Road Rovers: Trouble In Tehran


Story by:Phoenix710

Summary:The Rovers return home to the United States, and once they finish handing Ahmedinejad over to the United Nations, the canine heroes return to headquarters. The Master congratulates them on a job well done, and then Colleen takes Hunter out to dinner for his birthday. Afterwards, the Rovers all go to the local fireworks show. Later, Hunter receives his birthday gifts, before Colleen gives him the best present of all…a display of her unending love for him.

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 at the 4th of July Karaoke Contest-'Proud To Be An American'-Lee Greenwood


Colleen's song at the Karaoke Contest- 'America The Beautiful'-Lee Greenwood


Hunter's song to Colleen-'Burning Love'-Elvis Presley


Colleen's song to Hunter-'Come'-Namie Amuro


Chapter Eight: Happy Birthday Hunter!

The Stealth Rover arrived over the Headquarters building of the United Nations, located in New York City. Hunter called out over the radio, "United Nations control, this is Hunter, team leader of the Road Rovers. We have Mahmoud Ahmedinejad in custody, and we request permission to land, so that we may hand him over to you. How copy, over?" After a few seconds of silence, the response came in. "Road Rovers, we read you loud and clear. Great job on capturing that terrorist slimebag. You have permission to land…we've cleared a helipad for you." Colleen said, "Huntie, the pad's over there, on the east side." Within moments, the Stealth Rover landed, and Hunter popped the hatch. He and Colleen grabbed Ahmedinejad, and carried him out, while the other Rovers followed behind them. The U.N. guards walked up, and Hunter proceeded to shove Ahmedinejad into their custody. The terrorist woke up, and said, "You got lucky, you disgusting infidels, but know this…one day, this decadent country of yours will burn, and so will you!" Hunter walked up, and said, "I think I speak for every freedom-loving person in the world when I say this…SHUT UP!!" Hunter decked the evil dictator, knocking him out again. Colleen walked up and kissed him, and she said, "Nice job, Huntie…that maniac's gonna need some serious aspirin when he gets up." Hunter turned to the pair of United States Marines that came out to take Ahmedinejad into custody, and he said, "He's all yours, Major. Happy Fourth of July!" The officer exchanged a salute with Hunter, and replied, "Same to you, Hunter. You Road Rovers really are incredible, and I'd be proud to fight at your side any day." Hunter shook the man's hand, and then he turned back to face his teammates. He said, "Let's get home, Rovers. The Master's expecting us." They all boarded the Stealth Rover, and took off, headed back to their headquarters.

Two hours later…

With Ahmedinejad finally in U.N. custody, Hunter brought the Stealth Rover into a holding pattern over the hidden hangar entrance of Road Rover Headquarters, and called in. He said, "Stealth Rover to HQ, mission accomplished. We'd like permission to land, over." Professor Hubert's voice came over the speakers in seconds. He replied, "Nice work, Rovers. You've got permission to land, and we'll be waiting." Colleen lowered the landing gear, and Hunter brought the fighter in for a nice, smooth touchdown. Once the systems were all secured, the Rovers headed out, and removed their helmets. Starlight pulled her son and daughter into a warm hug, and she said, "Thank goodness you're both safe…even though you both look out for each other out there, I can't help it…I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to either of you." Colleen replied, "Mom, Huntie's not going to let anything happen to me, or any of the others, and I won't let anything happen to him, either. I love him, and I'd die for him if I had to." Blitz added, "Ja…no girly-boy terrorist is going to kill my best friends." The other Rovers chorused their approval, and then Kayla walked up to her father, with a homemade card in her little hands. She said, "Happy Birthday, daddy." Hunter knelt down so that he could look into his youngest daughter's eyes, and when he opened the card, he smiled broadly. Inside the card was a crayon-drawn picture of all of them together, with the words 'To Daddy, Love Kayla' written above the picture. Hunter smiled at his adorable two-year old daughter, before gently hugging her. Colleen looked the card over, and her eyes teared up, as she allowed the others to view it as well. Hunter said, "Let's go up and debrief, Rovers. After that, we'll catch the fireworks show." The other Rovers agreed, and then they all headed up.

