Cal wishes to thank each and every one of you who offered to be his date to Homecoming or anywhere else he wanted to go! ;) As the housekeeper in Mary Poppins says, "The position 'as been filled!"

Thanks for all of the encouraging reviews and PMs!

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From Chapter 5

I stood up and wiped the tears from my cheeks. I sniffed a few more times and bit my lip as I started moving pastries to containers on the day old shelf. Without a word, Carlos grabbed a container and started filling it as well.

When we finished, I wiped down the inside of the display case and the counter top. Turning off the lights in the back, I grabbed the cash bag from under the register. I gave Carlos a weak smile. "I just have to drop this in the night deposit box at the bank."

Carlos rubbed my back and guided me towards the door. "Then let's go, Babe."

Chapter 6

Carlos was astonished that I was expected to drive, by myself, to the bank every night with hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars.

"You've got to be kidding me!" he exclaimed, his eyebrow quirked up in disbelief.

I shrugged my shoulders. I hadn't really thought about it before, but I guess it was a little risky for a teenage girl to be out alone at night with that much money. Still… "This is the Burg! Who's going to rob me of the Tasty Pastry profits?"

Carlos blew out an exasperated breath. "Babe! Criminals do not have to stay within a certain ZIP code! Just because you live and work in the Burg doesn't mean that someone from outside the Burg can't come in and commit a crime."

I chewed on my lip. That was true. Hmmm…

He cupped my face gently in his hands. "Promise me you won't go to the bank alone anymore. I'll help you close at night and take you, or one of the guys can take you. It's not safe for you to go alone."

I looked at his face. His eyes were deep with concern. I nodded. "OK, Carlos. I promise."

He broke into a wide grin and leaned over to kiss my cheek. "Thanks, Babe."

We dropped the bag at the bank and headed back to get my car. It was a quarter to 6:00. I had 15 minutes to get home before my mother had a hissy fit.

I looked up at Carlos shyly. "Do you want to join us for dinner tonight? I don't know what my mom is making, but I'm sure there's enough for one more."

Carlos grinned at me. "If I eat dinner at your house tonight, my parents are going to expect you to eat at our house soon."

My eyes opened wide, and I felt a flush creep up my neck to my cheeks. Did that mean that he wanted me to meet his family? "Really?" I squeaked out.

If it were possible, his grin spread even wider across his face. "Yep. My parents are very anxious to meet the girl who was able to get their son to go to a school dance voluntarily."

I didn't have any idea what to say to that, so I just shook my head and climbed out of Carlos's car. I hesitated at the door to my car and looked over at him. As if he could read my mind, Carlos nodded. "I'll follow you."

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We got back to my house just a few minutes before 6:00. My mother was finishing up dinner in the kitchen, and my dad was parked in front of the TV. He did a double take when he saw Carlos standing behind me.

Turning to me, my dad said, "Stephanie, I thought you were working tonight."

"I was."

He looked pointedly at Carlos.

Carlos stepped forward. "I stopped in to visit and ended up helping Stephanie close. She invited me to join you for dinner. She thought there would be enough and that Mrs. Plum wouldn't mind."

My dad nodded. "Sure. There's always plenty." He turned to me then. "Go set another plate, Pumpkin."

Turning to Carlos, my dad asked "What football team do you root for?"

Carlos grinned. "The Giants, sir."

"Good man. Take a seat."

As I was leaving the living room, I was pretty sure I heard my dad whisper to Carlos that it would be nice not to be outnumbered by females at the dinner table. Poor daddy! I suppressed a giggle and headed into the kitchen.

My mom had everything on serving plates, ready and waiting to be carried into the dining room.

When I walked into the kitchen, my mom looked up. "You're just in time, Stephanie! Help me get everything on the table before the roast dries out."

"OK, mom. I just have to grab another place setting first." I headed over to the cupboard and pulled out a plate.

My mom looked up in surprise. "Who's here? Mary Lou? Connie?"

Before I could answer, Carlos stuck his head into the kitchen. "Mrs. Plum, may I please use your phone? I need to call and let my parents know that I'll be eating here so they don't wonder where I am."

My mom snapped out of her shock and nodded, gesturing to the phone. "Of course, help yourself. The phone is right there."

When Carlos turned his back to use the phone, my mother glared at me. I pretended that I didn't see her and headed for the dining room with Carlos's place setting.

