Just an author's note: The songs you see in italics are Stronger by Kristine W and Closer by NIN. Happy reading!

Chapter 16

Smith and Indigo stepped outside. The early evening air was warm and it felt good. He put his arm around her and she rested his head on her shoulder. He quite enjoyed having her in his arms. If he could, he would have frozen this moment forever.

"Hey Smith!" It was Seraph.

"Oh hi! Long time no see." said Smith.

"So are you going to introduce me to your lady friend?" Seraph, looked at her with a slight grin.

"Seraph, this is Indigo."

Seraph took Indigo's hand and kissed it.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Nice to meet you Seraph." said Indigo.

"Oh dear, the pleasure is all mine." as Seraph gave a wink from behind his dark shades.

Smith couldn't believe it, Seraph was flirting with his girl right in front of him! They continued to make small talk and then not too long after, they were joined by the woman in red.

"Sorry I'm late Seraph." said the woman in red.

"It's quite alright, you look awesome babe." was Seraph's reply.

"And you look good enough to eat." said the woman in red eyeing Seraph lustfully.

Finally the woman in red wrapped her arms around Seraph and grabbed his butt, planting a long kiss on his lips. Indigo and Smith could tell they were really into each other. Finally they broke their kiss and looked at Indigo and Smith. That was when the woman in red spoke.

"Seraph, and I are going clubbing, you guys wanna come?"

Indigo noticed that this time her voice was not as annoying than the first time she encountered her with Jones and Brown at the coffee shop. Perhaps the architect had modulated her voice to where it didn't sound like nails going down a chalk board. But what the hell, with what she and Smith had been through, it sounded like fun and she wanted to see more of Smith's dancing skills.

"Well Smithy, what do you think?" Indigo asked.

"Sounds like fun." Smith said.

"So where are we going?" asked Seraph.

"Well I know this awesome place in downtown, it's not your typical nightclub if you know what I mean." said the woman in red with a slight wink.

"Not your typical nightclub huh? Sounds like a blast." said Indigo.

"Oh girlfriend you ain't seen nothin' yet!" replied the woman in red.

"Well how are we getting there?" asked Smith.

"Ask and ye shall receive." said the woman in red as a white limo pulled up beside them.

The driver was who else? The Train Man himself only this time her had his hair slicked back in a ponytail and was wearing a black chauffeur's uniform with the hat included. Indigo was dumbstruck as he stepped out the limo and made his way to the passenger door letting everyone in.

"Smith, wasn't he the guy who operated the train last night?"

"No actually that is his twin brother." Smith told her.

Once everyone was seated in the back Limo Man turned around facing them looking over his shoulder.

"So where are you kids headed tonight?"

"Embers please." was Red's reply.

"Embers it is then." said Limo Man and they sped off heading towards downtown.

Smith undid his tie and tie clip and unbuttoned a few buttons on his dress shirt, he also removed his earpiece and his sunglasses. All Indigo could think about was how hot he looked at that moment wanted him to take her right then and there, but she thought better of it. But then again Seraph and Red were making out and giggling like two horny teenagers on prom night. Smith wrapped his arms around her and she fell back into him as he kissed her neck softly. Finally the limo arrived at its destination, a large gray building with rainbow flags all around it, and the word EMBERS in big orange and yellow letters on the street side of the building. Smith surveyed the area as they stepped out the limo. It was different all right. They stepped through the doors and all of their eyes turned to the stage where what they saw a very tall gorgeous drag queen with neon green hair and big fake breasts lipsyncing and dancing.

"Welcome to the Embers Avenue!" Announced the drag queen. And she was met with thunderous applause.

"Are we ready for a great show tonight?" She asked the crowd as they got louder.

And then the queen had a look of irritation on her face and spoke into the mic once more.

"I said are we ready to have a good time tonight?" The crowd applause was even louder and the look on the queen's face was that of satisfation.

"Much better, your applause just about made me moist." said the queen with a wicked smile.

And the crowd clapped and laughed at her comment including Seraph and Red. Poor Smith didn't know what to think, but Indigo seemed to feel comfortable in this gay club. As the music continued to play, she introduced her cast for the evening one by one, each of them, even though they were obviously men in dresses, looked gorgeous in their feathers, sequined gowns and huge hair. Smith was intrigued as he watched the whole thing. Indigo nudged Red.

"I haven't been to a drag show since I was unplugged! This is cool!"

"It gets better ... trust me." said Red over the noise.

Finally the queen spoke again.

"Welcome to the show! I am your hostess, Miss Chastity Frustration!"

Chastity looked around the room.

"So do we have any virgins here with us tonight?" she asked.

