Okay...here you go...it's a little long...but all good...I do not own The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. so yeah...

buglegirl1899-again, glad you like the chapters! I appreciate your reviews! lol

Ducky...thanks girl!

Oh and this story will soon be drawing to a close...and then prepare for the horror story, which is still nameless at this point in time. We've got a lot written simply because we had a 3 1/2 day weekend due to the massive ice storm that swept through the midwest...my car was covered in at least an inch of ice and after hacking at it for 10 minutes I manged to get 2 doors and a mirror cleared...so yeah...lots of spare time! Enjoy!

The smell of burning food met my nostrils and woke me up in the next day. I opened my eyes and looked into the kitchen to see no one in the kitchen. A little uncertain about what was going on I started to get up and this time the pain didn't hit me until I had fully stood up.

"Ow. Spot?" I called.

"Yeah?" I heard him answer.

"Why does it smell bad?"

"I made eggs."

"Uh, I think they're done and burning."

"I already ate em."

"Did you turn off the burner?"

"Oh carp!" he said before dashing into the kitchen and turning in the burner off.

"Oh carp?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"What?"

"You said oh carp."

"Oh, I meant oh crap."

"I figured."

"Well ain't you smaht?"

"Yeah." I said smiling.

"So uh Blink is havin a lil get tageddah at his house tanight."

"Really?"

"Yeah da whole group is s'posed ta show."

"Fun…"

"Ah ya gonna go?"

"Are you?"

"Yeah, but I ain't da one wid a cracked rib."

"If it starts hurting too bad I'll make Jack bring me home."

"Aight."

"Do we need to bring anything like food?"

"Yeah it's a potluck."

"Uhm, are you going to cook?"

"A what would I cook?"

"I dunno, I could tell you how to make stuff."

"Uh, ok…I guess."

"Do we have chicken?"

"We have chicken tendahs."

"Uhm, Do we have ground beef?"

"No Media used it foh da nachos."

"Maybe it would be easier to see what we DO have."

"Aight."

"Well?"

"Ya have legs…"

"Fine." I poked my head in the freezer and refrigerator to find that we had a couple of steaks, tater tots, ice cream and a pot pie.

"Spot we need to go shopping."

"Uh huh."

"I can't drive."

"I'm awah a dat."

"So can we go shopping?"

"Yeah."

"Okay uh lemme grab my purse."

"Aight."

I grabbed my purse and followed Spot out to the car. We went to the nearest Wal-Mart Supercenter and got groceries before returning to make food for that evening.

"Okay, take the chicken and put it all in the pot with water." I told Spot once we got home.

"What pot?"

"Find one, a big one!"

"Ah, got one."

"Okay fill it with water and put the chicken in. Oh and get out a knife and the cutting board."

"Ah how full do I fill it?"

"Cover the top of the chicken."

"Ya said ta put da chicken in aftah da watah, so how's I supposed ta know?"

"Guess, you'll be dumping the water out later anyway."

"I dunno why ya makin me do dis anyway, I can't cook."

"That's why I'm staying here telling you what to do, and I can't because of my wrist."

"Aight fine."

"Thank you."

"Aight da watah's in da pot and dere's da chicken, now what?"

"Turn the stove on."

"How high?"

"High."

"Aight."

"Now start cutting the chicken into chunks."

"I just put da chicken in da watah!"

"While you are cutting it, the rest of the chicken is cooking."

"AH! Dis is annoyin!"

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

"Okay now start a separate pot of water that complies with the back of the rice box."

"How big of a pot?"

"Uh, normal."

"I take it nohmal is smallah dan da oddah one?"

"Yes…one of the ones with a handle."

"Aight."

"Oh, make sure it has a lid."

"None of dem have lids."

"There's one in the back that should."

"Found it."

"Okay…follow the directions on the back of the rice box."

"While ya just sittin dere could ya make me a sandwich?"

"Uh, yeah…I guess."

"Tanks Angel."

"You're welcome, but it may be a little lopsided."

"As long as it's edible."

"It'll be edible."

"That's all I ask."

"Okay, while you're waiting for the rice water to boil, keep cutting the chicken."

"How much chicken do we need?"

"What's in there."

"Aight."

"Here's your sandwich." I said after a few minutes.

"Hehe, I hope it tastes bettah dan it looks."

"You try making a sandwich with a broken wrist."

"Nah, I'm good."

"Okay is the chicken all cut up?"

"Uhm, yeah."

"How is the rice water?"

"Boilin."

"Okay move that pot to another burner that's off, and put the uncooked rice in and put the lid on top."

"But I'm hungry!"

"Almost done."

"Geh, fine."

"Okay set the timer for 5 minutes."

"I didn't know we had a timah."

"Microwave."

"Oh, aight."

"Now strain the chicken."

"Give me a sec woman."

"If I must."

"Yeah."

"Hehe"

"Yeah laugh it up."

"I am. When the chicken is strained put it back in the pot and put the family sized can of Cream of Mushroom soup in just the way it is."

"Okay."

"And stir it."

"Foh how long?"

"Till the rice is done."

"How long will dat take?"

"How long is on the timer?"

"I hate cookin."

"You'll need to give Ace a night off every once in a while." I grinned.

"If ya wasn't already hoit, ya would be."

"Oh come on…when the timer beeps put the rice in the pot with the chicken and stir till it's mixed and you'll be done."

"Good."

"Oh hush, I do this every night."

"Ya don't do it every night."

"Almost."

"It's done."

"Yay."

"I heah ya." Spot said sitting down and eating the sandwich I made him. He didn't complain about it so I guess he liked it, then again he would eat just about anything. We both relaxed until it came time to go to Blink and Jack's. We arrived to find the party in full swing with Ellie and Media arm wrestling, Bumlets trying to wrestle with Mush who kept throwing him on the floor while Dodger and Dreamer played go fish. Everyone else was laughing talking and eating. Jack rushed over to greet me and Spot and took the chicken into the kitchen with Les right behind him to get the food.

"ANGEL AND SPOT!" Spades smiled when she noticed we were there. Ace ran up and hugged Spot.

"Hey Spot, hi Angel." She said.

"Hi Ace." I said.

"Heya." He said hugging her back.

"Did you do something, you seem different?" She asked Spot.

"Uh I cooked."

"Really?!"

"Yeah Jack took da chicken inta da kitchen, but it looks like Les is piggin out."

"Not if I can help it!" Bumlets said running in.

"Save some for the rest of us!" I shouted at them.

"Gimme my shoe!" Blink shouted as Skittery ran off with Blink's shoe in his hand.

"Haha, for once it's not me!" I said with relief.

"Dat's because ya injahed." Blink said.

"Yeah…that makes me happy." I smiled.

"Does Media need to talk to you again?" Mush asked.

"Why?"

"Because it makes ya happy ta get beat up." He smiled.

"No I meant it makes me happy that people aren't attacking me."

"Oh like this!" he said pretending to rush me.

" Mush no!" I shrieked.

"Haha, I'm just messin."

"Ya bettah be." Jack warned.

"Play nice!" Media shouted from the table.

"Ah ma, do we hafta?" Jack teased.

"If you don't, I'll put you in a closet and beat you with my keyboard!" Mouse shouted.

"Please don't kill him." I said.

"We'll try not to." David said.

"And why are you beating Jack with a keyboard before shoving him in a closet?"

"Because it would scare him." Mouse said.

"I'm hidin behind ya Angel." Jack said.

"You're taller than me!"

"Yeah but dey won't hoit you."

"Hehe."

"Angel did you make chicken?" Dodger asked.

"Spot actually cooked it why?"

"Because I don't see it."

"LES!!!!"

"I didn't eat it all!"

"WHO ELSE?!"

"No, I don't see the container or anything that it came in." Dodger said.

"BUMLETS!"

"Yes?"

"What did you do with my pot?"

"He sniffed it!" Blink shouted.

"It was an LSD trip." Spot laughed.

