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Sammy and Nick were just wrapping up practice.  They'd gotten the stage movements down pretty good, and had begun to focus on the singing to each other.  They'd taken to practicing in one of the music rooms, and doing a sort of half-assed version of the stage steps to keep the timing down while they sang.

Everything had been going pretty well, and as they were packing to head home Elrod came in, knocking on the door as he made his way inside.  "Hey guys, how goes the singing?"

Sammy squeaks and bounds over to Elrod, giving him a hug and planting a kiss on his cheek.  "Its going great!  Want to watch for a while?  I mean, we just got finished, but I'd do it one more time to show you."

"No, I was actually hoping to get some time alone with you.  You've been a hard girl to find the last few days."

Nick says good night and shakes Elrod's hand on his way out.  "Nice meeting you Elrod." 

"Hard to find? Busy, yeah, but I've let you know where I was in case you wanted to visit.  Like you are right now."  She squats down to pick up her belongings and stands as Nick and Elrod shake hands.  "See ya, Nick!"

As soon as Nick is a respectable distance away, she says softly "It looks like our alone time has started.  What would you like to do?  Want to go look at Christmas lights on houses or do you have something warmer in mind?"

"Well, you've been singing a lot, and I've been busy with the holiday party.  So, what about a private dinner for two, a nice warm fire, and Barry White on the stereo?"

"That sounds wonderful!" Sammy purrs as they start to walk along.  "Party plans going okay?"

"Plans are going well.  I'm making sure that everyone will bring a toy.  You need to get me that list for the food drive by the 20th so people can get the gifts."

Sammy slaps her forehead and appears to be very remorseful.  "Right. I almost forgot about the list.  I'll get it tomorrow.  Time keeps sneaking past me."  She shakes her head.  "I'm having a good time, but I don't know if I'm coming or going lately.  There's been a lot to handle."

"Yeah, I figured as much.  That's kind of why I've been giving you room to work.  Don't want to be one more thing on the list of constant distractions."

"I missed you though.  I'm glad you found me tonight."  She grins.  "You're the good kind of distraction."

"That's nice to know."  he says, giving her a kiss, "But too much of a good thing and all that."

Outside Elrod puts her stuff in his car.  "I already called your mom to tell her that you'd be with me, so we're covered there.  You need to make any stops before dinner?"

"None that I remember.  I have my phone in case somebody needs to remind me about something I forgot.  Unless its really important, I'll be blowing them off anyway 'cause you win tonight.  Let's go."  She hops into the car.  She's been working on that one song so much that without really being aware of what she's doing, she sings it very quietly to herself as she waits for him to get behind the wheel.  She keeps going with it unless he draws her attention to it or something happens to break her out of it.

It's about ten minutes into the city when Elrod pulls into the driveway of the Excelsior Hotel.  He gives the Valet a key and leads Sammy inside.  The hotel is older, and it's architecture and decor give it a glamorous feel.  Lots of colored marble and brass, shined to a bright gleam.  They go past the front desk and up the stairs to the mezzanine towards the restaurant.  "Good evening Mr. Janush."  The maitre d' says, Right this way."  The distinguished gentleman leads Elrod and Sammy across the dining room to a table near the glass wall.  The view is of the city, with it's Christmas lights and displays all along the street.

They order and eat, conversation being mostly pleasant catching up.  Elrod spends a lot of time holding onto Sammy's hand as they talk and his smile never seems to fade from his face.  "I heard Dave may not be going to MIT next year.  MY dad wants me to go talk to some college administrators over the winter break, completely informally.  I think he's hoping one of them will sell me on some fantastic idea for a major."

Sammy contentedly memorizes the shape and feel of his hand, holding it with one hand as she softly strokes his fingers with her other hand.

"You still might be able to go to school and do what you want to do.  Tell them you want to try International Studies, with at least a year or two abroad in Europe and Asia.  Or pick a place where you don't speak the language, and say you want to go to school there, but need to spend some time traveling around the place first to immerse yourself in the language.  If you want something strongly enough, you'll find a way to make it yours."  She stops to take a drink of water.  Of course, I'll miss you terribly, but I'll be happy for you at the same time.  We'll still be friends when you decide to come home, and I'll be older then.  This could work out okay.  "I didn't know that Dave might reject MIT though; I just recently found out he had been offered a scholarship to there.  I hope that news doesn't drive Preston Wilde further into crazytown...  he's pretty resentful of Dave as it is.  We..."  she looks around to check for waitstaff then continues in a much lowered tone, "We unfortunately are going to have to, uh, "do something" about Preston.  He... did a very bad thing.  This news about Dave just raises the pressure."

"I'll figure something out about school.  Still trying to decide what I want.  Well, what I want beyond being here with you right now."  He kisses her fingertips.  "As for Preston, that will get sorted out too."  He waves for the waiter and orders some chocolate mousse for two.  "So, Nick and you seem to be doing okay, I heard the tail end of the song.  Sounds like it's going to be a big hit."

