You Can't Fix What Is Not Broken
By
End Of Grace
A/N (Grace walks out on to the stage and bows) Hello all. I'm guessing you've been worried about where I've been. The answer is sick and with a dubious amount of hospital visits as well. I suffer from two skin illness one called Psoriasis and the other Hidradenitis Suppurativa stage 3 both badly flaring over the past few weeks. Psoriasis makes my skin really red and sore while H.S has caused me to break out in boil like lumps that some had to be lanced while others burst on their own leaving behind very open wounds. I have hardly any skin under my armpits, chest area and even parts of my thighs. Add depression to the mix and well… I think you can understand the rest. This chapter isn't that great and I'm truly sorry for the late update, but also wish to thanks to Trash Metal Martin, Dr Levoda and Speedox12 for their concern and messages. I will try and get back to my normal schedule, but with Christmas around the corner and my illness it will be hard, please be patient and enjoy.
B/N: Sorry on my end too; inadvertently made this chapter another week and a half late by not checking my e-mail for 3 straight weeks. Finals suck.
Chapter 11: One step back and one step forward.
Mike tried not to laugh at Thomas as he watched him on the pinball machine and getting more frustrated by the second. Springtrap and Shadow were both cheering him on and holding on to a handful of quarters for him. Mark, who had finally woken up, was sitting in one of the booths with Sooty helping him color in some pictures while shouting out his "helpful" tips to their boss.
"You need to stop jerking the machine! And pull back harder when you release the ball!" he said laughing as Thomas lost another turn.
"How on earth did you get such a high score? Cheat?" Thomas asked as Springtrap put in another quarter.
"Skill! That's why I'm the king of games." beamed Mark as he picked up a blue pen.
"Some King!" grumbled Goldie "Faints at the sight of a little blood."
Mike and the animatronics burst out laughing while Mark poked out his tongue.
"We shouldn't laugh!" Thomas said firmly "This is a murder and once it hits the news, the whole thing about the child murders will be bought up again. That could mean we lose some business for a while, but hopefully the hospital event will show the public that we're still number one for their kids."
Everyone cheered but Mike who looked confused "What event?"
"Didn't Jeremy tell you?" Mark asked "Toy Chica said she told him about it."
"Must have forgotten. So what's this event that we're doing?"
The animatronics suddenly gathered around him all talking loudly at the same time and getting more hyper by the moment. He was able to pick out a few words like "pizza", "hospital", "Children", "Pirates", and "Stage", before Thomas gave a loud whistle to quiet them all down.
"Come on now guys, I know you're all excited, but let's not bombard Mike with it all. Mike do you remember meeting a Mrs. Jobs?"
"Jobs...? Oh! Yeah, she wants us do a charity event right? I'm guessing at a children's hospital?"
The animatronics cheered and clapped with excitement as Thomas continued to explain. "You'll get a few nights to go over the script with everyone and then nearer the time to practice on stage. Since the kids mostly know you Mike, I think you would make a great MC to help get the ball rolling, as well as organize the kids and the animatronics for photos and such. We're also going to have a few cooking vans on site to cook fresh pizza and hand it out to people as well as coupons for the restaurants."
"We're there for the children, not to promote the restaurant, or have you forgotten it's for charity?" sneered Goldie only for Freddy to place his paw on his shoulder.
"There is nothing wrong with handing out vouchers Goldie, some parents can be a bit strapped for cash so some money off is always a blessing. Plus it brings in more business."
"Thanks Freddy." smiled Thomas "So I need you all at your best ok? Mike, they'll all need a firm clean since their going to be around sick kids and maybe a program to help them understand the illnesses maybe?"
"Not asking much are you?" said Mike sarcastically "I'll see what I can do,... but can I ask if we're all here... who is going to mind the restaurants? Don't we have birthday parties on that date?"
"Already looked in to it" said Thomas "I checked that there were no birthdays booked on that day at either restaurant and will post a sign on the door saying we are not open on that day. Though,... I think a few more cameras may be in order plus maybe someone on guard too,... just in case."
"I can do it." said Shadow raising his paw "I know how to work the cameras Mr. Thomas."
