Part 12

“Gah!” Lexi kept one eye shut, because of dust, as she slammed into the wall of a near by building. The pain in her back was easily forgotten as she quickly got out of the way of a rampaging android. She lost her footing and fell to the ground as the machine crashed into the place she had been only a second ago. Lexi rolled onto her back. She gasped at the pain she felt emitting from her lower right arm.

She knew it was hurt, cut most likely, but didn't dare look at it. If she knew the amount of damage she knew she would start feeling the pain that went with it. Right now it was bearable, and she didn't want it to get worse. Before she could get up the android that had thrown her, and it's self, was on top of her.

“You have until five to get off me, you bucket of bolts!” Lexi had a method she never told the others, “one.” That when ever she was scared or in serious pain, “two.” And knew she had to overcome it “three.” She would let it take over, completely “four.” But only for five seconds, “Five!”

After a pink light, accompanied with an explosion, Lexi was on her feet. With her eyes still glowing hot pink she scanned the aria. It was dark, and raining. Bad circumstances for a fight, but everyone seemed all right. Duck and Slam worked together as did Tech and Ace, but Lexi couldn't see Rev. Where was he?

Lexi, her eyes returning to green, looked this way and that. A lump formed in her throught. Though she knew all her friends could take care of them selfs she still liked being able to spot them in battle in case they needed assistance. Carefully she listened. She smiled when she heard the quick pitter-patter of revs steps. But as quickly as she smiled she frowned. Rev was limping, and by the sound of it surrounded.

She ran in the direction she herd him. Jest as Rev came into her site, surrounded as she suspected, she was ambushed by a new group of android. As she rolled on the ground after a coalition with one of them she muttered, “Who ever made that virus and 'accidentally' downloaded it into these things I swear I'm going to kick the sh-”

“Watch your language Lex.” She looked up to see Ace destroying one of her attackers, “and your back.”

He helped her up and back to back the two worked.

“Shouldn't you be helping Tech?” Lexi asked as she fired a brain blast.

“Nah! We finished are group. Tech when to find a way to shut them all down. I went to find you.”

“Ace I don't need your help right now-”

“Don't worry Lex, I'll protect you.”

“Rev needs your help more then I do.” Lexi said as she realized Ace had taken on the whole group she had been fighting. Making her stand there, useless. “Ace, Rev needs-”

“I got ya Lexi. Rev's fine he's a fast bird.”

She sighed in frustration and glared at him. He wasn't listening. Turned around, Lexi ran over to Rev.

“Need some assistance Rev?” Lexi said Brain Blasting three of the androids away.

“Boy-am-I-glad-to-see-you-Lexi.” Rev replied dogging getting hit.

She dogged at well “What's wrong? Why are you limping? Why aren't you fighting?”

“I-can't-run,-I-can-barely-walk-let-alone-fight.” Rev stumbled and took a dive for the ground. Lexi caught him before he could hit. She continued to Brain Blast. It was more difficult with the wait of Rev on her. He was light for a guy, but still weight.

“Theres sure is a lot of these.”

“Ya-one-of-them-threw-a-bolder-at-me.-landed-on-my-left-leg.”

“That explains why your- Rev do you feel that?” The two looked at each other.

“Ya-it-feels-like-a-”

Jest like that, the robot fell to the ground. Lexi smiled, “an EMP. Looks like Tech did it.”

“Yup” Rev felt them tipping, “loosing-balance!”

They fell onto the ground, Lexi on her arm, Rev on his Leg. Together they both let out a loud grown.

“You guys okay?” They looked up to see Ace, Duck, Slam, and Tech running towards them.

Lexi sat up, “Rev's leg is hurt, and I scratched my arm. Nothing to serious we need to take care of Rev first.”

Duck helped Rev up. Ace walked over to Lexi and offered her his hand. She simply glared at him and got up on her own. Ace looked at her confused. He made a move to say something, but decided against it.

“Hear Duck. I'll help Rev back.” Lexi sad as she wrapped Revs arm over her shoulders.

