Round Robin: ThanksgivingDinner

Chapter One
By The Chronicler


==========

"Mine!" Perfect Tommy snapped, snatching the bag of cranberries from Mrs. Johnson.

She stared at him, her jaw hanging open in amused shock.

Popping one in his mouth, Tommy grinned. "Hey, my perrrrr-fect cranberry sauce is known world wide! Maybe the only thing on earth that can bring yank and reb to the same table."

"Besides, maybe, the end of the Civil War." Buckaroo pointed out. He leaned across the work table to steel an apple.

But, before he could take a bite, Peggy warned "You better be peeling that apple for the pie, or you'll lose teeth, buddy." To emphasize her point, she handed him the peeler.

*SMASH*

All eyes turned to where Knuckles was hammering the life out of some nuts.

*SMASH*

*SMASH*

*SMASH*

Feeling their eyes, Knuckles paused, mallet stopping in mid swing. Her bright green eyes rose just enough to see the other holiday chefs staring at her. "What?" she wondered.

"Darlin'," Rawhide spoke up, pushing his stetson back on his head, "they're walnuts. Not Clan warriors."

The kitchen echoed with giggles which grew into right out laughter.

Popping another cranberry in his mouth, Perfect Tommy jumped up onto the counter and watched his friends work.

Shaking his head, Reno moved over to show Knuckles the proper way to crack nuts (not about to say it THAT way to THIS gal).

Grinning mischievously, Peggy tossed another apple across the table at her husband who just barely caught it before it hit his head.

Buckaroo, warring a "Kiss the Cook" apron, glared at her, then, with every ounce of defiance he could muster, took the biggest bite he could out of the apple.

Tommy Boy went back to stuffing devil's eggs, pausing every now and again to remind Hikita that eating any more would not only explode his cholesterol, but it wouldn't leave enough for dinner.

The elderly professor simply smiled, adjusted his glasses, and made another grab for yet another egg.

Pecos, working on the stuffing, and Big Norse, working on the ambrosia, at the same table playfully fought over utensils, tossing bits of this and that at each other.

Mrs. J went on to show Billy Traves how to roll the croissants.

Billy, completely unaware of the lesson, kept leaning closer and closer to the baker as if to get a better view.

Pinky Carruthers was at another table, peeling potatoes for his famous "Carruthers' Secret Family Mashed Potato Recipe."

Slow Motion, in typical Slow Motion style, delicately, tenderly, most caring, sliced vegetables for a green salad. He was going on, unconcerned with the madness around him, until a grape bounced off of the side of his head. Sighing, he glanced at Norse and Pecos. Being unclear of which had actually thrown the vandalizing fruit, he simply aimed at both, sending a handful of cherry tomatoes their direction.

Squealling, the girls ducked for cover under the table.

"Hey." Rawhide greeted, bumping into Perfect Tommy's legs as he carried the huge turkey to the sink he sat beside. "You gonna save some of those for the rest of us?"

Tommy shrugged. "At least I'm eating them. Those guys are using food to wall paper the kitchen."

Rawhide turned to look at the madness of the cooking crew. "Hey!" he shouted, trying to sound angry. Adding to the imitation, he placed his hands on his hips and glared. "Any of you wanna leave something for dinner?!"

Everyone stopped, their heads turning just until their eyes locked on the intimidating cowboy.

Buckaroo sighed. "Spoilsport." he accused. Then he grabbed a hand full of pie dough and threw it at his friend.

The dough struck Rawhide in the chest. Eyes narrowing, he licked his lips. Ignoring the sticky goo splattered on his front, he slowly turned around again and began to rinse the turkey as if nothing, whatsoever, had happened.

Perfect Tommy chuckled and popped another cranberry into his mouth.

"Pumpkin!" New Jersey announced as he kicked open the swinging doors and carried in a huge bowl of home made pumpkin pie filling.

"'Bout time you showed up." Peggy teased. She hurried over to clear a spot on a table for his contribution. She frowned when she saw the finger marks across the top of the mixture. "Front gate?" she guessed.

Jersey shrugged. "Why do you think I'm late?" He smiled at the others, pausing here and there to do double takes. Finally settling on Knuckles and her massacred walnuts, he started "So, anyone brought up Knuckles cracking nu..."

"NO!" half the room (the male half, that is) shouted in unison.

The phone on the wall next to the door rang.

Giggling, Mrs. Johnson walked over and picked it up. "Yea?" Her amused expression vanished. "You sure?"

The concern in her voice immediately drew the attention of the room. All laughter died.

"Yea... yea, okay, just a minute." Mrs. J licked her lips and looked across the kitchen to Perfect Tommy. "Hey, Tommy... it's your dad."

==========

Chapter 2
by TB
==========

Perfect Tommy sputtered. "What?" he asked.

