Authors' dedication--We the authors wish to make it clear that The Untold Ranger Tales are a separate reality unto itself. The timeline is the same as in the presentation of the episodes, so this story begins in the past and explains how events developed differently.

 

Chapter 1 - Dreaming From Afar

        The atmosphere of the public library is not for everyone. Indeed, most people enjoy being out and about, trying to do things that end up written in books rather than spending any amount of time reading them. Still, there is a select group of people that prefer that calm, quiet environment where bastions of knowledge lay. And Chip Maplewood was one of that group.
       When Chip wasn’t working a case, he preferred to go to the rodent section of the humans’ city library and just spend hours reading. Occasionally, Gadget or Dale would come with him but they would never stay half as long as he would. Chip studied all the great criminal cases he could find, and delighted in similar tales of fiction. It was true that he read many other topics—history, literature, and culture—but crime was his passion.
       Many a patron knew Chip, because he spent most of his time in the same section near the rear of the library. There he was content, in his own little corner of the world where every mystery was solvable. Once he’d started on his researches, the chipmunk became lost in thought. Such was the case now—Chip didn’t notice the sound of the rain outside, the smell of perfume as a female patron walked by, or the two eyes that were trained on him.
       That last item was understandable, since the eyes were far above him. There was no immediate ceiling in the rodent section, affording easier passage from floor to floor. For the unknown watcher, it provided an easy means of clandestine observation. What might have surprised Chip was that these eyes had seen him before. In fact, many times before. They watched him now with a look of total attention. An hour passed, and the eyes were still there. Two hours. Three. No change. Then Chip decided he’d best get home, and put away The Murders in the Rue Morgue.
       The eyes departed, as if they had never been there. Chip gathered his things together and headed for the exit. The doors were the pride of the rodent library--a stained glass window panel that had been cut in half and attached to hinges to serve as double doors. Chip could see the puddles of water outside as evidence of the former storm’s presence. He was admiring how the light of the moon shone through the colored pane when he nearly bumped into a female bat that he’d never seen before. **I must be tireder than I thought,** Chip mused.
       "Here, let me open the door for you," Chip said. "Sorry I almost ran into you—I guess I spent too much time in here tonight." The bat didn’t say anything at first. She just stared at him, and Chip felt a little uncomfortable. But then she walked out in front of him.
       "Thank you," she said.
       "Not at all. Always glad to be of service," Chip replied. "Say, have I seen you before?"
       The bat became flustered. "Uh, no….no, I don’t think so. Well, nice to have met you!" She started to fly off, then she dropped a piece of paper and watched it float down toward Chip. She hoped he’d read it while she was still within earshot.
       Chip grabbed the paper and happened to glance at it. "Elephant ear wax, lobster lips, lightning bug bulbs...hey! Miss, you dropped your list!" Foxglove’s blood froze. She’d dropped the wrong paper! She didn’t want to turn back, but she knew what Winifred would do if she didn’t have that list. The pretty bat reversed her course and came back to him in a state of near-panic.
       "Oh, thank you! If Winfred knew I’d nearly lost this she’d be livid! And after all the time it took me to look those things up…" Foxy said, mile-a-minute. She snatched the paper and flew into the night sky.
       "Hey what’s your name?" Chip called after her.
       "Foxglove!" the bat said, as she flew out of sight.
       "Foxglove. Strange name. Certainly fits the strange way she acted," Chip thought out loud as he turned to walk toward home.
       Foxglove hadn’t flown far. She’d gone to the place that she called home--a roost in the library’s attic. She’d chosen the spot so she could be close to Chip, and to the books that offered her only escape from Winifred and her sordid comrades. She watched Chip start to walk off, and then pulled out the piece of paper she’d meant to give him. Foxglove looked at the words, and wished more than anything she hadn’t made that mistake because the poem summed up her feelings so well.
       Foxglove carefully folded the paper away in an envelope, hoping she’d have the confidence to give it to him soon. She’d actually met him! It had taken her weeks to come up with an innocent-looking way to meet the handsome chipmunk. Now he seen her and spoken to her. And he opened the door for her! Foxglove was thrilled at that—it had been years since anyone had done anything nice just for her. Her heart was alive, and for the first time that she could remember she felt the pull of love telling her to seek him out again. She knew she would.

       The dawn broke over the oak tree housing Ranger Headquarters to find the tree’s inhabitants already busy. Monty had breakfast going with Zipper’s help, and Chip was checking out the morning crime reports. Dale stretched and came in.
       "Hey, where’s Gadget?" Dale asked. Chip thumbed his hand toward a nearby wooden door. "I heard her working in her workshop when I passed by. She must’ve pulled another all-nighter." In the kitchen, Monty picked up a plate stacked high with flapjacks. "Come’n get it ‘fore I do!"
       The Rangers all rushed in to eat, with Dale in the lead. "Oboy, oboy, oboy!" Chip stopped short at the kitchen door. "Something smells different this morning, Monty!" Monty pulled on the sides of his chef’s apron in pride. "Too right! I decided ta add some walnuts to me famous Cheese Flaps à la Monterey." Monty flung the flapjacks to their plates with a well-practiced hand. At that moment Gadget burst in with excitement written all over her face.
       "I did it! It’s finally finished!" Gadget said, with a flourish. Monty was so surprised by Gadget’s sudden entrance that he flung her flapjack right at her. Gadget deftly grabbed it "Golly, I guess that puts ‘fast food’ in a whole new light!" Gadget sat down between Chip and Dale. "So, watcha buildin’ today, Gadget?" Dale asked. "I’m sure it’s something brilliant, as always," Chip said admiringly. Monty put out his own share of flapjacks. "Well, whatever it was, it sure must be somethin’! You don’t do all-nighters all that often, Gadget luv."
       Gadget looked happy, but the lines under her eyes showed how tired she was. "Well, I normally wouldn’t now with our load of cases and all, but the fine-tuning took a lot longer than I expected and once I started I couldn’t stop or the whole thing might have quit on me!" Monty and the guys looked at each other knowingly. Gadget had a talent for saying a lot but telling very little. "I understand, Gadget. But what did ya build?" Monty asked. Chip and Dale just sat there looking at Gadget with dreamy looks in their eyes. Gadget was still in her inventing euphoria and took no notice. "It’s a digital algorithmic data processor!"
       Chip and Dale both sighed. "That’s wonderful, Gadget." Then they gave each other a harsh glance when they saw the other looking at her. Gadget was hurrying through her breakfast. "Golly, you really think so? I can’t wait to try it out!" Dale saw how enthused she was and was immediately got caught up in it. "Can I help?!" Gadget was shaken back to planet reality with Dale’s question, and she looked uneasy at the prospect. "Well, sure! Uh, you don’t mind crashing, do you?" Suddenly Dale was the one looking nervous. "Crashing?"
       Chip’s angry look turned to an amused smile and he began laughing and pointing at Dale. Monty took off his flight cap and scratched his head. "Crikey, what are ya buildin’ in there, a race car?" Dale started to edge away from the table when Gadget grabbed Dale’s arm. "Don’t worry, Dale! It should work fine with no problems!"
       Dale was sweating profusely, but looking into Gadget’s eyes he can’t bring himself to say no to her. "...uh...well...uh...I guess so." Gadget jumped up from her seat. "Great! C’mon! This’ll be fun!" Gadget pulled Dale by the arm into her workshop, his feet skidding on the floor. Chip laughed the whole time until they disappeared. "Poor Dale! But he had it coming by not saying no!"

       As Gadget closed the door, Dale began to look around like a captured animal searching for an escape. "Uh, so where’s the tort..uh, I mean the invention?"
       "Here!" Gadget went over to her workbench and took up a device the size of a book, handing it to Dale. She turned it on, opened it, and a screen came to life. Dale was not only relieved, he was genuinely giddy. "Wowie-zowie! A computer!"
       Gadget looked at him curiously. "Wasn’t that what I said? I’ve put several programs on there, including classic games. Would you try to crash it, so I can see if it’s bug-proof?" Dale was transfixed by the computer--the games in particular. "Sure, Gadget! Nothing’s foolproof until it gets past me." Gadget smiled and entered a string of commands into the keyboard. A graphics-intensive version of Defender came up. "Okay, do your worst...er, best!"
       Dale took the control Gadget connected to the computer and sat down on the wooden seat of the workbench. With lightning reflexes, Dale started the game. He knew the old classics like the back of his paw. Soon his high score was climbing into the seven-digit range. Gadget watched his dexterity with a degree of awe. "Golly, your eye-hand coordination’s better than mine! Where did you develop that kind of skill?"
       Dale didn’t take his eyes off the screen for an instant as he talked. "When I was a kid I started taking fencing lessons and I’ve kept practicing since then. Video games help keep me sharp." Gadget cocked her head in curiosity at that information. Fencing? Dale? Sure she’d seen him fence against Sewernose before, but she didn’t realize he’d been practicing all this time. Where did he practice? Then she noticed the look of determination on his face. Time after time he would barely avoid destruction and then gobble up points.
       Gadget turned her attention back to the matter at hand as Dale finished the game. "Uh, okay. Let’s try running several programs in series." Gadget activated the computer’s word processor, graphics program and several others. The game now was Pac-Man "Wanna play doubles?" Gadget asked. Dale moved over to offer Gadget a seat at the workbench. "Gadget, I would love for you to join me."

       Chip couldn’t resist any longer. He had to know what kind of agony Gadget was putting her "test subject" through. He leaned against the door with a mischievous grin. What he heard confirmed every thought he’d had.
       "Okay, Dale. But you’re in for a pounding!" Gadget said inside. Chip stifled a giggle. Then he heard Dale say, "Ha! That’s what you think. Do your worst!" The game started and Dale was first. He was easily maneuvering through the first table, when he caught his chomper in a corner.
       "Look out, Dale!" Gadget shouted. Dale tried to maneuver, but it was too late. "Oh no! I’m stuck! I can’t get out...I’m a goner." Chip’s smile was gone. Dale, a goner? Gadget was sympathetic. "Aw, that’s too bad. Well, maybe I’ll have better luck when I get Chip to try it." Chip couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was about to break the door in when he heard Dale speak again. "Well, next time I won’t be killed again so easily!" Chip’s brow knotted in confusion. What was going on in there?
       Now Dale was the spectator. "Watch out, Gadget! There are ghosts all around you and they’ll try to kill you!" Gadget maneuvered the chomper around a corner. "Don’t worry! I’m ahead of them! Oh, no!" Dale pointed to a power pill. "Eat the large glowing disk and you can destroy them. Eat the fruit! Eat the fruit! Aaaaghh!"
       This time Chip did panic. He jumped to his feet and hurled the door open. "Don’t worry, guys! I’ll save...you...from..." Chip stopped short as Dale and Gadget turned around from playing their game. Dale quickly looked back to the screen to see Gadget’s Pac-Man get destroyed by the ghosts.
       Gadget smiled as innocently as ever. "Oh, hi Chip! Dale was testing out my new laptop! It’s officially crash-proof!" Dale had a bemused look on his face. "Chip, you made her lose the game!" Chip was totally lost. "Laptop? Then Dale wasn’t in danger, and you weren’t being attacked by ghosts?"
       "Don’t you know anything about videogames, Chip? It’s Pac-Man, the granddaddy of classic video games!" Dale said, incredulous. Gadget laughed. "Oh don’t be silly, Chip! There’s no such thing as ghosts--well, with the exception of Sir Colby and I’m sure there’s a good explanation for that somewhere..."
       Dale’s thoughts turned elsewhere. "Say...what were you doing snooping outside the door?" Chip felt very awkward. "Uh, well, uh, I guess I’ll get ready to go to the police station!" Chip backed out as quickly as possible. Gadget watched him go, wondering at his quick exit. "Golly, what’s wrong with Chip? He doesn’t usually act that way..."
       Dale grabbed the game control. "Oh, forget about him, he’s just too snoopy for his own good!" Dale said as he turned back to the game. Gadget shrugged and did the same. Chip went outside and gathered himself. A game! He’d gotten concerned over a silly little game! But was that all of it? He’d thought Dale or Gadget or both of them were in trouble. No, there was something else...something.
       "Well, at least no one got hurt," Chip said to himself. Chip returned inside after a few minutes to find the others ready to travel. Gadget was singing Dale’s praises. "Chip, you should have seen what he did! Dale performed this unique geometric pattern in one maze, and was heading straight toward the ghosts! Then they all peeled away from his chomper at the last second as if they’d been trained to do it. Golly, it was exciting to watch!"
       Dale gave Chip a smug smile "See? There are some things that only I can do that you, Chip, could never accomplish." Chip bit his tongue at first as Gadget laughed. But his next words were terse, even for him. "Well, we’re not getting anything done here by playing! Let’s get to work!" The laughing stopped as Chip led the way and got in the RangerWing. Gadget opted out due to her work the night before, and decided to take a short nap. The others were walking behind when Monty got within whispering distance of Dale and Zipper. "Crikey, I wonder what burr got under Chipper’s saddle?" Dale harumphed, "He just can’t stand it when there’s something I can do that he can’t."
       Chip knew. He’d realized it when Gadget had come in, laughing with Dale. He was jealous! Chip couldn’t believe his own feelings at first--why should he feel jealous over Dale playing a game with Gadget? So what? But the feeling wouldn’t go away, and it haunted him all the way to the police station and back. There had been no major crimes, or even anything the Rangers normally dealt with. He wished there had been--it would have given him something else to think about. As they touched down at Ranger headquarters, Gadget came outside and Chip tried to put the uneasy thoughts out of his head.
       "Say, everyone, why don’t we all get out in the sunshine today? The city fountain’s a great place!" Chip said. Dale thought about it for a moment. "Well, normally I’d say yes, but I think that computer could use some more stress testing. There’s Missile Command to try yet!" Gadget snapped her fingers. "Hmm..and I forgot. I still need to test the miniature CD-ROM in it. But the fountain idea sounds great! We’ll meet you there in a couple of hours!"
       Chip grimaced, and didn’t bother to hide it "Well, all right." Chip went to his room and changed, snatched up his Sureluck Jones book and headed out, slamming the door. Gadget couldn’t figure Chip’s attitude out. "Jeepers, Chip’s sure in a bad mood today. Maybe it’s a good thing there wasn’t anything at the police station. He probably needs rest."
       "That ain’t all he needs..." Monty said, under his breath.

       Along with his book, Chip had changed into his swimming trunks. Normally, he would look forward to a chance to play around in the wet stuff but he was preoccupied. Could it be that his feeling of jealousy had some foundation? Chip tried to put it out of his mind with the next Sureluck Jones story, "The Case of the Missing Medical Doctor." Chip settled in by the fountain’s spigot and managed to lose himself in the pages.
       Well concealed in a nearby bush was a bat. She hung quietly, watching Chip read. Foxglove used her eyes and ears to capture the full shape and form of the handsome chipmunk. She blushed as she realized how cute he was in his swimsuit. The only action Chip made in the next two hours was his mouth, silently reading the role of Sureluck Jones. Then at last the others arrived in their swim attire.
       Monty came up and put his hand on Chip’s shoulder. "Chip, ya shoulda stayed around mate! Those two battled each other on that there Missile C’mand up to four million points!" Gadget was moving her fingers, trying to get feeling back into them. "Golly, my hands are tired! Well, a good dip in the fountain should help them."
       Foxglove realized to her horror that as soon as Chip saw the mouse girl, his heart rate increased dramatically. "Last one in’s a rotten munk!" Chip said. Chip dove in and began his usual cavorting. Foxglove continued to silently spy on the group. It seemed to her that both chipmunks were overly fond of the blonde mouse.
       Though Gadget didn’t swim all that often, she was quite accomplished. While Dale and Chip were distracted, she dove under and suddenly popped up next to Dale and plunged his head under the water. That started a general water fight among the Rangers. Foxglove felt a little relief as she continued to watch. The mouse girl seemed to be paying more attention to the chipmunk with the red nose and not to her dream munk. The fun continued on and off until sunset, and then the Rangers went in. Foxglove followed them back to the tree, making sure to keep out of sight. She suspected what Chip would do, and she was right. After a quick supper, Chip was out the door and heading for the library. Foxglove was so excited--she could talk with him again!

       Chip felt a little better after the group activities at the pool. He realized it was silly to be jealous of Dale--after all, hadn’t Gadget come out there to be with him? With that thought in mind, Chip was actually looking forward to his time in the library stacks tonight. As he approached the main door, he saw a shadow made by something overhead.
       Foxglove landed a short distance before him. "Hiya, cute stuff!" Chip was surprised to see Foxglove again so soon. "Oh, hi there! You, uh, didn’t get in any trouble with that Winifred person you mentioned, did you?" Foxglove shook her head slowly, never taking her eyes from him. "No, no problem at all, darling."
       Chip found he was the least bit uncomfortable with the way she said "darling". That and how she was beaming at him. "I’m glad to hear that. I suppose you must get most of your activity in during the night, huh?" She smiled sweetly at him. "Well, on special occasions I’ll be up during the day. But only if it’s something really special."
       Chip decided to try to change the topic. "With my schedule, it seems like just the opposite. My idea of a special occasion is anything besides casework, like this afternoon was." Foxy nodded energetically. "I know, you looked so cu..." Chip started, "Huh? What was that?" Foxglove suddenly grew very nervous. "Uh, nothing, darling."
       Chip’s instincts told him she was hiding something. "Are you sure? You sounded like you were saying..." Foxy knew she had to get away. "No, uh...goodnight, darling!" Foxglove launched herself into the air and was quickly out of sight. Chip started to turn into the library, and then caught himself looking back. "She sure can act strange. But I’m sure she said...oh, well."
       Chip headed inside and soon was secure in his own little corner of the world. Foxy flew in through a second-story window into a seldom-used room and quickly took up her clandestine observation of her chipmunk target. He had spoken to her again! He even was concerned about her well-being by asking about the list and he was even curious about her! Her day had gone even better than she’d hoped. If only she hadn’t blurted out that she had been watching him at the fountain, the talk might have gone longer!
       Foxglove watched as Chip finally left for Ranger Headquarters. She wanted to fly down and try talking to him again, but her mistake held her back. Now she knew where he lived--if only she could muster up the courage.
       "Tomorrow....tomorrow maybe."
       Foxy flew off, thinking only of Chip and how she could muster up the courage to do what she dreamed of doing. Then it came to her--she needed something in common with him! But the only thing she knew about him was the books he read. She brightened at the idea, and headed back for the library. The doors were locked, but she didn’t use them normally anyhow. The second-story window was left open and she sailed through. The nightlight was on, and that was all she needed with her normal bat senses to navigate. She found the book that Chip had been reading and pulled it. Proceeding back to the window, Foxy opened the cover.
       "The Casebook of Sureluck Jones. Well, here goes..."
       Foxglove didn’t read mysteries as much as the classic romances she enjoyed. It took Foxy a little effort to get around the Victorian terminology, but as she read she began to find herself actually enjoying the story. The wily detective was on the trail of yet another criminal mastermind. She read out loud--there was no one around for her to disturb, anyway. Once she’d finished the first story, she couldn’t wait for the next. Maybe she and Chip really did have something in common!
       "Oh, I hope so. Let’s see. ‘The year of 1878 was the darkest time Jones and I were to experience in his neverending battle to solve the mysteries of crime...’."
       The intrigued bat continued, but was concerned when she read about Jones’ feelings toward women. Was Chip like that? Would he not like or trust her? She shook it off and kept reading. When dawn cracked a friendly smile, Foxglove had fallen asleep right there at the window. She awoke with a start, and realized that she’d finished! She rushed downstairs and just managed to get the book back in place before the employees came in.
       "Oh, I hope my cutie’s not just like that Jones. Now, if I can only remember it all..."
       She took off in the direction of Ranger Headquarters, trying to convince herself that she could…she would visit him. As she drew near, Foxy flew around the tree hoping to see Chip. He wasn’t outside, but as she completed her circuit she noticed the red-nosed chipmunk came out and jumped in a hammock. **Well, maybe I can ask him,** she thought. Foxy fluttered down, not exactly sure how to proceed. "Uh, excuse me...."
       "AAAHHH!" Dale shouted, caught by surprise. Dale fell out of the hammock and leaped to his feet. He looked at his attacker and saw that she was a rather attractive girl bat who appeared as startled as he was. Dale looked sheepish, and a little embarrassed at his reaction. "Uh, can I help you with something?"
       Foxy was startled. In fact, this hyperactive chipmunk’s reaction had made her more nervous than before. "Oh, well you see..uh, I..I wanted to see someone." Dale curiosity was growing. "Uh, sure. Who do you wanna see?" She couldn’t for the life of her remember his name. "Oh, he looks just like you but he wears a hat and jacket?"
       Dale just stared at her in stunned silence for a few moments. Chip had an admirer! "Oh, that’s Chip. Is he helping you on a case or is this something...not work related?" Dale asked with a small smile forming. Foxy blushed "Uh, noooo. I…I...met him at the library and wondered if...well..."
       Dale had to bite his lip to keep from giggling. "I’ll take you right too him, miss...say, what’s your name?" She had to think again for several seconds. "My name?...it’s Foxglove. But if he’s busy or anything, don’t let me get in the way...." Dale was bubbling with vigor. "NO! He’s not busy! Come with me, Miss Foxglove."
       She was debating between staying or fleeing when Dale grabbed her by the wing. There was no turning back now. Dale’s insides were practically quivering with glee at the impending meeting of Chip and the bat. Chip had just come outside, and had settled in a lawn chair. He was reading a bit before getting started with the day. Dale was coming around the corner as he sang out, "Hey Chiiiip! Your girlfriend is here!"
       Chip didn’t even bother to look up. "No, Dale. You can’t have the chair, and I won’t fall for your jokes this morning." Foxy was shaking inside. He sounded so authoritative! Was he different around others than he’d been with her? Dale came close to her and whispered, "Go on and say hello."
       Foxglove heard the words, but her feet wouldn’t move. She whispered back, "Are you sure I should? He seems busy..." Dale was so full of anticipation, he could barely contain it. "Chip reads too much--talk to him!"
       With a herculean effort, Foxglove got her feet to obey. She approached slowly, trying to control the shaking. It was as if she was approaching her final judgement. Chip still hadn’t looked up, so she decided she’d have to speak. "Uh, hello..." Chip started at the words. Dale was a good ventriloquist, but he wasn’t that good! Sure enough, the bat he’d met at the library was standing next to him.
       **The strange girl again. What’s she shaking for?** Chip wondered. "Oh, hi! I didn’t notice you come up. What brings you here?" Foxy blinked twice, feeling like she was in the presence of some legendary figure. "Uh...I just happened to be flying by and thought maybe...uh, what’s that your reading, Chip?" She said the name "Chip" with noticeable relish.
       Chip was caught off-guard by the question. "My Sureluck Jones book. I tend to read a chapter before starting the day." Foxy knew it couldn’t have been better for her. "Oh really? I was reading one of his stories last night." Chip raised an eyebrow at that. He hadn’t met many females that had read the adventures. "Interesting. Which one?"
       Staring at her cutie’s expectant face, the title of the story she had read vanished from her mind. "Uh...I can’t remember," she said, crestfallen. Chip paused a moment. "Well, the stories are sort of similar in structure. Do you remember what the year was at the start of the story?"
       Foxy concentrated. "I think it was 1878, cutie." Dale sat and watched the exchange between Foxglove and Chip with growing interest. Chip ignored her appellation, and was already thinking through the stories mentally. "Let’s see, that’s from the Casebook. That would be...‘The Case of the Filched Feather’!" Foxy smiled with satisfaction. "Oh, yes! That’s it. You have such an amazing memory, darling."
       She pulled up a nearby chair and sat very close to him. Chip’s mind was totally on the story, since it happened to be one of his favorites. " ‘The wily detective drew a broad-lettered ‘C’ on the parchment and said, ‘I know who has done the dastardly deed!’ Wasn’t that ending a great twist?" Chip asked. Foxglove found that she was starting to love the sound of his voice "Oh yes, Chip."
       Chip had to admit he was impressed by this bat. There were few girls that shared any of his likes. Then he looked up at her and noticed how amorously she was looking at him. "Well…I need to get inside and get things started for the day. You’re welcome to hang around of course..." Foxy immediately wrapped her wings around Chip and pulled him to his feet. "I’d like that, darling."
       Chip blushed, and suddenly wished he hadn’t made that invitation. He gently but quickly removed her wings and became all-business. "Follow me, then. Dale let’s go! We’ve got crimes to solve!" Dale, looked like he was going to explode with laughter, but somehow he managed to keep it inside. "Okay...(snort)...Chip...you’re the...(snort) boss."
       Foxy took Chip’s arm in her wing. "You’re a heroic crime fighter? You’re just like Sureluck Jones!" Chip had started to get annoyed with all this attention, but that compliment hit him in his weak spot "Well, I’ve tried to model my style after his. After all, there’s no greater detective than he was."
       Chip was still uncomfortable leading her in, but that was nothing compared to the look Monty gave him when he saw them. "Too-ra-loo! Looks like we’ve got real class for a client today, eh Chippah?" Monty asked. Then Gadget emerged from her workshop. "Golly, Chip, who’s your friend?"
       Dale was almost dancing as he came in. "She and Chip met at the library." When Foxy saw Gadget she tensed up a bit, remembering Chip’s reaction to her the previous day. She could tell that much of Chip’s attention was already on her. Chip was feeling like he wanted to be anywhere else than where he was. "Foxglove, meet Gadget, Monty, Zipper, and you already met Dale. Everyone, this is Foxglove. Uh, she’s just another bibliophile I met who came over to discuss Sureluck Jones. I’m showing her what we do here in crime detection and prevention. Gadget, why don’t we show her your workshop?"
       Foxy gave Chip an annoyed glance. She finally had Chip’s attention and she didn’t want to share it with another woman. But since it was obvious that they were friends, she didn’t want to make a bad impression. "Uh okay, Chip darling." Gadget stifled a giggle at this girl calling Chip ‘darling’. It was obvious to her that she liked him, and Gadget even noticed Chip’s slight nervousness. She led them into her workshop.
       "Well, here’s where I create all the inventions we use on cases. I’m sure you’d like Chip to explain the importance of technology in casework," Gadget said. She turned her back, pretending to work on her laptop and doing her best not to laugh. Foxy was boiling over with enthusiasm. "Oh yes, Chip. Tell me all about your cases, you have such a wonderful speaking voice."
       Monty, Dale and Zipper were right around the corner, not missing a word of this command performance. Chip cleared his throat, trying to clear the uncertainty from his voice and almost succeeding. "As a Sureluck Jones reader, I’m sure you’re aware of the science of detection in casework. Jones had to use crude methods compared to our means now..." Chip went into a spiel on the use of tracking techniques, wiretapping, information technology and the forensic sciences in aiding the crimefighter.
       Foxglove was entranced by Chip’s voice, but she was scarcely aware of what he was saying. The look of adoration on her face was very evident. The look was so evident that even Gadget noticed it when she peeked around at them. She continued to test her laptop and grinned at the novel situation. "Tell me more, Chip," Foxglove urged. Chip saw that look in her face again, and the nervousness returned full force. "Well, I’d like to but it’s...it’s really past our time to get to the police station!"
       Chip walked briskly into the main room, Foxy at his side. The boys just managed to round the corner and appear innocent. Chip checked the clock on the wall. "I was afraid of that. We’ve got to go--Ranger work is too dangerous for a civilian like you, Foxglove. But it was nice of you to drop by."
       Foxy’s boldness was now wearing off, to be replaced by timidity. "Uh, okay. Can I visit you again, cutie?" Chip wanted to say no, but everyone was looking at him. "Well, sure. But our hours aren’t set, so I may not be around just anytime." Foxy gave him a quick hug. "That’s okay, darling. I’ll just have to stop by a lot to make sure I can find you here."
       Chip bonked himself on the inside. "Uh well, we’ll see. Goodbye!" Chip escorted Foxglove to the door and then made like he was preparing the RangerWing for flight. Foxglove flew off, but quickly took up a concealed position in a nearby tree to watch her sweetie in action. Chip was annoyed now, and muttered, "How did I get myself into this..."
       Chip checked the RangerWing over, hoping the others would come out. When they didn’t, he went to the door and said for effect, "Okay, let’s get going everyone! Rescue Rangers, away!" The others come out, giggling and whispering amongst themselves.
       "Right away, Chip darling!" Dale said, with gusto. Chip gritted his teeth. "Oh, Dale...the next time someone shows up looking for me, give me some warning!"
       "Okay, cutie!" Dale replied. Chip’s eyes narrowed. "And don’t call me cutie!" Chip got into the RangerWing in a huff, while Dale laughed so hard that he fell to the ground. Monty picked him up. "Dale lad, you’ve had yer fun, now let up on ol’ Chip," Monty said. Gadget knew that Chip wasn’t taking this well at all. "Monty’s right, Dale. This Foxglove obviously likes him, and he’s embarrassed about it. Think about how you would be in his place."
       Dale managed to get the giggles out of his system. "Well...I’d probably feel nervous too if Foxglove liked me as much as she likes Chip. I’ll try, but believe me, it’s not going to be easy!" Gadget walked toward the RangerWing and thought out loud, "I wonder why she picked Chip? Well, she seems nice. I just hope Chip can behave himself."
       Dale stopped at those words, as he let Gadget and Monty get ahead of him. His tone of voice changed as he watched Gadget walk on. "Girls are always attracted to Chip."

       Gadget got into the RangerWing along with the others and they took off, leaving Foxglove alone with her thoughts. Foxglove watched the RangerWing vanish from view. **He talked to me and showed me around his home! He likes me! He’s brave, smart. He’s clever and heroic too. I’ve found the munk of my dreams!**
       The Rangers’ day went normally after Foxglove’s visit, though Dale giggled out of control several times. Gadget noticed Chip’s discomfort when he did so, but she didn’t know if she should say anything or not. The day’s patrol ended without any action, and after a good supper Chip was ready for sleep.
       Gadget noticed he was turning in early. "Aren’t you going to the library?" Chip only paused a moment. "No, not tonight Gadget." Gadget could see the reason written on his face, and thought about how upset his decision would make Foxglove. "But Chip..." Chip wasn’t in the mood for talking, even with Gadget. He made a small wave of his paw and headed for the room he shared with Dale. Of course, Dale was in the main room watching television, so Chip didn’t have to worry about him for hours. "I wish he was the one I had to worry about..." Chip mused as he got into his nightshirt and took up his place in the bunk.
       How had he gotten into this mess? Where did this Foxglove come from? Why was she so...Chip wanted to put the label annoying to her, but that wasn’t the whole of it. She had been nice, but overbearing. That was it. Overbearing. Chip didn’t like how close she’d gotten, even though the subject matter of their last talk had been interesting. But what should he do? Foxglove was obviously determined to come back the next day. He didn’t want to just say "buzz off" but he’d already come close to doing just that. Somehow he got the idea this bat wouldn’t take that well.
       "But I’ve got to do something. She’s like a magnet--always trying to stick to me. What would Sureluck Jones do..."

