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Sarah scanned the room, her bright hair piled on her head, her face made up like all the other girls gyrating around the dance floor. The lights flashing over the floor and walls made identifying anyone very difficult and Sarah was on a mission, to find Steve and Dora. She'd only made it half way around the room when a familiar face suddenly appeared in front of her, his hair several shades lighter than her own.

"Watcha girl, didn't expect to see you here," yelled Ron, his face painted in lurid colours from the disco lights. Sarah grinned at him and yelled back.

"I could say the same Ron Stryker, here with someone ?"

"Not anymore, wanna dance ?"

"Sure," said Sarah, grabbing Ron's hand and pulling him into the throng of dancers. They bobbed and weaved for several minutes as the music kept the crowd jumping. Sarah was still scanning the faces around her but gave up and decided to use the direct route.

"Are Dora and Steve here ?"

"Why do you ask ?" replied Ron evasively, "not exactly their scene, is it....no horses,"

"Funny Ron,"

The music ended and they drifted off the dance floor, Ron steering Sarah towards the bar set up at the end of the hall.

"Whatcha drinking ?"

"Nothing yet, you offering ?"

Giving Sarah an arch look, Ron pushed his way to the front of the pack and collected two glasses of whatever was being offered. Fighting his way back he joined Sarah at the edge of the floor.

"Cripes, what's this muck," he asked after taking a swig and nearly choking. Sarah giggled and sipper demurely at hers, peering over the rim at the people streaming past.

"Not your usual pint ?"

"What would you know about my usual anything ?" asked Ron, his face suddenly sharp. Sarah only shrugged, turning back to the dance floor, her feet tapping out the rhythm of the music.

"I've seen a couple of your mates here earlier, Lewis was asking after you, and Pete,"

"Oh yeah, Lewis..I'll catch up with him later."

"He's trouble Ron, you should steer clear of his crowd."

"I do.....usually."

"Hey, you didn't answer my question, are Steve and Dora here ?"

"Yes they are, if you must know, and I think something is going on with those two, its downright suspicious."

"Whatever do you mean Ron, surely they can go on a date once in a while, what's the problem ?"

"That's just it, don'tcha see, they're not dating,"

"Oh, that's not the impression I got when I was at the farm,"

"Eh ?"

"Well its obvious, isn't it ?"

"What is ?"

"That they're in love with each other," said Sarah, her eyes wide and innocent while her mouth quirked in an irrepressible smile at Ron's confusion.

For a full minute Ron gaped at Sarah, his drink forgotten as well as the people swirling around them. As if coming out of a trance he shut his mouth and shook his head, then opened his mouth to burst out laughing, doubling over and nearly spilling the remains of his drink all down Sarah's front.

"Hey steady on," said Sarah, dodging back as Ron straightened, his free hand coming up to wipe away tears of mirth.

"Oh you had me going there for a second, good one girl!"

Sarah was starting to look cross so Ron swallowed his giggles and nonchalantly looked around the hall. "Come on, lets ditch this poison and have another dance, its my favourite band,"

Sighing, Sarah handed him her drink which he promptly disposed off in a handy bin, then Ron grabbed her by the hand and pulled her into the melee that was the dance floor. Every now and then, Sarah would see Ron lapse into another fit of giggles before getting control of himself and bringing his attention back to her. Sarah thought he was rather sweet, but very dim if he couldn't see what was right under his nose. They danced for two more numbers before Sarah pleaded exhaustion and they drifted to the edge of the floor. They had moved around to the other side of the hall when Sarah suddenly spotted Steve sitting at a table with a pretty girl dressed in a very expensive outfit. She was about to point them out and comment that Dora wouldn't be happy to see Steve chatting up another bird when she realised it was Dora with Steve at the table and this time her mouth dropped open. Sarah had seen Dora at the farm in her old jumper, jeans and messed hair and thought her okay then, but now with all the trimmings it was hardly surprising that Steve seemed unable to take his eyes of her. A quick check around told her that Steve wasn't the only one with eyes only for Dora. Half the unattached boys leaning against the wall or standing around were keeping an eye on the couple at the table, probably hoping that Steve would leave and give them a shot with his pretty partner. Sarah didn't rate their chances very high. Ron finally realised that Sarah's attention was elsewhere and followed her line of sight, snorting in disgust when he spied Steve and Dora.

"Found them I see," said Ron, turning his back on his workmates.

"I'm just going to have a word, why don't you get me something to drink ?" said Sarah, using all her charm on Ron. He proved as susceptible as anyone, plus he didn't want to be too near to Steve and Dora, he wanted to chew over what Sarah had said to him.