"Pipe down Conlon!"

"What?" Dodger and Spades asked simultaneously.

"Not you two."

"I found it!" Dreamer said digging in the back of the fridge.

"What is it doing back there?" I wondered out loud.

"I don't know." Bumlets said guiltily.

"Bumlets…" I said.

"Hehehe."

"Jack, will you kick Bumlets for me?"

"No!" Mouse objected.

"Nah, I try not ta hit innocent people Angel." Jack grinned.

"Hey Bumlets come here!" Mush called.

"Don't hurt me!"

"I'm not going to, come here."

"What?"

"I think it's time Les was welcomed into the group don't you?"

"Yeah!"

"All right, good boy. Wait until there's no one around him then go get him."

"Bark."

"Just don't break anything…namely Angel."

"All right."

"Now go."

Bumlets walked over to Les who had been talking to Skittery, tapped him on the shoulder and when Les turned to see what he wanted Bumlets punched him in the face.

"What the hell was that for?!" Les exclaimed.

"Prove your sand." Bumlets smiled bringing his fist up. Les took a fighting stance and Bumlets hit him in the face again. Les took it and fired back with a jab to the side of Bumlets head. The punch made contact and Bumlets side snap kicked Les in his upper leg. Les punched Bumlets in the stomach.

"Ouch!" Bumlets yelped. "That was cheap, I like your style." The two circled eachother and Les pulled a combe on Bumlets that started with his head followed by one to the stomach and another punch to his face.

"Nice combo."

"Thanks." Bumlets went to hit Les in the side of the head but Les caught his arm, tripped him and followed him to the floor where the two began to wrestle. Bumlets landed on his side and was unable to move before Les flopped down on him. Bumlets wriggled onto his back and Les pinned his wrists to the floor. Bumlets managed to get his knee into Les' gut and ward him off. Bumlets was getting ready to kick Les in the head until Mush shouted at him.

"No kicking in the head!"

"Now you tell me!" Bumlets said as Les knocked Bumlets' legs to the side and flopped on him.

"How do we decide who wins?" Les shouted.

"10 Count." Spot said.

Les smirked and grabbed hold of Bumlets' wrists so that he couldn't get up as Spot started a 10 count.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Les wins!"

"No!" Bumlets whined.

"HA!" Les shouted triumphantly.

"I like fighting with you." Bumlets said as he sat up.

"Likewise." Les panted.

"Ow." Bumlets said looking at his arm.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked.

"My elbow hurts but I can't see why."

"Give me your arm."

"Okay." I grabbed his arm and looked at the back of his elbow to find the top layer of skin was stripped off leaving a carpet burn.

"Jack or somebody will you get me a cotton ball with peroxide on it?" I asked.

"What happened to my arm?" Bumlets asked.

"Carpet burn."

"Oh it'll be fine, I don't need peroxide."

"Yes you do!" Mouse said.

"Heah ya go." Blink said handing me what I'd asked for. I dabbed it on the wound and was relieved to see that it wasn't bubbling.

"OW!" Bumlets said.

"Sorry, I forgot to warn you that it might sting a bit."

"Thanks mom."

"No problem." I said chucking the cotton ball at a trashcan and was amazed that it went in. "SCORE!"

"Oh my gosh, she actually made it in!" Spades said in awe.

"I know, I'm amazed!" I said.

"Wow." David commented.

"What?"

"I take it this is a big accomplishment for you?"

"Angel heah has bad aim." Spot said.

"Ah, I see."

"It's not that bad." I said.

"It kind of is, but we love you nonetheless." Dodger smiled.

"Good."

"So uh, you wadn't actually tinkin bout goin back ta da bricks were ya?" I overheard Spot whisper to Mush.

"No, not seriously."

"Dat's good."

"Yeah it is."

"What is the bricks?" I asked walking up.

"The bricks is a term Spot and I use when referring to a talk we had about drinking one night."

"Oh. Because that confused me last night."

"Yeah I just, don't want everyone know that I used to, so we made up a word for it."

"Ah…I see."

"Yep and he ain't gonna do it again." Spot said.

"Yes, I know."

"You two are strange."

"Look in da mihhah."

"Shush."

"Incoming!" Skittery shouted as a pillow hit me in the back. I gasped as my rib protested the intrusion. "Sorry Angel." He called.

"Ya okay Angel?" Spot asked. I just shook my head because my back hurt too bad for me to speak. "Do ya want ya meds?"

"They're…at…home." I whispered.

"No dey ain't I brought dem wid me."

"Yeah I need them." I said.

"Aight, I'll go get em aftah I beat up Skittahy."

"Beat him up later first get the meds." I pleaded.

"Fine."

"Thanks."

Spot walked off to get the pain medication from wherever it was that he'd stashed them at and Jack walked over to see if I was okay.

"Ya okay baby?"

"Spot went to go get the pain meds." I said.

"Aight."

"Heah ya go Angel." Spot said returning with the pills and glass of water.

"Thanks." I said washing them down with the water.

"LSD trip." Spot smirked.

"You're going down once it doesn't hurt to move."

"I'll be waitin."

"I'm sure you will be."

"Now if ya'll excuse me, I've gotta go kill Skittery." Spot said walking off. Just then another pillow sailed through the air only this one hit Mush in the face.

"Uh how bout we don't throw da pillahs." Jack said sternly.

"Who threw that?" Mush called.

"I did!" Media answered.

"Hehe." I giggled.

"You're going down!" Mush said chasing after her.

"Knowing them, when he catches her, they'll end up making out." I smiled at Jack.

"Aw, just so long as dey don't go in da kitchen."

"What's in the kitchen, other than food?"

"Nothin, I don't want dem makin out by it."

"What you don't want their spit in your food?"

"Not pahaticilahly."

"Hehe."

"It still hurts!" Bumlets complained.

"My rib hurts worse!"

"How do you know? You can't compare!"

"I've had carpet burns before and they don't hurt as bad as broken bones!"

"That's what you get for rough housing!" Dodger said.

"Wow."

"But it's fun!" Les said.

"It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye." I said trying not to laugh.

"I still don't have me shoe." Blink said.

"Do you need it?"

"Not at da moment, but it's odd wahin only one shoe."

"So take it off." Dodger said.

"You want him to take it off." Ellie teased.

"Take take take it off, take take take it off." I sang.

"Isn't that supposed to be Take take take it all?" Spades asked.

"Under normal circumstances yes."

"Yeah because if someone hears you singing Acorn's version in church you might get some dirty looks." Media said walking in.

"Ooo where have you been?" I teased.

"Ooo, not in front of people."

"We can see that."

"I remembah when ya used ta make out in da middle a da flooh." Spot said.

"We still do." Mush said walking in behind her.

"Kinda like somebody else I know." I mumbled looking at Spot.

"You're not one to talk Acorn." Media said.

"Whatever are you talking about?"

"Oh Jack, your sandy brown hair and hazel eyes make me want to get makey-outey. Muah muah."

"MEDIA!" Jack said stunned. Media then realized that David and Jack were both giving her a surprised look.

"Oh no not Jack!" Media laughed.

"You just said you wanted to." Les pointed out.

"I was being Acorn!"

"I'm still getting use to the strange things that go on in this circle." David thought out loud.

"Well that went in a way that I didn't expect."

"Meh, I'm use to it by now." I shrugged.

"Dat was different." Spot said.

"Very." Mush smirked

"You guys shock too easy." I said.

"Do not." Mush denied.

"Not you them." I said pointing to David and Les.

"Dey're new, whad did ya expect?" Skittery said.

"That's true." Media got a mischievous grin on her face.

"What would you do if I was serious?" She asked Jack.

"Run because ya husband would beat me ta a bloody pulp."

"Good answer." She laughed.

"Very good answer." I said.

"Oh, she gave you the look." Mush said.

"Pipe it!"

"No." I snarled at him, because I was getting tired and my back still hurt.

