~* The After-Party *~ “I wanted to talk to Nik–ole a second,” he corrected himself rather quickly, speaking in a markedly quiet tone. I didn’t buy it, but I didn’t have to. Nicole placed her hand on Allison’s shoulder. “Ally, it’s okay.” She stepped closer, staring him in the eye. “Look, we were never all that close. You and I both know there was nothing between us. I tried to be the girlfriend you wanted me to be, but it was all an act. I love Robin-” Before she could continue, Shadow’s stage character voice interrupted in a sharp hiss. “Is this fool bothering you?”

---

Author's Note:
Sorry this one's a bit short, but I wanted to cover the after-party as its own mini-chapter and bring back some plot elements that were introduced in an earlier chapter before going forward; plus I'm in the process of migrating to a new PC, so I didn't know when I'd be able to properly post again ;-)

Theoretically it shouldn't be a problem, but computers are sneaky beasts.

~Zoe

---

As I escorted Nicole back into the audience, a new round of cheers and screams followed in our wake, nearly eclipsing the actual performance still going on-stage. Shadowfang glanced down at us with a wink and a brief smile as we approached the stage again, even as Allison, Jennifer, and the others rushed over. I had been so occupied with the show that I hadn’t even realized the girls from Cabin Thirteen had been in the audience the whole time as well. Natalie wrapped Nicole in a hug, followed quickly by Rachel, even as I stepped back.

“Rachel! Nat!” Nicole bubbled.

“Happy Birthday!” they responded in unison, Rachel adding, “Robin made sure we knew ahead of time; we’re just sorry we couldn’t help plan it. Oh, we left your presents at your house.”

“Oooh. Wha’dja get me?” she said teasingly, but I could hear the excitedness in her tone.

“Now, now,” Natalie chided, “No spoiling the surprise!”

Maria and Chelsea approached a moment later, the former adding, “Holy Mother of God, Nikki. Wha’d Scarlet say to you? That was the most epic thing I’ve ever seen!”

Nicole started blushing again. “Um… She wants me to come backstage after the concert so we can talk more. Apparently they… think I’ve got some talent.”

“Wait, you mean…”

She laughed, quickly correcting that assumption, “Oh no, nothing like that! No, I’m not THAT good. Not yet anyway.”

Chelsea rolled her eyes, “Oh please! That was amazing. You had their bassist sweating!”

The playful banter continued for another couple of minutes, and as the music ended, Scarlet actually skipped to center stage, turning to face the audience. Demona Rose and Shadowfang flanked her a moment later. She turned her head, grinning at each respectively, and after winking at Nicole, she held up her hands.

“It is time, sisters dear, to cast our magic upon these mortals. And to you whom have summoned us here tonight,” she pointed a delicate finger directly at us, continuing in a mysterious and ominous tone, “I wish you each interesting times.”

At their cue, Demona and Shadow stepped back again and started up their next song. The slow rhythm almost like a funeral march also had something of a romantic, if dark, macabre twist on romance, to it. Nicole squeezed my hand, pulling me to the center of the dance floor where the crowd backed away in a circle. A red-filtered spotlight fell on us, and I thought I caught a glimpse of Rita grinning at us from the backstage access door. Taking our cue, I put my arms around Nicole and let her lead me in the last dance.

This was Nicole’s special, perfect night, but I couldn’t help losing myself in it as well. I closed my eyes as the music stole us away, and for a moment the rest of the world melted into darkness. Right here, right now, only we mattered.

When the music ended, I looked up to see the band now gone, the false curtain restored, and the lights back to their fullest. Nicole giggled as she squeezed me close.

“Ready to go meet the band?” she asked enthusiastically.

“I thought they wanted to talk to you?”

“Well, they do, but you’re honorary members, so it’s okay.” She had a point. I grabbed her hand, and as we made our way toward the backstage access grabbed Jennifer, who in-turn got Allison’s attention. It seemed unusually dark backstage, though, like someone forgot to turn on several lights. I could still see a familiar form in the dim light though, and I didn’t like it.

“Jason?” Nicole scowled on seeing her ex-boyfriend loitering backstage. He didn’t seem his normal self, though. He shuffled nervously as he approached us.

