Author's note: *SOB* Last chapter! Anyway, Tania will be back on track in this chapter.
Thomas: Finally!
Shelly: What? Who was that? Oh well, enjoy the fic!
Loyalties of the Heart by Shelly
CHAPTER NINETEEN
"Irvine, look ahead on the horizon," she said as she dodged the sinker zoids' missiles and fired back at them to send them crashing to the ground in balls of fire.
"I see it," he replied. "Let's not worry about that now. It may be help coming." At that point, the Saber Tiger was hit with a heavy barrage of fire and when the smoke cleared it was down on the ground unable to move as Irvine had been knocked unconscious.
"Irvine!" she cried, but received no answer and she positioned her Lightning Saix directly over him to try and protect him as long as she could, but she was growing weary herself and wasn't sure how much longer she could hold out. Her leg throbbed with every beat of her heart which pounded furiously within her from the adrenaline that flowed through her. Her vision began to waver and she had trouble focusing on the sinker zoids that headed her way, preparing to finish the job, and she braced herself for the inevitable.
When it didn't come, she looked up to see the Blade Liger standing near her with his shield protecting them both as the missiles exploded around them. "Van?" she whispered.
"Tania?" he called, seeing the Saber Tiger down and wondering if she was okay.
"Van?" she replied, her voice a little stronger this time.
"Are you all right?" he asked, relieved to hear her voice.
"I'll be fine," she answered. "It's a good thing you got here when you did."
"Wait a minute. Is that you inside that zoid?" he questioned, looking it over with a glance, but he received no answer as she had already fainted inside the cockpit. "Tania?" he called again, worried that something had happened to her. "Thomas, Colonel Shubaltz, I need your help over here. I think Tania's down and so is whoever's inside the Saber Tiger."
"Roger that, Van," Thomas replied. "I'll be there in a second."
Soon Thomas arrived along with Colonel Shubaltz, who asked his brother to cover him while he checked on the pilots of the zoids. He checked the Saber Tiger first as he hadn't heard Van say anything past Tania being hurt, frowning in confusion when he saw Irvine slumped over and another who was trussed up tightly. He pulled the stranger out where he could see him, smiling when he saw it was Colonel Tragar and it appeared he was out cold.
Then he checked the Lightning Saix, barely taking enough time to admire the new zoid before getting inside the cockpit to see Tania slumped over as well. "Tania?" He gently pulled her back against the seat, and her face came into view where he saw the dark bruise that covered her cheek. "Tania," he called again, as he gently shook her to try and rouse her, hoping that she hadn't left him for good. With that thought in mind, he lowered his head to listen to her breathing, happy to see her chest rise and fall as well as see her stir weakly.
Tania opened her eyes to see a vision she thought she would never see again. "Karl?" she whispered, a weak rush of joy giving her enough energy to hold him close as he embraced her, surprised to feel tears running down her face.
"I was so worried about you," he said as he looked into her eyes, alarmed at her weakness but glad she was alive. "Are you all right?"
She shook her head slowly. "My leg...hurts," she whispered as she gazed into the green pools of his eyes that she thought she would never look into again. Seeing him once more, she wondered how she could ever have left him and been able to live without him, and she reached up to take his face in her hands and kiss him softly as she didn't have enough energy to do anything more. "Karl," she breathed as her tears continued to fall. "I love you so much."
Tears of his own moistened his eyes. "I love you, too, Tania," he replied. "I'm sorry for everything I did to you. I was so stupid to think--" He was stopped by her finger on his lips.
"It's okay," she answered. "I would've done the same thing had the situations been reversed. Why is it so quiet?"
"I think the fighting has been drawn away from us, or else they retreated. Where does your leg hurt?"
"My right calf," she answered.
He leaned down to rip open the pant leg, gasping as he saw the bandage was soaked with fresh blood. "Tania," he breathed. "What happened?"
"Tragar...shot me shortly after I arrived. But don't worry...I paid him back with a knife in the foot."