 

Chapter 2 - A Dream is a Menace, A Dream is a Wish

       Gadget sat at her drawing board in her workshop. She’d been trying to concentrate on making plans for her newest invention, but something was bothering her. True, Chip’s terse words and look had disturbed her but that wasn’t the whole of it. She sat back and applied her considerable mental powers to the problem. She knew Foxglove was the problem for Chip, but she was having trouble narrowing down exactly what about Foxglove was bothering her. She seemed nice enough, but Gadget had noticed some hesitation when Foxglove had looked at her. **Maybe she’s not used to other people.** Then again, her reaction to Chip seemed to belay that thought. Was it the fact that Foxglove had been so interested in him? She shook off the uncertainty and took up her pencil again. Whatever the problem was, it would work itself out in time. No need to lose a free night’s inventing fussing over nothing.

       With everyone busy, Dale had free reign over the main room. He’d set out his snacks on the couch to the left and right of him so he wouldn’t have to reach. Engrossed as he was in his movies, Dale would still burst out laughing from time to time at the memory of Chip’s earlier encounter with the bat. Yes, Chip was his best friend, but he couldn’t help enjoying the sight of Chip as the butt of the joke for a change. **Even without trying, Chip can attract pretty girls.** Then he returned to his movie.

       Foxglove had hurried to get to the library in time. She’d eaten late, because she’d been too excited to earlier. Everything was going so well! She flew hurriedly through her window and perched where she could see Chip. Then her face changed to one of concern. He wasn’t there! She flew down and for the first time actually went up to one of the librarians.
       "Uh, excuse me..." Foxy said. The librarian was a middle-aged female chipmunk with a nameplate reading ‘Cynthia’. "Yes, may I help you?" she asked. Foxglove didn’t know exactly how to put her question, but she had to ask. "Was the cute chipmunk that normally sits over there in earlier tonight?"
       Cynthia didn’t give anyone a lot of notice, but she’d noticed Chip before and spoken to him on several occasions. "I’m afraid not. He comes in at irregular intervals, though." Foxglove’s ears drooped a little. "Oh, well thank you."
       Foxglove beat a hasty retreat and once she was out of sight went up to her perch. Maybe he’d had a long day. Maybe he was tired to coming to the library. Maybe...then a thought struck her. Was he rejecting her? The turmoil inside her that came from that thought was hard for Foxy to handle. Everything had been going so smooth! Should she go back? She had no choice--it was like something elemental was drawing her to him. His voice, his mannerisms, his intelligence--everything about him was so enchanting
       "I’m sure everything’s okay--I hope."

       A thought came to Gadget as she worked. **Foxglove was acting so strangely, just like Chip and Dale sometimes do when they’re around me...could Foxglove be in love with Chip?** She tried to push the thought away, but it came back again. What if Chip ended up loving her too? Gadget had been so used to the boys’ attention—annoying as it could be—that it never occurred to her that either of them would change. Not that she really minded it--they had a right to do as they wished. Gadget finished up for the night and went to her quarters.

       Dale pushed away the thoughts of Chip’s ability to attract pretty girls and returned to his television watching. The screen showed a stunningly beautiful woman falling in love with an attractive, strong and confident leading man. Dale flipped the channel only to find the Dirk Suave movie, "The Spy Who Mugged Me", and Dale forgot about his troubles for a short time. But as he watched, he was reminded that Dirk was yet another attractive guy that had women falling all over themselves to be with him.
       It seemed that girls only went for the strong, handsome types. Eventually, he made his way to the Cartoon Channel and was finally able to find escape—that is until Charlie Brown came on. Dale liked Charlie Brown. He was so like himself in so many ways. Charlie Brown had seen the little red-haired girl and was trying to muster up the courage to say anything. As usual, he didn’t and chickened out. Dale felt like chunking the remote at the screen but turned the television off instead.
       Then Dale tiptoed back toward Chip’s room. As he went, he paused at Gadget’s door. He knew it was hopeless--she’d just been nice to him out of sympathy. Gadget was the world’s finest when it came to that "I’m jus’ an old blockhead like Charlie Brown. Might as well write ‘good grief’ on my shirt. She never really liked me." Dale turned away slowly, his head down, and opened the door quietly. Then another door cracked open. Monty had been at his door and about to open it to go on a late night cheese raid. He’d heard the sadness in Dale’s voice and knew the lad had to be suffering
       "Gotta talk to that lad t’morrow..."
       Dale quietly changed for bed, but he couldn’t help noticing that Chip was tossing and turning in his sleep. **Probably trying to get away from that bat, I bet.** It looked like neither of them would be very rested come daybreak. **It must be such a burden being so irresistible to women.**

       Inside Chip’s mind, he certainly wasn’t getting much rest. Chip regularly dreamed—in fact, he looked forward to them because they often helped him with casework. He was in London, at the eccentric flat of Sureluck Jones. He was Jones of course and Dale was the enigmatic Dr. Blotson. Chip had just finished a case, locating the missing jewels of the beautiful Lady Gadget Adler.
       "Oh, thank you so much, noble sir!" Lady Gadget said. Chip saluted her hand. "I am only too glad to help. Your grace and ineffable charm are an inspiration, even to me." Lady Gadget kissed him on the cheek and left.
       Chip turned to his comrade with a look of superiority. "Blotson, old boy, I expect a new client any moment now." Dale put on his bowler hat and rubbed his hands. "Well, Jones, what sort of case is it today? International intrigue? Professor Morbid Arty? Murder and mayhem?" Chip looked out the window with a practiced eye. "I would say our client is a wealthy aristocrat by her apparel. She appears to be in some sort of quandary over a book she is carrying. I’m sure she will reveal all to us forthwith. Show her up, Mrs. Bludgeon!"
       The old squirrel obliged and escorted a young female in, draped in a white linen dress and veil over her face. The woman in white rushed up to Jones and hugged him tightly. "Oh, Mr. Jones, at last we meet! I’ve loved you from afar for so long, now let us be together forever!" Chip looked down at the lady in white, quite annoyed "Ma-dam! Do you not know who I am? I am Sureluck Jones--the thought of a romantic affiliation is foreign to my thought patterns."
       The woman lifted her veil, a look of utter love and adoration on the cute bat’s face. Then she kissed him. Chip was horrified. "The Lady of Foxley! You’re the most notorious blackmailer in all England!" Chip began backing away. Foxy had a look of complete sinister satisfaction. "Yes, Mr. Jones. I am the one woman you never could catch, until now...you’ve captured my heart!"
       Chip fell over various pieces of furniture as Blotson rolled on the floor laughing. "Now...see here! I can’t marry you! I’m a professional chipmunk!" Foxy opened the book, from which she brought several pieces of paper and fielding a pair of spectacles began to read them. They were poems written by Chip to a woman named Lady Gadget and they were of an embarrassingly frank and emotional nature.
       "Frankly, Mr. Jones, I am appalled. This is the kind of material the public would love to know about and would make you the laughingstock of criminals and crimefighters everywhere," Lady Foxley said with mock disapproval. Chip felt trapped. "Uh...where did you get those?" Lady Foxley carefully put the items away. "Oh, I have my sources. But I shall have you, my lovely, or you shall be out of the consulting detective business!"
       Suddenly, a large Australian-accented priest marched in and when Chip looked down he was dressed in a white tuxedo. "Dearly beloved, we ‘ere are gathered ‘ere today..."
       "Nooooooooooooooooooooo!"

       Chip woke up in a cold sweat, with Dale pushing on him. "For crying out loud, Chip! Some of us are trying to get some sleep!" Chip had never been more relieved in his life. "Oh...oh. Sorry, Dale. It was a bad……bad dream." Dale chuckled, "Thinking about your new girlfriend?" Chip scowled and turned over without saying anything else. Dale smirked as he got back into bed.
        Foxy hung silently from a high branch in the Ranger tree. She was having trouble concentrating and staying focused on the matters at hand. She was also having trouble adjusting to all the changes in her sleeping patterns. She decided a little nap wouldn’t hurt. Foxy couldn’t think of anything but Chip and what the next day might bring. Her eyes fluttered slightly and then closed, wishing they were closing to kiss a certain chipmunk. That was why she was so startled when the next voice she heard wasn’t Chip’s, but Winifred’s
       "Foxglove, you good-for-nothing goof-off! What do you think you’ve been doing?" Winifred demanded. Foxy jumped to attention. She wasn’t at the Rangers’ tree anymore, but at the laundromat where Winifred worked. "I..I was just resting my eyes, Winifred!" The wanna-be witch put her hands on her hips. "Don’t give me that! Do you think I’m blind? I know what you’ve been up to!"
       Foxy was petrified. Did Winifred know about her feelings for Chip? "Uh, I haven’t been up to anything, Winifred!" Winifred snapped her fingers in command. "Bud! Lou! Tell her where she’s been!" The spider and snake goons come into the picture, smirking at the trouble Foxy was in. "We saw you spending your time at the fountain!" Bud said. "Yeah! Goofin’ off when all the rest of us are workin’ our legs off!" Lou added.
       Winifred’s face became as hard as stone. "I think you don’t have enough to do, little miss troublemaker! Now, there’s the cauldron to be cleaned, the items on the list to be picked up and don’t forget to clean the floor too! And if you don’t have it all done by morning, I’ll make a bat-wing stew out of you!"
       "And don’t forget to clean my hat!" Lou said.
       "And press my tux!" Bud added.
       Winifred took on a look of mock sympathy. "Aw, I guess that means you’ll have to miss the Grand Park Ball tonight! And you were so looking forward to it, weren’t you?" Foxy was in a state of near despair. "But you promised you’d let me go if I gave you the list!" Winifred nodded meaningfully. "So I did...so I did. And if you get all the work done, you can go!"
       Lou smiled nastily. "Yeah, if!" Bud and Lou exchanged mean glances. Foxy tried to smile, but somehow didn’t feel like it. "I’ll do my best." Foxy began rushing about the laundromat madly, trying to get her chores done before the ball. Of course, it was no use. The boys sabotaged her at every turn, and when the coach came, Bud, Lou and Winifred went alone. Foxy was left by the cauldron, crying
       As the wicked trio passed over the hill, Foxy heard a loud crash and grumbling. She looked up and saw a fat mouse stuck in the window. "Crikey! I should have used the door. How’s about a hand, lass?" Foxy looked curiously at the rotund mouse dressed in green leotards and carrying a sparkling wand. She went over and helped him.
       "Uh, hello. Did you lose a bet?" Foxy asked. With a great deal of effort she managed to get the mouse unstuck from the window. The window frame was beyond repair though. Monty made sure no one else was in the room, then answered nervously, "Uh, no. Why do ya ask?" Foxy shrugged. "Just curious." Then she started to cry again and Monty put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
       "Buck up, Foxarella luv! Today’s yer lucky day. I’m yer fairy godfather and I’m gonna make you an offer ya can’t refuse!" Monty said. "A little godfather humor there."
        Foxy sniffled a bit. "The only thing I want is to go to the Grand Park Ball and dance with the handsome Prince Chip...but I can’t go. I don’t have a nice dress or a way to get there or anything!"At that point, Zipper flew in and reminded Monty of the wand in his hand. "Oh yeah...the magic thing." Monty waved his wand over Foxy and took a small book out of his pocket and read from it "Witchery Ditchery Doo!" An address book appeared in Foxglove’s wings. Monty gasped and snatched it away. "That ain’t right...let’s try this again. Ah, I know! Ditchery Ditchery Doo!" A beautiful ball gown appeared on Foxglove. "Bingo! Haven’t lost me touch yet!"
        Foxy spun about, admiring the fine gown. "Oh, it’s so gorgeous! But how will I get to the ball?" Monty held up one of her wings. "Yer a bat.Ya can fly, remember?" Foxy pooched her bottom lip out. "Hey, you mean I don’t get a pretty carriage with mice turned into horses? What kind of fairy godfather are you?"
       Monty held up his hands. "Calm yerself, lass! Let me check th’ manual...hmmm. Looks like I kin make a carriage outta a pumpkin for ya, but we’re a bit short on mice. How’s about a fly pullin’ a carriage and a chipmunk as a coachman?" Foxy pouted a bit, but nodded. "I guess everyone’s having to make ends meet these days. All right. Do I still have to be back by midnight and all that?"
       Monty glanced around, then whispered, "Tell ya what, lass. Since I couldn’t get the horses together for ya, I’ll give ya an extra hour with Prince Chip ta make up for it." Foxy squealed with glee and hugged him. "Oh thank you fairy godfather! Thank you!"
       With another wave of his wand, Zipper grew to horse size and Dale appeared wearing an elaborate coachman’s outfit. A pumpkin conveniently resting on the floor turned into a luxurious coach. Zipper and Dale took up their positions and Monty opened the door of the coach for Foxglove. "Yer prince awaits you. Uh, sorry about the window frame. I promise I’ll have it good as new by the time you get back."
        Foxy hugged Monty and ran to the carriage. "I’ll be back on time!" Dale helped Foxy into the carriage and Zipper took off for the ball. The treehouse was lit with pretty white outdoor lights, and searchlights pierced the evening sky advertising the shindig. Prince Chip was sitting on his throne, bored to pieces. No girl in the realm has interested him--well, that blonde-headed one was gorgeous but she was just interested in turning his throne into a la-z-boy.
       "I guess it’s hopeless. Might as well go down to the royal police station and amuse myself..." Chip said. Meanwhile, Chip’s latest suitor was being removed bodily by the guards. "Oh Prince Chipper, dance with me!" Princess Tammy cried. Foxy walked into the hall. All conversation ended and all eyes turned toward her. She approached the throne and curtsied before the prince
       Prince Chip stood up at once. "It’s you! The one I’ve been waiting for! Will you dance with me?"
       Prince Chip offered his hand, and Foxy took it. "I would be honored, your highness." She batted her eyelashes at him and blushed. Prince Chip smiled appreciatively as they began to dance.
       "Do you come here often?" Prince Chip asked.
       Winifred and the evil stepbrothers were watching every move. "Who could that refined lady be dancing there with Prince Chip?" Winifred wondered. "I dunno, but the catering here is lousy!" Lou said. Bud nodded in agreement. "Yeah, no bean dip or anything!"
       Foxy was staring into Prince Chip’s eyes, and was so mesmerized that he had to repeat his question to her. "No, Prince Chip, this is my first time here. It is truly wonderful in your arms…uh I mean in your kingdom." Prince Chip escorted his beautiful partner outside where they gazed at the moon.
       "I’m so glad you came. Will you let me take you home?" Prince Chip offered. Just then Foxy saw the big tree-palace clock over Chip’s shoulder. Thirty seconds to one--the magic was almost over! Foxy turned back to her prince. "NO! Gotta go, Prince Cutie!" She grabbed his head, gave him a big kiss and ran for carriage.
        Prince Chip started after her. "Wait, come back! Come back! Come back...back...back..." The clock struck one, and Foxy was awakened by the sound. "Oh, well. There’s more dreams where that came from."

 

 

Chapter 3 - A Dream Renewed, A Dream Revived

       Chip slept fitfully that night, tossing and turning. He was still grumpy when he got up, and tried to shake off the effect of the strange and disturbing dreams he was having. Dale on the other hand sprang from his bunk at the first call of breakfast, unusually alert for this time of day. He beat everyone else in and had almost finished his food when Chip came dragging in.
       Monty whistled at the sight of the bags under his eyes. "Say Chippah, did a cyclone hit you in your sleep?" Chip yawned as he found a seat. "You don’t know the half of it." Dale nudged Monty. "He was dreaming about Foxglove." Chip pivoted in Dale’s direction, and snapped at him.
       "I was not!"
       "Was too!"
       "Was not!"
       "Was too!"
       "Was not!"
       "Was too!"
       Gadget was last into the kitchen, which wasn’t unusual for her. She was almost oblivious to the boys’ arguments--they were simply a part of the day she had to tolerate. "I’m so glad everything went well with the laptop yesterday. Now I’m ready for test out my new gliding feature on the RangerWing! Do I hear a volunteer for pilot?"
       Before Chip could even open his mouth, Dale leaped to his feet, remembering how well yesterday had gone. "OH, me, me, me, me, me, please!" Gadget smiled at him. "Perfect! Here, you’ll need this." Gadget handed him a crash helmet. Dale put it on hesitantly, but not wholly unexpectedly. "Come on, Gadget. Let’s fly!"
       Gadget was pleased as punch as she walked out to the RangerWing. "Okay! All I need you to do is stand by on the controls. The Glide feature is something I added in case any of us is flying the plane and gets hurt." Gadget pulled out a remote. "I can control every feature of the RangerWing from the ground!"
       Dale was almost into the plane when he heard that last part. "Uh, are you sure this is safe?"
       Gadget looked up from admiring her remote. "Well, the odds are 78.8 percent in our favor that nothing should go wrong..." Dale was surprised—the odds of success usually weren’t that high. He sat himself at the wheel and prepared the Wing for takeoff. Gadget checked the on-board controls
       "Okay, Dale! You remember how to do a vertical takeoff don’t you?" Gadget asked. Gadget started to point out the hover switch, but Dale stopped her before she could. "Sure thing, Gadget. I know these controls like the back of my paw!" Gadget hoped he was telling the truth. Dale’s bragging had got him into trouble with the RangerWing before.
       Gadget checked to be sure he was strapped in. "Okay, then. Take off and fly straight ahead. I’ll signal you when to turn via the radio link between the remote and the plane. Got it?" Dale lowered his flight goggles and saluted. Gadget stepped back and Dale activated the props. The RangerWing did a normal takeoff and flew straight ahead for half a minute, climbing to several hundred feet.
       Gadget activated the radio. "Okay, Dale. Turn her back toward the tree...." Dale did so, but somewhere deep inside him he felt a sense of impending disaster. Gadget checked her controls one more time. "Good. Now on the count of three, I want you to release the controls. One...."
       **Release the controls?!**
       "Uh, Gadget..." Dale started.
       "Two..."
       Dale began sweating bullets. "I don’t think I should..."
       "Three!"
       Dale did let go, even though he didn’t want to. The RangerWing started diving toward the ground like a rock. As the ground was coming up to meet him, Dale’s life flashed before his eyes. Even in this grave situation, he still had to laugh when he remembered the time he’d put Crazy Glue in Chip’s hat
       "AAAAAAAAAAHHHH! I’mgonnadieI’mgonnadieI’mgonnadieI’mgonnadie!"
       Gadget fiddled with the remote control. "Hang on, Dale! I’ll figure it out in a jif!" Gadget worked the remote as the Wing came to within a hundred feet of the ground. The wind was whipping Dale’s face, and he couldn’t wait for Gadget any longer. He grabbed the stick and pulled back with all his might. The RangerWing pulled out of the nosedive with a good twenty feet to spare. Dale managed to get the plane back over to the landing pad, but he had to pry his hands off the wheel. He was sprawled over the controls, breathing hard. Gadget came over, still occupied by the problem of the remote.
       "Sorry about that. Oh, silly me! I forgot to hook up the battery! We’ll get it right this time!" Gadget ran to her workshop to get a double-a. Dale leaped out of the pilot’s seat and did a mad dash down the tree and disappeared across the park in record time. Gadget ran back out, only to find her pilot was missing.
       "Golly, I wonder what happened to him? Dale? Dale!" Gadget called. Gadget went back inside and checked the rooms. No sign of him, and the other Rangers hadn’t seen him come back in. She walked back out. "Gosh, it’s not like Dale to just walk away. Maybe he suffered some kind of injury when he landed! I’d better look for him...."

       Foxglove had flown to the library in the middle of the night, more comfortable with her usual sleeping surroundings. She had slept fitfully--after all, she was going against her nature to get up during the daytime. But she couldn’t resist seeing Chip again. As the early morning sun illuminated her face (she’d positioned herself on her perch so it would do that) she stretched and flew off toward Ranger Headquarters. She was just in time to notice Gadget leaving the treehouse.
       "Good. No competition..."
       Foxglove flew down and began scouting the branches for any sign of her beloved. Chip felt better after a good breakfast. He walked outside and stretched. Foxglove saw him and decided in a bold move to surprise him. She crept up behind him, waiting for just the right moment with a mischievous grin on her face. Chip smiled as he sipped his coffee. There was no sign of Foxglove this morning. Then Foxglove put her wings over his eyes.
       "Guess who, cutie?"
       Chip did a spit-take and turned around quickly. "Foxglove!"
       Foxy giggled. "First guess! Hiya cute stuff!"
       Chip struggled for a moment to compose himself. "Why are you here this morning? I thought you said you only come out during the day only for very special reasons." Foxglove laughed sweetly. "Well, you weren’t at the library last night and I was worried about you! I had to be sure you were okay..." Chip looked at her with annoyance. "Foxglove, I’m touched by your concern. But you don’t need to keep checking up on me."
       "Oh, I’m only too glad to, darling. Say, why don’t you show me your neat plane today? You’re so clever explaining things," she said, batting her eyes at him. Chip looked over at the RangerWing. "Well, the Wing is really neat, but Gadget’s the one that built it. She’s really something."
       Foxglove’s eartips wilted a little bit at this. She had to change the topic. "Oh, uh, well why don’t we read some? I’d looove to hear you read me a Sureluck Jones story." Chip was caught totally off-guard by that question. "REALLY? Uh, I mean...you’d like that? The rest of the group normally can’t stand me reading mysteries."
       Foxglove brightened up as if Chip was the sun and she was the moon. "Sure! I bet you make it sound more interesting than anyone else." If there was one thing Chip liked, it was someone padding his ego. "Well, when I’m on a case I try to imagine that I’m Sureluck Jones." Foxy drew closer to him.
       "And who would you imagine me as...?"
       "La…well, I don’t know you well enough...yet to say so," Chip managed. Foxglove was undaunted, and they headed inside. Monty fixed her a bite to eat and Chip began reading aloud from Sureluck Jones, Foxglove hanging on every word

       Dale was so low a flat tire would have looked good next to him. He was certain now what Gadget thought of him. "She didn’t even ask if I was okay. I guess I’m little better than a guinea pig for her. She cares more about her batteries than she does about me." Dale had gone off to collect his thoughts and feelings and to get the circulation back into his numb hands. **And to think, kids pay a buck for that kind of thing--but then again I normally would too!**
       Just then, he heard a rustling in the bushes, and caught a glimpse of some purple. **Oh, no. She wants to use me again!** Dale snuck around and behind Gadget as quietly as he could, making for Ranger Headquarters. Gadget heard a faint sound behind her and saw Dale seemingly sneaking around.
       "Golly Dale, what are you doing out here?" she asked. Dale tried not to panic. "Uh, I decided to go for a walk while you were looking for batteries. In fact, I think I’ll make it a good jog..." Dale took off. Gadget started after him, which only made him go faster. "But Dale, we still have some tests...to…do…"
       Dale increased his pace, actually running now. Then he realized he couldn’t go back to the treehouse right away—she’d expect an explanation the moment she saw him. "I hope Chip doesn’t mind me taking the day off...." Dale headed for town and the comic book stores.

       Chip had become so wrapped up in his story that he had forgotten he was reading aloud to Foxglove. She just sat there, and marveled that so handsome a chipmunk would spend all this time just with her. She had been right, though—he made it interesting. He’d stand up and simulate the different characters’ actions at times and his voice inflections were wonderful. She could have listened to him all day.
       Chip happened to glance at Foxglove and found the look on her face to be quite unnerving. Foxy sighed, "You’re such a talent, Chip. You should have been an actor." Chip wondered why it was suddenly so hot in the treehouse. "Well, my talents are better used against the criminal element…"
       Gadget ran in at that moment, visibly upset. Chip straightened up. He saw the concern in her face, and couldn’t ignore it. "Gadget, are you okay? You never get upset!?" Gadget grabbed his arm. "I found Dale in the woods outside and he just ran off from me like he was terrified or something! I’m really worried! I’m afraid something’s wrong with him!"
       Chip smiled inwardly, knowing exactly what had happened. Dale had run away because he was scared. He looked to Gadget with a comforting smile and took her hand gently. "Yes Gadget, the two of us should look for him."
       That was the last thing Foxglove wanted to hear, but she could see Chip was very concerned. She wondered if most of it really was about Dale. Chip broke up her thoughts. "Foxglove, we’ll have to call it short today. Sorry," Chip said. Foxy rose quickly from the sofa. "Do you want me to go with you too, cutie?" Chip turned back at her, with a stern look on his face. "No you can’t!" Gadget was shocked at his harshness, and Foxy ran out then flew off in a wave of despair.
       The words from Chip stung Foxglove, and she didn’t understand. What had she done to displease him? The tears started to come, and she didn’t even look back. It was plain to see--he liked the mouse better. She’d been fooling herself. The pain in her heart made it hard to even get back to her home. But she did, and she cried all the rest of the day.

       Dale got halfway to the comic book store, and then decided to turn around. He’d read all the new ones for the week anyway. So it was that when Dale returned, he stopped fifty feet short in the undergrowth and saw Foxglove leave the treehouse. Then Chip came out followed by an angry Gadget. Chip called after Foxglove but she kept going. Then Chip returned his attention to Gadget and after a few moments she stormed off
       "Looks like Gadget’s got a problem too. Chip’s just too handsome a munk to keep to one’s self I guess," Dale said. **What on earth did you do, Chip?** Dale thought about the caustic scene as he made his way back to headquarters. He had seen enough movies to figure it out—a love triangle. Chip was in love with Foxglove and Gadget and he was being forced to choose.

       At times, Gadget was amazed at Chip’s bluntness. She’d hoped he would have learned better by now after his experiences with Tammy. **I guess it’s hard for a munk to change his stripes.** When Chip had turned back toward Gadget, she’d told him how rude he’d been. Chip tried to blame the situation for his outburst but she knew all too well that it wasn’t just that. So she told Chip that she could look for Dale just fine on her own. Chip had pouted and watched her leave. Now she was on her way into town in the Rangermobile, and drove just a few feet from the very munk she was looking for
       Dale waited till Gadget was out of sight before he entered HQ. All kidding and joking aside, he was becoming worried about what he had just witnessed. His friends were having a problem. He decided that he needed to talk to Chip about this.
       Chip had watched Gadget leave and then shook his head. **Some days, you can’t seem to win.** He hadn’t meant to upset Foxglove, but when Gadget came in the way she did he just couldn’t help himself. Then Gadget had gotten mad at him. He didn’t like it, and that was enough to put him in a sour mood.

       Chip was in his room when Dale strode in. Chip immediately chided, "Hey, do you know Gadget’s looking for you? What did you mean by running off?" Dale deflected the question. "Me? What for? That’s not the point. What’s happened between you, Gadget and Foxglove? I saw her fly off and Gadget was pretty steamed at you!"
       Chip threw down his hat. "I don’t want to talk about it! Look, I’m in a bad mood now and I don’t want you making it worse. So why don’t you just leave me alone for a while?" Dale stood still. "No, you guys are my friends. As much fun as I was having watching you squirm, this is really important. Please, Chip. Let me help." Chip got up and paced the floor. Then he jerked around at Dale, a storm of frustration.
       "I don’t know what to do! Before that bat came along my life was calm, well-ordered. She’s nice in some ways and I like reading with her but—it’s—all so confused! And she’s upset and now Gadget’s mad with me! I don’t know what to do!" Chip said.
        "Well, what would Sureluck Jones do?" Dale asked. Chip gave a short, sarcastic laugh. "He’d probably climb the walls too. ‘Women are an insoluble puzzle,’ he said. I’m beginning to realize how right he was."
        Dale decided the time for kidding was over. "Well, do you like her?" Chip threw up his hands. "Yes..no..I don’t know! Sometimes I think I do, and sometimes I wish she’d just up and leave forever!" Dale was confused. "Wait, are we talking about Gadget or Foxglove?" Chip’s patience had worn out. "Dale, I don’t want to talk about it! I don’t want to think about it! Just go and watch one of your movies or something!"

       After an hour of searching, Gadget had given up and returned to headquarters. She saw Dale on the couch and was about to question him, but she felt uncomfortable for some reason and slipped into her workshop instead.
       "I can see this isn’t going to be easy," Gadget said out loud. Gadget had been in her workshop for about half an hour when she put aside the blueprints she’d been working on. Why had Dale run off? At first, she thought it might have been his ever-present need for comic books. But the more she considered it, combined with the look in his eyes she wasn’t so sure. Still, Gadget knew that wasn’t the whole case. The paradox of her life with the Rangers had made that clear enough. She knew the boys had some level of feelings for her. Her own feelings were another matter. Love was still a new area for her. She couldn’t study it like the information she so readily absorbed. No, it had to be experienced to be understood.
       Gadget grew steadily more uncomfortable pondering this imponderable subject. There were three possible solutions—ignore the feelings, talk to someone else about them, or talk with Dale. She decided to take the middle option. There were only two people she could confide in about such an intimate subject, and Monty was the only one available right now. Gadget put her blueprints aside and took up a blank sheet of paper. She started to write on it, to express her feelings. But she couldn’t seem to get started.
       "That’s just it. I don’t know where to start or what’s what or anything. Well, I do know things. I mean I have studied and my accumulated knowledge is considerable…oh, I’ve got to talk to someone!" Gadget quietly crept out into the hall, trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible and hoping that she could find Monty alone. "I hope he can help sort things out."

       Chip began stomping up and down his room in a fine temper. Dale left, feeling that he had if anything made matters worse. He headed to the kitchen and found Monty there, making dinner. "Hi, Monty," Dale said as he plopped into a chair. Gadget had heard Dale leave his room and head for the kitchen. She followed, and decided to wait for him to leave before she talked with Monty. Dale had hardly noticed Monty’s presence, and Monty was surprised to see Dale so deep in thought.
       "You look troubled, mate. What’s on yer mind?" Monty asked. "I’m worried about Gadget," Dale replied. Gadget was almost in the door, but stopped short of the kitchen and just stood quietly in the hall and listened. Monty had expected Dale to say anything but that. "Why so worried, Dale?"
       Dale looked down at the table and traced a squiggle with his finger. "Well, it seemed to me that Chip and Gadget were getting along so well and now with Foxglove here it complicates things. Foxglove is in love with Chip, Chip is in love with Gadget and Gadget’s in love with Chip. One or more or all of ‘em are gonna get hurt in this! Gadget and Chip it seemed were starting to warm up a bit to each other and she seemed a bit down since Foxglove appeared. So, I’m worried that maybe now she feels that she’s lost him to Foxglove."
       Monty looked at Dale seriously and rubbed his chin. This line of reasoning wasn’t what he expected from him at all. But one thing stuck out to Monty—Dale didn’t know. Not that there was any reason he should, but if he’d figured all that out... "Dale, I don’t want anyone to get hurt in any o’ this either. Relationships can be very difficult. I’ve seen bad relationships ruin friendships, marriages, families—crikey, I even seen it end lives. But when it works it’s a wonder to behold. Yer right, Dale. Gadget is a little down right now," Monty said, and paused. He looked torn by something and hesitated to continue. Still, he felt he had to ask.
       "Dale, can I ask you a very serious question?" Monty asked. Dale looked up at him, curious. "Sure, Monty." Monty looked about, not feeling too good about what he was doing. "Dale, how do you feel about Gadget?"
       Dale paused, and thought a moment. "Well, she’s a super friend."
       "And?"
       Dale reflected some more. "She’s really smart."
       "And?"
       A smile went across Dale’s face. "She’s really beautiful."
       "And?"
       Dale looked up from the table. What did he want? "Well, I could go on for days talking about what’s great about Gadget. Why do you ask?" Monty felt like pounding him the way Chip did, but knew that he’d get no answers that way. "Dale, how do you think Gadget feels about you?"
       The chipmunk looked back down at the table and a shadow fell on his face. "Well...she doesn’t like me very much," Dale said sadly. Monty and Gadget were startled by his words. Monty put down the cheese slicer he was using and sat next to Dale. "Whatta ya mean, Dale? Why don’t you think she likes you?"

