Disclaimer: I don't own the Biker Mice, Charlie, Rimfire, Harley, Stoker, Mace, Limburger, or Brie. I do, however, own Mari, Mandy, Turbo, Tactica, Sparky, Starfire, Brigit and Ice. I will not be making any money from this. These works are for other fans of the Biker Mice to enjoy.

This is a 'what if' kind of story. The date is New Years Eve 1999 (not all that far in the future), and what could become of a deep feeling for two people from so very different backgrounds.

As always, read and enjoy

     When Love Breaks

    Part One


  (C) 1/12/1999 All Rights Reserved

            By Goldenmane
         *********************


     The sky seemed a little brighter, the air a little crisper, and the snow cover just a little bit whiter. Or so Vinnie thought. He walked along the street, bundled from head to tail, without a worry in the world. His bro's thought him a little strange for wanting to go out without his bike. He assured them everything would be fine, and left.
     "A mouse without a motorcycle is nothin'," Modo had said.
     "Where a Martian goes, so goes his bike," Throttle had added.
     Vinnie had told them not to worry. He had plans. Plans that did not include his bike. He paused at a crosswalk, waiting for the walk light. He began to whistle to himself, nodding cordially to the others who waited with him. He crossed the street when the light turned, and kept going straight. He glanced to his left, smiling.
     There stood, under construction once again, Limburger Tower. The blizzard that had struck only days after they had demolished the tower, had halted construction. It seemed odd that no snow had fallen until then. Vinnie had paid little attention to it. Word had come to the guys Limburger once again had no funds to continue construction, hire new goons, or even a super villan. He would not be troubling them in the near future. Not with the constant snows that had fallen since, further burying the lower shell of the new Limburger Tower from sight.
     Vinnie continued on, darting now and then through the back alleyways which had been cleaned of snow. He clambered over a fence, pausing, looking back. He could have sworn he heard a noise.
     Shrugging when he could find nothing amiss, he continued, plopping to the muddy snow below. He crossed the back lot, smiling and whistling to himself. Nothing would ruin his day. Not with the evening he had planned. If only his bros would cooperate.
     "Excuse me, sir?" a small voice asked suddenly. Vinnie turned, hand on his blaster. He eased some when he saw only a small child, bundled in what appeared to be rags.
     "Could you help me? I'm lost," the child said, shivering.
     Vinnie knelt in the snow, towering just over the child. She, Vinnie assumed by the light voice, could be no older than 6.
     "Where are your parents?"
     The girl shrugged. "They left to find some food.  They never came back."
     "Can ya show me where your parents had been?" Vinnie asked, rising. This would not help his plans for tonight.
     The girl turned, looking left and right. "This way," she said, darting away.
     Vinnie followed her, stopping before a set of cardboard shelters. All of them seemed vacant. "Man, I never knew people lived on the streets. Guess I never came to this part of town before."
     "I useta live in a house," the girl said, removing a cardboard and ducking inside. "But now I live here."
     Vinnie sighed. This kind of life could not be good for the child. Charlie would know what to do. She always did.
     "Whatcha lookin' at?" the girl asked when Vinnie did not speak.
     "Nothing. Hey, I have an idea. How about I take you to a nice warm place with food and everything?" Vinnie asked, grinning as the girl's eyes widened. He noticed the child's eyes had Charlie's shade of green. "Only one condition. You can't be afraid of us."
     The girl shrugged. "Why be scared?"
     "Well," Vinnie began. "I'm not exactly what you'd call human."
     The girl's eyes widened more, Vinnie thought for sure she would run, but instead her jaw dropped and she said but a single word. "Cool."
     Vinnie laughed heartily, rising. "It's settled then. By the way, what's your name?"
     "Brigit."
     "I'm Vinnie. Glad to meet ya. Now, it's a long walk back. Are ya ready?"
     Brigit nodded, emerging from the cardboard shelter. She grabbed Vinnie's hand with such force, he paused. When she looked into his eyes, he felt weak.
     Shaking his head, he started walking, wondering if he would ever get his plans back in order.
                                    #
     "She sure is a hungry little girl. Wonder how long it's been since she's eaten?" Charlie asked, returning to the garage's tiny kitchen for more food.
     "It's a good thing you found her," Throttle said. "Because who knows how long she's been on her own."
