Part 9

Peter: Is everyone ready to find Mike and help Emma?

Valerie: Yes, I am, honey. :)

Lauren: Definitely!

Micky: You bet!

Mendrek: I'm ready, even if I still don't understand everything that's going on... :p

(The group walks upstairs, which is decorated much like the lobby, in rich reds and golds, with tapestries depicting knights, dragons, and damsels in distress. Full suits of armor stand along the wall.)

Peter: Wow! Look at this place!

Valerie: Shelia really spared no expense in getting it fixed up.

Micky: *whistles* Almost looks better than I remember it!

Peter: I wonder where Mike could be?

Valerie: ANYWHERE, with Shelia's macabre sense of humor! :p

Peter: Especially in a place like this. Look at all the knights! (Points at one dashing, black-haired knight in a tapestry) This one reminds me of Mike. :)

Micky: *quirks an eyebrow* Take a REAL close look. Make sure it isn't Mike, Pete. :P ;)

(As Peter takes a closer look, he accidentally bumps into a suit of armor, which falls on the floor with a thump.)

(Mendrek looks at the suit of armor with a thoughtful expression.)

Lauren: Well, THAT was noisy. *sticks a finger in an ear* :P ;)

Peter: (Wails) Ooops! I didn't mean to do that! :(

Mendrek: (Strokes his chin) It wasn't noisy enough.

Peter: Huh?

Mendrek: Metal clatters when it falls against itself...or something else. The suit didn't clatter.

Micky: *nods* He's right.

(Peter's eyes widen. He opens the helmet guard...to reveal Mike's frozen face.)

Peter: Michael! Are you ok?

Mendrek: I hope he's all right. He's not moving.

Daphne: *snorts* Shelia probably froze him. :P

Valerie: We've got to get him out of that armor!

Micky: *shakes his head* Should we unfreeze him before or after getting him out?

Peter: (Tries to move Mike's upraised hand) You might want to do it before. It'll be easier to get him out if he can move.

Micky: You got it! *concentrates on Mike--Mike unfreezes & finishes sprawling on the floor* ;)

Mike: (Shakes himself out) Wha...what happened? (Slowly and noisily sits on a chair) How did I end up dressed as the Tin Woodsman?

Peter: We don't know! We haven't seen you since you disappeared!

Lauren: Another lovely trick of Shelia's. :P

Mike: (Shakes his head) All I remember is falling through the trap door and hitting the floor hard. It's all dark until you guys helped me out of there.

Peter: Shelia hid you and Micky!

Mike: What?

Micky: *nods* Yeah. She decided that nearly knocking Lauren out wasn't enough, so she hid you & me. :P

Mike: Hey, Lauren, are you ok?

Lauren: My shoulder's still sore, but I'm okay. *smirks* I found Mick in the popcorn cart. He was still a mouse. ;)

Mike: Micky was a mouse?

Micky: Shelia thought she was being funny & turned me into a mouse to keep me from helping Lauren. :P

Lauren: Well, Mick, Shelia was being funny having Dave do it. :P ;)

Micky: I was giving Davy the benefit of the doubt. :P ;)

Mike: Is Dave still under her control?

Daphne: Not anymore. ;)

Mike: Good. (Puts his hand on his heart) Oh, man, Em's REALLY hurting. We've got to get to the stage and get her down. :(

Micky: *points the way they came* Then back to the stage we go!

Mike: That's good, but...(indicates his armor) could someone help me out of this first?

(Mike stiffly takes the helmet off.)

Micky: Picky, picky, picky. :P ;)

Peter: Ooops. You can't walk around like that!

(Mike starts to peel off the armor on his arms and legs.)

Micky: I kinda like you like this, though, Mike. It's very you. ;)

Mike: Man, this stuff weighs a ton. (Rolls his eyes) Funny, Savage. :p ;)

Micky: *grins; pulls at a piece of armor* You're welcome, Knight! :D ;)

Lauren: Too bad the armor isn't white. ;)

Mendrek: Knight?

Peter: That's his name! He's the White Knight!

(It takes Peter and Micky to get the armor off of his shoulders.)

Mike: (Climbs as quickly as he can out of the bottom part; winces as he does) Oh, man. There's somethin' wrong with Em. She's in pain.

Mendrek: How do you know that, young man?

Mike: I know how she's feelin'. (Looks at the others) Come on, guys. We've got to get Em down from there! (Pushes the armor aside) We'll do it the quick way. (Concentrates. There's a dark blue light around the group. When it subsides, we're back onstage. Emma is still in her cage, holding her stomach. She smiles and waves when she sees the group, but holds her stomach again.)

