Crush

The lights went down as the four of them walked out onto the stage. They took their places as the lead singer took the microphone into her hand. She flipped her platinum locks over her shoulder and smiled as she spoke. "Hello Whiskey! We are Crush and we're here to rock your world!"
The guitarist started in as the bassist watched the drummer. The riff was so catchy that it immediately caught the attention of the crowd. They quickly surrounded the stage.
Bobbi was really into showmanship. She threw her body into the music, as well as her voice. Kali walked up to her microphone while absently playing the riff on her bass. She couldn't help but smile as she sang when she noticed that Bobbi already had the attention of about a half dozen guys on the first two rows.
Rana noticed too, and was at Bobbi's side in an instant. Men were always competition between the two of them. It was like a sick game of who could get whom into bed. Liv rolled her eyes from behind the drums and turned to catch her sister's smile. As always, Kali stood in the back and watched. Observing… planning… In all, it probably wasn't the best performance they had ever given. But it was good enough to get a great response from the audience tonight. They left the stage with such a rush that even Liv had a huge grin on her face.

"Wooh!" Bobbi gave each of the girls high-5's as they walked into the dressing room.
"Hot damn, that was great!" Rana followed.
"It was cool." Kali watched her sister.
"Oh yeah, cool." Liv repeated while adjusting the elastic that held her red pony tail into place.
"Well girls, I am pumped!" Bobbi searched the room. "Where's the booze?"
"Behind the bar!" Liv pointed out the door. "I'll lead!"
"And I'll follow." Rana laughed.
"I do believe I'll join ya tonight!" Kali giggled as she followed the other three to the bar.

They stormed the bar and grabbed seats on the end.
"Liv!" Haley, the bartender, slapped a shot of Tequila in front of her.
"Bring on three more!" Rana shouted over the music.
"Gotcha." Haley went to work.
"Damn! Tonight was awesome." Kali smiled.
"I've got us set up for Saturday nights here." Liv gloated.
"Fuck!" Bobbi looked around. "I think we can handle that." She eyed the men. A few catching her interest.
"What are you looking at?" Rana leaned over her shoulder to catch her line of sight. "I like that one!" She pointed to a well-tanned, muscular man in the corner.
"Tough! I saw him first." She downed a shot.
"Are you two betting whose gonna get laid tonight?" Liv joined in.
"No bets needed. I'll win." Bobbi rolled her eyes.
"Holy shit! Look over there!" Kali pointed.
"Who is it?" Liv questioned.
"Brian Wheat and Tommy Skeoch of Telsa." Kali sighed.
"What are you a rock n' roll rolodex?" Bobbi looked at her.
"Problem with that?" Kali retaliated.
"Not if it does us some good some day." Rana looked the two men over.
"Speaking of...I have four tickets to Def Leppard next week."
"And I know you better be taking your sister and your two best friends." Bobbi put her arm around her shoulder as their next round of drinks arrived.
"Of course she is!" Liv stepped in. "Aren't you?"
"Of course. I wanna live to see my next concert." Kali grabbed her beer.
"Hello, ladies." Tommy stopped behind them.
"Hi, sexy." Bobbi flirted as Rana rolled her eyes.
"May we join you?" Brian took the seat next to Rana.
"Looks like you just did." Rana smiled at Bobbi.
"Shall we find us a couple of dance partners?" Liv turned to her sister.
"I really need to get home and get to bed. I have a ton of work to do tomorrow before class Monday." She wined.
"Take care." She hugged her. "I'll be home later."
"Night!" Kali waived as she left.

The next morning Kali was sitting at her desk with her nose stuck in her Chemistry book. She was concentrating so hard she barely noticed Rana and Bobbi walk in.
"Morning." Bobbi poured them a cup of coffee.
"Oh, morning." Kali looked up. "Just now getting in?"
"No, I make it a habit of wearing last night's clothes the next morning." She sat down next to her.
"Whatcha got there?" Rana looked at the book.
"Chemistry." Kali rubbed her head.
"Why do you bother with that shit?" Bobbi huffed.
"Oh, maybe cause I don't wanna live of my parents for the rest of my life." Kali raised her eyebrows.
"Good one!" Liv smiled as she walked in. She was proud that her younger sister had stuck with school. Something she should have done.
"Once we get discovered you won't need all that education anyway." Bobbi grabbed a bagel.
"Well, I'm a business major. Weather the band makes it or not I'm sure I'll get to use it."
"Enough." Liv sat down. "We've each got our own thing and that's what keeps us different. The band keeps us together and we can only hope one day we'll be famous."
"Whatever!" Rana laughed.
"Let's discuss this concert Kali so thoughtfully invited us to." Bobbi smiled.
"Oh, yes. I will definitely need new do's for that." Liv looked at her.
"We think so much alike." Bobbi laughed.
"You in Kali?" Rana raised her eyebrows.
"Certainly." She closed her book. Shopping was much more interesting than Chemistry anyway.

That Friday the house was crazy. All four girls were attempting to get ready for the concert at the same time and only two bathrooms in the house.
"C'mon, Bobbi! Hurry up!" Rana pounded on the bathroom door.
"Can it!" She yelled back.
"I need to get a shower too!" She turned back to her room.

"Well?" Liv turned around to show her sister her new outfit. "How does it look?" She had on a pair of black leather pants and a matching halter-top.
"Damn, sis. You look hot." Kali fanned herself.
"Bobbi's hoggin' the bathroom, are you two finished enough I can shower?" Rana stopped at the door.
"I'm just curlin my hair and Liv's gotta do her make-up."
"Cool!" Rana ran back to her room to grab her clothes.

"Where did she go?" Bobbi walked around in her towel.
"Got tired of waiting on your ass." Kali pointed to the shower.
"Someone give her a beer and calm her ass down." Bobbi walked back to her room to dress.
"Four women in one house with two bathrooms. What were we thinking?" Liv rolled her eyes.

Two hours later the girls gathered in the living room. Kali dressed in a pair of red leather pants and a red and black, cropped tank. Rana wore a black leather skirt with a white silk tank and black leather vest while Bobbi wore a pair of slashed, faded blue jeans that hugged her hips and a tight tank top with the comic strip from the Women video.
"Where the hell did you get that?" Rana pointed to her shirt.
"Wouldn't you like to know." Bobbi grinned as they turned for the door.

The girls arrived at the concert and quickly found their seats.
"Kali, my dear. You are wonderful!" Rana looked around the arena.
"Thanks!" Kali giggled as the lights dimmed and the music began. When the curtains dropped and the lights came on the stage the crowd went wild.
"Wow!" Liv jumped to her feet and was followed by Rana, Bobbi, and Kali. The girls were enjoying the concert when Bobbi noticed a line of girls at one of the entrances under the stage.
"Look! I guess the rumor is true!" Bobbi pointed to Rana.
"What's that?"
"You've never heard about their concerts." Liv knew what Bobbi was talking about.
"I guess not." Rana looked between the two.
"What?" Kali got a mischievous grin.
"They say you can go under the stage and party with the band during breaks if you enter topless." Bobbi wiggled her eyebrows.
"What are we waiting for?" Rana grabbed Bobbi's hand and dragged her toward the line.
"Shit!" Liv and Kali followed.

They waited in line and when it was there turn they lost their shirts and walked in. Steve, Phil, and Sav were there while Joe and Rick remained on stage. The girls took a few minutes to nose around. There was a table on one end with coolers of alcohol and a couple of couches scattered around.
"Who do I gotta blow to get a beer around here?" Bobbi huffed.
"I don't know but let's find out quick cause I'm dry!" Rana followed.
"'Ere, ladies." Steve handed them each a beer.
"Thanks." Bobbi flirted.
"I'm Steve. This is Phil." He pointed to the shorter blonde next to him.
"Aye." Phil grinned. His eyes falling to look over Rana.
"Thanks." Bobbi took a drink.

Kali wondered around the room as she watched the other girls as she drank her beer.
"You don't look like the typical girl that makes her way down 'ere." A strong, male voice whispered from behind her.
"How so?" She took another drink.
"I don't know. You just look...."
"Intelligent?" She smiled.
"Yeah." He laughed. "I'm Sav." He grinned.
"Kali."
"Bloody 'ell!" A tall, blonde came running down the steps from the stage. The grin on his face appearing as he noticed all the women.
"Look at that." Liv nudged Bobbi.
"Hot damn!" Bobbi looked him over.

It was no time and the entire band returned to the stage.
"Are they sexy or what?" Kali watched Sav walk up the steps. Her eyes focused on his ass.
"I say we take a chance and pay the rest of these other bimbos off to leave." Rana schemed.
"And just how would we do that?" Liv crossed her arms.
"Leave it to us." Bobbi pulled Rana across the room. They gathered the other girls in a large circle. They talked for a minute then the others disappeared.
"How the hell did you do that?" Liv's eyes were huge as they returned.
"Told them the band's tour manager was giving away room keys for the guy's hotel in the lobby." Bobbi laughed.
"And they bought it!" Rana held her sides.
"Cool!" Liv and Kali laughed.

The band flew down the steps before the first encore. Joe stopped dead in his tracks as the others ran into him.
"What the 'ell did ya stop for?" Rick huffed.
"Joe!" Phil and Steve grumbled.
"Where'd they go?" The group looked around the room to notice the room was empty. The only ones left were the four friends sitting on the couch.
"We decided to make it less crowded in here." Liv looked up.
"And how did you do that?" Sav looked at Kali.
"We can't give away our secrets." Bobbi informed them.
"I think I need to get a litt'l more aquatinted with these ladies." Joe whispered to Sav.
"I agree." He smiled at Kali.

"So, what's the plan?" Liv turned to Bobbi as soon as the last encore was over.
"We are going to the bar of their hotel." She held up a note.
"You sure we can get in?" Kali crossed her arms.
"Sure! We'll just be fashionably late and then when we walk in…" Rana smiled at Bobbi.
"Pow! Men everywhere!" The girls screeched.
"Cool." Kali laughed as she and her sister both shook their heads.

They walked into the bar as if they owned the place. They noticed the band at the bar immediately, but followed Bobbi's lead and walked over to play darts. Before they knew it, the table next to them was full of drinks and surrounded by five British men.
"Glad you could make it." Joe looked Bobbi over as she took aim.
"Who are we to turn down a party invite?" Rana flashed her eyes at him.
"There ya go." Sav handed a beer to Kali.
"Thanks." She met his eyes before taking a drink.
"You playin' darts?"
"Nah. There's not enough room up there." She nodded towards Bobbi, Rana, Liv, Steve, Joe and Phil.
"What about pool?" He pointed over to the vacant table.
"That'll work." She giggled as he took her hand and led her to the billiards room. As they approached the table, he stopped and looked at her hand. "You play guitar?"
"Bass." She smiled. "The calluses give me away?" She walked in front of him and picked out her pool stick.
"The tell tale sign of a serious musician." He grinned at her. And ooh was that grin a dangerous weapon.
"You break." She chalked her stick.

"You 'ave great aim." Joe breathed into Bobbi's ear.
"Do you?" She turned to him and licked her lips. It sent a chill down his spine. He was speechless. "That was a joke, Joe." She threw the dart.
"Yeah, but I'd like to know the answer." Liv crossed her arms and waited.
He looked between both women with a sly smile on his face. "I could give you the details, but then it would seem like I was braggin'."

Steve looked at Phil and laughed. "He's stealin' your lines now, mate!"
"Really?" Rana's eyes landed on Phil. "Now you have me interested. I want details."
He smiled as he took a step closer to her. "I could tell you, but then you wouldn't believe me."
"Care to show me instead?" She ran her finger down his cheek.
"I do believe that would be the best way." He took her hand and headed for the elevators.
Kali looked up from taking aim on a ball. "Well, there's one down." She grinned as she hit the ball and made the shot.

"I feel like dancin'." Joe took a hand from each of the girls and headed to the dance floor. Before he knew it, he was sandwiched between the two.
Steve sat back at the table and looked at Rick. "I say we mosey on over to that table of girls over there."
"I'm in." He downed his drink and quickly followed.

Kali took aim on the 8 ball. She smiled as she felt Sav rub his body against hers. "Cheating?"
"I just thought I'd help." He breathed into her ear.
"Thanks." She struck the cue ball and waited as the 8 ball went into its desired hole.
"Anything to help." He handed her a fresh beer.

"So, just how close are you two?" Joe had one hand on Liv's ass and the other on Bobbi's.
"We're roommates." Bobbi spoke in his ear.
"You know, I 'ave a really big bed up in me room."
"How big?" Liv rubbed her body against him.
"Big enough for the three of us to get… very comfy." He growled.

Kali stood and watched as Sav broke another round. She sighed deeply as she turned to Sav. "Looks like I'm on my own."
"Yeah?" He looked up at the three speeding to the elevator. "Well… you know… I have this king sized bed up in me room and I only take up a tiny bit of it."
"That is such a waste." She flirted with him.
"If you'd like a place to crash for the night…"
"And how do I know you'll keep your hands to yourself?" She leaned against him.
"You don't." He kissed her.
"Promise?" She growled as she dropped her pool stick.
"Absolutely." He grabbed her hand.

The Leps gathered in the restaurant the next morning. Joe, Sav and Phil said nothing. Only smiled as they quietly looked through their menus.
"Piss off. It couldn't 'ave been that good." Steve laughed.
All three men sighed.
"Bummer she was gone this morning, I wouldn't 'ave minded another go." Phil mumbled.
"I second that!" Sav held up his glass of juice.
"I got numbers!" Joe raised his eyebrows.

The girls walked into the Whiskey around 8:00 that night.
"I'm exhausted!" Rana dropped her guitar case on the floor.
"But, it was well worth it." Bobbi grinned at Liv.
"That's an understatement." Liv sighed.
"I'll get us a round of beers while Bobbi does her warm-up." Kali walked to the bar.
"So get lucky last night?" Rana looked around the room.
"That's right." Liv looked at Bobbi. "You wouldn't know seeing as it only took you a half hour to run to Phil's room."
"And well worth the rush!"

The lights dimmed as the girls took the stage. Kali started the riff as Liv joined in then Rana. Bobbie's voice came next over the microphone and the crowd again played into their hands.
The guys from Def Leppard walked into the club at the end of the first song.
"Thank you!" Bobbi waived to the men directly in front of the stage. "For those who haven't heard us play here before, we're Crush and our goal tonight is to rock your world!" The music started again.
"Well looky what we got 'ere." Joe pointed to the stage as they grabbed a table.
"That song sounds familiar." Rick listened as the song registered to all of them. It was a rendition of "Wasted".
"It's not right that she plays it better than I do." Phil, Steve, and Sav pouted.
"Get over it!" Joe laughed as their drinks were delivered.

The girls again raided the bar when the show was over.
"You girls look a little tired." Haley had their drinks waiting.
"Long night last night." Bobbi slumped into her chair.
"You can give me more long nights like that." Kali downed half a beer.
"Listen to her!" Rana looked at Liv. "Has the baby found something she likes?"
"Maybe." Kali giggled as she noticed a group of men approaching.
"Can we buy you ladies a round of shots?" One of them asked.
"By all means." Liv moved her chair over.
"You girls were great." Another flirted.
"Haley! A round of Tequila!" Liv ordered. The drinks were delivered and the girls quickly smiled.
"Body shots?" Liv looked at the men.
"If you insist." They smiled.
"Kal?"
"Hand me a shot." She held out her hand. She turned to the guy beside her and pulled the salt over. She licked the inside of his hand as she made eye contact with him and poured the salt. She licked the salt and slammed her shot before grabbing the lime from his hand.
"That's quite a talent, baby." He smiled at her.
"Thanks." She noticed the other girls had followed. Although Bobbi looked as though she were attacking the man she'd done one with.
"There's a party we're heading to after this..." One of them looked around the table.

"Looks like we meet again." Joe grinned as the Leps stepped to the table. Liv looked up and smiled, as did Rana. Kali's eyes met Sav's. Bobbi rolled her eyes as she felt Joe's hand move up her back. "Care if we join you?" He whispered in her ear.
"Been there, done that." She smirked before looking at the other men. "I'm ready to party." She grabbed her stuff and walked out with them. Joe stood with his mouth gaping open. He'd never been shot down that quickly before.
"You're attractin' flies, mate." Steve smacked his back as he took a seat. Joe listened to him laugh as Phil joined in and sat next to Rana.
"Sit down." Liv pulled on Joe's arm. "We'll make sure we take care of ya tonight."
"Sounds like what I need." His mood quickly changed.
"Aye." Sav patted Kali's knee as he sat beside her.
"Hi." She smiled shyly. "Did you see the show?"
"You girls are very good." He kissed her cheek. "By the way, you left before I could get a number this mornin'."
"Oh. It doesn't seem as though you had a problem finding me, though." She flirted. He had the sexiest eyes and smile she'd ever seen on a man.
"A drummer, eh?" Joe drank his beer as he talked with Liv.
"I've been told I'm good with my hands so....voila! I'm the drummer." She giggled.
"I can vouch for that." He whispered in her ear. It made her skin cover in goosebumps.
"You looked to be pretty good at those body shots a bit ago." Sav pulled Kali closer to him. His hand wrapped around the salt shaker as his eyes searched her body.
"Care to find out?" She flirted.
"Yes." He smiled as he found his spot. "But, I'm first." He bent his head and ran his tongue along her cleavage.
"Mmm." She ran her hands through his hair. He threw the salt on the spot and stuck the lime between her breasts. He returned to lick the salt and down his shot. As he retrieved the lime he took his time, leaving little kisses as her fingers wrapped tightly around his hair.
"You're not half bad yourself." She giggled.
"Shall we leave them alone?" Liv suggested to Joe.
"What did you 'ave in mind, love?" He hooked his finger in her shirt and peered inside.
"Well...." She ran her hand up the inside of his thigh. "I have this big bed as well....."
"You do?" He closed his eyes as her hand reached his crotch.
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure you and I could find a way to get real comfy in that one too." She kissed him.
"I'm up for that." He bit her lip.
"See ya, Kal." They stood and walked out of the club.
"Again, one down." Kali snagged the lime from Sav's mouth.
"Keep it up and the count will be at two." He pulled her onto his lap. This woman loved playing with fire and knew all his right buttons to push.
"That sounded an awful lot like an invitation to me." She pushed her hips into his.
"It was." He kissed her neck.
"Then I say we take it someplace more private." She stood. "Where'd Rana go?"
"She and Phil are shaggin' in the loo if I had to guess." Steve finished his beer.
"Good for her." Kali giggled as Sav pushed her out the door.

Kali woke up the next morning with Sav still lying beside her. She wiggled as she tried to get out from underneath his arm.
"I'm not lettin' you go this mornin' till I get a number." He spoke without opening his eyes. Kali smiled. She liked him and he was very sexy.
"How can I write it down if I don't have a pen and paper?" She giggled.
"You 'ave a point." He covered her body with his. "First things first." He kissed her.

Liv noticed Joe was still sprawled out over her bed when she returned from her shower. What a magnificent body this man had. Along with charm, a sense of humor, and a love for music just like her. She carefully sat on the bed next to him and brushed his hair away from his face. She was about to wake him when his cell phone rang. Liv rummaged through the pile of clothes on the floor as the ringing became louder. She found the phone and was about to answer when Joe finally stirred.
"What's all the bloody noise?" He grumbled.
"Your phone." She held it out to him. He quickly sat up and cleared his throat.
"Joe." He answered.
"Aye, sexy." Karla, his fiancée cooed. "Did I wake you?"
"Uh, no." He looked up at Liv. Damn! This woman was even beautiful in the morning.
"Joe?" Karla spoke for the second time.
"Yeah, just a sec." He covered the phone. "Is there some place private I can take this?"
"Yeah." She pointed to the balcony doors. He stepped out and closed the door behind him.
"How are you, love?" Joe looked out over the back yard.
"I miss you. When can I fly out and join you?" Karla wined.
"Soon." He sighed. "Let me talk with Cliff and see what we can arrange."
"I'd like that." She cheered up. "I'll let you get back to whatever you were busy with."
"A meeting. You know how I hate these early mornin' ones." He chuckled.
"Yes, I do."
"Bye." He hung up and walked back inside.
"Business?" Liv looked out from her closet.
"Yeah. We need to get back before they send the search party." He smiled.
"Oh." She could hear the bit of nervousness in his voice. She could have sworn that was more a private conversation than business by the looks of it.

Kali and Sav were looking through her CD collection when there was a knock on her door.
"Sav! C'mon, mate! Cliff already called this mornin' and we need to get our arses back." Joe belted.
"Fuck!" Sav huffed. He watched as Kali walked to her desk and scribbled something on a piece of paper.
"Here." She handed her number to him.
"Cool. Thanks." He kissed her. His eyes falling to the articles on her desk. "Economics?"
"I'm a student at UCLA." She smiled.
"Wow." He ran a hand through his hair. She definitely wasn't the typical groupie.
"Sav!" Joe once again pounded on the door.
"Gotta go." Sav kissed her. "I'll call you."
"Bye." She followed them out to the door.
"Bye, ladies." Joe waived as they walked out.

"What was the rush?" Sav huffed as they got in the car.
"Karla already called this mornin'." He started down the road.
"Almost got your arse busted, eh?" Sav laughed.
"Liv almost answered the phone."
"Fuck!" Sav sighed.

Kali walked in from classes to see that the other girls were just beginning to stir. "I swear I live with vampires." She mumbled as she looked through the cabinets of the kitchen.
"No food." Liv stumbled in. "I was gonna do that before work tonight."
"You do realize its 4:30." She crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry, sis. I couldn't make my ass move this morning."
"And what about those two?" She pointed towards Rana and Bobbi's rooms.
"Ray's getting ready for work and Bobbi's… Bobbi." She smiled.
"It's not funny, ya know. I stay out just as late as you three and I have to get up in the morning. Plus, study all day and most of the night. I'm not adding cleaning up after you three and grocery shopping too!" She huffed and stormed off to her room.
"What's bothering her now?" Rana walked in wearing only her unbuttoned jeans and her bra.
"Us." Liv rubbed her face. "Bobbi!"
"What?" She yelled back as she walked out wearing her robe.
"Think you could go to the grocery store today?"
"Ugh, you're kidding, right?"
"No." She frowned. "We promised Kal that we'd help take the load off her since we've been playin' a lot more at night and we haven't been doing a very good job. She's exhausted."
"Fine, but give me a list, alright?"
"Yeah, list." Rana grabbed a pen.

Bobbi stared at the list after Rana and Liv left for work. She knew where the liquor store was, and well… the Wonder Bread Outlet was a few blocks away, but she couldn't remember where the grocery store was.
She walked up to the door of Kali's room and knocked. "Kal?"
There was no answer. She cracked the door open to see her lying on her bed with her headphones on, reading a book. Damn, her room was so clean! "Kali?" She waved.
"Huh?" She pulled her headphones off.
"Um, which store do you usually go to?"
"You're kidding." She huffed. "They're really desperate if they're sending you."
"Hey! I can do this!"
"Fine. I usually go to Griffin's, it's three blocks North of the mall."
"Oh. Cool."
"If you get lost, call me on your cell phone."
"You're as big a smart ass as your sister, you know it?" She huffed and slammed the door.

It was after 9:00 when Kali heard Bobbi return. She waited as she listened. The ranting and raving should start any moment. Instead, she heard the radio blast and conversation start.
"Fuckin' Bobbi!" She threw her Calculus homework down and walked out of her room.
"Kal! These are Chris and Randy from Griffins. They were nice enough to help me shop, so I invited them to our party."
"What party?" She crossed her arms.
"The one that you and I are having." She grinned. "Why don't you go and change while I set up the bar?"
Hell, a beer didn't sound half-bad after the day she had had. "Fine, but not too late."
"Just until Ray and Liv get home." She giggled.
"Right."

Rana walked in to see the house packed. She smiled as she looked over at all of the faces. Liv followed about fifteen minutes later.
"Ooh, I bet Kali's pissed!" She laughed as she made it to the kitchen.
"Not likely." Rana pointed at Kali, who was dancing with a tall, handsome blonde.
"Go Kal!" Liv yelled.

Kali left early the next morning for a class. Liv and Rana had gotten up to clean the house and were surprised when a man walked out of Kali's room.
"Um… who are you?" Liv smiled.
"Eric." He looked around. "Where's Kali?"
"Class." Rana giggled as she looked over him. "Why don't you leave your number and we'll give it to her."
"Thanks." He smiled before returning to her room to gather his things.
"The baby's on a roll!" Rana squealed.

