Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with *N Sync, their families or management, nor with White Lion or their management. Twilight Warrior, Rich Pflum, and David Graham are mine; please don't take them.
Writer's note: The idea for this came from a song, I think. At least, "The Rescue" mentioned herein is a real song, although not a duet. I loved the words. See the link below for them.
Ceallach stalked down the hall away from the studio on the fourth floor at Jive records. A manilla folder was in one hand, and she gripped it as hard as she could without crumpling it or the music that was inside. It was her song, a duet she'd written for herself to sing with someone. They'd promised her she could sing it on this album, even if she wasn't lead singer. She had an exact idea of what it should sound like. That idea did not include Mike Tramp, the washed-up singer from the eighties. He had so overpowered her voice, they'd asked Ciaran to sing.
Ceallach took a deep breath. Of course, Ciaran had done a great job. There was a reason she was the lead singer. And her voice was strong enough to be heard over Mike.
Music distracted her, and she slowed both her pace and her thoughts to find it. The melody was beautiful, and she listened as she walked, pressing her ear to the occasional door to find where the piano was being played.
She found it just as someone began singing to the music. His voice was high - higher than she could go - and beautiful. She eased the door open and peeked in.
He was hunched over the piano, concentrating so totally that he probably didn't know she was there. His brown hair was short and a goatee covered his chin. His hands were large and steady on the keys. He wore a white, long sleeved shirt with a black hooded vest, and khakis. With an oath, he jerked his hands from the piano, looking up in surprise at her applause. "I'm sorry," she said, stepping further in. "But that is really beautiful."
The surprise faded from his face as the door closed behind her. "Oh. Um. Thanks." His speaking voice was oddly high pitched, and reminded her of her younger brother, before his voice had changed.
"I'm Ceallach," she offered, and stepped closer, her hand out to shake his.
"Chris." His eyes were warm, friendly, and she smiled as he did.
"You seemed upset. Is something wrong?"
He shrugged. "I've been struggling with this song for weeks. It just doesn't sound right. And I'm far too frustrated right now to deal." He swept the handwritten music into a messy pile. "What are you here for?"
"Refuge," she said, only half teasing, then gave him a curious look. "Actually, are you up to... singing a little with me?"
He lifted his eyebrows, then slid off the piano bench and gestured for her to sit down. "All warmed up," he said as she took his place. She set the manilla folder on the music holder, pulled out one of the copies of her music and handed it to him. He took it gently and she turned back to the piano to spread out the other copy.
"I wrote this," she said. "I was promised that I could sing it on the album. But..." She turned to look at him; he looked up from the music. "See, it's a duet, and the guy they got to sing the other part has spent the whole morning drowning me out. They asked Ciaran to sing. She did a great job, of course." She sighed. "So I want to hear it the way it's supposed to be sung. I'm hoping you can help me out with that."
He smiled. "Tell me what to sing."
Her breath caught in her throat, and she swallowed hard, looking away from him. Why was it that this complete stranger understood her better than a man who'd been working with them for years? "Thanks." Somehow, her voice sounded normal. "The harmony is the top line. I sing alto, so I wrote it for my range."
He touched her shoulder, and she turned to look at up at him. "Play it through once, just the vocal parts."
She nodded and turned back to the piano, found the notes, and began to play. She hummed her own part. By the second verse he was singing softly, and at the last chorus, they both sang full voice - until he realized he was drowning her out and eased off.
"Wow, that's a challenge." He grabbed a water bottle by the bench and took a drink of it. She watched him, jealous suddenly of his girlfriend - if he had one - and whoever he usually sang with. He'd actually done something Mike hadn't seemed to be capable of: he'd sung quieter so she could be heard. He touched her shoulder again and she started, twisting to meet his amused expression. "One more time?"
She flushed and nodded, rolling her eyes at herself as she turned back and started again. This time they sang along together, and Ceallach couldn't believe she'd so totally lucked into this. He knew how to blend his voice, she wasn't straining to even hear herself, it sounded almost perfect....
The song ended, and she sighed. "Thank you." Her shoulders weren't as tight as they had been and she was glad. They'd begun to hurt.
