Warning: Rampant warm fluffy mookiness. Lots of it.

<*Wake up.*>

Angelo groaned. Someone was trying to wake him up. This was *obviously* a hideously cruel and unnecessary thing to do to him. Angelo wasn't a morning person, and everyone he knew knew it. Angelo could have taken the All-State Lie-In with both eyes closed, and if the Roll-Over-And-Go-Back-To-Sleep-In-The-Face-Of-All-Opposition was ever named an Olympic event he'd win it eyelids down. "Gwah," he managed, and became the first person ever to say 'Go away, asshole' in one syllable or less.

<*No. Wake up.*> The psionic voice was almost as insistent as the big hand that patted at his shoulder. Mental note, remind Jono that he's stronger than he thinks he is.

"'s it a 'mergenency?" Angelo asked blearily. "'f iss not, you dead..." He squinted at the window, which had a funny greyish look. "Wha' time s'it?"

<*It's not an emergency, I know you ain't got the heart to kill me, and it's...*> There was a slightly embarrassed pause. <*It's practically five. Almost.*>

"FIVE?!" Angelo sat straight up, sleepiness banished in a wave of pure outrage. "The only, and I repeat *ONLY* acceptable reason for EVER waking up at this hour is if you're in someone else's bed and you have to sneak out before her parents wake up!!" He paused, eyeing his friend. Jono not only looked very sheepish, but suspiciously fully dressed. "Or, okay, if your best friend just scored and wants to tell you all about it, so if by some miracle you've succeeded in gettin' some, I won't kill you. Well, I will, but not for the same reason."

Jono hung his head and shuffled a bit. <*I didn't.*>

Angelo sighed, and prepared to drag himself out of bed. "Then I'm sorry, but you have to die-"

<*I got a date, though. Today.*> No printed description could do justice to the mixture of awe, happiness, and sheer primal terror that filled his tone. A date. A. Date. Guy shorthand for 'I met a cute girl and she actually doesn't think I'm a hideous neanderthal freak and I'm going to see her again and I'm really happy about it but I'm also so scared of screwing up that my pants are in serious danger, know what I'm saying?'.

Angelo blinked for a moment while he deciphered the subtext. "No sex." Jono shook his head. "But a date? A REAL date?" Jono nodded. "Hey, that's great! I dunno why you had to wake me up NOW to tell me, but hey, I'm happy for you anyway. Now go away and let me sleep." He snuggled down and pulled the covers up around his ears. Yep, there was nothing like New England to really make you appreciate your own lovely cosy bed with the down comforter.

Jono pulled the comforter down again. <*I have a Date.*> he said seriously. <*Help me,*>

"With what?" his friend muttered grumpily. "You've met this girl, whoever she is, and you've gotten her to agree to go out with you, great, fine, lemme sleep." He paused, and opened one eye. "It's not Paige, is it? If it is I have to kill you for being too stupid to live."

Jono's eyes widened in simulated bafflement. <*Paige? Paige 'oo?*>

"Good. You're fine then. Go away." Angelo closed the eye again and tried to tug the comforter away from Jono. "And gimme back my blanket."

<*I ain't fine!*> Jono insisted, panic almost visibly colouring his tone. <*What if I've forgotten how?*>

There was a moment's silence. Then Angelo sighed, sat up, and wedged a pillow behind his back so he could lean comfortably against the head of his bed. "Okay, I'll bite. Forgotten how to WHAT?"

<*Date.*> Jono sat down on the edge of the bed, running a hand nervously through his shaggy mane of brown hair. <*It's been.... god... nearly five years.*>

Angelo's eyebrows went for an excursion into his hairline. "You're *kidding*, right? What about Paige? And whatshername... Gayle?"

