Dance of a Lifetime

by Frank Downey

  Kristin pulled into Tom's apartment complex, and went to his apartment. She had a key, so she just let herself in. She found Tom and Allison in the kitchen.

  They were cooking, standing very close together. In fact, Allison had her hand on Tom's shoulder. Kristin started a bit at that. "Hello," she said.

  They spun around, but didn't jump or anything like they'd been 'caught'. "Hi, Sweetie," Tom said happily, walking over to Kristin and giving her a big kiss.

  "Hey, Kris!" Allison said. "How's things?"

  "Fine," she said after Tom had broken the kiss. "What are you two up to?"

  "Cooking," Allison said. "I want it to be good and Tom's a better cook than I am. Eddie's on his way," she giggled.

  "Yup, you're finally gonna meet the famous Eddie," Tom told Kris.

  That made Kris feel better. Eddie was Allison's boyfriend from her hometown. When he got there, Kristin really felt better, because Eddie and Allison were clearly over the moon about one another.

  Later, cuddling in bed, Tom said, "You OK? You seemed kind of subdued when you first got here."

  "It's nothing. It's silly." She sighed. "I worry about Allison."

  "Well, that's natural. She lives here, and we have become very good friends. You have nothing to worry about, though, you know. Allison's not my type. I love her as a friend, but romantically? It would never happen, even if I didn't have you. Besides, she and Eddie are a perfect match--believe me, she's not looking."

  "I know. I said it was silly."

  "Well, not that silly, due to our sharing an apartment. But, believe me, sweetie, the only person I want is you."

  "Good!"

  * * *

  Courtney knew something was up. Ryan had changed. She needed to find out why.

  Unbeknownst to Ryan, Courtney had a key to his apartment. The Friday after they got back from Russia, after trying to get a hold of him, she let herself in to his apartment.

  She didn't know what she'd find, but she didn't expect him to be there. But, when she got in, she heard noises coming from the bedroom. She followed them--and stopped short.

  There was Ryan, she could tell, stark naked, fucking the ever-loving daylights out of... someone. Courtney couldn't immediately tell who it was. Ryan had a girlfriend? One that wasn't her? What the hell was going on here?

  Then Courtney saw who it was--that girl who was friends with the Kellehers! Jessica! What the hell did Ryan think he was doing?

  Before she could say anything, Jess spotted her. "JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!" she screamed, throwing Ryan off of her. Ryan sputtered, looked up, and saw Courtney.

  "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?" he screamed.

  "I have a key," Courtney said.

  "I didn't give you no key!"

  "I had it made, when we first got you the apartment."

  "Oh, isn't that just dandy. Courtney? Get out. And leave the key."

  Recovering herself, Courtney said, "I will not. Just what the hell do you think you're doing? Her? Sleeping with the enemy, isn't that just dandy!"

  Ryan jumped out of the bed, and stomped over to her. Jessie had covered herself up with the blanket and was hunched on the bed, but Ryan was too enraged to care--besides, Courtney had seen all of him anyway. "Enemy? What the hell are you talking about? Warren and Sophie aren't the enemy! They're good friends, good people. Yes, they're competitors; and, yes, I want to beat them, but that's on the ice, you idiot! As for Jess, I'm in love with her. Period. You have nothing to say about it. Now GET OUT!"

  Courtney, at a loss, got out.

  Ryan turned back to the bed. Jess looked at him. "You're in love with me?" she said.

  "Damn. I did want to say that to you a wee bit more romantically."

  "Well, take two, then," Jessie giggled.

  Ryan grinned, and climbed back into the bed. "Jessica, I love you, heart and soul."

  "I love you too," Jess returned with a smile, snuggling into him. "So, tell me something. Did the excrement just collide with the portable cooling device?"

  "Oh, in a big way," Ryan confirmed.

  "Hmph. Well, thus endeth the peace and quiet phase of our relationship."

  "Oh, really? I wasn't sensing much quiet a couple minutes ago."

  "True," Jess laughed. "But we were rudely interrupted."

  "I think I can pick up where I left off."

  "Well, not quite. You'll have to work me up again--somebody kind of killed my arousal."

