I must apologize for one small portion that I borrow from "Star Trek the Next Generation". Sorry Geordy, but I'm sure you won't mind.
Part 4
It had been 6 hours since Dr. Odo had finished with examining Throttle. He suggested they occupy themselves until he got the results, not surprisingly every one ended up at Stoker's office.
Vinnie stood leaning against the wall nervously tapping his fingers on his folded arm. Modo sat close to Lydria holding her hand as she leaned on his shoulder. Stoker sat behind his desk with his feet up, his chin perched on his entwined fingers and his tail wrapping and unwrapping around the leg of his chair. Charley sat on a small couch next to Throttle, his calm reserve seemingly back in place. But the way he held on to Charley's hand let her know his true concern.
Everyone jumped when Hari walked into the office. The look on his face told Lydria that the news wasn't good so she braced up for the worst. Modo seeing her reaction put an arm around her shoulder.
He walked over to Throttle and Charley, pulled up a chair and sat in front of them, "My findings are not as encouraging as I might have wished. When that Plutarkian replaced thine eyes he didn't completely secure the connection between the bionic eyes and thy optic nerve. That is why ye could only see white at first. Fortunately the field specs help to improve thy sight by boosting the connection and over the years thy bodies own regenerative power strengthen it. For the most part the improvement should have continued, but as things some times happen, unfortunately, the blow to thy head hit at just the correct angle and amount of force to completely severed the connection destroying the optic nerve in the process.
"No!!!!" Vinnie felt like some one had just stabbed him in the heart.
"Come on Vinman it was still just an accident." Throttle tried to comfort his guilt-ridden cousin.
"No!!!! It's my fault, you'll be blind and it's all my fault." Vinnie cried as he flew from room.
Stoker stood, "go ahead and finish what you have to say Doc. I'll go after the kid." He followed Vinnie out.
Hari continued while Throttle and Charley listened silently." The best I can offer is a technical improvement on the field specs that would require I implant a neural-transmitter into thy brain. Still, it will not be seeing like thee are use to, more like the negative of a photograph, but thee will have other added abilities. The glasses would be magnetically attached to the side of thy face and ye will be able to release them manually. Without them ye will be totally blind and it will be painful until thy brain gets use to working with the transmitter. I must also warn thee, the neural implanting can be very dangerous. Thy brain might reject the signal, which could cause irreparable brain damage or death.
"What are my chances Doc?" Throttle asked calmly.
Thee may have an 85% chance of surviving the surgery, 75% chance of the connection won't kill thee." Hari attempted to keep his professional demeanor in tack but glancing over toward Lydria his heart broke by the pain he saw on her face.
"Not bad odds." Throttle answered.
"Throttle!! Charley blurted out. "Is it worth your life?" She grabbed hold of both his hands.
"Um, will you guys excuse us for a little bit, Mom, big guy, we need a little time to talk. You understand don't ya?" Throttle requested calmly.
"Of course baby, come on Modo why don't you take me to see Lil Hoss." Lydria walked over to kiss both he and Charley on the cheek. Charley closed her eyes and bowed her head not able to speak. Lydria looked at Hari and smile at him gratefully taking Modo's hand before leaving.
"I'll talk with ya later Bro." The big mouse's voice trembled as he escorted his aunt out.
"Let me know thy decision, but we should get started as soon as we can if ye decides to have the surgery." Hari placed a hand on Throttle's shoulder and smiled towards Charley but see didn't see him, as he left them alone.
In the now quiet office Charley fiddled with a loose string on her dress until she broke the silence, "I'm sorry I had no right to do that. It's not my decision to make," her voice was small and apologetic.
"Come here babygirl." Throttle held his arms out for her to sit on his lap.
Charley hesitated, and then place herself in his embrace. He took her by the chin lifting her face to kiss her very tenderly. Once gently releasing her lips he smiled and brushed through her hair guiding her head on his shoulder.
"Darlin' you have every right. The Ourrie sa tul gives you that right. My life is as much yours as it is mine." His hand lifts her wrist that bared the red scarf. "But please understand if there is a chance, even a small one, I gotta take it."
