Tygra and Cheetara sat in Pumyra and Bengali's bedroom speaking to the former about their situation. Tygra was rife with concern. "Pumyra, is there any chance that Cheetara could be physically harmed by this pregnancy?" Pumyra sighed, and thought for a moment, she didn't want to say the wrong thing when she opened her mouth.
       "Tygra, in pregnancy, any pregnancy, there are dangers. I gave Cheetara a full bio-scan this afternoon, and she is in impeccable health. Cheetara has the physical health of a much younger woman. I would say that Cheetara's chances of bearing to full term, with both mother and offspring surviving are favorable, but I do not make promises, it is entirely up to nature whether or not Cheetara and the baby is healthy."  Tygra felt a little better about the situation, knowing Cheetara's health was good. "The main thing that you are going to have to worry about, Cheetara, is your nutrition. You are going to have to go on a diet and really stick to it to make sure that your body doesn't draw on itself too much while you have a developing baby."  Cheetara nodded. "Will I be able to run?" Pumyra smiled. "For the first trimester and the beginning of the second, but I guarantee you that you won't feel like it by the second. It'll look funny too, you'll be showing by then." Cheetara nodded and both she and Tygra laughed. Tygra held Cheetara's hand.
      Pumyra looked up saw the worry still holding the couple and smiled. "You two need to relax and try not to worry. Cheetara you are in the pink of health, I am sure that you will be okay." Cheetara smiled and felt a little better. "Did the bio-scan indicate the litter size?" Cheetara said hopefully.  Pumyra smiled.  "All indicators point to one cub, though i'm not a hundred percent sure. One?"  Asked Tygra in curiosity. "Yes, just one."  Tygra thought for a moment and was going to ask what sex the baby was but he forgot that the sex hadn't been determined yet physically. "So," Said Pumyra. "when are you going to tell everyone the happy news? Tonight, at dinner, after we tell Kera and Tygro. They should know first."  Pumyra nodded. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, not even Bengali.  All three rose and hugged each other and Cheetara and Tygra left to tell their children the news of the century.
      Pumyra stuck her head out the door and watched the two walk down the hall, with a twinge of jealousy.
      Pumyra sighed, put away her paperwork, and sat down on her's and Bengali's bed. Pumyra regretted not having more cubs than she did. Pumyra thought of how many babies she had delivered in her professional lifetime, over three hundred.  Pumyra remembered how badly she wished to require the services of a friend to deliver cubs of her own, only to have that pleasure denied because Bengali was unable to help her conceive.  Bengali had beaten himself up about it numerous times, he felt like less of a man because of it, and the two had resigned themselves to a life without cubs of their own genetic making. Bengali suggested that they ask for help from a friend, so that her fondest wish could be fulfilled, and she had seriously considered it, but finally decided against it.  Pumyra remembered the pleased look Bengali tried to hide when she told him that she didn't want to bear if the cubs were not his. The two of them decided that they would adopt at some point, but not at that time, for they had other concerns to deal with.
      Pumyra smiled as she remembered the day she found she was pregnant with Tyger.  Bengali jumped around, ran to Cat's Lair, and informed everyone as soon as she told him.
      Pumyra sighed. Both she and Bengali missed Tyger.  Pumyra, a little worried, thought of the real reason behind the royal's visit a few months before.  Pumyra shook her head, looked at the time, amended her docket of the next day's clients, and made a space for Cheetara as a regular patient.
 

      Cheetara and Tygra kissed each other and waited for their children to knock at their door. Tygra laughed at Cheetara, she was nervous. "'Tara, calm down, you're pacing like a caged animal. I don't know why you are so nervous." Cheetara cut Tygra a look and continued the pacing, it stopped when they heard a knocking noise at the door.
