Everyone ready to find out what's going on, and get some help from an...otherworldly...visitor? ;)

Peter: Huh?

Mike: Don't ask, Pete. I'm sure we don't wanna know. :p

Lauren: Come again?

Davy: What in the WORLD going on around here?

Katie: Unc! (Frowns at Micky) :(

Mike: Don't worry, cowgirl. We'll find out what's wrong with Uncle Micky.

*Micky peeks an eye open, looks around, and closes it again.* :P

(We open downstairs at the Pad. It's the next morning. Peter, Valerie, Mike, and Lauren are in the living room with an older man wearing a white jacket and stephascope. He's just leaning back into his black bag.)

Mike: Dr. Arnold, is he ok?

Dr. Arnold: (Nods) Well, he seems alright. There are no external injuries, as far as I can tell, and he responds to all of my tests. I would like to take him to the hospital, maybe for just a few more tests...

Mike: No. If there's nothin' wrong, he'd be better off here.

Lauren: But, Mike...

Dr. Arnold: Mrs. Dolenz, you're his closest reletive. What do you think?

Lauren: *looks at Micky, then glances at Mike; sighs* I don't know what to think. :P

Dr. Arnold: Why don't you call me back in a day or two? If nothing changes by then, we'll have to take him to the hospital.

(Mike makes a face, but Peter shakes his head.)

Lauren: *nods slightly; quietly* Okay.

Dr. Arnold: (Puts an arm on Lauren's shoulder) If there's the slightest change in his condition, call me. We'll help you any way we can.

Peter: Thank you, Doctor.

Valerie: Is there anything we can do?

Lauren: Anything at all?

Dr. Arnold: Just keep an eye on him. Keep him calm and comfortable in a quiet place. I'm afraid I can't tell you anything else, as I don't know what his condition is.

Lauren: Yes, doctor.

Dr. Arnold: (Hands her a piece of heavy paper) Here's my card. Call me if there's the slightest change, good or bad.

Lauren: *nods* Thank you.

(He heads out. The others stare at each other and Micky, no one knowing what to say.)

Valerie: Who will stay with Micky first, and who's gonna watch the kids?

Mike: Em and Davy have them out at the park now. Daph'

s out of town visiting her folks.

Lauren: Part of me wants to stay to watch Mick. The other part just wants to run away or something. :P

Mike: Lauren, why don't you get some rest before Em and Davy come back with the kids?

Lauren: Yeah, I could use it. *makes a face* Hopefully, I CAN get some rest.

Valerie: I've got to go home. (Rubs her now quite-large stomach) I've got to get some rest myself. I have a Headquarters board meeting later.

Peter: I'll go with you. I've got to stop by school to drop of my finals and my graduation papers, anyway.

Valerie: (Grins) Peter, I'm so proud of you for finishing school! :)

Mike: When's graduation? ;)

Peter: Next month, about a week before we leave for the summer tour Valerie's planned for us. :)

Mike: You know we'll all be there, buddy. ;)

Peter: I can't believe I did it! I actually finished, after two tries! :D

Valerie: I told you you could! :D

Lauren: You did great, Peter. :)

Peter: Thanks! :D

Valerie: (Makes a face) Um, Peter, why don't we head out? The little Tork says it's time to go home.

Peter: Oooh, did he kick? :D

Valerie: I don't know what he did, but it was saying "Mom, you need chocolate and to rest before work." ;)

*Lauren gives a half grin.* :)

Peter: We can do both! (Looks at Micky, his smile fading) Call us if there's any change, guys. Lauren... (takes her in a huge hug)

Lauren: Thank you, Peter. :)

Peter: You're welcome. I hope he's just taking a REEEELLLLYYY long nap! :)

Lauren: Me, too.

(Valerie and Peter finally head out as Mike pulls a chair up to Micky.)

Mike: Ok, darlin'. You go rest. (Faint crooked grin) That's an order from Papa Wolf! ;)

Lauren: *faint grin* Okay, Mike. *points to the downstairs room* Let me know if anything happens.

Mike: I will, darlin'. Don't worry. I'm sure everythin's gonna be fine. :)

Lauren: I hope so. *turns and goes into the bedroom, closing the door after her*

Mike: (Sighs and leans over Mick) Mick, you've gotta come out of this. You've just gotta. You're family, you know, even if you do act like a spaz sometimes and drive us all crazy and blow things up and turn me into a rabbit. Your kids need you, Mick. Your wife needs you. Lauren's heartbroken, man. She looks worse than I did after Phyllis announced she wanted to split...and that was the worst day of my life. (Picks up Black Beauty and strums her sadly) Man Mick, I wish life were like that fairy tale we came up with for the twins and your sisters a few weeks ago. I wish you could really just think nice thoughts and play a song and make things come back to life. (Sighs and strums Black Beauty) Maybe...