"Your dad." Mrs. Johnson said once more.

As in slow motion Perfect Tommy went to Mrs. Johnson and took the receiver. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Perfect Tommy."

Tommy Boy looked to Rawhide. Only a few of them knew the whole story behind their ladies man domino. She took a step to give him moral support, but Rawhide stopped her.

"Wait it out, lets see what will happen." he whispered to her.

She was torn.

Knuckles came over to see what was happening, it got quiet all of sudden. She saw Perfect Tommy on the phone looking like he was gritting his teeth as he talked to the other person.

Monosyllables came out of Perfect Tommy's mouth till he said, "We are eatting at four, since you are in town, would you like to join us? ... When you get to the gate ask for Pinky Curruthers. I'll see you then."

Perfect Tommy hung up the phone but continued to stare at it. "That was my dad. He's here in town to see me. Since it's thanksgiving he wanted to see if we could start a new."

Knuckles came up beside him and put her arms around his waist. She knew the stories. "You sure baby?" she asked in a whisper.

"I don't know." he said. "But one thing I've learned since being here, you it is good to forgive for one's soul."

Buckaroo nodded to that as did Rawhide, Peggy and Reno.

"I think I'll go for a walk. I'll stop by and talk to Pinky about our visitor too."

Perfect Tommy turned and left the room, leaving it in silence. They all wondered what would come.

==========

Pt. 3
By BBI Fiero
==========

Buckaroo gazed out the window staring after Perfect-tommy. He noticed slow-motion on that very same road walking towards PT, carrying a basket. The indian cavalier hadn't quite joined the others yet, because he was, well...

Banzai seemed oblivious to the table when Peggy threw a cranberry at the doctor.

It bounced off the side of his head.

Turning he asked. "Whats' that about?"

Peggy glared. "You! What are you staring at?"

"Nothing, just seeing whats' up with Perfect-tommy."

"You should be staring at ME!" replied the plucky woman. She bounced on the bench next to her man, grinning.

"My apologies, oh bodacious one!" whispered Buckaroo, he quickly gave her a peck on the cheek.

Reno was holding a glass. "Whoaahhhh!"

"No honey, I'LL SAY WHEN" replied Pecos.

She filled the tall glass with eggnog.

"Wonder whats in this..."

"Who cares?" blurted the oriental fiancée.

"I care!, It smells!....I don't know who made this concoction,.. might be spiked for all we know."

"Perfect-Tommy made the eggnogg, my lil cherub."

Reno noticed Pecos was tipsy. He slouched.

"...It's spiked...."

Pinky Cruthers was addressing the new interns at another table. He rattled off a few of his famous 32,000 unknown facts when New Jersey walked by, pie in hand.

"Anyone want to sample some of my pumpkin pie?"

"Not yet, still finishing up my plate." Norah answered.

The lanky doctor noticed Pinky cracking apart a claw.

"Whats that ?" he asked.

"Whats it look like?" growled Pinky.

"Seafood? for thanksgiving?"

"So what? Not everyone likes Turkey...You turkey."

"Thats a lobster, isn't it?"

"Yes, so?'

"Do you know anything about them? quizzed Zweibel, pie still in his hands.

"No...I know they taste great."

New Jersey noded to the young interns.

"Those things live in the ocean."

"Of course." Norah and Theo replied.

"Well, they're all over the place, they eat stuff off the ocean floor for gosh sakes! "

"...and your point?" mumbled an annoyed Pinky Cruthers.

"They're bottom feeders. In essence you're basically eating a large cockroach."

Almost choking on a mouthful of claw meat, the beret wearing Hong Kong cavalier stood up , pointing a stern finger at Sid, he stammered.

"LEAVE - THIS - TABLE."

Zweibel walked off sulking, he soon was heard at the next group of hungry interns.

"Anyone care to sample some of my pumpki...."

--------------------------

Chapter Four
By Tabby
==========

(WARNING: child abuse, violence)

**********

Flashback:

He grabbed the child's arm in a painful grip, yanked him about with such force he could hear the little arm pop, and back handed the little face.

Tommy whipped about in his father's grip, Biting down on his lip, he refused to cry out, knowing that it would only make him madder. But the stinging blow brought tears to the little boy's eyes that he couldn't help.

"What?" roared the man who was supposed to love and protect him. "What kinda man cries? Huh? You just a big cry baby?" Grabbing his son by the shoulders, he shook him violently, the little head snapping back and forth.

So violent was the shaking that Tommy became dizzy. `Oh god' his innocent mind cried. `Please' don't let me be sick. Please don't make me puke on him.' he begged.

"Answer me, damn it! Are you a cry baby?" his father continued to scream. Not giving the small child a chance to respond, he buried his fist in the way too skinny middle.

