*It's Halloween night, after the party at Lauren and Micky's house. Some of the adults are still hanging around the Rainbow Room.*

Emma: (She once again wears her cat costume; picks up empty orange and black bowls) I think that was a successful party.

Mike: (He's in his cowboy costume again; takes the last two slices of hard salami off a tray) Yeah. I think Pete and Valerie went to check in the cracks for people who forgot how to leave.

Lauren: *joins them; she wears her sparkly black gown, but not the hat* Considering that we have next to no party food left, it was definitely a hit.

Mike: Are you sure Mick didn't eat it all before we started?

Lauren: Positive, Mike.

Emma: (As she goes into the kitchen) Where is Mick, anyway?

Lauren: Umm...you know, that's a good question. *sighs* I spent so much time paying attention to keeping the party going that I lost track of him.

Mike: Considering what he's done to us on previous Halloweens, that probably isn't a good idea.

Peter: (He and Valerie return in their Robin Hood and Maid Marian costumes) Everyone's out, as far as we can tell. Nyles fell asleep under the porch, but we turned him over to Jack.

Lauren: Well, at least he's been taken care of.

Valerie: And the kids really are asleep.

*Davy and Daphne join them, arms around each other. They're also in the same costumes as Prince Charming and a princess.*

Davy: Which means we know exactly where they are for a change.

Mike: Yeah. Katie's gettin' to be a handful. (Looks at Lauren) How many times has she an' Little Mick gotten into fights?

Emma: I HAVE talked to her several times about physical fighting.

Lauren: *sighs* Too many for my liking. Mick and I have talked to Little Mick about it, but he apparently has Daddy's temper, then decides it's just a game.

Emma: And Katie has both her parents' tempers.

Mike: I just hope they don't end up killin' each other.

Lauren: Or drag the others into it. I've seen Shelly try to break them up a couple times.

Valerie: Jordan usually just ends up crying because their auras are so bad.

Emma: And Robbie's no help. He wants to defend his sister and would happily join in if he were bigger.

Mike: Maybe we ought to round up the whole gang and give them a talkin' to.

Daphne: *nods* I think that's a good idea.

Peter: I like that. Tomorrow, before we all go home, we'll bring the kids in the Rainbow Room and tell them that they need to try to get along better and that this fighting HAS to stop.

Mike: Bad enough we almost killed each other doin' it. We don't need the kids startin' in, too.

Lauren: No kidding.

Emma: (Sighs) Well, I must admit, we haven't exactly been setting a good example lately.

Davy: Not really.

Peter: (Sighs) No, we haven't, but things are getting better. If Mike and I can at least try to mend our fences, I think the kids should be able to as well.

Mike: (Nods) Yeah, we had a good time when he came over the other day. (Looks at Lauren) Maybe we could set up somethin' with our kids. It might help gettin' Katie and Little Mick to stop fightin' if we have a day just for them and their siblings without the other kids.

Peter: (Nods) We've been wanting to spend more time with Jordan before the baby comes, anyway.

Valerie: Our poor boy's been feeling neglected enough lately. I have the feeling it'll just get worse after his brother's born.

Lauren: *nods* We definitely need to do something for the kids.

Mike: Speakin' of kids, where's the overgrown one?

Peter: Valerie and I didn't see Micky when we were searching the house.

Davy: Good question. I 'aven't seen 'im for a while, eithah.

Lauren: *sighs* I don't know that I WANT to know. (Shakes her head) We should look for him, especially if he's waiting for us somewhere.

Mike: Yeah, another one of his Halloween pranks.

Davy: Probably. *sighs* Can't 'e evah give up?

Lauren: I'm going to officially say he's not in here.

*Onyx chooses this moment to scamper into the room and run over to Lauren. He sits at her feet, looking up at her.*

Lauren: Onyx, where have YOU been?

*Onyx mews, then stands again.*

Emma: (Strokes Onyx's fur; he purrs) He was probably trying to avoid the party. Remember the Valentine's Day anniversary party where John tripped over him?

Davy: John would've tripped ovah anything during that party.

*Onyx starts to scamper for the door, then turns to look at the others, as though wondering why they aren't following him.*

Lauren: I think Onyx knows something.

Mike: Maybe he found Mick snorin' under a bed or somethin'.

Emma: Well, let's follow him! We've done stranger things than follow a cat!

Daphne: *nods* That's quite true.

*The group follows Onyx out of the room and down the hall, toward a large walk-in closet. Onyx paws at the door.*

Lauren: The closet? *shakes her head* Micky probably just left a Hershey bar in one of his jacket pockets.

Mike: Maybe there's cat treats in there.

Lauren: *shrugs* Let’s find out *tugs at the door, but it won't open* Hey, the door is stuck!

Mike: Mick! Micky, are you in there?

Lauren: Wait... *presses an ear to the door* I hear... snoring.

Mike: He's in there. Just passed out. I knew he had too much of that pumpkin ale the Martians brought.

Lauren: *tugs at the door* Just wish I could get the door open. *turns* Guys, would you mind?

