Disclaimer: I don't own GW, Savage Garden, or anything else I may have alluded to, much to my sorrow, so please don't sue, all you'll get is pocket lint anyhow, and I'm sure you already have as much of your own as you could possibly want

Warning: fluffy cotton candy and citrusy goodness. Some Relena bashing. Shounen-ai, yaoi (if you don't know what it is, you shouldn't be here). AU. If this ain't your style, it's your loss, it's not really my place to tell you what to wear.

In the Savage Garden

…

"Er, is this…" Duo suddenly looked up, incredible violet eyes locking on Heero's blue. "Heero, is this a date?"

…

We were standing all alone you were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
Sweet temptation rush all over me
And I think about it all the time
Passion desire so intense I can't take anymore …

Ch. 5 – Chained to You

Date. Date. Date. The word seemed to ricochet around in Heero's head. He wanted it to be a date, but what if Duo didn't? What if he was only asking because he wanted to make sure it wasn't? What then?

And why could Duo completely unnerve him like this? Heero simply didn't understand it. No one else could reduce him to this confused, anxious wreck. Heero Yuy was cool, calm, and confident. Ask anyone.

But when Duo was around… he felt so off-balance, so unsure, and almost… jumpy? Maybe. But Heero didn't like to think of himself as jumpy, which sounded a whole lot like over-sensitive, and Heero Yuy, athlete extraordinaire, did not do over-sensitive; that was for lesser beings. Perhaps 'hyper-aware' would be more appropriate for a man of his reputation. But now, with Duo, Heero wasn't sure who he was anymore, and that was not a comforting thought. He knew he didn't want his old rep – that had to go, otherwise, what kind of future could he have with Duo?

However, the very fact that he was considering his future at all was a thing unheard of. He wasn't exactly a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy, he simply had never really cared: what would come, would come, and he would deal with it when it did. But now it mattered. All of a sudden, he wanted to know that he had a future, and he wanted it to be with Duo, and that scared him. Even more than not knowing who he was anymore, knowing that he wanted something so badly, and that he could lose it at any minute, scared him shitless, and the knowledge that it practically petrified him scared him even more.

The only thing that had ever frightened him before was the thought that he might hurt his best friend, especially after everything the other boy had gone through, what with losing his family, and then the fire… But Heero didn't know how to handle that fear: it wasn't something he could look in the face and stare down. That uncertainty, which meant lack of control, had pissed him off, and anger had turned out to be the perfect cover-emotion. Anger was so much easier to deal with than other emotions, and when he was angry, he could attack, instead of defend, and the attacker always has the advantage of control. Right? Of course right. But he couldn't do that anymore. He had lost Duo to Hilde years ago because of his uncertainty and his unwillingness to act, and the only reason he was here now was because Duo himself had had the guts to act first in the elevator. Heero could not afford to lose Duo again.

And the seconds were ticking by as Duo waited for his answer.

God, he looks so… composed, Heero thought, groping for an adequate word. I wish I were that calm. But what the hell am I supposed to say to a question like that without completely shooting myself in the foot?

Switch POV

Yes. Say yes. Please yes. Just say yes, Duo pleaded silently.

It felt like forever came and went before Heero spoke.

"Do you want it to be a date?"

SHIT. Of COURSE I want it to be a date! Duo wailed. But he can't do that! He flipped it on me!

That was so not fair. It had taken a lot to ask, and Duo hadn't counted on having to answer as well.

Fine, Duo thought, a trifle defiantly. If I can perform in front of hundred of people, I can certainly tell my best friend I want to date him.

GULP.

Stalling to buy time, the American boy carefully set his plate and drink on the table, stacking his plate on top of Heero's and putting both their soda cans in the empty pizza box.

Okay. Think of ways to handle crowds. Here we go. Just… picture him in his underpants…

Shit. Wow. Now that is what we like to call…

No! Don't picture! Bad Duo! Just… ANSWER!

Duo took a deep breath. "Yeah." He nodded. "I mean, yes. I mean, I do. Want it to be a date. If you do, that is." Mentally, Duo gave himself a hard kick. You sound like an idiot! Shut up and let him say something.

But Heero didn't speak.

The messy-haired boy let out what sounded very much like a sigh of relief, then Duo found himself being hauled forward by one wrist and enveloped in a tight embrace.

