Everyone ready to finish this story?

Mike: God, please. :P

Peter: Yes.

Micky: I am.

Davy: Definitely.

(We open in the Pad. Emma's mixing batter in the kitchen. Lauren, Daphne, the little girls, and Robbie sit at the table, coloring and waiting for cupcakes. The guys jam in the living room while the twins, Katie, and Jordan play Candy Land. The counter alongside the stove is filled with flour, lemon juice, sugar, and two prepared muffin pans.)

Bob: Hey, everyone. Where's Valerie?

Emma: Feeding Austin.

Jordan: Takin' care of my little brother.

Peter: (Rubs Jordan's head) You love your new brother, don't you?

Jordan: (Nods) He's so little!

Bert: What happened with the cops after Belavarg and the devils vanished?

Mike: We answered a few questions, got the secretary calmed down, and left. (Makes a face) Belavarg seems to have jumped town. No one can find him. He's not at the country club, Dark Star Records, or the mansion.

Bob: What happened to Tommy and Bobby? Did you ever find them?

Emma: (Nods as she spoons batter into the muffin pans) Yes, we did. Lauren and Daphne let them out. They were among the men in the cages we found at Stella's apartment. (Makes a face) The cops raided Stella's apartment, too. Found more caged men, along with what was left of her chemistry set after we were there. Turns out Stella wasn't kidding about her age. Some of the potions found were centuries old...and her spell books went back even further.

Mike: And no Mick, you can't have her chemistry set. The cops confiscated it.

Micky: Damn.

Bert: What happened with those missing musicians?

Emma: (Sighs) As far as we can get from the police and the documents we found, Belavarg and Stella lured them with the promises of big contracts...then, once they'd get an album under their belt, would drain their energy. They didn't do this with everyone at Dark Star, obviously, just enough to sustain them...until Stella absorbed Alex's powers and got greedy.

Bert: How did she do that, anyway? She wasn't anywhere near that powerful before.

Emma: (Looks at Micky) She was great with that chemistry set. I imagine she'd be able to come up with something that would allow her to take Alex's energy without being overwhelmed.

Micky: *Nods* It's the only thing that makes sense.

Mike: She must have absorbed his powers when she took his energy.

Emma: And it mixed with whatever small powers she already had...and messed with her mind.

Peter: (Nods) There was something seriously wrong with her aura. It was kind of weird. Very strong, but there was something unnatural about it, as if it wasn't really hers.

Mike: She must have absorbed a lot of Alex's.

Peter: It must have really snapped her. She'd never experienced that kind of power before and had no idea of how to handle it.

Bert: How about the devils? Anyone seen them around?

Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Not at the moment. They haven't been available for comment, either. Probably went, ahem, down below to visit Sheila's "relatives."

Micky: Good for us.

Bob: Hey Micky, Davy, how are your shows coming? You looked like you had a great time in the park.

Micky: We did! The shows are fun...

Davy: Even though we have a fairly small draw.

Bert: You gonna keep doing the shows?

Davy: For now, at least.

Mike: I'm still peddlin' our sheet music 'round.

Peter: (Smiles) I didn't get a chance to tell you guys. I got an interview for an exclusive private school in LA. I'll be their English and music teacher and will probably coach baseball, too.

Mike: Pete, that's great!

Emma: (Slides the first pan of cupcakes in the oven) Congratulations, Peter!

Micky: Groovy, Big Peter!

Davy: That's fantastic, mate!

Peter: If I get the job, I'll be starting in the fall.

Emma: See? We knew something would come up for you.

Bob: What about you ladies?

Emma: (Shrugs) I'm still writing. I'm going to deliver what is now my expose on Dark Star Records' hiring practices early next week.

Peter: Valerie's still at Headquarters. They're doing quite well. Music's very popular.

Lauren: I'm still working with Mick at the radio station.

Bob: When's your show?

Bert: Hopefully late, when little ears can't hear the X-rated stuff.

Micky: Midnight. They gave us the sweet spot.

Lauren: They didn't like us at the earlier time, but so many people called in with positive comments that the station just decided to put us on later.

Bert: Don't you guys get bushed, working the late shift, then dealing with the kids?

Mike: I've been wondering about that. We have the twins and Leah a lot, but not all the time.

Lauren: Sometimes, yeah.

Micky: But we take turns, too, so some mornings Lauren sleeps in, and other mornings I sleep in.

Emma: (Slides the other pan into the oven; sighs) Mick, have you heard from the Bake-Off yet? It's at the end of next month!

Micky: *Sighs* I got a rejection letter. I think they said something like my submission was too weird. What do they know!?

Lauren: Then Mick called them to argue about it.

Micky: Talked to some guy who seemed to sound like he knew everything. *makes a face* Said he didn't think it sounded like "good eats." Whatever that means.

Mike: What DID you submit, Mick?

Micky: Liver and onion muffins with peas on the crown.

*Lauren slaps her forehead.*

Davy: Mick, that's disgusting, even for you!

Emma: (Smiles...but it's obviously fake) Sounds...interesting.

Mike: You actually sent that to a national bake-off and no one died?

