Title Song: "Only You" by the Platters

Other songs included: "Yes, Sir! That's My Baby!" by Lee Morse

WARNING: SEXUAL CONTENT AHEAD!

The next several days, Alastor and Tina were too busy with preparations for the Valentine's Day party that they didn't have time to deal with their romantic drama. Which, honestly, was a relief for everyone.

That didn't mean Alastor had taken any less interest in his wife. Now that he had the opportunity to see what a fierce businesswoman she could be.

"Husk!" Tina wrenched a bottle from the cat's paw. "That's your third bottle today!"

"Fuck off." Husk raised his middle claw. "I ain't in your shitty rehab program."

"No," she said, putting the bottle behind her back, "but if ya keep drainin' our supply, what we gonna serve this Saturday?"

"Hey. The free booze is the only reason I'm at this stupid non-paying job. You take away my incentive, I ain't doing shit."

"Ya want incentive? Fine." She crossed her arms with a smirk. "You keep guzzlin' the hotel's alcohol like a baby breast-feeding, I'm bringin' Angel Dust over here to give ya a lap dance."

Husk's face fell. "You're bluffing. There's no way you'd—"

She turned around, cupped her mouth and called, "Oh, Angel!"

"Okay, okay!" Husk lifted his paws in surrender. "I'll stop! But I ain't doing this work sober!"

"Fine." Tina shrugged. "As part of your employee benefits, you can have one free bottle a day."

"ONE?!"

"Wanna make it half a bottle?"

He snorted. "You can't expect me to last the whole day with just one—"

"Angel!"

"Fine! Deal!" They shook hands. "I swear, sometimes you act crazier than Al."

She giggled. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Across the ballroom, the Radio Demon was helping Niffty put up streamers. But really, he watching his wife with half-lidded eyes and an awed smile. Tina had changed so much since they'd met, but that fiery attitude of hers would never diminish. It was like he was falling in love with her all over again.

"Al? Al!"

Alastor blinked. "What?"

Niffty glared at him from the ladder, holding the other end of the streamer. "I said your end needs to be a smidge higher."

"Oh. Right. How's this?"

As the two of them stapled the streamer in place, Alastor glanced back at Tina. She was engaged in a conversation with Carrie Canary, pointing to a clipboard and then pointing all around the room. Her eyes met his for a moment. Then she blushed and pretended to focus on her clipboard.

"Al!" Niffty screamed.

"Hmm? Pardon?"

"You just stapled your fingers to the wall!"

It was only then that Alastor noticed the stinging sensation in his fingers. He looked back to see staples piercing three of them.

"Oh, dear." He pried his hand from the wall and stuck the bleeding fingers in his mouth. "I'm not usually so careless."

"I know what's going on." Niffty smirked as her eye flitted towards Tina. "You've been staring at her all day."

His cheeks flushed. "I-I'm simply, err, admiring the work she's doing."

"Come on, Al." The cyclops slid down the ladder and elbowed him in the leg. "I know you two have been getting along better lately, and it's almost Valentine's Day. What's stopping you from making your move?"

The Radio Demon wasn't sure. Their last conversation had been enlightening for the both of them. Not to mention Tina had embraced him, as well as admitted to wanting to belong to him and only him. But did that mean she was ready to come back to him, or did she still have some things to figure out? Preparations had been so busy, he hadn't had a moment alone with her to ask.

"I'm, err," Alastor said, rubbing the back of his neck, "waiting for her to make the next move?"

"Ooh, how modern of you!" Niffty pulled on his pantleg, indicating for him to bend down. "Though between you and me, you gotta at least accompany her to the party. What better time to rekindle the flame of your lost love than on Valentine's Day?"

"I have asked her, but…" He glanced at Tina, who was checking on Proxy's hanging heart garlands. "She hasn't exactly given me an answer."

"Well, you better get that answer from her soon. The party's in two days! Your window of romantic opportunity is closing!"

Before Alastor could respond, Niffty started pushing him towards Tina, his heels skidding across the floor. He wondered how the little cyclops could be so strong, until he looked back and saw that his shadow was pushing him as well.

"Alright, alright!" Alastor jumped to the side. "You've made your point!"

"What's going on, Al?"

His ears flattened as he turned to find Tina standing there. "N-Nothing, dear! I was simply wondering if…" Tapping his fingers together, he glanced back at Niffty, who urged him to continue. "If you would like…"

The rest of the decorating staff, hearing the Radio Demon's shout, turned their attention towards him. He couldn't say it here. Not with everyone watching.

"Would like…" He perked up. "Balloons! Yes, aren't heart-shaped balloons expected in events like this?"

Niffty released an exasperated sigh, while Chesterfield facepalmed.

