I do not own the Biker Mice from Mars (even if I would really like to) I do how ever own the character Darknight and should not be used without my authorisation. This has been written for my own amusement and for the pleasure of my fellow BMFM fans. Please let me know what you think of it no matter how bad it is. Now, for the fun part !

Monday, July 19, 1999

Introduction

Last Chance garage, late Saturday night. The guys were fighting, again. Charleen, next to her bike was looking at her now less favourite heros with one of those look that could freeze the world over and shouted "GUYS!" but without any effects. It was then that an evil smile passed on her face as she turned to the radio, placed a CD in it, turned the volume to the max and pressed play. All three mice stopped right there as the first notes of The Phantom of the Opera blasted out of the speakers.

"CHARLEY!!!" was all that Vinnie could yell as his bros stood in shock.

With a sigh, Charleen just pressed the stop button and turned to them "Now that I have your attention, would you please be kind enough as to STOP THAT FIGHTING BEFORE YOU TAKE MY POOR GARAGE DOWN!!"

"We weren’t fighting, we were ... forcefully explaining to each other why our foot ball team should win the playoff." Throttle said with one of his best smile , hoping to cool Charley-girl down. Girls always smiled when he did that. Then again, Charley wasn’t just any girl. She knew him too well and no smile warmed her freezing stare. He just got up over his bros to walk to her to caress her cheek and chin but still she didn’t change. Boy, were they in trouble!

"In other words, you, Vinnie and Modo were shouting and fighting over football in the middle of my living room, again. "Charley snapped back at him

"Sorry Charley-ma’am" Modo said letting go of Vinnie’s bandanna and getting up "Guess we got carried away."

"He’s right babe, sorry for that." Replied Throttle as he adjusted his shades back up.

"Maybe but did you have to put THAT on sweetheart?" Whined Vinnie still on the floor.

"Why do you think I bought it in the first place? And it’s so much more fun then screaming. Now, pick that mess up!"

Chapter one: Introducing the night.

As they rode in the quiet Chicago, Throttle turned to his bros a worried face. Charley-girl had been real mad tonight. He could understand her for they DID mess the place real bad, broke the table, again, and perhaps were just a bit too loud while she tried to work.

"Let’s face it bros, we went too far tonight." Throttle said.

"Why do you say that bro?" Vinnie asked with his innocent face.

"Come on Vin, if her eyes had been lasers, we would be dead by now!"

"Yeah, she didn’t even react to your charm attack bro!" Modo replied with a grin on his face.

"It’s because it wasn’t me bro..." Vinnie started but Throttle topped him when he said:

"No, she was mad Vinnie, real mad. I’d say that, for a second, she actually considered selling to Limburger just to get rid of us."

As he said that, they arrived to Quigley Field. Vincent took his helmet off and looked chocked, almost afraid and asked: "Do you think she would really do that?" Throttle paused for a moment then answered : "No, she wouldn’t. The garage is her life. She wouldn’t sign it off that easy. But still, we should mellow down, be more careful, you know."

"Speaking of careful" Modo said from the window pointing to the sky "This guy better be way more careful or he’ll crash right into us."

When Vinnie and Throttle looked in the night sky, they saw a small beat up Plutarkian shuttle with it’s engine off and gun burns all over it coming their way.

"Not again!" Vinnie whined.

"Better, MOVE OUT!" Throttle shouted has they jumped on their bikes.

As if guided by a bullseye, the shuttle crashed right into the board and into the guys bedroom. In the field, Throttle moaned, leaning his head on his handlebar while Modo simply stared at this sight. Vinnie smiled and asked in a sad voice: "Is this the third or the fourth?" Modo shook his head replied "Let’s see, us, Rimfire... the third." Throttle raised his head and grinned "Let’s go and meet this citizen"

"BIKER MICE STYLE!" They all shouted.

As the three mice got in their now trashed bedroom, the door of the shuttle opened, revealing a shadow. Instinctively, the bikes turned to battle mode and the guys drew their blaster. The shadow slowly got to the door, coughing while saying in Martian

"Any crash *cough* you can walk out *cough* on your feet *cough* is a *cough* good landing *moan* oh my ribs!"

"Well there citizen, care to present yourself? " Throttle asked, trying to stay polite.

"I’m Darknight *cough* where... where am I?" The poor mice was too weak, he just fell to the floor in the light of the bikes. Throttle walked to the stranger and knelt down. Next to him was an unconscious 6'3" Martian mouse with only a pair of shredded F.F. pants. That wasn’t surprising. What was , was his colour: from head to tail, without a single spot, was black as black can be , even his long hair that were tied on his neck was black and his antenna were darker then anything he had every seen before. Never in his life Throttle seen such a colour on a mouse! Gently Throttle turned him around on his back and felt his ribs then noticed the scares around his eyes. They were relatively new, a month not much more. Curious, he opened one of the black mouse eyes and was startled to find an artificial eye with the iris not red like most Martian but blue, electric blue!

"So bro, how is he?" Asked Vinnie.

"He’s unconscious, a few broken ribs and brand new eyes. He needs a bed and someone with medical training. Modo, can you find a bed in this mess?"

"Sure bro!" Replied Modo as he started to check in the debris.

"Vincent, time to prove you can charm Charley-girl better then me cause you’re the one who’ll have to wake her up." Throttle said.

"I’m gone!" Yelled Vinnie as he jumped back on his bike and on the street below.