"Yeah, he's a good partner.  He wants us both to do well up there.  He's been coaching my singing, showing me how to get the most out of my voice without straining it -- that's going to pay off big time next summer -- and that song!  I wasn't sure about it at first, but I'm feeling better as we rehearse more.  I think it's going to be a good act."

"Cool.  I'm looking forward to seeing it."  The chocolate mousse comes and The pair spend some time eating the rich dessert.  "Hey, not to bring up potentially bad stuff, but what was the deal with Megan and her family leaving town all of a sudden?  That seemed totally off the wall.  I thought dad was making a play for the Senate or something."

"They went to England.  Her dad took a job with his old company, or something like that.  He was having trouble getting money for his campaign, so he hung it up, quit his job, and headed out of the country."  She pauses.  "You know, now that I say it out loud, it does seem really weird. I didn't ask any questions then because it was all happening so fast.  Too fast."  Eyes wide, she whispers "Do you think he was running away from something?"

"Dave mentioned it, I made a few calls.  He wasn't having any trouble with funding.  My dad was completely confused when he heard.  And, being Mayor isn't a job you normally quit to take a corporate gig in another country.  I just thought you should know."

"Yeah..."  Sammy chews at her lower lip.  "Maybe somebody ought to ask John if he's heard from her.  I mean, it hasn't been all that long, so it wouldn't be unusual if he hasn't yet, but..."  She restrains herself from reaching immediately for her phone.  "I'll check tomorrow.  Megan... I kind of owe her... she told me something before she left.  Something about you, and a girl who likes you a lot, enough to brag about her intentions.  Don't worry, its nothing I'm stressing about too much.  Knowing will just keep me from acting crazy stupid if the girl makes a move, unless she totally deserves it or turns out to be a Superman freak.  I'm talking too much, aren't I?"

Elrod smiles.  "I like the sound of your voice, so it's highly unlikely I'll acuse you of talking too much.  But, yeah see if anyone has heard from them.  It's just too fast to be normal is all."

"I'll do that.  You keep checking too?  Maybe its just something easy and stupid like he was having an affair that got discovered."  She sighs.  "I'm glad my family isn't overly complicated.  I mean, there are some things that could be really complicated if they were allowed to go that way, but somehow they very rarely do."  She scrapes some mousse off the dish.  "This is good."

"It's the best reason to come here.  The view is nice this time of year too."

She doesn't bother looking out the window.  She just looks at his face and in a goofy girly voice says "I'm liking the view a lot."

Elrod smiles and kisses her on the nose.  "I should get you home before it gets too late."  He takes her by the hand and leads her back out front.  The valet brings the car around and they begin the drive back to Oak Park.

"Hey!" Sammy giggles,  "You're not getting rid of me so easily!  You still owe me the fire and Barry White on the stereo!"

"That's at your place.  I figured if we were gonna have a fire and Barry White your folks should be able to check up on us."

An inexplicable feeling of irritation flashes through Sammy, then is gone, dominated by a bit of resigned disappointment.  Better stop to buy marshmallows to roast over the fire.  Nothing else will be allowed to get hot and steamy in there.  "OK.  If that's the case, we probably ought to just plan to watch a movie with my folks instead; Mom's probably already started the hot chocolate and the popcorn for her and Dad.  Nick loaned me an old Cary Grant movie I haven't seen before, if you want to see it with  me.  I also have a recording of today's rehearsal; Mom will definitely want to see it when she finds out about it, but that can wait until tomorrow.  Nick wanted me to pay attention to my facial expressions, so he set up a camera."

"Really.  Okay, we can invite the folks.  Or, is this a case of you're sure they've already invited themselves?"

"I'm not sure of it," she says.  "It's just... We can try for the Barry White and fireplace thing, but... "  She looks really frustrated.  "If my folks are around, the cozy little private moment isn't going to fly for long, so we ought to have something else to do.  It doesn't have to be "To Catch a Thief" or the rehearsal thing if you don't want either of them."

"Either sounds fine.  Now I just know to plan those quiet moments away from your folks, that's all."  Elrod says with a smile, "You think they'd accept a bribe?"

"You can try," Sammy says, "But the minute my dad says "How much for the wimmen?  How much for the little girl?" I'm out of there."

Once they get back to the house Elrod and Sammy are met in the foyer by mom.  She's all smiles and polite conversation.  Dad emerges from the den, "You guys have a nice time?"  he asks innocently.

"Well, I'd totally forgotten it was Thursday and not Friday, so we aren't going to be able to see Sweeny Todd tonight."

Mom's eyes light up, "You have tickets?  I called all over town and no one has any."

Elrod reaches in his jacket and takes out a pair of tickets.  "Since we can't, why don't you two go.  I've already seen the production, I thought Sammy might enjoy getting to see people sing on stage before she actually had to do it.  It's a shame to let them go to waste though."

Sammy is shocked with the speed mom snatches the tickets from Elrod's hand.  "This is so sweet."  She turns to look at Steve.  "We can go, right?"

