Ok, everyone ready to wrap this story up? :)
Mike: After what I went through in this story, you'd better believe it! :p
Lauren: Yeah!
Micky: You bet!
Peter: I'm ready. :)
Davy: Me too. :)
(We open in the living room at Micky and Lauren's house. Everyone but Mike and Emma sit on a blanket on the floor, playing with Onyx and the twins. Emma and Mike are huddled in each other's arms.)
Peter: He's so cute. (Scratches Onyx's head - he purrs) I'm glad you guys decided to keep him. :)
Micky: I had to keep him. :)
Lauren: So much for Onyx being for the twins. ;)
Davy: Mick'll let them play wit' 'im every once in a while, right? ;)
Micky: Of course I will! ;)
Lauren: Maybe once a week... ;)
*Micky sticks his tongue out.* :P
(Everyone chuckles, including the producers.)
Bert: Hi, kids. He IS a cute little fella, isn't he?
Davy: Guess you're not referin' to Mick. ;)
Micky: Hey?! :P
Peter: I'm so glad we saved them! It's a shame he can't remember much, but he's little. I don't think it would hurt him the way it hurt Marcovich.
Davy: It didn't really 'urt Marcovich that much, eithah. If you ask me, 'e's bettah off without 'is memory.
Lauren: One less evil villain to deal with. :)
Peter: Maybe he'll be able to lead a normal life, without all that scheming and spy stuff!
Bert: Speaking of evil villians, this story marked the return of one of the major antagonists of your earlier stories, Shelia Saunders. Is Shelia a permanent character now, or is this only temporary?
Emma: The guys aren't gonna like this, but she's here to stay. ;)
Mike: Oh, man... :p
Lauren: Sorry, fellas. ;)
Micky: Uhhhh...
Emma: Most of the major Monkees fanfic series have a main villian who pops up every few stories, such as The Mistress from Enola and Mich's "Secret and Lies," Zero in "Davy's Secret," and Jason Nesmith, the evil doubles, and Mara in "Power Monkees." (Grins) Lauren and I were so happy with how Shelia turned out in "Devil and Michael Nesmith" and "Nightmare Revolutions," we decided to retain her as our chief bad...person.
Bob: Where did you first get the idea for these stories?
Emma: The basic idea of the main story goes back as far as late summer 2004. It was one of the many ideas thrown out when Lauren and I decided we were enjoying writing the stories so much, we intended to continue them, but we had so many great plotlines by that point that this one got pushed back to January.
Lauren: That, & we're trying to get the doubles plots out of the way, so to speak. ;)
Emma: Yes. Our March story will be our LAST double-themed story for a LONG time, since we both think that plot's been done to death in the series.
Mike: Good. Do you know how scary it was to spend most of the story starin' into somethin' like your own face? :p
Lauren: *shakes her head* No. :P
Emma: Actually, I got the idea from a simple thought - Mike was the only Monkee who never had a double in the main storyline of the original show. I thought I'd give him one that WASN'T part of a group with other Monkee doubles, as in the first three times we had two versions of the guys.
Mike: So you guys decided I should have a double. Why couldn't you give me a gangster or a prince or somethin' a little closer to NORMAL than bein' torn in two? :p
Lauren: Where's the fun in that? ;)
Emma: I wanted to do something very original, different from what we'd done previously in the series...or what other people had done in fanfics.
Mike: Do you guys know how much that HURT, bein' split into two people? :p
Emma: Um, darling, yes, I do. I felt you being split. Our link, remember? :p
Mike: Oh, right.
Micky: Duh. ;)
Emma: Lauren and I also thought this would be a good time to further explore Mick's powers, too, hense "Freaky Monkees" and the animal rescues. :)
Micky: I loved that! :D
Mike: I owe all of you a couple on that. Your little tails got me out of at least two big jams.
Bob: Where did the idea for the body-switching warm-up come from?
Emma: Discussions on what sitcom plots could fit into our loony little world...and the book and films "Freaky Friday." ;)
Lauren: And our twisted little minds thinking it would be fun to see what it felt like. ;)
Mike: Wha?
