I'm A Believer (10/?)
Title: I'm A Believer
Author: Lisa
Rating: This chapter is PG.
Pairing: None
Warnings: Adult themes
Summary: The Monkees face several obstacles on their way to becoming Roman Catholics.
Note: This is the fourth story in my "Led By The Spirit" Christian Monkees series, where the Monkees and the angel Elizabeth fight the forces of evil. If you are not familiar with this series, please go back through the archives and read the previous stories; Thy Kingdom Come, And Lead Us Not Into Temptation and Revelations and Truths. Since this is a Christian Monkees story, the occult elements in this story will not be shown in a good light. If that disturbs you then please, with all due respect, do not read this story. Peace and Thank you.
Author's Note: I apologise for the long wait between chapters. The last few months have been bad for me with my Dad passing away and other stuff I'd rather not go into. A quick recap: The Monkees are taking religion lessons to join the Roman Catholic faith. Mike keeps being bothered to visit Julia, a witch who is carrying his baby. Satan has hired the bandit El Diablo (of It's A Nice Place To Visit fame) to keep people away from a secret project he's developing in the desert. Meanwhile, the Monkees meet John Entwistle of The Who at a nightclub after Peter saves his life. The Who's co-manager invites the Monkees to open for The Who. The angel Elizabeth finds her friend Margaret in Mexico, and now the Monkees are getting to open for The Who at the Hollywood Bowl Got all that? Good. :)
The next morning, the Monkees slowly made their way down the hurricane stairs to make breakfast. At the bottom, Micky began to yawn and stretch…and saw Elizabeth facing them laying on the on the living room couch. She was awake, back to her usual appearance and wearing a white blouse and blue slacks.
“Elizabeth!” Micky cried, running over to her. He knelt down and put his head on her chest.
“Hi Micky.” Elizabeth smiled, stroking Micky’s hair.
The other three Monkees ran over to her as well.
“Are you okay, luv?” Davy asked.
“I’m fine, Davy.” The angel replied.
“You don’t look fine.” Peter said, “You look sad.”
Elizabeth gently picked up Micky’s head from her chest and sat up. Micky joined her on the couch.
“Yes, I am sad, Peter.” The angel replied, “Margaret didn’t want to come home and she’s now the ‘nurse’ for that evil school.”
After a long pause, Peter said, “I’m sure you tried your best, Elizabeth.”
“Is she still okay?” Mike asked.
The angel nodded, “Yes, she’s been given a room, and she’s been exploring the building as much as she can, but once the student witches start to arrive, they’re bound to start asking her questions.”
“Questions like, “Why do we need a nurse? Why would a non-witch be hired here?” Davy added, shaking his head, “Fools go where angels fear to tread.” Then quickly covered his mouth, “I’m sorry…”
“Watch your mouth, Davy.” Mike warned.
“Are you saying Elizabeth’s afraid?” Micky asked Davy angrily, and started to get up off the couch.
“Well, Margaret shouldn’t have gone down there!” Davy retorted.
“That’s enough, all of you.” Elizabeth said, pulling Micky back down to her, “Margaret has her reasons for doing what she did, and we have to respect that, even if we don’t agree with them.”
“Rescue Margaret, Elizabeth, please.” Mike begged, getting on his knees in front of her. “Bring her back here. I don’t…we don’t…want anything bad happening to her.”
The angel shook her head, clearly torn. “She doesn’t want to be rescued, Mike. She wants to be where she is right now.” The angel’s eyes took on a faraway look, “I’ve seen many, many people leave for war, to right a wrong, to go against their better judgment and get killed or injured.”
“But you’re an angel!” Peter exclaimed. “You…you have powers!”
“I do, but my mission on Earth isn’t to control what people do! Now perhaps you have some very, very small taste of what my life is like.” Elizabeth answered. “Throughout the centuries, I have seen people get sick and die, killed in wars and other catastrophes…things I could have done…things I wanted to do, but I could only watch.”
The Monkees could only stare at the angel, open-mouthed. Micky put his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders.
