Disclaimer: Do I even need to say it?

Rose was putting the finishing touches on her hair with a large silvery butterfly clip of rhinestones. She took in a deep breath and prayed that she looked nice. After years of being taunted, the outer image is something to worry about constantly.

Johnny's voice emerged from the living room, "Rose, Yoko is here."

This was it. She hesitantly opened the door and let the two see her. It slowly creaked open. Yoko looked perfect, as usual, in her pink dress and playful pigtail buns. She was smiling. Johnny, however, had his mouth hanging open in disbelief. He was completely astounded at how beautiful this girl who has been caring for him for weeks could actually be. Perhaps his staring was what caused her to blush so profusely. Her cheeks were turning rather red and she looked away.

"You look awesome, Rose," Yoko said as she hugged her friend.

Rose hugged her tightly back with a brilliant smile, "Second to you."

Johnny just watched nonchalantly. The two girls finally separated. He couldn't help but take in Rose's beautiful figure. That dark dress fit her perfectly and she actually looked happy in it. Her lips were glossed in a moderate shimmer of pink peach. And her eyes sparkled with such endlessness as they were thinly lined in a soft black and shadowed in fading Aztec grey. The black not-so-high heels she wore were neatly strapped and laced around her legs to the middle of her shin and clicked lightly was she walked across the floor. She truly was an image of perfection.

Yoko looked at the clock hanging on the wall. It read a few minutes past eight o'clock.

"We gotta get goin, Rose," she said eagerly, "We'll see you later, Johnny."

He nodded silently, his arm crossed and a serious expression on his face. His face looked so dark and unreadable, like a statue of onyx. They turned and followed through the door. But Rose stopped and gave Johnny one last look. A look that apologized and prayed. It was enough to soften anyone's heart. The door closed behind her, and Johnny was left all to himself in the apartment. Even the growing and fading siren blare of a passing fire truck was only considered silence within the living space to his ears. His eyes fell to the brand new black coat from earlier lying on the couch. Johnny grabbed it and quickly slipped it on. As fast as he could, he slid his feet into his boots and pulled them tightly up to his knees. Before he left the apartment, he grabbed his collection of blades, which he found in the laundry room, and shut off the lights. He disappeared down the stairs, out of the building, and into the darkness of the night.

Club Sonic was packed full. The excitement in the air was practically electric. Lights of blues, pinks, reds, violets, and greens were blazing, flashing, and strobing. The pounding music was pumping in the air as everyone jumped and danced to it. Laughter and the murmur of talking voices rained below the thunder of the music blasting from the stereos. The lightened and darkened silhouettes of guests danced on the neon lit floor. Several others were gathering around the bar, most of the men were busy flirting with the curly-haired blonde behind the counter pouring the drinks. More and more people dressed in flashy and trendy clothes filed into the club. The stocky security guard in the blue suit at the front entrance was being awfully strict about whose invitations looked real and fake.

Yoko was already making friends. A crowd of college boys were gathered around her on the dance floor. Rose didn't seem to like them that much. They definitely had filthy minds underneath their exterior. Yoko could handle herself well. Where there were several rings of lounging chairs all around the dance floor, she found an empty seat of one and sat there quietly. Her gaze kept fallen to her hands. Her friend seemed happy and alive out there on the dance floor, but Rose wanted to be out there too. She felt the need to show people she could dance as well as Yoko. But she was also afraid she would embarrass herself. Rose thought she would rejoin Yoko once the boys clear away.

A gentle thin hand gloved in black extended towards Rose, a familiar voice following it, "Would you care to dance, miss?

Rose looked up. A sharp gasp escaped her lips. Pale skin, dark sunken eyes, narrow black boots, and a brand new long black coat, it was Johnny.

"Johnny!" Rose stared at him in disbelief, "Why are you here."

He gave a slanted smile as he delicately took Rose's hand and brought her to her feet, "I thought you would be alone. And I think I was right."

Rose was completely awestruck that he was here, and for her. Johnny guided her onto the dance floor. Somewhere in the room, someone was screaming something about the security guard having his severed arms shoved down his throat. Johnny started smirking. They were on the center of the glowing floor. The hip hop song playing slowly faded into end and a different type of music began playing. The music had an upbeat swing sound to it. The melody of 'Sing, Sing, Sing' (for any of you who remember that swing song from the old Chips Ahoy commercials) started up. Several people began clearing off the floor.

Johnny raised their hands slowly before speaking, "Ready to swing?"

Rose's eyes lit up with excitement. It was then that she realized that she and Johnny were the only ones left on the floor. Everyone else seemed to be watching them, wondering why they remained. She began moving to the quick beat of the tempo drums. Johnny started by twirling Rose around. She took his other hand and her feet jumped into a quickstep, which Johnny mimicked. With hands linked, they both spun around. Their swing dance began to capture the attention of the guest standing off to the side. Some people even began to cheer when Rose performed a perfect yoyo by wrapping her and Johnny's linked arms around her and slinging back out into a quick twirl. Yoko was laughing madly with excitement that for once, Rose was the center of attention, and looked good in it. The song beat on.

Johnny pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Close your eyes, but dance with me."

