The Saints Mansion: The Following Week

'Have any of you seen Rebecca?'

'Nope. Can' say I 'ave.'

'God damn it…'

We had returned from Hollywood only a few short days ago. Oblivious to everyone, I was hard at work on something I've wanted to do since high school, and I haven't slept in four days.

Romeo came walking into the living room. He frowned slightly at the sight of Emily pacing, cursing in French under her breath.

'What's all the fuss about, Mamacita?' he asked her.

'I can't find my sister,' said Emily, 'I have no fucking clue where she disappeared to.'

'Rebecca!' called Connor, 'Rebecca!'

'What's all the yelling about?!'

Everyone turned around. I stood in the doorway from the kitchen to the living room. I had my sketchbook tucked under my arm and a coffee in my other hand. Connor and Emily each breathed a sigh of relief.

'There ye are,' said Connor, walking over to kiss me, 'Em an' I were worried sick.'

'I'm sorry,' I said, putting my coffee and sketchbook down, 'I was busy with stuff.'

'What have you been bust with?' asked Rocco.

'It's a secret,' I said, 'I haven't had proper sleep in four days because of it, though.'

'What?!' exclaimed Connor 'four days?!'

'Four days,' I repeated,

'Baby…' said Connor, 'why haven' ye slept in four days?!'

'Drawing and sewing,' I said.

Connor frowned.

'Drawin' an' sewin' fer wha'?' he asked.

I sighed.

'I can't tell you,' I said, 'it's a surprise.'

'Rebecca?' said Rocco sceptically, 'surprises? This could be bad…'

'It's not anything bad, Rocco,' I said, 'relax.'

Rocco sighed. Michael came walking into the room, holding Jane's hand.

'What's going on?' he asked.

'My sister hasn't slept in four days,' said Emily.

Michael frowned curiously.

'For what?' he asked.

'She won't say,' said Isabelle, 'it's a surprise.'

'Should I be nervous?' asked Michael.

I growled.

'No!' I said in an exasperated tone, 'it's not a bad thing!'

'Fuckin' better no' be!' snapped Murphy, glaring slightly.

'Relax, Murphy,' soothed Emily, rubbing his shoulders, 'I'm sure it's nothing.'

Connor sighed.

'Go take a nap, love,' he said, stroking my cheek, 'ye need yer rest.'

I shook my head.

'No…' I said, picking up my coffee and sketch book, 'I got work to do…'

'But, Rebecca…' said Connor.

I sighed.

'No, Connor,' I said, 'this is important.'

'But…' whimpered Connor, 'but…'

I huffed. I stormed off to the kitchen, not caring whether or not he was mad at me for not sleeping for four days. Isabelle cringed.

'Ouch…' she said, 'that's not like her at all…'

'She gets cranky when she doesn't sleep,' said Emily, wrapping her arms around Murphy, 'I would know.'

'I agree wit' Connor,' said Murphy, 'Rebecca needs 'er sleep.'

Suddenly, everyone heard a thud from the kitchen. Connor gasped.

'Rebecca!'

Everyone watched as Connor ran into the kitchen to check on me. His expression softened when he saw the cause of the thud.

'Aww…'

I had fallen asleep at the table. I had my head resting on my arm, snoozing softly. Connor smiled, walking towards me. He stopped when he noticed my notes and sketch book. He looked at the drawing of him dressed as Sir Topham Hatt.

'Wow…' he whispered, 'all this on four an' a 'alf days o' no sleep…'

I moaned softly. Connor sighed.

'Come on, love,' he said softly, scooping me up in his arms, 'let's get ye in bed.'

I snorted. Connor laughed, carrying me into the living room. Emily looked up from Murphy's shoulder, her eyes full of concern.

'Is she okay?' she asked.

'Yeah, she is,' said Connor, gently bouncing me in his arms, 'she jus' needs some sleep.'

'Wow…' said Murphy, looking at me as I slumbered in Connor's arms, 'she is out…'

'Four an' a 'alf days o' no sleep will do tha' to ye,' said Connor.

I stirred slightly. I mumbled under my breath, shifting to rest my head against Connor's chest.

'You should get her into bed, homie,' said Romeo, 'let her sleep for a while.'

'And get her into something comfortable,' said Emily, 'she doesn't like sleeping in jeans.'

I snorted again. Connor chuckled.

'Alright, you,' he said, carrying me up the stairs, 'let's get ye in bed.'

I snored softly as Connor carried me into our bedroom. He gently placed me on the bed, going to the closet to grab the Fozzy t-shirt he bought when they came to Boston last year. He gently stripped me of my clothes, pulling the shirt over my head before pulling the covers back to rest me against the pillows. He covered me up, tucking me in gently before placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

'Sweet dreams, Baby Girl,' he whispered.

Midnight

I rolled over onto my side. I reached out, noticing that Connor's side of the bed was empty.

'Connor?' I mumbled, 'Connor?'

