Title: Do you only wanna dance? Part 3
Author: DancingStar
Crossover: PSI Factor / Sue Thomas F. / Castle
Pairing: Connor/ Lindsay, Jack/ Sue, Rick/ Kate
Rating: 12
Category: Romance, AU
Summary: Connor and Lindsay are invited to a special competition ...
Comments: I wish you a merry Christmas, I wish you a merry Christmas, I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Also thank you for staying with me and reading my stories! See you next year!
Do you only wanna dance? Part 3
"Connor where are the candles?", Lindsay asked one evening in December. The last dancing students had already gone home, but for today Jack and Sue wanted to visit them. There was also good news and they wanted to tell it to their friends. Later, they sat on the beautiful furniture and enjoyed the warm air. It was winter, but here in Los Angeles the sun was still shining. Only the water in the sea was so cold that you couldn´t swim in it. At some distance, the ocean roared and Sue was very excited to hear what the good news was. Connor welcomed Levi and the dog barked excitedly.
"We´ll fly to England," Lindsay suddenly said and beamed.
"What?", Sue asked, who had expected different news.
"Connor and I will enter the World Championship of Ballroom and Latin dances in Blackpool. The competition is taking place in two weeks and we would like to participate", Lindsay explained and Sue got infected by the excitement. "That sounds so exciting... We´ll come with you, of course", Sue suspected leaving the dancing school for a few weeks shouldn´t be a problem.
"This is a rather inappropriate moment to fly to England," Jack said.
"Why?"
"Because it´s the world premiere of X Men in two weeks," he replied, "There are definitely advantages to live in Los Angeles," he told to his girlfriend.
"You can also watch the movie in three weeks," Sue said now, "Connor and Lindsay won´t never have the chance to dance at the World Cup." Sue already decided: She also thought that Connor and Lindsay should fly to England.
"We can´t leave the dancing school," Connor suddenly said, "Of course it's great that we were invited to Blackpool, but what if we don´t make it?... We could also lose a lot of customers if we take some vacation during the Christmas season for two weeks."
"I got an idea," Jack said, "Why don´t we ask your Uncle Rick."
"Uncle Rick?," Connor repeated, "You mean, writer boy Uncle Rick?"
"He´s a good dancer, at least," said Jack. He knew that Richard Castle participated at Dancing with the Stars and had come a long way. He almost won the season. Jack owed the love for dancing to his girlfriend Sue. Although she was deaf, it was commonplace for her to help in the dancing school in every minute she could.
"And now?", Sue asked.
"We´ll fly to Blackpool. What else?", Lindsay answered and Connor looked at her gravely, "That could be the biggest thing which ever happened to us…. We should call your uncle and ask him if he can come and keep an eye on our dancing school for two weeks. Perhaps it´s also a kind of magnet for the public your uncle is here."
"All right," Connor gave in. He just hoped his wife was right. Previously he hadn´t told her his uncle wasn´t easy to handle...
Two days later, Rick Castle arrived in Los Angeles. Previously he had talked to Connor on the phone and announced he didn´t had to pick him up at the airport because Rick would come with another flight. For this reason, Rick had to hire a Porsche and then drove to the dancing school which was located at the beach. Connor was pleased to see his uncle again. Most recently, he had seen him when he and Lindsay got married. But one small detail disturbed Connor very much: "Where is Alexis?", he said. He was surprised that Ricks daughter hadn´t come. She was certainly the most reasonable of the two and if Alexis were here Connor would have known his dancing school in safe hands. Now they had a problem...
"Alexis and my mother moved to the Hamptons, like every Christmas."
"Rick", now also Lindsay, who had just finished her first dancing class today, discovered the visitor and hugged him briefly, "I'm glad you're here. How was your flight?"
"Very well, thank you," Rick looked around, "How are you?"
"We´re fine, thanks. By the way that's Jack and Sue, our friends", Lindsay pointed to the couple, who now left big ballroom. Rick shook hands with them.
"Are there any other news?"
