My Incoherent Babbling (a.k.a. Author's Note): Ahoy, mates!!! Hop on board and enjoy the ride. Yeah, lads, the eye patch is mandatory. No exceptions, not even you. You know I'm talking to you. Don't make me come show you what this little hook o' mine can do. Sit back and buckle up tight. I foresee some sappy seas ahead. And some insanity, but hey, I'm a typin' like a pirate. So don't ya mind me babble. Anchor's away!!!

* * *

Dances with Chickens

Chapter 5: A Certain, Special Song

* * *

"I'll be right back, Jamie," Caitie said, slipping into the crowd. She left him with the impression that she was going to the restroom or something, but she had other plans. She made her way to the DJ in the front of the gym. She leaned over and whispered something in his ear. He looked at her, confused. She whispered something else, presumably an explanation. He laughed and nodded. Caitie made her way back to Jamie who was waiting for her by the refreshment tables.

"Let's dance." She said, taking his hand.

"More?" He laughed as she dragged him out to the dance floor.

"Is there such thing as too much?"

They danced through an upbeat song swaying and moving to the beat of the music with the other teenagers in the building. There was a momentary pause in the music as the song ended and the DJ spoke into the mike.

"Okay, guys. Here's a special song requested by a special someone for her 'Chicken in a Tux.' You all know you know this, so don't be shy, come on and dance!"

With that the infamous chicken song began blaring through the sound system. Jamie glared at Caitie, but she smiled smugly, dragging Jamie out to the middle of the dance floor. They flapped, shook, and clapped, slightly self-consciously at first, but then they began to loosen up and enjoy themselves. Pretty soon, most of the teenagers crowded into the gym were doing the chicken dance. The gym was full of flapping, clapping teenagers, laughing and having a great time. The chicken costume prank, meant to damper Kingsport High's mood, and the events following because of it became the highlight of the night.

* * *

A slow song came on and the couples began to pair up to dance.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" He asked switching from his light carefree banter to the epitome of formality, bowing down like a prince. Caitie stifled a laugh at the sight of a chicken speaking in a corny British accent. She placed her hand in his and he lead her out to the dance floor.

"I don't just have any chicken, I have an import." She joked.

"Only the best for you, my dear," he said, staying in character.

The swayed gently to the music. Her hands rested lightly on his shoulders, and his hands rested gently on her hips. "Have you had a good time tonight?" He asked her softly.

"It's been awesome." She smiled up through the mesh eyes of his costume. She could see his eyes, though not clearly due to the costume, but crystal clear in her mind's eye. She loved his eyes. The emotions he hid from the world through his leather jacket and secure stance were stripped away with one deep look into his rich chocolate eyes. His eyes really were the window to the soul, in Jamie's case. But rarely did he let someone close enough to really see the true him. Caitie was one of those few people.

"Even if your date's a giant chicken in a tux?" He asked, repeating what she had called him earlier.

"Yeah. But you're my giant chicken in a tux." She rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck. He brought her closer by tightening his grip on her waist. "So, are we… official?" she asked softly, not lifting her head from his shoulder.

"If you want us to be."

"Then we are." She leaned in further. She would have kissed him, but there was a slight obstacle in her way. He tightened the grip even further on her waist, closing the space between them completely. They swayed and moved gracefully to the music. Caitie saw Val and Tyler dancing nearby.

Val's arms were wrapped over Tyler's shoulders, hands resting at the nape of his neck. His hands were clasped at the small of her back. They were talking softly. Val laughed and shook her head. This movement broke her intent gaze into Tyler's eyes and she caught her best friend's look.

Caitie smiled at her, giving her a thumbs up, not moving her hands from around Jamie's neck. Val said something to Tyler, and he looked over at the new couple and smiled. They continued dancing and Caitie closed her eyes as they moved to the music. The nearness to him was sending her head reeling. But in a good way. A very good way, she decided.

* * *

"Are you ready to go?" Jamie asked Caitie after the dance was over and the dance committee began to tear down.

"Yeah, it's getting late." She said, stifling a yawn.

"We better leave soon before I get drafted to carry something heavy. I've had enough to do with this school for the day." He said, leading her out to the parking lot and his waiting motorcycle.

"Here's a helmet," he said, handing her the one he usually wore. "I don't think it will fit over my big head."

"You know, I could say something," she said, carefully placing the helmet on over her hair and climbing on the bike carefully, as not to mess up her dress, "but I won't. Considering I need a ride home. I'm sure not walking home in these." She said, sticking her foot out so he could see her dark blue heels.

He climbed on in front of her and she wound her arms around his waist, scooting as close as she could get. She loved riding his motorcycle. It was a chance to cuddle close, without being obvious about they way she felt. She stopped mid-thought. Wait, it doesn't matter now. We're finally a couple. She smiled at the thought. "You're sure you can drive with that head, right?"

"Well, I don't have much experience driving motorcycles with chicken heads," he laughed, "but I think I'll manage."

She rested her head against his shoulder, arms tightly gripping his waist. She breathed in deeply, enjoying the smell of him. His aftershave, cologne, and hair gel all mixed together to form a smell uniquely him. It was just Jamie. Her Jamie. She sighed contently.

All too soon Jamie drove up the tree-lined path and stopped in front of Caitie's house. He parked the bike, helped her with her helmet, and walked her to the door.

He took her hands in his and said softly, "I'm sorry things didn't work out quite the way I planned. But, despite everything, I had a great time."

She smiled up at him. "Yeah. Me too."

"Well, I'd kiss you good-night, but, well…"

She smiled and saved him the trouble. Reaching up on her toes, she placed a kiss on his beak.

She sighed contently as she watched him speed away. His black tux faded into the shadows of the tree-lined drive. The chrome of his motorcycle glistened and his yellow feathery head was the last thing she saw as he sped around the corner, and out of sight.

~ The End ~

* * *

A/N: Well, that's it. Tell me what you think. Really, I'm not insane. I promise. Yes, I know I just wrote a story about salsa dancing chickens, but, really, I'm okay. This all came from a caffeine induced conversation with Makatibird, and the salsa dancing chickens she found on nickjr.com. Don't ask. Long story. It kinda turned into a dare, and I couldn't pass it up. I have a sequel planned. It will have to do with a little thing I mentioned at the beginning of the story. Can anybody guess? I'll give you a hint. It has to do with the note. If you guess it right in your review, I'll e-mail you and let you know if you were right. Just leave your e-mail address in your review.

Posted August 2002