(Mike plays a quiet "Don't Wait For Me" in a slow performance montage. Micky remains as still as ever when the song ends.)

Mike: (Sighs) Guess not. I should know better than to believe that fairy tale shit. That's only stories.

*Suddenly, there's a sniff from the door to the veranda, followed by an extremely familiar voice.*

Familiar Voice: That was so BEAUTIFUL! :(( :( ;)

Mike: (Frowns) What? Mick? (Inspects Micky...but he neither moves nor speaks) Ok, this is really weird. I thought we got rid of all the clones! We ain't seen Alex in ages! :p

Voice: Yoo hoo? Over here, by the door! Yeesh! :P 8-|

Mike: (Peers out from around the chair...and turns right back. Then turns back around. Micky...or someone LIKE Micky...is standing in the front door, backed by a bright light. This Micky, however, has wavy hair instead of curly.)

Mike: Mick...or whoever you are....what's going on? (Rubs his eyes) I knew I shouldn't have had that last orange that had been in the fridge a while... :p

Man: *grins* The name's Emilio, and simply put, I'm a robot. *makes a face* The others didn't tell you about me? Geez... :P

Mike: (Eyes widen) You're...THE...robot? The one those aliens created from Micky? I've heard of you, but I wasn't around at the time. I was gettin' my tonsils out. :p :o

Emilio: *grins* Oh, good, they did tell you! *comes in, closing the door behind him; crosses over to Mike; motions to Micky* What's going on? :-/

Mike: We ain't too sure. He suddenly appeared on the Pad's doorstep last night. There isn't a scratch on him and he's breathin' normally, but he won't wake up. The doctor's just as baffled as we are.

Emilio: *shakes his head* Man, that stinks. *leans over and places a hand to different parts of Micky's face* Weird. There's really nothing wrong with him. *straightens and folds his arms* I've never seen anything like this before, and I've seen a LOT for only being around for what you would call just a few years. :P

Mike: Where did you go after you left here, anyway, and what happened to the folks who created you? The guys mentioned you were goin' back to Zlotnick, or somethin'...

Emilio: I did go back to Zlotnick and my... *sighs* little blender. *makes a face* Touchy subject. Don't ask. I'm not really sure what happened to my creators. *shrugs* I haven't seen them since I left for Zlotnick.

Mike: Blender? /:)

Emilio: *sighs* Yeah. *shakes his head* Long story, there. :P

Mike: (Shrugs) Yeah. (Sighs) Mick's married now. Has a wife and kids. We've kept this from the kids, but his wife is scared to death and heartbroken. She adores him, and he adores her. In fact, we're all married now. Peter, the sweet blond guy, has a kid coming, and Davy, the little guy with the accent, is engaged to a nice girl.

Emilio: Well, that's great you've all found that special someone. *smiles; pauses* Micky's wife...is she here?

Mike: Yeah. She's restin'. (Indicates the downstairs bedroom)

Emilio: *nods* You said the kids don't know. Are they little?

Mike: Two years, and my wife and I have a year-old daughter. Micky's kids are fraternal twins, girl and boy.

Emilio: Geez. *pauses* I may have an idea to help you out with the kids.

Mike: Yes?

Emilio: What if I stand in as Micky?

Mike: I dunno. The guys told me you can't get wet, and the twins are pretty rambunctious...and how are we gonna explain your hair, not to mention Micky still layin' on the couch like that? (Indicates Micky on the couch)

Emilio: True, I can't get wet, but I think I can skirt my way around that. As for the hair, I seem to recall from the info I got from Micky that it used to take him about an hour to get his hair like this, so it's possible. *looks at Micky* Isn't there somewhere else he could stay, instead of out in the middle of everything, here?

Mike: Maybe we could keep him in the basement guest room. Daphne and Davy are livin' in the downstairs room, and Em, Katie, and I are upstairs.

Emilio: That should be okay. I could take him down there. With what's going on with Micky, that you really don't need to deal with the kids trying to figure out what's going on, too, when even you don't know.

Mike: Yeah. (Sighs) Did the guys tell you about me?

Emilio: A little bit. I wasn't exactly "on their side" the whole time I was here. Then once we made friends, I left.

Mike: (Frowns) But you're ok now?

Emilio: Oh, yes, dare I say, even better than when I left. Zlotnick offers fantastic education. ;)

Mike: Good. We're doin' pretty well, too. Pete's wife finally cut us a deal to make an album, and we're going to go on tour at the end of next month (gulps; softly) I hope.

