I drove to Dulles International Airport to catch my flight to St.
Louis. It was my first time being on an airplane and I was a little
scared. Lyza and Gigs were meeting me at the STL airport. I was finally
meeting them for the first time today. They were friends of mine off
the net. I told them both that I had been in St. Louis last summer
visiting with my father and helping on a murder case. Gigs told me
that she had just missed me because she was in Florida for the summer.
Lyza said she had never seen me around town. I had told her I was
working most of the time, and that I was basically a workaholic. They both
asked why I had left. I told them my family back home needed me. My
sister was ill and couldn't take care of the kids alone.  My
brother-in-law left her. We had become fast friends and they wanted to
meet me. 

They decided what better way for us to finally meet then
with a party. They had invited me to St. Louis along with some other
friends to attend Kash's bachelorette party. Lyza and Gigs were waiting
for me when my plane arrived at the airport. We hugged each another
and left in Gig's rental car. The hotel I was staying in wasn't far
from the airport. They both took me to the hotel first so I could
check in. We left about an hour later to go shopping and to tour
St. Louis. We spent all day doing nothing, but walking around St.
Louis looking for an outfit for me to wear tonight. 

Finally the night was nearing and party time was right around the 
corner. They dropped me off at the hotel. I stood in my room 
at The Hilton, trying to get the corset on that Gigs insisted I buy. 
It was the type that was supposed to help keep body fat from showing 
and it was a part of the outfit I was wearing to the bachelorette 
party. My fire element, Dragon's Flame as I call it, showed up an 
hour ago, so I had to change the color of my outfit to match my tag 
along friend. When I picked out the outfit, my earth element was on 
hand, so Gigs thought it would be wise to go with all green. I had 
agreed with her. Now however, I was the color of a little fire engine.

It was a quarter till six when I was dropped off and the party started
at eight. At fifteen minutes till eight I still hadn't finished
getting ready yet. I was never again wearing one of these things again,
unless I had someone to help me. There finally I got the thing tied
and now I was finished getting dressed, stuffed in a tight blood red
leather suit. It was similar to the one Urma Therman wore in Batman
Forever, but it was red instead of green. I had to find a special corset
to go with it, because it had no sleeves or straps. Wearing the corset
with it gave my breasts and extra lift. I accented the ensemble with
leather gloves that reached my elbows. I added a gold and ruby dog collar to
my throat and ruby earrings in all four of my holes. I adorned my
wrists with bracelets made like the collar and a ring on each hand. I
had accented a fire sign around my right eye to make the outfit more
glamorous. I gathered my things and added them to my purse, including
my inhalers. It matched the outfit. I know it's a little too much for
a bachelorette party, but everyone else was wearing cat suits, and
since they don't make dog suits, I was going as a fire goddess. Did I
forget to mention I was a werewolf? 

I went into the bathroom to touch up my make-up and hair and to see 
how I looked in the suit. I hoped in this outfit no one would 
recognize me. I was not ready for people to know I was back in town. I 
looked at the clock and did a double take. It was eight thirty and I 
was late. I left my room, locking it behind me, and headed out of the 
hotel. I hoped I could get a taxi with it being a Saturday night and 
all. I flagged down a taxi and got in. The driver was checking me out 
before he asked, "Where to pretty lady?"  

"Guilty Pleasures, please, "I replied.

"That's in the District, not far from here. I'll get you there in no
time, "He said pulling the cab out onto the street. I sat there
watching the city pass the window. I missed St. Louis, but until my
sister got better I couldn't come back. I didn't want to leave this
weekend, but my younger sister and nieces nearly threw me out the
door. They wouldn't let me back in until I came back from St. Louis,
with pictures. I was going to have to let dad know I was in town, but not
tonight. The cab driver kept looking at me and I tried to ignore him.

That was until he spoke. "So pretty lady, why you going to Guilty
Pleasures, especially dressed like that?" He asked, referring to my 
outfit.  I answered him with a smile, "I'm going to a private party." 
He just looked at me and said no more. We finally arrived at the 
strip club.  I got out, paid the taxi driver, and went to the door. 
Buzz was the bouncer on duty tonight. I tested my glamour to see if 
he recognized me. I walked up the steps and he took a step forward. 
He didn't recognize me.  Good, so far my plans were working. "Invitation 
please," He inquired very sweetly while looking me up and down with 
approval. I gave him my invitation. He glanced at it and smiled at 
me. He opened the door for me to enter. Then he slapped me on my butt as I walked through the door. 

I had missed half the show already, especially Jason popping out
of the cake. I came in on Anita giving Jason a big bite on the
ass. I was looking around to see if I could spot Gigs or Lyza. I saw
someone in a tiger-stripped leather pantsuit waving at me. It was Gigs. I walked toward
the table, while getting whistled at by every waiter I passed. Gigs left the table to meet me halfway. She took one look at me and
gave a whistle. She asked what happened to the green outfit I picked
out and why I was wearing red instead. I told her about the Dragon's Flame
showing up and that I had to magically change the color. Gigs nodded at me
with a smile on her face. I was wondering what kind of sauce she
thought I would taste good with. 

