A/N: I wasn't going to post another chapter this week, but I managed to finish this one and I think I might actually like it. Except for the last bit, that I'm not so fond of. I'm actually scared to say I kinda like it because it almost feels wrong. I guess I'm just used to beating myself up.

Lastly, this one is dedicated to DrCaitlinSnow's "feels."

Just a few days ago, at their last lessons, they'd been individually awful, so much so that there was consideration to film another couple dancing and plant John and Rose's faces on them afterward. They were so awkward individually, and with professional partners, that their instructor, Gene, hadn't felt confident enough to have them dance together yet.

JJ had insisted that they should at least be given a chance to do the scene, and if it was as horrendous as the choreographer predicted, well, then they would take some images of Rose and John in a few holds and use them later, as special effects.

"I know what you said JJ, but I'm telling you again, I've never seen two people with less grace on a dance floor." Gene's frustration was clearly evident. "Rose is decidedly better than John, but it's still not right. I've tried everything but they don't loosen up. I've seen robots with better rhythm!"

"No one is going to blame you, Gene. We all know how talented you are." JJ tried to coddle. "I just want to see them together, I don't care how God-awful it looks." He then addressed the rest of the crew, "All right everyone, let's just do it once without the film. I just want the scene blocked and a dry run."

John and Rose walked in from opposite ends of the room, both being followed by costume and makeup personnel, still fussing over them.

"Rose! John!" JJ called out, "We're going to just try it dry for now. Just go through the steps, no pressure, nice and easy and we'll take it from there."

They nodded their agreement back to JJ and moved to the middle of the room. The music started and Gene covered his eyes, bracing himself for the worst.

After 30 seconds or so, Gene heard JJ mumble "Well, would you look at that!"

Gene looked up and his jaw dropped. There was no way that this was possible. It just couldn't be.

x13x

John was nervous.

Today he had to actually dance with Rose for the first time. They'd never even rehearsed it together before! But the schedule for the movie was running short. They had just gotten a call from their backers and were told that the schedule had to be pushed up. They wanted an earlier release than originally expected. Something about the timing being 'wibbly-wobbly,' whatever that meant.

At least he had spoken to Rose earlier and tried to clear the air. She agreed to be his friend. That made him warm inside and had kept a smile on his face for most of the morning.

It wasn't a cure-all for him though. He didn't dance. Never did. Not for a role or in real life. And for good reason. He was terrible at it. He was awkward and geeky, and couldn't control his gangly long limbs. Most days he was just relieved he could walk without tripping over himself.

The moment of truth quickly approached and before he was ready, he found himself in costume and staring, gob smacked, at Rose in her dress. She took his breath from him and his nerves doubled in intensity. He was going to look like a fool. Well, more of a fool.

"Are you all right?" Rose asked him as they met in the center of the room.

"I'm always all..." His voice died on him. He felt compelled to be honest with her. His normal mode of operation had only resulted in alienating her and he was done with that. She may not ever be his, as an image of her and JJ flitted through his mind, but he had decided that he was done hiding from her. "No, I'm not. I'm nervous."

She smiled at him affectionately, "Come on, it will be all right, just two friends here. Besides, the world doesn't end 'cos the Doctor dances."

John was stunned for a moment, something about what she said was hauntingly familiar, like something from a past life. Before he could analyze it too closely, music started playing and Rose stepped closer to him.

His arms fixed themselves on her, holding her in a way that he had rehearsed before with others but never felt entirely comfortable with. Not like he did now. Now he could understand what people meant when they talked about finding the right partner.

It was over before he knew it. The music had swelled and ended and they stood, staring at each other and panting. If anyone had asked, he would be hard pressed to say whether he had just danced a waltz, spontaneously taken flight, or made mad passionate love. At that moment he felt like his skin was the only thing keeping him from flying everywhere at once.

He was jolted from this feeling by the sudden impact of Gene hurtling himself into him and Rose. It effectively killed his euphoria.

"You're incredible!" Gene was gushing. "I am a genius! I knew it would be marvelous! It had to be!"

John and Rose disentangled themselves from Gene's grasp, as the man continued to gush, now nearly in tears.

John turned to Rose a little sheepishly and made to shove his hands in his pockets. "No, don't do that!" She grabbed his hands before he could find his pockets, "You'll rip..." Her voice trailed off, he barely noticed. He was too caught up in the tingling that passed through him when he touched her.

JJ clapped them both on the back and moved to walk between them, steering them back to the middle of the room. "That was really great guys!"

John tuned out after that. His body was reeling a bit from the roller coaster of sensations that were wracking him. Rose's touch always seemed to soothe him, being able to hold her while they danced was almost unreal, but then getting attacked by Gene, then Rose grabbing his hands, only to be followed by JJ weaseling in between and separating them was beginning to make his head hurt from the whiplash effects. In a bit of a daze, he allowed JJ to walk and talk, barely acknowledging what he said, and only just restraining himself from physically removing the rodent's paws from Rose.

x13x

Filming that day had been an unexpected triumph and Rose was shocked by the total reversal of what she expected the outcome to be.

She never in her wildest dreams expected to actually enjoy dancing with John. And enjoy was a complete understatement for what she felt. But still, she was almost disappointed at the day, which made absolutely no sense at all. Today was a success! There was no reason for her to be upset in the least. In fact, thinking back on it, she realized just how badly it could have gone, and just how well it went, after, of course, they decided to be friends.

JJ had walked them back to the starting point of the dance, exclaiming loudly just how impressed he was with the waltz. He, inevitably, had a few corrections and suggestions, which Gene took offense to, but then shouted out orders to immediately re-cue the music and start filming.

Rose had barely caught her breath and was certainly more than a little off balance after the dance she and John just shared. It had come off as effortless and she found that throughout she wasn't concentrating at all on the step or the music, but just looking into John's eyes and the feel of being in his arms.

Now that it was over and reality was setting in, she felt herself blush, embarrassed again by her strong reactions to John. Looking over, she saw that he looked detached, almost like his mind was elsewhere. This only served to remind her once again that he was a great actor and just playing a role. She felt even more self conscious now, after realizing how much he could effect her.

She came to her starting point and John turned to face her. He directed a wide beaming smile at her. "That was fun! What do you say we do it again?"

She couldn't help but laugh. Relief poured out of her at his joke. The music started again and away they went.

The scene finished with the Beast showing Belle her father and confirming that she was no longer his prisoner and therefore granting her freedom. A freedom she no longer really wanted.

John and Rose had wrapped at that point for the day. They parted with a congratulatory hug for a job well done, and if Rose didn't really want to let him go, it was just because she was relieved that it was over and had gone well.

Now Rose, at home, was surprised at herself for any malaise at all. She just couldn't shake the aching feeling inside herself. Like she was empty, or missing something. But that was ridiculous. She was just still recovering from being sick... and the events of the day were taxing... and she wasn't used to dancing. That thought made her blush but she wasn't sure why.

She certainly wasn't lonely. No! Not at all. There was no reason that she should be looking for company, she had spent practically the whole day with him. Him? The cast, she meant the cast, who were now her friends.

Oh who was she kidding? She missed John. Just like she always did. But before today she could get her anger up at him because he more than likely was a complete twat to her. But today he apologized and they agreed to be friends.

And now her crush was back with a vengeance and instead of having the armour of his idiocy, she was only furthering her suffering by remembering what it was like to be in his arms.

Just then her doorbell rang.

x13x