Emilio: *puts a hand on Mike's shoulder* I have a pretty good feeling everything will work out. *looks at Micky, then back at Mike* I know it isn't looking too great at the moment, but let's just say I have a "gut" feeling.

Mike: How connected are you to Micky, anyway? You are a clone, and you're not the only clone we've had contact with. (Makes a face) And I'm just glad you seem to be more pleasant than some of them. You ain't put a leash on me and dragged me around like a dog and you ain't gone after any of the girls. ;) :p

Emilio: *eyes widen slightly* I know that I do have a connection to Micky It hasn't been very strong, though. I came here because I sensed danger of some sort, but not what it was. I've had a few minor inklings in the past, but those were only brief. *smiles* I'm glad you find me rather pleasant, as I'm sure the others didn't feel that way about me at first, trying to kidnap them and everything. As for the last part you mentioned...that's very strange, and I don't even know any of the girls.

Mike: Trust me, you don't wanna know. Let's just say your creators ain't the only weird villians we've had encounters with. You'll probably meet Lauren shortly, and Em and Davy should be back with the twins soon.

Emilio: I'll take your word for it. ;)

*The downstairs bedroom door opens. Lauren steps out.*

Lauren: Mike, what're you doing out here? I can hear you talking in there... *pauses, spotting Emilio; she blinks and her jaw hangs open slightly, but doesn't say anything*

Mike: Hi, Lauren. Seems we have ourselves a visior.

Lauren: What...huh...how? *just looks confused* :-/

Mike: Mr, um, Robot, this is Micky's beloved wife, Lauren. Lauren, this is...um...(frowns) do you even have a name, other than "that robot clone of Micky?" ;)

Emilio: *laughs* It's Emilio. *shrugs* ;)

Lauren: You're the robot?! :-O

Mike: (Sighs) So he says. He ain't tried killin' us or puttin' me on a leash, so he ain't Alex.

Emilio: Okay, here's a little piece of proof that I am the robot. *opens the front trap door revealing the mechanics inside* How's this? ;)

Lauren: Wow!

Mike: Wow, groovy! (Looks inside) Hey, maybe you ought to have that loose wire checked. I know a guy at Cardelli's who does great electrical work on machines... ;)

Emilio: *smirks* But that wire is what lets me keep Micky's personality. ;)

Lauren: *chuckles* Mick would appreciate that one. ;)

Mike: That explains everything. ;)

Emilio: Thank you. ;)

Mike: Should have asked Doc Arnold to check for a loose wire on Micky when he was here. ;)

Lauren: Mike... ;) :P

Mike: Lauren, Emilio and I had an idea. We thought he could subsitute for Micky around the twins until we can figure out what's going on with Mick.

Lauren: That would be a BIG help. It's bad enough dealing with whatever's wrong with Mick without also having to figure out how to explain it to the kids when even we don't understand.

Emilio: So, you approve, then?

Lauren: *nods* Yeah, I do. *pauses* One thing, though, Emilio...

Emilio: What would that be?

Lauren: Spoken Eenglish is not exactly one of Mick's strong points. You're speech is a bit more...intellectual than Mick's. ;)

Emilio: Oh. Sorry. I'm just so used to it. ;)

Lauren: *holds up an index finger* One other thing I seem to remember the guys mentioning. *goes over and picks up the telephone; brings it back over* What's this?

Emilio: *looks at it warily* The...telephone?

Lauren: *smiles* Yeah, that's right. The guys had mentioned you thought this was a kitty, initially.

Mike: A KITTY? ;)

Emilio: *shrugs* I didn't know any better! I was programmed with culture from my creators, too! Fortunately, Zlotnick's culture is a lot like here. Of course, most of it is based on things seen on tv. ;)

Lauren: So you're okay with the guitar too, then?

Emilio: They also fixed my sound sensors on Zlotnick. The sound doesn't hurt them anymore. :)

Mike: You did seem to appreciate my song. (Grins) I'm glad you liked it. It’s one of my newer ones. :)

Emilio: Yes, I like it a lot!

Mike: (Looks at Micky sadly) I just wish Mick coulda heard it... :(

Micky: *shifts slightly; muttering* No more...bad...no hurting...

Lauren: *eyes widen* Mick's muttering again!

Emilio: Again?

Mike: Oh man! (Takes Micky's hand and rubs it) Mick, are you ok? (Looks up at Emilio) He did this once last night!

