It is with pleasure that I give you the twelfth chapter. This chapter is comprised of two long scenes. The first scene is Alvin and Brittany's argument. (I wanted to include the hurt/comfort element in this story, where Alvin and Brittany have an argument and then reconcile with each other later in the story.) The second scene is Simon and Jeanette's tender moment. Yes, fans of Simon and Jeanette, you heard me correctly. Within this chapter is Simon and Jeanette's affectionate scene, so whether you're a fan of them or not, have fun reading!


Chapter 12 - An Argument and a Tender Moment

One evening during their stay in Atlanta, Dave and the six chipmunks returned to their hotel for the night. Now, nobody knew why, but for some reason, Brittany had an annoyed look on her face ever since their concert that evening. They wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she would probably tell them it was none of their concern, so they kept quiet.

As Dave, the Chipmunks, and the Chipettes entered their room, they all headed off to do their own activities. Brittany waited until everyone else was out of earshot before walking up to Alvin and taking him by the arm.

Alvin turned toward Brittany and noticed her irritated facial expression. "What is it, Brittany? Did I do something wrong to you? If so, what could I have possibly done?" he asked.

Brittany ignored Alvin's questions. She said to him, "Come with me to the bedroom, Alvin," she said indignantly. "We'll talk there."

Alvin was confused. He had idea what was going with Brittany. He did not know why she was frustrated with him. In what way had he annoyed her?

Brittany, who was still firmly grasping Alvin's arm, walked into the bedroom. She looked around the room to make sure that no one was inside before starting on Alvin.

"I want you to stop," she said firmly.

Now Alvin was really confused. "Stop what?" he asked.

"Oh, you really are clueless, aren't you?" Brittany said to him.

Alvin's feelings of confusion were now combined with feelings of hurt and frustration. "Brittany, what did I do?" he asked.

"I'll tell you what it is you're doing," Brittany said to him. "You're hogging all the attention for yourself at our concerts."

"What do you mean?" Alvin asked. "How am I hogging all the attention?"

"You're making yourself stand out at our performances," Brittany explained. "You're stealing the show when it belongs to all six of us, not just you. And why do you get to lead the singing at every performance? You know, the rest of us are good singers, too, especially me, since I'm also a lead singer!"

"Nobody else seems to care except for you," Alvin protested, indignation starting to build within him.

"Oh, they're probably just too nice to point it out to you," Brittany told him. "I can't believe that you're not noticing how much you're taking over the spotlight, Alvin. You should let everyone else have their time to shine, too."

"Well…maybe I am taking a little too much attention for myself, but I don't mean to," Alvin argued. "I'm just trying to make it rock."

"No, you aren't just trying to make it rock," Brittany countered. "This is so typical of you, Alvin! You always claim you're just trying to make it rock, when really, you're trying to get everyone to focus on you!"

Alvin was quite exasperated now. "Brittany, it really doesn't make sense for you to say I'm hogging the spotlight, because you would do the exact same thing," he snapped.

"Uh, no, Alvin. I wouldn't. I may like attention, but I have the heart to share it with my sisters." Brittany retorted.

"Really? Since when?" Alvin asked.

"Just believe it, okay?" Brittany told him.

"I can't believe it unless I actually see it," Alvin answered back.

"You won't lead a very happy life if you go around saying that you can't believe something unless you see it first," Brittany said.

"Yeah?" Alvin replied. "Well, let me tell you something, Brittany. I think you should be grateful to me, instead of getting on my case all the time."

"First off, I don't get on your case all the time," Brittany fired back. "And second, explain to me why I should be grateful to you, Alvin. What did you ever do for me that requires me to be grateful to you?"

"Are you kidding me?" Alvin yelled. "You know what, I'll explain to you why you should be grateful to me. Who rescued you and your sisters when the three of you were trapped in Ian's clutches? I did! Who got all of us safely off the island when the volcano erupted? I did! And who threw a party for you before you left to be judges on American Idol? I did! And this is how you repay me? You turn against me by complaining that I'm doing something as trivial as hogging too much attention? That doesn't seem fair, does it?"

