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This story may NOT be archived in ANY FORMAT whatsoever in existence today or under development now or developed in the future for public display, FOR FREE or PAY without the expressed WRITTEN consent of the author. Midnight downloads is available electronically, for free. It will NEVER be found on a pay to access site with the author's permission!

This is a work of fiction. Any people, places or locations within are purely fiction and the product of the author's imagination, or their names are used to add realism and/or for satirical purposes. Their use does not constitute any type of endorsement or agreement, in part or in whole, with any belief or message, expressed, implied or otherwise inferred by the author and the story/story line, nor do they imply any endorsement of the story or author.

This story contains scenes of EXTREME VIOLENCE, mature subject matter and deals with alternative lifestyles. If you are not comfortable with these concepts and materials, STOP reading NOW. If you are under the age of seniority and consent where you live, or if these types of materials are illegal for you to read, possess or download, you must STOP reading NOW and you may NOT download this story. If you are very religious, this work will probably anger you. Do not read it. Do not download it. Hello, nice to see you, GO AWAY. You'll be more comfortable at http://www.disney.com please go there instead of here.

 

Midnight Downloads

by Wendy-J
Wendy-J@KimEM.net

© 1999-2004 Wendy-J@KimEM.net All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized distribution or archival prohibited.

 

Part-29
Thursday Afternoon September 17^th

After class, Sam was waiting for Tina by the doors. The, by now, familiar sight of what Sam had started calling the geek set, emerged from the building.

"I'm-telling-you-Tina-you've-caused-a-schism-in-the-social-elite!" Cathy nattered in her too fast to understand way. She was so excited, she was approaching warp factor ten.

"But, Cathy, I really don't care about…."

"Hey, guys!" Sam said as she joined them and put her arm around Tina.

"Hi, Sam!" came the chorused reply.

"What's this about a schism?" she asked.

Jon started to laugh. "You know, the 'Miss Popularity Contest' stuff."

"Oh. That," Sam said dully. "Hi, Tee, I missed you," she said giving Tina a peck on the cheek. Tina blushed.

"Yeah!" Cathy was at about warp nine point eight. The words were coming out faster than an auctioneer's patter. "I-was-just-telling-Tina-that-Morgan-Lefferts-was-the-number-two-girl-in-town-until-she-arrived. Morgan-and-Kelly-were-inseparable. Now-Kelly-won't-talk-to-her-because-of-something-Tina-said-at-lunch. I-mean…they-almost-had-a-catfight-over-it! Kelly-said-she-had-to-think-about-something-and-she-won't-talk-to-Morgan-until-she-figures-it-out.

"Barbara-Styles-and-Gina-Mitchell--Kelly's-gruesome-twosome--aren't-talking-and-everyone-who's-anyone-is-lining-up-between-the-two-camps. Battle-lines-are-being-drawn-because-of-it. And you, are-the-cause-of-it-all-Tina! Right-now-the-people-behind-Kelly-are-with-you. If-she-changes-sides-you'll still pull-more-than-two-thirds-of-the-social-strata-with-you! They-think-it's-sooo-cool-how-you-stood-up-for-your-friends-and-stuff. I-mean…Wow!" Cathy finished, red in the face. It looked like the girl's batteries were finally running down. It was either that or the dilithium crystals were fracturing or degrading.

Tina looked like she was getting scared. Sam figured she'd better get her out of there and soon. "Hey guys, see you at lunch tomorrow, okay? We've gotta get going."

" 'Kay, see-y'!" said Cathy.

"Tina," Jon said finally being able to get a word in, "I'll have that subroutine for the browsers tomorrow. See you in homeroom. Later, Sam."

"Thanks, Jon," Tina replied with a weak smile. "Call it two shirts and a pair of slacks."

"You okay?" Sam asked when they were alone, her concern for Tina showing in her face.

"I will be, I guess. Why can't they just let me live in peace?" she whined.

"Cause you're too pretty. I'm driving, you look like shit."

"I think it's that shot. I'm tired and my ass is sore," she complained.

"Want me to kiss it and make it better?" Sam smirked.

"Promises, promises," Tina smiled. Then she held her keys out to Sam and said, "Home Jeeves."

In the car, Tina asked, "Am I making more trouble than I can handle, Sam?" The look on her face was more than one of worry. She actually looked on the edge of being terrified.

"You aren't making it, but I think that if you can manage to hold your temper and to talk to people like you did Kelly, you'll be fine. Where'd you get that temper, anyway? I've never seen you stand up for anyone before."

"Well, you were never around when I'd get in fights over what the dorks at Central would call me. But I was never really mad, I guess. I just figured that I had to do something. Looking back at it, it was prolly me, trying to live up to being someone I really wasn't. But today," Tina just shook her head and ploughed ahead. "Well, Ro never has a bad thing to say about anyone, Sam. Not even the people that put her down like Morgan. When I saw Morgan pushing her around…I don't know, it just made me…I mean…my head got light, like I was dizzy or something, and then I really wanted to hurt her. What's Ro ever done to anyone? Y'-know?"

"Well, it looks like you might have started something. Can you believe it? Social climbers with a conscience?"

Tina yawned; circles were starting to show under her eyes.

"I think you need a nap."

"Yeah. Will you tuck me in?"

****************************

"Hi, Jan?"

"Claire? What's up? How'd you know I was in the home office?"

"I called your office. I'm a little worried, Jan."

"Tina?"

"Yes. Did she get home yet?"

"I expect her any minute. Why?"

