Hmm...Well, I got a good suggestion for a duet, but at the last minute I really did find the PERFECT one. It's so amazing! I'm actually going to use it as a vid duet too.

Oh, and if I slow down...Well, yesterday was our belated musical auditions (thanks to a snow day way back before Christmas). So...I plan on taking my laptop to school and working on the stories while I'm not practicing, which may be a lot or it may not be. I know that they cracked up over my speech audition (the thing said to go as fast as possible without sacrificing clarity...And Yakko is my favorite Animaniac...enough said there), but I also know that I had issues singing again. I know I am a good singer, I just...For some reason I always clam up for stuff like that. At least I got out a few strong notes...But more than likely I'll be a chorus girl. (Which means a lot of dance practice...ballroom dance practice for this particular musical.)

Anyway, after this chapter, there's only two more for this one. (Please don't be sad...I told you it was a short story!) I hope you like the little plot! Please tell me if it falls short of expectations...I don't want to disappoint anyone at all! (And if you tell me what fell short, maybe I can make it up in the next chapter somehow.)

AND DON'T FORGET: Sign my petition to let Ross and Janice know that we want to see more of the cartoon Chipmunks (and not just the old episodes either...the Chipmunk Adventure needs to be shown on TV as well as the fact that they need to make more).

Switched

Chapter 15: Plan into Action

Theodore hunted through the aisles, trying his hardest to find Eleanor's blond pigtails. At the very least he'd noticed another camera man sneaking around. The guy was doing a terrible job of being sneaky. All sorts of people in the store were staring at him, wandering around and trying to get their faces on camera. But Eleanor was nowhere to be seen.

"Boo!" he heard behind him, making him jump almost a foot in the air, accidentally knocking down a canned pyramid display. The two of them clung to the shelves trying to avoid being hurt as all sorts of shoppers yelled and complained as they stepped on cans and fell or were caught up by someone who had fallen. "Oops…Sorry Theodore."

"It's ok," he replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm fine."

"That's good."

"So what's worrying you?"

"Huh?"

"You're still holding my hand." Theodore glanced down at her hand in his, gently pulling away. "Come on. We'd better pick all these up." As they started to collect the cans, the manager was running up. Eleanor handed the cans off to Theodore, running over to handle damage control.

"Those were cans we were collecting for the local food banks!"

"We'll help you get more, I promise!"

"How?"

"Well, first we're going to pick all these up. You should get your workers to restack the pyramid…we're too short and we'd probably knock them all over again." Theodore was already putting them in an empty cart someone had courteously brought over for him.

"But how are you going to get more?"

"We're going to…eh…sing a song!" The guy raised an eyebrow, but once she inconspicuously turned her eyes to the camera man (and his eyes followed her lead), he understood. People would know they were being filmed and would give just for the sheer want for attention.

"Alright. Have at it."

…X…X…

Alvin ran his lines through his head, still hoping that he'd be able to feign anger well enough to fool those idiotic camera men. He was in position already, waiting for Brittany to get there. Then suddenly a flaw came to him. He couldn't just start shouting at Brittany…and he hadn't planned the conversation that led up to their mock-fight.

Tugging his cap down, he tried to make something up on the spot. Little did he know, Brittany was already way ahead of him. She walked up, giggling in her own world. He spun at her laughter, wondering what was so funny. "Alvin! Oh Alvin…" she gasped out through her giggles.

"Oh Alvin what?" he snapped cautiously.

"Alvin! I can't believe…believe you actually…"

"Actually what?"

"Actually put on a ballerina costume!" He felt his cheeks flushing. Anything but that. Why did she have to use that?

"It was for Theodore! He still believed in the tooth fairy and in a home full of boys, someone had to do it."

"I know, but still! Did anyone catch it on camera?"

"No! Thank goodness. How did you find out?"

"Simon was talking about it." That could help cover up some of the whispering that had been going on at the very least.

"Brittany, why did you have to bring this up now? You know…with all the cameras around?"

"Well, I figured it wouldn't really bother a big, tough guy like you. And besides, you should get used to the media knowing every little detail about everything you do. It's what they do to big stars, so if you ever want to be big…"

"Brittany, we already are big, in case you haven't noticed."

"No you're not. You just do crazy stunts to pretend you're big." Now she was really striking nerves. And this was so far from the argument they'd planned to have there was no way they'd get back to what they'd rehearsed.

"Brittany…"

"What?" She glanced up, pretending to be completely innocent. "Just because you have to work for your fame while we just have a natural attraction…"

"Brittany! Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Stop…being so annoying!" That was lame. He knew it, she knew it, America would know it. But...The words did come naturally at least. She was being obnoxious.

"Oh…Sorry." It was half-hearted. Taunting. Brittany knew exactly how to anger him. It was a good thing they were just putting on a show or he'd really be mad at her.

…X…X…

Simon and Jeanette sat beside the building, looking up at the window they'd be sneaking in through. The only problem was that Alvin couldn't even get the signal to get over there. Jeanette had tripped and the device had gotten soaked in a puddle left over from who knew what. They were on their own…and neither of them knew how to pick locks (let alone wanted to).

"This plan is turning into a disaster," Jeanette sighed.

"It started out well enough…" Simon tried to cheer her up. "Well, maybe Alvin will still show up in time. It's not like we could get in there just now anyway. The place is swamped."

"And just why are you going in through a side window?" another voice just down the alley taunted.

"Who's there?" Simon instinctively jumped in front of Jeanette, ready to give her the signal to run if it was anyone to fear.