"Alvin, I've done plenty of good deeds for you as well, so you really aren't justified by listing everything you've done for me!" Brittany shouted.

"You still haven't told me why it's such a big deal if I really am taking too much attention!" Alvin told her.

"Because it's demeaning to the rest of us, who also have our talents!" Brittany responded.

"Brittany, even if I am hogging the spotlight, which I don't even notice myself doing, I'm not saying that the rest of you don't have talent!" Alvin said, very annoyed now. "As the lead singer, I have my place! It doesn't mean that everyone else isn't talented; it just shows that I'm the lead singer!"

"You're not the only lead singer!" said Brittany. "Like I explained earlier, Alvin, I'm a lead singer, too! We're on tour together; you should let the other lead singer have some time in the spotlight!"

"Brittany, the only reason you and your sisters are with me and my brothers on this tour is because you insisted on it back in New York," Alvin said bitterly. "If you wanted to show off your skills as a lead singer, you should have stayed on your own tour instead of joining us. Honestly, Brittany, to me, it's a little surprising that you're mad at me over something as unimportant as attention from the audience! And I thought we had discovered each other's 'sweet sides'!"

"I thought so, too," Brittany responded. "But I guess we're back to our old selves, now."

"Brittany, I don't want any competition between us to come back," Alvin said, in a softer tone, but still fairly irritated. "I'm just saying, it's ridiculous to rant at me about such a small matter."

Brittany just shook her head. "It's no wonder Dave and your brothers can't stand you," she said angrily. "You are so hard to take."

The words hurt like being hit with hard stones. Alvin's expression changed from indignant to depressed. He opened his mouth to respond, but he chose not to say anything and closed his mouth again. He hung his head. Then he turned around and walked out of the bedroom, sniffling as he went.

Even though Brittany had won the argument, she felt rather uncomfortable. Did I really just say that to him? she thought to herself. For a moment, she considered apologizing, but then she decided, No. Whatever I'm going to say, I'll say when I'm good and ready. She walked out of the bedroom. At least nobody witnessed that argument, she thought.

Brittany was wrong, however. Somebody had witnessed the argument.

It was Jeanette. When Brittany pulled Alvin into the bedroom to lecture him, Jeanette knew what was about to happen. She knew Brittany was going to berate Alvin for something, but she did not know what for. As Brittany was looking around the room to make sure nobody was around, Jeanette hid behind the bed. She heard the entire argument.

Jeanette knew it was impolite to eavesdrop, but she could not help but wonder what Alvin and Brittany had to argue over during this tour when everything had gone so well up to this point.

Jeanette heard it all; she heard Brittany angrily explain what the issue was, and she heard Alvin respond with his arguments, and she heard Brittany insult Alvin, and she watched Alvin walk away in distress. Jeanette waited until Brittany was out of the room before coming out from behind the bed.

Jeanette was quite shaken by Alvin and Brittany's argument. She had known them to argue before, but never like this. Not like they were actually adversaries. Just like Alvin, she did not want the animosity between those two either. She wanted for the two lead singers of the chipmunk group to reconcile and start getting along again.

Jeanette was saddened now. And whenever she was sad, she usually wanted someone to talk to. She wanted to talk to someone who could comfort her whenever she was feeling down. Someone who could understand how she was feeling. Someone who could brighten her mood.

And that someone was Simon.

Simon will understand, Jeanette thought. He can help me out. He always understands how I'm feeling.

Jeanette began walking through the rooms, looking for Simon. She found him in the kitchen. He was sitting on a tall stool at the counter, reading a book. He seemed so occupied with his reading that she wondered if she should just leave and come back later. However, she wanted someone to talk to, very much. She hoped Simon would understand if she put his reading on hold for a moment.

"Excuse me, Simon?" Jeanette called to him.

Simon heard someone call his name. He looked up from his book and glanced all around, trying to see who was talking to him. Then he looked downwards and noticed Jeanette standing in the entryway of the kitchen.

