Well, ok, gang, everyone ready to start our first main story of the year?

Mike: I ain't too sure. :p

Peter: Mike, it's just a snow story! How bad could it be?

Micky: Yeah, man. I'm ready. :)

Davy: Petah, 'aven't you learned by now not to say stuff like that, especially around the girls? :p

*Lauren just grins.* ;)

(We open the day after the concert in a huge common room. Emma, Katie, Davy, Daphne, and the Abbies sit around the huge fireplace on rustic-looking, overstuffed wooden furniture. Davy and Daphne cuddle; Katie watches a cartoon; the Abbies play cards. Sun pours through the curtains on the windows.)

Emma: (Looks at her watch) Where's Mike? I figured the others may still be asleep, but where IS your father, Katie?

Katie: Huh?

Davy: I think Lauren and Micky are tryin' to get the twins togethah.

Daphne: I have no idea where Val and Peter are.

*Suddenly, the twins come running into the room, followed moments later by Lauren and Micky.*

Katie: Yay! Hi! (She runs to the twins) :D

Emma: Hi, guys. What took you so long?

Lauren: *sits down on a couch, Micky right next to her* Well, for one, the twins decided they wanted to use their bed for a trampoline. *glances at Micky* Then Mick did. ;)

Micky: *smirks* If we'd known all of you were down here already, we'd've brought the rugrats down long ago, then gone back upstairs. *waggles his eyebrows*

*Lauren rolls her eyes, grinning.* ;)

Davy: Oh no, Mick. We're not babysittin' YOUR kids just so you and Lauren can go make noise! ;) :P

Micky: Why not? :P ;)

(The cartoon Katie was watching ends, and we see a local weatherman with a stick pointing to a map with arrows and little suns and clouds and snowflakes in back of him.)

Weatherman: Hello, I'm Phillip Paulman. WPXN's weather buereau has detected a major storm moving into our area. It should hit by tomorrow night or early morning at the latest. The storm may dump upto a foot or more of snow in the area. Keep checking WPXN for details.

Katie: Ooohh! :O

Maxine: (Makes a face as she looks at the cards) Ahh, don't worry, kid. Those things are never as bad as they say. (Grins and puts down her cards) Full house! :D

Kimberly: (As she and Jenny throw down their cards) Damn it, Maxie, that's the third time in a row you've won! This is starting to get really dull. :p

(Peter, Mike, and Valerie join them. Mike and Peter carry their bags. Emma stands, frowning.)

Emma: Mike, what is it? What's going on? Why are you already packed? We're here for a week, aren't we?

Mike: You girls are, but us guys have gotta get back to LA before the storm hits.

Davy: (Stands, frowning) Mike, why?

Micky: What?

Mike: Look, the album is due in a month and a half...less than that! It HAS to be done!

Micky: *groans* Oh, man... :P

Peter: Valerie...

Valerie: (Sighs) I really hate to cut your vacation short, and mine, too, but...he's right. :(

Peter: (Puts his hand on Valerie's shoulder) Val, why don't you stay here? You could use the rest, and your father and Chrissy and I are more than capable of taking care of Jordan. :)

Valerie: But, honey....

Peter: Valerie, we know what we're doing in the studio...and so do Hank and Chip. We'll be ok. :)

Maxine: Hey, Miss Head of Headquarters Records, when was the last time YOU took a vacation? ;)

Valerie: Probably our honeymoon...

Peter: Which was two years ago! (Kisses Valerie on the cheek) Stay here, honey. We'll be all right. :)

Emma: Mike, do you really need to do this?

Mike: Yeah, darlin'. It's got to be done. We'll spend time together when you get back.

Emma: No, we won't. They'll always be something else, another project or another album or something else to film or more publicity photos to take or press conferences or whatever. What about US? What about your DAUGHTER? Do you even know her anymore?

Katie: Mama? Papa? :(

Peter: Guys, come on, don't fight! :(

Micky: *leans closer to Lauren* Heads up. ;) :P

Lauren: *smirks* Don't you mean 'duck?’ ;) :P

Mike: Em, you AGREED to this when we got married! You KNOW how important my work is to me! Do I ever get on your case when you're glued to your writing?

