Hey, guys. Thank you so much for all of your reviews! I hope you like my last chapter. Keep a look out for my next Maddie/Esteban fic! (The grand, epic one I was supposed to be writing when I started this one.)

Lol, Hopefully, I'll get it up soon. Thanks again!

-captain lyd

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful

Stop me and steal my breath

-Edwin McCain, "I'll Be"

Maddie rounded the corner to the lobby quietly shushing eight-month-old Andrew.

Andrew fussed slightly as he was getting hungry. Maddie was bringing him to his mom, who was in the conference room.

She quickly set down the diaper bag, opened it, and began to rummage through it for a pacifier. Just then she heard a voice call out from across the lobby.

"Well if it isn't my little Latin firecracker!"

Maddie looked up to see a big woman standing just inside the revolving doors of the lobby. Maddie looked to see who she was talking to, and saw Esteban rooted to the spot at the bottom of the steps with a horrified look on his face.

Esteban was already in his typical old jeans and t-shirt that he wore every day for dance class.

Maddie saw him whimper slightly. Then he turned around with a huge fake smile plastered on his face, and exclaimed, "Mrs. Mayweather!" His smile faltered slightly. "What are you doing here?"

Maddie had to force herself not to laugh as Esteban slowly walked up the steps towards Mrs. Mayweather as if he were headed for the gallows. He had told Maddie all about how Mrs. Mayweather had signed up for his dance class during her first stay at the Tipton. Apparently she thought Esteban was quite a fine dancer.

Maddie chuckled as the woman, who couldn't be any younger than forty-five, started to fawn over Esteban.

Maddie found the pacifier in the out side pocket of the diaper bag and popped it into baby Andrew's mouth.

Esteban looked quite pathetic standing there, leaning as far away from Mrs. Mayweather as he could, which proved difficult seeing as she had him pretty much cornered.

As entertaining as this was, Maddie decided to take pity on him. She slung the diaper bag back up onto her shoulder, took a deep breath, forced her laughter down, and headed over to them.

"Sweetie, I finished changing Diego, let's go before we miss the conference."

Mrs. Mayweather and Esteban both turned to look at her.

Maddie walked up the steps, and slipped her free arm through Esteban's. She forced herself not to stare at Mrs. Mayweather's surprised face.

But Maddie almost burst out laughing as she looked up into Esteban's eyes. He was looking more shocked then Mrs. Mayweather.

Maddie quickly gave him a brief 'play along' look, before turning to Mrs. Mayweather.

"Hi.' She smiled, removing her arm from Esteban's and extending her hand. 'I'm Madeline Ramirez."

Mrs. Mayweather just started at her. Then her eyes flicked down at the baby.

Maddie turned back to Esteban. He shook himself.

"Uh, right, um-dear, we should get going.' He put his arm around Maddie, and turned back to the shell shocked Mrs. Mayweather. 'We'll have to catch up some time, Mrs. Mayweather."

"Bye!" Maddie called, as Esteban started to steer her towards the Conference room.

Maddie and Esteban rounded the corner to the conference room, and burst out laughing.

"Oh, that was wonderful!" Esteban exclaimed, gasping for breath.

"Did you see her face?" Maddie giggled.

"Yes!' He said, laughing. 'It was perfect, right down to the-um, Maddie, where did you get the baby?"

Maddie laughed. "This is Andrew. I'm taking him to his mom. She's in there." Maddie jerked her head towards the conference room. 'Since my shift just ended in the daycare, I said I would bring him."

"Okay.' Said Esteban. 'You're coming to dance class then right?"

"Yeah.' Said Maddie, adjusting Andrew on her hip. 'I'm just gonna give him to his mom, and change, then I'll be there."

"Alright.' Said Esteban giving her shoulder a squeeze. 'See you then."

"See you." Said Maddie as she quietly opened the door to the conference room. Someone was giving a speech on the benefits of organically grown fruit.

"Oh, and Maddie…?"

She turned back to Esteban. "Yes?"

He grinned. "Thanks."

Maddie smiled. "No problem."

MxE-MxE-MxE-MxE

Maddie finished changing and zipped around the corner to the ballroom, when she suddenly bumped into London.

"London, what are you doing here?" Maddie asked in surprise.

London looked exasperated. "I'm here to give Natasha and Brent a notice of addiction."

"A what?" Maddie asked, confused.

"Here." London said as she shoved a piece of paper into Maddie's hands.

Maddie unfolded it, and read: 'To a Miss and Mr. Natasha and Brent Tipton, The following is a notice of eviction from the Tipton hotel, unless you make a payment of the first week that you resided within…'

Maddie looked up from the paper.

"My daddy had his best lawyer write it up." Said London in a know-it-all voice.

"London,' Maddie said rolling her eyes at her. 'This is a notice of eviction, not addiction."

"Oh. Well, same deal." Said London, grabbing the paper back from Maddie.

Maddie just shook her head, and followed London into the Ballroom.

Brent was doing stretches in a corner, and Esteban was going over a cha-cha move with Natasha.

London put on her best business face and marched into the room. "Natasha I've got something to show you."

Esteban and Natasha stopped dancing, and Natasha walked up to London with a 'bring it' kind of look on her face.

"Really?" She asked with a falsely sweet voice.

"Yeah.' Said London, shoving the paper in her face. 'This is an order of conviction."

Esteban looked quizzically at Maddie.

