I'M BACK! Oh man, so much stuff to do that I have been neglecting this short (enter my disgruntled noise here) chapter. It took awhile because I wasn't sure how to fit in a KARAOKE NIGHT that didn't look or sound like every single karaoke night I've seen in fics.

Thank you for the ideas! I changed a couple because I thought it was a little bit more fitting, but if it isn't, let me know, and I will see what I can do about it.

I love hearing your guys' opinions and ideas, and you've all been so nice and helpful that I felt really bad about not updating in forever. I am determined to finish this story! (My struggles with the other one are mentioned in the story itself)

So, lots of dialogue and "dialogue", so here you go!

(Song info at bottom)

It must have been a Friday night. The place was packed, the noise was loud, and the atmosphere… Tense. Among the louder drunken conversations, there was something no one was talking about. The name "Lilith" was brought up a few times, but those discussion never edged any further into the subject.

The only comfort this brought The Keeper was that the topic avoidance wasn't centered on her sister. Several of the demons and almost everyone who wasn't a demon was on edge. It was most aggravating. Whatever was happening outside, was drawing people in here and as much as she liked the business, Ace knew it wasn't a good sign.

Making a split decision as one trickster walked into the bar, she flicked her wrist, subtly expanding the bar to accommodate the sheer number of people and a brand-new stage, DJ booth, speakers and a microphone.

Loki's eyes widened as he approached the bar. "Whiskey?" His attention drawn over to the setup.

She handed him his drink.

"Karaoke night?" He questioned with barely contained excitement.

"As soon as I make the announcement." Ace turned to Lane. "Wanna DJ tonight?"

"Yeah," he grinned. "Sure beats, serving these losers."

At that, the vampire gave him a disgruntled "hey" before laughing and throwing a napkin at him.

Lane laughed as the napkin landed in the vampire's drink and made his way to the booth.

Loki followed her employee to the stage and his song choice began playing shortly after.

Ace groaned. Duran Duran always aggravated her. Their songs all kind of sounded the same

"Darken the city, night is a wire."

She did her best to tune out the music, but it just got louder.

"Steam in the subway, Earth is afire."

Some of the patrons were bobbing their heads along to the music, watching the trickster intently. As a result, the intense conversations died out along with the heavy atmosphere. Nearly everybody's moods lightened. Those that were irritated by the rather sudden loud 80s pop music started filtering out.

"Woman, you want me, give me a sign."

The Keeper filled some emptying glasses.

"And catch my breathing even closer behind."

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a few familiar faces entering the bar.

"In touch with the ground, I'm on the hunt I'm after you."

They found some openings at the bar.

"Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd, and I'm hungry like the wolf."

"Sam. Dean," she greeted, placing full glasses in front of them.

"Straddle the line, in discord and rhyme."

"Hey," Dean lifted his drink and nodded.

"I'm on the hunt, I'm after you."

"Hi." Sam hardly looked at her.

"Mouth is alive, with juices like wine, and I'm hungry like the wolf."

"Is that-" The older hunter stared in disbelief at Loki.

"Yes, that's the Trickster," she interrupted.

He saw the irritation on her face. "Why Duran Duran?"

"Stalked in the forest, too close to hide," Loki continued flawlessly.

"Ask him," she groused. "Of the thousands of bands to choose from…" She shook her head.

"I'll be upon you by the moonlight side."

Sam and Dean watched the singer silently.

"High blood drumming on your skin, it's so tight."

Ace grunted as she walked over to clean up a spill.

"You feel my heat, I'm just a moment behind."

This was why she didn't do karaoke before. She noticed, despite her hatred of this song, most everyone else was enjoying it to some capacity.

"In touch with the ground, I'm on the hunt, I'm after you."

She would probably just have to write a list of banned songs and bands. All for her sanity of course. She supposed her employees should have a say too.

"A scent and a sound, I'm lost, and I'm found and I'm hungry like the wolf."

