The Truth?

(From Chips point of view)

I waited till everyone went to sleep before I followed the instructions on the note in my jacket pocket. It was getting cold outside so I put on a shirt under my jacket and grabbed my favorite hat. I quickly climbed to the deck I had built in my spare time as a quiet retreat. Looking around I saw her, sitting on the bench we were sitting on just hours before. She looked like an angel sitting there in the dress she was wearing earlier that day, being bathed in the moonlight. Man, was she beautiful. I walked up behind her quietly and just watched her looking through to hole I had made in the leaves above to see the quarter-moon rising slowly in the night sky.

"You wanted to talk to me," I asked softly trying not to frighten her.

"I was beginning to think you weren't going to come. I'm glad you did though," She said smiling meekly while turning around to look at me.

"I told you earlier I would always be there for you, whether you need a shoulder to cry on, or a ear to bend."

Smiling weakly she motioned for me to join her on the bench. As I walked around her I noticed she was shivering. Taking off my jacket I draped it over her shoulders and she instantly stopped shivering. Taking out the blanket we had used earlier she draped it across our laps to try and protect us from the chill of the night.

"Chip? Why do you like me?"

I was taken back by this question. I realized that there was more to the question than what she had said. She wanted to know why I personally liked her even though she never let me get emotionally close to her.

"I like you because you are you. You are a constant joy to be around and have brightened all of our lives with your presence. But that's not the whole question you wanted to ask is it?"

She didn't answer me and just looked at the floor. Reaching over and hooking my index finger under her chin I gently coaxed her to look at me. Finally looking into her eyes, which sparkled like precious gems in the moonlight, I said, "The rest of that question is "why do you like me when I keep turning you away." The answer is simple; you have brought more joy into my life than I thought possible. I don't care if you don't feel the same way, but I cherish your company. Not only as a fellow Rescue Ranger but as a dear and close friend."

Tears began welling up in her eyes as I poured my heart out to her through my eyes and words. Pulling her into a gentle embrace trying to comfort her she cried into my chest. Putting my arms around her back gently I just held her and let her cry. Occasionally stroking her hair in a comforting manner. Slowly she pulled away, looking into my eyes with compassion.

"I'm so sorry I kept you at arms length. I was just so afraid to let anyone get close again." She said still sobbing quietly.

Bringing my right hand up to her cheek I wiped the tears away with my thumb. Closing her eyes she leaned into my hand and smiled slightly.

"Right after my father died I kept getting suitors trying to console me and get my hand in marriage. I kept turning them down but they didn't seem to get the hint. Finally one of them wouldn't take no for an answer and tried to force himself on me."

She was crying so hard now that she couldn't say anything. I felt a tremendous amount of anger beginning to swell within me clenching my fists tightly subconsciously. I felt my face beginning to contort with anger, not at her, but at the person who tried to force himself on her, the thought of someone doing that to her was infuriating. She looked up and seeing my facial expression she leaned away from me slightly. Feeling her move away from me I snapped out of the thoughts of beating the man to a bloody pulp. My expression became that of sorrow and understanding. I unclenched my fists as well.

"Did he…" was all I could get out. I couldn't bring myself to finish the question. Just thinking he might have raped her hurt me.

"No, he didn't get very far before Raston, a friend of my father, knocked on the door. He had come to check on me to see how I was doing and walked in on the suitor trying to rape me. Raston lost it. The only thing that kept him from killing the guy was the fact that I was there. When Raston got through with him he had four broken ribs, both of his arms were broken, and a serious concussion as well as bruising of his lungs and other vital organs. After that the suitors stopped coming. I guess they didn't want to end up like that guy. Even though they stopped coming I didn't feel safe. That's when I started setting up the traps and tripwires around my home."

Embracing her again I just let her cry for a while. I realized that I had probably been the first person that she had ever told about that. Even Monty didn't know about this or the guy wouldn't be living right now.

"I know why you didn't let me close now, but surely you don't think Dale or I are like that. Do you?"

"No, never but its so hard for me to get physically close to either of you because the first time a guy got that close he was trying to rape me. I know you and Dale would never do that to me. You are both so kind and gentle, but I can't get that time out of my mind."

"I'm sorry that was your first experience but you can't let that petrify you from having a relationship with a guy. You deserve to be happy. Goodness knows you've probably got a few guys in mind. I'm just glad I got to know you over the years. I really appreciate our friendship. Truthfully I don't know what I would do if you weren't here the past few years."

At this she looked up with a questioning look.

"Before you came along my life was empty. I know I was busy solving cases, but they held no true meaning. I knew I was helping others but there was a hole deep inside me I just couldn't get away from. I just did them to try and take my mind off of how lonely I was. Sure I had Dale but he was just a friend, but there was still something missing and I knew what it was. I needed a companion. I had been involved with someone a long time ago."

I smiled as the memories flooded back.

"Her name was Leandra. She was a chipmunk with chestnut fur and a very light colored stripe down her back. We were very young and were madly in love. But one day when I went to see her she was gone. I learned later that she was captured and taken to a lab, but before I could get her out she died in one of the experiments they were doing. I didn't go outside for weeks. My health deteriorated until Dale finally barged in and refused to leave me alone. Shortly after that I started the Rescue Rangers to help other animals in trouble. No matter how hard I worked after that there was always a space that was empty inside. That is until I met you."

By this time I was now starting to cry. Gadget just looked at me shocked. I couldn't tell if it was because she never knew or if it was because I had shared something so personal, only Dale knew.

"So that's why Dale takes it easy when teasing you about your past. I never knew. But what I don't understand is why did the emptiness go away when you met me?"

"Because you remind me of her. You are so kind and loving to others just like she was. At first I thought I was seeing her again but I realized it couldn't be. I didn't know you well enough back then but now I know you better and I feel comfortable telling you this."

Gadget just sat there in silence. Probably thinking about the things I had just told her. Reaching down and taking her hands in mine, I rubbed them gently. Reassuring her that I was here and didn't care what had happened to her in the past, I was here now.

"So do you like me for me or just because I remind you of her?" She asked with a twinge of hurt in her voice.

"Gadget, you may remind me of her, but in no way are my feelings there because of Leandra. My feelings are there because of you and only you. You may remind me of her but you are a different person. You are the person I have fallen for, not the similarities between you and Leandra."

Realizing what I had said I slowly stood up, letting the blanket fall away, and turned to go when she caught my wrist. I could have gotten free of her but I didn't want to. Something compelled me not to. Turning to face her again I could see new tears in her eyes. But these weren't tears of sadness these were tears of love and joy.

"You've fallen for me?" she said in disbelief.

"Yes, I have. I thought you weren't interested in me, so I didn't want to push the issue. Last thing I wanted to do was to hurt you or to drive you away."

She got up letting the blanket drop to the floor at her feet. Walking around the bench she stood right in front of me starring into my eyes looking for something that said I was lying. Finding no such signs she wrapped her arms around my neck. I instinctively put my arms around her hips and we met in a kiss. It started off innocent and quickly grew more and more passionate. After what seemed like hours we broke the kiss gasping for breath.

"I love you Gadget Hackwrench. I always have and always will."