'Ello everyone. This chapter is mainly just a...snippet chapter...nothing too major happens. So, enjoy the random fluff, and other crap in this chapter!

Also, Merry Christmas to everyone, and Happy Holidays to those who don't celebrate!

-Chapter Nine : Opus (Finished Work)

"No, the bass line has to be slower," Chris spoke into the microphone, "Two beats slower."

Tyler sighed, exasperated but nodded for the playback to beginning once again, and started recording for the sixth time. Leaning back, Chris frowned. It still didn't sound right. Shaking his head at Tyler, Chris cut the recording and pressed his palms into his eyes. "I swear, I want to jump out a window right now."

"But, that would be suicide," Zach said with a smile, "And you're not allowed to do that."

"And why am I not?"

Zach smiled, "Because if you did, Tyler would become all depressed and then, I would have to deal with it, then I would commit suicide because I would have to be with a downer all day, and then Tyler would commit it right after me, because he would be alone."

Chris blinked before raising an eyebrow, "You just think of that?"

"…yeah."

"I have to admit, that was pretty damn good." Chris said with a laugh.

"Glad you liked it," remarked Zach.

"Alright, what are you two laughing about," Tyler inquired, an eyebrow rose in question.

"Just how if I committed suicide, everyone would do as well." Snorted Chris, "Didn't know I was that important."

Tyler smiled and sat down in Chris's laps, "Well of course you are. You're the singer, guitarist, songwriting, director, manager, of Pariah," listed Tyler, "So without you, Pariah is just a…bassist and a drum player."

"And, last time I checked mate, that's not much of a band." Added Zach.

"Yeah, well, Pariah won't be a band if we can't get this album figured out." Sighed Chris.

Tyler frowned, "What's wrong with it?"

"This song, it just doesn't flow together, and I can't figure out if it's the guitar part, the bass part or the drums."

"Maybe, its all of them?" Zach suggested with a small shrug.

Chris exhaled deeply, "Then let's…redo everything…this records never gonna get done."

Zach snorted, "The way we're going, no."

Yawning, Chris closed his eyes and rested his forehead on his arms as the music played in his ears. It was well into the night, but the young man couldn't sleep. It was already May and the album wasn't close to being finished. Taking the headphones off, he leaned back and looked at the ceiling. With a deep sigh, he got up and headed out to the living room. He poured himself a cup of coffee, sipping it carefully as he stared at nothing in particular.

Then, his sight caught the grand piano that was in the room, his mind turning. Setting the cup aside, Chris walked to it. The piano, it was the first instrument he learned, and because of that, it held a special place with him. He sat on the bench and opened it, the ivory keys exposed. Soft notes were played and a small smile stretched upon his lips.

He glanced at the bedroom. The door was shut and Tyler could nearly sleep though anything when he was stressed. With a deep breath, he played a chord. Then another. Then one more.

Then words came out, "No warning sign, no alibi…"

Chris narrowed his eyes before he tweaked a nob. Behind him, Wyatt and Piper watched him. In the room, Zach was adding his beats to an imaginary song. Tyler was too busy taking a nap in the chair beside the one that Chris was supposed to be sitting in. Leaning down, Chris spoke into the microphone, "Can you redo the last few measures and do eighth notes on the third and fourth beat, change it up a bit?"

"Will do!" responded Zach.

Chris sighed and sat down. He glanced at Tyler and snorted softly. "Of course he would be sleeping."

Piper smiled, "He was tired."

"Don't know why, he slept more than I did."

"Some of us require eight hours of sleep in order to function," Tyler mumbled.

"Right. Because you didn't get that last night." Chris said, rolling his eyes.

"…This chair is comfy." Argued Tyler.

"Yeah, yeah. Just leave me to do all the work."

"Glad we got the figured out love, now let me work."

Chris raised an eyebrow, "By what? Sleeping."

"Yep."

"Isn't he the best boyfriend?" Chris sarcastically asked his snickering family.

Tyler smirked, "You know it. Now quiet, I'm sleeping."

"Oh yes master, anything else you want?"

"A foot rub would be nice."

"Then consider yourself single and find someone else to do it,"

Tyler smiled. Leaning up, Tyler pecked Chris's lips, "Nah, I'm good."

"Good answer." Chris responded.

"Hey! You two done over there!"

Chris glanced up, "What?" he asked Zach.

"I'm done. Next song?"

"Uh," he glanced up at the chalkboard wall, "Night of the Hunter, is the last song we need the drums on."

Zach nodded and headed back into the room. Chris leaned back and hit a button behind him before pressing play, the forementioned song now playing in Zach's headphones. Sighing, Chris rested his head on his palm, "We still need bass for three songs, guitar parts for two, and the vocals for four…this CD is taking forever."

"Eh, but it will be kickass once it is done," Tyler answered through a yawn.

"It better be," snorted Chris, "Or, I'm skydiving without a parachute."

Chris smiled as he took off his headphones. Finally, the CD can be considered done, and he got it done by July. Glancing up, he frowned at the time: 12:01 am. Okay, by July Second, he mused. Cracking his neck, he stood up planning to head to bed; however, the piano caught his eye. Looking at it, he frowned and looked at the CD player on the desk.

There was room for one more song.

"So, Zachary, what are your plans exactly for New Years Eve?" Chris inquired.

Zach peered up from his magazine, the three men lounging around Chris and Tyler's living room as they burned a myriad of CD's to ship out, "Considering its five months away, none."

"Good…keep it that way." Chris said with a smile.

Raising an eyebrow, Zach looked at the frontman, "And may I ask why?"

"I'm planning something."

"And that something would be?"

"Something."

"If I'm going to apart of this 'something' then I think I should know."

"Nah."

Tyler rolled his eyes and lightly flicked Chris's forehead, his boyfriend using his lap as a pillow, "He's planning a concert, an all-nighter."

"But…isn't that your anniversary?" Zach said, frowning.

Tyler shrugged, "We'll have the day to celebrate, and it's not that big of a deal."

Chris looked at the drummer, "Plus, it's only for one year."

"That's what he says no," snorted Tyler.

"What?"

Tyler looked at Chris, "I can see it now. This is going to become an annual thing."

Chris shrugged, "We'll have to see how this one goes first."

Zach sighed, "An all-nighter?"

"Yep."

"Do we even have enough material for that?"

"…I think so."

Zach mulled it over, "Alright. I'm game."