"Hand me that string a lights!" Jesse called as he hung upside down from the tree limb, his arms hanging down as Genji lifted a string of orb lights up to him. "Thank-ya kindly Genj!" He laughed and flipped back up so he was sitting on the limb, connecting two string of lights together as Genji watched from below.

"Why are you doing this again?" The other boy asked, picking up the next strand and holding it up as Jesse reached for it.

"Santana's got a couple comin' to the restaurant soon to do a big proposal, he's a huge sap for crap like that, so he told the guy he'd make them a special place to do it." Jesse explained as he began wrapping the string of clear Christmas lights around the tree's trunk, "When I get these lights done, I gotta start puttin together the stage," Jesse jumped from the branch and landed with his knees bent, groaning as he stood and popped his back.

"Still no word from the Wolf?" Genji asked as he walked around the tree with Jesse, feeding him lights and helping him untangle the small knots that tried to form as the two boys wrapped them around the rest of the tree. Jesse shook his head wordlessly as they circled the tree one last time, taking the tape from his pocket he secured the end of the lights to the tree. "It's been a few days, hasn't it? Shouldn't he have sought you out by now?"

"It's only been three days Genji." Jesse sighed softly as he stood, satisfied that the lights wouldn't come loose. He waved the ninja to follow him and gestured to a pile of wood not far away. "Trust me, if that asshole was going to keep me out of the deal, he would have come to tell me to scram already and flaunt the cash from the job. He's tryin to make me sweat, make me desperate..." Jesse waved his hand back and forth like he was swatting a fly. "The best thing for me to do right now is focus on staying here at the hotel as much as I can-it's where I told him I'd be stayin if he wanted me in."

"As long as you know what you are doing." Genji sighed as Jesse gave him a reassuring grin and a wink, picking up small boards about the size of a checkerboard that resembled hardwood floor with pieces rounded out in certain corners. As the boys turned to walk back to the tree two voices called out and caught their attention, Jesse turned and smiled as Rosa and Ami walked up closer. Ami was wearing an acoustic guitar attached to her back, large and stuffed looking canvas bag on her shoulder and held a large painting canvas in her hand while Rosa carried an assortment of other tools and supplies in her own bag and hands.

"Howdy girls!" Jesse greeted as he reached for the stuff in Rosa's hands, noticing that it was artistic stuff like a foldable easel and a camera. "What'cha up to today?"

"I wanted to check out this tree you were kind enough to tell me about," Ami explained, nodding to the tree as Genji put down his pile of floor. "It's given me an idea for a painting, and maybe something else too...if you're free to help?" She asked, cocking her dark brow and smirking at him.

"Right after I get this done for Santana," Jesse explained as they walked closer to the tree, Genji nodding his head to both the girls in greeting. "They've got somethin special planned for tonight and he wants me to get this dance floor put down before sundown, he even shut down the restaurant today to get it done." But as he spoke there was a ringing in his pocket, he took out his cell phone and pressed answer, "Yeah?"

"Hey, we just got word from the guy, turns out he's gonna wait a few more days, so you can leave the lights put up, but don't worry about putting down the floor yet." Santana's voice said through the phone, "Sorry ya got dragged out on your day off, but I can see the lights from here and it looks great!" Jesse turned back to look at the hotel and noticed Santana waving from the restaurant's doorway in the distance. "Why don't you hang out with your friends there mijo, come in when your hungry and I'll make you all something good."

"Sure thing! Thanks, old man!" Jesse grinned and gave a thumbs up to Genji and then winked at Rosa who turned her head to the side. When he hung up and put away his phone, he explained. "Looks like I got the rest of the day free! The old man says the guy postponed, so we don't have to put down the floor now, but the lights can stay up." Genji picked the floor pieces back up and took them back to the pile on the dolly as Jesse laid the easel down. "So whats the idea for the painting?"

"Can you play guitar?" Ami asked, sitting the canvas and bag down on the ground, and standing to remove the guitar from her back.

"You're asking the cowboy if he can play guitar?" Jesse chuckled, "Can you-" He turned to talk to Genji but noticed the cyborg had disappeared when he left to remove the floor. "Asshole," Jesse grumbled, taking the guitar from Ami and strumming out a simple tune to check the strings. "I can play just about any country tune, what'd ya have in mind?"

