Thank you kindly for all the nice reviews :)

And also to those who added it to their alert/favourite!

Hope you're all having a great start of this new year.

At the end of this chapter, Stoker finally learns the details of Izzy's memories.

Also my apologies for the beginning of this chapter, hope no one is offended when it comes to...uh...self love.

Enjoy this next chapter!

Did he feel embarrassed? Did he feel proud of himself? Honestly if you asked him, he wouldn't be able to give a clear answer. Not in his current state of mind. The mouse stood there shivering, but not from the cold. In fact, he felt quite warm. More than that, he felt as hot as the centre of a burning flame. He supported himself with one hand against the wall, while his other hand was still holding a firm grip on the object within his palm.

He swallowed and immediately let out a winded breath, as if he'd been running a marathon.

How did he get there? The answer was obvious. He'd given in to an urge which had lingered near the surface for quite some time now. He licked his lips and closed his eyes, whispering the name of his goddess. He reopened them and his red eyes darted towards the locked door. He tried to recall if he'd been quiet enough, if there was even the slightest chance that she might have heard him whimper her name.

A soft chuckle escaped him and he shook his head. "You're such a teenager, Stoke old boy." He muttered to himself. Without further ado he pushed himself away from the wall and stepped into the running water for real this time.

The lukewarm water splashed down, washing away the mess he had made on himself as well as the bottom of the bathtub. He had to wash it all away, at least the surface of it all. He would never be able to wash away the feelings he had released a minute ago.

Once again he closed his eyes and thought back to earlier this morning, when he had woken up next to a human female.

Stoker didn't remember when exactly he had fallen asleep, but he sure knew where he was the moment he woke up. His legs were propped up on the bed, his butt resting in the chair he had positioned next to the bed in the middle of the night.

He let his eyes roam over the woman only one feet away from him. Her eyes closed and her mouth slightly parted. If he lowered his gaze, he knew he wouldn't be able to tear it away from her chest calmly moving up and down.

Last night he was so caught up in telling Izzy one of the many stories from back on Mars, that it had taken him a while to notice that she had closed her eyes and fallen into a deep slumber. After having watched her for a while, he probably soon followed suit.

Stoker was the last to fall asleep and the first to wake up, now he had the time to watch her just a bit longer. Unfortunately, his body and mind had a different response.

Izzy's brow furrowed, she moved around, but only slightly, then a soft moan escaped her lips and the covers slipped down. Stoker's pants began to get a bit too tight for comfort and he quickly retracted his legs from the bed to hide the lower part of his body.

Apart from her now exposed chest, though she was still wearing a top, the mewling noises she made had stopped. But it had been enough for Stoker. He was already holding himself back, trying his best to ignore and control his urges throughout the entire night.

He stood up, throwing one last glance at the woman, wondering for a moment who this Calvin Klein person was whose name was printed on her chest, before running into the bathroom to relieve himself.

He couldn't believe he'd just done that to himself while Izzy was in the other room. But it had happened and it was better this way than having to run out of the room and take off or worse, jump on top of her.

Stoker turned the water off and grabbed a towel to dry himself, which was rather difficult because of his fur. It wouldn't be fully dry until later that day, unless he were to ride around the city on Charley's bike.

It wasn't important. It had been a while since he'd washed himself anyway. The former rebel leader stepped out of the tub and gave himself a quick look-over before unlocking the bathroom door.

"You awake, gorgeous?" He asked Izzy as he stepped into the room, ready to greet the woman. But the bed was empty. Izzy was gone.

It took a few seconds for Stoker to realize he was standing in the motel room all alone. How had she managed to leave the room without him knowing? Of course he couldn't have noticed, he was standing underneath running water. She must have taken off during his shower.

Stoker made his way to the window, making sure the vehicles were still parked outside. He carefully moved the curtain aside to look and was met with relief when he spotted both cars. It meant Izzy hadn't left the premises, but the question remained as to where she was.

He could put on his helmet and head outside to look for her, or he could stay and wait. She could have gone out for a few minutes to get something. Maybe she had to go to the bathroom and couldn't because he was in there.

Stoker decided to wait it out. He sat down behind the window and kept his gaze focused on everything that was going on outside.

