Mike: You guys ready to help me raid Shelia's mansion and that live concert she's cookin' up?

Micky: Better believe it!

Davy: That Devil Woman and 'er clone are goin' down! X(

Lauren: Yeah!

Daphne: Let me at 'er! :p X(

(We open in the valleys of central California, following the Monkeemobile, the van, and the TransAm down a long path to a huge ranch complex surrounded by a heavy iron fence and guard dogs. Mike pops out and types something in at the gate. The gate slowly opens and the three cars drive in, passing cowboys and cowgirls in rain gear on horseback, leading steers.)

Mike: (Stops the Monkeemobile in front of the largest ranch house) Ok, gang, this is the end of the road. Everybody out.

Micky: *pulls the van up and parks* Don't everyone fall out at once. ;)

Maryann: (Jumps out of the Monkeemobile, followed by her sisters; she still carries Starlite) Wow. This is the biggest house I've ever seen! :o

Sandra: Do all the cows live in there, too?

Elizabeth: You could fit them in there.

Mike: (Shakes his head) They have their own stocks near the pastures in the back.

Davy: (Whistles as he gets out of the TransAm and stretches) Wow, Mike, you've done all right for yourself.

Daphne: This place is enormous! You could fit a whole warehouse full of steaks in there! :o

Mike: (A group of men and women, some old, some young, all in jeans, boots, and cowboy hats, stand on the porch of the main ranch house) Kevin, Gary, and Tom will take your things inside and show you to your rooms and the game rooms. Dinner's at seven. They'll be mashed potatoes, pork chops, applesauce, and baked black beans for the vegetarians. :)

Sandra: Game rooms? :D

Mike: I have a big room full of games for my kids when they visit. There's air hockey, one of those electronic basketball games, pinball, video games I bought from some local arcade that was goin' outta buisness, a closet full of board games and sports equipment, and the biggest TV set I could get, with 200 channels. ;)

Larry: Air hockey!

Billy: Basketball game!

Jessica: Pinball! :D

Micky: *nudges Mike* Would you mind terribly if I stayed here, too? *gets elbowed by Lauren* ;)

Mike: We're gonna need you, but you can spend time with the kids after we finish...doin' what we're doin'. ;)

Micky: Okay. ;)

Mike: You kids go inside and get some rest. Tomorrow, Gary, Tom, Lucas, and Kevin will show you how real cowboys rope a steer, milk a cow, and round up pigs to put in their pens. :)

Maryann: Can I stay with Little Mick? :X

Mike: (Shakes his head) Horsies gotta rest too, you know, young lady. Why don't you take Starlite inside for his nap? ;)

Maryann: (Looks at her horse, then grins) He's not sleepy! :D

*Mick makes a face.* :P

Elizabeth: Yes he is, Maryann.

Maryann: But... (Elizabeth gently pushes her sister inside, followed by Sandra and Jessica)

Mick: *whew!*

Mike: Maybe you kids had all better get inside. It looks like it may start delugin' again, and us adults have gotta talk shop.

Cowgirl: Mr. Nesmith, Mrs. Thorkleson is already here. She's in barn with the others.

Mike: (Nods) Send some drinks over there, and we'll be along shortly.

Austin: (Perks up) Mom's here? She's ok? :)

Cowgirl: She's upset and scared, but she otherwise seems ok. Shelia raided her business. She says she got everyone out, but her headquarters have been taken over by Trinity. :p

Austin: Oh, god, Headquarters is Mom's life! :o

Micky: *makes a face* Figures. :P X-(

Mike: Yeah, we were raided too, Carlita. I think the producers and musicians got out all right, but the regular personnel were arrested. :p X(

Carlita: Oh god. X(

Cowboy: There was another raid on a First National studio, too. Got everyone out, thank goodness, but we lost a LOT of equipment AND another building. :p

Mike: DAMN her! (Turns to the remaining adults; the kids have all gone inside) Everyone follow me to the barn, includin' Ursula. We're gonna need her wise advice. ;)

Ursula: I'm flattered that you included me. ;)

Carlita: Did that car just...

