Quick definition and grammar upset: Tabia/Tabian female and male forms of the Martian word meaning "clan elder, the oldest, carrier of secrets, one of highest rank in the clan."

Disclaimer: No own, never will, woe is me. Nor anything to do with Fleetwood Mac and the song 'Gold Dust Woman'.

Thank you for your patience.

Chapter 10

Throttle pushed his bike to its limits as more stone creatures began to form around him, hands reaching up, trying to catch him. He leaned into the sharp curves as he streaked around corners, nearly touching the ground with his shoulders he went so fast. His teeth grit in determination as the road itself tore up from the ground, forcing his bike to jump to the sides of buildings.

His tires stained the buildings as he rode, the gargoyles carved on the ledges coming to life and swiping at him. He evaded them all, pouring on the speed. The tan mouse knew his gamble had paid off, and now he knew how to beat the grimy bastard. He shifted a bit as he felt the stone he had taken from Stonewall move against him. Throttle pushed his bike impossibly faster, desperately trying to remember where that huge fountain they had passed earlier was. It had to be around here somewhere, dammit!

The scent of water reached him even through his helmet as he finally found the grand fountain. When he and his bros had first seen it, they had skidded to a complete stop in wonder. Dozens of spouts of water danced and arched around the artificial lake designed to look like a pool of obsidian glass with silver columns. Even now, he still felt in awe of its beauty. It quickly turned to concern as he felt the purple stone start to wriggle in his hold. He found a smirk. 'It knows what I'm doing and it's not happy about it. Good.'

The Martian jumped from his bike's seat, landing in the water up to his thighs. He reached into his vest to finish the job when a sudden crash made him pause. The stone villain had arrived, distinctly worse for wear. The red stone-man was chipped and cracked, his limbs missing entire pieces and fingers. He dragged himself towards the mouse, more of his stone falling away as he did so. His face contorted in fury as he bit out, "You lil' son of a bitch! How'd you figure it out?!"

Throttle gave the villain a grim smile. "I'm smart like that." He lifted the purple stone above his head as the smile turned to a flat glare. "This is for touching my girl." He ignored the villain's shouts to the rock around him to attack and the mouse threw the stone into the water.

"You bastard!!" Stonewall screamed, tearing off chunks of his shoulders and throwing them with swift accuracy. Throttle dodged, powering up his Nuke Knuks as he moved. The Martian dove under the water and slammed his fist into the purple rock, a screaming sound coming from it and Stonewall as he suddenly crumbled down to nothing but gravel.

He pulled up out of the water, shaking the fluid from his hair. "What happened to rock and rolling all night?" He asked the remains of the villain, a smirk on his face. The sound of motorcycles made him turn. Vinnie had pulled up beside his bike, the younger mice not far behind, concern on his face. "You alright, bro?!"

"Fine," he called back. At least, I will be as soon as Modo comes back with Charley, he thought to himself.

Rimfire stared at the water as he saw the purple stone in pieces, the glow dying away. "I don't understand, what happened to Stonewall? The water just broke him apart?"

"Something like that," Throttle said as he pulled himself out of the fountain. He took off his boots and poured the water out of them as he explained. "I saw that every time he reformed, he pulled himself back around that one stone. I figured that was his power source. Get rid of that, and he'd just fall to pieces." (Thrash groaned at the hideous pun.) "I figured if water would dissolve the bonds he used, it would work on him too."

"Good call," Link said, suddenly sneezing as the last of the dust shook out of his fur. "Thrash?"

"Yeah, bro?"

"I knew I forgot to do something." He reached over with his tail and smacked Rimfire upside his head.

"Owww!! What was that for?!" The striped mouse winced.

"An HHG?! You had an HHG and you didn't tell me?!"

Rimfire laughed out loud. "Haha!! Tell the second biggest pyromaniac on Mars I had a Holy Hand Grenade? Yeah right."

Link sat back on his bike seat, pouting. "You're no fun."

"Speaking of fun, just how much is your other bro having?" Thrash asked in concern as he checked his bike's readings. He glanced back to the other mice. "The bomb timer's on."

Vinnie's ears perked up at that. "How much time's left?"

"Less than a minute."

Throttle frowned. "And where's Modo?"

"Looks like the bottom of the Tower, with multiple others with him and what looks like several hostiles."

"Aw, Modo has all the fun!" Vinnie complained.

The other, more sane, mice exchanged looks. Throttle said a very bad word in Martian and sped off, the others hot on his trail.

&

They didn't make it in time. They were still a block away as the building began to collapse, the radar still showing the group inside. Throttle felt his heart stop as the first bricks fell, felt it break as the Tower fully crashed to the ground. The group came to a stop at the edge of the plaza, unable to believe their eyes. Rimfire frantically called on his communicator for his uncle, but only caught static. "This isn't happening, this isn't happening," he muttered in panicked denial over and over. "This isn't happening!"

