Some other quick explanations for Joey's story...

While in the other five, you saw moments in the beginning that made you feel sorry for them...I'm purposely not making this the case with Joey. I think he enjoys himself quite a bit and has fun. I think-at times-he's a little bit more aware than people give him credit for.

To the two guests: I am thinking Ben and Lauren should get together at some point and I really do want to do a Lizzie story just with her interactions with the three boys and I agree...no complaining! This is a lot of work and there are reasons for why I'm choosing to do certain moments. If you don't like them, then write your own!

4everMondler-thank you

RnR CnM- I think that's why Joey probably wasn't too affected or as affected as like Chandler or Phoebe would have been. I really see him as the type to be like, "well, that happened" and move on because there's nothing he can do about it.

BabatomyFriends-I always thought Joey was pretty street smart. He knows how to handle himself, what to worry about and what to just go, "ehhh, whatever" and I think that's what makes his childhood almost fun to write because he just gonna have a good time.

ShannaplusKlaus-I'm probably not going to have Joey be bi. I'm curious if there's anyone else who might want that? I just see him as being slightly pimpy. I'm also going to try to stick closely to what I've got for the other five. Those stories have already sort of mapped out Joey's.

If there are other people out there who think Joey should be bi, definitely leave a comment. At this point there were no plans...although, because this story includes mentions the Sopranos, I may have to include a moment at the end where I put what happens to Tony Soprano.

June 1977-June 1978

Tony's graduation party was in June and Joey's parents decided to throw him a party. Tony's parents didn't seem to care too much and that seemed to be Joey's gain. The party was amazing. People filled his house, they were dancing, drinking, doing adult activities much to Gloria's chagrin.

"This party is getting insane," Gloria said as she picked up four year old Tina who was sitting on the floor, playing with an empty can of soda and walked towards Tony's mom, "The cops are gonna come."

"Please, the cops don't give a shit," Tony's mom said. "I'm just impressed those mother fuckers let my kid graduate."

"Joey, go upstairs and take Tina with you," Gloria said, setting Tina down. Joey grabbed his little sister's hand walked her upstairs but not before quickly glancing back at the packed downstairs. This was was beyond awesome to him. His parents were running around, trying to keep everything calm and maybe some might say this was no place for kids to be. His parents would definitely say that but he didn't see the problem. It was people having fun. That's what a party was.

Upstairs, Gloria and Joseph Senior wanted all the kids to stay inside their room. They had set up games, snacks, videos. Tina walked over and sat with Veronica, Mary Therese and Mary Angela who were playing with their dolls. Joey could hear the pumping of music through the walls. He could hear a group of drunken party guests singing Hotel California at the top of their lungs. He wanted to be out there.

"I am so bored," Gina said, flipping through the channels on their parents television.

"Me too," Cookie said. "I wanna do something."

"You know, Christopher and Tony and everyone else are in your room," Gina said.

"Wait, really?" Joey asked, that didn't seem fair. Why did he have to be with all the kids while all his buddies were hanging out in his room.

"Yeah, I know. It's not fair. It's our house," Gina said.

"Hmmm, well, I'm going to my room," Joey said.

"Me too," Gina said.

"I wanna go," Cookie said.

Gina and Cookie got off the bed and walked towards Joey. The younger Tribbiani sisters looked up from their dolls, noticing that they were about to leave.

"You're not allowed to leave. Mommy and Daddy said," Veronica said.

"Yeah and if you tell, I'll beat the four of you senseless and mail you off to your real parents," Cookie said.

"I'd listen to her, she's a tough Cookie," Joey said.

"I'll beat you," Cookie said.

"I'd like to see you try. I'd beat you back," Joey said.

"You don't hit girls," Cookie said.

"I don't see any girls here," Joey remarked.

"Come on, I wanna go," Gina said as the older three Tribbianis walked out the door and towards Joey's room. As he walked in, his mouth dropped. He had never seen anything like this. Tony was sitting on Joey's bed with Tony's girlfriend, Carmela sitting on his lap. She was facing him as they were kissing.

"Holy crap," Joey muttered.

"This is so inappropriate," Gina said.

"I know, right? This is awesome. Wait, is inappropriate a good thing or a bad thing?" Joey asked.

"Hey, we're drinking beer," Christopher said as he walked towards Joey, Gina and Cookie. He had a bunch of silver cans in his hands and handed them to Gina, Joey and Cookie.

