I still had a long ways to go. I might be stopping at another motel by the early evening, unless I make it there before it gets dark, but I'm not going to push it. I still had about 4 other states to go through before getting to Illinois. I can see about 3 more hotel stays in my future.

Before I left Vegas, I went looking for a plastic surgeon so I could look near Human again. At least make the ears smaller. I can bleach the fur to a skin tone. That wasn't a problem.

While I was looking, my phone was ringing. I looked to see who was calling. It was Nosedive.

"Hey Dive. What's up?"

"Where you at?"

"Why?"

"I just hit the road. I got a call from the Blackhawks commissioner. You and I need to be in Chicago to get welcomed to the team and I need to get my new uniform."

"I'm currently in Nevada. I'm on my way to Chicago, myself. Gotta relieve a couple of friends. They've been running the garage while I was in Cali. You got the migrator?"

"Yep."

"Ok, well I plan to see some friends here before I get back on the road."

"See ya in Chicago then. Drive safe."

"You too, Dive." Then I ended the call. I hated lying to him, but I didn't need him telling Throttle what I was doing. He gave me what I wanted. I got my divorce. Now I can live my life.

I finally found what I was looking for about an hour later. I parked the car and went in. Looked like a personal business and I was hoping he was good at what he does and no screw ups.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

14 hrs. later, I came out with smaller ears and he even took care of the fur color for me. I looked in a mirror and noticed that I look almost human. Even the fur color was skin tone color.

"Thanks doc. What do I owe you?"

"Don't worry about it, Ms. Montana."

I looked at him in shock.

"How did you know who I was?"

"Your voice. I knew you were the bounty hunter that moved from California. Next time you're in town, I'd like to see how you're doing with the new improvements."

"Sure thing, doc and thanks."

He gave me his business card and I got up and left his office. I walked back out my car, got in and headed back out to the highway.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Throttle and Modo couldn't believe that they were headed back to Cali. They couldn't figure out what the problem was.

"Next rest stop we're going to look over our bikes. I think she did something to them."

"I thought you said she wouldn't mess with the bikes?"

"She wouldn't disable them, but I think she would do something to them."

"We'll figure it out at the next rest stop. I'm sorry she's doing this to you."

"I gave her what she wanted, but if she hasn't signed the papers, then there's still a chance."

"I hate to tell ya, Throttle, but she's making it very clear that there isn't a chance. She wants to get as far away from you as possible."

"I'm hoping she'll at least come see the boys every weekend."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then I'm terminating her parental rights. The boys don't need this in their lives, Modo."

"Why not just go ahead and terminate her rights when we get back? Its obvious she doesn't want to be around you or the boys. Your mom and Charley do a better job taking care of those 2 anyway."

"That is true. They're more of a mother than Michelle could ever be right now. You know what, I think I will terminate her rights. Like you said, my mom and Charley do a better job with the boys. But what I don't understand is why you would tell me to terminate her rights? I thought you were big on family staying together?"

"I am, but its very clear that she doesn't want her family. This all stems from what Anthony said to her. Since then, its been all downhill with you 4. Its probably better this way for you and your twins, anyway."

"Maybe. I should probably call my mom and see if Michelle had signed the papers. If she hadn't, then maybe I can still get her to try marriage counseling."

"And if not?"

"Then I'll terminate her parental rights. I need to try and get back together with her, no matter what it takes. All I want to know is why she doesn't want this to work. She won't tell me."

"Do you think she'd talk to your mom or Charley if they called her?"

"I don't know, maybe. Here's our exit." Then they turned into the rest area.

They got off their bikes and looked them over. They both found the same thing.

"At least she didn't disable them."

"No, just reprogrammed them to take us back to California."

"She has too much respect for the bikes to do anything damaging to them. Especially to your bike."

"More like her bike. All the times I've left her with Michelle, she's grown attached to Michelle."

"Yet, here you are with your bike."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

I had stopped by Carbine and Morgan's place for a little visit. I had to see their new bundle of joy and see how they're doing. I was hoping neither of them ask about Throttle. I didn't want to deal with that can of worms. I just want to leave that life behind me.

I pulled into their driveway and turned the engine off. I got out and locked the door. I walked up to their door and knocked.

Carbine opened the door and couldn't believe that I was standing at their door.

"Morgan, honey. Michelle is here."

"Let her in, silly."

Carbine moved aside and let me in. She looked around and saw that Throttle wasn't with me.

"Where's Throttle? Why didn't he come with you?" She closed the door afterwards.