"Oh, next week we´ll fly to Blackpool where the world championship in ballroom dance takes place and we´ll participate..."
"That sounds great," Rick interrupted her, "But why did you invite me if you leave L.A. next week?"
"We thought you could take care of our dancing school."
"When you invited me to Los Angeles you didn´t tell about that I must keep an eye on your dancing school!", Rick was horrified.
"If we had told you, you wouldn´t have come here," Connor said, "We're only two weeks away and you're the only one whom we entrust the job."
"But... I thought the competition is over next week."
"We want to stay in England for one more week."
"Is there really no one who can do that?" Rick didn´t want to have responsibility for a dancing school.
"No," Connor told, "I don´t understand your problem if..."
Lindsay joined him and calmed him. She reached for Connors hand and smiled at him. Connor sighed, because he knew what that meant. "You're a good dancer," she began, "In addition, you're a superstar. This is good for business."
"Am I?", Rick asked.
"Yes," Lindsay drew out the word, "Please help us. We would do whatever you want."
"Whatever?"
"Whatever, trust me," Lindsay reassured him.
"Well, I believe I can´t do that by myself. I need some help."
"Then you shall have help. Sue and I will take care of it. We promise. "
Rick joined the daily routine of the dancing school from the beginning and so Lindsay could keep her promise and found someone who helped him, Rick took her last class in the evening. As a participant in a dancing show, there should be no problem, to teach the students a waltz turn. Rick was surprised that nobody seemed to know him and he even had fun (when he taught a Cha Cha Cha to "Highway to hell" by ACDC and hopped around like a guitar hero). "I know you aren´t in the mood for Christmas songs," said Rick. Outside, the sun shone, while he had to teach dancing lessons with Christmas songs. The evening was smoothly and at 10 p.m. Connor and Rick sent her home the last students.
"What are you doing here?", Rick asked when he noticed how Sue and Lindsay had started a laptop at the bar of the dancing school and they were talking about something important. Levi was resting on the floor and looked bored.
"We´re looking after a dancing partner for you," Lindsay decided, "After all, you shouldn´t get any stupid ideas while we are in Blackpool... And you wanted some help." Lindsay and Sue seemed to consider which skills his partner should bring.
"She has to be a strong person," Sue thought, "And she must be able to dance. She should be ambitious."
"And she should be pretty," Rick exclaimed and Lindsay and Sue looked at him incredulously. Sue wanted to ask if Connor was really sure he wanted transfer the responsibility for the dancing school to his uncle for two weeks and if he thought it was wise to hire a complete stranger as his minder. "I already know where to find this person," Rick suggested, sat between the two, reaching for the laptop. On the Internet, he chose a website, replied at the question what his location was. The question if he was looking for a male or a female dancing partner, Rick confirmed with female. In Los Angeles there were many women who sought someone who joined them on a dancing class. Via the online portal people could anonymously get in contact and if they liked each other, they could meet.
"That sounds very good," Sue pointed to a small photo and read: "Ladybug, Female, 64 years. Experience in salsa, Disco Fox and Argentine Tango and ballet."
"This sounds very old and boring," Rick complained. He clicked on the photo, which Ladybug had added to her profile and he agreed internally: Ladybug actually seemed to be very old. "What about her?", Rick said.
"?" Lindsay asked. She had to admit she liked 's Profile: liked Standard- and Latin dances and she was looking for a dancing partner because she had moved to the city of angels for professional reasons. also wrote she was a police officer and Lindsay was very much impressed. She suspected, however, she was Rick's choice because he liked her profile picture: In the photo she was wearing her long dark hair in curls and her eyes were shining.
"The profile is already three years old," Sue said.
"So what? Let's try to get in touch with her. Maybe she´s still looking for a dancing partner", Rick was suddenly very excited.
"Oh God, you´re dating any woman who didn´t hide till you´re counting to three, hm?", Lindsay noted.
"Except from you," Rick said, "Finally, you´re my nephew´s wife."
