Disclaimer: I don't own.
Based on a suggestion by StakeTheheart
:}
Tori Vega, megastar and pop sensation, was standing on the stage, smiling at the throngs of her fans, enjoying the dying cheers from her final encore of the night. Like every other other show on this tour so far, this one had been a sellout. Part of it was her name, her raw talent and work ethic had won her legions of fans who adored her every move. However, Tori also knew there were some fans, newer ones, were at this show because of Trina. Her sister and manager had come up with yet another wining idea, and Tori was reaping the benefits from the older girls very tactical mind. "Thank you all, I love you, and I hope this is the concert scene they use in my next movie, The Ginger Fox Story." She called out, like she did at all the consents on this, the American leg of the tour. Then she bowed and made her way back to the back stage area, smiling.
"Tori, you did great." Andre said as he met her, guiding her to her dressing room. "I don't know which I hate more, that Trina has you saying that last bit at the end of every concert, or that you mean it. I mean, it's just gonna make you sad when they choose which set of footage to use, cause while one concert wins, every other loses. That is, unless they do a montage, which is probably Trina's plan anyways." He seemed exhausted by his own logic, finally realizing what the older girl had planned. "I get it now, how she sold the studio on backing this tour. I just thought it was her plan to make this tour a sellout while pushing the movie. I mean, it's not like you needed it, not for the tour, and you probably won't need it for the film. Cause your tori Vega, the realist girl in show business, with a huge loyal fan base who adores your every move. Still, every show sold out, sixty thousand plus people per venue, thats just… Wow." realizing he was confusing the exhausted girl, he shifted. Still, it's a trip, watching you sing a couple of Ginger Fox's classics. Every time"
The singer just smiled at her bodyguard. He'd become as close a friend as any she'd had in the last ten years, ever since she'd been plucked from obscurity after winning the American Voice competition. And Trina, who seemed to lack any other notable talent, managed to guide the singers career almost flawlessly to the top, seemingly from before she even won the competition. "Hay, who else were they gonna get to play her?" The singer asked, giving her friend a quick nudge. "I totally own those songs now. So, lets get cleaned up and head over to the after party."
The young man smiled, walked in to her dressing room to look around, checking the closets and other places where someone could hide. It was unnecessary, but he liked to be sure she was safe. Once he knew it was clear, that no one had braved security and made it past the various layers to penetrate this dressing room, motioned for her to enter. "I'll be right outside if you need me." He assured her. "Go get cleaned up." He knew it was more a formality that he check the room, but he liked doing his job. Besides, she sometimes liked to talk at him through the shower curtain. 'Sometimes she forgets we've only really known each other about seven years.'
As Tori showered, Andre called around on the radio, checking all the points, making sure there were no holes in security that might put his star in danger. After everyone gave the all clear, he asked "Okay, where's Trina?"
"Trina's already heading to the limo." Came Ryder's voice. "She'll be waiting. But tell Tori, no party. Not tonight. Trina said she doesn't feel safe here."
"It's Miami, dud, party central. Tori just wants to cut loose in her home town." The black man replied, still watching out for any trouble. "Can I speak to Trina?"
"Trina here." Her voice was it's usual neutral. "Dre, I get it, Tori's so close to home, she feels like she could just go out and blend in. But she tends to forget, we didn't have a lot of friends when we were here. Her friends were the guys who wanted to fuck her, and the girls who secretly hated her for being so pretty. Our friends are in California, the other Hollywood. I'm just saying, as her bodyguard, it's your job to convince her to stay in and maybe call the family. Have her party in her suite."
"Who decided I had to protect more then her body?" He asked. It was not that he minded. But convincing Tori wasn't easy, not when the girl had her mind set on something. Sometimes the rebellious phase she didn't have ten years ago showed up, and she wanted to prove she could do things her way. Sometimes she just wanted to be like she was before everyone knew her name.
"It's what I've expected from all her bodyguards." The older girl explained. "You've always told me that wouldn't be a problem. Besides, it'd hurt her image to be seen rubbing her fame in her old school friends faces. She's America's Sweetheart."