"Do I have to find you another orange?" Media asked.

"No, I'm just tired." I said.

"Ya want me ta take ya home?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

"Nah, it ain't a problem."

"Thanks babe."

"No problem Angel." Jack and I went out to his car and he took me home. We got back to the apartment a short time later.

"Do you want to come in?" I asked.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you've got a houseful of people."

"Dey'll entahtain demselves."

"Okay, come on." I said getting out and leading the way. We got in and I collapsed on

the couch. Jack came over and sat on the edge of the couch next to me.

"So ah ya ready foh audidtions ta staht?"

"Yeah I think so."

"Dey'll be in a few weeks so I can get da script ta ya sometime and ya can staht going ovah it."

"Okay. Are you really not going to be in it?"

"Not dis one Angel."

"Darn."

"If ya sayin dat cause ya won't be able ta kiss me, ya can do dat anytime.

"Oh, like now?"

"Now would be good."

"Okay." I said as we began kissing. After a bit we pulled apart only to make out some more.

"I was tinkin bout doin dis at da pahty but Media and Mush ran off befoh we did."

"Really now?"

"Yeah."

"Well you got me alone now."

"An I'se tankful foh dat."

"So kiss me already."

"I love it when ya bossy."

"I love you."

"And I love ya too." He said before we began making out again. After we were both content we snuggled for a while. My cell started ringing and it was Spot.

"Hi Spot cell."

"Uh heya Angel."

"What's up?"

"I'se tihad so, can you an Jack finish whatevah ya doin so I can come home an go ta bed?"

"We're just sitting on the couch come on home."

"Well, I didn't wanna walk in on anyting."

"Remember the whole tie around the door thing? It'll be there if you're no supposed to come in."

"I had bettah nevah see it dere till ya mahhied."

"You won't."

"Aight I'll be home in a bit."

"Come on over."

"Okay bye."

"Bye." I said hanging up.

"Whad did he tink we was doin?"

"He just wanted to make sure he wouldn't walk in on something."

"Ah."

"Yeah, at least he's learning."

"I tink Media liked pickin on ya when she would walk in."

"Yeah believe me I still have not heard the end of it."

"Hahah."

"We still have a few minutes before he gets here."

"I like da way you tink." I giggled and we made out once more until we heard Spot start unlocking the door. Jack sled away from me on the couch and I turned on the TV.

"Hey." Spot said closing the door behind him.

"Hi." I greeted.

"Ya don't honestly except me ta believe ya been watchin da Spanish channel da intiah time ya been heah."

"No not the entire time"

"I don't wanna know!"

"Wasn't gonna tell you."

"Aight, night."

"Night Spot." After a while jack went home to help Blink hold down the fort and I went to bed. The weeks passed and I got better so I walk with less pain and memorized the scene that Jack had givin me to study the part of Lady Marian. I was fighting down my butterflies the day of the audition and was struggling to keep my launch down.

"Are you okay?" I heard someone ask me. I looked up and saw a girl looking at me.

"I will be, butterflies." I said standing up from my chair.

"Oh, yeah I know the feeling."

"So who are you trying out for?"

"The lady in waiting."

"Oh cool I'm going for Lady Marain."

"Nice, my name is Kim."

"Hi, Angelica Conlon." We shook hands as David called us into the room where the auditions were being held.

"Alright Angel is going for Lady Marain and Kim is trying out for Lady in Waiting. Take it away when you're ready." David directed as he sat down with a clipboard.

"But try this on. You'll look lovely my lady."

" Oh who cares. Soon I shall be forced to marry a festering wart. That will make me MRS. Festering Wart. Then, he and I shall have a passel of festering little warts. On our mailbox it will say 'The Warts' and our Christmas cards will be signed 'Brightest holiday greetings, the Wart family'. So who cares how I look, I have nothing to live for!"

" Sombody's cranky. Oh Lady Marian, a letter has just arrived for you air-row mail. Boy when you're having a bad hair day the whole world suffers."

"Please read it lady."

"As you wish. 'Let it be known that His Royal Highness, hereby decrees an archery tournament shall take place one week from this Saturday. All eligible archers are commanded to take part. The winner shall receive 1,000 gold pieces and the hand of Lady Marian in marriage.'"

"What?! Let me see that."

"This is wonderful! You may not have to marry the Sheriff of Nottingham after all!"

"Don't let this fool you Lady. This is just a clever ploy by THE EVIL PRINCE JOHN."

"Boo hiss boo hiss!" David said.

"Now he can justify my hand in marriage to the sheriff. The sheriff is by far the best archer in all the land! His record is perfect; he's never been beaten by anyone. He is sure to win. This way, it will look all quite innocent to the people of England when the Sheriff elects the prince king. Nothing has changed, I'm still doomed!"

"That's good ladies thank you." David interrupted. "Call backs are on Wednesday, so hopefully we'll see you then."

"Thank you!" I said exiting the room.

"Heya Angel, how'd it go?" Jack asked walking up as soon as we had walked out.

"Good, oh baby, this is Kim, she tried out for the Lady in Waiting."

"Hi." She said.

"Hey, Jack Kelly." He said shaking her hand.

"Wait the owner of this theater Jack Kelly?" She asked.

"And my fiancée." I grinned.

"Oh, cool."

"I think so." I said still grinning.

"I got too much ta do taday." Jack said.

"To do what?" I asked, coming off of my audition adrenaline high rush.

"I got papah woik ta do, gotta talk ta Davie about da tryouts and I got errands ta run."

"Okay baby, um we still need to plan a lot of stuff, so when you're done ya wanna come over?"

"Yeah."

"See you tonight." I said kissing him goodbye.

"Nice meeting you sir." Kim said.

"Well, since my lunch date just cancelled, would you like to grab a bite to eat?" I asked.

"Yeah, since I haven't eaten all day, that would be good."

"Okay, uh what are you in the mood for?"

"I'm thinking Taco Salad!"

"Okay, uh anyplace in particular?"

"I'll let you pick."

"Okay. Uh, Dos Gringos?"

"Sounds bueno."

"All righty then." We walked out into the parking lot and agreed to take my car. I warned her that it might be choppy due to a healing wrist.

"What happened to your wrist?" She asked.

"I got jumped in a parking lot." I chuckled nervously.

"Oh my gosh! Did they catch who did it?"

"Uh yeah."

"Are you okay?"

"Other than getting frustrated at how slow it's healing, yeah."

"Wow. Do you get jumpy in parking lots now?"

"Only in parking garages."

"Did you fight back?"

"Yeah, but he was bigger than me."

"Ah."

"Yeah."

"So, did you name your car?" she asked as we walked up to it.

"Yeah, her name is Purity."

"Aw, that's cute."

"Thank you…my brother thinks it's weird."

"Guys usually do."

"Yeah."

Kim and I talked over lunch and got to know each other a little bit better. I dropped her off at the theater and went to Claire's where I finally picked out my jewelry for the wedding. Then a thought hit me, I still needed a dress.

LINE LINE

A couple of days later Ace, Dodger, Media, my mom and I all went dress hunting.

"What are you looking for sweetie?" My mom asked.

"Um, white…and strapless, no lace, little beading, I'd like a big skirt, but yeah."

"Do you know what fabric you want?" Ace asked.

"Satin."

"Yeah, satin is soft." Media said.

"Indeed it is."

"And comfy."

"Again indeed."

"Do you want a veil?" Dodger asked.

"Yes, um, maybe like one down to my waist?"

"Okay, how high of heel do you want?" Media questioned.

"The lower the better."

"Like flip flop low?"

"No, like an inch or so low."

"Knowing you, that will probably be for the best."

"Plus my feet would be killing me the next day."

"Yeah…"

"Did that happen to you Aleisha sweetie?" My mom asked.

"Yes, but Mush massaged them for me."

"Awww." I teased.

"Shush up!"

"Hehe!"

"I tried to give you a foot massage one time and you kicked me." Dodger said.