"Heero?" Duo's voice was slightly muffled against the other boy's shoulder.

The Japanese boy pulled back and took Duo's face in his hands. "Okage de Kami-sama," (1) he whispered, and, before the braided boy could ask what he'd said, he leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth.

It was sweet, totally unlike the kisses they'd shared on the elevator in that it was neither timid nor desperate, merely soft and gentle.

When they pulled apart, Heero's impossibly blue eyes were shining with an emotion Duo couldn't name.

"So… what does this mean?" Duo found himself asking, still only inches away.

"Everything," Heero whispered, then, after a moment, "We can take it slow."

Duo nodded, happier than he'd been in a long time. He inched a little closer, and snuggled against the taller boy's shoulder.

Heero, almost hesitantly, put an arm around him and rested his cheek against the silky chestnut-covered head.

The rest of the movie passed in a comfortable silence.

Sunday morning found Duo up early of his own accord for the first time in… well, he couldn't really remember. Since before high school, at least. He treasured the mornings he could sleep in – one of his favorite pastimes being to shut off his alarm clock on Friday night – but he had been too excited the night before to sleep much after Heero had gone home, and he'd woken up just in time to watch the sunrise, unable to stay in bed any longer.

He wasn't quite sure what to do with himself, unaccustomed as he was to being up at such an ungodly hour. He puttered around for a while, looking for something to do. Trowa and Quatre would still be in bed; Wufei was most likely awake, but he'd spent the night at Meiran's, and Duo wasn't about to bother him there. Heero was also likely to be up: there was a gym down the street that was open on Sundays, and the blue-eyed boy liked going early, before it got too crowded. The gym sounded like a good idea, but Duo felt foolish about asking to tag along, especially since the other boy knew he liked to sleep late on weekends.

"If that doesn't look like stalking, I don't know what does," Duo grumbled aloud to his apartment. "And I don't wanna look desperate, or anything." No matter how appealing the idea of working out with him might be.

So Duo read for a while, flipping though various books and magazines, unable to settle. He ate a bowl of cereal and channel surfed, but nothing was on except early-morning cartoons, and he was not in the mood.

At eight, he gave up.

He threw some clothes in a bag, grabbed his keys and wallet, and headed out. Heero would already be there.

Switch POV

Heero had been working steadily for nearly an hour when a familiar voice penetrated his concentration, and his headphones. He pulled them off, shutting off the sound, and stood, staring in surprise at a very awake Duo, dressed for the gym in dark grey mesh short and a loose white tee-shirt.

"Duo," Heero managed to get out, very cleverly, he thought with a heavy trace of sarcasm. "What are you doing here?" Oh, now that sounds friendly, he growled at himself.

"Good morning to you, too, Hee-chan," Duo replied, the hint of a sour grin behind his blithe greeting.

Heero tensed at the choice of address, then realized in a rush that he probably deserved it, after his own welcome. "I didn't mean it like that," he said, forcing his eyes to stay fixed on Duo's face. "I was just shocked to see you here so early. And actually awake." He forced a grin, knowing it must look fake, but then felt it widen on its own in response to Duo's chuckle.

"I'm as shocked as you," Duo replied, his normal good humor returning.

His eyes flicked the length of Heero's body, and the Japanese boy suddenly felt very self-conscious in his green tank top and black bike shorts. He suppressed a shiver at the smoldering flame in that lingering violet gaze, and made the effort once more not to allow his eyes to roam. No, he told himself firmly. Behave.

"Mind if I join you?"

Heero shook his head, uncertain if his voice would come out, and unwilling to look like a fool if it didn't.

They both worked out in silence for the next hour.

Heero didn't put his headphones back on, but he wasn't really listening to the gym's choice of music either. He tried to concentrate, but kept finding himself sneaking sidelong glances at the long-haired teen beside him. Twice he caught Duo doing the same, and both times Duo looked away guiltily, turning red even as Heero felt the blood rise in his own cheeks.

"Interesting music for the gym," Duo remarked at last, breaking the silence.

Heero blinked, and sat up, listening.

