Speakeasy

By: Serpentsrose

Disclaimer: I don't make any money or profit in any nature except writing practice, and self esteem when people read my stories. The characters and places mentioned for the most part belong to Tray Parker and Matt Stone. And Comedy Central. Thanks guys for giving me something to write about. Yeha great.

A/N: Ah chapter 4, I'm so on a rule this month. Go, November yeah. Okay this chapter comes back to Stan a bit but it will be the first chapter where all for are mentioned together. Hope you enjoy there interactions and if you notice any mistakes or have questions feel free to ask. I'm willing to answer almost anything. Oh, until Kyle is revealed as a girl I'm going to write him as a her that way I don't' mess up in dialog. If it really bothers someone let me know. But otherwise yeah.

Chapter 4 The Announcement

(Sunday service-Morning 7am)

Stan glances around his church noting all the faces new and old. These where his people, his conjuration. He could do this, they all could do this.

He watches as Officer Cartman making his way to the front of the building sitting discreetly on the right side. Not quite in the front, but close enough to see everything that was going on. He wasn't in his uniform today. Which Stan found odd. He couldn't think of a time where he had ever seen Cartman out of his uniform. It was a nice change of pace. Stan thought he looked a little uncomfortable. But that could be due to the fact that he was actually in church rather than being out of his uniform. While strongly Christian it wasn't like Cartman to actual come to a services. Preferring to stay at home a pray alone. What ever the reason Stan let him have his peace when ever he did come in. It was a good relationship. He didn't harp on Cartman to come to church. And Cartman came in occasionally confessed and cleansed his soul. It was all Stan really could ask for. I mean even he had his limits. There was a twitch blonde sitting next to Cartman in a slightly ruffled suit. Stan wasn't sure if the suit was ruffled because he didn't dry it right or just because he jittered to much, but the blonde seemed to pull it off. The blonde turned as Cartman said something to him, his eyes glancing around before focusing on Cartman.

The next to come in was a tall blonde hair man who held the church door open for a young red-haired lady and a younger darker-haired boy. Who came up the aisle and choose a seat on the left towards the middle. It was Kylie and Ike Broflovski and Mr. Kenny McCormick. Seeing them causes Stan to smile. Ever since they have moved into town they made a regular appearance at his services. He didn't think that Mr. McCormick and Ms. Broflovski where a couple. They didn't act that way, while close it just didn't scream relationship. At least he hoped not. Stan blinked surprised at himself.

He shouldn't be thinking those thoughts. It wasn't as if he was allowed to be in a relationship anyway. He was a priest. He had reasonability to certain standards, which he had to uphold. Thought it would be nice….

Stan shakes his head clearing his thoughts as he looks out at the crowd. It looked like everyone was here. It was time to begin, he clears his throat. Catching Clyde's eyes as he starts the sermon. God help him. This was going to be harder than he first thought.

"Today, I originally was planning on giving a sermon, but I have something eyes that needs to be said." He watches as the crowd shifts, some leaning forward to hear what he had to say. They could tell by the tone in his voice something big was going on.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news." Stan places his hands on either side of the podium, drawing strength from the worn wood. He briefly wondered if he could take it with him, if the foreclosure went through. He would have to ask Clyde later. Morbid thought. "I have just been informed that this building is going to be going into for closer. And, if something doesn't change, we are going to lose our church."

There was a few gasps around the room, as some people jumped up from their seats. Their voices angry their postures resent. But from the most part the room was quite. People with their heads down, backs hunched over. It was the look of utter defeat. Times where hard and for most people hear this was the last place they had left. People already lost their homes, and business to the depression. And now to them it looked as if they where losing there church, their last solace in a violent overwhelming storm to the same thing. Stan's hands clenched harder on the podium. His whole body shaking with an uncontrollable rage. The church was suppose to help people, give them hope. Not yank their only safety net from under them when they needed it most. They need him, and no bank not stupid depression was going to make him leave. He opens his mouth, his voice loud and true. Never before has he spoke with so much power, so much authority or determination. They would not lose hope, not if he could do anything about it.

"Listen to me!" he thundered over the noise in the church. "Leaned me your ears and listen!" Stan left his podium his robes billowing behind him as he walk. He paced the aisles, watching faces making sure to meet eyes, to make contact with his flock. "This is not the end. No matter what the sign on the door says. This church will not close. Do you hear me!"

The church was slight besides the occasional sniff and Stan's own heavy breathing. "This church was built on faith. It grew on faith. Your faith, my faith.. Our faith. We made this church, we made it a sanctuary to ride out any storm. Where we could go to when times got hard. We help each other, when one of us lost a house, or a business. Where did you turn? Where did you turn!?" He yelled stomping a foot as he spun around. Stan relaxes his posture as his way back up to the front., standing in front of the podium opening his arms wide, his head held high. "Here."

