Author's Note: Looks like I can write this a little sooner. It's a lot shorter and full of talking, but it's going to set up the next few chapters where something bad is going to happen. Trust me, the wait is worth it.

Chapter 8: A Talk and a Deal

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

This sucked.

And I mean, well and truly sucked. The clock seemed to go at half the speed as Dave and Alvin sat in the empty classroom to endure detention. Julie was sitting in the office just outside of the room and looked in on them every now and again to make sure that they were still writing lines. This was the third day that the two males were in here while the others enjoyed the spring weather outside. Over and over again, Dave wrote with an aching paw, "Violence is never the answer. Violence is never the answer."

It was silent apart from the sound of two scratching pencils against the paper. It wasn't all bad though. In fact, this was the opportunity that Dave had been hoping for to have a private chat with his eldest son. They were allowed to talk. Granted, this was the last place he wanted to have this conversation, but at least Brittany was nowhere in sight.

Dave peered over at Alvin, who calmly wrote the message over and over, quite used to the detention routine and didn't seem fussed about it. Cautiously, he averted his gaze over at the door to make sure no one was around before clearing his throat, "Alvin?"

Alvin's head snapped up in a flash, gazing at his father questioningly, "Yeah Dave? What's up?"

"Can I ask you something?" Dave asked.

"You just did," Alvin pointed out. Dave rolled his eyes. Alvin chuckled, "Just messing with you. Go on, shoot."

"When are you going to admit your feelings to Brittany? You brother's have managed to do it, so why not you?" Dave asked curiously. Alvin looked taken aback. Obviously he never expected Dave to ever say anything about it.

"W-hat d-d-do you mean? I-I don't have any feelings for-" Alvin spluttered. Dave couldn't help but laugh.

"Alvin, seriously it is that obvious! You reek of desperation every time she's near you!"

"I-I do!"

"Well...yeah! I may suck at relationships, but I can tell when somebody's in love. And just to let you know, I'm pretty sure she likes you too!" Dave exclaimed.

That did it. Alvin jumped off his desk and onto Dave's, looking as though he had just been blessed by Jesus Christ. But that look immediately became serious as he stood on his hind legs and slapped his paws on Dave shoulders. Alvin growled, "David. Seville. You. Better. Not. Be. Lying. To. Me!"

"I swear I'm not!" Dave cried, throwing his paws up in the air in defence. Alvin immediately grinned and released Dave, the Mother Teresa look returned to his face. He looked as if he was in heaven.

So she liked him did she? That's the best news Alvin had heard in a long time. On Saturday, he had started some small talk with Brittany in the hopes that the conversation would turn into a romantic sort of thing. They had discussed how they thought the relationships between their siblings were going, providing ample opportunities for Alvin to ask the pink-clad Chipette out. Unfortunately, while Alvin's heart was definitely in it, his courage just wasn't there anymore. It was probably the only bad thing about his new personality.

Hearing Dave say that gave him a brand new hope. Alvin sighed; now he couldn't get her off his mind. She was more than perfect; her electric blue eyes sparkled even in darkness, her sleek and shiny auburn fur never looked messy, her body was slim, but still curvy and he loved the way her long tail would sometimes curl around his. He thought of her stubborn, sassy, independent attitude he'd come to love and how her strong voice always seemed to reflect that, even when she was singing. He could he not want a woman like her?

Alvin was snapped out of his thoughts as Dave chuckled. He gave a death glare as Dave asked, "You're thinking about her right now aren't you?"

Alvin continued to glare daggers at him, but nodded all the same, "She's always on my mind," he admitted, "I just wish I wasn't such a chicken all the time. We could've been dating for months by now." He sighed heavily and his ears arched sadly. "What am I gonna do Dave? If what you said is true, then I can't make her wait for me can I?"

Dave shook his head, "No, you can't. That's why everybody is willing to help you if you need it. And, trust me, you seriously do need it. I know that I can't talk because of my horrible dating history, but even I can do something to nudge Brittany your way." Dave explained.

