The Night to Remember

Disclaimer: Same as before…

Crescent Venus - Consider this a Christmas present.

Zoe opened the box, with a girlish smile as she and Mia sat with one another in the locked room. "It's beautiful." Mia commented as she saw the halter necked blue dress, simple yet elegant with a just a bit above knee length slit on the sides, "Tom's jaw is going to drop, I know it."

"I wonder what your dress looks like?" Zoe asked, "I hope I've not outshined you."

"Not at all." Mia replied, smiling back and opening her box. It was yellow with a tight top with a full, flowing skirt, with long elbow length yellow gloves.

"It is only proper that the chaperone doesn't outshine her charge." Zoe replied.

"It's still a beautiful dress." Mia replied, "Tom's going to pick his jaw off the ground when he sees you in it."

"Almost like he did when he accidentally walked in on me in the shower the other day." Zoe replied.

"Too much information…" Mia began.

"It's lovely." Zoe said, feeling like she understated her compliment.

"A charge should outshine her chaperone." Mia smiled, as Zoe put Mia's hair up in a simple bun.

"I'm not so sure I know what we could do with your hair." Mia began, "After all it's pretty short."

The two women continued to get ready for the evening, "The look on Alex's face will be priceless." Mia began.

"I can't wait to see the look on Tom's face…" Zoe began.

"He's probably going to have a heart attack when he sees you in that dress." Mia smiled.

"I'm sure Alex will need to have his jaw popped back into place when he sees you in that dress." Zoe replied.

"Are you trying to strangle me?" Alex groaned.

"Some of us wear ties regularly, Alex." Tom replied as he adjusted Alex's bowtie.

"Homicide…" Alex groaned as Cobra walked into the room.

The big African American man chuckled and said, "Hmm, you could do with a dash of cologne."

"Isn't that a bit much?" Alex began.

"Nonsense." Cobra replied.

"You two are worse than my mom and dad." Alex groaned, "Especially when we were trying on the tux and everything."

"It's your night mate." Tom replied.

"I'm more nervous than anything." Alex replied.

The sound of a door opening upstairs made Alex's heart skip several beats as both men's eyes turned towards the top of the staircase. Zoe stood at the top of the staircase as Tom's jaw practically dropped.

"Tom?" Alex began, "Tom?"

"Forget it, he's in a trance." Cobra replied.

"Who needs hypnotists?" Alex quipped

To say Zoe looked stunning would be an understatement. She wore a long, halter necked dress in a medium shade of blue. Everything about her looks was geared towards a simple type of beauty. There was nothing artificial or heavily made up about her, the way Christine had a tendency to dress. A small necklace and small earrings completed the picture.

"Tom." Zoe began.

For the first time in minutes, Tom blinked his eyes. He put his left arm around Zoe's waist and they exchanged a quick kiss. Tom deepened the kiss and Zoe closed her eyes, blissfully wrapping her arms round Tom's neck. Maybe at the end of the night Tom, you might be lucky. Zoe thought. If you keep that kiss up any longer we might not make it to chaperone duty.

Finally they parted for want of air. "Ahem," Cobra Bubbles began, "I was wondering when you two would quit canoodling and act like chaperones."

"Yeah, aren't you two supposed to be the example for us?" Mia asked.

"If the kids get frisky you can't really say anything…" Cobra began.

Both Tom and Zoe sported embarrassed smiles and the fivesome proceeded outside. "Have fun you guys," Melanie said.

"You're not going with us?" Zoe asked.

"Sorry, Proms aren't really my thing." Melanie replied, "I've got a date with the books."

"Again." Zoe asked.

"Have fun you guys, and be safe." Melanie began.

"We'll be safe." Mia replied, "We've got Cobra Bubbles, and Tom and Zoe to watch out for us."

"I was talking about Tom and Zoe, hopefully they don't get too into each other." Mia replied.

Tom gave a wry grin in response and took Zoe's right arm in his left. Alex stood there for a while, almost in a trance. In some way this was a dream come true. Easily the most attractive, yet nicest girl he'd ever met had actually accepted his invitation to the prom. And then…

"Alex." Mia began.

"Hmm," Alex replied dreamily.

"Alex." Mia began, a bit more insistently.

