Better When I'm Dancing

Week 7--POP! (Part 1)

"Claire and I thought you two looked flustered when you came back from practicing but we thought it was the dance...were you two really dancing back there?" Emma narrowed her eyes.

"We did! And we kissed...but we mostly danced," Regina insisted.

Emma shook her head, laughing. "I'm just having fun with you, Regina. I'm really happy for you. Robin's a great guy. You deserve him."

Regina smiled. "Thanks, Emma. But now I really have to go get ready."

"Okay. Oh, and Regina?" When Regina paused, Emma pounded her fist into her palm. "If Gold gives you anymore problems, I'll be happy to take care of him."

Laughing, Regina thanked her. She climbed the stairs, imagining a whole gang of people confronting Gold in a dark alley somewhere. He didn't know it, but Edgar Gold definitely needed to be careful.

*****

The camera crew greeted Robin and Regina as they entered their rehearsal rooms, everyone eager. "Why do you think you were in the bottom two?" the PA asked.

"Because Gold suggested to the producers that we should be placed in the bottom two for ratings, that's why," Regina snapped. "Now can you let us through so we can put our stuff down?"

The PA frowned though she moved. "We can't put that in the package."

"It's the truth though," Regina said, putting down her bag. "What do you want?"

Robin frowned, crossing his arms. "She wants the usual. She wants us talking about how we're going to keep doing our best and lots of other platitudes while we hug it out."

The PA shifted from foot to foot and Regina knew he had hit it on the head. She shook her head. "You're not getting that. It's either the truth or nothing at all. Your choice."

Sullen, the PA crossed her arms. "Isaac won't like it."

"Do you want me to tell you what I think Isaac can do?" Regina asked sweetly. When the PA hesitated, she added: "If Isaac has an issue, he can talk to me or my manager. But for now, we're done with the elimination drama. Got it?"

"Understood," the young woman replied. "Then we'll just tape you discovering your song and go from there."

Regina glanced down at the white square-shaped envelope waiting on the table, emblazoned with the word POP! She picked it up, smirking at Robin. "Well?" she asked.

"It has to be one of my songs. The theme is perfect and they can't help themselves," he said.

She nodded, swinging the envelope back and forth. "Any guesses before I open it?"

"Well, my first hit was Take This Time," he said, "but that's a slow song. I think they want to stick to the upbeat tunes most people think about when it comes to pop music. So I'm predicting either Good Day or Don't Pull Your Love on Me."

"Then can I get a drumroll please?" She smiled as Robin drummed on the table, breaking open the seal. Regina pulled out the card inside, reading it before flipping it around to reveal its contents to him.

Robin Locksley

"Now I've Found You"

Cha-cha

He grinned. "Not a bad song choice. And I've wanted to learn the cha-cha."

"Well, it'll be easier since you already know the rumba. They share many steps. Get used to another week of me yelling New York." She popped the CD in the player, ignoring Robin's good-natured groan as she pressed play.