Stage Fright Chapter 10, a necessary roughness fanfic

Alright you guys, this chapter is a big one! Lot's of important stuff going on and it just didn't seem right to cut it anywhere so I just decided to do one big one. I hope you enjoy, I am sure you will! :D

Disclamer: I don't own either of the songs used in this chapter, they belong to their owners. I also do not own Necessary Roughness, Dani, Nico, Janette or anyone else. I do however own Isabelle!

It didn't come as a surprise when Isabelle and her girls were given the position of halftime talent. They would perform at a few home games for the Hawks and that was all but Isabelle was more than excited and Nico and Dani were extremely proud.

Nico got started on setting up another show for the agents and producers and Isabelle worked on songs to perform. She continued to see Dani twice a week and was making great progress by the time the show was set up.

"So this Satruday?" Dani asked as she finished up her Monday session with Isabelle. She smiled and nodded, brushing her long black hair away from her face.

"Yeah, Nico set it all up."

"I think your more than ready Isabelle, you've been doing great these past few weeks. I am excited to see you perform again." Dani said.

"I am excited to get up there again, it's gonna be great."

Dani walked to the door with Isabelle and passed Nico a smile as he walked back to the car with Isabelle. She shut the door behind her and sighed.

"Have we broken through the friends' barrier yet?" Janette asked from behind her. Dani turned around and gave her a glare.

"No, and why are you sneaking up on me now?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen.

"I am just asking. You're gonna go to Isabelle's show right?"
"Of course." Dani answered.

"So, that's the perfect time to make a move!" Janette said, sitting down at the table.

"I told you Janette, I am not making the move, he is."
Janette groaned and let her head fall to the table.

"Dani, it's been a month! How can you stand to be around him and not be with him?" She asked, her voice muffled.

"Because I have a lot of self control, if he really wants something with me then he'll make the first move."

Janette sighed and shook her head.

"Whatever you say Dani."

"Are you gonna sit with Dani at the concert Saturday?" Isabelle asked as she and Nico walked into his apartment.

"I don't know, I might, why?"

"Because, you have to." She said, smiling.

"I don't have to."
"Nico, yes you do, it's been over a month since you 'held hands' you need to make the next move." Isabelle told him.

"And since when are you a relationship expert?" Nico asked.

"I am not, I am a girl and I know what girls want. You held her hand, a month ago." She rolled her eyes at that, "So now you need to step up and make another move. Sit with her at the concert, see what happens." She smiled at him as she turned to go to her bedroom.

The week passed by quickly and with each day Isabelle became more enthusiastic about her performance. At her session with Dani on Friday she could barely talk about anything else. Dani smiled at her happiness, glad that Isabelle had finally overcome her problems and was ready to start fresh.

She promised Dani an amazing show, made sure to invite Janette along before she left that day and told Dani that she'd see her tomorrow night.

"Come on Dani, we don't have all day!" Janette called from her spot on Dani's bed.

Dani stepped out of the closet slowly; she wore a gray pencil skirt with a purple blouse tucked in.

"No, absolutely not, go change right now." Janette said, shaking her head.

"What's wrong with this?" Dani asked, looking down at the outfit.

"Dani, you're going to a concert, you're potentially going to sit with Nico, and, god willing, kiss him before the evening is out. Please dress the part." Janette scolded.

"I don't see what's wrong with this, I look professional." Dani argued.

"Exactly, you look like a school principle, you need to knock off the stupid secretary thing and go put on a dress that says 'I am single and sexy'." Janette said. Dani opened her mouth to argue again but Janette pointed to the closet.

"Change, now." She said. Dani sighed and turned back to the closet.

"This isn't so hard Dani, dress to impress, let him know what he's missing out on." Janette said as she lay back on the bed, "Or what he's going to get a taste of later." She added.

"Janette!"

Janette laughed and shook her head. A few minutes later Dani emerged from the closet again, she cleared her throat to get Janette's attention. She sat up from the bed and her face spread into a smile.

"Perfect."

Dani had changed into a sapphire blue dress that hugged her body and landed just above her knees. It had a single strap that fell across one shoulder and ended in a 'V' cut neckline that was just appropriate enough.

"See now was that so hard?" Janette asked.

Dani rolled her eyes, "Just help me finish up." She said.

Janette helped her pick out jewelry and shoes. Dani started in on her hair while Janette slipped into her own dress, a light pink halter with ruffles down the side. When both ladies were dressed and ready they grabbed their purses, called a cab and headed into the city.

