A/N: Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about this story. I've just been busy with other stuff. But it's here… this chapter isn't that great, but I really wanted to update the story so I just wrote something. And thank you to ChipmunkfanNo1 for giving me an idea for this particular part in the story. Thanks again! Enjoy the story, everyone.

11:47 pm

The RV

The bus ride back to the hotel was eerily silent. Dave didn't congratulate the kids on a great show like he usually did. There was no conversation about how the show had gone, no high-fives or pats on the back. Just silence.

Simon leaned back on the padded booth, his stomach sick with guilt. He knew that this was his fault. Well, maybe not all his fault, but he could have easily said no to Alvin. Okay, maybe not easily, but he still could have refused.

Brittany was sitting next to Simon, trying to match everyone's somber mood by hiding her smile. She didn't want to admit it, but Alvin was right… their "dirty" performance was a hit. The audience adored it, and more importantly, they adored her. Brittany would never forget the crowd chanting her name and later begging for her signature backstage at the after-show autograph signings. The fans gushed to her about how amazing she looked during Dirty Diana and how steamy her dancing was. She had never received so many compliments at once.

Alvin sat by Theodore, occasionally reaching his hand into a bag of chips his brother was holding. He tried acting relaxed, but every time he glanced at Dave, he knew he was in big trouble. Dave's face was twisted into an angry frown as he stared straight ahead while driving through the traffic. It didn't take a genius to figure out Alvin was going to get punished big time.

Finally the RV pulled up to the hotel and the musicians quickly climbed down the stairs, eager to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere. To Alvin's dismay, he was last one out. He tried leaving before Dave got a chance to say anything to him, but he was unsuccessful.

"Alvin," Dave said firmly, stopping his son. "Wait for me by my room."

Alvin nodded and hurried off the RV, knowing that it was going to be hard to get out of this one.

12:12 am

The Hotel

Relax Alvin, he told himself while pacing outside of Dave's hotel room. What's the worst he can do? It's not like he can ban me from the show.

He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Dave walking toward him. Alvin hadn't seen Dave so angry in… well, forever.

Dave opened his door with the key card and gestured for Alvin to come inside. When he did, Dave turned on the light and shut the door behind them with a loud thud.

"Sit," Dave ordered.

"I'd rather stand," Alvin said, trying to lighten the mood. "You know, it burns more calories."

"Sit," Dave repeated, pointing to the bed.

Alvin swallowed hard and sat on the bed. Dave sat on a nearby desk chair and sighed. They sat in silence for a few minutes until Dave said, "I am extremely disappointed in you, Alvin."

Alvin studied Dave's face. His livid expression had softened, and now he looked genuinely sad. Seeing that made Alvin's heart sink. To have Dave angry with him was one thing, but Alvin wasn't expecting for Dave to be disappointed.

Alvin had come into the room ready to debate his father and try to convince him that the performance was popular and that he saved the show. He had been mentally preparing the speech ever since he stepped into the hotel. But now, none of that mattered.

"I'm sorry," Alvin said. He looked away from Dave's sad brown eyes.

"Sorry isn't going to cut it," Dave said sharply. "Not this time. You disobeyed me. You lied to me. You convinced Simon and Brittany to disobey me as well. I'm sure you've disappointed many parents of young fans." Dave sighed again and ran a hand through his dark hair. "And I have no idea how to punish you."

Alvin's eyes widened.

"I can't pull you from the concert," Dave explained. "I can't really ground you; you have nothing to be grounded from."

"I don't?" Alvin asked. "What about parties?" He instantly regretted his words. Was he trying to give suggestions to Dave about how to make his life miserable?

Dave shook his head. "Alvin, I try to avoid telling you this, but there's no denying that you are the star of the group. It's very important you show up to certain parties, for publicity reasons." Dave leaned back in the chair. "But I'm not letting you get away with this Alvin. This is one of the worst things you have ever done."

Alvin stared at his shoes. He had done a lot of bad things in the past, a lot of things that Dave didn't like. But Dave had never said that to him.

"In fact," Dave said, standing up, "why don't you just leave?"

"What?" Alvin asked. He blinked a few times. That was it? Dave was just kicking him out? No discussing the problem, no apologizes, no resolution? "We're not going to talk it out?"

Dave made his way to the door and opened it. "To be honest, I'm so angry at you, I don't even want to look at you right now," Dave said in a calm voice, despite the harshness of his words. "So just go."

Alvin stared at Dave, unable to move from his seat on the bed.

"What?" Dave asked. "Isn't this what you want anyway? I'm giving you an opportunity to leave, to push this out of your mind. And I know how much you like putting things off." Alvin still didn't move. "Get out, Alvin," Dave said. He frowned, but his even tone never left his voice. "Now."

He finally pushed himself off the bed and walked out of the room. As soon as he was out of the room, Dave slammed the door, narrowly missing Alvin.

Alvin blinked a few times in shock.

