12 - Role Reversal

"You look nervous," Rory stated, checking her coat at the door.

"Nah, it's just that I'm usually a server rather than a guest at this sort of thing, so it's going to take a little getting used to," Marty explained, doing the same with his coat before offering his arm to her. "Shall we?"

"Yes, we shall," she nodded, taking the offered arm before allowing Marty to lead her into the ballroom.

"So, which table are we seated at?" Rory asked, her eyes scanning the room. Marty did the same, trying to figure out the layout of the room. There were several tables surrounding a large dance floor, where a few couples were currently dancing. Giving up on his current method, Marty stopped an usher for information.

"Hey, you wouldn't happen to know which table we're seated at?" Marty asked with a sheepish smile.

"Your names, sir?" He asked with raised eyebrows.

"Martin Harrison and guest for the Thompson Group."

"Table five, over there," the usher informed, pointing to the other side of the room.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," he said before continuing on his way.

Marty turned to Rory. "Well, I found out where we're seated."

"I heard," she chuckled, the two walking towards the indicated table. There they joined two other couples who Marty vaguely remembered, but their names eluded him at the moment. Pleasantries were exchanged as he pulled Rory's seat out for her, then sat down in the next chair. Rory engaged their table companions in conversation, with Marty adding his opinion when asked, and the dinner went by quickly.

"If I forgot to mention this earlier, thanks again for coming along," Marty said when he and Rory were left alone, the other couples having left the table for their own reasons. "Had you said no, I'd probably be stuck here with my boss's assistant."

"It's my pleasure," she smiled.

"You look great, by the way," Marty complimented.

"Thank you," Rory blushed, glancing away. This was a stark contrast to the reaction she'd given him on a similiar comment he'd made four years ago.

A quiet moment was shared between the pair as the band played for the dancers, both of them sitting comfortably watching the other couples dance.

"This all reminds me of my prom for some reason," Marty remarked, breaking their amiable silence. "Well, except for the ushers and waiters, I mean."

"I wouldn't know about prom, since I never went to mine," Rory told him, taking a sip from her champagne flute.

He was surprised by this information. "Really?"

"You know, that guy who was at my place when you picked me up?"

"You mean, your 'cousin' Jess?" He teased.

"Yeah, him," she snorted, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, he was supposed to take me, but then this whole thing happened with his dad and he didn't graduate, so prom ended up not happening."

"That sucks."

"Yeah, but it was a long time ago, so I'm over it," Rory shrugged, swirling the liquid around in her nearly empty glass.

They shared another quiet moment where Marty watched his friend watch the dancers on the floor, a wistful and melancholic aura radiating off her in waves. He didn't like this broody version of his Rory, so Marty decided to do something about changing her current mood.

"Did you want to dance?" Marty asked the brunette beauty, whose azure eyes lit up in delight at the question. "Is that a yes?"

"Um, yeah," Rory nodded, rising from her seat. "Now lead the way, mister."

"Yes, ma'am," he chuckled, rising from his chair as well.

The pair walked onto the floor just as the band began playing a slow song, resulting in the both of them awkwardly standing in front of each other. Finally after mutually wondering how to move forward, Rory took the initiative and stepped directly in front of him, taking his right hand in her left and placing the other on his shoulder. Marty shook his head at himself, then followed her lead by laying his hand on her hip.

"Easy, peasy," she grinned up at him.

"You're lucky that this is just a waltz," he said, swaying with her to the music.

"Why's that?" Rory quirked an eyebrow, amused.

"Because the only other dance I know is the Lambada," Marty joked in his usual deadpan manner.

"Dirty," she laughed, inadvertently pressing closer to him in the process.

Not knowing what else to do, Marty continued to dance with her until suddenly the band switched to a slightly slower song. He was about to excuse himself when he noticed that Rory was all but clinging to him, looking up with an almost begging expression in her blue eyes. Despite being a little confused by her behavior, he relented to the silent request. It was a moment later that Marty recognized the song, though there was nobody singing the lyrics that usually went along with it. Weird song to play at a ball.

"Keep me closer/I'm a lazy dancer/When you move/I move with you," he heard Rory sing-along in a whispered tone, surprising him.

"Andy loves this song," he informed out of habit.

"Excuse me, I need to use the washroom," Rory said all of a sudden, disengaging herself from Marty.

He frowned in concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just feeling a bit light-headed," she said, sending a weak smile his way. "I think I drank a little too much champagne, a little too fast."

"Okay, I'll head back to the table and wait for you then," Marty replied, unsure if Rory had even heard him as she hurried towards the washrooms. I hope she's okay.

And...scene!