Thursday, November 24th, 1960
The Nogerelli Residence

"Stay put and stop causing trouble!"

Fuck you, Johnny thought, all bitter resentment, his expression turning darker with anger while Michael sat down on the chair next to Stephanie's, paying her a curious look before starting in on talking with some older lady Johnny didn't recognize about some war called the French Revolution.

Who gives a damn about a war in France, that's their problem, not ours. Why the fuck do we need jackets here? You better not start gettin' flirty with her, you limey asshole ...

Every current and past Lady was wearing her jacket; the same was said for every current and past T-Bird.

There's no stopping whatever's coming, a bleaker thought whispered. Shut up.

Paulette sat down next to him, all wide smiles, even as her eyes were nervous. Johnny wanted to ask Do you know something?, but then Andrianna was calling, commanding for him to come and help her bring out the dishes and platters, while Sandy sat down next to Michael, with Danny on her other side. It was at that same time that Jake Zinone stepped into sight, with Helen alongside him and carrying Peter (the divorce had been finalized a few weeks before). Seeing them, Johnny started grumbling under his breath, while Stephanie arched her eyebrows.

"Andrianna, Duran, it's always nice to see you both. I hope you don't mind much, but Helen and I couldn't resist coming to watch. On principle." He gave Andrianna a meaningful, slightly pleading look, and she nodded. "Grazie. We won't stay long, my sister is expecting us. Steph, that'll include you, too. Elara's making a Torta Tenerina with your name on it."

"Sold." Stephanie answered, eyes gleaming in anticipation.

"Torta Tenerina?" Michael asked, and it was Johnny who replied. "It's an Italian brownie. You'd know that if you knew shit."

"Give it a rest, Johnny." Jett growled, exasperated.

Michael paid Johnny a short look, then turned his attention to Stephanie. "Is he telling the truth?"

Johnny hissed, and Jett clamped one hand firmly to his shoulder, restraining him.

"Surprisingly, yes." Stephanie answered, ignoring Johnny. "It's a brownie cake with powdered sugar and whipped cream on top. For kicks sometimes, red pepper powder is added. Then it's Tenerina al Peperoncino."

"Hm, that sounds like something Bastian would love to try, if you have the recipe?"

"Yeah, fine. Not you?"

Michael shrugged apologetically. "I'll give it a go, but I don't have much of a taste for the really spicy – "

"Because you're tame all over. Forgettable." Johnny cut in.

"You're gonna get slapped if you don't shut up." Sandy snapped at him.

"Again." Stephanie threw in coolly, smirking.

Impulsively, with a mischievous grin, Michael put his head lightly on Stephanie's shoulder. "Hello, darling."

Snorting, grinning appreciatively, Stephanie shrugged him off, as her father and Helen stared curiously. "Watch it, Shakespeare." she warned in an amused tone, and he laughed. "And for the record, the pepper and the dark chocolate balance out. I'll get you the recipe."

Michael nodded, a light smile playing on his mouth. You're pepper, I'm dark chocolate, you balance me. "Thank you."

"Stephanie, I do believe that Michael is flirting with you." Aimee said, smiling.

"Nah, it's just shuttin' Johnny up." Stephanie replied dismissively, before going back to her conversation with Edrie and Christina. Aimee and Jessamine looked at Michael, who shrugged (miserably).

Thirty minutes later, after a prayer had been given, and everyone (there were thirty dining all together, sans Peter, who'd already been fed and was settled, and Audra, who was still sleeping) had a plate of food and a drink in front of them, and the round of introductions had been made –

Michael wondered if he could get away with formally introducing himself to Stephanie's father (Hello, I'm Michael Carrington, and I'm in love with your daughter), while the current T-Birds each stared in awed surprise as the original Ladies were announced –

Danny, Sandy, Kenickie, Rizzo, Marty, Sonny, Jan, Jett, and Frenchy each glanced at each other, nodding, even as everyone was eating; this needed to be done.

Danny and Jett stood, with Jett tapping hard on his glass with a spoon. "Attention, everyone."

Everyone looked, and Danny cracked, "Dearly beloved, we be gathered on this day – ", blue eyes dancing wickedly.

Frenchy and Jett both snorted, and Sandy started laughing, while Kenickie, Rizzo, and Michael avoided looking at each other; everyone else either laughed or shook their heads, with the exception of Johnny, who stared with a caustic frown, eyes cold, and Paulette, ever loyal, who had her lips pressed together at the look on Johnny's face.

