Author's Note: I know this one has a slow start guys, but the beginning of the story is important, too, and I have to write it out before I can get to the dance. But it's coming, now, so here we go.

OOOOOOOOOO

To Ian's relief, Sam didn't give him a lecture about the dance that evening and how she expected him to behave with Cassie. Truth to tell, he hadn't actually expected her to, but since everyone else was acting like he had suddenly become some kind of axe murderer on parole, he just wasn't sure what to expect from her – even after the warning she'd given him that morning.

Instead, they talked about the reactor she'd been working on that day, since Sam hashed out ideas a lot better when she had someone to bounce them off – which wasn't something Jack enjoyed doing, not even for her – and Jaffer sat in the back of the convertible (which had the top up because there was no way he'd risk Sam catching a cold just so he could look cool).

When they got to her house, he offered to walk her to the door, but she shook her head with a smile as he opened her door for her and she got out of the car.

"Jaffer will walk me to the door. You go home and get some rest. You look tired."

She, of course, knew he didn't have any homework, since she'd been the one to check it over for him when he'd finished it earlier that week.

He nodded.

"I'll see you this evening when we stop by."

"Are you going to dinner before or after the dance?"

"After. Cassie doesn't want to dance on a full stomach, she said."

Sam nodded, and reached out and rested her hand on his forehead before he could realize what she was doing and move out of the way. He was warm, like she'd assumed he was – he looked a little off.

"Are you all right?"

He smiled, and now he did move out of her reach.

"I'm fine, Sam. I just need some sleep."

She didn't look completely convinced, but Ian shooed her off to the house, reminding her that Daniel had been at his house until the wee hours, and that would make anyone tired – especially with the week he'd had.

"I'll see you tonight."

He nodded – again – and got into the car before she could keep worrying about him. Probably something about being pregnant made her worry more than she should, and Ian didn't think it was good for her. He drove home and took that long hot shower he'd promised himself, and then set his alarm for five, which would give him an hour to get ready before getting Cassie, and fell into bed.

OOOOOOOOO

"So… what do you think?"

Janet watched as Cassie walked into the living room, and wasn't sure what to think. She looked absolutely beautiful, that was for certain, but there was far more skin showing than the mother in her preferred to see.

"You look great."

Cassie was immediately suspicious. All they'd done for the past week and a half was argue about the dress, and she was certain that her mother hadn't changed her mind so easily.

"But…?"

Janet shook her head, sighing silently.

"There is no 'but', Cass. You look beautiful in that dress. I do wish, however, that there was a bit more to it."

Which sure sounded like a great big fat but to her.

"It's not that bad, mom."

She looked down at herself. There were no straps, true – and she loved that – but there was also very little cleavage showing, and the dress ended at mid thigh, or maybe just a little lower. It showed off Cassie's figure beautifully, but it didn't really show anything.

Janet looked at it just as critically as Cassandra turned around so she could be zipped up, and the doctor smiled despite her misgivings. It was a beautiful dress. And with Cassie's hair in and intricate tangle coming down over her shoulder, showed off the delicate chain and diamond pendant that Janet had given her that Christmas. She looked wonderful. It was just too bad that Janet wasn't going so she could keep an eye on things.

"How do I look?" Cassie asked, turning, and smoothing her hands along the dress.

"Beautiful."

She positively beamed, and looked at the clock on the wall. Ian would be there, soon. Cassie had spent way more time on her hair than she should have, but she'd had trouble deciding if she wanted to wear it up or down, and had decided that by wearing it down, it might give the illusion of having a little more covering – which would hopefully make her mom stop complaining about her dress.

"You remember the rules?"

Cassie rolled her eyes, but she was glad that they'd been brought up now, and not when Ian was there to listen.

"Yes. No drinking. No smoking. No leaving the dance with anyone else, and I'm to be home by 2AM."

"One."

"Mom…"

"Cassie. One."

"Fine."

"And…?"

"And…?"

"And I don't want you-"

She was interrupted by the doorbell ringing, and Cassie stifled an excited squeal. Yeah, she'd been to parties and even a couple of other dances, but not with Ian, and not dressed up like she was, now. She was finally an adult, and wearing an adult dress, and going with an adult instead of one of the boys from her school. God, she was so excited. She headed for the door, but Janet put her hand on her daughter's arm to stop her.

"I'll get it. You go get your sandals on."

Cassie looked down, and nodded. Shoes. Yeah, she'd need those. She vanished down the hall, with a definite bounce in her step, and Janet went to the door and opened it.

Ian's nap had done him a world of good, and he'd taken another shower – and had shaved – before getting dressed in his tux, taking extra care to make sure everything was shipshape. His haircut was perfect – since he'd had it done only that weekend – and even Janet couldn't help but be impressed by just how good he looked in his tuxedo when she opened the door. She smiled before she realized she was doing it, and was pleased to see that he looked just a little nervous.

"Good evening, Doctor Fraiser."

"Hello, Ian. Come on in."

Since he hadn't been sure that he was even going to be invited in – judging form the way she'd been acting with him the last week – Ian was almost surprised at the offer. He nodded, and stepped into the hallway, smiling down at Cassie's dog, who had come rushing up to see who was visiting, but he didn't lean over and pet him like he normally would have. In his hand he was holding a box with Cassie's corsage, and he didn't want to get dog hair or worse on himself.

"Is Cassie ready?" He asked as she closed the door behind him.

"Almost." Janet said. "Why don't you and I have a chat while we wait?"

Well, shit…

He wanted to just tell her that he wasn't going to do anything and he didn't need another lecture or anymore scowls and cold looks. Instead, he nodded.