Title: Dance With Me 1/1
Author: Anastasia Shinsei
E-Mail: eternalslrsenshi@aol.com
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Some like it hot ^_~ (Don't worry, Nothing icky!)
Disclaimers: We all know Naoko owner of all things Sailor Moon.
Author's Notes: Thank you to Elysia for the beta. Girl, you rock. 
^_~ This is a shortie with a great title thanks to Antigone. 
Watch these couples and their names because this is a "Night in 
the Life Of..." in the present to my series, Ava Adore.

@-->---

Usagi shifted from one high-heeled foot to the other while 
aimlessly watching the dance floor. Her normal odangos was not 
present tonight, but instead a graceful chignon was tied at the 
nape of her neck. Time had been a great asset to her matured 
features and patrons of the club couldn't help but give 
appreciative glances at her elegant beauty. Her mouth curved in 
amusement as she watched a bemused and thunderstruck Makoto swirl 
around the dance floor with an impossibly handsome young man who 
was a Japanese-American exchange student. 

Nathan Yamada had incredibly gorgeous chestnut hair and warm 
brown eyes that glowed with life as he twirled Makoto in an 
American dance called swing. He had a knack for presenting Mako-
chan in a way no other could and the two of them were a perfect 
match. Mako-chan threw her head back in carefree abandonment as 
Nathan dipped her backwards and alighted herself with a 
bewitching smile as the lively music played out.

Usagi laughed as she watched for a second longer. She then 
glanced down at her watch with growing impatience. She tapped her 
right foot as her eyes searched the room once more. Was he ever 
going to show up?

As she studied the various couples in the club, she quickly spied 
Ami-chan and Zachary Ishido, another exchange student and friend 
to Nathan-kun. The two were still sitting at the table the group 
had chosen hours ago and looked quite content to stay there the 
rest of the night. Their heads drew closer together as the night 
grew older and their conversation drew longer than either one 
anticipated. Usagi smiled with content as she watched the two and 
knew it wouldn't be long until they were together once more as 
they always should have been. 

A corner of her mouth curled in amusement as she caught Rei's eye 
when she glanced about the room once more. Rei's face blushed 
with a rosy glow, but instead of the looks of incredible 
annoyance that were once her norm, Rei-chan beamed back at Usagi. 
'I'll have to thank Justin some time soon,' Usagi giggled at 
thought. 'He's saved me from Rei-chan's wrath more than he'll 
ever know.'

With that thought, Usagi was reminded of her own partner and his 
inexcusable absence. She sighed irritably and checked the watch 
on her slender wrist, wondering why she had ever agreed on 
meeting him here. He said it was going to be a surprise for the 
special occasion and it was, just not the way she'd hoped. For 
one thing, she would have thought he would be here by now, she 
mused with a frown marring her lovely face. 

The frown inevitably smoothed from her forehead as she caught 
sight of Minako and Matthew. Matt appeared to be doing most of 
the work as the couple danced the salsa but appearances can be 
deceiving, Usagi knew. Minako-chan was a superb dancer and was 
well trained to show off the other person. Besides all that, 
Usagi reflected with an amused grin, Matt didn't have the first 
clue on how to salsa but she could see that he was REALLY 
enjoying the dance as he watched Minako-chan with an appreciative 
yet dazed look on his face.

He wasn't going to show up. Usagi turned on her heel and headed 
for the table, intending to gather her things and wish everyone a 
good night before she left. She was halfway to her destination 
when a warm hand on her waist stopped her in her tracks, while 
the other hand lightly took a hold of her small one. A deep, 
insistent voice that never ceased to thrill her both in and out 
of her dreams whispered in her ear.

"Dance with me."

Usagi found herself spun out and in, facing her mystery partner 
at last. Her mouth drew upwards in a mischievous smile as she 
whispered back, "You're late."

"And you're gorgeous." Mamoru curled his lips wolfishly at her as 
he turned Usagi slowly around and wrapped his arms around her. 
Usagi threw head back and laughed throatily. She returned 
Mamoru's look when she turned back and watched as his expression 
grew delighted at her mirth. Usagi knew instantly that he had 
requested the piece for them and had been waiting somewhere in 
the club for the music to start before approaching her.

The music started up in a slow and sensual rhythmic beat and drew 
couples to the dance floor by the mournful wail of the horn. 
Usagi couldn't help grinning when she recognized the tango, the 
dance of romance. She slowly slid her eyes closed, letting go of 
everything in her mind and felt the music seep into her bones.

All eyes focused on the exquisite couple as they masterfully 
glided along the dance floor. Legs intertwined, fingers linked, 
and bodies held close, the two danced as if they were the only 
two people in the world and neither one noticed the dance floor 
clearing as other dancers watched in admiration of the couple. 
Mamoru focused his intense gaze into Usagi's eyes and Usagi into 
Mamoru's. The two people moved with such fluid grace that it was 
inconceivable that they would not be a couple destined to be 
together.

As the music slowly ended, Usagi gracefully slid down Mamoru's 
leg and gazed back up at him with a solemn expression on her face 
and a twinkle in her eyes. His lips curled up into a loving smile 
when something interrupted the short interlude. 

The room had burst with such great applause that the two were 
quite startled as they surveyed the room with an embarrassed 
smile. They both caught their friends' eyes as Minako, Matt, 
Makoto, Nathan, Ami, Zachary, Rei, and Justin all cheered in 
appreciation. 

Usagi tilted her head back up at Mamoru and gazed into his eyes, 
never leaving them for a second. Mamoru gently pulled Usagi up 
and drew her close. 

"Happy Anniversary, Usako." He murmured as his forehead touched 
hers.


THE END! ^_^