The large gymnasium was empty, only the soft sounds made by Rachel Getina's worn ballet shoes made a sound. The once pink shoes had certainly seen better days but the pretty teenager had had them for years and couldn't bear the unspeakable thought of one day actually parting with them. Even though it had been well over a year since she had stopped studying ballet, she often wore what Mouth affectionately referred to as her "good luck charms" whenever practicing or choreographing alone.

Carefully she moved the needle onto the record of the old school stereo. When getting lost in the world of dance, gone were the 21st century technological necessities like MP3s, IPODs and even the good old CD. For moments like those, she wouldn't dare think of using anything other than the old fashioned record player she had been dancing to for years.

The song started and like tiny electric shocks, Rachel could feel it all throughout her body. It was funny how music had a way of doing that to people. From the sound of the first chord, her young, svelte body would take on almost a mind of its own, rocking out perfectly to the rhythm. It was an all time favorite of hers, Irene Cara's What A Feeling from the good old days of the early 80's and all the footloosing and flashdancing.

First when there's nothing
But a slow glowing dream
That your fear seems to hide
Deep inside your mind

All alone I have cried
Silent tears full of pride
In a world made of steel,
Made of stone

Well, I hear the music,
Close my eyes, feel the rhythm,
Wrap around, take a hold
Of my heart

Rachel closed her eyes and just let go. The music was apart of her. It always had been. Even in her darkest hours, it had never failed to provide that little piece of sanctuary.

What a feeling.
Bein's believin'.
I can have it all, now I'm dancing for my life.
Take your passion
And make it happen.
Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life

It was late in the afternoon when the double doors opened. Cooper looked around and smiled. He hadn't been in a high school in ages but it was the place agreed upon for him to meet up with his nephew but there was no sign of Nathan. He headed to the direction of the gym, the faint sound of music leading the way as it grew louder and louder. Instinctively, he began bopping his head to the tune. A child of the 80's, he knew he had heard that song before and it was rather catchy.

Once inside the gym, Nathan was still nowhere to be found but other sights had caught Cooper's interest. Particularly the hot little red head in the even hotter leotard, tights, leg warmers and worn ballet slippers. It was so retro 80's but that made it even hotter and boy did she wear it well. He continued to watch fascinated, forgetting and no longer caring that his nephew was nowhere in sight.

Rachel's body seductively moved to the music like she had been born to dance to that very song at that very moment. She worked it out harder, making up each move as she went along. Dancing was more than a hobby, it was a passion. Years of study and practice had perfected her fervor and she was no match for anyone on that floor, not even the talent of her sometimes friend, sometimes rival, Brooke Davis. That was what had earned Rachel not only a spot on the squad but the coveted co captain position.

Out of the corner of her eye she could feel someone watching her. For a moment she suspected Mouth but when she drew a closer look, the lone and tall figure was anyone but her beloved boyfriend. It was a familiar face alright but one totally unexpected. For a minute it totally threw her off guard and she lost her svelte composure, missing a step to the beat. Then with her heart racing as she fought to control the smirk that desperately wanted to spread across her face, she kicked it up a notch adding even more sex appeal to her already erotic like dance. Cooper couldn't take his eyes off of her but he knew she had seen him staring. She had vamped up the routine, really beginning to show off as he couldn't help but grin. Licking his lips, he walked towards her but the sexy teenager only changed directions.

"Excuse me", he cleared his throat, saying it twice before she stopped ignoring him.

"Yeah?" she finally acknowledged, never stopping the dance.

"Hey. Um, I don't know if you remember me. I'm Cooper. Cooper Lee."

"Yeah?" she asked nonchalantly.

He chuckled to himself.

"I'm Nathan Scott's uncle. We've met before."

"Oh yeah. I guess we did."

"Anyway, I was looking for him."

"Who?"

Cooper furrowed his brow.

"Nathan."

Finally she stopped, the music still playing in the background as she turned to face him, using a nearby towel to wipe the sweat glistening from her tanned neck.

"Nathan's not here", she shrugged. "There's no basketball practice now. Why would he be here?"