"Please be serious, Mr. Zuko." a smirking Edrie admonished.

"All right. We're here because my kid brother, in lieu of getting his butt kicked, is – "

"Too late for that, from what I heard." Kenickie interrupted, looking impressed. "Nicely handled, Carrington. It ain't often I hear of a brain handin' a Bird his ass."

"Whataya talkin' about, I push you around on a daily basis." Rizzo offered cheekily, winking at him.

"My ass did not get handed to me!" Johnny growled, stopping Kenickie from offering an even cheekier response. "Least of all by the likes of that – that two-faced prick – "

"Two-faced?" Sandy cut in forcefully, while Andrianna cleared her throat sharply in Johnny's direction, her eyes narrowed. "How?"

"He's probably referring to the moment when the Cycle Lords requested that I join them." Michael replied; he looked at Johnny. "I did tell them no."

"I ain't talkin' about those shit-eatin' pissants, I'm talkin' about you and Zinone! I've seen the way you look at her – " He stood swiftly, a towering, jealous rage. "And I'm tellin' you now, the answer is NO!"

Stephanie had to restrain herself heavily from throwing her plate of food at Johnny's face. Jake Zinone's eyebrows arched, and he gave Johnny an icy glare before looking back and forth intently between Michael and Stephanie. Michael sat back a little, his expression sliding into near indifference as he folded his hands in front of him.

"You're starting in on that again, are you?" He could feel Stephanie staring at him, and turned his head towards her. "Stephanie, I think you and I are about to go down a rabbit hole with him." He caught Jake's eye. "Sir."

"I ... what's that mean? A rabbit hole?" She felt dumb asking, but it was Carrington, she knew he wouldn't laugh. Does he – ?

"It means we're about to enter a chaotic situation." He pivoted more fully towards her, a leg pressing to hers (don't shiver, don't let her see, she doesn't need the pressure), and impulsively gripped her hand (don't tremble, don't let her see, Dear God, her skin), holding it lightly, pushing back the wild, gnawing urge to kiss her, to hell with everyone watching, to let his fingers explore her hands, her arms, her face, her hair ... I love you I need you I love you, you make me feel so –

Focus focus focus you have to focus ...

He forced his voice to be casual and steady against the sudden hammering of his heart. I must be insane. "Let's say, for the sake of Johnny's argument, that I have feelings for you. Hypothetically speaking, let's say that I'm madly in love with you."

For a moment, there was no one in the world but her, he could feel his eyes telling her so.

Well, look at you, strapping on a pair. Frenchy fought back a huge grin.

Jake Zinone blinked – not lying, well, damn, he –

Hot damn, ZiZi, marry that poor kid and put him out of his misery.

I'll kill you, I HATE –

Kenickie wolf-whistled, while the four original Ladies stared, impressed and tickled.

He's got strong fingers. Stephanie inhaled a little, confused; she could feel her face warming, knew that her sorority sisters and her father and Helen and everyone were all watching intently, could see something burning, glinting deep in Michael's eyes –

She blinked twice, three times, something tilting on an axis, and it was gone. He was his usual impassive self again, letting go of her hand as suddenly as he had taken it. "Hypothetically." he continued, as if urging her. A thought flitted across the back of her mind – Liar.

Why aren't you telling her the truth? What are you waiting for? Andrianna and Christina both wondered, along with several others.

What game are you playing with my daughter, boy?

"Hypothetically." Stephanie agreed, still confused, and Michael turned back to Johnny, saying in a clipped tone, "Hypothetically, just what would you do about it, John? Because even if I did have feelings for her," – the lie burned while leaving his throat, " – it doesn't mean that she would say yes."

And wasn't that just the heart of the matter?

"Or are you hacked off because she'll never say yes to you again? You have no one but yourself to blame for that, John. Stephanie gave a damn about you, and you wasted it, repeatedly. You've done little else besides harass her ever since. I won't be dragging another young lady's name into this conversation, and now there's Paulette, trying to pick you up. How long do you think she's going to wait for you to quit being so foolish?"

Johnny exploded, a guttural roar. "GET OFF YOUR GODDAMN HIGH HORSE AND – "

Jett slammed both fists down hard on the table, making the silverware jump and rattle; Bryony gave him a look of surprise and mild impatience while nearly devouring her food, ravenous. Peter and Audra, meanwhile, both flinched and started whimpering.

