Sex, Music and Lies chapter 10
And here we go. Moving into the home stretch. I've introduced a new character in this chapter. Unless you've watched Stargate: Atlantis you won't know him and it's ok. None of SGA is in this. I just love the guy.
Song John and Tony play together.
Song Tony and Michelle play.
Michelle folded the last of her clothes and placed them into her suitcase. They were flying to Las Vegas tomorrow morning after the show tonight. They had practice tomorrow afternoon before going right back into another show. It's funny how this never really affected her when she was happy. She definitely wasn't happy now.
She sank to her bed and rest her face in her hands, sighing deeply. It'd been a little over two months since she'd accepted Carlos's engagement. Two months since her heart had broken in half. Carlos had been nothing but accommodating. He hadn't pushed anything on her, explaining he knew that she needed time to get over what Tony had done to her. She was ashamed to admit that it had been less than two months since she'd been with Tony. He'd come to her hotel room one night a few weeks ago, drunker than she had ever seen him which seemed to be the norm lately. They'd fought at first. Yelling, accusing each other of all manner of things before he'd finally started begging and she just couldn't take it. She'd managed to keep her distance from him the entire time, but had made the mistake of reaching out and palming his cheek during one of his more pathetic displays. He'd seen an opening and he'd taken it. Things had happened so fast from there it made her head spin just thinking about it. They went from kissing to naked and frantically fucking against her dresser. She colored at the vulgar term. That's exactly what they were doing. It wasn't loving, it was desperate and sad and she'd cried the entire time. What had killed her was that she was pretty sure he had also.
She reached up and wiped at her eyes. She'd shed more tears in the past few months than she had in her entire life it seemed like. This wasn't like her. This whole situation was so confusing and messed up. She had no idea what she was doing. An abrupt knock at her door interrupted her thoughts and brought her to her feet. She swung the door open and trailed her eyes over Tony's form worriedly. He was usually so well put together. That wasn't the case anymore. He'd just thrown on some t-shirt and jeans he'd probably found on the floor near his bed. What was always the most disturbing was his eyes. He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks; his eyes all red and glassy. He was drunk; in fact he had most likely been drunk all day. His face showed more than a day's growth as well.
Tony fidgeted and slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Car's comin' to take us to the auditorium."
Michelle sighed. "Tony you don't look-"
He cut her off before she could finish. "That's all I came to tell ya." He turned to leave, glanced once more at her over his shoulder and turned the corner out of her sight.
This was what they had been reduced too and it was tearing her apart.
Michelle was making her way back inside the auditorium after lunch. They'd taken a break a little over two hours ago and she had to get out of the place. The Las Vegas heat was scorching but there was no way she could sit inside any longer. Her practice was fine but the tension was suffocating. Which was why she was surprised to walk into the stage area to hear laughter. She made her way around the side of the floor out of sight and took a seat. Tony, Jack and a man she hadn't met before were up on stage talking. Tony and the man had their guitars and Jack was tapping his drumsticks against his legs as they laughed. The man was tall, taller than Tony with dark hair that she swore defied gravity. He was lanky and very good looking in that rugged sort of way.
"What do you guys want to start with first? Something to get warmed up?" Jack scratched his head with his sticks.
The man she didn't know smiled and she couldn't help but smile along with him. He was more adorable than handsome when he did that. "Cliffs of Dover. That's what we always started with."
She watched Tony smirk. "I warn you man. I've gotten much better since high school."
High school? She pulled a confused look but it dropped quickly once they separated and got into position to start. Tony started and she caught herself swelling with pride as she watched him. It never got old seeing him play. The stranger picked up next as they switched back and forth. They were amazing together. Tony and Carlos were very good but these two, they just flowed alongside each other. Jack's accompanyment was also good but she just couldn't keep her eyes off the two of them. The smile that lit up Tony's face as he and his friend played off each other made her chest tight. Even if she couldn't put that smile back on his face at least someone could. She could see them teasing each other, their feet tapping along excitedly to the music. The stranger made Tony bust out laughing at one point, seeming to get a little too enthusiastic on purpose; a large smile on his face the entire time. The song came to an end, both of them playing the final solo perfectly in tune.