"Sure, back in a tick," he said before diving into the crowd and disappearing within seconds. Sarah started to make her way to the table where Steve and Dora remained absorbed in their own world, apparently oblivious to the chaos of the dance all around them. They remained unaware until Sarah banged her hand on the table and made them both jump.

"Hey you guys, keep this up and I'll have to turn the fire extinguisher on you both," she teased, pulling up a chair and plumping down on it. Steve grinned back at her but Dora ducked her head and Sarah was sure if the light was better she'd see a blush.

"Have you seen Ron, we got separated when we arrived and I haven't seen him since," asked Steve, leaning back in his chair and glancing around.

"Oh he's around here somewhere, I sent him to get me a drink, he'll be back soon. Enjoying yourselves ? Dora ?"

"Oh....yes, its certainly very noisy,"

"Isn't it just," agreed Sarah, "great place to plan a little skulduggery,"

Steve laughed, "You're really enjoying this, aren't you. It doesn't worry you that we could all be charged with breaking and entering, I suppose."

"Oh pooh on that, faint heart never won fair...oh that's not the right one, all's fair in love and....no that's not the right one either,"

"To the victor go the spoils," offered Dora, joining in.

"Exactly," said Sarah. "How long before you want to leave ?"

"With Ron here, its going to be difficult, but we figured by eleven it would be quiet enough around the warehouse, but still busy enough here so we could leave unnoticed," said Steve, twisting around and reaching into his jacket pocket for a piece of paper. Unfolding it, he smoothed it out and pushed it over to Sarah.

"See if this is correct, I copied it off the road map in the Colonels office, but it doesn't show the side alley, or fire-escape you mentioned."

"Have you got a pen ?" Sarah asked. Steve handed her one and she marked on the map where the doors were, as well as the fire-escape and anything else she could remember. "The truck has been arriving around one-o-clock this past week, so that would give you at least a couple of hours and you can park your car around the back in the access road."

"Plenty of time," agreed Steve, taking back the pen and refolding the paper. He'd only just put it back in his jacket pocket when Ron appeared out of the crush carrying a handful of glasses. Skilfully he got them to the table and set them down without spilling a drop. He nodded to Steve and turned to Dora, offering her a glass.

"Would her ladyship like some refreshments ?"

"Thanks Ron, I am thirsty," said Dora, smiling her gratitude.

"Cheers Ron," said Steve, raising his glass in a salute.

Sarah shifted her chair round and Ron pulled another one over, placing him between Dora and Sarah after Dora shifted closer to Steve.

"Well isn't this cosy," said Ron, grinning at everyone at the table.

"You should go out more often Dora, you look terrific," said Sarah, eyeing Dora's earings with envy. "I'd have to save up a years pocket money to get anything as nice as those,"

"Oh these," said Dora, flicking the tiny jewels, "I've a box of them at home, why not come over and you can pick some for yourself,"

"Really ? Thanks,"

"Hey Dora, wanna dance ?" asked Ron cheekily, watching Steve from the corner of his eye. He saw a look pass between Dora and Steve and saw Steve nod before Dora answered.

"Sure Ron, but it's been awhile so don't expect too much,"

"Hey, I'm still getting over you suggesting coming here in the first place, getting you up to dance is a bonus," he teased, rising to his feet and holding out his hand. Dora rose as well, glancing at Steve before giving Ron her full attention and following him to the dance floor. Sarah and Steve watched them go until they were swallowed up by the crowd. Steve raised his glass and drained it before getting to his feet and holding out a hand to Sarah.

"May I ?" he asked, smiling down at her. Sarah dimpled up at him and placed her hand in his, allowing him to pull her up and lead her towards the dancers.

The pattern was repeated by the four friends over the next hour, Ron dancing with Dora, then Sarah, even with another girl he knew but didn't bother to introduce to the others. Steve danced with Sarah only when Dora was dancing with Ron, and even then he always kept half his attention on where Dora was or who she was with. Sarah smiled to herself, not at all put out that Steve wasn't giving her his undivided attention. So far, Steve's very obvious proprietary behaviour had managed to keep any erstwhile Romeo's well away from their corner, Dora seemingly happy to be monopolised by Steve and Ron. But nothing ever remains static and Sarah could see someone coming over that would put a cat amongst the pigeons.

"Steve...its Lewis Hammond and his cronies, heading this way," she hissed, gesturing to their table where Dora sat temporarily alone, Ron having just disappeared to obtain more drinks.

Before Steve could push his way through the throng, Lewis Hammond reached the small table and blocked Steve's view of Dora. Sarah was behind Steve, also trying to push her way through the gyrating dancers.

