Disclaimer: I don't own Disney or anything affiliated with it. All OC's and places were created specifically for this story, and are not modeled after real people or places. Any similarity is unintended and I apologize.
Author's Note: Welcome to my 10th chapter of this story. I hope you enjoy it.
Squad Unit 19.
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ROGUE RACERS
It was a little after ten the next morning before either of the mice awoke. And Minnie was the first one to arise. Her eyes fluttered open as the sunlight seeped through the closed blinds into their bedroom. She blinked, trying to clear her vision and realized that she was lying facing her husband, while he was lying with his back facing her. She smiled at Mickey lying next to her. She smiled broadly and chuckled softy when she remembered the previous night, and realized that, except for their gloves and the hair ribbon she wore, neither of them were wearing any clothes. The cover was the only thing separating their bare bodies from the morning air. She smiled as she scooted close and gently pressed the front of her body against his back and draped an arm across his side, sighing softly at the feel of his warm body against her own.
She giggled mentally at the memory of last night and hugged her husband's sleeping form closer. She didn't really want to get up. She just wanted to stay there cuddled up to her main mouse. Who was also her main tiger. Suddenly, he stirred, and rolled from his side onto his back. She left her arm draped across him as he rolled over and smiled when she saw his face. She loved waking up to his sweet, handsome and beautiful face every morning. She wouldn't trade it, or any other moment with him for anything in the whole world. Minnie decided to get up and fix them both some breakfast, just as he did the morning before. She propped herself up on her elbow and forearm, and leaned her face down close to Mickey's. She kissed him softly on his cheek and brought her free hand up to his chest and stroked it tenderly. She pulled back and smiled at her sweetheart.
She then rolled gently onto her side, facing her side of the bed. Just as she started to scoot her body toward the edge, her sleeping companion suddenly rolled onto his side facing her and draped his arm across her hip, preventing her from moving any further. She turned her face back to him and smiled. Now she was in a pickle. Unless she wanted to move his arm off her she couldn't get up and fix them breakfast. And she didn't want to move his arm. So, she gently rolled back onto her other side facing him, and laid back down, resting her head on her pillow and scooting closer to him. Oh, well. She'd just try the next morning to make him breakfast. She cuddled her body closer to his and draped her arm back across his side again. Though she wished she could have made him some breakfast, she had no complaints. Heck, this was a lot better than breakfast. Lying cuddled close to him beat breakfast any day.
"Decided to stay in?" Minnie opened her eyes to see Mickey grinning at her with one eye open. She thought he looked so cute.
"Uh-huh," she smiled, cuddling against him. "It's just so comfy and cozy... I figured a little longer wouldn't hurt."
"Nah, it couldn't," he smiled, pulling her close. "How long have you been awake?"
"Just a little while. I wanted to get up and fix you some breakfast, but you put your arm around me and I didn't have the heart to move it. So I decided to just lay back down with you," she smiled innocently and honestly.
"So that's where you were going."
"You were already awake?" the young, female mouse questioned, raising a brow.
"Yeah. I woke up just before you started to get out of bed," he answered. "I figured you were going to go out and work on the car without me again." She smiled.
"Mickey..." She raised her hand up to his cheek and gently stroked it. "I promised you I wouldn't do anything to the car anymore without you. And I always keep my promises." He smiled, then grinned sheepishly.
"Also, I was kinda hoping we could lay here a little longer." She chuckled and smiled.
"You read my mind." She leaned up and pressed her nose to his. After a few seconds, they each pulled back and smiled as their eyes met.
"Good morning, Minnie."
"Good morning, Mickey." She leaned up and pressed her lips to his as they hugged each other close. After a few seconds, they each pulled back and smiled at one another. "I love you, sweetie."
"I love you, too, kiddo."
"How'd you sleep?"
"I slept good. Did you?"
"Yes. I slept real good." Then the male mouse smiled widely at his young wife as he rolled gently onto his back.
"How do you feel this morning?" The female mouse smiled widely at her young husband. She knew he was referring to last night.
"Oh, I feel real good." She then giggled at the memory. "How do you feel?"
"I feel real good, too." Both chuckled, then leaned close and touched their noses together. After a few seconds, they each pulled back and smiled at each other. Minnie then snuggled up to Mickey, resting her head happily against his chest and her hand on his side. He moved his arm under her side and rested his hand on her side and his other on her arm. "Mmm... You're warm..." she murmured, feeling the warmth of his body against hers.
"So are you," he whispered, feeling the warmth of her delicate and petite form against his. Neither young mouse had any regrets about not getting up. They'd eat a little later.
