Big news always seems to come in groups. However, as Yakko let himself be lead through an unknown building with his eyes shut, he wasn't aware of how much big news was about to unfold.

"Come on, Dot, just give us a clue..." Wakko laughed, as he bumped into Yakko.

"Ohh no, the pair of you can keep your eyes shut." Dot smirked as she watched her brothers stumbling around the lobby. "Todd, go on ahead and knock for us." Todd grinned and nodded, darting into the garden space. When he reached the tree with the blue door, he turned around and watched as his mother lead his uncles slowly into the garden. Abbi and Gabby were supposed to be helping, but they didn't really know what was going on either, so they were playing a silly game of flicking their dads' tails and generally winding them up.

Todd knocked on the door, and heard the crotchety grumbling as Slappy eased the door open.

"Ah, Todd." Slappy looked down at him, surprised but smiling. "I didn't know you were coming over today. Where's yer mom?"

Todd grinned up at her, tipped his hat, and turned back to point down the path. Slappy looked up, and saw two other children, a little older than Todd, running towards them. She raised her eyebrows as Dot rounded the corner. Three kids? Dot was grinning like the cat that had the cream, and Slappy's jaw dropped as she saw why. Dot lead her two brothers by the hand. Sure, they were taller, older... a little less fuzzy... but you couldn't question those faces. Slappy smirked to herself, gripping the handle on her cane a little tighter. She shuffled slowly to meet them.

"Dot..." Wakko moaned, waving his hand around in an attempt to find Dot. "Can we open our eyes- Abbi, get off!"

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Gabby wouldn't be as annoying."

"Don't count on it." Yakko smirked, as his ears perked up. He heard a shuffling, someone clearing their throat.

"Ok... open your eyes." Dot grinned, as Wakko and Yakko blinked, their eyes adjusting to the light.

"Well, well. Ten years since I last seen you boys, and I bet you still won't pay me back that sixteen fifty I gave you for gas." Slappy let her smirk grow as the Warner Brothers finally felt the dawn of realisation.

"Slappy!" Yakko laughed, a small part of him amazed that the squirrel was still alive.

"What, no hug?" Slappy chortled, and both Yakko and Wakko rushed forward to hug their old friend. "Well, come inside, you can help me with the plans."

"Plans?" Wakko asked, looking around as they entered the old tree.

"For the fifteenth." Slappy looked around, rolling her eyes as it became obvious the date meant nothing to them. "Well, it's nice to know I'm appreciated. Wakko, you still with Tellulah?"

"Um... yeah. We-"

"What day did you two meet?"

"Well you should know." Wakko laughed, eyebrows raised. "It was February fifteenth, at your... oh..."

"Welcome to the conversation." Slappy shook her head, lowering herself into her armchair.

"Your birthday." Yakko finished, catching on. Todd leant over the arm of Slappy's chair, grinning at her. Abbi followed, but Gabby stood behind Yakko's legs, more cautious.

"So, who's who? You look like a respectable scruff-bag." Slappy nodded at Abbi, who stuck her chin out.

"I'm Abbi. Who are you?"

"Abbi." Wakko tried to be a disciplinary parent, but Slappy waved him aside.

"Nah, the kid's got a point. I'm Slappy; I used to work with your parents."

"Were you on TV?" Gabby smiled, slowly growing braver.

"Ah, so they've told you about the show, huh? Well, Todd knows a lot about my cartoons, don't you, buddy?"

Todd grinned and nodded. He liked Slappy. She was funny, and was one of the only adults that didn't act like it was a big deal that he didn't talk. He grinned even wider as Slappy reached over the side of her chair and rummaged in her bag, removing one of her videos.

"You set your eyes on that, you'll see." She smiled proudly, giving the video to Todd. "I got years more experience than your parents, that's for sure."

Abbi, Gabby and Todd sat down obediently and watched the grainy old film. Slappy grinned as the three kids started to smile, before looking at their parents.