They all turned as someone clapped from backstage and she watched as Carlos walked out. Tony's demeanor instantly switched to cold indifference. She got up and climbed the side stairs, meeting him as he approached.
"Sounded great guys. As usual." It was impossible to miss the condescending tone in Carlos's voice.
"Nice to see you too Carlos. Things going ok?" Carlos had moved over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her in close to his side. "Couldn't be better Sheppard." He looked down at Michelle then back at the man. "Have you met my fiancee'? Michelle, this is John Sheppard. His band is taking over for Kim's for the next half of the tour." John reached his hand out and gave her a big smile. "We've known Sheppard since middle school."
"He's only actually liked me since high school though." Michelle smiled back at his comment. "It's nice to meet you Michelle. I've...heard a lot about you." She noticed he cut his eyes at Tony; Tony's gaze dropped to the stage.
Her smile faded a bit. "All good things I hope."
He gave her another boyish grin. "Considering the source, absolutely."
Carlos clapped his hands together, breaking up the reunion. "I think we have some work to get back to. I'm going to go over a few things with Milo. I'll see you guys later." He leaned down and slipped his lips over Michelle's, not even caring she didn't react.
She couldn't help but glance over at Tony, watching as he balled his hands into fists. It was John who spoke first though. "Yeah, hey, I'll see you guys later. We're gonna head out and relax for a few before the show. We'll be back for the final setup." He looked at Michelle, then Tony and back to Michelle. "It was nice meeting you Michelle."
"You too John."
Tony finally spoke. "I'll see ya later Sheppard." She watched as he nodded and grabbed his guitar case, disappearing behind the stage curtain, leaving only her and Tony.
Tony went to turn away from her but he stopped when she spoke. "I actually needed to talk to you. There is a song on my set list, the last one of the evening. We haven't rehearsed it and I wanted to know when you wanted to-"
"We aren't rehearsing that." He turned his back to her and started packing up his guitar.
"But, I haven't had the time to learn it. I'll have to take my sheet music on stage." She took a few steps towards him but stopped when he carefully backed away.
"That's fine. Take the music on stage with you." He snapped the locks closed on the case and stood, keeping more than enough distance between them. Michelle had to bite her lip to keep her voice even.
"But what about the others?"
Tony refused to look at her as he started to make his way off the stage. "There isn't anyone else." He stopped with his back still to her and she could barely hear him. "The song is only for you and me."
For about the millionth time that night, Michelle reached up and swiped at her eyes.
She'd never seen him like this. Tony was beyond drunk. In fact she was surprised he was able to still perform. She had watched him argue with Bill backstage before they went on. As far as the crowd knew he was perfectly fine. Everyone else knew better though. She knew better. His choices for the set lists were getting progressively angry and this one was just more of the same but with an underlying finish to it. Nothing upbeat at all. It was all anger, hurt and defeat. And now they were setting up for the last song. The song she'd been dreading since making the mistake of reading the words at intermission. He was doing this for nothing more than to hurt her.
The stage hands were pulling off the unneeded instruments and rolling out her piano. The auditorium was pitch black and the crowd was anxiously waiting for it's finish. She swiped at her eyes again as Tony pushed his way past her. Michelle reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Tony, please...please don't make me do this."
He looked right through her, not seeing or not caring to see the desperation in her eyes. He numbly shook her grip off. "It's your job Michelle."
She watched him walk out onto the stage under the cover of the darkened lights. He sat on the stool facing her piano and set up his guitar. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep, a small sob making it's way past her lips. She slowly approached the piano and set up. One small light faded into brightness and he started to play, no one in the audience knowing they'd be witnesses as he slowly killed what was left of his heart.