When the mice had left, Charleen was in a hot bath trying to calm down. Why didn’t se like lawyers or nice, boring city clerks? When she got out, she did something she hadn’t done since she had met the guys: she took the sexy green nighty her mother had given her for her birthday and put it on. she looked at the mirror, it wasn’t Charley she saw it was Charleen. The colour, the same as her eyes, brightened them. The top held by spaghetti strings stopped over her belly button while the bottom was a small panty that accentuated her long legs. She felt good, a woman again, not "one of the guys" and she needed that tonight. She had fallen asleep over the sheets of her bed in the warm summer night. She dreamed of a sweet music as she danced with someone, his arms holding her safely and his heart next to her beat wildly for her.

Vincent came in with the key Charley had given them. He didn’t want to startle her so he was careful as he went upstair into her room. When he saw her there, he wish he didn’t! The moonlight shined on her body giving her skin a light glow that contrasted with the small nighty. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined her so beautiful, so tempting, so... sexy! He knew the image of her like this would haunt him for a long time but it was a memory he would cherish for ever. He forced himself to move, remembering why he was there and knelt down beside her. Gently, he removed a strand of hair from her nose and caressed her sweet face. Still, she was asleep, a smile on her lips. He smiled back and thought "Let’s see if this stuff works like in the movies."

In her dream, Charleen’s dancing partner raised her head gently with a finger and bent down for a kiss when she woke up kissing "Vinnie? What are you doing in MY room?"

"Sorry to have to wake you up sweetheart but the board attracted a new ship. The pilot has a few broken ribs that Throttle wants you to look at." Mumbled Vinnie thanking his lucky star that she couldn’t see his face then he added "I’ll wait for you downstairs."

She got in her cloths fast, unable o even think of what had just happened. When she got down, Vinnie was on his bike, helmet on and his visor down, ready to hit the streets. She picked up her first aid kit and her helmet and hoped on his bike. She held on tight to him for she felt so sleepy, she could easily fall even with his tail around he, and that, somehow got Vinnie’s face to blush a bit more.

Quigley Field

Modo and Throttle placed Darknight into what was left of a bed and pulled the small shuttle in for they needed to repair the place quickly so that nobody would come and find them. Charley arrived as they were about to start the repairs on the board.

"Hey charley-ma’am! Sorry we had to wake you up." Modo greeted her.

"Are you guys alright?" She asked.

"We’re ok babe, but he’s not looking so good." Throttle answered her, pointing at the bed. "From what I can see, he’s got two broken ribs and a few brews all around."

She looked at the bed and saw the black mouse so she went and examine him. "They’re broken alright but there’s no sign of other internal injuries so he should be alright." With that she started to strap the rib cage when he woke up and tried to stand.

"Calm down! You need some rest! You have some broken ribs so you mustn’t move." She said to the mouse, trying to hold him back.

"An angel! I must be in heaven! Ouch! Then again..." he said as he fell back into the pillows "My name in Darknight and yours would be angel?"

Charley couldn’t help but smile! "I’m Charleen but my friends call me Charley. Welcome to Earth. There, this should hold your ribs in place but you’ll have to stay in bed for a day in or two."

Thank you so much Charleen. I can’t remember being so kindly looked after."

"You’re welcome" She smiled a bit. This guy had Modo manners with Vinnie’s forwardness, one dangerous combination!

Vinnie came up to the bed when he heard them talk. She had one of her brightest smile and he didn’t like it! "Looks like you’re doing better. Good enough to give us some explanation?"

"He needs to rest Vinnie. Carbine said this would kill the pain and put him to sleep fast." Replied Charley, giving Darknight a pill and some water. Throttle and Modo joined them. Throttle noticed Charley’s heavy eyes and said to her: "You’d better get some sleep too Charley girl, you look exhausted!"

"How about you guys? Where will you sleep?"

"Vinnie’s hammock is OK, the sofa is comfortable and Modo is good at camping."

"The sofa at the garage should be big enough for you Modo if you want."

"Wouldn’t want to disturb you ma’am." Was all Modo could reply. He would have much preferred to sleep on the sofa than on the floor but not if it bothered his friend.

"It’s no problem and beside, I need a home anyway." She answered as she rubbed his furry cheek. She turned to Throttle and gave him the pill box. "If I’m not back in eight hours, give him one of these ok?"

"Sure babe. Sleep as much as you need. I’m sure we’ll be fine."

"Good night sweetheart." Vinnie said

Good night guys" She answered as she and Modo drove off. Modo’s driving was afer than Vinnie and so smooth! Too smooth for only a few minutes after leaving the board, he felt her hands relaxing and her breathing get heavier. He wrapped his tail around her as she fell asleep, her head resting on his back.

Charley woke up the next morning in her bed, still dressed except for her boots. She got up, took a shower, changed then went downstair. Modo was asleep on the sofa but he was so big, he didn’t fit all on it!

"Poor Modo! I need to find him a new bed fast or he’ll hurt his back." She thought as she passed him on her way to the kitchen. The guys would have to stay at Quigley Field with the new mouse still in bed so she picked up the hotdogs and two box of rootbeer for the guys, the toaster, syrup, waffles and a thermos of coffee for herself. When she got back to the livingroom, Modo was awake and stretching.

"Hi Modo! How are you feeling?"

"Fine. What’s all this" He asked, pointing at the bags.

"Breakfast. With you guys, it’s the first thing on my mind in the morning." She answered laughing

"Better get rolling then, I’m hungry!"

"You guys are always hungry!" She replied , laughing a bit more as she headed for the bikes. Modo caught up with her, took the food from her and placed it on his bike then took her by the waist and installed her on the bike too. Concerned, he asked: " Did you loose weight? You’re lighter then that bag!" She blushed a bit then laugh as they rode away.

