A/n: Alanna/Gary, as requested. I know, I know, I'm wonderful. ;) Alannawanabe; I suggest you reread the books! Sandry most definitely does have a mind of her own, and Jon and Tris would never get along.
Gary smiled at his fiancé, rolling his eyes. "I suppose we have to dance," he pointed out, mournfully. Alanna brought a hand up to her forehead as if stricken, imitating a melodramatic actor
"Oh, no, sir! I beg you, any torture but that!"
Gary played along, twirling an imaginary moustache. "Why, cruel villain that I am, I shall drag you onto the dance floor immediately. Come, fair lady!
Laughing, the two moved into the centre of the room. Placing one hand on Alanna's narrow waist and the other on her back, Gary led the delicate waltz. Together they swayed and stepped, moving in perfect time. They had both been trained for this for years, but neither of them had imagined such agreeable partners.
Alanna had just enough natural grace to be able to dance decently, and the years of intensive training at the convent had accentuated her natural ability. She hadn't really minded dancing lessons-at least you got to move around, unlike, say, needlework. And she would rather die then admit it to anyone except Cythera, but she liked to look pretty. So, against all odds, Alanna the fearsome Lioness was enjoying herself. She hardly noticed the music, responding the rhythm subconsciously and concentrating on the dancing.
Gary, too, was enjoying himself. He wasn't like Raoul, who couldn't stand dancing; he was quite capable of enjoying being on the floor with a beautiful young Lady, and as far as he was concerned, Alanna was definitely beautiful. Of course, knowing how amazing she was on the inside made her eyes shine all the brighter. They had been wasted on her brother.
Thinking of Thom made him tighten her grip on Alanna, almost as though he were trying to protect her against his ghost. To his surprise, she offered no resistance. Tentatively, he moved his hand up from her waist to cover his other one at the top of her back, bringing her in closer. She smiled delicately and relaxed against him, laying her head of brightly-burning hair onto his shoulder. And this the girl who not two days since had been fighting him like a... a Lioness in the courtyards. Mithros, but she was astonishing.
Alanna was feeling almost drowsy, like a content cat. She was letting her guard down at last, as she had not done since she had left the Convent. She made no protest when Gary pulled her in, but curled up against him. Tonight was a night for softness and peace. Why protest? Better Gary then any other man in the room.
