Notes: Disclaimer is with the first chapter. Umm…HMC…sorry no sex, but thanks for the review. And Wakizashi, the reason we are writing our stories with the Blush staff treating Finch with a bit of meanness is because this is how they often treat him on the show. Granted, he sometimes deserves to be treated that way, but they do tend to treat him with a certain disdain. However, I do think most of the staff secretly likes him…they're just to embarrassed to admit it. So I think it would be out-of-character for the Blush staffers to start treating him with respect…at least, initially. Ok, so on with the story.

7:15PM Friday, July 14, 2002, Concert Hall

In order not to get separated in the throng of concert-goers, Finch grabbed Maya's arm and tugged her in the direction of their seats. It seemed that everywhere they turned they got jostled by the tide of the crowd. Finch shook his head and looked around him in amazement. *It is total chaos in here. I never knew there were so many Barry Manilow fans or that they could be such a rowdy bunch. Guess I always pictured them as sweet little mothers and grandmothers, but these people are ruthless.* Suddenly, Finch was practically bowled over by a little old lady shoving her way though the crowd, and yelling, "Out of my way, sonny!"

Hearing a snicker of amusement, Finch turned to glare at Maya. She just innocently smiled back; however, she was unable to hold onto look as she dissolved into helpless giggles. "Finch, don't worry the Mighty Maya will protect you from all the sweet little grandmas that come our way."

Finch narrowed his eyes and tried to look angry, but he couldn't stop his mouth from curling at the sides. Finally, giving up a loosing battle, Dennis just smiled at her and said, "Come on Mighty Maya, our seats are this way. We'd better get a move on before we get lambasted by more loony little ladies."

Raising her eyebrows, Maya followed behind Finch as he led the way to their seats. In a mocking voice, she asked, "Are we talking in alliteration now?"

Nodding his head, Finch answered, "Most assuredly, my Mighty Maya. Alliteration is always an awesome avenue of articulation."

Maya's eyes grew wide as she thought, *My god, how did he do that? I'll never be able to keep up with him, but I certainly can't admit defeat.* Clearing her throat, she responded, "Fine, my Finchy Friend. We will wager to…ummm," Maya pressed her tongue against her bottom lip as she tried to find more words that contained similar letters. Finally, continuing, she said, "…speak with words…containing continual constants and vowels within." *God, this is hard. How can he just come up with those phrases right of the top of his head. It's like how he always has a comeback to everything anybody ever says.*

Dennis grinned at her as he thought, *She'll get the hang of it. She looks so cute when she is trying to come up with the next word. Oh look, our seats.* Pointing to their seats, Finch said, "The right row has our roosts for resting our rumps." The lady standing next to Finch turned around and gave him a strange look. Finch just stared back with raised eyebrows and a smirk before telling her, "We are walking and whispering with words which are written with…"

The rest of Finch's statement was cut off as an embarrassed Maya slapped her hand over his mouth. Giving the lady an apologetic smile, Maya dragged Finch to their seats. Shoving Dennis into his seat, she gracelessly plopped into her own. Bringing her hand to her forehead, she shook her head as she mumbled to herself, "I have never been so humiliated."

Finch clucked disapprovingly at her as he reminded her, "Alliteration…always alliteration."

Maya rolled her eyes as she thought, *This is going to get old really quick, but let's humor him for now.* Turning to Finch, she said, "We are weally, weally whacked."

Finch wagged his finger at her for replacing the r in really with a w. Leaning closer, he whispered in her ear, "Cheater." She just grinned at him and nodded her head in agreement. Finch just playfully glared at her. Grabbing the program from her, he said, "Let's please peruse the program for this popular pageant of our favored pleasing performer."

Maya just giggled as she looked through the program with him. *This is so much fun. I never get to act so stupid when I'm around anyone else. I know we're acting like complete idiots, but it's fun not to have to be serious all the time.* Just then the lights in the concert hall flashed on and off signaling that the show was about to start. Turning to Finch, Maya said, "It appears our preferred performer is preparing to portray his presence to his pumped patrons."

