"I'll be back," Jesse left no room for arguments once their set was done. He'd been watching that guy talk to them all night. They hadn't sent him away from them either, in fact they seemed to be enjoying his flirting with them. They were all laughing when he approached, zeroing in on Jane. "Can we talk?"

"Be right back." She threw over her shoulder while going across the room to a quiet corner with Jesse.

Jane stood where she could keep an eye on her friend and still give Jesse the attention he seemed to need at the moment.

"What's happening?" Jesse asked.

Jane looked at him sharply.

"You came and got me." She was confused by his bizarre behavior.

"What's up with Mr. Khaki?"

Jealous? Really?

"I'm not jealous," he countered reading her face. "He's flirting with you- both of you."

So. Wasn't the first and won't be the last.

"OK."

?Ok?...

"You weren't pushing him away or anything."

"He's amusing."

Kind of like your jealousy right now.

"You do know that guys have been interested in me before you correct?"

He gave a slight nod.

"So you should also know that I can take care of myself." She tilted her head and gave him a smile. "We're in a crowded place with you right across the room."

You seemed……interested……

"Do you really think Mr. Khaki can compete with you?"

He smiled. This relationship was so new and he did not want to screw it up.

"You want a soda or those wings that you love so much?"

"Trying to ply me with food and drinks?...well, okay."

They both laughed and headed to the kitchen.

At the same time in another part of the room, in a different conversation……

"Come on guys, admit it. The second verse could use a bit of- zshushing." Max tried to be convincing.

"Zshushing?" Trent and Nick spoke in union.

"Fluffing up, a kick of some kind. You know, zshushing." He explained animatedly.

Nick stood by Trent with an arm across his stomach and that hand holding the elbow of his other arm with that arms hand under his chin.

"So how is granny?

Max glared at Nick. Nick always teased him about how every time his grandmother visited Max started talking just like her. Trent gave a slight chuckle before speaking.

"Ok. You come up with something and we can try it at practice to see what it sounds like."

"Long as it doesn't screw up my part." Nick inserted. Max's suggestions always seemed to mess with what his part was doing.

"It's supposed to be about the music man." Max retorted.

They have this same argument. No matter how it starts. it always comes back to this, One always trying to up the other. Hell. Now why did Jane leave her alone with that guy? I'm gonna go talk to her since we really haven't had any time…… Is she- laughing with him? I've never seen her with a guy that was interested in her and she in him. Wow- what is this? Is this conflict I feel? I like seeing her- normal? Yet I thought that she and I might- what? Hell I don't even know……she's been through all that crap with her mother….. She and Charles- where did Charles say he was gonna be when we'd finished setting up? Oh yeah , he and Andrea went in the kitchen part in back. I should check on them.

Trent took two steps towards the kitchen, then turned to where Daria and that guy were talking.

It won't hurt to see if she needs anything…..or if that guy's bugging her and she needs help.

Trent was set to beeline it towards Daria when a loud noise seemed to shake the building. Smoke soon followed along with people beginning to scramble in a panic. Trent's eyes scanned the room and saw Jesse with Jane near the back.

Good, he'll get her to safety…..there's Andrea- shit, she looks worried. Where's Charles? Ok, where's Max and Ni-

"Man what the hell?" Nick's confusion was evident as he supported Max's semi conscious body.

"Get him outside. I'll be out soon as I get Daria and Charles." Trent coughed as a pungent smell filled the air. He patted Nick's shoulder and looked to where Daria had been.

Where is she? She had to have seen me! What if she got knocked down and trampled on or-

Trent made his way to where he had last seen Daria. He looked around while trying to shield his eyes, nose, and mouth.

"DARIA! DA- RI-"

"Trent we gotta get outta here." The owner of the club was pulling him by the arm.

"My girl-"

"There's no one back there. Everyone's going out the front. She'll be that way."

Trent reluctantly let the older man pull him to the exit.