A/N Thank you for your reviews. I really wanted to get your input on this story. I still own nothing.

When Brian entered the cafeteria the next day, he saw Mary sitting with Dave and Jasmine. He knew that they going to the Prom together. They had been dating for a few months.

He shook his head, Dave was his best friend, but he could get creepy sometimes. He kept saying how he and Jasmine were making out and he was sure they would soon 'Do it'.

As he came up to them, Mary looked up at him and smiled. He found himself happily smiling back.

After he sat down, Mary turned to him, "If you agree, we were thinking of going over to Jasmine's after the Prom and have a party by the Pool. You can tell your folks her parents will be there, but they have promised to stay in the house."

After the last street football game, Raj and Barb had started dating. Eight months after that they were married. Raj's best man was of course Howard and Sheldon and Leonard were Groomsman, but everyone was glad when "The Snake" was also a Groomsman and the whole other team attended the wedding.

After they had been married for a few months, everyone had been saddened and shocked when Raj's father had a heart attack he didn't survive.

Raj's mother decided there was no need to wait until she was gone to give the children some of their inheritance. She split their fortune into four parts, giving Raj, his sister Priya, and his brother Adoot their share.

For a short time after that, Raj had gotten carried away. He had bought a huge house with a big backyard pool. He even quit his job at Caltech. But then he came to realize how much he missed everyone and went back to work.

Brian smiled, "That sounds great."

Diane Baxter entered the cafeteria with Steve Harper. She had been thrilled when he asked her to the Prom even though she suspected that she was his second choice.

She looked over and saw Mary sitting next to Brian Hofstadter. She sometimes wondered what was going on with those two. They seemed close but as far as she knew had never gone out. But she could see that there was something between them. She wondered though why Mary was interested in him. Oh, Brian was a nice guy and he was on the football team, but he was not that impressive. She decided he was okay looking in a cute source of way, but he was hardly a hunk. Mainly he was short.

And then there was Mary. She knew she had given her no real reason to have a problem with her. She had to admit she was really nice and she did enjoy being on the squad with her. But just once, she wished she would screw up at something. I mean she was Head Cheerleader; everyone knew she and Brian were competing to be class valedictorian. She had been homecoming Queen. God, she would probably be Prom Queen. She just wished she would do something stupid; fart in public, get drunk and make a fool of herself, get pregnant. She smirked, 'Hell, she probably pooped cotton candy.'

Brian looked up as Steve and Diane came up to the table. Steve Harper was the quarterback of the football team. He was the quintessential jock; tall, well built, and handsome. But he was also a great guy.

Mary was a little bothered to see Steve. She hoped there were no hard feelings. After she had talked to Brian, she had settled down a little and decided she should call Steve and let him know. She had been pleased and relieved when he told her he had asked Diane.

Steve spoke up, "Hi, Crazy. Hello, Mary." He nodded to Dave and Jasmine.

Brian sighed, at least only Steve called him that. He nodded as Mary said, "Hey, Steve. Hi, Diane. Do you guys want to join us?"

After Steve and Diane sat down, Diane was shocked when it soon became apparent that Mary was going to the Prom with Brian. She had to smile to herself, 'Well at least she was showing her up at something.'

Mary was speaking, "Say, guys, we were just discussing our plans for after the Prom. We're going to over to Jasmine's and hang out around the pool. Would you like to join us?"

Steve looked at Diane who was thinking. They really didn't have any plans and it did sound fun. She finally said, "Are her parents going to be home?"

"Yeah, but they promised to stay out of sight."

Diane was a little disappointed but then thought that it might just be better. She knew her parents would be relieved.

She looked at Steve, "Sounds good to me."

Steve said, "Count us in."

Mary smiled, "Great."

Dave spoke up, "We were thinking of getting a limo. It could take us to the dance and then to the party. Afterwards, it could take us all home."

Steve frowned, "That sounds kind of expensive."

Jasmine spoke up, "Don't worry about it, I can get my dad to spring for it."

Brian spoke up, "Are you sure?"

Jasmine smiled ruefully, "I think he is more excited about this than I am. He'll jump at the chance."

She sighed, "He and Mom are going to be chaperones at the Prom. I hope he doesn't make a fool of himself."

Mary smiled, "Well, we have a lot going on in the next two weeks. Next weekend is the Championship Game and the Prom the weekend after."

Soon after that, they broke up, with the girls going off together.

Steve turned to Brian, "Well, Crazy, I guess congratulations are in order. Way to go."

Brian smiled, "Thanks, Steve." He sighed, "I just hope I don't mess up."

Steve smiled, "Don't worry." He got serious, "You know Mary and I used to date. We were okay together but never really clicked. I am beginning to think that might have something to do with you."

He smiled as Brian stared at him, "Well, see you at practice."

As they walked, Jasmine spoke up, "Do you guys want to go dress shopping together?"