Kali returned later that afternoon to see all three girls sitting around the table, waiting.
"What?" She smiled brightly.
"Eric wants you to call him." Bobbi grinned. "And we want details."
"Honestly? I woke up with him beside me this morning. There, those are the details."
"Liar." Liv laughed.
She stuck her tongue out as she answered the ringing phone. "Yo! Oh, hey Sav." She grinned before walking into her room.
"Our baby's finally grown up." Bobbi spoke.
"And we taught her so well!" Rana squealed.
"Oh yeah." Liv followed.

That night, Rana walked into the back entrance of "The Sugar Shack" and went to her dressing room.
"Ray, I want you to do the cowgirl tonight instead of the school girl." Her manager peeked in.
"Fine." She sighed as she looked through the wardrobe.
She walked out onto the stage as the lights went up and the music started. She put on a bright smile as she began to dance. This is where she could really be herself. Flirting and shaking it for all of those paying customers. She slid her vest down her arms and threw it off to the side. Oh yeah, she loved this job.

Meanwhile, across town back at the Whiskey, Liv stood behind the bar and mixed drinks for her customers. It was the best of both worlds. Seeing all of the good looking guys, and using her hands. Not to mention the free beers.
"What'll it be, sexy?" She flirted with a new guy.
"That depends, when do you get off baby?" He licked his lips.
"It depends if I'm using my fingers or not." She winked at him.
He began to laugh. "Tom Collins."
"You got it." She grinned.

Kali stepped out of class and was on her way to the small cafe where her study group met every Thursday when her phone rang.
"Hello."
"Aye." Sav smiled to himself.
"Whatcha doin, Sav?" She crossed the campus as she talked. She and Sav had been talking for a couple of months on the phone now. The last few they'd been making plans on what they were going to do when he returned to LA on a break in the tour.
"I'm fine. How was class?" He looked at his watch.
"Surprise exam and then a lecture from hell." She giggled. "I think I did ok, though."
"Good. Look I'll be gettin' in to LA tomorrow. I'll give ya a ring then." He spotted Juli, his girlfriend walking back in the bedroom.
"Can't wait to see you."
"Me, too." He smiled. "See ya then."
"Bye." She hung up and walked into the cafe.
"Who was that?" Juli kissed him as they walked out of the house.
"Joe. Wants to play some golf tomorrow."

Kali found her group in the corner at their usual table.
"Hey, Kal! How was class?" Josh, a member of the group looked up.
"Not to bad." She threw her stuff on the table and sat down.
"What about this hot guy you've been talking to?" Amber smiled.
"He'll be in LA tomorrow." Kali sighed.
"I think you're in love." Amber teased.
"I very well could be." Kali giggled. "We'll just have to see." They went to work.

Sav and Juli walked into the small cafe and grabbed a table.
"I've missed you." She clung to his arm.
"Me, too." He kissed her.
"Maybe I could come with you for a couple of months when you leave. Ya know, spend some time together." Juli suggested.
"We'll talk about it." He drank his tea.

Kali stretched her arms and rubbed her neck.
"I'm gonna go get a refill." She stood.
"Put in an order for some cheese fries, will ya?" Josh looked up.
"Sure." She laughed as she walked to the counter. She got her refill and placed the order for the cheese fries. She looked around the tiny cafe as she waited on her change. Her heart nearly stopped when her eyes stopped at Sav and another woman. The woman was laying her head on his shoulder in one of the booths as he leaned over and kissed her hair. Kali could feel the tears burn her eyes instantly.
"Your change." The waitress snapped her attention back to the counter.
"Th...thanks." Kali shoved it in her pocket. An evil thought popped into her brain as she wiped her eyes. Putting a smile on her face she walked over to his table.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt." She made herself sound excited. The look on Sav's face when he seen her was priceless. He was pale enough to think he'd just seen a ghost. Kali just smiled.
"You're Rick Savage, right? With Def Leppard?" Kali squealed.
"Yeah." Sav frowned.
"I was hoping to get your autograph." She pulled out the pen and napkin she'd taken from the counter. "Please?" She looked at Juli.
"Sure." Sav took the napkin from her and scribbled out his signature before handing it back to her.
"Is this your girlfriend?" She pointed to Juli.
"Uh...yeah." He swallowed hard.
"Juli." She extended her hand.
"It's so nice to meet you!" Kali played it up. "You're such a lucky woman to have a man like Sav." She went on.
"Thank you." Juli smiled. Sav could feel his heart race. What the hell was she doing? Was she gonna blow her top? Give him away?

"I'll let you get back to your meal. Thank you so much." She shot Sav and evil look as Juli looked away. She walked back to her table and gathered her stuff.
"What's wrong?" Amber looked up.
"Nothing." She stuffed it all in her backpack. "I just need to go." She could feel the tears again.
"Kali!" Amber yelled as she ran out of the cafe.

She ran into the house and found Liv on the couch.
"What's wrong?" She looked at her sister.
"I don't want to talk about it." She pulled a beer from the fridge.
"Kali?"
"We going out tonight?" She stopped at the entrance to the hall.
"Rana and I have to work. You could go out with Bobbi." Liv suggested.
"Nah!" She continued to her room.

Liv remained on the couch. She noticed the latest copy of Metal Edge in Kali's backpack and decided to pull it out and read it. She had about an hour before work and then Joe was meeting her there to go to a party when she got off. She flipped through the pages when an article caught her eye. "Lead Singer for Def Leppard, Joe Elliott, announced his engagement to long time girlfriend and model Karla Rhamdanie last week in a special interview with Metal Edge."
"Fucking pig!" Liv shot up off the couch.
"What?" Kali came running in, as did Rana.
"What is it, Liv?" Rana yanked the magazine from her hands. "Oh, shit!" Rana read the article.
"Liv?" Kali watched her sister.
"He's engaged." Liv's eyes sparked with fire.
"Must run in the group." Kali pouted.
"Sav too?" Rana looked at Kali.
"I caught him in the cafe today with his girlfriend." Kali snipped.

Liv worked off her anger that night behind the bar. The anger may have been leaving but the plan she'd been working on was bigger by the hour. Finally, about an hour before closing, Joe walked in and grabbed a seat at the bar.
"Hey, handsome." Liv turned on the charm.
"Aye, love. About ready?"
"Just finishing up." She smiled. "Why don't you wait in the back for me and we can have our own little party before we go?" She ran an ice cube down her neck and across her cleavage.
"I love the way you think." He kissed her and walked to the back.

When Liv finished she grabbed a bottle of vodka and walked to the back where the pool tables were. There Joe was playing around shooting a little pool by himself.
"Hey." She spoke in a husky voice.
"I was beginnin' to wonder if you were gonna stand me up or not." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
"No, I've been waiting for this all night." She pulled at the tabs of his jeans.
"Gettin' straight to business, eh?" Joe chuckled as she pulled his shirt over his head.
"What can I say? You're body just turns me on." She almost choked on the words. He tried to remove her top but she stopped him.
"You first." She reached down around his waist. Her hands pulling his behind his back. She held them there with one hand as she reached into her back pocket with the other. She pulled out a pair of handcuffs as she backed him against the bar.
"Mmm." He growled. "You're a bit feisty t'night."
"I know." She slid one cuff through the railing of the bar then snapped both cuffs around his wrists, handcuffing him to the bar.
"What?" He tried to pull away.
"Say cheese!" She grabbed the camera she'd placed on the bar earlier and snapped his picture.
"Liv!"
"Mmm. What should I do?" She fanned herself with the Polaroid she'd just taken. "Should I keep this for my scrap book or send it to your fiancée?" She glared at him. Joe's mouth dropped.
"You wouldn't!" He panicked.
"Why not?" Liv raised her eyebrows.
"Let me go!" He pulled again but didn't move.
"Oh, yes. That's a great idea." She giggled as she again grabbed the camera and snapped another picture. "I'll just take two that way Karla and I can both have one!"
"Liv!" He yelled as she ignored him and grabbed his clothes.
"Bye, Joe!" She laughed as she carried his clothes out and left him handcuffed to the bar.

"God, another kick ass show!" Bobbi squealed as they took their usual seats at the bar.
"The best one yet, I think!" Kali took a long drink of her beer.
"I agree!" Rana giggled.
"And I third that." Liv downed a shot.
"Excuse me…" A man interrupted them.
"Yes?" Liv watched him.
"I'm Tom Stevens from Soma."
"Really?" Kali's eyes widened. Soma was a huge club in San Diego, Liv and hers hometown. If you're good enough to make it there, you can make it anywhere.
"You got our flier?" Bobbi took over.
"We'd like for you to play Thursday night. On the small stage."
"What about the big stage?" Liv became nervous.
"We'll see how you do Thursday night first."
"Great. We're there." Kali shook his hand.

They were speechless as he walked away.
"Don't you have an early class Friday mornings?" Liv turned to her sister.
"I'll skip it." She grinned.
"Wooh!" Rana clapped her hands together. "Another round!"
"Did that really just happen?" Bobbi grabbed her chest and looked at Liv.
"Yeah, but now comes the hard part. We've gotta kick major ass."
"Oh yeah." Kali tipped her head back.

They spent the entire next week in San Diego passing out fliers. At Soma, if you had a crowd of 100 or more show up at a concert on the small stage, then you were granted the opportunity to come back and perform on the big stage. It was a make it or break it situation. So, they spent their afternoons and evening passing out fliers.
Kali also took the chance of passing them out around LA. Maybe their small fan base wouldn't mind traveling to see them.

The big night finally came. The girls sat nervously in the dressing room while finishing their makeup.
"What's up with the pink hair?" Liv watched Bobbi as she adjusted her black halter-top.
"In honor of our special night." She grinned. "You like?"
"Actually, yeah." Kali laughed. "It's you."
Tom walked in and looked around the room. "You girls look great."
"Thanks." They smiled.
"You're on in ten minutes. Do you need anything else?"
"No, we've got it." Bobbi smiled.

The girls took the stage and couldn't believe their eyes. There were people from LA, people from San Diego… the place was packed.
"Holy fuckin' shit." Rana pulled her guitar strap over her head.
"This is cool!" Bobbi squealed.
"Let's do it." Liv looked at her sister.
"This is what we're here for." Kali followed.

It turned out to be the most fun they had ever had. The crowd went crazy after their signature song, "Crush" that Kali and Bobbi had written two years earlier. They could hardly believe themselves as Tom walked out to the stage after their last song.
"I just wanted to let you ladies know that you've pulled in 278 people tonight!" He yelled over the microphone as the audience whistled and applauded.
"Oh shit!" Liv hugged her little sister.
"We did it!" Kali looked out over the crowd.

They were stopped on their way back to the dressing room by fans wanting autographs. They were giddy by the time they made it back to their dressing room.
"Oh my God!" They jumped up and down.
"We need to celebrate!" Bobbi pulled a bottle of champagne from her bag.
"Yes!" Kali screeched.
"I knew you wouldn't let us down!" Liv grabbed the bottle and shook it up as the girls screamed. They had settled down and were freshening up their makeup when there was a knock on the door. Liv opened it to see Sav and Joe standing in the hall with flowers. "Hi." She rolled her eyes.
"Great show." Joe pushed against the door, but her foot was in the way.
"This is a private party." She huffed. "So if you'll excuse us." She slammed the door.

The girls emerged a few minutes later, and pushed past everyone to get to the bar. Sav watched as Kali purposely kept her eyes in front of her. God, she looked hot tonight. What could he do to make it up to her?
Shots flew everywhere as the girls were surrounded by men.
"There's no way we're gonna make it to them in this crowd." Joe sighed.
"I'm stayin'." Sav watched as Kali flirted with a few local musicians.

"Hello handsome." Liv recognized a guy that she had gone to high school with.
"Hey, baby." He kissed her. He didn't let up and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Wow!" She caught her breath. "Long time, Chad."
"Why don't we go and… get reacquainted?"
"Bye!" She waved as she led him through the crowd.
"One down." Kali took a deep breath and looked around the room. Someone caught her eye. Those blue eyes. It couldn't be. "Travis?"

"Hey!" He hugged her tightly.
"Oh my God!" She looked at her ex-boyfriend. "You look great!"
"I'm in a new band with Erol." He spoke of a friend of theirs from high school.
"That's great! Erol's the best drummer there is!"
"So, you wanna go talk?" He took her hand.
"Sure." She led him out the door.
"Where are they?" Bobbi looked around.
"Huh?" Rana followed. "No way! They hooked up before we did?"
"We're loosin' our touch!" Bobbi sighed.

Kali walked up the drive the next morning to see Sav waiting on the front steps.
"I think you have the wrong house, Mr. Savage." She looked through her keys.
"Look, I'm sorry. I know I should 'ave told you."
"You know what? It doesn't matter." She stopped him. "I was out for one thing and I got it."
"I know you better than that, Kal."
"You don't know me at all." She pushed past him and walked into the house.

Liv walked in after a full day of passing out fliers for their upcoming show at Soma. She heard the strumming of an acoustic guitar coming from the hall. The song was nice. Catchy. She followed the melody until she reached Kali's room.
"That is great." She peeked her head in.
"Thanks." She smiled as she looked up. "It's still a work in progress, though."
"That's just because you're a perfectionist."
"Maybe." She sat her guitar aside. "How'd it go today?"
"Not too bad. I think we may have 400 people at the next show."
"Really?" Her eyes widened. "What if we used the money we got last week and put an ad in the paper? The campus paper?"
"That is an excellent idea, Kal!" She ran into the kitchen to run it by the other girls.
"Yes! You're a genius!" Bobbi ran in and hugged her.

There was a line backed up for three blocks when the girls arrived at the club.
"Is there another band tonight?" Kali looked around.
"We're not goin' on in front of the Crue or anything, are we?" Rana huffed as she carried her guitar.
"I hope not." Liv lugged her bass drum in.
"I think Tommy Lee's pretty hot myself." Bobbi giggled.
They walked in and looked around. There wasn't another band setting up.
"There you are!" Tom walked up to the stage. "Did you see the line?"
"Who are they waiting for?" Bobbi looked up from plugging in cords.
"For Crush." He said plainly. "We've sold out."
"No shit?" Rana's eyes widened.
"Oh my God!" Kali looked up at her sister.
"Fuckin' cool!" Liv hugged her sister.
"Wow! We are definitely celebrating tonight!" Bobbi screeched over the microphone.

After the show that night, they sat back in their dressing room and passed around bottles of champagne.
"Fuck this fufu shit! Where's the Jack?" Liv giggled.
"Let's make our way down to the bar." Kali smiled.
"Are you kiddin'? We'll be mobbed!" Rana's eyes widened. "It's packed out there!"
There was a knock at the door. Bobbi opened it and smiled. "Yes?"
"Hi, I'm Scott Ian. I was wondering if my friends and I could meet you girls?"
"Sure." She backed away and let him in.
Kali nearly choked on her drink. "Scott Ian? Joey Belladonna?"
"You know us?" They smiled.
"Hell, I've nearly worn your latest CD out." She shook their hands. "Girls, these guys are from Anthrax."
"Wow." They shook hands.
"I'm Kali Bennet and this is my sister Liv. This is Bobbi Addison and that over in the corner is Rana Taylor."
"Oh, we brought you a bottle of Jimmy Walker. You girls kicked ass tonight." Joey handed it to Liv.
"Thanks!" Liv glowed, as there was another knock on the door.
Bobbi again answered with a smile on her face. "Holy shit, it's Lars Ulrich!"
"Well let the man in, Bobbi!" Rana laughed.
He was followed by his band mate James Hetfield.

They again made introductions.
"You girls rocked!" James handed Liv a bottle of Jagermeister.
"Do you have a record deal yet?" Lars asked Kali.
"No."
"Then I think it's time you girls did a demo. I doubt you'll have a problem getting a really good contract." James followed.
"I agree." Joey and Scott added.

Kali was on spring break and Rana and Liv took the week off. The girls then locked themselves in their house and began working on recording their first demo. They had set up a makeshift studio with some borrowed equipment from the music department at UCLA.
"We can start out with Crush." Bobbi sipped her water.
"I agree." Kali pulled the strap of her bass over her shoulder.
"Let's do a practice run first." Liv warmed up.

The song began and Bobbi's voice flowed through the microphone like a perfect wind. The guitars were in perfect time with the drums and the girls smiled at each other when they finished.
"Now let's play it again and record it." Bobbi pointed to Josh, who'd volunteered his spring break to help the girls. All of them thought that he was madly in love with Kali though the two had never dated nor had Kali shown any interest beyond friends. The girls again ran through the song without a single problem.

"Can we take a break?" Rana sat her guitar down after the third song was finally recorded.
"Sounds good." Liv rubbed her hands.
"We'll grab some food and talk about what other songs we're going to use." Bobbi followed the others to the kitchen.

Def Leppard was set up to do another concert in LA the same night. Around mid afternoon their tour manager had discovered a slight problem.
"What do you mean we 'ave no openin' band?" Joe huffed.
"I mean that three members of the band got food poisoning last night and they can't perform." Cliff Burnstein, the tour manager, replied.
"Fuck!" Steve grumbled.
"What are we gonna do?" Phil looked around at the others.
"Can't you guys just go on without one?" Juli suggested.
"No." Sav sighed. "Joe's voice can't last an extra hour."
"I could really use some tea right now." Joe looked at Karla. "Please?"
"Sure. We'll be right back." Karla pulled Juli with her out of the room.
"We need to think of somethin'." Joe paced.
A smile crossed Sav's face. It would be hell for him but he was willing to do it if it saved their asses and he only got to see her again.

"There's always Crush." He suggested. Joe stopped dead in his tracks.
"That is....unless you're afraid that Liv will handcuff your ass to the stage or somethin' with only your boxers on!" Steve laughed.
"Piss off!" Joe snarled.
Karla and Juli stopped at the doorway as the guys were talking.
"You sure Kali would really want to see you again, Sav?" Phil looked at him.
"I 'ave to try." Sav ran a hand through his hair.
"Here ya go." Karla and Juli put on smiles as they walked in the room. Sav watched Juli as she walked over and sat on the couch.
"You wanna do the honors, mate?" Joe looked at Phil. Phil and Rana were the only ones still getting along at this point and they would play dirty to save their asses tonight.
"Sure." Phil sighed and walked to the other room. Phil took out his cell phone and dialed the girl’s number.
"Hello." Kali answered.
"'Ello, Kali, it's Phil." He closed his eyes.
"Hey." She was again quiet.
"Is Rana around?"
"Hold on." She put the phone down. "Yo, Rana! It's Phil!"
"Well, hello." Rana smiled as she picked up the phone.
"Aye, love. I need a huge favor from you girls." He went on to tell her about their situation.
"I don't know if we'll be able to talk Liv and Kali into that one." Rana sighed. "I mean, I see no hope."
"Try? Please?" He begged.
"Hold on." She put the phone down and walked into the living room. "Hey, I have a proposition for you three."
"That's never a good thing." Liv propped her feet on the coffee table.
"A certain group is in serious need of an opening act." Rana started. "I mean, we're talking a friggin' sold out stadium to play in front of."
"Us?" Kali's eyes lit up.
"Yes. Tonight in less than three hours."
"Shit! That doesn't leave us much time especially with LA traffic!" Bobbi jumped in.
"I say let them fall on their faces." Liv snarled.
"Normally, if they'd done to me what two of them have done to you and Kal, I would. But...I'm thinking of the benefits to us." Rana raised her eyebrows as she saw the light bulbs coming on.
The other three looked at each other then back at Rana.
"Let's do it!" They all three yelled. As Rana ran back to the phone the other three ran for their rooms to get ready.

The guys paced the green room as they waited on the girls to arrive.
"Did you get him to come?" Joe looked at Cliff.
"Polygram said they'd make sure a rep was present in the crowd." Cliff answered.
"Great." Sav smiled. Juli and Karla had already made their way out in the crowd to watch the show.
"Fuckin' jerk!" Bobbi yelled as the girls fell through the door.
"Aye!" Five British voices boomed.
"Yeah, whatever." Liv looked around.
"Hey, Phil." Rana ran over and gave him a kiss.
"'Ello, Kali." Sav walked up to her.
"Bite me, Sav." She pulled her bass from its case.
"Liv?" Joe carefully approached her.
"Any handcuffs t'night, love?" Steve yelled to her. Liv and the others burst into laughter as Joe's face turned red.
"Not tonight!" Liv smiled at Joe. "That is...unless Mr. Elliott here wants me to handcuff him to his fiancée?"
"Blow me!" Joe grumbled.
"As Bobbi would say....been there, done that." Liv turned to find her drumsticks.
"Kali, please. Can we talk a minute?" Sav grabbed her arm.
"Look." She met his eyes. Those deep blue eyes. God, why did such a gorgeous man have to be such a pig? It was a waist of skin. She seemed to melt as he continued to stare. "Maybe after the show." She walked out of the room and joined the others on the side of the stage.
"Oh shit!" Rana looked out over the crowd.
"We've never played in front of a crowd this big before." Kali's eyes widened.
"No we haven't." Liv pulled them together in a huddle. "This is what we've been striving for." She made eye contact with all of them.
"Liv's right. We can do it." Bobbi boosted.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Kali fixed her earplugs.
"Wooh!" The girls gave each other high-5's.

The girls rocked the crowd as Sav watched Kali from the side of the stage and Juli watched Sav from the crowd. He hoped his little idea with the rep tonight and the girls worked the way he planned. He really kinda missed Kali. They had so much in common and she was so sweet.
"Daydreamin', mate?" Joe joined him.
"I guess you could say that." He watched Kali flash a smile to her sister.
"What is it about those two?" Joe crossed his arms.
"Got me." He turned to walk back behind the stage.

After the concert the guys showered and met up with the girls in the green room.
"Thanks you ladies." Rick smiled at the girls.
"Yes, thank you." Steve extended his hand to each.
"Thanks for the opportunity." Bobbi smiled.
"Can we talk now?" Sav looked at Kali.
"I think you and I need to talk first." Juli stopped in the doorway.
"Please don't leave." Sav touched the end of Kali's nose before joining Juli in the hall.
"Hello, ladies." A gentleman walked in before Sav closed the door.
"Hi." They all froze.
"I'm Michael Fetter from Polygram." He smiled. The girls were speechless. "I want for you girls to come in and talk about the new recording contract that we want to offer you."
"Recording contract?" Kali gasped.
"Really?" Rana followed.
"You do want one, right?" Michael looked at them.
"Hell yes we do!" Bobbi smiled as Liv elbowed her.
"Do you have a demo?"
"We're working on one now." Liv answered.
"Bring it with you and meet me in my office first thing Monday morning." He handed them a business card and walked out. As he opened the door the yelling could be heard from the hall.

"Damn it, Rick! Who is she?" Juli yelled.
"Don't worry about it!" Sav yelled back.
"We've been together for eight years. I think I deserve to know if you're cheating on me!" She slapped him. Sav's face turned red as anger quickly overcame him.
"Don't worry.....it wasn't the first time but I'm tellin' you now it was the last." He pointed his finger at her.
"What are you saying?" She quickly backed down.
"That I want your stuff out of my apartment 'ere....t'night." He slammed the door behind him.

Liv sat next to her parents and watched as the degree recipients walked across the stage. Bobbi and Rana stayed at the house and prepared for the kick ass party that was to follow.
"God, I can't believe it's finally over." Bobbi sniffed. "No more hearin' her bitch about keepin' her out too late."
"Or telling us to keep it down because she's studying." Rana followed.
"The baby's all grown up!" They cried as they hugged one another. After a moment, they pushed away from one another.
"You speak about this to no one." Bobbi went back to work.
"Not a soul." Rana walked to the kitchen.

"Kali Renee Bennett." The dean of the college of business presented her diploma. She stopped and had her photo taken before returning to her seat. There. It was over. Now it was time to do what she wanted to do. Concentrate on the band.

