Road Rovers: Trouble in Tehran

Story by: Phoenix710

Summary: With Hunter's birthday coming up in a week, Colleen enlists the aid of Hunter's mom Starlight, the other Rovers, and everyone else, to make her soulmate's birthday celebration one that he'll remember forever, and she also intends to show him just how much he means to her. Their plans are cut short, however, as Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, the insane dictator that rules Iran, hatches a plan to bomb America and it's allies off the map with a giant bomber. Will the Rovers be able to stop his evil scheme, and return home in time for Hunter's birthday?

Disclaimer: I claim no rights whatsoever to Road Rovers, or to any of the characters associated with the series. Road Rovers, and all associated characters, are registered trademarks of Warner Brothers. All original characters are products of my imagination.

Songs for this chapter:

Hunter's song-'Change The World'-V6

Colleen's Song-'Reason'-Nami Tamaki

Chapter One: Summer Fun

Colleen began to stir, as the sun rose into the sky on this beautifully clear morning in late June. She sat up, rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, and then she looked over beside her. Hunter was still sleeping peacefully, and Colleen smiled when she saw the sunlight play across his golden fur. She reached out and gently ran her fingers over his cheek, before whispering, "Good Morning, Huntie-Wuntie." Hunter yawned, and then he sat up, and looked into his wife's lovely blue eyes. He said, "Good morning, sweetheart. How's my lovely English Rose doing this morning?" Colleen leaned against him, and replied, "I'm doing just fine, Huntie. How 'bout you?" He smiled, and fixed his warm, loving brown eyes on her, before replying, "I couldn't be better, Colleen. Just being with you is enough to make me feel like I'm on top of the world…I'll never leave you Colleen…I promise you that, from the bottom of my heart. I love you, and I always will." Colleen gently wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and replied, "I love you too, Huntie…always and forever." They stayed like that for a few moments, until they both felt the need to come up for air. Hunter looked into the shimmering blue depths of Colleen's eyes, and then he said, "Colleen, I really must be the luckiest dog on the planet…I've got a great bunch of loyal friends, but most of all…I've got the best family that anyone could have…my sweet, loving mother, our three kids, and the most beautiful, loyal wife that anyone could ever hope for. Destiny surely has smiled upon us, Colleen…because we were destined to meet, and I know that we'll be together forever, united by our love."

Colleen leaned in and kissed Hunter again, and then she replied, "Yes, Huntie…nothing will ever separate us…I love you more than anything, and I'd give my last breath for you. My love will belong to you, and only you, until the day my heart stops beating." Hunter pulled Colleen close, and just held her for a few minutes, as she sat in his lap, with her head on his chest. After a few moments, she lifted her head up, and said, "Huntie…your birthday's coming up in a week…and I've got some very special plans for your special night." Hunter knew that Colleen would stop at nothing to give him the best birthday he could imagine, and so he replied, "Colleen, your love is more than enough of a gift…there's nothing else in this entire planet, that's as precious to me as the love that we share." She replied, "Huntie, you're such a sweet, wonderful dog. Still, it's your birthday, and you threw me the most wonderful party I've ever had when my birthday came…so it's my turn to return the favor. Besides…your mum's really looking forward to spending some time with the kids and I when we head out shopping later…and you deserve nothing but the best, since you're not only the best friend I've ever had…you're also the most fantastic leader…and you've been nothing but wonderful to me, since that magical day when I was lucky enough to become your wife. Since then, you've become a wonderful, loving father, and the kids all love you, just like I do. You deserve to be happy on your special day, Huntie. After all, you've brought so much joy into the lives of everyone here…we'd be lost without you, especially me." Hunter said, "I know, sweetie. I don't know what I'd do without you, Colleen…you've always been there for me, and as long as we're both together, I know that our love will see us through any obstacles. Now then…before we get the kids up, I'd like to sing for you, Colleen. It's one of my favorites, a song that expresses how wonderful my life has been, since we've been together." Colleen smiled, and replied, "Huntie, I couldn't imagine being with anyone other than you. You've become the core of my heart and soul, and I'd die inside if I lost you. Please, go ahead and sing for me, Huntie." Hunter smiled, and then he cleared his throat, before serenading Colleen with the song 'Change The World', by V6.