"Yes princess…" Alex replied.

"Aren't you going to the prom anytime soon?" Mia replied, "Tom just started the car."

"Oh…" Alex said, before he took Mia's right arm with his left, mimicking Tom's action of earlier.

"You know you are cute when you're dreamy." Mia remarked.

Alex blushed red as he walked outside and opened the back door of the car, letting Mia in first before sitting beside her.

"And where's your date, Cobra?" Mia asked.

"The life of a government agent is a lonely one." Cobra Bubbles quipped.

"Bollocks." Tom remarked, squeezing Zoe's hand as they drove down the road.

"I seem to remember Consuela from the hospital…" Zoe teased.

"Ooh, let's here this one." Mia began.

"What? No…" Cobra protested.

"I recall she was more than a bit interested in you." Tom replied, as his thumb ran over the smooth back of Zoe's hand.

"Tom..." Cobra began.

"It's not too late to call her to see if she's got any plans for tonight." Zoe began.

"Zoe..." Cobra growled irritably.

The party arrived at the prom without any further incident. "Remember our legend for this one." Tom began, referring to the cover story as to why Tom and Zoe were there.

Tom and Zoe went over to where the principal and other adults were congregating. Mrs. Allenby, the principal walked over to the two newcomers just then.

"Harold Sullivan." Tom began, and then introduced Zoe, "My wife, Annie."

"Sarah Allenby." the woman replied, she was in her late forties with her dark hair done up in a twist.

"We're Mia's tutors." Zoe began.

What tutor carries a 9mm sidearm underneath his jacket? Tom thought. Tom knew Zoe was carrying one as well, just above the slit of her skirt, high on her right thigh. Originally neither of them was supposed to be armed, but Cobra Bubbles happened to know a fellow FBI agent with quite a substantial personal arsenal. Cobra had been able to collect an old favor and managed to acquire two pistols, a Sig-Sauer P226 9mm for Tom and a Browning Hi-Power 9mm for Zoe. Nothing was predicted to happen, but what with the fact that Heartless activity had been on the rise on many different worlds had been increasing, according to MI6's latest reports which mixed

"The pay must be good." Mr. Watts, the Latin teacher said, before saying a quote, "Timeo Danaos et Dona Ferentes."

"I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts." Zoe replied, gamely.

"Very good." Watts replied.

"I took some Latin at Oxford." Zoe replied.

"I could tell by your voice." Watts began.

"Where's Harold?" Mrs. Allenby asked.

"That's a good question, he does tend to disappear on me..." Zoe replied just as Tom came over with two cups of punch.

"Where were you?" Zoe asked.

"Just at the drink table." Tom smiled.

Hmm, something's up, Tom, and I know it. The question is, what did you just dream up? Mia thought.

"The Greeks have their schemes." Watts began.

"I'm not Greek, though." Tom replied.

"But you have the look of a schemer though..." Watts began.

"May I have this dance," Alex said, holding a hand out in as demure a fashion as he could muster. Inside he was quaking. This was most certainly not a dream.

Mia smiled and said, "Of course, you may have this dance."

Alex took Mia's hand as the first notes to the song Holding Out for a Hero began to play on the sound system.

"It's kind of weird that your school chose an '80s theme for the Prom." Mia began.

"You don't like it?" Alex said, feeling heat rush into his face.

"No, no." Mia replied, "Not at all."

"So you don't like it?" Alex asked.

"No," Mia replied, backpedaling, "No, I love it. It's just kind of weird."

"Why?" Alex said.

"It seems like so many things in my life this past year have had an '80s spin to them." Mia replied, as she and Alex began to dance. Alex took Mia's right hand in his own, his left hand was on her waist, just an inch or two above her hip, as they began to sway at to the music.

"Really, how?" Alex asked.

"Well, for one, Tom has so much '80s music in his flat it isn't funny." Mia replied, "Not to mention You're the Inspiration, Tom and Zoe's song, was written in the '80s."

"What about this Glen character you mentioned." Alex replied.

"He was such a sleaze. I don't know what Zoe saw in him, he kept running around on her, even during their engagement." Mia replied, "But I can see that my babysitters are taking care of themselves..."

