A/N: Ah the wonderful reviews. How I love them so...so keep 'em comin'! ;-) I'm happy everyone seems to like the whole 'older Tootie' concept. Keep in mind that she only advanced in years physically. Emotionally, mentally, etc. she's still twelve-years-old. This also accounts for why she's a somewhat clumsy and jittery agent. Of course she's an A-1 snoop (Deep Toot) so she's not completely hopeless. And incase anyone was wondering (or incase it comes up later) I'll continue making references to 'Deep Toot' because in "Channel Chasers" Vicky did the whole dropping to her knees scene and cried out, "WHO ARE YOU DEEP TOOT!" so I'm pretty sure she's encountered the mystery spy before. Eh, my story, my inferences...mwuhahaha I love the power of being a writer!
Mr. Turner: Hey, look honey! We're finally in a pre-story segment!
Mrs. Turner: Well isn't this nice. Which story is this segment for?
Mr. Turner: :sits at the computer and scrolls up to the title: Hm..."Behind the Musician", it must be about pumpkins!
Mrs. Turner: :appears doubtful as she reads over the summary: I'm not sure dear. This sounds a lot like a Vicky/Chip story to me.
Mr. Turner: A Vicky/Chip story? Ha! Everyone knows that those two would NEVER get together. It'd take some sort of miracle for that to happen! Like Vicky's dad losing his job and she had to reluctantly take a full time position as Chip's personal assistant and slowly but surly they gain a tolerance for each other.
Mrs. Turner: Ooo! And then Chip's arch rival Skip Sparkypants could come in just as soon as Vicky and Chip started to actually like one another. But you'd need a second antagonist to tie the whole thing together. Maybe—well—since Chip's a big pop star maybe a devious underhanded photographer?
Mr. Turner: Yeah and next you could give Vicky a little competition by tossing pop diva Britney Britney into the mix!
Mrs. Turner: But Chip romantically persists on pursuing Vicky after realizing his undying love for her. Only Vicky wouldn't believe him and assume that the whole 'crush' was an attempt at publicity after the evil photographer sells suggestive photos of them to the media.
Mr. Turner: And then—for the climax—a blackmailing plot concocted by Skip and the wicked photographer (once they join forces) could be thwarted by Chip and his good pal our son Tommy—I mean—Timmy!
Mrs. Turner: And then another mystery woman appears; only she's on Vicky's side! Tensions mount as a chase scene erupts forcing the two women to the roof of the Dimmadome!
Mr. Turner: And the biggest twist of all comes when-
Me: STOP! Enough already! Geez, much more of this and you'll spoiler me right out of a hobby.
Mrs. Turner: Oops, sorry.
Mr. Turner: Hey, were you planning to write a story like that?
Me: :glares: No, ya think!
Mr. Turner: Then I've got a suggestion :pulls out a jar of peanut butter and jams it onto his head: A musical number featuring ME as Chip Skylark singing a new version of 'Icky Vicky'!
Me: Uh...don't call me, I'll call you. :mutters: Or not.
Behind the Musician
Chapter Eleven: Gotta Give 'em What They Want
A warm summer breeze swept across the roof of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, it was a peaceful beautiful calm starry night...
WHAM!
...until the metal roof access door swung open and two frantic women came fleeing outside.
The small railing that ran along the slanted roof was little protection against the long drop should one slip and slide off the edge. Tootie really wished that Cupid had equipped her with some sort of emergency escape gear.
A grappler, a rope, some suction cup wrist and knee pads! she mentally shouted, But no, all I get is this stupid choker! Wait a minute...
"The choker!" she exclaimed slapping a hand to her forehead, "How could I have forgotten about this!"
Vicky eyed her skeptically from the door, "Uh, this thing only locks from the inside. So if you've got some bright idea for getting us out of here you'd better get on with it!"
Turning her back to the fretful redhead Tootie pressed the red heart-shaped button on her choker.
"I don't understand," she panicked pressing the button again and again, "nothing's happening! Why isn't anything happening!"
"What on Earth are you doing!" Vicky demanded she could hear Skip and his goons approaching, their footsteps clanging on the metal rafter.
"I-I'm trying to contact my boss!" Tootie answered baffled, "But this stupid communicator must be broken or something. He's not responding!"
"Well if you really are some super secret spy or whatever then wouldn't he stay hidden until you're alone?"
Tootie blinked, "You may be right."
Rolling her eyes Vicky motioned her over, "Well if 'Big C' isn't going to help us then we've gotta hold these bozos off on our own."
