Marriage of Convenience

Part Three

Entering one of the workrooms, Cheetara turned on the light and sat down at a computer. She flipped the monitor open and turned the machine on. A few seconds later, a cursor sat blinking on the screen. The cheetah typed in three code commands, her name, and her password. Pages of words flashed up the screen, words that had been typed in from the beginning of the building of Cat’s Lair on 3rd Earth.

It had been years since Cheetara had been in her journal archives. She glanced through the entries now with a warm smile showing on her face; the memories that she had forgotten now coming to the recesses of her mind. The cheetah scrolled to the bottom and typed in the current date. Then she typed in her thoughts...

I cannot believe how long it has been since I last typed in an entry into my journal log. It was Tygra who insisted that we keep a daily log of everything that happened to us while on the strange planet of 3rd Earth. And now, 3rd Earth feels like a second home to me. Since the ThunderCats have re-established on New Thundera, there has not been much need to enter a daily log, although I can retrieved these logs there too.

It was a wonderful pleasure to read some of my old entries. I had forgotten some of the little things that happened to me...the things that make me care deeply for Lion-O.

Now I find myself married to the Lord of the ThunderCats no less. It’s an arranged marriage made between him and me. I wonder if it will work out as he thinks.

It’s funny, though. I don’t feel like the Lady of the ThunderCats. Perhaps I haven’t given myself time to let that sink in. What is daunting is the thought that I would have agreed to marry him even if he wasn’t Lord.

Where did that thought come from? By Jaga! Could I actually be in love with him? Me, Cheetara...in love with Lion-O? I know that I have always held a special place in my heart for him. And I know it is not just because he is my leader either. But to be in love with him...that frightens me. Yet, how do I explain the idea of agreeing to such a marriage proposal so easily? If anyone else had brought up such a plan, I would have thought they were out of their mind and called it preposterous. But I could never say no to Lion-O.

I know it is silly, but I am frightened of consummating my vows with him. (I hope no one sees this log.) The whole thing is scary; the physical and emotional parts. To give myself to someone like that, is like giving my heart and soul to someone. It must be out of love. I would feel better if I knew that he at least cared about me as much as I do him. But I can’t keep putting it off. Lion-O has to have an heir, and I desperately want a child. Maybe I should put my trust in him with this marriage as I have done in the past.

The last thing I want is for either of us to regret this marriage happened though. If he ever decided to get out of it (please, don’t let him ever think that), a child would only make things worse.

No, I need to wait until I at least get a hint that Lion-O cares about me. If I ask him, he’ll say he does just to appease me.

A knock at the door made Cheetara jump. She quickly saved the entry and put the monitor down as Snarfer popped into the room. “Dinner is...where’s Lion-O?”

“He’s in the study.”

“What? You two are doing work on your honeymoon?”

“Just because we are on our honeymoon doesn’t mean we can shirk our responsibilities as ThunderCats, Snarfer,” Cheetara commented. She hoped it would convince him.

“I guess not,” he answered dryly. “Dinner’s ready. Would you tell Lion-O?”

The cheetah nodded her head. “Of course I will.”

When Snarfer bobbled out of the monitor room, Cheetara put the screen up again. The cursor was blinking, waiting for the next command. She exited out of the program, turned off the computer, and closed it shut. The cheetah left the room and went to the library. She found Lion-O sitting at the study table reading a book. He glanced up as he heard her enter. “What is it?”

“Snarfer has dinner ready.” The cheetah sat down in the chair next to him. “I think he is beginning to suspect that something is...different about our marriage.”

“I’ll guess we will have to convince him otherwise,” Lion-O replied, taking her hand in his.

“Yeah, we can’t have him voicing his suspicions to the ThunderCats.”

“Or Snarf,” he added. “He’ll be the hardest one to convince that we’re in love.”

Cheetara hung her head and smiled weakly. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Cheetara. We’ll do it. We’ll just have to be more careful on Thundera.”

Lion-O stood up and helped Cheetara to her feet.

“After Snarfer leaves, it will be easier on us.”

They held hands as they headed to the dining room. As they walked, Lion-O suggested that they go visit Snow Man on Hook Mountain tomorrow. Cheetara agreed. It would be good to see their old ally and friend again.

