Eddie Malone gazed at Adela Rodgers from across the floor. He felt somewhat lonely as she snapped pictures of the dancers and took interviews. Eddie was doing the same. His job was merely to get more then Hearst's reporter. But, there was a strange stirring in Eddie's gut. He didn't want to take pictures or do interviews for these important people. He wanted to know more about Miss Rodgers, he wanted pictures of her. He wanted to capture her pretty hazel eyes in one frozen moment and the shine of her ginger hair in sunlight.

Eddie sighed and shook his head, snapping another picture of the dancers waltzing around the floor. On his shoulder, Rusty recorded the music and the conversation whirling around Eddie's head. Abruptly, someone laid a hand on the reporter's opposite shoulder. Eddie jumped and whirled around in surprise. It was only his boss, Paul McGregor.

"Oh, Mr. McGregor," Eddie said with his cheeky grin, "hey there." McGregor was a short, skinny man with balding gray brown hair and dark brown eyes. He was a Irishman, coming to New York when he was a young boy—or at least, he said so.

"Hullo, Mr. Malone," replied McGregor gruffly. Eddie sighed, rolling his eyes at his boss' mood. Undoubtedly, he was getting himself twisted in knots over Miss Rodgers' presence. "How d'you think Hearst's reporter is doing?"

"Adela?" Eddie shrugged. McGregor arched an eyebrow and gave him a hard look.

"You two on a first name basis then?"

"Oh, no, sir," Eddie said hurriedly, his face heating up a bit. He glanced at Miss Rodgers out of the corner of his eye. She was looking at him almost quizzically, as though trying to see through him. His face warmed up again and tore his gaze back to McGregor.

"Just get something better then that woman," he said sternly, glaring at Eddie.

"Sure thing, Paul," Eddie smirked cheekily an turned away, snapping a useless picture. McGregor stormed off, muttering to himself.

~X~X~X~

That bartender must've done something to his drink. Eddie had no idea what he was moving toward Adela; without Rusty or his camera. He screamed inwardly at himself to stop but his legs had a different idea. Miss Rodgers with wearing a smirk and a cocked eyebrow as he hunkered down right next to her at the table.

"Well, now, Mr. Malone," she said, glancing around, "Your here without your stupid toad."

"Rusty is a frog, Miss Rodgers," corrected Eddie, smirking to himself as Adela snorted. The party already started late but now to was around ten at night, the proceedings starting to wrap up. The dancing in the beginning had been something of an inside joke but now, they were dead serious about the whole affair. It was all pretty ridiculous.

Miss Rodgers didn't reply, both or them lapsing into a bit of an awkward silence. Eddie glanced at Adela when he thought she wasn't looking but, she was. Both of them blinked and her face turned a light shade of pink. The New York reporter bit his lower lip, mauling over a possible a career ending decision.

"Miss Adela Rodgers, do you any clue how to dance?"

Miss Rodgers looked at him sharply, her brow furrowing. Eddie only turned a darker red.

"A little, Mr. Eddie Malone," she said, adding a faux teasing tone to her voice. "Why do you ask?" Eddie grinned at her sheepishly.

"Teach me?" he asked simply, in a soft voice. Adela stared at him, eyes wide. Then she laughed abruptly, a laugh like a dozen bells.

"Your crazy!" she giggled. Eddie's heart started to sink then she gave him a mischievous smile and grabbed his hand. "Let's go." There was something else underneath the wayward look; something the other reporter couldn't place. He fought a gleeful cackle and stood up, still holding her hand. She led him away and hovered around edges of the dance floor.

"This is absolutely crazy," she murmured to herself. Eddie squeezed her hand and she looked up at him as if realizing they were still touching. He gave her a reassuring smiled. She grinned back evilly.

"So, you've got no clue how to waltz?" she asked

"None," Malone chuckled. Adela sighed.

"It's easy when you get into the swing of it," she said. "Just..." She paused.

"What?"

"Well, the best way to learn to really do it!" Eddie felt dread settle into his stomach. "Let's go!"

"Wait- what?"

Adela didn't answer, dragging him onto the floor. Eddie turned a bright red as Adela grinned up at him. She guided his unused hand to her waist and drew close, making Eddie image he had turned the color of apple. She laughed a little as she forced his feet to move in right direction. Eddie swore darkly as he stepped on her feet. Adela only giggled again.

He picked up quickly enough. He wondered how they looked, laughing like idiots and barely knowing what they were doing in the midst of a bunch of men and women who were completely serious. Out of the corner of Eddie's eye, he saw Paul standing over Rusty and his camera. McGregor's mouth hanging open in shock as he stared.

"Real attractive, Paul," Eddie laughed.

"What?" inquired Adela curiously. He gestured at his boss with his head and she turned to look. She laughed.

"His face!"

"Exactly."

"Wait."

"What?"

"He's your boss."

Eddie was silent a moment.

"So he is." As he smiled down softly at Adela, a thought struck him. "But I don't care."

"You don't?" she blinked.

"Nah."

Eddie pulled her off the floor with a whirl and Adela let out a squeak of surprise that made him laugh. They wandered back to Miss Rodgers' table, absently hand-in-hand.

"It's only a job," he continued as they sat, "besides, I'm their best reporter."

"I'm better then you," joked Adela.

"Are not."

"Are to."

"Are to."

"Are not!"

"Are to!"

"Are-"

"Oh shut up."

Eddie grinned, embarrassed. Adela only rolled her eyes.

~X~X~X~

Eddie and Adela came out of the building, walking side-by-side. They had long since released each other's hands but Eddie was thinking about it again. He walked her to the curb where she hailed a taxi.

"Eddie," she said suddenly as a taxi pulled.

"Yes?" he replied cheerfully. She turned to face him, she wore a blush and a smile.

"Tonight wasn't as unbearable as I thought it'd be. Thanks."

"Hey, no prob-"

She cut him off with a swift kiss. Eddie stared down at her, his face heating up. As abruptly as she'd kissed him, she pulled away.

"See you around," she said, slipping into the cab. Eddie's throat was sealed off and felt as though he couldn't breathe.

"See ya," he mumbled when she was long gone. He smiled warmly to himself and turned, starting back his apartment at a swagger. He hoped he would see her like that again.