A/N:

Okay so a lot of people have been asking why the other toons don't say they know Buttons and Mindy etc… Well the simple answer is: they don't know them. Remember right at the start of the first Reality Check I said that this was set in a very slight A.U. So here, the toons were made at different times, maybe even without the others knowing. Maybe some were made years later while other stuff was happening and in different places. And as for the A! show, in this A/U, only a few concept episodes were filmed for testing purposes, but because they didn't want the secret getting out, the idea was scrapped and it was literally back to the drawing board.

So just remember, it's not that the toons are being mean and trolling the Nolans, there's just some more stuff to it and they really don't know themselves. Sorry for any confusion and I hope this makes sense now XD

*Talia's POV*

"Why?"

"Because if I don't go then I won't get paid." I explained.

"Why?"

"Because I don't get money if I don't work."

"Why?"

"Because I have to earn my money."

"Why?"

"Because without money I can't keep the house." I held up a finger to point at my three stalkers smugly, Wakko in particular, "Or by food to put in the house which you eat most of."

He opened his mouth as if to continue the game, but hesitated, "She's got a point."

I tousled his cap playfully, "Thank you."

Ok, in fairness, even me and my siblings had been eating more than usual. But it had been explained that because of the toon reflex working up more speed and burning up more of our energy, our bodies were demanding more food. But in a direct comparison, those three cleaned us out!

Yakko leant against the wall with one hand on his hip, "Don't you get summer vacation or something? They're working you like a packsie for the higher ups."

Packsie, pack horse, whatever he wasn't far off, point was I'm still running around for someone else. I pointed at myself and replied dryly, "I am a packsie for the higher ups!"

Dot took my hand and looked at me with a look of calm, "The first step is admitting it, the second step is overcoming it."

I put on a mask of understanding, nodding along with her, "Thank you." I rolled my eyes and pulled away, scoffing, "Now if we're done with the advice column I've really got to go to work."

They all exchanged grins, "Why?"

"Don't start that again…"

Another look, "Why?"

God give me strength, "Look, I work half-day tomorrow, when I finish; I'm all yours."

Yakko raised his brow, "Oh really…?"

Ignoring that, I turned away and started putting on my shoes, "Why the sudden interest in spending more time with me anyway?"

They shrugged. Dot put on her best pout, "You're always working!"

"It's no fun!" Wakko added.

"All work and no play makes kiddo a dull girl." Yakko pointed out.

Dot nodded, "Heck kid, we're even thinking about offering help just so you'll finish faster and get a life again!"

"Not to mention the sub-sibs miss their sis." Yakko finished with an honest look.

"Miss me? I live with them. They see me all the time." I answered, a little uneased, "Right?"

I wasn't sure how to take that. I mean, sure things had been more busy than usual at work but that wasn't my fault. And Flynn had the Youth Centre now and Poppy was either at Slappy's or in dance practice and then in the nights we… Wow, I really did only see them in the nights and briefly in the morning. Never really noticed it before, but work really had started to take over. There'd been a lot more documents to sort through in the past few months, and paperwork to organise had seeped through into home hours too. Even just the other day I'd had to bring home a pile of papers to sort into files while Flynn and Poppy watched TV. Jeez when had things become so hectic?

So they missed me? "Have they said anything to you?"

They shook their heads. Dot looked at me knowingly and donned a pair of glasses and clipboard, trying to look as professional as possible, "No, but the sudden appearance of an imaginary friend in the youngest sibling portrays the need to replace a figure in her life; a.k.a; you."

Yakko nodded in approval, "Someone's been brushing up on their psychology!"

She scoffed, "Well what do you expect me to do during Scratchy's sessions? Listen to him? Nah those books are there for a reason."

"You mean other than hiding candy?" Wakko asked. His sister nodded and he widened his eyes, "Huh, who knew?"

I hadn't really been listening to that last part. What she'd said kind of made sense. No, it wasn't fair on them, they'd had be for all these years and now all this had happened, the time they need me most when all these changes were going on and I was stuck in work. It had to stop, or at least improve. It couldn't go on like this.

I couldn't ask him, could I? Dr. S had gotten me this job so that we could stay with the toons against company policy. He'd practically risked his job and I'd worked hard at it, become good as it even for the best part of two years to make it up to him. Sure, I may have been over thinking this but think about it; a guy goes through all of this effort to help you out and keep you in a permanent position of security with a job and cheap housing contacts and then you take advantage by pushing your luck with time off. My hours weren't bad, but it was true that I'd taken on more since summer. Okay, just ask him, the worse he can say is no, right?