The tan mouse slid off his bike, walking like he was in a trace towards the rubble. His girl was in there. Oh gods, his girl--He felt like he couldn't breathe. He knew if he took another step his knees would buckle under him. He reached for his communicator, "Charley-girl?" Answer me, answer me, come on, baby, answer me!! "Charlene?!"

"Over here, babe," came the soft reply, past clearing dust clouds on the other side of the plaza. Every mouse whirled to the source, calling out happily as they saw the lady mechanic in her traditional clothing standing beside a very dirty and dinged Mothership. She smiled at her mouse, running forward and pulling him close into the tightest embrace she could make. "Missed you, otaku."

He pulled shaking arms up around her, tucking his face into her neck. "Same here, babe," he said in a small voice. She's alive, thank you gods of all Mars, she's alive, he thought in utter relief. "How did you get out of there? We saw the timer and you were stuck down in the Tower cells."

"Chef Andy and his friend blew us out of there," she explained. "They used the Mothership's cannons and made a tunnel down to the basement. We all got out right before the bombs went off. It killed all the mutants too."

"Mutants? What mutants"—he stopped as she pressed her hand over his muzzle. "Ask yourself, otaku; do you really want to know?"

Throttle stared at her for a moment, a dozen different thoughts running through his mind before settling on one, sadly true, fact. He ruefully smiled as he shook his head. "Now I know we've been a bad influence on you."

Vinnie smiled at the scene the human and Martian made, ignoring the very small part of him that whispered that that could have been him. Yeah, and you know exactly how that turned out too, so shut up, he told it. He chuckled as Modo came out of the battle tank, Chef Andy and that Addie guy right after him. When Rev stepped out to greet his bro and friends, the others gasped as they saw three shy lady mice following after him, the tan mouse-girl holding his hand. Oh ho, so little bro found his girl? Good for him. Maybe he'll loosen up a bit. He's way too young to be so stressed. He paused a bit in mild horror at that thought. Good gods, I'm turning into a worrier! What's next, lace doilies and baking cookies for the kids?

The sight of the young lady-mouse with white fur and pink eyes made him pause again. A sister, he thought in wonder. Holy gods of Mars, I have a sister! He couldn't help a toothy grin. I have a brother and a sister. I have family again! A real family. Mom would be flipping out about now. His smile faded, his fists clenching as he remembered the history of his younger brother and what he had told them about the Jewels. "And that won't happen again," he growled quietly to himself. I won't let those gods' damned fish have them again.

He blinked in slight surprise at his own thoughts. I sound like Tabia grand-aunt Aviatrix when the war started. He blinked again in much greater surprise as he realized something. Tabia. Elder of the clan. I'm…I'm the only one that's left. I am the clan's elder now. He tested it out. Tabian Vincent. What a scary thought.

The other mice were eager to meet the ladies, who were wearing some of Charley's clothing to make up from earlier. The white short hair was merrily shaking hands and even beginning to flirt with Link while the grey-furred girl smiled shyly at Rev's friends. Vincent came over to the smaller girl, introducing himself with none of the usual flair he used around females. The girl smiled as he talked, leaning forward as she listened to her new older brother.

Charley and Throttle ignored it all as they kissed. Sergeant Williams chuckled at the sight of the couple. "Aw. Gotta love a happy ending."

The chef nodded. "Yeah. Warms the heart." He gave a sarcastic look to his friend and proceeded to punch him in the shoulder. "Now quit with the mushy crap, you old softie. We've got troops to move out."

Addie cheerfully punched his old army buddy back. "Shut up, you old codger. And hey, boys! You better be clearing out of here if you don't want the media circus after you!" As he spoke they could all faintly hear the sound of sirens approaching. The boys scrambled for their bikes as the girls went back to the Mothership.

But the tan mouse would have none of that. Throttle pulled Charley up behind him as he restarted his bike. "Ready, darlin'?"

Her eyes widened a moment at the endearment before she gave him a soft smile. "Of course, otaku. I'm with you."

He found a smile in return. "Right." They sped off, heading back to Chloe's mansion to regroup. Sergt. Williams sent out a merry call on his radio to the crew back home. "Incoming, you slouches! Multiple guests with discretion required. And a couple of long-necks wouldn't be amiss either," he added. The security crew answered in the affirmative and let the lady of the house know they were coming. Everythings was soon ready for them.

Several people were nearly asleep from exhaustion when they arrived. Throttle gently used his tail to lift his girl into his arms as he carried her up the stairs. She barely stirred as they went to bed. Rev helped walk the tan mouse-girl into the mansion as Thrash and Modo helped the grey girl, Vincent keeping a eye on Link as he helped escort the young white-furred girl. Silva smiled at the sight of so many coming home safely, quietly giving kisses to her clan members and directions to the rooms they could use. Chloe and Auri helped where they could, getting doors and pulling back sheets. Finally, everyone was settled in for a well deserved nights rest.

&

Even though it was needed, that doesn't mean everyone was sleeping. Rimfire paced the floor of hall outside the room he and his bros shared. The young mouse couldn't sleep, too wound up from his latest mission. A small flame of pride glowed in his chest at not only his hero-uncle's praise for a job well done, but from Throttle as well. He kept replaying the events over in his mind, trying to find places where he and his bros could have done better—

"For the love of Mars, bro, go walk-about somewhere else!" Link hollered through the door. "Some mice are trying to sleep!"

