#they should let karen belt out any song she wants on set. and record it

[peppermintquartz]

"You promise you'll babysit for three nights?" Karen squints at Tommy, holding up a pinky finger.

"Yes," Tommy says, hooking his pinky with hers. "Please. I need your help."

Karen grins. "Pick me up at seven."

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you," he gushes, and then just wraps her in a big hug.

--

Buck is trying to keep his knee from bouncing with nerves, but it's difficult not to feel nervous. The other team that is tied with the A-Siders - Tommy's trivia team - at the Blue Cat Lounge has come up strong ever since they brought on a neurosurgeon and sewn up the medical questions. Tommy said he knows someone who can level the playing field for the finals, and Buck wonders who it is.

When he hears Gill call out Tommy's name, Buck turns around in his seat, and then he squeals in glee. "Oh we are gonna kick so much ass!"

"Buck!" Karen jogs over and hugs him. "I hear my services are needed?"

"Yes! The Brainimaniacs have a neurosurgeon on their team. We have a medic, Gill, and he grew up with two doctor parents, so we kinda have a chance with the medical stuff sometimes? But engineering and physics and childhood education? That's totally your forte." Buck pushes her into the booth and kisses Tommy fondly. "You have found the perfect fourth member!"

Gill introduces himself and leans across the table to speak with Karen. "He did tell you that you may have to sing, right?"

Karen nods brightly. "Yeah. I'm not too bad, I think?"

Buck bumps his fist with Tommy.

--

They tie at the end of the mandatory three rounds, so now it's time for the sing-off. Buck is designated driver that night, and Tommy and Gill are swaying along with the Brainimaniacs' rendition of "It Takes Two". At least they're not drunk enough to clap for their rivals.

"Alrighty, paying customers!" The host, Lorne, adjusts their tiara as they go up on stage. Their green suit sparkles in the limelight. "Remember, your coasters will be your votes! A-Siders, send up your singer or singers!"

Buck and Tommy slide out of the booth and offer their arms to Karen, who places a hand in each man's elbow and walks regally to the stage.

"Ooh, you're a beautiful new face. A-Siders, I'm tempted to vote for you already, if I hadn't sworn to Dolly that I'd be impartial," says Lorne. They offer Karen the microphone. "Wanna tell us a little about yourself, and also what you're gonna sing?"

"Well, I'm a lesbian scientist married to a super hot firefighter who isn't here, but my friends in the team are all queer firefighters, and I think we can agree that they are all heroes. Which is why, I'm gonna do my best to pay tribute to Mariah."

Oohs and aahs ripples out through the audience. Someone in another part of the bar calls out, "High risk, high reward!"

Karen winks in that direction. Then she points to her table. "Tommy, Buck, video. You're gonna save it and send it to me afterwards."

Already holding up his phone, Buck cheers and whoops out loud. Tommy shouts out, "Kick their asses!"

Lorne bows and steps out of the light. The first bars begins to play.

Karen holds up the microphone.

And brings down the house.

--

"I knew you're the best!" Buck yells.

Tommy plants a big kiss on Karen's cheek and grins so wide his eyes are all squished up in his crinkles. Buck hugs her for the fifth time since Lorne handed them the trophy and placed their tiara on top of her head.

Gill hugs the trophy and drunkenly takes several group photos. "We are the CHAMPIONS!" he sings out, off key, and the quartet sings the rest of the chorus together, arm in arm, and Buck laughs as he leads the other three to Tommy's car.

Yep, having Karen at karaoke trivia night is as close to cheating as you can get.

--

(link to Tracie Thoms singing Hero if you've never heard her rendition)