"Some people live with the fear of a touch
And the anger of having been a fool
They will not listen to anyone
So nobody tells them a lie
I know you're only protecting yourself
I know you're thinking of somebody else
Someone who hurt you
But I'm not above
Making up for the love
You've been denying you could ever feel
I'm not above doing anything
To restore your faith if I can…"

"It sounds like your station," he commented after a moment.

"I think it is," Duo replied. "But it hasn't said, yet. They don't do many commercial breaks, especially this early in the morning.

"Oh." That made sense.

"Some people say they will never believe
Another promise they hear in the dark
Because they only remember too well
They heard somebody tell them before
Some people sleep all alone every night
Instead of taking a lover to bed
Some people find that it's easier to hate
Than to wait anymore…"

Duo was singing along.

Heero pulled his knees in towards his body and rested his forearms across them, content for the time being to just enjoy the sound.

"You know you only hurt yourself out of spite
I guess you'd rather be a martyr tonight
That's your decision
But I'm not below
Anybody I know
If there's a chance of resurrecting a love
I'm not above going back to the start
To find out where the heartache began
Some people hope for a miracle cure
Some people just accept the world as it is
But I'm not willing to lay down and die
Because I am an innocent man…"

He loved the sound of his friend's voice, and felt a pang of regret as the song ended.

"I've always loved Billy Joel," the violet-eyed boy commented, then abruptly burst out laughing.

Heero quirked an eyebrow at him, wondering what he was missing.

"His initials," Duo explained, still chuckling. "I've always felt bad for him, but I still find it funny every time I think about it."

"W.J.?" Heero asked, confused. "What's so funny – oh!" Light dawns on marble head, he thought, and felt a grin spread across his own face. "Billy. Not William." He laughed. "Those are some unfortunate initials."

Duo jumped to his feet. "Come on."

"What?" Heero looked up, startled, at the other boy, once again wondering what he'd missed.

Duo grinned. "Let's get outta here." He held out a hand.

Heero, still a little confused, reached up to take it. He felt a little frisson of awareness at the contact, and knew from the color that appeared on the other boy's face that he'd felt it, too.

Duo hauled him to his feet and immediately released his hand, the color in his cheeks deepening.

"I'm gonna grab a shower," the blushing boy announced, staring at his shoes. "Then I thought we could grab an early lunch."

Heero glanced at the big wall clock. Barely nine-thirty. He looked back at Duo, who'd looked up in time to see the direction of the glance.

The braided boy grinned. "Late breakfast?"

"I already had breakfast." Heero waited, wondering what the other boy would come up with.

"Hmm," Duo thought, "me, too." His grin widened. "Second breakfast, then. It's too early for elevensies." (2)

Heero felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth. Duo and his classic old music. Duo and his classic old movies. Duo and his classic old books.

Heero let the smile spread. "Second breakfast it is."

Duo beamed at him, and led the way towards the locker rooms.

Heero faced Duo across the small booth's table in a restaurant they both liked, watching as the other boy munched pancakes slathered in whipped-cream with an air of contentment. Himself, he only picked at his scrambled eggs, not being much of a breakfast person let alone a second breakfast person, and finding it far more fascinating just watching Duo eat. The way his throat worked as he swallowed, the flicker of that pink tongue as he swiped a bit of cream from those tempting lips…

"Yeeees?" Duo's drawl brought Heero up sharply, suddenly aware that he'd been staring.

Shit, Heero thought. Not only am I practically drooling over him, but he catches me at it! Smooth, Yuy. Real smooth. Nothing says 'I want to be worth your time, so, please, give me a chance' like a bit of drool over breakfast. He shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth almost violently.

"You want some?"

Heero chocked on his food. Damnit, Yuy! he swore at himself, coughing so hard his eyes began to water. Get your fucking mind OUT of the fucking gutter!

Duo handed him a glass of juice. "Drink this," he ordered. "It will help."

Heero took the proffered glass and sipped.

"Wrong pipe?" the younger boy asked, concern etched in his features.

Heero nodded. "Yeah," he managed to gasp, telling himself that, technically, that's what had happened. He didn't deem it necessary to give the boy across from him any more insight into the twisted workings of his mind.

"You can have a bite, if you want," Duo offered again when Heero was breathing regularly once more.

"No thanks," Heero muttered, trying to ignore the innuendo he heard in everything that was said to him, but that didn't really exist.

"You sure?" Duo asked.

