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"What the bloody hell do you mean babysit!? I don't DO children Madge...no. No. NO. I will not babysit your spawn.."

Peabody groaned as his younger sister told him in no uncertain terms that he was going to be babysitting her kids for the evening so her and her husband could go out and celebrate their anniversary. "Anniversary?! You just HAD one of those and I had to watch the little snots then too!" "A year ago Peabody, and if I recall you had to be made to do it then too. This is the only present I ask of you all year. This one evening out without the kids and letting the kids see their uncle for a few hours."

"Fine...fine...yes. We'll see you at four...and don't call me that!" Martin sat there watching as his trainer hung up the phone and then whirled around eyes flashing. "JOOOOHHN! We have company coming! The monsters are due at four.

We need to put up the notes, hide the swords, lock the piano..." and he was off in a rush of instructions of things they needed to accomplish in the next few hours.

Martin went off to "clean" his things up. His favorite bone stuck onto his bed, check. His blanket all mussed up...check. Pillow...check. Off he went to check on Benedict and prod him into picking up his things.

"Benny! Benny! Maggie and Ryan are coming today!" he of course loved when they visited. They liked to play and run and laugh. Which seemed to drive Peabody nuts and he'd always order them to sit down and be quiet. It was no secret he didn't much care for kids...and why Martin just didn't understand.

Of course Benedict was busy reading the case, it didn't surprise Martin one tiny bit of course. He was always doing that of course. Fortunately Peabody allowed it since the Abra was an outstanding sounding board for his thoughts and theories.

"It's his sisters anniversary...she wants to go out to dinner with her husband. So that means he's been asked to babysit." He didn't understand why Benedict didn't like the kids either. Him and Peabody. So strange really!

Martin trotted out of the room without issue, he was like John in this case not minding the kids were on the way. He wagged his tail as he was patted on the head and turned to Benedict at the groan. "What's wrong Benedict?"

About this point Peabody came striding through again, a human skull in hand, as well as a gun and other what not. "I simply don't have the time to deal with all of this John." he huffed and dumped things into a cupboard that had a lock and he did just that.

"Oh damn. Left my riding crop in the kitchen!" Peabody dashed off to collect in and came back with it and a couple of other things that he then stuffed into the cabinet...after unlocking it again.

"Is that everything Chrissy? I think that's everything. Bloody hell I hate having to entertain them!" he grumped as he went to check the fridge and groaned. "The spawn liked pizza didn't they? I have so much more important things to be worrying about than this..."

A few more tours around their little place and all offending objects that were not meant for children's eyes or hands had been locked away somewhere so they could be put back once they left. Which would irk Peabody just as much.

He paused in front of Martin. "Don't you go riling up those kids. They end up getting too hyperactive, and won't stop running around screaming and fighting." more like giggling and playing. "Then I end up with the mother of all headaches due to them. So best behavior tonight Martin you hear!" Martin wagged his tail. "Benedict, please no roofs tonight. Last time you did that you worried Chrissy to no end and I nearly had to climb up after you."

Peabody swept away again with a mutter about something or other. Martin turned to Benedict then. "I don't know why you and Peabody don't like the kids." for a seven and nine year old they were mostly well behaved. Mostly.

"Really? But they're completely important especially if they're to do with something like that. Its a way to mark the passage of time and being with the one you love." Martin sat there listening curiously. "I think holiday's are nice Benedict...I like seeing all the decorations some are really quite nice you know. Especially in winter when they string up the Christmas things and the lights with the snow...I don't care so much about the presents though they're nice. It's the sense of togetherness." Martin listened attentively as Benedict ranted on about it all however not trying to dissuade his friends thoughts.

Martin however couldn't help rolling his eyes at Benedict telling Peabody he'd probably go up on the roof too if he could. Martin had no doubts his trainer would do just that if he had the ability to do so.

He stumbled backwards as Benedict rounded on him having been close behind him, and landed hard on his fuzzy butt a moment only to shake himself and get up moving towards Benedicts bed and nosing his cheek lightly. "Awww c'mon Benedict...don't be like that. I'll keep them as busy as I can tonight so they leave you alone, okay? Maybe John and I can take them for a walk or something give you and Peabody some peace. Don't be so cross..."

"Of course I like them. You've known that for awhile now Benedict." he rolled his eyes again. Of course when Benny got like this he could be terribly hard to get back out of this mood.

"Pretend to be sick so that he'll leave you here with Peabody? Go hide under their bed? The kids won't go into their room after all, and I doubt that either of the men will think to look for you there." no one ever found him under there when he decided to hide there for whatever reason.

"Kids aren't bad...but you and I differ in that way. I like kids." he always had. "Come on Benny..." that nickname slipping out again as he grabbed hold of Benedict's blanket with his teeth and gave a tug.

About that time the doorbell rang and the door burst open the sound of feet running filled the usually somewhat quiet house, and Martin nuzzled at Benedict again. "I'll distract them for you to make a get away." and off Martin ran with a yap to intercept. The ploy worked as the pair dropped to their knees petting him and rubbing his belly making him squirm in glee.

Run Benny, run!

Martin knew Benedict was right, it was almost pointless for him to hide away as much as he and Peabody might wish it possible. It was another one of those things that made him once again realize that he got along with John a lot better than Benedict. Still...he pressed on.