Mike: (Screams) EM! EM, DARLIN', HOLD ON! I'M GONNA GET YOU DOWN FROM THERE! (Starts to concentrate)

*There's a black light & Shelia reappears, arms folded.* >:)

Shelia: *smirks* Well, isn't this interesting? :P

Peter: No! Go away! (Clutches Valerie)

Micky: Haven't you caused enough trouble?

Mike: Shelia, step back. I'm gonna get her down. She's really hurtin'.

(Emma nods, then winces again.)

Shelia: I don't think so, White Knight!

Mike: Shelia, didn't you hear me? I've got to get her down!

(He runs towards the cage.)

Micky: *waves* Hey, Shelia, over here! ;) :P

Valerie: (To Lauren) We've got to distract her while Mike gets Emma down and restores her voice!

Lauren: *nods* No problem. *motions to Micky, who's already jumping around, diverting attention* He's gonna be a tough act to follow. ;)

Shelia: Get out of my way! X-(

Peter: (Makes his bass appear) I know what will make Shelia go away! (Starts playing "Can You Dig It?", which becomes our next romp. ;) )

*Micky makes his drums appear as Lauren & Daphne make a tambourines appear.*

*Shelia cringes. He puts her hands over her ears & starts to back away.* :P

(The kids get closer to her. Even Micky picks up one of his tom-toms. Davy starts to come to as they close in on Shelia.)

(Mike runs to under the cage. He concentrates.)

(Shelia tries to leave the stage, but Peter blocks her, then Valerie, then Lauren.)

(Mendrek pulls a long series of colorful scarves out of his tuxedo and winds them around Shelia's upper body. ;) )

(There's a dark blue light around the cage.)

(Shelia tries to run to Mike, but Lauren drops her tambourine and tackles her.)

*Lauren & Shelia tumble over each other on the floor. Lauren comes up holding one of Shelia's legs & cranks her over into a half Boston crab. Micky cheers her on.* ;)

(Daphne takes a flying leap onto Shelia as well and starts smacking her over the head with the tambourine.)

*Micky picks up on the rhythm Daphne is making & plays along.* ;)

(Peter shrugs and joins in. Valerie appears in the balcony and starts playing the organ. ;) )

(The dark blue light subsides as the music ends, leaving the kids playing their own beat over a bound and wrestled Shelia. The sounds of sirens are clearly heard outside.)

Mike: (Emma now stands on the stage) Em...(she throws her arms around him, sobbing)

Davy: (Shakes his head) Wot's goin' on? Where am I?

Lauren: *smirks at Shelia; to Micky* Too bad she's all tied up, or else she'd be tapping out right now. ;)

Micky: *grins* It'll have to do, babe. ;) *sees Davy waking up* Hey, Dave! *goes over to him*

Davy: Mick! (Hands in his head) Wot 'AVE I done?

Micky: Weeeeell, you've joined the club, for one thing. ;) :P Listen, Dave, don't sweat it. You didn't have any control over what you were doing. *puts an arm around him* You couldn't help yourself.

Davy: (Sighs) So this is how it feels to be seduced by the Devil. (Makes a face)

Micky: Not fun, but surviveable. :)

Mike: Oh, Em... (he kisses her deeply)

(Emma smiles when they pull apart...but then holds her stomach and cringes again.)

*Lauren eases her way over to Emma & Mike.*

Mike: Oh, man, I gotta give you your voice back, so you can tell me what's wrong. (Runs his fingers gently along her throat. There's a soft dark-blue light.)

Emma: (Gulps) Thanks, honey. (Lets out a strangled sob) I haven't felt right for at least ten hours, since last night. I...I didn't want to tell Shelia, she'd try to take...owwww... (clutches Mike's hand)

Lauren: *joins them* Oh, Em... :(

Mendrek: (Joins them) Oh, my! Young lady, are you all right?

Peter: (Eyes widen; he makes his bass disappear) I...I remember her aura. It looks like's Lauren's when the babies came out!

Lauren: *nods* We've gotta get her home! :-O

(Emma lets out another strangled sob and clutches Mike's hand again.)

Mike: And fast!

Emma: I...I'm in labor! (Makes a face) The kid would choose NOW...oowww!

Micky: *points at the still bound Shelia* What about her? The cops haven't shown up yet. :P

*Shelia smirks as a black light surrounds her.*

Micky: *drops his arm* Awe, man, not again! :P

*The black light fades & Shelia is gone.*

(Sergeant Nielson, Belinda, and a large police force burst into the auditorium.)

Nielson: All right, where is she?

Belinda: Father!

Mendrek: Daugher, I'm glad to see you're all right. :)

(Belinda runs up to Mendrek and embraces him.)