     Modo had taken a seat beside Brigit. He looked to his bro's. "I just hate it when people are forced out on the streets. I bet ol' cheese face had something to do with it."
     Vinnie sat some ways away, staring at the child. Now that Charlie had cleaned Brigit up, she resembled Charlie a lot. Her hair, though shone a brighter shade of brown, and she had become far too thin for her own good.
     "Care for some New Year's Eve company?" a voice shouted from outside.
     "Mari, anytime," Throttle said.
     Mari entered carrying Snowfall, her bike following. "I brought some company. Didn't think you'd mind. Brie is out of action for quite some time."
     "Limburger is hurting worse than a fish on a hook," Modo said.
     "Who's your new friend?" Mari asked, setting Snowfall down before removing her helmet. "At least she didn't freak when she saw you lot looked like giant mice."
     Charlie shouted from the kitchen. "She took it rather well when she saw Throttle and Modo sitting in front of the tv watching the game."
     "Brigit is homeless and parentless," Vinnie said, his voice reflecting his depression. Something about Brigit bothered him. Not to mention his night had been ruined. But seeing Snowfall brightened his mood some.
     "Tough break," Mari said, going to Brigit. She sat opposite Modo, laying her helmet on the table. "It may not be the proverbial Christmas miracle, but at least she'll have a sort of home for last day of the millennia."
     Modo nodded. "But we don't know the first thing about raisin' a kid." He turned as Snowfall scrambled up his leg to sit in his lap.
     "That's where I got you three macho mice," Mari said looking tenderly at Snowfall who sat and watched Brigit eat. "Any word from Rimfire or the others?"
     "Not yet. Mars has been kinda silent lately," Throttle said.
     Mandy picked up where Mari left off. "I've had my turn at raising my younger sib's. I bet she'd love to come back to Detroit with us."
     Brigit looked up. "No. I wanna stay here. I want my mum."
     "We'll go look for your parents," Throttle said, rising, tapping Modo on the shoulder. "How about we go look now? Ok?"
     Brigit seemed to quiet. She returned to eating.
     Mandy quirked a brow. "Do you know who you're looking for?"
     "Brigit gave us a good enough description. I think." Modo said, rising, setting Snowfall in the chair.
     "Vinnie. You, Charlie and Mari can stay here and look after the kids. Mandy, care to ride with us?" Throttle said, grabbing his helmet.
     "And miss a chance to ride with the legendary Biker Mice, heck no. Just try to keep up with me," Mandy said. "No offense, Charlie, but I made sure my bike could match Ice. I even cloned an AI memory for this old girl."
     Charlie popped her head out from the kitchen, glaring.
     "Though my bike will never be able to match the brains of Martian bikes, she at least is the fastest Earth has," Mandy continued. "Well? I had to keep Brie in check. I couldn't let Mari handle it alone."
     Charlie gave a small 'humph' and returned to the kitchen.
     Mandy shrugged. "Oh well. You boys ready to ride, or are you waiting for the new year?"
     "Let's kick it," Throttle said.
     Vinnie watched the trio leave, casting a glance at Mari. His heart sank when he thought of his brilliant plans for the night. A romantic evening for just Charlie and him. He also started to blush slightly when Snowfall scrambled out of the chair and ran to him, begging to be picked up.
     Mari laid her head in her hand, looking at Brigit. "You know. You look kinda familiar."
     Brigit glanced up, returning to her food.
     Mari shrugged, rising. She walked to Vinnie, and sat beside him, ruffling Snowfall's hair. "Brigit got you depressed?"
     "Nah," Vinnie said, staring at the floor.
     "Come on. Something's botherin' ya. You can tell me. It's Snowfall, right? Maybe I shouldn't've brought her."
     Vinnie looked up, his eyes locked with Mari's ice-blue eyes. He felt his heart skip a beat. He quickly broke contact, once more staring Snowfall to hide the flush in his cheeks.
     Mari sighed. "If ya won't talk, I can't force ya."
     "I had the whole evening planned," Vinnie said, glancing quickly toward the kitchen. "Charlie and I would have greeted the new millennia in together. Alone."
     Mari nodded. "I see. Finally admitting you love her?"
     Vinnie looked up, eyes wide with suprise. "I..."
     "It doesn't take a mind reader to know you two are in love. All ya got to do is admit it," Mari said, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Like I said so long ago, don't let Snowfall and me come between you and Charlie."
     Vinnie stood suddenly, handing Snowfall to Mari. "I gotta step out for a moment. I gotta get some air."
     Mari watched his retreating form, smoothing Snowfall's silvery hair. She knew he could feel her gaze upon him. Eyes he no doubt wanted to forget. Mari turned to Snowfall, hauling the growing mouse to her chest, rising to return to the table.
