It was time for one of the largest events in the history of the O.Z. Rightfully, Glitch was incredibly nervous, not at all looking forward to it, really. Especially not knowing that she would be there and that meant picking up where they left off.

For the past several weeks he has had time to do nothing more than think. He hadn't worked on his inventions, he'd been working more on avoiding Azkadelia than anything else. He looked at himself in the mirror. Hmph, he thought to himself, I looked less old, less worn when my brain was still in the tower.

Truthfully, Glitch didn't look old. He looked tired and depressed, but youth still kept a bit of color in his cheeks, there was still youth in his face, but to him he looked old. There was nothing to do but age without DG in his arms.

His personal issues were thrown mightily to the side when one morning a few days before the event, the Queen gave him an ultimatum.

" Ambrose, I have a choice to give you. You either do something to get DG back into your life and become productive and lively again, or I will have to have you replaced, and DG moved elsewhere. I love you and I love my daughter with all my heart, but your mindsets are driving me up the royal wall. And both so blasted stubborn..."

There was indeed more to it, but nothing of further consequense, rather the Queen was blowing off some steam and Ambrose listened loyally. Glitch however bounced around inside his own head, freaking out, trying to figure out what he could possibly do...

It was the night of the dance so suddenly. The days crept up on him silently and stealthfully, and soon he stared down his own incredibly nicely dressed frame in the mirror. He chewed his lower lip in thought as he looked himself over for the millionth time. He thought he looked funny, but according to the... fashion adviser... that the Queen had assigned him, this was the look that DG would respond to as it would be greatly familiar. He wore black shoes with a shine so high it seems the sun was trapped in the patent leather. He wore black pressed slacks, a white button-down shirt, some odd thing they called a cumberbund- which was also black. His ensemble was finished off by a smart black bow-tie and a formal jacket.

From behind, Ahamo looked in at Glitch. "Wow... you clean up very nicely, Ambrose."

Glitch jumped a little and turned. "What is it they call this peculiar thing again?"

"I believe it is called a tuxedo."

Glitch nodded. "So... when do I go on tonight?" Even just thinking about it his face flushed out and a light sweat beaded along his zipper. He didn't like that at all. "And secondly- do I have to?"

Ahamo chuckled a little. "You go on at 10pm- and yes, you have to. Especially if you really want things to settle down. Now look, I've brought you something." Ahamo dug into his pocket and then reached for the cuff of Glitch's formal jacket. He attatched something to it and then did the same little thing with the other.

"What's this?" Glitch marvelled as he looked over the emerald cufflinks that now adorned his jacket brilliantly.

"This... this is a little help from a dear friend."

Glitch sat in the back, able somehow to feel DG's presence as it met with the dance hall. He studied his music, worked dilligently at warming up his voice and looked at the clock every five minutes, knowing that time was flying by, hoping that time would s-l-o-w d-o-w-n.

9:50 pm...

9:55 pm...

Glitch stood on stage. His heart beat so hard in his chest and he took one last glance at the music, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief before he heard the royal trumpets blare their attention-getting notes in order to corral all of the ballroom dancers for an announcement.

"In honour," The Queen began, "of DG's birthday, of her return to our beloved O.Z., of Azkadelia's being freed from the witch and all of us being freed from the darkness, someone very special has decided to take things in a slightly different direction this evening with some music from the other side." The Queen smiled prettily at the small gasps and the chitter chatter between excited guests. "I will ask that you now turn your attention to centre stage." She motioned with a graceful arm toward the stage, DG standing in the very middle of the dance floor looking as though she had come straight from a story book, steadied her eyes on the stage, her necklace and earrings glowing beyond her notice.

Before the curtain opened, a simple drum beat began to pulse through the hall accompained by a steady piano note.

Soon a charming twinkling sound and an odd synthesized whine started off the beginning of the song.

"Come on baby, dry your eyes. Wipe your tears. I've never liked to see you cry... Won't you please forgive me?" The curtain opened, revealing Glitch to the entire crowd. A gasp broke out in the hall and excited mumblings as well, but none louder than the singing that had mezmerized everyone.

"I wouldn't ever try to hurt you. I just needed someone to love me- to fill the void while you were gone- to fill the space of emptiness. I'm only human, of flesh and blood, a man." He gripped the microphone stand and closed his eyes. "Human, born to make mistakes."

"So many nights I've longed to hold you. So many times I looked and saw your face. Nothing could change the way I feel. No one else could ever take your place. I'm only human- of flesh and blood- a man. Human... born to make mistakes."

In the background, other singers accompanied in spots.

"Please forgive me..." He spoke gently into the mic.

He stopped cold, the music continuing as from somewhere else in the hall, DG's voice came over the speakers. "The tears I cry aren't tears of pain... they're only to hide my guilt and shame. I'll forgive you, and now I ask the same of you. While we were apart, I was human, too."

It felt almost as though Glitch's heart had stopped dead in his chest, but like any good performer, the show went on with another chorus. He stayed for a moment as the dancers lavished him in applause, but then he stepped backstage and into his dressing room, closing the door behind him. He leaned up against the door and slid down it into a sitting position, putting his head in his hands.

He didn't know- couldn't see that DG sat on the couch in the room, looking at him as he cried into his palms...