A/N: I am so sorry this took so long. I was trying really hard to find a way to make this chapter work and have it lead into the events of the chapters following it. And after much typing and re-typing, this is what I have managed to spit out. I hope you enjoy it, because this is going to be the last bit of fluff for a while now. I know most of you will hate me, but sometimes these things have to be done and quite frankly, none of you will hate me for this chapter after you read the chapter after it. I am prepared for your reactions...almost. Please don't round up an angry mob and storm my account with angry reviews or PMs. Hope you enjoy the short bit of fluff!

CHAPTER FIVE

Josie shrieked with laughter as Don awkwardly led her around the living room. They had pushed the coffee table against the wall and moved the arm chairs to the other side of the room so she could teach him how to dance. For the first hour, he had taken it very seriously, absorbing every single thing she told him as if his brain were a sponge. But his determination had slowly begun to dissolve with each misplaced step to her foot. So now it was all a game. Charlie watched them from the kitchen, a small smile on his face. He hadn't seen them like this since they'd started high school and it was refreshing to see they hadn't lost the closeness of their relationship. Maybe this was something Don needed to be a better football player, he thought. The living room now drowned in Don's laughter as they bumped into the TV stand while "Tainted Love" played in the background.

"Don you're a hopeless dancer," Josie giggled.

"No I'm not. I really did learn!" he protested, clutching her slender waist and trying once again to lead her around.

She placed her hand on the back of his neck and moved closer to his body. "Alright, one more time. After that, you fail."

He swallowed a lump in his throat and found it in his pants. "Uh, I think we need a better song."

"This one is almost over. Just hang on and wait for it to finish," she stated, oblivious to his discomfort. "So you never told me who you were taking to the dance."

"I uh haven't asked her yet. I wanted to learn how to dance first," he said sheepishly.

"You're so cute sometimes Donnie. It amazes me sometimes," she cooed.

"Who are you taking?" he inquired, looking down at the ground to hide his blush.

She smiled. "I'm just waiting for Mike to ask me. I told Brian I wasn't going with him and he took it surprisingly well."

"Yeah? He wasn't mad?"

"Not really no," she said as 'Against All Odds" came on the radio.

Don looked at her, eyebrow raised. "Uh…is this Phil Collins?"

"So? I love this song," she protested.

"You're so lame!" he laughed, leaning against the wall.

She pushed him over. "Shut up Donnie. Should I remind you of the time I caught you listening, no, singing along to Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart? Because that-"

Don swept her feet out from under her and caught her as she hit the floor next to him. "We agreed never to speak of that again Jojo. You broke the promise. I'm afraid I have to kill you."

"Shall we call it even if you just dance with me to one song?" she asked, looking over at him.

"This song?" he groaned.

"No not this song," she said, rolling her eyes. "I'll pick the song."

He propped himself up on his elbows as she crawled over to the stereo. "Is it as stupid as Phil Collins?"

She cast an irritated glance at him over her shoulder. "No. Here it is."

He groaned again as she pulled him to his feet. "Aw man Journey? Open Arms is the cheesiest song ever! I didn't think you could pick a song worse than Phil Collins, but you did it."

"Stop complaining and hold me close. You need to learn how to slow dance," she demanded.

"Well if I must," he smirked, pulling her against his body. "Too close?"

"For you maybe," she giggled, putting half an inch of space between them.

He blushed and looked down at the floor. "Sorry. I've never uh…sorry."

She placed a hand on the side of his face. "It's alright Donnie. Let's just dance."

He nodded and followed her lead. They swayed slowly around the living room while Steve Perry poured his heart out through the speakers. Don's hand moved casually up her back to rest on the nape of her neck while her body found its way closer to his. She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against his chest. A small sigh of content escaped them both and their grips on each other tightened. From the kitchen, Charlie smiled and turned to hide it. He left the kitchen, wanting them to be alone for what he knew was about to follow. Open Arms soon gave way to Waiting For A Girl Like You and Don looked down at his best friend. Never in his life had he wanted to kiss her more, so he ignored everything in him that said no, and lifted her chin. Josie was just as caught up in the moment as he was and soon they were sharing their first kiss. It was everything Don had waited for and it was then that he realized he never wanted to let Josie go. But she pulled away and looked up at him, worlds of confusion in her eyes. She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what to say or how to say it. He misread her confusion as a hesitancy to find the right words to reject him so he took it upon himself to break the silence.

"I'm sorry. That was-just practicing," he joked softly, breaking all contact with her and moving into the kitchen.

"Donnie," she whispered, touching her lips and chasing after him. "Donnie it's alright."

"I'm going to the dance with Melody," he stated bluntly, pulling a Pepsi from the fridge.

She stepped back, clutching her hands over her heart. "What? But you said you-why Donnie?"

"She asked me last week," he replied, opening the can and swallowing half of it in one gulp.

"But…I hate her. Why would you go with someone I hate?"

"She asked me. It was just easier."

"Well can't you tell her no? I broke my date with Brian. Please don't take Melody," she pleaded.

"Well who am I going to go with then? You? You're waiting for Mike to ask you," he snapped.

"I'll go with you if it means you won't go with her. She's a horrible person Donnie. I don't want her to happen to you," Josie said, stepping up to him.

He moved back, looking out the window. "I'll make my own choices Josie. Thanks for teaching me how to dance. You should probably go now."

She squared her jaw and clenched her teeth to block her tears. "Fine. Good night Don. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

He watched her walk away, mentally beating himself for instigating an unnecessary fight. With a groan he chugged the rest of his soda and threw the can in the recycling bin. Charlie chose that moment to walk back into the room, only to find a downtrodden Don, and not the chipper boy he expected to see. He sighed immediately and placed his empty glass on the counter.

"Where's Josie?" he inquired.

Don grunted. "We got into a fight. She left."

Charlie shook his head. "How did you blow it this time Don?"

"I kissed her and then told her I was taking the girl she loathes to the dance," he replied, staring hard at the floor.

"Sometimes I wonder how you can be as stupid as you are. It was really simple Donnie. You kiss her, tell her how you feel and go from there. You don't kiss her and tell her you're taking her rival to the dance," Charlie scolded.

"You didn't see her face after I did it though. She was just looking at me while she thought of a nice way to let me down," Don protested.

"And you know that for sure? You need to look in her eyes Donnie. The eyes give everything away," Charlie explained.

"It wouldn't have mattered. She likes Mike. I doubt she would have gone to the dance with me anyway," Don sighed, heading for the living room. "I'm going to bed. G'night dad."

"Good night Donnie," Charlie said, watching his son disappear dejectedly around the corner.