"Thanks for volunteering Shadow, but I think someone a bit bigger would be better, plus I need you to help make the children better." said Thomas with a gentle smile.
"Ok…" said Shadow sadly, his ears drooping slightly.
"Besides Shadow, I need help with the stage and you're the only one I can count on right?" said Mike with a smile and a wink, making Shadow giggle and nod.
"We've got a couple of weeks before the show must go on. So start practicing your lines everyone, but first… um... Chica... could I have a word please?" Thomas asked and pointed to the kitchen.
"Um... sure…" said the large yellow chicken as she followed Thomas into the kitchen out of sight. Mike watched her go and he really didn't want to be in Thomas's shoes right now, but he knew that their boss had to ask. Of all the people that had a right to kill David it was Chica and Chi that had the most. If they did have anything to do with it, they all had to be ready, make up cover stories, fake some evidence maybe, because he refused to hand the girl or girls over after all they had been though.
-Line Break-
Jeremy was tired when he pulled into the cove, but at least he had time to go home and freshen up before seeing Chi… and the others of course. Picking up the large bag of gifts he had for everyone he made his way into the busy restaurant. The kids were shouting and laughing as usual, mainly crowding around and excitedly listening to the great Captain Foxy and his first mate Mangle. There was also a small queue of tots waiting patiently for their turn on the ice cream machine with BB and Betty who were watching and being helpful as always. Jenny the manager spotted him and smiled as she waved him over.
"Nice to see you back Jeremy, but you're not scheduled till tomorrow."
"I know, but I couldn't keep away from this place for too long. Besides I thought you would want that plushy you asked me to get for your kid."
Jenny beamed brightly as he pulled out a large chipmunk plush and handed it over. "Oh, thank you Jeremy, this will make my Tim's Christmas. What do I owe you?"
"Don't worry about it; he was one of the freebees we got while we were there, so you don't owe anything."
"Still thanks thought. I take it the rest of the gifts in that bag are for the animatronics? They really have missed you,… or should I say Chi has." Jenny said giggling as she watched Jeremy go red. It wasn't much of a secret in the cove about Jeremy's feeling for the slim yellow bird and he was often teased by Jenny and the animatronics about it.
"Is she in the back? Would you mind if I stop and say hello?" Jeremy asked trying not to sound as if he was pleading.
"Well… she has been working hard… I guess she could take a break." Jenny smiled. "Just don't keep her too long, alright."
"Thanks, Jenny!"
Jeremy started to walk back as children ran past him carrying their balloons to reach the game section to spend their dimes and quarters.
"Avast, there be young Jeremy! I be needing a moment of your time." said Foxy as he swaggered towards Jeremy in all his pirate glory. Jeremy hated to admit it, but Foxy was pretty amazing and imposing in that outfit, which was a damn side better than how he looked back at Freddy's.
"What's up Captain?" Jeremy asked trying not to feel nervous. Did Foxy know about him and Chi?
"Let us converse over in yonder corner lad, where we will not be overheard as this is a matter of importance."
Jeremy followed Foxy to the far back wall which was quite as there weren't many customers sitting there. Foxy leant his back against the wall in a causal manner, but his face was grim.
"What is it Captain?" Jeremy asked, his belly in knots at what the fox animatronic was going to say. Was he going to try and forbid him from being with Chi?
"First lad I must say it is nice for you to return to the crew, we have all missed ye, and it has been hard on Matt doing double shifts and all."
"Er...Thanks Captain…"
"Matt did not complain about the work and seemed happy for the most part….but something happened to him yesterday… put the lad on edge it did. This morning he came in... and he was wearing his gloves and had a tense look in his eye. I trust you be understanding why I tell you this?"
Jeremy nodded "You want me to speak with him?"
Foxy sighed "I do not want to lose a member of me crew but I cannot allow a man so close to snapping to be around the children. Their safety is my top priority."
"I'll grab my first aid bag and make my way to the security office and see what I can do." said Jeremy turning on his heel but stopped when he felt Foxy's paw on his shoulder.
