Chapter 68: So Close

Jim walked into the dance. Blood pounded in his ears. His heart dragged beneath the floor.

He felt caught, propelled by an impossible dream and unwilling to believe that all he desired was all he deserved.

Unable to breath, Jim looked at Ariel.

She was already looking at him.

Then, song lyrics bled softly into the tender instrumental as Jim approached the girl in another man's arms.

You're in my arms…

And all the world is calm…

"Hey."

Ariel stopped.

Eric turned. His crystal blue eyes clouded under thick, black eyebrows. "Hawkins. What do you want?"

The music playing on for only two…

Jim shook his head. He swallowed. He couldn't speak.

He could only stare at Ariel.

Eric frowned, guessing Jim's intent. Territorially, he took Ariel's waist. "Get out of here, Hawkins. Bet's a bet. You lost the fight."

"But I didn't."

Never looking away from Jim, Ariel removed Eric's hand. She placed it against his chest. Unapologetically, she turned and left Eric to be saved by Alana.

So close, together…

Ariel took Jim in her arms.

And when I'm with you…

Jim's eyes brimmed with tears. "Why?" he whispered. "Why me?"

Ariel pressed her heartbeat against Jim. She touched his cheek, brushing the shadows from his eyes. "Because I want to be part of your world."

So close, to feeling alive…

Jim smiled. Holding Ariel against him, he twirled her into the night.

Wendy smiled, contentedly. "At last."

Gently backing through the sheer drapes, she departed onto the balcony. Above, the Wishing Star twinkled. Hanging by a celestial thread, it waved across the midnight tapestry, in time with the music.

A life goes by…

Wendy sighed. A tiny, regretful feeling stung inside her as she gazed over the balcony and into Fantasia.

Romantic dreams must die…

Lost in her thoughts, Wendy closed her eyes. Absentmindedly, she slowly swayed to the music.

So I bid mine goodbye…

Wendy jumped. The clasp to her purse shook as Peter's shadow rustled, begging to be let out.

And never knew….

Sympathetically, Wendy smiled. Donning her thimble, she unlatched the clutch and released Peter's shadow.

Fluttering like black silk, the shadow slunk onto the balcony. It shuddered away it's wrinkles.

Then, it turned to Wendy.

So close, was waiting…

Extending a hand, the shadow bowed.

Waiting here with you…

Wendy smiled, unbelieving. But, inspired by her loneliness, she curtsied. Thimble gleaming, she accepted the shadow's hand…

And now, forever, I know…

…and they started to dance.

Black as a specter, the shadow shimmered over the balcony. Guided by a touch softer than a summer breeze, Wendy followed as the shadow gently turned her into a pirouette. Gracefully, her fingers revolved, skimming beneath the feathery shadow's.

Suddenly, Wendy felt a warm, firm hand interlace with hers. Startled, she stopped. Glittering, the shadow rushed back into her purse.

All that I wanted…

A second hand took her waist and pulled, finishing the pirouette.

Wendy turned, folding into the arm at her waist.

She looked up.

To hold you…

Peter.

So close…

Wendy stared. Frightened, she stepped back.

Peter stared. Taking her hand, he stepped forward.

"Dance with me."

It was not a taunt. It was not a question. It was not a request.

It was a command.

So close to reaching…

That famous happy end…

Ignited by a wave of melody, Peter swept Wendy into the air. Supporting her against his chest, he brought her close. So close, he could smell her hair. So close, he could hear her gasp. So close…he could feel her heart.

Almost believing…

This one's not pretend…

And they danced, twirling over moonbeams and under tapestries of shooting stars.

And now you're beside me…

Peter wrapped both arms around Wendy. He lay a cheek against hers. Deftly, he whispered the lyrics into her ear.

"And look how far we've come…"

Wendy closed her eyes. She buried her head into Peter's shoulder.

So far…

Peter paused.

…We are…

Levitating, Peter cradled Wendy into his arms.

…So close.

Smiling, Peter twirled Wendy in the starlight.

The music crescendoed, swaddling the night with happiness and joy.

Below Peter and Wendy, Jim spun Ariel in a swirl of violet glitter. Bursting with emotion, Ariel whirled about. Strands of red hair twisted with her body as she extended, taut and connected to Jim by their interlaced fingers. Energy released, she sprung back, spinning into Jim and molding against his body.

The music roared through her soul as she beamed at the boy that had fought a loosing battle to call her his own.

Jim stared at Ariel.

Wendy stared at Peter.

Both closed their eyes, waiting for true love's kiss.

Suddenly the music depressed.

Then…

Oh how could I face…

The faceless days…

"Ariel."

"Peter."

If I should lose you now?

Without warning, the moment unraveled.

Eric took Ariel. Lana took Peter.

It was like waking up from a dream.

Both Jim and Wendy stood helplessly and hopelessly.

Poisoned by reality, they watched as the seamless couples danced to the end of the beautiful song.

We're so close to reaching

That famous happy end,

And almost believing,

This one's not pretend.

Let's go on dreaming..

For we know we are…

Wendy felt a hand on her arm. Biting back tears, she looked as shadows returned over Jim's eyes.

"Come on…" Jim said. "…I'll take you home."

Wendy nodded.

Both turned. But before leaving, they paused for one last look.

So close…

Ariel looked at Jim.

…So close…

Peter looked at Wendy.

…so far.

Four hearts broke.

And as the song twinkled to an end, Jim and Wendy turned to leave.

Then, the lights extinguished.

Blackness cut across the ballroom.

And then, incited by thorny, green flames…came laughter.

Elated. Wicked. Evil. Laughter.

sultal's note: BY FAR this was the hardest chapter to write. Romance is tough. Romance + coordinating it to a song is even tougher. BUT, it was a cool experimentation and I need no excuse to listen to "So Close" from Enchanted 72-billion times in a row :) I over use that song in my fanfictions (Disney Oscars :)) for good reason!

hope everyone had a great week!