A Night to Remember
MacGyver turned the corner and headed down the long corridor of Challengers Academy one late April afternoon. He had heard a ruckus in the cafeteria and decided to check it out himself although his thoughts were miles away. He still had trouble wrapping his head around the fact that Murdoc was finally, truly dead and would never return to terrorize him or those he cared about. Joanna had been extremely intuitive over the last few weeks, knowing exactly when he needed time and space to himself yet always there for him when he needed to talk or just be with her. He slowed as he approached the cafeteria and took in the scene. There, in the middle of the room, stood Joanna surrounded by a gaggle of teenage girls whining and pleading their case. A few of their male counterparts stood on the periphery. His mind snapped back to the present as he casually leaned against the doorjamb, crossed his arms, and watched the scene play out before him.
"Please Ms. Jo! We'll do all the work ourselves. You won't have to do a thing. We promise," a high-pitched female voice insisted as others joined in, making the same pledge.
Mac caught the attention of one of the boys and motioned him over.
"What's going on?"
The teen grimaced. "Since the school is closing for good, the girls wanted to do something special. Ya know, kinda go out with a bang. They're trying to convince Ms. Jo to let them have an all-school prom."
MacGyver smirked. This ought to be interesting. He repositioned himself so he could see Joanna better. Unlike a few months ago when some students had approached her about a New Year's Eve party, there was a partial grin on her lips and a playful twinkle in her eyes.
"Okay, okay, calm down," Jo's voice rose above the crowd. "I have to get Ms. Evelyn's permission first. But if she agrees, we'll see what we can do."
A round of cheers went up before the teens scattered, chattering about the upcoming dance. Mac was wearing an amused grin when Jo met him in the doorway.
"What?!" she asked defensively.
"Nothing. I'm just surprised you agreed so easily."
"I've actually been wanting to do something special for the kids," Jo confessed. "I was thinking along the lines of a formal graduation, but their idea is better since it includes all the students, regardless of grade level."
"You think Evelyn will go for it?" MacGyver asked as they walked down the hall together.
"There's only one way to find out."
"It'll take a lot of work and money," Evelyn pointed out to Mac and Jo who sat across the desk from her.
"I'm aware of that," Joanna responded quickly. "I plan to approach the faculty for assistance. I'm sure they'd be willing to help out with things like decorating and chaperoning."
"And since we scrapped plans to fix the gym now that the school is closing, we can tap into those funds to cover some of the cost," Mac added.
"Well, don't let me stand in your way," Evelyn proclaimed.
"Really?!" Jo asked excitedly.
"Really. What's the worst that could happen? They already closed us down!"
"Don't worry about a thing," Mac instructed his boss. "Jo and I will make sure the kids have a night to remember."
"That's it!" Joanna exclaimed causing MacGyver to almost fall out of his chair.
"What's 'it'? What'd I say?"
"'A Night to Remember.' That can be our theme!" Mac had never seen Jo this excited over anything so he promised himself he would do whatever it took to give her a night to remember as well.
Two weeks later, Joanna sat on a stool at MacGyver's breakfast bar carefully studying the to-do list she had created to make sure the dance went off without a hitch. She had been spending more and more time at his place, and he was amazed at how "right" it felt to have her there and how much he missed her when she went home.
"I think we have all the major stuff covered," Jo announced as Mac finished washing the supper dishes. "I talked with the pastor of my church and he agreed to rent us the basement hall for a modest fee and a caterer I've done business with in the past has agreed to provide hors de oeuvre and desserts at half price. Some of the teachers got together and are working on the decorations, and I gave all the girls a list of thrift and resale shops where they can find nice, affordable dresses. How are you doing with the boys?"
"We're good," Mac replied. "I've talked to some tuxedo rental places and cut some deals with a couple of them. The kids are a different story. Most of the older boys are happy to have something nice to wear to impress the girls, if only for a night, but some of the younger ones think putting on a suit is the equivalent of going to the dentist, but they still want to come to the dance."