He came back up to look at her cheek with worry in his eyes. "Did he do this as well?" She nodded and he fought against dragging Tragar out and dealing with him himself.
"Karl, is Tania all right?" Thomas' voice sounded in the cockpit.
"I'm fine, Thomas," she replied. "Just a little weak. I never thought I'd say this, but it's good to hear your voice."
Thomas smiled inside the Dibison. "Just so long as you're all right, that's all that matters."
They both laughed, Tania bringing Karl's lips back to hers for a kiss full of love that lingered long after they pulled away from each other. Her eyes widened suddenly. "Irvine!" she gasped. "How is he? Have you checked on him yet?"
"He's fine, just unconscious from that last assault. Tragar is still out, and I promise you he will pay once we return him to the Capital City."
"Good," she replied, happy that she could finally look forward to a life of her own free of deceptions, a life with the man she loved who she would never stray from again.
"Well, Hiltz? Did this one turn out like you expected?" Riese asked.
"I can say that at least one good thing came out of this," he replied. "Now I know that I never should've put my trust in Tragar. But it doesn't matter as in the end all will beg for mercy before the Dark Kaiser. Come, Riese," he said as he turned away from the sight before him. "It is time for us to find Raven."
The enemy forces were routed and drove from the base by Republican forces, who immediately sent in a ground team to search the base for any remaining personnel who promptly surrendered as they knew they were outnumbered. Irvine and Tania were taken back to Red River where they could receive medical attention and a team of Gustavs transported the Lightning Saix, Command Wolf, and Saber Tiger back there as well.
Tania's leg wound was rebandaged and told to remain abed until tomorrow as she also suffered from exhaustion. Irvine was checked as well and diagnosed in good condition so he didn't have to stay, and he found Tania's room where he stayed by her side until she woke again.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Tired and weak," she smiled. "But never have I been happier in my life."
He returned her smile, seeing the happiness that shone within her eyes and knowing that it wasn't him that had put it there. "You saw Colonel Shubaltz?"
"Yes," she replied.
He nodded. "You belong together, Tania, you and him. You both love each other so much."
She saw his sadness even though he was trying to hide it. "Irvine, I'm sorry," she whispered. "I encouraged things between us that I had no right to, and I know that you're hurting because of it."
"It's not your fault," he assured her. "I was as much to blame as anyone."
She smiled. "Where will you go now? You know Van and Fiona would want you to stay, and I would like you to as well."
"Who knows? Wherever the smell of money takes me," he replied, rising to his feet. "Get some rest. Maybe I'll see you soon."
"Okay," she answered, but as soon as Irvine left Van appeared a moment later. "Van!" she cried, accepting his enthusiastic embrace.
"Tania, I'm so glad you're okay," he said as he sat down on the bed beside her.
She heard a familiar rumbling and looked to see Zeke moving to her bedside as well. Then the door opened and Thomas and Fiona entered the room, each of them greeting her with hugs and well wishes. But then she noticed someone standing apart from the rest, and she craned her neck around to try and see who it was, and everyone stepped aside to allow her a better view. "Colonel Kruegar!" she exclaimed.
He moved to her bedside and embraced her warmly. "It's good to see you, Tania," he said. "Although now we can say that we will be happy to see one another in the future as your part has been done, and we are grateful for all you have done. Rest now. We will have plenty of time to speak to each other later."
She smiled as he left, enjoying the company of her friends until all of them left except for Van. "Where's Karl? Shouldn't he be back by now?"
"I believe that Tragar woke up finally and they're questioning him now, especially Colonel Shubaltz since Tragar used to be with the Imperial Army," Van answered.
"That's likely to take a while," she said then took Van's hand in her own and held it for a bit. "Van, I want to thank you for being my friend even when you thought I had betrayed you. That meant a lot to me."
He smiled. "You played a pretty convincing part. I think the only one who suspected anything was Thomas, but then he's pretty much suspicious about everybody except Fiona and those in the military."