"That's because it tickled."

"And you didn't marry her." I said.

"That would be kind of scary…yeah." Ace piped in.

"Do you know where you want to honeymoon darling?" My mom asked.

"Like I'd actually tell you." I smirked.

"I wouldn't want to call you while you were on it, I was just wondering."

"We haven't talked about it yet."

"Have you had a 'talk'?" Ace smiled.

"About?"

"What you do on the honeymoon."

"I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me."

"Good answer." Media giggled.

"Now girls there is nothing wrong with a man and wom-" my mom started.

"MOM!" Dodger and me shouted.

"Yes?"

"Stop." I said flatly. Ace and Media were trying not to burst out laughing.

"Why? There's nothing to be ashamed of."

"EW! No, you're my mother, I really and I do mean REALLY don't want to hear about what you and dad do in your spare time!"

"I second that!" Dodger said.

"I just hope that you don't act like a prude."

"Hey Acorn!" Media said dragging me away.

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome."

"I swear she doesn't grasp the concept."

"Yeah my mom used broad terms like some people or you could do that."

"Not mine…she likes giving names."

"Yeah and half the store heard."

"Yeah I know and thus is the reason I don't want her to be left alone with Jack."

"I'd be more worried about Dad having a talk with Jack than Mom." Dodger said walking up.

"With mom you never know."

"Yeah, I think she's talking to Ace about if her and Spot get married."

"If, you mean when right?" I said.

"Yeah."

"Let's go rescue her."

"And then I would have you as another daughter." I heard her say.

"Ace, I have a question for you, can you come here a second?" I asked.

"Yeah Angel. Excuse me Mrs. Conlon." Ace said dashing away. "What did you need?"

"Nothing, just trying to get you away from my mom."

"That was nice of you."

"What was she saying?" Dodger asked.

"She was talking about what our kids would look like and if they'd be tall or short."

"I'm sorry."

"No if I do marry Spot I should get used to it now."

"Again I say when, not if."

"I don't know."

"Trust me."

"You have time though." Media said.

"I didn't mean right away!" I interjected.

"It sounded like it."

"Whatever. Will you help me find a dress?"

"That's what we're here for smartie."

"So far all we've done is alert the store to mom and dad's love life and avoid mom."

"Speaking of which, she's coming over." Dodger said.

"Look busy!"

"I really like this fabric." Ace said grabbing the nearest thing to her.

"The bag?"

"It has an interesting tint in the color."

"You know you fit in with this family."

"Angelica, there's some back there that you might like." My mom said.

"Where?"

"In the corner."

"Let me go check them out…hey ducky you wanna come?" I asked Media.

"Lead the way!"

"Aye aye cap'n!" I said walking over to the largest group of frumpy dresses I'd ever seen.

"You could look bloated in this one." Media said.

"Yeah that would leave a great impression. Hey Jack look what you're marrying, Suzie the cow!"

"Suzie?"

"It was the first name I thought of."

"You know, if you took the top layer of lace, cut the sleeves off, and took out the frumpy waist it would look okay."

"I think it would just be easier to make one from scratch."

"Hehehe."

"Okay so none of these are going to work."

"There are other stores."

"I know."

"Then let's leave because your mom is holding ugly dress up to Dodger."

"Yei lets go."

"Hey we're good to go." Media said as we joined them

"You found one?" Ace asked skeptically.

"No."

"Then how are you good to go?" My mom asked.

"I mean we're good to leave this store." I said.

"Yeah lets go to David's Bridal." Dodger said walking out of the store.

"David's Bridal it is." We drove over and their dresses were better but average.

"This sucks." Ace said as her stomach growled.

"Yep." I agreed.

"Mom is having fun." Dodger said as we watched my mom look at EVERY dress in the store.

"Shall we call a lunch break?" I asked as my cell phone rang. It was Jack.

"Hey baby."

"Heya Angel."

"How are you?"

"I'se okay ah we still on foh tanight?"

"If I can ever get my mom out of the store."

"Ya been in da same stoh all day?'

"Almost she's looking at every single dress."

"Hhaa, I sahhy."

"I can tell."

"Um, ah da goils keepin ya sane?'

"We're all bored."

"Sucks ta be you hehe."

"Next time I'm dragging you with me."

"What no, uh, it's bad ta have da groom see da dress ain't it?"

"Not in my book."

"Maybe ya usin an old edition?"

"Oh and I'm sure Mom wants to talk to you plenty to."

"Ah ya bein serious?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Aight I'll let ya get back ta ya adventah."

"Bye babe."

"Bye My Angel." I hung up and tried to get my mom to stop looking at dresses.

"I'm hungry." I whimpered.

"Just a minute." She said still rummaging.

"You said that 3 hours ago."

"It has not been that long."

"We left Bridesmart at noon, it is now 3."

"Hm mh."

"And I have a date to get ready for."

"You're marrying him, you'll see him plenty."

"I'd like to see him before I marry him."

"This sin't working." Dodger hissed at me.

"I know that!" I growled back.

"Geh move." Media said pushing past me.

"Go right ahead."

"Aunt Maggie?"

"Yes sweetie?" my mom asked.

"Um, MuSsh and I will I was wondering something."

"What's that dearie?"

"Well." Media smiled at me. "What's the best birth control aside from abstinence?"

"Well honey there's the dia-"

"Um could we talk about it in private, like in the car?"

"Oh sure sweetie."

"You owe me." Media said hitting me.

"My life is forever in your debt.

"Yeah and now we get to listen to her talk about birth control." Ace said.

"Well at least she's leaving." After we escaped the store Media got a lecture on every thing as did the rest of the car. I started hitting my head against the window thinking it would never stop. Finally my mom dropped us off at the spot where we had left out cars to carpool. I said goodbye to her and Dodger, Ace, Media and I went back to my apartment.

"Did ya goils have fun?" Spot asked.

"Should we tell him?" I asked Ace.

"Not yet." She grinned.

"Dat scahs me." He said.

"Heheh."I cackled.

"No what's scary is how much your Mom knows about birth control!" Media said rolling her eyes.

"Do I wanna know?" Spot asked.

"Why of course sweetie because it's normal, ya know what I can't even repeat the things she said."

"Good because I NEVER want to hear it again. I'll never marry Blink, I'll be a virgin forever, I don't care." Dodger added.

"No, you'll want to get married." Media told her.

"Again do I even wanna know?" Spot pondered.

"What's wrong with marriage?" Ace asked him.

"Nuttin, I just don't wanna heah bout it from me cousin."

"I feel your pain." I said shuddering.

"I have said nothing of that." Media said.

"You implied."

"But it's worse when Mom talks about it." Dodger said.

"You're telling me!" Ace agreed.

"Wait, ma talked about dat?" Spot asked.

"Yeah." I sighed.

"Ew, oh dat's wrong!"

'Mh hm. Now if you'll all excuse me I have a date to get ready for."

"Yeah I have to go home anyway." Media said grabbing her keys.

"Bye duck butt."

"Bye Acorn and A- everyone, because I don't feel like listing names."

'Bye!" echoed the room. Dodger left shortly after and Ace stayed with Spot when Jack came to pick me up.

"JACK!!!!" I said rushing to the door.

"Yeah…" he said looking confused.

"Sorry, I've been around my mom all day and that is enough to make me want to see normal humans again.

"Since when was Jack nohmal?" Spot asked.

"Since ha asked me to marry him." I grinned.

"Ya ready ta go?"

"Yeppers." I said grabbing my purse before following him out the door.

"So did ya find anyting dat ya liked?"

"No, my mom did all the shopping she found the most hideous dresses I've ever seen."

"Maybe ya should go widout hah next time."

"Yeah, like I said I'm dragging you with me."

"Why?"

"You should like it too." I argued weakly.

"Angel I'se gonna like whatevah ya pick out."

"Still. It would make me happy."

"How bout when ya get it down between a few, den I'll give ya me opinion."