With Lewis's arrival, all of Dora's silent admirers melted away, only Lewis and his mates left to fill the suddenly empty corner.

"Well look at you," leered Lewis, plonking himself down next to her and pushing himself forward. "All done up and posh, fancy a dance darling ?"

"No thank you," said Dora, her eyes scanning the crowd behind Lewis for Steve or Ron. Seeing her glance, Lewis snapped his fingers in her face, making her pull back.

"No good looking for your friends, Ron's propping up the bar and the jailbird is dancing with that pretty red-headed girl, what's-her-name, he looks very taken with her," he smirked, glancing around at his cronies who all laughed appreciatively.

"Why don't you go and bother someone else ?" said Dora, turning in her chair to face away from her tormentor.

"But I want to bother you," retorted Lewis, reaching out and laying his hand over hers where it lay on the table top. Dora snatched it away and tried to get up but Lewis quickly grabbed her wrist and squeezed, the pain making Dora gasp and sit down again.

"Not so fast, your ladyship, we're just starting to have a nice chat, no need to rush off, is there ?" Oozed Lewis, again looking around at his mates who were nodding and grinning.

"You're hurting me, let go," said Dora, twisting her arm to get Lewis to release her.

"You heard her, let her go," said another voice and Dora looked up in relief to see Steve standing over Lewis, his face shadowed with anger. Lewis didn't bother to look around, but did release Dora's arm, watching her as she rubbed it to return the circulation.

"So the jailbird is back at last, enjoy your little dance with the carrot top ?" Lewis sneered, still not looking at Steve, but noting the reactions on Dora's face. "Stolen any horses lately ?"

"Why don't you go and pick on something weak and defenceless Lewis, its what your best at, isn't it," said Steve, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Lewis uncoiled himself from the chair and turned around to face Steve, the two young men almost nose to nose. Sarah edged around, unnoticed, and joined Dora on her side of the table. Lewis' crowd also shuffled themselves so that Steve was surrounded and cut off on all sides. Lewis flicked his eyes around, noting everyone's position, before returning his gaze to clash with Steve's stormy glare.

"Now that's no way to talk about me, Jailbird, 'specially when you're heavily out-numbered. Downright foolish, if you ask me."

"But nobody did, did they Lewis. Let's take this outside, and settle this, just you and me, a fair fight. Should be a novelty for you. "

"Steve no," cried Dora, but neither heard her, intent on their clash of wills.

"Okay, Jailbird, lets go outside. I've put up with you long enough, its time I taught you a lesson in respect,"

Ignoring Dora's cries to stop, Lewis led the way out, his cronies parting to make a clearway through which Steve followed him. Dora grabbed her coat, and Steve's jacket and made to follow but was stopped by several of Lewis' mates who blocked her way.

"Let me go," said Dora, pushing against the nearest boys chest, but getting nowhere. She could see Steve and Lewis leaving the hall, several of Lewis' mates escorting them out. "Let me go,"

"What's going on here then ?" came Ron's voice.

"Steve and Lewis have gone out to fight," Sarah told him, "and these louts won't let up pass,"

"Wotcha mates, no need to rough up the ladies," he soothed, insinuating himself between the girls and Lewis' bullyboys. "I'm sure we can sort this out, anyone for a drink ?"

In the shuffle to pass out the beers, Ron manoeuvred Dora behind him and pushed her away, towards the exit. Sarah followed and the two girls hurried through the crowd and pulled open the door to the outside. A cold blast of air greeted them and they both pulled on their coats, Dora still holding Steve's leather jacket.They stood on the top step and looked around but saw nothing but car's and bikes parked in the lot.

"I can't see them, where are they ?" cried Dora, starting down the steps with Sarah behind her.