"Guess you haven't heard."

"Heard what?"

"His dad came back to get him and his mom, then took them to Mars. Came back about a month later. By then, I had gone back to Chicago to run the garage. Let me back up a bit. Before Throttle and his mom went back to Mars with his dad, Throttle had signed the divorce papers. When his dad was bringing his son back, I was in Cali, visiting my boys. He wanted me to give marriage counseling a try and I said I would, but then shit hit the fan, I left. I hadn't signed the papers while I was there. I should have. Then I find out, that both Modo and Throttle have been following me until I reprogrammed their bikes to take them back to Cali."

"Hold on a minute here. I thought you killed Throttle's dad? How did he come back for his family?"

"Karbunkle and some other deranged Dr. had put his body in cryogenics same day I had killed him. 4 yrs. later, they thaw him out, replace his bones with Plutarkian glass steel coated in adamantium. They basically turned him into a cyborg and gave him a mission. He was to get his family back. That's all he really wanted. After losing the baby, Tredz realized what he did. He felt bad for attacking me and apologized. He also apologized for the other times he tried to ruin my life. He even got to meet his grandsons for the first time. He gave me his word that he wouldn't abuse his ex-wife and son from here on out. So far, he's kept his word. If he wants to live for a 2nd time, he'll keep his word."

"So, are you going to try the marriage counseling with Throttle?"

"Nope. I threw my ring at him this morning at the motel they were at. I had walked by him and threw it on my way out."

"And what about your boys?"

"I plan to see them every weekend. If there's days where I can't, I'll video call them through Skype. I love those boys, Carbine."

"I know you do. What if Throttle decides to terminate your parental rights?"

"If that's his choice, I can't stop him."

"I don't mean to change the subject, but that's an interesting type of plastic surgery." Morgan pointed at my ears.

"Oh, this. I wanted to look more Human. Before you say anything, I know the tail still means I'm a mouse, but I can also wrap it around me like a belt. Works great when wearing a long coat."

"Interesting. As a man who's been married once before, I tried marriage counseling for a while with my ex, but when the counselor saw that it wasn't working, her and I went our separate ways. We, at least, gave it try. Maybe you should too. Especially, since you haven't signed the papers yet."

"I'll think about it while on my way back to Chicago. I have to relieve a couple of friends at the garage."

"Thank you for at least thinking about it. You staying in town?"

"No, I'm actually on my back to Chicago. I have quite a ways to go. I'm hoping to get through the next 2 states before I call it a night. I just thought I'd stop by to see your new bundle of joy."

"Well, he's napping right now. Maybe next time you're in town, you can see him when he's up."

"That would be great. Sorry I couldn't see him today. I have a long road trip ahead of me, so I better get going. Feel free to call me any time, you 2. Whether it's a phone call or a Skype video call. You both helped a lot when Throttle was forced to leave."

"It was our pleasure. Drive safe."

"I will." Then I hugged both Carbine and Morgan, then stood up and walked to their door. I opened it and walked out, closing it behind me. I walked to my car and got in. I started the car and hit the road.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Scottsville, CA. Silverdawn had just finished washing the dishes from lunch when the phone rang. She dried her hands off and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey mom."

"You ok, sweetie?"

"Not really mom. Could you do me a favor and check the nightstand in my room. I have a feeling Michelle signed the papers."

"I can go check for you, sweetie. If you're wrong?"

"Then I continue to get her back. I'm not going to give up on her, mom. I can't."

After Silverdawn opened the drawer on the nightstand, she pulled out the envelope and pulled out the paperwork. She put the speakerphone on and went through the paperwork.

"You still there, Throttle?"

"Yeah, I'm still here, mom. She sign the paperwork?"

"No, she didn't."

"I'm so glad, but I have a problem. Modo suggested I terminate Michelle's parental rights. I'm strongly thinking about it."

"Its up to you, sweetie, but remember that those boys will miss their mother and may resent you for terminating her parental rights."

Throttle was about to say something but realized that his mom was right. He sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right mom. I just feel that what we had 4 yrs. ago isn't what it use to be."

"Would you like me to call her and talk with her?"

"If you think it will help, go for it. Just don't tell her it was your idea or my idea. Call her cause you're worried about her."

"I am worried about her and so is Charley. Meredith is worried about Modo. Is he with you?"

"Yeah, he is. Hold on." Then he handed the phone over to Modo.

Silverdawn had handed the house phone over to Meredith so she could talk to her son.

