Couple's Night

"Okay, Ci. Everyone's in position." Ace and Ci stood a short distance from the entrance to the party room. He wore a buttoned grey shirt with loose, somewhat hanging sleeves, and navy blue pants with wide pant legs. Ci wore cerulean teardrop earrings, azure lipstick and eye shadow, and a white dress that bared her shoulders.

"I hope I didn't overdress," she said worriedly.

"You look as beautiful as ever," he smiled.

"Always the lady's man," she sighed with a smile. "Come along, then."

"Are you sure you couldn't have found a better outfit?" Bea complained. Her companion Jay was dressed in a black suit and pants. Underneath that was a white t-shirt that had a black tie drawn on. She, on the other hand, wore a red dress, a black choker, and a black strapped blouse underneath a small, open purple jacket. They were just outside the restroom area.

"Did you get shorter?" he asked, looking down on her.

"I'm not wearing clogs tonight," she replied. She looked him over again. "You could have at least worn a real tie."

"I don't know how to tie this stupid thing," he said, taking the black garment out of his pocket.

"You're such a kid, sometimes," she sighed, taking the tie. "Kneel down so I can put this on you." He did as told and allowed her to begin the somewhat arduous task of making a tie.

"How do you know how to tie this?" he asked.

"Because I've worn one before," she said, finishing a knot.

"Last time I used one of these, I nearly hanged myself. I really, really hate dressing up."

"Just hang in there," she said, as she tugged the garment, choking him. "Sorry about that."

"cough I shall have my revenge on all who support this evil attire," he rasped, as the tie was straightened.

"There, all done!" she said, giving him a peck on the cheek. "Now let's get back out there."

"Blast your girlish charm," he muttered, blushing.

"You look so much better without that ridiculous outfit," F said to her shorter husband E as they danced to disco music. He had wild, spiky blond hair, a red suit, and brown, shiny shoes. She wore a red halter-top, a bare midriff, and a black miniskirt.

"You know how it goes, baby," he said, stomping. "When I get dancing, I tear it up! I set the floor on fire!"

"Don't use up all your energy, honey," she warned. "We need to be ready when the time comes."

"I'm gonna' win that dance contest, Effy," he said, glancing at Jay nearly fall on Bea. "Just look at all those suckers struggling not to step on themselves. You and me, we've got no competition."

"I love it when you get your confidence going," she giggled.

"If I don't win the contest, I'm gonna get you hot trying," he grinned. Suddenly the music changed to a favorite of hers. "It's gettin' hot in here. So take off all your clothes."

"I am gettin' so hot. I wanna' take my clothes off," she sang, beginning to grind against him.

"Are you hungry at all?" Kay asked Q, who couldn't stop blushing. He was wearing a blue shirt and slacks. She was wearing a creamy yellow dress that covered all but her shoulders and arms. It had flowered embroidery and a green brooch that matched her emerald necklace and earrings. They were sitting at a table in a corner.

She chose not to speak, instead shaking her head. She hated wearing dresses, especially ones like this. They made her feel…frilly. She wrapped her arms around herself uncomfortably as he looked at her with that friendly expression.

"Oh, you're cold," Kay said, taking his black jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders.

The rosy color on her face deepened and she looked away from him. "Thanks."

"It shouldn't be much longer now," he said, checking the time on the wall.

P and L were over at the bar area, also waiting. P wore golden wristbands and a black dress with pink flower designs at bottom. L's dress was black, had drooping sleeves, and also had purple see-through cloth just below her neck. Her hair was let down in a way that it covered one side of her face.

"…And that's when I found out that I liked women," L finished, sipping from her glass.

"So, what's with the gothic theme?" P asked, gulping her drink down.

"I used to be a Goth," L said, signaling the bartender for a refill. "I went through the whole bit: the cynicism, the apathy, the forced depression, unforced depression, the black clothes and hair, the rainbow clothes and hair, and a slight interest in the occult. Those were some interesting times."

"So why'd you stop?" P asked, downing another glass.

"I got tired of the stereotypes," L answered. "Didn't help that some Goths were walking stereotypes, either. Plus, I just got bored of that mindset. So, what's your life story?"

"I'll give you just a little bit," P grinned. "I'm a special class of caseal-type android. Some bad stuff happened a while back. Right now, I'm pretty much in hiding. That's why I'm not listed as a citizen, thus allowing me to not only keep a low profile…but to also get this really cool skin."

"So, who owns you?" L asked, swaying a bit from the alcohol.

"Jay, Bea, and Ci, I think," P said unsurely. "It's all cool with me."

"Hmph. I didn't know that androids could own androids."

"I didn't know that this mission would take so long," P said, getting bored. "Let's go dance."

"I don't know," L mumbled, emptying her glass. "I think this alcohol is starting to get to me." P grabbed her and pulled her to the dance floor. Meanwhile, Ace and Ci were facing off against E and F in a tango contest. Ci and E were the leaders, occasionally glancing at one another.

"They may win the dance contest," she said to Ace, "but at least we will be the best at tango." She spun Ace away a short distance, and then pulled him back and press him against herself.

"Man, you're soft," he said as he was pressed against her chest. "I'd never expect you to have these."

"A little bounce never hurt anyone," she smirked briefly. She felt his hand go to a familiar place.

"Not quite as soft," Ace commented.

"It's only for sitting," she said, as the dance ended. Suddenly, swing music began to play. "We should sit this one out. I'm a bit heavy for swing."

"Jay and Bea seem to be giving E and F a run for their money," Ace said, keeping his arm wrapped around her.

"When'd he learn to dance like that?" F asked, as she swung her husband around to the dance.

"When'd he learn to dance at all?" E complained, as he rolled over her back and spun around. Jay was tossing around Bea like a rag doll. He pulled her up as soon as she slid onto the floor and tossed her into the air.
"Can't beat this," they taunted E and F. Suddenly, the lights went out and the music stopped. A few small, dim green lights could be seen glowing in the center of the room.

"Everybody quiet and down on the floor!" a man yelled. "This is a stick-up! I want valuables on the floor. We ain't playin'!" Several green photon bullets blasted into the ceiling to prove his point. Almost instantly, a slew of other similar lights appeared around the room. When the lights came back on, nearly every couple had firearms aimed at the well-covered robbers in the center of the room. Those without guns had their arms extended, perhaps charging techniques.

"Looks like someone tipped off the Hunters Guild," Jay said, keeping his gun fixated on the robbers.

"Jay, that you?" asked a large male Android in a poorly fitting green tuxedo.

"And Bea, too?" asked a female Android in a blue dress.

"Gamma, Omega," Bea greeted them. "So, Alphabeta's here, too."

"I think I saw a few Covenant members," Gamma said.

"Exactly who's getting paid for this catch?" Jay asked. "Is there a cop somewhere in this crowd?"

Note: I don't own whatever song that was. I like it, but I don't know the title of it...Whatever...