"You got accompaniment?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Can you play it?"
She glanced up at him in some amusement. "I wrote the song."
He chuckled. "I can't play my own songs."
Ceallach felt herself blush, and she looked down. "Oh. Sorry."
"My failing, not yours," he assured her, and the mirth in his voice made her blush deepen. She began to play, trying to keep her mind off of the amusement of the man behind her.
When the song finished, she took a deep breath to clear the lump in her throat. She still wasn't sure how she'd managed to sing around it.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"It's a beautiful song," he told her. "Thank you."
"You have made it better than I ever dared to imagine it," she said, then turned to look at him in contemplation. "Are you busy?"
He chuckled. "I'm here because I was in the car when JC was called in. My time is yours."
She smirked. "That could be dangerous."
He smiled slowly. "Danger is fun. What did you have in mind?"
"I'd like to get a demo, at least, with you. Is that okay?"
"Only if I get a copy."
"Done," she said with a grin, shaking her head. She gathered her music and left the piano. "Have you done any recording?"
"A little," he said, and she shook her head again at the amusement in his voice.
"Great."
He opened the door for her. "Who are ‘they'?"
"They?"
"Who said you could sing the song, but then decided you couldn't."
"Oh. Our head producer, Dave Graham. He's... got too much say in it, and we didn't realize it until this album."
He nodded. "Time to cut the stings."
"Huh?" She shot him a look out of the corner of her eyes. He looked serious.
He chuckled. "Sorry. Something we'd decided some time ago. It's tough. But enlightening. Who's Ciaran?"
She glanced at him in surprise. "My best friend, and our lead singer. She's got an incredible voice."
"So do you," he said softly.
Ceallach blushed. "Thanks," she said.
They stepped into the studio and into a huge argument. Ciaran, Allen and Merrick faced off against Dave and Mike, and all of them were oblivious to the new entrants. Ceallach actually wasn't sure if they'd even noticed she'd left. "You promised her. I don't care if it's in the contract or not," Ciaran demanded. "You can't put that on the album."
Ceallach sighed. "Go on in. I'm gonna talk to the sane one." She gestured to the man sitting in front of the mixing board, who was eyeing the two of them with considerable interest. She slipped past the arguing people and stepped into the mixing room. "Hey," she said.
Rich Flum smiled at her. "You sparked off a huge fight," he said neutrally.
She glanced back at the arguing bunch, and shrugged. "Well, whatever. Can you make a rough recording? Chris is going to sing with me. I just need two copies, since I promised him one, too. Do you think you'll pick up that lot out there?" She gestured to the group standing outside.
"Not a chance," he grinned. "Go and sing. I'll cue up the play back."
"Can we have two takes, just in case I really screw up?"
He considered. "I think I can give you five, but after that, we have to get back to work."
"You're a dear." She leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
As soon as she left the room to skirt the group outside, Rich touched the intercom button. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Wild Orchid called JC in, and I was in the car. I needed to get in here, anyway."
"Get anything done?"
"I succeeded in frustrating myself completely," Chris said with a grin, then the door opened and Ceallach stepped into the recording booth and took the stool next to Chris.
"Can we just go straight through?" she asked.
"Yep," Rich grinned.
They pulled on their earphones, and after a short pause, the playback filled their ears. Ceallach found her place in the song and began to sing.
Ciaran gestured and caught Ceallach's eye; it distracted and distressed her so much that she nearly lost her place. Turning to look away from her friend, she caught sight of Chris and flushed furiously, embarrassed that he'd caught her distracted like that. He gave her a grin and a wink, which just made it worse. Finally, the song was over, and Ceallach sighed. "Oh, please let me do that again," she begged.
Rich laughed over the intercom. "That was a little rough," he agreed with her. "Ceallach, close your eyes. You're too distracted. Just think about the music, your voice, and blending in with Chris. Okay?"
She gave him a curious look. "Okay," she said slowly.
"Here we go."
Chris groaned and chuckled, and his dark eyes sparkled with mirth. She had the feeling she'd just witnessed an inside joke, and smiled at his obvious enjoyment of the joke. "Enough," Chris grinned.