“There you two are,” Snarfer said as Lion-O and Cheetara entered the dining room. “I’ve just finished placing all the food on the table.”

Cheetara gasped at all the food the snarf had prepared. “Good grief, Snarfer. You’ve got enough food here to feed a small army.”

Snarfer waved a wooden spoon at her as he replied, “Snarf told me to make this much. He said that you two would need all the energy you could get for tonight.”

Lion-O chuckled as Cheetara blushed. “Well, he is right. I can’t get you pregnant on an empty stomach,” he remarked.

They sat down while Snarfer filled their glasses. The cheetah was too embarrassed to say anything. “Besides, you can eat leftovers tomorrow,” the furry creature commented.

Snarfer untied his apron that had ‘Kiss me. I’m a snarf!’ embroidered on it. “Okay, I’ll return in an hour to clean up, then I’ll be gone.”

“You’re not staying to eat?” Cheetara asked.

“I already ate. I wanted to make sure that you two had some time to yourself,” he explained and walked out of the room.

Lion-O and Cheetara ate their dinner in silence before Lion-O brought a conversation to the table. “Do you want me to bring your things to my room after dinner?”

Cheetara looked at Lion-O oddly. “Why do you ask that?”

“You said this morning that you were going to sleep in my room tonight. I thought it would be easier if you brought your things to my room. We’re gonna have to do it anyway when we get back to Thundera.”

Cheetara completely forgot that she had agreed to sleep in his bed that night. She only said it in the heat of the argument, and when she had cooled down, she had forgotten about it.

“Um, best to wait till after Snarfer cleans up and leaves.” Cheetara suggested.

“Good point. In the mean time, we can think of something to make Snarfer think we’re really a couple.” Lion-O said.

An hour later, Snarfer came just as he said to clean up. With his back to the door, he didn’t see Lion-O peek in. Lion-O turned around and signaled Cheetara to begin what they rehearsed.

Cheetara nodded. She began to laugh. “Lion-O, not now. Snarfer is here. We’ll wait until after he leaves.”

“I don’t want to wait.”

Snarfer, who was washing dishes, raised his ears.

“Do you really want to with another person here?”

“We’ll have to get use to it when we get back.”

“Until then, we wait, and you know it’ll be worth it.” Cheetara said sultry. “How about we go to your study for a little private time.”

Snarfer heard the sound of footsteps leaving. “Snarfer! I better hurry up and get out of here.”

When he was through cleaning up, Snarfer went to find Lion-O and Cheetara. He overheard them saying they would go to his study. Snarfer knocked hoping not to barge in on them. Lion-O and Cheetara were actually sitting opposite from each other at his desk waiting for Snarfer, as they played UNO. When they heard him knock, they got in there positions. Lion-O gave Snarfer the okay. Snarfer entered and found Cheetara laying on Lion-O on the sofa. They were reading a book together.

“Sorry to disturb you two, but I was wondering if it was okay I talk to Uncle Snarf before I go.”

“Sure, Snarf. Go ahead.” Cheetara said.

“Okay. I’ll be real quick and then I’ll be off.” Snarfer said and closed the door.

The two waited a few minutes. Cheetara got off Lion-O and Lion-O left the room. He found Snarfer in the control room talking to Snarf. He listened in on the conversation.

“Lion-O and Cheetara are having doing great here. In fact, I’m getting the idea that they want to be alone now, so I’m going go. Yep. Snarfer. Snarfer.”

Lion-O smiled and went back to his study. He gave Cheetara a thumb’s up. When Snarfer left, he brought Cheetara’s clothes to his room. When it came to be bedtime, Cheetara found herself in Lion-O’s bedroom changing clothes and becoming angry with herself. Thankfully, Lion-O was still in his study while Cheetara got ready for bed.

“I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have said I would sleep in his bed. I should’ve cool off before I said anything. Now he’s going to think I’m ready to be with him and I’m not. I’m scared.”