The venue was a small theater that had been turned into a nightclub. A stage that could easily hold thirty people sat at one end of the building, a few feet back from the stage the tables and chairs began, leaving enough space for a dance floor. There was an open bar near the back of the building with another group of tables and chairs.

Dani and Janette had arrived a bit early so there weren't that many people there.

"I am gonna go check on Isabelle, I am sure she's already here." Dani said. "Pick a table; I'll meet you in a few minutes."

A waiter pointed her in the direction of the dressing rooms and Dani made her way backstage to find Isabelle.

She knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before Isabelle pulled it open.

"Dani!" She pulled her inside and then wrapped her in a quick hug.

"Damn, you look great." Isabelle said, stepping back to examine Dani's dress.

"Are you ready for tonight Isabelle?" Dani asked, choising to ignore the comment on her dress, she still felt like it was to much.

"Right now, I am fine. Come back a few minutes before show and ask me then." Isabelle said, turning to sit in a chair.

"You're going to be fine Isabelle. You got through the auditions with the Hawks and you've been making amazing progress, you're going to do wonderful." Isabelle smiled and nodded.

After a quick pep talk Dani made her way back out to the table Janette had found for them. A few people had filed in but it was still pretty empty.

"Is she doing okay?" Janette asked as Dani sat down.

"She'll be fine." Dani said, glancing around.

"You didn't see Nico come in did you?" Dani asked.

"No not yet, why?"
"Isabelle said he dropped her off but I didn't see him when we came in, why didn't he just stay?" Dani said.

"I don't know, maybe he had to go home to change or something." Janette offered.

"Yeah, maybe." Dani turned her eyes back to the table in front of her, trying to not worry about where Nico was.

A half hour before the show the place was packed. Dani spotted the agents and record producers sitting together in the back, the rest of the tables were filled with people. Terrence came in a few minutes after Dani and Janette arrived, he'd brought Vivica as well and they were seated at a table a few down from where Dani and Janette were. Dani continued to look for Nico but he hadn't shown up yet.

"Excuse me, Dr. Santino?" Dani turned to find Isabelle's voice coach Brad standing next to her.

"Brad, yes, what's up?"
"Um, Isabelle needs you." His face looked worried and Dani nodded, passing a look to Janette that said she'd be right back.

Isabelle was pacing the room when Dani arrived.

"What's wrong?" Dani asked, coming to stand next to her.

"Brad went to check the audience for me; he said Nico isn't here yet." Isabelle told her.

"No, not yet but there's twenty minutes till show Isabelle, he'll be here."

Isabelle took a deep breath and nodded.

"Do you want me to stay with you until he gets here?" Dani asked. She nodded silently and Dani gave her a small smile.

"Okay, I just need to take care of one thing first alright."
She stepped out into the hallway and dialed Nico's cell phone as fast as she could. He didn't answer and she didn't bother leaving a message in case he was already on his way here. She sighed and stepped back in the room with Isabelle.

Brad continued to check the audience every few minutes but Nico still wasn't there. At five minutes to show Isabelle was having a full blown panic attack.

"Isabelle you need to calm down, it's going to be fine." Dani said, kneeling in front of where Isabelle sat.

Dani sent a quick text to Janette and a few seconds later she appeared at the door.

"Can you sit with Isabelle for a few seconds?" Dani asked.

"Sure, what's going on?" Janette asked.

"Nico isn't here yet, he promised Isabelle he would be, she doesn't think she can perform without him here." Dani explained. Janette nodded and took a seat next to Isabelle.

Dani stepped into the hallway again and called Nico for the twentieth time in the past half hour but there was still no answer.

She wouldn't admit it in front of Isabelle because it would only worry her more but Dani was scared as well. Nico would have called if he'd known he wasn't going to be able to make it. She asked Brad to check the audience one last time but there was still no luck. Dani checked the clock and saw that it was about three minutes to show, Isabelle had to go on.

"Isabelle?" Dani said as she walked back into the room.

"Did you find him?" She asked.

"Not yet." Isabelle sighed and looked away. "You have to go perform Isabelle." Dani said.

Isabelle shook her head quickly, "I can't." She said.

Dani glanced at Janette and Brad; they took the cue and silently left the room.

"Isabelle, can you tell me what really happened the last time you had a panic attack?" Dani asked as she sat down next to her.

"What do you mean?" Isabelle asked.

"Nico told me that he wasn't at your show the last time. I think that you knew that and you tried to go on but you panicked and couldn't, am I right?"

Isabelle nodded silently.

