Well, hope you like this, and this wets your appetite for the WHOLE story. Note, I'm obviously a Non-Yaoi writer, and a person who tends to write sappy stories, so if you don't like this kind of story, then GET OUT NOW!!! Also if you don't care about karaoke fics, leave for that reason as well. Please note that I don't any of the characters, except Nova. This does have a Sailor Moon crossover in it. All songs in this chapter don't belong to me. Now, enjoy.

Gundam Wing: Raptures of Paradise
Chapter 11----------Karaoke Night: Part 2
By Sailor Celaeno

The whole gang filed into the room, when they noticed how dark it was. They fumbled into their seats. "Will Miss Dorothy Catalonia please come to the stage?"
"Quatre?" asked Dorothy as she walked to the stage. The lights flashed back on. Relena glanced over and saw Rashid in a booth that controlled the lights.
Music began to play and Quatre held onto Dorothy's hand. "This is for you Dorothy." He led her to a chair that was placed on stage. He turned to her and moved his free hand to the song. She smiled as he held the mike to his mouth and began to sing in a practically angelic voice.

<<Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you>>

A few sighs could be heard from the crowd. Dorothy was blushing from the attention she was getting. Quatre smiled with sparkly eyes from the overhead lights.

<<Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes some things were meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life, too
For I can't help falling in love with you>>

Relena looked up at Heero's face for a moment. He had a smirk on his face. "Heero? What are you thinking right now?" she wondered. I never will understand him," she sighed. Then she turned back to the stage.
"I wonder what is going on between Midii and Trowa?" thought Catherine. "He's been cold with her the whole night." Catherine decided to find out about them later.

<<Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes some things were meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you>>

Suddenly Trowa, Heero, and Wufei got up from their seats and moved on stage. Trowa had a trumpet from somewhere in the room. He began blowing and the music changed into a reggae sound. Heero and Wufei found some extra mikes and began singing the do-wop backups for the song. They snapped their fingers to the beat.

<<Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you>>

Quatre was dancing along to the reggae beats. Trowa had some how managed to learn how to play the trumpet, and did an excellent job of it. Everyone was clapping along. Dorothy was absolutely moved. "Oh Quatre!" she had a tear down her face. Quatre flashed his Winner smile and kept singing.

<<Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes some things were meant to be>>

Quatre pulled Dorothy up to her feet and they did a two-step to the beat. Everyone in the audience made "ooooooh" noises.

<<Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you>>

Trowa did a short trumpet solo.

<<No I can't help falling in love with you>>

Everyone clapped. Quatre, Heero, Trowa, and Wufei took a bow and went back to their seats.
"Okay, Quatre. Since you did a song for me. I got one for you." Dorothy flashed a smile and quickly pressed the buttons.

<<Why do birds suddenly appear
every time you are near
Just like me they long to be
Close to you

Why do stars fall down from the sky
every time you walk by
Just like me they long to be
close to you>>

Relena began refilling tea for everyone. "Heero? Do you want more?"
"Thanks." As he took the cup from her, he ended up touching her hand. It was warm and very tender. He moved his hand away. 'Stop it Yuy. You're not supposed to get too close.' He just sat quietly leaving Relena puzzled over what had just happened.

<<On the day that you were born
the angels got together
and decided to make a dream come true
so they sprinkled moon dust
in your hair of gold
and starlight in your eyes of blue>>

Relena was pouring Trowa more tea. She looked up as Heero turned to watch her. He saw those shimmery eyes, looking deeply back at him. They were filled with worry and uncertainty. There was care in her eyes. Care for him. "Damn it Relena! You can't look at me like that! We'll all pay dearly for it." He was determined to make sure that Relena didn't come to close. "You can't get involved in something or else you will die. I'm so close to finding out, and I can't have you following me."