Mike: Yeah. She's a robot car, of sorts. Mick's invention. ;)

Micky: Yup. ;)

Ursula: Of sorts. ;)

Mike: Ok, folks. If all the kiddies are inside, we can move on around back to the barn.

(Mike, Carlita, and the remaining Bar N staff gets into the Monkeemobile. Davy, Micky, Daphne, and Lauren get in the TransAm, and one of the cowboys take the van to a large garage where several other cars and motorcycles are seen.)

(Cut to a rickety-looking old barn in the back of the Bar N property. The Monkeemobile and the TransAm drive right in. The floor is lined with hay, and there's farm equipment and tacks everywhere, but the barn is clean and in better shape inside than it is on the outside.)

Mike: This is it, folks. End of the line.

Carlita: Thank GOD. I could use a drink. :p

Valerie: (She sits at a wood bar towards the end of the barn. The stools are wood topped with leather, and the bar is trimmed with brass. There's a wine rack and a refrigerator next to the bar.) What took all of you so long? Where's Austin? What happened to Jordan? :o

Mike: Long story, Val. We've gotta talk, about a lot of things. (Narrows his eyes) Shelia raided Magnetic South. The musicians and producers got out, but the regular personnel were arrested. :p X(

Valerie: Oh, god. We got everyone out all right, as far as I know, but we're not as big as you are. :o

Davy: Val, Austin's back in the main house with the other kids. All of the kids are well protected over there, not only by the security system, but by my men.

Ursula: I don't mean to rush you, Michael, but what are we doing here?

Mike: Shelia's got somethin' big planned. I know it. It's somethin' to do with the Music Society Festival Concert.

Valerie: (Frowns) But...the concert has been planned weeks in advance! It's going to be televised all over the globe! It's a Live-Aid type concert to raise money for the starving people in Africa.

Davy: I thought the starvin' people were in Asia?

Valerie: Most of the African nations have been going through a horrible famine in the last few years.

Carlita: (Frowns at Davy and Daphne) Who are those two? They look familiar.

Davy: We're...cousins of Davy and Daphne Jones. We 'ave the same names. ;)

Daphne: We're from VERY far away. ;)

Micky: Incredibly far. ;)

Mike: (Shakes his head) Don't ask, Carl. It's a long story. ;)

Valerie: (Makes a face) Shelia must want Trinity's artists to take over the Festival. That's why she annexed Magnetic South and Headquarters. X(

Mike: Very likely. First National was raided again, too.

Valerie: But they're small and underground! What do they have to do with this?

Mike: Everythin', darlin'. (He goes to the back of the barn and pulls one of the tacks up, revealing a panel with buttons. He presses a series of buttons, then puts his hand in the middle of the pad underneith. The wooden walls of the barn fold in...to reveal computers, maps, charts, chairs and couches, storage files and closets, and huge monitors. The upper lofts now more chairs, tables and couches, along with two large rooms full of recording and radio equipment. A round, black table appears in the center of the main room, right next to Ursula and the Monkeemobile.)

Ursula: Oh, my GOD. :o

Valerie: Amazing! :o

Lauren: Well, I'm impressed! :-O

Mike: Welcome to the main headquarters and nerve center of First National Radio.

Carlita: This is why Shelia's never found us.

Micky: Whoa..... :-O :D

Mike: Everythin' she and Alex have raided are our back-up studios. We do most of our recording here. We get excellent reception, but we've been worried that Shelia and/or Alex may be able to trace the signal to the Bar N, so we limit the actual broadcasting done here.

Carlita: That's what the other studios are for.

*Lauren mops up Micky's drool.* ;) =P~ :D

Ursula: Michael, how...