"I know it's just now I'm scared. What if …if ." The words stuck in her throat.
"Hey, I've waited too long for a woman like you to grace my life, I'm not going anywhere. Besides once I'm back to speed I have a good month of torment I have to inflect on Vinnie and I have a pair of heavenly eyes I want to get lost in and a prefect smile that I have to see again." Charley sighed at his sweet words,
"Throttle?" She didn't raise her head but looked at the red material he'd wrapped around her wrist and put her wrist into his hand. "What exactly does this mean?"
"Like I told you it's a promise. A promise that one day you will become my mate forever. But like I said the scarf was only a substitute." Throttle released her arm and reached into his pocket to pull out a small, intricately craved silver bangle and slipped it over the red scarf. "This is the real thing. Some how my mom saved it for me."
Charley sat up and rubbed the beautiful bracelet between her fingers. She noticed that the cravings were actually some kind of symbols. "What are these markings?"
"Those are the names of my parents, my grandparents, and it goes back at least five generations. Only my mother would have found a way to keep it safe all this time." Throttle had to chuckle remembering his mother resourcefulness.
"It's the most exquisite thing I have ever seen. I will keep it forever." Charley sighed laying her head back on his shoulder. "So this a marriage proposal?"
"No," He said calmly.
Charley jerked her head up and looked at him very puzzled. " No?"
Smiling Throttle guided her head back down on his shoulder. "I said no because I've seen that marriage thing on Earth and what I'm promising is so much more. I not only offer you my heart, but my mind as well. Our joining will allow us to become part of each other's thoughts and it is something that only death can break. You will become a part of me and I will be come a part of you."
Charley let what he said sink deep into her heart as an old saying ran through her mind, And the two, will become one flesh. "Are you sure you want to do this with me?"
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life. You are what my soul has been yearning for. I adore every part of you and spending the rest of my life with you so close is the answer to every prayer I might have uttered. Again if you'll have me." His voice was so full of love that Charley's heart yearned to spend eternity wrapped in his arms.
"Yes, I will gratefully. You fill me up in places I never knew were empty. I want to be your mate now and forever. So when can we do this? It has to be before the surgery." She insisted.
"Kind of in a rush aren't we, Lady?" He teased slyly.
"Yes I am. I want to be close to you in every way possible." She cooed seductively running her finger down his face.
"In that case I can arrange the ceremony for tomorrow night." Throttle caressed her forehead with his chin. "You know actually you are suppose to give the bracelet to our first born son, when he is blessed with finding his hearts desire."
"I am? Well then, we'd better get this show on the road. I don't want to be the cause of braking the tradition." Charley whispered nuzzling him playfully.
*****
Stoker, in his search for Vinnie, could only reflect on what all this must be doing to the irrational young warrior. Throttle was big brother, hero and even a little bit of a father figure since Vinnie lost his own father to the Plutarkian invasion. Their whole family had been very close and tight knit. True brothers couldn't have deeper affection for each other.
After the demise of nearly all that family the three formed a vow to free not only Mars but also the entire universe of the Plutarkian plague. Each was the part of an intricate fighting unit that was many times the difference between victory and defeat in many a battle. They worked together as if they were different parts of one body. Modo the muscle, Vinnie the energy and Throttle the brains. Stoker knew that in Vinnie's mind it was as if he had killed that body.
He thought Vinnie would be relatively easy to find considering the way the hyper young Martian always handled most situations, which was to find something or some one to dismantle. But everywhere he looked not a sign of him, which was beginning to worry Stoker. In his searching he got back in touch with Modo, Lydria, and Hari neither of them had seen Vinnie. Hari filled him in on what was told to Throttle and Stoker sadly had little to say other than a word or two of encouragement for Lydria.
Modo however had his own idea's as to where his devastated bro had taken refuge and knew it would take both he and Throttle to talk to him. He excused himself and head back to Stoker's office. Walking in, he interrupted the soon to be joined couple in a very passionate kiss and stood blushing by the door. He coughed loudly to make his present know.
