(this is my first foray into fanfics.... please be kind, but I'd love to hear all feedback, good or bad)


"Ugh. What am I even DOING here?" I said, aloud, to no-one in particular. Not that it mattered, since no-one could hear me over the blaring of BauHaus. The last place I wanted to be tonight was The Castle. Not that it's a bad club, mind you, I've been here several times before and had a great time but tonight the place was just chapping my ass something awful. I wasn't in the mood for Goth, but it mattered not to my friend Mel, who simply called me up on a Thursday afternoon, informed me that she and Jack were picking me up to show me around Tampa, since I had just moved here a couple of weeks ago (and finally had gotten my apartment in a livable condition), and I should wear my big clunky goth boots and whatever went best with them. I didn't have the nerve to say no, or to tell her the reason I did NOT want to go with her tonight was because tonight was the big Idol Tour stop for Tampa, and I wanted to sit at home and mope, with a big bag of Hershey kisses, and have a pity party for myself. I got this new job long after the tickets had sold out. If I had known I'd be moving here, I would have gotten tickets, but I don't know who would have gone with me. Mel HATES American Idol. She would never stoop to watch it, and I don't know how she can make that judgement having never seen it, but she deemed it too uncool for her long ago, so I pretty much keep my Idol cravings to myself where she is concerned. She has NO idea what she is missing out on, especially this past season. I've never seen so much talent on that stage before, especially from a particularly gifted and not to mention SEXY AS HELL contestant, David Cook, who I was now in giddy fangirl-love with. I had even gone so far as to join the myriad fangirls on the website david-cook.org, in fangirl bonding and glee. I was hooked on Cook, baby. Sorry if that means I can't be as cool as Mel is (or at least thinks she is).

So.... rather than have her belittle my television choices once again, I acquiesced and let her drag me around town, going out for sushi, walking around Ybor City, finally settling in at The Castle, Tampa's best (and possibly only?) Goth Club. I've always considered myself a kind of outsider, having been the drama girl, the Art major, but never really considered myself to be GOTH, despite my love for The Cure, Depeche Mode and Evanescence. Still... the music was good, for the most part, and I tried to fit in in my black silk corset and big chunky boots, but my heart was not in it at the moment.

Mel had set herself up in the middle of the dance floor, of course, doing her usual crouch-and-point dance moves, the likes of which I had never seen before meeting her. I don't get it. It looks like she's in the garden where she works, picking flowers and shooing away bees or something. Weird. Jack was mesmerized, of course, and the few other friends that Mel had invited (and not bothered to introduce me to, nice of her, wasn't it?) were engrossed in some conversation about World of Warcraft and so the lot of them had completely missed the fact that I had just gotten up off the couch and walked away. I needed a drink, stat, and I wasn't driving, so Goddamn it I was gonna have one. Or two. Or seven.

I took a seat at the bar and ordered the most potent thing I could think of. Dragon's Breath. The bartender gave me a worried stare and I just glared right back at him and shrugged. I know what I'm getting into, pal. My friend Lynn had gotten me one when I was here visiting her last year and it did the trick like nothing else I had ever had. The bartender set up the two glasses, one smaller than the other, filled each with their respective adult liquids, dropped one into the other, and set it alight. I watched the flames for about ten seconds, only half paying attention to the figure in black that had just taken the seat to my right, blew out the flame, and downed it. As the last of the alcohol hit the back of my throat I glanced over at the figure next to me, only to recognize a pair of gorgeous green eyes.....

I gasped.... or something to that affect, only not having that affect.... and ended up with Dragon's Breath..... up my nose. And it BURNED. I began choking and gasping for air, trying desperately to cover my face, which I could tell was growing red, my eyes watering..... it was horrible. And I had just performed this horrifying display... in front of none other than...... David Cook.

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Poor thing. I handed her a napkin and called the bartender over and asked for some water.

You know, we thought we were so safe coming here tonight after the show. After all, this was not exactly our demographic. We just wanted to kick back and anonymously have a good time. It's a rare thing these days that we can even leave the hotel or the venue without being stalked by thirteen-year-olds... or their mothers. I so looked forward to being in a crowd and not having to worry about giving autographs or taking pictures (not that I mind it, usually - I truly do love my fans and they deserve my attention) and for once just hanging with my friends, being me. Shedding the Idol facade for just one night. It figures that the one girl that catches my eye... the one who looked as lost in here as I feel... would recognize me.

I had been watching her from our booth in the corner for a while. She sat and twirled a piece of her already curly red hair and examined her fingernails as best she could in the dim light of the club, looked around, almost desperate for some distraction, went back to her nails again... When I saw her get up and walk to the bar I excused myself and followed. I needed a little distraction as well.

Then this happens. I end up inadvertently hurting the poor girl. She recovered as gracefully as she could, taking the napkin from me without meeting my eyes but giving me a little nod of thanks. She was sweet in her embarrassment and I wanted to put my arm around her right then and there, but thought that might have frightened her further at that point. It was best to just let her recover and then see if she runs away or what. I sat with my elbow on the bar, my knuckles pressed against my mouth to hide the huge smile on my face and watched as she wiped her nose and her eyes, cleared her throat, took a sip of the water the bartender had set in front of her, took a deeeeeeeep breath... and turned to face me. She gave me a wry smile and said "well, hi."

"Hi there." I said, barely getting it out without laughing. She was too cute.

She then looked around to see if anyone else had witnessed her embarrassing scene, but seeing that no-one had, or if they had they no longer cared, she exhaled and shyly looked up at me again.

"I'm Kate." she said.

"David" I replied back, and held my hand out to her. She took it cautiously and gently, like it was a trick or something.

"I, uh...... I know." She said, looking away shyly once more, pretending to watch something else in the crowded room and I would say that she was blushing, but I'm not sure the color had quite left her cheeks yet from before.

"Are you okay?" I asked, to which she nodded, only glancing up at my eyes this time. "I'm sorry.... I didn't mean to startle you like that."

"It's okay, really.... I'm fine" she said, this time her eyes lingering on my face. She was warming up at last.

"Can I get you anotherrrrr....... what WAS that?", referring to her flaming beverage.

"Dragon's Breath.... but thank you, no.... I don't think I'll ever be having one of those again" she replied, a real smile on her face at last.

"Something else then?" I asked.

"This is probably the best thing right now", raising her glass of water to her lips again. They looked soft and my eyes lingered on her mouth as she set the glass down once more. Full lips. Beautiful.

"True", I said, racking my brain for something else to say.... I had wanted to go meet her, distract myself with an interesting conversation with a seemingly interesting girl, and there I sat, the self-proclaimed 'word nerd', with nothing to say. Snap out of it, man. Before she realizes you're an ass and walks away. You practically injured the girl and now you're going to come up with something amusing to say, by God, or...... "so I'm guessing you're not the fire-eater at the Renaissance Faire."

She laughed... it was an adorable laugh at that, and replied "no... that won't be on my resume anytime soon, but I suppose you'll be bucking for the role of the Court Jester...?"

"I've already got the hat."

"I'm sure you wear it well", she replied, nodding... only a *little* bit of sarcasm in her voice.

"I do indeed. Sometimes all by itself."

She looked stunned. I had shocked her. I couldn't help but chuckle at the deer-in-headlights look on her face. It was priceless.

"I, uh.... I don't suppose pictures of THAT will be appearing in People magazine anytime soon", she remarked. This time she was definately blushing.

"Oh no.... those pictures only go to my biggest fans."

"Like you could find any."

WHAT?!? Okay, I guess I had that coming. Harsh, though. I clutched my hand to my chest and said "OUCH" and made my best boo-boo face. She laughed. Then she touched my other hand and said

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright", I said with a big sigh.... "I'll forgive you THIS time."

"But next time I get a spanking?" she asked, with a wink.

I like this girl. I reeeeally like this girl.
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I LOVE HER TOO! What a brilliant start! I can't wait to see how it develops - fantastic! I read it at my desk, and laughed my head off pretty much from start to finish - people are looking at me as if I'm slightly nuts!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. Whew! I've seen the number of views grow a little bit this morning, but so far no-one else has said anything, so I assumed that I suck. I'm glad at least one person doesn't think so!

I've read a little bit of your story as well and I like it a lot, and will catch up with that hopefully this weekend. I'm trying to read a bit of as many as I can, to make sure I'm not inadvertently copying someone. That would be bad.

I'll try and update this story tonight... thanks for reading!

~Kristen

You definitely don't suck! Lots of people read but don't comment - don't be discouraged - can't wait for the update!

I've added another two chapters tonight coz I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to update tomorrow - it's my Godson's first birthday party, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to be covered in smeared cake and have whiplash from the bouncy castle by the time I get home!

I reeeeeeeealy like this story and the perspective is fascinating! Looking forward to updates soon!

Don't let the lack of comments discourage you. Dunno why people don't comment, but I think a lot of them are lurkers and are a widdle afwaid to say something

S-M

I really like this!! Keep going! bv

Thank you! I know I've read some and not commented as well, so I guess I shouldn't complain, huh?

