*We open at Micky and Lauren's house in the mid-afternoon. Micky’s asleep on the couch, but not peacefully.*

Micky: *shoots up, wide awake; sighs and runs a hand through his curls* Not again. I've gotta talk to the others about this, and hopefully do some rehearsing to help me forget that one.

*Micky blue lights himself to the Pad, appearing in the living room.*

Micky: Hellooooo!?

Mike: (He comes into the living room, coffee in hand) Mick, what are you doin' here? I thought you went to the park with Em an' Lauren an' the kids!

Micky: They went. Actually, Mom asked to go, so she went with them. I stayed at home to take a nap. I've been sleeping so poorly because of all the damn nightmares I keep having...AND I had ANOTHER nightmare!

Mike: Shit. What this time?

Micky: Oh, just Alex being his usual assclown self.

Mike: Mick, no one else is here. You can tell me. (He sits on the psychatrist's couch)

Micky: *sits on the lone arm of the couch* It started in their Arizona hideout, in one of his suites. He had me laying on one of the couches. He muddled me some, then *sighs* had a little fun. *Puts his forehead in one palm* I had to come here because I knew I could clear my head here.

Mike: Can't say I blame you, buddy. (Frowns) Have you seen the shadow...Peter...in any more of these dreams? Can you identify him?

Micky: *thinks a moment* No, not in my nightmares.

Mike: Have you seen him anywhere else?

Micky: Yes. Davy and I saw him at the fun house, and I know I've seen him a few other times.

Mike: (Leans back) Would you have any ideas on WHY he'd do this? Why is he joining forces with Sheila?

Micky: I don't know. *shakes his head* All I can figure is they got to him somehow.

Mike: I really wish I knew what happened, so I could help him. I don't think he's entirely corrupted.

Micky: It doesn't seem like he is. I could swear he's held back on Davy and me.

Mike: I've noticed that, too. I'll bet Davy taking you out of Ursula when he stole her was Peter's idea.

Micky: Probably.

Mike: In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of what Davy did when he was huge was Peter's idea.

Micky: I don't think I'd be surprised, either.

Mike: If you think about it, a lot of things that have happened make more sense now. No one's gotten really hurt recently, not physically, anyway. Pete hates violence. Even corrupted, he wouldn't want to hurt anyone.

Micky: Very true. *sighs* But apparently, Alex is still feeling rather bored at times.

Mike: No one's gonna stop that. He's like you. He just gets bored easily.

Micky: *snorts* Thanks.

Mike: Well, you do.

Micky: You're supposed to be helping me feel better, not worse.

Mike: Sorry, Mick. (Sighs) Want some coffee?

Micky: Please.

Mike: (Goes to the kitchen to start the percolator) Have you figured out how and why you're getting these nightmares yet?

Micky: All I can figure is they're all coming from Alex, or at least the recent ones. I can't think of any other reason why I'd have such horrible dreams. There has to be a way that he's feeding them into my subconscious somehow. *puts both hands to his head* I wish he'd stay the hell OUT of my head!

Mike: I think he may have invaded my head a few times, too. That time I saw you get into an accident in the rain was too vivid to not be real...not to mention you turned up here. That HAD to be Alex.

Micky: Must've been. *pauses* They've been coming more frequently lately, too. I can't tell if he's just really enjoying himself or trying to crack me.

Mike: I haven't heard anything in a while. Maybe Peter or Sheila are getting on his nerves and he needs a release.

Micky: Woo hoo, lucky me then.

Mike: (Brings Micky his coffee and settles down on the couch with his own) I don't like it, either. I wish Alex would pick on someone else...but Micky, that's just how he IS.

Micky: *fiddles with the mug* I know, I just... *sighs* I feel like he's trying to drive me crazy, and I think it's starting to work.

Mike: Sit down, Mick. (Sighs) You can't let Alex get to you. If I let him get to me, I'd be crazy already.

Micky: *remains standing* I'm trying, Mike! It just isn't working any more! He's already gotten in here. *points to his head with his free hand* And the lack of sleep is NOT helping.

Mike: You haven't been sleeping lately? Have you discussed this with Lauren? I know all your kids are sleeping through the night now, so it's not like when the twins were born.

Micky: Lauren knows, usually because I wake her up because I jolt awake from another nightmare. She tells me to go back to sleep and rubs one of my shoulders, but she always falls asleep before I do. I'm left laying there awake sometimes right until morning.

Mike: There has to be a way to help you sleep. We're going to need you in full working mode.

Micky: *sighs, sitting back down on the arm of the couch* And I need me working in full mode, too.

Mike: You know, Lauren has to drop Em and the kids off at the Pad anyway. Why don't you just crash here, and I'll see if I can give you some good dreams?

Micky: *nods, smiling faintly* I'd like that. Thanks, Mike.

Mike: You're welcome. (He settles Micky down on the couch) Ok, Mick, just lay down here...

Micky: *gets comfortable* Just don't ask me what I see in some of those ink blots...

Mike: Nahh, we don't need to get into some arguement about that.

Micky: Yeah.

Mike: Ok Mick, just lean back. (He gently runs his finger across Micky's head as he does so. Micky falls back against the pillow, his eyes closing, his breathing deep and even. Mike pats Micky on the shoulder) Have a nice sleep, Mick. (Sighs) Wish I could. (He picks up Micky's coffee cup and heads off to the kitchen with it as we fade out)