"I can't believe this is my first gig." Kassy said. "And I'm performing with you!"

Rora smiled, fixing her suit and corset. "I know, right? What a dream come true!"

"Kassy, Rora, you're on in 5."

"Oh!" Rora bounced nervously. "Oh, it's kicking in now."

Kassy smiled. "You're going to slay it. Just follow the piano. You look hot as fuck, by the way."

"Oh, thanks, hun." She took a breath. "Alright. You won't throw up on stage?"

"Let's hope not."

The two walked up to the stage. There was a shiny grand piano, and a microphone stand. Kassy squeezed Rora's hand, and the two went on stage, the audience cheering. Rora stood by the microphone, and Kassy sat at the piano. She took a breath, and slowly brought her fingers to the keys.

Keith and Pidge, in the audience watched in awe as Rora sang, for once not being gremlins. Colleen and Sam watched their little girl, bursting with their parental pride, resisting every urge to burst out sobbing and/or cheering.

Shiro watched Kassy. She had an expression of contentedness, her long, slim fingers just so lightly brushing the keys - effortless, yet with so much passion.

His chest ached.

The song reached its climax, and Rora belted out the last note. The crowd was cheering before the song even ended, raising to their feet, in a huge standing ovation.

Before they even had time to sit down, the next song was played, and the next, and the next, until the whole set list was finished, and the two took a final bow. They exited the stage, and once they were back in their dressing room, screamed and jumped around.

"We did it!" Rora smiled, hugging Kassy as the two jumped up and down.

"I didn't throw up!"

"Oh, my God, please tell me you're coming to the after party. Everyone is, I invited them."

"Yes, I'm not drinking." she smoothed out her dress. "You know what? The slit is working right now. So sad soon I'll be pregnant and won't be able to wear this sort of thing."

"Yeah, yeah, come on, let's go!"

They ran out, into the lobby, where everyone was waiting.

Pidge ran over, hugging Rora. "I knew those years of playing the X Factor would come in handy! Please, can you buy me some alcohol?"

"Yeah, sure."

"That's my daughter!" Colleen smiled, hugging her. "I'm so so proud of you!"

"That was incredible. Very moving." Shiro smiled. "You should both be very proud of yourselves."

Rora smiled. "I am." she turned and saw Axca, who smiled slightly.

"I enjoyed it."

"You finally admitted to enjoying something!" Rora wrapped her arms around Axca's neck. "Congrats!"

"I knew I'd like it." she smiled. "You were in it."

"Come on, guys. Drinks." Lance said, who was getting bored.

The group headed to Pidge and Rora's house, where the party was, and everyone got to drinking.

Once Lance started sobbing, everyone knew they were drunk. Hunk got up on Pidge's table and danced, absolutely throwing it back.

"Go, Hunk!" Pidge yelled, clapping to the beat of the music.

Rora got up with him, and the two danced on top of the table as the group around them cheered.

Shiro was drinking his troubles away, when Keith spotted him, staring at his tequila sadly.

"Hey, Shiro, what's on your mind?"

"Things I'm trying to get rid of." he mumbled.

"Is it a bad day? Are those PTSD meds helping you at all?"

"It's not that." he sighed. "I mean, not presently, anyway."

"You can tell me what's up."

"I don't wanna burden you." Shiro said.

"It's not a burden. You've done so much for me, I can stand to listen to you talk about your problems. Especially if you're drinking them away."

Shiro sighed, not looking up. "I'm deeply in love with Kassy." he said it quietly.

"What?"

"I know."

"No, I didn't hear you. What did you say?"

"I said, I'm deeply in love with Kassy!" the music changed right as he said it, and the whole group heard and turned.

"What?" Lance said, glancing at Veronica, who looked confused.

"You're deeply in love with me?" Kassy asked, slightly dumbfounded. "Why didn't you say something?"

"Because you're happy. Look at you. Married, pregnant. I don't wanna get in the way of that. You know what? Just forget I said anything, I'm going home."

She watched as Shiro left. Then, she turned to Veronica.

"Um..." Veronica said. "This doesn't change anything, right? The feeling isn't mutual, is it?"

"I..." Kassy started. "I need to talk to him." she said, turning, and following Shiro.

"Um..." Hunk slowly picked up the phone after a few moments of silence and started playing Mr Brightside.

"Oh!" Lance said. "Coming out of my cage, and I've been doing just fine!"

The whole group started singing, except Veronica, who just stared outside, watching as Kassy entered Shiro's house.

The night went on, and Rora and Axca danced together. After a few drinks, the usually serious girl became more social, and it seemed as if she was really enjoying herself.

The party went on for hours and hours, until the sun rose in the morning.

Shiro had fallen asleep after sobbing to Kassy for many hours. She had been up all night, and was gently stroking his hair as he slept in her lap, listening to the loud music from a few houses away.

And it all started.