I nearly forgot to update this one XD Okay, this one is longer but it's still slow... Chapter 6 is where it kicks off. I always struggle with the first few chapters because I'm introducing everyone and building up the story a bit.

Well, in this one, I attempted a song. Tell me what you think!

Review Replies:

Dancing Peach: Good! At least everyone is still into it XD I'm glad you think so about Claire. You learn more about her in Chapter 6 if I remember correctly. And I know... I'm sad they aren't making more. But without Robin Willams and his adlibs/magic, it wouldn't be the same...

Guest: Okay! Glad I checked that though XD Glad you still like it!

One more thing:

Enter the Highlands is my most popular story! Thank you for the support on this one!

Now, onto the chapter!

Chapter 5

"Wow. Lots of familiar faces here tonight!" Teddy's voice boomed.

The crowd laughed.

"It's time to meet our star friends." Teddy started. "Are you all ready?"

The crowd cheered and the show started. Claire was pacing in the shadows of a hallway, her black clothing making her blend in perfectly. Her mind was racing. How am I supposed to do this? Any time I faced a crowd of people alive, I was fighting them, not entertaining them. Thistle thorns, how did I let Larry talk me into this?

"Whoa there, partner! You'll wear yourself out before you even begin." Jed put his hand on her shoulder, his blue eyes worried.

"I know. I know." Claire breathed. "I'm just not used to this."

"I can see that." Jed nodded. "But don't get your mind all in a twist. You won't be alone. We're in this together, right?"

"Right." Claire nodded, smiling for the first time since the show started.

Larry had been a real star and had successfully changed the script to allow Claire and Jed to preform together. Speaking of the night guard, Larry suddenly poked his head around the corner. "You two okay?"

"As bright as a sunrise, partner!" Jed replied cheerily.

"I'm nervous, but I'll be okay." Claire sighed.

"You're on after Dex." Larry vanished.

Claire sighed and rubbed her arms. "I've never entertained someone before. Well, unless you count being an exhibit."

Jed smiled sympathetically. "I'm nervous too, to be honest. We never got to my part of the show."

"Yeah, but you didn't have to sing!"

"I do now! You and I are singing together, remember?"

"Well I should hope so!" Claire widened her eyes in mock surprise. "How else could we be a duet?

Jed laughed softly. "Nice once!"

"I told you you'd better get used to my snark."

They laughed softly together. Thankfully, the butterflies weren't as thick now. Claire actually felt like she could do this. Then she got a surprise that helped cheer her up even more.

Jed suddenly pulled her into a hug. "Thanks for doing this with me." He murmured. "I don't think I could sing without someone with me!"

Claire hugged him back. "Same for me, laddie."

They pulled away, blushing slightly, a minute before Larry called them to get ready for their cues. Teddy's voice suddenly filled their ears. "The cowboys of America and the Highlanders of Scotland used the stars as navigation. Many songs were created as tributes to these skills."

The music started playing. That was the cue. Claire started singing, hoping her voice didn't quaver.

"The windblown stars light the way, guiding me through the night."

It didn't quaver, thank the stars. Jed started next. He was staring at her in awe, eyes brimming with shock and admiration.

"Kansas is close, but I think I'm lost. Look to the stars, dear cowboy. They will show you the way."

Claire was stunned. He had a beautiful voice! She continued on. "Dear Highlander, don't stray from the path. Follow the North Star to your home."

From the way the crowd was looking around they had no clue where the singing as coming from. As a pause started, Claire walked out of the hallway and onto the stage. She rolled to the left side upon entering the light and then straightened, looking up at the stars that swirled around overhead. Jed came out, rolling to the right side and looked up. His line was next. "Though the night is chill, the sky is clear, and the stars twinkle brightly."

Claire drew her sword and gazed at it, watching the stars twinkle in the reflection on the metal. "Hurry now, the stars are calling. A battle is starting, and you're needed. Follow the stars to your home."

