So I would just like to point out that I do not like this chapter. This section was always more of a filler, even in the original posting so many years ago. Gig time with Corduroy. But I promise… if you make it all the way to the end of this chapter, that I will make it up to everyone in the next chapter.

Once again, thank you very much to all of you for the PMs, alerts and reviews. I would like to take a moment to say a very special "thank-you" to Ivo1617 who has been very diligent with PMs and reviews for every single chapter. Ivo, thank you so very much for the inspiration you weren't even aware of providing. I have several new ideas coming up in future chapters because of you.

Chapter Fourteen - Do You Wanna Touch Me There; Yeah

They drove Mandy's car to Claudia's to drop off the kids, then went back to the house to get the Harley. The bar was already pretty full when they got there. Jake pulled into the parking lot and parked as close as possible to the security camera. Mandy grabbed Jake's hand within her own as they walked through the door and actually had to wait in line to enter.

After a few moments Mandy saw the doorman/bouncer, Vinnie. Mandy slipped behind a few people and walked over and hugged him; catching him off guard in the process. He pulled back to see who had the nerve to touch him. When he noticed the strawberry blonde bouncing on her heels, a large smile split his face. "Hey, Amanda! Good to see you, girl. How the hell have you been?" He picked her up in a bear hug.

Mandy hugged him tight around his neck. "Great, Vinnie. Ahh… could you put me down, please?"

"Sure… let me think… How's the weather down there, Shorty?"

Mandy looked at him, confusion clearly written on her face. "Huh?"

Vinnie laughed at her as he stopped the next patron to check her ID. He stamped the offered hand as he answered Mandy."Well, you said to put you down."

Mandy smacked him on his arm, and then pulled back her hand as it stung. "Ow! You've been working out." She tugged the sleeve on his Rangers jersey. "New jersey?"

"No. New York. "

Mandy rolled her eyes at Vinnie's sarcasm and he laughed. "Actually, it's one I've had for a while. Never wear it too much. First year Mark Messier."

Mandy grabbed Jake's hand and pulled the taller woman closer to meet her friend. "Vinnie, this is my friend, Jake. Jake, this shit-head is Vinnie."

Vinnie offered his hand and Jake shook it, firmly.

"Wow, good grip. Nice to meet you, Jake. I am the watchdog of this fine establishment."

"Yeah, you got the dog part right." Mandy teased him as Jake placed an arm around her shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah… you just watch yourself there, girlie!"

"Is everybody else here?" Mandy asked him as she snuggled in closer to Jake, wrapping her arms around her midsection.

Vinnie took all of this in with much interest as he continued to check IDs and stamp the hands of the people entering the bar. "Yeah. Annie's setting up her drums. Stevo and Jase just finished with the P.A." He answered as he carded a couple of new customers who looked a bit too young to be in there. Mandy and Jake stepped further out of the way so Vinnie could do his job.

"Who else is working, tonight?"

"Well, KF is here. Ang and Bert are behind the bar and Dana's up in the DJ booth."

"Great. I'll have to go say hi. I'll see you later, Vinnie."

Mandy started to walk off when he called after her. "Hey… you're not so secret admirer is here. And Bama should be here later on."

"Okay, thanks, Vinnie."

Mandy made her way up to the bar, pulling Jake by the hand. As they stood in line to order their drinks, Jake inquired about one of the names she had heard the bouncer mention. "Bama?" Jake asked.

"Yeah. Remember me telling you that KF owned the Corral half? Well… Bama owns the Hershe's half of the bar."

"Oh. Well, what about this not so secret admirer your friend mentioned?"

Mandy started laughing as they moved closer to the bar. "She's okay. She's just a fan of the band."

"Fan of you is more like it." Mandy looked up to see her friend, Angie, waiting behind the bar. Angie was an attractive blond at about five foot seven with short blonde hair and brown eyes.

Mandy grabbed a peanut from the bowl of snacks on the bar and tossed it at the bartender. "Yeah… well you went out with her!"

"Yes, I did… and she's still here!"

