Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or anything belong to Mr William Shakespeare. Nor do I own the song 'Man! I Feel Like A Woman' by Shania Twain. I don't own the song All I Ask Of You which comes from my favourite musical The Phantom of the Opera. I do own Callie, Flory, Poppy, and Ben. Lu is co-owned with Mini-Mi Mia, and Dragoness owns Ashura the Mew. However the characterisation of her Mew is nothing like her original in 'One Heart' - 'tis all me. But she's okay with it! Blame for Starmiebucks, Pichu Bell, McDonphans, and Jigglypuff Jeans is equally divided between my 'sis' Jenn and myself.
No guest authors were hurt during the writing of this chapter, if anything only to their pride perhaps. The author wishes to absolve herself of any blame for this - they after all asked for it!!!! I only deliver the goods.
Chapter Seven: One Love, One Lifetime
Jenn stared at Ash and then burst out laughing. The very idea of the Grand Master being turned into a small adorable Pikachu was ludicrous. "You were Satochu??? Yeah right!"
Ash couldn't help but feel a bit insulted. "Hey! I was too!"
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Prove it." Jenn challenged him.
"Okay, you asked for it," Ash smirked. "For one thing I know that you forced Trish to go to the doctors."
Jenn's grin fell. Okay so not many people knew that…
"Plus you then blabbed the fact to Danny and Drake despite promising Trish that you wouldn't…"
The blonde shifted uncomfortably. He was right about that too. And the only one with her both times was Satochu. While Trish knew that she had blabbed to Danny, her best friend didn't know that she had also blabbed to Drake.
"Then I know that you wear silky night shirts embroidered with the word 'Goddess' all over them."
Maybe it was time to change the subject…"Okay I believe you!" Jenn said hastily. "But how could you be Satochu when he was so cute, so adorable and with the most gorgeous mahogany eyes. You are not cute."
Ash smirked. "You're right. The words you used were, and I quote; "he's a real hottie." And the only reason you dated Gary was because you couldn't have me."
Oh God. Jenn wanted to shrivel up and die and the earth to swallow her up. Yes, she had said that, and to HIM of all people! She needed to shut him up before he said anything else embarrassing like…
"What about the time you…" but before Ash could say another word he found his mouth busy doing other things.
Just then the door to her bedroom opened and Trish poked her head in. "Jenn what's all the noise all about? Some of us are trying to…" Her dark eyes widened as she took in the scene. "Oh my…"
Jenn and Ash quickly broke apart, both turning bright red as Trish stepped into the room. "Am I..interrupting something?" Her dark eyes sparkled in amusement.
"Nothing Sis, nothing at all," Jenn said hastily.
"You sure? Because Ash looks to be half-naked and you look to be in a state of undress…"
The blonde looked down and saw to her embarrassment that both straps of her chemise had fallen off her shoulders. She quickly pulled them up again. "I'm sure."
"If you say so.."
She was interrupted by another person coming into the room. Drake. The Orange Crew Leader took in the sight of an entangled Ash and Jenn on the floor. "Ah…did I come in at a bad time?"
"That's what I asked," Trish grinned as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
The dark-haired girl then winked at Jenn. "Well, I won't say nuthin'"
"Neither will I," Drake chimed in.
"Honestly, nothing happened last night!" Jenn insisted, feeling her face going even redder because Drake was seeing her in her nightwear.
"Oh?" Trish raised an eyebrow. "Then how come Ash is in your room?"
"How about if I said I was Satochu?" Ash offered weakly.
There was silence for a moment then to Ash's utter relief, both Trish and Drake nodded.
"That does make sense," Trish said at last. "After all, Dana was turned into a Pikachu, so why not Ash?"
The Orange Crew Leader's eyes grew wide. "Dana was a Pikachu???"
"She was," Trish confirmed before leaning out the door and hollering, "Dana!!!"
A few minutes later, a rumpled looking Dana (human form) came into the room. "You bellowed?"
Her two 'sisters' grinned. "You're back to normal!"
"Yep! I woke up this morning in my bed and human," Dana chuckled. She then spied Ash. "And I see you're back to normal too."