Chapiter two: Story of the night.

"So, who are you Darknight and how did you get here?" Asked Throttle after they had eaten.

Good question. I’m not sure who I am. You see, the first thing I remember was being in a cell with other people and a bandage on my eyes. When they asked my name, I couldn’t remember it. A woman, I learned afterwards that her name was Michele, asked me with a strange accent: "What do you remember mister as dark as night?" They all laugh, a tired laugh. When I answered that I remembered nothing, a guy, named turbo, said. "Well, we’ll call you ... Darknight until you can remember your name." They told me that we were in a cell next to a lab where the plutarkians trying to make hybrid soldiers with mice and humans. My eyes had been hurt so the plutarkians decided to test a new set of artificial eyes with better capacities then before. I heard the "Doctor" say that they were made for a human that had died during... preparation and the colour wasn’t right for a mouse but they told him to go ahead anyhow. It took many operations to do it. When I was brought back to the cell with my new eyes working, I finally met my fellow prisoners.

First, there was Aura, a beautiful female mouse. Long, long legs with red hair and white fur that was falling down, leaving her on bare skin like humans. Then there was Turbo. He too was losing his dark brown fur and something was wrong with his nose. Next to them was Michele, a human woman with brown hair and eyes. The only way to know she had been changed was the tail. She told me she had gained 30 pounds of muscle without even moving. Her husband, Claude, was next to her. He had dark brown fur over part of his body to match his hair and blue eyes. He told me he had grown a foot and a half taller with muscle to match in a week! It had almost killed him and he was still very weak so he couldn’t move much. The last person in our cell was a young woman we called Crystal cause we couldn’t say her real name. The poor thing had been rejected for the DNA experiments so instead they made brain surgery on her. She was always in pain, nobody knew why and the doc... well, he didn’t care anymore and was waiting to see how long it would take for her to die. In don’t’ know how long they played with us but I’d say two months in all.

Four days ago, a high ranking Plutarkian came to see how things were coming along and decided that since they had no more use for me, In should be sent to the arenas so In could at least be worth the trouble. In was brought to his shuttle and when they tried to chain me down, I got loose, pushed them out and left in the shuttle. They didn’t have any security for the place was in the middle of poisonous gas. When I got to Mars, the blockade attacked me. If not for the shuttle being so small, I wouldn’t have survived. They were waiting for me to make an other pass at Mars so I faked an explosion and drifted so they couldn’t see me on radar but I couldn’t restart the engine when I got in the planet’s attraction so I crashed.

So, here I am, no past, almost had no future, no bike... not even cloths! Ah ah.. OH! Can’t laugh"

Charleen took the bottle of pills and a glass of water. "Relax, You’re safe now. Those wounds still need some rest. Take this and try to sleep some more."

"What ever you say angel." he whispered as he swallowed the pill.

"I had time to go thru the shuttle" Throttle said " Must have been one big fish cause I found these " He took out a small pouch and opened it. Inside was more then a thousand gold pieces worth a fortune. Vinnie whistled at the sight of the gold and added "One really fat fish!"

"With that, Charley should be able to get you all that you need and more."

"Could you angel?"

"Sure! I’ll have to do some modification to the pants but that’s no problem."

Then, could you replace what I trashed too?"

I’ll do that. Now sleep." She ordered him with a smile.

The next three day were crazy! It took two days for Darknight to recover, two days that the guys used to dismantle the shuttle and placed it with their main ride. Charleen had part of the gold changed to cold cash. $400, 000 of it! Then she went shopping, WITH A VENGEANCE!!! "First, the furniture" She thought as she remembered Modo on the sofa. She chose four steel based beds (so they would have a chance to survive the guys!) With pillows. The guys had said they’d prefer trunks to drawers and had insisted that she brought them her old kitchen set and keep for herself the new one. She even found football design sheets that she knew they would love. But the best part was when she came in with a new TV and stereo, they cheered her and showered her with compliments! She didn’t have the courage to tell them that she had bought those so they would stop trashing living room. She was also surprised on how little she spent, only $10,000!

On the third day, the guys installed their new home while Charley went shopping for clothing with her mother who had volunteered to do the necessary ... modifications. Darknight had told Charley has she was changing his bandage again: "Go shopping for all of us angel. If there’s enough for one, there’s enough for more." The guys had almost gone with them when Mrs. Davidson had talked about suits and ties! Fortunately, Charley had promised them to buy only ‘cool and macho stuff’ as Vinnie had put it.

They first bought jeans: 2 pairs of blue and 2 pairs of black each, then new pairs of boots that they desperately needed and new ridding gloves. That part was easy , the biker’s shop that Charley knew got them that in a flash but they blushed and chuckled like teenagers when they had to find underwear. Charley found a set of Mickey Mouse boxers and showed them to her mother, laughing, only to see her mother smile evilly as she raised a pair of brief with a glow in the dark cheese motif! "MOM!" Then both fell in a loud giggling. The sale lady, who got very worried , looked at them and said: "If you don’t like the motif, we can also personalise them." They looked at each other with dangerous smiles then laugh themselves silly! They got a bit more serious when they got Throttle’s extra pair of shades that Charley wanted to modify for him and Modo’s new eye patch. If only Vinnie hadn’t needed a new belt! Charley saw a pair of red suspenders and imagined Vinnie in them, bursting into laughter again! Her mother had barely the courage to pick green ad blue tank top that Darknight had asked.