"Well, I don't know what's going on but…since we talked this afternoon I've had three cancellations and four new appointments that I just don't have the time to handle. I had to start a waiting list! Imagine, me, with a waiting list. But what bothers me is that all of them used Tina's name when they made their appointments, Jan, even the cancellations."

"I see…."

"I think Tina may have taken on one of the more popular girls in school today. I haven't seen anything like this since I was with Sherry at her salon."

"You don't mean that cheerleader thing at Central, back when I was a Junior?!?"

"That's the one. Judging by the numbers, she came out on top this time. Jan, you have to have a talk with her. She needs to know the score. Those girls can be…."

"Thanks Claire. I'll let you know what's going on as soon as I can." Jan hung up the phone.

"Trouble?" Donna asked.

"Could be. That was Claire. She's had a bunch of girls calling to make appointments this morning. And then later, some of them called back and cancelled and she had others calling to get appointments. All of them used Tina's name when they made their appointments."

"I wonder…."

"What?"

"You don't think she stood up for someone do you?"

"If it was one of her friends," Jan mulled the idea over for a moment, "she just might, Donna. I'd better call Grace. Maybe she's heard something."

****************************

"Thanks Sandy. I'll tell my daughter."

Jennifer Winchester buzzed the front register. "Yes Mrs. Winchester?" Marjorie replied over the in-store phone line.

"Marjorie, when you get a chance, I need you back here. In the interim, please call my daughter and tell her I need to talk to her. Is Joanne still in town?" In town was Jenny's term for around the store or on the mall.

Marjorie took it all in, never once picking up a pen or a pencil. "Yes'm. Would you like me to send her back?"

"Please. Thank you, Dear. Oh! And, Marjorie, please call Grace Archer at Cliffside. I need to ask her some questions."

"Will that be all Ma'am?" Marjorie asked. What the hell has happened to Tina and Sam now she wondered?

"Yes, Dear, that's all for now."

"Joanne, the Boss…." Marjorie started to give her Jenny's request.

Joanne scowled at the word. Since Jenny's revelation the other day, she'd been loath to hear it used in reference to her friend. "Mar, I've found that there's a very personal and painful reason Jenny doesn't like that moniker. Please don't use it again."

"Sure, Joanne, I didn't know."

"You were saying?"

"Well, Mrs. W. asked you to go back. I think she needs to talk to you about something. You know," Marjorie continued, "since she's told us about Linda, it's like she's a whole different person. Almost nice."

"It is nice, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but it creeps me out, too. I almost miss 'The Old Battleaxe.' I knew how to handle that. But, when she's like this…."

Joanne giggled. "I know what you mean. You were on the phone with her for a while, so I know that she gave you a list of things to do. Thanks for the message."

"Joanne," Marjorie said, stopping the woman's departure.

Joanne stopped in her tracks and turned around. She looked puzzled. She didn't like Marjorie's tone of voice. It made her nervous.

"I think something's going on with Sam and Tina again," she said worriedly

"Thanks for the heads-up, Mar." As Joanne walked to the office Marjorie started making phone calls.

****************************

Jan heard the car doors slam from the driveway. "They're home," she said with trepidation. The car in the driveway meant that Sam was driving. They met the girls in the foyer.

"I hear you've had an interesting day," Jan said as she kissed Tina on the cheek. Tina looked at her mother in surprise. "Hi, Sam," Jan said doing the same to her.

Sam made a face and wiped at her cheek. Jan giggled, "Sorry, Honey."

" 'S okay, Aunt Jan. Eileen said I have to learn to accept that people care about me. But I still don't like it…much." Jan and Tina giggled.

Donna hugged Tina and kissed her forehead. "I think you might be running a temperature, Honey. How do you feel?"

"Like this," Tina said touching the side of the woman's face with her fingertips.

"You imp!" Donna said lightly. Still holding Tina, Donna looked imploringly at Sam. She got a kiss on the cheek for her efforts.

"I love you Mom."

"Want to tell me about your day?" Jan asked Tina.

"I'd like to take a nap first," Tina said, untangling herself from Donna's grasp and moving toward Sam. "Could we talk later?" she finished as she started to pull Sam toward the stairs.

"Only if your teddy bear doesn't mind," Jan said with a smile as she looked over at Sam.

"I don't mind," Sam said with a smile. Pausing to talk got her arm yanked and she wound up stumbling behind Tina. "Hey, take it easy! It's attached, y'-know," she complained.

The women watched the girls climb the stairs. "Well, if there was trouble, they handled it, Donna."

"I think Tina's running a slight fever, Jan," Donna said worriedly.

"That's probably her new medications. Dr. Bennett said that as they start to work they might cause that."

"So soon?"

Jan nodded. "Let's get some coffee."

****************************

"You know, Tina, I can't always be here every time you want or need to take a nap."

"I know, Sam. But I can't help it. Please?" Tina begged, on the verge of tears.

"Okay," Sam acquiesced. "Lie back and relax," Sam said as she stretched out beside Tina. "Have I told you I love you, today?"

"I'll have to check the logs." Tina smiled and added, "Why don't you say it again and save me the research?"

"I love you, now go to sleep."

****************************

Sam went down to the kitchen about a half an hour later and joined her mother and Jan. "She's asleep. I think her medications are catching up with her," Sam said as she got a soda and took a sip from the can.

Donna frowned. Jan smiled at her friend's reaction and took a sip of coffee. Donna looked worried. "Are you two…?"

"We're fine, Ma. One of the girls at school started pushing Ro…uhm…Rochelle around and Tina called her on it. That's all."

"Claire called today," Jan said. "She's had to place an advertisement for another girl to fill her empty chair."

"Wannabe's?" Sam asked.