"Too?" Jenn echoed. "You mean…you knew Satochu was Ash the whole time?"
"Er..yes," Dana grinned.
"Why didn't you tell me before I went and put my foot in my mouth big time???" the blonde demanded.
"Ohh?" Trish raised her eyebrow. "Do tell.."
"Well," Jenn blushed tomato red and squirmed. "I, um, told Satochu that I thought Ash was a real hottie…and..um…"
"Yesss…"
"Er..and that the only reason I dated Gary was because I couldn't have Ash," the blonde finished in a rush.
"Oh??" her best friend's eyes were wide. "I didn't know that.."
"Well, now you do," Jenn mumbled.
"Did Dana know?"
The girl in question shook her head. "Nah, I knew she liked Ash, but I didn't know just how much."
There was a moment's silence before Trish decided to bring things to an end. She helped Jenn to her feet. "How about we all get dressed, have breakfast and then we can talk some more?"
"Uh, just one thing," Ash spoke up. "I..uh don't have any clothes to get changed into."
"No worries," Drake replied. 'You can borrow some of mine."
"Thanks," the Grand Master said gratefully, then sighed. "Then I'd better go home, though how I am ever going to explain this to Misty..." He trailed off and shook his head. "And if the clone is still there…"
Just as Trish was about to leave the room, Jenn grabbed her arm. "What is it?"
The blonde leaned and whispered in her friend's ear. "Do I have to give him back?"
After breakfast, Ash went home to face the 'Wrath of Misty' as he put it, asking Drake to please send the police over if he did not hear from him in a few hours.
Trish and Jenn went for a walk, to exercise their Growlithe and also because Jenn wanted to talk.
"Trishy, I just cannot believe that this happened," Jenn moaned. "Of all the people in the world that I had to spill my feelings to, it had to be the Grand Master! The one man who should never ever have known!"
'I know," Trish soothed her friend with a pat on the arm. "But how were you to know that Satochu was Ash?"
"Well, our dear friend Dana could have told us," the blonde grumbled.
"But Jenn, Dana couldn't speak our language when she was a Pikachu and we don't speak Pikachuese. So how was she supposed to tell?" the Australian rebutted.
"There's always Charades."
Trish hugged her friend. "Poor Jenn."
"What am I going to do?" Jenn whined. "I've humiliated myself in front of Ash Ketchum, I've told him my deepest, darkest secrets, and I wake up in bed with him."
Trish's mouth quirked into a half-smile. "I thought that the last would be a wonderful experience in your books?"
"Oh it is!" Jenn nodded quickly. "He's such a great kisser and he's got a yummy butt...but he's married, and not to me!!" she finished with a wail.
"Married men are off-limits."
"Yep," Jenn affirmed. "As is Drake." Her blue-grey eyes widened. "And he saw me in my nightwear..."
"Oh no!" her dark-haired friend gasped and then pointed to the side of the road. "Then I suggest you crawl under that rock and die."
Jenn saw that she was teasing her and pouted. "Cruel Trishy!"
"I know." Trish gave her a quick hug and then shook her head. "What I would like to know is how on earth you managed to keep such a huge secret for so long?"
"I don't know."
"Neither do I," Trish grinned.
"Hey! I can keep a secret!" Jenn protested then quickly shut up as she remembered a certain secret of Trish's that she had blabbed to Drake all too recently.
"I know you can, but you are also such a blabbermouth."
'Too true,' Jenn thought to herself guiltily. 'I just hope that I haven't made things worse.'
Drake received a phone call the next day from the Grand Master who filled him on what happened when he finally arrived home.
Much to his relief, the clone had disappeared into thin air. However that only served to make things more complicated. Misty was confused over why he was apologising for the last few weeks when 'he' had only been gone for one night. Which meant that he had to explain the entire embarrassing thing to her, and as a result she was rather ropable about the fact that Jenn had taken him to bed with her. Ash thought his wife's reaction rather silly, "because I was a Pokémon all of the time and she knows I don't do inter-species. "
Elysium..