It was too much. A gaspy cry broke free from Tommy's lips as little ribs snapped and air exploded from his lungs. He doubled up and would of fallen to the cold floor if his tormentor didn't keep him upright with a tight, painful grip on his shoulder.

Again he back handed the boy, sending him flying back to fall on the coffee table, smashing it.

"What?" screamed the enraged man. "You stupid cry baby! Look what you did! That was a perfectly good table! What? You think I'm made of fucking money?" He kicked at the withering child, sending him sliding across the floor to slam into the wall.

The man crouched down over the broken piece of furniture and began to try and fit them together again. "Damn it. Look at this goddamn mess." he snarled. "Get the fuck out of my sight, you worthless little shit." he ordered, glaring at the child.

With one arm wrapped around his ribs, the little boy began to drag himself down the hall, hoping to make the closet that was used as his bedroom before his father could reach him again.

His luck remained true.

Giving up on trying to save the table, the enraged man grabbed a broken leg, and surged after his escaping victim. Grabbing the child by the ankle, he held the fragile leg out, raising the broken chunk of furniture over his head. With a wordless growl, he brought it down...

**

Perfect Tommy jumped to the side with a startled yipe. Spinning about, he brought his hands up in defense.

Slow Motion stepped back, holding his hands up, showing that he meant no harm.

Perfect Tommy's eyes narrowed. "Slow?" he breathed in between gasps. Then anger flashed in his eyes. "Slow, damn it! What the hell are ya doin' sneakin' up on me?!"

Slow Motion stood absolutely still, his _expression one of complete innocence, as he answered "I did not sneak up on you. I called your name... I called you three times. You did not answer." Only then did his _expression reveal his concern. He frowned. "Are you alright?"

Perfect Tommy finally allowed his hands to drop to his sides. Taking a shaky breath, he glanced around at nothing in particular.

Slow Motion recognized the tactic immediately. He had often seen students doing the same when trying to figure out how to get out of answering a question. Offering a save, he quickly said "Hey, I better finish that salad. You want me to do up the cranberries for you?"

Perfect Tommy shrugged. "Honestly?"

Slow Motion smiled slightly.

"I did it up last night after you all went to bed." Tommy allowed himself a chuckle. "Thought I'd let Rawhide ride me a bit 'bout not gettin' it done, then show up with the bowl.... you know... perfect, without an ounce of work."

"The illusion that you could produce perfection without even working at it." Slow concluded.

Perfect Tommy gave him a hard look. "Illusion... you know what? Everything is an illusion." he mumbled. Wrapping his arms around himself, he slowly turned and walked away.

Slow Motion watched him go, frowning his concern. He wished he knew how he could reassure his friend. But he just didn't know how.

Glancing back at the house, he could see Rawhide and Knuckles watching. As if he could see the question in the intern's _expression even over that distance, Rawhide waved him back.

With a sigh, Slow did as he was bidded. "Perhaps, it's for the best he have time alone with his memories." he spoke to himself as he headed back. "Perhaps, anyway."

**********

Chapter 5
By The Chronicler
===========

Norah and Theo exchanged weary glances.

Pinky frowned. "What?" he wanted to know.

The young interns looked over his shoulders, then quickly ducked back, before Norah offered "I think Mr. Nevada and his Pecos are... well... um... intoxicated?"

Pinky's frown deepened. "What?!"

Theo took over: "Intoxicated. You know! Drunk. Tipsy. Soaked. Soused. Boozy. Tanked. Well away. Loaded. Smashed. Pickled. Pie-eyed. Zonked. Lit. Sozzled. Stoned."

"Woe." Norah stopped him. "Pie-eyed?"

"It's a British reference." Pinky supplied, glaring at the boy. "And the `What?' was not in reference to `intoxicated', but, rather, referring to `what? Already?'"

"Ah." both youngsters said in unison.

With a longing glance at his lobster, Pinky sighed. "Well, better make sure they're disarmed before Pecos tries to shoot something off the tip of Reno's nose... again. Holidays." He looked at his two table mates. "F-Y-I... I'm confiscating your thesaurus come morning."

As he walked away he passed Buckaroo Banzai who was headed toward the table. "Hey, Pinky, while you're up..." the doctor started.

"Pecos, gun, locked up." Pinky finished. "On it."

Buckaroo grinned. "Good man." Then he continued on to the table. "Hi, guys." he greeted, taking over Pinky's vacated seat. "How's your Thanksgiving thus far?" he wondered, stealing a nibble at the abandon lobster.

Norah smiled. "Just great, sir. Gets kinda lively around here... even after most everyone goes home for the holidays."