<<That is why all the girls in town
follow you all around
just like me they long to be
close to you>>

Wufei stared at the clock. "We've been here for... two hours?????"
Sally looked up as well. "We have Wufei. See how much fun we've been having?"
"Gee, now I guess, I'll have to pay them an extra 150 dollars," said Relena.
"A 150? Why so much?" asked Quatre.
"Well, we ordered some sushi, we ordered seven pots of tea, and it looks like we could be here for another hour." Relena stared at the ten, empty trays that had been covered with sushi.
"Baka! See you're making Relena more money!" shouted Wufei at Duo.
"Whaph?" Duo had just stuffed his face with a large piece of sashimi.
"Duo!" sighed Hilde as she shook her head.
"How about we do a contest to see who'll pay the overtime and extra stuff?"
"Forget it Maxwell. Everyone only ate four trays together. You wolfed down the other six!" Everyone sweat dropped when they remembered how Duo kept eating, and eating, and eating, and... well you get the point.
"How can I cough up 70 bucks anyways?" replied Duo.
"I have no doubts you have a way Maxwell," replied Milliardo.
"Look, there's no need for any arguing. Don't worry I can afford it. I have some cash, and I'll pay the rest on my credit card."
Wufei only glared at Duo. "Knowing the 10th wonder of the world over there," referring to Duo, "he'll order another two trays, and we'll be here for five hours!"
"Shut up, Dragon man!"
"Who do you think you are baka?!" Wufei shouted an extra decibel higher.
"You're full of hot air and you don't know how to control your temper," Duo said as he folded his arms.
"I can do any challenge that comes my way!"
Duo had a mischievous grin on his face. "I don't like the looks of this," whispered Quatre to Hilde.
"I know. He's going to trick him into singing," replied Hilde.
"And Wufei will fall for it," finished Sally.
Everyone except Wufei and Duo sweat dropped.
"I dare you to sing a humbling song... to your girlfriend... in front of everyone and kneel to her like she's a goddess!" smirked Duo.
Wufei was still riled up. "Fine!" He pressed a few buttons and stormed onto the stage with a mike. Just as he was about to open his mouth to sing, he realized what he had just agreed to. "INJUSTICE!!!!!!!!"
Everyone just laughed. "Come on Wu-man. You just agreed to my challenge so you have to do it... or you're just plain weak."
Duo just said the secret word. "Fine." The music began to play.

<<I would love to be better
I would love to be free
I would love to be perfect
when you look at me>>

Wufei kind of had a defeated look on his face. Duo was amused that the almighty warrior of the Dragon Clan was admitting to his flaws through song. Sally was watching Wufei and listening to his voice that was kind of tender. She wasn't quite sure if he was in the mood of the song, or something simply came over him.

<<but instead I'm still crying
yes indeed I'm still lying
sad to say I'm still trying
not to be me
When I see all the weakness
that I turned into sickness
I still think I can slide
just fine on the ice>>

Heero's mind was turning. "Maybe I should be more honest about how I feel about Relena." He turned towards Relena, who was returning from giving the bar an extra 50 for the deposit. "I've been lying to myself for so long. She won't forgive me if I tried to lie to her." She sat down next to her brother. "But, maybe you're safer just the way you are. Away from the danger that I follow. Or maybe it follows me."

<<It's not easy to be honest
sometimes I'm just astonished
how hard it can be to be true.>>

"Nanashi and his friends are so happy together. Maybe I should warn them about the danger that they're in," sighed Midii to herself. She glanced over at Trowa who had his arm around a drowsy Catherine. "Cathy is lucky she has a brother that loves her. I wish I had someone that would love me." Midii sighed softly. "But I can't. The Raptures of Paradise have given me a place to belong to. They are the reasons why I'm still alive. If I betray them, I will die." It was sad for Midii. "I live for the sake of living. Even if I bathe in the blood I shed."

<<Why, do I lie?
Is it just to get by
If I give up my lines
will I die?
If fortunes are favored
then I am in labor
and I'm trying so hard
to leave lying behind>>

Wufei walked off the stage and walked towards Sally. He promptly kneeled at her and held her hand. And he serenaded the next verse to her.

<<I don't want to be hazy
I don't think I'm crazy
but I've had some moments
where I am not sure
and if you can forgive me
for just being human
then I will try harder
to keep my words pure>>

Sally smiled at him. "Of course I do." He smiled and left her to finish the song on the stage.

<<I could on the border
it could be a disorder
but honestly I think
that I can come clean
and all of my stories
might even be boring
if I can tell you
what they all mean>>

And the liars couldn't look at the ones they were lying to in the face.