       Dale began sorting his thoughts and the regularly cheery veneer he showed to the world began to fade. Monty noticed a somber, thoughtful face replace the one he was so used to. The tone of his voice dropped from high to near low, as if he were testifying before a jury. "She often complains about my movie watching, my reading comic books, my daydreaming and my staying awake till late at night. She yelled at me once for going into her workshop just to get a screwdriver—I didn’t touch anything, just went in and got it. You and Chip have gone in there for things bunches of times and she never said anything to either of you, but she gets upset with me. She doesn’t like my way of thinking, Monty. Remember when we were in South America looking for the cacao trees and I showed you guys where the trees had been taken?"
       "Sure," Monty replied. Dale sighed, "Remember when she said, ‘Golly, could Dale be right after all?’ As if the idea of me being right about something was utterly unimaginable to her. You and Chip thought I had lost my mind, which didn’t really bother me ‘cause it wasn’t the first time either of you thought I’d gone insane before you believed me about something. But to hear her say those words...it really hurt, Monty. In a way I guess it’s been a good thing. I used to make an even bigger fool of myself in the old days, but Gadget put everything in perspective when we were in France dealing with Fat Cat’s cousin the Maltese de Sade. That’s when she called me a ‘Goof-up’. Chip calls me names like that all the time, and I guess I just stopped hearing him. But to hear Gadget call me that…well, she was right and that’s when I stopped fooling myself and quit flirting with her," Dale sighed.
       Monty cringed at Dale’s words—words which Dale had not spoken with anger or bitterness, just sadness. The truth of Dale’s words pained him, and the melancholy in Dale’s voice stung Gadget deeply as she listened. Monty decided to do what he could to help. "Dale, have you ever thought about why you get treated like that sometimes?"
       Dale folded his hands in front of him on the table and looked at them. "I know why. I’m a clumsy dummy that can’t be relied on. You’ve all said it or at least implied it at one time or another." Monty touched Dale’s arm. "Dale, yer words hurt but I wish I could say they weren’t justified. Dale, you get treated like a dummy because you act like a dummy. But we’ve all seen the real Dale lurkin’ inside o’ you."
       "Real Dale?" Dale asked.
       Monty smiled a bit. "Sure, the one that you let show only when you haveta. Remember when you stopped that human spy while using the ‘Think Tank?’ That was yer doin’. Yer stoppin’ Rat Capone when he was stealin’ those toy boats, too. I don’t know what it is in ya that yer afraid of. You can be very brave when ya wanna be. Ye’re resourceful when ya need it and ye’re not clumsy, despite what you say. How can ya be clumsy one minute and a master fencer the next like ya were with Sewernose?"

       Dale sighed, and the look on his face gave Monty a start. There was more intelligence there than he’d ever imagined could be on that face. At the moment, the look was a combination of frustration and grim resolve. "Monty, I’ve never been good at anything in my life. When I was a kid I always tried my best at everything I did, and everything I did I failed at. I wasn’t smart, I wasn’t athletic, I wasn’t good looking—everyone called me ‘Rudolph’ because of my nose. I didn’t excel at anything. All that my best efforts ever got me was name-calling and the laughter of people watching me fail. I got tired of that after awhile, so I made a conscious decision at that point. If people were going to laugh, did I want them laughing at me or with me? That’s when I became a clown. It was something I was good at."
       Dale stopped a moment, the flood of regret and pain requiring additional concentration to hold it all in. Gadget could feel it all the way over at her hiding place, and she found that in her innermost being she wanted to help break the dam that was holding in all that self-punishment. Dale regained his composure. "Life taught me that if I keep my expectations low then I’d avoid disappointments. Sure, people don’t respect me or take me seriously, but they never did anyway! Look, my best friend in the world calls me ‘dummy’ all the time. Everyone wonders why I like comics, movies and television so much and why I daydream so much. Well, it’s because I can go to those things and escape—I can live vicariously through the exploits of those heroes and in my dreams I can be something other than a clumsy nobody," Dale looked to the floor sadly. "Monty, is there a point to all this except to depress me?"
       Gadget wiped tears from her eyes as Dale bared his soul to Monty. She never realized how sensitive Dale was to the things that people said to him and to the way he was treated. She was stunned to hear Dale say the words, "Live vicariously through the exploits..." She was surprised Dale could even pronounce those words, let alone use them properly in a sentence.

       Monty moved his hand from Dale’s arm and patted his shoulder. "Dale, I’m sorry fer the nasty things I’ve said ta ya over the years. Ye’re right, we don’t treat ya good and I promise from now on I’ll start treatin’ you with the respect you deserve." Dale perked up. "Gosh Monty, you really mean that?" Monty slapped him gently on the back. "Sure do, mate." Monty glanced around again, not at all comfortable with what he had to say next. "Dale, I’m gonna share somethin’ with you and I hope Gadget never finds out ‘cause she’d kill me if she knew I was talkin’ about things like this with you." Gadget listened intently and a little fearfully to Monty’s words. "I guess I’ve been the only one she could tell, but I canna go on listenin’ to ya like this without tellin’ ya the truth. Dale, Gadget likes you."
       Dale couldn’t have been more surprised. "She does?" Dale stood up, and felt a wave of confusion come over him. Gadget liked him? Dale eyed Monty skeptically. "Yeah, she likes you," Monty said. Dale didn’t believe it but said, "Well, that’s nice to hear." Monty didn’t get the reaction he’d expected, so he tried again. "Dale...she likes you a lot."
       Dale looked up at Monty’s face, his own forming a question. "What do you mean?" Monty grimaced on the inside. Did he have to spell it all out? "I mean she likes you a whole lot," Monty said nervously. Gadget wished she could move. She wished she could walk in nonchalantly and break up this inquisition, but her feet betrayed her and all she could do was listen. Dale turned over the implications of Monty’s words in his mind for a few moments.
       "Are you saying she really likes me?" Dale asked. Monty sighed. **How dense can you be?** "Yes, Dale." Dale burst out laughing. "Ya know, for a moment there I almost believed you, Monty." Monty leaned close to Dale, a serious look on his face. "Dale, do I look like I’m jokin’?" Dale shrank back from Monty, a chill running up his spine. "No, you don’t. Then what are you saying? She can’t like me...not like that! I’m just a goof-up, she said it herself! She’s everything...and I’m...nothing. Besides she loves Chip, not me. Everyone knows that."
       Monty crossed his arms. "Dale, I’m not gonna sit here and listen to you indulge yer self-pity. Gadget likes you, likes you more than she likes Chip." Dale looked at Monty suspiciously. "If this is some kind of cruel joke that you and Chip have cooked up, it’s not funny. Why would Gadget ever like me?" Dale asked. "Dale it’s no joke. Chip doesn’t know anything about what I’m tellin’ you. You ask why Gadget’d like you? Well, it’s because she and you are so much alike," Monty said. Dale was too floored to say anything, and Monty continued. "Ye’re both very imaginative, ye’re both good natured and easy going, ye’re both friendly and gentle people, ya both got big hearts, ya both like to have a good time. The two o’ you have more in common than ya have differences."

       Dale found himself looking about, hoping that Gadget wouldn’t burst through the door just then. "But...but, she’s so smart and I’m so not smart. Monty, you sure you’re talking about me?" Monty shook his head. "Dale, do ya think that brains is all that Gadget cares about?" Monty asked. Dale raised his hands in uncertainty. "Well, I don’t know. Why didn’t she ever say anything to me?"
       Monty rolled his eyes. "Well mate, she certainly gave you enough hints about how she feels for ya." Dale felt like he was on a quiz show and losing badly. "What hints?" Dale asked. Monty thumbed toward Gadget’s workshop. "Remember ‘Double-O-Dale?’ That was all her idea," Monty said.
       Dale smiled at the memory, one of the few really good times he’d had. "Yeah, that was sure nice of her to do." Monty sighed again. He was going to have to spell it out. "Dale, that’s just part of it. Remember that smooch she gave ya?" Monty followed. Gadget glowed red. Dale smiled and chuckled. "Who could ever forget a kiss like that?"
       "Ever seen her kiss Chip like that?" Monty asked pointedly. Dale thought a moment. "Well...no, I haven’t." Monty stood up, putting his hands on his hips. "An’ when she took care of ya in the jungle with those Kiwis? She nearly bent over backwards bein’ nice to ya!" Dale shrugged, "But she’d have done that for any of us." Monty looked around again. "Dale, haven’t ya ever really wondered why she hasn’t accepted all o’ Chip’s advances? It’s because he’s not the one she really wants." For Dale it was like a curtain had been drawn back. He whispered in realization, "Zowie, maybe she does like me! But why didn’t she just come out and tell me?"
       "Well Dale, Gadget is a bit of a timid soul, like you. She’s never felt quite this way about a fella before. So she didn’t know what to say or do, plus she’s a bit afraid of you," Monty said. Dale was amazed at the thought of Gadget being afraid. "Afraid of ME? Why?" Monty hesitated to tell him, but he’d gone this far. "Well, yer childishness. Ya don’t take anythin’ serious, an’ she’s a bit put off by that. Sure it’s okay to have fun now and again, but yer always actin’ like a little boy who never grew up. She’s afraid that if she did tell you how she feels you wouldn’t take her feelin’s seriously and you’d break her heart."
       "Gosh, I’d never do anything to hurt Gadget!" Dale said. Monty gave him a fatherly smile. "I know that, and I’m sure she knows it also. But givin’ yer heart to someone’s a very big step and she’s not sure if she should take it." Dale suddenly felt very vulnerable. "What do I do, Monty?" Dale asked, not certain if he wanted to know the answer.
       "Well, lad, first you gotta decide how you feel about Gadget. Ye’re good friends, but are you willin’ to be more than just good friends? What you gotta do, Dale, is decide which is more important to ya’—bein’ a little boy in a grown up body or bein’ a man. Are you ready to grow up?" Monty asked.
       Dale sat at the table and rested his head on his arms. "Act my age?" Monty sat by him again. "That’s right, mate. You’ve been a child long enough. Are you ready to become an adult and face the world like a grown-up?" Dale looked away. "Monty, I don’t know if I can. In my eyes, being a grown up just means anger, sadness, stress and worry. I’ve never had a reason to want to grow up," Dale said.
       Monty put a kind hand on his head. "Dale, I know it seems at times like that’s all there is ta growin’ up, but there is more than that. There’s love, there’s fulfillment, and many other things. Maybe it’s time you took a chance." Dale looked up at him. "What if I do grow up and Gadget doesn’t like me?"
       "Well, mate, that’s a risk you gotta be willin’ to take. Do you want to play it safe and be alone the rest o’ yer life? What if you and Gadget are meant for each other? Imagine how happy you’ll both be! Dale, the most wonderful girl in the world likes you, isn’t it worth the risk?" Monty asked, hoping. Dale looked down again, staring blankly. "I don’t know how to be a grown-up. I wouldn’t know what to do. Does this mean I have to act like Chip does?"
       Monty shook his head. "No, I think Chip takes the maturity and responsibility thing a little too far. Dale, Gadget likes to have fun! I’m not sayin’ that you should stop bein’ fun, that would be a right big tragedy—it’s yer gift. But use the other parts o’ yer brain! Think more. And yer a slave to yer impulses. Think before you speak and act. Basically, do the opposite of yer first impulse."
       Dale was in a mess of emotion. "I don’t know, the ‘T’ word is always kinda scary." Monty knew at least that he was willing. Now if only he was able. "You like readin’ yer comic books, so try readin’ books without pictures," Monty suggested. Dale smirked inside. **If he only knew.** "But I like to look at the pictures."
       "Dale, use yer imagination. I have just the book in mind ta start you off..." Monty led Dale out of the kitchen and Gadget had to quickly hide to avoid detection. She hurriedly crept along and stood close enough to hear the voices coming from Monty’s room. "Y’know, Dale, this weren’t just a story. I’ve really been to Treasure Island..." Gadget rushed back to her workshop. Now she had hope, at last. She could forgive Monty, she knew she could. She’d talked many times with him like that, and when he wasn’t around she would seek out Bianca Râboga at the Rescue Aid Society. They had become friends when she and Bianca had been honored as female role models of the year for the Young Mice of America. Now she wished Bianca was here so she could share these feelings with another woman. Instead, Gadget took up her mechanical pencil and found that despite the dismay she’d felt at Dale knowing her feelings, it helped to sort out her own. She began to write.

       Can I trust you with my love?
       Some days I can’t stand us being apart,
       And I come to within a millimeter
       Of diving in with my whole heart

       But then I pull back
       As if I’m in a tail spin
       Because I don’t know
       If you’ll guide me in

       But today I saw a ray of hope
       A bridge to happiness to cross
       And even though I didn’t build it
       I’m on the verge of walking across

       I can see you on the other side
       With your bright face over there
       I want to run to you
       And show you how much I care

       Please be careful with my heart
       Don’t let me fall in rivers of despair
       Please catch me, Dale
       Please be there.

       Monty opened his door again, and Dale had a book under his arm. "Dale, this book was the first book I ever read. Me mum gave it to me when I was a young lad and readin’ it was a wondrous adventure! It helped make me the mouse I am today. I think it’ll help you, too," Monty said and handed Treasure Island over to Dale.
       Dale looked at the book, then back at Monty. "Well, I’ll give it a try, Monty." Dale suddenly hugged his elder friend. "Thanks for everything pal," Dale said fondly. Monty patted Dale on the back. "Ye’re welcome, mate. I just want all me friends to be happy."

       Gadget had come out of her workshop again and saw Monty’s door close. She followed Dale from a safe distance and watched him go outside. Gadget knelt by the window that was just open enough for her to hear by. Dale took the book and walked outside in the moonlight. "If I’d told him the whole story, he wouldn’t have believed it." Dale looked at the book in his hand. "I’ve had many a voyage with you, Jim Hawkins and Long John. Why do I hold back from telling anyone?" Dale began to pace. "Some days I feel like I’d like to be grown, and share everything. But they’d just laugh at me…but Monty said he wouldn’t treat me bad anymore. Maybe…" Then Dale’s thoughts shifted. "Gadget—likes me? But in that sewer…maybe I shouldn’t have quit trying. But would the others accept who I really am? Would she?"
       Dale went to the railing he favored and looked at the moon. "This isn’t a job for Supermunk or Dirk Suave, Superspy. This is a job for Dale Oakmont. So, how do I show and tell Gadget how much I like her without making a complete fool of myself?"

 

 

Chapter 4- The Dreams That Stories Are Made Of

       Gadget quietly crept back to her room and from under her pillow she drew out the photo of Dale that she kept there. She looked at it and smiled tenderly. As Gadget settled down under her blankets, she found herself still concentrating on how to deal with Dale when a voice came from beside her.
       "Boys are blockheads!"
       Gadget started in surprise at the voice, and then found she was surrounded! Dot Warner, Babs Bunny, Smurfette, Lucy van Pelt, Fifi La Fume, Velma and Daphne had all come over for a slumber party. Gadget had dreamed about these characters like this often when she was a child, enjoying having the cartoon characters she watched for friends. Now such dreams were a rare thing.
       Dot ignored Gadget’s inquiring look. "Most boys are annoying, except for Mel Gibson. He’s dreamy!" Dot said, sighing. "Hi, Gadget! Long time, no see!" Babs broke in with a perfect Katherine Hepburn impression. "Men are all the same..that’s why I like them so much." Fifi wrung her hands. "Oh, je sigh at the thought of meeting PePe...."
       Daphne crossed her arms. "Well, I’m stuck with Freddy and Shaggy!" Gadget could see the frustration on Daphne’s face and knew it well. "Hi, Daphne. I guess it’s been a long time since I talked to you or any of you for that matter. I’m sort of in a similar situation. Chip and Dale and Foxglove and I sort of fit in with you, Velma, Freddy and Shaggy. Who do you like more, Shaggy or Fred?"
       "Well..." Daphne hedged. Velma broke in, "You’ve always liked Freddy! Admit it!" Daphne nodded. "Okay, he’s the best dresser among us. But I do like Shaggy. If only he had a backbone..."
       "So you’re in just the same spot as me," Gadget said. "Most girls are," Daphne agreed. "The guys that tend to be the best are the ones that think they’d never have a chance, so they never ask. We have to put up with the guys who think they’re big stuff!" Smurfette chimed in at Daphne saying that, "Tell me about it. Hefty’s about the only one who ever asks me out and then I spend two hours having to watch him lift weights!"

       At that, a new voice chimed in. "But Daphne, darling, in that case you must go to them! That is how Bernard and I grew close. I had to draw him out of his shell." Gadget looked past the others sitting on her bed to see Bianca Râboga entering the room and she was very glad to see her. If Gadget had thought about it, she might have considered it strange that Bianca was the only person she knew in real life among the group. Still, she wasn’t complaining. Now Gadget turned to her as she would a mother.
       "But Bianca, what if I do draw him out and he changes? What if he turns into..." Gadget didn’t want to say it, but Lucy didn’t have a problem. "That annoying blockhead, Chip?"

       Dale had tried to leave his misgivings outside and had gotten into his own bed. The imaginative chipmunk was used to dreaming—in fact he was counting on it because he wanted to get some advice from his mentor, the Red Badger. But when he looked around, Dale found himself not in the Red Badger’s lair, but in the backyard of a suburban home where a red doghouse stood nearby. The back door of the house opened and a funny-looking round headed kid in a yellow and black shirt came out
       "I’m sorry, Dale," Charlie Brown said. "Red Badger couldn’t make it tonight. He’s playing cards with Sureluck Jones, Elvis and Bigfoot. So I’m filling in for him." Dale couldn’t believe it. "Charlie Brown! Say, you look a lot smaller in person..." Charlie Brown invited Dale over to the back stoop.
       "Well, I’m only seven years old—for the last fifty years. We’re like a mirror image, you and me. I’m a grown-up in a child’s body and you’re a child in a grown-up’s body," Charlie Brown said. Dale sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I guess you’re right. But if you’re grown-up, then maybe you can help me! I’ve got to know what to do about Gadget!" Charlie Brown looked at him like he was crazy. "You’re asking me for advice on girls?!?! I’ve been in love with the little red-haired girl since before you were born and I still haven’t told her how I feel!"
       Just then a big muscle-bound galoot with a large head of blond hair, sunglasses, a black shirt and blue jeans zoomed on the scene. "You’ve gotta show that little momma you really care, or you’re gonna be in Heartbreak Hotel, furry boy!" Johnny Bravo said.

       Bianca gave a hard look to Lucy over her remark about Chip and then gently patted Gadget’s hand. "Now Gadget, don’t let the others influence you when it comes to Chip. He’s strong-minded, but he is still a good person inside." Gadget nodded, "I know. I guess what Lucy was saying was just reflecting how I feel pulled back and forth so much. I know Chip’s a good person. But why does he always assume I want to be with him all the time? He doesn’t want me to do anything but be his girl. I need the freedom to be myself, to have a say in things." Bianca hugged her. "I know it’s been hard on you, Gadget darling. You’re caught between the need to be intimate with someone and yet have your freedom to explore your creativity as well."
       Gadget took Bianca’s hands. "Yeah, that’s about it. And while Chip’s as nice as they come, he’s the controlling and proud type. I don’t think I could take that. Then there’s Dale," Gadget said, smiling some. "He’s like..a breath of fresh air. He’s not the kind to care about how I’d spend the day or insist on doing what he wanted. But I’m scared, Bianca! What if I tell him and all the things I like about him vanish? I’m afraid he’s so fragile inside, he just couldn’t handle it." Bianca’s reply was soothing, in that calm quiet that Gadget appreciated. "Now I think you know that just won’t happen. You’re just a little afraid is all! Dale’s a good boy, and your helping him won’t make him egotistical." Dot jumped up on the bed. "Just shout ‘Hello Nurse!’ and give him a great big kiss!"
       Gadget shook her head, alarmed. "I couldn’t do that! He’d have a panic attack!" Dot sat back down. "Funny, that’s just what Mel Gibson did when I kissed him." Babs leaned over in the advice mode. "Sounds like he needs a dose of courage pills, sister." Fifi looked downtrodden. "When I try to kiss zee boy, he just screams and runs! Le sigh." Dot held her nose. "Ewww! I can’t imagine why."

       Dale was frustrated, and Johnny Bravo wasn’t helping much. "I know I should go to her, Johnny, but what should I do? I don’t know nothin’ about her fancy machines or anything!" Johnny Bravo zipped over to Dale and stood him up "You don’t get it, do you furry boy? You’ve gotta sweeeeet talk ‘em. Watch the master in action…." A cute lady conveniently came into view, walking down the sidewalk. Johnny was in front of her in a blur. "Hey there, pretty momma! Did you know your eyes were beckoning me from all the way across the yard?"
       "Good grief!" Charlie Brown said, rolling his eyes. The lady whapped Johnny with her purse and walked on. Dale shook his head. "Great—now I know how to get Gadget to beat me up." Johnny dusted himself off. "That was just a warmup! I..I’ll get it right this time…"
       Suddenly the music from "Jailhouse Rock" came from somewhere and a pink caddy pulled up to the curb. "Hey, son. What are you doing taking off on me?" Johnny zinged over to the fence. "The King! Oh, momma! Where’d I put that camera?" Johnny zipped around the yard in a panic. Dale couldn’t help but be ticked off at Johnny’s antics. "Uh, Johnny? You’re supposed to be here helping me with my problem…?" Johnny didn’t stop for a second. "Sorry little man, this is my moment of glory! A chance to photograph the man himself..." Charlie Brown shook his head in dismay at the shallow fan behavior.
       "Hey Elvis, I thought you were at the card game with the others," Dale said. Elvis came over and shook Dale’s hand. "Bigfoot got on a hot streak and bankrupted me early. Don’t let Johnny worry you, Dale. My fans all get like that. But you’ve got to get real with that girl of yours. Don’t be cruel, son." Dale was surprised he used that phrase with him. "Cruel? I’ve never been cruel to her...I think." Elvis sat down next to him, Charlie Brown scooting to give him room. "That little lady’s been waitin’ for you to take her in your arms for years and you’re given her the cold shoulder. That’s cruel and unusual if I’ve ever heard it."
       A finger tapped Dale on the shoulder opposite to his conversation, and Dale to discover he was face to face with an aged Jedi master. "Yes, yes. To Elvis you listen, Dale. Your feelings you must follow!" Yoda said. Johnny rushed up, Kodak in hand. "I got a camera and...wow! What is that two-legged toadstool?" A dark shadow covered Johnny from behind and the deep breathing caught his attention. Johnny looked, and gasped at the black-clad figure behind him. "Johnny, I am your father."
       Johnny gazed up at Darth Vader. "Hey cool! You attract any babes in those big black tighty-wads?" Darth put an arm around him "Son, the chicks dig this outfit." Johnny gave him the thumbs-up. "Get me one too! We’re two men on a mission!" Yoda held up his hands in warning. "Johnny, follow not the dark path! No turning back there is!" Johnny zipped over to Yoda. "Hey, toady-breath. You got any babes on your side of the Force?"
       "Well...uh..." Yoda hemmed. Johnny cut him off. "Yeah, I thought so. Let’s go, Daddy-O! We’ll raid the Emperor’s pad and steal his ‘57 Chevy! Hunh!" Elvis turned his attention back to Dale as the two left. "Dale, you’ve gotta do something just for her. Make her feel special."

       At that moment, both Dale and Gadget woke up in their respective rooms. "Dreams sure are strange sometimes…" they both said. As fate would have it, they both decided to go to the kitchen. Gadget had been in there for less than a minute when Dale came in.
       "Oh, hi Dale! I was just making myself a snack," Gadget said. Dale took out two pieces of bread. "Sounds good to me. I had trouble sleeping." Gadget nodded. "Yeah, me too…." As Dale ate, his thoughts returned to the last piece of advice he’d been given. **Make her feel special...make her feel special…**
       There was silence for a minute where neither of them could think of anything to say. Then Dale stared at his sandwich again and without looking up he asked, "Gadget, how’s about you and I go on a picnic tomorrow? Would you like to go, just the two of us?"
       Gadget was surprised, and she found pleasantly so. "Dale, I’d be happy to go on a picnic with you!" Dale was as surprised as she had been. "You would? Oh, I mean good. Good." Another minute of oppressive silence ruled between them, and then Dale hurriedly finished his sandwich. "Well, g’nite!" Dale said. Gadget waved to him, "Good night, Dale."

       Gadget waited just long enough for Dale to close his door and went back to bed. A picnic with Dale? Alone? Gadget knew that only one of her dream’s attendees was really going to be any help, so she turned back to Miss Bianca when the dream took hold again.
       "Bianca, ma’am, what should I do? I don’t know what to do!" Gadget said. Bianca comforted her as a mother would. "Gadget, you must go with your heart! You know in here he likes you, but he is too afraid to let it out, just like you are! You must both be willing to take the chance!"
       Gadget looked away. "But he’s so…"
       "Fun-loving? Oh, all young men are like that! But you like to have fun too, you know. Just let a little of that fun out at the right time…." Bianca said. Then Bianca whispered in Gadget’s ear and all the other girls crowded in to listen. "I’ve gotta admit, that’s pretty good!" Babs said. Lucy scowled. "I’d just sock him one and make him like me!" Gadget took their comments in stride, but now she felt a little better at least. She laid back down in her dream, and when morning came she was determined to do what Bianca had said.

 

 

Chapter 5 – Dreams Clash, Dreams Converge

       Chip was up early the next morning. The dreams had come again, and he wasn’t feeling any better. It was their off-day, so when he asked Monty to pack him a breakfast, the big Aussie wasn’t too surprised. He knew by the scowl that Chip wanted to get out and was ready to do anything to help him. Chip found a nice place in the park and sat in solitude, suddenly wishing Gadget was there with him. Still, the satisfaction of that wish didn’t dispel the cloud that hung over him. Chip stayed outside until around noon, then decided to head back. **Maybe I should talk to Gadget and settle some things.**
       Dale was nervous. He hadn’t dared to believe that Gadget would accept his invitation to go on a picnic just with him! Without any of them realizing it, Dale and Gadget passed very close to Chip on his way in.They found a nice shady spot by the fountain in the park. It was a beautiful day and several rodent families were also having picnics nearby. Dale set out the cloth and the food.
       "Thanks, Dale. This was very sweet of you," Gadget said and smiled at him warmly. Dale blushed. "Uh, yer...your welcome, Gadget." Dale said nervously. They chatted about nothing in particular as they ate. Dale grew increasingly self-conscious as the picnic continued. He was sweating and tugging at his collar. Gadget couldn’t help but notice Dale’s condition. She smiled at him, which only made him more nervous.
       "Uh, could you pass the salt?" Dale asked, trying to hide the fact his hand was shaking. Gadget picked up the salt, handed it to him and turned away for a moment. Dale turned the salt shaker over and the cap came off and its contents covered Dale’s sandwich. Dale looked up quickly at Gadget. She was biting her lip.
       Dale suddenly burst out laughing. He laughed so hard he started rolling around on the ground. "Good one, Gadget!" He managed to say between bursts of laughter. Gadget saw that her prank was well received, then she relaxed and began laughing as well.

       When Chip reached the treehouse, he’d looked all around for Gadget and come up empty. He’d also noticed Dale was missing. Monty and Zipper had left for the afternoon to survey the cheese ships, so he was left to his own abilities to find them. Chip circled the exterior veranda of the treehouse and just as he was about to give up and try a book, he spotted them. Chip couldn’t believe it! Dale was with Gadget, in almost the exact spot he’d been this morning!
       Chip stormed into Gadget’s workshop and pulled her telescope out. From the tree, Chip peered at the happy couple, jealousy burning inside him. It was almost as if Dale had read his thoughts and was thumbing his big red nose at him! Suddenly, something blocked his view. "Yaaah!" Chip exclaimed and stumbled back. "What’s the big idea...oh, it’s you, Foxglove," Chip muttered and put his hat back on.
       "Hiya, cute stuff," Foxglove exclaimed happily, hanging upside-down from a nearby branch. "What are you doing here?" he asked with annoyance. "Well, you could say I was just hanging around," she said and smiled. "I can see that. Why are you hanging around?" Chip asked. She swooped down and wrapped her wings around Chip. "I was hoping a certain chipmunk might see it in his heart to invite a girl to lunch."
       Chip untangled himself from her wings. "I’m busy right now, Foxglove," Chip said and returned to his spying. "Can I have a peek?" she asked innocently. "Uh no, I have to get this back to Gadget’s workshop. She wouldn’t like me using it without her permission," Chip said hastily. He picked up the large, heavy telescope and carried it inside. Foxglove followed him to Gadget’s workshop, where he replaced everything the way it was earlier and hoped Gadget wouldn’t notice the telescope had been moved in her absence. Chip moved some heavy objects back into place to cover it. He noticed that Foxglove sat nearby, resting her face on her wings, staring at him with dreamy eyes.
       "You’re so strong, Chip. Do you lift weights?" she asked admiringly. Chip nearly dropped the item he was carrying, but quickly lifted it over his head in a show of strength and put it down in its place. He took a dramatic pose and flexed his arms. "Well, I don’t lift weights, but being a world class crime fighter keeps me fit," he said proudly. She walked over to him and felt the muscles of his right arm.
       "Oooo," she cooed.
       Chip suddenly felt strangely nervous. His thoughts were all outside. Foxglove was rattling on about how great he was, but all he could think of at the moment was Gadget. He felt bad about how much time he’d spent with Foxglove. That’s it--he’d ask Gadget out to the movies for tomorrow night. That would perk her up! So when he heard Dale and Gadget coming, he decided to ask her right then and there. He was walking into the main room as they entered

       "You’ll love the ‘Casa Ralph’! It has the best all-you-can-eat lunch special in town!" Dale said. Gadget was on his arm, enjoying the moment. "Really? Golly Dale, I had no idea you were such a munk about town!" They both laughed at the thought, and Dale was amazed at how good he felt. "Wow, Gadget! I never realized how much fun you are to be with."
       Chip’s words died in his mouth. Gadget was joking with Dale! What was she thinking?! Chip thought about it and a scowl came over his face. She was trying to get back at him by playing up to Dale! That was it! Well, two could play at that game. Chip turned to Foxglove, with the sweetest look. His voice was almost melodic.
       "Oh Foxy, I’d really like it if you’d go out with me tomorrow..." Foxglove squealed in delight and wrapped her wings around him and kissed his cheek. "Oh, Chip! Could we go to the art museum? The pictures in there are so pretty." Chip hugged her back. "Sure, Foxy! I’ll be glad to go the art museum with you." Chip stole a peek at Gadget. She wasn’t even looking at him! She was still talking with Dale! **Well okay, Miss Snooty. If that’s the way you want to play it.**

       "C’mon Foxy, it’s too crowded in here. It’s a great day for a stroll in the park!" Chip said. Foxglove took Chip’s arm as they walked and she rested her head against his shoulder. Soon they were out walking slow near the tree. "This was a wonderful idea, Chip. Thank you," Foxy said. Chip’s mind was still bent on Gadget, and he was trying to think up any way he could to get back at her. Then Foxglove looked up and noticed the steely gaze in the chipmunk’s eyes.
        "What’s on your mind, cutie? You’re probably thinking about stopping some nefarious criminal mastermind." Chip was too self-indulged to think straight. "No, I’m thinking about Gad..." Chip stopped, but his eyes betrayed him further as Foxglove saw him glance up to the treehouse. The expression on Foxglove’s face ran the gamut of emotions in under a second from joy to despair to anger.
       Foxglove threw his arm off of her. "So that’s it! All this time with me you’ve been thinking about HER! You didn’t really want to come out here with me, did you?" Chip was trapped. He knew he was trapped. He’d done her wrong, and now he was paying for it. "Look, Foxy, I’m..I’m sorry. I didn’t mean..."
        Now Foxy was crying. "And that invitation for tomorrow? Another lie?" Chip felt like the heel he was. He’d been selfish, and Foxglove was the victim. Chip put a hand on her shoulder. "Okay, I admit it. I was just trying to get back at Gadget. But I was wrong, and you’re too nice a person to treat that badly. So why don’t we make that invitation for real? Okay?"
        Foxy shook her head, looking at the ground. "You...you don’t really like me. You just figured that since Gadget likes Dale more than you, you would just have to settle for the silly bat that’s been hanging around. She’s better than nothing!"
       Chip started at her words. Then he wasn’t just imagining things! But first things first. "Foxglove, I do like you. And I like that you took so much time to do things with me. I…I treated you badly. You deserved better. Can you forgive me?" Foxglove didn’t know what to think now. He had treated her badly, but had admitted it and apologized. She sighed and wiped her eyes.
       Foxy looked up sadly. "Okay, Chip. I forgive you. But please, don’t do anything like that again. If you don’t like me and want me to go away, just say so. I don’t want to be a nuisance." Chip looked at that face, and felt lower than a weasel. What could he have been thinking? Chip lifted her head up.
       "I promise, Foxglove. And I’m...glad you’re my friend," Chip said. Foxglove studied his face as he said that, looking for some telltale sign of deception. But to her joy and relief, she found none. She smiled and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, for letting me be your friend, Chip."