Micky: O course I did!

Robbie: I likes peas!

Emma: Um, this is a lot different from your peas, Robbie.

Katie: I like peas if Mama makes them.

Mike: I don't eat peas. I'd eat the liver, but not in bread.

Micky: That guy I talked to sounded like a know-it-all.

Emma: It's very....creative...Mick. It just might not be what they're looking for.

Micky: I guess. Did you hear from them?

Emma: (Nods, grinning) I got mine two days ago. I'm in! They liked my Buttermilk Chocolate Cupcakes.

Micky: Congratulations, Em.

Emma: (Grins) The judges gave me a very long letter of congratulations. My goodness, someone goes on worse than Micky does!

Micky: *Frowns* The guy I talked to on the phone was long-winded.

Peter: So, who gets to go to the Bake-Off?

Emma: I have two free tickets. Mike's definitely going. (Turns to Lauren) Would you like to come, too? The others can watch the kids.

Valerie: We'll watch you on TV. The Bake-Off is usually televised.

Lauren: I'd love to!

Katie: Mama's gonna be on TV! Cool!

Robbie: Yay! (Claps)

Micky: *Sighs, then grins* Hey babe, weren't you gonna tell everyone something?

Lauren: I was getting to that. *Grins* I'm pregnant.

Mike: You're...what?

Peter: No wonder your aura's glowing like that. Congratulations.

Lauren: Thank you.

Emma: (Drops her dish cloth) Oh honey, that's WONDERFUL! (She gives Lauren a big hug) When's it due?

Katie: You're gonna have another baby?

Robbie: Baay-be!

Lauren: *Nods* Looks like I'm looking at February.

Emma: Do you know what the sex is yet?

Lauren: No, we're going to wait.

Micky: We decided to be surprised this time.

Mike: (Grins at Micky) See, Mick? Good things do come to those who wait.

Micky: Yeah, you're right, Mike.

Micky: It's just that the wait is incredibly difficult.

Emma: (As she pulls the first batch of cupcakes out of the oven) But it's worth it. You're going to have a beautiful child in nine months.

Peter: (Pats Little Mick's head) How do you guys feel?

Little Mick: Happy.

Shelly: Me too!

Peter: What about you, Little Miss Leah? You won't be the little one in the family anymore.

Leah: Me big sissa!

Peter: That's right! You're going to be the big girl now.

Katie: You're gonna be a big sister, jus' like me n' Shelly! I love bein' the big sister!

Robbie: N' I little!

Bob: Congratulations, Lauren.

Bert: Yeah.

Mike: (Nods) We all know you two have been tryin' to have another kid for months.

Lauren: Thanks, guys.

Bert: Sure.

Bob: Are you going to build the kid a new room, Mick?

Micky: I don't think so. We've got plenty of room left to just turn one into a nursery.

Emma: (As she frosts the cupcakes) Do you need anything? I still have a few of the kids' baby things left...

Mike: Um, Em, you never know...well, you never know when we might need those.

Emma: We'll see.

Lauren: Thanks, but no, we're all set.

Micky: *Sighs* Really wish I was going to that competition. *shakes his head* I've been gypped. I just know it.

Emma: Some people just don't go for creative cooking, Micky.

Mike: Yeah, most people don't enjoy havin' food poisonin' on national TV.

Micky: But I don't even get to go now.

Lauren: Mick, frankly, I think it'd be very dangerous for you to be there.

Emma: You can watch it on TV.

Micky: It's not the same!

Katie: You'll be with us! Us kids, n' Unca Davy n Auntie Daphne, n' all!

Micky: That's kinda like watching someone enjoying Christmas day on TV!

Emma: I think there's still tickets available at the box office if you want to go yourself. I only got two free tickets.

Mike: Aw, just spend the money and go, Mick. You'll get to spend time with Lauren and at least see the show closer than you would on TV.

Micky: I'm gonna! And I'm gonna find that guy I talked to on the phone.

Lauren: Just don't do anything stupid, Mick. It's a baking competition, for goodness sake.

Emma: Yeah, I don't want you messing with the judges. (She starts putting cupcakes on a plate)

Bob: So, where did you two come up with the idea for this story?

Emma: (Shrugs) We wanted a way to end the four-part Demon series on a more dramatic note than the last two stories and get rid of Stella. (Sets the plate on the table) Enjoy, folks. (Calls to the people in the living room) Cupcakes are served!

Mike: 'Bout time. (He grabs a napkin and a cupcake)

Peter: These smell really good! (He grabs a plate and a cupcake)

Emma: Thanks. They're a lemon recipe I'm trying.

*Micky grabs two, bringing one for Lauren. She kisses his cheek after he sits.*

Mike: Man, did you have to make me into a "dog" again? I hate that more than anythin'.

Emma: (Sighs) Belavarg still has that hold over you. It wasn't as heavy here, but you do tend to be a little more wolf-like when they're around.

Mike: Yeah, I want to jump on that jerk and tear him into shreds.

Peter: Micky, have you and Davy talked to Bobby and Tommy since the girls freed them?

Micky: Yeah, we did. They're okay. Weirded out, but they're okay.