Emma: I'll explain it to you later, sweetie. :)
Mike: Oh, ok.
Bert: How did it feel to play your other half, to become the other person, in the warm-up story?
Emma: Honey, you aren't very good at dropping the accent.
Mike: Darlin', that's how I talk! And what about you? You try to do your Texas accent in Texas, and they'll laugh you all the way to the Arizona border! :p
Davy: Try droppin' this accent sometime. :p
Peter: It was hard to be Valerie! She's so elegant and classy, and I'm...not.
Davy: I'll bet she 'ad a 'ard time doin' you, too, Petah. She ain't quite the 'ippie you are.
Micky: The only problem I had was having to look up at everyone.
Lauren: I didn't really have a problem. *grins* ;)
Davy: Me eithah, luv. ;)
Mike: I know the feelin', Mick. :p
Emma: Hey!
Bert: Emma's pregnancy. Emma and Mike, how does it feel to be expecting?
Emma: (Leans against Mike with a dreamy smile) Oh, man....
Mike: It's really groovy, Bert. :D
Emma: I can't believe we're going to have a little girl of our own. :)
Mike: I'm gonna have another little Scholar yellin' at me. ;)
Emma: Maybe she won't be as combative as we are, honey. :)
Mike: Not if she's comin' outta us. She'll probably be fightin' in the womb. ;)
Micky: No kidding. ;)
Bert: When's the little miss Nesmith due? :)
Emma: Late August.
Mike: (Frowns) How long were you pregnant before you finally went to the doctor?
Emma: (Mumbles) I've been feeling funny since the week between Christmas and New Year's.
Mike: And you only went to the doctor last MONTH?
Emma: I thought I was sick!
Mike: Why didn't you TELL me you were feelin' sick?
Emma: I didn't want you to worry!
Mike: Darlin', she's gonna be OUR kid! I think I have the right to worry about her!
*Micky rolls his eyes.* ;) :P
Peter: Oh, come on, guys, don't fight!
Davy: How's savin' for the Pad comin'?
Emma: It's getting there.
Mike: We can only put so much away, but we're hoping to have enough saved by the fall or early next year.
Emma: We really do love this place, but with all our other expenses, we can't save much a week.
Mike: (Sighs) Mick, you and Lauren are lucky.
Emma: You guys have this gorgeous house that you built yourself, and your children - including the fuzzy one - are beautiful and happy.
Micky: Ehhh, not really. I kinda have to keep working, or else. ;)
Mike: Yeah, but it's yours. You don't have to buy it from some crabby old busybody. :p
Emma: The Pad needs a thousand repairs, too.
Lauren: If Mick doesn't keep up with the architecture, Tony's threatened to build something to put Micky in that he won't be able to get out off. ;)
(Everyone chuckles at Lauren's comment. ;) )
Davy: I wanna see 'im do that. Mick can escape from anythin'. ;)
Micky: As much as I'd love to take the challenge, I've seen what Tony can do. I think I'd be in BIG trouble. :P
Bob: How's school coming, Peter and Micky? :)
Peter: I just started a couple of weeks ago. My classes are challenging, but I'm hoping to keep up with them and not fall behind and get low grades like I did when I went to college originally. :)
Micky: *grins* Great! I've only got two classes left...
Lauren: And if I remember correctly, Mick, I'm looking for the same classes. ;)
Bert: Going back to school too, huh, Lauren? :)
Micky: That could be a good thing or a bad thing...
Emma: You are?
Mike: Wanna keep it in the family, huh, darlin'? ;)
Lauren: *nods* You bet! I dunno, I've always kinda liked making things. It'll be fun & I'll get to work with Mick. *wraps an arm around him & grins*
Micky: Someone help me... ;)
(Everyone laughs again.)
Emma: I'm going to keep working at the Acme as long as I can. We need the money.
Mike: Yeah, Cardelli's willin' to let me make up havin' to take those days off when Shelia had me and give me some extra overtime.
Emma: (Rubs her stomach) I hope we're ready for this.
