Chapter 8

Cody had managed to make Reno by 4 pm after having showered then pulled on his best jeans and shirt he had with him before he climbed into Frank's truck. The last bit of business before he left had been to check in with Commander Tucker. Greg Tucker had transferred in from Montana where he'd left a Deputy Sheriff position to become the new Commander of the High Mountain Rangers. He'd worked in his off hours with a search and rescue group up in the Rockies near the Tetons. He was a quiet guy unless you got him riled up, but he also had a big heart and a soft spot for Cody.

Greg knew Cody's background and knew the reason why he was the one that returned to the Sierras while his father and brother stayed in San Francisco. He also was well aware of Cody's feelings on the whole situation. So he looked out for him the best he could and knew Cody did a lot around the station when he was here during the weekends, pulling his own weight and then some, not to mention Frank, Robin and Izzy all loved him like a little brother.

Cody found a parking space about four blocks down from the arena, the walk was easy enough and the weather was good. A huge banner across the front of the arena proclaimed that he was at the right place. 'Tri-state Ballroom Dance Grand Championship Competition' it said with the dates underneath. He climbed the steps and once inside, headed to the ticket counter. The bored ticket seller didn't bother look at him as she passed him the ticket after he'd handed her his cash.

He wandered around for a few minutes in the high ceilinged cement hallways as he figured out where he was to go and turned down the slanted ramp that led to the inside of the arena. He stood at the end of the tunnel and looked out over the huge open floor where at the moment children were showing off their waltzing skills. He took a program from an usher before he headed for his seat.

There were different colored lights that hung from rigs and a disco ball in the center of it all out over the open space in the center. The lights were turned down low around the outside of the dance floor so that all eyes would focus on the real reason they were all there. He was sitting on the west side eight rows back from the floor and had a very good view of the organized chaos from one of the side tunnels where dancers waited to be called to the floor. People moved in and out of the dancers, checking this, adjusting that.

He noticed the looks of irritation and dislike on some of the dancer's faces. It was the look of competition. But there were looks of smugness not to mention a hint of arrogance thrown in for good measure to speak of the ego that some of them outwardly displayed. He watched their faces, their body language and took in all that he could. He liked to people watch. You could learn a lot about a person by their body language and facial features when they thought no one was paying any attention to them.

As he watched the dancers begin to line up, jostling each other around some, he saw her. Bella was standing a little off by herself before someone that looked like he might be her instructor came up to check her outfit and shoes, then kissed her cheek as they began to call the dancers to the floor. He smiled to himself as he thought how cute she looked in her dress. His eyes focused on her as she and her partner were called to the floor. He marveled at how you would never know she was blind unless someone told you.


The dance was over and Bella was lead off the floor by Juan and then was quickly gathered up by Mathus who took her to the changing room. This was practiced routine as he got her out of last outfit and into her dress for the waltz. There was time since between the competition dances they had exhibition dances as well as beginner level displays. Bella knew the routine and stayed still with her hands over her head as Mathus lowered the dress over her tan tights and body sleeve. She put her arms down and helped to hold the dress in place as she was zipped into it.

He then quickly sat her in a chair and fussed with her hair, pulling it back into a French twist. A change of jewelry and a touch up on her makeup and she was done. Her shoes were the last and after checking them over, she slipped them on and buckled them at her ankles. A cold bottle of water was pressed into her hand as Mathus gave her a final look with a few moments of 'fluffing' as she called it and he was pulling her out of her seat and leading her back to the entrance where they were to wait for the next dance.

Mathus loved Bella and her feelings were mutual. He took care of her, helping her with her hair, her costume choices and colors as well as her makeup. He was a great teacher and he was so proud of her. She was a quick study and it only took once or twice of positioning her and walking her through the steps and movements of the dance for her to pick it up flawlessly. He could only hope that her future was brighter than her past was. She deserved to be happy and more. Her heart was a tender thing even though she rarely ever let anyone see the 'real' her. She had learned to be a great actress, putting on a brave, energetic and enthusiastic face for all-the-world to see. Some of what she put forward with her public face was part of the 'real' Bella, the rest she kept quietly hidden away.

Bella was led over to Juan as they came out of the changing room and she stayed next to him until it was their turn to be called out again.


If Cody thought Bella looked 'cute' in her first outfit, the outfit she now wore made her look absolutely stunning. She wore a beautiful satin blue ball gown with small straps at the shoulders. Her hair pulled back like that exposed her slender neck and delicate shoulders. Rhinestones caught the light from above and glinted as she moved. Her partner had changed jackets and was now wearing something that looked like a formal tuxedo style jacket with tails. The other women's dresses were different, all trimmed with feathers and fluff around the very bottom while Bella's had rhinestones embedded in a sparkling strip around the base of the voluminous dress.