'I want to change the world,

Keep on holding on your desire,

You will get a shining love,

That you can reach alone

If you go on to get your goal,

It's wonderland.

I felt so worried when I spent all the time

thinking of the future of us

'Cause I know, there's nothing

That I really want to know.

And then I met you, so I could feel,

What you should know:

I've finally found your love,

And now I'm really feeling all right,

'Cause the nightmare has gone,

This is the way to love you.

I want to change the world,

Walk again never miss the way,

Don't be afraid I'm with you,

And we can fly away,

If you can stay with me forever,

Change my mind,

Won't get lost if your passion's true,

I'm gonna fly with you again,

So you can spread your wings,

And you will fly with me away,

It's wonderland.

We gotta swim against the tide and the flow

Till the day when we'll get your goal

You will see that your desire

Will be granted again

This is the feeling you'll understand

The troubled life...

It won't be too bad to face

And any problem you will see

Will not to be too hard

If I can walk beside you

I want to change the world

Walk again, fight against the wind

Don't be afraid to be true

'Cause now you have to bring

The power of your smile on your face

Change my mind

Keep on holding on your desire

You will get a shining love

That you can reach alone

If you go on to get your goal

It's wonderland.

I want to change the world,

Walk again never miss the way,

Don't be afraid I'm with you,

And we can fly away,

If you can stay with me forever,

Change my mind,

Won't get lost if your passion's true,

I'm gonna fly with you again,

So you can spread your wings,

And you will fly with me away,

It's wonderland.'

Colleen had tears of joy in her eyes, once Hunter finished with his song. She pulled him into a hug, giving him every bit of her unending love and passion. Hunter wrapped his arms gently around her shoulders, never wanting to let go of his beautiful angel. She said, "Thank you so much, Huntie…I've got one for you too…I found it on that CD that Polly gave me, when we visited the Pizza Cats over in Little Tokyo. It's called 'Reason', by Nami Tamaki." Hunter kissed Colleen on the nose, and then he replied, "Colleen, I love it when you sing for me. Go right ahead, my English Rose." Colleen smiled, and then she began singing, letting the lovely music express her love for the wonderful male Retriever-mix that she loved with all her heart.

'The further we are apart, the nearer I feel you are.
Even my loneliness turns into strength... when I think of you.

In a time where streets, people and dreams change,
I could only oppose them.
I still did not realize,
That there are things that can't be conveyed even with words.

My lost dreams of wanting to hold you by my side,
For them, you said, "Don't give up!"

The further we are apart, the nearer I feel you are.
Even my loneliness turns into strength... when I think of you.
The thing that pierces the gentle chest, that's a fragment of my dream.
Believe once more in the miracle that is our chanced meeting.

In the days without you, I've stopped moving.
But now I am walking out of here.
All the coincidences we shared, certainly
They all have their meanings.

When our dreams comes true one by one, and we meet again,
The coincidences become destiny.

If even the torn promises can change into vows,
Can we also change back to the two of us from the time we met at that place?
The dear faces that resemble "kindness".

I can see with my eyes closed, I know you are here without our hands touching.

Even if I can't see the astrayed answers tomorrow,
I carry the truth known as "today" in order to meet you.

The further we are apart, the nearer I feel you are.
Even my loneliness turns into strength... when I think of you.
The thing that pierces the gentle chest, that's a fragment of my dream.
As it is, believe once more in the miracle that is our chanced meeting.'

