Everyone ready to find out what the Devils are up to? ;)

Mike: Oh, darlin', we're comin'... :o

Peter: I hope we get there in time! :o

Davy: 'Ang on, ladies!

Micky: Oh man, we're on our way!

(Cut back to the bar. The five women and three children walk in, looking around. Valerie goes up to the bartender.)

Bartender: What'll ya have, hon?

Valerie: We won't have anything (smiles), but the kids sure could use three Shirley Temples. :)

Katie: Shirwy Temple! Yay! :D

Shelly: Cherry yummy!

Mick: Shirley Temple please! :D

Bartender: (Grins) What a set of cuties! You remind me of my grandkids. Three Shirley Temples, coming up! :D (He goes to make the drinks)

Valerie: (As he comes back with the drinks and the girls hand them to the kids) Hey, would you have seen two young women in here?

Bartender: (Shrugs) Dunno. I see a lot of women in here.

Valerie: One was medium height, with gray eyes, glasses, and thick, shoulder-length curly brown hair. She was probably upset or angry. The other is short, with long auburn hair and blue eyes. She was looking for her.

Bartender: (Nods) I think I do remember those ladies. They were in here a while ago. They left with some fellow in the back booth there. (Indicates the now-empty booth where Alex had drinks with the girls)

Valerie: Do you remember what that fellow looked like?

Bartender: (Scratches his chin) Yeah. He kind of looks like one of the Monkees, that big new singing group a lot of the younger kids are into, the drummer with the curls...only his face was really badly scarred, like he was clawed by a wild animal or somethin'.

Valerie: (Under her breath; growl) Alex. (To the bartender) Do you know where they went?

Bartender: Nope. Didn't see them leave. Why don't you talk to Harry? (Points to the young man who delivered Alex and Lauren's drinks earlier) He handled that order. They had a LOT of orders, too. Never saw a girl drink so many Shirley Temples. The other one had at least three or four mimosas. All the guy had was a couple of gin and tonics.

Valerie: Thank you. (Hands the man some money) This is for the Shirley Temples...and for helping us out. We appreciate it.

Bartender: You're welcome, miss. Hope you find your friends. (Grins and waves) See ya, kids! Don't forget to bring your glasses back when you're done with them. :)

Katie: 'Kay. :D

Shelly: We will! :D

Mick: Thank you! :)

Bartender: You're welcome, kids. :)

Valerie: (She goes to Harry; the girls sit at the back booth with the kids and their drinks) Excuse me?

Harry: (He's wiping glasses) Yes, miss?

Valerie: We're looking for two young women whom you were said to have waited on earlier. One had brown hair, gray eyes, glasses, and was kind of plump. The other had long auburn hair, blue eyes, and is small.

Harry: (Thinks) Hey, I remember them! Some guy met them. I didn't handle the first order - Louie left about a half-hour ago - but I did handle the second with the short chick. The guy kept asking me to give her cherry juice and Sprite with vodka. (Shrugs) Don't ask me why. Guess she liked the taste.

Valerie: (Eyes widen) Did you see them leave?

Harry: I (frowns)...come to think of it, no, I didn't. One minute, they were there, and the next, I'm holding a really big tip. (Grins) I don't know why he did it, but that dude paid me VERY well. I made enough to treat my girlfriend to dinner at that really fancy Italian place in town tonight. :D

Valerie: (Smiles, though it's a bit strained) Thank you. You've been a huge help. (Walks back over to the other girls; the kids are almost done with their drinks)

Maxine: Well?

Daphne: Anything?

Valerie: Alex was here. He must have gotten them both drunk and grabbed them. X(

Kimberly: What? :o

Jenny: That's rotten! :P

Valerie: The bartender saw Emma drinking mimosas. Given how upset she was, it probably wasn't hard for Alex to ply her with a few more and get his hands on her. :p

Daphne: What about Lauren? She doesn't drink. :-/

Valerie: Emma doesn't, either, but she was really frustrated over her problems with Mike. As for Lauren (narrows her eyes), Alex paid the waiter extra to spike her Shirley Temples with vodka. X(

Kimberly: No way! :o

Daphne: That jerk! :P

Maxine: As...(looks at the kids)...arrggh. :p X(

Kimberly: Does anyone know where they are now?

Valerie: Not a clue. The bartender and the waiter said they just vanished. :p

Daphne: Wonderful. :P

Kimberly: Maybe we could ask around. They couldn't have gotten far, with that storm outside.

Jenny: *nods* Good idea.