"They must have gone around the building, come on," said Sarah, taking the lead and hurrying towards a dark side street that skirted the hall. As they rounded the corner they could see a crowd gathered under one of the streetlight, the yellow glare painting the scene with deep shadows. A circle of spectators surrounded two figures at the centre who appeared to be circling around each other. Dora and Sarah ran up but couldn't see anything, their attempts to push through rebuffed. They could hear the sound of blows and the grunt of the protagonists as they circled and traded punches, but who was winning remained unknown, to Dora's frustration and anguish. Sarah grabbed her by her coat sleeve and pulled Dora towards the brick wall that bordered the pavement behind the streetlight. As they reached the wall a body was slammed against it and they had a fleeting glimpse of Steve before he pushed himself away and launched himself at Lewis again. Dora's cry was lost in the roar of the watchers as someone landed a punch. Sarah ducked down and managed to glimpse the two figures rolling on the road, a mess of arms and legs. From what she could see, neither had much of an advantage of the other. Lewis possibly had the advantage of height over his opponent, but Steve was well muscled from his physical work at Follyfoot. Suddenly the sound of a police siren could be heard over the encouragement of the crowd and like snow under a heat lamp the crowd started to disperse. Dora was able to push her way through, just in time to see Steve land a cracking blow on Lewis' cheek, splitting it open. Two of Lewis' henchmen grabbed Steve's arms and held him back while Lewis tried to stem the blood from the blow. The siren's wail was coming closer and most of the crowd of onlookers had disappeared except for the combatants, the two girls and Lewis' crowd. Steve was struggling in the grip of the two gorillas and Lewis looked as if he was going to walk away but he turned suddenly and planted his fist, connecting with Steve's jaw with the crunch of bone on bone. Lewis stepped back and shook his hand, obviously in pain, then turned and started to jog down the narrow lane, away from the hall and the police siren. Steve sagged between the two bullyboys, his head bowed. They released him suddenly, Steve slumping to the ground, before they ran up the lane to join Lewis. Dora and Sarah ran over to Steve and tried to turn him over, Dora gasping as his face became illuminated by the streetlamp.

"Oh Steve," she cried, taking in the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and the swell of bruising along his jawline. Together they got him sitting up, Sarah using a hanky to wipe away the worst of the blood. They heard someone running towards them and looked up to see Ron almost upon them.

"We have to go, the police are nearly here, we can't stay," he panted, reaching down to grab Steve under the arms. Ron got Steve on his feet and pulled one of his arms over his shoulder before half dragging his semi-unconscious workmate in the same direction that Lewis had gone. Dora and Sarah trailed behind until they reached the corner of the street and were hidden from view, then Ron lowered Steve to the pavement and the girls moved in to continue the clean-up. Steve only put up a token resistance, wincing when Dora touched his bruised cheek.

"Ow...go easy, it feels as if my face is about to explode,"

"Oh Steve...you could have been seriously hurt,"

"I was beating him Dora, if those goons hadn't held me I would have thrashed him,"

"He wasn't worth you getting hurt,"

"No....but you were,"

"Sorry to break up this little cosy, but we need to leave now, the police will be swarming all over here very soon, and you, me 'ol mate, can't afford to be questioned by the fuzz."

Ron elbowed Dora and Sarah out of the way and helped Steve to his feet. Reaction was setting in and Dora saw Steve shiver convulsively.

"Get his jacket on Ron, he'll freeze otherwise."

"Good idea, here, get that arm in the sleeve, there ya go,"

With Steve once more looking reasonably respectable, they trooped down the road and circled the block, coming out further down the road from the hall. They could see a flashing police light outside the dance hall and watched as the policemen questioned several youths hanging around the hall entrance.

"Give me the keys Steve, I'll get the landrover. Stay here with the girls, I'll be back quick as a flash,"

"Take me with you, it'll look less suspicious," suggested Sarah, slipping her arm through Ron's and flashing a wink at Dora. " And you two, try not too look as if you've just been in a fight,"

Steve and Dora watched as Ron sauntered casually down the street, Sarah hanging on his arm and looking adoringly up at him. Steve chuckled and Dora leaned back against the brick wall, her lips curved in a smile.

"I think Ron may have met his match," said Dora, glancing back down the road before turning her head to regard her companion. Steve was trying to move his injured jaw, finding that it moved freely but wincing when his fingers pressed too hard on the rapidly swelling bruise.

"We're lucky to have such good friends,"

"Why did you do it, Steve. Lewis isn't worth it, he's a louse."

"I know...I know he wound me up, I just wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. I hate bullies. I'm sorry I ruined your evening,"

"You didn't ruin it, exactly, it was only a means to get us out so we could investigate the warehouse,"

"You didn't enjoy going out with me then ?"

"That's not what I said Steve," Dora retorted in exasperation. "I did have fun and I did like being there....with you,"

"But not the fight,"

"No...that I didn't like...I felt so helpless Steve, if the police hadn't come..."

"Saved by the boys in blue, that's a first,"

Headlights suddenly illuminated their corner, Dora throwing up her hand to shield her face. Steve suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her around the corner into the shadows, pushing her against the wall and shielding her with his back to the street. Dora looked up and tried to see past Steve's shoulder only to find herself nose to nose with him when he turned his head to face her. For a moment they stared at each other, Dora's face softly illuminated by the diffused light from the streetlamp, Steve's in shadow.