Nodding Tootie raced over and helped Vicky press against the door. Their combined weight wouldn't hold off the bigger stronger bodyguards on the other side for long. They'd have to come up with an escape plan quick. Tootie just wished she knew of some alternative to jumping.
"Up there!" Timmy pointed towards the rafter where Skip and his gang were hurriedly edging their way over to the emergency roof access door.
"Oh no!" Chip gasped, "Vicky must be on the roof!"
"We'll never be able to beat Skip up there." Timmy frowned. But his frown shifted to a smirk when he noticed Cosmo and Wanda hiding in a bundle of extension cord behind Chip.
Bending down he whispered a quick wish.
Skip glanced down and spotted his rival. They exchanged a quick glare before Skip edged back over and kicked the ladder down. "Ha! Word Chip, you're too late word! This time I win!"
"SKIP!" Chip shouted, "Don't you dare lay a finger on Vicky!"
But Skip's goons had already reached the door and were breaking it down with ease.
Chip rushed to get the ladder and put it back in place but Timmy tugged on the sleeve of his jacket, "Uh Chip, why don't we just take the elevator instead?"
"Huh?" glancing over to the far wall Chip spotted a pink elevator, "Whoa, I never noticed that there before."
"C'mon!" Timmy and Chip ran over and pressed the 'UP' button. Seconds later the doors slid open and the two were inside.
Then came the awkward trip up which was made even more awkward by the elevator music that came pouring out of the green speaker.
This sounds just like the music that's always playing in Cosmo's empty head. Timmy noted, Figures.
Across the street where large office buildings stood a lone winged figure hovered in an alley about ten stories up. He gasped when he saw the goons break down the door and Vicky and Tootie come stumbling backwards. They were in trouble!
"So where's the cavalry!" he demanded, "I know those fairies are inside. What's taking them so long!"
"YO!" Skip smirked as Tootie and Vicky were backed against the railing. "Ready to make the cover of Teen Scene babe?"
"Never you blackmailing loser creep!" Vicky exclaimed.
"And where do you intend to run?" Turnkey grinned raising her camera. She had to use her good eye to focus. "You're trapped you bothersome shrew!"
"Uh, what should we do with this one boss?" one bodyguard inquired referring to Tootie.
"We can't have any witnesses," Turnkey frowned to her blond accomplice.
"Yo it doesn't matter yo." Skip shrugged, "No one's gonna believe 'Icky Vicky' or her no name friend over me anyway."
"But I think-"
"Yo I don't pay you to think!" Skip snapped grabbing Vicky and yanking her face-to-face with him, "Just snap the picture so I can one-up that shiny teethed dork yo!"
Sighing Janice zoomed in while Skip puckered up. Vicky's eyes went wide.
What now! she flinched, There's nowhere to run! That Trudy girl wasn't much help and Chip won't get up here in time!
"Don't do it Vicky!" Tootie screamed stomping her high heeled boot down on top of the bodyguard's foot.
"YOW!" he released her and grabbed his aching foot, hopping around in agony.
The other two goons made a dive for her but Tootie dunked and rolled between them. Springing up she tackled Skip and Vicky leaving Turnkey to groan in frustration.
"Would you please hold still!" she griped. "I knew I should've stuck to taking baby pictures at the Wall-to-Wall Mart!"
"YO!" Skip exclaimed snatching Tootie up by the arm, "You again! Word who are you!"
Snatching his wrist with her other arm she pried his hand off her and replied in a mocking tone, "Yo, I'm Special Operative Trudy, and you're goin' down!"
"Good idea," Janice rushed forward to shove the meddling woman over the railing but was blocked by Vicky who unexpectedly sprung into her path.
In hindsight that was a dumb move on her part but Vicky would just have to chock it up to pointless heroics later...if there was a later.
Skip gasped as both women were shoved over the railing, Vicky falling backwards against Tootie. "Yo what were you thinking yo!" he shouted at Turnkey.
"Drat," she muttered.
"AAAHH!"
We're gonna die! We're gonna die! Tootie panicked.
I'm too young and cunning to die like this! Vicky whined.
Rapidly Cupid whipped out his bow and arrows, drew a heart-tipped arrow back, and let it fly!
SWANG!
Seeing something strike the wall just above her head Vicky instinctively reached out to grab it. To her extreme relief the object was embedded in the concrete just deep enough so that it would support her weight...even the extra few pounds that had grabbed hold of her feet.
