Dance Fever - Angelee

Note: If you're following The Littlest Guide series this story falls sometime after HouseHunting 101. Some knowledge of the series would come in handy. Sequel to Bonded in Love and House Hunting 101.

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"Hey, Baby-whatcha' doing?" Jim asked as he walked into their new bedroom, in their new home, seeing Blair sitting on the floor by their bed.

"Nuffing," Blair replied, giving his Sentinel a brilliant smile when he saw him; still swaying to the beat of music coming from the radio on their nightstand.

Jim knelt by him. "Doesn't look like you were doing nothing," He told him, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his little Guide's ear.

"I listen music. I dance."

"Oh?"

"Yups. Like lots." Blair looked up at his Sentinel smiling, shyly. "Jim?"

Jim pulled him into his arms. "Yeah, Baby?"

"Dance?"

"Hmm?" Jim buried his face in Blair's neck.

"Dance," Blair replied, tugging on Jim's hair impatiently.

"Ow! You wanna dance?"

"Yuppers. Dance wiff you."

"Okay."

Jim placed Blair on his feet, reaching over he raised the volume on the radio. Staying on his knees to be at a level closer to Blair's, he began dancing. Moving his hands back and forth, even doing a little John Travolta from Saturday Night Fever... much to Blair's giggling delight.

He chuckled when Blair began doing the same and moving his little hips enthusiastically to the beat. For such a little guy, Blair had good rhythm and he looked so cute with his long curly hair flying all over the place as he moved. Jim grabbed Blair's left hand, twirling him around, making the little Guide giggle even more.

"What are you guys doin'?" Steven asked, walking in carrying a laundry basket full of clean clothes.

"Dancing. What does it look like?"

Michael followed Steven in carrying another basket of clothes. "Well, it looks like Blair might be killing bugs and you're cleaning the floor with your knees."

Jim twirled Blair around again. "Shut up," He told him cheerfully. He was having too much fun to let anyone spoil it for him.

Steven placed the basket down on the floor. "That looks like fun. Give over your little Guide, Watchman."

Jim frowned at him. "No way. Find your own partner."

"Come on, one dance," Steven cajoled.

Jim tightened his hold on Blair possessively. "No. I told you, find your own partner."

"There's only Michael and I don't wanna dance with him."

"Hey," Michael protested. "I can dance."

Steven snorted. "You can barely put one foot in front of the other without trippin' with all those built-up muscles in your legs. I'm not dancing with you. You step on me, I'll be maimed for life."

Michael offered Steven his hand. "Come on, dance with me. I promise not to step on you." Steven eyed him suspiciously. "I swear."

"Hmm, I don't know if I wanna dance with you-you're a boy."

Michael offered his hand again. "What has that got to do with anything? You were going to dance with Blair and he's a boy. Besides, I'm asking you to dance, not marry me. Come on, let's dance."

Steven eyed the hand for a second. "Why not? Jim, make the music louder."

Jim did. All four boys began dancing, well at least three of them. Blair was in Jim's arms, as the young Sentinel danced them around the room. The little Guide's blue eyes sparkling merrily. It didn't take much to make Blair happy and Jim loved it when he was so happy his blue eyes shone with a life all their own.

The noise brought William and Simon into the third floor to see what was going on, finding Steven and Michael doing 'the twist' and Jim and Blair dancing cheek to cheek.

"Looks like they're dancing," William told Simon. "The way the walls and floors were shaking, for a minute there, I thought we were having an earthquake."

"Me too." They watched for a moment before Simon turned toward William. "Looks like fun. Shall we?" he asked, formally offering his hand.

William smiled, taking it. "Why the hell not?"

They joined in. One minute William was dancing with Simon, next he was dancing with Michael or a giggling Blair. Jim relinquishing his little Guide readily to his dad. Something that earned him an evil look from Steven for not letting HIM dance with the little Guide. The young Sentinel ignored it as he danced with Simon.

Michael once again dancing with Steven, dipped him. Making the middle son squeal like a girl.

"You yell like a girl," Michael told him, smiling.

Steven looked over at the little Guide from his precarious position near the floor. Seeing that he was still dancing with their dad and probably couldn't hear him. "Drop me, asshole, there won't be anyplace in the house where you'll be safe. Revenge will be mine sayth Steven Ellison," Steven said as dramatically as he could being his head was an inch from the carpeted floor and he was hanging on to Michael's hand for dear life.

Michael rolled his eyes. "Oh, brother. I'm not going to drop you. I can hold your weight, plus Jim, your dad's, Simon's AND Blair's."

"You've got ME hanging here, you twit, not everyone else in the family."

"You're such a chicken." Michael tugged Steven up, to twirl him away and then twirled him back toward him.

Steven gasped when he hit the bodybuilder's body. "Ow! Ass, I think you broke a rib."

"Big baby. Stop your whining and dance," He was told, unsympathetically.