Kera and Tygro walked in, knowing something was up.  Cheetara poured the last of the candy fruit wine into two glasses, handed them to the children and asked them to sit at the small table at the corner of the room. The children complied, but eyed their parents suspiciously. Tygra sat down then Cheetara, they both held hands on the table, Cheetara sighed and looked at her mate.  Tygra cleared his throat.  "Kids, your mother and I have something to tell you, it is going to be a shock to you both, but let us finish before you begin to ask us questions." Kera grinned. "It can't be more surprising than finding out that we were married!"  Cheetara looked at the ceiling and thought to herself, "Oh, kiddo, i've got you beat!"  Tygra smiled slightly and looked at Cheetara. "Your mother and I well, we um, ah," Cheetara saw the blush creep across Tygra's face, she listened to the tiger stammer for a few moments, then blurted out, "I'm going to have a baby!"  Kera and Tygro looked at their parents as if they didn't believe what she said. Tygro looked at the two. "Is this a joke?" Tygra and Cheetara shook their heads no.   Tygro and Kera looked at each other in surprise.

      A twisted grin stretched across Kera's face and she slapped Tygra on the shoulder. "You dog you!" Tygra was surprised by his daughter's response.  Kera then turned to Cheetara. "We can binge eat weird things together and moan about water retention!" The statement made Cheetara laugh.  Kera looked at her brother, and flicked his temple.  "I hope that it's a sister, i'm sick of little brothers!"  Tygro looked at his sister in annoyance. "Little? I'm older than you, brother dear! Only by a few minutes! I hope it's a boy, and not another scatterbrained, wild acting sister!" Kera play punched Tygro. "Who are you calling scatterbrained?"  The playful argument played on, and Tygra and Cheetara were surprised at how well the two siblings had taken the news as they walked out of the room still arguing.  Tygra looked at his mate. "That went better than I figured it would." Cheetara shrugged her shoulders.   The two heard footfalls draw closer and their kids stuck their heads through the doorway again. "Congratulations, Mom, Dad. If it's a girl, Kera is a great name!"   And with that, the kid's argument continued, while walking down the hall. Cheetara and Tygra strained to hear it.
      Tygro resumed the argument first.  "Mom and Dad are not gonna name the kid after you! Your ego is swelled enough as it is! They can't name her Tygro! It's not going to be a girl, it's gonna be a boy! Who made you a healer, Tygro? They handing out vellum in cereal boxes now?  That reminds me, Kera! You took all the box tops and sent off for the Crimson Avenger decoder ring didn't you? No! Liar! Oh shut up, Tygro, you got the Tiger Sharks stickers out of the last box and didn't share! Are you STILL on that? YES!"  Cheetara looked at Tygra and shook her head with a smile.  Tygra got up and yelled out the door, "Kids, don't tell anyone yet! Okay, Tiger Man!" Was Kera's response. Tygra looked at Kera and shook his head as the arguing continued.  Tygra closed their door, Cheetara was looking out the window.  Tygra pulled her into an embrace and rubbed her smooth stomach. "Are you sure you are ready for this, 'Tara? No, but we'll see how it turns out."  Tygra kissed the back of her neck and the two sat in their window seat in an embrace and watched the sky change colors.

      It was later in the evening and all of the Thundercats were dining.  Kera and Tygro kept stealing glances at their parents and giggling, Cheetara and Tygra were biding their time and waiting for the proper time to mention their news.
      Lion-O sat at the dinner table looking at Lynxana, he was surprised that she was being as gracious as she was about winning the Pro Crappie Fishing Tournament as she had been. Lynxana much to his surprise had said very little about the whole affair, and had taken the sizeable trophy into her room, and not shown anyone. Lion-O was almost sure that she would take out an ad in the paper advertising her success, and start looking for sponsors.  Lynxana smiled slightly at Lion-O and continued eating.  Soon everyone was almost finished, and finally Cheetara had to poke Tygra in the side with her elbow, and give him a look.  The Thundercats seeing this action wondered what was going on, as Kera and Tygro struggled in a futile manner to not giggle, and an unbidden smile curled Pumyra's lips.  Cheetara prayed that Tygra did not ramble on in telling the others, like he had when he tried to tell their children. Tygra took a deep breath.
      "Everyone? I, Cheetara and I have something to tell you all." All eyes were on Tygra.  Tygra quickly blurted out, "Cheetara is going to have a baby. She's pregnant."  Tygra sat down and took Cheetara's hand.  The silence was deafening.  Cheetara looked around at everyone, and felt growingly uncomfortable at the long space of silence.  Cheetara looked at her tiger, he was red faced.