Update is forthcoming....



Thank you so much! The update is on the way





Thanks! I certainly shall

Woo hoo! *Does a Happy Dance around the room*

Here's goes installment #2. Thanks to those of you who have replied! It's very encouraging!
~Kristen


What.... the.... hell. Did something in that drink fly up into my brain, numbing my temporal lobes and I started hallucinating, or what? It could not possibly be that I was sitting at a bar, talking to David Cook. I must have hit my head on the bar and I was unconcious now, right? Right?

And he was sitting there, staring at me with that dumbfounded look on his face, because I, like a complete jackass, asked for a spanking? Am I INSANE??? No, just high, apparently.

"Wellllll.... we'll see just how badly you continue to mock me. It just may get spank-worthy in here tonight" he quipped.

Annnnd he was flirting with me. At least I *think* he was flirting with me. Was he flirting with me? He was looking at me with this big mischievous grin on his face and laughing, so he was either flirting with me, or this hallucination had gotten really good and I hoped to God they never woke me up from it.

"So...." he said, looking around, "is there anywhere a little quieter in here? Can we take this conversation elsewhere?"

"Ummm... there's the courtyard" I answered.

"Lead the way", he said, with a sweeping hand gesture.

We stood up and as he turned to face me, he looked quite taken aback. We met eye to eye. "Damn, girl, are you on stilts?" He looked down and his eyes slowly took me in from my boots up and I felt quite self-concious at that moment. Was I too tall??? 5'10" IS tall for a woman, but I couldn't recall anyone being put off by it before. Figures, the guy I'm in giddy fangirl-love with would be.

"It must be the boots...?" I said, picking up a foot and turning it so he could see the big heel on it. It was a couple inches or so, I guess.

"Mmmmmaybe... but still, that would just.... you were sitting there.... and you were shorter, at least, I thought you were shorter... and you, you're just...... you're just alllllllll LEGS aren't you?" He said, eyeing me up and down again. "I didn't notice before."

I sat down. "I.... I don't know.... is, uh.... is that BAD?" I asked.... cautiously.

"NO", he said quickly "no.... no-no.... no no nooooo", his luscious mouth lingering in that adorable O shape, and he looked away, off into the darkness of the bar, shoved his hands into his pockets, and bit his lower lip. "I like long legs...." he turned to look at me again and smiled ".......a lot. So.......the courtyard?"

I smiled at his utter a-dork-ability, got up off the stool again, grabbed my purse, and lead the way out onto the landing, down the stairs, through the dark downstairs bar, and out the back door into the courtyard. There was a DJ out there as well, but it wasn't as loud, and it looked as though he was getting ready to take a break, so it was peaceful in comparison, and more brightly lit, with the strings of lights hanging from the trees and the bright light over the top of the door. There was a bit of a crowd out there as well, and all the benches were taken, so we settled on standing in a far-off corner, under a tree.

"Just to reiterate..." he said "... I'm David, and you're Kate, you no longer care for flaming drinks but have pictured me naked, wearing only a jester's hat.... don't giggle, you know it's true.... you enjoy giving me a hard time, I am completely fascinated to the point of embarrassing myself over your long legs, annnnnd spankings may or may not be administered this evening." He grinned from ear to ear and added "have I missed anything?"

"Only that you are very sweet not to have laughed at me for my pyrotechnical beverage-related antics."

"I kept it in as best I could", he nodded. "So.... you know who I am, I guess.... does that mean youuuu.... watched the show?"

"Occasionally..." I lied. Yeah, if occasionally means every Tuesday and Wednesday night religiously for four months straight. I am a LIAR. "...if I was home" LIE LIE LIE.

"I see ...and?" he asked, an almost pained expression of anticipation on his face. I didn't think he was the type to fish for compliments, so I wasn't sure where this line of questioning was going.

"It's a good show. There was a lot of talent this year." I admitted, trying really hard not to gush out in a screaming pre-adolescent fit of OH-MY-GOD-OH-MY-GOD-I-LOVE-YOU-I-LOVE-YOU!!!

"Good..... good, I'm glad you liked it." He seemed relieved. "When we came here, to this club, we figured we'd be mocked mercilessly if we were recognized at all, so I'm glad you're not mocking me.... at least not for having been on Idol, anyway" he winked. "So... Kate.... tell me more about yourself. I'm at a big disadvantage here."

"Yeah, I guess you are...." I gulped. I could not believe that David Cook was asking me about myself. Oh, wait, that's right.... this is a hallucination. Carry on. "Wellll... I just moved here two weeks ago. I got a new job and it's going well so far, I guess."

"What do you do?" he seemed genuinely interested.

"Ummmm... interior design, mostly. I work for a PR firm, doing set design and interior design for photo shoots, mostly commercials and window dressings and things. I do a little theatrical set design on the side and some costume design as well, but the theater stuff doesn't really pay, it's just portfolio-filler, really." I shrugged.

"Wow.... that's actually really impressive" he said, and as far as I could tell he was sincere about it. "And what do you like to do for fun?"

"Well, other than shooting flaming alcoholic beverages out of my nose.... I like to.... paint and draw, I sew.... I read.... occasionally go out to a movie or a play.... I used to do a lot of theater as well, but kinda got out of the habit after college."

"I hear ya. I was a theater geek, too" he shrugged, looking down at his feet. "So, do you frequent goth bars like this one?"

"No." I said, pointedly "...I've only been here a couple of times and it wasn't my idea to be here tonight. The music is pretty good, but I really wasn't up for the 'oh-look-at-me-my-soul-is-so-black-and-tortured' scene tonight. I guess I'm not feeling very emo at the moment. Or maybe I'm just TOO emo for all this and need someplace even darker to lurk in."

He laughed and said "well, I'm sorry to hear that, but I for one am glad you are here. You are the brightest light amidst all this darkness."

I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks. He did NOT just say that to me. Again.... must be a hallucination, just go with it. "Thank you" I practically whispered, I was so taken aback.

"Ohhhhh no" he said suddenly, and shifted to his left, using me to block.... something. I turned and saw what he was fearing: a girl, standing there across the courtyard, staring in his direction, with a wild, pre-pre-adolescent-screaming-fit look of shock on her face.

"Go" I said, and motioned for the door "I'll handle it."

He took a deep breath, looked me straight in the eyes for a second, squeezed my arm with his big warm hand, and made a bee-line for the door. I followed him at a slower pace, knowing this girl would have to fight through the crowd to get to that door, so as soon as I reached it, I paused, leaning against the door jamb, and propped a leg up on the other side, pretending to adjust the laces on my boot. I nearly clotheslined the poor girl.

"EXCUSE ME" she said, rather frantically, and tried to push past me.

"Juuuuuuust a second" I said, tugging on the laces a little harder.

"I need to get through!" she shouted at me.

"You need some therapy and a really good leave-in-conditioner as well, but there's no reason to shout."

"GOD-arrrrggghhh!!!!" she exclaimed as she managed to un-wedge me from my position in the door frame, and took off through the crowded bar, stopping to grab some unsuspecting guy in a black jacket and turn him around to look at her. I took a few steps inside and watched her make her way towards the stairs before someone grabbed my hand and yanked me back behind the bar.

"Thank you" David said, from his crouched position. I bent down to hide with him.

"What are you doing back here???" I asked, motioning towards the seemingly unaware bartender.

"It's okay, the staff was aware we were coming tonight. We've even got a bodyguard on the premises. I helped him comb his hair into a faux-hawk just for this occasion" he smiled.

"Niiiiiiiice" I said. "I think the coast is clear now."

We stood up and made our way out from behind the bar, just as someone said "David! There you are!" We both flinched, only to turn and see Carly Smithson approaching us. "Where have you BEEEN?" she demanded, in her adorable Irish accent. "Ohhhhhhhh....." she said, spying me standing there. She looked me up and down and asked "who's yer friend?" and gave him an obvious wink.

I was stunned. It was Carly Smithson. She was my second favorite of all the contestants this year and I cried when she got voted off so soon. This was too much. I looked back at the gorgeous blushing David, who shyly shifted on his feet, like a teenage boy who had just been caught with a girl by his Mom.

"Ummmm.... Carly, this is Kate..... Kate, Carly" he managed.

"Noice to meet yew" she said, politely, and shook my hand.

"Oh, you too" I gushed, wanting to bounce, but refraining.

"David, we're all ready to leave, and we've called the car, it's around back loik before. Michael called and said he was bored oot of his mynd and if we didn't get our arses back to the hotel and liven things oop a bit, he'd never speak to either of oos agayn." She tugged on his sleeve.

"You say that like it's a threat. I might actually get some sleep and some peace and quiet for once" David replied. I couldn't help but laugh, knowing exactly who they were talking about.

"Dayyyyvid..... it's getting late, we've all got early flights in the morning.... we've really got to go" Carly practically whined.