Stan spoke firm but quite, there was no need to be loud anymore. He could have whispered and everyone would have heard him. "You turned here." Taking a deep breath Stan lowers his hands bring them in front of him. As he continues speaking. "And just as the church has helped you. You can help the church." Stan gives a boyish grin and a small laugh. "Now I admit. It's a heft pill to swallow. And I have no idea where to start. But what I do have is faith. Not just faith in the Lord to see us through. But faith in each and everyone of you. There is going to be a meeting here, one Wednesday, all those who want to come are welcome. Where going to come together and brainstorm. Some of the brightest minds I know are in the room with us. With them and a little faith. I have no doubts in my mind, in my heart, that we can't just save this church from foreclosure. And if all else fails. While just have services every Sunday in my living room. It will be a tight fit, but hey where all friends here right?"

With that Stan ends the services making sure to shake hands and give a small blessing to each and every person as the leave the building. As Cartman reaches him Stan gives his blessing and a nod, before saying. "Never meet your friend before." he says giving a nod towards the blonde who was waiting for Cartman outside the church. He's hands had shaken as Stan had shook them, but his eyes where clear. Blue as the sky, they held a steadiness that his body lacked. They seemed to pierce his soul, Stan gave a small shiver as he remembered. That man was dangerous, almost to dangerous, but if he wished to come to his church Stan wouldn't turn him away. Even the dangerous need to be saved sometimes. "What's his name?"

Cartman gives a smirk. It was a typically expression for him. One Stan was used to, it didn't bother him as much as it once had. It meant that he was planning something, and with Cartman that wasn't always a bad thing. Hopefully it would work in his favor this time around. Stan had been hearing Cartman's confessions long enough to know that he wasn't as bad as everyone made him out to be. He was human, he hurt, had hopes and dreams just like everyone else. Not that he wanted anyone to know that.

"He's names Tweek Tweak. His local, lives down the road from the old mill. Found him one day and decide to take him under my wing." Cartman glance at Tweek who was now talking to some old woman, who was sitting next to him in services. A content smile on his face. Maybe not so dangerous after all. But you never know with Cartman…

"Local huh, well it's problem best you found him, never would have made it to services if it wasn't for you." Stan smiles. "It was good to see you in services by the way. Planning to make a repeat performance, I hope?"

Cartman snorts, as he takes a step down. " Don't hold your breath, Father Marsh. It may kill you."

Stan shakes his head in amusement at the old argument. "I bet it would. After all a week is a very long time."

Cartman rolls his eyes as he turns way and mutters something that sounded like smartass into which Stan shouts back. "No swearing in church! It's a sin, ya know."

"Wouldn't be the first time." Cartman calls back already half-way to Tweek. "Besides, I wasn't in the building."

With that he and Tweek leave the area, most likely back to the station, Cartman was a weird one, always working even on Sunday. It was why it was so hard to get him into Church. But, it was also one of the reason he was the best, he never seemed to tire. Always giving it his all. Stan had to admit he felt safer walk around alone since Cartman had been put in charge.

"How can you stand that?" The voice was a delicate, familiar and Stan found his smile widening as he turns to the Broflovski's and Mr. McCormick. He shouldn't be surprised, they always were the last to leave after any services.

"He's not that bad, actually. Just a bit misunderstood." Stan takes Kylies hand and gives a polite bow as he says his blessing. Kylie seems to thing on what Stan says before giving a nod of her own.

"I guess your right…" Kylie takes her hand back and Stan gives his blessing to Mr. McCormick and young Ike. Stepping down the steps he holds his hand out helping her down the steps. He didn't need to but, God did he want to.

She gives him a polite smile and paces her hand in his using it to help her down the steps. Just like he knows she didn't need help, she knew she didn't technically, but it was still proper to take it when offered besides, she kind of wanted to hold his hand anyway. Once at the bottom of the steps Kylie took her hand back clasping them together in front of them. Kenny moving to stand next to her a little way away and Ike to her right.

"We'll be happy to come to your meeting on Wensday. It dreadful, to think that the bank will try to close our church." Kylie says.

Stan ducks his head and smiles. "It's good to know I have your support Ms. Broflovski I'll see you all Wednesday then?" He directed it at the other two.

Kenny and Ike both nod, but it was Kylie who gave the answer. "Oh, course have a great week, Father."

"You too." With that Stan gives a nod then turns around and heads inside as the Broflovski's and Mr. McCormick head down the lane.

Once inside Stan leans against the door and looks up skywards. "Oh, god how you tempt me…An angel couldn't be more moving…" Stan drags a hand through his hair and looks down. "What am I supposed to do…" He casts his eyes around his empty church, feeling weighted down by and invisible supposed. "What am I supposed to do…?"