Pairings: Sparrington, Liz/Will, Arthur/Lance, Tristan/Guin, Gawain/Galahad
Summary: Nothing like sharing a song and falling in love.
Disclaimer: Rock & slash aside, they're owned by the Mouse & Touchstone.
Author's Note: This follows about a year after the events of Of Rockstars & Revenge and some days after What Matters Most and Hands.
Prologue
"Jack? Jack! Where the hell are you!?"
The man in question smiled to himself as he gently brushed at the strings of his precious Pearl. Even from outside, at the cabana, he could hear his agent's unladylike shrieking. Eyes drifted close as he stifled a yawn, fingers still strumming notes to match a hummed tune.
After a few minutes, the shouts stopped.
"Is it too much to hope for that the she-demon hasn't found me?"
The kitten at his side meowed in reply.
Opening one eye, the man was faced with a furious, thin-lipped Anamaria. The expressionless Norrington right behind her didn't seem sympathetic either.
"You're on my side, aren't you, Jackie?"
The feline finished cleaning itself and turning away from Jack, leapt off the hammock to head for the house. Following his pet's departure with mournful eyes, he sighed and looked back at the two people looming over him.
"Yes?" He flashed a charming grin.
"I called a band meeting two hours ago. TWO hours! Of course, our lovely primadonna..."
"I object to that," Jack muttered.
"...did not show up to grace us with his prescence!"
"Shrieking again," he said, still under his breath.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing, luv." Another wide grin.
"I've had enough of this, Jack. Either you shape up, or I'm quitting."
The man blinked up in surprise.
"You're serious."
"Bloody well am."
She'd do it at that. He sighed and shrugged.
"Fine, where's everyone then?"
Making their way back to the house, they entered the game room. Turner and Lizzy were all cozy at the pool table, while their constant shadows played chess nearby. Gibbs was drinking himself into a stupor as usual, which Anamaria was quick to correct, grabbing his flask on her way in.
"Hey! That's me ru-"
"Later," she snapped.
The stout man subsided, knowing better than to argue with the woman when she was in a mood, something Jack too often placed her in. Upon turning his baleful glare at the guitarist, the man ignored it and settled down on the couch. Norrington hovered behind as usual, like some grim statue.
"So, what's the deal?"
"The deal is that even with your first record at double platinum, you're no where near done with the second release. You need to get a single out soon, and frankly, none of your new songs are up to par."
"Like hell they aren't!"
"Jack," she grated out warningly.
He fell into a sullen silence.
"Lizzy got an idea for our new single," Turner piped up to break the tension. "Tell them, Liz."
The irrepressible girl was all too happy to chime in.
"My cousin Guin is the new vocalist of a Brit band. They're still working on their first album together, and Arthur - he's their manager - wants to do a song with us to help promote the band."
"Wuh? Do a track with a buncha-" Jack started to say.
"I think it's a good idea," Anamaria sharply interjected.
"Are you-"
"We get our single and free promotion in the UK to boot."
Couldn't argue with that. Everyone was looking at him expectantly. Gritting his teeth, he finally assented.
"What the hell, why not?"