Collins was busy getting Angel up to date on the group of friends as they made their way together to the school exit. Angel was amazed at how easy it was to speak to Collins- they fitted together so well and he was very good at telling funny stories. She loved the way he was so laid-back, but at the same time an anarchist who would stand up for social justice. He was mid-way through telling her how he and Maureen had staged a protest in the school canteen forcing the school to start serving vegetarian food when they reached a junction.

"Would you like to come back to mine for abit?" He asked not wishing to rush the story and reluctant to say goodbye to her.

"I'm sorry" she began and his face fell as he replied "don't worry about it."

"No" She clarified, "It's not that I don't want to, it's just I have other plans." Then deciding she had to get it in the open straight away she continued "I have a Life Support Meeting Later. Yes this body provides a comfortable home for the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome." She held her breath. This was it, fear of catching it and the stigma attached to the disease would make him run from her.

"As does mine." She couldn't hold back the squeal that escaped from her at his words. He raised an eyebrow at her response but she happily continued "we'll get along fine. Why don't you come with me? I just have to change first."

"Change?" He questioned surprised. "Is there a dress code for Life Support?"

"You'll see" was all she said

Collins looked up to the house they were approaching eager to see where Angel lived.

"So this is your house." He said looking it over.

"Actually it's Mimi's" she replied ringing the doorbell.

"Why are you getting changed at Mimi's?" He asked confused, but all he got in response was another mystic "you'll see".

Mimi looked surprised to see Collins there with Angel and gave her a questioning look, however Angel's attention was attracted by the television screen. Following her gaze Collins was surprised her attention was so taken with a black and white 1930's film of a couple dancing.

"It's 'Carefree'" she exclaimed.

"One of their most underrated films" Mimi said knowledgeably.

"That's because there aren't enough songs in it." Angel muttered eyes still fixed on the screen.

"Um what is this?" Collins asked not wishing to break the mood, but rather confused.

Though Angel was still transfixed by the dancing (and the dress) she managed to answer "'Carefree' is a film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This is the number 'I used to be colorblind'"

Not convinced that this made things clearer Collins asked, "I thought you were getting changed?"

"In a minute" Angel replied. "They're about to kiss. As they did Angel and Mimi let out twin sighs though Collins was bemused that Angel should so enjoy a straight kiss- even if it did look pretty romantic.

Turning back to Collins Angel said "I'm just going to get changed; I'll be back in a minute."

"Feel free to change channels." Mimi added before going up the stairs with her.

"Are you sure about this chica?" Mimi asked as they entered her bedroom.

"I can't stand all this not knowing" she replied determinedly applying her make up. "I need to find out what he thinks. If he hates it I'll be glad I found out now and if he likes it…" She couldn't begin to put into words how amazing it would be. It had been her dream for so long to be someone's girlfriend. She wanted to have everything she saw in the black and white movies: the romance, the glamour and of course the outfits. Yet she had always convinced herself not to set her heights too high- she had to be realistic if she didn't want to break down with the unfairness of it all. But there was something about Collins that made her trust him, made her believe she could have her dream. Please please could she not be wrong about this.

After having a quick rummage through Angel's clothes (most ending up on the floor) she selected a red skirt, green tights, white and green top and her favourite black platforms. Over this she put her red jacket then studied herself in the mirror.

"I'm really proud of you" Mimi said quietly. Angel responded by drawing her friend into a tight hug.

"Are you ready?" Mimi asked drawing back. Angel nodded and started to the door, before rushing back to put a red flower in her hair. Then she headed downstairs her heart beating faster than normal- so much rested on these next few moments.

As Collins looked up at her she smiled at him until she reached the bottom of the stairs to stand in front of him. Her smile started to falter as he remained silent staring at her.

Collins had turned around on hearing the footsteps on the stairs wondering why it had taken him so long to get changed. Then he saw. It had been the last thing he expected him to be wearing, but in a way it seemed right. He- or should that be she- looked incredible. The bob wig really accentuated her pretty feminine features and her legs in those tights… Collins swallowed. As she reached him it was her eyes that again caught his attention. They had been striking before but with the smoky eyeshadow and lashes made longer with mascara they were stunning.

Hurriedly he noticed the nervous flicker in her eyes and realised he had not said anything.

"Wow" he managed to say wondering what it was about her that made it so difficult to speak. "You look beautiful." He said sincerely. Angel looked up at him hopefully though still hesitant as though she couldn't believe his response. "I mean it Angel" he assured at her, "just… look at you… wow… you look… stunning." She placed a finger on his lips giggling happily at his stuttering. The relief and happiness she felt at his reaction mixed with an unfamiliar emotion and welled up inside her making her feel warm inside.

"You're only the second person who's seen me like this" she whispered her hands moving to rest on his shoulders.

"It really suits you" he murmured cupping her face in his hands and kissing her gently on the lips. The kiss was sweet and tender, not much more than a brushing of their lips, but to both it felt intoxicating. Collins brushed his fingers down her cheek loving the sweet way she sighed into the kiss. As she pulled back Angel smiled slightly as she saw him.

"Honey, I've got some lipstick on you" she giggled whilst using her finger to wipe it off.

"Well that's a new experience" he commented. "Still I suppose I could get used to it" he decided starting to pull her towards him again.

"Chica! Bag!" Mimi's voice interrupted as she called down from her room. Sighing Angel went back to the room passing Mimi who was coming back down the stairs.

"Oops, was I interrupting something?" Mimi asked seeing the look on her face.

"Just slightly" Collins replied drily.

"Good" Collins raised an eyebrow at Mimi's response. "Not good that I interrupted, good that there was something" Mimi explained making Collins chuckle.

Then before Angel returned he quickly asked "how does Angel like to be referred to? 'He' or 'she'?"

"She" Mimi clarified "She'd love to be a girl."

"Honey we have to go" Angel said as bounced (there really was no other word for it) down the stairs. "Bye" she said to Mimi with a little wave of her fingers "see you later."

"Let's go girl" Collins said holding out his arm to Angel and she felt slightly teary as she took it. She had watched so many films, envied so many girls she passed in the street for being able to have something she could not, yet here she was living it for herself. Never had she been happier to go to Life Support.

Please review and let me know what you think of this chapter. Worried they all went OOC.