Time After Time

OK, everybody put your hands in the air

And everybody sing now!
Sharon grinned, and stepped towards him anyway, swinging her hips and defying him not to counter her and dance.
Hey... hey baby!

(Ooh, ah!)
She stepped together, moving closer still, happy to see that her husband... yes, her husband, had lost and was dancing, though he did look thoroughly ashamed of himself.
I wanna kno-oo-ow

If you'll be my girl!
Turning her back on him, she strode away, but he came up behind her, and as she felt his presence, spinning around and already missing looking into his face.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8!
But still she moved back, counting off her strides as he was forced to move forwards to stay close to her. She was teasing out his every move.
When I saw you walking down the street

I said that's the kinda girl I'd like to meet
Dennis stood against her, drinking in the image of her with a raw appreciation as he placed his hands in turn against her hips and let them travel lustfully over her curves, drawing her hard into him.
She's so pretty, looks so fine

I'm gonna make her mine, oh mine!
Pressing her knee between his meant that Sharon forced Dennis back a fraction as she tilted his chin, and primarily his gaze from where it was lingering so he would look her in the eye.
Hey... hey baby!

(Ooh, ah!)

I wanna kno-oo-ow

If you'll be my girl!
Smirking, she turned on her heel again, she felt Dennis' calves press into the backs of her legs as he caught her and rolled into her. Lewd, but so fantastic!
When you turn and walk away,

That's when I wanna say
He snatched up her hand and forced her to spin underneath it. She thought she'd lost her balance as she sank, arms flailing and just somehow ending up around Dennis' neck, and it took her a moment (well, two... one to actually breathe!) to realise she could feel Dennis' arms around her, and his lips were coming closer.
C'mon baby, give me a whirl!

I wanna know if you'll be my girl!
And she cheekily pushed him back, and scowled he guided her up, feeling his anger melting away as she simpered at him with that beautiful pouty mouth. How could she get to him like this, let alone actually get him dancing to trash like this!
Hey... hey baby!

(Ooh, ah!)
"You know, this really isn't dignified for a first dance!"
I wanna kno-oo-ow

If you'll be my girl!
Sharon was about to scold him - e.g. erase his words with her tongue, when Faye came hurtling towards them with the champagne bottle in her hand, looking horrified.
"What the hell are you doing?" And with her one free hand, she was trying to wrench them apart, flapping and slapping and tugging, making the most exasperated noises. "You can't do this... to this! It's just not right... get off!"
"I told you!" Dennis laughed, stepping back obediently, shaking his head as Sharon looked, utterly bewildered at Faye.
"What did I do?"