When the team had assembled inside the Mission Control room, The Master turned to face them, cleared his throat, and said, "I've just viewed your mission recorder data, Rovers…and I'm very proud of all of you. Not only did you finally end one of the biggest threats to the security of the free world by taking down Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, but you've also destroyed that enormous bomber, and safely disabled a massive nuclear warhead. Your bravery and loyalty towards one another was marvelous, and you've all done an excellent job. You're good dogs, Rovers…good, good dogs!" Hunter turned to the team, and said, "TO THE POWER OF THE PACK!!" The other Rovers answered with their customary, "AAAHHHRRROOO!!"

After being dismissed, the Rovers got dressed in some more comfortable clothing, and then they headed over to the local park, where the fireworks display would be held. Once they got there, Hunter saw a sign that read, "4th of July Karaoke Contest to be held before the fireworks…all are welcome to enter." Colleen looked over at her husband, and said, "Huntie, look…a Karaoke contest. I'm sure you and I would have a pretty easy time of winning." Hunter smiled at her, and replied, "Sounds good to me, sweetheart. Mom, Colleen and I are gonna go up there and enter that contest. Keep an eye on the kids for us, okay?" Starlight hugged her son and daughter, and replied, "Good luck, you two…I know you can do it!" Colleen gave Starlight a quick hug, and then she headed up to the stage with Hunter. Once they were entered, they waited until the other contestants had gone through, and then Hunter's turn finally arrived. He took the stage, and said, "Good evening, everyone. I'm very glad to have the opportunity to perform for you all tonight. I'm going to sing one of my favorite patriotic songs, 'Proud To Be An American', by Lee Greenwood." The music cued up, and Hunter began singing.

'If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land

God bless the U.S.A.!'

The crowd rose up and gave Hunter a standing ovation, and even over the applause, he could hear his mother as she called out, "THAT'S MY SON UP THERE!!" Colleen hugged him as she accepted the microphone from him, and she said, "Hello, everyone. I may not be a native of this great nation of yours, but I was lucky…no, in fact, I was DESTINED, to meet, fall in love with, and marry the wonderful patriotic American Cano-Sapien that you all just cheered for, my wonderful Huntie. I'm going to perform one of my favorites now…it's also by Lee Greenwood, called 'America The Beautiful.' I hope you enjoy it, as much as I've enjoyed being with the most wonderful male dog to ever grace American soil. I dedicate this song to my husband Huntie, my three children Alex, Cassie, and Kayla…and finally, to Starlight. She's adopted me as her daughter…and I couldn't be happier." The music started up, and she began singing.

'O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!'

The crowd stood up to applaud her, and Colleen accepted a warm hug from Hunter, while Starlight called out, "THAT'S MY DAUGHTER…AND I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE PROUD OF EITHER HER OR MY SON, THAN I AM NOW!! GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!!" The announcer said, "Hunter, Colleen…please join me up here." The two of them walked up to the front of the stage, hand-in-hand. The judge then spoke over his microphone. "This year's winners, with a wonderful performance…are HUNTER AND COLLEEN!! CONGRATULATIONS!!" The crowd applauded them both as they took their bows, and they accepted their prize, a gift certificate to the Outback Steakhouse, where Colleen had been planning to take Hunter for his birthday dinner. She knew it was his favorite, and this made it even easier. Once they'd joined the rest of the group, the fireworks began launching into the air, bursting high overhead, in dazzling patterns of every color under the sun. Colleen felt Hunter's arm slide gently around her shoulders, and she turned to face him. The bursting fireworks glinted off of his golden fur, and caused his warm brown eyes to shimmer. Colleen said, "Huntie…I've never seen any male dog with eyes like yours…they're so warm, honest, and when I look into them, I can see nothing but love. You truly are a wonderful dog, Huntie…no matter what anyone else says about you. Just remember that you may be a mixed breed, but you've got the purest heart of anybody that I've ever met, and that I will always love you, and only you, forever." Hunter moved his arms down to her waist, and then he replied, "I love you too, Colleen. I've never met such a beautiful and caring dog like you…and I know that I never will. You truly are one-of-a-kind, and I want you to know that you won't ever have to worry about getting your heart broken, my English Rose. I'll be with you now, and forever more, until the end of my days on Earth." Colleen wrapped her arms around Hunter's shoulders, as their lips met in a long, deep kiss. While everyone else watched the fireworks display, Hunter and Colleen were seeing fireworks of a different kind…the kind generated by their pure and endless love.