"Shh." Helen ordered tightly. "Everyone shut up for a minute." Using her foot, she began gently rocking the carrier Peter was in, leaning and grazing her hand against his cheek; Rizzo noticed and began doing the same with Audra, each mother in loving, fearful awe of their child. Inside of a long ninety seconds, both babies were back to calm and dozing.

"There's no high horse here, Johnny, just the reality, everything Carrington's said is the truth, sit down!" Jett hissed, while wondering if he and Bryony should be taking notes on childcare.

"Sit down, Johnny." Andrianna commanded quietly. "Believe me when I tell you that you don't want me to start in on you right now."

"C'mon, Johnny, let's just let them get it over with. It can't be that bad." Paulette entreated, making doe eyes at him while gently tugging him down.

Johnny sat, stiff and glowering, while everyone else continued eating, with the exception of Paulette, who seemed to be joining him on a hunger strike.

"Now, to the business, first with blondie here." Danny said bluntly, staring Johnny down. "That stops now, or I'll be stripping you of that jacket and everything that goes with it. Bein' a Bird is a privilege, not a right."

Johnny sneered. "Not like you was any better, the stories go."

Danny stilled, frowning deeply, fists clenched. He looked at his fiancée apologetically, and Sandy laid the hand that bore her engagement ring on his arm, murmuring, "It's okay." Looking at Johnny, she said sharply, "Danny made mistakes. He also owned up to them. End of story. This is about you right now."

"You're lucky I didn't call the police on your ass, boy, the night you showed up at my house at three in damn morning. A few of them are old army buddies of mine, they'd haul you in faster than you could blink." Jake swore.

Johnny was smart enough to bite his tongue to keep from retorting.

"You doin' all right there, Bryony?" Galvan joked, a small tension breaker, watching his brother's girlfriend, who had just sat down with a second helping and was now shoving chunks of a dinner roll into her mouth. "No one's gonna take it from you."

Bryony took a deep gulp of water, while Jett rubbed her back. "I'm growing a person in me, shut it and let me stuff my face in peace."

Andrianna gasped, nearly dropping her own drink; she and Duran both stared for a moment, shock rapidly turning into wild excitement, while a multitude of congratulations began spilling out.

Jett nodded, still dazed by the revelation – it was going to take him a while to get used to the fact that he was going to be a father. Bryony, on the other hand, was enormously excited, and was already planning a nursery. Jett was moving in with her, since she had a house.

"Big deal." Galvan said casually.

Bryony stiffened, a angry look descending. "Excuse me?" she whispered in her soft Scottish accent.

Galvan almost laughed, waving his dinner napkin back and forth, the proverbial white flag. "I just mean, it's a big deal. We're Catholic, so's your family. When's the wedding? And more importantly, I'm the best man."

Johnny folded his arms and looked down, as Jett nodded consent and took a deep breath. "Well ... we're going to the court house in Beverly Hills next Thursday, and taking the weekend down in San Diego. We thought we'd have a wedding after the baby comes – "

Andrianna recovered herself a little, shaking her head. "You won't have the time or energy for a planning a wedding after the baby comes. Unless you're hiring someone?"

"Jett's hired himself."

"Sort of. It's a work in progress."

"Lookin' forward to seein' you waddling around like a stuffed goose, Bryony – " Galvan began.

"Watch it, numb nuts." Bryony flared, grinning.

"You know I'll be spoiling the kid rotten." Andrianna was smiling a mile wide, eyes sparking with tears of joy.

Jett returned her look. "We got a 'World's Greatest Nonna' sweater all lined up for you, and the cane to go with it."

"Oh, good, something to hit you with." Andrianna fired back sweetly, spurring a round of snorts and laughter.

"Are we done? I got someplace better to be." Johnny said angrily, standing to leave; Paulette stood with him, prepared to follow, and Danny barked, "No. Sit your ass down, this is just gettin' started."

Johnny looked around at everyone stubbornly, and Jett gripped his shoulder, pushing him back down onto the chair. "Sit and take your medicine, little brother."

I hate you. For a number of reasons.

Danny continued. "Back to my previous declaration: No more of your harassin' Stephanie. The head Lady, and yeah, that counts for somethin'. She broke it off with you, and that's it. Go with Paulette, and be grateful you have anyone at all."

