Hi! I've decided to write a Wolf's Rain fanfiction. My favorite characters in the show are Hubb and Cher, so I decided to write a story focusing on their past together.  Enjoy!

This piece is from Hubb's point of view, sentences in quotes are dialogue, those not are Hubb's thoughts or observations.

Disclaimer: Wolf's Rain and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

My Love, My Life

Chapter 1: The Last Favor

"Hubbbbb!  Hubbbbb!"

I inwardly sigh, I was hoping that she wouldn't find me.

"Marion," I say as she weaves her way through the crowd towards me.  How unlucky I am, first my parents 'strongly recommended' I go to this party for my own 'enjoyment,' which actually translates to, to find a 'good wife,' and now I have to speak with this annoying friend of my mother's.

As she approaches, I see she is wearing her usual flashy attire with ostentatious jewelry. Marion is new money, and makes it glaringly apparent. 

She moves closer to me than I would like and says, "Hubb, how have you been?"

"Very well, Marion, and yourself?"

She sighs noisily and says, "Oh, so very, very busy. You do know how I am on just so many boards for charities, all the fundraising events, it's just exhausting!"

"It's a wonderful thing that you're doing, helping so many people."

"Well, I just keep telling myself that," she says as she laughs.

I shake my head yes but remain silent, hoping that the conversation may be over.

"And how is your dear mother doing, it's been too long since we've had lunch."

"She's doing well, Marion, thank you for asking."

"Oh, I must give her a call, she's such a dear."

"Hmm.  And your husband?"

"Busy, busy indeed.  Speaking of husbands, Hubb, when are you finally going to be one?"

I shouldn't have asked.

"Well, I'm not seeing anyone at this moment, actually."

Her eyes light up and she clasps her hands together, this is definitely a bad sign.  My parents have been trying to set me up for years; I've been to arranged meetings, singles parties, and even blind dates.  It seems to me that they have been one terrible disaster after another, I don't even want to try anymore.  Tonight is the last favor like this I'll be doing for them, that's definite. 

"Hubb, there is someone here you just have to meet."

Here we go.

"Oh, really?"

She shakes her head violently yes. 

"Her name is Cher Degree, she's a scientist, she has her PhD, though I don't really know in what, but she does do some sort of research.  I know her aunt, another lovely woman, of course, I am only friends with good types, you know what I mean, Hubb."

I find it hard not to roll my eyes, oh great, some boring and mousy bookworm, I'm sure.

"Marion, I really…"

She interrupts, I'm guessing she had predicted what I was going to say, "Wait here, Hubb, I'm going to go look for her."

"Marion, wait," I say, but she has already left me stranded.  Now alone, I begin to consternate, should I make a hasty exit?  I sigh, I would never hear the end of it from my mother if I snubbed Marion.  Admitting defeat, I drink my entire glass of vodka on the rocks, hoping it will sooth the agony.  A few minutes pass, and Marion has not returned.  Is it possible that she got sidetracked and has completely forgotten?  I smile in gratitude and decide that I've had some good luck this evening after all. 

Overjoyed, I start making my way to the exit when I hear, "Hubbbb!"

I freeze and flinch, oh, just wonderful.  She gives me a surprised look as she moves towards me.

"Where were you going, Hubb?"

"You hadn't come back yet, so I was going to look for you."

She smiles and says, "Tsk, tsk, how impatient you are, you must really want to see her."

Hardly!

"Now, do come this way, Hubb,"

Suppressing another sigh, I answer, "Of course, Marion."

People stare at us as she pushes her way through the crowd and continues to talk loudly, how embarrassing.

"Cher is such a lovely young lady, and simply gorgeous, I'm sure you'll be enchanted."

I nod my head but say nothing as she continues to pour out praises.

After walking for a little while, even though I have been silent, she says, "Shhh, she's up right ahead."

I shake my head yes and start mentally preparing myself.  I'll do my usual routine, 'Hello, it's a great pleasure to meet you…I am a police officer, an inspector, and you…how wonderful…I hope that you have an enjoyable evening, it was very nice speaking with you.'

"Cherrrrr, Cher, dear!"

I am about to step forward but halt suddenly as the most beautiful woman I have ever seen turns around to face Marion.  That is Cher Degree? I stare at her, dumbstruck, hair a perfect shade of blonde, sparkling blue eyes, and a countenance that effuses grace and elegance, can a woman like this really exist?

"Cher, dear, this is the gentleman of whom I was speaking previously," she says as she grasps on to my arm, trying to force me from the spot where I have frozen.

Marion gives me a strange look and hisses, "Hubb!"

At last being jilted back into reality, I step forward, freeing myself from Marion's grip, and finding myself before her, completely at a loss as to what to do or say next. She tilts her head slightly and graces me with a slight smile.

She slowly and carefully extends her hand as she says, "Good evening, I am Cher Degree, it is a great pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

In an uncertain and jerking motion, I shake her hand and respond, "Good, good, evening, Dr. Degree, I'm…Hubb Lebowski, and…the pleasure is all mine."

Oh, that was just awful!  I must have sounded like a complete idiot!

"Cher, dear, Hubb is an inspect-tor with the police, isn't that thrilling?"

I am unable to prevent myself from blushing, Marion's 'rescue' is just making this worse.

She looks at me and responds, "That does sound very interesting, Inspector."
"It's really nothing that exciting, Doctor."

I feel surrounded by an extremely awkward atmosphere as we stand in silence.  I look to Marion, but see that she has drifted off into the crowd, leaving us alone.

Desperately wanting to break the silence, I ask, "Are you – enjoying your evening, Doctor?"

She steps closer and says in a hushed tone, "Not really, Inspector, I find these functions to be rather tiresome."

I grin broadly and respond, "I completely agree."

She tilts her head again and says, "Actually, I was planning on leaving when Marion came up to me."

I chuckle and she gives me a questioning look.

"Marion, she had my captive for a while."

She covers her mouth with her hand as she laughs quietly.

"Marion and my aunt are bridge partners, whenever I'm at my aunt's home and Marion is there, she always asks me if I'm engaged."

I shake my head in exasperation and smile, "That's exactly what she was doing to me just now."

She turns her face away, frowns slightly, and has a faraway look in her eyes as she says, "None of the men that I've met have understood the love I have for my research."

Realizing that she is not talking to only herself, she blushes as she looks back at me.  I am about to say something when she glances down at her watch.

She looks at me again and says, "You'll have to excuse me, Inspector, I'm going to my laboratory early tomorrow, so I really must be leaving."

Trying extremely hard to mask my disappointment, I respond, "I see, Doctor."

She holds out her hand, this time, with less formality.  She smiles and says, "It was very nice meeting you this evening, Inspector."

With a more firm and determined motion, I take hold of her hand and shake it as I say, "It was wonderful meeting you as well, Doctor."

In the shred of time before she turns, I have an intense internal struggle, I want so much to see her again, but I have no idea how she would respond.

My thoughts are broken as she says, "Good evening, Inspector."

At the last moment, fear of rejection overcomes my better judgment, and I blurt out, "Good evening, Doctor."

She nods her head and starts to the exit.  When she is out of sight, I realize what a mistake I have made.  I, Hubb Lebowski, am a complete and utter fool; I have fallen in love in just one night, and I have no clue if I will ever see her again.  No longer caring about what the people think, I laugh aloud at the situation in which I find myself.