A/N - So, I've been on a roll lately with these chapter. Just knocking them out no problem. That might change since I had a job interview today! After over a year of unemployment! I might seriously get this. Wish me luck and enjoy the chapter! P.S. I'm not a poet so I am using songs that already exist.

Three very soggy boys made their way into Dave's home. Simon grabbed Alvin's hat off his head and handed it back to him, pointedly. He knew people weren't suppose to wear hats inside.

"Leave your shoes on the mat and I'll get some towels." Dave said as he made his way down the hall. When the boys could no longer see him they turned to each other.

"What does he mean, 'call someone' for us?" Theodore asked the others. Alvin didn't answer he roughly put his hat back on and made his way further into the house to where he thought the kitchen would be.

"Alvin, take your shoes off." Simon called to him as he and Theodore toed theirs off at the door. Alvin was too busy looking through cabinets and the refrigerator to listen to the simple instruction. "And don't go through the man's personal stuff." Simon whispered harshly, making sure his voice didn't travel.

"This trip will not be for nothing. Even if he doesn't have any interest in our singing we can get some food out of it." Alvin finally spoke.

"Simon, what did he mean by 'call someone' for us?" Theodore asked again. He was used to not being heard so repetition was was known to him.

"He's calling the cops on us, Theo. Now give me a hand with this box of waffles." Alvin already had a box of cereal, cans of peas, a bag of cheeseballs, and a box of toaster waffles laid out on the counter to take with them. Theodore didn't move and neither did Simon.

"Uhh, Alvin." Simon tried to get his attention.

"Come on, Si." Alvin turned to them and noticed that Dave had returned to the front of the house. He handed Simon and Theodore two big fluffy towels. Alvin was caught red handed.

"If you were hungry, you could have just asked." Dave said evenly, throwing the third towel to Alvin. He began shuffling around the kitchen to put something together. It was looking to be the epitome of a midnight snack; junk food that didn't go together in any way. Toasted waffled with whipped cream and a side of cheeseballs. Alvin was waiting for his next move. He didn't want to run for it and overly panic Theodore. "And I was not calling the cops." Simon paused his drying process to listen to Dave. "I was calling a friend from social services."

"What? That's just as bad. Si, Theo, let's go." Alvin exploded, tossing the towel back to Dave and heading for the door.

"They didn't answer. No one's at the office this late." Dave explained setting plates out on the table. "You might as well have something to eat and you three can figure out what you want to do in the morning." There was a long pause in which Alvin, Theodore, and Simon looked between each other, communicating in a way that Dave didn't understand.

Simon raised his eyebrows at Alvin. 'We could just stay the night.'

Alvin looked shocked. 'Are you out of your mind?'

Theodore stared pleadingly at his two taller brothers. 'Yeah, Alvin, I'm so hungry.'

Alvin couldn't believe that he was agreeing to this. 'We leave first thing in the morning.'


'First thing in the morning' came and went and the boys missed it. After eating whatever Dave could find for them, Simon thanked him. The three somehow managed to fit on Dave's overly large couch and they fell asleep with their shoes still on and stomach's full.

Dave was up earlier than he would have liked. He woke with a pounding headache and the urge to make sure the boys were still there. So, Dave took a seat at his table, nursing a cup of coffee, glancing over to the sleeping boys after every sip. There was no way he was going to let them leave until Claire could speak with them. Claire was an old college friend. They had dated for short period but they realized that they were just too different at that time in their lives. Dave was all about his music and didn't have any concrete plans for the future. Claire was already being accepted to graduate schools and was being honored for her work with children. Dave sighed. If anyone could get those kids into shape, it was Claire. That's when his phone rang. He jumped into action quickly but quietly. The more the phone rang the more likely it was to wake the boys.

"Hello?" He pressed the phone to the side of his head.

"Dave?" Came the gentle voice.

"Good morning, Claire." He said, liking the sound of his name from her mouth.

"I got your message. How did these kids end up at your house?" She asked. Dave quickly peeked out of his office to make sure they were still asleep. Then he explained the entire story to his old friend.

"Look, Dave, I know you need new voices, but there's obviously something wrong with these children. We have to get our priorities in order." she said smartly.

"I know, Claire, I know. It's not just me though. Those kids want to sing. They followed me home for a chance at that." He tried to explain but he heard her exasperated sigh through the phone.

"Can I come by later? I'd like to speak with them." Claire's request sounded reasonable, but Dave couldn't help but feel like he was tricking the boys. He peeked out at them again. They couldn't stay on his couch forever, they needed Claire.

"Alright, make it quite a bit later so I can explain everything to them." he sighed, already trying to imagine the conversation.

"What's got into you Dave?" Claire asked suddenly.

"What do you mean?" He mumbled.

"Never mind, I'll see you in a few hours." When Claire hung up she sighed deeply. She knew first hand what the sad story of a child could do to a person. She hoped Dave could handle it.


It was around noon when the boys finally woke. Simon was the first up. He rubbed his eyes mercilessly and stared long and hard at the clock on the mantle before he could discern the time.

"11:48?" Simon groaned. He'd never slept this late in his life. He eased his way out from between his brothers and began carefully folding the blanket that had appeared on him in the middle of the night. He placed the blue fleece blanket gently over the top of the couch before waking the others.

"What time is it?" Alvin immediately asked, but he cursed at the sight of the sun shining through the windows. He carelessly tossed the red blanket next to Simon's while Theodore tried his hardest to fold it just like Simon. He succeeded to a degree and the green fleece was placed next to Alvin's.

"Oh good, you guys are awake." Dave appeared from down the hall with sheet music in his hands. He set it down on the couch side table. "How does breakfast sound?"

"Toaster waffles?"