"All right. Here it is."
The music filled her ears, and she closed her eyes, focusing everything on that. The words were almost effortless, the harmony with Chris so beautiful that she was glad of a chance to catch her breath in the middle of the song. Then they finished, and she slowly opened her eyes to see Rich watching them, a triumphant look on his face - if it couldn't be called smug. He flipped the intercom switch. "You guys want to hear that?"
"Yeah," Chris said, and pulled his earphones off. Ceallach did the same, still lost in her daze.
The music started, not too loud, then her voice joined it, soft and steady. Tears filled her eyes as Chris' voice joined hers, and she covered her mouth with both hands to keep from crying out loud. She barely noticed the startled looks from the group outside.
A hand touched her shoulder, sliding across to the other shoulder until Chris had an arm around her. She didn't dare look at him, her eyes fixed on Rich through the window, who had his eyes closed and a look of obvious enjoyment on his face. The last note hovered in the air, then Ceallach buried her face in Chris' chest and sobbed.
"Hey," he whispered, gently stroking her hair. "It's okay, really it is. It was beautiful."
Ciaran ripped the door open, stepping into the room with a worried look on her face. "Is she okay? What happened?" she demanded, placing a hand on her friend's back.
Chris shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think she liked it," he said.
"Who are you?"
"Chris Kirkpatrick," he said, offering his free hand. "You are?"
She stared, then grinned, taking his hand. "Ciaran Ness," she smiled.
Ceallach looked up then, wiping her face with a tremulous smile. "Did you hear?" she asked.
Ciaran smiled widely. "Yes. It was beautiful! Where did you find him?"
Ceallach chuckled. "In one of the practice rooms. Chris, this is my best friend and lead singer for Twilight Warrior."
Ciaran hugged her friend. "I don't think David is going to budge, despite how gorgeous your song was." She drew back to watch her.
Ceallach shrugged. "At this point I don't care," she said. "I have what I need. Rich said he'd give me a copy...."
"And me," Chris interrupted. "It's not often I find a voice that compliments mine so well, either." His eyes suddenly widened, and his hand clapped to his side. Then, with a sheepish look, he pulled a small cell phone out of his pocket and flipped it open. "Kirkpatrick's morgue, you stab em', we slab 'em," he said in a dead pan voice. Ceallach and Ciaran began to laugh.
"I'm gonna stab you!" JC said in clear frustration. "Where are you?"
"Studio seventeen. I'll meet you at the front door." Before JC could protest, he shut the phone. "It appears my ride is anxious to leave," he said to the women who were trying to regain their composure.
Ceallach managed, if barely. "Thanks again," she said. He was glad to see that she looked much happier than she had when she'd interrupted his practice. "How do I get you your copy?"
He paused. "I think... we're scheduled for studio time pretty soon," he mused. "If Scoop were here, I could tell you for sure. But if you leave it at the front desk, I'll get it."
"Okay," Ceallach grinned. "I will. It was nice to meet you, Chris."
"It was good to sing with you," he responded, gave her one last hug, and slipped out of the recording room. He nodded at Merrick and Allen, walked past David and Mike with barely a glance, and was gone.
"He was a breath of fresh air, wasn't he?" Ciaran asked.
"And how," Ceallach responded. "Are you guys finished yet?"
Ciaran nodded and beckoned at the rest of their band, and the two men stepped into the studio. "You okay?" Allen asked.
Ceallach grinned. "I'm fine, thanks. Hungry," she added after a minute. "Want to go eat?"
"Ceallach, about 'The Rescue'," Merrick started. "I'm sorry."
She shrugged. "I don't expect to do it live. We have no way of doing that unless one of you guys want to sing."
"Oh, no, I don't think so," Allen said, backing away. Merrick shook his head.
"No, I don't either," he grinned.
Ceallach grinned. "Well, I don't think we can kidnap Chris, so I guess we're out of luck." She glanced around at her friends. "So, lunch?"
"They weren't asking for blood," Justin protested as he opened the door to the studios. "Just some time."
"At this point, time is blood," Chris opined.
