Disclaim: Do not own any part of Burlesque or the characters. Also, in this fanfic, Sean is definitely NOT gay ;)

I watched quietly as she walked up the stairs to the stage. The spotlight hit her and enhanced her beauty tenfold. As the music starts she grabs a chair and sits herself down in it. I wait quietly for her to begin singing, and listen without being noticed.

Feeling broken

Barely holding on

But there's just something so strong

Somewhere inside me

And I am down but I'll get up again

Don't count me out just yet

God, her voice is like heaven. I could listen to her sing forever. Just listening to the first verse you can tell she's exhausted, in every sense of the word. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally.

I've been brought down to my knees

And I've been pushed way past the point of breaking

But I can take it

I'll be back

Back on my feet

This is far from over

You haven't seen the last of me

You haven't seen the last of me

No, they certainly haven't, I think proudly to myself. Tess is such a strong woman. She wouldn't give up on this club if it cost her life. And I can understand why. This is where she belongs. This is where all of us belong. This is our family.

They can say that

I won't stay around

But I'm gonna stand my ground

You're not gonna stop me

You don't know me

You don't know who I am

Don't count me out so fast

I've been brought down to my knees

And I've been pushed way past the point of breaking

But I can take it

I'll be back

Back on my feet

This is far from over

You haven't seen the last of me

I continue listening as I zero in on her face. Silent tears are cascading down her cheeks, and it takes all that I have not to run up there and wipe them away.

There will be no fade out

This is not the end

I'm down now

But I'll be standing tall again

Times are hard but

I was built tough

I'm gonna show you all what I'm made of

I've been brought down to my knees

And I've been pushed way past the point of breaking

But I can take it

I'll be back

Back on my feet

This is far from over

I am far from over

You haven't seen the last of me

No no

I'm not going nowhere

I'm staying right here

Oh no

You won't see me fade out

I'm not taking my bow

Can't stop me

It's not the end

You haven't seen the last of me

Oh no

You haven't seen the last of me

You haven't seen the last of me

As she finishes the song, her legs give out, and she falls down to her knees. I rush up to the stage and take her in my arms. She looks at me with such a heartbroken expression that my own heart feels like its breaking in two.

"Sean…" she whispers, so quietly I almost didn't hear it. I hold her closer, trying my hardest not to cry along with her.

"What is it honey?" I softly ask her. She looks straight at me, her eyes never leaving my own. She stays like that for a few moments, and I start to think that she isn't going to answer me, but then, her mouth opens, and out comes the three words I've been waiting to hear for a very, very long time.

"I love you." She cries. She hides her face into my chest, waiting for the pain of rejection, but there will be none. I grab her face in my hands, stroke her cheek gently, wiping away the stray tears, and slowly bring my lips to her own.

At first, she doesn't respond, too shocked to do anything. Then, after she realizes what is happening, she wraps her arms around my neck, trying to get as close as possible. I wrap my own arms around her slender waist, drawing her even closer.

She slowly pulls away, though not wanting to. I pull her close and rest my forehead against hers. I look her in the eyes and say "I love you too." She smiles, a genuine smile. The first I've seen in days. She's crying again, but now I know they are tears of happiness. As I smile back at her, my own tears find their way down my face.

And as we both silently cry, happily, in each other's arms, we realize that this is exactly where we are supposed to be. This is home.

TBC..