"Sure honey, I'll get our coats."  He says and opens the closet, "We should hurry though, that's the 9PM curtain call from the looks of those." 

She glances at the tickets and her watch, "We'll be a little late."

"Actually, Valet parking is faster."  Elrod hands dad his keys, "I have a pass on the car, just pull up out front."

Dad seems to hesitate for a second, then nods, "Thanks El, that's really nice of you."

"No trouble at all, I'm just glad someone will get to enjoy those tickets.  So."  Elrod says, looking at Sammy, "You said something about Cary Grant?"

After hugs and kisses mom and dad are off and Sammy watches as they drive off in Elrod's Mercedes.

An astounded Sammy gives Elrod a look as her parents practically set land speed records running out the door and whispers "Mind control.  That has to be it.  You stinker, you really do have paranormal abilities!  You just keep them hidden deep.  Which is why your folks want you around your sister, because you really can keep her in check."  She listens for any sounds coming from the rest of the house.  Hearing nothing critical, she says "I'll race you to the fireplace."

"Well, I cheated.  Your dad was a co-conspirator.  He told me the play that would get your mom out of the house."  They go into the den to get the fireplace lit.

"Dad.  My dad.  Helped you to get me, his daughter, alone.  In his house."  She hands the long fireplace safety matches to Elrod.  "You light the fire.  I'm looking for the surveillance cameras."

"Look at it this way, I'm guessing your dad figures I'm generally an honorable guy and wouldn't do anything in his house that he'd disapprove of.  He knows for a fact I have a huge house that's mostly empty, so if I wanted you alone I could make it happen.  I'm thinking this is a trust exercise."

"Well if you're not trustworthy, I don't know anyone who is.  Go ahead and start the fire."  She wanders out into the kitchen and makes some hot chocolate for the two of them.  Carrying that and the two dvds she had mentioned earlier back into the family room, she sets the whole load down on a table and sits down next to Elrod.

The evening continues to go well.  They watch the Cary Grant movie, but Elrod skips the rehearsal DVD.  "I'll wait to see the finished product.  It's like a painting, best not to see it until it's finished."

They spend some time snuggling, and kissing.  Things get pretty hot in front of the fireplace, but between the two of you they manage not to get out of hand.  Around midnight Sammy's parents get back.  They take extra long getting from the car to the door, and dad even manages to set off the car alarm for a couple of seconds when they get out.  "We're back."  mom announces from the Foyer as dad puts the coats away.

As she comes in the den and immediately comes to hug Elrod, "Thank you so much.  The show was really incredible."

"I'm glad you liked it."

"So, it's late and I'm sure you need your sleep.  You should head to bed too young lady."

"Yeah, I better get going.  Goodnight Mrs. Jameson, Mr. Jameson."

"Goodnight, Sam, why don't you walk El out."  Dad says as he hands the keys back to Elrod.

"OK, Dad.  I won't be too long."  She pulls a crocheted blanket off the back of a chair as she passes.  Wrapping it snugly around herself, she follows Elrod out onto the porch.  She stands on her tiptoes and gives him an extremely demure kiss on the cheek.  "Good night, Mr. Janush. I had a lovely time.  Thank you for dinner and the theatre tickets."

"Anytime Ms. Jameson.  Unfortunately probably not before the concert, I've got to get this party thing taken care of and find some place to send my family for the holidays."

"What's wrong with your home in California?  Or for that matter, here?  Mom would be happy to invite them over during the holidays.  Unless you really want to get rid of them.  Then I hear skiing in British Columbia is always a good Christmas activity.  But you're definitely invited here on Christmas day, unless you can't come over." She rubs his nose with hers.  "Find me over the next couple of days, okay?  Five minutes is better than nothing."

"I should be able to do that.  And, I was kind of hoping for an invite over here for myself.  When I say get rid of them, I mean without me.  I have a girlfriend now, perfect excuse to spend the holiday with someone else don't you think?"

"Works for me.  You can come over here any time for as long as you like.  If my mom finds out you're alone for the holiday, she'll probably want you to spend the night, just because."

"I should get going.  And I'll see you around."  Elrod gives Sammy a good night kiss and heads home.

Sammy watches him go then turns and goes back into the house.  She grabs the rehearsal recording off the table and takes it to her mom.  "This is from today's rehearsal.  I haven't looked at it yet; probably won't until tomorrow since its late.  If you're interested, here it is."  That out of the way, she says "So Sweeny Todd was really good?"

Mom nearly gushes, "Oh god it was so great."  She says taking the recording from Sammy.  "I'm just sorry you didn't get to go."  She talks for a few minutes about the production, the sets, and the actors before she gives Sammy a hug and kiss, "You should head to bed or you'll be wasted tomorrow."

"OK, Mom.  Goodnight..."  She starts towards her room and turns back. "Oh!  I invited Elrod over for Christmas.  I figured you would assume he's going to be here, but now its official.  OK?  Goodnight."