D/c: Characters and songs don't belong to me.

The bar was loud, and, being a Saturday night, full of activity, dancing people, and very bad karaoke singers. Some sap with a voice that could shatter titanium was doing his best to warble his own twisted version of Ricky Martin's 'She Bangs,' and failing miserably. Seriously, he was so bad, he made William Hung seem like Josh Groban. In fact, he was so horrible that Jeb had to make sure it was actually a person on the stage, and not a middle-aged baboon auditioning for the role of King Kong while simultaneously pretending to be Tarzan doing a Pavarotti imitation. DG, meanwhile, was laughing so hard she could barely keep her face three inches above their table.

It was only when the song ended that DG managed to regain control of herself, and Jeb leaned forward across the small table. "I don't think I can sit through another one of those," he said. "But fortunately, we have the power to prevent another one of those."

DG regarded him, though she still giggled every few seconds. "What's your plan?" she asked.

Jeb smiled. "We give them something to think about."

In an instant, DG sobered, and she stared at Jeb with thinly veiled incredulity. "Surely you're not suggesting that we sing?"

"Why not? I know I could do better than that other guy, and you're one of the best singers I know!"

"Jeb, karaoke is stupid. It's what American Idol is made of."

"What's American Idol?"

"Never mind. My point is, I'm not doing it. Because it's dumb."

"Dumb? It was your idea to come here in the first place!"

"I didn't think it would actually be karaoke night!"

"Karaoke night is every night, DG. That's why people call it a 'karaoke bar.'"

"Well, I think I should point out the fact that the general idea in coming here was to eat dinner. People - including me - do get hungry from time to time. It's biological."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"No!"

"?"

"No no no, a million times no!"

"Well, well, well, speak of the devil!" called a familiar voice. DG and Jeb turned to see Wyatt Cain approach their table wearing his police uniform, his hat, and a big grin. "What a coincidece, running into you two here!"

Before Cain could continue, his son jumped up and immediately started talking at quite a brisk pace. "Hey, Dad, do you think DG would be good at karaoke? I've heard her sing, and she is AWESOME! I'm also not that bad myself, and I was thinking--"

"Go ahead, DG, what are you waiting for?" Cain interrupted, already grasping Jeb's meaning.

"The fact that karaoke is dumb," was DG's simple answer.

"Even if it was a song that you liked?"

"Well..."

"DG, come on, we'll laugh about it later! I'll buy you dinner!"

"You're going to have to do better than that."

"Ohhh, stop being a baby! Just this once!"

"Okay, fine. But only if you and Jeb go first."

"Umm, okay. I guess I know a few good songs. How about you, Jeb?"

"Are you kidding?" Jeb said, grinning from ear to ear. "The songs that I know could fill a book!"

"Then I'll let you go first," said Cain.

Without another word, Jeb bounded over to the stage and leaped up, grabbing the microphone before anyone else could. After making his request to the disc jockey, hard rock began to rumble from the huge speakers, and Jeb started to sing:

Ladies and gentlemen please
Would you bring your attention to me?
For a feast for your eyes to see
An explosion of catastrophe

Like nothing you've ever seen before
Watch closely as I open this door
Your jaws will be on the floor
After this you'll be begging for more

Welcome to the show
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Ladies and gentlemen good evening
You've seen that seeing is believing
Your ears and your eyes will be bleeding
Please check to see if you're still breathing

Hold tight cause the show it not over
If you will please move in closer
Your about to be bowled over
By the wonders you're about to behold here

Welcome to the show
Please come inside
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Boom
Do you want it?
Boom
Do you need it?
Boom
Let me hear it
Ladies and gentlemen

Jeb took a deep bow as the crowd applauded and cheered. A few drunk, but pretty, girls threw their bras onto the stage; Jeb's face flushed when he noticed. But he continued bowing as he stepped down and made his way over to the table where DG and his father were waiting. Cain had taken a seat, and was working on a tall, fizzy drink.

"How was that?" Jeb asked, a huge grin on his face.

"Wow, that takes me back!" said Cain, as he gave his son two thumbs up. "Reminds me of my first rock concert. Ahhh, the good old days!"

"So who's next?" It was a question DG regretted almost immediately after asking. Scarcely had she finished breathing, when Ahamo marched onto the stage, dressed in a loose-fitting unbuttoned shirt that exposed his bare chest, weather-worn jeans with a belt and bucking horse buckle, and leather boots with brass spurs. A headband was wrapped around his head, and his face was dominated by the same puckish, scapegrace grin which was aimed squarely at DG.

"I believe I'm next!" he cackled, his eyes aglow.

To be continued

D/c: "Ladies and Gentlemen" belongs to Saliva.

A/n: Are you having fun yet? What do you think Ahamo will sing?