Connor wasn't in bed. He was downstairs, sitting in his favourite chair flipping through my sketchbook as a roaring fire crackled in the background. His eyes went wide with each page.

'Jesus Christ, babe…' he whispered, 'why didn't ye tell me ye were such a little artist?'

I sighed. I got up out of bed, putting my blue booty slippers on before creeping down the stairs. Connor flipped to the page where he was dressed as Sir Topham Hatt. He frowned.

'Why tha fuck am I dressed as Sir Topham Hatt?' he whispered.

'Why the fuck do you have my sketch book?'

Connor jumped. He dropped my book, turning around. He sighed.

'Baby…' he panted, 'don' do tha'…'

I growled.

'You asshole!' I said, picking my book up, 'this was supposed to be a surprise!'

'I'm sorry, love,' said Connor, 'I got curious.'

'You better not blab this to the others,' I said, 'I planned on making this a surprise.'

'I swear on Lita I won' tell anyone,' said Connor.

'Good,' I said, 'I would have kicked your ass.'

Connor laughed. He pulled me into his lap, looking through the book again.

'These are really good,' he said, 'wha' is this for anyways?'

I laughed softly.

'It's a little show I wanna put together called Thomas On Broadway,' I said, 'I've been planning this for a while. I got inspired when we made Thomas & The Magic Railroad into a play in high school.'

'Wow…' said Connor, 'do ye 'ave tha DVD?'

I nodded.

'I do,' I said, 'we can watch it soon. I played Lady.'

Connor chuckled.

'O' course ye did,' he teased, kissing my cheek.

I laughed. I traced my fingers over the one sketch, my eyes sparkling.

'We'll be getting the stage in the backyard soon,' I said, 'we'll be using Angelica's studio for the choreography before we do stage work.'

'Is it 'ard choreography?' asked Connor.

'Not really,' I said, 'it's fairly easy.'

Connor laughed.

'Good,' he said, 'I don' need ye screamin' a' me like ye did when we learned 'ow ta waltz.'

I giggled. I closed the book, resting my head on Connor's shoulder.

'I can't wait to do this,' I said, 'all the costumes are sewn and ready. This is gonna be a week long and the money from ticket sales, DVD sales, t-shirt sales and stuff like that are going towards the Children's Choir and the hospital.'

'They'll like tha',' said Connor, 'Simon would appreciate tha money.'

I nodded. I yawned, snuggling close to him. Connor chuckled.

'Are ye tired, love?' he asked.

I nodded.

'Yeah,' I said, 'can you take me to bed?'

Connor smiled.

'O' course I can,' he said.

I giggled. Connor scooped me up in his arms, carrying me upstairs. I fell asleep as the movements of him walking rocked me. Connor looked down, laughing softly.

'Poor girl…' he said.

I didn't move or make a sound. Connor gently placed me under the covers before stripping down to his boxers. He crawled in next to me, wrapping his arms tightly around me, placing a kiss on my temple.

'I love ye, Rebecca,' he whispered, 'sweet dreams.'

Angelica's Dance Studio: 12:00 PM

'Babe…wha' tha fuck do we need these for?'

'For two of the numbers we'll be doing. I'll be teaching you how to tap dance.'

Connor sighed. I had handed out tap shoes to the people who haven't tap danced before. They'd be paired with people from dance school, who will be part of the show itself.

'Wha' numbers are we doin'?' asked Murphy.

'Today, we're doing Accidents Will Happen,' I said, 'you will each have partners for this entire show, as well as this number.'

'Umm…' said Duffy, 'Becca?'

'Yes, Duffy?' I said.

'Just a quick question…' said Duffy, 'who's my partner?'

I smirked.

'James…' I said, 'meet Hayley Terrell.'

Duffy watched in awe as his dance partner came walking into the studio. She was short - about 5'5" in height - with long, blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She walked up to Duffy, a bright smile playing across her lips.

'You must be James,' she said.

Duffy nodded. He extended his hand, his eyes wide.

'I am him,' he said, 'it's nice to meet you, Hayley.'

Hayley giggled.

'Gosh, you're a charmer,' she mused, 'I like you already.'

Duffy blushed. I laughed. Greenly cleared his throat.

'Who am I gonna be dancing with?' he asked.

'Well, David…' I said, 'you will be paired with Hayley's twin sister. Come on out, Ashley!'

Everyone watched as Hayley's identical twin sister walked over to Greenly. Greenly blinked furiously.

'Whoa…' he whispered.

Ashley beamed.

'Hello, David,' she said sweetly.

Greenly didn't answer. Murphy chuckled.

'Looks like David an' James are love-struck,' he chuckled.

'This could be bad…' said Emily, 'really bad…'

'So…' said Dolly, 'who's teaching me how to tap dance?'

I sighed.

'I feel so awful for her…' I said, shaking my head, 'come on out, Emma.'

