Metamorphose
The End of the Circle
Part 3
Time was passing and Jack was still searching for an answer, then it happened. He found exactly what chemicals were used, if only he could find out how that they were combined, he might be able to get the guys back. But as he was testing more of their blood samples he made another horrifying discovery, their blood was breaking down, and they were dying.
*****
In a short amount of time, Throttle and Ai Esha had become very, very good friends. She was easy to talk to and seem to understand so many of his feelings. It's funny, he always seemed attracted to the strong independent woman and she definitely was that, all wrapped in a package that put one in the mind of Marilyn Monroe in her prime.
He had introduced her to his bros, Charley, and Jack. They all seemed to like her and the feeling was mutual. Of course Vinnie tried to put the moves on her, which was a big mistake. Ai Esha properly put him in his place so smoothly that his head spin and Charley giggled admiringly, "My kind of girl, Vinnie you'll never learn."
Throttle knew his feeling for Ai Esha were strong, if not a little fuzzy in exactly which direction they were heading. If they were going to continue with any kind of relationship, he felt he had to be honest, about whom he was and what he was. Which wasn't going to be the easiest thing to explain, and putting it off wasn't going to make it any easier. He called her and she agreed to meet him at, what they affectionately called their place. Where they had first met was kind of special place, the river was quiet during the evening and they could and did talk there a lot.
*****
He arrived first and soon could hear Ai Esha's big machine pulling up to park next to him. "So what's up?" she said smiled removing her helmet and shaking free her soft auburn locks. Throttle loved to watch her and it amazed him how she could mange to do any thing with the long wildly colored nails she sported, but that was all part of AiEsha's charm.
"Hey Toadie," he said nervously. This was a nickname very few had the privilege to call her, but she had given that privilege to him.
"So what's the earth shattering, all important news, you just had to tell me?"
He got off his bike and found a comfortable spot to sit and asked that she
joined him.
"So what is it?" she was starting to get just a little uneasy, not use to him being so jittery. "Don't tell me your some kind of an axe murderer, or alien, or something." She laughed nervously.
Throttle looked at her, than at the ground, "Well, I am not an axe murderer."
" What?" Ai Esha paused for a second, " I knew it, and you were just too sweet and looked too good, not to have something wrong with you." She half joked
"I'm not kidding, Toadie," Throttle took a deep breath and started to
explain.
She listened until he was completely finished giving him a strange look, "Throttle, you want me to believe that, you and those other two guys, Vinnie and Modo, are giant mice-looking Aliens from Mars. And the reason you wear those glasses is because some deranged mad scientist took your eyes and replaced them with bionic ones. This happened back on Mars during a war with the fish people. And this same guy, turned you into humans for his boss, because you were keeping him from taking land and sending it back to the fish world." She paused then shook her head in disbelief, "That's it, I'm outta here, you are a nice guy, Throttle, but you need serious therapy."
She got up and started to leave, "Why are all the fine guys, one taco short of a combination plate."
Throttle grabbed her arm, not to hurt her, but to try and get her to stop and listen. He found out why this lady had the confidence she did. Before he knew it he was flying through the air and hit the ground so hard it knocked all the wind out of him. He lay there unmoving and Ai Esha thought she had really hurt him.
"Throttle.. Throttle.." she said cautiously as she bend down to see if he were still breathing. He still didn't move. She shook his shoulder and tried to get him to come around. Suddenly Throttle grabbed her by both arms and flipped her on her back and pinned her down straddling her waist and pinning her hands over her head. She struggled but he had her down and there was nothing she could do, he was a lot stronger then he looked.
"I thought I could trust you to believe me, I thought our friendship was something special.. Why would I make up something like that? I know it's hard to believe, but I would never lie to you. But if you want to just walk away, go ahead, I'm more than use to it." With that he stood up and went to get on his bike.
Ai Esha had never heard so much sadness and lost in any man's voice before," Throttle wait!" she got herself up and ran after him.
"Well, you have to admit it isn't every day a gorgeous guy tells you, he's an alien from another planet." She said putting her hands on his back. "I'm sorry, I really want to believe you, but it does sound a little farfetched, help me.