       Chip felt relieved. "Thanks for understanding. So we’re on for tomorrow at the art museum?" Foxy gave him a quick kiss. "Of course, cutie!" Chip escorted her back to Ranger Headquarters. Foxy looked up at him. "Thank you, Chip. It was a lovely evening." Chip was getting nervous, but it was a different grade of nervous than before. "Uh, I enjoyed it too..." It was obvious to Chip that Foxglove had quickly become nervous as well. After what he did to her earlier, he worried that it might be because of what he did. He almost hated to ask, but he felt obligated to do so.
       "What is it, Foxglove?" Chip asked. Foxglove smiled nervously and blushed. "Chip...may I have a goodnight kiss?" Chip felt trapped again, but just as the nervousness was different so was this feeling of entrapment. He looked into her expectant eyes and realized he’d never been in this situation before. He’d dreamed of it with Gadget, but now another was willing. What should he do? What....
       Then something hitherto unknown within him took over. He put his arms around her and kissed her. "Good night, Foxglove." Foxy melted in his arms. "Goodnight, Chip." At that moment, Monty opened the door and found a very unexpected scene. Chip blushed a beet red, and Foxy did too.
       "Oh uh, hello there!" Monty said awkwardly. The spell was broken and the nervous Foxglove flew off. "Goodnight, cutie. See you tomorrow!" Chip watched her go, and waved. Then he went inside without saying a word to Monty. What could he have said?

       "Is everyone ready for the evening patrol?" Chip asked. Gadget and Dale had been in the main room and stood up. "Ready and willing, Chip," Gadget said. Zipper buzzed and saluted. Monty rubbed his leg. "Well, you’d best go on without old Monterey Jack tonight. Me trick knee is actin’ up and I should just stay here till it’s right again." Chip looked him over. "Well, okay Monty. Ready, Dale?" Dale resisted the urge to bait Chip over the earlier incidents. Chip seemed to be back to normal and he didn’t want to disrupt that.
       "Let’s fly the friendly skies!" Dale said with zest. The Rangers went outside and Gadget got the RangerWing into the air. Gadget had noticed that Chip didn’t have much to say, but thankfully he’d calmed down. She concentrated on the mission at hand and the RangerWing began a patrol of the city. Chip was sitting next to Gadget, but he found his mind strangely wasn’t on her at the moment. Then he realized something—Foxy had kissed him, and asked her to kiss her. Gadget had never done that. Of course, Foxglove was more open about her feelings than Gadget was—boy was she ever! Still, he found that what he’d told her was true. He was glad to have her as a friend. And he found that now his thoughts were kinder toward the bat that had been so annoying at first
       The nightly patrol was quiet, so quiet in fact that Gadget was surprised to see Chip asleep in the seat next to her. She was glad he was getting a little peace and quiet after the surly way he’d been the past few days. When the others looked at her inquiringly, she made a signal for them to stay quiet. Maybe forty winks would bring Chip around.

       Monty had stayed behind on purpose—old adventurers like himself had that sixth sense that they allowed themselves to be led by. Tonight, that sense had told him to stay put and he’d stayed outside, waiting. Once the RangerWing was out of sight, Monty walked out. Sure enough, he could see Foxglove hanging on one of the nearby branches. She was lost in thought, trying to come up with her next move and getting nowhere.
       "Greetin’s Foxglove, luv. I’ve been expecting you. Come on in," Monty said. Foxglove gasped at the unexpected interruption. "You were expecting me to be here? You must be mind reader," Foxy said. Monty smiled knowingly. "Well not quite a mind reader, lass. But it didn’t take much ta see that you needed ta talk and you’d like hang around. You certainly like a challenge."
       Foxy was beside herself with emotion, as she flew down to him. "I do need to talk to someone, and I guess I could tell you. Just promise not to tell Chip!" Monty nodded, and Foxy relaxed just a bit. "I sense Chip likes me, but...I can’t go to anyone else with this! Does he love Gadget?" Monty took of his flight cap, thinking of the right way to answer her. "Well yes, sorta...I really can’t say just how deep his feelin’s for Gadget are. I think...I think he’s in love with his dream Gadget."
       Foxy looked a little disappointed. "Then...there’s no hope? Guess it’s like my other friends say—I’m just scatterbrained." Monty put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Nothin’ of the kind, Foxglove. Gadget likes Chip as a friend, but there is nothin’ more between them than that. It’s just that Chipper doesn’t know that, yet. If you got feelin’s for Chip, well, I’ll tell ya’ it’s going to be a real test o’ yer metal. He’s a tough one to get close too."
       Foxy nodded. "I’ve noticed. But when he kissed me, my heart just sang! I think he enjoyed it too but he’s so hard to read. I...I think I’m in love with him." Foxy brought out the poem and showed it to Monty. Monty read it over, then put it back in its envelope. "I think you should let Chip see it, luv. He’s pretty dense when it comes to readin’ feelings, but poems are another matter." Foxy was panicked. She reached for the letter, not sure she wanted to expose herself to rejection like that. Monty patted her on the shoulder. "Don’t worry lass. I know what love at first sight can feel like, since I’ve been there a few times meself. If that poem doesn’t fetch him ‘round, nothin’ will. I’ll make sure to leave it where only he’ll see it."
       Foxglove consciously moved her wings away from the envelope in Monty’s hand. "O..okay, but make really sure no one else finds it. What else should I do?" Monty smiled warmly. "The best thing I can tell ya is yer gonna need the patience o’ Job and then some to get to Chip’s heart. He’s not going to give up his dreams of Gadget fer you without a fight."
       Foxy stood up as her sensitive ears caught the sound she’d been listening for--the RangerWing. She hugged Monty kindly and took flight. "Thank you, Monty. For giving me some hope." Monty waved goodbye to her and silently wished her luck.

       As she flew off, Foxglove felt both better and worse. At least now she knew it was possible! But she’d seen the determination in Chip that Monty spoke of. Still, if there was a glimmer of hope she’d do whatever she could to help it along. She also couldn’t help but feel the least bit sorry for Chip--if he loved an ideal and not the real thing, then he was lining himself up for disappointment. Maybe she could help him avoid that.
       But now Foxy knew she couldn’t have anything more to do with Winifred. She’d take the list to her, and that would be the end of it. She almost started off, then realized that she couldn’t let Winifred complete that spell, so she tore off the last two ingredients then flew to the laundromat where Winifred worked and dropped off the list where she’d be sure to see it. **That’s one moon rock and chieftain’s hair that will remain untouched.** She flew away, never looking back.
       Foxy returned to her roost in the dark depths of the library attic. Her heart was pounding. There was hope, but it was small that she could find happiness in the arms of the handsome chipmunk that had stolen her heart, yet he didn’t even know about it. Foxy decided to read some more Sureluck Jones, and then it occurred to her to find out if Chip read anything else. She went downstairs, and Cynthia waved her over when she saw the bat coming.
       "Looking for your chipmunk again?" Cynthia asked. "Well no, not tonight. Actually, I’m trying to find something in common with him so I can talk to him without feeling silly. Is there any way you could show me his reading list for the past few months?" Foxy asked.
       Cynthia studied her for a moment, and then she grinned. "Come on. I don’t think a peek will topple the pillars of this place." Cynthia showed Foxglove the records section, and after a little cross-referencing the librarian pulled up a sheet of paper. "Just don’t take it out of this room. It’s against regulations, you know," she said.
       Foxglove thanked Cynthia profusely and settled at a corner table in the records section. The books were about what she figured for the most part. Murder on the Orient Express, The Encyclopedia of Sureluck Jones, Forensic Methods in Criminology. Then one book in particular caught her eye, and she noticed it had been checked out many times over the years. It was her favorite! She looked again to make sure the title was right, and she beamed in delight at the knowledge. Foxglove came over and gave the paper back to Cynthia.
       "Find what you were looking for?" Cynthia asked. "Oh, yes! Thank you so much. But don’t let him know," Foxy said. "Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. Good luck," Cynthia said. She was too excited to sleep, so when closing time came she decided to go get another Sureluck Jones book and read. The story was "The Fall at the Falls", the harrowing story of how Sureluck was chased all over London and finally all over Europe by his nefarious nemesis Professor Morbid Arty. As she read page after page, Foxy’s eyes began to droop bit by bit. Then the sound of water flowing shook her back to attention. She was near a waterfall. A rotund mouse in a bowler hat and suit that didn’t quite fit came running up to her.

       "Have ya seen Jones, miss? I’m right worried fer that chipmunk pally o’ mine! Said he was goin’ ta meet some bloke at the top of Runningback Falls!" Foxy suddenly realized that her cutie was Jones! He was in trouble. She knew she’d get to him faster than his chubby friend could. She took off, hoping she could get to him in time
        Meanwhile, the intrepid Jones was faced off with a singularly vindictive opponent. Professor Morbid Arty’s yellow eyes stared at the detective wickedly. The big furry gray tabby had been thwarted at every turn. Now all he had left was revenge. "You’ve ruined everything! I was on the verge of establishing a criminal empire that would have lasted beyond my lifetime, and you had to stick your cute little nose into it!"
       Chip stood bravely against his nemesis. "I’d do it again! Your evil machinations were the scourge of all Europe! Now I know that every Londoner can rest easy knowing you’ll be out of the way!" Chip took off his deerstalker hat and undid the buttons of his sleeves to roll them up. Morbid Arty waited on him, as Victorian rules of deadly combat required. "Okay, let’s get this over with. Once and for all!" Chip said.
       Morbid Arty lunged at Jones and soon both were dangerously near the edge of the falls. "It will end here, Jones. Only one of us will walk to the bottom of this mountain!" Chip’s knowledge of Chinese fighting skills held the bulky professor at bay, but he knew that he couldn’t hold out long. Not without help. Then he saw something out of his peripheral vision.
       Foxy saw the predicament that Chip was in. But even in this deathly situation he still couldn’t bring himself to ask her for help. Did she want to help someone that didn’t really want her help? Did she want to be with someone too proud to admit he wasn’t perfect and couldn’t do everything himself?
       "You’ll never win, Morbid Arty! You see?! Good guys have friends, so we always win!" Chip said. Morbid Arty sneered, "Good guys are fools because they make the mistake of relying on others!" Morbid Arty used his greater body mass to overpower Jones and soon was holding Jones over the edge of the cliff. "At last, Jones. Now you have no escape--checkmate!" Chip knew this was it. But at least he’d not go alone. He jerked his body out into space, pulling Morbid Arty off-balance and they separated as they began their long, perilous fall
       "FOXY!" Chip cried out. Foxglove’s eyes grew wide with horror as she saw them both go over the edge of the cliff. "Chip!" **But he called me a friend again. But he needs me! He needs my help!** Foxy began flying down after Chip.
       Chip saw Foxy coming, and some of the desperation left his face. "Foxglove, hurry!" Foxy flew as fast as she could, but the ground was fast approaching. "Don’t be afraid, Chip. I’ll not fail you!" Chip reached up his hand to her, but his eyes couldn’t avoid looking down.
       "I’m not gonna make it! Break off, Foxy! Leave me and save yourself!" Chip said. Foxy power dived. "Never! We live or die...together!" As Foxy grabbed hold of him, Chip tried to push her feet off of him. Foxy clung tightly. "I don’t care if you just think of me as a friend!"
       Chip kept trying to free himself and looked up at her. "No! I love you! I couldn’t bear it if you died on my account!" Foxy’s heart felt like it would burst. "And I couldn’t if I couldn’t save you!" Foxy sank her claws into Chip, held on for dear life and flapped her wings with all her might to stop his decent
        The roar of the waterfall was all either of them could hear, and each one closed their eyes waiting for the end. But for some strange reason it didn’t come! The wind shear ceased and Chip found that he was still intact, with Foxglove soaring above him
       "You...you did it! But how?" Chip asked. Foxy chuckled, "Never underestimate the power of a bat in love, cutie!" Chip laughed at the remark and they landed on a grassy knoll. Then the surrounding scene suddenly shifted to a wide-open field with an antebellum house visible in the distance. Chip was wearing the suit of a Southern gentleman and Foxy was dressed like a belle. He took her in his arms.
       "You’re one gallant little lady, Miss Foxy O’Hara...."
       "Oh, Chip Butler! Kiss me and I’ll be yours forever!"
       Chip pulled her close. "Miss Foxy, you’re the morning dew on my cotton!" He kissed her, and the stirring music captured the moment as the sky burned red with passion. Then she awakened. "Oh, poo! Why did I have to wake up then? But it was so wonderful, and from my favorite story! Chip, as God as my witness, I’ll never be alone again..I hope."

       The Rangers returned from their patrol without incident. Chip had awakened when they landed, and he’d stayed behind at the Rangerwing after the others had gone inside. He was preoccupied about something and didn’t want the others to get any nosier into his affairs. As he was looking over the Wing, he noticed a note had been left on the wing of the Wing that hadn’t been there moments ago. He cautiously made his way to the note and saw his name written on it. Chip opened it and then quickly folded the note back up, put it in the envelope and hurried back inside—nearly crashing into Monty who was just coming out to check on him
       "What’s the rush, Chip?" Monty asked. "Tell you later Monty..." Chip said. Monty tried to get a word in. "But..." Chip brushed him off. "I’ll tell you later, Monty!" The big Aussie was a little bothered by Chip’s reaction, but then noticed that he was holding the envelope. **Glad I talked that lass into letting me hold onto it for her.**
       Chip checked to be sure that no one was near his room, then shut the door. He pulled out the paper again—he’d recognized Foxglove’s writing on it, and when he saw the first part of what she’d written he knew he didn’t want anyone else seeing it but himself. Now he stretched out on his bed, took the paper from the envelope again, and read it as he turned over on his back.

       From my first glimpse of you
       I was struck by love’s pull
       And I wanted to hold you
       Till my love made you full

       Your handsome face
       Your intelligent eyes
       Your manly walk and
       Your cute nose surprised

       Me out of the blue
       And shook me with happiness and fear!
       Oh, my anticipation at
       Seeing your hat coming near!

       I just want to hold you
       And never let you go…
       You’re the one I’d like to call
       "My own darling beau"

       The words took Chip at a total surprise. He knew Foxy was attracted to him, but the words were much more refined than he’d expected. And he had to admit he was flattered by them. Chip rose from the bed and settled in at the small desk next to it, thankful that Dale was still in the living room. He took a pencil out of his jacket and a fresh sheet of paper. Chip read through the amazing poem once more, and all the memories of their time together came to him.
       Chip thought about how he should answer this dedication, but more than that he wanted to sort out his own feelings. Poetry had always been a good way for him to get his emotions out in the open, so he set into his work. Soon, Chip held up the page and read it over silently to himself.

       My world was a different place
       Just a few short days ago
       I had only one dream in my life
       And but one goal to go

       Then you came into my world
       Like a bomb you changed
       The landscape and now
       My plans are on hold

       The love of my life
       Is giving me fits
       And my stupid friend
       Is making it where it’s

       Hard to resist laying down
       The law to both of them
       And now this bat comes along
       And thinks that I’m a gem

       I want her gone
       And yet I don’t
       I can’t explain it
       And I guess I won’t

       Until I know where I stand
       With her and him and her
       I feel like a tidal wave’s
       About to hit me on the shore.

 

 

Chapter 6 - Dreams Revisited

       During the flight home in the RangerWing, Gadget had cast several glances at Dale to see if he was looking at her. She caught him at it twice, and it made her all the more nervous. The last thing she wanted to do now was talk. Gadget had gone to the living room, and Dale had come up to her right off. "Hey Gadget! Is that laptop still working? We could play another round of doubles…"
       Part of her wanted to, but the larger part won out. "Not tonight, Dale. It’s been a busy day, and I’m going to turn in early." Dale was disappointed, but covered it up. "Okay. Into what?" Gadget half smiled at the joke and waved good night to everyone. Monty had noticed how nervous she was. Maybe he should talk to her too. Gadget returned to the solitude of her dreams—or rather what she thought would be solitude. Instead the gab sisters were going at her full tilt.

       "Look, Gadget, you’ve got to fess up sooner or later. Otherwise, you’ll never know!" Daphne said. Babs was painting her toenails. "I’m still waiting for Buster to say something before I tell him!" Smurfette had a big smile on her face. "And Dale’s such a nice boy...I bet he would go out with me if I asked him!" Fifi was still in the dumps. "Alors, zee chipmunk and zee skunks do not mix. Le sigh aussi." Babs put away her nail coloring. "But Fifi, Dale is a chipmunk and Gadget’s a mouse. So maybe he would like you!" Fifi perked up. "Is there some hope then? Can Fifi be happy yet with zee boy?" Dot held her nose. "If you can keep from killing them first! Pee-yew!"
       Bianca called for them all to calm down. "Now Dot, that is not kind. Gadget, they all are right though. You must find out and before it is too late. I have called someone here that I think can help you. Someone you know well." As Gadget looked on, a lady fox in a medieval dress came into the room
       "Golly, Maid Marian!" Gadget said. "I haven’t seen you in years!" Marian took a place on the bed. "I know, Gadget. You gave up on this part of yourself a long time ago. But occasionally you let me visit. Now you have a chance to be happy, like I was! If Dale thinks there is no hope, the flame of love could burn out."
       Gadget blinked twice. "Love?! Did you say love?" Marian took her hand softly. "Yes dear, love. Do you think you are in love with him?" Gadget averted her eyes. "Golly, am I really in love with Dale? Well, gee, I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about him like that…well maybe a little."
       Marian smiled softly in that nice way she had about her. "Haven’t you noticed how he looks at you? And how he blushed the time you fell into his arms?" Gadget blushed herself thinking about that incident
       "Yes…"
       Marian laughed softly. "Now dearie, you know as well as I do that your fall was no accident. You wanted him to catch you!" Gadget blushed an even deeper shade of red and looked uncomfortable. "Okay, I confess! I carefully formulated the trajectory and the angle of decent that was needed to fall into his arms and I make it look like an accident."
       Marian smiled the more. "And when Dale was downtrodden, you decided to dress up for him. Do you not remember the red dress?" The blush grew even greater. "Maybe I got a little carried away..." Marian took her hand to steady Gadget. "Nonsense, you enjoyed it! Be honest with yourself. And when you kissed him, it was wonderful was it not? You have never kissed Chip, you know..."
       By now Gadget was blushing shades that didn’t even have names. "Okay."
       "Okay, what?" Dot asked.
       "Okay, I do…"
       "You do WHAT?" Babs prodded.
       "I…I love Dale. There, I admit it!" Gadget said.
       Marian hugged her. "Good, you needed to do that. But are you also willing to believe that he loves you?" Gadget’s blush vanished and she frowned slightly. "Well...Dale has a really short attention span. He’s paying a lot of attention to me now, but for how long before something else catches his eye and he forgets all about me?" Dot jumped up. "Then just whack him in the head with a giant mallet and that’ll remind him of you!"
       Bianca interrupted Dot’s melee. "Gadget dear, he’s never forgotten about you! Did he abandon you after you called him a ‘goof up’ in Paris? When the Kiwis captured you, did he turn around and leave?" It seemed to Gadget that her calling Dale "goof up" was going to haunt her forever.
       "No, I really believe that Dale would have laid down his life to rescue me," Gadget said. Marian nodded with emphasis. "Of course he would have! You must believe in your heart and in his, Gadget. You’ll know when the time is right." Dot leaned over and whispered. "And that’s when you shout ‘Hello, Nurse!’ and kiss him!’"

       Dale had retired to sleep and now Bianca had migrated into Dale’s dream. Dale wasn’t surprised to be back in Charlie Brown’s yard. There were still issues to be settled and the Red Badger could wait. Bianca sat next to Dale and Charlie Brown. As her conversation progressed, Dale began looking at her wide-eyed. "Kiss her? What if she didn’t like it? What if I didn’t like it?" Bianca comforted him. "Dale, darling, if you love her and she loves you, which of you could not enjoy it?"
       Dale looked away. "Chip…"
       Bianca made him look at her. "Dale, what are you really afraid of when it comes to Chip?" Dale’s eyes shifted back and forth. " I…I just don’t wanna hurt him, that’s all!" Bianca smiled. "Chip’s a big boy now, Dale. He can look after himself. You can’t let his flirting stand in your way."
       "But doesn’t Gadget love Chip?" Dale asked. Bianca hugged him. "Now, Dale—you know as well as I that you are looking for an excuse. But this time you must be brave." Dale didn’t like the sound of that. "Brave? In the face of Chip? I dunno if I can do that….."
       Suddenly, a fox dressed in lincoln green swung into Charlie Brown’s backyard next to Dale, Bianca and Charlie Brown. "Fear not, friend Dale. All is not lost! Your fair maid is not beyond your grasp!" Dale stood aghast. It was his childhood hero! Dale had always loved the Robin Hood story, and had wanted to play Robin every chance he got. But Chip or one of the others had always beaten him out of it. Still, his heroic dream was within him, and now it was standing before him.
       "Robin! What do I do about Gadget?" Dale asked. The noble fox helped him up from the stoop and put a hand behind his back. "You must be willing to risk all for her, for faint heart never won fair lady! Take her in your arms and tell her that you love her!"
       Dale quivered at the thought of that. "Ta..take her in my arms? Isn’t that getting a little close?" Robin laughed kindly. "Is that not what love is all about?" Dale felt like he did when he was facing Fat Cat. "B..b..but, what about Chip?" Robin pointed, and a portal opened in front of them. "Well, now’s as good a time to find out as any..."

       Gadget was becoming extremely nervous. She’d not felt this way in a long time. And why was it happening in a dream like this? She looked back to Marian. "I don’t think I could feel safe with Dale, knowing that Chip would just run him over the first time he tried anything. It’s not that I don’t love Dale. I do, but he’s going to back down. I know it," Gadget said. Marian looked at her disapprovingly. "And what makes you think that? What reason does he have to stand up to Chip?"
       "Well," Gadget said, "I guess not much. Golly, you’re right Marian! But what if I stand up for him and he still doesn’t respond?" Marian hugged her again. "You have to be willing to put it all on the line for him, like I did with Robin!"
       Gadget didn’t feel too comfortable with the idea. "But…I don’t know if I could do that…." Suddenly a door of light appeared in front of them. Marian offered her hand to help Gadget up. "Well, now’s as good a time to find out as any…"

       Dale was in the classic scene at the archery tournament, not to mention the classic costume. Prince Chip had captured him with the aid of Sheriff Monty of Nottingham and Sir Zipper. The Sheriff had Robin Dale’s hands manacled. Maid Gadget and Lady Tammy were dressed in royal finery, looking at the scene
       Gadget was surprised to see that it was Dale in the manacles--not to mention Chip on the throne. "Oh, golly—this is so neat and so scary too. Well, not that the story’s scary. I like the story, but it’s scary how these dream events seem to keep popping up all the sudden!" Gadget said. Prince Chip’s look was one of pure glee. "For crimes against the crown, I sentence you to sudden, instant, and even--immediate death!"
       The crowd gasped. Lady Tammy began to cry and said, "Don’t do it, Prince Chipper!" Dale looked at Gadget’s sorrowful face and then at Prince Chip. He jerked himself free from the Sheriff’s grasp. "That crown doesn’t belong to you, you big dummy! And despite your cute nose, Prince Chip, Maid Gadget’s not yours either for that matter!" Prince Chip jumped up and down in a tantrum "I’m the king! King, king, king! You never stood a chance, you oddlaw!"
       Robin or Marion stood off to the side, concealed by a colorful tent. "They’re not following the script at all," Robin said. Marian watched Gadget closely. "I have a feeling they rarely do, darling." Marian was having to hold back Lady Cluck. "Oh, just let me get my hands on ‘em!" the bold chicken said.
       Prince Chip stood up on the seat of his throne and looked down on Robin Dale. "You green-garnished goon! You’ll never be worthy of Maid Gadget! Besides, you’re not going to be around to say anything about it! Off with the dummy’s head!"
       Gadget watched with horror as the blackguard approached with his oversized axe. She knew she couldn’t let this happen. Gadget got down on her knees in front of Prince Chip’s throne. "Oh, golly! Prince Chip, spare his life! I beg you, please have mercy!"
       Chip crossed his arms in defiance. "Why on earth should I spare that nitwit oddlaw?" Chip had a derisive look on his face, but Dale’s never changed even in the face of certain death. Gadget looked up at Chip, pleading for Dale with her eyes. Then she looked out at Dale. "Because I love him, your highness. Golly, I do love him!"
       Chip’s crown fell down on his head. "WHAT!" Dale stood aghast, as did everyone. Gadget had stood up to Chip for him! "She really does love me...." Chip jumped up and stood on his throne again, looking out at the shackled captive. "Okay you so-called hero, here’s your one chance for freedom. Let’s see you tell Gadget how you feel, and if it’s anything but ‘I don’t love you’ you’ll be staked to an anthill!"
       Dale saw the domineering look in Chip’s face, but he also saw the look of desperation in Gadget’s eyes. She called to him, "Dale, don’t do anything foolish! You don’t have to say anything!" Dale knew he didn’t have to answer, but he also knew that if he didn’t then Gadget’s confession was for nothing. He didn’t know where the courage to speak came from, but when he spoke it was with all his heart. "That’s okay, Gadget. If I said what he wanted I’d be lying, and I’ll not soil the good name of Robin Hood! Besides, I’d gladly suffer any fate because--Gadget, I love you more than life itself."
       Chip just stood there aghast. The crowd cheered, and Gadget’s look was magnanimous. Chip threw his crown on the ground and addressed the blackguard. "Arrgh! I can’t wait for the anthill! Off with his head right now! I’m the king!" At that moment, Prince Chip got a tap on his shoulder and came face-to-face with a human wearing a white suit studded with rhinestones. Elvis grabbed the royal scepter from Chip and said, "I’ll just take that, thankyouverymuch"

       The Rhino guards were closing in on Dale when suddenly Yoda, Charlie Brown and Johnny Bravo burst onto the scene with the Transformers and G.I. Joe team close behind. A very short battle ensued, wherein P.J. and the Sheriff’s men were quickly driven off by the King, the Jedi master, giant robots and America’s greatest military unit.
       Gadget ran out to Dale and quickly picked the lock on his manacles. "Oh, thanks heavens you’re all right!" Gadget said. She hugged him and was surprised when Dale held the hug even longer than she’d intended. Dale was in the middle of the greatest dream of his life, and he didn’t want it to end. "I owe my life to you, Maid Gadget," Robin Dale said, looking warmly into her eyes. She hugged him again. "I couldn’t have lived without you, Robin Dale."
       "Yo Joe!" Sargeant Slaughter shouted as the bad guys made a hasty retreat. Dale looked around and noticed that Johnny Bravo was dressed in his regular attire and now Vader had changed to look like Johnny’s twin. Johnny zoomed up to Maid Marian, "Hey there, foxy lady." Maid Marian picked up a mace and hit Johnny over the head with it. "Yeah, she digs me..." Johnny said, slumping to the ground.
       Dale let go of Gadget and helped Johnny back to his feet. Dale scratched his head. "I thought you went over to the dark side of the force with Vader…" Johnny shook the cobwebs around in his head. "Oh, man! The chicks don’t dig that heavy breathing business and that helmet put a major cramp on my hair. I’m back on the good side!" Vader adjusted his shades and his hair. "And I’ve joined him. How does that dance go?"
       Johnny moved his arms up and down. "Like this! Do the monkey with me!" Then Johnny leaned in close. "Say, you got another name? Vader won’t pull ‘em in, you know." Vader kept dancing. "My real name’s Anakin Skywalker." Johnny snapped his fingers. "If anyone asks, you’re A.K. ‘Sky’ from now on. Let’s ride!"
       Sky and Johnny went off to look for chicks. Then a chicken-shaped shadow covered Johnny Bravo. "Oh Johnny! Come here and give me a kiss, ya tall and handsome lad!" Lady Cluck said. Johnny and Sky both turned to see a short, fat hen running toward them. Johnny started burning rubber. "Get away from me, chicky lady! Oh man, where is Colonel Sanders when you need him?"
       Dale woke up at that point and looked around. "Man! That was a cool dream!" Gadget sat up in bed, stirred by the emotion of the dream. "Golly, that dream was so real! But why was Elvis bonking Prince Chip on the head with his scepter?"