"Uh, sure." Tina checked her clipboard. "Suppose we could squeeze that into the budget. I'd just have to get someone to run down to the party supply store and—"

"No need!" Alastor spun on his heel. "I'll go fetch them myself!"

Any excuse to get out of this awkward situation.

Little did he realize that as he walked out of the ballroom, Tina's gaze was fixated on his back. He always walked with such swagger, such confidence, like a man who owned the world.

Against her better judgement, her eyes trailed down to his posterior. It was mostly covered by his coattails, but she could picture the adorable, fluffy tail beneath them.

"How 'bout ya quit undressin' him with your eyes, and undress him with your claws?"

Tina jumped as Angel Dust elbowed her in the ribs.

"W-What?" She hid her reddening face behind her clipboard. "I wasn't… I was just—"

"Girl." Angel lowered the clipboard. "Can't believe you're still in denial over this. I thought ya had a breakthrough the other day."

"I did. But…" She looked back to the doorway just as Alastor disappeared. "It's…complicated."

"You've already used that excuse." He swiped the clipboard from her. "If you two don't stop with the goo-goo eyes and grab each other by the asses, already, I'm gonna make like a horse breeder throw ya both in the stable together until ya do. And by stable, I mean closet."

"Gimme that." She snatched the clipboard back. "And I've already explained it to you a dozen times this week. Al's never gonna do that."

"Yeah, yeah, the whole asexual thing." Angel waved a hand. "Thing is I managed to squeeze some info outta Stripey over there." He jerked a thumb towards Proxy, who was cutting out paper hearts. "She says asexuals are on a spectrum, and some will do it even if they don't wanna."

Tina scowled. "So what you're sayin' is I should rape my husband."

"Nah, nah. I'm just sayin' he might not be totally opposed to it. At the very least the two of ya can come to a sorta compromise that doesn't involve penal penetration." He held up his upper hands while making lewd gestures with his lower ones. "Ya know, like fingering, blowjobs, playing pattycake—"

She slapped a hand over his mouth. "I don't know what that last one means, but I'm pretty sure Al won't like it."

He shoved her hand off. "Come on, Tee, I get where he's coming from, but you've got needs in this relationship too."

"Don't call 'em needs."

"Okay, ya don't have to do it every day. Ask if Al can make it a weekly or monthly thing."

"Stop!" She covered her ears. "I don't need to get physical with Al! In fact, I don't even need Al! I mean look around!" She gestured to their surroundings. "I've got a business to run, and a solid support system. I don't need a man in my life."

"Maybe not." Angel pointed to the doorway. "But ya want him anyway."

Tina thought back on their last conversation, and how her heart had fluttered when Alastor said that he wanted her all to himself, and how natural it had felt to be in his arms. Since that day, her anger at her husband, and herself, had evaporated. As Angel had mentioned, her excuses for not being with Alastor were becoming weaker and weaker.

Were these poor excuses stemmed from the fact that she did, indeed, want to be with him? Not for any need of protection, or status, or money, but out of desire for him?

"Toots, forget about what happened," Angel said. "When you're in Hell, ya take whatever itty bitty piece of happiness you can get. And if we all spent our afterlives feeling sorry for ourselves, we'd be dang miserable all the time. So if ya want the deer man, go after him. Don't let a stupid thing ya did ten years ago get in the way of what ya want."

Deep down, Tina knew Angel was right. But could she and Alastor really go back to the way things were?

That afternoon, Charlie hosted a swing-dance lesson for the staff and guests, since Mimzy was mainly going to be singing jazz at the party, and not everyone had been alive during the jazz era to know the steps. Among the sinners who did were Alastor, Tina, Angel Dust, Niffty and Husk.

"First, you'll need a partner." Charlie took Vaggie's hand. "Then I want you all to form two lines, one for leads, and one for follows. Traditionally, the male leads and the female follows, but these days, it can go either way." She held up her partner's hand. "Especially if your partner is the same sex as you."

The demons scrambled to pair up, no one wanting to get stuck with an inadequate partner. Angel nabbed Husk, despite his protests. Niffty partnered with a short male demon, Dana with Dinah, Proxy with Crymini, Rosemary with Baxter who she'd managed to drag out of his room, Hildegard with Dr. Cougarton, and so on.

The remaining two were Alastor and Tina. They glanced at each other awkwardly.

"Aw, come on!" Angel shouted. "You're married! Who else are you two gonna dance with?"

Clearing his throat, Alastor bowed and held out his hand. "May I have the pleasure?"

Tina blushed as she took his hand. "Sure."

"Excellent!" Charlie said. "And since you two are such experts, you can help demonstrate to the rest of the class!"

"I actually…" Tina whispered to her husband. "I actually haven't danced with a partner in a while. Not counting when we danced along the fountain a couple weeks ago."