                                            #
     Vinnie had grabbed a jacket and his helmet, leaving the Last Chance. He walked a few steps, making sure he would be out of sight. He laid his back against a portion of a brick wall. His thoughts swirled about him. His feelings for Charlie. The presence of Mari and Snowfall, and a love from so long ago. One he never had the chance to tell how he really felt.
     Vinnie sighed. Harley had been his first, real true love. He had won her affections from his old unit leader Stoker. Until Mace kidnaped her. They tried to find her, but couldn't. His love for Harley lay in the past. Charlie now took front and center stage. Ever since he had met her that day so long ago when he and his bros had crashed on Earth.
     Then came Mari.
     Mari reminded him too much of what he had lost when Harley had been kidnaped. And her manners as well as her coloring, except for the silver ticking and her long, smoke gray hair, could have passed for a female version of himself.
     He laid his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. He felt confused. He couldn't say what to do. He knew he loved Charlie, or he would not have planned an evening alone.
     Then again, why did he have some feelings for Mari. Could it be because she was Martian? Mari once did have a mate on Mars though she had lost him, but not in her heart. Then came the fact that once he had loved her, and Snowfall had been the result.
     Vinnie sighed, scuffing the snow with his boot toe. He knew he couldn't stay outside all night. He would have to go back in. He would have to face his own feelings. He would have to get Mari out of his mind.
     Pushing himself off the wall, Vinnie returned to the Last Chance. He peeked in, finding no one present. He opened the door, shucked off his jacket, and went to his bike. If there had been one thing a Martian could trust, it would be his bike.
     He sat on the side of the seat, a hand absently resting over a handlebar. "You and me been through a lot, huh, bike."
     His bike revved quietly.
     "What do you think? I mean, Mari is nice and all, but what would she say? She had a mate, and she still believes he is alive somewhere. And Charlie has always been there for us," Vinnie said quietly. "But then again there's Snowfall." 
     His bike remained still for a few seconds before beeping once.
     "I know," he continued. "I should think of Charlie. And our supposed surprise tonight."
     His bike started forward enough to force him to stand.
     "Time to get off my lazy tail and get to work, huh?"
     His bike beeped twice then fell still.
     Vinnie walked up the ladder to Charlie's bedroom. He paused at the top stairs, watching Charlie and Mari tuck Brigit and Snowfall into Charlie's bed. He descended the ladder, going to the table. He sat with a thud, head going to hands. What a night this would be.
     A sudden knock on the door startled him. He removed his laser and went to the door. He flung it open, growling, and grabbed the person nearest him.
      "I don't think Throttle would like you manhandling his lady," she said, smoothing her uniform once Vinnie had let go.
     "Carbine? What are you doing here?" Vinnie said, mouth agape.
     Carbine smiled. "I'm not alone, Rimfire is here also. Where are the guys?"
     "I found a homeless girl and they went to find her parents. It might take them a while." Vinnie clapped Rimfire on the shoulder once he entered the garage. "Long time no see."
     "Same here. How long you think they'll be gone?" Rimfire asked.
     Vinnie shrugged. "Have either of you heard about a mouse named Turbo or a unit called the Rockers? Someone here would like to know."
     Carbine shook her head. "I've checked. No record of the Rockers. And as for Turbo, the only listing I could find is missing in action from the battle at Monument."
     "He didn't die at Monument," Mari said, descending the stairs. "He and a few of us survived. He was alive when I was captured by the Plutarkians."
     "Well," Carbine said. "He's not on Mars anymore. I did find a curious note with a stamp of classified, saying he and some mice left Mars in a stolen star craft against orders."
     Mari covered her mouth. "Then Junior's notes about the Rockers had been right. Oh, gods."
     "Last line says the ship broke apart just outside Mars' orbit with no survivors," Carbine said softly.
     Mari shook her head. "No. I won't accept the fact he is dead. Not even after all this." She ran from the garage.
     Vinnie tried to stop her but missed. He glared at Carbine and Rimfire. "Nice thing to tell someone who tried to believe Junior's report was a lie. Good going." He cast a long look toward Charlie. Without further words he bolted from the Last Chance garage with two jackets in his hand.
                                     #

