Go read Noroi's story 'Don't Worry', trust me, it rocks!!

Disclaimer: Dudes, two stories later and I still don't own the mice. Damn my luck...

Throttle, Modo, Vincent, Charlene Davidson, Rimfire, Chef Andy Steinhaur, One-Eyed Jack Monterrey are all characters from the original show. Everyone else are my characters, along with any others that pop up. Thanks!

Chapter 12

Sunlight spilled through the windows of a small guest room in the Hong mansion. Two people were curled around each other in sleep. The Martian began to wake slowly, his holding tightening a bit on the lady in his arms. Throttle stirred with great reluctance, not wanting to wake up just yet. Actually, not for another six or seven hours. His eyes blinked, focusing on his girl. She was still peacefully asleep, her lips slightly parted as she breathed. He couldn't help his smile as she tucked herself closer to his body, unconsciously pulling him closer.

He carefully rose up on one elbow, so as to not disturb her, and let his thoughts wander about just what he was going to do. About her, about the war—about everything. Not for the first time, he regretted ever involving her in this insanity. Granted, he knew her well enough that he had no doubts: she would have figured out what was going on and would have been clamoring to join the fight soon after they first arrived on Earth, with or without their consent. To protect others, to fight the good fight, was simply so much a part of her nature that it could never be denied. Hell, it was one of the reasons why he loved her so much.

For a Martian to love a Terran, now that opened up a whole new can of worms. Ever since their first date, he had wondered what he would do when the war was over. He knew she would never ask him to leave his bros, even though, for her, he would be willing. But he couldn't ask her to leave everything she had ever known to follow him to a dying world, where he had absolutely nothing to offer her. Well, that wasn't quite true. He had a bike, a disgraced name, and a military record. And a prison record. Oh yes, he thought sarcastically, prime mate material.

And what about children? He would need an heir to rebuild his clan. What if he and Charley couldn't have children? No one had ever researched into whether or not Martians and Terrans could cross-breed. And he did want a child of his own, (someday about ten years down the line, he thought nervously to himself.) Unbidden, the image of Charley holding a little mouse child with green eyes and an auburn mane came to mind. He shut his eyes against the sharp stab of longing he felt, shocked at such a strong reaction. Gods, I've got it bad. He pushed the thoughts away for now, needing to focus on other things.

Like the situation they were in now. Monterrey would not be happy about Martian interference in his plans. If Limburger was anything to go by, the Plutarkian would be hauling out the big guns soon in retaliation. Which meant super-villains, laser cannons, possible bio-weapons, and a highly defenseless population that would have no idea how to deal with it all. He sighed, frowning to himself. There was no way he and his bros could protect Chicago and Las Vegas. They would need reinforcements, any that Carbine could spare. He would prefer Rimfire and his crew to stay, but knew that could be very unlikely. Rimfire was one of the best hackers and code-breakers Mars had, and Carbine would be very reluctant to part with someone so valuable.

It would take years to clear Earth of the last Plutarkians with just the three—four of them counting Charley, he amended. Gods above, they needed reinforcements or at the very least some heavier firepower. Charley was brilliant at making anything they needed, but if she didn't have the parts, that was it. And with Mars having only one space-worthy ship, getting parts and supplies would take a miracle to get when they were needed.

All that, on top of the nagging question. What in the world was he supposed to do with Bend and the young mouse-girl that were, according to Vinnie, his brother and sister? He had no idea how to be a brother, let alone a tabian!

He rubbed the bridge of his muzzle, trying to stave off the headache he could feel building. The motion was enough to cause Charley to stir, blinking away sleep to reveal the aqua eyes that fascinated him so much. A thought came to him and he softly said, "Pala um shana." (Good morning to you.)

She smiled, her voice low in sleep as she replied, "Pala um shana, ro jeal." (Good morning to you, my love.)

His eyes went wide in surprise. Dear gods, Vinnie was right. "Charley, did you know you just spoke High Common Martian?"

The human girl looked at him oddly for a moment and then laughed. "Yeah, I know."

"But how?" He asked in blank confusion. "Where did you learn it?"

She reached up and lightly brushed against his antennae. "Remember when we first met? You didn't just give me pictures, otaku. I got a healthy dose of the language too, but it took a long time to sort out in my mind. Not to mention," she blushed a bit, "you tend to sleep with your antennae on me, no matter what position we sleep in. Anything I missed in the first wave, you've been supplying while we sleep. I just think of it like sleep-learning."

He looked thoughtful a moment before he smiled, "Good to know."

