Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie Belden or the Bob-Whites. No profit is being made from their use.

Slow Dances and Fond Glances

Jim was running uncharacteristically late for the Saturday night fundraiser. Mr. Kramer had called at the last minute saying he had an urgent errand that he needed to attend to. Unable to escort his daughter, he had asked if Jim could accompany her.

"I'll be there, Jim," he promised. "I'm just going to be late and Missy was so looking forward to tonight. I hate to disappoint her."

The Pierre Hotel was beautiful lit up at night but Jim hardly noticed, his eyes anxiously seeking Trixie. As Missy and Jim walked into the ballroom, they could see it was packed. Missy placed her hand through his arm as they worked their way through the sea of people.

"Looks like another successful night," Missy smiled at Jim, her words containing a double meaning only she understood.

"Yes, it does," Jim agreed as he scanned the crowd, eagerly looking for Trixie. Upon seeing her, he felt a rush of desire surge through his body. Her blonde curls were falling carelessly in disarray on her shoulders against the deep red form fitting dress hugging her petite curves.

Missy frowned as she followed his gaze. Jim's captivated expression wasn't easy to ignore. It was apparent where his interest lay.

Trixie had noticed Jim from the moment he had walked into the ballroom. With Missy. It was Trixie's turn to frown. From the triumphant look on Missy's face, the facts couldn't have been more evident to her. Jim had once again returned to Missy, his folly with Trixie soon forgotten. As the couple walked toward her, she stiffened in preparation.

Dan, noticing her change of posture, looked to see what had grabbed Trixie's attention. Biting back a sigh of irritation that Jim had caused by walking in with Missy, he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"She's a piranha," he whispered conspiratorially, "just remember that."

Trixie smiled gratefully at Dan. She then braced herself as she waited for Jim to be introduced to her brothers. Mart and Brian could quickly tell that Trixie was hiding something. Even though she was heartbroken, she still wanted her brothers to like Jim. That wouldn't happen, Trixie realized, if she was unfriendly to him.

Pasting on a false smile, she greeted both Jim and Missy. "Hi," she forced a pleasant greeting, "you're just in time to meet my brothers."

When Missy batted a pretty eye at both Mart and Brian, Trixie exchanged a sympathetic look with her female friends. Honey and Di could hold their own in Trixie's opinion. Both girls were beautiful in their own right and had much more experience dealing with prowling females. Still, it wasn't something they enjoyed.

After shaking hands with Mart and Brian, Jim turned his attention to Trixie. "Hi, Trix," he said softly, "you look stunning."

"Honey has very good taste in clothes," Trixie shrugged off his compliment even as she glowed a becoming pink.

"Save a dance for me later," he whispered so that only she could hear.

"Of course, Jim," Trixie nodded with the plastic smile still on her face, "if Missy doesn't mind."

Missy. Jim watched in stunned silence as Trixie asked Dan to escort her to the buffet table and Diana invited Missy to join her and Mart. Now Jim was starting to understand. Damn, he muttered to himself, what had Missy done?

Honey and Brian remained standing with Jim. Brian had been quietly studying Jim and Trixie. He felt the undercurrents flowing between them and his big brother instincts were kicking in.

"So, Jim," Brian said, "Honey tells me that she grew up with you."

"Yeah," grinned Jim, "that makes me the big brother she never had."

"Jim," Honey said, rolling her eyes, "Dan has already given Brian the once over."

Brian flushed a little as Jim arched his brow at him and said, "It's much easier being the big brother than dealing with one."

"Evidently, you don't know Trixie very well," Brian laughed. "That girl can get in more trouble than anyone I know."

"I guess I don't," Jim said and sent a troubled glance her way.

"Jim," Honey said concerned, "is something wrong?"

"Uh, no," he answered, unwilling to discuss it with Brian standing there. "Excuse me, you two, I think I'll join them at the buffet."

"Okay, Honey Wheeler, what is going on between Jim and Trixie?" Brian asked as he watched Jim rush away.

"I'm not sure anymore," she answered, perplexed by their actions.

"Was there something going on?" Brian pried. "Should I be prepared to go into big brother mode?"

"Only if you want Jim and Dan to go into theirs," she gently reminded him.

"Okay, you got me there," he laughed and took Honey's hand in his.

"It's nothing to worry about, Brian," Honey assured him, "although I did think they were considering seeing each other." She hesitated to disclose everything to Brian. The relationship between Jim and Trixie was supposed to be a secret and maybe they were acting this way on purpose.

"Jim seems nice enough, I guess," Brian grimaced. "I suppose she could have picked worse."

"He's a great guy," Honey insisted, "almost as great as you."

Brian grinned broadly and chuckled. "With praise like that, I'll have to give him a chance, won't I?"

Smiling, Honey pulled him along to join the others.