Tania laughed. "I hated not being able to tell you everything, but I wasn't sure if there were others here working for Tragar or whoever else is behind all this." Then she yawned, trying her best to hide it but unable to do so.
"I'll leave you to your rest," Van said, leaning over to embrace her tightly. "I love you," he whispered softly.
She looked into his eyes and smiled. "I love you, too, Van," she replied. "I'll see you tomorrow." Then she watched him leave before she settled down into the covers and let sleep overtake her, and it was perhaps the most restful she had had in a long while.
The next day the doctor checked in on her at various times to look at the bandage and to ask about her general well-being, and he eventually told her she would be released this evening. She thought it an odd time but didn't think much on it as she had various visitors throughout the day who brought her gifts to help speed her recovery.
Soon the doctor approved her to leave, and Thomas happened to be there visiting so he helped take her back to his brother's suite in a wheelchair. Thankfully he had brought her a change of clothes, a uniform similar to the one that Van wore that would do until she could pick out something else, and it was a good thing he had done so. As soon as she entered the suite, she was greeted by a chorus of "Welcome Back!" from her friends and one happy, loud roar from Zeke. Everyone was there, including Colonel Kruegar, as they shared in a feast meant to celebrate her return. Karl, of course, was there, dressed in clothing similar to what he had wore the first time they were together, and he stayed by her side the whole night, never hesitating to kiss or touch her whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Then he stood from the table and called for everyone's attention, who seemed to know what was coming as Thomas and Van were trying to hide grins behind their hands and Fiona looked as if she was ready to cry. "I would like to propose a toast to someone who has brought so much into my life I cannot begin to thank her. For years I have been many things, have shared many ranks in the military. I have also been a brother, a very proud brother even though most of the time I don't show it," he added, sharing a smile with Thomas. "I have also been happy to call as friends some of the bravest fighters I have known," he said as his eyes fell on Van, Fiona, Kruegar, and Irvine. Zeke rumbled loudly, and Karl laughed. "And you, too, Zeke.
"But for the first time in my life I would like to try and become something which may at times be the hardest thing to try and become, but will no doubt fill my life with a happiness that I believe I do not deserve and am incredibly lucky to have." He moved over in front of Tania and lowered himself down onto one knee as he took his hand in hers. "Tania, I have been your friend as well as your lover," he began as he reached into his pocket and produced a small white box. "But if you would have me, I would ask to be your husband just as I wish you to spend the rest of your life with me as my wife." He opened the box and inside sparkled a brilliant diamond ring which he removed and slipped onto her finger.
Her eyes had already begun to fill with tears at his loving words, but when he placed the ring on her finger she looked into his own eyes with surprise at seeing them glistening with moisture. She was speechless as she was shocked beyond belief and incredibly happy at the same time, and unbelievably lucky that she had met someone like him. "Karl," she breathed. "I am the one who is lucky to have had someone like you to love. Never had I hoped that I would find a love like ours, one as strong and true that will last us for the rest of our lives. Yes, I will most happily be your wife as I very much want you to be my husband," she said as the tears fell down her cheeks. "I love you," she cried as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he lifted her off her feet when he stood to better hold her in his arms.
"I love you, too," he replied. "And never, never will I hurt you again for as long as I live," he said, sealing the promise with a passionate kiss that had everyone blushing.
Smiling hugely, Van looked at Thomas and Fiona, who he was surprised to see hugging one another with tears in their own eyes, and he was a little disappointed that he had no one to share in their happiness with. Then he heard Zeke behind him before the organoid placed his head on Van's shoulder, rumbling softly in his ear, and everything was all right once more.
The End
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*Wipes nose and eyes with a kleenex.* Aww! Happy endings always make me cry. Thanx to all those who reviewed as your input meant a lot. I am happy that you enjoyed it through the good times. (And the bad!-Thomas) *Levels glare at him.* I was going to say that. Anyway, tell me if any of you would like a sequel to this. I have an idea kind of floating around in my head and want to know if you think it a good idea to continue this story. Thanx again!