Wakko tugged at my sleeve, "Still there?"

"Yeah… you know you guys are right, maybe I have been working too hard. Look, I'll talk to Dr. S today and see what I can do. But I'm not making any promises." I mean I do still owe him a lot after all he's done for us, I'm not about to throw it in his face.

They grinned and threw their arms up in a make-shift cheer, "Yay!"

Scowling, I made my way to the front door, but suddenly stopped as an irritating thought sprang to me, "Did you three plan that so I'd ask for more time off…?"

They put on the most angelic of expressions, wide eyed with little smiles and hands behind their backs, even adding glowing halo's over their heads, "No…" the sang sweetly.

This is, as that loud comedian Dane Cook, would say, 'being brain-ninjad'. But I guess in this case, I'd been 'Warnered'. I arched an eyebrow at them but couldn't help but chuckle, "Clever…"

*Yakko's POV*

It was one thing kiddo lightening up; it was another to get her to relax. Oh don't think I don't know what's going on here. It's always the same with her. She thinks that if she doesn't keep busy or dares take a minute to cool off then it's back to square one and she'll fly off the wagon with those toon tactics. As if, she's learning faster than Disney moral gets old. Hmm, maybe the gang needs another trip away from things like last time. But this time, uuuuuhhhhh-Wakko can handle the map again. Not like he was letting anyone touch that thing again anyways; it had taken longer than Charlie Sheen's pharmacy bill to get that back.

Meh, not a bad idea of mine, but we'll see how things go. Right now, me and the sibs were on a mission. See, we'd seen Slappy a lot because Little Red was hanging around there; jeez you try one little tower-side trampolining and you loose all babysitting rights. But things were getting a little stale around the critters side of town. Don't get me wrong we aren't abandoning nobody! We just figured we were neglecting our little Slugger. From what we've heard, the big old Youth Centre was one heck of a place; just the kind of place where Slugger could get lost in the hustle and bustle. Who were we as bestest buddies to let that happen? Hehe…

"Okay sibs, disguises at the ready!" I announced.

"What look are we going for?" Dot asked, "Street cred? Rich brat? Cute-ability? Loner? Bieber-wannabe?"

Wakko and I pulled a face, "Bleugh!" he spat.

I flashed my palms to get her to ease up, "Just something that will make us fit in with the Slugger crowd, sis."

She shrugged, "Loner it is then."

Hey take another look at the options, she could have said worse! The get-up was simple enough, the best ones always are, right? Just a plain hoodie for me, Dot threw on some cheesy blonde wig and a pink cami while Wakko put some shades and grimaced as he forced a pair on jeans on. Sure, they were basic, but at the end of the day, we were just fooling a bunch of human kids, no offence to them but the lights aren't always on up there.

We took a test run by stepping from the hiding place and casually heading into the building. So far so good, got a couple of smiles or a brief nod here and there. No cries of fandom or admiration yet so that must mean it's working. Was there any doubt? Now we just had to find our target, I mean, pal.

"This place is youth central!" Wakko muttered and he looked around at the groups of kids everywhere.

"It's a Youth Centre, Wakko." Dot replied, "If a grown up came here then they'd re-enact Lord of the Flies."

Now there was a mental image, "Well at least they're getting their literature in there somewhere. Now ten points to who finds Slugger."

"Well there's no bruises or bleeding so are we sure we're in the right -"

"There he is!" Wakko cut her off, pointing over the far side of the room near a pool-table, "Talking to the girl."

Sis and I exchanged a look, "Girl, huh?"

Wakko caught on quick and flashed us a sly grin, "Girl."

This was going to be interesting. Awe look at the little guy standing there and… mumbling, "His approach is all wrong; looks like he'll need a hand reeling in this one!"

We snuck over; nah snuck is the wrong word. That implies that we were being crafty and intending some sort of mischief. More like, we walked over to them with a light-footed stance as not to be seen or heard. Innocent enough. Wow Slugger sure knew how to pick them. On the shorter side, clothes that I'm pretty sure Wakko had modelled at some point with the red hat and blue clothing. But he had good taste in hair and eye types. And clearly she had her wits about her, because but as we were about to start up the original plan of bringing up the nature of Slugger's name, she looked over his shoulder right at us.

