Chapter 4.

Calm Before the Storm.

Yakko had never felt more worried about his siblings then he did now. About an hour ago, he and Dot had heard from Cortez that Wakko had been tased and had about been shocked to death. Currently, Wakko had been taking it easy, as was said by the doctor at the medical station. Yakko watched as his baby brother was resting in the bed that was in Jasper and Rachel's RV. Yakko then gently placed a hand in Wakko's and sighed as he felt the tears coming out of his eyes. He had been close to losing one of his siblings, all because someone decided that it would be a "smart" idea to try to sabotage and ruin Cortez's film. Yakko didn't like the fact that he, and his younger siblings were having to "pay" for this saboteur's sins, when it should be him, or whoever the saboteur was. Suddenly, Yakko felt Wakko's hand twitch in his. The older of the two boys smiled as he saw Wakko open up one eye and look at him all groggily. Then the younger yawned as he opened his other eye.

"Ah, I'm well rested." Wakko managed to say as he stretched.

Then he took one look at Yakko and saw that he had crying about something.

"Hey, it's okay now. We're gonna be fine." Wakko said, hoping that the words that he just said would, at least, comfort his older brother.

Yakko started caressing Wakko's face. "I know that we're gonna be fine. Still, we could've lost you. For all you know, that could have been a bullet. Or an arrow."

Wakko then got off the bed, and once he was on his feet, he hugged Yakko. The older returned it, knowing that he doing so was actually quite the comfort he desperately needed. He needed to know that Wakko was going to be okay. He needed to know that Dot wouldn't have to have her share of the saboteur's mayhem. And he needed to know that all three of them, himself included, were going to be okay, and that they would survive this ordeal. Yakko then rested his head on Wakko's. The younger one immediately smiled as he felt Yakko resting his head on his. After a minute of them comforting each other, they broke the hug and Yakko placed a brotherly kiss on Wakko's head. However, just as they were about to head for the kitchen area of the RV, Dot suddenly burst into the room. And before Yakko or Wakko could figure out what was happening, she ran into her brothers, making them—her included—fall back onto the bed. As soon as they hit the bed, all three of them laughed and giggled. Then both Wakko and Dot snuggled up against Yakko, one sibling on each side of him. Yakko then placed both arms around both of them, rather gentle. Then he smiled.

Yakko smirked as he felt his sibs snuggle against him tighter.

"Ah, this is the life. I would never—and when I mean 'never'—I mean, never would I trade you all for the world. I don't know what I'll do without you both. I love you both so much more than you would ever know."

Wakko and Dot both smiled as they soaked in the words that their older brother had just spoke to them.

"Oh Yakko, quit being such a worry rat." Dot joked.

Yakko suddenly smiled as he started tickling both her and Wakko. Immediately, the two younger started laughing hysterically. Soon enough, however, Yakko got tired of tickling them both.

Big mistake…

Suddenly, Wakko and Dot smirked at each other. Then they started tickling their brother. And now, Yakko was the one who was laughing hysterically, and out loud also. Then the both of the younger two grew tired. However, they were over the top of him. Wakko and Dot cocked their heads, smiling as they did so. Yakko suddenly smiled as he was face to face with his siblings.

All the while, they had no idea that Rachel had been standing right outside the bedroom, watching them have their bonding time with each other as any other pair of siblings would. Rachel smiled, enjoying them bond with each other was a privilege for her as she never had any siblings as a kid. Not wanting to spoil the moment between them, Rachel quietly turned herself around and silently walked away from them. And they had not even noticed her there.

Yakko then suddenly pulled Wakko and Dot into a hug as he pulled them down. They returned the hug right away as they saw him smiling.

"I love you both so much." Yakko suddenly whispered.

Wakko and Dot squeezed their hug as for an answer.

Yakko suddenly grinned as he cocked his head until he was staring at both his baby brother and baby sister. However, what he didn't know was that their world was about to fall apart once again.

If only Yakko knew how soon that everything would change, and that it was definitely not for the better… but for the worst.

Four days later...

This morning had not started well... for Jasper, that is. He had woke up all groggily. He had also woken up to the sound of dishes clanking around and about. And soon enough, Jasper figured out why. He came down the stairs of the private investigation office. When he and Rachel had bought the place, they made sure that it had a living quarters. Jasper immediately walked into the kitchen and saw right away that Rachel, and their children, Fay, and Grace were in the room. And, ironically, so were the Warners. Yakko immediately grinned, whereas, Wakko and Dot just smiled, their eyes real big. Jasper suddenly smiled as he saw how big Wakko and Dot's eyes were.

