If you are interested in reading the complete version of this chapter which does go a bit towards the steamy side, it will be posted over on DA under the name 'gclionessa'. I just didn't really feel like bumping the rating up for this chapter and what follows after it. Anyways, the relationship begins to heat up here and Lion-O realizes that he's going to have to do something soon to lock it in place. Again thanks go to frankannestein, heart of demons, st4r hunter, and darkalphawolf01 for following along on this journey. I have a bit of a break before student teaching starts on the 10th of May so I thought I would share this.

June 4458:

June was busy with several missions and a couple of other things and Cynthia had a chance to see some of them in action thanks to some time in the control room with Cheetara and also Lioness-A. The reason Cynthia was able to be in there was due to the relationship she had with Lion-O and his sister as it was accepted for the most part. She was comfortable in leggings and short-sleeved tops as the weather had gotten warmer and sometimes, she wore lightweight dresses. Either way, Lion-O found her attractive which had her blushing but enjoying his attentions. Lion-O often led a few missions in addition to Jaguarus or Panthro.

One of the missions was the training exercise in space with the Mutants, Lunatacs and Boktorians and Cynthia was relieved she was staying put where she was for that one.

"Space is beautiful but not if you're too sick to see it," she observed as Cheetara chuckled.

"Point noted. At least you can take something for it," Cheetara said.

"True but I'd rather keep my feet on firm ground," Cynthia said as Lioness-A chuckled. They were watching the mission from one of the screens in the control room that day. "And why is Lion-O on this one again?" Cynthia asked.

"Ratar-O and King Psiarik of the Moons are on this one as is King Garion," Lioness-A replied. "As to why I'm not entirely sure." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"They're working out some logistics on patrolling the space where Mars and Third Earth are," Cheetara said. "It was in that last meeting we were at before the mission began." Lioness-A frowned.

"Now that's one place I would like to see in person," Cynthia said wistfully.

"To see how it looks there now?" Cheetara asked her.

"Partially," Cynthia replied. "But also, to see if anything of my timeline actually survived." Cheetara frowned slightly and pulled up the maps of space then.

"They are on approach to there now so we might can see something," she said. Cynthia frowned.

"I wonder," she said. She had Cheetara radio the Feliner to ask about something which was acknowledged as the Boktorian ship had heard it.

"What's this about?" Lioness-A asked.

"Earth did some space missions to the moon before I was born," Cynthia replied. "We were able to land a man there in 1969 and bring them home and up until about 1972 there were missions going there. Some of the equipment used might still be on the moon itself." The Thundercats were awed by this as word came in that something was seen on the surface of the moon and pictures were sent back to the palace. Cynthia smiled. "Thought they'd still be there. I wasn't sure they'd be, given the passage of time."

"That's impressive," Panthro said as the ships passed the moon to get a closer look. One of the sites had a flag beside it.

"That's the flag of my home country," Cynthia said in response to a question when the footage was shown to her. "And to quote the first astronaut to walk there, 'that's one small step for man but one giant leap for mankind' and that was in July of 1969."

"Astonishing," Garion said. "The Martians know those are there and said they've been left alone for all this time but they say it serves as a remembrance for what was accomplished to allow Mars to be colonized. Much of the people of Mars remembers their Earthen heritage."

"When was Mars colonized finally?" Cynthia asked.

"Near 2100 or so if I heard right," Garion told her.

"They were contemplating something along those lines while I was there but we didn't have the means or the knowledge yet to figure out how to get to Mars and back safely," Cynthia said. "There was, however, a space station in space but it's likely long since gone."

"Looks like it. There's a bunch of junk out here though," Bengali said.

"Satellites or what's left of them," Cynthia explained.

"Your people were busy," Panthro said as she shrugged.

"This whole thing has been impressive on learning of it," Ratar-O said as Psiarik agreed with him.

"Can we set up something here as a joint venture of protecting it but leave the Thundercats in control?" Psiarik asked then.

"I was planning on allowing that as it would make sense to keep Third Earth protected in light of the present situation," Garion said as Lion-O nodded as the rat and psi looked at each other through the screens before also nodding. "From what I've seen your bases are still there and it might not take much to make them worthwhile."

"I'll get our two garrisons there to give you two a hand on setting them back up. There might be a reason for all of this and being prepared is the best way I think," Lion-O said as Ratar-O nodded as did Psiarik. "I think I need to bring Cynthia here and let her see it for herself," Lion-O mused thoughtfully. "But could anything from her timeline two thousand years ago have survived this long?"

"No way of knowing on that but the Martian president is sending a team to Third Earth to take a closer look around to see what they can find out," Garion said. "Give them some time to see and talk to the people that are there. The Warrior Maidens said there are other humans there on Third Earth but they're pretty well scattered. Remnants of what was there more than likely."