Calliope made her way down the corridor of the palace towards the king's chambers. The chestnut-haired Fae wondered what Lord Oberon wanted to speak to her about.
The girl pushed open the wooden doors, and stepped inside. "You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?" she enquired.
The monarch turned from the window. "Yes, Callie. Please take a seat."
The two sat down and Oberon began. "Its about your brother..."
Callie felt apprehensive at the mention of her brother. Had anything happened to him in the mortal world?
"I have a feeling that your brother is up against a great evil," Oberon explained. "I don't know exactly what it is, but I feel that should he come to face it, that he will not be able to defeat it alone."
Callie nodded. "So you want me to go and check on him?"
"Exactly."
Calliope appeared in a swirl of sparkles in a small grove of trees in the park where she had sensed her brother would be.
Assuming a human form, the brunette was dressed for the tropical climate in a halter neck top teamed with denim shorts. Her long chestnut tresses gathered up in a messy bun.
The girl made her way towards the spot that she had pinpointed her brother to be. Her task was made easier by the fact that her brother was singing rather loudly "When the moon hits your eye like a big piece of pie that's Amore.."
Callie sighed. It was obvious Puck had been hitting the alcohol again. He only ever sang Dean Martin songs when he was drunk.
She came upon the inebriated chestnut-haired Fae slumped at the foot of a tree, next to another drunk guy with a goatee beard.
"Puck Stratford," Callie spoke sharply.
Puck shot up and his eyes widened at the sight of his older sister standing there, hands on her hips and looking none too pleased.
"Sis!" he gasped in shock. "What..are you doing here?"
Callie sighed. "Two reasons. One being that our cousin is getting married next week, and the second reason is that Oberon felt that you needed my help. So I came early."
Puck struggled to his feet and hugged her. "Glad to see you Cal.."
"You too, Bro." She looked down at the man who was still on the ground. 'Who's your fellow sot?"
"Why that's Bill Shakespeare…" Puck grinned.
Callie's eyes widened. "Did you say Shakespeare?"
"Well I didn't say Bill Wobblearrow that's for sure," her brother was indignant.
"You've been playing around with spells again, haven't you," Callie rebuked him. "Well I'll just send Bill right back…"
She was interrupted by Puck holding onto her arm. "Oh please don't Sis!!! Bill here doesn't want to go home yet. He's enjoying himself and he gets ideas for his plays."
"I don't know…"
"Pleease?" Puck pleaded, making sure he had the Puppy Dog Eye look which he knew his sister was a sucker for.
"Oh okay then." Callie sighed and gave in. As usual. She always was a softie when it came to her younger brother. The girl hugged him again before wrinkling her nose. "Let's get you freshened up."
A week later…
Excitement pervaded the atmosphere as the guests milled around the two large white marquees that were set up in the lush, tropical grounds of the Illyrium Hotel.
The first was set up with a small podium and rows of white chairs with a red carpet runner down the centre. Large ornamental vases filled with lilies and white roses stood in each corner.
The second marquee was larger than the first and set up with a dance floor and stage at one end and many white-clothed tables dotted around the place.
"Oh I just love weddings," Dana gushed as the ushers showed them to their places.
The priest led Flory and Puck (who were looking dapper in tuxedos) to the front of the marquee.
Flory was rather nervous. Finally, here was the day that he had been dreaming about for so long...his and Riny's wedding. But what if she changed her mind? What if...
"Puck," he turned to his cousin who was his best man. "You did remember the rings didn't you?"
"Sure!" the chestnut-haired Fae said cheerily as he patted his pocket. His expression then changed a bit. "At least...I think I did..."
"You..didn't did you?"
Puck looked at his cousin's frantic expression and grinned. "Relax Cuz. I was just having you on. Of course I didn't forget!"
"Why you little..." Flory grinned. "Don't you do that to me at a time like this!!!"
"I just did."
"You brat."
"I think you mean your sister Bianca."
The two were interrupted by the sudden hush of the congregation and the organist starting to play the Trumpet Voluntary. They turned to face the back and Puck steeled himself not to look in the direction of Mia who was in the congregation.