As they were about to leave, Mrs. Davidson pushed her daughter in a woman’s shop to have her try a green dress that was in the window but Charley didn’t buy it, protesting that it wasn’t her money.

When the two women came back to the hang out with the modified cloths, the guys tried everything and found them to perfectly fit. They were not told about the boxers secret, Charley wanting to surprise them. The guys were about to sit down and eat when Charley took all her courage and asked in a pleadings voice while giving them each a bag: "Could you try this for me, without arguing? Please? For me?" Their smiles faded away when they opened the bags to find a dressed shirt each. White for Darknight and Modo, Black for Vinnie and Throttle. They were about to speak when Mrs Davidson said "Now boys!" with a voice that took no arguments.

Handsome" was all the older woman cold say when they came back, as the effect sank in. Charleen could barely take her eyes off them! With the black jeans, they looked good enough to eat! All she managed to say was "Perfect"while still undressing them with her eyes. Looking at each others, the mice understood how impressed the ladies were so they took the shirts off and neatly placed them in their trunk, all thoughts of arguing gone from their minds.

Later, sitting around the table, eating dinner, Darknight asked: "How about you ladies, what did you get yourselves?"

"Nothing" Charley replied, making sure she didn’t look at her mother. "We went shopping for you guys, not us! And beside, we still have to buy your bike tomorrow."

"I can’t believe it! Ladies who knows how to shop and yet can still resist a sale!" Vinnie chuckled until he received a kick in the leg. "Charley!" He whined.

"Wrong woman big mouth!" Mrs Davidson answered, masking them all laugh.

"Have you got anything in mind yet for a bike angel?" Darknight asked when they finally stopped.

"A friend of mine lost his son six months ago. Now h’s getting rid of most of his son’s stuff, including his 1993 Shadow. It’s a good bike, with a few adjustments and some additions it will be almost as good as a Martian AI bike"

"What do you mean Charley girl?" Throttle asked.

"Boosting it’s engine, add some trusters, some weapons, new tires and a paint job. In other words, bringing it up to Davidson’s standards." She answered , making her mother laugh.

"It will take weeks!"

"A day, two at most" Was Charley’s confident answer.

And she was right, for two days later Charley finished assembling it back together. The fresh black had been done late the night before, the guys had rechromed the rest while she played with engine and installed the weapons. They all stood silent as Darknight cranked it up. It started like a charm! He took the helmet from Charley’s hands and rode out silently, only returning half an hour later, his face blank. He walked to charley and without a warning picked her up and swung her in the air laughing.

"Charlene, my angel, you are the best mechanic ever! Thank you! Thank you!" Kissing both her cheeks.

Limburger is standing in front of the view screen, talking with Lord Camembert or more to the point, being screamed at!

"What do you mean you lost it?!? This prototype was suppose to get rid of that rebellion on Mars!"

Limburger trembled and sweated as he tried to explain: "All was going according to plan until the ships that forms the blockade around Mars shot it down. We are still trying to find the rest of it as we speak but it can be anywhere, on Mars, in the asteroids or even here on Earth! It will take some time before we can make a new one your excellence."

"WELL HURRY UP TO FIND IT AND BRING ME BACK MY SHUTTLE!!" Shouted Camembert before he disappeared from the screen.

"Yes your extreme cheesiness?"

"Your plan failed! That stupid prototype was blown from the sky!"

"Impossible my sweet chunk of cheese, I am receiving a link with the prototype and the self-diagnostic says all is well."

"Then WHERE IS IT?"

All I can find out right now is that it’s on Earth your extreme fluffiness. It will take some time before I can get a lock on it."

"Maybe we can salvage this after all... Get me those coordinates as soon as possible!"

The guys are in a field, testing Darknight combat skill and bike. As always, every time she tries to have a bit of the action, Charley had been pushed away ‘for her own good’ Darknight had held Charleen’s chine and had added very softly "And beside, I just couldn’t bring myself to try to punch you." He then smiled "Why not enjoy the day off? You really earned it!"

"Yeah, take it easy babe!" Throttle had added.

"We brought a blanket if you want to take a nap Charley-ma’am." Yelled Modo from the river where he was putting the BBQ. Vinnie had taken her by the elbow, gently moving her away from Darknight and toward the river, saying "You haven’t slept much or calmed down fro the last two weeks, doll. You’re losing your beautiful colours. We’re starting to worry about you sweetheart. You’re not in shape to fight, your mother herself said so herself. Now, sit back and enjoy the view of yours truly having some fun." For he was going to have lots of fun beating Darknight! The guy was flirting openly with his Charley and he didn’t like it one bit, even if he making her smile and took great care of her. He had left her under an apple tree and joined his bros while she had said : "... MEN!"

Charley was now asleep while Darknight was fighting hand to hand with Throttle. Attacks, counter attacks, counter counter attacks, Darknight was holding up rather well. Against Modo, Darknight couldn’t beat his strength so he just doubled on his speed to dodge his attacks. Now it was Vinnie’s turn. Both mice just went all out, matching each other in every way. Only once did they manage to hurt each others, when Charley woke up and decided to take off her blouse and pants from over her bathing suit. Vinnie first saw her, taking his attention away long enough for Darknight to punch him. Vinnie got hold of himself and brought him to the ground. That’s when Darknight saw Charley has she was about to enter the water, losing his concentration himself long enough for Vinnie to pin him down and punch him.

Modo and Throttle simply turned to see what had distracted them, saw Charley in the water. Saying "figures!" Throttle added "I wonder if it would work on Limburger and his goons?" His answer came in the form of a two mice tackle, turning this into an all out fight.