Over in one corner Tom and Zoe were talking to Cobra Bubbles. The big black man nodded impassively and headed out of the building.

"It looks like Cobra's up to something." Alex began, as he and Mia swayed to the song.

"Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods? Where's the great white Hercules to fight the rising odds? Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed? Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need." The speakers sang.

"Wow Cobra." Mia began, "Go get her..."

"It could be work related." Alex began.

"No, trust me, he's on a mission of a different kind." Mia replied.

"It's kind of over-romantic, isn't it?" Alex asked.

"And what's wrong with that?" Mia asked.

"Nothing." Alex replied, "It's just that Cobra never struck me as that sort."

"I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night, he's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light. He's gotta be sure and he's gotta be soon. And he's gotta be larger than life. Larger than life." Bonnie Tyler continued to sing.

"I used to think the same about Tom, until I got to know him better." Mia replied.

"Well he's on some kind of mission. Are you sure it isn't work related?" Alex asked.

"Alex," Mia said, swatting him playfully, "It's definitely something romantic. If there was something serious, Tom and Zoe would have called us out of here by now."

Great, I'm dancing with the girl of my dreams and all I can talk about is Tom and Zoe's relationship, or Cobra's possible relationship with Consuela. FOCUS. Alex thought.

"Somewhere after midnight. In my wildest fantasies. Somewhere just beyond my 's someone reaching back for me. Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat. It's gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet." Bonnie Tyler's sang.

Alex looked into Mia's eyes, such a rich, deep shade of brown, and it seemed that she was regarding him. She's interested in you, come on make your move.

She's a princess though. She's probably got dukes and lords and...Shut up, she said yes, didn't she. And you do have courage enough to be a hero. Alex thought, reminiscing the events of several weeks ago.

Alex frantically reached for the door handle when four Search Ghosts appeared in front of him. He back pedaled, he was unarmed and they…Wait, there was that little gun that Cobra had given him.

Alex jerked the little pistol up and opened fire, shooting once, twice, and three times. The first Search Ghost fell dead to the ground and he kept shooting, grazing the second one and completely missing the third. He ran past the other two Search Ghosts and flung the door open as the creatures flung him to the earth.

Alex closed his eyes expecting the worst when he heard gunshots and saw one of the Search Ghosts fall dead before him. The other Search Ghost turned only to catch two 9mm rounds to the chest and one to the head. Cobra and Melanie appeared, the latter holding a key.

"Tom, we have the key. Now let's see what little miss gypsy wants…" Cobra began.

Alex moved closer to Mia, a bit awkwardly, expecting her to pull away or say something, anything but what she did next. Mia took a half step closer to Alex, so close that their faces were almost touching. Mia wrapped both of her arms around Alex's neck.

Alex at first didn't know how to respond, Mia was one of the maybe two attractive girls in his life who'd ever given him a second chance. And she was beautiful, but she didn't use it as a weapon or a shield from the masses that so many other girls he knew did. And that's what Alex liked most about Mia.

"I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night. He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light. He's gotta be sure and he's gotta be soon. And he's gotta be larger than life.
Larger than life."

Zoe smiled and said, "How adorable."

"Excuse me?" Tom said, as he munched down a small sandwich from a plate of finger foods.

"Look at Alex and Mia." Zoe began. Tom looked up and couldn't help but smile, as his left arms snaked 'round Zoe's waistline. Zoe smiled, and put her right hand on Tom's left shoulder, teasing his neck with a couple fingers.

Tom turned to kiss Zoe but then Mrs. Allenby gave both of them a stern look. When her back was turned, Tom snuck a quick kiss on Zoe's lips.

"In the mountains neath the heavens above. Out where the lightning strikes the sea. I can swear that there's someone somewhere watching me. Through the wind and the chill and the rain
and the storm and the flood. I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood."

Mia leaned closer to Alex, almost resting her forehead on his chin. Not since Michael had she felt like she was walking on air. She'd grown to be good friends with Alex these past few weeks. She liked him, he was kind, intelligent, very much a romantic, and definitely was kind of cute. Thoughts and memories of Michael entered her head. Their friendship. Their first kiss. Their breakup...

"Mia," Alex said, noticing her state of mind, "Are you alright."

"I'm fine." Mia said.

