La Vie En Rose

…

In the week following the performance, life went back to normal. Ironhide stopped by every day or two, Wheelie attempted to ride Sirius, Mark tried to make her work overtime and still refused to give her a raise. Eli gave her the sage advice to get knocked up and go on maternity leave. She punched his arm for that one.

She was cleaning up her room when her phone rang. She ran to it on the nightstand and sat on her bed to answer it. The caller ID read Blue Bella.

"Hello?"

"Aria, how are you?" her bosses voice was genuine.

"I'm good, Henry. And you? You sound more chipper than usual."

"Well that's because I've been getting a lot of calls recently."

"From customers?"

"Yes. Asking about you."

"Oh?"

"I was confused by your sudden popularity too. So I asked one of them how they heard of you, and they said you preformed at the Kennedy center!"

"I told you I was in an opera, remember? That's why you gave me the job."

"Well, yes, I knew that. But I didn't think it was the Aurora Opera Club! One of our regulars went to see Lakmé, and there you were! So he started telling his friends and now it seems I don't have enough tables this weekend! Aria, we're taking reservations!"

People were making reservations to see her? "You're sure it's because of me?"

"Yes! Every person asks when you'll be singing next and how much tickets cost! At first I said we didn't do that, but now I have people trying to pay for tables to secure a spot! I can't believe it. I have a local celebrity!"

"That's a bit of an exaggeration, I think. But I'm grateful none the less."

"So this weekend, do you think you could do four songs instead of two? You can have anyone you want to play with you, George, Lenny, Angela, all, none; whatever you want! They're ready to rehearse any day of the week!"

"Uh I might have time the day after tomorrow? I can come up with a set list in the meantime and let you know who I need tonight?"

"Perfect! Let me know asap."

"I will!"

She hung up and leaned back on her hands for a moment before springing up and running down the stairs.

"Wheelie!"

He sat up, twisting around to see her over the back of the couch. "Where's the fire?"

"My boss called!"

"What, to fire you?"

"No, not that one."

"What then?"

"I think I'm getting a raise."

"You think?"

She did a spin in her sundress. "Yeah! I'm famous now!"

…

The rest of the week flew by.

She sat at her vanity getting ready. She put on her favorite red lipstick and dawned her newest gown, strapless, made of ivory silk. Expensive, but hopefully an investment. Her eyelids sparkled to match her dangling earrings and necklace.

Walking downstairs, she held her dress with one hand and her heels in the other. Ironhide was there sitting on the couch, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, fingers laced together. Wheelie was slouched on the other side.

Ironhide stood so abruptly, Sirius jumped up as well.

"I'm ready to go if you are." Aria met him beside the front door.

Ironhide took her coat from the hanger and helped her put it on. "Are you nervous for your big night?"

"Not really at the moment. Just excited."

They exited the house, Ironhide's holoform disappearing a moment later. Outside, there was a large black truck parked on the driveway. She'd lucked out, it was patrol night for him. Or at least that's what he claimed. It was just as likely that he threatened someone… or everyone.

The door opened as she approached. However, the sheer height proved a challenge due to the long dress. She placed her shoes on the floor of the passenger side, then began hiking up the gown.

"Do you need a hand?" Ironhide's voice came from the speakers.

"I mean, if you don't mind."

Ironhide's holoform appeared beside her. Next thing she knew, his hands were on her waist as he lifted her straight up.

She stepped into the cab and sat down. Ironhide's holoform once again disappeared and the door shut.

The ride was unusually quiet. At this point, it was obvious why. She'd yet to tell him about her and Wheelie's conversation about Perceptors. There was just never a good time to bring it up. All it would do was make him worry more. Besides, nothing happened. Not even a strange occurrence. And she'd been watching out since she found out.

There was still no doubt that was why he was giving her a ride in person. And why he'd showed up for lunch the other day. He wouldn't risk it otherwise.

They arrived at the club. Ironhide stopped on the road in front of the entrance and let her out using his holoform. As he drove off, his holoform walked inside with her.

"Is that hard to do?" she asked him, her eyes following his alt form.

He let out a grunt. "I've gotten pretty good at it."

She was about to make him elaborate but stopped when she opened the doors into the packed club. Her boss went all out, candles decorated the tables surrounded by beautifully dressed people sipping drinks.

It looked like every staff member was working that night. Three bar tenders instead of the usual one, and all five waitresses were running around. Henry himself was out mingling in his black suit and bow tie. George was on stage playing some jazzy piano piece.

This was insane. There must have been a hundred people crammed into a room that normally only housed ten to twenty at the time. It was like a whole different place. And they were there…because of her. This was twenty times worse than the opera. She wasn't just a minor character in a cast. She was the star of this show.

"I think I'm nervous now."

Ironhide smirked down at her. "All this for you, punk. I'm impressed."

"Shut up."

