"Hey Alan?" Tin-Tin asked as she and Alan walked through the courtyard of Lady Penelope's sprawling grounds. Her ladyship had offered the opportunity for Alan and Tin-Tin to take a holiday on her grounds as a special treat. Virgil had pouted that he wouldn't get to go, but Lady P had graciously given him the chance to join as a quote unquote chaperone. He had some vacation time stockpiled away so he'd jumped at the chance to go and relax for a change.
"Yeah Tin-Tin?" Alan said as he gazed at his and Tin-Tin's intertwined fingers. They'd just recently begun dating and Alan had to admit, never in his wildest dreams had he ever thought Tin-Tin had a mutual interest in him.
"Can we go into the village? Please? Please? Please?" Tin-Tin pulled the puppy pout and smiled jovially as she saw Alan visibly give under the pressure of her puppy pout.
"Fine." Alan said as he began to walk back towards Lady P's manor. "So what do you want to do?"
"I don't know." Tin-Tin shrugged as she walked, not quite sure what she wanted to do with her boyfriend. They had a week there at Lady P's manor and they'd been there for a day so far and had spent almost all of their time outside.
… … … … … …
Holding Tin-Tin's hand, Alan allowed his girlfriend to drag him practically everywhere she desired to go. He'd gone clothes shopping with her and nodded at certain articles she'd modeled for him. Now he had an armload of bags as Lady P had given them a card and told them to buy whatever they wanted, no matter the cost. While both teens had felt bad about using Lady P's card to purchase stuff, she'd assured them that it was all okay. She had plenty of money and felt it should be put to use.
Coming to a halt when he'd bumped into Tin-Tin, he looked up at the sign that she looked at. Sparing a glance at his girlfriend, Alan could practically see the stars glowing in Tin-Tin's eyes. Looking back at the sign Alan gave a grimace.
"Ice Skating?" Alan asked as he looked at Tin-Tin with a guarded expression.
"Oh yes Alan! Please? Pretty please with sugar and kisses on top?" Tin-Tin squeaked as she put her hands together in a prayer pose.
"Fine! Let's go." Alan led the way and walked in the building before renting him and Tin-Tin a pair of skates each. As they put them on, Alan couldn't help but to look around in hopes that he didn't see anyone that might recognize him. He knew it was unlikely, but you never know. After getting the laces tied, Alan and Tin-Tin stood up on wobbly legs and walked towards the ice.
Walking out onto the ice, both Alan and Tin-Tin soon found themselves flat on their butts as they'd both slipped. Giving a loud guffaw, Alan crawled onto his knees before helping Tin-Tin up. He'd stood in the same spot as he tried to find his balance on the ice. Once the two of them were standing, they both took a step before finding their rhythm.
"This is actually pretty fun." Alan smiled as he held Tin-Tin's hand and skating around the rink. They'd already spent a better part of the day there at the ice skating rink and the both of them had quickly learned the ropes of skating.
"Do you think they have lessons that they'd teach for some of the dances?" Tin-Tin asked shyly as she skated beside Alan. She'd glanced down at their feet and noticed how they both took a step at the same time.
"I don't know…want to go find out?" Alan asked, more than hopeful that they might get lessons so they could do more than skate in a circle.
"Sure." Tin-Tin said as she and Alan slowed down before leaving the rink. They'd walked to the front counter and waited until one of the girls working the counter looked up.
"Hi!" Alan smiled at her, causing Tin-Tin to hug him, staking a claim over the boy so the girl behind the counter would know he was off limits.
"How may I help you?" The girl asked with a pleasant smile.
"I was wondering if you had anybody to teach lessons. My girlfriend and I would like to learn a little more than just circling the rink." Alan said picking up on why Tin-Tin was hugging him. He was aware that she was being possessive and he thought it was hot.
"Um…" The girl looked around before she spotted one of their hired teachers. She was an older woman, but she trained people regularly. "Brandy! Got a second?"
Brandy looked up before coming over. She'd been about ready to go onto the ice to skate for a bit when she'd been called over.
"Yes Fiona?" Brandy asked as she looked at her co-worker.
"I've got some people that'd like to learn how to skate a little bit better. Would you like a couple students?" Fiona asked as she looked at Alan and Tin-Tin smiling hopefully.