Mike: No time, Seargent! We've gotta go! Em's in labor!

(Emma lets out another scream and clutches Mike's hand again.)

Micky: Yeah, we're getting outta here!

Lauren: Now!

Nielson: But....

Mike: Talk to Mr. Mendrek here. He'll give you the rest of the details. Call me at the Pad AFTER my wife gives birth.

Mendrek: (Nods) I'd be more than happy to.

Belinda: (Eyes widen) She's in labor?

Emma: So it (squeals) seems! :p

Lauren: I'd say. :P

(The group leads the groaning Emma into a quiet, dark corner of the backstage area.)

Mike: Owww...Em...Micky, get us outta here. I can't think with my hand like this! :p

Micky: You got it! *concentrates on the entire group & a blue light surrounds them. We fade out on the backstage area & fade in on the pad.*

Mike: (Nods at the phone) Micky, call Grace Parker and Dr. Kevin O'Rourke. Tell them Em's gone into labor and she's pretty far along.

Micky: *nods* Going! *runs to the phone & picks up the receiver*

Emma: (Screams) Baby, stay with me! (Clutches Mike’s hand)

Mike: Lauren, Daphne, take Em into the first floor guest bedroom, Peter's old room. Peter, get her some blankets.

Peter: (Nods) Ok! (Runs to the closet)

*Lauren & Daphne move to either side of Emma & help her into the room. They try to get her as comfortable as possible.*

Daphne: Emma, how far along are you?

Emma: I'm not sure. When you're in a small...owwww....cage with the threat of having your child taken from you and....oooh...raised as the devil, that's the last thing you're thinking about! :p

Lauren: Understandable. :P

Daphne: Lauren, you've had kids. Can you tell how far apart her contractions are?

(Peter hustles in with blankets for Emma.)

Peter: Here you go! Davy's boiling water for her.

Lauren: Well, judging from the time in between sounds of pain...about 30 seconds. :P

Emma: Lauren, stay with me! (Squeals) PLEASE! :o

Lauren: *nods* I'm not going anywhere, Em!

Daphne: That's not good, is it?

Peter: Is she ok?

Lauren: She WILL be okay, eventually.

Emma: Where's Mike?

(She squeals again. Peter gently puts his hand on her stomach.)

Peter: (Eyes widen) Oh, man, Em. The baby wants out...and I mean NOW. :o

Emma: (Screams) Peter, go get Mike! PLEASE! :o

(Peter only nods and runs to get Mike. He comes in, followed by Davy.)

Mike: (Kneels by the bed and strokes Emma's hair) It's gonna be all right, darlin'. We're all here now, and we ain't gonna let Shelia get our baby.

Emma: No...MIKE! (Squeezes Lauren's hand)

Lauren: Owww. Okay, payback is fine. *cringes*

Emma: Sorry, Laur, didn't mean to crush you...owwww...

Lauren: No, it's fine. *winces*

Mike: Micky called Grace Parker. She's on her way. He's getting Dr. O'Rourke now.

Emma: Oh, Mike. She...she wants...OWWWW! (Squeals again)

Lauren: *eyes are beginning to water* Just hang on a few minutes, Em.

(Grace Parker, now dressed in a nurse's uniform, comes in.)

Grace: Hello, everyone. How's the patient?

Lauren: Very strong... *winces* :P

Emma: (Smiles) Hello, Grace. I....(squeals again)...OOOUCCCHHHH!

Grace: (Nods) Everyone out.

Emma: (Shakes her head) No...someone stay...Lauren...Mike...don't wanna be alone...

Lauren: *nods* I'm not going anywhere, Em. :)

Mike: (Strokes her hair, worried) Oh, darlin’...

Grace: (Nods and gently takes Mike's arm) Why don't you go calm the others down? You can send in Dr. O’Rourke when he arrives.

Mike: But....

Grace: You'll just be in the next room, Mike.

Emma: Mike...aaaahhhh!

*Lauren's biting her lip, making a face.* :P ;)

Mike: Darlin’.... (but Grace escorts her out. The others are all sitting around various spots in the living room and the kitchen; they jump up and go to Mike)

Peter: Is she ok, man?

Micky: What's goin' on?

Valerie: How's it coming?

Mike: She's squeezin' the life outta Lauren's hands. What does that tell you? ;)

Micky: Ouch. ;) :P

Davy: Where's Lauren?

Mike: Em wanted Laur to stay with her.

(Mike sits down on the bandstand and picks up Black Beauty. He strums her absently.)

(Davy starts banging the tambourine on his knee, just to do something. Valerie sits at the piano bench.)

