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Something To Live For Chapter 5 - Recovery by Fair Drea “Psst…Vin. Hey…Vinnie, wake up man.” Vinnie groaned and opened one eye to glare at Modo who stood in the open doorway with his arms crossed over his massive chest. He was dressed in his usual attire, which made the younger Martian wonder very briefly what time it was. Instead of asking though he muttered an irritated, “what?” “Outta bed buddie. Throttle wants to talk to ya. You can let Jai sleep. We already called Charley and she wanted the girl to take the day off.” “Alright.” Vinnie rolled onto his back and yawned. “I’ll be there in a bit.” After Modo was gone and the bedroom door was shut he turned back to his side and wrapped an arm around Jaiden, pulling her sleep-warmed body close to his. She made a tiny noise that could barely pass for a sigh and snuggled in. It made him smile, the way she seemed to like being close to him and it was also a new experience for him. He’d slept with very few women in his life and the words “good morning” were usually never involved. Either he’d be gone before the sun was up or they would. And the one long-term relationship he had been in…well, she wasn’t exactly a morning person. And, if he recalled correctly, he hadn’t even been allowed on her side of the bed. But Jaiden, she was a different story all together. She slept with a hint of a smile on her tanned face, she was a snuggler and (this one he was beyond grateful for) she was not a bed hog. There was no doubt in his mind that if she were to wake up right then that she would smile and give him the sweetest “good morning” he’d ever heard. Sometime during the night she had managed to sneak out of the bedroom, change clothes and let Bandit in. The puppy now lay curled up at the foot of the bed and Vinnie assumed from the feel of her smooth as silk legs against his that she was now in shorts. It was too tempting to stay in bed with her, wrapped around her warmth. Outside thunder rumbled softly and rain pattered gently against the sides of the scoreboard, only serving to make the mood even cozier then it already was. It was with a great amount of effort and regret that he finally forced himself to get out of bed. He sat up, yawning as he scratched a non-existent itch on his bicep. Beside him, Jaiden stirred. She turned over onto her back, her thickly lashed lids drifting up to reveal the sleepy liquid violet eyes he loved to stare into and a sensual smile lighting up her face. “Good morning.” The smoky murmur made his insides feel like melted butter and unable to resist, Vinnie lay back down, hugging her close as he buried his face in the gentle curve of her neck. “If Modo comes back in here lookin’ for me yell at him and tell him to leave.” Jaiden chuckled and wrapped an arm around him. “And I should do this because?” she asked as she ran her fingertips lightly around the outside of his ear. “Because he wants me out there when clearly…I need to be in here. Now, knock it off.” “Hmm, don’t think I can.” She laughed when he shivered but didn’t stop in her exploration. “I like you’re ears way too much, honey.” Vinnie jerked his head up, putting and immediate stop to her innocent ministrations. Any more of that and he would definitely not be leaving the bedroom any time soon. “Why don’t you get a little more sleep, Gorgeous?” he suggested as he brushed her long bangs out of her eyes. “Modo and Throttle talked to Charley. She wants you to take the day off.” “But I can work,” she protested weakly, trying to hold back a yawn. She failed and her lids started to lower. “I should work.” Vinnie smiled, watching her drift back into a deep and hopefully peaceful slumber. “No, sweetheart…you need to sleep.” He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead, one on the cut that marred her soft cheek and then slid out of bed, being careful not to wake her. After grabbing his jeans from a worn chair that sat in the corner, he gave Bandit’s head a quick scratch, told him to take care of Jaiden and left the room. Throttle and Modo were waiting for him, sitting on the couch and watching Home Improvement while they nursed bottles of root beer. “Hey Vin,” Throttle greeted him, sparing only a quick glance over the back of the couch. “Glad you’re up. I was thinkin’-” “Hold that thought bro,” the younger Martian quickly cut him off. He ducked into the bathroom and emerged several minutes later, jeans on, teeth brushed and looking only slightly more awake than he had earlier. Crossing the room, he fell into one of the recliners. “So what were you saying?” “We’re thinkin’ it’s gonna take a lot more than just a butt kickin’ this time,” Modo supplied and tossed him an unopened bottle. “Since when does it take more than just