After Fernando took off with Gadget and Jeanette, Hondo and Valentine found them left with a surly Tammy. Usually Hondo let them sort out their own issues but he was getting tired of this shit, ands was just plain tired.
 
 
"Tammy, what #$@!in' crawled up your ass an' died?" Hondo asked flatly.
 
 
Valentine looked at him a bit surprised and Tammy just glared at him.
 
 
"As I told Jeanette, nothing is wrong, not that I owe the hired help any explanation." tammy said crossly.
 
 
"As I remember it, Jefe an' I are partners. An' as for you havin' grown up, that's bull-shit. I'm twice your age and seen ten times as much, so don't give me the grown-up, seen-shit spiel you gave Jeanette." Hondo said
 
 
"You're just a rent-a-cop, hired goon. Fernando will dump you as soon as he tires of you both or you mess up. If you were smart like me, you'd leave him before he leaves you stranded, naked, on some volcano, but you aren't that smart. You hicks will be loyal until the end." Tammy said with a sneer.
 
 
"Tammy! You really think that of us? We were friends..." Valentine started to say
 
 
Tammy cut her off, "If I don't want advice from the hired hill-billy, I want it even less from his white-trash bitch."
 
 
Valentine looked at her in shock, a tear started down her cheek.
 
 
"That was #$@!in' uncalled for!" Hondo said angrily, but in a low tone, trying to keep attention away from them. "We've both helped you, befriended you, an' I've pulled your tail out of the fire, myself, a few times. Jefe died for you an' I stayed by you through it all! Valentine befriended you, an' helped you through your pregnancy …"
 
 
Tammy cut him off, "I think I made it clear that I have no interest in what either of you say nor do I respect either of you. You are just attention seekers. Fernando may have died, but he's still living. Death isn't a sacrifice if you know you're coming back."
 
 
"There was a lot more to it an' you know that! How we are attention seekers I don't know as I've shunned the limelight an' never asked for any credit. Whatever is wrong between you an' JEfe, its unfair to talk to Val like this, still. I don't give a damn how you treat me, but Jefe an' my wife I do." Hondo growled
 
 
Tammy stood up, "As much as I enjoy sitting here, loathing our conversations, I need to go talk to my soon to be ex-husband. If you care about him or his marriage, you'll see he gets Chip out of jail and freed tonight!"
 
 
Tammy turned and left, with the baby in her arms before either of them could speak again. Valentine looked at the table trying to hold back the tears. Hondo put his hand lightly on her shoulder and gave it a loving squeeze.
 
 
"Sorry, darlin'. You didn't deserve that." Hondo said.
 
 
"Neither did you or Fernando. I'm bein' over emotional, I know. You are right, I need time to heal mentally. Just not sure how many more things like that I can take right now." She replied
 
 
"You'll make it. you're stronger than you know." He replied.
 
 
"I don't see it." Valentine said
 
 
"Well, you'll just have to trust me an' let my belief in you be enough for us both." Hondo said.
 
 
"I'll try. … What are we going to do about Tammy?" She asked
 
 
"I'll talk to Jefe later, but he's got enough on his right now. For now there's not much we can do but be around to pick up the pieces. I'm just worried that … never mind." He said
 
 
"Worried that what?" She asked.
 
 
"I'm worried Gadget is rushin' this along." He said
 
 
"She's not tryin' to break them up, I know. Why do you hate her so?" Valentine asked a bit crossly.
 
 
"I don't hate Gadget! I just understand Jefe." Hondo said.
 
 
"I don't understand." Valentine said
 
 
"I'll try to explain. Yes I have some hard feelin's where gadget is concerned. I loved her once an' I put my life on the line to protect her an' the others. Chip tried to have me killed, She got mixed up an' Though I was badly hurt I got her out. My reward was to have her turn her back on me, so there is that. As for Jefe, Gadget is an attractive woman, though not as much as you are." He said
 
Valentine smiled, "Flattery will get you a long ways, go on."
 
 
Hondo chuckled, "Just want to make sure you always know how I feel, as you could take this wrong, but I don't want you to."
 
 
Valentine frowned, "I know I've been actin' odd 'round you lately. Understand its not because I don't trust you. Tis no one else I trust more. It\s just me and my … brokenness."
 
 
Hondo put his hand back on her shoulder, "You don't need to explain. I just felt I should."
 
 
"I appreciate it. Go on." she said.
 
 
"Gadget is attractive, lonely, and a sort of damsel in distress. Jefe an' I both want to be with strong women, but there is somethin' in us that pulls us to the damsels in distress." He said.
 
 
"Like me, the helpless damsel." She said sadly.
 
 
"You're a strong woman, Val, an' I'm so lucky to have you. You were in distress when I met you but you were never helpless. We all need help at times. Your distress is what got us together but it's your strength that kept us together." Hondo said.
 
 
She smiled softly, "You make me feel strong. I feel bad that Gadget doesn't have that. You think that tammy isn't in distress anymore that Fernando will move to someone who is?"
 
 
Hondo frowned, "Its not that simple, unfortunately. Tammy was a damsel in distress an' is still somewhat. IT was mainly Fernando, but we all helped to push Tammy to be strong. Now she believes she's so strong she doesn't need anyone, or that's what she wants us to think. I think she's in more distress than ever but won't admit it, but that's just a personal feelin'. Gadget is very much known to be in distress. If Tammy keeps pushin' Jefe away, an' Gadget tries to run to his arms for strength, it would be a hard choice. Take the woman who wants your strength or stay with the scorner who makes you feel unwanted? An' if Tammy is havin' some metal war, maybe she will used Gadget as an excuse to leave Fernando."
 
