Wearing grey sweatpants and a matching T-shirt, Jorane stood in the cellar of her house doing laundry. In her mind's eye, she saw herself sitting in the chair in Ileana's living room, the singer kneeling in front of her and gently stroking her cheek.

"Whatever happens, I am with you..." the blonde muttered to herself, lost in thought. Reaching for the next piece of cloth to put it into the washing machine,she noticed it wasn't one of her T-shirts but one of Ileana's tops trimmed with many tiny colored pearls. She leaned her back against the machine and stared at it, her fingers running over the white cotton and a heavy sigh escaped her throat.

Slowly, Jorane slid down until she was sitting on the cold stone floor, and rubbed her cheek against the piece of cloth. "Oh, Ileana," she whispered into the silence of the cellar. "What have you done to me..."

Her nose picked up the singer's sweet smelling perfume. She sat there for a while with her eyes closed. A great battle was taking place in her innermost being between her head and her heart.One was practically screaming at her to trust Ileana, to open up to her and to finally tell her the truth about her own feelings.

She felt a slight pressure against her leg and looked down. Attila had come downstairs and now sat next to her, rubbing his head gently against her thigh and purring.

Jorane smiled, placed the shirt aside and let the tomcat climb into her lap where he writhed and stretched as the blonde patted his fur. "Hey, my cute buddy. Did you feel a bit lonely upstairs?"

He sat up and looked at her with his blue eyes that reminded Jorane so much of Ileana's. "Shall I tell you something? Your mistress has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen."

The tomcat meowed and she tickled him beneath the chin. He seemed to enjoy that immensely and purred even louder.

"Just what am I to do, Attila? Ileana says again and again that she loves me and that she's always going to be there for me. I so want to believe her. But there was someone who told me the same things, and it turned out to be a bitter disappointment. After all, who would want a cripple?"

Attila snuggled closer to her.

"But maybe its time to get over the fear before I live the rest of my life in loneliness."

The tomcat purred contently, wanting the gentle patting to never cease.

"It might be all too late now, anyway. Ileana hasn't been here often in the last few days. We didn't talk much. And I have not seen her today either." She glanced at her watch. "Hmm... three minutes to 8p.m... did I miss something important today?"

Jorane rose with some difficulty and Attila protested loudly as his warm pillow was taken from beneath him. "Calm down, you little bawler."

Slowly, she climbed the stairs and went to the kitchen to look at the calendar. Indeed, today's date was surrounded by a big red circle, stating, 'David's move'.

Jorane slapped her forehead. "Oh, I totally forgot about that. David is moving into his new apartment today. I still don't know why he wants to live in a skyscraper in the midst of the loud city of all places, but if he likes it then that's fine with me. And now I also know why Ileana isn't here, since she and her dancers promised to help David."

Nervously nibbling her bottom lip, she opened a drawer and pulled out the notepad. She opened it and stared at the scrawled letters in David's handwriting. "The new address... if I just...it takes about an hour by taxi..."

Jorane exhaled sharply and made a decision.

*********************************************************************

David took a contented look around his new apartment after letting the dancers out. They had worked hard all day. Ileana sat exhausted between some brown cardboard boxes, wiping sweat of her forehead. "Oh, God," she groaned in pain. "My poor arms are about to fall off. If I want to help willingly the next time you move, please, hold me back."

He chuckled and lowered his tired body to his bed. "At least you don't have to work out today. Moving furniture and my other stuff saved you from it."

Ileana smiled weakly. "I'm completely worn out. I bet I'll be able to feel that in my bones the whole of next week."

"Ask Jorane. I'm sure she wouldn't mind taking care of you a bit, or kissing your boo boo's," the young man answered matter-of-factly and went to the kitchen.

"If only," the singer mumbled sadly.

Meanwhile, Jorane had reached the skyscraper. "Wow,this thing is big."

The doorman, a friendly middle-aged man, opened the glass door for her and let her in. "Good evening, ma'am. Whom do you wish to visit?"

"David Turner."

"Ah, the young man who moved in today. Would you like me to call up and tell him that you're here?"

"No, thank you." Jorane grinned. "I want it to be a surprise."

The doorman smiled back. "Yes, ma'am. You can find him on the 17th floor. Apartment 1703."

"Thank you very much and have a great evening," she said before heading to the elevators.

"The same to you, ma'am." he called after her.

Jorane turned around once more and sent him a smile before pressing the big silver button for the elevator.

David returned with two cans of Coca-Cola and saw Ileana sniffing at her T-shirt before her eyes crossed and her face contorted in disgust.

"Hey, you wanna take a shower before going home?"

The singer nodded. "That would be great. Do you have something clean to wear I could borrow? Wouldn't make any sense wear the same smelly clothes after the shower."

"Yeah, sure." He rummaged through a box for some sweatpants and an XL T-shirt. "But it's going to be a bit big on you."

"That doesn't matter, as long as they don't smell." Gratefully, she took the clean bundle of clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

"Towels are in a box there. Take a look, I wrote it on the box!" he yelled after her.

With a "Bling" the elevator doors opened and Jorane stepped inside. She was so excited that her heart beat a mile a minute and her palms started to sweat. "It's now or never. I'm going to tell her."

David sat down on his bed and pulled at the cold can's metal clip. It hissed and brown fluid came shooting out, spraying his shirt, jeans and bedsheets. "Argh, damn it!" he cursed as he saw the mess. "Which stupid idiot shook the damn cans? Shit!"

In the elevator, Jorane was rehearsing the words she wanted to say to Ileana in order to finally confess her love. "Okay... it can't be that hard, can it? I walk up to her, take her hand and say, Ileana, I love you." Nervously, she ran a slightly trembling hand through her short hair.

"Bling"

"Seven more floors... I can do it...It's very easy...Just say, Ileana, I love you..."

"Bling"

"Four little words. I know I can do it!"