"Where did you find beer?" Joey asked.

"Downstairs, Uncle T's parents bought them for the party," Christopher said. "Drink up."

Joey, Gina and Cookie exchanged looks and opened their cans. The three immediately drank. It felt fizzy going down. He kinda liked it. Kinda didn't. It was fun though.

"Little J," Tony said, "you meet Carmela?"

"Hey, you're cute," Carmela said.

"Hey, you wanna help me take off her bra?" Tony asked.

"Tony, he's a kid," Carmela said.

"He's gotta learn, kiss me," Tony said looking at Carmela as she leaned into kiss him. Joey took another drink of his beer and made his way through the crowds in his room. People were everywhere, he had never seen it quite so packed. He looked back and saw Cookie and Gina clink their beer cans together as he turned and almost walked right into another girl.

"Watch where you're going," the blonde said, sipping her beer. She looked like one of his sister's Barbie dolls with a small little waist, long blonde hair and the bluest eyes he had ever seen. He was mesmerized by her.

"Sorry...this is my room. I'm Joey."

"I'm Kelsey. Nice room."

"So how do you know Tony?" Joey asked.

"Oh, I don't. I'm friends with Blundetto's sister."

"Cool….so….how you doin'?" Joey asked. He was almost stunned by the question. It had just felt like the thing to ask. Kelsey looked a little older and through some conversation, learned she was in eighth grade. She had boobs, she wore a tight shirt. They drank more beer. Maybe that's what helped him loosen up. It helped Kelsey loosen up. Soon the two found an unoccupied corner to sit in.

"You know, you're really cute Joey. I can't believe you're only in seventh grade," Kelsey said. He knew he had to lie. He couldn't tell her he was only nine. That just felt wrong.

"Yeah, I'm gonna be in seventh grade."

"I like this song."

Joey smiled as Kelsey, put her hand on his knee and leaned in. He felt as her lips pressed against his and he gently placed his beer down and placed his hands on her waist and slid them under her shirt. It was as if his hands acted on their own. She didn't back away as he reached under her shirt and towards her bra. He reached towards the clasps and unhooked her bra. Kelsey grinned at him.

"Joey," Kelsey said.

"Yeah? I hope that's okay. You're pretty," Joey said as he leaned in again and the two continued kissing as he began touching her when he felt someone grab his arm suddenly and drag him out of the room. He didn't even realize what was happening as he was dragged out and into his parents room. It dawned on him rather quickly what was happening as his mother and father began spanking him and his two sisters. Cookie was crying about how unfair it all was and Gina still seemed a little drunk. When they were done getting in trouble, they were told once again to remain there before leaving.

"This is so unfair," Cookie said.

"I know, why are we getting in trouble? It's our house," Gina said.

"I'm going back to the party," Cookie said.

"Me too, we now have to make ourselves look good," Gina said as she and Cookie walked towards the door. "Joey, you coming?"

"Yeah. I miss Kelsey," Joey said, following them out. He didn't care, he wanted to go back to her. He wanted to be with the other people, with his friends. He walked towards the door and the trio left the room but he didn't follow Gina and Cookie into his room, instead he went downstairs to find his mother. She was in the kitchen.

"Didn't I tell you to-" Gloria said as soon as she saw him.

"Mom, wait….it's-it's not fair 'cause...it's my room they're all hanging out in and there are so many people here and it's just...mom, you can't keep us all in there when there is so much happening in here," Joey said.

Gloria looked over at her son. She hated that he could talk so smoothly. She wasn't sure who she could blame that on, but she could discuss something else with him.

"Alright, go but...Joey, I didn't like what you were doing with that girl. You're nine. Not nineteen."

"I promise. Can I have a sandwich?" Joey asked.

"I'll make you one."

Joey smiled as he ran back upstairs towards his room where Gina and Cookie were drinking something. He was grinning.

"You're back," Christopher said.

"I know, I wouldn't miss this," Joey said as he walked towards Kelsey who was sitting cross legged on his floor. She looked at him and raised an eyebrow as he sat next to her.

"How old are you?" Kelsey asked.

"Does it matter?" Joey asked.

"Kinda," Kelsey said.

"I don't think it matters, he's a master. I think we found your skill," Tony grinned.

"Ton, don't encourage him," Carmela said, still perched on Tony's lap.

