It was tonight, the battle of the bands. JD paced up and down, their section of the gym floor seemed to be all too small compared to the stadium outside. Of course half of the troll tree showed up to this, it was after trollstice and they needed the music/distraction the performances would give. But that did not help JD's nerves, still his brothers needed him and as he paced he talked to them about different things Baby Branch had been doing recently.

All too soon but also not soon enough their band was called and the four brothers stood on the side of the stage waiting for the performance before theirs to be done. It seemed unfair, how could they match all of these other, better bands. Then JD felt Floyds hand slip into his and saw Lily standing on the edge of the crowd, Baby Branch eating the popcorn she lifted up to him as the little guy sat in her hair. A deep breath, "You guys know what their problem is?"

JD had motioned to the band currently playing and his brothers all looked at him, "No."

Then with the legendary JD grin, "They are not having any fun at all." Looking now the brothers could see the stress and stiffness and nodded at the eldests statement. JD adjusted his goggles, "We'll go out there and have fun." Then to get his brothers to laugh before they went out he struck a pose, "Let's bro!"

There was joy in JD's chest as his brothers laughed and their little family band started smoothly, almost flawlessly out on the stage. They went though the song and steps that they had spent the last few weeks practicing, Lily carefully scribing all of JD's ideas and lyrics for him. And although the result was not flawless, it was beautiful. A sentiment that the entire crowd shared by their cheering, and if JD had pulled down his goggles to hide the relieved tears when they got the grand prize no one commented on it.

Backstage again, Floyd led the brothers charge over to Lily who hugged each of them and started telling them how well they did. All comparing notes and laughing now that the stress of the thing was over. It took them a few minutes to realize that JD was not with them. Turning, they saw the owner of a popular restaurant talking to him.

Concerned Lily handed Baby Branch over to Floyd who he was trying to hold onto and guided them to the door before going over to JD. Hearing the last of the conversation, it was about the money that the brothers could make if they would perform at the restaurant. Stepping forward she wrapped an arm around JD's middle, "As this is a family band," she said smiling brightly at the owner, "I believe it would be best to have a family discussion about the opportunity."

The owner blinked a few times before continuing, "Oh, so you are trying to drive a hard bargain!" Laughing he quickly doubled the rates that he had already stated and Lily could feel JD fighting between the agreement to decide things together with his brothers and the need for the money.

Swallowing Lily, "How about we put the question to the rest of the boys and get back to you in the morning?"

Another loud laugh from the owner who then wrote down the rates and when to get back to him buy on the back of his business card and handed it to her. Taking JD's hand she thanked the man, before pulling her friend through the crowd to the outside of the venue where the rest of the brothers were waiting. Branch did his grabby hands for Lily before she took him again and led the way back to the pod, not looking back at JD.

Spruce leaned over to his brother, "What did you do?"

Swallowing John looked at his brother who he had promised not to leave out of the loop and reflected on how he nearly did. He would have if Lily didn't grounded him. Smiling at his bro, "We got an offer to be a regular performance."

Before he could say more Lily broke in, "We'll discuss it at the pod." There was a bite in her voice that had not been there earlier. Still JD just shrugged it off and they followed her back to their home. His brothers would understand because it was a great opportunity.

Actually they did not like the fact that he was so close to breaking his promise, if the argument after John explained was anything to go by. Once again Lily broke in, "Guys, he knew that your brother is impulsive and was trying to use it." Looking at each of them, "The question is, should the band take the job or look for something else?" And just like that it changed from argument to discussion on if it was a good idea. Long story short, they agreed to do it, but they had stipulations that needed to be heard, And thanks to Lily, John was able to hear them.