The curtains pull back and I listen as Lorne introduces us as his lovelies and resist the urge to roll my eyes. He can't do anything seriously, even tonight of all nights. Oz steps up and tells them the band name and the name of the first song. Where did we come up with a name like Heart's Apocalypse anyway?

I stretch my neck and strum out the first few notes. I usually avoid looking at the crowd when we preform but I know so many of them it's hard not to focus on the faces I recognize. Red and the whelp are here. Slayer 2 and the principal. Niblet and the annoying boy. What was that little poof's name? Andy…? Andrew. That's it. A reflection in the corner brings my attention back to Slayer 2's table. Someone is sitting in my chair. The one I pulled back into the corner earlier today to watch Peaches humiliate himself. I glance over to where he's sitting a bit to friendly-like with the cheerleader and try my best not to grin.

The first few songs of the night a like operating on autopilot. We preform them every week just about, in a different order, but still. I find my attention strays to the hidden figure in the corner every few lines. I can't make out more than a basic shape, a feminine curve and a hood.

"This next song is a new one. Written for a very special friend and loved one. Spike's newest lyrical genius, Ghost Of You." Gunn announces the song for her, and I close my eyes to the crowd.

Oz picks up lead guitar on this one, since we determined earlier I have to really focus on singing or I lose it.

"I will wait until the end

When the pendulum will swing back

to the darker side of our hearts bleeding…"

I chance a peek at the crowd as I finish up the first verse, Red's let a couple of tears slip and Niblet is smiling gently at me. I push through to the chorus before I lose my nerve.

"I have been

Searching for

Traces of

What we were

A ghost of you

is all that I have left

is all that I have left of you to hold…"

Peaches is openly glaring at me despite the attentions of the brunette beside him. Slayer 2 is saying something to the woman hidden away in the corner. I watch with interest as the mystery woman stands and heads to the bar. The distraction is welcome. I can focus on what's happening in the room rather than what I'm feeling.

Mystery bird is wearing a long black feminine cut duster, high heeled boots and a black hood covers her hair. She leans over the bar and Lorne looks startled. He throws me a wide-eyed look before focusing on her. Hmm. Maybe she asked about me. Well hope he tells her I'm not over the last broken heart and I'm not looking for a fling. That should stop any pursuing right off. He nods at her and tells her something.

I'm nearing the last few lines of the song now and I focus on the heart break. The utter devastation that she is not in this world. The sunshine in my darkened nights. I pour all of that into the last lines of her song, and turn to face backstage as the last chords sound.

Oz clears his throat, "Thanks guys, we're gonna take a quick break and then we'll be back with more!"

The curtains close around our stage and I sag with relief. That was prob'ly not a good idea to preform that song tonight, of all nights.

"Alright, ladies and gents, we're gonna have some open Karaoke at the solo stage while my lovelies Heart's Apocalypse take a quick break. Who wants to get this started? Angelcakes? No. Right then…"

Song credit: "Ghost Of You" by Good Charlotte