"Before ye go lad, there has been whisperings about ye and another member of my crew, now I not be one to say nay to a couple in love but should ya hurt the wee lass… it be the last thing ya ever do... understand?"
"Yes Captain Foxy... I get it!"
"Good! Now run along lad. Before the guard dog snaps."
-Line Break-
Matt was tapping his foot and the noise was irritating him, but he could stop as he rapidly clicked on the cameras, looking for anyone doing anything wrong, so he could take his pent up aggression out on them. He slammed down on the mouse hard, wanting to crush it in his hand and feel the plastic break against his skin. His teeth were itching again as he gnashed them together, feeling them grind. Damn him! Double damn him! He had been doing so well up until last night. He was healing, he had a job, friends… and that shit of a manager had to hurt Chi! Chi had spent that car ride back to the cove sobbing in to Mangle's shoulder.
When they got back to the cove, he approached Mangle and asked what it had all been about and if calling Jeremy would be best. Mangle didn't go into details, but told him the basic story, but that had been enough. He went straight home when his shift ended, his teeth itching like hell and his muscles were clenched tight as he picked up his old Foxy mask and got ready for the kill. During the week he had spent at Freddy's he had learnt about the two major blind spots of the cameras, one that was convenient since that was where David parked his car. The other was the very back of the car park that had no outside lighting to it so he could sneak up to the pizzeria unseen. He waited until David was outside and near his car before he swung the crowbar against his head, enjoying the sound of his skull cracking as he hit the ground. Then his rage and teeth took over, angry that he had hurt Chi, that he had forced him to kill again just as his life was about to be perfect, so he bit off his ears and fingers, he clawed out his eyes and use the crowbar to break as many bones as he could.
Once he was done, he placed David in his car and poured water over the ground to wash away the blood, the hot weather would dry it by the time anyone found him. He then went home, but he couldn't sleep, his mind was buzzing and his temper still boiling beneath his skin. He looked down at his hands and clenched them tightly. They had been healing so well! He even stopped wearing his gloves, but now… his skin was torn and deep red gashes shone through the pale flesh, it was enough to make anyone sick to their stomachs. THAT BASTARD! THAT FUCKING DEAD BASTARD! Why! Why did he have to ruin everything! There was a sharp knock on the door and Matt turned around quickly, putting his hands behind his back as Jeremy stood by the door with the large first aid bag on his shoulder.
"Jeremy? Welcome back, how was your holiday? Enjoy yourself?" Matt asked trying to keep the tremor of anger out of his voice as Jeremy stepped into the small office.
"Hey, Matt. Yeah, I had a great time, got you a little souvenir, too. Thought I'd drop by and see how things were... and Foxy asked me to check on you… he was worried when he saw you were wearing gloves again."
"I... I don't know what he means; I mean, you've seen me in gloves before…" said Matt as he started to shake, he didn't want anyone knowing about his bad habit, although he was legally bound to write it on the paperwork, surely it hadn't made its way on to the team.
"Look, I don't know what you're going though and I'm not even going to admit I understand but... this is how you cope with stress right? When things get too much…"
"I don't know what you're on about"
"Hey... it's fine. The managers told me and Mike about you so we were ready for days like this. Other than us, the only others that know are Freddy, Goldie, and of course Captain Foxy. Mike told me and them not to mention it or bring it up unless you did or something happened to force our hand. Now you don't have to tell me about it or anything,… but could you at least let me look at your hands to make sure they don't get infected?"
Matt looked at Jeremy with slight fear, he had never wanted his new friends to know about his "habit", they would hate him, call him a freak. Yet, if Jeremy was his friend... didn't friends… help each other... at least that how it was in the cartoons right?
"Look Matt, I know you have a problem... it's like gambling or drinking too much, right? I get it, I'm not here to judge... I'm just here as a friend to clean you up and check your ok? So please? Let me see your hands."
Matt sighed and bit his lip as he bought his hands around and pulled off his gloves, saying nothing as Jeremy knelt in front of him and started to use cotton buds to wipe away the blood. Jeremy gently put his hand on Matt's fist to stop his hand from shaking as he cleaned it.