After the fireworks display ended, the Rovers headed back home to clean up. Hunter and Colleen headed for the Outback Steakhouse, and the two of them ordered a salad to start off, along with Root Beer to drink. Hunter said, "Thank you, Colleen…I don't think I've ever had this much fun on my birthday, before I met you. You make every day worth living, my English Rose, and I never want to spend a day without you." She took his hands in hers, and replied, "Huntie, I'll never leave you, I promise. I love you with all my heart, and nothing can ever change that." He kissed her gently, before pulling away. Their waiter arrived, and asked, "What can I get for you tonight, my friends?" Colleen replied, "I'll have the house steak, done medium rare, and some fries on the side." After jotting down Colleen's order, the man turned to Hunter, and said, "What would you like, sir?" Hunter replied, "I'll have the same thing as my wife, please." The man nodded, and then he headed off to put the orders in. Hunter said, "Colleen, I want to thank you for sticking up for me back there, when that goon started insulting me." She replied, "Huntie, I'll always stick up for you. You've done it for me more times than I've got fingers and toes, and I wasn't gonna let him get away with insulting our kids, not to mention mom. He's lucky I didn't twist him into a human pretzel." Hunter smiled, and then he kissed her again, until their food arrived. After they finished eating dinner, Colleen paid for the meal with the gift certificate, and then she and Hunter walked back out to the Street Rover, and headed for home.


Back at Road Rover Headquarters…

Starlight and the others were putting the finishing touches on the rec room for Hunter's party, when Exile called out, "Comrades Hunter and Colleen are back! Get ready!" Blitz finished helping Samantha bring the last of the presents downstairs, while Kasha brought in the cake. Hunter and Colleen walked in, and then Colleen turned to him, and said, "Happy Birthday, Huntie." He blushed, as the rest of the team began singing 'Happy Birthday' to him. He blew out the candles on his cake, and then Starlight hugged him, before handing him the first of his gifts. He opened the package, and he was absolutely thrilled with his new watch. He said, "Thank you, mom. You've got to be the best mother on Earth…not only for raising me to be the dog that was lucky enough to eventually lead this wonderful team of canine heroes, but you've also accepted my beloved Colleen, and our kids into the family. Mom, you really are the best, and I love you." She hugged him, and then she replied, "I love you too, son." Alex and Cassie walked up, and Cassie said, "Happy birthday, dad…Alex and I both bought this one for you." Hunter smiled at his twins as he accepted the package. He tore away the wrapping paper, and he hugged his two oldest children, after trying on his new robe. It was white with blue trim on the edges, and Hunter absolutely loved it. He said, "Thank you so much…both of you." The twins both hugged their father again, and then Karina stepped forward. She handed her gift to Hunter, and he hugged his goddaughter gently, after unwrapping the copy of Journeyman Project Turbo. Blitz and Sam stepped forward, and Hunter hugged them as well, once he finished unwrapping the laptop they'd bought for him. Exile came up next, and Hunter was thrilled to receive the complete set of Mr. Ed, one of his favorite classic comedy series. Kasha handed him the music collection, and he unwrapped little Alek's gift next, the NASCAR DVD's. He hugged Shag after unwrapping the new cookbook, and when The Master presented him with a new spring jacket, he hugged Professor Shepherd gratefully. He did the same with Professor Hubert, once he'd finished unwrapping the XBox 360 game console, along with the game Halo 3. Finally, Colleen came up, and Hunter said, "Why'd you wait until last, sweetheart?" She replied, "Well Huntie…this gift is extra special, so I wanted to save the best for last." He hugged her, and then he pulled off the small bow. When he opened the box, his eyes lit up with the fire of pure love, and he pulled Colleen into a long, deep kiss. Starlight chuckled, and then she asked, "Would you like us to leave you two alone for a bit?" Hunter blushed deeply under his golden fur, as did Colleen. They pulled apart, and then they all sat down for some cake and ice cream.

Once the party was over, Starlight and Blitz helped to carry the gifts into Hunter and Colleen's bedroom. After the last of the presents had been put away, Blitz said, "Goodnight, Hunter. See you tomorrow. Pleasant dreams, Colleen." Hunter shook Blitz's hand, and Colleen lightly hugged him, and then they both replied, "Goodnight, Blitz!" Starlight said, "Have a good sleep, and I'll see you two in the morning." Hunter and Colleen both hugged Starlight, and then the female Retriever headed for her bedroom, locking the door behind her on the way out.

