(peeks around corner) I plead the 5th! On with the story! (runs and hides)

"Don't ever give men more credit than they deserve, Serena." Lita winked at the gorgeous blonde. "It always leads to trouble! Take it from an expert on the situation."

Can't Stop the Music
Chapter 8

Give Me a Break (part 1)

"Again, Serena!"

A distinctly male voice vibrated off the walls. Dark hair framed intelligent blue eyes as he watched the performance before him. "3 and 4 and 5 and 6- stop!" His form towered over a petite blonde as she inhaled to catch her breath. He slowly circled her, looking every bit the vulture over the small woman.

"You can't just pivot right on the downbeat! You have to hit all eight beats before you pivot then twirl." Her growls of frustration and weariness were the only thing that could be heard over the loudness of the music.

In her mind, Serena thought she had a good reason, no, a right to be mad. She didn't know why, but he had been breathing down her neck since they had begun. It was either call him out on it or die a slow miserable death. Oh yeah, she could see it now.

'Young rising star killed in a fatal dancing accident! Police say the fandango did her in!'

"We've been at this for hours," She said as pathetically as she could. "If I die of dehydration I swear I'll haunt you in your dreams." Sweat dripped off her brow as even more stuck her bangs to her forehead. She wondered how affective her little rant had been. Darien watched her with the same bland look he'd given her since she first arrived. "If you're done with your little vent we'll start from the beginning." He said in a voice as frozen as ice.

Her eyes went as wide as saucers. "Little vent?" She'd show him a little vent.

"Screw you! I refuse to be bossed around like some child!" Her long ponytail tossed over her shoulder as she made her exit. If he wanted to act like a jerk he could do it by himself! She'd come back when he had one less stick up his ass. Dancers! She oughta stick that stereo up his-

Her blood froze in her veins when he held her wrist in a vice-like grip.

"Don't you dare walk away from me."

His voice was low and deadly. He needed an outlet for all his frustration after seeing her drenched in sweat. Her eyes had a faraway look in them as she danced her heart out. He had watched her in silent fascination. Where did she go when it was just her and the music? He wanted nothing more than to have that gazed directed at him when she danced. He wanted to be let into her world. Fire danced in her haunting blue eyes when she looked back at him.

"Let me go, Darien. You forget you need me." She pulled fiercely in his grasp. His grip loosened but he refused to let her walk out of that door.

"Look…"

He let out a heavy breath that could be called a sigh while running his fingers through his already tousled hair. "I'm sorry!" His eyes flashed with hope when he saw hers soften. "You look breathtaking, gorgeous, sexy! I just didn't know what to say when I saw you. Who knew you could clean up so well?"

That last comment got him a punch to his arm. "What did you say? You bastard! Take that back!" Why couldn't guys just give a compliment and leave it at that? They all just had to be comedians.

"Ow! Do you forgive me now? Can we get back to practice or do I have to get on my knees?" She saw him grow hesitant at her raised eyebrow. Even though she would love to see him on his knees…

"Let's hit it!"

They both cooled down keeping the arguments down to a casual banter. Darien had just dared her to one last dance move before practice ended. He gazed at her superiorly thinking she would back down. Different look or not, this was still Serena.

"Come on, Serena. Don't embarrass yourself over some silly thing like female dignity. You haven't been able to go through the entire sequence correctly by yourself all day." Her competitive side was starting to show. He just didn't know how ugly that side could get.

"That doesn't mean a thing you arrogant pig! I bet I could do it just as well without you getting your panties in a bunch and messing me up!" She stuck her chin out defiantly. This was a bet she would be sure to win. Just to deflate his head enough to be able to fit through the door and go home tonight. Even if it meant actually staying focused! "What do I get if I win?"

Ah, now the stakes had been raised. "I'll take you wherever your tiny black heart desires," he said with a fake air of dignity. "But if you lose you have to go up to Andrew every time you spot him and plant a big one on him! No little cheek kisses either. A full-on, tongue wagging, eyebrow raising, you give me fever type of kiss" Serena let out a squeak of nervousness. There was no way she could swat spit with her longtime childhood friend! She barely had experience herself in that area! The only plus was that she would be able to drag him anywhere should she win…So she'd just have to win!

Cause there was not a snowball's chance in hell she was kissing Andrew.

The blue-eyed beauty's steps were hesitant as she wandered toward the middle of the room and started the CD. She waited on baited breath she waited for the first sign to start. At first, her movements were nervous as the music filled her veins. Soon it was filling her with that familiar warmness she had come to adore. She let her instincts take over as she went through the steps she had practiced time and time again.

Her gaze traveled inward as she searched for the courage and strength to continue and make the most experienced dancer jealous. Meanwhile, Darien watched with the odd twinge of jealously.

She had done it again.

The music had taken her away to that place only she could visit and had left him alone to watch. Her steps possessed a gracefulness even he was not aware she had as she danced with someone he would never know the identity of. Her hair burned like fire in the last rays of the setting sun and her as were set ablaze in the darkness.

The music faded and that faraway look died as she came back to the silence of the room. It was only silent for mere moments as a huge smile broke across her face. A look of apprehension as crossed Darien's face as he realized the impossible. She voiced it aloud with an arrogant tilt in her voice.

"I win."

"No! Please choose anywhere else to go but there!" Darien groaned and dragged his hand down his face dejectedly. He was never making a bet with this woman ever again. Not if this was to be his consequence.

"But you promised! Get your scrawny ass over here and buy our tickets already!" Fathers shook their heads at the pair as mothers covered their children's ears with a shout of 'Don't listen!' Darien pleaded and begged. Out of all the times to make a bet he just had to make it when the worst thing ever came to town.

The fair.

"Come on you sad excuse of a man. I want to go on that first!" Just his luck she would point to possible the highest, scariest, loopiest, lose your lunch fastest, coaster in the whole fair. "I'm not going on that. Those rides are for kids, Serena." He had to save face somehow. He'd shave himself bald and hang himself on a flagpole before he ever admitted to her he was afraid.

Serena stared at him so intently he began to fidget. What was she thinking? Perhaps she was trying to think of another place to go besides this accident waiting to happen full of screaming, sugar-high kids! She tapped a finger against he chin.

"You know Dare, I wonder if it ever gets any sunlight." Her face was of the utmost concentration as she examined his face. He shifted from foot to foot as her gaze held fast. "If what gets any sunlight?" Why did he have this sudden foreboding feeling? Like he had just set himself up for a nasty fall. She grinned innocently and poked him hard in the chest.

"Why, that stick up your ass of course!"

Her grinned turned evil as she ignored his screams of protest all the way to the terrifying ride. "Now let's go!"