4
Later that evening, Virgil sat down at his mother's grand piano, needing to relax and let go. In a sad and quiet sort of mood, he played Beethoven's plaintive "Moonlight Sonata". What he couldn't express any other way, Virgil poured out in music, feeling his wordless hurt ebb slowly away with the last notes.
TinTin sat on the bench beside him, losing herself in the music, and Virgil's warm, strong presence. Right now, she didn't dare fall asleep, or allow herself to be alone. With a terrible compulsion in her mind to tell no one what had occurred at the cavern, all she could do was stay awake and seek company.
Scott and Cindy leaned over the rail of a nearby balcony, meanwhile, listening quietly to the lovely, impromptu concert. The perfumed night was very still, the music piercing sweet. Gradually, the pianist switched over to something lighter, a Strauss waltz, Cindy hazarded, though she was no expert on classical music.
Smiling up at Scott, she said softly, swaying a little,
"Too bad nobody dances anymore, huh?"
"Um... actually... I do," he admitted, more than a little embarrassed. Then, by way of explanation, "Had to learn in a day and a half. Air Force ball came up, and I got hand-picked to escort the Base Commander's daughter."
Cindy raised an eyebrow.
"So, how 'd that work out for you, Hollywood?"
His crestfallen response took her completely by surprise.
"Not too good," he replied. "She, uh... didn't really like men."
Cindy had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Never, in all her days and travels, had she known anyone so astoundingly good-looking, who yet managed to be so utterly hapless at love. Hell of a card player, no doubt.
"Alrighty then, Fred Astaire," she teased gently, holding out her arms, "show me what you got."
They began to waltz out there on the balcony, and sure enough, he was quite good (not dragging her around, stepping on her feet, or anything). The beautiful music went on and on, and so did the dance. She rested her head against his broad shoulder, and he pulled her a notch closer. They'd reached the point, now, where the activity had become less a dance than a long, slow, moving embrace. Pressed so tight against him that she could hear his heartbeat, feel exactly how much he wanted her, she looked up, all at once terribly shy. He kissed her gently, then broke off, forehead touching hers for an instant before resuming the kiss. Then, taking her hand, he led her inside, and shut the doors.