On the way back to Earth, Carbine had put the ship on autopilot so she could get some rest. She was dog tired. She really wanted to take a nice hot shower, then hit the hay for the rest of the day and night. Harley had other ideas. She needed to get to Vinnie ASAP. Ever since she escaped from Mace, she had been wondering if Vinnie was still alive. She still loved him very much. She was hoping that Vinnie still felt the same for her.

Harley decided to get some sleep while on the way to Earth. She couldn't believe that Stoker told her that she should just stay on Earth so she would be safe. She couldn't blame him for telling her that.
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About a week and a half later, the ship made it to Earth. Carbine had called the garage to get permission to land the ship. Charley told Carbine that she didn't need to get permission to land behind the garage. She was welcome to visit any time she wanted.

After Carbine and Harley exited the ship, they walked into the garage. Carbine noticed that Throttle and I had been visiting with Modo and Charley. I waved at Carbine. She waved back.

"Who's your friend?"

Both Throttle and Modo couldn't believe their own eyes. "It can't be! Is that really you, Harley-girl?" Throttle got up from his stool and went over to hug Harley to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

"Its really me, Throttle. I see you still use the nuke-knucks I gave you."

"I plan to retire it very soon."

"Why?"

"I'm starting a family, Harley. My fiancé is 4 months pregnant. Michelle, honey, why don't you come over here and introduce yourself."

I walked over and stood next to Throttle. "Hi. I'm Michelle." I extended my hand out to the light furred female mouse.

She shook my hand and introduced herself. "I'm Harley. Nice to meet you, Michelle. Um…I don't mean to forward with you but is that a tail behind you?"

I looked over my shoulder. "Yep. There's a story behind why I have a tail and still look mostly Human."

"I would love to hear this." I looked at Carbine. I gave her the 'Really?' look.

"My blood was very toxic and I didn't know. After I was admitted to the hospital, the Drs. and I found out that Throttle was a match to me, so he donated Martian blood in order to save my life. Now, that blood has taken over and replaced my Human blood. I'm slowly turning into a Martian Mouse. I don't know what other transformations will happen while I'm pregnant."

Both Carbine and Harley were shocked. They couldn't believe what they heard.

Throttle put his arm around my shoulders. "If I hadn't done the blood transfusion, both her and my unborn son wouldn't be here right now."

I looked at Throttle and smiled. "I owe him my life. His quick thinking and cool under pressure demeanor is what saved my life. He's my hero."

Carbine walked over to Throttle. "I know we didn't part on very good terms but I want you to know that I will always care for you, but in a friend way. I'm sorry I couldn't give you the love that you wanted and needed. I am very happy for you and Michelle and your new baby, Throttle. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Throttle gave Carbine a hug. "Thanks, Carbine. You'll always be my friend, as well. Why don't you stay here on Earth? We could always use a babysitter."

Carbine looked at me. "I'm fine with you babysitting our son now and then, Carbine. Your heart is in the right place and I hope you find the right guy one day."

She smiled at me. "Thanks Michelle. I hope so too." Then she looked back at Throttle. "I am staying here on Earth. I told Stoker that I quit and turned in my resignation papers the same day Harley and I left to come here."

"Nice. What did Stoker have to say about you quitting?"

"He didn't say much. Just told me to enjoy my life as a civilian. Honestly, I don't remember what civilian life is like any more."

"Maybe I can show you. I went from military life to civilian life long time ago. It was hard at first, but I managed to."

"You saw fighting and war, huh? What branch of the Earth military and how long were you in for?"

"Marines and 20 yrs."

Charley looked at me with a shocked look on her face. "You didn't tell me you were in the Marines, Mike. Does Throttle know?"

"Yes Charley-girl. I know she was in the Marines. I'm proud of her for serving her country. I hope our son wants to do the same thing when he's old enough."

I looked at Throttle and smiled. "Me too."

"Mike, why don't you and Throttle head home."

"I'm fine, Charley. Why does everyone have to fuss over me just cause I'm pregnant?"

Throttle looked at me then motioned me out the door to talk to me in private.

After we were out of earshot, Throttle explained why everyone was fussing over me. "I'm not an invalid. I can take care of myself, Throttle. You know that."

"I know, sweetheart, but we don't want anything to happen to the baby. You're only 4 months along. Anything can happen between now and the day he's born. I don't want anything happening to you or our baby boy. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to either of you. I'd be so lost without either of you. My life would be incomplete. I don't want to lose either of you. Right now, this baby, our baby, is very healthy. I want him to stay that way all through your pregnancy and beyond. If you wanna do things on your own, fine, but let us help you once in a while, ok?"

