Of Dates and Karaoke

"Go out with me."

"Good day, Mr. Fuushiro. I was just- What?"

"I said, 'go out with me'." the attractive Asian man said, stretching out on the office couch. "Come on, it'll be fun. And it'll make my father happy."

"I… No, thank you. We aren't compatible, Mr.-"

"Erick. My name is Erick. And we don't have to be compatible to have a good time."

"I'm not a 'good time' type of girl'," she glared, standing to end their meeting. This was just the type of shenanigans that the J-Pop-looking man usually played. He was not usually this aggressive though.

"I meant a real good time, not that," he laughed. "God, you're so serious all the time. I just want to take you out dancing. It'll be fun."

"I don't know…" she said. Somehow this seemed like a betrayal of Tyr, but what did that even mean?

"Look. We've known each other for years now. Have I ever treated you badly? Have I ever talked down to you, made fun of you, or humiliated you? No. I'm not looking for 'forever', Wanda, I just want to take you out on a Friday night. We'll talk about something beyond business, we'll laugh, we'll dance… It's only one Friday night of your life. We'll see where it goes from there," he tried again. His father was paying him good money to win her away from Tyr and he'd be damned if he'd lose out to her world-famous stubbornness this time.

"This doesn't seem like a good idea," she said at last. He'd never seen her look confused or flushed before. It was adorable. He came around her desk and smiled that 1000-watt smile that made women flock to him.

"Hey, hey," he said, knowing that he had her on the ropes now. "Worst-case scenario, if you don't like it, you turn me down next time. How's that?"

She sighed with a small smile that signaled his victory. "Fine."

"Good girl," he said, kissing her hand. "I'll pick you up-"

"Nah. Tell me where we're going and I'll meet you there," she said.

"Fine," he repeated her word back to her. Now that he was so close to sealing the deal, he wasn't going to blow it on semantics. "How about you meet me at the Lounge. It's the hottest nightclub in town."

"Will we be able to get in?"

"Dress sexy. I'm sure we'll make it in," he said with a sexy smile. She flushed prettily and he smiled at her again. "I think we'll have a great time together, Wanda. I'll see you Friday night." With that, he shoved his hands in his pockets and left the office. Wanda had a look like she'd been kicked in the head by a small pony when Mrs. Grady found her a few minutes later.

"What's the matter, Luwanda?"

"I have a date," the woman said, standing up in a sudden fit of nerves. "That…. That is not how I imagined that meeting would end."

"Well, that's wonderful," the older woman smiled at her.

"Wonderful?" Wanda said, beginning to pace the room. "Tyr is going to kill me!"

"Tyr is a man of the world. He'll understand."

"No, he won't! He's-"

"Luwanda," Mrs. Grady said, grabbing her shoulders to stop her pacing. "You do not belong to Tyr. It's sweet of him to treat you so nicely, but you're a free agent as they say. One little date isn't going to ruin things between you. If anything, it'll let him know that he has competition and make him re-double his efforts to win your heart. What you did wasn't wrong."

Wanda thought about that, but couldn't resolve the guilt from her decision. As much as she would never admit it aloud, Tyr did have a claim on her heart. But how could she just dismiss Erick out of hand?

… …

Tyr showed up for their usual lunch and immediately knew there was a problem.

"What's wrong, Bliss?"

"I have a date," she blurted out, never one to mince words.

"You… what? With whom?"

"Erick Fuushiro asked me out and I couldn't think of a way to say no," she confessed, looking every inch the guilty party.

"Oh…"

"I… I'm going to the Lounge with him on Friday night," she said with a dejected look.

"That's nice. I'll see you after work," he said, packing up his lunch.

"After-"

"I promised I would help you pick out a new wardrobe, Bliss. And I meant it. I won't have you going with your mother ever again." He managed a smile for her at her look of intense relief. But he couldn't stay at the moment. Not when the sting of betrayal was in the air. How could she do this to him? Knowing how hard he was trying to stay faithful to her. Did she think he didn't have offers on the table? Did she think she could play him like that? Well, two-

"It's not real, you know," Mrs. Grady said from her desk.