"Okay, I think that's what I'll end up doing with my mom."

"Aight."

"So did you guys decide on who to call back?"

"We'se still debatin."

"Ah. At the risk of sounding stupid, David is directing right?"

"Yeah."

"Just wanted to make sure. What are you doing with it?"

"Everyting else."

"So if I make it and I'm not onstage I get to see you backstage?"

"Yeah and I'll help Davie wid da directin."

"Oh okay…um where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"You and your surprises." I smiled.

"Yeah but dey woik evrytime."

"Just please don't surprise me with the honeymoon destination…"

"Yeah weah ah we gonna go?"

"Uh, I was thinking maybe the French Riviera or Tuscany…"

"Hmm."

"What?"

"We'll see."

"Thank you baby."

"We heah." He said pulling into a park.

"The park?"

"Wid a special addition."

"What?"

"I dunno just ah little table wid 2 chaihs. Oh you can see it as soon as we get around da cohnah."

"Okay."

We rounded the corner to see a small table with two chairs that looked like a French sidewalk café.

"Oh it beautiful." I said.

"Yeah, hopefully Race didn't eat all da food dough."

"You had Race set this up?"

"No, I had him guahd it ta make shoh dat no one touched it. He's ovah dere, playin on…da swing set."

"How did you two meet anyway?"

"A long time ago at da docks."

"Oh, was he conducting some black market business deal?"

"No, he was runnin numbahs foh a guy I owed money to."

"Oh. Just out of curiosity, how did you and Blink get so close?"

"Well, I didn't pay someone back one time, I got my butt kicked and Blink took me in."

"Oh. Interesting friends you have Jackie Boy."

"Yas ain't exactly nohmal eiddah."

"Never said they were."

"Ya just met dem undah moh nohmal conditions."

"Haha." I giggled. "Remind me to thank Race later."

"RACE COME HEAH!" Jack yelled.

"I wasn't going for now, but it works."

"Sup?" Race asked joining us.

"I wanted to say thank you for giving Jack that wire tap…it saved my life."

"I seem ta have a niche foh savin people in ya group." He smiled.

"Thank you."

"Ya welcome."

"Ya can go back ta da monkey bahs now." Jack kidded.

"Actally, ya still owe me from dat race." He said.

"What race?" I asked.

"Uh look at da sun, it's goin down, and we gotta go." Jack said leading me to the table.

"See ya!" Race said leaving.

"That race wasn't recent was it?"

"Nah it was back when we foist met."

"Okay."

"Ya chaih." He said pulling it out for me.

"Why thank you kind sir!" I said sitting down.

"Ya welcome my Lady Faih."

"I'm glad you're a theater kid."

"So am I."

Over dinner we decided that we would honeymoon in Tuscany and played on the merry-go-round after we finished eating.

"That was fun." I said as we walked back to the car.

"Yeah it was, but now I gotta call Race and ask him ta come get da table."

"Okay." Jack called him up and asked him to come get it.

"Aight he said we hafta guahd it till he gets heah."

"You mean he's not still here?"

"I dunno."

"Oh."

"He'll be heah in a few."

"In the meantime what do we do?"

"Well dere's a nice lil spot ovah dere."

"Over where?"

"By da pond, wheah not many people could see us…"

"Sounds good to me."

"Have I told ya how much I love ya?"

"Um not for at least a day."

"How silly of me, I love ya Angel."

"I love you too." I said as we made our way to the nice little make out spot. We were there for a few minutes when Race called Jack's cell telling him he was by the table and needed help loading it.

"I didn't know ya had a truck." Jack said as they loaded it up.

"Well, I'se borrowin it." Race winked.

"Until someone can pay you back right?" I said.

"So Jack told ya me profession?"

"No I guessed."

"Hehehe."

"Tanks Race." Jack said as Race hopped in the truck and drove off. Jack drove me home and we made out once more in the parking lot before Spot called my cell.

"Angel I can see ya out dere makin out so jest come on up and I'll go ta bed….wid da music on."

"You sure?"

"Ya, da neighbors might staht talkin."

"We're engaged it's okay."

"Just come inside ya weihdo."

"Look in the mirror and we'll be up in a sec."

"Aight, night."

"Night." I said hanging up.

"What did he say?" Jack asked.

"To come on up."

"What?"

"He's coming up so we can have the living room."

"Ace musta gone home den."

"Unless he's making out of her in his room."

"Yeah cause dats hah cah."

"She must be spending the night."

"Do we need ta check in on dem?" Jack smirked.

"Does he check in on us when you spend the night?"

"Da foist time he did."

"But mostly no, so we will not." I said as we went inside where our make out session was continued. It had gotten late so Jack spent the night too. The next day I awoke to a different smell. Only this smelled good like bacon and eggs that weren't burnt. I rolled over and saw Jack wasn't beside me. I got out of bed and wandered into the kitchen where I found Jack, Ace, and Spot getting ready to eat.

"You didn't save any for me?" I asked.

"I'se still makin some." Jack said still at the stove.

"See Spot, you can learn from Jack." Spot glared at me.

"She's got a point." Ace said elbowing him.

"Well I don't comprehend dat good in da moinin so I didn't pay attention." Spot said between bites.

"No you just don't want to learn." I said.

"How do ya know?"

"Because I know you."

"Whateveh."

"Hehe."

"Aight, heah ya go Angel." Jack said placing my plate of food on the table before me.

"Thank you baby." I smiled before digging in. After we ate Spot had to go to work, so Ace went home.

"Aight I gotta get ta woik too Angel." Jack said reluctantly.

"It's okay, I'll call Media and see if she wants to go dress shopping again."

"Ya may hafta lure hah out wid coffee, I don't know if she's up at dis houah." Jack said giving me a kiss on the cheek as he left.

"Bye Jack." I grabbed the phone and dialed Media's house.

"Hello?" Mush answered.

"Do you ever work anymore?" I asked.

"Yeah I'm going in an hour."

"Okay. Is Media up?"

"Haha, you know the answer to that."

"Well, can I talk to her anyway?"

"Yeah, you're gonna have to be on hold for a sec."

"Why on hold?"

"All right fine I'll take the phone with me."

"Okay."

"Baby," Mush said.

"Neh." I heard Media grunt.

"Gotta wake up dollface."

"I don't wanna."

"Yes you do."

"No, I don't work today, leave me alone."

"Media."

"Why do you have the phone?"

"Because Angel's on the line waiting to talk to you."

"Mm kay, give me a kiss first then I'll talk to her."

"Fine by me." I heard them kiss for a second before Media's voice came over the line.

"Hello?" she yawned.

"Hey Duck Butt!"

"Oh gosh you're hyper."

"Hey, uh, since you're not working today, do you want to go dress shopping just us two?"

"MM-okay, you wanna come over?"

"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute."

"Okay nutter butter."

"Bye squishy face."

"Bye punkin face."

"Hehe" I laughed hanging up the phone. I got dressed and drove over to Media's. I stood at the door for a second knocking and waiting for someone to open the door.

"COME IN!" I heard Media shout.

"Do I come over so often that you don't open the door for me anymore?" I asked coming in.

"No, we're just trying to find Mush's keys since he lost them!" She said lifting up the couch cushions.

"Oh you mean these keys that I found in the door?" I asked holding them up.

"They were in the door?" Mush asked walking into the room.

'Yeah."

"That's not good."

"That's what I thought, but I figured you had a reason."

"Yeah, the late shift." Media said.

"Do I even want to know?"

"No, sometimes I go to people's houses, who don't go to the gym and help them work out." Mush said.

"Oh okay. Are you almost ready Media?"

"One more thing." She said walking over to Mush quickly before he left for work.

"Wow." I said as they finally separated for a breath.

"Have a good day!" Media called as Mush just smiled and walked out the door.

"Mush, keys!" I yelled.

"Oh yeah, thanks." He said grabbing them.

"I'm ready now." Media stated.