"There she is!" Bobbi and Rana took turns hugging Kali as she walked into the house.
"We have an entire bottle of tequila with your name on it." Rana handed it to her.
"Thanks." She giggled as the phone rang.
"Hello?" Liv answered. "Let me see." She lowered the phone. "Kali! Phone!"
"Cool." She took the phone. "Yo!"
"Aye!" Sav laughed.
"Sav." Her eyes widened. "Hi."
"I wanted to call and congratulate you. I know you've really worked hard for your degree."
"Thanks." She walked into her room and sat on the bed. She was speechless.
"I'm only sorry that I couldn't make it to the ceremony."
"It was boring, really." She laughed. "You didn't miss much."
"That's cool." He walked to the doorway of her room and stopped. "So, what are the plans tonight?" She slowly looked up at him. "Party." She smiled as she hung up the phone.
"You sure?" He turned his cell phone off and slid it into his pocket.
"For a while at least." She stopped very close to him. "I have a bottle of tequila callin' my name."
"If you say so." He rubbed his nose against hers.
Rana walked down the hall and pushed Sav into Kali's room. "Fuck already!" She giggled.
They laughed as they fell to the floor.
"I like her." He smiled as he kissed her.

He woke up the next morning to find himself alone in her bed. He slid into his jeans and walked out to see bodies everywhere. Liv and Kali were passed out on the sofa together. He had to smile. Should have known he couldn't keep her away from a party too long.
"Kali." He knelt beside her and rubbed her hand.
"Huh?" She blinked.
"Hey. I need to get back. Me plane leaves at noon."
She stood and walked to her room. She then closed the door. "You only came for the night?"
"Yeah, we 'ave a gig t'night."
"Really?" She couldn't believe how sweet he was being. Maybe she could forgive him for being such a pig.
"Really." He kissed her.
"Maybe I should return the favor soon?"
"Really? When?"
"I don't know. We start recording next week."
"That quick?"
"It's all happened pretty quick." She smiled. "I can't believe we're recording an album. We're used to playin' our songs a different way every night."
"I know what you mean." He ran his fingers across her cheek. "I want you to know that you can call me if you need to talk or vent or… whatever."
"Thanks." She whispered. "I might take you up on that."

The girls walked into "Studio D" in San Francisco. In the sound booth were three people that were looking over the equipment.
"Crush?" A grungy looking young man approached them. "I'm Andy Johns."
"Wow! It's an honor to meet you." Kali shook his hand.

The other girls shrugged their shoulders.
"He produced the Cinderella." She whispered.
"Oh!" They each introduced themselves.
"This is our engineer, Mike Shipley."
"He's worked with the Leps." Kali filled them all in.
"Well, what I want to do today is look over your music and maybe run through a few things. Get a sample of your voices and basically start from the beginning." Andy began.
"Cool." Bobbi looked around.
"I'll just get my rig set up." Liv carried her bass drum into the sound room.

By the end of the day, they were exhausted. They went to the apartment that Polygram was renting for them and looked around.
"Wow." Bobbi looked through the fully stocked refrigerator. "And exactly who's gonna cook all this food?"
"Liv and Rana." Kali smiled.
"You have two hands and half a brain." Liv smarted as she sat on the sofa.
"I also have a song to finish." She picked up her guitars and walked down the hall. "Great, two bedrooms." She mumbled as she chose the one at the corner of the building.
"She's still a workaholic." Rana rolled her eyes.
"And I'm not!" Bobbi found the bar. "Ha! Who wants an Alabama Slammer?"
"Me!" Both girls raised their hands.

Kali looked up from strumming her guitar to see Rana watching her. "So when do we add my part?"
"I don't know. I'm thinkin' it sounds pretty damn good acoustically."
"Hold that thought." She ran to her room and grabbed her acoustic guitar. She then sat next to Kali and read the music. Liv looked up from watching television as Bobbi lifted the remote and turned it off.
"That sounds great." Liv whispered.
Kali began to sing. "God, I feel like hell tonight…Tears of rage I cannot fight…I'd be the last to help you understand…Are you strong enough to be my man…Nothing's true and nothing's right…So let me be alone tonight…Cause you can't change the way I am…Are you strong enough to be my man…Lie to me…I promise I'll believe…Lie to me…But please don't leave…" She looked up to see the entire band in her room.
"That is deep." Bobbi raised her eyebrows.
"So? You like it?" She looked for a response from her sister.
"I love it." She thought of what to say. "It's just not us, is it?"
"I don't know." She turned to Rana. "Everyone's doing the unplugged thing these days. It's a really good song."
"It is." Bobbi crossed her arms. "When do you think it'll be done?"
"I'm not sure."
"We could run it by Andy." Liv suggested.
"Not yet. I want to give him a finished product. A few more days." She took a deep breath as her cell phone rang. She knew who it was. The man behind the song.

"Kali." She spoke as the others left the room.
"Aye."
"Hey. How was the show tonight?"
"Not too bad. Steve was tanked before we even went on, which wasn't good."
"Probably not." She yawned.
"So how was the first day?"
"Exhausting. Mike thinks I need to sing in a higher range." She rolled her eyes.
"Sounds like Mike." He chuckled.
"I like my range just the way it is. Muffled and quiet. That's why I'm a backup singer."
"He obviously thinks you 'ave a great voice if he's trying to keep you from hidin' it."
"Oh, so you're gangin' up on me?"
"Kal…" He laughed.
"Isn't it enough that the entire band is on his side?"
"You are so self conscious!"
"I am not! I know I have a nice voice."
"Then sing."
"Excuse me?"
"Sing me a song. Right now."
Think of something, quick. "I was working on a song when you called and it's the only thing on my mind right now."
"Then sing that one."
"No! It's… it's… not finished. You can't hear it 'til it's done." She crossed her arms and pouted.
"Aren't you the stubborn arse t'night?"
"Kiss my ass!" She squealed. "I thought you were gonna let me vent?"
"Okay, fine. Vent away, darlin'."
She couldn't help but giggle. "I'm through."
"You're such a shite!" He huffed.
"Bite me." She again yawned. "God, its 2:00 AM?"
"In California. Here it's 4:00."
"Damn! You'd better get some sleep then."
"I probably should." He sighed. "We're goin' to a party t'morrow night. I probably won't get to call."
"Yeah, I'm sure you'll be busy." She teased.
"Hey! Be nice."
"I thought I was."
"G'Night Kali."
"Night Rick." She called him by his real name.
"Wh…" He was cut off by her hanging up.

She laid and stared at the ceiling for a while before sitting up to finish the song. "I have a face I cannot show…I make the rules up as I go…It's try and love me if you can…Are you strong enough to be my man…When I've shown you that I just don't care…When I'm throwing punches in the air…When I'm broken down and I can't stand…Will you be strong enough to be my man… Lie to me…I promise I'll believe…Lie to me…But please don't leave…"
There. It was done. He was going to have to hear it eventually. Maybe they should just wait until the second album. Or sell it to someone else. Or tear it up and never play it again. She laid her guitar down and turned out the light.

"It's a great song." Andy and Mike read over the sheet music.
"What?" Kali looked up from rearranging the bass line of another song. "How did you…"
"Sorry, sis." Liv patted her back. "I did it for your own good."
"Fuck." She whined.
"I think we should do it." Andy looked her in the eye. "And I think you should sing it."
"If I wanted to sing, I'd be the lead singer. All I want to do is play rhythm and back up Bobbi. Why is that so bad?"
"You have an amazing voice, Kali. Please just try it?" Rana pleaded.
"And what if it's great? And it becomes a single and we have to perform it?"
"Then you perform it and the fans go crazy." Mike watched her.
"Can I think about it? I mean, we have a lot of other songs besides this one."
"That's fair." Andy patted her hand.

They all sat at a bar one night and talked.
"Wow. We've finished five songs, can you believe it?" Bobbi downed a shot.
"Yeah, but we've been here three months." Liv pouted.
"Yeah, it is takin' a while." Rana watched Kali. She was staring at her drink.
"What?" All three looked at her.
"We're takin' Saturday off next week, aren't we?" She thought out loud.
"Yeah?" Liv stared at her sister.
"I think I'm gonna go see Sav." She downed her shot.
"Booty call?" Rana teased her. "In that case, I'll tag along."
"Cool." She finally smiled.
"But tonight, we drink." Bobbi held a fresh drink up. "To Crush. May we forever kick ass!"
"Oh yeah!" The girls laughed.

No sooner had Kali and Rana left for the airport, Bobbi and Liv schemed.
"You think Sav can talk her into singing it?" Bobbi tipped back a bottle of beer.
"I think he's the problem." Liv yawned. "I think the song's about him."
"So he needs to hear it first, huh?" She smiled.
"What are you thinking?"
"You need to call Joe."
"Excuse me all to hell, but what?"
"Call him, Liv! It's the only way we'll ever get Kali to sing this song and you know it."
A lump rose in her throat as her pulse quickened and her stomach turned. "I hate you." She growled as she picked up the phone and dialed.

"Joe!" He huffed as he answered his cell phone.
"Hey, Joe." Liv mumbled.
"Hi." He stopped dead in his tracks.
"Before your ego inflates twice it's normal size, this is a business call."
He shook his head and smiled. "Business?"
"Yeah, I have a huge favor to ask."
"And what do I get in return?"
"The honor of not having my foot up your ass if you're lucky."
"Well now, can't pass that up can I?"
He listened as she explained their situation.
"Wow. I know what we can do."
"What?"
"Can't tell you now, it would ruin the surprise of it all."
"Joe! Don't make her mad at me!"
"That may not be able to be avoided, love. You know how me ego gets." He chuckled as he hung up on her.
"Oh!" She huffed as she slammed the phone down and looked at Bobbi. "This better work!"

The girls stopped in the restrooms at the front of the arena and primped before they walked down to the stage. Kali adjusted her tight black body suit so that the shoulder cutouts matched before puffing her curly hair one last time. Rana was busy adjusting the straps of her cropped shirt so that they hung on her arms instead of her shoulders. She then powdered her nose. "So you like the purple streak?" She stared at her hair.
"I do. I've been thinking of a blue one, myself. Maybe the bangs and the front?"
"That would look awesome for our album cover."
"That's what I was thinking." She giggled.
They strapped their passes around their necks and then made their way to the stage. The Leps were playing "In The Round" again that night, so they were thrown into the bustle of busy technicians, roadies, and crew. Finally, they made it to the stage door and showed their passes to Tiny.
"Aye!" Five British voices belted as Joe was the first to greet them. He turned to Tiny and nodded as the door was closed and locked.
"Hi." Kali smiled as Sav gave her a tight hug.
"Don't suffocate the woman!" Steve pushed him away and gave her a hug.
"Hey, love." Phil hugged Rana. "It wasn't my ideer."
"Huh?" She looked around and noticed the two guitars on the couch. "Oh shit!" She squealed. "Liv's a genius!"
"What?" Kali looked up. "What did you say?"
Joe stood and smiled at her for a moment, but then decided to speak. "Your band mates informed us that you've written a killer song and would like to perform it for us t'night."
"Seems like you were misinformed, then." Her heart began to race.
"Well, we're not goin' on t'night until we 'ere it." Phil spoke up.
"Bull shit." She turned and reached for the doorknob, only to find that it was locked.
"Jokes on you." Steve smiled. "I'll even let you play me favorite guitar, Kali."
"This is fucked up, guys." Her hands began to shake.
"It's just a song, Kal. C'mon. We'd love to 'ere it." Sav smiled at her.
"Oh, to hell with that smile!" She mumbled as she looked at Rana.
"I didn't have a clue." She held her hands up. "But I'll sing backup."
"Fine!" She grunted as she took Steve's guitar and sat down.
Rana joined her with Phil's guitar and sat next to her. They moved so that they could see each other's fingers while they played. The guys joined around them as they watched and listened.
Kali began to sing. "God, I feel like hell tonight…Tears of rage I cannot fight…I'd be the last to help you understand…Are you strong enough to be my man…"

Once over the initial shock of having a command performance, she was fine. She really did have a great voice. Apparently her band knew it, too.
Rana joined her on the chorus. "Lie to me…I promise I'll believe…Lie to me…But please don't leave…" They played the last few chords and then waited for approval.
Steve and Joe were the first to applaud.
"That was… great." Joe hugged her as he wiped his eyes.
"You're crying?" Kali's eyes widened.
"He… gets that way sometimes." Sav followed. "It's a fabulous song, Kali." He looked into her eyes.
"Thanks." She was overcome by a chill.
Cliff stormed into the greenroom. "Sound check! Now!"
"Later!" They all walked to the stairs.
Kali stood for a moment with her arms crossed and then turned to Rana. "We need a new drummer."
"Why?"
"My sister will need a breathing tube after I get through with her." She huffed as she walked over to the cooler and grabbed a beer.

After the show, everyone met up in the lobby of the hotel.
"So, where we goin'?" Joe looked around.
"I think we're stayin'in." Sav rubbed his fingers across Kali's bare shoulders.
"Us too." Phil took a deep breath.
"Fine." Steve and Rick headed to the door.
"Have fun." Joe waved.

Kali walked in and plopped onto the bed.
"You alright?" Sav stopped to unload his pockets on the bar.
"I guess so." She stared at the ceiling. "Hope you don't like Liv too much, because she'd gonna die soon."
"Oh, she is not." He sat beside her and leaned over to look into her eyes. "That's the song you've been workin' on?"
"I started it after Juli…"
He covered her mouth with his fingers. "I thought we agreed not to talk about that."
"It's the timeline, Sav." She kissed his fingers.
"God, I missed you." He kissed her, igniting that fire that she had so desperately missed for the last few months.
"I missed you too." She caught her breath as he unbuttoned her jeans. "A lot."
"Kali, I…" Her eyes widened as she stopped him.
"Don't."
"But I do." He looked into her eyes.
"We are so far apart right now. I think it'd be better if we… keep our feelings to ourselves right now." She ran her fingers through his hair. "Please?"
He let out a deep sigh as he looked across the room a moment, but then turned back to her. "Fine."

Rana had already thrown Phil's shirt across the room and was working on his jeans.
"Ray." He kissed her before pushing away. "Baby, we need to talk."
"We can talk later." She kissed his chest. He smiled as he cupped her breast and pushed against her.
"Aw, hell!" He again pushed away. "No, we need to talk now."
"Huh?" She stopped and looked into his eyes.
"I shouldn't do this."
"Shouldn't?"
"I can't do it." He pouted.
"You're doin' just fine, Phil." She grinned.
"No, love. I'm married."
She sat onto the bed and let his words sink in. "Since when?" She looked up at him.
"Last month." He rubbed his face. "She's pregnant."
"I see." Her heart fell to her stomach.
"I'm so sorry, Rana. I didn't plan for it to happen."
"Seems that way." She stood and gathered her things.
"Please, don't go like this."
"Okay, I'm happy for you and hope that you and the new Mrs. Collen are very happy. How's that?" She slammed the door behind her.

Kali woke up the next morning and watched Sav sleep. He almost said it last night. God, what a disaster that would have been. He probably loved Juli too, right? And they all knew how that ended up. Girls… groupies… a musician…
"Hey." He smiled as he ran his finger down her nose.
"Hi." She smiled.
"These nights seem to get shorter and shorter, don't they?"
"Yeah." She sighed. "They do."
"I've an ideer." He kissed her. "Why don't you come with me to England for Joe's weddin'?"
"Really?" She raised her eyebrows.
"Sure! It'd give us an excuse to spend a few days together and you could see where I grew up."
"That does sound like fun." She closed her eyes as he pulled her on top of him.
"Please?" He pushed his hips into hers.
"Sav." She moaned.
"Do I 'ave to beg?" He rubbed her thighs.
"Fine!" She moaned as he slid into her.
"Thank you." He grinned.

Joe sat in his old room at his parent's house in Sheffield, England the night before his wedding. He stared at the phone and tried to think of what he could say. If he should even try. Taking a deep breath he dialed the phone.
"Hello." Liv put down the book she was reading.
"Aye." He spoke lowly.
"What do you want, Joe?" She sat up. Why was he calling her? Wasn't he getting married or something tomorrow?
"I just.....I wanted to talk." He sighed. Damn, this seemed to be so much harder now that he had her on the phone.
"Huh? What could we have to talk about? It's not Kali is it? Sav didn't do anything stupid, did he?"
"No, love. He didn't. I did."
"Excuse me?" She giggled. "You do something stupid? No way!"
"I'm tryin' me best to be serious." He huffed.
"Well then. I'll just sit here and be quiet while you be serious." She calmed.
"Liv...." He shook his head. How did she do that? "About tomorrow.....if you were to give me another chance I...I...wouldn't go through with it tomorrow."
"What?" Liv gasped. Was he really saying that if she gave him another chance he wouldn't marry Karla? "Joe...."
"I would." He went on. "I'd fly back to LA just to be with you. I wouldn't marry her and...and...hell I don't know what else I'd do." He ran a hand through his hair.
"Joe.." She sniffed. She’d give anything for another chance with him. The only problem was he was getting married and she wouldn't allow herself to be the reason for their break up. "I can't, Joe. It just wouldn't be right."
"Liv....I should of broke things off with her when I met you."
"But, you didn't. The reason for that is you love her. And because of that...you should marry her." She hung up before he could hear the tears in her voice.
"Fuck!" Joe threw the phone against the wall.

Kali sat in the swing with her head resting on Sav's shoulder. The night air was cool and a slight wind was blowing.
"What do you think so far?" He kissed the top of her head.
"About?"
"England, love." He chuckled.
"It's beautiful." She smiled. She'd met his parents, Ken and Sarah, earlier that night. She had also met his brothers, Brian and John. Quite the nice little family.
"What are you thinkin'?"
"I don't know." She sat up. "A lot of things."
Sav didn't like the tone of her voice. "Is it the album?"
"Partly." She sighed. "We've just been so busy. We finished up last month and it's due to be released at the first of the year. What if people don't like it?"
"Do you honestly believe that?" He tilted her chin up. "Look at all the crowds you girls brought in when you were playing the Whiskey. Then I heard you sold out the Soma. Do you know how many bands 'ave done that?" She shook her head. "Only one other that I'm aware of."
"But..."
"But, what? You girls are good, Kali. Flow with it." He kissed her. Brushing a strand of hair away from her face he smiled for her.
"I'm gonna run right out and buy m'self a copy the first day."

The wedding went on without a hitch. Kali almost exploded into fits of laughter when she saw how Joe and Karla were dressed. She had never before seen such horrible taste in fashion. At the reception she mingled around with Sav and met Joe's parents, Joe Sr. and Cindy, along with Phil's new wife Jackie who was already five months pregnant with their child. Poor Rana. She'd liked Phil so much.
"Isn't that just a sight?" Sarah whispered to Kali.
"Oh, yes. I was hoping I wasn't the only one who thought that." She giggled.
"I just love weddings."
"They are beautiful." Kali smiled at Sav as he looked over at them.
"The way Richard talks about you, you'll be the new bride in no time." Sarah smiled.
"Excuse me?" Kali gasped. Marry Sav? What had he been telling his family about them? Marriage?
"He really fancies you." Sarah patted her hand.
"He does?" She felt her heart pound in her chest. Could she ever trust him enough to marry him? After the way things had gone between them when they first met?
"You two make a lovely couple."

The next morning Sav took Kali to the airport.
"I wish you didn't 'ave to fly right back." He held her in his arms. Kali could feel the tears burning her eyes already.
"Rick, we need to talk." She backed away and he noticed the tears. She met his eyes and took a deep breath. She could do this. She had to do this. She'd been awake all night thinking about it and it was for the best. She knew she loved him and knew she could easily spend the rest of her life with him if only she could be certain that he'd never cheat again.
"What is it, love?" He wiped away a tear.
"Us." She whispered. "We're just not working." She shook her head.
"What do you mean? Kali, I love you." He finally spoke the words.
"No!" She sobbed. "It can't work between us. Not after what you did."
"What are you talkin' about?" He stammered. His heart racing inside his chest.
"Juli...you played me for a fool then and I just can't take the chance of getting my heart broke again." She heard the final call for her flight. "I have to go." She grabbed her bag. "Goodbye, Rick."
"Kali, no! Wait!" He chased her but she ran down the ramp and onto the plane.

She knew what was next. The dozen or so messages awaiting her when she got home. She stepped into the door and carried her bags to her room. Liv looked up from studying album cover concepts as Bobbi and Rana ran in.
"Hey!" She smiled and waved while walking to the kitchen. "Got beer?"
"Stupid question!" Bobbi smirked. "So?"
"Okay, first of all you have GOT to see these photos!" She threw them onto the table.
"Oh my God!" Bobbi screamed.
"Tell me these aren't real!" Rana laughed.
"They were stoned, weren't they?"
"Had to have been. It's the only explanation Sarah and I could think of."
"Sarah?"
"Sav's mother." She sighed.
"So you met the folks?"
"I did. And the brothers. Everyone was very nice."
Rana looked at Liv before she sat the messages in front of her. "He's called every hour since you left England."
"I figured as much." She downed her beer. "I'll call him later."
"Promise?" Liv hugged her.
"Oh yeah." She sighed.

Sav was sitting in a chair with his head in his hands, going over and over his last conversation with Kali. What was going on in that beautiful head of hers? What was she afraid of? Of him cheating on her? That would never happen. But she had no way of knowing that did she. All she knew was her first experience. When they first started dating. And he didn't break up with Juli when he knew he should have.
He jumped as the phone rang. "Kali?"
"Hi." She whispered.
"Please tell me you've changed your mind?"
"I haven't, Rick." She again fought back tears. "We are great friends and I think that's maybe all we should be."
"I won't hurt you, I swear."
"I'm sorry, but I can't believe that right now." She sighed. "Please tell me you'll be there for me. I still need you to talk to and vent, Sav. It's just that… I can't let it be any more than that."
Deep down, he knew she was right. He had never really given her a reason to trust him. Not really. "Of course, Kal. I'll do anything you want."
"Thank you." She smiled.

The next month was a whirlwind. They met their manager, tour manager, and publicist. They did dozens of photo shoots, they went shopping for a new wardrobe, had makeovers, and started plans for a North American club tour and videos. Kali primped in the mirror as Liv stood beside her. "You like the blue?" She darkened the black liner around her eyes.
"Oh yeah. What do you think about the tattoo?" Liv stared at her arm in the mirror.
"I'm actually kinda wanting one now." She giggled.
"You? I can't imagine you with a tat."
"Then maybe that's what I should do!" She grinned as she looked up to see Bobbi and her now green hair.
"Woah, that is definitely green, girl!" Rana squealed. "I'm gonna need my shades for this shoot."
"Me too." Kali slid hers onto her eyes.
"Me three." Liv followed.
"You are all smart asses!" She huffed as they walked out for another shoot.

"We are such posers." Liv spoke as they acted "sexy" for the camera.
"This is a bit ridiculous." Kali placed her hands on her hips.
"Any ideas?" Bobbi looked up at the sisters Bennett.
They all smiled as they looked up at the camera and flipped it off.

"They're sending a limo?" Kali's mouth dropped open.
"Isn't it cool?" Bobbi jumped up and down in nothing but her robe.
"Fuckin' yeah!" Rana squealed.
"Girls, just chill and go get ready!" Liv pointed to their bathroom. "Deep breath, sis."
"I'm fine." She walked to her room and looked over the ensemble she had planned to wear. A tank with black jeans. She walked to her closet and decided on something different.
Liv looked in the mirror. She had on a black leather skirt and bra with a leather jacket. "Perfect." She winked at herself. Bobbi walked out with a black bra and panty set with a fishnet dress over it. Rana followed with a black boustier and tight black jeans.
"C'mon, Kali!" Liv yelled.
"I'm ready." She ran out with a black bra and tight, sheer shirt over it with black leather pants.
"We rock!" Bobbi placed her sunglasses over her eyes.

They mingled and talked to people all night. The more they talked, the more they drank. They had gathered up again and were pointing and making fun of other's fashion mistakes when Kali felt a tap on the shoulder.
"Hello." A thin man with hazel eyes stared at her. "I'm Christian Slater."
"Kali Bennett." She smiled as she took his hand.
"You girls seem to be the major topic of discussion tonight." He made sure to make eye contact with each of the others as he introduced himself.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Bobbi flirted with him.
"I think it's great. I can hardly wait to hear your CD when it comes out." He again looked at Kali. "Would you like a fresh drink?"
"Sure." She took his arm as he led her to the bar.
"There's one down for the night." Liv sighed.