Valerie: Let's go. (Grins) Come on, kids. You're going to help us find your mommies. :)

Katie: Mama?

Maxine: (Takes the child's hand) We're looking for her, kiddo. :)

Katie: 'Kay. :D

Mick: *nods* We'll find them. :)

Shelly: Yeah!

Valerie: How about we split up? Daphne and I will take Katie, and you three take the twins. We'll ask everyone we can find if they've seen or know anything about Alex, Shelia, Emma, and/or Lauren and meet in the common room in an hour. :)

Maxine: (Nods) Right. (Takes Mick's hands) Come on, kids. We're gonna play "Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys." ;)

Kimberly: I get to be Nancy. ;)

Maxine: Oh, all right. :p ;)

Jenny: Oh, brother. :P ;)

(The group splits up as the fast version of "Don't Listen to Linda" begins.)

(Valerie, Daphne, and Katie watch two people play chess. Valerie asks them about Alex and Shelia between moves. One points left without looking up. Katie moves the other guys' chess piece, giggling. She thinks they're action figures. He's annoyed and shoos her away...then realizes she's inadvertantly checkmated the other guy. He grins and takes several chess pieces. :D)

*Jenny, Maxine, and Kim talk to people milling about in the lobby while the twins go around and around and around in the revolving door.* ;)

(Valerie, Daphne, and Katie head for the gym. Valerie questions a group of men working with weights. Katie starts to play with a weight, but Valerie scolds her. Daphne chats with huge man with large muscles. ;) )

(Katie tugs on a young woman who looks like Emma...but she turns out to be much younger, a teenager. The girl pats her on the head and returns her to Valerie. Valerie asks the girl if she's seen Alex or Shelia, and the girl points to the elevator. :) )

*Maxine goes into the game room to question people, but it's empty. She grins, digs out a dime, and drops it into a pinball game.* ;)

(Valerie leads Daphne and Katie into a gift shop. She talks to the girl behind the counter while Daphne and Katie play with bouncy balls and plastic action figures.)

(An annoyed Valerie pays for the window one of the bouncy balls broke, for the ball that was lost, and for a ball for Katie, who continues to toss it into the air and laugh. Daphne just looks embarrassed. :p :">)

*Kim and Jenny drag Maxine out of the game room, the twins following. They stop to talk to a rather familiar looking consierge.* ;)

(Daphne tries to get the attention of a well-dressed man and woman cuddling on a couch, but they're too wrapped up in each other to notice her. She shrugs and returns to Val and Katie. They finally pull a gawking Katie away when the couple start making out. ;) )

(Katie tries to question plants sitting on a windowsil, while Valerie and Daphne talk to a kindly-looking older woman in a sweater watering plants. She points upwards, and they take Katie's hand and head out. :) )

*Maxine and Kim go into the pool area, while Jenny holds onto the twins. Kim and Max end up fighting over who gets to talk to a certain buff, young man with long, curly blond hair. The girls start arguing, and the young man walks away. Jenny stops him and asks, but he shakes his head. As he walks away, the twins wave after him.* ;)

(Valerie and Daphne swim alongside several people in the pool to question them, while Katie sits on the side of the shallow water in floaties, clapping and laughing. :D ;) )

(The group meets in the common room as the song ends. Valerie and Daphne rub their damp heads with towels. Katie continues to throw her ball and laugh. :D :p )

*Kim and Max are still arguing, with Jenny next to them, holding the twins' hands and smirking.*

Valerie: Hi, guys. I think we have at least some general idea of where they're holing up this time.

Katie: (Runs to the twins) Lookit! Ball! (Tosses it in the air) :D

Mick: Nice ball! :D

Valerie: Several people said they saw people who looked like Alex and Shelia head to the top floor. Supposedly, there's a huge penthouse suite up there for the owner of the hotel.

Kimberly: So Shelia knows the guy who owns this hotel?

Valerie: I'll make some calls to Dad, but I'd bet you anything Shelia IS the guy who owns this hotel. :p

Daphne: *nods* I'd be willing to place a bet on that, too. :P

Kimberly: How would she be able to do that?

Valerie: Kim, she has more money than I do. Her uncle owned and operated Past, Present, and Future, Inc, a company that buys and restores older homes and antiques. The Montgomery House was a PPF project before Shelia abandoned it after her uncle's death and I bought it. :p

(The kids are playing catch, throwing the ball at each other and giggling. :D)

Maxine: Great. So she restored this place?

