Chapter 31

Derk's POV

I slammed my glass on the table, finishing my drink. Wiping the liquid residue off my mouth I slapped Miesha's arm.

"You ready for this bro?" I asked, standing up.

"Look, I don't know anything about parties, maybe I should just stay here," Miesha replied, remaining seated.

"Heh you think I'm going to let you ditch out when we've come so far?" I said pulling him off the chair. "Think again. Now man up like a ghost should and come have some fun," I brushed off his shoulders and lightly smacked his cheek. "Let's do this."

"Eh, if you're sure," Miesha said sheepishly.

"Pff, trust me bro, I'm sure," I replied, opening the large glass door. Loud music boomed through the doorway, almost blowing us over. I smiled, memories flashing through my mind.

A group of girls turned towards us giving us naughty smiles and waves.

"Hey, hey, hey, what do we have here?" I said, winking and giving them the gun fingers. They giggled, and continued dancing. I rotated back to Miesha. "Well, go have the time of your life."

I pushed him into the circle of females. He sheepishly greeted them as they put their arms around him. I laughed to myself and made my way over to the back wall. The place was absolutely packed. No matter where you moved you were bumping into someone.

"Ha! No way!" I heard from the right. "Look who it is!"

I turned to see a very attractive cat-like girl approach me.

"Vanessa," I greeted, putting my hands on her hips. She placed her furry arms around the back of my neck and we moved in tune with the hip hop music. "How long has it been?"

"Ugh, I couldn't even begin to think," she said, cocking her head to the side. "I can't believe Derk Treeton the biggest partier the universe has ever seen, hasn't been able to set aside two minutes to come out here and see me."

"Eh, I've been busy," I said, shrugging.

"Pff, you say that every time."

"And every time it's true," I replied, moving her to the right, avoiding a collision with another couple. "It's not easy working for the Orange Terran."

"Huh, whatever," She said, pushing my shoulder playfully. "So, how is it running around shooting things with guns?"

"Funner then you could ever imagine."

"Yeah yeah, you're going to get yourself killed out there," She said. A quick flash breezed passed her eyes. It was almost a look of fear. But she quickly smiled, attempting to cover it up. I pretended like I hadn't seen it and continued talking.

"Who me?" I asked.

"Yes you, who else do ya think I'm talking to?"

"You kidding? I'm the biggest badest meanest mofo out there."

"Oh please, don't get cocky," She replied, rolling her eyes. "You wanna grab a drink? I've been here for hours and I'm sick of screaming over the noise."

"Oh sure, right as I get here," I responded, flirtingly.

"Pff, shut up and come on," She said, grabbing my hand and leading me to the bar. We opened the doors and made our way to the counter. Ordering a couple of drinks we walked to the back of the bar and sat down.

"So… tell me about life," She said, circling her fingers on the ring of her glass. "Last time I knew you were headed to some off shoot planet on a mission to stop an infection."

"Uh yeah. I've never been so bored in my life," I said, taking a sip of my flare.

"Oh come on there had to be something interesting happen," Vanessa replied, twisting her tail around her chair.

"Well I did meet a couple new guys," I said, shrugging. "A guy named Mark and a kid named Rod."

"Huh, you said kid? What do you mean by that?" She asked.

"Well I guess he's not too much younger than me, but… well, he's not the most intelligent guy when it comes to fighting."

"Oh of course you don't respect anyone who doesn't have the same skill set as you," Vanessa said, leaning back in her chair. "It's always the same."

"No now wait a second," I said, motioning my hand outward. "I like him fine; it's just that he's… eh, uh… Rod."

"Heh, okay whatever."

"Well what about you?" I said. "What's been happenin'?"

"To tell you the truth, not much," She said, shrugging. "Well not sense you anyway."

"Yeah I guess," I said, knowing what was coming. I didn't need psionics to figure it out.

"We had something you know," Vanessa said, after a pause. "You and I. We could've made it work."

"Vanessa you know that couldn't've happened," I said, dropping my shoulders and rolling my head. Not back to this drama please! I thought I had gotten away from it.

"Well perhaps if you weren't so "dedicated" to the Orange Terran than yes we could've," She replied, seemingly frustrated.

"Ugh, and here I was thinking we were having a great conver—"

"No, you're right, I shouldn't have brought it up," Vanessa said, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry."