"She said yes," he growled, hovering over the woman.

"No, she didn't say no. There's a difference."

"No there's not."

"You're going to have to start getting used to a whole other playing field when it comes to Luwanda," the woman tried again. "She's not like the other women you've dated. If you go out on a date right now, you will never win her. She found herself trapped in the social conventions of her class. She couldn't say no to a client's son. I heard the whole thing, he was very persuasive."

"And what else won't she be able to say 'no' to?"

"You're still thinking of her like your other women. Wanda has a strong sense of personal honor. There will be no drinking, no drugs, and certainly no sex on this date. I doubt he'll even be able to get a dance out of her. Her heart belongs to you, whether you deserve it or not. It always has. Believe me, she's heartbroken over this whole thing." Before he could say anything to deny her words, she reached up and grabbed his chin, bringing him closer. "If I were you, I'd have a change of clothes ready for her when she runs away. She'll need you then."

He thought about her words, seeing the logic in them. The betrayal still hurt, but maybe it hurt her too. He'd trust the old woman for now. Wanda wasn't like other women. He'd wait till Friday and see for himself before planning revenge.

Friday night came much too soon for Wanda's comfort. She got out the skintight white leather dress her mother had insisted she buy years ago and put it on without incident. It fit perfectly. Well, of course, it fit perfectly, it was tailor-made for her. Literally. Adding a pair of high-heeled brown leather boots and doing up her hair in a bun, even she had to admit that she looked good tonight. But it was only supposed to be for Tyr! She sniffled and went to get her leather purse that matched the outfit. Makeup would have completed the look, but she didn't have any, so this would have to do. She drove as if she were headed for a funeral rather than a night on the town. Everything about this felt wrong, but she was committed now. It was too late to cancel, he was likely waiting for her at the door.

She arrived at nine o'clock sharp, having found a parking space that was a few blocks away and not having a parking meter. She suddenly wished for a drink but steadied her nerves, smoothing down her dress. It barely reached mid-thigh, showing off her legs in a most eye-catching way. Her brown boots reached to her knees, complimenting her dress with its brown accents. She was dressed for a party and more. She felt like shit. Wanda stepped up to the line and ignored the gasps and compliments from the crowd. Her face was perfectly blank as she searched for her date.

"Damn girl! I didn't know you had it in you," Erick said, sliding an arm around her waist smoothly. Imagining the feeling of slime coating her dress, she moved forward out of his reach.

"I hope this is acceptable. This is the only 'sexy' outfit I own."

Erick looked her up and down, letting his eyes linger where they should. "You look amazing, Luwanda. This will definitely get us in. You ready for a good time?" he asked, smirking down at the innocent woman.

"Sure," she said without enthusiasm. Erick didn't seem to notice, parading her through the crowd like a trophy. Flash bulbs went off in her face as the paparazzi went nuts for the story. She kept her mask in place, letting the man on her arm lead her to the nightclub. The bouncer was too busy gaping at who was dressed like that to stop them from entering. The music and the atmosphere washed over the two and Wanda knew there was no turning back.

"Oh my God. Wanda? Wanda, is that you?" Roy said from his place at the bar. He looked her over and she repressed a shudder at the hungry look in his eyes.

"It is," she yelled over the music, leading her date to the man despite her misgivings. He was the only person in the club she knew, other than the man on her arm. "How are you, Roy? Erick, this is Roy Manson, son of the automobile tycoon. Roy, this is Erick Fuushiro, heir to the-"

"You would be one to gloat, wouldn't you?" Laurel said, coming up behind her man and leaning in to sniff him. She was drunk already and possibly high. "You… come in here, looking like… that, and expect us all to forget what you really are."

"I don't expect anything from the likes of you," she said, assuming her normal business demeanor. "You're drunk."

"I'm not wasting my youth like you are," she swayed against Roy, looking self-satisfied. "I have one life to live and I'm making the most of it. You know, dear old Tyr fucked me senseless right before your supposed marriage. He bent me over the stall and took-"

"I was in the girl's bathroom throwing up right before the ceremony. So, yeah. I heard you two," the woman said. "Why do you think I wouldn't so much as touch him during the judge's spiel? I knew. I always knew. I just didn't care. I still don't. Tyr is a free agent. He can do what he wants."

