Chapter 155

She stood there a few moments, secure and safe within his arms and prayed that he was right. She had dealt with the past and it didn't haunt her anymore, except when Bug boy Alec gave her one of those looks. Instead of letting it pull her down she chose to let it go, her humor starting to shine, "A little sleazy? Pony you and me need to discuss your definition of a little. "

He laughed and lifted her arms to his shoulders and gave her a quick few turns until they were at the patio door. "Alec has a little problem with jealousy. Can you really blame the guy? It's hard to sit in Jon's shadow. I know it can be for me too."

"Not just in Jon's shadow love, You have a pretty BIG shadow to fill." She glanced up then flicked her tongue along his chin. "Must be all sorts of aggravating trying to measure up to both of you."

"Well, I can break out a little better than the rest but it's really annoying when people only want to talk to Jon. I mean, Kate gave me strict instructions to start taking some interviews to save his voice, but no one wants me baby. They want Jon. They want that fucking smile that sells posters." He leaned down and hugged her. "Good thing I got you to keep me even."

She leaned into him, her breath buzzing over his cheek as a wicked grin lit her eyes. "Well they're stupid to not see your charms, but I can't complain, means there's more charm for me to enjoy." She'd never get it. Jon was awesome, no doubt about it, the movie star of the group, but her Pony was no slouch with his dark looks and evil wit. "They'll see one day baby, they will I just know it."

He lifted her up and over his shoulder. "Who needs a PR man when I've got my wife?" He walked back inside and laughed when David turned around.

"Would you put her down, man? You make the rest of us look bad."

April's eyebrow raised. "What? Are you saying you can't do that with me?"

David gaped at her then back at Richie. "Baby, look at her. She's the size of a child."

"So I'm fat?" April crossed her arms.

"Fuck, no baby. You're amazing. Perfect." He shot a look at Richie. "Big man just likes to show off."

Jon's head popped up at David's blustering, a sparkle lending devilish fun to his eyes. "So pick her up dude."

Dave shot a look to Jon. "Eh tu, Brutus? What the fuck?" He stood up, flipping April over his shoulder. His legs went out for stability and he tried like hell not to grunt. "See, no problem." He veered off to the left. "Freakin' Jello shots." He veered right. "Ohh....Tequila, baby. Wanna do shots?"

April squealed. "Tequila shooters for eeeeeveryone!"

Kate snorted. "I'm thinking April already dipped into the Tequila?"

Elena twisted and peered over at a wavery David. "Me thinks the Keyboardist did too."

"So, Lema, how you doin'?"

David leaned over, smiled pretty and replied, "fuck you, Richie."

Richie laughed and poured two fingers of vodka and a splash of OJ for his wife and snagged a bottle of beer for himself. "Careful of those Tequila shots, there's time travel involved there."

Jon's eyes widened as he remembered a night of tequila that ended in a morning after a night he couldn't remember, but wanted too badly. He glanced over at Kate a moment the laughter threatening as he remembered his lioness and the whirling blankets. Damn if that still wasn't a good memory.

Kate gave Jon a look, laughing as Richie dropped Elena next to her on the couch. "Hey woman."

She glanced at Kate and winked. "Well Tequila’s been a friend to me, at least once upon a time." She leaned her head back against the couch as her mind swirled back over the months remembering Asbury and a tall drink of water enhanced by the tequila shots she and Kate were downing. "I kinda like Tequila."

Kate stared at Jon. "Noooo way." She shook her head. "No way. Not happenin'."

He poured a double shot and wandered towards Kate only to wave it under her nose. "No ceiling fans here Katy."

"Jesus, get that away from me!" Kate stood up. "I'm a good little soldier for most anything but that." Just a whiff of the stringent tequila had her stomach heaving. "Time travel and a toilet bowl is enough to put me off that Mexican swill."

Jon crowded in closer, "so we won’t shoot quarters babe. One little bitty drink won't kill you." He held the shot glass out. "Not chicken are ya?"

Kate shot a look at Elena who just grinned back at her, Richie who sipped his beer with a far too innocent face then back to Jon. She swallowed back the bile that wanted to flood her throat. "Of course I'm not chicken. I just learn from my past transgressions, that's all."

She stood up and hip bumped her friend. "Good lord Katy, It's not snake venom, besides, you like it in moderation. Come on.. have a little fun." Damn if she weren't tempted to finally admit to their little joke. At least then Kate wouldn't be thinking she blacked out and forgot things, maybe then she'd loosen up a bit. Taking a good look at Kate she pushed that thought away, damned if she didn’t wanna live to make love to Richie again later.

"I was pretty sure stupid and doctor didn't go hand in hand for the most part, darlin'." She went over to the bar and took the bottle of rich caramel liquor. "This, I'll drink." She poured a double shot of bourbon and let it burn down her throat. "See...life of the party." Just no blackouts.

Elena shook her head and took a long pull of her screwdriver. One of these days she'd have to get brave and tell Kate about that little joke she'd played on her way back when, but not when there were scalpels near by, and not tonight. "Right, cuz bourbon has less alcohol in it than tequila does right Katy?" She snorted and swayed over to Richie and leaned into him, "Tempted, oh so tempted, to ask you to play a bit you know that right?" She was on the move to find anything to help her forget what happened on the deck; music and dance nearly always soothed her. Nearly.

Richie stood up, cranked the stereo. "I think it's time to get this party started, huh?" he drained his beer and poured himself a shot. "You ready?"

Kate shook her bottle of whisky. "I love this song!" She handed it to Jon.