DISCLAIMER: I own no rights to cirque du freak or any of the characters in it.

SUMMARY: A failed proposal, a lost baby and a vampire having a mid-life crisis…yep that's the cirque. A series of one-shot stories for your enjoyment. :P

A/N: Set before Evra and Merla were married so they have no children yet.

TITLE: Tales from the Cirque du Freak

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Chapter one- The engagement party

"Cool dude, have you got the ring?" Checking the pocket in his shorts, Evra started to panic. "Other pocket?" Digging his hand in, he pulled out a box with a sparkling ring inside of it.

"Phew, that was close. I thought I'd lost it." His voice was shaky and nervous. "So all I say is- Merla, will you be my wife?" Shaking his head, Darren took the ring from Evra and reassured him about what he had to do.

"No, you say – Merla, will you marry me? Then when she says yes, you slip the ring on to her finger and voila you are engaged." Placing the ring onto his finger, he admired it then tried to pull it off. "Evra, it won't come off!" Staring at a desperate Darren who was trying to prise the ring off his finger, he ran over to him and urgently tried to get it off.

"It has to come off Darren I'm gonna propose to her soon." Evra cried hurriedly, still trying to get the ring off Darren's finger. "Butter! Try butter to get it off." Running over to the fridge, he grabbed some butter and spread t onto Darren's finger. "Why do you have to have such chubby fingers?"

"I have chubby fingers! You'd be screwed if I was Mr Tiny, have you seen his fingers?" Chuckling at what Darren had just said, Evra tried again to prise it off. Mr Crepsley then walked in as the ring was flung across the room, landing in his mouth when he went to speak.

"Is this yours Mr Von?" Mr Crepsley said as he pulled the ring out of his mouth. Taking it from him, Evra dried it off and placed it in the box.

"Thanks. I should go and ask her then." When Evra had left, Darren turned to Mr Crepsley and smirked mischievously.

"Any good at throwing parties? It's obvious she'll say yes so are you in." He sighed and rolled his eyes before answering.

"Master Shan, I am not good t throwing parties and I would rather not if you don't mind." His voice was so matter of fact and he never used slang.

"Tut, tut, tut, using slang Mr Crepsley. Come on, I know you want to!" He finally agreed before walking back to his coffin. "Oh wait, why d'ya come in here? Did you want something?" Shaking his head, Mr Crepsley pulled open the door and strolled out of the door before wondering back in again.

"Oh yes there was actually something. Will you be training tomorrow?" Nodding Darren smiled and opened the door for the vampire. "See you later Darren." With that, he put his hood back up and walked out into the afternoon sunshine. He had to wear a cape otherwise he would sizzle up and well, wouldn't see anyone that night. The party was scheduled for that night and everyone pitched in. Darren was putting some old board games away when Evra walked in curiously.

"Dude, what's up with everyone? They're all too busy to hang out today?" Darren smiled before closing the cupboard and answering Evra.

"Nothing's up, we're all just busy that's all." With that, he walked out of the room and left Evra staring at the wall. "Oh and dude, there's a party tonight in Gertha's tent. Be there?" He nodded and followed Darren out of the tent. Now it was time for Evra to pop the question to Merla and he walked to her tent nervously. She was the only person apart from him who wasn't busy that day which he was glad to know because he had an important thing to ask her.

"Merla, I have an important question to ask you." He sat Merla down and got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?" She looked down dejectedly and then back up at a hopeful Evra.

"Evra, I can't because I'm not ready for that commitment. Maybe in the future but not now, not yet, why does this ring have butter on it?" He nodded and sighed. He was actually glad because well, he wasn't sure if he was ready yet.

"Oh, okay then well do you wanna go to a party tonight in Gertha's tent? About the butter, long story you'd probably not want to hear." Nodding she stood up and walked out of the tent holding Evra's hand in hers. That night came as they walked to the tent in excitement. The cirque never through any parties and it was a little strange but still, a party was a party. Darren peered out of the tent door then shouted at the top his voice.

"They're coming! Everyone places quickly." He turned off the lights and dived under the party table before screaming loudly when something patted his shoulder.

"Hello Darren, when will they be here?" He swivelled round to see Mr Crepsley sat there with a large grin on his face. He was unusually happy tonight and had a chirpy tone of voice as appose to the dreary, miserable one he was used to.

"Soon so be quiet." Darren snapped at the vampire. The door swung open as everyone jumped out of their places and shouted 'Surprise!' at the top of their voices. Evra ran a hand along his scaly neck frantically, implying that it didn't go well.

"Guys, you didn't need to do that really." His voice was annoyed and forceful but everyone saw over it and smiled while Darren stepped up to the front so he was in front of Evra.

"Well what can I say, I'm just awesome." Evra frowned and bit his lip.

"No, you're just dead! She said no, so there isn't an engagement." Analyzing Evra's words, Darren paused and then continued.

"So there is no engagement?" Shaking his head Evra laughed at Darren's expression of confusedness and disappointment. "Well that's a bugger." Then a voice came from under the table and caused everyone to fall into hysterical laughter.

"Language Master Shan." Mr Crepsley commented whilst hitting his head on the buffet table and showing his face finally. Rubbing his head he smiled at Evra feebly and wandered off to the other side of the tent. "I'm sorry for your loss of marriage Evra." He added whilst he walked shamefacedly.

"Mr Crepsley, she only said no she isn't dead. You should've just said I'm sorry she said no and that would've been fine." Darren pointed out, acting like he knew everything about weddings.

"Yes well, we cannot all be so clever can we?" His voice was sarcastic as he glared at Darren. "Maybe I should smother you in your sleep." He said as he giggled quietly. Mr Crepsley never giggled so it was a big occasion clearly. The night carried on as they'd planned with just one flaw, Evra still wasn't married.

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A/N: So there you go. Don't forget to review thanks. XxX