Mike: I've had people keepin' tabs on Shelia's activities for the past couple of years. There are spies in robot costume on her property right now. ;)

Carlita: We've lost a lot of staff members over the past few years, though. (Frowns) Including senior members and heads of staff.

Mike: Carlita, we'll get her back too. I told you we would.

Carlita: (Looks at Mike) Michael, that's how she knew.

Ursula: Knew what?

Carlita: They must have done something to Suz, probably used one of those nasty designer drugs Alex is so riled about. They got the information out of her.

Mike: I figured that. She knows. I knew they'd try somethin' on her.

Carlita: If she's dead or in the Network... (Carlita's face hardens, and she clentches her fists)

Mike: We'll figure out a way to get her back, Carl.

*Micky frowns at the mention of the Network.* :P

(Mike goes to the main screen and punches something in on a computer. He frowns.)

Mike: I'm not gettin' anythin' from Studio 6 or 2. :p

Carlita: Studio 2 was the one that was raided this afternoon.

Mike: (Slams his fist on the console) DAMN HER! She's gettin' more agressive. First Magnetic South, then Headquarters, now more raids. What is she after?

Valerie: Souls, Mike. What she's always been after.

Davy: I'll bet this all ties into that concert Valerie mentioned. Didn't the kids say they were going to be part of that festival, too?

Valerie: We're using some local acts as early-in-the-day openers to amuse the younger kids there. They won't be televised, but it will give them a lot of exposure. They're mostly local bar bands and garage bands. :)

Kevin: The big guns are gonna come out later. ;) :D

Micky: *shrugs* What better way for Shelia to get her own brand of "music" out there? :P

Valerie: (Sighs) We couldn't think of a way to bar Trinity's acts from performing. :p

Mike: That's what she's after. She's tryin' to take over the concert, make sure her music is the only music anyone hears. :p X(

Gary: All of the other musicians at that concert are in danger.

Lucas: There must be way to warn them!

Mike: Shelia's plannin' somethin' big, somethin' bigger than just gettin' her music on TV. She's got two video channels for Trinity. It's not like her music isn't bein' heard.

Daphne: What about Emma, Katie, and Jordan?

Valerie: Jordan is young, innocent, naieve, an excellent musician...and my son. X(

Mike: Shelia and Alex have no love lost for me, either. They're probably holdin' the girls to force my hand.

Carlita: They want you to give yourself away, Mr. Nesmith.

Mike: I know.

Davy: What do you mean, Mike?

Ursula: Michael, you're hiding something. You've been hiding something for years. You can reveal it now. We won't hurt you, and you know it.

Mike: But...

Micky: Come on, Mike...

Carlita: Mr. Nesmith, stop being more stubborn than the mules in the valley. We're all in the same boat now. We can help them, and I'll bet they could help US.

Ursula: Shelia will harm Emma, Katherine, and Jordan, and may already have hurt, killed, or corrupted Suzanna. Michael, you have nothing to lose by telling us why you've done all this.

(Mike just nods and goes over to a microphone and a bit of recording equipment. He picks up the microphone, turns on the equipment, pops in a small cassette, and waits.)

Mike: (in a familiar, smooth, gently twanged voice) Hello out there, everyone in Los Angelas County. Ready to hit some stacks of wax with ol' Papa Rio, your man of the afternoon hours? I'm gonna take you through your workday at First National, land of the free, home of the music YOU want to hear. Ol' Papa Rio's going to make the sun shine on this gloomy mid-day with the help of Katerina and the Waves. (He puts on a CD and turns to the others with a small smile)

Ursula: I knew it was you, Michael.

Mike: Yeah, Urse, it's me.

Micky: *grins* I thought that voice had a familiar twang to it. ;)

Carlita: (Crosses her arms) I'm just amazed he kept it up THIS long. :p

Mike: I started First National Radio four years ago as a way of getting around Shelia's ban on the radio stations playin' any music she hasn't approved of. There were bands who were playin' some really great stuff, but their records weren't bein' promoted and their videos weren't bein' run because it wasn't what Shelia and Alex wanted people to hear.

