A/N.

Sorry about not updating.

I was kinda thrown off with news that Brick wouldn't be in the next season.

Buttttt... I have a hunch he might be yet. ;-)

.

The Dating Game

.

Jo didn't exactly doll herself up. No make-up this time - she'd learned her lesson from before and she wasn't keen to make herself beautiful for Quarter-Brain. However she was convinced out of wearing that same track suit by some of the girls who thought she should wear date clothes.

So there she was in a grey t-shirt this time with a pair of black slacks. Pantsuit slacks. No way they were getting her in a skirt. Feminine without being girly.

Lightning was clearly not impressed with the clothing choice. "Aw man, you're wearing that?"

"What's wrong with it?" Jo now felt very self conscious. She hated feeling like that. Like she wasn't good enough. But she knew that feeling had to be wrong. She was BETTER than him. He sucked and he was lucky she was showing up at all. Stupid Lightning.

"Lightning just thought that you would, you know, look like a girl for our first..."

She punched him in the arm. "Be very careful there Jockstrap. Finish that sentence and you'll be eating your own underwear at a table for one."

Lightning got the point. He rubbed at his arm and held out his other arm to escort her. "So how about we go to the restaurant?" He squeaked, still in pain.

Jo took his arm, an eyebrow quirked. "Restaurant?"

"Well, cafeteria."

"And you've outdone yourself already, Beef for Brains. Congratulations."

Even though it was only the cafeteria (and Jo hoped to God that Chef wasn't in there cooking or chaperoning their date, both were equally repulsive) Jo felt nervous. It was her first date and even though this was some awkward ritual that she knew she had to get through she wasn't sure if she could enjoy it.

What did Sha-Moron expect from her? Probably not much with that pea of a brain.

What did she expect from him?

"Sooooo..." He began and she turned her head in surprise. Was she mistaken or was Jockstrap just as nervous as she was?

"Why are you doing this?" Jo spoke up. "Is it because you pity me? Because if you have told anyone about that never being kissed thing..." She threatened.

"No, man, I forgot about that. You know more guys would go for you if you didn't..."

"Didn't what? If you're going to say 'dress like a guy' I'm going back to the cabin."

Lightning's voice went an octave higher, it was obvious he had been meaning to say 'dress like a guy'. "Punch people so much?"

"I'm only going on this date because Corporal Wets His Pants asked me to." Jo told him.

"You are?"

"Of course I am. Do you think I would have agreed to this otherwise?" She did not like feeling vulnerable and she was feeling like that right now. That's why she decided to speak up about it all.

"So you'd rather be on the sha-date with Brick?"

"No! That wasn't what I said! I don't know!" Replied a flustered Jo.

"It's a simple question. Who would you rather be on the date with?"

"Neither of you. Besides, I'm going out with Cadet Loser tomorrow night, so what does it matter?"

It mattered to Lightning but he figured he'd let it go and just try to enjoy the rest of the date.

.

Ooohhh... Jo is a thinking.

Changes in the wind?

It's likely!