Cheetara turned off the monitors a short while later as Lioness-A frowned while reading a few reports that had come in over the relays.

"What's this situation Garion mentioned?" Cynthia asked. Lioness-A sighed.

"Some of the Boktorians are seers and some are also sorcerers which is the case for Garion and most of his mother's family," Lioness-A said. "They're seeing a time of destruction ahead for here, the Moons and also PlunDarr. It's one reason for the alliance and this joint space venture."

"Plus the fortification of Third Earth as well," Cheetara said. "The Guardian of the Book mentioned it as a base of operations for all three of our races for whatever is to come."

"I'm not liking the sound of that," Cynthia said. "Sounds like an intergalactic war of some kind."

"Could be but we don't know," Lioness-A said. "Lion-O said when he eliminated Mumm-Ra in a dimension of the Book, the Ancient Spirits of Evil fled the pyramid and no one knows where they went or even if they're still active."

"And that's the troubling part as the Guardian and the seers don't have the answers to that," Cheetara said. She looked at Cynthia. "But the Guardian did know you were coming."

"How?" Cynthia asked.

"Who knows how he knows what he does but it seems he has close ties with some of our gods," Lioness-A said. "The book's hard to read as it is."

Cynthia left the control room to head back to her suite for a while as she was wanting a bit of a break but she was relieved that Lion-O was doing what he should be doing. Things had settled down and she was getting used to the pace around her. She did some reading on her laptop of a few things and some of it had her puzzled. Lioness-A found her in the library later looking through one of the history books.

"What's up?" Lioness-A asked.

"Doing some reading," Cynthia replied. She sighed. "Mainly about the process the kings go through when they're deciding on that next step when they think they're ready to marry."

"That is a tricky bit," Lioness-A said. "And it's something that's not easily explained from what I've been able to recall of it."

"Karena and Linkor put a program on my laptop that explains a lot of things but I think it missed some of the Barbary traditions," Cynthia said. "Lion-O mentioned something about a mane-cutting."

"That's for him on the wedding night but it's one of them," Lioness-A said. "The other is the blood-bonding and there's a special dagger used for it." Cynthia blinked.

"I wasn't aware of that," she said. "Will that affect me?" she asked.

"In all likelihood it will," Lioness-A said. "That's done at the actual ceremony itself."

"Has any of these relationships ever gone too far so to speak before the wedding?" Cynthia asked. Lioness-A eyed her as Cynthia went slightly red.

"I see my brother's had some interesting thoughts recently," she said as Cynthia smiled faintly. "It's not encouraged but it does happen occasionally. In either case, it's mostly overlooked." The lioness eyed Cynthia a moment. "Has the relationship gotten that deep that fast?" she asked. Cynthia sighed.

"It seems that it has. He looks for me whenever he gets back from these missions and he checks up on me every day even if we don't go to dinner together or something," she said. "But I can feel it in the kisses we share. There's a tinge of passion just on the edge of them." Lioness-A suddenly grinned.

"I have an idea and can we borrow that phone of yours for the camera on it?" she asked. Cynthia held it out to her as the lioness looked at the camera and then the photo gallery. "How do we print something?"

"Sync it to one of your printers and select the photo or I can upload it to a directory on one of your systems," Cynthia replied.

"Hmm with Lion-O on Third Earth for this training mission we might not need to print anything but we can forward things to him," Lioness-A mused. "Pumyra's still here since she's pregnant now and we saw Cheetara so what do you think of doing a photo shoot of you in some cute outfits and the four of us pick out the best ones and send them to him to cheer him up?" Lioness-A asked. "I'm sure Amnextria, Shayanya and Oona can help with some of this."

"I like the idea," Cynthia said. "I know he's missing me from the last letter I got from him. He hasn't been able to call yet though."

"They're upgrading the links at the Third Earth lair and tower to handle that now but it'll be done later today," Lioness-A said. "It might be tonight before he calls as they're helping with the reconstruction as well."

"How do you know all of this?" Cynthia asked.

"The twin bond Lion-O and I have is strong but it's fuzzy given the distance but it's enough to tell me what he's doing and if he has to reach us, he's going on the Feliner to do it," Lioness-A told her.

"Ah," Cynthia said.

.::~*~::.

The photo shoot was done the next day and somewhat shockingly, Cheetara and Pumyra were more than willing to help along with the two lionesses as well. Cynthia had to show Lioness-A how to use the camera feature but that wasn't a problem. One of the outfits was reminiscent of one Cynthia had worn from her world and included a pair of short jean shorts and a dark green tank top. The women loved how it looked as it highlighted her petite figure but also her green eyes. Several dresses were found and Karena sent one down once she heard. It was a silk one with thin straps of dark green with matching sandals and a silken scarf to go around the neck.