<<Why do I lie
Is it just to get by
If I give up my lines
will I die?
If fortunes are favored
then I am in labor
and I'm trying so hard
to leave lying behind>>

Everyone cheered Wufei. "See, how easy it is to admit that you aren't perfect?" smiled Duo as Wufei sat down next to Sally.
"So says Mr. I am the god of death." Duo just glared at Wufei.
"Since we're being so honest how we feel, I'm singing a little something to Duo." Duo was smiling like crazy. "You've got a way, Duo. You've got a way with me."

<<You've got a way with me
Somehow you got me to believe
In everything I could be
I've gotta say-you've really got a way

You've got a way it seems
You gave me faith to find my dreams
You'll never know just what that means
Can't you see... you got a way with me>>

"Oh Quatre. Do you really know how much I changed because what you said was truer than even you could have imagined? I saw something about you that was good, and true. I need that truth always. I never want to forget it," Dorothy whispered softly to him.
"I know. Because I'm with you right now."

<<It's in the way you want me
It's in the way you hold me
The way you should me just what love's made of
It's in the way we make love

You've got a way with words
You get me smiling even when it hurts
There's no way to measure what your love is worth
I can't believe the way you get through to me>>

"You do the same thing, Hil. You do the same thing to me," thought Duo as he munched on a piece of California roll.

<<It's in the way you want me
It's in the way hold me
The way you show me just what love is made of
It's in the way we make love

Oh, how I adore you
Like no one before
I love you just the way you are

It's in the way you want me
It's in the way you hold me
The way you show me just what love is made of
It's in the way we make love

It's just the way you are>>

"I never want to leave you," whispered Dorothy to Quatre.
"Don't worry about being away from me. I never worry about that. Because there is always to near someone you love. That's what my father believed in. And I believe it too."
Hilde bowed and sat next to Duo again. He fed her the rest of the California roll he had been snacking on.
"I'm going up next," said Noin as she made her way onto the stage. "This is to Milliardo Peacecraft, my future husband. Because this was how I felt before you proposed to me."

<<Guess mine is not the first heart broken
My eyes are not the first to cry
I'm not the first to know there's
Just no getting over
You know I'm just a fool who's willing
To sit around and wait for you
But baby can't you see there's nothing left for me to do
I'm hopelessly devoted to you>>

Milliardo couldn't help but be astonished. "She's always loved me," he said.
Relena touched his arm, and he turned to her. "Of course. Why you never noticed, I'll never understand."
"I've been distracted."
"No kidding."
'God, I think I'm like that with Heero,' sighed Relena quietly to herself.

<<But there's no way to hide
since you pushed my heart aside
I'm outta my head hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you>>

Heero could only hope Relena wouldn't stay that way about him.

<<My head is saying fool forget him
My heart is saying don't let go
Hold on to the end that's what I intend to do
I'm hopelessly devoted to you>>

"Nanashi, must suffer along with the rest of them. I just don't understand why I feel so sorry about it," pondered Midii.

<<But now there's no where to hide
since you push my heart aside
I'm outta my head hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you>>

Quatre and Dorothy had been holding hands throughout the whole night, except when they were each singing. "I'm finally happy with someone. I suppose it's funny that it should be with Dorothy Catalonia, but how can I change how I feel? It'll never happen."
"Mrs. Quatre Raberba Winner? I like the sound of that," smirked Dorothy to herself. "Who would have thought that I would ever fall in love with a peace loving pilot? And a cute, rich one at that!" She kept watching the others singing. "How nice, to be with Quatre. I know I've changed because of those things he said to me."
Noin left the stage as Trowa walked up. "Damn you Midii. You won't be able to trick me into trusting you. I've had to suffer a lot. But I survived. I fight to survive, to cling onto life. I have a reason to live. My family, the ones I love, are the reasons I live. You betrayed me and I almost died. I won't let you take Cathy away from me," he thought determinedly as he picked his song.