Keep changing your mind.
Like clouds in the sky
Love me when your high
Leave me when you cry
I know it all takes time
Like a river running dry when the suns to bright
So long this is good-bye
May we meet again in another life
Like strangers passing by
May we see clearly in a different light
Michelle couldn't drop her eyes from his. He had made sure she could focus on nothing else but him. Tony sang for her and only her, his eyes red and glassy but this time not from the alcohol. She watched as slowly, wet trails glittered as he moved when he played and sang.
Keep dodging lights
Like a thief in the night
The sun will rise and expose all our lies
So why deny that you and I lead different lives
The rivers from your eye's can't change my mind
So long this is good-bye
Maybe we'll meet again in another life
Like strangers passing by
Maybe we'll see clearly in a different light
His gaze was piercing and she felt like she couldn't breathe, her own tears spilling over onto the keys. He was flaying himself emotionally, right in front of her and it was so painful she nearly didn't make her mark. But, she didn't miss it. She wouldn't do that to him. This was what he wanted and she'd give it to him. She would help destroy him. With her vision blurry and barely able to see she played her part, all the way to the end.
So long this is good-bye
Maybe we'll meet again in another life
Like strangers passing by
Maybe we'll see clearly in a different light
Tony finished. The last note played and the audience stood in their applause. The lights had already gone down and they both made their way off stage.
Michelle had a sickening feeling in her chest. This was it. This was the end of them. He'd made that perfectly clear, but there was something else. Something was horribly wrong. She watched as Tony went straight to Bill, said something to him and pulled his coat on. He strode past her and without knowing why, she reached out for his arm.
"Tony wait."
He stopped and looked at her. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find anything to say. Tony gently pulled her hand off his arm.
"Thank you." And with that he was gone.
Later that evening she got a call. It woke her up near 3:30 a.m. It was Bill. She threw on whatever she could find quickly and made her way frantically downstairs to catch the car he had sent to pick her up. And the entire ride she kept replaying what he'd said.
"Michelle, it's Bill. Tony's been in an accident."
Song John and Tony play together.
Song Tony and Michelle play.
Michelle folded the last of her clothes and placed them into her suitcase. They were flying to Las Vegas tomorrow morning after the show tonight. They had practice tomorrow afternoon before going right back into another show. It's funny how this never really affected her when she was happy. She definitely wasn't happy now.
She sank to her bed and rest her face in her hands, sighing deeply. It'd been a little over two months since she'd accepted Carlos's engagement. Two months since her heart had broken in half. Carlos had been nothing but accommodating. He hadn't pushed anything on her, explaining he knew that she needed time to get over what Tony had done to her. She was ashamed to admit that it had been less than two months since she'd been with Tony. He'd come to her hotel room one night a few weeks ago, drunker than she had ever seen him which seemed to be the norm lately. They'd fought at first. Yelling, accusing each other of all manner of things before he'd finally started begging and she just couldn't take it. She'd managed to keep her distance from him the entire time, but had made the mistake of reaching out and palming his cheek during one of his more pathetic displays. He'd seen an opening and he'd taken it. Things had happened so fast from there it made her head spin just thinking about it. They went from kissing to naked and frantically fucking against her dresser. She colored at the vulgar term. That's exactly what they were doing. It wasn't loving, it was desperate and sad and she'd cried the entire time. What had killed her was that she was pretty sure he had also.
She reached up and wiped at her eyes. She'd shed more tears in the past few months than she had in her entire life it seemed like. This wasn't like her. This whole situation was so confusing and messed up. She had no idea what she was doing. An abrupt knock at her door interrupted her thoughts and brought her to her feet. She swung the door open and trailed her eyes over Tony's form worriedly. He was usually so well put together. That wasn't the case anymore. He'd just thrown on some t-shirt and jeans he'd probably found on the floor near his bed. What was always the most disturbing was his eyes. He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks; his eyes all red and glassy. He was drunk; in fact he had most likely been drunk all day. His face showed more than a day's growth as well.