 
"I guess I didn't see it like that, but it makes sense. I hope I don't even make you feel unwanted." she said
 
 
"We all have our days, but other than a few understandable time, no I've never felt unwanted by you. You perplex me at times, but I don't feel rejected or scorned by you." He said
 
 
"Honestly, would you have been happier if you had been with Gadget?" She asked
 
 
"That's a hard question, darlin'. Had I been with her I would never had met you. Jefe an' I would probably not be friends. If Gadget had still been kidnapped I probably would have charged in an' might not have lived. Had we lived an' she stayed true to me the ranger probably would have fallen apart a long time ago. Too many variables. As much as there are personal hard feelin's there, I don't regret how things turned out. IT took a long time but I found the woman who was perfect for me, an' that's you. I just hope I'm half as good for you as you are for me." he replied.
 
 
"I know I'm a bit of a burden right now, but … would it be easier on you if we separated for a while and you and gadget got together?" she asked meekly
 
 
Hondo raised an eyebrow at her, "Where did that question come from?"
 
 
Hondo noted that Tammy had stormed out of the room where Fernando had taken Gadget and Jeanette earlier. He almost did not care what was going on at the moment. He cared about his friends greatly, but the extra drama Gadget, Tammy, and Jeanette were causing was not helping their situation at all.
 
 
She shrugged, "I don't know. I guess I feel useless right now. You are needed here and if you and Gadget got together it would let you help a damsel in distress, let you try a relationship with her and maybe help Tammy and Fernando fix their relationship.
 
 
Hondo shook his head, "I'll not have any more of that talk. What Jefe an' Tammy do is on them! If they work things out, which I hope they do we will all help Gadget as friends. I don't need any damsel in destress to help as long as I have my lovin' warrior queen by my side, even is she is wounded at the moment. IT's part of being man an' wife. We carry each others struggles. I don't need to try a relationship with Gadget when I got you! That is not now or ever will be an option. Unless you turn into some shrew an' turn on me like Tammy has, I need no one else."
 
 
She hung her head a bit, "Sorry, my love. I just feel like such a burden. I thought maybe I could help everyone that way."
 
 
"I don't think Gadget an' I could get along like that. You're hurt but you're not a burden. If you left me I'd be a miserable wreck an' if I took in Gadget I'd probably just screw her as a salve for you leavin' an' end up messin' her up worse. That whole thing won't help anyone." He said.
 
 
"Thank you." She said softly.
 
 
Hondo frowned a bit as he looked up., "Speak of the devil …"
 
 
Valentine turned and looked to see Gadget approaching them again. She sat down in Fernando's chair.
 
 
"Tammy didn't come back?" Gadget asked.
 
 
Hondo shook his head, "No, she stomped off elsewhere. Seemed mighty pissed off. You weren't the cause of that, I hope."
 
 
Valentine scowled at him slightly.
 
 
"Golly, I hope not! It seems more like something between her and Fernando." Gadget replied.
 
 
"Just make sure you don't push them apart." Hondo replied flatly.
 
 
"I … I'd never try to push them apart! Marriage is sacred!" She said almost shocked he'd suggest such a thing.
 
 
"Don't bullshit me. I know your husband hasn't treated it that way an' Tammy is not seein' it that way, plus I know you've propositioned Jefe." Hondo replied.
 
 
"Hondo! She needs our help, not ridicule." Valentine said.
 
 
Hondo knew one of them were in trouble when she used his first name, and he figured it was himself at the moment, but he was too tired to let it bother him.
 
 
"Maybe so, but ya can't help someone who bullshits ya." Hondo said in his own defense.
 
 
Gadget looked at him with tears in her eyes, "I'm sorry. I know I have tried to get with Fernando and I admit its because I'm scared and weak, but I was not the cause of this and I have not tried to break up their marriage. I need Fernando, you, and Valentine right now. I … I have no other friends."  
 
 
"If you weren't tryin' to break them up, what did you think gettin' with Jefe would do?" Hondo asked seriously.
 
 
Gadget looked between them, "I … I guess … I don't know. I told myself I thought they were through but maybe … maybe I'm just too much of a scared little pup to be alone. Maybe it felt like he needed me as much as I needed him. I don't know. Please, believe me, Hondo."
 
 
"She needs us." Valentine said to Hondo sternly.
 
 
Hondo sighed, "I ain't gonna win this, am I?"
 
 
"I'd be grateful if you'd forgive me, Hondo. I can't promise that if Tammy continues like this that I won't seek comfort from Fernando. Please try to understand. I'm a married mousette, I know, but … you don't understand what its like. I want to be a good wife and do what's right by my husband, really I do, but I just need held and told I'm not worthless, for once." Gadget pleaded.
 
 
"You're not worthless. I'll say that much. Not holdin' ya as anythin' other than a friend, though. I ask you don't push Fernando or add to the causes for tammy to leave him. I … what you did to me all those years ago hurt bad … but everyone deserves a second chance. You'll have to do a lot to earn my trust, but …" Hondop said
 
 
"Respect is given; trust is earned." Valentine said.
 
 
"Think I've heard that a time or two. I'll give ya a chance, Gadget an' we'll help as we can. I can't promise that we'll be great friends but … I'll give ya a chance. As far as your husband is concerned, as much as I don't advocate divorce, you should leave his ass. His almost gettin' you an' I killed all those years ago was bad enough, but again an' what my wife was put through because of him is unforgivable. You leave him an' we'll help all we can. You go back to him an' you're on your own. He'll only drag you an' anyone around him to their deaths." Hondo said
 
 
Gadget nodded. Tears started to fill her eyes so she looked away from him.
 
 
She rubbed her arm and shoulder as if rubbing and old wound, "I've lived with him and felt his evil, you don't need to remind me. I'll think about it."
 
 
Valentine cleared her throat and gave Hondo a look that he interpreted to say, 'not another word about that!'
 
 
"So, do you know why Tammy stormed off?" Valentine asked trying to change the subject away from her
 
 
Gadget shrugged, "Something about needing to get my husband out right away or she was leaving him."
 