<*Paige and I never actually went on a *date*... an' before that I was still in my Basement Monster thing, and befor *that* Gayle an' I were together and playin' in the band and all, but the last time we actually went out just the two of us has to be at least five years ago, 'cause that whole Emplate setup don't count... this is a First Date, Ange. I 'aven't had a First Date since I was fifteen, if we all agree that the Spring Dance didn't count and will never be mentioned again, thank you.*>

Angelo contemplated that for a minute. "Okay, I think I actually got that. Right. Look, it's not that hard, except on your nerves. Just take her to a movie, buy her food, and be as charming as I *know* you can be when you try." He tried to sound encouraging. "I've seen you flirt online, man, I know you can do it. Just try to... play to her interests, whatever they are. Who is it, anyway?"

Jono looked more sheepish than ever. <*Promise you won't laugh?*>

"As long as it's not that girl you took to the dance."

<*It's not. Promise you won't 'it me?*>

Angelo's eyes narrowed. "You said it's not Paige."

<*It isn't. I'm not THAT big of a glutton for punishment, thanks.*>

"Then why would I hit you?" Angelo brightened. "Hey, it's not Ms Frost, is it?"

<*What? No!!*> Jono actually looked shocked.

Angelo sighed melodramatically. "I can hope, can't I?" He poked at his friend with the nearest foot. "So who *is* it?" Jono psi-muttered something. "Didn't catch that..."

Jono had the look of someone who'd sigh if he could. "Jubilee."

"No, seriously now, who?"

<*I AM serious,*> Jono said a little defensively. <*Why not?*>

Angelo gaped a bit. "I don't even know where to START with why not," he managed after a minute. "For a start, we all know she's had a thing for Ev for ages."

<*An' I had a thing for Paige for ages. So? You can only do the hopeless romance thing f'r so long, then you just gotta move on.*>

Angelo considered. "Well... yeah, okay, point. Neither of you were getting anywhere with that. Let's move right along to the fact that you two've *never* had any chemistry-"

Jono actually seemed almost to blush. <*Yeah, well... that was before she... uh... let's just leave it that we do now.*>

His friend's eyes gleamed. "Let's not and say we did. What happened?"

<*Nothing! I mean... nothing *happened* happened.*> Jono squirmed.

"So what DID happen?" Angelo wasn't giving in. "Go on, I swear I won't breath a word."

<*Well...*> Jono poked at the carpet with his toes, looking dreadfully embarrassed. <*She nibbled my finger, if you must know.*>

One eyebrow ascended. "Right on the tip of your finger? The really sensitive bit?"

Jono looked a little surprised. <*Uh... yeah.*>

Angelo grinned. "Okay, then, I can understand the chemistry."

<*You can?*> *Really* surprised now.

"Hey, I like a good finger-nibbling myself," Angelo said with monumental if rather sleep-ruffled dignity. "It's been a while, but I definitely remember liking it. So... she nibbled your finger, and now you're going out on a date?"

Jono nodded, a dreamy look settling on what remained of his face. <*Uh-huh.*>

Angelo stretched a finger down the bed to poke his friend in the side. "Is this a date-to-get-sex thing, or a date-'cause-she-gives-you-a-funny-boingy-feeling-in-the-heart-region thing?"

<*Boingy-heart,*> Jono said, looking a bit offended. <*'f I just wanted sex, I'd be going for someone old enough 'at it was legal.*>

"Don't get me started on the age-difference. Really. I'm letting Sean have that one." Angelo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Jono... you really like her?"

His eyes crinkled at the corners. <*Yeh. I really like her.*>

"You love her?" The tone was neutral, but there was a calculating look in the grey-brown eyes.

<*I... no.*> Jono shook his head slowly. <*'s a bit soon for that.*>

Angelo sighed gustily. "Thank God you've figured THAT out, at least. Like is fine, like is good. Love is a Four Letter Word."

<*So's like,*> Jono couldn't help pointing out.

"Yeah, but it's worth more in scrabble. The K's worth five points, the V's only worth four."

