Time After Time

I put on my blue suede shoes

And I boarded the plane
Lifting his arm, she turned underneath, catching his eye and feeling the tingles go down her back again. Taking her other hand, he pulled her down to the floor. She barely felt her own knees bend, but knew she'd managed it flawlessly by the round of "Ooooh!" that followed.
Touched down in the land of the delta blues

In the middle of the pouring rain.
Dropping his hands, he stepped to the right as she went to the left and back, countering each other.
W.C Handy - won't you look down over me?

Yeah, I got a first class ticket
Dennis pulled her close, wrapping himself around her as they swayed, moving her swiftly with his hands against her buttocks. And still, no-one seemed suspicious, spellbound by them.
But I'm as blue as a boy can be
As Sharon straightened her back, she felt his arm hook around her waist, pulling her around.
Then I'm walking in Memphis

With my feet ten feet off of beale
Sharon watched Dennis' gaze, previously locked on her, stray over to Ian, and she bowed her head, snorting out a laugh, which was luckily covered well as their audience began to sing out to them again. So it seemed they didn't need to try too hard, they were all too drunk to appreciate them much anyway, so they gave into their own need, pressing a gentle palm against the warm cheek of their partner.
I'm walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel?
And they drifted parted, their entwined hands splitting slowly as Sharon strode back, swinging her hips in a way to counter Dennis' own as he advanced on her.
I saw the ghost of Elvis

On Union Avenue
She threw her head back laughing as she suddenly realised that their public had split. All the lads were stood behind Dennis like an army, all trying to move with the same sexy swagger he had perfected, and most of them only managing to walk into each other.
Whereas all the girls, Sharon realised with a spin, were shimmying and pouting behind her, taunting every desperate male they could see, all screaming for Sharon to tease her man with all her will. She tilted her head for a second, and watched Dennis step forward on the balls of his feet, trying to look non-plussed. But his eyes were sparkling too bright and he was clawing his lip back with his teeth, eagerly awaiting her next move. But she went straight past him, enjoying her moment in front of a hoarde of hungry men, who instantly rose a collective whistle.
I followed him up to the gates of Graceland

And watched him walk right through.
Dennis whipped his head round, and Sharon saw a flare of jealousy in his eyes. She simply jutted out her hip and then strode to the middle of the floor, Dennis stepped around her, looking her up and down like a predator.
Now security, they did not see him

They just huddled round his tomb
Snatching up her hand, she span around and surrendered her other, letting him push her down and round in an arc, the world suddenly flipping.
But there's a pretty little thing

Waiting for the King

Down in the jungle room



Her head span as she found he was pulling her round by the waist again.
Then I'm walking in Memphis

Walking with my feet ten feet off of beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel?
Sharon hooked her arms around his neck and relaxed into pressing herself against him, and he teased her by holding her hips and swinging her down to the floor.
Now Muriel plays piano

Every Friday at the Hollywood
As she felt him let go, she sprang back, standing tall (although she was actually incredibly surprised she hadn't overbalanced and fallen flat on her back!) and gazed down at him, up on one knee, his whole face glistening with sweat, chest heaving with exhilaration.
They brought me down to see her

And asked me if I would
And he span around, just on one knee, rolling his head back and basking in the screams of the girls all still assembled behind Sharon. This whole dancing thing was becoming seriously addictive. He leapt up, almost crashing into Sharon, but instead managing to disguise as rolling his hips into her as she pressed her back into his chest, rolling back on her heel and turning out her toes, gasping as she felt the cool air (well as cool as the body heat of of thirty or so people surrounded by candles could be) against her thigh, Dennis having snatched up the side of her dress into his fist, which was met by the calls of "Go on, my son!" from the lads, which made Sharon laugh again. Clearly none of them remembered they were looking at a brother and sister here, and she was so glad.
Do a little number

And I sang with all my might

She said

"Tell me, are you a Christian, child?"
With a stamp of his foot, Dennis pulled back into the greatest pose, dropping his arm slowly so his fingertips barely touched hers, but as soon as he felt her, he clutched at her desperately as she span in, his hand slipping down to the back of her thighs and lifting her from the floor into his arms, turning effortlessly as her arm looped around his neck.



I said

"Ma'am I am tonight!"
A blaze of screams came from around them, like they were the only two people who could ever have done anything like this.
Then I'm walking in Memphis

Walking with my feet ten feet off of beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel?
Gasping, and not knowing whether she could take any more movement of the walls, Sharon fell against Dennis and his arms came against her as they always did, swaying her. She looked up into his face and saw those tense rock n' roll lines and she laughed as he sang, backed up by his own fifteen strong rat arsed choir.
The girls rolled their eyes, but seemed to be rocking side to side like some distorted conga line, singing out too. Simon was beside himself as he stood a few paces off from Sharon & Dennis, obviously not knowing who to support, like it was some desperate fight.