"What just happened?" he asked himself. He leaned against the wall and slowly sunk to the ground. "I've really screwed up this time."

Suddenly the door from across the hall opened and Simon emerged. He looked at Alvin sitting on the floor and cleared his throat to get his attention.

"So how bad is the punishment?" Simon asked his brother.

"There is no punishment," Alvin muttered.

Simon's blue eyes widened. "What?"

"You heard me," Alvin said, staring straight ahead. "Dave doesn't even want to speak to me. He doesn't even want to look at me, Simon." Alvin sighed. "I don't think he's ever been so mad at me before."

Great, Simon thought. He figured Dave wouldn't be too pleased with him either.

Alvin pushed himself off the floor and headed back into their hotel room.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" Alvin asked.

"I was going to talk to Dave about something."

Alvin let out a humorless laugh. "Good luck with that." He shut the door behind him, not bothering to ask Simon if he had a key to get back in the room (which he did).

Simon took a deep breath and looked at the door that led to Dave's room. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. If Dave was as angry as Alvin said he was, Simon knew that he wouldn't be in a mood to chat. Plus he was probably angry at Simon for going along with Alvin's scheme.

He won't want to talk about my problems with Jeanette, Simon thought. He turned around to go back inside his room, but he paused. He wasn't sure if he could face another awkward day around Jeanette. He honestly had no idea what would be the best thing to do in the situation and he needed advice: Dave's advice.

Simon took a deep breath and firmly knocked on the door. He heard footsteps and Dave was talking when he opened the door.

"Look, Alvin, I told you I don't want to…" Dave trailed off when he saw his tallest son in the doorway. His expression softened. "Oh. Hi Simon."

"Hi Dave," Simon said. "Look, I know you're probably upset with me, and I don't blame you. But I need to talk to you about something. I need your advice."

For a second, it looked to Simon as if Dave was about to ask him to leave. But to his surprise, Dave gave him a weak smile and said, "Come in, Simon."

Simon followed his father in the small room and took a seat on the bed.

"I really am sorry for earlier Dave," Simon said, his voice full of regret. "I don't know how Alvin talks me into these things, but he somehow does. That's no excuse though. I apoligise."

Dave grinned at his son's formal apology. "Thanks Simon. But I'm sure Alvin wasn't exactly honest with you."

"Don't try to make me seem like the victim," Simon said. "I knew Alvin was lying all along, I just wanted to help him out."

"I appreciate the honesty," Dave said. He sighed and shook his head. "I'm actually disappointed in myself for how I handled Alvin."

Simon raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I told him to leave the room," Dave said. "I told him that I didn't want to look at him, and I said this was the worst thing he's ever done, which is being a little dramatic. I think I just made things worse."

"So just talk to him," Simon said simply. "Dave, our family has overcome so many things just by talking about it. Remember when Cookie Chomper III died? We would have never gotten over that if you would have avoided it."

Dave smiled sadly at the melancholy memory. It seemed like such a long time ago when the kitten had died. He had forgotten all about until that moment.

"You're right," Dave said with a nod. "Now, what did you want to talk about, Simon?"

"Well." Simon suddenly felt embarrassed. He cleared his throat and felt heat rise to his face. "It's about… a girl."

"Oh, really?" Dave sounded interested.

"Yes." Simon blew out a sigh.

"Is this girl, by any chance, Jeanette?" Dave asked.

Simon looked at his father in surprise. "How did you know?"

"Lucky guess," Dave chuckled. "Anyway, go on."

"I like her Dave," Simon decided to just come out and say it. "The other night at that party… I almost kissed her. And ever since then, things have been uncomfortable between us."

"Uncomfortable," Dave said the word thoughtfully.

Simon nodded. "I don't know what to say to her," he confessed. "For all I know, she doesn't even like me back. I just don't want to make a fool out of myself."

Dave smiled. The solution seemed so simple to him. "Tell her how you feel," Dave said. "Tell her what you just told me."

"Easier said than done," Simon scoffed.

"Well if you don't say something," Dave went on, "things are just going to get more uncomfortable."

"I know," Simon said. "I just… I don't know what to say."

"Say what you feel," Dave said, as if it was the answer to a simple math problem. "You know Jeanette isn't the type to judge. You'll be fine."

Simon relaxed at Dave's words. He was right; this was Jeanette they were talking about. He knew Jeanette wouldn't make fun of him or anything.

"Thanks Dave," Simon said, thankful for Dave's encouraging words.

"Anytime," Dave said kindly. "Oh, and Simon?"

"Yes?"

"Could you send Alvin in here?" Dave grinned. "I think I should take some of your advice as well."

"Of course," Simon nodded.

Simon thanked him again and left the room, feeling slightly more confident and a whole lot better to get it off his chest. It was funny how talking to Dave always made him feel better.

We'll see how much better I feel tomorrow when I talk to Jeanette, Simon thought. And with that, he entered his hotel room and shut the door, eager to put the long day behind him.

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