"I think so," Jan replied, smiling at the terminology Sam used. "Almost all of them used Tina's name. She also said there were some cancellations."

"I can believe it."

"She didn't blow up, did she?" Donna asked.

"No, Ma. Ro and I didn't let her."

"Why don't you tell us about it," Jan said, it was more a demand than a request.

Taking her time, and being almost analytical, Sam told them about the incident in the cafeteria and the conversation with Kelly outside. Then she told them about the conversation with Cathy in the parking lot.

"You've had a pretty full day," Donna commented.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"How's Tina taking it," Jan asked.

"She's pretty nervous, but she's handling it," Sam said proudly. "She catches on quick."

Jan smiled and said, "I have to call Claire. I promised her I'd tell her what was going on." She got up and left the room.

"Are you sure Tina's all right with all of this, Sweetie?" Donna asked with concern.

"I think she'll be fine, Ma," Sam replied, not feeling the confidence of her voice.

"Want to watch some TV with me?" Donna asked hopefully.

"Soaps? No thanks; I'll pass. I have homework to do."

"I understand, I just…."

"I love you, Ma, go watch your soaps. I know you enjoy them. Maybe later we can watch a movie or something together, okay?"

"Okay sweetie," Donna smiled at the compromise. Her daughter really was growing up. Donna rose from the table and gave Sam a kiss. "I love you, Honey. Thank you for trying."

Sam was throwing the can into the recycling bin next to the refrigerator when she noticed Linda's business card stuck to the door with a magnet. On impulse, Sam took the card and headed up to her room.

****************************

Sitting on her bed, Sam dialled the number on the card. Linda answered in the middle of the first ring. "Linda Matheson."

"Hi, Linda? Sam."

"Sam?!? How'd you get this number?" Linda replied with concern and puzzlement.

"Aunt Jan had your card stuck to the fridge. I…" Sam answered contritely.

"It's okay, Honey. What can I do for you?" the woman replied setting the girl's mind at ease.

"I…I was hoping you could, uhm…help me get, uh…some information," came the halting reply.

"I'm not sure I'm following you here. Is it for school?" Linda's mind was going a mile a minute. Something's up, or something's wrong. Sam doesn't ask for help unless her back's up against the wall.

"You could say that," Sam said enigmatically.

"I see," Linda said coolly, at once understanding what kind of information Sam was talking about. "You're calling me from the house, right?"

"Yeah, I'm in my room."

"Get Tina's cell phone and call me back on that."

"But…."

"Just do it. I'll wait for your call," she said firmly and hung up.

"What the…?" Sam said to the air as she stared at the dead handset in her hand. With friends like these, no wonder this family is so twisted.

She went into Tina's room and picked up her purse. "Damn this thing's heavy," she muttered as she carried it back to her room. Rooting through the cosmetics, Gods, what did she do, put everything from her vanity in here? floppy disks and assorted junk, Sam finally found the tiny phone buried at the bottom and took it out. She looked back at the purse and shook her head in silent wonder. How can she find anything in that thing? I can't believe all the junk she carries in it.

Sam looked at the phone for a minute. There were almost as many buttons on it as Tina's fancy computer keyboard. Experimenting, Sam dialled the number and pressed a button. The phone started to dial.

"That you Sam?" Linda asked in greeting.

"Uh huh."

"Press the programme button and the number three," she said in a no nonsense voice.

" 'Kay." Sam stared at the phone for a moment, and then did as she was told. The phone beeped twice, warbled, and beeped again.

"Are you there?" Linda asked.

"Uh huh," Sam replied, sounding puzzled. "That was weird."

Linda giggled, "That's okay, it takes some getting used to. Now, what's up?"

"Um…I was wondering if you could help me get some information on Morgan Lefferts."

"Tell me about it Honey, I heard something happened, but I can't help you if I don't know what to look for."

"Okay, but I'm curious."

"What about?"

"Why'd you make me change phones?"

"Security."

"Security? But I thought that…."

"That phone you're using is coded. Calls you make on it can't be traced."

"But what about someone using a scanner?"

"It has a scrambler that switches transmission frequencies and encodes the voice data," Linda said concisely.

"But…."

"What happened at school?" Linda said redirecting the conversation in that particular way adults have that says, "I will be obeyed."

Sam explained the situation patiently and in detail.

Afterward Linda asked, "So what do you want me to do? Shave her head? Dye her skin purple?"

Sam giggled at the thought of a bald-headed and purple skinned Morgan Lefferts. "Sounds good, but I don't know anything about her Linda. How can I be ready for her games if I don't know what kind of shit she'll try and pull?"

"Honey, I can only tell you what we can get from the international databases. I do have a contact in the school, but I'm not sure how much she'll be able to tell me."

"Anything's better than nothing. I'm worried about what kind of games she's going to play. She doesn't strike me as the type that just sits there…." A blood-curdling scream cut her off.

"What was that?!? What happened?!?" Linda asked, panicked.

"I gotta go Linda!" Sam said over top of Linda's questions as she closed the phone and ran to Tina.

****************************

Holding the hard-wired secure phone to her ear, Linda dialled a three-digit extension on her desk phone and spoke. "Get me everything you have on Morgan Lefferts." … "Everything damn it! I don't care what it takes. I want to know if she farts in mass. Does she prefer thigh highs or pantyhose? Everything!" Then she slammed the phones into their cradles, grabbed her purse and ran from her office. She threw her coat on at the door and said to her secretary, "I'm available by cell, Kay. Tell my mother I'll be at the Wilson's."

"But Marjorie just said your mother wants to see you at…."

