A/N: Part one of the third tale. Side-B to Celebrating Chaos. And a happy Living Pains Day to all.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Living Pains: Tales From Club Rouge

Tale 3: Chaotic Celebration

Tale Theme: Last Resort, by Papa Roach

Part 1: Preparation

Shadow punched the wall in fury. Rouge quietly sat and watched him pace her apartment. Tim sat outside on her balcony. Shadow had evicted him after the cat refused to tell them who the hawk was. The bat jumped when her phone rang. Shadow ignored her. His rage was focused on a certain echidna. The party had been going great until Knuckles showed up. Shadow's hands clenched into fists a the thought of Knuckles kissing Rouge. He should have known something was up from the moment the echidna left.

Three days earlier…

"I guess. Everyone'll blame me for this, I just know it." The hedgehog muttered darkly. Knuckles welcomed the slight change in topic. He chuckled to himself, causing Shadow to smirk. "You know it's true."

"That doesn't make it any less funny." The two laughed as they went their separate ways. Shadow walked towards the bar, trying to figure out why Knuckles really wanted to leave. His attention was caught by Tim and Sheila debating the menu for the party.

"Honestly, I think we should have haggis." The dark grey cat said with a grin.

"Tim, no one, in the entire world, likes haggis. Not even you."

"True, but it is traditional. And fun to watch other people eat." He said, balancing a stack of plates on his left hand. "And therefore, I win."

"That doesn't even make sense!" She sighed in exasperation. "Can we please take this seriously?" Tim frowned thoughtfully.

"That's rude, you know I don't take anything serious." He added another plate to the stack.

"Tim, put those down." Shadow said, grabbing half the plates and placing them onto the bar. The cat gave him a dirty look as he set the rest of the plates down. "And no haggis, it took us weeks to get the smell out after your birthday." Tim grinned widely.

"Yeah, good times." Shadow gave him a level look. "Shame about the piñata."

"It was shaped like my head." The ebony hedgehog growled at him.

"I had fun." Rouge called from the kitchen door. "Worked out a lot of aggression towards the birthday boy." Tim grinned at her.

"You all love me, I'm bleeding adorable." Shadow and Rouge exchanged a dubious look while Sheila blushed. "Oh, and that guy I told you about agreed to play."

"The chameleon? Good." He pointedly ignored Rouge's gave. After a few minutes of her staring at him he finally caved. "What?"

"So?" She leaned up close to him, causing the ebony hedgehog to back up against the bar. She grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you going to play for me?" The ivory bat grinned when he blushed.

"Um…yes?" Her grin spread and she kissed him briefly on the lips. "Thank you!" Shadow looked bewildered as she turned and walked off to straiten some of the tablecloths. Tim smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"Congrats Boss, she owns you." Shadow brushed the cat's hand off his shoulder.

"Thanks." He gave Tim and Sheila a look. "Is everyone's break over yet?" The two employees exchanged a sheepish look. "Good, now can we get back to work?"

Shadow and Rouge stood at the front door, Shadow straightening his dress shirt nervously. Rouge grabbed his hand with a reassuring smile. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. The ebony hedgehog sincerely disliked crowds. He preferred to spend time with a small group of close friends at most. He allowed very few exceptions to this rule, to varying degrees of success. He hoped tonight would go well, for Rouge, Tim, and Sheila if not for himself. He would be only slightly annoyed if it went badly, unless something terrible happened.

"You're going to give yourself an aneurism if you don't relax." Rouge gave his hand a light squeeze. "Since when are you nervous?"

"Since you and Sheila decided to have a Christmas party here." He sent her a sly look. "We could always slip away unnoticed."

"And miss hearing you play? Never." She laughed at the scowl that brought. "There, feeling better?" He shot her an incredulous look.

"You teased me to make me feel better?"

"Did it work?" He looked thoughtful before frowning in annoyance.

"Yes." He sighed when there was a knock on the door. "That should be Espio. Our new guitarist." He added quickly. The ivory bat blinked in surprise.

"You got Espio to play guitar? He can play guitar?" Shadow gave her a confused look. "What?"

"Am I the only one that's never met this guy?" The hedgehog shook his and opened the door. The purple chameleon stood there awkwardly. In his left hand was a guitar case.

"Hello Rouge." He nodded to the bat before turning to the hedgehog. "You must be Shadow. I'm-"

"You can play guitar?" Rouge interrupted. Espio paused before shaking his head with a groan.

"And you ask why I keep to myself?"

"I like this guy." Shadow said to Rouge.

"Duh, he's you with the ability to be polite." They exchanged annoyed looks before turning back to the confused chameleon. "Go ahead and set up on the stage. Shadow and I are going to greet the guests as they arrive."

"Okay?" He quickly made his way to the stage, nodding to the cat. "Glad to see you outside of the regular business Tim."

"Yeah…how did you guys track me down last time?" The cat asked while setting up a basket next to the drums.

"You showed up to the crime scene four times. After you beat the guy. And you waved to the security camera each time."

"I like that gas station. He should not have gone to it." Tim stood up and wiped his hands together.

"Right. What's with the basket?"

"Drumsticks." Espio gave him an odd look before shaking his head.

"Never mind. So, just anywhere's fine?"

"Yeah." The grey cat said with a nod.