I put on my blue suede shoes

And I boarded the plane

Touched down in the land of the delta blues

In the middle of the pouring rain.
Sharon laughed again, and Dennis immediately seemed infected by her too, and the whole room cried out the words together, sounding worse than worse, but having the most fantastic time, laughing, shouting and cheering as each word tumbled drunkenly out.
Touched down in the land of the delta blues

In the middle of the pouring rain.

In the midst of being hounded by everyone around them, clapped on the back and kissed and hugged enviously, neither Sharon or Dennis noticed Kate had slid into the hall halfway through their little show, and she had been watching with interest, biting down on her lip, tilting her head to one side as if the thoughts flying around inside her head would seem clearer that way somehow. But they didn't, because there was only one thought in her mind, and well.... what?
A whole new set of excited screams exploding around her, many grown men jumping up and down excitedly before grabbing any random girl, and surprisingly meeting no protests before grinding themselves lewdly against her and singing out the song. These, Kate realised, had long ago ceased to be serious teaching sessions, it was now more a mess of drunken singing and even more unstable movement they all dared to call dancing. She laughed, suddenly feeling totally intergrated in the heady atmosphere.
I saw her dancing there by the record machine

Knew she must have been about seventeen.

The beat was going strong, playing my favourite song.
Kate picked her way across the floor towards Sharon and Dennis. She was laughing raucously, throwing her head back, that beautiful long blonde hair spilling down her back, and he was having a fine time with the grinding, his knee holding hers apart as he twisted his hips into her, his hands flying all over her before settling quite decidedly on her behind.
Realising that she was the only person in the room not to have drunk her own body weight in alcohol, Kate suddenly understood why no-one was wrenching them apart, labelling him lecherous and her a tart. They just looked.... well in all honesty.... they looked like pure sex. Not that there was anything pure about it in the slightest. He was swinging her down to the floor as she thrust and his eyes glittered. Kate had never seen him like that before. Like he'd come alive for the first time.
And I knew it wouldn't be long

Til she was with me (yeah, with me!)

And I knew it wouldn't be long

Til she was with me (yeah, with me!)



He pulled her back up again, her boobs pressed harder against his chest than it seemed possible for them to go. But he was evidently still enjoying himself, tipping his head back and releasing a soundless moan Kate only knew existed because of the way his mouth gaped, and yet was tight. She remembered that expression well.
Singin'

I love rock n' roll

So put another dime in the jukebox, baby.

I love rock n' roll

So come and take the time and dance with me!
"Mind if I cut in?" she called, having to rush round them several times to find a place on either of them she would be comfortable with touching.
She smiled, so I got up and asked for her name

"But that don't matter," she said "cos it's all the same."

I said, "Can I take you home, where we can be alone?"

And next, we were moving on - and she was with me

(Yeah, with me!)

And sing that same old song (yeah, with me!)

Singin'



"Kate!"
Dennis instinctively cleared his throat as he registered Sharon's exclaimation and felt her arms, previously so lithe and eager to embrace him, fall like lead to her sides. He took a guess that he had gone as red as she had, not knowing where the hell to settle his eyes now.
"Alright?" Kate smiled brightly, although she was unsurprised that all she managed in response from Dennis was a grunt.
"Yeah.... yeah.... what are you doing here?"
"Ohh, I didn't really fancy the Vic tonight and I was closing up.... this place sounded like fun. Must say though, aren't the candles a bit much?" She was amused to see both Sharon & Dennis' gazes fall right to the fall. Figures, she thought to herself, they haven't had time to look at the floor yet!
"Oh, yeah... aren't they?" Sharon continued, rather distractedly.
"What about this mystery man of yours then Sharon? Where is he?"
"I.... er, I don't know.... b-been expecting him though.... haven't I Dennis?"
"Yeah, yeah you have!" he jabbered.
"Hmmm." And Kate pulled him away without readdressing the fact she wanted to dance with Dennis. He looked, panicked over his shoulder at Sharon. She was nervous too, but understood from the way Kate looked at her what was about to happen and shrank away obediently in the crowd, surrendering her lover to his.... er, lover.
Kate was a good dancer, considering she was improvising, her arms hooked around his neck and jutting out her slender hips rhythmically.
I love rock n' roll

So put another dime in the jukebox, baby.

I love rock n' roll

So come and take the time and dance with me!