that?” “Since it started involving someone’s home,” Throttle answered. “I was talking to Charley-girl and her and I both think it might help Jaiden if she were to talk to a lawyer or something.” Vinnie glowered at the bottle in his hands, twisting it this way and that. The anger from last night resurfaced violently, bringing with it an image of Jaiden standing in the doorway looking lost, scared and worse of all, beaten. “How’s a lawyer gonna help any?” he demanded angrily. “You know as well as I do that Limburger practically owns this damn city. I’d be kinda pointless to take the guy to court when every freakin’ human in the Chicago area is afraid of the guy.” “I didn’t say anything about going to court, Vin. Calm down. The lawyer was just an idea…give Jaiden someone to talk to so she’d feel like she was actually doing something. Would you rather have her sitting here doing nothing, feeling helpless and wishing she could do something?” “No,” the white furred mouse admitted with a shake of his head. Seeing the discouraged expression on Vinnie’s face was an unsettling thing and made Throttle realize just how hard all of this must have been for him. He was usually all about taking action, however reckless and careless it tended to be and it was obvious his feelings for Jaiden were holding him in line, making him think things over more carefully. A first for Mr. Act first, think later. “Vincent, listen,” he murmured, leaning forward to put less space between them. Distance was impersonal. “We’ll get Limburger, okay? Ain’t no way ol’ lard butt’s getting away with this. We’ve got…how long did Jaiden say?” “Two weeks,” the woman in question answered from Vinnie’s bedroom doorway. “You guys really didn’t make these walls on the thick side, did ya?” With a rueful smirk she walked bare footed across the room and planted herself between Throttle and Modo on the couch. “Hey kiddo, ain’t you supposed to be sleepin’?” Modo asked as he draped a strong arm over her shoulders in a brotherly gesture. She leaned against him. “I was. Some loud mouth mouse woke me up.” She shot a playfully annoyed look at Vinnie. He winked and grinned back at her, completely unashamed. She was a combination of cute and sexy, sitting between his friends in a pair of green and blue plaid shorts and an oversized New York Yankee’s t-shirt. To be upset that she was awake instead of sleeping behind a closed door where he couldn’t see her…well, that seemed a little ridiculous to him. “You hungry, Gorgeous?” “Hmm…a little bit. Why, you gonna cook for me Van Wham?” “I was thinkin’ about it.” Jaiden smiled and relaxed against Modo, feeling a warm glow seep languidly through her. The only guy who had ever cooked for her had been her father and on occasion, when forced to, her brother. “Yeah, go for it,” she murmured. Once he was gone she turned an inquisitive gaze on Throttle and poked him lightly in the leg with the tip of her toe. “So what’s this I hear about a lawyer?” “Well…Charlie and I thought it might be a good idea for you to talk to one. See what your options are.” Moving out of Modo’s brotherly one-armed embrace, Jaiden folded her legs beneath her. “You know I have no options here, Throttle,” she murmured sadly. “Yeah.” The golden furred mouse sighed as he leaned back against the couch and ran his fingers through his untamed mane of sandy brown hair. “I know, but it never hurts to try Jai. Just until we come up with something better. It’s a temporary thing.” “It’s a waste of time,” she corrected lightly, “but if it will make you guys happy…then I’ll do it.” “It would Jaiden. Charlie said she had a friend who knew of a really good lawyer. I guess the guy’s going to see what strings he can pull and Charley will get back to us when she knows something.” “You guys sure act quick,” she observed, pleased that they were trying to do so much for her. It had been so long since anyone had offered a helping hand to her, or even showed they cared enough to do so. A warm hand circled hers and she looked up into Modo’s one good eye, seeing the kindness reflected in its depths. “We look out for our friends Jaiden, that’s just the way it is,” he murmured, his voice hinting of that gentler, teddy bear side of him that she’d seen much of over the past weeks. “And what Vinnie said last night stands,” Throttle added, “we’ll help you get your house back, come hell or high water.” Hot tears gathered behind her eyes before she could stop them and she quickly ducked her head, emitting a watery chuckle. “Come on guys…I’m trying not to cry here!” “Jeez…what’d you do to her bros?” Hearing Vinnie’s voice, Jaiden looked up as she dashed at the few tears that had managed to fall with the back of her hand. “Calm down hun, they didn’t do anything. They were just being sweet, that’s