“I don’t know the mind of God, Micky.” The angel said, “Nobody does. Margaret infiltrating that school could be part of The Lord’s plan too…I felt nothing either way when I was with her.”
Mike slowly stood up and walked over to the bay windows behind the bandstand. The angel could feel the anguish going through him. First Julia wants him and now Margaret might need his help. Mike stood looking at the ocean for several seconds and Elizabeth could sense Mike had come to a decision. He turned back to the group.
“Yes…I suppose we’ll have to let things take their course.” He said slowly.
The others nodded their heads, resigned, but unhappy.
++++
It was somber the rest of the day at the pad, nothing could make the Monkees shake off their concern about Margaret, not even their impending concert at the Hollywood Bowl that night. Elizabeth reassured them every so often that Margaret was fine, but that did little to help their unease.
The Monkees rehearsed most of the day, and Darlene came over to watch them.
“You four sound terrific!” She exclaimed after they were done, “You won’t have any problem winning over the crowd!”
“I sure hope so.” Peter said quietly, “We’ve never played for such a large audience before.”
“Yeah, on the radio yesterday the DJ said the concert was sold out!” Davy said.
“But it will be good exposure for the group.” Darlene said, “The Who is one of the most popular bands in the world right now.”
“I think it’s time to get ready, fellas.” Mike said, coming down the spiral staircase. He was wearing a black eight-button shirt and gray slacks.
“You look nice, Mike.” Elizabeth said, “But are you four sure you want black shirts? I can change them to another color for you.”
“Black shirts will make us look more serious, professional, you know?” Micky going up the staircase to his bedroom.
“Yes, thanks Elizabeth for changing the shirt color. Saved us a bundle on tailoring.” Davy smiled as he started walking to his bedroom.
“You’re welcome.” The angel smiled back.
Peter was following Davy when he stopped and looked at Elizabeth.
“You’re coming with us, aren’t you?” He asked hesitantly.
“Don’t worry, Darlene and I will be with you four the whole time.” The angel replied.
Satisfied, Peter followed Davy into the bedroom the two shared.
++++
The Monkees’ nervousness increased as they got closer to the Hollywood Bowl. It was still several hours before show-time as Mike drove the Monkeemobile, its top down, over to Hollywood.
As they drew near, the guys looked in awe at the huge tractor-trailer parked in the back lot behind the stage.
“Wow, look at that!” Peter exclaimed.
“I wonder what’s in the trailer.” Micky wondered, looking at Elizabeth.
“It’s The Who’s equipment trailer.” The angel replied, “That’s where they keep all their instruments and stage gear.”
“Why would they need something so big?” Davy asked, “There’s just the four of them.”
“They want to put on a big flashy show, I guess.” Darlene answered.
“And look what’s parked next to the trailer!” Mike said, bringing the Monkeemobile to a halt.
Next to the trailer was an enormous bus, almost as long as the trailer itself.
“Talk about traveling in style.” Darlene said dryly.
“Well…let’s go in.” Mike said, as he drove the Monkeemobile over to the chain-link fence gate. A small group of teenage girls standing nearby looked curiously at the car and its occupants, but said nothing. A burly-looking guard came out of the guard hut and looked the Monkees over.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“Hi, we’re the Monkees.” Mike replied, “We’re supposed to be the opening act tonight.”
The guard looked at piece of paper clipped to his clipboard. After a few seconds, he looked up.
“Ok, you can go in.” He said, “When’s your equipment truck coming?”
“Equipment truck?” Micky replied, then pointed to the gear in the back seat of the car, “That’s all the equipment we have.”
The guard seemed taken aback by that a bit, but simply said, “Alright, I’ll open the gate for you.”
“Thank you.” Mike said, as the guard walked away.
Keeping an eye on the teenage girls, who looked ready to run inside at the first opportunity, the guard opened the gate and quickly closed it behind the Monkeemobile.
A lot attendant motioned for Mike to bring the Monkeemobile to a dock door behind the stage, not far from where The Who’s massive bus and trailer were parked.
“How many more trucks coming in with you?” The attendant asked.
