Author's Note: I got the idea for this story while watching the Rogers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel." I decided it would create an interesting scenario for our beloved bohemians. My decision to continue writing this fiction is solely based on readers' reviews, so please let me know how you feel about it once you've read this first chapter.

Thanks! Happy reading!

Chapter One

Among the Stars

He sat amidst the blue, staring out into space. There was no hiding anymore; no covering up any flaws or imperfections. Despite that, he believed he looked quite beautiful. He had come to love his new home as well. He never could have imagined anything more spectacular. He wasn't quite sure how he'd come to deserve it, but it was indeed magnificent.

He knew his purpose on Earth had been fulfilled, though he wished he could have helped more people. His time there had seemed so brief, and his love had been so immense. But he supposed that that was the way things went. When the Great One summoned, no one refused. He was safer here, anyway. Safe from the sickness that had ravaged him down there, safe from the mockery he'd received from so many, safe from the petty bickering that was imminent on so many occasions, no matter how much he tried to prevent it.

Still, there was so much good to be found on Earth. His heart slightly ached for a warm hug, a cup of hot tea, the firm grasp of a lover's hand. It all seemed so distant now. He wondered if they still remembered him…for time in this place did not mirror time on Earth. He silently wondered exactly how long it had been since he left, then hoped he had not been forgotten. He prayed fervently that he had made a lasting mark on all their hearts.

The stars twinkled in a manner that reminded him of Christmas lights. Christmas. How he missed Christmas time! He had so many precious memories of Christmases past. He grinned as he reminisced on family Christmases from his childhood. Shiny black shoes with hard soles (he and his sister had danced for hours on their mother's linoleum in those shoes), a record player, his first pair of drumsticks (which he had used to bang on every pot and pan in the house)…his mother had always scrimped and saved to give her children a special Christmas. She had supported his love and passion for music despite his father's objections. And then, many Christmases later, there had been another who supported his passions. A chance encounter that lasted for the rest of his life. He heaved a sigh and tried to ignore the glitter of the stars. He thought there were supposed to be no tears up here.

"Hey, how ya doin'?" A stocky, balding man had approached him unnoticed.

"Oh, I'm okay," he smiled politely.

"I wanted to talk to you for a minute." The thick New York accent saddened him even more.

"Well, go ahead."

"Well, uh, there's been talk…"

"What kind of talk?"

"Apparently one of your friends ain't doing so good down there."

His face paled, his stomach churned. "What do you mean? Which one? Which friend? Is somebody in trouble?"

"I mean it could be nothin'. I'm just telling you what I heard."

"But who is it? Is it Collins?"

"I don't know."

"Mimi? Mark? Roger?"

"I'm tellin' ya, I don't know."

"Then why are you here? Just to tell me my friend's in trouble? Is there nothing to do about it?"

"No…there's something you can do."

"Then tell me. Tell me!" Part of him wanted to bring all of them to this spectacular place where no problems or sickness or poverty could ever hurt them again. They could all be together for eternity, the way they should be. He allowed the thoughts to pervade his mind for a moment, though he realized this was a selfish desire. Their time to leave Earth had not yet come. But how could he reach them? How could he help them from up here?

"Well ya know, everybody's entitled to one day back."

"What?" It was good he hadn't been aware of the one day back rule. Otherwise he would've wasted his one day already. "Really?"

"Sure."

"Well then send me back. I have to help."

"But it ain't that easy."

"But I want to go. Please tell me what I have to do!"

"You have to talk to Him."

"To Him? You mean…"

"Yep, the keeper of all these stars."

He gazed again into the vast blue. He had never been one to back down when it came to helping a friend. But this was Him. The Great One. Despite his fearless nature, he was quite intimidated. Was he good enough to even approach Him? But if someone he loved was in trouble, he had to do something. There was simply no way around it. He would do what had to be done. "All right."

"What does that mean?"

"That means I'll ask Him. After all, there's no harm in asking. My friend needs me."