Rose didn't understand what he meant, but her eyes slowly closed, leaving her in complete nervousness. Johnny spun her blindly around one more time. Rose waited in anticipation for what he was up to. In one single smooth motion, Johnny scooped her up into his arms and tossed her into the air. Rose felt all gravity leave her. The unknown beyond her closed eyes whirled around her as she rolled in the air. In a graceful end, Johnny softly caught her as she returned into his arms. Rose opened her eyes, only to see Johnny's deep eyes staring back. He had her dipped down only feet from the floor, with only his arms to suspend her above embarrassment. The music stopped, with their finishing move.

The whole club erupted with applause. Johnny pulled Rose gently back on her feet. She was as blushed as her name. People began filing back onto the floor, several of them complimenting Rose and Johnny on their performance.

"I have never seen anyone dance like that!"

"That was so awesome!"

Damn, she's hot!"

The DJ slid another record on the turntable. The bright flashing lights dimmed down into softer slower flashes. A slow song flowed smoothly throughout the room. Only a few people left the floor as everyone else paired up. Yoko rocked slowly back and forth with a boy with a red and black racing jacket.

"Will you honor me with this dance?" Johnny bowed before Rose and held out his hand.

Rose smiled and took his hands. Carefully he placed his own around her slim waist as she slightly wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

I could stay awake just to hear you breathing,
Watch you smile while you are sleeping,
While you are far away and dreaming,
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender,
I could stay lost in this moment forever,
Where a moment spent with you is a moment I treasure…

Rose whispered into Johnny's ear softly, "Thank you for coming, Johnny."

I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing…

He held her close and replied, "After all you've done for me, I owe you everything. Listen Rose, I've been thinking about that painting you've been working on for a while now. It's a vision of how you feel. In real life, you have been helping me. But somewhere within you, you feel that you're the one being lifted back onto her feet."

Rose looked down, "Yes. It is backwards, but true. Your being in my company has been a whole new experience for me. One that I needed, but never knew I did until I felt healed."

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating,
And I wondering what you are dreaming,
Wondering if it's me you are seeing,
Then I kiss your eyes and thank god we're together,
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever and forever, forever…

Rose rested her head on his shoulder, and listened to his heart. Johnny just watched her. She looked so beautiful when she was happy. Of course she always looked happy, but now he knew she truly was inside and out. Their rhythm of motion felt more like the unison beating of their hearts.

And I don't want to miss one smile,
I don't want to miss one kiss,
I just want to be with you right here with you,
Just like this, I just want to hold you close,
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment,
For all of the rest of time…

The song faded away. Johnny looked down into Rose's eyes. He never noticed them that much before. They always looked plain and brown. He saw that they were deep and rich chocolate colored, and one was slightly darker than the other. Rose stared back and smiled. Johnny may not have known it or not, but he starting to hold Rose tighter, and he was slowly getting closer.

Yoko sprang up beside them and shouted, "Hey, guys!"

Rose and Johnny jumped, practically giving Johnny a heart attack. He was just lucky no one saw the crimson coated dagger almost fly out of his pocket.

Rose heart beat slowly returned to normal, "Hi Yoko, are you having fun?"

Yoko started up, "I'm having a blast. I saw you two doing that…um… weird dancing and almost started screaming. That was awesome!"

Rose turned slightly red. Yoko started talking again, "I met this guy, Branson, and he is so hot! I can't believe I got to dance with him!"

Rose had to interrupt her, "Um, that's great Yoko. Aren't you a little tired? We've been here for a while now."

"Actually," Yoko put on a thinking face, "I am a little worn out. We can leave as soon as I say bye to Branson and Derrick."

Rose raised an eyebrow, "Whose Derrick?"

Yoko looked a little guilty, "I can't decide between Branson and Derrick. They're both so cute. And Derrick already gave me his number."

Johnny and Rose looked at each other with the same look that said 'she has it coming for her.' Eventually, they left Club Sonic at 1 in the morning.

They went their separate ways at the corner of Center St. and Lulu St. Yoko turned into her apartment building right there on the corner, but Rose and Johnny had two more blocks to walk. In may have been late in the night, but the city still didn't sleep. Johnny and Rose were occasionally blinded by passing headlights. The sidewalk was lit by florescent street lamps above them. The air was cool and breezy.

"Rose?" Johnny asked sheepishly.

She looked to him, "Yes?"

Johnny searched for a question. He hadn't really thought about what he wanted to say, "I…um… can I stay one more night before I return home tomorrow?"

Rose smiled calmly, "Of course you can stay one more night. I'd rather you go back home in the morning rather than in the middle of the night."

Johnny held the door open for Rose as they turned into the apartment building. After three climbs of stairs they reached her apartment. Rose immediately trailed of towards her room. But she stopped.

"Johnny," his head raised to the sound of his name, "You looked very handsome in your new coat."

He looked to the hands of his long black gloves. He felt so refreshed, renewed. His whole outlook on the world had been slightly altered. All because someone had shown him love like no other person he ever encountered.

"Thank you," he nodded, "and you looked beautiful."

She smiled and closed the door behind her. Johnny stood there.

Beautiful like an angel…

The Maiden of Light: How was that? I had been in a bit of a block for a while but I finally finished it during my week of restriction. I known the song had nothing to do with the situation, but I loved that song! Read and review. Twinkies for all!