"Bling"

"Five more floors..." Jorane closed her eyes tightly and inhaled sharply. "Just don't panic."

"Bling"

David gathered the soiled sheets and took off his shirt, which was covered with brown, sticky spots.

The elevator doors slid open and Jorane stepped on to the seventeenth floor. At a leisurely pace, she walked along the thickly carpeted corridor. As she reached the door with number 1703, she extended a shaking hand and turned the silver knob. Cautiously, she entered the apartment and saw David putting fresh sheets on his bed, his upper body bare. His shirt lay in a lump beside the bed.

"David?"

Astonished, David looked up from his task. "Jorane? Hey, now this is a surprise! What are you doing here?" He blushed because he was very embarrassed that his best friend saw the mess.

"I wanted..." Jorane began.

At that moment, Ileana returned from the bathroom. Her beaming smile lit up the whole room as she recognized the small blonde. "Jorane!"

Jorane was paralysed and her eyes widened as she saw that the singer wore David's clothes. Her eyes wandered from Ileana, whose hair was still wet from the recent shower, to the half naked David, who blushed even brighter and finished the messy bed. She felt as if a dagger had been stabbed into her heart and tears filled her eyes. "Well, I guess I was too late," she uttered.

Ileana and David looked at each other, frowning. "What do you mean?" Both were obviously confused.

Jorane roughly wiped her tears away before looking again at Ileana. "I hope you will be happy now. Do svidaniya, Ileana." She turned on her heel and stormed out as fast as her wounded leg allowed it. The tears rolled hotly over her pale cheeks as she stumbled to the elevator.

"Goodbye? Why goodbye? I hope you will be happy now? What did she mean by, 'I guess I was too late'?" Completely flabbergasted, Ileana looked at David, who was also having trouble processing what was going on. But then it hit her. "She thinks that you and I..." The singers eyes flew open and she ran after the fleeing blonde. "JORANE, WAIT!"

Ileana saw her disappearing into the elevator and managed to squeeze in shortly before the doors closed.

Sobbing, the younger woman crouched in a corner of the moving elevator. The sight nearly broke Ileana's heart. She squatted next to her and took a small hand in hers "Jorane..."

But the other woman pulled back, retreating further. "Please, just leave me alone." It came out strangled.

The singer was persistent and craddled the crying face of her beloved, making the blonde look at her. "Jorane, whatever you think you saw..."

At that moment, the elevator lurched and came to a halt. Ileana lost her balance and fell onto Jorane, her head colliding painfully with the metal wall. The lights went off, plunging both women into darkness.

Somewhat dizzy, Ileana rubbed her forhead gingerly. "Uh, that's going to be a nice lump soon." She rolled of Jorane's trembling body, who started to wheeze and gasp for breath.

Ileana's heart clenched. She knew the symptoms and also what would follow. "Okay, okay, keep calm," she told herself.

In the dark, she found Jorane and pulled her towards her, placing the blonde head in her lap. She held her cold clammy hands and tried to soothe her. "Jorane, everything is going to be fine... Breathe easy. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you."

Desperately, the blonde held onto Ileana's hands but the panic attack was on its way and her body began to spasm.

Then, the singer remembered something. She reached into one of the sweatpants' big pockets and took out the large candy bag. She always carried some sweets with her because she had such a sweet tooth. "Thank God I took that with me when I changed clothes." Impatiently, she ripped it open and emptied the bag of wrapped cherry candies on the floor. She narrowed the plastic bag's opening and placed it over Jorane's lips.

The bag rustled with each sharp breath, expanding and deflating quickly. Ileana ran gentle fingertips across Jorane's sweaty forehead. "Easy, darling, breathe easy. Everything is okay. I'm here with you. I always will."

The bag, combined with the gentle stroking and the soothing words, helped and eventually, Jorane's rapid breathing grew more normal. Her body slowly stopped shaking.

Ileana had no idea how much time had passed since they had been trapped in the elevator.

"What... where are we?" The halting words of her beloved shook her out of her thoughts.

"Shhhh, darling." Ileana placed her hands under Jorane's armpits and pulled her up, until she sat between the brunette's long legs, her back resting against Ileana's chest.

"Did I have another attack?" the blonde asked in a small voice.

Ileana wrapped her arms around Jorane's hips, holding her tightly. "Yes. The elevator stopped. Seems we lost power."

"Something landed on top of me and pressed me to the floor..." Jorane tried to come to terms with what had happen.

"Uh, I guess that was me," the singer explained. "Sorry about that, but the sudden lurch..."

"For a moment, I was back in that night. When I was trapped in the car for hours until the rescue party found me and got me out. I couldn't feel my leg while the rest of my body hurt like hell. Oh, God, it was so horrible... I could see Mortimer... bent over the steering wheel... blood dripping from him as he took his last breaths..."

Ileana just held her, stroking the short hair while Jorane bared her soul and her pain.

The emergency light came on, bathing the elevator in a dim red glow.

"Oh, great!" the singer exclaimed and jumped to her feet. "Finally, I can see the emergency button, we can call for help." She pressed the button and spoke into the small mike next to the speaker. "Hello? Hello? Is there anybody, who can hear me? We're trapped in the elevator!" Ileana listened but there was no answer.

"Wonderful!" she spat sarcastically. She lowered herself next to Jorane. "Nobody's there, and I don't have my cellphone with me. It's still in my jeans in David's apartment. I remember the candies but forget the cellphone, great!" Angrily, she hit the carpeted floor with her palm. "It will take some time until they know that we're in here. But maybe that's good, too."

Jorane looked at her, wrinkling her forehead. "Oh, yeah? What the hell is good about this situation? Please, enlighten me."

Ileana grinned. "You can't run and hide if I want to talk with you."

Jorane quickly turned away. The longing shining from those blue eyes made her weak in the knees, and feelings rose inside her that she didn't want to confront. Especially not after what she had seen in David's apartment.

A slender hand turned her head back around. "What are you thinking right now?" Ileana asked, softly.