Mandy laughed at her friend. "Can I get two Coronas please with extra lime?"

Angie smiled as she reached into the coolers to fulfill the drink order. "Sure thing... That's my kind of woman." Angie got their order together. "Here you go."

"Thanks. Can you run a tab for me, please?"

"Yeah, right." Angie replied sarcastically.

Mandy rolled her eyes at how stubborn everyone in this bar seemed to be. Mandy placed a few dollars in the tip jar and made introductions. "Ang, this is my friend, Jake."

Angie nodded her head in the taller woman's direction. "Nice to meet ya."

"Jake, if you ever need to find Angie, just look for the Pittsburgh Penguins cap."

Angie looked up as if offended. "Are you insinuating something, Mandy? Lemiex was the MAN!"

Mandy laughed at her friend, as she talked about her favorite player of all time, Mario Lemieux.

"I'm just stating the facts, Ang." Mandy smiled and offered a small wave as she and Jake made their way up to the stage. On the way, Jake met two more of Mandy's friends, the DJ, Dana, and another bartender, Bert.

"I swear, every time I see Bert, she has a different shirt with lights on the front. I wonder if they run off batteries?"

Jake laughed at Mandy. "Honey, are you having a blonde moment? I'm pretty sure they're not solar powered..."

Mandy backhanded Jake in her stomach. "Hey!" Mandy noticed her "admirer" walking up to them. She reached up and wrapped her arms around Jake's neck, making sure her little fan noticed.

"Hi, Mandy."

Mandy looked at Jake and winked before removing her arms from around Jake's neck.

"Hi, Carrie. Nice to see you. Glad you could make it."

Carrie was about Mandy's height with short brown hair and gray eyes. "I wouldn't miss it. Good luck!"

"Awww... thank you!" Mandy called after the girl.

Jason walked up and mimicked in Mandy's ear, "I wouldn't miss it!" sounding more like Cartman from Southpark than anything else.

Mandy laughed at her ex husband. "Jason, be nice. She's harmless."

Jason turned to Jake, trying to look serious. "Jake, that girl is here every time we play. She gets here about two hours before anybody else so she can sit in the same spot in front of Mandy. And, she's the last one to leave."

Mandy rolled her eyes at her ex's exaggeration. "Jason, behave. She's harmless. I think it's cute. Leave her alone."

"Yeah… cute. Cute little stalker..." he said as he took a pull on his beer.

"She's not a stalker, Jason. Be nice."

Jake wrapped her arms around the smaller woman at her side. "She better not be. She'd have to go through me first."

Mandy looked surprised at Jake. "You are sweet." Mandy placed a kiss on the taller woman's cheek, causing her ex to chuckle.

Jake pretended to be annoyed at Mandy's praise and rolled her eyes as she placed her jacket in the back corner of the booth. "Just don't say that too loud. People might begin to think that I'm nice or something."

This caused Jason to laugh harder until Mandy pointed a finger at him. "Don't you start, Jason!"

Jason held up both hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Are you ready? It's just about time to start."

"Yep. I'm on my way."

Jason nodded then made his way to the stage as Mandy turned back to Jake. "You won't go anywhere, right?"

Jake kissed the back of Mandy's hand. "Not unless you do. I'll be right here and I'll see you in a bit."

Mandy smiled one last time at Jake before she made her way up onto the stage.

The first two sets went great. The band was on a break before they finished up with their last set for the night. Eph and Pony had showed up right before the first set started. Terry and Jay were not far behind with their friend Karen. The five were standing by the bar talking to KF and Angie. They were making fun of the girl in front of the stage waiting, patiently, to catch a glimpse of Mandy.

"Can you believe it? You'd think Mandy was someone famous." Pony stated as she ordered another beer. "I mean, come on… it's not like she'd ever have a chance anyway."

"Especially with Mandy's new girl here." KF added.

"New girl? How about the only girl? What's the deal with those two anyway?" Angie asked as she handed the group a new round of drinks.

