Time After Time

She took on the heavens

And she did what she had to do!
Sharon framed Flynn's handsome face with her hands, rolling her hips into him and sliding slowly down his form.
She taught every angel

To rearrange the sky
Levelling him again, she put one arm against his shoulder, her hand cupping around the back of his neck, and then the other, clasping her hands together around, before he'd lifted her up, giving her the support to throw out her arms again.
So that each and every woman

Could find the perfect guy!

It's raining men!
She smiled at Dennis again as her heel clicked against the bar again, moving over to the centre, knowing her every movement was teasing him and loving it. She looked over her shoulder at the girls stepping in front of the guys again, excitedly awaiting Sharon's next wordless instruction. She bent her knees, hands pressed against them as she anchored her feet slightly apart. She swung her hips into a figure-of-eight, working down to the floor and swinging her hair too.
I feel stormy weather

Moving in!

About to begin.
They swung the other way, raising a different kind of whistling from the previously disgruntled men in the crowds, each wanting to be one of the guys up on the bar, stock-still, mouths gaping as they admired the girls.
In the thunder

Don't you

Lose your head!
Straightening their backs with a jerk, they raised their palms heavenwards and span slowly round. Their backs to the crowd for a moment, the appreciative noises seemed to increase.
Rip off the roof

And stay in bed
Then they all spent time stepping from side to side, hips still a-going, clicking their fingers and enjoy the roar of mismatched singing that met their hearing, grinning as the guys began leaping from the bar amongst the loudest of all the screaming blazes, oh it was fantastic - and apparently truly raining men!
It's raining men

Hallejuah!

It's raining men!

Amen!

It's raining men

Hallejuah!

It's raining men!

Amen!

It's raining men

Hallejuah!

It's raining men!

Amen!

It's raining men

Hallejuah!

It's raining men!

Amen!



The guys all turned as the song died away, helping the girls clamber down. Sharon was sat against the bar top before anyone could so much as consider it, but Dennis was not to be beat, and with a smirk, rushed at her, swinging her away, holding her thigh against his hip and listening to her shriek as she tried to cling on.
"Dennis... you idiot, put me down!"
"No, no, don't!"
They both snapped their hands round in the direction of the voice, but were not met by a face - it was a camera.
"Excuse me?" Sharon said, narrowing her eyes, a little baffled, and barely realising that Dennis hadn't let her touch the floor as yet.
"Sorry, Sharon. Mike Wallace... photographer."
"Oh!" she smiled, remembering a rushed conversation she'd had with a bloke a few weeks ago from the most expensive photography business she could pull out of the phone book. "Right, yeah-"
"I thought I should really get a photograph of the boss lady! Shame a still won't show you're all singing, all-dancing side eh? That was pretty impressive..." And he looked at Dennis for a moment. "... and this is your er.." His eyes travelled to her exposed thigh, clocking the way he was holding her. "...husband...?"
Dennis laughed gently, looking down and rubbing the pad of his thumb lovingly across her thigh. Sharon gulped as she realised he had dropped his gaze. Oh damn, what she meant to say? Her reply was in her mouth but, shit, no - she couldn't.
"No. No... Sharon Watts... Dennis Rickman... Dennis is my brother."
"Never mind that darlin'..." Dennis murmured thickly, so sensually that Sharon could practically taste the smile on his lips. "Just smile."
And he pulled her that little bit closer and she relaxed her arms around his neck as she turned towards the lens, feeling Dennis tilt his head against hers. If he came any closer, she was gonna have to do something.... oh damn, oh damn, be strong Sharon!
Luckily, Mike was done almost immediately. "Beautiful."
Sharon heard a whisper of "Isn't she?" escape the corner of Dennis' mouth as he met her eye and smiled, but luckily, no-one else seemed to.
"Won't keep you. Sure you're dying to dance..."
"Hmmm." Dennis had nodded, before pulling Sharon away back into the crowds. She was just a fraction behind him, trying to recover from the twinge in her leg having been held against him so long. But that wasn't gonna stop her dancing. And, well... even if it did, there was gonna be nothing to stop her admiring him.
But luckily, music was on her side. This wasn't gonna be a full out few minutes. It was gentle. Dennis' smile flickered, as if he was annoyed, but it passed before Sharon could be sure, and she just watched as he slipped his fingers through hers, his other hand falling into place against her hip as they began to sway.
For what it's worth I think there's nobody like you

You've got grace, got a heart beating despite your fun



She pulled her hands back and snaked her arms back around his neck, lacing her fingers togther around the curl that sat in the nape, just letting herself fall forward into his eyes.
As I grew up, I was terrified of darkness