"Everything ok, momma?"

"I've been worried about you, Modo. I had no idea where you were."

"I'm sorry for making you worry about me. I've been with Throttle this whole time."

"You could have used his phone to call me, young man."

While Meredith was chewing out her son, Silverdawn grabbed Charley's cell phone and called me.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Salt Lake City, Utah. I had just made it to the state capital and searched for a place to sleep for the night.

While I was at a red light, I noticed my phone was going off. It was Charley. I was glad I had a Bluetooth ear piece on when I answered the call.

"Hey Charley. What's up?"

"Its not Charley, sweetie."

"Hey Silverdawn. Why you calling from Charley's cell phone?"

"She's letting me borrow it while she's out shopping."

"What can I do for you?"

"Just checking in on you. Charley and I go a bit worried cause you hadn't called."

"Sorry. I've been on the road and didn't have a hands-free device while driving. It's a law in all 50 states now. How are the boys?"

"Good. They've been asking when you plan to call them."

"I can talk to them while I'm driving right now. Can I talk with Tyrone?"

"Of course." Then she called up to the boys' room. Tyrone came downstairs and got on the phone.

"Hey mom. Nosedive tell you about the call he got?"

"Yes, he did, Ty. I'm on my way to Chicago as well. I have to get some money made so I can come see you boys next weekend."

"Grandma said you and dad were going to try marriage counseling. Why are you changing your mind, mom?"

"Its complicated, Ty. I'll never stop loving you and your brother, though. Don't let your father tell you otherwise."

"Tony still feels bad for causing all this, even though he apologized. He told me that you never really accepted his apology, mom."

"I had only accepted half of his apology. What he said hurt me, Ty. Its not something I can forgive completely."

"I know, mom. I want you here all the time, mom. Not just come for the weekends."

"I know you do, Ty, but things aren't working out with your father and I right now."

"Why can't you just make it work and come home, please. Tony and I miss you so much, mom."

"Give me 'til next weekend to think about it, Ty?"

"I'll give you 'til tomorrow morning instead."

"This is something that I really need to think about and you need to talk to your father and brother about it, too. We all have to be in agreement. So, I'll have an answer by next weekend."

Tyrone sighed. "Fine. Next weekend then." Then Charley walked into the house. "Aunt Charley just got home. Wanna talk with her?"

"Sure." Then he walked over to Charley and handed the phone over. "Its my mom."

"Thank you, Ty." Then she answered the phone. "Hey Mike. Its nice to finally hear from you."

"I already got a chewing out from Silverdawn."

"I'm not chewing you out. I knew why you didn't answer your cell when I would call."

"I saw all the missed calls from you. I stopped by Carbine and Morgan's place."

"How are they doing? Have you seen the baby yet?"

"He was taking a nap and they're doing good. They didn't know that Throttle and I split up."

"Throttle didn't mention it to me either. What is going on between you 2?"

"Everything, Charley. This is all stemming from what Tony said to me. Its just getting worse between Throttle and I. I should have signed the damn papers before I left."

"Whoa, what papers?"

"Divorce papers, Charley. The papers that Throttle signed when his dad came back for him and his mom."

"Didn't you kill Tredz, though? How'd he come back from the dead?"

"Ask him. It seems that so far, he's kept his word to me that he won't abuse his family in any way."

"You made him promise?"

"Yep. I hate to cut this short, but I have been driving since very early this morning. I'm really worn out."

"Ok Mike. Call before you head out in the morning."

"Alright, Charley. Talk to you tomorrow morning." Then I ended the call.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Lake Head rest area outside of Redding, CA. Throttle had just taken care of the problem on both bikes. Modo had just gotten off the phone with his mom at the same time.

"That didn't sound good. She give you a chewing out?"

"Yeah, she did. She is right, though. I should have called her so she wouldn't have worried so much about me."

"You're grown mouse, Modo."

"She's still my mom, bro. I'm her only son."

"Point made. I took care of the reprogramming problem. Let's turn around and go after her. I don't care how, but I'm bringing her back with us."

"Even if it means knocking her out? Throttle, be reasonable."

"You heard me, Modo. Whatever it takes."

"Then I can't be part of this. I won't hit her. Count me out. Besides, I wanna spend time with my mom since reuniting with her."

"Ok, Modo. I understand. In the meantime, help my mom take care of my boys."

"I will, bro. Later." Then he continued his ride back to Scottsville. Throttle turned around and headed for wherever I was at.