Emma: (Shakes her head) Between problems with my internet and an attempt at a more complicated, darker story, a lot of this one came out really disjointed. I was looking forward to it and I kind of wish we did better, though we did kick rear with that great ending.

Mike: Don't be so hard on yourself. You got rid of Stella and Belavarg, which makes me happy.

Emma: No, I didn't get rid of her. Belavarg got rid of Stella.

Mike: (Between bites of cupcake) We've been over this, Em. You may not be Wonder Woman, but you have your Imagination Powers, you can wallop people over the head with that field hockey stick, you're a great writer, and your memory is better than anyone else's here except for Peter's.

Emma: But...I'm not strong. I'm not a wolf or an empath. I'm not...special.

Katie: You're special, Mama! You makes the best cupcakes!

Robbie: Yum!

Mike: You wrote that article, didn't you? You helped save all those men. You just made a Bake-Off that's gonna be on national TV!

Emma: (Sits next to Lauren and Micky) I don't understand why I didn't get extra powers, like Lauren and Daphne.

Peter: Valerie hasn't mentioned extra powers.

Emma: She has other things on her mind right now.

Peter: Emma, you may develop other powers later. For right now... (smiles gently) just try to accept what you've been given. You have some wonderful gifts, with or without extra powers.

Emma: (Blushes) Thank you.

Mike: You're a great wife and a great cook. (Finishes his cupcake) And you make the best cake.

Katie: You're m'mama! You're pretty an' strong, an' you write, an' you make good food!

Robbie: Mama! Likes Mama!

Emma: (Sighs) Thanks. (Turns to Lauren) How does it feel to be so strong, anyway? We've never really discussed yours or Daphne's new powers.

Lauren: *Shrugs* It's nice to know I have the strength, but I also have to take care to not accidentally use it on something that I don't need to, so it's kinda annoying, too.

Peter: (Nods) And I can't turn my auras off. I see them all the time, whether I want to or not. Power can be a blessing or a curse, Emma. We saw what happened to Stella when she gained powers she couldn't handle.

Emma: (Nods) She...snapped. Lost it.

Mike: Yeah. She ended up needin' more and more energy to be able to use all those new powers. It drove her stark ravin' mad. She even turned on Belavarg in the end.

Peter: And she attacked non-musicians in a very public place, something she's never really done before. The country club is members only, kind of exclusive.

Emma: You're all trying to say that power isn't everything.

Mike: And sometimes, it's too much to take.

Emma: Lauren...are you afraid of your new powers?

Lauren: A little, yeah.

Emma: I'm not...afraid of mine. Not that afraid, anyway, though we don't know entirely what our newer powers can do. I guess.. (shrugs) I'm just feeling left out.

Peter: Maybe Stella was, too. She couldn't do what Belavarg or the Devils could do.

Mike: And she wanted Alex in bed and probably couldn't have him until she calmed down all that damn energy of his.

Micky: *nods* That's what I'm thinking.

Peter: I wonder what exactly she made that absorbed Alex's energy? Any ideas, Mick?

Micky: I've been thinking about it. I have a few ideas, but I'm not exactly positive.

Mike: And we'll never know, if the cops got her chemistry set.

Micky: Which they did.

Peter: I wonder what happened to Belavarg? He just...vanished.

Mike: I hope he's in the sixth level of hell. Or at Sheila's family reunion in the same place.

Emma: I wonder how he got his claws on Sheila?

Mike: Promisin' her things, too, probably.

Emma: Yeah, but she's not that dumb. He must have put her under some kind of hex.

Peter: Or he was selling her something she wanted, just like he did to those musicians.

Emma: (Shrugs) We probably won't know until the next time we run into them. (Grins) And we will be running into them again this fall.

Mike: Damn. I was hopin' we'd seen the last of them for the decade.

Emma: It might get messy. We haven't really decided just how much yet.

Mike: Great.

Emma: Don't worry, guys. That's not until September. Our next two stories are both wholly comic. No death, darkness, or major damage to anyone. (Grins at Lauren)

Lauren: Thanks.

Emma: (Smiles as she gathers the now-empty cupcake platter) Man, you guys were hungry!

Mike: Your cupcakes always vanish, darlin'. They're the best.

Emma: Thanks. (She blushes, smiling)

Mike: And ya know? That's special enough. (He gives her a kiss on her cheek.)

Emma: Awwww....

Peter: (Smiles) Maybe we'd better fade out here. Valerie should be done with Austin soon, and the kids all need naps and quiet time.

Emma: (Nods) Yeah. (To the camera) We here at Dream World hope all our readers have a wonderful Father's Day!

Mike: (Waves) See ya next month, folks.

Micky: *Waves* Bye!

(Fade out as Emma, still blushing from the mounting praise, lifts the platter of cupcakes. The cupcakes are the last things we see before we fade out all together.)

(Fade in on the credits. "Do It In the Name Of Love" plays over scenes from the "production." We end with the Monkees and their families, including baby Austin, standing in the Pad's kitchen with the empty cupcake platter on the table and the worlds "A Raybert Production" over the platter.)