"Look, Charlotte," Tiana said, turning away from her. "I'm really glad that you invited me to dance and all; it was very nice of you." She looked out the window. Outside, the rest of New Orleans moved on. It was a dark night, but the city was lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Nice?" Charlotte sighed. "Tiana, I am your wife! I'm the only person who should be inviting you dancing."
Tiana looked back to her. Charlotte had her hands on her hips and was scowling.
"Oh, don't give me that look, Lottie. You act as if I've disgraced you."
"You turned down a lady to dance." She gestured towards herself. She was wearing a short pink dress and high heels, and her hair was in a bob. "I made sure to look my very best for you."
"I thought that you always tried to do that for me." Tiana shook her head once again. "I can't go, Lottie, and I'm sorry for that."
"Why not? You have your restaurant now."
"Yes, but..."
"Oh, what's your latest excuse?"
"I can't dance."
Charlotte stood as still as a statue, her eyes stuck on Tiana. After a moment, she began to move once more, though the shocked look on her face never left. "So you don't know how to dance?"
"None of the new stuff," Tiana said. "My mother did teach me a little of the classic; I at least know how to spin around."
Charlotte walked forward, her link high heels blacking on the floor. "Oh, you could have just told me!" She grinned. "I would be happy to show you how." She reached her hand out to Tiana.
Tiana took it, warmth running through her. "I'm sorry if I got you worried earlier, but it's true. Back before I got my restaurant, I never had time to dance."
"Well, that is about to change." Charlotte stood as straight as a board. "Tonight, you are going to learn how to dance."
Charlotte spoke the truth. There was no better dance instructor that Tiana could think of. Charlotte moved with grace, helping Tiana along the way.
"Am I doing it right?" Tiana asked.
The two had cleared out the living room to make room for them to dance in the center.
"You're doing great."
"Really?"
"I've definitely taught worse!"
Tiana chuckled.
As the night wore on, the lights outside the windows turned off. Still, the ones in the living room stayed on. Shadows grew deeper, though Tiana and Charlotte hardly noticed.
By the time that Tiana had mastered a number of dances, it was morning. Neither questioned it, just fell into bed.
"Tiana," Charlotte whispered.
"Yes?" Tiana said with a yawn. She pulled the blankets up around herself tighter.
"We can go out dancing some other night. What we did last night was a lot of fun."
"Yes," Tiana responded. "Yes it was."
In PATF, Tiana remarks that she does not have time for dancing, even if she can dance. Then it hit me: She doesn't know that much dance. Thus, this fic idea was born.