“Hi Nikki.”

“NICOLE to you pal,” she snapped. “You lost your ‘Nikki’ privileges when you attacked Robin.”

He frowned, staring between us. I didn’t say a word. I made things worse the last time we met, and he already knew I could take him down if he provoked me. He kept his distance though.

“What the hell are you doing back here anyway?” Allison barked defensively as she stepped between Nicole and Jason.

“I wanted to talk to Nik–ole a second,” he corrected himself rather quickly, speaking in a markedly quiet tone. I didn’t buy it, but I didn’t have to. Nicole placed her hand on Allison’s shoulder.

“Ally, it’s okay.” She stepped closer, staring him in the eye. “Look, we were never all that close. You and I both know there was nothing between us. I tried to be the girlfriend you wanted me to be, but it was all an act. I love Robin-”

Before she could continue, Shadow’s stage character voice interrupted in a sharp hiss. “Is this fool bothering you?”

Jason spun around, coming face to face with all four members of Heedless Despair, Shadow leading the pack, but they were all scowling at him. His eyes grew wide and he tried to back away, stumbling into Allison in the process. He fell backwards, scrambling back to his feet and practically sprinting out the door.

Shadow narrowed her deep, hazel eyes, cracking a grin. It became quickly apparent she was doing all she could not to start laughing. Solace giggled to herself as the mummy-wrapped bassist motioned for us to follow. Nicole grabbed her bass case, hurrying to catch up to the band, with us following along behind her.

“So what was that about?” she asked, as the four led us down the corridor. Nicole sighed.

“That was my ex boyfriend. Long story short, the guy’s an irrational, arrogant jerk. I’ve never seen him act so nervous though.”

“Was that before or after Shadow made him wet himself?” Demona giggled, causing us all to laugh as Nicole responded.

“Before. It’s like he wasn’t himself.”

Shadow mused as she came to a halt outside a heavy wooden door, turning back to us. “Guess I shouldn’t have scared him off, then. Alright girls, this is the green room. We don’t normally allow people back here with us that aren’t family, but we’re making an exception for you guys.”

Nicole blinked, staring at her. “Um… Not that I’m not really, really excited and honored, but why us?”

Shadow chuckled to herself. “Because you remind me of a younger me.” She pushed the door open, motioning for us to follow, even as the other three band members entered. Demona made a bee-line for the other side of the room, and as we entered, we could see why. She may have been all teasing and flirty with Nicole on-stage, but it seemed she had someone waiting for her off-stage. She wrapped her arms around a tall, well-built man with long, jet black hair pulled into a tight ponytail, and after a long kiss, turned back to us, smiling wryly.

Shadow rolled her eyes. “Oh get a room you two.”

Demona smiled smugly. “Maybe later.”

Meanwhile Nicole seemed to still be reeling from Shadow’s comment. She stepped around in front of the bassist. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, and I didn’t have time to really try and pick any of it up, as Scarlet had by now set her attention on me, walking around me slowly.

“That is a really nice dress. You didn’t strike me as the Romantigoth type though.” She grinned as I turned back to face her. I blushed a little.

“It was a gift from one of Nikki’s friends, actually. I told her I wanted to make Nikki’s birthday perfect,” I proceeded to explain how the whole little sub-event had come about, but I couldn’t help noticing out of the corner of my eye that Nicole looked like she was about to cry again. She smiled, hugging Shadow, who held her in a close hug for several seconds in response.

Jennifer and Allison had gravitated to chatting with Demona and her boyfriend, meanwhile Scarlet and I talked for a little while longer.

“So, Nikki and … Ally, was it?” she asked. I nodded, “are musicians. What about Jennifer and yourself?”

“Ahhhh no,” I giggled. “Jen might be, but I have no musical talent at all.”

“Ah, that’s a shame. You guys have the kind of chemistry that works well for what we do. You have to really, really like each other to spend several months out of a year on a cramped up bus or private jet with each other.”

“So, um… Not to violate your stage life-private life boundary, but did you guys know each other long before you became the Queens of darkness?”

Shadow laughed as she glanced over at us. “Demona, Scarlet and Solace have been together for years. They only ‘summoned’ me up when they formed Heedless Despair. They needed a bassist, and I needed to eat.”

