*We open on the beach, a few days after the end of "Beach Blanket Monkees." Lauren stands with her feet in the water, looking out over the ocean, while Micky spreads out a blanket. He sets a picnic basket down on it, then jams a large umbrella into the sand, casting a nice shade over the whole blanket.*

*Davy comes running onto the beach from the steps leading to the beach house, frisbee in hand.*

(Mike saunters down to the beach with a volleyball under one hand and his guitar slung over his shoulder. Emma carries a second blanket and a smaller basket. Peter carries his banjo and Davy's tambourine. Valerie follows him, with another blanket and a pile of towels.)

Lauren: *turns around to the others* This was a great idea, guys.

Davy: Yeah, we finally get to 'ave fun and relax.

Mike: (Nods) We've been doin' a lot of gigs lately. We need time out before we rehearse for the Vincent Van Go-Go gig on Tuesday.

Micky: Not to mention what we went through a few days ago. *makes a face*

Emma: (As she spreads out the blanket) How are the kids coming, Lauren?

Lauren: Just fine. *shrugs* It's still too early to feel them.

Micky: You're definitely eating for them, though, babe.

Lauren: *goes over and elbows Micky* You're one to talk.

Micky: *sligh cough* Watch where you're elbowing, babe.

Mike: (As he settles the instruments on the beach bandstand) You'd think Mick was the one havin' the kids, the way he's eatin'!

Micky: Hey!

Davy: *chuckles* Good point, Mike.

Valerie: (Pulls sodas and water out of a cooler) I'm sure they'll be fine, Lauren. How long are you going to stay at the bank? That's an awful lot of standing.

Lauren: The doc said I'd be fine, so I'll be staying until about a month before the kiddies are due.

Peter: (Puts a pillow under Lauren) Here you go. Do you want anything to eat?

Lauren: Guys, really, I don't need all this fuss, though it is appreciated.

Micky: *wraps an arm around Lauren* How about some of my fuss?

Lauren: Yours I'll take, but later. ;)

Davy: *holds up the frisbee* Wot'll we do first?

Emma: I baked fresh peach muffins today. (Glares at Peter, Davy, and Mike) When I could keep hands OUT of the batter!

(Mike, Davy, and Peter whistle and all walk AWAY from Emma.)

Valerie: BESIDES eat.

Mike: Let's play.

Peter: Yeah!

Valerie: If you wanted to play, you could be rehearsing. Do something else first.

Davy: I brought the frisbee.

Emma: (Grins) Let's throw the frisbee around a bit. Work up a sweat we can wash off in the water.

Mike: Mannn...

Micky: Oh come on, Mike, live a little!

Emma: You're just jealous. You can't throw frisbees.

Mike: Yes, I can!

Micky: Prove it!

Mike: Fine! (Grabs the frisbee and tosses it as hard as he can, right into Micky's chest, as "You Just May Be The One" begins.)

*Micky flinches, getting the air nearly knocked out of him. He sticks out his tongue and flings the frisbee back at Mike.*

(Mike tries to catch the frisbee, but it goes through his fingers. Val and Peter go after it at once, but Emma finally gets it. She throws it smoothly and effortlessly across the beach, into Davy's arms!)

(Mike's jaw drops open. Emma saunters past him, grinning.)

*Davvy flings the frisbee. It sails past Micky, who now wears a football helmet.*

*Lauren is keeping track of the score.*

(Peter gets the frisbee. He also throws it long and easily, and it sails into Valerie's arms. She throws it back to Micky, with a bit less force than Mike.)

*Micky no longer has the football helmet. He sails it to Mike, thumping HIM in the chest.*

(Mike shoves his own helmet on his head, grumbling as he throws the frisbee in the direction of Davy and Peter, who run after it.)

*Davy and Peter crash into each other and land on the sand, still fighting over the frisbee.*

(Valerie plucks it from in between them and throws it to Emma, who throws it back to Micky.)

*Micky glances at everyone, debating who to throw it to. He fakes a few tosses, then flings it to Peter.*

(It goes over Peter's head, and he ends up chasing it into the water as the song ends.)