 
Valentine cringed as Gadgets frown deepened at the question.  
 
 
"Sorry, didn't mean to bring that up again. Was trying to change the topic." Valentine said apologetically.
 
 
"Don't worry about it. It's part of my life, of my nightmare. Just want life to get better. IT won't get better if I hide from what it is now." Gadget said in a depressed tone.
 
 
Gadget paused for a moment then looked at Hondo, "What did Misao mean by making her lose face?"
 
 
Hondo raised an eyebrow, "When did she say that?"
 
 
"Just a bit ago to Fernando. She was mad about him rescuing the Emperor's son and said he was making her lose face." Gadget replied
 
 
Hondo frowned, "I didn't see her go to the room or leave. I must be slippin'. It's too long a story an' not the place for it. Seems like we've had plenty of conversations we shouldn't have here, but I'm puttin' my foot down on that one."
 
 
"Ok. I understand. At least the music is loud enough to cover our talking." Gadget replied
 
 
"You're not slippin, my love. You're just exhausted from bein' poisoned." Valentine said
 
 
"That among other things." He replied
 
 
"Golly! I almost forgot about that. So lost in self-pity I forgot all you've gone through because of … of .." She stammered not wanting to say it.
 
 
"We know, its okay." Valentine said reassuringly.
 
 
"Thanks. I am sorry. I want to help you all, believe me I do. I'll make up for it. I do have a question though." She said
 
 
"What's that?" he asked
 
 
"How are you still upright?" She asked
 
 
"It's a long story, but Hondo isn't easy to kill." Valentine replied
 
 
"Don't let my appearance fool ya. My mental capacity is probably less than half, my reflexes are greatly diminished, an' I'm havin' to focus to keep together. I'd love to sleep right now." He replied.
 
 
"Why don't you leave early then?" Gadget asked
 
 
"I'd be lyin' if I said we are safe here. There are enemies all around us. They only thing they truly respect is strength. The older folks respect honor first, but that is a dyin' thing. If I show weakness now they will eat us all alive. They all know I was poisoned. I have to show them I am not phased. If I can last the night out they will be hesitant to try anythin' like that again. They will also be more careful. This makes them more dangerous, but it also buys us more time." Hondo said quietly
 
 
Gadget swallowed hard, "Golly. I knew it was bad but …"
 
 
"I know, Misao made it seem like you guys could waltz in, do the job, an' get fame an' fortune overnight." Hondo replied
 
 
"Pretty much." Gadget said
 
 
"She is a fool. Powerful an' manipulatin', but still a fool." Hondo said with a growl.
 
 
"Where is Fernando now?" Valentine asked.
 
 
"He said he had to figure some things out. He is still in that room writing in a little black notebook." Gadget answered.
 
 
Hondo nodded knowingly, "He'll probably want to be alone for a bit. If he doesn't show up in a while I'll check on him, but usually when that's out, unless he askes you to be there, he wants to be alone."
 
 
 
 

Fernando works out the room arrangements on his little pad. He comes up with the following list:
Room 2-1: Fernando, Tammy and Francesca.
Room 2-2: Hondo and Val
Room 2-3: Jeanette and Aiesha
Room 2-4: Sabrina and Tabitha
Room 2-5: Gadget
Room 2-6: Rachel and Michelle
 
Room 1-1: Kei & Yuri (Lovely Angels/Dirty Pair)
Room 1-2: Shadow & Toro (Brothers-Goon Squad)
Room 1-3:
Room 1-4: NightRunner (Goon Squad)
Room 1-5: Charles group (tentative)
Room 1-6: Charles group (tentative)
 
Room B-1:
Room B-2:
Room B-3: Dale (tentative)
Room B-4: Monty (tentative)
Room B-5:
Room B-6:
 

CLICK to Enlarge! (Had trouble trying up upload image map of rooms, will upload image map in a future date.)
 
He thinks he has everybody in a room, and with extra space on top of that. He writes it down on slips of papers to give out with the keys. He heads out to the dinner room and start distributing the keys. First with Rachel/Michelle and Sabrina/Tabitha. He then finds Kei and Yuri with Shadow, Toro and NightRunner. He gives Charles the note with the address to the place and a key to two room in case he needs them tonight. Jeanette and Aiesha got a key to a room they are going to share, like the others getting a note with the place’s address and room location. He gives Hondo and Val a note and a set of room keys before sitting down and giving a note and key to Tammy and Gadget.
 
“Thanks Jefe” Hondo says as he leans over the table to thank him.
 
“Let’s see how long it lasts, but it is out of the way that we should be safe there for a long while. With Charles and his group with us, we will have more eyes and ears to protect ourselves.” Fernando explains.
 
Hondo nods for a second at what Fernando says.
 
Fernando adds, “I need to talk to the emperor about where to deliver Dale and Monty tomorrow.”
 
“We’ll be here.” Hondo says to him.
 
Fernando get up and starts to walk to the Emperor’s table. He extends his hand to shake his before handing him a note, “Hey, Aki. That is where I need Dale and Monty delivered at around 1PM. As for Admiral Ready – put his ass in a gunny sack and drop him off with the Enterprise’s Mail delivery.
 
The Emperor looks at him and smiles before looking at the note, “I’ll get them there at 1PM.”
 
“Many thanks.” Fernando says to him. He adds, “We will be leaving within the hour, I got to get the younger girls to sleep. You know how that can be.”
 
“That is not a problem. I will drop by your place when needed, but I will call first.” The Emperor says to him.
 
“Thank you!” Fernando says before he bows down and leaves.
 
As he gets to his table, Tammy growls at him, “Made a deal for Chip?!!”
 
“Chip can go #$@!ing rot in hell! His actions endangered Hondo, Val, Gadget, Jeanette, Aiesha, You and Francesca! Anybody who threatens my girls can go rot in Hell! If you do not see that, you can join him in the next jail cell!” Fernando tells her. He then points to Hondo, Val and Gadget, “You three come with me for a moment.”
 