The Scoreboard

Modo and Vinnie were currently at their home. The two mice had searched all over Chicago, though only the most logical spots where their former rebel leader could be. Unfortunately, it had all been for nothing, they still hadn't found him.

It was almost noon and the two brothers were sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying a couple of cold dogs.

"Should we continue searching for him?" Vinnie asked the grey mouse.

Modo swallowed his food down and stared up at the ceiling. "Knowing Stoker, he probably doesn't want to be found."

"It's not like he can leave the planet anyway." The white mouse nodded at the Mars ship in the corner of the scoreboard.

Modo actually wondered if Vinnie understood why it was that Stoker had run off. Not that he himself knew the exact reason, but he could sure guess what it was. Nowadays he felt the same way.

For a moment his thoughts trailed back to the car ride, when he, Charley and Vinnie had gone out to pick up a new fridge. They'd explained to her how you could tell the difference between females and the scents they unconsciously had around them. Certain smells which told a mouse whether or not this person was a biological match for you.

The words of both mice seemed to have had an effect on Charley, for Modo had heard her heartbeat increase and a new wave of pheromones emitting from her.

The grey mouse wondered if Vinnie had noticed it too. He probably had, Vinnie had always showed interest in Charley girl. But was it the same as how he felt about her?

Ever since Izzy had shown up, as well as Stoker, Modo had become more aware of his feelings towards the auburn haired mechanic. The feelings had always been there, but he had begun to find it much more difficult to fight them. Another dangerous element was the fact that he was beginning to feel territorial around her.

The same way Stoker had reacted to Throttle, when he caught Izzy's scent all over him. Stoker had almost lost it and would have certainly knocked Throttle's lights out, if he hadn't mentioned his love for Carbine to him.

Modo couldn't imagine ever reacting that way to Vinnie. But not anymore. He was starting to feel an inkling of rage at the thought of Vinnie swooping in and claiming Charley for himself.

Sometimes Martians would share a female, if the bond between them was strong enough. It wasn't unheard of. But Modo wondered if he was the kind of mouse to be able to share his woman with another.

"Modo? Yo, stop spacing out, bro. we probably should head back and tell Throttle and Charley that Stoker is still missing."

Vinnie waved his hand in front of Modo's face and the gentle giant blinked.

"Oh, yeah. I guess there's nothing else to do about it." Modo replied and he pushed his chair back. He decided he was going to leave the subject about Charley for now. Unless Vinnie had other ideas, then he would not let it slide.

The motel

After fifteen minutes, Stoker was starting to feel anxious. People had come and go, driving cars in and out of the parking lot, but still no sign of Izzy. With a furrowed brow Stoker leaned forward, almost pressing his nose against the sheer curtain hanging in front of the window.

Where could she be?

The cars were there and he was certain Charley's bike was still parked around the corner, thus she couldn't have gotten far. Stoker had had enough. He stepped away from the window and headed to the table to put his helmet on. If he had to wait another minute, he was going to go insane.

Stoker closed the helmet's visor and headed back to the door. As he was about to reach for the handle, it suddenly moved on its own. But just as soon as it had moved, it had now stopped. Confused Stoker leaned forward, listening to the noises coming from behind the door.

"Can I help you?" The distinct voice of Izzy sounded from the other side.

"Maybe." An unknown male voice answered and Stoker's fur began to tingle. "Haven't we met before?"

Stoker puffed his chest at the question from the stranger. Even on Mars it was considered a lame opening line when trying address someone you had an interest in. He placed his hand on the door handle, ready to open it should the guy pose a threat.

Although truth be told, Stoker was already on the verge of pummelling the stranger into oblivion.

"I don't think so." Izzy replied shortly. "Now, if you'll excuse me,-"

"Mr. Morden." The guy suddenly exclaimed and Izzy froze.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." His voice changed. "Mr. Morden. Him, you do know. It's best not to deny that, Miss Davidson."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Izzy told him as she reached for the door once again.

"Just because the debt has been paid, doesn't mean you're out of his sight." The stranger continued and Stoker decided he had heard enough.

He opened the door, revealing himself to Izzy and the unknown harasser. Standing tall in the door frame, his helmet still residing on his head hiding his Martian features.