Ursula: Why not use Magnetic South?

Mike: (Grins) I HAVE been. Where do you think all the equipment's and money for First National's been comin' from...not to mention the recordin' artists?

Micky: *grins* Mike, you sly dog, you! ;) :D

Mike: Shelia just thinks I'm buyin' up companies and releasin' records and videos. She doesn't know what the videos and records are really bein' used for. That's why I bought Galaxy Motion Pictures. I'm hopin' to expand Magnetic South's video market and start a First National Video channel, right under Shelia's nose. ;)

Kevin: Yeah, but we won't be able to if we keep losing equipment and personnel.

Mike: (Looks up at Valerie and Lauren) Did you guys organize your part of the dinner the other night? That was fairly brilliant. ;)

Valerie: We came up with ideas, but Emma deserves a lot of the credit.

Lauren: Yeah. ;)

Mike: That was Em's idea?

Carlita: Your old woman?

Mike: Don't EVER call her that. X(

Ursula: Michael, Emma's been leading our rebellion against Shelia for several years now.

Lauren: *grins* Em's been doing a great job, too!

Mike: (Makes a face) She says she hates gettin' into trouble, and what does she do? Gets into trouble. :p

Ursula: Michael, you've underestimated your wife.

Mike: (Turns away, his face unreadable) She ain't my wife anymore.

Ursula: Have you signed those divorce papers?

Mike: No.

Ursula: She's still your wife.

Mike: I wanted her to stay home. I wanted her to watch the kids and write her books. I know that's what she always wanted, to be able to write.

Ursula: Michael, she loves you, and she wants Katherine and the boys to be happy.

Mike: (Roars) I WANT HER TO BE SAFE!

Ursula: What's good is her safety if her children aren't safe...or if those she loves aren't happy? She thinks you abandoned her, that you don't care about her or the children anymore.

Mike: I never wanted to, but I thought, with everything going on, it would be for the best. She'd never know about my activities, and they'd never try to hurt her or the kids because of me and First National. (Growls) But it seems I was wrong, doesn't it? They've taken her and Katie anyway. Thank god the boys are taking their usual two weeks during the summer with their grandparents in New Jersey.

Carlita: Shelia's up to somethin' weird, Mr. Nesmith.

Mike: Yeah. There's gotta be a reason she grabbed Em and the kids and uppped these raids.

Valerie: What about my son? My boys and my business are all I have! :(

Carlita: Mrs. Thorkleson, we'll get your boy out, too.

Mike: (Raises an eyebrow) Thorkleson?

Valerie: (Sighs) I don't want the boys to know he's alive...or, I didn't. It would be too hard to explain, especially to poor Jordan. Jordan's so sweet and gentle and kind, so much like his father was... (she stares at her drink, frowning :( )

Mike: I'm gonna fix that too, Val. I'm gonna fix everything.

Davy: You won't be able to fix ANYTHIN' if we don't make some kind of a plan.

Micky: Exactly.

Mike: (Turns to Micky) Mick, there's somethin' I was wonderin'. How DID you get out of whatever Shelia and Alex did to you? Last time I talked to you, you were working for them, and quite happily, too.

Micky: *looks downward* I WAS working for them under their power for a little while. *slight grin* When I started coming to my senses, Alex called for more drugs, but he made the mistake of leaving it to one of his robots. All the robot had to do was make me drink it. I took the cup and flung it back at the robot. *full grin* That robot made some beautiful fireworks while it was shorting out. *grin faulters* After that, I played the double spy game. I wanted everyone to think I was still under their control, but I was passing information about their goings-on to Davy and Lauren. It finally came to a head after the dinner. I was trying to get Davy...our Davy...out of the Network, but Alex had changed all of my programming. They caught me trying to free Dave and relearn my own programming. :P :(

Mike: (Narrows his eyes) Davy's in "The Network?" (Looks at the younger Davy)

Davy: Yours is. I'm taking his place until we can get 'im out.