Alastor cringed with guilt, as he had danced with the Princess when he'd first arrived. Not out of flirtation, of course, but just to get her into the swing of his vision for the hotel. Charlie was an acceptable dance partner, but nothing like his wife.

Once the lines were formed, Charlie began the lesson.

"There are two types of hand positions for this dance. There's the open position where the lead holds out their hands like this, and then the follow hooks their fingers with the lead." She did this with Vaggie. "But if you'd like a more intimate position, you just have to…"

Alastor didn't wait for instructions. He yanked Tina towards him, took her right hand in his left, and rested his right on her waist. Tina was too flustered to chastise his boldness.

"Err, right," Charlie said. "Like Al and Tina are doing. Now, to do the foxtrot, your feet have gotta keep to the rhythm: slow, slow, quick, quick. Start with the feet together. Leads, you're gonna wanna step forward with your left, follows back with your right. Then leads, forward with your right, follows back with your left. Then quickly, leads sidestep to left and close with right foot, and follows sidestep with right and close with left. Okay, now you try."

As the class attempted the steps, jazz music suddenly played from nowhere, and Alastor swept Tina into a dance. She was so stunned that she tripped on the first few steps, but then eased back into the familiar movement. He lifted her chin, locking their eyes together.

From then on, it was as if Tina were in a trance, following Alastor as he led her through each fancy move, forgetting that they had an audience. It was much slower than the first time they'd danced together. More like the time he'd caught her at closing time at Mimzy's. Everyone had left, including the band, and yet he had invited Tina to dance with him in the empty club.

This had been a few years before they'd started loving each other for real. But now Tina started to wonder if that mutual affection had always been there, just under the surface, waiting to make itself known.

The reason Tina hadn't danced like this in such a long time was because it reminded her of Alastor. And how talented and attentive he was as a dance partner. The way his hands gently guided her, the way his feet carefully evaded hers, the way his strong arms lifted her into the air, never failing to bring her back down.

There was no one else she trusted to hold her this close.

As Alastor dipped her, he whispered, "Would you like a turn?"

He was offering her to lead, an opportunity no other partner had presented to her. Tina could do it well too, but at this moment, she didn't trust herself to take the lead.

So, she shook her head. "Maybe some other time."

The song ended, and the ballroom erupted in applause.

"Great job, you two!" Charlie said.

"Show-offs!" Angel called.

Suddenly remembering they weren't alone, Tina straightened up and pulled away from Alastor. "I, uh…" She covered her burning cheeks. "Think I need to lie down a minute."

Alastor's smile shrank. "Did I…do something wrong?"

"No, I just… I'm tired. Excuse me."

She ran out of the ballroom, her face in her hands as if she were weeping. In reality, she was hiding her blushing grin.

The day before the party, Tina was in a tizzy getting everything ready. And trying to get her mind off her husband. However, he had a habit of popping up everywhere she went.

Alastor was there for the food-tasting, the balloon-blowing, the stage setup, the sound check, and for the dress rehearsal. Although she should've expected him at the rehearsal, as he was part of the show, but then he refused to rehearse his number.

"But Al, the party's tomorrow!" Charlie said.

"I don't need rehearsing!" Alastor waved his hand. "Besides, I'd like you all to be surprised!"

At this last word, Tina did not miss the wink he sent her way. If he had another romantic scheme planned, she was going to…

What was she going to do?

Oddly enough, she didn't feel the need to chastise him. Even if he did have a big romantic gesture in mind. The idea didn't seem to annoy her anymore.

The rehearsal ended in time for dinner, and Charlie declared there would be no more work for them until tomorrow, insisting they all get some rest. Alastor, deciding he had waited long enough for Tina's decision about him escorting her to the party, hoped to catch her after dinner. But she got up from the table early, claiming not to be hungry. So, after quickly finishing his own meal, he went after her.

He found his wife back in the ballroom, going over the checklist on her clipboard.

"Let's see, a hundred balloons," she muttered, "thirty-three white, thirty-three red, thirty-four pink. Should we pop a pink to make it even? Oh, but then it'd be an odd number, so we should get one more red and one more white?"

Alastor chuckled, shaking his head as he approached her from behind.

"Oh, those streamers are crooked! And the buffet table should be an inch to the right. Will we have enough food? What if more come than expected? Oh, we're not ready for—hey!"

The clipboard was yanked out of her hands. She turned to find Alastor waving it above her teasingly.

"Ever the workaholic, I see." She flew up to get the clipboard back, but he was too swift for her. "Whether you're a performer or an entrepreneur, you still wrap yourself up in your work to avoid personal problems."

She stopped, fluttering in mid-air. "What are ya talking about?"