"I thought I heard you, sweetheart. Having trouble?" He asked keeping his gaze on the man in front of him.

The guy wasn't as intimidating as his voice had been. A pair of sunglasses hid his eyes and a dark brown scruffy beard covered the lower half of his face. His hair was slicked back and reached just beneath the base of his neck. The stranger's mouth twitched at the unexpected appearance of Stoker.

"I'm sure this gentleman had no ill intend, isn't that right, mister?" Izzy said as she arched an eyebrow.

Before the man could reply Stoker barked out a laugh. "If he knows what's good for him. Why don't you head inside, babe. I'll take it from here." Without awaiting an answer, Stoker gently grabbed Izzy by her hand and pushed her inside the motel room, before directing his attention once more at the stranger.

But the man had already begun to take a couple of steps back, his hands raised as if he'd meant no harm. What he didn't know, was that Stoker had heard every word of their short conversation and the former rebel leader knew more than anyone what a threat sounded like.

And this man had threatened the woman which made his heart pound faster than his bike could ride. Stoker kept his calm and just stood there watching the stranger slowly back away until he had left the premises.

Stoker went back inside the motel room, only to find Izzy sitting on the bed. The sheets had been pulled from the mattress, her purse lied emptied on the table and the pillows on the couch had been removed. How had she managed to do this within not even a minute?

The older Martian finally removed his helmet and sat down next to her. He'd question her about the state of the room later. Right now he wanted to know who that man had been, but more importantly who this man called Mr Morden was. But Izzy was the one who opened her mouth first.

"I would like my gun back now, please."

Her comment took him slightly by surprise. Though he finally realized the reason why she probably had a weapon in the first place. But he was here now. If it were up to him, she would never have to use a gun again.

"So you do know that guy?" He asked her.

Izzy's shoulders stiffened and she rubbed her hands together. His question had obviously made her nervous.

"I don't know him." She said. "I don't recall meeting him ever."

Stoker nodded. It sounded sincere to him. "What about this Mr Morden?"

Izzy's eyes widened. "You heard?"

"Every word." He replied and Izzy let out a deep groan. "What was this debt he mentioned?"

Izzy shook her head and rubbed her face with her hand.

"Let me help. Please, gorgeous. You can confide in me. Just as I confided in you."

That seemed to do the trick. She turned her head and looked up at him. Her eyes watery, causing the blue of them to stand out even more.

"Promise me something." She said to him. "Please, don't tell Charley."

Stoker nodded and shifted his weight. He was quite certain, that whatever it was she was about to confess to him, it had something to do with the images he had seen in her mind during their connection.

The Last Chance Garage

Vinnie and Modo arrived at the garage. It was now noon and the two of them had taken one last ride around the city in the hopes of finding Stoker. It was safe to say that it had been a pointless move. But the moment Modo set foot into Charley's living room, any thought or worry he had about Stoker seemed to vanish.

Throttle was sitting on the couch when his bros entered the room. His expression changed when he noticed it was only the two of them.

"Guess he found a good place to lay low, huh?" The tanned mouse responded.

Vinnie plopped down next to him on the couch and set his feet on the coffee table. "One thing's for sure, I'm never playing hide and seek with him. Ever."

"Where's Charley?" Modo asked Throttle, who nodded towards the kitchen. Modo mouthed a thank you at him before heading in said direction.

He found his female friend standing in front of the window, her back turned towards him. Modo quietly entered and walked towards Charley. He stopped a couple of inches behind her.

Charley had already noticed him. From where she stood, she could see his reflection in the window. She smiled at the glass and turned around when he stopped right behind her.

"No luck, huh?" She said to him and the only thing Modo could do was nod.

"We probably checked everywhere. At least every logical place. Vinnie and I decided it's best to just let it go and wait for Stoker to show up." The tall mouse replied.

Charley nodded in agreement. Those were her thoughts all along. Stoker probably knew what he was doing. Despite being a loose canon, he always managed to calm down in the end.

"So how does Throttle feel about all this?" She then asked.

Modo gave her a confused look. "What do you mean, Charley ma'am?"

Charley's eyes shifted into the direction of the living room. "Out of everyone, he was most set on getting Stoker back as soon as possible, instead of giving him time. He seemed quite,- anxious about it, if you ask me."