I smiled through the tears. He wiped the tears away, then gave me a kiss on my cheek. "I love you, Michelle Montana, soon to be Michelle Thornboy."

I hugged him tightly. Probably a little too tight, though. In between choke-coughs, he told me I was squeezing too tightly. I eased up and apologized.

"Don't apologize. You hungry?"

"Yeah I am. Why don't we invite Carbine and Harley over for dinner tonight?"

"If Harley doesn't end up staying with Vinnie at the hospital."

"Why don't you take her over there on your bike and I'll wait here for you."

"Give me your word that you won't leave."

"Biker's Honor. I won't go anywhere until you get back. I know Vinnie won't be able to hear you, but tell him I said get better soon. Also tell him that if and when he wakes up, I would like him and Modo to be your best men, er mice. Only if you don't mind? They are your friends, afterall."

"I had planned on asking Modo this week, but I figured there was plenty of time."

"True. I'll see you when you get back. Be careful on the way there. No hot dogging it. Don't need daddy in the hospital."

"Daddy. Don't think I'll ever get use to that word."

"I think you will real quick when our son is born. We're also going to need a new place. We need at least 3 rooms."

"Why 3?"

"Our bedroom, our son's room and a guest bedroom, duh."

"I was thinking and if you're ok with it, having Carbine live with us. She can take care of Tony when we're at work."

"So, you wanna be partners in the bounty hunting business, then?"

"Sure, why not. Like you said. You'll run the office and I'll bust the bad guys. I don't want you on a motorcycle just yet, anyways. Especially, since I haven't found one for you yet."

"Throttle, you don't need to get me a bike. I love riding with you. To feel my arms wrapped around your hot, muscular body. I can't get that if I have my own bike."

"We'll talk more about the bike when I get back. For the time being, just visit with Modo and the girls until I get back." Then he gave me a hug and we walked back into the garage.

"Hey Harley, how would you like to go see Vinnie at the hospital?"

Harley turned towards Throttle. "I would love to. He's the reason I came to Earth. How we going to get there, though?"

"I'll take you on my bike. You can use Michelle's helmet."

Harley looked over at me. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all, Harley. Both of you be careful."

"We will, babe." Then they got on the bike and left the garage and headed for the hospital.
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Chicago Mercy General Hospital. Throttle and Harley had just arrived. They got off the bike and walked into the hospital. The Dr. happened to be standing at the reception desk.

He saw them walk in. "Good to see you again, Throttle. There's been some new development with Vinnie."

"Has he woken up from his coma?"

"Actually, yes. He woke up yesterday and wanted hot dogs and root beer. His nurse told him he couldn't have it and he made a big fuss about it."

"Heh, that's Vinnie. Can we see him?"

"Of course. I was just going to check on him, anyway." Then we turned around and walked into Vinnie's room. They noticed Vinnie was awake.

"Hey Vin. Glad you're awake."

Vinnie noticed Harley standing to the side of Throttle. "Harley? Is that really you, beautiful?"

She walked over to Vinnie's bed and sat down in the chair next to the bed. She grabbed a hold of Vinnie's hand and squeezed it. "Its really me, Vinnie. When I heard you were in the hospital, I knew I had to come here to Earth to see you. I never gave up getting back to the base and back to you. I never lost faith in what we had before the war started. I want to pick up where we left off, Vinnie. Seeing you like this makes me love you more than ever now." She then kissed the top of his hand.

Vinnie yanked Harley onto his lap and gave her a passionate kiss. Both the Dr. and Throttle left the room. "Is it ok if she stays here with him tonight, doc? She had been missing for a very long time. I think they need the time together."

"I agree, Throttle. She can stay until he gets discharged from here."

"Thanks, doc. Let her know she can stay here until he gets discharged. I have to get back to my fiancé."

Throttle waved to Vinnie who waved back while kissing Harley.
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Last Chance Garage. Throttle had just gotten back and noticed that I had kept my word and stayed put.

"Hey babe. I found a new place for us."

Throttle walked up to me and gave me a hug. He placed his hand on my slightly swollen belly. He looked at the spot I had circled in the paper. He picked it up and read it.

"Decided on a 2 bedroom instead, huh?"

"Yeah. I'll explain later. Right now, I just wanna go home and take a shower."

"Ok babe. What are we doing for dinner?"

"I have dogs and root beer in the fridge. You can help yourself. I've been on my feet off and on today. I need to relax and stay off my feet the rest of the night."

"If you don't mind Michelle, can I come with you and make dinner?"

I looked at Modo and smiled. "That would be great, Modo. Thank you."