The Leps lounged around the green room before the show.
"Here!" Rick threw a magazine on the table in front of Joe, Phil, and Sav. "That might interest you blokes!" He laughed. The guys looked at the magazine with Crush on the cover flipping the camera off.
"Bloody 'ell!" Joe snagged the magazine from the table.
"Let me see it!" Sav plopped down beside him.
"Give it 'ere!" Phil followed on his other side.
"Hands off!" Joe held it above their heads.
"Joe!" They both wined.
"If you rip it...none of us will see it and then I'll 'ave to rip your bloody hands off!" He laughed.
"Wanker!" Sav smacked the back of Joe's head. Joe settled the magazine in his lap as they all three stared at the picture.
Sav burned Kali's picture into his memory. That smile....oh, that sweet smile.
Joe ran his finger over Liv's picture and studied the look on her face.
Phil stared at Rana. Why had things ended up the way they did? They had such a good thing going before Jackie got pregnant.
"Those ladies 'ave been around us to much!" Steve leaned over the back of the sofa.
"Looks like it doesn't it?" Phil laughed.
"They always had the attitude." Joe smiled.

"C'mon, Kali! Liv! We need to go pick up our new bus!" Rana ran into the house to see the sisters hovered over Kali's desk.
"Just two more minutes!" Liv pasted a photo onto a background.
"What is it?" Rana looked over her shoulder and almost immediately broke into laughter. It was a photo of Joe and Karla from their wedding on a background that read 'Wanted By the Fashion Police'.
"Read the bottom." Kali giggled.
"Wanted by authorities in both the United States and the United Kingdom for crimes against the sense of good fashion. If you see either of these dangerous criminals, grab their cloths, burn them, and head straight for the nearest mall. Rana fell to the floor, laughing. "Holy shit! Make copies!"
"We will."

Cliff walked onto the bus to see the Leps taking a break, and playing poker. He tried his best to keep a straight face. "Got a fax from Polygram today."
"Really?" Sav looked up. "Let's see." He took it from him. "Ha!" He covered his mouth as he laughed.
"What?" Steve grabbed the paper and followed with laughter. "That has to be the work of…"
"The girls!" Phil giggled. "Oh, that's good!" He passed it to Rick.
"Fuck!" He laughed. "He's gonna kill 'em!"
"What?" Joe walked in from the restroom. He caught a glimpse of the fax and grabbed it from Rick. "That's not funny." He was cut off by the roaring of laughter from the others.

The girls were loading their new bus up when their tour manager, Lenny Thurman, walked onto the bus speaking on his cell phone. He held it up. "I have Joe Elliott on the phone and he wants to speak with the smart ass responsible for the fax."
"Hi, Joe!" Kali and Liv spoke into the phone.
"The Bennett sisters, I presume?"
"Depends." Kali giggled.
"You aren't going to use your fashion sense to zap us through the phone, are ya?" Liv followed.
"Stop!" He laughed.
"Good, 'cause we have a gig tonight." Kali spoke. "And there's no way in hell I'd go on lookin' like you dressed me." Liv couldn't speak from laughing.
"I'm glad you're both enjoying yourselves."
"Thanks!" They screamed.

After their gig in Sacramento, the girls were met at the bar by dozens of good-looking men. Drinks were purchased and a game of pool commenced. Before long, Bobbi and Rana disappeared.
"Don't you dare leave me." Kali spat at Liv.
"Why not? That guy back there seems to have it for ya."
"I'm goin' back to the bus, then." She looked around.
"What's up your ass tonight?"
"N… nothin'." She sighed. She then turned around and smiled. "Good night, fellas. It was a blast."
"Aw, c'mon!" The one who had taken such a quick liking to her grabbed her arm.
"Sorry, sexy." She flirted as she pushed away and walked out the door. She felt like kicking herself. What the hell was she doing? Any other night she wouldn't hesitate to sleep with a guy like that. Instead, she was walking back to the bus to sleep. Alone. Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw a light from the living area. "Don't mind me, I'm just goin' to bed." She threw her jacket onto her bunk.
"Can I join ya?" Christian looked up with a huge grin on his face.
"Hi!" She ran back to kiss him. "I was just thinking about you."
"Really? And what were you thinking?" He pushed his hand up the back of her shirt as his fingers brushed her skin. God, that drove her wild.
"That I've been a very bad girl and need to be spanked." She batted her eyes.
"Oh!" His eyes lit up. "I think that can be arranged."

Kali woke to the shuffle of feet. She grabbed a T-shirt and peeked out to see what the commotion was.
"Un, huh. That look tells me you didn't sleep alone." Liv grinned.
"Yeah, Kal. Fess up. Who gave you the fuck hair?" Bobbi sat at the table.
"Chris is here." She whispered.
"Huh?" Rana's eyes widened. "What's up with that?"
"He missed me, I guess."
"So is it serious?" Liv raised her eyebrows.
"I don't know."
"Kali has a boyfriend." Bobbi began singing.
"Shut the fuck up!" She threw a shoe at her.
"Kali has a boyfriend." The others joined in.
"I hate you." She teased as she returned to her bunk.

Kali walked into her hotel room and collapsed on the bed as her cell phone rang.
"Kali." She yawned.
"Aye." Sav sounded depressed.
"Rick? Everything ok?" She sat up.
"Can you talk? Cause I need to talk." His voice was gruff.
"I'm all ears."
"It's Steve again, Kali. He's gettin' worse." He sighed. "The drinkin' is worse than I've ever seen it. Poor Phil is havin' to pick up the slack on his playin'."
"Oh, Rick." She closed her eyes. She could picture the strain on his face from the sadness in his voice. "Where are you guys?"
"Tucson."
"I'll be there in a couple of hours." She looked at her watch. Midnight.
"Kali, you don't....." He was cut off by her hanging up.

Kali walked down to Liv's room and left a quick note that she'd be back by sound check the next day then took of for the 2 1/2-hour drive to Tucson. Once there she found Sav and Joe in the lounge.
"Hey, guys." She stopped behind them.
"Kali." Sav turned and pulled her in his arms. He buried his face in her hair as she held him tight.
"Hey, Kal." Joe moved in for a hug of his own.
"How are you, Joe?" She kissed his cheek.
"I've been better." He sighed. He then turned to the bar and threw down a wad of money. "Take care of this bloke t'night, will ya?"
"I'll see what I can do." She gave him a smile. "C'mon." She took Sav's hand and they walked to his room. He pulled her into his arms as they sat on the bed.
"You didn't 'ave to come." He rested his head on her shoulder.
"Yes, I did. You needed me." She kissed his cheek. "Talk to me." She patted his hand.
"He's gettin' worse and we just don't know what to do." He took a deep breath. "We 'ave a tour to finish and Steve seems to be alright if every day is planned out for him. It's like....if it is, he can just turn himself off and work on autopilot or somethin'."
"There's more than alcohol now days isn't there?" She absently rubbed her hand up and down his arm. Her head now resting against his chest. She could hear his heart beating in her ear and closed her eyes.
"We suspect it but we don't know for sure." He looked across the room and out the window. They talked for a couple of more hours before drifting off to sleep in each other's arms.

When Sav woke up the next morning his arms were still wrapped around Kali. He lay there and watched her sleep. She was so beautiful and perfect. He missed her and now she was here. She'd come to him without him even asking her to. What did that mean? He'd do the same for her because he loved her. Is that what she felt for him? If it was, then why weren't they together?
"Morning." She interrupted his thoughts.
"Mornin'." He kissed the end of her nose. Then moved down to catch her lips. Kali brought her arms up around his neck and pulled him down on top of her. Sav pushed his hips into hers as his hand moved up to grasp her breast.
"Kali..." He was cut off by her cell phone ringing.
"Fuck!" She reached for it. "Kali."
"Hey, honey." Christian smiled to himself.
"Hey." She quickly pushed herself up. "It's early."
"I know. I'm sorry I just wanted to hear your voice."
"Now that you've heard it, can I call you back when I wake up?" She giggled.
"Sure. Talk to ya then."
"Bye." She hung up. She looked around the room for Sav and found him on the balcony. "Sorry."
"It's ok." He turned to face her. "He makes you happy, doesn't he?" He crossed his arms.
"Yes."
“I miss you, Kali.” He crushed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Kali fell into his arms and reveled in the kiss. She missed him, too but she couldn’t do this. She was with Christian now.
“Stop." She pushed away. “I can’t do this.”
Sav turned to the balcony and looked out. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ‘ave done it.”
“I’m with someone now.”
“I know.” He again hugged her. “Thank you for comin’ last night. You can’t believe how much it helped.”
“You’ve listened to me vent enough I thought it was time to return the favor.” She smiled.
“How ‘bout we go grab some breakfast?”
“Sounds good. I have a long drive ahead of me.” She giggled.

Kali walked into the club later that night for sound check.
“Where have you been?” Liv jumped on her right away.
“With Sav.” She reached for her bass.
“Sav?” Rana gasped.
“He called and needed to talk.” She frowned at them. “They’re having serious problems with Steve.”
“So if he called you then where were you all night?” Bobbi crossed her arms.
“I drove to Tucson. He needed more than a conversation over the phone.” Kali replied.
“I bet he did.” Rana giggled.
“It’s not what you think so just get off it!” Kali walked off.
“A bit touchy isn’t she?” Rana watched her retreating back.
“I’m gonna find out what’s up.” Liv pulled out her phone. “Hey, Joe.”
“Liv. What’s up?” Joe kicked his feet up on his bunk.
“Know anything about my sister being there last night?”
“Came to talk to Sav, yeah.” He looked over at his bass player. “Why?”
“She’s a bit touchy today.” Liv sighed.
“So is he.”
"What the hell is wrong with those two?" Liv rolled her eyes.
"Must be a bass player thing." Joe chuckled.
"I think they both need a good whack on the head."
"I agree. Talk to ya later I'm sure."
"Me, too." She hung up.

"Holy shit." Liv peeked out from the side stage as they waited to go on in Albuquerque.
"What?" Kali looked out. "Fuck me. It's a dike fest out there."
"Really?" Bobbi dropped what she was doing to look out. "No shit, it is." She leaned against the wall and thought for a moment.
"Maybe I should wear my Docs tonight?"
"Yeah, we could give 'em a show." Rana giggled.
"Your serious?" Kali's eyes widened.
"Here." Liv handed her a Kleenex. "Wipe some of that eye liner off."
"You've all lost your damn minds." She sighed as she looked back out at the crowd.
"I love being a girl…" Bobbi sang as she changed into jeans and a wife-beater tank.
Rana looked through her jewelry and found a dog collar with a lock. "Here, Kal. This'll really turn 'em on."
"I need a drink." She took the collar and headed for the cooler.
After a few shots of Jack Daniels and two beers, Kali didn't really mind flirting with girls. She also didn't mind that she missed two intros and couldn't keep rhythm to save her life.
"Overdid it a bit, didn't we?" Liv asked during a break.
"I'm fine!" She giggled. "How 'bout you?"
"Kali, if you slow down one more time, I'm gonna throw you out there!" Rana huffed as she reached for her beer. "Chill out!"
"She is! That's the problem!" Bobbi laughed.
"Sorry! I'll concentrate a little more this time." She huffed as she prepared for the next song.

She slowly came around, but by then the show was over.
"That was horrible!" Liv yelled as they returned to the dressing room.
"Ugh! My head hurts!" Kali rubbed her face.
"Let's just pack up and go." Rana sighed.
"Nah! I'm gonna mingle with the fans." Bobbi bolted for the bar.
"I'm going to go throw up." Kali bolted for the bathroom.
"Shall we?" Rana looked at Liv.
"Why the fuck not?"

In Dallas, the girls set up the equipment and ran through their sound check.
"What is this place?" Rana looked around.
"A rock bar, I guess." Liv looked over at Lenny.
"In Dallas?" Kali rubbed her arms. "This place gives me the creeps."
"Nah, it's just you." Bobbi fought feelings of her own as Lenny joined them.
"Okay girls, I've just been informed that this is a pretty rough joint. The guys that regular here can be pretty intimidating."
"And LA's not?" Bobbi smirked.
"Well… you have a point." He chuckled. "Just… don't provoke anything tonight, got it?"
"Got it." They all smiled.

The girls took the stage and froze as they took their places.
"Oh…" Kali began.
"…fuckin…" Bobbi added.
"…shit." Rana finished.
They were being stared down like prey by the dozens upon dozens of bikers.
"Bobbi!" Liv spat. "Say something!"
"Uh… we're Crush." She quickly came to her senses. "And we're here to rock your world!"
They quickly when through three songs before taking a much needed beer break.
"Play some Skinnard!" A man yelled from the audience.
"Sorry fellas, that's not on our list." Bobbi flirted as she spoke over the microphone.
A big, hairy, thick man walked up to the stage and crossed his arms. "We weren't askin', sweet thang. We were tellin' ya to play some Skinnard."
"Kiss my ass, buddy!" She spat. "Lynard Skinnard sucks!"
"Fuck me!" Kali looked at Liv as they both started for the stage door.
"I'm outty!" Rana unhooked her guitar.
The stage was stormed by about ten of the men as the women ran out the club and to their bus. Lenny was sitting in the front seat, speaking on his cell phone.
"Drive!" Kali screamed as they closed the door.
"Wh…" Lenny looked out the window to see the angry mob running to the bus.
They began to shake the bus back and forth as Lenny started the ignition.
"What about my drum kit?" Liv whined.
"Honey, that's what insurance is for!" Rana held onto her seat.

Everything in Houston was a rush. A rush to get new equipment, a rush to the club, and a rush to get set up. Then, then downpour hit. The girls sat on the stage with their feet dangling off the side and waited. The club was completely empty.
"Uh, Len?" Kali looked up at him. "Can we consult a weather station next time?"
"Yeah, especially in tropical storm season?" Liv spat.
"Well…" Bobbi looked around. "There's booze and a pool table." She slid off the stage and walked to the bar.
"Let's get wasted." Rana followed.
"Cool." The Bennett sisters were close behind.

Then, came New Orleans. The girls walked off the bus and looked around.
"Wow." Bobbi's eyes widened.
"Very nice." Rana lowered her sunglasses as she spotted a group of men that walked past.
"Damn." Liv growled.
"Do they all come like that here?" Kali peeked over her sunglasses as well.
"Why don't you girls take in the sights and I'll get everything set up at the club.
"You're a great man, Lenny." Bobbi winked at him as they were off in a flash.

That night's show rocked. It more than made up for the Houston show. But not the Dallas one. They partied as usual after the show and then headed out to the French Quarter.
"Let's Mardi Gras!" Bobbi squealed as they walked up to a group of guys.
"What's this? No beads?" One of them looked at Liv and smiled.
"We just got here." Kali batted her eyes.
"Well… you know what you gotta do, don't you?" Another winked at Rana.
"No." All four of the girls answered.
"You gotta flash your tits at the floats." The men waited for an answer.
"That's it?" All four responded.

Two hours later, each girl was sitting on the shoulders of a man, with her shirt off and dozens of strands of beads around her neck. They were suddenly surrounded by police.
"Okay, girls. Let's go." One helped Bobbi down.
"Something wrong?" Rana quickly threw her shirt back on.
"It's one thing to flash and not get caught." One cop chuckled. "It's another to run around topless."
"Aw, can't you just warn us?" Kali pleaded. "Give us a ticket or something?"
"Move!" The cop laughed at her.

Lenny woke up to the sound of his cell phone ringing. He looked at the clock. 4:00 AM. "Hello?" He mumbled.
"Hi Lenny, baby!" Bobbi spoke. "Slight problem tonight."
"Problem?"
"Yeah, we got into a teeny bit of trouble and need for you to come and pick us up."
"Fine." He coughed. "Where are you?"
"The jail." She flinched.

When Lenny arrived and posted bail, the girls were playing poker with the cops that had arrested them.
"Lenny!" They stood and hugged him.
"Indecent exposure?" He scolded them. "What were you thinking?"
"We got beads." Rana tried to reason with him.
"Let's go!" He huffed.
"Bye, Gary. Bye, Ray." The girls pouted and followed their manager out the door.

Cliff hung up from his phone laughing hysterically the next day.
"What is it?" Joe looked up from reading a fan letter.
"Seems like Crush got themselves in a bit of trouble last night." He wiped under his eyes.
"Trouble?" Sav quickly looked up as the others followed.
"Got arrested in New Orleans for public indecency!" He couldn't control himself.
"All of 'em?" Steve laughed.
"All four!" He held his sides. "When Len asked the girls what they were thinkin'… Rana said, 'Well we got beads!'!" He wheezed as he laughed.
All five of the men laughed.
"I can't pass this one up, can I?" Joe ran for his phone.

Liv heard her phone ring and blinked. She slowly reached over to grab it.
"What?" She spat gruffly into the phone.
"How does it feel to do hard time?" Joe belted.
"Kiss my ass, Joe!" She hung up and pulled the pillow over her head.
"I believe they're still in bed!" He laughed.
"I'll wait a few before I call to rib Kali." Sav chuckled.

The next night, the girls decided to stick to the bar after the gig and hang out with the locals. They were then drug to a party by a fraternity which was at one of the apartments overlooking Bourbon Street.
"This is a great view." Kali spoke while finishing off her drink.
"Imagine what it would be like to play up here." Liv smiled.
Kali raised her eyebrows and turned to Bobbi and Rana.
"Let's do it!" They all squealed.

Half way through their set, they were joined by a few of the cops.
"Ray!" Kali hugged him.
"Should have known." Gary laughed. "People live on these streets, girls. And they're trying to sleep."
"That's their own fault, isn't it?" Bobbi giggled.
"Would you please… just pack it up before we have to take you in again?" Ray pleaded with the girls.
"For you." Liv patted his cheek.

They were back on the bus and on their way to Florida when Kali's phone rang. "Kali." She leaned her head back against the back of the sofa.
"Where are you?" Christian huffed.
"The bus." She frowned.
"That's funny. I just read where you were arrested in New Orleans."
"Nah, that was a few nights ago." She waved her hand in the air.
"It's true?"
"Depends. What does it say?"
"You were flashing to get beads and got arrested."
She was quiet as she thought for a moment. "Is it still flashing when you have your shirt completely off?" She giggled.
"That's not funny, Kali!" He yelled. "Why didn't you call and tell me? Instead, I had to hear it from everyone on the set this morning!"

"I'm sorry, Chris. I didn't think it was important."
"Not important? My girlfriend got arrested!"
"Calm down. Damn, Lenny didn't even get that upset."
"I have a week off coming up and I think I'm gonna come out to see you."
"Cool. I miss you too."
"Someone needs to keep you out of trouble." He hung up.
"Fuckin' men!" She turned her phone off and tossed it onto the table.

Christian watched from behind the cameras as the girls stood on the beach in bikinis and sang "Crush". He smiled when he saw Kali lower her sunglasses and flirt with the camera. They were all naturals. Real hams. He heard a ringing and looked around. It was coming from Kal's bag. He found her phone and answered.
"Hello?" He huffed.
"Uh…" Sav stopped. "Kali there?"
"No, she's busy." He spat.
"What's she doin'?"
"Givin' me a blow job, what's it to ya?"
He was stunned. What the hell did she see in this wanker, anyway? "You mind tellin' her Sav called?"
"I'd hold your breath on that one, pal." He hung up.

After the shoot, they all went out for dinner. Kali had gotten up to use the restroom when her phone again rang.
"Hello?" Chris once again answered.
Sav rolled his eyes. "What are you, the phone copper?"
"What the fuck do you want with my girlfriend? Get your own!" He hung up.
"Who was that?" Liv watched him.
"Sav, whoever the hell that is."
"He's one of Kali's best friends." Rana glared at him. "You're gonna piss her off."
"I doubt it." He huffed as she returned to the table.
"Hey Kal, we decided to hit that club tonight we've been talking about." Bobbi watched her.
"Oh yeah?" She smiled and looked at Christian. "Wanna go?"
"I thought maybe we'd do something tonight." He took her hand and smiled.
"Oh! Okay!" She kissed him.
"What a dog." Rana mumbled.
"What a dickhead." Liv followed.
"What a putz." Bobbi huffed.

That night after Christian was asleep, Kali walked out to the balcony of their hotel room and looked out at the ocean. The West Coast was much cozier, she thought. She watched the waves and the moon and relaxed in the chair. She then realized that she had brought her cell phone out with her. It had been a week or so since the last time Sav called. She took a deep breath and dialed.
"Yeah?" He yelled over the roar of the crowd.
"Hi!" She giggled. "How's the party?"
"Kal? That you?" He walked to a corner of the bar. "Kal?"
"Hey. How've ya been?"
"Okay, I guess." He waited. "What's up?"
"We finished our video today. Chris has been with us the last week."
She had no clue that he had called, apparently. And who was he to tell her that her boyfriend was a complete ass? Christian walked out to the balcony to see her on the phone. He stopped and listened.
"So, are things any better with Steve? Really? I'm sorry, Sav. I know. I know. Well, maybe it's for the best, ya know?"
"Hey." Chris rubbed her shoulders. "Come back to bed." He whispered in her ear, next to the phone.
"Just a sec." She smiled at him. "Gotta go. Talk to ya soon?"
"Yeah, soon." He huffed as she hung up.

The next day, Liv was sitting back on the bus reading a magazine when her phone rang. "Liv!"
"What the fuck is Kali up to now?" Joe huffed.
"Give me a clue, Joe."
"Sav's gone ballistic!"
"You sure it's not Christian who's the asshole here?"
"I don't know. He's just been ranting and raving like a complete lunatic today and quite frankly, I don't care what the cause is. I just need you to fix it."
"Help me out, here. What's he saying?"
"He doesn't deserve her…"
"I agree."
"He's an arse…"
"That one too."
"She has no clue…"
"I'm sure of that one." She sighed. "Look, he's leaving tonight. We'll gang up on her after the gig."
"Promise?"
"Promise." She hung up and threw her head back. "Who's up for a beer tonight?"
"Me!" Bobbi yelled from her bunk.
"Me too!" Rana followed.
Then, there was silence.
"Kali? You alive?" Liv yelled.
"Me!" She moaned.
"Ha! Getcha some, girl!" Bobbi squealed.

As promised, after the gig, they sat at the bar with their beer. Kali couldn't help but notice that she was surrounded. "This can't be good." She spun around on her barstool to look her sister in the eye. "What's up?"
"What's up with you?" Liv crossed her arms. "When Chris is visiting you can't go out with us?"
"Last night?" She smiled. "We were busy."
"And the night before?"
"You caught me. We were fuckin'." She giggled.
"This is serious, Kal." Bobbi watched her.
"Damn." She turned to Rana.
"Did you know that Sav tried to call you and Chris kept answering and hanging up on him?" Liv knew she was the only one that her sister would believe.
"What? Sav didn't mention anything about it." She tilted her head.
"Would you have believed him if he did?" Rana asked.
She thought for a moment. "Probably not." She thought about it.
"I think you need to call him and get the story." Bobbi patted her arm.
"Because when you went to the potty the other night at dinner, Chris turned into mega schmuck."
"Really?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Sure, Christian was a smart ass. A huge one. A colossal one. But a jealous jerk? Surely not.
"Sav's really upset." Liv handed her cell phone to her.
"Thanks." She walked out to the bus and dialed.
"Yeah."
"Hi."
"Aye. Just got off stage, can I call ya in a bit?"
"Sure." She paused. "And you don't have to worry about Chris answering this time." She waited for his response.
"Who told you that?"
"The girls. Something about dinner the other night."
"Yeah, well… we can talk about it later."
"Fine." She sighed as she hung up and walked back into the bar.

An hour later, Sav sat in his hotel room and stared at his phone. "Ere goes nothin'." He sighed as he dialed.
"Kali."
"What do ya wanna know?"
"What happened?"
"I called, he answered."
"And?"
"He's a complete fuckin' wanker, Kal. You could do much better."
"Back to the facts, please."
"He said some pretty lude things, referred to you in a manner unbecoming to any gentleman, and is a down right prick!"
"You're not gonna tell me what he said, are you?" She huffed.
"No. It shouldn't me repeated."
"Fine, you're just as bad as he is then."
"Don't you dare say that!" He yelled.
"Whatever." She hung up and immediately dialed Christian's cell.
"Hello?"
"Hi." She spoke with no emotion.
"Hey, just got home…"
"What did you say to Sav?" She interrupted his thought.
"Why does that matter?"
"Because he's a very close friend and I'll not have you acting like a complete ass whenever he calls."
"He was asking too many questions, Kal. Where is she, what is she doing…that's no one's business but mine!"
"You're right." She reasoned with him. "But you were way outta line."
"I'm sorry, then. It just pisses me off that other guys still call you."
"They're not invading your turf, Chris." She huffed. "I'm all yours."
"Then tell me you love me."
"What?" She was taken aback by his suggestion.
"Come on, Kali. Say it."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I love you, Christian."
"And I love you, sexy." He chuckled. "We okay?"
"We're great." She smiled. "Have fun unpacking."
"I will. Call me tomorrow?"
"You know it." She hung up.

