Blood Ties
PART 8
By Hayden Davidson
Copyrighted by before said name.
7-30-98
PG-13


Disclaimer: I don’t own the Biker Mice. Wish I did. But I don’t. The people who own it let it be taken off the air by the Power Ranger..(#@%%^$^!)Uhmm...Sorry. This fanfic is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents(all besides the Biker Mice and such buy we talk about that before) are products of the author’s (me) imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead or otherwise, is entirely coincidental. Please don’t sue me. I’m only a lowly college student who probably should be writing something she could get paid for (as I’m not being paid for this. This is written simply because I like the show, others like the show..and Nik and others have threaten me with bodily harm if I don’t get this part out, and for that guy named Moe. Stop e-mailing me Moe. I don’t know where Curly is.) This disclaimer also tests Stoker1439 theory that no one reads disclaimers. I do apologize for the running commentary that will happen in this part for some reason I just couldn’t stay serious. Blame it on Stoker1439. He’s corrupting me.


A lone car sat in the empty area known as the crossroads outside Chicago. For miles around there was nothing but emptiness. In the pre-twilight a woman with midnight black hair stood leaning up against the rusted machine. She smiled absently at the sleeping little girl in the car. Sighing she turned and look at the city, then at her watch. He should be here by now…

"Mamma? I'm hungry. When's Race gonna come?" Seven year old Grace sat up in the passenger seat and looked at her mom.

Karen sighed and turned to look at the child. "I don’t know baby.. we'll wait a little while longer than leave, okay?"

"But I wanna see Race!" The child whinnied.

"I thought you said you were hungry, Gracie." Karen said absently.

The child pouted not able to come up with good come back. She had just opened her mouth to stick her tongue out at her mother when she smiled broadly. She pointed behind her mother. Karen turned and saw a single headlight coming towards them. For a moment she started to panic.

"Gracie-"

Then the familiar rumbling purr of a bike's engine came to her ears. She smiled, her heart skipping a beat despite the dire reason that had brought them to meet this night. Race…

Race's Shadow Aero rumbled to a stop by Karen beat up car. Grace climbed out of the car and ran up to him. Her smile was huge and for him alone. He took off his helmet and swung the child up in his arms.

"Hey Gracie, Darlin' "he smiled down at he child. But felt a twinge of pain in his heart.

Karen caught the look of sadness in his eye and walk towards him. She knew it was the grief he still felt over his lost wife and daughter.

"Hello Race," She said, not wanting to get on the subject right away.

Race sat Grace down and patted her head. "Go back in the car, honey. Me and yer Momma need to talk grownup stuff, 'kay?"

The seven-year-old rolled her eyes but climbed into the back seat to read the new Goosebumps book she had gotten that day.

The two adults looked at each and walked a small distance from the car. Far enough that the child's sharp ears couldn't hear the conversation but close enough to keep an eye on her.

"Didn't think you'd bring Grace with you…" Race started.

"I was afraid to leave her alone, Race…if they find out I sent a letter to that Martian and that woman... Charlene…" Karen said softly.

Without warning Race garbed her arm. "YA TOLD THAT FILTHY MOUSE!" He hissed at her. Race's golden eyes glared at her. His grip on her arm was fierce.

"Race! You’re hurting me! Stop!" Karen said.

For the first time Karen was really afraid of Race. She knew he hated all Martian mice because of the death of his wife and beloved daughter. She had known he wasn’t going to like working with the mice. But she hadn’t thought he’d react like this.

“No creature like him deserves to have a child like Zoey.” Race’s words were fairly growled.

“RACE! That ‘creature’ is Zoey’s father may I remind you! And has every right to have his child!” She hissed back at him. “You say his race caused the death of your little girl! You say their monsters, well whose the monster now Race? You want to purposely keep Zoey from her rightful parents and you think its right… hurting this mouse won’t bring them back Race...” She trailed off.

Race was about to respond to her angrily when a young voice cut into their conversation, as such.

“Momma? Race?” Grace stood a few feet away confusion on her young face at the two people who meant more to her than anything. All this yelling wasn’t right.

The two grownups turn and looked at the child. Race guiltily released Karen’s arm and looked away from both mother and child. Karen managed a smile for her daughter.

“Gracie go back to the car, sweetheart...”

“But...”

“Now Grace.”