Even though it still hurt like hell to see her, to be in the same area as her, Puck was not going to let that spoil what was the most important day in his cousin's life.
Kaz was first down the aisle, dressed in an bridesmaid's outfit of pale lemon with a bouquet of roses to match.
Then came the petite bride on the arm of her father. Erina was dressed in a simple yet elegant georgette gown with a flowing veil.
Soon she had reached Flory's side and a lump came to Puck's throat at the look that passed between the two.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining in holy matrimony of this man Florian William Stratford and this woman Erina Louise Keating Lawless. If any man or woman here present knows any reason why these two should not be wed; speak now or forever hold your peace."
Puck squirmed as he felt his mother's, his aunt's and his sister's eyes bore into his back. He could almost hear them saying 'Don't you dare try anything...'
So he was a bit of a prankster, but he would never ever dream of ruining his beloved cousin's wedding day. Flory was more like a brother to him and if Puck's happiness was to be forever denied...well he would be damned if his cousin was to be denied his.
The priest continued as there were no objections. "The rings please?"
Puck placed the two plain gold bands on the bible that the priest held out.
"Who gives away this woman?"
Erina's dad stepped forward. "I do."
The priest then turned to the groom. "Do you, Florian William Stratford take this woman, Erina Louise Lawless to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward until death do you part?"
"I do," Flory smiled at his bride.
"Do you Erina Louise Lawless, take this man, Florian William Stratford to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward until death do you part?"
"I do."
A few sniffs could be heard from the congregation.
Flory then took the ring and sliding it onto her ring finger began the vows. "With this ring, I thee wed..."
The wedding seemed to pass by in a blur for Flory, for the next thing he heard was. "And now, by the powers vested in me. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
The couple did so to many cheers and applause from the congregation.
Much later...
Flory led Riny onto the dance floor for the Bridal Waltz as the music started to play. Puck felt a lump in his throat as he recognised the tune.
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Say you love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
The chestnut-haired Fae risked a look towards a table where a certain slender brunette was sitting, her eyes shining as she watched the bridal couple on the floor. He would have gone over to her, except for the fact that his much despised rival Mikey had her affections. Oh Mia, that could have been us...
Just then Mia turned to see him staring at her; smirked and exchanged a passionate kiss with Mikey. Puck gripped the linen napkin in his hand tightly as his heart broke all over again.
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe
No-one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you always beside me
to hold me and to hide me
Then say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you
here beside you
Anywhere you go let me go too
That's all I ask of you
Puck was not the only one who was feeling melancholy over the words. A tall willowy blonde also shared his feelings. Jenn was the only one out of her group who was there as a single. Dana was holding hands under the table with Richie. And Drake had wrapped his arms around Trish as she leant back against him. Everyone was with their guy of their dreams...except her. Why can't I meet the man of my dreams?
Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Say the word
And I will follow you
Share each day with me
Each night, each morning
Say you love me
You know I do
Love me that's all I ask of you.
A week later..
Danny whistled cheerfully as he made his way to the front door of the girls' villa. In his hands he clutched a small teddy bear and a small bouquet of flowers.
Since that afternoon in the café when he had found out that Trish was extremely ill, he had decided to make it a high priority of his to keep an eye on the girl. After all, Drake was like a brother to him, and they had always looked out for each other. Now while Danny had promised Trish that he would not tell, he still owed it to his best friend to make sure that his girlfriend was okay.
The Navel Island Gym Leader pressed on the doorbell, and the door was opened a minute later by Jenn.
"Hey Danny!" she grinned.
"Hi Jenn," the chestnut-haired man smiled.
"What brings you here?" There was a hopeful tinge to her voice as she eyed the flowers and the bear.
"I brought these over for Trish," Danny explained. "Thought these might cheer her up somewhat."
"That's nice," Jenn masked the disappointment she felt. "And it will make her feel better. She's been throwing up all morning."
"That's not good," Danny frowned as he followed the blonde into the living room.
"I'll go get her," Jenn offered and left the room.
The Navel Island Gym Leader walked around the room, looking at the various photos when a soft voice came from behind him.