The girls walked into the radio station in Atlanta and looked around. The DJ looked up from speaking into the microphone and smiled.
"Well here they are folks, Crush!"
"Thanks." They each gave him a smile.
"Wow, a chick band. Haven't seen very many of those." He spoke to his audience. "I can say though that I've been able to catch a sneak preview of your new CD, and it totally rocks!"
"Cool!" Kali grinned.
"Thank you, man." Rana followed.
"So, where are you ladies from?"
"LA." Bobbi answered.
"Oh, California girls. So, what do you think of Georgia so far?"
"The whole 'y'all' thing took a little bit of getting used to." Liv answered.
"And the sweet tea thing." Kali added.
"But other than that, it's been cool." Rana followed up.
"Did any of you grow up surfing?"
"Liv and Kali." Bobbi pointed. "As a matter of fact, they brought their surf boards on tour with us."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah. Gotta take the board." Liv laughed.
They sat around for about another 30 minutes and then wrapped up the interview.
"Well, ladies. It was great to meet you. You are… extremely cool and your album rocks."

Before the gig in Charleston, the girls relaxed around the bar and had a few beers. Kali noticed a few of the locals talking to the bar tender, but blew it off.
"Can we get a round of tequila, handsome?" Bobbi flirted with him. "Thanks." She winked at him. She then returned her attention back to her conversation with Rana and Liv over lineup changes.
The locals walked up to the girls. "He's mine." A scrawny little blonde stared Bobbi down.
"Huh?" The girls turned around.
"Keep your tits in your shirt and your paws off. He's mine."
Kali had to look away to keep from laughing as Liv opened her mouth and howled.
"Honey, you can have him." Bobbi flipped her hair over her shoulder and returned to Rana, who had pursed her mouth to keep from laughing.
"California whore." She huffed as she turned away.
"Excuse me?" Bobbi spun around in her seat.
"Settle down." Her band mates grabbed onto her.

Half way through the show, the loudmouthed little girl appeared at the edge of the stage and started heckling them.
"I don't think we're gonna be able to hold her back much longer." Kali spoke to Liv between songs.
Liv looked over at Rana. "What's she sayin'?"
"We're all tramps, yada, yada, yada…" She waved her hands around.
"Hey Bobbs!" Liv yelled at her. "Deep breath!"
"Kiss my ass."
"Hey!" Kali looked at her.
"We playin' or what?" She grabbed her microphone.
Bobbi sang as she did what she usually did: flirted with the men in the front row. She leaned down to brush her hand across a guy's cheek when it was slapped away by the girl.
"That's it, bitch!" Bobbi jumped off the stage.
"Christ!" Kali threw her bass down as Rana followed and jumped into the audience.
"Here we go!" Liv was the last one in.

Sav walked around like a caged cat. Why did Kali date him? Didn't she see how controlling he was being? Or was he only a complete prick when she wasn't around?
"I think we need a beer." Joe slapped his hand on Sav's shoulder.
"A few pints sounds excellent." Sav grabbed his wallet. Joe shook his head as they walked out of the hotel. They arrived at the bar and grabbed a table. Ordering the first round Joe checked the place out.
"Look at all the birds." Joe smiled.
"Yep." Sav grinned as he too looked around.
"Think we can find a couple we fancy and get lucky t'night?" He drank his beer.
"Never had a problem before."

They drank for a few hours before being joined by a few female fans.
"You guys completely rock." Tish, the blonde sitting on Sav's lap, smiled.
"Definitely!" Amy, the brunette on Joe's lap, agreed.
"Why thank you, ladies." Joe flirted.
"Shall we ditch this joint and get down to business or what?" Tish ran her hand through Sav's hair.
"Bloody good ideer." He lifted her up and they walked out of the bar.

Kali sat in her hotel room and pulled out her acoustic guitar. She then pulled out her notebook and placed her cell phone on the bed beside her. She strummed a few cords and tried to concentrate. This is a song she couldn't quite figure out where it came from. Just something that kept nagging at her. It was slower. A ballad. A type of song the girls wouldn't normally sing. She continued to play as she sang the first few lines she'd written. As she did her knee bumped her cell phone.
"'Ello?" Sav answered his cell phone while sitting on his balcony relaxing. He heard Kali singing and smiled. Closing his eyes he listened.
"Ooh.....I know when he's been on your mind that distant look is in your eyes I thought with time you'd realize it's over..over. It's not the way I choose to live. And something somewhere's got to give. As sharing this relationship get's older...older. You know I'd fight for but how can I fight someone who isn't even there. I've had the rest of you now I want the best of you. I don't care if that's not fair. Cause I want it all..or nothing at all. There's no where left to fall when you reach the bottom it's now or never......" She strummed a few more cords without any words. Sav just listened. She must be working on a new song. It was great.
"Fuck!" She huffed and started over. When she got to the same place she stopped again. She then wrote down a few lines and began again.
"Ooh.....I know when he's been on your mind that distant look is in your eyes I thought with time you'd realize it's over..over. It's not the way I choose to leave. And something somewhere's got to give. As sharing this relationship get's older...older. You know I'd fight for but how can I fight someone who isn't even there. I've had the rest of you now I want the best of you. I don't care if that's not fair. Cause I want it all..or nothing at all. There's no where left to fall when you reach the bottom it's now or never. Is it all....or are we just friends. Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call you leave me hear with nothing at all. There are times it seems to me...I'm sharing you with memories. I feel it in my heart but I don't show it....show it. Then there's times you look at me...as though I'm all that you can see. Those times I don't believe it's right. I know it...know it. Don't make me promises baby, you never did know how to keep them well....."
Sav grabbed a piece of paper as lyrics came to mind. Next he grabbed his own acoustic guitar. He listened to her a few more times while writing down the lyrics she'd already written. He then hung up and went to work on the song.

Early the next morning he finally finished. Setting the sheets in front of him he strummed his guitar and sang the completed version of "All or Nothing".
"Ooh.....I know when he's been on your mind that distant look is in your eyes I thought with time you'd realize it's over..over. It's not the way I choose to leave. And something somewhere's got to give. As sharing this relationship get's older...older. You know I'd fight for but how can I fight someone who isn't even there. I've had the rest of you now I want the best of you. I don't care if that's not fair. Cause I want it all..or nothing at all. THere's no where left to fall when you reach the bottom it's now or never. Is it all....or are we just friends. Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call you leave me hear with nothing at all. There are times it seems to me...I'm sharing you with memories. I feel it in my heart but I don't show it....show it. Then there's times you look at me...as though I'm all that you can see. Those times I don't believe it's right. I know it...know it. Don't make me promises baby, you never did know how to keep them well. I've had the rest of you now I want the best of you...it's time to show and tell. Cause I want it all...or nothing at all. There's no where left to fall when you've reach the bottom it's now or never. Is it all....or are we just friends. Is this how it ends a simple telephone call you leave me here...with nothing...cause you and I...could loose it all if you've no more room..no no...inside for me in your life. Cause I want it all or nothing at all. There's no where left to fall...it's now or never. Is it all...or nothing at all. There's no where left to fall. When you reach the bottom it's now or never. Is it all....or are we just friends. Is this how it ends a simple telephone call you leave me here...with nothing at all. With nothing at all. There's no where left to fall...it's now or never....."

That afternoon, they arrived at Myrtle Beach. They had a day off and decided to head to the beach for a little relaxation.
They were stopped by a few fans who walked by.
"Are you Crush?"
"Uh… yeah." Kali was shocked.
"We have fans?" Rana shrugged her shoulders.
"Can we have your autographs?"
"Sure!" Bobbi grinned under her sunglasses.
"So, do you all know the guys from Def Leppard?"
"Yeah, they're friends of ours." Liv smiled.
"Can you get us backstage tonight?"
"Tonight?" They all stopped. One by one, they looked up and smiled.
"Sorry, but maybe we'll see ya there?" Kali giggled.

"Yeah?" Sav spoke on his phone.
"Where are you?" Kali yelled.
"Why?" He smiled.
"Because! We wanna party tonight!"
"Myrtle Beach. Why? Where are you?"
"At the front gate waiting for Cliff to come up and let us in!"
"I'll be up in a bit." He hung up and looked around the room. "The girls are 'ere!"
"Cool!" Joe, Steve and Phil ran after them as they sped off to the front of the arena.
They made it to the gate just as Cliff did, but stopped and stared at the girls.
"What…" Joe's eyes widened.
"…the…" Steve followed.
"…hell?" Phil pointed to Rana's shiner.
"Your face!" Sav looked at the cuts under Kali's eye.
"Bar fight last night in Charleston." The girls pouted.
"You're kidding?" Steve belted. "Who won?"
"The police." Liv rolled her eyes. "Thanks to…"
"Liv!" Rana and Kali yelled.
"Bobbi." She whispered to Joe.
"So where's the beer, cause we really need some." Kali took Sav's hand.
"C'mon." He pulled her along to the green room. There he handed her a beer and sat down on the couch beside her. Then he pulled out his guitar and smiled at her.
"What?" She smiled.
"I 'ave a surprise for you." He began to play the song.
"What? How?" Her eyes widened.
"Someone called me cell last night and this is what I heard." He again smiled. "I finished it."
"You did? I've been stuck for weeks." She sat back and listened as he sang the entire song to her. By the end she was in tears. "It's perfect." She hugged him.
"You like it then?"
"It's one of the best ballads I've heard." Joe spoke from the door as everyone else stood around him.
"Who wrote it?" Liv looked at him.
"Kali started it and I finished it." Sav smiled at Kali.
"I love it!" Kali looked around the room.
"But, it doesn't sound like us." Bobbi jumped in.
"Nope." Rana agreed.
"I know." Kali sighed. "It's just been jumping around my head so much I had to get it out."
"Maybe we should play it t'night and see what kind of response it gets." Phil suggested.
"That's a brilliant ideer!" Joe grinned.

There was a great response to the song. They all went out to celebrate after the concert. Sav and Kali sat in the corner as usual and talked as the others played pool.
"Thanks for comin'." He watched her. "It's good to see ya."
"You too." She looked into his eyes a moment.
"So, how's Christian?"
She looked away and thought for a moment. "It's pretty good, actually. We're living together."
"What, he on the bus?" He huffed.
"No, smart ass." She rolled her eyes.
"Well, I know you 'aven't been home in a few months, so how can you live with him."
"It'll be official when I get home." She looked out at the others and ran her finger up and down her empty shot glass. "It's just really nice knowing that there's someone at home waiting for me, you know?"
"And what happens if you get picked up on a tour and don't make it 'ome for a few years?"
"We can make it work. He cares a lot about me."
He shook his head. "Even after all the shit he pulled, you still want to be with him?"
She watched him for a moment, unsure if she should tell him or not. What the hell, he was the one digging into things that was entirely none of his damned business. "I love him." She whispered.
His heart dropped. She did not love Christian Slater! There was no way in hell! But she said it. And it was done. "So ya do." He finished off his beer.

"What's going on with them?" Rana nodded towards Kali and Sav as she spoke to Liv.
"Looks like they're talking." She smarted.
"He doesn't look too happy." Bobbi joined them.
"Of course not. She's still with 'Pretty Boy'." Steve spoke from behind them. "He won't be happy 'til they're back together like they should be."

Lenny and Cliff broke up the party around 2:00 AM.
"The girls have a radio interview at 9:00."
"Oh, damn!" Joe pouted.
They said their goodbyes and parted ways. Just before she walked out the door, Kali looked at Sav one last time.
Just as he caught her eyes, she turned and left.

"Good news!" Lenny knocked on the doors of the hotel rooms. "We're goin' back to Florida!"
"When is that on the schedule?" Bobbi looked confused as they gathered into the hall.
"We're doin' a live appearance for MTV's Spring Break and they're doin' a special for your premiere."
"Fuck me!" Kali's eyes widened as Rana began to scream.
"Yes!" Liv jumped up and down.
"Holy shit!" Bobbi squealed. "We need to go shopping!"

Sav and Joe were watching a soccer game when Steve and Phil walked in and changed the channel.
"What the hell?" Sav huffed.
"You 'ave a death wish?" Joe scowled at Steve.
"Watch the tele and pipe down!" Phil laughed.
They both looked at the television when they heard a familiar tune. It was Crush. Live, on MTV. Bobbi was wearing a very short skirt and bikini top. Kali had on cutoffs and a bikini top. As did the other two. The music sounded great and the girls looked even better. It wasn't until Kali turned around to see Liv that they noticed…
"Kali got inked?" Joe's eyes nearly fell from their sockets.
"Wow!" Steve pointed.
"She's the last one I thought…" Sav smiled.
"It's always the quiet ones." Phil chuckled.

Kali walked off the stage in time for Lenny to hand her a cell phone. "Kali!"
"Please tell me that's fake."
"What?"
"That smudge on your back."
"Nah! Did it a few weeks ago. You like?"
"Damn it, Kali! Why'd you have to go markin' yourself up?"
"It's really low, Chris. You can hardly see it when I have jeans on." She rolled her eyes.
"You've lost your friggin' mind! Do you realize how beautiful you are? And you go and do something stupid like this!"
She wasn't sure whether to be mad at him or flattered. "Can we talk about this later? After you've calmed down a bit?"
"Fine!" He hung up.

After getting completely slammed that night with a few cute college guys, the girls went their separate ways and of course, Kali went to her hotel room alone. She was shocked when she walked in to see Chris waiting.
"Hi!" She squealed and fell onto him. "I missed you." She kissed him.
"Where were you?"
"Party." She kissed his neck.
"Kal…"
"Shhh." She lifted his shirt and continued the kisses.
"I'm still pissed…" He closed his eyes as she unzipped his jeans and reached inside.
"You won't be after I get done with you." She flashed her eyes at him.

They had just drifted off to sleep when her phone rang. She looked around and wondered who could possibly be calling at this hour.
"Kali." She grunted.
"Hey, did I wake you?" Sav spoke.
"I haven't been in bed long." She sat up as Chris rolled over. "What's up?"
"Europe just ditched the last leg of our tour." He huffed.
"You're kidding! Why'd they do that?"
"The keyboardist's wife is pregnant and he chose family over band."
"Wow." She was stunned. "What are you gonna do?"
"Polygram's supposed to be working on it."
"You only need a opening act on nights you don't play "In The Round", right?"
"Right. Problem is that the summer's comin up and we're doin' a lot of State Fairs. Most of them are Grand Stand venues."
"Fuck, that completely sucks, Sav. I'm sorry."
Christian froze as he heard the name. He then listened to the rest of the conversation.
"It's not your fault." He sighed. "Saw you on the tele t'night. You girls rocked."
"Thanks. I'll tell them you liked."
"And just where'd you get that lit'le mark on your back?"
"DC. You like?"
"I think I need a closer peek."
"That can be arranged." She laughed. "I'm glad you called."
"Me too." He closed his eyes and imagined what she looked like.
"I hate to cut this short, but I need to go."
"Why?" He frowned.
"Chris surprised me and is spending a few days."
"I see." He let out a long sigh. "Well, take care. I'll talk to you soon."
"You too." She hung up and returned to her spot in the bed.

The next morning, Kali showered and dressed as Christian laid in bed and watched her.
"I'm having a designer come in and redo my… our house." He watched her.
"Really?" Her eyes widened. "Wow."
"When do you think you'll be able to see it?"
"Looks like we'll be taking a break in a few months. We wrap up the East Coast in a few weeks and then we'll head back towards the West." She applied her makeup while speaking.
"That's cool." His heart leaped in his chest. "And how long will you be home?"
"Well, we're shooting another video, but I think this one's gonna be at the Soma. Then, it's up to our manager, I guess. He might get us a few local gigs and he might set up another tour. We'll just have to wait and see."

After another quick set for MTV, the girls all went out for lunch. Lenny was distracted by a phone call and walked away from the table.
"Must be important." Bobbi watched him.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Europe ditched the Leps on their last leg. They now have no opening act for the summer." Kali took a bite of her sandwich.
"You're kidding!" Liv spat. "That completely bites the big one! What are they gonna do?"
"Sav said that Polygram was working on it." She shrugged her shoulders.
"Damn." Rana stared at her plate. "That sucks."
"Yeah, well, que sera sera, right?" Christian chuckled.
"Don't be rude." Kali huffed as Lenny rejoined them.
"Change of plans, ladies. Our Polygram rep will be here this afternoon for a meeting."
"Huh?" The girls mouths dropped.
"Why?" Liv spoke first.
"He didn't say."
"Are we in trouble? Over budget?" Kali panicked.
"He didn't say, Kal." He rubbed his face. "But why don't you all get cleaned up and I'll straighten up the bus a bit and then I'll come and get you when it's time."
The girls quickly finished up and went back to their hotel. This couldn't be good.

Kali paced the room as Christian watched the television.
"Calm down, hon. If you get axed, you get axed. Sometimes things like this just happen."
"Oh, you're a real big help!" She huffed as she grabbed her purse and phone.
"Where are you goin'?"
"To go and worry with someone a little more sympathetic." She slammed the door as she walked across the hall to Liv's room. In it were the other girls.
"Where's Mr. Wonderful?" Rana smirked.
"I don't need you at it too." She looked out the window.
"C'mon, we all need to focus on our career right now." Bobbi stood between them. "I'm about to blow chunks as it is."
They were all nervously awaiting when Lenny walked in.
"He's here and in my room. Shall we?"
The girls looked at one another, held hands, and walked down to the room. There, they sat on the beds and waited for the worst.
"Do you realize that 'Crush' debuted on the charts at 15?" Ron, their Polygram rep, smiled at them.
"It's at 8 now." Kali replied. "But yes, we did know."
"Rumor is that 'Here And Now' will do even better." He looked around the room.
"We can only hope." Liv watched him carefully.
"Well girls, I know you're ready to wrap up this club tour and get home, but I have a proposition for you."
"Shoot." Bobbi tilted her head.
"Seems as though one of your label mates is in desperate need of an opening act for the last leg of their tour."
Kali gasped and covered her mouth.
"The Leps? No way!" Bobbi squealed.
"It means you'll be leaving to join up with them as soon as your video is wrapped up." He explained. "And you'll tour with them the rest of this year and most of next. It's a long schedule."
Their hearts raced. A tour. A big one. Opening act for Def Leppard. Think of the exposure! The radio and magazine interviews! The men!
"Think about it, and I'll…"
The girls huddled and whispered for approximately 10 seconds. "We'll do it!" Bobbi looked up at him.

They then went to dinner to celebrate with their manager and record company rep. Kali returned later to see Christian in the same spot on the bed, waiting.
"Long meeting?"
"We had to celebrate." She smiled at him. "We've been picked up as an opening act on a major tour."
"Really?" His eyes widened. "When?"
"We leave after our next video."
"Oh." He frowned. "So much for you settling in at home."
"Aren't you happy for me? It's like… our big break!"
"Elated." He rolled his eyes. "Who is it with?"
"Def Leppard!" She laughed. "Of all bands!"
"You're kidding me, Kal!"
"What? They're all really good friends of ours."
"And then there's Sav! He'll take advantage of…"
"Oh, he will not! We have a great friendship and that's that! I wish you'd get it through your thick skull that I'm with you and there's no one else!" She crossed her arms.
"I don't want you to do it."
"You don't have a choice." She looked at him.
What to do? He could piss her off and lose her forever, or play along and eventually make her choose.
"Fine. Just promise me you'll be careful." He kissed her.

The Leps were sitting in a meeting discussing their eminent demise when Cliff ran into the room. "Conference call, now!" He pulled the phone into the middle of the table.
"Who?" Joe raised his eyebrows.
"Ron."
"Did they find someone?" Steve asked.
"I guess we'll find out, lads." He finished dialing numbers and pressed for the speaker.
"Ron."
"Cliff again, Ron."
"Great. The Leps there as well?"
"Eire!" They all spoke.
"Fantastic. Well guys, I just wanted to let you know that we have an act."
They all relaxed in their chairs.
"As a matter of fact, they're here and would like to say hello." He held the phone up into the air.
"Hi guys!" They squealed.
Sav's eyes lit up. "That's…"
"And no, Joe. You can't dress us!" Liv spat into the phone.
"Hot damn!" Phil clapped his hands.
"Bloody hell!" Joe laughed. "I should've known!"
"You sure you can handle us for an entire year?" Kali spoke. "You're awful brave!"
"We 'ave plenty of vodka!" Steve laughed.

It was 4:00 in the morning when the girls wrapped up their video. From the shoot, they went directly to the airport and boarded a jet for Japan. They were to meet up with the Leps there, do a week of shows, and then they were off to Australia. They hadn't played a note yet and were already exhausted.

They napped whenever possible, arrived at the venue and went in for a sound check right away.
Lenny introduced the girls to their new crew. "This is Sonny Preston, your new sound tech, your stage crew, Jimmy James, your guitar tech, and Tony Castonelli, your drum Tech."
"Wow." Kali yawned. "Nice to meet you."
"Why don't we get on with the check and leave introductions to pre-gig?" Sonny smiled. "You girls look like you're about to drop.
"I love you already." Bobbi walked up to her microphone.
"I can't even lift my drumstick." Liv yawned.
"Sounds fine to me." Kali played a few notes.
"I say we nap in the green room." Rana replaced her guitar in the stand and led them to the room behind the stage.

"They'll never make it." Steve peeked in and laughed. "They're wasted."
"Watch this." Joe flicked the light on.
"Fuck!" Rana yelled.
"Go away!" Liv threw a pillow at the door.
"Hung?" Sav snickered.
"Lagged!" Kali grumbled.
"We need our beauty sleep!" Bobbi whined.
"And lots of it by the looks of it!" Phil giggled.
"Go!" They all yelled.

"God, I can't wake up!" Kali yelled as she attempted to do her makeup.
"Here." Bobbi tossed her a vial of coke.
"You know I can't snort that shit!"
"She sneezes it all back out!" Liv laughed as she took it from her.
"Then drink it, duh!" Rana huffed.
"Ello ladies!" Steve and Phil walked in. "Nice to see you up and about."
"Kiss my ass." Liv giggled.
Steve's eyes zoned in on the vial in her hand. "Sharin'?"
"If you're nice." She grinned.
Phil rolled his eyes and looked at Kali. She shrugged her shoulders and turned to Liv. Liv shrugged her shoulders.
"On second thought," Kali grabbed it from him. "We need it much worse than you do."
"Thanks." Phil whispered to her.
"No prob." She smiled.

By show time, the girls were pumped and ready to go on. Kali had a chance to finally speak with the guitar tech and see how everything was set up.
"The power's been fluctuating quite a bit with the amps." He pointed to Sonny. "We've been fighting with it all afternoon. The Leps are having similar problems, but their equipment is a little better than yours."
"You think?" She giggled. "So how will it effect the guitars?"
"Rana? No problem. It's the bass that's giving me fits."
"Great." She sighed. "And what happens if it goes out?"
"Good question." He crossed his arms.

Sav looked up to see Kali speaking with Jimmy. She had her arms crossed and didn't look happy. He quickly joined them.
"Hey." He smiled.
"Hi." She kept her eyes on the sheet of paper Jimmy was pointing to.
"You rested now?"
"Yeah, but we're having major bass issues." She looked up at him. "How did you fix them?"
"Rerouted to Rick's amps."
"We tried that, but Liv's too bass drum happy and there'd be too much feedback." Sonny joined them. "We've got it stable right now, but when you go on it'll be a different story."
"Why don't you use some of my equipment?" Sav smiled at her.
Jimmy and Sonny waited as they watched Kali.
"No thanks, we'll work it out."
"Really, Kal. It's no problem." He stepped closer to her.
"This is our problem, Sav. We'll handle it." She looked at Jimmy. "I'm gonna go get Rana and Liv." She turned and ran to her dressing room.

