I seemed to have picked up some followers for this one - shot. I wrote another one. It's inspired by the song Down by Marion Hill. Check it out on youtube. It's quite catchy. Let me know what you think!

Bright lights suddenly dimmed, casting the interior of the club into shadows. Lace tablecloths decorated the tables, giving the otherwise scandalous club a rather classy feel. Tear drop chandeliers hung suspended over the tables as if floating in mid – air. Soft candle light dotted the centers of the tables situated around what one could consider a dance floor. Warm aromas of cinnamon and clove wafted through the air, reminding her of Christmas. But it wasn't Christmas. There was no special reason for her presence other than his request. She wasn't sure why she was even granting it. And he was late and that added to her already soured mood. It was something she just couldn't quite shake, so when he sent her a text message about joining him for a night out, it took some convincing on his part. At first, she flat out refused. Then he called, pleading his case that they hadn't had a night out to themselves what with the boys' soccer schedule occupying the majority of their weeknights and weekends. They desperately needed this evening to themselves.

The waiter placed a glass of Malbec in front of her and she twisted the glass delicately in her hand, a nervous habit, something to keep her mind occupied. She took a sip, the liquid coating her tongue before swallowing it down her throat and making her head feel just a little bit fuzzy. She hadn't had a proper drink in quite some time. It was true what he said – the boys occupied so much of their lives she had to chuckle at how they even managed to still keep up with their date nights and…other adult activities. A dark shadow blocked out the already limited light. She placed her wine glass down in order to get a better glimpse of the offending figure.

"You're blocking my light," she plainly stated, not bothering to look at the mysterious figure.

"Sorry, love. I couldn't help but notice you're sitting here, all alone."

"I'm waiting for someone."

"Oh, well, 'tis a shame for a creature as beautiful as yourself to be kept waiting. Shall I keep you company?" The figure asked as he sat himself next to her at the table. Her eyes rose a bit before grasping her glass and taking another sip of the heady drink.

"Well it appears you don't need any permission since you just sat yourself down."

"Hmm, your mouth was otherwise occupied."

"Sir, shall I get you something to drink?" The same waiter who minutes before delivered her wine approached the table in response to her new companion.

"Ah, yes, I'll take a whiskey and coke." The waiter nodded his headed in acknowledgement and returned to the bar to fetch her companion's order. He returned his attention to her. "So, who are you waiting for?" He asked, his mouth quirking up into a smirk.

"My husband," she smiled as she took another sip from her drink.

"Hmmm," he responded in kind, taking a sip of the whiskey and coke the waiter just placed on the table. "Well, I'm sure he won't mind if I keep you company until he can get here. Must be a terribly busy man to not be able to make time for you, to be on time for your date."

"Perhaps I'm early," she lied, but her companion needn't need to know. She took another sip of her drink, licking the few drops that lingered on her lips. The stranger grasped his lower lip in his teeth, dragging it and releasing it with a pop. They sat in silence for a few moments. The figure shifted in his seat, glancing around him. "Looking for someone?"

"Oh, just wondering if your husband is close to showing up."

"Hmmm, I'm beginning to wonder the same thing," she replied, leaning forward on her elbows, her lips quirking mischievously. "But, if he takes too much longer, I may just have to take advantage of what I have right in front of me." The figure sits back unsure of this new aggressive position this sultry woman decided to take.

"If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with? Is that what they say?"

"Hmmm, yes I believe that is how the song goes."

"Speaking of songs, would you care to dance?"

"Ohh, hmmm," she sits back for a moment, "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"What, why not?"

"I, uh, don't know how to dance," she mumbled out.

"Now, come on, I'm sure that's not true."

"Oh, but I assure you it is."

"Perhaps you haven't had the right partner," the man suggests as he holds out his hand. She dips her head down.

"Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack, mi'lady. Come on, it'll be fine."

"Hmmm, what will my husband think?"

"He'll think nothing of it, it's just an innocent dance between friends."

"Oh, we're friends now?"

"Yes." She chuckles and takes his hand. He pulls her to her feet and leads her out to the area set in front of a live band. He reaches for her hand, settling it on his shoulder before grasping her waist and pulling her close. She stiffens in his touch for a few seconds. He looks over her head and nods at the lead singer. The singer acknowledges his silent request, turning to whisper to her bandmates.

