The basketball guys were supposedly at this rager of a party. Wally had received millions of texts inviting him. (Okay maybe not quite millions, but a lot). After making the team, he had quickly become acquainted with the many other players. It probably helped that he was quite skilled at the sport as well.

Making the Varsity team filled Wally with immense pride, especially since it had been a while since he had played the sport (Especially since he beat out a talented senior for his first string position). "Guess you just can't beat talent," He mused out loud, a broad smirk growing on his lips.

"Whatcha say, Wally?!" A golden head peaked up from the race track that was carefully set up around the Beatles' lounge room. Joey's wide blue eyes focused on his big brother from beneath his sunny fringe, his eyebrows carefully knitted together. Around his mouth were faint marks of tomato sauce from the pizza they had for dinner.

"Nothing Joe, just talking to myself." Babysitting his newly turned six year old brother was hardly Wally Beatles' definition of a great Friday night. However his parents offered to pay him for his service, and there was a motorcycle savings jar of his that needed to be filled. So here he sat on his mum's prized cream couch (With only a few PB&J stained fingerprints that belonged to his baby brother, that even copious amounts of bleach couldn't erase) In the small but comfortable lounge surrounded by pictures of every stage of his family laid out in photos.

"Are you becoming a loon?" Once again the golden head popped out, this time however the chubby cheeks were pulled into a mischievous grin that showed several missing teeth.

Wally playfully snarled at this, and while setting his phone down, charged the little rascal. "Is that any way to address your amazingly strong big brother?" Now reaching the giggling crook, Wally picks Joey up with ease, shaking him slightly.

"You're not strong, you're weak," Joey shouts this while giggling uncontrollably, shrieking with delight as Wally gently throws him on the couch. His round cheeks flushed with mirth and his overalls (that once belonged to a much smaller and younger Wally) still carrying the residue of his lunch.

Wally feels such a rush of love for him at that moment it's hard to contain. He settles for flopping down on the couch next to the small boy and ruffling his hair. It's almost the exact color of his own hair, but Joey's is much softer. As if he was a baby bird who has yet to lose its down feathers. There was a time, when Wally had been younger, that he had been ambivalent to the youngest beetle. They still did get into arguments, but those were far and few between.

"Let's play cars and trucks now," Joey has returned to being serious, his request more an order than an offer. Wally shrugs and resigns to join the boy again on their mum's specially acquired velvet rug. (Or at least that's what she had exclaimed angrily to Wally when he had spilled his drink on the beloved carpet). Wally is given a bulldozer to drive, while Joey makes race car noises that sound more like growls than anything.

They play with Joey's cars for a while, and Wally allows himself to be bossed around by the tiny dictator. Taking orders on where he should drive and what cars he was allowed to play with. (Joey's trust is hard to gain, and he must work up to the sleeker race cars.) He hardly notices when the lock clicks and their front door opens.

"Wally?" He finally notices when his mom calls his name as she and his dad enter the living room. Joey sits up as well, and Mrs. Beatles raises her eyebrows. "Joey, what are you doing out here? It's way past your bedtime."

And indeed it was. Wally looks at the old grandfather clock and sees that it's about to be 9:15, about an hour after when his brother should've been tucked in bed. "Well Mum, it's a friday and all, and Joey was so well behaved- he ate all of his dinner in fact, beets included." Wally adds, proudly clapping Joey on his shoulder. "So I really thought that it'd be okay if he stayed up a bit later, as a treat."

Mr. Beatles saves Wally further, interrupting his wife before she can question them any further. "You know dear, that sounds awfully fair to me," He started good-naturedly. "And look how clean they've kept the house, apart from the racetrack of course, all of Joey's toys have been neatly put away." This along with the added pleasure of seeing her two sweet children playing together was enough to appease her.

"Well that does make sense," Her doubtful look lightens to a pleasant smile. "And how lovely it is to see the two of you playing together so nicely!" Any authority his parents have is compromised by their kind nature. Even at the peak of his frustration Wally can admit that he is lucky to have such nice parents.

His mom makes her way over to Joey, and scoops the tiny boy into her arms, giving him a kiss on his cheek and promising to tell him two stories before bed to make up for leaving him for the night.

Wally set to work picking up the racetrack and cars. He didn't mind picking up Joey's mess tonight, in fact he was glad he could help his parents in this way. (Though he'd never admit it.)

His father began pitching in as well and the two of them made quick work of organizing the automobiles.

"You did a great job, son," Sydney Beetles said to his son as they finally finished their tedious task. "You're a great big brother to Joey!"

"Thanks Pops," Wally feels his cheeks warm slightly with the praise.

"And of course here's your payment for the night," A crisp twenty dollar bill is placed into Wally's hand, and he can hardly contain his excitement. (It is rare for Wally to receive more than five dollars for babysitting. "By the way, are you available these upcoming Fridays? Mum and I won a few prepaid dinners at the raffle tonight!" Here his dad's grin turns practically ultraviolet.

It feels awful to say what he says next. (Especially since it means missing out on more money for his future motorcycle.) "Sorry Pop, basketball practice starts next week, and our practices are longest on Friday nights." He can't help but wince as he sees a bit of disappointment fall over his Dad's face.

"Aw, that's okay sport," Mr. Beetles regains some of his optimism again. "Maybe we can find a sitter at the company family dinner on Sunday!" His face is blindingly hopeful again.

"Company Family dinner? I don't have to go to that right?" Wally winces again, memories of his father's company's family events fill his head. He has never had a fun time at a single one. Except for maybe that one with Kuki, when they had been closer friends. His forehead starts to burn a bit at the thought of her…..

"Come on, Son! It'll be fun," His dad exclaims happily, "Plus you don't have practice yet so it can be some fun bonding time before that begins."

Wally wants to fight it more, but he's too tired for an argument. So he resigns himself to nodding slightly in agreement. His dad sets off with a happy grin to take the box of cars to the hallway closet.

And Wally is left by himself. He thinks of the upcoming dinner and is surprised to find he isn't totally dreading it. A little part of him is even excited.

A/N: Hey! Long time no see :) I'm sure no one really minded my absence, haha, but I've finally finished chapter three. This was a doozy to complete, it went through many scrapped drafts. A basketball practice, a particularly dull conversation between Wally and Hoagie, and even a scene featuring Uncle tolerator himself. Needless to say, I hit a roadblock that lasted several months. Finally I got rid of everything I'd written previously and started anew. Sometimes that's what you gotta do. Anyways, I'm glad to be back and excited to continue my story! I'd like to start posting more as well. The Beetles family is so fun to write for, and Wally has always been a personal favorite of mine! Stay tuned for the next chapter, which takes place at the company dinner. And will be featuring the debut of one of Sectuh V's most comedic members! xxxx