Buckaroo glanced around the dinning room. "Yea, guess it does." Turning back, he sighed. "So, as you know, a handful of interns opted to stay for one reason or another: projects in the work, too far to go home, not American thus an American holiday... so on and so forth. My wife is a bit into the family thing when it comes to pie cutting time, so she has arranged a little present for each of you unable to get home to see your families." He smiled at their suddenly bright eyes.

Their response made it difficult to remember they weren't small children, but, in truth, young adults with the intellect that few twice their age could claim.

"What?" Theo couldn't help but ask. He wasn't `that' old!

Buckaroo snagged another piece of lobster, enjoying making them wait. When they were fidgeting to the point of nearly leaping out of their skin, he finally answered "Peggy has arranged for each of your to have an hour long vid-confrense call with your families. BBI's around the world have volunteered to set up the systems at each of your homes and... Woe... wait a minute!"

The two skidded to a halt already half a dozen feet away.

Laughing, Buckaroo explained "You're gonna have to take turns, now. There's a schedule for the calls posted on the bulletin board. And don't get so wrapped up you forget you promised to help Slow Motion set up for the show after dinner."

"No, sir!" they answered. Theo spun about and raced away, but Norah hesitated just long enough to say "Thanks, sir. And Mrs Banzai too, sir." Then she too was off.

Still laughing, Buckaroo turned back to the lobster. "hmmm.... this isn't half bad." he mumbled.

But before he could enjoy it further, it was snatched out from before him. "Gee whiz, Buckaroo! You too?!" Mrs Johnson growled.

Confused, he asked "Me too what?"

"One moment I have a kitchen full of Cavaliers, helping me fix Thanksgiving dinner..." she started swing her hands in the air, "the next, you've all vanished to the four corners of the dinning room to steel food! May I remind you all...." Her voice rose until she had the attention of the entire room. "Dinner will be at 4pm. Not 3, not 2, not 1... And certainly not at 12! And whoever heard of lobster for Thanksgiving?!" She put her hands on her hips and glared down at the sitting doctor. "Now, get your butt to the kitchen and give me a hand!"

Buckaroo's eye brows rose as he stared at her in shocked amusement.

Mrs J stomped her foot, throwing her hands in the air.. It was almost a tantrum, but she spun away and stomped back to the kitchen before she could make it official.

Watching her go, Peggy came to stand in front of her husband. "Hint, hint?" she asked.

"Yea, I think so." Buckaroo let her haul him to his feet. "Wanna round up the Cavaliers again? I'll go make sure she's unarmed."

"What about Perfect Tommy and Knuckles?"

"Let Tommy be. His father should be here soon anyway, and..." Buckaroo frowned. "What do you mean what about Knuckles? Where'd she run off to?"

"You have to guess?" Peggy challenged.

"Following PT around?"

"At a distance. You know her?" Peggy shrugged. "She's seen him hurt. She won't let it happen again."

Buckaroo sighed. "Let her be. Just remind her not to jump the Senator until after he does something stupid.. `if' he does something stupid."

"Rawhide already gave her the lecture." she assured. "Speaking of Rawhide..." Peggy turned and headed across the dinning room. "Hey, cowboy! Kitchen duty! Remember?"

==========

Chapter 6
By BBI_fiero
===========

Rawhide had been sitting alone at one of the mess hall tables busy reading paperwork on the latest Banzai Institute Projects. Grumbling he put down his cup of java. He had just gotten comfortable, too.

Peggy handed him an apron as the cowboy walked past her. The woman smiled as she realized she could now steal a moment for herself. Fumbling through the papers Rawhide left she spotted the back page. The Bi-monthly Banzai Institute publications always had a crossword puzzle. Peggy quickly immersed herself taking along a slice of Zweibel’s pumpkin pie.

- - - - - - - -

Reno was assisting a very tipsy Pecos. He had one arm around her waist and another trying to open the door. She was muttering.

“Well, that’s what I think of those news morons and their insipid political correctness! Yood think we were some whack militia group listenin' to them discribe us!”

“Shhh, honey, please, keep it down.”

“Keep watt down? I can say any d@mn thing I want! It’s only Thanksgiving!”

“Yes, I suppose, but it’s not very lady-like.”

“Lady-like?.HAH!!!!!!!!!!”

Her raucous laugh bellowed loudly throughout the dining room.

Reno had cupped his hand around her mouth as they passed their comrade Pinky Cruthers whom was on a telephone in the hallway. He turned away, trying to continue his telephone conversation with his relatives, as the couple walked by.

Pecos pulling on Reno’s wrist, blurted out, “OH HOW ROMANTIC! PUTTING YOUR HAND ON MY MOUTH -YOU THINK WE’RE IN MY BEDROOM”

Embarrassed, Reno turned a shade of red. Good grief, there seemed to be no end to her musings, he thought to himself. “Sorry, it’s just that you’re becoming a little belligerent.”