"Then have her call me; I'm busy," was her curt reply. And she was out the door.

****************************

The Mercedes all but screeched to a halt in the driveway. Inside the house, Donna, hearing the car in the drive started for the front door. She was reaching for the doorknob when it burst open. Donna jumped back with a start and gave a yelp of surprise as the door connected with her fingers.

"Donna! I'm sorry, is everything all right?" Linda asked worriedly.

"Donna, are you all -- Linda!" Jan seeing the look on her friend's face got scared. "What's wrong?"

Linda stood in the foyer shaking visibly. "I was on the phone with Sam when…." Jan, at once relieved, started to laugh. "I don't see what's so funny," Linda complained, as the fight drained out of her. "Would someone mind…?"

"Come on inside and relax, Lin," Jan said and started to explain what happened. "Tina was taking a nap…."

"Her nightmares?" Linda asked. Jan nodded and Linda started to cry tears of relief.

Jan looked at Donna. She seemed terrified. Putting an arm around Linda and taking Donna by the elbow Jan started to lead them to the living room. "It's okay Donna, Linda just got scared. Let's go sit down and relax."

Linda stopped. "Can I go up and look in on her first? Please? I just need to see…."

"Go on up," Jan said softly. Linda didn't bother to take off her coat, she ran up the stairs.

"She really does love her, doesn't she?" Donna said quietly as she started to calm down.

"Sam too," Jan replied, wiping at a tear. "I have been blessed with some very good friends," she muttered as she went off in search of a Kleenex.

****************************

Linda stood outside the door for a moment, hesitating. Then she opened the door a crack and peered into the room. Sam, sitting on the edge of the bed, was stroking Tina's hair and whispering endearments. Sam looked at the door. Linda pushed it open further. "I umm…."

"Come on in Linda," Sam said softly. "I'm sorry, I…."

"You did just fine, Sam," Linda said quietly. "Feeling better now, Tina?"

"Uh huh," she muttered. There were still tears in her voice.

Linda sat on the edge of the bed next to Sam and Tina. "Where's the phone Sam?"

"On the nightstand," Sam said, looking at her with a stare that said "Are you blind or just stupid?"

Linda glanced at it. "I mean the other one."

"Oh, uh…" Sam looked about, never letting go of Tina, "on the floor."

Linda picked it up, opened it and pressed a button. "You didn't hang it up."

Then she grabbed both girls and held on tight. After a few minutes the doorbell rang. Linda sat up, said, "Oh shit," and started to giggle.

"What?" Sam asked.

"When I was running out of the office, I ordered the report we were talking about. But I was a bit upset, thinking that the screams were because of something Morgan did and…." Sam started to giggle.

Tina, finally calmed down and under control said, "Am I missing something?"

Just then Jenny's head appeared in the doorway. "Well, if this isn't the very picture of domestic bliss. Hello Sam, Tina."

"Mom I…" Linda started to explain.

"When you're through up here," Jenny said quietly. Then she disappeared from view.

"Mom?" Tina said bewildered.

"Mom. It's a long story, Cutie," Linda replied. "Maybe later, okay?" Tina nodded her head.

"Right now I think I need to…oh to hell with it. We might as well know whom we're dealing with. I need to go talk to my mother," she said standing. "I'll see you two downstairs." And she left the room.

"What's going on, Sam?" Tina asked, as Linda closed the door.

****************************

There was laughter coming from the den as the girls walked down the stairs. "So I ordered a report on everything we could find," Linda said.

"I believe the order was 'I want to know if she farts in mass,' " Jenny laughed.

"Oh no…" Tina mumbled coming into the room.

"Yes, I'm afraid I said that and more," Linda said embarrassed by her actions.

"You mean the, 'I want to know if she prefers thigh-highs or pantyhose?' " Jenny said again. Sam started giggling. "Well, if there's going to be a clash of the titans at school, you might as well be prepared," Jenny chuckled. "Farts in mass? I'll have to remember that one."

"Umm…Jenny, isn't this a bit much?" Jan asked. "She's only a teenager for Pete's sake."

"I don't think so, Jan. I firmly believe in knowing your opponent," Jenny replied.

"But to order a report like that…you have to have private investigators and…."

"As it turns out," Jenny interrupted, "Miss Lefferts is the daughter of Michael René Lefferts, the trucking magnate. We just might need that information after all. We don't know how much Daddy pampers and indulges his little girl. Let the order ride as it stands, Linda. I want to know what we're up against."

Turning to Jan Jennifer asked, "Could I use your office for a few minutes, Jan? I need to make some phone calls."

"Sure Jenny. You know the way."

"What say we get dinner ready?" Donna asked. "You're all staying I hope."

"Yes, thank you, Donna. That sounds wonderful," Jenny said as she headed to Jan's office.

"What, me turn down a free meal?" Linda joked. "Not on your life!"

"I believe you girls have some homework to do," Jan said.

"But…" Sam tried to protest.

"Your Aunt Jan is right, get cracking!"

"Yes Mo-therrr!"

****************************

"Make sure there's nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, that can be used to embarrass or intimidate them. Birth certificates, drivers licenses, the works."

"That's going to cost, Jenny," Joanne replied.

"I don't care. Spend it; spend it all if you have to. This is important."

"Will do. You gonna be home for dinner?"

"Why don't you come here? I'm sure Jan won't mind and I could use that fuzz ball of yours for company, anyway."

"Sure, Jen, sounds good."

****************************

When Jenny got to the kitchen it was a beehive of activity. "I invited Joanne to dinner, Jan, I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, Jenny," Jan said without looking up from what she was doing.

"So what can I do to help?" Jennifer asked the room.