Trixie drew Dan away from the rest, trying to put some distance between her and Jim, especially when Missy stayed possessively by Jim's side. The act to remain polite was taking a weary toll on her.

"What's going on, Trixie?" Dan asked, not fooled by her performance.

"It's just the stress of this whole situation," Trixie admitted, although she didn't reveal her encounter with Missy.

"I talked to Jim last night," Dan told her. "He was frantic. Why are you avoiding him?"

"He seems to have recovered quite well," Trixie said acerbically, looking pointedly at Missy hovering beside Jim.

"Trixie," Dan snorted, "Kramer called and asked Jim to escort her. It seems he had a last minute issue to take care of."

"And he eagerly accepted, didn't he?"

"You can't say no to Mr. Kramer," Dan said, "even if you are the son of a co-founder of the company. Mr. Frayne and Mr. Wheeler are very strict about respecting the older workers, especially with Honey and Jim."

"I guess, Dan," she said noncommittally. Trixie wished she had the courage to tell him what Missy had said. She had a feeling Dan wouldn't lie to her, but she couldn't bear it if it were true.

"Let's dance, Trix," Dan suggested, realizing that she wasn't in the mood for talking anymore.

"Sure," she agreed with a smile, not seeing the secretive look that passed between Jim and Dan.

As the hour passed, Trixie had not only danced with Dan and her brothers, but also several of the donors who were quite interested in the program. Only Jim, it seemed, hadn't approached her.

She was by herself, sipping ice water, when Jim surprised her from behind. With his hands sitting on her waist, Trixie could feel the muscles of his body pressed against her. His lips were so close to her ear that she could feel his warm breath on her cheek.

"You promised me a dance," he reminded her with a crooked grin.

"Sure, Jim," she agreed, sitting down the glass of water.

As he took her in his arms, Trixie had to remind herself not to gasp from his touch. She wanted nothing more than to give in to her feelings and lay her head against his chest. As Jim caressed her back, she hoped he couldn't feel the goose bumps that were covering her body.

"I didn't think those old geezers were ever going to leave you alone," Jim moaned playfully.

"Jim," Trixie had to laugh, "I'm sure I didn't dance every dance."

"Just all the good ones," he said as he pulled her a little closer, "the ones that let me hold you like this." The feel of her body against his felt perfect. The pressure of her curves against him was making Jim consider things that he was positive Trixie wasn't ready for. He didn't know what was bothering her, but he knew that she felt the connection between them.

"Jim," Trixie pushed back warningly, "maybe we should slow down." Even as she said the words, her body warred with her voice. Slowing down was not what she wanted. If anything, Trixie wanted more of Jim, wanted him more than she had ever wanted anyone.

"I'm okay with that," he agreed, "but you seem to want to stop. I'm not okay with that." He pulled her close once again, unable to resist the urge to feel Trixie against him. For once, Jim didn't care if his father or Mr. Wheeler did frown on his relationship with Trixie. The past two weeks had been both bliss and pure, sweet torture. Jim would be damned if he willingly gave up the feel of her in his arms. He had been dreaming about dancing with her like this for days. Now to hold her and touch her like this was almost unbearable, especially after the uncertainty of the last two days.

Sighing at her continued silence, he whispered, his mouth brushing against her ear, "Can you at least tell me what I've done wrong?"

Trixie was startled by the pleading tone in his voice. She opened her lips to tell him when she heard Missy's laugh from across the room. With that sharp reminder bringing her to her senses, she answered, "I was surprised to see you walk in with Missy."

"It was a favor for Mr. Kramer, and I didn't want to make her suspicious." Jim slowly caressed her back as he spoke.

"You've been her slave all evening."

"Why, Trixie," Jim stopped dancing right in the middle of the floor, but kept his arms around her. "Do you honestly think I prefer her over you? You do remember she's our number one suspect, don't you?"

"She is just so glamorous," she sighed, "and beautiful."

"Have you looked in the mirror at all tonight?" he asked as they began dancing again. "You are the most beautiful woman here." Pulling her close once more, he added, "I mean it, Trix."

Trixie looked down, biting her lower lip, not knowing what to say. She knew that if she told Jim just what she was thinking it would lead to more. Trixie had never been tempted like this before. She wouldn't be able to stand it if Jim went back to Missy after he tired of her. Jim, she decided, would only love her in her dreams.

Jim put his index finger under Trixie's chin, and lifted her head to gaze in her eyes. "Trixie," he said softly, "I'm not sure what happened yesterday, although I hope someday you'll tell me. You can count on one thing, however, I'm not going anywhere unless you tell me to leave."

The husky tone of Jim's voice made Trixie tremble. She couldn't have told him to leave right then, even if it was for the best. Trixie needed more time.

"Maybe we can put this discussion on hold until after we catch the thief," she suggested.

