CHAPTER 2: DATES AND DANGEROUS GAMES (BUT NOT AT ONCE)

Jacques' Bistro, Downtown Sparkyville

5:30 PM

Charlie Brown, Frieda, Vanessa, and Mitchell were at Jacques' Bistro in downtown Sparkyville for a double date. It was the first time Charlie Brown and Frieda got to know Vanessa's boyfriend, as they didn't have much classes with him. Charlie Brown had P.E. with him, but didn't interact too much with him, and Frieda had Science with him, but never did any partnering with him on projects. So, this was their chance to get to know him better. Both girls were dressed in gowns, and the boys were wearing suit jackets and nice pants.

"So, Mitchell," Charlie Brown began, "are you into any sports?"

"Well, I like playing football," said Mitchell. "Was hoping that I could join you guys on the team, but I came here a little late in the season. The coach said I could go out for the high school team next year."

"I like football, too," Charlie Brown replied, "but I am a huge fan of baseball."

"Charlie Brown manages his own team," Frieda added. "I'm on there, as well. Peppermint Patty has a team of her own, as well."

"I thought she would play softball instead of baseball," said Vanessa.

"Don't let her hear you saying that, Vanessa," said Charlie Brown. "She won't let you forget how baseball is better than softball, even though she wouldn't hesitate to play it where it was the only game to play, like if we were at camp."

"I know how much of a baseball nut she is, Charlie Brown," Vanessa replied. "You're love of the game is subtle compared to hers."

"You never heard about my waiting for the team to show up to play in the rain, have you?" They all laughed at that. Charlie Brown now stopped the games when it did rain, as he wasn't as obsessed with winning as he used to be.

Not too far from Jacques' Bistro, at the makeshift headquarters for the FBI, Hendrix was with Python and Gertie, as well as Komodo Dragon and Black Widow, going over the information about the Scorpion. Agent Boyd was also with them. Hanks was conspicuously missing (he was with the Scorpion himself doing some business), so they could discuss how to expose him and put an end to the Scorpion's reign of terror all at once.

"He's got a buncha guards," said Gertie. "It's almost like a freakin' army!"

"I'm well aware of the fire power the Scorpion has, Gertie," said Hendrix. "I, too, have plenty of men and women who will descend on the Scorpion's compound. And it's more people than his, I guarantee that."

"But how do we stop Hanks?" asked Python.

"I saw his place," said Boyd. "It's heavily guarded, but not impossible to breach their security. I think we can make it through."

"I've got my girls on high alert," said Widow. "They are willing to help with this, as well."

"What about the crime wave that's happening right now?" asked Komodo.

"Orbweaver and some of the other girls are helping the Serpents with that," Widow replied. "You can help, as well. Find out from some of the other former Lizards if they know anything, or involved themselves."

"In the meantime, we will continue to make our planned siege on the Scorpion," Hendrix interjected. "Now, Margaux, your friends, are they as good as you say they are?"

"The best," Python replied. "Right now, they're busy trying to find out who's behind the crimes that sprouted out here in Sparkyville, but once they're done with that, Widow assured me she'd let them know about my being alive and what to do next."

"Okay," said Boyd. "Let's keep working." And they continued to work on their plan to stop the Scorpion and Hanks.

Later, Charlie Brown, Frieda, Vanessa, and Mitchell were leaving Jacques' Bistro and was making plans to do something together the next day.

"You could come to my house," offered Vanessa. "I would love for you all to meet my father. Of course, Mitchie here has already met him, but not all of my friends have yet."

"That sounds like a plan, Vanessa," said Frieda. "Are you in, babe?"

"Yeah, I'm game," said Charlie Brown.

"Great," said a happy Vanessa. "I'll see you all tomorrow."

"I'll walk you home, Vanessa," offered Mitchell.

"No need for that," said Charlie Brown. "We have our own personal chauffer." And at that moment, Snoopy drove up with his limo and brought all the teens back to their respective homes.

NEXT CHAPTER: INTEL