Emma: Even when I'm writing, I at least try to have time for Katie. When was the last time you played with her, or took her to the playground, or anywhere?

Mike: Em, look, I can't help it that I'm busy. You know this is what I want. I've wanted this since I was a kid! Why don't YOU try actually finding some nerve and selling your shit?

Katie: Papa, no! (Tugs on his jacket; Mike gently puts his hand on her head)

Mike: It's gonna be all right, cowgirl. :)

Micky: *loud whisper* Dive, dive! :P ;)

Emma: I've sold articles to the Malibu Beach Register...

*Lauren snorts.* :P ;)

Mike: Which is some tiny little small-town rag. Em, I know you're good. YOU know you're good. Why don't you try? Why don't you go after what YOU want?

Emma: (Wails) I'M SCARED, OK? I just want you back! I want you to have time in your schedule for me!

Mike: Em, I will. Just give me time. Things are just crazy right now. You know what our schedule's like.

Emma: So change it!

Mike: I can't rearrange my life at will! There's a deadline! A lot of people are counting on this record coming out!

Emma: The record will come out eventually!

Mike: Yeah, and I have four songs on it. I have to be there.

Emma: But Baby...

Mike: Guys, come on. The shuttle to the airfield is leaving in twenty minutes. We'll have breakfast there.

Emma: Mike...

Micky: *unenthused* Yay. :P

Katie: Papa, no! Stay! (Hugs his leg)

Mike: (Hugs Katie, then hands her to her mother) You stay with Mama Bear, ok, Cowgirl? I'll see you in a few days. :)

Katie: No! Papa! (She cries) :((

Mike: (Kisses Emma quickly on the cheek) I'll see you when you get back to California, darlin'. I love you. (He grabs his bag and heads out)

Valerie: (Softly) I'll have the rest of your bags taken downstairs. (She hugs Peter and kisses him, then goes to the desk to do so.)

Emma: Mike...oh honey... :(

Katie: WANT PAPA! :((

Micky: Damn. *sighs and turns to Lauren* I hate it when stuff like this happens. :P

Lauren: Well, at least it'll only be a few days. :)

(Emma sits on one of the chairs, hugging her crying, screaming daughter.)

Maxine: Um...uh...I think we ought to go rehearse. :( :o

Kimberly: Um, yeah, we have a show tonight ourselves.

Jenny: We'll see you guys when we get back from our tour. We're going to be here for a few days, then go to a few places on the East Coast for a month. Mostly just a publicity tour. :)

Micky: *grins* Yeah. *leans in to kiss her; they take a much longer than needed "goodbye kiss"* ;) :D

(Davy and Daphne are kissing and necking. He finally breaks from her.)

Davy: Oh, luv, bein' away from you is gonna be worse than torture. :X :(

Daphne: (Sighs) I'm sure we'll live...somehow. ;) :X

*Meanwhile, Micky and Lauren have yet to resurface from their kiss.* ;)

Davy: (Sighs) Ok, as much as I 'ate to do it, let's get movin'. Come on, Mick. (Frowns) Mick? (Goes over to the still-kissing Mick and Lauren) 'Ey, mate, we've gotta go!

*Micky says something unintelligible.* ;)

Davy: Oh, good God! (Grabs Micky by the collar and drags him away from Lauren) Will you come on? We're gonna miss our shuttle, and Mike will 'ave our 'eads if that 'appens! :p

Micky: Hey, man! Don't you know what "Give me one more minute, shorty" means? :P ;)

Lauren: *eyebrows arch* Was that what he said? :-/ ;)

Micky: *as Davy continues to drag him; waves* Bye, babe! See ya in a few days! *looks up at Davy* Dave, man, you been working out? *they disappear out the door* ;)

Maxine: Um, yeah, well...why don't we go rehearse?

Daphne: (Nods) Yeah. It'll take my mind off of...well, it'll help. :)

Jenny: We'll see you guys later, ok?

Valerie: (As she emerges) I'll be around in a little bit to check on things. :)

Kimberly: See you, guys! Come to our show tonight! We'll give you backstage passes! :D

Lauren: *props her hand in one hand, her elbow leaning on the arm of the couch; waves with the other, relatively unenthused* See ya. :)

(The four head out, leaving Emma holding her no-longer screaming but still sobbing daughter and Valerie and Lauren sitting on opposite sides of the room.)

