Cheetara and Tygra were in the dining chamber when the twins arrived and they could tell something had happened, but chose not to question it. Lion-O filled his plate with some food and took a seat next to Cheetara while Tygra pulled out the seat on the other side of him for Lioness-A. Lion-O smirked at his sister.
*Look who's got a crush on you,* he said softly to his twin, who tried not to blush as she flicked a glance at Tygra.
*You sure about that?* she asked. Lion-O picked at the food on his plate as he glanced at Tygra.
*Aww you have a crush on him too,* Lion-O replied as Lioness-A glared at him.
*Do I?* she asked. Cheetara picked up on Lioness-A's body language and kicked Lion-O under the table as he grunted slightly.
"Don't pick on your sister," the cheetah admonished him.
*You have my blessing to sire children with Tygra,* Lion-O said to Lioness-A which only made her blush harder.
*Stop doing that, will you?* she asked Lion-O peevishly. *What makes you think that?* she asked. Tygra was clueless or not paying attention but something Cheetara said had him pausing.
"What are you saying Lion-O?" he asked.
"Oh nothing my friend," Lion-O replied with a cheesy grin but inside his head was 'Tygra and Lioness-A sitting in a tree, KISSIN.. oww.' That last was just as Cheetara stomped her heel on his toes, apparently reading his mind.
"Let's just enjoy our meal before we have to get back to work," Cheetara said with a level look at Lion-O.
"So, how did your morning go?" Tygra asked Lioness-A.
"Pretty well and yours?" she asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Well enough I suppose. I was checking the conduits in the main power room. Want to accompany me while I check the ones in the head?" Tygra asked.
"Why not," Lioness-A replied with a smile. "It's time I learned how to check those things," she added as Tygra smiled. The two finished their meal and left together for the Lair's head. Lion-O, however, smiled and continued eating. Cheetara looked confused.
"Did I miss something?" she asked Lion-O.
"I don't think so, Cheetara," Lion-O replied, swallowing a bite. He took a drink of his Thundertea and went on, "Tygra has an apparent crush on Lioness-A. I told her to have a talk with him."
"Well I'll be," Cheetara exclaimed softly and watched as Lion-O rose to his feet to take his empty plate into the kitchen. "Where are you going?" she asked him.
"Out to check on some of the outpost relays. Especially that one in the Alt'Rian sector. Want to come along? I may need the help," Lion-O replied as Cheetara picked up her plate and rose to follow him.
"Sure, why not. We can talk on the way," Cheetara said as she placed her plate in the sink beside Lion-O's. He grinned and leaned over to gently kiss her. "Come on get the dishes done," Cheetara said with a laugh as Lion-O grinned. The two ended up doing the dishes together which involved a lot of water throwing and laughing. Lion-O and Cheetara quickly cleaned the kitchen and left for the hangar. They left for the Alt'rian sector about a few minutes later on board the Thunderclaw.
.::~*~::.
Lioness-A and Tygra, however, were upstairs working on the conduits. Lioness-A was amazed at all the conduits that were scattered around the room. A maze of wires connected them to various locations, which Tygra said were essential for running the Lair's security system and other systems, including the weapons systems.
"There's a bunch of these conduits everywhere! How do you possibly check them all Tygra?" Lioness-A asked, staring up at the ceiling at the maze of wires.
"Very carefully and it usually takes two or three days, even with two people sharing the load. If we had more people here, we could get it done in a day and a half," Tygra replied watching her for a moment. Lioness-A was working nearby, removing some of the old conduits and placing them into a bucket sitting on the ground next to her feet. The bucket sitting on the shelf next to her held the newer conduits and every now and then, Lioness-A would pick one of the new ones up and inspect it. If it met with her inspection, she put it where the old conduit had gone. Tygra smiled and went back to work on the wires.
"Hey Tygra, I'm having trouble getting one of these conduits to fit," Lioness-A said as Tygra walked over for a closer look.
"Let's see what you're doing wrong, Lioness-A," Tygra murmured as he gently took the conduit out of her fingers. As he did so, his arm brushed hers and Lioness-A tried to keep from blushing. Tygra fiddled with the conduit a minute and finally got it in right. "Ah ha! Take a look here Lioness-A. This one you have to turn sideways to get it in there right. Can you see what I mean?" Tygra asked, moving to one side so she could see better. Lioness-A peered into the hole and backed out, nodding. On the way out though, she banged her head on the side.
"Ow! That hurt!" she exclaimed, rubbing the spot with one hand.