Daphne: Same here. They've kidnapped my...Davy's wife, too.

Micky: Well, yes and no. Dave's in what's called the "safe haven." He isn't actually IN the Network, and won't be as long as Alex doesn't figure out the programming.

Mike: We knew Alex was trafficing in some major drugs, but we didn't know it was that bad. :p

Micky: *nods* It's bad. :P

Carlita: There's tons of illegal, barely legal, and legal but hard stuff going in and out of there every day, according to the people we have on "the inside." :p

Valerie: (Puts a hand on her chest) That's what I've felt, why I always feel woozy in the morning. They've been drugging Peter.

Micky: *shakes his head* You name it and I've seen it go through there. :P

Mike: (Growls) THAT'S how they've been controllin' him, and how they so radically changed his personallity. Even Shelia's seducin' tricks ain't that quick. :p X(

Micky: *sighs* Everyday, first thing in the morning.

Mike: (Pounds his fist on the console) GOD DAMN THAT ASSHOLE AND HIS CHEMICAL OBSESSION! X(

Micky: Pete's still in there, Mike. He brightened up just hearing Val's name.

Valerie: (Nods) When I saw him at the dinner, he seemed almost normal. He wants to return to his old life, but Alex won't let him. That asshole doesn't have any children. He doesn't know how badly Jordan and Austin miss having a father, miss THEIR father...and how much I miss their father. Every morning, I wake up hoping he'll be next to me in bed, or downstairs drinking his tea and reading the paper, ready to play with the boys and give me a kiss before I go to work.

Mike: Do you think I don't miss my family, Val? I'm not that much of a cold, hard bastard.

Davy: We've got to get to that concert. That seems to be where all this is heading.

Mike: (Nods and presses buttons; a huge holographic map of Shelia's elaborate Spanish-style mansion shows up on the table in the center of the room; Mike points to a huge stage in the back of the mansion an empty field) Ok, that's where the Festival's bein' held. We'll have to round up all the forces we have left. We'll split the groups. One will handle the security force in the crowd and around the ticket booths, one will go backstage, and two will invade the inside and rescue Peter and the other captives. Micky can take anyone he'll need to help him break into "The Network" and try to get our people outta there.

(Davy and Daphne just gape at the holograph in awe. :o )

Mike: What are you two lookin' at?

Davy: We...we...

Daphne: ...Don't have anything like that where we come from! :o

Mike: Most people don't. Latest technology. Gotta hand those Japanese, they know their machines. ;)

*Micky whistles appreciatively.* ;) :D

Lucas: What about you, Mr. Nesmith?

Mike: (Grins) "Rio's" gonna make a special entrance. ;)

Valerie: What about the kids?

Mike: They'll stay here with the rest of my staff. Most of the regular Bar N personnel have no connection to First National or Magnetic South. They'll keep an eye on the kids, and if they don't, the security system and the dogs will.

Carlita: Shelia knows about this place, but not what it REALLY is. ;)

Mike: The kids will stay here until after the concert.

Davy: Why don't we enlist at least the twins? They're darn good fightahs, and they were supposed to play at the Festival anyway.

Micky: *nods* They can get around the Festival grounds and see what's going on.

Micky: *grins* Besides, Mick can help me with re-hacking into the Network. ;)

Mike: But they're just teenagers...

Daphne: Not from what I've seen. ;)

Lauren: Mike, trust me, they are NOT "just teenagers." Like Micky said, Mick can help with the computers. Shelly can help us in some manner, even if just for distraction. ;)

Ursula: Michael, all of the children have been training and sparring with their...abilities, even Maryann. I think they could be quite useful.