"Tina, Tina, Tina." He booped her nose. "When are you going to realize that no one in this world knows you better than I do?"

She swiped the clipboard back. "I'm not avoiding anything."

"That so?" He stepped forward. "In that case, have you made your decision?"

"On what?" She glanced around. "That we need more balloons?"

"As I recall, I asked you a great many days ago if you required an escort to the Valentine's Day festivities. And you have yet to reply."

"Oh." She bit her lip. "To tell ya the truth, I…forgot all about that."

"Really?" He put a hand to his chest. "Darling, you wound me!"

His over-the-top playacting almost brought a smile to her face. "No, really, I just… I've been so busy lately, I hadn't even thought of…" She turned her back to him. "I mean we really should be working tomorrow."

"We can still take some time to enjoy ourselves." Alastor leaned his head over her shoulder. "At least save a dance for me. You seem to still favor me as a partner."

Tina hid her reddening face behind her clipboard. "I, err, can't think about this right now. The, um, decorations aren't ready yet."

"Oh? From what I could see, everything on your list is checked off."

"Y-Yeah, but… I have to double-check it. Maybe triple-check it. Gotta make sure everything's perfect."

"You know what I think?" When he lowered the clipboard, his face was but inches from hers. "I think you're using this party as an excuse to ignore the real issue here."

"W-What issue?"

Had he noticed how much more flustered she'd become around him?

With a sympathetic smile, Alastor straightened up and draped an arm around her shoulders. "Do you remember when you opened for Lilith's concert? You said it was the greatest honor of your career?"

Confused as to why he had suddenly changed the subject, Tina nodded slowly.

"You were so nervous. Ha! Pacing all around the green room, drinking an excessive amount of water, repeating your vocal exercises and punchlines over and over. You were so worried you were going to blow your big break, that you were doing all this routine preparation to distract yourself."

"What's your point?"

"The point is," he said, "do you remember what I told you that night?"

Tina did, but asked for him to remind her anyway.

"That you," Alastor said, placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her to face him, "are the funniest, loveliest, most talented woman I know. And that even when you stumble, you always find a way to get back up again. So that no matter what happened out on that stage, you were going to knock them dead."

She smirked as she used the same response as that night. "Not literally, of course."

"But if by any chance you do," he quoted, running a finger under her chin, "save their flesh for me."

Tina couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. "Why you gotta be such a goof?"

"I may be a goof, but I'm also serious." He swept a stray hair out of her face. "I've seen what you're capable of. I mean look around." He spread out his arms in a dramatic gesture. "You managed to turn a hopeless, pathetic cause into a possibly profitable business venture!"

She frowned. "Don't go dissin' the Princess like that."

"I'm not going to pretend I ever believed in the Princess, dear." He locked eyes with her. "But I do believe in you. If anyone can pull this party off and bring in some new business, it's you, chère."

From his sincere tone, and adoring gaze, Tina believed every word. Even at her lowest points, he always managed to lift her spirits. She had nothing to fear when Alastor was there, supporting her.

He'd truly been making an effort all this time, despite her constant rebuffing. She didn't know whether it was due to their long talk the other day, or that she was just tired of coming up with excuses, but she didn't want to rebuff him this time.

No. She was done running from her problems.

"It was always so easy," Tina said, setting the clipboard down on the buffet table, "when you were in the audience. That's why I…"

She paused to take a breath. "After we broke up, it became harder and harder for me to crack a joke onstage. I just…couldn't find anything to laugh at anymore. When I opened the club, I tried singing, but every time I looked out at the audience, I was reminded of the fact that…you weren't there."

She hung her head as she leaned her palms against the table. "Didn't help that most of the songs I sang were about love, and heartbreak. Singing became more of a chore than a pastime. I'd just…lost all pleasure in performing. Stupid, right?"

"No, darling." Alastor came to her side and laid a hand over hers. "I understand what you mean." His voice grew quieter. "After you left, I spent weeks listening to your old records, to give me some illusion that you were still with me. All it did was make me miserable. And everything we used to do together, cooking, dancing, singing, playing the piano, just didn't feel the same anymore."

He laced his fingers with hers. "It was as if…a part of myself had left with you."

Tina had felt that way too. But as he held her hand, she no longer did.

It didn't make sense for them to get back together. Couples weren't supposed to make up after such a serious transgression. And yet, it made even less sense for them to be apart. Their adoration for each other hadn't faded over the decade. In fact, their love felt stronger somehow.

There was still the issue of Tina's physical desires interfering with Alastor's lack thereof, but now that she thought about it, that kind of thing didn't seem to matter anymore. She didn't have to go all the way with him. She just wanted him.

But if she was going to make this choice, she had to do it right.