The three of them follow Fernando into the party room while he continues to head out the palace’s main lobby.
 
“What do you want, Jefe?” Hondo asks.
 
“You two can talk or make out in your car, I’m taking Gadget to her hotel to get her things and just her clothes – not her inventions she might have lying about. It should only take 10 minutes or less.” Fernando explains.
 
“You sure about that?” Hondo asks.
 
“You want Gadget walking about the hide-out naked cause she has no clothes to put on? What she has on is all she got right now. Everything is at her hotel room.” Fernando asks.
 
“Go get Gadget her clothes.” Val says, “We’ll be here waiting for your return.”
 
“Make sure no one takes out spot. Gadget, Get into the car.” Fernando says as he points his yellow Mustang. She complies without saying a word. Fernando gets into the driver’s side and in a flash of light, disappears from the parking lot.
 
In the parking lot of the Tokyo Marriot a yellow Mustang materializes.
 
“What room is it in?” Fernando asks.
 
“22-floor, last room at the end of the hall.” Gadget says to him.
 
Fernando shakes his head for a second before getting out of the car, “Come on, let’s go.”
 
They get into the elevator and Fernando uses his service key to override its functions and takes it to the 22nd floor directly. Gadget steps out into the hall and looks at both ends of the hall before heading off in one direction. Fernando takes his key and follows her. She takes out her hotel electronic key and tries it on the door. Lucky for her it opens the door. He follows her inside.
 
“Go get your bags and clothes and let’s get out of here. Tomorrow maybe you, Val and Hondo can get your tools and other things.” Fernando tells her.
 
Gadget lets out a sigh before going around through her room getting her things and throwing into a pair of rolling luggage. She gathers her things in just a few seconds before returning to Fernando’s side.
 
“I have my stuff...” She tells him.
 
Fernando takes one of rolling luggage from her, “Then let’s go.”
 
Together they leave the room and go back to the elevator. As they wait, Gadget shifts herself closer to him before kissing him on the cheek.
 
“You mind? Last thing I need is Tammy to find your lipstick on me.” Fernando complains as he takes a handkerchief from his pocket and wipes his face on it.
 
“Sorry...” Gadget says. She says to herself, “I feel like a little girl being rescued by her prince.”
 
“I’m no prince, Gadget.” He tells her, “The way things are going, if it were not for our conscious, you and I would be breaking some marriage vows right now.”
 
“I know and I would be willing to let it happen. Just don’t get me wrong. It’s not a girl’s need, maybe it is, but I have to thank the prince for saving me from the darkness I was being dragged into and all that which resides in the darkness that was going to eat me. What is rewarding somebody with sex when they saved your life, for life is a lot greater than sex.” Gadget begins to ramble.
 
Fernando reaches over to Gadget, putting an arm around her waist and draws her closer to him. She puts an arm around his waist and pulls herself tightly against him, feeling almost every hard muscle of his body against her soft feminine self through the layers of their clothing. He can feel her trembling slightly.
 
“You OK Gadget? You’re trembling.” Fernando asks.
 
“If it were possible, I would want us to go into my room and for the next five minutes have you ravage me in sex and carnal knowledge to relieve this stress we are both under.” Gadget says to him.
 
“Five minutes?” He asks.
 
“Yeah, that’s the longest Chip and the others have ever lasted when we had sex. How long have you and Tammy done it for?” Gadget says and asks almost unsure if that was the correct thing to say.
 
“It takes me more than a half hour, sometimes two hours to do it with a girl. We have had days where is seems like we had the whole day of sex and intimacy.” He tells hers.
 
Gadget looks up to him with her jaw dropped.
 
Fernando lowers his hand from behind her back and up under her skirt, feeling the smoothness of her black nylon panties on her ass up to her tail. She tenses up a bit upon initial contact but soon relaxes against him as she holds him tighter against her.
 
“Look Gadget. Between you and I, no matter how our marriages go, due to the pressures of this job, you and I are going to end up sharing a bed together to share our bodies in. And if that happens, I am not going to stop it and I have a feeling neither are you. It would end both our marriages. But we need to treat each other as if we were husband and wife – give each other that much respect and trust and understanding. Because for me, to be my wife, you need to be my friend first – not just a co-worker or a friend you say ‘hi’ to in the streets – you need to be an intimate and close friend with me as my wife. No secrets held, no secrets taken. Everything all out in the open.” He tells her.
 
He can feel Gadget breathing heavy even though he has done nothing more than put his hand up on her ass.
 
“Understand what I am telling you?” He asks.
 
Gadget nervously nods before she pushes him away and takes his hand from under her dress. She begins to run to her room, yelling, “I have to go use the bathroom!”
 
Fernando stood there as he looks at her room door as it slams closed behind her.
 
One minute becomes two and time continues to pass onward. Fernando takes his cane and waves it over Gadget’s luggage and teleports them inside the Mustang’s trunk. He continues to wait for her in the hall but decides to make a phone call. It is answered on the third ring.
 
“Hello Hondo? We are ready to go but Gadget ran to go to the bathroom, so I’m stuck waiting. Yeah. As soon as she gets out, we will teleport there. Alright. Thanks.” Fernando says on his phone. He then shuts off the unit and puts it away in his pocket.
 
A couple more minutes Gadget comes out of her room, walking a lot calmer than when she went in. She walks up to him.
 
“Where is the luggage?” She asks.
 
“I already put them away in the car’s trunk.” He says as he presses the button for the elevator.
 
“I took that long?” She asks.
 
“It does not matter, so let’s go back to the dinner party and go our new home.” He says to her.
 
Gadget steps up to him, putting her hand behind his back, and lifts herself on her toes before giving him a kiss on the cheek once again.
 
