"Your guys really need to get an elevator installed," she grumbled to the two mice lounging in front of the TV.

Modo, sitting in one of the recliners, cast Vinnie a lazy look. "Man, I knew we were forgettin' somethin' bro."

Jaiden rolled her eyes, turning towards the kitchen. She dropped her bags unceremoniously on the table, went to the fridge, pulled open the freezer and promptly stuck her head in. Icy fog spilled from the inside, caressing her overheated face and she hummed her pleasure. She reached blindly into the freezer, pulling an ice cube from the rectangular shaped bucket. The small cube was sucked on momentarily before being pressed to the base of throat where it started to melt upon contact, dribbling icy cold water into the hollow dip of her collarbone.

Jaiden slowly moved it around her neck to the back, then passed it between her shoulder blades a few times. An involuntary shudder passed through her as cold droplets of water trickled down her spine. It was only temporary relief from the stifling heat but she was glad for any kind of relief she could get.

Beside her the phone rang. She didn't exactly expect Modo or Vinnie to answer it and was more irritated than surprised when they both called out, "could you get that Jai?"

Resting an elbow on the edge of the refrigerator door, she picked up the cordless from its charger and pushed "talk."

"Hello," she said, her voice sounding both tired and goaded.

Laughter greeted her on the other end. "Hey. It's Charley. You okay?"

"Hot," Jaiden responded, as if saying anything more than that involved far too much effort.

Again, Charley laughed. "I've got the air conditioner on high. So what are you doing?"

"Standing here with my head in the freezer. What are you doing? Or don't I want to know?"

Jaiden could practically hear the other woman's smile through the tone of her voice. "Oh, I'm just laying here, enjoying my day off."

"Really? And is anyone enjoying that day off with you?"

"Hm�maybe."

Jaiden chuckled, shaking her head. One long nail traced a random pattern on the Formica counter top. "Well, if you feel like it, you should head over here around five. I'm going to make supper for everyone."

"Sounds good to me. Count us in."

"Alright, see you around five then."

Hanging up and returning the phone to its cradle, Jaiden indulged in a few more minutes of standing in front of the freezer with the chill being blasted gently against her flushed face, neck and shoulders. Then, regretfully, she closed the door and returned to her bags.

Minutes later, after the groceries were put away, she took the remaining bag out to the living room and dropped it into Modo's lap as she passed him.

"Don't worry, it's nothing fancy," she said, noticing his fearful, questioning look. "I'm sure Rachel will think you look great."

As Modo went to change, still looking dubious, Jaiden flopped down on the couch, laying her feet in Vinnie's lap and dangling her hand over the side, scratching Bandit behind the ear. Vinnie gave the two bare appendages a bemused look before turning his gaze to meet hers. "So who was on the phone?"

"A.S.P.C.A They wanted to know if I was treating my mouse good." She laughed at his expression of utter confusion. "It was Charley. She's enjoying her Saturday off and, judging by the sound of her voice, I'm going to take a wild guess that she's not doing it alone."

"Good to hear." He wiggled her toes back and forth between his index finger and thumb, testing them for any signs of ticklishness but also enjoying the pleasure that came from doing such a simple thing. It seemed so intimate, touching her like this, sharing such a tender moment where no passion was involved. And as always, it never failed to amaze him how comfortable he was around this woman, how he could be the guy he made such pains to hide from others. "I guess that means its just going to be you and me here enjoying this heat together, huh Gorgeous?"

A small sigh escaped her as he applied pressure to her instep. She wasn't in need of a foot rub but it felt good, nonetheless. "Yup, just you and me. Personally, I wouldn't mind a little alone time."

There was a distinguishable undertone to her voice, one that suggested subtly, invited with a secretive air and she hoped he had caught it.

"That makes two of us. I'd like to see if I could make a few�discoveries involving human/alien mouse relations," he murmured, throwing her a quick, teasing grin.

Oh, he'd caught it all right. Caught it and returned the invitation whole-heartedly. Jaiden's entire body reacted, a shudder of anticipation taking her slightly by surprise. She turned her attention to the T.V. and tried hard to ignore it. Getting all "hot and bothered" so to speak while they weren't alone wouldn't be the best idea at the moment.

Moments later Modo returned looking even more doubtful than he had when he'd left the room. Doubtful, but also very handsome. Jaiden had managed to put together an outfit that took nothing away from his Biker personality, but instead just toned it down a bit. He wore a pair of her fathers worn tennis shoes that certainly seen better days but were still presentable and comfortable, a simple pair of dark blue jean shorts that one of her brothers friends had left behind and a casual, button down t-shirt she had picked out herself that was a few shades darker than his fur.

"You sure this looks okay?" he asked anxiously.

Jaiden stood and walked over to him. She tilted her head from side to side slowly, studying him, and then reached over and undid three buttons, leaving a good amount of his muscular chest exposed. "Give Rachel a little something to get tongue tied over," she explained with a wink.

Her attempt to put Modo at ease worked and some of the tension left his body.

"Just relax�stay call and remember to be yourself, okay?" she advised, receiving only a mute nod. Smiling, she went up on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck and press a quick kiss to his cheek. "You'll be fine."

"I sure hope you're right Jaiden-ma'am."

"I am. Now go, you don't want to be late."

Modo tightened his arms around her for a brief moment, a silent plea for strength, then let her go and managed a lopsided grin. "See ya'll for supper."

"Bring Rachel back with you!" Jaiden called as he turned to leave.

"Good luck big guy! Sweep her off her feet!" Vinnie added.

They heard a short laugh followed by the gentle slam of the door, signaling that they were alone.

Jaiden sank back down onto the couch, rolling her head until it came to rest comfortably against the cushioned back. She had just started to relax, thinking it would be nice to just doze off for a while, when she suddenly found herself facing Vinnie, straddling his waist. The position was enough to jangle her nerves but she kept a straight face. "Can I help you?"

He gave her a crooked, suggestive smile. "Really want me to give you an answer to that?"

Jaiden swatted his arm lightly and slid from his lap, curling up beside him to stare at the TV. Commercials flashed across the screen. The volume was too low for her to hear what exactly they were advertising but it didn't look at all interesting. "So, what do you usually do when you're stuck here all day by yourself?" She rested her head against his shoulder and lifted her eyes, gazing at him through the thick fringe of lashes ringing her wide violet eyes.

"Same stuff I do when my bros are here. Watch TV and play video games."

"Hmm." She resisted the urge to roll her eyes skyward in exasperation with the entire male race. "Sounds like a whole lot of fun."

