Disclaimer: I don't own ABC or AMC. If I did, do you think the show would be in the state that it is? Plus, it would be Zendall 24/7!
Title: The Dance That We Do
Author: Jayta
Rating: PG13
Show: All My Children
A/N: And NO! You dirty minded girls...PG13 guys. It's PG 13!
A/N 2: They like me...sniff sniff They REALLY REALLY like me!

Chapter Seven: One Perfect Night

Letting out a relaxed sigh, Kendall rubbed her eyes, the rays of the morning sun filtering through the netted canopy. Light resting her hand in front of her, she felt the feel of silk and flesh under her fingertips. Opening her eyes, glanced down to see herself propped up against a body. Her night was a haze, recalling the dark, vivid nightmares that haunted her. She didn't remember when they stopped, but comfort swept over her in the middle of the night.

Kendall licked her lips, her body tense at the realization that Zach was lying next to her; in fact, she was lying practically on top of her soon-to-be ex-husband. Pulling away slightly, she glanced up to check if he was awake; but he seemed to be knocked out, her movement not even jarring him from his sound sleep. I need to get out of here. Looking over her shoulder, she observed Zach's arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close. But how?

With her right hand, she rested her hand on top of Zach's, which rested lightly on her hip. Glancing furtively back at him, not wanting to wake him, Kendall slid his hand down, trying to extract herself from his arms. However, she froze mid-move, as Zach snorted and shifted his body slightly, his hand pulling her closer to him. She closed her eyes, completely aware of how warm and comforting it felt lying next to him - to be held by him, and bit her bottom lip. Just think about ugly kittens, catfish, and cold winters. Kendall tried to distract herself from the impulsive thoughts running through her head about languishing in his embrace, allowing herself to enjoy this moment for the time being.

This is not good.

Opening her eyes, she gave in to her weak desires. Kendall allowed herself to study Zach's face: rugged features, only made more handsome by the scruff that had been allowed to grow during his departure from civilization; his face, usually creased with worry, or his brow furrowed by frustration caused usually by her or some member of her family, was now calm and serene. In fact, she could have sworn there was a hint of a smile on his warm...inviting lips. Stop it. Just wake him up, or you'll get yourself in way too deep.

But she ignored her own warnings. This was probably the only opportunity she would ever have to be this close to Zach, without his eyes gazing at her like he was about to devour her or scrutinizing her every move. No, she had to take this opportunity to get to know Zach Slater without all the BS. I wonder if he talks in his sleep.

Then a brilliant idea dawned on Kendall. Ask him questions and see if he responds. It would be a if-y at best. The corners of her lips curled slightly at the secrets she could possibly extract from him. Worth the risk? Hell ya.

"Zach," she whispered, nudging him slightly with his her hand. "Are you awake?"

There was no real response, other than slight grunting.

"Zach, are you listening?"

"Mmrm," he grunted again.

"Kendall," she whispered, unsure of how to go about this. "Kendall Hart."

"Mm, Kendall," he growled, shifting his position on the bed again. Kendall moved with him, not wanting to wake him, ruining her plan. "Kendall."

How am I supposed to get him to talk? She pondered her dilemma for a moment before realizing how she could elicit a response. "Kendall and Ryan," she breathed, leaning in closer to her ear.

"Ryan!" he barked loudly, his brow furrowing at the apparently hateful name. "He'd stay away...better stay away."

Kendall could not help but smile at this response, biting the corner of her lip, hoping she would be able to get closer to the heart of Zach Slater. "But what about Kendall?"

"Kendall," he breathed. She felt his body relax as he spoke her name. "She's...beautiful. Eyes so...I l-vser" His words suddenly became jumbled at the end, as he coughed and growled in his sleep. She was unable to make out what he said.

"You what?" Kendall's heart began to pound against her chest, her ears perking at the last few syllables. Leaning in further, she began stroking his chest, trying to soothe him back into uninterrupted sleep. "What did you say?" she asked him again.