Charley jumped embarrassed as Throttle just smile nonchalantly. "Well bro, she said yes. Looks like our Charley girl will be an official part of the family tomorrow night."
"Yeah? Not that I'm surprised but congrads Charley love. You guys were meant for each other."
"Thank you Modo," Charley removed herself from Throttles grasp and walked over to hug Modo. "I couldn't think of any family I'd want more to be apart of." He hugged her tightly lifting her off the floor. "But what about Vinnie?" Charley questioned knowing with out him, things wouldn't be complete.
"That's
what I came back for. I think I know where he's flown off to, bro. He's gone
home."
Throttle rubbed his chin and remembered just where Modo had in mind. "Yeah that's where he is."
After informing Stoker and the others Modo, Throttle, and Charley head out towards the ruins of one of the old Martian villages. Throttle's bike, just like it's owner, had also made a connection with Charley, which enabled her to drive with Throttle holding on to her back. Her skills in maneuvering the machine were almost as good as his.
The ride through the desert was brief and soon they could see the ruins of a small village. The scars of war and the destruction plainly visible by the burnt out shells of the dwellings once occupied by friends and family. They rode through the quiet deserted streets until they came upon a pile of bricks and rubble that had been the house they'd grown up in.
They could see Vinnie's bike pulled up next to what was the front porch. " We gotta do this with just him and us, okay Charley?"
"Sure Modo, I know he wouldn't want me to see him with his ego not up to full capacity. You guys go ahead I'll be fine." She smiled understandingly.
"You are the best, you know that don't you darlin'?" Throttle couldn't help but hug her a little tighter.
"So you keep telling me, go find him." She leaned back and pecked his neck.
Modo took the lead and Throttle followed with his hand on Modo's shoulders. They walked back behind the ruins of the house down a small embankment to see Vinnie sitting by the stump of what once was a Tykial tree. It's large blue trunk and abundant aqua leaves long gone. But memories of warm summer days, playing in the tree house they had built still floated like a mist around the charred remains.
A shattered Vinnie sat, holding his knees unaware that his bros had come up behind him. "Hey Vin," Modo cautiously made their presents known.
Vinnie lifted his head and stared out over the bleak landscape. "Why do we even try? Every time we think life may be getting a little better something comes along and slaps the hope right outta ya."
Modo and Throttle walk over each taking a seat on either side of their cousin and brother. Modo puts an arm around Vinnie's shoulder. "We gotta to keep trying for Aunt Cee and Uncle Jake, for Throttle's dad and my mom. Because they gave every thing so we could have a home. Life will be good again if we hold on the hope."
"Maybe you can bro, but I can't any more." Vinnie said defeated.
"Hey what ever happened to the baddest mamma jamma in the universe? I thought he could do anything." Modo jokingly tugged Vinnie's shoulder.
Vinnie turned and looked at him with a rare insecure look in his eyes. "That clown, he was just some big mouth fool tryin' to make so much noise that people couldn't see how scared he really was."
"Hey bro you think any of us are half what we mouth off to be." Throttle chuckled softly. "How can any sane person go through what we have and not be scared, not find some way to hide the ice cold fear that never leaves your gut. Find some way to think pass the pain and horror we've all seen. But you do what you gotta do to make it through this mess."
"Look, Youngblood, what happen to me was just something that happened but it doesn't stop my life, or change who I am so it shouldn't change you. Besides if you had stuck around you would have found out it's not as bad as you think. The Doc told me that after he does a little redecorating to my specks and this hard biker skull of mine I should be better than ever."
Vinnie looked up at Throttle not really sure if he was being honest or just trying to take some of the guilt from his shoulders, "Biker's Honor?"
"Yeah, bikers honor." Throttle reached over and grabbed his younger cousin into a headlock, which lead to a wrestling match that Modo hardly joined in on.
From the front of the house Charley could hear the scuffling and left the bikes worried the three had gotten into some kind of trouble. Following the noise she found them tussling around in the dirt like children, she knew things were back closer to normal.