I helped put out the serving dishes, and minutes later we all sat down to eat.

All in all, dinner went well. My mother glared at me whenever she thought Carlos wasn't looking, but the conversation was mostly pleasant. Other than my mother asking Carlos what part of Mexico he was from. (He winced and informed her that he was Cuban.) Or her relentless interrogation about his plans for next fall. (He wasn't sure. He might go to Rutgers for Business, but a few of his friends were talking about enlisting in the Army.)

Once we had all had our dessert, Texas sheet cake, I helped mom clear the table. She was just getting ready to start her Burg boy campaign when Dad walked into the kitchen. "Stephanie, go visit with Carlos. I'll help your mother with the dishes."

We both gaped at him open mouthed. My father had never helped my mother with dishes that I could remember. And he had certainly never offered to do them so that I could go and talk to a boy. What was going on around here?

We continued to stare at my father in confusion. My mother found her voice first. "Don't be silly, Frank. Stephanie can help me with the dishes!"

"Carlos is her guest, isn't he? We don't want her to get a reputation as a bad hostess do we?" My father winked at me.

Holy shit! My dad was devious!

My mother looked startled by that idea. "No, no. Of course we don't. Stephanie, go entertain your guest. We'll do the dishes tonight."

I grinned at my dad. "Thanks, dad." I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"That's alright, Pumpkin." He replied gruffly.

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Carlos and I sat and talked for hours. At 10:00, he decided that he'd better head home.

"It's a school night, and my mother will have a conniption if I'm not home soon!" he grinned.

I smiled and walked him out to his car.

"Don't forget that you owe me a family dinner, Babe." He teased.

I nodded. "Just name the day and time." I told him.

"Let me talk to Mama and get back to you. Meet me in the parking lot tomorrow morning?"

I nodded again and shivered at the chill of the late September air.

Carlos wrapped his arms around me and tilted my chin up. He looked deep in my eyes. "Good night, Stephanie." He whispered before he touched my lips lightly with his.

"Good night, Carlos." I whispered.

He grinned and slid into his car. I stood in the drive and waved as he drove home.

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Carlos was waiting for me before school the next day. Unfortunately, I was running late, as usual, and we only had five minutes to talk before the late bell rang. We agreed to meet at his locker after last period. We were going to try to coordinate our after school schedules for the next couple of days. Mostly he wanted to be sure that he knew when I worked. I think he was really nervous about me taking the bank deposit bag alone every night. To be honest, now that he had pointed out the possible dangers, I was too.

Mary Lou and Connie cornered me in our first period class and demanded to know what was going on with me and the hot Latino guy I was talking with. I explained everything that had happened over the weekend while they sat in a trance and listened.

When I finished, Connie let out an exasperated breath. "I can't even get one date with one guy, and you had three dates with three different guys this weekend? That's it, I quit. I'm officially out of the game. I'm going to quit shaving and wearing deodorant and fly off to one of those hippie communes in California."

I stuck my tongue out at her. "Well, you can have Dickie and Joe. They're a pair of oversexed cavemen."

Mary Lou narrowed her eyes. "Well I'd like to know what the hell they thought they were doing. Seriously! Who tries to practically molest someone on the first date? And what are the odds that it would happen to you twice in one weekend?"

I rolled my eyes at Mary Lou. "This is me we're talking about here. I'm surprised it only happened twice! You know my luck! And who knows what they were thinking! Evidently if you show those guys a little attention and treat them half way decent, they think it's a green light for sex."

Both girls shook their head and muttered derogatory comments under their breath. Ass, pig, dick, moron. I couldn't agree more!

I looked over at Connie thoughtfully. "Hey, Con. Do you have a date for Homecoming yet?" The last I'd heard, she was still looking.

Connie rolled her eyes and blew out a deep breath. "Noooooo."

I grinned. "Then I might be able to help you!" I told her all about Cal, how he was super friendly and easy to talk to, had a great sense of humor, and was the son of a minister.

"What's wrong with him?" Connie asked skeptically.

I bit my lip. "He may or may not have a flaming skull tattooed on his forehead."

Connie looked at me as if I were deranged. "What do you mean he may or may not have a flaming skull tattooed on his forehead?"

I sighed. "OK, he does. But he's a super nice guy, Connie! Don't pass him over just for that!"