He turned to look at the sincere expression on her face and knew she was really trying to accept what he'd just shared with her. "Remember what I said about my eyes?" He reached up and removed the mirrored shades.
Ai Esha inhaled in a surprised breath, his eyes were an unearthly shade of red, like nothing she'd ever seen before.
"Without the antenna, I'm not sure how this will work, but I have to try and show you," his hand held gently to the sides of her face and he leaned his forehead to touch hers trying to repeat what he had done with Charley when they first met.
There was nothing clear, but Ai Esha could feel more emotion than anything else. Fear, pride, sorrow, and lose all slipped into her mind. She trembled at the experience, but knew he was telling the truth and whether he realized it or not, his feelings for her were revealed as well.
When he released her she looked up at him, "I…I …I'm sorry", she wasn't really sure what she was sorry for, but it's all that would come out at that moment. He held her chin and leaned down to kiss her.
She didn't try to stop him and after a brief moment she whispered, "What was that for?"
"I don't know, just seemed like the right thing to do," he said while brushing her hair away from her eyes.
"Oh, it was," she placed both hand on the sides of his face and brought him back close to her.
"Thanks Toadie, you'll never know how much I needed this." He spoke softly into her hair once they parted.
"That's what I'm here for, a friend in need and all that. So what do you do now?" she smiled moving away to get ready to leave.
They sat a few more minutes and Throttle told her about Stoker and the rest, how they were coming to earth to try and help them. He also told her about Carbine and how he needed to see and speak with her.
"I understand you have a lot of time invested in each other, so don't be surprised if she is on the ship when it lands. If it was me, I'd move heaven and Earth to keep you," her voice turned a little sad, but she quickly recovered, if not only to make things easier for him.
"Keep in touch, which ever way it goes and call if you need me, you've got my number." With that she started her bike and left.
He watched her until she was out of sight thinking, "I hope so, pretty
lady." He thought about her a second more than got himself back home.
Stoker would be calling to tell them what time they would be arriving and
where, this time they wouldn't be crashing into the scoreboard.
****
Jack was already the scoreboard when Throttle arrived and as he walked
into the room the he saw Charley being cradled consolingly in Modo's arms.
Vinnie was standing with his arms folded not really looking at anything and
Jack looked like someone just told him his sister was marrying a Plutarkian.
"What's going on bros?" he asked not sure he was ready for the
answer.
Modo spoke, "Jack just let us know, if we don't find a way to reverse the
transformation and soon, we're dead."
Throttle took in a heavy sigh, "So what's soon?"
Jack answered, " One week maybe, but it isn't as hopeless as it sounds. I
did find out all the chemicals that where used, now if I can figure out how
they were combined together, inject you with those chemicals, and then put you
through one of Limburger's transporters I think it will do the trick.
"You think?" Vinnie interrupted "Yo Man, you need to
be a bit more specific. You are talking about our hides here."
"Well Ace that's all I got, if it's not good enough for you figure
out something your self!" Jack was tired and frustrated. Vinnie for
all his posturing was scared and neither knew how to let the other know what he
was feeling except through anger.
Charley pulled away from Modo and stared screaming at them both, "What's
the matter with you two? Aren't things bad enough without you fools attacking
each other! "
This was all she needed to push her over the edge. She wanted to be strong
for Modo, but it was just all too horrible. She broke down in a fit of
hysterical tears. Modo tried to calm her down, but she was going to have her
cry.
"Just leave me alone, everybody!" Finding the furthest part of the room and sat down on the floor and cried until she got it all out. They were at a loss, never seeing her like this they didn't know what to do.
"Leave her, she'll be okay. Just give her a little space," Throttle
told them. After bit he walked over to Charley and handed her some tissue to
clean her face. "You okay now?" She smiled a weak little smile and
nodded her head yes.
"Why don't you and the big fella go out and get some air we'll let you know everything later. You guys need time to be alone." Throttle helped her off of the floor.
