Music Of The Heart

By Merzibelle

Forever Love

The building was deserted, Fred knew this for the team had rapidly split up when they had returned from dealing with Cordy's latest vision. They had all been quiet, subdued, and she wondered what had happened because none of them were talking. Angel had insisted on driving Cordy home while Gunn just said he was heading out. Fred didn't know where Wesley was now and that worried her. She often worried about Wes because she knew he was too hard on himself. She could remember even now months later how upset he'd been after he'd stalked her through the hotel, easily recalling how he'd cried against the door after she'd forgiven him.

Rising to her feet, Fred left her room moving slowly through the hallway to the stairs. She wanted to find Wesley, to be sure that he knew whatever had happened wasn't his fault. None of them were perfect. She stood at the top of the stairs, hidden by the shadows, and scanned the lobby. It took her a few minutes but she finally found Wes leaning against the counter, a few books scattered before him. Slowly, Fred began to descend the stairs moving as carefully as possible to keep him from hearing her. It wasn't until she reached the lobby floor that she noticed that he had removed his glasses, carelessly tossed beside him on the countertop.

Ghosting her way across the room on bare feet, Fred moved closer until she could finally touch Wes. She laid a gentle hand on his back, rubbing small circles on it until he turned to face her. The moment Fred saw his expression, her heart wrenched for him. Acting on instinct, she wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging his head down to rest on her shoulder. Murmuring nonsense in his ear, Fred swayed slightly to the quiet melancholy song that was barely audible in the quiet lobby.

Somehow, though Fred didn't know how, their quiet swaying had shifted into a gentle more formal dance. She started to murmur a question, but Wes rested a finger on her lips, shaking his head. Fred quieted, allowing Wes to determine whether or not they would talk. She was just happy that he was with her, holding her and no longer crying like he had been when she first noticed him.

Fred watched Wes' eyes as he led her through the formal steps of the dance, a waltz she thought it was. There was a deep sadness in their blue depths even as he smiled at her. Fred thought she saw something else, something that made her breath catch in her throat and butterflies take up residence in her stomach. Fred wanted that little something, wanted to erase the sadness from his eyes.

As the music began to quiet and Wes brought them to a slow halt back by the counter, Fred rose up on her toes to press a light kiss on his lips. She blushed deeply as she settled back, feeling his arms around her waist. Hearing him chuckle, she ducked her head looking at the floor. She felt him release her and looked back up at him. What she saw in his expression made her gasp and back up a step.

As she watched him, he ducked his head hiding his expression from her. Fred reached for him and Wes looked back up at her. A sudden understanding hit Fred in that moment and she smiled at him, nodding once before turning to scamper up the stairs. She paused at the top, looking down at Wesley who was now looking up at her. Fred knew that all she had to do was say his name or show any other sign of willingness and he would join her for the night. Yet, she also knew they weren't ready for that or at least she wasn't. Not yet. Soon, she hoped, but not now.

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