Fic challenge "You Will Dance"

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

For the “Fairy Tale” Challenge

Title:  “You Will Dance”

Rating: PG-13 (for suggestive language and adult themes)

AU (Well, a fairy tale would have to be, wouldn’t it?)

 

This started out a children’s nursery tale.

Though with facts so altered, it may be hard to tell.

Read it through to the end, and if still you cannot see,

I’ll tell you what it was, and do it with great glee.

So here’s my tale, with facts smacked, whacked all out of kilter.

For all my work my fear is that it still is no hum-dinger.

 

Part One

 

Once upon a time, in a land far away…

 

Greg Sanders was really good at his job.  There was no one in the western United States that could process difficult DNA evidence faster and more competently.  He should have been respected, valued by his employer, but that was not the case.

 

“Sanders, why am I still waiting for my evidence?  Are you more incompetent today then usual?”

 

“I’m sorry, Mr. Ecklie.  Your evidence is still processing.  The sequencer has about twenty more minutes to run.”  Greg wasn’t actually afraid of Conrad Ecklie; he just really disliked him.  Every hard, dirty job that came into the lab was given to Greg.  The other technicians received commendation, often based on Greg’s work.  Greg never even got a thank you.

 

The other two techs on his shift were particular favorites of Mr. Ecklie. Hodges and Henry weren’t bad people, but they were used to getting nearly a free ride and giving all the grunt work to Greg.  They wouldn’t be human if they didn’t enjoy that position.

 

The lab had gained a lot of prestige through Greg’s hard work.  So much so that a national honor was to be bestowed, with speeches and awards for all who worked to make it possible.  There would be a dance, with fancy dress and glorious food.  The whole lab was on pins and needles.

 

Mr. Ecklie personally invited all the members of his staff.  All that is, except for Greg.

 

“I need someone to stay behind and monitor the on-going cases.  It’s not possible for everyone to go.  I’ll send someone back early so you can go for a little while.”  Greg knew that would never happen.  “You understand, don’t you Sanders?”

 

“Sure, Mr. Ecklie.”  Greg was resigned to it.  He was always the one left behind.

 

The night of the party arrived, and Greg found himself alone in a deserted lab.  He pictured how the gala would look.  He imagined the women in their beautiful gowns, the men in their elegant tuxedos.  He could almost taste the exotic foods and smell the perfume in the air.  Oh, just to see it!  That would have been so good.

 

What was that?  There was a glow, and a sound.  Was that humming?  Greg followed the sound and was astounded to find a beautiful woman standing in the middle of the trace lab.

 

“Who are you?” he asked.  “And what are you doing here?”

 

“I’m your fairy Godmother, but you can call me Catherine.”

 

Fairy Godmother.  Of course.  “I must have dozed off while I was on break.  I’m dreaming!”

 

“No, Greg.”  His illusion smiled at him.  “You’re not dreaming.  Your hard work and dedication have been noted.  It has been decided that you deserve a reward.”  She paused here, and looked intently at Greg.

 

“Choose carefully, young Greg.  Would you like to attend the party, or shall I ensure that no one can.”

 

Still believing he was in the middle of an incredibly vivid dream, Greg decided to play along. 

 

“Making everyone miss the party would be cruel.  They’ve been talking of nothing else for weeks.  And Mr. Ecklie won’t allow me to attend, so let’s just let them all enjoy themselves, and I’ll have a nice nap.” 

 

His pretty hallucination laughed.  “Oh, sweet.  So sweet you are!  Yes, you deserve a reward, and you shall have one!”  The glow emanating from Catherine began to increase in intensity, like the sun shining through her skin.

 

“Fear not.  Mr. Ecklie won’t recognize you.  No one will.  You will use your own name, they will call you by name, but they will not recognize you as the Greg they work with everyday.”  She fairly shimmered in the air in front of Greg.

 

“Hear me, young Greg!  You will go. You will laugh, but most of all, you will dance.”  With that, the glow grew until Greg had to close his eyes against it.  When he opened them again, the glow-and Catherine- was gone.  Neatly laid over a chair was a stylish black tuxedo, along with all the accessories needed to make the perfect impression.

 

“This may be a dream, but it’s a really terrific one!”  He quickly donned the beautiful clothes and headed towards the parking lot.  Instead of driving his car, it seems his dream had supplied a sleek limousine, for there it sat, idling at the curb.

 

“Good evening, Mr. Sanders.  Please get in.  I’ll have you at the party in just moments.”

 

“Who are you?”  Wow, Greg had never had such a detailed dream.  And so realistic!

 

“My name is Archie sir.  I’ll take you to the party, and bring you back again.  But be careful!  You must be back in the limousine before dawn breaks.  At that time, the others will be able to recognize you.  Do you understand?”