Charley walked over to Modo and slipped her hand in his and they walked out.
Jack and Vinnie knew it was the right thing to do and looked at each other then got back to work. They had pretty much figured out that it was the work of Karbunkle who, even though was deranged, demented and just plain insane, was still a genius a hundred fold. Only his mind could come up with anything like this and with Limburger backing him up he had everything to be able to make it work. In fact the whole situation had the stench of Limburger all over it.
"So all we have to do is break into Limburger Tower, find the formula, and then ask Limburger to use his transporter. No, that's not hopeless." Vinnie added that with his special brand of sarcasm, he couldn't help it.
"Don't start Vincent, we do what ever we have to. Stoker will be here
tomorrow night with his help we are going to have to try." Throttle said
not ready to give up on life now.
*****
In an out of the way area, some miles outside of the city, Throttle, Modo, Vinnie, Charley, and Jack waited for the Martian spacecraft to arrive. Jack had just gotten use to the guys and now not only was he going to see more of these remarkable beings, but one of their spaceships as well.
Each had their own moments of deep thought before they saw the ship make its
entry into earth's atmosphere. The small streak of light soon grows into the
ship they had been waiting for and it landed smoothly not far from where they
stood.
In the dark not far off sat a lone rider waiting to see the out come of just
one small part of this drama she was now a part of.
Stoker was the first to emerge out of the ship with Rimfire close behind him
they were greeted by hardy hugs and handshakes.
"Charley, you are as beautiful as ever," Stoker said as he took her
hand and gave it a gentle kiss. He was surprised to see Modo react instead of
Vinnie. "Oh I see more has changed than I thought." He joked eyeing
Modo's expression.
Charley blushed a beet red then trying to take the focus off she and Modo
introduced Jack to them both.
"Jack, so you are the Genius that's going to save our boys," Stoker
said hoping that would be the cast.
Jack shook his hand, "With your help, I hope so".
"The ship will take care of itself, it will keep a orbit right outside of
earth's atmosphere far enough not to be detected but we can call it to pick us
up when we need it. Once we get back to your place, Charley, we work out what
ever details we need to," Stoker instructed.
He had been watching Throttle as they got off the ship and as everyone started to leave Stoker walked up to Throttle and told him, "Look kid I know you where hoping she'd change her mind but you know Carbine. All you can do now is mark it up to experience and move on, besides we have bigger fish to fry. I'll ride back with Jack."
"It's not what ya think, Stok. I just wanted to make sure," Throttle smiled at him with a strangely contented look on his face.
"Okay Rookie, I'll see ya back at Charley's," Stoker looked at him once more and left with the rest
Throttle sat feelings an odd sense of calm, for the first time in his life
something made complete sense. Then he heard a familiar sound coming toward
him, one that put a smile on his face and in his heart. As she pulled up beside
him, she pulled off the helmet, shook out that head of long auburn hair and
smiled that incredible smile.
"Hey gorgeous, how's it hangin'? I just thought you might need some company."
"Friend in need again?" He said realizing just how truly beautiful
she was and it had nothing to do with her looks.
"Something like that, so where do you go from here?"
He stepped off his bike and walked over to her and this time the kiss he gave her confirmed she was where his heart belonged.
"I can go along with that," she barely chocked out slightly over whelmed, reaching up to readjust his speck on his face, "But I was talking about your situations, can your friends help?"
"Oh that, things have gotten more complicated." Throttle went on to
explain what Jack had told them and what they planned to do.
"Well, I don't intend to stand around and let that happen. A good man is
hard to find, even if he's a mouse from Mars. Why don't we catch up with the others,"
She kissed him a quick peck on the lips and started her bike.
"This lady was worth living for," he smiled to himself and started
his bike too.
Ai Esha followed him to the Last Chance and she was introduced to Stoker and
Rimfire. Stoker pulled Throttle out of earshot and whispered, " It doesn't
take you long to recoup does it? And with a beauty like that, I think you are
going to be just fine."
"So what the pl….." before he could get all the words out Vinnie
grabbed his head and fell to his knees. The pain was so intense he cried out.