      Panthro was the first to shake his look of complete surprise and have the presence of mind to ask, "Is this a joke?" Cheetara put her head in her hands. "No."  Panthro then congratulated the couple, he was shortly followed by the others.  Snarf was more excited than anyone else.  "Brrrr, i'm going to take real good care of you, Cheetara, snarf, snarf! You should be in bed resting now!" Cheetara laughed. "Oh, Snarf, I think that I can look after myself, for a little longer!"  Snarf looked at Cheetara with mild disappointment. "Besides, Snarf, you'll need to conserve your strength, you'll have two women to contend with, Me and Kera!" Cheetara winked at Tygra as Snarf jumped around in excitement. After speaking for a short time, everyone got up from the table, smiled and said their goodnights, and went to whatever respective rooms they chose.
      Lynxana went into her room and sat down at her secretary, and made a list out in ink.  After she finished it, she looked at the time. Two hours had past, she couldn't believe it, she had been so lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize. Lynxana picked up the trophy and put it on her mantle, she was glad she won, but not so pleased that Lion-O caught nothing.  Lynxana felt a twinge of regret, giving Lion-O unvarnished Hell about her chances of winning, and his of losing. Lynxana smiled as she folded the paper, she knew that it would cheer him up.
      Lion-O was in his bedroom, thinking of how completely odd it was for Cheetara to be having a baby at this point in her life, but he was happy for his friends, that and they needed all of the Thundercats they could get.  Lion-O's revelry was broken by a slight scratching sound, he looked at the floor, and a small white piece of paper was invading the crack under his door. Lion-O saw a shadow pass, then light again.  Lion-O heard light footfalls fade, he then picked up the piece of paper. Lion-O looked at it and on the top of the paper it said, "Lion-O's consolation prize".  Lion-O opened the paper and saw the ingredients for Lynxana's coveted fish bait. At the end of the note a prominent threat was voiced, "If this gets out, i'll kill you." Lion-O smiled and put the recipe in his drawer and locked it, he then set out to thank Lynxana.
      Lion-O stalked the hall quietly, to his surprise, he felt a hand grab and yank him, he fell to the floor.  Lion-O looked up, it was Lynxana. "I expected better out of you, cub! Thanks for the recipe, Lynxana." Lion-O said with mild annoyance. "C'mon, cub, you deserved that," Lynxana pointed at the floor. "you should have seen my shadow, not to mention catch my scent." Lion-O picked himself up. "I'm gonna get you for that, lynx." Lynxana looked at Lion-O matter of factly. "Is that so? I'd like to see you try." Lynxana said dryly. Lion-O smiled, and began to walk after her. "What are you doing, cub? Stalking you." Lynxana grinned. "You can't best me, cub. I AM the best!" Lynxana ran and headed towards the end of the hall, the window was opened. Lion-O gave chase but then looked in shock and fear as Lynxana hurled herself out of the window and fell. "LYNXANA!" Lion-O ran and looked at the ground, but saw nothing, then he heard his prey laughing.
       Lynxana peered out from the branches and said,  "Nyaa Nyaa!" from the tree outside.  Lion-O gauged his distance and jumped, he missed his mark and was barely able to grip the tree branch before he fell.  Lion-O's prey slowly stalked towards him on the tree branch, she looked at him as he held onto it precariously. "Look down, my Lord." Lion-O complied, he wasn't far from the ground. Lynxana pulled his fingers off of the tree branch, he fell, and landed on his feet. Lion-O shook his head and laughed as he followed the sounds of his quarry through the trees in the courtyard.  Lion-O heard a shoe drop near him, then another. "You missed!" Silence. Lion-O was hoping she would say something so that he could find her.  Lion-O Looked around and couldn't see a sign of her. "I'm going in, Lynxana. I'm closing the window too!"  Nothing.  Suddenly Lion-O in his peripheral vision saw a figure fly above him, into the Lair and close the window. "Damn!" Lion-O thought.  Lion-O ran into the Lair and ran to the second floor where the window had been open. Lion-O knocked on Lynxana's door but got no answer, he shrugged his shoulders and went into his room and turned on the light.  He saw nothing there either.