"That's beautiful," Cheetara said.

"Shows her to be elegant and refined and the very definition of what a queen is supposed to be," Lioness-A said as the two looked at her. "It was in the note Karena sent with it. I have a feeling someone is guiding her and Linkor on this one."

"One of the gods?" Cheetara questioned. Lioness-A considered it and what Karena had told her.

"Kiania would be the one as she's the high Barbary goddess and I guess she had her reasons for picking Cynthia," the lioness said. They finished the pictures and one of Cynthia in the green silk gown was selected. It had her back to the camera and her face turned toward the side but the angle was such that the sun showed a golden glow around her slim frame. There was one from the front and the shorts outfit was the last one. Those were uploaded to the system and Lioness-A sent it to Lion-O's telecom address as the media structure was working. The question was when Lion-O would see them and would he be able to reach Cynthia as the communicators couldn't reach that far but the towers were being reworked to where they could.

.::~*~::.

Lion-O was exhausted when he got into his quarters at the lair on Third Earth but he was relieved that most of the heavy work was done and that both Castle Plundarr and Skytomb were livable now. Ratar-O and the Mutants were upgrading their communication links now as were the Lunatacs and that would take a day. Garion was staying with the Thundercats at the lair as there was plenty of room there. Twenty Thunderguard under the command of Thundercat Blaine were at the lair while ten more held the Tower of Omens. Lion-O sat down at his desk and opened up his telecom and powered it on to check some stuff from New ThunDera since Lioness-A was handling things there for him while he was here. His message center pinged and he opened it and found one from Cynthia, which wasn't unusual as she'd been able to reach him this way. He clicked it open and found the pictures and whistled in pleasant surprise at them.

"She's beautiful," he whispered. The green silk gown got his attention as it brought out the red tones to her hair and the green of her eyes in addition to the soft curves of her figure. The one of her in the shorts and tank top was another pleasant one and he found himself growing more in love and wanting her in another way. Finding his communicator, he dialed Cynthia's number then and was relieved it was working when she answered.

"Hey," she said softly.

"I got your pictures girl," he said as she smiled as they switched to video feed. "What's that last one you sent me?" he asked softly.

"A sample of an outfit from my world," Cynthia answered. "The one I was wearing is still at the elder's home."

"You look beautiful in those," he said as she smiled. "When I get back home, we're going out on a special date together to somewhere nice and I want to see you in that dress."

"I like that and I'll wear it for you," Cynthia whispered. "How much longer are you there for?" she asked.

"Maybe another day or two," Lion-O replied. "We got the bulk of stuff done with the Mutant and Lunatac strongholds so that's one relief and the communication relays are almost finished here." He sighed. "Truth be told though, I don't like being away from you like this."

"I know," Cynthia said softly. "I miss you too."

"I love you," Lion-O purred to her.

"And I love you," Cynthia whispered. Lion-O ended the call with her and leaned back in his chair to consider some things. This wasn't the first time he'd been in love with someone due to the relationship he'd had with Cheetara but then that one hadn't gone nearly as far as this one was going. Cynthia was beautiful and by the view of her in the pictures, sexy as well. He didn't think he'd ever feel something like that with anyone and marveled again at how lucky he was to have been introduced to her. It was beginning to feel like she was the one for him and he wanted to take this relationship a step or so further but wasn't sure that he could get away with it. He made a call to talk to Elder Linkor and the conversation had him smiling when he finally hung up and went to get a shower before bed.

.::~*~::.

Two days later the Thundercats returned back to New ThunDera and Cynthia was with Lioness-A in the hangar when the Feliner landed. Lion-O got off and found his bag and came up to them and hugged his sister first as she smiled before running to Tygra who grinned. Cheetara was with Sindaris who was now holding their son. Lion-O looked around the bay and pulled Cynthia close for a kiss as her eyes closed. Screw protocol for this one time. He had missed her and she had missed him so this was allowed. Jaguarus rolled his eyes but it was in humor as he had his own girlfriend.

"When is this date?" Cynthia asked as Lion-O took her hand as they left the hangar bay with him carrying his bag over his shoulder.

"In a day or two so I can figure out where we're going to go," he replied. He tangled his fingers in hers as she smiled gently. They entered his quarters and Singa came out of somewhere to get the bag and take it with him after Lion-O removed his personal telecom from it along with the cable. "I'm gonna wait till I get in my office and print those pictures so I can get them framed," Lion-O said as Cynthia smiled.

"That'll be perfect," Cynthia said.

"You looked sexy in that dress girl and why I want you to wear it for that date," Lion-O said as he slid his arms around Cynthia's waist and pulled her to him as she smiled. He lowered his head and kissed her and the kiss deepened as his hand snaked up to caress her neck under her hairline. Her arms went around his neck. They slowly parted and he saw something in her eyes then. "You're wanting more, aren't you?" he asked.