The girls went on and all was well for the first song. When the second started, the bass amps went out.
"Fuck!" Kali ran across the stage. She threw her guitar to Jimmy and then grabbed one of Rana's. From then on, they played with two guitars and no bass.

After their set, they walked off to a waiting group of applause. Their crew took turns giving Kali high-5's.
"Nice save!" Lenny hugged her.
"You rocked!" Steve followed.
"I need a drink!" She sighed as she walked toward the green room.
"Don't we all!" Rana followed her.
Sav was waiting at the end of the hall. Kali stopped and smiled at him. "See? Told you!"
"Could've saved yourself the stress if you would have let me help you."
"I don't need your help, Rick. I'm a big girl." She winked at him as she walked into the green room.

The Leps finished their set and walked into the green room to see that Crush and their crew were well into the night with drink.
"Hiee!" Bobbi waved at them. "How was the show?"
"Not bad." Sav looked around the room. Kali wasn't there.
Liv caught him and pulled him aside. "She's at the hotel." She swayed as she stood.
"That's not like her. She…"
"She has her orders from Mr. Wonderful." She rolled her eyes and huffed. "She attends no party while on the road unless he's with her."
"And she's alright with that?" His eyes widened.
"I'm afraid that was the compromise." She shook her head. "I hate what he's doing to my sister."
"She loves him." He stared across the room.
"That's bullshit and you know it!"
"Yeah, well that's what she told me." He walked away to find a beer.

Sav, Phil and Joe sat on a beach in Australia and baked as they looked out at the ocean.
"God, this is great." Joe smiled.
"Need a breather after last night?" Sav smiled.
"You heard it?" He grinned.
"How could you not?" Phil snickered. "Karla went freaky on your ass, didn't she?"
"Absolutely!" He stretched his arms out and laid back.
"God, I wish we could stay here a week. It's so…" Sav looked for the words.
"Serene?" Phil answered.
"Yeah. Serene." He sighed.
They quieted as they took in the splash of the ocean, and the hum of the wind. They slowly heard the sound of screaming. It was coming closer.
"What's that?" Joe sat up.
"Don't know." Phil looked up and down the beach.
"Cowabunga!" Kali whizzed past and ran straight for the current as she carried a rented surf board.
"I get the first tube!" Liv followed her baby sister.
"So much for our quiet day." Phil smiled.
"I don't mind, do you Joe?"
"No Sav, can't say that I do." He folded his hands and placed them behind his head as he watched the sisters swim out to sea.
"Howdy boys." Rana smiled over her sunglasses. "Mind if we join you?"
"Not at all." Phil winked at her.

"Wow! Look at Kali!" Phil pointed as she rode a huge wave in.
"They're pretty good!" Joe chuckled.
"Ouch!" Bobbi grunted as she flipped up in the air and landed face first into the water.
"Looks painful." Sav mumbled.
"Well, that's what they do." Rana shrugged her shoulders as Kali resurfaced and immediately returned to her board.

After hours of surfing, the girls brought their boards in and joined the others. Without a word, they sat their boards down and unzipped the tops of their wetsuits, exposing their tiny string bikini tops.
"Have fun?" Sav smiled at Kali.
"You should try it sometime." She pushed the suit past her hips and adjusted her bikini bottom.
"Maybe I should." He ran his eyes over her hips.
"Need lotion on your back?" Joe held the bottle as Liv took her wet suit off as well.
"Please." She shared his beach towel and moved her hair aside.
"So what's the plan tonight?" Rana interrupted the raging hormones.
"I think we should 'ave a party." Phil raised his eyebrows.
"Sounds good to me." Bobbi giggled. "Can I ask that guy over there?" She pointed to a hugely muscular blonde that she had been flirting with over the past few hours.
"Please." Liv growled as she looked over her sunglasses.
"Nice one, Bobbs." Kali did the same.
"What about you?" Sav casually swatted Kali's leg.
"Yeah, you gonna come out of that bubble and 'ave some fun t'night?" Joe smiled at her.
"Can't. Sorry guys."
"Why not?" Phil scrunched his eyebrows.
"I promised the boyfriend that…"
"Oh, bosh! He won't know if you have fun just one night without 'im!" Joe scolded her.
"Trust me, he'll call to make sure I'm alone in my room." She sighed regretfully.
"Then meet us after you talk to 'im." Sav smiled at her. "That was easy, don't you think?"
She looked over at her sister, who was smiling. "We'll see."

Kali sat in her hotel room and waited for a call. She really did want to party tonight. She was tired of not getting to hang out with her sister and best friends. And she and Sav hadn't had one of their serious soul searching chats in quite some time. Here she was, on the same tour with him, and she had probably seen him less than when they were a half a world away.
Her stomach turned as her phone rang. She took a cleansing breath and answered. "Kali."
"He hasn't called yet?" Liv squealed.
"Not yet." She smiled. "How's the party?"
"It will suck for everyone until you get here." She smiled at Sav.
"I'm working on it." She spoke as she heard a click. "He's calling. Gotta go."
"Hurry!"
She pressed the send button and answered. "Kali."
"Took you long enough to answer." Christian huffed.
"Liv called from a party to check on me." She sat on the bed.
"So how's Australia?" He changed the subject.
"It's great. We went surfing today."
"Who is we?"
"Me and Liv. We're the only ones that surf, remember?" She huffed.
"Don't get snippy just because you miss me." Christian teased her.
"Funny." She huffed.
"So what are you going to do tonight?"
Good question. She thought for a moment and then answered. "I'll probably turn all of the phones off and indulge myself in a bottle of wine."
"Sounds like fun." He smiled to himself. "I'll see you in a week?"
"Sure."
"I love you."
"You too." She hung up and stared at the black knit tank dress hanging in the closet. She turned her cell phone off and walked to the bathroom.

"She's not coming, is she?" Rana sighed.
"I don't know." Liv pouted. "I was hoping she might."
"I say we hire a hit man." Bobbi crossed her arms. "I don't think she'd miss him."
"Probably not." Liv giggled.
"So? What's the verdict?" Joe and Steve joined the girls.
"We're clueless." Rana shrugged her shoulders.
"Ain't that the truth." Phil chuckled.
Just then, Kali walked in. "I thought this was a party?" She smiled as she looked around.
"Hey!" They took turns hugging her.
"Ere ya go, love!" Steve handed her a glass of beer. "You need to catch up."
"Thanks." She looked across the group and smiled at Sav.
He looked her over and smiled one of his sexy little smiles. She fought off the chill she felt move down her spine and then turned to her sister. Liv winked at her.

Kali woke up the next morning to the feel on someone's hand on her hip. She opened her eyes to see the back of someone's shirt. She turned her head to see Sav behind her. She looked around the room to see that everyone had crashed in Phil's room. She was on the floor between Sav and Steve. She carefully moved Sav's hand off her and moved to her feet. She looked around the room one last time before walked out.

The Captain came over the speaker to announce that they'd be arriving in LA in approximately 20 minutes. Sav looked up as Kali pulled her bag open and began to freshen her makeup. He then caught Liv, looking at him. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Once off the plane, Phil was met by his wife and baby boy, Rick was met by his girlfriend Miriam, Liv was met by Chad, Rana and Bobbi went to grab their luggage, and Christian was waiting for Kali.
"Hi!" She smiled as she melted into his arms.
"Hi." He quickly planted a huge kiss on her.
Joe patted Sav's shoulder and escorted him out to the limo.

"Where's Kal?" The girls waited at sound check that night.
"Chris probably handcuffed her to the bed." Liv huffed as Sav and Phil walked out onto the stage.
"There's a party t'night!" Phil smiled. "In your honor, compliments of the guys from Metallica."
"We're there!" Kali grinned as she walked out while strapping on her guitar.
"So nice of you to join us." Rana smirked as she looked out at the open area and saw Christian take a seat.
"You sure you have permission?" Bobbi smirked.
"Can we get on with this or what?" Kali plugged in and walked toward her microphone. Sav all but pushed Phil across the stage.

Both bands made the introductions of their significant others that night before the show. Chris crossed his arms and stared at Sav. Sav looked up to meet his gaze. The tension was thick.
"No fighting." Joe whispered to his best friend.
"No guarantees." He sighed.
"We need to go." Kali pulled Christian aside. "Think you can behave yourself?"
"Can't make any promises." He kissed her.
"For me?" She rubbed her body against his.
He smiled and gave her another, long kiss.
"Let her go, already!" Liv yanked her away.

The Leps watched from the side stage that night as the girls completely rocked the house. They were at an outdoor venue and the crowd was packed of nearly as many Crush fans as Def Leppard. They really were big in their home town.
"You finished gawkin' at my girlfriend?" Christian growled into Sav's ear.
"I'm enjoyin' the band. They 'appen to be very good."
"You're not kidding me one damn bit. You better stay away from her." He pointed his finger into Sav's chest.
"I think you need to back off." Joe stepped up to him.
They were interrupted by Lenny clearing his throat. They all looked up to see him with a group of people. "These are the girls parents. Mind if they catch a peek?"
"Not at all!" The Leps moved aside for them.
Sav immediately recognized Kali and Liv's mother. Kali resembled her mother almost exactly, they even had the same long, curly hair. Liv was more of a mixture of the two. He smiled at her.
"You must be Rick Savage." She smiled at him.
"How did you know?" He blushed.
"The blue eyes." She shook his hand. "Lonnie Bennett. This is my husband Ron."
"Pleasure." He felt Christian's eyes burning a hole into him and relished the feeling.
"So who was the rude guy?" She whispered to him.
"No one important, Mum." He winked at her.

"Daddy!" The sisters squealed as they ran off the stage to hug him.
"I didn't know you were coming!" Bobbi hugged her parents.
"I've missed you!" Rana hugged her father.
"Have you met everyone?" Kali looked around.
"Just about." Ron kissed her cheek.
She reached for Christian and pulled him over. "This is Christian Slater." She smiled.
"Oh." Lonnie looked at her husband for a moment. "Nice to meet you."
"We want to invite everyone over for a party while you're home." Bobbi's mother spoke to her.
"Any time this week's great. The Leps have all 'In The Round' shows while we're in Cali." She answered.
"Yeah, we're free for a week." Kali smiled as Christian took her hand.
"You're not free." He whispered into her ear.
"I am for my family." She smiled.
"But we've got to move your things…"
"We'll talk about it later." She kissed his cheek and then returned her attention back to her parents.

Christian woke up to the sound of Kali's cell phone ringing. She ran in from the bathroom to answer it.
"Kali." She adjusted the towel around her. "Yeah, I'm almost ready. That's fine. See ya then." She hung up and returned to her makeup.
"You know, for someone who's on a break, you've been awful busy!" He yawned.
"Radio station interview this morning." She spoke while brushing a pink color across her cheeks. "Then we have a photo shoot with the Leps."
"What for?"
"Promos." She dropped her towel and walked to the closet. "I should be home around 4:00 and then we have dinner at my folks."
"Great." He sighed as he watched her. "They hate me, you know."
"No they don't." She smiled at him. "They don't know you yet."
"That's why you Dad refers to me as 'That Guy Kali's Seeing'?"
"Just give it time." She pulled on a pair of slashed jeans. "Please?"
"I'll try."

"No fair! Your hair looks better than ours!" Joe watched as the girls walked onto the set from wardrobe.
"Speak for yourself!" Sav ran his fingers through his hair.
"You're all poofy!" Kali giggled.
"Take a look in the mirror?"
"Yeah, well… I think she mistook us for Poison." She laughed.
"An easy mistake." Joe belted as the rest of the men laughed.

That night, Kali helped her mother put away dishes. They were quiet as they listened to the music from a tiny radio in the kitchen.
"Kali? Can I ask you a question?" Lonnie placed a plate into the cupboard.
"Sure Mom." She smiled.
"What do you… see in Christian?"
She was caught off guard. "Well… he's handsome."
"And?"
She racked her brain thinking.
"I thought so." She sighed. "Why are you pushing the man you really care for away?"
"Mom." She whined. "I'm not having this conversation with you."
"He loves you, Kal."
"Who, Mom?" She crossed her arms.
"Rick." She whispered. "I just hate to see…"
"Mom, Rick is a lying, cheating pig. There's no way in hell I'd get serious with him."
"People change, hon."
"No Mom. Men are all alike. And I'd rather be with an overprotective shit like Christian than risk getting my heart ripped out by someone like Sav ever again." She tossed her towel onto the counter and walked in to join the others.

The girls were sitting in Liv's hotel room in Denver. Bobbi had the remote control and was flipping through the channels as the other three glared at the television.
"This completely fuckin' sucks." Rana collapsed onto her face.
"Are all of our days off gonna be like this?" Kali pouted.
"I hope to hell not!" Bobbi turned the TV off and threw the remote out the balcony window.
"Nice one, Bobbs." Kali kicked her.
"Hey, let's go and bug the guys. They should be at Red Rocks about now, right?" Rana sat up.
"We could drink their beer and talk to the crew." Liv smiled.
"Anything's better than this." Kali stood.

The girls flashed their passes and then walked around the parking lot where the busses sat. There were a few tents set up for the chef and a few other areas.
"Ooh!" Bobbi pointed to an empty golf cart next to the grill.
"Yes!" Liv ran for it.
"Shotgun!" Kali squealed as all four girls piled into the cart. Rana looked around and noticed a pad of paper and a pencil.
"Let's patrol the area for offenders, shall we?" Bobbi grinned.
"Let's." Kali adjusted her sunglasses.

Phil and Steve were the first to get pulled over.
"Hold it right there!" Kali yelled as Liv honked the horn.
"What's up?" Steve smiled under his sunglasses.
"We're patrolling the area." Rana smiled.
"For?" Phil sipped on his drink.
"Anything we want." Liv giggled.
"And you, Steamin', are being cited for having the worst tan in all of Denver." Rana handed him a "ticket".
"Yeah, you're like translucent." Kali commented.
"Don't you 'ave anythin' better to do?" Phil snickered.
"Nope!" They all answered as they sped off to a group of lighting techs.
Phil looked down at the paper in his hand that Rana had handed him before they left. "One Citation, chicken legs, don't ever wear shorts around us again."
Steve threw his head back to laugh. "They're out of control!"

After terrorizing many of the crew members and making off with the beer cooler from the dressing room, the girls caught up with Malvin Mortimer, Steve's guitar tech.
"Whoa!" Liv squealed. "I'm blind!"
"I agree!" Rana wrote out a ticket.
"What's up, ladies?" He grinned at them.
"Mal, you are being cited for blinding the driver. The tops too shiny, bud." Bobbi giggled.
"A little less wax next time?" Kali giggled as they sped off.
Malvin stared at the paper as the crew members behind him laughed.
"Piss off!"

Sav was next. Liv made sure to skid the tires as they pulled up beside him.
"I heard you four were buzzin' round 'ere." He smiled.
"You are being cited, Mr. Savage. It's no laughing matter." Kali pursed her lips.
"Yeah, what's my offense?" He took a step closer to the cart.
"Back off, blue eyes." Rana handed him the paper. The girls sped off as Bobbi slapped his ass and giggled.
He shook his head and read the paper. "One Citation, nice ass, should be illegal." He laughed and walked back to the bus.

They were quickly approaching Joe and Rick.
"He's actually wearing something that matches." Kali giggled.
"Yeah, but did you see those tight jeans he wore in Salt Lake City? Had to have had a tube sock stuffed in there!" Bobbi bellowed. Joe and Rick turned just as the girls stopped beside them.
"Hey, isn't that our beer cooler?" Rick frowned.
"Yeah, but it's empty now." Liv smirked.
"Heard you girls were terrorizin' the help!" Joe snipped.
"Just paying our dues to society." Rana slapped a paper into his hand. She followed by handing one to Rick.
"Keep your noses clean, gentlemen." Kali saluted them as they drove off.
"What's yours say?" Joe looked at Rick.
"One Citation, you win the wanker award for not keeping your beer cooler properly stocked."
Joe threw his head back and laughed as Rick grabbed his paper and read.
"One Citation, faux phallice, for stuffing your pants (Liv concurs)."

Phil and Steve were playing in the pool of the hotel as Sav and Joe sat on the edge and baked.
"Think the girls are up for a few drinks before the show t'night?" Joe sighed.
"Don't know. They were pretty tanked when they came in at 3:00 this mornin'." Sav smiled. "Plus they 'ad a promo thing this mornin'."
"Better them than me." He grinned.
Just then, something flashed by.
"What was that?" Phil looked out of the pool.
Kali ran by carrying a huge water gun. She stopped behind a column and then ran across the deck of the pool. "Shhh!" She spat at the men.
"What the hell?" Steve looked around.
"We're bein' invaded." Joe chuckled as Bobbi followed suit. She looked around carefully as she neared the spot that Kali was hiding in.
"Shhh!" She spat at the men.
"Gotcha!" Kali jumped out and sprayed her.
Bobbi opened her mouth as Kali aimed for her face. "Hit the hole, Kal!" She yelled as she began to squirt her in the face.
They then stopped and ran off.
Sav and Joe looked at one another and raised their eyebrows.
"Not a clue." Joe answered.
Just then, Rana flew by while Liv chased her.
"Come back here!" Liv squealed.
The guys watched as an hour went by and the girls were still at it.
"Damn it!" Kali slurred. "I'm outta ammo!"
"Fuck it, let's go to the bar!" Rana threw her arm around her.
"Aye!" Steve stopped them. "Fess up! What's in the guns?"
"Nothing now!" Kali giggled.
"Open up." Rana aimed her gun at his mouth. He smiled and then quickly obeyed as she pulled the trigger. "Everclear and fruit punch."
"Now ya tell me!" He laughed as they staggered to the bar.

During a break from playing in Kansas City, Sav, Phil and Steve walked back to the green room to see the girls playing quarters.
"Who's winnin'?" Steve grabbed a bottle of tequila from Bobbi and took a swig.
"It certainly ain't me." Kali swayed in her seat.
"No shit!" Sav laughed.
"Wanna join us? I'm sure Joe won't miss ya!" She flirted.
"No, but I'll take a drink." He sipped from her glass. "Damn, Kal!" He coughed.
"Wimp." Rana giggled.
"Liv's mixin'em tonight!" Bobbi laughed.
They were laughing and getting loud when the guys returned to the stage. Just then, Kali's phone rang.
"Oh fuck!" She suddenly realized she hadn't yet spoken to Christian for the night. "Everyone quiet!" She answered. "Kali."
"Hey…" He stopped when her heard the music in the background. "Where are you?"
"We're still at the arena." She tried her best to act sober. She failed miserably.
"What's goin' on there?"
"We're meeting fans." She flat out lied. Something else she had never done before.
"Then why does it sound like you're drunk?"
"Bad phone connection?" She dug a deeper hole.
Liv covered her face with her hand and shook her head as Bobbi and Rana giggled.
"I think you should go back to the hotel now, Kal."
"There's only one limo and that wouldn't be fair to the girls. They'll drop me off when they're ready to leave."
"Kal…" She could hear the anger in his voice.
"What's that? You're breakin' up! Ch…n…" She hung up the phone.
The girls were shocked as they stared at her. They then broke out into laughter.
"Welp, he'll be here in the morning." Liv laughed. "To kill you."
"Oh, he can kiss my ass!" She took another drink. "I'm having fun!"
"Go baby, go!" Bobbi gave her a high-5.

Kali woke up to the pounding of the door the next morning. The entire floor heard the pounding as Sav and Phil stuck their heads out of their rooms.
"Damn it, Christian!" Liv stepped out of her room. "Calm the fuck down!"
"Liv, you need to back off!" He pointed at her as Kali finally opened the door.
"Don't yell at her." Kali's voice was gruff.
"Whatever!" He huffed and pushed past her into the room.
"It's okay." Kali waved her hand at her sister and closed the door behind her.

Yelling could be heard by everyone. Sav stared at Joe across the hall.
"All couples fight, man. Stay out of it." Joe watched him.
"He's a dick!" He walked in and slammed his door.
Joe looked down at Liv who was watching her sister's door.

They hopped onto their busses soon after and headed for the next venue. Kali decided to take a nap and quickly slipped away to her bunk. Christian snuck in behind her just as she drifted asleep.
She dreamt that she was standing on a balcony in Hawaii, overlooking the ocean. There was a warm breeze and the sun was peeking over the horizon. She was wearing nothing, but had a sheet wrapped around her showing only her shoulders. It was a peaceful, serene moment that was made even better by the two arms that slowly wrapped themselves around her. The hot kiss placed on her shoulder that sent sensations shooting through her body. She smiled as she looked up to intercept his lips. It felt so real. Every touch, every caress, every kiss. She turned her body to face him as she gazed into his eyes. "I love you, Rick." She whispered.
"Kali? Kali!" She woke up to the feel of being shaken. "Kali, wake up!" Christian angered.
"Huh?" She sat up.
"The girls stopped for lunch. Let's go."
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she thought about the dream.
"Come on, babe!" Christian pulled her out.

He stared at her the entire way through lunch. She tried to ignore him by talking to the other girls, but it was obnoxious.
"What is it?" She finally asked.
"What were you dreaming about?"
She felt the food she had just eating hit the bottom of her stomach. "Why?"
"You were pretty into it." He never moved his eyes from hers.
She thought for a moment. "A dreamt… that you and I were in Hawaii." She forced a smile to her face.
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Really." She took a drink of her water.
"Where in that scene does 'I love you, Rick' fit in?"
She froze as her eyes widened. "What?"
"That's what you said."
"No… that's… impossible."
"That's what I heard, Kali."
"Well, you're wrong." She stood and quickly walked out to the bus.
"What's up?" Bobbi watched.
"I thought they made up this morning?" Rana looked at Liv.
"Well, apparently he's pissed about something new." Liv sighed. "Let's go."

Kali was extremely quiet through sound check. She was busy keeping an eye on Christian. And he was definitely up to something. He spoke on his cell phone more than he spoke to her. What was he doing?
They finished up and walked backstage to start getting ready. Christian wouldn't leave Kali's side. She finally was able to go to the bathroom without him and relished the moment. That was until…

Sav, Joe and Phil walked into the girls dressing room and looked around.
"Party t'night?" Joe smiled at Liv.
"Sure…" Before she even finished, Christian ran across the room and pounced on Sav, punching him in the face.
"Kali!" Rana screamed as Sav defended himself.
Kali heard the screaming and ran in quickly, only to see Christian and Sav brawling.
"Stop it!" She pushed herself between the two. "What are you doing?" She tried to grab Christian's arms.
Joe and Phil helped to pull Sav back.
"What the fuck is this?" Kali was beside herself.
"I think you know the answer to that!" Christian yelled at her.
"Chris…" She rolled her eyes.
"Are you fuckin' my girlfriend?" He confronted Sav.
"No!" He answered quickly. "You are such an arse! Don't you know that she only wants you?" He angered.
He looked back at her. "But…"
"It was just a dream, baby. It didn't mean anything." She was probably telling him the biggest lie of her life.
"Dream?" Sav looked at her.
"It's… nothing." Tears filled her eyes. "Please, Chris."
"I'm… I'm sorry." He hugged his girlfriend.
"What ever!" Sav huffed and walked out of the room.

Kali walked off the stage that night to see Sav gearing up for their performance. She handed her guitar to Jimmy and walked up to him.
"I'm sorry." She watched him.
"It wasn't your fault." He sighed.
"Yes it was." She looked into his eyes. "I guess I talk in my sleep."
"What did you talk about?"
"You." She looked away.
"What about me?" He grabbed her arm.
"All I know is that when I woke up he was pissed. That's all I remember."
"Don't lie to me, Kal…"
"I'm not." She pulled away. "Have a good show." She ran off to the green room.

"Any ideas?" Liv spoke to Rana over the phone.
"Bobbi's shacked up with that biker guy and Kali's occupied with the ass for the weekend. Looks like it's just the two of us."
"Biker guy?" Liv raised her eyebrows.
"She met a guy at the bar last night and they were at it all night! Didn't you hear them?"
"Well yeah, but…"
"She ordered room service for breakfast and has yet to come out."
"Damn! It's that good?"
"Must be."
"Why don't we just rent a car and drive around for guys."
"Sounds good to me."
"I'll meet you in the lobby in an hour."

Kali laid in bed and watched Christian sleep. It was moments like these that she honestly thought she could love him forever. Then, he would wake up and ruin those thoughts as soon as he opened his mouth.
He opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Shhh. Don't say anything." She smiled as she began to kiss his chest.
"Mmm." He ran his fingers through her hair.