Mickey and Minnie laid snuggled up together for several more minutes, just enjoying each others warmth and presence. Then Mickey's stomach rumbled a little, and because of Minnie's close proximity, she also felt it. She tilted her head upward and grinned knowingly.
"I think someone is hungry," she said in a playful voice. Just a second later, her own stomach rumbled, making both of them chuckle.
"I think someone else is hungry, too," he said in a similar tone. Both shared a laugh.
"I suppose we should get up and go eat."
"Yeah. Who know what our stomach's will turn into if we don't." Both chuckled, then she smiled slyly as she looked up at him.
"I know you can be part tiger sometimes..." He smiled a similar smile.
"So can you..." Both young lovers chuckled, then Minnie eased up and brushed her lips against Mickey's. After a few seconds, they each broke the kiss and pulled back as their smiles and eyes met. Then she sat up, grazing her fingers across his chest as she did so, and scooted over to her side of the bed. Leaving the cover wrapped around her torso, she raised her arms over her head and stretched, making a little squeak as she did, which he found completely adorable. He sat up on the bed and scooted over to her side. She heard and felt him coming closer as she finished her yawn and turned to face him with a warm smile as he scooted closer to her.
He scooted over, letting his legs hang over the edge of the bed like hers, and slipped one arm around her back and side. She sighed happily and returned the favor, wrapping one arm around his back and side. He raised his free hand up to her face and cupped her cheek in his palm and began stroking under her eye with his thumb. Their brown spheres locked as they smiled at one another. He leaned close and nuzzled his cheek against hers.
"I love you. So much," he whispered. She sighed softly.
"I love you, too. Like crazy," she whispered softly as she nuzzled her cheek against his. After a few seconds, they pulled their faces back a little as their chocolate brown eyes met.
"How's about we go eat some breakfast?" he suggested.
"Sounds good to me," she replied.
"Wait right here." With that, Mickey slipped out of bed and began to gather the clothes they were wearing last night, which were strung about the floor a little from the 'game' they played the previous night. He gathered her clothes and laid them upon the bed next to her. "There you are." She smiled appreciatively up at him.
"Thank you." She stood up and gave him a peck on his cheek.
"You're welcome." Mickey then picked up his boxers and slipped them on. Standing back up, he saw a red tint on his wife's cheeks and a wide grin on her lips. Then he pulled on his lounge pants and put on his shirt. When he finished pulling it on, he noticed that his young wife was still watching him with the same grin and blush.
"Watching me, eh?" he teased. He noticed her cheeks get just a little redder.
"I told you I love watching you," she smiled innocently, then giggled. He stepped close to her.
"I love watching you, too." He kissed her gently on her cheek. When he pulled back, he saw her smile turn sly.
"Well, you can watch me now if ya want."
"I'd love to," he grinned. She giggled and complied, reaching her hand to her side to get her panties. She slipped them on, purposely standing facing him, then picked up her shirt and pulled it on. Glancing to her husband, she noticed a wide grin on his face. She blushed a little and continued, picking up her lounge pants and pulling them on. Standing back up, their eyes and smiles met. They then stepped close to one another and wrapped their arms around each other.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" Mickey said with a warm smile. She felt her heart just melt at his words.
"Oh, Mickey... You're so sweet," Minnie cooed, then embraced him in a warm hug. "Thank you." She pulled back after several seconds. "You're the most handsome guy in the world, you know that?" she said with a warm smile.
"Thanks," he smiled. They leaned close and touched their noses together. After a few seconds, they each pulled back. "How about we go get something to eat?" She nodded.
"Sure. I am getting a little hungry."
"Me, too." Both mice pulled away and made their bed up together. Then they made their way hand-in-hand downstairs into the kitchen.
"What would you like for breakfast, sweetie?" she asked sweetly.
"Mmm... How about some bacon and eggs?" he suggested.
"Okie-dokie! I'll whip us up some!" she replied.
"I'll help you."
"I really appreciate that, Mickey, but you don't ha-" He cut her off with a peck on her lips.
"I want to." She beamed up at him and gave him a peck on lips right back.
"Thank you." Both mice shared a smile, then they began making their breakfast together.
After fixing their breakfast, Mickey and Minnie set the table, held hands as they said their prayer together, then began to eat. After eating, the mice went back upstairs to change into some other clothes. After which, they took the '78 Dodge Monaco back out to the police academy's road course to test it. The results obtained found that the Monaco didn't need anything extra done to it. It ran fine with no mechanical problems whatsoever. Overall, the retired police cruiser was ready.
