Let's take a trip back to the lot for this chapter - Part 1 of the homecoming dance! This is all about the prep leading up to the dance, where Dot helps Nori with an important decision and Yakko has a little fantasy of his own. Speaking of this fantasy, can y'all guess which movie is referenced here?

Thank you to all who have reviewed and followed so far, especially Mr. Yaksalot and Jenny! I hope y'all like the results here - and Jenny, to answer your question about a ship name for Yakko and Nori, I accept your nomination of "Yakkori!" Let the good ship sail!

"You're going to the dance with a toon?"

Nori sent Jessica a look across the table. Lunch wasn't going to be boring today, that was for sure. "What's wrong with that? He's way better than the human guys here, present company excluded," she said with a nod at Trey, who gave her a grin in return.

"Nothing. It's just a first, that's all. I don't think anybody's ever come to homecoming or prom with a toon date," Jessica clarified. "It'll get you some attention."

Nori shook her head. "I don't care anything about that. I'm just going to have fun and spend time with a friend."

Nichelle's dark eyes sparkled. "What kind of friend are we talking about here?"

"Chelle, don't start. Yakko's a sweet guy, but he's not a guy I'm crushing on," Nori said, even as her conscience whispered liar.

"Yakko? Yakko Warner, the kid you've been sitting for?" Jessica asked, her eyes wide. "I thought you hated his guts!"

"Get with the program, Jess. Nori said she and Yakko have been getting along better lately, and frankly, based on what she's told us, he doesn't sound like a creep," said Nichelle.

Nori smiled. She'd been telling her adventures in Warner-sitting to her friends since her job started, including how her friendship with Yakko had grown. Although Nichelle seemed to have the idea that Yakko was more than just a friend. "He's not. He's nice, he's funny, he's great with his little brother and sister, and he's sharper than a tack. I don't think I've ever met a smarter guy."

Nichelle was grinning over her Aquafina. "What does he look like?"

Nori paused. How was she going to describe Yakko? As he'd said himself, he and his siblings didn't fit the bill for any kind of animal. They were a breed all to themselves – Animaniacs, she remembered. Still, she had to try – and she might as well have a little fun doing it. "He's not difficult to look at. Silky black hair… pretty dark eyes… beautiful smile." Her stomach quivered as it occurred to her that she meant those descriptions.

Jessica was grinning by now. "He sounds dreamy."

Nori picked at her chicken fingers to hide her impish grin. "Red nose… long, furry black ears… and his tail's not bad either."

Jessica's jaw dropped. "Nori Bennett, you'd better be talking about his butt."

Now Nori couldn't hide her giggles. "Nope, sorry. He has a long black tail and ears to match, and his nose really is red. And that silky black hair? Yeah, it's all over his body, and it's more like fur."

"He's an animal?" Jessica asked, flabbergasted.

Nori fake-gasped and held a hand to her heart. "Jess, please! I've never even kissed him!" Goodnight, everybody, she thought. Yakko's rubbing off on me in more ways than one.

Nichelle was bent over the cafeteria table laughing. "Jess, you walked right into that one." She cleared her throat and grinned at Nori. "Honestly, Nor, he sounds cute for a toon. And I say that as someone who's always thought Bugs Bunny was kinda sexy."

Jessica shook her head. "You two are weird. If I really had to pick a toon to crush on, it'd be one of the Disney princes."

"Good luck, they're all taken," Nichelle said. "Besides, when it comes to funny stuff, nobody's ever beat Warner Bros. Disney can only dream of being that funny."

"Yeah, and what's romance if your boyfriend is cute, but he can't make you laugh?" Nori said.

"True that. And it sure sounds like Yakko's been making you laugh lately," Nichelle pointed out with a knowing smile.

"Chelle. He is not my boyfriend."

"He's a boy and he's a friend, isn't he?"

Nori fired her buddy a cynical look. "You're nuts."

"And you're cruisin' down the river de-Nile," Nichelle retorted. "If I was you, I'd be happy to be going out with a toon."

