Author Note: I've gotten a few requests for Ria to have a man in the story. I've taken this into consideration. I've also gotten two or three asking for Astera and Dave to have more tension. I've taken this into consideration to. I'm always ready to listen
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Astera pulled up to the entrance of the "White Horse" bar, and sighed. She really didn't want to be at the Battle of the Bands, but she had to be there to support her cousin. Also, she wanted to see how he sounded when he sang. It was funny that he was the lead singer.
She stepped out of her car, and walked up to the building. Once she had walked inside, she wondered how on earth she was going to find Mike out of the hundred people that were there.
She looked around, trying to find anyone that she knew. She sighed, before making her way towards the bar. She wouldn't get anything hard core, maybe just a beer or two.
After placing her order, she continued to look around, in search of her friends.
"Well, look who decided to show up…" a voice whispered in her ear. Astera rolled her eyes. "You know, its really rude…and creepy to sneak up on people like that…" Astera stated, as the bartender handed her a drink.
"How come you are all the way over here?" Dave questioned. "I was thirsty. Plus, I couldn't find anyone…not even my cousin…" Astera said, pointedly.
"You mean everyone that is over there?" Dave asked, nodding behind her. Astera turned to see all of her friends, and Mike standing around a circular table. "Oh…" she said, feeling idiotic.
"So, are you-"
"Oh! You're wearing a leather jacket!" Astera said, sounding excited. She stepped forward and ran her hands up his chest and onto his shoulders. Dave raised his eyebrows, with an amused smile. To be perfectly honest, he didn't mind the touch at all.
Astera finally came to realization, and drew back. "Sorry. I just have this…thing for leather. It just mesmerizes me…" she said, blushing in embarrassment.
"Hmm…okay. Well, we don't go on for another twenty minutes or so. Can I buy you a drink to pass the time?" Dave questioned.
"I'm actually trying not to get drunk. I'm going to need to be Mike's sober driver…" Astera said, shaking her head.
Dave stared at her for a few seconds. "How about a dance, then?" he asked. Astera turned to face him, unsure of how to respond. She didn't want to be rude and reject his offers too many times.
Dave set his drink down and stood up straight, extending his hand to her. Astera bit her lip, before placing her hand in his. He smirked, before winking at her. He had her now.
Astera continued to hold his hand as he led her to the area where people were dancing. She saw Bree and Ria dancing with Susan and a younger girl that Astera had guessed to be Susan's daughter. Next to Susan's daughter was a man that looked twice her age. A date maybe? But then Astera realized that the age difference between the two was probably close to the age gap between her and Dave, but Astera's and Dave was probably smaller.
Dave turned to face her, before pulling her body so it was against his. His hand snaked around her waist, and his other hand took hers. She cautiously placed her hand on his shoulder.
He smiled, as they began to dance to the tango-like music. "Not that this isn't great, but…don't you have a wife that you could be dancing with?" Astera questioned. That's what it always seemed to come down to. Dave was married…unfortunately to her least favorite person on the street.
"Already did, but you weren't here…" Dave replied, before dipping her back and pulling her back up. She smiled. She was actually enjoying this. Besides, it was fun flirting with the husband of a woman she strongly disliked.
It was then that Dave's phone rang, and Dave sighed in disappointment. He let go of her hand, his other hand still around her waist. He looked at his phone, before sliding it back in his pocket. "Wasn't important…." He said, with what looked like a nervous smile.
"Screening your calls now, Dave?" a male voice asked. Astera turned to see a man with curly blonde hair standing a few feet from them. Dave slid his hand out from around her waist.
"Let me guess…you can explain everything…" he stated. Dave's expression fell slightly. "Dr. Heller…" Dave said. Dr. Heller turned his gaze to Astera, and gave her a somewhat look of disapproval. It was as if her white skirt and black tank top were to revealing for his taste, even though it really wasn't at all.
"A friend of Dave's?" he asked. Dave chuckled. "Astera is one of my neighbors. You would like her, doc. She's a hell of a tennis player…" Dave said.
Dr. Heller's face didn't even change, as he stared down at her hard. Dave cleared his throat. "Um…we can finish this later, right Astera?" Dave asked. Astera shrugged, before walking away.
Dr. Heller turned to Dave. "You moved back to Fairview. The one place you swore you would never go…." He stated. Dave sighed. "Look…I've changed. My wife is from here and she really wanted to come back and I said okay…" Dave said, with a small smile.
"Wife? And yet you seem to be very fond of…." Dr. Heller paused, his gaze on Astera. He watched as she jumped on one of the men, hugging him tightly. After she pulled away, Dr. Heller's eyes widened at the sight of the mans face. Mike Delfino.