She trailed her hand down to his cheek. "Something on your mind? You hate waking up early."

He glanced away from her. "It's nothing. Ow!"

She finished pinching his cheek, an eyebrow cocked expectantly. "Try again."

He rubbed the sore spot with a wince. "I know a mouse in the interrogation units that would love to get to know you." He sighed quietly. "I'm worried about Bend and the other girl."

She cocked her head at him. "You don't know what to make of them?"

"Not a freakin' clue," he said in frustration. "I barely know them! I don't know if they're clan or kin, or strangers, or just an experiment by a Karbunkle. I--gods, I can't believe I just said that," he said in some shame. He looked up at her gentle touch, leaning into her palm. "I don't know what to do, Charley-girl."

She pulled him down beside her, curling around his long frame. (He would never admit it, but he couldn't get enough of how she always tried to comfort him, no matter how badly he or his bros had screwed up.) She combed her fingers through his mane as she collected her thoughts. "Throttle?"

"Yeah, darlin'?"

"Do you think they could be friends? Bend and the girl?"

"With each other? I'm pretty sure they are."

"With you, babe."

He blinked at that. "I don't see why not. Why?"

She smiled. "My uncle had a saying. 'You're stuck with family. Friends are the family you pick.'"

Throttle thought about that for a bit, a pensive frown on his face. "Is that how human families work? Chef Andy called me 'son' the other night."

"I can't speak for all humanity, but I was taught that anyone that you call precious to you is your family," Charley said in quiet conviction. "How they fit into that family is up to you and them. Chef Andy told me once that you and Modo and Vinnie are so much like his old army buddies its scary. And other times, you act like the kids he used to train. Either way, he sees you as his friend, if a lot younger than him. So he tries to watch over you, the same way Stoker watches over Rimfire. Make sense?"

"Yeah, actually," the tan mouse said quiet thought.

She nuzzled against his shoulder. "One more thing to think about, otaku. It's my own personal philosophy, but here goes. 'Good friends are God's apology for bad relatives.'"

Throttle's eyes went wide at that before he smiled. "I like that philosophy."

"I thought you might," she said, yawning slowly.

"Try and get some more rest," he said, brushing the hair from the side of her cheek as he kissed her. He rested his head against her shoulder as she went back to sleep. "We both need it."

&

It was almost two in the afternoon before everyone woke up. After a rush to the showers to clean up, they all came down to the living room. Chloe had been up for a while already and had ordered a large spread of food to be left out on various tables across the room. She knew the mice would be starving after a battle, if Rimfire and his bros were anything to go by.

The group gathered around the couches, the new girls glancing around nervously at their—originals? What exactly do you call the person you're a clone of? Bend was helping to ease the mood, his joy at seeing his 'sisters' alive and well was contagious. Rev sat by the tan girl, an even more nervous look on his face as the girl had gripped his hand, and the blushing male looked like he had no idea what to do with it. It took everything Vinnie had to not start laughing. (The poor schmuck. Wouldn't know what to do with a pretty lady if she bit him on the tail. No worries, though, he'll learn. I'll teach him myself!)

Rev had no idea why, but he felt a cold chill suddenly go down his spine.

Silva was the first one to speak. "I'm glad to see everyone back safely. And Rev, Bend, these are the Jewels you spoke of?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said stiffly, his pink eyes never leaving the face of the girl beside him. He gestured to the white and grey lady mice that sat on the smaller couch to his left. "That's White Jewel and Silver Jewel. This," he nodded to the one beside him, "is Gold Jewel."

The lady mouse blinked in surprise at him. "You call me a gold jewel?" She blushed as a small smile spread on her face.

"I—um—names—I didn't know—I mean"—he blushed so badly it looked like his nose would start bleeding.

"I like it," she said softly.

Bend smiled. "Maybe that could be your name! Hey, other big brother! Oh, hey, Gold Jewel, this is Throttle," he pulled the girl from Rev's side to introduce her to the larger mouse. Charley smiled from her spot on the couch, Throttle sitting on the edge with his arms crossed. He straightened as Bend led her over, reaching out to take the girl's offered hand. "Good to meet you," he said. He gentled his tone as he saw her nervousness. The poor girl's hand was shaking in his. "I'm Throttle, and the pretty lady beside me is Charley Davidson. Rev told me that you and Bend are clones of me."

"Y-yes, sir."

He dropped his head with a resigned sigh as Vinnie and Modo broke out in laughter. "Twice in two days, bro!" Vinnie hooted.

"Man, you're gettin' old," Modo crowed.

