The first of a series of "one-shots." I haven't written any stories before, so I hope people like it!

Overview: Mr. Peabody struggles with getting Sherman to go to bed, but his solution may have done more harm than good...

This was terrible. I've gone too far. I'm a horrible father. But what was I supposed to do? By no means would I ever discipline Sherman through corporal punishment, but I still needed a way for him to obey to my request…

4 year old Sherman was desperately clinging to his father, begging Mr. Peabody not to leave him by himself. Each wail becoming more desperate than the last.

When did I even formulate this tactic. I'm Mr. Peabody, a man of science. I should have done everything I could to never let Sherman think this way. He should always feel safe within his own home… What am I going to do?

(5 Minutes Earlier)

"Sherman, I informed you 10 minutes ago that it was time to go to bed" Mr. Peabody said sternly "Why are you still in our living room?"

"Because I'm not tired Mr. Peabody" Sherman replied, still fixated on his toy dinosaurs.

"Whether you are tired or not Sherman is irrelevant. What really matters is that I'm your parent and I have asked you to do something. This is very uncharacteristic of you Sherman, why would you purposefully disobey me?" Mr. Peabody asked with concern

"I dunno" Sherman Muttered, avoiding eye contact "I just don't want to go to bed"

"Sherman I am going to ask again, please go get ready for bed" Mr. Peabody stated authoritatively. Sherman continued playing with his dinosaurs, purposely looking away from his father.

Mr. Peabody walked over to his 4 year old son, and snatched up the plastic toys.

"Mr. Peabody, I was playing with those!" Sherman whined.

"Well now you're done playing with them, now go brush your teeth" The canine announced, his frustration becoming more apparent.

"Or else what?" Sherman challenged.

Mr. Peabody was taken aback. He had read in his vast array of parenting books that all children would test their boundaries including the rules set by their parents, but he hadn't prepared himself for such a defiant response. What was he to do? The Beagle had decided long ago that he would never punish Sherman through physical means, but it was clear that Sherman was not open to negotiation. What could he possibly say to have his 4 year old son go to his room by his own free will?

Think Peabody, it really shouldn't be this hard to outwit a child, should it? What could I... wait, maybe...

A small smile began to creep across the dog's muzzle. Peabody turned and began to exit the room.

"Wait, that's it?" Sherman called out.

"Indeed it is Sherman" Peabody replied, turning to face the red-head once he had reached the doorway. "I've decided that I cannot make you go to bed, but maybe the monsters will change your mind." Mr. Peabody mused.

"Monsters?" Sherman uttered, his face beginning to turn pale.

"Oh, you didn't know?", Mr. Peabody knew he had his son hanging on his every word, "That's the reason I have you go to bed at 8 O'clock, so that you're safely in your room before the monsters come out. You see, our bedrooms have been "monster proofed", but I haven't gotten around to monster proofing the rest of the apartment yet, but I see that you've decided that you're old enough to stay up. So assuming the monsters don't get to you, I'll see you in the morning" Peabody proclaimed with satisfaction. He knew that his act had easily convinced the naïve boy.

Just as he was turning to leave the room, the genius was nearly knocked of his feet by his son barreling into him.

"Please don't leave me with the monsters Mr. Peabody, I'll go to bed I promise! I don't want the monsters to get me!" Sherman pleaded, obviously having been properly terrified.

"Well then, let's go get you tucked in" Peabody cooed, trying very hard not to show how ecstatic he was, his plan having worked so effectively.

In record time, Sherman had his teeth brushed, Pajamas on and was neatly tucked into bed. Just as Mr. Peabody took a step towards the door to exit, a little hand tugged him backwards, "Wait Mr. Peabody don't leave!" Sherman squeaked, obviously still scared from his father's tactic.

"Sherman, I require sleep too, don't you realize this?" Peabody said. He began to worry that maybe his strategy had worked a little too well, but he had committed too much to this little farce he had created and it was too late to go back now. "Don't worry Sherman, your bedroom is "monster-proof", remember?"

"But what if I have to use the bathroom?" Sherman whimpered.

"Your bedroom has its own bathroom Sherman" The canine countered, pointing to Sherman's bathroom door.

"But… but… what if I need you for something?" Sherman's eyes began to water.

"Sherman don't worry, I'm just down the hall." Peabody said, attempting to console his son.

Sherman's lip began to quiver "What if a monster grabs me in the hall though?"

Oh no, I clearly didn't think this through well enough. Peabody racked his brain for possible solutions.

"Well Sherman, um…" Peabody nervously pondered, unsure of what to say.

Sherman flung himself into his father's arms sobbing into his fur. "Wh-What if the mo-monsters get me and I ne-never see you again?" Sherman cried, voice muffled through the Beagles coat. "Don't lea-leave M-M-Mr. P-Peabody, please don't lea-leave!" Sherman whimpered, speech uneven through the sobs.

Mr. Peabody's heart ached, seeing his son in such a state. What am I to do? Never have I seen Sherman in such distress, and I'm the cause of it! He rubbed Sherman's back with his paw trying to calm him down, with little success.

"Can y-y-you sleep in here w-w-with m-me, Mi-Mi-Mister P-P-Peabody" Sherman pleaded looking up at the dog with watery eyes.

"Very well", Peabody caved "but only for tonight."

Peabody situated himself on the bed next to his little boy, breathing out a quiet sigh of relief at the temporary solution. He didn't bother to turn off the light, knowing Sherman would feel safer with it left on. Sherman snuggled up against his father clearly enjoying the company. Both having been exhausted from the incident, feel asleep within minutes.

Early the next morning Mr. Peabody was busy figuring out how to solve this dilemma. He furiously paced around his house, desperately trying to come up with a solution.

"Think, Think, Think. how do I get rid of these "Monsters"?", He muttered to himself. "Wait, maybe the answer is much more simplistic than I realized! Who can get rid of these monsters!" With that, the canine rushed to the phone to make some calls.

Sherman awoke to the sound of loud equipment. Cautiously he way to the living room. Peabody noticing that his son was awake, cheerfully greeted him.

"Ah Sherman, your awake, Excellent! There is someone that I would like you to meet. This is Mr. Walters, he's New York's best "Monster Proofer" The dog said with a smile gesturing to the man using the loud machine. The man stopped tipped his hat and continued to work.

"I've decided that it was about time we "proofed" the rest of the house." Peabody declared confidently.

"Really Mr. Peabody, the monsters can't get to us anymore?!" Sherman cheered excitedly.

"Precisely" His father beamed showing Sherman a bottle of thick amber fluid labeled "Monster Repellent". He was delighted that his simple plan of calling in a floor buffer/carpet cleaner, and sticking a prop label on a bottle of pine sol had worked so perfectly! Then again Sherman was only 4, he wholeheartedly believed in Santa Claus. Regardless Mr. Peabody considered this a resounding victory.

"Sherman, come eat some breakfast while we let Mr. Walters finish up".

"Sounds pretty fantastic Mr. Peabody". Sherman said gleefully as the two left the living room happily.

Well that's the first one. Comment or message me and let me know if you liked it! If anyone is interested in me writing more of these let me know! Ideas are always appreciated and I will definitely try to work them in.