“None.” Peter said, shaking his head.
“Can we unload now?” Davy asked the attendant as he got out of the car.
“Sure, just go through the doors and you’ll see a sign for the elevator.” The attendant replied, pointing at the sign marked ‘Stage Door’, “The elevator’s big enough to lift all of you and your gear up to the stage.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth replied.
The Monkees, Elizabeth and Darlene quickly gathered up their gear and went through the door indicated to them. Finding the elevator, they took it up two floors and found themselves in a noisy backstage.
Stepping out of the elevator, the six were greeted by Chris, who looked happy to see them.
“Hello, Monkees, ladies.” He said, clasping his hands together, “Glad to see you here.”
“Hi Chris.” Peter said, “Thanks again for inviting us here.”
“Oh no problem, Peter.” Chris said, “I’m sure you and your mates will complement The Who’s music tonight.” Chris called over to one of the stage hands, “Can the Monkees get their gear set up now?”
“In a minute.” The stage hand called back, “We’re lifting up a set of lights now.”
Chris, the Monkees, Elizabeth and Darlene walked over to the stage wing and watched as a large bank of lights were lifted high above the stage.
“That’s a lot of lights.” Mike said.
“Yeah, well the boys like to have the spotlight on them constantly.” Chris replied with a smile, “Besides, they need to be seen by those way up in the back.”
The Monkees stepped out further and looked with awe at the rows and rows of seats fanning out from the stage. The Bowl’s builders had taken advantage of the landscape to create a natural amphitheater that rose up into the cliffside. The guys had been to the Hollywood Bowl before, but only to watch the Beatles perform a few years back. Now, standing on the stage, the place looked absolutely enormous.
“What a place, eh?” Chris said, “Well, I’ll let you boys set up and do your sound check. Cheers!”
“Bye Chris.” Micky said quietly as Chris walked away. He turned to his bandmates, “We’re playing here?”
The other Monkees nodded their heads.
Mike looked around the huge amphitheater and then back at the others.
“Fellas, I don’t know whether to be excited…or scared."
Author: Lisa
Rating: This chapter is PG.
Pairing: None
Warnings: Adult themes
Summary: The Monkees face several obstacles on their way to becoming Roman Catholics.
Note: This is the fourth story in my "Led By The Spirit" Christian Monkees series, where the Monkees and the angel Elizabeth fight the forces of evil. If you are not familiar with this series, please go back through the archives and read the previous stories; Thy Kingdom Come, And Lead Us Not Into Temptation and Revelations and Truths. Since this is a Christian Monkees story, the occult elements in this story will not be shown in a good light. If that disturbs you then please, with all due respect, do not read this story. Peace and Thank you.
Author's Note: I apologise for the long wait between chapters. The last few months have been bad for me with my Dad passing away and other stuff I'd rather not go into. A quick recap: The Monkees are taking religion lessons to join the Roman Catholic faith. Mike keeps being bothered to visit Julia, a witch who is carrying his baby. Satan has hired the bandit El Diablo (of It's A Nice Place To Visit fame) to keep people away from a secret project he's developing in the desert. Meanwhile, the Monkees meet John Entwistle of The Who at a nightclub after Peter saves his life. The Who's co-manager invites the Monkees to open for The Who. The angel Elizabeth finds her friend Margaret in Mexico, and now the Monkees are getting to open for The Who at the Hollywood Bowl Got all that? Good. :)
The next morning, the Monkees slowly made their way down the hurricane stairs to make breakfast. At the bottom, Micky began to yawn and stretch…and saw Elizabeth facing them laying on the on the living room couch. She was awake, back to her usual appearance and wearing a white blouse and blue slacks.
“Elizabeth!” Micky cried, running over to her. He knelt down and put his head on her chest.
“Hi Micky.” Elizabeth smiled, stroking Micky’s hair.
The other three Monkees ran over to her as well.
“Are you okay, luv?” Davy asked.
“I’m fine, Davy.” The angel replied.
“You don’t look fine.” Peter said, “You look sad.”
