The Opening Act

Ted has someone open for Tegan

A bit fluffy, enjoy!

Tegan was nervous. Not because she was worried about how her gig would go, but because she wasn't sure how Sara would respond to her new song. She took a long shower to calm herself before getting ready to play at The Hap.

"You can do this Tegan." She told her reflection after she finished her shower, "It's just another song."

She then had to figure out what she'd wear. She usually didn't put much thought into what she wore to her little gigs, but Sara changed that. She had to look her best. She decided to wear her new shirt again. It was something she knew Sara liked. She threw on a pair of skinny jeans and then rolled her sleeves up to her elbows. Tegan took a minute to look at herself in the mirror.

"It's missing something." She said to herself and turned back to all her clothes.

She decided she should wear her fedora and then she put on her converse and left her apartment with her new Baby Taylor.

She called Ted to let him know she would be there a few minutes late.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ted, I'm running late."

"Okay. I'll let people know."

"Thanks Ted." She hung up and got in her car.

Ted quickly looked around the bar, there were more of Tegan's fans than normally showed up. He grabbed the microphone that he kept under the bar and made an announcement.

"For all of you here to see Tegan Quin perform," Several people looked his way and gave him their full attention, "I'm sorry, but she's running late." There were a few groans of complaint.

"Do you need someone to entertain them while they wait?" Ted looked to his right to see who had asked.

"Sara, if you know anyone who can play them a few songs, that would be great."

"Can you handle the bar for the next ten minutes?"

"You're going to play?" He raised an eyebrow, he was unaware that she played or sang.

"If you'll let me." She smiled at him.

"Go ahead."

She went out to her car and opened the trunk. Her acoustic guitar was sitting in its case collecting dust. She never unpacked it after her road trip from Montreal to Vancouver. She grabbed it and went back inside.

After tuning her guitar, which badly needed it, she went up to the microphone on stage.

"Hi everybody," Most of the people just sort of looked at her in confusion, "I'm here to play a couple songs until Tegan shows up."

While everyone was still processing what was happening she started to play.

"I miss you now

I guess like I should have missed you then

My body moves

Like curtains waving in and out of wind

In and out of windows."

She was surprised when she was done singing. Everyone in the bar gave her a round of applause. She managed to mumble a thank you into the mic.

"Did you write that?" Emy asked from her usual spot close to the small platform of a stage.

"Yeah," She smiled at Emy, "I actually wrote it years ago, when I was in college."

"It was good. You should sing some more." Lindsey said from her seat next to Emy.

"Okay, here's another one I wrote."

"Love pull your sore ribs in

I will pull your tangles out

In the back of your car I feel like

I have traveled nowhere."

More applause greeted her as she finished strumming the final notes. One particularly loud cheer was coming from somewhere near Ted.

"I love that song." She smiled at the voice, "I told you it was incredible!"

"Thanks Tegan!" She smiled over at the beautiful woman, "It's your turn to sing."

"Nobody's gonna want me up there now. Not after that performance." She smiled back at Sara.

"Come on." Tegan walked up to the stage holding her new guitar. Sara got up from the stool she was sitting on and started to walk away.

"Wait a second." Tegan begged her to stay on stage, "Do you guys mind if we play one song together?" A few people cheered in response.

"What are we gonna play?"

"I'm On Fire." Tegan pulled her guitar out of its case, "Do you know how to play it?"

"Yeah." She smiled at Tegan and started to strum.

They finished the song and everyone cheered again.

"Thank you!" Tegan hugged Sara and then Sara walked off stage, "Wasn't she incredible guys?" Emy and Lindsey cheered enthusiastically.

"Alright, I'll play a few songs that you guys know, but then I'm playing a brand new one." She smiled as her fans all cheered, excite about the new song. She played her set well, and all the regulars in the bar stopped their conversations and listened when she spoke into the mic, "And now for my new song." She was absolutely shocked when about twenty customers walked from where they had been mingling to about ten feet from the stage. Holy Shit! They're interested! "Okay, here it goes."

"I won't mistake you for problems with me

I won't let my moods ruin this you'll see"

Everyone who was gathered was smiling, thoroughly enjoying her new song. When she got to the lines about Sara she looked over to the bar to try and see Sara's face better.

"I know your sad even though you say that you're not

I know you're scared even though you say that you're not."

A tear ran down Sara's cheek, "See Jess, she could even tell I was sad. But she didn't press me for my story," She looked up to the ceiling, "It's just like you were. Remember when I was scared when I realized I was gay? You knew I was scared, but you didn't force me to admit why. You just comforted me in every way you knew how. She's just the same. I know you'd like her." She then focused her attention back to Tegan as she finished the song. Sara smiled wide and cheered for her.

"Thank you everybody!" Tegan had a big smile on her face, "I'm really glad you all liked it."

"How could we not?" A man that she knew was a regular spoke up, "It was really good."

"Whose it about?" Another regular asked.

"A friend of mine," She smiled and tried not to look directly at Sara, "She's an incredible woman." She said her final thank you and then went to the bar.

"That song was good." Sara smiled at her, "When did you write it?"

