Author's Note: Fraiser's still dating Emmett. I meant to mention that he was out of town (doing some kind of journalism thing) I just forgot to. Otherwise he would have been giving Ian the 9th degree, too, and I figured that would probably be pushing things a bit.

OOOOOOOO

The Senior Formal was scheduled to run from 7PM to Midnight. Because of the long delay with lectures and stopping to get a million pictures taken Ian and Cassie were late arriving, but Cassie assured him when he parked the car that she didn't mind a bit.

She didn't, either. She couldn't help but be excited and a bit smug at the thought of walking into a crowded room on Ian's arm. The girls were going to be so jealous, she just knew it. She didn't tell him that, of course, well aware that it would make him seem like a trophy date to Cassie – which wasn't the case at all – but it would either hurt his feelings or make him angry, and she didn't want to do either. She didn't yet know exactly what kind of feelings Ian held for her, but Cassie knew exactly what she felt for him. She was completely in love with him – and it wasn't just a crush like her mother said it was.

They ended up parking a goodly distance away form the main entrance, but neither of them minded. Ian offered to drop her off and then go park by the door, but since she wasn't wearing stiletto heels – although she'd wanted to – she told him she'd walk with him and keep him company. And had seen him smile slightly at the offer, which made her feel gooey inside, because she knew that meant that he did want to spend time with her.

With her shawl wrapped around her, and his arm supporting her lightly, the two of them walked along the sidewalk with a few other straggling pairs, although Ian didn't stop to make idle conversation and Cassie didn't ask him to. She could talk to anyone she wanted to inside, where it was warmer, and where she could see them a little better.

They were stopped at the door for just a moment, while a security guard checked to make sure that they weren't bringing in anything that wasn't allowed; weapons, drugs and alcohol to be precise, but anything else that might pose a danger to their charges were also confiscated. Since Cassie didn't have room in her dress for anything but her, and Ian wasn't carrying anything but his wallet in an inside pocket of his tuxedo jacket, they were passed fairly quickly, and walked into the dance.

The room was beautifully decorated in silver and red with a definite Valentine's Day motif, streamers hearts and little cupids all over the place. Cassie looked around with delight, her hand tightening on Ian's arm.

"Isn't it pretty?"

He tried to act impressed, but it was clearly decorated for the females in the crowd, and Ian had trouble being enthusiastic about it.

"It's... nice," he finally said, unable to come up with a better compliment.

Cassie smiled; he wasn't fooling her at all, but she didn't mind that he wasn't as excited as she was.

"It's wonderful."

He smiled at her and put his arm around her waist, guiding her to the side of the room and out of the way, wondering if she'd want to dance first or go find friends to talk to – which would probably leave him sitting at one of the many small tables alone. He didn't even get a chance to ask her.

"Cassie!"

A squeal of excitement drew both of their attentions to the right, where two of Cassie's friends were converging on them, dragging a couple of good looking young men behind them. Cassie squealed just as happily, and Ian couldn't help but smile as she stepped out of his arm and went up to them to give them hugs.

"You guys look great!" She said, as Ian watched.

"I can't believe that dress!" Crystal told her, admiring it, but only for a moment. Not only could she not believe the dress, but she couldn't believe Cassie's date, even though she'd seen him before. Ian Brooks was far better looking in a tuxedo than he was in a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, and the last time she'd seen him at the movie theater, he'd been scowling – and now he wasn't, and oh God, was he beautiful.

"You're Ian, right?" Her friend Angela asked before Crystal or Cassie could say anything. "You were at the movies on Thanksgiving."

Ian nodded, and Angela held out her hand.

"I'm Angela."

Ian shook her hand for a moment, and then was introduced to Crystal as well, although it wasn't really necessary. He'd remembered both of their names. Then he was introduced to their dates, who both held out their hands to shake his, without – Ian was surprised to see – the customary testing of grips that he'd become so used to in dealing with high school guys. Hell, he'd done it a time or two when he was younger.

Both of these guys – named Frank and Rad – were friendly enough, and it was a relief to Ian, especially since they could have been bastards about the fact that both of their dates were staring at him and not them.

Maybe it wasn't going to be such a bad night, after all.

OOOOOOOOO

The six of them moved into the main body of the dance, claiming one of the larger tables for themselves, but they'd barely settled in before the band finished one set and started on another; this one slow and easy.

"Let's dance," Crystal told Rad, who sighed, and stood up – obviously not looking forward to dancing, but willing to do it because it was what his date wanted. Ian looked over at Cassie, who was looking at him, hopefully, and he stood up and offered her his hand.

"Dance, Cassandra?"

She beamed as she took his hand, and as he led her out onto the floor, she wasn't even aware of the people that were watching them. She turned to face him, and Ian smiled at her, brushing his hand along her cheek before he took her in his arms and leading her into the first steps of the dance.

Cassie wasn't a great dancer. She never had been, although she wasn't a klutz, either. She'd been given a few lessons from Sam – using Jack as a partner – and Sam had been taught by Gina, who's mother was a professional. She felt competent enough to allow him to lead her around, although she was a little nervous that she'd step on his feet or something. But she needn't have worried.

Ian was a good dancer. Better than good, he was extremely good – although it was a talent he didn't share with anyone if he could avoid it. He had to be, after all, with his mother being who she was. His talent more than made up for Cassie's nervousness and the two of them moved so smoothly together that no one would have even noticed that Cassie was a little tense.

He smiled, more than close enough to her to feel when she finally started to relax in his arms, and his hand tightened its grip on the small of her back just a little in response.

"You're doing great," he murmured.

She beamed.