"What are you doing?" She looks up at her dance partner with uncertainty in her eyes. He leans down.

"Shhhh," he admonishes as he captures her lips in a soft kiss. "Just go with it." The kiss catches her by surprise but she relaxes into it for a moment as the music starts up. He leads her in a dance, coaxing her hips into a gentle sway back and forth for a few counts. He spins her and changes their direction. She stumbles a bit with the movement but quickly regains her footing. The kind gentleman catches his lower lip in between his teeth, stifling a laugh. Her facial expression goes from one of embarrassment to one of determination. Suddenly she spins her body around so her backside is flush with his front. Her ass is perfectly placed in front of his crotch and she gets a slight thrill of how perfect they fit together. The man settles his hands on either side of her hips and she resumes their slow sway all the while rotating her hips against him.

He pulls her arms up and around the back of his neck. After they're secured he chances to run his hands up and down her sides and he can feel her tremble under his touch. She pulls her arms down and he reaches for her hand to spin her back around to face him. Her body presses so close to his that she has to rest her head against his chest. She can feel his heart beating. Of their own accord, her eyes close and for a few moments all she hears is the steady thump thump of his heartbeat keeping time to their slow rhythm. Their swaying slows to a stop. She pulls back in his arms, searching his face. He takes her face in his hands and she closes her eyes. Once more he leans forward to capture her lips in a chaste kiss.

"Are you still waiting for your husband?" he ushers out in a hushed whisper. She pulls back to search this strange man's eyes. They're a deep blue just like her husbands and that smile his lips pull into out of embarrassment reveal delicate dimples, just like her husband and while this strange man who ordered her drinks and took her out onto the dance floor is a wonderful change of pace, she finds she indeed is still waiting for her husband. That goofy guy of hers who probably would've stepped all over her toes trying to pull the same moves. Her husband who would've picked up on her anxiety about anywhere other than the privacy of their own home and wouldn't even have suggested dancing so provocatively on the dance floor. Her husband who would've insisted he have her right at that moment she turned and started grinding herself against his crotch. Yes, she missed that guy and wondered where he was.

"Hmmm, yes I am still waiting for my husband, but you'll do nicely until he decides to show up," she murmured as she wrapped her arms around his figure to resume resting her head against his chest.

"I see. Well, what if he never comes?" She pulls back once more to stare into his eyes, searching for another meaning behind his question. She frowns a bit because she can't quite grasp his intentions. The question caught her off – guard and has her flustered for a moment.

"Well then, I suppose I'll have to embark on a new adventure with you. You seem to have taken a liking to me," she finally responds.

"Aye, mi'lady. What's there not to like? To love?"

"You love me? We've only just met. We don't even know each other's names."

"There is plenty to love about you. All superficial, for now. But I'm sure the more I discover about you the more in love with you I'll fall. As for names, we don't need to know each other's names just now. Let's enjoy this moment, shall we?"

"Really?"

"Really."

The band has played two more slow songs during this entire exchange and are keying up for something more upbeat. The mysterious stranger reaches for her arms clasped around his back and leads her back to her table. He seats her and bends to kiss her hand before seating himself.

"Another drink?"

"Hmm, I really shouldn't. I should be getting back home, my husband might be waiting for me there."

"Why would he wait for you there when you were supposed to meet here?"

"Stranger things have happened. And what about you? Certainly you didn't come here tonight to take a strange woman dancing and buy her drinks."

"Oh, you got me; I was waiting for my wife. And who said I was buying you drinks?"

"You keep asking me if I want something to drink, I'm going to assume you're buying." The man smirks and takes a sip of his forgotten whiskey. He sets his glass down and reaches for her hand. She doesn't pull back. Instead she allows him to grasp it and pull it into his lap where he rubs slow circles in that space between her thumb and index finger. The movement sends shivers down her spine, but she is content to sit with him and relaxes into his ministrations.

She closes her eyes for a few moments. She feels him drag her hand to his lips where he dots kisses here and there before resetting her hand in his lap.

"Mmm, look at them."

"Them?"

"Yeah, those kids out on the dance floor. They don't know what they're doing."

"Ha, reminiscing of your younger years?"

"My younger years? What about your younger years?"