“You mind not doing that? Tammy is going get angry if she finds your lipstick on me!” He tells her as he wipes his cheek with his handkerchief.
 
“Sorry.” She says to him as the elevator opens the door on their floor.
 
They both get in with Fernando putting his service key into the elevator switch and makes it go directly to the garage floor without stopping for any other floor. They get off and walk to the mustang. As soon as they are in, Fernando teleports them back to the palace parking lot in the same slot the car was in before. They get out where they meet with Hondo and Val again.
 
“We’re back.” Fernando says to Hondo and Val. He adds, “Val, take Gadget back inside and have some girl talk with her. I need to talk to Hondo about some mission details before we go in.”
 
Val nods before she steps away from her husband and takes Gadget by the arm, dragging the mouse-woman back into the palace, “You’re coming with me...”
 
The men wait for a while until the women were out of hearing range and inside the palace.
 
“Hondo. If I told you to outright kill Chip, would you put a bullet into his head as requested?” Fernando asks.
 
“It depends on what he had done, I might do before you even ask.” Hondo replies.
 
“A couple things Gadget said to me at the hotel room. One – She wanted five minutes alone with me to have sex with, because according to her that is “the longest Chip and the others” ever lasted with her.” Fernando explains.
 
“You thinking Chip is pimping her out or something?” Hondo asks.
 
“That is only part of it. The verbal clues say more than that. Five Minutes? You and I last longer than that, but that’s beside the point. The only thing I seem not able to shake off is that the clues add up to Chip turned Gadget into a Heroin addict. The putting up with the abuse, the forced sex with multiple partners, the getting off from such sex in a short amount of time, the nervousness she was in at the hotel room, the sudden change to a relaxed person she now is after she came out of the bathroom... She is either one desperate sex addict or a junkie.” Fernando explains.
 
“I’m beginning to understand.” Hondo says as he puts his hand under his chin.
 
“Between you and I, I am going to have to get Gadget in bed with me while Tammy is in Italy so I can check her body out for needle tracks. And if so, cure her with a bio pill. But if she is a junkie, getting cleaned up, she will think she can take the same high dose she is taking now and end up overdosing if she does. I’m going to have to get some Narcan Heroin Overdose Recovery medication for the two of us in case she does overdose and take care of the situation as necessary.” Fernando explains.
 
“That ‘munk better not leave his jail cell, I swear. Turning a friend into a sex slave junkie – there must be a death sentence for that, and if not, I will put one on him.” Hondo says as he holds back his anger.
 
“Let’s find out the truth first before we act. And then we act.” Fernando tells him. He adds, “See what you can get from Val, and get Val to dig deep for more information from Gadget.”
 
“I’ll get on that right away...” Hondo says as they begin to walk to the palace.

Valentine pulled Gadget into the lobby. Gadget tried to protest but Valentine didn't let her. Once in the lobby Valentine puled her into a smaller ladies restroom and locked the door. gadget looked at her curiously.
 
 
"Why did you do that?" She asked
 
 
"To make sure we aren't bothered. Now, what was with me having to half drag you?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget shrugged.
 
 
"You know if you get clingy you'll only drive Fernando away, faster than Tammy is doin'." Valentine said
 
 
Gadget frowned, "but ... but .. I ... I need him."
 
 
Valentine frowned and put a hand on Gadget's arm, "Gadget ... What's goin' on in your head? What happened to you? I've heard 'bout you and I don't see the person I heard about."
 
 
Gadget shrugged, "I don't know..." She looked up at Valentine, "Hondo tell you about me?"
 
 
Valentine shook her head, "No, mostly from others."
 
 
"He told you nothing about me?" She asked with a slight desperate edge in her asking
 
 
"He spoke of what transpired between you, some of what happened when you were taken, but that's about it. He only told me the full story once, but that was only after I hounded him about it after Tammy told me you two had  a history." Valentine said.
 
 
Gadget hung her head, "I guess I gave him plenty of reasons to hate me. He warned me about ... about Chip. I didn't believe him and I rejected him. I don't deserve any of your help. Other than Fernando, you two are the only two I trust. I'm surprised he even lets you talk to me."
 
 
Valentine smiled softly, "My husband is a very crusty sort, and he doesn't often say a lot, but he probably cares more and feels more deeply than most people you will ever meet. You hurt him, but he'll put that aside to help you. The only thing that would change that is if you willingly hurt others."
 
 
"Like Chip?" Gadget asked quietly
 
 
"Yes." Valentine replied
 
 
"You think he want's Chip dead?" she asked
 
 
Valentine started to turn away from her, but Gadget grabbed her arm.
 
 
"Please, tell me the truth." Gadget said.
 
 
Valentine sighed, "I think he'd shoot Chip himself given half a chance, especially after what happened to me and if you ever tell us the truth about what he's done to you."
 
 
Gadget looked away, "I figured as much."
 
 
Do you blame him?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget looked at the floor and started rubbing her arm and shoulder again. She shuffled her feet nervously.
 
 
"You can't tell anyone I said this ... please promise." Gadget said softly.
 
 
"I don't like keepin' secrets from Hondo." Valentine said hesitantly.
 
 
Gadgets head snapped up, and her eyes pleaded with valentine, "He especially can't know!"
 
 
Valentine nodded, "Ok, I'll not tell anyone."
 
 
Gadget looked back at the floor and sighed, "I dreamed for a long time after all this started that Hondo came busting down the door in the middle of ... of ... of it all and shot Chip!"
 
 
Tears started flowing from Gadget's eyes, and Valentine pulled her into a hug.
 
 
"I dreamed it for so long. I even prayed for it at times. I begged God to have Hondo come rescue me again, but ... but ... He didn't come!" She sobbed.
 
 
Valentine held the sobbing mousette for a bit, softly telling her it would be alright. After a few minutes Gadget pulled herself back together.
 
 
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry." Gadget said through sniffles as she tried to recompose herself.
 