"Well, I did tell everyone they didn't have to dress up if they didn't want to mainly because I know some can't afford it, even with some help. Tell them they can wear whatever they feel most comfortable in, but it has to be decent. Like school clothes," Joanna instructed him.
"Will do. What about chaperones?"
"What about them?" She looked confused.
"Is formal dress required?"
"Of course! You don't think I'd pass up a chance to see you in a tux, do you?!"
"That's what I thought," Mac muttered in pretend disappointment. Granted, he wasn't looking forward to spending the evening trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey, but if he had done it for Pete and various Phoenix fundraisers, he would definitely do it for Joanna.
"Have I forgotten anything?" Jo asked as MacGyver took a seat on the stool next to her.
"What about music?"
"Already covered. I just have to ask my friend, Chris, to do it. He used to have a DJ business."
"How can you be so sure he'll agree?"
Joanna caught and held Mac's gaze. "If I asked something of you that was totally within your ability to provide, would you deny me?"
"Of course not!"
"Then neither will he!" Joanna hopped down from the stool and began to collect her things before heading out.
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When prom night arrived, Joanna was both nervous and excited. She had asked Mac to pick her up at 6pm, an hour before the students would begin to arrive, so she could make sure everything was in place. She had chosen to wear a classically styled maroon sheath dress with a black lace overlay. Her accessories included black jet jewelry, strappy black heels, and a black shawl. She was aiming for a dressy yet understated look and believed she had achieved it.
The doorbell rang and she let out a sigh of relief. MacGyver was right on time. She opened the door and caught her breath. For the past two weeks she had been imagining what he would look like in a tuxedo, but reality far outweighed her expectations.
"Wow!" she whispered hoarsely.
"Ditto," he replied as she watched him study her from head to toe.
"Too much?" she frowned, suddenly unsure of herself.
"Perfect," he assured her, his appreciative gaze warming her entire body.
"Aren't you going to invite him in?" Judy Fairfax called from across the living room.
"We need to get going, Mom," Joanna replied.
"But I wanted a picture of the two of you," her mother said.
"We're just chaperones, Ma," Jo tried to explain.
Just then, Joe Fairfax lowered the footrest of his recliner with a clunk. "The sooner you quit arguing and let her take the picture the sooner you can leave."
"I'm sorry about this," Joanna muttered to MacGyver as she led him into the room to stand in front of the fireplace.
"I think it's sweet," he murmured in her ear before putting an arm around her waist and pulling her close to his side.
Relishing the feel of his body against hers, Jo hoped the camera didn't capture the flush which was surely evident on her cheeks. Much too soon MacGyver released his grasp on her and escorted her out the door and into his Jeep.
Upon arriving at the church, Joanna quickly made her way downstairs to the hall. MacGyver caught up with her just as she was about to open the door to the large room.
"Whoa, hold on a minute," he said, walking up behind her and putting his hands over her eyes.
"What are you doing?" Jo complained, turning her head to try and get loose.
"I'm under strict instructions from the decorating committee to make sure your eyes stay closed until you're inside."
Joanna huffed in mock frustration to hide her excitement as she allowed MacGyver to guide her into the room. When Mac uncovered her eyes and took a step back, Jo's mouth fell open as she took in the scene. Black and silver crepe paper had been wrapped around the support pillars, matching streamers and glittering silver stars made out of cardboard hung from the ceiling, while balloon bouquets were scattered about. Long tables were already laden with food and punch while smaller tables, littered with confetti for the party-goers, had been set up on the perimeter of what had been designated as the dance floor. Chris was already setting up on the stage, mirrored balls and multi-colored lights aglow as music pulsed from large speakers.
"It looks amazing!" Joanna declared.
"I couldn't agree more!" a jovial voice from behind her concurred. She turned to find her pastor admiring the decorations.
"Father Mike! Thank you so much for allowing us to rent the hall. We really appreciate it," Joanna said gratefully.
"I'm glad for the opportunity to put it to good use," the pastor replied. "I may just have to crash this party," he laughed.
"Oh, please feel welcome to stay," Jo invited, embarrassed that she hadn't said something sooner.
"I might just do that," Father Mike replied with a smile.