The next day, Friday, was soon upon the young mice. After eating breakfast, they went out to give the Monaco one last check-over before the race. It was about 3:30 when the mice decided to leave to meet the other competitors and Mr. Z at the rendezvous point for the next event. Being early was crucial if they hoped to take down Mr. Z and anyone else involved in the Warped Steel contest.
"You ready for today's race, Mickey?" Minnie asked, buckling the belt she had just finished looping through the belt loops on her jeans. Both mice were in their bedroom getting ready.
"Yeah, I'm ready," Mickey answered, pulling his shirt on. "How about you?"
"Yeah. I'm ready, too." She then adjusted her hair bow. "I'm driving in this race, remember?" He chuckled.
"I remember." He turned to her. "But I drive in the next one if there's another, right?" She smiled and nodded.
"Right. Unless, of course, you don't want to."
"I don't mind." She stepped closer to him and draped her arms loosely around his shoulders.
"We're in this together. You and me. A team." He placed his hands on her hips.
"Yeah. Together." She leaned against him as she pressed her lips to his, her leg rising behind her. After about four seconds, both lovers broke the kiss and pulled back to smile at each other. Then Mickey let his right hand slide off her left hip as he reached behind him and picked up the car keys on the dresser. "Here you go," he said holding them up. She smiled and took the keys into her left hand.
"Thanks." She gave him a peck on the side of his lips and giggled.
"You ready to smoke the competition?" he asked with a grin.
"You betcha!" she replied with a smile.
"Then we better get goin'."
"Right. We don't wanna be late." Then Minnie smiled warmly and playfully. "Are you ready, partner?" Mickey smiled back.
"Ready, partner." Both mice chuckled and touched their noses together. After a few seconds, they pulled apart and walked out of their bedroom hand-in-hand.
Mickey and Minnie locked up their home and headed out downstairs and out to the garage. While Mickey opened the garage door, Minnie started the Monaco. She got out and got in on the passenger side as he got in on the driver side. Then the mice left. The drive to Camden Lake took about twenty minutes to get there. On the way, the silver cell phone in Mickey's cargo pant pocket began to ring. Both mice already knew who it was. Mickey reached into his pocket and pulled out the phone. Flipping up the screen, he found one message and brought it up:
Greetings, contender. The next event in the Warped Steel competition will be held this evening at Camden Lake at four pm. Be at the boat house by that time to continue your race to victory! Make sure you're ready for the next event.
Mr. Z.
After reading his partner the message, Mickey put the phone back into his pocket.
"I can't wait to take this guy down," he stated.
"Neither can I," Minnie agreed.
"We'll have to be careful in this race. Those new drivers aren't going to be easy competition."
"No. They'll do everything they can to ensure we don't win."
"We've came to far to let them beat us now."
"Don't worry. We haven't been beaten yet."
About fifteen minutes later, Mickey and Minnie arrived at Camden Lake. Finding the boat house, they pulled off the main road and drove down this two-lane road to the dock. They saw a few of the other drivers also present as well as they pulled up and rolled to a stop. Both young mice opted to sit in the Monaco and wait. Within the next few minutes, the remaining racers arrived, the Toyota Supra and Nissan Skyline being two of them. A few minutes later, both mice glanced at their watches: 3:58. Then 3:59. They watched and counted down to 3:59: 56. 57. 58. 59. 4:00:00. Just then, the sound of a large engine made the mice glance up. They saw the black and silver '94 Freight-liner wrecker roll up and stop. The driver door swung open and Mr. Z jumped out.
Mickey and Minnie glanced to each other, nodded, and got out, the other drivers following suit. The mice walked in front of the Monaco and stood, waiting for Mr. Z to address the group. The anthropomorphic dog scanned the group for a bit, then smiled a wicked grin.
"Welcome to the fourth event in Warped Steel, everyone!" He then stepped toward the group. "I'll lay out the rules for this event: The rules for this event are the same as the others. You may bump, grind, shunt and ram your opponents, but cheating isn't allowed. Furthermore... The starting positions for this race will be different. You will be split into two lines of three cars. The drivers who placed last, fifth and fourth in the last event line up here." He held out his right arm. "The drivers who placed third, second and first will line up here." He held out his left arm. "The last place car will start in the front of row one and the third place car will start in front of row two. This will give the drivers who have not done too well a chance to improve, and the drivers who have excelled a chance to prove themselves."
Mickey and Minnie glanced to each other. Was Mr. Z trying to make things difficult for them? Starting them off in last? Things just got weirder.
