Well school's back in session. Last year of college and then I join the real world, woohoo!It'll be a busy year so updates may be slower than usual. Hope you guys like the chapter. =D

Thanks to everyone who has read so far. If you haven't reviewed, please do. Reviews make me a happy camper =)

DISCLAIMER TIME! I don't own the bros, sadfaces abound. Please don't sue me, I'm poor. And please don't use any of my characters (Copper, Silver, Alloy, Lani, etc) without permission.

Modo hummed to himself as he guided Li'l Hoss down the worn road towards his mama's house. Though his bike already knew the way, he drove her with practiced ease, skirting around potholes and loose gravel in the road. He grinned softly when he felt the arms wrapped around his middle tighten as the bike came to a stop in front of a grey stone cave dwelling. Removing his helmet, he checked out the front yard, nodding in approval at the trim rock beds with small clumps of grass growing in between. His mama had never liked an untidy space, especially right out front where it would be the first thing any guest would see. Setting his helmet on the bike's seat, he held out a hand to Copper, helping her off the bike. She had ridden side-saddle behind him the whole way from Redrock with her hair tucked under her helmet to keep it neat. Now she removed the helmet, shaking out the burgundy waves of her hair so they fell straight down to her hips.

"This is, possibly, the worst idea I have ever had," Copper muttered as she carefully got off of Modo's bike. She shook out her loose, ankle-length skirt so it fell properly around her legs. She had wanted to look nice for Modo's mama but it was impossible to ride her bike in a long skirt. The navy material was thin enough to wear in the desert but still modest for the mission she had undertaken. After the skirt was arranged to her liking, she went after the cream-colored top, adjusting the neckline so it concealed her cleavage and making sure the straps holding it around her neck were secure. Her gold bracelets jangled as she fidgeted, as did the charms on the end of her long necklace.

Modo smiled at her anxious gestures. She really was sweet when she let her defenses down and allowed herself to be nervous. He gently took her hands in his metal one and tilted her chin up with the other. He smiled reassuringly at her. "I doubt this is the worst idea you've had," he said. "And it's just my mama."

"Exactly!" Copper hissed. "Your mama. Who knows nothing about me. Who knows nothing about our daughter. Who may hate me for keeping Silver away from you and your family."

"Mama will understand. And she wouldn't hate the female who gives me so much happiness." He gently kissed her brow. "She's been askin' to meet you for months now."

"What about Silver?" Copper worried her bottom lip between her teeth. "Does she know about her?"

"Not yet," Modo said. "I wasn't sure how to tell her."

"Thanks," Copper said dryly. "Appreciate that, baby."

"Any time, darlin'." He smiled and gave her a reassuring hug. "But we'll do it together."

"Yeah...." She smiled nervously back at him. "You really think she'll like me?"

"Ah don't see why she wouldn't, unless she thinks yer trouble…" he quirked a brow at her. "Yer not armed, are ya?"

"Just one little gun, I promise. If this goes well, I may let you find out where I keep it."

"Oh mama…" Modo groaned, bending his head for a quick kiss. It had only been a few months since they had gotten back together but they were stronger than ever as a couple. Modo was spending every day with Copper and Silver but he went to his own place in Resistance headquarters to sleep. Copper was still unsure about having him spend the night in her home (she thought the bar did not count as it had not been her home for years). Modo had wanted to move his things in as soon as he and Copper had reconciled, more than willing to begin acting like a family. Again, Copper demurred, saying it was too soon and she did not want to give Silver the wrong idea. The situation had led to a few arguments and one whole-day silence. Their mutual stubbornness caused them occasional conflict but they were trying not to let it get in their way. After being apart for five years, every moment was precious.

A soft "ahem" broke Modo and Copper apart, though Modo held on to Copper's hand. A grey-furred female stood in the now-open front door. She appeared a few years older than Modo with lighter-grey streaks going through her chin-length grey hair. Her dark garnet eyes were warm, as was the smile on her slightly thin face. "Am I interrupting?"