The couple had now passed the kitchen hallway when suddenly they bumped into New Jersey. He had just exited the lavatory, towel in hand. Reno was face to face with the lanky doctor.

“Oops, sorry Sid...Never mind us.”

Zweibel turned his head to the side; a look of concern spread over his face.

“She O.K.?”

Pecos whirled on him. “Waddaya mean SHE O.K..? I have a NAME you twerp!!!”

He cowered back in retreat. “I assumed you were-”

“DRUNK? HELL NO! I’M NOT DRUNK!, IF I WERE DRUNK I’d KICK YOUR SKINNY LITTLE @-”

Reno had guided his fiancée out the exit and down the porch steps before Jersey could hear the rest of the brash comment.

Sid held a hand to his chin. “Hmm, think that means I better avoid the eggnog.”

- - - - - - -

Part Seven
By Tabby


~~~~~~~

Memories.

Flashbacks really.

Didn't matter what he called them. Perfect Tommy hated them.

"Oh, man." he breathed, shaking himself out of, yet, another painful flash of his pre-runaway years. "Damn, why couldn't he just stay gone?" he growled.

"Tom?"

Perfect Tommy suddenly relaxed. Sighing deeply, he stopped his aimless walking to turn and look at the girl who cautiously approached. "Hey, Knuckles. What are you doing out here? It's cold."

"I noticed." She handed him a coat. "Thought you might want this."

He shook his head slightly as he wrapped himself up in the warm coat . "Thanks." He hadn't even realized that he had been wandering around in the snow in a t-shirt. "Still, you should be inside. Bets are Mrs. J is throwing a fit about being abandon with the dinner once again."

"Oh, well, after I cracked the table she chased me out of the kitchen." She shrugged. "How was I supposed to know? They handed me the bag of walnuts and told me to crack them. I cracked them."

"Crack them. Not explode them across the known universe." Perfect Tommy actually smiled.

Even if it was just a slight smile, it was enough to make Knuckles feel better. She wasn't used to Tom being so quiet. And, when things were not as they should be, she got antsy. "Hey, I got the job done. You can hardly expect anything more from a girl that can't cook anything without it being ran through with a pine spear and turned over an open flame."

"Hillbilly." Perfect Tommy accused.

"City boy." Knuckles accused right back.

"Savage!"

"Pretty boy!"

Tommy smiled again, sending all sorts of tickles of joy through Knuckles. He continued to walk.

Knuckles kept in step beside him. After a few silent moments, she said "He's here."

Perfect Tommy flinched.

"Pinky's gone down to meet him." she let him know.

"Why didn't they call me?" Tommy wanted to know.

"They did." She took his wrist and held up his go-phone so that he could see the record of attempted communications. "You weren't answering. So, I did. Pinky's gonna take him up to the house." She looked at him for a long hard moment. "You know, I could go up there and say you're busy or something. I can take care of it for you." she offered, hoping he'd take her up on her offer. Anything to save him from any more torment from that man. Yet, on the other hand, she hoped he wouldn't. Give him the chance to get it out of his system, end it, once and for all.

Perfect Tommy closed his eyes, thinking the same thing. Finally, he sighed. Making his decision, he turned around and started back for the house.

~~~~~~~~~~

Banzai eyed the man.

He was a slim, tall man; long limbed; blue eyes; short, wavy, light brown hair; perfect, blindingly white teeth all perfectly aliegned. His four piece suit was not only masterfully tailored, Banzai was sure it was the most expensive he had ever seen. Probably could buy a small country for what was paid for the suit.

Banzai was almost surprised. Despite knowing he should never judge a book by it's cover, he couldn't help but be a little surprise. He had expected a hulking monster, something little children feared was lurking in the shadows of the closet or under their beds. This man simply looked like an older version of Banzai's very own Perfect Tommy. And there wasn’t an ounce of monster in Perfect Tommy.

Taking a deep breath, Banzai stepped the rest of the way into the room. "Senator Jefferson." he greeted.

The Senator turned and flashed a well rehearsed smile. "Dr. Banzai. Wonderful to meet you."

`Well, rehearsed, but not perfect' Banzai noted. He liked that. Despite being Tommy's father, this man was a poor reflection of his son's perfect court manner.

"Hello. Please, have a seat." he offered, waving a hand to the couch while he stepped over to a chair opposite.

Senator Jefferson nodded once. He waited for his host to sit before he did.

`How diplomatic.' flashed through Banzai's thoughts. This guy was so fake, Banzai found himself disliking him even before he had the opportunity to talk to him.

"I'm glad to have an opportunity to talk to you, Doctor." the Senator started.

"Talk to me?" Banzai repeated, unsure what the man meant. He wasn't sure if the declaration was what disturbed him or that Jefferson didn't ask where his son was.