"Well sit down; you're making the place look messy." Yakko, Wakko and Dot sat down obediently, each aware of the feeling that, no matter how old they were, Slappy would always be able to have some control over them. "So, you kids are all back together again. I knew you wouldn't stay mad. How long was it?"

"Eight years. Nearly nine." Yakko ducked his head, bashful.

"Really... I guess I owe Skippy five bucks..."

"What?"
"Eh? Don't mumble, Dot, it ain't becoming." Slappy cleared her throat, shooting a wink at Wakko. "So, since you're all friendly again, I don't suppose you'd help an ol' lady out?"

"Depends what you had in mind." Yakko raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I remember the last time I helped you out without checking first. I was watching strawberry punch out of my hair for a week."

"I don't know what you mean. I'm old, my memory's bad."

"Then you won't want that five dollars back?" Yakko smirked, as Slappy grinned at him.

"It was six twenty five, and with interest I expect ten. At least." She shook her head. "Anyway, quit distractin' me. I'm gonna be ninety years young this year and I'm planning a big party."

"Ninety? Gosh-"

"None of that, Dot." Slappy waved Dot's exclamations away. "I'm still old enough to take care of myself, and I can't see that finishing any time soon. Now, I was planning on inviting a load of my friends from here in the home, and everyone I can round up from the set."

"The old Animaniacs crew?" Wakko gasped. "Sounds cool. You want us to hand out invites?"

"Nah, Skippy's an agent these days; he's got the inside track." Slappy sounded matter-of-fact, but all the Warners picked up on the slightly bitter tone on the word "agent". Slappy had never been fond of agents, and had been in quite bitter arguments with most of the agents present during any filming, even taking on various other cast members herself. It was something to do with taking money, or a bad experience with her own agent long ago. No one was sure. No one dared ask.

"Nah, I was wondering..." Slappy was momentarily distracted as the kids burst out laughing. She looked at the screen, smiling nostalgically as a young Slappy showcased her award-winning dynamite production skills. "You keep practicing, kids, one day you can do that too." She smiled, partly at the cheers from the kids, partly at the grimaces from the Warners. "Anyway. You guys really would be saving my bacon."

"What, Slappy?" Wakko sat forward, smiling.

"D'you recon you guys could provide some entertainment? I mean... I know you guys ain't sung together or anything like that since before madam here went off to college, but it would mean a lot to me."

"Aww, Slappy!" Dot giggled. "Are you getting sentimental?"

"Not at all, I just want someone who I can call a friend and who'll do the gig for free."

Slappy grinned, and the Warners turned to each other. Yakko looked a little weary, but Dot seemed more open-minded.

"What do you think?"

"Would be cool. I say it's time for a reunion gig." Wakko grinned. "If the Spice Girls can do it..."

Yakko looked from one sibling to the other, and a slow smile grew across his face.

"Alright then. We'll do a few songs, dances, maybe a couple of skits." Yakko nodded, grinning. Slappy smiled, seeming a little relieved.

"Hey, maybe the kids could get involved."

"Yeah!" Grinned Abbi, twisting around. Todd rolled over onto his back and stuck his thumbs up in the air. Gabby, however, seemed to shrink back from the circle they had formed. Yakko noticed this, and their eyes met. Gabby looked up at him, trying hard to say with her eyes how much she disliked the idea of performing anything.

"Well..." He said, smiling reassuringly. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Three days later, Yakko was sat at the piano, gazing out the window and close to bashing his head on the keys. Why had he agreed to this? Writing Slappy a birthday song in two weeks. In itself, it wasn't a task, but the fact that the three Warners had somehow come up with the idea of making a compilation of Slappy's favourite songs through the years, with a song or two from each decade made the task trickier than it needed to be. Dot was writing a few sections of speech and insight, featuring historical events and important events in Slappy's life.