Behind her, MacGyver cleared his throat. Goodness, where had her manners gone!
"Father Mike, I'd like you to meet my colleague, MacGyver."
"Pleased to meet you Mr. MacGyver," the priest said as they shook hands.
"Same here, and it's 'Mac.'"
After Father Mike excused himself, Joanna introduced Mac to her DJ friend.
"We really appreciate you doing this on such short notice," MacGyver thanked Chris.
"No problem. I'd do anything for Jo. She's family." Chris pinned Mac with a steely gaze.
"I'd do anything for her as well," MacGyver countered, meeting the DJ's eyes for several moments as they exchanged assessing glares.
"Okay boys," Joanna interrupted their silent battle. "That's enough testosterone for one night." She grabbed Mac's arm to keep him near and at the same time she gave Chris a pointed look that sent him back to the stage.
"Is there something I need to know about him?" Mac asked, tilting his head toward Chris.
Joanna sighed. "I already told you, we're just good friends. He's like a big brother to me."
"An overprotective big brother," MacGyver mumbled, allowing Jo to lead him away just as the Challengers students began pouring into the hall.
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Most of the older teens had come as couples while the majority of the underclassmen had come in groups of the same gender. All of the students had dressed up for the event and after the obligatory oooh's and aaah's over the décor they all headed directly to the food tables. Before long, many of the kids took to the dance floor as contemporary pop music blared. However, when a slow song came on, the couples moved closer together while the younger students quickly became wallflowers. MacGyver noticed the frown on Joanna's face as she surveyed the room.
"Let's show 'em how it's done," Mac said to Jo as he held out his hand to her. She took it without hesitation.
Once on the dance floor, MacGyver held her modestly as together they swayed rhythmically to the music. Unfortunately, instead of more students joining in, they had become the center of attention.
"This isn't working," Joanna pointed out, hissing in his ear.
"I got an idea."
Mac reluctantly released Jo and approached a shy girl he remembered from science lab. Encouraged by her friends, she cautiously put her small hand in Mac's and followed his simple steps in time with the music. He glanced up to find that Joanna had already caught onto his plan and was encouraging a young boy to dance with her. MacGyver had hoped that this would incite the others to pair off, but by the end of the song he found himself surrounded by teenage girls begging for a turn with him, teenage boys glowering at him, and Joanna nowhere to be found.
Mac caught the eye of the grinning DJ and sent him a pleading gaze. Moments later an upbeat track started and guys who had previously been super-glued to the floor quickly singled out partners. MacGyver nodded a thank you to Chris who gave him a thumbs-up. After a quick but thorough search for Joanna, a fellow chaperone informed Mac that she had seen Jo go outside.
MacGyver sprinted up the stairs and out the door. Dusk had fallen, making it difficult to see. Finding the parking lot empty, Mac headed to the front of the church building. As he got closer, he heard the low murmur of female voices. He slowed his steps and peeked around the corner. Joanna sat on the concrete steps in front of the church wrapped in her shawl to keep the chill of the spring air at bay. She was talking with a blonde girl, her voice calm and sure.
"But I do understand how you feel," Joanna insisted. "When I was your age, my neighbor's nephew came to stay with them for the summer. He was in college and working nearby. I had such a huge crush on him! I spent a lot of time trying to get him to notice me. Sometimes his friends would come over to play basketball and I was always outside watching."
"So what happened?" the girl asked. "Did he notice you?"
"Oh yeah," Joanna replied drily. "He was very nice to me, as was one of his friends. And me, being sixteen, totally misinterpreted his friendliness for something more. In the process, I ignored his friend's overtures. I was left brokenhearted when he returned to school in the fall and completely forgot about me. When I finally got over him, I started to wonder what would have happened if I wouldn't have been so narrow-minded and been nicer to his friend. I might have missed out on something more special than I thought."
"So you're saying that instead of spending all my time waiting for Tom I should spend time with other guys too?"
"I'm saying you should keep yourself open to other possibilities."