Jack examined him and realized the worst. We have less time then I thought, we
have to get that formula and you guy's into a transporter tomorrow night the
latest.
"But you said that we had a least a week," said Charley holding tightly to Modo's hand.
"Sorry kid, I wish you had." Jack knew that it was breaking Charlie's heart but there was nothing he could do to change what was happening.
Jack was able to give Vinnie something to diminish to pain a little but
there was little else he could do.
"Well people looks like we do it tomorrow let's get started we have a lot of work ahead of us." Stoker said trying to keep his emotions in check.
They worked through the night getting all the details worked out, nothing could go wrong. If they made one mistake, the guys would pay with their lives. There wasn't much time to talk or spend last moments together but Modo took the time anyway.
"Charley, there are never the right words for this kind thing," he
paused. "Jack told us that if we are able to pull this off and get to the
transporter it's a 50/50 chance we will survive. And even if we do, it's a good
chance we won't remember anything that happen after the initial injections.
Well, just in case I want you to have this, he handed her a small black box.
Charley open it and inside was a small delicate silver locket and when it was
opened it played the song they had danced and fallen in love to. "Jack helped
me with the music I just wanted you to have something to, well you know".
"Modo it's the most precious thing I have ever seen thank you, I will
cherish it always." Then she wrap her arms around his waist and let
herself enjoy the little time they may have left.
Not meaning to pry Ai Esha over heard what Modo had said, but she wasn't going
to say anything to Throttle. "If he wants me to know he will tell me," she
thought and continued on with what she was doing.
*****
Ai Esha in a very flattering black tailored suit, hair up in a business like manner, and horn rim glasses, she was ready to play her part. As she approached the entrance of the building the pompous Plutarkian, a strange creepy little creature in a white lab coat, and two well-armed guards greeted her. The next thing she notices was the fowl smell that emitted from Limburger. They had warned her about it, but she couldn't imagine it being quite this bad, but she still smiled.
"Good afternoon my dear you are the reporter from Eloquent magazine." Limburger said as he looked admiringly at her.
"Yes Mr. Limburger. My name is Ai Esha Sojay and I am thrilled to meet you. We at Eloquent have admired your philanthropic work for a long time. And it is an honor for me personally to be able to interview you." Ai Esha had called in a few favors and the editor of the magazine help set the interview up.
"Miss Sojay, you flatter me with your kind words." he picked up
her hand and kissed it and. Ai Esha was glad she had skipped lunch.
"I hope you don't mind, but I brought my camera crew we have got to get this on tape not only for the magazine, but for my personal records as well." She said in a perfect smile that gave Limburger a tingle he hadn't felt for years. Ai Esha wasn't sure she could get through this with out throwing up but then she remembers this was for Throttle and the rest of her friends she had to.
"But of course, please all of you do come in to my humble abode." As
they brought the equipment in Karbunkle was staring at them as if he recognized
something about them. Ai Esha saw this, turn to him and said, " You must
be the famous Dr. Karbunkle. I just don't think my day could be any more
perfect having met two such distinguished people."
Karbunkle was completely off guard not getting recognition often. "Well…
uh thank you my dear I don't get many admirers."
As they settled in Limburger's main office and the interview was started. The
cameraman sporting the black shades said, "Miss Sojay we need the other
camera from the truck. We can't seem to get Mr. Limburger's full figure with
this one."
"Do you mind Mr. Limburger, it will only take a second and I do want the
best picture I can get of that manly physique of yours," Ai Esha said with
honey dripping off every word.
"No problem, would one of you fine gentlemen please escort them to
their vehicle, we wouldn't want them to get lost coming back," Limburger
says to one of his goons.
The two men leave the office closely followed by Limburger's thug. Then one of the cameramen takes a small capsule and drops it on the floor. Smoke raises as they cover their faces and the goon falls unconscious. Pulling him out of sight the two makes their way toward Karbunkle's computer.