"Time is money," JC corrected him. "We have some free time, Chris, why...." He stopped as he and Justin realized Chris was no longer with them, turning to find their friend. He was leaning against the receptionists desk, almost motionless.
"Yes!" he suddenly exclaimed. "Thank you!" He turned around, a CD-shaped gift in his hand, grinning like the proverbial madman.
"What's that?" Justin asked as they started back down to the elevator.
"Who's it from?" JC asked.
"Friend of mine." He tore into the wrapping with the same look Justin's brother Jonathan had on Christmas morning.
When the elevator arrived, he held up a plain CD in a blank jewel case, with a piece of paper in the front with his name on it. He pulled the paper out as they stepped on. "This is a dream," he told them. He opened the paper and read.
'Chris,
I can't thank you enough for your help with this. David (the producer who made me go find you) isn't budging, so the version on the album is Ciaran's.
That's okay. We have no way of performing it live, which is a relief, to both me and her. But that's all beside the point. Thanks again for helping me hear what was only in my mind.
Ceallach
P.S. Ciaran was really surprised when we looked you up on the Internet (Rich refused to tell us who you were) and found out who you sang with. Tell the rest of them I'm jealous they get to sing with you more than I do. Stay 'N Sync!!! ; )'
Chris smiled as he folded the note again, tucking it into the jewel case.
"Who's dream?" JC asked as the elevator door opened.
"Her name is Ceallach," Chris said. "I met her that one day you got all mad at me for not being where you expected me to be." JC nodded. "It's just a demo, and we only did two takes, but the second one was perfect."
JC looked dubious, but Justin glanced hard at Chris, unable to name the tone of his voice. "So... can I hear it?" he asked.
"I'd like to, also," JC said quickly.
"Yeah. Eventually." He opened the door to the practice room.
"Eventually?" Justin asked.
"Yeah," Chris said, not really paying attention.
They were the first ones there; the smallish room was empty except for the piano. Chris slid onto the bench and began idly playing, picking out the melody of the song he was still working on. With a grimace, he snatched his fingers from the keys and got up.
"It sounded good," Justin protested.
"It's wrong," Chris told him, his frustration obvious. "I think it's just not meant to be."
"You don't have to push it," Justin reminded him as the door opened to admit the rest of 'N Sync. "The deadline for "No Strings Attached" is long gone."
"Still stumped?" Joey asked sympathetically.
Chris shrugged. "I'll get over it. Let's get this done!" he exclaimed, and Lance just shook his head, amused.
They broke from recording at lunch, and the elevator had opened on the first floor before they noticed Chris wasn't with them. "I'll get him," JC said, and touched the button to the floor with the studio as everyone else got off.
JC was certain he'd find Chris in the studio, listening to the disc he'd described as someone's dream. He stepped in to hear a beautiful blend of voices, one he recognized as Chris'. The other one he didn't know.
The song ended, but JC didn't move, hoping he'd play it again. He wasn't disappointed. He listened less with a performers ear and more with production in mind. It was definitely a demo, there was no denying it needed some tweaking. But only a little. It was very easy to recognize the talent in the music. The woman's voice was rough... no, just untrained, and Chris was obviously holding back, but the harmonies were beautiful.
When it ended this time, he moved through the lobby to the mixing room, where he could see Chris hunched over the mixing board, eyes closed. He started and straightened up JC opened the door.
"She's talented," JC said, leaning on the door frame. "Untrained, but she's got a beautiful voice. You guys sound good together."
Chris blinked, and JC realized he wasn't entirely there, probably lost in memories. He got that way sometimes. "Rich played it back and she was in tears. They promised her she could record it - that she could sing it on the album - then reneged. She just wanted to hear it the way she imagined it." He gave JC a wry smile, and JC frowned at the... sorrow? sadness, something in his eyes. "For two people with the wrong kind of voices, we don't sound too bad together, eh?"
"You were right," JC told him. "It sounded perfect. It was one of the best rough recordings I've ever heard." He grinned suddenly. "What I wouldn't give to pull her in here and give that song the treatment it deserved, even if you never did release it publicly."