"So...." she began, with that telling docile tone. "Long time, no speak Dennis... y'alright?"
"Kate.... we never did speak...."
She laughed gently. "No, I know... always seemed to have other things on your mind.... what is it this time, hmmm? I-Is it Sharon, has she been stood up?"
"Looks that way."
"So he's not here then; her fella?"
He glanced quickly over her shoulder, rolling his eyes in a bored fashion. "Nope, can't see him."
"But I can, can't I?"
"What?!"
"I'm looking at him."


"Kate, are you drunk?"
"No, I'm not, and whatsmore Dennis Rickman-" she told him certainly, turning underneath his arm, which was a rather stilted movement in itself because he seemed to have gone completely rigid. "-neither are you and you know I'm telling the truth. It's you isn't it?"
"Is what me?" He tried to look confused, but unfortunately, he understood her completely.



"You're the fella!"



Her smile instantly fell, her warm features clouding.
"Dennis, is it you?"
He stared at the floor which he guessed was the exact same as screaming "Yes!" at the top of his lungs without drawing excessive attention to himself. He was right. The hold Kate had around him increased considerably - in fact, to the point of pain.
"If you're him.... then you're the bloke she had frantic make-up sex with in the toilets at the club!" Her eyes narrowed, and Dennis' stomach hit the floor. Bollocks! Why did women only ever talk about shoes or sex?
"Y-Y-Yeah.... that was me."
"You bastard! You cheated on her?"
"No!" he bleated indignantly, barely realising he didn't have to justify himself to her. "It was once and I.... Jesus Kate; this is our business, not yours!"
"But you still cheated on her and then.... you let her screw you in the toilets? That's class Dennis, true class! Did you even get yourself tested?"
"Oh for f*ck's sake! You know, me being with Sharon, I thought.... I thought I knew it was all gonna be "Oh My God, but that's foul, she's Den's daughter and he's Den's son!" only with you, it's "Have you given her Aids?" You're un-fucking-believable! What about you, eh?"
"What about me?"
"I told Sharon you were a hypocritical bitch; guess this proves it...."
"Proves what?"
"Well, when we were doing it, I wasn't exactly monogamous, and hell, neither were you - if I'm so repulsive and so irreponsible then, how do you know you haven't got anything nasty?" He mimicked her disgusted tone. "Did you even get yourself tested?"
"You oughta be grateful that's my viewpoint mate, when everyone else on this Square finds out, they're gonna kill you!"
"Yeah well," he bit back tersely, "she's worth it."
Kate studied his face, although he tried not to catch her eye "Do you love her?"
"What sort of question's that? Course I love her! What did you think I was doing.... checking that I was totally irresistable by getting my own sister to shag me?"
"Sounds just about low enough for you Dennis, yeah."
"Oh, I'm not listening to this!" he growled, wrenching her arms from around his neck and flinging her away. "I love Sharon alright? I love her. She knows that and she loves me too. Nothing you can say about it matters so fuck off out of it!"

Guilt stabbing as she realised how deeply she had offended Dennis, Kate rushed out after him, finding him hunched moodily on one of the swings, taking long and deep drags on a cigarette it looked as though he was already halfway through. As she entered the playground, she saw the muscles in his back tense, recognising her approach. But they relaxed again instantaneously, trying to show her he didn't care. But for the little insight months of casual sex with Dennis had given Kate into his subconscious, she knew he was lying to her. He cared, he cared more than she had realised.
"Dennis? I.... I'm sorry."
"Whatever."
"No, I mean it. I didn't realise-"
"You wouldn't." Dennis cut in, not really looking at her as he blew out the choking plumes of smoke. "You can't understand what it means; no-one can."
"I understand love fine thanks."
"Not this one. Aren't you gonna tell me I'm sick?"
"I told you," she shrugged, kicking off a little from the ground. "I'm more repulsed at the fact you couldn't keep it zipped-" Her eyes fell instinctively to his groin.
"I love her." he repeated defensively.
Kate smiled apologetically. "Alright. But.... how did this.... you came here as her brother Dennis.... I'm not trying to split hairs or anything.... I was watching you dance with her, and it's pretty obvious there's something big between you two.... but how did it happen?"
"Usual way I guess. Boy meets girl, boy trashes flat seducing girl-"
"So it was you that started it then? Why... Why... would you think...?"
"That she was attracted to me? I dunno, I guess cos.... that's what I wanted to think.... she cared about me; like no-one else ever.... and I.... oh this is stupid-" Laughing nervously, he tore his gaze away from Kate's pretty and inquisitive face, staring at the bark instead.
"No. No, it's not. Go on."
He raised his eyebrow dubiously. "Never had a platonic relationship with a woman Kate."
"I'd never have guessed!"
"Never even managed a relationship with my mum... so I guess... the only way I knew to show.... show Sharon that I cared about her too was-" He looked uneasily over at her and she understood him perfectly well, not knowing whether to laugh or shiver.
"What, so you tried it on and just got lucky?"
"No. By the time we slept together.... I knew.... I knew she was trying to tell herself she didn't fancy me so....."
"So you exploitated a vunerable woman?" As his features clouded, she laughed, finally giving in to the urge to do so. "I'm teasing Dennis. I'm listening, honest.... I wanna listen not least cos this is..."
"Terrifying?"