She led me through the crowd to a table were eight other women were 
sitting. Anita looked over her shoulder at Gigs and me.  Her her mouth 
dropped. She recognized me. I learned from my grandfather how to talk 
with the mind. I sent her a message and she nodded in understanding.
Gigs put me in a chair beside hers while introducing me to everyone
else at the table. 

Then she left to go onto the stage. Other members of our table got up also and went back stage. Catcalls started to erupt from other tables 
around the room. Gigs had trouble getting things started with all the 
catcalls. Finally, after a few minutes, she got the show on the road. 
I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned to see Richard 
had come to the table with a towel for Jason. Jason was acting like a 
kid in a candy store and Kylie was laughing. It was good to see 
Jason in a good mood. He was constantly in a bad mood all last 
summer. Now I know why. He was in love with Kylie Everett and whenever
she had to leave, it just tore him up inside. 

I turned my attention back towards the stage where Gigs had just 
announced it was gift giving time.  I looked over at Kash, who was 
drunk and grinning ear to ear like the Cheshire Cat. I just shook my 
head and couldn't help from laughing.  Oohs and Aahs went through the 
room.  Everyone was having fun, including myself. I had never been to 
a bachelorette party before. This was a new experience for me. Gigs 
was unveiling gifts on how to tame a demon. Micah, Nathaniel, and 
Gregory (or was that Stephen?) all came out on stage to hand Gigs a card. All the guys were 
dressed in tight black spandex with everything showing. I was in 
heaven. They were also sporting cat collars. Each card had a gift 
explanation while they were presented by Emily, Esther, Lyza, Crys, 
and Seri. 

Emily presented a hot ice-blue nighty. Esther presented a safari 
outfit equipped with leash and whip. Then came Lyza, Crys, and Seri. 
The way Gigs was looking at Seri, I was sure she was going to pounce 
on her to see what she tasted like. I had to hand it to Gigs though, 
she kept her cool even though her eyes were glowing green. I think 
making jokes was a good thing for Gigs. It kept her mind occupied. 
Plus she was good at making people laugh. If it weren't for her, I 
wouldn't be here tonight. That and Lyza threatened to hog tie me and 
drag me to St. Louis from the back of her truck. 

I felt two powerful beings enter the building. I knew one of them to 
be Kash's demon and the other I couldn't figure out. I threw my 
shields up to keep from exposing myself. Then I went back to being 
happy. A demon dressed in a devil suit came out on stage with a card 
taped to his privates and I started to snicker. The look on Gigs face 
was priceless. Kash yelled over the table at Gigs to get the card 
with her teeth. The crowd hooped and hollered. Gigs turned around, 
bent over, wiggled her butt, and grabbed the card out off the demon's 
privates. It was priceless! I rolled with laughter. I ended up falling 
backwards out of my chair from laughing so hard. 
                
Richard came over to help me back up. When I was back in my chair,
he leaned over and whispered into my ear, "Welcome back Crystal."
I looked back up and just smiled. He patted me on the shoulder as he
went to pour more drinks. I looked back towards the stage to see demon
devil leave. Gigs had just told the crowd about the last gift. Anita
came out on stage with a Seacamp. I looked over at Kash to find her
drooling. She wasn't the only one. I was right behind her. I was so
upset, I started to pout. That's no fair. I want one. 

Jean-Claude took the stage and looked our way. He smiled at me and 
mentally said, "Welcome back cheri." Damn, does everyone know I'm back 
in town?  He was announcing the next act when Gigs made her way  
towards the table. Everyone congratulated her on her 
performance. She came over and sat beside me, asking if I was having a 
good time. Richard had brought my usual tropical concoction. I took a 
sip and nodded at the same time. She told me I hadn't seen anything 
yet. I believed her.  Anita and the girls finally made it back toward 
our table. Gigs got a Bahama Mama. What I wanted at the moment was 
some Sex on the Beach, with an order of Blow Jobs, and Orgasms on the 
side. However I didn't want to say that out loud. I would probably 
have everyone else at the table spitting out their drinks and I 
didn't want to be wearing alcohol. 

We spent the rest of the night talking, laughing, and getting
to know each other. Most of us anyway. I was enjoying the show and
having a good time when I spotted Shang-Da lurking in the shadows. He
had been standing near the bar hidden by the darkness. He smiled at me
and I smiled back. Jamil came up beside him and looked over at me. He
doubled over laughing. I just rolled my eyes and went back to talking
to girls. 

