CHAPTER 14

If this had just been professional issues, Karma probably would have stepped back and let Chris have the limelight he wanted so damn bad. As it extended to their personal life –they were, or had been, a couple after all- she was hurt and it showed.

Even if they hadn't been a couple, they had been friends for over twenty years; this hurt.

And it was like Nero knew she was suffering because when she went onstage for their one song 'duet', he launched into a song all about pain; which she damn near drowned in as she played; keeping her head down so the tears glistening on her cheeks wouldn't show.

Chris had done what he did to prove a point, he didn't need her at all. She had somewhere along the line stopped being his completing piece and he had publically made sure she knew it.

From offstage, Matthew was crying like a woman; watching as she played her heart out and fanned his face with his hands; blinking rapidly. "My contacts are slipping now…"

Nero had no idea what had happened with his opening act; he had seen the change from their usual set but wasn't aware of the cause. It was obvious there was tension between the lead singer and the guitarist, Karma.

When she had walked out tonight to play with him; he had met her chocolate brown eyes for a moment and felt her pain piercing him. Love, she was suffering from heartbreak.

And he felt her pain.

Maggie screwed up her own eyes when the song changed, Nero literally screaming angrily into the microphone; as his own band launched into a song that clearly said: fuck love.

Karma was totally lost in the music now, sweat mingling with her tears as she moved her head in time with the music. She knew she had overstayed her song but he had launched into the second without pause and she had flown with it, they were meshing together in a mutual hatred for one specific emotion.

When she straightened her head, she felt someone from behind slipping a headset over her ears and stopped playing long enough to adjust the mic.

Nero almost shivered –which wasn't normal for him at all- when Karma accented his angry singing with a haunting; musical wail which then turned into a gritty, earthy growl of pain that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

He moved to stand behind her, one arm snaking about her waist; gently pulling her so she was leaning into him; feeling the material of her top sticking to his sweat covered chest. Together their voices became one in a beautiful; gothic, heartbreaking and still somewhat angry symphony, accompanied by her electric guitar.

When it was finished, Nero sank to one knee in front of her; closing his eyes and rested his forehead against her thigh; just breathing.

"Holy shit!" Matthew squealed. "Shane, those singing lessons you made her do, just paid off."

Shane's jaw was on the floor.

Karma slid the guitar strap down; staring at Nero as she blinked sweat from her eyes. When the stage went pitch black, flames from lighters instantly appeared and she felt him getting to his feet; still staring at him.

Did that voice come from her?

Apparently it had.

She felt herself being pulled backstage, turning to look at Shane quizzically. "Is something wrong?" She asked, surprised at how calm her voice sounded, feeling like she was having an out of body experience.

"I had no idea you could sing like that, Karmie…" Shane was feeling identical to her, outer body experience; gently taking her hands in his. "There was so much emotion and fire in that performance."

"That was-"

"Riveting."

Pulling away from Shane, she nodded and tried to smile but her lips weren't working. "Thank you." She whispered huskily, reaching up to brush away a tear with the back of her knuckle.

Mattie knew her well enough by this point to know she probably wanted nothing more than to sleep, after having a good cry. "Well… we have a flight to catch, Jonny said she'd pack your things for you and meet you at the terminal." He said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "And you're first class, babycakes! You can sleep comfortably!"

Even Karma had to laugh at that.

***

The show went on. They traveled from place to place opening for Nero. Sometimes it seemed like Chris had finally gotten over his jealousy issues only to wind up doing something on stage to make himself shine, to push her back into her 'place'. Then she'd go out and perform with Nero during the second half of his show, channeling all her anger and hurt just for that.

Somehow, Shane even managed to book them on late night shows for performances and another music video, even Chris didn't dare fuck those up. She just went with it, running on autopilot for the most part.

As long as she looked like a rock star and remembered to smile, everything was fine.

***

"What do you think of this one?"

David stared at the tank top Karma held up, slightly tilting his head to the side. It was black with jagged magenta lightning bolts running throughout it.

She sighed when he just stared. "Hey, I only get a day off a week if I'm lucky, it's not MY fault you insist on following me everywhere." She informed him sweetly, smiling when he arched an eyebrow.

He did silently admit though, she seemed much happier now that she was out in the world minus everyone else and the constant barrage of 'keeping up the rock star' pretense.

"Okay, so you're paid to do it but… I want to shop so you'll suffer. And since you're my shopping buddy…" She moved around the bin and linked an arm through his, waving the shirt. "What do you think?"

She was lonely. Jonatha and Jake had gone to New York for a few days, Phil was doing whatever it was he did and Chris hated her. Shane wasn't exactly a friend in the 'let's go have lunch and see a matinee' sense and she didn't dare go out with Matthew or Maggie, HELL no.

