The party was in full swing when Taylor and David arrived. It had been a charming drive up from Summer's apartment, and now Taylor's senses were treated to a rhapsody of sounds and smells. The jazz band was playing with all their worth while the dance floor was packed with sweaty, drunk couples, full of life and excitement. More powerful then the music were the smells of chicken and seafood and broiled vegetables.

"This is a nice set-up" Her eyes were smiling as she took in the scene with all her senses. "What's the party for?"

"His daughter just got engaged!" David took her hand and led her to the dance floor; they danced a few fast songs and then decided to stop for a drink.

"Do you know if Ryan and Amelia are here yet?" David led them to a table and gave the ballroom a fast glance around. He didn't see them yet, but he was sure that they were coming. "I would love champagne if they had some." David was sure that they had and went to fetch some; he would have done anything for her that not, she looked stunning in her black dress.

"You look very beautiful tonight." Taylor blushed deeply and sipped her champagne; it was cold and good and it brought back memories of parties in Paris when they had drunk 100 year old champagne by the case. They had been very decedent then. "I don't think there is a prettier girl in the room tonight." Poor David, if Ryan Atwood hadn't been such a rising force in her mind, he would have gotten her.

"Thank you, you look very good too." He was certain he would go home with her tonight. "You are a great dancer too!" She flashed such a brilliant smile on him that he fell in love in an instant.

"Oh—I see Ryan." David had spotted him out of the corner of his eye; there stood Ryan Atwood, Amelia's hand clasped in his. The music was so loud that David didn't hear Taylor's sharp intake of breath. Ryan looked lovely; the slow burn of desire that had building within her was now raging.

"Amelia looks very pretty." She wore her characteristic blue; no doubt her eyes would be shining from the lights in the ballroom and all the champagne glasses. Ryan saw them and waved. Taylor waved back and waited expectantly while Amelia took a glass of wine from a passing tray. They were coming over now; Amelia beautiful and Ryan stunning. Taylor knew in her heart that something was going to happen tonight, somehow, one way or another, their relationship was going to either die or take off.

"Hey guys." Amelia kissed David on the cheek and hugged Taylor. "You look amazing tonight."

"Thanks, you do too." They sat and chatted casually about this and that, it was really of no interest except to them. Taylor would forget the entire conversation by the next morning, and it is likely that Amelia did too.

"Do you care if I steal your date away?" Amelia had to have a dance with David; he danced so well and Ryan was extremely stingy with his dances.

"Of course." Taylor was more than happy to have Ryan alone for a few minutes. "How are you?"

"Good." He was quite; had the conversation they had shared yesterday meant nothing? Ryan had been very tender when leaving her but now it seemed like something had changed. "You having fun?"

"It's nice so far. Very elegant spread; I feel like I'm back in Paris again—almost at least."

"Frank puts on very good entertainments."

"Do you know his daughter?"

"Only slightly. She's only 20, so I'm surprised he approved of the match."

"I think it's sweet—if you're in love why not go for it?"

"Are you in love?" It took her a second to realize he was only kidding her. He laughed and took a drink of his wine. "You look stunning tonight."

"Thank you." She nervously played with her hair as they listened to the music. "Will you dance with me tonight?"

"Of course." She was surprised and told him so. "I plan on dancing with you both—a slow dance each."

"Well aren't you the new and improved Ryan Atwood?"

"You think so?" Something in his look told her this was a serious question; he was not joking with her.

"I do." His gaze become very intense, she had to look down at her drink—she was nearly empty. The music stopped and the dancers returned to their table.

"I have to compliment you Taylor, David is a great dancer—you are very lucky."

"I know." She smiled to him but her heart wasn't in it anymore. She wondered if David could feel the change; it was subtle and Taylor was not completely sure of it, but she felt that Ryan wanted her now and that there was a sexual tension in the air.

"Well after that round of dancing I'm starved." Taylor took David's hand and followed him to the buffet.

"Are you hungry yet?" Ryan kissed Amelia but it felt different. What had come over him? He felt a devil growing inside of him, urging him on to take Taylor home and have his way with her. "I can get you something?"