Vinnie grinned at her sarcastic undertone. "Sorry sweetheart, but there really isn't much to do around here." He paused, looking down at her thoughtfully. It was a well-known fact that Jaiden considered him to be completely tone deaf and he'd never really attempted to prove otherwise. Maybe now, since they were alone and had quite a bit of time on their hands before anyone returned, he'd be able to-. He stood quickly, catching Jaiden off guard and causing her to tilt sideways towards the spot he had just vacated. "Be right back," was all he gave for an explanation before disappearing into his room.

Confused, Jaiden watched him over the back of the couch until he shut the door, then slowly turned back to the TV. "Wonder what that was all about," she mused aloud.

After several minutes had passed in which she tried to get into a movie she didn't know the title to, Jaiden finally let her curiosity get the best of her. She stood, making her way around the couch and across the floor with soundless footsteps. She felt unusual, sneaking up on him like his, trying to catch him in the act of only God knew what, but she also had a niggling suspicion that Vinnie knew she was coming and was waiting patiently on the other side of that door.

Seeing that the door was already slightly ajar, she pushed it open without knocking and walked in. The sight of a few flickering candles dancing in the gloom and scattering a romantic glow over the floor and walls greeted her, startling her just about as much as the arm sliding around her waist from behind did. "Vinnie," she gasped, then said more calmly, "What are you up to?"

"A little romance," he murmured, pressing the play button on the small remote he held in his other hand and then tossing it on the unmade bed. As music filled the room-the soft, melodious notes of a piano, Vinnie turned Jaiden around to face him, taking one of her hands in his. His other arm stayed wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her close. "Better promise not to go tellin' anyone about this."

She opened her mouth to ask why when she heard the subtle twang of a guitar. It was�country music! And when Vinnie added his own sweet voice to it-one that wasn't off key at all, it was the sweetest thing she had ever heard. Emotion welled in her throat, tears in her eyes and she laid her head on his chest, falling in love with him all over again as she listened to the heartfelt words.

When the rain is blowing in your face

And the whole world is on your case

I would offer you a warm embrace

To make you feel my love

When evening shadows and the stars appear

And there is no one to dry your tears

I could hold you for a million years

To make you feel my love

I know you haven't made your mind up yet

Bit I would never do you wrong

I've known it from the moment that we met

There's no doubt in my mind where you belong

I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue

I'd go crawling down the avenue

There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do

To make you feel my love.

She tried to swallow past the lump in her throat and found it impossible. Already warm tears were coursing down her cheeks in steady, silent rivers.

Vinnie released her hand and she placed it against his furry chest where she could feel his strong heartbeat beneath the flat of her palm as he wrapped his arm around her. They swayed together, two souls winding around one another, entwining, becoming one.

The storms are raging on the rollin' sea

Down the highway of regret

The winds of change are blowing wild and free

But you ain't seen nothing like me yet

There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do

Go to the ends of the earth for you

Make you happy, make your dreams come true

To make you feel my love

As his voice drifted away to nothing and the ending notes of the song wavered in the air, Jaiden hastily brushed the tears from her face. "That was so beautiful Vinnie," she whispered thickly, not knowing what else she could say to describe how deeply touched she was.

"See? I'm not tone deaf."

She released a watery laugh, pulling away. "No, you are definitely not."

"Jai, sweetheart�did that make you cry?" he asked, noticing the redness of her eyes and the tell tale tear marks on her flushed cheeks.

"Just a little. I couldn't help it! That was the sweetest, most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me."

"Aww, come here Gorgeous." Vinnie drew her back into his arms, back where he needed her to be and held her tight, excited, yet terrified by the riot of emotions running rampant within him. Someone should have warned him that falling in love was a lot like riding a bike for the first time�frightening and exhilarating all at once. "Don't get used to it. Me singing country is a one time deal sweetheart."

Jaiden leaned back in his embrace, far enough only so that she could look up at him and smiled. "Oh, you'll do it again�some day."

He didn't know if it was the inviting smile, the way her eyes darkened to a deep indigo and filled with want, or the certainty of her softly spoken words that broke him-maybe it was a combination of all three, but suddenly he was kissing her, clutching her to him as if she were a life line.

The feel of his lips, so hot and hungry against hers, was so wonderful that Jaiden spared not even a moment to be surprised by his sudden passionate onslaught. The emotions in the room, the very atmosphere shifted dramatically. The heat, so unbearable before, became almost a necessity, driving their need for each other to new levels. It was as if that very moment had been meant to happen, as if everything, aside from them, had been waiting for it, knowing it was coming.

Vinnie pulled Jaiden as close as he could, needing desperately to feel every inch of her pressed against him. There would be no stopping this time. There was no need to. They were both more than old enough and knew in their hearts that this was what they wanted.

He ran his hands down her sides, over the gentle flare of her hips and up again, clutching handfuls of her shirt at the small of her back.

Jaiden moaned softly, her toes curling as Vinnie seduced her with his capable mouth, made her body melt, set her skin ablaze with fire wherever he touched. She shifted restlessly, unsure of what to do to ease the ache that had started low in her stomach and was now spreading indolently through her.

Vinnie pulled back, intending to take a few calming breaths and see if he couldn't gain back at least some of his control, but he knew it was pointless once her deep violet eyes, clouded with passion and love, caught his.

"I think," he murmured, lowering his head to nuzzle the curve of her neck and draw a shaky sigh from her, "that I found something for us to do."

He picked her up, cradling her small form in his arms with care and carried her to the bed. She wound her arms around his neck in one slow, catlike movement, smiling up at him. Her body quivered in anticipation, every nerve seemed to be humming and her heart�she was certain it had never pounded this hard before.

When he laid her down, it was with a gentleness that he hasn't used while kissing her. Through that one action, she realized how special this was and what it meant to him. He came down beside her, draping his leg over one of hers. Never once did his gaze stray from her face. His hand came up, brushed oh so gently over her jaw and then cradled it, his thumb playing over her cheekbone, down to her bottom lip, swollen from his kisses. "I love you so much Jaiden," he murmured in a deep, husky voice that sent a shiver of longing rippling through her.

Jaiden reached up, tracing his features with her fingertips-the cool, thin metal that hid his scars, his muzzle, the stud in his left ear, and then her hand wrapped around his neck. "Why don't you show me how much Vincent?" she whispered, drawing him down for another searing kiss.

Charley hummed softly as she poured a measured scoop of fragrant coffee grounds into the filter of her black coffee maker and flicked the switch on. It sputtered, made a few gurgling noises and then the kitchen was filled with the pleasant sound of percolating and the delicious scent of fresh brewed coffee.