Bobbi escorted Mike to the lobby Sunday night.
"I had fun." She smiled as he kissed her.
"Me too." He pulled her close.
"You have my cell number? And my Manager's cell?"
"Right here, darlin'." He patted her ass. "I'll miss you."
"You too." She winked at him and waved as he walked out the door.
Rana and Liv were standing behind her as she returned to the elevators.
"What the hell was that?" Liv snorted.
"That… was the man of my dreams." She sighed.
"You're kidding." Rana laughed.
"Nope, I'm not." She pouted as she walked onto the elevator.

"I'm sorry, Chris. We're snowed in." Kali spoke over the phone.
"Tomorrow's New Year's, Kal. I want to be with you."
"I do too, but we've been told that the airports are closed down. We're not going anywhere for a few days. We'll be lucky to make the show in Vegas next week."
"Then I'll come there."
"If there are no flights leaving, I'm pretty sure they aren't coming in either." She rolled her eyes.
"So what will you do?"
"I'll probably work on a song or two and watch everyone get trashed."
"Fun."
"Tell me about it." She huffed. "I gotta go, my battery's about to fade out."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow?"
"Sure." She sighed.
"Love you."
"You too." She hung up.
"Gotta love Canada, huh?" Rana patted her on the back.
"Not!" Bobbi yelled.

Kali sat on her bed and strummed her guitar. She wasn't really in the mood to write. It was New Year's Eve. They should be partying, not working. She was interrupted by Rana.
"Hey, Steve and Phil wanna jam in their room. You up for it?"
"Sure!" She smiled. There was sure to be plenty of liquor involved with that. Why not?
She walked into see Liv, Phil and Steve already going at a few AC/DC songs. Kali giggled as she sat beside Steve.
"Welcome to the group, love." He handed her a bottle of whiskey.
"Thanks." She tipped it up. "That's more like it." She passed it on to Rana.

Later that afternoon, Sav and Joe returned from skiing. They heard the guitar music and laughing coming from Steve's room and became interested. They peeked in.
"What's up?" Joe looked at Liv.
"Hieee!" They all waved and laughed.
"You're tanked!" Sav pointed at Kali.
"We're creating." She smiled at him. "Wanna hear?"
"You wrote a song?" Joe pointed to the drunken guitar players (and tamborine player) before them. "I gotta hear this!"
"Cool!

They started playing. Steve and Phil sang.
"So, another year ends…And now we try to justify our sins…We say that we will try much… harder next time around…And like always, we wind up on the ground…"
The girls joined on the chorus. "Happy New Year, kiss my ass…Big 'ol Bertha's got some gas…
Joe and Dick they lit the match and both went up in flames…Holy shit what happens next…It's something that you might expect…Even though it's just something in your brain…"
"Holy shit!" Sav laughed as he wiped the tears from under his eyes.
Joe could hardly stand.
"What's the fun?" Bobbi walked in from her room.
"You gotta hear this!" Joe pulled her in.
"Now you know how it feels…When your life's a banana that nobody peels…You're rotten and you're gooey and now you're turning brown…And as always you wind up on the ground…"
They could hardly catch their breath from laughing.
"Sing along!" Liv squealed as they began the chorus.
"Happy New Year, kiss my ass…Big 'ol Bertha's got some gas…
Joe and Dick they lit the match and both went up in flames…Holy shit what happens next…It's something that you might expect…Even though it's just something in your brain…"
Rick was the last to arrive, only to see half of the group singing and the other half on the floor laughing. Happy New Year, kiss my ass…Big 'ol Bertha's got some gas…
Joe and Dick they lit the match and both went up in flames…Holy shit what happens next…It's something that you might expect…Even though it's just something in your brain…"
"Brilliant!" Sav applauded as the song ended.
"Wooh!" The musicians hugged one another.
"Again! Again!" Bobbi held her sides.
"1…2…3…4…" Kali sang as they began the song again.
"Hand me the whiskey." Rick laughed.

The girls sat in their dressing room before their show in Las Vegas.
"Where the hell is Bobbi?" Kali ran into the dressing room.
"I haven't seen her since we got here." Liv shrugged her shoulders.
"She's here!" Lenny stuck his head in.
"Thank God!" Rana rolled her eyes.
Bobbi walked in with the huge biker guy.
"Mike?" Kali looked confused.
"Sorry I'm late." Bobbi giggled as she held up her left hand. "We got married."
"Fuck me!" Rana's mouth dropped open.
"You what?" Liv followed.
"Wow!" Kali smiled at them. "Congratulations!"
"I'm happy for you," Liv hugged her. "But we have a show in 20 minutes."
"I'll be ready." She turned to kiss her new husband. "Gotta go, baby."
"I'll be on the first row watchin'." He swatted her ass and walked out of the room.
Rana looked at Liv.
"Looks like we're celebrating tonight." Kali giggled.
"Hell yeah!" Rana finally snapped out of it.
"Sounds like fun." Bobbi felt a huge weight lift. The band was okay.

Steve and Phil wandered around backstage after the show.
"Where are the girls?" Phil asked Lenny.
"They're out celebratin'." He looked at his watch. "And I probably need to catch up to make sure they stay out of trouble."
"Celebratin' what?" Joe overheard them.
"Their crew's even gone." Sav joined them.
"Bobbi got married."
"What?" They were all silent.
"This is gonna be one hell of a night!" Steve looked at Phil.
"Oh yeah!" They ran out to the limo.
"This outta be fun!" Joe smiled at Sav.
"Let's go!"

The girls had taken Mike to a strip club and bought him a lap dance. Kali, Rana and Liv were watching the dancers on the stage while consuming their drinks as fast as humanly possible.
"I'm way better than that!" Rana pointed.
"Of course you are." Kali patted her shoulder.
"Really!"
"We know!" Liv laughed.
"You know, we should welcome Mike to our family." Rana smiled as she looked over at Bobbi.
"Oh yeah." Liv looked at Kali.
"Why the hell not?" She finished off her sixth drink.

The Leps, Cliff and Lenny walked into the strip bar and looked around. The manager of the club spoke over the PA. "We have a special show for you tonight, ladies and gentlemen. In honor of the marriage of Bobbi and Mike."
They looked up at the stage as the lights went down and the music went up. In a flash, the stage was filled with all four of the girls.
"Christ almighty!" Lenny ran for the stage.
"Whoo!" Steve and Phil ran for a seat on the front row.
"Damn." Sav stared at Kali.
"Stop droolin'." Joe pulled him to the table the others were at.

They watched as the girls danced and shed their clothes, clear down to their g-strings. Each one threw their bra at Mike and winked as they continued to dance.
Sav's heart raced and breathing deepened as he watched Kali. He closed his eyes as she knelt in front of him and winked. Joe elbowed him and slid a wad of cash in front of him. She held her g-string out as he slowly tucked a $20 under the waistband.
She giggled and returned to the others.
"Deep breaths, mate." Steve handed him a drink.
"Thanks." His hands shook as he tipped the glass up.

Liv worked her way over to Joe. She licked her lips as she fell to her knees and spread her legs. He smiled as he began to throw wadded up $10's at her. She laughed at the look on his face and then joined the others.
Their fun was short lived as Lenny finally gathered their clothes and pulled them from the stage.
"Oh, man!" Phil complained.
"More!" Steve yelled.

When the girls returned to Mike, there were dozens of drinks waiting on them.
"That's what I'm talkin' about!" Rana giggled.
Kali picked up a drink and walked over to the guys. "Was I really that good?" She flirted with Sav.
"Better." He growled.
"Cool." She spun on her heel and rejoined her band mates.
"Fuck!" He sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
"Go get her!" Joe pushed him.
"I can't!" He clenched his jaw. "The jeans are a bit tight at the moment."
"Aren't they all?" Rick sighed as he watched the girls.

Kali sat on the bus later that day and rubbed her head.
"You okay?" Liv sat next to her.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." She smiled.
"Nothing happened, right?"
"Right." She pouted.
"What's this?" She smiled. "You wanted…"
"I did." She grinned. "God, I wanted him bad last night." She ran her fingers through her hair. "Thank God one of us was thinking."
"I suppose." She giggled.
"Yeah, Chris is completely pissed right now. I didn't answer my phone last night." She sighed.
"Make something up. You usually do." She winked at her.
"I know." She snickered.

The girls received a huge response in Flagstaff. Bobbi decided to try a new song that she and Rana had been working on.
"I don't mind if you wanna come around…Suit yourself, but I'm not shy…I don't care what it is you're lookin' for…If it's millions you want, I'm not that high…"
Kali smiled as she moved to sing backup. "And if you need me I will be…No where to be found Even your phone calls bring me down…I don't wanna be your girlfriend…I never meant to make you fall…I just want to be the one you call…To mess around…"
"They're in a good mood t'night." Steve stood and watched them as he spoke to Phil.
"Think we could get 'em to go out t'night?"
"Worth a go, right?"
"If you know a thing or two about a girl…Understand it's not my style…To wave a flag or look into the face of change…Or live a life of denial… And when you need me I will be…No where to be found…Even your phone calls bring me down…I don't wanna be your girlfriend…I never meant to make you fall…I just want to be the one you call…I don't wanna meet your parents Get my pictures off your wall…I'm no bogie, you can't play the call…When we mess around…"
"That sounds pretty good." Joe joined his band mates. "Bobbs write it?"
"Can ya tell?" Phil laughed.
"You can try to change me, but you're only wasting time…Find yourself another Valentine…"
"That is brutal!" Sav laughed from behind them. "I love it!"
"It's no surprise, I've never met a boy…Tough enough to make me cry…You switch it up, you take a shot at me…It turns me on when you say goodbye… And when you need me I will be… No where to be found…Even your phone calls bring me down…I don't wanna be your girlfriend…I never meant to make you fall…I just want to be the one you call…I don't wanna meet your parents…Get my pictures off your wall…I'm no bogie, you can't play the call…When we mess around…"
"I think they like it." Kali smiled at Bobbi.
"Looks like it." Rana pointed to the side of the stage where the Leps were still laughing.

"We on for t'night?" Steve stuck his head into the green room after their show.
"Shh!" Liv spat at him.
He looked over to see Kali on the phone. "Yeah, I know. Sure. Probably not."
"What's wrong?"
"He thinks she's at the hotel." Rana pulled him into the hall. "Don't blow it."
"Of course not. But are we on?"
"As soon as she pulls a fast one over on Mr. Asshole, yes." She smiled.
"Cool!" He walked down to the dressing room.

They went from bar to bar that night, drinking and dancing, playing pool and… drinking. After the third bar, they lost Steve and Phil.
"Where'd the twins go?" Rana held onto Kali as they walked down the street.
"No tellin'." Joe belched.
"Charming." Bobbi pushed him away.
"Oh! There's a karaoke bar!" Kali pointed.
"No!" Sav flinched.
"C'mon!" She took his hand and pulled him.
"Great." Rick chuckled.

"Anyone comin'?" Phil whispered as he stood at Kali's hotel room door.
"No." Steve drank from a bottle of vodka.
"Cool." He snickered as he worked.

Liv, Bobbi and Kali walked into the hotel singing 'Open Arms', while arm in arm. Everyone else walked behind them laughing.
"They're comin'!" Steve spat.
"Ya think?" Phil huffed.
"Screw faster!"
"Can't, it's in me blood." He laughed. "C'mon!" He ran down the hall and they both hid next to the ice machine.
"Sure you'll be alright?" Sav laughed as Kali staggered to her room.
"Fabu, thanks for askin'." She looked up at the number on the door and then to her key. "Oops." She looked up and down the hall.
Rana looked at the number on the rooms. "I could have sworn…" She pointed to the door.
"Looks like you tried to get into me room, love." Joe pushed Liv against the door. She closed her eyes and smiled.
"Pardon me." She pulled away.
Kali used her key. The door wouldn't open. "Damn it! I gotta pee!"
"You can use mine." Sav offered, but his key didn't work either. "Fuck!"
"This is completely uncool." Bobbi tried hers.
They stopped when they heard laughing coming from the end of the hall.
"Phil! What did you do?" Rana squealed.
"Sorry, love. Too good to pass up!" Steve joined them.
"So which one's mine?" Kali jumped up and down.
"Um…" Phil looked back and forth. "That one. Or that one."
"No, that one." Steve pointed across the hall.
"Bloody hell!" Joe gathered everyone's keys. He tried each of them and then passed them on to Sav. "Here Kal!" He yelled.
She ran into the room and slammed the bathroom door.
"Wankers!" Sav opened his door.
"Okay, we found two rooms." Rana took the other keys. "Where your rooms?" She looked at Steve and Phil.
"Down 'ere." Phil smiled.
"I'm sleeping with you then." Rana followed him.
He raised his eyebrows and then took her hand.
"Down, boy!" Steve laughed.

Kali stepped out of Liv's room to see Bobbi working diligently on opening her door. She looked up to see the door of her room open and walked in. Sav was lying across the bed with his shirt off. She took a deep breath and closed the door.
"Um, Rick?" She staggered to the bed. "You're in my room." She sat beside him. He was sound asleep. "Great." She sighed.

"Joe." Liv pushed him away. "You need to find your own room."
"I don't want me own room, love." He kissed her cheek.
"Joe." She whined. "Please."
"You don't want me to go."
"Yes, I do." She pushed away.

Rana stripped down to her panties and rummaged through Phil's bag for a T-shirt. He swallowed hard as he pulled the sheets down. They both climbed into bed and he turned the lights out. She pulled the sheets around her and closed her eyes. She then felt the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck. She relaxed as she rolled onto her back.
"Ray?" He whispered.
"What Phil?"
"I just wanted you to know that… I miss you."
She sighed and ran her finger down his chest. "I miss you too."

Kali slipped into a T-shirt and then pulled Sav's shoes off. He moaned as he rolled onto his back. A chill ran down her spine as his shirt opened, displaying the unbuttoned clasp of his jeans. She took a deep breath as she fought to control herself.

"Joe, I said out!" Liv opened her door and stood there.
"I don't quite know where me room is right now, Liv."
"Share with Sav."
He looked out into the hall. "He's gone."
"No he's…" She looked out. Everyone had found their rooms. Bobbi had apparently taken the last of the keys with her. "Fuck!"
"Please? Look, I'll behave."
"You don't know how to behave." She crossed her arms.
"I promise, Liv. Please?"

Rana finally came to her senses and pushed away from the tight lip lock that she and Phil were in.
"I'm sorry." She sat up.
"No, I am." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Look we're both adults 'ere. We can do this, right?"
"Right." She turned her back to him once again.

Kali laid beside Sav and watched him sleep. She moved a strand of hair from his face and sighed as she wrapped a long curl around her finger. What was she doing? Christian would kill them both if he knew about this. And yet… it didn't matter.
He made a face and swallowed as he blinked his eyes and looked around the room. He stopped when he saw Kali.
"Hi." His eyes widened.
"Hi." She smiled. "You crashed in my room."
"Oh." He sat up. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"Maybe I didn't want to?"

Liv changed into a T-shirt as Joe began to strip his clothes.
"Please don't tell me you went commando tonight." She crossed her arms.
He dropped his jeans to prove that she had guessed correctly.
"Damn it, Joe!" She threw a pair of her shorts at him.
"I can't wear your clothes."
"You will tonight." She slid into the sheets and turned out the light.

"Phil!" Rana yelled his name as she felt her body shudder.
"Oh! Rana!" He felt himself release inside her.
They collapsed together before falling asleep.

Kali realized that she and Sav were kissing and pushed away.
"I'm sorry." He looked away.
"It's my fault." She sighed as she watched him.
He turned to meet her eyes as they fell onto the bed in another kiss.

Liv tried to sleep, but found it hard. Joe felt her hesitancy and pulled her into his arms. She smiled, but quickly thought of the consequences. He was married. This was not supposed to happen. Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt his mouth on her neck.
"Joe." She whined.

Clothes flew everywhere as Sav and Kali remained glued to one another. He was kissing her shoulder and searching for the strap of her bra when she once again pushed away.
"Okay, this is going… too far." She caught her breath.
"I know." He sighed. "Maybe I should…" He was cut off by another kiss.

"Joe!" Liv screamed his name as he thrust his tongue inside her.
"See? That's not so bad." He followed with his fingers.
"Oh!" She moaned again.

Sav position himself and kissed Kali.
"Tell me this is what you want." He looked into her eyes.
"It is." She whispered as her cell phone rang.
They both froze. She rolled her eyes as she reached across the bed. It was Christian. She looked up to see Sav walking into the bathroom.
"Kali?"
"I didn't wake you, did I?"
"I just got to bed." She planted her fist into the pillow.

"God, I want you." Joe kissed Liv.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Piss off!" He yelled.
"C'mon, Joe!" Sav huffed.
"Huh?" Liv grabbed her T-shirt and answered the door. "Sav?"
"Does anyone 'appen to know where me key is?"
"Bobbi 'as them." Joe sighed as he wrapped a towel around his waist and answered the door.
Sav rolled his eyes and looked at Liv. "She's on the phone with Mr. Wonderful. Care to share a room with the sis t'night?"
"Actually, I think that's a good idea." She took the key from him and walked across the hall.
"Thank you, Mr. Savage!" Joe huffed.

The next morning, they all gathered in the restaurant for breakfast. Bobbi looked around the table and began to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Joe frowned.
"All the noises coming from our floor last night." She snickered.
Steve smiled at her. "Too bad we didn't 'ave a recorder." He laughed.
Kali covered her mouth to keep from laughing.
"It's never been that loud with the wives." Rick looked at Joe.
"Enough, okay?" Liv laughed. "Nothing happened."
"That's right." Sav looked at Kali. "Nothin'."
Rana looked at Phil and winked.

Kali walked around backstage keeping an eye on her watch. Christian had called and said that it was important that he speak to her before the show. They had only thirty minutes before the show and she was getting anxious.
"There you are!" Kali saw him walk backstage. She ran to his arms and hugged him only he didn't put his arms around her. "What?"
She stepped back and looked at him.
"We need to talk." He spoke with no emotion.
"What's wrong?" Kali began to panic.
"It's not working between us and I don't think it ever will." He stared at her. "Not unless you leave this behind and come home now."
"Come home?" She gasped. "I don't understand."
"What's not to understand?" He raised his voice. "You belong to me, Kali! And I want you home!"
"Don't yell." She tried to reason. "Chris...."
"I'm taking you home." He grabbed her arm and began pulling her behind him.
"Stop! That hurts!" She smacked his hand. "Let go!"
"Kali!" He back handed her across the face. Kali's hand moved to her cheek while she stood stunned. What was happening? Why was he acting like this?
"You will come home with me!" He yelled again.
"Why are you acting like this? This isn't like you!"
"I'm sick of you being around all these clubs and all these fucking men....groping at you. It's hard to say how many you've slept with! Or was it just Sav?" He leaned over her.
"I didn't! I'd never do that!" She cried.
"I heard about the little trip you made to Tuscon to see him! Did you fuck him then? Fuck, Kali! He calls you all the time!"
Liv, Joe and Sav stopped in the hall when they heard the yelling.
"What the fuck is that?" Joe turned to Liv.
"Sounds like Chris." Liv frowned.
"Great!" Sav huffed.
"He's a friend!" Kali shot back.
"Not anymore! I will not let you whore around!" He again slapped her. Sav's face fumed with anger as he entered the backstage area and witnessed the slap.
"Sav!" Joe reached for him but missed as he took off after Chris.
"Fuckin' bastard!" Sav swung and knocked Christian on his ass. He didn't stop there. He proceeded to kick him while he laid on the ground. "I will kill you if you ever lay a hand on her again!" He grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up to be face to face with him.
"Fuck you!" Chris grumbled. Sav returned the comment with another punch.
"Do you understand me?" He repeated.
"He'll understand or he'll go to jail." Kali finally spoke. Liv ran over and wrapped her arms around her sister.
"Consider your relationship with Kali officially over!" Sav handed him over to the security guards.

The Leps sat around the large family area of their hotel room. Each worked on downing a bottle as several girls worked on performing a number of sexual acts to entertain them.
"Bloody 'ell, this is fabulous." Joe boasted as one woman kissed his chest and another worked on removing his jeans.
"Look at Rick!" Sav pointed to Rick. He was using a bottle of whip cream to spell out his name across a woman's chest.
"You spelled Rick wrong!" Phil laughed.
"I know." Rick grinned as he leaned down and licked the whip cream off. "It's so I can erase it!"
"Get the bloody door!" Steve yelled, as there was a knock.

Phil staggered to the door and opened it to find Kali. "Kal!" He drunkenly hugged her. Sav's eyes locked with hers and she stared back with no expression.
"So...." She broke away from the hug. "Looks like this is were the party is!" She giggled as the other girls piled in behind her.
"Where's the alcohol?" Bobbi pushed passed them.
"Save some for me!" Rana followed her.
"Crush!" Joe didn't move from the sofa. Liv rolled her eyes and laughed as she followed the others to the bar. Sav followed Kali's movements to the bar. She laughed and joked with some of the others at the party.

Throughout the night the Leps enjoyed the many women and tons of alcohol was consumed.
"Hey!" Kali plopped down next to Rick.
"Aye." He wrapped his arm around her.
"Still have that whip cream? I have an idea." She giggled.
"Sure." He handed her two cans.
"Thanks!" She kissed his cheek. "Rana!" She motioned her to follow to one of the bedrooms.

"So, love. I thought you girls were gonna go bar hopin'?" Joe talked with Liv.
"Kali and Rana got bored." She drank her beer. "Having fun?" She looked around the room.
"Blast!"

A few minutes later Kali and Rana appeared in the doorway. All eyes settled on them.
"Ya like?" The girls turned. They were wearing whip cream bikinis with strategically placed cherries.
"Oh, fuck!" Phil gasped. Rana giggled and made her way to him.
"You like?"
"That would be an understatement, love." He stared at her.

"Kal?" Sav stopped in front of her.
"Well?"
"It's....I....damn!" He ran his fingers through his hair.
"Cool!" She kissed him and ran off through the party.

I wonder if you think of me….. Somewhere in the shadows of your mind,…. Although our love could never be…. I found I think about you all the time, ooh baby………. Am I in your fantasies.. The way you always wander into mine,… Are you longing endlessly.. Just like me deep inside, ooh baby baby….

“Where did you get that song?” Sav asked after the concert as he escorted Kali to an elegant dinner.
“I’ve been doin a lot of writing lately.” She sat down when he pulled her chair out for her then he took his own seat. She had changed into an ankle length black silk dress that made her look absolutely gorgeous. Her eyes though still looked distant, just as they had for the last month since her breakup with Christian. He still worried about her and has made every effort to make sure she doesn’t slip back to the depressive state she seemed to be in those first few weeks. Kali was one of the strongest women he knew and with that he knew she would make it through this, he just wasn’t going to take any chances.
“Who’s the song about?” He asked while pouring her wine.
“Us.” She gave him a sexy smile and saw the surprise register on his face.
“Really?” He coughed and his heart began to pound. It had been a long time since they had flirted like this and he could feel the tension in the room rise instantly. They really were going to have to stop or move forward. He wasn’t sure how much more he could take.
“Well yes. I can’t imagine my life without you even though there are certain ways I can never have you.”
“Why can’t you?” He held her hand.
“We’ve talked about this before. There's just always things that get in the way.”
“I think we have a great foundation for a wonderful relationship now.” He pleaded.
“The last thing I’m interested in at this time is a relationship.” She huffed.
“Ok.” He knew that tone of voice. “How ya doing, Kal?”
“Ok, I guess. It kinda seems to be back and forth. If I keep myself wrapped up in my work then I don’t seem to think about him but, when I try to sleep…..” She rested her head against her hand. “I just wish this hollow feeling I feel in my chest would go away.” She cried.
“I know. It will though, I promise.”
“How?”
“Trust me.” He squeezed her hand. “It gets better.”

“Kali Bennett?” A tall man extended his hand.
“Yes, I’m Kali.” She smiled for him and Sav thought he seemed to melt in front of her. They were at the Music Awards and everyone had noticed the girls tonight.
“Richey Sambora of Bon Jovi.” He kissed her hand. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
“Nice to meet you.” He was so good looking for an older man, Kali thought. She had been a big fan of Bon Jovi in high school and now she was here meeting the band. It was hard to control her excitement. She seemed to be mesmerized by him.
“Would you like to meet the rest of the guys?”
“I’d love to. Will you excuse me Sav?”
“Have fun.” Sav huffed.