"Hi, Dan."
He turned to see Trish standing in the doorway, looking very wan and tired.
"I brought these to cheer you up," the tall lanky man proffered the bear and the bouquet.
"Oh, that's very sweet of you," Trish smiled and took a step before she suddenly stopped and sagged against the wall.
Danny's eyes widened. "What's wrong?" he asked with a hint of alarm.
"I just had a bad dizzy spell," she mumbled.
Danny quickly put down the gifts and walked over to her. "Can you walk to the couch?"
The dark-haired girl closed her eyes and shook her head once. "I..don't think so."
"Let me help you then." He put an arm around her waist and she leaned against him as they slowly made their way to the couch and sat down.
"Thanks," Trish managed to get out before she started crying softly.
Danny pulled her close in a comforting hug as she cried into his shoulder. "It must suck to be so sick."
"It does," she hiccupped. "And the thing is..none of these medications seem to be working.."
He frowned. "The doctors still don't know?"
Trish shook her head as a fresh round of tears came. "I'm just so scared," she whispered. "I don't know what's happening to me.."
Danny didn't say a thing, just hugged her closer as she clung to him. The Navel Island Gym Leader wished he could say something to help, he hated to see her like this.
Neither of them were aware that a red-headed girl was standing outside one of the windows, camera clicking away...
Finally Trish stopped crying.
"Feel a bit better now?" he asked softly.
"Just a tad," she started to say before she went rather chalk white and closed her eyes. "Oy...I feel extremely dizzy.."
"You'd better lie down," Danny advised. "Use my lap as a pillow."
"But.."
"No buts.." His tone of voice brokered no argument.
She obeyed and once she was settled comfortably, looked up at him. "You're too good, Danny Boy."
Danny grinned. "Hey, anything for my bro's girlfriend. You're like my sister."
Trish smiled back and closed her eyes. "Thanks. And I couldn't ask for a nicer brother either..." Her voice drifted off towards the end.
After a few minutes silence, Danny saw she had fallen asleep. The poor girl certainly needed it, he couldn't imagine what she must be going through at the moment. So sick, so scared, and so far from home.
I hope things get better for you soon, Trish, he thought as he settled back against the lounge. He may as well get comfortable. He was going to be here for quite a while...
Around midnight a tiny form scrambled into the living room through an open window. It fell to the floor with a small squeak, before righting itself. The Pichu scampered over to the low coffee table where its mistress had instructed it to go. There it found what it was looking for.
A few minutes later the tiny Pokémon handed a small envelope over to its trainer.
"Good Paco," Jaime cooed, recalling the Pichu in its sphere. She smiled wickedly. "We've got the photos..":
Two days later...
Drake Thayer frowned slightly as he put the phone back down. He had a lull in the office work and had decided to call his girlfriend. However Jenn had been the one to pick up the phone and she told him that Trish was sleeping after another bad bout of sickness.
Trish didn't seem to be getting any better, and her energy and enthusiasm for things had been getting less and less.
He was interrupted in his musings by a timid knock on the door. "Come in," he called.
The Orange Crew Leader was surprised to see Jaime enter his office. "Hi Jaime," he greeted. "Please take a seat."
The girl sat down in the chair in front of his desk. "Hi Drake," she said shyly.
"What can I do for you?"
"Well, I've noticed something strange lately, and I thought you might want to know..." the redhead began hesitantly.
"Want to know what?" Drake prompted gently.
"Its just that Trish seems to be spending an awful lot of time with Danny lately," Jaime confided. "And these photos accidentally dropped out of her bag and I picked them up."
The Canadian leaned forward and placed two photographs on his large mahogany desk.
Drake picked them up and frowned slightly.
The first photograph seemed to be taken at some black tie function, and showed Trish and Danny sitting side by side, the Navel Gym Leader with an arm around her shoulder. Drake didn't recognise the photograph, or the function it was at. Since when did Trish decide to go to a function with Danny instead of him?
He turned the photo over to see 'Sydney, April,' written in by Danny. What was Danny doing in Sydney then?