Biting his lip, Yakko looked at the sheets of music he had so far scribbled upon. 1919 to 1929. Slappy was born to one of the first 'Toons ever created. Her mother, who had taken a shine to managerial work rather than performing, encouraged Slappy's musical, madcap talents and introduced her to the world of Vaudeville. Yakko had chosen "Look Out for Mr Stork" from Dumbo, which was supposed to melt into "The Entertainer". He and Wakko would sound good on the vocals, but transitions were more difficult than he'd thought. Ok, next decade...

1930 to 1939. Slappy was one of the many entertainers who provided relief by putting on charity shows. Slappy also beat both Chico and Harpo Marx at poker. This was one of her favourite stories, and one of Slappy's more legendary exploits, so it made sense to reference it. Yakko had momentarily filled in with "The Lady is a Tramp", as one of the most popular songs of the decade, but he wasn't sure if it was a little inappropriate. 1940 to 1949; Slappy as a part of the war effort. Hmm... Dare he mention her first marriage to Sam? Sam, cousin to Screwball Squirrel, who had married Slappy? He put a couple of bars in brackets, ready to cut after some outside consultation. Meaning "We'll meet again" could be cut, but he had cheekily snuck in a few bars of "On the Home-front We're Marching Along", so there was a little comedy. 1950... blank. No ideas at all. Except for Sam's death. Perhaps not the best subject for birthday talks.

Yakko rested his head on the keys, groaning as the piano made a jarring, mournful noise.

"Inspiration has died."

"Aww, daddy." Gabby entered the room, wrapping her arms around his waist. "You want some juice? Our teacher says that having juice breaks make your brain work better."

"I think I need something stronger than juice..." He muttered, smiling as he sat up and hugged Gabby. "You been doing your homework?"

"Mhmm." Gabby nodded, smiling. "All done."

"Sounds like lunchtime to me." Yakko grinned, and he and Gabby made their way to the kitchen. Yakko had just started looking through the fridge to find some food, but was interrupted by the angry buzz of the doorbell. He rolled his eyes, and made his way to the door, still holding on to a loaf of bread. Gabby followed, trying to take a slice from the bag while Yakko was walking.

"Gabby, get out of there!" he laughed, but she just grinned at him and started tearing small chunks off the slice and stuffing them into her mouth. Yakko shook his head, and opened the door.

"Sorry- Gabby, get a plate... can I help... you..." Yakko trailed off, as he saw exactly who was standing on the other side of the door.

"Hey, Yakk." Babs smiled, looking very awkward. If her fur wasn't already pink, Yakko had a feeling she'd be blushing. Well, good. He cleared his throat, trying not to relish in how uncomfortable she looked, and also suddenly very conscious of how much he'd missed her...

No, no he hadn't missed her... Ugh. He had apparently left his common sense at the piano.

"Uh... hey, Babs. What... what are you doing here?"

"Slappy invited me to her party, I thought I'd use my vacation to come up and... see my number one girl..." Babs waved to Gabby, who had chosen that moment to look round Yakko's legs.

"Mom!" Gabby squeaked, hugging her. Babs picked Gabby up, and raised an eyebrow at Yakko.

"So... can I come in?"

"Uh, sure, yeah." Yakko stood aside, still trying to recuperate from the shock. "Here, come through to the... living room, through here... yeah... We were just about to have lunch... do you want any?"

"Um... I wouldn't mind a cup of coffee."

"Coffee it is." Yakko forced a smile and retreated to the kitchen. How could she look him in the eye like that? How could she turn up like that, unannounced and expecting to be accommodated?

Of course she can turn up unexpected. Yakko's common sense interjected. She's Gabby's mother. You were the one who wanted it to stay amicable.

Yakko wanted to listen to his common sense, but he also wanted to be angry. Dammit, didn't he deserve to be a little angry? One and a half months after the end of eight years of a marriage that could only be described as bipolar, and she returns and expects coffee... which he only then realised he had been slowly filling a mug with. Pouring some of the coffee back in the jar, he was aware of Gabby giving her mother a blow-by-blow account of the past 2 months.