Elizabeth gently picked up Micky’s head from her chest and sat up. Micky joined her on the couch.
“Yes, I am sad, Peter.” The angel replied, “Margaret didn’t want to come home and she’s now the ‘nurse’ for that evil school.”
After a long pause, Peter said, “I’m sure you tried your best, Elizabeth.”
“Is she still okay?” Mike asked.
The angel nodded, “Yes, she’s been given a room, and she’s been exploring the building as much as she can, but once the student witches start to arrive, they’re bound to start asking her questions.”
“Questions like, “Why do we need a nurse? Why would a non-witch be hired here?” Davy added, shaking his head, “Fools go where angels fear to tread.” Then quickly covered his mouth, “I’m sorry…”
“Watch your mouth, Davy.” Mike warned.
“Are you saying Elizabeth’s afraid?” Micky asked Davy angrily, and started to get up off the couch.
“Well, Margaret shouldn’t have gone down there!” Davy retorted.
“That’s enough, all of you.” Elizabeth said, pulling Micky back down to her, “Margaret has her reasons for doing what she did, and we have to respect that, even if we don’t agree with them.”
“Rescue Margaret, Elizabeth, please.” Mike begged, getting on his knees in front of her. “Bring her back here. I don’t…we don’t…want anything bad happening to her.”
The angel shook her head, clearly torn. “She doesn’t want to be rescued, Mike. She wants to be where she is right now.” The angel’s eyes took on a faraway look, “I’ve seen many, many people leave for war, to right a wrong, to go against their better judgment and get killed or injured.”
“But you’re an angel!” Peter exclaimed. “You…you have powers!”
“I do, but my mission on Earth isn’t to control what people do! Now perhaps you have some very, very small taste of what my life is like.” Elizabeth answered. “Throughout the centuries, I have seen people get sick and die, killed in wars and other catastrophes…things I could have done…things I wanted to do, but I could only watch.”
The Monkees could only stare at the angel, open-mouthed. Micky put his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders.
“I don’t know the mind of God, Micky.” The angel said, “Nobody does. Margaret infiltrating that school could be part of The Lord’s plan too…I felt nothing either way when I was with her.”
Mike slowly stood up and walked over to the bay windows behind the bandstand. The angel could feel the anguish going through him. First Julia wants him and now Margaret might need his help. Mike stood looking at the ocean for several seconds and Elizabeth could sense Mike had come to a decision. He turned back to the group.
“Yes…I suppose we’ll have to let things take their course.” He said slowly.
The others nodded their heads, resigned, but unhappy.
++++
It was somber the rest of the day at the pad, nothing could make the Monkees shake off their concern about Margaret, not even their impending concert at the Hollywood Bowl that night. Elizabeth reassured them every so often that Margaret was fine, but that did little to help their unease.
The Monkees rehearsed most of the day, and Darlene came over to watch them.
“You four sound terrific!” She exclaimed after they were done, “You won’t have any problem winning over the crowd!”
“I sure hope so.” Peter said quietly, “We’ve never played for such a large audience before.”
“Yeah, on the radio yesterday the DJ said the concert was sold out!” Davy said.
“But it will be good exposure for the group.” Darlene said, “The Who is one of the most popular bands in the world right now.”
“I think it’s time to get ready, fellas.” Mike said, coming down the spiral staircase. He was wearing a black eight-button shirt and gray slacks.
“You look nice, Mike.” Elizabeth said, “But are you four sure you want black shirts? I can change them to another color for you.”
“Black shirts will make us look more serious, professional, you know?” Micky going up the staircase to his bedroom.
“Yes, thanks Elizabeth for changing the shirt color. Saved us a bundle on tailoring.” Davy smiled as he started walking to his bedroom.
“You’re welcome.” The angel smiled back.
Peter was following Davy when he stopped and looked at Elizabeth.
“You’re coming with us, aren’t you?” He asked hesitantly.
“Don’t worry, Darlene and I will be with you four the whole time.” The angel replied.
Satisfied, Peter followed Davy into the bedroom the two shared.