Now you're around, I've no reason to be frightened.
With a smile that said he understood what she couldn't say, Dennis let his hand drop from her hip and she stepped back, straightening her lithe arm and spinning into him, underneath his hand.
Cos even if the sun came tumbling down

You light the ground I walk on
He pulled her round into a clearing on the floor, spinning again and again, wanting the walls to swim, to watch her throw her head back as she laughed... to see her grinning at him as she felt that buzz go through her too.
And even if the moon fell out of the sky

You light the ground I walk on.
They slowed again, just gazing at each other. Sharon had butterflies, feeling her heart swell. How was it possible to love him this much so... so soon? Was it wrong to... to fantasise like she found herself doing everytime she looked at him? Was she making plans she shouldn't? She could keep hiding behind the reasoning that sooner or later, someone was going to know and were gonna wrench them apart... oh God, she felt sick just contemplating the idea... or was she brave enough to fight for him? If she was so sure she wanted to feel like this forever... that she was meant to be with him always, then shouldn't she find the courage to show it? To anyone, to everyone?
Now that you're mine, I can't picture life without you

(You're mine)

You're my friend, you're my lover - wanna bite you.
Dennis caught sight of the smirk on Sharon's face and felt it leap across to his own lips as she met his eye. So he dropped her hand again, pushing her out by the arm, waiting for her to spin back.
Cos even if the sun came tumbling down

You light the ground I walk on

And even if the moon fell out of the sky

You light the ground I walk on.

(Even if the moon fell out of the sky)
In the hold, they stepped round, and Sharon stared at his feet, mezmerised by them. He smiled, working his fingertip and tilting it up so he could look into her beautiful face again, which he did for just a second before spinning her clear of the floor again. She giggled, resting her forehead against his as she clung on.
The world just goes on spinning and I can't retrace

My heady footsteps to this place

I'm in heaven right now - and I don't wanna come down!
"I love you." she whispered through her laughter.
He brought her back down to the floor and took her hand, pulling her further through the crowds wanting to get her away. She understood and hid herself in the darkest corner of the alcoves, waiting for him to join her.



Even if the sun came tumbling down

You light the ground I walk on

Even if the moon fell out of the sky

You light the ground I walk on.
Dennis framed her face lovingly with her warm palms and smiled at her. "I love you too." And she waited, her heart missing a beat as she watched him come closer, his lips catching hers for one determined moment, kissing her so deeply, she almost fell forwards in encouraging it, his tongue creeping into her mouth. There was the thought that someone would see them, recognise them... but what did she care? All she'd needed to know was what he was telling her now. She was meant to be with him always.
Now we're alone, I wanna show how much I need you

I'll kiss you so - you won't ever wanna leave me
And she would have had him kiss her always too, but she wasn't entirely stupid, however dizzy the heights of such an all-consuming love could make her. So she leant him break off gently and pull her back into the dying light of the room, clasping her hands again and swaying with her, countering the rocking of her hips, before she stepped back again, intent on locking her arm and meeting him again in a spin.
Cos even if the sun came tumbling down

You light the ground I walk on

And even if the moon fell out of the sky

You light the ground I walk on.
He pulled her close, not intending to let her go again, just wanting to feel her move into him. And she didn't fight, nestling into his shoulder and letting him control their movement. Her head felt too light and yet too hazy to think of anything besides how perfect he was. She wasn't going to lose him. She brushed her lips against his ear, promising herself she was going to keep him forever as she summoned the courage to whisper the words.
Even if the sun came tumbling down

You light the ground I walk on

Even if the moon fell out of the sky

You light the ground I walk on.
"Marry me..."

