Chapter two is up! :-D

This may be of interest - a little background from the episode "The Chipette Story" which describes the shared upbringing of the three girls is used.

But please don't think that you will be in the dark if you have not seen this.

Writing a story that requires knowledge of multiple episodes, which some people may not have seen is a little silly.

As said before, this story is a follow-on from the episode "Mind Over Matterhorn" and that is really the only thing semi-important to have seen.

You will still follow the story without having watched either, it's just a little background knowledge from these episodes will enrich the reading experience :-)

Now, on with chapter two!
And please review, this is my first fanfic.

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Dave, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes entered the Swiss International terminal. Two luggage carts, plus extra over the shoulders of Dave and the boys. Dave was relieved. They were as good as home. Almost.

"Dave, are you sure we couldn't keep our own plane for the flight back home?" asked a teasing Alvin.

"Alvin you know that plane was only to take us between concerts once we landed in Europe, no more." Dave groaned, he had hoped Alvin would have left this discussion back in the hotel room where it ended. Dave had arranged for a private plane to take them between concert venues across the various countries they toured. Rather than working around unchangeable flight plans from airline to airline.

"Well I still say that these long haul rockstar flights are where style counts the most." Alvin continued.

"And Dave still says that you'll be asleep during this final rockstar flight Alvin." came Simon's voice from a stack of walking suitcases. "Besides, this is better."

"Better?! How can sardine can seating be better than that private jet we left behind? Room to run down the corridor, through to the cockpit, into the co-pilot seat..." Alvin gave a short jump into the air. "Captain Alvin! You know the pilot let me watch the controls when he had to go out back, right?"

"Exactly, this is better." Simon reiterated.

Even with the auto-pilot on, this was Alvin that had, on occasion, been left in the vacant co-pilot seat. Their plane had only been booked with a single pilot.

And it would be true to say that even as Dave stood closely by cockpit door to keep an eye out, Theodore was the only one among them with a sense of calm. The pilot blissfully unaware of the little chipmunk dynamite that sat in the seat as he casually made his coffee or whatever needed doing.

"Just because Professor Simon didn't know what all the dials meant," Alvin said pokingly, "doesn't mean that everyone has to sit back and be bored."

Simon just let out a sigh and a groan, then started mentally counting down the steps to the Check-In Desk.

Meanwhile, the girls were walking behind Dave, noting the glances, short stares and double takes being directed at them.

"I like it." Jeanette whispered to Brittany, "I like it how we are actually being noticed."

Brittany didn't answer but a turn of the head and a smile of acknowledgement showed Jeanette she agreed.

Jeanette continued, "Really, that escapade worked out better that I thought it could have. Although we could have forgone that avalanche."

"And be without that 'trend' we created?!" Brittany exclaimed, "That little snow slide sealed our act!"

"Well, maybe." Jeanette conceded.

In a way, Brittany was correct. When Alvin caused that snow ridge to fall by yodelling for help, which inevitably covered and trapped the six of them in a small ice cavern, it was digging for air and freedom that gave them their resulting wardrobes. All captured on film, of course, by the news crews that had accompanied Dave and the rescue teams to the Matterhorn's summit.

"I wonder what our reception will be like back home." Jeanette pondered aloud, "I mean, not a reception as such, just speaking in terms of professional recognition of the Chipettes."

She turned to face Brittany who was already looking at her. Only with a slightly anxious expression beneath her pink ribboned hair.

"What do you think Brittany?"

They continued sharing expressions for a moment, before Brittany brought her head forward and casting her gaze down, just maintained her steady pace.

"I'm not sure," she eventually replied, "Much the same."

"Was that a look of sadness that just fell across Brittany's face?" A wave of concern started creeping upon Jeanette.

Being sisters, naturally, the Chipettes shared their feelings. Considering their troubled and stolen past, the trusted support gained from each other had really been the only thing that kept these three sisters moving forward, with hope. And Jeanette could sense a touch of her lead sister's upset.

"We've just found an unexpected gift of success, the most we have experienced since we met the Chipmunks and made our new name. Is it because we are leaving so soon that Brittany looks depressed? That's not the way to think. How... I used to think....."

Jeanette recalled her earliest memories when she and her sisters were in the care of Olivia, also still a child herself in that awful adoption house. On the evening of that terrible day when they were discovered singing, captured and hidden from their sweet friend when the time came for her adoption, just so they could be used as performing novelties.... Jeanette remembered how she could see no light.

"All was lost I thought. Stolen from the only person in this world whom we knew as family, watching her enter a new family while we were forced into a box, left with broken dreams of what could have been.

It was Brittany and Eleanor who pulled me through that night. Showed me to look beyond the present moment. So why now, on our greatest day in a long time, does Brittany look so depressed?"

"Brittany?" Jeanette prompted.

"Hmm?" was the reply from an expressionless face.

"Today 'was' a good day, right Brittany?" checked a soft voiced Jeanette.

"Of course silly, it's just... too short." Brittany hurried an answer. "You know, we need this back home."

"What, a snow capped mountain or a frantic dance and song number?" Jeanette figured it may be better to lighten the air a little.

"Just... neither. Never mind." Brittany's face fell again as she went back to her downward gaze.

"Luggage off the carts! Larger suitcases on the conveyor machine first." Dave announced to his boys and the Chipette sisters.

For once Brittany let a discussion go. She moved to the cart and placed one of her pink rimmed cases on the Check-In conveyor, remaining there motionless, contemplating the final destination sticker being placed on her case. Until Dave stumbled over her while attempting to retrieve their tickets from his jacket. Truth be told, she was as uncertain as she had been in the hotel room, alone, the previous day.