When he found Mari, she sat on the edge of a nearby roof, a picture in her hand. He laid one of the jackets over her sobbing form. He sat beside her, letting his arm drape over her shoulders. He half smiled when she laid her head on his shoulder, her sobbing eased considerably.
    Vinnie laid his cheek on her forehead, staring out into the darkness.  He could see the city lights and once thought them a beautiful backdrop for a romantic evening.  Now he wanted those lights dimmed, a fitting silence to the end of the Rockers.
    'Things can only get worse from here,'  he thought. 'Mari truly is free. And we do have Snowfall. Damn but the world is cruel.'
    "How could this happen?" she whispered, her voice shaking.  "After all we'd been through."
    "Sometimes it just happens." Vinnie held her closer, draping his tail around her side. "But it'll all workout.  Right, sweetheart?"
    Mari only shrugged. "They're really gone.  Gone."
    "But you're not alone.  You've got Snowfall.  You've got me," Vinnie said.
    "I know.  This will take some time to get over.  If I ever do."
    Vinnie patted her arm.  "The pain might be there, under the surface, but you learn to live with it."
    Mari turned frosted cheeks to him, her eyes red with tears.
    Vinnie looked down, his voice softening, almost a whisper.  "Once, I had a love.  But a dirty rat kidnaped her.  I never saw her again."
    "I didn't know," Mari said, taking his hand in hers. "I guess you do understand what it's like.  To lose someone you really care about. I'm . . . sorry about snapping at you when I was pregnant. About not knowing."
    "That's in the past.  Almost 15 years ago," Vinnie said, looking at her.  Staring at her eyes.
    Mari half smiled, sniffling.  "Maybe we'd better get back.  It's getting cold out here.  The other's'll be getting worried about us."
    Vinnie sighed.  "I guess you're right."
    He helped Mari to her feet, a protective arm around her when her knees buckled. She looked straight ahead, not resisting his grip.  She let him help her back to the Last Chance.  Vinnie, on one hand felt happy she would let him be there for her.  But he could not ignore that tiny voice that said to cool it and go back to his original plans.
    Both of them sighing inwardly once more, they returned home.