 

Greg didn’t understand any of it.  But, hey!  It was just a dream!  “Yes, Archie.  I need to be back in the car by dawn.”

 

“Very good, sir.  Shall we go?”

 

Pulling up outside the Bellagio was surreal.  There were limos, and beautiful people, and the press was everywhere.  Greg wasn’t sure he should get out.

 

Archie opened his door.  “Mr. Sanders?  Please, don’t worry.  No one will recognize you.  You’re going to have a wonderful time.”  Greg was very confused.  Maybe he would wake up soon.  He knew when he did he would be disappointed.

 

Archie reached in to assist Greg to his feet.  “I’ll be waiting right here for you.  Enjoy yourself, sir.”

 

“Thank you, Archie.”  Greg started forward with a small group of people.

 

“Mr. Sanders!”  Greg turned back to Archie.  “Don’t forget to dance!”

 

The ballroom was everything Greg expected it to be.  Beautiful people.  Groaning banquet tables.  Crystal chandeliers shining over the dance floor.

 

“Your invitation, sir?”  Oh, that was a problem.  Greg was never actually invited.  He nervously patted his pockets…something stiff…Greg extracted a gilt-edged card.

 

“Very good, sir.  Enjoy your evening.”  Greg sighed with relief and headed towards the buffet.  It looked too amazing to pass up.

 

“Champagne, sir?”  Greg was startled.  He hadn’t notice the arrival of the waiter.

 

He peered at his nametag.  “Yes, thank you, Mr. Dawson.”

 

He took the offered glass and headed again towards the food tables.

 

“Mr. Sanders!”  Greg looked back at the waiter.  “You must not forget to dance.”

 

What was so important about dancing?  Greg didn’t even like to dance.  Almost against his will, Greg turned towards the dance floor to see what was happening there.  At that same time, the most beautiful man Greg had ever seen raised his eyes, looking directly into Greg’s.

 

The beautiful man smiled a perfect, dimpled smile and Greg was smitten.  He found himself walking forward, unable to stop.

 

“Hello. I’m Nick.  Nick Stokes.  Would you like to dance?”  Okay!  Greg was never going to wake up!  Only in this insanely perfect dream would the hottest guy in the room bypass all the pretty women and ask Greg to dance!  So. Not. Waking. Up. Ever.  The repeated instructions to dance rang in Greg’s ears.

 

“Yes.  I’d like that. I’m Greg.”  Oh, that smile!  There it was again!  Greg’s heart fluttered.  Nick held out his hand and led Greg to the center of the dance floor.  Once the music started, and they began to sway together, Greg knew he was falling in love.  Could you fall in love with a dream?  Apparently you could.

 

They danced together all night.  Nick would accept no other partner.  They dined together in the open air, talking through the dark hours.  So engaged by his beautiful friend, Greg failed to note the lightening sky.

 

“See how red the dawn is, Greg.  My father would call it an ill omen.  What do you think?”  Greg looked up to see the fading night.  He shot to his feet.

 

“I have to go!”  God, there was Mr. Ecklie!  He had to get back to Archie.

 

“Wait!  Don’t go.  At least give me your number.  Greg?”  Nick watched in shock as Greg raced off.  Had he done something to offend him?  What had gone wrong?  The night had been perfect.  Nick was bereft

 

Greg ran down the steps to find Archie pacing nervously next to the open limo door.

 

“Thank goodness, sir!  Hurry.  Hurry.” 

 

Greg looked back through the limo window as they pulled away.  There on the top of the stairs was Nick, waving to him.  It had been a wonderful dream, but like all dreams it was drawing to a close.

 

“Don’t loose heart, sir.  All will work itself out in time.”  Greg didn’t really see how it could.  Surely he’d be waking soon.

 

Greg closed his eyes and leaned back into the upholstery as dawn broke over the city.

 

“Some reward,” he thought, drifting in a tired haze.  “Some reward.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                  

 

                 

Comments

[mangojunkie.livejournal.com]

Okay, first: Yeah the first fic for the challenge. =) I am so happy.
Then: there is going to be a second part, right? Right? I mean there has to be. But I love it, have always been a fan of Cinderella, and poor Greg, the Scapegoat for everything.

[mangojunkie.livejournal.com]

Oh and I was wondering, and please don't take this wrong or something, but could you, for furture posts try not to have such a huge and empty space after your cut? Thank you, but I still love the chapter and look forward to more.

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Sure...tell me how, as I was wondering why it did that! ::blushes:: I have no idea!

[mangojunkie.livejournal.com]

Well I can just guess but think you hit, after you closed the cut-tag, a few times the Enter-button. =)
I guess by hitting the 'Backshift' button so the entry ends after the closed tag, it should be without a large space. *We don't say anything against two or three lines, especially since most leave a few lines of space, but yours are... well a bit more than just a few lines* =)

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

????? This is me being confused. I will try, if it does it again, would you prefer I not post? My apologies.