 
"It's alright. Sometimes we all need to let it out." Valentine said.
 
 
Gadget nodded, "Thanks. So, yeah, I wanted Hondo to shoot Chip. I gave up after a while, then I met Fernando. Chip kept us apart, and even when we were close Fernando held me at bay. It was bad but not as bad back then. I just told myself that the thought of rescue was just pure fantasy. I'm still not sure it isn't all a dream."
 
 
"It's not. We are here and we will help you, if you let us." Valentine said.
 
 
"I do appreciate it. Golly, I haven't had a friend to talk to like this in a long time. You don't know what it means to me." Gadget said with a forced smile on her face.
 
 
"We can help better if you tell us what Chip has done to you, from the beginnin'." Valentine said.
 
 
Gadget looked at the floor, "I ... I can't."
 
 
"Why not?" Valentine asked
 
 
"You couldn't understand." Gadget said
 
 
"Help me to. I want to help but ..." Valentine said but was  cut short
 
 
"No! you couldn't understand ... you don't want to!" Gadget said in a frightened manner as if just talking about it would kill them both.
 
 
"He has you scared to death, doesn't he?" Valentine asked softly
 
 
Gadget could only nod.
 
 
"How have you survived this long?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget shook her head, "You don't want to know. I hate myself for some of the things I've done to survive. Some days I think I'd be better off if I had not survived all those years ago... But I owe him. I hate him but  ... I owe him and he owns me ..."
 
 
"Who? Chip?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget nodded.
 
 
"Fernando and Hondo both have told me that one of the rules of a rescuer is that those rescued owe the rescuer nothin'." Valentine replied.
 
 
"Tell that to my husband." Gadget said flatly.
 
 
"Why have you stayed with him?" Valentine asked
 
 
"Because he is my husband... because its the right thing to do ... I was brought up to believe divorce was wrong...  God doesn't like it." Gadget said without any conviction.
 
 
"Though I agree with all that, not in this situation. You truly believe that is right for your situation or is that stuff chip pounded into your head?" Valentine asked
 
'
"I don't know what I believe anymore. Maybe that's why I stayed or maybe its like I said earlier, I'm too much of a fraidy little pup to be alone." Gadget said.
 
 
"I think there's a lot more too it." Valentine said
 
 
Gadget shrugged, "Maybe .... please, don't make me talk about that anymore. If I do I'll not be able to face anyone out there."
 
 
Valentine nodded, "Aright, but once we get settled in you owe me the truth."
 
 
"Just please don't tell Hondo. He hates me enough alright. If it wasn't for you I'd try to make it up to him." Gadget said.
 
 
"Is that why you're trying to get with Fernando? To make somethin' up to him?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget shook her head, "No that's different."
 
 
"Do you love him?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget started to nod but stopped short. After a brief pause she shrugged.
 
 
"I don't know. I told myself I loved Chip once too. I thought I loved Hondo before that and you know what I did to him... I am a horrible person and deserve all that's happened to me, I guess." She said sadly.
 
 
"You are not a horrible person and you definitely don't deserve to be hurt! Now, what happened tongiht?" Valentine asked trying to change the subject a bit.
 
 
Gadget was in a bad place and was ripped apart inside. Valentine recognized the feeling in herself, but she had Hondo now. She knew why Gadget was running towards Fernando, but why was still not clear. chip was the cause of Gadget being broken but how broken was she?
 
 
Gadget gave Valentine a questioning look, "Why do you think something happened?"
 
 
Valentine gave her a serious look, "Fernando wouldn't have asked me to talk to you if nothin' happened."
 
 
Gadget thought for a bit then shrugged, "Maybe it was because I told him  that Chip and the others never lasted longer than 5 minutes when we had sex?"
 
Valentine gave her a surprised look, "Others? What others?"
 
 
Gadget gave her a surprised look, "Others?! I didn't say others! Its just Chip. I've always been faithful. I'd never have sex with anyone that Chip didn't know about!"
 
 
"So if he knew about them you would?" Valentine asked
 
 
"That's not what I meant! I just meant if I were to have it with anyone else HE would know and be alright with it, not that he would be unless it was to help save someone, not that that's happened, but if it had that's how it would happen, I mean it would be needed for good and chip would accept it for the greater good, if sex with me helped the greater good, not that it has ..." Gadget rambled nervously, a definite look of fear on her face.
 
 
Valentine had to almost shake her to get her to stop, "Gadget! It's ok.. stop... breath!"  
 
 
Gadget breathed heavily and nodded, "Sorry. I didn't mean to go on like that. Just know I've never been unfaithful. Please believe me!"
 
 
Gadget seemed almost desperate for Valentine to  believe her. Valentine searched her eyes for an answer, but all she saw was fear.
 
 
"What would have happened if Fernando had taken your advances?" Valentine asked
 
 
"Fernando told you about that! When? When I was ... was in the bathroom? ITs just ... I didn't. It was just a kiss! He ... I ... he said we might end up in bed ... I wasn't trying to push him ... you don't understand ... I just ..." She started rambling again
 
 
Valentine had to shake her this time, "Gadget! For the love of god, stop! Fernando didn't say anything about tonight. I was meaning before tonight! we talked about it earlier and you admitted to it."  
 
 
Gadget froze and looked at Valentine like a child who had gotten caught with their hand in a cookie jar.
 
 
"You ... you mean you didn't know about tonight?" Gadget said.
 
 
"Not until just now." Valentine said flatly.
 
 
"Oh." Gadget replied as she looked back at the floor, studying the grout work as if Leonardo Da Vinci himself had done the work.
 
 
"Didn't you promise you'd not push Fernando for now?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget shrugged, "I ..I might have."
 
 
Valentine sighed, "Gadget, we can't help you if you show us we can't trust you."
 
 
Gadget turned away from her, "I ...I'm sorry. I want to promise I wont because you and Hondo want me too but ... I can't. You don't understand but ... I can't."
 
