Chapter 21

Ace shifted slightly as he felt sleep fade from him as the sunlight hit his eyes. He slid his hand across the bed in front of him. Empty? He opened his eyes to see no one there. His bed, excluding himself, was empty.

“Lexi?” He sat up and looked around the room. Tech's bed was empty and made. Not that that surprised Ace. Tech was a morning bird disguised as a coyote.

Ace heard laughter from the main room of the house and easily recognized one in particular. He quickly got up and changed into some of the 'cowboy' clothing Lexi's brothers had given him the day before, and exited the room.

In the main room there was Russ, Vivian, Tech, Rev, Joe, and Lexi. Joe leaned on the wall next to the fire place. Russ, Tech, and Rev sat on the sofa. Vivian sat on one of the chairs. Lexi stood behind the sofa steering something in a blue bowl, and it gave off the sweet smell of apples.

“For the last time Joe. That was an accident.” Lexi smiled pointing her spoon at her younger brother.

“I still don't see how!” He laughed along with every one.

Lexi sighed, rolled her eyes, smiled, then walked through the door to the kitchen. At this time Rev looked to see his leader.

“Morning-Ace.” He greeted fallowed by the others in the room.

“Morning.” Ace returned, “Is everyone els still asleep?”

“Well Lexi and Ma are in the Kitchen, but other ways ya.” Joe replied.

Ace nodded his head then politely asked, “Is there somet'in' to drink?”

“Kitchen.” Vivian said pointing to the door.

“T'anks.” Ace said as he went through the door into the dining room. There he found Linda setting the table.

“Oh, Morning Ace deer.” She said sweetly.

“Mornin' Mrs. Bunny.”

“Can I help you sweety?”

“Na, just came to get somet'in' to drink.” He then went into the kitchen where he saw Lexi preparing something. He stood there at the door looking at her in her own out-fit. He quietly walked up behind her. She didn't seem to notes him.

He smiled, slid his arms around her waist, and placed his forehead on the back, base, of her neck, “So where did you disappear to dis morning?”

She let out a low chuckle as she placed her hands on his, “I didn't wont to chance my dad finding us getting up together.”

“Sounds fair to me.” He released her.

Lexi took a spoon full of what she was cooking and took a taste of it. She then looked up at him, “Hear, have a taste.”

He looked at the spoon, but then pressed his lips to her. He pulled away and said, “Mmm it's sweet.”

Lexi rolled her eyes and stuck the spoon in hes mouth. He pulled it out and swallowed. It had been applesauce. Some of the sweeties, home made, he could remember with the perfect blend of cinnamon.

“It's good...but it's not as sweet.” He grinned.

Lexi took the spoon back, “Ace you are a flirt!”

He shrugged. They both looked up as they heard Lexi's mother, “Lexi deer is the applesauce done?”

“Uh ya Ma.” Lexi replied.

“Good, then let's get the food on the table and wake up your brothers and friends. Ace deer can you help.” With that the little old lady disappeared.

“Uh...Sure?” He looked around to see nothing but the applesauce.

Lexi took the sauce and said to him, “We keep the cooked food in the oven to keep it warm till every thing els is done.”

“Oh.” He replied as he opened the oven.

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Chapter 22

“Beautiful.” Ace said as he dismounted.

“Ace you said the same thing yesterday about the lake and earlier about the forest. Can't you say something different about the meadow?” Lexi said as she dismounted as well.

“Well I can't help it if da thin's hear in the country are,” He looked her up and down, “beautiful.”

Like the day before they had separated into groups to go explore the landscape of Bunnies Ranch. Ace wasn't sure how, but some how he and Lexi where left alone as one group. Lexi smiled, rolled her eyes at Ace, then tied Misty to a post. Ace did the same before looking at the meadow. Tall green grass encased by trees. A descent size and a sight to see.

“So what do you want to do?” Lexi asked.

Ace thought a moment then looked at Lexi with a mischievous grin. She looked him back, “Ace don't.”

In one shot he was over to her. Running his hands up and down her sides causing her to go into uncontrollable fits of laughter. He laughed as well as she giggled and squirmed inside his arms. Lexi managed to get turned aground. Her fingers barely ruffled his fur when he jumped back. Jumped back, tripped, and managed to bring her down with him. No, the tickling didn't stop there, as now Lexi was on top giving Ace the tickling of his life. It can be surprising how ticklish a superhero leader can be.

Ace finally got the chance to fight back, but Lexi gave out a small scream and ran off. There tickle match changing into a love chase. But in no time ha caught up with her. Grabbing her wrist, pulling her to him and making them fall backwards. They rolled together in the tall grass before finally coming to a stop. They laid there laughing and painting for air. When the had replenished there oxygen supply he simply pulled her into a kiss. When separated, she sighed happily and rested her head on his chest.