"This way Jack," Throttle had trashed the building so many times he
could easily find the lab where the computer and the need information were. Not
being spotted and after Jack did a little of his special kind of magic on the
lock they were in. Jack gain access to the computer and searched frantically
through Karbunkles files to find the formula. Just then Throttle fell to the
floor grabbing his head.
Jack started towards him but Throttle stopped him, "I'll be okay just
get the info and let's blow."
Finally Jack found it, downloaded to his portable computer, and was ready to get out of there. Throttle was in visible pain by this time and Jack had to help him up and out the door but not before leaving a little gift.
"Which way Throttle!" Jack shouted having no idea where they
were going.
Throttle trying to think past the pain looked up and showed Jack the door to
their escape. Jack half-carrying Throttle finally got them out and into the
truck.
While still in Limburger's office Ai Esha glanced at her watch, all of a sudden
an explosion rocked the building signaling them that Jack had done his job.
Limburger and Karbunkle screamed like schoolgirls and sought protection under
the desk.
Greasepit runs into the office and in a panic says. " Duh, Mr. Limboiga somebody just blew up da main compuda in da Doc's lab.
Karbunkle jumped up and screamed " I thought I recognized you. He's
that bionic armed rat we turned human."
That did it, on top of everything else this slimy degenerate had a nerve to
call him a rat. With that Modo snatched off the sleeve that concealed his arm,
aimed it directly at the three and fired blowing the desk into a million pieces
not to mention disarming the guard at the same time. Greasepit beat a hasty
retreat not forgetting the many times he'd tasted the sting of Modo's weapon.
Ai Esha saw that Modo intended to pay these creatures backs for all the pain
and sorrow they had caused the ones he loved, "don't Modo you can't be
like them. One day they will have to pay for what they've done. Come on,
Charlie's waiting for you," Ai Esha said praying it was enough to stop
him.
Shaking from anger he lowered his weapon and looked at Ai Esha's pleading face.
She sighed in relief as Modo grabbed her hand and they made their way out of
the building and into the waiting truck. Ai Esha laid Throttle's head on her
lap trying to make more comfortable he was getting weaker by the minute. She kissed the top of his sweat-covered
forehead, "Stay with me good looking, it won't be much longer." she
encouraged him. Throttle held her hand thinking that if he were going to die,
he won't be alone and her face would be in his last thoughts.
They got back to the garage and while Stoker and Rimfire helped get Throttle
out Jack got right to work getting their injections ready with the equipment
he'd brought from his lab. Again Modo was the last to be affected but he was
showing signs that he would soon be in the same conditions as his bros. Jack
deleted the chips he had installed in the bikes so if by some miracle this
craziness worked and they weren't all killed the bikes would accept their
riders once again.
Ai Esha on Beauty, with Charley holding on tightly behind her and Rimfire on Modo's biker and Stoker on Throttle's ,they all followed Jack in the truck with the barely conscious Throttle, Vinnie and weakening Modo in side.
Knowing that Limburger was going to be on his guard some one was going to have
to cause a pretty big diversion to keep everyone at the tower busy enough so
that they could get the guys to the transporter. Stoker and Rimfire would
gladly provide that. As they got pulled up in an alley behind the tower
everyone made ready to do the job they had to do.
"Charley, do you know exactly where the Transporter is located?" Jack
asked checking every last detail.
She snapped at him, "Of course I do. Let's just get this over with."
Her voice filled with an anxious pain.
As the two mice began their assault on the Tower Charley showed Jack the hidden
entrance she had found into the lower part of the building. It wasn't easy
trying to get all three down to the needed level where a freight elevator would
take them the rest of the way to the transporters. But some how they were able
to get them there. Modo was still able to walk even though he was in a great
amount of pain he helped Jack carry Throttle. Charley and Ai Esha some how
supported Vinnie in a half walk and half drag thing but it worked? Finally they
made it there all they needed to do now was give the guys the injections and
put them in the transporter and set it for the Scoreboard. Jack gave each the
right dose of chemical and just as they were going to put them in the machine
they hear the maniacal laughter of Limburger.