Tony fidgeted and slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Car's comin' to take us to the auditorium."
Michelle sighed. "Tony you don't look-"
He cut her off before she could finish. "That's all I came to tell ya." He turned to leave, glanced once more at her over his shoulder and turned the corner out of her sight.
This was what they had been reduced too and it was tearing her apart.
Michelle was making her way back inside the auditorium after lunch. They'd taken a break a little over two hours ago and she had to get out of the place. The Las Vegas heat was scorching but there was no way she could sit inside any longer. Her practice was fine but the tension was suffocating. Which was why she was surprised to walk into the stage area to hear laughter. She made her way around the side of the floor out of sight and took a seat. Tony, Jack and a man she hadn't met before were up on stage talking. Tony and the man had their guitars and Jack was tapping his drumsticks against his legs as they laughed. The man was tall, taller than Tony with dark hair that she swore defied gravity. He was lanky and very good looking in that rugged sort of way.
"What do you guys want to start with first? Something to get warmed up?" Jack scratched his head with his sticks.
The man she didn't know smiled and she couldn't help but smile along with him. He was more adorable than handsome when he did that. "Cliffs of Dover. That's what we always started with."
She watched Tony smirk. "I warn you man. I've gotten much better since high school."
High school? She pulled a confused look but it dropped quickly once they separated and got into position to start. Tony started and she caught herself swelling with pride as she watched him. It never got old seeing him play. The stranger picked up next as they switched back and forth. They were amazing together. Tony and Carlos were very good but these two, they just flowed alongside each other. Jack's accompanyment was also good but she just couldn't keep her eyes off the two of them. The smile that lit up Tony's face as he and his friend played off each other made her chest tight. Even if she couldn't put that smile back on his face at least someone could. She could see them teasing each other, their feet tapping along excitedly to the music. The stranger made Tony bust out laughing at one point, seeming to get a little too enthusiastic on purpose; a large smile on his face the entire time. The song came to an end, both of them playing the final solo perfectly in tune.
They all turned as someone clapped from backstage and she watched as Carlos walked out. Tony's demeanor instantly switched to cold indifference. She got up and climbed the side stairs, meeting him as he approached.
"Sounded great guys. As usual." It was impossible to miss the condescending tone in Carlos's voice.
"Nice to see you too Carlos. Things going ok?" Carlos had moved over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her in close to his side. "Couldn't be better Sheppard." He looked down at Michelle then back at the man. "Have you met my fiancee'? Michelle, this is John Sheppard. His band is taking over for Kim's for the next half of the tour." John reached his hand out and gave her a big smile. "We've known Sheppard since middle school."
"He's only actually liked me since high school though." Michelle smiled back at his comment. "It's nice to meet you Michelle. I've...heard a lot about you." She noticed he cut his eyes at Tony; Tony's gaze dropped to the stage.
Her smile faded a bit. "All good things I hope."
He gave her another boyish grin. "Considering the source, absolutely."
Carlos clapped his hands together, breaking up the reunion. "I think we have some work to get back to. I'm going to go over a few things with Milo. I'll see you guys later." He leaned down and slipped his lips over Michelle's, not even caring she didn't react.
She couldn't help but glance over at Tony, watching as he balled his hands into fists. It was John who spoke first though. "Yeah, hey, I'll see you guys later. We're gonna head out and relax for a few before the show. We'll be back for the final setup." He looked at Michelle, then Tony and back to Michelle. "It was nice meeting you Michelle."
"You too John."
Tony finally spoke. "I'll see ya later Sheppard." She watched as he nodded and grabbed his guitar case, disappearing behind the stage curtain, leaving only her and Tony.
Tony went to turn away from her but he stopped when she spoke. "I actually needed to talk to you. There is a song on my set list, the last one of the evening. We haven't rehearsed it and I wanted to know when you wanted to-"
"We aren't rehearsing that." He turned his back to her and started packing up his guitar.