"Well the good news these aren't too deep, you won't be needing stitches, but they're going to sting like hell for a couple of days. You can put your gloves back on if you want…"
Matt put his gloves back on and rubbed his hands as he watched Jeremy put his stuff back in the first aid bag.
"Thanks... you know... for this…" he said softly.
"It's cool man, you know you can come and talk to me or the guys if you ever need help, we all one big very odd family here." Jeremy smirked as he gave a small laugh, Matt joining in on the little joke.
"I had a bad day yesterday." Matt said as he looked down on the floor "The odd thing is I'm more pissed now then I was... does that make sense?"
"You mean you're more upset now that you've slipped up then when you were when you actually slipped up? I get it. My uncle was an alcoholic and he kept trying to stop for years... now and again he'd fall off of the wagon, but always got back on it again. And that's what you got to do, you've slipped up, got mad and now you got to stop again. You've got me and Mike's numbers if you ever just need to rant or you think you need someone to talk to right?"
Matt looked down at his hands and then back at Jeremy with a small smile, his anger cooling down into nothing. "Yeah… thanks…"
Suddenly the sound of running footsteps caught both their attentions as Jenny poked her head in, gasping for breath. "Have you boys seen the Marionette? He's gone!"
"What? What do you mean gone?" Both Jeremy and Matt snapped.
"I got a phone call from a... what his name… Goldie? Well I handed the Marionette the phone and I started to get back to my duties when I heard the children starting to cry. I went over to the Marionette's box, but it was empty, the children saying that he was upset and simply climbed out of his box and left."
-Line Break-
Net was sitting in the supply room in the dark on the tallest self, his long legs dangling over the edge as he listened to the music box in his hands. Goldie's phone call had greatly disturbed him. He had thought that the spare animatronic bodies had been destroyed, not kept in storage. A tremor of fear ran through his body, if what he suspected was right, being put in a box for years on end would be considered lucky compared to what can happen to him if he was found out. He doubted his fellow animatronics would condemn him, in fact, he was sure they wouldn't; but what about Mike… and their other human friends? What would their reaction be? He wasn't concerned about the others as much as he was Mike, Mike who loved children would not be as understanding or forgiving, Mike who he loved with all of his selfish pump. True, he wasn't as selfish as Blu, whom acted on his desires, but there were truly moments that he wished to have Mike all to himself. He remembered sleeping in that dirty old box in a broken state for years when he suddenly he heard the tinkling of his music box. The warm gentle hands lifted him into the light, softly washing and repairing him as his music box continued to play. He slowly rose from his consciousness when he felt himself seated back in his box, raising his head to see familiar animatronics and the human that repaired him. The human was kind, and by the way the others flirted with him, a much loved one too, and Net could easily see why.
Most adults did not like them, they found them creepy and inhuman, so they were either cruel or ignored them, but not Mike, he cared for them. Over the last few months, Net had tried to get closer to the long brown haired youth who did not shy away from his tentacles and tried to win over his heart, despite it being obviously in vain by the way Mike looked at Bonnie when he thought no one was looking. He wondered if any of the others knew about Mike's bad relationship with his parents. Part of him didn't want them too, like it was something that only he knew about Mike, something he could keep to himself. Thinking back to that night sent a shiver through his body. He had always thought of himself as the dominant, since he was older and well... had tentacles, but having Mike inside of him, inflating his belly with his seed, made him desire Mike even more. He weaved his tentacles around his body, some sliding and pulling on his cock while others pushed their way into him, stretching his rear and filling his belly.
"Mike… Mike... oh Mike…" Net moaned placing his two of his fingers into the small slit of his mouth, his tongue licking them up and down as he imagined the young man making love to him again. But it wasn't the same, there wasn't any warmth, hot breath against his cloth skin, no soft lips kissing his mask. Net continued to rub until he was spent, but he didn't feel satisfied as the overwhelming feeling of dread sat in his belly. He sighed in disappointment, as he picked up his music box, taking the small handle on the side to wind it up. The door banged open and Jenny walked in looking slightly frantic.