"In a way yes, but I don't know if there's a right time for it," Cynthia whispered.

"There'll come a day soon for us," Lion-O murmured softly. Cynthia nodded and left his room a short bit later for hers, her thoughts all over the place. She got inside her suite and closed the door and leaned against it, her heart pounding as her hand found the pendant she was wearing. It was one that Lion-O had given her recently.

'Can I afford to lose my virginity with Lion-O and still somehow be ready for that big day?' she thought. 'I don't even know if that's what he's thinking.' Cynthia sighed and walked over to her bed and flopped on it before rolling to her back. 'I guess the only way to know for sure is to wait and see what happens with everything.'

.::~*~::.

The date was a day later and Cynthia wore the silk dress for it as Shayanya helped her get ready. The dress clung to Cynthia's curves and was down to her ankles as she slipped on the sandals she had for it.

Lion-O was waiting downstairs when Cynthia came up to him and his eyes widened slightly when he saw her. She was even more beautiful in person. He was in black pants and a silvery-gray shirt and a vest of an emerald green which nearly matched her dress.

"You look fantastic," he said as she smiled. He held out an arm and she slid hers through it as they began walking toward the limousine. "Ready for a good time?" he asked.

"Yes," Cynthia said softly. They boarded the vehicle and headed on their way toward the restaurant which was in the ritzy district of the city. Lion-O was showing an enormous amount of restraint in not wanting to do anything yet but it wouldn't be long before he had to act on those feelings. Cynthia was a true beauty in every sense of the word and that the people loved her was a testament to her compassion and gentleness.

The restaurant was an expensive one in the heart of the government and elder ring of the city and a section had been reserved for the couple. Wine was brought out and Cynthia got to try some of it.

"Amazing place," Cynthia said after the orders were placed.

"It is," Lion-O said. "I've had dinner meetings here a few times with some of the elders but it works for this as well," he added. He gently held her hand. "I feel as though this relationship is beginning to deepen between us," he said softly as she nodded.

"I know and I feel that way too," Cynthia said softly. They ate their meal and talked a bit before heading back toward the palace. Lion-O held Cynthia close and they kissed gently before the kisses grew deeper. Cynthia leaned against Lion-O as he held her and they went inside the palace later holding hands. There were a few cubs running around being chased by their snarf nannies and at one point found the couple holding up their joined hands to let a few cubs run under them.

"I'm so sorry about that your Majesty," one tigress nanny said meekly as she ducked around them.

"It's fine," Lion-O said with a warm laugh. The nanny smiled at the couple before going after the cubs then as Cynthia smiled.

"Some of the families here?" she asked.

"A few of them," Lion-O said. "The parents for those must be on a couple of missions at the moment." He looked down at her and saw her green eyes sparkling. "I think you liked that."

"It's always fun to see cubs having a good time, even in trying times," Cynthia said as he nodded. They went to his quarters for a while and cuddled together on the sofa in the living area after Lion-O removed his vest. Lion-O nuzzled Cynthia gently but he was enjoying the feel of her being pressed close to him.

"You feel amazing girl," Lion-O whispered in Cynthia's ear. She tilted her head back to regard him.

"You're wanting more, aren't you?" she asked as his lips found her throat. Lion-O looked at her and gently pushed a lock of her hair back.

"I am but I'll stop if you're not comfortable with it," he said.

"It's okay Lion-O," Cynthia said and took a shaky breath. "Truth be told you'd be the first for me if it does go that far between us."

"You'd be my first as well," Lion-O told her gently. He nuzzled her again, feeling the stirrings again. "So, what's your answer?" he asked in her ear softly. Cynthia looked at him and her eyes were soft.

"I'm ready for this next step," she breathed as he purred and guided her to his bedroom for the special moment that lovers experienced together.

.::~*~::.

The next morning Cynthia woke and blinked at the surroundings before she felt someone behind her. She shifted and saw Lion-O and smiled softly as she tucked a lock of his mane behind his ear. Last night had been incredible and he had been so gentle with her. He stirred and woke and traced her cheek.

"Morning love," he whispered before they kissed softly.

"Last night felt good," Cynthia whispered and groaned slightly.

"It did," Lion-O murmured. "You okay?" he asked.

"Sore from that first time but it was amazing regardless," Cynthia answered as he held her close. He nuzzled her throat and let her slide from the bed to pull on her clothes.

"Will you join me for breakfast?" he asked.

"Yes," Cynthia said as he slid from the bed and got dressed then. She watched as he pulled his mane back with a leather thong and she went to her quarters and changed clothes and met him in the hallway and they went to breakfast together.