Part Six

Everyone ready to get a plan of attack together? ;)

*Micky raises both hands.*

;)

(Mike raises both hands and a foot. ;) )

*Micky sticks his tongue out at Mike.* :P ;)

Peter: I'm ready! Those poor girls, and the twins and Katie need their mommies. :(

Davy: I want Daph back...and not as a pet, either. :p

*We fade in on another room in the desert hideout, this one more like a cross between the regular rooms and the labs. There are shelves to hold animal cages, which are empty. There's also some furniture and a lab table. The door open and Lauren comes in, leading Daphne, who carries an occupied cage.*

Lauren: Put the cage on the table, my pet. >:)

Daphne: Yes, Mother. (Daphne puts the cage on the table, then turns to Lauren inquisitively) Mother...do I have a name?

Lauren: *turns a blank stare on Daphne* No. >:) ;)

Daphne: (Reaches into the cage) Am I like this little creature?

Lauren: Exactly. ;) >:)

Daphne: It doesn't move. I can move.

Lauren: She IS still a pet, except she is not allowed to move.

Daphne: If I am a pet, will I be eating? I am a bit hungry.

Lauren: Maybe later. Unfortunately, you weren't able to keep the Lord Of The Manor from getting away.

Daphne: I know. I tried. His Imagination Power is very strong.

Lauren: I don't like hearing excuses. I like results.

Daphne: (Strokes the dark form in the cage) I feel a...connection...between the Lord of the Manor and myself. It's very strange, almost as if...I know what he's feeling...

Lauren: Perhaps we can use that to our advantage. >:)

Daphne: I want to bring him back and ask him about that connection. Maybe he knows more about it.

Lauren: No! *steps up to Daphne...but still has to look up* You are not allowed to make decisions like that. You are a PET! You follow orders given by myself, Alex, or Shelia.

Daphne: (Frowns) But...I am confused. (Steps back; softer) I...I just want to know...

Lauren: Never mind. We have some business to take care of. *motions toward the cage*

Daphne: (Turns toward the cage) She's a very pretty kitten, isn't she?

Lauren: *glances at the brown kitten* Yes, she is. Unfortunately, she was something of a trouble maker. She didn't follow orders. >:) :P ;)

(The brown kitten - Emma - looks up and glares at Lauren. She no longer wears the muzzle, but remains paralyzed.)

Daphne: Maybe you could let her move a bit. I don't think she'll hurt anyone in that cage. (She strokes Emma again. Emma leans her head into Daphne's fingers :) )

Lauren: I don't think so. I like her the way she is. *evil smirk* You need not give me suggestions, my pet. :P

Daphne: But she's not hurting anyone. (Daphne giggles when Emma licks her fingers with her rough tongue.) See? She likes me! :) ;))

Lauren: *eyes narrow* You're NOT supposed to be making FRIENDS with the animals! :P X-(

Daphne: (Frowns) But...

Lauren: No! X-(

Daphne: (Pulls her hands away) She just...she seemed lonely.

(Emma nods sadly at the two women. :( )

Lauren: *evil smirk* I have an idea. You want so badly to make friends with the kitten. I'll HELP you with that. *concentrates; a black light envelopes Daphne. When it fades, it leaves a jet-black kitten with green eyes in her place. Lauren scoops up the kitten and grins at it.*

Lauren: Now, isn't that better? >:)

(The kitten shakes her head and mews. Lauren glares at her...and looks down at the table where the cage is. Heavy electrical tape, glue, scissors, various scientific equipment, and a bundle of black silk scarves lay scattered on the table. The black kitten mews daintily and nudges Lauren's hand - her way of promising to not cause more trouble. Emma looks at both of them, her eyes wide.)

Lauren: *smirks* Hmm. *to the black kitten* You've been a rather bad pet. I think you should be taught a lesson. >:)

(Daphne shakes her head. :o :( )

*Lauren puts the kitten down on the table and takes a scarf, which she wraps around the kitten, tying her legs to her body. Lauren ponders the other items.*

(The kitten whimpers. :( )

*Lauren grabs the electrical tape and tapes the kitten’s tail to the table. She pulls off the scarf she had wrapped around its legs.* >:)

(Daphne squeaks, but makes no other noise.)