Eph took it upon herself to answer this one. "Jake works for Jason and her niece is in Mandy's class. They've both got a thing for each other. From the looks of it, Mandy is starting to just relax and go with it. You should've seen them a couple of weeks ago; the way they danced around each other."

While Angie went to the other side of the bar to wait on the customers there, KF clasped a hand on Eph's shoulder. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think our little friend is close to storming out of the proverbial closet. Because believe me, when she does, it won't be a simple little 'coming out'. I don't think I want to be within ten miles when that happens."

Everyone shared a laugh and noticed Bert walk out of the DJ booth with Dana. They stopped and spoke with Mandy for a moment then all three headed for the bar. Mandy grabbed Jake's hand and pulled her along with them. Angie walked back up to the growing crowd of friends to see what held their attention.

"Uh-oh… Here comes trouble." Angie commented as Mandy stopped in front of her friends. Dana and Bert continued on behind the bar with a twinkle in their eyes.

Bert was about five foot ten with long curly dark brown hair and light brown eyes. If there was a bad ass in the bar, she was it. Especially when she dressed as she was tonight- in a pair of black vinyl pants and a black tank top with the word "Bitch" in red lights across her chest. Dana was a bit shorter with long blond hair and light brown eyes. She had a petite figure that made her seem taller. Most women came into the bar when she was working just to see her. She was wearing a pair of faded jeans with a hole in one knee and one just below her left butt cheek. She was wearing a black sports bra with a white, transparent blouse over the top.

The two walked behind the bar and Bama put a hand up to stop them. Bama, the other owner, had shown up at the bar during the second set. She had shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes. "Hey… Dana, aren't you supposed to be in the DJ booth?" Bama asked as Bert continued on behind the bar and began to clear all the glasses and bottles off the surface. Everybody knew what was coming and moved their drinks.

"Don't worry about it, Bama. Everything is all set. Bobbi's filling in for a few minutes."

Bama's eyes grew large. She knew what was coming as well. "Oh no… You're not…"

"Don't worry your blonde little head off. Everything's under control." Dana patted her on her shoulder and continued behind the bar.

"If you're doing what I think you're doing, just make sure you use the cheap liquor." Bama shook her head and grinned. She backed out of the way as Dana and Bert waited.

Before too much longer, "Unbelievable" by EMF came through the P.A. system. Bert looked at Dana and mouthed "Showtime!" Both women jumped up onto the bar, followed soon after by KF. All three women looked down at Mandy and began to motion her up onto the bar with their fingers. Mandy blushed and put her head in her hands. After a moment she jumped up onto the bar with them.

All four women began dancing in sync with each other ala "Coyote Ugly". Bert got an almost evil grin on her face as each woman started dancing on her own side of the bar. Bert reached down and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.

She noticed Bama's look of alarm and smiled back. Bert began to strut down her side of the bar, pouring the alcohol down its length, while Bama mentally counted the shots that were wasted. Bert jumped up and grabbed a hold of one of the ceiling rafters and dropped a match onto the bar. Bert's side of the bar went up in flames as everyone began cheering. She jumped down and her boots landed in the middle where Angie had begun putting out the flames with the spray nozzle from behind the bar.

"That better have been the cheap stuff!" Bama screamed up to Bert who winked as the other three dancers made their way back around to her side.

Jake leaned in towards Eph and practically had to scream to be heard. "What in the hell is this?"

Eph laughed as she answered. "All of us went in a group to see 'Coyote Ugly' YEARS ago when it opened in the theatres. Each of the four you see up there decided that they would imitate someone from the movie. Now, every time all four are in the bar at the same time, they do this. Let me see… how did it go? Oh yeah… KF is 'Lil' since she owns the bar. Mandy is the aspiring songwriter from New Jersey, Violet. Or 'Jersey' as they called her in the movie. Dana is 'Cammy' since she's the tease of the four. And obviously Bert is 'Rachel' since she's the bad ass."

Jake nodded her head in understanding. Raven loved to watch that movie on DVD so Jake was very familiar with the plot and cast of characters.