Simon smiled when he saw Jeanette. "Hello, Jeanette," he greeted her warmly. Just then, he noticed the sad expression on her face, and he became concerned. "What's wrong?" he asked her. "You seem crestfallen."

Jeanette nodded. "I am," she confirmed.

"Well, do you want to come up onto the stool and talk about it with me?" Simon asked.

"Maybe we could talk later. It looked like you were enjoying yourself reading when I came in, and I don't want to interrupt if you wanted to spend some time reading," Jeanette explained.

"It's all right, Jeanette, you may talk with me now," Simon invited her. "I would happily take your company over reading any day."

Jeanette smiled. Simon really cares about me, she thought to herself. She made her way over to Simon's stool and started to climb up. Simon put his book down on the counter so that he could reach down with his paws and help Jeanette up onto the stool.

As soon as Jeanette was on the stool, she seated herself next to Simon, who placed a paw on her shoulder and spoke to her in a caring voice.

"So, what is it that's worrying you, Jeanette?" he asked.

Jeanette sighed. "Alvin and Brittany are arguing," she answered. "Right when we thought they had put their quarrelsome history behind them. Everything was going so well up to this point, and now our two lead singers are fighting again!"

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that, Jeanette. What was it about the argument that dismayed you?" Simon asked.

"Well…" Jeanette explained, "when I remember some of Alvin and Brittany's past arguments, I recall that oftentimes, whenever they argued, they were usually just playing around. This argument, however, seemed like a much more serious argument than some of the ones they've had before."

Jeanette paused briefly before continuing. "They were arguing like they actually were competitors."

Simon placed an arm around Jeanette's shoulders and moved her closer to him. "Jeanette," he said to her, "don't worry. I'll help them resolve their disagreement."

"You will?" Jeanette responded. Simon nodded and smiled.

"Oh, thank you, Simon!" Jeanette said gratefully.

"I don't think I can do it alone, though," Simon explained. "Jeanette, could you please help me to help them reconcile? You see, whenever I try to help Alvin to settle an argument with someone, he usually tells me to stay out of it, saying it's none of my concern. But maybe, if you and I both helped them, the results would turn out better."

"Okay, Simon," Jeanette agreed. "I can do that."

"Thanks so much, Jeanette," Simon said to her.

Then Simon reached up to the counter and took a wrapped butterscotch candy. He handed it to Jeanette. "Here, take this," he told her. "I was going to eat this myself, but you need some well-deserved cheering up."

"That's so nice of you," Jeanette replied as she unwrapped the candy and ate it.

Simon took his book back down from the counter and continued to read. Jeanette stayed there on the stool with him, resting against him.

Suddenly, a question dawned on Jeanette. The same question that had been on her mind ever since she first met Simon. The same question that had occurred to her back at the Smithsonian Institution Building while they were staying in D.C. Here she was with Simon; it was just the two of them by themselves, no one to overhear anything she said to him. It was time for her to ask her question.

"Simon, I'm sorry to interrupt your reading again, but…" Jeanette began.

"Jeanette, it's really all right," Simon reassured her. "Like I said, I prefer talking with you over reading."

Jeanette took a deep breath. When it came to affection, she had always been shy around Simon, and Simon had always been shy around her. However, since the two of them were alone in this room of the suite together, with everyone else in the other rooms, she decided to go ahead and ask. Jeanette took another deep breath, then asked Simon her question.

"Do...do you love me, Simon?" Jeanette asked timidly.

Jeanette held her breath now. She was concerned about how Simon would respond to her question. She had no idea if he would say "yes" or "no". She hoped it would be "yes," but Simon had never been all that open about relationships. So she just sat there and waited for Simon's answer.

To Jeanette's relief, Simon smiled widely. He placed his book on the counter again, and then turned to face her. He reached out his paws, rested them on her shoulders, and looked her directly in the eyes. The look in his own eyes was kind and gentle.

