Chapter 142 - Private Show

Cate and Jon walked side-by-side to the Dining Hall, followed closely by Danny, George, Steve, and Troy. As they wandered down the sidewalk in the bright sunshine Jon was easily recognized by almost everyone who passed by. Word had gotten out that he would be the entertainment for the graduation ceremony and the guitar case in his hand was an unmistakable clue to his identity, though his blue eyes were hidden behind dark pewter-rimmed sunglasses.

Jon responded to calls from students and staff with smiles and waves, though he didn’t stop to chat. He was eager to get to the luncheon, to enjoy some time with Cate. He was also looking forward to his spontaneous encore.

Cate led Jon into the Dining Hall’s banquet room and they picked out seats at a round table at the back of the room. Jon placed his guitar case against the wall before pulling out Cate’s chair for her. As he leaned forward to push the chair in as she sat, her sweet scent filled his senses. He closed his eyes briefly as he prayed that very soon he would be able to hold her close and breathe her in once again.

Soon the banquet room was filled with beaming new Special Agents and their proud families and friends. The atmosphere was jubilant, especially when the first glass of champagne was raised by Bobby in the traditional instructor’s toast.

Lunch was served and the program got off to a rollicking start with a good-natured roast of Bobby and other selected instructors by their former students. Jon laughed long and hard at the barbs thrown by the graduates and at the instructors’ sarcastic off-the-cuff replies. His enjoyment of the program was enhanced by the melodious sound of Cate’s laughter and the occasional brush of her arm against his as they sat next to each other. He couldn’t stop himself from sneaking sidelong glances at her, his heart twinging with every glimpse of her smile.

After the roast was finished Bobby presented several special awards that were voted upon by the class and by the instructors. He handed out certificates and gag gifts to the former students who were “Most Likely To” shoot themselves in the foot, drop their badges in the toilet, and grow the ugliest moustaches, among other dubious distinctions. He also recognized the peer-selected “Team Player” award, given to the new agent identified by her classmates as the most inspirational member of their group. After the awards, the Class Leader came forward to present the class legacy, announcing that the group would be planting a tree along the Center’s Walk of Heroes.

After the presentations there was a lull in the action while the lunch plates were cleared and dessert was served. Jon saw his chance. “Now?” he asked Cate quietly, wanting to know if it would be appropriate for him to surprise the audience with a song.

“Sure,” she nodded with a smile. “Knock yourself out.”

Jon smiled back but didn’t respond. He rose from his seat and stepped to the back wall. Quickly removing his black Takamine from its case he turned and strolled toward the front of the room.

Danny leaned forward in his seat, opposite Jon’s empty chair. “What’s he doing?” he asked Cate with a little smirk. “Need a little more Rock Star ego-stroking?”

Cate snorted a little chuckle at his comment. “No. He asked me earlier if he should offer to play something impromptu here. I told him to do it.”

“Ah, so this is for you.” Danny gave Cate a knowing look. “One last private show?”

“No!” Cate protested. “It’s for the grads and their families.”

Danny chuckled at Cate’s defensive tone. Sure, Slick, he thought, deciding not to press the issue. He just hoped Cate would be able to make it through this little performance. Though she had relaxed somewhat since the ceremony he knew she was still just hanging on to her composure.

The room filled with excited murmurs as Jon walked slowly between the tables toward the front of the room, chatting briefly with several students along the way. Looking around, Cate saw practically every person in the room scrambling for cameras, cell phones, and video recorders. They all knew something special was about to happen.

When he reached the front of the room Jon turned and smiled at the eager audience. “So…” he said. “Can I have a turn?” He laughed as a chorus of “yeahs” rang out in response. Settling on a chair hastily provided by one of the new grads, Jon strummed a few chords on his ebony guitar. “Well, since you were all nice enough to indulge me at your ceremony and listen to a new song…” he paused. “Did you like it, by the way?”

Again Jon’s question was met with a resounding affirmative response, and he grinned. “Good. Anyway, I thought maybe I’d play a couple things you guys wanted to hear. Any requests?” He paused again with a little twinkle in his eye as he was bombarded with shouted song titles. Laughing, he nodded eagerly. “Okay, okay… let’s kick it off with an oldie but a goodie.” He hit the opening chord.

Tommy used to work on the docks…

Jon led the room in an enthusiastic singalong of “Living on a Prayer” before launching into “It’s My Life.” Cate watched him perform with a bittersweet little smile playing over her lips. It was obvious Jon was in his element, thoroughly enjoying his interaction with the audience. The joy in his smile warmed her soul.

“All right, one more from the jukebox,” Jon announced after finishing the song. He paused to take a sip of water from a glass an attentive waitress had provided. “But first, if you’ll humor me just one more time, there’s a little something I’d like to do.” Jon paused and looked around the room, his gaze finally turning to Cate. His eyes remained on her as he continued.

“Like I said earlier, these last two weeks have been, for me, and awe-inspiring experience. I came here to learn how to pretend to be a cop.” He gave a little chuckle. “And thanks to your tough and talented instructors, I think I can now do that at least halfway convincingly.” His self-depricating comment was met with soft giggles from across the room.

“But let me tell you, as your instructors showed me what all goes into ‘building’ a Special Agent, I became more and more humbled by the fact that young men and women like you, like your teachers, are willing to go out in the world and put your lives on the line every day, without hesitation or expectation. You really are everyday heroes.” Jon nodded as if to punctuate his statement.