"Ya know," she sighed, "you're supposed to be the big shot special operative here. So how come I'm the one saving you?"
Looking up Tootie flashed her a sheepish grin, "Did I forget to mention I'm a rookie?"
Ding!
The remaining occupants atop the roof turned around to see that a pink elevator had risen out of the roof. Its doors slid open to reveal-
"Chip Skylark!" Skip scowled.
"And some little guy," one of the bodyguards added dumbly.
"With a silly pink hat," another noted.
Glancing up at his hat Timmy glared at the goons, "Now you're gonna get it!"
"Yeah!" a voice yelled from the green speaker, "Nobody makes fun of the hat! It's da bomb!"
Wanda closed the doors just as soon as Chip and Timmy emerged to keep Cosmo from blowing their cover.
Blue eyes did a fast scan of the roof, "Where's Vicky!"
Skip smirked at his rival, "Yo, she's just hangin' out with a friend."
Hearing Chip's voice Vicky cried out for help.
"Vicky!" his eyes widened as he rushed to the railing.
"Now would be an excellent time for a hasty retreat Sparkypants," Turnkey advised.
"Word," he agreed.
The singer, photographer, and mindless overly-muscled guards dashed towards the emergency roof access only to have Chip's twelve-year-old sidekick jump into their path.
"Hold it right there!" Timmy warned.
"Yo, outta the way mini-dork," Skip threatened, "before my bodyguards give you the wedgie of your life yo!"
Gesturing towards the elevator Timmy feigned innocence, "Alright I give. But wouldn't it be faster to use the elevator instead?"
"Who's side is this kid on?" Turnkey questioned staring him down skeptically.
"Word who cares!" Skip replied absently leading the way to the elevator. "Let's just beat it before Skygeek gets us all arrested!"
The elevator doors slid shut just as Chip managed to pull Vicky and her 'friend' back over the railing.
"Oh no!" he exclaimed, "That jerk and the photographer are gonna get away!"
"Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that." Timmy smirked as two eyes appeared on the pink elevator and gave him a playful wink.
Inside the 'Wanda' elevator...
"Yo I can't believe this yo!" Skip was fuming, "I hire the world's most devious photographer and STILL that loser Skylark comes out on top!"
Crossing her arms Janice glared back at him, "Well excuse me for not being a miracle worker. I'm a photographer for crying out loud, not some love goddess!"
"Word, consider your check cancelled!" Skip replied whipping out his cell phone.
I knew I should've snapped those pictures back at the restaurant! Janice pouted furiously.
"Uh look at the bright side boss," one bodyguard spoke up.
"Yeah," another nodded, "at least we got away."
Suddenly the elevator began to shake, the lights flickered out, and finally the entire thing just halted. The crowd in the elevator was left in a very uncomfortable position, their eyes the only visible features.
"You were saying?" Turnkey murmured sardonically.
"Yo, I can't get a signal!" Skip yelled.
The third goon shifted about uneasily, "Did I mention tight spaces make me nauseous?"
Fifteen minutes later...
Sirens blared from the cop cars and police van outside the Dimmadome. A crowd had gathered and news crews were setting up for an 'on the scene' report.
A small stature reporter with styled black hair stood on a crate in front of the camera, "This is Chet Ubetcha reporting from outside the Dimmsdale Dimmadome where local authorities have just arrested second rate teen singing sensation Skip Sparkypants for breaking and entering. Among his accomplices is freelance photographer Janice Turnkey, known for her underhanded and often deceitful portrayal of several top celebrities. Her most recent photos of Chip Skylark and 'Icky Vicky' are now believed to be tailored and completely false."
The TV camera zoomed in on the line of struggling figures being led outside. Skip Sparkypants was in the lead. "Yo man, easy on the threads yo!" he shouted, "Word I'll have your badge if I find one stain from doughnut filling!"
The officer just rolled his eyes and shoved the protesting teen into the back of the police van. Turnkey was next, "So much for my career-making shot. This is the last time I work the vengeance angle."
In the foreground Chet Ubetcha continued with his report, "Officers say that they were able to apprehend the suspects when they were all found trapped together in an odd looking pink elevator which apparently vanished shortly after the arrest was made."
Timmy stood a safe distance away from the Dimmadome watching the amusing scene from a nearby bus stop. His fairy godparents appeared beside him grinning at the chaos and Skip's well deserved humiliation.
"Think his lawyers will get him off?" Wanda asked absently.