Demona added, “We acquired her services, she gets all the free, delicious young souls she can handle. It’s a win-win.”

Shadow snickered impishly as she turned back to Nicole. “Anyway, are you okay?”

Nicole nodded. “Yeah… Not even Jason can ruin tonight. Thank you so much for coming.”

Shadow genuinely smiled, even as the other three approached as well. “You’re welcome. I’ve never had someone call me their hero. I guess I just had to meet you for myself. Unlike these guys,” she motioned to the others, “I’m still getting used to being famous. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but … Well, let’s just say you made my night too.” She smiled, even as Nicole giggled.

“Anyway, we should get out of your way so you can change and get out of here before someone important tries to sneak back here. I guess I’ll see you guys again in a couple of weeks?”

Shadow stared in confusion for a moment before realization washed over her features. “Oh, you’re coming to that private Halloween party?”

Nicole laughed, “Um… Close. It’s kind of at my house.”

Shadow turned to look at Scarlet, who nodded. “I told you that already, but you were so out of it that night I’m not surprised you forgot.” She elbowed the bassist lightly.

“Ah! THAT night, yes. Unlike my dad I can’t hold my liquor.” She smiled wryly as she turned back to Nicole. “So, yes, we’ll see you again soon. Rita has your contact information. I hope you don’t mind if we come ahead of time as our off-stage selves to check out the area. We like to do a lot of our own setup, but if we showed up dressed like this it could cause … problems.” She grinned.

Nicole laughed as she nodded. “That’s fine. I mean, I know some people would pay a fortune to spoil the fun and photograph you without the stage makeup, but your millions of true fans know the magic’s in the suspension of disbelief. We love you for putting on a great show.” She beamed, causing the band to all smile. The muscular man who had, until now, remained silent stepped closer. As he wrapped an arm around Demona’s waist he smiled at Nicole, speaking in an articulate, refined, and only faintly British-to-my-ears-at-least accent.

“I wish more people thought like you girls. It would make my job and the ladies’ lives easier.”

Demona smiled as she turned to kiss his cheek. “Yes, but since when is the easy way any fun?”

He laughed, and the band waved as we turned to step out. Shadow called after us though. “Oh, Nikki!” She practically ran to catch up to us, resting her hand on the bass guitar case. “Look at the back when you get a chance.”

“Wha?” Nicole responded, but Shadow simply winked, turning to cross back to her bandmates again.

Thankfully Jason was nowhere in sight as we walked together back toward the main conference room. I squeezed Nicole’s free hand causing her to smile and kiss my cheek. Allison’s curiosity finally got the better of her as we reached the backstage access door.

“Hey, what were you and Shadow talking about?”

“I promised her I wouldn’t say,” Nicole responded, turning to hug Allison, “But she was right. We have a lot in common.” She left it at that, pushing the door open and stepping out into a deluge of people and reporters flashing pictures of the four of us. Rita had apparently been anticipating it, as she stepped in front of us.

“Alright people, leave da kids alone before I call security an’ have ya all t’rown outta here!”

Nicole giggled as the interim manager led us through the slowly dispersing crowd. The route she used for us a few days before felt familiar, and now understandable, as she took us out the back where a pair of black limousines awaited. Mom, Margie, and Bob and Gina were waiting close by. We all excitedly exchanged hugs, and as the girls and I piled into one of the limos, Mom and Margie took Margie’s car, following us back to Nicole’s house for the after-party party.

As we sat in the Morgans’ den giggling over chocolate cake, Gina came into the room holding a small, plain black box wrapped in purple ribbon. She smiled at Nicole as she approached. “You have one last present, sweetheart. This is from your father and me.”

Nicole stared at the little box, which admittedly looked like something that might contain a bracelet or other jewelry. “Aw, you didn’t have to do that. Just letting Ally go nuts and get Heedless Despair here was way more than enough.” She accepted the box anyway, pulling the ribbon away.

She stared in utter disbelief as she looked between the open box and Gina, though. “… Oh… Oh my God. OH MY GOD!” she squealed, LEAPING off the sofa into her mother’s waiting arms.

“You mean it?!” she giggled madly. “Oh my God!”