"Thanks Ms. Jo! You're the best!" The girl hugged Joanna before scurrying back to the hall, unaware of MacGyver lurking in the shadows. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but when Jo had started talking about a piece from her past he found it impossible to leave. He began to walk toward her, pretending to cough so he wouldn't startle her.
"Nice story. Is it true?" he asked, sitting next to her on the step.
"Thanks. And yes it is," she replied, looking out into the night instead of at him.
"But there's more," he prompted.
Joanna nodded.
"I'm a good listener."
Jo was silent for so long that MacGyver debated whether or not to just leave her alone with her thoughts.
"It felt so real at the time, you know?" she finally said, raising sad eyes to his. "I really thought I had fallen in love and that he was my future. Looking back now it seems completely ridiculous considering we only exchanged neighborly greetings and generic conversations." Joanna shook her head as MacGyver willed himself to stay quiet and allow her to continue her story. "I was so foolish! I could say he led me on, but he had no idea how I felt. I lost control of my emotions and my good senses. That was the worst part and it really scared me. I promised myself that I would never lose control like that again. That I would never be that vulnerable, that weak, again."
"And did you keep that promise?"
"Yeah, I did," she replied certainly.
"Are you still keeping that promise?"
Jo's eyes turned hard.
"I knew it!" Mac exclaimed. "Every time we're together, every time we get close, you always hold a part of yourself back. Don't you think it's time to break that promise?"
Joanna's gaze dropped to the ground at her feet, but MacGyver wasn't going to back down this time. Not when all the pieces of the puzzle finally fit.
"I can't lose control like that again," she spat.
"Then don't!" Mac countered. "Take control, but don't do it by running away!"
Jo flinched and he gentled his tone. "Answer me this. Do I scare you? Do I make you feel weak?"
Joanna shook her head and looked up. "I like how I feel when I'm with you," she confessed softly. "You make me feel strong, worthy, happy."
"So what's the problem?" Mac asked, tamping down his frustration. He felt like they were talking in circles.
"I'm afraid it's not real. That one day I'll realize it was just my imagination."
"Trust me when I say this is very real." MacGyver's voice had grown husky and his hands moved to touch her face of their own accord. "And I really want to kiss you right now."
Joanna's eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "So what's stopping you?"
"Maybe I need some reassurance, too," he replied. "Maybe I need to know that you want to be with me. That you want to kiss me, too."
MacGyver sensed her confidence and determination blossom at his words. He forced himself to be still as Jo slowly moved her face closer to his. She leaned in. Her lips touched his with the softness of a feather. He longed to kiss her back and hold her tight, but he knew she had to do this herself. She had to be the one to take control. Just as he felt her kiss become more sure and her body strain to close the gap between them a high-pitched voice rent the air. They jumped apart like two kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar as a girl he recognized called to them.
"Ms. Jo! Mr. Mac! Come quick!"
Joanna recovered first. "Candice, what's wrong?!"
"Father Mike is gonna teach us all how to do a dance called the bunny hop and he said he needs your help! Come on!" With that the girl hurried back to the hall.
MacGyver and Joanna exchanged stunned looks.
"What do you want to do?" Mac asked her.
Joanna shrugged. "What can we do? A higher power beckons. We go do the bunny hop!"
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Once Father Mike had schooled the students in the finer points of the bunny hop, conga line, and the twist, he fixed a plate of food for himself and joined MacGyver and Joanna at a small table away from the dance floor.
"That's a great group of kids you got there," he proclaimed.
"Thanks, Father," Mac replied. "And thank you for your hospitality. We really appreciate it."
"Think nothing of it," the priest replied, patting MacGyver on the shoulder. "I'm glad I could help. Now, if you both will excuse me, I'll head back to the rectory."
Father Mike picked up his plate and handed Joanna a set of keys before heading off.
"See you tomorrow," Joanna said as they parted.
"You lockin' up tonight?" Mac asked Jo, nodding toward the keys.
"Yeah," she answered. "And I'm coming back in the morning to tear down the decorations."
"I'll give you a lift if you want since I'm coming back too."
Joanna raised her eyebrows in question.
