Is everyone ready for this month's story?

Mike: Yeah.

Peter: Sure! :)

Micky: Why not? Couldn't be as bad as last month's.

Davy: Don't say that, mate. :P

*We open two months after the last story, just a few days after Labor Day. The guys and Lauren are in Micky and Lauren's garage. Micky’s working on the junker he bought a while back.*

Mike: (He's inspecting the engine) Mick, I don't think there's much more we're gonna be able to do to make this hunk of junk run. :p

Micky: I'm telling ya, Mike, there's only a few tweaks I need to do to make this thing run!

Mike: On what planet?

Peter: Oh come on, Mike, I think we've done a great job! It looks much better than when Micky bought it.

Micky: Thank you, Peter.

Peter: Anytime, Mick.

Davy: Remembah wot it looked like? Anything was an improvement ovah that.

Micky: Very funny, Dave. :P

Davy: Always glad to make light of your mistakes, Mick.

*Micky growls, continuing to work on the car.*

Peter: Why don't we all take it for a test run?

Davy: *eyes widen* Are you kidding, mate?

Lauren: *rolls her eyes; she's been smart enough to keep quiet so far* Good grief.

Mike: Sorry, Mick. I promised Em I'd take her and Katie out to that new Italian place for dinner.

Micky: *raises an eyebrow* Is that a sudden engagement, Mike?

Mike: Hardly. Lauren knows. Em's been so weepy lately. I wanna cheer her up. She's even worse than she was when she was pregnant with Katie. Everythin's settin' her off.

Lauren: *nods* He's right. He's been wanting to do something for her for nearly a week now.

Micky: Fine, fine. *glances at Davy* I'm not inviting you. So there. :P

Davy: Wouldn't 'ave accepted the invitation anyway.

Micky: *turns to Lauren* Babe?

Lauren: *pauses* I know not what is going on in here.

Micky: Lauren! C'mon, babe! Come for a ride!

Lauren: Mick, don't make me choose. I'll go when it more closely resembles an actual car. :P

Micky: Thank for the vote of confidence, babe.

Lauren: *makes a "forget it" wave* I'm going to check on the kids. *heads into the house*

Davy: Did we just witness a fight 'ere?

Micky: Shut up, Dave. :P

Peter: (Puts an arm around Micky) I'm not doing anything this afternoon. Valerie took Jordan to get his hair cut and buy some new shoes, and they were going to meet me here afterwards. I'll go.

Micky: Thank you, Peter. I really appreciate this.

Davy: *grins* 'Ope you got life insurance, mates.

Peter: Aw Davy, we'll be fine! I'm sure the worst that will happen is we get a flat tire or something.

Davy: Worst? I say that's the least of the problems you could 'ave!

Mike: Peter, may I remind you this is the man who, just a few short months ago, shrunk us and gave himself multiple personalities?

Peter: Mike, he's not fooling around with the chemistry set anymore!

Davy: Wot's the difference?

Micky: *points to the door* Davy, out! You, too, Mike! I'm getting tired of you guys harrassing me!

Davy: Don't 'ave to ask me twice. I'll 'opefully see you fellas latah! *heads out of the garage*

Mike: (Sighs) Fine, Mick. We'll see you guys tomorrow. (Mutters) I hope. (He also heads out of the garage)

*Micky slams a wrench down, muttering something about stupid-heads.* X

Peter: (Frowns) I don't know why they won’t believe in you, Mick. I do.

Micky: At least somebody does. *sighs* I'm just about set. All I have to do is start it up. Would you do the honors of opening the garage door, Peter?

Peter: Sure! (He runs over to the door and shoves it open, then joins Micky) All set!

Micky: *slides behind the wheel* Ready?

Peter: (Slides next to him in the front passenger seat) Ready!

*Micky turns the key, and the engine roars to life! He grins widely.*

Peter: All RIGHT! See, Mike and Davy don't know what they're talking about!

Micky: It's time to make those boys jealous!

*Micky shifts the car into gear and pulls out of the garage, moving down the driveway and onto the street.*

(Micky turns on the radio, blasting "Sweet Young Thing" to all of Malibu Beach. They turn onto the freeway and then the highway, as we get a montage of the sights and sounds of driving in Southern California. The montage ends in the desert as the boys drive down the highway, through a small town.)

(As the boys get past the end of town, the car suddenly sputters and slows to a stop.)

Micky: What the heck? *Taps at the gas gauge, which is hovering around three-quarters full.*

Peter: Maybe it's the spark plugs.

Micky: It isn't the gas, I know that. *sighs* Guess we'll have to check it out.

Peter: Want me to help you?

Micky: Sure. Every little bit helps.

*As Micky and Peter reach for the door handles, the camera pans to a far shot of the car, stopped at the side of the road, just under a mile from the nearest building. Suddenly, the car explodes, engulfing the whole body in flames! As the camera closes in on the flames, we fade to a familiar big, black Mustang. Alex is in the driver's seat, arms folded over his chest, grinning. Sheila sits in the passenger seat with a pair of binoculars up to her eyes.*

Alex: Well?

Sheila: (Her eyes are wide) What did you DO?

Alex: *shrugs* Blew up the car. It's been a while since I last saw a good explosion.

Sheila: But...but...we NEED them! (Mutters) Even if it probably DID improve that god-awful car.

Alex: *rolls his eyes* Do you REALLY think I'd actually get rid of two perfectly good Guardians? Look again, okay?