Mike: Darlin', no one's ready for anything. We've just gotta do the best we can. We'll be able to love her, that's much is true. :)
Micky: *grins* Now that's what I like to hear! :)
Emma: (Looks away; quietly) Which is more than that Devil Woman could do....
Mike: (Cuddles her gently) She really scared you, didn't she?
Emma: (Nods) She...she wanted to take my child from me after it was born...
Mike: We won't let her.
Emma: She did everything she could to make you turn away from me. She kept me mute so I couldn't tell you how I felt about you or try to turn you back. She blinded me and parlyzed my legs to keep me from leaving to warn the others.
Mike: (Gently runs his fingers across Emma's cheeks) And your hair and face...
Emma: (Voice trembles) She...she maimed me and wrecked my hair when you were trying to comfort me. She saw how interested you were in me and wanted to do her best to make you push me away. :(
Mike: (Holds Emma close to him) Don't get upset again, darlin'. I won't turn away. I could never love that woman, especially after what she's done to all of us. She really don't know the meanin' of love. All she can think about is gettin' me in bed. :p
Emma: (Gulps; smiles) Hey, everyone, are you hungry? I have a surprise in the stove. I brought them over and heated them up here. :) (Walks into the kitchen)
Micky: Thought I smelled food. ;)
Mike: (Watches the four on the floor cuddle the cat and the babies) She's still really scared. It took a week just to get her to quit bein' clingy.
Davy: Shelia really damaged Em's 'ead, she did. :p
Lauren: I can't say as I blame her.
Mike: She wants our kid. She wants our girl more than she wanted the twins before they were born, in some ways. Bet she still wants the twins, too. They've got innocent souls. So does Onyx.
Peter: (Holds Onyx) We won't let them get the twins OR the cat! :(
Micky: *flexes his arms* Not if I can help it! :P
Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Oh, please. ;) :P
Davy: (Holds Shelly in his lap; she plays with a little rag doll) Petah and I will 'elp any way we can, too. These kids don't deserve Shelia breathin' down their necks. Your little girl don't eithah, Mike. :p
Peter: That's right!
Mike: I think Shelia gave her those nightmares. She still has them, but they're not as intense or as often as they were a few weeks ago. She must have done it after I...the other me...put her to sleep.
Davy: Makes sense. Shelia wants Em to suffah.
Mike: I wish she'd get this whole jealousy business out of her bug-eyed head. I am NOT her former lover, and Em ain't the one who took him away! Maybe we ought to talk to Ursula about how she and Shelia met our ancestors and where our powers came from. Might help us understand things a bit better.
Lauren: Good idea. ;)
Emma: (Walks back in with a bowl of orangy-brown chips) Anyone want to try my new recipe for baked sweet potato chips? :)
Micky: ME! :D
Mike: I'm willin' to try anythin' once, darlin', and your stuff ain't killed us yet. ;)
Davy: (Hands Shelly over to her mother) 'Ey, Mick, get outta the way!
Peter: (Puts Onyx down) Wait for me!
Lauren: Oof! ;)
(Emma puts the bowl on the coffee table and returns to the couch. ;) )
Micky: *hands little Micky off to Lauren, who makes a face* Incoming!
Emma: Hand me a baby, Lauren. Unlike the menfolk, I'M willing to help. ;)
(The boys all dive for the chips at once. ;) )
Lauren: Thanks, Em. Here, you can take little Mick. I'll deal with Shel the hair grabber. ;)
Emma: Ok! (Takes little Mick, who's playing with a little plastic car. :) ))
(The guys all leap for the chips at once...and all four bonk heads together over the bowl. ;) )
Lauren: Smooth, guys. ;)
Emma: That was cute. (Emma tickles little Micky) Silly boys! They should be more careful when they grab chips! Aren't they silly boys? ;)
Emma: (Continues tickling the little boy) You're so cute.
Micky: *rubs his head* Man, someone's got a hard head! :P
Davy: (Rubs his head) I think I 'eard me teeth rattle! :p
Mike: (Rubs his head) Did someone get the license plate of that incoming head?