"Agreed," Jim sighed reluctantly, but he did lay his head on top of Trixie's and place a gentle kiss against her hair before pulling back.

They had little time together the rest of the night. Jim joined Mr. Kramer, Mr. Wheeler, and his dad in thanking the guests for coming and for their donations. Using the excuse to Mr. Kramer that he would be responsible for Trixie's actions, he accepted the checks and cash, placing them in a manila envelope. He made sure that Missy knew he would be depositing them Monday afternoon.

Trixie and Diana both slept late Sunday morning. It had taken Trixie a long time to fall asleep, her mind replaying the encounters with Missy and then with Jim. Although, she knew Jim wanted to take her home, Trixie had jumped at the opportunity to leave with Honey and Brian. It had taken all the willpower she had not to seek Jim's face before she left.

She woke up grumpy, knowing there was no use trying to go back to sleep. Honey was coming over. They had planned a girl's afternoon. Trixie had almost died when Diana had asked Missy to join them. Missy had merely eyed Jim hungrily and said she had other plans. Hungrily, Trixie thought, more like a half-starved jackal.

The girls met at the small coffee shop on campus. It felt good to relax with just the three girls present. Mart and Brian had left early due to prior obligations and that left the whole day for them to have some fun without the guys.

Honey waited patiently while they ordered. She waited patiently while they exchanged small talk. She even waited patiently for the waitress to serve them. Now her patience was just about gone.

"Okay, Trixie," Honey finally confronted her, "what is going on with you and Jim?"

Diana leaned forward with interest. "Is there something going on? He sounded quite worried when he called the other day looking for you, and it sure looked like it last night."

Trixie sent the girls a beseeching look. "Please, not now. Jim and I haven't even discussed this yet."

"So something did happen," Honey confirmed.

"Are you positive it wasn't a misunderstanding?" Di asked sensitively.

"No," Trixie shook her head, "I told you before. It couldn't have been any clearer."

"Trixie," Honey urged, "if you want to talk about it, we'll keep it secret."

"Yes," promised Diana, "even your brothers won't know."

"Can I ask you something, Honey?" Trixie said quietly. "Have Jim and Dan ever competed for the same girl?"

"What!" Honey exclaimed, her eyes growing big. "Are you…?"

"No, no, no," Trixie interrupted her, "nothing like that, I assure you. It's just something I was curious about."

"Maybe a few times," Honey said, "but they never go after each other's girlfriend."

"What about casual dating?" Trixie asked. "Did they ever date the same girl?"

"No," Honey denied. "Trixie, just what is going on?"

"I just heard a few rumors," Trixie admitted, too embarrassed to name the source.

"No, Trixie," Diana disagreed, "you said it was perfectly clear. Someone said something to you."

Trixie wished for once that Diana didn't know her so well. Di could be quite stubborn when she confronted you about something. Trixie just didn't have the heart to talk about it. In fact, she felt stupid for thinking that Jim Frayne would prefer her over Missy. That was something she didn't want to admit to her friends.

Honey, however, saw that Trixie wasn't prepared to talk so she tactfully changed the subject. Guessing perfectly that Diana loved shopping, she quickly suggested a trip to the mall. Trixie gratefully flashed Honey a grateful smile and made a mental note to thank her someday.

That someday came later that afternoon when Di excused herself to phone Mart. Honey then took the opportunity to talk with Trixie.

"What's going on, Trixie?" Honey asked softly, trying to gain Trixie's confidence.

"I was going to thank you for stopping Di's curiosity," Trixie laughed nervously, "but now how do I stop you?"

"I'll stop if that's what you really want."

"That's just it," Trixie admitted ruefully. "I'm not sure what I want, not anymore."

"Talk to him," Honey begged. "I've never seen him this upset."

"Really? I didn't notice."

"Did you see his face when we left with Brian last night?"

Trixie flushed, knowing that she had taken great pains to avoid looking at Jim. "I'm sure he had to take Missy home."

"Trixie, you really hurt him," Honey insisted. "He thinks you don't trust him."

"It's not that," Trixie said in a soft whisper, tears catching in her throat, "what if she's not the thief? She wants Jim and she's so beautiful. How could he resist?"

"Missy has wanted Jim for a long time," Honey agreed. "Yes, she's beautiful, but if that's what Jim wanted he would be with her."

Trixie wavered, wanting to believe in Jim but Missy's words kept screaming in her head.

Seeing her hesitation, Honey pressed on. "At least give him a chance to explain things. It couldn't hurt."

Couldn't it? Trixie thought. Oh, yes, it could hurt a lot. Her heart didn't possess the courage to face the truth just yet. She doubted if it ever would.

Author's Notes: Yes, the dance scene was shamelessly borrowed from The Happy Valley Mystery. It is one of my favorite scenes from the books Thanks a bunch to Karen who is so very encouraging. And thanks to all of the support I have received. It is much appreciated.