<<First I was afraid
I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But I spent so many nights
Thinking how you did me wrong
I grew strong
I learned to carry on
And so you're back
from outer space
I just walked in to find you here
With that sad look on your face
I should have changed my stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
if I had known for one second
you'd be back to bother me>>

Trowa looked straight head on at Midii. "So that's how you really feel Nanashi." She just looked at her unfazed by the song he chose and the look he gave her. "So, you've never forgiven me. I shall have no scruples destroying you then."

<<Go on now walk out the door
just turn around
cause you're not welcomed here anymore
weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
you'd think I'd crumble
you think I'd lay down and die
oh no not I
I will survive
As long as I know how to love
I know I will stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive
I will survive>>

"You are determined to crush me, is it Nanashi? I can assure you that I have no intention to crumble either. You wouldn't understand anything about me any more than I could ever understand you. That is the sad truth about people like us. We have nothing, but the will to survive all that life will throw at us," Midii thought.

<<It took all the strength I had
Not to fall apart
Kept trying to mend
the pieces of my broken heart
And I spent oh so many nights
Just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry
now I hold my head up high
And now you see me
somebody new
I'm not that chained up person
Still in love with you
And so you just felt like dropping in
And just expect me to be free
Now I'm saving all my loving
For someone who's loving me>>

The song ended with everyone clapping, not realizing the hidden message behind his song and his rendition. He sat back down without looking at Midii again.
Heero stepped up to the mike. 'If anything Relena, you'll see that I have no emotional interest in you. For both of our sakes.' He moved to the beat as the song began.

<<American woman, stay away from me
American Woman, mama let me be
Don't come hangin around my door
I don't wanna see your face no more
I got more important things to do
Than spend my time growin' old with you

Now woman, stay away, American woman, listen to what I say>>

Relena looked a little hurt. She could see him occasionally looking in her direction as he moved across the stage. "He knows how I feel. He doesn't care about me. I misunderstood him." She was ready to cry. "No, Relena. You can't cry. This is Milliardo and Noin's special night and don't ruin everything by being a crybaby. If Heero doesn't love you back, then you can't do anything about it now." She managed to convince herself long enough to keep a straight face for the rest of the song.

<<American woman, get away from me
American woman, mama let me be
Don't come knockin' at my door
I don't wanna see your shadow no more

Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now woman, get away
American woman, listen to what I say-ay>>

Quatre noticed Relena nearly crying earlier. "Hey Dorothy," he whispered to his date.
"Yes," she whispered back.
"I think Relena is a little upset by this song."
Dorothy glanced over to see Relena a little sad, but slowly gathering herself together. "You're right. I think I'll talk to her later."
"Good idea." They watched Heero performing. "What is the matter Heero? Why are you being so mean to her now?" Quatre wondered.

<<American woman, said get away
American woman, listen what I say
Don't come a hangin' around my door
Don't wanna see your face no more
I don't need your war machines
I don't need your ghetto scenes

Color lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now woman, get away
American woman, listen to what I say-ay>>

Duo had a funny thought pop into his head. He leaned towards Hilde to tell her his thought. "You know, this is the kind of song that Wufei would be doing," he smiled.
Hilde gave it another thought. "Hey, you're right. He all calls us woman. But I think he's too close with Sally to ever say that to her. Well... anymore anyhow."

<<American woman, stay away from me
American woman, mama let me be
I gotta go, I gotta get away
Baby, I gotta go, I am dying

I'm gonna leave you woman
I'm gonna leave you woman
I'm gonna leave you woman
I'm gonna leave you woman

bye-bye
bye-bye
bye-bye
bye-bye>>

Heero was still looking in Relena's direction. "If this hurts you, then good. I'd only disappoint you anyway. I can spare you from the depths of Hell," he thought a little as he got ready to finish the song.

<<And I'm no good for you
American woman, I'll look at you right in the eye
And tell you what I'm gonna do
You know I'm gonna leave, you know I'm gonna go
you know I'm gonna leave, I'm gonna leave you woman
Goodbye American woman>>

As he left the stage, Relena began to wonder, "How much of that song is true about you?" After a few minutes, she could see that everyone was getting tired. After about two more songs, everyone left. Midii went into her car and drove home.
"Yes, Trowa. I will have no scruples about destroying you or your friends," she said to herself with a cold, emotionless tone.