Dancing with Stars

Hi friends! This is my first SSD story I'll be posting. I'm sort of working on two others, but decided to start posting this one. I recently re-watched every episode and movie of SSD and it reminded me how much I love it and our lovable Postables! I truly hope To the Altar wasn't the last we'll see of them. It was so amazing! This is my way of keeping it going! lol :D

This story directly follows Higher Ground.

The Postables find a lost letter that lead them to go to extravagant lengths in order to ensure it gets to its intended recipient more than a year later. Shane and Oliver find the contents of the letter and its delivery touch them on a personal level and bring them closer together.

Written for entertainment only!

Chapter 1

Shane looked at the time on her watch, seeing that she probably wasn't going to have time to stop and get her coffee before getting into the DLO. She was running a bit late this morning. She let out a rushed breath as she slipped on her heels and stepped outside.

She locked her door and hurried down the steps but when she looked up she was surprised to see Oliver standing outside his car with two coffees in hand.

Her heart skipped a beat at seeing him waiting for her looking so incredibly handsome. She couldn't keep back the smile that swept her face as she walked over. His eyes were on her the whole way, this charming smile on his face.

"Oliver? What a really nice surprise" she said as she stepped in front of him. He smiled as he held out her coffee "I hope you don't mind us-uh...me picking you up for work this morning"

She smiled "I most definitely do not mind; in fact, you are a life-saver! I was running a bit late this morning and wasn't sure I'd have time to even get coffee" she said as she held up hers and took a grateful sip.

He chuckled. Her eyes met his again and she felt butterflies at the captivating look in his eyes as he looked at her. His eyes seemed to look into her heart. "You are looking quite...radiant this morning" he said in a low voice.

She blushed "Well, Mr. O'toole, you are looking pretty amazing, yourself" she said with a playful smile as she took him in. He was wearing a light blue checked button up shirt and black pants, his sleeves were rolled up and he had no tie, so he was looking quite attractive. Those eyes of his seemed to sparkle as he looked at her and the smile that swept his face made her heart flutter.

"Perhaps, we should be on our way" he said clearing his throat.

She nodded in agreement "Right!"

He quickly opened the door for her and she smiled "thank you"

"My pleasure" he said in a charming tone before he went around the car.

She took her seat, trying to calm her racing heart. Since they kissed at the DLO and spent that night reading her letters to him together, she couldn't stop smiling or keep her heart from racing at the thought of him. Of them.

Finally, they were moving forward…

When he got in the car, he looked to her with a smile and she found herself unable to keep from leaning across and placing a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, Oliver."

Oliver lifted her hand to his lips and placed a sweet kiss, resulting in her to smile again.

She was looking more than radiant this morning. Her smile was breathtaking, her golden curls shining in the sunlight, and her blue eyes sparkling like the sky. The white and blue dress she had on was quite flattering as well, and he felt his breath catch when she had stepped outside of her house and walked toward him.

They rode into work together, Shane enjoying her coffee and her company very much, while Oliver was contemplating on whether or not this was an appropriate time to ask her to dinner. By the time he decided on simply asking her, he found himself parking his car.

He sighed, and figured it must not be the right time. Shane watched Oliver curiously. It seemed he had something on his mind, but she didn't want to push him, so she enjoyed the coffee and the drive, sneaking glances at him along the way.

They walked into the DLO to find Norman and Rita already in. Shane walked over to Rita with a bright smile and hugged her tightly "Rita! Oh I missed you so much!"

"Shane! Oh, I'm so glad you're back!" Rita hugged her friend excitedly.

Shane smiled "And I am so happy for you and Norman!" she cheered excitedly

Rita blushed and blurted "I'm so excited too!" she grinned brightly causing Shane to laugh, while Rita beamed as she looked over to Norman who was smiling back at her.. "Aww, I wish I could have been here when it happened" Shane admitted regrettably.

Rita nodded "Me too"

"Perhaps we should all have a special evening together to celebrate your engagement...and Miss McInerny being back" Oliver suggested, while Shane's eyes lit up with a bright smile "Oh yes! That's a great idea, Oliver! Norman, Rita, what do you say?" she asked as she saw the smiles on their faces as they nodded.

"We are glad you are back, Shane" Norman said, causing Shane to smile "Me too, Norman. This is my home" she said and took a sneaking glance to Oliver who was watching her.

She bit her lip and looked back to Rita who was looking at her with a knowing smile.