Davy: Would you like the 'onors, Mike?

Mike: Yeah. (He concentrates; there's a blue light inside the closet. When it subsides, Micky is now on a bed)

Peter: Should we wake him up?

Lauren: *frowns* I'd say we at least get him out of there. I hate to wake him, though...

Mike: Lauren, is he ok? Any nightmares?

Lauren: Not since last week. After we found Emerald, he's been fine.

Davy: I'd like to open up the closet and find out 'ow 'e got in there and why.

Mike: Yeah...but how?

Davy: *tugs on the door* Feels like it's just stuck. Anybody got some WD-40?

Mike: (There's a blue light and a can appears in his hand) Here. Right from the Pad's garage.

Emma: He has tons.

Davy: Be my guest, Mike. You can reach bettah.

Lauren: Just be careful it doesn't drip.

Mike: (Takes a towel and wraps it around the can) There we go.

(Mike applies the grease to the doorknob. After a minute or so, he tries the knob...and it does turn.)

Mike: Got it.

*They pull the door open to reveal Micky sprawled on the bed that Mike blue lighted. Oddly enough, Micky's still wearing his regular clothes.*

Davy: Did 'e forget 'is costume somewhere?

Lauren: Maybe he just got too warm under that sheet he was using for his ghost costume.

Mike: Then where's the sheet?

Micky: *still has his eyes closed* I'm sleepin' on it.

*opens his eyes* Or I WAS, until you guy woke me up. *blinks* How'd I get in here?

Davy: Partying with Nyles, were ya Mick?

Mike: What do you mean, "How'd you get in there?"

Emma: Someone partied too hard.

Micky: *groans* Nyles... :P

Lauren: Come on, Mick, lets get you out of there.

(Mike and Peter help Micky out of the bed and into the room. Mike blue-lights the bed back to where it belongs.)

Mike: (As he and Micky sit on the bed) So...what hair-brained scheme did you and Nyles come up with this time?

Micky: *scratches his head* I was gonna play the bad guy to their good guys, him and Jack, but Ny busted out the pumpkin ale and asked me to try it, see if it tasted all right. It was fine, pretty tasty actually, but I said it was really tart and it need more sugar, so he added more sugar and I tried it again, but then it was too sweet, so he added more water, then I tried it again...

Lauren: Uh, Mick? Stop, please. That's the longest run-on sentence I think I've ever heard.

Mike: Ok Mick, just how long did all that go on?

Micky: Uhhhh...when'd Ny and Jack get here?

Davy: Mate, that was over four 'ours ago!

Emma: Oh, THAT long.

Mike: Tell me you guys weren't doin' that for four hours.

Micky: *stupid grin* Nahhh, just three. *belches* I needed that.

Mike: You musta, after three hours of drinkin'. It took you THAT long to pass out?

Micky: I guess so.

Emma: You guys didn't have anything else planned, did you?

Mike: Anything vaguely like that little escapade a few years ago with Nyles as the grim reaper?

Micky: *shakes his head over dramataically* No way! Didn't wanna get my butt kicked by Mike.

Mike: (Pats Micky on the head) Good boy. You're learnin'.

Micky: Can I have a cookie then?

Davy: Only if you sit up and beg.

Daphne: Davy!

Mike: I wanna see that.

Emma: Mike!

Lauren: Guys...

Emma: I think there might be some ginger cookies left downstairs.

Micky: Ooooohhh!

Emma: I'll even pour you some milk. It might help your stomach after all that ale.

Micky: *makes a face* Milk?

Peter: How about we all have tea before we go to bed instead?

Mike: Tea?

Micky: *smiles* I like tea.

Emma: (Elbows Mike and mutters) You do NOT need something stronger right now, including coffee.

Lauren: Tea sounds really good.

(Cut to the kitchen. Emma takes eight mugs out of the cabinet as everyone sits or stands in various places.)

Peter: Where do you keep your tea, Lauren?

Lauren: Right over here. *picks up a red plastic container with a white cover; pulls the cover off and pulls out some tea bags*

Peter: Thanks, Lauren! (He sits each bag in a mug as Emma pours the water)

Emma: Here you go, everyone! Micky, I'll get you some cookies.

Micky: *smiles widely* Thank you!

Emma: (Leans over a large cookie jar shaped like a glass of milk with an Oreo sticking out of the top; she picks up the Oreo, which turns out to be the handle, and plucks out three cookies) Anyone else want any while I'm in here? I'm full.

Mike: Not me. I'm stuffed! (Valerie and Peter shake their heads no.)

Lauren: I'll take a couple.

Davy: No, thanks, luv.

Daphne: I'm all set.

(Emma hands Lauren three cookies, and Micky gets his three.)

Peter: (Smiles) This is so cozy.

*Micky dunks his first cookie...and his fingertips...into the tea. He pops the whole cookie and his fingers in his mouth.*

Mike: How do you do that? Mine always fall apart.

Micky: *wiggles his wet fingers* It's all in the fingers.

Emma: Maybe we should all turn in after this. I know what you boys are like after parties, and it's likely that the kids will want to be up at least somewhat early. They tend to get excited when they're all together, and we need to have that chat with them.