*Lauren ties the kitten's front paws together with the scarf in her hand.*

(The kitten giggles a little, as the motion tickles.)

*Lauren black lights a stool into the room. She sits in so she's closest to the kitten's head and front paws. She picks up the pair of scissors and clips hair off of in various places, along with the occasional claw off the front paws.*

(The kitten lets out another pitiful mew. :(( )

*Lauren cuts off a whisker on each side, then sets the scissors down. She picks up the glue next. She puts a dab on the kitten's back and rubs it into the remaining fur.*

(The kitten sobs. :(( )

Lauren: *smirks evilly at the black kitten* Perhaps now you will listen. >:)

(The kitten nods, sobbing. :( )

Lauren: *turns to the brown kitten; picks up the scissors again* Do you have anything to say on the matter? ;) >:)

(Emma glares at her again. X( )

(Daphne watches, shaking her head. :o :( )

Lauren: It seems that you do. *gets up and moves down the table; takes the brown kitten out of its cage* Now, what treatment would YOU like? >:)

(Emma turns her head away from Lauren; Daphne whimpers. :( )

Lauren: You don't want to watch? That's fine. I'll work on your other end. *turns the kitten around so its tail is closest to her* ;) >:)

*Lauren opens the scissors and uses one of the blades to drag down the tail, shearing the hair off of it and making small cuts here and there.*

(Emma cringes and opens her mouth to mew, though she can't. :o :p)

(Daphne mews fearfully.)

Lauren: *smirks; the tail is now completely hairless and red with irritation and small cuts* Let’s try something else. *takes another scarf and ties the front paws together, then then rear; there's a black light, and the brown kitten can once again move its legs*

(Emma wiggles her legs, happy to be able to move them again.)

*Lauren picks up the glue again and puts a dab in between each set of paws. She tightens the scarves to let the glue dry and hold.*

(Emma tries to move her paws, but is unable to. She rolls over, wiggling her legs.)

*Lauren picks up the electrical tape again and pulls off a long strip. She rolls the kitten upright and places the center of the tape strip to the kitten's back, then down each side and onto the table.* >:)

(The kitten tries to wiggle helplessly, but the tape holds her firmly to the table.)

Lauren: *smirks* Not bad, if I do say so myself. ;) >:)

(Daphne mews in horror. :o )

Lauren: Now, perhaps BOTH of you will learn to listen.

(Emma glares and shakes her head; Daphne mews and nods.)

Lauren: I have...something else to do. I want you two to keep each other company for now. >:) ;) :P

(Shelia comes in as Lauren stands. She grins widely and evily at the pair on the table, but shakes her head a bit at Daphne.)

Shelia: Hello, ladies. Alex sent me in here for a few items, including the two of you.

Lauren: We had a slight problem, as you can see. :P ;)

Shelia: Alex is working on something that will allow us to control one of our biggest problems. (Nods at Daphne) We'll need her human, however. You can leave the Scholar as she is. (Smirks) EXACTLY as she is. ;)

(Emma glares and tries to wiggle under the tape.)

Lauren: *sighs* Alright. *shrugs* I had my fun, anyway.

*A black light surrounds Daphne, freeing her from the table and turning her human once again, though her hair looks oddly uneven.* ;) >:)

Daphne: (Gulps) Mother, I'm sorry. I will obey you now. :o

Shelia: Oh, my... ;)

Lauren: *nods* That's better, my pet. >:)

Shelia: (Nods) Find her a nice outfit. She must look her best to attract the Lord of the Manor! ;)

(Shelia starts going through chemicals, pulling out a collar and leash for a large dog.)

Daphne: I would like to see him.