"Okay, dress shopping we go!"

"Pit stop at the coffee shop."

"Okay, if we must."

"We must."

"Okay, you're driving."

"Yay."

"Why so excited?"

"Because Mush likes driving everywhere."

"Oh, well my wrist is still a little sore."

"Aw, poor little nutter butter."

"Thanks."

We picked up Media's coffee and began our search for a dress. I found one in Group USA that I liked, it had everything I wanted, strapless, white, big skirt, no lace and very little beading.

"What do you think?" I asked as I walked out onto the platform.

"Hmm," Media said.

"Hmm?"

"I say, that what you say, is what I say."

"No seriously, do you like it?"

"Yes, but you have to like it more, because you have to live with it forever."

"If I didn't like it I wouldn't have shown you."

"Then I think we need to find you some shoes to go with it."

"Yeah, this is the only one I've found so far that I actually like."

"Did you want to look some more or are you settled on this one?"

"Uh, a little more, just because you never know."

"All righty."

"Okay." I said walking back and changing back into normal clothes before continuing the saga of trying to find a dress. We had been shopping for 4 hours and hadn't found anything that had caught my eye.

"I think I like the dress in Group USA best." I said as Media and I took a food break.

"Good, because my brain is going numb."

"Mine is right behind yours."

"Do you want to start looking for shoes?" She asked.

"SHOES!" I said as a way of saying yes.

"That's my girl!" Media said as we went off in search of shoes to wear.

We found a pair at the mall that were white with a low heel that had rhinestones on the toes.

"I love these!" I said trying them on.

"Then get them." Media said.

"I was planning on it."

"I'm glad."

"Dork."

"So what are the bridesmaids supposed to wear again?"

"Pick your own lavender top and a yellow skirt."

"Okay."

"Yeah, I know that not everybody looks good in yellow, so lavender works better for being next to the skin." I said.

"Tis true."

"And, I was the maid of honor in a friend from High School's wedding and she had me wear a ribbon that matched her dress, so I'm thinking that I may have you do that too."

"Where would the ribbon be?"

"Waist."

"Is that going to flow?"

"We'll see. I'll buy it and then if it doesn't you don't have to wear it and not waste 5 bucks in the process."

"Okay."

I bought the shoes and headed home. I called my mom and told her that I'd found a dress that I liked and that I had bought shoes.

"Aww, when will I get to see you in them? And don't say the wedding."

"Okay then I won't say anything."

"You can't come home and show me sometime?"

"I was going to show you, I just wasn't going to put them on."

"All right. How about tonight, you and Jack could come over for dinner."

"Mom, breathe."

"Angelica, he's going to be part of the family. It won't kill you to bring him over."

"I'll ASK him."

"Okay then sweetie!"

"Bye mom."

"Bye."

"I swear, that woman has like a boyfriend/fiancée radar!" I said hanging up the phone.

"Hehe." Media laughed.

"What?"

"You're mom's more clingy than my mom." She laughed.

"I know…and it's annoying. She wants me and Jack to come over for dinner!"

"So?"

"She's gonna start in on the 'talk' again!" I whimpered.

"I don't think Uncle Nate would let her talk about that at the table at least."

"Maybe if I can get us out of there before they want us to talk to them, I'll be okay."

"Or, you can call in Spades and have Skittery over at a certain time to distract them."

"That might work."

"That one night when you called about Spot did I really tell you to shove him in a phone booth?"

"Yes you did."

"Oh I was hoping Mush was just making that up."

"No, you say weird things when you're tired."

"It was like 4 am, what did you expect?"

"Not for you to tell me to shove my brother in a phone booth."

"Point taken."

"He said he was going to try to stop."

"And has he that you know of?"

"That I know of yeah."

"Okay keep an eye on him as time goes by, just to make sure he doesn't relapse."

"Aye aye Cap'n."

"Good sailor."

"Hehe."

Just then my cell phone rang and it was Dodger.

"Hey sis, what's goin on?"

"Um, Blink just called into work and said that his car's gone."

"What?"

"His jeep, car, thingy, it's not in the driveway where he parked it last night."

"Maybe Jack took it."

"He said there was broken glass in the driveway."

"Or maybe a kid threw a rock and it hit the e-brake."

"Angel."

"I'm just trying to help."

"It was stolen! And now he's stranded at home and I can't leave because I'm at work."

"Hold on. Media, can we swing by Blink's and take him to work?"

"Sure. Did his jeep break down?"

"No it got stolen."

"Whoa, yeah we can do that."

"Okay Dodger, tell Blink that Media and I will take him to work."

"Okay thanks Angel!"

"You're welcome Dodger."

"All right I've got to go, customers are coming."

"Bye." I said hanging up the phone. Media and I set out for Blink's and almost got rear-ended at a stop light much to Media's annoyance. We made it to Blink's to find him standing in his driveway.

"Hi Blink." Media said getting out.

"Heya." He responded still looking at his empty driveway.

"I'm sorry Blink." I said.

"Yeah I'se called da police ta infohm dem."

"That's good."

"Uh huh."

"Um, before you go to work, um, do you need to let out some anger?" Media carefully asked him.

"Nah."

"And you're sure?"

"Yeah I'm shoh."

"Alright."

"Sorry." I said again.

"It ain't ya fault." He muttered as I let him take shot gun.

"I know but still, it's frustrating."

"So are we going straight to your work or do you want to eat?" Media asked. Blink shrugged.

"Okay, have you eaten?"

"No."

"Then let's get you a bite to eat."

"Sounds good to me." I chimed.

"We just ate."

"I'm hungry, and it was 4 hours ago."

"Fine, where do we go?"

"I don't cah." Blink said looking out the window.

"Some place quick." I offered.

"Yeah, that doesn't narrow it down." Media commented.

"I geh, Burger King I don't care."

"Any objections Blink?"

"Nah."

"Alrighty then." Media said pulling into the Burger King drive through.

"Who wants what?"

"I want a #4." I called.

"Blink?"

"Just a boigah."

"Okay."

"Welcome to Burger King would you be interested in the day's special?" the voice in the box asked.

"No I-"

"Are you ready to order now or do you need a moment?" the voice interrupted.

"I'm ready now." Media said strangling her steering wheel.

"Oh, go ahead then."

"Thank you, I'll have a # 4 an-"

"What would you like to drink with that?"

"Dr.Peppper."

"And is that all?"

"No, and a burger aling wi-"

"Would you like pickles on that?"

"Blink?"

"Whateveh."

"Um no thanks."

"Okay the tota-"

"I'm not done yet!"

'Oh sorry."

"And, the # 6 with a Dr. Pepper." There was silence.

"Is that all?"

"Yes." Media hissed.

"Your total is $6.58 please pull up to the next window."

"Thank you." Media said pulling up and paying. We finally got our food and left.

"I'm sensing a bit of hostility." I said as Media sped away saying things in French that didn't sound nice.

"Stinkin impatient little terd!"

"At least he wasn't a smelly lump of lard." I offered. Blink almost choked on his burger because he laughed while swallowing.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, jest as long as I can breathe." He said.

"Can you breathe?"

"Now I can."

"Acorn stop trying to kill Blink." Media smiled.

"I'm not trying to kill Blink."

'I'se glad." Blink chuchled as we drove along. We dropped Blink off and I sat in the front seat. Media and I decided to go catch a movie but there was nothing good at the theaters so we went back to her place and hung out for a while. That night Mush got home and I went home sensing they had missed each other. I went home and went to bed.

LINE LINE

A few days went by and I found out I got the part of Lady Marian and Kim and I had done such a good job she was the Lady in Waiting. I noticed jack was seemed over whelmed by work and wedding plans and Blink was still stressed about his car. So after having a talk with Jack I convinced him to go on a camping trip or a get away. Well, Spot, Blink, Mush, Jack and David planned a camping trip they were going on.

"I wish I could see this." Media teased as the guys were packing the cars the mrning they were leaving.