"Here let me have a look," Tygra said gently, moving her hand. He gently probed her head and found no lumps that he could feel. 'At least it's not bleeding,' Tygra noted thoughtfully. He tilted her head up and gazed into the clear topaz eyes for a moment. 'Gods, she's beautiful!' he thought studying her face and gently cupping her chin with one hand. "You're all right, but I would suggest you rest for a bit," he said, guiding her to a box to sit down.
"Remind me not to do that again," Lioness-A said as Tygra smiled. He sat down next to her and held her hand gently. Lioness-A blinked, but looking into Tygra's golden amber eyes, she saw something there that she had never seen before. "Tygra?" she asked questionably.
"What?" he asked, curling his fingers around her hands.
"I don't know," Lioness-A whispered, "but I think I'm about to find out," she added as Tygra smiled and hugged her.
"Feel better?" Tygra asked her as she nodded. "Is it okay if I ask you to go out on a date later?"
"You can Tygra and I would like that," Lioness-A whispered. "Where would we go?" she asked.
"I'm thinking a ritzy restaurant in the city would work and we can do that tomorrow if that works for you," he said as she nodded. "Come on, let's get back to work. I'll help you over here," Tygra whispered as Lioness-A smiled and nodded.
"You wouldn't mind dating the sister to the Lord of the Thundercats would you?" Lioness-A asked as they worked. Tygra paused a moment in thought.
"I wouldn't mind at all. You're a very intelligent young lady and I'm reminded of your mother every time I see you. Aside from that, you're also very beautiful," Tygra added as she blushed. He chuckled and gently caressed her cheek.
"You're the first that has ever said that to me," Lioness-A said as he grinned. "I thank you for it. And I think that you're quite handsome yourself," she added and was rewarded to see him blush with the praise.
.::~*~::.
Meanwhile at the site, Lion-O and Cheetara had managed to finish the work on the relay station and were talking about several things but Cheetara noticed Lion-O appeared to be a bit distracted.
"Are you still watching what your sister's doing?" she asked him as he looked at her.
"Well," he said as she rolled her eyes.
"Leave Lioness-A alone and let her figure things out on her own," Cheetara told him. "If Tygra does like her, he'll find his own way to show her that." Lion-O sighed.
"If you say so. I don't want her getting into things too fast," he said as Cheetara shot him a look.
"Are you saying that we're taking things too fast?" she asked. He held up his hands.
"I didn't mean it like that Cheetara," he said. "I don't want Lioness-A to get hurt like I was before we got together is what I meant," he said. Cheetara snorted and walked back to the Thunderclaw.
"I think you can walk back to the lair and think while you're doing it," Cheetara said and left as the lion sputtered in shock. It was a twenty-mile hike back and he groaned out of frustration before packing up the tools and setting off down the road.
'I'm an idiot but I hope Lioness-A had a better time than I did,' he thought to himself.
On the way back Lion-O had a bit of time to reflect on things and he knew that Tygra had asked Lioness-A out on a date which had him smiling. It still irked him on what Cheetara had done but as he walked along, he realized what she had meant.
Nearly an hour later and after he'd been walking for about five or so miles Lion-O found a Thunderguard patrol and they were able to give him a lift back to the lair as they were coming in from being out on the main roads. It was at the crossroads to Calora and the city of Alt'Rian and one of the guards had seen him and two came to escort him to the leader of the group who was in a military style pickup.
"We've had reports of several bands of robbers being out on the open roads so we've been increasing the patrols on those roads your majesty," the leader, a colonel by the name of Cougris said.
"I see," Lion-O said. The cougar eyed him then.
"Pardon me for asking, but what are you doing out here on your own?" he asked. Lion-O sighed.
"Cheetara left me out at the relay station near Alt'Rian and made me walk back after a disagreement. I've only managed to make it five miles before I ran into you guys back at the crossroads," he said as Cougris nodded.
"I understand your majesty but sometimes it is better to apologize and take the blame than trying to stir the flames further," Cougris advised. "My wife and I always try to talk our disagreements out so that way we never went to bed angry with the other." Lion-O grew thoughtful.
"I'll keep that in mind Colonel," he said.
It took another two hours to get back to the lair even with the vehicle but Lion-O was relieved he wasn't walking the entire way or it would have been well past dark by the time he got home. Lioness-A saw Lion-O as he was heading down the hallway toward his room.
"You got back late," she said. "Cheetara's been here for the last few hours."
"She left me to walk back from the relay station in the Alt'Rian sector but I got a lift back from a patrol of Thunderguard that were coming back but I didn't run into them until after I had walked about five miles," Lion-O said and entered his room. "I'm tired and sore from that venture." Lioness-A leaned against his doorframe.