Valerie: Or her company probably did. (Grins) Which means there will be one spot in the complex that doesn't fit the rest of the resort. ;)

Daphne: And that's where you find them.

Maxine: Sounds like the penthouse is it. ;)

Kimberly: Hey, should we bring the kids into this? What if the devil chick is up there?

Valerie: Maxine and Jenny, you two stay with the children in our rooms. Here. (Hands Jenny her communicator and opens it) Push these buttons, and you'll be able to get a hold of us. If we don't return in an hour or less, call the guys. They'll know what to do.

Maxine: (Eyes widen at the communicator) Wow... :o

Jenny: Cool! *nods* You got it, Val.

Valerie: Kim and Daphne, come with me. I'm going to need both of your...talents...to handle the Devils. ;)

Daphne: Right. ;)

Kimberly: Woohoo! I get to kick some as...(sees the kids)...rear. :p ;)

Valerie: Don't worry, kids! We'll bring your mommies to you soon! :)

Katie: Yay! Mama! :D

(The group splits up again. Valerie, Daphne, and Kimberly head for the elevator on the right; Maxine and Jenny pick up the kids and the ball and go to the elevator on the left.)

(Cut to the penthouse suite, where Shelia is still reading last month's issue of "Glamour," though she's now more fully dressed in a stylish turtleneck, colorful sweater, flared pants, and boots.)

Shelia: (Makes a face) Where IS he? (Pulls out a black leather collar and leash) I wanted to give his new pet a present, then have a witness in getting rid of the Scholar once and for all. :p

Alex: *enters; smirking, obviously proud of himself* Milady. *nods* ;)

Shelia: What took you so bloody LONG? (Makes a face) Or is that an appropriate question for family audiences? ;) :p

Alex: I think you just answered that yourself. *sits down, still smirking* ;)

Shelia: Where's your new pet? ;)

Alex: Sleeping it off. She's a little tired. ;) >:)

Shelia: Why don't we go wake her up? (Holds up the collar) I have a present for her. ;)

Alex: *nods approval* Very nice. She'll like it. Let’s go. ;)

(They enter the room where Lauren still sleeps. Shelia smirks, leaning over her.)

Shelia: Not a bad job at all. ;)

Alex: *oh-so-not-humble* Yeah. ;)

Shelia: (Strokes Lauren's hair and whispers in her ear with a nasty smirk) Rise and shine, little Mother. We have a nice gift for you. ;) >:)

*Lauren's eyes blink open, unfocused. She opens her mouth, but finds she still has no voice. She just gives a questioning look.*

Shelia: (Shows Lauren the collar) Isn't this pretty, little Mother? It'll look so nice around your lovely neck. Would you like Alex to put it on you? ;)

*Lauren gives it a look, then nods once.*

Alex: *takes the collar from Shelia and fastens it around Lauren's neck* Very nice. ;) >:)

Shelia: We're going to let you alone to take a nap, Mother. You must feel quite tired after your earlier adventures. ;)

*Lauren nods again.*

Shelia: (Pats Lauren's head) Enjoy your sleep, my little pet. (She runs her fingers over Lauren's forehead and whispers words in her ear; Lauren's head drops on the pillow and her eyes close)

Alex: *folds her arms over his chest* What else did you have in mind for today? ;) >:)

Shelia: The male Guardians should be aware that their soulmates are...in dispose...by now. We'll find out when they're arriving and waylay them, then bring them here and round up the remaining Guardians. (Smirks) I put in some calls to the local airfields. The first to hear that the Monkees are arriving will be calling me...and recieving a very nice bonus for doing so. ;)

Alex: Excellent. ;)

Shelia: I'm going to kill the Scholar. She's a meddling bitch and a brat and is too distracting to the Knight...and I want you to witness it. ;)

Alex: *evil smirk* By all means, Milady. ;) >:)

Shelia: How shall we eliminate her? Guns and knives are too messy. I don't want this to be obvious.

Alex: Hmm, that is a good question. How about suffocation?

Shelia: That's a brilliant idea! (Grins) After you, my good Mr. Dolenz. ;) >:)

Alex: Why, thank you. ;) >:)

(They enter the office. Emma is bustling around the room, straightening it and the huge stack of papers that now sits on the neat desk.)