"What could you do to help me?" Alvin asked.

"Well, the Valentine's Day ball is coming up soon, "Dave started, "Which means that she'll be hoping that you'll ask her to be your date. So, let me ask you this; why do you get so nervous around her?"

Alvin thought about it for a second before answering. "Well, I guess I just don't want to embarrass myself in front of her, which I'll admit is weird, seeing as I've done it a million times. I don't mind it so much when we're alone, but that never happens because we've always been surrounded by our siblings and friends-"

"That's it?" Dave asked incredulously, he looked appalled at this realisation, "That's the reason why you've been holding back? You don't want to embarrass yourself in public?"

Alvin looked defensive, "Dave, I have a reputation to uphold and if anybody saw just how mushy I could be-"

"Screw your stupid reputation!" Dave exclaimed, "Brittany mustn't mean anything to you if you're holding back because of that!"

"Brittany means more to me than anything in the world?" Alvin snapped back, his eyes narrowed in anger, "I love her, okay?"

"Then show her that you do!" Dave cried in exasperation. This was ridiculous, "Use those feelings as your courage. Who cares who is watching while you do? Scream it out loud from the rooftops if you have to! Just do it!"

There was silence as the two chipmunks stared at each other, lost in their own thoughts for a moment. Dave's right, Alvin was being an idiot for the way he was handling things. It was time to get real and grow a set. The look of confusion and anger ebbed away on Alvin face as it was replaced by understanding and a confident smile creeped up. Dave grinned knowingly in response.

"Your right Dave, "Alvin admitted slowly, "I need to show her how I feel. I'll ask her to the Valentine's Day Ball."

Dave's grin widened, "Good for you. She'll definitely say yes, I assure you."

Suddenly, a human voice popped out of nowhere, causing the two chipmunks to nearly jump out of their fur, "Speaking of the up and coming ball, I have a deal for you two." Dr. Ruben came strutting into the room, looking like she meant business. Alvin quickly leapt back to his assigned table. How much had the principal heard?

"And what is the deal, Dr Ruben?" Dave asked politely, noticing Alvin's look of repressed embarrassment. Ruben looked down at the pale-blue clad chipmunk.

"Would you like the opportunity to take a week off your detention?" asked Ruben, already knowing the answer.

"Is that a trick question?" Alvin asked a little rudely. Dave sent him a warning look, but Alvin ignored it.

"No, Mr. Seville, it's not a quick question," Ruben replied shortly, "It's a proposition. I'm offering you the opportunity to change the rest of your detentions into rehearsals if you agree to perform an opening song to get everyone pumped for the DJ."

"That sounds fair enough," Dave said, "Which song?"

"I want an original song, not a cover version of an already existing one, Mr. Miller," Ruben requested, "Something fun and romantic, but I won't stand for any of that techno/ dub-step rubbish. Instrumental only."

A song writing challenge, huh? Bring it on! "We'll see if Dave can come up with something then. He's good at writing songs on short notice," 'Ross' said, reminiscing on his 'Witch Doctor' accomplishment back in 2007.

"Sounds good," replied Ruben happily, "So it's settled then. You will spend until Friday planning on what you'll require to perform and then from Monday you'll rehearse in the auditorium. I expect to see progress, or the deals off."

And as quickly as she came, Dr Ruben strode back out of the classroom and out of sight. Dave heard Alvin growl under his breath as he glared daggers at the doorway, "Can you believe her? That's the fourth time she's conned us into performing since we got here!"

"Well, you have to admit, it beats writing lines," Dave replied, looking on the bright side.

Alvin groaned and face-palmed. Dave laughed lightly; he'd never understand why the red-clad chipmunk hated performing for his school!

A/N: A short chapter, but a good one I hope. Something's-a-brewing behind the scenes. The jocks have had their fun with the Chipmunks, but which Chipette is going to cop it from the cheerleaders?