*Micky picks up his drumsticks & begins tapping a rhythm on the floor in front of where he's sitting, next to the bandstand.*

Peter: (Picks up his bass) Hey, Mick, didn't you and Davy say you'd talked to some friends about a new song?

Micky: Yeah. It's called "Oh My My." *taps a riff* Not a bad song, if I do say so myself. ;)

Peter: Why don't you show it to Mike and me? It'll get our minds off... (there's another shriek from the guest bedroom)...that. (Peter winces; Mike's face is unreadable.)

Micky: *eyes widen* Uhhh...gladly!

*Micky taps his sticks, counting off the song.*

(And we launch into a general performance video of "Oh My My." Daphne grabs Davy at one point, and the two dance along. :) )

(Valerie sits on the bench, moving with the music. Mike's eyes keep flicking to the guest bedroom.)

*Micky steals glances as Mike, smiling lightly.*

(Peter also steals glances at Mike, beaming. :) )

(As the song winds down, we hear more screaming from the bedroom...and Grace and Lauren's voices...)

Grace: (In the bedroom) Wait...I see the head...yes, here she comes!

Lauren: Come on, Em, you're doing great! :)

(Mike's eyes widen.)

Grace: (Over another scream) Just a little more...

Lauren: You can do it, Em...

(One final scream is mingled with another...that of a baby.)

Grace: She's out, Emma, and she's gorgeous. :)

Emma: Oh, Grace...

Lauren: All right, Em! You did it! Awe, she's a cutie! :D

Grace: Lauren, let the others in. I'm sure they're ready to break the door down, anyway. ;)

Lauren: You got it! *comes out the door* Hey, guys, guess what? *beams* :D

Davy: An alien beamed down and is about to claim Micky as its leader? ;)

Micky: Hey!? :P

(Daphne hits Davy over the head with a tambourine as he chuckles. ;) :p )

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Dave... :P ;)

Mike: (Puts Black Beauty aside) The baby. How is she? Is she ok?

Lauren: *motions them in* She's just fine, Mike. Come on in. :)

(The group gathers in the large guest bedroom, which still has two beds, but is otherwise less psychadelic than when Peter and Davy shared it. Emma lays on one bed, holding a tiny baby with wavy black hair. Mike joins her on the bed as the others take seats around ther room or on the other bed.)

Emma: She's out, Mike, and she's ours.

Mike: (Leans over her) Oh, man. She's so beautiful...

Emma: (Cuddles her) She's the most beautiful thing in the universe. :)

Grace: She's quite female. Dr. O'Rourke will check up on her and Emma when he arrives, but from what I can tell, both she and her mother seem as healthy as can be. :)

Lauren: *smiles* Congrats, you two. :)

Mike: Look at her. She's got your round face, Em, and your nose. (Grins at Lauren) Thanks. :)

Emma: Thank you for staying with me, Laur. :)

Lauren: *wrings out her hand* No problem, Em. :)

Emma: She's got your eyes, Mike.

Mike: They're blue. :p

Grace: They'll probably turn brown in a couple of days. That sometimes happens with brown-eyed babies. :)

Peter: Can we see her?

(Mike gently takes the baby from Emma and brings her over to the other bed.)

Mike: Here you go, little cowgirl. Meet the family. :)

Micky: Awwwwe! :D :)

Peter: She's soooooo cute! :D :X

Valerie: She's got such tiny feet!

Lauren: So adorable! :) :D

Emma: Got those from me. :)

Mike: Least she didn't inherit my huge boats. ;)

*Micky snickers.* ;)

Grace: What's her name?

Mike: (Softly) Katherine.

Emma: (Nods) Katherine Martha Nesmith.

Mike: After Aunt Kate.

Emma: And my late Grandma Martha. Mom says I was a lot like her.

Davy: (Leans over the little baby) 'Ello there, little luv. You're cute, you are. Much bettah lookin' then your old da. ;)

(Mike smacks a snickering Davy over the head. :p )

*Micky laughs full force & nearly falls over Lauren, who does her best to shove him away.* :P

(Now everyone's laughing, even Grace. Dr. O'Rourke, once again carrying a black bag and wearing a doctor's white coat, comes in and ends up smiling himself.)

Dr. O'Rourke: Seems I missed the punchline. ;)

Micky: *laughing so hard, he's got tears rolling down his face* Yeah...

Grace: Hello, Doctor. Mrs. Nesmith had her baby, and she and her mother are just fine. :)

Dr. O'Rourke: (Nods) They certainly SEEM fine. ;)

Emma: (Sighs and lays back) I'm tired as hell...but happy. Very happy. :)

Dr. O'Rourke: Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital, Mrs. Nesmith?

(Mike glares and holds the baby closer to him. Emma shakes her head.)