"Fortunately," Lindsay muttered and rolled her eyes.
"And I´m not dating you," Rick turned around to look at Sue, "Although you look like Shakira but you´re something like my niece, too."
"Thank god," Sue grabbed the laptop and sighed, "I think we should call . It doesn´t matter if she refuses."
"Well," Lindsay gave in, "We´ll invite her." Lindsay and Sue shut down the laptop and in the corner of her eye she noticed, Rick was delighted that they at least wanted to call .
Next day came to the dancing school and after Lindsay had talked to her for some minutes, she decided to like her and if Rick would do the same, nothing was standing in the way of collaboration. Lindsay and Sue asked a lot of questions to who´s name in real life was Kate. Rick watched the interview from a distance and a hand ran through his hair. Then he decided to join the three women who were sitting at the bar.
"Can you tell me where you want to go?", a voice suddenly asked and Rick turned around. Connor was standing in front of him.
"I wanted to...", Rick began but Connor interrupted him: "I know exactly what you're doing. Don´t you think Lindsay and Sue should finish the conversation?"
"What, if she refuses? Maybe I should just talk to her."
"Do you want to risk it?"
"Don´t worry, I'm prepared."
Connor didn´t believe what Rick had just said.
"With questions," his uncle added, "What did you think?" Rick didn´t care that Connor had told him not to interrupt the conversation. He wanted to get to know . So he grabbed the free bar stool next to the pretty, brown-haired woman and sat down beside her. "Hi, I'm Rick," he said and got a surprised look on her, "You must be ."
"Actually, my name is Kate," she corrected him, "Who are you?"
"The reason why you're here," he grabbed her hand and held it for an unusually long time. She seemed not to like him. "Sorry," Connor now reached the table and Kate looked at him in confusion, too, "I couldn´t stop him."
"This is my husband Connor," Lindsay told Kate, "Connor, this is Kate, better known as ."
"Hi ... I'm sorry for interrupting the conversation," he grabbed his uncle´s shirt and then pulled Rick away from the bar, "Let's go back." He then sent Rick out to get some CDs, when Kate already said goodbye to Lindsay and Sue.
"It's easier to keep a bag of fleas," Kate said.
Connor nodded, "Yes, that's my uncle."
"Well, you´re lucky: I'm having some vacation in the two weeks you will spend in Blackpool. There will be no problem to take care of your uncle."
"Actually, I thought you´d help him to watch the dancing school... Anyway: I know my uncle isn´t easy. How much is your valuable time?"
"You want to pay me?"
"It's a job, right? Let's just say you are his babysitter, okay?"
"Agree."
One week later, Rick had become accustomed to the daily routine in the dancing school and Kate seemed to have fun, too. They decorated the ballrooms for Christmas and Lindsay showed them how they had to teach the students and presented them a solemn black book. "This is my calendar," she said, "This is what you have to teach in each lesson during the next two weeks. Please adhere to it."
Kate nodded in agreement. Rick didn´t seem to be interested in Lindsay's instructions because he was barely listening.
"Lindsay," Connor exclaimed. He waited outside because he had already loaded his car with the suitcases. Rick should take Connor, Lindsay, Sue and Jack to the airport. During his stay, Rick had to use the black car, which was labeled with the logo of the dancing school and of course he didn´t like this idea: he would love to keep the borrowed Porsche to impress Kate because he found her very attractive. That she hadn´t accepted his invitations for dinner yet, got him disappointed but he never gave up. She didn´t even respond to his flirting.
Now Connor entered the small building and gave a keychain to his uncle. "These are the keys. You have to lock the door every night, okay? Next Monday there´s a beverage delivery and the cleaning company stops by next Thursday and cleans the floor. The Christmas Party will take place on December 23re. It´s organized and you just have to play the music. Stick to the opening times and Lindsay calendar and... no parties, did you hear? We´ll be back at January 2nd", before he finally handed the keys to Rick, he pulled it back again.