  "No big surprise, she did that to me when I was sleeping with her," Ryan quipped. Jessie cracked up laughing. "Anyhow, build you back up again? I think I can do that," he said, reaching underneath the blanket.

  "Knew you could," she purred.

  Chapter 147 - An Oceanview Christmas

  They all went home for Christmas, including Jess. She went home for a week--all the vacation she could get--but Warren and Sophie would be staying for a couple weeks, before flying to Cleveland for Nationals.

  One thing they decided to do, with Ellen and Dan's permission, is to have a party the Saturday before Christmas. There were so many friends that they didn't get to see enough of, so they had a party.

  The house was packed, all their friends eager to come and spend some time. Everyone was there. Crash even came, though Liz couldn't as she was busy practicing for Nationals. Ryan didn't come, either, so Crash and Jessie jokingly decided to be 'dates' for the day.

  "So, how's Liz?' Jess asked him.

  "Just wonderful. I got lucky, and I know it. I thought living together would be a strain--it's not. It's working out wonderfully. How about you with, what's his name, Ryan?"

  "Well, that's a little bit more difficult," Jess sighed. "If it were just the two of us, things would be wonderful, but it's not."

  "Ah," Crash said, "that bitch of a partner of his."

  "You got it," Jess admitted. "He told her off, but she's still a bitch. I've let him handle things so far, but if she keeps up some of the shit she's pulling..."

  "Full Metal Jessica's gonna make an appearance?" Crash guessed with a smile.

  "Oh, she's all ready to peek her nasty little head out," Jess laughed.

  "Good! Outside of Courtney the Bitch, how is Ryan?"

  "Wonderful, actually," Jessie admitted.

  "More compatible with you than I was?"

  "Well, yes," Jessie laughed. "What can I say? I'm sure you'd say the same about Liz."

  "I must admit..." Crash grinned.

  "More low-maintenance than I am?" Jess teased.

  Crash chuckled. "Liz Cushman is probably the most low-maintenance female I've ever met in my life. Sometimes she's too low-maintenance."

  "Ah, ah, ah--be careful what you wish for," Jess teased.

  "Tell me about it," Crash chuckled ruefully. "No, not really. It's just that sometimes she has to stop and remind herself to tell me, 'Hey, Jay, I love you and I'm glad you're here.' She does it enough, though."

  Jess laughed. "Well, honestly, I've become a wee bit more low-maintenance than I used to be. Not completely, though."

  "How's he?" Crash asked.

  "Medium-maintenance. Just about right. Not clingy or oblivious, just attentive." She sighed. "Of course, the problem is his baggage--and she doesn't need 'maintenance', she needs a complete blow-up-and-rebuild."

  Crash laughed, but then got serious. "Do you think that'll ever be an obstacle?"

  "It could be," Jess admitted. "It's been defused for now, but, yeah-I think there might be a possibility. If she ever asks him to choose between me and his skating career... I don't know how that would turn out. I'd never ask him, but she might. And he's not Sophia and Warren, who could leave it all behind--skating's so important to him."

  "I hope it all works out, kiddo," Crash told her quietly. "I want the best for you, you know that."

  "Thanks."

  * * *

  Warren and Sophie had many friends, and, because of the hectic quality of their lives lately, they didn't get to see too many of them, which is why they had the party. />
  Warren was thrilled to see Siobhan Bates, who he hadn't seen in a while.

  "So, how's the knee, darling?" Siobhan asked him.

  "It's coming along. A little bit every day. So how's the love life?"

  Siobhan let out a dramatic sigh. "It is so frustrating. Craig and I went out for three years, for Goodness' sake. And we get out of college in May--and he moves back to Pennsylvania! I didn't see that coming. I thought we were going to stay here."

  "Do you still stay in contact with him?"

  "Yes, and he's going to come up here for New Year's. But it's frustrating. He decided he hated Boston, and I don't know if I can just pack up and move to Philadelphia. I don't know anyone there. I know his family is there, but he does at least have friends here. I have nobody there. Plus, I'm working, and he hasn't found anything yet."

  "That sucks, Siobhan."

  "Yes, it does. I just don't know what to do. Ah, well, if he doesn't come around, I'll just dump him and find someone else. I mean, I am irresistible, after all."

