The Dance

Note: This story was written in response to the FKfanatics party challenge.  Nick, Schanke, Tracy, Vachon, LaCroix, Janette, Natalie and Alyce are from "Forever Knight" which is under Sony Tri-Star.  Xena and Gabrielle are from "Xena Warrior Princess" which is from StudiosUSA and MCA-Universal in addition to be created by Rob Tapert and John Schulian.

I sat down in the sanctum busily typing away at my latest story. For two days, the details had come together...and finally, the last keystroke fell into place. Hitting the "save" key, I stretched my arms skyward and happened to look at the clock. "Ah, the party's starting in about an hour!" I mused.

Walking over to the closet, I dressed in the traditional black tux which I rented for the occasion. "I hope I can find somebody to dance with," I wondered. I had been in the Castle for three months, but few people had been around. "It will be nice to see some people. Here goes!"

Climbing the stony staircase, I reached the ballroom in good time. Much to my pleasant surprise, the area was filled with fellow fanatics and a few familiar characters. The music was softly wafting its way through the sweetly perfumed air. A grin started to spread across my face. Yes, something told me that this would be a great night. I made my way through the crowd, stopping every now and again to talk with friends. The castle mistresses had done awesomely in laying out the buffet table. I smelled the wondrous odors...and took a minute to take it all in. Then, I decided on some roast chicken and potatoes and moved to the bar.

The bartender came over and asked, "Would you like a glass of wine?"

"Sure. Thank you, but how did you know?" I inquired.

"Complements of the ladies over in the corner," she replied, pointing at a table on the far side of the room.

I nodded and taking my dinner and wine, walked over to the small table. There, two women waited and smiled as I approached. "Good Evening, Ladies. Thank you for the drink."

"It's our pleasure, David," the red-head with the brilliant smile stated. "After reading some of your works in the library, we wanted to meet you."

"Indeed," her raven-haired companion concurred. "And to thank you for writing about Nick the way you do. If you'd like, please join us." 

"Thank you," I accepted and joined them. "Let me guess. Dr. Natalie Lambert and...Dr. Alyce Hunter, correct?"

"That's right," Natalie nodded with a gentle smile. "We're glad that you came up from your study. We were hoping to share a dance or two."

For some reason, the offer send shivers up my spine. It had been a while since I had been asked to share a dance. Managing to retain my composure, I shrugged, "Sure."

"Alyce, why don't you take the first dance?" Natalie pushed.

"Okay," the curator agreed and grinned at me. She walked over to the band and requested Purcell's Sonata XII. Then, she turned back toward me, holding out her hand.

Natalie nodded in acknowledgement and flicked her head in Alyce's direction. "I'll join you for the next tune. Go on," she urged.

I nodded and walked over to Alyce's side. Lightly clasping each other's hand, we started circling the dance floor. The seventeenth century sonata seemed to suspend time as we spun around the area. We floated on air. All too soon, the tune had run it's course and we returned to the table where Natalie sat beaming.

"That was beautiful," she sighed.

"Would you like a turn, Doctor?" I offered.

"Go on, Natalie," Alyce smiled. "He dances divinely."

"You flatter me," I chuckled nervously. "Well, Natalie?"

"I think I will," Natalie stated and rose from her chair. Taking her hand, I guided the coroner to the dance floor. Together, we waltzed to one of Mozart's most heartfelt songs. Staring into each other eyes, it was poetry in motion. Once again, everything seemed to stop, but we didn't care.

Unfortunately, the song ended and so, we returned to Alyce's side. Over the course of the evening, the three of us discussed various things and learned more about each other. As the guest of honor made his way by our table, we congratulated him and wished him a happy birthday. Don Schanke and his wife, Myra, shared a few jokes with us. Tracy and Vachon were jovial as well. LaCroix, on the other hand, stayed on the other side of the room. For the entire evening, we watched each other, but fortunately, he had enough other people to talk to.

Finally, it was time to depart. For me, to return to the sanctum. As I stood up, Natalie and Alyce rose to join me. "Thank you once again, Ladies," I expressed, kissing each woman's hand in turn.

Alyce blushed, "You' re welcome. If it's okay, I would like to talk about medieval culture sometime. Would it be all right if I come by the sanctum?"

"Absolutely," I agreed. "Natalie, you are invited whenever you'd like as well. Please feel free to bring Nick along."

"We'll do that," the coroner agreed. "It's been a great evening. You don't do this often enough, David. Real life can be a royal nuisance. At least, Nick and the two of us not to mention Schank are here for you."

I nodded and gave one last glance around the room. At the bar...on almost the exact stool where I started my sojourn, Xena sat drinking a mug of mead. Gabrielle sat at her side, scribbling away on her parchment scroll about the evening's events. 

The Warrior Princess raised her mug to me and flashed a brilliant white smile. During our conversations pertaining to the stories, she had felt that I didn't take enough time out for the better things in life.

I raised my glass to her and the Bard, taking a sip of the now-room temperature wine. However, sweetened by the flavor of friendship, I had never had a better draught. With a last wave, I turned and guided my companions to the door. Once there, we thanked each other again. Then, they departed.

I sighed. It had been a wonderful evening for everyone involved. I was grateful for the opportunity to share a good time with my friends. Life is too short and as much as RL can weigh me down, my associates make everything worthwhile.....

Thanks again everyone!!!!!!

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