There was no response.

"Zach," Kendall hissed, leaning in as far as she dared, her lips only centimeters away from his ear. Her gaze focused upon his sleeping face. "Zach, what did you say? Did you say, 'love'?" Her stomach did a flip at the word.

Was she insane for believing his profession of love wasn't just a figment of her imagination?

--&--

"Zach, what did you say?" Kendall whispered again.

"Mmm, what did I say when?" Zach asked huskily, opening his eyes to find Kendall only millimeters away from him.

Kendall froze, unable to think of what to say. Her body tensed as she was acutely aware of his hand gently caressing her back. Swallowing hard, she licked her lips, trying to buy herself time as she came up with a plausible excuse as to why she was on top of him. "U-uh," she stammered, lowering her eyes, unable to meet his questioning gaze, only to be met by the image of his parted lips. Kendall was sure her heart was about to jump out of her chest, it was beating so hard.

"What is it you're looking for?" He could see the blood rushing to her cheeks, as she shied away from his probing questions. He tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Uh, nothing." Kendall pulled away quickly, trying to extract herself from the somewhat compromising position.

Zach stretched leisurely, resting his hands behind his head, watching Kendall scramble anxiously away from him. He believed that was the best wake-up call he'd had. Well, since he had married Kendall, at least. "Was there anything I can help you with?"

"There isn't anything you can help me with," she replied testily, silently chiding herself for getting so involved - so careless. "So why don't you go back to your own bed, and let me sleep in peace."

"You didn't seem so peaceful last night," he commented casually, watching her out of the corner of his eye. "Bad dreams?"

Kendall pulled heartily at the covers, bundling them up to her neck. They hadn't quite been dreams. Now that she was more awake, Kendall recalled what brought Zach into her bed. "I don't remember," she lied.

"Are you feeling tired?" Zach asked, clearing his voice, becoming more serious and concerned. "Because if you did have trouble sleeping, I could certainly leave you to..."

"No, Zach," she sighed, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "Don't bother." She actually had slept well, at least, as far as she 'couldn't' remember - not being awakened by horrible, haunted dreams.

"If you're tired," he said, ignoring her slight dismissal. "I can leave the room. I do have some errands I could run."

"I'm fine," she stated firmly. "So you don't have to leave the room on my account. I was...I was overreacting before." Running her fingers through her unkempt hair. "I was just startled to find my husband actually sleeping right beside me."

"It's not a new concept," he chuckled. "Some husbands and wives do it every day."

"Yeah, well," she scoffed. "We're not just any husband and wife duo, are we?"

Zach knew that. He was painfully aware of that.

"But you can get out of bed, so we can start our day," Kendall chirped, wanting to distract him from the entanglment they had found themselves in.

"Our day?" He frowned. It sounded as if they would be spending it together.

"Yes," she nodded, "our day together."

"But...but I thought you didn't need a man to show you around?" He raised a questioning brow, trying to keep the smirk from curling at the corners of his lips.

"Well, yesterday proved that theory isn't viable," she huffed. "Since this festival thing is on. All the crazies are out. Under normal circumstances I would not need a...a companion for my outings..."

"Companion?" He thought he had suddenly slipped into a Jane Austen novel.

"You know what I mean," she said, flustered by Zach's not-so-witty comments. Suddenly she felt more independent. Do I really need this arrogant, egocentric lump escorting me around? He'll be razzing me all day. Suddenly she changed her mind. "You know what? Never mind..."

"Hey," he reached out and took her hand, "I'm teasing. Sorry." He pulled her hand near. "No more snide remarks," he said, not wanting to start the day on the wrong foot. "Promise."

Kendall studied him, her eyes narrowing, wondering how sincere he was being. "You promise?" she said slowly, her eyes never leaving his. He nodded his confirmation. "How do I know I can trust you to keep your promise?"

"I always keep my promises."