"Yes, sir." Again that politician smile. "Down in good ol' Lusianna we heard you were looking for a southern site for a new research location. We have some prime realsate we'd like you to consider." His smile remained pasted in place. "It would benefit us both. My state would reap the many benefits of having the famous Banzai Institute in residence. And you can soak up the many wonders of beautiful Lusianna and our endless resources."

Banzai suddenly felt like he had swallowed a huge chunk of ice. "I'm sorry. We already chose a location. In Texas."

"I'd like the opportunity to change your mind." the Senator pushed.

Banzai rose to his feet with a sudden jolt. he caught his temper just before letting lose. Calling on all his own diplomatic reserves, he answered "Perhaps next time, Senator." He glanced at the doorway to see Perfect Tommy and Knuckles coming in through the front door. They hadn't looked in the den yet. Hadn't seen them yet. "If you'll excuse me... holiday festivities and all."

Senator Jefferson quickly leaped to his feet. "Of course, Doctor. But I must warn you, I do intend to follow up on this."

"I'm sure you'll try." Banzai answered coldly. Then stepped away without even offering his hand. He managed to smile warmly as he passed Perfect Tommy in the doorway.

Perfect Tommy took a deep breath, then willed himself in to meet his father.

Before she could follow, Banzai grabbed Knuckles arm. Waiting until Tommy couldn't hear, he hissed to the girl "That bastard used his own son to get in here and pitch business deals!"

Knuckles eyes flashed with killer anger.

"Stay close. When Pinky says the visit is up, `you' escort him out of my house!" Banzai ordered. He knew if Knuckles did the job, the Senator would not be coming back!

Knuckles nodded once. She knew exactly what he was ordering.

