This is just the first of hopefully a long book of Rock of Ages one-shots...

Disclaimer: I don't own Rock of Ages or any of it's characters *Sob*

Regina tossed restlessly against the cool pavement of the Bourbon Room steps, the chains rapped around her slight frame rattling with the motion. Her eyes fluttered open at the touch of a hand on her arm and she sat up, blinking the morning sun out of her eyes. A sad smile twisted at the corners of her lips.

"So, you're off, huh?"

Standing before her, a jean jacket over his shoulders and dark glasses perched on his head was Franz. His smile mirrored her own as he rocked on the balls of his feet, a suitcase in hand.

"One vay ticket." his voice wavered, the catch in his tone making Regina swallow hard to sooth her suddenly dry throat. She scrambled to her feet. This was it, Franz was getting his chance to live his dream. She should be happy for him. Overjoyed!

Then why did she feel so sad?

"Hamburg, here you come!" her cheeks dimpled with a widened smile as her fist shot out, delivering a playful punch to his arm. Franz hid his grimace of pain with a grin, rubbing at the spot on his arm before grasping her hands in his. His eyes darkened, the natural rosiness staining his cheeks fading slightly.

" Ze police are coming back vith orders to arrest all of you." he fretted, his brow drawing together with worry.

Regina sighed, casting a glance over at her still slumbering comrades. They slept in a pile, a tangle of arms, legs, and chains. She could sense their growing annoyance and frustration towards her as if they screamed it in her face, and knew they wouldn't stick it out for much longer. Sleeping on the streets and waking up with gum and cigarette butts in their hair probably wasn't what they had expected when they had originally joined her in protest.

" That's why I'm sending everyone home." she took a step in their direction, her face lightening up with a wicked grin. " Then I'm stepping it up, a little demonstration from the old days!"

Franz chuckled at that, through his stomach twisted with fear for the young woman before him. She could take care of herself, he had learned that long ago, but the thought of Regina facing his father and a squad of officers on her own... it was the last thing he wanted on his mind. He shuffled closer, running the pad of his thumb over her knuckles.

"Regina," he ducked his head, his cheeks flaming. " I think I..."

Regina brought her hand up, silencing him. She nodded. " I know."

She sucked in a breath, releasing his hand from her grasp and stepping back.

" You should go."

She squeezed her eyes shut. Was that her voice, with the trembling edge to it? It certainly didn't sound like herself- everything felt miles away. She blinked rapidly, fighting the itching around her corners of her eyes. Her fist came up in a salute.

" Power, Franz."

Franz smiled, bringing his own fist up as well. " To the proletariat."

He swept her up in a hug, burying his face in her springy, grass scented curls. Her own face was pressed against his chest, shakily inhaling his sweet aroma of peppermint and hoping to keep it branded to her memory. They broke apart and shared a firm nod, he pulling his sunglasses down over his eyes and she clenching her hands tightly.

The couple turned away from each other, to face their own destinies. To reach their own dreams.

Reviews are pretty kick ass!