"I don't think that would be possible."
JC paused. "Speaking of Rich, Did you hear about the tantrum David Graham threw the other day?"
Chris' eyes narrowed, and JC stared at him. "No. What was it?"
"He's working with Twilight Warrior right now. One of the band, the bassist, had insisted on being the one to sing one of the songs, but her voice was too soft, or something, so he told her the lead singer was going to be singing it. She stormed off, some sort of prima donna thing...."
"From a bassist?" Chris asked, his voice indignant.
JC shrugged. "That's what he said. Anyway, she came back while he was still arguing with the rest of the band, snuck 'some idiot boy band member' in and recorded the song on his time, and then had the gall to insist on two copies of it. Apparently, she even managed to stare him down."
Chris just stared at him. "You've got to be kidding me. He threw a temper tantrum over... that?" He took a deep breath. "He promised her she could sing it," he said evenly. "It's not her fault the guy he got sang too loud."
JC started suddenly. "Oh, I'm stupid," he muttered. "You're the 'idiot boy band member' he was talking about?"
Chris managed a smile. "Yeah, that was me."
"Hm..." JC drummed his fingers on his leg.
"Okay, I'm hungry," Chris said suddenly, and grabbed the CD from the player.
"Surprise," JC muttered, dragged out of his thoughts, and shot his friend a grin as they left the room together.
"I can't believe they released it." Ceallach paced, but the words were not as furious as they had been when they'd been notified of the decision six months ago. "What's worse, I can't believe we're getting an award for this." Those words were a little more acidic. Then, with a glance at her friend, she sank down on the bed. "Sorry, Ciaran. Nothing against you. It's not your fault the man can't sing. And did they ever get hold of that unmusical man?" It was nearly a sneer.
Ciaran smirked, managing to look smug at the same time. "I have good news for you," she said. "He's in prison."
Ceallach's jaw dropped. "What?"
"He got himself caught with some hefty drugs."
Slowly, Ceallach's mouth closed. "Uh... As good as the news is, what are we going to do?"
"You sing," Ciaran said. "I'll do the harmony."
"Oh, no, because as soon as they see that, they'll insist we do this live, and Ciaran, I love you, but there is no way...."
Ciaran shook her head. "They won't. Come on. People deserve to hear the song." Ceallach still didn't look happy about it. "Okay, how about this. Let's try it at the run through tonight, okay?"
Ceallach looked wary. "I don't know."
"Oh, come on," Ciaran begged. "It can't hurt."
Ceallach regarded her with an contemplative look. "All right. But you know what? Chris said something to me. He said 'time to cut the strings'. Which, now that I know something about their album, makes a lot more sense than it did when he said it."
Ciaran nodded. "That does make sense. And he's right," she said.
Ceallach sighed. "I think I'm going to talk to Allen. It looks like he might be the only one not on the stage tomorrow night."
"He won't care," Ciaran said.
"I don't either, but I want to tell him anyway."
Ciaran nodded. "All right." She waited until her friend was gone, then grabbed for the phone to dial an extension.
"Heaven, St. Peter speaking, why aren't you here?"
"We're two levels above you, St. Peter, why aren't you here?"
Surprised laughter, loud and unrestrained, came across the line. "Were you looking for someone specific, or would you mind talking to me?"
"Depends. Are you Chris?" she asked.
"Yes, I am."
"Then I'll talk to you. This is Ciaran."
"Perfect," he practically purred. "So?"
"It's all set up. She thinks I'm singing with her."
"Good." He paused. "David is going to be really pissed. JC told me about his reaction to Ceallach's recording."
Ciaran chuckled. "I didn't know grown men threw such tantrums. Ceallach just stared him down. If he'd pressed the issue, Allen and Merrick would have gotten involved. But she's devious."
"Good." He took a deep breath. "You're really okay with this?"
"My only regret is that I won't get to see David's face. He's gonna flip. But seeing her's is going to make up for anything I might miss. What about the rest of your group?"
Chris chuckled. "JC has been licking his lips like a cat with cream every time I say something about it. He can't wait to get his hand on that recording."
"Why?"