"Nah, we were just about to knock." Modo grinned and swept his sister into a one-armed hug. "How are ya, Ratch?"

"I'm fine." Ratchet Goodbyrne, nee Maverick's smile widened as she took in Copper from head to toe. Copper felt herself blush, grateful she had taken the time to dress in something besides her leathers or jeans. Modo's sister, while outwardly warm, was examining Copper with obvious and disconcerting interest. Copper wasn't used to that level of scrutiny from another female. "You must be Copper Van Speed. Nice to finally meet you."

"Good to meet you too." Copper tried to smile and relax but found it difficult; while Ratchet was a good half a foot shorter than Modo, she was still taller than Copper and had a wiry build that probably hid her true strength. Copper noted well-developed arms being shown off by Ratchet's tank top and long legs encased in light blue denims. "Modo's talked about you a lot."

"Same to you." Ratchet's smile widened and she reached out and gave Copper a hug. Copper stiffened for a second before relaxing and hugging the female back. Ratchet pulled away with a laugh. "Sorry, Modo's said so much about you I feel like we're already friends. Hope you don't mind, I get a little touchy."

"It's ok," Copper said, finally smiling back for real. Ratchet reminded Copper of Silver. They had the same smile. "I don't mind."

"I didn't know you were coming, sis," Modo said, taking the opportunity to get a word in before his sister started talking her head off trying to get to know Copper. "The kids here too?"

"Yep, Mama invited us over to meet your ladyfriend." She was about to say something else when a female voice echoed out from the back of the house.

"Ratchet honey, why ya leaving the door open like that? Get back in here and bring those two with you."

"Mama calls," Modo said, gently pushing Copper into the dwelling, Ratchet following behind. The cave home was much bigger than Copper's with a large living room and dining area. The kitchen was behind a natural window of rock that partitioned the large room into sections. The furniture and decorations were tasteful but not boring. Copper looked around curiously; she had never been in such a large home before. The carpet on the stone floor was soft and beige and the furniture was overstuffed and comfortable-looking. A bright splash of sunny yellow and crimson red caught her eye. She stepped deeper into the room to look at the little vase that sat on a table next to a sofa. "Oh my…"

"Lovely, isn't it?" A short female mouse, a few years past her prime, smiled at Copper from the arch leading into the kitchen, drying her hands on a dishtowel. She wore a long denim skirt and a blouse that was a deep purple color and her silvery hair was tied back into a bun at the nape of her neck. Small glasses perched on the edge of her nose and laugh lines were etched around her eyes and the sides of her mouth. She looked like a sweet old lady, and Copper hoped she really was as sweet as she looked.

"Yes, it is," Copper said. "Where did you find it?"

"At market a few years back. I saw it and it made me smile in such a low time I just had to buy it."

Copper motioned toward the vase. "May I?" At Mrs. Maverick's nod, she picked up the vase and turned it over, examining the bottom and smiling when she saw the familiar mark of a twilight flower. "My mother made this."

"Did she?" Mrs. Maverick said with a delighted laugh. "Well don't that beat all!"

"I'm glad one of her pieces made it to someone who obviously likes it." Copper held out a hand to Mrs. Maverick. "It's nice to finally meet you, ma'am."

"Oh, none of that now!" Mrs. Maverick said, pulling Copper into a tight hug. "My boy's been talking about you for years now, ever since he met you during the war. I'm just so happy to finally meet you!" Copper was surprised to see tears in the corners of Mrs. Maverick's eyes. "It's so wonderful that you survived. When Modo came back and didn't say a word about you I thought you had been lost in the fighting."

Modo saw Copper stiffen and he winced. He would probably be hearing about that later…

Copper continued to smile and nodded at appropriate points while Mrs. Maverick continued to chatter about random things. The older female was only interrupted by the sound of a motorcycle coming close. "Oh, that'll be the children with the mushrooms!" At Copper's confused look, she explained "I sent Rimfire and Primer out to market. I forgot to buy mushrooms for my stew."