The next photo nearly made the Orange Crew Leader fall out of his chair. Trish and Danny again...but in a tight embrace. Far too tight to be considered a 'friendly' hug.
"It might not be anything to worry about," Jaime spoke up again. "But I know how serious you are about Trish so I thought you should know."
"Thanks," Drake said, though he didn't really mean it. What was going on? Was there something more than friendship going on between his girlfriend and his best friend?!!
Meanwhile...
Jenn was trying to calm down her best friend. Trish had a bad scare with a dizzy spell that nearly made her fall down the stairs and then she threw up again with specks of what looked scarily to Jenn like blood.
The dark-haired girl was crying and Jenn was hugging her tightly, rocking her back and forth like a little child. "Don't worry, Trishy," the blonde soothed. "Things will get better soon, I promise." At least I hope so, she thought. Things can't possibly get any worse for her..'
Shafts of sunlight streamed through the trees, creating a dappled effect on the side-walk as a young eighteen-year-old brunette made her way through the crowds.
Shannon had not long arrived in Pummelo, and was on her way to meet her friends Trish and Jenn at Jigglypuff Jeans as arranged. It was the obvious place to meet, seeing how the Australian was rather addicted to her coffee and regularly haunted either Starmiebucks or Jigglypuff Jeans. And wherever Trish was, Jenn was usually not far away.
She entered the coffee establishment and was directed by a wave of a hand over to a corner booth.
"Hey Shannon," Trish greeted warmly. "Glad you could make it to Pummelo."
"Hi," Jenn waved in turn. "Good to see you."
"Thanks guys," Shannon smiled and slipped into the spare seat. "How is everybody?"
"Fine, I.." Trish started to say but she was cut off by Jenn.
"No, you are not fine!" the blonde glared at her friend before turning to Shannon. "She's been quite sick."
"Just tell the world why don't you," Trish grumbled and Shannon noted that she was rather wan looking.
"Have you been to the doctors?" the brunette wanted to know.
"Yes I have," Trish's tone indicated that she wasn't going to answer any more questions on that subject. "I hope you're ready to party, because there is a dance two nights from now."
"Oh," Shannon fidgeted. "But I don't have anyone to go with..."
Her older friend grinned. "No need to worry. I've arranged a date for you."
Two nights later, Shannon surveyed herself in the mirror with a sigh. If there was one thing that she did not like doing, it was getting all dressed up. For that meant dresses and skirts and she was so not a 'skirts' gal.
But it was a formal occasion and so, she was wearing a red silk evening gown which she had to admit, looked very nice on her. Her long brown locks were secured in a French twist, and she had applied a light layer of make-up.
Grabbing her purse, she glanced one last time at the mirror before leaving for the Function Centre.
When she arrived there, she stood just inside the entrance, taking in the sight of the glittering crowds. Shannon wondered how on earth she'd managed to find either Trish or Jenn in this mass of people before she remembered that they had specified a meeting point where Trish would introduce her younger friend to her date.
The brunette managed to weave her way through the crowds until she was close to the stage where her friends had said they would be. A big burly man pushed roughly by her, sending the girl off balance. She toppled forward, taking another person down with her onto the floor.
"Oooph."
Blushing furiously, Shannon struggled up to a sitting position, to find she was perched on a young man's lap. "Oh, I am sooo sorry for that," she apologised profusely.
The dark-haired man laughed it off, his dark eyes twinkling merrily. "No need to apologise, it was an accident."
"Thanks," Shannon smiled gratefully while she noted how handsome he was, and how much like Drake he looked like. I hope my date looks as nice as he is, she thought. Trish had not told her anything about the young man that she had set her up with.
The two got to their feet and were brushing themselves off when a familiar voice came from behind them. "Ah there you are!"
Shannon turned to see Trish and Drake standing there. "Hi, Trish, Drake."
The dark-haired girl smiled. "And I can see you two have already met..."
The brunette was surprised.
"Shannon, I'd like you to meet Ben Thayer, Drake's younger brother. He's your date for the evening," Trish introduced. "Ben, I'd like you to meet my friend Shannon."