"Hey you guys will never grow up." Charley chuckled happily. "And I pray you never change." She thought hopefully.
*****
Early that morning Lydria was at Charley's quarters with a gift. It was a very special dress the innovative woman had some how gotten hold of.
Charley was shocked upon opening the plastic covering to see the snow-white velvet gown Lydria had offered. It was trimmed in small sparkling jewels of some kind embroider into delicate flowers that encircled the front, shoulders, and hem of the incredible creation. Lydria had also managed to find soft satin slippers and a jeweled hair ornament to make the outfit complete.
The overwhelmed Charley could only sit and hold the gifts trying not to start crying again. "Lately I've become such a big baby crying at the drop of a hat. I couldn't ever thank you enough for all you've done."
"It's my pleasure dearest. I want to make this day as special for you, as I would for my own daughter. Besides you have made my son infinitely happy and this is the least I can do."
Charley couldn't help but throw her arms around Lydria's neck and hug her gratefully.
"So, is there anything you need to know before you take this very important step? I know your customs for mating are somewhat different from ours so if you have any questions or doubts now would be a good time to talk them over." Lydria smiled encouragingly.
"Yes, I have many, but I have one thing I am very concerned about. Something I should have told Throttle." Charley blushed a very bright red.
"What is it dear? It can't be that bad?"
"Well it's just that I've never… I mean he'll be the first man I.….I'm still a…." Charley stumbled with the words fumbling nervously with her hair.
Lydria smiled taking Charley's face between her hands. "Don't worry darlin', my son has always been very wise. I'm sure he knows the kind of woman you are and that will only endear you further in his heart. You'll be like a rare precious jewel. He has always been very gentle and caring with those he loves and I know he will be all the more with you."
"I just love him so much Lydria, more than any man I have ever known and I want to make him happy. I don't want to be a disappointment."
"Precious child, just love him with all your heart and it will be more than enough."
Lydria and Charley talked for the next 2 hours. The wise Martian matriarch explained more about the actual ceremony and the extreme seriousness of what was about to change the earth woman's life forever. Unlike the world Charley had come from there was no such word as divorce or even the concept of a bonding couples separating other than by death.
Charley listened intensely and asked, as many questions as she could think of and Lydria gave her answers to a few she hadn't. After contemplating all she'd been told Charley was more certain than ever it was what she wanted.
At sunset Charlene Davidson stood arrayed in the white gown looking like a vision of splendor and grace. The soft white garment lying demurely off her shoulders and her hair lifted just slightly, held in place by the crystal-jeweled barrette.
Lydia adorned in an elegant, black, long sleeved, gown also of soft smooth velvet, she took hold of Charley's shaking hand and gave her a smile of confidence. "Are you ready?" Charley took a cleansing breath to get herself centered, looked into the eyes of the new mother she very dearly loved and nodded in the affirmative.
As they walked through the corridor passer-bys smiled and politely whispered how very beautiful the earth woman looked and gave words of congratulation. Charley understood that no one but the immediate family was allowed to attend the ceremony and even they only to a point.
It took some time but they finally arrived at the long hallway that led to an elaborately carved blue wooden door. At its entrance stood an older mouse Charley had never seen before, Stoker, Vinnie, Modo, Hari Odo, and of course Throttle. They were all dressed in garments that reminded her of medieval times. King Author and his knights couldn't have been more dashing. Each dressed in black tunics of different styles and materials, black leggings, belts and leather boots, that is all but Throttle.
If she had imagined for the rest of her life it would never compare to how he looked at that moment. No prince in any fairytale could have been more handsome. Just as she, Throttle was draped in all white; the soft leather tunic, leggings, and knee-high boot fit him like a custom made kid glove. His wild bangs still fell into his face and the rest of his hair was hanging loosely around his shoulders flowing free like gentle flaxen waves.
Charley felt as if the walk up to meet him would take forever but once there, Lydria placed Charley's hand into his. Throttle's elated mother reached down and took another bracelet from her arm; this one was made of pure gold and put into Throttle's hand. After kissing her son she stood next Hari Odo.