"Aria!" Cynthia popped up from the crowd in front of her. "This is crazy! I can't believe you didn't tell us you were in Lakmé! We could have milked this even more." Her sparkling eyes turned to Ironhide. "And I see you brought your plus one." Her mischievous smile stretched from ear to ear. "I'll take you to your table."

Sure enough, Cynthia led them to one of the tables up front, next to the small dance floor and stage.

"So finally going to tell me your name, stranger?"

"John," Ironhide said, taking his seat.

"Well then, the usual, John?"

"Sure."

"Aria, you want a shot? On the house of course."

"Yes, please."

Cynthia left them.

"On the house?" Ironhide repeated.

"It means I don't have to pay, the house will pay."

Ironhide's neutral expression remained. "I don't follow."

Aria shook her head. He'd come a long way, but sometimes it was the simple things that stumped him.

"Aria!"

She snapped her head in the direction of the male voice. A man at the table beside them, a blonde woman at his side. What in the hell was he doing here?

"Colonel Lennox?"

"Hey, long time no see!"

"W-what are you doing here?" This wasn't good at all!

Ironhide went completely rigid, not turning around to face the colonel.

"My wife's sister went to your opera. They were gossiping and I heard your name come up. Next thing I know, I'm getting dragged out to a club that I've never heard of. Small world!" He put his arm around the woman's shoulders. "This is the Mrs. herself, Sarah."

Aria reached out and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Sarah. I'm Aria." Shit. She had to introduce Ironhide or else risk making the situation awkward. "This is my friend, John."

At the sound of his codename, he pivoted in his seat to face the couple and nodded without saying a word.

"Nice to meet you, John. Call me Will." He stretched out a hand.

Ironhide glanced down at it for a moment before grasping it. "A pleasure."

Though his tone was flat, there was a glimmer in his eye. Lennox didn't seem to notice his voice, somehow. Maybe it was a bit different due to the lack of robotic reverb his true form had, but it still sounded nearly identical to her ear. Not to mention his accent.

Cynthia came back with drinks, placing them on the table. "Aria, you headed back stage soon? You're almost up."

Aria downed the shot. "Yeah, I'm going." She stood, giving Ironhide a hard look as she did. "Try to stay out of trouble."

Ironhide only gave a lopsided grin in return.

She shook her head before turning to leave.

Backstage was just as busy as the front. She put her coat in the changing room and switched her shoes. She then met up with the other performers to go over any final details before showtime.

They waited until the curtains were closed, then the rest of the group took their places around the stage. A cellist, pianist, violinist, and a guitarist, and two backup singers. She, however, remained just backstage, waiting for her queue. This was meant to be a show after all.

She was spoilt tonight, having the first ever cordless microphone owned by the club on her request.

The curtain lifted and the musicians began to play a soft swing beat. Once the audience quieted, she strutted onto the stage, beginning the song.

"Summertime

And the livin' is easy

Fish are jumpin'

And the cotton is high."

The songs came and went as if they lasted only a millisecond. Yet people came up and danced to each, some slow and some a bit faster, swaying with her to the beat of the music. Each piece melting into the next until the last was done.

The crowd applauded, some even standing up and raising their drinks.

Aria beamed, looking between the audience and her fellow performers. Everything was going perfect.

Then, a angelic voice unlike any other, cut through the noise of every person present. "Viens, Mallika, les lianes en fleurs!"

A woman at the bar hand a hand over her chest in pure shock sat just beside Julia, which wasn't so easily recognized as Lakmé without the black wig covering her ginger hair. The place once again went silent in awe of her voice as she stood and made her way to the stage.

Aria turned off the microphone and began her part in response. "Ô maîtresse! C'est l'heure où je te vois sourire"

As she continued, Julia came up onto the stage taking her spot beside Aria. The cello and violin played as they began the Flower Duet.

Ironhide, who now sat beside Lennox at his table, was leaned back with his arms crossed, a small grin on his face. Lennox on the other hand was slack jawed, but that probably had a lot to do with the amount of empty beer glasses in front of him. Sarah wore the expression of most other people, eyes glued on them, expression nothing other than awe.

The song ended and this time the crowd went nuts. Lennox stood up clapping with Sarah joining in a much more subdued manner. Even Ironhide clapped a couple of times, though clearly not sure about the gesture.

After a bow, the curtains closed in front of her. She followed Julia and the musicians off the stage.

"That went perfect! Thanks again for coming," Aria said to Julia as they went backstage.

Julia laughed. "Except for that lady I gave a heart attack. I'll have to apologize to her later."

"Aria!"

She turned to Cynthia who walked through the door. "Firstly, wow! Secondly, I'm going to have to cut your boyfriend off if you don't come out soon."

"Why, what's he doing?"

"He's ordered at least six drinks 'on the house' for that other guy. I think I liked him better when he didn't talk."