 

 

Chapter 7 – Dreams Revolt

       When the morning arrived, Dale started to wake Chip but the smile on Chip’s face convinced him to let his friend rest. "Maybe he’s finally quit having nightmares," Dale said to himself. The day went quickly, as the Rangers finally saw some action. A gang of local packrats was looting a jewelry store, looking for very expensive shiny trinkets to add to their collection. It took the Rangers the full day to track them, and when they returned Chip apologized to Foxy for missing their afternoon at the museum. She understood, but to make up for it he spent a couple of hours reading Sureluck Jones with her and telling her about the case. Chip had just finished the third story when Foxy decided to leave, saying she wanted to be alert for the museum tomorrow. Chip hugged her good night, and she kissed him on the cheek. Then Chip decided to check on Dale at the couch. Dale had decided to spend his evening watching his favorite movies and now was up to Jungle Book. Chip came in just in time to catch the classic scene between Baloo and Mowgli.
       "If you act like that bee acts...uh, uh...you’re workin’ too hard," Baloo said, Mowgli on his tummy. Dale pointed to the screen. "I based my life on his teachings." Chip settled in and watched as Baloo continued. "And don’t spend your time lookin’ around for something you want that can’t be found..."

       Chip watched that film with Dale and Beauty and the Beast before tiring down. He left Dale to continue his marathon, and gratefully laid down on his bed. As Chip settled into slumber, someone slapped him on the back, and he found he was in a jungle.
       "What’s the problem, little britches?"
       Chip looked up and found a grayish looking bear looking down at him. Chip was Mowgli’s size and Baloo still towered over him. "The name’s Chip!"
       Baloo was moving to a beat that only he heard. "Oh, I see. You’re one of those uptight kinda guys. You sound like Baggy. You gotta learn how to relax." Chip doubled his fists. "I AM RELAXED!" Baloo went over to a spiked plant. "Here, have a pear," he said, tossing the prickly pear to Chip.
       "OW! It has spikes!" Chip said. "You don’t use the paw, use the claw!" Baloo replied. Chip wanted to be free from this character. "Why can’t I have normal dreams like everyone else? Look! I don’t want food, I don’t want to dance! I just want my life to go back to normal!"
       Baloo picked Chip up and set him on a rock for a face-to-face talk. "Hey, take it easy! Well, Chiperroo, you’re gonna haveta make a choice. It ain’t natural being in love with a girl that doesn’t love you while you’re ignoring a girl that is in love with you."
       Chip was taken aback. "She’s in..? Gadget’s not…? Hey, how could you know about Foxglove? This is the middle of the jungle!" Baloo tapped Chip’s hat. "And in the middle of your head. There’s a little Baloo inside you, Chip, and I see these things even if you don’t wanna see ‘em. Now what you’ve gotta do is decide which stream you’ve gonna take. You can’t go both ways, or you’ll end up on dry land."
       "Stream? Land? What are you talking about?" Chip asked. Baloo sighed. "Oboy. This kid is gonna be a piece of work."
       Chip turned over in his sleep, already uncomfortable with where the conversation was going. Baloo took him in his paws. "I swear, you’re taking clueless lessons from Baggy. Gadget or Foxglove! You can’t have them both. To go after one means perhaps losing the other, forever." Baloo set Chip back down on the rock. Chip was in no mood for this. "But what if I’m supposed to be with Gadget? I mean, Foxglove’s nice and I do like her but Gadget’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. That anyone’s seen!"

        Baloo crossed his arms. "And what if she wasn’t so pretty? Would you still like her as much?" Chip squirmed at the question. "Wellllllll...I don’t know! That’s not a fair question!" Baloo took a seat on the ground. "You’ve been in love with her pretty face since the day you met her. But that’s all you’re in love with. You idealized her and made her everything you want her to be. But that’s too much for her to do, little britches."
       "Idealized her? What are you talking about?" Chip asked.
       Baloo snapped his fingers and an image of Gadget appeared. "You admit she’s the prettiest female you’ve ever seen?"
       "Sure!" Chip said.
       "But this ideal of yours is more than just pretty. Go ahead, take a good look at her," Baloo said.
       Chip did, and found himself getting self-conscious. Gadget was wearing a white lace dress, had her hair done up beautifully, and she was wearing makeup. Baloo pointed at her. "Is that Gadget?"
       "Well, it could be!" Chip said.
       "But it isn’t. This is the Gadget you see--a girl that would be and do whatever you wanted to make your feelings justified. But that’s not Gadget, Chip. That’s a doll, pure and simple. Something to pander to that pride of yours," Baloo said flatly.
       Chip was getting angry fast. "And you think I’m shallow, is that it? Come on, spill it! You think that’s all I care about!" Baloo brought him right up to his face. "Prove me wrong, little britches. And since this is a dream I’m gonna make you put your money where your mouth is."
       Suddenly Foxglove and Gadget appeared. Chip looked at the both of them. His ideal Gadget was there and Foxglove was beside her. Gadget rushed up to him, ready to please. "Chip, I’m your ideal! If you marry me, you’ll be husband to the most beautiful and generous person of all! You’ll be the king of the mountain!" Foxglove pushed her aside. "Chip, don’t listen to her! That’s your imagination talking. She’s not the real Gadget--that’s the one you invented!"
       Gadget turned up her pert nose at Foxy. "Hey, how can I help it if I’m the prettiest? I don’t even diet. Besides, everyone knows that Chip’s the best. I deserve him." Foxglove put her wings on her hips. "Who said you were the prettiest? Among bats, I’m gorgeous. You don’t deserve him, and he doesn’t deserve to keep fooling himself. Besides, you’re nothing more than a mirage!" Foxglove put her wing right through the image. "See Chip? Your image of her isn’t anything but an image! Pick me! Pick me!"

       Baloo leaned an elbow on the rock Chip was once again sitting on. "She’s got a point, little britches. Remember all the times you’ve yelled at Gadget? Like the time her magnet started pulling utensils in from everywhere?" Chip saw the image in front of him, and him saying, "Your stupid invention could have killed someone!" Baloo shook his head, "And you didn’t even try to stop her when she wanted to leave." Chip threw up his hands. "Hey, I was about to say something when Myron came in! Besides, Dale didn’t try to stop her either!" Baloo shook his head again. "Chip, you’re the leader. You took on the responsibility of the team. It’s your job to keep the team healthy, and you didn’t do it."
       Baloo snapped his fingers, and the scene changed. "That started a chain of events that made Gadget leave you for a while. And when Midge the swallow showed up, you didn’t want to listen to Gadget’s idea, did you?" Again, he could see himself demanding to have a big case instead of helping the little bird and causing Gadget to cry. Chip was getting defensive. "But…that’s not how I really feel about her! Not how I see her!"
       Baloo snapped his fingers again, and the image vanished. "Maybe so, little britches. But a better question to think about, fella—what does she see in you? Have you ever once thanked her for all she’s done? Thought of her first? Made her feel special?"
       Chip started to open his mouth—and then shut it again. Gadget didn’t like her birthday to be celebrated like the others, so he’d gotten in the pattern of not bringing it up. He’d tried to ask her out before, but she always had something else to do. Maybe there was more to it than he’d thought about.

       Baloo helped Chip off the rock and took him off to another part of the jungle. "Little britches, you might as well see the rest...." Baloo snapped his fingers and Gadget and Dale were standing on a rock alone near a waterfall.
       "Gadget, you’re the punchline of my jokes..." Dale said.
       "And you’re the motor oil in my camshaft!" Gadget replied.
       They embraced, and Chip couldn’t contain his ire. "No! No, that can’t happen! It’s a lie!" Baloo sat down next to him. "Well, prove it. Tell Gadget that you love her. I dare ya." Chip started to go over, but found his legs wouldn’t move. "You’re doing this to me! It’s all your fault!"
        Baloo shrugged. "Hey, don’t blame me, it’s your dream. You’re the one stopping yourself from going over there." Dale stuck out his tongue at him, and Gadget laughed at him. Chip pointed at Dale.
       "It’s all your fault! Your fault!" Chip shouted.

       Baloo turned him around. "Hey easy, little britches! You’re gettin’ all riled up, but you’re losin’ sight of the big picture here!" Baloo said. "What big picture? That I’m the prize chump of the world?" Chip asked.
       Baloo leaned back on the ground. "You said it, not me. But look, I’m tryin’ to clue you in here! Gadget’s not your true love, yer girl’s the one with wings...wings, like an angel." Chip knew where this was leading. "Foxglove? I’m not in love with her! I just met her a couple of days ago!"
       Baloo turned toward him, leaning on his elbow. "Now you know good and well that it didn’t take you two seconds to fall for Gadget when you first saw her! Love’s quick as a wink, Chip. You’ve gotta be quick too, or it’ll get away from you!"
       Chip stood up and folded his arms defiantly. "Gadget’s going for Dale, because I haven’t said anything to her yet. All I have to do is tell her I love her and she’ll be mine, I know it! To think that Dale actually believes he’s in Gadget’s league..."

       "And what makes you think any woman is worth having?"
       Chip turned around to see a human walking up behind him "Henry Higgins?!? What are you doing here?" Higgins sat down beside Chip. "Oh, come now lad. You know perfectly well why I’m here. You’re thinking of throwing yourself at that glowing apparition of a girl and making a complete ninny of yourself in the process."
       Chip didn’t like this line of conversation either. "You think that I’m not in love with Gadget either and that I should go with Foxglove instead? Are you cuh-razy!?" Higgins sighed with impatience. "Chip, what kind of a word is that! ‘Cuh-razy’." Chip just stared at him. "Who cares about pronunciation at a time like this?"
       Higgins threw up his hands. "My good munk, proper pronunciation is what keeps the hierarchy high and the lower class in the dregs! But back to my point. What do you need any girl for? Gadget’s crazed for Dale--she’ll have her hooks into him within a fortnight, mark my words. It’s the bat you have to worry about. She’s coming for you with every weapon in the brutish little game of love. But are you truly up to the challenge, or will you fall prey to those wiles without even answering the most paramount question of all?"
       Chip was still stunned from the appearance of a second fictional character in his dream. "What...what question?" Higgins pounded the earth. "Oh, why do I ever bother? The question I already asked! What do you need any girl for? What do you need Foxglove for? You obviously don’t really need Gadget or you’d have kicked your companion out of the picture long before now. She’s only a pretty picture on the ruddy wall that you fancy to look at when you need to feel you’re in control! So, I put it to you again--what do you need Foxglove for?"
       Chip knew. He didn’t want to say it, but he knew. "I...I hate being alone...Okay! I admit it! I’m not Sureluck Jones! I don’t want to spend my latter years all alone, tending bees. I want there to be more to my life than just an endless mountain of cases to solve. I want to be happy, just like everyone else! Higgins, I’ve seen My Fair Lady. You hated being alone too, you just didn’t know it until the end of the movie."
       "Of course I didn’t!" Higgins said. "We men are a high breed, but it can be deucedly difficult to admit what you just did. That’s why I wanted Eliza with me. And that’s why, in your innermost soul, you want Foxglove. Do you understand?"
       Chip jumped to his feet. "But I want GADGET!!!" Higgins shook his head at the chipmunk. "Chip, you’re a commonplace lackaday little ignorant fellow, after all. Don’t you get it, lad? You’re wanting something that doesn’t exist! You don’t know the real Gadget from a hole in the wall. Can you honestly stand there and tell me her thoughts about you? Her true desires in life? The reason that she’s the right one for you?"
       Chip was trapped, and he knew it. "Well, we’re both good looking, we’re both serious, we’re both...smart...we’re both...uh..." Higgins stopped him right there. "You’re not answering the question. I could find a hundred similarities between the two of you! Tell me why she’s right for you."
       Chip started to get nervous. His mind had gone blank. "I’m a better match for her than that idiot, Dale! And if she does actually love him she’s a bigger fool than he is!" Chip stopped at that. He couldn’t believe he’d said it. Gadget a bigger fool than Dale?
       Higgins raised an index finger in triumph. "AH! A glimmer of light in the obsidian darkness! So you’re willing to admit that maybe she does love him, foolish as it may sound. But do you understand why she would?" Chip sneered in disdain. "He’s a moron! He can hardly walk straight and has virtually no attention span...I couldn’t imagine what she’d see in him...unless she wanted to make me jealous or she was just pitying him like she did with that stupid ‘Double-O-Dale’ disaster when that dummy almost got us all killed."

       Baloo broke in. "Hey, Higgy, don’t give away the farm to the boy yet! Look Chip, you’re callin’ your best friend on earth a moron! And why are you playin’ him down? Are you that insecure about yourself?" Chip was indignant at the suggestion. "Me? Insecure? I have nothing to fear from Dale. Yeah, sure, he’s my best friend, but he’s just a sheep. He’d be totally lost without me to look after him."
       Baloo gave him a condensing look. "Oh, really? Seems to me that ‘Double-O-Dale’ was pretty self-sufficient. Dale’s bailed you and the others out on dozens of cases. Why don’t you ever give him credit?" Chip now became defensive. "Okay, he’s lucked out from time to time...but that’s it. He’s just gotten lucky, that’s all."
       Higgins tsked him. "Luck? Are you so blind as to credit dame fortune for another’s success, when you never do for yourself? For shame, lad. For shame." Chip made a flippant gesture with his hand. "Okay, he’s saved the day a few times, usually after having gotten us into the trouble in the first place..."
       Baloo got up in his face again. "And how many times has he been there for you, even when you treated him like he doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you?" Chip sighed. "He’s always been there for me, like a best friend should."
       Higgins got up and began to pace back and forth. "So, he’s always been there for you through thick and thin, he’s pulled your fat out of the fire on numerous occasions and he’s caught Gadget’s eye. What possible reason could you have for wanting him not to be happy?"
       Chip opened his mouth but no words came out. All he could do was sigh again. "This would all be so much easier if Foxglove had fallen in love with Dale rather than me." Baloo got up, and helped Chip up as well. "Little britches, you’ve got a lot to learn yet. And some of it’s gonna come through the school of hard knocks. Just remember that life only throws you so many shots at happiness. Don’t get caught up in chasing something that you can’t ever get. You’ll end up losing both those girls and hurting everyone else in the process. Look son, Foxy may not be your ideal beauty but she’s a whole lot closer to your ideal girl than Gadget is!"
       "Precisely," Higgins added. "The bat’s gone out of her way to do the things you like and like the things you do and be as nice as an elected official during campaign season! So if you really don’t want to be alone, give the girl a chance. And for mercy’s sake, enunciate your ‘L’ ‘s and ‘V’ ‘s more clearly," Higgins added. Then Baloo and Higgins stepped aside. "Hey, where are you two going?" Chip asked. "Remember what I said about hard knocks?" Baloo asked. "Well, now you’re going to have one!"

       Chip was overshadowed by something from behind. He turned and found he was looking at a powerful yet good-looking hunter. "Gaston?" Chip asked. Gaston picked Chip up and put him on his shoulder. "Of course! After all, you and I share a common bond!" Chip really didn’t like this. "What bond would that be?"
       Gaston looked surprised at him. "Why, the awareness that we both deserve the best! After all, Gadget is the most beautiful girl around. That makes her the best! And don’t you deserve the best?" Chip just stared at the greedy face. Higgins and Baloo stood before him again.
       "Chip, this is the real you," Baloo said.
       Chip shook his head. "NO! It’s not true!"
       "Perhaps not at the present," Higgins said. "But if you continue on thinking only of yourself, this is what you’re destined to become. Give it up, Chip."
       Chip shook his head in disbelief. "But you’re just fictional characters brought up by my subconscious! You’re not real. I love Gadget, not Foxglove! You guys are just figments of my imagination telling me that I’m really in love with Fox...wait a second, if you guys are my subconscious and you’re telling me I’m in love with Foxglove rather than Gadget, that means...that means.…" Then Chip looked back at Gaston’s face, and he nodded.

       With the shock of that realization, Chip was jolted into consciousness, screaming. He was so disturbed by what had happened, he didn’t know what to do. Was it all just a dream? He tried to tell himself that several times, but the images didn’t go away. When he spoke, his voice wasn’t very confident. "I’ve got...I’ve got to find Dale, and settle this thing once and for all," Chip said. "In the morning."

 

 

Chapter 8 – Where Dreams May Thrive

       As the dawn approached, Foxglove was up early. Chip had promised to take her to the museum today, and she decided to go there early and catch a tour with some humans. She listened intently as the curator explained the meaning of each piece and waxed poetic in front of one painting in particular that was on loan to their American History collection. Foxglove studied the painting and found it was truly unique--one that she was sure Chip would like. Then she remembered the time, and flew off to Ranger Headquarters.
       When she landed, Chip was outside and pacing. Foxy could see he was troubled and that troubled her in return. "What is it, darling?" Foxy asked. Chip hardly paid her a look. "I’ve got to think, Foxglove. I’ve got to decide on something important." Foxglove misunderstood and smiled a bit, "Would that involve a certain bat we know?" Chip wasn’t in the mood for games. "No. Just a little problem. You wait out here, and when we get back from patrol you and I’ll go to the museum." Foxglove watched as Chip headed inside. She was hoping he’d be in a better mood, but at least he was living up to his promise.

       Chip found Dale watching the morning cartoons, as usual. "Dale, I want to tell you something." Dale took his attention from Zobo the Clown and turned to face Chip. "What, Chip?" Chip stood up and turned the television off, and paused a moment before speaking. "You’re spending too much time with Gadget. She’s a good sport and so am I, but it’s time you backed off."
       Dale looked him curiously. "What do you mean? We’re having fun doing stuff together, she certainly doesn’t mind." Chip did his best to keep his temper in check. "Dale, I don’t want this to sound harsh, but she’s just doing it to be nice. I was going to take Gadget to the movies, but your interfering got in the way. I don’t mind if you have some fun now and then, but you’ve got to respect that I’m the one she really likes."
       Dale shook his head. "So, that’s it. You’re jealous that she’s been spending time with me rather than you." Chip grimaced and poked Dale in the chest with his finger. "Just remember what I said, and step aside. You’re in the way." With that, Chip turned around and stomped his way outside. Foxy tried to talk to him as he came out, but she decided against that when she saw how worked-up he was. She slipped inside to give Chip a few minutes alone. Chip went down the tree and soon was pacing around the tree, trying to sort out his feelings.

       Gadget was still disturbed by her dream, even in the seclusion of her workshop. It had seemed so real! But it was too ridiculous. Dale as Robin Hood and she as Maid Marian? Still, the emotions had felt so real. Gadget had avoided Dale that morning, but then she realized she’d left the CD drive for her new laptop in the main room--and Dale would be watching television in there. Gadget shrugged off the hesitation, and headed for the door of her workshop.
       Foxglove watched as Dale sat down at the couch in the main room. She liked Dale--he was a bit high-strung, but seemed to be a nice person. She watched with further interest as Gadget came in the main room and picked up a piece of equipment she’d left on the coffee table. Dale watched her the whole time, and Gadget smiled a bit but left pretty quickly. Foxy saw an opportunity to make sure that Gadget would have someone besides Chip in the competition and she decided to clue Dale in.

       "Hello, Foxglove," Dale said, making a place for her. "What’s Chip doing? Did he forget about your date?" Foxy shook her head. "No, he said he had some problem to deal with first." Foxy wasn’t sure how to talk to Dale, so she decided on the straight approach. "Dale, you sure must like Gadget a lot, your heart rate skyrockets every time she enters the room." Dale blushed and looked apologetic. "Uh, well..." Then Foxy leaned in close to Dale and whispered, "And her heart rate skyrocketed when she came near you."
       Dale’s eyes grew large. "Huh? What are you saying? You mean she...she’s....no, that can’t be. She doesn’t feel that way about me. She made it clear in Paris..." Foxy shrugged her shoulders. "Well, she certainly feels something strong for you whenever she sees you...and has the same reaction as you...so you must have the same feelings for her that she has for you."

       Gadget re-emerged from her workshop. She decided she hadn’t been nice by leaving so fast, and should at least say something to him. "Hi, Dale!" she said, with her usual upbeat voice. Dale was instantly in a sweat. Gadget’s voice was sweet and welcoming, but it was the last thing he wanted to hear right now. "Uh, er, hi there. Gee, I think I’d better...getmeasnack!" Dale ran out the door.
       "Dale, the kitchen’s the other way! Dale?" Gadget said. She looked to Foxglove, who was still standing there. "Foxglove, was Dale acting strange when you came in?" Foxy shook her head. "No, Gadget. But he seemed to tense up when you came in the room the first time, and more just now. He was on the verge of panic." Gadget ran outside, concerned about Dale’s strange reaction. Foxy watched her go with satisfaction—that would keep her occupied. Gadget looked down the trunk to see where Dale was going, but he hadn’t gone that way. The only person down there was Chip, pacing around. He didn’t look like he was in the kind of mood where Dale would have wanted to chance meeting him. She glanced around quickly to the left and right--no Dale. With only one direction left, she looked up. There, near the top of the tree, she could see something red moving slowly in the breeze. A thread.
       "Well, there’s only two of us that wear red on a regular occasion, and I’m betting by the size of that thread it’s not Zipper’s…" Gadget returned to her workshop and got her plunger shoes. After securing them, she walked up the side of the trunk and began following the telltale thread, taking it up as she went. Two feet later, she stopped where her trail did. Even with the plain marker, she almost missed it, so well-hidden was the entrance. Gadget hesitated a moment—if this was some kind of secret place known only to Dale, would she be betraying him by going in? Ultimately, curiosity won out.
       "Here goes nothing…."

       Chip stopped and looked up toward the treehouse. He was sure he’d heard Gadget’s voice, and if he could catch her alone maybe he could get her to settle this business for him. The veranda of the treehouse kept Chip from seeing where Gadget had gone, so when he got there Chip found that she’d disappeared.

       Gadget tested the entrance—it was right at the top of the tree trunk, a circular swinging faux-wood panel that had been made to appear like a knot in the wood. In fact, had the string not been leading inside she would never have noticed it. Gadget tilted the circle and it gave way. She noticed Dale had a restraining arm built in just under it, with was off to one side
       **Maybe he wants me to come here. But he was so upset, he may have just leapt in without thinking.**
       Gadget gently let herself by the circle and suddenly found herself sliding fast. The path angled down and around in a wide three-quarter spiral, and at the end she found herself on the floor of a larger room than she would have suspected. In fact, there were three rooms—two of which were visible to her. Dale wasn’t in this initial room, so Gadget stood up and looked. As she did, she gasped. The room was amazing!
       **He must have developed all of this himself over the years! But where did he get the talent?**

       And wonder she might, for the items here were representative of a far different Dale than she’d known—than any of them knew! The main room was circular, and the walls had been scored by some method to create shelves that were essentially deep semi-circular gouges in the wall of varying size. Here there were books ranging from Dale’s usual fare of comics to erudite classics such as The Three Musketeers, Robinson Crusoe, and Tom Sawyer. She noticed that the comic books were well-preserved and some were even framed to preserve them. She also noticed the copy of Treasure Island Monty had given him, plus a near-twin on the shelf. And the pictures! The top three rows that circled the room were nothing but pictures of the Rangers.
       As Gadget studied them, she found herself correcting that first impression. It was essentially a timeline of Dale’s life. The first few pictures were obviously child’s drawings, kept for sentimental value. There were pictures of his family and home and even one in crayon that she was pretty sure was Chip. After those there seemed to be a gap of a few years, then after that pictures that showed Dale and Chip moving into their new treehouse and having fun with a very angry duck. Gadget had to cover her face at those to keep from laughing.
       Then the pictures of the Rangers started. Dale’s skill showed improvement in picture after picture. It was obvious he was self-taught, but it was also obvious that he had talent. The pictures were good. Not quite in the class of Da Vinci or Renoir, but good. Some were pencil drawings, as these first few were—a sketch of each Ranger and then a group picture. Gadget took her eyes from those and began to study the rest, which essentially formed a record in canvas and paper of the Rangers’ missions.
       The scenes were captivating for the most part, and brought back memories of so many times the Rangers had been in sticky situations. It also formed a Rogue’s Gallery of their worst enemies—Nimnul, Fat Cat, Rat Capone, Bubbles, Captain Fin, Su Lin, and many others. But through all these, Gadget was forming a pattern. Almost every third picture was one involving her and Dale—the fall and catch she’d been reminded of so recently, the time she’d cared for him in the adventure with the Kiwis, the time she’d lost her control with him when they were caught underwater in that boot.

       Two in particular caught her attention that were done with far greater skill and detail than the others—the first was of where she’d called Dale a "goof-up" in that Paris sewer. It was painted in varying tones of blue, and clearly showed his melancholy feelings about it. Gadget wished with all her heart she hadn’t said it. She’d only meant to tease him a little but poor Dale didn’t realize it. The other made her cheeks hot—it was a painting of her in that dress when she’d kissed him. She had to admit it was well-done, even if it was embarrassing. But it made her think, **Does Dale just like..er love me for my looks after all?**

       She left those pictures, as she’d noticed a few others off on their own. These were scenes she wasn’t familiar with, but they were as well-painted as the last one of her she’d seen. Then Gadget’s attention was pulled away to a closet next to the shelf holding those paintings and she opened it. Through a skylight, the sun shone done in dramatic fashion on six outfits in the rounded-out closet. Gadget was beginning to figure out that Dale had created a motif for the place, which impressed her as much as anything she’d seen. Three of the costumes were familiar to her—those of Rubber Bando, the Red Badger, and the white dinner jacket he’d worn as Double-O-Dale. The other three were new—one was a blue top and bottom with a yellow belt and red boots and cape. There was a large "S" inscribed on the chest.
       **Supermunk. I guess Dale never got tired of playing heroes. This must be where he comes to live out his fantasies.**
       That thought made Gadget feel that she was intruding, but she also was curious. The next costume was unfamiliar at first, but then she placed it—RamDale! **So he turned what was an evil character into a hero. I guess that was a way of compensating for his actions in Paris** The third and fourth costumes were Dale’s Red Badger outfit and a grayish outfit with a white "K" in the middle that she could only figure was meant to be Kablammo Man. The last costume was encased in a white covering meant to keep it clean, and Gadget realized that whatever was inside must be precious to him. She looked about once more and gently lifted the cover, and then she stepped back in utter surprise. It was a costume of lincoln green, highly ornamented, with a hat and shoes to match. **It looks just like…but that’s imposs...highly improbable!**

       Gadget closed the closet quickly and continued to look through the room, for everywhere there was detail. The furniture in the room was simple, but sturdy. And the room was neat! Not a crumb on the floor—that in itself was so non-sequitur, Gadget was taken aback by it. Then her attention returned to the paintings by the closet with the costumes. She was surprised to see that the chipmunk in the pictures was Chip--or was it? She looked again, and noticed that though some of the pictures were from real life. The dapper chipmunk was dressed up as Rubber Bando and Double-O-Dale. Others were pictures of him in the costumes of various superheroes.
       Then it struck her--it was Dale! He’d changed his face to look like Chip’s. This was his ideal form of himself, and for the first time Gadget realized that he must have suffered a lot because of his appearance. Then she wondered if he’d changed her too. Three of the paintings had pictures of her in them, and she was again surprised to see that they depicted her as she normally was. No damsel in distress, no dolled-up beauty queen--except for one. This showed Dale as Supermunk and Gadget as a super heroine. She had to think for a minute to realize he’d used the old Mighty Mouse character to create a Mighty Gadget! Gadget had an urge to take that one with her, but resisted. The second was Dale as Rubber Bando and Gadget with her plunger gun set to take on a group of fierce costumed super-villain mice. The third was Dale as RamDale and Gadget in her orange incarnation from the time she’d fought Bubbles. They were painted in a side view, swinging down on ropes into an enemy encampment. **He’s got quite an imagination. I just hope he doesn’t get too mad about me seeing these.**

       Gadget’s attention was broken by sounds coming from deeper within the tree. She wondered why she hadn’t heard them earlier, but she realized that the way Dale had put his lair together was for the express purpose of shutting off sound so he wouldn’t be discovered. Gadget followed the gentle slope of the short hallway and entered the next room. Now she could clearly hear Dale’s voice coming from the next room, but she stopped to look again first. This room was sleeping quarters, and as spotless as the first room had been. Again, the room was illuminated by sunlight, this time using a lens at the end to intensify the light. Obviously, Dale came here when he needed to get away from the others for a while.
       Gadget hesitated a moment, and then walked down a few carved stairs and peeked into the third room. It was closest to the tree’s center and was oblong in shape. This was Dale’s training room, and Gadget couldn’t have been more surprised at its makeup. The lighting in here was the same as in the previous room. There was a punching bag, weights to lift, and a rack of several swords of varying variety—some of them ornate. One of these was missing, because it was in the hand of its owner and the source of the noise. Dale was in a traditional white sword fighter’s outfit, complete with the screening mask. An identical outfit hung near the door. **I bet it was his father’s,** Gadget thought as she watched him working over a practice dummy.

       Then a thought occurred to her. She watched to see if Dale would turn around, and she managed to grab the uniform off the wall. She got into it and slid the mask over her face, careful to push her hair inside the neck of the outfit and make sure her tail didn’t give her away. Then she walked toward him, grabbing an epee from the wall as she did.
       Dale was totally concentrating on the dummy, letting out steam. "So, you think you’re better do you? Well, take that Chip!" Dale’s sword raked the wooden practice sword from the dummy’s hand. "Oh, so you give up, do you? Well, now I suppose you know who’s the…" Dale jumped as he saw a shadow approach. "What? Who are you?"
       The newcomer tipped the epee in Dale’s direction and took up a fighting stance. Dale studied the figure closely—he knew this was someone familiar. Could it be Chip?
       "Okay, whoever you are, you’re trespassing! Give up and leave, and I’ll let you go," Dale challenged. The figure remained stationary. Dale swished his sword. "So you want a fight, huh? Well, then I won’t disappoint you!"
       The figure raised a gloved hand and motioned for him to come. Dale did, enjoying the chance to meet a challenge like this, especially to someone who dared invade his lair. "When I’m done with you, you’ll wish you’d never come here..en garde!"
       Dale came in quick, looking to see if his opponent was bluffing. No dice—the epee blocked his attack nicely. Dale stepped back, and the figure made an attack of its own, searching for a weakness. Dale was too good to allow anything like that. He parried his opponent’s thrust and used his weight to push the aggressor away, who went further than he thought was normal. **This guy’s either smaller or lighter than he looks. I’ll have to watch out for quick moves.**
       "Okay, silent stranger, get ready for the real battle!" Dale was calm, yet his emotions were up. He pressed the fight, sensing his opponent was beginning to weaken. Then the unknown fencer did something Dale couldn’t have expected—with a leap, the figure somersaulted through the air and ended up behind him! Even with his practiced reactions, Dale was barely able to counter this kind of move. **Who is that under there? Bruce Lee?** Dale was determined to know
       "You’re good, whoever you are! But no one beats Sir Dale d’Oakmont on his home soil!" Dale pulled out his best move, faking right and then really coming in right and hacking up on the opponent’s sword just above the hilt. To Dale’s satisfaction it worked—the fencer’s epee went flying. But Dale had been forced to lunge to complete his maneuver and when he did he fell right into his opponent and they both tumbled to the floor in a heap. Dale managed to keep his sword clear but drew it to his opponent’s face now.
       "Okay, my worthy opponent. As Freddy would say to the gang, ‘time for the unmasking.’" Dale drew the mask off and couldn’t have been more shocked. Dale dropped his sword and just stared at Gadget’s face.