"You will race two laps around the lake, avoiding the obstacles and race back here. This boat house is the finish line. Now that that is explained... ready your vehicles, contestants!" That said, Mickey and Minnie turned and got into the Monaco. They buckled themselves in then she started the car.
"You ready for this, Minnie?" Mickey asked.
"Ready," she nodded with a determined expression. "Are you ready?"
"Ready," he nodded with the same expression.
"Then let's do it!" both mice said, touching their knuckles together.
All the drivers pulled into the order mentioned by Mr. Z. The '95 Civic starting in first in line one, the '70 Marathon was behind it and the '91 Caprice was in last. In row two was the '90 Crown Vitoria, followed by the '08 Skyline, the '08 Supra, and finally the '78 Monaco. Mr. Z stepped in between the two rows of cars, pulled out his .38 pistol out of his pocket and aimed it at the sky.
"On your mark! Get set! GO!" BANG! Minnie punched the accelerator, making the rear tires squeal and create a cloud of white smoke as they tore off the starting line. But racing quickly became tight as the other racers were in front of the mice, blocking their path. They followed behind until they pulled out onto the four-lane, then Minnie hit the gas. The Monaco accelerated as it began to pass the other competition. Instantly, the Supra and Skyline attempted to keep the mice from getting past. Minnie swerved the Monaco, attempting to pass the two tuners, but the drivers seemed to cancel out any way of getting past.
"They're not letting us pass!" Mickey said.
"Oh, we'll pass them, alright," Minnie said, a devious grin forming on her face. "Hang on!" She swerved hard to the left and accelerated. The Skyline attempted to cut them off, but the Monaco was too close. The left-rear fender of the Skyline connected with the right-front fender of the Monaco, sending the Skyline into a spin.
"One knucklehead down," Mickey said with a grin.
"One knucklehead to go," Minnie added with a grin. She tried to pass the Supra on the left, but the driver swerved and cut them off.
"Why don't you try the same trick on him?" Mickey suggested.
"Yes, sir!" Minnie agreed. She tried to pass on the right, but was cut off again by the Supra. She tried again on the right but ended up cut off again. Then she jerked the Monaco right and hit the throttle. The Monaco began to pass on the right but the driver of the Supra eased over to block. Bad idea... The Supra's right-rear fender hit the left-front fender of the Monaco, causing the the driver to lose control. The mice watched as the Supra fishtailed left, then right, left, then finally swerving right as it spun out in a cloud of white smoke. The mice drove around the car and raced onward.
"Great driving, Minnie!" Mickey commented, patting her right arm.
"Thanks, Mickey," Minnie smiled, looking at him for a second then back to the road. The mice soon came upon a left 90 degree turn, which they power-slid around. The mice resided in fifth place, with the Marathon being the fourth place car. They drove across an orange steel bridge, which took them across a river, and into a little business district. They soon caught up to the Marathon and passed it without incident. The Civic was the next opponent for the mice to pass. Both saw an intersection up ahead as they raced toward it at around 110 MPH. Minnie eased the speed down to about 80 as they neared it. They watched as the other competitors wen through the intersection without mishap, and the mice managed to do the same.
Speeding up, the Monaco began to gain on the other cars as it drove across another bridge and turned right onto a two-lane road. The Civic attempted to keep the Monaco from passing as the old police car began inching it's way up from behind. The mice tried passing on the shoulder, but the Civic cut them off by driving onto the shoulder. Minnie turned left and tried to gain on the mail car on the opposite shoulder. Again, the mice were denied the pass. Both mice grunted in annoyance then Minnie faked a pass on the right. The driver of the Civic turned right, trying to block them. As the Civic turned right, Minnie eased left a little and accelerated, passing the Civic and putting her and Mickey in third.
The road the drivers were on rounded around the lake, starting from a lower point, making it's way up, then winding back down. As they Monaco came to the top of the hill, the mice began driving past a park as they spotted the Crown Vic just up ahead. As the Monaco gained on the Vic, Mickey and Minnie noticed it ease over onto the shoulder a little, giving them enough room to pass. As they mice raced past, Roger and Julia gave a thumbs-up to the mice, which they returned as they passed them.
"Just one more car to pass," Mickey stated.
"And we still have one more lap," Minnie mentioned. A hard right turn came up, causing the mice to power-slide around it. Rounding the turn, they spotted the Caprice several car-lengths ahead of them. Hitting a straightaway, the Monaco began to gain on the Caprice. A left turn took the mice down a dirt road and over a wooden bridge. Minnie eased the Monaco into the inside of the next right turn, gaining a few car-lengths on the Caprice. The dirt road soon met pavement as the race for first continued. The Monaco slid around a left turn which put the mice back on the four-lane. The Caprice was now only a couple car-lengths ahead of the Monaco as they raced past the boat house.