"That... uh... that I'm sorry for trapping you here with me and for spoiling your wonderful evening with David."

'She truly thinks there's something going on between David and I?' the singer thought to herself. "Why did you come here?" she prodded on.

Jorane sighed. "Because I wanted to tell you something," she answered in a small voice.

"Yes?"

Tortured, Jorane closed her eyes, while Ileana's thumb tenderly caressed her chin.
"I'm sure it wasn't to say 'do svidaniya', was it?" the brunette continued, when Jorane didn't say anything.

"It doesn't matter!" Jorane snapped, roughly pushing the hand off her chin. "It's too late, anyway."

"If it doesn't matter you can also tell me, since you came all the way here."

"Yes! And I regret it deeply, you can believe that!" Jorane shot back venomously and turned her back to Ileana. "I could have done without the scene upstairs!"

"Jorane, whatever conclusions you've drawn, from what you've seen earlier, are wrong."

"Yeah, sure," she retorted defiantly. "Tell that to someone who wants to know it. But don't worry, I won't disturb your next rendezvous with David."

Exasperated, Ileana rolled her eyes. "For your information, I just took a shower after having moved furniture all day. I borrowed some clothes from David so I wouldn't have to drive home smelly and sweaty. I have no idea what David was doing half naked in the living room with his sheets, but..." She turned the blonde to her, cupped her face and looked firmly into her eyes. "... I did NOT sleep with him. I love only you!"

Jorane stared at her. "You did not..."

"NO! I told you I prefer woman." Ileana insisted vehemently. "Damn it, Jorane. I told you again and again, I said it on TV in front of a whole nation. I love you! I'm not like Mortimer. I would never hurt you. David is a good friend, nothing more and nothing less. What else do I have to do that you will finally believe me?"

Jorane was still unable to answer. The thoughts whirled in her head and Ileana could clearly see on her face the inner battle Jorane fought with herself.

"Shall I get my butt tattooed? A big, red heart, stating 'I love Jorane'?" the singer asked smiling lovingly at her and caressed her cheek tenderly. "I'd do it, if that's what it takes to finally convince you."

Jorane shook her head and hugged Ileana tightly. "I'm... I'm sorry," she choked out.

Ileana stroked the head that was tucked under her chin.

"I'm so sorry that I'm so damn unsure, so scared and such a coward. But all the things you said ... somebody else already said them to me and then, she suddenly changed her mind."

The singer pricked up her ears. 'She? The reason for Jorane's trust issues is a woman?'

"She was the main reason why I wanted to break off my engagement with Mortimer."

"She?" Ileana quietly asked.

"Shannon Dellaware. I never told this to anyone. Not even David knows about it."

The singer tightened her embrace, placing a tiny kiss on Jorane's forehead. "Nobody will hear it from me," she promised.

Jorane swallowed hard. It demanded a lot of her but she finally confided in Ileana.

"She was a member of the riding club. Shannon was very attractive, you know- tall, dark hair, beautiful brown eyes. We used to talk, trained together and became friends. One day, we took our horses for a ride when it suddenly started to rain and we had to find some place to stay until the downpour was over. We found an old barn and... well, Shannon told me that she was in love with me. I told her she was crazy and she kissed me. This one kiss made me feel more than Mortimer ever could. Shannon and I saw each other every day and the feelings inside me became stronger and stronger, until I finally admitted to myself that I was in love with her, too. So, I decided to break up with Mortimer, and you know how that ended." Jorane shivered again as she remembered the horrible hours in the car.

Ileana's hands slid gently over her back, soothing the blonde. "And Shannon didn't love you anymore after the crash?"

"No," Jorane responded forlornly. "She came to visit me after the first of countless leg surgeries. I was so happy to see her. I thought together we would get through this. I truly believed that with Shannon at my side I could overcome all. But she said she couldn't love a cripple like me. She told me I was just a millstone around her neck and it would hinder her career if she had to take care of me. That was the last time I saw her."

"That bitch!" Ileana growled angrily.

"But she's right. Who would want a cripple?"

Ileana grabbed Jorane's arms, pushed her back a bit to look at her. "I don't want to hear that ever again. You are not a cripple!You are the woman I love with all my heart."

Jorane sighed. "You say that now. But what about in a few months? There are so many things I can't do because of my leg."

Ileana craddled her face in both hands. "In a few months, in a few years, it doesn't matter, I will still be madly in love with you. I don't care, even if you were bound to a wheel chair or had to be nursed because you would be unable to leave the bed. That doesn't change my feelings for you. It is not your handicap that makes you the person that you are, but this..."

Ileana placed a palm over Jorane's wildly pounding heart. "This makes you what you are. A great poet, one who can touch people deep inside with wonderful words. Your inner values make you the woman I love, and nothing will ever change that, okay?"

Jorane could only nod. Ileana's words moved her so much, she didn't know what to say.

"And if this Shannon Dellaware ever crosses my way, I will rub her nose in that she let the greatest, most beautiful woman of the known world slip through her fingers... before I kick her ass so hard it will send her flying to planet Pluto," the singer promised, grinning widely.

Jorane chuckled and leaned her forehead against Ileana's throat. "I'm so glad fate brought you to my doorstep," she confessed.

"Yes, thank god that David took the country road that day. Who knows who else would have picked me up and where I would be right now."

Silence fell and the women just held each other, relishing the embrace.

"Will you tell me now why you came all the way here? What's so important you needed to tell me right away and couldn't wait for me to get back home?"

With her heart pounding so hard she feared it would break through her chest, Jorane whispered, "I wanted to tell you that..." and again the courage left her and she cast her eyes down. 'Damn! Why can't I just say it? They're just four easy words!'

"Tell me, please, "Ileana whispered back.

When finally Jorane blurted it out so fast, the words blended together. "IleanaIloveyou."

