Wild on the Side

Summary Grown up time
Disclaimer No singer songwriters were harmed in the writing of this story.
Any injured copyrights were unintentional
Notes Part of the Ménageaverse. Set after Hushed and during the episode Where the Wild Things Are. Songs are “Steal My Kisses” by Ben Harper and “Behind Blue Eyes” by the Who. For more in the Menageaverse, please visit our website at http://www.responsibleadults.sadbhyl.riverworld.net.


Joyce watched as Rupert fidgeted with his cappuccino, not hearing the performer currently in the spotlight. She laid a hand over his comfortingly. “Relax. You’re going to be fine.”

“I don’t know what I was thinking,” he protested. “I’m no musician.”

“You have a beautiful voice,” she insisted, “you haven’t got anything to be ashamed of.”

“If it were an open mic, perhaps . . .”

“But it isn’t. It’s a performer’s showcase, for which you had to audition. They liked you, and these people will, too.”

“So stop being such an old woman, Ripper,” Ethan said, sliding past him to settle into the chair on the other side of Joyce.

“What are you doing here?” Rupert growled.

“What, and miss your command performance?” He looked shocked.

Joyce put a hand on Rupert’s arm. “My command,” she said sim “I “I thought you could use a few friends in the audience.”

“He is not my friend.” But the anger in his tone had softened.

“I’m touched, Rupert,” Ethan mocked, flagging down a waitress. “A double espresso, please. So just why are you doing this anyway if you’re so worked up about it? I thought you’d gotten the music thing out of your system in college.”

“He played in college?” Joyce asked, curious at this new piece of information.

“Ethan . . .”

“Oh yes, he was quite the little punk. Didn’t quite fit in, though, as he actually had talent.”

Joyce grinned at the image. “I bet you drove the girls wild.”

Rupert shrugged modestly. “Yes, I did, actually . . .”

“I think you’re on, old man,” Ethan interrupted.

They looked over to see the stage manager gesturing to Rupert. He took a deep breath, picked his guitar up by the neck and with one quick glance at his companions for encouragement, made his way up to the stage.

Joyce rested her hand on Ethan’s leg. “I’m glad you came. And I think he is, too.”

“If nothing else, I managed to distract him from his nerves. He looked like he was about ready to bolt.”

“He’s not used to putting himself out in front.”

“How things change . . .”

She was saved having to respond as Rupert did a quick tune check before he began a steady drumming on the body of the guitar, followed by a deep G chord progression that matched his percussion. And then his throaty baritone cut in.

I put into Nashville, Tennessee
But you wouldn't even come around to see me
And since your headin' up to Carolina
You know I gonna be right there behind you

All around the room fingers began tapping and heads started nodding, enjoyment written on every face. Joyce couldn’t blame them. He was good.

'Cause I always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you

Ethan leaned over to speak directly in her ear. “Have you been holding out on the poor man, my dear? He sounds positively bereft.”

She laughed lightly and leaned back. “If I was, I wouldn’t be now!”

Rupert had the audience entirely at his command. As he moved thh thh the guitar solo, his fingers moving deftly along the frets, they all clapped or tapped on the table, totally with him as he transitioned back into vocals. And as he brought it to a close, they all burst into generous applause. Joyce applauded right along with them. Ethan sat with his arms crossed over his chest, an enigmatic smile curling his lips.

Rupert bowed his head in acknowledgement of their approval, taking a drink of water from a glass waiting for him. Then he settled the guitar back on his knees and wrapped his fingers lower around the neck to begin a much slower strum.

No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes

The patrons became quiet, focused on his playing and his words. She looked at Ethan, who was looking even more enigmatic than before. “I think this one is for you.”

His dark eyes never left Rupert. “You have absolutely no idea.”

But my dreams
They aren't as empty
Asconsconscience seems to be

She was startled when Ethan sat upright suddenly. “Something’s wrong.”

“How do you know?”

“I just had a chill go up my spine,” he explained, looking past her. “That and the fact that there are four dumbstruck teenagers standing in the doorway.”

Joyce turned to see Willow and Xander with Anya and another girl she didn’t know. Wi’s j’s jaw had dropped and Xander looked positively ill. She looked to Rupert, who was just noticing them himself. His eyes flashed from the kids to Joyce and Ethan and back before he bent his head back to the guitar, focusing on finishing the song. Joyce and Ethan both pulled back in their seats, trying to avoid notice. But the sight of a musical Giles was apparently all the distraction Buffy’s friends needed.

The applause was just as generous as it had been after the first song. Rupert acknowledged it, but turned to speak quietly to the stage manager before stepping down to another ovation. He went over to Willow and the group gathered ad hid him, speaking animatedly as the next performer took the stage. Joyce watched him listen intently, then say something that must have been a dismissal and waited as they headed out. Then he turned and came over to the table.

“There’s trouble,” he said quietly, bending close to her but taking Ethan in with his gaze. “I have to go.” He slid the guitar back in its case and snapped the clasps shut.

“Is Buffy okay?” The usual worry rose up in her throat.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” he said comfortingly, running a gentle hand along her arm. “It sounds like a haunting. We’re going to go see what we can find. Ethan, will you make sure she gets home alright?”

“Of course. She’ll be in the best hands.”

“She’d better be.” He ignored the jibe, turning back to Joyce. “I’ll let you know as soon as we get this straightened out.”

She nodded, giving him a watery smile.

“Rupert,” Ethan caught him just as he was about to turn.

“What?”

He pointed with a smirk. “I like the earring.”

Rupert reached up instinctively to touch the small gold hoop in his ear, startled out of his concern to smile slightly. “It’s Joyce’s. She gave it to me for luck.” He bent down and kissed her cheek quickly. “Later.” And he followed the kids out into the night.

Ethan leaned closer to her, resting an arm along the back of her chair. “Do I get the other one?” he flirted shamelessly.

She pulled her eyes away from Rupert’s disappearing back. “Only if I can put it through your nose. I need some way to hold onto you.”

He smiled and let one finger trace along her shoulder. “But don’t you see I’m already completely your slave?”

“Oh, yeah?” She looked at him, amused but doubtful. “Come home and clean my garage.”

He just laughed.