The Wonder of You
Story by: Phoenix710&Merigirl
Summary: Hunter and Colleen finally admit how they feel about each other, and Hunter then proposes to her. Exile then overhears them talking about how they want their wedding set up. The two of them decide that they want to hold it on the beach at Headquarters, with everyone there. Meanwhile, Parvo and Groomer are in the middle of cooking up another evil scheme. What are they up to this time, and will Hunter and Colleen be able to be together at last? This story is set right at the end of the never-released Christmas special episode that Tom Ruegger planned on bringing out back in 1996, as a start to a planned second season.
Disclaimer: Neither Merigirl nor I claim any rights whatsoever to Road Rovers, or to any of the characters associated with the series. Road Rovers is a registered trademark of Warner Bros. The song that Hunter will sing for Colleen in this chapter, 'The Wonder of You', was sung by the late Elvis Presley.
Chapter One: A Proposal from the heart
It was Christmas Eve at Road Rover HQ, and the team had just returned from stopping another one of Parvo's evil plans. He had been trying to steal a new aircraft-mounted laser weapon that had been developed by the Air Force, but the Rovers had sent him packing, as always. Now, Hunter was sitting on the sofa in the living room, and Colleen, the beautiful female Collie that was not only the team's second in command, but also his best friend, was sitting right next to him, having a warm cup of Earl Grey tea, as he was having a glass of milk. He had loved her ever since the day they'd met, but he'd been too shy to let her know. He wanted to put a stop to that, so he cleared his throat, and said, "Colleen, there's something I want to tell you." She turned to look at him, and said, "What is it, Huntie?" He put his glass down, and said, "Colleen, from the day I met you, I've always felt as though I wanted to be more than friends with you, but I never really knew how to express my feelings, until now." She said, "Huntie, please…tell me. You're my best friend, so I'll listen to whatever it is that's on your mind." He smiled, then replied, "Colleen, I never thought I'd meet someone like you, not ever in a million years. You've got the perfect mix of grace, beauty, and, most of all, a golden heart. There's nobody else that I can think of, that I'd want to spend Christmas, or any time with. Colleen, I love you. In fact, I've loved you from the day we first met, but I was just too shy to admit it, since I've never had a girlfriend before." Colleen's heart skipped a beat…this handsome, caring, and wonderful dog that she'd been so deeply in love with for so long, had just told her that he felt the same way for her. She pulled him into a warm, passionate hug, and said, "I love you too, Huntie. I just can't believe that you've never had a girlfriend before. I mean…you're abso-bloomin'-lutely incredible. You're sweet, kind-hearted, funny, loyal, honest, and you're always there when one of us needs someone to talk to, or just needs a friend to help them through the hard times." He answered, "Colleen, as you know, I was born out in Wyoming, on a farm, and I rarely EVER saw any other dogs, aside from my mother, and that was only for the first eight weeks of my life. The farmer took me from her then, and sold me to some other family. Eventually, they moved to California, and I was left all alone to wander the streets. I spent the better part of my life growing up moving from place to place, looking for food. Eventually, I got caught by animal control, and was saved on the evening of my scheduled gassing by The Master calling me. I'm so glad he did, since I'd never have met you if he didn't. I'm sorry if my shyness made you think I didn't return your feelings. I love you, and I will always love you." Her eyes teared up in joy, and she said, "Huntie, I know how you feel, honest. I was born and raised on the streets. My mum and I, we had to fend for ourselves, and it was tough. I quickly learned that I had to be tough, in order to live. My mum died when I was about a year old, and I was left alone. I was so glad when I was 'chosen', since it gave me the chance to have a real family again, and it also allowed me to meet you. I love you too, Huntie." She pulled Hunter close, and kissed him, long and deep. One of his arms went up to the back of her head, and his fingers started gently running through her long, soft hair. His other hand started to gently trace her backbone, while she wrapped both arms around his shoulders. When they finally broke for air, Hunter said, "Colleen, I know that there's definitely nobody else that I want to be with, except for you." He knelt down on one knee, and pulled out a small, square-shaped blue velvet box, with a little red bow on it. She carefully accepted it, pulled off the bow, and opened the box. Within, there was a beautiful white gold ring, with a blue-colored diamond in the shape of a heart. The ring had a necklace to go with it, so it could be worn around the neck, rather than on the finger, since Colleen was constantly using her hands in combat. Hunter said, "Colleen, as long as I've known you, I've always admired you for your bravery, your strength, your loyalty, and your beauty, as well as your golden heart. Will you marry me, Colleen?" She couldn't keep the tears from falling, as she said, "Oh, Huntie…yes! I've been waiting so long for this day! I love you so…" She kissed him again, then he slid the necklace onto her, and fastened the clasp. He then said, Colleen, I'd like to sing a song for you, that I think perfectly goes with how I feel for you. It's called 'The Wonder of You', by Elvis Presley. Hunter placed his Elvis Presley CD into his stereo, and cued up the song.
'When no-one else can understand me,
When everything I do is wrong
You give me hope and consolation,
You give me strength to carry on…
And you're always there to lend a hand
In everything I do…
That's the wonder…
The wonder of you!
And when you smile, the world is brighter…
You touch my hand, and I'm a king…
Your kiss to me is worth a fortune,
Your love for me is everything…
I guess I'll never know the reason why
You love me like you do…
That's the wonder…
The wonder of you!'
As soon as Hunter finished singing, Colleen ran towards him, and kissed him with every bit of passion she had. She said, "Oh Huntie…that was so lovely!" He smiled, and replied, "Not as lovely as you, my sweet angel." Hunter and Colleen then sat down on the sofa, and, after chatting with one another for a few minutes, Hunter laid down on the sofa, and Colleen quickly followed suit. They were fast asleep moments later, both of them wrapped warmly in each other's loving embrace.