       Lion-O sat down on his bed and ruffled his hair, then reclined with his eyes closed. Lion-O then heard a low growl. He opened his eyes and sat up with a start. "Boo." Lynxana was holding herself up in a four walled indentation in the ceiling. "Gods, Lynxana, You scared me! How did you get up there?" Lynxana smiled. "I'm not going to share all of my secrets with you tonight unless you want me to."  Lion-O looked up at the lynx and pulled her down. "How do you do it?" Lynxana grinned "Naturally talented!"  Lynxana smiled and laughed. "Good night, Lord Lion-O. Goodnight, Lynxana."  As Lynxana walked out of his room, she cast him a look over her shoulder and turned the corner.  Lion-O watched, wishing she weren't leaving.  Lion-O closed his door and readied himself for bed.
      Lynxana sat in her room, she looked at the time and to her side at the door.  Lynxana shook her head and thought for a moment, then got up and went back to Lion-O's room.
      Lion-O got up and answered a knock at his door. "Lynxana?" Lynxana walked into his room, pushing him along the way, and locked the door.  Lion-O looked at Lynxana in surprise. "What are you doing?"  Lynxana put her hand on her chin. "Well, let's see, I am making the first move towards a more intimate, deeper relationship, because you can't seem to take a hint."  Lion-O looked at Lynxana clueless. "I practically threw myself at you a few minutes ago, and you didn't even bite!"  Lynxana put her arms around Lion-O as he said, "I just want to be a gentleman." Lynxana looked at Lion-O as if she didn't believe. Lion-O continued to allow himself to be pushed backward, but was a little uncomfortable.  "Um, aren't we moving too fast, Lynxana?"  Lynxana sighed and rolled her eyes.  "Hell no, you move any slower and we'll be elderly before you decide to do more than just hold my hand!"  With that Lynxana grabbed her Lord and kissed him.  Lion-O didn't quite know how to react, so he just went along with her for the moment, it wasn't anything he didn't wish to happen.  Lynxana pushed the lion to his bed.  Lion-O looked at her and put his hands on her hips. "I love what you wrote at the end of your message." Lynxana smiled. "Don't you think it's time to put an end to an insurrection before it starts?  Way past time." With that Lion-O took over the amorous pursuit.
 

      Kera and Tygro sat in the kitchen talking. "You ready for  Plundarr?  Yeah," Said Tygro, "Tyger said that we would have to bring him some oatmeal cookies, they don't have any there.  What about Ardua? She want anything special?"  Tygro shook his head. "Tyger said he hasn't seen her in over two months," Tygro cleared his throat. "He also said when he does see her they're never, well, y'know, alone. I don't think either one of them are happy.  Tyger said the Empress is pushing like Hell to get a parliamentary government set up.  Why that?" Said Kera. "why not a republic? Tyger said that she wanted the nobles to keep their titles, and for the people to have a say as well, she said that the two would check each other, and there would be minimal resistance since both sides would be getting their way, in a way." Kera looked at Tygro.
       "Didn't Ardua fail her government class? Yeah, but she wrote that smartassy paper about the futility of the monarchy system, and how many governments that said that they were democracies were in truth oligarchies, the professor didn't like it, remember? Oh, yeah." Said Kera. "It didn't help that she offered to kick his butt either."  Kera smiled. "I can't wait to get to Plundarr!  I want to see what that place is like." Tygro teased Kera. "You just want your title!  Duchess Kera, nope, can't see it!" Kera stuck out her tongue.  Kera changed the subject.
       "What are we going to do about our spouses?  You just want to go pick them up tomorrow, or go together or what?" Tygro shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, I guess we should both go, Jella will get ticked if I don't show, and Terron will be expecting to see you. Yeah." Said Kera. Tygro sighed.  "I hate those damn gate guards!" Kera rolled her eyes. "You dug your own hole with that female one, but I hate contending with that saber-tooth, sometimes I wish Terron would kick his teeth out.  Terron thinks it's funny he flirts with me! Other men would get mad, Terron should at least fake disgust for my sake!"