Kendall bit the inside of her cheek, as she tried to think of an instance where he had ever broken his promise to her. She had a list for the other men in her life, even the women in her life, but not Zach. He had been the one constant in her life - someone whom she could trust to keep their promise. Kind of the reason why you fell for him...

"So will you allow me the pleasure to escort you through the exciting world of Haitian life?" he asked coyly. "I promise to show you a good time. He watched as she seemed to think about the offer, weighing her options.

"All right," she declared, taking her hand back into her possession. Tilting her head slightly, Kendall smiled mischievously at her ruggedly handsome husband. "You get one chance, mister. And...if you show me a good enough time, maybe I'll keep you around for another day."

--&--

The day had been a success so far. Kendall was surprised again how much she enjoyed spending time with Zach. When he was around her mother, Jack, or even Ryan and Greenlee, he always began posturing. He was subtle about it, but whenever he got the chance, he would throw in a jab or remark that would throw everyone into a hizzy. Part of her hated it. It made it that much harder for everyone to believe why she trusted him and wanted him around. But then there was the other part...that loved every minute of it.

"Well, I think it has been quite the busy day for you Mrs. Slater," Zach chuckled, handing their driver another handful of bags. "You have successfully filled the car with enough packages that we can no longer fit in it."

"Me?" she exclaimed in disbelief. "You're the one who insisted I try on every dress in the whole south side of the island!"

"I had to do something about the complaining," he said, shrugging. A smirk played upon his lips.

"Complaining?" Kendall shook her head. "I was not complaining," she protested. "I was merely stating the obvious."

"Complaining."

"I am not wearing this one dress that you bought me for the entirety of my stay," she said defensively. "That is just gross. Plus, what kind of image would that give me or you?"

"Well, you've solved that problem," he glanced over his shoulder at the black sedan. "You're planning on moving to the south island?"

"Shut up." Kendall glared at him, fighting the urge to laugh.

"Hey, just wondering if you ever plan on going back to Pine Valley," he teased. "I mean for you go to actually wear every outfit that you've purchased today, you'd be here at least a few months."

Kendall slapped him lightly on the shoulder, feigning irritation, but smiling the entire time. ""Why do you have to ruin a perfectly good day," she asked, resting her hands on her hips. "You were doing so well."

"Sorry, dear. I'll just go back to nodding and doling out the cash." He loved seeing the smile return to her face. He thought it would be a while before he would see it again.

"Hey, half of it's mine, mister," she chided, wagging her index finger at him.

"True enough."

Her lips parted to say something, but she thought better of it. He opened his mouth to say to comment, but decided it was better left unsaid. Suddenly an unexpected silence fell between them.

The day was almost at an end. It was growing dark, and it crossed Zach's mind that they hadn't had anything substantial to eat all day. They had picked up some fruit from the market to eat along the way, but not a real meal. "Um," Zach cleared his throat, "are you hungry?"

Kendall was grateful for the lifting of silence between them. Her hand unconsciously resting on her stomach; she hadn't felt hungry at all, but all of the sudden she realized how famished she was. "Actually yeah," she said. "I don't think we stopped long enough all day for me to think about how hungry I am."

"Great."

"Great?" Her brow furrowed at his response. "What's so great?" she asked suspiciously. "I can see the little gears turning in the misunderstood machine that you call a brain."

"You'll see," he said. Stepping aside, his arm made a sweeping gesture towards the pathway to the car.

"Should I be worried?" she joked.

Zach ignored her question, helping her into the waiting car. Today had been a surprisingly wonderful day. Part of him thought that kendall would be lost in the memory of the miscarriage forever, but she had not mentioned it once that day. And if he could help it, he would do everything to keep that brilliant smile on her beautiful face. "I'm just trying to fulfill a promise."

--&--

Zach, attentive; it was quite unnerving. Kendall did not think that life with Zach could be like this. Of course, secretly she fantasized about it being perfect, but that was a fantasy. The man had his faults. And it reared its ugly head when he finally admitted that he lied about Ryan's death. But if she were being objective about it, she could see how the truth could have destroyed Greenlee. Oh, it's all so confusing.

