MERI, FULL OF GRACE

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Butch cassidy characters..only the characters in this story that I've made up! :)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids is an old cartoon from 1973, it was I think the victem of bad timing, cause by that time the mystery format was done to death, so good shows like this faded into the background and not too many people saw it. Anyway, here's a brief synopses of the characters and the show itself.

The show was about a group of young people who were members of a band, the Sundance Kids. They had a lot of fans, had records, signed autographs, etc. But the band was just a cover. Actually, the Sundance Kids were undercover members of the CIA. They posed as a band to lift suspician off of them while they solved the cases assigned to them.

They got their assignments from their 'manager' a branch of the CIA posing as The World Wide Talent Agency. The head of it was the manager, a huge computer called Mr. Socrates, who looked and sounded like HAL from '2001, A Space Oddessy', and who would contact the Sundance Kids va Butch's radio ring whenever he had an assignment for them. He would line up a gig for them so no one would wonder why musicians were there while they solved the case. There was at least one song in every episode.

The characters:

BUTCH CASSIDY (seriously!): The Designated leader of the Kids. He plays Lead Guitar and is the Lead Singer of the group. Unlike Fred of Scooby Doo, he only bossed people around because he had to, he was told to. Seeing as how he was the one chosen to lead the group, he takes his job very seriously and whenever he is on a case, almost everything takes a backseat to that. He's a good leader and deducter of facts, and can fly a plane. He is a very sweet and caring person who seems to favor Merilee a great deal seeing as how whenever the group spilits up, he makes sure to have her with him. Unlike Fred, though, he doesn't take both girls, he always splits them up, one boy, one girl. He is fair and sometimes even asks people how hey would like to split up. However, he has a big fault, he does flirt with several girl who think he's handsome, wether they are fellow agents, or fans, which Merilee does not like too much, feuling the thought that they are a couple.

MERILEE (MERI): Butch's right hand woman who always goes with him whenever the group splits up. She and Butch seem to have feelings for one another seeing as how she seems to get jealous whenever girls flirt with him and he always addresses her first whever he speaks to the group. They do seem to care deeply for one another. She plays the tamborine and is a backup singer and dancer for the band, although she was seen playing guitar once. Despite the fact that she's an attractive blonde she is ANYTHING but dumb. She can fly a helicopter, a jet plane, and can drive a speedboat. She does ask a lot of questions, but they are good questions which play an important part in solving the case. She is also the groups 'Mistress Of Disguise" and can dress herself up in anything from an old lady to an Italian Flower Peddler. She seems to be a bit sensitive and insecure, but when thousands of girls are throwing themselves at your David Cassidy look-alike boyfriend, she can't really be blamed for that. J

STEPHANIE (STEFFY): She is the Base Guitarist and backup singer for the band. She is the leader of her group whenever Butch splits them up. She is very kind and sweet..although she loves to tease her brother, Wally . But they do work well together and get along when they are on business. She's the navagator of the bunch and is the one to go to for directions. She is close to Merilee seeing as how they are the only two girls. She is a brunette and is the one to keep Wally in line when it looks like he wants to back out of it. She is responsible and caring, especially to Wally. Like Merilee, she's scared of mice and dark places, but she does brave them.

WALLY: The drummer and backup singer of the band. He's Steffy's brother and the exception to the rule seeing as how he doesn't really want to be a CIA agent. he is the avowed coward of the group..but unlike Shaggy, only his sister, Steffy seems to pick on him. He does try to get out of it whenever he can, but someone pulls him back and reminds him it's their job to do the case. But he is loyal and devoted to his friends and seems to be close to Butch. He does whatever Butch tells him to, even when he doesn't want to cause he does know it's his job. He is a good agent and does ask good questions, even thoigh he doesn't want to be there. He does care for everyone, especially his sister, Steffy.

MR. SOCRATES: the computer and head of the World Wide Talent Agency, the branch of the CIA that the Kids work for. He gives the Kids their assignments and seems to be more human than other computers. For one thing, he is seriously allergic to dogs, and can worry and be happy.

