Ricki looked back and saw the mortified look on Emily's face. Ricki had hoped, at least something in her, that this drama would rear it's ugly head tonight. Then, Heather fueled the fire with her words. Gabe tensed beneath her hands and Ricki turned her gaze up to him. She gently tugged him down to where his ear was closer to her face.

"Don't react, then she'll be getting exactly what she wants. You can't give her that satisfaction." She whispered, and he gave her an odd look as Heather continued. He saw a brief flicker of anger run over Ricki's face, but it was there and.gone instantaneously. "Trust me on this."

She saw what went down after that once Gabe straightened up, and once Krista and Maureen took their places, she noticed the looks Heather was getting, even from Emily. They were gone quickly, but Ricki couldn't help but to shake her head as the line moved. She hung back after she and Gabe handed their tickets to the door person.

"Ricki?" Gabe asked, noting her hanging back.

"I'm waiting a second." She said, and Once Heather and Jared came in, She watched them walk ahead of her before she rejoined Gabe. They were now far enough ahead that Heather.couldn't hear her. "I just think it's stupid. How she's trying so hard to use her mouth the cause drama here." 

Gabe nodded. "That just pisses me off."

Ricki looked up to him. "Well, you know, neither one of us could have really warned Jared. If I would have, it would have become the Livingston affair all over again, and if you would have it would have seemed too self interested." She said. "But now this makes me want to ask, why her anyway?"

Gabe was quiet and he pointed a look down to her. She put up her hand. "You don't have to answer, Gabe, but I have to admit my curiosity is piqued."

"I could ask why Livingston." He pointed out and she shook her head.

"Alright, touche, I'll drop it." She said, and once they entered the ballroom, Krista came over with Tyler.

"Do we still have to?" Krista asked, and Ricki shot her eyes to Heather and Jared, the cogs turning in her.head. 

"Actually, yeah. But I have a [I]hell[/I] of an idea." Ricki said, and Krista nodded.

"Come on, Ty, let's dance." Krista smiled and Gabe looked to Ricki.

"What are you plotting?" He asked. 

Ricki looked up to him. "I can't do too much, with Heather telling me.she's got dirt on me.and all, but I can do something to shake things up a bit." She answered, and she gave him a peck on the cheek, "I'll be back. David just walked in dateless, and I need to find Emily."

Ricki headed off towards the women's bathroom where she found Emily. "Hey, you okay?"

"What's Voss's deal? Is she trying to ruin the night for everyone but herself?" Emily's face was streaked with tears. Ricki brought Emily into her arms. 

"Don't mind her. She can't live without drama." Ricki told her and Emily stepped back.

"How do you handle all of this?" She asked and Ricki looked to her.

"With the patience.of a saint." Maureen's voice came. "Krista is keeping an eye on Voss. I'm sorry, Emily."

"You can't let Heather see you cry." Ricki said. "I need.to talk to David, so would you mind dancing with Gabe the first dance?"

"Ricki..." Maureen said.

"I don't mind, but why?" Emily asked.

"The best way to shut her down is to not give her what she wants. A rise. Granted, she played David like a fiddle, but if he calms now, She can't get that sick pleasure out of it."

"But that makes you her target." Maureen pointed out.

"Just for tonight, I'll take the heat." Ricki said, and the three.exited the bathroom and found their way back into the ballroom. Maureen broke off and Ricki walked with Emily back over to David.

"David?" Emily asked and he looked to the two. "Do you mind dancing with Ricki the first go around?"

David looked surprised. "No, what about you?" He asked.

He was obviously still angry, but Ricki took over. "She can dance with Gabe. I wanted to talk to you, and I can assure you that you can watch them." She said, and David spoke.through a clenched jaw.

"Fine."

Emily and Ricki soon walked over to Gabe, Tyler, and Krista. "Gabe, you mind dancing with Emily the first one? I've got to talk to... um..."

Gabe just nodded and soon the first slow.song began and.Gabe took Ricki's hand. "You owe me." He joked and she smiled before.walking over to David.

"What?" He asked as they began dancing.

"Try not to take what Heather said to heart and enjoy the night. If you don't give her the satisfaction, she'll get pissed." She said, and he gave her a look.

"Why would I do that? How?" He began, his eyes looking over to Gabe and Emily. 

"First, avoid Heather, second, for the love of god show Emily a good time. She was really into you, and you're light on your feet. Just let it go for one night." She said, and he looked down to her. "If it does any justice, I'll answer your questions."

David wasn't fully calm, but he bit. "Alright. What happened between us?" He.asked, and she frowned a bit.

"Honestly, I don't think either of us ever got over that first big fight, and we just sort.of dragged through football season." She admitted.

"But I tried." He said.

"There was no making up for what was said, David." She said, and they fell silent before the song was over, but he stopped her. 

"I can't make promises about not letting it get to me, but I'll try when she's looking." He told her and she gave a smile.

"Good." She said, and she made her way back over to Gabe as Emily made her way over to David.

"So?" Gabe asked. Ricki just smiled.

"If he plays along, for a while anyway, Heather shouldn't be getting the jollies anymore." She said. "Lets just hope he does."