Jake is standing in front of the mirror buttoning his shirt. He still can't believe what he succumbed to last night but he also knows that he needed it. And besides, there was no love involved only the satisfying of his male hormones. Just a fuck for good measure and to clear his head. No one could deny that someone needed that once in a while. He then felt a kiss on his neck.

"Morning, lover." Allison says with a purr as she runs a fingernail across his neck. "You were wonderful last night."

Jake doesn't respond to her. He just wants to move on with his life again. "Where do you live? I'll take you home."

Allison pulls back and looks at him. "Is that all I was to you last night? A good fuck?!"

"Take it how you want it, babe."

"You bastard! Fuck you!" Allison screams as she lifts her hand to slap Jake.

Jake grabs her hand before it reaches his face. "Look, don't pull this innocent girl shit with me all right? We both know you are far from it! The way you were all over me last night, you can't tell me you were interested in more than just getting laid! So drop this routine, all right?"

Allison takes her hand back and glares at him. "I'll take a cab, thank you!"

"Look, I'd rather save the money on cab fare and drive you. I don't exactly trust some of the cabbies in this part of town either. Want to make sure you get back safely."

"Whatever." Allison answers as she walks over to put on her shoes and coat.

As I walk in to open the store, I still can't believe what happened last night. The performance that Jess, Arls and I did and the fact that we won! But I'm so happy for Jenn! Now she can use the extra money to renovate the store just like she's been wanting to. I'm glad I was able to do that for her. Working for her is one way I can contribute but giving her the means to do something she's been wanting is even better. I would do anything to help my "sisters". I go about doing my opening duties when I hear the door open, clanging the bell.

"There's my dance partner!" Andy yells before running up to embrace me.

I squeeze him tightly and then pull back. "I thought you had class this morning?"

"Oh, I do. But I just had to stop in here this morning and give my sweet Dana a hug of congratulations! You kicked ass last night, girl!"

"Yeah but I couldn't have done it without you."

"True. It just pays to know a bunch of dancers in choreography class." Andy replies smiling. "But you did all the work with those powerful vocals of yours!"

"Powerful? Andy I had a headset on."

"Oh, stop being so modest! Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and see you real quick. I'll try and stop by after class ok?" He gives me another big hug and kisses me on the cheek. "Catch you later."

"Bye, Andy and don't study too hard."

"Me? Never!" Andy waves at me and then heads out the door.

I smile and then go back to my opening duties. I'm so lucky that I found someone like Andy. He has taught me so much in my time of living here. Thanks to him I'm not close-minded about things like I could have been. Moving to a large city from a tiny little town was quite a shock for me to handle but Andy helped me ease into it. But its more exciting living in a city like this. There are many more beliefs and people accepted here than other places. Or at least from what I have seen they are. Maybe it's because of this area being one of the largest destinations for theatre students and performers? I shrug my shoulders and go to light some incense and turn on some New Age Music.

After dropping off a reluctant Allison to her destination, Jake parks his car in a parking ramp and starts walking. He pulls the business card out of his pocket from the night before to check the address. He realizes that he can't be too far away. He then sees someone coming toward him. "Excuse me?"

Andy looks up from some notes he has glancing at. "Can I help you with something?"

"Yeah, I wondered if you could tell me where the "Practical Magick" New Age Store is?"

Andy lets out a laugh. "You're a lot closer than you think."

"I am?"

"Yep, all you do is go straight down this street a half a block and it's on your right hand side."

"Thanks." Jake studies Andy. "Wait, don't I know you from somewhere?"

"Ummm, I don't think so."

"Wait, you were dancing with the Magickal Sisters last night right? You were dancing with the red head?"

"You mean, Dana? Oh yeah, that was me." Andy replies smiling proudly. "She was something wasn't she?"

"Oh, that she was." Jake replies with a smile.

"Well, don't mean to be rude but I have to get to class."

"Oh, sorry. Well thanks for your help…"

"Andy."

"Nice to meet you, Andy. I'm Jake."

Andy's eyes light up slightly but he keeps his thoughts to himself. "Nice to meet you, Jake. Well, enjoy the store." He then turns and walks past Jake and down the street.

Jake shrugs his shoulders before walking again. He keeps checking the address on the business card as he watches the buildings on the right side. It was obvious to him that this Andy was someone who knew Dana very well. He could only assume from his body language and what he had witnessed last night that he was more than just an acquaintance. Looking up he saw an address along with a sign "Practical Magick" with stained glass Celtic knots in the window. "Well, this must be it." Taking a deep breath, he opens the door and heads inside.

I'm just getting some hot water boiling for some tea when I hear the familiar clanging of the bell from the door. I'm actually surprised that someone would be here in the store this early in the morning. Probably just one of those people passing by curious to see what we are. "I'll be there in just a second!" I call from the back. "Please feel free to look around!"

Jake looks toward the back and then starts to glance around the shop. His eyes fall upon some pictures of what appear to be symbols of some kind. He notes the ornate lettering as he peers in for a closer look.

Coming from the back, I see the back of what appears to be a man. "I'm terribly sorry about that. Welcome to Practical Magick how may I…."

The man turns around and I instantly recognize him as the man from the Christmas performance a few nights ago, my secret admirer. "Hello again." He responds giving me a smile and glancing at my nametag. "Lady Dana."

I can almost feel myself blushing as he looks at me but I know I need to be professional. "Can I help you?"

"Actually, yeah." Jake points to one of the pictures on the wall. "Can you tell me what this is?"

"That?"I ask looking at where he's pointing. "That is the Celtic alphabet or the ogham. It eventually developed into the Latin we know today."

