A/N: Updates for French Kiss and Dust n' Boots will be a little late, guys. Sorry.

Chapter 2: Welcome to Salado

"We're here!" Dave called from the front of the bus. He opened the doors. Alvin was the first to exit the bus. He jumped up and dashed outside. He jumped from the top step of the stairs and landed on the hard, sandy concrete, and a puff of orange dust flew upwards around his feet.

He looked around expectantly. "Where is here?" He muttered. Dave had parked the bus at a gas station. The sun was beginning to set on this small town. A sign in front of the station swung slightly in the small hot breeze. The streets of the town were empty, aside for a few parked cars. "Ummm…" Everyone else got off the bus, their expressions matching Alvin's.

"Where are we, Dave?" Jeanette asked. Dave stepped off the bus and fumbled around with his map.

"This is Salado." Everyone turned to see a man walking from the gas station. He wore a faded cowboy hat the hid a small brown mullet. He had a t-shirt on that had the sleeves ripped off and a pair of jeans. He had brown boots that looked like they had been walked in for miles. "The smallest small town you'll ever find." He approached the group. "Name's Hank." He held out a hand for Dave. He took it and shook it.

"We're the Chipmunks!" Theodore perked up.

"And we're the Chipettes." Brittany said, striking a pose.

"Never heard of ya," Hank said. Brittany's jaw dropped. "Y'all on vacation?"

Brittany put her hands on her hips. "We're on tour," she said, a little aggravated. "We are supposed to perform in Austin."

Hank shook his head. "Well, this ain't Austin," he began.

"We just stopped for fuel," Dave cut in. "Could you fill her up?" Hank opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Dave turned to the kids. "Why don't you kids find a restaurant for us to eat at? It shouldn't be too hard if this town is as small as Hank says. Then we can get back on the road" He looked up at Hank. "Any good places to eat?"

Hank frowned. "Well, yeah," he said. He took his hat off and scratched his head. "Yeah, yeah. We got a diner right down the road." He pointed down the street. "But I don't think you guys'll-"

"Let's go!" Theodore said. "I'm starving!" He began to walk down the road in the direction Hank pointed. Everyone followed him, except Dave.

Hank frowned. Dave turned to him and smiled. "Do you want me to pull her in by a pump?"

Hank shook his head. "I was trying to tell ya," he began. "We don't got no gas at the moment. Tanker's coming in in two days."

Dave frowned. "Oh,"

"You're welcome to stay the night if you like." Hank pointed down the road again. "We got a motel just up the road."

Dave rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, we don't have any fuel, so I guess we don't have a choice."

"Great!" Hank smiled. He put an arm around Dave. Dave smiled awkwardly. "You never did tell me your name." Hank said.

"Dave,"

"Pleasure to meet you Dave!" Hank said. He took his arm out from around Dave. "I can set you up with two rooms in the motel."

Dave nodded. "Yeah that sound great, thanks."

"One for boys, one for girls," Hank said. "Say, how old are those kids?"

"They're sixteen."

"Better make sure they don't sneak around into each other's rooms," Hank smiled. "You know how kids are." He winked.

Dave shook his head. "Those kids aren't like that."

Hank looked at him for a few moments, a serious look on his face. Then he smiled. "I like you Dave!" He pat Dave's shoulder. "Whatdaya saw we get a few drinks tonight at Millie's?"

Dave smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, sure."

Hank took his hat off and wiped sweat from his forehead. "Hotter 'en Hell out here…" He put his hat back on. "Why don't you go catch up with yer kids and wife now,"

"Oh, Miss. Miller isn't my wife." Dave explained. "She's the Chipette's mother."

Hank nodded. "Well, you better go catch up with 'em. I sent them to Millie's." Hank pointed up the road. Dave thanked him and began to walk.

Hank watched him. He took off his hat again and wiped his sweat.