"Hey, um, speakin' of things we used to do together…" Tina glanced at the piano onstage. "Mind if I…play ya something?"

Alastor showed all his teeth. "I would be delighted, my dear."

She led him to the stage and sat down at the piano. He wasn't sure if he should sit beside her, until she patted the bench.

"You, uh, might wanna record this," she said, brushing her hair back.

Even more excited, he summoned his staff and tapped the mic. It lit up to indicate that it was recording.

After a deep breath, Tina positioned her hands on the keys, and began to play a jazz ballad from the '50's. A song that best described her feelings for Alastor.

Her broach glowed red, adding brass accompaniment to her piano.

"Only you," she sang, much softer than it was meant to be sung.
"Can make this world seem right.
Only you
Can make the darkness bright.
Only you, and you alone
Can thrill me like you do
And fill my heart with love for only you."

Tina cast a sideways glance at her husband, who had his elbow propped on the side of the piano, leaning his cheek onto his fist, watching her. Just as he used to do when she played for him.

His half-lidded gaze burned into hers, his desire to wrap his arms around her and hold her close crystal clear. She turned her head fully towards him as she continued the song.

"Only you
Can make this change in me.
For it's true.
You are my destiny.
When you hold my hand, I understand
The magic that you do.
You're my dream come true
My one and only you."

Alastor's heart melted, as Tina's singing began to sound like a plea. A plea for him to forgive her, and to accept her as his wife once again. To test if this was truly her intention, he scooted closer to her. She did not shoo him away, but looked back at the keys with a blush.

"Only you
Can make this change in me."

Picking up on the melody, Alastor joined her in a duet, playing an octave lower. The small smile that tugged at her lips did not escape him.

"For it's true.
You are my destiny."

With a slow turn of the head, Tina locked eyes with him again.

"When you hold my hand, I understand
The magic that you do."

Leaving his set of keys to automatically continue the harmony, Alastor reached down and slid his hand onto her knee. She didn't even flinch.

"You're my dream come true
My one and only you."

As she held the last note, her fingers leisurely finished with a repeat of the last bar. Then her hands rested on the keys as she gazed up at her partner. Their thighs were now pressed together, his face but a breath away from hers.

After a long, yet comfortable, period of silence, Alastor said, "That was lovely."

Tina nodded in thanks. "I was gonna play it for our tenth anniversary, but…"

"Shh." He put a finger to her lips. "Better late than never."

She took his hand, lowering it, as her face inched closer. Alastor's heart pounded in his chest. Was she about to do what he'd been hoping for her to do? Had this song been her ultimate confession?

He drew back. He had to be sure he wasn't misreading the situation.

"Tina, before we…" He was afraid to phrase it. "I must know. Since that night I found you with… Has there…? Has there been anyone else?"

He would not be angry with her if there had been. After all, she must've been lonely. But it was better for him to be aware of any other possible affairs now rather than later.

Tina blinked, then looked shyly down at the keys. "I, uh, tried to go on a few dates, but they never went anywhere. So no, there hasn't been anyone else."

His ears flattened in relief. "And…why is that?"

She gazed back at him. "Weren't ya listening to the song?"

It was true then. Although Tina had tried so hard to get over him, her heart had only ever belonged, and still belonged, to Alastor.

And so, for the first time in ten years, she closed her eyes, leaned in, and brushed her lips against his.

Her mind was made up.

When Tina pulled back, Alastor's grin was gone, his eyes wide in astonishment.

"You…you mean it?" he whispered. "Or…was that an accident as well?"

She shook her head. "I mean it, Al. We may be a mess, and there's a lot I have to make up to ya, but… I don't wanna be apart from ya no more. I…I love ya too much to do that."

His smile sprang back to life as he threw his arms around her, pulled her flush against his chest, and kissed her with as much passion and desperation as he had her first day at the hotel. This time, she reciprocated, and hooked her arms around his neck.

He broke the kiss to whisper, "By Satan, I've missed you."

"Ditto."

Their lips met again, laughter bubbling in both their throats. All doubts disappeared as they clung to each other, their hands wandering through places that hadn't been touched in a decade.

Tina certainly didn't need Alastor. But at the same time, she couldn't imagine going back to a life without him. They belonged together. She was his, and he was hers.

Then he surprised her by pushing her back so that she was lying on the bench, her wings dangling to the sides. He crawled on top of her, his thighs barricading her from falling off the bench. Realizing the suggestive position they were in, she squeaked, but then melted back into contentment once he started kissing her neck.

"Damn, Al," she said between pants. "I don't remember ya being this…forceful."

"Forgive me," he whispered, "but it's been so long." His teeth teasingly grazed her earlobe. "Does this frighten you, my love?"