But the brunette understood her well and felt her heart skip a beat only to resume pounding at a rapid speed. She had been waiting for so long to hear these words from her beloved. A wide grin spread across her face. She closed her eyes as Jorane's face came closer and their lips met in an incredibly, gentle kiss.

In the tender moment, the speaker over their heads crackled and their ears picked up David's tinny voice saying, "Girls,are you alright?"

Ileana jumped to her feet and pressed the button while Jorane stayed on the floor, completely dazed and with her eyes still shut. Her head was swimming with happiness.

"David! How much longer will it take to get us out of here?" Ileana demanded.

"I have no idea, but I guess at least another hour. We lost power but we are trying to find a guy who will rescue you from the elevator."

"Alright, we'll wait, since we have no other choice."

"Okay, till later."

The speaker was turned off.

"Another hour? Just what are we supposed to do the whole time to keep from going mad? Do you have a deck of cards in those big pockets ?" Jorane was a bit tense. Being trapped in small closed rooms for a long period of time made her very nervous.

"Sorry to disappoint you. I've only got some more cherry candies." Ileana waggled her eyebrows, leered playfully at the blonde and pulled her into her arms. "We could continue where David interrupted us, or..."

Jorane blushed brightly from the tip of her toes to the roots of her hair. "We could just talk," she cut the singer off quickly.

"Talk, huh? What would you like to know?" the singer said huskily into her ear and pleasant shivers ran down Jorane's back.

The blonde wracked her brain, trying to come up with something that would divert their attention to something else.She gasped when she felt Ileana's hot lips tracing her throat, "What...uh...what does 'Dyki Tantsi' mean?"

Looking at her with smouldering eyes, the singer replied, "You really want to know that?"

Jorane nodded, keenly.

Ileana bent her head forward until her lips were hovering only an inch from Jorane's, and whispered, "'Dyki Tantsi' means... Wild Dances."

Jorane's breath left her and her eyes closed as the singer bridged the last distance and their lips melted into a heated kiss.

*********************************************************************

Thundering applause broke out as the showmaster, Edward Granger, wearing an elegant suit, stepped onto the big stage. No seat in the hall was free. Many celebrities, not only those from the music business, had gathered for the Melody-Star Awards.

"Good evening, my dear ladies and gentleman!" he greeted the guests with a charming smile. The moderator beamed at the cameras as he walked to the middle of the stage, the booming cheers from the audience accompanying him. "Thank you! Welcome to this year's Melody-Star-Award show! My name is Edward Granger and it's a great honor to be your host tonight. Let me give you a short overview of what you can expect on the show this evening..."

Backstage, Ileana and her dancers were getting ready for their performance. The tall singer stood in front of a mirror and took a last, scrutinizing look at her outfit. After she had put on her necklaces, she took the leather belt that was trimmed with tiny metal studs and placed it over her short skirt and closed the big, gold buckle. Meanwhile, the others checked the correct fit of their leather clothes.

At last, Ileana slipped on her elbow-length metal studded leather gauntlets.

The moderator continued, "So, you can look forward to three hours of breathtaking singing and dance performances and, of course, you will see who will get a Melody-Star-Award this year! There are a lot of categories..."

Some last words of encouragement fell, then, the dancers reached for their whips, tambourines, long horns and put on their grey fur capes. Ileana took a deep breath before she guided her friends to the stage.

"And what would be better for such an evening than to start with some really bombastic music," the host announced. "The following artist knows how to combine the sounds of her home country with great dance music. That, together with a perfectly choreographed dance performance, will leave you wanting more."

Edward paused for dramatic effect. Then, he yelled into his microphone like an announcer at a boxing match, "Let's greet her with a good evening in her mother tongue, DOBRY VECHIR! Ileana and her dancers will now perform their new smash hit WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILD DAAAAAAAAAANCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!"

The cheering was deafening as the hall was cast into darkness for a moment. Then, one lonely spotlight illuminated the stage. Four of Ileana's dancers, wrapped in their fur capes, raised their long, narrow horns high and played the first notes. Heavy drum beats set up the song's base rhythm.

The dancers put the horns aside and removed their fur capes. Lights flashed and wildly dancing flames appeared on the big screen behind them as Ileana entered the stage followed by the rest of her troop, shouting, "Hey...Hey...Hey...Hey...", while playing their tambourines.

The enthusiastic audience was about to jump from their seats in excitement.

Ileana walked to the stage's edge and belted fervently into the microphone she held in her hand, "Just maybe I'm crazy...The world spins round and round and round..."

While the others danced around her, she threw seductive glances at the audience and the cameras, flirting with them. "Shi-di-ri-di-duy, shi-di-ri-di-da-na... shi-di-ri-di-duy, shi-di-ri-di-da-na..."

Ileana grinned, her eyes searching for Jorane among the guests. Their gazes locked and Jorane felt her heart skip a beat.

"I want you to want me as I dance...round and round and round..." The tall singer whirled across the stage, her long dark hair whipping untamed in every direction. "Shi-di-ri-di-duy, shi-di-ri-di-da-na... shi-di-ri-di-duy, shi-di-ri-di-da-na..." Ileana raised her left arm high. "Forever and ever go, go, go wild dancers!!!"

She and her four female dancers formed a V, the dark haired beauty in pole position. Their hips swayed to the music while two men danced around them. "Day-na-day-na, wanna be loved... Day-na, gonna take my wild chances... Day-na-day-na, freedom above...Day-na-da-na-day I'm wild'n'dancing!!!"

They broke the formation and now stood in one line. "Hey!" Fire columns shot from the stage's edge and the audience cheered and screamed in delight as Ileana and her dancers stomped their dance steps until the floor vibrated.

And again, the brunette singer had only eyes for Jorane, who sat spellbound in her seat. "Desire, inside two... My head spins... Round and round and round..." She rotated her head. "Shi-di-ri-di-duy, shi-di-ri-di-da-na... shi-di-ri-di-duy, shi-di-ri-di-da-na..."