Mike: Ok, we'll bring the twins along, but (looks at Micky and Lauren) they're YOUR responsibility. I seem to remember they could be pretty wild when they were younger. :p

Micky: *slight smirk* No problem, Mike. Matter of fact, I bet they'll even amaze you. ;)

Mike: They must be damn good little buggers, then. ;) :p

Ursula: Of course they are. They were trained by the best. ;)

Lauren: That's putting it mildly. ;)

Mike: (Sighs as everyone chuckles) Ok, ok, let's gather around the ol' table and discuss this little concert we're gonna be takin' part in. (Grins) We're gonna show Shelia the TRUE power of music. ;)

(Fade out on the group gathering around the table in the center of the elaborate barn; fade in on Shelia's mansion. We see robots leading men and women down the hall in chains, half-naked and with shaved heads. Other robots are pushing along people who are still dressed and protesting loudly. Alex is walking down the hall with a smirk on his face. He's quickly joined by one of the robot guards.)

Alex: Isn't this wonderful? *motions to the line of people* ;)

Robot Guard: The last raids were very well-done. You and Miss London were quite brilliant. (Nods towards one of the rooms) The prisoners taken from Magnetic South Headquarters are in the computer room and ready to be questioned and stored, sir. And Miss London is in her room. You said you had urgent business with her.

Alex: *nods* Right. I need to speak with her about...matters.

Robot Guard: What of the boy and the girl who were apprehended in the mall? Their cages are in the Conservatory, and they remain animals.

Alex: *shakes his head* Let them stay in the Conservatory for now. I have plans for them for later.

Robot Guard: Very good, sir. Will you be needing help with the prisoners in the Computer Room?

Alex: *smirks* No, I'll take care of them. ;) >:)

Robot Guard: Very well, sir. (He walks off, and Alex heads into the Computer Room. Two men and two women are bound with silk scarves in the closet. All are in their underwear, and all have shaved heads. One distinctly looks like the receptionist in the Magnetic South lobby when the kids had their tour a few days before)

Alex: *still smirking* Well, well. >:)

(The men growl; the women squeal. :p :o )

Alex: Oh, I DO love those sounds. ;) However, I can't get any answers when my captives can't speak. *removes all of their gags* That makes things easier.

Woman 1: What do you want with us?

Man 2: We didn't do anything wrong!

Woman 2: I've got to get home to my kids!

Alex: Yes, you did do something wrong. You don't work for Trinity. *smirks* Poor career choice.

Man 2: Magnetic South pays better. ;)

Alex: *snorts* I find that hard to believe. :P

Woman 1: Look, buddy, we don't know anything. We just work at Magnetic South's main office. We're not rebels or Imperials or Dungeons or Dragons or whatever. :p

Alex: Really? You're awfully quick on ixnaying any reason for why I've brought you in here. *pulls a chair over and sits on it backwards* Seems to me you actually DO know something.

Man 2: I'm just an accountant, not Han Solo.

Woman 1: All I do is run the main reception desk. :p

Alex: You're making this a lot harder than it should be. You could just be helpful and give me a little information. I'll have to get it from you myself now. *gets up, rolls the chair away, and goes over to the first woman; kneels next to her* Looks like I'm just gonna have to read your soul instead. ;) >:)

Woman 1: (As Alex presses his hand on her chest) What are you...(sucks in a breath)...oww, god damn it, that HURTS. :p X(

Man 2: Hey, what's going on? :p

Alex: Hmmm. Figures. "Rio" got away AGAIN. *makes a face; pauses* He has a plan for the concert... :P

Woman 1: (As Alex moves his hand) Feels like I have heartburn...

Man 2: Is there any Tums in the house? ;)

Woman 1: Not amusing. :p

*Alex glares at the second man.* :P

Alex: You don't really know what's planned for the concert. I'm willing to bet, though, that he'll try to nudge out Trinity's bands. :P

Woman 1: I wouldn't know. I was planning on watching the concert at home myself.