“Ya, that makes sens. Let the injured carry the injured.”

“It's only a scratch, Duck.” Lexi repeated.

“Fine.”duck said hesitantly as he let go of Rev.

A Dangerous Game With the Heart

Jest because she was mad at him didn't mean the habits she had formed with him for the last few months could disappear over night, so she lay there awake. It was to early for any one els to be awake right now except Ace, and she didn't want to give him the pleasure of making any moves while they where alone. She didn't want to forgive him jest like that. She wanted him to know what he did was reckless.

She sighed and stared at the sealing. She wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now, she had been awake to long now, but she didn't want to leave her room for chance of bumping into Ace. She reached over onto her dresser and plopped the head phones of her Music Blaster 5,000 into her long dangling ears. Most her songs where love songs and break up songs; making her mind continue to revert back to Ace.

'I gotta get some new songs.' she thought. Her eyes drifted over to the photos on her dresser. Most of them where Ace and herself hanging out. 'I also gotta get some new photos.'

She sighed again and looked at the time. By now Rev or Tech should be up, and Duck and Slam should be starting to stir as well. Lexi slid her feet and legs out of the hammock. She looked at her injured arm. With her being hurt she wouldn't be aloud on any mission or crises. Non of the guys would let her go back into battle still healing from an injury. Same applied to all the team members, so Rev was stuck at HQ today as well.

Lexi got up, and when to do her normal daily routine. Brush her hair, shower (wile in the shower she would brush her teeth), brush her hair again, and then get dressed for the day. Seeing as she wouldn't be going into battle, there would be no need to where her uniform. She slipped on a pair of snug blue jeans, and light pink tank top, black sneakers, and, for a final touch, she put a purple ribbon necklaces, that had a golden heart pendent in the front, on.

As she headed for the door she looked at her bandaged arm, “I should go and see Tech about a clean up job. Water got in there, and who knows what that can cause.”

She left her room and head for kitchen and main aria of HQ. The two places the loonatics hung out the most that where so conveniently connected to each other. As she turned into the kitchen her foot got caught on the step. Causing her to start falling, but to her luck someone had been standing close enough to catch her. Lexi peeked up to relies Ace was the one holding her.

“You okay Lex?” He asked.

Lexi felt herself blush, but quickly stood up and replied, “Ya I'm fine.” But no sooner had she finished saying that did pain shoot up from her arm. She gripped her arm and gave a low moan.

Ace placed his hand on her shoulder and tried to get a look of her face. They may have had a disagreement, but he still cared and worried about her, “Lexi. Come sit down.”

Lexi had little protest when Ace guided her to one of the sets at the breakfast table then called Tech over.

“What's up chief?” The green coyote asked as he came over to the bunnies.

Ace made a jester towards Lexi, “Her arm.”

“It suddenly hurts.” Lexi explained.

Tech nodded and unwrapped the bandage to where one could see the stitches in Lexis arm. There was a bit of moister. Tech grabbed a near by hand towel, “Re- uh” Tech was about to ask the roadrunner to run and fetch him some medical supplies, but remembered that he had hurt his leg. Tech set down the towel and got up, “dry that. I'll be right back.”

Ace sat down next to Lexi and as he reached for the towel he said, “Here, Lex, let me help you.”

Lexi grabbed the towel before he could and stated, “I can do things on my own Ace.”

Ace sighed, gave a hurt glare, and got up as Lexi started drying her wound. He sat back down on the opposite side of the table where Ace had apparently been eating his breakfast while checking what was in the daily paper. He opened the paper and started to read. Lexi looked at him in the corner of her eye a moment before sighing and continuing to dry the fur on her arm.

“Why aren't you in uniform?”

Lexi looked up at Ace. His eyes where still scanning over the paper. “Hmmm, I don't know. No need, perhaps? When was the last time you sent any one into battle with something like this?”