Hunter pulled Colleen close, and said, "Colleen, no matter how many times I hear you sing, it sounds more beautiful every time. I'm so glad that fate brought us together, Colleen…I'd never be able to love anyone other than you." She replied, "I know, Huntie…we truly are soulmates, and nothing will ever break us apart." Starlight came in, and smiled at the sight of her son and daughter hugging one another. She said, "Good morning, Hunter. How are you and my lovely daughter this morning?" Hunter walked over and hugged his mother, and Colleen followed after him. Hunter said, "Morning, mom. Colleen's just fine, and so am I. After all…when I've got a wonderful wife like her, not to mention the best mother in the world, how could I not be happy?" The twins came in just then, and Kayla followed. The little girl was now two years old, and she was looking more and more like a little version of Colleen with each passing day. She had the same sparkling blue eyes, the same soft fur, and she also had the beginnings of her mother's incredible agility. She was too young to learn martial arts yet, but that didn't stop her from trying to imitate her mother when she practiced. She said, "Good morning, mama." Colleen bent down and scooped her youngest daughter into her arms. She said, "Good morning, my little angel." She walked over and hugged her twins, and then Hunter repeated the ritual, along with Starlight. Colleen looked over at Starlight, as she gently held onto Kayla. She could clearly see where Hunter had gotten his charming personality from, along with his golden heart. She said, "How about if we all go and eat breakfast, and then we can head out to pick up Huntie's birthday gifts. After that, we can maybe have a picnic lunch on the beach. How's that sound?" Hunter and Starlight both smiled, and so did the kids. Cassie high-fived her brother, and said, "Hey Alex…I'll race ya downstairs!" Hunter stopped them, and said, "No running on the stairs, you two. I don't want you getting hurt." They both knew that their father was right, and Alex replied, "Sorry, dad…Cassie and I just get carried away at times." Colleen joined Hunter, and she said, "It's okay, Alex…just remember that your father and I both love you and your sisters very much, and we're only looking out for you." Cassie replied, "I love you too, Mom." With smiles all around, the happy family headed downstairs for breakfast.

As Hunter and his family entered the living room, they found Blitz and Samantha sitting together on the couch, watching the morning news, while their daughter Karina colored nearby. Exile was playing with his son Alek, driving his little Hot Wheels cars around on the playset that Alek had received as a Christmas gift from his mother. Kasha's pretty face lit up in a smile, as she watched her big, strong husband act like a gentle teddy bear with their adorable son. Alek looked so much like Exile, aside from his fur being a slightly darker color. He had the same good-natured sense of humor, along with the gentle personality. Alek looked over at his mother, and said, "Mom, why are you not playing with dad and I? Toy cars are funski." Exile said, "Come, my little snowflower…there is plenty of room here for you, and lots of cars." Kasha couldn't bear to say no, and so she headed over, and within minutes, the three of them were having a grand time driving around through pretend carwashes, having fantasy races, and just being a family. Exile loved his wife and son, just as much as he cared for his friends. He'd do anything for them, and he knew that the same held true for everyone else.

Blitz smiled when he noticed Hunter and Colleen walk in, followed closely by Starlight, and the kids. He walked over and shook Hunter's hand, and then he gently hugged Colleen, along with Starlight, before lightly ruffling the fur on his godson's head, and gently hugging Cassie and Kayla. Hunter said, "Morning, Blitz. How's it going?" He replied, "Just great, Hunter. Sam's doing fine, and so's Karina." Hunter replied, "That's great, buddy. Colleen and the kids are happy and healthy, and so's my mom." Exile said, "Good Morning, Comrade Hunter…and Good Morning to all my other fellow Road Rovers!" He gently hugged everyone in turn, being careful not to squeeze them too hard. Kasha repeated the process, and then Shag joined them. After they'd all greeted each other, they walked into the kitchen.

