Amy was proved right in her assumption that the guys wouldn't miss them. They had resumed their conversation, only vaguely registering the fact that the laughter had stopped, and the girls had danced to three or four songs before anyone even questioned their whereabouts.
"Uh, guys," said Irvine eventually, "The girls have disappeared. Anyone know where they went? Matt?"
"How should I know?" came the reply.
"Well, one of them is your girlfriend!" Irvine pointed out with a grin, "Can't you keep her under control?"
"You should know by now, Amy takes orders from no one. And that includes me!" emphasised Matt.
"You just gotta know how to handle women, show them who's boss." claimed Billy suddenly, having overheard the latter part of their conversation and tilted his chair back lazily on two legs to chip in.
Matt was too busy wondering if he was actually serious to reply, but Chris Benoit couldn't resist. "So where's Shannon then?"
As Billy was about to reply confidently, he cast a look towards the place she had been sitting and stopped abruptly. His chair crashed back down on to all four legs and he glared round at the others.
"Where is she?" he demanded angrily, to the surprise of the rest of the guys who were taken aback by his outburst. "Where IS she?"
"Jeez, calm down, man!" said Irvine, "I've just spotted the girls - they're dancing and Shannon's with them. Looks like they're having a good time. What's the matter, Billy-boy? You scared she'll run off on you?" he added, earning a nudge in the ribs from Chris Benoit, even though he too was trying to hide a smirk.
It was probably fortunate that the girls chose that moment to return, diffusing Billy's anger, although they didn't realise it.
"Hey guys! Who's coming to join us?" asked Amy brightly, as Stephanie grabbed Paul's hands, giving him no choice in the matter. "Oh! I love this!" she squealed, hearing the opening bars of the next song and dashing back to the dancefloor with a helpless Matt in tow.
"I love this song too!" sighed Nora wistfully, sitting down.
"Come on then, Nora." said Irvine, smiling fondly at the petite blonde, "Can't have you missing out."
As the only girl left, Shannon glanced hopefully at Billy, who initially didn't even understand her gaze. When he realised what she was thinking, he started to laugh.
"No use looking at me like that, babe - you know I don't dance. And anyway, I'm enjoying my drink way to much to get up!" he stated casually.
Shannon tried to laugh nonchalantly, but inside, she was so embarrassed that she just wanted to leave. She could see the looks the rest of the guys were exchanging and couldn't help but feel a little glad that Chris had headed towards the bar merely a few seconds earlier, so that he didn't hear this and see how unhappy Billy could actually make her. She couldn't think of anyone else who had a boyfriend who wouldn't even dance with her and she was alarmed to feel tears burning at the backs of her eyes.
"Why can't you just make an effort for once?" she wanted to scream at him, "I've had to!"
However, she was not the type to make a scene and instead concentrated so hard on her drink that she didn't notice Dwayne stand up and drop naturally into his on-screen character in order to lighten the mood.
"Woah, woah, woah, WOAH!" he commanded the stunned Billy, "Seeing as this Jabroni doesn't dance, the Rock says he can't complain if the Rock borrows his girl."
He extended an arm towards Shannon which, after a moment's hesitation, she took with a small, surprised smile, just grateful to get away from the others; and he led her towards the dancefloor, pausing only to shoot Billy the People's Eyebrow.
Once on the dancefloor, Shannon tried to excuse Billy's behaviour, more to cover her own embarrassment than to defend him. "Thanks for this, Dwayne - or should I say, Rock? He ..... he's not usually like this ...."
But Dwayne silenced her with one finger, "All the Rock knows is that he would like to take his boot, turn it sideways and stick it straight up his candyass! But for now, the Rock will be content to dance with you. Okay?"
"Okay." she answered, smiling in spite of herself.
*****
Later, both Chrises were standing at the bar, involved in a heated debate.
"NO." said Chris Benoit firmly, signalling the end of the conversation.
"But why not?"
"Because."
"But because WHY?"
"God, do you EVER give up?"
"No. Because why?" came the persistent question.
"Because I don't want to get her in trouble."
"Far as I'm aware, you can't do that just dancing!" smirked Irvine, leaning on the bar.
"With Billy, idiot!" groaned Chris in exasperation, smacking his tormentor upside the head.
Just then, they were joined by Terry who ordered a drink and then turned to talk to the two.
"Hey, Chris - that friend of yours, her boyfriend's a bit of an asshole, isn't he." he commented.
"I know." said Chris in quick agreement, even as Irvine said, "What makes you say that?"
"Well, put it this way - if I had a girl like that, no way would she get ignored. The guy has barely looked in her direction all night and he won't even dance with her; he must be crazy." said Terry, shaking his head.
"Hear that, man? Go ask her to dance." coaxed Irvine again, "Billy probably won't even notice and you'll only regret it if you don't. For cryin' out loud, you're both adults - if you can't dance with her ....."
"Okay, okay, I'm going." he gave in, setting down his glass, before reconsidering and downing the last of its contents first.
"What's his deal?" asked Terry.
"Long story, Terry. Long story." said Irvine, clapping him on the back. "So, what about that certain person you had your eye on? Have you talked to her yet?"
Terry shook his head and sighed, "Nah, I don't think she's interested ....."
"And how would you know this when you won't TALK to her? You're as bad as he is!" he said, gesturing after Chris Benoit. "What do I look like - an agony aunt? Listen, I'll talk to you in a bit - but there's something I have to do first."
"Chris ....." Terry began to protest, but the blonde Canadian had already left.
*****