The front door opened with a bang, showing two young mice with tan pelts and brown hair. The first one to come in was a male with a shocking orange stripe through his hair Copper recognized as a mostly grown-up Rimfire. The female behind him was close enough in looks to be his sister but lacked the bright stripe in her hair. As soon as they saw Modo, the girl shrieked and jumped at the Modo, who laughed and grabbed her into a tight hug.

"Uncle Modo!" the female (Primer, Copper assumed) cried, a wide smile splitting her features. She was a slim thing like her mother and shorter than her brother by a whole head. She had her hair cut close to her scalp; in the right clothes, she might have been able to pass as a male. "It's been such a long time!"

"Yeah it has," her brother agreed. He stood back a little, holding a small bag Copper assumed was filled with the requested mushrooms. He was almost as tall as Modo was now but still wasn't as broad. The last time Copper had seen him, he had been a little taller than her and still thin as adolescents tended to be. He smiled shyly at Copper, handing his grandmother the bag before holding out a hand to Copper. "It's nice to see you again, Copper ma'am."

Copper grinned back at him and gave him a quick hug, making the young male blush. "Nice to see you too, Rimfire. Look at you! You've grown up, I scarcely recognized you!" She winked at him. "You're getting to be as handsome as your uncle."

Rimfire blushed harder, his tan fur turning pinkish. Primer giggled and stepped forward, pulling Copper into a hug. "It's so great finally meet you, Copper ma'am," Primer chirped. "Uncle Modo's been so much more fun the last few months, always smiling."

"Has he now?" Copper drawled, catching Modo's blush just before he turned and went down the hall, presumably to use the bathroom.

"Yup, he's super happy," Primer said with a giggle. "Not that he wasn't always super chill before, but now that he's getting some on a regular basis he's so much more mellow, ya know?"

"Primer!" Ratchet said sharply, making her daughter's ears droop back in chagrin. "What have I told you about thinking before you say things that might be inappropriate?"

"Um, to do it?" Primer asked with a sheepish grin.

"Exactly," Ratchet said, gently pinching her daughter's ear. "Now use that brain I know you've got in there."

"Yes Mama," Primer said, glaring at her brother who was very obviously laughing at her. Rimfire looked away quickly, trying to look innocent. Copper couldn't help but smil, feeling more relaxed with a family who razzed each other like she and Alloy did. But usually Alloy would tease her and she would hit him until he stopped. She couldn't do that much anymore with Silver around. Once that girl saw something that made her laugh, she would keep doing it until she was punished. She had once smacked Alloy for an hour straight, giggling the whole time.

Silver entering her thoughts made Copper sober instantly. She had momentarily forgotten the purpose of coming. Slipping down the hall, she ran into Modo just as he came out of the bathroom. "Hey darlin'. What's up?"

"I don't know if I can do this," she whispered. "I'm scared, Modo. I want them to like me, what if this kills everything?"

Modo sighed and pulled Copper against him, nuzzling the top of her head. "Darlin', it'll be ok."

"I really want it to be," she whispered. "But so many things in my life haven't been ok. I just want something to go right for once."

Modo didn't speak, just held her tighter. It was so rare for Copper to talk about her past, to even mention the bad things that had happened before they met. He knew her mother had died when she was two, her father when she was twelve. Then she had been raised by an elderly mouse who had died in the first year of the war. That fierce protective urge rose back up in his chest, filling him until all he could feel was Copper and her heartbeat. Nothing else mattered or would matter, so long as he held her.

"Oh, here you guys are!"

They pulled away quickly but reluctantly. Primer smiled at them both, oblivious to having interrupted a tender moment. "Grandmama says dinner's almost ready so go sit."

"Be there in a second, Primer," Modo said. She nodded and actually skipped down the hall to the main part of the dwelling. Copper watched her with a bemused expression on her face.

"She's a happy little thing, isn't she?"

"Oh yeah," Modo chuckled. "Almost too happy sometimes." He kissed Copper's brow and took her hand, guiding her to the dining area.