The radio started playing a song Steven liked. "Oh. Cool. I like this song," Steven said enthusiastically, singing along with the radio at the top of his lungs, making Michael wince at the off-keyedness of it, but smiling when Steven started shaking his booty, encouraging him to do the same.

Simon looked over at the enthusiastically singing and dancing middle son. "Steven's having fun."

"Yeah, he is."

"How are you doing, Jim? I haven't seen you for a couple of days."

"I'm fine. The white noise generator is working great. Starsky and Hutch being on their wheels all night was starting to drive me batty," Jim told him, referring to the nocturnal hamsters that had become a part of the family when Daryl, Simon's son had moved in.

"I'm sorry about that. I should have realized it would bother you and put in the white noise generator before."

Jim looked up at the doctor as they danced. "That's alright. It's fixed now."

"Are you ready to start football practice?"

"All set. Thank you for letting me play," Jim said as he whirled around Simon.

"I would have let you sooner, but you weren't ready. Being newly bonded and all, but I think you can handle it now."

They both turned to look at Blair when he let out a peal of laughter. William was dipping Blair and swinging him around. The little Guide's hair flying wildly as Blair tossed his head back, giggling hysterically.

Jim smiled. "Blair sure likes to dance."

"Yes," Simon replied, as Blair gave another peal of laughter when William raspberried his tummy. He looked around the room. "But then by the looks of it, so does everyone else in the family. I have never been around a family so in tune with one another. You'd do anything and have for each other. I'm happy to be a part of you all, as I'm sure my son is to. Ah, speaking of the devil." Just then Daryl walked in with a bemused look on his face. "Come in, Son. Join the party."

Daryl smiled at him, taking the hand Simon offered. "Everyone looks to be having a great time."

Steven abandoned Michael to dance with Wofie. The puppy not quite sure what to make of the whole dizzying thing was barking loudly. Oddly enough in tune with the music coming from the radio, making Steven laugh as he tangoed with the not exactly happy puppy.

Michael didn't seem to mind being ditched, when he spotted Sally as she tried to leave off another basket of clean clothing and sneak out before anyone noticed her. Michael would have none of it tugging her further into the room, ignoring her protestations.

Sally watched for a moment before she started swaying to the music, smiling at the cheers of encouragement it earned her from the rest of the family.

Steven released Wofie, danced over to where his Dad, who'd run out of steam, was resting on Blair and Jim's bed. Little Guide sitting contently in his lap, watching everyone dancing. Steven offered his hand. "Blair-little brother, might I have the pleasure of this dance?"

Blair looked up at him. "Dance?"

"Yup."

"Wiff me?" Blair asked shyly, tucking his chin against his shoulder.

"Yup."

Blair looked up at William. "I dance with Steven?" Not sure if he should abandon his father.

William smiled at him, tucking a sweat-soaked strand of hair behind Blair's ear. It was almost time to get Blair's hair cut again. "You can dance with anyone you like, Son. Go have fun."

Blair gave him a brilliant smile. "Tank you, Daddy."

William felt his eyes fill with tears as they had a tendency to every time Blair called him 'Daddy'. "You go and have fun with your brothers and friends. I'll be right here."

Blair reached up tugging William's head down gave him a sloppy kiss on the chin. "Love you, Daddy."

William kissed his little son's forehead. "I love you too, Blair. Very much."

Steven gave his dad a tiny smile. "We all love you, Dad. You're the best dad in the whole world." He said softly.

"I love you, too, Steven," William told him, his eyes filling with renewed tears. "Go, dance with Blair," He said, shooing them away.

Simon sat next to William. "Are you alright?"

They watched Blair and Steven start dancing to a song William vaguely recognized as a Beatles tune. "I'm okay. It's just, sometimes they surprise the hell out of me."

"I know what you mean. You know they love you, but hearing them voice it..." Simon's voice trailed off.

William blinked the tears away. "It means everything. Everything."

Simon patted William's thigh. "Yeah, it does."

They watched their combined family silently for a moment, when William broke out in laughter. "Look at Blair."

Blair was dancing around Steven having just learned to shake his booty. Said booty, tiny as it was-was shaking wildly to the music coming from the radio.

Simon chuckled. "That little guy's got rhythm. I'll give him that."

Twenty minutes later found them scattered all over the house. Sally declaring she had danced enough and was going to make dinner. Michael, offering to help, left with her. Daryl and Simon had gone off to the store for Sally. William declaring he was too old to dance anymore went off to take a nap till dinner. Even Wofie had jumped ship, following Sally and Michael out of the bedroom.

Jim was stretched out on the floor trying to catch his breath. Steven and Blair were the only ones still dancing.

"So, Blair, do you like the new house?"

Blair nodded his little hands around Steven's neck as they swayed together. "Yups.'