"Ah, you two cut it out," Jasper joked.

Wakko and Dot then made their eyes grow back to normal and smiled.

"What the heck are you all doing this morning?" Jasper asked Rachel.

Immediately, Fay directed his father to a seat at the kitchen counter/bar area. As soon as he was seated, Jasper had a plate of bacon, eggs, an English muffin, and a cup of orange juice placed before before he could figure out what was happening, Rachel, the kids, and the Warner siblings all shouted...

"Happy Birthday!"

Jasper smiled again. "Wait? Is today really my birthday?"

Rachel chuckled. "Yes, you dork."

Then Dot placed a plate next to him. He immediately looked at it and realized that it was none other than a chocolate chip muffin. Jasper's smile grew a little bigger.

"Thank you."

Wakko smirked. "It ain't much; but the cake's comin' later on today."

Jasper only grinned. "Nice of you all to do this; but you didn't really have to do it."

Rachel playfully slugged his arm.

"What are you talking about? Yes we did. It's your birthday today, and so, we did what we did because we love you."

"Ohh, check this out," Dot suddenly said, placing a card down next to Jasper's plate.

Jasper immediately picked up the card and opened it up. Then he carefully read the little notes that they had written down in the card. He then folded it up and placed it next to his plate again. Then as soon as everyone else had gotten their plates, they all took hands and held them as Rachel said grace. Then they all dug into their food and as they ate their breakfast, they talked about past memories and events. Their conversation lasted about half an hour before they finally finished breakfast. Jasper then went back upstairs and got dressed for the day while Yakko, Wakko, and Dot all helped Rachel open the private investigation office for yet another busy day. Just as they got done with opening the office for the day, Jasper had returned and smiled upon seeing that the office was ready for clients to enter in. Dot smiled as she saw the name of the business ingraved into the front glass door.

Burbank-Kell Private Investigations.

Jasper immediately took a pen, and a clipboard off of the reception desk and immediately put on a pair of reading glasses. Then he started asking Rachel questions about the case that they were still currently undergoing. As she answered her husband, he wrote them down onto the clipboard. Just as they got done with doing what they were doing, the door to the office opened and closed as someone walked in. The person who had entered in was none other than Jasper and Rachel's hired surveillance tech, Keegan Fraser. He then smiled as he saw that Yakko, Wakko, and Dot were here.

"Are they the toons that you all told me about?" Keegan asked Jasper suddenly.

Jasper, still wearing his reading glasses, smirked at Keegan.

"Yes they are. Warners, meet Keegan Fraser; and Keegan, meet the Warners"

After introducing each other, Yakko suddenly had a cross look on his face.

"Wait? You said that this is Keegan Fraser?"

"Like as in, Kodi Fraser's son, Keegan Fraser?" Wakko asked out of curiosity.

"Yes bears." Rachel answered.

All three of them suddenly smirked. Then they immediately made a dash for the living quarters of Burbank-Kell Private Investigations and disappeared. Keegan had a wild look on his face.

"And, what just happened?"

"Don't know. But we better get those files ready for the Unit before we get into trouble with Fontana." Jasper immediately suggested.

Just as Keegan got ready to take a seat at the reception desk, confetti suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Immediately, Jasper, Rachel, and Keegan grew very confused.

"Surprise!" Yakko, Wakko, and Dot all singsonged in unison.

Then suddenly, all three humans jumped as they heard the Warner siblings shout. After a few seconds of gathering his thoughts, Jasper immediately chuckled.

"Ha! Very funny kiddos."

Keegan immediately grew a little bit more confused. "And… I'm lost."

Rachel smiled. "They have always done this whenever they meet someone new. You'll get used to it."

Keegan then grinned.

"Oh, I see now."

"Welcome to the family chap!" Yakko said in total excitement.

Dot suddenly moaned.

"And we forgot to do it to Detective Chaney also."

"No we didn't…" Wakko singsonged to his sister.

"Ooh right, I remember now; and the way he handled us doing so."

Yakko snickered. "By what… joining us on the floor and chuckling right alongside us, baby sis?"

Keegan then smiled. "That sounds like Ren alright; after all, it was his dream job to be a clown."

Suddenly, Wakko yelped and jumped behind the reception desk.