He watched in fascination as she moved out with Juan to the floor and took up their positions. Even though he knew he was slightly biased, Bella and Juan had a classier look to them then the others. The strains of Blue Danube began to come from the speakers in the arena and he watched as she and Juan began to glide across the floor slowly to begin with and as the music began to pick up speed. The two of them seemed to float across the floor, her dress catching the lights and winking back at the audience with each and every turn. Cody was no judge of what was good or not in the world of Ballroom Dance but his gut told him she was the best one out there.

He was entranced through the entire dance and felt regret when the dance ended and the couples made their way off the floor. He would have enjoyed watching her dance like that all night. But like all good things, it came to an end too soon.

Two hours later, the dances had all been completed and the couples were called out one final time to await the results of the judging and find out who were the first place winners. Bella was exhausted and her legs felt like jell-o. She would give anything to simply sink into a tub of hot water and bubbles then climb into bed but she still had to suffer through the awards ceremony and the after effects of whatever was announced.

One by one, awards were given for each dance. They won first for the Waltz and the Tango, second for the Fox Trot but didn't place in the top three for the Rumba. Everyone quietly waited for the final numbers to be tallied. Just because they had won high points in three of the dances didn't guarantee that they would win first place. It was simply a matter of totaling the points. They could be two points above the second place winners and could have scored miserably with the Rumba to drop their point total.

The audience was silent as everyone waited for the final results to be announced. Six couples waited as third place was called, then second place. Juan and Bella were not called forward for either of these. Bella's heart was hammering so hard in her ears that she barely caught the fact that the first place winners had been announced and Juan was suddenly sweeping her out to the center of the floor to the roar of applause. She tried to keep the look of surprise from crossing her face and kept a smile plastered on her face as roses were placed in her arms.

She curtsied to the crowd and waved, only to get another round of applause. Her heart was still pounding loudly after all of the congratulations were given and the roses were taken from her arms as she and Juan were to lead the beginning of the open dance which always signaled the end of the competition. This was a time for everyone to come out from dancers to the audience. It always started out with a traditional song and ended with a few ballads or up beat songs. It was simply a social for everyone to 'rub elbows' and 'hob knob' as Mathus called it.

The strains of a waltz were heard and Juan led her into a gentle dance around the floor and within moments the floor began to fill up with people. Mathus cut in about half way through the song and gave her a huge hug before continuing the dance. "Congratulations, my dear! There was no doubt that you would win it. If only I could convince you to be an assistant dance teacher with me," he said wistfully.

Bella blushed, "Mathus, you know my reasons," she said softly.

"I know but I think it's such a waste of your talent," he countered.

She curled the corners of her lips up shyly. "Thank you but for now, I'll continue to be the student."

Mathus 'sighed' dramatically. "I fear some day you will outstrip this old teacher hon," he said in a teasing way.

She chuckled from her throat, "Never."

Mathus felt a slight tap on his shoulder and saw a young man standing near them with a button down blue shirt on and blue jeans with cowboy boots on. He had an almost shy look to his face as if he was embarrassed to interrupt. He had a strong face with high cheekbones and a kind look about him.

"I believe I must relinquish my partner to someone else," Mathus said as he got the feeling this young man knew Bella somehow. He'd watch from a distance for a few moments to see if this young man caused her any distress but he didn't think he would.

Bella felt her heart sink. It was starting. She'd be passed from person to person to dance with and her feet would end up sore from people stepping on them. But it was all part of the competition so she simply put on a 'smile' for this new 'partner' and prepared to be handed off again.


Cody had watched enthralled for those two hours as they danced the Tango and the Rumba last. He could tell by the end that Bella was wilting some. He didn't blame her. The stress of dancing, the crowds, the competition…he wouldn't want to be in her shoes, so to speak. Finally after the last dance he watched as the judges gathered to tally points.

Fifteen minutes later, the dancers were being called out to the floor again. Juan and Bella hadn't bothered to change out of the outfits they wore for the last dance. It seemed none of the other dancers had either. The Master of Ceremonies took a moment to thank the crowd and the sponsors. Everyone clapped appreciatively but he could sense that the crowd was as anxious to find out who the winners were as the couples themselves.

Finally the third place was announced, then the second. There was an almost audible tension in the air as everyone waited for the announcement of the first place winners. Finally the MC smiled brightly as he opened the envelope that held the names. "And our first place winners of this years' Tri-State Ballroom Dance competition is Juan Marcosa and Bella Wagner."

Cody found himself on his feet with the rest of the audience, clapping and cheering as Bella was lead up to the MC where she was handed a large bouquet of roses and Juan held up the trophy. She looked stunned but covered it quickly as she smiled and waved to the crowd, only to have the cheers grow loud again. Flashes of cameras were dazzling as multiple pictures were taken of the couple as they stood with the second and third place winners.