Thomas: Finally!
Shelly: What? Who was that? Oh well, enjoy the fic!
Loyalties of the Heart by Shelly
CHAPTER NINETEEN
"Irvine, look ahead on the horizon," she said as she dodged the sinker zoids' missiles and fired back at them to send them crashing to the ground in balls of fire.
"I see it," he replied. "Let's not worry about that now. It may be help coming." At that point, the Saber Tiger was hit with a heavy barrage of fire and when the smoke cleared it was down on the ground unable to move as Irvine had been knocked unconscious.
"Irvine!" she cried, but received no answer and she positioned her Lightning Saix directly over him to try and protect him as long as she could, but she was growing weary herself and wasn't sure how much longer she could hold out. Her leg throbbed with every beat of her heart which pounded furiously within her from the adrenaline that flowed through her. Her vision began to waver and she had trouble focusing on the sinker zoids that headed her way, preparing to finish the job, and she braced herself for the inevitable.
When it didn't come, she looked up to see the Blade Liger standing near her with his shield protecting them both as the missiles exploded around them. "Van?" she whispered.
"Tania?" he called, seeing the Saber Tiger down and wondering if she was okay.
"Van?" she replied, her voice a little stronger this time.
"Are you all right?" he asked, relieved to hear her voice.
"I'll be fine," she answered. "It's a good thing you got here when you did."
"Wait a minute. Is that you inside that zoid?" he questioned, looking it over with a glance, but he received no answer as she had already fainted inside the cockpit. "Tania?" he called again, worried that something had happened to her. "Thomas, Colonel Shubaltz, I need your help over here. I think Tania's down and so is whoever's inside the Saber Tiger."
"Roger that, Van," Thomas replied. "I'll be there in a second."
Soon Thomas arrived along with Colonel Shubaltz, who asked his brother to cover him while he checked on the pilots of the zoids. He checked the Saber Tiger first as he hadn't heard Van say anything past Tania being hurt, frowning in confusion when he saw Irvine slumped over and another who was trussed up tightly. He pulled the stranger out where he could see him, smiling when he saw it was Colonel Tragar and it appeared he was out cold.
Then he checked the Lightning Saix, barely taking enough time to admire the new zoid before getting inside the cockpit to see Tania slumped over as well. "Tania?" He gently pulled her back against the seat, and her face came into view where he saw the dark bruise that covered her cheek. "Tania," he called again, as he gently shook her to try and rouse her, hoping that she hadn't left him for good. With that thought in mind, he lowered his head to listen to her breathing, happy to see her chest rise and fall as well as see her stir weakly.
Tania opened her eyes to see a vision she thought she would never see again. "Karl?" she whispered, a weak rush of joy giving her enough energy to hold him close as he embraced her, surprised to feel tears running down her face.
"I was so worried about you," he said as he looked into her eyes, alarmed at her weakness but glad she was alive. "Are you all right?"
She shook her head slowly. "My leg...hurts," she whispered as she gazed into the green pools of his eyes that she thought she would never look into again. Seeing him once more, she wondered how she could ever have left him and been able to live without him, and she reached up to take his face in her hands and kiss him softly as she didn't have enough energy to do anything more. "Karl," she breathed as her tears continued to fall. "I love you so much."
Tears of his own moistened his eyes. "I love you, too, Tania," he replied. "I'm sorry for everything I did to you. I was so stupid to think--" He was stopped by her finger on his lips.
"It's okay," she answered. "I would've done the same thing had the situations been reversed. Why is it so quiet?"
"I think the fighting has been drawn away from us, or else they retreated. Where does your leg hurt?"
"My right calf," she answered.
He leaned down to rip open the pant leg, gasping as he saw the bandage was soaked with fresh blood. "Tania," he breathed. "What happened?"
"Tragar...shot me shortly after I arrived. But don't worry...I paid him back with a knife in the foot."