  Warren laughed. "There's the Siobhan I know and love."

  "You bet your Beatle Boots, babe. He's got chances to work this out, but they're not unlimited. If I'm single, I'm gonna start acting it!"

  Sophie, meanwhile, was renewing acquaintances with Nick Papadopoulos and Karen Laskovich. Karen was showing off her engagement ring.

  "So, when's the wedding?" Sophie asked them.

  "Summer after next," Karen said. "He just put this on me two weeks ago, and we need plenty of time to prepare."

  "It's going to be a big one," Nick laughed. "Me being Greek and all, I have a thousand cousins."

  "I have a funny feeling we're going to get swamped with wedding invites in the next couple years," Sophie giggled. "Our college friends Paul and Caitlin are next year."

  "We're all getting to be that age," Nick said.

  "And there's so many long-term relationships in our little circle," Karen giggled. "Of course, some of 'em break up. Speaking of which, how is Jess?"

  "Fine," Sophie told them. "She's got a new guy. Ryan Killen, he's a skater, too. You can ask her about him when she comes back around."

  "OK," Nick said, bemused, "how many people in your little circle have ended up going out with skaters?"

  Sophie laughed. "Well, Jess. And Crash, her ex, he's dating Liz Cushman. Warren's sister Kristin is dating Tom Bellamy. That's it, I think. Though I'm sure there will be more opportunities!"

  * * *

  The day after Christmas, Warren stepped out onto the ice for the first time in over two months.

  It wasn't easy. He was still wearing a brace on his knee for stability, which cut down on his range of motion. And the pain was still rather acute. But they wanted to prove that they were, at least, working towards getting back on the ice. They wanted to be skating somewhat by the time Nationals rolled around, that would make it easier for them to get a bye to Worlds.

  However, it was rough going. Warren was gutting it out, but it wasn't easy.

  New Year's Eve, they'd been on the ice for a week. They were still just doing it in short spurts, nothing even close to a program.

  "Damn, this hurts," Warren moaned, sitting at the side of the ice.

  "Maybe you two should just shut it down for the year," June, their coach, told them.

  "I don't think that would be a good idea," Warren said. "Miss a whole year, the year before the Olympics? If we can at all be at Worlds this year, I think we have to."

  "I see your point, Warren, but you don't want to mess the knee up any more," June said.

  "True. Hence, the brace," he said with a smile. "That's why I'm wearing it. The pain doesn't mean I'm making it worse."

  "True."

  * * *

  Warren hobbled his way through a couple of weeks of very shaky practices. Then they flew to Denver for Nationals. They wouldn't be competing, of course, but this was where the World Team was to be named. If they were going to get a bye, they'd have to be here. They'd probably have to show some folks from the USFSA that they were working towards being ready for Worlds.

  When they got there, Curtis Ingalls asked to meet with them. They invited him up to their room.

  "Look, you guys need to know this," Curtis started. "There's a concerted effort to keep you guys from getting a bye."

  "Why on earth?" Sophia said.

  "Oh, come on," Warren said. "I think we can guess who's behind that."

  "There's no proof, but my hunch is that you're correct," Curtis said.

  "Why would she care?" Sophie said. "She and Ryan are shoo-ins. They're going to win the National Championship, they have no real competition. So why would they care if we go to Worlds?"

  "Because then the spotlight's off the little princess," Warren snorted. "It's all about our 'comeback', and, even as National Champions, they're also-rans at Worlds. We'll get the attention."

  "Ah," Sophie agreed.

  "But this shouldn't be a problem, anyhow, should it?" Warren asked. "We're the only team here that's medalled at Worlds. We're the only team that has a chance to medal at Worlds. We're three time National Champions. We're past World Champions."

  "Yes, but, there's precedence. Nicole Bobek," Curtis pointed out.

  "Nicole Bobek was injured because she went on a tour in the month before Nationals, and her training habits sucked," Warren pointed out. "Plus, there was a lot of hullabaloo when she didn't get the bye. Lots of people were pissed. I was one of them. And there are no Michelle Kwans in the Dance division this year to uphold the USA's standing. It's us or nothing. Ryan and Courtney can't make the podium in Cup of Russia, for goodness' sake!"

