Please enjoy.

"What was that about, Modo?"

"Throttle needs my help with something at the house. I'll be right back."

After Modo left, both Charley and I looked at each other kinda funny. "That was….odd. He's hiding something, Charley. I think Throttle is too."

"You think it might have to do with Harley and her being very depressed?"

"Yep, but I can't prove it."

"I guess you'll find out when Throttle calls you."

"Yep."

Then as if on cue, he calls. "Hey babe. Everything ok over there?"

"Can you and Charley come over to the house, please? I have bad news and I don't wanna say it over the phone."

"Sure. We'll be over shortly." Then I hung up the phone. I looked at Charley.

"Throttle would like us to come over to the house. He doesn't want to talk about the bad news he has for us."

"The bad news that you think he's going to tell us?"

"Yep. Come on. Let's go."
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It only took us 10 mins. to get to the house. We walked into the garage, then into the house and took our shoes off. After walking through the kitchen, we saw Throttle, Modo and Silverdawn sitting on the sofa.

"Are the boys upstairs in their room?"

"Yep. Their taking a nap right now, so let's not get real loud, ok."

"No problem. So what's the bad news you didn't want to tell me over the phone?"

"Please sit down, girls."

We both looked at each other then sat down. I already had a feeling on what it is they were going to tell us, but I didn't let on that I knew.

"My mom found Harley in the upstairs bathroom, dead. She had committed suicide."

Charley gasp and put her hand to her mouth. She couldn't believe what she heard. She had tears rolling down her face. I sat there in complete shock. No tears rolling down my face. After years of losing soldiers under my command, I've learned not to show emotion.

"Could her death be due to the bond her and Vinnie had?"

"You mean like what I told you could happen if that bond is broken in any way?"

"Yeah."

"That is exactly what happened."

Modo looked at me then to Throttle.

"Michelle has the right to know since we planned our family, big fella. Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad, bro. Just a bit surprised you told her about it."

"Let me guess, you and Charley didn't discuss it, did you?"

Charley looked at me strangely. "What are you 3 talking about?"

Modo came over and sat down next to Charley. "We'll discuss it later, Charlene. I promise."

Charley put her hand on Modo's cheek and lightly stroked it, then smiled at him.

I turned my attention to my husband. "What are we going to do with Harley's body, sweetie? Can't leave it in the bathroom and stink up the whole house."

"We could go ahead and bury her next to Vinnie."

"Without a casket? I don't think so. She needs a casket. We buried Vinnie in one."

Before anyone said anything more, my phone rang. I looked to see who it was. I didn't recognize the number but answered it anyway.

"Hello?"

"Michelle? Its Rimfire."

"Oh hey Rimfire. What can I do for ya?"

"Christina and I stopped by the garage and no one was there. No one was at the scoreboard either. Where is everyone?"

"Guess Modo didn't tell you. All of us except Carbine, Morgan and Stoker live in a small town called Scottsville. Its about 80 miles north of Medford, OR."

"Why did everyone move out to California?"

"Better schools for my twins. Did you need to talk with your uncle?"

"If he's available."

"Of course he is. Give me a few." Then I looked at Modo and handed him my phone.

"Your nephew is on the phone, Modo."

Modo took my phone and I excused myself from the living room.

Throttle noticed this and followed me. I made it as far as the mud room.

"You ok, sweetheart?"

I stopped and turned around. He didn't like the look in my eyes.

"I don't like what you're thinking, Michelle."

"You have no idea what I'm thinking, Throttle. None at all."

Throttle put his hand on my shoulder. I pushed it away.

"Just leave me alone for a while."

Throttle put his hands up in defense. "Fine. Come back when you have a better attitude."

"Fine by me." Then I left.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

After I left the house, Modo walked up to Throttle. "What was that about, bro?"

Throttle looked at Modo and shrugged. "I have no idea, Modo. She's not usually like this."

"She left her phone here."

"She'll come back when her mood changes….I hope."

Modo put his hand on Throttle's shoulder.

"Don't assume the worst. She'll be back. She won't leave those beautiful twins."

"I hope she comes back. So, what did Rimfire want?"

"He wants me to come back to Chicago for a surprise. A big surprise."