The older male took Charley's hand then Throttle's. "This is a time for great rejoicing among our people. One of our children has found the longings of his heart. He has brought to our world the daughter of another. May the joining of these young hearts be as eternal as the red of the Martian sand, loyal as the sun's light and true as the Creator's love. Do you have an outward sign of your bonding?"
Throttle took the golden bracelet and slipped it onto Charley's wrist joining it with the silver one that was already there. Charley looked lost for a moment then smiled as her thumb felt the ring on her index finger. She knew her father would approve and she took it off and slipped it onto the finger of Throttle's left hand.
"Let the bonding take place." The older Martian opened the large door and escorted the couple into the room closing the door behind them.
Charley was awe struck and held tightly to Throttle arm too scared to take another step. Throttle chuckled a little, "tell me what you see."
"It's magnificent. It looks like the inside of a cave only the walls seem to be strangely smooth like they were covered with glass. The floor is like polished rubies and in the center of the room there is a large platform and on that is a large pile of pillows.
"Guide me over to that spot." Throttle instructed.
Charley did as he requested and once near the platform she saw three stairs that lead up to the pillows. She and Throttle climb them and he laid down beckoning she follow him.
He lay on his back and pulled her close to his chest.
"This is a little scary." Charley voice quivered.
Throttle increases a gentle hold on his unsure soon to be consort. "You have nothing to be afraid of my heart. I would die before I would let anything hurt you. Do you trust me?"
Charley settles into his reassuring embrace. "Yes, I trust you with my life, with everything I am now or will ever be."
He smiled and began caressing her hair. "So it begins", he whispered softy. Odd but magnificent music seemed to be emerging from every part of the beautiful red room. Charley closed her eyes and felt like she was floating as an extraordinary warm feeling began to emit from Throttle. It enfolded them and it was as if they were melting into each other. A dazzling light began to descend from above and before long it too had enclosed them. Everything that existed seemed to disappear as time and space held no meaning; nothing was real except for the two lovers merging together. It was beyond joy, beyond ecstasy, beyond any mere words or feelings. They were becoming and would soon always be Imza-ti-uar, different sides of one heart.
From outside the door everyone waited, they waited until the glow from the tiny portal just above the large blue door began to diminish until it was gone. The older Martian smiled and uttered softly. "It is done, they are one."
No one spoke just nodded and began to leave. The older Martian smiled and locked the door, barring any one from entering the room and giving the new couple the privacy to consummation their new union undisturbed.
With one hand Lydria held on to her cherished Hari, they having bonded in a dirty cell on the Plutarkian prison. With the other she lovingly fondled the small locket, how grateful she was that Hari could understand and accept the love she would always feel for her late husband. How did he fraise it, "My heart is large enough to embrace thy love and find joy in the love ye still cherishes with thy lost mate." All the tears she had shed, all the heartache she endured, was lost in the glorious moment she was bless with today.
Modo happy for his bro but just a little sadden thinking back to the day of his bonding with his beautiful Sierra. He wasn't ready to let go of her love and was content to let her stay fresh in his mind and have her memory to warm his soul.
Vinnie looked back briefly thinking how fortunate his cousin was and if ever he would find a love so complete. Then quickly pushing the serious thought away began concentrating on which young lady he would grace with his presents that evening.
Stoker slaps the shoulder for the other elder Martian. "Well looks like we got some hope after all, these two and hopefully others will follow." The other male simple nodded in agreement and walked away.
Stoker turned and touched the door tenderly his thoughts floating to a pair of big blue eyes, warm tan fur and a bright smile, to a beautiful young girl that was snatched so viciously from his life too many years ago. The mentor, teacher, main heart of the Martian resistance walks away to find some peace in the company of the friends and family he still had left.
In the now silent bonding chamber two figures lay exhausted both emotionally and physically. The next step was obvious and would follow the natural line of events to further solidify their new relationship. Charley no longer worried about that step and when it happened she knew he would gratefully accept her most precious gift. But for now sleeping curled in each other's arms was enough.
To be continued…