"There's a copper coming this way," he whispered, turning his head slightly away so that half his face became bathed in the yellow glow of the streetlight. Dora hardly breathed, her hands pressed against the cold bricks of the wall behind her. Steve had his hands braced either side of her shoulders creating a warm cage with his body. The sound of the policeman's footsteps alerted her but before she could react Steve had turned his face back to her, hesitating only a second before pressing his lips to hers in a searching kiss. Without conscious volition, Dora's arms crept up and entwined around his neck, drawing him closer, her fingers burying themselves in the thick, dark hair brushing his collar. Steve deepened the kiss, his arms wrapping around her back and drawing her close, his heart thundering in his ears, drowning out the sound of footsteps and the intrusive world beyond their embrace. Steve drew back first, Dora's lips following his so that they clung for a few seconds before parting, both of them drawing in shuddering breaths before opening their eyes and taking in each others stunned expressions. The unexpected sound of applause made them pull away as if stung, only to see Sarah and Ron standing beside the landrover, Ron looking anywhere but at them, Sarah unashamedly grinning from ear to ear and clapping her hands.

"Encore, encore," she called, making Dora duck her head in embarrassment. Steve stepped back awkwardly, his hands now jammed in his jacket pockets to hide their trembling. Sarah stepped forward and used her thumb to wipe a smear of lipstick from his bottom lip, smiling at the discomfort and embarrassment radiating from them both. Dora couldn't stand it any more and pushed past, rounding the corner and opening the door of the landrover to climb over into the passenger seat. Ron kicked at the ground and jammed his hands into his trouser pockets, his shoulders hunched as he looking down at his boots.

"There was a policeman coming down the road," Steve tried to explain weakly.

"We saw him, he did stop, but whatever he saw made him pass on by, didn't you see him ?" asked Sarah, her arms now folded across her chest.

"Um....no...um,"

"Never mind, you must have been convincing because he carried on down without looking back once,"

"Oh.....good," said Steve, running a hand through his hair and glancing at the silent figure in the passenger seat of the landrover.

Taking pity on him, Sarah swallowed another tease and turned to follow him to the truck.

"Thanks Ron, we'll drop you home, Sarah if you like," Steve offered, catching the keys tossed to him from Ron, but Sarah interrupted.

"Oh that's okay, Ron's already offered and I've never ridden on the back of a chopper before, thanks anyway,"

"Oh, sure....fine....great, well....um great. We'll see you tomorrow then Ron. I'll give you a call Sarah and let you know....well, you know."

"Sure.....bye Dora, catcha later," called Sarah, waving goodbye before linking arms with Ron and walking off down the road towards the dance hall.

Steve watched them for a moment then turned back to the landrover. Dora sat in the passenger seat, her face turned away from him.

"Dora......I want to apologise," Steve started to say, but Dora suddenly turned to look at him, the hurt evident in her face making him change his mind. " Forget what I just said, I'm not sorry.......I've wanted to kiss you....forever, it seems,"

"I'm not sorry you did either, I'm just.....feeling a little out of my depth right now....I wasn't expecting.....its going to change everything,"

Opening the driver's door, Steve climbed in and sat behind the wheel for a moment before looking over at Dora, catching her eye and holding it.

"Nothing's changed Dora that wasn't already changed a long time ago,"

Breaking eye contact, Steve fired up the landrover and pulled out from the kerb, the headlights chasing away the shadows. He drove for several minutes through the twisting streets of the town until he turned into a completely dark back street with buildings looming up on both sides, their windows glinting like watchful eyes.

"This should take us right up to the back of the warehouse," Steve told her, his voice low. Dora kept quiet, her nerves starting to jump as the landrover slowly rolled towards the rear of the most imposing of the buildings.

Steve pulled up past the warehouse and turned the landrover around so that it was facing the way they had come. "In case we need to make a quick get-a-way," Steve told her, switching off the lights and killing the engine. The silence, as they sat there, was almost absolute, the buildings around them merely darker shadows in the starlit darkness, the only sound the ticking of the motor as it cooled.

"I'm starting to go off this idea, Steve," whispered Dora, nibbling a ragged nail.

"Too late girl, we're here and we've been given a moonless night with fine weather, its now or never."

As quietly as possible Steve opened his door and climbed out, closing it just as quietly behind him. He circled around to the rear of the landrover and reached into the back, lifting a knapsack out and swinging it onto his back. Dora still sat in her seat, her stomach doing flip-flops as nerves welled up and threatened to choke her. When Steve opened her door she jumped, her hand jerking to her mouth to stifle a cry.

"Come on scaredy cat, we've a warehouse to investigate," said Steve, finding Dora's hand and dragging her out of the landrover.

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