"Yea, yea." The bodyguard agreed. He knew by friend, Trina meant frenemies.
As expected, Tori wasn't too happy about not being able to go out and have some fun. "I've been on this tour forever." She complained. "I deserve a little fun."
"Then Call Beck." Andre suggested. "Trina's laid down the law. It's not safe here, and it wouldn't help you image." He was guiding her out of the arena, towards where the limo was. "And since when is a couple of months forever?"
"I know a place, just down the road a bit, where I used to hang out with my friends.…" Tori started as they were heading to the exit.
"Safe for normal, non-megastarts, maybe." Andre cut her off. "But you've never been normal, and the people around here, the ones not currently in your life, they didn't, don't get that. You're special, eighty two thousand people back in the stadium can all attest to that. So call Beck, have the family come round your room, and for the love of god, just stay in tonight."
The bodyguard tensed for a second as the doors parted. This was the single most dangerous part of the trip out of the venue. Security did their best, but this was the short walk to the car, under the eyes of her fans. All kinds of shit could happen here, and no one could predict the possibilities. "Hay, my fans." The singer cooed. "I'm gonna go over and sign a few autographs."
"It's not safe." Dre protested, but to no avail. The young singer walked over to the crowd and started signing stuff. She posed for selfies, signed all kinds of things, and in general did what she could to show her fans how much she appreciated them. Andre waited as long as he could before dragging her off to the car. "In." He announced, pushing the star into the back of the limo before joining her. "That was an unnecessary risk. They have to agree to a signing, which they didn't, so we didn't have enough security." He knew he was going to be ignored.
Tori was laughing. "Some girl asked me to sign her boob." She wheezed at her sister. "How many is that?"
"This tour, or overall?" The older girl asked, pulling up her notes on her pad. The car started it's trip out, but even as the girls relaxed, Ryder saw Dre staring out the window.
"Hey, whats up?" The older boy asked.
"Okay, it looks like three this tour." Trina announced, still checking her notes.
"That guy over there." The younger body guard motioned with his head. "I've seen him before."
"One of Tori's friends?" The older boy asked, now concerned. "Maybe someone in her family, or an old employee?"
"So how many overall?" The signer asked, clearly enjoying this odd part of being famous.
"I'm not sure, but definitely not family, we have completer dossiers." Andre replied. "Something to worry about."
"The numbers up." Trina giggled. "You used to average only two per tour."
"Let me know if you see him again." Ryder said. "And lets see if we can get his picture for the police. You know, just to be sure."
"Yea, but you remember that girl in Prague?" Tori said, her body shaking with laughter. "I swear, she counted at two, all on her own."
The boys could relax as the arena vanished into the rear view mirror. "Lets keep this between us, for now." Andre advised the older bodyguard. "No sense in worrying them. But lets have hotel security beefed up for whatever party they have."
The girls were laughing, remembering some of the crazy that they'd experienced on tour over the last decade. Andre smiled, happy when things got this relaxed. 'Crazy, thats what you have me for, isn't it?' He wondered. "Hay, Trina, what time we taking off tomorrow?"
"Ten AM." The older girl said. "Then we fly to the next venue, and put this place behind us."
"I miss my tour buss." Tori moaned.
"But Tori, I got the studio to spring for chartered flights for us, for the entire tour, so you can be fresh and rested for each performance. You'll only need the bus if we do a scene or two on it. Like the riding the roads shit." The manager lectured.
"Just cause Bon Jovi once flew to all their consents, now we have too?" Tori moaned.
"No, we get to." Trina corrected her sister. "You're the number one cross promotional act in the world. That means they have to pay to have the privilege of your presence. This tour, it's the culmination of years of work. I want you to be happy, and after this year, nothing can stop that."
Ryder looked over at Dre, who shrugged. "They've fulfilled their contract with the record company, and the movie studio, and just about everyone else they owed squat to. Once the tour is over and the movie released, Tori's free to pursuer whatever projects she wants."