"Sit down with 'Captain Hook' over there and stay out of the way," Jan laughed, indicating Donna, who was sitting at the table peeling potatoes.

"Do you have another…?"

Jan handed her a vegetable peeler.

Jennifer just looked at Jan with a mixture of amazement and awe. "I run an international import business, I'm the exclusive supplier for three lines nation wide and I have twelve outlets around the country…" she mumbled at the efficient and anticipatory actions.

"I thought I was bad in the kitchen, Jenny," Donna said laughing. "She's an unholy terror. Have a seat."

****************************

Long since having outstayed their welcome in the kitchen, Jenny and Donna had moved into the den and were watching the early edition of the news when the doorbell rang. "Would you like me to get that, Donna?" asked Jenny. "That should be my friend, Joanne."

"If you like, thank you."

Jenny went to the door only to be met by Jan in the foyer; they opened the door together. "Hi, Joanne, you remember Janice Wilson," Jenny said as she opened the door to allow the tall woman entry.

"Hello, Janice, it's a pleasure seeing you again. I'm so glad that it's under much better circumstances."

"Please, call me Jan. Do come in." Jan started to stare at Joanne's head again. "I'm sorry, Joanne, I can't seem to help…."

Joanne started to laugh heartily. "It's okay, Jan, really. I'm quite used to it. You'll get used to me soon enough."

"I…I suppose I will, um…" and Jan started to laugh. "Joanne, I'm so sorry. Look, why don't I go back to my kitchen and let Jenny get you settled?"

"See? You're getting used to me already. You just spoke two complete sentences!" They all had a good laugh as they made their way into the den.

Poor Donna, she was absolutely speechless. During the introductions she could barely mumble a hello. Her eyes never left the silver white fuzz that was about a quarter of an inch long all over the top of Joanne's head. Dinner was almost ready before she could string more than a few monosyllabic phrases together.

"You see, Donna, my natural hair colour is that of an old lady. It has been since I was an infant. I hated it so much as a child that as soon as I was out of the house I shaved my head. I used to wear wigs, but soon grew tired of them and decided to just wear my head 'au-natural.' It's that simple, really. It does have its advantages. No hairdresser appointments, no bad hair days to slow me down, just a quick buff in the mornings and I'm off."

"So why haven't you shaved it?" Donna continued. "It looks like it's been about two weeks since…."

"Almost to the day! Very sharp of you to notice! I lost a bet, Donna," she replied, and then smiled at Jenny. "And I have to let it grow for another two weeks before someone will let me shave it again."

"Well I think it's a perfectly awful bet," Donna said with conviction. Joanne looked directly at Jennifer and stuck out her tongue. "If you want to wear your head bald then I think you should be able to do so without the interference of some narrow minded…."

"Very well!" Jenny said in amused exasperation. "You win Joanne. Tonight, it gets nice and squeaky clean. Tonight! All right?" Joanne simply beamed.

"You?" Donna asked, embarrassed by her outburst in the presence of and at her company.

Jenny nodded her head. "Me."

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea that…."

"It wasn't exactly a bet," Jenny said, looking at Joanne, "and I am neither insulted nor put off by what you've said, Donna." She smiled warmly at the woman. "How could you know who was holding her to her part of a deal in which she set the terms? She set you up deliberately. It is she who owes you the apology." Then she started to laugh. "But, for what it's worth, I think that with the way that Joanne has been painting me in this, I would have been much better off exacting another form of payment."

"I'm beginning to think that you've been much too nice to her," Donna said with false conviction. She was having trouble keeping a straight face.

Just then Tina and Sam -- still in the clothes they wore to school -- walked into the room and stopped in their tracks. Sam just stared open mouthed at Joanne. Tina cocked her head to one side and smiled broadly. Then, moving with the grace and poise Audrey Hepburn exuded at the ball in the film My Fair Lady, Tina walked up to the almost bald woman and held out her hand.

"Hello," she said sweetly, "I'm Tina Wilson, and you are?"

It was Joanne's turn to be speechless. Instead of taking the girl's hand, or replying to the introduction, Joanne simply said, "Astounding." It was almost a whisper.

"I'm sorry? I don't believe I caught that." Tina continued to smile warmly, her hand still outstretched.

Joanne finally snapped out of her shock, stood and taking the girl's hand said formally, "I am Joanne Ayers, it is a pleasure to meet you Tina." Then she bowed over Tina's hand as though she were a Prussian dignitary of old.

"I really like your sense of style Joanne. It's shockingly beautiful. May I introduce you to my dearest friend, Sam Boone?" she said nodding at the gaping youth.

Everyone in the room stared on, watching the exchange in stunned silence. If this was a clash of wills, Tina was definitely the victor. "Well I'll be damned," Jenny muttered disbelievingly.

Releasing Tina's hand Joanne continued formally, "Hello Sam, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Marjorie has told me so much about you."

"Uh, hi." Sam was Dumbstruck. Her mind simply refused to work; she just stood and gaped.

"Sam!" Tina chided. "At least close your mouth!"

With that the stunned silence was broken with laughter, as Jennifer Winchester couldn't hold hers back any longer. Donna immediately followed suit.

"Tell me, Tina," Joanne asked, "what caused you to do that?"

"Well," she giggled, "I simply assumed that most women who shave their heads do so for the shock value. I merely took you up on your dare. But I'm almost disappointed. You didn't click your heels when you took my hand."

Joanne burst out laughing. "You most certainly did, Miss Tina. Might I add that your beauty did have a bit to do with my shock, though?" Tina blushed at the woman's complement.