Everyone watched intently as Emma walked in. She had blonde hair with black streaks, and she was curvier than the rest. Dolly smirked.

'Well…' he said politely, 'hello, Emma.'

'Touch me and die, creep,' snapped Emma.

'Okay…' said Dolly, throwing his hands up in surrender, 'sheesh…'

'As Michael would say…Pipebomb!' sniggered Jane.

'Well, that leaves me,' said Paul, 'who will be my partner?'

Before I could speak up, a tinkling laugh came from the doorway, followed by a familiar Texas twang.

'My God…' said the voice, 'I never thought I'd live to see the day where Special Agent Paul Maximillion Smecker wore tap dancing shoes.'

'Eunice?' said Paul softly.

The woman smiled. She was tall with long, strawberry blonde hair. She walked over to Paul, hugging him tight.

'Hello, Paul,' she said, 'it's so nice to see you again.'

'Hi, Eunice,' said Paul, still sounding very shocked.

Eunice laughed.

'Oh, don't act so shocked,' she teased, playfully punching Paul's shoulder, 'you know that I am a mean tap-dancer.'

'I didn't even know you were here,' said Paul.

'Rebecca called me,' said Eunice, 'and it looks like I got a lot of work to do.'

Paul chuckled.

'Shall we get started?' he asked.

Eunice smiled.

'I think we should,' she said, 'I know Rebecca wants this show to be absolutely perfect.'

'Indeed I do, Eunice,' I said, 'hit the music, Jane!'

Jane nodded. She tapped the play button on my iPhone, cuing Accidents Will Happen.

'Okay, everyone…' I said, turning to face the mirror, 'I want you guys to watch me. I'll slow it down after.'

Everyone watched as I demonstrated the moves. After I was done, I slowed it down so everyone could follow my lead. Murphy growled.

'God damn it!' he roared, 'this is 'ard!'

'Settle down, Murphy,' soothed Emily, 'you'll get it eventually.'

'Ye better be right…' muttered Murphy.

'Okay…' I said, 'who out of you do I trust to hold me up by one ankle and catch me?'

'I can help,' smirked Rocco, 'watch.'

Everyone watched as Rocco tossed Isabelle in the air. With perfect timing, he caught her without stumbling. Everyone applauded.

'Okay…' I said, 'Connor, Murphy, Rocco, Romeo, David, James, Paul, Chris, Steve, and Clint. All of you will be tossing and catching me.'

Everyone gathered in a circle. They grabbed my left ankle, getting ready to lift me up.

'Ye ready, love?' asked Connor.

I nodded.

'Let's do this,' I said, 'just be sure to catch me.'

Everyone nodded. I sighed.

'Okay…' I said, 'one, two, three, now!'

Everyone lifted me up. I balanced in their grasp, keeping my balance. Emily watched with worry.

'Oooh…' she said, 'careful…'

'Relax, Em,' I said, 'I was the high-flier of the squad.'

'Don't you remember the time the girls forgot to catch you and you broke your tailbone?' said Emily.

'That was once,' I said, 'and besides, there are ten now. In that scenario there were only five.'

Emily sighed.

'Alright…' she said, still sounding nervous.

'Okay…' I said, 'you'll be hoisting me up during the line One minute, you're riding high! When the line The next, you're on the ground plays, you'll be tossing me and catching me. Sound good?'

Everyone nodded.

'We gotcha, Becca,' said Steve, 'you got nothing to worry about.'

I nodded.

'Okay…' I said, 'three, two, one…TOSS!'

'Ooh…' groaned Emily, 'I can't look…'

Everyone braced themselves. They tossed me in the air, catching me in their arms. I opened my arms, posing.

'Ta-da!'

Everyone applauded. I slid to the floor, turning to face everyone.

'Okay…' I said, 'for another number, we will be learning how to do The Jive. When we do, I suggest the men wear cups.'

'Dare I ask…' said Greenly, 'why?'

'You'll be swinging Ashley between your legs,' I said, 'if you want children, I would suggest it. Ashley's got a hard head.'

'She's not kidding,' said Ashley, 'the last partner I had got a busted nut for not obeying the cup rule.'

'Oh, dear…' said Greenly nervously.

'Well…' said Paul, 'I guess we'll be obeying this rule…'

I nodded.

'I want each and every one of you to put one-hundred and ten percent into this show,' I said, 'one fuck up, you will be chewed out. That goes for our film and music crew, as well.'

Michael nodded. Angelica timidly raised her hand.

'Yes, Angelica?' I said.

'Umm…' said Angelica, 'I have a question…'

'Shoot,' I said.

'How long will be rehearsing for?' asked Angelica, 'and where will this be taking place?'

'However long it takes for you guys to learn the steps,' I said, 'and I ordered a stage to be built in the back yard for us to dance on.'

Angelica nodded.

'Got it,' she said.

I nodded.

'Okay…' I said, 'let's get this show on the road!'