Jono tried to drag a point out of that statement, and failed. <*...So?*>

"So nothing. I'm sleepy and rambling." Angelo lifted his foot, and booted his friend off the bed as kindly as he could. "Now go away. I'm done talking now."

Jono picked himself up off the floor and nodded. <*Right. Thanks... y'know, for talking.*>

"Yeah, anytime." Angelo pulled his blankets up around his ears. "Anytime after breakfast, anyway..."

* * *

Jono inspected himself anxiously in the mirror. Clean, not-too-faded black jeans, blue-black sweater someone'd given him for Christmas last year, and his leather jacket. Neatly combed hair already a bit ruffled, but not too bad. Still him, but good him. Not too obviously dressing for the date, but definitely looking less scruffy than usual.

Okay, self, check....

Wallet? In pocket, with money inside it. Vitally important that he not forget the money. Okay, keys... he scooped them up off the dresser and shoved them into the other pocket. He'd asked Sean, and gotten permission to take one of the Jeeps. Actually, it'd been ridiculously easy... he'd hardly had to mention that he'd promised to take Jubilee into Boston for the half-day occasioned by a round of teacher conferences. Sean had been so pleased that Angst Lad was leaving the school at all that he'd handed over the keys without so much as a murmur about 'being careful' or 'driving safely'.

Okay... he couldn't take a deep breath, but he closed his eyes for a moment and flexed his remaining ribs. He didn't need to get so panicked about it.

It was just a date.

* * *

It was just a date. A simple, ordinary, run of the mill date.

Jubilee hyperventilated a bit. She'd never *been* on a Real Date. The dance with Ev didn't really count, since he'd spent the whole evening ogling Monet, and other than that...

She inspected herself anxiously in the mirror. Soft blue-jeans, warm deep-blue sweater she'd 'borrowed' from the back of Paige's closet, and her favourite heeled black boots, which would hopefully make up for at least part of nearly a foot's difference in height. Her hair, for once, was loose around her face instead of being pulled back with the usual bright clips and elastics. Yeah, she looked good. And older. Not a lot, but older. Should she be wearing more makeup? She wasn't really any good at applying anything beyond some eyeshadow and maybe a little lipstick- it always ended up looking like, well, a lot like Paige did now.

She looked at her watch and gulped. No time to worry about that now, anyway. She was supposed to be down to meet Jono in a minute and a half. Grabbing her small backpack, she scampered out of her room and down the stairs, racing out the door to the front quad... just in time to run slap into Paige and Tristan as they gazed soulfully into one another's eyes. "Uh... hi..."

"Hi," Paige said dreamily. "You going somewhere?"

Jubilee froze like a deer in the headlights. "Uh... into town..."

"Have fun." Paige went back to gazing at Tristan with an empty-headed expression on her face. Then, just as Jubilee was sidling away with a soft sigh of relief for her narrow escape, she looked around again. "How?"

"How what?" Jubilee squeaked.

"How are you getting there? Is someone driving you?" Paige asked.

"Uh... Jono's taking me..." Jubilee confessed in a small voice.

"That's nice of him," Paige shrugged. "Well, have a good time. *We're* going horseriding," she added smugly.

Jubilee wrinkled her nose. "Whatever floats your boat, I guess..." she said dubiously, and then, thank heavens, the Jeep pulled up beside them. "Gotta go!" she called, leaping into the passenger seat and slamming the door. "Drive away now. Please."

Jono obligingly pulled away from the dorm, looking a little nauseated. <*At it again, are they?*>

Jubilee nodded, making a face. "*They're* going horseriding," she mimicked. "Better them than me."

Jono glanced at her. <*Yer don't like horses?*>

She grinned wryly. "You're looking at four years of dressage lessons and a second place trophy for jumping. My parents thought I'd meet the right sorts of people that way." She wrinkled her nose. "Horses are big, usually dirty, and they smell bad. I mean, I didn't even like My Little Ponies."