The rest of the day was as calm as the mice could get. They raced a few times, Darknight won one and Vinnie won two others. When they accepted to let Charley race with them, she won easily since Vinnie and Darknight couldn’t ride without bumping in one another as their attention was more on her bikini then the road! After that Modo had polished his bike while the others just relaxed in the sun. But like every day, the sun started to set. They had packed their things and were about to leave.

Throttle: "So, how do we finish this?"

Vinnie: "There’s football on the tub!"

Modo and Throttle cheered at the idea while poor Charley grinned.

Darknight: "How about a movie?"

Throttle: "That would take care of the lineup at the theatre!"

Darknight: "No, that thing we saw on our way here! How did you call it angel? A drive thru?"

Charley: "A drive in. Then again, with you mice, it might just end up that way!"

Darknight: "Any good movie there angel?"

Charley: "Let me see ... small soldiers? Not you type. Gone with the wind? Definitively not. Madeline?" She giggled at their face "The mask of Zorro with Antonio Banderas and Antony Hopkins!"

Vinnie: "Ah man! There’s football tonight. Come on!"

Darknight: "Fine! You guys go and watch the football, we’ll join you later."

Vinnie was torn between football and keeping an eye on Darknight but Throttle took the decision for him.

Throttle: "Good idea. Charley knows the way back so just try to stay out of trouble and everything will be fine."

And so it was that Charley went to sit behind Darknight instead of Vinnie as they went to their bikes.

Throttle: "Let’s ROCK ..."

All : "AND RIDE!"

Charley and Darknight arrived to the drive in as the sun was almost set. She had been nervous about how people would react around them and didn’t sit easily. Feeling this, he turned to her, smiling.

Darknight: "Calm down angel, I’ve got a plan." and as he said that, he switched his visor so that the shading of it would hide his face then he wrapped his tail around his waist. "What do you think? When the movies will start, I’ll take the visor off."

Charley: "Wont it hurt you , keeping your helmet on all that time?"

Darknight: "Don’t worry I’ll be OK but you’ll have to take care of the people."

Charley: "No problem." She replied as they arrived at the gate. The cashier didn’t react nor the did the people at the snack bar where they bought a bucket of popcorn and two sodas. They chose a remote spot and installed themselves on the blanket, talking about he, what she wanted in life until the first movie started.

It was a fun little movie that they enjoyed, laughing easily. When it ended, Darknight noticed how uncomfortable Charleen was and smiled , seeing a chance to hold her close.

"Cramped? Come here Angel, I’ll rub your back." He tapped between his opened legs where she sat, he back facing him. His hands were warm on her cold skin. He gently rubbed her back, shoulders and neck in a sensual way, his tums making small circles on her delicate skin while his other fingers just laid beside, warming her up.

"You should have told me you were cold."

"Why? We didn’t bring anything else and I don’t want to leave yet."

His smile broadened as she admitted being happy with him and at the opportunity that he saw. Without a word, he brought his tail around her and pulled her closer, wrapping the blanket around themselves and then his arms around her.

"Lean on me angel. Comfortable?" He then asked.

"Very, but you?"

"I’m ok. I have a feeling I’d make a lot of envious back home."

The movie started and she didn’t answer, not wanting to. She liked leaning on his strong chest, feeling so safe. He was exactly what she liked in the others. She was starting to like him a lot, maybe too much. She knew how much love she needed, not having any dates because of the guys and it wasn’t right to go into this right now but she just took the moment anyway, leaving for tomorrow the conscience rattling. Right now, she was enjoying herself and wished it would never stop.

She felt sad when she had to leave the comfort of his arms and get on his bike. She saw how cramped he was when he picked the stuff up and was ashamed of being the cause of t. When he took his place on the bike, she rubbed his back softly until they were on the main road then held on tightly to him. She felt his heart race a bit and smiled. "How cold a girl resist him?" She thought as he safely road back to the garage, her hands softly touching his muscular stomach. When She finally had to get off, she started to thank him for the great time she had when he stopped him.

"Don’t thank me Charleen. I wish I could give you more. You deserve to be treated like a princess, so beautiful inside and outside, so caring... Holding you like that tonight made me the happiest mouse ever!" He took the hand she had raised and kissed the palm then the wrist with what she felt was controlled passion that made her heart race.

"I’d better go or I’ll loose my manners. Sweet dreams angel." He added before he vanished into the dark streets, leaving Charleen holding her hands on her heart, smiling.

Charleen woke up when four powerful bikes rolled in the garage. She looked at the time ... "OH NO! I’m late! Now I don’t have time to change!" She had trouble sleeping that night, her mind, filled with questions about herself, wouldn’t let her rest. She looked down at her babydoll and sighed, simply taking her bathrobe.

"Hey guys!"

"Hey babe. Are you alright?" Throttle asked, worried.

"Just over slept, that’s all. What do you guys want for breakfast?"

"Why don’t you go back to bed angel, we’ll take care of that." Darknight offered.

"OH NO! Last time I left them alone in the kitchen, I had to scrub pancakes from the ceiling so much I had to replaster it!"

"What? You had to plaster pancakes?" Darknight asked innocently making the other mice laugh harder as the fallowed Charleen into the kitchen.

Soon, they were around the table, eating the mountain of food they had got out. She was drinking her orange juice when Throttle stared at her and said.

"Oh, by the way, thanks for warning us about the boxers. Had lots of fun looking at two bright eyes floating over a bright ‘Darknight’ sign" Laughing, orange juice came out of her nose, making her choke a bit.