"You don't care about anything, do you? Not your family, not your friends… You don't even have a pet! You're just a cold-hearted snake."

"Perhaps," she said in a mild manner, coming closer to the intoxicated woman. "But that means I also don't care that he doesn't want you anymore. It's been months now and he hasn't come sniffing at your door-" She cut off her tirade in time to grab the hand aimed at her and slam the woman's face onto the bar, twisting that hand up her back. "You forget yourself," Wanda growled, sounding more like Tyr than anyone would like to admit. "I may be many things, but helpless is not one of them. You should get yourself together, Laurel. And don't bother showing up at my office again. Next time I'll have you jailed."

"Just like your brother!"

"Yeah, just like my brother. You can't take me, Laurel. I know it always bothered you that you couldn't. That's why you hate me so much. Well, now you know you still can't." She released the woman at that, holding up her hands peaceably to the bartender who'd been about to call security.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening," Wanda said to Erick, who looked like he'd been anticipating a catfight. "I really must go now." Without waiting for a response, Wanda exited the club, taking a moment to stand on the step next to the bouncer. He looked her over but seemed to notice her face at last.

"I never knew…" he said just before she left.

"Never knew what?" she asked.

"I never knew it was possible to cry without shedding a tear," he said wisely, staring into her eyes.

She nodded but didn't answer, moving away from the man before her composure broke. She made her way to her car, confident that her gym and another lonely night awaited her. She wasn't a 'good time' type of girl! She hadn't lasted five minutes in that club. All the effort to dress up and play nice was wasted. She hadn't even gotten a lousy dance out of her date!

Feeling miserable and wishing fervently that it would rain to hide her tears, she made it to her car and saw her true suitor sitting against it. Not up to another fight, she simply stared at him. He was dressed in casual slacks and a polo shirt, looking good enough to eat. He also had a garment bag in one hand and a shoe box in the other. The two stared at each other for a time, then Tyr sat down his parcels and opened his arms to her. She ran to him, crying silently in his arms. He held her trembling form close, finally understanding. Mrs. Grady had been right and he was suddenly grateful beyond words that his jealousy hadn't caused him to bring a random woman to the club tonight. He'd been tempted, ready to show up the woman. There was nothing to show up though. She was miserable beyond words and had been all week judging from the tears soaking his shirt. He would have been more successful and lost her altogether.

"Come. You should change out of those clothes in the car," he said, reaching over to get her new clothes. She looked up at him with such gratitude that he wondered why he'd ever been jealous in the first place. She looked amazing, but anyone who knew her, truly knew her, would know that she wasn't this leather-clad goddess. She was a different type of temptress, innocent and virginal. She climbed into her back seat with the clothes and shoes and when she emerged, she looked perfect, wearing a red mock turtleneck under a blue jean dress. Her feet were clad in white socks and Mary Janes. He started undoing her bun, expertly holding her straight pins in his hands as he worked. She produced a bag to put them in without a word. Once her braids were free and the last pin was out, he parted her hair and twisted it into pigtails, making her look even more adorable. He smiled at her and she teared up again. Dear God just how guilty did she feel about all this?

"Why are you helping me? I betrayed-"

"You didn't betray anything," he said, holding her as she cried again. "You accepted a date from a man that had no business asking. I'm going to have to be more diligent about filling your schedule with dates with me so you don't have that excuse anymore, that's all. Don't cry, Bliss. Everything is okay now, I promise."

"You're not mad?" she asked in a small voice.

"I was," he admitted, holding her close when she went to back away. "I was jealous. But I'm not anymore. I can see now how much this has hurt you. I just want you to stop crying. I promise I'm not mad anymore."

"Okay," she sniffled into his shirt. She gave a watery giggle. "I was just-"

"Wanda? Is that you?" Wanda cringed at being recognized while being so vulnerable. She wiped her snot on her arm, accepting a couple of tissues from Tyr to clean up her mess.