Brandy looked at the two teens for a moment before nodding her consent. "Sure, let's go on out and I'll give you two a lesson."
Alan and Tin-Tin followed Brandy out onto the ice to a spot that didn't appear to be getting much action.
"Okay, so first I would like to know names." Brandy looked at the two teens with a smile.
"I'm Alan…and this is my girlfriend Tin-Tin." Alan introduced the two of them.
"I'm Brandy." Brandy extended a hand to shake with them.
"Pleasure to meet you two." Brandy said before getting to business. "Now I want you two to skate a round and show me how fast you can go before stopping.
… … … … … …
Alan and Virgil both returned later that evening, feet sore and lethargic. Dropping their purchases from the afternoon just inside the door, Alan and Tin-Tin removed their shoes gratefully.
"Hey, where did you two go all day?" Virgil wandered out of the living area when he heard the door open.
"To the village." Alan replied tiredly. "If you'll excuse me I'm going up to take a shower before dinner."
"Me too." Tin-Tin said equally as tired as Alan before the two of them trudged off upstairs before separating to the opposite wings in Lady P's manor.
Virgil watched the two of them go with a raised eyebrow. He was confused. How could shopping in the village have tired them out so much? Looking at the one or two bags in the doorway, Virgil shook his head. He couldn't figure out what Alan and Tin-Tin had been doing to be so tired, but he was on vacation and he wasn't going to concern himself with it. As long as they were being safe he was fine with it.
The following morning however, Virgil noticed the looks of pain crossing both teens' faces and wondered again at what they had been doing to feel so sore. When they left again that afternoon, Virgil was tempted to follow but didn't. Again, he was on vacation and he was going to relax as much as he could before he would have to go back on duty with IR.
Only when they returned around the same time later that evening as they had the day prior did Virgil finally ask about it.
"Where are you two going and what are you two doing to become this tired?" Virgil stood before Alan and Tin-Tin barring their entrance to the top half of the stairs leading to their bedrooms. "I'm expecting an answer."
"It's fine Virge, we're just feeling a little tired from all the sight-seeing." Alan said, trying to pass off his brother's concern for their wellbeing.
"Fine, I want to see all these places you and Tin-Tin are seeing. I'll join you tomorrow." Virgil said determinedly. Alan and Tin-Tin shared a meaningful look before both nodded their acceptance. Cat was out of the bag now.
… … … … … …
The next morning Alan and Tin-Tin trudged down the stairs, not quite as sore as they had been the day prior; but still sore. They had breakfast with Lady P, Parker and Virgil before going off to lounge around for a bit until the early afternoon. When it had reached that time, Alan and Tin-Tin tried to sneak out without Virgil, but he'd expected it and met them at the door. Insisting to drive his brother and brother's girlfriend into the village, Virgil got behind the wheel of the borrowed car.
"So where are we going?" Virgil asked as he put the car in gear and began to drive.
Alan looked at Tin-Tin before replying. "The Ice Palace."
"Excuse me?" Virgil asked, taken off guard by Alan's response.
"It's called The Ice Palace. It's an indoor ice skating rink." Alan said as he held Tin-Tin's hand. "We've been taking lessons."
Virgil stayed silent, surprised but not believing his brother. Alan wouldn't be caught dead ice skating. The Tracy brothers or Scott and Gordon anyway called it a sissy sport and often made fun of the guys dancing on ice when the figure skating competitions were broadcast on the telly. Nodding with feigned belief, Virgil continued to drive until he'd pulled up outside of The Ice Palace.
"Okay we're here." Virgil said as he turned to look in the backseat. "Are you guys really ice skating or are you just pulling my leg?"
"Come in and you'll see." Alan opened the door and scooted out before giving Tin-Tin a hand out of the car. Both teens walked hand in hand inside before going to the desk. Virgil trailed along behind them, waiting for them to turn around and say gotcha before running off. He was stunned when he saw Alan and Tin-Tin get a pair of ice skating boots each before going to put them on. When Alan and Tin-Tin went out onto the ice, Virgil walked over and stood by the wall of the rink. He watched as an older woman walked out and he just about choked when he recognized her. Brandy Andreas was a world renowned figure skating champion. Virgil liked to watch the figure skating championships occasionally, finding a hidden beauty in it. If he hadn't had the grace of a newborn filly he might try ice skating…but he could be just as much of a klutz as Alan and John.