Micky: Sorry, Pete!

Peter: That's ok! (He finally comes up with the frisbee, sopping wet and beaming) I'm having a great time! (He throws the frisbee back to Micky and dives back in)

Davy: Good idea, Petah! *runs into the water and dives under*

Valerie: Oh, what the heck. Peter, wait up! (She throws off the gauzy blouse she wore over her expensive green bikini and joins the two)

Micky: *grins and holds a hand out to Lauren* Come on, babe! Let's go join the others!

Lauren: *makes a face* No, that's okay, Mick. You go on. :)

Mike: (Turns to Emma) Wanna go swimmin', darlin'?

Emma: You have to ask? I grew up by the shore! I was BORN by the water! I love swimming! (She grabs his hand and pulls him in)

Micky: *grins a little wider at Lauren* Don't make me pick you up and carry you out there.

Lauren: Mick, you KNOW I don't like the water! :P

Micky: Babe, I won't let anything happen to you! C'mon!

Lauren: No, Mick, I'm fine right here. *settles on the blanket*

Emma: (Sighs) Let her alone, Mick. She just doesn't like to swim. (She smiles again) But the water is great! Sooo warm!

Micky: *frowns; to Lauren* What if I hold onto you?

Lauren: Well...

Micky: Good enough! *grins and scoops up Lauren*

Lauren: *laughing* Mick!

Mike: (As he wades out himself) Mick, careful! Don't hurt the baby!

Emma: (She jumps over waves) Come on, Mike! This is fun!

Mike: I feel like a kid.

Emma: That's the idea!

Micky: I won't drop her! Geez, you guys have so little faith in me!

Peter: I like Micky's idea! (He scoops Valerie into his arms and swings her around)

Valerie: (Laughs) Peeeeettterrrr!

*Micky runs into the water and sets Lauren on her feet. He gently wraps his arms around her.*

Micky: Well?

Lauren: I still don't like the water, but I do feel safer.

Micky: Nay-sayers. *sticks his tongue out* So there.

(Peter overbalances, and he and Valerie end up falling into the water, both still laughing.)

Valerie: I think I did a somersault! I haven't done one of those since I was ten!

Mike: Hey Em... ;)

Emma: Mike, don't try to pick me up. I'm too big. You'll strain yourself.

Mike: I'm stronger than I look.

Davy: *pops up next to Mike* Need a 'and, mate?

Emma: I'm too tall for YOU.

Mike: Sure, Dave. (He reaches for one side of Emma)

Emma: GUYS! :

Mike: (As Davy reaches for her other side) Ready?

Emma: Guys, you're going to hurt yourselves.

Davy: Ready!

Mike: On my count. One, two... (They both lift the plump girl into the air...briefly, before all three wind up toppling into the water.)

Mike: (Comes up first) Man, I think I sat on a crab!

Emma: I think I bruised something.

Davy: *pops up* Well, we tried.

Micky: And it was graceful...kinda.

Lauren: Mick... *shakes her head, grinning*

Emma: (Looks at the sky) You know, it must be nearly noon. I'll bet some of you are hungry.

Micky: Starving!

Lauren: Me too.

Peter: I know I am!

Davy: I could use some food.

Valerie: And we have a feast ready on the beach.

Emma: Let's eat.

(Everyone heads for the shore, Micky carrying Lauren again. Emma and Valerie set out the goodies from the cooler and various picnic baskets.)

Emma: Here's what's left of those peach muffins.

Micky: I'll take one!

(Emma passes it to Micky as Mike settles next to her.)

Mike: Ok, guys, we've gotta talk.

Micky: *with a mouthful of muffin* Uh oh. :P

Mike: Now that we're home for good, we need to start settlin' down.

Peter: I'm settled! I'm not going anywhere while there's all this great food around (reaches over and kisses Valerie) and great people!

Micky: *puts an arm around Lauren* We've got the apartment.

Mike: I've already talked to Mr. Cardelli, the guy who owns the car repair shop on Main and Esperanza Boulevard.