"Chicken would be nice, and another glass of wine." Whatever there was there between Taylor and Ryan, Amelia had not picked up on any of it. Did he not love her anymore? No, that was not the case. He thought of how sweet she was and tried to push the image of Taylor out of his mind—he couldn't love two women at the same time, it wasn't fair.

"I have to tell Taylor—I can't do this to Amelia." But he could, and as he watched her move through the buffet line the more he was convinced that he could. He had certainly loved Taylor the first year he was in Berkeley; slowly the fire had died but had never completely gone out. What then had sparked it again? He had been fairly indifferent to her at first, and then he had felt a horrible jealousy during his party—that had been the first clue. Ryan had tried to push her away at the beach, but she had melted him despite himself. "I'll have chicken and sword fish please." The food looked amazing—sword fish always reminded him of Theresa for some reason—he supposed Sandy had cooked it once when Theresa was over.

"Nice looking fish huh?" David and Taylor had waited for Ryan at the end of the line. Taylor smiled at him and that smile of hers sent a shiver down his back. What moment had it been that had re-awakened Ryan's feelings? He followed them back to the table and sat next to Amelia, receiving her kiss without really feeling it. Had Taylor said something? Had she laughed in a certain way or had a smile finally forced him to surrender. Ryan started to nibble at his chicken—half listening to Amelia tell Taylor and David her weekend plans.

As he racked his brains for an answer, Amelia gently laid her fingers on his leg. That was it! He remembered now the shock of electricity that had burst through his body when Taylor had taken his hand in his. That one gesture, unimportant to Taylor in retrospect, had caused Ryan's heart to cave in. Now—seeing her again, he knew that he wanted her. It had been only a small instant, but in that minute moment of time his heart had changed direction.

His senses were completely alive again. The room seemed brighter and the sounds of the room—the chatter, the laughter—were clearer and more beautiful then any other noise Ryan had ever heard before.

"What are you thinking about?" Amelia was smiling at him. "You have the most peculiar grin on your face."

"Nothing—something funny I heard on the radio this morning."

"Oh do share."

"It's nothing really—I don't really remember it, only that it made me laugh."

"I see." The band was starting up again—a slow dance this time. "I think we should dance—you promised me one and I want to dance before my head starts to ache." Alcohol and crowded spaces were no small trifles to Amelia's nerves. It was agreed that all four would dance, and that they would exchange partners for the next dance. Ryan hoped that he would have a slow dance with Taylor.

It was not like the movies—those two dances, there were no earth shattering words shared between the dancing parties. The dance floor was crowded; Taylor and David danced close to Ryan and Amelia so neither party spoke much—except to exchange banal pleasantries about the quality of the music and the number of dancers.

It was likewise when Taylor danced with Ryan—they were too close to their dates to speak significant words, but their eyes told their story.

As the dance ended the dancers stopped to applaud the band—they were due the recognition; Ryan took his chances and whispered in Taylor's ear. "Meet me outside in five minutes." He took Amelia away and got themselves two more glasses of wine.

"Do you want more bubbly?" David was feeling good about himself; he felt a strong interest coming from Taylor, though she wasn't trying very hard to encourage him—only a small degree of sweetness was needed to convince David however.

"I would love some." She waited and while she waited she watched Ryan. Her lover kissed Amelia on the forehead and went out into the garden. "Thank you." She sipped some of her drink as she half listened to David compliment her on her dancing. "Oh yes—very much so." She was having a good time and agreed that the band was top-notch. "Will you excuse me?" It hadn't exactly been five minutes but she was impatient. Before going out into the garden she paused and looked at both Amelia and David. They were distracted by conversation, so either noticed where Taylor had gone and was about to go. She stepped outside.

It was a warm, moonless night. She searched for Ryan but could not see him. Where had he gone? "Ryan?" She called out softly; her voice was timid and anxious. What was this going to bring? As she stepped further into the garden she steeled herself; something was about to happen that would be life changing. "Ryan!"

From the darkness he appeared and approached her. He said nothing and then leaned in and kissed her. It was very simple; it was a simple kiss—soft. He let his lips linger next to hers for an instant and then started to pull away—she kissed him back and put her arms around his waist.