"Did I say something wrong?" She asked, her voice going so low he could barely hear her as her ears drooped.

"No, they're just wrench-heads," Throttle said with a glare at his bros. He gave the girl a small smile. "You like the name 'Gold Jewel'?"

She gave a tentative smile in return. "I like it when Rev calls me that. Not that it's not okay when you say it! I just—I don't think it should be my name."

'"Fine by me." He cocked his head at her, thinking. "How about Pacer?"

She frowned a bit. "Pacer?"

He shrugged, "I'm not that good at names. Nex?"

She almost laughed. "No."

"Kela?"

"No."

"D.D."

"What?"

"Stands for Doomsday."

"What?!"

"He's joking," Charley said with a warning in her voice.

"He better be," the girl growled.

"I'll take that as a no," the leader said sadly.

"Its not nice to tease people like that," she said, disgruntled.

He suddenly smiled at the girl, clearly enjoying stringing her along, "How about Voxanne?"

A thoughtful look came on her face. "Voxanne? Voxanne," she tested it out. "What do you think, Bend?"

The little boy smiled. "I like it!"

She turned a bit to look at the other white mouse. "Rev?" she asked softly.

The clone didn't have to think twice. "Its beautiful."

Voxanne turned to face Throttle. "That's my name."

He smiled. "Glad to meet you, Voxanne." He watched as she went back to sit beside Rev, a bit alarmed at just how obvious the attraction was between the two. He leaned back against the couch, brushing against Charley's shoulder. "Should I worry about them?" He asked her, his voice too low to carry any further.

"With how bad he's blushing? I don't think you have anything to worry about for a long while," she smiled. "Getting a bit protective, are we?"

He gave her a look. "You're not helping."

The white girl-mouse glanced over to the young couple, mischief dancing in her eyes. The girl proved that some things were hereditary as she committed what was clearly a lyrical felony. "Rev and Voxanne, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I"—

A white-furred hand clamped over her mouth, Vincent wincing as he mentally prayed that he didn't sound like that. "Okay, first off, opera singer you are not, so never do that again, and second, be nice to your brother."

She pouted at him when he moved his hand away. "You're no fun, bro."

He gave her a crooked smile. "You don't want to see what happens when I have fun, I don't think you'd survive it. You can't even ride a bike yet."

She cocked an eyebrow at him. "Wait 'til I learn. Bet I'll give you a run for your money."

"I'd be disappointed if you didn't, little sis," he said with a soft smile. He flushed red as he remember the audience they had, "W-what?! What are you all staring at?"

"Nothing," Rimfire said, trying to hide his very deep surprise at seeing such a different side to the white biker mouse. Silva, Auri, Modo and Throttle kept their smiles to themselves, and Charley barely restrained her chuckle. She always knew that muscle-head had a much softer side to him; he just wouldn't admit it existed.

The pale lady mouse laughed outright, "Oh bro, you should see your blush! You're just as bad as Rev!"

He gave his 'sister' a mock scowl. "Laugh it up, Chuckles, or I'll name you Petunia."

She almost squeaked in indignation as Bend tried to smother his laughter in Silva's side. Rev didn't bother, laughing long and loud at the look on her face. "You wouldn't."

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Try me."

She crossed her arms in a huff, really pouting now as she stuck her tongue out at him. "Meanie."

Vinnie couldn't help his smile at his little sister. "Nah, the mean one around here is sitting next Throttle—Ow!" He failed to dodge the pillow Charley had nailed him with. He sent the mechanic a look as the rest of the room cracked up laughing. He shook his head, muttering about how no one appreciated his obviously developed wit. "No love for a mouse around here, I swear. So, little sis, how about the name Foale?"

She frowned as she thought it over, giving him a searching look. "Rev said you gave him your dad's"—

"Our dad's," he said firmly. "If he's my dad, then he's yours too."

"Oh," she said softly. She wondered for a second if her next question was too personal, but if it was about, well, her dad, than she should know. "You really loved him, didn't you?"

Vinnie went very quiet, unconsciously straightening his spine as he looked away. "He was a great man. It took over twenty stink-fish to take him out when they attacked our hometown." He couldn't help his small flinch as he remembered how that attack had ended in the slaughter of almost every member of his clan. And the last time I saw him, we had a fight, he berated himself. Over me being stupid and not wanting to admit it. I can't ever apologize. Cheese, if it weren't for those pictures of Grandpa's, I probably couldn't even remember him clearly. Dad deserves better than that. And I think—I know Rev can make him proud. "I couldn't think of a better name for a mouse that acts so much like him."

