Vegas
Thousands of glittering lights turned night into day as Moose pressed his hands to the window overlooking the Vegas strip.
Alone in his room at Caesars Palace, the others decided to gamble, to see the sights, but he wanted none of it, all he wanted was her.
Filming was going by fast, they were well on track with all of the major dance scenes in the can, except for the finale.
While this was great for production, it also meant that he had barely seen her, except for a few minor scenes, including the bar scene that they had filmed that day.
For just a moment he was lost in the music as he danced seamlessly to Skippin', he was definitely in his element and for a few minutes the cast and crew got a glimpse of the old Moose.
Up to his old tricks, going off script, stealing one of the actor's hat, while improvising dance moves that came from a place of effortless magic, the music took him over, and once again, he felt free, happy.
It wasn't until he had to pretend to flirt with the blonde actress that it all came crashing down.
It was too close to reality with his character ending up in the position he never meant to be in.
He felt it all over again, witnessing the hurt in Camille's eyes, watching her run off, almost immediately any relief he experienced from the pain came back in spades.
What made for excellent footage, just ended up playing a hand in dredging up the past for them, something he never thought he'd ever escape from.
While Camille was far from mean to him, there was a distance between them, a silence that broke his heart as he relived their kiss in his trailer again and again in his mind.
His feelings for her, the emotion between them, it was unmistakable, like a dam threatening to break, soon, this would have to be resolved one way or another.
After they were finished with the scene, he pulled Andie aside, confused as to what he should do, unable to take it anymore.
On her way to perform her duo scene with Sean, she didn't have much time, but her message was clear.
"Moose, you told her you would give her space, time to figure out what she wants. You have to respect that, you need to stand by your words. When she's ready she'll come to you, I know it's hard, but you have no other choice."
Nodding slowly he shrugged, knowing she was right, but that right and wrong didn't necessarily factor into matters of the heart, especially not his.
Lifting those big brown eyes that could break anyone down, he whispered in her ear, not wanting anyone else to hear.
"Do you know where she is tonight?"
Tilting her head to the side, rustling his dark curls, Andie gave him a disappointing hard glare.
Holding up his hands defensively he pleaded with her.
"I promise not to talk to her, I get it, I understand what you said and you're right. I just want to know if she's okay."
Hearing her name called out over the loudspeaker, Andie hesitated for moment before shaking her head, knowing full well she could never say no to her little Moose.
"She's rehearsing the dance moves for the finale in the ballroom downstairs, she didn't have time to learn everything because she came in late. Moose seriously, I would leave her be. Cam has a lot on her plate beside all this drama. Go out with the others, have some fun, she won't be able to concentrate if she sees you there. You know her, she's a perfectionist, if she doesn't get the steps down it will kill her."
Hugging her quick he agreed, giving her a wide grin flashing those dimples that melted her heart.
"I'm not going to bother her, especially while she's working. I'm actually kinda tired actually, I'm going to head up to my room. Thanks for the advice, you better go."
Giving him a skeptical stare, knowing exactly where he was headed, she took off to find Sean, realizing it was out of her hands now.
cMc
Walking slowly into the elevator Moose stepped inside, tapping his hands on his thighs anxiously.
Staring at the buttons that ascended from the first floor ballrooms, where she was practicing, up to ninth where he was staying, he thought long and hard.
The doors remained open as he lifted his finger back and forth over each number fighting the urge to do the right thing.
Thinking back he remembered being stuck in the elevator in her apartment building, it was the night that started everything, the night they made love, the greatest night of his life.
Pressing the button he released a long shuddered sigh while closing his eyes, his choice had been made.
Feeling his phone vibrate in his back pocket, he pulled it out reluctantly to find a text message from Andie.
Don't do it
Shutting his phone off, Moose decided it would cause no harm to just look in on her, she'd never see him, he could hide away, just for a few seconds, just to make sure she was alright, what could possibly be the harm in that.
Shiny silver doors slowly parted leading Moose down a long corridor.
His eyes widened at the glamorous decor all around him.
Beneath his sneakers, as far he could see was lush red carpet, the walls were draped in velvet gold wallpaper, overhead every five feet hung crystal chandeliers, it was a far cry than anything he was used to, that was for sure.
Carefully he tested each door on either side of the hallway, finding them all locked until he began to feel the floor vibrate beneath his feet.
The vibration he felt soon turned to faint music, it was the soundtrack to their last number, he had found her.
Carefully he cracked the door, dipping his head inside, trying to be discreet.