"He won't tell me." He chuckled. "I don't know how his head works. But I do know that when *N Sync finally goes out, he's going to turn into one heck of a producer."
"As long as he doesn't freak her out."
"Not a chance. I didn't, and JC is much more normal than I."
Ciaran chuckled. "I'll take your word for it."
"I'm glad someone will," he said. "Thanks for this, Ciaran. I owe you one."
"No," she said, sobering. "Chris, you've made her so much more confident, and your willingness to do this means a lot. I feel like I'm in your debt, twice."
"No," he said softly, then grunted suddenly. "Curly, you're a dead man! Sorry, I'm gonna kill this guy, I'll see you tonight."
"Bye, Chris," she chuckled, and hung up.
Ceallach shifted nervously, picking at the long dress she wasn't really comfortable wearing. The monitor in front of her showed the line up of the next few songs, and she watched it nervously, waiting for her turn to go on. What had she been thinking? Something touched her shoulder and she turned to find Ciaran, looking elegant in a gown like her own. "Oh, hey," she said.
"Why are you so nervous?"
Ceallach laughed nervously. "Because those aren't our fans out there!"
"How do you know?" Ciaran asked.
"Did you hear their reaction to 'N Sync? None of those people will have liked us, too." The performance had been electrifying. They really knew how to put on a show.
"Ignore the audience," Ciaran told her. "No matter what happens, just keep singing."
Ceallach smiled shyly. "Okay. And you're sure about this?"
Ciaran chuckled. "They said we sounded great at the run through yesterday. You'll do great."
Allen and Merrick arrived, grinning. "They just called us," Allen said, and kissed Ceallach's cheek. "Knock 'em dead."
Merrick offered her his arm and she took it, smoothing her dress nervously with her other hand. "I'll follow you on," Ciaran told her, then Merrick took Ceallach off for the stage wings. As soon as they were gone, Chris slipped into the room and presented himself for inspection. Ciaran laughed to see him standing at attention, then walked slowly around him. He wore a grey suit with a pastel blue collarless shirt underneath, his trademark necklace and earrings still present. "You look nice. You'll do, I guess."
Chris laughed. "Thanks."
"I'd good to see you again."
"Same," he said, then Allen nudged him.
"She's on stage. It's clear."
"Thanks." He left the room, gratefully taking the mic someone handed him, and paused just off stage. The piano began, then the lights came up, slowly, and Ceallach began singing. So did he, still off stage, then after the first line, he stepped into the light.
Ceallach was looking up at him, completely off guard, but she kept singing. Slowly, a smile crossed her face and she turned back to the audience as he walked down the ramp toward her. By the middle of the second verse, he was next to her on the stage.
The end of the song was met by a standing ovation, and Ceallach walked off the stage half in a daze, her hand on Chris' arm as he escorted her off.
By the time she'd reached the green room, though, he'd been dragged off by an angry someone who looked like a body guard. She stepped into the green room and was accosted by Anada Lewis from MTV, who turned her to face the camera. "I'm standing here with Ceallach McLeod of Twilight Warrior. You did a great job, Ceallach! We thought Ciaran was going to sing with you."
Ceallach flushed a little. "So did I. We even practiced last yesterday together."
"You and Chris sounded great together. You looked surprised."
"I was! Ciaran didn't tell me she wasn't going to sing the harmony."
"How did she get the idea to ask Chris Kirkpatrick of *N Sync?"
Ceallach's flush deepened. "We've actually... sung together before. About a year ago, while we were recording 'Mermaid's Kisses'. I didn't even know who he was at the time. He helped me hear what the song was supposed to sound like."
Ananda paused. "What do you mean?"
Ceallach looked at her, then shrugged. "Ciaran did a great job, don't get me wrong. But... compare the two versions, and you'll find they're very different. It was a... conflict of musical opinions."
"Well. You did a great job. Thanks."
"Thank you," Ceallach nodded and stepped away as the dark skinned woman went after Chris, who'd just walked in the door.
"Some kind of surprise," she said, taking his arm.
"Hey, Ananda," he grinned. "Yeah. Didn't she sound great?"