Turning, the brunette, dressed in a pair of navy blue shorts and a loose fitting white tank top, pulled open the refrigerator door and scanned its meager contents. There wasn't much at all really. When you were only eating for one there was no point in keeping a fully stocked fridge. She did, however, have enough to make a decent breakfast for two.

Casting a look around the archway doorway at her bedroom where she could just make out the lump at the end of the bed where Throttle's feet were, she smiled adoringly. So many years she'd spend dreaming about moments like this-too many as far as she was concerned. But now�now the dreaming and hoping could stop. Her heart finally had what it had longed for.

Her stomach flipped, the way it always did when she thought of her rugged Biker mouse and, still smiling, she started to pull things from the fridge. "Hope he like waffles."

Throttle was drawn from his sleep by the delicious aroma of coffee and something sweeter, yet unfamiliar filling the room. He rolled onto his back, rubbing a hand over his face and pushing his unruly bangs out of his eyes. There was a moment of disorientation when he reached for his shades on the bedside table and encountered nothing, but then the events from the previous night came rushing back-the argument with Carbine, the life altering decision he had made and then coming here to Charley, the woman he truly loved.

He smiled, remembering the way her body had fit so perfectly against his when they had curled up together in her bed, remember how she had brushed her fingers so tenderly over his hand where it lay just above her flat stomach, and how she had turned to him in the early morning when the skies were turning a pale, dusty blue with tears in her eyes.

That moment was one he would never forget. It would always stick out so clearly in his mind because it had humbled him and not only that, but it had assured him that he had truly made the right choice and would never regret it in the future. It had also been the moment that they had sealed their fate as a serious couple.

As she cried, he had held her, listening as she told him how many years she had spent wishing she could be with him and how it broke her heart to watch the agony he went through when dealing with Carbine. She had confessed that it was hard for her to believe that it was finally happening, that she was finally his. All the while he held her, stroking her soft mane of hair, inhaling her scent, which had now become so familiar to him. Then he did something he had only dreamed about late at night when the lights were out and he was too tired to deny what he felt for the beautiful mechanic. He made love to her, taking his time so that they could explore, memorize the feel of each other, the curves and contours, so that they could fully enjoy the feeling of their hearts and souls melding together.

Several times he had to fight for control, despite his intentions to remain unrushed. Charley was so warm and responsive that she tempted him to forget about taking things slow. He had though, as always, remained in control.

Reluctantly pushing aside the memories from last night, Throttle sat up. As he retrieved his shades from the nightstand on the opposite side of the bed his eyes came to rest on a pair of black sweatpants he'd obviously left there at one time folded neatly at the foot of the bed. He quickly grabbed them and pulled them on, eager to have his love back in his arms again.

He found her in the kitchen, her shapely hip propped against the counter as she lazily poured batter onto a waffle iron. Throttle stood in the doorway, drinking in the sight of her standing there, her hair pulled up in a haphazard ponytail, her long slender legs, the hips he could easily span between his hands. Again, he thought of how foolish he'd been to keep her waiting for so long. But she had waited and he'd spend the rest of their life together being thankful for that.

With a grin, he walked silently across the kitchen floor and wrapped his arms around Charley, pulling her body back against his. "Mornin' beautiful," he murmured huskily, placing lazy kisses over her neck.

Charley closed her eyes and laid her head on his shoulder, offering him more of the soft flesh he sought. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Better than I have in years, Charley-girl."

She smiled. "That's good to hear. I'm making you breakfast. Do you like waffles?"

"I like you," he said, his hot breath fanning against her throat.

A shudder of longing ripped forcefully though her and she turned in his arms, mindlessly lifting her face.

Groaning, Throttle kissed her deeply, drowning in her sweet taste. He lifted her, spun around and set her on the counter beside the sink. Immediately those long legs he'd been admiring earlier wrapped around his waist and he had to swallow another low groan. He gripped her waist, so tiny under his large hands, then slid one hand under her shirt, stroking the delicate curve of her spine with his fingertips.

"Throttle�honey, I'm trying to make you breakfast here," Charley murmured against his lips, making no attempt to free herself from his embrace.

He hummed an uninterested response and kept kissing her. Laughing breathlessly, Charley tried again. "Throttle�please�everything's�gonna burn."

Pulling away, he swung her back around and set her on her own two feet, taking away only some of the temptation. It wasn't what he wanted to do �far from it actually. But he respected her enough to listen and do as she asked.

She smiled up at him, love shining in the depths of her captivating green eyes. "Don't look so down. We've got the entire day ahead of us still. Now, sit down." She gave him a gentle shove towards the table. "Did you want some coffee?"

"Yeah, sure," Throttle managed to say, trying to reign in his wild desire as he sat down.

Minutes later a cup of steaming coffee and a plate stacked with golden brown waffles sat in front of him and Charley had taken a seat across the table from him. "Thanks Charley-girl. It looks great," he said appreciatively before digging in.

The food was delicious and he tried to eat all of it but a different kind of hunger was demanding to be satisfied at the moment. One that had nothing to do with food and everything to do with the beautiful Earther across from him.

Glancing up at her, he smiled. She was picking at her food, food that hadn't been touched. Maybe she's thinking the same thing, he thought hopefully. There was only one way to find out.

"Charlene," he said softly, well aware of the pleasure it gave her to hear him use her full name. She looked up at him and he saw clearly the need written on her face. He never knew it could feel so good to be needed by the woman who loved you. "Come over here sweetheart."

Without indecision, she stood and walked around the table, sliding into his lap. Throttle snaked one arm around her waist and rested the hand of the other on her smooth thigh. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You can ask me anything Throttle, you know that."

Yes, he did know. And because he did, it made it all that much easier to do what he felt was right. "Charlene." He took his hand from her knee and placed it against her cheek, rubbing the soft skin with the pad of his thumb. "I know I'm not what you deserve and I know you could do a lot better with an Earther-"

"Throttle�"

"Let me finish hun. I also know that the life we live together is going to be full of more scrapes and bruises than you could possibly imagine but I also know that I've wasted too much time and made you wait too damn long for something we both knew would happen eventually. It doesn't make much sense to keep waiting Charley-girl. I guess I was wondering�if you'd consider marrying me?"

A slow smile, as bright as the sun and far more beautiful than any smile she had given him before, broke over her face and her bright green eyes shone with tears. "Okay�this is all too good to be true. I must be dreaming," she breathed.

Throttle shook his head, returning her smile. "You're not. So, what do you say?"

She nodded, three quick jerks, then threw her arms around his neck as joy filled her. "I love you Throttle. Of course I'll marry you!"

He held her close, truly afraid to let go, afraid that this was, as she had said, a dream and he would wake up without her. It won't happen, he told himself firmly, she's yours now. But still he clung to her, a victim to his own irrational fear. "I love you too Charlene. I swear I'll make you happy."