The first room was huge, completely dark, but the further he explored the louder the music became until he could see a light glow from an adjacent smaller room.
Staying in the shadows, he moved in silence along the wall catching his first glimpse of her.
He was sure his heart stopped beating, just for a moment, he watched her dancing alone with candles in a half circle around her facing a mirror that stretched the entire length of the room.
Wearing practically nothing, except for fishnet tights, and a long shirt that fell loose leaving one shoulder bare, he was barely able to breathe, it felt as thought the sight of her knocked the air from his lungs.
Rehearsing the same move again and again, her long hair, wet, curly from sweat that glistened from golden skin it was clear she had been at it for a long time.
Quietly in the dark he counted the steps along with her under his breath as she attempted the moves without the music this time.
Angrily she swore loudly with another misstep, discouraged, she hesitated for a moment, it was then that he realized what the problem was.
Without thinking, he emerged into the flickering light of the candles, behind her, as she held her arms up as though pretending she had a partner to dance with.
Cautiously, he spoke softly, hoping she wouldn't be mad for the intrusion.
"I think I can help."
Gasping loud, Cam's wide green eyes flashed into the mirror surprised to see his reflection staring warmly back at her.
Trying to catch her breath she lifted her long wavy bangs away from her face, pretending not to be affected by his presence.
"I don't know what's wrong with me, I thought I had it when Tony was teaching me the routine, but for some reason now I can't get it right. He had to leave, but we're filming tomorrow, and I'm… lost."
She whispered the last word as he turned to face her, moving close within inches of her glistening body.
His voice was deep, low, he had an innocence to him as always, unaware of just how seducing his tone was as he spoke sincerely to her.
"You just need a partner, someone who knows … how you move, how you respond. We've been dancing together since we we're kids Camille. Let me show you, just look into my eyes, you're trying too hard, thinking too much. You need to just trust me, and let go."
Nodding slowly, drowning in the wide eyed sweetness of his stare, and the words that lingered in the air long after he spoke.
She understood clearly that what he said held meaning well past what was heard on the surface.
Never breaking contact with her bright emerald eyes, Moose reached his hand to turn the music back on from a remote on a stool beside them.
Swallowing hard, he smiled pressing his forehead to hers raspy earnestly close to her lips.
"Just follow my lead, don't think, just dance with me... like we used to."
Can you see it?
The worst is over
The monsters in my head are scared of love
Fallin' people, listen up!
It's never too late to change your luck
Getting back into position, close to her, he nodded on the beat counting down to seven before taking her hands and spinning her around.
So, don't let them steal your light
E eh eh eh eh
Don't let them break your stride
E eh eh eh eh
There is light on the other side
And you'll see all the raindrops falling behind
It's a revolution
And we'll make it out tonight
It's a revolution
Rev, rev, it's a reva, rev, rev
Without missing a step they moved together as if they had been doing it all along, each move effortless.
A feeling of love exploded like fireworks between them both, as if not a day had passed.
The space between them felt charged with energy, like the air during a thunderstorm, lightning slid off their fingertips as they touched each other, it was pure magic.
Physically moved deep inside by what he felt, Moose backed away, worried that his feelings would take over, forcing him to take a step in a direction she wasn't ready for.
"Again." she breathed out softly, completely captivated by him.
Resting her hands on the curve of her hips, she waited for him to nod in agreement.
Turning the music back on, she raised an eyebrow letting her hand drift down the front of his shirt.
"I have the rest of the routine down, it was just … this one part… I guess I just needed my partner, my true partner, to show me the way. So what do you say?"
Dazed, reading into the meaning of her words, melting with every breath she took, his eyes drifted over her, whispering huskily.
"Anything you want."
They ran through it five more times, each time sharper, landing every step flawlessly, until she was completely confident.
They were so consumed with each other, so connected, that they failed to notice they weren't alone.
Taking her in his arms, he couldn't help himself, one step closer and he felt her mouth, tasted her lips, breathed her in, finally.
Kissing her, he felt everything fall away, all the misery and pain disappeared as he buried his hands in her mass of silky curls edging her chin upwards to deepen their embrace.
They stayed in this moment for what seemed like forever, free of doubt and insecurities, full of a love that refused to die, caught up in feeling that what they shared would never end.
Finally parting, he drifted his parted lips along her jaw, searching for more, desperate to be alone with her, to take her to bed, to show her how much he loved her, how happy he was that they were together.
