Prom

What is the big deal with girls and prom? Why were they so uptight about a dance? Even his mom was going slightly crazy, stressing about getting the perfect pictures, making sure that everyone would be together on time. They were so concerned with making sure everything was perfect down to the last minute detail, while Mick was relaxing in his room playing Kingdom Hearts II in gym shorts, while on the phone with Patten who was on his way over. 

"You know how mad the girls would be if they knew how you were spending your day?" Pat asked as Mick snickered. 

"Probably as mad as Jerren is going to be when he finds out we didn't wait to play it with him," Mick said before taking a swig of his Dr. Pepper. 

"Did you get that thing for Sam?" Patten asked as Mick looked at the pillow on his side. He paused his game, pulling out the small black box, and smiled. 

"Yeah. I have it," Mick said emboldened. 

"Did you double check the weather?" Pat asked as Mick groaned. 

"Clear and humid," Mick relayed. 

"You don't have to make this so difficult, you could just be normal and just give it to her as a present," Patten said to Mick's chagrin. 

"It's more than just a present," Mick said, feeling the butterflies in his stomach already. Sure it wasn't an engagement ring, per-say. Technically it was, it was one that a former suitor gave to his mother when they were young, then he was killed by a drunk driver in an accident. She held on to the ring in hopes that she could pass it on to her son one day, in honor of her first love. 

"Did you talk to her dad about it too?" Pat asked as Mick shook his head, this time he wasn't nervous. 

"I'll deal with him afterwards. I asked him for Sam once already," Mick said confidently. "You almost here with the tuxes? My mom is about to blow a gasket in there!" 

"I'm hurrying!" 

So many camera flashes, you'd think they were celebrities. Mick was never more grateful to climb into a strangers car. He and Patten recouped by sitting in silence as they headed to Millie first. Mick stayed behind, fiddling with his tux to make sure you couldn't tell he had his Recluse suit underneath. Patten begged him not to wear it, but Mick couldn't help himself. Somehow, someway, he convinced himself something could happen. Even though Agent Coulson himself confirmed multiple times that Grant Reigns was locked up tight. 

Patten and Millie climbed in, Mick sat quietly, listening to the two of them enjoying conversation as he watched out the window until they stopped at Sam's house. His turn. He jumped out, trying not to run as he made his way up the driveway. Maybe he was a little over eager. Mr. Lane was clearly amused by this, sitting on the porch, with his usual coffee cup. 

"Looking pretty sharp there, if only you learned to cut that mop of a head," he teased. Mick just flipped his bangs and smiled. "What kind of plans do you have tonight?" 

Mick's stomach sank. How did he know? "I've seen that look in young men's eyes before. Don't you go thinking you're going to trying any funny business with my little girl." 

"I'd never," Mick felt the confidence leaving his body. 

"I know that," Mr. Lane stood up, shaking Mick's hand. "You're a good kid. I'm going to warn you now though, she's looks quite beautiful. Better keep your eyes up and your mind clean. Got it?" 

"Yes, sir," Mick nodded timidly. Mr. Lane then opened the door, and before them near the fireplace stood Sam in the middle of a photo shoot. 

Sam was in a royal blue gown, rhinestone around the shoulders leading to the lace that overlaid the chest. Her hair was elegantly woven into an updue with a small ringlet ponytail. She wore a sapphire princess cut earrings that Mick had given her for their six month anniversary, a silver chain with sapphire pendant, and a silvery headband with small blue sapphires that looked like a crown. He was in total awe of her, unable to even place the corsage Mrs. Bennet had made for them on Sam's wrist. Mr. Lane cleared his throat and nudged Mick, pulling him from his trance as he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. 

"You look amazing," Mick admitted as Sam admired his tux, white shirt and royal blue tie. 

"You clean up pretty nice yourself," she smiled. The two then took several pictures in front of the fireplace at the behest of Sam's mom before Mr. Lane stepped in, reminding her that Mick and Sam were on a schedule. 

"You take care of her, understand?" Mr. Lane whispered to Mick. 

"I understand," Mick nodded as he walked Sam out to the limo. His nerves were on edge, but so far the night was playing out the way he wanted. Perhaps all of his concerns were for nothing. Maybe tonight would be the most magical night of their lives? 

Dinner went by fast, Sam and Millie eating light meals while Mick held no regard, eating a whole three plate seafood platter on his own. Maybe his nerves were getting to him a bit with his stress eating. After dinner it was a long ride across parish lines to the reception hall where the Night on the Town prom was being hosted. There were several cardboard cutouts of famous buildings and sights, like the Hollywood sign, the Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden, and what Mick assumed was the Las Vegas strip. 