She just rolled her eyes and smiled.

Brent had joined them by now.

Natasha snatched the paper out of London's hands, and started to scan it. "To a Miss and Mr.- blah, blah, blah, blah- eviction-blah, blah, blah, blah- WAIT!"

Everyone jumped.

Natasha looked up at London with flashing eyes. "…eviction from the Tipton Hotel, unless you make a payment of the first week that you resided within- that's, that's, that is just, that's blackmail!"

Maddie saw Brent roll his eyes.

"And-and you, um, gave me a paper cut!"

Now London rolled her eyes.

"I AM GOING TO SUE THE TIPTON FOR ALL IT'S WORTH!" Natasha yelled.

Natasha turned on her heel, and marched out the door, squabbling with London the whole way.

Brent turned to Maddie and Esteban and gave them an apologetic smile. "Sorry, about that.' He said dolefully. 'I guess, I probably won't be seeing you guys any more. Thanks for the lessons Esteban.' He headed for the door. 'And, Maddie,' he said turning around, and smiling at her. 'you're the best dance partner a person could ask for.' For some odd reason, he glanced up at Esteban when he said that. Brent then looked back at Maddie. 'Thanks."

Brent turned and sprinted out the door yelling after Natasha.

Esteban turned back to Maddie with a confused look on his face. "What just happened?"

Maddie shook her head. "I don't know, but I think you just lost two students."

Esteban laughed. "Oh, now that's a shame."

Maddie stared at him in mock disbelief. "You mean, you didn't find Natasha's company simply riveting?"

Esteban grinned, bopped her playfully on the arm, and slung his arm over her shoulders. "So, how did our little actor fare?"

"Andrew?' Maddie asked with a smile. 'He's good. And, I'm sure by now, well feed."

"Ahh, that's good.' Esteban said, with faint smile at the memory of that morning's events. 'So, are you ready to try our new and improved tango?"

"Yep.' Said Maddie holding her arms out. 'Show me your moves, bell boy."

Esteban started the music, and took one of Maddie's hands, and put his other arm around her, pulling her tight to him.

After Maddie had got the tango down in the first week, they then altered the dance to music again. This one went through so many transformations, that it now resembled a melting pot of salsa, tango, cha-cha, and modern dance moves. But it was, beyond a doubt, the best and most fun dance they had ever done.

Now they began to tango around and around the room to the music. It was a great piece that Esteban had brought from his country. Apparently his sister had a band. It sounded more like an orchestra to Maddie.

The music quickly began to crescendo as Esteban flung Maddie out. She did a quick spin and grabbed his hand. He swiftly pulled her back to him, leaned her backward, and caught her leg.

The music ended with a bang and Maddie stared into earnestly into Esteban's eyes. The first time she had tried to do this, she had held his gaze for two seconds and then burst out laughing.

But now she had danced the dance so many times, and the mood was so firmly implanted in her mind that it was easier to feel the fervent energy that was a key part of the tango.

As she gazed into Esteban's eyes this time, she didn't waver a bit as she counted in her mind.

1…2…3…4

There. Maddie smiled. She did it. But Esteban didn't pull her up. He continued to stare into her eyes, with that same solemn, ardent, expression on his face. Maddie quickly snapped the smile off her face. Did she miss count?

She already knew the answer to that. Maddie felt her face go warm, as she started to blush. She quickly averted her eyes.

Esteban slowly lifted her back up. Maddie felt much more secure with both feet on the ground. But now she felt the awkwardness kick in.

Maddie forced herself to look back up at Esteban. He was still not taking his eyes off her face.

"Esteban?" Maddie asked quietly, twisting her fingers together nervously.

Esteban's eyes flickered slightly, and he shook his head a little. But, instead of answering her, he stepped closer and took her hands.

Maddie froze.

Esteban leaned closer to her, like he had something to say.

Maddie's stomach fluttered nervously. Dread filled her.

Suddenly, Esteban seemed to change his mind. He backed away slightly, and for the first time, took his eyes off of her face.

Disappointment washed over Maddie. An annoying voice in her mind went off. Disappointment? Why the heck should you feel disappointed?

Esteban cleared his throat, and muttered something about 'having to work double shift.'

Maddie's unexplainable disappointment turned quickly to irritation. The annoying voice protested loudly, but Maddie ignored it.

"If you have something to say to me, then just say it."

Esteban turned around, slowly. "I just-"

"I mean, come on! If I can live through embarrassing myself to death in front of you trying to learn all of these dances, you should be able to tell me whatever!"

Esteban walked up to her, and took her hands again.

"And seriously, if you can't tell me what's bothering you, then I guess-"

Maddie was cut off by the fact that Esteban had pulled her close and kiss her hard on the mouth.

Maddie felt herself melt. Finally the annoying little voice in her head shut up.

Maddie put her arms around Esteban's neck and kissed him back.

When Esteban finally let go, he stepped back slightly, and smiled.

Maddie grinned back at him, beaming.

"I have to work a double shift."

"I know."

"Mr. Moseby is probably looking for me."

"Yep."

"I should go."

"Okay."

Esteban leaned back in, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Maddie smiled as she pulled him back, and kissed him one more time. "Bye."

After Esteban left, Maddie turned to go get her duffle bag. Picking it up, she couldn't help hugging it as hard as she could as she did a slight spin.

For about the hundredth time, Maddie decided that she really liked dance lessons.

-The Beginning-