To Err is Human
By Todd Fan
Disclaimer: "I'm the baby: gotta love me!"
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Hey all, just to let you know I've started my college degree this week, so updates may be a little slow. I still hope to get them up once a week, but if they're a little late, that would be why. The crying issue in this chapter was inspired by two Friends episodes (what else?) TOW Emma Cries and TOW Ross' Inapropriate Song...you may see where I'm going with this..
Roguecajunozsgrl - Yes, that was indeed a Big Wolf quote, the show reminds me alot of 'Teen Wolf', gotta love werewolf comedies. :D
Lizzi - Oohh I didn't know that. Nope, I got Sidney's last name from a cat name book :D
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Chapter 26 - A new type of Lullaby
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Three months had passed, and with spring finally begining to bloom, Bayville was alive. Birds were singing. Teenagers were fighting. Flowers were opening...Imara was screaming.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Forge whimpered, looking at his daughter pleadingly.
"Please stop crying", he said holding his closed hands out to her, "pretty please, just for daddy!".
Imara was obviously igronant of her poor father's pleas and carried on wailing. Forge groaned, his head was begining to hurt. Storm was working, lucky, lucky woman! She had manged to get Imara to sleep by 'story songs'...unfortunately, Forge didn't know any.
"Imara, I really don't know any....", Imara continued to wail, Forge gave a defeated sigh, " I don't suppose 'Billy Don't Be a Hero' counts?" (1)
"WAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
...Apparently, it did not.
"Okay, okay", said Forge, walking around with the screaming baby, "oh wait, I got one!...This shouldn't be on the banned 70's tunes list, it technically isn't from the 70's. Hah, I beat the system!"
"WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Uh oh, Forge cleared his throat, and began to sing the tune that could guarentee to cheer him up as a kid.
"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, A tale of a fateful trip", he sang, "That started from this tropic port, Aboard this tiny ship".(2)
Imara immediately stopped crying, giving a small sniffle and cocking her head at Forge. Her father grinned, and carried on with his song.
"The mate was a mighty sailin' man, The Skipper brave and sure, Five passengers set sail that day, For a three hour tour, A three hour tour".
Imara had stopped crying alltogether and even a small smile had appeared on her face.
"You stopped crying", said Forge, "you really DO love Daddy! And this can be our little secret, Mommy never, ever needs to know".
------------
Meanwhile, with winter clearing up, Lucas had allowed his team to have time off. Everyone had voted some time at the nearby beach. Sure, it wasn't all that warm yet, but the team were glad to have a break from training. Lucas frowned, watching them enjoy themselves on the deserted alcove.
"Penny for your thoughts"
Lucas had, of course, 'heard' her coming. He watched her from the corner of his eye.
"I doubt you'd want tae know my thoughts", he said.
Lizzie sighed, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind him, resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Sorry, a'h forgot ya were the 'big bad brooder'", she teased gently.
"I have tae brood", he said with a smirk, "it's how I lead"
"A'h noticed", said Lizzie, then frowned, "a'h take it we're moving onto the mission after this?"
Lucas nodded.
"Yeah, I'm gunnae end this once and for all", he said, narrowing his eyes as he looked into the distance, "let them have their fun for today, soon they will have the fight of their lives".
Out into the beach, the group were, indeed, having fun. Syrin was flying around aimlessly, while Wild Child and Maggott were trying to build 'the best sand fort-ever'. In the water, Alex, by some mircale, had persuaded Lorna to try out surfing.
"You don't have to cling to it like your life depends on it", he chuckled from behind her.
"I can't believe you convinced me to get onto this overgrown ironing board", said Lorna, her eyes shut tight, clinging to the board.
Alex rolled his eyes, paddling his own board out a little.
"Lorna, I showed you how to do it on land first", he said, then added with a cocky grin, "just watch and learn"
He paddled out a bit more, watching the water like an expert, before grinning, whooping as he caught a wave. After showing off with a few of his favorite tricks, he paddled back to Lorna.
"Ta daaaa!"
Lorna rolled her eyes.
"Okay, that was SLIGHTLY impressive", she said.
"Thank you", said Alex with a bow, "it bodes well for me that my surfing skills impress you"
Lorna rolled her eyes.
"I didn't say I liked you, Summers", she pointed out, "Don't get your hopes up".
Alex chuckled, shaking his now wet hair.
"Too late", he smiled.
Lorna shook her head.
"You're a real pain in my side, you know that?", she snorted.
Alex frowned softly.
"I'm only being myself", he said, looking away, "it's your problem if you can't accept that. I'm getting tired of fighting for just a little of your attention".
Lorna smirked.
"Does this mean you'll leave me alone?"