"Clown!? Where!?"

Yakko flinched, then he regained his composure and walked behind the reception desk and helped his brother to his feet.

"Nowhere baby bro. Just relax."

Wakko immediately wiped his forehead.

"Phew! And here I thought that a clown was actually right here in this room."

Keegan then looked at his bosses.

"And let me guess… Wakko hates clowns?"

Immediately, Wakko jumped again, but before he could hide behind the reception desk again, Yakko and Dot kept a hold of him.

"More clowns!? Where!?"

Jasper immediately pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wakko Ryan Warner! Relax right this instant! Now!"

Wakko wiped his forehead again, then he sighed.

"I'll take that as a yes." Keegan spoke.

Rachel then explained to her and Jasper's surveillance tech why Wakko had a fear of clowns. Keegan then nodded his head and immediately sympathized with the middle Warner sibling.

"It's okay buddy; my mom also has a fear of clowns. And, in some ways, so do I." Keegan said.

Wakko then stretched out his arms and yawned.

"You okay there baby bro?" Yakko asked him.

Wakko then stretched out again. "Tired."

Rachel immediately asked Jasper what time it was, and he told her. Then she looked the Warners in the eye.

"Shouldn't you three pipsqueaks be ready for Cortez about now?"

Yakko suddenly inhaled sharply.

"Crud! It's almost late sibs! Welp, nice meetin' you Keegan, but we gotta go!"

Jasper immediately took the keys to his Cadillac Escalade with him as he motioned the Warners to follow him out the door. Rachel immediately took a hold of Jasper's hand and pulled him in for a kiss. Immediately, all three Warners looked away.

"Ah, that's just weird!" Yakko said.

"Talk about weird!? That's gross!" Wakko snapped.

"Eww! Disgusting!" Dot chimed in.

Then Jasper and Rachel pulled away from each other and gave each Warner sibling a funny look.

"What's the matter? Can't take a little romance?" Rachel asked suddenly.

"Ha! Romance just ain't my forte." Dot chuckled as she joined her brothers and hopped into the Escalade.

"Ha! I can see. Don't forget about some of you all's segments!" Jasper laughed.

Both Yakko and Wakko about throw up as they got in Jasper's vehicle.

"Oh for the love of cartoons! That's just us acting!" Yakko snapped playfully.

Jasper laughed again. "Come on. Get yourself in here Yakkinator. Sheesh!"

Later on…

As they were getting ready to shoot for the next scene, Wakko stretched himself out until the tips of his fingers touched the tips of his feet. Yakko suddenly looked his direction and saw what the middle sibling was doing.

"What in the world are you doing baby bro?"

Wakko quickly shot up. "What does it look like? I'm trying to stay fit."

Yakko smirked. "With the segments that we do, don't you already do that through physical comedy?"

"Yeah, but still, it's not enough." Wakko replied.

Yakko then laughed. "Oh, okay baby bro, if ya say so."

Suddenly, Wakko walked over to Yakko, and before the eldest Warner could come to his senses, Wakko wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly. Yakko then returned Wakko's hug and both just stood there for a few minutes, hugging each other in brotherly love. Then Wakko broke the silence.

"Yakko, what were mom and dad like when you were younger?"

Yakko immediately teared up at the mention of their parents.

"Dad was always a jokester, just like you are. And Mom, she was like Dot, so beautiful." Yakko whispered.

Suddenly, Yakko thought that he heard his baby brother sniff. As he looked at him, he sure enough was right. Wakko was crying, tears rolling down the middle sibling's face. Yakko immediately started caressing Wakko's face with his hands. Ever since their parents had passed away, Yakko knew that Wakko had taken the news so hard; really hard, as a matter of fact. The eldest Warner knew that for sure, that Wakko was probably still grieving the loss of their parents; whereas he, and Dot had already somewhat overcome the grief of their loss; but Wakko, on the other hand, was probably still trying to cope with the new normal. Wakko then buried his head into Yakko's left shoulder and hugged him tightly. Yakko then heard Wakko cry out loud.

"I'm so… sorry, I'm just a-a-an idiot…*sniff*..." Wakko sobbed.

Yakko felt like his heart just broke.

"Wakko… you're not an idiot."

Wakko then looked up at Yakko, tears still rolling down his face.

"Yes… I-I-I'm just an…"

Yakko immediately placed a finger to Wakko's lips.