Valerie: Guys, I'm...I'm sorry. I should have delayed the album. They need rest, too, but Mike...

Emma: Wanted to finish it, I know. :p :(

Katie: Wan' Papa... :((

Lauren: *sighs* So now what?

Valerie: (Sits next to Katie and Emma and ruffles Katie's hair) It'll be ok, sweetie. We'll be seeing Papa in a few days.

*The twins run over and climb on the couch next to Lauren.* :)

Valerie: Why don't we take the kids to breakfast, then have another snow session on the front lawn? :)

Katie: Snow?

*The twins cheer.* :D

Emma: I'm not hungry. :(

Valerie: Em, you can't mope about this. At least get something in your stomach.

Katie: (Looks at her mother) Eat, Mama?

Emma: (Sighs) Yeah, I guess so. You've got to eat, even if I don't really want to.

Lauren: At the least, it'll keep us preoccupied. :)

Valerie: And I'm sure the kids are hungry. ;) :)

Mick: Very hungry! I want breakfast! :D

Shelly: Cereal, please! :)

Katie: Me too! :D

Lauren: That answers that. ;)

Emma: (Sighs) Oh, well, it's better than just doing nothing, I suppose. (Stands and puts her daughter down) Come on, honey. Let's go eat. :)

Katie: Yay! (She leans over her mother as she sets her down and says) Mama?

Emma: Yes, Katie?

Katie: Miss Papa. :(

Emma: I miss Papa, too, but he's working on his album right now. He'll see us when he's done.

Katie: When?

Emma: I don't know, honey. (Smiles and takes her hand) Come on. Why don't we have breakfast, before the twins eat it all? ;)

Katie: Yay! Eat! :D

(Cut to a bar, later in the day. It's obviously the bar set from "Big Apple Monkees" and "Bandstand Boys" redressed with a lot of wood, celing beams, and outdoorsy decorations like fake stuffed animals mounted on the wall. There are several people in the bar already. Emma walks in and goes up to the bar, sitting down on a stool at the end of the bar.)

Bartender: May I help you, Miss?

Emma: I'll just have a mimosa, please.

Bartender: You got it, miss. (He goes to work on the drink as a waiter tugs at Emma...and she puts her hand on her stomach)

Emma: Oh, man, not again...

Waiter: Miss, there's a young man here who wishes to speak to you. (Frowns) Are you ok?

Emma: Um, yeah, just fine. Ate more than I should have at breakfast.

Waiter: He's right over there, Miss. (He points to a table...where Alex sits, sipping a drink)

Emma: That's alright, honey. He's no one I'd care to talk to. :P

Waiter: Is he a bounder? X(

Emma: "Bounder" doesn't begin to DESCRIBE what he is. :p

*We see Alex set his drink down casually, get up, and walk over to Emma, who doesn't notice him immediately.*

Emma: (As the bartender brings her drink) Sugar, let me give you some advice. You seem like a nice enough guy. Stay AWAY from that creep. He's a lousy, no-good, bastigated, rotten, nasty, evil, hideous piece of malitious filth...and that's being kind. :p X(

Waiter: Wow, really? :o

Emma: Yeah. He's bad news of the worst kind.

Alex: *grins* And you're WAY too kind. You really have a way with adjectives. ;)

Waiter: Oh, man...I think I hear a customer calling me... (He scampers off)

Emma: Thank you. Now, go away. :p

Alex: No, I don't think I'm going away. All I'm doing here is having a drink. Am I not allowed to just have a drink and relax a bit?

Emma: Fine. Drink until you can't see anymore. Just don't do it near ME. I know you're up to something. :p

Alex: I'm hurt. I'm not up to anything! Wouldn't you at least like to sit at a table instead of this bar, where everyone can see you? ;)

Emma: No. I don't particuarly want to be seduced, thank YOU. :p

Alex: I'm trying to be nice, here, you know. :P

Emma: Well...(sighs)...you haven't tried anything yet...

Alex: And I'm not going to. I have no reason to. *motions to the table* Please?