She took off her clothes and put on her nightclothes, a red camisole top with matching red pants. The cheetah put her clothes in the hamper and walked out. Cheetara rubbed her sleeveless arms. The room was cool. She saw the reason why: the window was opened. Cheetara walked to the window, closed it and got in bed.

Lion-O came in moments later. He pulled off his shirt and tossed it on the floor.

Cheetara rolled her eyes. “Lion-O, the hamper is in the bathroom. Put your clothes in there.”

“What’s the big deal? On the floor or in the hamper, it’s going to get wash tomorrow,” Lion-O pointed out.

Cheetara sighed and shook her head. Lion-O didn’t see her. Cheetara turned her head when he took off his shorts. How is it that he felt comfortable about taking off his clothes in front of her and she didn’t? Was he trying to tempt her?

“Is it me or is it hot in here?” Lion-O asked.

Thinking he changed his clothes, Cheetara looked at him. She gasped and blushed and quickly turned away. He was just wearing his boxers. “It’s fine to me, and I thought you finished dressing.”

“I will. It’s no big deal. You’re going to see all me eventually. Anyway, it is hot.” He walked over to the window in front of Cheetara. The cheetah closed her eyes. Lion-O lifted the window bringing in the cool air. He walked to his chest and pulled out a pair of black pajamas pants. As he put it on, he saw Cheetara closing the window.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

“It’s cold,” Cheetara said and got back in the bed.

“It’s hot.”

“Fine,” Cheetara huffed angrily and got out of bed. She opened the window. She got back in bed and pulled the covers to her chest. “Happy now?”

Lion-O sighed. “Not if you’re going to be like that,” he said and closed the window. “Remember, you’re the one who wanted to sleep in here.”

“I didn’t say that,” Cheetara argued.

“You said as much when you were angry at me for suggesting we sleep in separate quarters. I thought you’d be comfortable there, but I was wrong.” He explained as he walked to his side of the bed and got in.

“If you hadn’t suggest we sleep in our old rooms, we wouldn’t be so caught off by Snarfer this morning.”

“I made my point,” Lion-O said folding his arm.

He did make a point and Cheetara walked right into it. “Ugh!” Cheetara groaned and turn over. “Good night, Lion-O.” There was nothing good about her words. Cheetara was angry.

“Good night, Cheetara,” Lion-O said calmly. He turn on his side, his back to her and went to sleep.

When Cheetara awakened the next morning, she was going to get up and go on her morning run; however, something stopped her. When she and Lion-O went to sleep, his back was to her. Now he was cuddled up to her with his right arm draped over her and his hand up her shirt. How could she not feel that while she slept last night?

Cheetara heard Lion-O mumble in his sleep and he pulled her closer and his hand went higher. Cheetara started to blush. She had to get him or better yet his hands off her.

“Lion-O.”

Lion-O kept sleeping.

“Lion-O.” Cheetara said.

The lion slept but his body was moving. His hands rubbed her up her shirt. Exciting as that may be, Cheetara was also a little scared.

“Lion-O, wake up!” She shouted.

Lion-O awakened abruptly. He yawned. “What’s wrong?” He saw his hand up her shirt. “How did that get there?”

“That’s what I like to know,” Cheetara said smartly. “If you were so hot last night, then why did you cuddled up with me and put your hand up my shirt?”

“I don’t sleep in the same position. I toss and turn in my sleep until I’m comfortable.”

“And your hand felt comfortable up my shirt? On my--”

“I’m sorry!” Lion-O interrupted. “I don’t know what I’m doing in my sleep.”

“You know, your hand is still on them,” Cheetara pointed out.

“Oh,” Lion-O flushed and removed his hand from her shirt.

Cheetara pulled back the covers and got out of bed. “I’m going to go for a run before Snarfer gets here.”

Lion-O watches Cheetara walk around the bed towards the bathroom and said, “What’s strange about it, is that was the best sleep I had in a long time.”

“I bet.” Cheetara commented and entered the bathroom.

When Cheetara got back from her run, she took a shower and ate breakfast with Lion-O. Later that afternoon the two went to see Snow Man on Hook Mountain. Snow Meow came out and joyfully greets the couple. Snow Man followed after him.