“Well... dat was fun, and da tickling was entertaining to.” Ace simply said.

Lexi chuckled, “Ace stop making be laugh. My sides hurt.”

He sat up on his arm, rising her up with him, “Sorry, but I guess your stuck with a joker.”

“And who ever said I was stuck with you?” The wide eyed look he gave only made her laugh more. He let out a grunt before wrapping his arm around her. Lexi looked up at him and once again kissed him. He was such a goof ball.

Lexi broke the kiss and looked over at the horses, Ace fallowed her gaze. Max came ridding up, and dismounted infront of the couple. He looked at Ace, of whom released his grasp on the mans sister.

“Max what are you doing hear.”She said, taking notice of Aces actions.

Max smiled, “Pa jest got a bid on one of the wild horses. I came to see if you and your city boy where up to helping us round it up. Unless you've lost your touch.”

Lexi got up and looked her brother in the eye, “I still got the moves.”

“Prove it.”

***

Once back at the ranch. We see everyone is back for the Round up. Lexi and her eldest two brother where buzzy talking with there Pa and distributing ropes. They also wearing the signature Cowboy hats. When every thing was ready they lead there horses out to the Free Range fence.

“All right everyone saddle up.” Russ said as he opened the gate.

“Now remember,” Lexi began as they all mounted, “Vivian, guys, you are observing not helping. When we tell you to fall back do it. Leave this to my brothers and me.”

“Awww-come-on-Lexi.-Why-can't-we-help-ya?” Rev asked.

“We're super heroes. I'm sure we're strong enough to handle this.” Duck added with a know-it-all smirk.

Lexi gave him an unimpressed look, “Strength has very little to do with this. If you don't know what your doing your extremely likely to hurt your self and your horse. Likely to hurt yourself when you do know what your doing.”

With that said Lexi and her siblings pulled there bandannas up over there mouths and nosies. The Loonatics noticing this fallowed.

“All right!” Max said riding his horse infront of all of them, “Lexi, you stay on my right. Joe, the left. Jay-jay, Alex, Ryan, you three behind them. The rest of you stay close, but stay out of are way.”

Max let out a loud whistle, causing all there horses to rear. The Loonatics, minus Lexi, all nearly falling off as there horses did so. Once the hooves where back on the ground the horses took off at full speed in a cloud of dust. The formation Max instructed was formed in no time as they followed him.

They raced past several herds of wiled horses. The feeling of adventure and freedom filled the Loonatics as they raced on. Yes they felt adventure when on missions, but this was different. It had true freedom in it. The wind, the neighing and whinnies of the horses, the fresh air, the birds and blue sky they fly in, even the dust.... All of it was the feeling of the old west. A time when a man travailed by the saddle of his horse, rows with the roosters, let lead fly, and when work got done by the strength of ones back and the sweat of there brow. The kind of honest living Lexi's family had taken up.

They came up to another herd, but this time, as the horses scrambled off, Max lead them all after one in particular. A mail stallion with a rich dark chocolate main and tail and a burnt sienna body. It was young and strong.

“Fall back!” Lexi yelled over the loud betting of the hooves on the earth. As told the Loonatics and Vivian pulled on the rains of there horses. Making them slow down.

This was the moment that Max held up his rope and whipped it out into a lasso high in the air above his head. Lexi, Joe, Jay-jay, Alex, and Ryan all did the same. Once one was thrown the rest fallowed. Grabbing the stallion s neck and legs. They where all stopped now 'resealing' in one spot. The Loonatics watch wide eyed at there team work and ability to hold onto the bucking horse.

The horse bucked and neighed. With a mighty tug in de-saddled Alex to the ground. Alex moved back and fourth out of the way of the stomping horses.

“Alex is goin' to get killed!” Ace said at the sight of the fourteen year old.

“No he wont. Watch.” Vivian said to him.

“Lexi! Jay-jay!” Max yelled. The two looked at him as he tossed his rope to them. They caught it and both held on tight. Max reared Copper away before riding him hard through all commotion. On his way he grabbed his brothers out reached arm and pulled him on.

“Thanks Max.”

“Ya, this time stay on 'ur horse!” With that Alex jumped off of Copper and landed perfectly on Milo. Grabbing his rope again Max looked at Lexi, “He ain't goin' down! Tip the cow!”

Lexi nodded, “Right!” She tossed him her rope and stood up still on horse back. Then, to Aces distress, she jumped!

