Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first three chapters. Here's Chapter 4, As always, all rights belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 4: Chance of a Lifetime

The family had returned from a diaster of a trip to Dave's parents house. Dave was almost speechless at the turn of events that took place. Nearly everyone at home was shooting Alvin a look that could kill which all Alvin could do is hang his head. The only good thing that had happened since they returned home was that the effects of the Moonshine had subsided and they were at least in control of what they were doing. Dave then came into the room where all the chipmunks and sat down in the recliner on the other side of them, his palms buried in his face. All was quiet as all were waiting on who would speak first.

"Alright guys, I'm gonna shoot straight with you." Dave started out. "That is probably the most embarrassed I have every felt...in my life. My parents were excited to see you guys and you turned it into a nightmare for them."

Now all of them hung their heads as the disappointment was too much to bare them.

"I'm sorry Dave." Alvin squeaked out knowing it was the only thing he could say, but Dave didn't seem to be having any of it.

"Oh I'm sure you're sorry, but it's a little too late for that now. I'm sorry my parents had to deal with that, I'm sorry that Theodore has to deal with this always on his best behavior while you five are off getting in trouble." Dave continued as they looked over to him as he looked more dejected as the rest of them. "Theodore, you can come over here, you're not in any trouble." Dave waved him to come over.

Theodore looked over at his brothers and friends with a sad face as he know the inevitable trouble they would be in and he slowly hopped off the couch and onto Dave's chair on his leg feeling very dejected.

"As for the five of you, you five are grounded until I feel you've earned my trust back. Do you understand?" Dave demanded to his kids.

"Grounded?" Alvin whined out.

"You're lucky I don't have you pay for the damages you caused. Aren't you?" Dave's words were very true and Alvin could be in even more trouble than he already was.

"Yes Dave..." Alvin regretingly moped.

Suddenly came a knock on the door that got Dave's attention as he sighed.

"Who could that be?" Dave got up and went to the door and opened it up and saw that it was Ian as he stopped by to check up on how the group was doing, needless to say it was as bad of timing as could be.

"Sup Dave?" Ian called in looking for a hug. But Dave wasn't having any of it.

"Ian, this really isn't a great time."

"Well sorry to hear that, but Dave, I got big news for ya. With the big send off coming up, Jett's wants one more big hit release from you and the kids before the final sendoff. Hear this Dave, if you're able to get a number one hit song before the send-off, Jett has promised the both of us...1... million... dollars." Ian's announcement brought joy to the kid's eyes as the sound of those words were like music to their own ears.

"A million dollars?" All the kids said.

"Garunteed, up front. I need you to bring the kids over tomorrow first thing in the morning for a recording." The kids all started cheering, but clearly forgeting what had happened just moments ago.

"Hold on a second. That's not happening." Dave said down to them.

"Awe!" They all moaned which Ian glanced at Dave in complete disbelief.

"Uh Dave what part of one million dollars didn't you get?" Ian almost insultingly asked Dave which Dave turned to Ian to explain.

"Well that kinda had to do with the whole bad timing thing. I had to ground the kids." He broke the news to Ian. Ian opened his mouth at first pointing down to the floor in no general direction not knowing where the kids were.

"You grounded them? Dave, I'm no dad, but this is too good to just flush down the toilet on account of Family Issues." Ian almost pleading with Dave. The words seemed deflating to Ian, although Dave was prepared to fill him in.

"Now hold on," Dave stopped him. "I didn't ground...all of them."

Dave slowly looked down at Theodore who wasn't aware of it until he got a funny feeling he was being watched. Theodore kinda looks up at Dave with an little uneasy and Ian does the same. It was like both Ian and Theodore had the same feeling, but for different reasons.

"Theodore. That's all we got?" Ian pestimisticly stated.

"You got Theodore or you got nobody." Dave stated back as an almost ultimatum to Ian. It this point, Ian had no choice, money was everything to him and would do anything to get it. Ian thought about it after taking a deep breath.

"Alright fine." Ian accepted "Dave I want you and Theo at the recording room early first thing. Got it?" Theodore though still looked unsure, this was still Ian. They had learned to trust Ian as of late and he clearly looked to have turned a new leaf. But perhaps it wasn't Ian why he was unsure, perhaps it was himself. "Dave? Are you sure I can do this? It seems hard."

Dave though was there quick for encouragement. "It won't be that hard, I'll be there to help you along if you need any help."

"Great... So what do you say Theo? You ever sang solo before?" Ian asked to the young chipmunk.

"Solo? I've never even sung by myself..." Theodore pointed out. Ian shot Dave a look as the others did the same to each other as it was clear Theodore had no clue what he was possibly getting himself into.