 
Valentine saw she was getting no where and gadget seemed to be locking up on her so she backed off.
 
 
"Ok. Just try, please. Now, what was that about Sex being only five minutes?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget shrugged, "Just that I told him that I'd never had it longer than five minutes and he said that usually lasted hours for him, half hour at the shortest. but ..."
 
 
"But what?" Valentine asked
 
 
"But, is that normal or is that just because there's something different about him? I know Jeanette has called him super squirrel before." Gadget asked
 
 
Valentine smiled, "I take it you and Hondo didn't do it back when you were together."
 
 
Gadget shook her head, "No. I told him I wanted to wait for marriage and he respected that. He always was too good to me, right up to the end."
 
 
"That's my Hondo. But, no,  five minutes is not the usual, at least not with all men." Valentine said
 
 
"Not with real men, you mean." Gadget said.
 
 
"Maybe. Maybe it has somethin' to do with if they actually care about us or it they are tryin' to just make themselves feel good. I don't know." Valentine said.
 
 
Gadget nodded, "Maybe. I'd like to know how that feels... someday, being cared for that is."
 
 
"Anythin' else happen that I should know about?" Valentine asked
 
 
Gadget started as if she wanted to say something, looking Valentine in the eye for a moment, but she then turned away sadly.
 
 
"No ... that's all." Gadget said
 
 
"If you change your mind, I'll be around." Valentine said.
 
 
Gadget nodded, "Thank you."
 
 
"Now, we better get back before we are missed. You should fix your makeup first." Valentine said.
 
 
Gadget looked in the mirror to see her makeup running, "I look a mess, don't I?"
 
 
"I don't know why you wear so much. I've seen you without and you are too pretty to hide behind so much face paint." Valentine said
 
 
Gadget forced a smile, "You are sweet. I know why Hondo fell for you. I only wish I was half as beautiful as you."
 
 
Gadget fumbled around in her hand bag, "Golly, I left it all in the bag in the car."  
 
 
Valentine handed her a couple items from her bag, "We have almost the same complexion so mine should work. You'll have to wash your face and start completely over, though as I'm a minimalist when it comes to make-up. Hondo likes it that way. I put on a bunch once for him and he told me I should wash it off as they only paint ugly barns!"
 
 
Gadget chuckled, "He always did have a way with words."
 
 
Valentine chuckled and nodded, "Yeah. he's not as smotth talking as some but you know he means what he says and when he speaks its generally worth listenin' to."
 
 
"Unless he's pissed off and mumbling." Gadget replied.
 
 
"Good to know he's always been like that!" Valentine said with a laugh.
 
 
A couple minutes later gadget was ready and they both headed back towards their table. As they passed through the party room, they found Hondo, leaning against one of the decorative columns, alone.  
 
 
"Where is Fernando?" Gadget asked
 
 
"He's back at the table, I think. Once we regroup we'll probably head out. He needed to make a presence, though, so I stayed out here to make sure you two were alright." Hondo said.
 
Valentine nodded, "We are alright."
 
 
Hondo nodded, "Gadget, head back to the table. I need to talk to my wife ... alone."
 
 
Gadget looked at Valentine, "You promised, remember."
 
 
Valentine nodded, "I do. Don't worry."
 
 
Gadget nodded and walked warily to the table, glancing back at them a couple times
 
 
Once she was out of hearing range Hondo turned to Valentine with a questioning look.
 
 
"What was that 'bout?" He asked
 
 
"I promised I'd keep our conversation private, just between her and me." Valentine said.
 
 
"Is that for the best?" Hondo asked
 
 
"We need to gain her trust. She's been hurt and has as much trust as an abused puppy." Valentine said.
 
 
Hondo nodded, "Yeah, an' our past probably doesn't help that."
 
 
"Actually it does. She is nervous about you, as she feels you should hate her, but your kindness stuck with her. That's all I can say without breakin' her trust." Valentine said
 
 
"Alright. I know you'd tell me if I needed to know. You need to know this, though. She said a few things to Jefe that makes him think she's been turned into a sex addict, a junkie, or both." Hondo said
 
 
"Five minutes?" Valentine asked.
 
 
Hondo nodded, "That an' some other things. I take it she said a few things to you too."
 
 
Valentine nodded, "Yeah. Not about drugs, though, but it makes a few things make sense. What he thinkin'? Meth? Cocaine?"
 
 
Hondo shook his head, "Heroin."
 
 
"I was hopin' you weren't goin' to say that. I had a friend in college who did that. I almost did after ... after ... you know what. I'm glad I didn't. She ended up dead in a ditch. Overdosed and gang raped. Never decided if it was murder, suicide, or accidental." Valentine said.
 
 
"Yeah, seen te like before. Jefe says he's probably gonna have to bed her to check for marks, but if you could get her to admit to it or somethin'." Hondo replied.
 
 
Valentine nodded, "I'll try."
 
 
Hondo sighed, "Sorry to ask this all of ya, especially with you tryin' to heal up, yourself."
 
 
Valentine shook her head, "Don't be sorry. It's what we do. Besides, helpin' her might help me. It get's my mind off my problems and lets me be useful."
 
 
"Maybe you see why Jefe an' I were always drawn to the damsel's in distress." Hondo said
 
 
"When you put it like that ... yeah, I do." Valentine said.
 
 
Hondo nodded, "We'd better get to the table. Jefe's probably waitin' for us."
 
 
They headed back to the table and sat down. Tammy glared at them both before turning to ignore them again. Hondo didn't let it both him. Right now her attitude was the least of their problems.  
 

Charles heading to Fernando place as he got a call on his car phone, He answer it and it was Bernard Charles old friend.  
 
“Hay Bernard what the call today?” Charles saying
 
“Well since I been made Leader of the Rescue Aid Society and also saw the news what Chip did.” Bernard.
 