"You're going out with a toon? Just when I thought you couldn't get any more pathetic."

Rolling her eyes, Nori turned to face her so-called nemesis. "Hello to you too, Amber. Funny, I don't remember asking you for your opinion."

The bottle-blonde looked down her modified nose at Nori. "You ought to consider yourself lucky I'm giving it to you, Smellinor."

Nori flashed her slopping-sugar smile. "Now what did I do to deserve such luck?" she asked sweetly.

"Be born a Z-lister from the boonies on the East Coast. You're lucky you have us Californians to look up to. We're smarter, richer, and way better-looking."

Nori nearly laughed at that. The smartest Californians she knew had been locked up for over 60 years and still had more smarts and kindness in their pinky fingers than most had in their whole bodies. "That says a lot about the future of our country if you're our example to follow." Nori made sure she said it with as much fake-sugar, Southern witchiness as she could manage. Nichelle, Jessica, and Trey were all trying not to chuckle; Amber, of course, didn't get the hint.

"Exactly." Amber gave her a smug look and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "So, what does your date look like? Tall and weird like Goofy or a short shrimp like Elmer Fudd?"

"Neither one. He has beautiful dark eyes, silky black hair, and a prettier smile than Brad Pitt. And he's a gentleman." Nori folded her arms and stared evenly at Amber. "Can you say the same about your date? You're going with Billy Clarkson, right? He's easy on the eyes, but he's been around every block in LA short of Hollywood Boulevard." A smile quirked Nori's lips. "Or so I've heard."

Amber's green eyes smoldered, but she said defiantly, "Who cares? He's hot and he's a shoo-in for homecoming king, and since I've practically got homecoming queen in the bag, it's a perfect match."

Nichelle snickered. "That ain't the throne you ought to be sitting on."

"Oh, bite me, Robinson," Amber snapped.

"Don't tempt me, Harding," Nichelle fired back.

"Chelle." Nori stood between her friend and Amber. "She's not worth it." She locked eyes with the blonde. "If you're as smart as you say you are, you'll back off now."

"Ooh, what are you going to do? Sic your toon boyfriend on me?" Amber laughed, but her cockiness faded when Nori simply smiled. "It… it was just a joke," she stammered, but Nori still smiled. "Cut it out!" When the smile remained, Amber finally backed away, fear on her face. "You're freaking me out. I'm gone," she said, beating feet across the cafeteria.

Jessica shook her head as Nori sat down. "How do you do that? Weird people out without saying anything, I mean."

Nori laughed. "It's a gift. Kinda that whole 'If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all' thing."

Trey looked a little alarmed. "Nori, you wouldn't really sic a toon on her, would you? I mean, toons are like gods. They've got powers that can kill humans."

"It's not the powers that are dangerous, Trey; it's what you choose to do with them. Toons have an honor code and they'd never use their powers to hurt a human. Scare, yes. Hurt, never," Nori explained.

Nichelle's smile returned. "So Yakko can use his powers always for good, never for evil, but sometimes for a goof?" When Nori nodded, she continued, "Sounds like you've got yourself a good man."

"Chelle, he's not my man."

"Mmm-hmm." Nichelle's eyes glittered. "But he's good?"

Nori smiled. That, she couldn't deny. "Yeah," she said softly, giving thanks that her friends couldn't hear her heart thumping at the thought. For all Amber and her clique had money and status, a good man was probably something they didn't have.

"What do you mean, you don't have one yet?"

Nori winced. Sometimes Dot could yell loud enough for the sound to carry clear to New York. "I haven't had time to go shopping yet. Besides, have you seen what's in the boutiques? We're talking fluffy nightmares or fancy underwear." Briefly, she questioned the wisdom of telling the Warner sister she still needed a dress for the dance.

"Yeah, you've got a point there," Dot conceded, wrinkling her nose. "When we were first drawn, women would die if they went to a dance in their slip. Now, they just slap some sequins on one and out they go." Dot's gaze slid up to Nori. "You said you haven't had time to go shopping?"