The female dancers formed a semicircle in the background while the men creept closer to Ileana, ensnaring her. "I want you to want me... So I dance... Round and round and..." The singer shoved them both aside and they fell to the floor.

She raised an arm high, took two steps forward and belted into her microphone, "Heeeeeeeyyyyyy dan-day... Shi-di-ri-di-duy, shi-di-ri-di-da-na... Forever and ever go, go, go wild dancers!!!" The women gathered to the V formation again, while the guys whirled across the stage in wild tumbles.

"Day-na-day-na, wanna be loved... Day-na, gonna take my wild chances... Day-na-day-na, freedom above... Day-na-da-na-day, I'm wild'n'dancing!!!"

Once more, they stomped their leather boots. The men grabbed Ileana's legs and lifted her high over their heads. Now, the singer had a great view over the whole hall and everybody was staring at her open-mouthed as she roared, "He-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-ey!!!" while the other women danced around the trio.

She focused on Jorane's eyes among the crowd. "Dance forever, come and be mine..." The dancers brought her carefully back to the floor. "Dance together, till the end of time... Dance together go, go, go wild dancers!!!"

The reached for their whips and pulled them from their belts. Ileana switched the microphone from her right hand, which was now holding the whip, to her left hand. "Day-na-day-na, wanna be loved..." The short leather whips cut through the air and cracked to the rhythm of the music. "Day-na, gonna take my wild chances... Day-na-day-na, freedom above... Day-na-da-na-day I'm wild'n'dancing!!!"

They let go of the whips and stomped their last dance steps.

Shortly before the final drum beats sounded, the dancers threw themselves to the floor, pounding their fists rhythmically against the stage.

A rain of bright sparks shot from the stage's edge and the audience cheered in delight, awarding the performance a standing ovation and loud, "Encore," cries.

Grinning from one ear to the other, Ileana and her troop bowed and threw some kisses before disappearing backstage.

*********************************************************************

It was the last hour of the show and the last artist for this year was about to be awarded. Spellbound, the audience stared at the big screen where the nominees were shown.

The moderator looked up and anounced the name of every nominated artist. "And last, but not least, also nominated for 'Best Singing And Dancing' is Ileana Surienka!" All cameras were aimed at her and Ileana's face appeared on the screen.

She exchanged a tender smile with Jorane who sat next to her, before turning her blue eyes back to the stage.

Edward Granger whipped out a white envelope and very slowly, he removed the bright red seal. He pulled out the small card and read the golden letters, "And the winner is..." For dramatic effect, Edward paused and the crowd waited with bated breath.

"... ILEANA SURIENKA!!!"

The audience was unstoppable. They jumped cheering and clapping from their seats.

Beaming, Ileana hugged Jorane and went to the stage to accept her trophy. Standing ovations and deafening applause accompanied her on her way and the singer was overwhelmed.

The moderator greeted her with a big grin and embraced her. After trading some pecks to the cheek as was usual, Edward handed her the Melody-Star sculpture, a golden mermaid sitting on a stone and holding a star shaped jewel in her raised hand.

Ileana looked at her prize for a second, then she bent down to the microphone to give her speech under the non-ending cheers and cries of delight from the crowd. "To tell you the truth, I really don't know what to say. I'm happy beyond anything to have won this award and that you like my music so much and..."

Again, the singer was drowned out by the cheering audience.

Ileana waited for a minute and then continued, "The list of people who deserve my thanks is so very long that it would probably take hours to name them all.That's why I'm narrowing it down a bit. I'd like to thank my management and my fans, my family and my friends who supported me in so many ways. David, I hope you can hear me now. Thanks, big buddy, for leading me to the love of my life!" Her blue eyes fell on Jorane and she sent the small blonde an adoring smile.

Deeply touched, Jorane felt tears gathering in her eyes.

Ileana grinned wildly at the crowd and declared, "Okay, that was all. Thanks to everybody!" She lifted the Melody-Star high in the air and roared powerfully into the microphone, "GO! GO! GO, WILD DANCERS!"

Accompanied by loud applause and spraying sparkly fountains, she left the stage with her trophy and went to her changing room.

Countless flower bouquets, fan presents and the rest of her troop were waiting for her there. The dancers greeted her with a group hug. "We did it guys! We really did it! Now we are playing in the first league, so to speak."

Their little party was interrupted by a knock. Alexej, one of the dancers, opened the door. "Yippee! More fan presents!"

"Don't get so excited," Ileana mentioned, smiling. "It's for me, anyway." As soon as these words left her mouth, Jorane entered.

Ileana couldn't suppress a big grin in the direction of the visibly disappointed dancer. "See? What did I tell you?"

Everybody laughed, only Jorane seemed a bit confused. "Did I miss something?"

The singer shook her head and spread her arms wide to welcome her beloved.

"Oh, no!" Alexej exclaimed in mock torture. "Let's leave quickly. It's going to get schmaltzy real soon."

Ileana just poked her tongue at him and embraced Jorane firmly. "You're just envious."

"Yeah, that's right. Not only do you get all the fan presents, but also the cute girls. That's truly unfair, you know? Anyway, we are going to leave you two lovebirds alone," he declared and left the changing room with the others. But before he closed the door behind him, he called over his shoulder, "Have fun, be nice kids and don't do anything naughty I wouldn't do too!"

Ileana grabbed a stuffed toy from the nearby table and threw it after him. Alexej ducked and the small tiger sailed over his head. "Missed me!" Grinning triumphantly, he pulled the door shut behind him.

Jorane's head rested on Ileana's chest and the singer leaned her chin against the blonde head. She pulled the small woman even closer and gently stroked her back while rocking their bodies tenderly from side to side.

"How do you feel being a Melody-Star-Award winner?" Jorane teased.

Ileana grinned. "Simply overwhelmed. I wouldn't have thought it possible to win. But, it's great to know they like my music."

Jorane's fingertips danced over the smooth, warm naked skin of the singer's lower back, a place that had been left bare because of the brunette's short leather top.