Woman 2: (Small whimper as Alex moves his fingers from her and stands) What are you going to do with us now? :(

Alex: I'm going to add you to the Network. I'm making quite the collection in there. ;)

Man 2: No!

Woman 2: You can't! My kids NEED me!

Woman 1: We haven't done anything to you!

Alex: *shrugs* Maybe not personally, but you work for the enemy. That alone is enough reason for you to go into the Network. *goes over the console and begins typing*

Woman 2: Please, I'm a single mother! My kids need me!

Woman 1: I've got to get home and get dinner in the oven!

Man 2: I've got a big meeting tomorrow!

Man 1: You can't do this!

Alex: Does it look like I care? *finishes typing and the machine begins to hum; turns and waves, smirking* Bye bye. ;) >:)

(As with before, we have screaming, then humming, the screaming fades and dies, there's a blackout, a ding, and the lights go back on. Alex leans back with a satisfied smirk. The closet opens, now empty.)

Alex: I love it. >:)

(Alex gets up and walks down the hall. He stops at another room.)

Shelia: (Off-camera voiceover) It's open. Come in.

*Alex enters the room, closing the door after him.*

(The room is a large office, done in heavy walnut pannelling, with an excellent view of the gardens and the outdoor stage. The shelves are laden with thick, old books, and the antique desk holds a very modern computer, printer, and electric typewriter. Shelia turns to Alex with a smirk.)

Shelia: I have taken over the main offices of Headquarters and Magnetic South, and raided two more First National studios. ;)

Alex: *nods* Excellent. I added a few more souls to the Network. ;)

Shelia: There's plenty more for you to play with, along with others who would make excellent slaves. (Smirks) And that doesn't count all of the Headquarters and Magnetic South artists who are going to get a rude awakening in a few days. ;)

Alex: *smirks deeply* Fabulous. >:) ;)

Shelia: The moment the rest of the artists from Headquarters and Magnetic South arrive, they're going to be sent straight to the Network and replaced with Trinity artists. We'll be the only ones heard at the Festival, and the world will know who truly owns the creative mind. ;)

Alex: Of course. ;)

Shelia: As for "Rio" (smirks)...how are the Scholar and her daughter fairing? And the young Bard? Has he seen his father yet? I want Peter to corrupt the boy and begin his training as soon as possible. We'll use all four of them to trap "Rio" onstage...and in front of the cameras for a world-wide audience. ;) >:)

Alex: No, the boy hasn't seen his father. The Scholar and her daughter are just fine. Right now, they're staying out of the way. *nods* It's an excellent idea, using the women to lure "Rio." So glad I thought of it. ;) >:)

Shelia: He's still in love with the Scholar? I thought they were divorcing. :p

Alex: He definitely still harbors feelings for her. *smirks*

Shelia: He won't after I get my hands on him. :p

Alex: Your hands? I wouldn't mind getting MY hands on him. :P

Shelia: Oh, but he's mine, Alex. I've wanted him in my bed for five hundred years, and I'm going to get him there and keep him there. :p X(

Alex: *shakes his head* I don't think so, Shelia. I'M taking over this operation. You've outlived your usefulness. >:)

Shelia: (Stands aruptly and pulls back) WHAT? Alex, now, come on. I CREATED you! I'm the DEVIL! You can't run Trinity! You have no head for business! You'll run it into the ground! :p :o X(

Alex: That's what you think. I'll show you what I can do. *concentrates on her; a black light appears, then fades, leaving behind a red-haired doll in a minature business suit smiling stupidly up at him* Sorry, MILADY, but I'M in charge now. >:)

*Alex tucks the doll under his arm and heads out of the room, down the hall once again. He stops back into the computer room, where he puts the doll in the closet. He goes over to the console and begins to type. The machine goes through the steps. When the lights come back on, the closet is empty.*

Alex: *smirks getting up* That's one less worry. >:) *heads back out into the hall*

(Cut to a large room filled with flowers, trees and plants, surrounded entirely by glass windows. Three animals lay in cages. The red setter puppy whimpers the moment Alex enters, but the female baby wolf and the large, plump, older female bear with the loose, curling fur growl. The bear takes a swipe at him with her long claws. X( :o )

Alex: *to the bear* Oh, knock it off! :P *goes over to the puppy*

(The puppy whimpers and pulls back. The wolf roars as loudly as she can and leans out of the cage, trying to claw Alex.)