"Latin?"

"Yes." I reply moving slightly closer to him. "You see the Ogham alphabet was originally used by the Celts. It was their language until the Christian church came into the picture and basically converted it to their own. The..Catholic church went about converting the pagans and that included taking their traditions and language and making it into their very own. The best way to bring pagans to the side of Christianity is to make some of their beliefs like those of the Christian church. Show the pagans that if they come to your side, they won't totally be forsaking their beliefs and they will. Or risk being judged by God and executed for not converting."

Jake winces as he looks at the pictures. "Hard to believe something so graphic came from something so beautiful."

"The Christian church is responsible for taking many pagan traditions and making it appear to be their own. This is just one example."

Jake then turns to me. "Are you Celtic?"

I nod my head. "I have Celtic ancestry in my family, yes."

"I guess that would account for your red hair and fiery personality." Jake replies smiling at me.

Fiery personality? There's no possible way he can know this is me from a few nights ago can he? After all my hair was pulled up and our meeting was so brief. "Fiery personality? I'm afraid I don't think I understand. I have hardly shown any….fieriness toward you, have I?"

"Here? No, not here." Jake shifts slightly as he looks at me. "But…a few nights ago I got a little taste of it. You didn't really think I would forget that, did you?"

Yep he does. I clear my throat and am determined to stay my ground. Oh he has such beautiful eyes! Focus, Dana!Focus! "Yes, well I…really must apologize for that. I…was kind of having a bad night."

Jake chuckles. "I could see that. But….after what I saw last night I can see you obviously recovered."

I blink my eyes. "I'm….I'm sorry?"

"Last night? At Roxy's? You and two of your sisters performed a very….provocative number?"

Oh my god! He was there last night?! And I was dancing with Andy in that outfit! And HE saw me? Oh god he probably thinks I'm a slut now! "Yes, we….we did. But I want you to know that last night was unusual for me. The only reason that I did that number was for…"

"I liked it."

I stare back at him in disbelief. "You…you did?"

Jake nods. "I can see why you won. You were great."

Oh my god my heart is beating so fast I can barely stand it! He liked it! He saw me in a completely different light and he liked it! "Tha…thanks." I reply shifting my feet slightly. Oh my god am I blushing? No man has been able to make me do that since my boyfriend, Jeremy! "So, is that how you found me?"

"Yep. I got a business card from the announcer last night." Jake answers pulling out the business card and showing it to me. "And…I also ran into your dancing partner on the way up here too."

"Andy? Yeah he stopped in this morning. He's really a great guy."

"Yeah. He seems….quite taken with you."

"Taken…taken with me?" I ask with a confused look.

"He couldn't stop talking about you to me. And….judging by how you were dancing with him last night, I just assumed…"

Oh my god I get it now! He thinks Andy is my boyfriend! Boy he couldn't be farther from the truth on that! "Wait, you think that Andy is my boyfriend?" I ask trying not to chuckle.

"Well, yeah. Isn't he?"

"No." I answer with a smile. "We're just friends."

"I don't understand. He…he was touching you last night on stage and…"

"We were just acting. The whole choreography was just an act." I clear my throat. "Let's just say that Andy and I are close friends and as far as a relationship goes….he prefers something more masculine."

Jake tilts his head. "Wait, you're saying that Andy is…"

"Gay as the night is long." I finish. "Yep. Didn't you question as to why we had male dancers that could move like that?" I ask trying not to giggle.

Jake shakes his head. "No. I…I guess I didn't. So, that means you aren't attached to anyone?"

I let out a laugh. "Attached? You make it sound like I'm on someone's appendage."

Jake laughs back and then turns serious again. "But are you?"

Oh my god he's interested in me! I can't believe this is happening! A man as good looking as this, who I practically spit in his face is interested in me? "Well….no. I'm not currently seeing anyone."

"Could I…maybe take you out sometime?"

"I….I'm sorry I don't do dates." For me the word "date" is like a swear word. I have way too many terrible experiences associated with that infamous word. The last thing I want is for Jake to be another one. He seems too nice for that.

"Oh." Jake replies in a disappointed voice. "I…I see."

I can't believe I'm about to say this but what could it hurt? It still wouldn't be classified as a date. "But…at times I like to go down to the park a few blocks north of here and have a picnic by the pond. Maybe if you….happened to be passing by I could share some lunch with you?"

Jake's smile returns. "So…when might be one of these times that you just happen to be down there?"

"Oh….say tomorrow afternoon around one o'clock?"

Jake pauses a moment. "Hmmm…I think I may just happen to have to be in that area tomorrow. Maybe I'll see you?"

"O…ok."

Jake glances at his watch. "Well, I have to be heading out but I really appreciate the Celtic history lesson, Lady Dana."

"Actually….actually you can just call me, Dana."

Jake takes my hand and kisses it quickly. "Thank you, Dana. I'm Jake by the way in case you've forgotten. Possibly see you tomorrow." He then smiles at me before backing away and heading out the door.

I stand there completely numb for several moments not even hearing the clanging of the bell as Jake leaves. I still can't believe he came to the show last night and came here this morning just to see me! Could things actually be changing for me?Is what Jenn said about him true?And I'm going to see him tomorrow! I finally manage to get my composure back and realize I left the tea on in the back. I quickly run to the back and take the kettle off the hot plate. As I pour the tea into a cup it's then that I realize I left his rose behind that night. And now I could kick myself for it! Way to go, Dana! Nice one! At this rate, I should just take the tea and pour it over my head.