"I know you will," she whispered.

Needing to destroy the apprehension that nagged at him, Throttle pulled her down, taking her mouth in a hungry kiss.

"Throttle, the foods getting cold," she managed to protest half-heartedly.

"I really don't give a damn Charley-girl."

Giggling, Charley settled into his lap and willingly gave into him. His mouth was hot and greedy upon hers, dominating her senses, making her a slave to the waves of passion consuming her. With what ounce of will power she had left, Charley drew back and smiled seductively at the powerful Martian in her arms, enjoying the way he was looking at her as if he wanted to devour her. "Maybe this time we could try this with a little less control, hm?" she purred.

Throttle couldn't help but grin. She knew him too well.

Cruising down the main street of Chi-town with his nerves riding shotgun, Modo played over a dozen "cool" opening lines to say to Rachel over and over again in his head. They all sounded good but he knew it was pointless. He was a wreck and once he laid eyes on Rachel he knew he would forget every word of each carefully put together sentence no matter how many times he repeated them to himself.

All too soon he was pulling up in the driveway of a beautifully landscaped sky blue Victorian house with a wrap around porch and winding pathway to the front door. In front of him was a black blazer with the driver side door open and one long, tan leg hanging out of it, the foot clad in a sleek, black pump. Swallowing hard, Modo parked his bike and sat, wondering what to do.

The decision was taken from his hands however when Rachel got out of the blazer, shut the door and turned towards him. It was difficult to believe that this was the same woman he had met yesterday. She had her white/blond hair pulled up in an artful French twist, she wore a black skirt that ended a few inches above the knee, a blue satin, short sleeved blouse and looked, for the most part, unapproachable.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, the thought, staring silently at Rachel as she approached him.

"Hey. Sorry I'm not ready to go yet. I got held up at the office and had to finish a few things," she said, smiling brightly and using her hand to shade her eyes from the bright sun.

"That's okay ma'am. I'm early anyway." God, he hoped he didn't sound as nervous as he felt.

"Why don't you come in? You can enjoy the central air while I change."

The next thing he knew, his hand was in hers and he was being lead up the winding path and into her house.

"Go ahead and make yourself comfortable." Letting go of his hand, Rachel headed for the flight of stairs across the entryway. "Look around if you want. I'll be back down in a few."

Modo watched her as she disappeared up the stairs, her hips swaying gently with each step she took and again he thought this wasn't a great idea. He was almost certain that he was going to screw up somewhere and ruin any chance he had with this wonderful woman.

Attempting to pull his thoughts off the negative path they had been traveling, he did exactly as Rachel had told him to do and started to look around. Her house wasn't small but it wasn't large either, it was comfortably in between and very surprising to Modo. He'd expected her home to be more modern, dominated by stainless steel and dark, fashionable furniture-sharp, edgy and sophisticated. Instead it was the complete opposite.

The floors were all honey colored hard wood and woven, oval shaped rugs of sage, burgundy and cream lay scattered here and there, varying in size. To the right, through a wide archway was the living room. The walls were painted a muted shade of tan and sponged over with a dusty, light red. A couch, love seat and chair all upholstered in a rich wine-red sat around a modest television and entertainment center. A simple, rectangular shaped coffee table in front of the couch held an assortment of magazines, the newspaper from that morning and an empty mug. Framed pictures lined the walls, most of which all had the same three people in them-a younger Rachel and two older boys. They were, no doubt, her two much admired cousins.

To the left, also through an archway was a dining room bathed in the sunlight that streaked through the bow shaped bay windows whose lace curtains had been drawn aside. The dining room table was a dark mahogany with five chairs, a forest green runner and a vas of bright pink peonies. A china cabinet against the wall held a collection of flatware and crystal stemware and the entire house smelled of apple cider and pumpkin spice. Just like my old gray furred mama's, he thought with a little smile.

It was a remarkably comfortable house, the kind that people always felt welcome in, the kind one could raise a family in.

"Whoa there pard. You're getting' a little ahead of yourself," Modo muttered under his breath, crossing the floor of the living room. "I haven't even made it through five minutes of our first date yet."

He scanned the pictures on the wall, smiling at one of a very young Rachel in a pink and purple cap and gown, wearing a bright smile that lacked one front tooth. The first one he came across with her cousins was a picture of all three of them crammed in a hospital bed with Rachel's cast covered leg protruding from the covers. The next had them all sitting on a fence trying not to smile and wearing leather bomber jackets and aviator sunglasses. The last picture he stopped on caught his interest more than the others had. They were much older in this picture, each of them wearing black and gold graduation robes and grinning like maniacs. Rachel had a gold tasseled rope draped around her neck, tears in her smiling eyes and each cousin had an arm wrapped tightly around her.

"That was one of the last pictures we were ever able to take together."

Modo turned slowly, facing Rachel who stood only a few feet away. She looked much less intimidating in a pair of light blue cut off jean shorts, a plain white peasant blouse with short sleeves and white canvas flats and he felt relieved by this. She was approachable again, the same Rachel he had met last night. "Jaiden told us you went to a boarding school. Isn't that one of those all girls schools?" he asked.

She nodded, walking over to him, her eyes on the picture. "Yes. And to this day I still don't know how they got a hold of the robes, but on the day I graduated there they were, sitting in the front row and grinning�wearing bright green caps." She laughed softly. "My mother didn't even invite them so it meant the world to me that they came. They were the closest thing to family I had. Closer than my own parents."

With a sigh, she shook her head and rubbed her hands over her face, running them back through her unbound hair. "Okay, this is not the time to get all emotional. I'll grab the picnic basket and we can get going, okay?"

"Sounds good to me ma'am," he said, realizing for the first time since seeing her in the driveway that he wasn't the only one nervous. If he wasn't mistaken, Rachel's hands shook a little as she dropped them to her sides.

She disappeared, returning moments later with a very large and obviously heavy wicker picnic basket. Modo, never the kind to be anything but a gentleman, immediately took the basket and offered her his arm.

Rachel smiled up at him, again impressed by the gesture. As she slid her arm through his, she sent up a silent prayer that everything would go perfectly today and she would finally have someone to call her own, someone she could love and who would, God willing, love her back.

Modo escorted her out to his bike, allowed her a moment to coo appreciatively to it until it emitted a purr of approval (Jaiden and Charley had obviously been helping her out in understanding what him and his bros were all about) then helped her on and after handing her an extra helmet and securing the basket, they hit the road. Thirty minutes outside of town was where they stopped. Here, the land hadn't suffered the same kind of treatment that the city had and it may not have looked like much but Modo knew for a fact that there was a path through the thick woods that lined the side of the road and he knew that the path lead to a secluded clearing that overlooked the lake.

