Dancing in a New Status

Vic smiled at him, "We are definitely going to have to work on that, because I'm gonna want to dance with my man in all kinds of dances. But for tonight, strictly slow dancing will be fine." She kissed him again, thinking it might be her last chance until they left for home later. She idly wondered which home they would end up at that night. The only thing she was sure of was they were going home together and were going to be together all night. Vic had started the kiss but Walt took very little time before he returned it and then took control of the kiss. The talents of his mouth and tongue drew her to him more and more, causing Vic to reconsider dancing before going home with him.

Walt broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers, "Just so you know, I don't think I can dance with you without kissing you."

"So, you wanna skip the dancing?" She didn't realize it, until she heard the disappointment in her own words, but she really wanted to dance him some more that evening.

"Nope, just thought I should warn you that's all."

She hugged him and rolled her chin down, bringing her forehead from his, to kiss the lower edge of his jaw, "Consider me forewarned."

"One more thing Vic."

"Hmm?"

"Anybody says anything, uhm, questionable, let me handle it?"

She leaned back and glared at him, "You're not gonna start that protective macho bullshit are you?"

Walt held her gaze with his own patient one, "Nope, but I am the Sheriff and if anything is said I would feel better if I knew I was handling it." He gave her a warm smile, "Some of the citizenry might not take your Philly retorts in the spirit in which they are given." Walt titled his head and gave her a look that dared her to disagree with his statement.

She huffed, "Fine," and then started laughing, "Guess it wouldn't do to get into an altercation on our first date huh?"

Walt laughed with her, "Nope. Won't do on any of our dates."

"Right."

He left one arm around her waist as he led her back across the square and over to the dance floor.

They made their way through the crowd and came across Henry and Cady as they were also heading to the dance floor.

Henry looked at the approaching couple, "Varsity."

He said it as a statement, as though he knew it to be a fact and Vic laughed when Walt smiled sheepishly at his friend but said nothing.

Cady looked between the two men and then turned her attention to Vic, "Varsity?"

Vic nodded, "Yep."

"Yep what? What's Varsity?"

Vic started laughing again and looked to Walt who merely blushed; deeply.

Henry rolled his eyes at Walt and gave him a 'thanks a lot' look as he took Cady's elbow and directed her toward the dance floor, "Come, I will explain."

Vic stepped around to face Walt, "You gonna be okay?"

He nodded at her and took each of her hands in both of his. She held his hands a backed toward the dance floor trusting that Walt would not let her back into anyone or anything. They managed to reach the floor without incident and Walt immediately pulled her to him, holding her firmly, as they moved in time to the music. They swayed and drifted about the floor passing people they knew now and again. Neither was bashful about touching or kissing the other as they danced. They did however refrain from allowing their kissing to escalate to the point it had back on the sidewalk or in the darkened doorway. As they danced passed, several people made kind comments; smiled at them, nodded, winked, or gave them other obvious indicators of approval. Some looked as though they might say something less than positive or even merely neutral. Walt would strategically redirect their moves to avoid those less than receptive to their being together. Fortunately, there were not many of those people on the dance floor with them. Unfortunately, as he moved them away from one such couple, he turned and found himself face to face with Lizzie and her dance partner; Omar.

"Hiya Walt, Vicki." Omar beamed at them.

Walt gave them a little grin, "Omar, Lizzie, good evening," and then turned Vic to dance away from them.

Vic leaned in and whispered, "You wanna leave?"

He looked down at her, "Do you?"

She shook her head, "Not especially, just thought you might…"

"Vic I feel no need to run from Lizzie, do you?"

"Nope." She dropped her gaze from him as she answered.

"But?"

"I just thought I should check. You kinda tensed up when you saw her."

Walt drew Vic closer and buried his face in her neck, "Just didn't expect to see her and Omar when I turned; that's all, just startled me, didn't bother me otherwise."

"Even though you know she's been talking about you?"

