Flashing lights from several dozen sources and tinny electronic gaming music mixed with children screaming. This cacophony threatened to undo Ryker within two minutes of his arrival at one of his least favorite spots on the planet. Trisha better appreciate him being here. Not only was Chuck E. Cheese's a rat-tastic nightmare, it was well over an hour's drive from Moon Beach.

He nodded to Dan, who was busy securing a bunch of helium balloons to the back of a chair. "This is hell. And it's your fault I'm here, asshole."

Dan grinned. "It's not that bad. Besides, better you're in hell for two hours than I catch hell from Trisha."

"Not from where I stand."

"Aww, come on, you'll survive. Here comes Emmie now. She got a ride here with Iola, which means she's probably already experiencing whiplash. So be nice. Don't make this a repeat of Christmas please."

"We've been over this already. I had nothing to do with that!"

"Yeah, but still. Tread lightly."

"Emmie would hate it if she knew you just told me to walk on egg shells around her. That's kind of sexist, Dan -- thinking she's going to have an emotional meltdown just because I might act like a douche."

"I need to start recording you."

"So the whole world can know the genius that is Ryker James? Good idea!"

"You're an idiot. The whole world doesn't need to know that or MechJames will collapse and I'll lose my job. So, let's just shoot for you not being a dick at my kid's birthday party. That way, no one leaves in tears except for the children after their rightfully earned sugar crash, okay?"

"Why do you and Trisha always think you have to lecture me on good behavior?"

"I can't imagine. Now, turn around and act like a reasonable adult. Here she is."

He turned, but nothing about Emmie made him want to be reasonable. Ryker honestly hadn't a clue how he'd react to her physical presence. Still working up the nerve to go into Iola's when he knew she'd be there, he hadn't seen her since the Christmas incident a month ago. He expected her to look more pregnant, which of course, she did. But he didn't expect to still feel that same pull of attraction, undiminished despite the time and hard feelings that had transpired.

Emmie stood before him, an awkward, uncertain smile on her face. "Hi Ryker."

"Emmie." He took a step forward. "It's... good to see you. How've you been?"

"Good, really good. Just, working a lot. On stuff. And, yeah..." She looked around the restaurant. "This place is nuts. Guess I have to get used to kid events like this. Where's your sister?"

"Over there with Pennie playing Skee Ball." He pointed to the corner where Trisha had been when he'd first entered the restaurant.

"Oh, I see her. I should go say hi. And where's the birthday boy?"

"That I don't know. Probably in the ball pit somewhere."

"I used to love the ball pit when I was Rhys' age."

"I did too, until I started thinking about all the disgusting germs and goobers kids must deposit all over the place in there."

She laughed. It was a short simple laugh, but it made his heart churn. Dammit, he hated that she had the effect on him. "Oh, Ryker... you were probably the only kid who used hand sanitizer directly after exiting."

"Not sure why that's funny. It's sensible. And yes, I was. Now though, they've got antibacterial soap stations set up every ten feet."

"Good to know." She turned to head over to Trisha, then paused. "Um, I just wanted you to know... I'm glad you're here. I mean, I'm glad we're both here. Not that... I don't know what I'm trying to say. No, I know exactly what I'm trying to say, I'm just not doing a good job of saying it."

"You're glad we can both be adults and exist in the same place at the same time without the universe imploding?"

She laughed again. "Something like that. I'll see you in a bit, okay?"

As soon as she'd wandered away, Ryker found himself distracted by the six-foot-tall dancing rat who had made his way over to the adjacent table to entertain that party's birthday girl. 

"I never did get the fascination with Chuck," Ryker said as Dan joined him at the end of Rhys' table. He handed Ryker a beer. "But I definitely get why they serve alcohol. Not going to be up to our favorite microbrewery's standards, but I don't think we care at the moment, do we?"

They both took a swig.

"So, how'd it go with Emmie?"

"Well, she still lied to me about being pregnant and I still don't know anything about her past, and I still acted like an asshole... but now we're cool, I guess."

"Good to see you're not holding any grudges or anything."

"Good to see you're no longer a sarcastic bastard."

"She seems like she's enjoying herself, at least." They both looked towards the game area. Emmie and Trisha were crowded around Penelope, who was sitting astride a fake purple motorcycle on the front of which was attached an automatic camera. They stared into the camera, making silly faces.

"I'm adulting hardcore for this party, I'll have you know. Not a single temper tantrum so far."

As if he'd called the notion into existence, one of the young party-goers took that moment to begin bawling for no reason Ryker could determine. Dan left to tend to the boy as Ryker continued nursing his beer. Before long, it was time for the whole group to assemble, eat pizza of dubious quality, and be entertained by Chuck E. himself.

Iola sat next to him with Emmie on her other side. "I feel like I'm the judge seated before two plaintiffs on the People's Court." She whispered to him and then burst into laughter. Ryker prayed Emmie hadn't overheard.

After a slightly psychotic upbeat happy birthday video had played on a screen while the famous rat danced and sang in front of it, the kids dove into the birthday cake Trisha had made in the shape of a Lego ninja. It was during this time that Ryker realized Emmie's statement about working a lot hadn't been solely regarding her waitressing job. Little snippets of her conversation with Iola and Trisha floated to him over the music.

"It's so hard to choose but I have it narrowed down."

"Still want to produce some more. I have a few ideas. They just keep coming to me!"

"Mel's working with me on framing options."

"Super nervous. But it will be worth it."

"Only a few more weeks to have it ready."

Ryker had known Emmie was part of Trisha's art group, but now he realized he'd never asked her what sort of art she produced. He'd never even given it much thought, but here she was, about to have an opening. He had a fleeting thought that maybe if he'd taken interest in this part of her life, things would have worked out differently.

No, that wasn't right. He was grasping at straws. Some lingering emotional hang-up was causing his brain to misfire. That would have changed nothing, and besides, Emmie had discouraged talk about herself through the course of their relationship. Now that they had agreed they could live with being in the same place together, maybe it would be okay if he showed his support. As a friend. Or pseudo-friend. Or acquaintance? Whatever the hell they were. He made a mental note: go to Emmie's art opening and don't act like an ass.

If he could pull that off in a Chuck E. Cheese's, surely he could do the same in an art gallery.

https://youtu.be/m_0stFzjSVk

A/N: Can Ryker pull off good behavior in the art gallery? What if Sam is there too? 

If you've never been to Chuck E. Cheese's for a birthday, this video above will give you a taste of what it's like. You're welcome! For the record: yes, I loved the ball pit as a kid. No, gigantic mechanical rats don't creep me out at all! Yes, I am a parent and as a parent I've done my time at Chuck E. Cheese's. Yes, when my kid suggests we go there, I have a convenient excuse lined up as to why we can't (I'm sorry, the car no longer turns in that direction, son). Yes, skee ball is still totally fun to play as an adult.

Votes today go towards the poor guy wearing the Chuck E. costume  who has to endure getting kicked in the balls by a little kid on their way to playground bullyhood. Obviously, Rhys and his friends are kind, respectful, rat-loving children, but you know the bully kids are out there, waiting for an unsuspecting mascot to round the corner. Let's use those votes to give that guy a well earned vacation.

Hey, my entry for Syfy's #BattletheBeast contest made the Top 10 Finalist List! It's called VESTIGE and is on my profile if you're interested. Yay!