Unsurprisingly, the food was delicious. Mama Maverick (as she had instead Copper start calling her) was an amazing cook and had made enough so both Modo and Rimfire could eat their fill. Her mushroom and vegetable stew was perfect; Copper had been surprised to learn Ratchet was also a vegetarian. Besides the stew, there were plenty of side dishes that Mama Maverick had made, including a meat pie for the boys. Copper made her promise to give her the recipe for her stuffed peppers. Rimfire and Primer almost got into a food fight over a comment Rimfire made about Primer's boyfriend and Mama Maverick was constantly asking Copper questions. How had she and Modo met again? And he really hadn't told her he was back on the planet? Well for shame, he knew better than that! Copper had to hide her smile when Mama Maverick actually reached out and smacked Modo upside the head. "Now don't you go upsetting this nice girl again, ya hear me?"

"Yes Mama," Modo muttered around a mouthful of meat pie.

Mrs. Maverick shook her head and gently took Copper's hand. "I'm so sorry about my boy, Copper dear. He usually isn't so much of a dummy, but for some reason he's absolutely stupid when it comes to females."

Copper smiled (she was doing that a lot recently). "It's fine, Mama Maverick. He's making up for it now."

Mama Maverick nodded in approval. "Good. I want more grandbabies."

Ratchet choked on a mushroom and glared at her mother. "Seriously Mama, do you have to be so blunt? No wonder Primer can't kick that habit."

"It's the truth, Ratchet," Mama Maverick said.

Copper winched and glanced at Modo, who smiled reassuringly. She swallowed and took a deep breath. "Mama Maverick-"

"Modo mentioned you owned a bar. That right?" Ratchet asked.

"Um, yeah, my brother and I own it together. It used to belong to our father."

"Oh really?" Mama Maverick said, delicately nibbling on a piece of pepper. "Where's your father at now?"

Copper sighed and looked down at her plate, fighting off the usual feeling of sadness. "He died when Alloy and I were twelve. Sand raiders got him during an attack on Redrock."

"Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry," Mama Maverick said, taking Copper's hand and squeezing gently. "And your mother?"

"She died when I was two. She got sick and she never got better."

"You had no one to take care of you? No other family?" Mama Maverick asked, holding tight to Copper's hand. Copper flushed when she saw Ratchet and her kids were also looking at her intently; they had even stopped eating to listen.

"We were sort of adopted by our neighbor, Master Varn. He found us living alone in our parent's place and took us in." Copper smiled, remembering the crotchety old mouse who had walked into their lives when things were starting to look really bad. He had been a fighting master in his youth and was had been living in comfortable retirement in a dwelling near the Van Speed family. He had been a surrogate grandfather to the twins until he had died of old age during the first year of the war.

"But no family?" Mama Maverick pressed.

"None that we wanted to talk too," Copper said. Mama Maverick nodded and gave Copper's hand a gentle squeeze.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart," she said. "Families should stick together no matter what. Especially in these hard times."

"Yeah…" Copper swallowed and tried again. "Mama Maverick, I-"

"Oh for the love of all things good and right!" Ratchet cried. Primer winced and turned away as sauce ran down the length of the table; she had spilled her bowl of stew.

"Sorry Mama, Grandmama," she said.

"Well what about me?" Rimfire cried: most of the stew had ended up in his lap. "I have a date tonight!"

"I'm sorry!" Primer wailed, her ears flat against her skull. "It just slipped!" Rimfire got up and walked into the kitchen to clean himself off, muttering some choice curses as he went.

"Rimfire, watch your language in my house!" Mama Maverick said, getting up and following Rimfire to the kitchen, taking some empty bowls with her.

Copper turned and looked at Modo with a bemused smile on her face. "Well fuck me. Every time I try, something comes up."

"It's really kind of funny," he grinned. Leaning over, he nuzzled Copper's brow. "I'll try."

"Aww, ain't that sweet," Mama Maverick said as she came back into the room. "I'm so glad my baby's found someone like you, Copper girl. He's always deserved a nice girl."

"Thank you, Mama Maverick," Copper said. She looked pointedly at Modo, who nodded and took her hand.

"Mama, Ratchet, can we talk to you two for a second?"