"What's the matter, hon?" Kara asked, coming close for a hug if needed. Wanda backed up and she didn't pursue it.

"It's nothing. It's just been a long night," she sighed, emotionally spent.

"But… the night has barely begun," her old nursing buddy argued. "Come on, hon. A bunch of us are meeting up at the old karaoke place for the night."

"That place is still open?" Wanda asked in amazement. "That used to be my favorite place. I haven't gone to karaoke in years!"

"I remember how good you were at it! Come on, the others are waiting!" The two women started talking excitedly and Tyr could only smile at the change in his woman. She was lit up in a way he remembered well from his life before his cruise of doom. Instead of feeling angry and jealous, he felt contentment to see her happy. To prove to himself that he had a part in her happiness, he grabbed her hand. She squeezed his hand and he smiled, letting himself be dragged along in the excited woman's wake.

"Mama J," Sano called from across the street. He was with the rest of his crew from the docks. They were a tight-knit, rambunctious group. And now that they recognized their boss, they headed her way. Kara looked a little nervous at the boisterous group.

"It's alright. They're just some employees of mine. They bark, but they don't bite."

"Unless you ask," Peter whooped at the other woman.

"Hey, I thought you had a date with the Fuushiro kid," Sano said.

"That… That didn't work out," she said, unwilling to elaborate. The dock worker looked at Wanda and Tyr's linked hands and smiled knowingly

"I'll just bet it didn't," he said with a sly wink, watching her flush and try to pull her hand away. Tyr wouldn't let her though. "Do I need to-"

"I've told you before, Sagara-san. You have to use your words."

"It's Sano. And talk is cheap," he responded, cracking his knuckles.

"...And, baby, time's expensive," she sang out of the blue, causing everyone to do a double take.

"See? I knew you still had a voice on you," Kara laughed. "Come on. I wanna hear you sing like an angel!"

"You're going karaoking?" Budd asked, clearly impressed with her voice. "Where?"

"Dig Dougs," she answered, preparing to leave the men behind. "See you guys later. Enjoy your Friday night."

"Wait. Does this place have a bar?' Chuck asked.

"No," Wanda said in a panic.

"Of course," Kara said. "Dig Dougs is a rundown place, but the music is good and the owner is nice. You should come check it out with us!"

"I'll check anything out with you," Peter said, coming closer to the portly woman, who blushed bright red.

"I want to hear the boss lady sing," Chuck laughed, the others were quick to join in loudly. Sighing to herself at what a free-for-all this was going to be, Wanda led the way to her old nursing unit's favorite bar.

Tyr squeezed her hand and said under the commotion the boys were making. "It's going to be alright, Bliss."

"I feel anything but blissful right now," she shot back. "My worlds are about to collide. How am I supposed to maintain a professional demeanor when-"

"You're not," the man said, using his thumb to massage the back of her hand. "You're supposed to relax and let what happens happen. These guys are going to-"

"Going to what?" Budd asked, drawing the group's attention.

"You guys are going to make a ruckus and shake things up. I was telling Wanda here that that's okay."

"Who gave you the right to call her that," Budd demanded.

"I did," Wanda put in tiredly. "I don't want a fight tonight. I've already had one of those. I haven't seen any of my nursing buddies in four years, Mr.-"

"Budd."

"Fine. Budd, I plan to hang out with them, sing a bunch of songs, possibly have a girlie drink, and then go home far too late. If you boys are planning to bend that plan out of shape, I may just end up having to do some bending of my own," she threatened, cracking her knuckles. The men stared at her in disbelief before bursting into a riotous frenzy, laughing and congratulating her on her nerve. Tyr laughed along with the group, knowing that it would take more than her endorsement to win their respect.

The group entered the bar just then and the noise level hit the roof. Kara, Lexis, Connie, Jessica, Rachel, and Colleen were bursting to see the old nurse again, bombarding her with a million questions. Sano, Budd, Jack, Chuck, Peter, and Ghandi rushed to the bar, demanding drinks and beers from the middle-aged owner. Doug, used to dealing with mild-mannered women and the occasional male, filled the orders automatically, dazed by all the business coming his way. Chairs and tables were rearranged and introductions were made, the groups integrating well.

