Jack looked up at Crystal as she was completely honest with him. He had to say that he was actually quite impressed with this woman not only for her talents but also because she spoke her mind which was something that most people refused to do around Jack because of his 'status' in society. Which was something Jack had always disliked, he was no different than any other person in the world, sure he played music for a living, sure he had won many very prestigious awards for his music but to him, he only saw himself as that little pudgy boy who lived next door to his best friend Adriana 'Ri-Ri' Menzel who grew up without a father but had an amazing mother and baby sister.  "I love Addie as a friend nothing more, and I can assure you that I know how truly incredible of a person that Adriana is. It's been a few years since we've seen each other sure, but she is still as amazing of an adult as she was a child" he said looking at Crystal honestly through the mirror in front of him "And if you think I'm dense that is your prerogative good thing we live in a free country huh" he said hearing Larry coughing to almost nonchalantly tell Crystal she'd stepped over some boundary "Don't worry Larry I'm a big boy if she steps over the line I have no problem putting her in her place. And I respect her for being brutally honest with me even though she's wrong" Jack said with a wide-eyed grin before getting out of the seat that he had just been in before walking out of the room not to smoke but to get some fresh air. 

[color=red]"Wow you really got under his skin," Robert said scratching his chin lightly, hearing the scratching noise of his fingers running across the five 'o' clock shadow growing on his face, "I think he might finally be able to kick the bad habit of smoking finally" with this said Robert sat down on the couch before kicking his feet up and laying them on the table in front of him. "I must admit though miss Crystal it was kind of hot watching you take care of Jack the way you just did, so few people give him that and that's actually what he desires" Robert said lazily as he placed his arms behind his head as he relaxed "Jack is a celebrity who wishes to be considered a regular person instead of as a celebrity."[/color]

[color=blue]"It's because Jack was raised to work hard and not worry about compliments," Markus said honestly "He was raised by a single mother working two jobs to feed her and two children, she was very busy but no matter how tired she was she always had time for her children and that attitude in life soaked into Jack even though he's made it big he still see's himself as that little boy from L.A" Markus had known Jack since he was a small child since his brother Alexander, Adriana and Jack all ran around together.[/color]


Jack had walked around for half an hour finding it best to be away from everyone since he needed time to think. This was something Jack did quite often especially as of late. The man who lived slept and drank Rock 'N' Roll had begun to actually dislike the constant concerts as well as the life on the road which is why he was staying at home with his mother for the next few months after the show tonight. It was Jack's way of getting back to his roots so where he could hopefully reignite the love he had for music. Finally looking at his watch Jack made his way towards the stage since the show was about to start. 

[color=red]"Hey brother you were gone a while you alright," Robert asked curiously as he saw Jack walking back up after having been gone for over half an hour without telling anyone where you were going," Robert asked being genuine with his worry for Jack the two were good friends. [/color]

"Yeah I'm fine, let's just get to the music Robert I'm not in the mood to talk right now," Jack said walking over and to where all of his basses were sitting in a row, he wasn't sure which one he was going to play tonight until he heard Markus' voice behind him. 

[color=blue]"Hey Jack I know your birthday isn't for another few weeks" Jack said honestly with a smile "But Alexander and I bought you something special for your birthday and I just cannot wait any longer for you to see it" he said pulling a beautiful [url=http://www.encorecases.com/uploads/2/6/3/4/26343473/s551578954463488772_p328_i1_w1272.jpeg]Coffin Bass Case[/url] out and placed it on a table in front of where Jack stood "The case has you written all over it I know but the actual gift is inside... I know you'll love it brother" he said allowing Jack to open it.[/color]

Jack's eyebrow furrowed as a beautiful coffin bass case was placed on a table in front of him. Anyone who knew him knew he loved the macabre, the dark and scary. Halloween was his favorite holiday and he threw an amazing party every year on Halloween but then he found out that the case was only the beginning. So he opened the four latched on the case hearing them clicking as they were unlocked, reaching out he slowly lifted the case lid and his eyes lit up, his mouth dropped as he truly was in shock. Inside the case was a beautiful, custom-made  [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9b/b3/f0/9bb3f052b46e743d678ad48d740e8903.jpg]Dragon Bass[/url] reaching out he touched the beautiful and cold metal of the bass as he pulled it from it's resting place as if lifting Excalibur from the stone. "Markie...This...This Bass I can't." 

[color=blue]"Just shut up and take it," Markus said laughing as he hugged Jack "Now go get out there your fans await."[/color]

"Thank you," Jack said hugging Markus before attaching his shoulder strap to the bass before placing the strap across his shoulder "You're right I hope to see you out there" with that said the band walked onto the stage as the crowd erupted with cheers for the band that had come from this city. Jack walked up to the microphone a huge smile on his face as the city he was born in applauded him, this was all too surreal sure he'd played every major concert hall around the world but somehow being in this small club, with the people he'd grown up with was much more exhilarating to him. As the crowd died down he was still smiling from ear to ear "Wow, I can't even begin to explain how I'm feeling" he said scratching the back of his head gently "I'm honestly at a loss for words guys, I've played crowds at every single concert hall or location from one edge of the world to the next but being here on the stage where it all started for the first time in years has me feeling like that kid who took a chance all those years ago. Tonight we have some very special guests though, some that need introductions because they were a vital part of this bands success. First off my friend Markus' and Alexander's brother who was our original guitar player and also the chauffeur for us before any of us had our licenses, next baby sister Ally who is one of my favorite people in the world, third is my friend Adriana Menzel who not only painted the backdrop for this stage but was also the first manager of our band. She gave us a swift kick in the ass a few years ago when the band was afraid to go on stage so without her this band wouldn't be here. Then there's my mother, she let us use the garage to practice our music even though at first we were absolutely terrible, my God cats were screeching we were so bad and she never did anything but continue to tell us to keep going. I heard practice made perfect from her so much I would've thought that was her catchphrase but they all supported us even to this day and they're still very important to me so give them all a round of applause" he said listening to the crowd clapping. "Alright so let's stop getting all mushy and get to the part you came for the music" he said as he began playing the music, the setlist was twenty songs long, all of them the bands most well-known songs the show went on for three hours with them playing but finally Jack who was perspiring walked back up to the microphone once more "Alright everyone for our last song I was just told by Robert there was going to be a special surprise one that I don't know as we play our song Winter Love so I'll give Robert the microphone to talk" he said walking over to the piano which was waiting for Jack to play. 

[color=red]Robert smiled as he walked up to the microphone that Jack had been using knowing that Jack had one attached to the piano "So I know I'm not a hometown boy but I've been with the band for quite a while. However, we have a surprise for Jack since his birthday is coming up tonight we are not going to have Christopher Cotner to come play bass on the song Winter Love like we usually do instead I will be playing bass. But here is the real surprise tonight we have a very special guest coming up to play lead guitar on the song Winter Love and that person will be coming in right over there" he said pointing to the curtain "Come up special guest" he said smiling knowing the secret no one else not even Adriana knew.[/color]

[color=blue]As Robert called out for the special guest to come up and show himself to everyone Markus walked onto the stage holding the guitar he had originally played for Lords of Captivating Hearts using his real arm he waved to the crowd and smiled at Jack who looked utterly and completely shocked to see him with on the stage.[/color]

Soon the band began playing Winter Love which was one of the softest and most beautiful songs the band had ever played.