NO. Noooooooo.... no-no-no. She couldn't whisk him away from me so soon. I was starting to HATE Carly Smithson.

David looked at her, sighed, turned to me and gave me an almost sad look, bit his lip, opened his mouth to say something, turned back to Carly and said "ummmmm.... do you think..... would anyone mind.... ?"

"If you invited your little gerrlfriend to the hotel with oos?" she got to the point. I stood there, silently, waiting for the verdict, not wanting this evening to end..... just yet. I didn't want to say goodbye to him. I COULDN'T say goodbye to him. I had barely gotten to know him... in person anyway.

".....yeah...." David said, and inhaled, looking at her cautiously.

"I don't see any reeson why not, but we moight have to hoide her from Michael once we get back." She turned to me and said "he's not a bad goy, he's joost an insatiable flerrt."

David pressed his palms together and turned back to me. "Do you want to go?"

Hmmmmmm..... lemme think about this. Go back to the hotel and have an incredible time, possibly meeting other Idols and getting to spend more time with this AMAZINGLY charming, sweet, funny and GORGEOUS guy I've just had the pleasure of meeting...... orrrrrrrrrr.... go back upstairs, sit on a couch and watch my so-called friend do her pointy dance, while listening to conversations about whose Orc can best whose Dwarf in a battle for the Internet Kingdom of Geek. Tough call.......

"Absolutely" I replied, and smiled..... BIG.


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Yay! Update on the way!!

Carly's phonetical dialog is fantabulous! Great touch!

Anxious for next update, when you are of a mind

Thanks! I couldn't help it. Writing it normally just didn't SOUND like her, you know?

It may take some caffeine, but I think I'm gonna try and update again tonight. The muse calls.... and he is good.... and we call him David

I just picked up the new copy of People today... squee!

Thanks again to everyone who has been reading and commenting!
~Kristen


I could have kissed Carly. Not in that way, mind you, but just for being the incredible woman she is and seeing that I really NEED more time with Kate. I need it. I certainly didn't need her permission to ask Kate back to the hotel, but she gave me the confidence and made me think that maybe.... just MAYBE, all will be well, and that rabid pack of jackals back in the hotel weren't going to COMPLETELY embarrass me in front of this new-found crush. Maybe.

Kate said that she needed to go back upstairs quickly and let her friend know that she was leaving. I told Carly that we would meet her and the rest of the crew that were here back at the car momentarily, and followed Kate through the crowded bar towards the stairs. She reached the stairs only to turn quickly back to me and pushed me up against the nearby wall, pressing her body against me, throwing her arms around my shoulders and with her hand gently turned my face towards her beautiful white neck. I was, of course, shocked by this sudden change in behavior, yet intrigued and gently said "ummmm... what... are..."

"Shhhhh......" she whispered into my ear, her breath blowing the hair on the back of my neck gently and sending chills up my spine. I wrapped my own arms around her lithe waist and pulled her closer to me, being curious obviously, but having no problem whatsoever with her sudden display of affection. It was then that I realized that this corset top she had on was an ACTUAL corset and had many little rigid bands running through it, strapping her in tightly. So tightly. It stirred something in me... something ANIMAL. It suddenly started getting VERY hot in that club. Kate then pulled back and leaned over towards the bar. I followed her line of sight, only to spot the spastic fan from before, making her way out to the courtyard once more. This had been another way of hiding me from that girl, and not the sudden act of intimacy I had hoped it was. But I still had my arms around her waist. She turned towards me and smiled that beautiful smile and held my gaze for what seemed like a half hour, but it was only a split second. Then she pulled away and said "c'mon."

She took a few steps up the stairwell, giving me a beautiful view of her ample posterior, snuggly encased in this skirt that I can hardly think how to describe. It was a dark burgundy, shiny material, was longer in the back than in the front and had this little flouncy ruffly thing at the bottom, which moved back and forth as she walked up the stairs. Then I noticed the stockings, barely visible between the skirt and the tall boots. They were the kind of stockings worn in the 40's that had the little seam in the back. It took all the restraint I possessed not to reach out and run my finger down the length of that seam, along the back of that beautiful long leg. So goddamn sexy. TOO sexy. I was suddenly aware that I could no longer walk comfortably. The timing of these things, I tell you. Look up "screwed" in the dictionary and there will be a picture of yours truly, standing at the bottom of a staircase, unable to move, because of the ill-timed swelling in his pants.

Kate got to the landing when she realized I was no longer with her. She turned and looked down at me, a veritable vision: an hourglass Amazonian Goddess, and I... her humble, yet crippled devotee.

"Are you coming?" she asked.

SHE WAS KILLING ME.

You know what I love? I love baseball. Ain't nothin' better than a bunch of sweaty guys in tight pants, running around in the dirt, patting each other on the ass after a good play..... you know what I love even BETTER than that??? My grandma playing baseball. She gets right in there in her spandex running suit, her grey hair flying in the breeze as she runs those bases.....

Yeah, that did it. "Right behind you", I replied.

We made our way towards a group of couches, where I had first spotted her. A rather chubby girl with long brown braids was standing in the middle of the group, basking in their attention, telling a story which, from what I could gather, was all about her. She whirled around when Kate came up and tapped her on the shoulder, braids flying. It was the same girl whose dancing we made fun of at the table earlier, before I even spoke to Kate, but I thought it best not to mention that. She looked at Kate, then back at the couch, then at Kate again, as if she thought that Kate had been sitting there on the couch all along.

"Where have YOU been?" she asked.

"I went downstairs for a while.... look, I'm gonna take off, okay?" Kate said, motioning back towards me, standing behind her.

"Who is he? I've never seen him before" braided girl replied, with a hand on her hip.

"Well, then he must not have existed until he walked into your view just now", Kate quipped back, dripping with sarcasm. I bit back a laugh. "Look... I'm taking off, I just wanted to let you know."

"How are you going to get home? *I* drove tonight, remember?" braided girl tried to throw in Kate's face.

I stepped in with "I'll make sure she gets home safely."

Braided girl gave me the hairy stink eye and said, quietly for once ".... Kate....? Do you KNOW this guy?" seeming to show some ACTUAL concern.

"Yes...." Kate said, almost whispering "I know him.... I trust him.... I'll be okay."

I was touched.

With that I reached over and took Kate by her smooth white shoulders and pulled her back towards me.... and towards the dance floor. For once a song that I could dance to was playing: "Love Song for a Vampire", probably a staple in this crowd, although I couldn't recall having heard a slow song yet tonight. I turned Kate in my arms and pulled her in close, starting to sway to the music.

"Don't we have to go?" she asked, a look of spellbound fascination on her beautiful face.

"They can wait" I said, and with that she wrapped her arms around my shoulders, melting against me and swayed right along with me. Hell, the whole world could wait.... just so I could have this moment with her. I pressed my cheek against hers, and felt her soft breath against my neck. I needed this... and from what I could tell, so did she.

The song was over too soon. Curse you, Annie Lennox, for not singing eternally. Kate and I pulled away, each looking like we had just woken up from a dream, and I took her hand, and led her out of the crowded room. I held that delicate hand all the way out to the limo waiting outside, opened the door for her, and followed her into the car.

" 'Bout fuckin' time", Amanda said.

Here we go.

"Everybody, this is Kate", I said, getting it over with. "Kate, this is Amanda, Todd - Carly's husband, of course you met Carly, Chikezie, and this is our bodyguard for the evening, Russ." Kate politely said hi to each, her level of calm in all of this was astounding, and each of my co-horts managed to at least grumble a greeting, some more courteously than others.

"What took you so long?" Amanda asked.

"We just.... got caught up" I shrugged.

A raucous cry of "OHHHhhhhhHHHH" resounded throughout the vehicle. I glanced over to see Kate blushing. I took her hand once again and said "Nooooooo.... nothing like that.... we just danced. I hadn't had a chance to dance with her yet, that's all." She beamed up at me.

"Yew" Carly said. "Yew.... danced."

"Yeah."

"Willingly???"

"YES"

She turned to Kate: "wos he any gud?"

Kate blushed further and looked up at me "yeah.... he was.... perfect."

"AWWWWWWW" resounded throughout the car this time and now it was ME who was blushing. "Alright look" I attempted to shush them, "it was a slow song, there were no heel spins, no 'grapevines', no 'jazz hands' and I did NOT fall on my ass, okay? Get over it."

"Oh, luk, Dayvie's blooshing!" Carly kept going.

"Shut it."