"So, when are we going to prove that I'm the best singer in the house," Chuck asked with a belch.

"Boo," Wanda and Rachel said. "You'll have to settle for third best," Rachel added with a wink to Wanda. "I've been the reigning champion since Wanda left."

"It was never a competition," Wanda put in peacefully.

"Which is exactly what a benign reigning champion would say," Colleen put in, sipping her Shirley Temple.

"Just how benign are we talking?" Ghandi asked, kicking back and eyeing the karaoke machine.

"Wanda? She's harmless. Wanda's not a bad person at all. She actually left because her parents threatened to shut down our clinic if she didn't."

"Wait, you knew about that?" She asked in shock.

'Of course, we knew," Lexis said. "Your folks weren't exactly subtle. And when you suddenly quit, we all knew what had happened. You saved us all and we'll never, ever forget that." Wanda blushed at the praise, pulling her hand out of Tyr's and stuttering something that equaled 'I need a drink'. They let her go, laughing at her the whole way.

"Their drinks are all on me from now on, Doug," Wanda said, offering up her credit card and indicating the whole group.

"You sure you want to do that? Those boys are a rowdy bunch. They could drink you out of house and home."

"They're my friends. I'm sure," she smiled, offering the card again.

"Your funeral," the older man laughed. "Now, what can I get for you? Or are you still into that Malibu Bay Breeze drink?"

"How did you-"

"It was the first time someone directed me on how to make her drink. I wouldn't forget it easily." he said, beginning to pour it. "The karaoke machine has missed you, Ms. Wanda. You should give it a whirl."

"I plan to, after everyone else is settled," she promised, taking her drink with a smile.

"You could always get the party started," he said. "Nobody's used it all night. Now would be a good time."

"Maybe I will."

"If you all promise not to spit in my drink," she said, stopping when Sano started to hock a loogie. The guys laughed and settled somewhat. "I plan to get this party started. I haven't sung in years, though. So forgive me if I'm a bit rusty."

"We will never forgive. And we will never forget," Gandhi quipped.

"I wouldn't expect you to," Wanda fired back. "If there's one thing the name of Gandhi stands for, it's revenge!" The group burst into laughter at that and she made her way to the stage to select a song. Finding a good one to get the group started, she plugged it and hoped for the best.

I saw him dancin there by the record machine

I knew he must a been about seventeen

The beat was goin strong

Playin my favorite song…

It worked and the group automatically started singing along. Even one or two of the other patrons started bobbing along to the music as well. Wanda sang along from memory, using the music as her guide like always. When the song ended, she took a bow, confident in her singing skills.

"That felt good," the girl laughed, taking a seat beside her man. She noticed that a good portion of her drink was gone. Chuck laughed and headed for the stage.

"Tyr!"

"What?" he said, nursing his beer in case he had to drive her home tonight.

"What happened to my drink? You were supposed to be keeping these heathens off of my stuff. Did they go through my purse too?

"You took your purse with you," Sano observed, whooping loudly as 'Hot in Here' came on.

"I like the Weird Al version better," Wanda shrugged.

"No one went through your stuff. I wanted a taste," he said, smirking at her shocked look.

"But… but now it's got your cooties! I didn't even get a chance to try it out," she growled in embarrassment, getting up to get another drink. Chuck continued to rap badly as the girls egged him on.

"I need another drink," she growled, glaring daggers at the man. Doug laughed, fixing her drink without a word. She stomped back over to the table and slammed her drink on the table in front of her before sitting down. Before she could stop him, he grabbed her new drink and gulped a bit from it. While her mouth was hanging open in shock and outrage, he leaned in and kissed her, licking her tongue and her tonsils before she knew what was happening.

"Now you have my cooties. So you might as well finish your drinks," he said reasonably, turning back to the floor show as Chuck finished mangling his song and Rachel moved to show him up. She sat staring at him in disbelief until Chuck took a seat and closed her mouth.