Emma: No, Doctor. I'll be better off here, with my friends and family. :)

Lauren: We've done this before, anyway. ;)

Dr. O'Rourke: (Places a stephascope on Emma and moves her limbs a bit) You look really tired, Mrs. Nesmith. You have large circles under your eyes.

Emma: Well, I did just give birth to a healthy baby girl.

Grace: I was wondering about that. Are you sure you're ok, Emma?

Emma: (Nods) I'm fine, now that I'm home. :)

Mike: And she's STAYIN' home.

Grace: Maybe you'd all better let Mrs. Nesmith have some rest.

Peter: (Nods) Yeah, we've got to celebrate!

Mike: I wanna stay with Em.

Emma: (Nods, her eyes drooping) Mike, I'll be ok.

Micky: I wouldn't argue with her, man. ;)

(Mike reluctantly turns baby Katherine back over to his wife. He kisses the tops of both their heads.)

Mike: (Into Emma's ear) Night, darlin'. (Whispers to the baby) Night, Katie.

Emma: (Nods, yawning) Night, honey. :) I-)

Grace: (Gently shoos Mike to the door, following the others) Dr. O'Rourke and I will take care of her, Mike. She'll be fine. :)

Mike: Yeah. (Takes one last look at the baby and heads out)

Peter: (He puts his hand on Mike's as the others file back into the living room) Mike, you're a little scared...but you're very happy and proud. :)

Mike: I'm a LOT scared, ol' buddy. Shelia wants Katie. She wants her really bad. I don't even know why.

Davy: (Quietly) We do.

Micky: Yeah. :P

Valerie: (Nods) Shelia told Lauren...and us.

Mike: (Narrows his eyes) Why does she want my kid so bad? There's only one of her.

Lauren: Shelia wants to raise the next little devil. :( :P

Mike: WHAT?

Micky: Like how she wants some of us as slaves & others as collectors. *scoffs* Fat chance. :P

Mike: Yeah, but this...(sits down hard on the bandstand)...this is our DAUGHTER! She wants our god damn DAUGHTER! X(

Micky: Yeah, well, she still wants you, too, Mike, & she don't care much for Emma. Shelia figures it's the way to hurt you the most. :P

Mike: No. It's the way she figures she'll hurt EM the most.

Micky: That, too. :P

Peter: (Nods) If Shelly is the next Huntress and little Micky is the next Savage, that probably means Katie will be the next Scholar or Mother!

Daphne: (Nods) The last thing Shelia wants in the world is another Scholar. X(

Micky: That's Shelia's problem. :P

Mike: (Soft growl) I swear I will NEVER let her hurt Katie or Em. NEVER. I'll protect them. I'll protect both of them somehow. X(

Lauren: *nods* We'll all protect each other.

Peter: I wonder what happened to the clone?

Valerie: Didn't Micky kill him?

Micky: *shrugs* I don't know. He just kinda disappeared. Maybe I did kill him.

Lauren: I don't feel the other presence like I did the other night. Not since he disappeared.

Peter: He's gone, then! :)

Micky: Good! That was creepy, man! :P

Mike: Yeah, that's what we thought about Shelia the first time around. :p

Lauren: Then we'll just have to hope we're right this time.

(The phone rings. Micky gets up and answers it.)

Micky: Hello?

Mendrek: (We see him and Belinda outside the Hunter Royale) Hello? I got the Sergeant to give me your phone number. Which young man are you?

Belinda: (Over her father's shoulder) Hello! How's the baby? :)

Mike: Mick, who is it?

Micky: *grins* It's Micky. :) *to the others* It's Mendrek.

Peter: Oh, wow, groovy! :)

Davy: Did they find Shelia?

Micky: *to the phone* The baby's fine. She's a real cutie!

Daphne: Her mother's doing well, too!

Mike: So's her father. ;)

Mendrek: I'm glad that poor girl is all right.

Micky: *grins; into the phone* Everyone's great, thanks! *sobers* Did they find Shelia?

Mendrek: (At the theater) No. Not a sign of her.

Micky: *frowns; to the others* Nothing. :P

(There's collective groans all around.)

Peter: She's gone again! :(

Lauren: Figures. :P

Mendrek: I take it Sergeant Nielson has tangled with her before. He wasn't too happy when I told him she was gone.

Micky: Yeah. He seems to be getting used to her disappearing act. :P

Belinda: Nielson pitched a fit when we told him she'd vanished and everyone who'd been kidnapped had been taken home safe and sound!