"Don´t worry, Connor. I'll take care about everything, "Kate promised, and now Connor gave the keys to his uncle. Rick took them to the airport and in some way he was glad to finally be rid of them...
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
may your days be merry and bright
and may all your Christmases be white (a Slow Fox, "White Christmas" by Lady Gaga)
The flight to Blackpool lasted eleven hours and Sue was amazed at how cold it was in an airplane at night. She had never left America and that's why this trip to England was something special for her. In this town even the annual Blackpool Dance Festival took place. It was one of the oldest dance competitions in the world.
"My goodness," Sue marveled, when she left the airport, "It's really cold." When she had lived in Ohio, there was snow every year. In Los Angeles, however, it never snowed.
"I've never seen snow before," Jack said, "except on television." He and Connor had never left Los Angeles before, so they had never seen real snow and they both always wanted to have white Christmas.
First they drove to the hotel to rest for a while. In the evening they wanted to see the Blackpool Tower, before they went to the warm up for the World Cup tomorrow.
Next day, Connor and Lindsay arrived as the last couple at the workout and before they entered the large ballroom, where the other couples already danced, they had to register at the supervisor. Through the window they could see how well the others danced.
"Hi, Connor and Lindsay Doyle," Connor thought it was a formality they had to sign up. The young man glanced at his list. "Sorry, you aren´t on the participants list," he apologized.
"What? That can´t be", Connor turned around to Lindsay, who rolled a little bit amused with her eyes, "Take a look again. Connor and Lindsay Doyle from Los Angeles."
The man checked the list again and shook his head. "No, you aren´t on the list, but... Here´s a man named Connor Dole from Los Angeles." He seemed to realize what the problem was and Connor understood: Connor Dole was a fairly well-known ballroom dancer, who also lived in Los Angeles and he suspected there had been a mistake.
"Excuse me for a moment," the supervisor went with his list in a small office across the ballroom. There he discussed five minutes with the secretary of his boss and then he came back to Connor and Lindsay. "I talked to my boss," the man said, "You´re allowed to participate in the competition. Calling the real participant and invite him is impossible. You´ll get a wild card." Then he went away and Connor and Lindsay were confused so they had to sit down for a moment.
"I can´t believe we´re here because of confusion," Connor said, "Oh God, I feel terrible. What, if we get the chop in the first round?", he asked. That would be very embarrassing.
"We won´t get the chop in the first round," Lindsay disagreed.
"You saw our competitors!", Connor sounded a little desperate. Now that he knew they shouldn´t be here, he didn´t believe they still had a chance. It had been easier when he thought they deserved to be here.
Discouraged Connor shook his head. "To be honest I knew from the beginning that something´s wrong," he said, "We never participated in tournaments. So why should we get invited to a world championship?"
"If you wouldn´t believe in yourself, you never had come here."
"At that time I thought they would have invited us and then we found out", he stopped, "They invited a guy who´s having almost the same name as me. We shouldn´t even be here!"
From this time Connor and Lindsay decided avoiding the training, which officially took place before the championship. From now on hey danced in the empty conference hall of their hotel, because it wasn´t used currently. It was Lindsay's idea because she thought if Connor saw the competitors, he was done this his confidence. He wasn´t the type who cared about what others thought about him, he had taught her to dance, then six months ago he prepared Jack and Sue for the NAD-gala. The two were a special challenge because Sue was deaf, but she and Jack still loved dancing. Occasionally, they helped out in some lessons whenever it was possible. Lindsay talked to Connor about the things he had done and she finally made it that he was proud of it.
"You're right, at least we should try," he told her one evening when they danced a rumba, "But that won´t change the fact that I have a strange feeling about going it."
"I´m with you," Lindsay whispered and when she danced a turn, she threw her arms around Connor's neck and kissed him. At that moment the door to the congress room opened. "So you won´t never get anywhere", Jack's voice almost sounded a little bit angry, "I thought you want to train and not kissing along."
"We had lots of training today," Connor disagreed. Now Sue and Levi also entered the big, empty room.