Peter: (Rubs his head) Ow! My hair may never feel the same again. :p
Emma: Well, if you'd have a little manners and go one at a time, instead of behaving like cavemen or the Three Stooges and grabbing everything at once, your heads wouldn't have lumps on them the size of Mount McKinley. :p
Mike: We have manners. I'm goin' first.
Peter: I'm the oldest. I should go first!
Davy: I'm the youngest!
Micky: I had kids first!
Lauren: Good grief. :P
Mike: What does THAT have to do with anything?
Micky: Well, um... I don't know. :P
Davy: I've been workin' wit' big animals and readin' my lines all day! I'm 'ungry! (Reaches in the chips bowl at the same time as Micky) Hey, I think I found a really BIG chip! :D
Peter: Oooh, where? :D
Micky: Hey, uh, Dave...?
(Davy pulls out his "big chip" and tries to bite it...but ends up biting Micky's fingers. ;) )
Micky: YOWWW!!
Davy: (Drops Micky's fingers and makes a face) 'Ey! You're not a chip! :p
Peter: Micky, I didn't know you were orange and had cinnamon on you!
Mike: He doesn't. He's just hungry. :p
Emma: (Rolls her eyes) Oh, good grief. I think little Micky is more mature than the lot of you. :p
*Micky sucks on his fingers where Davy bit it.* :P
Mike: (Crosses his arms) What do you mean?
Emma: The only thing you'll see HIM bite is his own fingers or a teething ring. :p
Emma: He wouldn't jump for a bowl of chips all at once, either. You know it isn't going anywhere!
Mike: The way Mick and Davy eat, yes it is. ;) :p
Peter: Yeah, it'll go in their tummies!
Davy: 'Ey!
*Mick is still sucking on his fingers.* :P
Bob: What was your favorite part of this story set?
Emma: Rejoining the two Mikes. :)
Mike: Bein' rejoined. :D
Peter: Saving the kitties! :D
Micky: Being an animal. :)
Lauren: Getting to beat up on Shelia! ;)
Mike: You're already an animal, Mick. ;)
Davy: 'Ey just added pointy eahs and a little more fuzz! ;)
Micky: *wiggles his fingers* Don't make me use one of these fingers! ;) :P
Lauren: Down, boy! :P
Davy: (Puts his hand over his heart and falls over melodramatically) Oh, no, not the fingahs! Spah me! (Slaps his hand against his forehead)
(Mike and Peter chuckle. ;) )
Davy: Seriously, though, I kinda liked those two rescues me'self, and it was great to 'elp those poor cats out. :)
Bert: What's on tap for the next story, folks?
Emma: More fun with Micky's powers...and Peter and Valerie get married. :)
Peter: (Grins) Yeah! I'm a little scared. (Sighs) Ok, I'm a lot scared. I really want to marry Valerie, though. I love her, and I know she loves me. She saved me when the other Mike wanted to hurt me! I just...I hope it works.
Mike: Aw, Pete, you'll be ok. You and Val are a real sweet couple. :)
Micky: I'm gonna USE my powers on you guys... :P *sucks on his fingers again*
Mike: I won't ask how or why. Your powers caused enough insanity a month ago when we got switched around.
Peter: But they saved us when he turned us into animals! :)
Davy: And don't forget Shelia the Devil Woman.
Mike: I'd love to, but she won't let me. :p
Micky: Yeah, seems she doesn't want to be forgotten. :P
Peter: (Gulps) What if she tries to keep Valerie and me from getting married?
Davy: We'll all turn into animals and save you guys. ;)
Mike: (Gently puts his arms around Emma) We've gotta protect Em, too.
Emma: (Sighs) Miiiiikkkeeee....
Mike: Not this time, honey. You can't swing your hockey stick around with a kid in you.
Lauren: Let me swing it. ;)
Emma: (Sighs) I know. It's just....this is going to drive me crazy, and she's already hurt me once. :(
Mike: It's only for a few months, darlin'. We'll BOTH protect the little darlin' when we have her. You'll be able to swing that hockey stick as much as you want.
Emma: It's just such a long time.
Mike: Good things are worth waitin' for, Em.
Bob: Any upcoming changes to the story format or the site in between sets this month?