"Probably," Timmy shrugged, "but at least he won't be able to blackmail Vicky anymore. There's no way his record company will buy out her dad's business after all this bad publicity."
"But I don't get it," Cosmo protested, "He's only getting charged for breaking and entering. Why doesn't Chip come out and tell the cops about the blackmail?"
"Because then Vicky would wind up back in the headlines again," his godkid explained, "And that's the last thing she wants."
Across the street there was a small rest area with a fountain, a few park benches, and a small clearing just large enough for a game of Frisbee.
Tootie and Vicky stood on the sidewalk in front of it watching the crowd disperse.
Glancing sideways at her companion Tootie noticed that Vicky was trying to casually look behind them. Turning her head slightly she saw why.
Chip was standing by the edge of the fountain looking down at his reflection. He seemed to be reminiscing about something. Vicky appeared torn between a soft smile and a longing sigh.
Smiling herself Tootie nudged her sister. "Go talk to him."
"What?" Vicky spun back around pretending she didn't know what Tootie meant, but her blush was an obvious giveaway.
"I saw you staring," Tootie teased, "What's stopping you?"
Finally releasing the pent up sigh Vicky confessed, "I don't know...what would I say?"
"Maybe you could apologize for being so distrustful and admit you like him too?" she offered with a knowing grin.
Giving her a sideways glance Vicky tried to save what was left of her pride. How on Earth did this strange woman know so much about her anyway? And why was it that she felt as though she'd known the 'special operative' for years? It was almost like—well—like she was talking to her dorky little sister. They both seemed to have her pegged when it came to her feelings for Chip.
"What makes you think I like him?" she questioned suspiciously, "And besides, even if I did he probably won't forgive me for calling him a jerk and a liar all this time."
"Ya never know until you try," Tootie urged in an almost singsong voice.
Now Vicky really felt as though she was conversing with her irritatingly correct little sister.
"Fine," she relented, "but I don't see what good it'll do."
"Good," Tootie beamed, "now I'd better get going."
"Huh?" Vicky seemed a bit disappointed, "Where?"
"Um...back to headquarters." Tootie replied nervously, "Big C probably has a load of case files on my desk by now."
"Oh, sure." Vicky shook her head in a show of good-natured disbelief, "Well thanks anyway. It was nice to have somebody on my side for a change."
Tootie gave a friendly thumb's up before heading across the street. "Take care Vicky!"
Giving a quick nod Vicky turned and started to approach Chip, a lump rising in her throat with each trembling step she took. She tried desperately to distract her mind from all the horrible things that could go wrong by thinking back to the scene on the roof of the Dimmadome.
Special Operative Trudy and Big C, hn! she mentally chided, Yeah right! What does she think I was born yesterday? Still...somebody saved us from falling off the roof.
Pausing mid-step she thought back to the object she'd grabbed hold of just after being shoved over the railing. It almost looked like—an arrow?
Wait... she blinked, ...it was an arrow! With a heart-shaped tip. Just like the heart on Trudy's choker. But that means...Big C really exists? Wow, and I thought the FBI was secretive!
She had resumed walking midway through her puzzlement. When she snapped out of her stupor she found herself standing right in front of the dreamy singer.
Her pinks eyes drifted up to his concerned cerulean orbs. He regarded her silently. Their gazes locked each stood there before the fountain unsure of what to say. Things seemed to have come full circle since the night of the award's show.
"Well," Vicky finally began with a small nervous laugh, "here we are again. Alone and next to a fountain in the middle of the night."
At last a smile crept across Chip's flawless features. "Yeah, we've gotta stop meeting like this."
"Maybe next time I'll just take you up on your offer of dinner at Burger Hut huh?"
A slight chuckle was heard, so soft and musical that Vicky's ears soaked it right up. It echoed throughout her quivering frame and awakened the butterflies in her stomach. Suddenly to felt compelled to spill her heart out to him.
"Oh Chip," she sniffed, "I'm so sorry!"
She could have throttled herself for not being able to hold back the tears that were flowing from her reddening eyes. She was just so ashamed. All this time he'd been completely sincere with her about his feelings and all she had done was stomp on his heart. Why did she have to be so untrusting!
Frowning at her unhappiness Chip reached forward and pulled her close in a soothing embrace. For once Vicky didn't draw back and allowed herself to be comforted. Being in Chip's arms just felt so right. She was warm and safe and—loved.
"I'm sorry," she repeated, her words muffled by his red jacket, "sorry I didn't believe you. I was just so sure that it was a big publicity stunt. I mean-" she paused to sob into his chest, "-how can you love me!"