Connie looked at me carefully. "I'll meet the guy and see. Maybe we could meet at Pino's or something this week for pizza and see how it goes."

I grinned and nodded. "Sounds like a plan!" I couldn't wait to tell Cal!

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By the end of the day, I was excited to see Carlos again. I ran out of my last period class and headed towards his locker. As I rounded the corner, I saw a small crowd of students up ahead. I picked up my pace just slightly, wondering what was going on.

I pushed up next to the crowd and saw Principal Marco standing next to Carlos. Marco was an institution at Trenton High. He had taught here for years and then took over as the principal. Generations of families knew him. He was an alright guy, but if he had it out for you, forget it! You were done! Luckily for me, I had known Marco since I was a toddler. Our families went to the same church, and my parents were friendly with him. On top of that, my older sister Valerie had been a saint in high school. Well all the way through school really. I just mostly kept my head down and plowed ahead. I had a few detentions for being tardy, but for the most part I had been a good kid. Principal Marco always smiled and called hello to me when he saw me in the halls.

It looked as though Carlos didn't have quite the same relationship with our principal that I did. Marco was waving around a pack of cigarettes and yelling at him. From what I was hearing, I was gathering that the cigarettes had been found in Carlos's locker. I pushed a little closer.

"Mr. Manoso, this isn't exactly your first brush with trouble here, now is it?"

"No, sir." Carlos replied with a cold, blank stare.

"You do realize that I'm going to have to suspend you for this, right?"

"Sir, these are not my cigarettes. Someone must have put them in my locker." Carlos tried to explain.

"Mr. Manoso, do you think I'm an idiot?"

"No, sir."

"I have seen you smoking. I know you smoke."

"Yes, sir, I do. But I don't bring them into the building. My cigarettes are in my car right now. These aren't even the brand I buy."

Marco waved his arm around, his face turning redder and redder. "They were found in your locker, Mr. Manoso. As far as I'm concerned, they're yours. Unless someone else is willing to claim them, you've earned a 5 day suspension!"

Five days! Shit! Evidently my Batman had a few priors with Marco! He usually started out with one or two days!

I pushed up to the front and watched as Carlos's head dipped down. Marco had grabbed him by the shoulder, ready to head towards the office, when I reached the front of the crowd.

"They're mine!" I yelled.

Principal Marco and Carlos both snapped their heads up in surprise. I watched as they scanned the crowd, trying to determine who had spoken.

I walked up and stood next to Carlos. I took his hand and repeated, "They're mine."

Carlos stared at me wide eyed and shook his head. "They are not hers, sir." His face was screaming what the fuck are you doing?

Principal Marco stared at me in astonishment. "Stephanie Plum!" he gasped. "Are you telling me that these cigarettes are yours?"

"Yes, sir, they are." I squeezed Carlos's hand.

His eyes narrowed at me. "I wasn't aware that you smoked, Miss Plum."

I bit my lip. "I just started."

He shook his head. "Would you like to tell me how your cigarettes ended up in Mr. Manoso's locker, young lady?"

I cleared my throat. "I left them there after lunch. I figured I'd grab them at the end of the day."

Marco's mouth became a tight line. "And you just picked a random locker to shove them in?"

My face flamed a bright red as I shook my head no.

"Why are they in this particular locker, Miss Plum?" Marco growled.

I squeezed Carlos's hand again. "Because Carlos and I are dating."

Marco threw his hands up in the air. "Fabulous!" he muttered and glared at the pair of us. "My office! Right now! Both of you!" and he stormed off in the direction of his office.

The crowd around us began buzzing excitedly as Carlos and I slowly trudged, hand in hand down to the office.

Carlos leaned his head over. "Babe, don't do this. Don't take the fall for me. It's not worth it. You don't need the hassle."

I looked at his face. "Are they yours?"

He looked back at me. "No."

"Do you know whose they are?"

He let out a deep breath. "I think Morelli stuck them in there as a payback for last night. He made a couple comments in gym about me 'going up in smoke.' "

I sucked in a deep breath. I had already planned on helping Carlos, but this just cemented my decision. Because he had stood up for me, because he had stopped Morelli, he was in danger of being suspended for five days! Morelli was such an ass! Why had I ever liked him? Why had I ever hoped he would use his lizard tongue on me? The only thing I wanted to do with his lizard tongue right now was cut it out!