       "GADGET! Wha...what are you doing here? How did you find me?" Dale asked. Gadget smiled back at him. "Don’t worry, Dale. No one else knows--I wouldn’t know except you left a trail! Golly, this place is great!"
       Dale quickly leaped to his feet and helped her to hers. "Uh, thanks...what trail?" Gadget held up the red string. "I think your shirt sort of sprung a leak..." Dale unzipped his fighting outfit partway to discover a ravel. "I guess it did...I’m sorry, Gadget. I got a little carried away there. I was just letting off some steam."
       Gadget put away her epee. "I understand, Dale. Believe me, I do. But why the secrecy? Why keep all this from us? This is all so, so..."
       "So out of character?" Dale said.
       Gadget spread her arms out, looking around. "Tremendous!" Then Gadget removed the fighting outfit she’d been wearing and put it back in its place respectfully. Dale watched her every movement, caught been panic and joy. Gadget came back over to him. "Dale, how did you ever do all this? It must have taken years!"
       Dale’s face took on a look of modesty. "Well, actually I found this tree first. I used to do all my dreamin’ here when I was little. I found the hole when I was eight, and it was like a portal to another world! I worked at making it everything I wanted in life. It wasn’t easy, though. Chip would constantly trail me and try to find where I’d go. But this is my Bastion of Contemplation, just like the Red Badger’s! You’re the first person to see it besides me."
       Gadget couldn’t have been more impressed. "I...I didn’t know you had this side to you. Would you show me around? I won’t tell the others about it, Dale. I promise." Dale’s calm and modesty was beginning to fade in the presence of the first outsider in his secret lair. He put away his sword, gloves and mask, but he was so nervous he didn’t even want to try dealing with that zipper again. He walked over to her, and his voice betrayed his uncertainty. "I’d really appreciate it, Gadget. Chip would never let me live it down if he saw the stuff I have here."
       Gadget touched his arm. "Oh, Dale. Don’t be afraid of that! You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of." Dale desperately hoped she hadn’t seen his painting of her in the red dress, but there was nothing to be done about it now. "Sure, I’ll show you my secret lair." Gadget saw his nervousness, and she completely understood it. It was as if someone had opened the book of Dale’s innermost thoughts and dreams. She’d have to be careful.

       "Thanks, Dale," Gadget said. Dale was so nervous, that he didn’t even realize he’d taken Gadget’s hand to guide her. As they entered the main room, Gadget pointed to the pictures of the Rangers. "Golly, Dale, I didn’t know you were such a good artist. Do you do any painting?"
       **She would have to ask that first.** Dale put on as nonchalant a face as he could muster. "Uh, yeah! C’mere and I’ll show you some of my best stuff!" Dale pulled Gadget to the superhero paintings. "See? I imagined that we were on all sorts of adventures!"
       Gadget looked the paintings over again with an appreciative eye. "They are excellent, Dale. You have a real talent." She smiled coyly at him. "Did you ever paint a picture of me?" Dale’s hand that was holding Gadget’s began to shake. "Uh...let me show you something really neat!"
       Dale pulled her over to his closet of superhero costumes. "See? Ramdale, Supermunk! Isn’t this stuff great?" Gadget handled the material gently. "Yes. I remember how dashing you looked as the Red Badger." Dale blushed and cringed a bit. He was running out of rope.
       "Uh, yeah. Oh, and let me show you this..." Dale led her to his book collection. "These tales let me get away from the real world. When we were stranded on that deserted island, I was so pepped up at first because it was just like Robinson Crusoe! Of course, he didn’t have to deal with the Pi-Rats..."
       Then Gadget pointed back to the shelf next to the closet. "Oh! Is that a picture of me?" She pulled Dale to the picture of Supermunk and Mighty Gadget. Dale blushed more, and Gadget found she was enjoying this little game. Dale instinctively tilted his head down, feeling vulnerable. "Welll, yeah. I thought it would be neat if I was a superhero to have another one with me. And then it just sorta fell into place!"

       Gadget had noticed the pattern of his creativity and decided it was a fair question to ask. "I’m surprised that there are so many pictures of me." Dale felt uncomfortable at that comment, and quickly realized that all these pictures of her might not seem natural. "The only times I’ve felt like…good about myself and did things I didn’t think I could do is when you believed in me. I painted a lot of these in the first year the group was together. I haven’t painted any since Paris, until last night..."
       Dale led her to a canvas in the corner she’d missed, because it had been covered with a cloth. It was a depiction of the time Gadget had fallen from the string of pearls during the flying carpet caper of Professor Nimnul’s. She was in his arms, hugging him. Dale didn’t dare look at her but managed, "I was sorta glad that wind came along that day, even if it was an accident."
       Gadget looked, and remembered the fall in every detail. "Dale, it wasn’t an accident. I didn’t have to fall." Dale looked at her, with utter surprise. "Huh? Wasn’t an accident...meaning…you wanted to fall?" Gadget averted her eyes downward and held her hands together in front of her. "I just didn’t have the courage to do anything in the open. I’ve taken advantage of every situation I could just to hug you. I didn’t know if you’d really feel that way, but I couldn’t help myself so I’d use the opportunities when they came."
       Dale felt like he was going to faint. "Are you saying that you’ve liked me all this time?" Gadget didn’t look up. She just nodded.
       "When?" Dale said. Gadget looked up, not understanding his question. "When what?" Dale smiled slightly. "When did you first start liking me?" Gadget thought about it. "Well...it’s hard to say. When the Rangers formed, I liked having new friends to do things with, and having a purpose in life again. I guess it was just the little things you did, really. No one really much thanks me for what I do or thinks of me first. I do remember when we were at Ali Bimbul’s and I got distracted by the circuits in those flying carpets you came back and tried to save me. That meant a lot to me, more than you’ll know. You’re a naturally caring person, Dale, and I like that."

       Dale couldn’t believe that a simple thing like that would make such a difference, but he said, "Thanks, it’s one of the many reasons I like you as well." Then Gadget decided to change the topic. "Dale, why did you change yourself in these pictures?" Dale was hoping she wouldn’t notice that. "Huh? What do you mean?"
       "You didn’t change me in any of the paintings, except for the Mighty Gadget costume here. Why did you change your face to look different?" The zest left Dale’s voice. "Well, it was just a little touch up, no big deal." Gadget stepped in front of the painting and faced him. "Yes, it is a big deal. Why don’t you like yourself?"
       Dale’s shoulders slumped and he turned away from her. "If you looked like me you’d wanna look like someone else." Gadget could feel the pain in him, and she knew how great it was. "Dale, you’re not ugly. You’re cute, and rather handsome. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?"
       There was a loooooong silence. "....no...." Gadget walked around to face him again and put her hands under his chin, and forced him to look at her. "Dale, you are cute. When you wore that white dinner jacket you looked...stunning." Gadget shifted her eyes and blushed at having told him. Dale blinked twice. Gadget wouldn’t lie, would she? "Gadget...I don’t know what to say..."

       Gadget had to work to collect herself. Then she remembered the pictures. "Let’s finish the tour, shall we?" Dale was all for that. "Uh, yeah! Good idea! Over here I have..." But then he noticed Gadget looking toward the paintings on the wall.
       **Please don’t let her look over there**
       Gadget pointed to the paintings on the wall. "What’s that over there?"
       **Abandon hope, all ye..**
       She suppressed a grin as she dragged the reluctant Dale to the two paintings nearby. Dale knew his number was up. He pointed to the walls of pictures. "Ever since I was a little kid, I had the urge to draw and paint. I wasn’t very good at first, but it was like you with inventing--I just had to do it. I did a lot more than these, though. These are the best ones. The ones I liked best."
       Dale knew she’d seen it. She had to have seen it. Why wasn’t she screaming at him? To Dale’s great surprise, she walked up to the "goof-up" painting first. She touched it and then turned to face him. "Dale, I am so sorry I called you a goof-up. It was bad enough that I called you that, but I made it worse by never saying I was sorry for doing it. Can you forgive me?"
       Dale began to cry. "I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it! I.....you...you’re sorry?" Gadget took his hand again. "I meant it as teasing, but instead it deeply wounded you. I am sorry." Dale was astonished--Gadget was apologizing to him? He hung his head a bit, ashamed.
       "Well, if you’re going to apologize I guess I should too," Dale said. He let her hand go and walked a few steps away. "I…I’m ashamed to say it, but there’s been so many times that I’ve done anything to get some attention from you."
       Gadget felt self-conscious, but she knew he needed to tell her something. "Go ahead." Dale couldn’t bring himself to look at her. "It seems so childish, but I’d make up excuses to get you to do things with me. I didn’t dare ask you out, and I couldn’t bring you here and show you who I really was. So I’d create little situations. But when we were in the jungle with the Kiwis and I broke my toe, I took advantage of you. I felt really bad about that after, but I never came out and said it. You were acting really nice and I lost my head. I’m sorry."
       Gadget came to him and took his hand again. "Oh, Dale. You don’t need to apologize about that. I understand. But are you saying you’re afraid of me?" Dale still couldn’t look at her. "Well, you tend to yell at me when I do something that upsets you. When you saw this place, I...I thought you’d be mad at me and yell and run out. Especially when you saw..." All he could do was cover his eyes and point behind her.

       Gadget gently pulled his hand away from his eyes. "Dale, I saw that when I came in. It’s a very...flattering likeness. I’m surprised you could paint my portrait from that meeting. It couldn’t have lasted more than two minutes." Dale was seven shades of crimson, but he found himself calmer and could actually bring himself to look into her eyes. "I couldn’t help remembering. I’d never been kissed by a girl before, and when I found out it was you....as soon as I got back I...ran up here and painted it."
       Dale took her hand again. "I didn’t need to run, though. I know your face so well I could paint it even if I’d never seen you again." It was Gadget’s turn to blush. "Golly, thanks Dale. It’s so strange being here. It’s like being in another world, with a Dale that’s so different than the one I’ve known all these years."
       Dale sighed and guided Gadget to a seat at the main room’s table where they sat opposite each other. Dale felt a little more secure with the buffer between them. "Many times I’ve thought of asking you to come here, but I didn’t have the courage. It..it means a lot to me that you didn’t yell at me." Dale gestured with his hand, "This is who I am, and I’ve managed to keep it bottled up in here--just like in here." Dale touched his chest

       Gadget turned an even deeper shade of red. "I have a confession to make about that kiss...it was my first kiss as well." Dale gasped involuntarily. "But...but that can’t be! You’re so beautiful! You’ve never kissed anyone but me?!" Gadget let out a sad sigh. "Being beautiful doesn’t guarantee that people will love you. They just see something they like and want to have it. I know both you and Chip were captivated when you first saw me. You both put me on a pedestal and I didn’t want that. Dale, you know I’m a very social and outgoing person. Haven’t you ever wondered why I hid myself from the world in that old airplane where you guys found me?"
       Dale had wondered about it before. Why would such a princess lock herself away? "Well, you seemed to hint it was to avoid door-to-door salesmen...." Gadget smiled, and shook her head. "Dale, I hid myself away because nobody liked me for me. All anyone ever saw was a pretty face. To others I wasn’t a thinker or inventor. I was just ‘babe’. When I was little, I had a lot of friends, boys and girls. But as we got older, the boys started fighting over me and the girls got jealous of me. Eventually I found myself alone and it was all because of how I looked. It hurt and others got hurt because of me. I hid myself so I could just be by myself. So you see, we were both victims of our appearances."

       Dale thought he had been astonished before. He could see the pain in her face and knew it all too well--he’d looked at it in the mirror a thousand times. Why was she being so open with him? His nature overcame him and he reached across the table and took her hand again. "Gadget, I never realized it was like that for you. I mean with me it’s expected because I played down to the least denominator. But you--you’re the smartest, kindest, nicest person I’ve ever known! I’d thought you’d rejected me in that Paris sewer, but now...." Dale had to stop to collect himself. "Now, I see that you needed exactly what I needed all along--acceptance....and...."
       Gadget took his other hand. "Dale, I never did kiss anyone but you. I’m ashamed I had to dress up like that to muster up the courage to do it. But I didn’t feel brave enough to just walk up and kiss you."
       Dale was going from one level of amazement to the next. "You...you wanted to kiss me?" Gadget’s eyes started to brim with tears as she spoke. "Oh, Dale! If you could only see yourself the way I do. You’re cute, affectionate, and you can always see the best in people." Dale was beginning to feel like he’d never known himself. "And you wanted your first kiss to be with...me..."
       Gadget touched his face lightly. "I wanted my first kiss to be with someone special, someone who could respect me and accept the real me. The Gadget that’s more than skin deep." Gadget was overcome with the emotion of the moment, as was Dale. In a flurry of tears, they stood up from the table and each one found the other. They hugged, both of them crying over the years of hurt and pain they’d had to endure. It took a good five minutes before either of them could regain themselves, but when they did they separated and looked at each other. Dale found to his surprise that he had no problem looking into her eyes now, and they sparkled. How they sparkled. No words were needed. They drew close again and their eyes started to close...

       From outside, Chip’s voice could be heard softly "Dale? Gadget? Where are you guys?!" The magic of the moment was broken, and they separated. Dale found something new building inside of him, as if a new spring of life had broken open. He looked back at Gadget and for the first time in a long time he knew--he knew it all. Gadget looked at his face, and it was as if she could read the thoughts behind it for the first time. He was going out there.
       "Dale, you don’t have to prove anything to me!" Gadget said plaintively. Dale looked into Gadget’s eyes with determination. "I know, Gadget. But I have to prove something to myself." Gadget caught his arm as he started to go. "But what about Chip?" Dale put his hand on hers. "Okay, I have something to prove to myself and to Chip."
       Dale offered his arm to Gadget and turned to the exit, pulling off his sword-fighting outfit, and using his best John Wayne impression, he looked into Gadget’s eyes as they left the lair. "A munk’s gotta do what a munk’s gotta do."

 

 

Chapter 9 – Dreams Showdown

       Chip was in a fine temper and when he couldn’t find Dale or Gadget, he suspected that they’d sneaked off somewhere. The very thing he’d been afraid of was happening--Dale was trying to steal Gadget out from under him! Why would Dale do such a thing? The images from his dream tried to come back, but Chip pushed them aside. No stupid imaginary voices were going to stop him. He’d just have to put Dale in his place and show Gadget that it was time to quit this nonsense and get serious.
       Those thoughts were running through his mind when he came into the kitchen. He was glad Monty was still out checking cheese traps. The big mouse would undoubtedly try to stop him. Chip had come back inside when he’d seen the sky beginning to darken and heard the far-off booming of thunder. He figured that the imminent storm would force them back inside, so Chip sat down at the kitchen table and just waited for the little Benedict Arnold to come in. As if on cue, he did.

       "What do you think you’re doing?" Chip said, his voice full of accusation. Dale went to the refrigerator to get a snack. "I think I’m about to get something to eat, what does it look like?" Chip stood up. "Dale, it’s about time we had a talk about Gadget." Dale knew it was coming and he spun around, slamming the door. "Okay, then let’s talk. Chip, I think you’ve acted really lousy to both Gadget and me!"
       Chip’s blood was boiling. "What? What do you mean?"
       "I mean that you’ve used every opportunity to throw yourself at her and I’m the one who really likes her. And she likes me!" Dale said. Chip pushed the chair away from him hard, and it knocked into the kitchen wall. "Why don’t you just admit you’re just saying you like Gadget just to spite me?!"
       Dale walked a step nearer to Chip. "Hey, I’m not the spiteful one around here! I noticed you out looking for us. What did you think you were doing?!" Chip looked around defensively. "I was concerned something had happened! What if we had a big case come up while you two were out fooling around?"
       Dale crossed his arms and grimaced. "Chip, you’re a terrible liar." Chip couldn’t believe Dale was talking this way. "What are you saying?" Dale was determined, now more than ever. "You just can’t handle that Gadget might just like me rather than you!"
        Chip gave a scoffing laugh. "Like you? Stop kidding yourself, Dale. You aren’t even close to her league!" Dale flung his arms about. "Oh, and you are--that’s what you’re saying! Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve thought that every girl you gazed upon was yours! But I can tell you you’re running up the wrong tree with Gadget. She doesn’t like you the way you want her to. I can’t explain it, but I’m the one she likes--she’s just been unwilling to tell anyone because she knew you’d get mad."
        Chip had an incredulous look on his face. "You’re just deluding yourself, Dale! If Gadget were here, you’d be too afraid to say anything to her because you know she’d reject you. Admit it, you don’t really like her and you know she doesn’t feel that way about you either!"
       "Bring her in here, then. I’m not backing down this time, Chip. This time, it’s for real," Dale said.

        Chip knew Dale was just bucking up for disappointment, but it was time he learned. Chip pushed the kitchen door open. "Hey, Gadget! Could you come in here and settle an argument for us?" Chip turned back to Dale. "You’re only going to make a fool of yourself, as usual. Just admit it, Dale, and you won’t have to embarrass yourself in front of her."
       Dale just crossed his arms and stared at Chip. Gadget came in, and when she did she wished she hadn’t. "Yes, Chip?"
       Chip marched up to Dale. "Go on, Dale. Tell her how you feel, I dare you." Dale looked at Gadget, and saw she was as embarrassed by this as he was. "She already knows to some extent. But unlike you, I wouldn’t embarrass Gadget by expressing my feelings in this kind of shoddy fashion."
       "Hah! I knew it, you chickened out. You don’t really like Gadget," Chip said. Then Chip came over to her. "Gadget, I know I should have said something sooner, but I do like you and I’d like you to be my girl."

       Gadget looked first to Dale, then back to Chip. "Chip, I…" Chip took on a commanding posture. "Come on, Gadget. Just tell Dale that you love me and not him and we can end this right now!" Gadget felt trapped and didn’t know what to do. Chip stood there with his hands on his hips, staring at her. Then Dale couldn’t stand it anymore and stepped up. "Chip, stop it! You’re bullying her, just like you do me! Can’t you see that?"
       Chip moved back a step, but he was determined to get an answer. "Okay, Gadget. Which of us do you love, me or Dale?" Dale looked to Gadget and his vision never wavered. He saw that Chip was doing to Gadget exactly what he’d let Chip do all along. He wasn’t going to let Chip get away with this. Not this time.

       "Chip, it’s taken this to make me realize it, but I’ve wasted most of my life," Dale said. Chip noticed the change in his voice and turned around. "Wasted! What do you mean?" Dale’s face was rock solid. "I took the easy road and did what everyone expected me to. Well, no longer! I’m more than a bungling sidekick! I’m a chipmunk with feelings and dreams. It’s time I got to live a few of them."
       Chip flung his arms up in. "What in the world are you talking about?" Dale didn’t give an inch. "Chip, you’ve always been the outgoing one, and things have always come easy for you. I know you don’t expect much of me, because I haven’t expected it of myself. But Gadget’s made me see that I’m more than what I’ve become."
       Chip gritted his teeth. "What are you saying?"
       "I’m saying that you’re in the way," Dale said.
       Chip snorted at him. "Well, too bad!" Even as Gadget moved toward Dale, Chip quickly positioned himself between her and Dale. "Let’s see you do something about it!"

       Dale started walking toward him. "Chip, you just don’t grab the hint do you? Well, maybe you’ll grab this!" Dale belted Chip right in the jaw, knocking him to the floor. Chip was stunned into silence for a few moments. He and Dale had fought many times before, but this was a real punch! Not the roughhousing they normally did.
       Chip felt his jaw and stood up. "You’re gonna pay for that! You think you can come in and just steal my girl like that? Well, you’ve got another thing coming!" Dale was staggered by Chip’s return punch but he rolled with it and gave another in return.
       "I can’t steal what you never had!" Dale shouted. Chip pulled up the sleeves on his jacket and charged Dale, knocking him to the floor again. "You two-timing traitor! C’mon, get up! It’s time you learned your place!"

       Gadget couldn’t let this go on. She rushed over to Chip. "Chip, stop this! Don’t hurt him!" Then Gadget heard the door to headquarters open and shouted, "Monty!" Chip grabbed Gadget’s arm. "So you know who’s the best now, don’t you? You can end this right now." Gadget tried to pull away. Monty had just come in the door with Foxglove when he heard Gadget’s call. Monty knew that something was up, so immediately he went to the kitchen and poked his head in the door. What he saw was encouraging and scary at the same time--should he do something? Monty’s instincts told him to wait and he did, indicating to Foxy to stay back.

       Dale rubbed his shoulder on the floor, and stared at Chip intently. "She’s not a thing! Gadget’s a person, and you’d better treat her like one!" Chip let her go. "You’re just jealous! Gadget’s mine, she’s always been mine, and you’re trying to live in a fantasy world!" Dale quickly leaped to his feat and punched Chip again. "Tell me, Chip. Just what is my place?"
       Foxglove followed Monty and when she saw what was happening, tried to break past him. "No! They might kill each other!" Monty held her back. "Don’t worry lass. I won’t let ‘em get that far."
       Chip’s eyes were full of pulsating anger. He tackled Dale and then jumped on his back, trying for a headlock. "You’re always trying to mess up my life with your bungling ideas! Just stay out of things that don’t concern you, and accept that you’ll never be the one for Gadget!" Dale started gasping for breath. He looked around and saw Gadget, a look of horror on her face as she watched them fight. But it looked like another emotion was hiding there--disappointment. Was he about to fail again when she was counting on him?
       Chip tried to force Dale down. "C’mon! Admit you were wrong, and I’ll let you go and we can end this thing!" Chip eased up enough for Dale to speak. Dale looked into Gadget’s eyes and felt a surge of adrenaline run through him. "We will end this right now!"
       Dale wrenched himself free of Chip’s grasp and quickly turned and kicked Chip in the stomach. Chip jumped at Dale, and they began a true rough and tumble fight. Foxglove pushed her way to get a view of what was going on. Furniture flew everywhere, and the looks on Gadget’s and Foxy’s faces were pure terror.
       Foxglove tried again to get past Monty. "Chip!" But Monty had seen enough now. The boys were getting violent. "Crikey! They are trying to kill each other!" Monty ran in, just as Dale had Chip in a submission hold. Both chipmunks were bashed and bruised. Chip had a black eye and Dale’s shirt was even more ripped up. Monty pulled them apart.

       "What in the world’re you two doing?!?" Monty said. Dale struggled to get loose. "We’re settling things. Let me go!" Monty looked at the two of them, and knew it was no use. He’d seen this kind of thing before. "Okay, go ahead."
       "What?" Gadget and Foxy said at the same time.
       Monty backed away, giving them room. "This is somethin’ they have to settle themselves or they’ll never quit." With that Chip turned his attention back to Dale. "You not gonna win this one! You’re not!" Chip grabbed Dale around the neck. Dale strained against his grip, and to Chip’s surprise he broke it. "I’ve..already...won! And now I’m mad!"

       Dale grabbed Chip and flipped him to the floor, but Chip regained himself quickly and tried to knee Dale. Dale was ready and blocked it and then Dale’s full ferocity was unleashed. The Rangers had known about the inner strength he had. The Maltese de Sade had tapped it when he made Dale into RamDale. Dale himself had tapped that ferocity after when he had to face up to de Sade. Now he was tapping that power again, and he actually lifted the kitchen table and pinned Chip to the wall with it
       Chip was amazed and scared all in the same emotion. "What in the world did you do that for?" Chip struggled, but Dale had him cold. "Because I do like her, you nitwit! Not only do I like her.....I love her!" Chip stopped, the sweat pouring down his face. The look in Gadget’s eyes was magnanimous. Chip tried desperately to get free.

       "LOVE HER?!? You don’t love her, you can’t!" Chip said in denial. Dale pushed the table closer, squeezing Chip some. "I’ve always loved her, Chip! I just haven’t had the guts to say it until now!" Chip looked over to Gadget in near desperation. "Gadget, this isn’t true is it?"
       Gadget couldn’t stay silent any longer and walked over to Chip. "Chip...Chip, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you, but the truth is I don’t love you the way you want me to. I can’t change the way you need me to change. I am who I am, and I have to be me. Dale’s been there for me, even when I wasn’t for him and that means a lot to me. I can’t explain why it is, and maybe there is no good reason. But Dale’s the one that makes me feel good about myself, and I need that. I don’t feel complete without him."
       Chip’s lungs couldn’t stand the pressure anymore and he collapsed. Dale let him loose and Gadget rushed to the floor to check on him. "Chip? Chip, are you okay?" Foxy knelt down beside her, and took Chip’s head in her lap. Chip came around slowly. Gadget breathed a sigh of relief, taking his hand. "Oh, thank goodness you weren’t hurt!"

       Dale watched with a feeling of loss like he couldn’t remember. Gadget had chosen Chip over him after all. **She just couldn’t help herself. I guess happy endings do only happen in dreams.** Dale wanted to leave, to leave and never return. But he couldn’t seem to move from the spot so he looked on. Chip turned to look at Gadget and smiled weakly. "Gadget, I always knew you cared." Dale stood looking with his arms crossed and looked at Chip with envy. Gadget patted Chip’s face and got up.
       "Dale, I need to talk to you outside right away," Gadget said. Dale felt a sudden rush of anxiety. This was it--the big letdown. Gadget’s look of concern for Chip was very sincere. She’d just said those things to make him feel better. "Uh, sure, Gadget..." Dale said, all heart gone from his voice. Dale went out the door first, and then Gadget looked back to see that Chip was still where she’d left him. She shut the door, then turned to Dale.
       "Dale, I wanted to see you out here because I didn’t want to upset Chip right now. And I don’t know how he’d react to this..." She walked to Dale and hugged him tightly. Dale had been ready to leave, to get out of the way. Now the shock of it all was wearing off, and he hugged her back and the tears started to flow again.
       "No masks, no costumes...just Dale and Gadget..." he whispered. He looked into her beautiful eyes and leaned forward and kissed her. Gadget folded her arms around him and kissed him back. "Dale, I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to say it, but now I can with my whole heart. I love you, Dale Oakmont." Dale was so happy that he thought he’d burst. "And I love you, Gadget Hackwrench."

       Chip had watched them go, and knew what it was all about. **She’s going to let him down easy. That’s Gadget’s way all right.** Chip also knew that when Gadget chose him, he’d have to let Foxy go. It would be quite a blow to her, but she’d get over it. Chip was thinking of the words he would use to tell her, when he got up and went over to the window. Then his heart froze and his mind tried to reject the image they were telling him was there. The lighting flash accentuated the shock of the moment.
       "No, it can’t be...."
       Foxy had seen the scene as well, and knew what it was doing to Chip. He’d sunk to his knees, and Foxy had to pull him up. "Chip, darling, I know this must be a shock. But don’t worry, you’ve got me and I’m not going anywhere." Chip didn’t hear her words. Instead he pointed to the window. "They planned this whole thing! They must have!"

       Gadget and Dale separated at Chip’s shouts. Gadget was growing increasingly concerned as she led Dale back inside and into the main room. The thunder outside was increasingly loud, paralleling Chip’s mood. His face was caught been wrath and despair, and it suddenly hit him that Gadget was now lost to him forever.
       "Dale?! You...you love Dale? But I thought you loved me!" Chip said. Gadget’s look was one of sorrowful sympathy. "Chip, I told you before that didn’t love you. I can’t explain how it happened, but it did!" Chip shook his head as he tried to force the words out. "What is it? Did I do something wrong? You’re not just feeling sorry for him?"
       Gadget’s expression turned angry at that remark. "NO! Chip, I know you see Dale as inferior to you. I guess that’s the role he’s played for years. But there’s more to him than that! He just hasn’t been free to express it around you or any of us." Chip was at a loss. "Express what?" Dale took Gadget’s hands in his. "That I’m as good as you or anyone. I can love anyone I want to! You never could stand to lose, Chip. But now you’re going to have to face it!"
       Chip began to shake, and tried to convince himself that the scene he was seeing isn’t...couldn’t be real! But in his heart he knew it was. Chip couldn’t take his eyes from Dale and Gadget. He seemed mesmerized and something deep inside of him gave way. He began to shake with a mixture of emotion that was terrible to see.

       Chip rose to his feet. "No.....NO!" Monty didn’t like that look on Chip’s face. "Now, Chipper...." Chip snapped at Monty, "You knew! You all knew it all this time and kept it from me! No wonder you all wanted me to be nice to Tammy that time! You saw a chance to pawn me off on her and get me out of the way!" Foxglove turned Chip’s head to face her, a look of deep concern on her features. "Chip, what’s the matter? What’s wrong?" Tears began running down Foxglove’s cheeks as the rain began beating on the tree outside.
       Chip tore away from her, and he began to feel around with his hands for a way that was clear. He still hasn’t taken his eyes from the scene in front of him. Finally, Dale and Gadget separated. When Gadget saw the look in Chip’s eyes, she began to be afraid for him. "Chip, I know that this must be a shock, but it just—happened!"
       Foxy clutched onto him. "Chip, you don’t know what you’re saying!" Chip turned back to Dale and Gadget, now both staring at him with real concern now. His mind was a miasma of anger and desperation, and the desperation was beginning to win. He pushed Foxy aside. "All right, be happy with her then! I don’t care!"
       "Chip..." Gadget started. Chip sneered at her. "I don’t need you! I don’t need any of you! I don’t need anyone!" Dale moved up to protect Gadget. "Chip, settle down. You’ve got to deal with this…" Chip couldn’t deal with it. He couldn’t deal with anything. It was as if the whole universe suddenly collapsed on him. His eyes bulged in panic. He began to back away.
       Gadget could feel his fear and panic filling the room. "Chip? Chip!"

       But Chip couldn’t answer. The adrenaline was pouring through his veins as the fear in his heart took over and he was little better than a wild animal. Monty tried to grab hold of him, but Chip threw Monty aside and ran through the living room, almost falling twice. Then he ran full steam into the door and the cracking sound echoed through headquarters as he ripped the top hinge of the door and bolted from the tree into the deluge outside. The Rangers tried to chase him, but the crazed chipmunk was not to be stopped.
       "CHIP!" Foxglove shouted. Foxy took off after him, flapping her way into the rain. Monty pushed the broken door all the way open. "Chip, stop! Come back!" Gadget held her hands to her face. "What have we done!" Dale’s face was hard, but not without a hint of sympathy. "We made him face his true self--and now he’s suffering."

       From the edge of the park, a primal scream arose above the storm and froze all the Rangers in their tracks. They just stood there, shocked. Dale searched for any sign of movement, but the rain and the darkness brought on by the black clouds above kept him from seeing anything. "I didn’t know it would affect him so much." Gadget turned around and faced him. "Dale, I think he assumed I loved only him all this time. The pain and the shock must have been too much!"
       Monty pointed to the RangerWing. "Well, we’re not finding ‘im by standing ‘ere!" The Rangers began to search the park, not knowing where to look. The wind was too violent for the RangerWing, so they set out on foot. Even Zipper, braving the wind and weather, went off in search of Chip. Three hours’ effort brought nothing but pain and loss. Once they heard a strange howling coming from far off, like the plaintive cry of someone who had lost all hope. Gadget looked out into the rain-soaked park, her face glum. "I’m sorry, Chip. I had no choice."
       As they went back into headquarters, Gadget began to cry and fell into Dale’s arms. "I didn’t mean to hurt him..." Dale comforted her. "I know, I know. I didn’t want to either. But there was no other way. He wouldn’t listen to reason." As Dale dried himself and Zipper, he thought back on all of what had just happened and his blood started to boil again. "Well, it served him right! He’s been that way to me all my life. About time he got the short end for a change."
       Gadget ran over to Dale. "Dale, I’m surprised at you!" Dale pulled back at Gadget’s frown. "What?" She let the frown leave her face and assumed a pleading look. "Dale, don’t you even know why I love you? It’s because you care! You’re able to look beyond a person’s normal strengths or weaknesses and find the good in them."
       "Well, yeah but.." Dale retorted. Gadget put a hand over his mouth. "Dale, if you want Chip to change you’ve got to find the good in him." Dale took her hand and kissed it. "I know, Gadget. I know. I guess we’re both having to deal with hard feelings." Gadget led him over to the door of the treehouse and they looked out into the pouring sky. "When he comes back--if he comes back, we’ve got to try to help him rebuild himself."
       Dale held her close. "It won’t be easy. Chip’s prided himself on his self-reliance. He must be going through torture right now." Gadget nodded. "Just remember how terrible it was for you, and help him any way you can. For our sake, if not for his."