"Yeah, it ought to be interesting." I added.

"We'll be fine." David said.

"You have obviously never been camping with them before."

"If ya referrin ta Michiagn, dis is different." Blink said.

"Oh only because there's not snow on the ground."

"Yeah, so dere won't be any freezing watah."

"Yeah, have fun." Dodger said kissing Blink goodbye.

"And relax." I told Jack who nodded and gave me a kiss. Spot and Ace said there goodbyes.

"No bears." Media told Mush.

"I wasn't the one in the car." He said giving her a kiss. We waved bye as the car with our men drove off into who knows what trouble. Us girls hung out and finally said good bye that night, except Media who was not moving from the floor in my apartment.

"I'm glad you're staying with me." I smiled.

"I'm glad you're letting me."

"You still have that fear of living alone?"

"Yeah, I mean I can handle it if Mush has a late shift but over night, for numerous nights, no."

"I hear ya." Media got up and wandered down the hall.

"Aeeaiihhhh!"

"What?! What is it?" I asked running to where she was. She stood in the middle of Spot's room.

"This, wh- my room, it's… gross!"

"Sweetie he's a 19 year old boy. Do expect him to be clean?"

"CleanER. This is like, geh, what am I standing on?" Media asked as we heard something crunch under her foor.

"Um, well, I think that was lat night's dinner." Media would have killed Spot if he was there judging by the look on her face as she took her taco caked sock off.

"Sick little boy."

"Maybe while they're gone we'll clean."

"I'm not cleaning this room."

"Okay will you at least hold the trash can so I can clean?"

"Yeah, but not tonight."

'No."

"My poor sock."

"Do you want a pair of mine?"

"No, I'll go bare foot."

"Okay, So what do you want to do?"

'Let's go play on the roof."

"Um, no."

"Oh, that's what I do with Mush."

"I shall keep in mind I live in an apartment, you live in a house."

"He still owes me a puppy."

"You've only been married how months, if a month."

"If I had a dog I wouldn't mind being home alone." I sighed. "What it's creepy in that house when it's empty."

"I know, it's creepy in here when it's empty."

'Then why did you sigh like that?"

"You're replacing me with a puppy."

"No, I'll still cuddle with you."

"You are goofy."

"And proud of it."

"And Mush is too."

"That's cause he's also goofy."

"Yeah, that is true."

"When he's not annoyed."

"Does he get annoyed a lot?"

"Not usually, but he's been stressing, hence this trip."

"Same with Jack."

"Yeah."

"Stressing, not annoyed."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Men are strange."

"Indeed." We talked until 4am and finally went to bed. The next day our cleaning spree began, after we watched a couple movies and ate. We started with the bathrooms.

"What one do you want me to clean?" Media asked.

"Spot's."

"Okay, any particular reason?"

"I haven't been in there since the cutting incident, I really don't want to go in."

"I take your toilet was fixed?"

"Yeah."

"Alright."

"Thank you."

"Your welcome." I rearranged the things in my cabinets and room before the day was done. Media didn't change the order of things in Spot's bathroom but cleaned it.

"The kid needs to clean up his shaving clippings or whatever they're called."

"Yeah, I've been telling him that. Now onto his room." Media glared at me.

"Ew."

"I'll clean it, just help me."

"Fine." We slowly picked apart the mass of clothes covering the floor only to discover old food crumbs caked into the carpet.

"That is so gross." I said in disgust.

"And that's YOUR brother."

"Yeah I know. I think my parents adopted him."

"Yeah, um how are we gonna get that out?" she asked pointing at a stain.

"Carpet cleaner."

"By the bucket load."

"Yeah." We scrubbed the carpet and vacuumed his carpet numerously until we were both exhausted and sickened. We decided to go out and rent a movie and got some snacks. We were driving back to the apartment when we noticed storm clouds were rolling in.

"Hm, looks like rain." I said sarcastically.

"Really?"

"No."

"Oh well storms are fun."

"Sometimes."

"As long as you're in a safe place, it is."

"Aye lassie."

"Armadillo!"

"Okay."

"No, there was one on the edge of the road."

"Oh. Okay."

"Wow."

"Don't wow me, you're the one who noticed an armadillo that couldn't cross the street."

"So, it shows I was paying attention to my surroundings."

"Now you get wowed."

"I accept this wow with great gratitude and appreciation."

"It was a wow, not an academy award."

"That may have been how you perceived it."

"I give up." I said shaking my head.

"Muah haha! Victory at last."

"Do you do this to Mush?"

"Yeah, it's fun."

"How does he handle you when you're like this?"

"If he's not doing anything he'll start tickling me, but if he can't then he just shakes his head and smiles."

"Ah."

"How did you think he would handle me?"

"Sometimes, I don't know."

"That could mean many things."

"You have complete off the wall moments, and those are the times I don't know."

"Yeah, he's only seen a couple of those moments."

"Fortunate for him."

"Yeah so his sanity can remain intact."

"And the rest of the world's."

"Haha very funny."

"I thought so." I said as we pulled into the parking lot. We dashed inside as the storm hit us. I went over to put the movie in as Media looked the door. "Did she always lock doors?" I thought. She plopped down on the couch and we cuddled up to watch our movie. Of course we had decided to rent a horror movie the night our guys were gone and a huge storm was raging outside. We were glued to the TV and we both jump when Media's cell rang. And I jumped and dumped the popcorn all over. It was her mom calling to check in on her. We finished the movie and sat in front of the window to watch the display of power from the storm.

"It's so cool." Media said.

"I want Jack."

"And he wants you."

"I mean now."

"Hehhe, you baby."

"I don't like storms."

"You're safe."

"I hope so."

"How are you not?"

"I don't know, mnn." I whimpered.

"Are you okay?" I whimpered and Media gave me a hug.

"You're fine."

"I want Jack."

"Fine." She said sarcastically pushing me away.

"I love you but you're not the same."

"You're right….I don't have dreamy hazel eyes or that pretty boy smile that makes you melt." She said trying not to laugh.

"I would be scared if you did."

"Yeah."

"Do you wanna finish the movie?"

"Yeah." We continued watching it and we both jumped a couple more times when the scary parts came. Right as the scariest part of the movie came up a huge crash of thunder shook the windows.

"Good gravy Sherlock Holmes must be having a party." Media looked at me like I was crazy. "You know how in old Sherlock movies whenever he's about to catch the bad guy there's always a storm going on."

"And I present you a 'wow' for that."

"I would like to thank my mom and dad; my fiancée Jack; my cousin Media and her husband Mush; my brother Spot; my sisters, Dodger-"

"Okay I get it!

"And Spades; and all my friends. Without you guys I never would have made it this far!"

"And you aren't going to make it past this because I will kill you if you don't shut up!"

"Hehe, like a couple of years ago on the Academy Awards when Will Farrell and Jack Black got up and sang 'You're Boring'?"

"I don't recall that, but I'm sure that it was enlightening."

"That was the year that Lord of the Rings won 11 of 11 Oscars. And Billy Crystal made a comment that they had thanked everyone in New Zealand."

"So that was an interesting movie."

"Yeah…definitely different."

"Oh you didn't enjoy it when the monster ripped the girl open and spilled her intestines all over the floor."

"Not really…you're talking to the girl who watched the Passion of the Christ with her hand over her eyes."

"Then why did we rent that one?"

"It was either that or Amityville Horror."

"We should watch the Boogie Man, because it's not that scary."

"Whatever."

"And the guy is hot."

"Fine by me." Media was getting up to switch DVD's when the power died.

"Crap!"

"I swear I didn't do it."

"Yes Media, by switching DVD's you killed the power!" I said sarcastically.

"It was peculiar timing."

"Note the sarcasm in my voice."

"No I don't think I will."

"You are special."

"So, do you have a flashlight?"

"Uh, I took the batteries out of it for something else. We do however have candles."

"Yay fire!"

"On second thought that could be disastrous."