"I, I don't know", he said, still staring.

Rachel smiled to herself. So the hot uncle she had seen around town and had heard all about was actually checking her out.

"Don't know what?" she teased, still trying to play coy and watch him squirm.

"Huh?" Cooper asked.

She gave way and allowed a little bit of her smile to come out, one he gladly returned.

"Nathan…you were saying…"

"You're screwing with me, aren't you?"

"Now why would I do that?"

Cooper sighed with a grin.

"Because I'm the old, creepy dude hanging around the school gymnasium ogling the pretty cheerleader. Sick, huh?"

"If you say so."

"I do say so and I swear I was only here to meet Nate who I'm gonna kill by the way. As lame as this looks I'm not a stalker, really."

She nodded, still amused.

"Like I said…if you say so. Cooper is it? One time you might get away with but if I see you lurking around here again…"

"You won't."

"Okay…"

"Actually…"

She folded her arms.

"Do I hear a but?"

"You will see me again around here. Only I want me creepy stalker guy, I'll be creepy chaperone guy."

"Come again?"

"Your little dance. My sister conned me into the whole chaperone deal. It's a long story."

Rachel nodded as footsteps interrupted them.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Nathan bounced a ball. "I've been looking all over for your ass."

"You told me to meet you here."

"I did?" the younger man frowned.

Cooper laughed as he took a fake swing at his nephew.

"Yeah you did and you weren't here and I walked in and rudely interrupted this beautiful young lady's practice and now I look like the old guy casing the schoolyard for jailbait. Good looking out, douche bag."

"You are the creepy old guy and lame, too. Rach, you better watch this fool", Nathan laughed as Cooper lunged at him again.

"Can you believe this guy?" Cooper pointed shaking his head. "Once again, I do apologize and if it's any consolation, you're pretty good."

She shrugged self assuredly.

"I know."

"Wow. At least you're not lacking in the confidence department."

She wasn't hurting when it came to looks either. They made eye contact as the doors opened yet again.

"Hey Nate, Hey Coop", Mouth nodded on the way over to the girlfriend he hugged and kissed. "Hey, sweetie. Glad I caught you. My meeting with the yearbook committee just ended."

Rachel looked right at Cooper.

"I was just finishing up."

"Well, we have to go", Nathan cleared his throat. "Later, Mouth. Later, Rachel."

They all waved as he and his uncle headed out.

"Let's go get some burgers, dude. I'm starving!'

Nathan nodded, still uneasy.

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"Back there", Nathan motioned to the gym behind them. "You know, Rachel."

"Rachel? What?"

"I saw you guys looking at each other."

"Aw, Nate, come on…"

"I'm serious. It was all flirty and shit."

"Are you serious?" Cooper asked with a grin.

"She has a boyfriend."

"I know that."

"And she's 17. She goes to my school, man."

Cooper's cocky yet friendly smile soon faded.

"I know that, too. Come on, Nephew. She's just a kid. Yeah, she's a pretty girl and you can't help but look but it wasn't like that. It isn't like that. Come on. You know me."

Nathan looked back and sighed.

"Yeah. Sorry, Coop. I was just saying…"

"It's cool."

"Look, I know you're been through a lot and you've got Mom riding your ass and Dad riding your nerves and everything. It's just that…I don't know. I don't want you to get caught up in anything. I believe you and all but that back there…that girl could be trouble."

"Aren't they all?" Cooper winked.

"Not Haley", Nathan breathed with relief.

"You're lucky but she's still a firecracker. Now how about those burgers?"

"You paying?"

"Don't I always, Mooch?" he laughed as they made their way to the parking lot.

A few feet away, the gym opened and Mouth and Rachel exited hand in hand. Cooper glanced back and their eyes met again, Mouth and Nathan oblivious. Both exchanged quick smiles before heading off in separate directions. Cooper was sure his nephew was right. That one probably was trouble. But Rachel could only grin to herself. The mood was about to change.

Author's Note: What A Feeling is credited to Irene Cara.