Thank God for short drives, because it was at this point that we arrived at the hotel and made our way through the underground parking lot in the back. Russ jumped out first and did a quick check, before letting the rest of us out of the car. We filed out and headed in towards the lobby, where the concierge greeted us and ushered us down a hallway, to a back entrance of a private dining room, where a small party had been set up for us, to celebrate having a couple much-needed days off of the tour. At first glance everything seemed to be status quo. Archie and Brooke were sitting at a table, having what looked to be an in-depth conversation about Rated-G movies, or whatever those two talked about, Jason was asleep in a booth in the corner, Ramiele and Syesha were busy tying paper straw wrappers into the sleeping Jason's dreds, Chikezie made his way towards the bar, Amanda flopped down in a chair and put her feet up, Carly and Todd sat at a table next to Amanda, and then I spotted him. He whirled around and sashayed his way over to Kate and myself, doing his little wiggly dance he always does, and loudly said "WHO is THIS RAVA-SHING RED-HEEAAAAAAGGGGGHHH!!!!!" he didn't quite finish, as I had grabbed Mike up under his chin and dragged him, flailing in a mock escape attempt, out into the hallway and slammed him against the wall. I shoved my finger in his face and said, in all seriousness "Don't."

He gave me a look of wide-eyed innocence and asked "...wot?"

"You know what, I'm serious, don't."

"Heyyyyy... I wes jest gunna say hi to yer Lady friend theh. It's not ev'ry day that meh boy brings home a lookah." He smiled that great big goofy smile of his and crossed his arms.

"I swear to God, Mike.... if you embarrass me....."

I could hear Carly in the next room announce "ev'rywon... this is Kate. She's David's friend, so ev'rywon be NOICE." I knew Kate was in good hands.

"Seriously, mate" Mike said, motioning towards the door "wot's goin' on theh?"

"I don't know, man.... I met her tonight, and she's.... I don't know. I want to get to know her. I just.... I just couldn't walk away."

"Ceah-full, mate" he put his hand on my shoulder "you don't need thet right now."

I blew a big puff of air from my mouth and said "I know."

Mike patted me on the shoulder and then nudged me into the room. Kate was seated at the table with Carly and Todd, and I heard her ask "I thought only the top ten went on tour..."

"I'm an alternate" Amanda explained. "Christy said she has a 'relative' who was 'deathly ill' and took some time off the tour, so they pulled me in to cover for her. Really we think it's about one of her fucking horses, foaling or some such bullshit."

"Heyyyyy..." I chastized "Christy's a nice girl and she's not here to defend herself, so everybody lay off already." Amanda flipped me off. Charming girl, really. Classy even.

Brooke and Archie excused themselves to go to bed, not together - get your minds out of the gutter - and now Syesha and Ramiele, having abandoning Jason's hair, made Chikezie their next target.

"I cannot believe YOU went to The Castle, Chikezie." Syesha mocked. Syesha was from around here, so she knew exactly what The Castle was, and who went there.

"Whut, I can hang with the pasty white folks as best as anybody else can. Look, I hang with DC here all the time, don't I???" garnering snickers, at my expense, of course.

"Yeah.... but didn't you stick out in there?" Ramiele asked.

"HA! Stick out! He's so dark, you couldn't even see him in that sea of black", I remarked, getting a dirty look and a laugh out of Chikezie.

"Yeahhhhh.... keep it up, Casper, I know where you sleep." Chikezie replied. "Alright, peace out, y'all. I'm outta here" and he made his way towards his room.

"So.... Kate...." Syesha turned her attention on an innocent victim this time. I shuddered to think what was on her crafty little mind. "What uhhhh... captured your attention about our David, here?" Harmless enough, so far.

"Ummmmm.... " Kate paused "I don't know... he was just, right there, you know.... with a napkin and a glass of water." She smiled and glanced up at me through those long eyelashes, her blue eyes sparkling.

"Huh?" Syesha, said, stumped. "What does that mean? What were you doing with a napkin and a glass of water? I don't get it."

"Yeahhh... were you doing some sort of trick with a napkin and a glass of water? Show us the trick." Ramiele added.

"I know wot he was dewen" Michael offered "he was re-enecting thet scene from 'Fleshdence' where she sits back in the cheh and the wateh pours all down the front of heh, then he toweled off with the nepken."

"Dude, you are SO dating yourself right now." I gave Mike a lot of shit about being the oldest one of us.

"Well, et least Ah've got a hot date then" he replied, doing his wiggly dance once more, extracting groans from most of us, and giggles from Syesha and Ramiele. "Well, mates, me an' my hot date ah heading beck to my room now, if you know wot I mean."

"OHHHHHH.... T.M.I., dude.... T.M.I.!!!" I shouted at him, as he sashayed his way out into the hall.

"Well, I suppose we ought to head uff to bed as well, huh, darlin'?" Carly, asked her husband. "We've all got errly flights, they want oos in the lubby boy eight." Todd grunted, and the two of them got up from the table. "G'nite all" Carly said, and gave my shoulder a squeeze.

"Nite, hon. Sleep well." I answered.

Amanda shot up and stretched, "I'm outta here, too."

"Nite Amannnndaaaaa." Syesha and Ramiele chimed. Amanda flipped them off.

"You wanna go?" Syesha asked Ramiele.

"Yeaaahhhhh", Ramiele yawned.

"Goodnight, ladies" I said.

"G'nite, Dave.... hey, maybe tomorrow you can show us that trick with the napkin and the glass of water." Syesha purred.

"Don't count on it." I shot, getting a grumpy boo-boo face from her and Rami.

"Mean!" Ramiele called from the hallway.

I sighed and gazed across the table at those beautiful blue eyes of Kate's. "So.... " I said, as I reached across the table and took her hand "... and then there were two."

"Three, actually" she said, pointing behind her to where Jason was still asleep in the booth. Aww, shit. I had forgotten about him.

"Hey, Jason!" I called..... "Jason!" a bit louder..... "Jay-sonnnnnnn"..... nothing. I got up and went over and gently shook him by the shoulder. He stirred.

"Hmmmmm... wuuuut? Hey dude, wassup....?" he mumbled.

"Jason, time to head up to your room and go to bed" I said, authoritatively, I might add. I grabbed his hands and hoisted him up onto his feet.

"Wheredeverboddygo?" he asked.

"Bed." I said, ushering him towards the door.

"Ohhhhhhh.... whoah-wait..... whooosat?" he asked, pointing at Kate.

"Don't worry about it, buddy." I had gotten him to the hallway.

"Wussin my hair, dude?" he mumbled, befuddled by the white knots all through his dreds.

"Sy and Rami left you some presents. You'll love 'em. Now, go." I turned back into the room and exhaled dramatically. "SEE what I have to deal with every day?"

Kate sat there at the table, her hand over her gorgeous mouth, fighting back laughter at Jason's expense. Or maybe it was at MY expense, who knew, but she looked adorable.

And now it came down to the hard part, so to speak. I approached her cautiously, she with that curious look on her face that let me know that she was reading the nervous look on mine. I sat down in the chair next to her and took her hand. "Look..." I said "I don't want this night to end right now, I'm really enjoying your company and I *think* you're enjoying mine too." She nodded, good. "Ummm... it's" glanced at my watch "two-thirty in the morning and I'm sure you've got things to do tomorrow and I've got to be up early to go catch a flight home, but if you want..... and only if you want..... you could come spend the night with me in my room?" I looked into her eyes, hopeful.

She looked into her lap and said "uhhh.... I don't know, David." The shyness had returned.

"NO funny business, whatsoever, these hands..." and I held them up in an offer of surrender "will maintain their proper distance. I swear." She held back a giggle. "I just want to be with you a little while longer...... please?"

She smiled. "Okay."

I was elated. As much as I knew the dreaded moment of seperation had to come sooner or later, I had convinced her to put it off until later. I just hoped this night would drag on like so many of the nights I had spent alone in my hotel rooms, wishing I had someone to hold onto.

I took her hand and kissed it and stood, up, pulling her from her chair. Putting my arm around her waist, I lead her out into the hallway..... to find Jason laying there..... asleep.

"Jason! ...... Dude, wake UP!"


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Love the characters....and they really ARE characters! Can really imagine this being played out.
Excellent, once again!

S-M

Hahahaha! I love this story - it has me in fits of laughter the whole way through - every time!

Oh, this is splendid! You've captured the characters so well, and your dialogue is masterful. Dialogue can be really, really hard to write convincingly, but I was 'there' with all of them. Can't wait for the next installment.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that




*BLUSH* Thank you!!! I'm glad you like it. I'm having fun writing it




Oh good! I was hoping it wasn't too confusing or annoying to read or whatever. I just couldn't get into Carly or Michael's characters without hearing their actual voices come out, you know? I'm strange that way...

Glad you like it. I'm working on another installment soon.

Thanks,

~Kristen

Woo hoo! Think I'm going to stake out this thread, complete with my newspaper with eye-holes cut out!

dude... i love your story and i love your jason.. hehe

Put down the newspaper, the update is forthcoming....

Thanks again!!!




It's so easy to write Jason, because he is JUST like my cousin, whose name is David, funnily enough. He even had dredlocks at one point. He has the same dark complexion and bright blue-green eyes, too. Gorgeous. The first time we saw him on the show, my Mom and I both said "Oh my God - it's David!"

Glad you liked it, and I've thrown a bit more Jason into the next installment

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Poor Jason.