Emilio: Quick, let me take his hand! *moves next to Mike*

*Emilio takes Micky's hand from Mike and holds it, concentrating.*

Mike: Can you feel somethin'? (Looks at Lauren) Lauren, how about you?

Lauren: Just the same "down in the pits" feeling I've had since this started.

Mike: What do you mean?

Lauren: Well, kinda like no hope. Or despair. Or...it's just really hard to explain...

Emilio: *interrupts* Wait. The link...is a bit stronger...I believe he's okay. His muttering seems to be more about his surroundings than anything else.

Mike: Oh man, where IS he? Can either of you tell?

Emilio: *concentrating harder* Almost got it... *eyes widen; pulls his hand away quickly; the metal is smoking slightly* Oh no!

Lauren: That isn't good, is it?

Mike: What's wrong? :o

Emilio: *fans his hand* Well, I can tell you where he is. I can also tell you that you're NOT going to like it. And this *motions to his smoking hand* is a sign that I got too close. :P

Lauren: Oh, dear. :P

Mike: What's he doin', smokin' somethin'? :p

Emilio: Worse. *pauses* He's in Hell.

Lauren: *blinks* What?

Mike: WHAT? :o X(

Emilio: Maybe not THE Hell, but A Hell, nonetheless.

Mike: He's done some seriously stupid shit, but he DOESN'T deserve to end up down THERE! How did THAT happen? He isn't even DEAD! X(

Emilio: *shakes his head* I don't know, I couldn't get close enough to find out.

Mike: We gotta figure out a way to get to him without the twins and Katie findin' out.

Lauren: And soon.

Mike: Why don't I take Mick into the basement bedroom? Maybe Emilio can work with him there until the others arrive.

Emilio: *nods* Sure, but let me take him down there.

Mike: I'll be right behind you.

Emilio: Okay. *stands and reaches under Mick; lifts him without effort* ;)

Lauren: Wow...

Mike: They built you solid. ;)

Emilio: *grins* Damn right. ;)

*Lauren's eyebrow raise.* ;)

Mike: (Mutters) Did they have to add ALL of Micky when they created him...including his ego? ;) :p

*Lauren snickers as they descend the stairs into the basement.* ;)

(Emma and Davy enter with the three kids a few minutes later. Davy has Shelly on his shoulders. Little Micky runs ahead. Katie is in a stroller.)

Emma: Hello, we're home!

Lauren: *smiles* Hi, guys. How was the park?

Emma: Fun. Tiring, but fun. I don't know how you keep up with the twins. :)

Lauren: Lots of caffeine. ;)

Davy: It was great! We 'ad a nice time on the swings, right, Shelly? (Looks up at the little girl) :D

Shelly: Swings fun! :D

Davy: I got to push 'er, and then 'er brother tried to push 'er.

Emma: And got a nice little lump on his head. He seems to be ok, though. :p

Katie: Yay! (Waves at Lauren) Aun'! :D

Emma: Katie had a great time trying to chase after the twins. She's really getting fast. ;)

Lauren: Oh, Mick! *he runs over and latches onto her leg, grinning up at her; she pats his head, then waves at Katie* Hi, Katie! :)

Katie: Hi! :D

Davy: She'll be fastah than them pretty soon. ;)

Emma: (Grins) If they're anything like their father, I wouldn't count on it. ;)

Lauren: *grins* Yeah, neither of them seemed to have inherited my slow little legs. ;)

Little Mick: Daddy! :D

Emma: (Frowns) Lauren, is Daddy still...sleeping?

Emilio: *as he and Mike come back up the stairs* I'm telling you, Mike, a pool table would fit GREAT down there! ;) *they appear from the doorway*

*Lauren rolls her eyes.* ;)

Mike: It won't FIT down there!

Emma: Micky! (Frowns) What did you do to your hair?

Davy: What's goin' on?

Emilio: *grins* I tried straightening it a little. *winks* Only took about an hour to do. ;)

Lauren: *nudges Emma and Dave* Ix-nay, guys. We'll explain when the kids aren't around.

Davy: Um, why don't you kids go into the downstaihs room wit' Katie and play a game or somethin'? We've got to talk to Mommy and...(pause, then) Daddy.

Mike: I know what's goin' on. I'll take them. (Picks up Little Micky) You ready for a ride, cowboy? ;)

Little Mick: Yeah! :D

Mike: You too, cowgirl?

Katie: Da! (Runs over to him; falls)

Mike: Of course, you too. Wouldn't go without my Katie. ;) :)

Shelly: Play game!

Mike: Yeah, we'll play a nice game, like Memory or somethin'. (He takes Katie's hand with his free hand; Shelly follows them)

Emma: (When the door is closed) Ok, guys, what's going on? Mick...if that IS you...are you ok?

