Thanks to all my reviewers, readers and lurkers, you're all fabulous. Of course the standard disclaimer applies…as always. Please don't forget to review, I love getting your opinions and suggestions too! I adjusted some things and added a few details that I was missing...Thanks for the suggestions nature chick they really helped. I promise to not resort to lazy writing in the future.

Also, I have never been in this kind of competition, anything I know about dance competitions comes primarily from the movie Shall We Dance? So don't get mad if stuffs not right.

From the Scrolls of Ancients

The bonds of the Guardian Sisterhood have never been broken. The influence of the Great Dragons has much to do with the temperament of their Guardians. This is the reason why all the Guardians are female, for they are more rational than males and biologically superior. In the past, there were male Guardians, but they proved far too unreliable and suspicious, they hungered for power beyond their reach and nearly destroyed themselves. It was only by the grace of their daughters that the Guardians and their Dragons were saved. The Great Nine deemed the daughters worthy of their power and so it has been. The Guardians' strength is unsurpassed except within their own kind and often underestimated by their opponents. Other beings in the Charmed Realm trust females to not crave the power for they are the nurturers of their kind.

"Gods above, where is Tyler?" I demanded anxiously of no one in particular. In the competitors' space I paced a nervous rut into the green and black carpet with my gold colored dance heels frustrating Lilja who wielded a can of hairspray for my intricate hairdo, only the stubborn gold streaks of my bangs escaped the tight confines of charcoal brown. My golden-brown eyes searched the space continuing to fray my already frazzled nerves. It was lucky that the space we were in of the hotel was surrounded by white opaque dividers or else I'd have undoubtedly embarrassed myself. We are supposed to be cool, calm and collected aspiring professional dancers. Beside me, Lilja stomped her pale blue and silver dance flats before the swish of her blue and silver thigh-high dance dress caught my attention.

"Hey! Jin, breathe deep calming breaths." She pulled me from my pacing into a chair and held my cheeks between her fair-skinned palms to get me to look at her. The pale blue of her eyes pierced me with a forced calm. "The boys just went off to look for your partner all you need to do is breathe." My teeth gnawed the inside of my lips to avoid mussing my pale gold lipstick to offset my olive skin and match my gold dress. There had been some much effort to make me look hot that I'd hate to mess it up before I even hit the dance floor.

Tyler was just here a moment ago going over the routine with me and then he disappeared. This is so not good for my nerves; maybe I should've paid Dean a visit when he called. I couldn't resume my pacing with Lils holding me down, but that didn't mean I couldn't think of ways to inflict pain and destruction upon Tyler if he didn't show his ass up in the next three nanoseconds. I got the routine down in my head perfectly, I've got no problems with it, and if necessary, I could always lead Tyler in it; but my only problem is that my partner is missing. No, this is not a problem, Reid is the back up. That's what we discussed, but GOD I don't want Reid to hold me the ways I'd always hoped for Caleb to. The routine is so intimate and I trust Tyler to see me through it. GODDAMNIT WHERE THE FUCK IS HE?

"Look there's Pogue and Caleb," Lilja forcibly moved my head in the direction of two well-dressed men/boys making their way over to us. Every pair of eyes followed them from the double doors as Lil and I met them halfway.

"Tell me something good boys." My voice hopeful despite how I was feeling. Pogue took my elbow and led me over to a corner, his deep eyes held me.

"Bad news, Jinny. Ty's sick."

"Reid found him honoring the porcelain god, pale and shaking." Caleb came up with Lilja and held my attention. Damn him!

"What'd he eat?" I demanded tugging on Pogue's arm towards the toilets. "If it was something he ate, me and Lil can purge it and it's all good."

"But you go on in two minutes." Lilja protested. Despite her usual calm and optimistic nature, Lil was definitely taking over in the panic department for me.

"There'll be other competitions, the more formal and professional ones, the big time ones. Lil, Tyler is my best friend. I have to take care of him." I replied tersely. Yes, I was disappointed, but the guilt of having done nothing will eat at me more than having not competed.

"Jin, wait." Lilja grasped at my arm bringing me to a toppling stop over Pogue's legs. "Caleb, you look after Tyler and Reid can do the Latin with Jin, so Pogue can get psyched. I mean isn't that why you've got the alternates in the first place?"

"Yes but—"

"No buts Jin. You worked too hard for this, hell you worked us half to death for this." Caleb interrupted and gently pushed me towards the dance floor nodding to Pogue. Then Lilja and Caleb quickly hurried over to the restrooms.

"Jin, you okay?" Pogue's eyes searched my own.