Cody had seen in the program where there was an open dance after the awards ceremony and though he had no idea what that really meant, he had a clue and figured he'd follow what everyone else did at that time. He watched as the roses were taken out of her arms by the one he assumed was her teacher and Juan led her to the center of the floor as the other dancers moved off. A waltz began to play and the two of them began to circle around the dance floor. After the first verse was over, dancers and people from the audience began to file out onto the dance floor.

Cody made his way with several others from his area to the wooden floor that had been laid down and began to work his way through the crowd to where he'd last seen Bella. By the time he found her, she was now dancing with her teacher. No one else seemed to be waiting in line to dance with her either out of shyness or that men were somewhat in short supply. The one dancing with Bella looked up and caught Cody's eye.

Cody felt the man assess him as he spoke to Bella, "I believe I must relinquish my partner to someone else…" Cody saw the disappointment in her face that was quickly covered by that 'show' smile she had plastered on the entire day. He moved up as Mathus stepped away and gently wrapped an arm around her waist and placed his hand in her outstretched one. The waltz had come to an end and a ballad that was currently climbing the charts began to play as he slowly began to dance with her.


Bella felt Mathus pull away from her as he turned her over to someone else. She felt a gentle arm encircle her waist and a warm, calloused hand placed in hers. That's when a familiar scent filled her nose.

"Cody?" she whispered, trying not to hope that it was. In the background, a new song started. She recognized it as one that was on the billboard charts recently and it brought a flush to her cheeks. She knew this song by heart already.

'Look into my eyes, you will see what you mean to me'

"Hi," he said quietly, almost shyly.

'Search your heart, search your soul and when you find me there, you'll search no more'

Sudden relief flooded her and she sagged a little into his arms, "Oh thank god," she said tiredly.

'Don't tell me it's not worth trying for, you can't tell me it's not worth dying for'

Cody held to her as he did his best to dance with her doing a slow shuffling step. He was relieved when she simply slid into step with him and held to him, her arm wrapped around his waist. "Congratulations," he said gently, keeping his voice low enough that it was only heard between the two of them.

'You know it's true, everything I do I do it for you…'

Color crept up her neck to her cheeks, "Thanks. How long have you been here?" she asked.

'Look into your heart, you will find there's nothing there to hide'

"I got here just before you went out in that cute flapper dress," he teased lightly. For some reason he liked it when she blushed.

'Take me as I am, take my life. I would give it all, I would sacrifice'

Color rose farther up her cheeks, "Gee, thanks. So I'm cute huh?" she asked with a touch of teasing right back. "Isn't the term 'cute' reserved for kittens and puppies?"

'Don't tell me it's not worth fighting for, I can't help it, there's nothing I want more'

"Yeah, I'd say cute is the right word for the way you looked in that dress. But then the next dress changed my mind completely." His knees were giving him little tremors. He felt himself falling hard and he didn't know if he could or even wanted to stop. He had this irresistible urge to simply pick her up in his arms and walk off the floor with her to take her back to Tahoe with him.

'You know it's true, everything I do I do it for you'

She 'looked' up at him, "Changed your mind for the worst?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

'There's no love, like your love and no other, could give more love'

"Quite the opposite," he said gently, "I think the words that sprung to mind were 'absolutely stunning'," he said as he leaned in close to her ear to whisper softly.

'There's no where unless your there all the time all the way, yeah…'

The strains of a guitar playing a slow and melodic solo began to echo through the arena as people swayed as they danced from one end to the other on the open floor. Her heart was beating up in her throat and she found it hard to swallow. She was sure that her face was probably radiating heat from the strong flush she felt rising all the way to the roots of her hair. As he led her around the floor doing nothing more spectacular than that shuffling two step, she wondered how the hell she had let someone get so close so fast. She was usually guarded with others but he tore down all of her defenses with a simple touch.

'You can't tell me it's not worth trying for. I can't help it there's nothing I want more.'

She swallowed again, trying to get a hold on herself. "I thought you said you were going to Tahoe this weekend to work," she said, trying desperately to change the subject so she could get the blushes and her hammering heart under control.

'Yeah, I would fight for you, I'd lie for you, walk the wild for you, yeah, I'd die for you'

"I was but I took the rest of the day off so I could come and watch you dance. I'd never seen ballroom dancing before so I was curious," he said quietly to her.

'You know it's true, everything I do, aaahhhh, I do it for you…'

The corners of her lips curled up and she dropped her eyes down a little, "Thanks. You don't know what it means to me to have you here," she said as she moved her eyes back up to him.

"You're welcome," was his only response as he continued to dance her around the floor through the rest of the song before he was forced to relinquish her to Juan. The 'look' she gave him seemed to beg him to stay and not to leave her so soon.

With a squeeze of her hand, he gave her hope that he'd be there when this was all over.

TBC -


The lyrics in italics are '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You' by Bryan Adams from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves movie.