all.” She noticed the bowl he was carrying through the blur of tears and held her hands up for it. “You cooked me,” she took the bowl when he handed it to her and looked down, “Coco Pebbles!” “I slaved over that.” He sighed dramatically and flopped back down into his awaiting recliner. “I just hope it will be worthy enough for you.” Jaiden made a face at him before shoving a spoonful of chocolaty goodness into her mouth. “Any plans for today?” she asked after swallowing. “Head over to the garage maybe, see how Charlie’s doing on her own,” Throttle said as he idly flipped through channels. “You’re welcome to come with, if you want.” “I’d like that. But there’s…something I have to do today. Someone I have to visit.” She lowered her gaze to her cereal, hoping that they wouldn’t ask any questions. Thankfully they didn’t. Throttled just instructed her to let them know when she wanted to go so one of them could accompany her and then the three continued to talk around her as she ate her cereal. The topic of conversation was a list of ideas that didn’t seem to merit much attention so she zoned out, her mind playing over the events of last night. She hadn’t thought of it since, to afraid to revisit the pain and hurt she’d felt. But now, as the three low voices carried over her she couldn’t help but remember it all. Limburgers evil laughter, the sneer and Alexander’s face as he loomed over her…her life crumbling all around her. Feeling a desperate need to be alone, Jaiden finished off her cereal and excused herself to take a shower. Three pairs of eyes filled with concern watched her as she rushed off but they didn’t make a move to stop her and she was grateful for that. She closed the door to the small bathroom behind her and leaned heavily against it, sliding down the glossy wood surface until she was sitting on the floor. Only managing to draw in one steady breath, she fell apart a second later, tears gliding over her cheeks as she drew her knees to her chest and hugged them tightly. She couldn’t understand any of this. War, fighting, any form of violence had always baffled her. She had no idea how she was supposed to handle facing it head on. The choice didn’t seem to be hers though. Two weeks or two days…it didn’t matter. Sooner or later she knew the time would come and she would have to fight back. True, someone would be there at her side, people would be helping her, but that didn’t lessen her fear any or offer her a moment’s peace. If anything it only made her feel worse. She’d drug them all into this, she’d made it their fight as well as hers. If anything should happen to them…she would be responsible. If anything happened to Vinnie… She stifled an agonized moan with her hand and dropped her forehead to her knees. God…if she lost Vinnie she had no idea what she would do. He’d been so wonderful to her, as a friend and as more than that. His endless support, kind words and strong arms had offered her so much. She needed him, yet at the same time she wanted to push him away, keep him safe. That wouldn’t be happening though. The determination of the Biker Mice to stick this mess out with her was an unbeatable thing. She had to smile at that. Just like her father and his band of rugged cohorts, they followed the code. Jaiden closed her eyes, forced her breathing to calm and slowly rose, crossing the room to the small shower stall. Curtains were pulled back, the water was turned on and soon steam filled the room, fogging the mirror, which hung above a simple sink. She found towels in a short cabinet beside the sink and hung one over the towel rack opposite the shower. Then, stripping from her pajamas, she stepped into the shower stall, sighing as the hot water poured over her. She welcomed the sting of heat, wrapping her arms around herself as steam rose swirled slowly upward. Now that the emotional moment was past, she could feel her mind start to clear, the fog parting to allow more rational thoughts. Thoughts like…what was she supposed to do now? She had one caring woman and three equally caring Martians backing her up so it wasn’t like she was in alone. She just had to use her mind for something more constructive than worrying. If she could do that, she was sure she could think of something. But until that brilliant idea came, what was she supposed to do? She knew without a doubt that her new friends were going to make her stay with them where they knew she would be safe and she was fine with that. The thought of returning to a home that no longer belonged to her was too painful for her to face right now. She could only hope that her presence wouldn’t become a burden to them. With a sigh, Jaiden searched the small shelves for shampoo and conditioner but found only a two in one soap. Deeming it worthy enough