ELVIS: The Kids pet dog and mascot, he loves the Kids to death and always tries to be with them everywhere. Including sneaking in to the World Wide Talent Agency even though Mr. Socrates is allergic. He sometimes blows Merilee's disguises or gives away a hiding place..but other times he is very nessescary by sniffing out clues and villans.

Well, I guess that's all you need to know, now on with the story!!

Her flying blond hair whipped behind her as she angrily made her way down the hallway, ignoring the sounds of her friends calling, 'Hey, wait up!' 'Where are you going?' and one voice in particular she did NOT want to hear right now calling, 'Wait, wait, please! Come on, don't be jealous, you're not being fair..let me talk to you!!'

'Are you sure you wouldn't want to talk to one of your new GIRLFRIENDS instead!' she couldn't help but think to herself. She had seen the looks he had given to not one, not two..but at last count about THIRTEEN girls! All telling him how handsome he was, him swearing they were all so lovely. But the clinker was when he told one bleached blonde how she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen..

Meanwhile she had been right there..

His own supposed 'girlfriend'

Right next to him..

Completely ignored.

She ignored all of the voices calling to her,, even though the last voice pained her to do so. She didn't stop until she had reached her dressing room and slammed the door so hard the pictures on the walls began to shake. That was IT!! That was enough, she had HAD it!! She threw her tamborine upon the couch and sat down next to it, brushing her natural blonde hair from her face..which was trying to hide her jealous tears. But it was too no avil, covering her face with her hands, she let the river run from her eyes. Sure, some people might tell her her thoughts were very mean, and she should learn to expect this..after all he was handsome..and a wonderful singer..and millions of teen girls were after him..and he was only being nice..oh YEAH?! She knew SHE had a lot of male fans as well..but whenever THEY gave her compliments, she just said, 'Thank you' and went on her way..mostly because she could never even FATHOM being even the tiniest bit unfaithful to him. Unlike HIM apparently, SHE took this relationship seriously... she never flirted with attractive agents, she never flirted with the fans, no matter how many times she was tempted. She did that because she loved him..and she figured he did as well. But it was apparently obvious, he did not. He migt SAY he loved her..but this relationship for him was backseat to the CIA and to the concerts, and to the fans, in that order. She slowly rasied herself up from the cushions and reached for the tissues in front of the miror, blowing her nose and whiping her eyes.

She stood up and walked over to the mirror, sitting down at it and letting her mind wander to the many times she had been with him..he hardly ever wanted to be alone with her, she realised that. For a boyfriend, he never seemed to want any 'alone time' he always wanted to be with the gang. Sure, they were two great people and she loved them dearly..but it was one thing to love and another to be IN love. He only kissed her when they were alone..and never told her he loved her in public..

Never in public..

Only when they were alone..

She fingered a small bracelet on her right wrist..a braclet he had just given her for good luck at the concert tonight. It was small and golden,. and had the words ' I Love You' in cursive engraving on the inside.. but did he mean this? Why did he give her this and then flirt so terribly with all those other women? Did he NOT rememeber he gave her this just before they went on? Feeling like her heart was being ripped out of her chest, she slowly took off the bracelet and laid it on the table. If he didn't even want to acknowledge in public they were a couple..why on earth would she assume they were? Sure, they were always seen together..but he never even held her hand! And he had never, ever, told her SHE was the prettiest girl he had ever seen! The tears started again as she quickly grabbed her tissues and weeped into them, she knew what she had to do..if only it wouldn't hurt so much!! Finally she took a deep breath and reached for her suitcases.

After she had changed her clothes and packed up all her things, she took out a pencil and paper and began to write..

'Dear Butch...'

Butch knocked and knocked on the door. "Merilee, Merilee!! Merilee, come on, Merilee, come out, please, I just want to talk to you!! Merilee, you're not being fair, let me talk to you!! " He stopped knocking and leaned against the wall, resting his head on one hand. Man, he really blew it this time. He couldn't help it, those girls looking at him were so pretty. Steffy came out of her room and walked over to Butch.

"It's no use, Butch. She won't come out, she's still mad at you. "

"I need to talk to her, Steffy…this whole thing was just a misunderstanding. Come on, this is no time to be jealous or give anyone the cold shoulder, what if Mr. Socrates calls?"