"Was it due to what happened over lunch?" she asked. He sighed.
"Partly," he replied. She frowned. "Look I just want to look out for you since you are my sister but at the same time, I know that I have to let you spread your wings and find things out on your own." Lioness-A smiled then.
"I thank you for that and giving me the chance," she said softly. "And yes, Tygra does want to take me out tomorrow night to a restaurant in the city and I told him that I'd go with him."
"I hope the whole thing goes well for both of you," Lion-O said. "Tygra's been lonely a long time I've heard."
"Cheetara told me," Lioness-A said. She eyed him. "When are you going to talk to her?" she asked.
"Probably in the morning unless I change my mind," Lion-O replied and raked a hand through his mane. "I've got a few things to look through tonight that came up." Lioness-A patted his shoulder and left him alone as he sighed and sat down on his bed.
Near ten or so that night Lion-O went to see Cheetara and was able to get her to walk with him out in the gardens for a while.
"I'm sorry Cheetara for acting like an idiot when it came to Lioness-A and Tygra. But I don't want her to go through the same experiences that I did," he said. "However, in saying that, I know that Tygra's got his heart in the right place and he will treat her right and with the respect she deserves."
"I take it you had some time to think about this," Cheetara said as she studied him.
"The entire walk back but to be honest I got a ride in after about five miles from a Thunderguard patrol and I talked to the leader of the patrol on the way in," Lion-O replied before he hugged her.
"I see," Cheetara said as she leaned against him.
.::~*~::.
The following night found Lioness-A getting ready for her date with Tygra. She wasn't sure where they were going since Tygra hadn't said but it called for a different outfit than the uniform so she chose the dress she'd worn the day she had met him in the city. There was a spot for her insignia on the shoulder and she left her room for the foyer so she could meet Tygra.
Lion-O was there with a couple of the guards and Tygra when she came up. The tiger was clearly nervous when she came up and he was in a suit and tie as he'd come out of uniform as well.
"You look great Lioness-A," Lion-O said as she smiled. "Is that the one you wore here?"
"Yes, it is. I found it at a small shop in the city when I arrived," Lioness-A said. "I'm waiting on the baroness to ship my wardrobe in," she said as he rolled his eyes.
"You do look amazing Lioness-A," Tygra said as she beamed at him.
"Thank you," she said. He showed her that he had a corsage for her which matched her outfit and she let him put it in place before they walked to the restaurant which wasn't all that far away from the lair. It was a warm and pretty night and worth the walk.
"So what led you to doing art?" Tygra asked.
"Um it was missing my father and brother mainly. Rella got me lessons when she saw how good I was," Lioness-A replied.
"Sounds like you had a way of coping," Tygra said.
"It helped and I did get to send some to Father and Lion-O and they liked them," she said. "What about you?"
"I've been drawing and working on designing through a career my parents wanted but it worked out cause I was picked for the Thundercats," Tygra told her.
A moment later found them walking up to the restaurant and the host took them to a table apart from the other patrons and gave them their menus.
"Figured you would want a change from the cafeteria food," Tygra said. "This is a small Mexican food place," he said.
"I was kind of tired of the cafeteria food and wished they had offered Mexican one time," Lioness-A said as they ordered their meals.
The two ate in companionable silence and Tygra shared some of what he knew about the dishes as Lioness-A listened in fascination. It was a worthwhile venture as the two walked around later.
"What are you thinking about?" Tygra asked her.
"How well this night has gone," Lioness-A said. "I wasn't sure what to expect but it's been amazing."
"There might be something that will make it more amazing," Tygra said as she looked at him. He leaned over and kissed her as she closed her eyes in surprise. "I love you Lioness-A," he said as a soft smile graced her face.
"I love you too Tygra," she said before they kissed again. They walked around some more before heading back to the restaurant to head back to the lair.
.::~*~::.
Later that evening, Lion-O came by his sister's room to see how she was doing. He knew some of how the date had gone but wanted to hear it from her. Lioness-A turned as he entered and noticed that he wore a light blue robe over a nightshirt and shorts of a darker blue. He also wore blue slippers. Lioness-A had to admit that the colors looked pretty good on him. She herself wore a light purple robe over a nightgown of grayish blue.
"I hear you had an interesting day," Lion-O noted as she smiled softly. Lioness-A was seated at her dresser table brushing out her long thick mane. There was a picture of her and Tygra stuck in a corner of the mirror on one side and another of her and Lion-O stuck in the opposite corner. A third picture of their parents was sitting in a tan photo frame on the dresser table next to a white jewelry box. All three Lioness-A had done herself, Lion-O noticed, as he walked up behind her and took the brush from her hand and gently began to brush her mane. Lioness-A sighed and closed her eyes in bliss. "Something also tells me that you are going to enjoy this to its fullest," he added as he worked the brush through the mane.
