(We open in the cheery yellow kitchen of the Montgomery House. Mike sits at the table, drinking coffee and reading a car magazine.)

Davy: *enters the kitchen* 'Ey, Mike.

Mike: (Puts down the magazine) Hi, kid. (Holds up the coffee cup) Want some?

Davy: I think I will. Tea doesn't soound strong enough right now.

(Mike goes over to pour Davy a cup of coffee as Peter comes in.)

Peter: Hi, guys. (He sits at the breakfast island) Couldn't sleep?

Mike: Nahh, I'm a night owl.

Davy: I couldn't sleep. Too wound up.

Peter: Me either.

Mike: Want some tea?

Peter: Nahh, I'm fine. Actually, I came down for a snack. (He takes a jar from the counter near the island) I hope there's some carab-chip cookies left...

Micky: *comes in from outside* Wow, everyone's still up...

Davy: Getting some fresh air, mate?

Micky: *nods* Yeah. *takes seat at the table*

Mike: Feelin' ok, Mick?

Peter: The kids haven't been climbing on you, have they?

Micky: Better, & no, they haven't.

Micky: *shrugs* I dunno... I know I'm okay, but something feels off. I just don't completely feel like myself.

Peter: Your aura is still wavery, Micky. You probably need more rest.

Mike: Mick, you know, most of these transformations usually have some consequences. (Makes a face) Look at what happened to me when the devils turned me into a wolf one too many times.

Micky: Maybe that's it. *rubs at the back of his neck* I'm just not sure what it is.

Davy: You don't still 'ave the teeth, do you?

Micky: Wanna find out?

Davy: *shakes his head* No, thanks, mate. I can live without knowing.

Mike: Yeah, save the bitin' for your wife.

*Davy laughs outright.*

*Micky just rolls his eyes to the ceiling & sighs.*

Davy: *calms down, wiping at his eyes* 'Ey... *kicks at Micky under the table* Laugh, mate, that were funny!

Micky: Ow! Dave, don't kick much higher! You'll have Lauren to answer to!

Peter: (Chuckles, then goes to Micky) Let me check on you, Mick. (He puts his hand on Micky's shoulder) You're still tired and confused, and... (frowns) ...something else. Something about your emotions...

Micky: *frowns* What...?

Davy: Petah?

Peter: Micky...I think you do have a little bit of something left from being a vampire.

Micky: *eyes widen* I do...?

Peter: Micky...can you turn off your emotions?

Micky: I... *pauses, then sighs* yeah, I can.

Davy: *nods* 'E just did it again.

Mike: I think we just solved a problem of yours, Mick. If you can turn your emotions on and off, you can kick people out the door when YOU feel like it, not just your anger.

Micky: *smiles* You're right, man. I'll finally be able to control berzerk mode!

Davy: It's kinda like a light switch, it is.

Micky: *grins at Davy* Better watch it or I might flip the switch on YOU!

Davy: I'm shakin' in me boots.

Peter: Not here, guys. It's too late, and there's people in the house. I don't think Em wants to come downstairs to a destroyed kitchen, and you KNOW she's gonna want to make breakfast.

Mike: Yeah, you know how she feels about her kitchens.

Micky: *still grinning* I'll be good. O:-)

Davy: I were only joking, that's all.

Mike: We'll have to work with you on that at the Beach Cave.

*Micky nods.*

Davy: So we're all up... & most of us are getting buzzed on caffeine. Now what?

*Micky sticks his tongue out at Davy.*

*Micky gets up & goes over to the breakfast island where Peter sits to pur himself some tea.*

Mike: Guys...we're kinda at a crossroads now.

Peter: (Nods) I'm still not technically with the band.

Micky: *leans against the island, mug in hand; sighs* We need to work out some of our kinks, seriously. We can't stay like this & be any good to anyone or each other. The four of us, we're supposed to be the Guardians. If WE can't work together, then what good are we?

Mike: (Nods) First thing's first. From now on, we keep tabs on each other. (Looks at Peter) Man, if we'd kept a better eye on you, instead of lettin' you handle everything alone...

Peter: (Shakes his head) I don't know what you could have done.