       Monty didn’t like this standing around. "C’mon, we’ve gotta try to find ‘im! Let’s get out there and search the city!" Dale looked to him, somber. "Monty, Chip won’t be found unless he wants to be found. He’s suffering the way I did so many times, only this is his first real failure. Well, it’s only what he deserved. That...." Gadget gave him a look and Dale softened. "I’m sorry, Gadget."
       Gadget clung to Dale tightly as they looked back at the pouring rain again. "Golly, I hope Foxglove can find him. He’s in no condition to be alone. He’s hurt, and in a lot of different ways." Monty came up by them. "You know ‘im better than us, Dale. Where’s he gonna go?"
       Dale shrugged, which hurt his bruised shoulder. "If he were in his right mind, it’d be easy. But I’ve never seen Chip panic before. There’s no telling where he’ll go." Monty was about to say that this situation reminded him of a story, but he knew this wasn’t the time for that.
       "I feel so helpless...." Gadget said. Dale hugged her. "It’s not your fault, Gadget. It’s not anyone’s fault, really--not even Chip’s. He’ll come to realize it soon enough." Gadget was glad to have some comfort. "If he’s panicking, he’d probably just go off somewhere and hide." Dale nodded in agreement. "Right now, that’s the best thing for him. He needs to get alone and think things out. I just hope he realizes that we’re still his friends."
        Gadget was very troubled over it all. "I had no idea he’d take it this personally! I knew he liked me, but I didn’t imagine he liked me that much. Why didn’t he ever say anything to me?" Dale knew his answer would shock them as much as his own actions over the past hour. "At heart, he’s afraid."

        Monty did a double take at that. "I didn’t think there was much anything that ol’ Chip was afraid of." Dale listened to the falling rain, and it helped to calm him down. "I’ve thought about it often, and now I wished I’d done something to help him overcome the problem. I remember him telling me about all the times he was bullied as a young child. This certain mouse would take his things away from him and treat him awful. Then one day Chip decided to fight back. The bully proved to be a scaredy-cat. But then Chip became the bully."
       "Oh, that’s terrible! But why did you let Chip...all of us treat you this way for so long?" Gadget asked. Dale felt the bruise on his cheek. "It’s ironic. He always accused me of being the one who never grew up, but I think that in a way it was Chip who didn’t. From that time on, he used bullying to get his way. When the other kids saw that I’d cave in to him they started doing it to me too. Soon, it became habitual, I think. I also think that’s why all of you found it so easy to treat me that way. I don’t blame you, Gadget, or any of you for that matter. I should have put a stop to it long ago."
       Monty slapped him one on the back. "After that wallopin’ you put on ‘im, I think that’ll put a stop to it, mate." Dale had to agree there. "You’re right, Monty. And now Chip’s going to have to face the worst opponent of his life--himself. I just hope he’s up to it." Dale pulled Gadget close and they both looked soberly out into the dark and foreboding storm.

 

Chapter 10 – Broken Dreamer, Rebuilding The Dream

       Foxy was shaking from the soaking she’d received, but she only thought of the chipmunk in front of her. "Chip, darling?" Foxy asked timidly. Chip didn’t even look up. He didn’t even hear her. "I’ve lost...I’ve lost...everything....." Foxglove quickly moved over to him and blanketed his trembling body with her wings. "I’m here, Chip. You’ve not lost me."
       Chip suddenly realized that someone was talking to him. His mind was so muddled that he only knew it was a female. "Gadget? Is that you?" Foxy’s voice took on a pained note. "No, Chip. It’s me, Foxglove."
       Chip was only half-aware of the words, but he caught the name. "Go away! Leave me alone! For pity’s sake, Foxglove, leave me alone!" Foxglove tightened her hold on him. "NO! I won’t leave you alone. You don’t know what alone feels like. I do, and I’m not going to let you suffer like this!" Chip lashed out at her. "You don’t care! No one cares! My life is a sham! I’ve lived a lie! A lie!"
       Chip wrenched himself free, then ran from the tree and Foxglove. Foxglove glided up behind him and wrapped her wings around him as tightly as she possibly could. "Chip, I care. Your friends care. Stop doing this to yourself."
       Chip threw her off, ignoring the wall of rain beating down on him. "Well, maybe I don’t care! Did you think of that?!" Foxy was so affected, that she let go. Chip took off running again. From deep inside of her, Foxglove’s emotions erupted and she let out an earpiercing shout. "I do care, because...I LOVE YOU, CHIP!" Chip didn’t turn around, but tears began to flow, disguised by the raindrops. Under his breath, his raspy voice said, "I don’t know that I’ll ever love anyone or anything again..."

       As Chip turned the corner, he looked wildly around to see if she was following him. To his relief, she wasn’t. He stopped on the deserted sidewalk and slowly thoughts began to return to his mind. "What can she see in him?! Dale couldn’t stand up to me…until today." Chip began pacing back and forth, venting. "She’ll regret it! As soon as she sees his mind doesn’t go beyond comic books she’ll come running back to me! But I won’t listen this time—if she doesn’t want my company, fine! Let her live with that dummy!"
       Chip smiled darkly at the idea of Gadget crying, realizing what a mistake she’d make. But as much as he thought he’d enjoy it, the feeling soon left him and there was nothing else. "But the way she looked at him, and the way she hugged him. And the way he looked." Chip looked into the black sky and shook his fists and shouted with all his might above the thunder, "Why him?! Why him and not me?!"
       Then the lone chipmunk sat down in the spotlight of a street lamp, sitting on an old building’s marble steps. He realized he’d come to the museum. "This is where I promised to take Foxy today…"
       Chip remembered the words she’d yelled at him, and found they were the only good thing out of a bad day. He found himself looking for that cute face to come around the corner, and moved to the shelter of the building’s overhang.
       "But she’s not as pretty as Gadget—still she is cute. What’s the difference? Yeah, I know…" Chip’s mind replayed Foxglove’s attentions to him, her kissing him and all the little things she did. He found to his surprise that he could remember almost all of them.
       "I’ve gotten used to her. Her voice, the way she giggles, her amateur tries at flirting, her obvious attempts to flatter me. Gadget never paid me attention like that—she has her own life and doesn’t want to change. But Foxy was willing to share mine with me. And I ran away. She doesn’t deserve me, though. She deserves someone better—like Dale."
       The spark was gone from Chip’s eye. He didn’t even feel like getting up, but the rain forced him inside the museum, and soon he found a place to rest. He didn’t move, staying there the rest of the day and through the night. Foxglove’s words echoed in his mind--not that he could sleep at first. The tormented Chipmunk could only see the image that was seared into his mind. He stared blankly, shaking with coldness and fear. "It’s all gone....everything. What do I do?"

       Foxy had followed him, and watched the suffering chipmunk from high above. She watched for several hours, then knowing he wasn’t going anywhere until morning she began to look around the museum. She hoped he’d come around to normal someday and they’d go through the museum together. She looked at some of the paintings with an indifferent attitude, but then one caught her eye. It was the one that the curator had liked so much--a painting of a human kneeling and looking up. "I know how you feel," Foxy said. "That’s how I feel right now about Chip." She looked at the picture a while longer, then flew back up to her perch to wait for morning.
       Slowly, fitfully, the adrenaline died down and Chip’s eyes sank. His dreams were no better than the vision that was cut into his memory. Over and over, Chip relived the day’s events--the shouting, the fighting, and the punch to his jaw. Gadget’s embrace of Dale. That first moment of panic that enveloped him. It all became a jumble after a while, like his life. He had so long persuaded himself that his life was destined for a certain path that he had invested his entire well-being on it. And now, everything was gone. Gone. He was an empty shell, a cleaned slate. And for the first time in his life, he was truly and completely alone.
        But to his mind came Foxglove’s words, "I love you, Chip!" and the face of the bat that had clung to him. He wanted those words to go away--or did he? At last, everything faded in the cover of slumber. When Chip awoke, he was disoriented and thought perhaps he’d dreamed it all.

       Suddenly, two mice stuck their faces in his. "Well, prince charming’s awake!" one of them said. "About time!" his friend replied. "He kept me up half the night, babbling about ‘gadgets’ and fighting." Chip was shocked into consciousness. "Hey, who are you guys? Get away from me!"
       Chip got up and barged past them. "Humph! You’d think he was the king of the castle!" one mouse said. Chip didn’t look back as he left the museum. "I used to be....I used to be...." Chip walked out and looked for a place to go. He didn’t bother to avoid the puddles left from the rain. His feet took him to the corner library and another of his favorite places. The chipmunk staggered into the Ranger-sized section of the library and into his study area. It had the desired effect at first, calming him some. Chip looked at the stacks of books, and his eyes fell on one in particular
       "What would you do, Sureluck?"
       Chip pulled down the book, seemingly hoping for answer. He turned to "The Adventure of the Better Brother", where Sureluck was bested by his own kin. "Well, Blotson--unlucky in life, unlucky in love, eh?" Chip sneered and threw down the book. Chip took up book after book, but all he could see in them was accusations. He ended up with a pile of books at his feet, which didn’t thrill the librarian
       "Sir, would you please clean this up? We can’t treat books badly now, can we?" Cynthia asked.
       Chip looked at her solemnly. "No. Only people." Chip put the books up and retreated deep into the library, hoping for solitude. In a dark corner of the archives, he started pulling books down and stacking them around himself in a protective circle. Soon after, two eyes peered out and the look of fear and anger had been replaced by one of sad resolve. Chip had the visage of a mountain lion looking out from its cave. The librarians had tried to rouse him, but he’d just screamed at them and repaired his fortress of books surrounding him. And there he sat, saying nothing.

       Foxy could have kicked herself, if she’d been able to. Her body betrayed her and let her sleep until Chip was gone! She flew fast for the library. Foxglove had never used the front doors during the daytime but now she bolted through them. She knew he was here. He had to be! Where else would he go? The other Rangers had gone off to re-check Chip’s other haunts and now Foxglove approached the librarian she’d talked to before.
       "Is he here?" Foxy asked hopefully. Cynthia was a stressed-out mess. "Please! If you can get him out of here, do it! He’s barricaded himself and won’t let anyone near him!" Foxy’s heart froze at those words. What could she do? She couldn’t let him...she couldn’t! Foxy could see the "fort" that Chip had made of the books. She stepped cautiously toward it
       "Chip, darling, what’s wrong?" Foxy asked. Chip had seen her coming, and his mind said "threat". He pulled back as tightly as he could. "No. Go away." Foxy stepped closer so she could just see over the edge of Chip’s fort. "I won’t go away, Chip. I won’t let you continue like this. What happened to you? Why are you acting like a crazy person?"
       Chip’s hat was laying beside him, uncared for. He was laying there, like a person waiting for the executioners to come and resolved to let life go. "I’m not Chip anymore. I’m not anyone. Everything I was is gone. I’m just a book now--part of the past. Leave me in peace. Leave me to fade away."
       Foxy was very worried for him. "Don’t talk like that! You’re not going to fade away...you’re timeless, like Sureluck Jones!" Chip jumped up, the look on his face unspeakable. "Jones! He was right! Women are just trouble! I should have listened to him before one sucked the life out of me!"
       Tears came to Foxy eyes. "I’m sorry, Chip...I didn’t mean to hurt you..." Chip slumped back down, his energy spent. "You...you can’t hurt me any more...I don’t have anything left to hurt." Chip covered his face and began to cry. Foxy still had tears in her eyes. Part of her wanted to just fly away and never think of Chip again. But Monty’s words came back to her, especially his warnings about how difficult it would be to get through to Chip. She had to decide right now if he was worth the pain he had caused her or leave him like this. It didn’t take her long. She flew over to him and sat next to him in his fort and wrapped her wings around him tightly.
       "If you have no life left, cutie, I can share mine with you," she said. Chip struggled against her. "NO! I don’t want to live again! I can’t face them again!" He pushed her away and went back to crying. Foxy grew angry at Chip and she put her wings on her hips. "Why don’t you want to live again? Is it because your blonde goddess likes Dale rather than you? And like a little child, you’re having a tantrum because you can’t have your way?"
       Chip looked up suddenly. "What? What did you say?" Foxy held out her wings to him as she spoke. "You’re just upset because probably for the first time in your life, you can’t have things your way! So instead of being happy for your friends and their happiness, you had to spoil it by being jealous and resentful!"

       Chip stared at her. "They ruined my life!" Foxy was incredulous. "How? By them falling in love with each other? That is the most arrogant, selfish and most self pitying thing I’ve ever heard!" Chip opened his mouth to say something back but he couldn’t. His face changed to one of ultimate sadness. "I’m ashamed! I lived a lie and forced others to live it with me! I’m ashamed! I’m ashamed!"
       He looked at Foxy, as if she might put him out of his misery. Foxy gently touched his cheeks with her wing tips. "That’s a start, cutie. You’ve made mistakes...we all have. They’re your friends, so am I. We can all forgive you." Chip started shaking his head slightly. "They can’t forgive me. Not for that. They’d all be better off if I just left the country and never returned. I’m no good to them...no good to anyone"
       Foxy knew his self-punishment wasn’t doing him any good. "Darling, don’t say that. You’re the leader of the Rescue Rangers! You’re a brilliant detective and hero. You’re just having a taste of the unexpected. They’re...we’re your friends. Let us help you. Let us be there for you when you need us."
       Chip looked at her suddenly. "How can I go back? I insulted Dale, I belittled Gadget, I knocked Monty around. Leaders don’t act like that! Leaders are tough and never run..or cry." Foxy picked up a book.
       "Chip, only fictional leaders are like that. Real leaders have feelings, and needs and weaknesses. And people that care enough about them to help them when they do act like that."

       Foxy managed, with difficulty, to get Chip to his feet. She took his arm in her wing. "Come with me, cutie. I want to show you something." Chip’s mind was in turmoil, but Foxy’s concern and prodding were slowly getting through to him. He reluctantly left his fort behind and, much to the relief of the library staff, he exited the building. Foxy led Chip to the art museum next door. She had hoped that by now he would have recovered a little bit, but it appeared his mind was still in a guilt-induced fog. She led him to a large picture
       "You think that great leaders can do it all alone? That they don’t need any outside help? Who is that and what is he doing?" Foxy asked. Chip looked up, and he knew the picture well. It was George Washington, during that awful winter at Valley Forge. He had gone off into the woods to be alone and pray, but one man had seen him and was standing off to one side, watching the soon-to-be father of his country kneeling in the snow.
       "He’s...asking for help. The situation was more than he could handle alone," Chip said. Foxy hugged Chip tightly, then she whispered in his ear, "Who does that remind you of?" Chip trembled and looked at her with an awful pleading. "Help me...please."
       Foxy hugged him hard. "Chip, you are loved by your friends...and by me. We want nothing more than to help you. You lost your dream, but there can be new ones." She looked away. "You don’t have to dream of being loved by someone...anymore."

       Chip saw the love in her face, and the need. He tilted her face up. "I almost threw you away for something that didn’t exist. I’m so sorry....." Chip pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. Foxy began crying. "Oh, Chip, I love you so much."
       "I…I think…I love you…too," Chip said. Foxglove kissed him. "Now, we must find your friends."
       Chip nodded. "And tell them I’m sorry...and tell Dale and Gadget that I’m happy for them." Foxy kissed him again, and Chip felt the love fill him, and it was more wonderful than anything he’d ever known. He kissed her, and the feeling was like floating in pure joy. "You..you’re right. I’ve got a lot of apologizing to do."

       When they arrived, the treehouse was empty--Chip and Foxy checked everywhere, but to no avail. Then Foxglove checked outside and called for him: "Where could they have gone, cutie? The RangerWing is still here!" Foxy said. Foxy flew over to the plane and landed on it. Chip looked the vehicle over. There was a note tied to the steering column.
       "What’s this?" Chip asked. He opened it and his eyes bulged. "Oh, no…" He handed the note over to Foxy.

       Foxglove,

       My simpering simpletons Bud and Lou are leaving this note for you, you little traitor. I’ve got your friends and unless you bring me the part of the list you tore off within two hours they will pay the price!

       Winifred

       Chip dropped the note and looked at Foxglove. "What’s this all about?! Why does she want this list and why does she think you have it?" Foxglove face clouded over in emotion and she lowered her head. "Chip, I’ve got to apologize too..." Chip looked at her strangely. "What is it? You didn’t do anything wrong! It was me that...." Foxy stopped him. "No, darling, you don’t understand! I wasn’t honest with you about...who I am."
       Chip hugged Foxy tightly and gave her a kiss on the nose. "Foxy, I don’t care about your past, it’s forgiven and forgotten. But what is this all about?" She had to tell him, but the words were so wonderful. "Chip, do you remember that crazy list of mine you read?"
       Chip suddenly became concerned by Foxy’s change in attitude. "Sure. Lightning bug bulbs, chieftain’s hair, a piece of the moon. What’s the problem?" Foxy ducked her head a little. "Well, those were all items Winifred needed for her concoction to become a witch! She’s a cleaning lady at a laundromat in town and she’s been my boss for the last few months. I quit her though, Chip. I gave her the list I’d gotten and flew away as fast as I could!"
       "So what’s the problem? Why did she take the Rangers?" Chip asked. "Chip, I didn’t give her all the ingredients!" Foxy said, "I only worked with her because I had no one else--until I saw you. Then I knew what I was doing was wrong so I tore off the last two items so she couldn’t succeed. I left it at my home in the library’s attic. She must have tried the spell and found it didn’t work! There’s no telling what she’ll do!" Chip didn’t like where his train of thought was carrying him. It was a case that called for teamwork, but his team was in the clutches of some crazed cleaning lady!
       "How’d you get mixed up in all this?" Chip asked. Foxy held out a wing to him. "Chip, I told you...Winifred is a witch, or rather she wants to be a witch...and I’m her assistant...sort of. She sent me to the library to do some research for a part of her spell that could only be found in an animal library." Chip looked at her, disbelieving. "A witch? But there’s no such thing! She sounds crazy!"
        Foxy gave an uneasy laugh. "She is crazy. Chip, your friends are in real danger, and she’s not fooling around!" A wave of concern passed over Chip’s face. "Then we’ve got to..." Chip stopped and looked glum. "I treated them so badly, and when they really needed me I wasn’t there. I let them down...again."

       Foxy hugged Chip. "Chip, if you’d been here she would have gotten you too, then there’d be no hope. But we’re still free, so they still have a chance!" Chip walked out on the limb. "Foxy...I don’t know that I can win this one." Foxy came up next to him. "Sure you can, cutie. Just do what Jones would do-- analyze the situation, consider options, weigh risks and go with the plan with the greatest chance of success."
       Chip turned away. "When I’ve gone into a situation I haven’t had to second-guess myself, because I’ve always assumed that what I knew was right. But now I’ve seen that I was wrong, even about two of the people I’ve lived with for the last several years! How can I trust my intuition when it was that wrong?"
        Foxy smiled some at him. "Because you’re not perfect! You made a mistake. Now there is still time to correct it, but we have to hurry! Please Chip, they’re counting on you, you know that." Chip looked off into the distance and then back at Foxglove. Then Chip remembered the words of the master detective. "‘I am most invigorated by a case where everything goes against me.’ Well, this one would certainly fit the bill. Foxy, you’ve got to promise me to talk to them once this is over if they won’t listen to me. I won’t blame them if they don’t, but they deserve to know that....I was...mistaken."
       Foxy hugged him again, but tighter. "Chip, I’m sure they will be glad to see you and they won’t hold a grudge." Chip looked at the plane. "I only wish I was sure." Foxy clung to him. "Chip, I’m sorry for getting you into all this." Chip hugged her, comforting her. "No, no. You don’t have anything to be sorry about. You’re aces in my book. Now let’s go stop this Winifred character!" Foxy wiped her eyes and hugged him back. " Chip, I’d follow you to the ends of the earth and back."

       Within the dank walls of the laundromat, the cleaning lady known as Winifred was indeed waiting. And waiting was not her forté. She had posted her snake minion Bud at the only convenient window to intercept anyone coming in. Meanwhile, her spider Lou was guarding the Rangers. Dale and Gadget were tied up together at the waist and suspended from the floor by spider silk. Monty was tied up tighter in Lou’s webbing and stuck in a chair while Zipper was cowering at the end of a webline, hoping that Lou didn’t get hungry
       Winifred stormed about. "Where are they? That lazy bat should have been here by now! Bud, if you let them get past you, I’ll turn you into a garden hose!"
        Lou smacked his lips and walked over to Zipper. He spun the helplessly suspended fly. "As soon as your friends get here, you’re gonna be the appetizer. Oboy, oboy! It’s gonna be a buffet tonight, eh, Bud?" Bud didn’t take his eyes from the window. "Yeah, as long as you don’t goof it up! Don’t worry Winifred--we won’t let you down!" Winifred scowled. "See that you don’t! Now keep quiet while I study my spell book. I’ve got to be ready for when the final ingredients get here!"
       "I don’t know what she’s worrying about," Lou said. "It’s just that airhead bat and a chipmunk." Bud was in no mood for Lou’s prattling, not that he ever was. "You couldn’t handle even her, lamebrain!" Winifred threw a shoe at both of them. "Shaddap! Keep quiet!"
        "Sure thing, Freddie," Lou said.
       Winifred grabbed her magic toilet bowl cleaner and shot a few blasts at Lou. "QUIET! AND DON’T CALL ME FREDDIE!"

       Meanwhile, Gadget had been putting her attention to getting Dale and herself free. The only problem was, all they could move was their hands and there were no tools immediately available. "Dale, we need a way to weaken these strands! Do you have anything in your pockets?"
       Dale tried to get his fingers in them. "Sure, lots of stuff--my balloons, my genuine Swiss Mouse Army knife, my candy stash. But I can’t reach any of it." Gadget began to shift her hands into position. "Maybe I can..." Gadget worked a hand into Dale’s pocket, which had the immediate effect of tickling him. "GADGET! This is hardly the time for that sort of thing!"
       Gadget resisted the urge to pinch him. "I’m...trying to reach...your pocketknife...." Gadget’s fingers touched something sticky. "Dale, you left chewed bubblegum in your pocket?" Dale chuckled, "Hey, you never know when you’ll need pre-chewed gum in an emergency." Dale’s foresight proved good in this case. Thanks to the stickiness of the gum, Gadget was able to grab the pocketknife just by touching it--as well as Dale’s yo-yo and his Roger Bearis trading card. She managed to shake off the unwanted items and brought the knife out.
       "Now, while I hold the base, see if you can pull out the blade...." Gadget said. Dale got his fingers on the knife. "Let’s see, fish scaler, nope. Magnifying glass, nope. Pliers, nope. Philips screwdriver, nope..."

       Monty had seen that Gadget and Dale were up to something and was glad to see that Lou hadn’t. But he needed something to keep the spider distracted. Then he noticed two of Lou’s eight hands were fiddling with a deck of cards.
       "Say Lou, didja ever play seven-toed Pete?" Monty asked. Lou was either too curious or gullible to suspect anything. "No, I ain’t. What’s that?" Monty eyed the cards. "It’s a bonzer card game I learned in me days in the Klondike. I’d be glad ter teach it to ya while we wait..."
        "Well...okay, but don’t try anything funny," Lou said.
       Monty tried to stretch and failed. "Not much I can do on that wise, mate. Ye’ve got me tied up tighter’n a banker’s fist. Shuffle the cards and deal ‘em out--seven ter you and seven to me. Now, spades is wild....."

       With Foxglove leading the way, they flew first to the library to get the slip of paper Foxy had written the last two ingredients on. Then they sped to the laundromat in question on the seedy side of town. They landed far enough away to avoid detection. Chip crept up quietly. "She’s going to be expecting us, so we’ll have to think this through. We need a way to get in there that they won’t think of!" Chip had seen Bud looking out the window for them. He’d stayed low and managed not to be spotted, while Foxy had stayed back where he’d ask her. He returned to the RangerWing behind the adjoining building. "They’re waiting for us, all right. They know that window’s the only regular way in or out. We’ve got to find another entrance...."
       Chip looked at the RangerWing. "I’d make too much noise in that. Foxy, do you think you’re strong enough to fly me to the roof?" Foxy looked him over, which she enjoyed doing anyway. "I’ll try my best, cutie." Chip took her hand and the duo made their way carefully to the far side of the building. Chip grabbed his jacket lapels.
       "Okay Foxy, go for it!" Chip said. Foxy grabbed his jacket collar with her feet, flapped her wings with all her might, and to her surprise she was able to lift Chip off the ground. With great effort she managed to get him near the roof. Then she gave out, and Chip had to grab onto the corner of the roof and pull himself up. As Foxy let go, she collapsed on the rooftop and breathed heavily. Chip came to her immediately.
       "Are you okay, Foxy?" Foxy nodded. "I’m fine, Chip. I’ve never…had to carry that…much weight before. Just give me a moment…to catch my breath…and I’ll be fine. Chip had to admire Foxy’s tenacity. She was loyal, dedicated, and trustworthy. Just like…just like Blotson.
       "Okay, let’s search for a quiet access that will allow us to drop in on them where they least expect it!" Chip said. Foxy took the time to get an imprint of the roof’s surface. There were three possible entries--one was an air vent, and the other two were pipes that led into the building’s plumbing systems. She noticed Chip was about to test the door to the air vent, and flew over quickly.
       "Chip, if we fell in there wouldn’t the echo alert them?" Foxy asked. Chip almost slapped himself for not thinking of that. He must have been more concerned about his friends than he realized. "You’re right, Foxy. Any guesses on which pipe we should try?"
       "Well darling, if I was choosing, I’d pick the one to the far side of the building. I noticed one time before that the washing machines aren’t there anymore, so that pipe should be safe. Plus we’d come out far enough from them where they won’t hear us," Foxy said.
       Chip kissed her on the cheek. "Foxy, you’ve got the makings of a great detective in your own right! Now let’s get down there and free our friends." Foxy was focused on the important matter at hand, but deep inside her a part of her was jumping for joy. He kissed her again! And without her having to ask!

       Monty had Lou so engrossed in the card game that the dimwitted spider hadn’t noticed Gadget and Dale’s handiwork. Now, Monty decided to instigate phase two of his plan. "Y’know, this game reminds me of the time I played a winner-take-all match with Terrible Thomas Toulon, the nastiest card-playin’ mink this side of the Yukon!"
        "Really, what happened?" Lou asked.
       Monty would have pulled on his jacket lapels if he could have. "Well, I’ll tell ya lad....oh, I’ll play the four ‘o spades there. Ol’ Terrible Thomas was the worst o’ the old claim jumpers! And when he couldn’t jump a claim, he’d wait till ya came ta town and nab the loot from ya that way. Well, that’s just what he’d set out ta do--I’d been at me claim at Peril Peak for about two months and found a right good vein ‘er the shiny stuff! So I came inta town, thinkin’ I was gonna have one great cheese blast. Little did I know Ol’ Terrible Thomas’d tracked me all the way. Well, the law ‘round those parts was a husky name ‘o Rounder. He saw it comin’ and knew Thomas’ reputation. So he strolls up big as day and says, ‘Monty, good to see ya back. You know, I’ve heard you’re a right mean player when it comes to seven-toed Pete...’ Well, I said that there weren’t anyone who could match me, and that riled Ol’ Terrible Thomas so he challenged me right then and there..."
        Lou’s mind was desperately trying to process the story that his captive was telling him, but his feeble intellect wasn’t up to the task. He began losing consciousness, and Monty prattled on. " ....an’ after the third hour of play, we was both even. That was when I began pullin’ out the fancy moves! We had a crowd ‘o the toughest lot of gamblers you could imagine in one place--they were all watching Ol’ Monterey Jack play Terrible Thomas in the Saddleback Saloon. We stayed there till dawn, we did! Finally, the game went all my way, and I not only kept all me gold, I won three other claims off him too! Traded it all in on a ticket for a cheese ship bound fer Spain though. ‘Course, that’s another story entirely..." Lou was having trouble keeping his eyes open and his head began to nod off.

       "Did you find the cutting blade yet?" Gadget asked. "Tweezers, nope. Corkscrew, nope. Ah! Here it is!" Dale said. Gadget almost had to laugh. Dale was eccentric, but he had a way about him. "Okay, Supermunk. Stand by and when I give the signal we’ll cut the strand and grab the webline."
       Dale was doing cartwheels on the inside at her calling him that. "Okie-dokie…Mighty Gadget." Even though they were faced with a bad situation, Gadget couldn’t help enjoying the back and forth some. She knew in a way it was fulfilling Dale’s dream and she was glad to see that he was ready for the task.

       The pipe ended where a washing machine would have been. Chip slipped and nearly fell, but Foxglove grabbed him before he could hit the discolored cement of the floor. "Whew. Thanks, Foxy. That’s one ride I wasn’t looking forward to," Chip said. Foxy stayed very close to him. "You’re very welcome, cute stuff. What’s the plan now?"
       Chip looked around. They were in a small auxiliary room next to the one where the action was. Chip edged up to the door, which had been left partly open. **Criminals are always careless about something,** Chip thought, glad that his thought patterns were returning to normal somewhat. He peeked in and nearly gasped at the sight. Then he made his way back to Foxy
       "They’re all tied up in there, and Winifred’s attention was on a big cauldron. They won’t be looking for us to come from this way, so maybe we could rush them. If we can quickly free the others, the confusion might be enough to allow us to escape," Chip said. Foxy held him back. "But Chip, we can’t give her that last ingredient! What can we do?"
       Chip thought for a minute. "Well, maybe we could ruin her spell somehow...what were the ingredients again?" Foxy recited the list she’d given Chip, and then he pulled out a very short pencil he kept with him and for writing notes on. He thought for a moment, then took out the strip of paper Foxy had given him earlier and erased the writing then carefully wrote something down over it. "What will that do to her?"
       Foxy racked her brain to remember everything magical she had read in the last few months. "If I remember right, she would take on the properties of the last item that was cast into the pot." Chip looked back at the ingredient he’d written down and grinned. "Perfect. Okay, let’s go!"