He and Dave turned to look at each other at the exact same time. "You're in his band!? No. You were dancing with his cousin!?" Dr. Heller said, shocked. Dave shook his head.
"Doc, we've worked everything out. It's all okay now…." Dave stated. Dr. Heller shook his head. "No… I need to speak to them. Now, Dave…its not safe…or I will call the police…" Dr. Heller whispered.
Dave sighed. "Fine, but let's talk first…." He said, placing a hand on his back. He began to lead him towards the back of the stage, to where the storage rooms were. He knew what he had to do, even though he hated to do it.
……………
Mike smiled down at Astera. "Were you really just dancing with Dave?" he asked. "Yea, he was too shy to ask you…." Astera replied.
"Well, at least you weren't all over him…like Ria was with…Tom. She also has her eye on Carlos," Mike said, rolling his eyes. "Whore. Was she drunk?" Astera questioned.
"That…I don't know…" Mike said, with a shrug. He paused to look at his watch.
"Well, we've got five minutes till we go. I better head backstage, so we can gather…" Mike said, with a small smile. Astera could tell he was trying to hide how nervous he was.
Astera hugged him tightly. "You're going to do great…" she whispered. Mike pulled away. "Kiss on the cheek?" he asked, with a teasing face. Astera rolled her eyes, before kissing his cheek. Mike grinned. "Now, look at all the jealous guys…" he stated.
"In…cest…" Astera said, hitting his arm. Tom ran up to them, breathing heavily.
"I don't want to even ask…" Mike said, shaking his head. Tom glared at him slightly. "Nice one. Do you know where Dave is? We need to get up…like now…" Tom said, pointing towards the stage.
"I'll go find him…you get up there…" Astera said, patting Mike's shoulder. She turned and began to look around. Maybe he went to use the bathroom?
After getting a tip from the bartender, she headed towards the back of the stage. She pushed aside the curtain and saw Dave standing outside the bathroom door, breathing deeply.
She raised an eyebrow. "You're friend in there?" she asked. Dave jolted at the sound of her voice, and she could see that he was sweating. "Oh…um…yea, yea he is in there…" Dave lied.
There was no way in hell he could tell Astera that he had strangled his doctor to death in the storage room. He had lit the body of fire, to rid the room of evidence. Jackson had seen Dave come out of the storage room, and asked if it was the bathroom.
Dave pointed across the hall, and Jackson went in the bathroom. Dave had locked the door, since it locked on the outside. He couldn't risk it. He didn't know what Jackson saw.
"Well, do you need to play puppy guard with him? Because, you're up like…now…" Astera stated. Dave sighed, and closed his eyes. "Okay…" he said. Astera raised her eyebrows, before turning and walking away.
"Astera, wait…" Dave said. Astera turned to face him, her face full of somewhat annoyance. "Can…I have a hug?" he asked.
It seemed like such a childish question, and it was so awkward that he had asked it. But it was probably just for his nerves. She nodded, and he embraced her almost immediately.
"Geez Dave. You're acting like a man who was almost murdered," Astera stated. Dave squeezed her tighter. No, he was acting like a man who had just killed someone…because he just did.
Astera was the first to pull away, and she gave him a small smile before walking out. She made her way to the center, where all her friends were. She spotted Ria standing there, her arms folded.
Astera narrowed her eyes slightly. Why did Ria seem so calm every second? Astera followed her gaze and saw her looking at Carlos and Tom…again. Astera leaned down.
"You know how rude it is to lust after another man's husband?" she asked. Ria turned to face her, here eyes piercing through Astera's. "I could say the same for you…homewrecker…" Ria snapped.
Astera bit her lip to keep herself from saying something really bad. She wouldn't lose it…now here…not now.
"Besides…its not like Carlos would mind anyway. Have you taken a good long look at Gabby recently? She used to be a model…but now she's gained that ten extra pounds. Gee, that's a shame. You're right…you're cousin is pretty cute…maybe I'll catch him backstage…" Ria snapped.
Astera stepped forward, threateningly. Ria smirked. "Oh, look…your drummer is counting…show's gonna start….shhhh," Ria said, pressing a finger to her lips.
Astera turned away, and looked at Susan, who was now standing next to her. "Astera, isn't this great?" Susan questioned. Astera forced a smile. "Having the time of my life…" she stated.
It was then that Mike began to sing "Mustang Sally" and Astera had to keep herself from exploding with happiness. When she was younger and Mike would come over to baby-sit, they would play this song over and over again.
Astera began to sing and dance, along with the other housewives. The entire time she could feel Ria burning an imaginary hole in her face, but she didn't care.