I relaxed. Thank heavens. That was going in the wrong direction. We sat for a minute in silence. I finished drinking my flare and sat up.

"But anyways. I came out here for a good time," I said, kicking her chair. "No need to bring up old memories."

She shook her head yes but didn't say anything.

"Okay don't do this to me," I said, getting up. "We're going to go have fun, even if I have to beat it out of you."

I walked over to her seat, put my hands under her knees and lifted her up. She made a quick gasp in surprise as I carried her to back to the gym.

"Heh heh, what are you doing?" She asked, excitedly.

"We're going to go dance," I said, setting her down. I put my arm around her waist and lead her inside the booming gymnasium. We made our way to the center of the room. "Alright I remember you once teaching me how to do this so I might be a bit shabby."

She laughed and took my hands in hers.

"It'll come back to you I'm sure," Vanessa said, now clearly cheered up. I am going to regret this aren't I? "Kay, remember this is the triple step."

We began moving our feet in three step patterns. I attempted to follow her fast passed dancing, but started to fall behind. Dag nabbed, slow down women!

"What's the matter Derk?" She asked, not breaking a sweat. "Can't keep up?"

"Hey I run through battlefields I don't, jump around in one place like an idiot."

She laughed at my frustration, but slowed down. We flew across the floor, as I few were birds. I had forgotten how amazing it felt to dance with Vanessa. She was always so good. And not only dancing but at just about everything I wasn't. Vanessa had filled the gaps. Anything I struggled with she was perfect at. It was as if we were meant for each other.

But no… I shook my head. If we had stuck together it would have destroyed me. I was a ghost. Sure I could come out here and have fun. But there was no hope for me in getting serious. It's a burden that comes with being the best. You can't let anyone else in. It was a weakness…. And a ghost cannot have any weaknesses.

The music came to a slow halt and we leisurely glided to the wall. I held Vanessa in my arms, trying to savor the few happy moments I could. But it had to come to an end. I had my fun and now it was time to be serious. It was time to go.

I pulled back from our hug, and looked her in the eyes. Those beautiful eyes I could never have. She looked away knowing what I was about to say next. I didn't want to. I wanted to be with her.

"Thanks for the dance babe," I said, rubbing her shoulder. She shrugged, trying to ignore her feelings.

"Yeah," was all that came out.

"I won't take as long next time, I swear," I said, pulling her chin upward to face me. "Trust me. I didn't say that last time did I?"

"You'd better," She said, coming back to her normal self. "Or you're going to get it."

"Whatever you say," I said, moving away from her. "Now I gotta go find shy pants."

I continued through the crowd, looking back one more time. She let out a small wave and rested her hand back on her forearm. Alright, here we go. I glanced around the thundering room checking for my companion. Ugh, come on man where are you?

I searched out, using my psionics. Not before long I found him sitting in the bar. I hurriedly pushed my way to the glass doors. Opening one of them I stepped inside the tavern.

Miesha sat talking to some girls, next to the entrance. As I approached I heard him talking about some battlefield story.

"And then out of nowhere came this gigantic Ultralisk! I didn't have much more than a second to jump out of the way just as the huge beast came thundering through our camp," Miesha said, not noticing me.

"Huh! What did you do?" One of his lady friends asked.

"Well, I did what any heroic man would do," Miesha said, pausing and folding his arms. "I stepped forward with a stomp of courage, psi-blade in hand. I breathed in the toxic fumes, indifferent towards the chaos around me. I saw my target and knew what I had to do. I gripped my weapon with all my might! The Ultralisk must've sensed my power because he came romping toward me in a rampage! But I knew that he had no hope of survival as I took my—"

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to barge in like this, but a… we're leaving," I said, breaking off his story. All the women let out a groan.

"Uh… what?" he asked, obviously not expecting the intrusion. "You mean like... right now?"

"Yes, let's go," I said, walking out the doors.

"Oh… uh… w-wha— uh... o-o-okay… ladies, um…another time," Miesha said, hurrying after me.

Yo! What up guys! Lots of different stuff happin' in this one. Hope you guys liked it. And yes if you guys noticed it's another Derk Chapter. I did it on purpose and no its not just cause I don't want to write Rod's. There are specific reasons to why had two Derk Chaps. Well anyways... you guys have a great day!

P.S. Sorry this could've been up a couple days earlier but my internet decided to quit for a day... eh but what happens happens right?