Hey!

So I've decided my next project is going to be this piece. It's not going to be near as long as The Twin, and the chapters will be pretty short too, but regardless I hope you enjoy!

The title is from the song 'Grenade' by Bruno Mars. The reason why comes in later.

This starts after the dance group was formed, but Andie doesn't join in with them that much; she's busy with Blake's extra lessons. She gets help from Moose and Chase about their routines. If you have any questions, because it might be confusing, just ask.

Basically, the premise is Blake and Andie had slight feelings for each other all along, but one night just might change the future… might.

Disclaimer for the whole story: I do not have any right to any of the Step Up movies; I'm just stuck in my own fantasies about what should've happened.

Grenade

Chapter 1: Knight in Shining Armor

"Damn it! Where's a knight in shining armor when you need one?" Andie groaned, massaging her leg slowly.

The giant box filled with those new costumes Director Collins had ordered that had fallen on her left leg was heavy, and she was quickly loosing feeling in that leg. She massaged it harder, knowing if her leg came out of this permanently damaged, she would probably never dance again. 'Why did I have to play the good girl and come to school on a weekend for once?' she berated herself.

She knew that neither Chase, nor Moose, nor any of her other friends would come to school on a Saturday; she had no hope of anyone saving her until Monday morning. By then... well, she didn't even want to go there.

Since there was no way she was going anywhere anytime soon, she decided to ponder the mess her life was right now.

She had the 410 after her, and if that wasn't bad enough, they thought Chase was her boyfriend, so they were after him too.

It was not even like she liked Chase. No, that would be too easy, too simple, and too lucky. No, she had to be attracted to his brother, who happened to be around seven years her senior, her ballet teacher, and the director of the prestigious school she now went to. Moreover, she had to have extra lessons with him Monday through Friday, where he took the liberty to mold her into the position he wanted. Using his hands. She didn't think there was a single place on her body that he hadn't touched. Except for... well...

In fact, he was the reason she was in this position right now.

If she hadn't wanted to prove him wrong, prove to him that she could work hard and do better, then she wouldn't have come to work on those crazy ballet moves he had shown her yesterday.

'Damn you, Blake Collins.'

SUSUSU

It was Saturday night, and Blake had just realized that he had left all his papers at school.

He looked outside, watching the rain pour down, as if it didn't want him to go. Yet still, he felt that odd pull; something was telling him to go.

He grabbed his umbrella and his jacket, throwing it on and preparing to make a run for his car. Right before he left, though, something odd possessed him. Bounding into his living room, he grabbed a few classical music CDs and tucked them into his jacket.

You know, just in case.

SUSUSU

Andie sighed, trying for the hundredth time to push the box off her foot. No luck.

She looked up at the ceiling. "So I try to be good and you hurt me? Is this some kind of sign that I should just be a troublemaker from now on? Because I really wouldn't have a problem with that!" she said aloud.

Her stomach grumbled. "Not to mention I haven't eaten the entire day! Is this what ballerinas feel like all the time? If it is, there is no way I'm ever-"

A door slammed.

In her shock, Andie broke off her monologue. Was there someone in the building? Were they trying to rob the school? Oh Lord... Andie prayed that they didn't come into this particular dance studio.

Unfortunately, her prayers went unanswered. Light footsteps clicked down the hallway, creaking open the door to the room which she was trapped in.

She opened her mouth to scream -though she knew it was probably useless- until she saw his face.

"Blake!"

He stared, eyes huge, at her, way too surprised to correct her informal use of his name. "Andie?" Then he saw the predicament she was in. "Andie!" he repeated, but this time it was more of a exclamation of horror.

He rushed over, dropping to his knees next to her. "What happened?" he asked heatedly, to stunned to act rationally. He stretched one arm over her middle to her other side, leaning over her. In his usual touchy-feely way, he wrapped his hand around the brunette's thigh. She jumped.

Blake's head whipped around, his chocolate eyes piercing hers. She grinned sheepishly. "Uh... Your hands... Just a little -um- cold. Sorry," she stuttered. His eyes narrowed a bit, suspiciously, but instead of picking a fight with her he turned his attention back to her leg. He gently rubbed his thumb against her thigh, trying to get her blood pumping. What he didn't notice was Andie's eyes fluttering close.

Turning back to Andie, he paused at the serene look on her face. "We need to move this box," he stated reluctantly, unwilling to break her peaceful countenance. He had never seen her look like that before. She always seemed so rushed, so energetic. It was almost... endearing to him to see her so relaxed.

He had admitted to himself two days ago: he was attracted to one of his students. To be exact, Andie West. Of course nothing could ever come from it, so he just had to keep burying his feelings for her. In fact, he was pretty sure she was attracted to his brother.

Andie's eyes cracked open, staring at him. Then she laughed incredulously. "Are you serious? No shit Sherlock!"

His eyes widened, then narrowed in anger. "You will not speak to me that way!"

Andie glared at him. "Why not? Because you're my teacher?" she bit out.

Blake looked like was about to say something, then decided against it. "Help me push the box off your leg," he ordered emotionlessly.

Andie rolled her eyes, then concentrated on the task at hand. They threw all their weight on the box, Blake more than Andie. Inch by inch, it slid off her leg. Finally, it was free and the brunette sighed in absolute relief.

She hopped up, ignoring Blake's offers to help her up. She didn't want his help, but for some reason, the fact that she knew he was currently standing behind her, shadowing her every move, comforted her. She stepped forward, moving towards her jacket, which was slung over a nearby bar.

As soon as she took that step, though, she collapsed. A cry of -"No!"- escaped the man's lips, and he lunged forward, getting in possibly the oddest position ever to catch her.

"What the hell were you thinking? You could've knocked yourself out..." he trailed off, realizing just how close her face was to his.

They were silent for a few seconds, then Blake cleared his throat.

Hauling her up into his arms, he easily carried her over to the piano. "I don't really have a table," he offered as he laid her on the lid.

"It's alright," she chuckled. "So that was some kind of move you did back there."

He looked confused for a second, then realized she was talking about when he caught her. "Oh. There's this thing we dancers do. You might know about it. It's called flexibility," he quipped.

Andie's eyes widened. "So the cold, unfeeling director has a sense of humor," she retorted.

"Touché," Blake resigned, yet he was still smiling.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you," Andie murmured. "It's just that I've been trapped in here all day, no food, no bathroom…"

"Always have to be on the move, don't you," he smirked. "Don't worry, I'm the exact same way." He walked over to the bag he had left at school, pulling out a banana. "Here," he offered, tossing it to her. "I won't have the starvation of a student on my head."

She nodded thankfully in his direction. That is, after ripping the peel off the banana and practically inhaling the fruit.

"So, you never answered my question," he added after a period of silence.

"And what's that?" Andie asked, curious. She didn't remember him asking any questions.

"I suppose I was a bit hysterical at the time," he conceded. "I asked you what happened. Why were you even here?"

Andie smiled. "You might be surprised," she ventured.

"Try me," he dared.

"Well..."

SUSUSU

Thanks for reading! Please review!

-lala-