And this time, Heero could have sworn he wasn't imagining the brief smirk that crossed the boy's heart-shaped face, like he knew exactly what was going on in Heero's head.

"The whipped-cream is excellent," Duo added, and suddenly scooped some up on his finger and held it out.

Heero stared, his gaze flicking from the finger, to the now-definite smirk, and back to the whipped-cream laden digit.

Is he serious?

"No?"

The finger retreated, and Heero looked up again in time to see it disappear, cream and all, into Duo's mouth.

Oh, God! Heero bit back a low moan, and forced himself to look away. He met Duo's eyes and noted the mischief in their amethyst depths.

Two can play that game.

Keeping his eyes locked with Duo's, he reached across the table and snagged one of the strawberries that had come on top of the pancakes. Slowly and deliberately he brought it to his lips and licked the whipped-cream off before taking little nibbling bites, working from the tip all the way to just below the leaves.

Duo's gaze had shifted to fix itself on Heero's mouth, becoming slightly glazed. His lips were slightly parted, and Heero could see his chest heave with every breath.

Heero's own lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk, and he carefully cleaned off his fingers with the same intense precision as he'd used on the strawberry.

Heero heard Duo's breath catch in his throat, and was about to give himself a pat on the back when he realized what he was doing. He immediately dropped the berry's stem on his napkin and shoveled another over-loaded fork into his mouth.

Duo pulled back, blinking, the spell broken. He was bright red and seemed very interested in his food, though he wasn't eating it, just moving it around his plate.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Heero berated himself. You can't keep your damn eyes to yourself – here, the gym, the locker room – and he catches you gawking. And now this! What the hell are you trying to pull? This is Duo! Not some random guy you can seduce over breakfast and ditch before lunch! He actually means something. This means something! So watch your damned step. Behave. Be nice. Be romantic if you want, but for fuck's sake, don't push him! Take it slow, like you promised. And keep it zipped until he's ready.

"You busy this week?" Duo asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Classes," Heero replied automatically, still ranting at himself.

"Oh," Duo's voice was dejected.

The sound snapped Heero back to reality with a sharp yank on his heartstrings.

"We could meet for lunch," he offered hastily, kicking himself yet again. "Or we could do dinner, if you can't make lunch…"

"I could do lunch tomorrow or Wednesday," Duo said, perking up. "But I have an eleven to one on Tuesday and Thursday, and eleven-thirty to two on Friday."

"Two lunches and three dinners it is," Heero said, then, noting the shocked look on Duo's face, quickly added. "If you want, that is."

"Yeah," Duo looked like someone had just offered him a million dollars. "Yeah. Sounds good." He shook himself. "I mean, if you don't mind." He plainly had not expected to see the other teen so much, they often didn't see each other at all during the week, now that they had different class schedules.

"I wouldn't have suggested it if I minded," Heero replied, then an idea popped into his head. "Scratch that plan."

"What?" Duo looked confused.

"We'll do two lunches and two dinners."

"Oh," Duo sounded a trifle disappointed, and was clearly masking any stronger emotions. "Okay. You too busy?"

"No," Heero grinned. "We're busy."

"We?"

Heero nodded. "Friday we're going out."

"Out?"

"Out," Heero said firmly. "Even if only for an hour. We'll do something fun. A bar, or a club."

Duo gave him a look.

Heero sighed. So much for that idea. "Movies?" he suggested. He'd get Duo to a club or something eventually. Maybe Saturday… Yes. That would be good. I'll surprise him, so he won't have a chance to protest.

Duo was grinning again. "A movie sounds great. We can do a late dinner at my place after. I'll even cook."

It was obvious he felt badly about not wanting to actually go somewhere interactive. Heero hadn't even known that Duo could cook… in fact, he was almost sure the other boy couldn't, at least not anything beyond popcorn and ramen.

"Speaking of movies, I need to check the Playhouse," Duo was saying, clearly trying to change the subject. "They change shows on Sunday."

"We can go now, if you like."

Duo shrugged okay, so Heero waved for the waitress to bring the check.

Figuring he could do something right, he took the slip before Duo could, and paid for them both.

Something flashed in Duo's face, something Heero couldn't place, and for a moment it looked like he was going to speak, but the moment passed. Duo's cheerful grin was back in place.