"I have an idea for a video of this really old song I found once, she..." Ami playfully glared at Rosa who held up her bag in front of her face, her cheeks and ears radiating bright pink. "Can sing it beautifully, but-only if there is music. So-play for me while she sings and I record and paint, I already have some footage I need, I mostly need her singing and some various shots to break up what I have already."

"Whats the song?" Jesse asked, slinging the strap over his head and adjusting it so it was comfortable. Ami held out her cell phone and a song started to play, Jesse nodded along, "I know this one, its old but it's sweet." He picked at the strings and matched the tune, much to Ami's pleasure. "Just tell me where ya want me?" He laughed and did as Ami asked, and for the rest of the afternoon, he laid against the tree, one leg propped up as Rosa sang the song softly beside him, sometimes leaning against his shoulder, one time she had her head in his lap and looked up at him when she was comfortable enough to not go pink-faced when he glanced at her.

Sometimes Ami would get up and come close with her little recording device, once she got up close in Jesse's face and she told him very quietly to not move, she needed him to look natural. He had to resist very hard not to break out into a large grin, but he looked down at Rosa whose head was in his lap, she smiled brightly at him and tried to not laugh but snorted and made Jesse break out into a bashful grin that made Ami whisper 'Yus' under her breath as she backed away.

Sometime later, when she was done recording, and Rosa was done singing, Ami went to painting as Rosa and Jesse talked quietly between one another.

~Present Day~

Jesse blinked, the rain was letting up and he was running low on drink. He leaned his head against the doorframe and watched the rain drip from the top of the roof, he hoped [Y/N] was dry, and that Santana was keeping himself out of trouble. Jesse got to his feet as the rain slowly came to a stop, and walked to the edge of the porch, leaning against one of the posts as he took another drink straight from the bottle. As the heat of the liquor warmed him, other thoughts that sparked warmth came to the forefront of his mind.

~A lifetime ago~

The moon was full, and Jesse felt elated, he had spent the day with Rosa and it seemed like her spirits had lifted a tad since the night he had taught her to shoot Peacekeeper. It was a few nights later, and while he still had yet to hear from his contract, El Lobo, he had been spending tons of time with Rosa-trying to raise her spirits from the dumps from finding out about her cheating boyfriend. He and Genji had put down the dance floor and the guy's proposal went without a hitch, Jesse felt his own heart race when the woman said yes.

He had been so happy, he asked everyone who was at the restaurant to celebrate to help spread the joy, so Santana had cranked up the music and even wheeled out the karaoke machine that held more songs than Jesse could count, but he didn't recognize a lot of them. Gabriel, Jack, Ana, and Genji had come to the hotel to help keep eyes open for El Lobo, drinks were passed around and just as Jesse was going to ask Rosa to dance, Gabe grabbed him around the neck and put him into a headlock, nearly spilling his beer.

"Alright brat!" Gabe chuckled, passing Jesse's hat off to Jack who chuckled and watched as Gabe gave Jesse a noogie, "Time to pay up on that embarrassing favor!"

"Now!?" Jesse snapped, trying to fight his way free of Gabe's strong arms. "What is it?"

"Sing and dance to the karaoke machine!" Gabe told him, telling him go with a shove that nearly made him knock into Ana who groaned and rolled her eyes as Jesse paled. He didn't like to sing out loud, he was pretty well tone deaf unless it was country, and he knew they weren't going to have him sing some home down diddy.

"Aw come on! Rosa's here! I was gonna ask her dance!" Jesse complained, trying to ease away but Jack grabbed him by the neck and held him in place. "Leme go!"

"After you sing." Gabe chuckled, going to the machine and taking a mic, tossing it over his shoulder to Jack who caught it and tapped Jesse's nose with it. "Now, let's find you a good one.."

"Please don't." Jesse groaned as Jack put his hat back on his head and held out the mic with a mischievous grin. "Ya'll ain't gonna let me till I humiliate myself are you?"

"Nah, it's no fun if we do, you won't even have to do a long one, just until you can't stop stuttering." Jack began making stuttering noises, making Jesse turn pink in his cheeks, once Jack had gone into the showers and caught Jesse singing a popular song that was most certainly not country-and proceeded to tease him whenever he could remember. Gabriel laughed loudly from the machine and pressed a button on the machine, music started to play through the speakers that Santana had placed around the dance floor so that it flooded the area with sound.

