A Second Chance

"Are you having a good time?" the teacher asked him.
Steve nodded. He was sitting at the bar, watching his classmates take over the dance floor. Once a month his class took their newfound skills out in public for social dancing at a rockabilly-style club. This was the first time Steve had joined them.
"Everyone is doing really well. And the live music is a treat." he commented.
"I haven't seen you get up and dance yet." she teased.
"Oh, no... I'm happy just to watch." he said shyly, sipping his beer.
She made a hum of disapproval. "If you're too nervous to ask one of your classmates, I'll dance with you. I promise to make you look good."
"I would hate to step on your toes in public." he admitted.
She chuckled and stuck out a foot "I have steel caps in these. They're Steve-proof" she joked.
Steve raised his eyebrows.
"I'm joking" she assured him. "Look, you don't have to break out anything fancy. We'll stick with the basics, get the band to take it slow-"
Something she said triggered a memory, and Steve looked away, feeling as though he'd been punched in the chest.
She looked at him, concerned. "Uh- are you okay?"
"Yeah" Steve breathed, still reeling.
She studied him quietly for a moment, clearly unsure what she'd said to upset him. "Well, the offer's there." she said kindly. "I'd like to see you having fun, Steve."
Steve swallowed and nodded.
She patted his arm and wandered off into the crowd.
Steve turned away from the dance floor to face the bar, and put his face in his hands for a moment, breathing deeply. He felt like he'd come such a long way in the past few months. Being part of a team again- getting out in the world and helping people- had brought his life back into focus. He felt like he was ready for more. This was supposed to be a positive social experience, but it was hard. Even looking at his teacher filled him with conflicting emotions; she was dressed like she had stepped right out of the 1940's- everything from her hair and her dress to her shoes made for a visage that was achingly familiar to Steve. The longing to be back where he came from was painful, but nothing in the world was going to make that happen. He sighed deeply. This was his life now. This time; this crazy, conflicting world he'd didn't quite yet understand. He swallowed a lump in his throat, and turned to watch the dancing again, wondering if he'd ever truly strike a balance and feel like he belonged.

***

"Would you, uh... would you care to dance?" Steve asked nervously.
"I would be honoured" the teacher said, smiling. Steve took her hand and she guided him onto the dance floor. He took her into his arms somewhat self-consciously as the band struck up a slow number, "We'll Meet Again." He stopped, listening for a moment, before sighing out a laugh. "Haven't heard this one in a while."
She nodded thoughtfully. "It always makes me a little sad, thinking about people going off to war, and sometimes never coming home."
"Or coming back to a world they didn't recognise anymore."
She considered that and nodded, then subtly corrected Steve's posture. He smiled. They danced in silence for a moment.
"Do you enjoy the classes?" she asked.
"Yeah. They're good. It's great." Steve said quietly.
"You... don't really seem to enjoy yourself. I keep expecting you to quit."
He smiled slightly and shook his head "I'm not a quitter."
"Good. You just take it so seriously. I don't think I've seen anyone try as hard as you do. I wish you would have more fun with it."
Steve shrugged. "I always feel like I've been left behind in life. This is one thing I just really want to get right."
She studied him for a moment. "Then relax. You'll learn more if you let go and actually enjoy yourself. Then it won't be such a chore. Are you learning for any particular reason? To impress a girl?"
Steve blushed and shook his head. "Just for myself."
"That's the best reason." she assured him. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You're doing a lot better than you probably realise."
"Am I?" he asked himself.
The song ended, and they drifted to a stop.
"You are" she told him flatly. "We just danced for that whole song, and you didn't step on my foot once."
Steve looked down at his feet, not quite believing they'd behaved themselves. "Really?"
"That's progress." she smiled warmly at him.
Steve returned her smile. "Progress..." he said thoughtfully.

Fin

Author's notes: I really appreciate people who take time to leave feedback! Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to continue this when it was just an idea and a possibility. I'm wrapping it here, because this is a good place, and I really don't want to stray too far into 'Mary Sue' territory! Thank you to Voiceofdisbelief for checking it over. Disclaimer: I own nothing and make nothing from this.