Emma: Mike, he gave you the job?

Mike: (Nods) I start Monday.

Davy: Groovy, Mike!

Peter: Michael, that's great! I know how much you love cars!

Micky: I'll have to visit often.

Mike: Well, it's money comin' in, anyway. I'm gonna keep playin' with you guys and tryin' to sell my music too, of course.

Emma: (Sighs) I'll stay at the grocery store for now.

Valerie: You know, guys, if you need money...

Mike: Val, we appreciate the offer, but we'd really rather do this ourselves.

Micky: Do you have any samples, though?

Lauren: Mick! *laughs*

Valerie: (Laughs and turns to Mick) I can give you guys something better. How would you like some of Chrissy's baby stuff? She has a ton, and while I know Dad wanted to save that for when I had children (Peter blushes), I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving up a LITTLE of it. Not to mention, I'd love to go on a baby shopping spree and give your little ones all the things Chrissy's way too old for now.

Micky: *exchanges glances with Lauren; both smile; turns back to Valerie* Val, we'd really appreciate that!

Valerie: I'll be good practice, just in case... (looks at Peter, who blushes again) ...just in case I ever have some more.

Mike: What about you, Mick? Found work yet?

Micky: Yes.

Lauren: A one-word answer, Mick?

Micky: Yup.

Mike: What kind?

Micky: *glares at Mike - he can't give too much away* A paying one.

Mike: (Nods) Fine.

Lauren: Mick, your lack of verbosity is freaking me out.

Micky: *shrugs* Sorry, babe.

Emma: (Grins and ducks into the basket to allieviate the tension) Hey, guys, who wants chocolate cake? I made one last night, and I thought it would be perfect for the picnic.

Mike: Me, of course. Your cake's groovy.

Micky: You have to ask?

Peter: I'll have some!

Valerie: I'd love to try it.

(Emma slices the cake and passes it around.)

Mike: (As he digs in) Em, I don't know how you do it, but this is your best yet.

Peter: (Between mouthfuls) So chocolatey!

Micky: I am in Heaven!

Lauren: There goes his love affair with chocolate.

Emma: I'm glad you approve.

Peter: (As he finishes his piece) Who's for going back in the water?

Valerie: Not me. I'm too full.

Emma: I'm fine where I am. I'll clean up.

Micky: I am! :D

Davy: *nods* I'll go, too.

Lauren: No thanks. Mick, I appreciate you holding onto me, but I like it just fine sitting here.

Micky: Okay, babe. *turns to Davy* Besides, I see someone I can pick on in the water...

Davy: Don't even think of it, Shark Boy!

Micky: *innocent look* Who, me?

Mike: Guys...

Peter: Come on, Mike! (He grabs his best friend's hand)

Mike: Pete, you ain't supposed to go swimmin' for at least an hour after eatin'!

Micky: Pssshh! Only if you stuff yourself.

Peter: That's just a myth!

Davy: Take it from Mick, 'e should know.

Mike: Well, don't come cryin' to me when you have cramps!

Micky: *trades glances with Davy and Peter; turns to Mike* Come on, Mike! You didn't eat that much!

Mike: Yeah, well, I'm all dry now!

Micky: *shakes his head as he stands again* We're just as dry as you are. *moves closer to where Mike sits; stands over Mike, hands on his hips* You coming, or do we have to MAKE you?

Mike: I'd like to see you try. (Crosses his arms)

Micky: Alrighty. *leans over, lifts Mike off the ground, and puts him into a fireman's carry* Last one to the water's a rotten egg!

Mike: Hey!

*Micky starts running, carrying Mike to the water.*

Davy: Wait up!

Peter: (Follows) Let's go!

(The girls double over laughing.)

*Micky runs to the water. Once deep enough, he drops Mike in.*

Mike: Miii...(but the rest of the complaint is drowned out by a splash and the voices of the other guys as they hit the water, not to mention the laughing girls on the beach. Mike comes up spluttering and is immediately splashed by the other guys as we fade out on the boys in the water and the girls laughing on the shore.)