AN: Sorry again for the long wait… I've been in the US visiting colleges, and have been crazily busy since I got back… I'll try to make sure I'm more regular from here on out. Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to my faithful reviewers – you guys make me smile

While Alvin and Brittany are gone, their siblings are sitting quietly in detention, trying to avoid the attention of their principal. Theodore and Eleanor are poring over a cookbook together, holding hands under the table, while Simon and Jeanette are pretending to study a science textbook, scribbling notes to each other in pencil on the pages. Every so often, all four chipmunks snap to attention as Mr. Talbot looks up from his newspaper and coffee, staring appraisingly at his students.

What do you think he even put us in detention for, anyway? He's never been this strict – J

Maybe he wanted an excuse to look at you ;) –S

Jeanette lets out a sudden giggle at Simon's latest note, causing Mr. Talbot to look sharply up before turning to his newspaper again. Blushing furiously, she scribbles a reply.

I thought Alvin was supposed to be the charming one – J

What can I say… you bring it out of me – S

Simon Seville – flirt… never thought I'd use those words in the same sentence – J

Hey… it doesn't count as flirting when I'm talking to my own girlfriend – S

Her heart thumping, Jeanette responds.

Girlfriend… you were serious? –J

Of course… you mean… you weren't? – S

Simon is suddenly nervous. Jeanette HAD been put on the spot earlier by Alvin… what if she'd never intended to say yes to him, but had because she was pressured? She HAD kissed him… but what if she hadn't enjoyed the kiss? What if the kiss had made her realize she didn't like Simon as more than a friend after all? What if she was just a bad kisser? At times like this, Simon really wanted his older brother around. Alvin could be aggravating, with his pranks, his cockiness and the way trouble seemed to constantly seek him out, but he had always been there for his brothers, and usually gave the best advice. Sighing, Simon peeks at Jeanette's reply.

I was… I was just afraid you weren't… -J

Why wouldn't I be? –S

Because of the way I've been these last couple of years… obsessed with getting ahead… because of the way I reacted when you guys came back… -J

Jeanie… I know the real you… you're the girl who secretly buries the frogs we dissect in the science lab, the one who cries during phone commercials… that's the girl I fell in love with – S

Jeanette's eyes grow wide as she reads his note, and Simon begins to blush, cursing himself inwardly.

'Smooth move, Seville… tell her you love her before you've even had your first official date'

Fell in love? –J

Yeah… it's OK if you don't feel the same way… I just… had to let you know how serious I was when I was asking you out… -S

I…I do… -J

You do?-S

I do feel the same way… I just never thought you did… you were away for so long… without even a text, a letter, or an email… Britt and I were sure you guys had forgotten us –J

Jeanie… I'll admit my brothers and I had a lot on our minds these last couple of years… and being in a relationship wasn't really a key priority… but I promise, not for one moment did I stop thinking about you, or wishing you were there – S

Looking up into his warm brown eyes, Jeanette feels a sense of security that hasn't been there in awhile. She smiles slightly and gives him a quick, furtive peck on the cheek, smiling widely as her boyfriend's ears turn red. Twisting in her seat, she looks at her sister and Theodore. There seems to be a peace surrounding Eleanor that had been missing- Jeanette hasn't seen her this happy in years. Sighing softly to herself, Jeanette turns towards the shared science book, about to compose a reply when she is distracted by a loud rapping on the detention room door.

"OOFF!!!" A red clad chipmunk staggers into the room after the door is opened by an annoyed yet amused Mr. Talbot. Alvin is carrying the lunch supplies for all six students, with Brittany riding piggyback on his back.

'MR SEVILLE… WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS' Mr. Talbot sounds stern, but his lips are twitching slightly.

"I told you I was going to have to carry her along with ALL the lunches. You should have sent me with one of my brothers. Or one of her sisters; at least they wear sensible shoes"

'HIGH HEELS ARE IN!' Brittany is indignant.

"High heels are NOT for running across the hall in… erm… I mean…" Alvin breaks off, realizing that running in the hall was against the rules. Normally Talbot might let that one slide but lately.. Alvin wasn't sure

'Right, Mr. Seville… are you asking for another detention?'

"I wouldn't mind… apparently detention's a great way to pick up chicks, right Britt?" Alvin grins at Brittany, who glares at him, smiling slightly to herself at the same time.

'Impressive punning Mr. Seville… I do expect you to be acing your AP English this year… now hand out the lunches and start eating… I'll be back to check on you inmates in an hour…' Mr. Talbot turns to give the group a warning glare before heading out of the detention room, coffee and newspaper in hand.

As he leaves, Alvin looks at his brothers appraisingly. Simon and Jeanette have inched their chairs side by side, exchanging warm smiles as they scribble in their book. Theodore and Eleanor are holding hands sneaking glances at each other as they read. Simon and Theodore look happier than Alvin has seen them in a long time. Suppressing his smile, Alvin proceeds to bang on the teacher's table, yelling "Come and get it!"

'ALVINNNN… do you WANT Talbot back in here?' Brittany sounds furious.

"Please… he's probably napping in the faculty lounge as we speak…"

'Alvin… it would be nice to have some alone time today… not to mention NOT spend the whole of senior year in detention…' Simon speaks up, glancing sideways at Jeanette.

"Relax bro… Talbot ALWAYS takes a two hour nap at this time…"

'How do YOU know..' Brittany sounds skeptical.

"Let's just say… I'm a frequent flier…" Alvin winks, causing the chipette in front of him to blush slightly. How DARE he be charming when he hadn't even asked her out yet…

'I think we should have a party…' Jeanette breaks the silence, earning shocked stares from everyone else in the room.

'You…think we should have a party.. in the detention room…'Brittany seems to have difficulty choking out the words. It had been nearly impossible to persuade Jeanette to attend ANY party with her for the last couple of years – she would always prissily insist that she had to study.

'W-ell… this is a reunion of sorts… and… under the circumstances… we should all probably catch up as friends… ' Jeanette blushes as she tries to explain herself. Now that she and Simon were officially (finally) a couple, she wanted to be close to his siblings again, too… and she wanted him to be close to her sisters.

"Well, well, well Jeanette.. I have to say I'm impressed… should I bring out my ipod and speakers?"

'SPEAKERS… HERE?' Brittany looks terrified. She's not used to being the sensible one.

'I was thinking more of… truth or dare…' Jeanette mumbles, earning a scoff from her older sister.

'Truth or dare? How old do you think we are, Jeanette?'

"Actually… I think it's a good idea…" Alvin surprisingly speaks up for the brunette chipette, earning a slightly jealous glare from Brittany and twin looks of surprised gratitude from Simon and Jeanette.

'You… do…' Brittany's voice is slightly wobbly, as she tries to sound nonchalant. Alvin is only supposed to defend HER. NOT her sisters.

"I think… we all have a few questions we want answered…" With an uncharacteristically serious look, Alvin begins to hand out lunches while the chipmunks and chipettes move to sit cross legged in a circle on the floor.