"Isn't this just perfect? Oh and my dear Miss Sojay, I see you have
changed careers, too bad you weren't more selective in your choices. And whom
do we have here, our egghead computer nerd Mr. Mc Cyber and a hardy welcome to
you too. Well, now that we have our entire party guest we can see our three
heroes off in a big way. But don't worry, you will all be joining them soon
after. I just want to watch you, watch them die." Limburger held a very
large laser weapon on all of them.
Modo fell to the floor mooning in pain and Charley attempted to go to him, but Limburger was going to see them all suffer as much as possible.
"Now, now Miss Davidson you must not stop our little drama, back away." Limburger raised his weapon but before he could use it Stoker and Rimfire came crashing through the wall, blowing the fat Plutarkian into the next room.
They raced to get the guys into the transporter and set the proper controls. Limburger's hoodlum could be heard approaching but they couldn't leave until the transport was complete.
"Done" Jack shouted they were out of there. Stoker grabbed
Charley and seated her behind him. Ai Esha jumped behind Rimfire and
they were out the way they came in. With all the confusion Jack was able to
make his way out on foot to the truck and once outside Rimfire deposited Ai
Esha onto Beauty and all were on their way back to the scoreboard.
As soon as they pulled up everyone ran inside. They saw Modo, Throttle, and
Vinnie as they had always been but they lay motionless on the floor. Charley
and Ai Esha stood not daring to move as Jack checked to if they had survived
the transformation, he breathed easy as he saw they had.
"They will probably sleep through the rest of the night they've been
through a lot. I'll come back and check them in the morning."
Stoker and Rimfire helped to get them settle in bed, once that was done Charley knelt down beside Modo. In one hand she held the little silver locket and the other touched his cheek lightly.
Ai Esha walked over and just stood looking at Throttle in his true form, no one knew what was going through her mind as she got up to leave.
"Aren't you going to wait and see well...if? "
" No, Charley I'm not. If he does remember me, he'll know where to find
me. And you know, I think they look better this way, kind of beautiful, more
natural." Ai Esha gave her a short hug, got on Beauty and left.
*****
Stoker had fallen asleep after reporting all that happen back to Mars.
Carbine was thrilled Throttle was back to normal and he wouldn't remember anything
that had gone between them. She couldn't wait to speak with him. Rimfire had
stayed close to his uncle sleeping on the floor right next to Modo's bed.
Charley had balled up on the couch and had gotten a little sleep.
This time Modo was the first to awaken, "Rimfire, What are you doin here?" The sound of Modo's voice woke him up."
"Uncle Modo, you alright?"
"I'm fine, I just feel like some one used me as a crash dummy," Charley knew as soon as she heard his voice that it was all gone. She put her hand around the little locket that hung from her neck and refused to let her cry. Soon Throttle and Vinnie where both up and both feeling just about as bad as Modo.
"Hey Rookies, you guys gave us some scare. Why don't you rest a little more and
I will fill you in later." Stoker suggested.
Later, no way, too much rest dulls the scenes. Hey Charley-girl couldn't stay
away for my obvious charm, huh? "Vinnie said as he jumped out of bed.
She cleared her throat and tried to sound as normal as possible, "Yeah, Vinnie you know how I live for your approval"
"Good Morning Miss Charley Ma'am," Modo said the way he always had
every morning that he'd seen Charley. Why didn't it sound right this morning?
Charley couldn't stand it any longer, she made up an excuse; she just had to
get out of there, "I'll see you guys later, okay? I've got some stuff to
do. Stoker will fill you in like he said."
Charley had made Jack, Stoker and Rimfire promise that if Modo didn't remember on his own, they couldn't say a word. Ai Esha held them to a similar promise.
"Hey Charley you want me to go with ya. I can…."
"Can it punk, leave her alone. She said she has things to do." Vinnie
backed way off; the tone in Stoker's voice had a definite warning in it.
The guys weren't complete blanks, little bits and pieces filtered into their
minds but still Stoker had to fill them in on most of what had taken place the
past, almost month of their lives. Throttle wondered why Carbine hadn't come
with them if it was as bad as Stoker had said.