*Lauren sends off another black light on Daphne. She's left with her hair still uneven and wearing the black dress she wore before with Alex.*

Shelia: (Goes to Daphne and fingers her hair) Perhaps, just a little... (black light; Daphne now has shorter, almost boyish hair and heavy, dark makeup against her pale skin) Doesn't she look quite lovely?

Daphne: (Smiles docily) I am lovely. :)

(Emma peers out from under the tape and makes a face. :p)

Lauren: *nods approvingly* Very lovely. >:)

Shelia: (Ties Daphne's leash to a hook in the wall, then returns to the chemicals) As I was saying, Alex is working on something to control one of our biggest problems. It will keep him out of our hair...until I can have a nice little chat with him. ;) >:)

Lauren: *smirks evilly* And that is? ;) >:)

(Emma frowns.)

Shelia: The White Knight is fearful of his powers, isn't he?

Lauren: *nods* Quite afraid.

Shelia: He hates that he can't control them. Alex thought...(runs her finger against the collar)...what if WE controlled his...powers? (Picks up a vial of dark purple fluid) And maybe dulled a few...

Lauren: *grins* An excellent idea. ;) >:)

(Emma's eyes widen, and she tries to struggle under the tape again, though she gets nowhere. :p :o )

Shelia: (Nods at the door) We'll need both your help loading up the cages, too. Alex says he's going to send the first load of...(smirk)...animals to pet shops and zoos in the San Fernando Valley area. They'll be going out tomorrow night.

Lauren: *nods* No problem. >:)

Shelia: Alex says there are two animals whose souls he has not yet taken, so they'll go out in the next batch. (Smirks) I intend to put my share into the next batch. Men can be just as gullible as women...if not more so. ;)

Lauren: *also smirks* That is quite true. ;)

Shelia: You two help me bring these things to Alex. That man gets so caught up when he's working on an idea, he'd forget his bloody head if it wasn't attatched to his body! :p

Lauren: Right. ;)

(Shelia unties Daphne's leash and hands it to Lauren.)

Shelia: You're in charge of our little pet. Make sure she does as she's told.

Daphne: Yes, Milady.

Lauren: You behave this time, my pet. *smirks* Next time I won't be so nice. ;) :P >:)

Daphne: Yes, Mother. (Daphne takes the dog collar and leash from the table)

(Shelia takes the vial of purple liquid and heads out. Lauren stops at the door and turns to Emma, who is still taped on the table, with a smirk.)

*Lauren gives the brown kitten a small wave, along with the smirk, then leaves the doorway, leading Daphne out.*

(Cut to the Cartwright Garden, where we hear "Forget That Girl" as we see footage of Davy walking through the flowers from "Head.")

(Everyone else walks along the path, slurping ice cream cones. Mike holds Katie in one arm; she tries to reach for his rocky road cone, mashing it into his nose. He laughs and licks his nose; she giggles. ;) ;)) :) )

(He licks HER nose; she grabs at his. :) )

*The twins toddle along next to Micky, slurping off each other's cones. Micky shakes his head.* ;)

(Peter chuckles at the twins as he slurps his tutti-frutti. Valerie is working on a very large chocolate cone. Chrissy tries to keep her butter pecan from dripping all over.)

*Micky taps Peter's shoulder, drawing his attention. He takes a slurp off Peter's cone. He puts on an innocent look as Peter turns back* ;)

(Valerie and Chrissy burst into giggles. Peter looks perplexed. :-//:) )

(Mike rolls his eyes and takes a slurp off Micky's cone when HE'S not looking. Katie reaches for Micky's cone, but Mike stops her.)

*Micky looks down at his cone, knowing that something just happened.* :-/

*The twins have finished theirs. They’re smearing what ice cream remains on each other.* ;) :P

*Micky shrugs and bites the bottom off his cone, then sucks out the ice cream.*

(Chrissy tries to join the twins, but Valerie glares at her. She makes a face. They join Davy at a group of small wire tables on a patio surrounded by orange trees, flowers, and a small, pretty fountain with a mermaid statue on top.)

Davy: (Sad smile) Hi, guys.