Sharon felt him go rigid against her almost immediately. So she hadn't just thought of herself saying the words in some hazy flawless dimension then. She really had said them. In a reality that felt anything but flawless. Why did it suddenly seem cruel that she'd spoken with sincerity, that she meant it. She felt Dennis push her back, gently and yet with a gut-wrenching firmness she couldn't escape as his hold around her dissolved and he just stared at her, searching her face with manic and darting eyes. The smile was there in the corner of his mouth, and if only it would have danced out across his lips, even if he could not speak; then she would have kissed it away. She would have. In front of all these people, and she wouldn't have cared. She loved him so much she was past caring. She just needed him... she needed him to speak.
She heard a gentle laugh and for a moment wasn't sure whether it had come from her own throat or his. Then she realised it was both... two gentle.... nervous, disbelieving laughs mingling together. Dennis was smiling, he... he was mocking her, shaking his head, murmuring
"No... No... No... No.... No."
And he turned away from her, pushing his way through the crowds, without another word. Sharon's stomach plummeted as she realised what had just happened. She looked desperately for him, trying to tell herself that she was just hot and uncomfortable, that there were not tears prickling in her eyes.
But he was lost... and so was Sharon, her chest tightening with every breath she had to force into her lungs as everyone moved around her as units to music she could not hear above the erratic pounding of her heart, of the blood in her ears. But she knew, however hard she tried to deny it that there was a great racking sob beating painfully against her ribs, battling for its release. And she was all at once powerless to fight it. Her knees sagged underneath her a little as she clamped her hand over her mouth, not wanting to be heard as she bowed her head and cried hard.
"Sharon?"
Damn, damn, damn - noticed already. But she turned towards the voice, folding into the arms she knew so well.
"Oh Vicki... Vicki... I..."
"What is it?"
"I can't... I can't... oh why did I....? I love him... I love him so much... I sh-shouldn't... but I do... I'm sorry but I... oh I can't!"
But Vicki didn't know how to question her. She had an idea, a nasty one, and she hadn't wanted to mention it, but now, as she drew Sharon out of the crowds and forced her to sit at the bar with the promise of fixing her a stiff drink, she realised she'd probably have to.
Just as Sharon did, Vicki saw Dennis looking at them, particularly at Sharon, flinching as he saw what a state she was in. He gulped as her eyes locked with his for a second before she wiped her eyes and smiled weakly. She didn't want him to see her cry. But he gave her reason to feel nothing but forlorn, because he did not even try to return her smile before tearing his gaze away.
"Dennis?"
Hearing Vicki raise his name urgently from his side, Dennis practically leapt out of his skin, although he just about managed to cover that fact.
"Wha'?"
"What do you mean what, look at her!"
But he couldn't. "What d'you think you're doing?" he snapped instead as he realised she was raising a glass underneath the dispenser. "You can't serve."
"Don't be stupid - I'm getting Sharon a drink, I'm not gonna be taking her money, so I'm not serving am I?"
He closed his hand around hers and made sure it was the flick of his thumb that caused the rich amber liquid to slosh generously into the glass. "You know the licencing laws Vicks, you're not eighteen... and since you don't pull the pints, you don't play with the pumps, now get off."
"Well, fine, you give it to her then!" Vicki didn't notice the nervous look on his face as she spoke the words, leaving the glass stood there untouched. "But Dennis... you know just now?"
"Just now...?" he asked nonchalantly. But of course, he knew. He knew all too well.
"When you two were dancing dummy. I think... and I didn't wanna say anything cos it's not right.... but it seems pretty obvious now... you should know it too seeing as you're part of it..."
Dennis fought to keep his jaw steady, feeling his mouth dry out. Oh shit. No, no, no, no, NO! They'd been sussed. She knew, oh God, Vicki knew, and at probably the worst moment possible too.
"This is the first Valentine's Sharon's celebrated since... since Tom died."
And he almost laughed the relief was so immense. Scrap that, mate, he thought to himself. It's alright, she really is totally blind.
"What?"
"Yeah, I'd just gotten here last year, and she wouldn't have anything to do with it. When it came, she just sat in the flat, going through all her photos of him. So this year... I thought... I convinced her to have the Ball because... well, it's just a stupid celebration right? It doesn't mean anything, and I thought it might help her get over... well, no... but I just didn't want her to be moping round the house... and those dance classes... thought it'd ease the build up see, but this is it... this is the night and she's gonna be thinking about him... and you... you're a guy..."
"Really? Can't say I've noticed!"
"Shut up. I mean you're the guy that's here, dancing with her... slow-dancing... and she's just gonna be thinking she should be doing all these things with Tom... not having her brother humour her..." And she gave him a piteous look that he wanted to fling away. He'd never been humouring Sharon. And he wished he could say as much to Vicki, but... after what had just happened?
"Look... just give us that." he muttered, leaning over her, his hand closing around the glass. He stepped back from his sister and drew in a breath to prepare himself as he crept over to Sharon.

