Chapter X: A New Beginning

The party that Redwall had hosted on the night of the battle was nothing compared to the celebration that reigned there over the next several days. The kitchens were constantly busy, keep the dozens and dozens of Salamandastron's hares fed and happy, as well as the defenders of the abbey. The most honored ones during this feast, however, were the Rescue Rangers.

The second day after the battle, while most of Redwall partied, Chip came to a decision. He'd thought about it over the course of the trip from home, during the sleepless night of Gadget's attack, through the battle, and during this festival. And finally, with a minimum of fuss, he made up his mind. Early on the second morning, he sought out Tammy, because the idea that was forming in his head would need a woman's advice.

He walked through the dormitory, knocking on doors, one after the other.

"Tammy?" he called, but still getting no answer. Finally, he started to knock on the last door… which wasn't completely closed. It swung open, to reveal Tammy and Reguba sitting on the windowsill, hand in hand as they watched a group of children play outside. They were talking in low voices, and Tammy giggled now and then, pointing to some mischievous abbeybabe that caught her attention.

"Ahem," Chip interjected.

The fur on Tammy's tail stood straight out as she jumped to her feet, surprise showing in every move. She saw who it was that was standing in the doorway, and a crimson flush worked its way up her face.

"Oh, um, hi Chipper! Reguba was just, um, taking in the sights with me, you know, watching the kids and all…"
"Tammy, its all right," Chip laughed. "If your mom trusted you to come with us, then I trust you enough to know you weren't doing anything wrong. Come on, I need your help, if Reguba can spare you."

"Sure thing!"
She turned back to her companion, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"See you later," she said. It was Reguba's turn to look embarrassed this time. Chip worked hard not to show his amusement as Tammy walked out the door past him.

"Now you see what I went through," he said to the young squirrel fighter, "she gets attached really easy."

"Yeah," Reguba answered with a grin. "But so do I."

Closing the door behind him with a chuckle, Chip walked down the hall after Tammy.

"What was it you needed, Chip?"

"Well, Tammy, I have a…favor, I need to ask you. I'm flying up to London today, and I need you to come and help me, well, pick something out."

Tammy's face lit up, as she immediately caught the drift of what he was saying. She clapped her hands delightedly.

"Oh, Chipper! You mean you're really going to do it?"
"Yeah. I've thought about it the entire time we've been here, and I made up my mind last night. I just hope I don't make a fool of myself. I'm scared to death, Tammy!"

She grinned.

"That's to be expected. I mean, I don't know personally, but all the guys I know that have gone through with it have the same feeling. Just don't drink any caffeine before you start talking, it'll make it easier on the ticker."

"Thanks, nurse. Well, the day's not getting any younger, and it's about a two-hour flight in the Rangerplane. Let's get going."
"Aye-aye, Captain! But why didn't you get Dale or Monty to go?"
"I figured I should get a woman's opinion, and besides, you know her likes and dislikes when it comes to stuff like this. I've got no sense of style whatsoever, I'll admit it."

"All right, but I'll give you fair warning, I'm just offering an opinion. If something really speaks to you, you need to go with it."

"Point taken. I really appreciate this, Tammy."
"I know. And don't worry, you'll repay me when you least expect it," she said with a playful expression.

Gadget was sitting in her room, reading an article she'd torn from Popular Mechanics before leaving home. A whirring sound reached her ears, and she looked out, curiously.

"Hmm, wonder where they're off to with the Rangerplane?" she mused, seeing Chip and Tammy in the cockpit. "Oh well, probably some errand. Nothing to worry about. At least, I don't think it's anything to worry about. But then again…"

She suddenly put a hand over eyes and shook her head.

"Oh for pity's sake, I'm doing it again!"

All through the day, Gadget pondered the meaning of her friends' mysterious trip. It wasn't often that a puzzle stumped her, but this one did. As morning passed into afternoon, she thought and thought on the matter.

"What are they up to?"

What Chip was up to, at the moment, would have shocked Gadget supremely. He was standing in a small, mouse-sized jewelers in the heart of London, looking uncertainly into a case, with Tammy peering over his shoulder in fascination.

"This one?"

"Nah, too much metal, not enough sparkle."
"What about that one?"
"Exact opposite of the previous problem."

Chip sighed, shaking his head in frustration. Then, it caught his eye. He smiled widely, and motioned to the clerk.

"Let me see that one there."
"Very good, sah," a distinguished looking mouse said, retrieving the requested item. "A very good cut, and handsomely set, too."
Chip considered it for a moment.

"What do you think, Tammy? Could you see this on her?"

The squirrel looked thoughtful, and then grinned.

"Bingo, Chipper my friend. Who said you didn't have a sense of style?"

"You did, actually, about three months ago."
"Oh…well, I was probably just peeved at you about something."
"Yeah, because you were flirting with the back of my head instead of the front for the whole case."

"Umm…yeah, that could be it."

"Well, you're going to have to start watching that, in just short order."

"I think I can manage."
Chip looked the prospect over for a few more seconds, and nodded his head.

"Yes, this one. Do you have it in a size five?"

