Only Time
By: Amy "AnnieO" Hanna

              Dedicated to Lissy, who's words inspired me one night. Love you Twin!!!

  There was no one else there, yet the room teemed with life around them, eyes watched as they rose and with graceful unhurried steps made for the small, unoccupied floor as the soft music wrapped itself around them. He held her close. She succumbed to his embrace. As one they moved, gracefully…as time stood still.

Who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...

  They swayed against each other, eyes locked together. His deep blue, hers like the sky. Both oblivious to those who stood witness to this silent dance.

  She’s perfect, he thought to himself. The one thing that makes me feel complete. A gentle hand touched his cheek. He closed his eyes and remembered the feel of her lips against his, the touch of her body, the sweet smell of her hair. How did I find you? He returned the caress upon her own soft cheek.

  She felt as if she was melting in his arms, so warm…so safe…so loving. She watched as he closed his eyes, and for a second her heart skipped a beat at the sight. With a shaking, tender hand she touched his face. He’s perfect, she thought to herself. The part of my life that was missing. She sighed as she felt his warm hand upon her cheek. It felt right, being enclosed in the man’s arms. Nothing could hurt her as long as he was there. You’re my knight.

Who can say why your heart sighs,
As your love flies?
Only time...

  They moved as one, the music encompassing them with its notes. He pulled her closer, she didn't resist. He smiled, she smiled. Both lost in the other. He reached out. Her hair felt like silk sliding through his fingers. She sighed, her own hands caressing the nape of his neck.

  Your so strong. So full of life. He thought as he ran a hand through her hair. You always know what to say and when to say it. He smiled to himself. I don't think I would have survived if not for you.

  She twined her fingers through his hair, her heart beating in time with the music. You're my strength, my will. She felt him sigh at her caresses. You always listen, always understand. She lay her head on his chest, his heart pulsing steadily beneath her cheek. I don't think I would have survived without you.

And who can say why your heart cries,
When your love dies?
Only time...

  Moonlight cascading around them. A gentle breeze sending the sweet smells of spring into the room. Her gown, the color of ivory, twirled around her as they moved. Her skin glowed like porcelain under the light of the moon. His uniform, blue like the ocean, perfectly fit. His skin like copper, awash in moonlight.

  What would I do if I lost you? He thought as the music caressed him. The part of me that I hold more dear than my own life. He shuddered at the very thought. She glanced up, He felt weak at the look on her face. Nothing will happen. I won't let it.

  She felt the shudder, she caught the slight glint of fear in his eyes. What are you thinking? She leaned forward, pulling his face to hers. A tender touch, a gentle kiss. His tension gone. No more dark thoughts or nightmares. I'm here.

  A sudden chill swept up his spine...a shadow loomed in the night.

  He held her tighter...

Who can say when the roads meet,
That love might be,
In your heart.

  Another room, this one flooded with the harsh light of the lamps. No music caressed his mind or body. His arms painfully empty. His body trapped...useless. Pain rather than joy assaulted his senses. He screamed silently, his mind alone...his heart dead.

  Gone?! He cried, yet no tears came from his blue eyes. You can't be...I won't let you! He clutched to the memory. Don't leave me. I can't do this alone. He reached out, his fingers searching the air about him. I need you!

  He fought, trying to keep the memory from escaping. The dance...the music. Her eyes looking into his. Her hair, like silk running through his fingers, her skin...so soft. Her smile, so perfect, like an angel. He reached...he cried out from his very soul.

  Silence...

And who can say when the day sleeps,
the moon still keeps on moving
If the night keeps all your heart?
Night keeps all your heart...

  The music played. She danced. He ran towards her. She danced. The music played, a teasing melody, urging him...pushing him on. He ran. She turned and smiled. He ran. She waved. He reached. His fingers found only empty air. He screamed.

  She danced...

  You can't! He pushed himself forward, fighting against the currents of his mind. Please, I can't live without you! He fell. She stood just out of reach. Her arms open...inviting. He reached, his fingers only inches from her own. She smiled, for a moment, then she turned...swayed as the music played.

  She danced...

Who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...

  She fought. A battle against the invisible wall that kept her from reaching him. Her heart froze as he moved away. The music was impossible to ignore, he moved in time with it against his will. She watched. He danced.

Wait, please don't go! Her voice sounded as if screamed from a distance, even to her own ears. I can't make it without you! She ran. He danced. He turned and smiled. She reached. He reached. Both only inches from the other, but it seemed as if a universe separated them. She screamed.

  He danced...

  No! Please! She begged, pleaded with him. He stood, just out of reach, his arms open...inviting. I can't do this alone! She ran. He stood. She fell. He turned. She cried...

  He danced...

And who can say where the road goes,
Where the day flows?
Only time...

  There was no one else. The room empty except for a lone figure. He stood, placing his hand on the glass that separated them. His heart cried at the sight of her. She slept, her eyes, blue like the sky, closed. Her hair, like silk, locked away from his hands. Her skin, like porcelain, lifeless. He watched, waiting for the sight of those eyes, the feel of her hair, the softness of her skin. The dim lights seemed to reflect off the glass, as moonlight off a pond. He waited. He knew. He cried a single tear.

  Forgive me. He begged his mind pleading for her voice to answer him. I failed you. I couldn't protect you. He turned, thinking he heard a voice. Nothing...empty...alone. I tried. I am nothing without you.

  He moved, backing away from her. His eyes still pleading for a single wish. Come back to me. In his mind he heard her. Laughing, smiling, she was there. He could see her, smell her, touch her. A dream... He told himself. That's all that’s left. A dream. He turned. The lights dimmed. He stopped. He turned back to her. I love you...

  Silence...

Who knows?
Only time...

  A soft melody...two figures...swaying in time to the music. Neither one touching the other, yet they moved together. Moonlight cascading around. They turned, moving towards one another. He reached. She reached. Only inches apart, yet no closer could they get. The music played...

  He danced...

  She danced...

  Alone....as time stood still.

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