"Butch, for once will you stop worrying about Mr. Socrates and think about Merilee? You're really hurt her, this is the most upset I've ever seen her! She loves you, Butch, and she thought you loved her just as much.."

"I do, I wouldn't be trying to get in there if I didn't!"

"When was the very last time she KNEW that, Butch? I mean, maybe it's me, but I never heared you even tell her she was the one. You tell these female agents they're so pretty, you flirt with these female fans..but you've never, for as long as I've known you, told Merilee to her face that you were in love with her, how was she to know that?!"

"I tell her..but I prefer to do it privately, when we're alone!"

"Hey, personally, Butch, I never even saw you ever hold her hand!" Wally said, coming out to join them, with Elvis following behind, wagging his tail. "No wonder she's so upset with you! If I didn't know you two, I would have never guessed you two were a couple!"

"Well…I mean, I did that cause I didn't want it to leak to the tabloids.."

"HAH, well if I were the tabloids you wouldn't have to worry at all, cause I would never guess you were with her! Face it, you may be a brilliant leader, but you're lousy at relationships!" Elvis, as usual, snickered at his owner's jokes.

"For once, Wally and I agree on more than a case," Seffy said.

"I was only trying to be nice to the fans.." Butch explained.

"That's the trouble, Butch, you were being TOO nice to them! That got Merilee mad, and I don't blame her! I don't think I'd WANT you as my boyfriend!"

"I'm with her, Butch, I saw the way you were looking at those women, you're eyes were coming out of your head!"

Butch raise his head. "Was I really that bad?"

"Hah, I don't know if you saw Merilee's face when she looked at you a few times during the show, but she was staring daggers at you! I mean, she looked fierce enough to kill!"

"Hey, Wally, didn't I see you flirt with several girls during the show as well?" Butch asked with a smirk on his face.

"Yeah, but I'm NOT in a relationship!" Wally pointed out. The smirk quickly faded. Butch gave a heavy sigh.

"Great..what'll I do now, she won't even come out and talk to me!" Just then the door suddenly opened, bring a horribly angry Merilee out, who, instead of the band uniform, was dressed in a pair of bright red shorts and a violet T-shirt. . "Merilee!" Butch cried happily reaching out to take her hand..but she quickly and roughly shook it off. Without even saying a word, she glared fiercely at Butch and shoved an envelope into his hand. She glanced at Steffy and nodded with her head to silently ask her to go out with her. Steffy followed her out, shrugging her shoulders as she did so. "Merilee, Merilee, where are you going?!" Butch gave the envelope to Wally and tried to follow her out the door. "Merilee! Meri! Come back, please, Meri, please, we need to talk!"

"Uh..Butch.."Wally said, having opened the envelope and read it's contents. He showed Butch the letter that Merilee wrote. The bracelet fell right out of the envelope. Butch quickly picked it up, recognizing it as the one he had given her before the concert. He took the letter from Wally. What he read made his skin grow pale.

"No.." he whispered, near tears.

When the girls were out of earshot, Merilee dropped her suitcases and gave Steffy a huge hug. Steffy stepped back in surprise. "What was that for?"

"That was to say, goodbye, Steffy. It was great working with you, and you've been a great friend.."

"What? Merilee, you're not making any sense.."

"I'm quitting the band, Steffy. I'm leaving Butch..I can't take it anymore!"

"WHAT?! No, Merilee, we need you!! You can't quit us! What'll Mr. Socrates say?"

"I'm not giving up the CIA, Steffy, I'm going to apply to Mr. Socrates for a transfer. But for now, I need to get away. I..I can't face Butch anymore." She bowed her head, and Steffy knew it was to hide the tears that were falling out. She reached over to give her a hug.

"Oh, Meri, please don't leave, we need you so much!! What'll Wally and me do without you?! What'll Butch do without you?!"