"We have to pass this guy somewhere!" Minnie said.
"All we have to do is pass him and hold our position," Mickey said. The young, female mouse punched the throttle as they attempted to catch the Caprice. The Monaco soon hit 130 MPH as it began to inch upon the Caprice. The driver of the Caprice spotted the mice gaining on him and tried to keep them from passing. He began swerving across the road, blocking both lanes.
"Boy, he doesn't want us to get past," Minnie said with a little smirk. It was actually funny to watch the driver's attempts.
"Let's show him what we can do," Mickey grinned. She nodded.
"Yes, sir."
The mice began battling with the Caprice for first. Minnie decided to fake another pass. She eased the Monaco to the left, and the driver did the same. Then she eased right, making the Caprice swerve right. As the Caprice turned, Minnie hit the gas. The Monaco passed the Caprice on the left. The driver tried to veer over and ram the mice, but they were already past. Mickey and Minnie now had first place. They soon power-slid around the left turn and drove across the bridge and into the business district again. But the Caprice was hanging tight on their tail.
The intersection was just ahead, and the Caprice was dangerously close. Then the mice realized something startling: The light at the intersection was red and traffic was at a standstill. Minnie had no choice but to slow down. The Caprice passed the Monaco and raced on ahead. They watched as the Caprice flew threw the intersection at around 133 MPH and was T-boned in the left-rear by an oncoming car. The Caprice spun a full 360 degrees before coming to a stop, facing the opposite direction. Traffic instantly began to slow.
As the mice got to the intersection, they slowed down to about 30 MPH as they drove through the wreckage and debris that lay scattered across the pavement. As soon as they cleared everything, they sped back up and continued the race. Ahead, the mice drove across the next bridge and turned right at the next turn, taking them off the four-lane and back onto the two-lane.
"Anyone behind us?" Minnie asked her partner, who turned around in the seat and looked out the back window.
"Not right now there isn't," Mickey answered. Then he spotted tow familiar cars gaining on them. "Uh, oh!
"What's wrong?"
"It's those guy's in the Supra and Skyline again!"
"Them again?!"
"They're on our tail and closing in!"
"Hang on tight!"
Minnie gunned the engine of the Monaco, hitting 136 MPH as they raced along the two-lane, up the hill and by the park again. The Supra and Slylinewere closing in. The drivers had used up over half their nitrous just trying to catch the mice. Now they were racing with a vengeance...
The Monaco hit the hard right turn, power-sliding around it, and hit the straightaway. The Supra and Skyline were now just several car-lengths behind the Monaco as the mice took the next left turn and drove down the dirt road and across the wooden bridge. The mice power-slid around the right turn and raced out onto the blacktop.
"We're almost to the finish line!" Mickey said.
"Just a little further!" Minnie said. The Monaco slid around the next left and out onto the four-lane, the Supra and Skyline gaining fast. Suddenly, the two tuners boosted and began gaining on the Monaco. The mice spotted the boat house just ahead. Minnie locked up the brakes of the Monaco, creating a cloud of white smoke behind it as she turned left. The Monaco skidded sideways toward the road leading to the boat house, then she sped up and drove down the road. The Supra and Skyline had used their nitrous and was going to fast to make the turn. The drivers locked up the brakes and skidded past the boat house road before coming to a halt. The Monaco raced across the finish line in first.
"We did it!" both mice cheered. Once Minnie brought the Monaco to a stop, she and Mickey jumped out of the car and ran to one another at the back of it as they embraced each other. Both laughed at how close their victory, knowing how close it was. Pulling back, they high-fived one another and shared a little laugh together. The Supra and Skyline had to turn around because they skidded past the road to the start/finish line. Both mice turned to see the two cars race down the road and skid to a halt. The drivers got out and began walking up to them. Instinctively, Mickey and Minnie narrowed their gaze at the two men as they approached.
The first driver, the one who got out of the Supra, was walking just ahead of the other driver. The men's faces remained expressionless as they walked up to the mice. The first guy walked up to Mickey and suddenly punched the male mouse in his right shoulder with enough force that he hit the back of the Monaco, yelping as he hit with a THUMP!
"Mickey!" Minnie gasped as she witnessed the horrific sight, and immediately began tending to her husband.
"You little runts! You just cost us another race!" the man yelled. The female mouse whipped her head back around to the man with fire burning in her eyes, and her blood boiling. In a second, she kneed the man in his groin, making him cry out in pain as he grabbed his crotch, hit the pavement on his knees, then fell onto his side.