David and I escorted him up to his room "otherwise, the housekeeping staff may find a surprise in their supply closet in the morning", David explained.

"Sss'wait.... whoosis?" Jason asked, as we got to the elevator.

"This is Kate", David introduced me, "I met her at a club tonight." I hated that. I HATE that we had to meet in a club of all places.

"Ohhhh... the freaky-freaky Goth Club?" Jason nodded "....cool."

I had to laugh at Jason's 'hey man, whatever' nonchalance. He was so laid back, he probably puts everyone around him at ease. It was sweet.

"Nice to meet you Kate", he said to me, and then turned to David with a raise of his eyebrows and a smile. David sighed.

"Likewise, Jason" I said.

We got into the elevator and I helped Jason take some of the white paper knots out of his hair while David explained to him that he should never ever again fall asleep in a room that also contains a Syesha and a Ramiele. "Only bad things can come from this" he nodded.

We saw Jason to his room. As Jason unlocked his door, David asked "now, do I need to actually PUT YOU into bed, or do you think you can make it that far from here?"

"S'cool, man.... I got it." Jason smiled, and stumbled into the room.

David turned to me and shook his head. I laughed and as we took a few steps down the hall, Jason poked his head out of the door and said "wait, man...... where'rwe goin' tomorrow?"

"HOME, Jason, remember? We've got a couple of days until Houston, so you're going home tomorrow."

"Ohhhh s'right..." Jason nodded, an amused smile on his face "....cool."

"Do I need to wake you up in the morning?" David asked.

"Nah, man, s'covered.... management's got me on mandatory wake up calls for the rest of the tour after I missed call in Baltimore." Jason was too funny. "G'nite guys!" he called, cheerily, as he closed the door.

David sighed heavily. "If I had known I'd be babysitting as well.... my brother would definately have been standing in that audition line ALONE."

"Oh, you love it." I told him.

"Yeah I do", he shrugged, and took my hand. David's room was at the other end of the hall, and as he took his key-card out of his pocket, a wave of nervousness swept over me. David Cook's hotel room. I was about to step into DAVID COOK'S HOTEL ROOM. This was insane. What was I DOING? I was not one of those crazy stalker groupies that would just go spend the night in a rock star's hotel room with them..... but he turns back to me with those beautiful green eyes and he's so sweet and so funny and I just adore him so much and WANT to spend this time with him and he's looking at me with that confused....

"Kate?" he inquired ".... you okay?"

I gulped. "Yeah.... I'm fine."

"I can call you a cab or something, you know. You don't have to come in here with me if you don't want to. I'm not gonna make you do anything you don't want to do. I just...." he took my hands ".... I just want some more time with you, that's all. I don't expect anything from you but your company. I swear. I'm not like that. Really."

I believed him. I adored him. I knew that eventually he'd be leaving and I would probably never see him again and it tore me up, but I knew that once he was gone I would give ANYTHING to have these few hours back if I went home instead of walking into that room. I mustered a smile and nodded and said "I know.... I'm here..... it's okay."

"You sure?" he asked, sincerely concerned.

"Yeah."

He pulled me into his arms and hugged me. "Good" he whispered into my hair "I'm glad." He turned and opened the door and held it open for me. "Sorry about the mess", he said, rushing in and picking up clothes off of the bed, throwing them into his suitcase and setting it on the dresser. "I had to change quickly when we got here. I had to be at the venue early today for some press stuff." He blew a big puff of air from his mouth like he always did when he was nervous and waiting for the judges remarks on the show, and pressed his hands together. "This is it", he said "home sweet home." He was so adorable.

He took off his jacket and flung it on the chair and went to the mini-bar. "You want anything? Soda? Water? Ummmm.... salted nuts?" He smiled.

"Oh, no thank you..." I answered "they always charge an arm and a leg for that stuff in there."

"Pffft... surely we can afford to offer some nuts to a fan. You watched the show. You were as much part of it as I was. I think American Idol OWES you some nuts." He nodded, smiling.

"I think they they've already offered me the biggest nut." I laughed, but then thought that sounded a little presumptious of me to say.

"I'm not salty though...." he teased, as he held the bag of nuts out in front of his face. I guess he wasn't put off by my comment. Whew.

"How about a Diet Coke?" I asked, giving in.

"Diet Coke. Got it" he said, reaching into the bar, "... but I must say..." he added, walking over and handing me the bottle ".... you don't need it."

"I did once..." I added, blushing "...and it's partly because I had it then that I don't need it now, but I'm used to it. It tastes normal to me."

"Well... good job then. You look fantastic, but then I'm sure you were always beautiful, no matter what." which was just the sweetest thing he could ever have said, and the little 14-year-old chubby girl in me smiled. I started tearing up even, but shook it off, not wanting to cry in front of him.

"Sit..." he said, cracking open a Sprite and taking a seat on the bed ".... make yourself comfortable..... oh, wait..... you probably can't in that, ummmmm.... top, can you?" he said, eyeing my corset, blushing a bit. "Wait....." he said, getting up and going to his suitcase. He pulled out a t-shirt and handed it to me, saying "you can change into this, if you want."

"Thank you" I said, taking the shirt from him, and he had NO IDEA how relieved I was. Women had worn these things on a daily basis for centuries and after eight hours, I was ready to tear the thing off and burn it. It was killing me.

"You can use the bathroom" David added "... it's stocked, too... whatever you need."

"Thanks" I said and smiled at him and made my way into the bathroom. I closed the door behind me and exhaled. I was on absolute pins and needles in his presence. I looked at myself in the mirror and ugh.... I looked tired. My mascara had wandered a bit from my eyes and my lipstick was completely gone now. I grabbed a washcloth from the rack and washed my face, then dabbed a bit of the moisturizer on. I unlaced my boots and kicked them off. That felt MUCH better. I shimmied out of my stockings and balled them up into one of my boots. I then reached behind me and started un-tying the laces on my cursed corset, only to get to a certain point and then they wouldn't move. I had a knot. A big one. I tugged and tugged at this cord then that one and fought with the laces until I was red in the face. I tried pulling up on the thing, hoping it would just budge and I could slide out of it somehow, but it wouldn't move. I punched myself in the stomach, I was so mad, but couldn't really feel it due to the steel boning inside the damn thing. Hmmmppphhh!

I opened the door to the bathroom and slumped outside, defeated. "I have a knot" I admitted. He was standing there, having changed into a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants, looking relaxed and adorable, and he smiled at my quandry.

"What do I do?" he asked, coming over to help, and turning me with his big strong hands so I was facing away from him.

"If you could un-knot the knot.... and then maybe loosen the laces a bit, that would be a big help" I said, reaching back with my left hand, sweeping my hair out of the way and holding it over my left shoulder, keeping my right hand on my chest, so once the corset was loose, it wouldn't slip off and reveal anything.

He blew another big puff of air like he does, and started fidgeting with the knot. "This thing is a marvel of engineering, you know? Where did you get this?" he asked.

"I made it" I replied.

"You MADE this???" he said, incredulously. "That's amazing."

"When I was in high school and college I used to work summers at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, as a costuming assistant. I learned a lot about costuming in those summers, especially Elizabethan-style pieces. I've made numerous corsets for all kinds of body styles and shapes. I own about seven myself, all different styles, some Elizabethan, some Victorian.... this one is sort of a cross between, my own style, really." I was babbling. "Am I boring you?" I asked.

"NO" he said, pointedly, continuing to loosen the laces. "It's.... uhhhhhh.... fascinating. Really" he sounded a little breathless. I didn't believe him.

"Riiiight.... fascinating" I teased "guys always LOVE to talk about clothes." My corset was starting to slacken a bit, so I knew he had gotten through most of it, bless him. He was silent, as he tugged each section gently down my back another time..... and then again. Not a peep out of him.

"...... David.....?"

Just then I felt his warm hands on my shoulders, and he stepped into me, gently, wrapping his right arm around my waist. I felt his warm soft lips on my right shoulder, and he kissed gently towards my neck. I was entranced. He was so gentle. I held my breath as he buried his face in my neck, kissing and nibbling there, his stubbly chin and cheeks tickling me, sending chills up my spine. My heart was pounding in my chest. His left hand came around and gently turned my face to the right, as his kisses wandered up my jaw.... to my cheek.... and closer to my.....

"...David." I said, breathlessly. He stopped, his lips lingering there near my mouth. He laid his forehead on my shoulder and exhaled.

".....I'm sorry...." he whispered, dropping his hands. I ran into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.


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lol...what a koink-a-dink. i love that word. hehe. but yes i love the Jason you portray. i can see everything happening.

i love the humor in this. its like that cheesey (or in this case salty.. haha ) kind of humor that u gotta love. which i do. but i already said that. i'm babbling.

u leave it off there??? what??? no! update! soon!

yes? and? and? and?


Great work. Hope to see update soon, pls.

S-M

cheesy??? in a good way??? I hope so. Hrrmph.

yeah, I'm a tease, I know




I will do my best to have something else done tonight, but it's already ten o'clock, so it might be short.... we'll see

Thanks again!!!