He came back up to look at her cheek with worry in his eyes. "Did he do this as well?" She nodded and he fought against dragging Tragar out and dealing with him himself.
"Karl, is Tania all right?" Thomas' voice sounded in the cockpit.
"I'm fine, Thomas," she replied. "Just a little weak. I never thought I'd say this, but it's good to hear your voice."
Thomas smiled inside the Dibison. "Just so long as you're all right, that's all that matters."
They both laughed, Tania bringing Karl's lips back to hers for a kiss full of love that lingered long after they pulled away from each other. Her eyes widened suddenly. "Irvine!" she gasped. "How is he? Have you checked on him yet?"
"He's fine, just unconscious from that last assault. Tragar is still out, and I promise you he will pay once we return him to the Capital City."
"Good," she replied, happy that she could finally look forward to a life of her own free of deceptions, a life with the man she loved who she would never stray from again.
"Well, Hiltz? Did this one turn out like you expected?" Riese asked.
"I can say that at least one good thing came out of this," he replied. "Now I know that I never should've put my trust in Tragar. But it doesn't matter as in the end all will beg for mercy before the Dark Kaiser. Come, Riese," he said as he turned away from the sight before him. "It is time for us to find Raven."
The enemy forces were routed and drove from the base by Republican forces, who immediately sent in a ground team to search the base for any remaining personnel who promptly surrendered as they knew they were outnumbered. Irvine and Tania were taken back to Red River where they could receive medical attention and a team of Gustavs transported the Lightning Saix, Command Wolf, and Saber Tiger back there as well.
Tania's leg wound was rebandaged and told to remain abed until tomorrow as she also suffered from exhaustion. Irvine was checked as well and diagnosed in good condition so he didn't have to stay, and he found Tania's room where he stayed by her side until she woke again.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Tired and weak," she smiled. "But never have I been happier in my life."
He returned her smile, seeing the happiness that shone within her eyes and knowing that it wasn't him that had put it there. "You saw Colonel Shubaltz?"
"Yes," she replied.
He nodded. "You belong together, Tania, you and him. You both love each other so much."
She saw his sadness even though he was trying to hide it. "Irvine, I'm sorry," she whispered. "I encouraged things between us that I had no right to, and I know that you're hurting because of it."
"It's not your fault," he assured her. "I was as much to blame as anyone."
She smiled. "Where will you go now? You know Van and Fiona would want you to stay, and I would like you to as well."
"Who knows? Wherever the smell of money takes me," he replied, rising to his feet. "Get some rest. Maybe I'll see you soon."
"Okay," she answered, but as soon as Irvine left Van appeared a moment later. "Van!" she cried, accepting his enthusiastic embrace.
"Tania, I'm so glad you're okay," he said as he sat down on the bed beside her.
She heard a familiar rumbling and looked to see Zeke moving to her bedside as well. Then the door opened and Thomas and Fiona entered the room, each of them greeting her with hugs and well wishes. But then she noticed someone standing apart from the rest, and she craned her neck around to try and see who it was, and everyone stepped aside to allow her a better view. "Colonel Kruegar!" she exclaimed.
He moved to her bedside and embraced her warmly. "It's good to see you, Tania," he said. "Although now we can say that we will be happy to see one another in the future as your part has been done, and we are grateful for all you have done. Rest now. We will have plenty of time to speak to each other later."
She smiled as he left, enjoying the company of her friends until all of them left except for Van. "Where's Karl? Shouldn't he be back by now?"
"I believe that Tragar woke up finally and they're questioning him now, especially Colonel Shubaltz since Tragar used to be with the Imperial Army," Van answered.
"That's likely to take a while," she said then took Van's hand in her own and held it for a bit. "Van, I want to thank you for being my friend even when you thought I had betrayed you. That meant a lot to me."
He smiled. "You played a pretty convincing part. I think the only one who suspected anything was Thomas, but then he's pretty much suspicious about everybody except Fiona and those in the military."