"He didn't say what it was?"

"No, but it's a long drive back there. Would you like to tag along?"

"Why not ask Charley?"

"You look like you could use the time away to clear your head."

Throttle thought about it. He knew Modo was right. "Yeah, I suppose I do need to clear my head. I heard the Cubs were back in town for the Postgame Playoffs against the Nationals."

"Nice. Maybe we'll stay at the scoreboard for a couple of days."

"I have some of my workout gear there. I could really use it right now."

Modo was about to say something, but thought better of it. He knew Throttle might hit him for the thought that was in his head.

"When was the last time you and I went on a road trip without Vinnie?"

"Never. Its gonna be a quiet road trip without him."

"That's for sure. Your mom can take care of your twins and Charley can give her a hand."

Throttle pulled out a chair from the table and sat down. He sighed. Modo pulled out another chair and sat down next to Throttle.

"You ok, bro?"

"Not really, no. I got in a fight with Michelle. Then I let her just leave without apologizing. I feel like our marriage is falling apart already and we've been together for 4 yrs." Throttle looked at Modo with tears in his eyes. "Modo, I don't know what to do. For once in my life, I don't know what to do."

"Why don't I go look for her and talk with her. Maybe she needs to talk to someone who will just listen."

"Or….."

"Don't say it, Throttle. That woman loves you dearly. She'd be stupid to call it quits with you. You treat her with respect."

"True, but what if…..?"

"If she does decide to call it quits, hope that she will continue to be there for your twins."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

I had been out for a while with a lot of things on my mind. I had taken Throttle's bike for a ride and found myself about halfway to Chicago. I had been so preoccupied that I didn't realize where I was going. I couldn't call Throttle cause I had left my phone at the house.

By the time I got to Chicago, it was getting late. I looked at my watch. "Midnight already? Maybe I can stay with Rimfire and his girlfriend tonight."

Then it hit me, I still have the keys to my place. I was still paying rent for it, even though I wasn't living there any more.

I headed for my old place and called it a night. That was the plan, anyway.

I could sense someone following me. After I parked the bike, I got off, took my helmet off and hung it on the handlebars. I turned around and saw Rimfire and 3 other Martian Mice with him.

"Rimfire? What are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing? Did uncle Modo come with you?"

"No. I'm alone. Your uncle no longer has his bike. I don't know if he told you, but both Vinnie and Harley are dead. Vinnie committed suicide using Modo's bike and Throttle's mom found Harley dead in the bathroom at my house in Scottsville. She, too, committed suicide."

"What of their daughter?"

"She had passed away nearly 4 yrs. ago. Both Vinnie and Harley were severely depressed and instead of coming to us, they took the easy way out."

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Uncle Modo didn't tell me that Vinnie, Harley and their daughter were dead."

"So, who's your friends?"

"My apology. I'd like you to meet Martha Maverick, my twin sister, Primer and Vinnie's brother, Marcus. Everyone, this is Throttle's wife, Michelle Thornboy."

I shook hands with Marcus first. "I'm so very sorry about Vinnie, Marcus."

"Its quite alright. I hadn't seen him for most of my life, but I vowed to find him one day. Just didn't think I was going to find him dead. My mom is going to be devastated."

"Vinnie must have been a momma's boy growing up."

"Yep. By the time I was born, He had already left Mars with Throttle and Modo. Oh well."

I turned to Primer and shook her hand. "Its nice to meet you, Primer. Rimfire has never mentioned that he had a twin sister."

"It was a sore subject when I was mousenapped. I'm glad to be reunited with my twin brother though."

"That's good. Family is important." Then I looked to Modo's mother.

"Speaking of family. I've heard a lot about you, ma'am. Its nice to finally meet Mrs. Maverick."

"Please call me Martha. How is my boy?"

"He's doing good. He's in California with Throttle, my twin boys, Silverdawn and Charley. Charley is Modo's fiancé."

"Fiancé? Its about time that boy found someone."

I couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Martha smiled. I smiled back.

"So, where is Mr. Maverick?"

Martha lowered her head. Rimfire spoke up. "My grandpa passed away of old age just recently."