Micky: He doesn't get to do anything with us. Poor guy just wants something to do. ;)

Mike: One of these days, we'll catch Shelia red-handed, and THEN the cops will have something to do. ;) :p

Micky: *nods* Darn right we will! ;)

Mendrek: Tell the others I'm hoping to sell the home Belinda and I are living in now and some stocks I had in order to buy the Royale from PPF. :)

Belinda: Father, are you sure...

Micky: Really? *to the others* Mendrek's hoping to buy the theater! :D

Mendrek: (More muffled; away from the phone) Yes, dear. That theater is a big part of my past, and I realized how much I missed it. It'll make a wonderful performing house for theatrical road shows and musicals trying out. :)

Mike: Hey, that's groovy, Mick!

Peter: Cool! :)

Davy: That's nice. 'E could even live undah it. Shelia's got all those rooms set up.

Micky: Just a little redecoration & it'll be perfect. :)

Mendrek: Oh, speaking of the Royale, they found all this strange equipment in the rooms under the theater. Apparently, one of the basement rooms had been redone as a laboratory of some kind.

Belinda: (More faint) It looks like something out of an old horror movie!

Micky: *eyes light up* Really? Are they gonna DO anything with that equipment? ;)

Mike: Mick, don't. You're the LAST person in the universe who needs to be fooling around with that shit. :p

Davy: (Rolls his eyes) 'Ere goes the mad scientist again. :p

*Micky swats at Mike.* :P

Mendrek: They don't know what it does. I thought I'd sell it to a university. Maybe they could make heads or tails of it.

Mike: Probably safer for the world at large. ;)

Micky: Maybe I could help you make heads or tails of it. *grins & swats at Mike again, then Davy* I know quite a bit about machinery & such. ;)

Mendrek: You'll have to ask the university.

Micky: I'm gonna do just that! :D

*Lauren groans, shaking her head.* :P

(Mike makes a face. :p )

(Davy rolls his eyes 8-| )

(Peter chuckles. ;) )

*Micky sticks his tongue out at all the naysayers.* :P

Mendrek: Anyway, the theater seems to be in good shape. I'm going to call a contractor and see how long it will take to get it up and running. (Pause) Umm...is everyone all right? The baby, that poor boy who was hit on the chin...

Belinda: Is Davy ok?

Micky: *smirks at Davy* Davy's just fine...or as fine as a short guy can be. ;) Everyone's ok. *Lauren sticks her tongue out* Lauren's shoulder is still sore, but I'll give her a hand with that later. *Lauren glares at him* ;)

(Davy makes a face at Micky. :p)

Mendrek: That...that's good. Come by the theater when it's finished! Maybe I'll even hire you for the grand opening. :)

Belinda: We'll DEFINATELY hire you for the grand opening! :D

Micky: Really? Thank you! That'd be groovy! :D

Mendrek: We'll see, daughter. Anyway, thank you all for showing me what Shelia was. I'll be more careful in my choice of assistants from now on.

Belinda: I'll make sure of that! ;)

Micky: And thank you for helping us. :)

Mendrek: You're welcome, young man. :)

Micky: And, despite everything, I still really like your disappearing act! ;) :D

*Lauren slaps her forehead with her uncrushed hand.* :P

Mendrek: (Laughs) Thank you...Micky. Maybe you can come around to the Royale and I'll show you it again...WITHOUT Shelia’s aid. ;)

Micky: That'd be beyond groovy, Mendrek. Thank you! ;)

Mendrek: You're welcome, young man. Least I can do for all of you for bringing me back to the Royale and reviving some wonderful memories...and showing me what it's like to live a dog's life. ;)

Belinda: What? :-/

Mendrek: I'll explain later, daughter.

*Micky chuckles.* ;)

Mendrek: Sergeant Nielson says he'll call all of your homes later tonight, after Mrs. Nesmith has had her child and you're all better rested. (Smiles) For now, I bid you adeiu. Until we meet again, children! :)

Belinda: Um...thanks again! And tell Davy I said hi! ;) :)

Micky: Bye, & thanks again! I will, Belinda. *grins* ;) :)

(Mendrek lets him go. Micky puts the reciever back on the phone and joins the others.)

Mike: Well, what did he have to say?

Micky: Mendrek might hire us for the grand opening of the Royale! :D

Mike: Groovy! :)

Peter: Awesome, man! :D

Valerie: What's he going to do with it?

Micky: He's gonna re-open it as a theater for road shows & musicals trying out. Sounds like a really groovy idea! :)

Davy: Now THAT is groovy. ;) :D

Daphne: Cool!

Mike: Hey, that's real nice!

Micky: *grins* All that cloning equipment is gonna be donated to a university. ;)

Lauren: Mick, don't. :P

Mike: And you aren't gonna go bug the university, Mick. :p

Micky: *holds a hand behind his back* I'm just saying what he's doing with it. ;)

Lauren: Micky...