And she would be more than happy to do it.

~~~~~~~~~~

Part Eight
by The Chronicler
==========

Perfect Tommy was both surprised and fearful when Buckaroo passed.

Though he might hide it well, Buckaroo could not completely conceal from his friends the rage in his eyes. Only a few things could make Buckaroo Banzai that angry and they were all the worse of things like kicking puppies and setting off nukes.

Tommy wondered which his father had just done.

"My boy." Senator Jefferson greeted, holding his arms wide upon seeing his son enter the room.

Perfect Tommy hesitated. "Sir." he breathed softly. He glanced over his shoulder to where Buckaroo was whispering with Knuckles. "So, you've met Dr Banzai." he observed.

"Yea." Jefferson started for his son. "Yea, very nice man. Smart as hell. 'e'll be lookin' inta some property down in Lusianna." He grabbed Tommy's hand and shook it eagerly, patting him on the shoulder. "It's good to see you, boy. Haven't seen you in a coon's age. You should have kept in touch, eh." He glanced around, ignoring Tommy's attempts to free his hand. "Wow. Now these are some gigs. You've done good for yourself, boy. right good. I am impressed. leave it to a son of mine to snuggle up to the cushy life, eh." With the last word, his eyes snapped down to lock with his son's.

Perfect Tommy tried to pull free. Not that he was getting frantic, but his unease was intensifying with every second this man had his hands on him. It was only a matter of time before uneasy turned to a relapse of childhood frantic.

After a hard squeeze, his father finally released his hand and began to walk around the room.

Resisting the urge to rub his hand, Perfect Tommy watched him weary. "Yea, well, I didn't just snuggle up to this job. I work here. This is my job. This is what I do."

"Oh, yea, 'course." Senator Jefferson chuckled to himself. "The whole mad scientice/rockstar/adventure seeker business." He winked at his son. "Nice. Someday you'll have to tell me how you conned your way into this joint."

"I didn't con..." Perfect Tommy stopped himself. From the corner of his eye he saw Knuckles and Pinky Carruthers, who were both standing in the hall just through the door, react to his raised voice. It accord to him that, when he was whispering to them, Buckaroo must have told them to keep an eye on things. Make sure father and son didn't destroy the house during their little get together.

Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. "You came in town for a reason?" he prodded, hoping to change the subject.

"To see my son, of course." He smiled that practiced politician smile. "I need you to convince Dr Banzai to build his new research facility in Lusianna."

"What?" Perfect Tommy stared at him, not understanding at first.

Senator Jefferson's _expression lost it's imitation kindness. "Lusianna needs the publicity and the revenue that the Banzai Institute would bring it. You need to get that doctor of yours to think that our state is the best location..."

"I don't make those decisions." Perfect Tommy protested.

"You influence what you want to influence!" Jefferson snapped. He glanced sharply about, making sure that no one could hear what he was saying. The two irritants at the door seemed nothing more than security and they were keeping their distance, thus... Stepping up close to his son, grabbing his arm before Tommy could back away, he hissed "You can influence Banzai. Make him take the property."

Perfect Tommy was frowning. "I thought... you said you wanted to make things right...?"

Jefferson smiled almost fatherly. "And this will, boy." He released his grip so he could affectionately rub his son's arm. "You do this for me and you'll make up for everything that you've done..."

"That `I've' done?" Perfect Tommy stepped back. Understanding was turning into shock and, then, into anger. His voice raised. "What I have done? What the hell have I done to you?!"

Senator Jefferson stiffened. "What do you think your outrageous behavior did to my campaign? Our perfect family image was shattered when you up and ran away!"

"Perfect family...?!" Tommy couldn't believe his ears. So he said it again: "Perfect family?! Where the hell were you living?"

Senator Jefferson's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't think I like your tone, boy." he warned in a low, dangerous tone.

"I wasn't aimin' to please." Tommy growled back, his own eyes reflecting his sudden and equally dangerous anger. "I spent thirteen years with you beating the crap out of me... and I owe you?! You destroyed any childhood I ever had a chance at! You kicked, hit, and tortured me."

"I made a man out of you!" Jefferson snapped back.

"You made a victim out of me!" Tommy returned sharply.

Jefferson jabbed a finger at him. "I gave you a good home, everything any kid could ever want. And all I asked in return was a well behaved kid. What did I get? An ungrateful, out of control, little brat!" He nodded. "Yea, I was tough, but no more tougher than my pa, or his pa before him. And you were well beyond anything me or my pa were at your age!" He huffed, jabbing his son in the shoulder. "Always thinkin' you were smarter than me; better than me; showin' me up in front of everyone... I put food on the table! What the hell did you do?"

"I was your punching bag!" Perfect Tommy waved a hand through the air between them. "I'm done with this. You shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have taken your call." he said as he turned away and started to leave.

But his father suddenly grabbed him and yanked him around again. He brought his fist up.

Perfect Tommy moved instantly and instinctively. One hand came up and around, capturing the hand that had grabbed him. Spinning around, dodging the blow, he continued behind Jefferson, twisting his arm up, high on his back. Tommy's free hand latched onto the back of his father's neck, forcing the man over, successfully trapping him.

"Get your god damn hands off of me, boy!" roared the father as he fought against his son's painful hold.

Perfect Tommy paused, his mind calmly considering his options at this point. He could let him go, letting him go knowing he could never, ever hurt Perfect Tommy again. He could let him go and just walk away. Or he could beat the crap out of him like he had done to Tommy over and over again. Or, with a quick jerk he could snap his father's neck, truly and ulitmently ending it forever and ever.

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Chapter Nine
By Me! (aka: Nicki Knight)
============

"Perfect Tommy!" Pinky snapped, grabbing the Cavalier's hand from the back of his father's neck.

Tommy blinked up at him. "What?" he asked, sounding confused.

Using his son's momentary distraction, Senator Jefferson twisted and jerked, and was suddenly free. Spinning about he glared at Tommy. "So, this is how you respect your father? This is how you pay me back for everything I've ever done for you?"

Pinky stepped protectively in front of his friend. "I think you've done enough for this house, friend. And, now, I think it is time for you to leave... before I feel the need to stop referring you to as friend."