Micky: Hey, Dave. :)

Peter: (Slurps his tutti-frutti) Hi, Dave! You should have come with us! We had a great time!

Chrissy: AND got the best ice cream in Malibu Beach! :D

Davy: I...'aven't been feelin' well. :p

*Micky frowns.* :( :P

Chrissy: Are you getting a cold? There's a really bad one going around. Half the kids in my class have it. :p

Davy: Yeah, that's probably it.

Valerie: (Tries to lighten the mood; turns to the twins) The twins sure had fun, didn't you, kids? :)

Mick: Yeah! :D

Davy: (Smiles at the kids) Hey, what flavors did you end up getting?

Chrissy: Butter pecan! My favorite. :)

Mick: Chocolate! :D

Valerie: As did I. ;)

Mike: Rocky road. Woulda had more of it if Miss Katie didn't think I should be wearin' it. ;) (He tickles the baby girl, and she giggles again :) )

Peter: I ALWAYS get tutti-frutti. :D

Micky: Chocolate chip. *stuffs the rest of the cone in his mouth* ;)

Shelly: Strawberry, like puppy! :D

Davy: Puppy?

Valerie: They were talking about that earlier.

Shelly: Strawberry OUR puppy! :D

*Micky tries to say something, but his mouth is still full.* :P

Mick: Nice puppy! :D

Shelly: Pretty red fur! :)

Peter: (Frowns) Where did you find a puppy?

Shelly: At the bad man and bad lady's house! :p

Micky: *swallows; nods* They found it there and befriended it. We tried to find it again, but couldn't.

Mick: Miss Strawberry! :(

Mike: They found a puppy at the hide-out?

Micky: Well...yes and no. :P

Chrissy: Bad man and bad lady?

Valerie: (Makes a face) You've never met the man, and I hope you never will, but you know the lady as the Black Magic Lady, the one who tried to ruin our wedding. :p

Chrissy: You mean, she didn't melt? I was hoping the punch just needed to sink in and would make her melt later! :p

Peter: I wish it worked that way, Chris. She was in jail for hurting a lot of people, but she broke out.

Chrissy: Like on all the cop shows?

Valerie: (Nods) Yeah.

Micky: And she's right back to hurting people all over again. :P

Chrissy: Do you think she hurt the puppy?

Micky: Don't know. :P

Shelly: (Frowns) Bad lady hurt Strawberry? :(

Mick: No hurt Strawberry! :(

Peter: I wonder if there are any more poor creatures like Strawberry at Alex and Shelia's hideout?

Mick: Yeah! :P

Mike: Yeah, there is. (Eyes blaze; Katie squeaks) MY WIFE!!!!! X(

Peter: (Puts a hand on Mike's shoulder) Michael, calm down. Don't get...angry...in front of Chrissy.

Micky: Yeah, man, it won't help anything. :(

(Mike growls; Katie makes a funny little sound, too, almost like SHE'S growling.)

Micky: Oh, great. Mike, your daughter's starting to pick up your bad habits. :p ;)

Chrissy: (Laughs) Katie's good at making animal sounds for a baby! I heard her make them yesterday, too! :)

Mike: I don't know how...(frowns)...hey, I don't feel tingly anymore! (Looks at Chrissy) I smacked my hand with a hammer yesterday, and I'm still tryin' to regain feelin' in it. ;) :"> :p

Micky: *eyes widen slightly* Yeah?

Chrissy: Ouch! (Makes a face) I once got my hand stuck in the car door when I was little! I had to go to the hospital and have it wrapped up, and I couldn't play basketball for a month! :p

Mike: (Frowns) I feel somethin'...sticky...on my hands and feet. Like they're bein' glued together. :p

Valerie: Maybe it's the ice cream. :)

*Micky quirks an eyebrow.*

Mike: Kate sure dumped enough on me. ;) (Katie yells) Well, you did, cowgirl! Your mother would have a fit if she saw you now! You know how clean and neat Mommy always is. (Frowns) I hope she STILL is... :p

*Micky's eyes close.* :P :(

(Mike rubs his rear end.)