"We're here," Zach whispered into her ear.

Kendall peered out the car window to find out what Zach was up to, but it was too dark. She hadn't realized how quickly the sun set here. "What are you up to?" she asked curiously, as her gaze met his. He offered his hand to her, and she accepted, as she stepped out of the black sedan.

He had made a few quick phone calls as Kendall stopped off at one more shop along the way. Everything had been arranged quite quickly. In fact, Zach hadn't had the chance to inspect the work done by his makeshift staff in Haiti. "You'll see," he said slyly, as he stood behind her.

She felt his hand rest upon her waist, as his other hand held hers. The night air was chilly, and she welcomed the warmth of his body against hers. "You haven't arranged for us to walk some fiery pit of coals, or anything like that?"

"No," he chuckled. "I think our marriage was a trial by fire in itself, don't you?"

Without another word, she felt him gently guide her forward, his strong assuring hands leading her where she needed to go. The car had stopped outside what seemed to be a forest glade. What? Was did she look like a girl guide?

He had been advised that the location where he had planned this special end to their night was secluded and known to only a few of the locals. But where exactly they were, he wasn't quite too clear. Arranging the details had been left up to an acquaintence.

"Follow me," an unfamiliar voice beckoned.

Kendall hesitated, glancing back towards Zach, who seemed a little unsure himself.

A small figure stepped out from the shadows with a torch in hand. He had dark hair, his frame was slight, and his skin dark like that of a native of the island. "My name is Farid, sent by Jean Benard. I am here to lead you to your destination." He spoke with a thick accent. Stepping aside, he slipped the torch into his left hand and revealed the narrow pathway enshrouded by a mixture of green foliage.

Zach recognized the name of his assistant, and relaxed slightly. "Lead the way."

"What's with all of the mystery?" Kendall smirked. "You could make a girl feel special going through all of this effort." And she wasn't lying. She had never felt this special - important - to merit all of this attention.

"Well," he said, leaning to whisper in her ear. "You are special."

Suddenly she thought her heart skipped a beat. Closing her eyes, she let out a soft sigh. Kendall imagined that this was what it would be like to truly find love - a man who was attentive to her every need, someone who could bring a smile to her lips with just a word.

Their guide for the evening led them down a dark, rough pathway, that seemed untrodden. But as they walked a few feet, the trail widened and brightened. The pathway was now lined with torches, as the looming foliage seemed to disappear from above them, revealing the clear night sky.

Kendall wished she knew what was running through Zach's mind at that moment. What would possess him to go through all of this effort? Part of her hoped it was because what she suspected was true - could he possibly be falling for her? She had never felt safer in one man's arms than she did with him. He made every heartache fall away when he was near. He could make the whole world disappear around her.

"I'll take her the rest of the way," Zach said to Farid. Stepping out from behind Kendall, he turned around to face her. "Do you like surprises?"

Kendall narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Only if you promise that it doesn't involve someone placing a curse on me," she said sarcastically.

"Now why would I do that to you?" he smirked mischievously, glancing over his shoulder to make sure things were ready.

Her curiosity was definitely peaked. She tried to peer over Zach's shoulder, past the trees and ferns around them.

"Ah ah," he chided, taking her hand. "No fair peeking."

"What's the surprise, Zach?" she asked anxiously. "You're being too mysterious."

"It's not a voodoo curse," he replied dryly. "No."

"Then what?"

"Follow me." Zach turned around, with her hand in his, leading her onto the soft, white, cool sands. In the distance, he could see their destination. It was exactly as he had described. Jean Bernard gets a bonus.

It was nothing that she had imagined. As Zach held her hand gently, Kendall found herself being led out of the darkness and towards a bright light. The closer they came, she could distinguish smaller details within the light. It was like stepping into a movie. Glowing torches surrounded a small area of the beach, and within the sectioned area, a small candle-lit table for two. She could hear soft music playing in the background, as Zach brought her to the table, and in the shadows she suddenly noticed the outline of shadowed figures, with guitars and violins.

