This is yet another one set in the Young Love AU, the same one as chapters 15, 35, 41, and 39 (listed chronologically). This one is next in the timeline.

The band was rehearsing for their Saturday evening gig. They were booked at a larger venue than they normally played, so the rehearsal was important if they hoped to make a name for themselves. But perhaps due to nerves, things were not going well.

"This isn't working," said Lucien at last. He spun the drumsticks anxiously between his fingers.

"We've done this song a hundred times," Geordie Barton pointed out.

"And it's never sounded right," said the bass player, Sean Hopkins. "Every band out there plays 'Night and Day'. We need something to make our version stand out."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Lucien.

"The obvious thing is another one of your solos," said trumpeter Jake Smith.

Sean shook his head. "Look, we all know Blake is the best musician among us, but we can't expect him to carry the heavy load on every song."

"What do you suggest then?" Geordie demanded as he shook out the mouthpiece of his saxophone.

"I don't know. How about a singer?"

"Any of you guys sing?" asked Jake.

"I meant a girl singer. Preferably a good-looking one," Sean insisted.

Lucien immediately glanced over to where Jean sat watching them. He raised a questioning eyebrow, asking whether she'd be interested.

Geordie must have seen. "What about Jean? She has a great voice," he told the others.

"You've heard her sing or you're taking Lucien's word for it?" Jake asked.

Lucien continued to look at Jean until she nodded. "Why not audition her right now?" he suggested. He held a hand out to her, and when the others indicated they were willing, she walked over to clasp it.

"Is that key all right for you, or do you want us to lift it up a step?" he asked softly.

"That's all right. You can play it just as you were." She flashed her beautiful smile at the others as Lucien resumed his seat behind the drum kit and tapped the drumsticks together three times to set the tempo.

Jean watched him for her cue to start, then began to sing. "Like the beat, beat, beat of the tom tom when the jungle shadows fall, like the tick tick tick of the stately clock as it stands against the wall..."

The intro to the song was close to just speaking, so it didn't really show Jean's true voice, but when she got into the verse and began to sing, "Night and day you are the one, only you beneath the moon and under the sun," her lovely, clear tone showed her true talent.

When the song ended Lucien led the applause but was quickly joined by all the others. In a manner of minutes they agreed to a new split of the money they made, and Jean was officially a member of the band.

That evening as they prepared to go onstage she seemed to be having second thoughts. "You make it look so easy," she told him, with her hands visibly shaking as she brushed her hair.

"It is easy," he assured her, resting his hands on her shoulders. "You just need to relax and enjoy it."

"What if I don't enjoy it?" she asked softly.

"Then you don't ever have to do it again. As simple as that. We'll find another singer, although she can't possibly be as talented or beautiful as you," he insisted. He kissed her forehead.

She harrumphed. "I don't know if I like the idea of some other girl joining you on road trips when you're away all weekend. I guess I'd better do as you suggested, relax and enjoy it, then."

She reached up to kiss him properly.

Once she got onstage and began to sing, Lucien could tell that her nerves had disappeared almost immediately. Her tone was lovely, as lovely as the girl herself. He couldn't be happier to share this with her and to see her shine. She knew all the lyrics to their songs because the wireless was always on when they were at home, and she always sang along when he was practicing.

Her debut was a hit: they got a rousing ovation and demands for multiple encores until they ran out of songs. When they finally left the stage, Jean was breathless and beaming with happiness. "Now I understand why you love this," she told him as she wrapped her arms around him.

"You were absolutely wonderful, my dear," he told her. They made their way over to the table where the rest of the band had settled with a round of beer.

"To Jean, our new star," toasted Sean.

"To Jean!" the others chorused, and Lucien winked at her as they drank. He was so proud of her, he could barely contain it.

After three more rounds, the combination of alcohol and the evening's excitement showed its effect on Jean. Lucien knew she would be deeply embarrassed if she did anything inappropriate while under the influence. He was grateful that their flat was within walking distance.

"Last call," shouted the bartender.

"I think we should call it a night anyway," Lucien said, reaching for Jean's hand. "I have to be in the anatomy lab first thing tomorrow morning. Shall we, my dear?"

Jean sighed, obviously sorry to see the evening come to an end, but when she went to stand, her legs didn't seem able to support her. Lucien put a quick hand under her elbow to assist her, but even then Jean was unstable. He finally swept her up into his arms to carry her.

"This was so much fun," she sighed as she rested her head against his shoulder.

"There will be plenty more nights like this," he assured her. "You're a member of the band now."

"That's right! To Jean!" said the others as they drank the final round to her.

Lucien walked out into the street with the woman he loved in his arms. "All right?" he asked, smiling down at her.

"Perfect," she sighed in return as she snuggled closer against his shoulder.

She felt light as a feather in his arms until he reached the steep set of stairs leading to their flat, but he refused to put her down or let her see him struggle in any way.

Jean giggled as they entered their home. "I feel like a bride being carried over the threshold," she told him.

He laughed with her, but deep inside he told himself that exact feeling would be true as soon as he could manage it.


Tonight

We are young

So let's set the world on fire

We can glow brighter than the sun.

So by the time the bar closes

And you feel like falling down

I'll carry you home tonight