"Not really."

"Well, you just made time. Come with me and let a pro work her magic," Dot said, taking Nori's hand and leading her out of the water tower. The next thing Nori knew, they were in the costume department's massive archives and heading to the women's costumes.

Dot spread her arms out and grinned. "Pick a dress! Any dress!"

Nori laughed. "Dot, are you sure about this? Won't Mr. Plotz mind if we take a dress from Costumes?"

"Not as long as we sign it out and return it in good shape. Like I said before, we respect the costume archives way too much to wreck anything." Dot whipped out a notepad and pencil. "Tell me what you're looking for – or not looking for, if that's easier."

"Well, for starters, nothing pink or glittery. No offense, Dot; you can pull it off. It's just not my thing."

"None taken," Dot said easily, scribbling on her pad. "What else?"

"No fluff or frills."

Scribble. "Long or short?"

"Nothing floor-length, but not a mini-skirt either. Something short enough to dance in, but not so short I'll give everyone a show when I bend over."

Dot chuckled. "I gotcha. Long sleeves, short sleeves, or no sleeves?"

"Short sleeves."

"Okay. And any color but pink, right?" When Nori nodded, Dot trapped her pencil on her chin and reviewed her notes, pondering dresses in her mind. After a minute, a light bulb flashed over her head. "I've got it! I know the perfect dress for you! Be right back!" She sped off in a blur, rustling through the racks until she returned with a gown on a hanger. "What do you think?"

Nori smiled ear-to-ear, thinking Dot couldn't have chosen better. "It is perfect!" The dress was a taffeta number straight out of the 1950s in a brilliant ruby red, with cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and a tea-length skirt. No frills, no glitter, just a beautiful dress. "Dot, you picked a winner."

The Warner sister beamed with pleasure. "And every Cinderella needs her glass slippers," she said, handing Nori a shoebox.

Nori opened the box to reveal a pair of silver glitter dancing shoes. "Dot…"

"Humor me. I know glitter's not your thing, but if you wear these babies, you'll be the envy of every girl at the dance." Dot grinned and bounced on the balls of her feet. "Come on, try 'em on!"

Shooting Dot a mock-dirty look, Nori slid her feet out of her sneakers and into the Mary Jane-style pumps. Naturally… "Perfect fit."

"Yes!" Dot pumped a fist into the air. "Now we've just gotta get you some jewelry and do your hair and makeup and you'll be all set!"

"Hold on, sweetie." Nori knelt to Dot's level. "I can do my makeup and I've got some jewelry in mind." She smiled and ruffled Dot's fur. "But I won't say no if you want to help with my hair. Heck, you'll probably do a better job."

"I'm cool with that!" Dot hugged her babysitter. "Thanks, Nori. I wish we could go with you."

A thought suddenly occurred to Nori. Why not? It shouldn't be too bad. "Maybe you can."

Dot's ears perked up. "Really?"

"As long as I ask, I don't see why not. My friend Jessica's parents chaperoned last year, and she told me they brought her little brother. They got the ok for him to come as long as he behaved, and he was fine all night. He zonked out after a couple of dances and a pigfest at the buffet."

Dot snickered. "Sounds like Wakko. And didn't you tell me Scratchy and Heloise are gonna chaperone?"

"Yeah. They wanted to see Yakko at his first school dance. Yakko's not happy about it. He asked Scratchy if he was trying to embarrass him."

"Is he?"

"Are you kidding? He flat-out admitted to it. Scratchy said, and I quote, 'I haff been acting as your vater for ze last six years. I think I've earned ze right to a little schadenfreude of mein own,'" Nori said in her best imitation of Scratchy. "So anyway, I'll ask if y'all can come. If you can, promise me something."

"We'll behave, cross my heart," Dot vowed, making an X over her heart.

"Good to know, but not what I was going to say." Nori gave Dot a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. "Keep Wakko from eating all the food."