Emma: (Nods) We're going to make up for the lack of site work last month by starting some major projects as soon as we get this next set up. From this set onwards. the story sets are going to be arranged into groups of four.
Emma: Every four story sets - a warm-up story and a main story - represents a story arc.
Lauren: With, hopefully, a particular similarity in each of the stories in each arc.
Emma: The first four stories, May to August 2004, are the "Imagination" stories, where we discover our powers, travel in imaginary settings, and get to know one another.
Emma: The second arc, September to December 2004, represents the characters and the places settling down in California and goes more into our powers.
Emma: That's also when we introduce a more steady set of characters and darker plotlines.
Emma: Arranging the stories this way will keep the site from looking cluttered and let the stories flow more smoothly.
Emma: We're also hoping to start the profiles and the glossary this month. The profiles will, at least for now, cover all four Monkees, Lauren, and me. Other major characters will have a paragraph or two on a separate profile page.
Mike: And we're each writin' our own profile. ;)
Peter: I can't wait to do mine! :D
Lauren: Of course. ;)
Micky: Mine's almost done. ;)
Lauren: So is mine. ;)
Emma: I'll start mine tomorrow.
Mike: I'll get to it sometime.
Davy: I'll do mine... sometime. ;)
Bob: And the glossary....
Emma: Will cover other characters with a major, if brief, role in the series, major places and things, and terms like "story set" and "story arc." :)
Peter: (Watches Onyx in his lap as he bats his beads back and forth) I can't wait until the Montgomery House is ready. Then Valerie and Dolly the kitten and I will have a home all our own. :)
Mike: It'll be great, Pete. That ain't such a bad place under all the grime.
Peter: It just needs a little love, like Onyx and Dolly did. :)
Micky: A little love, Pete? With you in it, it's gonna get A LOT of love. :D
Peter: You bet! :D :X
Peter: People would be a lot happier if they'd love more instead of hate. It would sure make Shelia happier!
Mike: I don't think Shelia knows HOW to love, Buddy.
Peter: (Cuddles Onyx) Maybe someone ought to show her.
Micky: That word isn't even in her vocabulary. :P
Emma: (Sighs) I'm going to see if the next batch of chips is ready. You guys decimated the first one! (Takes the now-nearly-empty bowl and walks into the kitchen)
Lauren: And could you guys advance on the next bowlful one at a time, please? :P
Mike: (Rubs his head) You don't have to worry about THAT, darlin'.
Davy: Less painful that way. :p
Mike: (Sighs) I hope she's gonna be ok. She can't keep actin' like this while she's got the baby in her. I wish there was a way I could help her.
Micky: You can help Emma, Mike. Just keep supporting her. :)
Mike: I just hate seein' her like this. She's always been so strong.
Davy: Wot about you, Mike? You got pretty 'urt there, too.
Peter: We'll support you, and so will Em! :)
Mike: (Smiles) Thanks, guys.
Peter: Why don't you go talk to Em again? It might help. :)
Mike: (Sighs) Yeah, it might. (Goes out to the kitchen)
(Peter sits back as Mick takes little Micky in his lap.)
Peter: I hope the wedding goes ok. I just want to love Valerie, and for Valerie to love me, and for us to have a family.
Davy: I'm sure everythin' will be all right, Petah. :)
Lauren: It'll be fine. We'll make sure of it. :)
Peter: (Smiles) Valerie and I will be happy. We have so many plans! I'm going to get my teaching license, and she's talking with some friends of her dad's about something big involving music. I joined the Music Society last week. We've had some wonderful discussions about Bach and Verdi. :)
Micky: Groovy, Pete! :)
Peter: (Sighs and cuddles Onyx again) Everything's gonna be ok, Onyx. We're all together now. Everything's gonna be all right. :)
(Lauren and Micky grin at each other over the babies. Davy leans back against the couch with a smile on his face.)
(The scene finally fades out on Peter hopefully playing with the kitten.)
(Cut to the credits over stills from both productions, to the tune of "Tapioca Tundra." It ends with the still of the entire gang sitting together from "Ooh Baby Baby" and "A Raybert Production.")