"You're going to catch flies with that mouth, Missy."

"He… He just…"

"He just what?" Budd asked, her distraught tone catching his attention.

"Nothing. Rachel's got quite a voice on her," the woman said, listening to her sing Adele's 'Hello'.

Budd turned back to the floor show, but not before sending a glare in Tyr's direction. Everyone took a turn singing on stage, some better than others. Kara dragged Wanda up on stage for a duet of 'A Whole New World' and that got everyone's attention. Budd and Gandhi did a truly horrifying version of 'Let's Hear It For the Boy' that almost sent Wanda into convulsions. Jessica got a pass by singing 'New York, New York' and Lexis laughed her way through 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' By then it was getting late, but it was clear that the 'winners' were a tie between Chuck and Wanda, and Colleen wasn't having that.

"We're closing," Doug announced at two in the morning. He was happy with his earnings for the night, it was a better take than he'd had in a long time on a Friday night. The rowdy group had brought in a bunch of people off the street for a good time. People were starting to trail out though.

"No way! One more round of songs!"

"Colleen! Girl, I'm tired!"

"Oh please? Just one more round to prove you're the best singer here."

"But Chuck is really good," she smiled, letting the drunk girl's head fall on her shoulder.

"He is. But he's not as good as you," she said, nodding along with her words.

"Well, how about we have a tiebreaker next time?" she said.

"No!" Kara said louder than she meant to, scaring Jessica from where she was nodding off. "You'll disappear completely and we'll never see you again! Rematch right now!" Wanda rolled her eyes but looked over at Doug to ask silent permission. He nodded with a smile.

Chuck did a version of 'Kissing You' that had the ladies in the audience swooning.

"Now, you go and show him up," Colleen whispered loudly and drunkenly. Wanda sighed, knowing that she would have to pull out all the stops to 'beat' Chuck. Finally, she settled on the perfect song. "This is the last song, got it, Colleen?"

"I promise," she said before dropping her head on the table.

"God, she's drunk. Last call, everybody," she said to the crowd. Then the song began and she grooved to it

From the moment I saw you, I went out of my mind

Oh, I never believed in 'love at first sight.'

But you've got a magic, boy, that I just can't explain.

Well, you got a, you got a way that you're making me feel I can, feel I can

Do anything for you baby

I'll be down for you, baby

Lay all my cards out tonight.

Just call on me, baby

I'll be there in a hurry

It's your move, so baby

Baby decide...

By the time she was through the second verse of her song, the crowd was going wild. She looked too adorable to be singing with a voice so sultry and primitive. Tyr was mesmerized. She hadn't broken eye contact since the song began and it was making him very glad that he hadn't decided to get drunk tonight. He was the luckiest man alive tonight; being serenaded by his angel.

"You'd better take care of her," Sano commanded the man, noticing his boss' look. "She's a good girl and she deserves better than you. But she's chosen you and you'd damn sure better not screw it up!"

"I won't," he said, not taking his eyes off his woman as she danced through the interlude. "I can't be without her."

Looks like I'm fatal, it's all on the table

And baby you hold the cards

You got the magic and I've got to have it

I don't want the pieces, I want every single part

I'll be your angel, I'm ready and able whatever you want is fine

Whenever you're ready, just call on your lady and I'll be your baby tonight!

Tyr couldn't believe it. This was the same woman who had started the evening crying her heart out to him. How could she be the same lady laughing and drinking with her friends old and new? He stood up and applauded his lady; she'd brought down the house. She held the mic out and dropped it, catching it in her other hand with a laugh.

"I wouldn't do that Doug, don't worry," she said, placing the mic back on the stand and bowing to the thunderous applause.

Chuck met her at the table and hugged her in congratulations. Tyr found himself jealous all over again, but this was a jealousy he could manage. She still had a special smile that was just for him after all. And once the hug was done, she proved it by coming to him and settling into his embrace.

"Now, who wants a ride in a limo?" she asked her friends, gratified when they all got excited about the prospect. Tonight was a good night.

Joan Jett - I Love Rock and Roll

Whitney Houston - I'm Your Baby Tonight