Chapter Two
The Garage was no quieter when they drove back up. There weren't as many Fighters running in and out, but mechanics were taking advantage of the evening's lull to work on various projects. The familiar whine of drills and the smell of oil felt like home.
"AOOOOWW! C'mon, Charlie, sweetheart! I'm hungry!" Vinnie howled up through the trap door. Modo looked up at the ceiling and shook his head, and Throttle simply sighed. The assorted mechanics, techs and fighters stared in awe and near horror at the white Mouse. Was this unknown Martian actually yelling at the Commander in such a disrespectful manner?
Evidently so. A moment later, Charlie poked her head down, a cheerful scowl on her face. "Shut up, Mr. Mouth! You trying to undo what small respect I've managed to drag out of these men and women? I'm almost finished here!" Shortly thereafter, her boots descended down the ladder, followed by shapely legs and a tight butt. Throttle looked around and growled softly when he observed the number of eyes watching said butt with fascination. A couple of guys noticed his glare and hurriedly looked elsewhere.
"So, where to, Charlie-ma'am?" Modo asked.
Charlie grabbed a helmet from a nearby rack and jammed it on her head before replying. "Well, Andy's place was demolished a few years ago. Don't worry," she added quickly in response to their worried expressions. "Andy's okay. He decided to move back to his family in New York. I thought we'd head over to the local Fighters' hangout. The food's not bad, and they import a lot of stuff from Mars."
"Sounds good!" Vinnie wrapped his tail around Charlie's waist and lifted her behind him. She opened her mouth to protest, but he bellowed over her words. "Let's Rock-" A loud honk interrupted the well-known cry as a riderless black and lavender bike sped out and slammed to a stop in front of Vinnie's racer. "What the-?"
Charlie grinned as she tugged Vinnie's tail from around her and climbed off. "Guys, I want you to meet Baby Doll. I liberated her from the Plutarkians." Her face fell a bit. "It was too late to save her original rider, but we bonded." She crossed to stroke a gloved hand down the bike's gleaming ebony crankcase. "She's saved my life more times then I can count."
Modo elbowed Throttle, whose jaw was hanging slackly. "Cheese, Charlie-ma'am. I've never heard of a re-bonding like that, especially with a human. You gonna give us the details?"
Charlie's face was blank as she climbed on and revved Baby Doll up. "Maybe someday. If you're lucky. Okay, boys! Throttle, you want to do the honors?"
He leapt onto his bike and carefully looked away from her. "Let's Rock!"
"And Ride!" They took off after the human woman.
* * *
The Warehouse was exactly that: an enormous warehouse converted into a bar, eatery, and pool hall. The patrons were a good mix of humans, Mice, and other allies against the Plutarkians. Charlie waved at the bouncer, an enormous individual with pebbly gray skin, as she escorted the trio through the door. "I think you'll like the place," she said, leading them through the door. As she passed the full tables, Throttle noticed that several people, human and alien alike, jumped up and saluted, or called out welcomes to the Commander, but no one greeted her as a comfortable old friend. She smiled and returned the salutes and hails with good grace.
"Commander! It's good to see you." The woman at the bar smiled in welcome and gestured toward a stool. "Who are your buds?"
"Gaia, meet the Biker Mice from Mars." Charlie eased herself onto the stool and shrugged out of her jacket. The evening air was a bit chilly, but the Warehouse was kept at a very comfortable temperature. "This is the trio that crash-landed on Earth about nine years ago and started this whole affair. They're here visiting on their down time." Several ears perked up as nearby customers heard her words, and the Mice found themselves the object of many curious stares. Vinnie grinned and waved.
"Well, in that case, first drink's on the house. What'll it be, fellas? I think you'll find there's very little we don't have here. The usual, Charlie?"
Charlie nodded. She didn't normally drink much alcohol beyond the occasional beer, but she held a fondness for Mike's Hard Lemonade. Gaia popped the top off one and slid it her way, then looked at the Mice inquisitively.
"I'll have what she's havin'," Throttle mumbled. He wanted a good stiff drink, but didn't think it would be wise to get wasted in such a public place. Besides, if Charlie-girl liked it, it couldn't be too bad. Modo nodded in agreement, while Vinnie named a popular Martian beverage.
Drinks in hand, the four found their way to an empty table and studied the menus anchored beneath the plexiglass tabletop.
"You were right, Sweetheart. This place is great!" Vinnie slung an arm around Charlie's shoulders and hugged her. Throttle, who sat across from them, frowned when he realized Charlie had stiffened, that same blank look from before falling over her features. A moment later she blinked and smiled up at Vinnie, but Throttle glanced over at Modo from the corner of his eye. The gray Mouse nodded slightly. He'd noticed it too.
Food was ordered, and they settled down to eat. "Man, Beautiful." Vinnie rolled his eyes over the pile of food that Charlie was steadily tucking away. "Where's it all goin'? Ya miss lunch or somethin'?"
"And breakfast," she replied. "We've been pretty busy with clean-up the past few days. There are still a few renegade groups of Plutarkians tucked away around the city, and-" She was interrupted when a large explosion rocked the building. Grimly, Charlie stood up and grabbed her jacket, pulling a neat little laser from the pocket. "Did I mention the renegade Plutarkians? I don't guess you'd mind helping us…"
"Say no more, Charlie-girl." Throttle his own gun from its holster as they joined the crowd of Freedom Fighters running outside. "Ya know, there are better places to bomb then a building full of Fighters."
"The fish-faces aren't really known for their brains." Charlie whistled, and Baby Doll zoomed up, followed closely by the Mice's bikes. "All right, people!" She gunned the bike and took off. "Let's Rock!"
"And Ride!" The battle cry was roared by over fifty mouths as they all headed toward further explosions.
* * *
It was short work to capture the small group of enemy aliens, and workers had already begun repairs to the damaged buildings when Charlie and the Mice drove up to the Garage. "You still sleepin' here, Charlie-ma'am?"
"Sure am." Charlie placed her helmet back on the rack and shook out her hair, which had come loose from the tight bun at some point during the fighting. "When they took it over and made it into the FF headquarters, I grabbed some of the rooms on the top floor for my own." She sighed and ran her fingers through her auburn mane. It had grown out to waist length, and fell in lush waves down her back. Throttle caught himself staring and tore his eyes away.
"I guess you can be allowed a few perks, after all," he joked for the first time since he'd seen her.
Charlie looked at him for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Thanks for the help, guys. I don't suppose you'd like to help out with clean-up while you're here?"
Vinnie crowed in delight. "And kick a few fish-faces? You betcha!"
She grinned, and then sighed. "Well, I need to go in and write up a report for tonight's entertainment. I don't mind much of this Commander stuff, but gods, I hate the paperwork! Oh, well. See you tomorrow, boys." And with that, she climbed the ladder through the trap door and disappeared from sight.
* * *
Sorry this chapter was so short, but I promise to have the next out soon! Remember, reviews are always appreciated. I don't have a beta reader, so let me know if you catch any typos. ~Foenixfyre