nickngreg | Fic challenge "You Will Dance" (Reply)

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.”