for the moment until she could get her own, she pushed her thoughts aside and focused on getting clean. After her shower and once she was back in her pajamas, Jaiden wiped the layer of condensation from the small mirror above the sink. A study of her reflection showed her tired lavender eyes with dark purple shadows beneath them and a slightly pale complexion. “Yikes,” she muttered despondently. Maybe she did need a little more sleep after all. Opening the door, she left the steamy confines of the bathroom and stepped out into the cool air of the living room. Vinnie still sat in the recliner looking deep in thought, but there was no sign of his bros. Walking over to him, she slid into his lap and wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. “Hey there handsome. Penny for your thoughts?” He grinned down at her, one strong arm curling around her waist. “Limburger…revenge…blowin’ stuff up. You know, the usual,” he joked. Jaiden chuckled softly and nuzzled his neck, drawing from him a tired hum of contentment. “Where’s Modo and Throttle?” “Movin’ the bikes out of the rain. Looks like a major storm is rollin’ in.” As the words left his mouth a loud clap of thunder shattered the intimate silence, reverberating in the cavernous living room. “See?” She nodded, already starting to doze off. Her mind turned in slow, languid circles as she thought about how nice it felt to be held by him, to feel his strength surround her. There was no other feeling on earth quite like it. “Guess I wont be doing any visiting today,” she muttered, yawning and resting a hand on his furry chest. “You need to quit doing that…you’re makin’ me tired, Gorgeous.” As carefully as he could, knowing the woman laying in his lap would soon be out, he raised the foot rest of the recliner to allow them both a chance to get more comfortable. “So who were you going to visit anyway?” he asked. Jaiden stretched out, draping a leg over his and her arm over his waist. “I wanted to go see my family. Its…something I do. Every now and then when I’m feeling a little lost I go to where they rest and it makes me feel better…more calm.” Vinnie smiled as he placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. “If it clears up tonight we can still go and if not, I’ll take ya tomorrow.” “Thanks Vin. You’re a sweetie.” “Don’t I know it.” They fell into silence; Jaiden slipping off while Vinnie ran his hands through her damp mane of hair, listening to the thunder roll outside. Bandit joined them shortly after and with only a small amount of help from Vinnie, the puppy managed to climb his way into the chair and curl up opposite Jaiden. It was in that very position that the three fell asleep, Jaiden cuddled up on one side of Vinnie, Bandit on the other, and the young Martian with one arm around his woman and the other serving as a pillow beneath his head. And it was in that exact position that Throttle and Modo found them. “Man,” Modo murmured as he shook his head, “hate to admit it but they sure look cute. Kinda makes me wish I had a camera.” Throttle laughed softly, looking down at the three and feeling a deep happiness for his youngest bro. “Looks like we’ll be hangin’ out in the kitchen for a while. I wouldn’t want to be the one to wake these two up. Whadaya say bro,” he placed a hand on Modo’s shoulder, “root beer and cards?” “Sounds like a plan to me.” Leaving the two alone so they could catch up on some much-needed rest, Modo and Throttle migrated to the kitchen, grateful to put their worries on hold for a while and do a little male bonding. Something cold and wet pressed against her hand, invading the warmth she seemed to be wrapped in and Jaiden slowly opened her eyes. A smile curved her lips as her violet gaze met Bandit’s chocolaty brown one. “Hey sweetheart,” she whispered, “need something?” He whimpered and reached out a paw, laying it over her hand where it rested on Vinnie’s chest. “Oh, I bet you need to go out, don’t you?” A little tail wagged in response and she laughed. “Okay. Hop down and give me a minute.” He did exactly as she asked and Jaiden wasn’t surprised. He was a very intelligent animal and she was convinced that they shared a special connection, one where loyalty and love enabled them to understand one another. Taking a moment to rub the sleep from her eyes, she glanced down at the man…well, mouse laying beneath her and smiled. She reached a hand up and ran her fingers over his strong jawbone, his lips and the cool surface of the mask he wore. He was so handsome. Especially right now with sleep softening his features and making him look almost child like. She would even go as far as to say he was beautiful, in a rugged sort of way. As her fingers touched below his ear he murmured something in his sleep and turned his