Epilogue

Dinner had gone well and everyone enjoyed each other's company so much so that it was almost ten pm before the guests left the Lair. Tygra said good night shortly after as he had to catch some sleep before going on duty at three am. Panthro and Lea waltzed off around eleven as they'd pulled doubles to cover while Tygra was otherwise occupied, and had been on the duty roster that day. Because the schedule had been thrown out of whack Ben-Gali had pulled a double in the hangar and he and Pumyra left around the same time as the panther and lioness. Their kids had all eaten dinner at a reasonable hour much before their parents got home. It was at that point that Lion-O decided it was best for his family and son-in-law to call it a day as well.

"I think we all could use the sleep," the lion said as Sahara and Tyler help clear the dishes. Snarf, would had been napping after making such a large meal, came over and pushed them out of the way.

"You two should not be doing dishes! Off you go!" The faithful nursemaid said.

"Snarf, someone your age shouldn't be doing the dishes at eleven o'clock at night," Tyler pointed out.

"What are you trying to say?" Snarf wanted to know.

"Only that the dishes will keep until morning when the staff comes in," Sahara said. Snarf looked upset as though he'd been replaced and immediately Lion-O stepped in.

"If you want to do them now, why don't you wash and I'll dry?" This seemed to satisfy Snarf and he hustled off to the kitchen.

"We'll help," Sahara offered and Tyler nodded.

"Absolutely not. The two of you need to actually get some sleep in a real bed. Tyler has been sleeping in that chair at the hospital and you haven't slept in a good long while, you're as white as a sheet," Cheetara shook her head.

"She's right. Off to bed with you," Lion-O nodded.

"Ok, ok we can take a hint," Sahara chuckled. With that the two left the room and headed for her room first.

"You know we don't actually have our own room do we?" She asked.

"Now that you mention it, no we don't. I think that took a backseat but I'm sure we can work something out in the morning," he said, sliding his hand into hers. She nodded and they fell silent for a few minutes.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, sensing there was something on her mind.

"Talk about what?" She wanted to know.

"I don't know. Whatever is on your mind? You're obviously deep in thought," Tyler said.

"You know me too well," the litah smirked.

"Well I think that comes with the territory once you've been mated," he teased.

"It suddenly dawned on me with all this talk of DNA and child bearing that everyone keeps mentioning cubs. My mother, Jaga, your mother, they all want us to be baby making machines," she said.

"Well we did want a family so I think with all the hubbub about us maybe not being able to have any, just made people nervous. When did you talk to Jaga?" He asked suddenly recognizing the name of the most famous ThunderCat.

"I have been blessed with the gift my father has. Quite often Jaga will appear when I'm in serious trouble. Although Mumm-Rana had made herself known recently as well," she admitted.

"And you were keeping this a secret because?" Tyler stopped as they reached her room.

"Because my brother doesn't have that ability. He may be the next Lord of the ThunderCats and King of Thundera but he will not possess what I do now. As his Protector, I have been given these abilities. I was going to tell you when we had a quiet moment to ourselves but that hasn't been an option lately and to be honest, I'm still trying to absorb it myself," she admitted. He nodded and opened the door to her room. It was still a mess from the last time she'd slept in there. Clothes were on the floor and the bed was only half made.

"Wow, I forgot about this. I really have to clean up," she shook her head.

"When I came in here earlier I was going to say something but we didn't have time. Why don't you get ready for bed and I'll fix the sheets?" He offered.

"You sure? I could super-speed around the room and have it done in a jiff," she told him.

"Yes well that worked out so well before…" the pumiger chuckled and she punched him in the arm.

"You've got five minutes," she teased and she slipped into the bathroom. Tyler quickly worked to fix the bed up, the way a Princess should have it made and then he slipped down the hall to his room, grabbed some sleepwear, and rushed back to find Sahara walking out of the bathroom with her bathrobe on.

"Mind if I sleepover?" He asked.

"Oh I thought you'd never suggest it," she winked at him, despite the fact that they both knew they were way too tired to do much more than sleep. He disappeared into the bathroom and she climbed onto the right side of her full-sized bed. They'd have to get a bigger one but for tonight it would do. He exited the bathroom only a few minutes later and crawled in on the opposite side of the bed. She handed him an extra pillow and they fell asleep in each other's arms.

THE END