Hunter said, "Colleen, this has to be the best night of my life. I had a great night out, and you all gave me the most incredible birthday party ever…but the best thing about tonight isn't the presents, the cake, or the dinner…it's our love, Colleen. A love that I know in my heart…that it will last forever." Colleen smiled, and replied, "Excuse me, Huntie..I just need to go in and change. I'll be right out." Hunter let go of her, rather reluctantly, and she said, "I'll only be a couple minutes, Huntie-Wuntie…I promise." She winked at him, before heading into the bathroom. While he waited, Hunter decided to put on his nightrobe. He'd just finished putting it on, when Colleen came out of the bathroom, wearing her nightrobe. Hunter turned around, and even though he'd looked into her eyes more times than he could count, her beauty still made his heart skip a beat. Her eyes shimmered in the moonlight, such a lovely shade of blue. She said, "Huntie…it's so beautiful out there tonight…I feel as if this night was made for the two of us." Hunter gently pulled her body close to his, and replied, "Yes, my English Rose…tonight truly is a wonderful night. A perfect night to share with the one who I love more than anything else. I'd like to send you my love now, Colleen. This song is called 'Burning Love', by Elvis Presley…and I think it sums up exactly how I feel when we're together." Hunter kissed Colleen once more, and then he began singing, as he held her in his lap.

'Lord almighty,
I feel my temperature rising
Higher higher
It's burning through to my soul

Girl, girl, girl
You gonna set me on fire
My brain is flaming
I don't know which way to go

Your kisses lift me higher
Like the sweet song of a choir
You light my morning sky
With burning love

Ooh, ooh, ooh,
I feel my temperature rising
Help me, I'm flaming
I must be a hundred and nine
Burning, burning, burning
And nothing can cool me
I just might turn into smoke
But I feel fine

Cause your kisses lift me higher
Like a sweet song of a choir
And you light my morning sky
With burning love

It's coming closer
The flames are reaching my body
Please won't you help me
I feel like I'm slipping away
It's hard to breath
And my chest is a-heaving

Lord almighty,
I'm burning a hole where I lay
Cause your kisses lift me higher
Like the sweet song of a choir
You light my morning sky
With burning love
With burning love
Ah, ah, burning love
I'm just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love!'

Colleen sat up and kissed Hunter deeply, and when they pulled apart for air, she said, "Huntie, that was so beautiful. I've got one for you as well, called 'Come', by Namie Amuro." Colleen snuggled back against Hunter, and then she began singing.

'If you are filled with sadness

you can lean on me

I get, I get, I get, get the feeling

I get, I get, I get, get the dreaming

just like the way it is

Come my way

alone in this darkness

Come close to me

now I'll shine some light

I'll be with you, I'll be with you

I'll stay beside you

So come my way

I realized that you are the only precious person in this world

I get, I get, I get, get the feeling

I get, I get, I get, get the dreaming

just like the way it is

Come my way

close your eyes

Come close to me

and sleep

I'll be with you, I'll be with you

I'll stay beside you

So come my way

Come my way

alone in this darkness

Come close to me

now I'll shine some light

I'll be with you, I'll be with you

I'll stay beside you

So come my way

Calling out

Can you hear me? yea

So come my way

I get, I get, I get, get the feeling

I get, I get, I get, get the dreaming

just like the way it is

Come my way

Come close to me

Come my way

Come close to me.'

When she was finished, Colleen felt Hunter's arms gently wrap themselves under hers. She slid her arms around his shoulders, as his moved down to her waist. Within moments, they both let the rest of the outside world fade away. Colleen slowly sank down onto the mattress, and Hunter followed suit, kissing her all the while, as they lost themselves in the fiery heat of their love for each other.

After their rather passionate activities were finished, Hunter and Colleen headed for the shower. They got themselves cleaned up, and then they changed the bedsheets, before climbing in. Hunter turned on the air conditioner, and Colleen snuggled up against him, one arm around his shoulders, and the other one in the middle of his back. He gently carressed her long, soft hair with one hand, while tracing her spine with the other. Hunter said, "Goodnight, Colleen. I love you." She replied, "I love you too, Huntie…pleasant dreams." They kissed one another once more, before finally falling asleep, secure in the knowledge that their love would last for the rest of their lives.


The End.