Finch looked at her with a slightly impressed expression on his face. *I knew she would get the hang of it.* Leaning over, he whispered, "Thanks for the thickets."

He simply smirked at her when she turned and said, "Cheater."

Just then spotlights started flashing. The spotlights suddenly converged onto one point showing Barry Manilow making his way onto the stage. Maya and Finch stood up with the rest of the crowd and started cheering. Barry greeted the crowd with huge smile as he waved at the concert hall. "I can't tell you how happy I am to be performing in New York City once again. New York has some of the best fans around. How about we get this show started?" This got a huge reaction from the crowd…loud cheers and whistling and stomping feet. "I guess that's a yes so here we go!" Barry sat himself at his piano and started the concert off with 'Looks Like We Made It.'

Maya and Finch bopped and sang their way through all the songs that Barry was performing. They were having a grand time just letting loose and enjoying the music. Several songs into the concert, Barry motioned to one of his band members to take over at the piano. Stretching, Barry addressed the audience, "My butt was starting to get numb from all that sitting so I think I'll move around for a while."

Giggling, Finch looked at Maya and said, "Barry said butt."

Rolling her eyes, Maya turned her attention back to the concert. Barry was launching into a powerful rendition of 'Can't Smile Without You.' Maya started bouncing up and down in her seat in excitement when she realized that he was playing her favorite song. Barry walked up and down the front of the stage singing his heart out. He paused in front of where Finch and Maya were sitting and gave them a slight smile before continuing on his way. Finch and Maya looked at each other with matching giddy expressions. On his way back across the stage, Barry once again stopped in front of their seats. This time he offered his hand to Maya. Maya stared at his hand in astonishment until Finch reached over and placed her hand in Barry's outstretched palm.

Barry pulled her on stage and continued singing the song to her. Maya stared out at the audience in bewilderment. Turning to Barry, she offered a nervous smile. When she looked at Dennis, she noticed him making faces at her. Her nervousness evaporated and she started giggling. During a musical interlude, Barry turned to Maya and asked, "So what is your name?"

Maya just stared at Barry at a complete loss for words. For the life of her, she couldn't remember her own name. She stuttered and said, "Uhh…it's um…" Barry just grinned at her in amusement.

Finch was seating in his seat laughing in absolute mirth. *She forgot her own name. This is too good. She looks so cute standing up there trying to remember her own name.* He finally decided to save Maya so he yelled, "Her name is Maya."

Barry looked at him and nodded. Turning to Maya, he said, "So your name is Maya?" When she nodded in affirmation, he asked, "Why don't you invite your friend to join us?" Maya pointed at Finch, and Barry nodded. Shrugging her shoulders, she held out her hand to Finch. When Finch grabbed her hand, she helped him onto the stage. Barry turned to him with a smile and asked, "And you are?"

Dennis grinned and said, "Uhh…it's Finch." Barry just raised his eyebrows at the unusual name.

Maya elbowed Finch in the side and said, "His name is Dennis Finch, but we usually call him Finch." Nodding his head in understanding, Barry motioned for the band to continue on with the rest of the song. He sang the rest of 'Can't Smile Without You' directly to Finch and Maya. They stood there on stage giggling with each other as Barry sang to them. After the song was over, Barry bade them farewell, and they climbed off the stage and returned to their seats.

Looking at Dennis, Maya said, "I cannot believe that the Barry Manilow invited us onto stage and sang a song to us. Wow, what a memorable night."

Finch nodded and smiled at her as he thought, *And all the more memorable because of the song he sang. I truly can't smile without you.*

Notes: I know, I know…that last line was extremely cheesy, but I just thought, "What the hell." It's my story and I can put cheesy junk in it if I want so there. Please remember to review, and Wakizashi, I hope you update your story soon. Adios 'til next time.