.... .... Sweet Susie's Cheerleader Fun: Part 2 - Practice, The Game, & Susie gets in the action!
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(Thursday - December 23, 2004)

Susie had decided not to tell her family and friends about what had happened. If they saw her on television, great - otherwise, she would just go to the game and have fun. She explained to them that Kim had received tickets to the game as a gift and they were going with their new friend Stacey - who was a member of the Saintsations. Susie was able to get a ticket for Kim from Stacey, so the plan was all set.

Susie attended practice on Thursday (she had told her family she was shopping) and had a great time working on the dance steps and learning where to position herself during the game. She was even going to be on the field when the team was introduced - amazing! Stacey worked with Susie and soon Susie felt ready to go. The coordinator asked Susie and the other winner Tony to stay after practice so that they could answer some questions about their experience. The media had submitted questions, but for now could not talk to them directly. After the game, Susie and Tony would likely have to answer some questions, but he wanted to make sure that they did not provide any personal information above what the team had requested. Did they understand? Both of them were okay with this - Susie was especially happy to keep as much private as possible. The girls could keep their uniforms when the game was over. Two other big things to remember: 1) no personal contact with players and 2) pay attention to the game. There were large athletes in equipment running at full speed on the field - they had to be careful.

(Sunday - December 26, 2004)

A White Christmas had come to New Orleans! Susie took that as a sign that the world was changing - if she could make the team, it could snow at Christmas in New Orleans. Maybe the Saints had a chance after all. It was cold! Susie put on her heaviest coat that she had worn skiing one time, but she was still cold. Stacey arrived at Susie's at 9:30 and took Kim and Susie to the game. Susie was happy that the game was blacked-out locally; hopefully none of her family and friends would see her until it was over. Kim had to enter another part of the building, as Stacey and Susie went in the special entrance. Susie told Stacey that she was so nervous, but Stacey kept assuring her that she would be fine. They joined the other team members on the field for practice and warm-ups. Susie could not believe she was here. The field was set-up for the game, cameras were everywhere and there was so much activity. As they started to finish their warm-ups the players from the Saints and Falcons took the field. She was shocked at the size of the players and how they were built. What muscles on them. The cheerleaders left the field and headed in to get dressed.

Susie sat with Stacey and they dressed for the game. Susie had decided to go without panties and the push-ups. She slipped on her top and tights. Next she put on her shorts and fit them in place. Finally, she zipped on her black boots and had Stacey make sure everything was in place. Stacey helped Susie apply the necessary make-up so that if they were on television - they would look perfect. Stacey helped Susie put the black jacket on and now she was ready. Susie could not believe it - she was a Saintsation!

Stacey handed Susie her pom-poms and they went out on the field to start some cheers and get ready for the player introductions. Susie felt like she would pass out when they came out on the field and heard the roar of the crowd. So many people and lights! Susie stood next to Stacey and they did the pre-game routines. Susie made a few mistakes, but was okay. She could not believe all of the photographers taking shots of them - how many places would her photo appear. So much for keeping this a secret, too late now!

The squad lined-up and the Saints ran between them for the introductions. The speed and size of the men as the ran by was amazing to her, Susie was in heaven. The team was so excited and needed to win this game, it showed. The Saintsations squad split in half and went to their respective spots on the sidelines. Susie was with Stacey and the other winner Tony was on the other side of the field. The game started and the Saints took an early lead. It was a close game as they approached halftime. Susie did the cheers with the squad and the rush of being there made the apprehension disappear. Susie was amazed at all of the cheers and whistles at the squad from the crowd. A couple of guys asked 'the new girl' to marry them. Susie blushed, but kept on performing.

About 3 minutes before the half ended, it happened. The Saints punted and the Falcon runner came up the sideline towards them. Susie watched intently to make sure that they did not get close to her as she was instructed. She continued to watch as the runner was tackled on the sidelines and thought the play was over. Susie made the huge mistake of watching the ball and not all of the action. One of the Falcons players blocked Steve Gleason (#37 for the Saints) late and towards the sidelines. He flew between two cameramen and reporters towards the cheerleaders. As Susie turned to see the action coming towards her, she had no time to react when one of the cameramen moved at the last minute to avoid Steve. He flew towards Stacey and Susie at full speed. Stacey moved just in time for Steve to fly into Susie knocking her to the ground. Susie crashed to the ground as Steve hit her and he went right over her prone body. Steve came back to ask if she was okay, but Susie did not hear him. She was stunned, but luckily not seriously injured. Her left shoulder hurt, but she was okay. The trainers came to check on her as the game continued with Atlanta given a penalty for the late hit on Gleason. Stacey helped Susie to her feet and the coordinator came to check on her. Susie assured them that she was okay, but they wanted to check her. The video screen replayed the hit on Susie a few times as the crowd cheered. Susie looked up one time to see it and thought "Great, now I will be on Sportscenter!"

The trainer took her into the cheerleader locker room to be checked out. Steven the coordinator came to see her and told her that was part of the game, but she made the mistake of watching the ball not all of the action. However, he was not mad - they would get great exposure with the replay. The trainer said that her shoulder was just bruised and that she could go out for the 2nd half if she wanted. Susie thanked him and asked if she could rejoin the team. Steven told her it was okay, but to be more careful. One thing was for sure, she would have a lot of attention later. 'Great' she thought.