I looked at Martha. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

Martha looked up at me and smiled. "That's quite alright, dear. Can I ask why you have a Human face but look 95% Martian Mouse?"

"Long story short, I had bad blood that was killing me and Throttle donated some of his blood to save my life. So, I ended up mostly Martian Mouse. The only thing that never changed was my face. Neither of us don't know why, either. Where are my manners. Why don't y'all come in and get warm. I need to make a call, anyway."

I unlocked my door and let everyone go in before me. After I went in, I closed the door and hung up the keys. I grabbed the cordless phone from the cradle and called my cell phone.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Scottsville, CA. My family home. Charley answered my cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Charley?"

"Mike? Where the hell are you? Throttle is worried sick about you."

"I'm in Chicago with Rimfire, his twin sister, Primer, Vinnie's brother, Marcus and Modo's mom, Martha."

"I didn't know that Rimfire had a twin. And you said Modo's mom is there with you right now?"

"Yep. I think that was the surprise that Rimfire wanted to share with Modo. He wanted Modo to come back to Chicago to see his immediate family. Is he around? I'm sure he'd like to hear their voices again."

"Let me get him, then you need to talk to Throttle afterwards."

"If he even wants to talk to me. We had a fight before I left."

"I heard about that. That's why he wants to talk to you."

"We'll see how I am in the morning. Right now, I don't wanna talk to him. I've had lots on my mind."

Ok. I'll let him know you'll talk to him in the morning. I'll go get Modo."

I looked over at Martha. "Would you like to talk to your son, Martha? Charley is getting him right now."

"I would love to talk to him, sweetie. Last time I talk to him was early in the war."

Charley came back on and told me that Modo is on his way. He just got out of the shower.

"His mom can't wait to hear his voice again after so long. I told her about you. She's glad that he finally found someone."

"I'd be happy to talk to her while she waits to talk to Modo."

"Let me ask her."

I looked back to Martha. "Would you like to talk to Charley while you wait for Modo to get on the phone?"

"Sure."

I handed the phone to Martha. "Hello? Is this Charley?"

"Yes, it is. This must be Mrs. Maverick."

"Please call me Martha. You're family now, dear."

"Alright. Modo has mentioned very little of you."

"War will do that to some people. I heard you're engaged to my son. I hope he's treating you right."

"Yes, he is. He's nothing but a gentlemouse to me since the first date. Speaking of Modo. Here he is now. Maybe we can talk again soon."

"I would like that. Take good care of my son, Charley."

"I plan to, Martha. Here's Modo."

Charley looked at Modo. "Your mom is on the phone." Then she handed the phone over to Modo.

"Momma? Is that really you? And Primer is there, too?"

"Yes and yes. It is so good to hear your voice after so long, Modo. I've been trying to get word to you that your father passed away recently."

"How did dad die?"

"Old age. He knew that you were safe with Throttle and Vinnie all these yrs. He wasn't worried about you. Not like I was."

"Vinnie is dead, momma. He committed suicide about 4 yrs. ago. And Harley committed suicide just recently. They were both severely depressed after the loss of their daughter."

"That's so horrible. Harley was a sweet girl."

"Yeah, she was. So, I see you talked with my fiancé, Charley."

"Yes, I did. Are you happy with her, sweetie?"

"Yes, I am, momma. I love her dearly. We haven't set a date yet, but I'm hoping that you'll be there."

"Of course I will. I could never miss my only son getting married to the woman he loves. I wish your father could be here to hear that his only son is getting married. He would have wanted to give Charley away."

"I think he would have liked her. Are you ok with me marrying a Human, momma?"

"As long as she is treating you right and vice versa, I don't care. I just want you happy."

"I'm very happy, momma. I don't know what I would do without her in my life."

"That's good to hear. Would you like to talk to your niece?"

"Yes, please"

Martha handed the phone over to Primer. "Your uncle wants to talk to you."

Primer took the phone. "Uncle Modo? Is that really you?"

"Primer! I'm so glad to hear your voice again. I thought I would never hear your voice again."

"Its good to hear your voice, too, Uncle Modo. I've missed you so much."

"Not as much as I've missed you, Primer. I hope you, Rimfire and your grandma can make it to my wedding."

"I wouldn't miss it, Uncle Modo."