Aria looked up and rolled her eyes. Of course he was. "Ugh, I'll pay for them. Be out in a minute."

Cynthia left, leaving Aria to chat with the others for a bit before she too headed out. Someone else was on stage performing a Louis Armstrong cover. She sat down beside Ironhide at Lennox's table.

"I didn't know you had it in ya, kid!" Lennox gave her a slap on the back.

"Did you have that all planned, Aria?" Sarah asked, obviously much less drunk than her husband.

"Yeah. People came cause they found out I was an opera singer. Might as well sing some opera." She shrugged with a grin.

The next half hour was a rotation of people coming up and praising her performance. From the corner of her eye, she could see a crowd forming around Julia as well.

Slowly, the club began to die down as people filtered out for the night. Thankfully, both Lennox and Sarah were drunk enough not to pay too close attention to anything going on.

"On the house means the fine establishment eats the bill, so you don't have to pay it," Lennox explained, his elbow on Ironhide's shoulder.

"Eat it?"

At this point, Aria sat back and watched the exchange. She was buzzed at best, so watching the drunk Colonel Lennox explain things to Ironhide was an absolute blast. Sarah seemd equally enthralled.

"Not literally! You sure don't get out much do ya, Jonny?"

Ironhide frowned. "Jonny?"

"What, you don't like it?"

Sarah sipped on her martini and pointed at Lennox. "Call him Willy."

Ironhide only looked more confused. His eyes turned to Aria's.

"Please don't." Was all she told him.

"Oh, I love this song!" Sarah said out of the blue. "Will, come dance with me!"

She didn't really give him a choice. She pulled him off of Ironhide, making him stumble a bit.

"You know Jonny, you remind me of a friend of mine." He put his hand on Ironhide's shoulder before Sarah could yank him away. "I can see why Aria likes you." He gave his shoulder a final pat and let his wife drag him onto the dance floor.

Aria sent Ironhide a pointed look. "You got him drunk on purpose, didn't you?"

"It was in our best interest."

"Yeah, I don't think he's going to remember much."

On the floor, Will was excitedly spinning his wife multiple times in a row.

"It was interesting talking to him as an equal. Sarah as well."

"Sarah? Why, does she not know about you?"

"She does, but she's deathly afraid of me."

"Afraid, or she just thinks you're a jerk?"

His light hearted smirk dropped ever so slightly as he broke eye contact. "She doesn't go near me. Not since I first showed my true form."

Oh. Sarah was actually afraid of him. Afraid of Cybertonians. Sure they were frightening at first, mostly due to their huge size. But they were kind and funny, had thoughts and feelings; no different than her or Sarah.

The song faded into the next one and the woman began to sing in French.

"She lets me see Annabelle though, in my alt form. She thinks I'm a man on the phone."

Aria laughed. "Because you talk to her from the speakers. I can understand her confusion."

While she spoke, Ironhide's gaze shifted from her to the woman on stage, a peculiar look on his face.

What? Did she say something weird by accident?

"This song is familiar." His tone was distant. Only half talking to her.

Oh he was listening to the music. "Yeah, La Vie En Rose. It's a popular one."

"It's the one you sang to me."

"Oh, yeah I did, didn't I?"

"Do you want to join the others?" He gestured to Will and Sarah on the dance floor.

"You want to dance? With me?" Her voice came out a little higher than intended.

"On the condition that you'll show me how."

He stood, holding out his hand to her. She placed hers on his palm and followed him to the others.

"All right, so put your hand here," she said, placing it on her waist. "Then I'll put mine here." She rested hers on his shoulder, then held onto his free hand with hers. "And then just kind of sway—like the others are doing."

She moved her body to the rhythm of the song and after a couple of seconds, Ironhide began to follow her movements. He adjusted his grip on her waist, ever so slightly brushing his thumb against her skin exposed from the backless dress. A shiver ran up her spine.

"What is the meaning of this song?" Ironhide asked just loud enough to hear.

"I thought you could understand French."

"I do. But it's like your poetry. Life in rose, what does that mean?"

"Ah, It's describing the feeling of love. It's often explained as wearing rose colored glasses, where all you see is beauty and perfection.

He let go of her hand and poked the bridge of her nose. "And where are your rose colored glasses?"

"I have rose colored contacts, thank you very much."

He put his other hand on her waist. "And is everything perfect?"

She brought her free hand up to his other shoulder. "It is. I performed at the Kennedy Center, and I got to be the star of my own show here, and people actually came to see me. Me! Of all people."

"Why wouldn't they? You're the most perfect human I know."

"Who's wearing the rose contacts now?"

He pulled her closer, till their body nearly touched. "Perhaps I am."

Butterflies tingled in her stomach as she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. "Thank you for always being there for me."

His chin brushed her hair as he spoke, "You're welcome.

…

Song lyrics - Summertime by George Gershwin