Tania laughed. "I hated not being able to tell you everything, but I wasn't sure if there were others here working for Tragar or whoever else is behind all this." Then she yawned, trying her best to hide it but unable to do so.
"I'll leave you to your rest," Van said, leaning over to embrace her tightly. "I love you," he whispered softly.
She looked into his eyes and smiled. "I love you, too, Van," she replied. "I'll see you tomorrow." Then she watched him leave before she settled down into the covers and let sleep overtake her, and it was perhaps the most restful she had had in a long while.
The next day the doctor checked in on her at various times to look at the bandage and to ask about her general well-being, and he eventually told her she would be released this evening. She thought it an odd time but didn't think much on it as she had various visitors throughout the day who brought her gifts to help speed her recovery.
Soon the doctor approved her to leave, and Thomas happened to be there visiting so he helped take her back to his brother's suite in a wheelchair. Thankfully he had brought her a change of clothes, a uniform similar to the one that Van wore that would do until she could pick out something else, and it was a good thing he had done so. As soon as she entered the suite, she was greeted by a chorus of "Welcome Back!" from her friends and one happy, loud roar from Zeke. Everyone was there, including Colonel Kruegar, as they shared in a feast meant to celebrate her return. Karl, of course, was there, dressed in clothing similar to what he had wore the first time they were together, and he stayed by her side the whole night, never hesitating to kiss or touch her whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Then he stood from the table and called for everyone's attention, who seemed to know what was coming as Thomas and Van were trying to hide grins behind their hands and Fiona looked as if she was ready to cry. "I would like to propose a toast to someone who has brought so much into my life I cannot begin to thank her. For years I have been many things, have shared many ranks in the military. I have also been a brother, a very proud brother even though most of the time I don't show it," he added, sharing a smile with Thomas. "I have also been happy to call as friends some of the bravest fighters I have known," he said as his eyes fell on Van, Fiona, Kruegar, and Irvine. Zeke rumbled loudly, and Karl laughed. "And you, too, Zeke.
"But for the first time in my life I would like to try and become something which may at times be the hardest thing to try and become, but will no doubt fill my life with a happiness that I believe I do not deserve and am incredibly lucky to have." He moved over in front of Tania and lowered himself down onto one knee as he took his hand in hers. "Tania, I have been your friend as well as your lover," he began as he reached into his pocket and produced a small white box. "But if you would have me, I would ask to be your husband just as I wish you to spend the rest of your life with me as my wife." He opened the box and inside sparkled a brilliant diamond ring which he removed and slipped onto her finger.
Her eyes had already begun to fill with tears at his loving words, but when he placed the ring on her finger she looked into his own eyes with surprise at seeing them glistening with moisture. She was speechless as she was shocked beyond belief and incredibly happy at the same time, and unbelievably lucky that she had met someone like him. "Karl," she breathed. "I am the one who is lucky to have had someone like you to love. Never had I hoped that I would find a love like ours, one as strong and true that will last us for the rest of our lives. Yes, I will most happily be your wife as I very much want you to be my husband," she said as the tears fell down her cheeks. "I love you," she cried as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he lifted her off her feet when he stood to better hold her in his arms.
"I love you, too," he replied. "And never, never will I hurt you again for as long as I live," he said, sealing the promise with a passionate kiss that had everyone blushing.
Smiling hugely, Van looked at Thomas and Fiona, who he was surprised to see hugging one another with tears in their own eyes, and he was a little disappointed that he had no one to share in their happiness with. Then he heard Zeke behind him before the organoid placed his head on Van's shoulder, rumbling softly in his ear, and everything was all right once more.
The End
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*Wipes nose and eyes with a kleenex.* Aww! Happy endings always make me cry. Thanx to all those who reviewed as your input meant a lot. I am happy that you enjoyed it through the good times. (And the bad!-Thomas) *Levels glare at him.* I was going to say that. Anyway, tell me if any of you would like a sequel to this. I have an idea kind of floating around in my head and want to know if you think it a good idea to continue this story. Thanx again!