“Yes, we mean it! You’ve put so much work into that old Mustang. We talked about buying you a new car, but felt you would appreciate this much more.”

“Heck yeah!” she squealed, hugging her tightly. Her father poked his head around the corner, grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat.

“I take it you told her?”

Nicole, misty-eyed, stared at him for only a moment before racing across the room to wrap him in a hug next. “Daddy, thank you SO much!”

“You’re welcome. Now, remember, you can’t drive anywhere by yourself until after you get your license, but I can take you to take your test tomorrow.”

She tilted her head back toward me and giggled. “Hear that, Robin? You and me, New Haven, this Saturday!”

Gina let out a playful groan, “We’ve created a monster!”

Late that night, as I lay across my bed and cuddled Mister Kensington close, I found myself reflecting on the day’s events. My mind kept returning to Jason, though. What did he want, and how exactly did he get backstage anyway? During school hours he was supposed to stay away from us, but they said nothing about after-school. Mom appeared in the doorway and smiled at me. I sat up and motioned for her to come over, swinging my legs over so she could sit beside me.

“Is everything alright?” she asked, as I leaned into her, setting Mister Kensington aside in favor of her more real embrace. I smiled cheerfully as I nodded. “Yeah. Mostly. I mean, Nikki’s party was sooo awesome. Everything went better than perfect, except…”

“Except what, sweetheart?” she frowned.

“Except… Jason was waiting for us backstage. I guess he thought it’d just be Nikki. He’s supposed to stay away from us at school, but they never said anything about after school.”

“Well, what did he say?” she pressed.

“He said he just wanted to talk to her a second, but Shadow scared him off.” I giggled a little. “He literally fell over himself trying to get away from her. It was priceless.”

“Well,” Mom began in that motherly, lecture incoming tone, “Just remember that the world isn’t always black and white. Sometimes people can change, and sometimes not.”

I looked up at her, confused. “Are you saying I should give that jerk the benefit of the doubt? Mom, he attacked me! It’s not like Brittany, or even her jerk boyfriend leaving nasty notes in my locker. He physically assaulted me!” Okay, so I exaggerated a little bit. Thanks to Sensei’s training he never got the chance to do any serious harm before my coaches came running.

She sighed, “I’m only saying that not everything’s always as it appears. Remember Mrs. Beaumont, from the hospital?”

I rolled my shoulders a little. “Yeah. What about her?”

“She’s dying, sweetheart.”

“… What?”

“She has cancer, and the doctors have given her six months, a year at most.”

I stared in disbelief. I just had to know when she found out. “When did she find out?”

“She’s known she’s been sick for a long time now, but she received the news back in June some time when she suddenly got worse.”

“Oh my God…” I finally managed in a whisper, turning to bury myself in her shoulder as I hugged her tightly. I nearly lost her once. I couldn’t begin to imagine what that must have done to him. Wait… Was I actually feeling sorry for that jerk?

“Like I said, I’m not saying you should forgive him for what he’s done, but don’t be afraid to be open to the possibility that he’s just lashing out for some sense of control too. Just like Brittany and her father.” She gently cupped my face in her hands, bringing my chin up and looking me in the eye. She smiled and kissed my forehead. “What you decide to do is ultimately up to you. No one can make the decision for you.”

“I guess the ‘adult’ thing to do would be to offer the olive branch, huh?”

She smiled, nodding. “You never know if they’ll accept it, or burn it, until you offer it, but either way, you’ll have done all that you can, and that’s what’s important.”

“Thanks Mom. I really needed that.” I leaned up to kiss her cheek, squeezing her tightly. “But… Mrs. Beaumont. Is there anything her doctors can do?”

“I’m honestly not sure. There are cancer treatment centers that have reported great success with certain types of cancer, but she didn’t seem receptive to the idea.” She frowned. “It’s like with Jason, she has to be willing to fight it, to find hope within herself, otherwise there’s nothing anyone else can do.”

I stared down at the bin where I stored my Aria Blade comics at those words. Hope was a precious commodity. I crawled into bed, letting Mom tuck me in as I thought about what she’d said. I started to wonder if maybe there was something I could do. A girl scout’s gotta try.