It was then she felt a tap on her shoulder, and she turned to see Edie. "Astera, is it just me….or are those flames?" Edie questioned, sounding panicked. Astera turned and her eyes widened. Behind Dave, flames began to ignite the curtain.
"Flames," Astera said, with a nod. "Oh my god, oh my god! Fire!" Edie yelled. Mike stopped singing, and turned around. He locked eyes with Astera, before rushing towards her through the crowd of people.
She had to fight her way to stand her ground, and he finally reached her. "Ast, get out of here…" he said. Susan grabbed his arm. "Jackson, is still in the bathroom!" Susan protested. Mike nodded.
"You two go, I'll get him…" Mike said, before disappearing. Astera grabbed Susan's hand, and they rushed towards the broken window. Susan climbed through with the help of Tom, who looked completely freaked.
Astera felt strong arms grab her, and she looked to see Dave. His eyes looked like they were full of some sort of odd look. He looked like he had just seen his worst nightmare come true, but at the same time his best dream come true.
"Dave…" Astera said. Dave lifted her up, and placed her on the ledge. "Get out, and get to a safe spot…" he said, calmly. Astera watched him for a second, before jumping off the ledge.
She turned to see Susan, and grabbed her arm. They made their way to the crowd, spotting almost all of their friends. Bree was standing with Orson, who appeared to have broken his nose.
Gabby was sitting with an older woman, and Carlos, who was clutching his head. Astera heard the sound of rushing feet and she turned to see Jackson. Susan embraced him, and cried slightly.
Dave appeared from behind Jackson, and Edie hugged him. "Jackson, did you see Mike?" Astera asked, suddenly panicked. Jackson turned to face her. "Mike? No…" he said. Dave turned to her.
"Mike is still inside?" he asked. Susan nodded. "He went looking for Jackson. Astera, I'm so sorry…" Susan stated. Astera looked at the ground, and Dave grabbed her hand.
"I'm going to get him," he said, before rushing off. Edie called after him in protest, but he was too far away to hear. Or maybe he was just ignoring her.
Astera felt a sudden presence behind her, and she turned to see Ria. "You made it out," Ria stated. Astera made a face. "You're point being….what?!" she snapped. Ria shrugged.
"Well, it's a good thing people were generous enough to help you and not let you just…burn there. People are like that nowadays….but you should be grateful. Someone is obviously watching out for you…it's just…it's a shame that it wasn't me…." Ria said, before walking away.
Astera growled slightly. If Ria said one more thing to her….
"Astera, look!" Susan said, nudging Astera's shoulder.
Astera turned to see Dave emerging from the smoke, carrying Mike out of the burning building. Her eyes widened in relief, and she ducked under the caution tape. She rushed forward, ignoring the cops and fireman that tried to stop her.
"Mike!" she yelled, rushing to his side. The paramedic turned to face her. "You family?" he asked.
"Cousin…and I used to be an EMT…" Astera replied.
She could feel the tears stinging against her cheeks, but right now she didn't care how she looked. She wasn't going to let Mike die on her.
"Oh, in that case…could you help me ventilate?" he asked. Astera nodded, as she helped them lift the gurney into the ambulance.
Dave Williams turned away from the reporters that had surrounded him, and looked over at the ambulance. His satisfied smile disappeared as he saw the look on Astera's face. Something wasn't right about it.
He intended to cause pain for Mike Delfino, but not for Astera. Astera wasn't meant to get hurt. She was only a factor in his plan, not the whole solution. Dave hated it when women cried. It was something he didn't even want to see.
Dave began to push his way through the crowd, ignoring their questions and camera flashes. He had never been attached to someone like this before…wait, no he wasn't attached! But…he just couldn't stand the sight of her crying. His emotions were just too confusing for him to understand.
"Astera," Dave spoke up. Astera turned to face him and her amber brown eyes were nearly flooded with tears. It occurred to Dave that he couldn't just use her as a path to Mike…at least…no, he had to. That was her whole purpose. If he thought anymore about it, the plan would backfire and his revenge would fail.
Astera pulled her gaze away from his, and shut the ambulance door. Dave watched as the ambulance sped away. Dave looked down at the ground. He didn't think a simple fire would make him feel this much guilt….
……………………
Ria sat on the ground, watching as one of the paramedics examined Carlos. He was definitely going to the hospital. He was already strapped to the gurney, and the paramedic's were examining him.
Ria couldn't help but smile. She loved the sight of him and Gabby suffering, but it still wasn't good enough. The suffering wasn't strong enough, and she wanted to be the one causing it.
She stood up, and walked over to the paramedics. "Anything I can do to help?" she asked, in a fake sweet tone.
She wanted Carlos to get better, so he was in perfect health when she got him. Perfect health…meant more to torture…