"No, I should be looking after Ty, Pogue." I protested as the two of us headed over to the Commentator table to tell about the change of partners. "Excuse me, I'm contestant 1-2-2-1; my partner for the Latin round is ill and I will be calling in my alternate—"

"Caleb Danvers." Pogue cut in, I swear my head whipped around so fast, I'd gotten whiplash. The lady marked it down on her clipboard and called all the Latin Division dancers to the floor whilst I tugged Pogue away from the mic.

"What are you doing? Caleb doesn't know the dances, Reid and Ty do." Instead of giving me an answer, my biker friend pointed to the spot that Ty and I were to enter…lo and behold there stood Caleb adjusting his gold and black dance outfit that was so hugged him so well. Immediately my hand went to the corner of my mouth to wipe away any drool with a quick glance around, I found I wasn't the only one. I approached Caleb as he held out his arm for me to take, leading me to our designated spot I was surprised to see he knew our starting positions.

"Why and how?"

"Reid's not doing to good either, Lilja is with him. And I Used a bit to get the routine from Ty, I'm not going to let you down Jin." He locked eyes with me and smiled reassuringly. It's so hard to get angry or worried when he smiled like that. "Trust me?"

Returning his smile, I nodded, "Always."

The music started to Bond's 'Libertango' (A/N: the compilation of how I wanted the dance to look is on my profile! There are no words to describe the dance and I don't think I could begin to describe it.) as the rest of the world faded and melted away. All that mattered was moving with Caleb and the way I had dreamed it would be. I probably am psycho and everything but I was silently pleased that both Tyler and Reid were out of commission. I would never get another chance like this in my life if Sarah had anything to say about it. More than a few times we were flush against one another I think I had an effect on him. Yeah, can we get a carpenter, we've got wood!

The dance ended far too soon for my liking and we cleared the floor with the other couples waiting for the results. On the sidelines, Pogue was there smiling like an idiot at Caleb who had me walking in front of him…yeah. Beside him was Roz(who looked stunning in red and black) with a report on the Reid/Tyler issue from Lil. Apparently Tyler's stage fright made Reid pretty green.

Soon the Announcer came to the center of the floor and began calling out numbers of the couples who could proceed to the next round. "Couple 1-2-2-1. Couple…"

"We did it!" Caleb exclaimed gathering me into a tight hug, swung me around and pressed his lips to my temple. I was in shock. To be completely honest, I wasn't totally confident in the boys' dancing talents. True, they did dance with me for my brother's wedding but that was a family thing. Family doesn't care if you mess up during a performance for other family, they will keep bringing it up at every family function and never let it die, but other than that family doesn't care. But here in competition, we had to be serious and—OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DID IT!

The tug on my elbow towards the dance floor brought me out of my reverie to do the second dance…the Paso Doble (A/N: Again, the dance is in my profile). As the music started, it was like I became a spectator of our dance and it was HOT. Although I think I could have done without Caleb kind of tossing me around at some times, but then again it was so passionate I could forgive him the bruises. Aaron and Kira didn't even make it to the second round, aw that's too bad.

Soon the music ended as I lay on my back upon the floor with Caleb posing above me. Jade Emperor, I love this guy. The male power that just radiates from him and hits me just there, I hate my limitations. Caleb caught my eye and gave me a wink before helping me up into his embrace. The crowd went wild and the excitement was just as intense. My friend (and secret crush) led me back over to where Roz and Pogue waited to give us hugs and congratulations. Eagerly we waited for the announcer to give the results of the Latin Division, unconsciously or consciously (I'm not sure which) my fingers found themselves laced tightly with Caleb's as the announcer began calling out couples. "…In second place: Couple 1-2-2-1, please come forward…"

The moment our number was called there were excited squeals and cheering around us. I think the inside of my cheek is bloodied because of containing my own. Feeling insistent tugging on my hand I pulled away from Roz's embrace to be dragged tightly into Caleb's. Don't melt, don't melt, don't you dare melt! You are stronger than that, Jin!

Caleb and I walked onto the dance floor once again grinning widely as we received the bouquet and second place trophy. Okay, so it wasn't the win I'd been working for, but hells bells a placing is a placing. I danced with Caleb like the desperate wanton Caleb-whore inside me wanted, I beat Aaron and Kira like I wanted, I got second place in a national competition and above all, I looked hot doing it. Overall I was feeling pretty damn good. We stood for a bit longer for pictures before we cleared the floor so I could get ready for the standard competition with Pogue.

We had to do the Viennese Waltz and Quick-Step to do and I definitely had to—OH MY GOD! "You did great Jin!"

"God damn, that should've been me." Tyler and Reid engulfed me in tight hugs the moment Caleb and I stepped off the dance floor.