"Well done, Tina," Jenny, finally under control, said with a smile. "That's the first time in my life that I've seen someone shock her. And you, My Dear, did it with her appearance! Perfect, absolutely perfect. No trying to lessen the impact with some arbitrary excuse, Joanne, she beat you at your own game, fair and square."

"That she did Jenny. But you have to admit…."

Jenny held up her hand in a stop motion. "You look lovely tonight, Tina," Jennifer said.

"Thank you, Mrs. Winchester," she replied demurely. Her blush deepened.

Linda entered the room and said in her best butler's voice, "Dinner is served." Then breaking out of character looked to the tall woman, smiled broadly and said, "Hi Joanne! Cute fu-uzz!"

"Tonight!" Joanne shot at Jenny. "I'm holding you to it!" And they all laughed again.

****************************

Dinner was pleasant. The Dining room table was almost full for the first time in a long time. Jan and Linda laughed heartily when they heard how Tina welcomed Joanne.

"Jan, I'll never understand how you keep your figure eating food like this all the time," Linda said looking at the platter of broiled chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, spinach and broccoli florets. "If I ate like this every day I'd look like a balloon in a week!"

"Trade secret, Lin," she said with a smile.

While they ate Sam stared at Joanne out of the corner of her eye. It wasn't until their dessert -- parfaits and espresso -- that she found her voice. "Um…Joanne? Why?"

"My head?" she asked giving it a rub. Sam nodded. "I like it, it's sexy and it's much easier than hot rollers and a blow-drier."

"I'm sorry, I…."

"Don't be sorry, Sam," Joanne smiled. "It's done more for my umm, private life," she winked at Jenny, "than having hair ever could have."

"Why didn't you try dying it instead of shaving?" Sam continued.

"She did," Jenny said with a smile. "But not all hair takes dye well; especially silver hair like Lieutenant Fuzz's here." This comment brought a round of laughter from the table. Joanne just stuck her tongue out at Jennifer.

"Don't be making promises you can't keep," Jenny said with a wink.

"Tonight!" was Joanne's one word response. The table broke out in a fresh round of laughter. "I like it smooth, Sam," Joanne said, simply.

"Doesn't it make you feel less…feminine?" the girl pressed on.

"Does it make me look less feminine?" Joanne asked.

"No," Sam said and blushed a deep crimson. "Umm…actually…." Her voice trailed off. Everyone laughed harder.

"So I've been told," Joanne said. "Thank you for the complement."

"Umm, Joanne?" Donna asked in a small voice.

"Hmm?" Joanne smiled.

"If you don't mind my asking, umm…. How…how…?"

"How tall am I?" Joanne finished for her. Donna nodded and blushed, embarrassed that she'd actually asked.

"Six two," she said with a smile. Seeing the woman's obvious discomfort she added, "Don't be embarrassed, Donna, I like being tall. It's umm, definitely more fun…all the way around!" she winked.

Tina wasn't paying much attention to the conversation at all. She kept looking wistfully at the empty seat at the head of the long oak table. No-one seemed to notice her gaze. There were several conversations going on at once and everyone was having a good time, chatting and laughing. Linda, sitting next to her, leaned over and whispered, "You okay Honey?"

"Yeah, Aunt Lin, I just…" she whispered back. A tear started to slip from her eye as she looked toward the empty seat again. She brushed it away quickly saying quietly, "I just wish…. Daddy would have…."

"I know," Linda said squeezing her knee, then asked, "Aunt Linda?"

Tina smiled. "Yeah," she breathed.

****************************

Friday Morning September 18^th
Sam woke up with a start. "Whasssat?" she mumbled.

"But I miss you." Tina was talking in her sleep.

It was almost incomprehensible, muffled by the pillow and clouded with sleep. But if she listened, really closely, Sam could understand her.

"I know, Daddy. … I love her. … Yes, Daddy. I won't, I promise."

Sam silently cried herself back to sleep.

****************************

The next morning, Sam, wrapped in a terrycloth robe, walked into her room from the shower. She stood before the chest of drawers and reached for the one that held underwear. The male hormones on top of the dresser seemed to glare at her. Sam looked into the mirror and stared, long and hard.

****************************

Sam sat on Tina's bed and waited for Tina to get out of the shower. When she walked into the room Tina said, "I don't use the other one for two weeks."

"I know, I just…. About school…how do you want to play it?" Sam asked.

Puzzled Tina replied, "What do you mean?"

"Well, right now, it's all in how you dress and act. I mean…like…if you go to school in jeans, it can say you really don't care what Morgan thinks, or that you're confident in your place at the top. Or, it says you really don't care about the status thing at all and you're going to ignore her just the same. If you wear a really nice skirt and blouse or a dress, it says that you think you're better than her and that you're taking your place at the top whether she likes it or not." Sam paused for a moment and a sad smile came to her face. You could see that she didn't like what she was going to say. "No matter which was you play it Tee, she'll get ticked off."

"Great, just…great," Tina said resignedly. "In other words I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't." She sat on the bed and just looked at Sam for a bit.

Sam looked into Tina's eyes; they were a muddy brown. She just stared into them for a moment. Sam was beginning to understand Tina's moods just by looking at her eyes. "Uh, yeah, that about sums it up," Sam finally said.

"Sam, all I ever wanted was a nice quiet senior year. Not the war of the bimbettes!"

Sam chuckled at the name Tina gave to the school's society war. "Well, Tee, with your looks, you don't have a choice," she said matter-of-factly. Tina just glared at her.

"I can't help it, it's true! You're gorgeous! Just look at yourself! You look better than anyone in school! Hell you look better than anyone at Central! Imagine what Central would be like if they only knew Tina and not Ernie."