"Done and done. Yakko keeps a leash in his pocket for stuff like this, and if that doesn't work, he can play with my pet," Dot said, pulling out the little white box and opening the lid. Nori flinched, expecting the hairy green monster to spring out and roar at her, but it didn't. Instead, it peeked over the rim of the box and gave her a near-shy smile. Nori chuckled and scratched the beast's head; it closed its eyes and purred at the attention. "Well, you're not so bad, are you?"

"He's a big softy," Dot said, also stroking her pet. "He just doesn't like mean people." She reached into her skirt pocket and took out a dog treat. Her pet happily crunched on it and vanished back inside his box. Dot stashed the box back in her pocket and smiled up at Nori. "Anyway, Yakko and I'll make sure Wakko doesn't pig out. We'll also make sure he wears a tux. He's not usually a fan of the monkey suit, unless it's a literal monkey suit and he can climb a building in it, but he'll wear one for special occasions."

"Does Yakko have the same problem?"

"Polar opposite. Yakko will wear a suit and try to play secret agent. He's still mad he got passed over for GoldenEye."

Nori laughed. "First Batman, now James Bond. Is there anything he hasn't auditioned for?"

"Anything Disney, but that's 'cause he's got taste, or so he says. Between you and me, he's always wanted to be a pretty girl's prince," Dot said with a wink.

"Dot…"

"Just sayin'. Come on, we've gotta talk hairdos. And your dress is giving me a few ideas for Yakko's tux…"

Warner. Yakko Warner, Yakko thought, adjusting the red cummerbund at his waist. The night of the homecoming dance had finally arrived, and he was so excited, he was ready to jump out of his skin. Correction: he'd already jumped out of his skin once today, in front of a tram full of tourists. Some screamed, some applauded, and most snapped pictures, fascinated to no end by the sight of a live toon skeleton holding up his own pelt. Hey, why not give 'em their money's worth?

Luckily, he was now all in one piece and getting himself all dolled up for his big date. Not a date, he kept telling himself. Even if it is with the most gorgeous girl this side of the Mississippi, it's a high school dance, my sibs are going and Scratchy and Heloise'll be watching us like hawks, I'm wearing the penguin suit and she'll probably have on some knockout of a dress. Not that I can do anything that might make this a date. We've got a bet, after all. But gosh, it'll be so great to hold her in my arms again.

Yakko's mind flashed back to the hug they'd shared on the water tower roof. It had felt so right holding her, savoring the warmth of her body and the love pouring out of the embrace. Not to mention when they danced earlier that same day, they moved together as one. If he was gonna be really schmaltzy, he'd swear their heartbeats were one. Boil it down to having the time of his life. And on that note, his mind shifted into fantasy land…

Yakko crooked a finger to his partner, beckoning her to come closer. She was a vision in a white dress and silver shoes, so pretty compared to his plain black T-shirt and matching pants. And to think she'd been sitting by herself in a dark corner of the room. Nobody put Nori in the corner. She smiled and took his outstretched hand as the music began, allowing him to twirl her around before pulling her in, her back against his chest. She raised an arm to caress the back of his head, her fingers playing with his fur, and he trailed his own fingers down her side, eventually clasping hands when she brought hers back down. He pressed a light kiss to her temple and spun her out, then back in for the hold of an iconic mambo.

They swayed and leapt together as the song played on, until Yakko separated from their hold and ran to the opposite end of the dance floor. He nodded once to Nori, praying with all his might that this was going to be a success. She nodded back and ran to him, pushed off on his shoulders… and he lifted her up above his head, his hands clutching her slender waist. Yes! Swayze, eat your heart out, he thought, bringing her back down and into his arms, spinning her around in glee. They continued their dance with his sibs and others joining in, although for Yakko, there was no one else in the room but him and Nori. He looked into her beautiful, chocolate-colored eyes and touched his forehead to hers, beyond grateful for the joy she brought to his life. "I owe it all to you…"

"Yakko. Yakko. YAKKO!"