"Nice to meet you," Shannon said shyly. Inwardly she was cringing. What a way to start a blind date - by falling on top of your partner.
"Nice to meet you too," Ben shook her hand warmly.
The girl started fretting anew. And why did he have to be so handsome? If he wasn't, then it wouldn't have mattered so much how their date started, but she wanted to make a great first impression on him.
He must think I'm such a klutz Shannon thought. And being the brother of the Orange Crew Leader, Ben was probably completely at ease at these type of functions whereas she wasn't.
Her internal monologue was interrupted by the dark-haired young man offering her his arm. "Shall we go to our table?"
Jenn was making her way back from the ladies when she saw Shannon walk off with a tall, dark and handsome stranger.
Mmm, he looks so fine, the blonde thought with a lick of her lips. She wondered who he was, and decided to question her best friend when she saw her. After all, Trish had been the one to set Shannon up.
She soon found the dark-haired girl talking to Drake and Danny and drew her aside.
"What is it?" Trish asked.
"Who's that guy that you hooked Shannon up with?"
"Oh that's Ben, Drake's younger brother. He's 26."
Jenn's eyes widened. "Drake has a younger brother?"
"Uh-huh."
"Drake has a younger brother?!" the blonde repeated in disbelief.
Trish rolled her eyes. "Yes, you already said that once."
Jenn grabbed her friend's arm. "TRISHY!!!!! Why didn't you tell me that there was another Thayer male?!!!"
Trish pulled her arm away. "I did!!!" she protested. "I told you about two months after Drake and I started dating. But you were too busy with Gary and ogling Ash's butt, you said that you weren't interested."
The blonde smacked her forehead. "I can't believe I said that!!! I must have been out of my mind!!! What drugs must I have been on??"
"Mental void?" Trish offered.
"Yeah," Jenn muttered. "And one that lasted two years as well. To think that I let such a fine specimen of manhood go..."
"Oy," her friend laughed. "Hands off, dear Sis."
"I know," the blonde sighed. "He's with Shannon.." She turned to Trish. "Next time I don't take any notice of you - hit me with a reality mallet."
"With pleasure."
"Hey!!!"
Two hours later...
Shannon had completely relaxed as the night wore on. Ben Thayer was very pleasant and easy going to be with, and she had never had so much fun.
The pair were currently on the dance floor, and as a slow ballad came on, he drew her closer and she rested her head against his chest.
This is soo nice, the brunette thought dreamily. She wouldn't mind if they stayed like this all night.
Across the dance floor, a tall man was observing the couple. Drake Thayer smiled fondly as he watched his brother dance with his date. He was glad to see Ben enjoying himself.
The dark-haired man then noticed Jenn standing off to one side and looking rather at a loss. Trish was currently dancing with Danny, so the Crew Leader strode over to the blonde. "Would you like to dance?"
Jenn looked startled at first but then recovered. "Uh...I'd love to!"
Drake drew her in amongst the dancers and laid one hand gently on the small of her back.
Jenn was enjoying herself. It was really sweet of Drake to offer to dance with her and save her from being a wallflower.
And she knew that she was the envy of many a single female in the room - dancing in the arms of the tall, dark and handsome Orange Crew Leader. The man was just far too sexy for his own good.
Uh-uh, Jenn, the blonde mentally berated herself. You mustn't ever think of Drake in that way. You know he's totally off-limits.
Jenn sighed inwardly. Honestly things were just so unfair, she thought as her blue-grey eyes wandered over to a certain dark-haired Grand Master who was chatting on the sidelines with his wife Misty and Blaine. Damn him for being such a good kisser..
To get her mind off Ash, Jenn decided to focus on what the elderly couple dancing near them were talking about. Not that it wasn't hard to listen to - on the contrary they were talking very loudly, as elderly people tend to do.'
"Oh look, Morris," the wife was saying. "Look at those two dancing over there. Don't they look like the perfect couple?"
Jenn followed to where the lady was pointing, and saw much to her amusement, that she was pointing to Trish and Danny. The blonde giggled. "Did you hear that, Drake?"
"I did." Jenn failed to notice there was a slight clench to his jaw.