      Tygro frowned, then took on a wistful look.  "I can't believe they'll both be gone for a year." Kera looked up. "Yeah, i'm beginning to wish I hadn't asked Terron to go on and get it over with."  Kera sighed.  "I guess we can always visit." Tygro shook his head.  "I guess, but Jella said that OCS frowns on that. Why? Because it supposedly takes the cadet's mind's off of why they're there." Kera frowned. "No, they're afraid that the cadets will have some semblance of normalcy in their lives." Tygro looked at Kera. "Whooo! Professor Kera, you been reading a dictionary?" Kera flicked water on her brother. "Kiss my behind!" Tygro grinned. "Cleaned up?"  Kera smiled. "I have to get the taste of the vernacular out of my mouth, you can't curse in front of kids."
      Tygro laughed, then looked at his sister gently. "I'm glad that you are going to have a baby or babies," Tygro thoughtfully added. "I bet that they'll be a handful. Probably will." Kera looked at her brother, took his hand, and smiled. "It'll be Jella's turn soon enough." Tygro shook his head. "No, I don't think that Jella ever wants to have a baby. Why not? I don't know, she isn't exactly eaten up with motherly instinct.  Sure she is, you remember the time that Jella caught that mugger and only beat him up kind of bad?" Tygro laughed. "You'll see, Tygro! Jella will hear the old biological time bomb ticking, and one day she'll scream "forget the Army Navy store, I need a baby now!" Tygro shook as he laughed. "That, i'd like to see!" Kera grinned and said, "She'll have to stop cursing too." Tygro shook his head. "There goes half of her vocabulary."  And the two laughed, joked, and continued talking about various things.
 

      Ardua was sitting on her's and Tyger's bed, he was interrogating her. "How'd it go, 'Dua?" Ardua looked upwards. "They were, ah,  enthusiastic." Tyger made a face.  Ardua continued,  "Gods, I,"  Tyger looked at her with a strained expression. "never mind.  I have one to go tomorrow, wanna go?"  Ardua said as she looked at the guards standing in every corner of their bedroom, and gently kissed his cheek.  Tyger looked at Ardua and shook his head no.  Ardua made a face. "It wouldn't be as bad if they'd cover up!"  Tyger looked at his mate. "Please, 'Dua, don't go there!" Tyger looked around and whispered,  "Do you have any idea how long it's been since WE'VE seen each other?" Ardua looked at Tyger. "Two months, four days. I lost count of hours, minutes, and seconds." Tyger looked impressed.  "You old romantic."  Ardua changed the subject.
      "Did you talk to Kera and Tygro? Oh, yeah, I asked them to bring us some oatmeal cookies. Thank the Gods!  They're also still piss fighting over the Tiger Sharks stickers, too. Still? Yep. I'd send them ours if we had the technology to make box cereal."  Ardua shook her head and Tyger laughed and held her tightly.  Ardua produced a wicked laugh. "I wonder what the Thundercats are going to say when I re-introduce them to some old friends of theirs." Tyger laughed. "I hope you ask them to check their weapons at the door!"  Ardua shook her head. "I can hear Father now." Ardua made a tough stance and said in a affected deep voice, "I'd loosen your bones for you if my baby weren't your Empress!"   Tyger rolled on the bed laughing. "Gods, 'Tyg, calm down, it wasn't that funny."

( with the next paragraph, remember, there's a time difference between Plundarr and Thundera, damn spaceship lag!)-TCR

      The next morning, Lion-O and Lynxana awoke, the two of them had overslept.  Lynxana had meant to be out of Lion-O's room before sunrise.  Lion-O reached out and put his arms around his lover and kissed her cheek, she turned to face him.  "Good morning, cub." Lion-O smiled. Lynxana stretched and hit him with a pillow.  "That's a fine way to treat your Lord, Lynx." Lynxana turned over and put Lion-O's arm around her. "I treated you good last night, cub, you expect too much." Lion-O put his hand behind his head. "When are we going to get married?" Lynxana looked at Lion-O quizzically when the door chime rung.  Lion-O pressed the intercom button. "Yes? Lion-O, snarf, snarf, are you up?" Lion-O rolled his eyes. "Yes, Snarf, I believe so." Lion-O grabbed Lynxana's hand when she pinched him. "Brrrr, so, what do you and Lynxana want for breakfast, snarf, snarf?"  Lion-O sat up with a start. Lynxana did as well, she rose without thinking and scrambled to cover herself, Lion-O thought it was funny, and Lynxana pushed him. "Whatever you feel like, Snarf."