"Don't you DARE touch my husband!" she snapped, glaring an icy glare at the man on the ground. The second guy glanced at his fallen buddy, then back up to the mice.
"You little...!" He suddenly grabbed Minnie's left wrist with enough pressure that she yelped.
"Minnie!" Mickey gasped as he witnessed what transpired. In a second, he punched the man in his jaw, making him grunt as he was knocked to the ground.
"Keep your hands OFF my wife!" he snapped, fire burning in his eyes and his own blood boiling. Both young mice glared angrily at the two anthropomorphic dogs on the ground as they put one arm around one another. After making sure both men wouldn't budge for a little while, both mice turned to each other.
"Are you all right, Mickey?" Minnie asked worriedly, gently placing her hand on his injured shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm okay. A little sore but I'm okay," Mickey replied with a light grin. "Are you okay?" he asked, becoming concerned as he took her left wrist into his hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine. A little sore like you, but I'm okay," she responded with a light smile.
"Congratulations, you two." Both mice turned to see Mr. Z walking up to them. "You completed another race with a very close victory." Both mice watched Mr. Z cautiously and suspiciously as he made his way up to them. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a white envelope. "Here is your reward." Mickey and Minnie glanced to each other for a moment then back to Mr. Z as the young, male mouse reached his right hand out and took the envelope. "I apologize for these two," Mr. Z said, looking down at the two men. "But that is how things are sometimes in Warped Steel. You not only have to be aware of your opponents on the track, but off the track as well." He then looked down at the two men. "Perhaps you gentlemen should leave, now that the race is over." The second man, still examining his jaw, got to his feet and helped his friend up, who was still holding his groin.
"Yes, Mr. Z..." The first guy helped the second guy over to their cars and away from the mice. Mr. Z watched the men leave, then turned back to the mice.
"I apologize for their behavior. Some drivers are more aggressive than others. You have to be careful out here."
"Mind telling us about what happened to Julia's brother?" Minnie asked with a stern gaze.
"And about what happened to the other racers?" Mickey asked with the same stare. A sadistic grin crept to Mr. Z's mug.
"You wouldn't want me to spoil the surprises, now would you?" Before the mice could respond, he turned away from them and began walking away. "Congrats on your victory today. I'm looking forward to seeing how you fair in the next event..." Both mice let a low growl escape them as they watched the mysterious guy walk over to his rig and climb up. By now all the other racers had crossed the start/finish line, stopped and gotten out of their cars. "Congratulations on your finish, everyone! You all did well in this race. The next event will be this Monday on the Davidson Freeway at five pm. I expect to see you all there. Keep up with your phones, and enjoy your weekend. I'll see you all then." With that, Mr. Z climbed into his rig, fired it up and left. All the other drivers left, save for Mickey and Minnie and Roger and Julia. The older couple pulled up to the younger couple and stopped.
"Hey, there!" Roger and Julia said.
"Hey!" Mickey and Minnie greeted.
"That was a pretty close race, eh?" Roger asked.
"You don't know the half of it," Mickey replied.
"What happened with those two goons?" Julia questioned.
"They came at us after we crossed the finish line," Mickey answered.
"They hit Mickey and grabbed me," Minnie added.
"Are you kids okay?" Roger asked.
"We're fine," both mice answered.
"Nothing we couldn't handle," Mickey smiled. Minnie wrapped her arm around Mickey's as she looked at him.
"Especially when we're together," Minnie smiled.
"How come one guy was holding between his legs?" Julia asked with a grin. Mickey pointed to his wife who was still attached to his arm.
"You're looking at her," he said with a proud grin. His wife giggled sheepishly.
"What about the guy holding his jaw?" Roger asked with a grin. Minnie pointed to her husband.
"That would be him," she said with a proud grin.
"Good for both of you," Julia commented.
"You showed those guys who's boss," Roger added.
"It'll be a little while before they bother you two again."
"Maybe. But even if they don't..." Mickey started.
"...We'll be ready for them," Minnie finished.
"Well we better get going. We've got to make sure we'll be able to survive the next race," Roger said.
"You two should do the same," Julia said.
"Right," both mice agreed.
"We'll see you Monday," Julia said, waving at the mice as they drove away.
"Bye!," Mickey said.
"Bye-bye!" Minnie said. After the other couple left, both mice turned to one another.
"How about we go on home?" Mickey suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Minnie agreed. They got into the Monaco, and headed on home.