Micky: Hm, I think we could've done something. I think it mainly stemmed from your vulnerability at the time. Kinda like what happened with Mike not to long ago. We're more susceptible to being caught when we're vulnerable. And we're definitely vulnerable when we're not a foursome.

Mike: Yeah. I've thought about that, too. We all need to stay together more, us and the girls.

Micky: Right. As a cohesive unit... we're unstoppable. But, if we've got a kink in our chain, the Devils just jump right in & take advantage.

Davy: *grins* Mick, did your IQ get raised at some point 'ere?

Micky: *rolls his eyes, then swats at the back of Davy's head with his free hand* No, I didn't. I've just... had this on my mind for a while & actually had the time to hash out my thoughts.

Mike: So have I. Micky's completely right. Every time the devils have gotten their hands on one or more of us, it's been when we've been vulnerable...or alone. Or both. We need to figure out a way to solve our differences and stick together.

Micky: *nods* Granted, four different people are going to have differences of opinion on occasions, so we have to remember the word 'compromise.' *sighs* If it wasn't for Mike... you guys would be a trio... *looks at Peter* or even just a duo right now.

Peter: Or dead. What I did to all of you, especially you, Michael...

Mike: ...Does not need to be rehashed this late. Peter, we know you're goin' through some hard times right now, but we're here for you now. We'll help you in any way we can.

Micky: That's right, Big Peter, just like you guys are gonna help me. That's what we all have to remember is to help each other. *suddenly grins in Davy's direction* Even if it means occasionally helping out short Englishmen who like to hang their best friend from a statue when they've been accidentally made fifty feet tall.

Davy: 'Ey!

Peter: I think we've all agreed that was an accident...and in truth, entirely the Devils' fault.

Micky: *chuckles* Sorry, I couldn't help it. I had to get that dig in.

Davy: Atleast the does prove 'is sense of 'umor's still intact... as demented as it is.

Micky: Nah, I'd call it warped, not demented.

Davy: Wotevah you say, mate.

Mike: We're going to need to talk to the girls, too...and maybe even the kids, though I suspect they might be better at this "keeping together" thing than we are.

Davy: *nods* Yeah, I'm willing to bet they are.

Micky: I wouldn't be surprised if even the girls might be better than we are.

Mike: Yeah. I don't often see them trying to kick the shit out of each other. On purpose.

Davy: Definitely not on purpose. They all know when to "let loose." *smirks* Mick, you should've seen Lauren in the ballroom aftah you left. She were a real spitfire!

Micky: She does have a pretty mean right hook...

Mike: And every vampire within a five-mile radius is now well-versed with it.

Peter: She was amazing.

Micky: And thankfully has not had to use it on ME lately.

Mike: Or you wouldn't be standin', given the way she was actin' at the mansion.

Davy: 'E'd be unconscious on the floor with 'is reah sticking up!

Micky: *opens his mouth to say something, then sighs* Cute, Dave.

Davy: You know... this is gonna take some getting used to. I won't be as black & blue from being pelted by Mick everytime I say something 'e don't like.

Mike: I don't think I'll have any problem gettin' used to it.

Peter: And it'll help save Micky's sanity.

Micky: I think this may end up being a blessing in disguise.

Davy: But I like getting Mick all worked up. Maybe I'll 'ave to pick on one o' you two... *turns to Peter & Mike, then makes a face* Maybe I'll just try 'ardah with Mick... *sees Micky walk over to the sink* Mick?

*Micky grabs a plastic cup & fills it with water from the tap. He walks back over, sipping the water.*

Micky: Were you saying something, Dave?

Davy: Yeah, I were saying that--

*Micky suddenly dumps the rest of the water over Davy's head!*

Davy: *jumps* 'Ey, that's bloody cold!

Mike: (Laughs) Must have flipped the switch.

Peter: This could be fun.

Micky: *sets the cup upsidedown on top of Davy's head* And I believe that's Micky one, Davy nothing.

Mike: (Grins at Peter) We ought to keep score.

Davy: *snatches the cup off his head* Real funny there, Mick.

Peter: Not a bad idea, at that.

Micky: Awe, Dave, you're all wet! Here, let me help you dry off! *leans down & blows in Davy's face*

Davy: Mick!