The little girl stomped her foot and pouted all the way back to the car. Parents were so unfair.

“And don’t slam the car--” SLAM “--door.”

Karen look over at Race who was studying a leaf being blown by the wind, and for a moment she was sure he was going to pounce it. She smiled at thought of Race pouncing the leaf like one of her house cats. Almost has if he knew what she was thinking he looked up and gave her a half smile.

“Me? Pounce a leaf? Whatcha take me for? A common house cat?” Race said softly, he was smiling but he’s golden eyes betrayed his feelings of guilt.

“Race...” Karen couldn’t just let it go. “Zoey’s father wasn’t the one who killed your family.”

Race gave her an ironic smile, the sadness in his face tore Karen up. “I know Karen. It’s just...” He lowered his eyes then raised them again. He touched her arm gently, his finger brushing the spot he’d gripped so tight. “Karen... I… I didn’t hurt ya did I?” He’s eyes searched hers.

“No Race. My arms fine. It’s partially my fault… telling them wasn’t my most brilliant idea.”

“Kar, you did the right thing. They’re her parents and Zoe deserve to have her parents.” Karen started to speak. “Let me finish. I’ll work with these mice to help get Zoey... but only for her… and don’t....”

“Expect you to be best friends with those mangy mice. I know, I know...” She smiled at Race. To him it was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. That smile was worth cohorting with his enemies... hell that smile was worth clawing yer way back from the dead through ten miles of stone just to see it again.

“Why do I always seem to wind up doing what you said in the first place, Karen?” Race asked as they walked to her car.

“‘Cuz I’m always right silly.” Karen grinned at him.

Race smiled at her. He reached up and brushed her cheek softly. “Of course ya are, beautiful...” he leaned down closer to her. Karen’s breath quickened.

Grace chose then to roll down the window. Kids have great timing don’t they?

“Mommy” Gracie whined. “I’m hungry! Can we go to Pizza Hut for dinner?”

The two adults straighten away from each other slowly. After exchanging embarrassed glances. The two backed away from the other a bit. Race smiled at the human child. Tousled her hair a bit then grinned at Karen. Karen turned to her daughter.

“Gracie, baby I told you I can’t afford to take you there every night of the week!” Karen said, slightly exasperated.

“But the food at home is yucky!”

“I thought you like my spaghetti and barbecue, baby?” Karen asked her child.

Race watched the interchange with a grin. He had missed hearing such interchanges so much. For a moment Karen was no longer a female with raven hair but a golden furred Katling with gold/tan hair. Her gray eyes were now a brilliant green. Grace was changed to a black furred Katling with a gold ear and golden hair. Her eyes too were gold cat’s eyes. Race closed his eyes and shook he’s head. The images disappeared. The two humans were there once again.

“I do Mamma… but every night? Please? Pretty please wit sugar and candy and a cherry on top?” Gracie pleaded.

Karen was about to say no again when Race cut in.

“Okay Gracie Pizza Hut it is!” Race told the child.

Grace jumped up and down and squealed with joy. She never got to eat out. Never ever. Then again never ever to a seven-year-old can be 5 minutes, but let’s not get into that. Karen shot Race a look. And if looks could kill Race would be deader than a doornail. Not to say that a doornail was ever alive but that...sorry a Dickinson’s relapse.

“Race...”her tone held a warning.

“Come on, sugar. My treat...”Race coaxed.

Karen debated giving in, but decided not to give in that easy. Hey, just because a charming cat like alien with a southern accent wants to take you to Pizza Hut, doesn’t mean you have to say yes.

“Well... I don’t know, Race... I’m mean people might flip about seeing you...”

“Please Mommy? Mr. Dillion knows about Race. ‘Member? Please… pretty pretty please...”

Karen through up her hands. “Okay, okay Pizza Hut it is.”

Karen climbed into her car, buckling up Grace. Who didn’t think she needed to. Then drove after Race.

For the moment the dire fates that had brought them together forgotten. Almost.

“Momma?”

“Yes, baby?”

“You an’ Race are gonna help Zoey’s parents get her aren’t you?”

Karen didn’t know what to say.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Last Chance Garage was dark and silent as the clock struck midnight. Almost silent. In the upstairs bedroom Charley tossed and turned in her bed, her sheets her tangled about her body. As her head tossed back and forth she mumbled and groaned held in the grip of a nightmare.