She returned behind the bar and refilled the hunters' empty drinks.

"Strut on a line, it's discord and rhyme."

"Thanks."

An unfortunately familiar demon walked in.

"I howl and I whine, I'm after you. Mouth is alive, all running inside, and I'm hungry like the wolf."

The demon was in a reasonably pretty blonde meatsuit. She slid onto the barstool next to the younger hunter while the older one scowled into his drink, finishing it off quickly.

Ace refilled his drink yet again, this time placing a shot next to his glass.

"Hungry like the wolf."

"Hey Ace? This is Ruby," Sam introduced her.

"Hungry like the wolf."

"Hey," the demon nodded.

The Keeper looked at her disdainfully. "Hello. Drink?"

"Uh, no thanks."

"Hungry like the wolf."

"I've got to go make a round." Ace left abruptly, leaving the three in an awkward hushed conversation.

Other demons cast hateful glares in Ruby's direction, but Ace knew they wouldn't do anything about it, though any intervention if they did might be a bit slow. It was a busy night, after all.

Loki finished the last bit of the song with flourish, as to be expected, earning him a hearty applause.

A few other patrons went up, showing off their singing skills, or in some cases, lack thereof. Nearly two hours later, Ace returned to the bar, allowing Fae to patrol the floor in her stead. To her relief, Ruby left while she was away, and Sam was hammered drunk.

"You should go sing something, Sam," The Keeper suggested. "Anything you want."

"No, no," he drunkenly shook his head.

"Come on, you can't be worse than her," she gestured to the stage where some witch was butchering 'Don't Stop Believing'. It wasn't karaoke night without at least one butchering of the iconic song.

"Fine," he groaned, staggering to his feet.

As the Witch finished, the hunter stumbled to the stage. His brother sniggered from the bar.

It should be known that Samuel Winchester should probably keep his night job. Singing was not his forte, as was evident in the first notes of the song.

"Sometimes a feel like I don't have a partner," he slurred, surprisingly on time. "Sometimes I feel like my only friend, is the city I live in, the city of angels, lonely as I am, together we cry."

"It could be worse, I guess." At this, Dean went from sniggering quietly to full on guffaws at Sam's attempt at singing. It was more on the lines of trying to talk quickly but slurring and stumbling over the words.

"I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion," he paused getting behind in the music. "I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am. She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy. I never worry now that is a lie."

Throughout the entirety of the song, he would get ahead of the music and behind. It was a miracle he ended on time with the music. Someone took his place as he stumbled back to his seat.

"That was great, Sam," Ace smiled indulgently.

He flashed a dopey, lopsided grin. "Thanks, Aysh. You're the bess!"

She giggled as Dean's shoulders shook, trying to keep his laughter in.

"Your turn, Dean." Sam turned his attention to his brother.

"Huh-uh." The hunter in question shook his head vehemently. "No way."

"Come on," Sam begged.

"Absolutely not. In fact, I think it's time to get back to the motel."

"Deaaan," Sam whined. "You're a big, big, meanie. I wanna hang here." He gave his brother his signature kicked puppy look.

"Dude. No. We gotta get to Bobby's tomorrow."

Sam sighed angrily and stomped toward the door.

Dean sighed, turning to Ace. "I'll, uh…" He paused and threw some money down. "Bye, Ace."

"Goodbye Dean," she answered morosely. "I'll see you around."

He gave a soft snort. "I guess you will. See ya."

He followed his brother out the door, calling his name.

Loki slid back up to the bar. "So sweet cheeks…"

The Keeper rolled her eyes and shook her head at him. She was definitely making a ban list for karaoke nights.

Songs used/mentioned:

Hungry like the Wolf Duran Duran 1982

Don't Stop Believin' Journey 1981

Under The Bridge Red Hot Chili Peppers 1992

If you question my choices, I'll be glad to explain, you need only ask!