                                        #
    The radio had been turned on and low.  Vinnie could barely hear the music as he guided Mari to the couch.  Someone had chosen one of the local  soft rock stations, not WSGB.

       Let's run away from life together,
       Let me run away from life with you.
       Let's run away from life together,
       Leave behind the stormy weather.
       Let's find out what fantasy can do.

        Where we'll go so they can't touch us,
        Life is perfect nothing more to do.
        Nothing more that we'll be needin'.
        Life is a paradise in Eden.
        Eatin' grapes and makin' love with you.

    The song cut deep.  Vinnie helped Mari with her jacket, tossing it into a corner.  He sat with his back to the door, an arm around her shoulder.  Her body trembled, but not from the cold.

               Rest unchanging, no more fights,
                We won't ever even disagree.
                Let's go off into the heavens,
                In eternal happiness for free.

                Nothing's wrong, no strings attached,
                No reason to get crazy, never blue.
                Nothin' from your nosey neighbor.
                Nothin's new, no trial, no labor.
                Cross the River Jordan, hallelu.

   Vinnie looked down, eyes locked on Mari's hands.  Her ice cold hands encircled his.  He wanted nothing more than to sit there, holding her hands.  He wanted nothing more than to forget his plans with Charlie.

                 Rest unchanging, no more fights,
                 We won't ever even disagree.
                 Let's go off into the heavens,
                 In eternal happiness for free.

    Charlie.