"I don't see a path anywhere, Modo," Rachel said, eyeing the trees warily as she followed him down into the shallow ditch.

The gray furred mouse hid his bike behind a group of sprawling bushed and removed the basket from the back, turning to smile at her. "You just gotta know where to look," he said, pushing aside a leaf-covered branch and revealing a slightly worn path that curved through the trees.

Modo motioned for her to go first and she gave him an amused look as she passed him. "Well, aren't you just full of surprises?"

"Not usually ma'am," he replied with a lopsided grin, falling in step behind her.

They walked a third of a mile at least before the trees fell away, sweeping around in a tight half circle that enclosed the small clearing. Clover blanketed the earth, permeating the air with its fresh, dewy scent, two white winged butterflies fluttered delicately over it, moving effortlessly through the air and the trees blocked the suns harsh rays, providing some reprieve from the heat.

"Oh wow," Rachel breathed, stepping into the center of the clearing and looking around. "This is nice. Very romantic. How did you find it?"

Setting down the picnic basket, Modo joined her, gazing out over the calm, glassy surface of the lake. "Throttle found it after one of his fights with Carbine. He told me about it a while ago but I've never been out here until now."

"Well, it's perfect. Come on." She took his hand, smiling up at him, her quicksilver eyes warm with affection. "Lets get that food out. I'm starving."

They worked together quickly and in less than a few minutes were seated side by side on a large blue and white checked blanket with a banquet spread before them. There was deviled eggs, fresh grapes and strawberries, little wrapped hotdogs Rachel called "pigs in a blanket," tortilla chips, roast beef sandwiches, two large slices of apple pie and a six pack of root beer.

"You made all of this?" Modo asked as he opened a can of root beer and handed it to Rachel.

"For the most part. The fruit wasn't exactly that hard and I'm a pro at deviled eggs. I love to bake though. Next to law it's one of my favorite things. I don't get to do it much, so when I do I guess I go a little overboard." She reached down and plucked one of the little hotdogs from its Tupperware container. "It will be nice when�well, if I ever have a family of my own to cook for," she murmured and then popped the tiny morsel into her mouth, munching thoughtfully.

Hypnotized by those full lips and the way they worked as she chewed, Modo absently wondered why she had used the word "if." Certainly this beauty would have no trouble at all snaring a husband and having a dozen gorgeous babies. It was a surprise that she wasn't married already. And before Modo could stop himself, before he even knew what he was about to say, he was asking her why she wasn't.

"Why?" she echoed him, tilting her head slightly to the side as if pondering that very question for the first time herself. "I guess�I guess it's because I was always too busy. Well, first was the all girls school�no chance for relationships there really. Then there was college and I guess I was asked out a few times but I was always too busy studying." She placed her hands behind her and leaned back. "And I guess I've just�never felt that spark, you know?"

"Spark?"

"Yeah." She shook her head a little, laughing at her own sense of whimsy. "I guess I've always believed that when you meet someone, if there's no spark, no chemistry, then it's really not worth your time to see them. But if there's something�a feeling that hits you so deeply and feels too right to ignore, then that person might be the one you're supposed to be with."

She looked over at Modo, grinning impishly. "I call it my Spark Theory. Ridiculous�I know."

"No it's not," Modo said softly. "At least you know what you want. That's more than a lot of people can say.

Across the small gap that separated them, their gazes met and held. Rachel's breath caught and she felt it-the one thing she's been waiting most of her life for. The spark. She'd felt it a few times before with him, when they had met, when they'd been standing together in his kitchen, but it hadn't been nearly this intense. It was if his gentle gaze, his deep, soothing voice had caused that much anticipated spark and then fanned it into a blazing inferno that left her feeling light headed and warm all over. She swallowed hard, licking suddenly dry lips. "What about you?" she asked, managing to keep her voice from trembling. "Any lucky girl waiting for you back on Mars?"

Modo smiled, but it was a smile that lacked any actual joy. "Nope," he stated evenly, then reached for a sandwich, not saying another word.

Nope. So, he wasn't involved with anyone. Although she was thrilled that he wasn't attached she found that fact very hard to believe. Surely other women noticed his good looks and gentle manner. No woman, regardless of whether she was from Earth or Mars, could possibly fail to be attracted to this ruggedly handsome Martian.

Maybe the women on Mars have different expectations when it comes to their men, she thought, absently picking up a sandwich and taking a small bite. She didn't have much to base an opinion on when it came to the women from Mars. All she really had for an example was�Carbine. Rachel made a face, remembering how cruel the woman had been to Jaiden and Charley. If that's how they are, maybe it's a good thing Modo never ended up with one of them.

Sighing softly, she turned to look at him again, studying his profile. Something about him made her act so strange�much more shy then she normally was. He made her feel vulnerable and small. And she liked that. It was nice to not feel like an overpowering Amazon that men cowered before. But she didn't like this shy thing. Never in her life had Rachel McPherson done shy-especially not around men. And she wasn't about to start now.

"So�Modo, have you ever been with a woman?" she asked, wincing inwardly. Way to go Rach. That was a little too straightforward, don't you think?

Yes, it was and she wanted nothing more than to crawl under a rock or find a nice, big hole to sink into. But Modo, blushing slightly, gave her an amused smile. That has to be a good sign, she thought, feeling sick to her stomach for having said such a thing.

"You gonna be okay?" he asked.

"No." She moaned softly and buried her face in her hands. "Oh my god�I can't believe I just asked you that."

Modo chuckled softly, enjoying this side of her. When she wasn't calm and collected it made him feel more confident. Confident enough even to answer her question. He looked down at the half eaten sandwich in his hand still smiling and said very softly, "Once."

Rachel's head snapped up. Her stormy blue eyes peered curiously up at him. "Excuse me?"

"Only once," he repeated. "You?"

The red stain of mortification blossoming across her cheeks deepened and she dropped her gaze to where he hands lay in her lap. "Never," she murmured, her voice scarcely audible.

"You've gotta be kidding me! A woman like you has never been with a man?"

Again her head snapped up only this time her eyes were narrowed in cold hostility. The lawyer was back in full force and he knew right away that he'd taken his new confidence a few steps too far. "I�I'm sorry ma'am. I didn't mean anything by that. I just�damn�I ain't no good at this," he muttered, shaking his head miserably. Right now he felt like the one thing he hated most�a rat.