Peabody turned to Benedict then and gave a wry twist of his lips. "You're dreading them as much as I are I imagine. Save yourself and go hide much as I wish I could hide away from the brats." words soft and forlorn. No, kids were not on his list of acceptable things.

As John questioned the children and received the answers he sought, Martin frisked about keeping the kids equally entertained. He even thought fast and ran for his leash and ran to the kids and barked hopefully.

"Ohhh uncle John! He wants to go for walkies! Can we take him out?" to say the kids got along with John more than Peabody was an understatement honestly. Martin wagged his tail up at John, bright wide eyes widening hopefully. Walks were good, and gave Benedict some peace.

Peabody came to the top of the stairs then. "Thats a good idea. John you and the kids take Martin for a walk. The pizza's are about ready for pick up anyhow. You can tire him out a bit by going to pick them up." oh yes..more quiet time in the house...please.

"YAAAY!" The two kids cheered happily at this news, and they continued to pat and stroke Martin even as John got the leash clipped onto his collar and he danced about a bit. A walk would be nice, truthfully!

"Ohhh Uncle John was going to sat Sweet Mother of God!" Maggie gaspedi in horror at her brother's words "I'm telling Uncle Peabody you have a potty mouth!" "Do not!" "Do so! And so does Uncle John!" Maggie stuck her tongue out triumphantly. Though she forgot all this the moment Benedict was called.

"Benedict!" she cooed and snagged a hand even as Ryan did the same. "Yay! Martin gets walkies, and we get pizza and to play with Benedict!" Peabody saw the pleading look and shrugged. "Sorry about this Benedict. Every man, and pokemon for himself though. Have fun with the brats!" how cheery he sounded. Of course he was. He got a reprieve! At this point he didn't even mind that John had almost slipped up with his pet name.

Oh but later he would mind...and let it be known. Once the house was put back to rights. Oh yes... a grin crossed Peabody's face. There would be no claiming it was for science this evening no...

Martin was prancing about and couldn't help but run for the grass to do his business. He had been about ready to need out anyhow, so this was good. That done he was all wagging tail and panting tongue as he trotted along with John, watching Benedict and the kids ahead of them. At least the pizza place was only a few blocks away.

"Uncle Jooohhhhnnn...can we get ice cream for dessert?" "Ohhh yes please! Can we? Mummy said we could have a treat!" "Pleeeaaaassse?"

The kids gave him a sugary sweet smile at the "lecture" given to them and a chorused "We'll be good uncle John!" though everyone probably was aware of the fact that within minutes one or both of them would very likely once again be naughty. It was how it always was, after all.

Martin for his part was quite excited for the walk even if his friend was not, and he momentarily forgot about his plans to keep the kids entertained as they got underway. They were more entranced with holding the Abra's hands at this point while John walked Martin.

Of course things happened just as Benedict had predicted, though perhaps unexpectedly was Maggie sharing her ice cream with the Lilipup curled at her feet, Martin licking the few spoonfuls he was given eagerly, and before long his furry little body was shifting and twitching of its own accord as the sugar began to course through him.

The walk back was difficult for him. He wanted to run! Why wouldn't John run!? more than once he felt his leash tugged on, collar pulling against his throat, and he partially going up on hind legs as front ones came off the ground. Not that it bothered him, or deterred him. Quite the opposite really. It seemed more like Martin was seeing how far he could strain against collar and leash before choking himself any, a slightly hoarse pant finally coming to him just as they reached the door to 221B Barton street when John finally gave up trying to balance pizzas and hold the leash and finally let go of the leash sending Martin tumbling arse over teakettles where he landed in a fuzzy heap against the bottom step, lower half pressed against the flat of the step, wagging tail in the air as his upper back and head were on the sidewalk, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth.

Of course the kids found this amusing once Maggie realized Martin was okay and not hurt and her horrified expression changed to giggles. Of course once inside they each ate a few bites of their pizza...and then began to be rambunctious snots...as they were known to do once sugared up. They argued back and forth, and picked at one another till Ryan was chasing Maggie through the halls, with her screaming as if someone were attempting to murder her...all the while Martin was yapping furiously at Ryan's heels playing along. This was great fun! ....for him.

Peabody was stone still at the window, counting down the time...and there was a sharp "ENOUGH. Sit down, shut up. Your mother is here." that pulled the kids up short and they each dropped onto the couch looking like little angels. Martin stopped where he was, collapsing in a panting heap on the floor, tail wagging weakly against the floor, eyes bright.

If Benedict had told Martin his predictions, the lilipup would have been awestruck after the fact that it had all come true, exactly as the other had said it would!

Martin was wired, and there was no two ways about this, oblivious he was to everything else around him, including his own behavior at that point. He wanted to RUN!

Peabody's sister came in moments later and hugged and kissed her precious children, cooing over them, and to his distaste..hugging Peabody and thanking him. "Say goodnight children." "Good night uncle Peabody, good night uncle John!" "Good night Martin....say where's Benedict? I can't leave without saying goodbye!" "Nonsense we need to go. Come along children." "Byyyye Benedict!" the kids called out as they left.

Martin crawled to his bed and flopped with a yawn, tail wagging tiredly as the sugar rush started to fade. "About bloody time. Now, to put things back to right. Come along John."