It took her breath away.

"Surprise," he said huskily. Zach watched as her pale expression took on a glow. The flames danced in her bright green eyes, as they took in his attempt at subtlety. His heart filled with an inexpressible warmth as a enormous smile appeared upon her face.

"You...when did you have the time to," she stammered, as she was at a loss of words. "How did you do this?"

"I'm a man of many talents," he chuckled, moving closer to her. "Or didn't you already figure that out?"

Kendall shook her head, unable to describe what she felt at this moment. Her throat was choked by the threat of tears. It was so beautiful. Her hand fluttered to her throat, fighting to control her emotions. She turned to speak, but was met with a flower - to be exact, a hibiscus flower. The same flower he had handed her when she had stood upon a very similar looking beach. "Zach..."

"Would you care to dance, Mrs. Slater?" He had grown fond of saying those two words. And as he held his hand out to his wife, he knew it would soon end. He would never refer to her as that again.

She slipped her right hand into his, watching as their fingers entwined within each others, fitting perfectly together, as if they belonged. Kendall allowed herself to be drawn closer, as his right arm slid around her waist, gasping slightly as he pulled her in close to him. Her body was tense, unsure of how to respond to what seemed to be happening between them, as his body swayed to the music.

Kendall kept her eyes down, unable to bring herself to look into his eyes. This moment felt so real. Tentatively, she raised her head, until her gaze met his. The bright flicker of torchlight glimmered in his intense, dark brown eyes. The way he gazed soulfully into her eyes, Kendall felt like she was falling - drowning in them.

The music faded, their surroundings vanished, as he held her in his arms. Everything about her dancing in his arms felt right. It was as if he was complete; she completed him.

He wished he could voice the feelings swirling inside him. But this relationship was not about feelings and love. Zach found himself settling silent declarations, and perfect nights like this.

Kendall Hart Slater, God help me, I love you.

----&----

"Thank you," Kendall said softly, as they headed back to the hotel. "Tonight was...was perfect."

"I'm glad," Zach smiled, glancing down at his hand, still entwined with hers.

"But..." A small voice inside told her to stop right there. Don't ruin this moment. But she could not help but wonder...

"But what?"

"But what was tonight, Zach?" Her chest tightened. Did she want to know the answer to the question she was asking? Did she even know what she was asking for? "What was tonight about, Zach?"

How was he supposed to answer that? Zach knew that tonight could bring up a subject that both had danced around. They had both admitted caring for each other, but that was as far as it went. But I've gone farther than just caring.

Think about just what you are about to do. Kendall had skitted around this subject for far too long. She knew that she had made the stupid mistake of falling for a man who wanted nothing to do with love. But the night of the fire, Kendall could have sworn Zach had been in her hospital room. It was that unreal dream that had given her a glimmer of hope that what she had thought she heard was true. Zach was in love with her.

She had not spoken of it to him. Part of her felt foolish for even believing, after Greenlee had told her that it was all a dream - her imagination. But tonight, everything about her dream came flashing back as if a vivid reality. But you could be wrong. Dead wrong.

"Tonight." He found himself at a loss for words. Did he want to deny it all. Did he want to leave this night as a perfect memory. Or did he want to chance it all? Did he want to tell her how he had fallen in love with her?

"Yes," she said, feeling herself grow faint. "Why did you do all of that?"

"What do you mean?" Now he was playing dense. She deserved better than that.

"Zach, tonight felt like more..." she hedged. "It felt like something someone would do for someone they...loved."

There she had said the word. As horrifying as that word could be - sharper than any knife point - she needed to know. She was tired of the dance.

"So, what you're asking me is..." His voice trailed off. Zach did not know if he could do it. How did he tell a woman who married him to keep herself from falling in love, that he had done the opposite?

Don't do it. Don't do it. Kendall had forced them into a corner. There was no way out now.

"Are you in love with me?"