Secrets Part 2
"Hey Sweetheart, you ready? Come on, we don't have all day." Vinnie hollered trying to hurry Charley up.
But Charley was kneling on her bathroom floor sicker than she could ever remember being. What was wrong, her stomach was turning and her head was dizzy? She could hardly stand up. She had to get in touch with Maurice, find out what was happening to her body. She also had to make up some kind of excuse so the guys would go on to Detroit with out her. She couldn't tell them she was sick, they would never leave, especially Vinnie.
Tossing some water on her face she took a deep breath and put her mask on. She had to make them believe she was fine and give them a believable story to stay home alone.
"Hi Guys, I'm not going this time I'm sure you a can check on Brie and install the surveillance equipment with out me slowing you down."
"Now wait, you fuss that we don't include you in a potential Plutarkian bashing and now you want to bail, what's up Charley girl? Hey you seeing some body on the side?" Throttle teased, a tease Vinnie found any thing but funny.
"Please everything I want is right here," she smiled as she tinkled Vinnie under the chin putting him at ease. "I'm excepting new clients and I have to show them some designs for a custom bike they want, that's all. You guys go on and whip some of Brie's rangers for me." She was hoping it was enough and that they would leave before she fell out on the floor.
"Okay Sweetheart, we won't be but day or so. Sure you can stand being away from me that long?" He smiled as he gave her a self-reassuring hug.
"Well, it will be torture, but I think I can struggle through. Now you guys get out of here before my client comes and you guys scare them away."
Throttle and Modo took off leaving Vinnie to get his good bye sweets. Vinnie took her full in his arms, "I will miss ya some thing awful ya know?" His voice was sincere it almost didn't sound like Vinnie at all.
"I know, love, but I'll be here when you get back." she smiled as he kissed her goodbye and for that brief moment the sick feeling was forgotten.
"You'd better get going." She said breathlessly.
Okay but you be sure you keep this place locked," he told her as he left to catch up with his bros.
" I will Daddy." She teased as she waved him good- bye. Making sure they were well on their way she pulled herself up the stairs and opened her communications center and contacted Maurice.
"I don't know it happened all of a sudden…"
"No, they're gone, they'll be away for a while…"
"Okay please hurry…."
"Kass out…"
Charley lay across her bed praying that Maurice, the leader and scientific advisor of their team, would get there as soon as possible.
*******
Throttle suddenly stopped slamming his hand down on the handlebars of his bike. "I knew I would forget something. I didn't bring the extra connecting cables for the receiver."
"I'll go back and get them for ya bro." Vinnie gladly volunteered.
"Oh no, I let you go back and I know we won't see you for hours. I'll get it myself. Why don't you guys wait for me at that rest stop and get some eats. I won't be long." Throttle left to retrieve the needed equipment.
********
Maurice was quick in coming, pulling his car in the back of the garage out of plain site.
The tall disguised Plutarkian male had the appearance of an African American around 26 years old. Long black braids hung low on his back as he made his way into the garage and up to Charlie's room. He took off the mask to better examine her. Taking out a hand held medical scanner he passed it the entire length of her body. And a grim look covered his face.
"So what's wrong?"
"I think you know it's the injections we were given. The chemicals are being rejected by you system. Kass, I told you this might happen. Not every one can handle that stuff. You might not be able to take the last injection."
"No Maurice, I'm going to take it! I would rather die than have the rancid smell on me," she angrily shouted.
"But Kass you have all ready given up the hope of having children using it. What's so important that you would risk your life? Or should I say who."
She dropped her eyes knowing he already knew the answer.
"But Kass you should give his a chance. He might…"
"No! I think out of all three he must have lost the most because of what was done to his planet and Vinnie doesn't forgive easily. I won't risk losing him." Her head fell hopelessly in her hands. Maurice sat down beside her and put a comforting arm around her but could offer few words to comfort her.
Down in the garage Throttle parked his bike outside so as not to make any noise that might bring any attention to him possibly disturbing Charley and her client. Going inside he heard voices coming from Charlie's bedroom.
"Funny for her to be discussing business up there, she never let any one come any where near her bedroom." Throttle thought worried.
Maybe she was in some sort of trouble and the so-called client was there for more the designs. He pulled out his blaster and quietly stole up the stair. Moving cautiously along the wall trying to get as close to Charlie's room with out being heard. He peered around the corner to see some one holding her. He whipped around into the room and stood shocked at the site of the two Plutarkian that sat on Charlie's bed.
"Throttle No!" She shouted making him wonder how she knew his named.
"Okay you bottom feeders where is Charley. What did you two do with he?" He hissed through his teeth wanting fast answers and ready to do what ever it took to get them.