“Lord Lion-O, Cheetara. So good to see you. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has,” Lion-O said. “We got some news to tell you. Cheetara and I got married and we are on our honeymoon.”

“Oh, that is good news Lion-O, Cheetara. I guess that makes you Lady Cheetara.”

Cheetara smiled. “Yes, it does. Although it hasn’t settled in yet.”

“I think it’s great you two got together.”

Cheetara was taken by surprise. “You do?”

“You two looked and acted like a couple at times.” Snow Man pointed out.

The three talked the rest of the afternoon to catch up. However, the rest of the day, Cheetara was quiet. Lion-O became concern about it. He didn’t say anything about it until they were alone in their bed. Cheetara was already in there, getting ready to go to sleep. Lion-O changed and got in bed after her. He took her hand, making Cheetara look at him.

“Cheetara, are you all right?”

Cheetara looked at him surprised. “Why do you say that?”

“You were quiet ever since we left Hook Mountain and the rest of the day. Is something wrong?”

Cheetara propped herself on her elbow and looked at him. “Snow Man mentioned today how we acted and look like a couple at times, and I’m reminded when we told the Thundercats we were going to marry, they were happy. Panthro even said it was about time. I guess I’m wondering how they saw that and we didn’t. How do they even think we are a couple?”

“We do spend time together and we get along very well.”

“I hang out with Tygra, too, and nobody thought that,” Cheetara pointed out.

Lion-O raised an eyebrow. “You want to be with Tygra and not me?” Lion-O questioned.

“NO!” Cheetara was surprised how loud she shouted. “I mean, no. I don’t like Tygra like that. He’s only a friend, you know that.”

“That’s good. Imagine the scandal: Lord of the Thundercats wife in love with the Second-in-command, Tygra, and is having his baby.”

Cheetara couldn’t help but laugh, loudly and playfully slap him. “You crazy man.”

She slowly stopped laughing and just looked at him.

“It’s good to see you smile,” Lion-O said.

Cheetara smiled. She looked him over from his face to his chest where the sheets begin to cover him. He was handsome and she knew she was in love with him. She looked back at him, now noticing him. His facial features were young, but mature. His eyebrows were so long and thick. His red cat-eyes were alluring, tempting. She knew she could get lost him, and with his looking at her now with a soft, penetrating gaze, she was feeling weak in her knees.

I am in love with him. Oh, I don’t believe this. Keep your cool Cheetara and wait until he shows any feelings for you.

They stared at each other for ten minutes, neither saying a word.

“Um, uh,” she shyly looked down away from his eyes. “I’m going to sleep to get away from your silliness.” She rolled on her side and closed her eyes. “And keep an eye on your hands tonight.”

Lion-O switched the lamp on the nightstand off and mumbled. “One little innocent mistake and I get in trouble.”

“That mistake wasn’t innocent.” Cheetara said with her eyes closed.

“Well, if we were already intimate, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Cheetara didn’t say anything. She figured it’d get thrown back at her. She sucked in a breath as she felt Lion-O cuddle closer to her. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to sleep.”

“You never slept like this before.”

“I never slept so good before. I told you that this morning. Besides, this keeps you warm since you complain about being cold and this gets us prepared anyway. I’m sure we will be sleeping like this sometime anyway. And don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on my hand.”

“I’m not comfortable with it.” Cheetara said moving away from him.

“You’re not?” Lion-O asked.

“No, everything still hasn’t settled in yet.” She explained.

Lion-O pulled back to his side of the bed. “If that’s what you want.”

Cheetara looked back and saw his back was to her. She felt bad for what she was doing but it had to be done.

Lion-O and Cheetara remained like roommates the rest of the honeymoon. They visited the Berbils and Warrior Maidens the rest of the week. Cheetara could have sworn she got a few dirty looks from some maidens when Lion-O announced that Cheetara was his wife. She shrugged it off though. When they were alone at night, they would spend time together playing games such as Monopoly and Scramble. As they loaded their things in the Feliner for the trip back to New Thundera, they knew things would have to be different. They will have to act like a married couple. To Cheetara, it didn’t seem like a big deal to Lion-O, but it was to her. She prayed that the marriage would work now that she realized for the past few years she had been in love with him.