"Why sure. Primer baby, you and Rimfire clean up, all right?"

"Grandmama!" Rimfire protested. "I have a date in half an hour!"

"Then I suppose you better get done quick," Mama Maverick said with a smile. Leaving Rimfire to protest in the kitchen, she led the way into a small sitting room. Modo and Copper sat on one of the small sofas, leaving Ratchet and Mama Maverick to take the other. Copper clung to Modo's hand like it was her only line to the world. He could feel her shaking now, she was so scared. She really wanted his family to accept her, and that made him feel happy. But her fear was making him anxious. He wanted to get this over with, if only so Copper would relax again.

"Mama, we got something we want to tell you," Modo said. He took a deep breath, squishing down his own nervousness. Bite the bullet, just say it… "Copper and I have a daughter."

Both females stared for a second before Ratchet snorted and raised a brow. "Well you two work fast."

"Ratchet!" Modo protested, turning pink under his fur. "And you think Primer gets her plain spoken-ness from Mama."

"Sorry, little brother. Just a bit shocked, is all." Primer leaned forward with her elbows on her knees. "So…how…when…?"

"Five years ago, before I left," Modo said, squeezing Copper's hand. Copper was looking hopefully between Ratchet and Mama Maverick, who was silently gazing at the floor with her hands in her lap. Copper swallowed back the lump in her throat and spoke up.

"Her name is Silver. She's five and likes to play soldier and planning out battles. She loves everyone, she doesn't know how to hate someone." Copper smiled. "She has Modo's eyes."

"Does she now?" Ratchet asked with a slight smile. "I'd like to meet her."

"As would I," Mama Maverick said. "But answer a question for me first." She looked straight at Copper, her expression unreadable. "Why didn't you come to us when you found out about the baby?"

Copper worried her bottom lip between her teeth, thinking of an answer. "Honestly, ma'am, I didn't know you. I'm used to being self-sufficient. And I was angry at Modo. I thought he'd abandoned me."

"Goddess knows I taught my boy better than that," Mama Maverick said.

"You did. I was scared," Copper said, holding on to Modo's hand for dear life. "I can't ask forgiveness for what I did, keeping Silver from your family. I love her, and I love Modo. I lost him once and it almost broke me. I won't-I can't do that again." Modo felt his heart swell at her words. She was proclaiming her feelings in front of his mother! No one had ever done that for him before.

Mama Maverick and Ratchet stared at Copper, contemplating her in a way that made Copper feel slightly uneasy. She glanced at Modo, her heart fluttering when she saw the look he gave her. He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, wishing they were alone so he could take her in his arms.

"Mama, Ratchet, this lady is the one fer me. I ain't gonna leave her again, her or our daughter."

"Well we weren't asking you too!" Mama Maverick said, finally smiling again. "I was hoping for grandbabies from you, but I didn't expect one so suddenly."

"Yeah, good work, little brother," Ratchet said with a chuckle. "Now maybe she'll lay off me a little bit." Modo laughed as well. Mama Maverick leaned forward and took Copper's other hand.

"Copper dear, please feel free to bring Silver over as soon as you're ready. Family should stick together."

"I will, Mama Maverick," Copper said, gently squeezing the old female's hand. "As soon as I tell her she has more family."

"I say just haul out and tell her," Ratchet said. "Little kids are really resilient. They take things in stride most of the time."

"I'll take your word for it," Copper said. "I'm still getting used to this whole motherhood thing. I never really planned on kids."

"We never do," Ratchet said with a grin. "But they're the light of our lives anyway."

"Well, them and the males we choose to live it with." Copper smiled and leaned over to brush a kiss to Modo's cheek. Modo blushed under his fur, making his mother and sister laugh.

They left soon after that: Rimfire had left for his date, leaving his sister to finish the dishes. Primer was still cursing her brother as Modo and Copper left with a bundle of food strapped to the back of the bike. Mama Maverick and Ratchet waved them off, Copper promising to come with Silver on her next day off. The ride to Redrock was uneventful, peaceful even. The stars gleamed overhead, the desert was quiet: the moons were the only light to guide them. Copper was snuggled against Modo's back, her skirt hiked up around her waist so she could sit astride: she always feel like she was going to fall off when she sat sidesaddle.