"This one is, sah, and it happens to be the only one of it's kind."
"So much the better. I'll take it."

"How'd you find out her size?" Tammy asked.

"It's amazing the information you can get out of Monterey Jack."

"Ah."

A few minutes later, the two walked out of the shop and climbed a nearby drainpipe, to where the Rangerplane sat.

"Hopefully," Chip said with a bit more nervousness than he would admit to, "this trip wasn't for nothing."

"Have confidence, Chipper! I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Later that day, the Rangerplane glided onto Redwall's main lawn, landing without much of a struggle, for once. Gadget was resting under a shade tree, and saw Chip and Tammy climb out, conspiratorial grins on their faces.

"Those two are up to something," she said, to no one in particular. "Oh well, I'll just have to wait and see what it is."

That night, which was the last night of celebration, Abbess Brantalis stood, tapping a glass with a spoon for attention.

"My dear citizens of Redwall, and guests of Salamandastron, a toast! While Martin may have erred in trying to bring only one champion to the abbey, he succeeded in bringing a team of brave souls to our aid, without whom we could not have provided this place with a defense. To the Rescue Rangers!"

"Aye! Hear hear!"

The Rangers stood for seemingly endless rounds of applause, trying to appear unembarrassed, and not succeeding in the least. The Abbess motioned for silence. With a wide smile in place, she continued.

"And during this time of honor, we cannot forget one certain Ranger. Gabriella Mariel Hackwrench, who was prepared to sacrifice herself to save her friends, and this abbey. Our eternal gratitude!"

Gadget blushed deeply, and mumbled a rushed thanks. As the Redwallers took their seats again, Rosa the badger mother trotted out of the kitchen with a large, covered platter, which she sat down in front of Monterey Jack.

"A special treat, for our General of Dibbuns!"

She removed the cover, to reveal a huge wedge of finely aged Gouda.

"CHUUUHHEEEEEEEZZZZEE!" The ends of Monty's mustache twisted and twirled as the cheese attack hit him, and he dove into the yellow treat with relish. The sight was enough to make all the abbey children squeal with laughter. The Abbess sat back down, and Chip got up, waving his hands for silence.

"Um, everybody, I've got something I want to do tonight, and I waited until this last night, because I wanted a lot of witnesses! I've thought about it for a couple of weeks now, since I found something out, and I made up my mind to just take the plunge and follow my heart."

He turned to Gadget, who was sitting next to him.

"Gadget, I have something I'd like to ask you."
"What is it, Chip?" she asked, innocently, still not realizing what was coming.

He trembled nervously.

"Gadget, you've been the steadying hand for me in every storm, ever since the Rescue Rangers formed. You've been my friend, my guide, and a shoulder I could lean on. When I found out that you felt for me, the same way that I felt for you, it added a dimension to my life that I never dreamed could be before. And that's why I went to London today, and got this."
He dropped to one knee in front of her, and held up a small box. Nestled inside was a diamond ring, sparkling in the abbey candlelight like a newborn star. Her hand flew to her mouth as she gazed at it, her eyes wide in wonder and disbelief.

"Gadget Hackwrench," Chip said in a shaking voice, "will you marry me?"

Gadget was struck dumb. The very moment that she'd dreamed of since she was a child. Someone proposing to her! And someone that she really loved…it was almost too good to be true. With tears welling up in her eyes, she threw her arms around Chip.

"Oh, yes!"

The answer rang in his head like a bell. With trembling hands, he slipped the ring onto her hand, a perfect fit. Great Hall erupted in cheers and yells, and shouts of congratulation. Monterey Jack jumped to his feet, his cheese forgotten, and started thumping the table with his fist.

"Bonza job, Chippah! Well done, me lad!"

Dale and Tammy were hugging each other and crying, while Zipper buzzed happily throughout the cheering crowd, a giant smile on his small face.

The Abbess raised her glass.

"To the future bride and groom! Truly, this is the happiest of nights!"

And amid the clamor and happiness that filled the room, Gadget kissed Chip for the first time as his fiancé. In that moment, that one second…it seemed that only they existed, and time nearly stood still.

Early the next morning, tearful good-byes and fond farewells were said as the last luggage was loaded aboard the Rangerplane. Gadget was sitting at the wheel, Chip in the copilot's seat, and the other Rangers in the back, the arrangement that had been since the beginning. However, a new beginning was coming for them. Tammy's friend Reguba would be moving to New York as soon as he was able, to be near her. Gadget's ring sparkled on her hand as she gripped the wheel, ready for takeoff. Relationships had changed, all for the better, and with a last call of goodbye, the Rangerplane lifted off. As the plane flapped it's way skyward, Chip took Gadget's free hand in his, and looked out into the clouds.

"I don't think the horizon ever looked this good," he said. He pointed to the west, raised his hat to the crowd below, and said, "Take us home, Gadget love."

She pushed the Rangerplane's throttles to full, and the Rescue Rangers flew toward home, their next case, and the anticipation of the Christmas season ahead. It was November fifteenth. They would arrive home in time to prepare for Thanksgiving, and a wedding that would make team history.

To Be Continued in

Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers: A Christmas to Remember