++++
The Monkees’ nervousness increased as they got closer to the Hollywood Bowl. It was still several hours before show-time as Mike drove the Monkeemobile, its top down, over to Hollywood.
As they drew near, the guys looked in awe at the huge tractor-trailer parked in the back lot behind the stage.
“Wow, look at that!” Peter exclaimed.
“I wonder what’s in the trailer.” Micky wondered, looking at Elizabeth.
“It’s The Who’s equipment trailer.” The angel replied, “That’s where they keep all their instruments and stage gear.”
“Why would they need something so big?” Davy asked, “There’s just the four of them.”
“They want to put on a big flashy show, I guess.” Darlene answered.
“And look what’s parked next to the trailer!” Mike said, bringing the Monkeemobile to a halt.
Next to the trailer was an enormous bus, almost as long as the trailer itself.
“Talk about traveling in style.” Darlene said dryly.
“Well…let’s go in.” Mike said, as he drove the Monkeemobile over to the chain-link fence gate. A small group of teenage girls standing nearby looked curiously at the car and its occupants, but said nothing. A burly-looking guard came out of the guard hut and looked the Monkees over.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“Hi, we’re the Monkees.” Mike replied, “We’re supposed to be the opening act tonight.”
The guard looked at piece of paper clipped to his clipboard. After a few seconds, he looked up.
“Ok, you can go in.” He said, “When’s your equipment truck coming?”
“Equipment truck?” Micky replied, then pointed to the gear in the back seat of the car, “That’s all the equipment we have.”
The guard seemed taken aback by that a bit, but simply said, “Alright, I’ll open the gate for you.”
“Thank you.” Mike said, as the guard walked away.
Keeping an eye on the teenage girls, who looked ready to run inside at the first opportunity, the guard opened the gate and quickly closed it behind the Monkeemobile.
A lot attendant motioned for Mike to bring the Monkeemobile to a dock door behind the stage, not far from where The Who’s massive bus and trailer were parked.
“How many more trucks coming in with you?” The attendant asked.
“None.” Peter said, shaking his head.
“Can we unload now?” Davy asked the attendant as he got out of the car.
“Sure, just go through the doors and you’ll see a sign for the elevator.” The attendant replied, pointing at the sign marked ‘Stage Door’, “The elevator’s big enough to lift all of you and your gear up to the stage.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth replied.
The Monkees, Elizabeth and Darlene quickly gathered up their gear and went through the door indicated to them. Finding the elevator, they took it up two floors and found themselves in a noisy backstage.
Stepping out of the elevator, the six were greeted by Chris, who looked happy to see them.
“Hello, Monkees, ladies.” He said, clasping his hands together, “Glad to see you here.”
“Hi Chris.” Peter said, “Thanks again for inviting us here.”
“Oh no problem, Peter.” Chris said, “I’m sure you and your mates will complement The Who’s music tonight.” Chris called over to one of the stage hands, “Can the Monkees get their gear set up now?”
“In a minute.” The stage hand called back, “We’re lifting up a set of lights now.”
Chris, the Monkees, Elizabeth and Darlene walked over to the stage wing and watched as a large bank of lights were lifted high above the stage.
“That’s a lot of lights.” Mike said.
“Yeah, well the boys like to have the spotlight on them constantly.” Chris replied with a smile, “Besides, they need to be seen by those way up in the back.”
The Monkees stepped out further and looked with awe at the rows and rows of seats fanning out from the stage. The Bowl’s builders had taken advantage of the landscape to create a natural amphitheater that rose up into the cliffside. The guys had been to the Hollywood Bowl before, but only to watch the Beatles perform a few years back. Now, standing on the stage, the place looked absolutely enormous.
“What a place, eh?” Chris said, “Well, I’ll let you boys set up and do your sound check. Cheers!”
“Bye Chris.” Micky said quietly as Chris walked away. He turned to his bandmates, “We’re playing here?”
The other Monkees nodded their heads.
Mike looked around the huge amphitheater and then back at the others.
“Fellas, I don’t know whether to be excited…or scared."