The song ended but the women remained on the bar as "You Must Be Crazy For Me" by Melissa Etheridge played. Jake smiled when Mandy caught her eye. Mandy winked as she made her way around the bar top. She noticed Steve and Jason trying to get her attention from the stage.

She had a feeling she knew what song would be played next since she had been the one to request it. It was a song the band played. As Steve motioned for Mandy to stay right where she was, Mandy knew what would happen; the band would play the Joan Jett tune and Mandy would sing it from atop the bar.

Mandy couldn't believe she was actually going to have the nerve to sing this. After all, whenever Corduroy performed it, Annie would sing it.

Angie handed over the cordless microphone from behind the bar. Mandy's vocals for this song would be coming out of the house P.A.

The drums started and everyone's attention was torn between the display on the bar and the band on the stage.

Everyone, that is, except Jake.

Jason and Steve began playing. Mandy danced her way back over in front of Jake. Her voice filled the entire bar as she began to sing... to Jake.

"We've been here too long trying to get along, pretending that you're, oh, so shy. I'm a natural Ma'am, doing all I can, my temperature is running high."

Jake's heartbeat sped up. She knew this song. It had been one of Ryan's favorites.

"High at night, no one in sight and we've got so much to share" Mandy leaned down and ran her fingers down Jake's cheek as KF, Bert and Dana kept the other patrons occupied. "Talking's fine if we've got the time. But I ain't got the time to spare, yeah! Do you wanna touch?" Mandy held the microphone out over the crowd as they responded with the appropriate, "Yeah!"

"Do you wanna touch?" "Yeah!" Do you wanna touch me there? Where? Do you wanna touch?" "Yeah!" "Do you wanna touch?" "Yeah!" Mandy ran her hand through her own hair and straight down to her stomach as she looked in Jake's eyes and sang the last line of the chorus. "Do you wanna touch me there? Where? There? Yeah!"

The entire bar was on their feet and singing along as Mandy continued the song. "Every girl and boy needs a little joy, all you do is sit and stare." Mandy got down on her knees in front of Jake. Jake could've sworn she was having a heart attack. When Mandy reached over and ran her finger down her cheek again, Jake ran her hands up Mandy's legs, a little surprised at the muscle she could feel, up her thighs and around her hips.

"Begging on my knees, Baby, won't you please run your fingers through my hair?" Mandy stood back up and began dancing in sync with Bert and Dana. KF had gotten down off the bar to help Vinnie keep everyone from grabbing the girls.

"My, my, my whiskey and rye. Don't it make you feel so fine? Pride all gone, don't it turn you on? Can't you see we're wasting time? Yeah!"

The band went through the chorus again with Mandy asking and the crowd answering the lyrics to the song. Once the song was over, Mandy handed the mic back to Angie. If anyone, other than Jake and her friends, got within three feet of Mandy while she was getting down, they got a splash of water in the face from Angie, who had armed herself with the spray nozzle once again. After all, she had gone with the others to see that movie.

Mandy looked down at Jake, who opened her arms up to Mandy. Mandy jumped off the bar and was caught by Jake, who gave her a big hug. Mandy winked and made her way back to the stage to finish the last set.

After all the equipment was loaded, everyone sat in a booth in a far corner of the bar. Eph had her head leaning on Pony's shoulder. Jay was already asleep in a booth behind them. Karen was sitting on Eph's other side, poking her friend and disturbing her rest. Steve and Jason sat at a table next to the booth. Jake was sitting on the edge of the booth with Mandy sitting on her left leg. Jake had her left arm wrapped around Mandy's waist while Mandy had her right arm wrapped around Jake's neck.

Eph got tired of Karen poking at her and smacked her hand away. "Will you, please, stop? I have to get my rest. You're a doctor, for the love of God. You should know these things!"

Karen chuckled at her agitated friend. "Not that kind of doctor."

"Yeah well, other than that…"

Karen was fairly tall with short black hair and brown eyes. She had a figure about as small as Dana's but that could be deceiving. Her arms and legs were long enough to give her quite an advantage over most people in a fight. A few years earlier, she spent most of her free time keeping Angie, KF, Terry and Eph out of fights even when they deserved to get their asses kicked. You definitely didn't want to piss off this particular Italian.