Obviously ashamed of them beyond words, Faye dragged Sharon & Dennis towards a table, where Tony had expectantly set out the champagne flutes. He took the bottle from Faye, and set about trying to release the cork. Dennis looked at him dubiously, and Sharon, quivering as she anticipated the explosion, wound herself tight around her husband, nestling into his arms and whimpering childishly. He humoured her, swaying her gently against him, holding her close, and laughing as she bit back a shriek of surprise.
Tony just about managed not to lose any of the foam, tilting the bottle, the smooth neck clinking against the glass. Soon, all four were brimming and fizzing and the bottle stood stationary as they each swept up a glass. Tony cleared his throat and with a smirk, toasted his best friend and his bride in turn before raising his glass and crying "To Sharon Rickman! Brave or deluded?"
"Fuck off you!" Dennis snapped, scowling and nestling into Sharon's shoulder defensively.
She laughed and soothed him. "Awww, baby! It's alright... I'm brave... brave and besotted."
"Mmmm, I don't half love you."
"And I love you too."
Their companions were forced to watch with nothing but affection as Sharon stretched up and brushed her mouth against his, his lips unwillingly to settle for such a teasing whisper of a kiss.
"Well, you finally made it!" Faye beamed, raising her own glass. To Sharon & Dennis."
"Cheers!"
And Faye put her glass back down on the table with a click, pulling Sharon's from her hand, taking in that omnipresent smile on her face, before flapping her hands as she felt herself get teary, demanding "Oh c'mere!"
"Oh Faye! Thank you... you've been so brilliant!"
"Hey, anything to get him off me hands yeah? No... it's been brilliant Sharon, honestly!" And she kissed her cheek as she moved back, grinning at Dennis and slipping away. The three left there exchanged looks out the corner of their eyes, but none of them could help the others out by way of an explanation, so they shrugged it away, moving around the table and supping at the champagne.
Tony looked at the way Sharon's hand was laced instinctively through Dennis', and he still found himself surprised to see the ring on his finger. Jesus, Dennis Rickman was married. He barely realised as Sharon reached over and placed her hand over his own.
"Tony?" she said gently, smiling gently as he looked up, confusion etched in his handsome face.
"Sharon?"
"I... I just wanted to thank you for... for being there for me earlier... and maybe for shouting at him..." She tilted her head in Dennis' direction. "...if you hadn't, then... we wouldn't be here... and I'd probably still be dripping mascara all over you!"
"Yeah well... I was wrong Sharon, you're a fantastic woman and I hope him over there deserves you!"
"Er, excuse me, but I am here!"
But before either of them had to answer, Faye came back. She didn't sit down She just laced her hands together and kept looking between them all and the floor, swinging gently from side to side and smiling as if she'd just done something very naughty.
"Faye...?" Tony coaxed slowly.
But attention was stolen away from her. Everyone seemed to have shrunk back from the floor, leaving one woman stood in the centre. She was smartly dressed, hair secured in a clip, tight business jacket on her shoulders and a pin on her lapel. She was quite obviously staff, her eyes darting all around the room, seeking attention from all as she raised her hands in preperation for speaking. Oh God, what was going on? Where the toilets blocked? Was there a fire... was this an emergency evacuation or something?
"Good afternoon ladies and gentleman, my name is Elaine Joyce, general manager here at the Northolt Grand. And it gives me great pleasure to announce to you all that this afternoon, a select few of our guests celebrated a very happy occassion..."
Sharon's grip on Dennis' hand tightened. She felt queasy, and Faye was practically bursting with pride. Oh shit, what had she done? Elaine was by now craning her neck around the room.
"Sharon & Dennis?"
Very audibly groaning and feeling heat prickle in her face, Sharon dropped her forehead against her palm, ducking from view, while Dennis just stared at her, disbelieving laughter bubbling from his lips.
"Ah." Elaine smiled, moving over towards them as she recognised Faye, squirming excitedly on the spot as she pressed against the wall, wringing her hands and looking very pleased with herself. Standing next to the table, she waited for Sharon to meet her eye. "Sharon... Dennis... on behalf of everyone here at the Northolt Grand, to congratulate you on your marriage, we'd like to offer everything you should desire on the house for the rest of the evening. We wish you both every happiness together."
Between them, they barely managed a gracious nod, every eye in the room upon them and making them feel really uneasy. But Elaine didn't seem fazed by it and moved back onto the floor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask that you clear the floor for the duration and enjoy as I present the first..." She caught Faye's eye and smiled, rectifying her words. "the second attempt at the first dance of the new Mr & Mrs Rickman!"

Sharon guffawed as she caught the expectant way that everyone in the room was looking at her, including Dennis who still had hold of her hand, amusement playing in his face.
"No!" she hissed quietly.
"Awww, baby, please!"
"No! Dennis, you might wanna draw attention to yourself but I-"
Her voice trailed off as she released the stony way in which his facial muscles were set as he looked at her.
"What?"
"Well, think about it... if you'd never told me that I'd never have the guts to dance with you... we wouldn't be here would we? So... we kinda owe it to the dance..."
He smiled at her so coyly, eyes dropping to their entwined hands, that she was fighting the urge to throw her arms around him and declare how much she adored him. For it had been that smile, that small definite smile in the corner of his mouth, the one that had begged her to claim it, the one that had brought her through the last two weeks and surrendered her to this, here, as his wife. He was right, and for a moment, she wished Jill & Simon were around. There was so much she owed to those daft dance classes. They'd brought her Dennis. How was she meant to refuse him?
She met his eye again, nodding slowly, and not missing Faye's excitable intake of breath from behind her.
"OK."
The smile widened as he rose up, and pulled her slowly out from around the table. He stepped in front of her as they moved across the floor, and as the applause and fawning came from all those around them in a great appreciative rush, she kept her eyes to the floor, seemingly fixated by her toes. She didn't make effort to push back the wisps of her hair as they fell about her face, instead wishing there was more of it to hide her flaming cheeks. But Sharon's attentions were refocussed as she turned to face her husband, his arm falling into that familiar position around her waist, splaying his hand across her back to pull her close, his fingertips teasing her skin.
Raising her hand to complete the hold, he held on that little bit tighter as the music swept over them, edging forward and beginning that gentle sway.
Such a sad love

Deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel

Open and closed within your eyes

I'll place the sky within your eyes
Gently, he pulled her round into a turn. She went with him as smoothly as she ever had. Every movement worked with them. So the walls moved, the faces blurred and the floor shuddered, but, each and every time they danced, they were so captivated by each other that nothing and no-one else could matter as long as they could find themselves drawn into each other's eyes, happily drowning in those sparkling depths.
There's such a fooled heart

Beating so fast in search of new dreams

A love that will last within your heart

I'll place the moon within your heart
Shivering with desire as he touched her, Dennis allowed his hand to move up Sharon's back, only to retrace his path as it tumbled back down. There had been no purpose to such an exercise other than to prove to his already knowing self that he was completely and utterly intoxicated by her. She was nestled into his shoulder, wanting to be as close to him as he should want, and he tremored all the more as he felt her smile form against his neck, so close her lips were.
He forced her back with a subtle twist of his hips and she straightened her arm as he kept hold of her hand, and Sharon just looked at him, knowing that she was falling deeper in love with him for every moment she did so. The pain in the centre of her chest told her however, that she could not remain so far from him, even though it was no distance at all. She span in towards him, her back pressing into his chest.
As the pain sweeps through

Makes no sense for you
Her stomach flipped as she heard him give out a passionate sigh with the faintest expulsion of breath. He nestled into her, and she could tell by the friction of his lips against her skin that he was contemplating nuzzling her, and she so wished he would. Closing her eyes and surrendering to the bliss of their sway, she lifted her hand and rested it against the nape of his neck, trying to suggest her desire by driving his lips harder against her.
Every thrill has gone

Wasn't too much fun at all

But I'll be there for you

As the world falls down
But Dennis resisted her, as hard as that was, and moved back, so that the hand he clasped no longer rested across her stomach, and was pulled straight and she had to spin in to meet it again, this time facing him as he took up her other hand and slipped his fingers through.
Falling

(As the world...) Falling

Falling in love
They moved back across the floor, and Dennis lifted her hand again so she span again, slowly, never losing that desperate contact with him.
I'll paint you mornings of gold

Spin you Valentine evenings



Stepping to her side as she came back against him, they turned again. Sharon leant back as they slowed, curving her spine and surrendering to him completely as his knee slipped between hers, drawing as hard against him as she could come. She didn't care that there were dozen upon dozens of eyes on her at the moment, scrutinising her. All that mattered was that she was with Dennis, dancing with him as she had always done, trusting him, loving him with her every move, her every breath. But even that was taken from her as he guided her gently up and gazed at her, every emotion burning fiercely in those eyes.
Though we're strangers til now

We're choosing the path between the stars

I'll leave my love between the stars.
Pushing against his hands, she let them drop away from her and paced back. He watched her intently, his lips scrunching in frustration as he went forwards, needing to be close to her again. She was gazing at the floor, only faltering as he took up one of her hands. Smiling as he realised he held her attentions once more, however desperately she wished for it not to show, he slipped his fingertips under her chin and tilted her head, startled as he always was by her eyes.
As the pain sweeps through

Makes no sense for you

Every thrill has gone

Wasn't too much fun at all
Without really knowing it, she was against him, stepping round by instinct as they swayed, dancing softly. She nestled down into his shoulder, her hand sweeping up his back and curling around the base of his neck, drawing him close again.



But I'll be there for you

As the world falls down



Falling

Falling

Falling

Falling in love

As the world falls down
Relaxing as he held her, Sharon let herself move back, resting her forehead against his, feeling his warm breath dance across her face.
It makes no sense at all

It makes no sense to fall

Falling

As the world falls down
Dennis could not fight off the invitation of her kiss, marking his lips gently, imploring him to keep her here as she came back with more urgency, whispering promises that only he could hear as she kissed him, greeted by the adoration of all those around them. But they were barely there, the bride & groom... lost in their own bubble, alone together... husband and wife...
Falling