"Ha! What are you talking about? I'm still plenty young."

"Oh yeah?"

"You're the one who retired us from the dance floor."

"You seemed a bit flustered."

"Well I wasn't. Are you up for another round?"

"This from the woman I practically had to drag out onto the floor."

"Yes, well…I've had some liquid courage."

He takes her other hand and pulls her to her feet, escorting her back out onto the dance floor. The band strikes up more lively songs and while the younger bodies on the floor merely grind on each other, they seem to take notice of the new couple on the floor. Their movements in sync with each other. Dazzling the onlookers with the sway of their hips, the dips and turns and soon they're the only ones on the dance floor. The final song comes to an end and the couple is caught unaware of the attention they've garnered until they hear the applause from the onlookers.

The man pulls her back towards their table where the waiter has deposited their check. The man reaches for his wallet, smiles at her, winks and deposits enough bills to cover their charges. She laughs into his shoulder.

"Are you sober enough to get home by yourself, or shall I escort you?"

"Ever the gentleman? What will my husband think?"

"I think he'll be grateful I made sure his wife got home alright."

"I suppose," she sighs out. Now that they stopped drinking, she was feeling the effects of the alcohol in her system. A pleasant buzz tickling her spine and making her head fuzzy and not in control of her thoughts. Yes, perhaps he should see her home. "I'll have to come back for my car."

"That's alright, your husband won't mind. All he'll care about is you made it home safe and sound."

Acquiescing, she nodded her head as she bent to collect her purse and coat. Her new companion reached for her coat and helped her into it. They grasped each other's hand and he led her out to his car. Once she was situated in the passenger seat he took off. Her head lolled back in the seat and her eyes closed.

She wasn't sure how much time passed but the stranger was opening her door and helping her to the front door of her house. He fumbled through her purse for her keys and unlocked the front door. He flipped on the lights in the foyer.

"Alright mi'lady, you're home," he whispered as he helped her out of her coat and shoes.

"Robin? Regina?" A sleepy voice called out. Bare foot steps approached them from the top of the stairs.

"Hey, Mare. She's had just a little too much to drink. How are the boys?" Robin whispered as he supported Regina while she tried to walk up the stairs into the den.

"They're good, went to sleep a few hours ago. Roland was kinda sad Regina wasn't here to read him a story."

"Yeah, he enjoys bed time stories. Do you wanna stay the night? I can make up the sofa."

"Oh, I kinda already got out some stuff, if it's no bother."

"No, thanks for doing this on such short notice."

"No worries, just know David and I expect this same favor." Mary – Margaret headed back to the sofa in the den and Robin resorted to carrying Regina up to their bedroom.

"Mmm, Robin?" her sleepy voice called as soon as he laid her down and began stripping her of her clothes.

"Right here love, I'm just helping you change into some pajamas. How are you feeling?"

"Absolutely wonderful."

"Did you have a good time tonight?"

"Mmm hmmm, I did. I danced with a strange man."

"A strange man? Not me?"

"No, this man knew how to dance."

"I know how to dance."

"Naaaa," she chuckled out.

"Well, at any rate, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."

"Where were you?" she asked as he pulled her to a seated position so he could put her sleep shirt on.

"I was there. I wouldn't leave you to the devices of some strange man." She giggled some more as the motion of pulling her shirt over her head tickled her sides. "Now, love, try to get some sleep," he whispered, kissing her forehead. Her face scowled as he laid her down in the bed. He chuckled to himself. He'd never known his wife to get so drunk before. She usually handles her liquor quite well but, he supposes she hasn't been able to get out and just enjoy a few drinks. He strips out of his suit and decides to just sleep in his boxers, he's quite knackered himself. He climbs into bed behind his wife and she shifts into his side, it's her favorite position. He gathers her into his arms, peppering a few kisses on the top of her head before closing his eyes and allowed sleep to claim him.

Tonight was great and wonderful and free. She was right, he wasn't the greatest of dancers and that's what made tonight's date night so special. Under David's tutelage Robin was able to learn some maneuvers and was finally comfortable enough to try them out on his wife. Now he was perfectly confident his wife thoroughly enjoyed herself and hopefully was impressed enough he might be able to talk her into many more nights spent dancing into the pre – dawn light.