"Oh boy!" was the only answer Ian could give before walking out and leaving, the look on Dave's face kind of told the story too. Ian walked out as Theodore turned around all proud to the others who look on with really confused and worried faces.

"What?" He asked curiously.

"Uh Theodore...do you have any idea what you're getting into? I've never even sang by myself before." Alvin pointed out, trying to find the easiest way to say it.

"That and there's a lot a stake here. Do you really think you're up to it?" Simon added on.

"Of course, I mean...what do I have to lose?" Theodore said shrugging his shoulders. You could hear a pin drop in the house, it was clear that poor little Theodore was clueless in the matter.

"Uh...a million dollars for us Theo!" Britney said with passive agression.

"Oh...th-that is important." Just hearing those words again put a bit a fear in the head of the youngest of the chipmunks.

"Don't worry Theodore..." Eleanor walked up to her best friend and held both his hands. "I know you can do it."

"We...know you can...do it too." Alvin added on also putting a paw on his brother's shoulder.

"Well, I'll try." Theodore said with hesitence. It was clear that a little verbal encouragement wasn't going to be enough this time, there was something much more at stake.

By the end of the night everyone was sleeping comfortably, all except for Theodore who was still wide awake. He had completely underestimated the amount of pressure that had been placed upon him, just the thought of a million dollars being placed at his furry feet brought complete nervousness to the little chipmunk's body. After nearly hours of just staring at the bottom of his brother's bunkbed, Theodore got up from his bed and began to take the long walk to Dave's room. He had almost hoped that Dave was still awake too to know that he was waiting for him, but when he walked in Dave was sleeping as peaceful as the rest of them, Theodore struggled to climb up the bed side and the grunting of Theodore's high voice slowly began to wake up Dave by the time he had gotten up.

"Theodore, what are you still doing up? It's late." Dave said eyes squinted.

Theodore climbed up onto his dad's shoulders. "I-I can't sleep Dave."

Dave patted on his shoulder letting his "son" hop up by it allowing him to get comfortable as Dave began to lay back down.

"Dave...I'm scared about tomorrow." Theodore near stuttering is his reply.

"I understand Theodore, it's alright." Dave said with comfort and care.

"All of you are counting on me. What if...I mess up, what if I'm not good enough?" This was more difficult than they all wanted it to be, the pressure had mounted.

"It's okay to be nervous. If you need any help, I'll be right there to help you. And...Ian will too. All you need to do is be yourself." Dave said.

"Okay Dave. I hope that's enough." Theodore said with worry.

Dave rubbed his cheek to cheer him up which he smiled to and cuddled up and the two slept together knowing that tomorrow was going to be a big day.

It was another sunny summer day in California as the Sevilles were all waking up for play and fun. All but Dave and Theodore who were preparing to head to Jett Record's for the recording session. It was clear by Theodore's demeanor that he was still very nervous. The others were continuing to give support to cheer him up before the trip. Dave grabbed his bags of accessories for the recording as they all gather.

"Alright guys, we'll be back in a couple of hours. Remember, no TV, no getting into trouble." Dave reminded them.

"Hmm, for Alvin, that'll be impossible." Britney mocked at him which all he could do was cross his arms.

"Good luck guys." Jeanette said as the two of them headed out as they all wished their youngest sibling luck.

As soon as the door closed, Alvin turned to them rubbing his paws, "So who's wants to play a game?" Alvin asks which caused all of them to snap a look at him knowing the last time they played a game. "What?"

Dave and Theodore arrived at the 80 story Jett Records building. Being the first two times he was in a tree and a gift box, it was Theodore's first actual look at the building and looked up at high as he could.

"Whoa! It's humungous!" Theodore said in absolute awe.

"Yep. Well we better head in and find Ian." With that Dave grabbed the bags and Theodore hopped onto one of them to conserve any energy that he would undoubtably use. Ian was there at the door waiting on his guests to greet them as they entered.

"Dave and..." Ian saw just Theodore and was far from thrilled. "...Theodore. I guess you weren't kidding about last night."

"Why would I have been kidding?" Dave asked point blant.

"Right...anyway, let's head upstairs we got a lot of work to do." Ian walked off and Dave followed right behind.

When they got up to the studio room, Ian had Theodore sit in a spinning stool who at first just used it to spin around until Ian was about to ask him some questions while Dave sat behind Ian so that Theodore at first could give his own input.

"Alright Theo buddy, we need to figure out what you like?" Ian's first question. Theodore didn't hesitate to answer.

"Well I like waffles, cookies, brownies..." Ian cut him off quickly as Dave looked away a little embarrassed as the interview got off to a rough start, pretty much as bad as Ian had feared.

"No no Theo. Y-You need to get food out of head for a little bit, we're talking music now. What kind of music do you like?" Ian reexplained, which Theodore thought about it a little longer but nothing seemed to come to him, which Dave stepped in.