       Lion-O and Lynxana rushed to get dressed.  "Oh, Gods, Lion-O!" Said Lynxana in horror. "What will the others think?" Lion-O laughed. "I can't believe you care!" Lynxana play hit Lion-O, he caught her and held her tightly. "Snarf won't say anything to anyone, I promise, and no one else will say anything either.  Cat's Lair is a living real life afternoon play! Everybody has been with everyone else except for the Thunder kittens."  Lynxana added, "Thank the Gods for that!"
       After they were clothed, Lion-O slipped his arms around Lynxana and used a more serious voice. "Would you seriously consider moving in with me, Lynx?" Lynxana looked at Lion-O cautiously.  Lion-O kissed her and continued. "Why not?  If we decide we like each other enough, we can get married. What do you say?" Lynxana looked out the window. "I'll think about it, okay? All right. Let's go eat." With that Lion-O and Lynxana set out for the kitchen, holding hands, and stealing loving glances along the way.

      Kera and Tygro looked at one another as the gate guards at the Air and Ground Guard base passed metal detectors over their bodies, as well as treated them to a generous hand search.
      The female guard pressed her hand against Tygro's thigh in the futile search for concealed weaponry.  Tygro laughed with a wicked tone as he said, "Gee, Sergeant Hujarr, I know you would love to have a big tiger-cheetah to cuddle with, but you know i'm a married man, sorry!"  The Sergeant growled at Tygro, neither one liked each other after an incident that happened shortly after he began seeing Jella.  Hujarr gave Tygro a disapproving look.  "I don't see how you became a Thundercat!"  Tygro giggled with an evil inflection and said, "I was sexed in."
      Kera made a face and shook her head as she endured her search.
      Kera's full attention then turned to the Lieutenant passing a detector over her, he was flirting with her. Again.  She looked at the guard in disgust, and showed him her wedding band.  It didn't make any difference. Again. As the soldier pat down her waist and lingered for too long a time he said,  "If you ever get tired of Terron, come see me." Kera looked at the Saber-tooth. "I'm a pregnant, MARRIED woman."  The saber-tooth continued.   "Did you know that the rumor about me is true?" Kera turned with a wicked grin. "That you're stupid? Yes, I heard that."  The guard growled and continued his search.  In a short time the guards were through.  Kera and Tygro proceeded into the base, saw the objects of their affections and ran to them.
     "Hey, cutie!"  Tygro said as Jella flung her arms around him and he picked her up and swung her around.  Jella after she kissed him, smacked Tygro's arm and looked at him in an irritated fashion.   "I wish you wouldn't press Hujarr's buttons, she hates your guts! She tells everyone who will listen what a "jerk" you are."  Tygro looked at Jella. "Give a.." Jella stopped Tygro's opinion with another kiss.
      "Hey, Ka-Boom!" Terron grabbed Kera and kissed her sweetly.  "How's my little mommy today?" Kera held Terron in a tight hug. "Better now! Go kill that saber-tooth! Your biggest fan, Kera? Never!"  Kera slapped Terron's behind, then looked at the others. "Are you ready to go?"  Tygro, Jella, and Terron nodded. Terron stretched. "We'll have to go to the Cat's Tail and tie one on, it'll be the last one for awhile." Kera looked at Terron, and felt odd at the phrase, she felt strange, she looked at Tygro, he curiously enough, had the same look on his face, but the two soon focused on their good time again.
       After a few minutes of banter and deciding where they were going to go, all four got into Kera's car and they sped off laughing. Tygro blew Sergeant Hujarr a kiss as the car left the gate, and she flipped him off.