Rubbing her back up and down in comforting motions he took a moment to deeply inhale the fragrant scent of her hair. How could she not see why he loved her? She was icky, icky with a 'V'. But now...now she seemed different, now she seemed—special.
True she wasn't gonna be Miss Dimmsdale or anything, but she was pleasing to look at. And her personality wouldn't even win her Miss Congeniality, but there was something about that fiery attitude that he couldn't help but adore.
She wasn't some mindless cheering fan girl or a prim and perfect pop diva. She was simply Vicky, a strong willed temperamental teen with icy barriers that would have to be slowly melted away to get at the heart of gold they concealed.
Smiling Chip thought back on all they had gone through to reach this point. At long last Vicky was in his arms instead of on his case. What more could he ask for?
"Vicky," he spoke softly, "don't worry about not believing me okay. I probably would've thought the same thing if I were you."
"So," she sniffed pulling back from his chest and gazing up at his understanding smiling face with teary pink eyes, "you forgive me? And you don't hate me?"
"Of course I forgive you," he beamed, "and I could never hate you."
Vicky blushed when he pulled her close again and bent his head down slightly (putting them face-to-face). Grinning at her shy expression he added, "So now that everything's cleared up, what do ya say? Think there could be something between us?"
Blinking in astonishment she could hardly believe that after everything she'd put him through he'd still want to pursue a relationship together.
The redness in her cheeks faded as a bit of the old Vicky returned. Pink eyes danced with mischief as she placed her arms around his neck closed the gap between them.
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
Chip barely had time to smirk at her sly joke before their lips were locked and both teens felt the ground beneath them give way so that they experienced the light and dazed sensation of floating on air.
Pulling apart after a few seconds of standing there in that heavenly position Vicky and Chip stared at each other dreamily.
"I love you Chip Skylark." she murmured affectionately.
"And I love you Vicky—uh—dude," he stammered, "what is your last name?"
"So love god," Tootie teased, "I guess the mission's over."
"Love is an ongoing battle missy," Cupid stated a little too profoundly. "It's never over!"
Shaking her head and wearing an unrepressed grin she replied, "Whatever, I should probably start acting (and looking) my age again now."
"Oh right," Cupid snapped his fingers as if he'd forgotten causing a rose to appear between his thumb and index finger. "You'll need this."
Tootie drew back uneasily, "You're not gonna tie that to another arrow and fire it at me again are you?"
Chuckling Cupid waved to her dismissively, "No silly, remember all you have to do is smell the rose and its sweet aroma will change you back."
"Phew," Tootie wiped a bit of sweat off her brow, "that I can handle."
She accepted the rose eagerly and inhaled its fragrant scent. The petals flew off and swirled around her in a beautiful spiraling pattern. A soft pink glow outlined her form as her arms and legs shrank back to normal size. Her hair was pulled back up in pigtails, her glasses reappeared, and her black leotard reverted back to the gray skirt, black vest, and white shirt.
"Like I said," Cupid smirked, "stealth and style, a perfect match!"
"I'm just glad to be back to my old—I mean—young self again." she beamed as the streetlights reflected off her braces.
"Well," Cupid raked his toes across the air indicating he'd hoped she felt differently.
"What's wrong?"
"I was kinda thinking that maybe having a 'special operative' was just what my 'organization' needed." he replied, "So what do ya say Special Operative Trudy! Wanna be an on-call secret agent of love?"
Tootie gasped in delight, "Do I!"
"Great!" the pink haired mascot was glad he wouldn't have to shoot her with another arrow...the kid was getting awfully squeamish around them. "I'll just leave the spell in place and you can keep the choker so we can stay in contact!"
The twelve-year-old jumped about excitedly, I'm gonna be a secret agent! I'm gonna be a secret agent! I'm gonna be a secret agent—of love!
After a quick handshake to seal the deal Cupid poofed himself back to work and Tootie set off for home before anyone could notice she was missing.
Timmy had already headed home with his fairy godparents (on the Cosmo scooter) so that Chip and Vicky could enjoy a late night intimate limo ride.
Poof!
Cozzie's two cents!
"But not THAT intimate because then we'd have to up the rating on the story!"
Amanda/Artiste: Whooo! One chapter left to go! This update took longer because I've been working on reconstructing my main site Agent Di's Universe. If anyone would like to visit the Fairly OddParents Gallery the link is up at my profile page. So review, view, and um...thank you!