Mike: Owww...I must have sat on a bee or somethin'. It feels like somethin's been dragged up my rear.

Chrissy: We have a lot of stinging insects around here! Maybe you did sit on one!

*Micky shakes his head slightly.* :P

Mike: (Looks down at the twins) Kids...what did you see when you were at the bad man and bad lady's house?

Peter: Maybe you shouldn't ask them that...

Valerie: (Shakes his head) They might have some clues.

Mick: Lots more aminals!

Peter: Animals?

Shelly: All in cages. Not happy. :(

Mick: *shakes his head* Kitties, puppies, others...none happy! :(

Chrissy: I hope they haven't hurt those poor animals! :(

Mike: Did you guys see anything else?

Davy: Did you see Aunt Daphne?

Shelly: Aunt Daphne gone! :(

Mick: Go bye bye! :(

Davy: (Eyes widen) Go bye-bye? What do you mean? :o

Shelly: Go bye-bye. Bunny come.

Mick: Cute bunny!

Davy: (Does some growling of his own) I'll bet. :p

Mike: Did you guys happen to run into Aunt Em when you were there?

Shelly: (Shakes her head) No.

Mick: No Auntie Emma. :(

(Mike frowns and holds Katie closer to him. She nuzzles her father's chin.)

Mike: Kids, Aunt Em's missin'. She's been missin' since yesterday.

Mick: Missing? :(

Mike: She went to the library, lookin' for information about a lady who didn't come to her interview, and she never came back.

Shelly: Poor Auntie Emma! :(

Mike: I really miss her. Katie does, too.

Mick: *frowns* Miss Mommy, too. :(

Shelly: Want Mommy. :(

Valerie: Did either of you see your mother when you were there?

Mick: Heard Mommy. :-/

Shelly: And Auntie Daphne! (Frowns) They sound funny. :p

Davy: Funny? What do you mean?

Mick: Not right. :P

Shelly: Auntie Daphne get Mommy's cold. :p

Mick: Bad cold! :P

Chrissy: Tell me about it. I just got over it myself. :p

*Micky sniffs.* :(

(Davy puts his hand on Micky's shoulder. :( )

Peter: (Smiles) Why don't we play something to cheer everyone up? :)

Mike: Sounds like a good idea. (Katie grins and burbles) My cowgirl agrees. ;) :)

Micky: *wipes at his eyes* Yeah. :)

Chrissy: I love hearing you guys play! I wish you could all make a record, so all my friends could hear you, too! Sarah wants to hear you guys play again sometime. :D

Valerie: Oh, I think they'll find someone who'll cut them a deal soon, Chris. ;)

Peter: Hey, Val, why don't you take Chrissy to throw her empty cone away for a minute while we get our instruments? ;) :)

Valerie: (Notices Peter's wink and nods) Sure! (Puts her arm around her sister's shoulder) Let's get you cleaned up a little.

Chrissy: Aw, but Vallllll....

(The two walk off into the trees together. :) )

Mike: (Grins) Nice work, Pete. ;) (puts Katie next to him on a mountain of pillows and blankets and makes Black Beauty appear in a dark blue light)

Micky: *makes his drum kit appear in a blue light...except his drumsticks end up with the twins each holding one* Oops. *puts a hand out to the twins; they hands over the sticks, grinning* ;) :)

Davy: Practicin' already, kids? ;) (His tambourine appears in a dark blue light)

Mike: Hey, maybe we could give them little drums or maracas or somethin'. ;) :)

Micky: Sure! *concentrates; Little Mick gets a small tambourine. Shelly gets a pair of small maracas* :)

Davy: Mick and I 'ave our own little orchestra. ;)

Mike: I'll have to give Katie a little guitar when she's old enough. ;)

(Katie grins and laughs. :) )

Peter: Let's play! (Makes his bass and the keyboard appear in a blue light; Valerie and Chrissy walk back in as the light fades)

Chrissy: Wow, you guys did that fast!