"Yes, Jeanette," Simon told her, shyly. "I do love you."

"You do?" Jeanette asked. "You really do?"

Simon nodded. "Jeanette," he explained, "I know I'm often shy about our relationship, but I just want you to know that no matter how timid I become, I have always loved you and always will love you. Ever since I met you at West Eastman High School, I've led a very cheerful life with you at my side. Even though misfortunes still come my way every so often, I don't mind because I know you're there to make me happy again."

Jeanette was smiling. Not only was Simon very caring towards her, now he was telling her how much he loved her, with all his honesty and sincerity.

Simon continued speaking. "But the happiness you bring to my life is not the only reason why I love you, Jeanette," he told her. "I also love you for who you are, and that's the most important reason. Remember what I told you while we were on the raft after escaping from the island all that time ago?"

Jeanette's smile became even wider as Simon's words to her on the raft came back into her memory. "Even the most perfect gem cannot compare to your beauty."

"Jeanette," Simon was saying, "when I said that to you, I wasn't just referring to your outward beauty. I was also referring to your inward beauty. You have so much inward beauty, Jeanette. You're kind, you're caring, you're compassionate, you're loving, you're gentle, you're patient, you're forgiving, you have a wonderful heart. And that's the foremost reason why I love you."

Jeanette was so touched by Simon's warm-hearted words. Tears of happiness were filling her eyes. Nobody, not even her sisters, had ever said anything this special to her before. She felt so loved as she listened to what Simon was telling her.

"I love you, Jeanette," Simon concluded. "I'm so happy to have you in my life."

"And I'm happy to have you in my life," Jeanette whispered to him. "I'm also happy that you love me, Simon. Because I love you, too, very much."

Simon and Jeanette smiled tenderly at each other. Then Jeanette stretched her arms out toward Simon. Simon understood, and so he reached out his own arms. Simon and Jeanette moved closer to each other and embraced in a loving hug. They closed their eyes and rested their heads on each other's shoulders.

As Simon held Jeanette, he slowly moved his head so that he and she were face to face with each other. Simon leaned his head forward and kissed Jeanette on the lips. Jeanette gently returned the kiss. They were filled with feelings of love for each other as they kissed. They did not want to end this tender moment, but they knew that they had to at some point, and so they released each other from the embrace and the kiss.

"I wish that had lasted longer," Jeanette said.

"Don't worry, Jeanette. We'll have plenty of opportunities in the days to come," Simon told her.

Simon reached up to the counter again and brought his book back down. "Would you like to read with me, Jeanette?" he asked.

"Of course," Jeanette happily answered.

For the rest of the evening and into the night, Simon and Jeanette held the book in their laps and read together. They only turned the pages when both of them had finished reading the page. They did not know what to say to each other; they had just shared the best moment of their lives together. They were happy for each other as they sat on the kitchen stool, reading the book.

As it turned from evening to night, Simon started to become sleepy. He yawned and tried to keep awake, but his eyelids eventually grew heavy. Simon stretched, closed his eyes, and fell asleep, resting against the back of the stool.

Jeanette had not fallen asleep yet, but the sound of Simon's soft snoring was soothing to her. Soon, she began to feel tired as well.

Jeanette pushed the book onto the countertop and lay back against the stool. She yawned, stretched, and closed her eyes. Then she rested against Simon, who was sleeping peacefully. Jeanette smiled as she fell asleep.

Simon and Jeanette were snuggled up next to each other on the stool as they slept.

At one point, Dave came into the kitchen to put something away. He noticed Simon and Jeanette asleep together on the stool and smiled. He made sure he was very quiet, so as not to wake the two chipmunks up and interrupt this peaceful time they were spending together.

As Dave silently left the room, he turned toward the stool where Simon and Jeanette were sleeping. "Sweet dreams, you two," he whispered as he closed the door and returned to his bedroom.

For the entirety of that night, Simon and Jeanette lay asleep on the stool, cuddled up beside one another, their heads rested against each other's shoulders.