"You both did. Your voices blend well, together."
His face lit up. "Don't they? I was glad to get to sing with her again."
"How'd you meet her before?"
He chuckled. "I was in the right place at the right time. It was pure luck."
The cameraman indicated the end of transmission, and Ananda let the mic fall to her side. "It really sounded good, Chris."
He smiled. "I'll let her know that." He turned and walked away from her, feeling better than he had in years.
"You should have seen her face," Justin whispered as Chris sat down again. "You didn't tell her?"
Chris shook his head. "Ciaran's idea. She looked happy about the whole thing."
Justin chuckled. "Oh, anyone watching will be able to see she's happy."
"So were you," Joey told him from the other side.
Chris gave him an amused glance. "I like to sing, Joey," he said softly, then applause filled the auditorium. When it died down, Justin turned to Chris.
"You shoulda seen JC's face. He had that look of a cat with the cream again."
Ceallach stepped into the dressing room and stopped, looking with some amusement at Ciaran, who had changed already and was lounging in a chair. Ciaran smirked at her. "Did you like your surprise?" she asked.
Tears filled Ceallach's eyes. "What did I do to deserve a friend like you?" she asked softly.
Ciaran stood and pulled her friend into a hug. "You were you," she whispered, and tightened her hold as Ceallach sobbed onto her shoulder. "Ceallach, what's wrong?" she asked, getting worried.
"I've had all my dreams come true," Ceallach sniffled, stepping away from her friend. "What do I do now?"
"Well, first, you change. They'll need this dressing room soon. Then..." she broke off as Ceallach slapped her shoulder, laughing, then she went began to unzip the dress. Ciaran helped her off with it, hanging the dress up as Ceallach quickly dressed again. "Then," she continued, "you get new dreams. And make them come true."
Ceallach grinned. "You are wise beyond your years," she teased.
It was almost anti-climatic when they won for the song, and Ceallach sighed in disgust as she stood up. "What are you going to say?" Merrick asked her as they walked up to the stage together. Ceallach shrugged.
"It's not important," she said.
Their words washed over Ceallach as she searched the audience, wanting to catch a glimpse of Chris. Allen nudged her, and she realized it was her turn. With a slight flush, she stepped up to the microphone. "I'd like to thank Ciaran, Allen and Merrick for putting up with my complaints about the version of "The Rescue" on the album. Thanks also to Chris Kirkpatrick for helping me hear what I wanted it to sound like, and to Rich Flum for recording that so I could have it with me always."
The applause was still going when they were led off the stage. Ceallach sighed in relief as they made their way back to their seats, just glad it was over. She watched the rest of the show in a daze that faded only when Ciaran nudged her to get up. She walked down the aisle about four steps, then turned to look at her band mates, a horrified look on her face. "I can't believe we won that," she muttered, and the other three all laughed at her.
"So, what is it?" Chris demanded. Justin chuckled, eyeing his darker friend as he bounced lightly on his toes.
"Nothing important," he said.
"We thought you'd like to hear this," JC said, a smug expression on his face, and Justin reached over and flipped a switch.
Music filled the room, a now-familiar song, and Chris stopped his bouncing. His eyes closed, he stood perfectly still, listening to the live recording of Ceallach's song. Justin and JC exchanged a glance, grinning. When the song finished, Chris took a deep breath and opened his eyes. He just looked at the smug expressions on his friend's faces, then grinned.
"I think that's the stillest I've ever seen you," JC teased.
"Where you weren't too high for comfort," Justin added.
"Oh, thanks," Chris scoffed.
"We sent Ceallach a copy, too," Justin continued. "And one to Dani. She... pretty much insisted on it."
"Oh?" Both Chris' eyebrows went up in surprise. Justin nodded. Chris grinned. "And thus ends the meeting of Twilight Warrior and *N Sync," he said, folding his arms. "A highly... encouraging crossover."
"Satisfying," Justin agreed. JC nodded.
The phone rang, and Ciaran picked it up. "Hello?"
"Ciaran, you have to hear this," Ceallach said, tears obvious in her voice. "You won't believe it...."
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