Karma Police

Chapter One

"Fuck!!!" Ryan screamed at the ever growing pile of papers and text books littering his office. His latest patient's case was an especially frustrating one and time was running out. The little girl had spiked a fever overnight adding to the list of strange symptoms. The combination of oddities was one Ryan had yet to come across in his career or years of study. He rubbed his face and took a deep breath. Upon opening his eyes he looked around and realized that it was dark outside. A knock on his door startled him and he was preparing to destroy whoever it was that actually had the nerve to interrupt him when he heard a familiar chuckle.
"You jumped like the little bitch only I know you really are," his best friend Joe laughed.
"Oh fuck off before I tell the entire hospital that you have a massive crush on Frank the new janitor."
"Yeah don't do that. I was getting ready to go home when I saw your light still on. So I've decided that you're taking a rare night off and we're going out," Joe said with a twinkle in his eyes he knew Ryan would be unable to resist.
"Fine," Ryan said dramatically rolling his eyes. "But I swear to God if you drag me to a bar with a shitty 90s cover band our friendship is over."
**********
Two hours and Ryan's thirty costume changes later, they arrive outside Lucky Chuck's (arguably the seediest dive bar in Nashville). As far as dingy, hole-in-the-wall establishments are concerned Lucky Chuck's is nothing special. But what can Joe say? He likes the anonymity of places like that. There's no one that matters to him that will judge him for his affinity to pretty drinks instead of "manly" ones or how much he loves to not so secretly judge random strangers for his and Ryan's amusement. Ryan is a very serious person and if bashing a few innocent people along the way will bring a smile to Ryan's face then it's all worth it. Besides, Joe really hates the majority of the human race so it comes quite naturally to him, like breathing.
When they reach the door they are greeted by the bouncer.
"He looks like that kid from the trailer park whose mom never told him no and let him eat an entire box of Twinkies for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all fifteen daily snacks. She constantly told him he was the most handsome boy she'd ever seen. Then she ran away with some dude she met while she was working at the truck stop titty bar and never came back," Joe whispered in Ryan's ear as the guy was checking their IDs. It was at that moment Ryan knew Joe was in a mood that night and they were in for one hell of a ride. Ryan could feel the stress of his week leave his body and mind and he smiled because he was ready for it - no, he needed it.
After they spent at least five minutes in hysterics over Joe's "story" the duo made their way to the bar for their drinks.
"Ladies and gentlemen give it up for Fulcrum and Lever!!!"
"Joe, you better pray to everything holy that they do NOT play 90s covers..."
"They're here to satisfy all your cravings for the 80s and 90s music you know and love."
"...and I just killed you fifty different ways in my head," Ryan finished with the nastiest glare he could muster. Joe simply replied with a smirk and a shrug of his shoulders before he turned to face the stage. One moment of bitter regret later Ryan followed suit. He was in no way prepared for the sight he was met with. There were four guys on the stage. As the instrumentalists settled in to their places Ryan's eyes found their way to the singer. He was breathtaking, quite easily one of the most beautiful creatures Ryan had ever laid eyes on.
"Dude," Joe said snapping his fingers in front of Ryan's face, "I asked you what your plans for tomorrow are."
"Oh, um..." Ryan tried to ignore the blush he felt rising on his face and the way his stupid heart had started racing in his chest. "I am totally not gonna watch Glee for the fortieth time, that's for sure."
"You're back on that bullshit again? You, my friend, are the GAYEST person I've ever known. You should be the poster child for PFLAG," Joe joked.
"Fuck you!!! Glee is underrated and fabulous and you're WRONG," Ryan stated as if it was the most obvious news ever reported.
Just as he was preparing to launch his well-rehearsed soliloquy on all the ways Joe was absolutely daft he was interrupted by a voice unlike any he had ever heard.

When you were here before
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry