Emma: Happy Fourth, folks! :D
Lauren: Happy Fourth! :-)
(Emma hugs her new friend Tenderheart.)
Lauren: Awe!
Mike: (Makes a face) Don't you have enough bears?
Emma: (Sticks her tongue out at him) You can NEVER have enough bears! :p
Lauren: Darn right!
Emma: I won him on the cranes next to the Great White's entrance on Wild Wheels. I was just wandering around, waiting for the fireworks to begin, and I saw the cranes and thought I'd give them a go. I didn't get anything on the first one (I was trying for the female dragon from "Shrek"), but won Tenderheart from the second...and he was the only Tenderheart in the crane! I didn't think I'd get him! :D
Lauren: Cool! :-)
Emma: Needless to say, I'm extremely happy at the moment. :D Ok, are we all ready to face the woods and enjoy this wonderful, noisy holiday? :)
(Emma sticks Tenderheart in her luggage.)
Lauren: Let's go camping! I wanna watch more fireworks!
Peter: I love fireworks! They're so beautiful! :)
Davy: (Smiles) I'm ready. Fireworks are fireworks, no mattah what you're celebrating, and camping does sound like fun. (Hauls out a satchel and his wicker luggage.)
Micky: *holds out a brown paper bag* I'm ready!
Lauren: *peaks in the bag* Alright, who mentioned Mick would be setting off his own fireworks?
Mike: Ain't that illegal here?
Micky: They don't know I've got them. *grins*
Lauren: Let's just go before we get in trouble, okay?
Emma: It's illegal in New Jersey. (Frowns)
(Peter hauls his psychadelic print bag and a Parcheesi box in the MonkeeTrailer)
Mike: (Climbs on his motorcycle) I'm ready.
Lauren: If everyone's all loaded in, we can head out.
Emma: (Drags her teal bag out and shoves it in the little green trailer) I'm ready, too!
Davy: (Raises his hand) Ready!
Peter: Me, too...co-leader! ;)
Lauren: Very good! *turns to Micky* And you?
Micky: *slings an arm around her shoulders* Do your worst!
Lauren: Let's just go...
Davy: I wouldn't encourage 'er, mate. ;)
Lauren: Okay, everyone think "Berkshires." I'll get us to the campground.
(Which everyone does, closing their eyes as the by-now familiar blue glow envelopes them, their things, and the vehicles.)
*The group ends up in a clearing with the trailers set up, Mike's motorcycle parked between them. A fire is lit. Everyone is seated around the fire, looking up towards the sky where fireworks are going off.*
Peter: (Pushes his blonde hair out of his eyes - he's wearing jeans, his moccasins, and his white "Circle Sky" cable sweater) Oh, wow, those are beyond groovy! :D
Lauren: *takes in a deep breath* Now, this is the life. *smiles*
Micky: *grins* I love the loud ones.
Emma: (Wears shorts, sneakers, her red hooded sweatshirt, and a red, white, and blue T-shirt that says "USA Field Hockey" with a stick figure playing the game on it) Oh, wow, it's really nice out here!
Lauren: *wraps her arms around her legs; she's wearing jean shorts and a generously sized t-shirt* Gorgeous night!
Mike: (Wears his white turtleneck, brown jacket, and jeans - he just sighs) It's really nice out here, Lauren. I'm not normally one for celebrations, but those are really pretty.
Davy: It's just perfect, luv. Not too warm and not too cold. (Leans back - he wears his green "Head" velvet sweater, flares, and boots.)
Micky: *leans back on his hands; he's dressed in jean shorts also with a multi-color striped t-shirt* Good job, babe!
Lauren: Awe, you guys're making me blush! :">
Emma: Every time I see a purple one, I think of Lauren. ;)
Mike: The ones that make circles and hearts are really interestin'. I wonder how they do those?
Lauren: Gosharooney...
*Micky nudges Lauren. She glares at him.*
Davy: (Laughs) They're still of one mind! ;)
Mike: (Grins) Are you guys SURE Enola Jones didn't merge ya? ;)
*Micky cackles.*
Lauren: I'm starting to wonder myself.
Emma: (Sighs and hugs Tenderheart, who is seated on her lap) I like the big ones with all the sparkles. :)
Lauren: *nods* I love those!
Peter: I like the ones that go really high, then make pretty little sparkles! :D
Peter: (Grins) They look like really big sparklers.
Micky: The big and loud ones are great!
Lauren: Because they match your personality?
Micky: Ha ha. *gives her a razz*
(That gets a good laugh from everyone.)
Emma: (As the volume increases and the fireworks start to come faster and thicker) Ooooh, the big finish! :D
Lauren: I love it when so many go off that you get blinded. *grins*
Micky: My favorite part!
Davy: (Laughs) Yeah, because it's the noisiest part! ;)
Micky: Of course!
(The group becomes silent as they "oooh" and "ahhh" over the last of the fireworks display. Everyone leans back happily as the last of the sparkles drift over the treetops.)
Emma: (Sighs happily) Man, Lauren, you're right. This IS the life. :)
Mike: It's kind of weird. No clones walkin' around, no bad guys ready to jump out at us, no girls chasin' Davy.
Lauren: That's the idea.
Mike: (Grins) And you won't find me complainin'. I've had enough of all that stuff. I just wanna rest and maybe get some writin' in before we head to Manchester in a few days.
Emma: (Laughs) You, not complaining? (Leans over and feels his forehead) Are you feeling well? ;)
Lauren: Perfect time, Mike. This will qualify as our rest period. *winks*
*Micky laughs.*
Mike: (Pushes her hand away) I'm fine, Em. Cut that out.
Micky: So, what now, oh great camping leaders?
Peter: (Pulls out marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers) Who's up for s'mores? ;)
Davy: For what?
Mike: What the hell are those?
Emma: (Mock-gasps) Don't tell me you've never heard of the all-mighty s'more! ;)
Micky: No, no, no...don't tell me you two've never heard of s'mores?!
Davy: I've never been campin' before tonight, Mick.
*Lauren dramatically puts the back of a hand to her forehead and falls over on the grass.*
(That gets another group laugh.)
Emma: (Grins) She HAS been hanging around Mick too long. ;)
Micky: I've never been camping, but I've heard of them! I've made them at home, mainly because my sisters made me... Hey?!
Lauren: Oh, the agony of it all!
Emma: We make them over the last of the coals after Daddy's cook-outs. :)
Micky: *rolls his eyes* What've I done?
Peter: I'll show you what a s'more is! (Sticks a marshmallow on a stick and hands sticks and marshmallows around to the group) First, you roast your marshmallow.
Lauren: Just make sure it doesn't catch on fire.
Micky: Why? It's more fun when they're set on fire. *grins*
Emma: (Takes her stick and puts a marshmallow on it) I was just about to warn the guys against that, Lauren. My brother also likes to set them on fire.
Mike: (Also takes a stick and a mallow) Mick, I don't think we need to be settin' the entire Berkshires on fire along with your marshmallow.
Lauren: So we'll just have to keep Mick from doing that, right? *glares at him*
Micky: I only meant the marshmallow.
Emma: (Giggles) I hope we do a better job keeping him from doing it than I do keeping my brother from doing it! ;)
Micky: Oh, yeah? *puts his stick right into the flames*
Lauren: Oh, here we go.
Davy: (Takes his stick and marshmallow) I thought you said your brother was eleven, Em.
Emma: He is, (grins) but you boys have a lot in common with him. ;)
Lauren: Mick has the most in common.
Micky: *pulls his stick out, watches the small fire now on the marshmallow* Ha! See that? No problem!
Peter: (Takes his out - it's a nice, golden brown) Ok, now you take two pieces of chocolate (does so) and put them on two pieces of graham cracker, then put the marsmallow between the chocolate (smooshes the two sides on top of each other) and sandwich them. Voila! That's French. You have your s'more. :D
Emma: (Takes hers out - it's still white) Aww, mine's not done enough! :p
Lauren: Don't forget to rotate them, too! *looks at Micky's stick* Would you put that out, please?
Micky: I'm busy watching it.
Mike: Man, Mick, you know Smoky the Bear says "Only you can prevent forest fires." :p
Lauren: It's gonna melt all over the place, Mick!
Micky: *waves a hand* P-shaw! Nothing's gonna happen.
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Famous last words, Mick.
Davy: (Makes a face and pulls his out - it's a little dark, but not on fire) Mick, you'll never get it on the chocolate if you keep doing that!
Micky: Alright, fine! *finally blows on the marshmallow; it looks black, but he picks at it for a moment, then puts together a perfect s'more* So, there. *sticks his tongue out*
Mike: Yikes! (Yanks his out - it's on fire - and accidentally flings it across the clearing. It goes out before it hits the side of the MonkeeTrailer.) Oh, man! @-)
Lauren: Miiiike! *groans, placing a palm to her forehead*
Emma: (Puts together her s'more, shaking her head) Mike, what have I told you about watching your aim? ;)
Micky: Now, that's what you don't want to do, Mike. *grins*
Peter: We'll never get that off the MonkeeTrailer! :(
Lauren: Even in the woods, there's still trouble. *shakes her head*
Mike: (Grabs another marshmallow and mutters) I didn't mean it. I guess I didn't realize how close I had it to the fire.
Micky: If it happens again, just blow on it.
Peter: (He's working on his third s'more) This is fun!
Mike: (He's trying to get his marshmallow on the chocolate, but his fingers are sticky) Man, this thing is a mess!
Emma: (Licks marshmallow and chocolate off her fingers) But a tasty mess. :)
Micky: That's half the fun of it, Mike! *puts together his third, now going for number of s'mores, not fires*
Davy: (Grins) Wish we 'ad these in England! (Bites into his s'more)
Peter: (Between bites of his third s'more) I guess it's a good thing we're doing this now, then! :)
Lauren: Well, you have graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows?
Davy: We just never thought of puttin' them together like this, luv.
Lauren: Now, you've got the secret. *winks* Spread the wealth!
Mike: (Finally bites into his s'more, even though half the marshmallow is on his hand and the graham cracker) Ummmm....not bad. Not bad at all, for almost burning the MonkeeTrailer down.
Micky: *now on his fifth* Mike, what are we going to do with you?
Mike: At this point (wipes his fingers on a napkin) you could stick ME between two pieces of chocolate and graham, I've got so much darn marshmallow on me.
Lauren: Oh, now you're giving Em ideas.
Micky: Hey...
Lauren: *interrupts Micky* No.
Emma: (Nearly chokes on her third s'more) Lauren! (Swallows and laughs, then eyes Mike) Want me to lick it off, Mike?
Lauren: I'm sorry!
Mike: Um, no, I think I can get it off myself, thanks anyway.
*Micky falls over laughing.*
Peter: (Swallows the last of his s'more) Talk about a hot Fourth!
Davy: And you guys tease me about MY raging hormones! ;)
Lauren: It's about time their's started raging. *winks*
(Emma and Mike get redder than the fireworks and the fire before them.)
Micky: *sits back up, still chuckling* Man, that killed me.
Emma: Oh, come on, guys, we're not that way!
Mike: We just...we haven't, that's all.
Micky: That ain't a bad idea, though. *Lauren smacks his arm*
Peter: (Chuckles and pulls over his guitar) Now who's hormones are raging? ;)
Lauren: His are always like that. *shakes her head*
*Micky shrugs.*
Mike: Get it through your head, boy. She says "no." She means "no."
Emma: You won't have to wait much longer, anyway! ;)
Lauren: And she'll show you "no" if it doesn't clear your thick skull. *taps the side of Micky's head*
Micky: I'm counting the days. *grins, swatting at Lauren's hand*
Davy: Why don't you show him "no," Lauren? ;)
Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Oh, you're a big help, Davy.
Lauren: Because...umm...that isn't for public viewing.
Peter: (Strums on his guitar) Who's up for music?
Micky: *raises his hand* Ooooh, me!
Lauren: Anything to get that kind of attention off him.
Peter: Lauren, this is your home. What would you like to hear?
(Emma sighs and takes Tenderheart in her arms. Mike goes to the MonkeeTrailer and comes back with Black Beauty.)
Lauren: *grins* I have to call it. I've been waiting for this opportunity. It isn't a Monkees tune, but I'm dying to hear "Lovelight", Mick. *turns to him with a hopeful look*
Peter: (Grins) I've heard Micky singing that song!
Mike: I think we could pick up enough to play it for you. :)
Micky: *blushes slightly* Okay, babe, just for you.
(Mike and Peter start playing, and Micky takes Lauren in his arms as he sings the lovely tune, a favorite of Lauren's. Davy lays down and leans on his elbow, watching his friends, and Emma hugs Tenderheart, her eyes and face dreamy.)
*Lauren closes her eyes, practically melting.*
(Mike and Emma smile briefly at each other, then at their friends. Davy sighs, and Peter's grin could light up the entire North Adams area.)
Peter: (Smiles as the song ends) That's really gorgeous, Lauren, and Micky sings it so well!
Mike: Yeah, you sounded terrific, Mick. (Grins) I guess you were inspired, huh? (Slugs him lightly in the shoulder)
Micky: It's nothing, really. *shrugs* Just a little something I came up with.
Lauren: *sighs* Nothing? You're crazy, Mick. That song is probably the most beautiful I've ever heard.
Emma: (Sighs, more to herself) Beautiful night, beautiful people...(looks at Mike and smiles)...beautiful world. :x
Peter: (Strums his guitar) Beautiful music. :)
Davy: So, what next, luvs? (Nods at Lauren) It's 'er turn to pick.
Lauren: Well, we've got alot to choose from. *motions to the pile of games & such* so if anyone has anything in particular in mind, I'm open to suggestions... within reason, of course. *grins up at Micky*
Emma: We could tell ghost stories. ;)
Micky: I could provide the sound effects! *grins*
Mike: (Puts Black Beauty aside and crosses his arms) I don't believe in ghosts.
Emma: (Shrugs) I don't, either, but the stories are still fun. :)
Lauren: You don't have to believe, Mike. That's part of the fun.
Micky: Yeah, man, not all of the stories are about ghosts.
Peter: (Shivers) I don't like ghosts! (Pulls out a game) How about Parcheesi?
Lauren: Sounds nice and safe. *smiles* Just remind me how to play. It's been a long time.
Emma: (Giggles) Or we could play charades! ;)
Micky: Charades! *cheers*
Davy: But Petah always does Bambi!
Peter: No, I don't!
Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Yes, you do, Pete. You've done Bambi the last three times we've played charades.
Emma: (Grins) I'm game for almost (glares at Micky, Mike and Davy) anything. ;)
Lauren: Charades couldn't be too painful. *grins*
Mike: Just don't let him (waves his hand at Micky) do his werewolf impression. It gets out of hand and he starts bitin' people.
Micky: That isn't true! The only person I'd bite is her. *points at Lauren* Uhhh... *turns red as Lauren blushes again*
Mike: Mick, your hormones...
Emma: (Giggles) Let's start, before Lauren blushes any harder. Who gets to go first?
*Micky wraps his arms tighter around Lauren, pouting.*
Peter: (Puts his guitar aside and raises his hand) Oooh, me, me! ;)
Davy: NOT Bambi, ok?
Lauren: *grins* Down, Peter! *chuckles* Go ahead, Pete!
(Peter gets up and starts making scratching and mewing noises. He sticks a gold token leftover from the Wildwood boardwalk on his forehead. He leans over Davy, Lauren, and Micky, pretending to "scratch" them and do kitten things.)
Emma: (Giggles) Oh, he's Charms, my Meowth kitten! ;)
Peter: (Takes the token off his forehead) How'd you know?
Micky: *scratches behind Peter's ear* He's darn good, too! *laughs*
Emma: Charms likes you. She's always in your lap. :)
Peter: (Plops down next to Mike) Ok, who's next?
Mike: How about we get the insanity over with and let Mick go? ;)
Micky: I resemble that remark. *sticks his tongue out*
Mike: Yeah, I believe you do, Mick. (Grins)
Peter: Oh, come on, Mick, you're good!
*Micky pouts, but stands anyway. He thinks for a moment. Micky begins to flap his arms. He runs around the group once, then stops behind Lauren, perching his chin on her shoulder.*
Mike: You're a vulture.
Lauren: *laughs* Either that, or a parrot who's a relative of a vulture.
Emma: Or Lauren's really insane guardian angel. ;)
Micky: Awe, Em, how'd you guess that?! *laughs*
Emma: (Laughs) You look like you're ready to fight the seagulls for the last discarded pizza crust. ;)
Micky: That, too. I don't know about the guardian angel stuff, though, she won't listen to me. *grins*
Lauren: Oh, I'm listening...
Mike: Well, the way you're always circlin' her...
Peter: Or chasing her...
Micky: Moving in for the kill! *cackles, plops down next to Lauren and tackles her*
Mike: (Sighs) Ok, ok, who's next?
Davy: (Shrugs) I'll go.
(He stands and thinks for a moment, then starts sashaying around, looking like he's singing to the balcony, swishing and swaying to invisible music.)
Mike: What the hell...
Peter: He looks like he always does. (Scratches his head)
Lauren: *scratches her head* This is tough.
Micky: It's over when the fat lady sings? *shrugs*
(He takes the towel he was laying on and wraps it around him, then starts doing gypsy dances.)
Emma: Gypsy...
Peter: Oh! Ethel Merman! ;)
*Lauren falls over laughing.*
Mike: (Eyes widen) Ethel Merman?
Davy: (Laughs) 'ey, I had you guys stumped, didn't I? ;)
Micky: You sure did... *nudges Davy* babe. *winks*
Davy: (Shakes his head, but he's smiling) One more remark like that, Mr. Dolenz, and I'll hit you with me purse. ;)
Micky: No...no...not the purse! *feigns a faint*
(Now everyone's doubled over laughing.)
Emma: (As the laughter subsides) Ok, who hasn't gone yet?
Micky: *points at Lauren* She hasn't!
*Lauren glares at him.*
Mike: I think it's the bride's turn. ;)
Lauren: *sticks her tongue out at Micky, then stands* Okay...
*Lauren grins, then tackles Micky. She tries to pick him up, but can't quite do it.*
Davy: I think you've been gainin' weight, Mick. You've got to lay off the s'mores. ;)
Micky: Hey?
Emma: You're a tackle with the New England Patriots? ;)
Mike: You're a crane?
*Lauren stands again, thinking. She holds up an index finger, then does some air drumming.*
Mike: (Laughs) Are you supposed 'ta be Mick? ;)
Lauren: Mike got it! *laughs*
(That sets everyone off again.)
Peter: That would explain the tackling. ;)
Micky: *despite his chuckling* Awe, c'mon, babe!
Emma: I'll go next.
(She thinks for a few minutes before running out into the woods and hiding behind a tree, making spooky sounds. She ambles over to the group and tries to scare them in turn. She takes a towel and throws it over her head, then walks around the group, her arms waving around) Oooooh, ooohhh....
Mike: Em, you look plain silly. :p
Emma: Oooh, ooh, I'm dead...
Lauren: A ghost?
Emma: (Grins and snaps her fingers) We have a winner, folks!
Micky: Awe, I was gonna guess Casper!
Emma: (Hands Lauren Tenderheart) And the little lady wins a Care Bear!
Emma: (Makes a face) I've never been fond of that cartoon. :p
Lauren: Awe, Em, I don't wanna take your bear away...
Emma: (Takes Tenderheart back) Just kiddin', Lauren. You've got something to hold. (Winks and gestures at Mick)
Lauren: *chuckles* That's true!
Micky: Where do ya wanna hold on to? *winks*
Davy: Well, that just leaves Mike.
Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Cool it, Mick. (Stands) Aww, I'm not very good at this game.
Lauren: Come on, Mike!
Emma: Mike, if you can come up with songs like "Circle Sky," you can play this game. :)
Micky: The lady's got a point.
Mike: Well...(thinks, then turns to the group and puts his hand in his pocket, then taking them out, making a gun. He straightens his shirt and ambles out to the group, furrowing his brow. He puts his glasses on like he would a hat.)
(Mike puts out his hand like he's riding a horse.)
Micky: A gunslinger!
Emma: Probably John Wayne. ;)
Mike: You're both right. I'm John Wayne. ;)
Davy: (Grins) Figures.
Emma: Mike, I grew up watching John Wayne movies. My dad has half the ones he was ever in. ;)
Peter: (Claps) That was fun! :)
Mike: (Sighs and leans back) I'm glad you suggested campin', Lauren. This is a great way to spend the Fourth of July.
Davy: It's very nice and away from it all.
Lauren: No problem. It's about time we did something restful.
Emma: (Leans against Mike - he wraps his arms around her) Very nice...
Peter: (Yawns) Maybe we should start thinking about turning in. We're going to have a long couple of weeks coming up, with the wedding and everything.
Lauren: Good idea, Peter.
Mike: (To Micky and Lauren) How are the preparations for the weddin' comin', anyway?
Micky: They're...coming. We figured out where we'll honeymoon.
Lauren: Yeah, I just have to imagine it first.
Davy: (Grins) Far from us, I assume. ;)
Peter: What's wrong with us?
Emma: On a honeymoon, everything. ;)
Micky: *taps his nose, pointing at Emma* We have a winner!
Mike: Pete, they want to be ALONE. Together. Just the two of them.
Peter: (Blushes) Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Micky: Sorry, Pete, man.
Peter: (Fumbles) Well, you'll be married! That's what's important!
Emma: (Nods) That's right.
Micky: You got it!
Lauren: Yup... *smiles* Everything else seems to be set. We'll use the pad for the party. Em said she'd make the cake. We don't need very much for it.
Emma: My sister gave me a cake-decorating set a few years ago, but I've never really had a chance to use it until now. (Grins) I'm the bridesmaid, of course. ;)
Lauren: Of course. ;-)
Mike: We'll invite our neighbors, maybe some of the Library folks, Babbitt...
Emma: Don't forget Lauren's folks and Mick's family.
Davy: Why Babbitt?
Micky: Yeah?
Mike: He owns the place. He'll figure out we're having a party and come over bellowing. (Grins) Call it a bribe. We let him join the party and have any kids there run all over him, and he'll let us have the party. ;)
Emma: (Grins) Good point. ;)
Micky: *grins* Perfect!
Peter: I'm going to pass out, man. I'm heading in. (Gets up and takes his guitar) Have a nice night, guys! (Goes to the MonkeeTrailer)
Mike: We'll be along shortly.
Micky: *waves* Night, Peter!
Emma: (Sighs and holds Mike tighter) What a wonderful night and a wonderful end to a rather surprising holiday. I wish it would never end. :)
Lauren: I wish the same thing. *sighs as Micky wraps his arms tighter around her*
Davy: It's not even technically my holiday, but I agree with you, too. :)
Mike: (Strokes Emma's hair) As much as I hate to break up the party, I think we'd all better join Peter. I'm sure he and Lauren have plenty of things planned for tomorrow. :)
Emma: (Gives Mike a quick kiss on the lips) Night, honey. Don't stay up too late working on that new song!
Lauren: Tons of things. *grins*
Mike: I'll be ok, Em. I'm just doin' the finishin' touches.
(Emma walks into the green trailer, holding Tenderheart and grinning.)
Lauren: *looks over her shoulder* I'm gonna head in, too, Mick.
Micky: *frowns* Do you have to?
Mike: (Warningly) Mick...
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* I gotta get some sleep, pal.
Micky: Oh, all right. *grins*
Mike: (Grins at Micky) Yeah, and if you snore out here anything like you do at the pad, none of us fellas are goin' to be gettin' much sleep tonight! ;)
Micky: I do not snore!
Lauren: *chuckles* Sure you don't. *shifts around, kisses Micky on the cheek* See you in the morning. *gets up & heads for the trailer*
Mike: (Laughs) I ought to tape record you one night so you can hear yourself! ;)
Micky: Well, how am I supposed to hear myself if I'm asleep, huh?
Mike: You're lucky I haven't kicked you out of the room more than once!
*Micky pouts.*
Davy: (Yawns) I think I'll go get me beauty sleep. Got to get plenty so I'll be beautiful for all the female park rangers and me old girlfriends in Manchestah. ;)
Mike: (Groans) Don't even go there, Davy. You promised, no girl chasing this time.
Micky: Oh, good grief...
Davy: (Sighs) I did promise, didn't I? (Shrugs) I'll see you blokes latah. (Walks into the MonkeeTrailer. Mike picks Black Beauty up and starts playing her again. Micky stares thoughtfully into the dying fire.)
Mike: That boy and his hormones will be the death of us yet. (Goes back to playing)
Micky: Yeah... *brings his knees up to his chest & wraps his arms around them*
Mike: Mick...(stops playing)...how do you really feel about all this marriage business? It's awfully sudden.
Micky: I'm nervous... but it feels right. I just wonder what Lauren really thinks. She's happy enough about it...
Mike: Have you asked her?
Micky: *swallows, shakes his head* I'm too scared to find out.
Mike: I don't think she'll bite your head off, Mick. (Grins) That's your job. ;)
Micky: *chuckles lightly* It is, isn't it?
Mike: (Sighs) Micky, I know you love her, but you can't press her on certain...issues. She'll get into bed with you when she's ready. She's just not ready yet.
Micky: I know. I just... *sighs* I can't help it. It's like I can't think straight around her. That's just what comes out of my mouth first. I wanna take back half of it as soon as it comes out.
Mike: (Sighs) I know exactly how you feel. Em does that to me, too. (Grins) Not so much the sex issue, but I never know what's going to come out of my mouth around her. ;)
Micky: I try, Mike, really *sighs* I don't know. It's just, when that damn Freddy kidnapped her, something inside me snapped.
Mike: (Nods) I know that feelin' too, Mick. Remember what happened to Em. Lord had her kidnapped, then drugged her and tried to rape her. I was about ready to kill that bastard.
Micky: *nods* Yeah...
Mike: (Sighs, quietly) But the first time I really "snapped" was back in the fantasy world, when my demon look-a-like was chasing her, and she almost seemed to...accept him. I know, I acted like a jerk over that, but damn it, I was angry. (Lowers his head; quietly) That was when it finally occured to me that I might actually love that girl.
Micky: *gives him a small grin* Come on, Mike, you can admit it. I did that in front of everyone.
Mike: (Shakes his head) Mick, it's not as easy for me to admit as you. Love ain't somethin' that comes naturally to me.
Micky: I never said it came easily.
Mike: It's just, well...(sighs) I don't know how to put it. Em's a tough nut to crack. I don't think she's too fond of men in general, for one thing. (Faint grin) 'Cept for us, and her brother. :)
Micky: *rests his chin on his knees, sighs* I just...I wonder if I'm good enough for her.
Mike: (Raises his eyebrows) Good enough?
Mike: Why would you wonder somethin' like that? You're a nice, talented, good-lookin' guy, and Lauren worships the ground you stand on.
Micky: *shrugs* Insecurity, I guess.
Mike: (Sighs) I understand. Sometimes I wonder what Em sees in a hoodlum Texan with a smartass mouth and absolutely no coordination.
Micky: *chuckles* Lauren's wonderful... *sighs* and I'm a clown! I mean, she should have to beat the guys off with a stick. *stares back into the dying fire*
Mike: (Shakes his head) From what I've gathered from Em, she's mostly ready to beat UP the guys in South Jersey with a stick. She says all they care about is sex and themselves. (Grins) I care about myself, and yeah, I care about sex a little...but there are other things in life, too, like music.
Micky: *glances at Mike* Don't say that I said this, but Lauren confided that before we met, she'd never even been on a date. I'm asking her to marry me, and I'm the only guy she's ever gotten to know. How do I know that there isn't a guy out there who'd be better for her?
Mike: She seems to like what she has just fine. :)
Micky: *whines* Miiiike...
Mike: (Looks down) I was married briefly when I was in Texas. We broke up right after we came to California....and that was the only girl I'd ever dated. And Em told me she went out with one guy for three years before he finally broke it off.
Micky: I don't wanna mess things up for Lauren, that's all.
Mike: I don't think you will, Mick. Maybe I'm not one to talk, seein' how my own marriage lasted for about two years, but Lauren knows how to handle you, and you bring her out of her shell.
Micky: Yeah, that's true.
Mike: 'Sides, you're more than a clown. You're really smart. You know all that chemistry stuff I couldn't begin to make heads or tails of, and you actually seem to understand Pete when he goes off babblin' about peace and philosophy.
Micky: *gives a small smile* Even amazed Pete with that. *shrugs* Chemistry just comes easy. Of course, I've yet to come up with something that doesn't explode, whether it's supposed to or not.
Mike: (Chuckles) Or turns you into a monster, or turns someone else into a monster, or blinds you... ;)
Micky: *smiles wider* Okay, Mike, I get the point. ;-)
Mike: (Sighs) At least you have skills you can offer Lauren, Mick. You were going to college for draftin'. (Plunks a few strings on his guitar) I don't even have that. All I know is music and writin' it.
Micky: And you can't offer that to Emma?
Mike: It doesn't seem to be payin' the rent these days.
Micky: You could teach.
Mike: I don't have the patience, Mick.
Micky: *sighs* I'm tryin' to help, here, Michael. *narrows his eyes, but grins*
Mike: (Small smile) I know, Micky. You're not the only one who gets insecure. I worry about a lot of things.
Micky: So, we're both a couple of worrywarts, then? *smirks*
Mike: (Sighs) Well, there's the rent. It's behind again, as are our dues. Again. And there's the whole weddin' business, and what's going to happen to us afterwards. (Softly) And I'm just plain scared of Em, I guess. I haven't felt this way about anyone in a long time. When Lord started rippin' Em's dress off, I felt like he was rippin' my heart open. I don't want someone to try to violate her, or Pete, either, for that mater. Neither of them deserve that.
Micky: No one does, Mike, no one.
Mike: I just want to protect her, but she's so self-sufficient. She lived alone for years, and I think she's kinda used to it. (Smiles a little) It's funny. I'm not exactly sure if what I feel is love, but it's...somethin'. I feel comfortable 'round Em, like I'm holdin' one of her bears.
Micky: *smiles* It could be. Does it feel kinda gooshy, too? *smile widens*
Mike: (Small smile) Yeah, I guess you could put it that way. I mean, sometimes, I want to kill that girl. She's so defensive, she takes everything personally and either ignores them or jumps down their throats. (Sighs) But then there are times, like after we got her away from the Gordon James Limited, when all I want to do is hold her and kiss her and wish it would never stop.
Micky: Guess what, my friend? You, Sir, are in love. Life as you know it is over. *smirks*
Mike: (Chuckles) I guess I am, aren't I? (Grins) Life as I knew it ended when I moved in with you guys. ;)
Micky: I am so offended by that! *grins* That's what we're here for. ;-)
Mike: I never had siblings before, and it's been a very...interestin'...experience. ;)
Micky: *picks his head up* "Interestin'"? That's all it's been?
Mike: (Laughs and picks up Black Beauty) Insane, crazy, near-death sometimes. We're lucky to have made it out of most of the scrapes we've been in...and that's the ones I know about. (Shakes his fingers playfully) I know somethin' went on when I was visitin' my mom in Texas. ;)
Micky: *grins and rests his head again* "Somethin'," all right. ;-)
Mike: (Grins) No one ever did explain to me what all that green gunk in the refrigerator was. Even Pete wouldn't go near it! And what happened to those steaks I had to practically bribe the butcher at Gaiss's Meat Market around the corner to get?
Micky: Uhh... *swallows*
Mike: (Crosses his arms) Micky, what did you do to the steaks? It had to be you. Pete and Dave don't eat meat.
Micky: Well, see there was this chick... Lauren'll kill me for this...and I wanted to impress her. The chick was only impressed by this big, huge body builder, and I'm, well... skinny. I tried going to Shah-Ku's and I threw out the steaks. I forget what the green gunk was now, but it wasn't edible. I threw that out, too. I thought Dave and Pete saved the steaks, though.
Mike: Guess they forgot. You know Pete. He'd forget his head if it wasn't on his body, and get Davy distracted by a chick, and he'll forget anything. (Frowns) Shah-Ku's? (Makes a face) Mick, you really thought you could impress that chick by going to some sham gym?
Micky: How was I supposed to know? The guy was tossing me around the beach!
Mike: (Grins) Stick with Lauren, my friend. She loves you the way you are, skinny body and all. :D
Micky: *pauses* I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or not.
Mike: Man, I wish I'd been there. I would have given that guy such a piece of my mind! I don't go around lettin' some oversized piece of meat hurt my pals.
Micky: The guy looked like a wrestler! He was practically body slamming me!
Mike: (Frowns) What happened to the girl?
Micky: She ended up with him. *sighs* No real loss. We had nothing in common... & she wasn't awfully bright, either.
Mike: (Raises an eyebrow) I thought you went for girls with brains. (Grins) Just blinded by beauty, huh? ;)
Micky: Maybe. I think that's why I'm worried, though.
Mike: (Grins and gets up) Mick, I think she's capable of keepin' that wanderin' eye of yours in line. You flirt, but you're not quite as bad as Davy, if it's any consolation. ;)
Micky: Well that's good to know. *sighs and also gets up* Well, I've had enough of pourin' my heart out. I could use some sleep.
Mike: Yeah, it's gettin' late, and it sounds like Lauren and Peter have a long day planned for us tomorrow.
Micky: Yeah, I've already taken note of the badminton set Lauren brought along.
Mike: Here's a tip, Mick (winks). When playing badminton, it's a good idea not to eat the birdie. ;)
Micky: Thanks, Mike, I'll try to remember that. *sticks his tongue out*
Mike: (Laughs) Come on, groom. Time to get some shut-eye. (Mikes heads in, Black Beauty in hand)
Micky: *pauses a moment before following Mike inside* Groom. Hoo boy. *follows*
(The girls are prepared for bed in the smaller trailer. Emma wears a faded turquoise and white striped polo-style nightshirt. She lays on a bed spread with a bright quilt, reading a lurid mystery novel and cuddling Tenderheart)
*Lauren is reclined on a multi-color sleeping bag on the fold-out couch, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. She's got her hands folded behind her head, staring up at the ceiling.*
Emma: (Looks up at Lauren and grins) Ah, the face of true love! ;)
Lauren: *chuckles* Who, me? You must be mistaken. ;-)
Emma: If you're not in love with Micky, then you're wasting a very cute face on the ceiling. ;)
Lauren: *shakes her head* I wouldn't dare waste this look. *sighs*
Emma: (Grins) You're gonna need all the cute looks you can get for the wedding! ;)
Lauren: *laughs* You think I'm gonna have to drag him kicking and screaming? *pauses* It might be the other way around.
Emma: (Frowns) You don't want to go through with it?
Lauren: No... I'm just scared. I hope I'm doing the right thing.
Emma: (Sighs) I understand your concern, Lauren. You know my feelings about marriage...(smiles) but you and Micky are really in love. (Smirks) He's just got to get his mind out of his pants. He's been best friends with Davy for too long. ;)
Lauren: *chuckles* He does have a bit of a problem with that. I don't think he means to keep bugging me about it, but...you know how hard it is to keep turning him down?
Emma: Yeah, (smirks) but he'll get the hang of it. You guys aren't married yet.
Lauren: That's the problem. We will be married soon. One part of my brain keeps asking why I'm waiting.
Emma: Because this is all a bit sudden?
Lauren: That's the usual response. And that's why I'm nervous.
Emma: It must be hard to keep hands off.
Lauren: *sighs and lays back down* It's torture.
Emma: Lauren, it's natural to be scared and nervous. This is a very big deal.
Lauren: I just hope this really is for real. I mean, it seems too good to be true.
Emma: You won't know until it happens. I mean, my folks have been married for 22 years now. Yeah, they fight, sometimes noisily, but they're still together.
Lauren: My parents are the same way. They've been married over 30 years.
Emma: And Micky's parents were married for a while before his dad died, right?
Lauren: Yup. *sighs* It's just, you know I'd never dated anyone before. Then we meet the guys, and boom *claps her hands together* I run into the guy I'm gonna marry? I know it happens, but it seems a little too farfetched to happen to me.
Emma: As I like to say, Lauren, love works in mysterious ways. (Shakes her head) Maybe I'm not the best person to be talking about love. I dated one guy for three years before he dumped me, and I haven't gone out with anyone since.
Lauren: I just have absolutely no idea of what I'm doing. *sighs* And after we're married, where the heck are we gonna live?
Emma: Lauren, I wish I had all the answers. Mike and I have been discussing this, too. (Sighs) Maybe you and Mick can take the finished basement apartment, I'll take the upstairs room, and the others can sleep downstairs.
Lauren: Those three'll kill each other within a week!
Emma: Pete's VERY good at breaking up disputes. It's mostly Davy and Mike I'm worried about.
Lauren: *nods* I have been trying to think up how to room those guys, but nothing really works.
Emma: And I'm not sleeping with men until I'm married with them.
Lauren: That was ruled out immediately.
Emma: I don't know any more about this than you do, Lauren. I wish I did. (Smiles) You and Mick just fit well together. You keep him from going completely loony, and he brings out your strong side. :)
Lauren: I love that about him, too. It's nice to not be so shy anymore. :-)
Emma: I wish there were more guys like ours down in Jersey. I really wish I knew how to talk to men better. Even you have more experience than I do, not only from Mick, but from your brother. My brother is eleven years old. I love him to death, but he's not good practice for romance. I don't think I even know how to be romantic.
Lauren: Yeah, well, I've hardly seen my brother since I was ten. The only time we talk is on the phone. As for Mick...you remember how I was when we went to return his jacket.
Emma: (Holds Tenderheart) I just don't know how to handle the opposite sex. (Grins) Other than smacking them over the head with a parasol. ;)
Lauren: *chuckles* Or how not to handle them.
Emma: I can understand why you're scared, Lauren...but I'll bet Mick is scared, too. You've really got to talk to him.
Lauren: I guess I really do, huh? He doesn't really show it, though.
Emma: He's just good at hiding it. Notice he's been telling more jokes and doing more impressions than usual? ;)
Lauren: We had a short talk after returning to the Library, but...
Emma: But?
Lauren: It didn't get us very far. I actually kinda thought he was joking when he said he was scared shitless.
Emma: I doubt it. He'd be the kind of fool everyone assumes Peter is if he wasn't scared shitless! ;)
Lauren: *sighs* That makes me feel a little better, and it also kinda doesn't.
Emma: Lauren, I'll bet he feels the same way you do about the whole thing. Marriage is a very big step and a very big deal, and you'd both be crazy if you didn't feel that way!
Lauren: *sighs* I think I'd almost rather be crazy.
Emma: (Smiles) Have either of you talked to your folks?
Emma: They should know better than anyone about being married! ;)
Lauren: I gave mine a call. My dad said he'd pitch in for the ladder. *smirks* They're behind me 100%. Micky said he called his mom & she was already practically buying a wedding gift before he got off the phone with her.
Emma: (Sighs) I haven't had a chance to talk to Mom. She and my siblings are setting up a room for my sister and her baby, and they've been really busy.
(Emma laughs about the ladder.)
Emma: (Puts Tenderheart down and joins Lauren next to her sleeping bag) I'll be here to help you, Lauren, and so are the other guys, your folks, and all the girls in the Long-Title Library, not to mention the guys' neighbors.
Lauren: Thanks, Em. That means a lot. Promise you'll be close enough during the ceremony to catch me?
Emma: (Laughs) I promise. ;)
Lauren: Good. *smiles*
Emma: Might as well enjoy it, because it ain't gonna happen to me.
Lauren: Hey, you don't know that. If you'd asked me half a year ago, I'd have said the same thing.
Emma: (Looks away) I don't think I'll ever be able to get married. (Looks intently at her friend) Lauren, I watched my parents fight for at least three or four years, maybe longer. I promised myself I would never put myself through what they did. (Sighs) It'll work with you and Mick, but I'm not good with commitment. Or maybe it isn't commitment. I'm afraid of having to give up my freedom.
Lauren: *sighs* It doesn't mean it'll happen that way for you. *pauses* You aren't giving up freedom. Em, I could be gaining freedom by being married.
Emma: I'm not used to being in love, I guess, or to opening up to people. It's kind of scary.
Lauren: *nods* Real scary.
Emma: And what am I, anyway? Just some writer who doesn't even have the courage to sell her own stuff.
Lauren: *shakes her head* Don't say that.
Emma: I just...I've been hurt so much. I don't want to get hurt again.
Lauren: Well, I'm afraid of being hurt, because I haven't really been hurt before.
Emma: Yeah, but you said "yes." (Smiles) You're a braver woman than I am, Lauren! :)
Lauren: Maybe I am. We haven't even argued yet. What'll happen when we do? We both stomp off and blow off steam, or what?
Emma: My mom usually ends up in her room, muttering how nothing she does matters, and my dad either pouts and plops in front of the TV or goes to the Bayshore Inn. ;)
Lauren: I don't know how I'd react. And Mick's got that quick temper, but it dissipates as quickly as it shows up. *sighs* I'm kinda thankful for that. I'll be the one with the "Irish temper". ;-)
Emma: I'm afraid that if Mike and I do ever...agree to something...we'll end up fighting like my parents, almost killing each other. He's got such a violent temper, and I do, too...
Lauren: But neither of you wants to hurt the other.
Emma: But we don't think when we fight.
Emma: (Grins) Maybe it's fate. My stepdad was a lot like Mike in his early years - he lost his dad early, he was a hoodlum in his younger years, and he jumped ship from high school in Long Island to jump on a ship.
Lauren: Well, there you go.
Emma: I just don't want to hurt him...or get hurt. I remember when Alakazam tried to turn him into some mindless slave. I was so upset and angry, I'm surprised I didn't hyperventilate.
Lauren: *nods* I know how you feel.
Emma: (Winks) How's Mick's shoulder these days, speaking of trauma?
Lauren: *chuckles* It's fine. He played that up so bad. It was a stupid slug that didn't quite hit it's mark. It left a tiny graze. The baby. *grins*
Emma: And my siblings tease me about being a baby over injuries! ;)
Lauren: And trust me, I'm teasing him about it. There's no way I could let that go.
Emma: (Chuckles) As long as he's ok. (Sighs) I've been thinking about our next little trip, too. Davy's mind can be pretty scary, and we've already been everything from shot at to almost raped to almost losing the guys to some mad scientist.
Lauren: And I've had a "glimpse" into Mick's. His trip isn't sounding as promising as it should be.
Emma: I'm almost afraid to ask where Mick wants to go. ;)
Lauren: He wants to go to the beach since he didn't get to surf in Jersey. I've just got this feeling it won't be as easy as that.
Emma: (Giggles) I bet he'll think of a way to get zombies and gangsters on the beach! ;)
Lauren: More than likely. *sighs, then chuckles*
Emma: (Sighs) Peter's been reading all that philosophy stuff, too. He's convinced it'll help in the factory. What he's mostly doing is driving Mike crazy. ;)
Lauren: Hm. That doesn't surprise me. ;-)
Emma: I hope Dave keeps all this factory stuff simple. I do not want to go through almost losing Mike again. When that wizard kidnapped him, I thought I'd just...die.
Lauren: ...Or when I was kidnapped and thinking I might never see you guys again.
Emma: I almost died then, too. So did Mick. You should have seen him, Lauren. He was so lost. We couldn't get two words out of him the whole afternoon.
Lauren: Geez...
Emma: (Puts her arms around Lauren) I'm just glad we're all here, together, and no wizard or gunslinger in the world or in our minds can pull us apart!
Lauren: *returns the embrace* Me, too!
*Suddenly, there's a noise outside.*
Emma: What the hell?
Lauren: The heck was that?
*Lauren gets up and goes over to the window. She peeks out.*
Lauren: *chuckles* Oh, good grief... get a loada this.
Emma: What's going on? (Joins Lauren at the window)
*Micky is outside, trying desperately to assemble a tent.*
Lauren: The guys threw him out.
(Emma nearly falls over laughing.)
Emma: I could have told him they'd get sick of his snoring. ;)
Lauren: *takes on a thoughtful look* Maybe I'll go give him a hand. I've never pitched a tent before, but it'll give us another, better chance to talk.
Emma: (Grins) Go right ahead. Have fun. Just don't end up in the tent with him all night. ;)
Lauren: *holds a hand up* I promise, I'll be back in a little bit. *goes outside* Miiiick...!