Turning suddenly away from him, trying to recover from a kiss that shook her hard, she shut off the music and reached for her cell, anxious to see if Ken received her voicemail.
Finding nothing she couldn't deny her feelings for Moose any longer, it was just too overwhelming.
With her back still turned towards him, she wondered if he knew, if he could feel how much she cared, how deeply she needed him.
"Wow, it's so late. Moose it's after midnight and we have such an early start tomorrow, I'm sorry I kept you so long."
Moving behind her, smoothing his hands around her waist, he leaned down to brush his mouth along her bare shoulder.
"I'd stay here all night if you wanted me too, don't you know that?"
"I do."
Taking a deep breath, he had to know, it was killing him to wonder any longer.
"So, are you still with him?"
Gathering her stuff together, wanting nothing more than to forget everything and give in to what she wanted, she shook her head.
"I tried several times to reach him… but I keep getting his voicemail, I had no choice, I left a message."
"So, you've made a decision."
Hands curled into fists as the man in the shadows gritted his teeth seething with rage watching Moose touch her.
"I'm ending it… I actually did, end it. I wanted to do it the right way, but he won't let me, I know he's avoiding me because it's clear I figured out what he was doing, what he did… to you, to us."
Swallowing hard, Moose released her hand, bringing it to caress her cheek.
"So, does that mean… are we? "
Lifting her eyes to the ceiling, unable to hold back a smile, she covered his hand with hers moving it to her lips to kiss it softly.
"It means that, I love you… it means that I only want to be with you. I know now, that's all I've ever wanted."
Biting down on her bottom lip, Camille closed her eyes, letting her body sink back against him.
Huskily, Moose lifted her long tresses off her neck to swept his lips along her skin.
"I've waited so long to hold you again, to feel you like this. I've spent so many nights dreaming of this moment."
Lifting her arms back, sliding them around his neck, she sighed, feeling him hard, pressed against her.
His hands began to drift, seeking out places he longed to be, encouraged by the soft mewls and gasps escaping from her parted lips.
Breathless now he rumbled along her skin urgently, desperate to once again be inside, knowing that nothing would ever separate them again.
"If you want me to stop, please... tell me now."
Feeling his fingertips ghost along the inside of her thigh, all control slipped away.
Moving his other hand beneath her shirt to cup her breast, stoking his thumb over her hardening peak, she let out a small whimper.
Waiting for far too long to feel her, he tore at her fishnet tights, sliding his fingers over her sex hearing the blissful sound of his name echo against the walls.
"Moose."
Letting her head fall further back, he took her mouth kissing her hard, letting go of all the years of longing and pain.
Teasing her, dancing his fingertips over her sensitive nub feeling how wet she was for him, realizing just how ready she was, he spun her around.
Backing her up against the mirror she nodded, panting hard, giving him the permission he was looking for, he released the buckle of his belt.
Staring up into his eyes, she jumped, hearing the metal hit the ground as he shoved his jeans and boxers down to a pool at his feet.
Bringing his hands up around her small waist, he pulled her close, flush to his body, feeling every part of her, letting her feel every part of him.
Brushing his soft lips to her ear he swept his thumb along her bottom lip rasping urgently to her.
"I love you Camille."
Ducking out of the room, knocking over a row of folding chairs, blinded by rage, the stranger disappeared into the darkened hallway.
Clutching his shoulders Cam whispered against her wildly pounding heart.
"W-what was that?"
Leaning down to kiss her, making her forget all about the mysterious noise, Moose brushed his lips tenderly to her mouth while edging her thighs apart with his knee.
"I didn't hear a thing."
Brushing his lips to hers again, he breathed out sweetly while smoothing his hand down the curve of her hip, passing his thumb once again against her center.
"Every moment without you was torture Camille."
She buried her face in his neck, her fingers tangled tight in his dark curls as he lifted her effortless, wrapping her thighs around his waist he surged inside.
He took her slow and hard, every thrust going deeper, desperate to feel her come apart, it was heaven, she was his heaven.
cMc
The next day was madness, from six am till midnight it was non stop filming, this was the very last day of shooting, everything was on a very tight schedule.
The set was pure chaos with everyone from makeup artists to choreographers running around in an attempt to meet their deadline.
Between the extras standing all around the stage, the massive cast and crew, and press at every exit, security found it hard to keep track of who was coming and going, but in the midst of everything the routines were going off without a hitch.
Moose even shocked Camille after the big ending number, breaking away from the set choreography to make his way through the crowd pulling her into his arms.