"The cattle are restless, the horses are calm. There's enough light to see. Partner, I think we're headin' out by starlight tonight."

There was another pause. Claire sheathed her sword and leaped from the stage, landing among the crowd. Everyone gasped—this was new. She weaved among the audience to another stage, where a camera projected a nighttime fight between Scottish warriors and English warriors. Lancelot stood on the stage, sword drawn, offering a silent challenge. Claire leaped onto the stage and they started to spar. Jed was in his own section, but Claire was too focused on her side to see what. The two of them continued to sing, each line a different song that somehow weaved into its own song. Finally, it ended, and Lance, Claire and Jed disappeared.

The crowd erupted into applause. Claire congratulated Lance on his great swordplay and then hurried around to her original post to meet Jed. They crashed into each other and tumbled to the ground.

"Sorry, partner!" Jed got to his feet first and helped her up. His hat was missing.

"My fault." Claire laughed quietly. "Here, let me get your hat… Wait, where is it?"

Jed was smiling. He pointed with his chin to her head.

Claire reached up and felt her hand bump his hat. "Well, that's a coincidence." She stretched her blue eyes up, not moving her head.

"You look really cute with it on, if I do say so myself." A shocked expression crossed his face.

Claire looked at him in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah. You were cute before and now you look even cuter." Jed slammed his mouth shut, an expression of horror on his face, his cheeks bright red.

Claire blushed. "Th-thanks." She smiled. "No one has called me cute before, actually."

"That's a shame." Jed's expression turned into a soft smile. "Maybe I can convince Larry to get you a black cowboy hat." He reached up and straightened it on her head. "Perfecto."

"You'd better take it back though. This hat looks better on you."

"You don't even know what you look like. Let's go find a mirror. We aren't expected on stage again for a while." He grabbed her hand and tugged her after him.

Jed led her to a mirror and motioned her to look in it. When she did, Claire couldn't help but laugh. "The cowboy hat looks out of place with my garb!" She was dressed in a pitch black tunic with darker grey pants and knee high black boots. Black, fingerless gloves covered her hands. Around her neck was amulet with a triangle Celtic knot as the pendant. The hat was a little too out of the era of her clothing.

"I think it fits." Jed shrugged.

"I still think it looks better on you."

"And I still think it looks good on you, so we're even."

Claire reached up, took the hat off and then settled it on his head. "You still need your trademark cowboy hat." She paused. "I didn't get the chance to say it, but you did great, and you have a great singing voice!"

The cowboy smiled. "Thanks. You did great too. And your singin' voice! Best sound I've ever heard."

"Jed! Claire! Back to your posts!" Octavius's voice reached their ears. "Where are you guys?"

"Here." Jed stepped out, followed by Claire.

"What were you—never mind. Our final appearance is soon, and we need you back! Come on!" Oct raced back.

After a glance at each other, Jed and Claire sprinted after him. Larry met them as they skidded to a halt. "Good, you found them. You're almost on for the final part!"

As he spoke, Teddy called out, "Thank you all for coming! If all the performers could join me on the main stage…"

Jed, Oct and Claire joined the other group of performers and stepped out onto the main stage. The crowd cheered. Teddy introduced each performer. And then, as the stars danced in the sky, the performers, Teddy and Texas bowed and exited the stage. The audience left the planetarium and greeted each performer, congratulating them.

"You're the new exhibit, Claire, right?" A young man came up and asked her.

"Mhm." Claire dipped her head in assent.

"Man, you have a great singing voice! I nearly dropped my glass when I heard you start singing!" He was staring at her in admiration.

Claire lifted her gaze to look at Jed, who was talking with a younger boy. "Thank you." She smiled.

I couldn't have done it without Jedediah.

The song flopped, didn't it? *sigh* I don't write songs, I play violin and sing to my favorites DX

AotD: I love all the movies...

QotD: Which pairing from any and all of the movies is your favorite?