Chapter 8

"Kim?" asked DM, his voice hushed.

"Is it really you?" added Jerry.

"Yes. Is something wrong?"

A pretty female mouse stood in the doorway. Her fur was red, and she had short red hair. Neat round ears stood out from the hair. She wore a light- green jumpsuit with a belt of a darker shade and an equally dark badge could be seen on her chest. The badge read in lighter green: 'KT'. Dark- green boots were at her feet.

But what really stood out was the eyes. The sparkling green eyes. The green eyes over a neat little nose, and a smiling mouth. She didn't have rodent teeth - her teeth were exactly the same.

It was definitely Kim.

"Kim...I...you...when..." DM was speechless.

"Is something wrong?" she asked again, nervously.

"Oh, never", said DM, finding his voice. "It's just - you're a MOUSE".

"Bit of a surprise?' asked Kim, laughing nervously.

"Well - yes. What - why did you - ?"

"I couldn't leave", said Kim. "It doesn't matter what I look like - what's important is that I'll have your support".

Jerry gave a little smile as he stood up.

"Hello, everyone". Penfold appeared behind Kim. "Doesn't she look pretty?"

"You helped her, didn't you?" said DM, a grin beginning to appear.

"Yes. We went to Looney Island, and the Professor fixed Kim up", explained Penfold.

"You were the new patients in the plane!"

"I guess so", said Penfold. "We must have just missed you".

"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise", said Kim.

DM smiled and ran to Kim, wrapping his arms around her. Jerry came up behind her and put his arms around them both.

"Are you alright with this, Jerry?" Kim asked as she pulled away. "I mean - I'll never be - "

"You'll always be Kim. You'll always be my little sister", said Jerry. "I'm with you every step of the way".

"We all are", said the Colonel, standing up. "Kim, it is my great pleasure to invite you to stay in the agency".

"That's what I'm here for", said Kim, as she went to sit next to Belinda. Belinda hugged her, being careful with her daughter.

"You brave girl", she whispered.

"You need bravery sometimes", said Kim. "I needed it to keep my friends".

Then Agent 57 came over and the three started to talk for a while.

"She does look happy", said DM to Jerry.

"Yeah..."

DM looked over at Jerry, narrowing his eyes with a grin.

"Did you have a hand in this?" he asked.

"I only told her I'd stand by her", said Jerry innocently. "She was right - I WAS smothering her. I need to give her the freedom she needs. It's just hard to watch them growing up".

DM nodded thoughtfully.

"Where did you go anyway?" asked Jerry, turning to DM. "You disappeared without a trace".

"I had to sort something out", said DM carefully.

Jerry nodded, sensing he probably didn't want to talk just now. He decided to change the subject.

"This really has been an interesting time", he said, turning to where Penfold and Colonel K were chatting. "As far as I can remember, I never actually spent Christmas Eve among...friends".

"Yes. Normally, it's just me and Penfold. This Christmas is going to be...different". DM looked over Jerry's shoulder as Kim came over, leaving Belinda and Agent 57 in easy conversation. She kissed her brother on the cheek, and then turned to DM with a smile.

"I see you two have stopped arguing", she said.

"Don't know what you're talking about", said Jerry, grinning.

"Me neither", smiled DM.

Kim rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you two!"

"I'll see you a little later". Laughing, Jerry went to chat to Penfold. Meanwhile, DM and Kim made their way over to the other end of the parlour, where it was quieter.

"I know where you were", she said gently, as she turned to him. "Looney Island?'

"Yes. I had the therapy".

"How did it go?"

"It was frightening - but Professor Squakencluck was very supportive".

"Oh, good. I'm sorry we couldn't come with you".

"I didn't want you to worry", explained DM to the new mouse. "I had to do it alone".

"I know some things in life must be hard for you", said Kim. "But you always seem to have enough courage for anything".

"I have to look deep inside sometimes. It's not so bad if I remind myself of what can come out of it", said DM. "I'm alright now. I'm going to have some medication".

"DM, that's wonderful!"

"And I'm very relieved", said DM. "I don't have to worry about it anymore now".

"I'm very proud of you", said Kim. She looked around at the decorations. "Well, I'm all set for tomorrow's celebrations".

"Me too", said DM, smiling.

"You know, there were only ever two things I wanted for Christmas", said Kim. "For my brothers to have some good luck - and to have my own family. Now I've got both". She put a hand on DM's shoulder. "My brother's finally got his own family - and I have you and Penfold. You two mean so much to me".

A lot, I hope, thought DM fondly.

"Kim - thankyou for - doing this". He gestured to her mouse form. "I mean, it must feel strange".

"It DOES feel strange", said Kim. "But after a while, I start to get used to it. I mean, I know I still look a bit like the old me - and that accounts for something".

"Are you sure you want all this?" said DM. "I don't want you to ever regret it, and miss your old form".

"I'm sure". Kim's voice was gentle. "Besides, how else will I be able to stay with you? It would tear me apart to leave".

DM relished Kim's words. It touched him so much to know that Kim had done all this for him, and for the agency. He was determined to help Kim settle into her new form, and never lead her to regret what she had done. As long as Kim was happy, he would be happy.

At that moment, Kim's eyes rose and looked at something above them. Confused, DM followed her gaze - and saw a small plant with tiny white bulbs hanging from the ceiling with a neatly decorated gold string.

"Isn't that - ?" began DM.

"Mistletoe? Yes". Kim suddenly grabbed DM and kissed him full on the lips. She gently put one hand behind DM's head and the other to his cheek as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Kim felt him kissing back and gave an inward sigh of relief. She had been afraid that she would alarm him.

When the two gently broke apart, they were aware of eyes on them, and turned to see the others all staring at them with grins on their faces.

"Well, would you look at that", chuckled Jerry.

"Aw, that was so sweet", sighed Penfold.

"You have definitely gained someone there, DM", said Colonel K.

"You two deserve each other", said Agent 57 kindly.

Kim waved her hand at them with an embarrased grin. DM was trying to keep from laughing. He was also trying to keep from jumping out onto the roof and screaming out to the whole of London that he had just shared a kiss with Kim.

"Oh, ignore them", said Kim in his ear.

DM felt his heart beating in sheer happiness as he pulled Kim close and gently pressed his lips against hers. He kissed her long and gently, and the other end of the parlour decided to leave them alone, going back to their chatter.

"DM...I..." said Kim, as they finally broke apart.

DM put a finger to her lips.

"Merry Christmas, Kim", he whispered.

"Merry Christmas, DM", she whispered back, her mouse face filled with happiness.

Then they linked hands, and ran back to the other end of the parlour to join their friends.

The End.

PS - At last! Sorry it took so long! Thank heavens I was in a 'writing spree' mood this evening! So, Kim's a mouse now - and her relationship with DM has boosted! Remember that in the next story, everyone! Bye!