~Kristen

...and I have just became hooked.

Ah, I love this! You've definitely got the humor part down!
I hope another update is coming our way...*hint hint*

Update is here.

Sorry this took so long, longer than I thought, anyway, and sorry it's so short. I've re-written this three times now, and I'm still not 100% happy with it.

I hope it's okay....

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I am SUCH an ASSHOLE.

Way to screw this up, Dave. Nice work. Convince the girl that you are nothing but a gentleman and have no intentions of seducing her, then the first chance you get, you become Chester Molester and scare the shit out of her.

What was WRONG with me?

I had a flashback to my high school days and the lecture my Dad had given me about the proper way to behave on dates, and how to keep it in my pants, and think with my HEAD, and not with Mr. Tricks down there and how if he ever heard that I had treated a girl in anything less than a gentlemanly manner, he would kick my ass to Kingdom Come. Way to live up to his standards, Dave. You've made your father very proud.

I slumped down in the chair and buried my face in my hands. I couldn't imagine what was going on in her head in that bathroom, but I was positive she was getting ready to leave. And I wouldn't blame her if she did. All she had wanted was a little assistance with a wardrobe malfunction and I go ahead and see it as a chance to make a move. She stood there, innocently, trusting me with the task, but the more I touched her, and the more of her silky white skin was revealed through the gap as I clumsily fumbled with the laces, the more I wanted to touch her. I stared like a kid in an ice cream factory at the milky white shoulders with the sprinkling of freckles that was laid out before me and I couldn't help myself. I'm weak. And I'm an ASSHOLE.

After a really long time, the door to the bathroom opened, the light flicked off, and she stepped out, wearing my shirt, which was a good sign, and her skirt, which was a hilarious combination but it wasn't the time to comment on it. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her face was puffy and my heart just went out to her. She was a mess.

"Kate....." I said, cautiously "I am SO..... SO sorry." I gulped and watched as she gingerly walked to the bed and sat down, staring at the floor. "Do you hate me?"

"Nooo....." she said, a little crack in her voice "God, no, David.... I don't hate you. And please don't apologize."

I went to her, dropping to my knees in front of her and lifted her chin, so I could see her eyes. She looked terrible. Terrible and sadly beautiful at the same time. I wiped a tear from her cheek, then withdrew my hand, remembering why she was in this state in the first place.

"David.... " she whispered at first "....please don't think that I'm rejecting you. I loved what you.... did there, really I did..... I didn't want to push you away, but...... I just can't." She sighed and looked up at the ceiling for a second and back down at me, her blue eyes glistening. "I just.... can't help but think that tomorrow morning you're going to get on a plane and I'll never see you again...."

"Don't say that..." I said "you don't know that..."

"That's just what I'm afraid of...." she said, with a little sob.

"I know.... I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking about the repercussions.... just how amazing it would feel to kiss you." I said, and laid my head in her lap. She ran her fingers through my hair and for a moment, I thought I could drift off to sleep, she was so gentle. She then lifted my head to face her again, and gently leaned in, her hands on my shoulders, and kissed me. Her lips were so soft. I took her upper lip between mine and gently sucked on it, and then the lucious lower lip, tasting the salt from her tears. Her lips parted and I slipped my tongue in, tasting her sweet mouth, her tongue met mine and touched briefly. Our mouths danced this dance back and forth, the kiss deepening and intensifying. I wrapped an arm around her waist, and the other under her legs and stood up, lifting her with me, and laid her down at the head of the bed, pulling down the covers and laying down next to her. She gazed at me, a little less sadly now, and ran her fingers through the back of my hair again. I leaned in and kissed her again once more on the lips, then the cheek, then her forehead, and then I just held her, her fingers playing in my hair, my cheek resting on the top of her head. It was so comforting.... just laying there, holding her.

Fearing I'd fall asleep and wake up as Jason Castro, I picked my cellphone up off the nightstand and selected the alarm clock feature. "What time do you need to get up?" I asked her.

"Ummmm.... my schedule's pretty flexible, I only have a couple of things to do tomorrow, so whenever you need to get up is fine."

"Ohhhhkay", I said, setting it for seven, which at this point was less than four short hours away, switched off the lights, snuggled in next to her, pulling the covers up over us, and pulled her to me. My mouth found hers once more and she yielded under me, melting against me, her arms around my shoulders, fingers in my hair, one hand reaching around to cradle my cheek, stroking my stubbly chin. My hands were at her waist and the small of her back, where my t-shirt had slipped up a bit and I could touch her bare flesh, warm and inviting. I was so tempted to explore her further. So tempted. Instead I hugged her to me, kissed her forehead and just held her for a long time, feeling her drift into sleep, her head on my chest, her arm around my waist, my fingers stroking that delicate arm. I needed this. She had no idea how much I just needed to just lay here, feeling close to her, the comfort of her warm body against me. It was heaven.
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Oh this is wonderful! Please continue!!

Thank you! Glad you like it!




Thanks Molly! And I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE your signature! That grin! Ah! I could just pinch those cute cheeks of his! Both sets!



Thanks! Glad you think so! And I will!
(probably not right now, though, it's 1:30am here)



~Kristen

Yeah - it's 1:30am here too. I am just totally procrastinating on the whole going to bed thing. This website is so good. But so bad at the same time

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghh! You can't stop there! Come back here and write some more!

Oh noooooo, just realised there's ANOTHER update ... I'll be back!

Ok, I've read the second one now as well, and I'm back to the original comment! You can't stop there - come back and write some moooooooooooore!

Gasp! The second page? Not acceptable.

Bumped!

Thanks everyone for the wonderful compliments. You guys don't know how much that means to me.

Thanks also to Shoshawhat for the 'bump'

Here's your update: I hope you all like it.


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7:00am came with the chirping of David's phone, an annoying little alarm that sounded like a big black raincloud, come to ruin what was a perfect morning. David groaned, picked up the phone, pushed a button and slammed it back onto the nightstand, then put his arm around me once more, spooning with me, his face nuzzling at the back of my neck.

"G'mornin'", he mumbled, and kissed my cheek.

"Mmmmmm..." was all I could muster.

He stirred, lifting the covers, and I turned towards him. "Stay...." he said "...sleep" and kissed my forehead, pulling the covers around me, and tucking me in.

I listened as he made his way to the bathroom, heard the shower turn on, and was lulled back to sleep by the sound of it, thinking about his hands caressing me, his lips on mine.......... I awoke suddenly, hearing the bathroom door open again, and looked up to see David standing at the dresser, facing the wall, going through his suitcase..... naked. Just then he looked up in the mirror in front of him and caught my eye. I threw the covers over my head, blushing profusely.

"Kaaaaate...?" he teased ".......were you just checking out my butt?"

"....no...."

"Kaaaaate...?" he said, laughing "...c'mon now.... you can look."

"....no...."

"C'mon, Kate.... it's right here for your viewing pleasuuuure....." and I could hear a smacking sound.

I wasn't about the give him the satisfaction. I remained silent and still. Biting my lip. Wanting to throw off the covers and take a big bite out of that cute butt, but still..... not gonna give him the satisfaction.

"Kaaa-aaaaate..... look at my buuuhhh-uuuuut...." he teased, further. "C'mon, you know you want to.... of course, you'll be blinded for life afterwards, but it might be worth it to ya...... c'monnnnnn. Or I could show you the 'dark side'...... oooooohhhh.... the dark side..... c'mon Kate, come over to the dark side." He was merciless. And hilarious. And I wanted to punch him. Hard.

Just then the covers were whipped off of me and his face was in mine. I clenched my eyes shut and put my hands over my face, quickly. He pulled my hands away and said "Kate.... it's okay. I'm dressed now, you can look."

I opened one hesitant eye and peered at him. Sure enough, he was fully dressed in one of his signature graphic tees and black jeans. He looked hot, too, his hair still damp from the shower and he smelled incredible. He smiled at me, brushing some hair away from my face, and said "you're adorable, you know that?" He leaned in and kissed me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

I pulled away and said "David, oh God... I must have the worst 'morning mouth'.... don't."

"No, you're fine...." he said, and kissed me again, deeper this time. He was minty fresh and his lips were so soft, yet strong. He stirred things in me I hadn't felt before. I didn't want to let go. I laid a hand on his cheek, running my fingernails in his freshly trimmed stubble. So soft.

He pulled back and gazed into my eyes, looking like he was about to say something, then looked down and around the room. He stood up, straightening his jeans and said "I've put your boots and your top and stuff here by your purse..... you can keep that t-shirt, I'd hate for you to have to strap yourself back into that corset again....." he looked at me, blushing, probably thinking about last night, and he sighed. He sat down on the bed, staring at the floor.

I sat up next to him and said "....David...."