Falling

Falling in love

Falling in love

Falling in love




Clasping her hands as she finally stepped back, Dennis led Sharon away from the crowds, gazing intently at her in such a way that she could think of nothing but to follow him across the room and slip out onto the steps when he gestured for her to do so, pushing against her hips. She noticed the way that as she stood there against the dark velvet of the night that he faltered when he moved to follow her out the door, leaning back, searching someone out... Tony most probably, inclining his head and grinning. Why, as he straightened up and joined her, moving close and taking her hand, did she feel suspicious?
Turning obediently the way he pulled her, she let him take her down the steps and across the lawn, her heels sinking into the dewy grass. She kept wondering if she was going to get stuck, tug too hard and break her heel, but somehow she made it to the point that Dennis stopped, gasping in tender awe as she realised what was lain out in front of her. It was so simple, yet so effective... and for her alone.
Candles were strewn out across the table, the flames blazing and flickering as if they were welcoming her as they bathed everything she could see with their glowing light. Their heat seemed to radiate across to her own skin, making her feel relaxed and warm, though that could also have been the anticipation of drinking the champagne settled in an ice bucket, that was still amazingly cool, the residue of the ice glistening on the bottle, two flutes stood close to it fizzing away. And though she couldn't see the slender glass vase (in fact, little wider than the stem itself) behind the bucket without pushing forwards on her toes and raising herself up off her heels (which Dennis watched her do with quiet amusement) the single rose she could see, and oh God...
Dennis moved forwards, settling himself on the bench and swinging Sharon's hand as she stood above him. Catching her eye, she smiled and feeling his arms come around her, sank obediently down onto his lap. He pushed out a contended breath as she, having leant over him to pluck the rose from the vase, rolling it between her forefinger and thumb, wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What's all this for?"
"Just wanted you to myself for a bit..."
"You didn't need to do all this just to grab time with me, Dennis, we're not sneaking round anymore remember, we've got forever."
"Yeah I know." he muttered, dropping his gaze and circling his fingertip over her wedding ring. "It's just... tomorrow we have to go home to... Vicki.. and I know that so far she's been blind as a bat when it comes to me and you, but I'm pretty sure even she's not dense enough to miss the fact that we're both wearing rings on suspect fingers..."
Cupping her palms around his jaw, she tilted it so that he would look at her, holding onto him fiercely.
"Are you scared?"
"Brickin' it darlin'." he answered honestly, his lips barely able to hold a smile. He couldn't deny his surprise as she shot back,
"Well, good!" She rolled her eyes as she registered his alarm. "Dennis, you wouldn't be human if you weren't. I'm scared too, but maybe it doesn't matter. Me and you... we've done more to us over these last couple of weeks than Vicki... or even Dad could do in a lifetime. I meant what I said when I asked you to marry me y'know, and you have... so just let 'em try... anything they want. I wrecked one marriage, and I'm damned if I'm gonna let anything happen to this one. So I know whatever happens, I'm still gonna have you..."
He beamed at her as she moved down and kissed him, like she was searching for and eradicating his fears. He couldn't help it, it was like she could make anything OK. She was brave, she was clever, she was gorgeously sexy and she was his wife. She was right, there was nothing anyone could do about it, not if he had anything to do with it. He'd never believed that marriage had held any sanctity... after all wasn't his very existence due to the fact that Den had held no respect for his own wife? But, with Sharon, he believed it, so fiercely it scared him. He'd have died before he let anyone damage this... their marriage. They'd come too far, through too much to give up before the going got tough.
"I've got a surprise for you..."
"Mmmm, you've been a bit full of them these past couple of weeks haven't ya?"
He laughed, shifting so she'd get up. She did so with a reluctant moan, but busied herself with pulling off her shoes as he slid past her, letting her toes sink into the cool dewy grass, it's scent hanging in the air. When she saw how far away Dennis was striding, she clambered up onto the bench, her toes curling around the slats as she cried out his name.
Stopping, feeling smug as he realised she was missing him; he turned, pacing backwards and continuing on his way.
"Back in a minute baby."
Pouting, Sharon stood there and waited. When he came back again, he saw she hadn't moved, searching for him. He grinned and pushed himself forward, racing across the lawn. Almsot stumbling as he halted so quickly in front of her, he wound his arms around her waist. She looked down on him, the wisps of hair falling down as she pressed her hands into his shoulders, waiting for the words she knew were to come by the way his lips were flickering and fighting off a huge smile.
"Do you trust me?"
Sharon began to tingle as she remembered those words of old. "Where have I heard that before?"
His smile exploded across his lips. "Do you.... trust me?"
She nodded eagerly, squealing as he swung her off the bench, regretting having to let the head rush go as she met the floor. Dennis didn't seem to take notice of the fact she had no shoes on, and gripping her hand, rushed back to the middle of the lawn before turning and pulling her against him, his other arm around her back and swaying gently.
"What d'you hear darlin'?"
Thinking that it probably wasn't wise to answer "Crickets!" Sharon waited expectantly, immersed in those sparkling eyes as she danced with him. Though she didn't exactly know where it was coming from, she heard a melody as clear as anything that she simply couldn't mistake, bowing her head and giggling. "We never did do this did we? Everything else, but never this..."
"Closest I could get to the magic carpet..." he murmured, turning with her to greet the lyrics.