Lauren: Yes, I agree. Besides, SOME of you need to sleep OFF your partying. *looks pointedly at Micky, who misses it altogether, dunking his next cookie*

Mike: Nahh, I'm fine. I could go all night.

Emma: Honey, your eyelids are drooping.

Micky: *holds out his dunked cookie and dripping fingers to Mike* Cookie?

Mike: Uh, no thanks. I'm full.

Peter: (Yawns) I know I'll be turning in soon.

Valerie: So will I. I have work tomorrow.

Peter: And I want to talk to a local school about the possibility of at least substitute work.

*Micky shrugs and pops the cookie in his mouth, licking his fingers again.*

Mike: I have songs to work on.

Micky: I have cookies!

Mike: (Looks at Lauren) Is he doing anything useful tomorrow? Maybe we can work on songs together.

Lauren: Just going into the radio station in the evening.

Mike: Ya know, Lauren, I've been thinkin'. Maybe it's time we all did another radio stint.

Peter: (Nods) Why don't you interview us? Maybe it would help the band to have some positive publicity and let people know we're avalible.

Emma: You could publicize my play, too.

Lauren: That's a really good idea! I think we could manage that. *smiles* I'm just glad the station finally let us back on the air together again.

Mike: Yeah, we all missed hearing you together.

Peter: You always had so much fun!

Valerie: I think we had just as much fun listening to you two rib each other.

Davy: But that's what got you two split up, though, right?

Lauren: *nods* Yeah, we pushed the envelope a little too much.

Micky: I'm outta tea!

Emma: (She pours more water into the teapot and puts it on again) Anyone want one more mug of tea before we head off to bed?

(Lots of "nos" from around the room.)

Mike: I still have mine.

Lauren: I'll take one more.

(Emma pours more tea for Lauren and Mick.)

Emma: I'd suggest you keep the interview short this time, boys. Not only will it be late, but you don't need to promote everyone in the entire area.

Mike: Yeah. Last time, half the world wanted us to be their spokesmen.

Emma: Just do some jokes, talk about the play, and go.

Lauren: Right.

Micky: Ready...set...GO!!!

Mike: Uh, Mick...

Peter: He seriously had too much to drink. His aura is as screwy as you can get without being dark.

*Micky just grins widely.*

Lauren: *sighs* The only plus side is that he doesn't get nasty. He just acts like a two year old.

Emma: (Nods) Mike gets nasty.

Mike: I do NOT.

Emma: You are absolutely no fun when you're piss-drunk.

Micky: Do TOO! *giggles*

Mike: You stay outta this, Mick.

Micky: No! *giggles again*

Mike: Miiiickkkk...

Micky: Miiiiiiiiike!

Emma: Leave him alone, honey. He doesn't know what he's saying.

Mike: You're annoyin' me, Mick. I ain't a nice person when I'm annoyed.

Micky: You ain't a nice person. *chuckles*

Mike: Micky!

Micky: Mike!

Emma: Honey, calm down. (Rubs the spot on his neck) He doesn't know what he's saying.

Mike: (Soft gasp; then he gulps) But Em, he's bein' annoyin', and I don't like that!

Emma: Maybe we really should go to bed now.

Micky: BED! *leans over onto Lauren, trying to grab her*

Lauren: *Laughs; he's tickling her* Mick, stop it! Stop tickling!

Peter: (Laughs) You guys are so funny!

Valerie: If you're doing that, it's definately bedtime.

Lauren: *gasping* I can't...stop laughing...

Micky: Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle!

Emma: Ok, you two. I think it's time we all hit the sack, before we wake up the kids.

(Emma and Valerie gather empty mugs from around the room and put them in the sink.)

Micky: Sack the hit!

*Lauren starts trying to tickle Micky back, but he doesn't cooperate.* :

Mike: I'd like to sack HIM.

Emma: Ok, ok. Enough. (Takes Micky's arm) Tickle Lauren in the privacy of your own room.

Micky: Privacy! Wheeeee!

Lauren: *takes Micky's arm from Emma* Come on, Mick, time to go to bed.

(Peter and Valerie have to cover their snickers.)

Mike: Mannn...

Micky: Wanna wrestle!

Lauren: *groans* Miiiick...

Micky: Baaaaaabe!

*Davy and Daphne DO chuckle.*

Emma: (Takes Mike's arm) Bedtime, dear.

Mike: (Grins at Emma) I think I wanna wrestle, too.

Emma: We'll see.

Peter: (Takes Valerie's arm) Let's get some sleep, honey.

Valerie: Sounds good to me!

Davy: Shall we 'ead out, too, luv?

Daphne: *nods* Lets.

*The others head out, leaving Lauren and Micky standing in the middle of the kitchen.*

Lauren: Let’s go, Mick.

Micky: Don't need to go! Wanna wrestle!

Lauren: Okay, fine, Mick. Let’s go wrestle.

Micky: Yay! *suddenly picks Lauren up and carries her out of the kitchen, laughing as we fade out*