He froze as he felt frail arms wrap around his shoulders and a tail go around his waist. She had seen his reaction, so at odds with the cheerful mouse she'd met last night. Vincent wrapped his arms in a brief hug, giving a short nod to his brother's worried look. "Enough mushy crap." He refused to look at anyone as he pulled back, the girl letting go and moving back to her seat. "You were saying, sis?"

"I just wanted to know, does Foale have any meaning to it?" She asked.

He grinned. "Grandma Foale, on Mom's side. And before you say anything about old lady names," she shut her mouth with a click of her teeth, "she was the founder of the biker gang that Stoker started from."

"Stoker who?"

"Oh gods, you need history lessons and bad," Vinnie groaned. "It's a cool name, okay?"

She smiled. "I'll take your word for it. Foale it is!"

"Rev, Foale, and Vincent. Sounds good to me," Chloe said in approval. She startled a bit as her cell phone rang, quickly moving to the side of the room to take the call with an apologetic glance to the others.

Modo looked up from his seat where he'd been quietly talking with his mother and the Silver Jewel. He smiled at the shy girl as he spoke, "This little lady here decided that she likes the name Zodia. Rimfire, what do you think?"

The buck sergeant gave the young grey mouse a searching look. She met his gaze with a steadily growing blush, but she never looked away. He seemed to find what he was looking for as he gave a nod of agreement. "A pleasure to meet you, Zodia."

"Thank you," she said in a tiny voice.

A sudden burst of laughter made them turn to Chloe, who grinned outright as she put down her cell phone. "I just got a call for Mr. Williams. He had some of the crew go out and spread the rumor that last night was part of Monterrey's new casino attraction that got out of control, and that all damages should be billed to him."

The rest of the room burst into laughter. "I wish I could see his reaction to that!" Rimfire said.

"Priceless. Not a doubt in my mind," Link said with a large grin.

Thrash smiled at the joke, but then looked pensive as he glanced over at the leader. "Throttle? What happens now? Do we stay here or report back for pick-up to Mars?"

Throttle shook his head as the room went silent. "According to Charley, you have to show up for the Flyer Tournament, or Miss Chloe could get in trouble."

"Chloe? Why?" Rimfire asked in concern.

"They'd probably accuse her of interfering, or of trying to hide you," Charley explained. "To keep her and her family out of trouble, running the Flyer would be the best idea."

"Winning it would also be nice," Silva jibed. Auri nodded from beside her mother-in-law.

"But what about Monterrey?" Rimfire asked. "We can't just leave Las Vegas undefended, they'd be sitting ducks."

"We'll have to talk to Carbine about sending in reinforcements," Throttle answered.

"Ah, who needs ém? We can handle that cheese wheel easy, bro," Vinnie said.

"But not while we're fighting off Limburger too," Throttle pointed out. "We don't have the manpower for it."

"Kuta," Link muttered, wincing as Rimfire punched his arm for bad language in front of his grandmother. "What about Rev and his girls? We could train them to fight. Rev can handle himself, and I'll bet he'd have the girls up to speed in no time."

"They'd need better equipment," Modo argued. "Laser weapons at the very least, and some decent bikes."

"Asking them if they want to fight would be a good start, too," Chloe said.

"First things first," Throttle interjected before a fight could start. "We talk to Carbine about getting the three of you reassigned here on a temporary basis, after Rimfire wins the Flyer. In the mean time, we help Tsu with his garage." He looked to Charley, "You said it was trashed?"

"It was pretty bad," she nodded. "Those rock guys did a real number on the place."

"Alright then. We'll head down to the garage and see what needs doing and try to get in touch with Mars later tonight."

Silva nodded as several people got up to grab whatever they needed before going. "A very good idea. Auri will help the girls get set up with clothing, and thank you again, Miss Chloe, for being so generous to us."

"It's nothing," the Asian girl said. "I think I get the better part of the deal though. Do you have any idea how long its been since I got to play dress-up?" She laughed at Voxanne's dismayed look. "Trust me, you'll love it."

Charley smiled at Foale and Zodia, both looking excited at the idea of more new clothes. A touch on her arm had her meeting Silva's eyes. "Dear, could you come with me for a while?"

"Sure, what's up, Silva?" She asked as they walked out of earshot of the rest of the room.

"My clan and I have talked it over earlier today, and we are all in agreement. Even young Zodia is for it," the lady mouse said in a very serious tone, making Charley unconsciously stand at attention. "We have decided to ask you if you would like to join our clan."