"Yesterday," She smiled at Sara, "It was the important business that I had to take care of."

"Well I'm glad you wrote it. It was really good." She smiled shyly, "How did you know I was sad?"

"You have sad eyes Sara." She pulled her in for a quick kiss, "Is there any way I can help them get happy?"

A few tears ran down Sara's cheeks, "Yes, I think you can help them. I just need someone to comfort me and help me when I need it."

"Okay." Tegan smiled at her, "You don't have to tell why you're sad until you're ready."

"Thank you," Sara smiled at her, "I think I'll be ready soon."

"Can I take you out when your shift ends?"

"Sure. What did you have in mind?"

"I have a key to my Nonni's restaurant, and permission to make us a meal." Tegan held up the key, "I asked them especially for tonight. That was the other thing I did yesterday."

"That sounds wonderful Tegan."

"I was hoping you'd think that." She smirked then added, "I might even speak some Italian for you."

"I'd love that." Sara paused a moment then added, "Bella."

"Hey," Tegan hit her shoulder playfully, "I thought I was the one who would speak Italian."

"I was just speaking the truth."

"Sei Bellissima." Tegan pulled her in for a kiss.

After a few short seconds Sara pulled away, "What does that mean?"

"It means you're very beautiful."

"Well thank you."

"Anytime."

The last few hours of Sara's shift crawled by. When it finally ended Tegan grabbed her and pulled her into a hug.

"Are you ready?" Tegan asked while hugging her tighter.

"Yes Tegan," Sara laughed, "I'm ready."

"Are you okay leaving your car here overnight?" Tegan asked as they walked through the small parking lot.

"It'll be fine."

"Okay." She opened her passenger door for Sara, "Hop in."

They drove the short distance from the bar to the restaurant. Tegan walked up and unlocked the front door, holding it open for Sara.

"Thank you," Sara smiled at her, "You're such a gentleman."

"I always am around the pretty ladies." Tegan sent her a flirty look.

"Well, what do you have planned for us tonight?" Sara looked around the restaurant, it had a very romantic feel to it when it was empty.

"I thought I'd make you some food, and then maybe if I'm lucky we'll end up at my place." She smirked at Sara.

"Well someone's confident." Sara smirked at Tegan.

"Do you want to join me in the kitchen?" Tegan pushed the kitchen door open.

"Of course." She smiled and walk past Tegan into the kitchen.

"What would you like?" Tegan asked as she walked toward the stack of ingredients on the shelves.

"Chicken fettuccine."

Tegan smiled at her, "That's my favorite."

"I know." Sara watched Tegan's body as she started grabbing ingredients and pans.

"Feel free to keep staring." Tegan wiggled her hips briefly as she set all of the things on the counter.

"I had no intention of stopping." She smiled and pulled Tegan into a hug from behind, "Will you be able to make food with me like this?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Tegan prepared the food easily, just like she would have done without Sara holding on to her.

"It's done." She smiled as she felt Sara's lips press against her neck.

"Too bad," Sara frowned, "I was just getting started."

Tegan turned around without disconnecting the hug and they kissed, "Andiamo a mangiare la cena."

"I don't know what you said but it sounded good."

Tegan smiled, "I said let's eat dinner."

"Okay," Sara smiled back, "I'll do anything you ask, as long as you speak Italian."

"I'll remember that." Tegan smirked.

"Good."

Tegan pulled away from the hug and grabbed two plates and silverware. She then left the kitchen and returned shortly, empty handed. She then grabbed the pasta and motioned for Sara to follow. She lead her to the same table they had eaten at the last time they were there.

"This is delicious!" Sara practically moaned after taking a bite.

"Thank you," Tegan said after finishing her first bite, "My Nonna taught me."

"I'll have to thank her for that." She resumed eating and then said, "They must really love you."

"They do." She smiled at Sara, "For a long time they were the only ones. Then I met Ted, and he's been my best friend since my first gig. He was the guitarist for the other band that was playing. And now I have you," She smiled, "and that is pretty awesome."

"I'm glad you think that's awesome." Tegan looked at Sara's eyes and she could see happiness creep into view.

"Te amo." Tegan looked at Sara waiting for a response.

"I love you too, Tegan." Sara smiled back at her.

"You understood that?" She raised an eyebrow in question.

"Rihanna has a song called Te amo." Tegan laughed.

"I forgot about that. So you like Rihanna?"

"She's hot and talented. Who doesn't?"

"True." Tegan laughed and continued eating.

The rest of the evening they talked about their favorite bands. It was mostly Indie rock and pop music. Tegan was happier then she had ever been. She smiled the entire time they sat there eating and talking. She knew Sara was the person she wanted to be with.

"So," Sara said as they finished eating, "Back to your place?"

"Now who's the confident one?" Tegan smirked, "Thinking I enjoyed tonight enough to take you home."

"Oh," Sara retorted, "I know you enjoyed it enough. There is no way you couldn't."

"That's true." She smiled at Sara, "Just let me put this stuff in the kitchen."

She cleared the table and then led Sara to her car. She turned it on and drove Sara to her apartment.