"Mom’s idea. I had found nice Mickey mouse one instead."

They stared at her long with discussed face so she added:

"What? I thought you would like a celebrity of your own race! Guys! NO! Don’t tickle me!" She stood up and tried to run away. But Modo caught the sleeve of her bathrobe so she left it to him and headed to her room under four loud whistles. She stopped as Limburger , Greasepit and 20 goons came in, making her scream. The mice were next to her in a heartbeat, ready to whip some tail.

"Ah! Greetings my dear and painfully annoying rodents. Sorry to disturbs you in such ... good looking companionship. I just came to get what is mine and I’ll be on my way."

"There’s nothing here for you so move out!"

"You are quite wrong my poor Throttle. Isn’t it right my dear doctor?"

Carbuncles then came out from behind Limburger and answered : "So true you rightfulness!"

"YOU!" Darknight screamed "You are the pervert who tortured us!" He would have jumped on him if Modo had not held him back, saying:

"That’s what he wants, for you to jump without thinking so he can kill you."

"On the contrary my poor handicapped fiend. I placed a lot of money and resources on the dear boy, I don’t want to damage any of it. For example, his eyes that we so cleverly replaced with these state of the art artificial ones with lots of gadgets such as this incredible split personality trigger!" Saying so, Carbuncles pulled out a small remote control and pushed a button. Darknight started to scream as he fell on the floor from the pain, making Limburger laugh the say: "Kill them!"

Throttle jumped for Carbuncles but Greasepit got in his way and punched him. Limburger used the distraction to grab Charleen and leave. Vinnie ran after them only to be caught by Darknight who’s eyes had turned to black.

"Let me go! They’ve got our Charley!" Vinnie yelled.

"No, we’ve got MY Charleen. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of my little slave. She wont even have time to cry you idiots!"Darknight replied as he punched Vinnie in the stomach.

Modo and Throttle, using their bikes, took the fight with the goons outside while Vinnie and Darknight took each others but this time Darknight didn’t care about anything but the hate that consumed him. After 10 long and painful minutes, the goons laid around, knocked out and the two mice returned to their bro, still in the garage where they found him slowly rising up, alone.

Limburger knew the guys would soon come to him to get their annoying human friend and would do anything to keep her safe so he had her chained in Carbuncles’s lab to both floor and ceiling so she couldn’t move. Darknight came in on his bike

"Vinnie is dead and the other two were barely standing when I left. I need these limbs repaired before I face them."

"Good! They will come here and soon but in such a state, they should be easy to finish. Doctor repair him then prepare for the final round!"

Darknight simply nodded as Limburger left the room. Carbuncles got out his tools and soon had his ribs as good as new. Carbuncles then left to prepare the chains for the other mice.

"Hi ya angel! Learning how to fly?" Darknight asked .

"Darknight! What have they done to you?"

"Just returned me to my true self. You see, I’m a rat and I was blind. I accepted to have this little ... operation done on me and in exchange I ‘ll go and betray all those stupid mice back on Mars!"

"Please Darknight, can’t you remember how happy we were yesterday? Don’t let destroy that! Please, remember!"

"Oh, I remember alright angel and we wont loose it. I’ll still have a few fight and race but this time it will be for real! And then I’ll return to you angel."

"Last night, you had me believing you loved me. Did that changed too?"

"No my angel..."

"Then set me free! For the love of me, I beg of you set me free!"

"I meant to say that I loved you and wanted you but now I don’t have all those goody good manners to stand in my way!" Saying so, he grabs her face with one hand, forcing her to kiss him then he moves to kiss her shoulder as his hands moved from her ribs, up her arms and unchained her. Limburger came in as he saw that on his view screen. Darknight held her hands firmly and grin at his boss.

"Now what fishy? They’re here already?"

"No, not yet but I don’t want this annoying female out of her chains, she can be very tricky."

"Don’t worry Limburger, I’ll keep her hands .. Occupied. Beside, you did promise me a few slaves for this."

"Just keep her out of trouble." Limburger replied with a sigh just before the alarm started. On the view screen, Limburger saw 3 biker mice slowly making their way inside.

"Trap! Get out there and finish those mice!" Limburger yelled as he turned back to them. He was choc to see Charley free and Darknight giving her a blaster. "WHAT? CARBUNCLES!?!"

"Quick Charley! Get on the bike and join the others! Hurry before he can return me to my rat self!" Darknight urged her as he started to shoot the computers.

"What?"

"What I said was true angel, I had a new personality programmed in my mind based on the guys. Vinnie got to punch my eyes and that busted something in them so I know both sides! Now leave! The guys will explain! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He then fell on Charley, revelling Carbuncles behind him, a gun smoking in his hands. Charley raised her blaster and she shot him as he ran to the back door. Then there was a blast and tree mice came in. She just looked at them then bent down to have a look at Darknight. His breathing was hard and blood was now coming out of his mouth and nose.

"Darknight? Can you hear me? Speak to me, please!"

"Don’t cry .. angel. It’s ... better this way ... Couldn’t ... be trusted ... At least ... I got you ... some money *cough* Sorry I had to ... frighten you ... But he was ... watching. Hey, I’m ... not real ... remember?"

"You are real to me my friend."

"To all of us bro."

"Vin .. take .. care of .. her. Help ... the others... Europa ..."

Soon Limburger’s tower fell, turning the rubble into a tomb mice as the mice brought Charley back home. She was like a zombie, almost not there. When she got of the bike, she sat on the couch and started to cry uncontrollably.