Trish, the director, was thrilled when she was able to give the signal to the right camera man to catch the unexpected moment, making it the best few seconds of the entire movie.
It was a true celebration on film and off as Sean successfully caught Andie during her flip.
There was no acting needed as all the dancers jumped up and down with an explosion of applause and cheers.
Everyone danced and embraced together, it was bittersweet knowing that this was the end of all their years together, of a franchise that truly brought to life the magic of dance, and its impact on the world from America across the globe to Brazil and beyond. There was no doubting the mark it would leave on the fans that had followed them since the first movie.
Between the volume of the music and dozens of dancers and crew rushing the floor hugging each other, not to mention confetti falling from the ceiling, no one was aware of the man dressed like a kid, with a fitted baseball cap pulled down over his eyes.
Moose took her in his arms, happier than he had ever been in his life, knowing that this was far from an ending to the story that started everything.
Between Moose and Camille, on and off the big screen, in art and in life, it was truly just the beginning.
It was only when Moose spotted Andie across the way that he yelled to Camille over the crowd that he'd be right back.
Stepping along the edge of the stage to adjust her knee brace, Camille suddenly felt a strong arm wrap around her waist jerking her backwards.
Her eyes widen, her hands reached out towards Moose watching him celebrate with Andie over their reunion.
Her screams fell on deaf ears as she was yanked out in plain sight from hundreds of people who would have done anything to help her.
Before she knew it Ken had pulled her into the stairwell.
With his big hand secured over her mouth he dragged her down the steps to the parking garage below.
"I was very patient with you Camille, through all your time away working on your music, your movies and the goddamn dancing, I was the one who was always there to take care of you, who waited like a man for you to come back, only for you to leave me the first time that little shit shows his face. Well it's not going to happen, you belong with me, you're my fiance. There is no leaving this relationship, you are mine."
Petrified, Camille struggled as hard as she could, kicking, and biting his hand desperately trying to get away.
Angering him even more he roughly threw her in his car, before taking off down the twisted narrow roadway of the parking garage.
Locking the doors, he turned back to yell at her as she lunged towards the steering wheel in an attempt to aim the car towards another vehicle or a support beam, anything to bring attention to them or bring the car to a halt.
"Ken! Don't do this! Please!"
Catching a glimpse at what was ahead, Camille braced her back against the seat, grabbing the seat belt managing to secure it just in time before Ken's car slammed into a police cruiser.
It turns out Moose had seen her just as Ken pulled her threw the doors, acting fast, knowing exactly who it was he managed to get them to block all the exits in the huge casino starting with the parking garage first.
Camille later found out in the hospital that if not for Moose, Ken would've gotten away with her.
Rushing to her hospital room, Moose was stopped by a detective and Camille's parents.
Realizing all he had done for her daughter, Camille's mother wrapped her arm around him taking him to the waiting room.
"She's getting an MRI, but it's just cautionary, besides some bad bruises and scrapes it looks like she's going to be fine, thanks to you."
Beside himself, Moose looked over her shoulder. "When can I see her?"
Stepping in the detective in charge of the case nodded toward him.
"I understand you came in contact with Ken over the years, I'm going to need you to come down to the station, we're going to need a statement."
Cam's mom rested her hand on Moose's shoulder noticing the huge crowd of friends that were pouring from the elevators anxious to see if their Camille was okay.
"Sweetie the best thing you can do right now is go home, she's been through a very traumatic experience, she's going to need time to heal - "
Frantic at the thought of not being able to see her, Moose tried to plead to her.
"Wait, you don't understand, I'm with her, she and I … we're together... she needs me, please don't do this!"
Trying to comfort him, her mother nodded. "I know, just give her a little time, she's coming home with us for a while to recover, you are welcome anytime. I promise she'll get in contact with you when she's ready."
Reluctantly he backed away with Andie's help.
"It's okay Moose, the most important thing is that you stopped that lunatic, and Camille is safe. I'm sure you'll be able to see her soon."
Having no choice, Moose flew back to L.A.
cMc
Ohio, one month later
Riding in the cab, coming from the airport, on his way to her parent's home, Moose held onto his phone, staring at the one text that he received from her.
I need you
Please come to Ohio
Watching snowflakes flutter to the ground as the taxi pulled up to her parents house, Moose could hardly contain himself.
Never in his life had four weeks gone by so agonizingly slow.
Still, he never worried, never lost faith in them and what they had found together.
He understood that she needed time to heal, to deal with the mess that the last few years had dealt her.