"Don't..... please don't..... it's okay." He looked up at me with those beautiful green eyes, sadly. I leaned in and hugged him, he wrapped his strong arms around me and we sat like that for a few minutes, until I looked at the clock: 7:50. I let go and got up, leaned in and kissed his cheek, then made my way to the bathroom where I took care of business, washed my face, and tried to make my hair look presentable, unsuccessfully. I exited the bathroom to find him still sitting there on the bed where I left him. I sat down behind him and put my boots on. He reached around and gently rubbed my back while I tied the laces. I stood and he followed suit, meeting me at the foot of the bed, where he took my hands, kissed each of them, then pulled me into his arms once more, squeezing me tightly. He kissed my forehead and sighed, then reached down and handed me my purse and my corset, which I rolled up as best I could and tucked it under my arm. He grabbed his suitcase off of the dresser, and lead the way to the door.

We wandered down the hallway to the elevator and he held my hand, each of us staring at the floor, not wanting to say what needed to be said, each not wanting to hear it. We stood in the elevator alone and he wrapped his arm around me. I leaned in and put my head on his shoulder.

The lobby was bustling, each Idol coming down from their room and placing their luggage on the rack to be taken out to the bus, waiting outside. Through the glass doors I could see what looked like a throng of waiting fans, each hoping for a glimpse or a moment with their favorite Idol. Young girls and their moms all standing there, excited, cameras at the ready, autograph books in their hands, bouncing up and down behind the velvet rope barrier, a path cut out leading to the door of the bus.

David leaned in and whispered in my ear "I'll be right back", threw his suitcase on the rack and went over to talk to the concierge, disappearing through a door. I heard a distinct click-click-click-click-click and was suddenly whirled around by Carly Smithson, Amanda Overmyer following behind.

"YEW BAAAAAD GERRRRL!!!" she said, beaming. I bit back a giggle. She took a step back, examining me there, smirking at her and said "spill."

"There's nothing to spill...... really....." I said, nervously.

"Riiiiight, Little Miss Disheveled Hair, wearin' his tee-shirt and glowing." Carly smiled. Amanda snickered.

"I swear...... nothing happened." I shrugged, her staring at me, disbelieving me.

"Ye doon't have to coover for 'im......" Carly said, with a grin, "Michael's gonna weeedle it oot of 'im ya know, and we'll all be pookin' foon at 'im boy the toime we get to the airport, so ya may as well spill it now."

"Carly.... really..... nothing happened..... he was a perfect gentleman." I said, seriously.

She eyed me for a minute, eyebrow raised, and said "....allroight..... THAT oy believe."

I exhaled... and looked out at the crowd once more. She saw the pained look in my eyes as I saw that they were getting ever closer to being packed and ready to leave, and she put her hands on my shoulders and said ".....Kate...." looking me in the eye ".... it's going to be allroight." I nodded, unconvincingly. "Ye know yer special, roight? Ye know e's never doon this before, roight? Oy've never even seen 'im luk at a gerrl since that Kimberley-Wotsername-"

"She was a biiiitch" Amanda added.

"-let aloon luk at a gerrl the way he was beaming at yew last noight" Carly continued. "Yer gone to be okay...... really." She smiled up at me and gave me a hug. Sweet.

Just then Amanda interrupted "hey.... watch this."

David Archuletta had come down and was putting his luggage on the rack just as they were wheeling it out of the lobby towards the bus. He turned and as he saw Amanda there, she gave him the dirtiest look, just glaring at him, and he looked away quickly, shoved his hands into his pockets, and made a bee-line for the opposite side of the lobby, nervously. She cackled.

"Amanda..... lay oof the boy, would ye..... yer only making it werse" Carly chastized and Amanda shrugged, still shaking with laughter. I couldn't help but laugh as well. Carly turned to me a shook her head. "Kids", she said.

Just then David came back and Carly squeezed my arm and said "gud-boy, Kate. It wos a plesherr meeting yew." I nodded and smiled.

"Bye" said Amanda, and she and Carly made their way towards where the others were sitting, waiting to head out to the bus.

David placed a warm hand on my back and said "come with me." I followed him into a hallway in the back of the lobby, towards the door we had come in through last night, that lead to the undercover parking lot. "I've got a cab waiting for you" he said, sadly, pausing before we got to the door, "it's already paid for, just give the driver your address."

I nodded, glancing up into his sad green eyes and said "thank you."

"Now....." he said, pulling out his cell phone and pressing some buttons "..... number, please?"

I smiled and recited my cell phone number to him. He then got a quizzical look on his face and said ".....ummmmm..... what's your ummmm...... last name?" he smiled, nervously.

"Why..... you got more than one Kate in there?" I teased.

He laughed "mmmmmaybe....." looking down ".....or maybe I'm just really embarrassed by the fact that I've just spent the night with a beautiful woman, and I don't even know her last name. My mother would kill me if she found out."

"Well, I'll be sure to write her when I get home" I said.

"You wouldn't dare"

"Nah.... probably not.... it's Montgomery, by the way." I said.

"Mont...gom...er...eeee..." he repeated, pushing buttons on his phone. He pushed a lot of buttons. I stood there, thinking, I know my name is long, but it's not THAT long, and then he looked at his phone and smiled a big wicked grin.

"Oh my God...." I said, in utter shock "...did you just take my picture????"

He laughed and turned the phone around, to reveal a picture of me, looking confused, my hair a mess.

"OH MY GOD! DELETE THAT! THAT'S HORRIBLE!"

He chuckled "no way.... you look adorable." He looked back at the phone, pressed another couple of buttons and said "and now........."

My phone started ringing in my purse. Loudly. And my ringtone was none other than David Cook's "Time of My Life." His own voice rang out into the hallway and he gasped and took a step back, blushing. I frantically dug in my purse, which was not that big and didn't require that much digging, but my phone eluded me, mocking me, until I finally caught it, and opened it, shutting it up, embarrassed and blushing a darker red than my skirt. I couldn't look him in the eye. It was SO humiliating.

He chuckled and said quietly "....and now you have MY number." I nodded, closing the phone, shoving it back in my purse, still not looking him in the eye. He came closer, wrapped his arms around me and said "I'm flattered."

I took a deep breath and looked up at his gorgeous face. He was beaming. He leaned in and kissed me, gently, on my lips, my cheek, my chin, my other cheek, my nose, my forehead, and settling on my lips again, sweetly. He pulled me in to him and gave me the biggest hug and whispered in my ear "I'll call you."

With that he opened the door to the parking lot, I stepped outside, got in to the cab, looked back him standing there in the doorway, smiling. I smiled back, closed the door to the cab, and the driver took off.

The car made it's way through the maze of the parking lot, finally finding it's way out into the sunlight. We rounded the building along the side of the hotel. I could see the crowd gathered there by the bus, and saw David step out into the sunlight, glorious and gorgeous, waving to the fans. A single tear rolled down my cheek as we passed the next building and he was out of sight.

"Where to, Miss?"
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Update! WooHoo!

Anyway, I love how you write Carly's dialogue - such a great idea.

I am really interested in where you are going with this. With him leaving and such.
Can't wait for more...And now I am off to work stupid work....

I'm glad you like it so much! I'm having a blast writing it. It's *almost* like I'm living it.... only not as good.

Have a great day at work. Maybe by the time you get back, I'll have come up with another chapter. No promises, though.

Thanks again,

~Kristen

I LOVED Amanda scaring Archie! Hahaha! I love that David was such a gent, and this story just gets better and better - please tell me he's going to call her...?!

Thank you!!!

I guess you'll have to read it and see.......

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The screaming was muted only slightly as the door to the bus closed and we pulled away. Everyone waved to them through the tinted windows, knowing they could see SOMETHING of us, but only shapes. Still, they screamed louder. It was cute. I never get tired of it. I hope I never will.

I made my way to the back of the bus, flopping down on a bench, putting my feet up. I laid my head back and closed my eyes, envisioning her red curls splayed across the pillow, her face angelic and serene as she slept, fingers curled around the sleeve of my t-shirt. I was jarred into reality suddenly by Mike, who flopped down on the bench across from me, putting his feet up on the end of my bench. He had a wicked grin on his face. I hated him for what was about to happen.

"So. Dave. Have a good noyt's sleep?" he asked, pointedly.

"Don't start Mike, okay? I'm really not up for it this morning" I said, pleading with him not to go there.

"Ohhhhhhh.... wore yeh out, did she? I bet she did. Those lonnnnng legs uv hehs wrapped around yeh awl noyt lung, shoutin' DAVID.... DAVID.... OH, DAVID!!!" he writhed around, squealing in his best girly voice, drawing the attention of everyone else on the bus.

I kicked him HARD and grabbed his collar, pulling him closer and said, quietly, but with as much menace as I could muster, facing a friend like he usually was, but wasn't being at the moment, "I said.... don't."

Just then our travel coordinator, Jeff called to me from the front of the bus "David Cook... could you come here, please?"

A quiet, yet mocking "ooooooooh...." swept through the bus, and Syesha sang "Day-vid's in truh-ble." I shot her a look as I made my way to the front of the bus.