The rink was empty at the moment and Virgil watched when Brandy Andreas motioned at someone. Soon music filtered into the arena and Alan and Tin-Tin began skating slowly around. Watching in awed silence, Virgil watched Alan and Tin-Tin dance to a song he recognized from a movie of Alan's childhood. Let Me Be Your Wings from Thumbelina. Alan and Tin-Tin danced smoothly together, Alan had only fallen once but he'd gotten right back up and continued skating.
"Are you with them?" Virgil turned suddenly when a voice beside him spoke and had to find his voice as he recognized Brandy Andreas standing beside him.
"Yes, he's my little brother." Virgil motioned to Alan as the kid seamlessly lifted Tin-Tin off the ice and supported her for all of three seconds before setting her back down. "She's my brother's girlfriend."
"They are incredibly talented skaters. I wouldn't mind training them to go for the big leagues." Brandy said as she watched Alan and Tin-Tin skate by. "They are determined; they came back for more regardless of being hardly able to move."
"That's Alan and Tin-Tin for you." Virgil verified. "Neither of them are the type to give up."
"Oh I can see that. The girl, Tin-Tin was it? She fell on the first day and thought she broke her wrist – but despite the pain she kept skating and came in the next day. She just tweaked her wrist, it wasn't broken or sprained.
"Oh." Virgil said as he looked out at Alan and Tin-Tin once more. The both of them moved with such grace, it was hard to believe that they'd only just begun ice skating.
… … … … … …
Alan lip synced along with Tin-Tin as he skated. She'd chosen the song, having told Alan that Thumbelina was probably her all-time favorite movie when she'd been growing up. The song had been placed on a loop and had been replaying so that Alan and Tin-Tin could continue practicing.
"I hope you're having fun Tin." Alan said as he placed his hands expertly on Tin-Tin's waist before the two of them sped up.
"I am, but it's more fun doing this with you." Tin-Tin said as she leaned into Alan's touch. "I suppose we should be glad Virgil was the one who discovered this and not anyone else."
"Yeah, because if I know Gordon or Scoot, their response would be 'artsy-shmartsy – it's still dancing.' Yeah, I'd rather Virgil discover this over any of my other brothers. He at least understands art." Alan said as he and Tin-Tin leaned into a turn.
"Thanks for doing this with me Alan." Tin-Tin said as she prepared for the finishing jump that would end their practice.
"No problem Tin." Alan said before releasing Tin-Tin to do her spiral jump. After that they both came to a stop and held their positions until the heard applause.
Turning towards the applause, Alan and Tin-Tin bowed and curtsied respectively. Before skating off the ice. When they'd gotten off the ice, both Alan and Tin-Tin sank onto the bench. Alan held Tin-Tin's hand with his head resting on her shoulder until he felt a tugging at his feet. Looking down, he found Virgil knelt down and untying the laces of his ice skates.
"You did a great job you guys." Virgil said as he finished removing Alan's skates and began removing Tin-Tin's skates.
"Thanks." Alan and Tin-Tin said softly before slipping back into their shoes and standing slowly.
Brandy approached them as the two teens were led out by Virgil.
"I know you won't be in town for much longer, but if you ever want to continue your lessons, you know where to find me."
"Thanks Brandy…same time tomorrow?" Alan asked with a soft smile.
"Yes, see you tomorrow." Brandy hugged Alan and Tin-Tin before the two teens followed Virgil out. Climbing into the car, Alan and Tin-Tin collapsed like a couple of exhausted puppies.
Snuggling together, Alan and Tin-Tin felt it safe enough to catch a nap for a few minutes while Virgil drove them back to Lady P's manor. Before falling asleep, Alan pried his eyes open.
"You're not going to tell the guys about this…are you?" Alan asked timidly.
"No, it'll be our little secret." Virgil said as he lifted a finger to show silence.
"Thanks Virge." Alan replied before Tin-Tin hummed her thanks also.
"No problem." Virgil said as he drove on. "No problem at all."