"Yeah me, too. Do you think Jim'll let you go swimming in the pool with me tomorrow?"

Blair looked over to where Jim lay on the floor, eyes closed. "Don't know. Maybes."

"No. Not unless I'm there to keep watch," Jim replied, without opening his eyes.

"Wow, good hearing."

"Sentinel here, dweeb."

Steven rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever, Watchman."

"Don't roll your eyes at me. I already told you, you're going to go blind doing that."

Steven looked over at Jim in astonishment. His eyes were still closed. "How did you do that?"

"I'm a Sentinel."

"Arrogant, much?" Steven said in disgust. "You get any more of a swollen head you won't be able to fit in the door."

"That's what you're for. You'll make sure I don't get to big for my britches," Jim told him, still not opening his eyes.

"Oh, yeah, like I don't have anything better to do with my life," Steven said sarcastically.

"Tell me you don't like telling me off."

"That's beside the point. I don't want to make it my life's career."

Jim smiled. "But you get such joy out of it."

Steven chuckled. "Sure as heck do," He replied, twirling Blair around fast.

"Wow!" The little Guide said, swallowing heavily.

"You make Blair throw up, you're cleaning it."

Jim still hadn't opened his eyes. "Quit doing that," Steven complained.

"Quit spinning Blair so fast."

Steven thought the best thing to do was ignore the whole conversation. "I'm thirsty. Are you guys thirsty? How 'bout some soda. It's an hour till dinner, maybe Sally would even let us have some cookies."

"I could use a drink. And by Blair nodding his head up and down the way he is, I think he agrees."

Jim eyes were still closed. "I really, really hate you, Watchman," Steven hissed, half-heartedly. Jim was starting to use his Sentinel abilities more and more and it was exciting to watch. No matter how much Steven complained about it.

"Yeah, yeah, I love you to distraction, too."

"Better watch that kinda talk, could get you labeled a sissy, sissy boy."

"Whatever. Weren't you going to get sodas and cookies?"

"I'm going. I'm going."

Jim listened to Steven make his way down the stairs grumbling and growling the whole way. He was chuckling softly, when a solid weight landed on his chest.

"Oof!" He opened startled, blue eyes to see his happy, little Guide staring down at him.

"Hey, Baby," Jim said softly, stroking the baby-soft skin of Blair's face. The little Guide looked down at him, cheeks flushed pink from his exertions; his beautiful, curly hair sticking out in every direction possible. He as going to have to talk to Dad about taking Blair to Mr. Beans for a haircut.

"Hi, Jim," Blair said shyly.

The young Sentinel smiled up at him. "Did you have fun?"

A curly head nodded up and down excitedly. "Lots and lots."

"I'm glad. You're all sweaty. You're going to need a bath before dinner."

Blair perked up. "Bath?"

"Yup. You're smelling a little ripe."

Blair tilted his head slightly as he contemplated his Sentinel. He gave Jim a mischievous look. "Jim?"

That look should have set off warning bells, but Jim didn't see it, too busy trying to pat Blair's curly hair down into some resemblance of order. "Yeah, Baby?"

"Jim ripes, too."

Jim closed his eyes tightly, silently cussing a blue streak. Not wanting his ass kicked by a little Guide who hated cussing with a passion. But he'd blindly walked right into that one. "I...I am?"

Blair nodded his head solemnly, blue eyes twinkling. He had his Sentinel and he knew it. "Jim needs bath too."

"I...I could take a shower after dinner."

All hope was lost when Blair shook his curly head. "Nope."

"N...nope?"

"Huh-huh. Nope. Bath now."

"B...but..."

"Nows," Blair said, expecting immediate compliance.

And getting it as the Sentinel smiled up at his little Guide. "Alright, Baby. Bath now. But Blair, could I get one thing first?" The little Guide tilted his head to the side questioningly. "Could I get a hug?"

Blair gave him a brilliant smile. "Silly Jim. Can always gets hugs." Wrapping his tiny arms around as much of his Sentinel as he could.

"Hmm," Jim said contently, holding Blair close. "You give the best hugs in the whole world. Baby?"

"Hmm?"

"Could we stay like this for a little while before you gimme a bath?"

Blair's only answer was to make himself more comfortable on top of his Sentinel. Laying his head on Jim's shoulder with a tiny sigh.

Jim buried his face in Blair's curly hair, purring contently, he closed his eyes.

Ten minutes later Steven came back into the bedroom to find Jim and Blair sound asleep on the floor. He placed the sodas and plate of cookies on the nearest nightstand.

Smiling, he covered them with a blanket, before arranging the pillows on their bed. Leaning against headboard, with the plate of cookies on his tummy, soda nearby. Steven contently watched over his brothers as they slept.

The end.

Thank the author! Back to index!

Acknowledgement: Beta'd by sister, Anna. All final errors are mine-with apologies. Thanks go to Patt for the really cute cover art.