Relishing the arousing caress, the dark haired beauty closed her eyes and whispered into a small ear, "Your touch is driving me totally crazy."

A week had gone by since Jorane's confession and their kiss in the elevator. Ileana longed to feel Jorane completely. But she didn't want to push her so, she left the next step to the blonde.

Jorane chuckled. "I drive you crazy? Do you want me to stop?"

"No, do whatever you want."

Jorane continued with the tender caress. "Whatever I want,no matter what? How about this?" she asked and placed a tiny kiss against Ileana's throat.

"Mhhhhh." Ileana's fingers slid into blonde hair to cup the back of Jorane's head.

Jorane hugged Ileana tighter. "What you said during your speech, did you mean it?"

"Could you be a bit more specific? I can't seem to remember so well."

The blonde blushed, her heart pounding out of control, as she stuttered, "T-That D-David h-helped you t-to f-find the l-love of your l-life?"

Ileana cradled Jorane's face, gazing deeply into her eyes. "Yes. And she is standing right in front of me."

"That's... that's good to know... because... because..." Jorane couldn't find the words to express what she was feeling in this moment. Sometimes it was better to say nothing at all and let actions speak for themselves.

Ileana was caught of guard and her eyes widened as she suddenly felt Jorane's silky lips brushing across her own. She surrendered willingly and let the blonde explore her mouth.

They parted, breathless, but maintained the tight embrace. "I never felt so much for anyone than I do for you, Ileana."

"Is that good or bad?" the singer gasped, still trying to get her breathing under control.

"Good, definitely good," the blonde affirmed her answer. "Can we go home soon?"

"Are you not curious about the after show party?"

"Do we have to go there? I don't know what I'm supposed to do at the party. I can't dance anyway," Jorane said sadly.

Ileana felt her heart clench at the words and again, she cursed Mortimer in her mind for everything he had done to hurt her beloved. She tried to cheer her up a bit. "There are going to be a lot of celebrities. Just imagine how many signed autographs you could get in one hour."

"I don't care. I only want to be with you."

"Okay." The singer pressed a tender kiss to Jorane's temple. She smiled at her love. "Let's go home."

*********************************************************************

After changing into a comfortable pair of jeans and a button down shirt, Jorane sat on the couch in her living room, holding the Melody-Star-Award in her hands and inspecting the sculpture from every angle.

Ileana, who had also changed into something more comfortable entered carrying some drinks. She placed the glasses on the low table and took a seat beside Jorane. "Looks beautiful, huh?" she asked.

Jorane just nodded, never taking her eyes off the golden trophy.

Faced with the crushed expression on the blonde's face, Ileana wrinkled her forehead. She leaned forward and lifted Jorane's chin to look at her. She felt a sharp pain slicing through her heart as she saw tears glistening in those beautiful eyes. "Jorane, what's wrong?"

The smaller woman just shook her head and turned away.

Ileana didn't let up and pursued, "Come on, darling. Please, talk to me. What's bothering you?" An hour ago everythig had been fine and Ileana wondered what could have happened to make Jorane so sad. "Is it me? Did I do something or have I said something to hurt you?"

Jorane whirled back around. "No! It's... it's... argh, damn it!" She hid her face in her hands.

Ileana pulled her into her lap, wrapping her arms around Jorane tightly. "Please, tell me."

"I'm acting silly. I'm sorry. Just forget it and don't let it spoil our evening," the blonde mumbled against her throat.

Ileana stroked her blonde hair. "If it makes you cry it has to be something serious. Please, love, you know you can tell me everything. Talk to me, please." She placed a kiss on the smaller woman's forehead.

Jorane sighed. "It's really silly."

"Let me decide that and tell me in spite of it, hm?"

Jorane leaned her head against Ileana's chest and intertwined their fingers. Hesitatingly, she began to tell what was burning in her soul. "Tonight, as I saw you on stage... so wild and free... the epitome of Wild Dances... I... I only had one wish. I wanted... I wanted to leap on the stage to join you and dance with you."

Ileana hugged Jorane tighter. "You like the song that much?"

The blonde nodded. "Just once, I would like to dance to it with you. But I can't because... because of my damn..." She motioned to her disabled leg.

"Shhhh. I know," Ileana soothed.

Silence fell for a moment as the women just held each other. Jorane buried her free hand in Ileana's raven mane. Playing with the dark strands, she closed her eyes in contentment. She thought the singer had fallen asleep until Ileana whispered into her ear, "Did you know that there is a second part to 'Wild Dances'?"

Surprised, Jorane looked at her. "Indeed?"

Ileana nodded and smiled. "Yes." Slowly, she trailed one gentle fingertip over Jorane's cheek down to her rosy lips, making the blonde shiver. "So, would you like to dance with me?" she asked, still smiling tenderly.

Jorane averted her eyes. "Ileana, you know I can't..."

The singer's soft lips against her own stopped any further protest and a sigh of pleasure escaped the blonde's chest. The kiss went on for moments, growing in intensity. They parted breathlessly and Ileana gasped, "Yes or no?"

Jorane thought about it for a second, then nodded. "I still don't know how, but okay."

"Great." The singer placed another sweet kiss on her lips before getting the music to accomplish her mission. Jorane's eyes followed her every move as the dark haired beauty placed the CD in the player, searched for the correct track and pressed the play button when she had found it.

Smouldering blue eyes met equally blazing green ones as the first notes drifted from the speakers. Drums beat a rhythm similar to a human heart pounding. Jorane felt her excitement growing as Ileana came closer, her eyes never leaving the blonde's gaze.

Horns and violins sounded and then, Ileana added her beautiful voice, " He-e-e-e-e-y!"

She was now right in front of Jorane.She extended her hands for the blonde to take them. Carefully, Jorane took the hands in her own and rose from her seat. Ileana guided her gently to the middle of the room, mindful of her hurt leg. Smiling at her, she lifted Jorane's hands to wrap them around her neck. "I am your dream tonight..." She pulled her closer until they were belly against belly. "The one that you can't fight..."