Sheila: I don't see them.

Alex: Look at the screen. *turns on the video screen in the dash*

(The screen is primative, but it finally shows two dirty, ragged figures just crawling out of the wreckage of the car as police sirens are heard in the distance.)

Alex: See? Still moving...but easier to collect.

Sheila: Shall we collect them before the cops do?

Alex: Please.

(As the police cars make it to the smoking wreck, both crawling figures vanish in a soft, black light.)

Sheila: Where did you put them, our place in Arizona?

Alex: *nods* Naturally.

Sheila: I assume you have something in mind for them. (Smirks) I'm sure the handmaidens will appreciate having them there, and The Bard is quite lovely.

Alex: You know me too well, Milady. *smirks* And the Savage is quite lovely, too.

Sheila: You still want the two of them working for you, don't you?

Alex: Of course! They're perfect.

Sheila: Shall we...work...on them?

Alex: Most definitely. Should be a bit easier, considering how they looked moments ago.

Sheila: Let's go, then. I got out of a grueling meeting with my PPF vice-presidents an hour or so ago and I could use the amusement.

Alex: Right. *They disappear in a black light*

*We fade back in on the Dolenz house. Lauren watches the twins play while tending to Leah.*

(There's a knock on the door. Lauren goes to get it and finds Valerie and Jordan, Jordan now with a shorter hair-cut, on the other side.)

Valerie: Hi, Laur. Is Peter here? He told us to meet him here after we finished shopping.

Jordan: New hair! (Points to his head) New soes! (Points to the new sneakers on his toes)

Lauren: You look very handsome, Jordan. *to Valerie* Mick and Peter went to test drive that junker Mick found.

Valerie: They did? Mick actually got that thing running?

Lauren: He must have, otherwise he would've been back here muttering about it by now.

Valerie: I guess I'll wait here with you for them. (She indicates the children in the living room) Why don't you play with the twins, Jordan, while Mommy and Aunt Lauren talk?

Jordan: Ok! (He runs over to the twins)

Valerie: (Flops on the couch next to Lauren in her suit and heels) Whew! What a day! I had a meeting with the manager of one of my groups, then took Jordan for his hair cut and shopping. I'm beat. I'll tell Peter we can order out tonight.

Lauren: Sure looks like you deserve a night in. *frowns a bit* I've been thinking I might do a little something for Mick, maybe for supper. I kinda joined in on Mike and Davy's ragging about the car. I feel bad, but I just can't fathom that car actually running...

Valerie: (Sighs) I do feel bad for Micky sometimes. He works hard, and I know Mike and Davy tend to put down his efforts. (Shakes her head) On the other hand, he has done some pretty outrageous stuff...and that's just in the last few months.

Lauren: No kidding. *opens her mouth to say something but pauses, making a face; she sucks in a noisy breath* What the heck?

Valerie: (Gasps) Oh my GOD...what was THAT?

Jordan: (Groans) Owwie, Mama!

Shelly: Mommy! I don't feel good!

Little Mick: Me either! Feel yucky!

Lauren: *turns to Val again* You don't think...

Valerie: (Nods) Peter and Mick must have been in an accident. They really got put through the ringer, but they're not dead. I still feel Peter. He’s hurt, bloody, and woozy, but there.

Jordan: Daddy? Daddy ok?

Valerie: Um, yes, dear. He and Uncle Micky might have had some car problems.

Lauren: *mutters so only Val can hear* And I can feel Mick. He's also hurt, probably more than he'd admit...

*Leah lets out a loud wail.*

Valerie: Oh god...even little Leah...

Jordan: (Sniffs) I want Daddy, Mommy.

Lauren: Oh dear. *picks up Leah from the crib next to the couch; rocks her*

Little Mick: I still feel yucky!

Valerie: (Takes Jordan in her lap) I'm sure Daddy's fine, Jordan. He'll be home soon. You'll see.

Jordan: Don' feel good.

Valerie: (She's already blinking back tears) Oh Jordan...

Shelly: Mommy, when's Daddy coming home? *makes a sad little face*

Lauren: *frowns at Shelly's expression* Geez. I'm gonna start bawling any moment. (To her daughter) Daddy will be home soon, Shel.

(That's when the phone rings.)

Valerie: I'll take Leah for you, Lauren.

Lauren: Thanks. *lets Val take Leah, then goes to the phone* Hello?

(Jordan slides off his mother's lap and leans against her instead, sucking his thumb and looking upset. Valerie does her best to quiet Leah.)

Lauren: *into the phone* Yes. Yes, that's right.*pauses, listening; her face loses all color* Yes. I'm still here. Okay... *hangs up the phone, but doesn't move away from it, her back to Valerie & the kids*

Valerie: (Stands; Leah is still in her arms) Lauren? Lauren, is everything ok?

Jordan: Auntie?

*Lauren turns, shaking slightly. She wraps her arms around herself. Her expression seems to say everything.*

Valerie: (The tears spill over) Oh no, Lauren. Oh god, no.

*The twins frown at each other, wondering what's going on.*

(Jordan just goes to his aunt and wraps his arms around her leg, his eyes also filled with tears.)

Jordan: Sorry, Auntie.

Lauren: Can't be... *this time she does start bawling*

(Valerie puts her free arm around Lauren and joins her son in hugging her as we fade out on the women, little boy, and baby in the kitchen.)