David had become fond of Karma, as much as he hated it. It helped she was so damn easy to take care of, she didn't argue with his travel arrangements (which had drastically changed since her split with Chris to help avoid 'tensions'); or when he would steer her past a bar her friends might go to unwind a bit after a show.

Finally, he eyed the top critically before taking it and tossing it back in the bin; rifling around until he found a dove gray tank top that was design and frill free. "That one." He said gruffly; remembering seeing her in the color once; before Matthew had finally taken over her wardrobe completely.

She studied it, noting the color; which happened to be one of her favorite colors, though Mattie said it was 'dull' and pretty much axed it. She flashed another smile and folded it over her arm, moving onto skirts.

David followed, keeping on guard even though it was obvious there was nothing to be worried about –old habits died hard- and quietly offered his opinion when she would ask for it.

Contrary to her stage image of badass, hard rocker with a hint of goth (and truth be told, more goth was being tossed to the mix lately), Karma was a punk through and through. Today without Mattie to interfere she was back to basics. Blue and grey plaid mini skirt with a grey baby tee and of course, suspenders. She wore high top sneakers with a plaid blue and grey bucket hat to hide her wildly colored hair and a pair of sunglasses over her face. No jewelry and minimal make-up, she wasn't recognizable in the slightest.

Personally, she didn't think she had to worry about being recognized anyways but David had insisted on the hat and shades.

"Hey, look." She stopped to stare across the street, smiling as a pair of kids ran down the sidewalk with their parents laughingly chasing after them. She had never wanted that life at all, but she was nearing her thirty and beginning to realize she was only going to get older, no matter WHAT business she was in, even show business.

David looked, arching an eyebrow. He did look momentarily startled when she suddenly whirled around to stare up at him, wearing an unusually odd expression.

"Why the fuck ain't you married with some kids? Don't tell me protecting my boring ass is fun."

He hesitated, having not been expecting that and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Usually, for this line of work, having a… significant other isn't a good idea. Too much time on the road and in the company of…"

"Other women." Karma finished quietly.

He nodded.

Silence reigned between them for a moment before she finally cleared her throat. "Let's go pay."

After carting her clothes to the cashier and paying for them, they headed outside into the sunshine. "Your line of work is shit." Karma informed him. "Of course, I'd be toast without you so… I guess I'm lucky and you're just…" She looked back at him, frowning. "Kinda depressing."

David felt it was the other way around a little bit and gestured towards the waiting car.

She shook her head, walking over to the driver and passed him her bags. "I'm not ready." She said quietly, having every intention of enjoying her day and glanced down the boulevard.

They weren't that far from the beach actually…

David did not like the appraising look Karma gave him, shifting.

"Come on big guy, hope you brought your trunks."

Was she serious? He followed her down the way until they hit the sandy paths that led down small dunes to the beach; the ocean winking at them when the sunlight hit the waves just right. It was scorching however and he did peel off his shirt; draping it over an old; weathered rail watching as Karma removed her shoes, socks, hat and sunglasses. "Are you really-" He shook his head, groaning as she took off plowing through the sand and dived straight into the water. "Insane. Yes, yes she is."

Karma waved at him from the water, laughing when he just shook his head and began to swim; glad for the suspenders because they held her skirt up. When she finally emerged, she was actually a little tired. "It was COLD in there, but… worth it. You looked… baked." She said, poking a finger into his chest, laughing when he just arched yet another eyebrow at her. "Careful now big guy, that was expressive, you MIGHT be turning human."

He managed not to snort or let the corner of his mouth quirk.

"Hungry?"

The problem with Karma was that she was too damn sweet and nice, she had a mouth on her and could be feisty but overall, she was way too likeable. She had a way of bringing things out in a person even if they didn't want that. He even found himself trying not to laugh or smile when he was around her, which was a nuisance because he didn't WANT to laugh or smile.

"What do you want to eat?" He finally asked, dryly.

To Karma, Dave was just… there. She knew he probably thought she was an annoying, pain in the ass brat who he was sadly stuck protecting but… She couldn't help it. He didn't talk, she had no one to talk too or do things with and since he was constantly *there*, he was the poor bastard who got stuck with her constant chatter.

Realizing just how sad and pathetic she was, she sighed. "Scratch that, I'm not hungry. Let's go back to the hotel." Being famous and all was a bit of a double edged sword.

"Karma…" David reached out to gently grab her wrist, stopping her from walking away and slowly turned her around to face him, staring down into her sad eyes. "I'm sorry sweetheart, I'm… not good at… this." He gestured lamely around them, then at her and him. "At being social. I can try though." He didn't want to get close to her but at the same time, she was like a magnet.

It was right then David realized he had become attached to Karma.