Heero couldn't shake the feeling that he had missed something important, but he didn't have the courage to ask.

They took the long way home so Duo could check the billboard at the Playhouse – a small theatre that showed old movies.

His face lit up with a real smile at the show currently being advertised: Rent. If Heero recalled correctly (and he didn't doubt that he did), it was Duo's favorite play, and one of his favorite movies.

The braided boy immediately began humming snatches of the various songs.

"You can sing, you know," Heero told him, knowing the other boy was dying to. "I don't mind, and there's no one else around." Not that they could possibly mind anyway.

Duo glanced quickly up and down the street, and noted that Heero was right – there was no one else out at that time on a Sunday morning. A wicked glint appeared in his violet eyes.

"Every single day," he began.

Heero started, recognizing the song at once. Rent, after all, was his favorite, too.

"I walk down the street," Duo continued, doing just that, swaying his hips a bit more than usual. "I hear people say, 'Baby, so sweet!'" He tossed an evil look over his shoulder before going on.

"Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me
Boys – girls
I can't help it baby
So be kind
And don't lose your mind
Just remember that I'm your baby.

Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me
Take me baby or leave me."

He threw Heero another glance, giving his companion a roguish wink and went on, half dancing down the street as he sang.

"A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage
Baby – let's have fun!
You are the one I choose
Folks would kill to fill your shoes
You love the limelight too, now baby
So be mine
But don't waste my time
Cryin' – "Oh, Honeybear – are you still my, my, my baby?"

Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me."

Duo stopped, and sent Heero a sly look. "Come on, Yuy," he challenged. "Betcha can't sing Joanne."

"Hmph." Heero tossed his head, feeling his blood rise at the challenge. A swift glance told him they were still alone.

"It won't work
I look before I leap
I love margins and discipline
I make lists in my sleep
Baby what's my sin?
Never quit – I follow through
I hate mess – but I love you
What to do
With my impromptu baby
So be wise
'Cuz this girl satisfies
You've got a prize
But don't compromise
You're one lucky baby
Take me for what I am – "

Duo chimed in, singing the alternate lines, still playing Maureen.

"A control freak – "

"Who I was meant to be – "

"A snob – yet over-attentive – "

"And if you give a damn – "

"A lovable drone – "

"Take me baby or leave me!"

"And anal retentive!"

Duo, having yelled his last line, broke and started laughing as they detoured through a deserted park.

Unable to keep a straight face with Duo's infectious laughter, Heero started laughing as well, and let the song end early.

After a few moments, Duo got himself under control. He childishly skipped a few paces along the path, then turned around to walk backwards, facing Heero, as he began another song. Heero placed it, after a minute, as one from Wicked.

"The trouble with school is, they always try to teach the wrong lesson," Duo spoke the first few lines with a musical lilt, a silly smile on his face. "Believe me, I've been kicked out of enough of them to knoooooow. They want you to become less callow, less shallow, but I say: why invite stress in? Stop studying strife, and learn to live 'the unexamined liiiife.'"

And then he started singing, voice low, but strong.

"Dancing through life
Skimming the surface
Gliding where turf is smooth
Life's more painless
For the brainless
Why think too hard?
When it's so soothing
Dancing through life
No need to tough it
When you can slough it off as I do
Nothing matters
But knowing nothing matters
It's just life
So keep dancing through…"

He trailed off, then looked at Heero with a dare in his eyes. "Your turn."

Heero thought for barely a second before beginning a song he knew mainly because it was Lena's favorite – it certainly suited the girl.

"The French are glad to die for love
They delight in fighting duels
But I prefer a man who leaves
And give expensive jewels."

Duo's eyes widened and his jaw dropped as he suddenly identified the song.

Heero smirked, pleased with his choice, and went on, singing in earnest now.

"A kiss on the hand may be quite continental
But diamonds are a girl's best friend
A kiss may be grand but it won't pay the rental
On your humble flat
Or help you feed your helpless cat
Men grow cold as girls grow old
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped
These rocks don't lose their shape
Diamonds are a girl's best friend…"

He smirked again.

Duo, having picked up his jaw, had obviously decided to switch gears, moving away from musicals. For as soon as Heero stopped, he began in the middle of a song Heero knew only vaguely.