Jono's eyes crinkled at the image of a pigtailed and pouting Jubilee-ette bouncing in a solemn circle on her pony. <*What did you like?*>

"Matchbox cars." Her little face brightened. "I had this one that had real opening doors and little seats inside, and another one you could pop the hood on, and then there was this really cute one I used to keep in my pocket that was blue with yellow stars all over..." she trailed off, blushing. "Uh... sorry. I'm a little nervous."

Jono chuckled silently, reaching over to give her hand a gentle squeeze. <*No need t' apologize, Jubilee. Used to like little cars meself.*> He glanced at her again, eyes twinkling. <*Had a whole fleet of little police cars. Used t' have them do car-chases with the itty little Caddilac.*>

Jubilee giggled, letting her fingers curl around his and enjoying the headily warm and fuzzy feeling. "Why? What'd the Caddy do?"

<*James Bond was in it,*> Jono said confidingly. <*Only he didn't know the beautiful woman in the passenger seat was a jewel thief, y' see...*> He tangled his fingers with hers, and felt more than a little warm and fuzzy himself.

Jubilee smiled understandingly. "I did that too, only they were chasing Ronald McDonald in this crappy little plastic Happy Meal car."

Jono blinked. <*Uh... why?*>

Her face was a picture of innocence. "He'd murdered Barbie and melted her down to make little plastic Happy Meals."

Jono laughed so hard at that that he nearly went off the road.

Paige had never made him laugh.

* * *

<*So.... uh... what do y' wanna see?*> he asked a little nervously, as he scanned the rows of cars for an empty space.

"Uhm... Sleepy Hollow?" she suggested. They were still holding hands. They'd been holding hands the whole way. Who knew a little ordinary hand-holding could be so... so *nice*! "Hey, there's a spot!"

<*Sleepy Hollow it is,*> he agreed, pulling into the space. Of course, at this point he'd have agreed if she'd suggested the Pokemon Movie, but Sleepy Hollow might actually be good. <*Here we are...*> He slid out of his seat, locked his door and, by means of a bit of behind-the-car scampering, was around the other side in time to open her door for her.

Jubilee grinned at him. "I can't get out with you standing right there," she pointed out, her eyes sparkling.

<*Why, you're right. Let me help, then.*> Eyes twinkling right back, he wrapped his large hands around her small waist and lifted her bodily out of the Jeep. He swung her down, taking his time about it, and settled her on the ground so close to him that, well, it only seemed natural to let his arms slide around her waist as he looked down at her. <*You look nice today,*> he said softly, and meant it. Her thick, silky black hair was loose in a soft curtain around her face, and that face showed only the barest trace of makeup on her porcelain skin. He liked that.

"So do you," she murmured, gazing up at him with wide blue eyes. That thick wavy hair combined with his warm brown eyes and deep blue sweater in a way that'd make any girl with a pulse swoon on the spot.

Jono's eyes crinkled at the corners, and he brushed her lips lightly with his thumb before turning to lock her door. She was still gazing at him with wide, surprised eyes when he turned back and took her tiny hand gently in his big one. <*C'mon. Let's get inside.*>

"Okay," Jubilee agreed meekly, and floated along beside him in a happy fuzzy haze. That gentle touch had had the definite feel of a kiss.

Jono bought the tickets and, over a few rather weak protests, loaded her down with popcorn, soda, and candy. <*I've seen yer watchin' videos, Lee. Y'love to eat while you watch.*>

"Well, yeah..." Both her hands were full, but she leaned her head against his arm for a moment. "Thanks."

<*Oh, don't thank me. It's all part of a plan.*> Jono said solemnly. <*I'm buildin' up to bein' allowed t' put my arm around you later.*>

Jubilee giggled, even as the suggestion caused a tingling sensation in her stomach. "That *is* how these things are supposed to go, I understand," she agreed, trying to match his solemnity. "If you're *really* lucky, you might even get to put your hand on my knee."