"Sounds like you're having a lot of fun here with daddy." Babs spoke, and Yakko could hear from her voice she was smiling.

"Well it's not just daddy. It's Daddy and Uncle Wakko and Aunty Dot and Abbi and Todd and Mrs Slappy and sometimes Mr Bunny comes over because he's the principal at school but he's also Daddy's friend and-"

"Easy, Gabby." Yakko laughed nervously, carrying two mugs of coffee and a plastic beaker full of orange juice on a tray. "Your mother's had a long trip, let her rest a little. Why don't you get some of your school books, show mom what you've been doing."

"Ok." Gabby smiled, hugging Babs and planting a clumsy kiss on her cheek, before hugging Yakko and whispering, "Don't start arguing again, Daddy."

"I know. I won't, just for you." He smiled, hugging her tight. Yakko watched her go, before sitting back on the couch. "So... Where's Buster?"

"Oh, he's coming up next week." Babs nodded, before they both lapsed into silence.

"How's Florida?"

"It's... nice."

"Sunny?"

"Yeah."

There was another long pause. Yakko didn't deal with long silences very well.

"That's good. Weather's been mad up here, stormy and rainy one minute, sunshine the next. I mean at first, I thought it was just Toon Town weather, you know they say that the weather here matches up with average emotions and stuff, but no one's ever proved it so-"

"Oh cut it, Yakko." Babs held a hand to her temples, before fixing him with a stern look.

"Babs. Why are you here?"

"I wanted to see Gabby before Slappy's party." Babs suddenly looked away, her lips tensing.

"And that's all?" Yakko raised an eyebrow, as Babs tapped her toes. "Babs?"

"Yakk, I'm worried. I mean, what if we ended this too soon? Buster..."

"Stop, nu-uh, stop right there." Yakko stood up, running his hands through his hair, before looking back at her, eyes wide and incredulous. "Is this some sick joke? Babs, we had nearly nine years of the most pathetic, co-dependent... It was a sham, Babs. You and I both know that, I think we always knew that."

"Yakko, I still love you."

"No you don't." Yakko looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "You just don't want to risk another failure with Buster. Am I right?"

"I..." Babs looked away, before throwing her weight backwards on the couch, and putting her hands over her eyes. "I know. I know! What's wrong with me, Yakko?"

"You want security." Yakko sighed, sitting down beside her and putting a hand on her shoulder. "You want someone to keep things the same for you; someone who you know will be timed and scheduled. And I wanted someone to take charge because I couldn't look after myself. We were..."

"Back-ups." Babs finished, looking over at him. "Convenient safety blankets."

"Yeah." Yakko smiled, looking at her. It was weird. There was warmth there, when he stopped being mad at her. Not affection, not attraction, just... warmth. But he knew he wouldn't be able to put up with her for long. She'd say something he'd disagree with (either because of opinion or principle), they'd argue, she'd cry, Gabby would cry... unhappiness all over. But she'd just driven up from Florida; he couldn't just turf her out...

There was a heavy clunk as the front door opened and closed.

"Yakko!"

Never let it be said that Dot had less than impeccable timing.

"Dot!" Yakko leapt up, grinning. "In the living room."

"Yakko, I had the best idea for Slappy's song, why don't we have- Babs!"

Dot stopped short, looking at Babs as though it would have made more sense for there to have been a giant purple elephant at the piano.

"Dot, hey!" Babs smiled, walking forward for an awkward hug. Dot raised her eyebrows at Yakko over Babs' shoulder. Yakko shrugged, grinned, and held a finger to his lips.

"Hey, you know what, why don't you two go out and have a day on the town... catch up."

"What?" Dot cut her eyes at Yakko, looking less than happy.