They did an good job setting up for the big event, even masking the DJ's speakers as buildings. The ballroom was set up with twinkling lights across the ceiling to resemble the stars, there was a refreshments area set up like a 1920's bar, no alcohol signs and all. The music was fast and upbeat, kids everywhere dancing and having fun. Everyone was so carefree, it almost made Mick jealous. 

"You wouldn't be sweating so bad if you weren't wearing your suit under there," Sam teased, flicking her wrist to blow a hint of icy air in his face. 

Mick took in in and smiled. "Last time I came to a dance a monster tried to kill me, so sue me if I didn't want to take any chances tonight." 

"You can't live so paranoid," Sam said with a frown as the two walked out under the real night sky. 

"If you only knew how crazy it really was," Mick sighed. "Being part of SHIELD, I've heard things, unbelievable things." 

"Mick, our powers are unbelievable, but that doesn't mean people should live in fear of us causing harm with them."

"I guess you're right," Mick found himself getting lost in Sam's sparkling green eyes. The music began to slow down, the heat seemed to fade. Sam stepped closer to Mick, she wrapped her arms around him, he followed suit. The two began to sway, lost in the moment. He looked down into her eyes, and for once, he couldn't care less what happened to anyone else. He had everything he needed in the world. 

The glass shattered around the picture perfect moment, screams echoed from the ballroom. People began toppling over each other trying to escape something, Mick recognizing the looks of terror. Frustration filled his mind as he ducked behind the building, pulling off his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt. 

"I have a change of clothes in my bag," Sam said as Mick jumped around trying to get out of the dress pants, grateful no one paid attention when they were panicked. 

"And you were telling me I'm crazy for bringing mine?" Mick teased, pulling his mask from his pants pocket, then balling up his outfit. 

"I only have it because you were acting crazy," Sam smiled playfully. "Couldn't let you do anything crazy on your own though. We're a team, remember?" 

"Outcasts, always," Mick winked as he pulled his mask over his face webbed his clothes to the side of the building, then saluted her before rushing inside. 

Much to Mick's surprise, there was a girl standing in the center of the stage, where the two chairs sat, one were a boy was wrapped in vines, struggling to escape, the other was empty. Two girls stood on the stage, one choking the other with vines while she clutched a crown. 

"Ladies, we don't have to fight over the toy crown, I'm sure we can just take turns," Mick said trying to distract the one girl, which was a terrible mistake. Vines shot up from the ground, whipping at Mick. 

"Oh look, the Recluse got a date to prom, how swell," the bitter girl said before throwing the girl she was choking at him. Her body collided with his with a surprising amount of force, knocking him to the ground. 

"You alright?" Mick asked, then realizing she was unconscious. "Great, good talk." He laid her down, then started to get up only to slashed across the chest by a thorny vine. He cursed under his breath as he regained his composure. He launched a series of webs at the girl who shielded herself with a wall of flowers. 

"You're not stealing my night from me. I should have been queen!" She screamed as more thorny vines lashed at Mick, cutting into his suit then grabbing hold of his arms and legs. "I was fit to win before she exposed that I had powers!" 

"Let him go!" An icy burst swept through the room causing the vines to recoil. Mick was relieved to see the black body suit with the blue snowflake across the chest. 

"No!" The girl screamed in frustration as another burst of cold air stifled her plants, they continued to recoil as if in terrible pain. One more icy pulse, then the girl staggered on the stage grabbing at her right arm. Sam caught her before she collapsed to the ground completely. 

"How?" Mick asked as Patten helped him up. 

"Mini tranquilizer. Jerren sent a few to test out in case we ran into some bad situations. Said he and his lab partner were looking into revamping the formula as we know it," Patten explained. "I called Carter, SHIELD is on their way. She said we should probably bail before the first responders arrive though." 

"But," Mick sighed, looking at the now ruined scenery 

"Hey, at least we can say we had a very eventful prom, right?" Sam asked as she wrapped her arms around Mick. "What about Millie?" 

"Oh she's safe," Patten smirked. "She thinks I'm a junior police officer, so she has no qualms with me throwing myself into danger. She kind of digs it." 

"Nice," Sam laughed. 

"What say we go to the park?" Patten asked seeing the look of frustration on Mick's face. "I'm sure I could play some music loud enough for us to dance to if you wanted to continue the prom." 

"We can if you want," Sam said looking at Mick as they walked outside. 

He pulled the webbing down, then sighed. "So much for the perfect night, huh?" Mick groaned. 

"What do you mean?" Sam looked at him wondrously. "We're all safe, we have a fun story to tell!" 

It was in that moment Mick realized just how little perfection meant to Sam. He shook his head and smiled. "I love you." 

"I love you too," she smiled embraced him. 

"Congrats to the both of you, really. You make me sick," Patten teased as they laughed. "Now you both need to get changed so we can bail."