Jorane's breathing and heart rate increased while she stared into electrifying blue eyes.

"The stars are clear and bright..."

One hand traveled down the back of her jean-clad thigh and lifted it. "And I will dance for you all night..."

Jorane's other thigh was grabbed and pulled up. The singer swept her into her strong arms and the blonde wrapped her legs as tightly as she could around the singer's waist. Jorane gasped as she felt the heat of Ileana's body through their thin shirts.

Ileana bent her head down until her lips hovered over a small ear and continued singing. "Tell me have you ever been to magic land..." Goosebumps rose all over Jorane's body as the warm breath met her tender skin.

Ileana placed a small kiss against the lobe and Jorane intertwined her fingers in the dark hair, cupping the back of her head. "Tell me have you ever seen the magic dance..."

Ileana's hands slid down Jorane's back, gripping firm buttocks to hold her tighter to her own body."He-e-e-e-e-y..."

Jorane's eyes closed, her heart sped up even more and seemed to be out of control. Ileana sang the chorus while dancing and whirling across the room with her precious bundle in her arms, "Go, go, go wild dancers! Na na na na na na na... Go wild dancers! Na na na na na na na... Go, go, go wild dancers! Na na na na na na na... Go wild dancers! Na na na na na na na... Go, go!"

Then she stopped and just swayed her hips to the rhythm of the music. A warm hand slid underneath Jorane's shirt, fingertips dancing across her tight stomach muscles that twitched at the tender touch, before it wandered over the side to her back. Ileana sang huskily into her ear, "I know this all is new..."

Jorane didn't know what turned her on more, Ileana's voice or her tender touch.

"It may look strange to you..." The hand on her back reached the clasp of her bra and Jorane moaned, arching her back and throwing her head back. "Tonight each move is true..." Ileana's mouth found the silky smooth skin of Jorane's throat. Her tongue came out and tasted the wildly beating pulse point.

She felt the smaller woman trembling in her arms, her own desire grew with each passing second. "Whatever we will do..." Still supporting Jorane with one strong arm, her left hand slid to the back of Jorane's neck and guided the blonde's lips to her own. "Tell me have you ever been to magic land...Tell me have you ever seen the magic dance...", she whispered against the silky skin. She laid a small kiss upon Jorane's lips. Jorane tightened the grip she had on long, dark hair and slid her tongue into Ileana's mouth to explore the hot cavern.

The singer's eager hands travelled to Jorane's jeans and opened the button and the zipper while Jorane stared deeply into fiery blue eyes.Panting for breath, Jorane's nimble fingers fumbled to open the buttons of Ileana's shirt. Ileana's heart pounded wildly and her voice broke several times as she tried to sing the chorus. "He-e-e-e-e-y! Go, go, go wild dancers!"

Jorane rocked her hips against the singer's body and it took all of Ileana's will power to just continue with her song instead of taking the other woman to her bedroom. "Na na na na na na na... Go wild dancers! Na na na na na na na..." The dark haired beauty closed her eyes as Jorane was breathing harshly into her ear, sending shivers down her spine.

One of her hands slid under the waistband of Jorane's jeans, gently caressing a well rounded buttock, making the blonde moan in pleasure. Never in her life had Jorane imagined that dancing could feel so good. "Go, go, go wild dancers! Na na na na na na na... Go wild dancers! Na na na na na na na... Go go!" Ileana felt her legs buckle and she went down on her knees.

Keeping Jorane on her lap, she cupped her face, gazing tenderly at her soon to be lover. "Come on... Let's bring on the fire..." Her heart missed a beat or two as she saw her own want reflected in pools of deep green. "In the night of desire..." Her fingertips began to caress smooth cheeks, Jorane mirroring the gentle touch. "I can read what's on your mind..." Ileana threw her head back, and Jorane took the chance to bury her face against the newly exposed skin of her throat. "And it's making me wi-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ild!"

The rest of the song went on without the addition of Ileana's singing because the small blonde drew her head down and claimed her lips in a fiery kiss. Their tongues met, swirled around each other and battled for control. Hands slid beneath shirts, trying to touch as much warm skin as possible. Heavy breathing and moans of pleasure filled the room.

Ileana released the soft lips in front of her and leaned her forehead against the blonde's. "Oh love, we have to stop... please..."

Jorane stroked her face. "Why? It feels so good..."

"I know, believe me I know, but if we don't stop now, I won't be able to restrain myself much longer and I..."

The blonde rubbed their noses together while gazing into deep blue eyes burning with desire and love just for her. "Ileana?"

"Yes?" Ileana's lips were swollen from the passionate kisses they had exchanged.

Jorane took a deep breath before saying, "Take me to bed. Make love to me."

The singer just sat there stunned.

"Please, I want you so much", Jorane begged, never ceasing the gentle stroking of the brunette's face.

"Are... are you sure?"

"Yes," came the blonde's reply before taking the singer's breath away with another fiery kiss.

That was answer enough and Ileana carried the smaller woman to the bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. She switched on the small lamp on the nightstand, bathing the room in warm, golden light.

Jorane reached out and pulled her down on top of her. She held Ileana tight and placed a gentle kiss against her temple. "Thank you for the dance."

"You are welcome. I will dance with you any time again. You just have to ask."

They could still hear music from the living room. "What song is that?"

Ileana smiled down at her and began to unbutton Jorane's shirt. She spread it open, her eyes roaming over the newly revealed skin and the lacy white bra. "Do you remember the song I said I wrote just for you?"

"You mean 'Wild Passion'?"

The singer nodded.

Jorane grinned. "Of course I remember. You performed it here and I was already so in love with you but way too scared and unsure of myself to say anything."

"Well, I'm glad you are not scared anymore," Ileana said. "Are you going to take my hand this time?"