Red and Seraph raised their hands. Chastity gave them a look.

"Bullshit you two! You've been here before!" said Chastity with a laugh.

And then she eyed Smith and Indigo and it was obvious to her that they had never been there before. They both needed a shot of something and quick because Chastity was going to put them on the spot whether they liked it or not.

"But I see you did bring me virgins." said Chastity with a wink and then she looked at Smith pointing a finger at him.

"But you are cute. What's your name honey?"

Chastity put her arm around him and put the mic to his mouth.

"Smith."

"Oh sounds sexy but just Smith?"

"Uh, yes." Smith grinned, Indigo could tell he was starting to relax and have fun.

"For the rest of the night I'll call you John. So is this your girlfriend John?" Chastity was looking at Indigo.

Smith looked at her and smiled. "Well yes."

Chastity took a look at Indigo and then at him.

"You two look really cute together, anyway welcome and enjoy the show!"

"Thanks!" said Indigo.

The show commenced as the four of them sat there for awhile enjoying each number. It would not be too long before Seraph would get them tequila shots with salt and lime. Smith took the shot glass and smelled it, the vapors alone got him tipsy since he never drank alcohol before. Indigo, Seraph and Red were obviously more experienced at drinking tequila than he was. Seraph, held up his shot in order to make a toast.

"To living life!" he said

"I'll drink to that." said Indigo

Smith did what the rest of the group did first they put salt between their thumbs and index fingers and sucked on them and then they swallowed their shots followed by the lime. When he drank his down, he started feeling warm inside and his head started feeling lighter. Seraph ordered another round. And this time Smith didn't feel so awkward, he had gotten the pattern down just like that. After the third shot Seraph suggested they go to the other side and dance for awhile. They made their way to the other side where great dance music was being played. The bass was heavy and everyone was moving their feet to the sound.

My love
My love
My love
My love
My love
My love
My love is stronger

Smith led her to the dance floor and started to pull her close as their legs locked together and they were moving in time to the music.

My love is stronger
My love is stronger
My love is
My love is
My love is stronger stronger
My love is
My love is
My love is stronger stronger

Seraph and Red were watching them dance. The bass kept pumping.

If you think you stand alone
You've got a lot to learn
Because as long as there's one breath left in me
You'll always have someone to turn to

You're looking through that storm
There's a whirlwind in your mind
When you need a little shelter
You can run to these arms of mine

And then Smith scooped her up in his arms and spun with her on the dance floor. She laughed.

My love is stronger than your pain
Stronger than your fear
Sweet enough to wash the salt from your tears
Deeper than the waves that break against your heart
You can't go on any longer
My love is stronger

My love is
My love is
My love is stronger

"Oh my God! I'm getting so dizzy!" as she continued to laugh. He stopped and planted a kiss on her lips.

Like a tiny fragile flower
Is gently nourished by the sun
Your love somehow empowers me
To do things I have never done

To break through all these chains
All of my doubts and uncertainties
When your weakest hour falls around you
You can find your strength in me

They continued to dance.

My love is
My love is
My love is stronger stronger
My love is stronger
My love is
My love is
My love is stronger stronger
Now, stronger than your tears
Stronger than your pain
Stronger than your fears
(Oh, I'm stronger than your pain now)
Sweet enough to wash
Stronger than your pain

Finally Seraph and Red joined in.

My love
My love
My love
My love
My love
My love
My love is stronger

And then the tempo changed from upbeat to very dark and very sensuous, the beat had slowed and all couples were pulling each other close and bodies were entwining. Men with women, men with men, and women with women were all doing a slow grind on the dance floor. The way they moved reminded her of the celebrations back in Zion.

you let me violate you, you let me desecrate you
you let me penetrate you, you let me complicate you
help me I broke apart my insides, help me I've got no soul to sell
help me the only thing that works for me, help me get away from myself
I want to fuck you like an animal
I want to feel you from the inside
I want to fuck you like an animal
my whole existence is flawed
you get me closer to god

Smith looked at her with those deep blue eyes and then she turned around as his hands traveled her body on the dance floor making her very aroused.

you can have my isolation, you can have the hate that it brings
you can have my absence of faith, you can have my everything
help me tear down my reason, help me its' your sex I can smell
help me you make me perfect, help me become somebody else
I want to fuck you like an animal
I want to feel you from the inside
I want to fuck you like an animal
my whole existence is flawed
you get me closer to god

She could feel him kissing her neck as he slowly grinded with her in time to the music.

through every forest, above the trees
within my stomach, scraped off my knees
I drink the honey inside your hive
you are the reason I stay alive

Not too far away was Cutter watching them once again.