Diane smiled, "That sounds good. How about tomorrow afternoon? We don't have cheerleading practice."

Mary spoke up, "Sounds good to me."

The next week passed quickly with the girls picking out their dresses and the guys getting measured for tuxedos. Between that and practices, Mary and Brian saw each other only at school. Between the game and thinking of the Prom, Brian was feeling a lot of pressure. He knew he would be okay about the game once it started and hoped the same would be true of the Prom.

Brian and the others looked around in awe at the stadium when they entered. The Championship game was being held in the Los Angeles Coliseum at night under the lights. Although the stands were not filled, there were a lot more people than they had ever played in front of before.

There was also the fact it would be on prime-time television.

Coach Barber sighed as he looked over his players. Everyone looked like they had seen a ghost. He knew all of them would probably run away if they thought they could do it.

"All right, gather around."

As they all sat down, he smiled, "Pretty scary, huh?"

When no one answered, "Well, remember, it's the same for the other team. And that's who we have to concentrate on."

"We have had a great week of practice and I am confident we are ready to go."

"Listen, guys. I just want you to know that whatever happens, I am damn proud of you. I really believe we can win but I just want us to never have to look back and say we didn't do all we could. So, go out there, do your best, and try to enjoy the experience."

"All right, everybody up!"

He raised his arm, "Go Pelicans."

The team responded, "Go Pelicans."

After three times they all huddled together and touched hands.

The coach said, "Almighty God, we ask you to be there for both teams. Let no one get hurt."

He stepped back, "Okay, let's kill some Buffalo!"

The team cheered and headed through the corridor to the edge of the field.

Penny sat nervously, wishing it would just get started. She smiled gratefully when Leonard took and squeezed her hand. He said quietly, "He'll be fine."

"I know. But sometimes he just seems so small."

He kissed her softly on the cheek.

Howard smiled, "Hey look, it's David."

David had come out and was arranging the equipment by the bench. Bernadette pretended to be upset when Howard called out, "Let's hear it for the equipment manager," but her eyes were twinkling.

"Sit down, Howard."

Barb, who was sitting next to Penny, "I am so nervous. I just want them to win so bad."

Penny smiled, "I know. But I just hope they play well and nobody gets hurt."

Soon they watched as the fight song for the Los Angeles Roosevelt Buffalo played and their players rushed on to the field between two rows of their cheerleaders, their mascot leading the way.

Sheldon spoke up, "What is he supposed to be?"

Amy smiled, "I believe he is a Buffalo."

"Actually, what most people call a Buffalo is actually an American Bison." He smirked, "He doesn't look like either."

Bernadette broke in, "They look awfully big."

Penny smiled, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall."

Internally, she felt nervous though, she had researched their team and they were impressive.

All of that was forgotten though when the Pasadena fight song started and their cheerleaders, led by Mary Cooper, rushed on to the field. Everyone, including Sheldon, rose to their feet and clapped, Penny and Barb singing along.

Then, as the team came out, led by Steve Harper, the cheers continued as they passed through the corridor formed by their cheerleaders. The Pelicans did not have a mascot. Someone had once thought of having a real bird, but that was quickly quashed.

They all stayed on their feet until the teams reached the sideline.

Coach Barber was giving last orders to his captains, Steve Harper and Warren Sampson. "If you win the toss, defer as usual. I want our defense out there first."

Steve nodded. Although the offense had done well, everyone knew it was their defense that had got them here.

Pasadena did win the toss and the game began.

From the beginning, the game was a nail-biting affair with the lead changing hands several times. Penny and Leonard had one scary moment when Brian took a vicious hit and didn't get up immediately. But then he jumped up and seemed to be okay.

By the time the fourth quarter arrived, Penny was practically hoarse. All the cheerleaders were on the field, leading cheers before the start of the quarter.

Sheldon and Amy looked proudly at Mary. Sheldon had not been thrilled when Mary had said she was going to try out for cheerleading, thinking school should be for studies. But he had grudgingly had to admit that Mary was a very pretty and popular girl. It was also true she had kept up her studies.

He looked around him and found himself still amazed at the friends he had. It seemed a lifetime ago that he had been alone. Then first Leonard and then Penny had come into his life.

Two of the greatest joys of his life were the births of Mary and Brian. Now they were going to the Prom. He was beginning to realize what that could mean.

As the end of the game neared, no one was sitting down. Then with less than a minute to go and the score tied 24-24, Brian broke free for his longest run of the day and carried the ball to the opponents twenty-five-yard line. Pasadena took their final time out. There would be time for one more play before the game would go to overtime.

Leonard spoke up, "What now? Are they going to try a field goal?"

Penny had to smile; she knew there was a time he would have no idea what that meant.