"She's been talking about us. Does it bother you? We can leave."

"It would only bother me if you left me to dance with her." She nuzzled her face against the side of his hair and Walt chuckled at her.

"Never happen, Vic. Never. Happen."

They held the same intimate posture and moved in a very small circle for the remainder of the song and the next one as well. When the band picked up the pace again they made their way off the floor and found one of the refreshment tables.

Seeing Henry off to one side of the dance floor they walked over to join him and watch the others who were dancing to the faster number. Walt stepped up beside Henry with Vic on his far side. She spotted Cady and Ferg, and motioned for the guys to look at the couple, putting the other dancers to shame. The three stood and watched, chatting amiably about nothing important and Vic thought about how incredibly natural it all felt and how Henry did not seem surprised or uncomfortable by the change in their relationship status. Vic stepped around to the other side of Walt and slipped and arm though his and Henry's holding on to both men and smiling up at them.

Walt looked at her smile and knew it meant something more than she was simply happy in the moment, "What?"

Vic looked between the two men and declared, "I've always wanted to breach the inner sanctum of the Walt and Henry club."

Walt returned her smile, unsure of what to say, but Henry looked from him to Vic, "You did that a long time ago. What you did not do until tonight was breach the tower of emotional resistance that is Walt Longmire."

"Thanks." Walt gave him a disgruntled look and Vic and Henry both laughed at him.

"You are welcome. And Vic you did a fine job. No one could have done better." Henry continued the teasing just to watch Walt squirm. "I do not believe there has been a …"

"That's enough Henry." Walt said firmly but not sharply.

Vic giggled at them and took pity on Walt, "Besides Henry, he made the first move tonight."

As she started to make her case, Lizzie walked passed, "I understood you requested the song. And I saw you push Lucyle out of Walt's arms. Wouldn't you call that making the first move?"

Vic looked to Walt but he said nothing. She knew she said she would let him handle comments that were 'questionable' but figured Lizzie was one he wasn't yet ready to deal with. Giving him a light squeeze on his arm for reassurance, she turned to face Lizzie full on, "No, I think taking me off to a dark secluded spot, telling me he loved me, and then kissing me breathless…, well that's quite enough to prove my point, I think. That was definitely the first move."

Walt and Henry had also turned and faced the other woman, exchanging a quick glance as they did, each ready to break the women up if it came to that.

Lizzie looked from Vic to Walt and opened her mouth to speak. Walt slipped his arms around Vic's waist and pulled her back against his chest. She closed her mouth and started to turn from them, then suddenly spun back toward them and nearly spit the words at them, "I knew I was right about you two all along. I just knew it."

Vic had expected something harsh and maybe profound, but this was almost lame. She felt sorry for Lizzie and was not even tempted to laugh until Walt opened his mouth and then she had to bite the insides of hers, because she knew he wasn't trying to be mean or funny; but his timing really sucked.

His voice was quiet and even; full of honest sincerity, "Well I didn't. So, thank you Lizzie, I owe you that much."

Vic pulled his arms tighter around her middle and bit down solidly on the inside of her cheek, she would not laugh, no matter what. When she pulled at his arms a second time Walt seemed to sense her train of thought.

"Lizzie I am truly sorry that I hurt you. I honestly was not aware of the depth of my feelings for Vic until you said something. Vic was married and there are some things a man doesn't do. And I swear to you that I never considered Vic to be anything beyond my deputy and my friend until her divorce."

"You know Walt, I believe you. I just feel sorry for you. For not knowing your own feelings or worst yet, lying to yourself." Lizzie's face looked as though she wanted to say more, but she turned abruptly and walked away.

As she approached her friend, Henry turned to Walt and asked, "That Lucyle?"

"Yep."

Vic angled her upper body a little so she could see Walt's eyes and then turned to Henry, "What? What about 'that Lucyle'?"

She felt Walt pull her closer like he was shielding himself from what he knew Henry was going to say.