Chapter 2 - Mission Briefing

As Sam got home it was about 6.30. The prom started at eight and Jack had promised to pick her up in an hour from now. So she had enough time to get ready, first thing she did from now was to take a shower, then she emptied the contents of her clothes closet onto her bed.

She stood before them not sure which outfit to wear, of course she had already picked out one the night before, but this one no longer seemed fitful to her. After twenty minutes of inner quarrels she finally selected Jack's favorite evening dress. It was a long, dark aubergine one with a wide skirt and thin lace straps.

The next decision to make was on the shoes. This did not take Sam long, she only had two pairs of high-heels fitting the dress's color. She picked the ones with the many satin slings and tied them firmly around her ankles.

Then she did her hair and make-up, looking as soft and natural as possible.

Punctually at 7.30 the doorbell rang as Sam was just finished with everything. She walked into the hall and took her black coat from its place on the second hook to the right. (AN: I just can't believe that it's only Sam's bookshelf she keeps in perfect order.)

She took a last look into the mirror before she finally opened the front door. Outside stood Jack dressed into a complete smoking, even with a bow tie. Sam had not seen him dressed like that ever before.

"Wow", she said eyeing him from head to toe, "that's something new to my eyes."

"Ain't it?" Jack winked at her and smirked.

Sam slipped into her coat and went outside closing the door behind her. Now it was Jack's turn to comment on her outfit and he merely whistled through his teeth.

"Sweet whatcha wearin' there, Sam", he stated, "ain't that the one dress you wore last Christmas on our common night out? The one I liked so much?"

"Yep", Sam gave her 'date' a proud smile, "nice you remember."

"Sure I do", Jack put his arm around her shoulders and they walked through the garden door and down to the side of the road where Jack's Ford was parked.

He opened the passenger door for Sam and she got in. As they were both on board Jack grabbed behind his seat and took out a small package wrapped into paper.

Sam took it with a smile and unwrapped it. As she saw what it was she had to giggle involuntarily.

"Oh my god, Jack", she looked at the small bouquet of white flowers in her hand.

He shrugged. "Thought it would fit the occasion. I mean it's still a prom, or?"

"Yeah, course", Sam was still a bit baffled by his love for the details. Would Pete have thought of that?

"Look, I have a small one, too", he smiled as he took a small flower out of his trouser pocket and put it into his jacket's one.

Now he started the car and they went toward their destination for the night. After some minutes they started to talk about the things expecting them:

"Okay, Major", Jack began with a sly grin, "brief me about it. What kinda people are hanging 'round there and how hostile is the territory at all?"

"Well, sir", Sam returned the grin and joined his little role play, "we can expect a group-up of former fashion-sick cheerleaders, their head is a certain Tara Kingsley..."

"Bleh, peachy, I like those girlish trash cans of expensive make-up and clothing companies. Don't say that there are football players, too, eh?"

"Of course they are. But normally they had acceptable manners toward us girls."

Jack sighed, "Oy, those guys have never been my size..."

"Don't say you got...?" Sam gave Jack a concerned glance.

"Oh no, none of those has ever beaten me up."

She let out a relieved breath then she spoke on:

"But there are also some people I'm looking forward to meeting again. The guys from the astronomy club. As far as I've heard some of them made it to the best universities studying physics, astronomy or even astrophysics like me. Oh, and there's this handful of girls I've helped with physics all the time."

"And they understood everything ya told 'em?" Jack gave are a challenging look."

"They did", Sam replied, "most of it."

"Oh, that's interesting."

Jack pulled into the parking lot outside the school and they got out walking toward the brightly lit gym, holding each others hand.

To be continued in some not soap opera-like action, e.g., some food fights, kick battles and Sam getting even with some old enemies.