Kali and Richey walked over to meet the rest of the band. When she was introduced to leader of the group, Jon, she felt her knees grow weak and everyone else in the room disappear. He kissed her hand and immediately asked her to dance. They seemed to hit it off right away.
“You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.” He whispered.
“Thank you.” He had to be at least ten years older than she was but that didn’t seem to matter.
“Wanna go back to my place?”
“Let’s go.” She took his hand and they walked to the limousine. Jon brushed a strand of hair away from her face with his hand and Kali kissed to palm of it. Looking up into his eyes she felt the heat rise in her and her heart began to pound. Their lips met in the gentlest kiss as she moved his hand down to her breast. Kali loved the feel of him as he kissed her neck, shoulders and arms, wherever skin was exposed. Arriving at Jon’s hotel they walked to his room and made their way to the bed removing clothing along the way.

Sav stood at the window in his room and watched Kali and the others at the pool. He could see her dancing and drinking with Joe. Saw him say something and then she laughed. He had just got out of the shower and was waiting on Erin to leave to go down and join them.

“Are we going to have to put Sav on watch again tonight?” Joe laughed.
“I don’t need a babysitter. Besides he already looked busy.” She took another sip of her beer. “Well I’m out, better go get another one.” She danced her way to the bar and ordered another drink.
“Havin fun?” Liv walked up to sit beside her.
“Loads."
“It is a pretty cool party.”
"Yep. The guys are so gorgeous.”
“I thought you liked the one here to see you.”
“Tell that to him and the brunette he’s fucking right now!” Kali huffed and downed a shot of Tequila.
“Are you jealous?” Rana smirked.
“Why would I be jealous. Were friends.”
“That’s funny, cause it sounds like your jealous to me. Besides you do it, why can’t he.”
“Whatever.” Kali huffed.
“It’s going to happen. And believe me the fireworks will fly.” Liv walked off to find Bobbi. Kali sat at the bar long enough to down two more shots and grab another beer. Turning, she saw him. He finally showed up and he wasn’t alone. He brought her. How dare he.

He grabbed beers for the both of them at the other bar and sat at a table close to the pool. She noticed him looking around, probably for her, and he spotted her just as Joe walked up.
“Crappin out on me?” Joe teased.
“Not on your life.” Kali smiled and followed him to the dance area. “I’m just getting started.”
“I think your well on your way, love.” He laughed.
“Maybe.” Kali laced her arms around his neck and delivered a small peck to his lips. “Do you think I’m sexy?” She flirted.
“Kal, we all think you’re sexy. Your not concerned with the girl Sav has with him are you?”
“Were just friends.” She huffed.
“If you say so.” He kissed her forehead as the song ended. “Are you going to be ok? You’re pretty looped.”
“Peachy.” Her speech was slurred and she wobbled to the bar for another beer. There Sav met her and she looked past him to see that the other girl was leaving. “Was it good?”
“Two can play the game.” Sav smirked.
“And what game would that be?” She leaned forward so that her breasts brushed his bare chest. Sav closed his eyes and tried to gain composure. She was drunk. It was going to be a long night.
“The one we’ve been playing for three years.” He flirted back.
“When is the game over?” She whispered and he could feel her breath on his neck. Feel the hair on the back rise. She was the only woman who could reduce him to this in seconds.
“It’s over when we say it is. And if we're not careful, we’ll destroy that friendship we both value, tonight.” He looked her straight in the eyes, their lips only inches apart. Kali rose on tiptoe and brushed her lips across his. He could only hold back so long and she was testing that limit.

“Do you believe that?” Liv pointed to Kali and Sav for Joe.
“I knew it.” Joe laughed. “Hey, Phil. I guess you were right.” Phil followed their gaze and let out a low whistle.
“I can see the steam rollin off that one.” Steve smiled.

“Kal…..” Sav’s voice was husky.
“Dance with me?” She cut him off. They moved to the dance floor where Kali cradled herself up to him as they danced. Moving her hips to the rhythm of the music, all the while singing to the lyrics. Sav placed his hands on the small of her back, following her hips as they moved. The feel of her soft warm skin against his hands sent a tingle up his arm. He wanted her now more than ever, wanting, willing but he had to think of the risks. She was drunk and he would obviously be taking advantage of the situation. Her hand reaching around to grab him broke his thoughts. Closing his eyes he sucked in a deep breath and held it.
“Am I sexy, Sav?” She flirted with a smile curling on her lips.
“You know you are. To sexy for me to keep my hands off of if my good sense doesn’t stop me.”

“I’ll bet they wind up in bed tonight.” Steve threw a twenty-dollar bill on the table.
“I’m with you.” Phil threw in his money.
“Me too.” Joe followed.
“I can’t believe you guys are betting on whether two of your friends throw away their friendship or not.” Liv huffed.
“It’s going to happen between them sooner or later.” Joe explained. “They have been like this for three years and Kali keeps testing the limits.”

Sav and Kali walked into her hotel room after the party wound down. Stripping her suit the second she hit the door, she left a trail over to the bed. Sav’s eyes followed every move until she finally grabbed her silk robe. He knew he needed to stay long enough to know she made it to bed. She definitely couldn’t hold the alcohol she drank these days. He hoped it wasn’t long for he didn’t know how much longer he could control himself. If she kept coming onto him he would abandon all reason and make love to her and worry about the consequences later.
“Wanna drink?” She smiled at him.
“I think you’ve had enough to drink.” He took the bottle from her.
“You’re not trying to spoil my fun are you?” She pouted.
“I’m tryin’ to avoid doing somethin’ you’ll regret in the mornin'.” He shoved his hands in his pockets to avoid touching her. His eyes kept falling to her robe though. It gaped open at the top and he could see the tops of her breasts and he remembered the feel of them against his chest. Firm, warm, and silky smooth. He ached to re-acquaint his hands with them, to devour them with his mouth.
“Do you want me?” She slid against him.
“I think that’s obvious. Besides you know I’ve wanted you for a long time.” He tried not to move, to not rub against her.
“Why did ya do it?” She backed off to grab the bottle he took away. Taking a drink she waited for his answer.
“Not take advantage of the situation?” He looked puzzled.
“No….” She shook her head. “The woman earlier.” She took another drink and Sav grabbed the bottle taking a drink of his own.
“You had me so worked up. All I was doing was sittin' in my room thinkin’ about what you were doin'.”
“It’s goin' to happen isn’t it?” She stepped closer.
“You're drunk.” He tried to hold on to what reason there was left. She wasn’t making it easy.
“And very well aware of what’s going on.” She kissed his neck. He closed his eyes as she continued to kiss his neck, lacing his arms around her he gave in. Lifting her off the floor, their lips met in a passionate kiss and Kali melted in his arms. He untied the sash on her robe, slid it off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. His eyes took in her body the soft, tanned skin and his hands traced every curve as they made their way to the bed. Lying her down he followed never taking his hands from her. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He had dreamed so many times of having her here like this again. Wanting him, touching him, making love with him. The dreams didn’t even come close to the reality. The sensations she sent through his body with just the touch of her hand.
He stood removing his shorts then returned to her. Starting at her calf, up to her thigh, across her stomach, claiming one breast with his mouth he left a trail of kisses.
“You’re so wet.” He whispered as he dipped his hand between her thighs to touch her. She arched into his touch. Waiting until she relaxed, he stroked his fingers against her till he had her begging for more. Lacing his fingers through hers he moved to cover her, entering in one swift stroke.

Joe walked Liv back to her room. They stopped at the door and looked into each other’s eyes.
“I guess this is where we say goodnight.” Liv whispered.
“I guess it is.” He stared into her eyes. God, he wanted this woman so bad. Liv closed her eyes as his lips came down and met hers in a passionate kiss.
“Joe….” Liv tried to reason but her body was responding to his touch.
“I want you.” He pushed her against the door. “Please, love. I ‘ave to ‘ave you.”
Without another word, Liv turned and unlocked the door. They walked inside and Joe pulled her to the bed. His hands carefully removed her top and slid her bottoms down her legs. Then he slid his own shorts down and returned to kiss her lips. His hands caressing every inch of her body. Liv leaned her head back and enjoyed the feel of him against her. Letting all reason leave her mind and giving in to him.
"Ugh!" He growled as he slid into her.
"Joe!" She raked her nails down his back as he began to move. Her rhythm quickly catching his and his pace quickened. She felt so hot that he had to fight to control himself. Her moans driving him, pushing him closer.
"Oh!" She pushed her hips up as she arched her back.
"Liv!" He pushed as deep inside her as he could go before collapsing on top of her.
"Mmm." She kissed his neck.

Sav awoke the next morning still lying in bed with Kali wrapped in his arms. A rush of feelings ran through him as he thought of the events the night before. Pure perfection, insatiable hunger, and at the same time fear. Looking back now he feared what would happen. He should have been stronger to resist her, hard as it was that is what he should have done. They had had this conversation before and Kali made it very clear that she wouldn’t risk having her heart broke by him again. How would she feel this morning? She had a lot to drink last night, so was she really aware of what was going on? How would she look at all this? Sneaking out of bed he quickly dressed and left.

Liv woke up to see Joe standing across the room in his towel.
"Oh!" She quickly sat up.
"Mornin'." He turned around and smiled. "Sleep well?"
"Um....yeah." She rubbed her head. What had they done? He was married for Godssake! Damn it, what was she thinking?
"Love?" He sat beside her. His hand caressing her cheek.
"Joe..." She met his eyes and he smiled. "God, what have we done?"
"Somethin' I've been dyin' to do since the last time I made love to you."
"But, you're married!" Liv reasoned.
"Then I suggest we keep this to ourselves." He brushed his lips across hers. Liv felt herself melt into his touch.
"We can't do this..." She whispered.
"Why?" He continued down her neck.
"Um.....because...." She closed her eyes as her hand came up to run her fingers through his hair. His hand pulled down the sheet that kept her from his skin and pushed her back onto the pillows.

Kali slowly opened her eyes and smiled to herself. Last night had been wonderful. She rolled over to snuggle up next to Sav, only the bed was empty. She sat up and looked around the room. No clothes, no note, no Sav.
"Fuck!" She threw the sheets back and headed for the bathroom. "Had one thing in mind and got it. Fucker didn't even have the decency to wake me!" She muttered to herself as she turned the shower on.

Sav stood in front of the mirror and stared at his reflection. What was she going to say? Or would she say anything at all? Would she forgive him for it? Never talk to him again?
"Bugger!" He walked into this room and dressed before heading down for breakfast.

Kali walked into the hotel restaurant and spotted the group at a corner table. Sav was sitting next to Phil and Joe was on the other side of him next to Liv.
"Morning." She looked at the girls as she took her seat. Joe noticed the look on her face and immediately looked at Sav. Sav shook his head and took a long drink of his juice.
"Morning." Liv patted her sister's knee under the table.
"Later." Kali looked over at Sav then back to Liv. Liv shook her head in understanding.
"You fuck this tour up and I'll kill you m'self." Joe whispered in Sav's ear.

The remainder of breakfast was hell. The tension between Kali and Sav could be felt by everyone at the table. As soon as she finished her food, Kali excused herself.
Sav quickly excused himself as well and chased after her.
"Kali!" He caught up with her.
"What?" She turned to glare at him. She was mad. He knew he should have controlled himself and walked out of her room last night.

"We need to talk."
"Oh! Now you want to talk!" She slapped her hands on her hips.
"Kali, I'm sorry!" He wined.
"I can't believe you did that!" She looked away. "I don't really want to talk to you right now."
"But, we need to." He reached for her as she walked away. She turned her body to avoid his touch and he just stood there and watched her walk out of the hotel.

"What do you think went wrong?" Joe asked Liv as they walked into the lobby.
"With those two?" She raised her eyebrows. "You name it!"
"What are the plans?" Bobbi ran up and joined them.
"Don't do that!" Liv held her chest. "What do you mean,...plans?" She suddenly became nervous.
"Ya know! What are we doing today?" Rana joined them.
"I need to 'ave a conversation with a certain bloke." Joe looked at the girls. "We'll catch up later." He smiled at Liv.
"What's going on there?" Bobbi teased.
"Nothing." Liv watched Joe's ass as he walked away.

Kali sat on her bed with her guitar and strummed a few cords to "All or Nothing". She didn't regret last night but she hated the fact that he left the way he did this morning. It proved to her that he hadn't changed a bit. He was still a pig when it came to relationships. She'd began writing this song with him in mind and he finished it. How could he have known how she felt?
"Kal?" Liv popped her head in the door.
"Come on in." She sat her guitar aside.
"What happened?" Liv sat next to her sister on the bed.
"He's a pig. Nothing new." She huffed.
"I don't think so, Kali."
"Yeah? He fucked me and then walked out this morning without a word." Kali huffed.
"Kali..." Liv sighed.
"Not now." She stormed out of the room.

Joe found Sav at the pool.
"Want to tell me how bad you fucked last night up?"
"Don't start on me!" Sav grumbled.
"Why? It was lookin' so good for ya at the party. I'm assumin' you got laid. The part I'm not sure I understand is this mornin'." Joe waited.
"I don't know. I guess she's pissed that it happened."
"What did she say to you this mornin' before breakfast?" Joe ran a hand through his hair.
"Nothin'. I left before she woke up." Sav looked out over the pool. Joe brought his hand up and wacked him on the back of the head and walked off. He needed to talk to Liv.

That night Liv and Joe met up before the concert.
"Aye." He smiled as she walked into the green room.
"Where's Sav?" She looked around. Phil and Steve were on the couch drinking from a bottle of vodka.
"Lookin' for Kali." Rick walked in wearing his shorts and t-shirt.
"Not good. She's really pissed." Liv returned to Joe. "He walked out without a word."
"I know." Joe shook his head. "Any suggestions?"
"What was he thinking?" She asked as Kali and Rana walked in the room.
"'Ello, ladies!" Steve held up the bottle.
"Thanks!" Kali ran over and took a drink.

They were drinking and talking as the guys continued to get ready for the show. Sav walked in and noticed Kali on the couch between Phil and Steve.
"Fuck, here we go!" Kali tried hard to sound mad.
"Damn it, guys!" Liv looked over at her sister. "Remember how bad we played last time she was drunk on stage?"
"Piss off!" Kali giggled. Phil and Steve followed.
"Can we talk?" Sav stopped in front of her.
"I'm pissed at you." She stood up and was nose to nose with him. "And besides....I'm not in the mood for a quick shag." She staggered off.

After the concert Sav searched for Kali again. He needed to talk to her. To get this whole situation straightened out. He found her with a bottle in her hand sitting in her hotel room.
"What?" She huffed at the interruption when he knocked on the door. "Sav!"
"We need to talk." He pushed his way into her room.
"Get the hell outta here!" She yelled. Sav looked at her with determination.
"No. Not till we talk."
"Fuck you, Sav! You're a.....a....pig!" She angered. What arrogance this man had.
"Fine. I'm a pig. We're still goin' to talk." He hovered over her.
"Get out!" She pointed to the door.
"No." He smiled that sexy smile. The one that usually made her melt.
"Don't even try that on me, blue eyes!" She tried to control her racing heart. She had to remember that he used her.
"Kali...."
"Don't Kali, me!" She pulled her fist up to hit his chest. He caught her wrist in his hand and held it away from him. "How dare....." She was cut off by his kiss. Her body melted into his as his tongue probed her mouth. How was it he could do this? Sav felt her respond to him. His hand moved down and grabbed her ass, pulling her hips into his. He took the opportunity to explain himself.
"I'm sorry, Kali. I panicked this mornin'. I wasn't sure how you'd feel about last night."
"What?" She looked confused. Her mind still whirling from his kiss.
"I left the room before you woke up because I wasn't sure how you'd feel." He went on.
"I thought you just used me." She cried. She'd been so wrong.
"Never. Don't you remember? I love you, Kali. I always will." He kissed her again.

Joe and Liv ended up in his hotel room after the show.
"C'mere." He motioned for her to join him on the bed.
"Just what do you plan to do with me?" Liv giggled.
"Ravish you till neither of us can take it any longer." He pulled her in for a passionate kiss.
"Hmm." She ran her fingers through his long hair. "Joe.."
"It's right, Liv. I want this." He whispered against her neck as he pulled her shirt over her head.
"I do to." She pulled at the zipper of his jeans. She was about to pull them down his legs when there was a knock at the door.
"Ignore it." Joe pushed his hips into hers.
"Joe." Karla knocked again.
"Fuck!" Joe jumped from the bed.
"Holy shit!" Liv grabbed her shirt and scrambled to put it on. "What do we do?"
Joe looked around the room as he thought. "Just a minute." He yelled at the door. He then picked up the phone and called Sav.
"What Joe?" He grolwed into his cell phone. Joe chuckled.
"Did I interrupt?"
"Yeah." Sav looked down at Kali. She was resting her head against his shoulder.
"Sorry. I 'ave a slight problem." Joe kissed Liv.
"Yeah, and what would that be?"
"The wife is at the door and I 'ave a guest in my room if you know what I mean."
"Oh!" Sav laughed. "Got a huge problem."
"I need you're help." Joe listened to another knock at the door. "I'm comin', honey!"
Liv rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms and watched him.
"I'll open me balcony door. 'Ave her climb across."
"Thanks." He hung up and pulled Liv to the balcony.
"Care to tell me what we're doing?"
"You're gonna climb across to Sav's room." He looked over as Sav walked out the balcony in a pair of boxers followed by Kali wrapped in a sheet.
"It's about bloody time!" Joe snickered. "Let's go." He helped Liv across to Sav's balcony and then ran back in his room. When he opened the door Karla was standing there with her eyebrows raised.
"What the hell took so long?" Karla peaked inside.
"I was tryin' to pick up a bit." He lied.
"Oh." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I thought I'd surprise you." She kissed him. She could feel the hard bulge in his pants as she pressed against him. Leaning back, she gave him a questionable look.
"Just happy to see you, love." He kissed her again.

Kali stared at her sister as she walked through the room.
"Just what was going on?" Kali grinned.
"It was just getting good when she showed up." Liv huffed.
"How long you and Joe been shaggin'?" Sav handed Kali his robe.
"Ooh!" Liv pointed her finger in his face. "Keep your trap shut on this." She warned.
"He will." Kali looked at him. "Or he'll be sleeping alone himself."
"Me lips are sealed." He wrapped his arms around Kali. Liv smiled. It was about time the two of them got it on.
"I'll leave you two alone." She headed for the door. "Thanks for saving my ass." She waived as she walked out.
"Where were we?" Sav pulled her to the bed. He kissed her passionately before she stopped and looked into his eyes. "What is it?"
He gently brushed away a lock of hair from her face.
"Remember the dream I had that I wouldn't tell you? The one where Chris got really mad?"
"Yes?" He wondered where she was going with this.
"It was about you and me. I whispered "I love you, Rick" in my sleep." She searched his eyes.
"Kali..." His eyes lit up.
"I do, Rick. I love you."
"I love you, too, Kali." He pulled her down to the mattress and pushed the robe from her body.

Kali smiled at herself in the mirror as she put the final touches on her makeup. Sav was taking her to dinner tonight. She couldn't believe how happy she felt.
"You ready?" He wrapped his arm around her from behind.
"Yep." She turned and kissed his cheek. As they walked out the door they met up with Joe and Karla.
"Aye, mate." Joe smiled.
"Aye." Sav held Kali's hand. "Aye, Karla."
"Nice to see you two again." Karla smiled.
"Where ya off to?" Joe looked between the two.
"Dinner."
"Yeah. Sav got a sudden romantic streak in him." Kali giggled. Sav rolled his eyes.
"Two smartasses." Joe chuckled. "You're perfect for each other."
"We'll see." Sav mumbled as they walked off for the elevator.

When they arrived at the restaurant they ordered a bottle of champagne. Kali excused herself to the ladies room. Sav took the opportunity to place the tiny object into her glass. He then filled both glasses with champagne.
"Ooh!" Kali smiled as she returned to her seat. The talked as they casually sipped their champagne.
"The last show is next week." Sav commented.
"I know." She pouted and took another drink. With each drink Sav grew more nervous. "Well?"
"I'm sorry." He shook his head. "What?"
"Are you going to LA or where?" She asked again.
"I purchased a home in Dublin just before the tour." He smiled. "I will be returning there."
"Oh." She finished off her glass. "What the hell...." She felt the ring hit her lips. She pulled the glass away and retrieved the ring.
Her eyes widened as she met Sav's gaze.
"I love you, Kali." He knelt beside her and grabbed the ring. Placing it on her left hand. "Will you marry me?"
Kali was stunned. Her hands began to shake as she looked into his eyes. She loved him. She truly did and she'd never been happier than the last few weeks they'd spent together. They now had a wonderful friendship to base everything else on unlike the first time they'd been together.
"Oh, yes!" She threw her arms around his neck.

They returned to the hotel and met up with the others in the lounge.
"What are you two all smiles for?" Phil looked up. Kali met her sister's eyes and Liv nearly fell over from the look.
"Sav?" Joe questioned.
"Kali and I are engaged." Sav smile was huge.
"No shit!" Joe gasped.
"No bloody way!" Steve reached for her hand. There was the proof. The 3-carat round solitaire.
"Another round!" Rana giggled as she yelled at the waitress.
"The baby's getting married." Bobbi hugged her.
"I don't bloody believe this one!" Joe shoved a beer in Sav's hand. Liv snuck a look in at Joe. He shook his head.
"To Kali and Sav!" Rana held up her glass.
"Eire!" The guys yelled. They drank and talked for a bit before Joe again turned to Sav.
"You're sure she said yes, mate?"
"She's wearin' the ring ain't she?" Sav chuckled.
"Did you slip her somethin' before you asked?" Joe continued.
"Why is it so hard to believe?" Sav finished off his third beer. A slight buzz coming over him.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe cause the two of you have been fighting what you feel for a few years now?" Liv jumped in.
"I could say the same about you, love." Sav shot back. Liv quickly quieted down as she saw Joe kick Sav under the table.
"Ow!" Sav glared at Joe.
"Behave." Kali turned her attention to them.
"Yeah, behave." Joe grinned.
"That's the farthest thing from my mind t'night!" Sav pulled Kali in his arms.
"I think that's my cue." Kali looked at the others.
"Night." Steve smiled.
"Night, everyone!" Sav and Kali waived as they headed for their room.

The night of the last concert finally came. The girls rocked the house as usual and so did the Leps. For the encore the girls joined the guys on stage and they did a few songs together.
"We rocked!" Rana giggled as they ran off stage.
"Hell yeah!" Bobbi agreed as she hugged Mike.
"You were wonderful, babe." He kissed her cheek.
"Thanks."
"So what happens now?" Liv questioned. Kali looked over at Sav as she pondered that question. They had yet to discuss what they were going to do.
"Karla left this mornin', yeah?" Sav looked at Joe.
"Wanted to get 'ome early." Joe smiled at Liv. Liv's cheeks flushed with a bright red color.
"Wanna take the Bennett sisters out for the night?"
"Bloody good ideer!" Joe grinned.
"Give us time to clean up at the hotel and we'll meet in the lobby around 12:00." Kali grabbed Sav's hand.
"See ya then."

Kali opened the door to the hotel room and they walked inside.
"What's wrong, love?" Sav noticed her silence since the arena.
"Liv brought up a good point." She sat on the bed. "What do we do now?"
"Come back to Dublin with me." He knelt in front of her. "It's our home now." He kissed her.
"But my family." She placed her hand on his cheek.
"You can visit whenever you like and so can they." He tried to ease her mind. His lips coming up to meet hers.
"Mmm." She giggled. "We'll be late."
"So? They can wait." He pushed her back on the bed.

Joe and Liv waited in the lobby.
"Bloody 'ell!" Joe looked at his watch. It was now 12:30.
"They're shagging." Liv giggled.
"Somethin' we should 'ave done before we walked down." Joe hovered over her. An ornery look in his eyes.
"What?" Liv became nervous. Joe looked around the lobby and spotted what he was looking for.
"C'mon!" He pulled her into the loo.
"Joe!" She squealed.
"Shh." He tugged at the bottom of her dress.

Crush Part 2
Back to Rick Savage Stories