Johnny opened his mouth to say something, and Stephanie called loudly, "Next!"

"The next biggest concern here," began Miss Mason, "Is Johnny's grade in English. He'll need a B plus or higher on the two mid-terms and the two remaining essays, and a C plus or higher on everything else, to be able to graduate."

"Mr. Carrington?" Andrianna entreated.

Michael looked at her. "Have you spoken to Principal McGee in the last few days?" he asked after a moment, and Andrianna nodded, frowning angrily in Johnny's direction. "It was discussed thoroughly."

Johnny looked like he wanted to start throwing things. While shouting his head off in the process.

"Then you know why my attempting to tutor him wouldn't work. Johnny has too much hostility towards me."

"But you are one of the smartest people in school. And, according to Stephanie, phenomenal at besting wits with my son."

Johnny glared, so angry by this point he felt as though he was going to choke. Why don't you just adopt that asshat and ...

Michael rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. "Well, thank you." He looked at Stephanie. "And thank you." He looked at Johnny, no fool. "But ... well ... "

"No." Johnny's tone rang with burning (desperate) finality.

"It really would a fruitless effort, Mrs. Nogerelli. He thoroughly despises me, for several reasons, and I just barely tolerate him, for several reasons."

You and I are going to have a conversation soon, boy, concerning my daughter.

"If I have to fuckin' have a goddamn tutor, get someone else, not him!" Johnny snarled, expression pinched, eyes on fire and screaming venomous animosity.

"Watch your mouth!" Duran snapped, in a tone that allowed no room for argument.

"I'm still a teacher's assistant at the university, I can ask around." Bryony offered, before Johnny could answer. "I'm sure we can find someone." To put up with him ... maybe I can get a hold of the drill sergeant ...

"Yes. Thank you, Bryony." Andrianna grinned widely at her again. "Any names chosen yet?" she asked eagerly. "One of Greek origin. Thalia, for example."

Bryony perked up a little, looking at Jett. "Oo. Thalia's a pretty one."

"That's Mom's middle name." Galvan deadpanned, and Bryony shrugged, not particularly bothered. "Still pretty."

"And if the baby's a boy?" Edrie asked.

"Oh, that one's easy. Macaulay, after my great-uncle. Most everyone calls him Mac."

"What's his honor?" Jessamine asked.

Bryony smiled. "He was a Royal Scots Greys, from nineteen ten until nineteen fifty-two, when he retired, just before the Greys were re-stationed to Libya. He served in both world wars." At Jessamine's impressed and politely confused look, she explained. "The Royal Scots Greys is a cavalry regiment; they're in Germany now, the last Uncle Mac heard. They move around a bit. But we're getting off topic." She looked back at Jett and Danny, almost apologetic. "Continue."

"Yeah." Danny looked back at Johnny. "Cool, so you're done with all your bitchin' at Stephanie for droppin' you, or I take the jacket and her old man'll turn you over to the fuzz. Your will-be sister-in-law is hunting down a tutor for you, cos you need to get your grades up to graduate."

Galvan chimed in. "Make that mess happen by really thinkin' about how everyone at school would be lookin' at you if you had to take senior year over again, without the jacket, cos there'd be a new gang of Birds and Ladies. I doubt they'd want you tryin' to tell them what to do."

"Speaking of, Steph, when do you plan on calling a meet to choose the new Ladies." Frenchy asked.

Stephanie shrugged mildly. "Probably in February. The four of us are gonna put flyers out after Christmas break."

"We should get goin' on it too, Johnny." Louis said. "Grad'll be here before you know it."

"And I can kiss this place goodbye."

"Not without a passing grade in English, you won't." Miss Mason and Andrianna declared in sync, before smiling a little at each other.

Danny exhaled a short breath: Johnny was absolutely going to lose his cool hearing this, but things needed to kept under control. "And that's the biggest reason I'm steppin' in. No T-Bird ever flunked out, no matter what we did. Between work and gettin' your grades straight, you ain't gonna have time for keepin' those three knuckleheads in line. I'm stripping you of your Head Bird status."

Johnny's heart stopped for a moment, giving a hollow thud. Davey, Louis, Goose, and Paulette inhaled sharply, while everyone else stared, a few of them too surprised for a moment to say anything. Andrianna and Duran watched their son carefully, almost regretting the decision, waiting. The answering silence was a thundering, deafening roar.