But hold the line, that wasn't any normal look. Heck half these kids here didn't give us the honour of making eye contact let along look at us and even when they did it was just a brief encounter. This was different, and that's coming from us! Just what was in there, got a little bit of curiosity, fear, worry, nervousness, oh and a little excitement; aren't we lucky? I arched an eyebrow at her, she blinked. Huh, she could see us like the rest of the building then, but by the looks of it, really see us. Note to self; get new stylist.

"Uh, Flynn…" she muttered, nudging him.

He turned too see what she was looking at, yours truly. For a second, he looked ready to blow, but must have clicked that the get-ups were firmly in place and swallowed it down. Yikes that must burn. Hmm, still wasn't a fan of how this girl was looking at us though.

"Sup, Slugger?" I grinned, smacking his shoulder playfully, "It's been a long time coming visiting on your turf, right?" What can I say, loner-talk wasn't my preference.

"Uh… Yeah…" he answered, "What are you, uh, what -"

"Friends of yours?" beanie-hat asked, more like accused. Wow put her and Judge Judy in a room together and you got one heck of a party.

"Oh we've been pals for years!" Wakko nodded, giving Flynn a wink.

"And you are?" Dot asked just as accusingly, but putting on her sweetest smile.

"Dani. And you are?"

We were way ahead of her, "We're the Wa-"

"They're leaving." Slugger cut us off. Whoops, force of habit, "Right?"

"But we just got here!" Wakko moaned.

"Actually I was thinking of getting to know your friend here." I winked at the chick who glared back. The glare didn't do unnoticed and I looked back and fore between them, "A match made in the arena right here…"

"Where are you three from?" Dani asked suddenly.

"Here." Dot answered, pointing at the ground.

"There." Wakko thumbed back towards the door.

"Wherever you find us really." I shrugged.

She nodded and kept glancing at Flynn as if he was meant to say something. Good luck, sister who isn't my sister, when this kid shuts he goes out of business. So what's the deal here? Is she looking for a reaction from him, come on Slugger girls dig defending them, even if we haven't said anything yet.

"I've got to go, but I'll catch you later, Flynn." She announced, giving me and the sibs another one of her ready-mix looks that would put Simon Cowell to shame before rushing off.

But a rabbit in front of her and you could place bets. What was her problem? Normally it took at least six minutes before they ran or gave in. I could have sworn, if it wasn't for the moral code I invented, that she saw right through us… and I'll admit there was something familiar about her. The sibs were picking it up, I could tell that much. This was worse than when I couldn't remember the name of the last guy who was hired to clean the Tower; Boo something or other… dang it, this was going to drive me nuts. Make room in the ward, Lohan I'm coming to join ya!

"Awe look at you two all lovey!" Dot cooed.

"As if; what are you guys doing here anyway, apart from scaring people off?"

"We aren't scaring people, no one knows us!" Wakko nodded, "But her…"

"What about her?" he asked defensively.

"I'm telling you, Slugger, that chick saw something." I insisted, pointing at me and the sibs for effect, "And I've gotta admit, I kinda saw something in her too…"

He narrowed his eyes, "Hey, forget about it!"

Honestly, the trust around here is admirable, "Cool it, Slugger, not like that, not my type. But going back to our point about you liking her, thanks for proving it right." I winked, "Nah, I mean there's something a little off about her."

"Not just her dress sense." Dot added.

*Talia's POV*

I'd done all of my work for the day, all top-standard in my opinion, I'd done a good job. So hopefully Dr. S was all buttered up for me asking for time off. But it was still eating at me all through the working day. When suddenly it hit me as to why I was so nervous. Ignoring the guilt; it was also suddenly clear that I had never in all my life asked for time off work before. I'd always begged for more hours and overtime for the money so that rent could be paid and the like… Time off had never come to mind. Well, let's face it, me asking for some of the summer off was not one of the scariest things that's happened around here by far.

"Dr. S, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked carefully as he was sorting through more documents.

He briefly looked up to give a welcoming smile, "Ja, of course."

"I was just going to ask… and I know it's short notice and you're my employer and you've done a lot for me other the past few years so you're welcome to say no but -"

"Talia, if you vant time off, all you have to do is ask." He mused softly.

Oh… "How did you -"

He stopped me by patting one of the files on his desk, "Ms. Slappy had her session here yesterday evening." He explained, "She mentioned Poppy's little friend. And I agree viv her zaht it vould be best if you took time off to, uh, guide her away from them, if you understand."

I did. But it still didn't feel right, "Does everyone think that I'm neglecting them?"