“And I know you can all appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of those who have gone before you in this noble profession. I know you all look up to these fine instructors who have given you the training and the tools to carry on the tradition they helped build.” Jon paused and smiled at Cate. “I know I sure as Hell do.”

Jon waited as a wave of spontaneous applause rippled through the audience. “Anyway,” he continued. “I’ve been truly inspired by what I’ve seen here, by the people I’ve met. In fact, these past couple weeks I’ve had these words and this tune running around in my head and I knew I had to get it out on paper before it drove me crazy.” Jon chuckled as he dropped his eyes to his hand on the strings of his guitar. He strummed a few chords, then looked up.

“So, I have one more sneak-preview for you, if you’ll indulge me one more time.” He smiled at the ready agreement from his audience, then looked back at Cate. She was staring at him, wide-eyed, her full lips parted. He could tell she realized what he hadn’t fully revealed, that she was the inspiration for this song. He gave her a tender smile. “This one is so new that nobody’s heard it, not even Richie. It’s still a little rough, but next week we’re gonna record it for the new album.”

Ignoring the excited murmurs all around him, Jon continued to gaze at Cate. “This is a… well, kind of a love song. It’s about giving your strength to someone in need, about holding out your hand and saying 'I’m here'.” His voice softened. “It’s called ‘Superman Tonight.’ “

Cate’s lips trembled as she drew in a surprised breath. She sat stock-still, unable to move as Jon began to play. She recognized the notes that sang from his fingers on the frets as the same ones she had heard him playing at the villa when she had awakened in his bed.

Jon’s voice floated across the room, soft and mournful. Breathlessly Cate gazed at him, her eyes meeting his as Jon offered her his confession in lyrics and melody.

There’s something about you
I want to rescue
I don’t even know you, so what does that mean?

Maybe I’m cynical
Painfully logical
You’re tragic and beautiful
But that’s good enough for me

You’re looking for a hero
But it’s just my old tattoo
Tonight I swear I’d sell my soul
To be a hero for you

Who’s gonna save you
When the stars fall from your sky
Who’s gonna pull you in
When the tide gets too high
Who’s gonna hold you
When you turn out the lights
I won’t lie
I wish that I
Could be your Superman tonight

Jon felt his heart swell as he sang to Cate, only to Cate. Even though they were in a room full of people, she was the only one who mattered. He had to make her understand with this song. He had to make her realize that she couldn’t walk away. He had to convince her that she could trust him with her heart, that he would never betray her. She had to know, so she could believe.

If somebody sent you
An angel to save you
What would you tell him to turn him away?
That your heart don’t break?
That your lips don’t kiss?
That life is just a lie?
That Heaven don’t exist?

Cate’s heart clenched painfully at the words that slipped from Jon’s perfect lips. She heard in his lyrics his frustration and heartache with her attempts to push him away so that she wouldn’t fall for him, so she wouldn’t be hurt. He had so perfectly captured the emotion with just a few brief phrases. She felt her eyes moisten as she sat motionless, hanging on his every word and note.

Who’s gonna save you
When the stars fall from your sky
Who’s gonna pull you in
When the tide gets too high
Who’s gonna hold you
When you turn out the lights
I won’t lie, I wish that I
Could be your Superman tonight

Who’s gonna fix you
The next time you break down?
Stranded alone by the side of the road
It’s your baggage that’s dragging you down
Don’t look back
Let it go…

Jon paused for a moment, letting the melodious chord ring through the silence of the room. His eyes locked with Cate’s and he saw that she understood. Let it go, Baby. All that pain in your past. Please. For us, he begged her silently. Then he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, letting out a soft wail of emotion before repeating the chorus, strumming furiously on his guitar.

Oh, oh….
Oh, oh ohhh…..

Who’s gonna save you
When the stars fall from your sky
Who’s gonna pull you in
When the tide gets too high
Who’s gonna hold you
When you turn out the lights
I won’t lie, I wish that I
Was that Superman

Who’s gonna save you
When the stars fall from your sky
Who’s gonna pull you in
When the tide gets too high
Who’s gonna hold you
When you turn out the lights
I won’t lie I wish that I
Could be your Superman tonight

Your Superman tonight
Be your Superman tonight
Tonight

Jon strummed the last chord, then dropped his head as he heard the room erupt with applause and cheers. He smiled gratefully and raised his head, looking around the room with a couple little nods before returning his gaze to Cate.

He watched as she swallowed hard, her lashes fluttering as her eyes sparkled. She wet her lips with the tip of her tongue as if to speak, but could only shake her head. The tiny upward curve of her mouth told him she was moved beyond words.

Jon gave her a little nod and a tender smile, then tore his gaze away from her. He had a show to finish.

“So, what do ya think?” he asked, drawing in a deep breath. Jon smiled at the enthusiastic comments and cheers from the group. “Well, thanks. I like it too,” he grinned. “Okay, so I promised you one more from the jukebox…. How about this?” Jon grinned broadly as his fingers danced over the Takamine’s strings, picking out the opening to “Wanted Dead or Alive.”

His gaze swept across the room, noting the grinning faces of the graduates and their guests as they sang along with the first verse of his most famous song. When his eyes returned to the back table, he saw something that made his heart clench.

Cate’s chair was empty.

Jon’s eyes snapped immediately to Danny. Danny arched an eyebrow, then slowly and slightly shook his head.

Jon closed his eyes, continuing to play and sing on auto-pilot. Dammit. She was gone.