Opening the car door Moose was met by her dad, who ran from the house to stop him.
"Welcome Moose, we're so happy you came! Camille isn't home, she's at her dance studio right now, I'll give the cabbie the directions, I know she can't wait to see you."
After thanking her father, he took a deep breath, before leaning back in the seat nearly going out of his mind desperate to touch her again.
After another twenty minutes that dragged on forever, Moose finally stepped inside the building where Camille had spent her childhood dancing.
Pushing past people who were in the hall, Moose ran to the door where the director told him she would be.
Closing his eyes he gently pushed on the door, not wanting to scare her, before slipping inside.
The room was dimly lit with a small spotlight aimed at the center of the dance floor.
Mirrors lined the back wall reflecting the image of the beautiful girl dancing with intense emotion to the song lifting in the air.
Spinning around Cam jumped high flying threw the air, spreading her arms out, her fingertips delicately aimed towards the sky, as if every word had meaning to her, a secret message meant for someone special.
When tomorrow comes
I'll be on my own
Feeling frightened of
The things that I don't know
When tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
Tomorrow comes
Sliding down onto a stool by the door he watched her completely taken in by her strength, immersed in the stunning woman she had become.
She was dressed in white, tiny straps held her tank top in place while a short pale pink flowing skirt swirling around her waist.
Barefoot, with long curly hair rising high behind her she gracefully danced around the floor, her eyes closed, feeling the music deep inside that surrounded her.
And though the road is long
I look up to the sky
And in the dark I found,
I lost hope that I won't fly
And I sing along, I sing along
And I sing along
Mesmerized by every step she took, he was frozen, breathless, remembering the little girl that was so nervous and homesick, the tomboy that looked down at her feet, her hair in ponytails, dressed in sweats, so worried that she didn't belong, convinced that she could never be enough.
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
Can't stop my heart when you shinin' in my eyes
Can't lie, it's a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight (flashlight)
You're my flashlight (flashlight)
You're my flashlight
It seemed like yesterday, the years passing by like pictures in his mind, every moment leading her straight to him, every tear, each heart ache was only a small step in the right direction calling her back to her true love, to her Moose.
It was then that she noticed him, her eyes lighting up like stars in the sky as she ran towards him.
I see the shadows long beneath the mountain top
I'm not afraid when the rain won't stop
'Cause you light the way
You light the way, you light the way
Standing, he dropped his duffle bag on the ground, he held out his arms taking in the smile that was always meant for him and him alone.
Catching her in his arms Moose spun her around, his entire body shaking, his expressive big brown eyes filled with tears.
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
Can't stop my heart when you shinin' in my eyes
I can't lie, it's a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
(Light light light you're my flashlight, light, light)
Light light you're my flashlight
Light light light light light, oh
(Light light light you're my flashlight, light, light)
You're my flash, oh
Gently placing her bare feet back on the ground, he pressed his forehead to hers, smoothing his hands along her jaw trying hard to catch his breath.
Lifting her dark eyelashes up toward him she whispered softly.
"Moose, are you alright? You're shaking."
I got all I need when I got you and I
I look around me, and see a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
You're getting me, getting me through the night
Can't stop my heart when you shinin' in my eyes
I can't lie, it's a sweet life
I'm stuck in the dark but you're my flashlight
(You're my flashlight)
You're getting me, getting me through the night
'Cause you're my flashlight
'Cause you're my flashlight
You're my flashlight
Nodding he pulled away to look at her, needing to really believe she was there, in his arms, with him, right where she belonged.
"I was just so worried, I love you Camille, I love you so much. Are you alright? Are you still hurt?"
You're my flashlight
Light light
You're my flashlight
Light light ye-yeah
Stepping close to her, he kissed her softly, his thumb wiping away a happy tear from her flushed cheek, knowing deep inside that he would be sharing this dance for the rest of his life.
"I'm fine, how could I not be? I finally got my Moose back, for good this time, forever."
You're my flashlight
the end
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Songs: Revolution by Diplo & Flashlight by Jessie J
thank you so so much to all of you who were so patient following this story, Unbelievable how sweet you all were through all of this! Truly the nicest followers I've ever had :)
secretxlittlexdarling, Claire x2, justadreamingangel, Melissa, Patricia, Julia, Dancingdragon56, Kate, Vanessa, Fran, Sarah, Julie, Maura, Ynara-Moose e Camille, and especially to laukinage, thank you for all your incredible replies that always encouraged me! Happy New Year! I hope you like their ending :)