"Whatever it is you can tell me." Alex replied, as they headed off the dance floor to a couple chairs at its edge.

"It's just that I remember when Michael and I..." Mia began.

Alex said, "I understand."

I can't believe this, I'm hurting Alex and...Mia thought and then said, "I'm sorry I'm bringing my issues into your prom..."

"No, no, don't apologize." Alex replied, "I'm not going to enjoy my night with you being miserable."

"It's just that Michael and I first became an 'us' on a night just like this." Mia replied.

"Do you love him?" Alex asked, hoping to keep his own disappointment out of his voice.

"I still miss him, and it still hurts..." Mia began.

"Michael, what's going on?" Mia asked, "You've hardly said two words to me since I've been here."

"I'm kinda tired from the performance, Mia." Michael replied.

"No, it's more than that." Mia said, putting her arms around his chest, she kissed him tenderly on the cheek afterward, "C'mon, you can tell me. I mean we were friends before all this."

"Look, Mia, there's so much that's changed..." Michael began.

"Such as." Mia said, moving closer.

Michael pulled away, "All the publicity with us. I mean, even before my band started making it big. I mean the fact that I'm dating the Princess of Genovia."

"It never bugged you before." Mia replied.

"Yes, but that was before I'd open my front door back home and find reporters from every news service outside it." Michael said, "It's getting too much for me."

"Too much for you!" Mia shouted, "The Heartless invaded my world! I'm practically living in a maximum security apartment..."

"Mia, look, how can we have a relationship if the press wants weekly updates. You know that People Magazine has a Michael and Mia column? Do you know that a few sites on the internet exist that predict us getting married? That predict what our kids will be like? Do you know how little privacy we have? I saw the paparazzi at our last few dates!" Michael said, "I can't take this, I just can't!"

"Michael, we'll get through this together." Mia said.

"That's just the thing." Michael said, "How can we have a relationship if it's always being watched by the press? Mia, I can't do this anymore..."

"Michael, what are you saying?" Mia asked.

"I want to break up. I'm sorry Mia, it had to come to this..." Michael said.

"...I guess I'll be seeing you." Mia said, fighting back tears.

"I hate to say this," Alex began, "But maybe it just wasn't meant to last like you'd hoped. True love is rarely found on the first try."

"Where did you hear that?" Mia asked.

"My Dad said that to me." Alex replied.

"I'm so sorry," Mia said.

"Don't cry..." Alex said, reaching into his pocket, taking out a handkerchief and dabbing at the tears.

Mia gripped Alex's hand in both of hers, "I still miss him..."

"Anytime you need a shoulder to cry on..." Alex began, "Mine's always available.

He really is a hero. Mia thought.

"No, Alex, I don't need a shoulder to cry on..." Mia began, standing up.

Oh no. Here it comes. Alex thought as he stood as well.

Mia turned towards Alex, putting her arms around his neck and drawing him into a kiss. Surprised, Alex kissed her back, leaning forward, gently into her, drawing her closer to him, slowly and passionately kissing her. Mia's right foot popped up.

Finally the two parted for want of air. "I think they're still playing our song." Alex began.

I like the sound of that. 'Our song'. Mia thought. He really is a hero. My hero.

Mia let Alex take her hand and lead her onto the dance floor for the end of the song. Things were going to be very different from now on.

"I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night. He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the morning light. He's gotta be sure and he's gotta be soon. And he's gotta be larger than life.
Larger than life."

"Alright Cobra." Mia remarked, because after the song, Cobra came through the doors with Consuela in tow.

"I see someone was wrong." Mia began, "I guess Cobra's not working tonight…"

"Neither are Tom and Zoe." Alex remarked.

Just then the opening notes to "You're The Inspiration" began to play.

Meanwhile Tom and Zoe were watching Mia and Alex from the refreshment table just as the opening notes to the song began to play.

"You set this up, didn't you?" Zoe asked.

"You figured me out." Tom replied, smiling and extending his hand.

Zoe took his hand and Tom escorted her onto the dance floor…

"You know our love was meant to be. The kind of love to last forever. And I want you here with me. From tonight until the end of time. You should know. Everywhere I go. Always on my mind. In my heart. In my soul. Baby." The sound system began to play.