"Just your average bus-buddy." The kid walked into the light and Simon could only stare in surprise. "I thought you were suspicious enough."

"Jack…Where's everyone else?"

"Inside. I guess we kinda forgot to mention that our uncle is a co-producer of this show you're on."

"Jack! You aren't going to tell…"

"Relax. I've been waiting for a little adventure since this game got started. But nothing exciting ever happens here. It's always somewhere out there in New York, Texas…Even the kids in Ohio had more fun than we've had! You'd figure we'd get the better end of the deal. We get to have a special dinner every Saturday with the kids that came in for the end of their show. But just meeting them and hearing the stories is no fun at all."

"So you want to be a part of it? Even if you never get on TV?"

"Even if I never get on TV. I'm so bored just sitting around waiting for nothing to happen."

"Well, a whole lot of nothing is going to happen this afternoon."

"Umm…pardon me, but…you two know each other?" Jeanette asked timidly.

"Met on the bus ride here," Jack explained. "He got off a stop early though."

"So you noticed," Simon said slyly. "By any chance could you get us in there without anyone noticing?"

"What do you plan to do?"

"I'll tell you when we're someplace less…open."

…X…X…

Alvin spun on his heels and marched off, completely enraged. Brittany had been the perfect little actress. Too perfect…Sure, they'd completely aborted the script, but that look in her eyes seemed all too sincere. And they really couldn't stop to talk about what just happened until after the show was over. It was infuriating.

But he couldn't bother with that now. The sun was starting to get rather low and he still hadn't been signaled. One could only wonder how long Theodore and Eleanor could keep the attention now that he and Brittany were going their separate ways. He wasn't about to go to the studio now, not without a signal. It could mean Simon and Jeanette had run into trouble. He couldn't risk making it worse.

So he decided to cut around the block and head for home. Miss Miller would be worried anyway. They hadn't stayed out this late yet since living at her house. She'd really want to know what was going on. So he hurried on through the front door, opening his mouth to announce himself when he heard Brittany's littlest sister on the TV.

"No mountains too high

For you to climb.

All you have to do is have some climbing faith,

Oh yeah.

No rivers too wide

For you to make it across.

All you have to do is believe it when you pray."

At least he didn't have to worry about the cameras hunting down Simon and Jeanette. Theodore and Eleanor were singing a duet in…Wal-Mart? Either way, Theodore was up.

"And then you will see

The morning will come,

And every day will be as bright at the sun.

All your fears,

Cast them on me.

I just want you to see…"

Alvin stared in wonder as he sat down beside Miss Miller. She merely glanced at him, then back to the two chipmunks on the screen as they sang together.

"I'll be your cloud up in the sky,

I'll be your shoulder when you cry,

I'll hear your voices when you call me.

I am your angel.

And when all hope is gone, I'm here.

No matter how far you are, I'm near.

It makes no difference who you are

I am your angel.

I'm your angel."

Now it was time for his little brother to sing by himself again. Alvin was quite impressed with how Theodore was handling himself.

"I saw the teardrops and I heard you cry.

All you need is time.

Seek me and you shall find

You have everything and you're still lonely.

It doesn't have to be this way,

Let me show you a better day."

"And then you will see

The morning will come

And all of your days will be bright as the sun.

So all of your fears

Just cast them on me.

How can I make you see?"

If Brittany were watching right now, she'd be eternally jealous of her sister. Eleanor was going to be a big hit for this one. And they even sounded great together. Alvin knew a good bit of music when he heard it, and he wasn't going to let his own jealousy that that could have been him get in the way of being proud of his baby brother.

"I'll be your cloud up in the sky,

I'll be your shoulder when you cry,

I'll hear your voices when you call me.

I am your angel.

And when all hope is gone, I'm here.

No matter how far you are, I'm near.

It makes no difference who you are.

I am your angel."

Theodore gave the biggest smile he had in him (which was pretty big for a small guy) as he echoed the line.

"I'm your angel.

And when it's time to face the storm…"

"I'll be right by your side."

"Grace will keep us safe and warm."

"And I know we will survive.

And when it seems as if your end is drawing near,

Don't you dare give up the fight.

Just put your trust beyond the sky…"

The two smiled as each person all sorts of gifts into a huge pile with a sign marked 'donations' over it.

"I'll be your cloud up in the sky,

I'll be your shoulder when you cry,

I'll hear your voices when you call me.

I am your angel.

And when all hope is gone, I'm here.

No matter how far you are, I'm near.

It makes no difference who you are,

I am your angel.

I'm your angel.

I'll be your cloud up in the sky,

I'll be your shoulder when you cry,

I'll hear your voices when you call me.

I am your angel.

And when all hope is gone, I'm here.

No matter how far you are, I'm near.

It makes no difference who you are,

I am your angel.

I'm your angel."

…X…X…

"Shh!" Jack scolded as he led Simon and Jeanette to the main control room. He had even cooked up a plan to get it cleared out so Simon and Jeanette could work their magic. As for the chipmunks in glasses, they had been distracted when they noticed their siblings a screen linked to some news anchors. Theodore and Eleanor were so adorable, and they were attracting more attention than anyone could have ever hoped for. The plan, other than the lack of a signaling device, was going smoothly.

"Sorry," Simon said quietly.

"Duck down here and be ready to run in as soon as I clear them out."

"Right. And Jack?"

"Huh?"

"Thanks."

"Hey, I'm doing it for the adventure." Simon couldn't help but chuckle.

"That's exactly why we signed up for this show in the first place. For a little excitement."