Jono chuckled, resting his hand at the small of her back as he steered her towards the short queue to get into the theatre. <*I dunno if I can 'andle that much excitement on just the first date,*> he demurred. <*Might get carried away and try and get you to put yer 'ead on my shoulder or something horribly forward like 'at...*>

Jubilee dissolved into spluttering giggles that lasted until they'd sat down (in the 'couple seats' with arms that raised up out of the way, heh heh) and arranged their purchases so that everything was within reach. "You crazed sex-maniac, you!" she laughed. "What was I thinking to go out with you, Mr Starsmore?"

<*You were thinkin' I'm cute?*> he asked hopefully.

She grinned, sliding her hand into his as the lights went down. "That must be it."

* * *

The lights came up.

The credits rolled.

Neither of them moved.

"Think they want us to go now?" Jubilee murmured into his shoulder.

<*Don't care. Sickeningly happy,*> he answered quietly, arms tightening a little around her. <*If I was sensing this from anyone else, I'd be making puking noises.*> Resting what remained of his cheek gently against the top of her head, he stroked her back with one lazy hand.

"Mmm..." she agreed, snuggling closer. "Same here. Good thing I'm feeling too good to pay any attention to me."

Reluctantly, Jono pried himself away from her warm snuggliness and stood up, pulling her up to stand in the loose circle of his arms. <*We should go, though. Someplace we aren't gonna get kicked out of in five minutes.*>

Standing on her tiptoes and pulling down on his shoulders, she just managed to drop a butterfly-light kiss on the tip of his nose. "Good idea," she said, collecting her bag and her trash as he stood immobile, swooning inwardly. "Anyway, I'm hungry."

<*Dunno where you put all that food,*> he observed, pulling himself together and eying her tiny frame thoughtfully. She smiled, their eyes met, and it was a couple of minutes before either one managed another coherent thought.

"We really are disgusting," she whispered, nestled against his chest. "If anyone sees me melting like this, my tough scrapper reputation'll be just ruined."

<*What about mine?*> he murmured, smoothing her hair gently and savouring the feel of the silky strands rubbing against his palm. <*I'm supposed to be a rough, tough angst-machine, I am. What'll people say if they see me being all soppy like this?*>

"Yay, woo, go for it, 'bout time?"

Jono closed his eyes resignedly. <*You followed us, didn't yer?*>

Angelo grinned at them from the other side of the theatre. "No, actually, I was in the arcade across the way and saw you two sidle in here joined at the hip. Didn't see you come out again, so I told the cute usherette outside not to worry, that I'd get you out."

Jubilee leaned around Jono to glare at the blithely unrepentent Angelo. "I hate you."

"Aww, but you guys are being so *cute*!" he said cheerfully. Then his smile softened, and he lifted a shoulder. "It's nice to see you happy for a change. Really."

<*Yeah, well, you've seen it now,*> Jono said a bit grumpily. <*Now sod off.*>

"Don't be subtle, amigo, just say what you mean," Angelo grinned, the mischievous look back on his face. "Just one thing, though-"

<*Later.*> Jono looped a long arm around Jubilee's small shoulders and stalked towards the door. Yes, out of here, to find someplace quiet where they could go back to snuggling for a while. He hadn't been aware that just holding someone (without letting his hands wander, even) could feel so nice, and he wanted to do some more of it.

"But-" Angelo said behind them.

Jono ignored him, pushing the door open. It could wait. He wanted more snuggling. <*Yer want to...*> he trailed off.

Paige, Tristan, Everett, Emma, Sean, Monet and two short people that were presumably Artie and Leech wearing image-inducers were goggling at the spectacle of Jono and Jubilee very obviously together. As in *together*.

"Crap."

<*Buggrit.*>

"Like I was trying to say, the gang's all here," Angelo said dryly from behind them. "We're having a little group-bonding-movie-candy experience. Want to join us?"

The End