Michael Jackson and Diana Ross: A Love Story

The 1981 Diana Ross TV Special: A Turning Point

Diana's POV

You stand on the balcony, flanked by studio audience members, and watch Michael glide across stage, performing his disco masterpiece, "Rock with You". He carries the tune perfectly, as he always has, and beams at the audience as he belts out the notes. During the dance break, Michael smoothly rolls up his sleeves and rhythmically moves his knees side to side, while rocking his head to the beat. The studio audience erupts in excited shouts and claps as Michael shows off his signature dance moves. He sneaks a glance at you, grinning at how well his performance was going. You can't help but smile: Michael had told you he had been practicing for this segment for weeks - he always was a perfectionist, even back in his days as the lead singer in The Jackson Five. Joe's manhandling of the boys has had a lot to do with these tendencies, but you feel that innately Michael has an exquisite attention to detail. It is endearing, to see someone so dedicated to their craft.

Michael had always had an aura about him, but now that he had matured into a young man, that aura morphed from an innocuous fascination at his precocious talent to something decidedly less innocent. It feels wrong to admit it, seeing as you've known him since he was a 10 year old boy, but you can't deny that he has become very attractive. His height, broad shoulders, skinny-strong frame, curly hair and strong jawline all lend to his mass sexual appeal. You have caught yourself staring at him inappropriately several times during run-ins at the Motown studios and family gatherings, and have been feeling an urge to be physically closer to him during your interactions. Still, you are not an idiot - showing even the slightest bit of unscripted attraction towards a young man that had closely known you since he was a prepubescent boy would spell a disaster for your reputation. Besides, he is like a son to you - you could never disrespect his family like that.

The disk jockey signals at you, and you in turn wave at Michael - it's time to move on to the next and final song on the segment: Ease on Down the Road.

Michael's POV

You watch Diana make her way down the stairs as you transition into the final song, Ease on Down the Road. The tune brings back fond memories from the set of The Wiz: you had always wanted to try your hand at acting in something other than those god-forsaken variety shows, and so when the opportunity came to be in a major motion picture, you took it eagerly. And as a result you got to spend an inordinate amount of time with Diana, making it one of the best summers of your career.

"Ease on down, ease on down the road..."

Diana is wearing a sequined tuxedo outfit matching yours, and she wears it exquisitely. She saddles up next to you and begins to imitate your dance moves - you are impressed at how quickly she picks it up. She wraps her right arm around yours - your heart jumps a bit - as you continue to dance and sing in unison. The performance is short, and as it winds down the audience cheers and gathers around closer to the edge of the stage, where you and Diana have sat down.

"Michael, I always knew you were gonna be a huge star, I really did."

"Thank you!" you reply, as you feel yourself starting to blush.

Diana has a mischievous glint in her eye as she adds, grinning:

"But I didn't know - what I didn't know, is that you would become so sexy."

Your heart almost skips a beat and you struggle to maintain your composure as the crowd cheers appreciatively. You know it's all scripted but you can't help but be excited at Diana's proclamation. You realize that you really could do anything for this woman. You wait for the cheers to die down a bit and reply, as rehearsed:

"Well, I always knew that you would."

"What?"

"Be sexy!"