"Here." he murmured, realising that he couldn't quite look at her as she straightened up fighting off her tears, with a weak smile.
He put the glass down with a clunk and pulled his hand away as hers came near. She realised his hurry immediately, and muttered, with a bitter laugh.
"Careful, wouldn't want anyone getting suspicious would we?"
Dennis sighed. "Sharon..."
"In fact, maybe it's better you don't even talk to me eh?"
"Jesus Christ Sharon, do you even know what you just did?"
"Of course I do! And I know what you just did an' all! I... I just don't understand you... I thought that that was what you wanted."
Inwardly, Dennis was battling himself. He couldn't help recalling every not-so-subtle hint he had dropped throughout the day, and he knew... he knew she was right. But, somehow, just somehow, he felt cheated... cheated and off-guard. Never would he have expected her to take the initiative. As far as he was concerned, she could take it as often as she wanted when it came to jealous sex, but... never would he have expected her to...
"So that's why you said it... because you thought that's what I wanted to hear?"
"No!" she bleated, knowing she'd have to keep her voices to a rushed whisper, but wishing she could scream the words at the top of her lungs. "Dennis... I said it because I love you... I'm in love with you... these past couple of weeks, I've been falling in love with you every day... even when you betrayed me by screwing that troll, I was still doing it. And I don't wanna stop. Please don't make me stop..."
"Oh, so that's what you'll do is it, if I don't... you'll just stop loving me, when you apparently love me so much?"
"Don't you dare mock me! I'm scared OK? I'm scared I'm gonna lose you!"
"And I told you... I ain't going anywhere."
"So why did you walk away from me?"
He leant closer, lacing his hands together and shaking his head disbelieving as he guffawed. "Sharon, news flash honey, you proposed to me."
"Yeah well," she muttered, knowing her cheeks were flushing and suddenly feeling very stupid as she dropped her gaze and stared into her glass. "I'm sorry."
"Are ya?" he shot back immediately.
"No! No, if you want the truth I'm not! I meant it - I said it cos I meant it."
"Right, so you want me to say yes... you want me to..."
"Marry me?" she finished scathingly, realising that the words were stuck in his throat. "Nah, Dennis, said it for a laugh. Don't really give a fuck about you... well, a fuck maybe... but nah. I thought we could run off for a laugh... break our little sister's heart cos there's nothing much else to do! But hey, go ahead and break mine instead, I don't care."
And she flung her hair defiantly over her shoulders, suddenly aware what a state she must look, and trying to ignore the sob pulsing in her throat as she slid off the stool. Dennis lunged across for her hand to draw her back, and she scowled at the connection he had dared to make between them.
"Sharon... I never said that I would-"
She cut him off. "You turned me down flat. I think you're a hypocritical bastard, but I get the message. So I'm sorry alright? I'm sorry I meant it, I'm sorry I said it, and I'm sorry I gave more than a fuck!"
"Sharon!"
"What?"
"Please, calm down. Vicki thinks... she thinks you're in a state over Tom."
And though she was shivering, angry and desperate to be away from him, she fell back, stunned. "T-Tom?"
"Yeah, y'know... the last bloke you decided you wanted to marry?"
"You're not being fair." she snarled.
"Yeah well, neither are you!" he cried, his wide eyes glittering. "If you were being serious, then you're saying you want to run from everyone, everything you've ever known to marry me. Why would you do that?"
"Because I love you." she said again rather pathetically as she wrapped her hand loosely around his. "I wanna be with you... always. I mean, isn't that why people get married?"
"I know all this Sharon. But when most people get married, they're not still hiding from people... they're not having to pretend they feel nothing."
So many sentences began in her throat but dried out as soon as they lay against her tongue. She was looking at him, and he was looking at her. And all she saw was his stubbornness, screaming out to her that he didn't want to be kept forever. Glaring at him, she knocked back her drink in one, slamming down the glass as she stood up, both feet coming to the floor this time.
"You know what? I don't think you're pretending..."


And before she dissolved into tears again, Sharon pulled herself away and promised herself that the tears would not fall. Dennis would not win. She moved into the crowds and pulled Jamie away from Liz, muttering into his ear. He nodded at her, and took her hand, lifting it so she span underneath and he pulled her close. She moved her hips slowly into him, looking out over his shoulder towards the bar. Dennis wasn't looking. Fine, be like that.
She moved back from Jamie, backtracking in elegant strides as he came forwards, just a whisper away. She felt another pair of arms come around her, and knowing that it couldn't be Dennis, because she could still see him, she span to face her suitor, and came face to face with Flynn, which she realised with a gentle smile. She rested her arm against his chest and stretched her hand up around the back of his neck, driving him into her shoulder as they turned.
Straightening her arm as she stepped back, Sharon felt another presence behind her, and Guy's knee came between her legs, forcing her back against Jamie, who pulled her close with a little half-smile, swaying with her, his hands falling down her back. Then she turned, her arm hooked around his neck and sank down into his arms.