"Vinnie, call her mother. Ask her to come here fast. Tell her she’s safe but we need her help. Stay calm so she won’t panic! Modo, try to salvage the garage door. We’ll replace it later but for now, just make sure it close the way. I’ll try to calm her down." Throttle said, leading a sobbing Charley to her room.

"Charley-girl... Charleen! Calm down! It’s me! Your bro! Throttle!" He said as he held her hands as she screamed and shook. "Come on sis, stop that! You’re hurting yourself! Please babe, talk to me!"

"Why him? Why us? WHY??? *sobs* He said he wasn’t real, then why does it this pain is?"

"Don’t know sis." Held her in his arms "The plutarkians always seem to find a way to hurt us in the worst way. Just remember that he cared for you, like all of us. His first thought when he came back to himself was to go and save you. In the end, he did what all mice would have done, died for freedom." He stroke her hair, calming her a bit then sighed and asked : "Anything we can do to help sis?"

"No ... yes, don’t call me Charleen or angel for a while."

Just then, Mrs. Davidson came in and ran to her daughter.

"I’ll let the two of you alone."

"Throttle?"

"Yeah sis?"

"Thanks, for everything."

"Hey, you’re family to me, to all of us. We stick together."

When Throttle got back into the garage, Vinnie and Modo were waiting for him, their face a mixture of worry and guilt.

"How is she bro?" Modo asked in almost a whisper.

"She’ll survive, just like us. She asked that we don’t call her Charleen or angel for a while... Figures." Throttle answered Vinnie looked at Modo and Throttle then asked:

"Since Limburger is down, how about a ride to the Pit? I need to pound something!"

"Me too Vincent. But right now Charley and her mother needs us." Throttle replied as he looked around. "If you want to waist some on that energy on something, help clean the place up. She wont be in the mood to do that for a while and it will keep us busy a bit."

When Mrs. Davidson came down two hours later, she found the place spotless. The only sign of what happened was the beaten garage door in front of which the tree mice were working. They turned to her as she walked to them.

"How is she ma’am?"

"Better. I go her to take a sleeping pill. She’s a long way from fine but she’ll make it, with your help." She smiled but they saw she was still worried..

"Did she tell you what happened?"

"Yes. Right now she feels vulnerable, useless. When she feels better, you should help her learn to fight better. You can’t always protect her but there will always be trouble around her so she needs to be prepared.." She paused, readjusting her t-shirt, then took a deep breath and asked : "I suppose you guys are hungry and there’s nothing in the fridge? Vinnie, you need to rest, those ribs don’t look good enough to ride. Modo, Throttle, could one of you go get something to eat> Tomorrow, I’ll go home and get some stuff and I’ll stay here for a couple of days."

"Sure ma’am. Modo, stay here and finish this. I’ll go." Throttle answered.

"How many times must I ask you guys to call me mom?"

"Sorry ... mom."

"Better! Now go, I’m starving!" She said with a smile.

"Pizza ok with you mom?"

"Sure boy."

Later that night, Charleen, after a shower, came down to join her mother and her friends.

"Hey guys, kept some for me?" She asked, pointing to the pizza box.

"Charley?" The tree mice asked, surprised.

"That was my name the last time I checked. What? I’ve got something hanging from my nose?"

Modo got up, giving her his seat.

"Hot or cold your pizza dear?" Her mother asked.

"Cold, thanks mom."

"How are you feeling Charley ma’am?"

"Sore! Other then that... I’ll survive, like any of you guys." With that, she took a bite in her pizza and looked at her friends. She knew them for too long not to see the worry on their faces, even on Throttle. Swallowing, she felt it was time to clear things with them.

"Want to talk about it guys?"

"Finish eating first dear, then you can talk all you want ... and don’t’ argue with me. Boys, go watch some T.V."

"Yes mom" The mice answered after a look at each others.

"Wow mom! You should come more often!" Charley giggled as the boys got out. Her mother smiled and only replied "Eat."

A few minutes later, they all sat in the living room but everybody was quiet, looking everywhere but at each others. Charley took a deep breath as she gathered her courage and said:

"Throttle, thanks for helping me this morning. You don’t know how much it helped when you called me sis, I felt so alone... I really needed a big brother."

"I always saw you as a sister, never thought of saying it, especially after we learned about Centerline. You don’t mind?"

"I’m proud of it ... bro!" She laugh softly as he blushed. "I know you guys enough to guess that you feel responsible and are blaming yourselves but it wasn’t! I should have fought better or at least tried. I know I’m ... still not prepared. You guys forgive me?"

"Forgive you for what Charley ma’am? For getting caught? If we had a buck every time one of us got caught, we could buy Mars back and still have enough to buy you a new garage!" Modo replied.

"He’s right sweetheart."

"As for not being prepared, that IS our fault. We should have let you practice with us when you tried and from now on, we will. Just remember, you can always count on us when ever you need a friend." Throttle said, placing a hand on her shoulder while the other two just moved near to her, showing their silent support. Brushing her tears away, she kissed each of them and replied:

"You guys are the best friends a girl could ever get." Then she looked at Throttle and said : I hope carbine knows how lucky she really is!"

"Why am I so lucky?" Came a voice from the doorway. All turned to the door to see carbine come in fallowed by Stoker, Centerline and Rimfire.

"Hi mom! What are you doing here?" Centerline asked as he kissed his mother.

"Long story Jayce." She replied thru the noise of the fight the boys had started with Stoker and Rimfire. Charley just hugged Carbine and whispered in her ear: "Your boyfriend is the best talker ever! And the sweetest too! You should keep an eye on him more often ! Girls would storm him if you’d let him loose!"