"No you're not baby bro, just because you cry every time we talk about Mom and Dad doesn't make you an idiot. In fact, I once heard someone say that grief is just the final act of love that you have for your lost loved ones. Wak, look at me; it's okay to still be in grief and mourn for Mom and Dad. That doesn't change what I think about you. I'll still love you. And I still do, baby bro."

That's all it took for Wakko to rebury his head into Yakko's shoulder and sob into it. Yakko suddenly placed his head on Wakko's and rubbed his back with his hand. After letting Wakko cry for a few, Yakko, in an attempt to get his brother feeling better, ruffled his cap. For a moment, he thought that he might of made his little brother mad, but instead, the middle sibling smiled. Yakko then returned the smile and ruffled Wakko's cap again, and just for a few moments, both brothers hugged each other as Wakko slowly stopped crying. And as soon as he stopped, Yakko broke away from his younger brother. Wakko then looked up at Yakko, and for the first time since they had talked about their parents, the middle sibling smiled. Yakko suddenly ruffled Wakko's cap again, and the younger one snickered a little.

"So, ya ready Wak?" Yakko asked.

Wakko only snuggled up against his eldest brother. "I think so."

Yakko then placed a kiss of brotherly love on Wakko's head.

"Well then, what are we waitin' for? Let's go!"

An hour later…

The reshooting of the scene had gone fairly well. But, Yakko and Dot grew concerned about Wakko as the middle sibling was supposed to have been 'killed' by Tosh in the scene. Yakko and Dot all hoped that the shooting of the scene hadn't triggered dark memories of a certain recent segment that they had done for the second season of the reboot for their original show. But when they—the film crew, that is—had finally got it done, Cortez grabbed his megaphone.

"Cut! Wonderful! Bravo! That's a wrap. Everyone, take five. Repeat, take five."

Immediately, the crew started clearing up what they had used for the scene. Meanwhile, Yakko and Dot stood behind the fence, waiting for Wakko to come back at any moment, but they felt like he was taking too long. Yakko was really worried about his baby brother's mental health as he very well remembered what he, and his younger siblings did for the darkest segment that they had ever done. Suddenly, Dot started jumping as soon as she spotted her immediate older brother coming towards them. Yakko's face immediately lit up as he too saw his brother walking towards him and Dot. And before they knew it, Wakko had immediately rushed up to them and wrapped his arms around the both of them. Immediately, Yakko's face went cross as he remembered what Wakko had went through in the scene for Cortez's film.

"You okay Wakko?" Yakko suddenly asked him, worry obviously in his voice.

Wakko opened up one eye and looked up at his older brother. Then he smiled.

"Yeah, I'm okay. It was nothing really except for being 'shot' at point blank with a rubber pellet. Other than that though, I'll be fine."

Yakko and Dot all smiled as Wakko told them what else had took place within the scene. However, the eldest Warner's mind was suddenly relieved upon hearing that Cortez had told Wakko that he had 'survived' in the scene that was to come within the next few days. Dot only smiled as she heard what Wakko had told them. However, just as the middle sibling got to the good part, someone immediately ran up to them and motioned for them to come and join them. The siblings immediately recognized the person as Jasper. And from the way Yakko studied his face, Jasper looked like something bad had just went down. Immediately, all three of them ran up to him. As soon as they reached him, Jasper wrapped up his arms around them.

"What's the big deal J-Dog?" Dot asked him.

Jasper only found himself taking in a deep breath.

"You three need to come back with me, and now."

Yakko and Wakko immediately had confused looks on their faces.

"Uhhhh… where?" Yakko suddenly asked.

"I'll explain when we're in the vehicle." Jasper said as he and the Warners paced out of the studio building and towards Jasper's Escalade. And pretty soon, after the short ride through Burbank, the Warners realized where they were. Once Jasper stopped and parked his vehicle, he immediately got them out and back into his business building. And once again, they found themselves in Burbank-Kell Private Investigations. And right there, Yakko and his siblings were directed into the kitchen/break-room area. And standing in there was Detectives Chase, Washington, and Chaney. Officer Layton was also standing there, next to Rachel. Yakko immediately thought of a million reasons why he, Wakko, and Dot were called back. Once everyone was gathered around, Rachel broke the silence, but not before taking the Warners' phones and placing them with a Faraday box.

"We just received word from the LAPD that Jerald Rodney has been murdered." Rachel said suddenly.