"On the contrary," she said, wrapping her legs around his waist, "I wanna see where you're going with this."

Tina didn't think he was going to go as far as sex, but if he wanted to get extra affectionate, she wasn't going to stop him. She would take what she could get.

"Then I have your permission," he said, moving his lips to her shoulder, "to do what I like with you?"

She was breathing so heavily, all she could manage was, "Uh-huh."

"Good."

He ran his long, slimy tongue along her neck, causing her to shiver. "Oh dear Lord."

"That's right." One hand traced her curves. "Here is a deer lord who's been waiting ten years for you to be his again." She gasped as he squeezed her thigh. "Say you're mine."

"I'm yours."

He pecked her lips. "And I am yours, ma petite chauve-souris."

She closed her eyes with a sigh. "Talk more French to me."

"Mon amour." Alastor murmured between kisses, moving from her face to her neck, then to her shoulder. "Ma belle. Ma raison d'être."

Tina stroked his back with one hand, the other taking a fistful of his hair. "Continue, mon beau diable."

"You, mademoiselle," he said, reaching behind her neck, "have just earned yourself a reward."

She stiffened as she felt his fingers fiddle with the tie of her blouse. "Al, ya sure ya wanna do that?"

"You said I could do what I wanted with you." He chuckled as he untied the knot. "Would I be doing this if I didn't want to?"

Her cheeks reddened as he pulled down the front of her blouse.

"Of course," he said, "if this makes you uncomfortable, I can stop."

"N-No. I'm just…surprised." Her breath quickened as he uncovered the top of her breasts, stopping just above her X's. "I mean ya've never…" He leaned in. "I thought ya didn't…"

She shut up the moment his lips touched her collarbone. And then the spot above her breasts. She inhaled sharply as she felt his tongue run the length of her cleavage. As his mouth met hers again, the hand on her thigh slid under her skirt, his other hand moving under her blouse to cup her breast.

For a man who claimed not to be interested in sex, he was getting pretty handsy. Never in their time together had Alastor ever stepped this much out of his comfort zone. He must've been anxious to make up for lost time, or to show that he could be physically affectionate in other ways.

Whatever his reason for this new approach, Tina was enjoying every second of it. So, she let him fondle her, and kiss her exposed skin. If he were to take her right there on the piano bench, there'd be no complaining from her. God knows she'd done it in worse places.

Then she had to remind herself he didn't want that. And that he had yet to remove his gloves. But damn, did this feel good. So good, that she'd be satisfied if their future intimate moments were exactly like this. No promise of sex. Just pure, unadulterated familiarity.

Alastor, meanwhile, was so overjoyed that the woman he'd been pining for all these years was finally back in his arms. It filled him with the desire to taste and touch every inch of her, just to confirm that she was truly here. So, he'd thrown all proprieties out the window.

He had to admit, some of the things he did in his experimentation felt a little strange, even with gloves on. Like fondling her breast and licking her cleavage. But the sound of Tina's satisfied moans overpowered any discomfort.

This time, Alastor was going to treat his wife right, and give her all the love she deserved. And if she wanted to go all the way tonight, he would happily oblige.

True, he wasn't fully aroused yet, but that could change at any moment. For now, he stroked the flames of her desire in any way he could think of, so that by the time he was ready, she would be as well.

And it was working. Tina whimpered as her pelvis started crying out for the ultimate pleasure. It didn't help that it was right up against Alastor's groin, which was flat right now, but prominent.

This wasn't good. If her husband became aware of this, he might stop. She tightened her legs around him and bucked her hips, hoping the friction would provide some relief. But all that did was make her hornier.

Tina couldn't reach down and take care of it. Firstly, Alastor's own hand was blocking the way to her panties. Secondly, it might gross him out.

"Something wrong, precious?"

She opened her eyes to see him looking down at her in concern. "N-No, but…" She quickly unwrapped her legs. "I'm afraid if ya keep this up, I'm gonna want it all."

He tilted his head. "Is that so?"

"Yeah. So, maybe we should stop before…before…"

The tingle spread throughout her body as she felt a claw pick at the elastic of her underwear.

"Then perhaps," Alastor whispered, nuzzling into the crook of her neck, "we should continue this at home?"

Home. Their deal had been that if Tina kissed him, she would move back into the mansion with him. The space they'd shared as a married couple. The place where they'd fallen in love. The hellish paradise they'd built together.

"W-We shouldn't," Tina said. "I-I mean not yet. W-We need to be here for the party."

"Then," he said, kissing her shoulder, "my bedroom, or yours?"

She stared up at him in disbelief. Surely he didn't mean that, did he?

No, he was most likely suggesting they continue their PG-13 fumblings in a more private setting. She'd just have to run to the bathroom real quick, and they could pick up where they left off.