"I might look better," she said hotly, "but they don't have Linda and Jennifer Winchester making sure that everything looks just…."

"So what? You'd still look better than anyone there, regardless. Do you really think they aren't trying all the same tricks?"

"Yeah, I guess," Tina said giving it some thought. "Lisa Anderson would prolly have a cow," Tina said meekly.

"Right, and you know what a bitch she is."

"So, like, what do I do, Sam? Pretend to be a bitch like the rest of them?"

"Could you?"

"No…you know I couldn't act that way. If I did, I…I couldn't face myself in the mirror."

"Then wear the jeans. You need the mirror to make that face of yours look it's best. See y' downstairs. I'm hungry."

****************************

Tina wouldn't let Sam walk her to class. She said she needed to be able to think for the test in her Modern Keyboard Theories class. Ro and Lee teased her about it in homeroom.

"Where's Sam?" Ro asked.

"Yeah! Like, I was taking notes and everything!" Lee piped in. "I wanted the third instalment!"

"C'mon you guys! When Sam does that I can't think straight for hours." Ro and Lee started giggling.

"It's not funny!"

"Sure it is, Tee," Ro said. "I mean, where else are we gonna get quality entertainment? It sure ain't on TV!"

Tina giggled. "Okay, you win. Hey, you heard anything about Morgan?" Ro shook her head.

"Look, Tee," Leticia said, "she's pissed. I don't think she's gonna just pretend like it didn't happen, y'-know?"

"Yeah, I figured that, so, what do we do?"

"Wait for her to make the first move," Lee said simply. "But stay outta her way, what ever you do. She can be mean."

****************************

At lunch, Tina and Ro got in line to get their lunches when Tad Williams walked up. "Hi, Tina," he said smiling at her, "how's it going?"

Looking at him over her shoulder, Tina saw the smile and didn't like what she saw. It was the same look Bradley Thorndike had. "Hi, Tad," she said coolly.

Ro, hearing the tone in Tina's voice, looked over at her as her mind raced. What's her problem now?

"Hey, we're going to the pit after school. Wanna come?" he asked as he sidled up to her and put his hand in the middle of her back.

Tina's eyes narrowed and she turned slowly to face him. He kept his hand in contact with her. It was now resting on her arm. "But I thought you were seeing Barb Coleman?" she said sweetly. Too sweetly.

"Uh, yeah, well…she's uh…you know, a bit immature."

"Maybe I'll ask Barb if she thinks it's okay," Tina said feeling rather PO'd and vindictive.

Tad looked panicked. "Uh, you don't have to do that. I mean, like, uh…you know, we have an open relationship."

Ro saw her friend's eyes narrow even further and the green flash of her gaze. Oh shit, here it comes, she thought.

"You know, Tad," Tina said coldly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I didn't like Brad touching me either." As she spoke, Tina took his wrist between the nails of her thumb and forefinger and, squeezing as hard as she could, removed it from contact with her arm. Tad looked like he was struggling not to drop to his knees from the pain Tina was inflicting with her talons. "And if this is your way of asking me for a date, Tad," Tina continued, now on a roll, "I think you might as well go and get yourself a blow-up doll. Because after I tell Barb how nice you think she is, and just how open your relationship is, it's probably gonna be the only date you'll be getting around here from now on! Bye Tad."

"I thought you were gonna…" Ro started to speak.

"I almost did, Ro," Tina said cutting her off. She was pissed and she didn't care anymore. "Where's Barb sit?"

"You're not gonna tell her are you?" Ro was incredulous.

"Wouldn't you want to know?" Tina asked sharply.

"Yeah, I guess I would, but…."

"What? Not cool?" Tina asked sarcastically, stopping Ro's line of thought.

"No, definitely not," Ro said thoughtfully, as a smile came to her face. "But I can!" Tina looked puzzled and frustrated. She was finally starting to calm down. Ro gave her a nudge as the line moved forward.

"Is it cool to say I asked you to tell her? I don't want her thinking I would even consider…." her voice trailed off.

"Umm…maybe. Let's ask Lee," Ro said thoughtfully.

"Politics! It's always politics! You can't say anything without trying to be politically correct. Why can't people just be nice to…?"

"It's also human nature, Tee. I mean…think about it," Ro said analytically.

"Human nature? Be real! How can school politics possibly be related to human nature, or anything in nature for that matter?!? It's nothing more than an aberration of…."

"No. Really. Humans are essentially herd animals, right?" Ro interjected, switching into lecture mode. She was as bad as Tina when she had a point to make. "They always travel in packs. Humans always gather together; it's the loner that's the aberration. Humans gather into groups, packs, or herds."

"So?" Tina asked, puzzled. While she might be angry, this was an intellectual discussion. Tina's temper was cooling rapidly as she started to get into the debate.

"Heard animals can be pretty cold and violent in nature. Look at how wolves behave. The strong take all the food and the weak starve unless they can find enough scraps to live on. There's always only one leader and all the males fight each other to try to…."

"But this isn't The wild Kingdom, Ro, it's school. And the way they're playing the game means the only survival skill is who is Miss Popularity!"

"Have you ever really seen a difference between the two? Besides the clothes I mean? Think about it."

"No, I guess not," Tina said thoughtfully. "Money and prestige are the human equivalents of strength and stamina and they're reflected in your clothes…."

"And what's mating?" Ro asked again, pressing her point home.

After a long pause Tina said, "Woof!"