Alex sighed, paddling away from her. Lorna's smirk faded slightly as he went. She didn't feel sorry for him. Pafh! The very idea was crazy....even if he did look like a rejected puppy.
"Awww, hell", she muttered to herself, flying off her surfboard to think.
---
"You sang The Ballad of Gilligan's Island to our daughter?!!!"
...Mommy found out.
Forge squeaked, backing away from Storm's wrath.
"Who ratted me out?!", he said, before turning to the Toaster, "it was YOU!"
"Well, I'm truthfull", said the Toaster, "I can't help it if I'm honest, hey, you want some toast?"
"NO!", shouted Forge and Storm in unison.
"Fine, be that way", said the Toaster with an electronic huff, "you'll come crawling back, they all do".
"Look, we're moving out of the matter of hand, I asked you, very nicely, not to sing 70's tunes to Imara", said Storm.
"But it's from the 60's, didn't you ever watch Gilligan's Island when you were a kid?"
"No, when I was a kid, I was living on the streets of Ciaro pickpocketing for a living", replied Storm.
"WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH", started the constant foghorn of Imara's screaming.
"Oh", said Forge, then coughed, "but she really likes it. It stopped her crying, she even smiled a little. Watch".
He glanced over to Imara in the bassonet, clearing his throat.
"The weather started getting rough, The tiny ship was tossed", he sang, "If not for the courage of the fearless crew, The Minnow would be lost. The Minnow would be lost".
Imara instantly stopped crying, cooing quietly in her bassonet.
"See?", said Forge smugly.
"Oh, alright, so it works", huffed Storm, "big deal. I could make her stop crying with the songs I sing to her too, you know"
"Yeah, right", said the Toaster, "want toast?"
"NO!"
-----
Meanwhile, across town, Sidney shifted nervously in her seat. Beside her, Todd chuckled.
"Don't be so nervous", he said, "I know ya can do this...YOU know ya can do this"
Sidney chuckled, brushing a hand through her hair.
"Still doesn't stop me feeling nervous", she said, "this is a big deal for me, Todd"
He kissed her forehead.
"I know"
"Thanks for coming with me, Todd", she whispered, leaning into him.
"I wouldn't miss your big break for the world", he smiled.
Sidney smiled, nuzzling him.
"You can help by taking my mind off it", she said, then smirked, "how's Pietro doing with his new Amor?"
Todd laughed.
"Hopelessly", he said, "he tried to buy her a soda yesterday and..well....ended up kinda...wearin' it"
Sindey winced.
"I never believed I would see the day Pietro would fail at romance", she said, then smirked, "well, except for the time he hit on me, of course, but I think that was boredom"
"Yeah", said Todd, "he's not givin' up with this girl it's so not like him"
"Leave him be", said Sidney with a wave of her hand, "either he learns or he gets bored, I doubt Pietro will hang on forever"
Suddenly, a door opened, and a smartly dressed woman stepped out.
"Miss Cagney, Miss Blaire will see you now".
"Wish me luck", said Sidney, standing, giving Todd a kiss.
"You don't need luck", said Todd with a smile, watching her disapear into the office.
He sat around, watching the clock for a while, before getting up and tapping the fish tank. Bored with these activities, he resorted to rifling through the receptionists desk while she was at lunch. The search was soon called off when he found a paper cup with a smiley face drawn on it skewered to a pencil. Two paper hands were sticking either side of the cup. (3)
"Too creepy", he decided, hopping back to his chair to wait.
After a while longer, Sidney finalyl reapeared, a grin on her face.
"Well"?, asked Todd with a smile.
"I'm officially her warm-up act", said Sidney, "we start rehearsing next week, ready for her concert in a few month's time"
Todd girnned, giving her a hug.
"I'm so proud of ya, Sid, I knew ya could do it"
Sidney chuckled, hugging him back.
"Yeah, I'm proud of me too".
Todd smiled, putting an arm around her shoulder.
"Can we go now?", he said, "I think the receptionist has some very deep personal issues".
----
"WAAAAAAAHHHHHHH"
Storm glanced up from her novel, sighing and going over to Imara's bassonet, picking her up and rocking her gently.
"Shhh, shhh don't cry", she said softly, "there's a girl, shhhh"
"WAAAAAAHHHHH"
"You know how to stop her from crying, don't you?", said the Toaster, "you gotta sing the song, Girl".
"I don't KNOW the song!", said Storm.
"Maybe some toast will jog your memory", said the Toaster.
"WAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"
"I don't want any godamn TOAST!!!", she snapped, "you know the song, tell me it, now!"
"Not with that attitude, I won't", said the Toaster, "if my toast isn't good enough, well you can just choke!".
With that, it turned itself off.
"WAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
"Shhhh", said Storm, desperately rocking her daughter, "uum how about another song?"
"WAAAAAHHHHHH!"