Emma: All right. (Picks up her drink and joins Alex at his table, then takes a sip of her drink) Alex, why are you here? I know you. You always have some kind of plot going on in that Dolenz mind of yours.

Alex: *slight smirk* As much as I appreciate you recognizing that, I'm just here for the sake of being here. *shrugs* I needed a real vacation, alright.

Emma: So did I. (Mutters) Wish I could convince everyone of that... :p

Alex: *sighs* Everyone needs a vacation once in a while. *quieter* Even devils.

Emma: Mike didn't. We were all set to have a wonderful little vacation with the kids here, and what does he do? Flies himself and the other Monkees back to LA the moment he hears some newscast about a winter storm! (Growls) He PROMISED! He said he'd spend time with Katie and me, and he did it again! He isn't a man, he's a music-making machine! He doesn't care about us, or Peter, or anything! All he cares about is getting that damn album out! X( :( :((

Alex: *shakes his head* Man, even I wouldn't do that! Besides, I like snow storms. ;)

Emma: He wanted to finish work on their new album. (Gulps the last of her drink) I wish he'd think of his daughter first. She's in our hotel rooms with Val and Lauren right now, but every now and then, she'll tell me how much she misses her papa. She loves him so much, and all he ever does is tell her he'll get to her later. She's grown up so much, and he hasn't been there to see it. :(

Alex: *fingers his glass, looking at it instead of Emma* That's too bad. It's unfortunate that he doesn't understand the importance of being around for his daughter... *glances up* and you. *slight pause* Would you like another drink?

Emma: I'm not a drinker. I don't like the taste, and I don't handle it well, but...(sighs) one more couldn't hurt.

Alex: *flags a waiter* Excuse me, another drink for the lady! *to Emma* Was that a mimosa you had?

Emma: (Nods) Yeah.

Alex: *calls out* A mimosa for the lady, please! *settles back down*

(The waiter comes back with the mimosa. Emma takes it and sips it gratefully.)

Emma: Thank you. (As the waiter leaves, she sighs again) I'm such a loser. I can't do anything. I can't keep my own husband from running off. Lord only knows what they all did on that tour! I can't even bring myself to sell my own stories. I have five or six I could have sold by now, but...

Alex: Okay, first of all, it's your husband's fault for not spending time with you. It's not because of something you've done or haven't done. As for what they did on the tour, I kinda doubt they did anything bad. And the stories, there's nothing wrong with being scared. You'll sell one when you're ready.

Emma: I'm just...I want to, but I don't know how I'd ask them. And who do I ask, anyway? We know musicians, not magazine publishers. (Sighs) I wish...I wish I could make myself seem important. Important enough for Mike to leave his damn album. Important enough to be noticed by the publishers. Important enough to get GOOD assignments on that newspaper, instead of just stupid-ass articles about visiting celebrities and what the flavor-of-the-month wore to some dumb movie premiere. Who CARES about that? I want to write real news, real stories, that people will really read and respect! :p X(

Alex: *slight smirk* And I'll bet you're waiting for me to say that I can help you out with all of that, right? ;)

Emma: (Looks up) No. I just...I want SOMETHING... (She finishes the second mimosa) I don' know what, but SOMETHING....

Alex: You want another drink? Maybe all you need is to forget what's worrying you for a little bit.

Emma: Yeah...

Alex: *flags the waiter* Another mimosa for the lady!

Waiter: Certainly, sir! Would you like something else?

Emma: Alex, I just...I want Mike back. I want Katie to have her father. She adores him. I want to write.

Alex: *to the waiter* I think I've had enough, thanks. *to Emma* Mike needs to learn what's more important. He needs to realize it, though it'd be best if he actually did so on his own.

Emma: Alex, I want...I want...I just want him to notice me. Every man in my life has walked away or spent more time on the sea or turned tail and ran when they got too close. I thought Mike wouldn't do that...but I guess I was wrong. (She drinks the next mimosa a bit faster) I need help. I need him back. Katie needs him back. I love him. (Sobs a bit) I LOVE him!

Alex: Perhaps, I could help you. How about another drink?

Emma: (Doesn't pay attention as Alex gets closer to her) Yeah, sure, what the heck? Just lemme finish this one. (She gulps it) All done.