Hunter decided to make something different for breakfast today, so he got some bread out of the freezer, thawed it, and then he got some eggs, some bacon, and some cheese, and proceeded to make some bacon/egg/cheese breakfast sandwiches. He placed some apple slices on everyone's plate, and then he poured some milk, before calling out, "BREAKFAST TIME!" The other Rovers took their usual spots around the table, and Colleen said, "Huntie, you really are incredible, honestly. Even when it's something simple like a breakfast sandwich, you find a way to make it special." Hunter replied, "Thanks, Colleen." He sat down next to the beautiful Collie, and they all enjoyed their breakfast together. After they finished eating, Hunter and Blitz cleaned up the table, while Samantha and Kasha did the dishes. Once everything was cleaned up, Hunter said goodbye to his wife and mother, as they headed out with the other Rovers, to pick up Hunter's birthday presents. Hunter headed up to his room, and decided to watch the History Channel until the others returned home.

Out at the mall...

Colleen landed the Turbojet Rover within walking distance of the local mall, and then she headed inside, along with the others. They all agreed to meet up at 11:00am at the entrance to the Food Court, and then they headed off. Colleen browsed casually through the first few stores that she entered, not really seeing anything that she wanted to get. Hunter wasn't really that big on cologne, and he had more than enough shirts and jeans. The kids had already purchased their gifts. Cassie and Alex had combined their allowances, which they'd saved up for the past three months, and bought a new men's bathrobe for their father, since his old one was starting to wear out. After her children rejoined her, Colleen headed into a small jewelry store, and she'd looked through two cases, when something in the third case caught her eye. It was a simple silver ring, with a heart engraved onto it, along with the symbol for infinity. She knew right then, that this was what she wanted. The combination of the heart and the infinity symbol, meaning 'Endless Love', truly summed up her feelings for Hunter, and so she waved to get the attention of the sales clerk. Five minutes later, she headed out of the store, with a smile on her face.

Starlight found the perfect gift for her wonderful son with very little trouble. It was a men's sport watch, with built in compass and stopwatch. She had it gift-wrapped, and then she headed out to meet up with Colleen and her grandchildren, so that they could walk around and talk, while they waited for the others.

Blitz and Sam, along with Karina, headed into one of the electronics stores. After browsing for a few moments, Samantha spotted a laptop computer, which was just right for Hunter. She said, "Blitz, I think I found something. You know how Hunter said his old laptop got messed up, when that pesky hacker that called himself 'Da Wyzard' acted up a couple weeks ago?" Blitz replied, "Ja…and I also remember that we had to stop him before he hacked the National Defense computers, not just here, but over in Germany, Russia, and Britain…he even went after the ones in Switzerland, Japan, and Australia too. Now, he's sitting in Leavenworth, with a life sentence, since he tried to sell that data to Iranian agents." Sam replied, "Yeah…good thing we stopped him. On another note, this new laptop has twice the memory of Hunter's old one, and it's got a high-resolution 21-inch flatscreen display." Blitz read the price, and said, "I think Hunter's getting a new computer from us, Sam. Let's go pay for it." Sam smiled, and then she went and found Karina, who had just picked up a rare find, a copy of the 1995 time travel adventure game Journeyman Project Turbo. She said, "Mom, you know how Uncle Hunter likes computer games, right?" Sam smiled at her daughter, and replied, "Yes, sweetie. Let me see." She read over the box, and said, "I think you're gonna make your uncle Hunter very happy when he has his party, Karina. Let's go meet up with dad and head on out of here." Karina nodded, and fell into step behind her mother. Once they met up with Blitz, he paid for the computer, while Sam and Karina went half on the game. A few minutes later, the three of them headed off to find the others.

Exile and Kasha had both picked up their gifts already, and so had Alek. Exile had purchased a DVD boxed-set of the old TV show Mr. Ed, Kasha had selected a set of CD's, featuring the greatest hits of some of Hunter's favorite artists, including Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, and Lee Greenwood. Alek had found a set of NASCAR racing videos, and that was going to be his present for Hunter. Exile and Kasha stood up, and then they heard a woman scream, as a pair of teenaged punks tried to force her to go with them at knifepoint. Kasha said, "Bolshoi…Exile, she needs our help…but we cannot be leaving Alek all by his lonesome. He still too young." Colleen and the others came up just then, and Starlight said, "Go deal with those punks, Exile. I'll keep an eye on the kids." Exile replied, "Many thanks, Comrade Starlight." With that, Exile headed over to deal with the punks, and Kasha followed right at his heels.