It had only been a little while since the race had ended. Mr. Z stood atop the parking garage looking over, contemplating his next move. He heard the sounds of two engines as they drove up to the top of the parking structure and stopped. The sound of two doors closing soon followed. He already knew who it was.
"Congratulations, gentlemen." The two men that stepped out of their cars looked at one another with a perplexed expression, then turned back to Mr. Z.
"You're... congratulating us?" the first one asked. Mr. Z kept his back turned.
"Yes, indeed..." Then he turned around to face them. "For botching up your second opportunity!" he growled.
"We tried to beat those mice, sir!" the first guy said. "But they managed to win."
"We did everything we could!" the second defended.
"You imbeciles did nothing! Those little pests are one step closer to finishing this contest, and if they succeed, it will be the end of Warped Steel!"
"What's the big deal anyway?" the second guy asked. The first one stood back in fear of what might happen now. Mr. Z's faced seemed to become twisted at that question.
"'What's the big deal?'" He lunged at the man and grabbed him by his neck. "Don't you get it, fool?! This is more than just some contest!" He pushed the man back, who stumbled as he began feeling of his neck. "Do you see this scar?" Mr. Z asked calmly, pointing to the scar that ran down his face and neck. Both men nodded. "This is my reward... This is my reward for winning this contest four years ago. I heard about this contest and entered it. I battled my way through and won. And when I faced the man holding the competition, I only asked one thing of him: To be part of Warped Steel. I was given a test to prove I had what it took. In the end, I prevailed... This scar serves as a memory of what I endured. And now, I am second in command of Warped Steel. This contest has lasted for three more years, and I will not have two little runts end it now."
Mr. Z turned away from the men and stared over the side of the building.
"You've got one more chance, gentlemen. I would advise you not to botch this one. Not if you value your health..." Both men looked at one another, then got back into their cars and left. After a while, Mr. Z grinned a twisted grin. "I won't have you two young pipsqueaks end this contest..."
It wasn't long before Mickey and Minnie arrived home, parked the Monaco and went inside. It was still rather early, however. Both decided to go ahead and eat dinner, then go out and work on the Monaco a little. After eating dinner, and doing the dishes, they went out to the garage and began to work on the Monaco a little. Washing it was the first thing they did. After that, they buffed out what they could of the dents and scratches. After that, they began to check the engine. Luckily, nothing needed to be replaced. They'd take it out to the police academy's road course the next day to make sure it was running properly. By the time they finished working on the car, night had fallen.
After finishing up with the car for the night, Mickey and Minnie went inside to shower. After they showered and changed into their pajama's, they walked out onto the back porch and relaxed in the swing together. Mickey sat up with one arm around his wife. Minnie sat nestled against her husband, resting her head against his shoulder with her legs up in the swing. Their tails were also intertwined. Both sat snuggled up together as they gazed up at the stars.
"How's your shoulder, Mickey?" Minnie asked, her angelic voice breaking through the silence as she tilted her head to face him.
"It's okay. It's still a little sore, but it'll be alright," Mickey answered. She raised her left hand and placed on his right shoulder and began to rub it gently.
"Does this hurt?" she asked, afraid that she was hurting him further.
"Nope. But it does feel better now," he smiled warmly. She beamed up at him, then leaned her face up close to his and gave him a peck on lips. Pulling back, both young lovers smiled. "How's your wrist, Minnie?"
"It's okay," she replied, holding up her left hand and moving it, "Still a little sore, but it's okay." He gently took her wrist into his hand and began to examine it, and at the same time, began to massage it.
"Does it hurt to move it?" he asked.
"Uh-uh," she shook her head. "It's feeling better now, though," she smiled warmly. Both smiled, then leaned close and touched their noses together. Pulling back, Minnie wrapped her arms around Mickey's shoulders and hugged him. "Thanks for saving me, Mickey." He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her back.
"You're welcome, Minnie." He kissed her softly on the top of her head. "Thanks for standing up for me."
"You're welcome, sweetie," she murmured as she nuzzled against him. Then she kissed him softly on his chest. Then both pulled back a little.
"I still can't get over what you did to that guy," Mickey said with a big grin. Minnie giggled as she smiled and stared into his eyes.
"Nobody messes with my guy." She gave him a peck on his cheek.
"Aw, gosh..." he blushed a little.
"You're the one who socked that other guy in his jaw," she said with a big grin. Mickey chuckled as he looked into her eyes and smiled.
"Nobody messes with my girl." He kissed her on her cheek.
"Aw, Mickey," she cooed. She leaned up and brushed her lips against his. After a few seconds, both broke the kiss and pulled back as their smiles and eyes met. "I love you, sweetie."