"David, have a seat", he said and as I sat down he started "last night, Charley Belcher called the management office. He and his family were so tickled how you pulled Lindsey Rose up on stage last night and sang that Mariah song to her. They want to show their appreciation. Little Lindsey would love it, as would her family, if you accompanied her to Busch Gardens today, here in Tampa."

"Oh, wow... really?" I asked, "that's so nice of them", fingering the orange wristband I was wearing.

"Now, I know it's last-minute, and you have plans to go home and see your family, but if you wanted to go, Steve has offered to stay here with you as your bodyguard for the day. Now, we promised security some time off as well, so we want to have him on a flight back home to Philly by five at the latest. He's anxious to see his kids." Jeff explained.

"Oh, no...." I said, concerned "send him home now, I don't need..."

"David.... you DO need security. Don't make me have to remind you what happened in Detroit and what COULD have happened if we hadn't found you when we did" he chastized.

"I know...." I admitted, not wanting to even THINK about Detroit.

"So.... is this something you would like to do? We can re-schedule your flight for later on today, or the morning?" he asked.

I didn't have to think twice about it. Staying here in Tampa. I could see Kate. .......Kate.

"Schedule it for Sunday" I said "no point in going home for an overnight stay. I'll stay here the weekend and work on my music or something and meet you all in Houston on Sunday."

"Okay, but like I said.... we're sending Steve home today no later than five. You won't have security here, so PLEASE do us all a favor and STAY in the hotel, alright?" Jeff looked stern. "I'll make the arrangements, we can get your acoustic out of the instruments compartment for you, and you'll go to Busch Gardens with the Belchers and come back to the hotel. I'll call back and see if they can hold your room for you. I'll call Lindsey's dad and let them know."

I nodded "Thanks, man", getting up to head to the back of the bus again.

"Oh, and David," Jeff said again. I turned back. "Someone videotaped you singing to Lindsey last night. It was on YouTube by midnight, went viral and was featured on morning news broadcasts all over the country this morning. Women are going nuts. You can practically hear the eggs dropping, dude."

I gulped, blushing "....seriously?"

"Seriously" he grinned.

I turned and made my way to the back again. Someone reached out and grabbed my arm. It was Carly, sitting there, next to a sleeping Todd. "David..... are yew allroight?" she asked, quietly.

"Yeah, I'm fine" I shrugged.

"Because ye know..... if ye need to talk....."

"I know....." I said, and gave her hand a squeeze, smiling. She really was a sweetheart. She smiled back and let me go. Mike was still on the bench where I left him, but he looked humbled, which was a miraculous feat, seriously.

"Sorry, mate" he said, as I took my spot next to him again.

"It's alright, man" I nodded. Everything was wonderful, in fact. I was going to see Kate again. I had all weekend to spend with Kate. That reminded me..... better call Mom. She was going to be less than pleased. I pulled out my cell.

"Hello..." she answered.

"Mom..."

"David, where are you? You're not at the airport already, are you? We aren't expecting you until eleven."

"Look.... Mom...." I started, cautiously.

"No." She knew, already, like a Mom does. "You're not coming?"

"Something came up. That little girl, Lindsey Rose, and her family want to take me to Busch Gardens here, to thank me for, uh..."

"Pulling her up onstage and singing to her? Yeah, I saw it on the news this morning, honey. That was very sweet" she said. I could hear her smiling. "And then that whore of a newscaster said something about her ovaries were kicking, and I turned off the tv." Annnnnnnnd this is why I'm like this.

"Oh.... my. Well, at any rate, Mom, I thought it best just to stay here in Tampa.... after all, I'm going to see you guys in Kansas City next week."

She sighed. "Alright, honey.... wait, your brother wants to talk to you. I'll talk to you later. Here's Andrew."

"Bye Mom" I said.

"Love you, sweetheart."

"Love you, too."

"DUDE" Andrew practically yelled into the phone. "Did I hear this right that you are NOT coming home today?"

"Yeah, sorry man.... something came up." And her name is Kate, I thought.

"MANNN, now I'm gonna have to cancel the keg, call Bodie and tell him not to bring his deejay equipment, call the restaurant and cancel the room...." he was practically whining.

"I'm sorry, man... I didn't know you were planning anything...."

"....I gotta call Matt and tell him not to invite that sorority...."

"Don't let me ruin it for you, man" I tried interrupting his rant "....go on and party without me."

"Ohhhhhh, right.... because everyone's gonna be happy with partying with the BROTHER of the rock star.... right. You suck." He was pissed. And whining. Like a bitch.

"Tell you what, carry a picture of me around with you and pretend like I'm there.... there's practically NO difference."

"Yeah, you're real funny, asshole."

"LANGUAGE, ANDREW!" I could hear Mom yell at him in the background.

"And now you've gotten me in trouble.... AGAIN" he bitched, while I restrained myself from laughing.

"Alright, man, well.... this has been fun, but I gotta go" I said, attempting to end this love-fest.

"Whatever, dude" he said, and hung up on me. Nice.

The bus pulled up in front of the airport and everyone started grabbing their things and filing out. There was a smaller crowd of fans waiting to greet us there and the flashes started as Syesha and Ramiele, who were both headed to Ramiele's home, stepped out.

Jeff called me up to the front of the bus. "Alright, look. They already know you're on the bus, so you've got to get off. Airport Security is going to escort you and Steve through a secure employee area, and out the back, where a cab will waiting to take you back to the hotel."

"Okay" I said, as the theme to 'Mission Impossible' started playing in my head.

I exited the bus, to a chorus of screams, only to hear behind me "Jason!.... Jason!.... would someone wake him up....?" I made my way through the crowd, posing for pictures, signing a few autographs and even held someone's baby. It was insane. But I loved every minute of it. I finally got through the airport doors and met Steve and security. They had my suitcase and guitar case on a luggage cart, along with Steve's things, and we made our way out the back, a few fans who were trying to follow were stopped at security checks. We went through a rather loud, long hall that lead way back behind all the check-in counters, and back past an employee lounge, where I got a few shocked glances, and then out a back door, where sure enough, a cab was waiting. Jeff was GOOD.

Steve and I took the cab ride back, sharing funny stories about our families, and he showed me pictures of his kids. I felt badly keeping him from them.

"Nah, don't worry about it, man" he said "they're just gonna be jazzed that their Dad got to spend the day with David Cook." I smiled and pulled a photo out of the front of my bag and signed it for his kids. "Thanks, man" he said.

"Thank you" I said.

We got back to the hotel and made our way quickly through the now-clear entrance. We got my hotel key from the desk and went upstairs, where we each changed into shorts and t-shirts. I added a baseball cap, just for that extra camouflage. We dropped Steve's bag at the front desk for them to hold it for the day, and met with the car that was there to take us to Busch Gardens. I put my sunglasses on and looked at Steve, who gave me the thumbs up that I was barely recognizable, and we took off.

Little Lindsey bounced up and down when she saw us approach them at the park's front entrance, but her Dad leaned down and said something that stopped the bouncing. He turned to me.

"Thank you so much for this.... she's been squealing all morning" he said.

"Oh, my pleasure" I said, and bent down to give Lindsey another big hug.

"Now I've instructed her not to treat you any differently than she would her uncle, so we don't give away who you are today and cause a panic, and even told her to call you 'Uncle Dave', if that's alright with you." Charley continued, looking apprehensive.

"Oh, that's great.... I LOVE being an uncle. Come, niece...." I said, and took Lindsey's little hand, leading her towards the park, her face beaming up at me.

"Thanks Uncle Dave" she said.... and bounced a little.
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Aaaaaaaaaaaw! How cute!?! Looking forward to the next part!

Thank you! I'm hoping to add more tonight, but I've got family over right now and don't know when they'll leave......

perhaps....

awww!!!! uncled Dave!!! i wish i had an uncle Dave... well i do.. but not one like David... hehe

i love your Carly...

the Mission Impossible thing was halarious as well as "can someone wake him up?" referrring to Jason.. lol. love it!

i love Andrew.... hehe.. that whole conversation was halarious as well...

update soon!


p.s. it was a good cheesey

I don't have an Uncle Dave, but if I had one... and he looked like that... there'd be problems

Thank you

yeah.. my uncled Dave doesnt look like that either.... good thing

Your updates always have me laughing...multiple times. And I love it! lol
Girl, this rocks. Seriously.



Yeah, it is pretty adorable, huh?

They make those incest laws for a reason





Thank you! I'm glad someone enjoys my corny sense of humor!

...and yeah.... sigh.... it is.... *swoon*

Update is forthcoming... writing it now, but it's running a little LONG and I'm not even close to finishing it where I want, so I don't know if it will be done tonight..... sorry! Doing my best!

Thanks again, everybody! Your feedback is wonderfully encouraging!

hugs,
Kristen

Yes, it's very late, and yes I *do* have work in the morning, but I just *had* to finish this before I went to bed. Hope you guys like it!

Goodnight all,

~Kristen

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