" "I'll be over at ten", you told me time and again
But you're late, I wait around and then
I run to the door, I can't take any more
It's not you, you let me down again
Hey, hey, hey!
Baby, baby, try to find
Hey, hey, hey!
A little time, and I'll make you happy
I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-ooo

Duo pointed a finger at Heero, struggling to keep his voice steady and not dissolve into laughter.

Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart…"

He shot Heero a grin and kept singing.

"You were my toy but I could be the boy you adore
If you'd just let me know (bah-dah-dah)
Although you're untrue, I'm attracted to you all the more
Why do I need you so…"

Heero suddenly felt uncomfortable, but he clamped down on it, refusing to allow it to take over.

"Hey, hey, hey!
Baby, baby, try to find
Hey, hey, hey!
A little time and I'll make you happy
I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-ooo

Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin' – "

They were almost to the apartment building when a group of people hurried down the street, giving the still loudly singing Duo strange looks as they passed.

Duo fell instantly silent, and remained so until they were safely in the lobby of their building. Then he burst out laughing. He dropped onto one of the couches, unable to stand.

Heero arched an eyebrow at him, but when Duo continued to roll about, tears streaming down his face, he, too, collapsed on a chair in hilarity.

It was some time before they calmed down.

"I needed that," Duo commented, wiping his eyes as they both rose and started up the stairs.

Heero nodded, and glanced askance at the other boy. After a moment, he started to sing again, softly this time.

"The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can't take that away from me
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off key – "

"I never!" Duo gasped, mock indignant, but he fell silent at once as Heero continued.

"The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can't take that away from me…"

They had reached the seventh floor, and Heero had opened his door. He gave Duo a smile. "See you later."

Duo nodded, "Yeah," and turned to head up the last flight as Heero entered his apartment.

As Heero closed the door, he heard Duo singing quietly to himself as he climbed the stairs.

"We may never, never meet again
On the bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of…"

Duo's voice trailed off and Heero shut the door the rest of the way, automatically locking it. He leaned against the wall for a moment, then sang the last stanza alone.

"The way you hold your knife
The way we danced till three
The way you changed my life
No, no they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me."

He felt a smile cross his face as he finished. It had been the best morning he'd ever had.

…

(1) Okage de Kami-sama – I think it means "Thanks to God." I was going for the really heart-felt kind of gratitude, and, of course, whenever Heero's emotionally overwhelmed, or really startled, he speaks in Japanese. If I botched it, I'm sorry, I don't really know much Japanese, I'm just muddling along with my dictionaries and the crappy subtitles on my anime DVDs (attempting to pick up Japanese by listening to anime probably isn't the best way to go, but it's all I've got right now).

(2) Second breakfast and elevensies are two of the many meals hobbits enjoy in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

A/N: :does the Margaret Hamilton cackle: and if you don't know what I'm talking about, spring for a rental of The Wizard of Oz. Geez. Kids these days. Let's see… "Innocent Man" is Billy Joel, "Take Me or Leave Me" is from Rent, as I mentioned, and (also already mentioned) "Dancing Through Life" is from Wicked – both fabulous shows (and, yes, Rent is on it's way to becoming a movie, mostly original Broadway cast, too!). Er… "Sparkling Diamonds" is sung by Nichole Kidman in Moulin Rouge, "Build Me Up Buttercup" is the Foundations, and "Can't Take That Away From Me" is Gershwin (sung by Billie Holiday, among others). Didja like the sing-off? I'm obsessive with songs...
So, would you believe me if I said this chapter was supposed to be even longer, but I figured I had enough to post now, so I cut it? Yes? No? Maybe so? lol
Anyway, I'm considering not updating again unless I get some funky number of reviews… blackmail seems to be working for other writers, and I really gotta say, it sucks to not know if people like what they read or not. Maybe I'm just greedy, I dunno. On the subject of reviews, though, I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed – especially those who've reviewed more than once! – from the bottom of my little dried-up heart. I will love you all forever, and I'll love you all even more if you continue to review! Just because you reviewed once doesn't let you off the hook! Maybe my stories are taking nose-dives into the gutter. Maybe they're up in heaven getting it on with all the hotties. I won't know unless you tell me! So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! And keep the clothing suggestions coming! Think clubbing people. Big kisses now! MUAH!