"I knew there was a reason I told you everything." The singer gushed at her bodyguard.
"It's cause he can't just run away, he's there when your drunk, and takes care of you." Trina scolded.
"Like you said, my bestest friend in the whole wide world." The singer sighed, smiling a warm smile at her friend.
"Great." Andre groaned.
Later at the hotel, the party was getting in full swing. They'd invited the dancers, stage crew, and everyone else who'd be stuck on the tour buss for most of the next day, to come relax and unwind in the stars suit. Tori, however, wasn't enjoying her party much. She was in the next room, sitting on her bed, talking to someone she missed on the phone. "But Beck, baby, I haven't seen you in over two weeks. You know there's a rule or something about being together. I miss you." She whined.
"Tori, babe, I have this film to finish, then I'm off to New york for that role on Broadway. Not everyone made it out of American Voice with their careers set for life." The actor slash singer said. "Look, babe, I miss you. I wish I was there to show you just how much I do. I'd ask you for another special picture, but we both know how mad Trina got the last time. So lets just say I want you, and wish you were here. Look, I have an early start time tomorrow, so, I'll be dreaming of you."
Tori hung up, a scowl on her face. "Andre, I'm not I n the mood to party any more. Ger rid of everyone."
"Not that easy." He started.
Trina, who'd been near by reading her phone, just sighed, called up an app, and used it as a megaphone to get everyone's attention. "EVERYONE, IT'S BEEN FUN, BUT WE HAVE AN EARLY DAY TOMORROW, SO BED, NOW!"
Grumbling, the crowd vacated the room, watching their boss just pull the plug. "Thanks, Treen." The singer said.
"You know, you don't have to give that boy anything more then just your love." The older sister informed her. "Both of you are reaping the bennies of this relationship, but he sometimes forgets you're the bigger start."
"OH, I think he remembers." Tori started to get agitated. "Sometimes, I wish I wasn't such a honking big start, so he could feel okay to be near me."
"You'll feel better after a nights rest." The older girl assured her sister. "Andre, you and Ryder can go now. We're okay. Make sure you're packed, and I'll see you both tomorrow."
Bot guys walked out of the room, glancing back at the girls who'd made their lives so interesting. Andre gave his friend and fellow bodyguard a smile, then checked security to be sure no one could slip thought. Ryder, for his part, just drifted off towards his room, ready for the day to be over.
The whole floor was soon quiet as the crew settled down for their sleep. But Tori was still worked up. 'Beck would have liked that girl. She had a nice rack.' She thought, missing her boyfriend. It was sad, how she just wanted to cut loose and have some fun. She was finding that none of what she used to dream about was making her as happy as it used to. Or at least it wasn't making her as happy as she used to dream it would. 'I just with Beck were here so I would have one person to have fun with.'
The next day, the group rode in their secured SUV's towards the airport. "So, everything cleared for the trip?" Dre asked over the phone. "Cool." He then addressed Trina. "Planes fueled and ready. We can leave as soon as everyone's on board."
The manager didn't say a word, just rubbing her hand over Tori's, trying to comfort the singer. The pop princess was upset, but they both knew that would melt once she was in front of her fans again. It was the stress of filming that movie while rehearsing this show, then immediately going on tour, that was getting to the singer. They had completed a fair chunk of the first U.S. leg of the tour, but the whole world tour would take over a year and a half to complete. The schedule at the beginning was tight, adding to Tori's fatigue. They'd have an easier time towards the end, when they could have a day or more between shows so Tori could rest. Also, Beck was being a jerk, again, not giving Tori the kind of support he'd promised.
Trina's mind was on the condition of her talent, how the sales for the over seas parts of the show were going, and why the hell she had to deal with the studios nonsense. Mostly, deep in the back of her mind, she was wishing Tori had a real friend with her. Not someone who worked for her, but a friend who she could talk to. 'Someone to distract her from whatever it is thats soured her on fame. I mean, her fans are the only thing that seem to remind her how much fun she used to have doing this.'
