Matter Of Destiny

By Merzibelle

I'll Be Seeing You

"He's not here," Gunn stated, watching Fred cast her eyes about looking for Wesley again. "He told us all that he wasn't coming."

"I'm sorry." Fred ducked her head, blushing. She didn't know how to explain to Charles that she really wanted to have Wesley with her, not him. They had been getting closer in their weeks of research on this strange connection that their families seemed to have. Then came David Nabbit's party, more appropriately Cordelia's party. He had quietly hidden himself in his office while everyone figured out what they were going to wear, since it was a formal party done 1940s style. Fred had to smile at the rather eclectic outfits that some of the partygoers were wearing-most had on tuxes but a few, like David, were wearing reproduction military uniforms.

She, herself, had shocked Cordelia with the dress she was wearing. When Cordelia had told her what she was planning on doing, dressing as the classic blonde bombshell of the 40s screen, Fred had slipped into Wes' office to place a call to her mother. Momma had been very surprised when I asked for this dress. She raised her eyes to meet Gunn's trying to smile, knowing she was failing. I only wore it for him and he didn't bother to come. With a sigh, Fred rested her cheek on Gunn's chest, listening to his heart beat beneath her ear and trying to tell herself that it wasn't someone else's heartbeat that she'd rather be listening too.

***

Charles Gunn watched the woman in his arms; slow dancing with her was a sweetly bitter experience. He was losing her, losing her to his best friend. I doubt they even know it… how much they've come to depend on each other, look out for each other. Gunn stroked Fred's hair. It was his turn to scan the crowded ballroom for Wesley. He knew that the older man had shunned all of them, but had been bullied by Cordelia into agreeing to coming. He hadn't been at the hotel when they'd left, completely missing the girls and their grand entrance into the lobby. That memory made him smile, something good even if it was going to be their last date. I can't keep pretending. She doesn't love me. She loves him. I'm just 'safe', her latest way of hiding.

Gunn swayed in time to the soft piano music that filled the ballroom. He thought he saw Angel slip away from the crowd, headed for a shadowed corner. He was surprised to see Nabbit join Angel in his walk. He wondered if something was up, but Angel wasn't tense like he was before a fight so he shook off the feeling that he was not going to like what was going on when he found out about it, concentrating on Fred instead. He intended to enjoy every minute of this last dance.

***

Wesley stood, concealed in the shadows of the ballroom, watching Fred dance with Gunn. He shook his head, laughing to himself. I can't believe that I'm nervous over this. Taking a breath, he took one step forward only to be confronted by Angel and Nabbit. He nodded to both men, attempting a smile. David waited while Angel spoke first.

"Where have you been?" Angel demanded, glaring at Wes. "You missed the girls entrance at the hotel. Cordy's never going to forgive that."

"I know." Wes sighed. He brushed a speck of dust off his arm, smiling a bit at the fact that he'd managed to hide what he'd decided to wear from both girls for the three weeks between his reluctant consent to come to the party and now.

"What are you wearing?" Angel asked somewhat shocked at Wes' attire. He'd never seen Wesley in anything other than casual wear, office attire or formal wear. This was very unexpected.

"I believe the captain is attired in formal dress," David supplied helpfully, saluting Wesley with a laugh.

Wes returned both the salute and the laugh before scanning the crowd. He soon found her, dancing with Gunn. Drawing in a deep breath, Wes ignored Angel in favor of David. "Did you tell them?"

"I certainly did." David was almost bouncing in place at the chance to play covert ops with Wesley. "Everything's waiting on my signal." He was enjoying this, not only was he getting to conspire, have company but he had gotten to dance with Cordelia.

Wesley nodded, gathering himself together and inclined his head at Angel. "If you'll excuse me. I have someone I want to dance with." Without waiting for Angel's response, Wes started to walk away, crossing the dance floor toward Fred and Gunn.

Angel started after him, only to be stopped by Nabbit. "Let it go, Angel." He dragged the vampire after him as he headed for the band. Lightly touching the bandleader's arm, Nabbit whispered softly and then turned to face the ballroom. Cordelia soon joined the pair.

"What's going on?"

"Cordelia." Nabbit turned a smile on the girl. "We're watching Wesley."

"Where is he?"

Angel pointed, but it was David who answered. "About to dance with the Texas girl."

***

Wesley stopped behind Fred, meeting Gunn's eyes. He asked the question silently, taking Fred's hand as Gunn stepped away from her. He smiled at Fred's surprised look as she took in his attire before stepping closer. He barely heard Gunn leave as he started to dance with Fred. Very softly, he asked the question that he wasn't sure he wanted the answer to, "Do you remember the last time?"

"I do." Fred's Texas accent was thicker, and she ducked her head, before smiling up at him. She moved the last bit closer, stroking the lapel of his jacket before resting her hand and her cheek on his chest. Wes placed her other hand on his shoulder, resting his hands on the small of her back as they danced. Both of them were lost in memories that weren't entirely their own. Several minutes passed in silence, then Fred lifted her head to look at him.
"You won't leave this time?"

"Never again, Winifred."

"Good." Fred returned her head to Wes' chest, listening to his heartbeat in her ear. This is home, she thought before allowing her eyes to close and just revel in being with Wesley… again.

~Fin~