The insistent shout snapped Yakko out of his fantasy, and he whipped around to see his sister standing in his room, holding his red bow tie in her hands. A flush immediately shot into his cheeks. He'd been dancing along to his dream, and if Dot saw… "Uhh…" He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough, Twinkletoes." Dot's lips quirked. "Come here. Let's get this tie on you."

Yakko knelt so Dot could loop the tie around his neck. "You look pretty tonight, sis," he said, taking in her party dress, a hot pink number with a rhinestone belt.

"I know," Dot said with a smile, though gratitude shone in her eyes. "Wakko's cleaned up pretty good, too. He even took a shower."

"You're kidding!"

"Nope. He said it was worth the torture if he was gonna dance with a bunch of beautiful girls." Dot raised her eyes to meet her brother's. "You're awful quiet. You're not jealous, are you?"

"No way. Wakko can have all the girls he wants. I'm only interested in one girl tonight."

Dot paused her tying and laid a hand against Yakko's forehead. "Yakko, are you feeling all right?"

"Yes," Yakko said, playfully swatting at Dot's hand. "I just want everything to go good, ya know? I mean, Nori and I are good pals now and all, but… I still want her to see I can be a little romantic. You know, treat her right without all the flirting so our bet's not broken. Besides, I'd treat her right anyway. She needs someone to be good to her." He looked back at his sister to see glee in her eyes and a mischievous smile on her face. "What?"

Dot finished wrangling Yakko's tie into a perfect bow and her grin widened. "Someone's in lo-ove," she sing-songed.

"Quit it!"

"Won't," Dot retorted, moving to Yakko's desk to pick up one of two plastic flower containers – apparently, she'd put them there while he was in La-La Land. "I haven't seen you get this lovey-dovey in a long time, and if you think I'm not teasing you, you're outta your gourd." While Yakko slid his tux jacket on, Dot cracked the container open and took out a red rose boutonniere. "Hold still. I gotta pin this on your jacket."

Yakko complied while she pinned the rose on his lapel. "Red cummerbund, red bow tie, and now a red rose. You got some kinda theme going on here?"

Dot's impish grin returned. "Maybe."

She didn't elaborate, but Yakko had an idea of what was going on. "Have you seen Nori tonight?"

"Yup. I helped her with her hair, and last time I saw her, she was in Heloise's office doing her makeup. She oughta be here any minute, and no, I'm not telling you what she's wearing. I want to see the look on your face when you see her dressed up."

Yakko gave her a cynical look. "You've got a camera in your pocket, don't you?"

With a grin, Dot reached into the pocket of her dress and withdrew her camera. "I'm gonna have an album full of Kodak moments tonight." Just then, a knock reverberated through the water tower. "She's here!" Dot cried, leaping into the air. "Quick, fix your fur and make sure you have her corsage. I'm going out to see her!" In a twinkling, Dot was gone, leaving a bemused Yakko to pick up the only remaining flower container on the desk. Inside was a wristlet with three red roses and baby's breath, with silver ribbon woven throughout the arrangement. Okay, this wasn't the same as an engagement ring, but he was still nervous as frick about slipping it onto Nori's wrist. This is it. Don't blow it, hotshot. Inhaling deeply, Yakko left his room and ventured to the living room. Wakko and Dot, dressed in their Sunday best, were already there and talking to – oh, wow!

Yakko's jaw hit the floor at what he beheld, and he didn't even give a rip that Dot had just snapped a picture of him catching flies. His heart was pounding and warmth was rushing through his veins as he gaped at his date. Nori was wearing a ruby-red taffeta dress that would've made any 1950s sweetheart proud. The color was even better than his fantasy – the red beautifully set off her dark hair, which was partially done up, leaving the rest to fall past her shoulders in a mass of mahogany waves. Diamonds – at least, they looked like diamonds, given their glitter – flashed at her ears and throat, and her shoes likewise glittered silver. But for all the glitz and glam, nothing sparkled as bright as her eyes, or was as lovely as her smile.