Alex: You two just wait your turn. Right now, I need the boy human. *concentrates on the puppy; there's a black light, and Jordan returns to normal*

Jordan: (Pulls back) What are you going to do to me? (Looks at the bear and the wolf) What are you going to do to them? Are you going to hurt them or put them in (gulps) "The Network?" :o :(

Alex: No, I have other plans for them, but I need you first. I have someone here who'd like to see you, and I'm sure vice versa.

Jordan: Who? Not (gulps hard again) Shelia? :o :(

(The bear and the wolf roar again; the wolf tries to reach for Jordan. :( X( )

Alex: *shaes his head* No, not Shelia. She won't be seeing ANYONE for a while. Come with me, boy. I'll take you to him. ;)

Jordan: You promise not to hurt Katie and the bear?

Alex: They'll be just fine. >:)

Jordan: (Sighs with relief) Oh, thank goodness! :)

(Katie makes a face; she doesn't believe Alex. The bear doesn't, either. :p )

Alex: Follow me, then. *motions for Jordan to follow as he heads for the door*

(Jordan follows Alex down the hallway and out the door, to the gardens and the stage in the back of the house seen earlier. Peter stands on the stage alone, singing and playing "Shades of Gray." Jordan's eyes widen in shock as he watches his long-lost father sing and play the meloncholy ballad.)

Jordan: You...you're... :o

Alex: *smirks* Your father.

Jordan: But how? He's dead! Mom told me and Austin! :o

Alex: Look at him. Does he look dead? *smirks* He's been with us the whole time.

(The song ends, and Peter looks down...and his eyes go just as wide as Jordan's. He quickly puts his bass down and runs to the stage.)

Peter: Where did he come from, Alex?

Alex: I brought him here. *smirks* I thought you two would like to see each other. >:)

Peter: (Lifts Jordan's chin sharply) You've grown, son. You got my looks, but your mother's hair and height.

Alex: *makes a bit of a face* I'll be...not in this room. *heads quickly out the door, smirking once again* ;)

Jordan: Dad...

Peter: What has your mother told you about me, Jordan?

Jordan: She...she said you were dead. :(

Peter: She obviously lied. I'm as alive as I've ever been. (Smirks) Has Ursula begun your training?

Jordan: *nods* Yes, she has.

Peter: We'll have to re-train you. I'm sure she hasn't taught you anything you'll need to know to be the third Devil-in-command. ;) >:)

Jordan: *eyes widen* De...devil? :-O

Peter: Didn't you know, Jordan? Shelia is stepping down as head devil. Alex is taking over, and I'm his right-hand-man. (Frowns) Your aura is strange. It's frightened, but something else...like you're in love.

Jordan: *blushes* Ma...maybe. :">

Peter: (Grins) Who's the lucky girl?

Jordan: *small voice* Katie. :)

Peter: (Frowns) The daughter of Michael Nesmith?

*Jordan nods.*

Peter: (Grins wickedly) Well, this IS quite interesting. We'll have to discuss that, too. ;) (Puts his arm around Jordan) Why don't you come with your old man to catch up on lost time, and tell me more about your mother and brother and Headquarters and your love for Michael Nesmith's daughter? ;)

Jordan: *unsure* Okay.

(The two walk back towards the mansion together, Peter talking more than the worried Jordan.)