      Tygra grabbed Cheetara and kissed her. Cheetara turned and looked at him funny. What are you doing home so early, Tiger?" Tygra smiled.  "I gave Tygro the day off so he could be with Jella, Kera closed her little shop too." Tygra sighed. "Terron's the only one that can drag her away from the warm embrace of explosives.  Speaking of warm embraces...." Cheetara smiled slightly "Did you get the other room ready, or do I need to go do it?" Tygra kissed Cheetara. "I took care of it." Cheetara smiled, blushed and said, "Good, I don't think that we can stand another "going away" night." Tygra shook his head. "I don't either, sounds like somebody's strangling cats when they're together! TYGRA!" Cheetara said as she made a face. "Don't go there!"
      Tygra laughed and changed the subject. "You still going, Wildcat? Yes." Tygra sighed. "You know I don't like you going to eat lunch with Chilla, I don't trust her!" Cheetara rolled her eyes and sighed. "You're only saying that because she's tried to kill us before!"  Tygra shook his head. "At least take some rock salt." Cheetara turned and looked at Tygra irritated.  "I'll do no such thing, she's my friend, and she can be trusted!  I'm surprised at you, the Code says we should be just, besides she got us out of Sky Tomb when that ugly little bastard broke my legs, remember?"  Tygra looked at Cheetara and nodded. "Okay, but just watch her, okay?" Cheetara decided to humor her mate. "Okay, Tiger, I will." Tygra wrapped his arms around Cheetara and kissed her cheek. "Ugly little bastard? I thought the Code..." Cheetara put her hand on Tygra's mouth. "Don't be a smartass."   Tygra put his hand in Cheetara's and gave her some money, then swatted her as she left.

      Cheetara walked down the sidewalk, Chilla was sitting at their usual table, she could see her smiling at her from a distance. As Cheetara neared her she could see a bottle of wine sitting on the table, she smiled to herself knowing to some extent she was going to miss her favorite vintage for awhile. Cheetara walked more quickly and Chilla stood and hugged her tightly. "'Tara!" Chilla held Cheetara's hands at arms length and looked at her legs. "I am so glad to see that rumor is true! Thanks, Frosty."  When the two sat, Chilla looked around and slipped Cheetara a stapled stack of papers.
       "I couldn't stand it, 'Tara, you have to see what's coming in a few weeks."  Cheetara looked at the top page it read "Trials and Tribulations: Season twenty-six: "Angel City Turmoil" in flowing script.  Cheetara's eyes lit up, she opened the the booklet and her eyes opened wide, she looked up and said, "No."  Chilla nodded. Cheetara smiled. "How's Mandora taking it?" Chilla sighed.  "You know Mandora," Said Chilla with mild irritation.  "it took me forever to convince her that the love scenes were just a job!  She's sort of okay with it now, but she still won't watch the scenes when they come on. I can't believe how jealous she can act at times. Women."  Cheetara raised her eyebrows and smiled at Chilla. Cheetara moved to the next subject.
      "When are you two going to commit marriage?" Chilla smiled and blushed. "We've been talking about it seriously lately, 'Tara."  Chilla nervously looked around and worried about what Cheetara would say when she asked it, but she had to.  "If we do, would you help me plan it?" Cheetara thought for a second. "Of course I will."  Chilla felt relieved and smiled. "Thank you!"  Cheetara seeing Chilla's discomfort, changed the subject again. "Is Alluro still selling used cars?" Chilla nodded. "Yes, he was under investigation by Control for awhile, a lot of people were buying his cars. The police were afraid that he was hypnotizing people into buying them." Chilla took a sip of wine and poured Cheetara a glass. "They found out that he just has a really good customer service department and vehicles." Chilla shrugged her shoulders, then looked at her friend, and wine glass in curiosity.
        "Kitty not thirsty? It's your favorite."  Cheetara smiled as she sipped some water. "I can't have any, i'm pregnant."  Chilla looked at her friend mid sip and looked at her in the eyes. Cheetara gave her a sideways smile. "You kidding, 'Tara?" Cheetara shook her head no.  Chilla sat for a few moments in silence. "That's what I like most about you, Cheetara, you're always good for a surprise. I'm glad I didn't kill you when I had a chance!" With that the two, with a few interruptions from Chilla's fans, enjoyed their lunch.