"How old are you?" Kelsey said.

"Nine," Joey said.

"Ewww, I just made out with a nine year old," Kelsey said.

"I wouldn't say ewww. I mean, look, you taught me. You opened my eyes to a new world that I don't know. Look, all I have are sisters and you taught me about women and you gave me lessons that I will know for the rest of my life," Joey said.

"See, the kid's got skills," Tony said.

"You're like a little pimp," Carmela said. "That'll be my new nickname for you, 'Little Pimp."

"Sounds good," Joey said. He liked that name. He really didn't see anything too strange about what he was doing. Age was just a number. Who knew what was appropriate for a nine year old? He liked being around Kelsey. It shouldn't matter his age, just that he enjoyed her.

He seemed to enjoy girls a lot. He liked talking to them, seeing them. Kissing them. He kissed Kelsey a lot that summer, she seemed to get past the age thing as they would ride their bikes together and just make out in random places and by summer's end, there seemed to be this unspoken truce between them that they would go on their merry ways, never speaking of whatever fling they had.

Although he did wish summer would continue but not even for the fun of kissing Kelsey but because school just bored him. Fourth grade was ridiculous. Why did he have to care about any of this? He didn't care about missions or pony expresses. Why did he need to know the area of anything or a fraction? He just didn't care. He wanted to be out in the world.

His only moments of happiness were lunch and recess. He would sit with Christopher and Kristi and throw rocks through the chain link fence on to the street outside.

"You wanna go to Cunningham Park after school?" Joey asked.

"I can't. I have dance class. I hate ballet. Those girls are mean," Kristi said.

"Then why do you go?" Christopher asked.

"'Cause my parents. They want me to be like famous. I have ballet and then I have singing and piano and…"

"You can never play that sucks," Joey said.

"I know. It's just-"

"Aren't you now a Beauty Queen?" Christopher asked.

"Don't even say that in public. That was so my mom's idea. She wanted me to be Miss Little Queens Supreme. At least I gotta a lot of candy."

"Really? You get candy if you go in a beauty pageant?" Joey asked.

"Tons. You have to get up like really, really early so you get like...I think my mom called it Jumping Juice. It was pixie sticks and soda mixed together," Kristi said.

"That sounds wild. I wanna be in a beauty pageant. I want that," Joey said.

"You're too fugly to be in a beauty pageant," Christopher remarked.

"Oh, please asshole. You were born from one of your mother's farts," Joey shot back.

"Hey, kid," Tony yelled as he and Carmela pulled up to the sidewalk just outside the school. Joey, Kristi and Christopher jumped up and walked up to the fence. Tony was in one of the coolest cars Joey had ever seen. "Come play with us."

"We can't. Recess bell's gonna ring soon," Joey said.

"Fuck the bell," Tony said.

"We're gonna grab a bite and we got big news," Carmela said.

"What's the news?" Joey asked.

"Come with us," Tony said.

"We'll be right there," Joey said as he, Christopher and Kristi ran towards a gate that led to the outside. Sometimes it was locked, sometimes it was not. No one really seemed to pay too much attention to them as they walked outside and ran to the blue Cadillac and jumped in the back. Tony sped off as Joey turned back to watch the school becoming smaller and smaller. He didn't ask anymore questions. Just happy to be away from whatever the hell was going on back there. They soon arrived at Sparks Steakhouse in the city. Tony parked and the group got out, walking in to see it packed with everyone. Blundetto, Sal, Artie, Davey, everyone whom Tony considered in his inner circle. It was clearly a party, for what, Joey still had no clue. He had always wanted to go to Sparks but his parents always complained about how expensive it was but there he stood in the midst of what seemed like a huge celebration.

"Whoa," Joey said he looked around at the red and green flowery printed carpet and mahogany walls. Tony draped his arm around Joey's shoulders.

"Kid, order whatever the hell you want," Tony said.

"Is this place for really rich people?" Joey asked.

"Don't ask questions, I'm getting married."

"Married?"

"Me and Carmela. You'll be at the wedding, don't worry. I'll have you be the ring bearer or a groomsman. Haven't decided," Tony said.

"Do I get to be in your wedding?" Christopher asked.

"Why would you be?" Tony asked. "Order stuff, don't worry about the price. It's taken care of."

"How?" Kristi asked.

"Your girlfriend's funny," Tony said as he walked off to find Carmela.