They made it to the airfield, and once again there were fans waiting for them. 'How the hell are the always here? I mean, it's not like we advertise our flight schedule. So why are they at the exact right airfield, waiting for us?' Andre wondered. 'Is there a leak? Maybe with the promoters?' He addressed his friend. "Tori, did you tweet our schedule again? You know we can't afford to have that kind of risk. We need more secrecy when we fly out. "
"I swear, I didn't tell anyone." She protested, her eyes shouting her innocence. "I didn't, don't even know the details. I asked Trina not to tell me, just let me know when I had to be ready by."
Ryder watched the small crowd. "Okay, lets get moving. Tori, you can wave, but nothing more. Dre, you and me, we board last. Trina, you're gonna have to walk her on to the plane. Any questions?"
"Just who leaked this." Andre said, eyes narrowing. "Get the porter to get our luggage. I'll be on the right." Then on the radio "Bill, Ron, get your asses out of the car and help provide security. We need our wall of meat to make sure no one does anything." He made them wait until the others, from the other car, got in position, then let them get out of the SUV.
Trina led her sister over to stand near the plane, watching as the mega star waved to her fans. Near by Ron and Bill stood their ground, acting as a human shield. Tori, for her part, was yelling apologies about not being able to sign any autographs. Borrowing the app from her sister, as well as her phone, she used it as a megaphone, telling the crowd "We really need to take off as soon as possible. We can only give you guys a moment. I really wish I could give you more time. Sorry, I love my fans. I'm so sorry."
Trina had used that short time to go get the porters to grab their luggage and stow it. Then she came back and led her sister to the aircraft. "Bye! I love you all, and wish I could spend more time with you." The singer was calling to them as she was walked onto the plane. The plane was on the large side for flying private while being fast and comfortable, capable of taking them to the next venue in just a couple of hours.
As Tori found her seat, sitting opposite her sister. While Andre and Ryder were keeping an eye out, the others boarded the plane. There was Trina, her assistant Malcolm, then Kasey, Tori's assistant. After they got on board, Ron and Bill, her outer security, boarded. Ryder and Andre were the last to board, making sure that everyone's stuff was loaded and they were all ready to go. "I do wish we didn't have to be so cautious." Tori moaned to her sister, but by then the older girl had already succumbed to the work she had to do, borrowing Kasey for the extra pair of hands
"Yo, muchika." Andre called, slaughtering the Spanish language once again. "Relax, watch some TV and we'll be there in just a couple of hours." His reassuring smile replaced the sight of the crowd of fans who'd gathered for one last look at the starlet.
"I know." She sighed. "I just wish they'd ship my costumes and cloths this fast. I hate that they have to ride in the buses, all cramped and alone." The singer sighed again. "And I miss Beck."
Soon after they'd taken off, Tori managed to lose herself in television, watching old Disney movies. Her mind drifted to the next venue, the crowds, the fans, and the chance to interact with the people who propelled her to the top once again. Warm thoughts of giving back filled her, reminding her of why she became a singer once again. Smiling, she would occasionally glance at the others on the flight, and enjoy the feeling of having made it. 'I'm the reason these wonderful people are gonna be able to see the world.' She reminded herself. 'Besides, my fans deserve to see me, live and in person. I'm not selfish, like so many of the others.'
Halfway through the flight, Trina got a call, one she'd been dreading receiving since last night. With an annoyed humph, she told Tori "I have to take this." Tori waved her understanding, never taking her eyes off the flat screen, or the movie it was playing.
Trina smiled as she saw the Disney marathon her sister was watching. 'Last time, it was Degrasi.' The older girl thought, happy her sister never saw the darker side of the business. Ever since that day of the American Voice auditions, Trina has been fighting for her sister, shaping her career. 'I can't believe they didn't think she was marketable enough. No fucking edge. Ha! I proved I could take the adorkable girl next door, and turn her into a sex symbol without making her wear slut wear.' Her brown eyes locked on the call she had on hold. 'And this jerkoff wants to go and play fucking games.' She let out the breath she'd drawn in to release her anger, and hit speak. "Okay, Beck, what the fuck were you thinking?"