Lexi lifted her arm to emphasis her point. Ace glanced up at this. His stomach tightened at the sight of the black medical stitches that ran there way up her lower arm. How the black contrasted with her natural peach color and indicated she was injured. Before he could say something Tech returned. Making her lay her arm back down on the table, and Tech taking a seat to where Ace could no longer see the blonds arm clearly.

It was only a moment before Tech was finished re-wrapping her arm. He stood back up, gave a friendly yet serious grin, and placed a hand on her shoulder, “Be a little more careful with that in the shower. Moister can build up in your bandage, become a breeding ground for bacteria, and lead to one nasty infection.”

“Thanks Tech. I'll try and be careful.” Lexi smiled at him as he left her side. Lexi stood up and headed to the cupboards. Determined to rustle her self up some grub.

“Hey-guys.” Lexi looked over her shoulder as Rev came into the room. He had one crutch under his left arm. Rev, like Lexi, wasn't in uniform; instead Rev wore a red tank top with a black strip across the chest, baggy blue jeans, and blue runners.

“Hey Rev.” Ace replied.

“Morning Rev. The leg feeling all right?” Lexi asked as she returned to the table with a bowl of Risen Brand.

“It's-all-right- Lexi.-Thanks-for-asking.- Hey-Ace-can-I ask-you-some-thing?” Rev came over and sat down next to the gray rabbit.

“Sure Rev, what is it?” Ace asked.

“Well-and-old-friend-of-mine-is-in-town-for-a-short-wile.-I-was-going-to-show-her-a-nice-time-and-take-her-dancing-sens-she's-always-liked-dancing.-But-with-my-leg-the-way-it-is-I-can't-exactly-take-her.-I-asked-Tech,-but-he-said-he-was-to-buizzy-as-always.-I-don't-think-she-would-have-a-lot-of-fun-going-with-Slam.-And-we-all-know-how-Duck-can-act.-Then-Lexi-is-also-injured.-So-I-was-wondering-if-you-could?-Her-name-is-Clare-and-I-think-you-two-would-get-along-great.”

Ace let his eyes wander into the direction of Lexi for a moment. The two made eye contact for a moment before Lexi looked way. Aces gaze hardened for a moment before he returned to the road runner, “I'll do it. So what's this girl like?”

Lexi felt a pain wash over her. He sounded so interested.

“Well-Clare-happens-to-be-a-bunny-Anthro-jest-like-you,- and-she-likes-the-marital-art-as-well.-That's-one-of-the-reasons-I-thought-you-guys-would-get-along.- She-has-brow-fur-and-sandy-blond-hair.”

“Humm, Wonder where I Should take her. You said she likes Dancing so a club would be best, but clubs Acmetropilc has plenty of.” Ace gave another quick look tourds Lexi, who was facing completely away, then smiled. With a snap of his fingers Ace finished with, “I'll take her to The Sonic Blast.”

Lexi's grip on the counter in front of her tightened. She realized he was doing this on perpuse. Knowing she couldn't say any thing. But to take another girl to a place that meant so much to there relationship was cruel. To take her to where they had danced, where they had kissed, where there whole secret affairs began. Lexi felt her heart tighten. As if some one had there hand wrapped sightly around it.

“Thanks-Ace.-You're-a-great-pal.” with that Rev walked out of the room and in came a little black Duck.

“What was that all about?” Duck asked as he sat down where Rev had been.

“Not'in', Rev jest asked me to take a a friend of his out.” Ace replied.

Duck gave a smile, “Ya? Been awhile sens I last saw you on a date. Think it will go any where.”

Ace decided to play along in a game that men share, “Maybe, We'll have to see how easily she's charmed. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky.”

“Come one Ace. With that ton I know ya got some stories. Care to swap?”

Ace paused a moment. As if thinking before leaning in, “All right. Once me and dis chick where...”

Aces words started to swirl in Lexis mind. She felt almost woozy, as if she had been spinning. They may have been whispering, but Lexi could hear every word the rabbit and mallard swapped. She felt sick to hear Ace of all people using crude terms to describe women. To hear how he had used them in the past. How he seemed not to care about female feelings. All to get to her.