"Jack, leave them alone. They dance very well." Sue couldn´t see then Jack muttering something to himself, but Lindsay noticed. "Is everything alright between you and Jack?", she asked when Sue was standing beside her with Levi.
"Of course," Sue smiled, "We love each other, as if it´s our first day."
"The first day had to wait for a long time, do you remember?"
Sue blushed. "I know. We love each other very much and it's all right. Jack is sometimes... a little unromantic."
Jack walked up to her, because he had heard what she had just said. "I'm not. I just think it´s a great chance for Connor and Lindsay, " Jack told her and kissed Sue, "And in my mind that requires a lot of training... You know I love you."
Then Jack had gone to talk to Connor.
"I'll tell you the secret of our relationship," Lindsay said and by her facial features Sue realized that she spoke very softly, "The secret of a happy relationship is to dance. Sometimes I dance for Connor to "You can have your on leave" at home in nothing but a tight nightie."
Sue looked at her amazed and Lindsay began to giggle. "Let's go to our rooms. It's late.", They agreed and Lindsay was relieved when she finally took off her dancing shoes and fell with outstretched arms on the bed. "Oh, I'm so tired," she moaned, "What about you? Aren´t you tired?", she then asked Connor.
"A little bit. But mostly I'm concerned."
"Because of the competition?"
"No, I tried to call Rick, but he doesn´t answer the phone in our dancing school and he doesn´t answer his cell phone."
"It's now after 2 p.m. in Los Angeles," Lindsay glanced at her alarm clock beside the bed, "Probably he and Kate are very busy with teaching classes."
"I hope you're right and they´re fine," Connor said.
"Get out of my eyes!", Kate shouted angrily and hastened to come out of the big ballroom. Countless pairs of eyes followed her.
"What have I done?", Rick was a loss, he ran after her.
"That's a pretty stupid question, Richard Castle!"
That she called him with his full name, wasn´t a good sign, Rick thought. "Come on, the students are waiting. We still need to..."
"You can´t grab my butt in public!"
"My hand slipped!", Rick defended himself and at that moment the phone rang, "Come on, Kate! It was an accident. You've turned too quickly."
"That's the dumbest excuse I've ever heard!", her eyes sparkled at him angrily and her hair literally flew around her shoulders when she turned to him and he grabbed her wrist, "Let me go!"
While they had their dispute, the phone rang on and on. "Kate, I told you I'm sorry."
"Monkey head!," Kate exclaimed, "Since I´m here, you try to flirt with me." In addition, Rick had tried to kiss her under the mistletoe, but Kate had refused.
The phone had stopped ringing, but now the phone in Ricks pocket started playing music and he decided to ignore. "But...", before Rick could say anything, Kate turned around, "Would you now please act professionally and come back with me to the ballroom and teach dancing to an end? Otherwise, I'm telling Connor, when he´s back."
"You don´t dare!", Kate grumbled.
To confirm what he said Rick reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. "What a coinkidinky!", he laughed when he saw the number on the display, "He´s calling at the moment."
When Kate heard that, she rolled her eyes and passed by Rick, she walked back into the ballroom. Satisfied Rick put his cell phone away until it finally stopped ringing.
I don´t want a lot for Christmas
there is just one thing I need
I don´t care about the presents
underneath the Christmas tree
I don´t need to hang my stocking
there upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won´t make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
more than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you (a Jive, "All I Want for Christmas" by Mariah Carey)
"...We even have front row seats in the competition", Jack was delighted when he got the tickets for the competition for himself and Sue. "That's nice," Sue said. She and Jack had breakfast alone. They let Connor and Lindsay sleep, so they were as fit as possible during training.
"I'm sorry for being so rude yesterday," Jack apologized, "It's just that this time isn´t easy for me."
Sue looked at him surprised. "Really? Why?"