"Actually Ian, we don't use any specific music. We use just about everything." Dave answered for him which got a nod from Ian.

"Alright, that's good, that actually gives us a lot of options." Ian agreed, "As long as we don't get anything about food."

"Food? Where?" Theodore questioned looking around, Ian stood up and pulled Dave out of the room. "I need to talk to you."

"Theodore. I'll be right back." Dave said as the door closed behind him. "Ian what is it."

"Dave. Take that little butterball home and bring your kids that can actually think about music and singing it. I don't want to have a singer that all he knows about music is Meatloaf and Black Eye Peas." Ian told Dave out front.

"Ian, you're not even giving him a chance!" Dave told Ian as he clearly had enough of Ian's insults to his son.

"Alright Dave, I understand that you and your chipmunks are set in life, but I'm not! I've got nothing without this, I thank my lucky stars that Mr. Jett brought me back when he heard I tagged along with you guys again, I need this to happen. And to put it frank, the last of those chipmunks that I would depend on with my career at stake, is the one who looks like he swallowed a baseball." Ian said. Those remarks were it, Dave wasn't going to stand for that.

"Ian that's enough." Dave pointed at Ian with warning.

"Dave I can't help it! My life..." Ian told up front with his arm extended out until Dave then stopped Ian half sentence as he heard something.

"Do you hear that?"Dave asked

"Hear what?" Ian said confused.

Dave and Ian cracked open the door and heard Theodore saying words that seemed to be in a musical tone.

LOVE me all day

Please, please say that

"Everything is gonna be okay!"

"What song is that?" Ian befuddled. Dave looked over at Ian.

"Wouldn't you know, you work for a record company." Dave almost insulting Ian back.

"I've never heard those lyrics in my life." Ian responded back.

Dave and Ian then looked at each other and walked in and Theodore stopped singing as they entered back in.

"Oh Dave, uh what were you talking about with Ian?" Theodore quietly chuckled.

"Oh nothing important." Ian quickly shrugged it off. "What was that song you were singing?" Ian quickly changing to the matter at hand. The sweat on Theodore started to run down his cheeks.

"Oh...you mean you heard that?" Theodore said tugging his collar.

"Yeah, we've never heard that song before." Dave said.

"Oh. That's because I made that song." That remark completely threw Ian and Dave off for a loop. Theodore making that song? They thought it was a joke.

"You made that song?" Ian tried to joke about it. But Theodore was serious about it.

"Uh-huh. I've been...wanting to sing it to Eleanor for a while now...but...I've just been too afraid to sing it." Theodore said slowly kicking his feet hanging his head.

"How about you sing it to us." Dave asked him. Which put a grin on the munk's face. Once they got in the studio room, a funky little beat started playing as Dave and Ian were in the recording studio listening in as Theodore looked ready in the booth to sing his song.

Theodore's Song (LOVE)

What's the greatest gift in the whole wide world

A gift we give to all who we care for

And it can be given in so many ways

To all of those, who we adore

It can be hearts, or hugs, or kisses with soul charming words

And the feelings we share we'll never let go of

It's a crazy little word that's four letters long

It's a crazy word called love

L-O-V-E

Please be with me

Why can't you see

That LOVE is all I need!

Hate stay away

LOVE me all day

Please, please say that

"Everything is gonna be okay!"

Dave and Ian look at each other eye's wide impressed at what their hearing as the chipmunk continues on.

No matter how hard we try, we can't explain love

It's the greatest mystery of all time

And if someone steals our heart, we never complain

Even though stealing things is a crime

Well my name is Theodore and I love you all

I'm not afraid to say that it's true

Well I maybe small, but my heart's not small at all

And that's because I love you

L-O-V-E

Please be with me

We all agree

That LOVE is all we need!

R-U-O-K

To LOVE me all day

And to say that

"Everything is gonna be okay!"

Love will free

you and me

All I see

Is we are meant to be

(Instrumental)

Theodore takes advantage of the instrumental and does a goofy little dance which gets a smile from Dave through the window as Ian just stares out at what he sees with his mouth slightly open licking his chops.

L-O-V-E

Please be with me

Now that I see

That LOVE is all I need!

LOVE make my day

We can make way

Please, please say that

"Our love will never go away!"

L-O-V-E

Please be with me

Why can't you see

That LOVE is all I need!

R-U-O-K

To LOVE me all day

And to say that

"Everything is gonna be okay!"

I will be fine

If you'll be mine

Theodore then looked through the window at both of them staring through and waving to them. "So...was that okay?"

Dave and Ian looked at each other and back to Theo.

"I think we have a winner." Ian said with a grin.

The smile on Theodore's face could paint a thousand pictures as he was so proud of himself.

There's Chapter 4. Chapter 5 Coming soon...