"That is," Alastor said, rolling his hips, "if you still want me that way, mon amour."

Tina sucked in a breath. "W-What? What are you saying?"

"My darling." The Radio Demon pecked her cheek. "I'm saying I want you to have my—"

"Sweet cheese and crackers!"

The two of them scrambled to sit up, Tina lifting her loose blouse over her chest, and Alastor seething. He was going to kill that damn canary.

Carrie rushed to the stage. "My gosh, Miss Tina! Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"No, no! I'm fine!" Tina hastened to retie her blouse. "See, what happened was—"

"Get away from her, you brute!" Once she was at the top of the steps, she raced to her boss's side. "I know you're upset about her breaking up with you, but there's no need to disgrace her like this!"

"No, Carrie, you've got it all wrong." Tina took the bird by the shoulders. "Al didn't… That is…" She glanced at Alastor. "I…kissed him first."

Carrie's beak dropped. "W-W-What?"

"It's true. We… We've made up."

Alastor perked up. While it was obvious Tina had decided to come back to him, for her to admit it to someone else meant she was sincere.

Carrie looked at the Radio Demon, then at the Songbat. "Um, M-Miss Tina? Can I t-talk to you for a second? Ab-bout the p-party?"

"Well, uh…" Tina let go of Carrie and adjusted her blouse. "We were kinda in the middle of…something."

"Oh, you needn't worry about me, dear." Alastor waved a hand. "After all, the party is tomorrow, and you must triple-check every little last detail!"

He winked, and she smiled. Carrie yanked her wrist.

"Come on, Miss Tina."

"Yeah, Carrie. One sec."

The Songbat smoothed out her skirt as she stood, then walked over to Alastor and took both his hands. Then she kissed him, ignoring Carrie's gasp.

"Will you come by my room later?" Alastor whispered.

Tina was afraid to ask if he meant to sleep, or…something else.

"We, uh, have a lotta work tomorrow. We need rest." She smirked. "And I have a feelin' if we share a bed tonight, neither of us will be gettin' any rest."

"Hmm. You might be right about that." He snaked a hand around her waist. "But I will be seeing you at the party, won't I?"

"Of course." She leaned in. "You're my escort, ain't ya?"

He kissed her knuckles. "It would be my pleasure, darling."

Before their lips could meet again, Carrie shoved her way between them. "I r-really need to talk to you, Miss Tina!"

As Carrie dragged Tina towards the exit, Alastor scowled, prepared to fillet the bird. But a flirtatious wave from his wife calmed him down. There was no point in getting angry. She would be back.

The moment the Radio Demon was alone, he leaped into the air and shouted, "Yippee!"

He spun on one foot as he teleported himself to his room. As jazz music played, he twirled his mic like a cane, singing into it.

"Yes, sir, that's my baby!
No, sir, I don't mean maybe!
Yes, sir, that's my baby now!"

Then he grabbed the hands of his shadow and spun it about the penthouse.

"Yes, ma'am, we've decided!
No ma'am, we ain't gonna hide it!
Yes, ma'am you're invited now!"

Chesterfield was getting dizzy, but Alastor didn't care, for he was on cloud nine.

At long last, his soulmate had kissed him. The life they'd shared together would soon be his once more. Although he was a tad disappointed that Tina would not be joining him tonight, the confirmation that her heart was still his made him feel alive again.

He couldn't believe how heated things had gotten between them. How animalistic his actions had been, and how she had allowed it all to happen.

Maybe he could go through with the consummation after all.

"This calls," Alastor said, finally releasing his shadow and sending it flying into the wall, "for a celebration!"

With a wave of his hand, a bottle of champagne and a glass appeared on the kitchen counter. Alastor continued singing as he popped the cork and poured.

"A toast!" He raised his glass towards Chesterfield, who was rubbing its head in the corner. "To another successful endeavor!"

But as Alastor lifted the glass to his lips, he paused, and stared at the bubby, alcoholic beverage.

After Tina had left, he had nearly drunk himself to death. That is, he would've if he wasn't already dead. And the last time he'd indulged, he'd frightened his beloved.

She was so much stronger than him, to have given up her main form of escapism. To endure the pain rather than attempt to erase it. Not because of Charlie and Vaggie's wish for everyone to abstain from temptation, but for Tina's own self-respect.

With a heavy sigh, Alastor tipped the glass over the sink, pouring out the champagne. Then he did the same with the bottle.

He'd finally gotten his second chance to be with his wife. He was not going to let something like addiction ruin it.

Tina giggled when her ears picked up on Alastor's cheering. He could be quite childish when he was excited. Just one of the many things she loved about him.

Carrie pulled Tina into the main office and slammed the door. "What the fuck was that all about?"