[mangojunkie.livejournal.com]

Yeah I suspected this, me explaining things is always.... not easy for those who have to understand =) Oh, god, no, if it doesn't work... leave it the way it is, after all it isn't that worse. I was just wondering. =) So if it doesn't work, don't worry. =)

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

I think I figured it out...auto select doesn't play well with others. I loaded the story to my LJ and it's all nice and tight. (That sounds vaguely pornographic!) Do you want to delete the story and I can reload...or just leave it and hope for better next time? You pick...I'll do what ever the mods want. ::shudders, remembering the brouhaha of the weekend::

[mangojunkie.livejournal.com]

Haha, well it had a slight hint of something pornographic. =)

I actually don't care. It is your pick. If you want to delete it and post new, go for it, but if you want to stay with this version *because of comments or such* it would be okay as well. And next time... we just try without space =P

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

I am a comment junkie...

Thanks for your help and understanding. And thanks for reading in the first place...I forgot to mention that!

And Go Me for being first!

[mangojunkie.livejournal.com]

Who isn't? =)

No problem =)

Yay, lets see who will be second and lets hope the next challenge will inspire you as well. =)

[agneson9.livejournal.com]

Nick is Prince Charming, how appropriate!

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

It is appropriate! Thanks for reading.

[csikat.livejournal.com]

Nice!! i know what fairy tale its from! I hope Nick has a shoe to find him with after ;)

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Well...maybe not a shoe....

[10th-letter.livejournal.com]

Woah? A glass condom? Ouch.

O:)

Love the story!

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

::pretends to be shocked:: I would never!

I'm so glad you are enjoying the story. I hope you hang on for the rest!

[laureen.livejournal.com]

*squees* You made my morning. Seriously. Please say there will be more...

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad it made you happy. I've never done an AU type fic...and it was so FUN! I thought it would be more of a chore...just goes to show you that I know nothing!

I hope the second part (coming soon to a screen near you) pleases you as much.

[laureen.livejournal.com]

I've never tried writing an AU before, and I've been kind of leery of trying it for the same reason. Maybe I'll give it a shot one of these days. ^_^

Second part will be very soon, yes? *clings* I like reading. *nods* And I actually have read a lot of your stuff before, (bad me, I don't normally say anything) and loved it. So I'm sure I'll love the second part just as much.

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

::pets Geisha:: I'm glad you read my stuff, even if you don't always comment. That you like it is just so like sugar to me.

Try it out, I was terrified, but it is freeing...no nasty canon issues to contend with...you can make people mean or nice on a whim. Really very cool.

Second part will probably be up tomorrow. I can't guarantee that, but it's about 3/4s done...plus time for tweaking it into shape. We shall see!

[indelibility.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, Cinderella -reg, I love it :D Now, you remember that paper bag I told you to keep handy? It will be highly important, and will most likely need to a make an appearance in your next few chapters.

*squishes Nick n' Greg together*

:D Have a nice day.

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

It is my favorite of all...well, I tried to do Hansel and Gretel, but I bored myself! I couldn't make it work...this one went a bit better.

I'm keeping the bag near by! Thanks for checking in...you enjoy your day as well...

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Cindergrelleg??? Seriously, stop me.

[animefanboy0110.livejournal.com]

Wow! This is really well done, I just hope my randomly rhyming fic comes out half as great as this...Good job :D

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to reading yours!

[serenity151979.livejournal.com]

This is so cute! I'm pleased this is the first fic to come out of the challenge, because it's really adorable!

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I'm pleased that you like it. It's been a lot of fun.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

So. Not. Waking. Up. Ever.
But then you stopped, why did you stop telling the story? *cries* You are a cruel story-teller! This was just so lovely and dreamy. *sings: 'I could've daaaanced all night'* Le sigh.

I will wait impatiently for the next part. Happily ever after? You might get a more coherent review as a reward, but I'm not making any promises;)

-by the way: you don't have to repost to fix your entry. If you look at the top of the comments-page you'll see the 'edit' button (the pencil), you only need to press it to change your posts. Then you can easily remove some excessive 'enters': just move down in your original post with the arrows on your key-pad until the end and then backspace until the last line of text. You can do this in all the entries you personally posted in a community.-

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

I tried that...it turns out it wasn't an "enters" problem after all. It is an "auto select" problem. The function "saves" to the end of the page no matter how little of the page was used. I know how to fix it in the future, but thanks :) for your help.

I'm really glad you're enjoying my story. (The song will now play in my head for days...must go watch 'My Fair Lady' for the 1,000th time...thanks so much.)