Emma: (Turns and smiles) Oh, hello, Master and Milady. I finished the writing you wanted me to do. What would you like me to write next? (Grins wickedly) Or are we going to play more games with the Mother? I would rather like to put her under a trance and make her limbs move like a puppet's. ;)

Shelia: (Goes to Emma, her grin evil) You won't be doing any writing or playing any games for a long time, Scholar. We have no more use for you, so we're letting you go. >:)

Emma: Why? I thought you wanted me to write! (Turns to Alex angrily) You PROMISED! You told me you'd help me get Mike to notice me! You said you'd get people to notice my writing! X(

Alex: *shrugs* Oh, well.

Emma: (Growls) You PROMISED! I WANT MIKE BACK! THAT'S ALL I WANT! I WANT MIKE AND KATIE AND MY WRITING! X(

Alex: *sticks a finger in one ear* Definitely ready to get rid of her. :P ;)

Emma: You ASSHOLE! I'll... (But Shelia grabs her arms; she struggles) Let go of me, Milady! He lied! He told me he'd help me get my husband back! X(

Shelia: (Hisses in her ear) You'll never see your husband again, Scholar. He's mine, and so's that little girl of yours. (Nods at Alex) Get something to eliminate her...and quickly! :p

Emma: WHAT? :o X(

Alex: Let’s try this. *makes a thick blanket appear and tosses it over Emma's head; pulls it together and ties it*

Shelia: Excellent. (She pulls the blanket as tightly as she can)

(Cut to a short hallway outside. Daphne, Valerie, and Kimberly step off of the elevator and over to the door. Kimberly pulls at the handle.)

Kimberly: It's locked. Anyone have a hair pin? ;)

Valerie: I doubt that would work on this one. (Indicates a panel of buttons next to the door) It's one of those new electronic locks they have in some high-tech places. You need a card and a code to be able to open it.

Daphne: Couldn't we just short it out or something?

Kimberly: I'm all for "or something." (She karate-chops it; it falls to the ground) Nothing like the direct approach. ;)

Daphne: Good one, Kim! ;)

Valerie: (Hears muffled noises to her right) Hey, what's that?

(The three girls run into the office...just in time to see Shelia and Alex pull the blanket tightly around Emma's head.)

Kimberly: Holy SHIT! :o

Valerie: Emma! Oh, my god! (She runs for Shelia and pulls her away; Kimberly karate-chops Alex's arm)

*Daphne pulls the blanket off Emma's head.*

Shelia: (Struggles in Valerie's arms) Damn it, Aristocrat, let me go! X(

Valerie: Not a chance, Shelia. Kidnapping and assault are one thing, but what we just saw was cold-blooded MURDER! X(

Daphne: You okay, Em? :-O

Emma: (Gasps for air and clings to Daphne) Oh...my god...holy shit...

Daphne: *holds onto her* It's okay, Em. It's okay.

Kimberly: (Knocks Alex on the floor) And you're an accessory to murder, you dingbat! Do you know how much time that could get both of you? :p

Shelia: We could charge all of YOU with assault and tresspassing! X(

Alex: And we should! X-(

Emma: (Still puffing) I...could charge YOU...with rape...attempted murder...kidnapping... X(

Alex: *rolls his eyes* Please. :P

Emma: (Looks directly at Alex) Alex, where's Lauren?

Alex: *smirks* Who? ;) >:)

Kimberly: (Karate-chops Alex's shoulder) Nice try, boy, but we know from several reliable witnesses that you brought Lauren AND Emma up here. :p ;)

Alex: *grimaces* OW! :P X-(

Kimberly: "Ow" is not the correct reply. ;)

Daphne: I think he needs another, Kim. ;)

Kimberly: Oh, goody! I was hoping you'd say that. I've really gotten out of practice lately, what with the touring and making the albums and everything. ;) (She gets him in the...um...sacred place this time ;) )

Alex: *doubles over; makes a very pained sound; points in the general direction of the guest room; responds an octave higher* In there. *groans* :P

Kimberly: (Grins at the other women) Simple. ;)

Daphne: *claps* Very nice. ;)

Valerie: Emma, Daph, you two go release Lauren. We'll keep an eye on these two. ;)

Daphne: Right!

(Emma leads Daphne over to Alex's room. Lauren sleeps on the bed, still dressed in the tight minidress and collar.)

Emma: Oh, good lord allmighty, they probably put a sleeping spell on her...and we don't have anyone to play Sleeping Beauty. :p

Daphne: What do we do? *makes a face* We sure can't leave her like this. :P

Emma: Oh, man...I have an idea, but I don't like it. There's only one guy here that could wake up Lauren at the moment. :p

Daphne: Oh no... :P

Emma: We don't have a choice. Either that, or we let her sleep it off, which will probably take too long. We're going to need her help to turn Alex and Shelia over to the autorities, or at least render them unable to cause any damage for a while.