Seeing his dismay, Rachel's expression softened and she moved closer to him, eliminating whatever space there had been. She felt foolish for reacting the way she had. He had to be just as nervous as she was and getting snappish was only going to prove to ruin this day. She looked up at him, resting a hand on his muscular arm. "Not good at what, Modo?" she inquired softly.

"This." He waved his hand at nothing in general. "Talking women. Talking to-," he looked down at her, his eyes expressing a mixture of apprehension, compassion and hope, "talking to you." His hand covered hers and warmth flooded through her. Another spark. "That's not what I meant to say Rachel."

"What did you mean to say then?"

"I meant to say that�well, you're a beautiful woman Rachel. It's hard to believe that you're not spoken for. These Earther's must be damn near blind."

Rachel bit back a grin, watching his features twist with confusion. She didn't want to stop him because this was as open as he had been with her all day and she had a feeling that stopping him now would not only cause him to clam up, but also cause her to miss out on the opportunity to hear how he felt about her. So she sat, straight faced and silent, watching him intently.

"You're the kind of woman who should have some good lookin' guy who loves you like crazy. I know," he paused, cutting his gaze to where their hands lay, "I know that I would�if you were my woman."

"You would love me?" she asked quietly.

His ever gentle gaze met hers and he gave her an irresistible grin that tempted her mind to conjure up images of her doing things with him that she'd never before done with a man. "Ma'am, you'd make it damn near impossibly not to."

Her heartbeat kicked into overtime, rapping almost frantically against her ribcage. Swallowing hard, she inched closer to him, her eyes locked on his. "I think I would really enjoy being your woman Modo."

"What about your Spark Theory?" he asked, his voice deeper than it normally was, carrying a husky edge to it.

She smiled then, her lips curving slowly. It was as if she had been keeping a secret that she was about to reveal and was going to thoroughly enjoy doing it. Of course, in a way she supposed she had been. Moving even closer, leaving nothing but a breath of space between them, Rachel took a leap of faith. "I felt that spark the very moment I saw you. I feel it now. I guess�you're the one I've been waiting for."

"You wanna make sure?" Modo cupped her face in the palm of his hand, a hand that he'd removed from her arm.

Rachel managed a small nod, whispering the word "yes" before she closed her eyes. It felt like an eternity that she waited, an eternity in which she felt his fingers brush her cheek and temple, felt her breathing slow, felt her muscles tense. But it was only a mere second�and then it happened.

He claimed her lips in a tentative kiss, so achingly tender that it brought tears to Rachel's eyes. She forgot how to breathe, how to move, how to think even, but feminine instinct kicked in, guiding her arms around his neck, reminding her to take unsteady breaths. She didn't need the instinct to kiss him back though. It was an immediate response, a desperate need finally fulfilled.

His hand gripped her waist, pulling her closer and she savored the pressure of the touch, feeling possessed and desired. When he took his lips from hers she was unable stop herself from making a tiny sound of disappointment.

"Rachel?"

She opened her eyes slowly, her lips curving up in a dream like smile as she did so. For a moment all they could do was stare at each other and then Rachel said, very softly, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "I'm a firm believer in double checking my theories."

Modo gave her a quick, rakish grin. "Amen to that," he murmured before kissing her again. This time he coaxed her lips apart and she relented with a small sigh, tilting her head back, allowing him to taste deeply of the sweetness he had longed for and would never be able to get enough of. Only slightly aware of what he was doing, Modo pressed gently against Rachel until she was lying down. He pulled away then, gazing down at his angel fallen to earth to see if he could tell by her expression alone that this was okay.

She stared up at him with heavy lidded eyes glazed over with passion. Her lips, moist and swollen, parted. A tiny smile played at the corners. "That's much more than a spark," she whispered in awe.

Her fingertips soothingly rubbed his neck and Modo closed his eyes. He didn't know if he should even try to say something. Part of him still couldn't believe this was happening.

"Modo?"

"Yeah sweetheart?" he murmured without opening his eyes.

Rachel's hand moved to the side of his face, a calm, soothing caress. "Are you okay honey?"

The heat of her body underneath his seeped through his clothing, her exotic, feminine scent, so unlike anything he'd ever smelled before, filled his nose. The ground beneath him, the cloudless sky above, the quiet chirping of insects�and his Rachel-it was all too real to be a dream. "You know," he said softly, finally opening his eyes, "I'm sure glad Throttle and Charley pushed Jaiden to meet up with you."

She laughed softly, already drawing him back down to where his own personal heaven existed against those pouty lips. "That makes two of us then." She brushed her lips softly against his. "Mmm�I just can't seem to get enough of you."

And so they spend the rest of the afternoon steeped in each other, exchanging lazy kisses, innocent and gentle touches, murmuring words when they felt the need to do so. When they were hungry they ate, laughing as they fed one another. She gave him confidence, he gave her romance and neither of them noticed how quickly the time passed them by until dark clouds collected ominously across the horizon, starting to roll closer, ruthlessly taking over the cobalt blue.

"That doesn't look good," Rachel said, daintily licking crumbs of apple pie from her fingers as she sat between Modo's legs, reclined against his chest. He had one arm wrapped low around her waist and together they watched the darkening skies. They were far too content to just be there together to actually let any alarm in the impending weather register in their passion clouded minds. Rachel did, however, manage to motivate herself enough to check the thin gold watch around her wrist for the time and saw that it was already past four. I didn't even notice, she thought, saddened by the fact that their time together was going to be coming to an end so soon. "When did Jaiden say we should be back?" she asked.

"Five," Modo replied softly. "What time is it?"

"Already past four."

The gray furred Martian whispered an oath. It was so unlike him that Rachel couldn't resist giggling at how foreign the sound was. He took her hand in his. She laced her fingers through his and he held the entwined limbs up in front of them. Her hand was soft as silk and fit perfectly in his. "We'll do this again," he murmured.

Rachel turned her head so that she could see him and smiled. "I would like that."

They shared one more lingering kiss, stretching it out for as long as they possibly could, then started packing up. Hand in hand they ambled slowly through the woods and found his bike just where they had left it. It beeped a hello and they both greeted it. Modo watched Rachel as she once again murmured compliments to Lil' Hoss, stroking the casing. It pleased him more than he could say that his bike had taken a liking to the woman he knew he wanted to spend his life with. Handing her a helmet when she was through with her praises, they mounted up, heading for the scoreboard.

The first few drops of rain had just started to fall as Modo pulled his bike into the small garage he and his bros had started using. He parked, helped Rachel off the bike and they made a quick dash for the ladder, laughing as the few drops turned into a sudden downpour. They were soaked by the time they stumbled through the doorway, still laughing and out of breath.