By the time they got their food and paid for it, Tina's spirits had improved considerably. As they neared their usual table Tina noticed it wasn't empty. If anything, it was almost full. Their four customary seats near the end had been left open and the mostly empty tables that usually surrounded theirs were full. "Um, you don't think I made my point, do you?" Tina giggled.

Ro smiled in return saying, "I'd wager they missed the point entirely. Let's sit down and wait." Sam and Lee arrived a minute later. "Hey, Lee," Ro asked, "you know Barb Coleman, right?"

"Yeah, she usually sits over by the second pole, why?"

Ro motioned the group to come closer and started whispering. "Well, Tad Williams came up to Tina when she was in the line and…." And Ro gave them the readers digest version of the incident.

"So, do you think it'd be cool to tell her that Tina asked me to…?"

Stopping Ro in mid sentence, Lee looked at Tina and asked, "You want to be more popular than you are now?"

"Are you out of your mind?!?" Tina hissed back. "I'm too popular now!"

"Well, if Ro tells her, but doesn't mention you, Ro looks like a friend and you look like dirt. End of popularity, end of friends and I ain't got no dates. If Ro tells and she does, you soar and we all live off the fat of the land. There ain't no in-between. It's your call."

"But wouldn't she ask?" Tina looked desperate.

"Nope, wouldn't even occur to her to ask. She'd just figure we were telling her what we saw."

"Sam?" she looked imploringly at Sam.

"I got an idea, but I don't know if it'll work."

"I'm all ears," Tina said.

"Then here's what we'll do," Sam replied and started outlining her plan.

After they finished eating, instead of going outside as usual, they sat at the table and started to talk. When Sam got up and went to the lavatory Tina, feigning indignation and disgust, spoke loudly enough to be heard by several neighbouring tables.

"Y'-know, I'm getting really sick of the jocks in this school. I swear! They all think their god's gift or something. Just today, Tad Williams comes up to me in the lunch line and says that he wants to take me to the pit after school. In the lunch line! Like no-one can see him there? Gods! Poor Barb! Dating slime like that! And he acts as if I should be grateful he's asking and like I'm not happy with Sam! And when I asked him about Barb, he actually had the nerve to say that she's too immature and that they have an open relationship and it'd be all right! Can you believe it?!?"

"No WAY! I don't believe it! Tad Williams?!?" Lee said doing a very credible imitation of incredulous disbelief.

"Yeah!"

"Why don't you go tell Barb?" Ro asked.

"If I do that, she'll think I'm being smug and lording it over her," she said dismally.

"I could tell her for you," Ro offered.

"Well, someone's got to tell her, Ro," Tina really sounded exasperated. "But if I ask you to do it she'll think I'm trying to…. Oh what's the use?" she said fatalistically. "The guys in this school are pigs!"

A few minutes later, Sam came back to the table and tapped Tina on the shoulder.

Tina looked up and smiled warmly at her.

Sam hooked her thumb in the direction of Barb Coleman's table. One of the girls from the table behind Tina was whispering in her ear and pointing at them. "Let's get out of here," Sam said.

When they got outside they all had a giggle fit. "Well it worked," Ro said still giggling over the act they put on in the cafeteria. "Let's go sit down."

"Tee," Lee said, struggling not to laugh, "you deserve an Emmy for that performance!"

****************************

After last bell Sam was waiting for the Geek Set by the doors. Only two of them came out. "Hi, Guys!" Sam said as she joined them at the bottom of the steps. "Where's Jon?"

"He-had-a-dentist-appointment," Cathy replied.

Sam winced. "Ooooh, tough luck."

Cathy nodded sympathetically as she continued her rapid fire staccato without missing a beat. "I'm-telling-you-she-was-absolutely-devastated. She's-been-avoiding-him-all-afternoon." Then without waiting for a reply said, "Daddy's-promised-to-take-me-shopping-today! I-have-to-run-Tee-Sam! See-y' tomorrow!" And she took off across the lot for her car.

Tina sat down on the bottom of the steps. Sam sat with her. "Wha'sup?" Sam asked.

"I feel really bad for Barb," Tina said.

"Yeah, it sucks, but it isn't your fault. You did her a favour."

"I know but…" Tina trailed off and stood up slowly, her eyes getting as big as saucers while looking across the lot.

"What?" Sam asked concerned.

"It's Barb…and Tad," she said quietly.

Sam jumped up and looked. "Oh man…she's really laying into him," Sam said under her breath. Barb was on her toes, face red, her mouth going a mile a minute while she tapped his chest with her index finger.

"Yeah…the creep deserves it too," Tina said. "C'mon, let's go home," and started walking to her car.

Sam put her arm around Tina and asked, "Want me to drive?"

Tina nodded and handed Sam her keys. Since Brad attacked her she'd taken to digging them out before she got up from her desk after last bell. Tina was still watching the arguing couple as they walked to the Olds. Suddenly Barb ran off. It looked like she was crying.

Tina thrust her books into Sam's hands saying, "Go get the car!" and took after Barb at a dead run.

No, Tee, please! Stay out of it! Please! Sam begged silently, as she picked up her pace and trotted to the car.

****************************

Continued in Part-30

"Midnight Downloads" can be found at the following wonderful sites:
Crystal's Story Site. http://www.storysite.org
Sapphire's Place. http://www.sapphireplace.com/ml
My web site is mirrored, with a delayed posting schedule, at the following wonderful site:
TG - Fiction.net - http://www.tgfiction.net
Thank you Kim & Piper.
Please visit them to read other delightful stories that you cannot find at Crystal's StorySite.

  

  

  

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© 2004 by Wendy-J. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, and compilation design) may be printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without the express written consent of StorySite and the copyright holder.