Mike: Micky, leave that stuff alone. It's bad enough Shelia was messing with it. :p

Micky: Mike, she used some of that stuff on me! Don't I have the right to know how it works? What if it did something to me that I don't know about? :P

Mike: Like what?

Micky: *shrugs* If I knew, I wouldn't care if I could look at it or not, would I? :P

Lauren: *snorts* Make him paranoid? :P ;)

Davy: It made your light plain blue again. Ain't that enough? (Concentrates - a spur appears in his hand in a dark blue light) Now MY light's dark! :p

Mike: Join the club. :p

Micky: At least I understood when my light went dark. :P

Daphne: (Sits next to Davy) Davy, are you ok?

Davy: (Nods, tired) Yeah. I'll be all right.

Peter: (Gets on Davy's other side and put a hand on his shoulder) You're VERY tired, Davy...but are relieved and happy to be with your friends again.

Daphne: Davy, what happened?

Davy: I was talkin' to Ursula, askin 'er wot went on.

Micky: And?

Mike: We know THAT part. We talked to Ursula ourselves after you went missin'.

Davy: (Softly) The clone was there.

*Micky growls.* :P X-(

Daphne: (Eyes narrow) Alex. :p

Lauren: Damn... :P

Davy: We fought. He caught me and muddled me. Shelia showed up and tried to take Ursula. Ursula got to 'ot for 'er sistah to touch, so they muddled 'er instead. Shelia took off and left me with Alex.

Lauren: *frowns* Then...

(Davy points to several faint lines on his face and left arm...then pulls his black shirt further open to reveal the scar on his chest.)

Davy: Then she let Alex 'ave a litt'l "fun" wit' me. :p

Micky: *eyes widen* Holy SHIT! :-O X-(

Davy: (Holds up the spur he's playing with gently in his hands) 'E used one of these on me. 'E kept sayin' 'ow I was a charity case, 'ow Daphne was sorry for me, 'ow everyone was talkin' 'bout 'ow I'd end up dumpin' 'er. :p

Micky: *frowns* Oh, man, Dave... :P

Daphne: NO WAY! THAT BASTARD! Micky, if he's alive, I want a BIG piece of him! X(

Micky: Well, if he is out there, he's gotta survive ME first! I'll try to save you a piece. X-(

Davy: (Looks up at Mike, who's been listening) Mike, am I a charity case? Do you and Em mind me shackin' up wit’ you?

Mike: (Shakes his head) No, Davy. You're our friend, and you know Em. She likes having a lot of people to cook for and eat all her baked goods. ;) :)

Peter: We know you love Daphne, Davy! We don't think you'll leave her!

Lauren: Daph's more than proven THAT. ;)

Davy: I don't remembah much aftah Alex took me to the Royale. They 'ad me tied up and were plottin'. I tried to get loose, but they muddled me again. Aftah that...(blushes)...Shelia....

Micky: *groans* Oh, man... *holds his head* :P

Lauren: Um, yeah, we know about that part, Davy. :P

Davy: Mick? :(

Daphne: Micky...saw...you two in action. I'm glad I didn't. I would have gone there and killed both of you right there and then. :p X(

Micky: *looks up; frowning* I saw it in a dream. Or nightmare, probably as it was happening. :P

Davy: But 'ow...

Lauren: Shelia. Like the way she sent that other nightmare a while back.

Micky: *shakes his head* I was ready to go there myself & tear EVERYONE apart after seeing that. :P

Davy: All I know is, she were pretty steamed. She untied me, and we ended up onstage. (Blushes) It's a bit 'azy aftah that. :">

Daphne: Good. Let's keep it that way. :p

Peter: (Grins) Why don't we all celebrate?

Valerie: Celebrate what?

Peter: Everything! The birth of Mike's daughter. Getting Davy and Em back. Mendrek buying the Royale. Life. It does go on, you know. (Pulls Valerie out of her chair)

Daphne: Davy, are you up to celebrating?

Davy: Maybe we could play a little tune and go to a small club or a little cafe or somethin'.

Mike: I've gotta call Em's folks and Aunt Kate and my mom, too. I'll do that tonight.

Micky: *grins at Lauren; waggles his eyebrows* Wanna go celebrate, babe? ;)

Lauren: *also grins* If by that you mean tend to our wounds... *elbows him; his grins turns pained* Sure, why not? ;) :P

(grin turns)

Peter: Everyone has different ways of celebrating! :)

Mike: (Grins) Let's go enjoy what's left of the summer.