Jaiden poked her head around the corner to the kitchen and offered them a welcoming smile as Bandit ran out to great them, yapping happily. A clap of thunder shook the walls of the scoreboard, truly announcing the arrival of what would prove to be a very severe storm.

"Hey. Looks like you guys made it just in time," the young brunette said, moving into the narrow entryway.

"Yeah. The downpour was just starting when we got to the door." Rachel shook out her hair, attempting to brush her fingers through the damp, tangled strands.

Modo came to her aid, pulling a bandana from his back pocket. "You're soaked," he muttered affectionately as he dabbed at he rain drops clinging to her cheeks.

"You're not exactly dry yourself," she purred in response, smiling up at him, adoration written clearly in her stormy eyes.

At that moment Jaiden started to feel as if she were intruding. She opened her mouth to speak, fully prepared to excuse herself when she was cut off by an angry shout.

"ARG! This is a freakin' outrage. Burn in hell you rotten excuse for a rodent!!"

Three head snapped up, intimacy and unease forgotten. Their eyes focused warily on the living room. "I'm not sure I even want to know what that was all about," Jaiden said. But already she was leading the way toward the cavernous room.

What they encountered had both women fully bewildered. Modo simply shook his head, having seen this same scene far too many times. The TV was on, playing a children's commercial for a local restaurant. Its star-a hideous cartoon mouse. Throw pillows lay scattered around the TV stand and Vinnie sat on the couch, glaring at the screen, his gun pointed directly at the cartoon mouse.

"Vin, don't kill the TV," Modo warned, sounding almost bored.

"I'm not trying to kill the TV bro�I'm trying to kill�IT! He's a freakin' disgrace to every mouse out there! He's makin' us look bad! Trust me�I'd be doing the world a huge favor."

"Vinnie-"

The younger mouse glowered at the TV a moment longer, keeping his aim locked on the animated annoyance, then he tossed the gun aside and crossed his arms over his chest. "There," he muttered morosely. Suddenly, he jerked around, his eyes still narrowed in a hostile glare, and pointed directly at Jaiden, taking the young woman off guard. "We are NEVER taking our kids there!"

Although said in such a surly tone, the words had a profound effect on Jaiden. She stopped thinking about how crazy that mouse of hers was and her mind filled with images of violet eyed, white furred children that looked way too much like their father. Having Vinnie's children�wouldn't that be something. A dreamy smile stole over her face as she unconsciously laid a hand over her flat stomach. "I think�I'm going to go check on supper," she murmured, turning slowly and wandering out of the living room.

Rachel watched her leave, then swung around to face Vinnie, fixing him with an exasperated look. "I hope that wasn't intentional."

"What?" he returned blankly.

"I think you just gave Jaiden a one way ticket to baby dream land."

Vinnie's face twisted with confusion. "Ahh�come again?"

"She's thinkin' about havin' your kids bro," Modo explained, hard pressed to contain his own chuckles of amusement.

"Having..." The expression of perplexity lasted only a second, then comprehension dawned on him. "Ohhh!" He thought about it for a moment, leaning back against the couch and really letting himself understand how the words "our kids" had effected Jaiden. The more he thought about it, the more he started seeing things himself. Jaiden heavy with child, Jaiden cradling a tiny version of him in her arms, singing softly to it as she rocked back and forth. He couldn't find a single thing disagreeable with that. A smile, much like the one he's put on Jaiden's face, curved his lips and Modo and Rachel knew they'd lost him.

"Man, I'm gonna be an uncle a heck of a lot sooner than I thought I would," Modo muttered, shaking his head. "They both look like they agreed with that idea."

Rachel smiled and leaned against him. "It's kind of cute. I bet they would have beautiful children."

Modo looked down at the platinum blond on his arm, unable to say anything. He too was thinking about how beautiful children would be. But not Vinnie and Jaiden's. No, he was thinking about how beautiful the children would be that he and Rachel might some day have. It was a dangerous train of thought so early in the relationship. He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably.

"Oh don't pull this on me big guy. I know it's too early for us. You've got no worries about us having kids. Not yet anyway," Rachel murmured teasingly as she leaned against his arm.

Modo's jaw dropped. "I�how�how did you-," he stuttered, unable to believe that she could read him that well.

She laughed, went up on tiptoes and pressed a kiss against the corner of his mouth. "Close your jaw sweetie, you're catchin' flies." She released his arms and walked away, her hips swaying in an all too inviting way that made it all the more difficult for him not to think about having at least a dozen babies with her.

As Rachel made her way to the kitchen to help Jaiden with supper (she thought the girl may be a little too dazed to operate properly at the moment) the front door banged open, thrown against the wall by a gale forced wind that assisted in shoving Charlie and Throttle into the safety of the scoreboard. Both were drenched and dripping rainwater onto the floor.

"Modo honey, want to grab me some towels?" the blond yelled over her shoulder as she went to help the two out of their wet jackets. "Brought in half the storm with you, hm?"

Charlie gave a winded laugh, allowing Rachel to pull free the clinging fabric. "Yeah. It's really coming down. I'm surprised we even made it here."

"It didn't look too dangerous, did it?"

"I don't know. The skies are pretty angry but it doesn't look like it will be anything worse than a thunderstorm. And if it is�we're screwed. The nearest basement's on the other side of the field."

"Have a little faith Charley-girl. We'd get you there," Throttle said, stripping out of his own leather vest and hanging it on the hooks that lined the wall.

"Hey bro, need a towel?" Modo asked as he came into the entryway. He tossed one at the tan furred mouse without waiting for an answer and handed the other to Charlie. They both voiced their thanks and started to undo some of the damage the rain had done to them. As he watched his bro towel off, Modo noticed something different about the soft-spoken Martian. He couldn't put his finger on it right away but after a few moments of really studying him, he realized what it was. The stud Throttle had worn for as long as Modo could remember was gone. "Yo, Throttle�what happened to your stud?" he asked.

Throttle's head snapped up. His gaze immediately sought out Charlie who was standing at his side, twisting her hands together as bright pink stained her high cheekbones. "Did you want to tell them?" he asked softly.

She tucked her hair behind her ears, a gesture that spoke volumes of her nervous state at the moment, and in doing so she revealed the stud that now adorned her delicate lobe. "Sure. Where are Jaiden and Vinnie?"

"I'm right here," Jaiden answered, coming around the corner with Bandit at her heels. "Did you need Vinnie too?"

"Yeah. I'm sure you'd all like to hear this."

The young brunette arched a brow in interest, then yelled out, "Vin!"

"What?" he yelled back.

"Get in here!"

The white furred mouse sauntered in a moment later. He curled an arm around Jaiden's waist and the two shared an intimate look before turning their attention to the others. "What's up Charley girl?" Vinnie asked.