Jack forced Jesse to take the mic and shoved him over to the small holo screen where words began to show up and change color as Jesse was supposed to sing, but since he didn't start singing on time it faded away and started over, Jesse looked over his shoulder to Ana who shrugged and waved him on, telling him to get it over with. Jesse sighed heavily and tipped his hat down over his face to hide it as he turned back to the screen, praying he wasn't going to mess up to badly. His voice was soft, more like he was mumbling than singing.

"I-I'm hurting, baby, I'm b-broken... down.." Jesse could make out others looking at one another as the song went on, he could feel his heart pounding from embarrassment as his torture continued-he knew if he stopped, it would result in a punishment much worse than public humiliation. "I need your loving, loving, I need it now..." Jesse peeked up around his hat and saw Rosa and Ami watching him, while Ami seemed amused-giving him a thumbs up while Rosa seemed empathetic-giving him a concerned look.

"When I'm without you," Jesse felt his ears get hot and he looked down at his feet, how long was this stupid song? "I'm something weak, you got me b-begging..." Jesse glanced over his shoulder to where Ana and Genji had been standing but only Ana was there, giving him a sad look-she knew that while Jesse had a lot of confidence speaking wise-singing was one thing he hated to do in public. Jesse looked back down to the floor under his feet, "Begging, I'm on my knees..."

Jesse could hear Jack and Gabriel laughing behind him, but as he started to speak-sing the next section he heard another voice singing with more confidence. Jesse looked up, going quiet as he saw something he never expected to see in a million years.

"I don't wanna be needing your love, I just wanna be deep in your love..." Genji had joined in, hating to see his friend struggle, and when Jesse gave him a happy but bashful grin Genji lifted his hand and flipped him off. He came to stand beside Jesse and pointed to the screen as the words kept changing.

"And it's killing me when you're away," Both boys sang, Jesse a little more easily as Genji sang along with him, leveling his voice out so that he didn't overpower, but didn't leave Jesse hanging either. "Ooh, baby," Genji reached up and flipped up Jesse's hat so that it sat back on his head, showing his face. Genji was still wearing his hoodie with a bandana around his mouth to hide his scars. Jesse adjusted his hat and Genji pointed with his free hand to Rosa who was smiling and clapping along softly with Ami who whooped and fist pumped to encourage them to continue. "'Cause I really don't care where you are, I just wanna be there where you are, And I gotta get one little taste..."

Jesse couldn't hear Jack and Gabriel anymore, and he felt his embarrassment lessen as his confidence grew. He winked at Genji in thanks as the youth began to get a little more showy with the next few lyrics, both boys doing a little dance in place.

"Sugar!" Jesse belted out in a slightly higher pitch, but not near as high as Genji could reach. He pointed to Rosa and grinned, making her roll her eyes and chuckle. "Yes, please! Won't you come and put it down on me!" Jesse began doing a little shimmy in place, making people whoop and holler. They kept going for a bit until the song faded and the selection menu appeared, applause sounded from the group as Jesse and Genji passed off the mics to two eager young women.

"I owe you," Jesse whispered to Genji as they walked away. "You saved my ass."

"I do not understand why Gabriel wanted to tease you like that, but," Genji chuckled, "It seems someone was entertained." The other boy pat his friend's shoulder as Ami and Rosa walked up closer.

"Who knew you had that in you?" Ami laughed, taking a sip of a blue drink in her glass.

"Ladies," Jesse could feel his cheeks growing hot, he wanted the song to be forgotten as soon as possible. "This here is mah best friend in the world-Genji." He slapped Genji's shoulder and the cyborg's eyes widened as Jesse gave him no time to escape again. "Genj, this here is Ami," He gestured to Ami who smiled around her straw and then to Rosa who nodded politely. "And this is Rosa."

"Nice to meet you both," Genji nervously chuckled, backing away a step. "But I have to go, I think Reyes isn't happy with me."

"SHIMADA!"

"So much for lowkey," Jesse mumbled as Genji sighed heavily and trudged away toward Gabriel and Jack. When Genji was gone, Ami excused herself to get a refill on her drink, winking slyly at Jesse as she slipped into the crowd as Santana's voice came over the karaoke machine.

"We're going to give the machine a rest a bit while we find some new songs to add to the menu-in the meantime, enjoy the DJ!"

Rosa was wearing a small white dress, the one she had thought about buying when Jesse had stopped by the house she and Ami were renting. Jesse had to try hard to keep from grinning like an idiot, but suddenly he felt at a loss for words. He thought she looked a bit better than she had the day she found out about her boyfriend cheating on her, even better than she had looked when she sang for Ami's video, he wanted to flirt and be the confident guy he normally was-but he was still recovering from his embarrassment.