Tom put a hand on Zoe's waistline, taking her other hand in his right. The two began to slow dance to the music. She really looks good tonight. Tom thought.

Zoe blushed as she felt Tom's attentions focused solely on her. She hadn't felt this way, hadn't allowed herself to feel this way since Glen and how he'd swept her off her feet.

"You're the meaning in my life. You're the inspiration. You bring feeling to my life. You're the inspiration. Wanna have you near me. I wanna have you hear me saying. 'No one needs you more than I need you'."

Zoe thought to herself. I thought I'd never want to hear this song again after Glen…Zoe moved closer to Tom, putting her arms around his neck as he wrapped his own 'round her waist.

"Nice touch." Zoe began.

"They are playing our song." Tom replied, smiling at her.

"And I know (And I know). Yes I know that it's plain to see. So in love when we're together. Now I know (Now I know). That I need you here with me. From tonight until the end of time. You should know (Yes, you need to know ). Everywhere I go. You're always on my mind. You're in my heart. In my soul." Chicago continued to sing.

"Aww," Mia smiled, "How sweet."

Tom leaned closer to Zoe just then, planting a feather light kiss on her lips.

"You're the meaning in my life. You're the inspiration. You bring feeling to my life. You're the inspiration. Wanna have you near me. I wanna have you hear me saying. 'No one needs you more than I need you.' (No one needs you more than I). Wanna have you near me. I wanna have you hear me saying. 'No one needs you more than I need you.' (No one needs you more). You're the meaning in my life. You're the inspiration. You bring feeling to my life. You're the inspiration."

Zoe deepened the kiss just then, closing her eyes, losing herself in the moment, leaning closer to Tom, finally parting due to want of air and resting her head on his chest.

Tom held Zoe close to him as the song began to conclude.

When you love somebody. 'Til the end of time. When you love somebody. Always on my mind. No one needs you more than I. When you love somebody. 'Til the end of time. When you love somebody. Always on my mind. No on needs you more than I."

The prom proceeded without incident and as the students began to separate for the various after prom parties. Cobra Bubbles seemed to be having a good time, smiling occasionally and slow dancing with his date.

"Tom, take the keys." Cobra said, at the end of the dance, before winking at Consuela, "I do have some business to take care of."

"Of course." Tom smiled back as he clasped Zoe's hand with one of his own.

"You do remember the way back, and to drive on the right side of the road." Cobra said.

"Of course I remember the way back, and to drive on the right side of the road. Which of course is the wrong side." Tom replied.

"No, you drive on the wrong side of the road in the UK." Cobra replied.

"Bollocks." Tom replied.

"Either way, just remember to keep the car on the right side of the road." Cobra began.

"Are you trying to get me into a car wreck? If I drive on the right side of the road, I'll get into a wreck." Tom joked back.

"I meant drive on the right side of the road." Cobra replied.

"That would be the left side of the road though." Tom replied.

"Tom, just drive like an American." Cobra replied and was about to add an additional comment or two when Consuela gave him a quick kiss that shut him up.

Tom gave the couple a smirk of his own, causing Zoe to playfully nudge him with her elbow. "I think Mia and Alex could use a ride home, Tom."

"Of course." Tom replied as the four of them stepped into Cobra's black government sedan and headed home.

Tom started the engine and couldn't help but chuckle as Cobra and Consuela headed towards the downtown area of New Orleans after the dance. This was a side to his old contact that he hadn't seen before and couldn't help but chuckle.

I am not forgetting tonight if I live to be a hundred. Mia thought, as she rode in the back seat, resting her arm on the middle seat. Alex placed his own hand atop hers and Mia clasped it, lacing her fingers and Alex's. One thing was for certain, this would be a night to remember.

Coming soon, another chapter of this fic, as soon as I can muster the time.

Zoe: If someone didn't have other fanfiction projects as well, this one would be finished.

Me: Well imagination and inspiration work in mysterious ways.

Alex: Hey TH, I think there's a group of mutant guys who want to have a word with you…

Tom: Not to mention a group of pirates from the Caribbean, not to mention four superheroes in red spandex…

Me: Well hopefully I won't take as long to write the next chapter…Thanks for reading folks…