XXX

As the Chipmunks, Chipettes and Miss. Miller entered the diner, a bell dinged above the door. A plump woman behind the counter looked up from her book and smiled.

"Welcome!" She sang. "Please, pick a table."

The group looked around. There were only two tables occupied and both had already been served. Theodore pointed to the nearest booth. All but Miss. Miller sat down.

"I'll be back children," She said. "Just goin' to the bathroom." She turned and walked to the back of the diner.

"See ya in ten minutes," Alvin joked, not loud enough for Miss. Miller to hear. Eleanor giggled.

The plump woman came with a notepad and pen. "Hello, children. My name is Millie, I'll be your server today." She giggled. "I'm the only server. I own this diner along with my husband. He's the chef." She pointed to the kitchen. "Now what'll you darlings be havin' to drink?" She poised her pen, ready to write.

Alvin spoke up. "I'll have a Coke." Millie wrote.

"Same here," Theodore said.

"Can I have some water?"

"Tea, please."

"I'll take water."

"Coke"

Millie wrote like the wind, filling in their orders. "Okay, I'll be right back with those. Then you can order." She turned and headed back to the kitchen, her heels clicking.

"This is a nice little town." Jeanette said.

"I wonder if they have some nice shops." Brittany said. "Maybe Dave'll let us shop before we go." She picked up a menu and looked into it.

Simon grabbed his menu. He quickly dropped it in pain. He examined his finger. The sting seemed to have swollen pretty bad and his skin was turning bluish around it. He carefully picked up the menu with his other hand and opened it.

Alvin watched Eleanor as she looked over the menu. Her finger traced over it as she searched for her meal.

Millie came back with a tray full of drinks. She served them, then pulled out the notepad again. "You kids ready to order?"

"I am!" Theodore exclaimed.

After giving her their orders, Millie smiled. "Okay, I'll have Simon cook those up right away."

"What?" Simon spoke up. He looked confused.

"My husband, Simon. He'll cook 'em up." Millie explained.

Simon smiled. "Hey, my name's Simon." He told her.

Millie smiled. "Huh," she said. "Small world? I'm sure he'd like to meet you." She snapped her fingers. "I'll bring him right out." She turned and hurried back to the kitchen.

"Well, isn't that something." Simon said with a smile.

Millie came back from the kitchen with a skinny man. He wore large glasses and a blue apron. He approached the table. "My wife says that someone here shares my name?"

Simon raised his hand. "That would be me."

The man held out his hand. "Nice to meet you. We're the only two in this town who share a name."

"Really?" Alvin said. "Got any Alvins?"

Simon the chef frowned. "No we don't, I'm sorry." He clapped his hands. "Well you folks are hungry, I'll go get your food cooked for you." Simon turned and headed for the kitchen. Millie winked at the group, then turned and followed him.

At that moment, Dave entered the diner. Eleanor spotted him. "Dave! Dave over here!" She called. Dave approached the table and sat down at it. Eleanor noticed the slight look of disappointment on his face. "What's wrong Dave?"

Dave scratched his head. "They have no gas here, not for two days. We're gonna have to stay here until then."

Brittany smiled. "I can shop now!"

"Where'll we be staying?" Jeanette asked.

"Hank said he'll set up a room for us at a motel down the road," Dave said. "Two rooms actually; one for the boys, one for the girls."

"I like that," Brittany said. "I don't think I can live through Alvin's snoring."

"Hey!"

Simon looked out the window. A white truck drove quickly down the road. It stopped at a police station. Simon watched a man and a woman in lab coats exit the car. The woman had a large metal can that looked like a silver fire extinguisher. The two stormed into the office. Simon shrugged. He looked at his finger, the sting now pulsing, becoming a light blue-green.

XXX

Okay I know I haven't updated my stories for a LONG time, but I promise to try. Especially Dust n' Boots, seeing as how it's been a month since I updated! Also check out my poll on my profile. Your opinion matters! Any who, thanks for reading.

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