"Net… Mr. Net? Are you in here?" Jenny said in a slightly frantic voice as she looked around. "Please you need to come out! I've just got a call from the CEO saying the other store was closed down due to manager being killed and for some reason Chi has gone off in tears and Mangle is trying to comfort her, we need you on the shop floor." Net heavily sighed as he slid from his hiding place and landed on the floor in front of Jenny making her jump. "Oh thank goodness. We're going to get really busy since the other store is closed for the day, but with Chi upset and Mangle comforting her, I'm going to need every other hand on deck. Can I count on you?"
Net gave her a tiny smile and nodded his head as he followed her out. Right now he had a job to do and children to entertain, he would have to worry about the spares and Mike later, but there was no doubt that something was seriously was going to have to be done. He could only hope it didn't include any more deaths.
-LineBreak-
Chi sat on one of the large boxes of props sobbing uncontrollably as Mangle sat beside her rubbing her back.
"Chi, please don't cry, the scumbag isn't worth your tears." said Mangle softly only making Chi sob harder. "I don't understand, he treated you like crap and messed around behind your back"
"It doesn't matter… I mean... he was still… I never wanted him dead!" the thin yellow chick wailed, oil and water flowing down her face like tears as Jeremy came running into the room.
"CHI!"
"Jeremy!" Chi cried out as she stood up and ran into the human's arms, burying her face into his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. Mangle shook her head as she too got up and patted Jeremy on his other shoulder.
"Welcome back Jer, I'll leave Chi to you, the captain is no doubt worried and struggling on his own, so I will head back now. I know I can trust you with her."
"Sure thing, Mangle." said Jeremy as he rubbed Chi's back, feeling her soft feathers beneath his fingers. Mangle walked out of the room and closed the door behind her, leaving the man and the animatronic on their own, hugging each other tightly.
"Chi… Chi... it's ok. It's ok. He can't hurt you anymore."
"That's... that's not it... I… I loved him… he... he was my first… first everything… and even though… he treated me badly… I still cared…"
"Chi…" Jeremy stood dumbfounded, he thought Chi hated David, that David was still harassing her. Did this mean she was still in love with him?
"After... After I came back, he tried to approach me to talk, to apologize,... but I didn't want to know. I was angry but also because… I thought if I listened to him… I would have fallen for him again and I didn't want that!"
"Why not?"
"Because…" Chi lifted her head from Jeremy's shoulder and sniffed "I was already falling for you."
Jeremy gasped and then smiled at he leaned his forehead against her "I love you too Chi."
More oily tears fell from her optics as Chi leans upwards slightly and places a small kiss on Jeremy's lip, Jeremy pulls her closer and kisses her back.
-Line Break-
Mike was knacked! Damn it! This was insane, he worked during the day as a first aider, then during the night he worked with Freddy and the others over the script and stage movements for the event and then in the small down time that he had, he was organizing everything from the pizza vans, the props, the vans to transport the staff and the animatronics, cameras, the finances, and how much room they were going to need, etc. What little time he had he was either asleep or looking up what info he could on the Nightmare ride and its animatronics. He was surprised slightly by how great the ride had gone down, some even saying it was better than the big water ride that had opened years ago, the animatronics were even used for photos shoots. Even the company was so surprised by how the ride has gone down; they were having a hard time keeping up with the demand for merchandise for it. Yet there was nothing being mentioned on whether or not the ride was going to stay, it was still being referred to as a Holiday ride which meant its future was still in the wind.