"You can't always rely on Nico to be here Isabelle, he has a life of his own and things he needs to do. Sometimes those things happen really fast and he doesn't have time to contact you."
"But he promised." Isabelle said her voice breaking.

"I know, and he doesn't mean to break his promise, sometimes things just happen. But you have to be strong and go out there and perform." Dani said. Isabelle shook her head again.

"I can't." A few tears dropped from her eyes.

"Yes you can, you know how I know?" Isabelle glanced at her and shook her head.

"Because, I know you're a strong woman Isabelle, you went through a lot but you learned and got stronger and your brother helped you do that. You need to take the strength he's given you and put it to good use." Dani said. Isabelle sighed and looked down at her hands.

"I'll give you a few seconds alone okay?" Dani said, Isabelle nodded and Dani stepped outside.

"Dani!" Janette called as she closed the door. Dani turned to see her rushing down the hall; she smiled and breathed a sigh of relief as Nico turned the corner to follow her.

Dani opened the door to Isabelle's dressing room.

"Isabelle, it's gonna be okay." She said from the door. Isabelle turned to look at her and smiled as Nico stepped up beside her.

Dani stepped back to let them hug and Nico calmed her down as quickly as possible.

"You need to go perform now okay Belle, I am gonna be right up front alright?" Isabelle nodded and smiled.

Janette and Brad had already gone when Dani and Nico stepped back into the hallway but at that point she didn't care who was around she just needed to be close to him. She wrapped her arms around Nico and sighed as she leaned into his chest.

"I am sorry I was late." He said, wrapping his own arms around her waist.

"It's okay, I am just glad you're here." She told him. He held her close and then moved back.

"We should go sit down." He said, lacing his fingers through her own and walking to her table. He sat down next to her, Janette seated on her other side gave her a bright smile.

The lights dimmed and the curtain pulled away to reveal Isabelle and a piano. Dani smiled at how beautiful she looked. Her long dark hair was curled and fell around her shoulders and she wore a floor length violet gown that had a bit of volume to the skirt.

"Good evening." She said as she stepped up to the microphone.

"So, some of you were here last time I performed and you saw what happened. The truth is, I wasn't sick, I had a panic attack. I am not ashamed to admit it because I overcame it and I am here now. There are a couple people I'd like to thank before I start. The first is a wonderful lady who's helped me through a lot the past few months. I know sometimes I can be a handful but you never backed down from the challenge, thank you Dr. Santino, I owe you a lot."

The crowd applauded and Dani smiled and gave Isabelle a small wave.

"The other person I need to thank is someone who's always been there for me, who's protected me and cared for me and made me who I am today." Dani gave Nico's hand a light squeeze.

"I love him very much, and I know he'll never let me down. The best brother a girl could have, thank you Nico."
The crowd applauded again and Nico nodded at Isabelle and gave her a smile.

"But you all didn't come to hear me talk so let's get started." A few people laughed and Isabelle nodded at Brad who began playing the opening notes of a song.

All my life I've waited for the right moment to let you know, I don't wanna let you go.
But now I've realized there's just no perfect time to confess how I feel this much I know is real.
So I refuse to waste one more second without you knowing my heart.

Baby, cause I don't need anything else but your love, nothing but you means a thing to me I'm incomplete.
With you not there holding me, touching me, I swear all of the rest could just disappear, and I wouldn't even care as long as you're there.

Dani smiled up at Nico, her hand still held in his.

"She's doing great." She whispered. Nico nodded and they both turned their attention back to the stage.

Take these words don't let them go unheard this is me reaching out I hope you can hear me now.
'Cause, baby, my heart's at stake take it, it's yours to break I'd rather try and lose, than keep this love from you.
So I refuse to waste one more second without you knowing my heart.

Baby, cause I don't need anything else but your love, nothing but you means a thing to me, I'm incomplete
With you not there holding me, touching me, I swear all of the rest could just disappear and I wouldn't even care, as long as you're there.

A few couples had mingled up to the dance floor and were swaying along to the music. Dani glanced over at Nico as he stood and smiled at him.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked. Dani smiled and nodded and let him lead her out to the dance floor. She allowed herself to be wrapped tight in his embrace, resting her head against his chest and closing her eyes.

Each day and night that I kept this a secret it killed me, it's time to share what I feel inside.

I don't need anything else but your love nothing but you means a thing to me, I'm incomplete
With you not there holding me, touching me, I swear all of the rest could just disappear, and I wouldn't even care, as long as you're there.