Daphne: *nods* Good point. Maybe he's still in enough pain that this'll be easier than we think.

Emma: It's getting late, so we're going to do this the quick way. (She concentrates. There's a dark blue light, and Alex appears)

Alex: *still wincing* What the...

Emma: Here's the lowdown, Alex. We need you to kiss Lauren awake. However, there will be NO funny business. She'll be in her right mind, and if you touch even one hair on her head, we will unleash Kimberly's best moves on your prized possesion. Got it? ;) X(

Alex: *sighs* Fine. *gives Emma and Daphne a dirty look, then leans over Lauren and gives her a kiss; straightens* There. :P

Emma: Thank you. ;)

*A black light appears over Lauren, just before it completely clears, she starts groaning. She's back in her original clothes and the collar is gone.*

Alex: *smirks slightly* You didn't say anything about ridding her of the hangover. ;) >:)

Emma: I'm sure some good, strong tea will do that. (Emma makes a steaming cup of tea appear as Lauren slowly sits up) Here, honey. People drink coffee for a hangover. Maybe this will help, too. :)

Lauren: *groans* Hope so. *sips the tea*

Emma: Lauren...I'm sorry I did that to you. :(

Lauren: *shakes her head slightly* Not your fault.

Daphne: *jerks a thumb at Alex* I say we still let Kim loose on this jerk! :P X-(

Emma: Well, that's up to Kim. Maybe she'll be feeling generous and only hit the less important parts. ;)

Daphne: *scoffs* Yeah, right. ;)

Emma: (Goes to Alex and takes his arm) Come on, boy. Let's bring you back to our Aristocrat and her bodyguard and get you all tied up nice and neat with a little bow on top. ;)

*Alex just makes a face.* :P

(Emma and Daphne bring Alex into the living room, followed by Lauren with her tea. Shelia is between them on the couch in the living room.)

Valerie: Ok, before we call the cops on you, what are you up to this time?

Alex: Wouldn't you like to know. :P

Kimberly: (Goes into karate stance) Yes we would, little boy. (Grins and aims for his prized possession again)

Shelia: Alex, she she wouldn't dare hit you there again. :p

(Kimberly just grins widely. :D ;) )

Alex: *glares at Shelia* What do you care if she does?! :-O *breaks down* It's a weather machine!

Shelia: ALEX! X(

Alex: *sneers* I gotta protect it! :P ;)

Emma: (Nods) I have the manual to that weather machine in the office. I wrote it from Alex's notes. (Makes a face) Which were terrible, I may add. Did you have to inherit your original's handwriting, too? :p

*Alex sticks his tongue out.* :P

Valerie: What do you plan to do with said weather machine, other than create wonderful skiing weather? ;)

(Before anyone can answer, the phone rings. No one goes for it at first, but Shelia finally grabs it.)

Shelia: (As the girls all reach for her) Don't worry, I won't do anything. It IS my phone and my penthouse, you know. (She answers it) Hello? Yes, this is Julia London. (She grins) They are? (Grins widens into a rather nasty smirk) They will? Even in this weather? (Pause; her nasty grin practically splits her face) I see. Very well. Thank you. The check will be in the mail tomorrow. You're welcome. Bye. (Looks at Alex) They're on their way. ;) >:)

*Alex also grins.* >:) ;)

Valerie: Who is?

Emma: Shelia, what's going on?

Kimberly: I don't like the look on her face. :p

Daphne: Me, neither. :P

Shelia: Oh, I think you'll find out soon enough, Huntress. ;)

*Lauren frowns.* :P

Shelia: But for now, Mother (nods at Lauren), Aristocrat (nods at Valerie), Huntress, (nods at Daphne) and...Scholar (nods at Emma, growling), we'll leave you to this little den of iniquity. ;)

(There's a black light around Shelia and Alex. When it subsides, they're gone.)

Daphne: Damn! :P X-(

Valerie: Oooh! I KNEW we should have muddled her! X(

Kimberly: Ok, I'm lost. What is all this about, why did Alex have Lauren in his room, and why did Shelia call you guys Aristocrat and all that?

Emma: Why don't we explain while we try to find wherever Alex was working on this machine?

Daphne: Good idea.

Valerie: Sounds good to me. I don't think we have much time. We have to stop Shelia and Alex from waylaing whomever they want to get their paws on at the air field.

Emma: (Nods at the rooms) Come on, Kim. It's a long story. (They head for the office.)