The gentle giant frowned. He knew Throttle had asked him and Vinnie to go and check on Stoker, but that he had appeared to be anxious about it, that sounded rather strange to him. For a second he glance over his shoulder, watching Throttle punch Vinnie on the shoulder followed by laughter.

At this moment it didn't seem to be the case at all. Modo couldn't help but shrug.

"Perhaps he was just worried. I mean, remember the last time Stoker dropped by? He went on ahead and got everyone into danger."

That much was true. Perhaps Charley just wasn't used to seeing Throttle act this way. Out of everyone, he was the most calm, the most collected. A thought crossed her mind that perhaps Throttle was worried about something else, something other than Stoker running off. Though she had no idea what else it could be that bothered the tanned mouse.

She shook her head. "Never mind. I'm sure it's nothing."

Modo cocked his head and gave her a warm smile. "Did you sleep alright last night?"

"Surprisingly, yes."

"No worries about Miss Izzy?" He asked.

If there was one thing which Modo had noticed, it was the love Charley had for her sister-in-law. Despite the death of her brother Sam, and Izzy leaving almost immediately after the funeral, she still cherished the other woman deeply. They had a history after all.

"A bit." Charley admitted. "But, you were right. You knew what Stoker needed and you were also right about Izzy probably needed, which is some time on her own after what happened. I wasn't as concerned after that."

Modo's heart began to flutter. The woman in front of him was basically saying that she appreciated how he'd handled the situation. How he had supported Izzy and at the same time supported Charley through those actions.

"Anytime, Charley ma'am." He lowered his voice and stared deeply into her eyes.

A blush fell over Charley's cheeks and her mouth formed a small but bright smile. She felt warm and Modo noticed. But he couldn't do anything with Vinnie and Throttle being only a couple of feet away from him. Instead he took this as an opportunity to look at his friend a little bit longer. Even after she had thanked him again and had left the kitchen, he was still staring after her.

One year ago

"It was suppose to have been a night like any other. Only this time the night already started in disaster.

Sam had been waiting at the bar until I'd ended my shift. However when I was done, he was no longer there.

I found him outside at the payphone and when he noticed me he hung up. I didn't think anything of it. But when I asked who he'd been talking to, he replied rather short and urged me to hurry up with gathering my belongings.

This was the first time I'd seen him act so,- secretive. I didn't like it, but I did as he asked and went to grab my coat and bag. After that we got on the thunderbird and left the bar.

But it didn't get any better during the ride home. In fact, it only got worse.

I was sitting behind Sam and it was clear that he was feeling rather upset or angry about something. We were riding incredibly fast, faster than usual. To make matters worse, it also started to rain.

I patted Sam on his shoulder multiple times, urging him to slow down. But he didn't listen. He actually began to increase his speed and I had to cling onto him in order not to fall off. I yelled at him, as loudly as I could.

He kept on going and going. Two bright lights flashed in the distance and before I knew what was going on Sam slowed and then used his right arm to pull me off the bike.

I hit the asphalt hard and must have tumbled over more than fifteen times before coming to a full stop. I never even heard the collision between him and the car. I only saw the red flames in the distance, surrounded by smoke. But it was clear what had happened.

I removed my helmet and screamed his name, as the rain kept pouring down. I was injured, but it didn't matter in that moment and truthfully I didn't even realize it. I could see his body in the distance lying on the asphalt and for a moment I was certain he moved.

Then the explosion happened,- I wasn't close enough to get blown back, but near enough to get hit with debris. This scar on my face,-

Izzy stopped talking and pressed her hand against her mouth, her gaze averted from the man sitting next to her. Stoker listened quietly, unwilling to interrupt her, though he felt more like wrapping his arm around her and pull her close.

He still didn't understand why she made him promise not to tell a word of this to Charley. Was it because Sam had behaved like an asshole? Putting the life of this lovely creature in danger? The tall mouse clenched his fists.

The thought of Sam hurting Izzy made Stoker's blood boil with anger. He had never met Sam, but automatically assumed he had been a good man because he was Charley's brother. Hearing Izzy's story so far had begun to shift his opinion. How dared he not only yell at her but then pull her off a motorcycle as they were riding. She could have been killed.