"You are going to have to talk to her, Kid. I stay out of other folks romances," Stoker bowed out gracefully leaving Carbine to explain her own actions.
Throttle knew that there was something Stoker wasn't saying but he would take
it up with Carbine A.S.A.P.
Before long Jack came by to check on his patients. " Well you guys are in
pretty good shape to have been through what you have. You may be a little weak
and sore for a couple of days, but that should pass."
"Will we ever remember what happened?" Modo said seemingly searching for
something.
"There's no way of telling. As time goes by things may pop up, but if it was
important to you then it will be now." Jack slapped him on the back
*****
Stoker and Rimfire had returned home leaving the three Biker Mice from Mars
to finish the job that they started on earth.
Jack had gone back to his work for the government. He was still trying to
gripes with what he had seen and done the past few weeks.
Limburger reluctantly reported another failure to Plutark. Every one from the
highest to the lowest verbally assaulted him.
He in turn let go a verbal assaulted of his own on the mad scientist, who in
turn let his anger on his strange masochistic lab experiment, all in all things
were back too abnormal.
Throttle did try and talk with Carbine, but one thing lead to another and
before long they were at each other, going at it like cats and dogs. She again
stormed away, but finally Throttle realized that he deserved to be treated
better then that.
He found himself sitting alone at the river gazing at the still, peaceful,
water. Why the spot seemed so familiar, he didn't know?
It was pretty dark, the only light being those from the city and one lone streetlight hanging over him. He kept his helmet on, just in case there were any citizens out for a late night stroll. After a while he heard the sound of another bike pulling up not far from where he had parked. The rider was definitely female and he watched, wondering why any women would be out this late alone. She sat straddling the big machine, but soon pulled off her helmet and long auburn hair flowed out that she gave it a careless shake. For some reason he found himself smiling from ear to ear, as he watched her. Smiling back, she turned to acknowledge his attentions and Throttle thought it was the most incredible smile he'd ever seen.
"Come here often?" She said flashing her piercing brown eyes at him.
"No, I am sorta from out of town," he said wondering why his heart was beating double time.
"Do you mind if I ask you something, that's probably none of my business." He asked cautiously.
"No, go right ahead.
"Do you always start conversations with total strangers? A beautiful woman like you should be a lot more careful." Throttle thought, " I can't believe I just said."
"Well it depends, not everybody is a stranger," she said again
with that smile.
Then not knowing why Throttle removed his helmet making his specks slid a
bit down his nose.
She didn't even blink seeing his face, she merely walked over towards him;
surprisingly he wasn't at all worried that she was going to harm him. Once she
was close enough for him to look into her eyes, she reached up and pushed the
specks back on his face, "You better be careful handsome, you know, you
are blind as a bat without these."
As he studied her face and he was puzzled only for a second, then a jumble of wonderful, familiar feelings rushed in on him.
He took her gently in his arms and in his sweet husky voice he said, "A friend in need, Toadie?"
She smiled and answered, "something like that," as she wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a kissed that would have evaporated every drop of water in the river.
*****
Charley stayed at home not wanting to see anyone, especially Modo. She would probably get over all this some time before the next millennium, but for now she sat holding a delicate silver locket. The melody played as she tried to figure out how she was going to get her life back to making some kind of sense. There was a knock on the door and reluctantly she went to answer it. Jack and Vinnie were standing there and invited themselves in.
"You look a mess, you need to get out of here for awhile," Vinnie said
looking at her with a sour expression.
"Well, it's nice to see you to Vincent." Charley said rolling her
eyes at him.
"Come on, we are taking you out tonight. Go make yourself beautiful and
no is not an option."
Jack parked himself on the couch and Vinnie pushed her toward the stairs.
Charley was not in the mood for an argument and getting out probably wasn't
such a bad idea. "Okay you guys but don't except too much," Charley
said as she dragged herself upstairs.
After awhile she came back down and their eyes brighten seeing the once
again beautiful Charley.