"Somewhere between the conga and twist I promised Father that I'd look at the church's air conditioning unit and see if I could fix it."
Joanna rolled her eyes. "Mac, the Good Lord Himself couldn't fix that dinosaur! What makes you think you can?"
"I'm not Him," MacGyver shrugged innocently.
The music stopped before Joanna could reply and the DJ picked up the microphone to remind the teens they only had thirty more minutes to cast their vote for prom king and queen.
"I can't wait to see the crowns you bought," Mac spoke in her ear as the music began to blare once again.
"I forgot all about this tradition," Jo exclaimed. "I didn't buy any crowns!"
The couple split up and questioned the adults in the room. All of them denied obtaining any royal headwear.
"Any luck?" Joanna asked Mac hopefully when they reunited.
"Nope. You?"
"No," she moaned. "What are we gonna do?"
"What's through that door," MacGyver asked.
"The kitchen. Why?"
"C'mon, I got an idea." Mac grabbed her by the hand and pulled her into the kitchen. He looked around and found some cardboard delivery boxes.
"Perfect," he muttered as he pulled out his Swiss army knife from the inside pocket of his tuxedo jacket.
Joanna pulled a face. "Do you carry that thing everywhere?" she asked.
"Of course, doesn't everyone?" he grinned. "Could you find some tin foil?" he asked her as he began to saw through the boxes.
"Sure," Jo replied, understanding what he meant to do. She rummaged through drawers and cabinets until she found a roll of the shiny silver foil.
"What'd you think?" Mac asked as they stepped back to admire the shimmering cardboard crowns.
"They look great," Jo assured him.
"No," MacGyver shook his head. "They're too plain."
"They're better than nothing," Joanna rationalized.
"Can we get into the school from here?"
"Yeah, there's a tunnel that connects the buildings. Why?"
"I need to get to the art room."
"But all the doors are locked," Jo protested. "Let me get Father Mike."
MacGyver glanced at his watch. "No time. Besides, a locked door has never stopped me before."
Together they hurried down the short underground hallway that brought them to the heavy wood and glass doors separating the school from the church. Mac took out his knife and began to work at the lock. Jo quirked her eyebrow but stayed quiet. In less than a minute, MacGyver was leading her through the doorway and up the stairs to a long corridor.
"Where to now?" he asked.
"I don't know," Joanna moaned. "It's been ages since I've been in here. So much has changed."
Mac grabbed her arm and led her down the hallway, stopping at each door until he found the kindergarten classroom. "We should be able to find something in here," he told her as he easily picked the lock and they went in search of anything that glittered or shined.
They found a box full of baubles and quickly set to gluing the ornaments on the tin foil, blowing on them to hurry the drying process as they rushed back to the dance. They arrived just as Chris stuck his hand in the box to draw the name of the prom king.
Two hours later the large group of tired but happy teenagers began to leave. The last student had barely cleared the threshold before Mac reached up to undo his bow tie and loosen the top two buttons of his shirt. Joanna and the rest of the chaperones were tossing paper plates, cups, and other trash into large containers while Chris started to break down his equipment. After a couple words with the DJ and a brief announcement to the clean-up crew, MacGyver had cleared the hall of people save for Joanna.
"What'd you do that for?" Jo looked up at him, confused and slightly irritated. "Where's Chris?"
"Doing me a favor," Mac replied evasively as he pushed a button on the CD console and hopped off the stage. A slow, old-time song began to play as he approached Joanna, his hand outstretched.
"I believe we have a dance to finish," he said softly.
Joanna smiled as he led her onto the dance floor and put her hands on his shoulders as he held her at arm's length, hands on her hips. His heart skittered as she slid her arms around his neck. That was all the encouragement he needed to encircle her waist and pull her close as they swayed to the music. When she looked up at him, her brown eyes warm and trusting, he lowered his mouth to hers and gently grazed her lips. She moaned softly when he pulled away.
"Was tonight everything you hoped it would be?" he asked.
"No," she replied dreamily. "It was more than I could have ever hoped for." Her hands urged his head lower to meet hers and they kissed deeply, still swaying to the song that had ended long ago.