    Vinnie wrested one of his hands from Mari's grasp, patting the back of her hand.  "I'll always be there for you, sweetheart. You and Snowfall."
    Mari sighed, her trembling easing.  "I know. It's just that after all these years . . . "
    "I understand.  I lost someone once.  Someone I cared for deeply," Vinnie said, his voice a bare whisper.
    Mari leaned closer, laying her head on his shoulder.  "Hold me.  Please."
    He snuggled her closer, leaning back on the couch.  He wrapped her with both arms, entwining his tail with hers letting them drape over her legs.  He glanced at the clock.  Only three hours until midnight.  Only three more hours till the new millennium.
    Only three more hours left to give Charlie his present.
    Vinnie shifted slightly at a sound.  He looked down.  Mari slept restlessly.  The noise came from another source.  He looked over his shoulder as best he could without waking Mari.
    "Rimfire's with Charlie.  She's worried sick over you.  And Mari," Carbine said.
    "I know," Vinnie whispered, smoothing Mari's hair.  "It's just . . . "
    Carbine shook her head.  "Charlie said she had planned an evening with you.  The guys came and took Brigit with them.  Something about a possible lead, and they wanted her with them."
    Vinnie sighed.  "What about you and Rimfire?"
    "So? We came to Earth to celebrate the start of a new millennium with you boys. Stoker would have come but with the renewed Plutarkian effort on Mars . . . " Carbine said, her voice trailing off.  "There is also a lead on Mace.  He has been spotted alive near Plutark."
    Vinnie nearly leapt to his feet, then remembered Mari.  She slept sound enough his start did not wake her.  He carefully disengaged himself from her, and rose.
    "Nothing's positive, but I thought you might like to know.  Because of Harley," Carbine said.  "None of us will forget what he did."
    Vinnie closed his eyes at the memories that flooded back.  How the Freedom Fighters had beaten the Plutarkians and their Tug Transformer. How he had won Harley from Stoker.  And how the rat spy Mace had kidnaped Harley as a last taunt against the mice.  Harley.  His love before Charlie.
    And to think, she may still be alive.
    "Like I said," Carbine continued.  "There's no proof she's with him or even alive."
    "I know," Vinnie said, turning.  "Thanks."
    He winced at her hand on his shoulder. "Just take it easy.  She's been through a lot today.  Not to mention all of this.  And don't, whatever you do, forget Charlie. She filled me in about Snowfall."
    Vinnie bowed his head.  "I need time to think."
    He listened to Carbine's retreating footsteps, unmoving.  He shouldn't abandon Charlie.  Not after the years they had spent together.  But Mari and Snowfall needed him at the moment.
    He instead walked to the radio and turned it off.  He walked up the stairs to Charlie's room, peeking in.  Charlie looked up from a picture Rimfire held in his hands.  Rimfire hastily tucked the picture in his vest pocket and rose, nodding to Vinnie on the way by.
    Vinnie entered the small bedroom and sat down in the chair just vacated by Rimfire.  He looked to the floor, not wanting to look into Charlie's green eyes.  Eyes belonging to a woman he so dearly loved. His gaze momentarily lit on Snowfall who slept soundly.  
    "How is she?" Charlie asked quietly.
    "Sleeping," Vinnie said. "I think Carbine and Rimfire will stay with her."
    Charlie nodded.  "Rimfire told me about the leads to Harley."
    Vinnie looked at her.  He began to speak but words failed him. What could he say to the woman he loved, when he could not even tell how he felt inside. He gathered up the courage and took a hold of her hand.
    "I wanted to say something," he began at last.  "But I . . . "
    "I know something bothered you.  I figured it had to be Brigit," Charlie said.  "But then the way you took off after Mari when she found out about Turbo . . . "
    Vinnie bowed his head. "I shouldn't've run off like that, but she needed someone."
    "Rimfire or Carbine could have gone."
    "I didn't think."
    Charlie sighed.  "It's only three hours until the new millennium begins."
    "Follow me," Vinnie said suddenly, rising."
    Charlie resisted at first yet followed in the end. Vinnie led her down the stairs and grabbed their jackets on the way out the door, without a word to Carbine or Rimfire. They walked for a ways, until the garage lay out of sight, then he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
    "I had something for you.  Something I bought the other day," he began, reaching inside his pants pocket. "Here.  I hope you like it."
    Charlie took the small package and opened it.  She paused, tears forming in the edges of her emerald eyes.  She looked to Vinnie who lopsidedly smiled at her. "It's beautiful."
    "Only the best for ya, sweetheart," Vinnie said, removing the necklace from the case.  He held it high, letting the light of the moon glint off the large charm on the necklace.
    The symbol of the Biker Mice.  One side solid gold, the other silver and engraved with two names and the date January first, 2000.
    Charlie said nothing, wrapping her arms around Vinnie's neck, kissing him full on the lips. They stayed together for several minutes, holding and hugging.  Vinnie did not want to break the contact they shared.
    "I wanted to give you another present . . . but something else came up," Vinnie said, hastily adding as Charlie pulled away.  "That's why I went without my bike. She can be quite the talker at times.  I wanted to buy tickets for us to watch the fireworks from the lakeside.  Brigit stopped those plans."
    Charlie sniffled, reaching inside her jacket's pocket.  She handed two slips of paper to Vinnie.  "I bought those yesterday.  I thought it would be a romantic way to end the millennium."
    Vinnie looked at the papers.  Two tickets he had sought to buy that day.  Charlie had outguessed his plans.
    "Sweetheart . . . "
    "Ah, stifle it, ya big lug.  Just tell me you will go."
    Vinnie grinned. "Of course.  Nothing could stop me."
    At the sound of bike engines, Vinnie groaned.  He turned to see Throttle and Modo return with Brigit.
    "No luck.  Her parent's are no where to be found," Throttle said.  "We tried the police, but they have no record of Brigit nor her parents."
    "Brigit claims her parents are here," Modo said, lifting the girl off his lap.  "But where is the question."
    Vinnie held out a hand when Throttle dismounted. "Mari's had it rough tonight.  Carbine and Rimfire landed just after you left.  Turbo is dead."
    "Oh, mama," Modo said.  "How is she?"
    "Sleeping.  She ran when she heard the news. I followed and comforted her," Vinnie hesitated looking to Charlie.  "Carbine thinks Harley is alive."
    "Harley? After all these years?"  Throttle asked.
    Vinnie nodded.  "But that's in the past.  If they come up with leads, I'm sure they'll find a way to rescue her.  Now all that matters is tonight. Right, sweetheart?"
    Charlie nodded. "Vinnie and I are going out tonight to see the fireworks."
    Modo clapped Vinnie on the shoulder.  "Ya should've told me that's what you were after.  I'd've gotten them myself."
    Vinnie began to blush,  hiding it with a cough.  "We're heading out to get good seats.  Tell the others Happy New Year for us, will ya?"
    "Sure, bro," Throttle said.  "Have fun."
    "Yo, bike," Vinnie shouted.  He waited for his bike to race to his side before looking to the guys.  "See ya in the new millennium."
    Vinnie mounted his bike waiting for Charlie. Once settled they sped down the road, headed to their romantic evening.
                                     #
    "Three minutes, sweetheart," Vinnie said, arm casually draped around Charlie's shoulders.
    "I can't wait," Charlie said, fingering the necklace he had helped her put on.  "Oh, Vinnie, this is just what I had planned."
    Vinnie smiled down at her. "Me too."
    "Ooh, one minute left," Charlie said, leaning into Vinnie.  He cradled her in his arms as they sat on the banks of Lake Michigan.
    They could hear the cheer from the group below moments before the first rocket went off.  The sky soon became lit with a multitude of colors as Chicago prepared to welcome in the new millennium.
    "Happy New Year, Vinnie," Charlie said.
    "Happy New Year, sweetheart," he replied, kissing her, the fireworks display over head soon forgotten.
    "I love you, Vinnie." Charlie said at long last.
    "I will always be there for you, sweetheart."

    Always.

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Run Away From Life  (C) to the Monkees -