A look of encouragement; that helped, "Not neglecting at all, Talia, not at all. You're just vorking too hard, and it's for a good cause, but the cause is perhaps not understanding zis, ja?"

"I guess…"

"Here," he started filling out a form from his desk draw, "I've been meaning to do zis for some time, but I've been vaiting for you to ask."

He handed the paper to me and I blinked in surprise, "Two weeks paid vacation? But isn't this for employees with special circumstances or…?"

"Zis is special circumstance." He assured, "And after all your time here you've never asked for time off; I sink zis is long overdue."

"But two weeks? It kind of feels like cheating."

"Vell if you're complaining zis much I'll bump it up to a month." He chuckled.

"No, no, two weeks is great." I returned, "Thanks, Dr. S."

He waved his hands dismissively, "Now go and get that signed by Mr. Richards and be off with you."

Oh, seriously? "Jack's got to sign this?"

"You may be my assistant, but he's still your employer by law."

"Fair enough…" I sighed, but shook it off, "By the way, how come you wanted to wait until I asked?"

He pressed his hands together knowingly, "Vould you have accepted if I offered?"

Good point, "Probably not… Thanks again, I mean it."

He shook his head as I left the room to make my way towards Jacks office. Really? Was it that easy? I doubted it. But then again, it was for certain circumstances. Apparently. I don't know, it just seemed too easy. And all because a little girl had an imaginary friend? It all just seemed a bit weird. Were they worried that the same thing that happened to me will happen to her? I highly doubted it; I mean I know I over think things a lot but this was way out there. Come on, Talia, remember the last time you looked a gift-horse in the mouth? All hell broke loose, now shut up and take the time off!

Jack's office wasn't too far from here, just a couple of buildings over. I made my way across the lot and found my way up towards the CEO's quarters. Inside hadn't changed at all since I'd first been taken there long before. Same logo fixed to the wall, same wooden desk, same glass panes making up one wall that looked out onto the studio, water tower in plain view. Only the man behind the desk was new in comparison. His dark hair and olive eyes made him instantly recognisable, just like that cocky yet bright smile of his.

"Oh hi! Haven't seen you up here for a while." He commented, "How are you?"

"Pretty good. You?" I asked out of habit.

"Busy, but well." He replied, noticing the form in my hand, "Anything I can help with?"

"Oh, yeah, uh, I need you to sign this. Dr. S has given me some time off. Summer vacation and all."

He scanned the paper I handed to him and blinked in surprise, "Wow, he actually did it…"

"What was that?"

"Huh? Oh I was just saying he, uh, wasn't sure you'd want time off but, you know, it's good for you to get away from the studio for a while, right?"

Get away from the studio? "You're babbling, Jack."

"I'm not, am I?" he asked.

Seriously, he had to ask? "What's going on?"

He signed the paper and forced a smile, "Just usual studio goings on. Honestly, Talia, there's nothing for you to worry about, you're just getting some deserved vacation time."

I folded my arms, "In case you haven't noticed, usual studio goings on normally is something to worry about."

If there was one little thing that I'd come to like about Jack, it was that without someone controlling him, he was a terrible liar. Like now for example. He was avoiding eye contact, "Do you want the time off?"

"Yeah, but… why is it so good for me to get away from the studio?" I asked, mimicking him a little to try and lighten the mood. Or lighten him up to tell me, either way, "Sounds a little ominous."

"I guess it does." He chuckled, "But it didn't intend to be."

The door eased open behind us and the secretary scuttled in. I say scuttle because this woman was so thin and brittle looking that she could have passed for a stick-insect. And that poor woman was loaded with at least a foot tall mound of files.

"Sorry to disturb you sir, but here are the reports on the project and you've also received a phone call from the other side -" she froze as her eyes rested on me, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were…"

"It's fine Denise," Jack assured, "Thank you."

I deliberately waited until the papers had been placed and she was closing the door behind her before turning to Jack accusingly, "Project, the other side; yeah that's not ominous at all."

A/N:

Told you stuff was going to start happening, lol XD So again, I hope the note at the start helped out with peoples understanding and I'm sorry for the confusion, lol, if you have any questions please ask, and I'll do my best to answer them.

So, what project? Other side of what? What did Dani see? Oh the questions and I'm sorry, but there's going to be a lot more added to the list… Oh come on this is me we're talking about, what did you expect? XD

Oh, I'm now pretty much on my Christmas holidays now so that means more time for updating! Yay! XD