Micky: We're good. ;)

Mike: I could move instruments in my sleep. ;)

Peter: Wouldn't that be kinda hard?

(Valerie elbows the snickering Peter. ;) :p)

Chrissy: (Shakes her head) You're so silly sometimes, Peter! :))

Peter: Thanks, Chris. I try to be. ;) (Turns to the others) Well, what should we play? :)

Davy: Somethin' cheerful for the kids.

Micky: And for us.

Peter: How about "Smile?" That seems rather appropriate. ;) :)

Davy: Sounds good to me, Petah, and the kiddies will love it. :)

Micky: Yeah! :)

Chrissy: I've never heard that one!

Valerie: (Grins and beckons her sister to join her at the keyboard) We'll teach it to you! :D

Mike: Everyone ready? (Looks at the twins and Katie) You kids ready?

(Katie grins. :D)

Shelly: (Shakes a maraca) Ready, Unca Mike! :D

Mick: Ready! :D

Chrissy: I'm ready, too! I love learning new songs. :)

Mike: Good. Let's start. (And we launch into "Smile." Valerie shows Chrissy the notes on a music sheet; the two play together)

(Peter watches the pair with a proud, happy smile. :) )

*Micky watches the twins attempt to play along with a sad smile, chuckling to himself.* :)

(Mike tries to concentrate on the music, but his eyes keep moving to his daughter, who is facinated by the pretty sound and all of the people around her and happily burbles along with the music.)

(Davy also watches the twins sadly, his mind only half on the music.)

(As we come to an end, the twins are yawning.)

Valerie: Looks like two little Dolenzes need their afternoon naps. :)

Chrissy: I'll watch them again. They're fun. :)

Mick: No tired! *yawns again* :P

Shelly: Me up! (Yawns too) :p

Peter: I think you guys are about to fall over. ;)

Micky: Yeah, you're not fooling anyone. ;)

Mick: Okay. :)

Shelly: (Holds her arms out to Chrissy) Go with Chrissy! Fun! :D

Chrissy: Sure, Shel! I like you guys. :)

Mick: *nods* Chrissy fun! :)

Peter: We'll be up in a little while ourselves.

Mike: (Takes Katie on his lap; she's nodding off) We have some...calls...to make.

Chrissy: Ok. (Grins at the twins) Who wants to ride, and who wants to walk? ;)

Mick: I walk! :)

Micky: *grins* Mick, no running! ;)

Mick: Awe!

Shelly: I ride! (Holds out her hands to Chrissy)

Valerie: Careful, Little Mick. Don't fall and smack your knee on the concrete!

Mick: I won't!

Micky: Famous last words. ;)

Chrissy: That's NOT fun. It gets really bloody and bruised and it'll hurt and Matilda will have to put ointment and band aids on it and tell you not to run so fast. :p

Mick: *makes a face* Ew! I won't run!

Chrissy: (Picks up Shelly; staggers a little) Whoa, you're getting to be a big girl!

Shelly: I a big girl, like Mommy! :D

Chrissy: And like Valerie. :)

Shelly: Auntie Valerie Chrissy's mommy?

Chrissy: Sort of. She's my sister, but she's like my mommy.

Valerie: Chrissy's mommy...isn't around anymore. I've taken care of her since she was a baby. :)

Mick: Mommy gone? :(

Valerie: Um, well...

Chrissy: (Sees the look on Valerie's face) Why don't I take you guys to the nursery and get you down for your naps?

Valerie: (Quickly) We'll be along in a while, Chris.

Chrissy: Ok. (She goes off with the twins)

Valerie: I wasn't going to explain about Mother's death, not with their own mother...well, not with things as they are. :p :( (Softly) Sorry, Mick.

Micky: *sad smile* Thanks, Val.

Mike: We've gotta find the girls...ALL of them.

Valerie: We could talk to Dad and see if he can get his buddies on the police force to find out if any other women like Leslie Evans - young, talented, suddenly up-and-coming - have vanished in the past six months.