"But, I haven't had the time to learn it. I'll have to take my sheet music on stage." She took a few steps towards him but stopped when he carefully backed away.
"That's fine. Take the music on stage with you." He snapped the locks closed on the case and stood, keeping more than enough distance between them. Michelle had to bite her lip to keep her voice even.
"But what about the others?"
Tony refused to look at her as he started to make his way off the stage. "There isn't anyone else." He stopped with his back still to her and she could barely hear him. "The song is only for you and me."
For about the millionth time that night, Michelle reached up and swiped at her eyes.
She'd never seen him like this. Tony was beyond drunk. In fact she was surprised he was able to still perform. She had watched him argue with Bill backstage before they went on. As far as the crowd knew he was perfectly fine. Everyone else knew better though. She knew better. His choices for the set lists were getting progressively angry and this one was just more of the same but with an underlying finish to it. Nothing upbeat at all. It was all anger, hurt and defeat. And now they were setting up for the last song. The song she'd been dreading since making the mistake of reading the words at intermission. He was doing this for nothing more than to hurt her.
The stage hands were pulling off the unneeded instruments and rolling out her piano. The auditorium was pitch black and the crowd was anxiously waiting for it's finish. She swiped at her eyes again as Tony pushed his way past her. Michelle reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Tony, please...please don't make me do this."
He looked right through her, not seeing or not caring to see the desperation in her eyes. He numbly shook her grip off. "It's your job Michelle."
She watched him walk out onto the stage under the cover of the darkened lights. He sat on the stool facing her piano and set up his guitar. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep, a small sob making it's way past her lips. She slowly approached the piano and set up. One small light faded into brightness and he started to play, no one in the audience knowing they'd be witnesses as he slowly killed what was left of his heart.
Keep changing your mind.
Like clouds in the sky
Love me when your high
Leave me when you cry
I know it all takes time
Like a river running dry when the suns to bright
So long this is good-bye
May we meet again in another life
Like strangers passing by
May we see clearly in a different light
Michelle couldn't drop her eyes from his. He had made sure she could focus on nothing else but him. Tony sang for her and only her, his eyes red and glassy but this time not from the alcohol. She watched as slowly, wet trails glittered as he moved when he played and sang.
Keep dodging lights
Like a thief in the night
The sun will rise and expose all our lies
So why deny that you and I lead different lives
The rivers from your eye's can't change my mind
So long this is good-bye
Maybe we'll meet again in another life
Like strangers passing by
Maybe we'll see clearly in a different light
His gaze was piercing and she felt like she couldn't breathe, her own tears spilling over onto the keys. He was flaying himself emotionally, right in front of her and it was so painful she nearly didn't make her mark. But, she didn't miss it. She wouldn't do that to him. This was what he wanted and she'd give it to him. She would help destroy him. With her vision blurry and barely able to see she played her part, all the way to the end.
So long this is good-bye
Maybe we'll meet again in another life
Like strangers passing by
Maybe we'll see clearly in a different light
Tony finished. The last note played and the audience stood in their applause. The lights had already gone down and they both made their way off stage.
Michelle had a sickening feeling in her chest. This was it. This was the end of them. He'd made that perfectly clear, but there was something else. Something was horribly wrong. She watched as Tony went straight to Bill, said something to him and pulled his coat on. He strode past her and without knowing why, she reached out for his arm.
"Tony wait."
He stopped and looked at her. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find anything to say. Tony gently pulled her hand off his arm.
"Thank you." And with that he was gone.
Later that evening she got a call. It woke her up near 3:30 a.m. It was Bill. She threw on whatever she could find quickly and made her way frantically downstairs to catch the car he had sent to pick her up. And the entire ride she kept replaying what he'd said.
"Michelle, it's Bill. Tony's been in an accident."