The rest of the game went without incident and the Saints won the game to edge closer to the playoffs. For the second half, the cheerleaders did not wear the jacket that covered their gold top. The squad cheered on the field as the players shook hands after the game. As Susie and Stacey began to walk off, Susie felt somebody grab her on the right shoulder. She turned and saw #37 Steve Gleason standing there.

"I want to apologize for what happened. Are you okay?" He asked.

"That is not necessary, it was my fault. I am fine, my left shoulder is just a little sore, but it will be okay. Thanks for asking." Susie replied.

"I feel so bad that you are new and it happened. I want to make it up to you if possible. Can you wait so that we can talk after I get dressed and do the interviews?" Steve asked.

Susie looked at Stacey before she replied. "Under the circumstances, I am sure it will be okay." Stacey said to Susie.

"I guess so, where do I meet you?" Susie said.

"There is a special elevator to the players garage near where you came in. Meet me there in about an hour. I just want to again apologize and give you something." Steve said as he hurried off to the locker room.

Stacey told Susie that she would check with Steven to make sure that she could talk to Steve without violating any team policies. The two of them went towards the squad locker room where Steven met them. Stacey told him what had happened and he said that as long as Susie kept it discrete, it would be okay for her to talk to Steve. Susie and Stacey went into the locker room and started to undress. Susie took off her boots; slid her shorts off her legs; and took off her tights. She had just started to get her jeans on, when one of the female assistants came into the locker room and told Susie that she had to get dressed again.

"Why, what is wrong?" Susie asked. The girl explained to her that Steven needed her to come with him and do a few interviews. She had become a big 'hit' with the hit that she took from Steve and everyone wanted to know more about her. Steven had asked for her to get dressed, bring her things from the locker room, and come with him - she could change later.

Susie quickly put her shorts back on. Stacey suggested that she not worry about the tights, so she stuffed them into her bag. She put her boots back on and zipped them tight. Stacey helped Susie apply some fresh make-up and hugged her for luck. They exchanged phone numbers and Stacey would make sure that Kim got home safely. She wished her luck as Susie went with the assistant to meet Steven.

Susie met some team officials who had gathered a few members of the local media to meet Susie and Tony and hear about their experiences as a Saintsation for a day. Most of them only wanted to talk to Susie and hear about the hit. Steven made sure that Susie and Tony did not divulge any personal information and stopped them a few times before they answered a question. Photos were snapped and Susie knew that she would be the story in tomorrow's newspapers. At least it would make news for her website - maybe she could gain some new members. The media session seemed to last forever, but finally Steven said that it had to end. Afterwards, some of the reporters wanted to ask more personal questions, but Steven made sure that Susie did not say anything more. He did allow her to do one special interview for the Saints radio station - it took another 15 minutes. As Steven escorted her back to the special designated area, they saw Steve Gleason waiting. Susie did not recognize him - she only knew number 37 on the field and had never seen him without his uniform on. Steve told Steven that he had made arrangements with the Saints and Saintsations management to take Susie home as an apology, if it was okay with Susie. She certainly had no problem with it as long as she would not get into any trouble. Steven called his boss and was assured that Steve could do this as long as Susie okayed it. Steven thanked Susie for bringing so much attention to his squad and that she should consider an official tryout next year. She hugged Steven and thanked him for a great day.

Steve told Susie that they could take the elevator to the players garage. Susie realized that she was still wearing her uniform, but did not care now. She might as well 'face the music' at home and wear it. She put on her black jacket and heavy coat and walked with Steve to the elevator. As the door opened to the players' garage, Steve told Susie to wait at the curb and he would bring the car to get her. She said it was not necessary, but he insisted. As she waited for him, Susie realized that he was a very nice guy. She also realized that he was quite good looking, especially in the black suit and tie that he was now wearing. Hum!

Steve pulled up to the curb in a silver corvette. He got out and opened the door for Susie. He put her things in the back and told her that the car was very warm and she would likely not need her heavy coat. He helped her take it off and put it with her things in the back seat. Susie slid into the amazing car and soon they were driving outside of the Superdome and down the highway. Steve asked Susie where she lived and accepted her directions.

"Susie, would you let me do something for you?" He asked.

"What Steve?" Susie replied.

"I would like you to have dinner with me before I take you home. It is the very least that I can do to apologize for what happened."

"That is not necessary Steve, you have done enough."

"I know, but I would really like to do it. Are you interested?"

"Actually, I am very hungry - dinner does sound good. But I can't go anywhere looking like this."

"I understand. Let's stop by my house and you can change. Then we can have dinner and I will get you home before it gets late. Is that okay?"

"That is fine Steve. Do you live far away?"

"About 10 minutes, we will be there very soon."

Susie relaxed in her seat and enjoyed the ride. Steve glanced over to see how hot Susie looked in the Saintsations outfit. Steve never had the chance before to talk to any of them up close - this was his big opportunity. He was going to take advantage of it!

END OF PART 2