Lexi felt tears coming on and couldn't stay a moment longer. With quick steps Lexi left the room.

Love Discovered

As the light his eyes, Ace opened one eye and looked up at the window the let the light into his quarters. It was quite bright out. What time was it? Ace lifted his head off the pillow and looked at the clock on his night stand. Is vision was blurred with sleep, so he removed his hand carefully from around the body that rested besides him, not wishing to disturb her, and rubbed his eyes to help them focus. Looking back at the clock he read the numbers.

"Nine Twenty-seven?" He sighed and laid back down, 'Oh, ya, that ain't suspicious at all.'

But he didn't really care. He was happy right were he was, as he pulled the blanket back up to there shoulders and placed hes arm back around Lexis small frame. Ace smiled as Lexi readjusted in her sleep. Pushing her body into him, as her posterior was against his front. He gently kissed her bare shoulder before nussling his forehead to the base of her neck and pillow.

He stayed like that, in perfect bliss, for a few sweat moments as the clock slowly reached 9:30. That's when he thought in mite be best for them if they got up, before the other went looking for where they were. He gently rubbed Lexis upper arm to wake her.

"Lex... Lexi. Wake up hon." He whispered to her.

Lexi started to stir as she opened her eyes and rolled over to where she was facing Ace. They grinned at each other as Lexi placed her hand between them where Ace took it and gave it a loving squeeze.

"Morning Handsome." Lexi said softly.

"Morning Beautiful." Ace replied.

Ace gently caressed Lexis cheek with his free hand, "How's your arm?"

There activities the night before wasn't the best thing for someone with an injury to be doing and Ace was concerned, as he did remember that at few points he had place a great deal of weight on her arms.

She smiled at him then snuggle close to him, "It's fine."

The two lay there, staring into there lovers eyes. Ace saw Love sparkle with in her eyes as she watched him. And in that moment Ace thought of how he had seen that look so many times. Wondering how he was never able to notice and understand it. Three years he had known her, three years he had secretly loved her, and three years the look of love had grown in her eyes as she looked at him. How could he have never realized it?

Lexi gave a happy "Huh." before saying to him, "I never knew I could feel so close, so happy, with some one."

"Neither did I."

They kissed then Lexi sat up with her legs criss-crossed. The blanket falling off her to revile her wearing a old,blue, button up shirt of Aces. She readjusted the large shirt to cover shoulders that had escaped with in the night. Lexi had quite surprised how big the shirt was on her when she had put it on. At first look the two of them looked ruffly the same size, but indeed Ace was the larger of the two. Even with the long sleeves folded over several times they still covered Lexis wrist and most of her hands.

"Ace?" Lexi smiled back at him.

"Huh?" Ace smiled back as he lay on his side, holding his head up with his arm.

"Close your eyes?"

"What?" Ace asked as her sat up.

"Do it, pleas."

Ace grinned, wondering what Lexi was up to, and shut his eyes.

"Don't open till I say, okay?"

"Sure."

He leaned back into the pillows with his eyes still shut. He felt Lexi get off the bed and get something from with in the night stand. Then he heard the quick sound of fabric being cut. He hear a soft clunk of the scissors being set down as Lexi climbed back onto the bed.

"I want you to hold out your wrist, but keep your eyes shut." Ace held out his wrist and felt Lexis gentle touch tie some kinda ribbon around his wrist. "You can look now."

His eyes instantly went to his hand and wrist. He was a bit surprised at what he saw. The cut off piece of her green ribbon contrasted his naturally gray fur. Cradling his wrist, and the ribbon tied to it, in his free hand Ace looked up at Lexi. She was retying her ribbon around her ears. It's length noticeably shorter, but still long. Ace was still surprised. To him her ribbon seemed to represent her in some way. It was her, and she gave him part of herself.

"Your ribbon?" Ace asked.

Lexi gave him a smile and a shrug, "I want my most prized possession on the person I love most."