"That maybe I should have a manager who blows the right people so I can have my career guided like your prude of a sister does." He shot back. "I was careful. Used protection. Not gonna leave a pregnancy scare, so the girl can say what she wants, cause I'll just deny it. We're covered."
"Have you forgotten Robbie Shapiro?" Trina hissed. "Reobbarrazzi has been out to get us ever since we made a fool of him over those pictures he thought he had. Be once we proved that Tori was just showing a lot of affection to that fan, nothing untoward was happening, he acted like we were hiding shit. Tori doesn't just sleep with people, and he of all people should know that. But now, he's on the fucking war path, and your not being careful enough."
"I hear you, but still, whats the big deal if she likes pussy?" Beck added, knowing it would piss Trina off. "Okay, maybe it would undercut your whole girl next door image, but hay, at least she wouldn't be such a chizzing bore. And hay, I'm willing to share, just as long as she never forgets I'm the man in her life."
'I know they've slept together, so what the fuck does he want from her?' The older girl wondered. "Beck, you're supposed to be with my sister. As in a committed relationship. I can't have you fucking around." She got back to what, in her mind, was the focus of the disagreement.
"Then maybe you shouldn't have auditioned a boyfriend for her, back in American voice?" He shot back, almost laughing. "We both know this is for her career."
"It's for both of your careers." The manager sighed, but knew she was on the losing side of the argument. 'This time.' Tori had fallen for his charms, and he kinda fell for her, but Trina suspected the boy had fallen for his own hype much more then he'd ever fallen for Tori. 'He just couldn't handle her being the bigger draw. I told that fuckhead to go into action movies, cause they bring in the heavy pay, but no, he felt he was a romantic lead. Fuckhead.' She took another breath. "I know you think you'd be fine without her, but thats not gonna happen the way you think it will. Not if you make this a war. Now, if you promise to be careful, I'll talk to Phillip, see if we can't get you into the action genre. You can make a lot per picture once your name is out there. I know you're a good enough actor to make things believable. Didn't you study kickboxing for a while?"
"I was dating a girl who's family had her studying jujitsu, and she'd branched out." He replied. "You remember, the girl I'd just broken up with the day you auditioned me to be your sisters boyfriend?" Another dig, and one that Trina could easily let go of.
"Yea, I ignored that warning sign, and for the most part, it's been a good arrangement." Trina reasoned, glancing out the window. "Look, if you can, come visit Tori. She's watching the 'High School Musical Anniversary' marathon. She needs the distraction."
"I'll try to free up some time." He assured her. "Talk to Phillip. If the movies solid, not some action knockoff, then I'd be interested. I'm looking for that ten million per picture paycheck." It was the dream of every action star to make that kind of money. Leading man, who do romantic movies, usually have to work so much harder to get that kind of paycheck. Trina knew it would even things up a bit, maybe give Beck the ego stroke he needed to stop sleeping around on Tori.
Trina said her goodby, then hung up. 'Bribing her boyfriend to visit, what the fuck has my life come to.'
They were almost at their destination, so Trina returned to her seat to settle in and get comfortable. One look confirmed that both Bill and Ron were watching the movie with Tori, but they'd have to wait for another flight to see the rest, because they were ready to land. "Tori, when we get on the ground, lets head straight to the hotel and check in. I wanna get some work done, and I'm sure you'll want to get the rest of your security detail so you can go sightseeing." The older girl felt tired.
"OH, what did we not get to see the last time we were here?" Tori beamed. "Dre, didn't you wanna go see those churches?'
"Yea, but we don't have to." He said, watching the ground get ever closer. "It's whatever you wanna do. Just, we have a sound check at four, and I think we'll want to be on time for this one."
"When have I ever been late?" Tori asked, smiling at her enforced punctuality.
Once the plane touched down and started taxing towards it's berth, everyone started gathering their stuff. They knew the limo would be waiting for them. Everyone was taking the time to get ready to depart except for Trina, who was once more on the phone. "Cat, Trina. I need you to call Phillip, find out what he has against Beck Oliver? I mean, he guys athletic, gorgeous, and has a great stage presence."