Peter: We did a little homework of our own last night, too, and found out more about Leslie Evans.

Valerie: (Makes a notebook appear and pages through it) Her real name is Edna Flugler, and she worked at the main headquarters of Past, Present, and Future Inc in downtown LA until six months ago. Age, 21. Parents and family live in Omaha, Nebraska. She seems to have come down here with ideas of being an actress, but her looks were less than glamour material, and the best she could find were two failed auditions for commericals and the PPF job.

Peter: About six months ago, she dyed her hair blonde, stopped slouching, took vocal lessons, and suddenly got jobs in two commercials and on several popular variety shows, including a big spot on "Laugh In."

Micky: Which is really kinda weird...

Valerie: She quit her job at PPF and has been working on TV in increasingly large parts ever since...

Peter: (Finishes) Or at least until she disappeared two days ago.

Davy: It IS weird. 'Ow did she suddenly become so populah after no one would look at 'er even once?

Valerie: That's the part we DON'T know. No one seems to know why people suddenly changed their minds about Leslie...or how Leslie glammed up so quickly.

Micky: *eyes widen slightly* Unless...

Davy: Unless...

Mike: ...Unless she suddenly had a hand from somebody.

Micky: Right. :P

Peter: But who? Who could make her a success in just six months, after no one would even consider her?

Micky: Who else?

Mike: (Growls softly, so as not to wake up his daugher) Alex. :p X(

*Micky nods.* :P

Peter: (Whimpers) Oh god...

Valerie: You think he may have promised her success...

Mike: In exchange for her soul.

(Peter whimpers louder. :( )

Micky: And something else... X-(

Davy: Somethin' else?

Micky: Think, Dave. Alex...around pretty women... :P

Davy: (Makes a face) 'E'd go to town. :p

Valerie: Ugh. :p

Micky: Already HAS. :P X-(

Mike: THAT'S how he got Leslie Evans. She was so desperate to be noticed, he took advantage of her and promised her what she wanted, a career...and a man. :p

Davy: Micky, did you see Leslie Evans when you were there?

Micky: Umm...yes and no. After the twins found me and we started looking for their puppy friend, we sorta ended up in Alex's bedroom. And he wasn't alone... :P

Valerie: You caught Alex in the act?

Mike: Oh, man, that's gross. :p

Davy: Ugh. :p

(Peter blushes. :">)

Micky: *mutters* It was kinda like watching myself. (Out loud) We didn't REALLY see anything. Well, nothing too bad, at least.

(Mike and Davy snicker at the first part. Peter just blushes harder.)

Valerie: I doubt the kids understand what they saw, anyway.

Mike: I hope he ain't tried any of that shit with Em. X(

Peter: You would have felt it if he had, Mike.

Micky: No kidding. :P

Peter: I think we should talk to Ursula after the twins take their naps and we play a few games with them. She might have some advice or know what her sister and Alex are up to next.

Mike: That's a good idea. (Grins) And if anyone tries comin' after us or Urse, we'll get to test out our new...security system. ;) :D

Micky: And that anyone will be majorly sorry. ;) :D

(Mike smiles, then turns his gentle grin on his sleeping baby daughter, whom he rocks in his arms.)

Valerie: Let's go back in the house. I think there's more to this than even Leslie Evans' disappearance.

Mike: Yeah. I can't shake the naggin' feelin' there's something not quite right about that dog the twins keep bringin' up...and a few other things. :p

Micky: I'm thinking the same thing. :P

Valerie: We can use Dad's office and library. He's on a business trip to Sacramento.

Mike: (Stands, Katie still in his arms) As much as I love this kid, my arms are startin' to fall asleep. ;)

*Micky smirks.* ;)

(Peter closes his eyes; all the instruments disappear.)

Peter: Ok, guys. Let's go find out what happened to Lauren, Em, Daphne, and Leslie Evans.

(The four head down the path and into the garden's spectacular foliage as we fade out.)