"What? He’s hitting on you? I’m gonna..."

"NO! He’s been taking care of me! Pulled me back on my feet when I was down."

"Kids? KIDS!!! STOP THAT THIS INSTANT OR ... I’LL MAKE YOU WEAR TIES FOR A MONTH!" Mrs Davidson shouted, freezing the fight. Carbine and centerline laugh at the choc faces while Charley smiled thru the tears that had started again. Vinnie jumped out from the tangled bodies on the floor and ran to her, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. She placed her head on his shoulder and started sobbing uncontrollably. He held her there, stroking her hair , whispering "Cry as much as you need sweetheart. We’re here for you." Centerline was about to say something when his mother stopped him with a hand then asked Vinnie: "She needs some more rest. Can you take her upstair? I’ll be there in a minute." Vinnie nodded then picked Charley in his arms and headed upstairs.

"Mom? What’s wrong?"

"Take some pizza and sit down. I’ll be back soon and tell you everything. Why don’t you use that time to tell them why you are here?" Mrs Davidson answered before fallowing Vinnie. Carbine looked at Throttle and , seeing his head and shoulders low, asked : "Can we help?"

"No, only time will help her. What brings you here beautiful? I have a feeling it’s not social." He answered , offering some pizza.

"Well, muscle mouse, the plutarkians were searching for something on Mars. Took us a while to find out it was a crashed shuttle containing a prototype ..." Throttle stopped her. "We know about that." Throttle told them about how they had found Darknight and how close to them he had got then said : "We found out about the second personality the hard way." Mrs Davidson came back and looked at her son with sad eyes.

"What happened to her?" He asked, his body tense.

"Calm down, she’ll be alright."

"Mom! What is it?" He asked, standing up in panic. Modo got next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder as he said : "Limburger had the remote to Darknight personalities. He and his goons came here and turned him to a rat. In the confusion stink face he took off with your sister."

"What? You let him get to my sister?"

"No, we thought Darknight would protect her. He really liked her, but he didn’t. Vinnie tried to get to her but Darknight fought him, got him good too. Vinnie punched him in the eyes and broke something that made him return to the mouse we knew.. Gave him back the memory he thought he had lost. He was a rat genetically fixed so he would look like a mouse and given a new personality based on us three. He used the idea of betraying Limburger by acting like the rat he was to get to your sister." Throttle said, his head low.

"He had to act like a rat so Limburger wouldn’t suspect him. He ... he couldn’t tell her the truth too when he ... when he acted like he was going to rape her. Scared her good. He managed to free her only to be shot in back by Carbuncle." Mrs Davidson added softly.

"And you’re leaving her with Vinnie?" Stoker asked, joking. Throttle could barely hear the sarcasm in his voice and replied coldly: "She trust hm, he almost got killed trying to get to her and I know he would shoot himself before hurting her so don’t push it old timer!"

"Relax it kid! I know that! Lighten up a bit. She’s a fighter, she’ll be back on her feet before you know it!"

Carbine decided to change the subject before the mice jumped at each others troat.

"Where is he now?"

"Didn’t make it. But he told us that he was ... captive on Europa."

"Good, in a way. Now that we know what happened to that prototype, maybe we should go and make sure there’s no other?"

"Sure babe! Not right now, but let’s say in ... 2 days? Time enough for Vinnie to get better. We can load and prepare in the mean time. I don’t want to leave Charley too soon too. Why don’t you stick around and relax a bit?"

"OK, 2 days but no more. I don’t want to let anytime for them to move or make another mad mouse."

Charley had calmed down and was resting , her head on Vinnie’s shoulder. She knew she was safe. "He can be a real pain when his ego take over but when he just let go of his macho facade, he’s just a big softy." She thought, feeling his soft fur on her skin.

"If I had been less selfish, I would have been there for her and she wouldn’t have been so close to that jerk! At least she knows she can still trust me, so there’s still a chance. Goddess, give me the strength to become the one for her!" Vinnie prayed silently then said: "Try to sleep now Charley or your mom will have my tail for a trophy."

"Could you stay with me, please? Just until I fall asleep? I’m afraid of being alone right now."

"Sure sweetheart, as long as you want me."

An hour later, Vinnie came down without a sound and saw Throttle looking at carbine with a longing as they talked battle plans. How could his bro be so intelligent and so dumb at the same time? He thought for a moment then smiled as a plan formed itself in his mind.

"Mom? Why don’t you and Centerline go to your place get your things? That way Carbine can have your bed here while the four of us will go back to Quigley field and all get a good night sleep."

"Hey kid, learn to count! There’s five of us!"

"One of us has to stay here in case of trouble, not that I think our general couldn’t hold her own but Limburger and his goons could come back for more." The way Vinnie was looking at him made Throttle say: "Ok, I’ll stay. Just don’t let Stoker sleep in my bed, I like it without flees!"

Stoker would have replied if Mrs. Davidson hadn’t yanked his tail and said: "You can fight tomorrow. Everybody to bed!"

Vinnie kissed Mrs Davidson goodnight and went to his bike. Throttle stopped him and said in a low voice: "Thanks for sending me to the sofa bro!"

"Hold Carbine tighter and it wont be too bad. Don’t let love get away bro, it could kill you." Vinnie mumbled, chocking his bro, then left.

Alone with Throttle, Carbine asked: "Vinnie sure changed. What happened?"

Throttle could only answer: "He almost lost Charley."

The end ... for now!