Yakko suddenly gasped, whereas both Wakko and Dot placed a hand to their mouths.

"Wait," Wakko gasped. "I thought that he was a suspect."

Jasper took a breath. Chase then took over.

"He was, until a cameraman found him, dead in his RV earlier this morning. We thought he was one of our prime suspects; but when he was found dead, Fontana and I checked it out, and found out that he was a government agent sent in from DC."

Yakko shuddered. "Did Tosh do it?"

Washington only shook her head. "No, Tosh is also FBI. Rodney's former partner, as a matter of fact."

"But, the question is, why would FBI be involved?" Jasper asked suddenly.

Chase immediately threw down a file for Jasper to see. Immediately, he picked it up off the table and opened it up. Rachel came by him and looked at the file also, then she immediately took a deep breath as she read more of the file that Chase had given Jasper. And after discussing something amongst themselves, both private investigators decided to show their toony friends the file, only after getting permission from Detective Chase. Then, upon seeing what the file contained, all three Warners immediately flinched and screamed. Yakko suddenly started panting, whereas the younger Warners started gasping for air. After a minute of them catching their breath, Detective Chaney continued on.

"It seems like our saboteur is getting more bolder than he ever has before. He's getting more active in broad daylight. Especially with what you three just saw in the file."

Officer Layton then took over…

"Our saboteur, just might, unfortunately, be more than a film saboteur. It's more like he's an ink hating, DIP using toon murder under the covers of a 'brilliant' actor. And after finding out about Rodney, plus, us finding out about that, our immediate boss is talking with IAD about shutting LA down, so that he can't escape."

Wakko then looked at the file again, then he looked away from the file and sadly shook his head as he looked down at the floor.

"So sad; and so unfortunate. Four young fox toons, brutally murdered?"

"And by DIP?" Yakko said sadly.

Chase only pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Yeah, and supposedly, they were supposed to star with you three in Cortez's film. But it's obvious that they didn't make it. Our saboteur did this not as murder, but a message that—"

Chase suddenly was interrupted by Rachel…

"We can't, and won't be able to stop him."

Chase only nodded his head in agreement to what Rachel had just said.

"Hopefully, fortunately, IAD actually agrees with Sarge about this whole thing."

Chaney raised a hand. "And don't forget about Buster Bunny."

The Warners immediately gasped at the mention of their friend.

"Last we heard, he was missing, right?" Yakko asked.

Washington cleared her throat. "Was. But not anymore. Chase and I found him, wondering the streets."

Chase immediately cleared his throat.

"And he was all out of sorts and looked all dazed. Probably from what he had been through, because of our saboteur."

"Yeesh! Doesn't sound good." Dot shuddered.

Suddenly, Washington's phone rang. And she immediately answered it. As she was talking to the person who was on the other line, the rest of them could hear clearly that she was talking with Fontana. Once she finally hung up, Washington took a look at her teammates.

"Alright, Sarge got IAD to settle upon an agreement about LA being shutdown; but only for thirty-six hours. If we don't get him, then not only do we have to end the case, but we will have to answer to IAD as if to why we didn't get him. And only we know what that means."

Officer Layton immediately shuddered. "Then we better get him. Ain't losing my career over some idiot who's now killing toons left and right."

Jasper immediately raised a hand.

"Wait? What happens with the Warners?"

Chase immediately eyed all three Warners.

"The Warners stay home, safe and sound. Understood?" Chase said, his voice bearing a sharp coldness in it.

All three Warners immediately nodded their heads, not liking the way how Chase had said that. Yakko was all shook up over how Chase had said that to him and his siblings. But he understood why he. The LAPD Detective was just genuinely concerned about their safety. Suddenly, Rachel cleared her throat.

"Actually, they're gonna talk with Bart Cortez about Tuesday's scene for the film. So, they're not exactly going home yet."

Washington, and Chase then looked at each other.

"Okay then. Just make sure that they get home safe and sound." Chase said.

"Got it." Jasper replied.

After the prep talk, Jasper and Rachel had the Warners loaded back up in their Escalade and drove off towards the WB studio lot, whereas the LAPD cops headed back to headquarters to further continue their case…

Oh crud! Doesn't that look lovely for you!? Chapter 5 of Here and Now will be out as soon as I can get it done. Until then, as my usual…

God bless you…

Sincerely,

JalcoFox.

Keegan Fraser—Brendan Cook.