He cut out a few pictures that were used in magazines and such; happy to see the animatronics were in good condition still, all though the pictures really did put them in bad light, making them more monstrous and evil looking. Part of him wanted to call Dahl and ask, but another part of him was really against it as Dahl was still sending him those weird, stalker like texts. Besides, now things had slightly calmed down over the murder of David, the cops deciding it was either a copycat of the biter or someone new, but still had no other leads. Things had sort of gone back to normal. The animatronics were still as crazy and horny as ever, Shadow and Sooty seemed to be in a terrible twos stage with their temper tantrums and Mark was still having the stuffing scared out of him by Freddy and Goldie. At least Matt was coming out of his shell more. After his "little slip" and Jeremy patching him up, he has been a bit more forthcoming with his trouble with biting though he had yet to tell them about how it started, and was taking a more active part in both the show and in their group time as last night he had suggested they go bowling as he had never been. Of course Mark was all up for it, saying how he was great and everything, only to have Matt and Jeremy had his ass to him after two games. There was something that was bothering him though. While he was doing the finances for the event as well as handing in his receipts and such, he had noticed how ill Thomas was looking and now and again Thomas would question items or ask him to get mainly second hand stuff as the event seemed to be getting too costly, which was odd, considering the business itself was in the black for the first time in years. There was also the odd incident when he was leaving the restaurant that night after he had spent the day there. He hadn't meant to spy on Spring and Thomas, but… Spring was trying to convince Thomas to stay the night for a little... get together... and was undoing Thomas buttons as he kissed and licked his neck. Thomas kept telling Spring to stop and tried to get away, but the gold bunny had undone his shirt before he could stop him. Spring then stopped and glared at Thomas's chest noticing the bit marks and hicks on it, which was even odder since he hadn't been around Springtrap for a while.
"Thomas,… what are…?"
"I've been bitten by bugs." snapped Thomas as he quickly did up his shirt and made his way to the door. "Now! I've had a long day and I've got work to catch up on, so I'll see you later ok?"
Since that night Springtrap has been in funk, though around the children he didn't show it, but when the pizzeria was closed, he kept to himself and moped. He didn't even want to have anything to do with the event either. Well he didn't really have time to worry about Spring at the moment as he had been trying to contact his parents. They had been busy with a really big case and were not answering their phones or more likely just ignoring his call as they had more important things to do. Yet he wasn't going to give up, he needed his parents to attend the event, it was his only chance to show his parents how great the animatronics were and how the kids love them.
"Hello?"
"Finally, hi mom."
"Michael, me and your father are too busy to deal with you right now…"
"I don't need anything. Just wondered if you wanted to attend a charity event the pizzeria and the Jobs are putting on for the local children's hospital?"
"...The Jobs?"
"Typical... that's what you pick up on" Mike muttered, but then spoke more clearly "Yes, the Jobs. They've asked us to put on the entertainment and the food, while they handle the other stuff like getting other support and raising the money. Also you get to see me make a fool of myself on stage."
His mother sighed tiredly "Michael… don't you think we have better things to do…"
"Hey now, are you saying that the Jobs and their associates are wasting their time with this event? I'll be sure to tell them that when they ask me why my "wonderful" parents aren't there to support me."
There was a long pause, Mike could hear his parents chatting in the background, things like "Make an appearance." and "Saving face" were being said.
"Alright Michael, text me the details and we'll see you then, but right now, me and your father have to work."
"Ok, I'll see you then, later."
-Line Break-
Iger stood in front of Dahl's desk, holding his clipboard close to his chest as he read out his report.
"The Christmas floats are almost finished, the costumes are all made, and the new lines will be shipped in by next week at the earliest. All in all sir, we are well within schedule for the Christmas rush."
"What of our newest film? How are the takings?"
Iger grimaced "Not as well as we hoped sir. It's barely in the top ten films of the week and the takings from this week on 35% down from last week."
Dahl pinched his nose "I see. See if we can give it more advertising, if the figures don't pick up then we'll pull the plug on its squeal. It's a shame really; I actually had high hopes for it. How is the ware house cleaning going?"
"Things that can be disposed of have been thrown and collection pieces are getting cleared up for auction. Sir… are you sure this is wise? The merchandise from the nightmare ride is selling faster than we can make it. The people are lining up for almost two hours to go in and sometimes even longer for the photographs. It might be better to keep the ride going for a while, even over the Christmas period, just to make back some of our earnings."
Dahl shook his head "No, this was only to be temporary, besides this will be my last bid to try and convince Mike to join us."
"The I will have the movers come and start taking the ride apart in the next week or so and the animatronics moved into storage." said Iger as he scribbled down his task "Is there anything else sir?"
"No, that will be all… for now…"
To Be Continued…
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