Song and Dance

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Scooby Doo and all related characters are the property of Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., and /or Cartoon Network. Names characters, locations, and events are fabricated from the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, locations or events is entirely coincidental.

Chapter One: The Problem

Part One: Getting Ready

'Daphne Blake, you need a new boyfriend'. She had come to this decision while sitting in a bubble bath in the Blake mansion. What had brought on the decision was the fact that Daphne had had only three serious boyfriends.

The first had been 'the kid'. She couldn't even remember his name now. 'Good bye kid.'

The second had been older, handsome and a smooth dancer…and married. She had dumped him immediately! 'Good bye tall, dark and handsome.'

The third had been Fred. Good old Freddie. They had made excuses to 'search for clues' at the beginning but were clueless when it came to their relationship. They had finally decided to go their separate ways; she had heard from friends that he had left town. 'Good bye Freddie.'

It was Halloween and friends had invited her to a costume dance and with her parents gone on some convention, at Halloween yet, and the butler being off she found herself either going to the dance or house sitting. It hadn't been a hard decision.

She had always liked the romance and adventure of 'Gone with the Wind' and selected a lavender gown that fit the southern belle motif perfectly. An off the shoulder affair with the hint of alluring cleavage and brought out the highlights in her scarlet tresses.

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Part Two: The Dance

She gazed over the crowd, checking out who else had showed up. One guy was dressed in a tutu; he had obviously been drinking and she marked him off immediately. She liked adventure and a little craziness but that was pushing the issue a bit far. Most of the other men were friends or friends of friends…or married. Not a whole lot to choose from in the prospective boyfriend department. And then she saw him…

'Oh, great! Him!' she wanted no part in an ex-boyfriend and especially not him. He was talking to some blond but not paying much attention to her as his eyes swept over the crowd as she had. She started to turn her head but his eyes found hers.
Daphne shook her head 'no' when he pointed to the refreshment table and the wine glasses; she wanted no part of him or the fuzzy head feeling wine gave her. One glass was her limit and then only occasionally, and she didn't want a fuzzy head tonight.

"Well, Miss Blake, I didn't expect to see you here. What a pleasant surprise." he said walking up to her. She fluttered the fan that came with the costume, hiding the lower part of her face.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced suh" she said in her best southern drawl.

"Then may I correct the omission, the name is Butler, Rhett Butler. I like my drinks shaken, not stirred. Sorry, I couldn't resist" he smiled that smile that at one time would have left her knees weak and her shaking.
"Are you from the Savanna Butler's?"
"You must be thinking of my cousin's branch of the family my dear…I think I know this song, would you do me the honor of this dance?" He held out his hand in invitation.

Of course he knew the song! They had danced to it enough times in the past. Daphne wanted to say 'no, thank you' and brush him off but instead found her hand in his and her saying "Thank you, I'd love too". What was she thinking! She didn't want or need to awaken old memories.

Daphne found her well-known spot in his arms as they danced. He let her twirl away until only their fingers touched, then spinning back into his arms leading her into a 'dip'. It felt so comfortable; being in his arms again.

Daphne twirled away a second time, spinning back; he leaning her back into the 'dip', her long red hair brushing the floor, his eyes boring into hers. Those eyes that a girl could find herself lost in if she wasn't careful. The song ended and he lifted her onto her feet.

So they had had one dance together; big deal. She could ditch him and that would be the end of the matter. The band leader said "Ladies choice" and the band started a slow number, the lights dimming. "Suh, would you care to dance with me again?" she found herself saying in her southern drawl. He answered by taking her in those memorable arms, pulling her cozily against him. 'Be careful Daphne, you're slipping into old habits' she thought.

She hated to admit it but she was beginning to take pleasure in being in his arms again; she had noticed a change in him. Subtle true, but there. Before when they danced, it was as if she was on display, a "look but don't touch. She's mine' type of attitude. Before it had to be him in the spotlight; he would add his own interpretation to the dance steps, leaving her trying to catch up or completely lost. Tonight he had let her be the one in the spotlight; leading her comfortably through the dance steps. It was subtle, yes, but a nice change. She began to think of 'second chances'.

"You've made quite a name for yourself" he broke her train of thoughts. "I've read some of your articles."
"Keeping tabs on me?" she looked into those eyes and felt herself slipping away.
"No, not at all; they were very good. The article on the little boy who saved the dog that had fallen into a well was as good any veteran writer."
'So he had read one article and now was using it to impress me. Well, it's not going to work this time!' she thought.

"Did you catch the follow up article?" 'Let's see if he's done his homework.' she added.
"Yes, I did. I travel a lot on business; I was impressed that he went to all that effort to find the owner. I don't run into many people who would do that in business let alone for a dog."

The dance came to an end; he stepped away, but continued to hold her hand lightly.
"What business are you in now?" Why was she holding on! She should be talking excuses to get away, not continuing the encounter! But it would get the topic off her and onto him.

"My business requires a lot of travel; in fact I have to catch a plane early in the morning…this morning now."
Well that told her a lot; a lot of nothing!
"Where are you headed?"
"I can't tell you that because I don't know. My instructions will be given to me on the plane."

"Sounds like government spy stuff."
"Not for the government but it is government related. Daphne, I do have to catch that plane…have you eaten…would you have dinner with me?"
He hadn't denied the 'spy' part of her question; her reporter instincts perked up.

"Are you inviting me out on a 'date'?"
He laughed that laugh of his, "Yes Daphne, I'm inviting you on a 'date'. Sounds funny after…" he didn't finish and he broke the eye contact.

Two dances! That should have ended it.
"Two conditions…one, we use your car; they have security and I'm sure we won't be the only ones leaving; I can pick up my car after dinner. Maybe we can be back for a last dance. Second…I pick the restaurant."