She was trying very hard to be good, to not run her fingers through the short fur over Modo's abs. To not reach lower, undo his belt, peel apart his jeans and- She sighed, letting the thought fly away on the wind. It was not a good idea to do that sort of thing on the open road. So she contented herself with breathing in his scent, his musky, dark, spicy scent that made her heart beat faster every time it crossed her nose.

The bike made a sudden turn off the road, tires digging into the gravel and sending rocks flying. Copper could only hold on to Modo, not even able to call out to him over the roar of the engine. The path they were on twisted up and around, climbing a steep hill. Modo's bike took the turns with ease, his handling sure, like he had been up this road before. The path ended at the top of a hill that overlooked Redrock. The city's lights shone out into the blackness of the desert, twinkling and moving as some of its citizens enjoyed the coolness of the night.

Modo stopped Li'l Hoss and took off his helmet, staring out over the desert. Copper followed suit, shaking out her hair as it was freed from the helmet's confines. "What's up, baby?"

"Jus' wanted to talk to you before we get ya home," He said. "Get some alone time after that visit." He turned and smiled at her, rubbing his nose against hers. "I'm proud of ya, darlin'. Ya did good today."

"Thanks lover," Copper smiled and playfully licked his nose. Modo's smile widened and he kissed her, turning around more in his seat so he could wrap his arms around her, kissing her hard. He'd wanted to do that since he had picked her up that afternoon but had contented himself with small, chaste kisses. No need to get riled up before meeting with his family. But now he could taste her fully, could hold her as tight as he wanted.

Copper groaned and clung to Modo's shoulders, grateful for the solidness of him. Grateful for the way he touched her, grateful he was back with her. Modo dragged her into his lap, settling her on top of him with her back against the handlebars. Copper thrilled at his ability to pick her up and move her around like that, showing his strength. He was so strong, but still so gentle with her. He was always so careful not to hurt her. But she had seen him fight, seen him use his strength to keep his race safe. Both sides were such a turn-on Copper wondered how she ever got so lucky.

Modo broke the kiss and rested her forehead against hers, his breathing heavy, as was hers. He looked into her eyes, the dark brown orbs hazy but filled with love. For him. All for him. He took a deep breath and decided to take a chance. "Darlin', I want to ask you something."

"What baby?"

"Will ya let me be with ya all the time? Let me stay with ya and our baby girl?" He took another breath and gently rubber her cheek with his thumb. Goddess, he was nervous! "Let's live together, darlin'. You, me, Silver…be a family. What d'ya say?"

Copper worried her bottom lip between her teeth, unable to look away from Modo's hope-filled garnet eye. He was waiting for her answer, hoping he would not be hurt. She couldn't hurt him but she was so nervous to live with him, to take the next step. Her stubborn and bitchy side was refusing to let her take another risk, let her move forward.

And she was so sick of it.

Gritting her teeth, she pushed it farther down, down so that she couldn't hear its voice anymore. This was right. This was how it was supposed to happen. And she couldn't hurt him. She smiled and kissed him, touched her antenna to his and let him know her decision in the most intimate way she could. "Ok. Come live with us. We'll be a family."

Modo's heart stopped for a second. He could feel so much, connected to Copper's mind: love, fear, happiness, lust…so many and he couldn't figure out if it came from him, from her, or from both of them. "Thank you, darlin'. Thank you, thank you…"

"We're going to need a bigger place," she said with a chuckle. "And Alloy is going to have a shitfit when he finds out."

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Modo chuckled. "Aww, darlin', I've been waiting for this for such a long time."

"Yeah…I think I have, too." She kissed him again. "I love you, Modo baby."

"I love ya too, darlin'." He gently rubbed the spot behind her ear, making her gasp and look up at the stars. "Let me show you how much…"

Hope you guys liked it. Until next time, ride free!