The beat began to slow as the song came to a crescendo. Dani leaned back a bit to glance up into Nico's eyes. He was happy, she could tell, his eyes sparkled hazel even in the dim lights of the club.

He reached up gently to cup her cheek in his hand and Dani closed her eyes and leaned into him. She could tell he'd moved closer as well, she could feel his breath against her face. She opened her eyes to find his lips inches from her own. They smiled at each other and she closed her eyes again as he pressed his lips gently to her own.

As long as you're there.

Isabelle beamed at the sight in front of her, she wanted to shout with joy and give her brother a hug but she had to keep her composure for now.

Janette nodded and smiled as she watched the two, grateful that they'd finally broken through to each other.

Terrence gave Vivica a light nudge and pointed out to the dance floor. Vivica smiled and leaned into Terrence. "You know you owe me five bucks." He whispered in her ear. She laughed and gave him a kiss of her own.

The song faded down and the crowd applauded.

Dani pulled back, enough to give her a second to breath. She glanced up at Nico and was completely unable to suppress the smile that formed across her face. She reached up to cup his face in her hand and pulled him in for another quick kiss before joining the crowd in applauding Isabelle.

"Thank you very much." She said, taking a quick bow. "Now let's have some fun huh?" She pointed to the band who sat to the left of the stage. A new beat kicked in, faster and more upbeat. Isabelle grabbed the microphone off its stand and raced to the back of the stage to begin her second song.

I'm feeling sexy and free, like glitter's raining on me. You're like a shot of pure gold; I think I'm 'bout to explode.

Six of the girls that Isabelle danced with for her auditions joined the number, dancing on either side of her as she sang.

I can taste the tension like a cloud of smoke in the air. Now I'm breathing like I'm running cause you're taking me there, Don't you know...you spin me out of control.

Ooh ooh ooh
We can do this all night turn this club, skin tight baby come on. Pull me like a bass drum, sparkin' up a rhythm baby, come on!
Ooh ooh ooh ooh

Isabelle stood center stage as two of the girls raced up to her, spun her around and pulled off the bottom half of her dress, revealing a short purple tulle skirt underneath. The crowd that had gathered in front of the stage applauded and cheered.

Rock my world into the sunlight make this dream the best I've ever known. Dirty dancing in the moonlight take me down like I'm a domino.
Every second is a highlight; when we touch don't ever let me go. Dirty dancing in the moonlight take me down like I'm a domino.

Dani glanced over at Nico passing the question through her eyes, he smiled and nodded. Dani turned and they made their way through the crowd to the front of the stage watching as Isabelle danced along with the other girls.

You got me loosing my mind, my heart beats out of time. I'm seeing Hollywood stars, you stroke me like a guitar.
I can taste the tension like a cloud of smoke in the air. Now I'm breathing like I'm running cause you're taking me there, Don't you know...you spin me out of control

Ooh ooh ooh
We can do this all night turn this club, skin tight baby come on. Pull me like a bass drum, sparkin' up a rhythm Baby, come on!
Ooh ooh ooh ooh

Dani cheered and clapped. The dancers circled Isabelle as she continued singing, making her way to the front of the stage.

Ooh baby baby got me feeling so right
Ooh baby baby dancing in the moonlight
Ooh baby baby got me feeling so right
Ooh baby baby dancing in the moonlight

She smiled and held her hand out to Dani and Nico. Dani grabbed hold and gave her hand a squeeze. Isabelle smiled, winked at Nico and blew him a kiss as she backed up to the center of the stage to finish the song.

Dani wrapped her arms around Nico as she watched Isabelle finish her number. She let her head rest against his shoulder and smiled up at him. He was proud of his sister, she could tell. She leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek which gained his attention.

"You did an amazing job." She said, knowing he would understand what she meant.

He thanked her by pulling her in tight and kissing her breathless again.

The crowd burst into applause when Isabelle finished. She took a bow with her dancers and then by herself. She waved to the crowd and then slipped behind the curtain.

YAY! So we finally got a kiss :D The songs used for this chapter were As Long As You're There by Charice and Domino by Jessie J. I figured the love song fit pretty well and Domino was just one of those songs that's pretty catchy and fun so I thought I'd throw it in.

I am not sure when I'll be updating next, with the holidays comming up I don't have alot of time to write and update so I might not post anything till after the new year.

If that's the case I wish you all a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays and a very happy New Year! :D I love you all, thank you for continuing to read and review it means alot to me! I'll be waiting to hear your reviews for this chapter, I am sure I'll get a fangirl squee or two at the kiss ;D Your welcome!

Much love everyone!

~Tara~