face towards the caress. “Hush sweetie,” she whispered, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. He stilled immediately and Jaiden counted out a full two minutes before attempting to get up. After that was successfully accomplished, she went to Vinnie’s room to change. Dressed in a pair of light blue jeans with frayed cuffs and a dark gold sweater that complimented her dark skin tone, Jaiden left the bedroom and made her way to the kitchen where she could hear the deep lull of masculine voices. Throttle and Modo looked up from their card game when she walked in and smiled. “Hey kid, sleep well?” Modo asked. “Slept great.” She paused to give him a quick hug and then went to the fridge, determined to find something she could make edible. “So, have you guys had lunch yet?” “Nope. Didn’t even notice it was that time,” Throttle said as he laid down three cards and pulled three from a neat pile in the center of the table. “By the way…where’s my hug?” Laughing, Jaiden pulled two pounds of hamburger out of a freezer stocked with almost nothing but hotdogs, set them on the counter and went to give Throttle a hug. Simple gestures like this were just one of the many things the Biker Mice had grown accustomed to since Jaiden had come into their lives. Of course, Charlie had to explain to them why the girl acted the way she did and once they knew they were a little surprised they hadn’t figured it out on their own. Jaiden had come from a very loving family; one that had been very open and honest with their affections and just because they were gone didn’t mean the values they had instilled upon their daughter had gone with them. “So, I have to take Bandit out,” she said as she moved out of Throttles loose embrace, “I suppose one of you wants to come with me?” Throttle tossed his cards down and pushed away from the table. “I will. I have a feeling if I stick around I’m just gonna get my tail whipped anyway, right bro?” Modo grinned and laid his hand down. A royal flush. “That’s what I thought.” “So Jai, what are you planning on cooking?” the gray furred Martian asked, picking up cards and starting to shuffle them. “Not sure, something without hotdogs!” she threw over her shoulder as she followed Throttle and the puppy who was now trotting along beside him out of the scoreboard. Outside the rain had let up but its pleasing scent still permeated the air and dark, angry looking clouds hung low in the sky. Jaiden hooked a retractable leash to Bandits collar and let him roam as far as the length of rope would let him, then leaned back against the thick concrete wall that surrounded Quiggly Field. “Looks like its gonna rain again,” Throttle murmured, also resting against the wall. His shaded eyes scanned the horizon and he crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Another bad storm. We never got things like this on Mars.” Jaiden looked over at him. “You miss it?” Thunder rolled ominously in the distance, lightning streaked across the sky and after a long amount of consideration the tan furred Martian shrugged. “Sometimes I do…other times…” His voice faded off and he dropped his gaze to the rain soaked earth. “If I had to go back there’s things here I would really miss.” “Is there…someone waiting for you on Mars?” she asked almost hesitantly. Throttle laughed humorlessly, running a hand through his wild mane of hair. “I don’t even know anymore. There’s a woman, Carbine…I don’t even know how to label what we have right now. She’s not exactly happy with my decision to stay on earth and help out here with Limburger. Between the arguments and the silent treatment…a man can only deal with so much. I…love her and all, but the gal has a way of getting under your skin when she wants her way.” Something about the way he stalled when admitting his feelings for this Carbine woman made Jaiden doubt the sincerity behind his words. If it wouldn’t have been that though, his face would have surely given him away. A man in love didn’t look like he bore the weight of the world upon his shoulders. Watching a jagged streak of lightning slither across the sky, Jaiden approached the next subject with delicacy. “Does Carbine know about Charlie?” “Oh yeah…she knows alright. Charlie is one of the things she’s not happy about. Thinks there’s somethin’ going on between us.” “Well…is there?” Throttles head jerked up. “What?” Jaiden turned to face him, determined to have her suspicions confirmed. “I’ve been noticing things…the way you two act when you’re around each other. I’m not implying anything at all, please don’t think that but…is there something going between you two?” It was a long time before he answered and when he did, the torment in his voice made Jaiden wish she wouldn’t have pried into such a personal subject. His shoulders slumped and he stared at the ground once more. “I don’t know how this happened. It shouldn’t have…but it started before I could even stop it.” “Its okay, Throttle,” she murmured, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “No…it’s not right to go fallin’ for one woman, especially an Earther, when you’re already with someone. I tried not to…I tried so hard but Charlie…she’s special. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She’s strong, kind, generous…its like she’s got this heart that never knows when to stop giving and,” he sighed and shook his head, “and I just cant seem to stop takin’.” Jaiden looked up at the large Martian, a sad smile curving her lips. She hated to see him like this, but at the same time a bittersweet feeling filled her heart. He loved Charlie, she could see it so clearly now. “Throttle. Don’t be ashamed of what you feel. Sometimes things like this just happen and there’s no way we can stop them. When the heart wants to love someone, it’s going to love them, regardless of whether you feel it’s right or wrong, regardless of whether you want it to or not. And you know what I’ve found out?” He looked at her then, weariness written all over his face, etched in his strong features. She resisted the urge to hug and comfort but not the urge to touch. Lifting one hand, she cradled the side of his face against her palm. “You have to trust your heart.” “But if I do that…I’ll hurt Carbine,” he protested halfheartedly. Jaiden dropped her hand to her side. “And if you don’t you’ll just be hurting yourself.” A quick grin crossed his face and he pulled her to his side in a one armed hug. “How did you get so smart?” “I was raised by good people.” She leaned against him, watching Bandit as he pounced at sprigs of waving grass. “You don’t have to act right away. Just…think about it. I’m sure you already have been but maybe now you can see things from a different angle.” “Thanks to you kid.” Throttle ruffled her hair affectionately. “I appreciate you helpin’ me sort out this mess that’s been building up in my head. I just hope I can finish putting it in order.” “You will.” Jaiden smiled up at him. “I have faith in you.” Later that evening after Jaiden’s “almost all meat” chili had been scrapped from the large pot she had cooked it in and they’d all complimented her on such a wonderful meal, they cleared the table and at Jaiden’s insistence, pulled out the game of Monopoly that had been stashed in a closet full of old and used board games. It was as they played that the storm hanging over the city of Chicago like a threatening shadow unleashed its fury. Rain pounded against the walls of the scoreboard, thunder continuously shook the earth and inside where it was warm, three Martians and a young woman played on, oblivious to the torrential downpour. “Vinnie, you can’t do that!” Jaiden laughingly yelped. Pausing in his search for a get out of jail free card, the youngest mouse gave her the grin he knew she couldn’t resist. “Aw, come on babe. Just this once. I’m never gonna get out of here if I don’t.” “Sure you will Vin,” Modo said as he reached over and put Vinnie’s game piece back in jail. “Just shake a pair and you’re free.” “Man, there isn’t even a point. Between Throttle and Jaiden…the two own the whole dang board. Can I even land on anything without havin’ to pay?” “Free parking!” Jaiden said cheerfully, laughing at Vinnie’s sour expression. “Aw, come on baby. Don’t be like that.” “Easy for you to say, you’re not in jail.” Throttle tossed the dice onto the board, getting the pair Vinnie had been waiting for. “Can we give property out of pity?” he asked, moving his own game piece and grabbing the dice to shake again. Modo shook his head and earned a glare from their losing bro. “Nope, but I’m thinkin’ maybe we should. That or call it quits. You guys are seriously kickin’ our butts here.” “Well, what time is it?” Throttle asked as he picked up his root beer and took a long swig. Jaiden leaned back in her chair to consult the green numbers on the oven, stretching her arms above her head. “Wow…it’s almost 8.” “Man, didn’t even know it was getting that late. Yeah, we’ll call it quits. I wanted to get over to Charlie’s and check on her before it gets too late.” He shared a meaningful look with Jaiden and stood up. “You guys can stay here if you want. I won't be long.” Metal scrapped against the floor as chairs were pushed away from the table and everyone moved out of the kitchen area somewhat sluggishly. Modo clapped a hand on Throttles shoulder. “Sure, we’ll stay here. Just drive careful bro.” “Will do. Want me to tell Charlie anything for ya Jaiden?” “Yeah, tell her I’ll be in tomorrow,” she replied, smiling when Vinnie wrapped an arm around her shoulder and started dragging