"I am a U.S. Senator..."

"You are? I didn't vote for you. Knuckles?" Pinky glanced behind Jefferson.

All the girl allowed was a growl.

"A Senator of Lusianna, fool!" Jefferson snapped.

Pinky nodded once. "Fine. When and if we ever pass through Lusianna, we'll be sure to show the upmost respect..."

"Don't expect us passing through any time soon." Knuckles growled.

Senator Jefferson glared at the gatekeeper, then, with a last seething glare at his son, spun about and started for the door.

"Senator." Perfect Tommy stepped around Pinky, at last speaking.

Jefferson turned. Crossing his arms over his chest, he gazed at his boy, waiting, expecting Perfect Tommy to have come to his senses.

Instead, Perfect Tommy squared off with him. "among many other, most of which you will never have the clearance to be privy to, I also have the job of protecting Dr Buckaroo Banzai and his interest." he informed his father. "With that in mind, I will not be suggesting Lusianna nor any where else you might have some frame of influence to Buckaroo."

The Senator straightened up, his eyes narrowing. "I walk out of here and you're done in this family." he warned. "No family, no name, no father."

Perfect Tommy actually smiled, though it was a cold, sad expression. "So, we make it official." And he turned his back on the man.

Jefferson stared at him until a painful jab to his ribs brought his attention to the little girl beside him.

Knuckles grabbed his arm and gave it a jerk toward the door.

Yanking his arm free, the man held his head high and made his own way to the door.

Knuckles glanced back at Perfect Tommy who remained standing with his back to them. So she glanced at Pinky.

With a nod, Carruthers sent Knuckles on her way.

The walk through the lightly snow that covered the road back to the main gate was cold in more than one way.

Senator Jefferson said nothing.

Knuckles said nothing.

Until they had stepped through the gate and the Senator paused to look back, one last chance for his son to come around.

Knuckles stepped directly between Jefferson and the Institute. "Just so you know... I'm told I have a hell of a problem with authority figures."

"What's that supposed to mean?" the Senator practically spat.

"That means the only reason I don't stomp the life out of your worthless hide in this very breath is I don't think I could scrape your particular slime off the sole of my boot." She glanced down at her worn, patched canvas hikers. "And any man who'd smack around his own kid isn't worth the waste of a good pair of boots."

Before Senator Jefferson could answer, Knuckles spun about and walked back through the gates of the Banzai Institute. With a wave of her hands, the gates were closed.

The heavy doors of the Banzai Institute closed so quickly and with such force, Jefferson had to jump back and out of the way. A loud clank sounded as the bolt was slammed into place, leaving absolutely no doubt that, for Senator Jefferson of Lusianna, it would not open again.

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Finale
By The Chronicler
=====

"Stop that!" Peggy snapped, yanking the celery stick out of her husband's mouth. Waving the shredded end, she reprimanded him with a stern "You'll ruin your appetite!"

"Already ruin." Buckaroo growled, leaning over the counter so he could see out the window. Knuckles was just returning to the house. "Can you believe that man? First time he's seen his son in ten plus years... and he comes to sell me property! My father would..." He stopped to consider what he was about to say. His father had been dead nearly Buckaroo's entire life. Those few years they had been together was filled with memories of hugs and kisses, bedtime stories, encouragement, and everything else that made parents loving.

Just the thought of one less hug was unfathomable to Buckaroo.

Perfect Tommy's father...

His wife leaned in front of him. "Well, looking at Knuckles, I don't think we'll have to worry about any further unfatherly behavior." Peggy tugged on his arm until he had turned toward her. "So, we are all the family Perfect Tommy has left. And dinner is in five minutes. What are you going to do about it?"

Buckaroo stared at her for a long moment. Then he sighed. Stepping around her, he started for the door. "Round up the troops, Peggy. If anyone is late for the turkey, Mrs Johnson will likely shove us in the oven next."

"And you?"

Buckaroo paused with his hand on the door. With a heavy sigh, he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm going to go say something big brotherly."

Pinky Carruthers still stood guard over the young Perfect Tommy when Buckaroo found them in the bunkhouse. Pinky stood by the door, his watchful eye on the boy.

Perfect Tommy laid on his back on the floor, aimlessly strumming on his guitar. His feet were high in the air, braced against the big screen TV.

Buckaroo smiled his thanks to Pinky as he stepped passed him. With a pat on the arm and a tilt of his head, he sent the gatekeeper on his way to join the others for dinner.

When they were alone, Buckaroo picked up his guitar and found himself a spot on the floor beside Perfect Tommy, with his back against the TV. He waited for the right chord, then joined in. And, since PT was just strumming, Buckaroo guided the playing into a tune.

It wasn't much of a song, just something that happened to have started with the right chord. When it was finished, Buckaroo laid his instrument down on his legs and watched Tommy as he continued to strum.

After a moment, Perfect Tommy mumbled "It's okay. It isn't anything new."

Buckaroo leaned over him and set a hand on the strings, silencing Tommy's guitar. "No, it is not okay." He leaned back. "And I don't know how make it okay." He sighed, setting his guitar aside. "My father and mother died long before I had a chance for brothers and sisters. I never had a chance at a family. I was all alone."

Frowning, Perfect Tommy scooted back until he could sit up. "But you had Hikita to raise you. And now Peggy. And you guys raised Mrs J, so she might as well be your daughter. And Rawhide and Tommy Boy, and the rest of the Cavaliers. You're not alone. You have them all."

Buckaroo smiled. "By golly, I do." He patted his friend on the leg. "So do you." He climbed to his feet and offered his hand down. "And if we don't get a wiggle on it, so as my pretty little wife would say, there won't be a cranberry left of our family's Thanksgiving dinner." He paused to frown. "Well, there is that lobster Mrs. Johnson has hidden somewhere...."

"Lobster? Who has lobster for Thanksgiving dinner?" Perfect Tommy let Buckaroo haul him to his feet. "Do you know what those things eat?"

Buckaroo groaned. Choosing not to answer, he wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulders and guided him out.

But Perfect Tommy paused at the door. "Hey, does that mean your pretty little wife is my pretty little..."

Buckaroo threw him a glare.

Tommy shrugged. "Never know 'til I ask."

Buckaroo rolled his eyes, groaning "Brothers!"

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The End
Happy Thanksgiving!
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