She jumped onto the wild horse and leaned. The next thing every one saw was a cloud of dust. When the dust cleared all they saw was Lexi laying on the ground next to a tipped over horse with her brothers wildly roping the legs together.

“Hay Slam, man, your strong. Wanna help us rope this guy?” Jay-jay called out. Slam and them rode over. Slam dismounted and happily helped them. Ace also dismounted and walked over to where Lexi was still, laying with her back to him, on the ground.

“Great work Lex.”Max said also coming over.

“Ya” Lexi said as she held her arm as she sat up. The hand she used to hold her arms she held up to show blood, “'great work' indeed.”

“Lexi.” Ace said as he was about to run to, but Max beat him there. Max looked at her arm. In the exact same place that she had injured her arm before in the city was where she had done it now. Looking around Max saw a sharp rock that also had blood. He picked it up and showed it to her.

She simply looked at it and dully said, “Ow...”

Max picked her up, bridle style, “Tech?”

He walked over, “Ya?”

“Do have the stuff to help her?” Tech looked at the injury.

“Ya, but not hear. Back at the house.” Tech replied.

Max looked down, “Right, Ace.”

Ace walked up, “Yes?”

Max handed Lexi over to him and said, “Take Lexi back to the house and have him dress the wound.” Max took off his bandanna and tied it around her arm. He also took his hat off and put it on her, of who lost hers, with a smile, “You still got it. I'll bring Misty back.”

She smiled back.

Chapter 25

The Blue truck lifted dust into the air as it drove down the dusty road. In the cab of the truck, with there father, was crammed together Vivian, Ryan, and Alex. Even more cramped together in the small bed of the truck was Lexi, Ace, Tech, Jay-jay, Duck, and Joe. Lexi sat in Aces lap in order to buy them all a little bit more space, and do to the lack of room non of Lexis siblings complained. In the viachle behind them Max, Rev, Slam, and Linda rode. The automobile design for transporting horses.

The Loonatics watched the scenery go by. Watching as the trees and meadows that surrounded the bunny ranch thinned into farm lands of there nabors and eventually faded out to the up coming town. They had passed it on the way there, but hadn't spent the time to look at that moment.

Those in the bed of the truck had there handkerchiefs up around there mouth and noise to stop themselves from breathing in the dust that lifted into the air. They came into town. The buildings where of older design, but kept in well shape. And one could see modern technology blended into the old timely look. People passed by hear and there. Kind smiles and gentle waves.

They all let out sighs of relief as the truck stopped and they all where aloud to get out. The loonatics looked around. They stopped next to what looked like a saloon. A saloon that looked old on the out side, but, what they could see through the windows, has many of the legeriese of 27^th centuries. Music lights, dance floor. It wasn't that dissimilar then the places in the city. They huddled together to figer out who would go with who and where.

“Jest remember,” Russ said looking at his three youngest, “Back by ten.”

“Yes Pa.” The three said before running off with Joe.

“I guess I'll show you guys the town.” Lexi said to the guys, “you want to come with us? Jay-jay? Max?”

“Sure Lex.” Jay-Jay walked over to his sister. Of how placed her arm around her brother.

“I'll leave the Truck in you hands. Jay-Jay needs the driving time if he ever wants to get his listens.” Russ tossed the keys to him. The group started to walk away, but Russ called one more time, “Max can you stay hear a moment.”

“Sure Pa. You guys go, I'll catch up.” Max said as he ran back to his father, “Ya pa?”

Russ looked down a moment then let his eyes fallow his eldest daughter, “Max... I want you to keep an eye on Lexi. There may be trouble tonight.”

Max looked down and rubbed the back of his neck, “Pa... I don't think this Ace fella will do anything. Not ta Lexi at least. I think it's time y'finally trust her to have a guy around.”

Russ sighed, “It's not time for me to do any thing son, but it's not Ace I want you to protect her from.”

“Then who?”

“We live in a small town son. News travels fast. The fact that your sister is in town will every where before noon... And Danny is bound to try something.” Max gritted his teeth and made fist at the mention of the name, “He's been thinking that because Lexi left town after he... He thinks he won some twisted game. He might get ****y and try something.”

“All right Pa. I'll stay with Lex, and Pa?”

“Yes son?”

“When are we going to tell every one I'm leaving?”

“I'm not sure Max. When the time is right I guess. You know your mother will try to get you to stay. She was miserable when Lexi left.”

“I know, but I'm 25. I need to leave the nest some time.”

“I know, and I have nothing agenst that. I was 23 when I left home. I see nothing wrong with you wanting to see the world. Now catch up to your sister and her friends. Have fun too.”