her towards the living room. She managed to get a quick thumbs up in before Vinnie gave up on dragging and hauled her into his arms and Throttle chuckled. Then, without wasting another minute, he was out the door and cruising through the rain soaked streets, trying to get to the Last Chance as fast as his bike permitted. He told himself a million times as he drove that he needed to calm down, be more rational about how he was approaching this situation but his heart over rode the leadership qualities within him and turned him into a follower. Jaiden’s words echoed in his head with the ring of truth and they were words he had heard before, ones he’d often thought himself but had forcefully pushed aside, until now. Now he was done ignoring what he knew to be true. He was done acting like a fool and clinging to the hope that Carbine would come around and start treating him the way he knew he deserved to be treated. Charlie would never do that to him. No, his Charlie-girl would give him the love he craved and there would never be a day spent wondering if she was going to give up on them, if she was going to stop loving him. Confidence boosted by his thoughts, Throttle pulled into the Last Chance garage and hastily parked his bike. He was calling out her name before he was even off his bike, before he’d even managed to remove his helmet, and again as he made his way up the stairs to her apartment. And she was there, sitting on the couch and looking deliciously rumpled in a faded gray robe and dark green sweatpants. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, something he never usually saw her do with it, and her hands were curled around a cup of steaming tea. She glanced up, surprise registering in her jade green eyes when she saw him standing in the doorway. “Oh! Throttle, I didn’t even hear you!” She set the cup aside and self-consciously touched a hand to her hair. “What are you doing here?” The tan furred mouse shifted from one foot to the other, all of a sudden very uncomfortable. “I thought I’d stop by and just…check on ya. See how you’re doing and everything.” A wistful smile tugged at her lips as she set aside her mug and stood, coming around the couch. She left a comfortable amount of space between them and leaned against the back of the couch. “I’m doing okay big guy. How’s Jaiden?” “She’s doin’ okay. Vinnie seems to be making it easier on her and she wants you to know she’ll be back to work tomorrow.” “That’s good. I’ll need her. A bunch of bikers came in at closing time and dropped their bikes off for some minor repairs. Its nothing to huge, but I’ll be glad to have the help again.” Charley tilted her head to the side and studied him. “You okay? You look a little tense.” Throttle cleared his throat and rubbed the back of the neck. Why the hell did this have to get hard now? He’d been so sure on his way there that he could tell her all of the things his heart had kept inside but now he was finding it difficult to give voice to those words. “Throttle?” Charlie walked up to him and laid a hand on his arm. Those deep green eyes he had gotten lost in before stared up at him with an infinite amount of concern. He shook his head and forced a smile to his lips. “Yeah, I’m okay. Been thinkin’ a bit too much today.” She laughed softly. “That could be a very dangerous thing.” Her laughter drifted away and the room fell silent as the two stared at each other, feeling things they’d felt before but had always kept to themselves. The silence carried with it an intimacy that enveloped them in its warm embrace, making them incredibly aware of one another. “Charlie-girl,” Throttle whispered, lifting a hand and tucking a strand of mahogany hair behind her ear. And then the warmth was gone and so was his certainty that he could finally end his suffering. Unbidden, and image of Carbine rose in his mind and he had to force himself to bite back the angry curse that lay heavily on his tongue. He took a step back, dropped his hand, felt a horrible coldness invade him. “I’ll see you tomorrow. If you need anything, just call,” he managed to say in a hollow voice. Before she could stop him or even manage a response he was gone and Charlie was left standing in the middle of her living room, silent tears coursing down her flushed cheeks. When he arrived home painful minutes later Jaiden and Vinnie were still up, arms wrapped around each other, the perfect picture of happiness. They glanced up when he walked in, both looking expectant. Throttle’s gaze met Jaiden’s and he shook his head sadly. Untwining herself from Vinnie’s embrace, she rose and walked over to him, going up on her tiptoes to give him a hug. “This wasn’t your last chance Throttle,” she whispered, “tomorrow's another day.” [ Next Chapter Next Chapter ] |