I was gazing adoringly at newest artist Queen Gal's incredible Charley/ Throttle sketches posted at the Red Planet and words started forming and then a story began to take shape and to weave itself. When the muse smacks you in the head you gotta listen so here we go. I do not own the BM and use then for entertaining purposes only.

You Are My Freedom,

by

Morning 2004

He sat on a wooden crate fiddling with his hands. Time was moving much too quickly. They only had a few more hours before leaving and all the life seem to have been drained out of him.

No, it wasn't because they'd lost the final battle with the Pultarkians, if only it had been that simple. The dreaded stench of their genocidal enemies had actually been all but completely dealt with. A few bosses here and there to deal with, but for the most part Mars and the Earth were safe.

Then why did his heart feel like it had been dipped in iron and fallen into the deepest pit of despair? Because his reason for breathing, the spark that kept his soul burning bright, was being left behind.

Charlene Davidson, they young woman who at first had been a dear loving friend had become the woman that his whole world revolved around.

Carbine, his brave Martian counter part, would always be that, but they'd both realized that a life together wasn't going to be possible. She'd been appointed Prime Minister of the new Martian counsel and that was an all consuming lifetime dedication that would be the center of her life.

He'd started just talking to Charley, needing her to help him make it through the harder part of being without Carbine, but somewhere along the way a needed friend began needing him.
She'd shared her feeling as freely with him as he had with her and a true loving bond was formed.

Vinnie was fine with their relationship understanding that Charley wanted more than he was willing to give. He was too young for such a complete commitment and bowed happily out of the picture.

So time was spent with the unusual, but oddly prefect, young couple learning how glorious life, in love, could be. Nights of snuggling close while soft candles burned, dancing to music he wasn't too sure he actually liked, but listen to for her sake. It was slow and quiet so they could rock in each others arms blissfully and that was worth anything.

Of course battling Limburger took on a whole new meaning and they had a few fiery discussions concerning her joining them when they dealt with the smelly alien. But most of the time it ended in Charley accompanying them with him pouting for at least a few minute until the job was done.

But once they got back to the garage she knew just what it took to put a big smile on his face. Coming up from behind and wrapping her arms around his neck nuzzling her nose behind his ear. Before long he was putty in her hands.

He'd never loved any woman like he'd loved this green-eyed source of never ending joy. And she returned his love with all the tender loving care any man could ever wish, hope or pray for.

So now time was passing too quickly. He had to go back to Mars. They couldn't risk staying on Earth any longer. Even though most of the populous of Chicago knew of the off world bikers, that had too many times saved their city and their lives, the US govenment was beginning to investigate and they knew what that could mean if they were discovered.

Charley had gone to Mars once, but it had been discovered that if she had stayed, the lower amount of oxygen in the Martian atmosphere would have eventually killed her.

So when he left this time it would, more then likely, be forever. They tried not to think about it, make the best of the time they had, until now.

Vinnie and Modo had said their good-byes and left them these few precious hours to try and pack a lifetime of love into what was left.

She walked up behind him and her arms again wrapped around his neck and she nuzzled his ear like she'd done so many times before. He reached up and caressed her arms not turning around.

Charley tried to keep smiling, but the warmth running down her cheeks told her she had failed.

Kissing him softly she tearfully whispered, "It's almost time."

In one motion he turned and pulled her into his arms resting her on his lap.

"I can't leave you, Charlene. I'll take my chances. I just can't leave you." He whispered taking in everything about her that filled his senses.

Her head laid on his neck and she took a shaking breath, "No. you don't know what they might do. Put you on display like a lab animal, keep you caged. You haven't struggled all these years to live like that."

She lifted her head and leaned back a little. Sniffling she managed a small smile. Her fingers combed through the golden crop of hair that fell over his shades.

"Your so beautiful. I don't think I've ever met anyone as beautiful as you."

Her forehead touched his, "Please promise that you'll find a way to be happy, Throttle. I can stand to let you go if I know that you'll at least try."

He reached up and removed his shades and looked into her eyes, placing his hand under her chin and stoking her chin with his thumb,"You are my only happiness, Charley girl. I will promise to make my life mean something. I'm leaving my heart here with you."

He brought her head toward him and kissed her. She held on to him hopelessly praying for time to stop. This kiss was burned permanently into her mind, burned deeply into her memory so she could pull it up and remember every single detail.

The sound of the guys bikes pulling up into the garage told them it was time for him to leave. He made her promise not to come to the ship. He wanted to remember her where they first met.

They stood and she wiped her face and he put his shades back in place.

She watched as he readied his bike and turned it toward the open garage door. She walked him over to it then looked at he and both Vinnie and Modo.

"You have been the best part of my life and I'll never find friends that I could love as much as I do you. Don't forget me. Now please go before I totally break down. I don't want your last look at me to be with tears in my eyes."

"We love you too, Charley. They'll never be anyone like you. Ride free." Modo took one last look at the beautiful earth woman and was the first to pull out.

"You're the best Charley-girl. Almost made a one woman man, outta me. Not many babes can have that honor. Ride Free." He blew her a sweet kiss and pulled out behind Modo.

She stood next to Throttle and watched as he put his helmet on, "Good-bye, my adorable furball." She touched his chest.

He snatched off his helmet and pulled her up in his arms kissing her passionately lifting her off her feet. He set her down and put the helmet back on. She stepped back and held her shaking hands to her lips.

"My freedom is in loving you, Charlene." With those words he started his bike and pulled out not looking back.

Charley didn't know how long she'd just stood there. But finally she took a breath and moved. She slowly walked over and put the doors down. She turned and looked around the empty garage as her hand moved up to the small gold stud that was placed in her ear. She wiped her cheeks as she walked silently up the stairs, alone.

The End