  "I know," Curtis said. "Look, guys, I know we've had our disagreements-but, in this, I'm on your side. I will vote for you guys getting the bye. We don't have to name our official World team until a week before Worlds start. So, as far as I'm concerned, you guys have until then to prove you're ready. Call it a provisional bye."

  "Which is fine by us," Warren told him. Sophie nodded agreement. "But we're going to get people voting against even that, aren't we?"

  Curtis nodded. "How can Courtney get away with this?" Sophie asked.

  "She-and, I suspect, her mother-have been doing this all behind the scenes," Curtis told them. "It's only my suspicion that they are behind it, but I'd be shocked if it were anything else. It's that they've planted doubts in the minds of the USFSA Board. You know, you guys will never be ready, it would be unfair to the third-place team at Nationals, knee surgeries don't heal that quickly, et cetera. They've created an undercurrent of doubt, and kept their names out of it."

  "Is there anything we can do?" Warren asked.

  "Can you handle a full run-through of your long program?"

  "Uh, no," Warren said. "I mean, Curtis, I've been back on the ice for two weeks! And I'm still in a brace."

  "It can be watered down," Curtis told them. "I think you have to show them something. And if you can come close, and I make sure I let it be known that you've only been back on the ice for two weeks--I think we can pull this off."

  "Yeah, but, what happens if I collapse in pain halfway through it?" Warren asked. "That would be worse."

  "I know, but it's the only way," Curtis told them. "Unless I can prove that Courtney and her mother are behind this--I could discredit the effort that way--but I don't think I can."

  "All right," Warren said. "Schedule it, but for as late in the week as you can." Curtis nodded. "And we're going to work on the other angle. I wonder if Ryan can catch Courtney in the act?"

  "Do you think that would help?" Curtis asked them. "Don't get me wrong, I like Ryan, and I know the dynamics of that pair--but Ryan's historically been very timid in confronting Courtney."

  "Not lately," Sophie grinned. "Ryan has an extracurricular activity now." Curtis just looked at them.

  "Ryan's got a girlfriend," Warren laughed.

  "Wait a minute--you mean besides Courtney?" Curtis asked, amazed. "Wow. I thought Courtney had him complet
ely whipped--whoops, excuse me."

  Warren cracked up. "Don't worry, Curtis, we don't offend easily, you know that. I think Ryan got fed up with all that. He doesn't love Courtney, never did, and I think he decided he had had enough of how she treats him."

  "Furthermore," Sophie told him, "Ryan's new girlfriend? It's Jessie, my best friend."

  "You are kidding," Curtis laughed.

  "Nope," Sophie told him. "Plus, Courtney caught them--in the act, if you know what I mean--and Ryan absolutely read her the riot act. Told her to stay out of his personal business."

  "Wow, what a change," Curtis said, still laughing. "Good for him--and good for Jessie. But, yeah, if you can get him in on this, that might help. But you'll probably still have to skate."

  They explained the situation to Ryan, who was incensed. And it was child's play for him to get the goods on Courtney and her mother. He overheard a number of conversations. He decided to confront Courtney, and asked Jess, who had come to Nationals to see him, to be there. Jess gladly agreed.

  Courtney's mother was also there. "I'm telling you two flat-out," Ryan started. "Call off the dogs. I know what you're up to, and, if it doesn't stop, I will tell the USFSA Board. I'll stand right up and tell them who's manipulating this, and why."

  "You fucking traitor!" Courtney screamed.

  "Ryan, you seem to have lost your sense of priorities," Mrs. Rogers said ominously.

  Courtney snorted. "That's because he's sleeping with this slut!"

  That was the wrong thing to say. Jess had been playing it cool, but Full Metal Jessica had been lurking for some time. " Slut? Me? Oh, that's rich. I sleep with Ryan because I love him. You've been sleeping with him for years to manipulate him. And I am a slut?" She got right in Courtney's face. "You know what? I bet the networks and the skating gossip rags would love that. Little miss morals, the upstanding Courtney Rogers, who criticizes other people for being immoral--has been sleeping with her partner since she was thirteen! And she's been doing it to blackmail him! What would happen to your pristine little image if that ever got out?"