucy thought to herself before
answering. "Well, no, not really..."
At this point a breathless Ringo returned, holding a sheepish-looking,
almost-as-breathless Clint by his collar. "Give it up, lad." Ringo
commanded. Clint smiled meekly, then handed Lucy a very cute picture of
Ringo and herself kissing.
"Thanks, Clint," She said winking. "I'll put this up in my room."
Ringo looked at Sam suspiciously. "And what are YOU doing, mister?"
"Uh...nothing..." Sam said quickly, standing up and hastily walking off.
Clint followed as soon as Ringo released him. Ringo sat down next to Lucy,
leaning in again.
"Now, where were we?"
"What's the matter, hon?" John turned slowly, frightened that he'd find that
evil Britney chick. To his surprise, he found a slightly short,
magenta-coifed, attractive young lady. She stuck out her hand. "Candy. Say,
aren't you Ringo's friend."
"That would be me, yea." John responded, shaking her hand and warming up to
her. She smiled evilly.
"He's Ringo, there?" She pointed to Ringo. John nodded, not grasping the
situation.
"Yea, that's our little vertically challenged drummer. Nice lad, 'e is."
Candy smiled.
"Wanna dance?" She asked, motioning to the dance floor. John gulped down the
last of his beer, standing up somewhat shakily due to his few drinks.
"Sure."
~~**~~**Chapter 7**~~**~~
~~**~~**index**~~**~~