"Those two mustn't be from around here. They're so silly," Jenn chuckled and dismissed the couple's notion.
But Drake couldn't. His gaze was drawn to where his girlfriend was dancing with his best friend. The perfect couple? They were dancing rather close, and as the Crew Leader watched; Danny leaned forward and whispered something in Trish's ear which made her laugh.
Drake felt rather uneasy. Could Jaime possibly be right? Was there something going on between those two. He shook his head and dismissed the thought. There was no way it could be true. Trish love with him, she just thought of Danny as a good friend...or did she?
Christine tapped her foot in time to the music pulsating through the Chikorita Nightclub. The 'girl' had decided against going to the League function in favour of the nightclub, for there would be too many beautiful women dressed up to the nines. And due to the fact that he was a 'she' at the moment, meant that he was barred from ogling them as was his usual habit.
So here she was, in a dark corner of the nightclub, dressed in a skimpy black dress which made the most of her figure, completely and utterly 'smashed.'
Maybe being a woman wasn't so bad, he thought fuzzily. Just then the owner of the nightclub came onstage and announced a karaoke night. Christine's eyes lit up.
A few minutes later, all the men in the room sat up in interest as a tall, curvaceous, raven-haired woman in a wee little black dress came and stood in front of the microphone.
"Hi, guys," she purred. "My name is Christine and I wanna sing a little song for you.."
She gave the thumbs up to the DJ who cued the karaoke machine. The music started and Christine pulled the microphone off the stand and strutted along the stage with it, making sure to show lots of leg. This was greeted with loud wolf-whistles.
Gonna let it all hang out
Wanna make some noise - really raise my voice
Yeah, I wanna scream and shout
No inhibitions - make no conditions
Get a little outta line
I ain't gonna act politically correct
I only wanna have a good time
The best thing about being a woman
Is the prerogative to have a little fun and...
Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy - forget I'm a lady
Men's shirts - short skirts
Oh, oh, oh, go really wild - yeah doin' it in style
Oh, oh, oh, get in the action - feel the attraction
Colour my hair - do what I dare
Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free - yeah, to feel the way I feel
Man! I feel like a woman!
Christine woke up blearily the next morning, the sunlight hitting her face forcing her to do so. She groaned and put an hand on her forehead. Ouch. She really must have hit the booze last night because her head felt like it was cleft in two. The 'girl' flung out her other arm then froze as it hit something warm and soft.
Oh oh.
She warily turned on her side...to see a young man sleeping peacefully beside her.
Oh god no...
Stifling the urge to scream and be sick, Chris shot up out of bed. He breathed fervent prayers of thanks to find that he was still fully clothed.
The young man stirred awake and the 'girl' froze when his eyes focused on her. "Hi gorgeous," he murmured.
"Uh..hi" Chris managed to squeak.
The stranger swung out of bed and again Chris was thankful that he was also fully clothed.
"What are you doing here?" Chris asked hesitantly.
"Don't you remember?" the man asked with a smile.
The girl shook her head.
"Well you gave a tour de force performance at karaoke, and I just had to introduce myself...My name's Paul, by the way..."
Chris just nodded. He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear any more about last night...
"So we had a few drinks and danced and then we kissed some."
Chris's eyes grew wide. He kissed a guy???
"We agreed to start dating because we both felt like it was love at first sight," Paul continued.
Chris was scared out of her wits. Ack what had she got herself into??? This wasn't supposed to happen!!! She started to think desperately of a way out. "Uh, I'm sorry to have to do this, but you really should go now," she stammered.
"Oh?"
"Uh, yeah. I..uh.. have to go and spend the day with my cousin, that's it," Chris said while pushing the man out the door. "I'll call you later, I promise!"
Once he was safely down the corridor and out of sight, Chris bolted.
He needed some advice. And fast.
To be continued….
Author's Note: Next chapter - What will happen to poor Chris/Christine? And is Puck really as forsaken as he thinks? Or does Mia get a new man in her life - arise Mr Shakespeare!!! More Jenn, more Dana, more Joanne and her Mew. And just how much meaner can I be to myself???