*Micky backs off, laughing.*

Davy: Oh, that bloody does it...

(Now Mike and Peter are laughing, too.)

Micky: Wanna get back at me, short stuff? Gotta catch me first! *runs outside*

Davy: Micky Dolenz GET BACK 'ERE! *runs out the door after him*

*Davy stops on the deck, glancing around, trying to find Micky, but doesn't see him.*

Davy: Where'd 'e go?

Mike: (They join Davy on the deck, still laughing) Who knows?

Peter: Maybe he's playing hide and seek. The gardens are great for that.

Davy: *frowns* Are you still laughing at me?

Peter: We're laughing at both of you.

Mike: Yeah. Now... (heads for the yard and looks around) where IS that boy?

Micky's voice: *from somewhere nearby* BOY?!

Davy: Ah HA!

Davy: *points into the gardens* 'E's in there, alright!

Mike: Now, we've just gotta FIND him. (Calls around) Miiiickkk!

Davy: *walks ahead* Just listen for chewing or--oooof! *lands on the ground*

Micky: *peeks out from behind a bush* Have a nice trip, Dave? Will you be back next fall?

Davy: *lifts his head & glares at Micky* That does it...

*Micky laughs & jumps up... & rams right into Mike!*

Davy: Grab 'im, Mike!

Peter: Guys! (He runs out to join the others)

Mike: Come 'er, Mick! (He reaches for Mick, who easily slips out of his grasp)

*Micky cackles as he runs away, dodging Peter.*

Davy: Mick, get back 'ere & let me clobbah ya!

Mike: Mick! (He runs after the boys)

Peter: (Sighs) Oh boy. (He just walks after them)

*Micky vaults over a three foot stone wall & goes around the other side of it. He stops seeing Davy across the bushes. He sticks his thumbs to his ears & waggles his fingers.*

Davy: MICKY!

Micky: Now you see me... *giggles, then drops to the ground* now you don't!

*Davy runs around, looking under the bushes, but can't spot Micky.*

Mike: Damn it, Micky, where are you? We're gonna wake up the kids!

Peter: (Peers into a bush) Well, well. Would you look what I found crawling around in the shrubbery? (He pulls Micky out of the bush)

Micky: *laughing hysterically* Yeah... yeah... you found me!

Davy: *brushes dirt off of himself* Got me all dirty looking for you.

Mike: (Laughs) Man, you guys are somethin' else!

Peter: Thanks, guys. I think that released a lot of tension. (Lets Micky go)

Micky: *sighs, settling down* Now don't we ALL just feel a little bit better? *nudges Davy* Even you, Dave?

Davy: *nods* Yeah, that was kinda fun.

Mike: I think so, too.

Peter: We need to do that more often, on our own and with our families.

Micky: I know I needed that. *grins* I say we bring everyone out here tomorrow & do this again.

Peter: Yeah!

Mike: Could be fun.

Davy: I like that idea.

Micky: Thank you, guys, for playing along.

Mike: You guys are right. We needed it.

Peter: But now (yawns), we need sleep.

Micky: Sleep? Man, I'm wired now! *yawns suddenly* Or... maybe not.

Mike: I agree with Pete. Bedtime, boys.

Davy: *chuckles* Yeah, I think I'll be 'aving a nice sleep tonight.

Micky: *wraps an arm each around Mike & Peter, as they're closest* You guys are great. Now... *grins* carry me in!

Mike: (Looks at Peter) Do we want to carry him in?

Peter: Nahhh! (They drop Micky on the ground)

Micky: Hey!? Funny, fellas, really funny!

Davy: Lets go, mates.

Peter: (As he and Mike help Mick to his feet) Right. I don't think we want to sleep out here.

Mike: Nahh, Mick's enough of a wild animal.

Micky: *grins as he brushes himself off* Thanks!

Davy: *heads for the porch* Come on, wild animal, time to put you back in your cage. Your mate's probably lookin' for you.

Micky: *eyes widen* Y'know what? You're probably right! *runs for the porch, zooming past Davy & in the door into the kitchen*

Davy: Some things nevah change.

Mike: Thank god for that!

Peter: Now let's go find our own mates.

(The other three follow Micky into the kitchen as the light turns off in the windows and we fade out.)