"You could say that," Lioness-A noted, opening her eyes to watch her brother brush her mane. "I never knew anything about love until now. This is a new experience with me. What about you?" Lioness-A asked. Lion-O lowered his eyes for a moment before replying.
"Cheetara may be my girlfriend, Lioness-A, but I've had more problems with love than you probably realize," Lion-O said. "When the Thunderian refugees started returning home, I met some females who only wanted me for the power my position holds. Those relationships never lasted more than two or three months and I was always hurt after we broke up. I thought then that there was no way I could ever love again."
"What about Cheetara?" Lioness-A asked softly, stunned at what her brother had just told her.
"She came along just when I needed her the most and gave me the shoulder to lean on. I think she somehow knew that the two of us would ultimately be together and when she told me that, I realized that I had fallen in love with her. I wonder if it was fate that brought us together," Lion-O replied, his eyes lost in thought. "Neither Father nor Jaga will tell me anything about it."
"Cheetara has the gift of sixth sense, doesn't she?" Lioness-A asked as Lion-O nodded. "Hmm, that explains some of it."
"She's also fully telepathic and telekinetic," Lion-O added as Lioness-A blinked. "That's how we knew about Pumyra, Bengali and Lynx-O being on Third Earth with us."
"Third Earth?" Lioness-A asked, confusion written on her face. Lion-O saw the look and handed her the brush as he moved to sit on her bed. Lioness-A set the brush down on the dresser and rose to her feet to walk over to the bed.
"That's the name of the planet the flagship I and the others crashed on. It was a neat place and we have a Cat's Lair there as well as a Tower of Omens," Lion-O said as Lioness-A sat down next to him. "It's also where I took my anointment trials."
"Ah, I see now. That explains those memories that I didn't understand where you were living at the time. Interesting," Lioness-A said. "We crashed on the planet Boktor, home of the Interstellar Council Conference and that's where I grew up," she added as Lion-O thought a moment.
"You must have been growing while I was in that suspension capsule," he said as she nodded. "Did you ever go into suspension?" he asked. She shook her head.
"You saw what Father told us about where Rella and I ended up before the explosion happened. I grew up mostly on Boktor and it might explain your growth," Lioness-A told Lion-O, who looked lost in thought.
"I wonder if that's the case. Schooling?" Lion-O asked. "I got tutored by Tygra during the lull between battles," he added as Lioness-A grinned.
"I was schooled at one of the schools that the royalty of Boktor used and opened up for us while we were living there," Lioness-A said as Lion-O thought this through. "I was a good student and passed with flying colors," she added.
"Any Thundercat training?" he asked. Lioness-A thought a moment and nodded.
"Some, but not very much," Lioness-A confessed. "We didn't have much time, because Baroness Rella was always busy, visiting friends that she met while there. There were a few Thunderian families and we became friends with a lot of the people. Baroness Rella even had a boyfriend picked out for me," Lioness-A added ruefully.
"A boyfriend, eh?" Lion-O asked as she nodded. "Better not tell Tygra that."
"I know," Lioness-A said sourly. "The guy was nice, but he just wasn't anyone I would want to commit to. Rella said that he came from a good lion tribe and that my parents would approve of the match. Now that I think back on it, they would've been happier if I was happy. And right now, I am," Lioness-A added as Lion-O smiled.
"Tygra has a lot going for him," Lion-O noted. "What is it about him that you like?" he asked.
"He's a gentleman and treats me with respect. Besides, he loves my artwork and uses it to see what his designs will look like when they're done," Lioness-A answered, a faraway look to her eyes.
"Good point there Lioness-A. I'm glad that Tygra can use your artwork to see how one of his ideas will turn out," Lion-O said with a soft smile. "I have a question for you," he went on.
"Oh, what might that be?" Lioness-A asked.
"Do you remember our father playing a harmonica?" Lion-O asked as she blinked. "I found it in a box he left for me," Lion-O said as he reached into the pocket of his robe to pull out a small gray colored harmonica with the Cat's Eye on one side. Lioness-A blinked again and took it from him.
"Can you play this?" she asked softly, flipping the harmonica over to read the inscription on the bottom. It read 'Claud-Us and Claudana. Friends and lovers for life. October 4429.' Her eyes were soft as she read the inscription.