Maurice stood shielding Charley as she sat frozen on the bed. Throttle looked around at the complex communication center and got all the more confused but not taking his weapon off the couple.
"Throttle, please let me explain." Charley pleaded.
Throttle recognized the voice as Charlene Davidson but he wasn't going to be fooled that easy. "I said where is Charley." This time he moved closer aiming the weapon directly at Maurice's head.
"Please Throttle let me explain, I am Charley," she begged again. "I let you explain who you were when you first came here, give me the same chance."
"How did you know that, lady? " Throttle growled.
"Because I told you, I'm Charlene Davidson. I remember the time we first met. The fool Vinnie made of himself, trying to rescue me for GreasePit. When he slid across the room instead and how you showed me the things the Plutarkian had done to Mars when you touched my head with your antenna."
"Throttle now wide eyed slowly put down his weapon. "Charley, it is you! But, why the disguise? And who is this Plutarkian clown"
He's not a clown, he's a scientist from… from my planet. You see the Charley you know is the disguise. This is my real face." she confessed as she dropped her eyes in shame.
Throttle could only stare at her, but put his weapon away. " Hold up this is going to take a little time to register. Charlene, you mean to tell me that all this time you've kept this from us? Why? I thought we trusted each other?
"I know Throttle and I'm so sorry, but if I'd told you right away how would you have
reacted?"
"Yeah, well, I guess you have something there," he had to chuckle. Throttle turned toward Maurice and extended a hand. "Sorry about the entrance bro."
"Sure, I more than understand. No hard feeling." Maurice took his hand and returned the hardy handshake.
Throttle looked over at Charley and raised an eyebrow. "So what is the story?"
" My real name is Kasseri," she said still not able to look at him but continued to explain everything about her past on Plutark, her family and even about Ravenfire everything except her illness. Afterward she sat anxiously waiting for his reaction.
Throttle looked at her as if he were lost for words, but only for a second then took hold of her chin smiling that brotherly way he'd always done. "Kasseri huh? Well you gotta to be the prettiest Plutarkian I have ever seen."
Charley could see more than ever why she loved him like the brother she never had. Why Modo and Vinnie depended on him as much as they did. Her head rests on his neck and she could finally relax knowing he understood and accepted her true self.
Taking her by the shoulders he looked into her eyes. "Now is that everything?"
Maurice looked at her; she glared at him daring him to say anything. He glared back at her. "You'd better tell him Kass if you don't I will."
Charley stood up folding her arms around herself; she walked over and picked up the mask looking at it sadly. "It seems like I am having a little medical problem with the medicine we us to control the odor that most Plutarkians find so appealing. Maurice says
my body is rejecting the medicine and I shouldn't take the last injection."
"So don't take any it's not worth you getting sick over." Throttle said walking up next to her.
"Not just getting her sick it could possible kill her." Maurice adds.
Throttle grabbed her arms and turned her to him." Are you crazy? Why would you put your life at risk?"
Her voice barely audible she tells him, " Because I'd rather die than have that be a part of me, have Vinnie hate me, he's not like you, Throttle."
Throttle looked to Maurice for help, but he had none to offer
Focusing his attention back to Charley he told her, "Look sweetie I don't think you give the kid enough credit. I have never seen him feel about any woman the way he does you."
"You mean about Charley." She interrupted.
"No, I mean about the sweet, caring, wonderful woman that saved our hides more time than I can count. The funny fiery beautiful girl that has taken care of us, supported us, there whenever we needed her. That's you, mask or not mask, it's still you."
She looked into his face and wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her head in his shoulder.
Maurice watched happy that she had found such loyalty in her friend. A loyalty he'd saw in most of the Martians he'd come in contact with. One of the main reasons he was trying to help them.
"So Kass no injection? "
She lifted her head up and looked at Maurice, "No I still want it."
Both males looked at her in shock and said in unison. "WHAT!!!!!!"
"You said this might kill me. You also said that this last injection might stop the odor forever." I am willing to take that chance, not just for Vinnie but for myself too. I just can live with that smell."
"Charley, think about this" Throttle begged her.
"I have and I know it's what I want."
"You have to at least tell Vinnie before you do anything, he does have a right to know."
"No, Throttle, he doesn't, not now any how. You have to promise me you won't tell him."
"But Charley I can't…."
"Please Throttle, let me have a little more time with him. Either way I have arranged to tell him. If I don't survive I have left him a tape explaining every thing. If I do then I'll tell him myself. I promise please." Her eyes implored.
"Okay Charley girl. I know this is wrong but if that's the way you want it. I'll go along with it for now. How long before she has to take the last one bro?"
Maurice sighed frustrated; "A day may be two."
To Be continued…….