"Beck just rubs some people the wrong way." The spunky girl replied. She was in Los Angeles, covering the business aspects of Tori's life. She was one of Tori's friends, as well as her business manager, but wasn't needed on the tour. As a result, she decided to spend this tour safely at home. "I'll call him, see is I can sweet talk him. I think he's open to persuasion, after the way the media panned his bosses last film."
"You do that." Trina said. "Look, I gotta go. I'll call you later. And could you find out who's been leaking information about our travel schedule? I swear, we have fans at the airport whenever we take off, and when we land. And I'll bet it's that Shapiro guy, getting us one more time."
"Yea, he does hold a grudge, doesn't he?" The petite girl said. "I'll see if he's turned anyone in the office. Till then, by."
Trina looked up out the window and groaned while Tori almost screamed with joy. 'How the fuck?' There was a small gathering waiting for them at the airport. Lucky, that part of the tarmac was restricted, so the group had no trouble crowding into the extra long stretched limo. "When I find out.." The manager seethed.
"You and me both." Ryder echoed.
"I just want it to stop." Andre added. "Lets hope the promoter got good talent for this show, cause Tori needs five layer. Three of us isn't enough."
"Yea, Tori," Her sister addressed her, "Don't go wandering off to see your fans. Stay near Andre, and do what he says."
"Oh, you're no fun." She pouted.
It was at the hotel when things went sideways. The hotel was supposed to have them enter through the basement, safely under restricted access, then go straight up to their rooms. But a delivery van was blocking that entrance, showing no sign of moving any time soon, forcing them to redirect to the front door. And then there was the crowd. As always lately, there was a growing crowd of Tori's fans waiting for her outside the hotel. The singer decided she didn't want to wait in the limo until the van moved. "C'mon, it's not like we're in any real danger. We just walk out of the car and through the front doors, like normal people." She begged. "Besides, some of these fans have been waiting to see me for hours. Weeks even."
"Quickly, and no stopping." The older sister warned. They had the limo pull up to the entry way, and made their way out of the car. Tori was the last out, giving her security time to set a perimeter. Tori, however, walked over to the edge of the crowd to pose with a few people, wanting to show how much she loved them. Thats when Andre saw the guy again.
"Ryder, on your ten." He called through the headsets.
"On it." The other man replied, moving quickly to intercept. The man Andre had seen took off, running away. Ryder only followed for a second,. Pulling back as he realized he'd screwed up. "Damn, it's a decoy."
As if in cue, a man stepped forward from the crowd and grabbed Tori, pulling her over the velvet rope the hotel had set up, while another moved to block Andre. Three muffled shots went off, but Dre's Kevlar stopped most of the shells impact, allowing him to take the blocker off his feat with a quick shift of his hips. That man went flying up in the air and fell back to the ground, his gun now feet away.
The man who'd grabbed Tori wasn't anywhere to be seen. As Dre frantically scanned the crowed, a teenage girl pointed to the ground at her feet, where the man lay after apparently being tripped. Said man was scampering to his feat, unable to hold the struggling star while righting himself AND fending off the small teen girl who obviously knew how to do a basic trip.
Andre raced over to take that man down again. Not taking any chances with his star so close, he used a trick he'd learned from wrestling and snapped the guys leg. "Stay down." He shouted.
The next thing he felt was a searing pain as cold steel punctured his flesh from behind. As his body started to fall, he heard a loud pop that he somehow managed to identify as a gunshot. 'I didn't make sure the first guy was down.' He thought as his world went black, the only things he was aware of where the knife wound in his back, and that he'd left his client unprotected.
:}
Yea, five thousand words and a cliff hanger. Next time, we'll meet Jade, and find out what happened to Andre.
I had a rant about how others were doing this challenge too, but it died with the time it took to edit this. So Thanks to StakeTheheart for the idea, I've already drifted from your original suggestion, hope it's okay.
Review, and i'll try not to make you wait months for the second chapter.