      "Heyyyyyyyy, SPOT!" Spot jumped over the counter and slapped Terron's back. "GROUND, KA-BOOM, CROSSHAIR, ARCH! How the Hell are you?" The group said good. "Well, you guys will have to excuse me for just a moment,"  Spot turned around and looked down the hall. "Don't tell anybody, but the roach man is here, I got a shipment of booze a couple of days ago, and they had bugs in the boxes." Jella gently pushed Tygro aside, reached into her brassiere and pulled a knife from her bosom.  Jella took the blade in her hand and threw the sharp implement into the wall, it struck with a dull thunk.  Spot walked over to the wall and looked at the cockroach that Jella murdered. "Damn, Crosshair, that was good!" Jella pulled the knife from the wall, and watched the cockroach writhing in it's death throes on the point of her knife.
      Jella said, "I wonder if roaches have souls. If this one does, I can't see it."  Jella flicked the dying bug off the knife.  Tygro looked at Jella with a wrinkled nose, he tried not act disgusted, but the action struck him as nasty.  Tygro got over it quick, looked at his wife slyly and said,  "What else do you have hidden in there?" Tygro couldn't believe the blush that crept across his wife's face, he didn't think anything could make her do that. Kera giggled. "I thought you and she figured all that out!"  Spot, Terron, Kera, and Jella laughed while Tygro shook his head and made a face.
       "You have such a filthy mind, Kera!" Kera smiled. "That was for the Tiger Sharks stickers!" Jella rolled her eyes. "Are you two still on those Gods damned stickers?"  Spot laughed and made drinks for the group as they argued about the ridiculous topic.  Jella blew. "I'll take you both to the damn toy store and buy you each a full set of the action figures if you'll shut the Hell up!" Tygro shook his head. "I'm thinking Water-O play set. Gods, Tygro!" Exclaimed Jella, "That thing is the size of the barracks! I'm not buying THAT for you!"  Tygro looked at Jella as if he were hurt. "If you loved me you would." Jella looked at Tygro with a sideways smile. "You already used that line, try again."  Kera and Terron looked at each other and laughed.

      Bengali finished rough hammering a piece of metal, he dunked the black iron into the water at his side and wiped his goggles.  Bengali heard a favorite song on the radio, and he got up and started dancing.  When the song was over, Pumyra clapped and had a credit in her fingers waving it. Bengali stopped moving and looked embarrassed. "Rowrr, Pumyra, ah , how long have you been standing there watching me make a fool of myself?" Pumyra smiled. "A good three or four minutes, Stripes." Bengali looked at the credit. "Is that all the entertainment was worth? A credit?" Pumyra smiled again, "You'll have to do better than that if you want more than a credit, Stripes."  Bengali smiled.  "You are a very wicked girl, 'Myra.  I knew there was a reason why I fell in love with you. I know." Pumyra said sweetly.  Bengali turned the sign to the forge to the "closed" side and held Pumyra tightly and kissed her.  Then the two went upstairs.

      Lynxana got a box and began filling it with her belongings, there weren't many.  Lion-O knocked at the door.  "Come in." Lion-O entered the room and looked at the naked room. "You ready? Almost, I have to empty out my undie's drawer."  Lynxana pulled out the dresser drawer and dumped the entire contents into the box, several knives and daggers fell out as well.  "Well you certainly know how to pack, Lynxana." Lion-O said with a grin.  Lynxana looked at Lion-O. "Do you want me to change my mind, cub? Of course not."  Lion-O picked up the box and carried it to their room.  "How many swords and daggers do you own?  I lost count." Lion-O picked up a rather wicked looking kris dagger. "One thing's for sure, Lynx, i'd better not make you mad." And the two went into Lion-O's room to unpack Lynxana's things.
      Later in the evening all of the Thundercats went to dine. Lion-O stood and addressed the group. "As you know, Lynxana and I have been seeing each other since her anointment as a Thundercat again. Today Lynxana and I have decided to live with each other, and have further decided to become an exclusive couple." All of the Thundercat's eyes were wide.   Kera chimed in. "'Bout time!" And all of the Thundercats congratulated their Lord.
      Soon the dinner was over, and everyone went to their respective rooms to sleep, love, and dream.