"So, let's get this day going!" Shane exclaimed and started to remove her jacket. Once she did, she smiled when Oliver held his hand out to take it from her. She handed it to him, but their hands brushed and she felt her breath catch as Oliver's eyes met hers.

He smiled and took the jacket and hung it on the coat rack. Shane smiled, but when she turned back to walk over to her desk that Oliver put back for her, Norman and Rita were looking at her with curious smiles. She blushed, especially when Rita rushed over to her with an excited squeal and said "Oh my gosh, Shane, did something happen between you and Oliver when you came back?"

Shane blushed and said "Rita...shh...I'll tell you later"

Rita shrugged "Oh, fine!"

"Shall we pick a letter?" Oliver said as he brought over a stack of letters and placed them on Shane's desk.

They looked expectantly as Oliver's hand hovered over the letters, but then he stopped and said "Shane, would you like to do the honors?" he suggested.

She looked at him in surprise, as he called her Shane instead of . "Me?" she asked, her eyes looking into his. He smiled "Yes, you...Shane" he repeated with a playful smile.

"Ok" Shane smiled "...Oliver"

Oliver's smile grew brighter. Norman and Rita exchanged glances and smiles as they watched the two. Shane finally tore her eyes away from Oliver and looked to the letters, a dark red envelope that had a small rip in the corner caught her eye.

She picked it up and held it out to Oliver who smiled as he took it. He looked to the envelope and said "It appears that the writing has been smeared due to water damage. Perhaps rain? There's also a rip in the top left corner, unfortunately distorting the sender's name and address; though, considering the stamp, it appears to be delivered from Argentina" Oliver noted and then held it out to Norman for inspection.

"Argentina?!" Rita exclaimed. Shane was intrigued as well, and couldn't wait to open it.

Norman looked it over and said "The stamp is certainly from Argentina, more specifically Buenos Aires. The writing, though illegible, suggest the sender is most likely male, early thirties."

"You never cease to amaze me, Norman!" Shane said in awe that he could gather such information just from the writing, which was practically ruined! Norman smiled, and Shane simply wanted to find out more. "Can I take a look?" Shane asked, and once she had it in her hand she and Rita looked it over together.

"Oh, look, this looks like it says Washington D.C." Rita exclaimed. Shane nodded "Good, Rita! The name is pretty badly ruined, but the first three letters look like J...a...c? And the last name kind of looks like Willow or...Wilson?"

"So we have a sender from Argentina, a recipient potentially from Washington D.C. and possibly someone with the name of ...Jack?" Oliver reiterated.

"Can we open it now?!" Shane exclaimed and Oliver smiled at her impatience and insatiable curiosity. He handed her his letter opener and she smiled as she took it, recollecting when he'd given it to her the night before to open the letters she wrote to him.

She quickly slid the opener through the flap ripping open the envelope. She pulled out the letter eagerly and when she unfolded it something fell out.

"Oh, it appears that there was something accompanying the letter" Oliver said as he picked it up from the floor and looked at it curiously, seeing that it was a jeweled flower clip of some sort.

"Wow, that is so pretty!" Rita exclaimed as she caught a glimpse of it. Shane nodded "It's beautiful!"

"What is it, exactly?" Oliver asked, looking to Norman who shrugged. Shane took it from him "It's a hair pin!" Shane said as she looked at it. The pin was silver and had a stoned turquoise flower and a beautiful sparkling diamond in the center.

"Is that a real diamond?" Rita asked; Norman came over 'May I?"

Shane handed it to him and he took the pin over to his station where he found his magnifying glass to inspect it. He nodded "The diamond is definitely real, the stones surrounding it are not, though."

"Wow!" Rita came over. "Who would mail a real diamond?!"

Shane picked up the letter again and said "Let's read the letter. Maybe it will mention the pin!"

"Oliver... would... you like to read it?" She asked as she held the letter to him. He smiled and took it from her, their hands brushing, yet again, causing his heart to notice, even such a miniscule touch. Their eyes seemed to be held by magnets. Since she'd been back, he felt everything with her was heightened, even a simple look or innocent touch.

He noticed her cheeks tinge with color at his clear distraction. He snapped back to the present moment, clearing his throat "Ehm...alright, shall we begin?"

They all nodded eagerly, Norman and Rita smiling at the obvious difference in Shane and Oliver's behavior; Shane bit her lip, trying to hide her smile at how lost Oliver was when their hands touched.

Oliver looked to the letter in his hand and began.

AN: Hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think so far! I'll have the next chapter posted soon! :D Thanks for reading!