Nori stepped forward to meet him, her lips (also ruby-red, he noted) smiling. "Hey, Yakko," she said, almost shyly.

"Uhh… uhh…" Yakko reached up and slapped himself in the face, which restored his piehole to working order. "Hi! Wow, you look… you look…" For the first time in his life, Yakko wasn't sure of what to say. It was on the tip of his tongue to spout some romantic mush about her beauty, but reminding himself of their bet stopped him. Short and sweet, genius. Tell her the truth. It ain't flirting; it's just the facts. "You look gorgeous," he said softly, offering her a smile of his own.

"Thanks. You look nice, too," Nori said, looking him up and down. "Looks like we match."

Yakko fingered his bow tie. "We sure do, right down to the roses… oh yeah, here," he added hastily, holding out the box with her corsage. "This is for you."

Nori beamed as she opened the box and took the wristlet out. "It's beautiful."

Not half as beautiful as you. "May I?" he asked, indicating the corsage. Nori handed it to him and held out her wrist, and Yakko silently thanked God that his hands remained steady as he tied it on. "There ya go," he said, tightening the ribbon.

"Thanks," Nori said again, catching his hand and squeezing it… and she didn't let go. They gazed at each other for a good moment until someone cleared her throat.

"Uh, I hate to break this up, but can I get a picture of you two?" Dot held up her camera. "You just look so cute together!"

With a smile at each other, Nori and Yakko held hands and posed for the picture, which Dot took with nothing short of pleasure. The next minute, they all jumped as Wakko's stomach let out a huge growl. Yakko threw his brother a sly grin. "Think you can put that thing on mute there, Wak?"

"Sorry, big brother. I'm really hungry."

"Well, let's get going and we'll get you some dinner at the dance," Nori said. "Scratchy and Heloise are waiting for us down on the lot."

"What car are we taking? I hope we're not rolling up there in Scratchy's car. No offense to him, but a station wagon doesn't exactly scream party time," Yakko said as he hit the button for the tower's hidden elevator – one of many escape routes.

"Oh, I think you'll be pleased," Nori said with a conspiratorial smile. They piled in and whirred down to the lot, and the doors opened to reveal the two adults standing near a blue-green, hot-off-the-line Trans Am. Yakko let out an appreciative whistle. "That is a smokin' hot ride. Whose is it?"

"Mine," Heloise spoke up. The nurse was wearing a form-fitting sheath dress the same iridescent peacock-blue as her car, her blonde hair done in loose curls.

Wakko's eyes bugged and hearts flew around his head. "Hellooo, Nurse!" he said, flying up into her arms and kissing her cheek.

Scratchy, wearing the classic black tux, rolled his eyes. "Vakko, she is my date," he sighed.

"Too bad," the middle Warner muttered, a hint of green flashing in his eyes.

"Wakko." Heloise held him up in front of her, speaking gently but firmly. "Behave yourself, okay?"

A brief flicker of shame crossed Wakko's face, but he put on a smile for the nurse. "Yes, ma'am."

"Good." Heloise set him down, patted Scratchy on the arm, and turned to Nori and the other two Warners. "Don't you all look nice! Nori, I really appreciate you letting Otto and me chaperone. I haven't been to a dance like this since my senior prom."

Nori grinned. "I bet you were the belle of the ball."

"She was probably as lovely then as she is now," said Scratchy, tenderly kissing his girlfriend's cheek.

"Otto," Heloise whispered softly, pink tingeing her face. "I cleaned up well. I had a good time, just as I hope you will, Nori. And you, Yakko."

Yakko saluted the nurse and Nori gave her an appraising look as they all got situated in the car. "Were you voted prom queen?" she asked.

"It's not important," Heloise said quickly, the back of her neck turning red. "What matters is that I enjoyed myself, win or lose."

Yakko nudged Nori as they buckled in. "She was totally prom queen," he whispered, getting a giggle in return before they set out for the dance – and one of the biggest nights of his life.