"Your hand and everything else you want me to take." Right after these words had left her mouth, Jorane blushed a bright red and turned her head away. "Oh, God, I can't believe I actually said that."

Ileana chuckled and softly caressed her cheek. "It's okay, my darling. No need to worry. I'm happy that you want me as much as I want you."

"I do," Jorane responded, reclaimed Ileana's lips and rolled them over until she was on top. "So much... mh... feels... uh... feels so good... mh... love to touch you... you're so soft..." she mumbled between kisses.

Ileana's talented fingers slid beneath her bra, cupping firm soft breasts in her warm hands. Her thumbs slowly circled the nipples until they became hard.

Jorane broke the kiss and moaned, her eyes squeezed tightly close. Never in her life had anything felt so good like the singer's tender hands on her skin.

The brunette pushed herself into an upright position, grabbing the blonde's hips she pulled her close to straddle her lap. Her hands travelled from the breasts to the open shirt and slowly slid it off her shoulders. She flung it away, not caring where it landed and her fingers returned to the bra's clasp. Opening it with a dexterous move, she revealed beautiful breasts to her hungry eyes as the fabric fell away from her lover's body. A groan escaped her when Jorane wrapped her fingers into her long, hair and pulled her head toward her heaving chest. Carefully, Ileana closed her lips around a pink tip, her right hand stroking up and down Jorane's arching back.

Jorane gasped and threw her head back as the singer began to suck her nipple like a hungry infant while her free hand tenderly caressed the other breast. She held the dark head close to her and felt the heat burning a path from her nipple down to the very center of her being. Unconciously, she started to rock her hips, the seam of her jeans pressing and rubbing deliciously against her aching clit. "Ohhhhh...yes...Ileana..."

The sound of her name so breathlessly spoken was music to the singer's ears and Ileana decided she would never get enough of it. She rolled them over and knelt beside the blonde to take off her jeans.

As soon as she felt hands on her waistband, Jorane stiffened and her eyes grew fearful. "No."

Ileana let go of the pants and looked at her lover. The fear she saw in her gaze nearly broke her heart. "It's okay, my darling. I won't do anything you don't want," she said, tenderly running her hand over Jorane's trembling stomach. "It's alright if you have changed your mind..."

"That's not it," the blonde interrupted. "I just don't want you to be disgusted... and I know you will be."

Ileana frowned. "Now, why do you think that?"

"When you see the scars on my leg..."

"Jorane," the singer cut her off gently. "I will not be disgusted. I accept you just as you are. I only want to love you, darling." Tears welled up in emerald eyes and the brunette felt a tightening sensation in her chest. "Please, please believe me, Jorane," she begged.

The blonde's breathing hitched and she closed her eyes. She wrapped her arms tightly around her lover as she felt Ileana placing gentle kisses on her eyelids.

"I believe you," came her small voice and then, Ileana felt her hands being guided to the waistband.

"Are you sure?"

Jorane nodded and lifted her hips slightly to give Ileana better access. Fearfully awaiting Ileana's reaction, she slid down the pants and the ugly, red lines of scarred tissue came into view. Ileana dropped the pants beside the bed then ran her hands gently over the wounded leg. "Does it hurt when I touch it?" she whispered.

Jorane bit her lip and shook her head. "Not so much anymore."

"Good, because I never want to hurt you," the brunette promised and began to place tiny healing kisses all over the scars.

The blonde gasped as she felt the warm tongue tracing the red lines from her ankle to her knee. She had no idea that the tissue would be so sensitive to touch.

"You are so beautiful, my love," Ileana murmured against her skin as she worked her way upward.The rasp of her tongue travelling now over Jorane's twitching stomach muscles.

The smaller woman grabbed her face and pulled her up for another passionate deep kiss. "You are the most beautiful woman, I know, Ileana. Beautiful inside and outside," she declared. "And now, I want to see and feel you. All of you..." Another heavy blush worked its way across Jorane's delicate features as Ileana disrobed for her as fast as she could.

"Your wish is my command," the singer replied grinning wildly and then, she lowered her naked body onto Jorane's. Both women moaned in pleasure as finally, skin made contact with skin. Arms and legs wrapped around each other as their lips met and melted together in fiery kisses of barely restrained passion.

The sweet scent of desire filled the room and Ileana growled softly as she felt Jorane's rocking hips against her own. A hand travelled down, parting both their nether lips until their clits touched.

"Ohhhh... yes... Ileana..." Jorane grabbed Ileana's firm buttocks and pressed her harder against herself, while thrusting up against the singer's tight body.

"I'm so close," the blonde moaned, small drops of perspiration formed on her body and her eyes closed in ecstasy.

"So am I," gasped the taller woman.

Jorane tightened her grip, her blunt nails digging into Ileana's soft skin. "Please... together... ohh, yes... don't stop... ohhh... Ileaaanaaaaaaa!"

The sound of Jorane's climax was enough to push Ileana over the edge and she too reached the point of no return. "Mmmmhhhh... Jorrrrrane!"

After their breathing had returned to a more normal level, Ileana rolled onto her back. Cradling the small body of her beloved against her chest, Ileana said huskily, "Ja tebje ljublju."

Jorane smiled at her. She loved it when Ileana spoke in her native tongue. "What does it mean?"

The singer ran her fingers over Jorane's bare back, leaving goosebumps in her wake. "It means 'I love you'," she explained, placing a tender kiss on Jorane's cute nose.

The blonde hugged her tightly, then she rested her head on the singer's chest to listen to her strong heartbeat.

"I will love you forever and for always."

Jorane lifted her head to gaze into warm blue eyes shining with so much love. "Is that a promise?"

Ileana smiled gently and shook her head. "No, no promise. It's a vow," she said seriously. "A vow I intend to keep." She lowered her head until their lips were only a mere inch apart. "And now, I'm going to seal it with a kiss."

"Okay," was the only word Jorane could get out before rosy lips claimed her own.