“Oh yea he went stupid.” Charles saying.
 
“Yea since this is Chip Actions on his team, Me and the Board Members were in a meeting and it dose look bad for the Rescue Rangers.” Bernard saying.
 
“What you mean?” Charles asking.  
 
“We will broadcast this on the news. But I am telling you this and to tell them that. We Rescue Aid Society decide to disband the Rescue Rangers, we confiscating their Treehouse, their equipment and their transports. So tell them that they won’t have a home when they come back. Chip Just give us a Black Eye to the Japan Government and we trying get back on there good side. Telling them that we disband the Rescue Rangers and there services to us. I am sorry but Board vote 5 to 4 Disband them.” Bernard saying as he was sad.
 
“So who going to take there place?” Charles saying as he was shock more hearing this.
 
“The Danger Rangers. Scratch, Sniff, Glitch, Orgo and Digger. They will be one taking over the Treehouse and operations.” Bernard saying.  
 
“You got to be Kidding me? Those Guys?” Charles saying angry.  
 
“I Know. But Chip Force us we were out of options and We have no Choice.” Bernard saying  
 
“Great thanks Chip.” Charles saying  
 
“So what you be doing with Dale, Montray Jack, Zipper and Gadget?” Bernard Asking  
 
“Dale will be with me since I am going to train him. Montray Jack, Zipper will be with Fernando Friend. Gadget she will be with my Friend since she left Chip.” Charles saying.
 
“Great Chip is Driving a Wedge between him and Gadget. Me and Bianca still together. We been through anyway. I Hope Gadget be ok.” Bernard saying.
 
“Don’t worry she will.” Charles saying.
 
“So Tell Fernando to turn on Nippon News they will be broadcasting our decision tomorrow 4pm, That 8Am in Japan Time. So See you later old Friend.” Bernard saying.  
 
“Yea Bye old Friend.” Charles saying as he hang up and driving to Fernando Place with his team as he was sad hearing the news.

Back in the Hide-out, Tammy is going through the room, setting things up for her and Francesca but not unpacking her bags. She sits in the room’s armchair (the only chair in the room) with Francesca on her lap. There is a knock on the door. Tammy calls to who it is to enter, it is Jeanette and Aiesha.
 
“Does the baby need anything?” Jeanette asks.
 
“We are doing fine.” Tammy answers.
 
“What about you?” Aiesha asks.
 
“I said ‘We are doing fine.’” Tammy repeats herself.
 
“Look, Tammy.” Jeanette begins. “I do not know what happened between you and Fernando. In fact I do not want to know. But you two need to work things out.”
 
“If you want to know, he abandoned me to the wolves when he should have been with me, taking care of me and the baby. But no, he had his people put up an act of dragging him out of the house for a useless mission. Then his so called best friend on the throne had me drugged up and incapacitated while he was out with some Japanese harlots and floozies. Now he has threatened me with divorce for infidelity, accusing me having an affair with Chip, claiming that he has video evidence of the affair.” Tammy throws at them, adding, “The only thing he wanted what is in between my legs. And now that I’m taking care of Francesca, he is going after anything in a skirt, including Gadget and Val. I would not be surprised if he’s doing it with those two whores he picked up from Italy as well.”
 
“Care to explain what Chip was doing in his house?” Jeanette asks, throwing in, “There is video evidence of Chip leaving Ranger HQ and heading to your home on several security monitors entries.”
 
“Business. Business that led up to this mission with Misao.” Tammy throws back at her.
 
“I can verify that with a phone call to Misao.” Jeanette tells her.
 
“And Fernando did not know that you were in trouble with the Emperor until after the fact and took you out of harm’s way when he found out.” Aiesha tells her.
 
“Don’t lie to me I know a set up when I see one.” Tammy tells her.
 
“We tried.” Aeisha said to herself.
 
“Between you and I, Tammy, Fernando would not harm you, and I know because despite the many arguments we had had, he never had harmed me in any physical way.” Jeanette tells her.
 
“Oh here we go with that. How many times has he hurt you with words, your emotions by his actions, telling you that you are not good enough. I know it has been a lot so don’t give me that guff.” Tammy tells her.
 
“As for Sabrina and Tabitha, whether you accept them or not, my sisters and I accept them as they are as sisters to this larger family. You do not accept any one of us as your step-daughters even though we have accepted you as our step-mother.” Aeisha tells her.
 
“You cannot be my daughters, most of you are older than me!” Tammy tells her.
 
“Family is not the people who live in the same house. It is those who care for each other.” Jeanette says to Tammy, thinking of herself and her sisters and what they had been through in life. She throws in, “As for his last mission in South America, I have been digging through the Ranger Archives. For the past 6 weeks before Fernando was dragged away, Chip was making phone calls to his agency. What those phone calls were about, I do not know, but I can ask his friends in the agency to find out. Now, If Chip made phone calls to have Fernando sent away, and afterwards he was visiting you...”
 
“Enough. Now leave before I forget I am holding Francesca and begin shooting up the place.” Tammy tells them.
 
“Look. I am, make that we are here so we can help you with my little sister – your daughter. Now I will do anything for my baby sister, including die for her. But for you, I would not die for you. And at the rate you are going, I do not care. Goodnight. I’ll see you in the morning.” Aiesha tells her before leaving the room.
 
Jeanette remains for a second, making Tammy say, “You still here?”
 
“Fernando is not the enemy. And from what I seen and heard, Chip tried to kill him and hurt you and the baby. If it were me and Francesca was my child, extramarital affair or not, for trying to harm my child, I would put a bullet through that Chipmunk’s head – and you know I am not into violence even if it is needed. But to protect my child, I will burn half the city to get to those would try to harm her, including Chip.” Jeanette tells her, “You and little Francesca have a goodnight. I’ll see you both in the morning.”
 
Jeanette gently closes the door before going to her room.