Johnny's face slowly turned purple with rage. "No. You're not." he breathed, murderously quiet.

"I am. You can have it back when you got yourself straight. You're still a Bird. Just not in charge. Not til you got yourself straight." Danny's expression said that he'd made up his mind.

"He can get his grades right and work and still lead." Paulette protested heatedly, glaring pleadingly. "There's no reason for him not to!"

"I feel otherwise." Andrianna said coolly. "That jacket has gone to your head, John Richard. The lack of respect that you've been showing in the last year alone is just proof. It's going to stop. A few instances I can name ... getting into a full-on fist fight in the middle of a restaurant last Valentine's Day simply because a waiter told Stephanie she's pretty. Cheating on Stephanie, then trying to get her to sleep with you in your father's truck on a beach full of spectators."

Stephanie looked sickened, while Michael had to clench his fists in his lap to stop from reaching across the table and bloodying Johnny's nose. How dare you hurt her.

By a supreme effort of control, Andrianna was keeping her voice level, even as she looked both livid and disappointed.

"I'd still like to slap you silly for that move. Harassing Stephanie, insulting Paulette, coming home black-out drunk on more than three occasions. Going to Jake Zinone's house at three in the morning and waking up half the neighborhood. Trying to pick a fight in a parking lot. Breaking the mirror in the school bathroom while trying to beat someone up simply because he won't pushed around, I was on the phone with the principal for twenty minutes convincing her not to suspend or expel you."

Andrianna drew a breath.

"She also mentioned your treatment of a young man named Eugene Fitzherbert. Riding your motorcycle over the school lawns, I mean, for God's sake, Johnny, there's being rebellious, raising a little hell, and then there's being a bully, which is what you've become. I'm not having it!"

There was ten hot seconds of silence, before Johnny answered, "I still ain't givin' up my position as – "

"Stand down or lose your place in the Birds all together, Nogerelli." Danny announced. "Carrington'll look after things til – "

Johnny surged to his feet, making an unintelligible roar of sound, while Michael stared at Danny, immobile.

"Calm down, Johnny, it's temporary. Get your shit together, and you can step right back in. Til then, Carrington's in charge."

"Excuse me. Danny?" Michael breathed. "What?"

"Rizzo and me felt you were best suited for the job. Sandy and Frenchy both vouched for you. Sandy got a jacket ready for – "

"NO!"

"We're putting it to a vote, Johnny." Jett answered calmly. "Every Bird and Lady here has say." He looked around sweepingly. "All rise. Carrington, you too."

Kenickie, Sonny, Edrie, Christina, Jessamine, Aimee, Sandy, Rizzo, Frenchy, Marty, Jan, Stephanie, Rhonda, and Sharon all stood, expressions ranging from neutral to grinning to eager.

Paulette stood as well, trembling, her expression screaming that she was on Johnny's side in this. She glared at Stephanie, eyes burning. "You knew about this?" she demanded in a shrill whisper.

"No, but I did." Andrianna answered coolly. "Hold your tongue, young woman. I understand you have feelings for my son, and if he's who you choose, then that's your business. That doesn't mean I can condone it, given the way he behaves."

Johnny and Paulette both actually flinched, while Goose, Louis, Michael, and Davey stood, seeing no other option.

"All those in favor of keeping the T-Bird leadership as it stands?"

Johnny, Paulette, Goose, Louis all raised their hands high immediately. Davey's hand-raising took a kick from Louis and another vicious look from Johnny.

Michael raised his hand a little, and Sandy gave him a look, which he shook his head some in answer to. "How on earth would I ... What?"

"The only thing you gotta do is keep them alive and out of serious trouble. Any questions, ask ZiZi or Frenchy." Rizzo answered.

"All those in favor of the change of T-Bird leadership from John Nogerelli to Michael Carrington?"

Sixteen hands went up.

Two minutes later, the paperwork was being signed –

"Put your name down, Nogerelli, or lose that jacket and be an outcast."

"I hate your guts." Johnny seethed, knuckles pale from pressure, everything shaking in white fury.

"It's temporary, we've explained it. Sign, or your mother and I are tossing your ass in boot camp."

Johnny signed his name so hard that the paper and the tablecloth beneath it tore; spitting at the ground in Danny's and Jett's direction, he left, climbing on his bike, riding away, leaving Paulette behind, not looking back.