"Connor and Lindsay face the biggest performance of their lives. This is also very important to me", Jack took a bite of toast bread and Sue didn´t think he was telling the truth. They finished breakfast and then visited Connor and Lindsay, who wanted to start training. But when the two entered the conference room, Connor and Lindsay were already busy with dancing and because Sue felt the bass of the song she knew it was a slow waltz. Then both finished their training.
"Good morning," Sue said, "Did you work long?"
"We decided to train earlier, so we can enjoy the city at Christmas time... That's why today we got up a little earlier." Lindsay loved Christmas and she had heard in Blackpool was a Christmas market.
"Are you sure you don´t want to continue training?", Sue said and Levi seemed to hide his face under his paw.
"Does that mean you don´t believe in us?", Lindsay wanted to know promptly.
"No! Oh god, that was meant that way", Sue apologized, "I just wanted to say that the week of training is probably over faster than we´re expecting."
And Sue was right: The week passed by and the day of the World Cup had come. The night before the big day Lindsay was lying sleeplessly in bed, once she even got up and wondered if she should order something at the room service, after all, she hadn´t eaten because of excitement. She grabbed the phone and when the dial tone rang through the line, she hung up. She decided she couldn´t eat now.
Sue wanted that this day was perfect. So after breakfast she booked an appointment at the pedicure, then they would go to the venue of the World Cup, where Lindsay would get a nice hairstyle and makeup by a professional hairdresser. Sue was convinced some television cameras would be there certainly and she wanted that Lindsay looked good on television.
But Lindsay wasn´t able to have breakfast. The subsequent appointment with the pedicure was as cruel because she didn´t make it to sit still. "How can you only be so calm?", Lindsay wanted to know from Sue.
"I'm as excited as you," Sue said and Levi barked approvingly, "I'm even more excited." Lindsay found it was hard to believe, because her friend wasn´t excited at all.
After the pedicure they and Levi went to town hall, where each of the tournament participants had an own locker room. Levi jumped on the couch to rest there, while the hairdresser took care of Lindsay's hair and makeup. Sue then sent Lindsay to the dressing room when someone knocked on the door. Levi made Sue aware of it and she was surprised to see Connor and Jack. "Hi," Sue had already seen both at breakfast and of course she had noticed how nervous Connor looked. "Lindsay, Connor is here. Would you like to see him?"
"No," a voice from the dressing room shouted.
"She said no," Jack told her.
"I'll see you later, okay?", Lindsay asked. She didn´t want to see Connor now, because she could imagine how excited he was. She was afraid to make it worse.
"See you later," Connor replied and Jack decided to come with him. Sue closed the door. "What's wrong with you?", she asked.
Lindsay opened the door of the locker room and stretched out her head, so Sue could see her.
"I haven´t slept, I barely ate, I feel terribly bad and I´m dying of fear. I thought I could stay calm but... I can´t", Lindsay cried, when Sue gave her the dress. When Lindsay was wearing it, she came out of the locker room and stood on a small stool.
"You´re going to make it... You look very beautiful, " Sue said and straightened Lindsay's dress. She wore a backless, floor-length, white dress with silver rhinestones and her hair was tied into an elegant knot.
"Well, I've worn the same dress a few months ago at our summer prom."
"I remember," Sue sighed. When Connor and Lindsay danced a slow waltz at the summer prom in the dancing school, they both looked as if they were floating across the floor.
"There's a saying: The lady is the picture and the gentleman is the frame. I think this saying applies only to you and Connor."
"Thank you", because Sue was standing behind her, Lindsay replied in sign language and Sue giggled.
"You´re going to make it," Sue said then, "I'm convinced."
Lindsay turned to her and hugged her friend. "Thank you for your support."
"Don´t worry. I know Connor doesn´t feel much better, he is also very nervous..."
Lindsay nodded.
"You know, the two need us. Without us they would be completely lost", Sue giggled, "Don´t show Connor how nervous you are. Otherwise, Connor goes crazy."
"Okay," Lindsay nodded again. That was crazy: Connor had appeared on so many galas and proms, but even here he lost his nerve. That meant it had to be really important. Lindsay decided to calm down and an hour later there was a knock on the door again and again Sue answered.