"So what's happening tomorrow that's so important?" Karen asked and Eph smiled.

"We are going to see Ashlynn James, tomorrow night. Pony won tickets for the show before they ever went on sale."

"Bitch!" Mandy said as she balled up a napkin and threw it at her friend.

Eph sat up to defend herself. "Mandy, I'm sorry. How were we supposed to know that Jason couldn't get the tickets?" Eph wanted to laugh at the disappointed expression on Mandy's face. Mandy lowered her head and Jake winked at Eph. They had discussed the concert earlier while the band played.

"I know. I've just never seen her and I've wanted to ever since she toured with Shania Twain a few years ago." Mandy ordered another drink.

Bert's voice came over the P.A. as the lights came on and they began to rush people out of the bar. "People, if you are not in the band or sleeping with someone in the band, please leave."

Angie grabbed the microphone from Bert and added, "Carrie, this means you."

Everyone around the table laughed and Mandy chastised them all. "You guys are so mean to that girl. I wish you'd all behave." Mandy said, even though she found herself giggling as well.

Angie looked over to the table in the corner and motioned that everyone could stay. Once the doors locked, Angie brought Mandy's drink over to her.

"Angie, why don't you sit down and have a drink with us?" Jason asked.

"No thanks. None for me tonight. I'd rather experience life in all its agonizing glory. I don't want to dull the sensation."

"Since when?" Karen asked.

Angie glared and mumbled "Smart Ass" as she walked away.

After another moment, Karen got up to leave. "Well guys, I'm out of here. I'm on call from tomorrow morning through the entire weekend so I better get my sleep while I can." She offered a slender hand to Jake. "It was a pleasure meeting you. Please come along to the party Sunday night."

Jake wasn't going to bother until she saw the hopeful look in Mandy's eyes. "Thank you. That sounds great, thanks. I'll just have to get a costume, I guess."

Mandy turned Jake's face towards her. "I have an idea for one. I'll tell you about it later."

"Great, then I'll see you guys on Sunday." Karen grabbed her leather jacket and everyone got up to leave.

As they were walking out, Jason walked up and spoke to Jake while Mandy said goodbye to everyone else. "She's going to be so surprised, tomorrow. You two have fun."

"Thanks, Jason. I really owe you one for this."

He waved her off. "Nah… you don't owe me shit. You're making her happy. That's good enough. Now, I'm gonna head back to Richmond. I'll call you in a few days to see how everything went."

Jake nodded as she and Jason walked over to Mandy. She walked up behind Mandy, who could sense the taller woman behind her. Mandy reached back to grab Jake's hands and pulled them tight around her waist.

Jason gave her a hug and kissed her on her cheek. He placed his lips close to her ear as he whispered, "Happy Birthday, Beautiful. Your present is at Mom's. I love you."

Mandy reached up to hug him back and kiss him on his cheek. "Thank you. I love you, too. See you soon?"

"You bet. I'm going to stop by Mom's and see the princess before I head back to Richmond. I'll see you soon."

Everyone left the bar and Jake started the bike. As Mandy got on behind her, Jake turned around and asked, "Did you have a good night?"

Mandy tightened her hold as she settled in against Jake's back. "I had a great night!"

So did everyone make it through okay? As much as I have always loathed this chapter, re-reading and editing it made me chuckle. I forgot that I put myself in here as Mandy's "stalker". LOL

Now onto the music credits: The first song as everyone danced atop the bar is "Unbelievable" by EMF and can be found on the "Coyote Ugly" soundtrack. The second song is "You Must Be Crazy For Me" by Melissa Etheridge on her album, "Never Enough". The last song, as well as the title lyric, is "Do You Wanna Touch" by Joan Jett which can be found on many of her greatest hits albums but originally from the album, "Bad Reputation" Guess it's pretty easy to figure out what my writing playlist was all those years ago, huh?

Now… without further ado… the next chapter: What Would Happen If We… ;-)