Downstairs in the living room another body was asleep am the couch. His rest no more peaceful than Charley’s. Vinnie, who at Charley’s request had agreed to stay at the garage that night, too tossed and turned as old demons came out to haunt him. A cold sweat soaked his fur.

About one o’clock a storm rolled in over Chicago. Thunder shook the garage as lighten flashed, lighting up the pre-dawn sky. Still the occupants of the garage sleep on. Suddenly with a furious crashes lightening hit a tree nearby sending Charley in complete awareness.

She sat straight up in her head darting from side to side. She managed to slow her breathing after a bit and laughed at herself for being so frightened by the sound. Slumping down into her bedsheets she tried to fall back asleep. But the storm and her own mind would not let her. So she laid there eyes wide opening, listening to the storm.

Downstairs Vinnie was still fast asleep, the storm not waking him but apparently adding to his restlessness. Still tossing and turning Vinnie’s mumbled words began to become clearer.

“...no...oh gods no....”

In Vinnie’s mind he was back on Mars. In the prison cell the pulkaians had been so nice to accommodate him with. His face mask was off thrown across the cell. Vincent Van Wham was kneeling on the cold stone cell floor doing something he usually wouldn’t be caught dead doing. Crying.

Tears ran down his white furred cheeks and on to the small body he held in his arms. The small body of an infant girl. The ten month old laid still and unmoving in his arms. Her white fur caked in blood.

“No..oh gods..no..” Vinnie sobbed over the child. “I’m sorry...so dam sorry..it’s all my fault..”

Then the pultakians came ripping her from his grasp. Vinnie tried to stop them but was over powered.

“NO!!” Vinnie screamed.

He sat up straight as a steel reinforcement, his breath was ragged. Slowly he looked around him. He wasn’t on Mars in a cell, but in Charley’s living room. Taking a deep breath Vinnie swung his legs around to the floor. Looking at the VCR clock he was shock to find that it was almost am.

For a moment he sat there the dream still gripping his mind. He stared out at wall wondering why now after all these years this was haunting him.

“Vinnie?” A soft voice said behind him.

He turn and saw Charley standing in her nightgown. The strain from the day showing on her lovely face. He managed a half-smile for her, but then his mouth fell back into a thin pressed line.

Charley came and sat beside him, resting her cheek on his shoulder. They sat like that for several moments. Just being comforted by the others closeness. Charley felt uneasiness and restlessness that had gripped her slid away. Closing her eyes she snuggled closer to Vinnie.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” Vinnie asked suddenly. The silence was more than he could stand.

Charley opened her eyes and looked at him. Her green eyes large and sad. She shook her head.

“I had a nightmare.” She said simply.

Vinnie nodded and went back to staring at his hands. Charley was surprised at his coolness. After staring at him for several moments longer, she straightened. Standing slowly, she wiped her eyes and tried to hide a small sniff.

At the sound Vinnie turned his head. Looking up he found himself gazing into his almost wife’s deep hurt green spheres.

“Charley..”

“Sorry I interrupted you Vinnie..” Charley began. Tears welled in her eyes.

In an instant Vinnie’s arms were around her. Charley took a deep breath and then pulled away.

“Babe...I’m sorry..I..I had a nightmare too..”

Charley nodded and tried to smile, but failed. Vinnie held her for a moment longer. “Go back to bed Charley.”

“I can’t...every time I close my eyes I see her..” A combination of fury and anguish passed in her eyes.

“You need your sleep, baby.” Vinnie told her stroking her cheek. He was hurting too but she was more important.

“My bed is cold and lonely Vinnie...” Her eyes were wide and luminous as she looked up at him.

“Charlene..you know..” He started.

“I just want you to hold me. Here on the couch. I just want to sleep in your arms. Please?” She pleaded. “I don't want to sleep alone tonight.”

Vinnie nodded. “Anything you want, Charley..anything..”

He picked her up, then laid down on the couch with her in his arm. She snuggled close and with in moments was fast asleep. Vinnie smiled softly at the feel of her chest rising and failing against him. And soon he drifted off into sleep.

Neither had anymore bad dreams.

And some where in a lab far under ground, a small mouse child with white fur clung to a teddy. And cried over her bad dream.

To be continued in part 10 on to part 9 Back To part 7
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