Eric's Revenge and Revelation: Completion of a tag ending, and more!!!

Dance With Me

Topanga stared into her coffee before lifting her eyes to Cory's. She decided the blunt and direct approach was best. "I know that you were with someone." She said, and held his gaze.

Cory sat silent, the smile faded form his face. 'Not good' he thought.

"Topanga, I, I- I don't know what to say. I understand if you hate me," he hung his head, refusing to meet her eyes. She was never supposed to know. Regret flooded his heart. "It was a stupid- stupid- thing to do."

"Its okay, Cory." Topanga replied quietly.

Cory lifted his eyes to her in shock. How could it be okay?

"I was with someone too." Topanga looked into his eyes and saw sadness, and then anger.

"Who, Topanga?" Cory asked quietly. Tears were forming in his eyes. "What about waiting for marriage?" He was supposed to be her first, he thought furiously. Topanga had stayed with him for so long, but would never make love to him. How could she have been with someone else- someone she did not know as well as she knew him?

"It doesn't matter who, Cory. Things change, you know that. We are not together, and both saw other people." Topanga studied his face for a reaction. She needed time, but wanted to see what her feelings were for Cory. "The man I was with taught me something. He taught me that love is important- and even if it doesn't last forever, it's better to love and to be loved, than to be alone."

"What are you saying, Topanga? I don't understand- are you in love with this guy?" Cory squinted his eyes, and shook his head in disbelief.

"No, Cory, I am not in love with 'this guy'. I do care very deeply for him, but not like that." She reached across the table to touch his hand, "I want to see where we stand, Cory, see what's left. I am not afraid of a relationship anymore. That's what I'm trying to say."

"Well, I do too- and I hope you will see what I see." Cory managed a small smile to her again, still hurting from her confession, but feeling he had no right to be angry. After all, she was right- he did the same thing.

"Can I take you out tonight- maybe dinner and dancing?" He asked cautiously.

"I would like that," Topanga replied with a smile, "just a date- for now."

"Ya just a date- for now." Cory returned her smile. "I'll pick you up at eight?"

"Ya," Topanga replied as she rose from the table, "See you then."

~*~*~*~

That evening, Cory and Topanga shared a nice dinner. Filled with light conversation, they leisurely ate and discussed nothing of major importance. It felt like old times, only with a slight strain in the atmosphere.

Once in Cory's car, he turned to her. "Topanga, we need to talk more- about everything." He looked at his hands on the steering wheel of his silent car.

"I know, Cory. Can it wait though?" She ran her hand through her hair nervously. "I just want to enjoy the evening."

"No, Topanga, it can't wait. I have some things I need to say," Cory turned to face her, "I am not asking you to make any decisions right now- but I need you to know something."

"Alright- shoot." Topanga stated and turned in her seat to face Cory. A small feeling of dread tugged at her. She was still confused about her feelings for him, and she wasn't sure that she wanted to go too deep yet. "I'm all ears."

"That night, when I- when I slept with the girl at the party-," Cory looked at Topanga, almost hoping to see that it was upsetting to her, "It didn't mean anything. I haven't even seen her since. Topanga, I was careful. Drunk as I was- I was careful."

"Well, that's good to know, Cory." Topanga sighed and turned back to the front of the car. "Can we go dancing now?"

Cory just stared at her for a moment, 'This is going to take a lot of work,' he thought. Turning back to the front of the car, he started the engine and shifted into reverse.

*~*~*~*~*

The music in the club was pumping loudly as Cory and Topanga entered. The club they had chosen was a nice place that a lot of the students frequented. No alcohol was served, but that did not stop people from drinking, and guy's from lacing girl's drinks. Topanga knew she had to be on her toes, but was thoroughly happy to be surrounded by the beat and the excitement. The flashing lights and the energy in the atmosphere thrilled her.

Cory took her hand and led her through the packed out place to the soda bar. "Want a soda?" He shouted, leaning close to her to be heard above the music.

"Ya, that'd be great," Topanga shouted back, her body beginning to move to the beat.

Taking the soda from Cory, Topanga sipped slowly and watched the people on the dance floor. There were many familiar faces in the crowd, but she froze when she saw one face in particular. Eric was here.

Cory noticed him about the same time Topanga did, and a smile crossed his face. "Hey! There's Eric, lets go!" Before Topanga could protest she was being led into the center of the throng of bouncing, bumping and grinding co-eds.

As they approached Eric, he turned and saw them. A look that was fear or longing or some other indescribable emotion flashed over his features before a warm smile took root.

"Cory, Pangers!" Eric called, moving towards them. He slapped Cory on the shoulder and hugged Topanga lightly, giving her a friendly peck on the cheek. "So, are you two back together?" He asked, trying not to show any disappointment.

"No," Topanga shook her head quickly, "Just a date-." She locked eyes with Eric, her pulse increasing in speed from the tension.

Cory just watched the expressions on Topanga and Eric's faces as they spoke to each other, and the familiar feeling of jealousy overtook him. He took a deep breath and pushed the feeling back down. Topanga had been acting odd all evening.

"Hey, keep an eye on Topanga, would ya, Eric?" Cory stared into Eric's eyes. "I am going to use the little boy's room."

"Dude- no problem." Eric smiled at Topanga, and then at Cory.

Cory departed quickly, and Eric took Topanga's hand, "Dance with me?" He asked, looking at her with changed eyes.

"I'd love to," Topanga replied, and walked into Eric's arms. Their bodied moved easily together with the pulse of the music. Anyone who did not know better would have thought they were lovers by their movements.

Eric relished the feeling of her in his arms again. It had been less than twenty four hours, but he missed her. She smelled lovely, familiar and exiting. He had to work hard to remind himself that he was only her friend now.

Topanga melted once again in Eric's familiar arms. She felt completely absorbed in the music and the lights, like she was flying. Just for a moment it was as if there were no problems in the world. She even forgot about her troubled mind from earlier in the evening.

Little did Eric and Topanga know that Cory was not really in the bathroom. This was a test. He wanted to see how Eric interacted with Topanga when they thought he was not looking. Cory sat up above the dance floor, screened within the horde of people, and watched as the love of his life danced with his brother.