Ace smiled and gazed back down at his wrist, as if looking away again would make it dissolve away. As he looked he remembered that he wanted to give something to Lexi as well. Lexi watch Ace, in slight confusion, as he got up from the bed and headed to his dresser. He was wearing a pair of blue boxer shorts, so he didn't need to work about reveling himself. He opened the bottom of the dresser and quickly searched through the folded garments.

He pulled out a small, rectangular, box. It was old and the black color faded. With the box in hand he sat back on the bed where had been.

Lexi and Ace made eye contact. Her eyes filled with curiosity. Ace sighed and placed his hand on the lid, "Dis is somet'in' I've kept for a very long time. One of da few t'ings I still have of my parents." Lexi gave him a sympathetic look, but he simply smiled back, "Der's somet'in' in hear I want you to have Lex."

Lexi looked a little taken back. She didn't need to know the contents of the box to know it meant a lot to Ace, and to hear that something inside was meant for her was a bit of a shock. "Are you positive Ace?"

He smiled and looked down at the box, remembering what treasures rested inside, "More den any t'ing."

He gently pulled off the cardboard lid. It must have been really old for the kind of cardboard it was made out of hadn't been in use in over 600 years. He took something out of the box and set the box to the side. Ace gently took her hand, sliding the shirt sleeve up, and placed a bracelet around her wrist. Lexi looked at the bracelet in slight aw. It had a gem and bead pattern to it. Each bead and gem surrounded by a false gold frame

"Ace, It's beautiful." Lexi said softly as she examined it. It was missing a gem, but it was still beautiful.

"It's an old family heirloom."

Lexi looked up at Ace then at the bracelet and back, "Ace if this an heirloom then I can except it." She made the move to remove it, "It's yours."

"Oh! No no no!" Ace said stopping her from taking it off by clasping his hands over hers. He gave a light chuckle, "Maybe I should explain. There's a story to dis bracelet. Before my mom died she told me it. My really great grandfather gave it to his wife. Who later gave it to there son when he got older and fell in love himself. He gave it to his girlfriend who later became his wife. Who once again gave it to there eldest son. It's kinda gone down like that.

"When the first born son gets to a matcher age he gives it to a girl who is meaningful to him. Someone he loves and hopes to have a happy future with."

Ace let go of her hands and she gave him a coy smile as she took in all of what Ace said.

"So..." Lexi began, "If I'm getting this right then, some day, you want me to marry you, have a son with you, and give him the bracelet?"

Ace frowned for a moment then let out a nerves chuckle, "Well," he swallowed, "I- ya see- well-may-"

Lexi laughed and snuggled up next to him, "Relax Ace. I only asked to see how you'd react."

Ace wrapped his arm around her, "But don't you want to know my answer?"

"Hum?" She looked up at him: Half confused half curious.

He smiled and said, "Someday, yes." He chuckled as Lexis face went a bright red. He kissed her and held her close. "You kinda look like her."

"Like who?" Lexi said pushing up and away from him with a sharp look. Nonverbaly questioning if he was comparing her to any old girlfriends.

Ace chuckled again and clarified, "Like my great grandfathers wife. The one he originally gave the bracelet to."

"Oh," Lexi relaxed and snuggled back up next to him, "you mean your really great grandmother."

"I never said she was my grandmother."

Lexi looked up at him, "What?"

Ace reached over and took out a old book from the box. It looked like an old journal. "They where married, yes, but they never had children together. This is his old journal. Some of it's missing or faded away, but I was able to get most of it." Ace flipped it open and it opened to where a photo had been slipped in between the pages. Ace held it up for Lexi to see. Lexi carefully took it, looking at the happy couple that it was of.

She was surprised to see that Ace was right. She was also surprised at how much Ace looked yet didn't look like his ansester. The rabbit in the photo and Ace both shared a some what cheeky grin and fur color. As for her and the girl they both had peach-tan fur, blond hair, and ears that where tied back.

