Broken Angel

Chapter 5


Steph called out closing the front door. "Jessie? Damian? I'm home." She waited, laying down her keys and purse. No answer greeted her. She walked towards the stairs and called out again. "AnyonStilStill nothing. Going into the kitchen, she noticed a note sitting on the counter top and read it. 'Hey sis. Damian and I went out guitar shopping and then I'm going to drop him off at his place. I'll be late getting in so don't wait with dinner. Oh and if Cassidy comes by, let him know that band plans have just picked up again and I'll fill him in on the details later.' Steph smiled laying the paper back down. Un-doing her blouse and skirt, she headed for her bedroom.

-+-

"What do you think about this one?" Jessie asked looking at a black bass with red trim.

"Hmm, that's nice. But I was kind of leaning towards this one." Damian replied carefully taking down the deep blue and silver one, a few spaces down from where Jessie was.

He whistled walking over there then stated. "That is beautiful. Check out it's sound. It's all in the sound."

Damian nodded and headed over to a small in-store setup with a drum set. He asked Jessie. "Play too?"

"Sure. Since we're the rhythm section, we need to feel it out." He answered then talked with a guy who stood close by them. Damian turned on the amp next to him and fidgeted with the sound a little then plugged in the bass. After adjusting the strings to where the pitch was more to his liking, he found one and nodded to Jessie who tapped the sticks in hand and sent the two into an instant rhythm.

Before long, a small crowd had begun to gather and listen to the two guys who played for them. Jessie smiled from behind the drum set and thought. 'He is damn good.' As Damian kept time with his own down strokes, he added. 'He's a natural. I love it. Jai, Cass. We've finally found our missing link.'


-+-

"Hey, sounds like they're having a jam session at Casey's music store. Come on, let's check it out." Jai said. Tara nodded taking his hand. They strolled over and walked inside. At first, neither of them could see who was playing due to the growing crowd until Jai spotted a vacant spot near the front counter. He motioned for Tara to follow him. Jai reached there first and his voice caught in his throat when seeing that it was his drummer and his new friend, Damian. Playing a piece from one of Youthful Sin's songs.

He said leaning closer to Tara as she finally made to him. "It's Jess and that guy I told you I helped out last night."

She moved in front of him and stopped where she stood. An un-noticeable chill ran through her. She spoke in low voice that couldn't be heard. "Oh no. It can't be." Tara quickly excused herself stating that she had to find the ladies room. Leaving Jai wondering why she'd left so suddenly.

Several minutes later, the session ended with wild applause and whistles. Both Damian and Jessie bowed to the appreciative crowd then stepped away from the set-up. Jess spotted his best friend and waved while Damian handed the bass to the sales clerk and followed him over to the register. Jess spoke when reaching him. "Awesome, isn't he? We re-worked 'Soulless Desire' and that was the finally rhythm result." He then asked. "Where's Tara?"

"Yeah, he is. I love that version better. Sounds perfect." Jai responded then stated. "I don't know. She mentioned something about finding the restrooms but hasn't returned yet."

Damian walked up to them with his new purchase and said sitting the black case down in front of him. "Hey Jai. Did you get to hear us play?"

"Yeah I did. I hope you don't have other band commitments, because they just lost you." Jai said with a smile.

Damian returned it and started to say something when he saw Tara walk back into the store. He asked curiously. "Tara?"

Jai studied the tension between the two then asked. "You guys know each other?"

"Yeah. I used to."

"Casually. He dated a friend of mine." Tara stated quickly, cutting him off.

Jai nodded a little but wasn't sure if he believed it due to the confused look Damian gave her when she said that.

A few seconds of un-comfortable silence passed between them until Jessie suggested. "Hey, let's go get something to eat and play some pool." The other three looked at him then agreed and he led the way out of the store waving to his manager as they left. After eating, Jai and Jessie went into the billiard room leaving their other two friends alone.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tara asked in a slightly agitated whisper.

"I live here now. Where else should I be?"

"The last place I remember seeing you was in Tokyo."

"Oh right. Well. Although I really did enjoy tormenting you back then, I moved here for other reasons. But, it was mostly for a change of scenery and contrary to what you are probably thinking, I didn't do so to spite you. Until this evening, I didn't even know you were even in California. Let alone, Riverside."

Tara said quietly, trying not to cause a scene for them. "I want you to leave Jaiden alone. He's mine."

Damian laughed then said rather sarcastically. "Mistress Takashi. What honestly makes you think that I would take that innocent boy away from you?"

"Don't you go all coy with me, Kanada-san. I know you too damn well and I know what you are capable of. You can seduce even the most cynical being just by smiling at them. I may be the one who trained you to be one of the best in the business, but I have always loathed you. I've lost several clients to you."

"So. Jai is just a client to you, then?" Damian asked with a grin, licking the limejuice from the rim of his beer bottle.

"No. He's more than that to me. I meant past clients." She argued silently.

"Oh yeah. Them. Well, that sounds like a personal dilemma to me, Takashi-san. You know what. I changed my mind. I may have to become your rival again after all, sensei."

"Bastard." She spat quietly and stood up.

Damian followed suit then said cupping her chin. "I bet before tonight is over, Jai won't even want to have anything to do with you anymore. You know why? It's because you have always let your temper over-ride your class. I've noticed in the past that when you're pissed at someone, you tend to find a quick fuck to relieve your pent up anger."

"Damn you." She replied swinging her hand but he caught it in mid-air then smirked. Tara jerked it free just before Jai and Jessie returned from the poolroom. Tara spoke when the three sat back down again. "Jai, honey. I'm going back to the apartment. I've suddenly acquired a massive headache. Can I have the key?"

He handed her the silver piece then asked concerned. "Do you need me to drive you back there?"

"No sweetie. I'll hail a cab. You just enjoy the time with your friends. I'll be fine. I'll see you when you get in." She then kissed him making sure that Damian saw it and left without saying anything more.

He hid his smirk by taking a drink from his beer. After a few moments Jessie said after finishing his drink and standing up. "I think I'm going to call it a night, too. I'm beat. Damian you need a ride back to your place?"

"Nah. I think I'm going to hang out here for a while. I'll have Jai drive me home." Jessie nodded then waved to both and left.

Jai sighed setting down his coke and stated. "I have always had an uncanny knack of clearing out parties."

Damian laughed softly then said. "Me too. Takes loads of talent, I've always thought."

Jai grinned then said standing. "Do you play pool?"

"Lead the way." Damian answered grabbing his black case and followed him.