Jean-Claude introduced another number. I sat there patiently 
until I saw the dancer. I spat out my drink across the table. 
Edward doing a strip dance? He was on stage shaking and gyrating like 
there was no tomorrow. It made you want to say, 'who are you and what 
have you done with the real Edward?' Gigs got up from her chair to go 
stand behind Kash. Tamara sat on her. I looked at Kash's face then 
back up at Edward. Oh, she had a thing for him. This was going to be 
a good show. Jean-Claude came over to stand behind Gigs. Tamara 
grabbed his hanky and handed it to Kash. I busted out laughing, 
causing me to get looks from everyone else. I just held up my drink 
and they shook their heads. Anita was trying not to laugh. 

Edward began to dance and change from one persona to his "other" one. He 
wiggled his way towards Kash and Kash wanted up. Tamara was laughing 
while trying to hold her down. Edward strutted over to Anita who was 
in shock. She didn't know what to think. Edward took off his hat and 
placed it on her head. He was scaring her; in fact he was scaring me 
too. Finally his routine ended and I recuperated from my shock. 
Tamara let Kash go and resumed her seat. Jean-Claude sat down between 
Tamara and Kash. Gigs came back over and sat down next to me. As the 
lights went out and the last two performances of the night began, I 
felt something slip down into my cleavage. I dished it out and looked 
at it. It was a note from someone. I opened the note and read 
it.  "Meet me after the party's over." That was all it said. No name or 
place. Thank goodness Gigs had her mind elsewhere. I didn't know how 
to explain this one.
                

I turned back towards the stage and there standing on the stage was a
vampire I'd never met before. He had long golden hair and was very
tall. He was dressed as a French courtier. He began stripping, showing
off scars that were nothing more than an illusion. When you are a
witch, you can feel or see other people's magic. I knew he was using
his glamour as part of the show. He dropped the glamour and I heard
something shatter.  I turned to find Gigs had broken a glass by squeezing
too hard. I heard Gigs say his name. I believe she said Asher. So this
is the infamous Asher I'd heard so much about. He came off the stage
and whispered something into the air. Tamara got up and went to him.
Gigs got up on shaky legs and followed. He pulled them off towards an
empty table. He pulled Gigs into his lap while he kissed Tamara. 

I felt like I was intruding so I shifted my gaze back towards the 
stage.  Kash's demon came out on stage. I don't know what his name 
was, but he sure was fine... for a demon that is. He began his routine. 
I was not prepared for what happened next. He stripped off his groin 
plate about the time I took a swig of my drink and I nearly choked to 
death. Everyone else was rolling on the floor laughing, except me. 
I'd seen this size before on Arturo. I actually had to see him naked 
once and it was not a pretty picture. I couldn't look at a sausage the 
same way again.  

After that number, the party came to an end. We sat around the
table talking, while I watched Richard clean the tables off. He
was getting along with Micah a lot more these days. They hadn't
argued once tonight, not that I was aware of anyway. I asked Gigs what
she had planned. She said she was taking a cat nap on the roof of the
Circus. That was after tucking in the boys, of course. Tamara thought the
idea was excellent and decided to join her. Kylie also thought it was
a good idea. They asked me what I was doing. "I'm going to see my
father but I'll catch up with you later in the afternoon." They all
nodded. We agreed to come back here tomorrow and clean up the place.

We said our goodbyes to each other. They all left, but me. I stayed
behind to see who my mystery person was.  As I sat there, I saw 
Richard look at Micah. Micah shook his head and left. Richard walked 
towards me. "May I sit down?" he asked.  "Sure," I said.
He reached over and pulled a piece of hair out of my face. He ran his
fingers gently down my cheek to rest under my chin. He leaned over the
table and lightly caressed my lips with his, gazed into my eyes, and
said, "I've missed you."

I just looked at him and said, "What about Dr. Carrie?"

"We're just friends. There will be nothing between us but
friendship," he said with a sigh.  I asked, "Why not?"
                
"She knows about me being a werewolf. She said we could be friends,
but nothing else.  Besides, she's finished with her studies here so she
went back home," he said looking sad.

"When did she find out?" I asked in pure shock.

"She told me she had known since the first day we met. She was waiting
for me to tell her, but since I didn't tell her the truth, she wasn't
sure she could trust me in a relationship.  So she gave me the 'lets
just be friends' speech," He replied.  I put my hand over his and 
said, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I saw it coming. Just didn't know when," He said trying hard
not to cry.  Shang-Da and Jamil chose that moment to come into the 
room. Shang-Da plopped right down on my lap with enough force to 
cause the chair to crash to the floor. Richard jumped up out of his 
chair and came around the table on one side and Jamil on the other 
side. Before I realized what was going on, I was attacked with green 
silly string. While stringing me, all three yelled, "Welcome home 
Crystal." They were so dead. Now I wished I had gone with Gigs 
instead of staying behind. Boy when will I ever learn?