"Train whistle blowin', makes a sleepy noise, Underneath their blankets go all the girls and boys", sang Storm, "Rockin', Rollin', Ridin', out along the bay, All bound for Morningtown, many miles away" (4)
"WAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"Driver at the engine, Fireman rings the bell", carried on Storm in desperation
"WAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!"
"Sandman swings the lantern to say that..."
"WAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!"
"Okay, okay!!!", said Storm, "damn, why pick now when your father isn't home? Him and his stupid song!!"
"WAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"
"Oh no no, I still love him, honest", she said, "please stop crying"
"WAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
"Right, fine, if I can't bring the song to you, I'll have to bring you to the song", said Storm, heading out to the garage outside.
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Over at the mansion, the teens were agruing over the movie choice for the hallowed 'movie night'.
"Kill Bill!", shouted Ray, "blood, violence, revenge....more blood!"
"Jamie's too young to see Kill Bill", chided Kitty.
"I've seen it five times, already", muttered Jamie, "I just don't want to be reminded of assasins right now".
He sighed.
"Too late", he muttered, plodding to his room, "thanks for the depression, guys".
"Well...what about E.T?", asked Danielle, looking through the collection.
"You know what E.T does to Warlock!", sighed Bobby, rubbing his temples.
"All he wanted to do was phone home!", wailed the alien, "He didn't ask to be chased and persecuted! Poor little guy!!"
"There, there, Warlock we know", said Jean, patting his back.
"It's not even like Earthlings have alot of nice alien movies", he whimpered, "most of them want to take over the Earth or eat your cats!!!" (5)
Hank shook his head in amusement, before heading off to the door as it was opened with a SLAM.
"I'll get it", said Hank, going to the door.
"WAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Storm came bustling in with a screaming Imara, the mother's hair out of place and looking very flustered.
"Ororo, are you okay?", Hank asked worriedly, "what's wrong?"
"WAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"
"Oh gee, Hank, you think it might be the screaming baby?!!!", said Storm snappily, then sighed, "sorry, Forge is away, and I don't know the lyrics to the no-crying song".
Hank arched a brow.
"The no-crying song?"
"WAAAAHHHHHHH!"
"Yes", said Storm, "from that TV show..Gilligans Island! It stops her from crying, but I don't know it and Forge won't be home until tonight and the Toaster won't tell me it..and..and shewon'tstopcrying!!!!"
Storm gave a half cry-half laugh. Hank winced, patting her on the shoulder.
"You want me to sing the song?"
"WAAAAHHHHHHH!"
"YES!", said Storm, "please!!!!"
"Okay", said Hank, "but I only know the last verse..."
"That's better than what I have at the moment, Hank", said Storm, sitting down.
"WAAAHHHHHHHH!!"
Hank cleared his throat, dredging up some childhood memories.
"The ship's aground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle", he sang, as if on cue, Imara stopped crying instantly, "With Gilligan, the Skipper too"
"Keep it up", whispered Storm, "she's going to sleep".
Hank sighed, carrying on.
"The Millionaire and his wife", he sang, "A movie star, the Professor and Mary Ann, Here on Gilligan's Isle!"
"She's sleeping", said Storm with a contented smile, "she's really sleeping. Thank you, Hank, you're my saviour"
"Ya know", said Logan, "you an' Forge could use a break".
Storm looked at him blankly.
"Are you only realising this now?", she said dryly.
"You know, he's right", said Hank with a smile, "tomorrow, you two should have a day off, myself and Logan can look after Imara".
"What?", said Logan, blinking.
Storm grinned.
"You guys are the BEST!", she said, "thank you!".
With that, she picked up her sleeping daughter and left, leaving Logan looking slightly confused.
"Wha?"
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(1) - 'Billy Don't be a Hero' is a song from 1974 by Paper Lace. It's about a boy who goes off to war, and dies in battle...despite his fiancee telling him not to
(2) - The song 'The Ballad of Gilligans Isle' is from a 60's TV show called 'Gilligans Island'....you can guess the plot by the lyrics
(3) - 'Cup Stick Buddy', as seen on The Sims 2, the game currently ruling my life. Certain Sims pushed to the brink of insanity will get this out and start to talk to it. Playing God is such fun.
(4) - 'Morningtown Ride', I'm not sure how many of you have heard it, it was a song by 'The Seekers' in 1966 , it was a lullaby that was often sung to me....yeah, my parents are strange.
(5) - The 'eat your cats' bit is from an 80's movie/TV series called A.L.F (Alien Life Form). He was a friendly alien...even if he drove his Human 'friends' to the brink of insanity, he had a taste for cats. I loved that guy, I still have a plus A.L.F somewhere, ahh memories.
And there is another chapter. Do review, until next time..