Davy: Yeah, man, they wouldn't give me a lot of details this mornin'.

Lauren: Let’s put it this way. Dave, you remember that robot of Micky? *motions to Emilio; he smiles*

Davy: It's YOU? (Frowns) I thought you went back to your own planet?

Emma: YOU'RE the robot? :o

Emilio: I did for a little while, yes. And, yes, I'm the robot. I was able to get my feet turned around, too, before you ask, Davy. ;)

Davy: (Looks down) I was wonderin' about that. Feel bettah...or at least, a bit easier to walk now that you ain't runnin' into doors? ;)

Emilio: Even though I did make friends with quite a few doors that way, it is a LOT easier this way. ;)

Emma: What are you doing here?

Emilio: Well, I still have a connection to Micky, albeit not a very strong one, and I felt something very wrong. And...I was right.

Lauren: Emilio *motions to him* figured out WHERE Micky is, since he obviously isn't here with us.

Davy: Well, where IS he?

Emma: We tried for most of the night to somehow get through to him, and we heard him mutter a few words, but that's it.

Lauren: We heard him muttering again a little while ago. Emilio was able to get a stronger connection to Micky by holding his hand while he was muttering.

Emilio: He's in Hell. Maybe not THE Hell, but A Hell.

Emma: A Hell?

Davy: 'E's dead? :o :(

Emilio: *shakes his head* He isn't dead. I couldn't keep the connection long enough to get more details, but as far as I could tell, he's in a version of Hell. Whose, I don't know.

Emma: How did he get...well, down there?

Emilio: I don't know that, either.

Davy: Wasn't he supposed to be driving home last night before all this happened?

Lauren: Well, yes, he was, but the car is at the house.

Emma: How did it get there if he was supposed to be driving home?

Lauren: *puts her arms out* I don't know!

Emilio: *puts an arm around Lauren* There has to be more to this. There's something we're missing, and it's apparently a big piece to this puzzle.

Emma: I think it all revolves around what happened last night between Micky leaving the radio station and showing up on our doorstep.

Davy: Lauren, when was the last time you saw or heard from Micky or the car before Em and Mike called you?

Lauren: I had the radio on shortly before 11. I was listening to his show like I usually do. He was having a great time, a great show...

Emma: We listened to it, too. We always do, even if Mike sometimes complains about his choice of music. ;)

Davy: Did he call you before he left?

Lauren: No. He doesn't usually because he knows it'll wake up the twins. He learned that the hard way when he started there a few months ago.

Emma: We hadn't heard from him since yesterday morning's rehersal for the tour.

Lauren: The only person who would've seen him leaving the radio station would've been Jack. He comes on after Mick's show.

Emma: Has anyone called him? He is a friend of Mick's.

Lauren: I didn't think of him until now, actually.

Emma: We have to make a list of what we need to do. First of all, someone's got to watch the kids, and someone's got to try to get through to Micky.

Davy: Mike can stay with the kids for now. I can 'elp 'im if they get too rowdy. :)

Emilio: I'll try getting through to Micky. I already sort of got through to him, even if my hand did get singed in the process. :P ;)

Lauren: And I'll just worry. :P

Emma: You and Lauren can switch places later when the kids get hungry. Mike will stay with Katie. Lauren, you can help me make phone calls. It'll take your mind off...things.

Lauren: *nods* Okay.

Emma: Mike and Davy will go with Emilio to Lauren and Micky's house when it's time for the kids to have lunch.

Emma: I'll take your place later, so you can have some time with the kids and Emilio can come back here. (Puts an arm around her friend) Don't worry, Lauren. We'll figure this out.

Lauren: I hope so.

Davy: We've got to check out the car, too. Maybe there's somethin' there that'll tell us somethin'.

Emma: Someone might have seen it on the road, too. You don't see a purple Chevy Bel Air every day. ;)

Emilio: It sounds like a plan.

Davy: All right, then. Let's get crackin'.

(Emma goes downstairs with Lauren as Emilio and Davy go to see the kids and Mike. Micky is still muttering.)

Emma: How long has he been doing this?

Lauren: He'd quieted down when Emilio brought him down. He's been on and off with this since last night. After everyone else fell asleep, I couldn't, so everytime he started muttering I heard it. I pulled the pillow over my head at one point. It didn't help. :P

Emma: (Kneels beside him) I'll bet he's talking about...well, about wherever he is. I just wish we knew how he got there...(quietly) and how to get him out.

Lauren: Yeah. :(

(The two kneel down by the muttering, tossing Micky as we fade out.)