Charley let the silence hang a moment, let the anticipation build and then, taking a deep breath, made her announcement. "Throttle and I are engaged!"

Immediate chaos broke out. Both Rachel and Jaiden shrieked in delight and practically pounced on Charley, talking excitedly over one another. Their enthusiasm set Bandit off and the puppy set to jumping around their legs, yapping and wagging his tail. The three mice, having never seen the effect of an engagement announcement on other women, gaped at them, stunned and quite possibly a little afraid.

Vinnie chuckled softly and shook his head. "Man, you don't waste any time, do ya?"

Throttle turned to his youngest friend. "You think I should have?"

"Heck no buddy! Charley's been waitin' on you long enough. Besides, why put off the inevitable, right?" He took Throttles hand in his and gripped it tightly. "Congratulations bro."

"Thanks Vin."

"Guess I should have been able to figure that one out after seein' Charley-girl wearing your earring," Modo said, clapping a hand on his shoulder and grinning.

Throttle smiled sheepishly. "Didn't have a ring at the time. I'll get her one though."

The girls quickly finished with their excited chatter and Jaiden ushered them all into the kitchen where a meal of spaghetti, garlic toast and salad awaited them. Deciding to celebrate Charley and Throttle's engagement, the milk and root beer were replaced with the wine Jaiden had bought on a whim and a few cold beers. When they were done eating, the men showed their chivalrous side and sent the women to the living room while they stayed behind to clean up.

It was well after 6:30 by the time they rejoined Jaiden, Charley and Rachel whom were talking quietly amongst themselves as the TV played unnoticed.

"Would you guys mind getting your women away from mine before they start giving her ideas?" Vinnie joked.

Modo and Throttle shared an amused glance. "Don't see what you're worried about bro. You were the one putting idea's in her head earlier," the gray furred Martian shot back.

"Unintentionally."

His friends rolled their eyes but went to do as he asked. Even they couldn't argue with the idea of having their women closer to them.

Modo gently took Rachel's hand, murmured an apology for interrupting them, and lead his blond angel over to his recliner where she was pulled down into his lap. She sat stiffly for a moment, unaccustomed to public displays of affection, and then relaxed, snuggling closer to Modo.

Throttle wasn't nearly as polite with his interruption. In fact, it was so out of character for him that Charley had to double check and make sure it wasn't Vinnie carting her off. The tanned mouse walked up to Jaiden and Charley and without a word, scooped the green eyed mechanic into his arms, walked over to the other couch and flopped down, taking her with him. She laughed softly, finding nothing at all unpleasant with the situation and settled against him, resting her head on his chest and a hand over his heart.

Left alone, Jaiden sprawled across her couch, taking up every available inch of space as best she could. When she was good and comfortable she looked up at Vinnie and said with feigned innocence, "Oh, I'm sorry. Did you want to sit here?"

"Smart ass," he muttered in response, shoving her feet to the side so that he could sit down.

Jaiden giggled softly but it didn't take long for her to abandon her prone position and curl up next to him.

The volume on the TV was turned up and they all fell silent, watching the screen intently. Their minds, however, were elsewhere. They all knew what time it was. The thought of this moment and its significance had never once been absent from their minds. Despite the excitement and joy filled moments of the day it lingered, like a ghost traversing the boundaries of their subconscious. They all knew that their little breather, their precious few moments of pretending the world with all of its problems didn't exist, would soon be over.

So they waited, biting nails, tapping feet, silent in their anticipation of what was to come. Each minute that passed pushed at their impatience, driving their concern to new levels that were unbearable. Why hasn't he contacted us yet? they all thought. Has something happened? Yet no thoughts were given voice. When nine o'clock rolled around they started to lose hope and finally something happened, although it wasn't what they had expected.

"Throttle! Come in Throttle," a frantic voice cried from the communicator. "Come on man�be there!!"

The leader was up in instantly, rushing from his room with his bros close behind.

"That didn't sound right," Jaiden whispered. Her wide, fearful eyes were fixed on Throttle's bedroom doorway. "That wasn't Stoker. Who was that?"

"That was Rimfire, Modo's nephew," Charlie said, lunging to her feet and running to Throttle's room.

Jaiden and Rachel quickly followed her, their alarm only heightened by the dark tone of Charlie's voice.

"Calm down kid," Throttle was saying as they entered. "Just take it easy and tell me what's going on."

"The Plutarkian's made and advance�a big one. God, it was so quite today�I thought-." Static interrupted his voice.

"Rimfire?"

"Yeah�I'm here. Stoker wanted me to get back to you guys, tell you we got the clearance." He was talking fast in a voice that shook with fear. "He's out there now trying to hold 'em off. I should-"

"Hey kid, did ya get em?" Stoker's voice, faint but still audible, came over the speakers.

"Throttles on now. I told him we got the clearance to bring them what they need."

Other voices interrupted the flow of conversation, all of them talking at once, shouting, cursing. A woman screamed and it was followed by a rapid succession of blasts.

Throttle swore under his breath and leaned closer to the mic. "Hey, you guys going to be alright up there?" he asked, forcing bravado into his voice.

"Hey there mudpuppy," Stoker replied, static accompanying his rough voice.

"Stoke�what the hell is going on up there?"

The old Freedom Fighter laughed, but the sound was strained. "What's always goin' on up here? War. Damn Plutarkian's came outta nowhere�not even a goddamn warning!" Static sounded on the line again. Struggling could be heard in the background. "Listen, I don't know when we'll be able to get to you but we're going to try our best. Things got a bit busy up here�but we're�damn. RIMFIRE! BARACADE THE DOOR!"

Vinnie and Modo moved to Throttle's side, their expressions hardened. Unable to do anything but listen, the three women hung back, their hearts pounding fiercely as they listened to the sounds of all out war over the speakers. Jaiden reached out and clutched Charley's hand. It was the only thing she could think of to do at the moment that didn't make her feel completely powerless.

The shouting continued, gaining urgency. Explosions sounded, far off ones that could only be dimly heard over the speakers. "Everybody stand ready! Those ugly freaks want a damn fight�then we'll give 'em one!"

"Oh my god," Rachel whispered, leaning against the wall and covering her mouth with her hands.

Static crackled, the shouting turned desperate and a huge explosion rattled the speakers. Charlie's hand tightened around Jaiden's and the younger woman bit back a cry, watching her three hero's reactions, watching them tense, watching their shoulders jerk and their ears twitch. Then there was nothing but the constant hum of soft static.

"Stoke," Throttle questioned uncertainly. "Stoker?"

The only response he received was that of the snowy static.