"We have to go," Jack said, "The competition will begin."
"Come on, I take your jacket which you can wear if you want till it´s your turn ", in one hand held Sue Levi's leash in the other hand, a jacket and a water bottle. Together with Connor they made their way to the floor. There Jack and Sue had to say goodbye to Connor and Lindsay because Connor and Lindsay had to wait in the VIP section until the competition began. Jack, Sue and Levi were on their way to their table in the front row.
"You look very nice, honey," Jack smiled when she sat down and Sue smiled back. They were a couple since six months and there was never a day when she didn´t thank God for him. He was a gift from heaven and she was so happy he loved her like she was.
"I love you," Sue grabbed his hand and at that moment the lights in the hall went out. The participants entered the floor, Connor and Lindsay were the last couple.
"Have I already told you how glad I am not to be in her place?", Sue wanted to know from Jack and he shook his head. "No, but I feel the same way." Next Jack told her that the host of the competition opened the dance and the couples went into position. Sue noticed from the corner of her eye, how a television camera on a crane was hovering over their heads.
"I'm afraid I can´t," Connor said softly to his wife.
"You can."
"No. I forgot with which foot I have to begin the slow waltz."
When she heard this, she looked at him startled.
"What´s wrong?", Jack wanted to know from his girlfriend at the table. He had seen Lindsay's face and wondered what was going on. "Obviously, Connor had just said that he had forgotten how to start the waltz," Sue told. Then it was really serious, she thought. She had never seen Connor so confused.
"I think you can do it," on the dance floor Lindsay laid his hands affectionately on his shoulders.
"How do can you stay so calm?", Connor asked, "I'm terribly excited."
"I'm excited, too," she smiled, "But I know we´re going to make it. I've got you and I love you. It doesn´t matter how this competition is ending up, because that won´t change my feelings for you." Then she put her left hand on his shoulder and her right hand in his, and when the music began, they began to dance. Lindsay was relieved when Connor began dancing the waltz right and he didn´t step on her foot. They had danced a thousand times to "Moon River" and today there was no difference: Once, when they danced past to Sue and Jack, Lindsay noticed the tears of emotion in Sue's eyes. She let herself go and led by Connor she danced across the dance floor. This dedication was rewarded by the jury with full points for the waltz. Lindsay let out a relieved cry and Sue clapped enthusiastically.
The Tango followed and then they had to dance Slow Fox, and then the jury made its first selection. The couples were excited and didn´t dare to breathe when the result was announced. If they had made it through the first round, the Latin part of the competition followed. Connor squeezed Lindsay's hand and when the jury announced their names as the last couple, Lindsay embraced Connor the same way. She was still very excited when they went back to their locker room for the break.
"My goodness, you were amazing!" Jack said.
"Want a drink?", Sue asked and handed Lindsay a bottle of water. "No," Lindsay shook her head, "I must wear my other dress." She had wondered if she perhaps should wear a dress in another color for the Latin part of the competition, but Lindsay liked white and the long, tight dress played her body to the gallery. Connor looked at her stunned when he saw her for the first time after the break.
The first dance in the Latin round was a Cha Cha Cha. Connor and Lindsay danced well, but a couple from England got two points more than them. Now they were on the second position in the ranking and the competition was almost over. "It´s over now," Connor murmured dryly, "We can´t catch up."
The jury selected the final dance and they were just curious to hear what it was. Finally, a man with glasses announced the last dance was a rumba. "Do you remember when we have danced together for the first time? At the competition in LA?", she wanted to know, "Back then I... ", she couldn´t talk further because she pressed her lips to his when the music began and she moved like a graceful cat while she and Connor danced. She hoped that she hadn´t made him more nervous than he already was.
After the dance they waited for the scoring. Connor and Lindsay had another chance when this time the couple from England received fewer points than them. The seconds turned into hours, before the jury announced both had exactly the same score. Connor was disappointed because this meant that they couldn´t catch up and had missed two points for the win. "Don´t be disappointed. You did a great job", Lindsay whispered, while she and Connor remained for the cameras on the floor for a while, when the English couple was celebrated as the winner.