"He can go to any of his pretty little female agents for advice or help..now that I've released him. Maybe he can call on that cute little one..what was her code name? Oh yes, J-8?! He can be perfectly free to get her name and phone number now that he's not 'tied down' anymore. " Steffy sighed, she knew Merilee was still angry over that incident in Germany when they had to track down that attractive female agent for info and Butch had flirted with her. "Face it, Steffy, he seemed to think he was so 'irresistible' he should thank me for doing this!! " Tears came to her eyes again, but she brushed them away. But nothing could hide the tears in Steffy's eyes. She hugged Merilee.

"Oh, Merilee, please, don't just leave...I know Butch didn't mean to do it, really! Just talk to him, I'm sure you two could straighten this whole thing out!"

"What's there to straighten out? He NEVER wanted to be seen with me as a couple! Well, he never has to worry about that anymore. He always seemed to care more about the CIA and our band then he cared about me. No, I'm sorry, Steffy, but I just have to go away for a while. I need time to think. I love you, Wally, and Elvis, believe me, but I need to just go away and think for awhile. I need to go. "

Steffy almost didn't want to ask the next question..but she did. "Meri…do you still love Butch?"

"Please don't ask me," she said, crying again. She gave Steffy one last hug. "Good-bye, Steffy. I hope I can see you soon." She felt something rub against her leg. Looking down she discovered Elvis whining sadly, looking up at her. "Oh, Elvis," she said, kneeling down to pet him. "I'll miss you, too boy. Tell Wally, good bye for me." He whimpered again. She kissed his nose. "Good bye."

"See, even Elvis is whining, begging you to stay! Please don't leave!"

"I have too….I can't face Butch right now….maybe not ever.." she hugged Steffy one last time. "It was so great working with you, and I hope I can see you around the office once in a while. Good bye." With that, she quickly grabbed her bags, and dashed toward the exit. Steffy ran out to try to catch her, but she went into a taxicab she must have called ahead for, and disappeared. Butch raced out the door and stood next to Steffy…just in time to be too late. She was gone.

A few hours away in a large house near Oak street, a woman a few years older than Merilee was packing up her typewriter and preparing to call it a night. She stretched and went into the kitchen where her roommate was taking out some cookies. They sat down at the table. The roommate smiled.

"So, it's been one busy day or us, huh, Judy?"

"You bet, Lori. That was some interview we landed for the magazine. I think I'll tell my sister about it the next time she calls."

"Hey, how is your sister? She hasn't called since, when, last week?"

"Yeah, this is some tour she's been on!" Just then she heared the doorbell ring and glanced at her watch. "Who could this be at this time of night?" Getting up, she went to answer it. There, standing on the other side..was Merilee. "Merilee!!"

"Hi, Judy," she managed to smile. "can I come in?"
"Of course! We were just talking about you!" she said, stepping aside to let her little sister come in. "Lori, look who it is! You remember my roommate, Lori?"

"Of course, Hi, Lori!"

"Hi, Merilee, what a surprise to see you! "

'Sit down, sit down, we have some catching up to do!" her sister, said, guiding Merilee to the sofa. Merilee sat down gentily. Maybe it was 'sisterly instinct, but she knew right away something was wrong. " Meri...what's wrong?"

Merilee looked up, knowing it was no use hiding anything from her sister. "I broke up with Butch," she felt the tears come back again. Judy held her as she sobbed quietly. "Oh, Judy..I knew it was the right thing to do…but..it hurts so much.."

"Oh, Meri, I'm so sorry.."

"Yeah..I …I've quit the band. I….I can't face him anymore…I certainly can't stand next to him while we sing. .it wouldn't look very professional to burst into tears mid-song. "

Judy nodded. "So, where are you going?"

"Well, I thought I'd stay in a hotel near here while I write to Mr. Socrates applying for a transfer.."

"Oh, no you won't! My baby sister is NOT going to stay in hotels…not while I'm here with a nice big house! You can have my room and I'll sleep on the couch! !

"Good idea, we'd love to have you, Merilee."

"Oh, I can't impose, this is your house…"

"Merilee Rose Anderson, I completely insist that you stay in my room! Now take those bags and move right in! Move, move, move!" she said playfully as she helped Merilee move her suitcases into Judy's bedroom.