"I'm so glad you're okay." I returned their hugs disregarding that I had accidentally smacked them both with my bouquet in the process. "I was worried—"

"Jin! C'mon, we've got the standard in fifteen." Pogue interrupted me before any questions were asked. Right! Gotta change. Kissing Caleb's cheek before letting Roz and Lil drag me off to our changing area, I quickly shimmied out of my Latin costume for the chocolate and gold fire of the Standard dress. It bunched uncomfortably under my armpits before Roz gave it a swift tug. Okay Jin deep breath, I gave her a quick thumbs up before going to join Pogue at the edge of the dance floor.

Before my eyes a transformed Pogue Arthur Parry stood uncomfortably waiting for me; his hair was slicked back and gathered at the nape of his neck to contrast my newly freed raven and gold locks. He looked impeccably handsome and suddenly for a moment I had fallen back in love with him. I became my 15 year old self…oh FUCK!

As though I had been wearing bells, Pogue turned towards me with a smile I instantly recognized from three years ago. That loving, heart-melting, knee-weakening smirk he'd use on me before pulling me into one of our famous hot make-out sessions. Steady girl, he's not yours anymore; remember you both ended it even though it seemed more you than him…FOCUS!

Biting my lip to suppress a simpering groan I try to return his smile hoping that I don't fail as miserably as I think I do. He takes both my hands in his and brings them to his lips, our eyes locking. I half-expected him to say something…anything, but no words were needed.

"Dancers, please take your positions for the Viennese Waltz." The Emcee announced, we shared a look and gave cheesy thumbs up to our friends before gracefully walking out onto the floor hand in hand. Just as we practiced, Pogue took my left hand in his and kissed the knuckles gently before placing it on his shoulder and then held my right in a gentle support. Our eyes locked and I took in a slow breath through my nostril. DAMNIT POGUE! He'd used the aftershave I'd always loved on him. Why is everyone insisting on torturing me?!

"Ready?" The low timbre of his voice sent light shivers up my spine and all I could do was nod desperately willing my knees not to turn to mush. "Jinny, breathe, you've drilled us too hard to be nervous." Ugh, as if he had the right to tell me that.

With his calloused hand pressing into the bare skin of my back, Pogue's body suddenly tensed as his nerves seemed to have found him. And he's worried that I'm nervous, poor delusional boy. Squeezing his hand, I brought his attention back to me as we waited for the music to start.

"Calm…Breathe. Don't think, just feel." I murmured to him softly, "It's just you and me in the gym. It's just another dress rehearsal." His eyes closed briefly and Pogue visibly relaxed in my arms as my powers gave him a little imaging. "Better?"

He nodded and the music of Brain Adams' "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" started to play. Pogue's confidence built after the first turn of our routine and my pride in him soared. Feelings long buried resurfaced in his eyes and it was hard not to feel that way again. God damnit Jin, you can't do this to yourself. You're a fucking professional! In one of our turns towards the audience, my eyes locked with a pair of dark browns…Kate. I nearly stumbled had it not been for Pogue's supporting arm and my feelings immediately faded.

Barely into our first lift around Pogue's neck the ground shook, our only warning before two walls collapsed with an explosion that had everyone screaming and on the ground. My body cradled in Pogue's arms was thrown roughly to the hardwood floor. Amid the screams, cries, terror and crash of debris I felt the pulse of magic…tainted magic. Tightened against my front, Pogue groaned painfully and my world shrank back to him.

"Pogue? Pogue!" A line of blood trickled across his forehead causing a thread of panic to wash through me. "Come on baby, open your eyes for me." I commanded as though it would make him conscious. From the corner of my eye, Roz and Lil were in the same position with Reid, Sarah and Tyler. Caleb was looking after Kate.

"Pogue, open your fucking eyes!" With much difficulty, I resisted the urge to slap his face and cause more injury. Quickly I checked his still body for any other injuries, nothing visible…please don't let there have been anything internal. Christ! Kate's gonna kill me when she finds out. Behind his eyelid, Pogue's eyes began to gain movement and slowly they opened to reveal his wonderful hazel eyes.

"JIN!" Roz's voice screamed out as my body was suddenly ripped away from my ex-boyfriend/best friend into one of the standing walls forcing it to collapse on top of me. Barely did I have the chance to power into my full Guardian Armor before people started screaming again. Looking up, there was a circle of bodies: mortal, Folk…and Guardian. Oh no.

And that's it for this chapter. Sorry for taking so long duckies. I'll be graduating soon and then I can officially call myself a college graduate. Exciting huh? Well, you know what to do. I promised there would be some action in this chapter, and I made sorta good on that promise. The next will start with a bang! PROMISE as long as I get plenty of reviews.