Peter: (Grins) Yeah! (Starts singing "The Door Into Summer", running out the door, pulling Valerie behind him)

Micky: Shall we be off then, babe? :)

Lauren: Let’s blue light it. ;)

Micky: *nods* Your wish is my command. ;) *a blue light surrounds them & they disappear*

Davy: I say we should blue-light it, too. Let's try out my new powers. ;)

Daphne: (Grins) Sure! (Takes him in her arms) I've missed you, Dave.

Davy: Me too, luv. We've got to talk.

Daphne: (Nods and leans against him) Uh huh.

Davy: (Nods at Mike) Hey, Mike, you gonna come wit' us?

Mike: I'll be along in a few, Davy. You guys go on ahead. :)

Davy: All right. (Turns to Daphne) 'Old on, litt'l lady. We're goin' for a ride. ;) (They disappear in a dark blue light as Daphne's laughter fades.)

(Mike smiles, and singing "The Door Into Summer," walks back into the guest room.)

(Which becomes a romp of "Door Into Summer," with everyone pushing the babies in their strollers along the beach, chasing each other, playing in the water, making castles with the twins, splashing water, and a few classic first-season romp shots of the guys on the beach in their orange bathing suits and suspenders.)

*We fade out on the romp as it ends & fade in late that night on the beach. There's a dull blue light from the moon. The beach is very dark, but it's obvious that a figure is sprawled, reclined on the sand, looking out into the ocean.*

(We see the long shadow of another person coming down the beach. The person is muttering angrily to themselves.)

Shelia: Not AGAIN! ANOTHER plan down the tubes! I can't BELIEVE they keep foiling my best plots! How do they DO it? How do they keep BEATING me? Ow! (Stumbles) Damn stupid rock! (Kicks it hard) Get away from me!

(She storms down the beach, towards the figure.)

Shelia: I WANT Robert Michael Nesmith in my bed and in my arms, but he keeps running back that that blasted wife of his! And the others...they'd do well in my employ, if I could just KEEP them all there! (Sighs) Then there’s the Scholar’s baby girl. I'll rear her as me uncle reared Ursula and me, to be the next devil and the heiress to Past, Present, and Future, Inc...IF I can get my hands on her and her damn good energy! I won't let anothah Scholar come into this world!

(She frowns at the figure, walking up to it.)

Shelia: Hello? Who's there?

Figure: *mutters* Could hear you coming a mile away. :P

*The figure tilts his head, revealing a wild mass of curly hair.*

Shelia: (Frowns) Alex? I was wondering where you went.

Alex: *nods once* I needed to think. *turns a half smirk to her* It helped.

Shelia: Where have you BEEN? I had to handle them all alone at the Royale!

Alex: *frowns* Here. *looks up again--this time it's plain that he has a few long and deep scars on one cheek; his eyes narrow* I've been coming up with a new plan. This one HAS to work. ;)

Shelia: How is YOUR plan better than all of mine? (Makes a face) And, incidentally, we're going to have to find a new home. The Royale is now far too well-known. (Sighs) And the remodeling went so WELL on it, too... :p

Alex: The new home we do have to worry about. *pauses; gives a lecherous smile* MY plan involves the Mother. >:)

Shelia: (Raises an eyebrow) Oh? What do you want with her? Or should I ask?

Alex: I don't think you really need to ask. *evil grin* You're going to like this...a lot! >:)

Shelia: I hope so, Alex. I hope so.

Alex: *frowns again* The only thing is, I need time to recuperate. Battling that damn brother of mine wore me out. *grins again* I want to be in TOP condition for my plan. >:) ;)

Shelia: How much time will you need?

Alex: *makes a face* About two to three months, though perhaps I can help you in other not-so-physical ways. ;)

Shelia: (Grins) We may be able to make a deal. We'll really need to find a new place to do that in, though. I'm NOT doing it here. :p

Alex: No problem.

Shelia: I want to go back to the Lord of the Manor. I gave him the powers, and you and I know he's terrified of his relationship with the Huntress. I want to see how he handles those new powers. ;)

Alex: *nods* Go ahead. I'll be here. Plotting. ;)

Shelia: (Shrugs) Suit yourself. (She walks along the deserted beach, muttering to herself again, leaving Alex to contemplate his new plans.)

Alex: *frowns* Damn...brother...of mine. He gave me life. *traces the longest scar with an index finger; eyes narrow* But I know the perfect way to extract revenge on him. *evil grin* I know just how much he loves the Mother. Wouldn't it surprise him to find out I share some of those feelings. *turns his gaze up at the house behind him, which turns out to be Lauren & Micky's house. It's dark, save for the dim light of a night light. The camera fades out on their house, and the soft glow of the night light.*