"How come you get to be in the wedding and I don't?" Christopher asked.

"Who the fuck cares? I'm gonna order me four plates of steak," Joey said walking over towards a table and sitting himself down. Kristi and Christopher sat on either side of him. Joey grabbed the menu and looked at it.

"But it doesn't seem fair," Christopher said.

"I know. Only three lamb chops and not four," Joey said.

"They don't even have prices on the menus," Kristi said.

"My dad said that's how you know you're in a fancy place," Joey said. "Live lobsters."

"Oh, they have to kill those to make them dead," Kristi said.

"Score," Joey said.

"You're stupid," Christopher said.

"You're an asshole. This restaurant has no idea how much I can eat," Joey said. "How much is five and half pounds of lobster?"

"We learned that in class last week. We did an experiment," Kristi said.

"Oh, I was too busy looking at Michaela Martin. She wears a bra?" Joey asked.

"No she doesn't. Her big sister had her boobs done so Michaela stole one of her bras and stuffed it with Kleenex. Seriously, drop juice on her and watch her absorb," Kristi said.

"I will," Joey said, making a mental note to do that. For now though, he would eat and eat he did. He ordered the five and a half pound lobster, steak, cheesecake, chocolate truffle and put every ounce of it away. It was truly a wonderful party, a wonderful day and Joey had eaten way too much.

The joy of the day quickly ended when Tony had driven in front of Joey's house. He knew he was in deep trouble. Kristi's parents didn't seem to mind when they dropped her off, just that they were late to ballet class, Christopher's parents weren't home but he knew. He knew his parents would be livid and as soon as Tony turned off the car, Gloria and Joseph Senior raced out of the house. Joseph grabbed Joey by the arm as Gloria began yelling at Tony.

"Where the hell were you?" Gloria asked, screaming.

"Celebrating. I'm getting married, chill," Tony said.

"Don't take my kid out of school without my permission," Gloria said.

"Don't yell at him," Joey yelled.

"Get in the house," Gloria yelled as Joseph Senior pulled Joey into the house. Joey wriggled himself away as he ran to the window while Gloria yelled at Tony. He hated watching his mother be upset, but he hated Tony getting in trouble even more.

"You know, Joey….Tony isn't...you shouldn't want to be like him," Joseph Senior said, sitting at the table. Joey was too busy staring out the window and turned to his dad.

"Why not?" Joey said.

"'Cause… Tony isn't….you can do better son," Joseph Senior said.

"No, no….I wanna be like him when I grow up. I do," Joey said, turning towards the window to see Tony drive off. He heard the front door open and slam and soon Gloria appeared in the kitchen, glaring at him.

"Why did you yell at Tony?" Joey asked.

"You're going back to school tomorrow and you're not playing with Tony anymore," Gloria said, trying to hold back her anger.

"Why not? Tony is my friend," Joey said.

"He's seventeen, almost eighteen," Gloria said.

"He's my brother. I wanna be like him," Joey said.

"No, you don't," Gloria said.

"I do. We went to Sparks Steak House. I had five and a half pounds of lobster, steak and lots of dessert and-it was awesome," Joey said.

"You must be stuffed," Gloria said.

"No, I could have some dinner." Joey said.

Gloria let out a snort and walked towards Joey, gently placing her hand on his chin. She leaned in and kissed his forehead which shocked him a bit. He thought he was going to be getting in a lot more trouble but his mother seemed almost tired which made it seem almost worst.

"Mom, are you okay?" Joey asked.

"I don't want you to be like Tony," Gloria said.

"Why not?" Joey asked.

"I just don't," Gloria said. "I'll make you a pizza."

"Yes, please," Joey nodded.

He just didn't get it. What was wrong with being like Tony? He didn't have to go to school, he didn't have to do anything. He hung out all day with Carmela and did stuff. It just seemed like so much fun. So much more fun than going to school.

His parent's ban on him playing with Tony was lifted rather quickly. Tony decided Joey would be a groomsman at his wedding to Carmela. He was chosen over Christopher. Christopher hated this, Joey thought it was the coolest thing to be standing there looking at Tony getting married and standing with all these guys that were so much older than him. He felt at home with these guys. He felt like he was where he was supposed to be. He didn't get his mother or anyone else being wary of Tony. It made no sense. No matter what happened in his life from that point, he would be following in the direction of Tony Soprano.