"This is pretty difficult."
When the competition was over, Lindsay changed clothes in her dressing room and then she waited for Connor. But he didn´t come. So she went next door and entered his room. She noticed he was ready too, but he sat on the couch, staring straight ahead. She knew exactly what troubled him. Carefully, she sat down beside him.
"It´s alright," she told Connor, "Being number 2 is okay. It was a very good performance considering nobody was on our side." She took his hand and pressed it firmly.
"You're right," he admitted, "Thanks for everything. I love you."
"I know...", She clung to him and enjoyed the moment.
"Can I have a kiss?"
"You really earned that," she stuck out to him and kissed him affectionately. When they had parted from each other, she smiled at him, "Come, let´s go. Sue and Jack are probably already waiting for us." They left the dressing room, Connor was carrying Lindsay's bag, in which the clothes were, and at the exit of the town hall Jack, Sue and Levi were waiting for them.
"It has been a fantastic show. Don´t be disappointed", Sue was still excited and Lindsay thanked her when she hugged her.
"What do we do now?", Jack asked.
"We travel back home one weeks earlier so we can dismiss Rick from his job in our dancing school. Then he can spend Christmas with Alexis and his mother at the Hamptons", Connor suggested. They agreed to travel home early because they wanted to spend Christmas in Los Angeles.
Snow is falling, all around me,
Children playing, having fun.
It's the season,
for love and understanding,
Merry Christmas everyone.
Time for parties and celebration,
People dancing all night long,
Time for presents,
and exchanging kisses,
Time for singing Christmas songs.
We're gonna have a party tonight,
I'm gonna find that girl underneath the mistletoe,
We'll kiss by candlelight. (A quickstep, "Merry Christmas Everyone" by Shakin 'Stevens)
They were curious to hear how the Christmas party was, but first they were glad to be back home. "I've almost forgotten how hot the weather is in Los Angeles," Connor said, when he loaded the suitcases at the airport in a taxi. Rick had no idea they came back one week earlier. Tomorrow was Christmas Day and they were very happy to see the dancing school.
"Then you liked England?", Lindsay wanted to know, "Shall we travel there again next year?"
"Only in summer. It´s too cold there in winter", Connor said and then he, Lindsay, Sue and Levi sat on the back seat of the taxi, while Jack sat down on the passenger side and the taxi driver drove them to the dancing school. They stacked the bags in Connor's car and entered the little house. It was almost 2 p.m., Rick would arrive hopefully soon. Yet it was dark and the ballrooms were eager to be filled with life brought by dancing people. "Come, let´s hide," Sue suggested and together with the dog they hid behind the counter of the bar. Connor looked at his cell phone: Rick was pretty close to come to late. Lindsay giggled in the dark and Connor whispered to her she should stop. Then she giggled even more.
They heard how the door opened again. Jack pulled the light switch at the bar, everybody came out of hiding. "Merry Christ...", the words were almost stuck in their mouth, when they watched Rick and Kate entering the dancing school arm in arm and kissing.
Sue was shocked. She had noticed Rick had flirted with Kate, but Kate didn´t seem to be into him. Therefore, they wondered what could have happened.
"What?", Rick asked a little perplexed.
"Nothing. We... We haven´t expected you fell in love with each other, or..."
"So are you done now? Kate and I have to teach a class", Rick and Kate walked together in the large ballroom, "By the way, congratulations on your second place."
"Thanks," Connor muttered and looked at his uncle in disbelief, "Did he really say he has to teach?"
"Yes," Lindsay nodded, "That means we have some time off... I think we still have egg nog in the fridge. What about a late Christmas party?"
"Sounds good...", Sue agreed and while the first students entered the dancing school and were congratulating Connor and Lindsay for their appearance at the World Championships, they were happy to spend Christmas at home again.
Fin