Exile and Kasha reached the scene, and Kasha said, "Unless you want to be in Siberian deep-freeze, let the lady go, right now!" The first punk smirked, and replied, "Oh…and I suppose you're gonna make me?" His buddy replied, "You idiot…don't you recognize her and her husband…they're Road Rovers!" The first one replied, "Yeah…well, they're short one…although, from what I hear, that might not be a bad thing…he's so mixed up, I'm surprised he can lead them to a fire hydrant, never mind a battle." Starlight shouted, "YOU SHUT UP, YOU LITTLE HOOLIGAN! DON'T YOU DARE INSULT MY SON LIKE THAT! HE MAY BE A MIXED BREED, BUT HE'S GOT MORE HONOR THAN BOTH OF YOU COMBINED!" Colleen added, "SHE'S RIGHT…I DON'T CARE IF HUNTIE IS A MUTT…HE'S GOT THE PUREST HEART OF ANY MALE DOG THAT I'VE EVER MET, AND I LOVE HIM WITH ALL MY HEART. YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT BIG MOUTH OF YOURS, YOU STUPID PUNK!" The second thug said, "You idiot! That Collie's an expert in martial arts…I've seen footage of her breaking cinderblocks with her bare hands! That's the team that defeated Osama Bin Laden, and Kim Jong Il…not to mention the countless other would-be world dominators they've taken down." Colleen replied, "I see somebody's done their homework…but you're still gonna pay for attacking that young lady…AND YOUR BUDDY'S GONNA NEED DENTURES, AFTER WHAT HE SAID ABOUT MY HUSBAND!" With that said, Colleen jumped up into the air, and went into a sommersault flip. Landing behind the first punk, she called out, "HIYA…BEN FRANKLIN! BETSY ROSS! JOHN ADAMS!" Her foot cracked across the goon's jaw like a sledgehammer, and he went down like a sack of bricks. The other one tried to stab her with his knife, but Exile iced him, and said, "There, that should cool you off until you learn manners." Kasha flagged down a pair of guards, and the punks were led away. The young girl, no older than fourteen, said, "Thank you so much…all of you!" Colleen replied, "All in a day's work for us, sweetie. What's your name?" The girl replied, "It's Jenny. What's yours?" Smiling, the pretty Collie replied, "I'm Colleen, and the others with me are my fellow Road Rovers..and our kids." The other Cano-Sapiens introduced themselves, and then Colleen reached into her wallet, and pulled out some bills. She set them into Jenny's hand, and said, "Here's some money, so you can get something to eat, and call a cab for a ride home. Take care now." The girl hugged Colleen, and then she headed off. Shag caught up with them just then, carrying a new cookbook, since Hunter was quite fond of cooking. Once they'd all looked over each other's gifts, they headed back out to the Turbojet Rover, and took off.

A few hours later, back at Road Rover HQ…

Colleen and the others stashed their presents for Hunter inside Starlight's closet, and she sealed the hidden compartment using her special access code. After that, Colleen went to find Hunter, and she came upon him, as he fixed up a picnic lunch for all of them. She joined him, and once they'd gotten everything ready, they called everyone else down, before heading out to enjoy the lovely summer day, unaware of the trouble that would soon force them into action again.

Next Chapter: The Rovers enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach, and then they go out to the park for a few hours of fun. However, their family time is cut short, when Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, the evil dictator of Iran, reveals his giant bomber, and his intentions of using it to bomb the United States off the face of the planet. The Rovers must head out and stop him, and destroy the threat posed by the insane tyrant's plans. Be here next time for Chapter Two: The Heroes Head Out