Lexi flipped the photo around to read the names on the back, "Bugs and Lola Bunny." Lexi flipped it back, "They look happy."

"According to him they where." Ace replied slipping the photo back into the journal and placing the journal back into the box, "They had each other and two great kids."

"But not together?"

"Ya, Apparently Bugs had an ex-wife who he had a son wit'. My biological great grandmother, Honey Bunny. She ended up diein' in an accident leaving him with baby Lester. He was an actor and for a movie dey hired Lola for a basketball movie. Durin' da time it took to make the movie she had a boyfriend who ended up ditchin' out on her when she accidentally got pregnant. Her boyfriend question who the father was because he saw dat she really liked Bugs, and accused her of bein' unloyal. Even though he turned out to be cheatin' on Lola. Bugs fell in love with her the moment he first met her so when he learned what happened he was there to comfort her. Soon enough they got married and excepted each others children as dere own. Lester grew up t'inkin' Lola was his mother and Lacy, Lola's daughter, grew up t'inkin' Bugs was her father. Dey didn't even listen when dere parents told them da truth."

"Looks like they had a happy ever after in the end."

"I guess."

They shared a quiet moment as they gazed into each others eyes, before Ace when to kiss her. As they separated both bunnies jumped at the sound of a knock on the door.

"Hey Ace, you okay? It's a little past Ten and you haven't been up. Neither has Lexi. I'll check on her next, but you feeling all right?"

To Tell The Truth

Ace kept his eyes focused on the hall ways in front of him. It took every thing he had to stop himself from looking back and over to Lexi. He didn't need to look at her to know she looked as nerves as he. He didn't want to risk Zadavia seeing his face and asking questions wile they where still in an aria were every one could hear them.

Besides, the tall women behind him and Lexi didn't truly even know why he and Lexi had asked to speak to her. She probably thought it was the routine update of how the team's doing. A meeting they had often between the boss, leader, and second. But today it would be different. Today it would be targeted on the two bunnies, and there resent actions with each other. After about two weeks of there coyote friend knowing there secret, and talking to them, they finally decided to take his advise and tell Zadavia.

Which was a easier said then done act. Do to the fear of what there boss could decide. Ace and Lexi knew. They consciously broke Zadavias rules for being, and staying, on the team. Now there boss had the power, and reason, to decide there fate.

The three gathered into the meeting room. Zadavia sitting down in front of the two who decided to stay standing.

"So tell me, Ace Lexi, how are all of you been this time around?"

"Um," Ace cleared his throught, "Actually, Zadavia, we didn't call dis meeting to talk about da groups over all well being for da month."

Zadavias face twisted into concern as she gained a slightly noticeable edge as she stood up, "Then what is it?"

Lexi took a deep breath, "It's about Ace and myself... And something that's happened."

Zadavia looked at Lexi then Ace before giving a jester for them to continue.

"Lexi and I talked about it, and with some encouragement from Tech who found out, we've decided to tell you dat... We've broken one of the rules you set down when we first became a team."

"What!?" Zadavia looked at them in surprise and slight shock. "Which one?"

Lexi slipped her hand into Aces and they smiled at each other, "The one about no on the Team romances."

"And we've broken da vow of celibacy with in da tower."

Lexi felt herself blush, and looked down from the look Zadavia gave them.

"Zadavia listen," Ace continued as he took a step forward. Emotion threatening to crack his voice. "You have to know, before you pass judgment or somet'in' on us, it's not like Lexi and I meant for all dis to happen. Love, jest happens. I love Lexi, and I've never felt dis way before. Not as long as I can remember."

"And I love him."Lexi added.

Zadavia looked at them then away. She remained silent for a few moments. When she looked back she said, "As far as I can tell I have a few choices here, same as you two. I can decide that I am happy for you and let you stay on the team together. I can remove one or both of you permanently from the team. Or I can let you both stay, but stop your relationship and focus on your duties. Wear you probably continue seeing each other in secret."

They looked up at her. Her look stern and very serious. "I've decided."