But it looked as if Izzy wasn't bothered by Sam's actions, something Stoker couldn't understand. Was it because he had died that night, that Izzy had forgiven and forgotten those actions? Stoker knew it wasn't his place to question her feelings on the subject, despite that it angered him.

Izzy removed her hand an took a deep breath to continue her story.

"A week later, after the funeral had happened, I was bound to leave for England. I couldn't stay here anymore. Everything reminded me of Sam. His family kept reaching out, Charley tried to contact me. I needed time alone.

But the night before I was suppose to leave, someone rang the doorbell. I was incredibly tired and didn't think twice for checking who it was, so I opened the door.

It was a man in a business suit. Almond shaped eyes, bright white teeth and a broad smile. At first I thought he was a representative from the Will and Estate agency, to finish discussing Sam's will. But he wasn't.

His name was Charles Morden. He asked for Sam.

"I'm looking for Sam Davidson."

I shook my head and painfully told him what had happened to Sam. At first he was kind, gave his condolences and asked what my relation was with Sam. I told him I was Sam's wife, and after that the entire atmosphere changed.

Sam had a secret life I knew nothing off. I doubt even Charley knew about it.

According to Charles, Sam owed him a huge amount of money. Money he still hadn't paid back. He showed me receipts. They belonged to various Casinos. I let someone check it out, they were legit.

Sam had a huge debt because of gambling. I never even knew he went to the casino. He was always there when I was home and he always picked me up after my shift at the bar had ended.

But there was no doubt about it. He owed Charles Morden money, and seeing as I was Sam's widow,- it was my responsibility to pay."

Stoker couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was absolutely fuelled with fury. The concept of gambling was also common on his planet, he didn't need any explanation on the subject. Now it was clear why Izzy wanted to keep this a secret.

If Charley ever found out that her older brother had a gambling addiction and left Izzy with a huge amount of debt, she'd be absolutely crushed. Stoker admired Izzy for wanting to leave Charley with a positive image of her brother, but it wasn't right that she was the one who was left to suffer.

He now understood most of the memories he had seen. The crash, the explosion and the stacks of tiny papers filled with various numbers. He didn't dare to ask what the empty bottles meant, but he had a hunch. He still couldn't place the music and the red lights he had seen.

The stranger earlier had mentioned that the debt had been paid, but that this Mr Morden hadn't let Izzy out of his sight. Stoker cursed himself for not making more of a statement to the stranger. Show him that Izzy wasn't going to become a target for this so called business man.

"That man said you paid of the debt?"

Izzy looked at him and nodded.

"How did you, if I may know?" Stoker then asked. He was quite curious about this. He doubted Izzy earned enough money to pay off a gambling debt.

The honey haired woman pressed her lips in a tight line and began to fidget with her fingers. She had told him this much already, she might as well tell him this as well.

"His life insurance,- and my savings." She told Stoker.

There was more to tell than those two simple answers. Stoker sensed it in his gut. It wasn't that he didn't believe her, but he knew there was more to tell.

Nonetheless he let it slide, for now. She told him so much already. Not to mention, he was the only one who knew. Out of everyone close to her, even Charley, Izzy had chosen him to share her secret with.

Of course the actual reason was that he had seen those thoughts and memories, he was already a step ahead of everyone else. But the former rebel leader liked to think she told him out of her own free will, despite the accidental link Stoker had created between them.

"So, Charley doesn't know any of this?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"I'm almost certain she doesn't. Even so, I don't want her to know. I don't want to ruin the memories she has of Sam. It's not fair to give her that burden." Izzy let out a deep breath and wiped a tear away from her cheek.

"I understand." Stoker replied, feeling his heart ache as he watched her closely.

"You'll keep it a secret?"

The brown mouse gave her a soft smile, and used his own hand this time to wipe a tear from her other cheek. "For you? Anything, beautiful."

And thus ends chapter 14!

Hope you're all still here and that I haven't bored you to death with Izzy and Sam's short background story.

If you're still here, I thank you very much!

And I also hope you guys didn't mind the beginning of this chapter...I tried to imply as much as I could without becoming too...*coughs* graphic.

Have a great day and until next time :)