We walked into the office and stood outside Marco's door. The secretary looked down her nose at us, disapprovingly. "Stephanie Plum! Your mother is going to be very disappointed to hear about this! I only hope that you have learned your lesson and start making better choices about the company you keep!"

I gasped and looked at Carlos wide eyed. I couldn't believe that she had the nerve to talk about him like that when he was standing right here!

He touched my cheek with one hand. "She's right, Stephanie." He whispered. "I'm not worth it. Let me take the heat. You don't need these kinds of problems."

I shook my head. "This is all my fault. But even if Morelli didn't do it, I owe you!"

Carlos raised an eyebrow at me in question.

"You've saved me three times now."

He shook his head. "Stephanie, be serious! I'm not exactly keeping a scorecard of every time I do something nice for you!"

I smiled softly. "I know. But you've been my Batman several times over now. Let me take a turn."

He grinned. "You wanna be Catwoman?"

I grinned back. "Wonder Woman. Her costume is cooler."

Carlos shook his head and squeezed my hand. "Wonder Woman it is."

Marco called out from behind his open office door. "Mr. Manoso, Miss Plum, when the two of you have finished your very important conversation, get in here! I am waiting!"

Carlos squeezed my hand, and we walked in together.

Principal Marco gestured for us to sit, and we did. I clung to Carlos's hand and swallowed nervously.

Marco eyed me knowingly. "Miss Plum, I am not convinced that these cigarettes are yours. Are you sure that's the story you want to stick with?"

I nodded my head.

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, his hands covering his eyes. "And what do you think your parents will have to say about this whole incident?"

My voice came out slightly above a whisper. "They won't be very happy about it, sir."

"No, I would guess not, Miss Plum. Your sister Valerie was a model student. Excellent grades, served on student council, never in trouble." He held up a thin file folder. "You have not been quite so lucky. Although the infractions that you have been written up for are very minor. Tardies, coming to class without supplies, nothing major."

He picked up a file folder that was several times as thick as mine. "Mr. Manoso, you, on the other hand, have quite an impressive list of infractions here. Shall I share them with Miss Plum?"

Carlos sat still and didn't answer Mr. Marco.

Marco looked at me. "Are you curious, Miss Plum? Would you like to know what kind of boy you're dating?"

I shook my head. "No. I know what kind of boy I'm dating."

They both looked at me intently. "And what kind of boy is that?" Marco asked.

I blushed and cleared my throat. "The kind of boy who is willing to help me start my car when I'm stranded all alone late at night. The kind of boy who would give me a ride home after my date left me at the movies. The kind of boy who bought me a milkshake when he found out I didn't have enough money for one. The kind of boy who would help me take out trash and mop so that I could get out of work earlier. The kind of boy who stopped Joe Morelli from raping me behind the counter of the Tasty Pastry last night. That's the kind of boy I'm dating, Principal Marco."

Marco's eyebrows nearly flew off his head when I had finished my speech. He looked over at Carlos, and I snuck a glance at him as well. He was sitting with a stunned expression on his face, looking at me with something akin to awe.

"Be that as it may," Marco continued gruffly, "There is still the matter of these cigarettes. Miss Plum, since this is your first offense, I am not going to suspend you."

I let out a huge breath. "Thank you, sir!"

"However," he continued. "I am going to give you a Saturday detention to be served this Saturday. You will report to the library at 7:00 am and remain until 4:00 pm. Bring a lunch."

I felt tears pricking my eyes. "But I'm scheduled to work this Saturday."

Marco softened his gaze slightly. "You'll need to call off. I'm hoping that this punishment causes you to think about the influence your peers are having on your actions, Miss Plum." He looked pointedly at Carlos. "I hope that you will make better choices in the future."

He turned his gaze to Carlos. "Are you scheduled to work this Saturday as well, Mr. Manoso?"

Carlos gave a stiff nod.

Principal Marco smiled. "Then you can call off, too. Since Miss Plum has accepted ownership of the cigarettes, I am not suspending you. However, possession of them is still against school rules. You will be joining her in Saturday detention this weekend."

Marco looked satisfied with himself as he surveyed our miserable faces. "Any questions?" he asked us.

We both shook our heads.

"Then go home." Marco dismissed us.

TBC

The stage for the detention scene is being set! Any idea who will be the athlete, the basket case, and the brain? No fair guessing if you already know! ;) What "crime" will land them there?