"Lame-o I have a flashlight in my car."

"I meant it could be disastrous because the way you said yay fire."

"I like fire. That doesn't mean I'm going to burn everything."

"I was playing with you!"

"Good good, let us find these candles."

"They should be in the kitchen."

"We shall see." She said rummaging around in drawers.

"I found one!"

"Bueno, here's a few more."

"Good good."

"Jolly good." We began to find the best places for the candles and lit them. After that we went back to the couch and sat down.

"So now what?'

"Uh, not sure nutt butt."

"Um, so how have you been?"

"Uh, okay. You?"

"Um interesting."

"Oh do tell."

"Just the whole thing with Spot, try outs, getting kidnapped, stuff like that."

"Hun don't let it overwhelm you."

"Well ya it's just kinda scary."

"Yeah…"

"Mostly getting kidnapped and Spot."

"Understandable. And…?"

"How does that make me feel?"

"Okay I can change the wording. In what way shape or form does this incident influence the way that you may possibly think, assess situations, and or emotionally feel. And of course psychological factors should be factored into each separate category and then one must determine how they effect the preceding elements."

"Wow."

"In layman's term, how does that make you feel?"

"Kinda sucky."

"Why?"

"Oh I don't know just the fact that my brother was mutilating himself, maybe just a little bit of it."

"I am aware that you know it wasn't your fault, and I can see how you still and probably will for a little while feel bad and responsibility for it."

"But?"

"But just as Spot is moving on so must you, now I'm not saying drop it and move on, just don't trip your self out with thinking it was your fault."

"I know it's not my fault but I also don't know why he did it."

"And you never may."

"Neem." I growled.

"If he wants to talk about someday then be open to him. He doesn't let him be."

"Okay."

"You can deal with the fact that he may never tell you why?"

"Yeah but we use to be so close. I don't why he doesn't talk to me any more."

"Okay, he isn't a child, he is finding out who he is and it's normal for people to draw back a little bit, they're becoming independent, their own person. He may think he can't do that if he goes to you every time he has a problem."

"Fine." I sighed.

"And with that, it's hard to let him go isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, so how do you think your mom feels about you getting married?"

"Probably the same way huh?"

"Yes, more so even."

" Mm k."

"So just be more patient, polite with her."

'I'll try."

"You better, because she could be the total opposite."

"Like be not involved?"

"Exactly."

"Okay, thank you duck butt."

'You're welcome."

"So yeah."

"Yup."

"I wonder how the boys are doing."

"I can only imagine."

"I can only imagine." I began to sing before she smothered me with a pillow.

"Silence!"

"Mut oo ont ik I inging?" I said as she smothered me.

"Not that way."

"You want to let me up now?"

"No I'm good."

"I can't breathe."

'Baby." She said letting me up.

"Because I want to breathe?"

"Yeah, breathing is over rated."

"As is normality." We talked for another few hours until we both dozed off. The next day we got up and made pancakes and bacon. We then went shopping and went out to eat for lunch. Afterwards we came back expecting the guys to be home soon. I then got a call from Jack on my cell.

"Hey baby."

"Hi."

"You sound upset."

'I can't imagaine why dat would be."

'Okay. Are you guys on the way back?"

"Yes tank God."

"What happened?"

"I'll tell ya latah, I just wanted to call ya."

"Oh thank you. See you when you get here."

"Aight, love ya."

"Love you too." I said hanging up.

"Jack?"

"Yeah, they're on their way back."

"Why was he mad?"

"I don't know he said he would tell me later."

'That doesn't sound promising."

"No it doesn't." Half an hour later Mush's car pulled up, only it was covered with dirt and mud.

"Oh my gosh what happened to you guys?" I asked as Media and I went out to meet them. They grimly looked at one another.

"Uh, do you guys want to go inside first?" Media asked.

"Shoh." Spot said leading the way.

"I don't think it was relaxing." Media whispered to me.

"Judging from the looks on their faces, me neither."

"How much could go wrong in one day though?"

"With our bunch you never know." We all went inside and Spot went into his room to drop his stuff off.

"Naagghhhhh!" we heard Spot scream.

"What what happened?" I asked running to him.

"You tell me!" he said waving a hand at his room.

"We cleaned."

"Ya went through me stuff!"

"No we put it away and did your laundry."

"Ya don't know wheah I put tings and gah!"

"It looked like a war zone!"

"It's my war zone!"

"You actually think I was going to have Media sleep in a war zone?"

"Media slept in me bed?"

"Well, not exactly. I was going to have her sleep in here but then we ended up on the couch."

"Aight, for futah reference, please, please don't touch me stuff."

"Oh please I've been touching it for years."

"Ya didn't at home and it's mine so stop!"

"Who do you think did the laundry?"

"Well stop."

"Okay fine I won't clean anymore."

"I ain't sayin ya need ta stop cleanin, just let me take cah of me room."

"Whatever."

"Acorn chill." Media said pulling me away.

"Again I say whatever."

"Mm k I'm annoyed by his attitude as well and know you've helped him, but we have a room full of irritated guys who aren't being helped by this."

"Okay just breathe and I'll be okay." I said to myself.

"All right, what happened?" Media asked as we returned to the living room with the guys.

"Well foh stahts it rained on us." Jack began.

" Oh an den da tent was ripped." Blink added.

"And Mush foregot to put the parking brake on." David added.

"Yeah so den we had ta cahse da stupid cah down a hill." Spot said joining us.

"Okay, anything else?" I asked.

"Yeah Jack what else happened?" Mush asked accusingly.

"And I fohgot ta put ice in da coolah so da food spoiled." Jack admitted. Not being able to contain myself I began to giggle.

"I'm sorry but that's funny." I laughed.

"In time yeah it will be, but not at the moment." Mush said.

"Yeah, Mush." Blink snarled.

"Okay I forgot the freakin brakes! Shut up about it."

"Okay boys please don't fight in my kitchen." I said sternly.

"Or any where." Media added.

"Since I'm sensing the fact that you're all sick of each other, go home and get some sleep." I told them.

"Yeah I'll do that, in a clean car." David said.

"What was that?" Mush asked getting wild eyed.

"David stop." I interjected before blood was spilled.

"Alright, bye everyone, um Mush we can take my car and come back for yours later." Media said dragging him out the door.

"Can someone give me a ride home?" Blink asked.

"I can." David said as the two left.

"Now, can you two peacefully be in the same building as each other?" I asked Spot and Jack.

"Yeah, I'll be in me room." Spot said.

"Night Spot." I said as he left. "And are you going to snap at me if you don't sleep?" I asked Jack.

"I ain't gonna snap at ya. I just want sumptin wahm ta eat."

"Like what?"

"Any ting aside from chips."

"Uh, how about a pot pie?" I asked.

"Dat would be poifect."

"Good cause that's all I've got, aside from Chicken Fettuccini, which is mine."

"I missed ya."

"I missed you too. But why did you miss me so much?"

"Because it sucked and I wanted ta be heah wid ya."

"You just earned major brownie points." I laughed.

"Da truth does dat foh me sometimes."

"I love you." I said wrapping my arms around him.

"And I love you."

"So are you still really stressed?"

"Yeah but now I can look at it in a less serious way."

"Okay, because I can make wedding decisions on my own if I need to."

"How bout ya tink a some tings and den we'll decide tageddah."

"Okay. Oh I found my dress."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's exactly what I wanted."

"Dat's great Angel."

"After you eat do you want to sleep?"

"Yeah would be foh da best probably."

"Okay. Um, I think it's almost ready…when you're done you can use my room."

"Wheah ah ya goin?"

"No where."

"Ya made it sound like ya was leavin."

"Just trying to be helpful."

"Ya ah."

"Why thank you."

"Ah ya shoh it's done?"

"Yeah."

"Aight."

"Enjoy."

"I will."

Jack ate and then went to sleep for a few hours before going back home since he had to give Blink a ride to work the next day.