"Sorry, bros," the contrite mouse said, heading down the hall. He got lost in his thoughts once more as he walked, not noticing where his feet were taking him. As soon as he came to a certain door, his tail twitched in recognition. Chloe's recording studio? How did I—he paused as he heard the strains of an electric guitar play a slow melody.

He unconsciously relaxed as he listened to the human girl strum the instrument she loved so much. A low voice began to softly sing.

"Rock on, gold dust woman

Take your silver spoon, dig your grave

Heartless challenge

Pick your path and I'll pray

"Wake up in the mornin'

See your sunrise, loves go down

Lousy lovers pick their prey

But they never cry out loud, cry out

"Ooh, did she make you cry, make you break down

Shatter your illusions of love?

And is it over now, do you know how?

Pick up the pieces and go home."

Rimfire wondered, "Why such a sad song?"

Chloe whirled, gasping in surprise, the candy red guitar nearly slipping from her grip. She scrambled to catch it, nearly falling off her stool as she tried to collect her composure.

"I'm sorry," Rimfire said contritely. "I didn't mean to scare you. I didn't even mean to say that out loud."

She gave him a sarcastic look as she gently put her guitar down at her side. "How is it that whenever you surprise me, I almost fall?"

"A Martian talent, I guess," he said.

She smiled, black eyes dancing in laughter. "Then a vastly talented mouse you must be. You caught me at the Tournament, then once on the stairs, and then in the kitchen last night." She frowned a bit to herself in consternation. "I do have to wonder when I started to get so clumsy."

"You're not clumsy," he protested. "Just, um…..coordinationaly challenged."

She laughed out-right. "Clumsy."

He blushed, "Yeah, basically." He blinked under her wondering look. "What is it?"

"You're so calm," she said. "After that huge fight, you're acting like it was just another night on the town. How do you do that?"

He looked away from her, reminded rather forcefully that they came from vastly different backgrounds. "When I was born, Mars had been at war with the Plutarkians for eight years already. I know its not right, I know its anything but normal, but for me? I've never known anything but war."

She mentally winced. He had told her about that when they had first met—god, had that only been four days ago? It seemed much longer. She had never connected to someone like she had to this boy. Could she even call him that after he had lived through so much? He seemed older to her. An old soul, her grandmother would have called him. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

"Not your fault," he waved it off.

"You're very brave."

"Its just all part of the job, I guess," he shrugged.

She smiled as she walked to his side. "To you, maybe. But I still think so."

He blushed under her gaze. "Ah, Miss Chloe, I"—

She stepped closer, brushing a finger over his mouth to quite him. "You can call me Chloe." His breathing came faster as she leaned up against him, his arms coming up automatically to hold her as she kissed him. His eyes closed as he pulled her close, running his fingers through her soft black hair. She gave a soft whimper as the kiss deepened.

That snapped him out of it. What are you doing?! He thought to himself in shock. He broke the kiss, a soft push enough to send her back from him. He found himself panting, stunned such a small girl could knock him on his tail with a kiss.

"Rimfire?" Came a hurt voice. She touched his arm, not understanding. "Did I do something wrong?"

He closed his eyes against it, unable to look her in the eye. "Oh goddess, no, Chloe, no, I just—this can't work. It can't work between us, babe."

"What do you mean?"

"I"—he did not want to say it, make it real to her and himself—"I have to go back with them, Chloe. I have to go back to Mars."

"But not yet," she said, cupping the side of his face. "We have time, Rimfire."

"To do what? All we have is three more days! The more time we spend together, the more it'll hurt when I leave! Its better this way, Chloe. We stop now and"—

"And what, you coward?"

He froze. "What did you call me?"

"A coward," She bit out. "I see how you are now. You'd rather play it safe. Well, guess what. I don't care if it hurts when you leave, I don't care if I cry for weeks. I'd rather have the time I have with you filled with you, than not have you at all."

He looked her clear in the eyes. "Are you sure? Really sure, Chloe?"

She nodded, not a shred of doubt in her heart. "I'm sure. How does that bit of Shakespeare go? 'Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.'"

The young mouse winced. "Gods, I hate Shakespeare." He found a smile for his girl. "I've been shot at, blown up, and broken out of prison, and I get odds about you. Sorry about that."

She flushed in embarrassment. "Only if you forgive me for calling you a coward."

"Well, it did make your point." He kissed her cheek to show he accepted her apology. Right before he blushed again. "I'm sorry. My grandmother would be washing my mouth out with soap right now."

She blinked in surprise. "Why?"

"You shouldn't kiss a lady until after the third date. Its not right."

Chloe Hong stared in surprise at the Martian mouse. He was completely serious. And here I thought chivalry was dead. She smiled at him. "Rimmy, I think she'd understand if we sped things up a bit." He laughed as he pulled her back into his arms for another kiss.