"Yeah, take Gabby with you." Yakko grinned, walking up to them and putting a hand on each toon's shoulder. "Hey, pick up Tellulah and Abbi, have a girls' day." He grinned, but looked at Dot, pleading. Eventually, her expression softened.

"Sure, sounds like fun. Babs, why don't you go get Gabby ready?" Dot smiled, as Babs ran off to find Gabby. Yakko smiled thankfully, but Dot just smiled, wryly.

"You owe me, Yakko."

Across town, Wakko tapped half heartedly at a calculator, pouring over a sheaf of papers. He tapped an old blue biro against his lip, before choking and rushing to the sink as it leaked on his tongue.

"Gah..." He muttered, holding his head under the kitchen tap. Spitting and spluttering, he then banged his head as Tellulah walked in behind him, making him jump.

"Wakko?"

"Ouch!"

"Oh, Wakko..." Tellulah rushed over to help him, but narrowed her eyes in confusion. "What are you doing?"

"I was doing the accounts." He muttered, grabbing some paper kitchen towel and trying to rub the ink from his lip. "Like you asked. And my biro exploded."

"Oh..." Tellulah looked apprehensively at the messy papers. "Going well?"

"Accounts math is in a world of its own." Wakko grumbled, sitting down at the table and running a hand through his hair. Tellulah smiled, rubbing his shoulders.

"Aww... How about some coffee?"

"Heavenly." Wakko smiled, kissing her hand. Tellulah smiled again, and started to make the coffee.

"You know, Wakko, I think we really need to sit down and talk." Tellulah's tone was bright and breathy, but seemed to be a little artificial. She kept fumbling and almost dropping the spoon she was using for the coffee.

"Everything ok, Lu?" Wakko looked at her, eyebrows raised.

"Um... That depends." She gave a nervous laugh, before cautiously meeting his eye contact. "I..." Tellulah began, but was cut off by a knock on the door. "I'll go get that." She finished, leaving the kitchen quickly. Wakko watched her, completely puzzled. Women. Crazy.

"Wakko, come out here!" Tellulah called, and he followed the sound of her voice. At door, he saw Dot standing awkwardly next to a strangely familiar face.

"Babs!" Wakko forced a smile onto his face, resisting the urge to add "what the hell are you doing here?" Instead, he smiled politely. "Long time, no see..."

"I came up for Slappy's party." Babs grinned, looking a little bashful. Wakko felt a little smug in the hopes that she would be diminished. He knew he shouldn't blame her for Yakko being unhappy, but it was easy to do. "And Yakko suggested all us girls go for a day out."

"So we came to steal Tellulah and Abbi away from you." Dot cut in, fixing Tellulah with a look that read "please don't leave me alone with this rabbit." Tellulah looked around, unsure.

"Uh, sure... I'll just go get Abbi... Wakk, we'll talk later, 'kay?" She smiled, again nervously. What was going on with her? Wakko tried to look reassuring as he kissed her cheek, and grabbed his coat and keys from the rack.

"Tell you what, I may as well go see Yakko, figure out the basic musical number he's no doubt over-complicated by now." Wakko smiled, and Dot grinned at him.

"You still think you could sing Mikado?"

"Not without seriously injuring myself." He grinned, kissing Dot on the cheek, and giving Babs an awkward hug. It's weird enough thinking one of your childhood friends had gone off with your brother, but the fact that she'd also left him made the situation more bizarre. He hugged Abbi as she came running downstairs, zipping up the old hoody that used to be his.

"Pick Todd up." Dot advised. "You guys can all spend some time together, it'll be nice."

"You sure you want Todd to see us as influences in his life?" Wakko grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. "Between me teaching him to belch "Rigolero" and Yakko teaching him how to flirt with the girl who serves at the Krispy Kreme in the food court, I mean..."

"Oh, I'm sure it'll be fine." Dot rolled her eyes. "Some of Todd's good influence may rub off..."