Sheldon broke in, "It would be a forty-two-yard kick. Our kicker's longest kick is only thirty-five yards. He has also missed badly twice from this distance."

Penny looked at Amy who smiled back. When it came to statistics, Sheldon would have the numbers.

Then, all of a sudden it hit her, she stared at the scoreboard. She about knocked Leonard over when she hit his arm, "Look at the score."

Leonard, rubbing his arm, wondered what she was talking about. Then he realized what she had; that was the same score of the two street games. He was stunned. The situation was the same. Their team had the ball with one last play. Was it an omen?

The others had heard her and were astonished as well. With Amy wondering what was going on, Penny couldn't resist. She smirked, "Bernie, what are you waiting for, get down on the sidelines and do your thing."

Bernadette glared at her, "Not funny, Penny."

Amy spoke up, "What's she talking about?"

Penny said, "I'll tell you later."

Bernadette quickly said, "No, she won't."

As everyone but Amy wondered if history was about to repeat itself and maybe Brian would be the hero, they saw the field goal team go out on to the field.

Penny sighed, she supposed it was their best chance. Twenty-five yards was a long way and the offense had not exactly shone. Two of their touchdowns were attributed to the defense.

With everyone crossing their fingers and some saying a prayer, the field goal team got in position.

Eddie Baxter, the holder, had never been so nervous in his life. He knelt down, straining to keep his right knee off the turf without making it obvious. He knew the officials had been informed and would be watching him carefully. He tried to relax, telling himself how often they had done this in practice. Unfortunately, that reminded him that it had not always worked. It was only a short pass but… He nervously wiped his hands and taking a deep breath, waited for the snap.

The kicker, John Williams, told himself to do everything he would normally do. To sell to the other team that he was going to kick it.

Eddie took the snap and then immediately rose and pulled away the ball as John kicked the air. He looked and saw Brian was where he should be.

With his heart in his throat he threw the pass into the flat. To his huge relief, the pass was perfect and Brian caught it in stride as the Los Angeles players and coaches shouted, "FAKE, FAKE." But as he looked ahead, it was apparent they had not been completely fooled. There were three players he had to contend with. He also saw he couldn't just run down the sideline.

Just then he felt someone go by him and smiled as he saw it was their tight end, Sid Barnes. Trusting him to take care of the closest tackler, he headed for the second man. Feinting toward the sideline, he quickly twisted away as the tackler dove for him.

He heard the scream of frustration as the man missed him and landed on the ground. Now only one obstacle remained, but he was the one man he didn't want to see.

Everyone agreed that Barry Jordan was the best defensive player in the state. Tall, with long arms, he was a sure tackler. Brian knew he would be ready for his moves. He could see he was already maneuvering him toward the sideline. Brian also knew he couldn't dance around because he was sure tacklers were coming up behind him.

Suddenly something struck him. At first he shrugged it off, but then decided it might be his best chance. He was sure Jordan, who had no doubt heard of him, would never expect him to do it.

He headed toward him and just before he reached him, faked his normal move. As expected, Jordan was ready for it. But his movement had left his body extended. To everyone's shock and surprise, Brian headed straight for him. Lowering his shoulder; for once his shortness being an asset, he was able to get under his arms. Driving forward, he felt Jordan start to fall back. But then Brian felt Jordon's right arm grab him and he felt himself going down.

He desperately struggled to keep his balance, keeping his legs moving. Just when he thought he was done, the arm slipped away and he was clear. He stumbled for a moment but then recovered and sped toward the end zone as if wild dogs were chasing him. Then, it was over. He crossed the goal line and fell to one knee.

Penny screamed in joy, tears pouring down her cheeks. Soon, everyone was jumping up and down, hugging each other. Even Sheldon was caught up in the excitement.

Down on the field, Brian's teammates picked him up and one of the lineman lifted him up in the air. Steve Harper smiled, "Be careful, Don, we don't want to hurt him now."

Just as Don set him back down, Mary came rushing up to him and to everyone's shock and joy, wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a passionate kiss. Brian was stunned for a moment but then returned it.

As they finally stepped back, both blushing a little, several players lifted Brian on their shoulders and carried him around the field.

Penny and the others wanted to rush onto the field but LAPD had quickly deployed men on horseback all along the sidelines.

While they waited for the presentation of the trophy, Penny and others in the group joined in singing the fight song.

Sheldon and Amy stood together. They had seen how Mary had kissed Brian. They realized how happy that made them. Amy had been puzzled about one thing, "Sheldon, what was Penny talking about before that last play? Something about that score? It seemed to bother Bernadette."

Sheldon smiled at her, "When we get home, I will tell you the whole story, I also have something to show you. I have to admit it bothered me for people to see it for a long time, but I think you will get a kick out of it." He smiled, "Besides, it is my greatest moment as an athlete."

Seeing the look on her face, he leaned down and kissed her softly on the mouth.

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