Alex: *smiles* Alright! *flags the waiter again* Another mimosa, please! *moves closer again* Now, how would you like me to help you? It's your choice.

Emma: (As Alex runs his hands on her cheek and the waiter brings her drink) I..I..need...h..h..help...you...

Alex: *continues stroking her cheek, moves directly next to her* Tell me what you want me to do.

Emma: Please...bring Mike back to me. I need him. I WANT him. Make me a writer. Give my child her father.

Alex: I'll do that for you. *continues stroking her cheek with one hand and moves the other over her heart* Concentrate on what you want...concentrate... >:) ;)

Emma: Mike...Katie...

Alex: Yes, keep concentrating...

Emma: My husband...my daughter...my writing...I want them...please, give them to me...

Alex: You will have them.

Emma: (Makes a face as Alex gently puts his hand under Emma's turtleneck) Oooh, that burns...

Alex: Just for a moment, then you won't feel a thing. >:)

Emma: What...Alex...

Alex: Shh. I'm doing what you asked me to. >:)

Emma: Owww...(but Alex leans her back gently in the booth, pushing his body over hers as he rubs the area under her turtleneck)

Alex: *grinning* Won't be much longer... >:) ;)

Emma: (She closes her eyes) M..m...m..master...

Alex: Yes...

Emma: (Opens her eyes and looks into Alex's; her gray eyes are now black) Help me, Master. I want your help.

Alex: And I will give it to you, my dear. >:)

Emma: Master, I feel...strange...light...

Alex: It won't last long. You'll feel much better after it’s done. >:)

Emma: (She remains on the seat when Alex finally removes her hand) Master, what are we going to do now? How will I get Mike back?

Alex: Well, I had a thought. Shelia and I have been working on a little project that we could use your help with, which should in turn bring Mike back to you.

Emma: How is that?

Alex: I have some interesting reading material I think you'll like, but I don't have it here. ;)

Emma: Where is it then, Master?

Lauren: *enters the bar and stops to talk to the bartender* Excuse me, sir?

Bartender: Yes, Miss?

Alex: *eyes widen slightly* Damn, she's early.* to Emma* It's, uh...oh, hell... *waves a black light over Emma, making her disappear* Sometimes it's just easier to make them disappear. :P ;)

Lauren: *to the bartender* I'm looking for a friend of mine. She's about 5' 4", glasses, gray eyes, loose curly hair. Umm...she was probably drinking a mimosa...

Bartender: (Indicates Alex's booth) Why don't you ask that fellow where she went? The last time I saw a girl by that description, she was havin' a drink with him.

Lauren: *nods* Okay, thank you. *stops at the booth; eyes widen* No way. That bartender has to be wrong. What're you doing here? :P

Alex: Having a drink in a bar. Can't a guy do that? ;)(

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* The bartender said Emma was over here. I highly doubt she'd be with you. *quirks an eyebrow* For that matter, she doesn't seem to be here now. :P

Alex: She had to go to the bathroom. (Indicates the seat next to him) Why don't you wait for her with me? The seat's still warm, and I could order you a nice drink. ;)

Lauren: *makes a slight face at her stomach warning* My gut seems to be telling me "no" for some reason. ;)

Alex: Oh, come on, you know I think highly of you. You could order whatever you want. :)

Lauren: *sighs* Weeell...

Alex: Come on, babe! Emma told me the boys went back to LA. Aren't you feeling just a bit lonely right now? We could talk. :) ;)

Lauren: *frowns* Yeah, lonely would be the right word. *sighs* I'm probably going to regret this, but, alright. *takes up Emma's seat* You know, I could go for a Shirley Temple. Haven't had one in a while. *grins* I usually only have them when I go out dancing. :) ;)

Alex: (As music starts to play) Why don't we dance after I order our drinks? ;)

Lauren: *nods* Okay. I'm gonna warn you, though, I've got two left feet, but I do a pretty mean twist. *grins* ;)

Alex: Hey, I'm not bad myself, babe. Let's go have fun. ;)

(As they stand, Alex flags down a waiter and gives him their order...and whispers something in the waiter's ear when Lauren's not paying attention. The waiter nods and goes to the bar. ;) )