"You put on a real show," Rosa said finally, tucking a piece of brown hair behind her ear. "Never thought I'd see you acting nervous!" She gently pushed him and Jesse tipped his hat down over his eyes. "But you did well!"

"Thank ya darlin," Jesse grinned, his voice soft as he stepped a little closer to her. He didn't want to be yelling to be heard tonight. "You uh..." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. "You're lookin good! The dress suits ya, I'm glad you got it."

"Thanks," Jesse peeked around the edge of his hat and saw her cheeks flush a little, "I'm feeling good." She smoothed out the bottom of the dress as the music started up. "So," Her voice trailed off and rubbed her hands together. Jesse bit his lip, he had to shake these nerves quick if he was going to get back to himself. Drums and guitar blared through the speakers and people started dancing close in pairs, the dance floor becoming congested.

"Dance with me," Jesse said suddenly, tipping his hat back and smiling at her.

"What? Why?" Rosa raised a brow, sensing that Jesse was up to something. "You've got something in mind, don't you Thief?" Jesse narrowed his eyes playfully and walked around her slowly, a mischievous grin stretching as he held out his hand to her. "What are you up to?" she crossed her arms but Jesse rolled his eyes as a man's raspy voice called from the speakers, wrapping everyone in a spell of dance and intimacy.

"Why don't you come dance with me an find out, Sugar." Jesse winked and reached for her hand, gently pulling it from the other and swaying his hips to the beat making Rosa giggle. She followed him with little prompt but Jesse went slowly, not wanting to rush anything, the music continued to play and the group shifted on the dancefloor, when he got her closer to a group of dancers she seemed to resist a bit-pulling back gently and shaking her head as if she had second thoughts. Jesse didn't force her, he let her hand go and kept dancing by himself, smiling a little more confidently at her, waving for her to come follow. He watched as she looked over her shoulder and spotted Ami, who frantically waved and pointed for Rosa to pay attention to Jesse who reached out for her hand again.

"C'mon darlin, dance with me again. You already know I won't bite...why you hesitatin for?" He pulled her forward when she reached out for his hand, putting his free hand on the curve of her back.

"I don't think I can dance to this Thief..." She admitted shyly, pressing a little tighter against him as a couple got a little close for comfort.

"Sure you can!" Jesse spun her around by her hand so she faced away from him and put his hands on her hips, gently pressing he started guiding her hips to sway and tilt in rhythm with the song, "Just gotta get the feel for it," he whispered in her ear, squeezing her a little as she took a little control and began dancing on her own. Jesse spun her out and back around so she faced him and put his hand back on the curve of her back. "See? Didn't know you could did ya?"

She only laughed as Jesse took lead, keeping her pressed close as people crammed onto the dance floor. Even though the sun had been down for hours and the lights were soft, the heat from the bodies dancing so close was intense and Jesse's stirring feelings only made it worse. He felt a little rush of wind as Rosa spun again and realized just how hot he felt, he definitely wouldn't be able to do this to much more than a song or two without dunking his head in some water to calm himself down.

And if you said, "This life ain't good enough." / I would give my world to lift you up / I could change my life to better suit your mood / Because you're so smooth

Rosa danced with her back to Jesse and he could feel her taking the lead a bit more, her hips rolling and twisting on their own, her hands came up and wrapped around his neck, her hands sliding through his hair and making him lightheaded. Easy ol' boy, Jesse told himself as he kissed her shoulder gently, feeling the heat from her body and smelling the perfume she was wearing. Don't rush nuthin, got allll night.

And it's just like the ocean under the moon / Well, that's the same as the emotion that I get from you / You got the kind of loving that can be so smooth, yeah / Gimme your heart, make it real / Or else forget about it

She spun back around and wrapped her arms around his neck as he placed both hands on her hips, he was going to say something-something clever and romantic-but he saw the look in her green eyes and it vanished into smoke. Her eyes were conflicting: desire, sadness, a hint of lust? Her eyes stayed locked with his and his mind stayed blank as new paper, he'd had thought of all kinds of topics to keep them talking, but he couldn't think of a single thing to say or decide what he should do next. He saw her eyes falter, they flicked away down somewhere on his face, before closing softly. Jesse slid his hands up to her shoulders and swallowed, this was his moment, but when he leaned in to kiss her a voice interrupted him.

"Mind if I cut in?"