"I love you, too, doll." Both nuzzled their noses together, then pulled back and snuggled up together. Then Mickey heard Minnie sigh softly and felt her nuzzle against him.
"Isn't this wonderful, Mickey? Just you and me and a quiet, peaceful night... Isn't it romantic?" He pulled her closer and felt her nuzzle into him.
"It sure is, Minnie. It sure is..." Minnie sighed happily and contently as she nestled herself into Mickey's embrace. She felt so relaxed with his arms around her and the warmth of his body. Before she knew it, she began to feel a little sleepy. She yawned, making a little sound which Mickey thought was cute. "You can lay down in my lap if ya want," he told her softly. She tilted her head and looked at him.
"I won't bother you?" she asked.
"Not at all. I don't mind. Go ahead." She beamed at him, his warm words warming her insides.
"Thank you." She leaned her head up and kissed him on his cheek, then she laid over, resting her head in his lap as she lay on her back.
"Comfy?" he asked with a smile.
"Mmm-hmm..." she sighed softly with a smile as she closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them to look up at him. Mickey and Minnie smiled at one another. Then he raised his right hand and began to rub the top of her head, between her ears, right behind her bow. "Mmm..." she sighed as her eyes drifted shut. "That feels good..." He smiled as he brought his left hand up and began to gently caress her stomach through the soft, cotton fabric of the tank top she was wearing.
"I'm glad you like it." After a moment, her eyes drifted back open halfway.
"You're gonna make me doze off."
"It's okay if you do. Just close your eyes and relax." Minnie smiled warmly up at Mickey, then her eyelids drifted shut as she relaxed, sighing happily and contently. She let her right hand rest on her chest and her left rest on the front of her left leg as she laid with her head in his lap. He contiuned to rub between her ears and her stomach for the next several minutes. Mickey couldn't help but smile as he watched her rest in his lap. He admired how the moonlight shined on her beautiful, sweet young face. How it shone on the smooth, black skin on her arms. He gently trailed his right index finger along the outer edge of her right, round, black ear, and she didn't even budge. He then realized that her breathing was evened out. She must have dozed off.
After a little bit, she rolled onto her left side and partly buried her face into his stomach as she curled up, wrapping her little black tail around her a little. Similar to the way a cat or dog curls up. Except she looked much cuter.
"Aww," Mickey thought. He thought she looked adorable. He moved his left hand behind her and began to rub her back, moving from between her shoulder blades down to the bottom hem of her tank and back up, but he kept rubbing between her ears with his right hand. She sighed softly as she nuzzled against him. He just smiled as he watched his angel sleeping peacefully in his lap. A couple minutes later, Mickey decided that they should go on in. It was getting a little cooler out. The young, male mouse looked down at the young, female mouse that lay curled up in his lap. He thought his wife looked so cute curled up.
Gently, he slipped his right arm under her upper back and slipped his left arm behind her knees and slowly stood up, lifting his young wife up gently in his arms bridal-style. He positioned her just slightly so that her cheek rested against the side of his chest. He quietly began to carry her inside, closing the door with his foot and locking it with his left hand. He quietly turned off the lights and began to carry his sleeping beauty upstairs. As he started up the stairs, she sighed softly and moved her arms around him as she nuzzled her cheek against his chest. He smiled and contiuned to carry her upstairs into their bedroom. He stepped over to the bed, and using his left hand, pulled back the covers. Minnie stirred a little as her drowsy brown eyes opened.
"Mmm... Mickey...?" she asked with a sleepy and soft tone. Mickey smiled as he crawled onto the bed, still holding her in his arms, and gently lay her down on the bed as he laid down next to her.
"It's okay, sweetie. Go on back to sleep," he told her softly. She smiled a sleepy smile, then nuzzled against him, resting her head on his chest and her across him. He pulled the cover over the both of them and settled down, pulling her body close to his. She returned the favor by snuggling against him with a soft sigh.
"I love you, Mickey," she smiled softly.
"I love you, too, Minnie," he smiled softly back. He kissed her softly on the top of her head and she kissed him softly on his chest. "Good night, doll," he whispered.
"Good night, baby," she whispered. Mickey and Minnie lay snuggled up together for the next minute or so before she dozed back off to sleep. And after a few more minutes, sleep overtook him, too.
Mickey and Minnie lay snuggled up together as they slept. They would have the whole weekend to prepare for the next race.
But Mr. Z won't make things so easy for the mice...
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Coming up in chapter 11: Mickey and Minnie get ready for the next event and make their way to the rendezvous point to participate.
Squad Unit 19.