"I can Lioness-A. I learned how to from the free time I had on Third Earth. It helped to pass the time," Lion-O replied and took the harmonica back from her. "Here, I'll show you the song I learned first and was easy for me to remember," he added and lifted the harmonica to his lips and began playing a melody that Lioness-A recognized. She softly hummed along as Lion-O continued playing.
"Where have I heard that song before?" Lioness-A asked as Lion-O lowered the harmonica. "I've heard it somewhere, but for the life of me, I can't recall where or when."
"Could it be that you heard it while I was playing it on Third Earth?" Lion-O asked.
"No, because I heard it sometime way back before that," Lioness-A replied, shaking her head in confusion.
"Hmm. I wonder," Lion-O murmured. "Do you think Snarf would know?" Lion-O asked as Lioness-A thought.
"Maybe. We can ask him and see," she said as Lion-O headed for the intercom to call Snarf. The red and orange snarf appeared a few minutes later and headed for Lioness-A's lap. Lioness-A smiled and hugged the old snarf close to her. "Lion-O, play that song and see if Snarf knows it," Lioness-A said as Lion-O began playing. Snarf smiled and hummed along with Lioness-A as the song wafted over them.
"That's a lullaby your mother used to sing a long time ago to put you two to sleep," Snarf said as the twins blinked. "I'm certainly surprised either of you remembered it," Snarf added thoughtfully. "Although Cheetara hummed it off and on when she baby-sat Lion-O after you left Lioness-A," Snarf noted. "Those two were practically inseparable. It's no wonder they're dating now," Snarf observed, jumping off the bed and heading for the door. "I'll see you in the morning. Time for me to turn in." A moment later he was gone.
"Interesting," Lioness-A murmured. "What do you think of that?"
"I remember some of that because Cheetara was the only other one I got along with besides you and Father. I still wonder why," Lion-O answered, a faraway look on his face.
"You never know what will happen Lion-O. As I recall, you and Cheetara were friends when she first came to the lair once. Remember?" Lioness-A asked. "I think it was when we were six or so and she was with her parents. She must have been at least thirteen. How old were you when you landed on Third Earth?" Lioness-A asked.
"Nineteen going on twenty," Lion-O replied and grew thoughtful. "Now that I think back on it, you're right. Cheetara was nineteen when ThunDera was destroyed and we were twelve. I aged seven years in suspension and after I got out, Cheetara knew that I had aged mentally as well. We remained close friends even after that. The others definitely noticed," Lion-O noted as his twin smiled.
"Is that why you like her so much?" Lioness-A asked. Lion-O looked over at her and smiled, a faraway look in his eyes.
"In a way, yes. There was this small aircraft that made contact with her sixth sense and because of it, Cheetara's powers became evident. When the aircraft left Third Earth, it decided to play matchmaker because it knew what she felt for me from sharing her mind. Anyway, it flew around the room and bumped into me. Well, I stumbled a bit too far and banged against Cheetara's back. We were both blushing after that," Lion-O said and smiled at the memory. Lioness-A smiled as she saw what Lion-O meant.
"You must have had fun after that," she observed. Lion-O quietly nodded.
"Actually, it was after we got rid of Mumm-Ra the second time when he was here on New ThunDera. Be glad you haven't met him yet," Lion-O said. "He caused a lot of trouble when I first met him after we landed on Third Earth. I don't think you'll have to worry about him," Lion-O added as Lioness-A nodded thoughtfully.
"I see. I remember a lot of times I was witnessing through you that dealt with him. I don't think I want to meet him anytime soon. If I do, it will be too soon," Lioness-A said and yawned. "Let's get some sleep Lion-O. We've got a busy day tomorrow," Lioness-A noted as Lion-O rose from the bed and headed for the door. He turned back to see Lioness-A pulling the blankets over her. She smiled and reached up to cut out her bedside light. Lion-O headed for his room and a nice warm shower before he went to bed.
.::~*~::.
The next morning Lioness-A and Tygra were about to head to the beacon tower when Pumyra caught up to them and mentioned a Thunderguard patrol had come in and several were injured.
"They were caught on the road by one of those raiding parties that's been happening a good deal," Pumyra said as Tygra frowned.
"Come with me Lioness-A and help me treat those that aren't that gravely injured while Pumyra treats the worst of the group," he said as she nodded. Several other medical personnel were already heading for the hangar, thanks to an announcement being blared over the loudspeakers calling for medical personnel to the hangar.
Lion-O happened to overheard what had happened as he was walking through the hallways but chose not to say anything as he headed to his office to await a report from the leader of the patrol. He also knew that at some point he was going to have to send one of the Thundercats out to look around and that was going to be fairly soon.