Tina had suspected the canary hadn't dragged her here to discuss the party. After all, her employee had caught her in a rather compromising position with her ex. Well, former ex.

Despite Carrie's reaction, Tina felt no shame in what she'd done. Though she chalked that up to the fact that she wasn't off the hormonal high yet. She wished Carrie had allowed her time to at least change her underwear.

When her boss's only response was to smile like a moron, Carrie went off on her. "For the past seven years, you've gone on and on to me about how much of an asshole your ex is, and after bickering with him for weeks, you're suddenly making out with him, half-dressed, and letting him play with your boobies?!"

The fresh memory of Alastor's hands all over her enflamed Tina's cheeks. She had to sit down and cross her legs to keep her emotions in check.

"And why the hell was he even touching you like that?" Carrie paced the office. "I mean he admitted to the entire therapy group he's asexual, but he looked about ready to fuck you right then and there! Was he lying just to get in your panties or something?!"

Tina squeezed her thighs together, remembering the claw that had picked at her panties.

"I thought the whole reason you'd broken up was because he wouldn't fuck you! Can't this jerk make up his fucking mind? And what about you? I thought you weren't gonna give him an inch but then I find you…"

Tina tuned out Carrie's rant as her imagination ran wild. What would've happened if they hadn't been interrupted? Would Alastor have carried her to his room? To his bed? Would he have continued peeling off her clothes, and then his own? Would they have finally been naked in front of each other, outside of a nursing situation?

No, Alastor most definitely wouldn't have gone that far. But Tina found herself picturing it anyway. His lips and hands exploring her as they'd done a few minutes ago, maybe even going…down there.

An involuntary whimper from the Songbat caught Carrie's attention.

"Are you even listening to me?!"

"Huh?" Tina snapped out of her fantasy, blushing once she remembered she wasn't alone. "Oh, right. See, Al and I were talkin' and then—"

"Yes, I saw." After taking a breath to compose herself, Carrie pulled up a chair and sat across from her boss. "Look, Miss Tina, you told me how dangerous he is." She took her hands. "Did you make a deal with him? Did he make you do all that in exchange for…I don't know, helping with the hotel?"

"What? No!" Tina swiped her hands back. "I'm done with whorin' myself to get what I want. And yeah, we made a deal, but he didn't force or trick me into anything. I kissed him, because…I wanted to kiss him."

Carrie's eyes widened. "B-B-But…why?"

Tina looked down at her lap. "I still love him, Carrie."

"What?!"

"I know, he's obnoxious, and conniving, and he can't take a hint sometimes." Tina smiled softly. "But he can also be funny, considerate, and someone I can always count on for support. Workin' with him the past few weeks has reminded me of that."

And damn could that man be a good kisser when he was in the mood.

"Y-You're not serious?" Carrie stammered. "After everything he put you through?"

"Al's my husband," Tina stated with determination. "I can't run from him no more. And once everything's in order with the hotel, I'm movin' back in with him."

Sweat dripped down Carrie's forehead. "W-What about us? The ladies you took under your wing? You're not leaving us all for him, are you?"

"Al's my husband. I can't run from him anymore. But don't worry, Carrie." Tina stood and patted the canary's shoulder. "I ain't leavin' y'all behind. Al never stopped me from my career before."

"B-But he doesn't even care about what you're trying to do here!" Carrie sprang up from her seat. "W-What if he's got something awful planned? What if he decides you're too good for this place? What if—?"

"Carrie," Tina said. "I appreciate your concern, but the only one who gets to dictate my love life is me, thank ya very much. And sure, Al ain't perfect, but neither am I." She turned on her heel. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go take a shower."

A long, cold shower.

It was two in the morning, and Carrie Canary was pacing her room, biting her nails, and staring at the hell phone in the hand.

"He's gonna kill me, he's gonna kill me, he's gonna kill me, he's gonna—"

The phone rang. The caller ID read, "Honey." Carrie squeaked, then plastered on a smile, and picked up the call.

"Hi, honey! How are you this evening?" She rocked onto the balls of her feet as her caller spoke. "Yes, Miss Tina—I mean the bitch is asleep, so she can't use that freakish hearing of hers. And speaking of sleep," she said, twirling her hair, "it's been a while since we've—"

Carrie flinched at shouting from the other end. "W-What's my progress on sabotaging the relationship between the bitch and the Radio Demon?"

She forced a laugh, preparing herself for the earful she was about to receive. "Y-Yeah, about that, h-honey. W-We may have a t-teensy, w-weensy little p-problem."

On one hand, maybe this was rushed. On the other hand, it's been thirty chapters so you're more likely thinking FINALLY!

Yeah, you were all suspicious of Carrie to begin with. Not my best kept secret.