"Now that is more like it. We are going to take you for the best time of your life. Hey, you are going out with the studliest male on the planet," Vinnie was back to his old form all right.
Yeah, so how do you plan on not causing a riot, Mr. Studly?" Charley laughed
she was glad to hear the ego with legs.
"I got this idea from a friend, with the helmet on and the trench, who's gonna know." He boasted slipping his arms into the green trench coat he'd carried in.
"It's a plan, but don't excepted too much from me, okay?" Charley
sadly remembering a similar coat.
Jack in a mock show of hurt feeling teased, "Well thanks a lot maybe, we should just leave you here to pout."
Charley realizing how ungrateful she was acting apologized, " Oh guys, I
am sorry, you are right we are going to have a great time."
"Okay then folks let's hit the road," Vinnie cuffed her softly
under the chin.
"So, where we going?" Charley said at least trying to sound enthusiastic, hopping behind Vinnie, as she had a hundred times before, happy at least to have them care so much about her.
"Don't ask so many questions, just enjoy the ride, Dollface." Vinnie
tore out with Jack close behind.
Finally they stopped in front of the "Crystal Wave" and Charlie's heart was
beating out of her chest. "Of all the places, they would have to choose,
why here? But I have already made them feel bad once. I am just going to have
to grin and bare it."
As they walked inside, she did smile at the memories that surface, but then a
sudden sadness enveloped. And she wanted more than anything to ask about Modo,
but she won't let herself, it was going to be a long night.
"Charlene you have got to stop this. Your life isn't over, be thankful
that you were able to share the moments you did. Some people don't even get
that."
The lighting was as subdued as they entered into the club. This just added to
Vinnie blending in with the rest of the crowd. But it didn't stop the lady from
wanting to know, whom the fine male body belongs to, that was hiding behind the
bike helmet. Charley smiled to herself thinking, "No matter what the
form, you've got what they want, Vinnie."
Jack disappeared for a second while Vinnie took Charley by the arm to a quite corner. Jack then reappeared with the smile of a Cheshire cat.
"Okay Jack, what are you two up too."
Just relax Charley, you're always so suspicious, come on I have something to
show you upstairs," Vinnie said pulling her toward the stair in the back
of the club.
"Wait one minute, VanWham, what are you trying to pull!"
"Go ahead Charlene, he's pretty harmless." Jack laughed.
"Excuse me, let me tell ya somethin', Jack -Be- Nimble, the Vinnie charm
is anything but harmless. And Miss Davidson, I don't have to trick
a woman to be alone with me, so chill."
"I am sorry, Vinnie what do you want to show me and how did you know they had
an upstairs, anyway?"
"You'd be surprise at what I know, Charley-girl," he said as he
escorted her up the stairs.
They entered into a beautifully charming room with candlelight, soft music, the works.
"Just a quite place to talk, have a seat, I'll be right back."
.
"Well, what ever you guys are up too I have to admit it's kind of sweet
for you to go through all this trouble." Charley said as she made herself
comfortable. Then she heard it, the
song that gave hers as much joy as it did sorrow. As she listened to the music,
she remembered how it felt to be in his arms. The beautiful melody blended into
by the sound of male voices in prefect harmony. She bowed her head and held
tight to the small keepsake around her neck. As she felt the tears begin to
flow down her face a deep male voice came from behind her. "May I have
this dance Miss Davidson?"
She turned and focused on a tall gray figure extending a gallant mechanical
hand toward her. She placed her hand in his and rose to his embrace. She rested
her head on his chest and listen to him breathing. He gently laid his head on
her soft mound of chestnut hair. Before long they were lost in the words, music
and each other. It really didn't matter whether he was from Mars or just up the
block, the human heart is the same whether its owner was fur covered or not.
Could you be the one for me?
Could we dance the night away?
I want to give you everything
Thought I don't have much.
Could you fall in love with me?
Could you love me the rest of my life?
Could you forever be the one for me this time?
Could you forever be the one for me this time?
Vinnie and Jack stood at the doorway for a second, and then smiled giving
each other a soft high five, leaving them alone.
The End