"N-N-No...." she stammered, knowing that he'd offered her entirely the wrong word but didn't have a clue watch to substitute it for. "....why is that how you feel?"
"I try not to think about it."
"You know.... everyone will have to find out sooner or later...."
He shook his head, glaring pointedly at her. "No, Kate. Not today. Or... or tomorrow.... I.... I just want it to be special for her...."
"Valentine's!"
"Yeah. Please Kate.... it's up to me and Sharon to-"
She held up her hands. "It's alright; I won't say anything, I know it's not my place. Sharon's a mate and I..." She sighed, a smile claiming her pretty lips. "...this may seem pretty incomprehensible to you Dennis, but I care about you too; and I'm glad you're happy."
"You are?" He couldn't keep the surprise from his voice.
"Yeah, course."


And Kate slid off the swing, accepting a sincere smile from him.
"Thanks."
She managed to go a few paces, before curiousity got the better of her and she turned back, leaning against the rickety structure of the swings. "What are you going to do?"
He lifted his gaze heavenwards. "Pray someone up there listens.... that it doesn't change. I don't think I can stand being alone again."
"You got it that bad?"
He laughed, pushing the smouldering remains of his cigarette back between his quivering lips. "She's incredible. Still can't believe she actually wants to be with a waster like me."
"Hey!" Kate soothed, leaning across, her hand falling heavily against his arm. "She obviously doesn't think you're a waster, and.... call it a hunch, but I'd say she wants you for the same reasons you want her."
Dennis looked at her doubtfully, steadying the tyre next to him and motioning that she should sit down again. "Well, it's not just the brilliant sex, I know that much!"
She laughed again. "Bloody hell Dennis, only you could make sex in some grotty toilets seem brilliant!"
He smirked back at her. "Less of the grotty, Sharon'll have you for libel - but thanks!"
A contented silence fell over them, sneaking glances over at each other, knowing there was more to be said. As anticipated, it was Kate who said it.
"H-How did you know that she was...."
He didn't even need to let her finish. "Way she looked at me." he shrugged, as if it couldn't have been any more obvious. "She'd have this little smile and then.... she'd look away, or I'd suddenly be staring at the floor like.... just wanted to be around her all the time.... felt weird but it.... didn't want it to stop...."
And as his face flushed, he began staring at the floor, tapping his foot and refusing to elaborate anymore.
"God, get you. Never had you down as a romantic, Dennis!"
"No, I know...."
"Look.... no-one else around here has a clue because they don't want one.... it's going to knock them for six and you need to be ready for that. But I- I knew it was you. I came here tonight and when I realised it was you she was dancing with like that.... I just knew she wasn't waiting for any other bloke. And I knew because of the way you were so close.... the way you were looking at each other. So I get it. If you ever need to talk to anyone.... I'm not saying I understand but I get it."
She stood up again, pulling Dennis up too.
"Now, buggar off. Sharon'll be frantic!"



Dennis grinned, flicking the butt away. "Yeah.... yeah, alright."
Kate was surprised as he leant in and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. "What was that for?" she asked, blinking furiously.
"For understanding."
"Oh, don't be daft! Just.... hold on to her.... make her happy alright?"
"I'll try."
Dennis didn't find her in the community centre; though he eventually managed to prise Garry away from some poor unsuspecting woman long enough to discover Sharon had headed home. He got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. She was going to be somewhere (which could have been anywhere, saying she was going "home" meant nothing!) and she was going to be thinking bad thoughts, probably thinking he'd have steered Kate into a darkened corner of the room and shagged her then and there. Sharon, after all, didn't exactly have any reason to trust him.
He headed straight back to the house anyway, and was more that revealed to find the heels she had been wearing abandoned at the bottom of the stairs. She was here, thank Christ for that. Her name almost bouncing from his lips, he stopped himself just in time. Leaning slightly to the left, he saw her, in a rather arousing state of undress it had to be said, spinning away from the radio, singing out the song that greeted her efforts.