       Chip and Foxy crept up to the door, and picked their moment. "Pistachio!"
       "Now!" Gadget said.
       As Chip and Foxy ran in, Dale cut the strands. Gadget and Dale grabbed the webline and swung over to the nearby card table. Gadget cut Monty loose and Dale turned the table up on Lou, knocking him aside.
       "What’s this! Babbling broomsticks! Bud, get them!" Winfred shouted.
       As Bud moved in, Gadget closed the knife and threw it to Dale, who freed Zipper. Lou tried to catch Dale in another webline, but Dale ducked under and rammed Lou with his fists.
       "Buuuudddeeeeeee!" Lou cried, running for cover. Dale caught Gadget’s attention, and pointed to the webline at his feet. She understood, and grabbed up the strand she’d cut Monty free from. Bud charged Dale. "I’m going ta have chipmunk sushi tonight!"
       Chip had grabbed a box of soapflakes and filled a small cup with them. Foxy caught hold of the cup, and when she’d taken it to the height of the room, bombed the place with them. "Time to clean up your act!" Foxy shouted.
       The distraction proved sufficient. Bud looked up to see the soapflakes coming down and when he did Gadget and Dale used their weblines like lariats and snared Bud’s snout. The snake was helpless, and jerked around. Dale allowed himself to be pulled off the ground and rode on Bud’s back. "Ride ‘em, snake boy!"
        But the fight was not to be that easy. For even as Monty gathered himself and they all prepared to leave, Lou caught their attention. He’d been knocked away, but not far enough that he’d forgotten where Zipper was. He had snuck up on him in the melee and was now holding the frightened little fly in his hands.
       "All right, mammals. Nobody move or the fly gets digested!" Lou threatened. All the Rangers stopped. They’d been outmaneuvered

       "Zipper!" Chip said. Lou grinned nastily. "One move, hatboy, and yer pal Zipper becomes lunch." Winifred had a look of greedy satisfaction on her face. "Well, for once you’ve done something right! Okay, Foxglove! Hand over the missing ingredients now!" Winifred freed Bud and he hungrily watched the others.
       Foxy came forward. "Okay, Winifred, you win. Please, just don’t hurt them." She dropped the paper at Winifred’s feet and the witch-wannabe snatched it up and cackled nastily. "Now you all can watch as I achieve my greatest ambition...that is, before I let my pets have several late night snacks!"
       Dale and Gadget glanced at each other and gave a smile and a wink. Dale whispered, "This looks like a job for..."
       "Supermunk and Mighty Gadget!" Gadget said, grinning.
       Foxy quickly grabbed Chip’s head and gave him a kiss that made his fur stand on end. "Win or lose, Chip. I love you!" Chip returned the kiss. "Foxy, I love you too. And I want you to know...you make a great Dr. Blotson!"
       Winifred sneered down at them. "Get ready to say farewell, small fry!" Winifred read the list. "Lightning bug bulbs, check. Lobster lips, check. Ah, and one live snake....Bud, you’re going swimming!"
       "Better him than me, Freddie!" Lou said.
       Winifred picked up Bud, then whapped Lou. "DON’T CALL ME FREDDIE!"
       "Okay, Freddie."
       Winifred grabbed a roll of newspaper, then put it down. "Oh, enough with you! The mixture’s ready!" She pitched Bud into the cauldron. After a few moments, the pot began to glow. "At last! Magic, do your stuff!" Winifred stood right over the pot, and a beam of power hit her. Strange arcs of energy began to leap wildly about the room. Then Winifred changed into a snake, with only her orange hair and her voice to indicate who she’d been. She fell into the cauldron with Bud.

       "What’s happened? What went wrong?" Winifred asked. Foxy kissed Chip in sheer joy. "It worked!" Chip hugged her close. "I couldn’t have done it without you, Foxy."
       Winifred slithered out, then turned to Foxglove. "You! I should’ve known you’d double-cross me! Get ‘em, boys!" But ever since Bud had left the cauldron, he’d had all his attention on her. "I’ve got a better idea, Winifred...why don’t you and I get to know each other better?" Bud flicked his tail and had hearts in his eyes. Winfred started backing up in panic. "Now, now...don’t do anything too hasty…" Bud rushed at her. "Come to me, my serpentine beauty!"
       Winifred cried out in horror and flew out of the room with Bud hot on her heels and Lou running behind the both of them. The Rangers had their traditional laugh of good humor. "Golly, I didn’t know a snake could move so fast!" Gadget said. Monty dusted his hands. "Just takes the right kind of persuasion is all. Why I remember the time when I was being chased..."

       Chip came up and tapped Monty on the shoulder. "Uh, everyone? I’ve got something to say...." Foxy was so excited she leaped into Chip’s arms, nearly knocking him over. "We won! We won!" She kissed Chip. Chip was about to break away, but enjoyed it too much.
       Monty had a crooked smile on his face. "Too-ra-loo....maybe they’ve set the date already..."
       Dale was enjoying the scene. "Don’t give her any ideas...or him." Gadget smiled. She was so happy to see Chip happy. Then she tapped Dale on the shoulder. "Well, they gave me an idea, Supermunk..."
       Gadget kissed him then Dale picked her up, but he lost his balance and landed on his backside with her in his arms. Gadget giggled, "Oh, Robin! You’re so brave and impetuous!" Dale doffed an invisible hat. "Maid Gadget, the villain is vanquished so let me carry you off, back to Sherwood forest." Dale looked at their situation again. "Or maybe you should carry me."
       Zipper flew up to Monty’s shoulder and asked him a question. "Yep, love can make blokes do mighty strange things all right. But it’s grand, still." Monty and Zipper waited patiently and appreciatively for the kissing to end. "Chip, Foxy? I think I’m gonna need a crowbar to get them two apart!" Monty kidded.
       Chip and Foxglove finally separated. "I was about to apologize to the gang for what I’d done to them, Foxy..." Chip looked at Dale and Gadget and Monty and Zipper. "Guys, I just wanted to say I was....wrong. I didn’t know it, but that’s no excuse. But I’m glad in a way that it happened, ‘cause now I’ve got someone who really loves me...and what’s more I love her!"
       Dale gave him a thumb’s up. "It’s okay, Chip. Best buds and all that. So, you okay with me and Gadget?" Gadget took Dale’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I’m sorry, Chip. I should have made my feelings clear a long time ago. I didn’t realize that my silence was being misinterpreted."
       Chip walked over and took off his fedora. "Dale, it shouldn’t have taken a fight like that to make me see what was going on. I guess I just wanted Gadget to be something she wasn’t and both she and you were too kind to say anything." Chip hugged them both. Gadget smiled at him. "I guess you’re not such a blockhead after all, Chip."
       Chip did a double take. "Huh?" Gadget covered up. "Uh, never mind. I mean it’s great that you can admit that, Chip." Dale held back a laugh, but he realized he now had something else to ask Gadget about. Foxy contentedly wrapped her wings around Chip. "I got my sweetie and Gadget got hers. What now, cutie?"

       Chip got nervous. "I think it’s time to go home, Rangers...guys, as you can see Foxy and I have sort of become..attached to each other. Well, what I’m trying to ask is....." Monty patted him on the back, full of zest. "Well, she’s a lass with a strong heart, what to get past all yer defenses Chip. I say we give ‘er a go as a Ranger."
       Gadget warmed up to the idea immediately. "Sure! And it’ll be nice having another girl around."
       Dale took one of her wings and shook it. Welcome aboard, Foxglove. Now Chip will have you to drive him ‘batty’ instead of me!" Foxy giggled and hugged Chip, which set them all to laughing. Zipper buzzed and gave a thumbs up.

       Chip was relieved, to say the least. "I’m glad you guys weren’t too sore at me. I’d hate to lose you guys over anything--you’re all my family, and I know this sounds corny but.....I love all you guys." Dale leaped into Chip’s arms. "We love you too, cutie!" The action was so unexpected, that Chip broke out laughing so hard he started crying over it. He fell and he and Dale went down in a heap.
       Monty stood over the scene with satisfaction. "Well, Zip, it just goes to show you how strong the power o’ love is. Why, this reminds me of the time I was in Canada durin’..." Everyone jumped up and covered Monty’s mouth. "I think we’d better head out while the heading’s good!" Gadget said. They led the big Aussie out, everyone giggling a bit except Monty, who was still trying to get his story out through the hands blockading him.

 

 

 

Chapter 11 – Living the Dream and Beyond

Two days later was a Saturday, and since that evening was the Rangers’ normal night off, the two newly-formed couples decided to attend a costume party together. Monty and Zipper conveniently found a cheese ship to go visit, leaving the lovers to each other’s company. Chip had naturally wanted to go as Sureluck, but when Foxy had whispered a suggestion to him, he was all for the alternative. Dale was going as Robin Hood--he’d never dared to wear the costume in public before, even though he dearly loved it. But a little prodding from Gadget was all it took. Well, that and she said if he’d do it she’d go as Maid Marian. So it was that we found our noble Robin in his lincoln green outside the treehouse.
Dale looked at his Robin Hood costume. Many times he had acted out the scenes from the movie. He had even fenced while wearing it from time to time, but now here he was. He had won the hand of the fair maiden...and he was terrified.
"Wow, this is it. I love Gadget and she loves me. Gosh, I never really thought it would happen. I mean I’m happy all right, but it’s all so...so.." Gadget heard Dale’s worry and joined him out on the patio. "Relax Dale, we’ll take this one step at a time," Gadget said.
Dale turned around in surprise, and stared in admiration. Gadget had on a lovely dress that she’d made herself--it looked so like the one from his dream! Dressed as Maid Marian, looking as regal and as beautiful. Dale’s mouth fell open, and he struggled to find his voice. "Gadget...wow, you look really amazing."
"Golly, thanks. I know I don’t wear dresses often, but I’ve had this one for quite some time...I just didn’t have the right reason to wear it...." She walked up and kissed Dale lightly on the nose. "You’re sure dashing in that outfit, Dale."
They stared into each other’s eyes and it was as if they were living their dream. Gadget whipsered in his ear, "I won’t forget the words you said to me...." Dale was in dreamland himself, and didn’t even think when he said, "I love you more than life itself."
"Oh, Dale!" Gadget kissed him. "But one thing puzzles me...what were Elvis, Johnny Bravo, Yoda, the Transformers and G.I. Joe doing there?"

Dale chuckled. "Oh, they were....how did you know about that?!" Gadget looked at him in pleased surprise. "Then...it was more than just a dream! You really did say it!" She hugged him again.
Dale looked at her with amazed wonder. "But that’s impossible! We couldn’t have both had the same dream!" Gadget fixed his hat on straight for him. "Dale, nothing’s impossible. And I think it really was more than a dream...it was destiny."
Dale smiled in remembrance of it all. "Yeah, it was great. Too bad we had to wake up when we did. Robin gets to fight his way out of there! And while Robin’s fighting the guards, he asks Marian to...to..." Gadget took his hands. "Don’t be scared, Robin. I’m just happy being with you right now, and I think you are too. Let’s enjoy life a day at a time, and tomorrow will take care of itself."
Dale stared into her beautiful eyes the way Robin did in the movie and to his utter amazement she began to sing the song from that very scene:

It seems like only yesterday
You were just a child at play
Now you’re all grown up, and silently
Oh, how fast those moments flee…

Once we watched a lazy world go by
Now the days seem to fly…
Life is brief
But when it’s gone
Love goes on and on…

When she finished, Gadget put her arm around him. "Oh Robin, what a beautiful night. I wish it would never end...." Dale couldn’t have been more appreciative. "Well, we’ll do our best, won’t we?"
Chip and Foxy came out in their costumes. Foxglove had talked him into dressing up as Rhett Butler, and she made a cute Scarlett. Chip waved to Dale and Gadget. "Hey, save some of that energy for the party! Let’s go, or we’ll be late!"
Foxy broke out a delightful Southern accent. "Oh, Rhett! I’ll be the belle of the ball with you the-ah!" Chip had to giggle at that. He was getting better used to being comfortable showing his emotions in public. Chip tried the accent too. "Okay, Miss Scarlett. But could I take this moustache off first? It tickles!"
Foxy grabbed Chip and gave him a big kiss, and Rhett’s mustache ended up on Scarlett! "Oh deah! I forgot to shave!" Foxy exclaimed. Chip laughed, and so did Dale and Gadget. Chip peeled the mustache off and replaced it on his face. Foxy pulled out a fan. "Oh, fiddle dee dee!"
Dale marched over good-naturedly and put his arms around them both. "Come on, you buncha loveable nuts. We’re gonna be late for all the food and dancing!"

The party was a smashing success, and the four Rangers had a splendid time. When they got home, Chip took Foxy out for a walk--both still in their costumes. They had started out discussing Dale and Gadget’s dream, which the couple had shared with them. Chip had laughed almost the entire time. Now Foxglove was sharing her Cinderella dream with him.
"..and then when the clock rang, I had to fly..uh run for it," Foxy said. Chip smirked. "Why? Did your horses all turn into mice?" Foxy shook her head. "Well, no...into a fly actually. And Monty was my fairy godfather."
"Monty? Monty!?" Chip laughed and rolled on the ground, picturing Monty in the role. Then he looked up at her. "And who was Prince Charming, as if I couldn’t guess?"
Foxy grabbed him by the collar and pulled him to his feet. "A certain handsome and suave chipmunk who thought I was the most beautiful woman in his entire kingdom." Chip readjusted his moustache. "Well, at least the guy had taste." Chip took Foxy in his arms. "Thank you."
"For what, darling?" Foxy asked.
"For being you, and for helping me to see who I am. I never really thanked you for that," Chip said. Chip kissed her lovingly. "You can thank me for that anytime, cutie! And thank you, Chip. For loving me and forgiving me." Chip gave her his arm, and escorted her into headquarters. As she went, Foxy had but one thought. **Sometimes, dreams really do come true.**

At the dawn, Gadget was up and feeling good. She started for the gym room, then realized it could be more fun to exercise in Dale’s gym. She’d enjoyed the swordplay between them before, and it would be just the thing to sharpen the mind and get the day off to a good pace. Gadget entered the main room, hoping that Dale would be up.
"Mornin’, Gadget luv," Monty said from the kitchen. "You’re up a mite earlier than usual, aint ya?" Gadget looked into the kitchen, but no Dale. "Well, I must admit I was looking forward to getting up today," she said. Monty smiled as he cut a bunch of onions up for his cheese omelettes. "Too right! Nice to have things peaceable again ‘round here. If you’re lookin’ for a certain chipmunk, I haven’t seen the bloke since he ran in here and gulped down his breakfast. He said he was going somewhere, but I didn’t catch the destination."
Gadget ate quickly, and headed for her workshop to get her plunger shoes. She slipped outside, making sure no one saw her leave. Then she put on the plunger shoes and walked up to the lair’s entrance. She was about to jump in, when she noticed it. The knothole entrance was different, and Gadget blushed with appreciation at the difference. The initials "D+G" had been painstakingly cut into the faux wood entrance and then blackened to appear as natural. Around those letters, with the same care taken in its making, a heart surrounded them.

Dale was at the desk in his secret lair. It was obvious he hadn’t gotten much rest, because he was surrounded by wads of paper. Dale began to write again. "You’re the fun in my day....no, not strong enough....You’re the fun in every day....oh, not good enough......" Then Dale tore the sheet away and began to write again:

There’s no words I can write
That say love like I feel it
It’s like trying to stop the sun from rising.
You’re so fun to be with
And talk to and all
It’s so fun it’s actually surprising!

I wish I had the words to say
Just how big my feelings are.
But it’s like the time you felt useless
And come back in that suit of orange
And knocked Bubbles around like a...

"Door hinge?"
Dale started at the interruption, forgetting for a moment that Gadget knew about his secret lair.
Dale plopped back in his chair. "Whew! I thought my secret was out!" Gadget smiled warmly at him. "You know it’s safe with me. I like how you marked the door for me, the "D+G"
with a heart around it is very touching. But why are you having such problems with your feelings? Can’t you tell me?" Gadget took his hands and had him stand up. "Now look at me and say what’s in your heart."
Dale couldn’t think at all at first, but he just kept looking at that wonderful face and it was as if any other thoughts and concerns lifted from him. His expression changed from fretful to content "Whenever I’m near you, I’m the person who I always wanted to be. I’m still me, but there’s..more! You, you give me something when you talk to me, or put your hand on me. It’s like some kind of power that I can’t explain. I’m not like this around other people—I don’t understand it myself, but it’s like I’m not complete if you’re not here."
Gadget smiled tenderly and took out a sheet of paper. "I know. I feel it too. I wrote this last night." Dale’s look was one of pure wonder, as Gadget began to read:

I can trust you, my love
Now that we’ve shared
Ourselves and I know
Your heart is strong

I won’t pull back
Now that I know
You’re there and
I’m where I belong

We left uncertainty
On the riverside and
Met each other on
The bridge of happiness

Now we’re here
Together and I feel
Like I’m melting in
Pure joy and bliss

My heart is safe with you
As is yours with me
The rivers of despair are dry
And love is flowing free.

Dale was so moved, that he actually made the bold act of taking her in his arms and kissing her. "That’s beautiful Gadget, just like you." Gadget hugged him back. "Golly, thanks Dale! You’re just like Pi to me...you never run out of surprises!" Dale invited her to take a seat. "And you’re like pie to me too."
"Jeepers, I didn’t know you were familiar with Pi!" Gadget said. Dale wiggled his eyebrows. "Sure, I know all kind’s of pie--apple, blueberry, cherry..." Gadget laughed and pushed him. "You big kidder! I oughtta go get one just to plop on your face!" Dale put on very serious look. "Beware, no one pies me with impunity, my dear."
Gadget laughed louder at that. "Oh, stop it...pies me with impunity!" Dale enjoyed that Gadget could be so free with him now. "Chip has been on the receiving end of more than one pie in his lifetime. He knows my pies, and trembles."
Gadget finally recovered herself. "You know, I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I’d forgotten about laughing--oh, I laugh some, but my dad could always set me off anytime. Well, not set off like mad, but set off in a good way. Well, what I mean is…I think I’ve...gotten something back that I forgot I’d lost."
Dale put an arm around her shoulder. "Well, I’ve always believed that laughter is the best thing for you. You know, I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard you laugh like that! You have such a beautiful laugh." Gadget hugged him again. "And you have the magic to bring it out! Thanks, Dale."

After a lively breakfast, Gadget settled into her workshop. With all the crises past, her hungry and inventive mind was ready to express itself again and she lit into it with vigor. She had a new engine she was developing on her table, with one hand tightening a bolt and the other holding the far end of the shaft that she was working on. Gadget was so engrossed in her project that she never noticed when the door creaked open slightly and a pair of eyes peeked in with anticipation.
"The tickle master spies his target," Dale said to himself.
Dale’s face spread into a mischievous grin, and he twiddled his fingers and wiggled his eyebrows a couple of times. Taking great care not to allow the door to creak, he closed it, tipped in and slowly moved towards Gadget with his hands down, fingers together. Closer and closer he came to his potential tickling victim. And he would have gotten there too, had Gadget not had a mirror set up across the room. Gadget’s eyes caught an image in the reflective glass, but she didn’t betray anything until he was in a hairbreadth of his goal.
"DALE!" Gadget shouted, jumping around in the same instant. Dale froze, completely caught between humor and fear. Then Gadget’s face changed to a playful grin, and she started to raise her hands a bit, and twiddled her fingers. "So, you like to tickle, do you big boy? Let’s see where your ticklish spot is…."

"Oh, no!" Dale shouted and began to run around the room. "I’m gonna get ya!" Gadget shouted, starting to laugh with the fun of the chase. Dale ducked under the table, jumped over machinery, and cackled and shouted alternatively. But the speed of the chase was too much, and Dale tripped over his own feet and fell. Gadget was kneeling by him, tickling his tummy, and Dale laughed so hard he cried. He held his hands up in surrender. "P..please! I can’t stand it! I can’t stand it!" He kicked and writhed and laughed and Gadget couldn’t help laughing along with him.
Chip threw open the door. "Dale! Are you o…kay?" Chip stood short at seeing the comical scene on the floor, and was not sure whether he should apologize or just leave. Gadget saw his hesitation and got up, taking a couple of steps toward him. "It’s all right, Chip. We’re just having a little fun." Chip grinned back, and found he was glad he could. "Okay. Foxy and I are going hang gliding. Have fun!"
Gadget waved goodbye. "Okay, Ch..hi...ha haaaaaa!" Gadget said, as Dale had used the diversion to get off the floor and tickle her sides from behind. "Now you’ll see why I’m the master tickler!" Dale said. Now Gadget was the laughing victim and turned around, gently pushing his hands away. Dale stopped and he instinctively cringed, not sure if he’d really done the right thing. Then she took him in her arms and kissed him.

"Don’t worry, Dale. I’m glad you decided to spend some time with me today," she said warmly. Dale was relieved, then noticed her engine. "Hey, can I help?" Gadget stopped for a moment. She knew he’d ask, but this was her passion. Gadget gave Dale the wrench, and showed him the shaft she’d been tightening. "Okay, I’ll hold his side steady while you tighten the other."
Dale took the wrench, and realized that she’d given him responsibility. He wasn’t used to the idea, and found that the hand that held the wrench was shaking some. He didn’t want to mess up her work, knowing how much it meant to her. Gadget saw how nervous he’d become and said gently, "Don’t worry, Dale. I trust you. Just fit the wrench onto the nut and turn it toward you." Her voice helped him, and soon he was tightening the shaft. She hadn’t shown how nervous she was, but then Dale shouted, "Hey, this is fun!" She flinched and dropped the screwdriver she’d been using. Dale picked it up off the floor. "Hey, anyone can make a mistake," he said, handing it back. She relaxed at the irony of Dale telling her that, and they proceeded to finish work on the shaft.

A half hour’s additional work produced a product fit for testing. Gadget strapped the engine down to the table. "This booster rocket engine should come in handy if we need extra power!" Gadget said. "When I give you the signal, push the red button on the side. I want to test the straps again to make sure it won’t leave the table."
Dale saluted and activated the motor per instructions. It sputtered a couple of seconds and then came on full blast. The mighty explosive force pushed Dale and Gadget to opposite sides of the room and then the engine zoomed forward, table and all! In a moment, Gadget and Dale were staring through a hole in the tree made by the engine, which had plummeted to the ground and left a fine crater. With their faces framed by the hole, Gadget looked to Dale, searching for some consolation. Dale shrugged his shoulders, "Well, it sure never left that table!"
Gadget just looked for a moment more, then a laugh forced its way up. Then another. Soon, they were hanging on each other, caught up in the wry humor of the moment. "Dale," Gadget said, "you’re worth having around if for nothing else but this!" Dale helped her up, and looked her in the face. "And you’re worth having around, period!"

With that, Gadget went to a cabinet on the wall and pulled out a pair of red-colored flight goggles identical in shape to her own and handed them over to Dale. Dale took them as if he’d been handed the Nobel prize. "For me? Really?" Dale asked with wonder. "Yep," Gadget said. "Now put them on and turn the left eyepiece a notch to the left. Dale did so, and shouted in pleased surprise, pulling them back off his eyes. "It’s a TV! Do you mean you watch television on these things?"
"Yeah," Gadget said. "And cartoons too. When I was forced to be on my own, I turned to cartoons to help. I was able to feel included in someone’s life through them. I sort of felt self-conscious about it, because I didn’t know what the others would think. They’re solar-powered, and I put the audio center in the strap so you can hear it without needing earplugs!" Dale couldn’t believe how little he knew about Gadget—she liked cartoons? "But I thought you were just all work and no fun!"
Gadget shook her head, with a big grin. "I enjoy fun as much as the next person. I guess I just didn’t know how to share fun—until now, that is." Dale pulled the goggles down again. "Hey, Animaniacs is on!" Gadget pulled down her goggles too and soon they were both enjoying the antics of Yakko, Wakko and Dot. When a commercial came on, Dale pushed his goggles up. "Hey, Gadget. Don’t you think it’s strange how much your voice sounds like Dot’s?" Gadget thought it over a moment, "Well, now that you mention it…" She put her arms around his neck, and her voice changed to a perfect imitation of Dot’s. "Hello, red-nosed Hawaiian-shirt-wearing nurse!"

Chip and Foxy had seen most of these antics during their ride in the air. Chip was glad that no one was hurt, and he couldn’t help laughing a little at Gadget and Dale’s faces looking down at the failed project. **I guess they were meant for each other** Chip thought. Then Foxglove caught his attention.
"Watch where you’re going, darling!" Foxy shouted. "Yeow!" Chip yelled, as he twisted in mid-air to miss an oncoming pigeon. Foxy flew up next to him. "Are you okay?" Chip was breathing hard with the adrenaline rush. "Yeah, but I’d better not make a habit out of that!" Foxy chuckled and fluttered right ahead of him, giving him a gentle kiss. "So can we go the library tonight? I just love it when you read to me."
"We’ll see," Chip said teasingly. Foxy knew now that teasing meant yes, so she wrapped her wings around him in gratitude. The hang glider began sinking slightly. "Uh, Foxy? Didn’t you tell me that this thing won’t carry two passengers?"
Foxy’s face switched from happiness to concern as she heard one of the struts begin to crack. "Quick, aim for the fountain!" Chip did so and Foxy followed him closely. The wind wouldn’t let him get close enough to it to bail out the first time though, and he had to fly around and come back in. As he did, the strut in question gave way and Chip began to fall. But Foxy was close at hand and caught him, holding him suspended.
"Hey, I didn’t know you could hold a chipmunk suspended in the air like this!" Chip said.
"Uh, oh!" Foxy said.
"What?"
"I can’t!"
Foxy and Chip gripped each other and fell three feet straight into the deep waters of the fountain. They came up a moment later, and when Foxy saw Chip’s drenched fedora on his face she couldn’t help laughing at him. Chip splashed water at her, and soon they were frolicking in water games. After they tired out, the two sat on the water’s edge, cooling their feet.
"Foxy," Chip said, "I know the others want you and me both to stay. But do you want to stay with the Rangers?" Foxglove was startled that he would leave the decision up to her. But she could see that in his eyes he trusted her, and it meant more to her than all the kisses in the world. "Yes, Chip. I’d like to stay. I couldn’t think of any place I’d rather be!"
Chip hugged her in appreciation. "Thank you. I hoped you would."
"When you’re happy, I’m happy," Foxy said. "Especially when we’re doing something good." Chip took her wing and they walked over to the remnants of the hang glider to salvage it. "I’ll start training you in how to be a detective. Training of the mind is one of the best rewards we can give ourselves."
"There’s only one thing I’ve got my mind trained on, cutie," Foxy said, slipping her wings around him. Chip chuckled. "Well, I’ll say this. You’re a lot cuter than Dr. Blotson."
"Handsome and perceptive too! What a guy!" Foxy said, kissing him.

Chip smiled at her gesture of kindness, and then led Foxy back to the fountain, sitting her down. "Foxy, I know everything’s been happening very fast so I just wanted to say before we headed back that I really appreciate how you stuck with me. I like how everything’s turned out, but I don’t want you to think that you’re obligated to me for anything since you helped me. I respect you and I appreciate all that you’ve done."
Foxy took his paw. "Chip, you know how I feel. I get goosebumps just looking at you! But it’s more than just the looks. I like myself when I’m with you, which is a lot more than I could say for Winifred and the others. I know you’re not perfect, and I’m glad you know it now too. Chip, I also know this has all been sudden and you’re not used to it. But I also know that I love you, and if we are to share a life together I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather be with."
Chip paused, and collected his thoughts. "Foxy, you’re a wonderful person, and I’m glad that we’re getting this time together. I know you’d like to for us to be together officially...but I can’t promise you that. I’ve got years of self-imagery to sort through and put away. I thought I was something I’m really not, and when I woke up this morning I found myself looking in the mirror and wondering ‘who is that’?"
Foxy suddenly looked concerned. "Are you saying you’re not sure you love me?" Chip looked down at his reflection in the water. "I know I have feelings for you, Foxy. I just don’t know how you or anything fits in anymore, I guess." Foxy nodded her understanding. "Don’t worry, I’ll help you find the answers. We’ll all help."
Chip nodded back. "Yes, I know. I’m grateful that I’ve got you and all the Rangers with me. I’d go nuts if I was alone. I suspect both of us need time to adjust to everything that’s happened." Foxy laughed sarcastically, "Well, I do admit it’s different. But I like the change in scene so far..." Foxy wrapped her wings around Chip. "We’ve got all the time in the world, cutie. Take your time. No one should be alone, it’s more terrible than you can imagine," she said sadly.
"Don’t I know it," Chip said. "It would really be terrible if I had to face all this alone. It’s not going to be easy at first, Foxy. I won’t kid you about that. I still have a lot of adjusting to do. I can’t promise you that everything’s going to be rosy. As the old song says, ‘It’s not for me to say.’ But whatever the future holds, I’m glad you’re here now."
Foxy hugged him gently. "Always know this, Chip. I’ll be there to catch you when you fall." Chip did a double take. "Strange you should put it that way. I just had a dream about you and me where you caught me at Runningback Falls...".

Foxy gasped and put her wings up to her mouth. "You were falling and I caught you and carried you to safety..." Chip pointed at himself half-consciously. "And then after...I was in a Southern gentlemen’s outfit?"
"And I was Foxy O’Hara and you took me in your arms and we..." Chip snapped back to reality. "But you couldn’t...at the falls...how did...it wasn’t real!" Foxy giggled. "Let’s make it real!" Foxy gave Chip a kiss he wouldn’t soon forget! After Chip recovered, he doffed his Rhett Butler hat. "Miss Foxy, you really are the dew on my cotton! But how can that be? Dreams aren’t real! How could we have had the same dream? How?" Foxy chuckled, and jumped into his arms. "Don’t ask questions, Rhett dear. Just carry me into Tara."

As they headed for home, Chip realized he was in a way thankful for everything that had happened. Actually in several ways. He was glad for Dale, whose feelings he’d regretfully ignored. He was glad for Gadget, who seemed happier than she’d ever been. He was also happy for Foxy, who had found a better life for herself than what she’d had. And yes, he was happy for himself—he had a girl that loved him and loved to be with him and do the things he liked. He wasn’t sure how things would work out with her, but those thoughts could wait for now. He had friends that cared about him despite everything that had happened. He had a home.
Foxy could almost see the thoughts stirring in him as they reached the tree. "What’s on your mind, darling?" Chip took his right hand off the contraption they were dragging and put it around her. "I always thought he was stupid to leave Scarlett," Chip said. Foxy flew up as he climbed and then she regained his arms. She put her wings around his neck as he carried her inside, and knew that from this time and forever more she would never be alone again.

 

 

The Rescue Rangers, Bianca, Baloo, Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Lady Cluck and Gaston are copyright Disney. Johnny Bravo, Daphne, Shaggy, Freddy and Velma are copyright Hanna-Barbera. Smurfette is copyright Peyo. G.I. Joe, Sergeant Slaughter and the Transformers are copyright Hasbro. Henry Higgins, Fifi La Fume, Yakko, Wakko and Dot are copyright Warner Brothers. Charlie Brown and Lucy Van Pelt are copyright UFS Inc. Yoda and Darth Vader are copyright Lucasfilm. The Mighty Gadget idea comes from Matthew, and from the inspiring drawing by Charles Williams. The photos of Chip+Foxy and Dale+Gadget are posted with permission, courtesy of Jaleel at The Foxglove Feature , and David Stone at CDRR Screen Captures . Elvis is one of a kind. John Wayne is a legend for his own time and any other.